Disclaimers: Bioware's stuff is Bioware's stuff etc. etc.
Author notes below each chapter w/explanations on certain topics, events as needed. Mostly following major plot points or changes.
Dragon Age: Of Noble Birth
Castle Cousland, Highever
Day 1
A low, muffled groan escaped from the mouth of a beautiful elven chambermaid. She was face first, firmly pressed up against a stone wall in the back of the upstairs broom closet. Her tiny hands were held against the cold stone by a larger, more worn pair, holding them both, palms flat. The body attached to those worn hands pressed into hers from behind. Her petite lips smiled, then giggled, as those worn hands began to move back, snaking down her small body slowly, deliberately. A slight gasp was elicited when those hands darted up her shirt, cupping her perky breasts.
Aedan Cousland, second son to Bryce Cousland, the Teyrn of Highever, was a surprisingly busy man these days.
He had woke early this morning, unusual of late, anticipation and a sense of dread hitting him immediately.
Today was the day he was to assume command of the castle, and in effect the Teyrnir, while his father and older brother, Fergus, went off to war.
Not that he doubted his abilities. Far from it. In fact, most considered him somewhat arrogant in this regard, including his own family.
He had been squired at a relatively young age, shortly before his 19th birthday, a full year early by most standards. He had even been bonded with a Mabari as a boy of 16, far too young by most counts. Many had even considered his prowess with a sword to have already been amongst the best in the country while still technically a child at 17. Adults had even barred him from competing in competitions prior to his 18th birthday for fear of being embarrassed.
No, assuming command was not what worried him.
He just did not want to do it. At all.
He really hated governing, and could barely stand many of the other nobles, much less having to interact with them regularly while his father and brother were away. He should be the one going to fight the darkspawn with his father, not Fergus.
"We will serve you while the Teyrn is away!" Giggled the small elven chambermaid.
Aedan laughed quietly at her while his hands removed her skirt. He pressed her up against the wall and lifted her slightly.
The girl let out a loud moan. Aedan lifted her back into him, then forward again towards the wall.
Some things never changed.
Squired to a friend of his father, a lord in Cumberland, he had been away from Highever for almost four years, returning only three months ago. Ferelden was much as it was when he left of course. Change had always come slowly to the small, distant country on the southern end of Thedas.
He had been bored inside of two days after returning. He had competed in a few tournaments, practiced swordsmanship with the troops and toured his father's lands since, but he missed the camaraderie of being a part of a fighting unit. Nevarra and the Free Marches always offered such opportunities, and he had partaken in them, earning himself praise and quite a reputation.
Respected by fellow soldiers and the lords for which he had fought, he was feared greatly by those counted as enemies.
He had also made something of a name for himself in other ways while gone as well.
He smiled deviously at the elf as she looked back into his dark green eyes over her shoulder. She leaned in closer to him and he kissed her. Then he pushed her harder against the wall. She shrieked a little so Aedan put a hand over her mouth lest they were discovered. The girl squirmed away and put his fingers into her mouth as she glared back at him. Aedan pushed her harder against the wall as she whimpered under his assault.
Yes, his fighting skills, incredibly impressive when he had left, were greatly improved now at 23. He was considered something of an up and coming legend amongst the nobility where martial prowess was concerned. But he was not without fault. And those faults had caught up with him while away.
Squires, it was agreed by lords across most nations, would serve a lord for a minimum of five years. More was not unusual, less was unheard of.
Aedan had not quite made it to four years, leaving one month prior to that mark.
He quickly turned the elf around to face him and lifted her off the ground, setting her back against the wall gently. She wrapped her legs tightly around him as her eyes opened wide and mouth hung open slightly. He moved a hand up to her pretty face, lightly brushing the beautiful red hair that had fallen over her face out of the way so he could see her blue eyes with his.
The girl smiled brightly at him. He smiled back.
There had been indiscretions. One noble's wife. A daughter, here and there. The servants had apparently not counted. Not that he considered it his fault. He was not the pursuer. Well, except for that one time, but it mattered little.
He had been told that under the circumstances, it would be best for him to return to Ferelden early.
Apparently, some of the nobles were actively plotting to have him killed. Brash and uncaring at first, he had relented, lest it backfire on his family, and boarded a ship for Highever.
His parents were surprised to find him back so soon. Surprised, and not too happy.
He moved his hands beneath the elven girl, grabbing her bottom and bringing her even closer. He closed his eyes, concentrating. He opened them quickly and nodded to her, kissing her lightly then drawing back. She understood and responded by wrapping both arms around his back, pulling him into her, not wanting to let go. Aedan, initially hesitant, wrapped her in his arms and kissed her passionately.
The girl muffled her loud moans into his mouth as she went limp, then tensed around him. She bit at his shoulder to keep from screaming. Aedan relented right after her, grunting into her cute, pointed ear. The girl pulled his face to hers and devoured him with a fiery kiss as he finished inside her.
Breathing heavily, he set her down gently and she slumped to the floor. Aedan sat down next to her, pants at his ankles and sweating lightly.
The elven girl crawled back atop him and sat in his lap, straddling him. She leaned in and kissed him again for some time.
"Thank you my lord." She giggled.
Aedan laughed at her. "No. Thank you Anaya."
The elf leaned into him again. Pressing her small body into his as she caught her breath. Her head rested against his chest.
Aedan had little time really, his father and some guests awaited, but he would make time for some things. He put his arms around her.
He sighed aloud. The elven girl, Anaya, looked at him.
"Are you alright my lord?"
He looked at her, eyebrow raised and stupid grin on his face. "My lord?"
She smiled back at him. "You never know. Someone could be listening at the door."
He rolled his eyes. That would be all I need. "I'm fine. And only in public my dear. Only in public." She gently slid off him onto the floor beside him.
Anaya was relatively new to the castle, so she was not present before he had left. There had been a few others of course, mostly when younger. He'd always been quite fond of the elven girls in the castle. Some had returned that fondness. Aedan had been particularly careful with all of them, more for their sake instead of his. After all, nobles frolicking with servants, elves to boot, was simply not done.
He rather liked her though. Quite a bit actually. She had spirit, fire, and was quite daring at times. Uncharacteristic in most elves from what he had seen. Of course it did not hurt that she was gorgeous with her long red hair, and bright blue eyes. Her ears stuck out slightly, giving her a cute appeal that was irresistible.
He watched her as she stood, glistening from a light sweat. She cleaned herself quickly and started to put her clothes back on. I have to be more careful with her. For both of us.
"Are you staying in the castle tonight?"
She looked down to him. "No. My parents house in the city. I have three days coming. My sister's family is visiting from Denerim."
Aedan knew she meant the Alienage and not the city. Highever had one as well, but it was less distinct and much more open then what amounted to a prison in Denerim. His father had done far better with elven-human relations than any other place in Ferelden, but peoples still tended to want to live near their own.
He stood and began dressing himself. She looked up at him. Watching him closely as she finished.
She, like most of the females in the castle, regardless of race, found the second Cousland boy irresistible. His chiseled face, rugged after four years away, was framed by long, dark hair. He tied it back on occasion but usually left it free. It gave him a wild quality most Ferelden nobility would never possess or want. He was also larger than most men, and towered over elves, but was still lean and muscled.
She looked up at his face as he put on the last of his clothing.
But it was those eyes. Piercing and intense. An odd, dark green color. They commanded men and called to women. Both captivating and fear inducing, they bore through whomever they looked at.
When they had first looked at her, she had simply melted. Never before that moment had she even contemplated letting a human touch her. Much less a noble. The stories she had heard were awful. Fear inducing even.
But not with Aedan. He had simply looked at her as he passed in the hallway. He had even turned to watch her as she went by. She had turned as well, then blushed. He had smiled at her and nodded, then went on his way. A perfect gentlemen, to an elven servant no less. She had been quite captivated, and very curious.
It hadn't taken long after that as they continuously encountered one another, talking and then flirting. She had found him quite different from what she expected of a human noble.
She knew that she should not have even considered it. That her parents would disown her if they found out, and that his would likely send her away, were a given. Not to mention the fact she was recently engaged to a nice elven boy from the Alienage.
But something about him was like a flame. And she was a moth.
She had dived right in. Willingly.
"Should I stay?" She smiled suggestively to him.
Aedan shook his head and put a hand to the small of her back. "No, no. Of course not. There will be time." He grabbed her behind and gave it a squeeze. "Enjoy your family. In fact, I've got to see to mine now."
She gave him a brief kiss and moved to the door, peaking out to check for anyone. She turned and smiled at him again. "Three days? Right here?"
He laughed. "Go. I'll be here."
Anaya ran out the door and down the hallway, passing the Teyrna and her two human friends. She nodded to the pretty elven girl with them. She looked like she wanted to talk, but she was late. Her parents expected her an hour ago and her sister's family would likely already be here.
Anaya smiled to herself at the reason why. It was her fault of course. She had ambushed him, dragging him into the closet.
She shook her head to herself as she entered the servants quarters, scanning the room and finding herself alone. She quickly removed her smallclothes and tossed them into her wash pile. They were soaked. She made a mental note to be more careful, a pregnancy would be good for no one. Especially with her marriage coming soon.
She flopped back on the bed, groaning. Marriage. An arranged one to boot was not her choice but elves really had no say. It was tradition.
A light rap on the door caused her to rise. As she approached the door, she could not help but wonder if she would be more happy as a Aedan's mistress instead.