Warning: This chapter gets into some dark places. You have been warned.

Castle Cousland


Alistair followed Elissa around the Castle hallways, trying to avoid bumping into servants along the way.

"Where are we going?"

She turned around and smiled "Mother told me to show you to your new room! I think you'll like it."

"Room?" Alistair repeated, unbelieving.

They both entered into a doorway, and Alistair looked around. This was...

"This is all mine?"

"Mhm!"

Alistair couldn't believe it. There was a bed, a chest next to it, and a desk. He'd seen rooms like this in Redcliffe Castle, but those were meant for children of knights and nobles. He was supposed to sleep in the stables, just like Eamon and Isolde said.

"Is something wrong?"

The boy snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head "No. It's fine. It's really fine."

Before she could reply, Bryce walked into the room "How is everything, Alistair? I hope the room is to your liking."

"I-is this really my room, my Lord?"

The Teyrn walked forward and knelt to Alistairs level, with a knowing, soulfull smile "Alistair, I know that at Redcliffe, you were used to things being a certain way. Know that while you are here, you won't be living in a stable. You wont be whipped. You wont be stricken. And you certainly wont be called a disgrace."

"I..I-"

"Your birth does prevent you from taking the throne, this is true." Bryce continued "But you are a son of King Maric, and you deserve far better than you have been given. Take pride in this, even when others mock you. And know that whatever happens, the Couslands shall always be there for you."

Bryce reached in his pocket, and pulled out something small and silver. Alistairs heart raced in his chest.

"How...how did you..."

"I repaired it." Bryce answered "Eamon said you threw it at the wall. I imagine you were angry at being sent away. I think that your mother would have wanted you to keep it, in remembrance of her."

He took Alistairs hand, lowered the amulet, and closed the boys hand "Never be ashamed of who you are, Alistair."

Something about those words touched Alistair deeply. His chest started to move from the crying, and out of instinct, he reached out and embraced the first person who actually cared about what he wanted.

Elissa didn't know what to say, or to do. She was always amazed at what her Father could do to people.


2 Hours later

Bryce had expected this. Word was going to inevitably reach Denerim, and Loghain would almost certainly want to know what was going on.

Well, Loghain could be reasoned with, at least. He was a bit harder to convince than others, but Bryce respected him for that. It didn't help that Loghain did not seem to care for his presence. It was as much a clash of personalities and opinions as it was the fact that during the Occupation, Bryce had to fight in the north, and simply couldn't do much to help Loghain, Maric, or Rowan. It was something that Bryce had made peace with, as did Eleanor.

As did Howe, for that matter. He was visiting the Castle too. It would be good for Elissa and Fergus to play with Rendons children, and develop that bond of trust. Nathaniel would soon be sent off to the Free Marches. Rendon hadn't named an heir, yet. It made things a bit hard to plan out...

But that was much later down the road.

"So I am to understand," Loghain started off "that this Alistair, who may or may not be a child of Marics, is to be living with you now."

The conversation at the dinner table took the inevitable turn.

"He is." Bryce stood his ground "I also trust what Warden Commander Malcolm has said about the boy."

"Maric trusted the Wardens too." Loghain grumbled.

Eleanor raised an eyebrow reproachingly "Malcolm fought at our side during the war, Loghain. He's a sensible man, much like you. Perhaps when you have taken the opportunity to better acquaint yourself with him, your opinion might change."

Loghain wasn't sure whether to be insulted or amused. Eleanor always was very direct with her emotions.

"Whatever his birth, I believe that it is our duty to safeguard him." Bryce neutralized the tension.

Well, if this is all true, Loghain thought to himself, it shouldn't be a problem. He didn't like Bryce, but compared to Eamon, well, there really was no comparing at all. Besides, the boy is a bastard. He has no legitimate claim to the throne. Cailan and Anora should be fine.

"Really, Bryce," Howe laughed "you always manage to land yourself in these situations. I'd have thought you to fly closer to the ground by now."

"It's no danger to take in a blameless child!" Eleanor sighed and leaned in "Loghain, I know that you worry about Cailan and Anora. But they have nothing to fear from Alistair. Our loyalties lie with Maric, and Ferelden. And whenever his time passes, that same fealty shall pass to Cailan and Anora. Of that, you can be certain."

Eleanor wasn't the sort to lie. Well, their word would have to do. For now.

Loghain cleared his throat "Well, I suppose we shall have to see. Now, you mentioned this Malcolm, Bryce. Why don't you tell me-"

The doors to the dining hall burst open. A soldier of Gwaren immediately entered "Teyrn Loghain!"


Fields of Highever

Fergus couldn't remember the last time he had such a good fight. Nathaniel was proving to be nimble, and could dish out as much as he could take.

Still, it was fun to prod him.

"What's the matter, Nathaniel?" Fergus grinned, swiping with his sword "Getting tired?"

Nathaniel, of course, did not like to boast or taunt. It wasn't good sportsmanship. But he knew Fergus meant only to push him farther.

"Not yet."

As the two clashed, the other four children were content to simply chat with eachother.

"Do I have a big nose or not!?"

Elissa rolled her eyes at Delilah "Don't listen to Habren. She's wicked, and snotty."

Thomas brushed away his dark hair "Wait a minute. Who's your father?"

Alistair pointedly looked away. "I'm...I'm not supposed to tell."

"He's a bastard." Elissa cut in "But that's alright. I know a lot of bastards. Mother says the Landsmeet is FULL of bastards."

Fergus shot a look over at his sister and grinned. A series of giggles came from Alistair. Delilah, on the other hand, was mortified.

"You're not supposed to say such things!"

"What?" Elissa's eyes were full of innocence.

The sounds of horses and men drew their attention, and Fergus and Nathaniel stopping sparing. The triple contingent of Gwaren, Amaranthine, and Highever guards took notice of a very large band of men coming their way. Fergus could see that this was some type of a mob, not an army. Still, they outnumbered the guards present several times over. A feeling of dread overcame him. The castle was still very close, but if they started to run, the men on horseback would cut them down.

He took in a deep breath, and calmly walked toward the group. They didn't seem to have a uniform set of armor. No, some of them were dressed in mere rags, but all of them had weapons, makeshift or standard.

The guards immediately drew themselves between the mauraders and the children, but Fergus broke through their ranks.

"Greetings. What business do you have here?"

Some of the arrivals scoffed at a young man addressing them, but one man, a rather unkempt, but menacing individual, stepped forward, towering over Fergus.

"Well, what do we have here? What's your name, boy?"

"Fergus Cousland. I'm the son of the Teyrn."

Nathaniel stood behind one of the soldiers, and readied an arrow on his bow.

"A little noble brat, eh?" There was an intense, almost insane look in his eyes "These little ones your brothers and sisters?"

"What business do you have here?" Fergus hardened his tone.

The man shrugged "Myself and my friends just got out of Amaranthine, you see. The Bann spends too much gold on herself. And not enough on simple things. Like good prison bars. Well..." He turned around "Maybe she spends her money just fine, eh lads?"

Some of the men sniggered in response. One, in particular, was staring intently at Elissa. It made her extremely uncomfortable.

"I see that you have myself and the guard at a disadvantage." Fergus crossed his arms "But be sensible about this. Let there be no bloodshed. If you wish, you can take me and demand a king's ransom. My father is the Teyrn of Highever. Just let the children depart to the castle."

"My lordship-" A knight protested.

"No, I don't think so." The leader snarled. "I think I'll take the lot of you brats, and get my revenge for twenty years of rotting in a dark cell."

Fergus drew his sword, and Nathaniel immediately fired an arrow.

"RUN!"

Elissa backpedaled slowly, and was immediately pulled away by Alistair. The sounds of men shouting and metal clashing against armor quickened her pace. The last thing she remembered was running toward the Castle gates, before everything went dark.


Elissa opened her eyes slowly. As she did, she felt the back of her head throb with pain. Whatever she was laying on was wooden.

Alistair was staring at her from the other corner of the abandoned house. He occassionally shifted his glance to the man that was watching Elissa earlier. He was old, and had a cruelty, a malice in his eyes.

"Bloody balls!" Another voice shouted from outside. "Look Brieven, I think its just you and me now. Those bloody guards were just too good. And what in the Maker's name was Teyrn Loghain doing there?!"

"It doesn't matter." Brieven stood from his stool "We have them. It's better now, that its just the two of us. More loot for us, less noise."

"Right."

Brieven slowly stalked toward Elissa, who instinctively backed further into her corner. Stopping a mere foot from here, he squated down, and cocked his head. His voice was cold, and unfriendly.

"What's your name?"

She tried to speak, she truly did. But nothing came out. She looked to Alistair for help. A hand immediately grasped her jaw, and roughly pushed it back to his eyes.

"HEY! Look at me." He squeezed his grip "What is your name."

"E-Elissa."

He looked over her with disgust "I've seen plenty of women like you, you know. Think you're better than everyone else. Think you're so high and mighty. Well, want to know a secret?"

Brieven leaned in, whispering into her ear "I've proven every one of them wrong."

It was something about the way that he said it that immediately sent a chill down Elissas spine.

"What about you? You think you're better than me?"

Elissa immediately shook her head, but he did not relent "You think you're better than me, don't you?"

"LEAVE HER ALONE!"

Brieven spun around to the other bandit "SHUT HIS MOUTH!"

The fist connected with Alistair, and he felt his world spin a little.

Regaining his composure, but losing none of his fury, he turned back to Elissa "I don't believe you. I think it's time to do what I do to all the uppity girls."

"What're you gonna do?" The other bandit was losing his nerve.

The next thing she knew, hands were pressed against her body, tearing her dress apart.

"Stop..." she whispered "STOP!"

"Are you insane!?" The bandit outlooker was looking with shock "That's the Teyrns daughter! They'll hang you for that!"

Brieven paid him no heed, and started to unbuckle himself.

"For the Maker's sake! She can't even be past ten!"

Alistair sprung from his corner, but the outlooker struggled with him. His right hand found a handle, and without even thinking, he pulled it free and swiped blindly.

"AAGGGGGHHH!"

The outlooker's hands flew to his eyes, which had been slashed with a single, lucky blow. Alistairs courage failed for a moment, realizing what he had done.

Brieven looked behind him, his face full of rage. Behind his body was the face of a tearful, frightened Elissa.

Alistair mustered his courage and charged screaming at the bandit, dagger in hand. But Brieven was quicker, and an outstreched arm swung into Alistair, flinging him into the wall.

The dagger stabbed the wooden floor, right next to Elissa.

Brieven growled "You'll pay for that, boy. I'll deal with you in a moment." With that he turned his attention back to his prey-

The next moment, several things happened.

Elissa, out of pure survival instinct, swung out. The blade made a sickening noise as it severed the mans throat. What happened then, Elissa would never etch out of her mind.

Blood immediately sprayed all over her. Her eyes went wide eyed at what she had just done.

Brieven clutched the open wound at his neck, the wound that was clearly visible to Elissa. A hand dripping with blood squeezed Elissas throat.

She stabbed again, the sound of flesh giving way to cold iron as it embedded the mans shoulder.

He would not relent!

Everything from that point on was something of a blur. She didn't know how many times she stabbed the man, but eventually, he finally stopped.

Alistair got back on his feet, and dragged him off of Elissa. She was covered in blood, her dress in complete tatters.

Before he could say or do anything, footsteps and voices from behind took his senses.

Fergus and Loghain were the first to enter, and both stopped dead in their tracks in sight of the gory scene.

A bandit was writhing on the ground in agony. Alistair was standing there, battered and bleeding, but standing none the less. What grabbed the most attention was the pool of blood in the corner of the room. An old man was staring off into the distance, his eyes unbelieving of his own death. And crouched in the corner, shaking visibly, was a crimson stained figure, her dress in complete tatters, the knife held close to her in a vice grip.

The image conjured up long forgotten memories in Loghain. Memories of his mother. Memories that best laid dormant, but never forgotten.

"Sister!"

Fergus crouched immediately to her side, but she just stared forward, not even reacting to all of the people pouring into the spectacle.

She saw faces, heard voices, but they felt distant. It was all too much to process.

Two arms picked her up, and she swore she could hear her Mothers voice.

"I love you, darling. Please speak to me!"


It's become aware to me that I forgot to credit someone! This story is going to borrow some elements from Arsinoe De Blassenville, who is the author of Victory at Ostagar, among other titles! Shame on me for forgetting!

Also, I happen to be in college right now, and working part time. I get the summer off, so until then, the updates are going to be slow. Sorry :/