Nan was screaming at Adney and Cath the two elves that worked with her in the kitchen. Elissa winced, the poor things. It should be her being yelled at. Elissa studied Nan who had her white hair pulled back tight in a bun. She remembered the days in the nursery with Nan. She had been a handful growing up. Always wanting to follow Fergus around, and always getting in trouble. But Nan was a constant in her life and she was glad her father kept her on when she had no longer needed her.
As soon as Nan spotted Elissa and Roland she turned her ire on them. "You! Get your bloody mongrel out of my larder. I swear that beast needs to be put down."
Elissa winced, she loved Lucky he just grew bored. So he did things like get into the larder or put half eaten rodents in people's shoes. Nan was pushed to her limit lately though with all the preparations going on. It didn't help matters that Nan's nephew James was one of the soldiers riding to war.
"I'm sorry he's bothering you Nan," Elissa smiled apologetically. "I'll deal with him."
"Just get him gone, I have enough to worry about," Nan's growl softened.
Elissa and Roland entered the larder to find Lucky barking at a corner. Elissa sighed crossing her arms looking at her dog. "Why must you pester Nan so Lucky?"
Lucky turned and barked happily at her then returned to barking at the wall. Elissa frowned.
"I think he's trying to tell you something," Roland sighed. "Wait do you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Elissa asked looking at Roland.
Before he could answer Elissa felt something giant skitter across her boot. She looked down and let out a scream jumping on the nearest table. Rats emerged almost from every corner and Lucky started attacking with the help of Roland. Elissa stayed on the table away from the creepy rodents. Shouting out when a new one emerged and shouting, "Kill the damn things!"
When the rats were all dead, Roland burst out laughing and doubled over from it.
"Shut up!" Elissa gasped. "You know I hate rats."
"And worms, and spiders and everything creepy crawly," Roland laughed. "Dear maker you should have seen your face. And that scream, that was priceless," Roland wiped the tears from his eyes from laughing so hard.
"You Ser Gilmore are not much of a knight, what with laughing at a lady in distress!" Elissa growled.
"Aw Elissa, my lady, forgive me. I did not mean to offend," Roland straightened up and helped Elissa off the table. "But you have to admit it was funny."
Elissa's glare broke into a smile, "Yes it was."
Elissa's attention turned back to the rats. "Maker those are huge!"
"Yes, those are rats from the Kocari Wilds," Roland went to the corner. "Looks like Lucky found their way in."
"How in the makers name did they get up here? We're days from the Wilds," Elissa shuddered.
"Your guess is as good as mine. Best not to tell Nan though, she's upset as it is," Roland turned to her and smiled.
"Yes because she'll just overlook the fact that there are bloody rats dead on the floor of her larder," Elissa shrugged. "Right, totally not obvious."
"Yes well have fun with that, your father has me preparing for more of the arl's men," Roland smiled and opened the door. "Good day my lady."
Elissa shook her head as Roland mockingly bowed to her. If she could she'd throw a potato at him but he had disappeared before she had the chance.
She looked down at Lucky, "Put on your best I'm sorry face mister because Nan wanted to shoot you."
Lucky whined and cocked his head at her. Elissa took a deep breath and walked out of the larder to face Nan.
"There he is licking his chops and looking as brazen as he pleases. No doubt he's been eating my roast," Nan exclaimed.
Elissa shrugged, "He's not so bad Nan, just a dog being a dog."
"That lazy dog is worth more trouble than he's worth! He is!" Nan exclaimed but Elissa knew she wasn't serious everyone loved Lucky.
Lucky whined and gave Nan one of his more pathetic looks.
"Oh no don't you dare look at me with those sad eyes. I'm immune to your so-called charms," Nan crossed her arms. Lucky persisted until Nan caved. Elissa hid her smile just as Nan gave him some pork bits.
"Don't say Nan never gave you anything," she told Lucky.
Elissa smiled at Nan, "Thank you Nan."
"How have you been my lady? Been keeping out of trouble and being well behaved?" Nan studied Elissa.
"Now why would I say anything but yes?" Elissa laughed.
"Ha, clever whelp that mouth is going to get you in trouble one day," Nan laughed.
"And you'll be there to tell me you told me so, but not today Nan!" Elissa picked up an apple and bit into it. "I must be off, Fergus is leaving soon."
Nan lost her smile, "Yes go say goodbye to your brother. Wish him well for me if I went to see him off I'd be useless to everyone."
Elissa paused and smiled sadly at Nan, "I will."
She took off and before leaving she heard, "Oh mistress! There are rats in the larder! Big ones!"
Elissa took off running with a laugh and rounded the corner to the atrium swallowing the last bit of her apple. She composed herself because the atrium wasn't empty.
Her mother was sitting with Lady Landra, Landra's lady in waiting Iona, and Dairren. When they saw Elissa approaching they stopped talking and Dairren stood up.
"There is my darling daughter," Eleanor smiled.
"Hello mother," Elissa kissed her mother's cheek.
"I take it by the presence of Lucky everything is better in the kitchens?" Eleanor asked raising her eyebrows in a motherly fashion.
"Yes mother, Nan is back to working as we speak," Elissa smiled.
"Good you've always had a way with her," Eleanor smiled. "We were just talking about you dear girl."
"Oh?" Elissa smiled and looked around at her mother's guest. "Nothing bad I hope?"
"Of course not my lady," Dairren smiled at her.
"We were just remembering how I spent an entire evening trying to convince you to marry my son," Lady Landra laughed.
Elissa had been trying to forget about that night. But at that particular event it was either listen to Lady Landra or be flirted with by Bann Teagan. She chose Lady Landra, not that she had anything against Bann Teagan but the man could lay it on thick.
"And you made a very poor case of it," Dairren said to his mother.
"I mentioned you have no prospects as of yet," Eleanor said.
Elissa felt her face growing hot.
"Dairren still isn't married yet either you know," Lady Landra hinted.
"Don't listen to her," Dairren smiled nervously. He seemed more uncomfortable by this discussion than Elissa was. "You're looking beautiful today my lady."
Elissa looked down at her light armor. Her long hair was pulled back into a single braid. She wasn't dirty but she thought she was far from beautiful at the moment. She wondered how he could possibly think that.
"Thank you, Dairren," Elissa smiled up at him.
"You'd think my daughter's looks would make it easier to find her a match not harder," Eleanor sighed.
Elissa shifted uncomfortably.
"Perhaps she just has a mind of her own your ladyship, you should be proud," Dairren winked at Elissa.
He wasn't usually one to stand up for her. Elissa smiled back at him.
"Proud doesn't get me more grandchildren," Eleanor sighed.
"Maker's breath mother, first there must be a husband and then children. Lets not get ahead of ourselves. Besides I intimidate men or so Habren told me so," Elissa shrugged.
"Why does she think that my lady?" Dairren asked.
"I haven't a clue. Perhaps it's because I'm a Cousland. Not many will pursue me because of that, or if they do they do it in a round about way" Elissa sighed. She wanted the man to come after her not the other way around.
Dairren nodded and looked at his mother. "Perhaps when I return from the south we could talk again and get to know one another," Dairren looked at Elissa.
Elissa was taken back. At least he could pick up on her subtle hints.
"I'd like that," Elissa smiled and for the first time she realized she didn't mind getting to know Dairren. He wasn't that bad on the eyes either, he had ginger hair and brown eyes and full lips that were often smiling.
"I think I'll retire until supper," Lady Landra smiled and looked at Elissa. "Good evening your ladyship."
Dairren looked at Iona, "Perhaps we should retire to the study."
Iona nodded and stood up. Dairren turned back to Elissa, "It was a pleasure seeing you again."
Elissa felt her cheeks grow hot, when they were out of range Eleanor cleared her throat. "Well, now I'm glad Dairren finally decided to be more assertive."
"So it was him this whole time that was fishing for information through his mother?" Elissa asked.
"Well you are right about one thing you do intimidate men," Eleanor smiled. "He does have good taste if I might say so but then again I am your mother so I am biased. You are very beautiful my dear and you are a Cousland. Many nobles respect you, not just because of your name. So yes I think he would like you as a wife. But you have the final say of course."
"I promise to get to know him mama," Elissa sighed.
"That's all I ask for now," Eleanor put her arm around Elissa. "Are you on your way to see Fergus?"
"Yes, papa wants him to lead the troops to Ostagar ahead of him."
"So then it is true, Howe's men are delayed?" Eleanor asked.
"Yes, the man doesn't seem to be taking the darkspawn seriously, that worries me," Elissa sighed.
"I'm afraid not many will take it seriously Elissa, the King demands us to go and so we must answer the call," Eleanor sighed.
"I have a bad feeling about all this," Elissa admitted her fear.
"As do I, but your father and Fergus have their duty and we have ours," Eleanor faced her daughter. "So don't get any ideas about following them."
"I won't, I should go I've put off telling Fergus long enough," Elissa smiled.
"I love you dear girl you know that right?" Eleanor asked.
Elissa studied her mother and nodded, "Of course I do, and I love you too."
Elissa hugged her mother feeling the tension inside the tiny woman. Her mother always seemed so regal and strong to her. If her parents feared something she never saw it, but Elissa realized she had been more observant lately. When she was growing up frivolous things easily distracted her from what was really going on.
"You've grown up so fast, and now Bryce is leaving you in charge of the castle," Eleanor pulled back. "Okay go now, I've held you up long enough!"
Elissa grabbed her mother's hand and squeezed it to reassure her mother who looked like she was on the verge of tears. She made her way upstairs passing guards along the way. When she reached her brother's room she leaned against the wall watching the little family. Oriana was tucked into Fergus's side and she was crying. Oren was staring up at his father asking him to bring back a real sword and Fergus promising him the mightiest one he could find.
"Now dry your eyes love, I'll be back before you know it," Fergus said turning his attention to Oriana.
Jealousy and loneliness snuck up on Elissa. She wished she had someone instead of being the only Cousland that was alone. She'd be able to express her fears and wishes at the moment and not feel like she had to keep them bottled up.
Fergus turned and saw Elissa and he smiled at her. "Ah here's my little sister, have you come to see me off Lissa?"
"Of course," Elissa walked in.
Fergus turned to Oriana, "Now give me a kiss goodbye love."
Fergus kissed Oriana and Elissa cleared her throat when the kiss got steamy. "Let me know when you two are through."
Fergus pulled back from his wife laughing and looked down at Elissa. "Some day you'll meet a man who can handle you, mark my words."
"If you happen to find someone like that in Ostagar bring him home with you. Otherwise I don't believe such a man exists!" Elissa laughed.
Fergus laughed but noticed the shadows in Elissa's eyes. He didn't have time to worry about her. She'd be fine she always was, at least he hoped she would.
"Did you know there's a Grey Warden here?" Elissa changed the subject.
"Really? Was he riding a griffon?" Oren asked excitedly.
"Shh, Oren, griffons only exist in stories now," Oriana said. Elissa would have frowned if her brother hadn't looked at her at that moment. Oriana was always raining on Oren's imagination. Elissa on the other hand encouraged it. A little boy's imagination only lasts so long when you're a future heir.
"I heard, did he say why he's here?" Fergus asked.
"He is here recruiting, he plans to test Ser Gilmore," Elissa smiled.
"Good for him, I hope he makes it," Fergus smiled. "If I were a Grey Warden though I'd have my eyes on you."
Elissa made a face, "No, thank you."
Fergus laughed, "You don't want to be a Grey Warden?"
"No, most certainly not," Elissa shook her head.
"I couldn't picture you as one anyway, even though you're quick with a bow" Fergus laughed. Elissa wondered why her brother and Roland thought she'd make a good candidate. She had only killed once before and that was to save a little boy from his drunken father in the village. Even then she had been sick for a week for taking another life.
"Papa wants you to lead the men south without him," Elissa finally broke the news.
"So the arl's men are delayed? You'd think they were all walking backwards," Fergus sighed. "Well I best be on my way, so many darkspawn to behead so little time."
"I hope dear boy you planned on waiting for us before taking your leave," Fergus and Elissa turned to see Eleanor and Bryce walking into the room.
"Be well my son, I will pray for you everyday you are gone," Eleanor put her hand on Fergus's arm.
"Fergus will be fine," Elissa said trying to reassure herself as much as her mother.
"I keep telling you no darkspawn will ever best me," Fergus smiled.
"May the Maker sustain and preserve us all, watch over our sons, husbands and fathers and bring them safely back to us," Oriana prayed.
"And bring us some ale and wenches while you're at it…err for the men of course," Fergus laughed.
Elissa hid a smile leave it to Fergus to try to make a serious situation light.
"Fergus! You would say this in front of your mother?" Oriana sounded shocked.
"He's said worse in front of her," Elissa laughed.
"You're not helping," Oriana snapped.
Elissa shrugged, her brother was only trying to cheer everyone up. His method was a sad attempt but she appreciated the effort.
"What's a wench? Is that what you pull on to get the bucket out of the well?" Oren asked.
"A wench is a woman that pours the ale in a tavern Oren," Bryce thought more on the issue. "Or a woman who drinks a lot of ale."
Elissa bit back a laugh.
"Bryce! Maker's breath it's like living with a pair of small boys," Eleanor sighed. "Thankfully I have a daughter."
Fergus laughed, "I'll miss you mother dear. You'll take care of her won't you Elissa?"
"Oh mother doesn't need me taking care of her, she's quite capable of doing that on her own," Elissa smiled.
"It's true they should be sending her not me, she could scold all those darkspawn back into the deep roads," Fergus smiled down at Eleanor.
"Well I'm glad you find this funny," Eleanor sighed.
"Papa says you're looking out for us while he is away is that true Auntie?" Oren asked pulling on Elissa's hand.
"I'm afraid it won't be that exciting Oren," Elissa smiled kneeling down beside her nephew.
"What if the castle is attacked? Will there be dragons?" Oren's eyes grew wide in hopes something legends were made of would show up.
"Dragons are terrible creatures Oren. They eat people," Oriana gasped.
"Yeah, I want to see one!" Oren smiled. Elissa laughed at that she couldn't help it. Her nephew was the light of her life and she wanted to have five just like him when she finally married.
"This is your influence Fergus," Oriana sighed.
"What? I didn't say anything," Fergus feigned innocence.
"Will you teach me to use a sword Auntie?" Oren asked.
"I'm not much for swords, Oren," Elissa reminded him.
"What about poisons? Can I learn about that?" Oren smiled.
Elissa's faced drained of all the blood and she looked up at Fergus. She was speechless. Her knowledge of poisons wasn't well known.
"Or the bow, papa said you killed a man in the village from a hundred yards away," Oren continued.
"Maker's breath, Fergus what stories have you been telling your son about me," Elissa gasped.
"Now, now Oren listen to your mother about these things," Fergus cut in avoiding Elissa's glare.
"Ah but I never get to have any fun," Oren sighed.
"Don't worry Oren, you'll see a real sword up close soon, I promise," Fergus smiled.
"It's going to be a long day tomorrow, Pup you should get to bed," Bryce laughed.
Elissa looked up at him and nodded then turned back to her brother. He came forward and wrapped his arms around her. "Take care of everyone Lissa, and be here when I get back."
"Nan wanted me to tell you goodbye for her. Take care of yourself Ferg, please come back," Elissa whispered squeezing him tight.
He kissed her forehead and let her go, "Now off to bed with you."
"Yes well have fun on the march, in the cold," Elissa smiled. "Goodbye brother."
Bryce walked his daughter to the door. Elissa turned to him, "Will you two be all right down south?"
"We go to battle Elissa, not an afternoon tea," Bryce sighed.
Elissa looked away ashamed her question didn't sound so bad in her head but when she said it she knew it was not the smartest question she could have asked.
"I will say this, you are my darling daughter and I trust you to carry on the Cousland name no matter what happens," Bryce continued tilting Elissa's face up to look at him.
"Don't talk like that father," Elissa bit back tears.
"You've grown into a sensible woman pup, that much is clear. Now off to bed with you," Bryce smiled.
Elissa hugged her father and bid her family good night before making her way across the hall to her room with Lucky. Only there did she give into her fears and worries and let herself cry.