Satinalia

She stood just outside of the main hall. It was Satinalia and King Cailan and Queen Anora were hosting the annual feast and ball. Her mother and father were insistent that she attend wearing clothing "befitting her station."

Siobhan laughed to herself. Mother looked horrified when I wore my armor last year. I had managed to evade my parents until the ball had started. Mum put up with it for a few dances, but then banished me to our rooms for the rest of the night. Then I snuck out and spent the rest of the evening in the stables, with stable hands, grooming the horses. Time well spent, even if I was forbidden from leaving castle Highever for a month. Well, no more of that. A Cousland always do their duty, and that means means parading around in a dress an and be open to makin an acceptable match. Whatever the void that means

So there she stood at the Satinalia Ball. Instead of her usual messy ponytail, her cognac colored hair was curled and pined within an inch of its life. Instead of her leather armor, she was gowned in a sapphire dress that enhanced her midnight blue eyes. The dress had a form fitting basque. The sleeves were long and tapered, flowing along the firm muscles of her arms ending in gentle frills of ivory lace. The full skirt fell gracefully to the floor accentuating her height.

From her vantage point she could hear the music, and see the people. Siobhan said under her breath, "I really hate being at these events, and I certainly am not looking forward to being spun around the room by some stiff-necked, sweaty-palmed, noble's son trying to curry my father's favor. I feel like a Maker-forsaken, trussed-up Satinalia goose!"

"Yes, well as at least no one has cooked you, yet," Fergus said as he walked up to his sister.

Siobhan arched her eyebrow. "Oh? Is that a comment on married life? I'm sure Oriana wouldn't appreciate hearing that."

"Hearing what?" Her sister-in-law said as she joined Fergus.

"I fear my dear brother has just equated married life with being a cooked goose."

"What, I am no longer the ball and chain?" Oriana laughed, she and Siobhan always enjoyed teasing Fergus.

"Hey! Wait! I've...I've never said any such thing!" Fergus tried to defend himself to his wife.

"What was that comment the other day, when I asked to join you at the Tavern?" Oriana gave him a teasingly angry look.

"I was just kidding, Ana!" Fergus said helplessly, "I never think of you as a ball and chain."

"Yet you think that our marriage has cooked your goose. No?" Oriana said still smiling.

Siobhan laughed. "Fergus, just give up and say something romantic to your wife."

Fergus signaled his surrender, then knelt in front of his wife, "Ana, my dear sweet love, grant me the honor of dancing with the most beautiful woman in all of Thedas."

Oriana pretended to think about it for a second then smiled. "Since you put it like that." They all laughed and Fergus escorted her back to the ball.

"Teasing your poor brother again, Pup?" Bryce Cousland, gave his daughter a wry grin, as he passed Fergus and Oriana.

"It's not like it's difficult to do father. You know how flustered Fergus can get."

"You should be on the dance floor yourself, instead of hiding in the wings." Siobhan started to look dubious. "Lest I tell Fergus about how you fell off the horse this morning because you forgot to tighten the saddle."

"Father!" Siobhan looked horrified, but Bryce smiled warmly at his daughter. "You're not the only one capable of being a trouble-maker"

Siobhan kissed her father on the cheek and reluctantly moved into the dance hall.

~oOOo~

Gareth saw Siobhan Cousland enter the main hall. The way she bore herself like a trained warrior, but her expression spoke of a gentle heart. He saw her try to make her way across the hall, but was soon inundated with requests to dance. Eventually she took to the floor with Oswyn, Bann Sighard's son.

Thinking back to the feast, Gareth noticed, of all things, her interactions with the servants. Most nobles were, at best, dismissive of the help, but Siobhan's requests were always polite and kind, and her smile of thanks was always genuine.

"I've noticed you've been more a watcher than a doer this evening," Teyrn Loghain said, putting a hand on his son's shoulder.

His thoughts interrupted. He looked at his father. "Da, you know how I hate these things."

"They're not my favorite way to pass the time either." The Teyrn chuckled dryly, then said more sternly, "but you are my heir, so do your duty and stop sitting on your arse."

"Yes, ser!" Gareth said and moved towards the dance floor.

~oOOo~

As Oswyn and Siobhan danced, Oswyn talked ceaselessly about was how well the Bann was doing, how much he had personally helped his father run it, and how much he admired Highever.

Maker save me, his palms are sweaty!

Oswyn felt a tap on the shoulder and heard a deep voice. "May I cut in?"

Siobhan thought he was about to make a smart remark until he realized he was looking up at Gareth Mac Tir. Oswyn stood aside. "Yes Ser...please do. I fear I have...monopolized too much of Lady Cousland's time."

Siobhan smiled. "It was an honor Ser Oswyn, please give your father my regards."

Gareth took Siobhan's hand and began to gracefully move her across the floor. "I find these events quite tedious."

Siobhan, surprised by his statement asked cautiously, "You do?"

"Yes, and if I may be so bold, given the look on your face when you entered the Hall, it seems you think so too."

"Ser, you may be too bold," Siobhan replied crisply, but clearly intrigued by his candor. She softened her tone to take the sting out of her words. "but I would be a liar if I contradicted you." She smiled and added, "Though I would have to say 'tedious' is the least colorful term I would use."

Gareth laughed, which was a rich, musical sound. He gently pulled Siobhan closer to him as he looked into her dark-blue eyes. "Then, my Lady, perhaps we can endeavor to make this event less tedious."

They danced through a couple of songs, then he escorted her off the floor to get some refreshments. Seeing this, Fergus whispered to his father and mother, "Do you think it's wise that Siobhan gets close to Mac Tir?"

Bryce, who had been watching the event unfold on the dance floor, frowned, but replied, "Gareth Mac Tir has shown none of the traits that make his father...difficult to deal with. He has always been respectful, seems open-minded, and when asked gives well-reasoned opinions."

"But he's a Mac Tir!"

"And you're a Cousland; we treat people fairly and with honor," Eleanor strongly reminded her son. "Nothing Gareth Mac Tir has done has indicated that he is anything but an honorable man."

Fergus felt the sting of his mother's reprimand, but it didn't change his thoughts.

At the refreshment table, Siobhan graciously accepted a drink from the servant, and looked at her escort. "So, my Lord, why do you find these events so tedious?"

"I generally find the nobility are more concerned with gossip and positioning and less concerned with the health and welfare of the people under their rule. These events just makes that ever so much more obvious."

"You're quite forthright in your opinions with someone you barely know. How do you know I won't just use your words to my advantage?" Siobhan challenged.

Gareth looked into her eyes. "A woman who treats servants like people and not chattel is certainly not trying to curry favor with the nobility."

Siobhan blushed under Gareth's gaze; he favored his father in looks - the same strong face, jet-black hair and sky-blue eyes. He wore his hair to his shoulders and sported a goatee. Gareth was taller and more broadly built than his father, and his manner was something Siobhan had never encountered in the other young nobles: he had a poise and maturity about him that made him seem far older. From all she had seen so far, he was a gentleman, one that drew her in, and one she wanted to know better.