Prudence didn't say anything once Samson calmed down. She didn't do anything except give Lena a heart attack as she leant forward and grabbed Samson's sword from the bench. She handed it to the former templar, who strapped it to his back. With a pleased, if chilling, smile Prue made her way toward one of the wings of the Fortress. Lena gave a steadying breath but followed. The other carriages were being settled and their passengers ushered quickly into other towers.

"You have your own room." Athenril told Lena as she entered the southernmost wing of Fortress Haine. They had arrived in the Fortress through the main gates and had been directed through the bailey. The bailey wrapped around the inner walls that surrounded the Keep but it led them through where the stables were houses. There were temporary structures built so as to accommodate the sheer amount of other carriages and horses that would be arriving. There was a line of other carriages arriving, though most had already parked, sending their horses to the stables. The fortress was larger than Lena remembered it in game. She could make out some of the other towers in the night rain but she couldn't truly appreciate the grandness of the stonework or architecture until daylight. The dual waning crescent moons gave little light as it was, even less so from behind the thundering dark storm clouds that pelted the Fortress in rain.

Suffice to say, Selena was ready for bed. Only she thought she'd be in one room with the others.

"What? Why do I get my own room?"

"You're here in Madam Lusine's place." Prudence chimed in, though her voice was not as pleasant. "Lusine is the fourth daughter from the Tristheur Family. They are nobility of Kirkwall. As she sent you as her proxy, you will be staying in her assigned apartment."

Lena shifted away from her as she passed into the corridor, a candelabra coming to life as one the Chateau's servants led them through. The corridor was carpeted and extravagant decor and furnishings. Every windowed alcove they passed had seating and a brazier that could be lit for warmth.

Prudence told the servant where Lena was to be escorted to instead. Prudence had given Lena a copy of the itinerary that afternoon, but she had not had the time to pull out her glasses to actually read it. She supposed having her own apartment would mean she'd have a little bit more privacy.

The assigned apartment was not as lavish as Lena had thought. Lena didn't get much of a look at the sitting room because of the dark, just enough to find the bedroom and that was it. With her lockbox down by her bag, she took stock of the room. The hearth was empty making the room dark. The stone walls clung to the damp cold and turned the room frigid. Lena could about see her breath as she shuffled to the stack of fresh logs and set them into the hearth. She lit them with some kindling, flint, and steel. Selena had never had to use such things back home but being here in Thedas for this many months has made her used to it, though it did still take six times to get it just right. If only she had matches.

"Note to self, invent matches." She grumbled as she rubbed her fingers to sooth striking them against the steel. As the flames grew, the light filled the room.

The bed was larger than any she's slept on, larger than the one Varric had but it was to be expected as it was made for humans and not tiny dwarf lasses. Lena pouted and glared at the bed. It was almost as tall as her. She'd need a stepping stool, or something to get on top of it otherwise she'd be floundering to get up and get out.

There was an assortment of decor, Lena paid little to except for the rug by the bed. At least she wouldn't be waking and putting her feet onto a cold stone floor. The apartment also held another smaller bedroom that Athenril took for herself. It was meant for a chambermaid instead of a hired guard, but it would do. It was off to the side, the door hidden from view behind an armoire in the main sitting room.

Lena glared at the fire, willing it to spread its warmth to the room and eventually the bed but it would take time. Huffing, she went out to the sitting room, seeing Athenril going about the room, lifting things in the dark.

"What are you doing?"

"You traipsed in here without so much as letting me do my job." Athenril muttered. At Lena's blank look she let out a breath. "Checking for traps."

"Isn't the Fortress Haine filled with traps?"

"It is, but those are complex and meant to deter those from coming in. You are already in, I'm looking for traps meant to keep you in. Thus far it is fine, though I wouldn't attempt to lift any of the busts."

"Why?"

"Last I was here, I knocked one over and it revealed a hidden doorway. Who is to say it won't reveal a hidden hole to fall through?" Athenril looked the picture of serious.

Lena rubbed her arms as she watched Athenril work and check over her room as well, pulling the shawl she had packed closer. "It's freezing in here, let's take a walk while the fire heats this place up."

"Should you not also light the fire in sitting room?" Athenril pointed to the hearth. Glaring, she did it as well, or tried to before Athenril grabbed the flint and steel and did it for her. Athenril set the fire grate, to make sure no embers spread, which prompted Lena to do the same in her room and then they were off into the dark corridors.

"Where do you want to go?"

"Honestly, don't care. Maybe back outside. At least it was warmer out there." Lena grumbled. She was tired, so used to now going to sleep at a decent hour most days. By her internal clock, and the look of the sky, it was well past sunset. Athenril nodded and led her back outside, stepping into alcoves as servants led other guests to their room. Even the servants looked exhausted and cold.

Once back outside, the rain was less heavy and had slowed to a light drizzle. But it was the wind, sending chills and frosting some of the water into slush on the ground.

"Winter's last gasp." Denier grouched between puffs from a pipe in his hands. "Damn this cold."

"You can say that again. Isn't it supposed to be mid spring?" Lena shuffled closer to her brother-in-spirit. Dwarven girth and size lended itself to being warmer when huddled close.

"It is. The cold may also have something to do with us being up in a mountain."

"Bleh, higher altitudes." Lena grumbled, her nose scrunched as Denier blew out smoke. "What in the Ancestors are you smoking?" She glowered and coughed as the smoke got too close. "You're smoking tobacco!" Lena snatched the pipe and was just about to upend it when Denier snatched it back.

"What do you think you're doing! That's imported from Tevinter. That's expensive tabacas, you fool." Denier smacked her hand and held the pipe away.

"That stuff is toxic for your lungs." Lena growled.

"Says who?" Denier glared as he pulled again.

"Says-" She bit her tongue, she couldn't very well tell him who said it's bad. A team of human scientific researchers and doctors proving tobacco was bad for your lungs and increased your chances of lung cancer, wouldn't go over well in Thedas. So she took an alternate route. "Anything that smells that bad, can't be good for you. Ugh." She waved her hand in front of her face and shifted away from Denier. "Plus I'm allergic." She snapped, already feeling her eyes water.

"You're allergic?" Denier gaped and shifted back away from her, killing the burning plant. "Shit, sorry Selena."

"Thank you." She muttered as he slid the pipe away. after a few moments of silence she shifted close to him again despite the smell of tobacco. "It is so much warmer out here than the room."

"That it is." Denier smirked. "And we get to see the chickens scurry."

"Huh?" Lena looked at him but he pointed out where other carriages were tucked away and horses stabled. "What about them?"

"We're going to be making a lot of coin this week if we play our cards right, heh." Denier muttered. "That's the de Launcets carriage. Next to them is the Harimanns and La Foixs." Denier muttered as he pointed to each carriage. "Nobility of Kirkwall. The de Launcet's daughters Babette and Fifi usually only sneak away to visit the Rose when their parents are off on holiday. The Harimanns son is quite charitable if you stroke his ego."

"Really? I imagine any one of us can do that easy."

"I don't mean that figuratively." Denier grinned.

"So you mean if we boost his pride?"

"Yes. You've got to get creative though, he knows when you're faking it."

"I can't tell if you two are being perverse or not." Athenril grumbled.

"Assume we are." Denier chuckled.

"What about that carriage?" Lena pointed to one carriage. It was a carriage that stood out amongst the gloom of the others, as it was bright white with red accents. Its banner had a red circle with a black design replicated three times in that circle. "Whose family is that?"

Denier squinted. "Huh, I don't recognize them."

"Could they be foreign?" Lena whispered as another servant and guests made their way through. She recognized the guests from Hightown markets. She guessed merchants would be staying in their wing.

"Could be. Duke Prosper is Orlesian and friends to the Empress."

"Athenril do you recognize that banner?" Lena asked the elf, who shook her head. Her hand was held on her visible sword the entire time, the other gripped her cane.

"Honestly." Serendipity came out to join them. "I was waiting for you to come back so we could go to bed." She hissed at Denier. "A full night's sleep ahead of us for once and you're out here in the rain." Denier gave a grunt.

"We're watching the others arrive." Lena explained. "Trying to figure out what nobles we'll be earning from."

"Well I can tell you right now I'm only here for one man." Serendipity grinned as she looked across the way to the white carriage. "Him." She grinned as the person who climbed out was a red haired, dark toned regal faced man. Lena caught a glimpse of him before his hood was up and he rushed to the inner keep.

"What's so special about him?"

"That, my little Dwarven minx, is Goran Vael. He's royalty." Dip sighed. "Or...just about. He's the cousin to the Prince of Starkhaven, 4th in line to the throne. He always comes to the Wyvern hunt." Lena perked up. What was Sebastian's cousin doing here, so close to Kirkwall?

"Wait...if he's here." Lena trailed off as she felt a memory tickle the back of her head out of reach. Why would any of the Vael Family, besides Sebastian, be anywhere near Kirkwall?

She looked at Denier. "What noble families did you say were here?"

"The de Launcets, the Harimanns, La Foix, from what I can see here. Likely many have already arrived and will yet arrive in the morning for the Chant." Denier reiterated.

"The Cavins and du Morts won't arrive until Monday. I hear some Ferelden nobility were invited as well." Serendipity smiled, a calculating look in her eye.

"You want a piece of the pot." Denier rolled his eyes.

"I can't help it if men find me charming as a woman." Serendipity fluttered her eyelashes.

"I'd be willing to bet some women find you alluring as well as a woman." Lena added.

"Look at that. Even your sister finds me attractive." Dip grinned and draped herself over Lena's shoulders.

"I wouldn't be sleeping with you if I didn't find you attractive." Denier grumped and pulled her to him. The two kissing. Lena snickered, turning away to give them privacy in their romance. She caught Athenril's eye and waved out toward the rest of the fortress.

"You two better get to bed and enjoy the long night while you can." She shuffled off as Denier agreed with her. He hefted Dip in his arms and carried the elven drag queen back into the wing.

"Where do you want to go?" Athenril asked.

"How well do you know the fortress?"

"I came here with Harlan and Lusine two years ago. Harlan wanted me to find any treasure…" Athenril trailed off.

"I imagine that must have been hard with all the traps."

"Yes. It's impregnable for a reason. I don't recommend the dungeons." Athenril shrugged.

"Do you happen to know if there is a Chapel?"

The Chapel was located in the inner keep, away from the main tower. They transferred from the Chapel inside the keep to an off room, glass panes and all, when the Fortress switched from being a military installment into the pleasure palace of today. Getting to the Chapel meant getting access through the inner walls. The usual route was the main gates, with stations guards that let in only those of noted nobility and royalty. But Athenril knew a way in through the kitchens. There were elves still up and preparing the ingredients for the human servants to cook in the morning. Their tired faces gaunt and hollowed in the darkened kitchens.

"Huh." Lena muttered as Athenril said a few words in Orlesian and they were let through.

"Why do you want to go to the Chapel?"

"I have a confession to make." Lena responded. She didn't want to say the real reason, otherwise there would be questions and dot connections made. Instead she stayed silent and followed Athenril. They slipped toward the inner courtyard and into the garden. Lena could spot the Chapel. Even with as little light as there was, it still glittered with golden adornments. There was some sort of enchantment on the glass panes because the rising sun depiction shone in shimmering haloed waves.

"Wait out here." Lena slipped into the Chapel, leaving behind Athenril. Yet unbeknownst to her, the elf followed after her clinging to the shadows. There was rows of candles at the altar, the bowl of fires Andraste sat in was large but the flames were but embers. The confessionals were inlaid in the stone, but that wasn't what she was looking for. Usually the small chapels in Fortresses had a dormitory for the members of their flock. If Sebastian had been invited and was coming, he'd be there. Unless he was with his cousin, but she doubted that as she would have seen someone else come out of that carriage. No, she had a gut feeling he was nearby.

Now that she was in the Chapel, she was rewarded for going on her instinct. Lena's lips perked up. There was Sebastian with his head bent muttering the chant with fevor as his shoulders slumped with his back tense with strain. His hair was mussed as though he had ran his hand through it too often. His brows were wrinkled in worry, and his lips had never been more deeply set. He wore a simple robe which appeared wrinkled from being tossed on the floor and hastily worn.

"Sebastian." But he didn't respond to her gentle call, so she stepped toward him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. He turned, shocked.

"Mam-Madame River." The wrinkles smoothed back as a weight lifted off his shoulders by her presence for a moment as he called to her but only remembered himself before he slipped up. "I didn't know you would be attending the Hunt and Tourney."

"Neither did I until about two hours before I had to leave." Lena smirked.

"I had assumed you would remain in Kirkwall. Are you accompanying Madam Lusine?" Sebastian asked low.

"Sadly, Madam Lusine couldn't make it. So she sent me as her proxy."

"Did she now?" Sebastian smiled. "Then am I right to assume, you will be working for the duration of the tourney?" The little cheeky sod had a mischievous hopeful glint in his eyes.

"Who is to say I'm not working now?" Lena gave a grin. "You look like you could use my services." There was a pause, Sebastian's eyes flitted closed a moment before he sent her a pleading look. He did look like he needed some help relaxing.

"I… it is a bit earlier than my usual appointment." Sebastian phrased with caution, his gaze turned toward the Sisters who were praying. He considered it and then with a lowered voice, "If you would wait a moment over there." He gestured toward one of the smaller altars by the wall.

"Don't keep me waiting for long." Lena smiled and meandered toward the altar. It was another statue of Andraste, but this time the stone was actually on fire but not leaving burning marks. The embers in the bowl were not actually embers but appeared that way. Instead they were small glowing blue stones that gave off a flame. The flame wasn't even hot as Lena stuck her finger in it.

"Confessions, huh?" Athenril whispered from behind Lena.

"I told you to wait outside." Lena spun.

"I have never seen you actively opt to go to the Chantry, unless you were accompanying Tethras or Denier." Athenril squinted. "Who is this Brother that you want to see him specifically?"

"It's none of your business." She hissed.

"You brought me as your bodyguard, I should know. What if he's dangerous?" Athenril grinned.

"I hardly think a Brother of the Chantry is dangerous." Lena rolled her eyes.

"You and I know different Chantries." Athenril frowned.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lena glared, but curious. Athenril opened her mouth to respond but a distant door opened. "Shit, later. Go go. Get out." She hissed and pushed Athenril to the door.

"I'm going." Athenril glowered but stepped away and disappeared through the Chapel doors as a side door opened up behind one of the curtains. A hand pushed the curtain off the wall and there was Sebastian, who pressed a single finger to his lips.

The secret passage was narrow, but Lena looked to make sure none of the sisters were looking before following Sebastian through.

"The flock at the Chateau all have their own private rooms in the dormitory. I have my own apartment. Thus we will have privacy and be alone." Sebastian explained as they pressed close in the passage. Lena snorted.

"So have I."

"You have?" Sebastian blinked and looked back toward the passage. "Should we go to your-"

"We're halfway to yours. Lets just go."

Sebastian faltered a moment before continuing forward. The passage had another secret door into a corridor outside the dormitories. They waited as a pair of sisters moved past and then they headed out, Sebastian light footed and Lena bumbling behind him as she hefted her skirts up and tried to be quiet but luck was on their side as no one noticed them. Or because it was late in the evening.

When they came upon an elaborate door, Sebastian opened it with a key and they ducked in. The room was well lit and ornate decor. Rich red curtains and rugs, a couch with too many pillows. There was a table laden with a small feast of a roast and an assortment of vegetables, bread, soup, and a bowl of fruit.

"Extravagant." Lena's gaze zeroed on the food and the bottles of wine. Her stomach clenched, greedy and gluttonous. "Why were you assigned this room?"

"It's due to my parentage they gave me this room." Sebastian muttered as he crossed the room toward another door. "Please, help yourself. I need to fetch something."

"Don't tell me that, Vael. I will eat an entire plate." Lena smiled but approached the food anyway.

"You do have a sizable appetite."

"I've got all kinds of appetites." She grinned and froze upon seeing the two place settings, with utensils and cups. "Were you expecting someone else?" It was the first time she'd seen them on Thedas and it was a welcome change. She grabbed the plate and helped herself to a serving and feeling table manners she hadn't utilized came back to her, she sat and cut the food and ate with the fork and knife.

"These were meant to be Elthina's quarters and…" Sebastian came out with a parchment but paused upon catching sight of Lena sitting at the table. Her table manners and etiquette of eating with the Orlesian utensils was perfect. It appeared even natural for her to use them. It was unusual to see a dwarf so well practiced as even those that resided in Orlais struggled in mixed company. "Sister Petrice."

"What?" Selena looked up at him at the name.

"There are two bedrooms attached to this room. Normally, Elthina and Petrice attend the annual Wyvern Hunt and Gala, unless otherwise engaged but…" Sebastian frowned.

"But as Petrice is no longer with us, so she sent you instead?"

"Yes." Sebastian frowned. He chewed his bottom lip for a moment before sitting. "I have prayed for her soul everyday, Mama."

"I wouldn't waste it. She was an abuser and likely would have destroyed more than your life." Lena sliced the roast and set up Sebastian's plate, serving him a large helping of food.

"Thank you but I am not hungry." He muttered.

"I'm not giving you a choice. You'll eat and be a good boy." Mama Lena pinned him with a look that said he was not to disobey.

"I know of women and men who were similar to Petrice." Lena explained as she cut into the roast with some difficulty. The table was taller than her and she had to drag her chair over and stand on it to reach. Sebastian made to grab the knife and do it, but she smacked his hand away. "People like Petrice abuse and take and take, expecting everyone else to bow to their wishes. They don't realize the damage they've done. And even if they do or are told of it, they are unapologetic and victim blame instead of taking responsibility." Lena managed to completely break the roast into slices. "Don't waste your breath or your thoughts on her."

"I understand that but...Elthina remained behind in Kirkwall because she has petitioned the Guards to investigate her disappearance." Sebastian explained, stressing the importance. "I worry there may be evidence to implicate you or me in her-"

"Timely demise." Lena frowned. "They won't find her body though."

"How can you be so sure? We dumped it down a dry well? All it takes is for it to rain - like it has today for a few hours and-"

"The remains are completely destroyed." Lena waved.

"What?" Sebastian gaped.

"No one will ever find anything of Petrice now. And the next time it rains for a few days, the only thing they will find is a well full of soapy tan water." Lena shrugged. She had sacrificed three barrels of her lye solution but over the course of a couple of nights she dumped the lye into the dry well. It smelled but it was no worse than the smell Kirkwall pervaded. Indeed, Varric had taken care of the bloody robes, curtain, and rug by sending it to the Undertakers but she knew what to do with the body and she had the means. Only she wasn't so stupid to do it in a bathtub that would dissolve with the solution.

"How?"

"Don't ask questions you don't want answers to, Bassy. Is this why you looked ready to pass out sick?" Lena scrutinized him. "What do you have to worry about? You're innocent in this. Unless you decided to rat me out, you've got nothing to fret over." Lena gave him a sharp look.

"No! I would never. After everything you've done for me… I couldn't." Sebastian spoke aghast at the notion. He sunk into his chair. "I was worried more for your sake."

"Don't be worried. You'll make your hair grey."

"Mama...you defended me and took great risks to ensure my safety and freedom. I owe you my life." Sebastian plead across the table, meeting her gaze. He was unsurprised when a pulse shimmered between them. Lena however furrowed her brows, shivering. "If the guard finds anything implicating you I'll-"

"Keep your mouth shut, that's what you'll do. If they do find anything on me, and they won't, they have no way to tie it to me." Lena jabbed the fork at the air. "Understand?"

"Yes." Sebastian mumbled.

"Good." Lena gave a nod and sat back down to eat. For a moment it was tense silence until Sebastian began eating.

"Where did you learn such etiquette?" Sebastian broke the silence.

Lena was mid way chewing when she squinted at him. She swallowed, "Uhh, I don't remember. My parents taught us as we were raised?"

"Raised? You mean your parents taught you to use a fork and knife as a babe?"

"No…not when when I was a baby. I used a spoon first, then a fork and then a knife. I wasn't very good at first as I was messy eater. But I supposed it improved when my penmanship did." Lena shrugged. "I might be a bit rusty though. Haven't seen a fork in months." She lifted it. It was the little things she didn't realize she'd miss that made her homesick.

Sebastian watched the forlorn expression flit over her before she tightened her lips and kept eating.

"If you don't mind my asking. When might be your birthday?" Sebastian asked.

"My birthday it'd be…" Lena trailed off. When would have been her birthday? It was nine months since she arrived but if that was true, she'd missed it. The difference in dates, month names, and the placement of holidays threw her off. But if it had been almost ten months since she came then she'd missed it. "I uh… don't know."

"You don't know?"

"We have different month names back home…" Truthfully, it wouldn't be the first time she's forgotten her birthday, to let the day come and pass without ever really paying attention. It was something that started happening ever since she turned twenty-five and now as she got closer and closer to thirty she tried to forget it. Especially here in Thedas. It represented how long she's been away from home, from her family, and from her friends. She did some quick math. "Haring...sixteen." The thought left her bitter and sad, though no tears burned at her eyes. Instead a weight settled in her stomach. Her twenty-eighth birthday had come and gone and she hadn't even acknowledged it. She can only imagine the sorrow and grief her family had gone through when it came.

Sebastian rose from the table, drawing her from her thoughts. "One moment." He muttered to her as he left her at the table alone. He returned with a single white arrow and presented it to her. "Consider it a late birthday present."

"An arrow?"

"I give this to you with the expectation that you will return it to me when I ask." Sebastian spoke.

"Okay? Not much of a present but why?"

"This arrow will be my winning shot at the Contest of Arms for Archery."

Lena blinked and looked at the arrow closer, turning it in her hands and examining it. The shaft of the arrow shaft was light wood. The crest was adorned in the colors of the Vael Family, red and black. The fletchling used a dark feather with red edges, Lena couldn't quite figure out what bird it may have been from. The arrowhead or point was blunted and not sharp, but going at the speeds it would - she wouldn't doubt the pain it would cause.

"You want me to return this back to you?" Lena squinted.

"Yes."

"At the Tourney?"

"Yes."

"What if I'm not going?" Lena squinted. Sebastian smiled, smug as he lowered himself to one knee. Lena flailed and leant back but he grabbed one of her hands and stared up at her.

"Dare I say, I think you will be going now. I call you my closest friend and it would mean much to me if you were there." Sebastian held her hand.

Lena was speechless, staring at his hand. Sebastian lowered his gaze as Lena still said nothing. He gave a shuddering breath as though about to cry and peered up at her through his lashes, a pout on his lips.

"But I do understand if you will be too busy to attend. I know you will be working-"

"Oh poppycock, you little shit. You know I'll show." Lena exasperated and smacked Sebastian's hand as he laughed. She tried to push him back to throw him off balance but he rolled away. "Naughty boys get spanked."

"And I have been especially naughty." Sebastian grinned.

"I don't have any of my belts or riding crop."

"I'm sure you'll think of something."

"I guess I'll have to do it the old fashioned way." Lena grinned.

NOTES: Okay so... This chapter and the next 12 are all going to be at Chateau Haine. Yes. That's right. Days and Seven nights at Chateau Haine, just like the Summary says! Be prepared for shenanigans, smut, hunting, partying, and a hefty dose of plot, sub arcs, and cameos.

Next Chapter: You won't believe who you'll see next at CHATEAU HAINE!

GreaterGoodIreland: Well considering this story is a bit of a Self Insert I can say it is a bit more traditional in that respect but I don't think you meant in that way. There aren't many MCIT stories where the OC transform into a dwarf and heads down the path toward becoming a Mob boss. Most stories of this nature, they end up the Hero or reluctant Hero. Lena will very much be an Anti-villain. Noble ends but has no qualms about doing what she has to, including murder, to get there.

You mentioned how others thing Outlander is a harem story. Well, take into account of how Earthlings would look to Thedosians. They would consider us good looking and be attracted to us due to our larger eyes, softer appearance, and healthy everything. They would look our way, a lot. So ending up with a Harem with people amenable to that sort of idea doesn't seem so bad. I mean, so long as you're having fun writing the fic. Either way, a harem story isn't necessarily a bad thing.