Your first rival

Anora was not happy. She had been dragged out into the muddy stables and endured no small amount of abuse from an ill-bred child, and then more inane remarks made by Cailan's uncle Teagan. At least she was indoors now, no longer standing around in cowpats—or horsepats—if those were an actual word. But she hoped that Cailan was satisfied, that there was no reward for helping those odious children, as well as the repulsive adult nobles they would surely grow up to become.

Her prince seemed shaken by their little adventure—his smiles were strained and his voice was not as jovial as before. Cailan's eyes darted all over the room, very likely searching for the four children.

A voice called from behind Anora, and she turned to find her father swiftly approaching her and the young prince.

"Where have the two of you been?" Upon seeing that Cailan was still indisposed to speak, she tried to explain, without revealing too much of what had transpired.

"Cailan accompanied me outside for a while. I needed some fresh air."

There was a short pause. "I see." Anora did not know if her father had bought that fib, but it was important to keep their stories consistent, especially when the guards could no doubt be questioned for corroboration.

He motioned her and Cailan to move with him, and the three walked back to the king—and he was regaling the nobles of his memories of Arl Eamon—who looked positively nervous and was perspiring profusely. He seemed extremely ill-at-ease in some rather form-fitting silk.

"And so, that was the first I laid eyes upon them both—fine young men, Eamon and Teagan… and both unmarried, to boot," Anora did not listen in on this; she gazed about the hall, beyond the pretentious noblemen, hoping to lay eyes on the children who had upset her so. Cailan also seemed to be distracted, though he quipped up at the appropriate places—also wondering if they had made it back without fuss.

"You must love her a lot," came the somber tone that belonged to Anora's father. Of course, everyone present knew that it could not be the woman's heritage that was attractive— she was Orlesian—the very same that the king himself had driven from their lands.

King Maric laughed, as did many of the nobles, all agreeing that it must be so. No one spoke about the underlying problem with the Orlesian bride—though the sentiment no doubt remained. Anora knew that more than half of these nobles had lost lands and loved ones to the usurpers, and her father had half-expected a revolt when they had news of this. She admired this man, who had loved a woman enough to overlook the complex of prejudices—but while it could be said to be romantic, Arl Eamon was setting himself quite a few enemies amongst the feverish fanatics of the Ferelden nation. If he wasn't King Maric's brother-in-law, or Cailan's uncle… he could be deposed very easily.

She looked at Cailan, whose own fingers intertwined with hers—and was absently sipping from a goblet of wine; wondering if he was one who would do the same for her, or any other woman. Anora did not believe for a second that without her father's machinations that Cailan would still pick her above all others—she knew that he had a roving eye. And with the way the nobles were ingratiating themselves, so did the king. A wink and he had the ladies giggling.

Cailan leaned close and whispered, the gentle puffs of breath tickling Anora's ear. "I wonder if they got back safe?"

"I should think so," She hissed back, her faint blush quickly receding. Or course, he was more concerned about that dreadful little girl—who had very quickly and efficiently led the troop of boys even though they had to be older than she was.

"There you are—Elissa Evangeline Cousland," a sharp voice pierced the hall's furtive conversations, and Anora craned her neck, wishing that she were taller—if only to witness the noblewoman's fury. A ripple spread across Ferelden's upper class as they turned to regard the scene, of four (half-terrified) little children. She was quite glad that she wasn't one of them.

P.S.: This chapter gave me trouble. Not to fear—I'll get right back with more chapters soon!