So here is the first chapter. Many thanks to everyone who favorited or followed

And as usual a big thank you to Kae Westu for all the help on the story (you areawsome xD)

Chapter 1

The clanging of practise swords echoed through the armoury, empty aside from the princess and her second. Gorim stood with sword and shield raised facing his opponent, a brown haired woman with emerald eyes and a tattoo on her face trailing down from her eyes along her cheeks and also on her forehead. A bead of sweat entered the corner of his eye causing it to sting. But Gorim didn't flinch, keeping his eyes squarely on his opponent.

Sereda smirked at her second. She had noticed his eye twitch, if only slightly. Raising her own sword again she signalled she was ready.

Without hesitation Gorim lunged forward. Bracing for the impact Sereda put her weight on her shield arm just as Gorim's shield came into contact with her own. Pushing him back they circled each other, eyes not leaving the others.

Gorim saw the glint in Sereda's eyes and prepared himself. After training with her every day for twelve years he knew every sign for when she was about to attack. Sure enough Sereda struck forward with her sword that Gorim blocked, but he had underestimated her. Quickly she spun round putting all her weight behind a shield bash that her second wasn't ready for, sending him to the floor.

Panting heavily he released his sword and shield.

"I yield my lady,"

Sereda stood over him with a satisfied smile and offered him her hand which he took. As she pulled him up he stumbled, holding her to steady himself. And though their faces were inches apart neither moved.

"You have improved my lady," he said approvingly.

Sereda moved her hands up to rest on Gorim's chest. She could feel his heart beating rapidly through his practise leathers, she was sure her own was doing the same.

"Must you always be so formal," she sighed.

Gorim broke from her gaze, looking around to make sure they were alone. After a quick glance around he brought his blue eyes back to her green ones, moving his hands down to rest on her hips.

Early in the morning at their practise sessions was the only time they could show their affections in 'relative' safety with the fact that the armoury only had one door and only a few people were awake at that time.

"You never know who is listening my lady; it's safer this way," Gorim said with a sad smile.

"I don't think it would matter; if someone saw us like this it would be obvious,"

She smirked at a thought in her mind and continued:

"Although we have been in a more …. compromising position than this,"

Gorim raised his eyebrow at her and pulled her closer.

"That was in private," he jested, but not without a hint of warning in his voice.

Sereda gave him a sly smile and brought her face closer to his. Pressing her lips against his softly, before deepening it into a more passionate one.

The sound of armoured footsteps forced them apart and they stepped back from each other with practised ease, turning to pick up their swords and shields that lay on the floor where they had been dropped. Sure enough a guard appeared in the doorway.

"Lady Aeducan,"

Sereda placed her practise sword on a shelf and turned to the guard, nodding her head for him to continue

"My lady the king, your father, would like to see you,"

"Where will I find him?"

"He is waiting in the throne room, he asked for you to attend as soon possible,"

"Thank you ser, you are excused,"

The guard bowed to her and left none the wiser on what he had nearly walked in on.

Gorim started over to Sereda who was still staring at the doorway, confusion evident on her face.

"Would you like me to attend the meeting with you my lady?"

Sereda turned to her second and smiled

"Always Ser Gorim,"

The journey to the throne room was short and silent as the thought of what her father wanted ran through Sereda's head.

Stepping into the large room she spotted her father, King Endrin, sitting in his usual spot on the throne. Lord Harrowmont stood by his side after taking over as the king's second four years ago. Spotting his daughter entering the room the king stood opening his arms in greeting

"Ah my daughter,"

Sereda came to a stop in front of him and bowed, Gorim mirroring her actions like he had done a thousand times before. After a moment they both stood.

"You wanted to see me father,"

"Yes, you are to turn twenty-three in less than two days and so I find you more than capable of holding the title as commander … if you wish it,"

Sereda's eyes lit up. Her father had hinted she would become a commander young but she had never thought it would happen.

"Father, are you certain I am ready,"

The smile on the king's face answered her question.

"We will be going on an expedition into the deep roads once the Grey Wardens arrive, you are to lead a small group into one of the tunnels, I am afraid I can not tell you more than that,"

Sereda bowed in understanding

"I will not let you down father,"

"I am sure you won't child, I have arranged for your grandmothers armour to be prepared for tomorrow if you wish to wear it,"

Sereda's eyes widened and she could not contain the smile that spread across her face

"It would be an honour father,"

Smiling at his daughter the kind waved his hand.

"Now take your leave, the Wardens are due to arrive tomorrow, the day is yours," he said.

Bowing again Sereda left hastily, Gorim following close behind her. Neither spoke as they walked to Sereda's chambers. Once there Sereda ushered Gorim in closing the door behind her she turned to him. Her face was serious until she burst out laughing with a wide grin.

"Can you believe it; I'm going to be a commander!"

"Well you are a remarkable fighter my lady, and a good leader as well, if I may say so" Gorim told her enthusiastically.

Sereda smiled at him

"And you will be a commander's second,"

At this Gorim's grin grew wider and he bowed to her

"It would be an honour my lady,"

Sereda smiled to herself and shook her head

After courting for four years it still amazed her how Gorim could hide his feeling so easily

Lots of practise she thought

"Now I must change for the day and I advise you do the same," she flashed Gorim a cheeky grin as he made his way to the door. As he reached for the handle a cough from behind him caused him stop.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Sereda said behind him

Gorim turned back to the princess who was in the process of unbuckling a strap on her armour. Seeing the look on her face he sighed

"I love you my lady,"

Sereda nodded her head, satisfied

"It will have to do … for now,"

Smiling to himself Gorim moved back to the door and left, hiding the reaction of his body to Sereda's words.

Sereda watched him leave before continuing to remove her leather armour and changing into her comfortable leggings and a shirt. She hated the flashy dresses the nobles wore. Checking herself in the mirror she was disturbed by a knock at her door.

It can't be Gorim, he doesn't knock she thought to herself

Taking one last look at the mirror she turned her gaze to the door.

"You may enter,"

The door opened and Sereda's younger brother Bhelen stepped in, closing the door behind him.

"Ah sister I was hoping you would be alone,"

Sereda eyed him suspiciously. She had learned not to trust Bhelen during the years. The boy who always cheated while playing became a young man who would have done anything to pursue his goals; Sereda was a different kind and she always felt a little confused when he was around.

"Did you need something brother," she asked carefully.

"Actually sister I came to congratulate you, I've heard you are to become a commander,"

Sereda nodded her head while Bhelen continued

"As is expected Trian thinks you are too young,"

Sereda huffed and rolled her eyes. Her older brother never was very supportive. Sereda had put it down to jealousy.

"Sister there is something else you must know about our brother. I fear he is -,"

Bhelen stopped at the sound of the door opening. Gorim walked in and stopped when he saw the young prince. Darting his gaze to the princess he gave her a questioning look.

"My lady do you wish me to leave?"

"No Gorim you may stay,"

Relaxing a bit Gorim made his was to Sereda's side, bowing to Bhelen as he stood next to her.

Switching his gaze between his sibling and her second Bhelen smiled.

"I should go or Trian might send out a search party," he chuckled and turned for the door.

"Bhelen you may stay if you wish,"

Bhelen turned back to his sister.

"It's ok sister, I will leave you two alone," he winked at them both and nodded his head suggestively before turning and leaving, shutting the door behind him. Sereda felt like her heart had stopped beating at her brothers words

He knows about us. The thought echoed in her mind and suddenly everything became very-very complicated.

Turning to Gorim she noted that he had made the connection too as his face was pale. Swallowing a lump in his throat Gorim turned to her.

"My lady I don't know how-" he began, but then he stopped talking and bit his lip. They sighed at the same time and looked at each other just like two lovers who suddenly lost all hope.