Bioware owns Dragon Age and all the characters, I own Jaya, though...
The King's Rose
Chapter 9: A Very Important Guest!
Jaya closed her eyes and counted backwards before forcing a smile. "I have heard about you, Your Grace and am honored you even know my family's name. I am not just a Warden, but a normal person. Surely you aren't always so... What's the word.. narcissistic around the palace." She inquired, tacking up a point when the Empress's eyes went wide as she thought the empress thought she hadn't been raised by the second most famous teryn in Ferelden. As a child, her mother and father had taught her every proper response how to hold her head against insults should she have become the teryna. "I've noticed that you never let a thought interrupt the flow of your conversation, Your Grace."
All gathered seemed to hide their laughter by looking to see what the empress would do next, Fergus mentally shaking his head at the fact that his sister had all kinds of insults that could be said as nicely as discussing the weather.
"And I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid." Celene shot back, taking a few steps towards Jaya, who mirrored her movement.
"Was that your conclusion, or simply the point in the conversation where you got tired of thinking?" Came the reply.
The two stared the other down, Jaya readying another insult when the empress burst out laughing. "I like you! You held your own. I do believe Ferelden will have very powerful leaders. I hope that Orlais and Ferelden will put the past behind us and look forward to co-operating together." Celene said, smiling and extending a hand out, which Jaya took. "Just do not lose that fire inside."
Eamon seemed to deflate in happiness at the fact that she could stand against the Empress of Orlais. "Now may we proceed with the Court?" He inquired.
Celene nodded and took a chair besides Jaya as the court resumed from where they were prior to her arrival. Once it finished and dinner was served, she turned to talk to Jaya. "So you are Eleanor's daughter? She was a friend of my own mother. And Bryce really hit it off with my father about hunting. I must extend condolences about their murders."
Jaya smiled softly, remembering her childhood of mostly lessons. "I did avenge them just as my mother wanted me to."
A memory assaulted her and she held her head while thinking. Cailan was around nine or ten and was at Recliffe Castle trying to annoy a seven year old Anora while their parents talked. She, on the other hand, had gone out to the village with Fergus, who was eleven at the time, to explore the shops and other things when she caught a glimpse of a mud-covered child who was playing with dogs.
"Ferg... Why is that boy playing with the dogs?" A six year old Jaya asked, pointing at the boy.
"Maybe he's keeping the dogs company... Jaya! What in Maker's name are you doing?" He called as she darted off to go see him.
Jaya always wanted to play in the mud whenever she could, but her mother often told her no. Since she was with Fergus, she figured he'd allow her to at least get her shoes dirty. Approaching the boy, she smiled. "Hello! Why're you playing in the mud?"
"Cause I want to. Why do you want to know?" The boy asked.
"It seemed like fun and I wanted to play, too. With my brother watching over me, I am allowed a little leeway, since my mother won't allow me to play in mud at home." Jaya explained. "I'm Jaya. What's your name?"
"Alistair." He seemed cautious at first. "Why're you here in Redcliffe?"
"My parents are here visiting Arl Eamon and Bann Teagan." Jaya explained, sitting down in the mud as a dog tackled her to the ground and started licking her face. "Down boy, down." She giggled as the dog got off her and had made her hair come undone and get caked in mud. "Maker, that felt good! I always want to play with my puppy Caican and my mother never allows it!"
"You have a Mabari? Cool. I wish I had one." Alistair said as an adult came over.
"Maker's breath. Alistair, how many times will we have to clean you?" The man said before blinking at Jaya. "And who are you, miss?"
Fergus finally caught up. "Jaya, Andraste's blood, you need to stop darting off. Mother will be very upset!" He said, blinking. "Who are you?"
"I am Bann Teagan. And you must be young Lord Fergus and Lady Jaya Cousland." Teagan stated as Cailan and Anora walked over. "Well, it seems I am going to be having a very difficult time explaining this to Lady Cousland."
Jaya's face puckered. "Mother never lets me have fun. She'll be very mad, but she will get over it." She blinked and looked at the other two. "Aren't you Prince Cailan?" She asked.
Cailan grinned big and nodded. "Indeed I am. This is Anora, daughter of the Hero of River Dane." He announced.
After introductions, Teagan herded the children, Fergus being the eldest one, towards the village. Along the way, Jaya and Alistair kept talking about either Mabari or how very similar they were. As they entered the castle, Jaya and Fergus both covered their ears, confusing the others just before Eleanor Cousland stormed forward.
"Jaya Lucile Elise Cousland! Maker's breath! I have told you time and again not to get dirty! Now Nan will have to change you and get that mud out of your hair. And you, Fergus Sarim Ardal Cousland, were to keep her by you at all times!" Eleanor shouted, getting Bryce, Eamon and Isolde's attention from the other room, Bryce poking his head around the corner before joining them and looking at his daughter.
"Eleanor, leave her be. It is not really important for her to be so pampered away from Highever. And she is rarely able to be a child." Bryce stated.
Eleanor sighed. "I know, Bryce, but I just want one child to be a proper one. But, I suppose I have been too strict. However, Nan still must at least clean her hair."
Jaya's silver eyes lit up as she bowed to her mother as a young woman, Nan, took her hand and led her to get cleaned. "Nan... Why must I always be proper?" She asked, curiosity clearly getting the better of her.
"Because you might soon be teryna if Fergus refuses. Or, when you are much, much older, you might marry a noble man and must be proper with his family." Nan explained.
"Jaya.. Earth to Jaya." Celene's voice sang as she waved a hand in front of her face.
"I'm terribly sorry. I have a habit to think too long and tune out the world." Jaya said, grinning. "Did you say something?"
"I was asking about whether or not your brother was available. That and I was curious to when your wedding will happen." She asked, glancing at Fergus.
"He recently lost his wife and son, my sister-in-law and nephew, in Howe's massacre. I have a feeling he will be in mourning for a little bit." Jaya stated. "As for my own wedding, it will be in about..." She paused to do number crunching as Alistair answered.
"Five days." He answered, sipping from his glass.
"Yes, five days.." She nodded absently before it hit her in the head. "Wait.. Five?" She then realized that it would be six months after his coronation in five days. Her head spun as she realized that, while Isolde had been helping her plan the wedding, she never realized it would be that close. "Your Grace, will you be staying in Denerim until then?" She questioned.
"Of course. I shall not miss out on witnessing a more popular wedding than yours and please call me Celene. We are going to be great friends." Celene informed, waving away a drink offer before standing. "Alistair, might I borrow your betrothed for a little bit?"
"Just promise to return her as she is. I don't want her any more altered." Alistair stated before getting drawn into a talk with Teagan about something.
"Maker. That man." Jaya said, sighing.
"He almost looks like Cailan. Though, only in the facial features. But, might I see the dress you will wear?" She asked as Leliana and Wynne joined them.
"Of course. I must admit, though, it was my sister-in-law's and I wanted her to be in the wedding somehow." Jaya explained, showing the dress to the empress.
"Oh how lovely! You will glow in it and I doubt Alistair will be able to even look away from you." She stated, smiling as the four rejoined the party. "I am sure you have questions about the wedding night. Feel free to ask."
Jaya giggled before flushing. "There is no need. Me and Alistair have actually made love... Multiple times, even during the Blight."
Celene looked stunned before smirking. "Oh? Were you a virgin?"
"Not really. I did happen to have one previous lover, Dairren, but he was killed shortly afterwards." Jaya explained, feeling like her mother was pestering her.
Yes, I made it so Jaya knew Alistair before the whole game, cause I figure the Cousland story should've at least including KNOWING Cailan at the very minimum.
~~Skittles~~