A/N: I intended for this to be a one shot, but you all know how that works out sometimes. Again, R&R, please. Last edit 2/25/2014
Summary: Alternate Universe. The Blight never happens. Kallian Tabris has married Nelaros in Highever. Two months later, in Cousland Castle . . .
What Duty Dictates
Part 2
Elissa slammed her hands on the table as she rose, glaring at her father, "I will choose who I get to marry and that is that!"
Bryce Cousland slowly rose from his seat, glaring back at his youngest with just as much determination.
"Fine," he spoke in an even tone, "I will accept your statement if you can accept mine. You have six months. If you do not find anyone after that time then your mother and I will determine who you wed."
"Th-that is ridiculous!"
"Well if you're not accepting of it we'll choose who you wed right now."
"That is unfair!"
"Not so when we've given you a fair amount of years to bring forth any potential suitors," her father crossed his arms. "We've been more than patient with you in this matter, and you are not getting any younger."
Elissa flinched. She wasn't that old. Just because she was now in her twenties and unwed where most women her age were already married and with child, didn't mean a thing. It wasn't her fault that any men she met were either too soft, too disgusting, or too full of themselves for her liking.
Her father sighed when she said nothing in response, his tone was softer, "Look, Pup, you're just going to have to let us do this for you. I said I would give you six months and I will, but after that your mother and I will start to search for a husband for you in earnest ."
"Fine," Elissa gritted out after staring down at her dinner plate. "I'll agree to this . . . settlement."
With that she stormed out, leaving her plate full and ignoring her mother calling out to her. She stomped the entire way back to her room and wrenched open the door. It caused her lady-in-waiting within to jump.
"Oh! Milady, it's you," she said with a hand going to her heart. "You're back early. I don't even have your night shift set out yet."
"Oh, don't bother, Kallian," Elissa grumped. "I doubt I'm going to get any sleep tonight as it is."
She fell face forward onto the bed, burying her face into a pillow.
"Should I even ask?" Kallian asked, a smile in her voice.
Despite being relatively new to the castle and just on as her lady-in-waiting, Kallian got along well with her and quickly picked up on things. She already knew not to be overly fussy and caught on to Elissa's general sense of humor. Of course, Elissa never would have taken a lady-in-waiting if it wasn't for the unusual circumstance.
Her steed, Farran, was about as unruly and surly as Ferelden bred horses could get, but she would ride no other. The only blacksmith in Highever that could shoe him properly without getting hurt was an elven blacksmith named Caldean. He had mentioned to her that his daughter-in-law was having difficulties finding work. Elissa offered a servant's position at their castle, but when it came time Nan told her they needed no more servants. So Elissa opened the position of being lady-in-waiting for her, much to Nan's delight.
Elissa ended up not regretting it. Kallian had initially admitted she didn't know the first thing about being a lady-in-waiting. Neither did she, but between the two of them they managed to figure it out.
She was tempted to say that Kallian was a perfect match for her as a lady-in-waiting because she knew few other elves who knew how to properly oil and clean a blade. It was a shock to have found one day that her lighter leather armor, her longsword, and collection of other weapons were oiled and cleaned properly. Even the strap on the armor that had a tendency to slip out a knot was fixed. When she'd asked Kallian where she learned how to do it she gave a murmured answer about her mother teaching her.
It really didn't matter to Elissa either way. She was glad, for if there was any particular fussing she would want to have done, it would be over her weapons and armor. They were more important to her than any number of dresses or fancy jewelry.
"Father wants me to marry and marry soon," she muffled into the pillow. "I now have six months to find a husband or they find one for me."
"Well, at least he's giving you a chance to choose," Kallian said. "Last week they gave you no such concession. Week before that you declared you'd rather remain a spinster."
"I only said that in anger," she huffed a sigh into the pillow then raised her head. "I know I'll eventually marry and I will. Just . . . not now. There's just too much to do and see yet. Besides, I've yet to meet anyone who . . . well . . . you know."
Kallian smiled wide, "Meet anyone who strikes your fancy and stokes your fires?"
Elissa coughed, "Eh, yes, something like that."
The elf kept smiling and sat on the bed, "What kind of man would suit your fancy, my lady?"
"Well . . .," she furrowed her eyebrows in thought. "Someone who isn't arrogant . . . or disgusting."
Kallian made a face, "Ugh, like that Bann . . . Bann Too-Heavy-For-His-Horse that came calling."
She laughed at the moniker, "Yes, someone not like Bann Geraint."
"He smelled like boiled cabbage and the way he kept leering at you. Ick!" she repressed a shiver. "It was a good thing you slugged him before I could, my lady. Putting his hands on you like that."
Elissa smiled, "I appreciate the sentiment, Kallian, but please refrain from punching anyone for my sake. That could get you into trouble that I might not be able to get you out of."
"Oh, alright," she huffed, "but I can at least imagine doing it, yes?"
Elissa laughed again. This was exactly the sort of talk she needed right now, "Imagine all you like, just as long as you don't act on it."
"I'll try not to, my lady," she tilted her head slightly. "But this still doesn't broach your problem. Would it really be that bad for the Teyrn and Teyrna to choose your future husband?"
"I . . . I don't know," Elissa sighed and put her face in the pillow again.
Kallian said nothing for a long moment, then she spoke softly, "Do you really think your parents won't keep you in mind when they find someone for you?"
When she looked up at Kallian she continued, "My father, Nelaros' father, and the elders all kept us in mind when they sought matches for us. My father wanted someone who could provide for me, care for me, but at the same time not be, uhm, domineering. He knew I wouldn't tolerate being beaten or commanded on what to do. Nelaros' father wanted someone who could be self sufficient and help with the family." She blushed at that. "So his son wouldn't be taken advantage of like some other girls have before."
She put a hand on Elissa's arm, "Our parents kept our likes and dislikes in mind. Do you really think your own mother and father won't think of you in the same way?"
"I suppose they would do that," she quietly admitted, then put a hand on Kallian's. "Please tell me how your arranged marriage is going so it gives me a bit of courage."
Her lady-in-waiting chuckled then smiled wide, reaching for something in her dress pockets. She pulled out a copper toned bracelet and put it on around her own wrist, and then showed it to her.
"Look at what he gave me the other day. He made it himself," there was a giddiness in her voice that Elissa couldn't help but smile at.
The bracelet's design was made up of link upon link of ivy vines, each leaf upon it finely detailed and no two links were exactly alike. It was forged and formed, but it looked natural at the same time. It fit around Kallian's wrist perfectly and she didn't doubt for a second that he had only her in mind when making it.
"Oh, goodness, but he's gotten better at his detailing hasn't he?"
"Mm-hmm!" she nodded. "He said it was a gift for us being married for two months. I called him silly as it was going to make any anniversaries impossible to give gifts for."
"Planning on stopping him from making things like this for you?"
"Maker's Breath, no, my lady!" she almost giggled. "It helps him refine his craft as both a smith and jewelry maker. And I'm not about to be so daft to suddenly refuse gifts from my own husband."
Elissa smiled at the way Kallian's face lit up as she spoke about Nelaros. It gave Elissa hope that her own impending marriage - who ever it was going to be with - wasn't going to be so bad, after all.