Title: Here be Dragons - Chapter 3
Author: ginganinja23
Rating: T
Game: Dragon Age: Origins
Characters: Ava Cousland, Fergus Cousland, Oriana Cousland, Oren Cousland, Bryce Cousland, Eleanor Cousland
Pairing: Ava Cousland/Alistair Theirin
Disclaimer:'Dragon Age: Origins' & 'Dragon Age II' and all its expansions and additional content, 'Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne', 'Dragon Age: The Calling', 'Dragon Age: Asunder' is the intellectual property of Electronic Arts Inc. No licence/permission has been given to create this derivative work. The moral rights of the authors of the abovementioned work (David Gaider and others) is respected. No profit is being made. In other words, it's their sandbox and I'm just playing in it.

Summary: The year is 9:30, the first year of the new age. Ava, the indulged daughter of a Teyrn and born to rule, has her world torn from her. Alistair, royal bastard and Grey Warden, stands on the edge of the Korcari Wilds ready to battle the darkspawn spewing forth from the bowels of the earth. Unbeknownst to either they will be forced to charter unknown territory together, their personal destinies entwined in a tale of power, passion, loyalty and lies.


The dawn light was weak, giving the land a faded look. In the bailey the younger members of the Cousland family stood in the muted daylight, bracing themselves against the chill in the early morning air.

"Is there really gonna be a war Papa? Will you bring me back a sward?" expectant russet eyes beseeched the older version.

Fergus crouched down to his only child, "That's sword Oren. And I'll get you the mightiest one I can find, I promise. I will be back before you know it."

"I wish victory was indeed so certain. My heart is... disquiet," his wife said beholding her family.

Fergus stood, "do not frighten the boy Oriana," he tenderly stoked her cheek and spoke with confidence, "I speak the truth".

Oriana nodded, her husband moved closer to her. His lips hovering above hers he softly whispered, "Now dry your eyes love and wish me well."

Ava covered her and her nephews eyes, "Urgh. Not in front of the children."

Fergus ended the tender kiss, "Ha! When there is a man in your life you will understand."

Ava dropped her hands to her hips, "No fewer than three, if you please," she said with pertinent attitude.

"Such a thing would bring shame upon this house Sister. But if it is true you must be discreet," Oriana advised her with all seriousness.

"I am... not sure how I should take that love," wonder and humour filling Fergus' tone.

She straightened her husband's riding cloak, "As the advice of a practical Antivan woman."

Ava chuckled, "I was joking..." At remembering Duncan's words last night concern arose within her too, "Do you really think the war will be over quickly?"

"Word from the south is that the battles have gone well. There is no evidence that this is a true Blight – just a large raid."

"Could that be true?" Oriana asked hopefully.

"I will see for myself soon enough. Pray for me love, and I will be back within a month or two," he said intrepidly.

Ava felt the apprehension swell within her sister in law and by extension her nephew, she had to pull it together, forget what Duncan said, show confidence and be positive, she could not add to their worries but had to be strong.

"No darkspawn can hurt Fergus," she said boldly hugging her nephew to her side in reassurance.

Ava surveyed the knights and men at arms of Highever preparing themselves to march out, she had never been in a battle, let alone a real fight, apparently a bar brawl does not count according to Fergus. Part of her wanted to go with them, if only to protect them, "I wish I could go with you," she said wistfully.

"I wish you could come! It will be tiring killing all those darkspawn myself." Fergus replied smiling.

"In Antiva, a woman fighting in battle would be... unthinkable." Oriana commented.

"Is that so?" Fergus wondered, "I always heard Antivan women were quite dangerous."

"With kindness and poison only my husband," she said with a cheeky grin.

"This from the woman who serves me my tea," he said laughing.

Bryce and Eleanor Cousland appeared at the castle doors and made their way over to their children.

Eleanor hugged her eldest, "Be well my son, I will pray for your safety every day you are gone, take care of yourself."

"I agree. If you get hurt I will never forgive you!" Oriana poked Fergus in the chest.

"Now that is a good incentive would you now say?" he said grabbing his wife's wrist and drawing her close.

"Fergus will be fine," Ava resolutely stated, mostly for Oren's benefit, but also a little for all of theirs.

"I keep telling you no darkspawn will ever best me," he ruffled his sons tawny hair, so similar to his own.

Ava noticed the tears in her nephews eyes, knowing that distraction was the best way to beat his fears, at least for now, she squatted down beside him. "Did you know there is Grey Warden in the castle?"

"Really? Was he riding a griffon?" Oren's teary eyes opened wide.

"Ye..." Ava was cut off by her sister in law.

"No," Oriana raised an eyebrow at Ava, "Griffons only exist in stories now," she continued.

"Did he say why he has come?' Fergus inquired.

Ava straightened, "He is going to test Ser Gilmore," she succeeded in not letting anything show.

"Good for him! I hope he makes it. If I were a Grey Warden though I would have my eye on you – not that Father would ever allow it," his eyes slid to their parents.

"I would have my eye on this one here," she patted Oren's head and he beamed.

A squire ran over from the assembled troops and informed Fergus that the soldiers were almost ready to pull out.

"The Maker sustain and preserve us all. Watch over our sons, husbands and fathers and bring them safely back to us," Oriana prayed, her eyes closed.

"And bring us some ale and wenches while you are at it," Fergus noticed his wife's eyes fly open and glare at him, "Err... for the men, of course."

"Fergus! You would say this in front of your mother?" Oriana chastised.

"What is a wench? Is that what you pull on to get the bucket out of the well?" Oren innocently questioned.

Ava burst out laughing.

Bryce offered his grandson a sober textbook definition, "A wench is a woman that pours the ale in a tavern, Oren. Or a woman drinks a lot of ale," he swallowed a smile.

"Bryce! Maker's breath, it is like living with a pair of small boys. Thankfully I have a daughter."

Fergus was chuckling at the irony of his Mother's statement for Ava was known for her spirited, some would say unladylike wit amongst friends and family, "I will miss you Mother dear. You will take care of her Ava won't you?"

Ava scoffed in humour, "You will need more protecting than her. Mother can handle herself. Always has," she said as a matter of fact.

"It is true. They should be sending her not me. She would scold those darkspawn back into the Deep Roads," they all laughed, except Eleanor.

"Well I am glad you find this so funny," she feigned indignation.

The laughter subsided; Fergus's horse was brought to him by his squire, he embraced Ava tightly.

"You will be missed brother," Ava blinked back tears.

"And you," he said softly over her shoulder, pulling back from her he jovially countered, "If it is any consideration I am sure I will freeze in the southern rain and be completely jealous of you up here warm and safe."

"I am positively thrilled that you will so be miserable husband," Oriana said sarcastically.

Fergus pulled his wife to him and bent his lips to hers, when their passion abated he whispered, "every step that takes me further from you my misery increases, but I will be back."

Hugging his mother and father in turn he said soberly to the Teyrn, "Father I will see you soon".

"No more than a day behind, son".

Fergus swung Oren up into the air and held him close to his chest, the little boy throwing his arms around his adored father, "I love you son, be good now".

"I love you too papa".

He set Oren back on the ground and swung himself onto his horse, "Well I had better get underway, so many darkspawn to behead so little time!" the knights fell into formation behind him.

"Off we go then! I will see you soon Oren, my love", he spurred his mount out the castle gates.

And with that the fighting men and women from the Teyrnir rode out to do their duty for Highever, for the King, for Ferelden.

The Teyrn went to address the garrison remaining behind and a satisfied Oren ran ahead, squealing as his mother chased after him.

Ava looked behind her at the retreating riders, her mother pausing with her.

"I know it is difficult to stay in the castle and watch others ride off, but we must see to our duties first. You understand that don't you?"

Ava sighed, "Yes I understand."

Eleanor wrapped her arm around her daughters waist, "Trust me, you will get your chance for excitement soon enough."

"I just... I have a bad feeling about all this," Ava confessed.

"As do I... Your father and brother are marching off to fight Maker-knows-what. All the assurances in the world do not comfort me. But it would not help for us to take up arms and follow. Fergus and your father have their duty and we have ours. It is in the Maker's hand now. And we must cope as best we can."

Ava and Eleanor proceeded into the castle, "How long are you staying at the Castle?" Ava asked her mother.

"For a few days, then I will travel with Lady Landra to her estate and keep her company for a time. Your father thinks my presence here might undermine your authority."

Ava nodded, "As you wish."

She smiled at her daughter, "Good. I was worried you might be nervous about running the castle alone. I need not have been concerned. But I will not be gone long."

Eleanor halted them at the door to the hall, her aging green eyes beholding those she bequeathed to her daughter, "I love you my darling girl. You know that don't you?"

"And what brought this on?" Ava chuckled.

"You have grown up so fast. And now Bryce is leaving you in charge of the castle... I suppose there is no point dwelling on it."

"I am hardly a girl any longer," she mildly reproached her mother.

"Indeed, I turned around and here you are, a fine woman in your own right. But that does not mean I have to like it," she grabbed her daughters arm in a playful squeeze.

Ava kissed her on the cheek, "I love you too mother".


Ava found her father in his study. After raising some of her concerns from the night before especially those regarding the levies around Amarenthine he led her through the business that he would be leaving her with.

"Only a token force is remaining here, and you must keep peace in the region. You know what they say about mice when the cat is away, yes?" Teyrn Bryce concluded.

Ava nodded in understanding and looked with concern on her father, "Are you sure you will be alright?"

"Your brother and I go into battle, not an afternoon tea. Who knows what will happen to us? I will tell you however; you are my darling daughter, I love you, and I trust you completely to carry on the Cousland name if the worst should happen. But do not worry about me, dear girl. You will have enough to occupy your mind while I am gone."

"Is sending all our forces south a good idea?"

"When the King demands it, in fact, not sending our forces south would be a distinctly bad idea. Do not worry pup. You should not see many problems but I want you to prepare the men left here... In case."

"In case of what?"

"Legends of the Blight tell of horrible things. These darkspawn once threatened many lands. If we cannot hold them... you must prepare for the worst."

"All right, now you are scaring me, Father!"

"I am scared myself. But we are Cousland's, and we do what must be done."

"I will do my best, Father. I swear it."

"I know you will. You are a Cousland, after all. But let us not speak of ominous things. We shall assume that all will go well and the Maker will watch over us."