My childhood was different than that of my siblings. Fergus was the oldest, the twins next, and finally me. I am the youngest, and also the only girl. I was the doted on daughter. But, unlike most girls, I got to learn how to fight. It started out after an accident years ago, but that's a story for later.
When I was born, like many noblemen's daughters, I had petitions from many fathers for me to marry their sons. But one of the things my father was in agreement of with my mother was that I would marry for love like them, instead of for political reasons like most parents married their daughters out for.
This was one thing many disapproved by most noble families. My mother was so dead set that I would marry for love like she and my father did, like King Maric and Queen Rowan, Arl Eamon and his wife. It was one of the reasons I never fit in with most noble girls. That and the fact I wanted to be able to fight might be part of it. Fergus, the twins, Squire Rory, and I loved to play Grey Wardens when we were little. One afternoon when we were playing, I remember father had Nan come get us because father needed to speak with us. This is where I will began my story..
As we walked to father's office, Fergus starts joking that I was the reason we were in trouble again.
"You know Morri, this is probably about the fact you told Anora Mac Tir that she should go soak her head because no one cares about what comes out of her mouth," Fergus joked, but was still a little miffed at why we were called to father's office.
"It doesn't always have to be something I did! It could be because the twins happened to play that prank on Mother Mallol, why they thought setting up mud to fall on her this morning was a brilliant idea is beyond me," I stated, "and Anora had it coming! She should know better than to tell me of all people that young girls should be wearing dresses, not running in mud and fighting. You'd think from being a war generals daughter she would know the importance…."
"Of being about to protect herself if it comes to it," the twins cut me off.
"I swear sister if you've said it once you've said it a hundred and one more times. Just because you'd rather be a boy instead of a girl like you were born to be isn't our fault!" Daemon continued.
"Yeah, and the prank on Mother Mallol was a long time coming" Daegan exclaimed.
We heard chuckling. "Well Bryce it seems you have raised a bunch of little spitfire sons, and a daughter to put up with them." An unknown voice says.
This stops all of us. We literally freeze in our spots. Well, after crashing into Fergus, which made them, laugh harder.
"Rendon, these are my eccentric children." Father says while laughing.
"Well as much as amusement as this brings you, these two morons are cutting off my arm supple! Get off!" I gasp out trying to move a bit so Fergus's armor isn't cutting into my side as much. Finally, the two idiots are pulled off. I see a hand reached out to help me up. It pulls me to my feet; I see too cool grey eyes. I look away at the twins to glare, smacking them upside the heads.
"HEY! What was that for?" The twins groan and whine at the same time.
"How about acting like idiots? Or crushing me so I can't breathe?" I reply in a saccharine sweet voice. Father and Fergus chuckle at that along with some of the new group. Mother looks so appalled.
"Morrianna Rose! You shouldn't speak to your brothers like that it's…"
I cut her off, "Very unlady like and you should learn to be more proper. And what are you wearing? Young girls should be in dresses, not running around like a little heathen in armor." After this line the boys chime in, even Father who started laughing, each taking a line from mother's speech.
"And look at you boys! Covered in even more mud! And causing such a headache! Is it really so much trouble to stay clean for one day and not cause trouble! And the fighting! Can't you wait until you are older you are going to end up with one less eye or finger! And Bryce you should not encourage them! Look at our daughter. She is dressed in armor and covered in mud!" The look on mother's face changes from anger and exasperation to amusement, mirth dancing in her eyes.
Father continues, "Eleanor, love, you give them this speech every other day. And you know that you would rather have Morri be able to fight, and dressed proper for it than to be in a dress she will get hurt in while out practicing. And you know that Fergus would be there if she got hurt, same if the twins would. And without the twins pranks you would get bored."
"Speaking of pranks," Eleanor starts, "Mother Mallol was telling me about how she was covered in mud when she walked into the chantry this morning. Would any of you like to explain to me how that happened?" I look at Fergus who looks back and we both grin, stepping back away from the twins. The guests look at us and smile when realizing that we gave up our siblings. Father chuckled.
"Let's deal with this later Eleanor. Daemon… Daegan, why don't you two come talk with us after dinner. But on to why I called you here. Children, do you remember the stories I used to tell you of the war." The twins look bored, Daemon not wanting to hear this bit of history again Daegan wants to just go back to playing. Fergus looks at the young boy who helped me up, deep in thought still from when he helped me up.
Rolling my eyes I answer. "You said that you and the Arl of Amaranthine were good friends and fought side by side in the war along with Leonas. And he was there when you married mother and each of us were born. You said that you two haven't be able to visit due to everything that has been going on with the Grey Warden trip that the king went on along with dealing with Highever and Amaranthine."
"Bryce, it would seem that you have very knowledgeable girl over there. And, by the looks of it, she is also a very good range fighter too." The elder man grinned over at father. I am guessing this is Rendon Howe. Next to him is a woman with black hair that goes mid-back, I was guessing this is his wife, the Arlessa Elena. She was daughter of a high nobleman from the Free Marches. Sitting on her lap, was a little girl about the age of three, with light brown hair, and blue eyes just like her mother's. I am guessing this is Delilah, father spoke of her a couple years ago that his friend had a daughter.
Next my eyes lay sight on a boy of nine, a year younger than me, black hair, and an annoying smirk when he sees me look at him. I can tell I will have problems with him in the future, he reminds me of Arl of Denerim's son. And that kid just gives me the creeps. Finally, I see the person who helped me up. He is about Fergus's age, but not as bulky. More of a lithe body structure, the kind that Sire Roland tells me is of a rogue. Hmm, maybe it will be interesting to watch him over the next few days. I study him more closely; his hair is longer than Fergus's or the twins, tied back with two small braids on either side of his hair. His eyes cautious, watching everyone closely, examining them like I was, he paid close attention to how his brother was looking at me. Almost as if, he was disgusted by what his brother could be thinking.
Our eyes meet, a collision of grey storm and emerald green, we both realize what the other was doing and quickly look away.
Father trying not to laugh, finally speaks, "well if I know you kids, you probably are wondering on what you are doing here? And seeing are guest has only taken care of some of the confusion."
"Bryce, stop messing with the children and introduce them. It will make this week a lot more bearable if you weren't acting like you are hiding things…"
Father deflated, "Fine, fine, ruin my fun Eleanor. Children, these are my good friends the Howes."
That sentence was the changing point of all of our futures. We just never knew it.