They had mostly finished the tour of Cousland castle only dealing with a few interruptions. One of these interruptions involved rats that were not your average already large house rat, but giant cat sized rats. It turns out that Eddie was in the larder for a reason other than raiding the larder. He was doing a little bit of rat hunting. After, dealing with the rodent infestation and an upset Nan, Jena and Alistair began to make their way upstairs to find Fergus.
"I still can't get over how huge those rats were!" Alistair exclaimed, "I mean have you ever seen such large rats in your life?"
"I know they were like 5 times larger than your average rat," Jena exaggerated.
"And who knew that rats could be so bloody," gesturing to his blood covered body.
"Don't worry, after we find Fergus I'll have a bath prepared for you and myself. I definitely could use one." She looked at her stained armor.
Turning at the next corner to head upstairs Alistair could see an older woman coming down the hallway.
"Oh, no brace yourself," Jena warned him.
"What?" he asked puzzled as the woman came closer.
"Ah, there you are my lovely daughter. I take it by the look of that troublesome hound of yours that the situation in the kitchen is handled," not noticing Alistair as Eddie let out a low whine.
"Yes, Mother, Nan is back to work in the kitchens as we speak." Jena replied.
"That's good, you've always had a way with Nan. And who is this young man?" Now taking note of the Warden beside her daughter.
"Mother, this is Alistair, one of the Grey Wardens that will be staying with us over the next few days. Alistair this is my mother Lady Eleanor Cousland."
"It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Cousland," he bowed in respect.
"Ah, what a gentleman. Tell me Alistair, are you attached to anyone right now?"
'She did not just seriously ask that!' Jena's invoice screamed.
"Oh, Maker" she said in despair.
"Umm..No, your ladyship", he answered unsure of where this was going.
"Excellent, then perhaps you won't mind being set up with my darling girl," hoping that this man would be perfectly suited for her daughter.
"Mother, please stop you're embarrassing him," Jena pleaded.
"What? He's available, you're available and the two of you look so good together."
She had to stop this now before either of them died of embarrassment. Alistair's cheeks where already red, "I can handle my own affairs, thank you Mother."
"Oh, alright, have it your way Jena, but don't say I never tried to set you up with any nice men. It was nice meeting you Alistair, now see if you can charm my stubborn daughter."
"Who do you think I inherited the trait from in the first place?" Jena muttered as she watched her Mother go. "I am so sorry that you had to go through that."
"Your Mother is an interesting woman."
"Can't deny that bit of truth. Now let's go find my brother and try to forget about this little incident."
Upstairs Alistair met Jena's brother Fergus along with his wife Oriana, and their son Oren. When her parents arrived he excused himself to allow them some privacy as they said their final farewells to Fergus before he left for Ostagar. Alistair could see that Jena's family was really close unlike some of the other noble families he had seen that weren't so open to public displays of affection. He was a bit jealous of Jena for the family he never had, but perhaps someday he could have one if the Maker allowed him.
"Alistair you're still here?" Jena said as she emerged from the room her father close behind her.
"Yes, why?"
"I thought you would have gone off to find Duncan."
"Well, I wasn't sure if we were finished with the tour," he said.
"Besides the stables we're pretty much done. I would show you around the grounds, but Father here is sending me to bed."
"You have a big day tomorrow Pup, you're going to need your rest." He reasoned while messing up her hair.
"Aw, Father!" she complained trying to fix it.
"What? I think it suits you Pup. It goes with the bloodstains. What do you think lad?"
"Hmm.. I think a splash of mud here and there and she'd be the prettiest girl in all the land," making the Teryn laugh, "Ow! What was that for?" he asked after Jena had punched him in the shoulder. Hard.
"That was for helping him. And this," proceeding to punch her Father, but more lightly than the one she had given Alistair, "is just for you being you Father."
"Ow! That's some punch you have their Pup. You see how she treats me Alistair? Aren't I the luckiest father ever to have my little girl show me such affection."
"Ha ha very funny Father. Now if you'll excuse me I am going to take a bath and go to bed." She said walking off.
"Aw, no goodnight kiss for your dear Father?" the Teryn called to her.
Jena let out a long sigh, "Fine," she said before coming back, "I could never stay mad at you."
"Then what were all those fits that you had as a child?"
"That was just a phase. Goodnight Father," she said before placing a kiss on his cheek.
"Goodnight Pup, sweet dreams. I'll see you in the morning."
"Night Alistair."
"Goodnight Jena," he called after her as she went to her room. He turned back to the Teryn only to notice him starting at him, "Your lordship?"
"Alistair, I would like to speak to you for a moment."
"Of course."
"You see as a Father I couldn't help, but notice how close you are with my one and only daughter. And this causes me great concern." He said seriously.
"I understand your lordship," he said a bit sadly. He knew that the Teryn would not approve of his daughter socializing with someone of his status when she was to be arranged with another noble man's son.
The Teryn chuckled, "Alistair, lad I'm just pulling your leg. I'm actually quite pleased of how well the two of you have gotten along. No man has ever held Jena's attention for so long before."
"But, your lordship…" taken aback from the Teryn's response.
"Now, Alistair I know the two of you are just friends, but a Father can hope can he not? Anyway, I was actually hoping that you could do me a favor?"
"Anything your lordship."
"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind looking after my daughter until you and Duncan join the rest of us at Ostagar. It would mean a lot to me if you could do this."
"It shall be done Sir."
"Good lad. Now if you'll excuse me I need to go downstairs and check on a few things before I depart tomorrow. Have a good night Alistair."
OK had a little bit of fun with this with the whole mother embarrasses her daughter and father teasing his little girl. It wasn't much but I think it was cute =)