I want to first thank my beta reader, blondemoments, for helping all my grammar issues and helping me with ideas! Any remaining grammar issues are mine alone. Also, thanks to everyone who reviews the story, especially alyssacousland who has graciously reviewed every chapter, your reviews mean the world to me! Please continue to read and review, I get a little thrill every time I see them posted! We're getting near the end of the story now so hopefully you enjoy where it goes!
Song I was listening to while writing: Park Shin Hye: Falling In Love With A Friend
Chapter Eight
The next few months passed in a blur. Caroline visited the castle often to see Nathaniel. I tried to avoid them both. Dairren hadn't given Fergus the Satinalia gift he had bought for him. He said he was too nervous that Fergus would reject him. I understood that; rejection was a painful thing to bear.
Dairren and I spent many evenings together now. He spent most of that time talking about my brother, which was a bit awkward. Dairren didn't really have any other close friends to talk to though and neither did I now. Sometimes we'd talk of other things but mostly Dairren just wanted advice on how to confess his feelings to Fergus. Tonight was one of the nights we talked of Fergus.
I sighed deeply. "Just take him aside after practice one day and tell him. If you never try you'll never know, Dairren." I wanted Dairren to be happy and Fergus too. I wanted them to both feel the same way for each other and be able to spend time together the way Dairren wanted them to. Mostly, though, I just wanted Dairren to quit pestering me about my brother. It wasn't the fact he was another boy that made it awkward; it was the fact Fergus was my brother that was weird. I didn't want to think of my brother in romantic relationship with any other person.
Dairren wrung his hands. "But what if he doesn't like me? It would make things so weird if he knew how I felt and didn't feel the same way. Besides, you're one to talk. You still haven't told Nathaniel how you felt," he replied as he paced up and down the stable. The stable was his favorite place to come talk privately.
"How did you know I like Nathaniel?" I asked, flabbergasted.
Dairren rolled his eyes and smirked. "How did I know? By the Maker, Lady Ely, everyone knows how you feel but Nathaniel himself. For that matter, I'm pretty sure most people knew how you felt before you even knew how you felt," he said with a slight chuckle.
I sighed heavily again. Well, at least Nathaniel didn't know. "Well, that's different anyway. I already know Nathaniel likes someone else; what would be the point in confessing my feelings to him? I'm like a sister to him, I'm sure, and spilling my guts would only make me look pathetic in his eyes. He'd probably even feel sorry for me," I replied dejectedly.
Dairren came over and placed a hand on my cheek. "Ah Lady Ely, there is so much you don't realize yet, isn't there?" He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. What was he talking about? What was it I didn't realize?
As we turned to leave I noticed Nathaniel standing in the doorway, a scowl on his face. Dairren's eyes lit up and he grabbed my hand tightly. "Come on, love, we better not be late to practice today!" he said as he pulled me past Nathaniel. I saw Nate's expression darken even further and I swear I heard him growl a little.
After we had were out of his hearing range I stopped dead in my tracks and tugged on Dairren's hand. "Andraste's knickers Dairren, what was that about?"
Dairren smiled mischievously before answering. "Well, I thought we'd goad Nathaniel and make him jealous. That will prove to you he likes you and get everything out in the open."
"That is the dumbest idea I have ever heard," I replied flatly.
Dairren laughed and shook his head. "Trust me, Lady Ely. It will work."
Today was archery practice. I had gotten better but I was still no master marksman. At least I didn't drop the arrow, as much. I looked around, noticing our instructor hadn't arrived yet.
Nathaniel was standing over by himself, glowering at everything. His face looked handsome that way, dark and angry in the bright sunlight. Dairren noticed his angry look and walked over to me. He smiled quickly and whispered something in my ear. "Just follow my lead, okay?" Then he grabbed me by the shoulders and kissed me.
My first kiss was very... slobbery. When we broke apart I had to fight the urge to wipe the spit from my lips with my shirtsleeve. If that was what kissing was like I didn't like it. I glanced over at Nathaniel and his face was red with anger. But then, Fergus didn't seem too happy either. He came over and glared at Dairren a bit, his fists clenched like he wanted to hit the younger boy, before warning him to be careful with me. Careful? I was no fragile doll! I punched Fergus in the shoulder.
"I can take care of myself, thank you very much!" I scowled up at my brother and he just shook his head before looking over at Nathaniel and sighing heavily.
Nathaniel walked over to where Dairren was oiling his bow, his eyes full of angry intent. "Hey, Dairren. I'm bored with archery training today. How about you and I do a little sword fighting? Your greatsword against my dagger and shortsword?"
Dairren shifted nervously; he wasn't very good with a sword. "Do you think Instructor Dario would allow it?"
Nathaniel had a cold glint in his eyes. "Who said we had to let him know? Besides, if you're scared we'll use the old wooden ones instead."
Dairren glanced over at me and I smiled encouragingly at him. I knew Dairren had too much pride to say no to Nathaniel but I had no idea why Nathaniel was acting this way. "Alright, I guess that sounds okay," Dairren muttered.
Nathaniel flashed a wicked grin. "Good. We'll go behind the stables, so no one else sees."
"Oh no, Nathaniel Howe! If you're going to do something so foolish then Fergus and I are coming too!" I said as I set down my bow. I didn't fully understand what was going on but I had a bad feeling about the whole thing. I looked over at Fergus and he nodded his head before following the two boys.
I didn't like this, not one bit. They weren't even wearing the proper armor! All Dairren had on were his wrist guards and Nathaniel was in just a tunic and leggings. What if they got injured? I was worried for them both but more so for Dairren; Nathaniel easily outclassed him in swordplay.
I watched as the two men circled each other. "Hey sis, do you have any idea what's going on here?" Fergus whispered in my ear.
I shook my head, not taking my eyes off the fight. "Not really. I think Nathaniel's just being an ass but I don't understand why."
Fergus chuckled. "Well, maybe if you stopped kissing other boys, this would be less of a problem." I looked over at my brother; was Nathaniel just trying to protect me, like Fergus would?
Dairren lunged forward, swinging his greatsword at Nathaniel who easily dodged the blow and ended up behind Dairren. Nathaniel kicked out his leg as Dairren was turning and I heard a loud snap when it made contact with Dairren's knee. Dairren was limping now but he had a look of fierce determination on his face. Did he mean to continue the fight still? Was he trying to impress Fergus? Oh Maker, that was probably it. Damn men and their foolishness. He was probably doing this whole thing to prove to Fergus he was a strong warrior. Stupid, stupid! Why were men always so damn foolish?
Nathaniel must have noticed Dairren's limp too because he focused his next attack on the other man's bad side. He darted in quickly and slammed his dagger into Dairren's left side. It didn't pierce the flesh, being made of dulled wood, but it would leave a nasty bruise without armor protecting him. Nathaniel spun around and stabbed him a second time, this time in the shoulder. Dairren cried out and dropped his sword as he fell to the ground.
"Enough!" I shouted. I ran over to Dairren who was crying softly on the ground. "Dairren, are you alright?"
Fergus followed behind me and glared at Nathaniel before speaking. "Dammit Howe, don't you think you went too far this time?" he growled.
Nathaniel glanced over to where Dairren and I were. I had Dairren's head in my lap and he was trying to hide his tears from Fergus. I saw a flash of guilt and something else in his eyes before he tossed his weapons to the ground and stormed off.
Fergus walked over to Dairren and knelt down to look at his leg. "It's not broken but we should bring him to the Healer so she can make sure everything is alright."
It took Dairren a whole month to fully heal and I didn't see Nathaniel at all the during that time. I felt like he was avoiding me. Dairren kept urging me to find him and talk with him but I was furious. I didn't care what his reasons were for hurting Dairren; it was unnecessary violence. Fergus stuck close to Dairren's side the whole time, making sure he had everything he needed. This made Dairren very happy but I could tell it was because Fergus felt sorry for the boy and not anything more but I couldn't bring myself to say anything and spoil Dairren's happiness. Especially since it was myself he had been injured.
Today was Dairren's final day cooped up inside. Fergus and I were heading to meet up with him outside by the large oak tree on the castle grounds when we heard a pair of voices talking. It was Dairren and Nathaniel.
"I'm sorry, for injuring you. I was... just in a foul mood." Nathaniel said, his tone apologetic.
Fergus and I hid so as not to be seen. "Eh. It's fine. Mind telling me why you were so pissed off?" Dairren replied with a shrug of his shoulders.
Nathaniel's face hardened suddenly. "Yea. Stay away from Ely."
Dairren chuckled. "Why? It's not like you've laid any claim on her. If I'm interested in Lady Ely why shouldn't I kiss her?"
Nathaniel leaned forward and grabbed a fistful of Dairren's shirt. "Listen, boy, if you hurt her in any way I'll do more than just give you a beating, understand?"
I'd heard enough. I understood he felt protective of me, like Fergus, but this was going too far! "You'll do what, Nathaniel Howe?" I said as I stepped forward into the light.
Nathaniel's eyes widened. He let go of Dairren and took a step back. "Uh, Ely I..."
"No, I don't want to hear any of your excuses!" I interrupted. "Just because you and I are like family doesn't mean you get to boss Dairren around." It hurt, a little, to say it like that but I had resigned myself to the fact Nathaniel thought of me the same way he thought of Delilah.
Nathaniel narrowed his eyes at me before stomping off in frustration. My heart was filled with sadness; it seemed Nathaniel and I were just growing further and further apart.
"The two of you sure cause a lot of trouble, Sister," Fergus said with a sigh.
I looked up at Fergus, indignantly. "Me? I haven't done a thing! I'm not the one who beat up a boy who couldn't defend himself!"
Dairren cleared his throat behind me. "Thanks, Lady Ely, for putting it so nicely," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
I flushed red. I hadn't meant to say so bluntly. "Sorry," I mumbled quietly.
The next few months flashed by quickly. The whole of the castle believed Dairren and I were a couple. Dairren insisted we let the rumor stand, to further goad Nathaniel.
"You realize even Fergus believes us to be a couple? This fool plan of yours will only serve to keep the two of you apart. Nathaniel does not like me and now you may ruin your chance with Fergus." Dairren and I were in the stables again, having one of our many talks. I had grown to like Dairren more as time went on; he wasn't a warrior but he was a very quick learner when it came to anything he read. His eyes would light up and he could go on for hours about all the things he had read about. I hated studying and reading just made my eyes hurt so I admired his passion for learning and his studious nature. He was also very stubborn.
Dairren closed the book he had been reading and leaned forward. He had been lazing in the hay and pieces of it were stuck in his hair and clothes. "You may be the most stubborn girl I've ever known, Lady Ely. Oblivious, too," he chuckled.
I reached over and plucked some of the hay off of him before sitting down on the dirt floor. "Oblivious? I am not oblivious. You are just seeing things that aren't even there."
Dairren shook his head and opened his book again. "I can see I won't be able to convince you the normal way, Lady Ely. If you are really so concerned about Fergus and I, let me lay your mind at ease. Fergus is not interested. I can tell by the way he interacts with me. So worry not about my unrequited love and concentrate more on your own love woes."
I snorted loudly. "Love woes? Oh, how poetic," I replied, dryly.
Dairren smiled and set down his book again. "How about we review your lessons, Lady Ely? I know your mother will not let you continue your training if Aldous mentions how poorly you are doing."
I sighed heavily and nodded my head.
Dairren grinned and sat up a bit straighter. "What year did King Calenhad Theirin become Teryn of Denerim?"
Blast. He had to start off with a difficult question. "Uh... 37th year of the Exalted Age?"
Dairren chuckled and shook his head. "You were close, Lady Ely. It was 33rd year of the Exalted Age. What year did the Orlesian Occupation begin?"
Oh! This one I knew! "8:44 Blessed!" I answered, my voice full of pride.
I heard someone giggling behind us and turned my head towards the door. It was Caroline. "Every Ferelden knows that, Lady Eilonwy."
I scowled at her and opened my mouth to reply but Dairren spoke before me. "Caroline, is it? Lady Ely and I were just reviewing our lessons. The learning one receives at Castle Cousland is a tremendous amount compared to... elsewhere." Dairren replied, his voice smug.
Caroline glared directly at me, as if I had been the one to mock her education, or lack of. "Well, it must be hard, if even the noble daughter of the Teryn of Highever has to study in a stable like us commoners," she replied, haughtily.
Dairren scoffed and opened his book up again. "Lady Ely is only studying in here because so much of her time is taken up with her training. She is the fiercest warrior in Highever, the daughter of the Teryn, and she's receiving the highest education a noble can receive. Any man would be impressed by that," Dairren said, a smirk on his face, as he continued to read his book. Was he taunting her about Nathaniel now? Oh for the love of the Maker, this was not going to end well.
I saw Caroline smile mischevously. "Well, I'm sure most men would be impressed. Speaking of men, have either of you seen my darling Nathaniel? I came here looking for him; he promised to take me to beach today."
I felt my heart drop at her words. "Why would I know where he is? I'm hardly his keeper," I replied sullenly.
She smirked at me before curtsying. "Why, indeed," was all she said before leaving, a smug tone of satisfaction in her voice.
