"Oak, granite, Lilies by the road,
Remember me?
I remember you.
Clouds brushing Clover hills,
Remember me?
Sister, child, Grown tall,
Remember me?
I remember you."
― Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted
Elissa couldn't feel anything.
If she could she would have felt the aching in her feet, the way her knees creaked with every step she took forward.
However, she was still lost in the grief that made it feel as if a hole had been torn out of her.
She had spent the last few days with Duncan hiking through forest off the main roads, in case Howe's men were following them.
They made one stop in a small town to get some supplies from a local merchant. She wrapped her new cloak around her more tightly as she and Duncan approached the ruins, the hood drawn up to cover her face.
Summer nudged into her side. She looked down at her dog and gave him a weak smile and patted him on his head. He whind up at her and leaned into her hand.
Duncan turned to look at her as they drew closer to Ostagar. "The King and Teyrn Loghain should be in the camp," He said to her. "We should be able to seek their aid with your family. We could also attempt to look for your brother before the joining."
She nodded her head in understanding, looking up at the gates looming over head.
Ahead of them there was a large armored party, and leading them as they neared was King Cailan.
Elissa pursed her lips together as they approached, she had only been around the king a handful of times. Though he was always friendly she generally found his company straining, but she needed his help. Her personal feelings had to be set aside.
Duncan looked rather surprised as the king came closer. "Your Majesty, I wasn't expecting such a large welcoming party."
"Come now Duncan," Cailen said in his usual exuberance. "Did you really think I wouldn't be out here to meet you when you arrived?"
Duncan looked to his side at Elissa before responding. "Well it's true that you being here does help us a bit," He gestured to Elissa standing next to him. "Majesty this is my new recruit."
Elissa lowered her hood and bowed her head to Cailen. "I believe introductions aren't necessary Duncan." Elissa said as she directed her gaze to the king, who seemed a bit surprised.
"Elissa Cousland! I had not expected to see you here." Cailen flashed one of his famous smiles her way. "Your brother had been waiting for your father, I don't believe he knew you were coming, are your fathers forces following you?" He said looking over her shoulder.
Elissa tensed as thoughts of her father bloodied and gasping on the larder floor entered her mind against her will.
"My...my father..." Elissa struggled to get out the words.
Duncan set his hand on her shoulder, giving her a sympathetic look.
"Teyrn Cousland was attacked by Arl Howe's men. To my knowledge we were the only ones to escape the castle."
Elissa felt a great gratitude to Duncan for saying what she couldn't in that moment.
Cailen's eyebrows furrowed together as Duncan spoke. "Fergus must be told right away, and I swear to you Elissa I will help you in any way I can to see your family receives justice."
Elissa felt her chest tighten. No matter what she had thought of the king before, this more than made up for any bad feelings she had for him.
"Thank you, I agree I must really speak with my brother as soon as I can."
"It will have to wait for a bit I fear," Cailen said apologetically. "Your brother was sent out to head a scouting party into the wilds."
"He could be in danger! I have to warn him!" Elissa felt herself going frantic with worry over the last of her family.
"My lady I am sorry, you will be informed as soon as he arrives." Elissa clenched her teeth and nodded. She glared at the ground as Duncan and the king continued to talk of the upcoming battle, not listening as she is lost in her own thoughts.
Duncan's voice eventually brings her around as the king's guards follow Cailen as he strides away purposefully.
"Lady Cousland, I believe we should proceed with the joining as soon as possible, I need you to find your fellow recruits for me."
Elissa looked up at Duncan raising an eyebrow at him.
"There are two men by the name of Daveth and Ser Jory," Duncan ran his hand through his beard. "The junior member of our order could probably help you find them, and he needs to be present from the joining as well. I would seek him out first."
"Where would I find this grey warden?" Elissa asked, itching to get on with whatever task she needed to accomplish.
"Just ask the soldier on the other side of the bridge, they should know where he has run off to." Duncan gestured towards the expanse of the bridge. "In the meantime, I will take your hound for a well-deserved meal at the kennels."
Summer let out a soft bark and sidled up to Duncan affectionately at the sound of food. Elissa snorted quietly and made her way across the bridge.
The camp was certainly noisy. Elissa's nose and ears were overwhelmed with the smells and sounds coming from every direction.
Soldiers running this way and that, food being cooked not too far off, and the strange smell of lyrium coming from the mages section.
Elissa tried to shut out as much of it as she could. After speaking with the soldier at the bridge she had been directed to a raised platform beyond the mages area. She had her mission and she was going to concentrate on it. As long as she had something to focus her mind on she could keep going, keep living.
She pulled her cloak even tighter. It was still early fall but for the last few days Elissa just couldn't feel warm. She just felt the cold that seemed to start in her bones, and left her shivering at night.
As she started to walk up a ramp she absently thought about if she ought to have asked what this grey warden looked like, or even what his name was. She didn't have much to go on other than a location.
Was there a way a grey warden was supposed to look? It may just come down to a guessing game.
She heard the soft sound of distant voices from the top of yet another ramp. Maker, would it have killed them to keep things on one level?
At the top of the ramp Elissa stopped to see two men. She could really only see one of them as the other was facing away from her.
The man facing her was dressed in what looked like mages robes and had a very cross expression on his face as he snapped at the man he was speaking with.
"Haven't the grey wardens asked enough of the circle?"
Well that just made her job of guessing which one was the grey warden a bit easier.
Elissa tuned out the conversation as she looked at the back of her would be comrade.
It was a broad back, made even broader with the splint male he wore. Definitely a warrior she thought absently. With what looked like a full head of dark blond hair.
Elissa started to think about how tall he was when what must have been the grey warden's voice broke through her reverie.
"-The grumpy one!" Elissa cocked her eyebrow now regretting not listening in.
The mage scoffed something then turned to leave, knocking into her shoulder as he passed.
"Out of my way fool!" He spat at her. Before Elissa could find a very convenient place for her fist in the region of his face the mage had walked off.
As she glared at his back she heard a voice behind her.
"One thing about the blight is how it brings people together."
Elissa gave a ghost of a chuckle and turned to face the man. "It certainly seems that way."
As she turned she caught the first look at his face.
He had a strong jaw that was dusted with light blond stubble. An easy smile was being directed at her, and his warm brown eyes were lit up in amusement.
Something in the back of her mind began to itch.
"Umm, by any chance would you be the junior grey warden?"
The man's eyes widened a bit before running a hand through his hair.
"Yes, that's me." He said with humor in his voice. "The adorable rookie. Unless you were sent here to yell at me for something. Then I am probably not that adorable."
Elissa looked at him intently. There was something about this man, she just wasn't sure what it was.
"No," She began slowly. "Duncan sent me here to come fetch you. I'm the new recruit."
He quickly gave her a once over at those words, as if really looking at her for the first time.
"Ah, of course you are. Nothing like making a fool of myself in front of the newbie." He said flashing her a grin.
Elissa kept looking at him as though this feeling in the back of her mind might finally make sense to her. What was going on with her? This was just a man she had never met before, maker she didn't even know his name.
'That's right,' she thought. 'I should probably learn his name.'
"Umm, is it alright if I ask your name? Duncan didn't tell me it." She fiddled with her fingers as she asked.
"That doesn't seem too nice of Duncan, sending you to search for me without even a name." the man said laughing again.
"The name is Alistair, at your service my lady." he said giving her a slight bow.
Elissa's heart thudded in her chest.
Alistair.
She had known an Alistair, once.
A small boy, just bone and a layer of mud.
A shy boy who had sad eyes.
One who had given her the rose that was safely tucked away in a pouch at her hip.
"Are you alright miss?" Alistair said coming closer. "You suddenly got rather pale."
Elissa looked up at him and realized that her hands had started to shake.
"I-I.y-your name is Alistair?" She said stuttering.
He furrowed his brow at her. "Yes, it is. Is that a problem?"
"N-no! It's just..." She bit her lower lip, hoping she wouldn't embarrass herself. "Have you ever been to Redcliff?"
Alistair looked even more confused. "Yes, I lived there while I was a young boy."
Elissa's heart felt like it would burst from her chest any second. "Did you live in the castle?" Her voice was becoming insistent with emotion. She had to know if this was her boy in the kennels.
Alistair took a step back narrowing his eyes at her. "How did you know that...did Duncan tell you that?"
She shook her head no, wondering if she had made a mistake bring this up. "No he didn't tell me," she tried to keep her voice from shaking. "I visited Redcliff when I was a child, with...with my family."
Alistair looked at her, his eyebrow shooting up as his mouth opened. Before he could say anything Elissa continued.
"I met a boy there, a boy who slept in the kennels, who loved cheese, and who put up with me dragging him everywhere." Elissa couldn't look him in the face anymore choosing to look at the dirt. Her face was heated from the blush that had covered it. "He was a young boy who gave me this." She reached into her pouch and pulled out the glass rose blossom.
She held in in her palms, holding it was the most valuable thing in the world.
She kept her eyes on it as a long moment passed with both of the silent.
As it drew on Elissa felt foolish, this wasn't her Alistair, this was just some random man who now probably thought she was crazy. Alistair wasn't that uncommon of a name.
Tears started to collect and she was willing them not to fall and make the situation worse.
She was so busy concentrating on not crying that she didn't notice Alistair stepping closer until his large warm hands wrapped around her own holding the rose.
She looked up quickly as a single tear rolled down her face. Alistair was leaning down to look at her face, his brows drawn together and his eyes filled with an emotion Elissa couldn't quite place.
He moved one of his hands away to reach up and cup the side of her face, his thumb running along her cheek.
"Elissa?"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
A/N: Hey guys, I'm sorry I didn't update last week but I had a visit from a best friend and she took up all my time.
This is what I get for inviting people to stay with me for a weekend.
Anyway I would like to say how grateful I am to the people favoriting, following, and commenting on my story. It makes me so happy!
One of you asked if you could use my Cousland as your Couslands back story, to which I say be my guest.
I don't mind such things as long as people ask.
I hope you all enjoy this chapter, I may try to posy another one this weekend since I missed last week an apology.
Thanks again!