The moon was high above them as Nathaniel pulled his charger next to Fergus. The silence seemed to stretch on, just as the road before them.

Fergus chanced a glance at his friend and shook his head. "You look as though you've lost your best friend, that can't be possible though, because I'm right here. You could try talking you know; I understand it's neither your strongest nor most passionate past time, but I am here."

Nathaniel turned his head slightly towards Fergus's voice; he could just barely make out the shape of his face and the light that caught his eyes as he regarded him.

"Yes well I'm not sure anything I have to say would make much of a difference in the current situation we seem to find ourselves in. Leaving to fight what could very well be a Blight. Not really the way I'd like to be spending my time; though the other option isn't to my liking either, so you see I might as well keep quiet."

"Come now Nate, killing a few hundred Darkspawn should be great fun. What's the point of all that training if we don't get to use it? What's this other option that isn't to your liking though? Your father has something in mind for you?" Fergus quirked a brow at him but it was lost to the darkness.

"Well the way I see it, the longer we're down here that means the King and Prince are there as well, which means we won't have to go to Denerim." Nathaniel let it sit at that and the silence settled back around them, before Fergus finally gave in and laughed low in his throat.

"What is so bloody funny Fergus?" Nate s voice was low with warning.

"You are that's what, I know you're in love with my sister. I've known since you two were twelve and I caught you in the stable, fumbling your way through your first kiss." Fergus laughed and continued.

"I know you two were betrothed but that was broken when you were what, fourteen? When Maric up and made his bastard legitimate and then died or disappeared, whatever. It was up to King Cailan to make sure his brother and right now, his only heir has a good match just in case. You know that what the King wants, the King gets. Besides your father will have something set up for you soon and you'll be married."

"You're not helping Fergus. I don't want to be married off, I want, well sod it, it doesn't matter what I want just leave it." Nathaniel gave Fergus a dismissive nod but it didn't stop him from continuing.

"Nathaniel, you're my best friend. Have been since we were children; joking aside which as you know is not an easy task for me. You're going to have to let her go, at least until she is married and had a child with Prince what's-his-face. Then, who knows, things like what you two have happen all the time, people look the other way in political marriages. But it would help if you were married as well; it doesn't look good if you're not married. Makes people think you're going to try and get her to run off with you. Not a good thing for the new princess."

"I am very aware of that fact, Fergus. It had been my plan, but I'm not so sure Elissa see's it our way, I m not sure she understands that the prince will take a mistress when he is done with her, and that if she is careful she can too. She's honest and proud, I love that about her, but she's also his friend and doesn't wish to hurt him. What if she falls in love with him? Maker the thought of losing her to him in all ways kills me."

"Have you met Alistair? I know you haven't outside of an official greeting at the palace, but just wait, I've known him since he was brought to the palace as a child. I ve been hunting every summer with him since he and Elissa were engaged, he's funny enough. I'm not sure how he's going to handle Elissa's temper. I bet he's not used to people, especially women yelling at him. You know how she is and can handle her temper. I think it's going to be quite interesting." Fergus chuckled

"Elissa is fiery; it's one of the things I love about her. Besides it's really helped me with my reflexes, you know, dodging her." Pausing Nathaniel's tone became serious. "What's he like? Alistair I mean."

"Well, as I said he's funny, likes to joke a lot. But he's a Prince I'm not sure how much of his humor is laughed at just to keep face. He looks just like Cailan and Maric. I tell you that's why Maric claimed him. Besides the fact that he was worried about only having one son; someone would have put that one together sooner or later as he got older I tell you. He seems like a kind sort though. If you're asking how he'll treat Elissa that is, he'll be kind to her, as I said it's him I'm worried about."

"Well I guess I'll find out soon enough." Nathaniel spurred his charger along and Fergus caught up to him.

"Just don't reveal yourself when the Prince talks about Elissa as his bride. I need your bow at my back during this, not you sitting in jail for punching the crowned prince in the nose for talking about sleeping with your girlfriend." Fergus snorted and pulled his charger to the side as Nathaniel took a swing at him.

"You're impossible, Fergus. Maybe the darkspawn will do me a favor and tear off my ears, before I have to listen to him talk about her like that. Come let's stop and let the men have a rest, your prattle is making me weary."

ooOoo

Ostagar was a hive of activity when Nathaniel, Fergus and their company of men set up camp and got some rest, though it was short lived as a call into camp heralded the summons of the King.

"Ho' there in camp," Came the yell of the personal guard of the King

Fergus pushed aside the flap of his tent and called back. "Ho' there, well met Ser. What can I do for you?"

"Yer Lordship, the King is requesting your presence and that of Arl Howe's son." The guard nodded and held out his arm motioning towards the Royal encampment.

"Of course Ser. Nathaniel we're being summoned I hope you're decent," Fergus yelled.

"Maker I hate you Fergus," called Nathaniel's sleep laden voice, "I'm coming, and of course I'm decent."

The walk was quick to the Royal enclosure and King Cailan and Prince Alistair were outside, a map rolled out before them. Loghain the general of the Kings Armies and advisor to the King was off to the side. The annoyance on his face was as clear as day, as Fergus and Nathaniel approached the tent.

"You must send a scouting party first your Majesty it needs to be men well trained in tracking I suggest," Loghain was interrupted when Fergus and Nathaniel halted on the other side of the table.

"Ah, Fergus it is good to see you." Fergus bowed and was quickly pulled up by Cailan who was bright and golden in his armor, grasping his forearm in a greeting.

Nathaniel bowed as well, letting his eyes dart up at the other man in a set of matching silver plate behind the King. The resemblance was striking, Fergus was right someone would have caught that sooner or later. His hair was shorter but if he let it grow it would be hard to tell them apart.

"Fergus, you know Alistair." Fergus bowed his head, "of course, it's good to see you again your Highness." Alistair chuckled and grasped his forearm in a greeting as well.

"Fergus, no need to stand on ceremony; I am after all going to be your brother-in-law soon. I expect you won't be doing that to me at every family meal, it would be quite awkward to feel like I have to watch my table manners, and don't look at me like that, Cailan I'm not a slob all the time." He rolled his eyes before pausing, he regarded Nathaniel next to Fergus for a moment before he smiled.

Nathaniel bowed. "Ah, Howe it's good to meet you outside of the palace. I've heard so much about you, no don't look startled. Elissa talks often of your skill with the bow and how talented of a tracker and hunter you are when we speak."

The look Alistair gave Nathaniel then and the tightness of his grip spoke volumes more, than the smile plastered on his face.

Nathaniel released the prince's hand and stepped back to Fergus's side. Andraste's great heaving bosom he knew, the damned prince knew and he didn't seem to just be letting it go. Then again everyone knew they were once betrothed. Perhaps that was it, he was just watching for his reaction too closely.

"How is my Elissa, Fergus?" He put the emphasis on my and at that moment Nathaniel knew it was a reminder to him directly.

"She's much better than last you saw her. She had received quiet the thrashing on the sparring field that day and I think she had a slight concussion. She is much recovered; and I'm sure looks forward to this battle being over so she may join you in Denarim for your much awaited marriage." Fergus paused and Alistair grinned.

"I am looking forward to this all being over so we can settle down. I think the married life will suit me; having a wife, one that will travel and fight and spar with me, sounds much better than having one that just sits around and sews and does needlepoint."

Cailan laughed at that and slapped his brother on the back. "I m not sure you ve seen Elissa when she s fighting, but it can be rather scary, she s always been so nice around you. But you'll learn there are much more appealing things to do with her than hunt and spar."

Nathaniel was shocked to see Prince Alistair blush at the mention of the more pleasurable side of marriage; it wasn't possible that the crowned prince was a virgin was it? Even he himself had partaken in that, when he had been sent away to squire. Though it was something he thought every young man did, he hadn't told Elissa, and Fergus had wisely told him to keep it to himself.

Cailan continued, breaking his line of thought.

"Alistair, as beautiful and interesting topic, as your soon to be wife is, it is not the reason I called Fergus and Nathaniel here."

Alistair nodded "Of course, Cailan please excuse my babbling."

"Yes, well Fergus your King has need of you and your friend's talents. I need you to lead your men and scout into the wilds for me. I need to know if any of the darkspawn have broken off from the main horde and where they are headed. I don't want to take the chance of being outflanked."

He nodded towards Loghain who had stood silent at their side. "Loghain agrees with me on this point and thinks the two of you would be best to lead. I need you to leave as soon as you are able. Gather your men have a hot meal and head out. We'll wait for your fathers to join the main army."

With that King Cailan nodded his dismissal to Fergus and Nathaniel and as they made their way back to camp to ready the men, Alistair stared after Nathaniel a look of deep concentration on his face.

Without looking up Cailan laughed, "Alistair stop it he's nothing, they were betrothed as children and it's nothing to concern you as I said. You're to be her husband it's done. I remember when you first asked me for her, when I mentioned marriage and you said no other but her would do and you had only met her once, I put aside a long standing contract for you. So don t get cold feet now. Besides she s been with you every summer since you were fourteen, she s yours."

As Nathaniel and Fergus's forms disappeared into their camp, Alistair turned back to the map and Cailan.

"Yes well the way she talks about him you wouldn't know that. I think it was more than just them being betrothed as children; I think she cares for him. I have wanted her since I clapped eyes on her sure, but I want her to return that, and not just because I'm a prince. And not because I asked you for her."

Cailan rolled his eyes exasperated, and lifted his head. "Maker Alistair you're not even married yet and you sound like a fretting husband. Would you leave it for now, we need to deal with this blight or did you forget?"

"Oh stop looking at me like that you're happily married to a beautiful girl, who thinks the sun rises and sets on you so bugger off." Alistair leaned back over the map

"Oh, is that what she does? I thought she just scolded me and pouted when I don't come to bed on time. You'll learn. Makers Ass I hope Duncan is back soon with his new recruits, this waiting is putting me on edge." Cailan motioned for Loghain and they returned to planning the battle to come.

ooOoo

Back at the Cousland camp, Fergus and Nathaniel readied the men and set out for the wilds.

Nathaniel, try as he might, just couldn't get the look that Alistair had given him out of his mind. Prince Alistair had feelings for Elissa that much was clear, and to made things much more complicated, if the prince actually wanted her, he wouldn't just look the other way with him, worse, if Elissa was to find out, she would never come back to him. In fact, he could see her falling for him.

Maker damn it, he would not lose her to him.

"This is going to get complicated," he mumbled to no one in particular.

Fergus turned to say something, but thought better of it and they continued in silence.