A Rose by any Other

Disclaimer: I don't own Anything but this plot. So leave me alone about it already. I only use them for my own amusement.

Scroll Eleven: Passion and Preparation

Elissa nodded her head and pulled Anders inside the cabin and drew the drapes over the windows and locked the doors. Anders watched her in awe and confusion as she looked to the coupe of messenger birds and smiled to them. She sat down at a table and let her face crash into the wood. Anders moved behind her quickly. He began to panic as she began cursing words that would make Oghren blush.

"Elissa?" He whispered.

Elissa looked up to him and shook her head. "Call me, um, Amara, until we get to the castle." She looked around and moved to a pair of sheers. "How do you feel about short hair Anders?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Um, its alright I guess."

When she moved to a mirror she unbound her hear and caressed the strands lovingly. She sighed and began cutting her hair. When he watched the long strands fall to the floor he gasped. She cut her hair so it rested just long enough to be tucked behind her ears, and the lobes were still sticking out. She even trimmed the back so it was shorter in the back, almost like a males and then the rest of her hair was longer in an almost V shape. It curled around her jaw, and he had to admit in the end it was breathtaking.

"How do I look?" She asked as she turned to him.

Anders moved closer to her and brushed the strands of hair behind an ear and leaned in close to her lips. "Strangely more attractive then before. This style really suits you my Commander. Its much less noble and much more Rogue Princess."

Elissa laughed and smiled up at him brightly. "This is true, Zev always said I would look much more 'sexy' if my hair was short. It seems the effeminate elf was right."

Anders cupped her face in his hands and kissed her lips hungrily. The look certainly turned him on and he backed her into a wall and trailed kisses seamlessly to her neck. He listened to her moans and began to nibble on the skin. She bit back a hiss and he pulled away.

Elissa's eyes were glazed over. She shook her head and after a moment finally spoke. "I think you should leave a mark on the skin."

Anders jaw fell open. "Mark your beautiful flesh, I would never commit such a sin. The Maker would strike me down for sure."

Elissa chuckled and caressed his cheek. "I doubt after your performances so far he would even lift a finger to scold you." The last time she had said something like this was to boost Alistair's pride, and she had only half meant it. Now she meant it fully and was sure the Maker would not so quickly strike them for it. "Jokes aside, it will help my case if you leave a love bite Anders, and you shall have one to match."

Anders quite liked that idea. "A matching pair hmmm, perhaps we should purchase matching outfits for this festival."

Elissa gave a quite laugh and nodded. "Maybe we will, I hope you like the color pink Anders."

Anders leaned into the woman slowly, enjoying the way she squirmed against his chest. "You eternal tease." He whispered as his lips ghosted across her. His lips touched hers in a feather light touch as one of his hands gripped her hips and pulled her body closer. He pressed her harder into the wall and his lips pressed more fiercely onto hers. He shuddered when it was her tongue that swept across his lips this time.

Anders groaned into the kiss as he opened his mouth and moved his tongue to dance with hers. She moved her tongue along his expertly. Eventually he let her explore every inch of his mouth before pressing into her warm body and unclasping her leather armor. It fell to the ground and he moved his hands in a scorching path up her sides.

He took his turn in dominating the kiss, as his tongue moved hers into a retreat and his tongue followed after it greedily. He moved one hand to her neck and tilted her head back as he began to explore the caverns of her sweet mouth. The kiss became less heated as he lazily began stroking her tongue and his grip lessened in its intensity. He cradled her body to his as he pulled away from her tempting lips.

Both their eyes, half lidded, shared identical sparks of pride as they saw how swollen the others lips had indeed become. Anders leaned to her right ear licked the flesh just below her earlobe. The gasp that he elicited from her lips sent shivers down his spin. He made a note of the spot and began moving his lips in a hot trail down her neck. He found another sensitive spot, this one caused her to mewl his name, and he was momentarily stunned when she jumped and wrapped her legs around his waist.

The passion was ignited once more as he slammed her into the wall and began hungrily biting and sucking on the spot. He pressed his hips into hers and felt a fire wrap around his member no woman had ever invoked in him before. He rocked her against his body and the wall as his teeth continued their assault on her tender neck.

Elissa could not think, the switch from passion to loving back to desperate passion left her mind blank. She picked a spot on his neck and ran her tongue over it before digging her teeth into the pliable flesh. Anders shuddered and she felt the length so near to her most intimate of places harden more. She began to suck the flesh into her mouth as hard as she was able.

This had caused Anders knees to buckle, he quickly moved the fiery beauty and himself to a chair. He sat upon it and continued his bites, and moved his teeth in a circle around his initial bite. This caused her to hiss his name into his ear before mimicking his movements. He bucked his hips into hers and wanted nothing more than to throw her down onto the pelt and take her right there.

Elissa moaned as the passion rose around them in an almost tangible form. She cried out into his ear and dug her nails into his back. The added pain only caused him to tremble beneath her. Anders had to pull away, lest he take her on the floor like a heathen.

Elissa whimpered at the loss of contact. He pulled her away from her neck and kissed her lips softly. He pulled away from the kiss and they panted heavily for a few minutes. The tension in the small cabin did not dissipate. Elissa whined at him and moved in for another kiss.

"My dear, please we have to send some missives, remember, and," he paused as she attacked his earlobe like a fiend. She was truly a temptress. He swore to the Maker he better be rewarded for refusing to give into his and her own desires. "My Commander, please listen. We, we need to prepare. Otherwise you'll be married to this Zacherai character."

That was the correct mood killer. Elissa shook her head and her body sagged against Anders. "You, you, you wicked, evil, seductive, passionate, wonderful, horrible man."

Anders smirked up at her and kissed her nose. "Am I to take that as an insult or compliment?"

Elissa growled her frustration. "I would have let you have your way with me you know."

Anders groaned as his member twitched once more. "I, I know, but I think we should wait, until after this mess is, cleared up." He had to pause a few times to get control over his body and need.

Elissa groaned. "That could take weeks!" She pouted cutely, "and if I have my way, you and I will be stuck in my room for safety. I'll have you ward the door and we won't come out until a meeting is called to settle the matter."

Anders smirked. "Weeks locked in a room with you? Now that my dear, that would not be so terrible at all."

Elissa looked down. "No matter what happens at the Castle you must let me do or say anything. I know how to work my brother and if it comes to it I may do claim I will do something drastic, but I promise you it will be alright."

Anders nodded his head slowly not liking this situation at all. "So long as I get to spend a a few weeks in your room with you all to myself I guess I could do anything you asked of me."

Elissa groaned. "Is that all you can think of?"

Anders smirked. "I have a few things running through my mind, but we have a 'meeting,'" He was unsure of using the word, "to prepare for."

Elissa grabbed some parchment and ink. She looked over to the man before her and gave him a brilliant smile. "It is basically a trial to determine what course to take. It will be obvious you found me first, and that my hand should be yours. You are not of nobility and add to it a mage, in many eyes they will see you as unworthy. I intend to rectify that. If not I still have one ace in my sleeve I have been saving to keep me out of a tough spot."

Elissa turned in his lap and began writing a few messages. One was to Zevran recounting what had happened to after she had fallen, she had made up a few of the details to cover that they were asleep for a week. She sent another to Anora, informing her that she was alive and well and that she and Teagan were needed for support at her return home. The words she used were careful, but behind their meaning one could see that she needed their support in a much dire matter.

Every letter mentioned Anders had saved her and she was in his debt. She melted some wax and used her ring as an official seal. She addressed another to Wynne. In it she cryptically explained the situation and asked that the Senior Enchanter come to Highever as she needed a noteworthy mage to plead a case. She finally wrote a missive addressed to Guster. She explained that he was needed to speak as key witness in being the first person to see her and Anders as they traveled the woods. She took a lock of hair off the ground and placed it in the note. It served at total proof that she had been there and that he indeed was not lying.

Anders was impressed at the woman before him. She was resourceful indeed. She had written letters explaining their situation and did not expose her plans, and then turned to him. "I want you to cast magic on these. With your signature of magic Wynne can determine it was indeed you with me. In addition if there is any spell that can prevent the letters being damaged or opened by any other their intended recipients it would be appreciated." She paused and as an afterthought added. "If you know of any magic that would see these letters returned to me upon my request should they fall into the wrong hands that would help."

Anders nodded her head. It was an interesting task indeed. There were no such spells, but he was feeling passionate and creative after their heated session. If ever there was a time to create a spell, now would be it. After a few hours of concentration and his mana drained, the requested spells were finished.

Anders rested his head on her chin and sighed. Elissa turned her head to him and kissed his lips. "Thank you Anders, we have covered all our bases, so even if I have to pull a dirty trick few of the nobles will object."

Anders sighed as he held the woman tightly in his arms once more. "I am sorry to cause you such trouble."

Elissa shook her head furiously. "It is my fault for not being the 'proper lady Teyrin' mother raised me to be. I am my own person and for not following the rules the nobles set forth, I have to plead my case. Lucky for you I helped saved the world and am friends with the Queen. She will be very pleased what my time in Amaranthine has done to change my outlook on life."

"You are friends with the Queen of Ferelden, Warden Commander, and all around savior of the world. What did I do to please the Maker so much?" Anders asked dramatically holding his hands to the sky.

"Maybe he just became sick of his talented healer running all the time a decided to give him a reason to stay put?" Elissa teased.

"Or maybe, he is just so impressed with all my escapes from the Circle he wanted to reward me for providing him so much entertainment?" He shot back with a smug look on his face.

"Yes Anders, the Maker himself led you to me so you can have a much shorter life, and all because you entertained him. He is a very rewarding god." Elissa burst into laughter.

She moved over to the messenger birds giving a few a note each. She told each specific bird where they were to take each letter and to whom they were addressed. Anders watched her interact with the animals and gave a chuckle.

"You think you can talk with animals my Commander?"

Elissa stood straight and moved towards him. "No Anders, I merely have an affinity for all the Makers creatures." She stuck out her tongue. "I had a purebred Mabari once, I let him go with a friend who needed some company. Takai never got along with anyone besides me. He was a terror if I wasn't around. He understood everything I ever said to him."

Anders gave a shudder, he disliked dogs very much, and a war dog was definitely not high on his list of lovable animals. "I am telling you now we will never have a Mabari. Those things are hellions, and they drool on everything."

Elissa gave another chuckle and shook her head at the mage. "If you say so. I quite like the idea of having you as my guard dog anyways. That was what Takai was for anyways, in addition to being my constant companion."

Anders smirked and moved to stand beside her in the chair. "I could be your constant companion, allow me to accompany you when you bath later tonight. You may need protection from Peeping Toms and ferocious beasts."

Elissa laughed as she stood up and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Oh Anders please protect me from the terrifying rabbits that stalk the forest."

Anders caught on to her teasing. "My Commander is afraid of a few rabbits? I shall have to slay any that come near your person."

Elissa smacked his chest lightly and scoffed. "It is only the Demon Rabbits I fear, they can nibble a person to death."

Anders let loose a chuckle and wrapped his arms tight around her waist. "Fear not my lady I shall slay any Demonic Rabbit that dares try to nibble on you." He leaned forward and nibbled on her earlobe. He heard her breath hitch and growled low in her ear. "But who will protect you from my nibbling?"

Elissa bit her lip, torn between moaning and shooting a snide remark back at him. She choose the latter. "Perhaps I should have kept Takai with me to protect myself from Mage's who would take advantage of my person."

Anders looked hurt and pouted. "Take advantage. I would never my Commander. I would only take what was freely given." He licked the shell of her ear. "I have a feeling you would give into me willingly Elissa."

Elissa shivered and leaned back from his chest. "I would give into you so willingly, but unfortunately we need to be alert. When all this is cleared you may take whatever you wish of me Anders." She purred seductively winking at him.

Anders body shook with the amount of willpower it took to keep himself from ravaging her now. It was obvious both wanted nothing more than to ravage one another. He knew it was too soon and would not lay with her until her heart was his as she already had most of his within her grasp.

They were startled by a knock at the door. Each looked to one another and nodded their heads. They crept stealthily to the hidden cellar and Anders opened the trap door silently. Elissa slipped inside and held her breath. Anders started down the ladder and made quick work of placing the pelt back over the door as he shut it behind him. They both waited with bated breath.

A few minutes passed and they heard Guster speaking with someone outside the door. It was muffled so they could not make out any words. The door creaked open and the two could hear the words easily.

"You can look all you like but Elissa Cousland moved on yesterday. I met her in the woods with a mage. She asked if she could stay here for a few hours and freshen up." Guster confidently stated.

Elissa wanted to curse, the man may wind up dead. Another man spoke. "You let her go without question. Why did you not report this as you could be given her hand in marriage?"

Guster was quick and easy to reply. "I have a wife and child and another on its way. I am happy with my life. I told her of the situation and she paid me quite a bit of money to not mention I had found her to the Teyrn. I accepted as I have no want for such a standing. I am not so foolish as to believe I would last long as a Teyrn. Those seeking power would be quick to kill me."

The unknown man spoke once more. "What makes you believe I won't kill you now so you do not take the chance."

Guster confidently replied. "Because if you kill me, and the Teyrn will hear of it from the villagers expecting game for the festival, and you leave any evidence of your crime your lord will be ruled unable to marry the Cousland daughter."

The other man grunted and growled. "You would swear before the Maker you do not intend to take the woman as your bride."

"I swear to the Maker I will not take her as a bride and will bear witness that she was with a companion if you would ask me. I can be easily persuaded." Guster replied smoothly.

Anders glared up at the cellar door and was tempted to open it and kill both of the men. Elissa held his arm and motioned for him to wait. "Why would we need such a thing?"

"If she contests who found her first I shall bear witness to what I may have seen. In exchange for my life of course." Guster replied.

There were a few moments of pause. "Alright, if we call upon you to testify you will say that you saw her in the company of myself and my fellow guards, in exchange you will keep your life. Where was she headed?"

"She was making her way to Highever to get a room a the Garnet Griffon. She is hoping to hide out until the end of the festival. She is probably using a Glamor Charm to alter her appearance, probably to a form you would least expect." Guster lied easily.

"Thank you for your help, Zacherai Ceorlic will greatly reward you for this service."

With that said footsteps were heard. The door eventually shut and a single pair of footsteps moved around the cabin for a while. Elissa and Anders kept silent in the cellar. They were waiting until Guster opened the cellar instead. After an hour of waiting the ex bandit opened the cellar and smiled brightly at the pair. Anders was glaring back at him hatefully.

"How did you like my performance. I was not expecting them to find my cabin so easily. It would seem you came just in time. You should wait out until the middle of the night. It is only a few hours journey to Highever." Guster smiled kindly at Elissa.

"I am glad to see you are still silver tongued. I do hope the life debt you owe me is worth more to you than one to them." Elissa smoothly purred. "I would hate to have to hurt you."

Guster laughed. "No need milady. I would not wish that loathsome man to have a chance to get his claws into this land. I assume you have no use for it as you are an Arlessa of Amaranthine anyways. Zacherai will not be pleased if you surrendered your title so easily."

Elissa laughed and nodded her head. "It all else fails then yes that is my last resort. Though abandoning my family name would be a hard price to pay." She looked over to Anders and smiled. "I think it would be worth it though."

Guster laughed and nodded his head. "Of course. There is a mattress down there, though it will be a tight fit. I will prepare some food and bring you two something to eat. I recommend you get a good rest in now."

Elissa nodded her head. "Will you send out the messenger birds? They have their notes and know to whom they must be delivered. There is one for you as well on the table."

Guster tried to hide the shock in his eyes. "You really are raised to know your politics and the ability to manipulate the law to your benefit."

Elissa snorted. "I am not manipulating anything. I stand in the right, I am merely making it nearly impossible for Zacherai to win on a loop hole. I will need to amend the note and add the bribe, threatening of your life, and lie to the note for you to witness as. I shall stand as witness as shall Anders."

Guster smirked. "Caught onto that did you? I figured that would net some serious doubts over many of the nobles."

Anders gaped. "You planned that?"

Guster nodded his head. "Of course, this woman spared my life and helped me to see the error of my ways. She offered payment as a bonus for my loyalty when she need not have done so. She is a fine woman and should be given every bit of fighting chance to live her life her own way. She saved us all from the Blight, and she should be allowed any happiness we can help her achieve."

Anders nodded his head and the glare was erased from his face. "You are an alright bloke I guess."

Guster smiled proudly. "I am honored to warrant such regard from an apostate mage Grey Warden."

Anders sighed and rolled his eyes. "I may be marrying your Teyrnir so I would watch yourself."

Guster laughed. "I doubt very much you will inherit Highever, Fergus is still young enough that he may remarry and sire another heir."

Elissa smiled brightly. "Yes, I plan for him to remarry sometime in the future, though you may find his status as Teyrn changed."

Guster and Anders turned to Elissa, their eyes widened in silent question. The rogue princess merely smirked and gave a wink. The matter was to be left hanging, she would not reveal her master tricks so easily if she could avoid such. Elissa stretched her arms over her head and bit back a yawn.

Anders caught onto her attempt to disguise her yawn as a stretch from being cramped in the cellar. "It would seem my lady is in need of rest. She's had such a busy day, what with the crazy stalker potential betrothed and the threat on my life if we're found. I bet she's even stressed about finding out we spent a week together, just sleeping with me on top of her."

Guster let out a chuckle and shook his head. "It would seem the Hero of Ferelden never gets to have a normal day. A week on top of her you say?" He pressed nudging Anders with his elbow.

Elissa snorted and glared at the pair. "He was knocked out cold. I had to drag his but to the campsite after setting it all up myself." She growled hoping to deflate Anders ever expanding ego.

Anders pretended to look hurt. "I saved our lives and managed to bring us both safely to land before we ended up in the Waking Sea. If I fell asleep atop of such a beautiful woman it was merely to enjoy the feel of her body under my own."

Elissa turned bright red and turned tail and made her way down the steps of the cellar. "Next time I'm leaving you on the blighted rivers edge."

Anders smirked to Guster. "She is so adorable when she's pretending to be upset."

Guster shook his head. "I'm not sure I should comment. I'll let you incur the wrath of the youngest Cousland. I heard she once took down a man twice her size because he told her that she looked stupid in pants and a tunic."

Anders gave a roguish smile and spoke loud enough for Elissa to hear clearly. "Then it is a good thing I find her especially more attractive in her riding pants and tunic than I do if she wears and elegant dress. I spent a few hours imagining doing terribly raunchy things to her when we were riding from The Keep to Amaranthine the other day."

The two males heard a distinct growl before a blade shot past Anders ear and embedded itself in a wooden pillar. They jumped at the sound of metal penetrating wood and turned to look at the open cellar. Elissa's piercing eyes and flaming red hair was all they could see. Her eyes had embarrassment and promised pain within their depths.

Guster placed his hands in the air and moved to the Kitchen area. "I'll just make something to eat shall I?"

Elissa nodded her head and turned her full gaze to Anders. "You," she pointed at Anders, "are going to get your magical ass down here are going to keep silent the rest of the evening."

Anders smirked and followed her down the steps. He wrapped his arms around Elissa's waist as they moved through the mess of loot littering the cellar. She tossed a glare over her shoulder and tried to shrug him off her.

Anders just smiled back at her and pulled himself closer. Once the single bed was found Anders pushed her on top of it. He pressed her body to the mattress and places his hands above her head. He smiled at her softly and attempted to kiss her lips. When she glared and turned her head away he settled for nibbling on her ear.

"What is wrong my Commander?" He purred into her ear, his voice thick and sensual.

Elissa growled and turned to face him. "You can't say things like that when we get to Highever. Especially in court, I am still a Teyrin, and unwed Teyrin at that. We have to attempt to keep our 'relationship' platonic."

Anders sighed and rolled to the edge of the bed and moved Elissa onto his chest. "I was not aware you expected me to act like a prude. What is the point of us sharing a room then?"

"What goes on behind closed doors stays as such. In public I am to be the epitome of purity. I fail to be a 'proper' lady, and as such my purity is already placed into question. In addition to my relations with the late King, unknown as they are, place me in a precarious position. In public such lewd things cannot be said." She explained, a light glare still upon her face.

Anders ran his fingers through Elissa's short hair and kissed the top of her head. "You fear too easily. I shall act appropriate in court, so long as in the privacy of your room I am able to be as lewd as I wish." He ran his hand up and down along her back soothingly. "I will act the part to win you from your brother."

Elissa shook her head as she looked up at Anders with saddened eyes. "Fergus will love you, it is the court I fear. After my brothers fop aux he is placed in a position where his approval means little. The court will decide. That is why I need Anora, she holds the most power over them as Queen. We shall have to stay hidden during the Festival. Afterwards we will make our way to the Castle when it has ended."

Anders brought her head closer to his with the hand still wrapped up in her hair. He graced her lips with a chaste kiss. "If you fear so much what happens, why not run? It's worked for me in the past, and I'm a mage. You're a rogue you could easily hide in some corner of the world."

Elissa looked up and Anders and contemplated the idea for just a moment. For a single weak moment she thought of abandoning her duties and abandoning reason to run away. She could live in peace without a care about the world and the problems in it. She could live with Anders and the two of them could raise a family and be ordinary and happy. The sight in her mind's eye was one of peace and joy. The temptation was so sweet and alluring she was hard pressed to deny the pull of the idea.

"The Hero of Ferelden, Warden Commander, Arlessa of Amaranthine, and Teyrin of Highever does not simply run away. She gives her all for her land and those under her protection." She proclaimed sternly in an attempt to dismiss those stray thoughts that crossed her mind.

"Of course, I should have expected no less from my fierce Commander. Oh I await the day eagerly that I may spend forever with you." Anders smirked. "Then I will be able to enjoy a nice rest from running away or heaven forbid saving the world."

Elissa gave a snort and shook her head. She had no desire to rush into forever just yet, she had so much left to do yet with her life. "I just look forward to being able to lounge in bed for one whole day. That would make me happy."

Anders smirked. "I promise that one day will spend the entire time in bed. First I believe we should practice ways to entertain ourselves when that day comes." He waggled his eyes suggestively.

Elissa pinches his cheek and grumbled settling into his warmth. "Just go to sleep we have a long day night ahead of ourselves. Tomorrow we will have to acquire festival wear, and then we shall have the festival to enjoy ourselves. After that we make our way to the Castle, and from there our job only gets more difficult." She gave another yawn, she knew she would need as much rest as she could gather. The coming storm would prove difficult.

Anders smirked. "We'll make it through this together. I promise we'll end up together in the end."

Elissa scoffed. "You are indeed a corny one Anders. Maker only knows what's in store for us."

Anders smirked. "I'm his favorite Mage remember, I'm sure I could get away with anything and still hold his favor. You'll see, I'm special." He cooed as he nuzzled the top of her head.

Elissa gave a snort and shook her head. "Yeah yeah. I bet you think you can blow up a chantry and not be stuck down."

Anders thought for a moment as a catlike grin spread across his face. "You know, I think you're right. Maybe I'll try it one day."

Elissa just rolled her eyes and snuggled into Anders warmth. She prayed to the Maker that everything would turn out all right. A feeling of warmth spread through her being. She could almost feel the Maker telling her that one day, everything would be as it should. With that she fell into a peaceful slumber enjoying the warmth that encased her.

AN: Alright I have officially returned. Sorry for the long wait My computer died and my boyfriend was fixing it. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next one will be enjoyable as well. Till next time. Remember to review if you liked it. The sooner I get this one done the sooner I start on Facing Destiny