DISCLAIMER: I base my stories on Intellectual Property (IP) owned by BioWare ™ and EA™. I pretend to live in their world.
SPOILERS: I refer to information from the games, the novels and the comics. If you have not played or read, please beware.
"Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief shining moment…"
That was Ferelden
Ruled by King Maric the Savior
Camelot – Lerner and Lowe
Chapter 2: The Gift
9:10 Dragon 23 Guardian === Castle Cousland, Highever
Eleanor Cousland turned thirty-one on 23 Guardian in the year 9:10 Dragon. By mid-day, she lay in the birthing chamber of Castle Cousland exhausted between contractions. Her previous two pregnancies had ended in miscarriages. Fergus, the heir to the Teyrnir, was seven.
Eleanor had carefully avoided pregnancy for four years after the last miscarriage, but decided to try one final time. Her physicians in Areth assured her another pregnancy was possible, but recommended an Arethian physician establish herself in Higheverport as a mid-wife. Eleanor agreed. Her child would be born in Castle Cousland, not Areth. The Arethian midwife, Marian, and the House mage healer, Nyla, would care for her. Her pregnancy proceeded normally under the physician/mid-wife's care. Eleanor prayed to the Maker for only one gift on this Name Day: the birth of a healthy, full term baby.
Melysande Elayne Cousland arrived in early evening to ecstatic, grateful parents. The midwife and mage healer quickly inspected and cleaned the babe and her mother. Healing spells flowed from the mage through Eleanor. Then, once Eleanor was holding her little girl, Marian called Bryce to meet his daughter. The setting sun shone illuminated the birthing room. A soft breeze, with the tang of salt from the nearby Waking Sea, drifted through the window as the new mother held her baby girl. Bryce smiled as he leaned in to catch Melysande's small hand in his and kiss his wife's brow. Fergus trailed behind, anxious to meet this long awaited sibling.
"Happy Name Day, love," Bryce murmured to his wife. Gazing for the first time at his daughter, he added, "Thank the Maker, she's a beautiful sight."
"Eleanor smiled. " Five fingers, five toes, she's perfect, Bryce." Eleanor turned to her son, "Fergus, meet your little sister. Lys meet your big brother."
Old enough not to feel threatened by a younger sibling, Fergus grinned. "I was hoping for a little brother to spar with, but I guess she'll have to do. Lys, huh? Or Lyssie? That's definitely a girly name."
"Fergus, you are the limit," his mother sighed. "For all you know, she may be a battle maiden. After all, I fought in the Rebellion. Many Fereldan women learn martial skills. Of course, she will need maidenly skills as well, but she may surprise you."
Bryce laughed, "You've seen your mother shoot at targets and game, but don't forget she shot at Orlesians once upon a time. Cousland women led the Teyrnir in battle in the past. Remember Melys, Haelia, and Elethea. Don't discount Cousland women. You may have your sparring partner after all."
Fergus grinned, "Hadn't thought of that, Da. A girl sparring partner, hmmm? That's a thought. A war maiden should be called Mel, I think. Maybe I'll call her that."
Bryce snorted, "You have a point Ferg. Lyssie is very girly."
Eleanor rolled her eyes, "See what I have to put up with," she said to Marian, "I swear, Bryce, sometimes you act more like Fergus' brother, his younger brother."
Marian chuckled and cleared her throat. "Eleanor, you should feed her now. Perhaps Fergus should go to supper. I can have something brought in for you and Bryce. Then, tomorrow, we'll go to Revona City to have you and Melysande checked at the clinic in Areth. The mage's healing scan showed no problems, but we should check scientifically as well."
"Off you go Fergus," his father commanded. "I'll see you later, before you go to bed." He turned back to Eleanor, "Ellie, we do have a wet nurse."
"I know, Bryce. We will work out a schedule to share Lys' feedings soon. I want to feed her these first few weeks. It's important, as you well know. Besides, I'll heal faster," she replied, with a smirk.
Bryce grinned back, "There is that…"
9:18 Dragon 23 Solace === 8 Years Later === Rainesfere Manor, Ferelden
As a break in the three-week trip to Redcliffe, the Couslands stopped at Teagan Guerrin's Rainesfere Manor. Attending the Arl of Redcliffe's annual Funalis Tourney and stopping at Rainesfere on the way had become an annual occurrence. Teagan would join the Cousland party for the remainder of the journey to Redcliffe and his brother's Castle above the village. This year Arl Eamon Guerrin expected Teyrn Cousland and Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir, as well as King Maric and Crown Prince Cailan to attend the Tourney. Arl Eamon and Bann Teagan were the King's brothers-in-law and Cailan's uncles. In spite of the relationship, the occasional royal visits to Redcliffe caused great excitement.
Lys had attended the Funalis Tourney for the first time two years ago, when she was six. Teagan enjoyed seeing how much the girl had grown each year since. Now eight, she was a bright child, full of laughter and enthusiasm. Her green eyes sparkled with curiosity and a hint of mischief, as they walked to his kennels. She ran her hands through long, dark brown, hair pulling it away from her face. She tied it at her nape with a leather thong. Around her face, soft tendrils escaped. Maker preserve the boys who meet her when she grows up.
Situated in the foothills of the Frostback Mountains just west of Lake Calenhad, Rainesfere was a remote Bann. To Teagan, the beauty of the setting outweighed its distance from the main cities of Ferelden, which were situated on the north and east coasts. Redcliffe, little more than a village, was the nearest population center. Teagan enjoyed hunting and fishing, managing the farmholds, orchards and herders of his Bann and entertaining those of like mind who made the effort to visit. Rainesfere's location on the Imperial Highway west of Lake Calenhad enabled it to engage in a lively trade with the cities on the coast to the north, with the Mages Tower at Kinloch Hold, with Redcliffe and with a few nearby Orlesian cities to the west. Overall, Teagan's Bann, though small, prospered through trade, with its primary products being cider, fleece, and furs.
"Papa won't let me have a mabari puppy yet," Lys announced. "He said I had to wait until I was twelve before I could try for one to imprint on me. That's such a long time."
"I didn't have one until I was sixteen. They're a lot of work to train and you need to be able to fight, so they can learn how to fight with you."
Lys regarded him solemnly, "Sixteen? Well I'm just learning to fight. I have a practice sword and Fergus teaches me forms. I'm not very good yet, but I will be when I'm twelve. I'll dump Fergus on his ars…rear by then." She frowned, tilting her head. "Even so, that doesn't mean a mabari will imprint. Fergus is fourteen and one hasn't imprinted on him. They're very picky I guess."
"It took a few years before one imprinted on me. There's hope for Fergus," he laughed as they proceeded to the kennels. "You are right Lys, mabari are quite selective, both in picking their companion person and in accepting their name. Smart enough not to talk is the saying you know. Smartest dogs in Thedas. Once one bonds with you, you have a fighting partner, a companion, and a protector for the life of the mabari." Teagan opened the kennel gate and let Lys in to play with the puppies, knowing both pups and Lys were too young for imprinting.
Lys settled on the kennel floor as five small mabaris mobbed here. "You are all sooo beautiful," she complimented. "Bann Teagan, what is the mother's name?"
"Silk because her coat is so lovely."
"Silk. You have beautiful pups. Congratulations. Thank you for letting me visit them." The mabari bitch barked softly in response, her tail stub wagging.
Teagan smiled at the good manners Lys displayed. Mabaris did not speak, but could make their displeasure known in many other ways. Silk dozed, while Lys played with her pups, accepting the girl's courteous greeting.
Bann Teagan Guerrin, at twenty-seven, was an eligible bachelor who spent more time at his Manor, than in the capitol city of Denerim. While he held his manor in pledge to his brother, Arl Eamon, his governing style more closely emulated the more enlightened governance of the Couslands. Though he traded with the Orlesians across the nearby border, he did not agree with his brother's conciliatory attitude toward the former foe.
Arl Eamon's recent marriage influenced his views. He had, unaccountably, fallen in love with the daughter of a minor Orlesian noble. Under the Occupation, this noble, Ser Malvoix[1][1], held lands from the Orlesian Chevalier who had usurped their father, Arl Rendorn Guerrin's, lands of Redcliffe. The Orlesian nobles fled Ferelden shortly after Orlais' defeat in the Fereldan Rebellion. The Malvoix daughter had returned, however, already enamored of Arl Eamon. Isolde Malvoix vowed her allegiance to Ferelden, but Teagan sometimes doubted the depth of that commitment. Isolde's allegiance, he often thought, was to herself, although, in her defense, she seemed to care deeply for Eamon.
Bann Teagan would enter the upcoming Tourney. A Tourney veteran, he participated because he should. His love was not battle, but managing his lands. He avoided the intrigue his brother so enjoyed, but kept well enough informed to participate in the Landsmeet and exert some influence in the Bannorn. He often found himself allying with the moderating views of his houseguest, the Teyrn.
Teagan sometimes mediated the disputes, which often divided his brother, the Arl, and the two Fereldan Teyrns who advised King Maric. Teyrn Bryce promoted policies ensuring Ferelden's economic well-being. Bryce considered Orlais a persistent threat, unlike the Arl of Redcliffe. To limit or contain the power of Orlais, Bryce believed Ferelden should be prosperous and self-sufficient. Prosperity would enable Ferelden to defend itself and create mutually beneficial economic and defensive alliances. Highever, with two of Ferelden's four ports, thrived on trade with Nevarra, The Free Marches, Rivain, and Antiva. The Couslands encouraged, supported, and underwrote the mining and wool industries, which produced the goods exported by Highever. Fostering a prosperous economy through trade was basic to Bryce's Arethian influenced philosophy of governance.
Teyrn Loghain MacTir often argued from an isolationist stance, advocating limits to both defensive alliances and trade agreements with any foreign power. Lack of agreements hurt his Teyrnir of Gwaren, which exported much of its timber harvest from the port of Gwaren. His hatred of Orlais, which often bordered on obsessive, skewed his views of any foreign alliances. His opposition to the Arl of Redcliffe's views was legendary. King Maric tended to share Teyrn Cousland's views, but often chose to moderate them with careful application of Teyrn Loghain's isolationist policies. The Arl of Redcliffe got a hearing, but rarely, even with Teagan's moderating influence, found his policies adopted.
"…Bann Teagan," He realized Lys had been trying to get his attention, "Sorry, Lys. I was lost in thought I guess. Are you ready to go back to the manor?" She stood outside the kennel door, which was shut and secured.
She nodded, "Yes, thank you for bringing me to visit the pups." Changing the subject she asked, "Can I see your horse on the way back? Fergus says he's magnificent."
Teagan chuckled, "He does, does he? You Couslands and your horses. You ride before you can walk, so I suppose that shouldn't be a surprise. The best horses in Ferelden come from Highever."
Lys, looking smug, agreed, "They are. I've ridden since I was two. I plan to ride to Redcliffe on Arrow. Since the carriage and carts go so slowly, he has no trouble keeping up."
The pair headed to the stable, then back to the manor to clean up for dinner.
9:18 Dragon 24 - 27 Solace === On the Road to Redcliffe
The Redcliffe bound travelers managed an early start the following day. Eleanor chose to ride in the carriage with her lady's maid, Reine, Lys' Nurse, Freya, and their mage healer, Nyla. Most Fereldens did not travel with a mage healer, but the Couslands had managed, centuries ago, to gain and then maintain Chantry permission to include a free mage healer in their household. The truly unique position of a free mage, unsupervised by a templar, made the status one Circle Mages coveted.
Fergus' nurse Nan, as Fergus grew older and no more children came, had moved onto other duties becoming one of the Castle cooks. When Lys came along, Eleanor hired Freya, rather than take Nan out of the kitchen she had come to love as Head Cook. Even so, she sometimes helped Freya or looked after Lys in the kitchens where, more often than not, she put her to work. At eight, Lys could actually cook, an unusual accomplishment for a young noble woman.
Teagan, Bryce, Fergus, and Lys rode just ahead of or alongside the carriage at a leisurely pace. Their Guard contingents surrounded the noble party. Lys rode exceedingly well and, as she'd told Teagan, had no trouble keeping up. In fact, keeping her reined in proved more of a problem, as she loved to race ahead and try to speed up the procession. She longed for the day she had a full sized horse and could beat Fergus in a race.
The weather in Solace remained warm, although the nights could be crisp, and sundown came early, particularly in the shadow of the Frostbacks. The group stopped to make camp as the sun dropped toward the peaks to the west. The site was on a hillside overlooking the Imperial Highway. From this height, Lake Calenhad shimmered in the distance through the mix of pines and hardwoods that made up the forest. They had passed the farmholds and orchards of Rainesfere earlier in the day. Sheep and their shepherds populated the foothills of the Frostback Mountains
The servants quickly and efficiently set up the camp. The tents used by the Couslands were roomy, but not extravagant. Bryce and Eleanor had the largest pavillion. It provided both a gathering point, if sitting by the fire became too chilly, rainy or buggy, and their sleeping quarters. Three other smaller tents belonged to Lys and Nurse Freya, to Fergus, and to Nyla. The servants shared a fourth tent and space in the covered cart. Teagan of course had his own tent and one for his servants. The Guard set up a separate camp nearby.
Before she knew it the smell of roasting meat and simmering stew piqued Lys' appetite. She enjoyed the informality of camp. Everyone did his or her part, even the Teyrn and Teyrna. Her father, brother and Teagan assisted with the tents. She, Freya and Nyla gathered wood for the fire. Her Mum supervised the dinner preparation, having honed her camp cooking skills during the Rebellion. Lys looked forward to sitting by the fire, curled up in her father's lap, listening to stories until she drifted off and Papa carried her to her tent. Their Guards would post a watch, as bandits sometimes frequented the area, but, for some reason, camp always felt safe and secure. Lys sighed happily, as she settled by the campfire, leaning against her mother's knee.
The journey to Redcliffe from Rainesfere Manor took four days. The group would arrive a few days before the start of the Tourney, which would begin on the day after Funalis. Arlessa Isolde Guerrin developed the idea of a tourney to mark the Chantry's commemoration of Andraste death. With some prodding from Teagan, Arl Eamon followed King Maric's lead and designated the fest day itself to commemorate the dead of the Occupation and Rebellion. Funalis was a somber holiday. The Trade Fair and the excitement of the activities surrounding the Tourney would provide a welcome uplift after the long day of Chantry services and the Memorial ceremony.
On the third day of their travels, Bryce asked Lys to ride in the carriage with her mother so they could increase the pace. Although she would never admit it, she was relieved. Not used to riding for so long every day, even her young body was a bit stiff and sore.
"Mum, do you think the boy will be there again," she asked.
"What boy?" Eleanor looked puzzled for a moment, "Oh, the boy in the stable?"
"Yes," answered Lys. "He was fun. He was the only person my age to play with. And he can ride too." She recalled finding her friend in the Redcliffe Castle Garden two years before.
"Hello," a voice behind her said. Lys turned to find a boy about her age smiling shyly. "Did you come with one of the noble families?"
For some reason, she only gave her name. "Yes, I'm called Lys."
"I'm Dog Boy. I…well, you looked like you might pick one of the Arlessa's roses. It's probably not a good idea. I wanted to warn you."
Lys smiled, "You caught me. I was thinking of taking one for my Mum. Thank you for the warning. Is that your name? Dog Boy? Do you live here?"
"It's what everyone calls me. I live in the kennels."
"Oooh…with the Arl's mabari's? Can we visit them?"
"I can, but I'm not sure I should bring a guest."
"Oooh plleeeaase."
The boy frowned. "Well, if we only look from outside the kennel. We can't go in."
"That would still be fun. I don't want you to get in trouble." Lys followed the boy to the kennels, only to find her father and brother there.
"Lys, I see you found your way here," her father said.
"Yes, Papa. Dog Boy showed me the way." She turned to the boy, "This is my Papa and my brother, Fergus."
The boy's eyes grew big as he recognized the Teyrn of Highever. "Your Grace," he bowed. "If you'll excuse me…."
"No, you don't have to go. Please, tell us their names," Lys asked.
He shuffled, then walked over by the kennel pens. "This is Rebel. He's the father. The female in the next pen is Dane and the female with pups in the far pen is Moira. The pups are young still, but the Kennel Master doesn't like to risk imprinting so we can't go in."
"Thank you, young man," Teyrn Bryce smiled. "You know, if you have free time from your duties, you may play with Lys. Just don't let her get you trouble."
The boy looked up, wide-eyed. "Thank you, Your Grace."
"Well, of course, he can play with me. Why wouldn't he be allowed to?" She frowned as she looked at her father.
"This isn't home, Lys. The Arl or Arlessa might think he is overstepping if I did not give permission."
"I asked him to come with me."
"I know, Pup, but it's better if we both invite him to play with you."
Lys turned to the boy, "You don't have to play with me if you don't want to. I asked, I didn't command you."
He looked from the Teyrn to the girl, "I think I'd like to play with you, but I need to go back to the stables right now. Wilmot will be looking for me. I started helping him there, when I'm not busy here."
"May I come with you? I could help," the boy nodded, but a look of concern flickered across his face.
The Teyrn and Fergus looked at each other, trying not to chuckle. "Son," the Teyrn called, "she does know her way around a stable."
Fergus added," She's actually good at mucking out."
Lys glared at her brother as she followed the boy. It was true, but mucking out was not her favorite stable chore.
On arriving at the stable, the boy stopped abruptly, "You didn't say you were Lady Cousland," he accused. "Maybe you should go back to the Castle. I don't need anyone making fun of me or getting me in trouble."
Lys stepped back, startled, "I'm not making fun of you. I don't want to get you in trouble. Why would you think that?"
"No? The other children didn't tell you to go find the bastard Dog Boy the Arlessa hates and get him in trouble?"
"You mean those silly girls in the garden?" she replied, waving a hand dismissively. "I don't play with them. I certainly don't take orders from them, even if they are older. The boys all think I'm a silly girl, so I don't bother with them either. Most nobles don't bring daughters as young as I am," she added proudly. "I thought you might be fun to be with when you warned me about the roses. If you don't want me here, I'll go."
"No, you can stay. It's just…they like to bother me. Then I do something stupid and the Arlessa gets angry. Then I get punished."
"I won't bother you or get you in trouble. Well, I'll try not to get either of us in trouble. I'm kinda of good at getting in trouble though..."
"Your father and brother were nice to me, but they may not know…"
"That you're a bastard?"
"Right."
"If it matters, then my father would know. He said I could play with you."
He looked down and scuffed his foot in the dirt, now embarrassed by his outburst. "He also said you know your way around a stable. Can you prove it? I need to clean and put away tack."
"Of course, I'll help you. You tell me how you do here." She took his hand and pulled him into the stable. "Where's the tack room?"
Eleanor knew the boy would still be there, probably still banished to the stables, as he was last year. Once, he had a small space in the servants' quarters and access to the household. Eamon even had the occasional meal with him or let the boy accompany him into the village. After his marriage, however, Isolde quickly banished the boy from the castle. Eleanor guessed Isolde believed the boy to be Eamon's byblow and a reminder of her own childless state. Even so, how could Eamon allow her treat the boy so badly?. Or rather, how could King Maric let him?
She and Bryce had ignored the mistreatment last year, as it really could not be the Couslands' concern. So few, probably including Isolde, knew who the child really was, so objecting to his treatment would seem odd. If Maric wanted his illegitimate son treated like a foundling, then that's how it would be. No other noble could interfere without appearing to use the boy for his or her own purposes. It still puzzled her. That kind of neglect was so unlike the king. Perhaps Bryce should talk to Teagan.
"Yes, my darling, I think the boy will be there. What was his name?"
"Alistair, "replied Lys.
A/N: Thank you for reading. If you have time, please review. Book 1 may be complete, but I'm working on Book 2.
After completing Brief Shining Moments, I re-read and edited the entire work. From Chapter 14 on I had the support of my wonderful beta Kira Tamarion which resulted in far fewer errors. Any remaining are mine alone. There may be a few tweaks to wording, but no content changes.
I've received the support of many reviewers. Mike3207, Arsinoe de Blassenville,Caraine,clafoung,SnowHelm,katdancer2,dustywalker, Easternviolet, ElyssaCousland, Nymra, ChaoticHarmony1991, EveHawk, susyjohn, Judy,maradeux,DjinniGenie,Pollyanna24, Contess. Others have followed and favorited the story or posted kudos. Thanks to all of you.
I created some appendices with commissioned art, timeline, character ages, calendar, fest days, travel distances, etc. If such things interest you, please go to Archive of Our Own series, I Shall Endure.
[1] The name Malvoix is purely my invention; I've made Isolde's family lesser nobles and not governor of Redcliffe.