Chapter 2

Roxie bounced into the sparring ring as Master Zeph looked up at the sky, then at her and said, "You're late."

Roxie looked at the sky and asked, "How can you tell?"

Master Zeph sighed as he replied, "I just can and that is why I am the master and you are the apprentice."

Roxie grinned as she unsheathed her weapons, raised an eye brow and said, "Not for long."

"You'll have to beat me in the ring first, young one and from what I've seen that won't be anytime soon. So for today your opponent is Reece," He replied patiently.

"Ouch, that had to have stung," Reece chortled as he pulled out sword and dagger.

"I may not be able to beat him today, but the day is coming. Today however, is your day to eat some dirty, my Lord," Roxie said as she bowed. Reece shook his head and the two of them began to circle each other crouched in a defensive position.

"Eat dirty…is that anyway for a Lady of your station and breeding to be talking?" Reece said as he lunged forward with his sword. Roxie easily side stepped blade and swung her sword up, he blocked and as the two swords connected a loud clang rang out.

Roxie leaned over the blades and laughed, "And here I thought you loved me because I don't talk like a well breed noble woman." She pushed off the blades and began circling him again.

"Well, when we are alone, I definitely don't want to hear you talk like a well breed Lady. You're a master of the double entendre and that's what I love about you," he whispered as he grinned at her.

Roxie knew that Reece's size and strength was no match for her if she took him head on. Her footwork, dexterity and her ability to think quickly on her feet would be her saving grace - as it always. And if she could throw him off his game a little by making a risqué innuendo here and there - well all's fair in love and war.

"You love me for innuendos? If I recall the other night as you were trying to talk me out of my dress you specifically expressed a love for the area below my neck," she replied coolly as she lunged to his left; he parried, he then flipped his sword under hers and charged for her legs. She leapt to the left, tucked her head and rolled past him on the ground, and came up behind him. She jumped to her feet, using the broad side of her blade swung at his back. He had anticipated the move and jumped to the right, but she still managed to connect his side and the hit made him stumble forward. "That's going to leave a mark," he groaned.

Roxie danced up to him, close enough from him to hear her, but still out of weapons range, "I'll kiss it and make it better tonight," she cooed.

He smirked at her and replied, "I'm going to hold you to that."

"Would the two of you quit the chit-chat and get back to your sword play?" Master Zeph said.

Roxie and Reece both smirked at each other as he taunted, "You heard the man, Roxie you need to play with your sword."

She winked at him and teased, "I'd rather play with yours." The shock expression on his face almost made her laugh out loud, but she used his stunned surprise to her advantage and advanced toward him. She suddenly thrust and Reece barely had time to block the blow. Roxie thrust again and again as she advanced on him and drove him back, in order to keep her from driving her into the ring Reece took a side step and then another until they were circling each other again.

"So you want to play with my sword, huh?" Reece joked, but Roxie ignored the comment. She was no longer joking around; now she was focused on the match. Reece could see the change in her demeanor and knew the time for fun and games was over.

Roxie concentrated on his body language and read his attacks. He lunged, she parried, he swung, she blocked and the when he lunged forward a little too deep she side stepped him, it caught him off balance, and brought the blunt side of her blade down his arm and shoulder. He growled as he swung his sword around and hit her in the back with broad side of his blade, but as he pulled away the tip it caught the upper part of her bare arm and sliced through the tender skin. She cried out, but spun around to face him.

Reece saw the blood dripping down her arm and was about call off the match when he saw Roxie shake her head and snarl between clinched teeth, "Don't you dare. You're not getting off that easy."

"Rox, you're bleeding. Let's get that taken care of," Reece said.

"Do you think they stop a battle just because your opponent begins to bleed? I think that's the point." Roxie asked as she began to circle him.

"Roxie, this isn't a battle," Reece said trying to reason with her as he circled with her.

"But I have to train my mind to push through the pain" Roxie snarled as she quickly danced toward him in blur of motion as her sword and dagger worked in unison. Reece was backing up as he meet each swing with a block. Reece leapt to right when he landed he bent down and swung at her feet, she jumped into the air and over the blade. When she landed Reece had planned on rolling past her and coming up behind her, but she had expected that and as he rolled she brought the pommel of her sword down between his shoulder blades. She didn't hit him hard enough to cause any real damage, but hard enough to knock the wind out of him. He rolled over and surrendered and she grinned.

"Now, will you let me look at your arm?" Reece asked. She nodded and he led her over to the side area that had medical supplies. He pretended to be wrapping her arm when he cast a healing spell on her.

Roxie's head wiped around as she felt the warm sensation pass through her. "Reece, what the hell are you doing? You shouldn't be doing that out in the open," Roxie hissed through her teeth.

"Don't worry. No one was looking," Reece whispered back.

Roxie spun toward him and took his hands, "Reece, you have to be more careful. Your grandfather has risked everything to secretly train you so that you didn't have to go to the Circle and you risk exposing him and yourself by healing a minor cut."

Reece squeezed her hand, "Your right. I shouldn't have done it. I just hate to see you in pain….small or great."

Roxie leaned in and kissed his check and whispered, "If they took you away to the Circle I would be in a great deal of pain. Please promise me you will be more careful."

"I promise," Reece said.

"Good, I have to go. I need to clean up before I have lunch with my mother, the Queen and Eva," Roxie said.

"Hey, if I recall you promised that tonight you would kiss my boo-boo and make it better," Reece said with pout.

"Hmmm, yes I did and since I am a woman of my word, I guess you should figure out away to sneak me out of the Palace," Roxie said as she headed for the Palace.

Roxie quickly washed up and changed into a proper dress. Her mother knocked on her door and the entered. "Are you ready my dear?" her mother called out.

"Yes, I'm ready," Roxie replied as she stepped out from behind the changing screen.

Her mother smiled at her, "You look lovely. Now remember to mind your manners. I know that the Queen at times is a little closed minded, but you don't help the situation by calling her out. So please be patient and bite your tongue."

"Oh for Maker's sake mother you act like she could have me beheaded. You're the granddaughter of King Alistair; you are third in line to the throne, Maker forbid if something were to happen to King Alistair James, Eva, and Grandma, so I am not going to bite my tongue if she makes another one of her bigoted remarks about elves, dwarves or mages. Thank the Maker, Eva takes after the Cousland side of the family.

Her mother just sighed and they headed out to the royal garden where they were having lunch. As Roxie approached Queen Mariah she curtsied and said, "It's a pleasure to see you again, your Majesty."

The Queen smiled and said, "Thank you, Roxie. I am so glad that we could have this time together."

Her mother curtsied and said, "Mariah, it is so good to see you."

The Queen smiled and said, "You too Ellie. It's been to long cousin."

"Yes it has. I just love summer time when we are all together again," Ellie replied.

Roxie turned towards her cousin, curtsied and said, "Your Highness, it's good to see you again."

Eva grabbed Roxie by the arm and led her towards the table, "Oh for Maker's sake, stop doing that. You know I hate when you do that."

"Just getting in the practice for when it's your royal arse sitting on the throne," Roxie whispered in her ear and Eva giggled.

The four of them sat at the table as the servants brought out the first course. "So I hear you gave Reece a thrashing in the sparring ring today." Eva said.

Roxie chuckled. "Wow, word really travels fast. But, he gave as good as he got," Roxie said as she winked at Eva and Eva snickered.

"Well, I would have rather been in the sparring ring with you then sitting through another boring history lesson," Eva said.

"The sparring ring is no place for the future Queen of Ferelden," Queen Mariah said.

"With all due respect, your Majesty, I disagree with you," Roxie replied coolly.

"Oh you do," The Queen questioned, "Please enlighten us with your wisdom then."

She saw her mother shoot her a look, but she ignored it and looked at the Queen, "Well, first off the sparring ring teaches you to think quickly on your feet, to adapt to constant changing circumstances, to persevere through pain, and to overcome obstacles. Second, Ferelden needs to know that their monarchs are strong and are capable of defending this country. King Maric fought the war against the Olesians, King Calian died fighting darkspawn, King Alistair and Queen Bella saved this nation against the Blight, the only monarchs not to be battletested are the current ones."

Ellie's face turned three shades of red as she exclaimed, "Roxie, that's enough! I am so sorry, your Majesty. I don't know what's got into her."

The Queen raised her hand to wave it off and rolled her eyes, "It's the age. I am going through the same thing with Eva. Why just yesterday…"

"Hello, Ladies, I am sorry to interrupt," the King said as he came from behind, kissed his wife's check and then continued. "I was passing by and I couldn't help, but overhear Roxie's passionate defense of why it's important for an heir to the throne to learn combat skills and I completely agree with you, my dear. That is why Eva has combat training and she studies military strategies, much to her mother's dismay," he added as he winked at his wife. "And regarding your second point, it is a credit to my family that ruled and governed before me that we now live in peaceful times. It is rare that a King gets to reign without war or the threat of war so we will enjoy it while it last, but have no fear, cousin, if Ferelden is called to fight they will have a strong King to lead them."

Roxie sheepishly smiled at the King, "I have no doubt about that, your Majesty and I am sorry if I offended either one of you," Roxie said as she looked at both the King and Queen.

"No offense taken, my dear, debate is good for the mind," the King replied.

Ellie looked at her cousin and said, "AJ, the older you get the more look like our Grandfather – cut that long hair of yours and you would look exactly like his portrait in the throne room."

"That's why I keep it long. If I cut it short I'm afraid that the older and more senile citizens of Ferelden would think that their favorite Ferelden son had come back from his watery grave," AJ replied lightheartedly and they all laughed.

"Well, I will let you Ladies, get back to your lunch and gossip," he turned to leave, but paused for a moment and said, "By the way, Roxie, that was a very impressive move I saw you make in the ring this morning. I saw your great -grandmother make that exact same move when she would train with my father along with his siblings Ella and Eli - must be in the blood."

"Thank you, your Majesty. I appreciate the compliment." Roxie replied as a huge grin spread across her face.

Later that night under the cloak of shadows Roxie made her way back to the royal gardens, she headed down a dark path that led to the far side of the Palace. Just as she passed a large oak tree she felt an arm wrap around her waist and a hand cover her mouth to stifle the scream. "It's only me," Reece said.

"How did you know I was here?" she asked.

"Your good at concealment, but you aren't that good my dear. Next time, you might not want to smell like Mountain Laurel and Lavender, it will give you away every time," he said as he brushed her hair back and kissed the nape of her neck taking in her sweet scent. She leaned back into his chest enjoying the feel of his arms around her and the sensation of his lips on her skin. His lips trailed down the base of her neck toward her shoulders and then back up to her ear. He whispered, "I have a surprise for you."

He pulled away from her and reached behind the tree and grabbed a blanket, he took her by the hand and led her down the path. "Where are we going?" She asked.

"You'll see." They walked up to a corner in the Palace wall, Reece pushed a sequence of rocks and then slid a large rock aside to reveal a passage way.

Roxie's mouth dropped open. "I thought I knew every nook and cranny of this Palace. I never even knew this was here. How did you find out?"

"My Great Uncle Teagan told me about years ago, but since I normally stay at the Guerrin Denerim Estate when I am in the City I have never had a chance to really explore it. Teagan told me that Maric had it built so when he wanted to escape court life he could sneak out. It's supposed to lead to a small clearing with a pond and waterfall." Reece stepped inside and searched for a torch. He found one just inside the door. He cast a fire spell and the torch light up immediately.

He took her hand and led her through the small passageway. At the end of the tunnel there was another rock blocking their exit Reece hit series of rocks on the way and then slid the rock aside. When they emerged it was exactly how Teagan had described. Reece walked over near the edge of the pond and spread the blanket out.

Roxie joined him on the blanket and sat down beside him. It was a perfect night as the moonlight reflected off of the water a gentle breeze blew. Reece pulled a bottle of wine and two glasses out of his backpack.

"My word, you did think of everything didn't you?" Roxie asked.

"Well, it's a perfect night I just wanted to make sure that it was extra special," he replied as he handed her a glass. "To the most beautiful girl in the world, may she always be in my arms and in my heart until the day I die."

Roxie took a sip of the wine, set the glass aside and said, "I think that can be arranged." She slowly leaned into him and brushed her lips against his; she continued to press little kisses against his lips. Reece leaned her back on the blanket as her arms slid around his neck and his lips covered hers. His mouth devoured hers, moving ravenously; he swallowed a groan of arousal as she sank deeper into his arms. Then his tongue teased at her lips, begging for entrance, Roxie obliged. His tongue entangled with hers, danced with hers as he made love to her mouth. His tongue plunged, retreated, licked at her lips and plunged again. Over and over again as he told her with his tongue what he wanted to do to her body.

He pulled away from her mouth and pressed delicious kisses on her cheeks, the curve of her neck as he made his way to her earlobe - gently, his lips sucked and tugged at it. He blew into her ear, gently sucking, licking, and teasing her earlobe. A moan escaped her as the need inside her began to grow. He whispered in her ear, "Roxie, I love you."

She moaned again and said, "You know I love you Reece. I have since I was fifteen."

"I want to marry you, Rox. Not right now, but one day after I have accomplished enough to deserve you I will marry you."

Roxie smile, "There is nothing more that I want than to be your wife."

"I want you, Rox. I want to be with you, I want to be inside you. I want to make love you to you." Roxie nodded and for the first time in her life she gave herself over, body, soul and spirit to the man that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

The two of them lay entwined in each other's arms for a couple of hours as they talked, laughed and slept as young lovers do. Reece groaned as Roxie pulled away from his embrace, got up and started to get dressed. "Hmmm, my Love, must we head back so soon. The moon is still high in the sky and I want your warm, soft body next to me a little longer."

Roxie looked up at the sky and then continued to dress, "Sorry, Love, but the moon is starting so sink low in the sky and it won't be long before the lark will begin to sing."

Reece laughed and said, "My dear Roxie, you are mistaken. That is the nightingale that is serenading us, not the lark. Come back to my arms so that I can feel you next to …"

Reece stopped mid-sentence as both of them heard the leaves rustle and a tree branch break. Reece scrambled to his feet and quickly threw on his clothes. By the time that he had his sword drawn Roxie was already in a crouched position both her ankle daggers drawn. Reece moved ahead of her and advanced toward the woods. He had taken just a few steps when two large darkspawn came crashing through the bushes.

Roxie screamed from surprise, but immediately went on the offense as she swung and twirled her blades at the advancing hurlock. Reece immediately cast a paralyzing spell on the darkspawn that was headed in her direction and then spun to face the genlock that charged toward him. Reece cast winter's grasp that enveloped the genlock in frost that briefly froze him long enough for Reece to behead it. He turned to check on Roxie who was pulling her daggers out of the hurlock's neck.

Reece was about to make his way over to her when a genlock alpha rushed out of the woods followed by a mage and two Grey Wardens. The mage cast a cone of cold over the alpha and then cast stonefist which hurled a stone projectile and shattered the alpha.

The mage quickly looked around at the two other darkspawn that were already dead and then looked at Reece and Roxie.

"Reece, what the hell are you doing outside the city walls at this time of night?" He glanced over at Roxie and then at the blanket by the pond and shook his head.

"Granddad," Reece began, "I can explain."

"There is no need to explain. I get the picture, but you have no business being outside the city walls this late at night. You have placed both Roxie and yourself in danger. There have been numerous sightings of darkspawn activity just outside of Denerim. You two could have been killed out here."

"We managed to take care of ourselves and looking at the very dead darkspawn I would say that we did a very good job," Reece retorted.

The mage was just about to reply when a third Warden ran up to them and said, "Commander, we have spotted three more darkspawn with an Ogre headed for away from the City towards Dragon's Peak."

"Reece, take Roxie and get her back to the Palace immediately. I want to see both of you at the Warden compound first thing tomorrow morning," the Commander demanded.

Reece and Roxie both nodded as they quickly gathered their things and headed toward opening in the wall. Once they were through the other side of the passage Reece pulled her into his arms. "Thank the Maker you are alright, for a moment I thought that Hurlock was going to run you through."

"Yes, well we can thank your Grandfather for teaching you how to cast minor spells without using a staff. That freezing spell you cast is what slowed him down enough for me to counter his move," Roxie replied.

Reece kissed her forehead and said, "Nothing like a spot of violence to top off a night of love making."

Roxie kissed his lips and said, "Your sick, but I think that is why I love you."

"Really? That's the only reason," he retorted. "And here I thought it was my charm and wit." He put his arm around her and led her back to the Palace. "Now, you be a good little noble and head off to bed. I think both of us are going to be in a world of trouble tomorrow when we go see my grandfather."

Roxie leaned in and brushed her lips against his and whispered, "I had a really good time tonight," she paused as a wicked grin spread across her face as she added, "And the sex wasn't bad either."

Reece feigned a hurt expression and murmured in her ear, "You wound me, my dear Lady and if it wasn't for the very vivid memory of the way your body shook and trembled underneath me I might almost believe you." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her one last time and as they parted the lark began to sing.