A/N: This is a longer chapter but I felt as though I couldn't split it up. Enjoy! :)

Chapter 2: A Suitor's Dance

It had been a year since that day in the Chantry, and in that time she had completely stopped going to the forest at night. For she had no need. The anger had been washed away and she was calm. Calmer than she had even been before. This was because she had the knowledge that things would get better. In a sort of way, she had become an optimist. Whether this new-found peace would last remained to be seen, but Gwen enjoyed it while she had it. Something she'd thought she lost.

Although the date of her 21st Naming day was coming soon she didn't worry. She had faith in the Maker and would wait.

The sign that Gwen believed she had been waiting for arrived on the day of the ball. A dance that was hosted in honor of Elissa's coming Naming day, and to introduce her into adult society. Which meant suitors...lots and lots of suitors.

Gwendoyln only barely managed to convince her mother to let her attend. she played on the fact that her mother thought she was unappealing; she told her mother that no man there would give her the time of the day. Eleanor accepted this but still insisted that she wear a dress of her choosing. Which meant something very plain to make the already plain Gwendoyln invisible.

Gwen had sighed, disappointed, when she laid eyes on her dress for the night. She had wished it would be at least a little more...not boring. It was a simple dark green dress, with laced threads on the back. The dress didn't fake her figure, many nobles had dresses designed for that, it showed exactly what she didn't have. She wondered what Elissa's dress looked like. Probably purple or blue, with elaborate lace and gold accessories. Elissa didn't need a specially modified dress, she could fill it out fine by herself. Gwendoyln couldn't help but feel a twinge of resentment spring up at the thought.

The ball was grand, grander then Gwen had ever seen. No expense would be left out for her dear sister Elissa. Every hall was adorned with gold and blue, the classic Cousland colors. There was music and refreshments in all the rooms, with guards of course. Thieves would not be tolerated.

Gwen easily slid past all the dancing men and woman, to stand by the symphony. She watched as the musicians focused intently on the papers in front of them, making all the notes sing with emotion.

Time sped by quickly as Gwen observed the scene that was laid before her. Occasionally her sister would pass by, in all her golden grace, with a plethora of suitors trailing behind. They practically trampled over one another to get a chance at asking her for a dance.

Gwendolyn scoffed, they must be enjoying their night, gaining the chance to watch her sister's bodice sway in rhythm.

"And who might this shy but proud woman be?" A young man approached her, making her nearly spill her drink. Although he wasn't a handsome dashing fellow like the men following Elissa, she was still shocked. A man was talking to her, a well dressed man at that! Her suspicious instincts kicked in, what did he want from her?

"Gwendoyln," she said quietly, "Cousland," she had almost forgotten to say her last name; the formalities of court escaping her.

"Ah. Lady Elissa is your sister is she not? Hmm, it must be insulting that all of this is in her honor. One would think that you'd refuse to attend. And yet here you are...talking to me. I must be very lucky indeed...to ask for a dance," He held out his hand which she took hesitantly.

"But why ask me for a dance, when there is a perfectly beautiful woman over there?" She gestured over to Elissa and her pack of suitors.

He swept her into a spin, drawing her attention away from her glittering sister, "I see no other woman. What is this other woman that you speak of?"

She laughed genuinely. He was charming, she'd give him that.

They danced to the up beat music playful music, Gwen following his lead. She wasn't much of a dancer but she knew the basics.

"What do you think of the music tonight?" Gwen asked, starting up a conversation.

"I think it is quite lovely, the musicians are dedicated to giving us their best tonight. What do you think?"

He asked her for her opinion, something very rare. No man every cared to ask her what she thought, they usually liked to talk about themselves. She became lost in thought looking and studying his face, she forgot to answer his question.

"My lady?" He asked, bringing her out of her trance.

"Oh? Oh yes. The music! I love it. Music brings out what we cannot say with words, its another language entirely, one that everyone can understand."

He seemed intrigued by her answer, "You've thought a lot about this then?"

"I've had the time to I suppose," she said awkwardly.

"Well I think its lovely that you take the time to ponder such things."

"You find a lot of things lovely," She said, pointing out his repetition of the word.

He reddened slightly, "Maybe a change of topic? Since you think so much here's a real question: Why do the nobles dress themselves up so ridiculously? All this," He made a gesture to symbolize the poofyness of a woman's dress, "extra fabric, gold, velvet. It must way them down. I'm always amazed at their will to continue dancing and walking when they feel like collapsing."

"Actually," Gwen comically started, "There's a string attached to their back, connected to the high expectations of their parents."

"Ah," He nodded in agreement with a humorous undertone, "That must be it!"

Gwen was the first to laugh, her smile broke out on her face like the sun breaks the horizon in the morning. It made an astounding difference in her mood. The difference between night and day.

This man had changed her night for the better she decided. He seemed like good company to keep, and suddenly thoughts dropped in her desperate mind.

What if...? But no... What could he possibly see in her? She brushed these thoughts to the back of her mind, still acutely aware of their existence.

"That's why I was drawn to you," He blushed and his voice became softer in a way that only meant an honest confession.

"M-me?" She stuttered. Maker why am I so bad with people? She thought.

"Your dress. It's simple, but it fits you. You seem...what's the word..." he took a breath, deeply considering his diction, "real. I'm not terribly interested in politics. But I know it is necessary. My mother and father wish for me to marry soon," Her heart jumped, no, leaped out of her chest, "I will do as they ask as I always have. But I want to marry someone I can lean on, and a cunning socialite is not what I have in mind for a wife. You are no socialite. I can tell you are you, and I like that...very much."

It seemed that the very thing she wished for differently is what brought him to her. How ironic, she thought.

At the same time more important thoughts took place. Is this a sign from the Maker? Is this what he had planned for her destiny? She wished she could be sure, but she couldn't take the chance. He seemed like a decent person, and the only man that ever had expressed a true interest in her.

He took her silence as another opportunity to speak, "I'd like to invite you my holdings, come back with me tonight to my family's estate and we'll offer you our best hospitality. In the morning we can have tea with my parents in the study, and breakfast after wards." He became excited, discussing future plans. But he was moving along so fast it scared Gwendolyn.

Then she chided herself. Of course he'd want her to meet his parents! That always comes first in these kinds of things...doesn't it? She second guessed herself. The formalities of a proposal were not a topic she often studied. She mentally shook her head, she'd just leave him to the details.

"That sounds wonderful." She smiled gently, reassuring his pride, for she had left him hanging for quite some time.

"Perfect!" He let go of their dancing embrace to clap his hands in content, "I'll send a letter to the footman to let-"

Suddenly a horrible thought came to Gwen, what if her parents tried to stop it? "That!" she burst out, "wont be necessary."

"As you wish...my lady" he bowed his head and smiled up at her. She couldn't help but feel giddy. This was her chance at freedom! She'd marry him and leave this awful place behind! And yet there was one detail that they both seemed to have forgotten.

"Oh! I haven't even asked your name!"

"Garrick. Garrick Wulff."

The rest of the night they spent in each other's company, talking playfully and getting to know one another. Fortunately they hadn't seen Elissa or her mother, which meant that they couldn't interfere.

Gwendolyn assumed that Elissa was too busy trying to walk around with her mass of potential suitors, and her mother buttering up those suitors' families.

At the end of the long, fancy, and expensive party Gwen "escaped" into Garrick's carriage and they began their travel to West Hills.

IXI

The West Hills region was warm and thick with humidity. It seems it will rain, Gwen thought, how dour. She shook her head and pushed any negative thoughts away. Right now she was happy, and she wasn't about to let the weather ruin it.

She turned her head away from the carriage window and towards the man she might marry. Her future.

She took this time to really study him. He had very round dark green eyes and a defined large nose. He was an average height, stick-thin, with a restless face framed by ash-black hair. He was tired, the dark circles under his eyes proved that.

He hadn't slept all night during the carriage ride, she herself had dozed off for a few hours.

"We can't be much farther now. How much longer is it to your estate?" Gwendolyn asked him.

"Hm?" He met her gaze with a slow blink, he was very tired indeed, "Oh," He looked out the window and recognized the surrounding areas, "We're nearly there, only 30 minutes or so. And it's my family's estate..." He laid back in his cushioned seat and closed his eyes. Letting out a soft breath.

Gwen smiled as she thought his exhaustion was cute. His eyelashes were thick and feminine, when he closed them they seemed to fan out making his face look calm and peaceful.

Soon enough, as Garrick predicted, they arrived at the estate. It was grand, although not as grand as Highever. As Bryce Couslands was a Teryn and Gallagher Wulff was an Arl.

Except Gwen didn't care how grand or poor Garrick was. None of that mattered to her.

Gwendolyn exited the carriage by Garrick's hand, he escorted her as a Lord should escort a Lady. She looked about her in wonder, it didn't seem like reality to her. Hope was so close yet so far. All she had to do was grasp it.

The servants lead them quickly inside, away from the approaching dark clouds. The moment they stepped inside she was immediately separated from Garrick and was shown her quarters. They took their young master to his own chambers. Gwen barely had time to wish him a good nights sleep.

The servants stripped and bathed her, something she was only half accustomed to. She was used to having some servants wait on her, but this was too much.

After the servants were done violating her privacy she was left to herself in the dimly lit guest room.

The rain started pouring down and pounded on her room's glass window. She shivered, suddenly feeling lonely. The thin silk night gown did nothing to keep her warm. Her eyes turned hesitantly to the door, slowly her body followed and instinct took over.

Although she was in strange place she had never been in, and it was dark and cold, she somehow still managed to make her way across the mansion to a wooden door with silver hinges. Under the door she could see light and felt a hearth's warmth on her feet.

With baited breath she turned the door nob, lightly pushing the door ajar.

The warmth enveloped her body with a kindness. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the raging fire in the hearth, then rose to the figure standing above it.

Garrick's arms were crossed in pensive concentration, gazing deep into the flames. He didn't even notice her entrance.

Her breaths were silent, as well as her footsteps. A skill that was ingrained into her from her days of hunting.

Gwen didn't want to seem like she was creeping, so she decided to make herself known. With a little more force, she shut the door. She didn't slam it, but made sure Garrick could hear it.

Garrick was startled, "Gwendolyn! What are you doing in here? Its late, if the servants saw you..."

Gwen quickly went to him and calmed his fears, "It's alright. No one saw me."

His initial shock faded and was replaced with confusion, "How did you know where I was?"

"I'm not sure...I was cold and I couldn't sleep. I just followed...my heart?" She ended in question, not quite sure what word she wanted to use.

"That is...quite the navigation skill you have. But...what did you expect by coming here?" He asked, hoping she wasn't thinking what he thought she was.

She cocked her head to the side, not understanding what he meant, "I suppose warmth, and comfort." She said this honestly and without implications, but he didn't catch on.

He gulped, "Gwendolyn...I can't. We're not married yet...this isn't. You should go back to your room."

He grabbed her by the hand and started to lead her to the door, "I'm not going anywhere! And what are you talking about?" She protested.

He let go of her, surprised, "Wait. You don't? I mean, that's not what you meant?"

"I just...I saw how tired you were earlier, and you still couldn't sleep. I thought maybe...never mind," She blushed profusely, feeling like an idiot.

"Oh Gwen," He sighed, wrapping her in an embrace. His long arms blanketed all the way around her.

She smiled and hugged him back. Is this what happiness feels like? She asked herself. For that moment was something she had never experienced before.

The spent the night together innocently in his bed. The rain stopped sometime in the twilight, although neither of them noticed because they were fast asleep in each others arms.

IXI

Waking up the next morning was blissful and serene, until Garrick realized what time it was and rushed her out of the room. Gwen didn't mind, she understood the repercussions of being caught, even if they didn't do anything.

She stealthily made her way back to her room, Only a few minutes after she got back a servant entered and jumped in surprise.

"Oh! You're already awake!" Suddenly she down at her feet, knowing she had broken her employer's protocol, "You've been summoned to the dining hall for breakfast," She curtsied and took her leave, "My lady,"

Gwen quickly looked around for the wardrobe, found it, and flung it open. Inside was an assortment of men and woman's clothing. She threw a nice maroon dress over her and slipped on a matching pair of shoes. Just before running out the door she looked in the mirror and fixed her hair.

Finding the dining hall was easy enough, it was straight ahead of the main hall. Before entering the room she took a deep breath to calm the anxiety flowing through her veins.

She opened the door confidently and strode in.

Inside was the entire family, including Garrick who must have started getting ready the moment she left. There was his mother who had tight lips and cold blue eyes; she sat with arms crossed and chin raised high, glaring at her with a critical eye. This unnerved Gwendolyn, but it did not throw her of her game.

Then there was his father, who was the opposite to his mother. He had long gray hair, matched with a long gray beard. He had kind eyes that were marked with laughter, yet under those joyful lines Gwen could see the stress he faced everyday being an Arl. The stress of responsibility, honor, and sacrifice.

Then there were Garrick's endless siblings and cousins. Gwen couldn't tell which ones were which, but there were a lot of them. She guessed he had about seven or eight siblings, and maybe five or so cousins in the room. But it was only a guess.

The ages of the room varied greatly, the youngest looking to be about five and the oldest, of course being Gallagher Wullf: the Arl. There was plenty of adults though. Ranging from their twenties to thirties.

Garrick sat next to his father at the head of the table. There was one empty seat across from him, next to his mother. Gwen realized then, that she was late...very late. She hadn't taken that long getting ready, had she?

She took her seat cautiously, and met the icy gaze of his mother..

"Do they teach you to be punctual at Highever?" Her shrill voice cutting Gwen's ears.

"I-I...I didn't mean to cause offense," Gwen muttered out, utterly embarrassed.

"Hermeneia!" Gallagher Wulff raised voice authoritatively, "That is no way to treat out guest."

He turned to Gwendolyn, "I'm sorry for my wife's behavior. She's normally not like this. Distrustful of strangers is all," Brushing aside that awkward topic, he asked her is she had enjoyed her stay last night.

"Yes, your hospitality is very welcoming," She said politely.

Gwen's stomach rumbles when she saw the food trays come out, but she restrained herself from eating like a starving pack of wolves. Yes, I'm sure his mother would appreciate that.

She did her best to eat like a Lady, delicately eating her meal. After she was done eating, and Hermeneia was done scrutinizing her every move, she bundled up her courage and tried to get back on the right foot with Garrick's mother.

"I truly want to apologize for being late. I know that it is unseemly and I don't wish to make a bad first impression with you. I hope that in time we can be friends," She smiled hopefully at her.

Hermeneia raised an eyebrow at her with a pointed look, but decided to let it go, "It is fine child. For now..." She left an unspoken insult in the air, but it was not as tense as it had been before. Gwen viewed this as an accomplishment and inwardly cheered.

IXI

The study smelled of old books and dust. The morning light lit up the air, making every particle seen. The miniscule little pieces of the world floated around, aimlessly. A spec of dust that had once resided on Gallagher's globe, landed peacefully on Hermeneia's shoulder.

"We sent you there to woo the Teryn's eldest daughter and you bring home her second rate sister," Hermeneia huffed in disappointment, "My! She's not even attractive the skinny little thing." The dust particle flew violently off of her shoulder and fell to the ground.

"But mother she-" Garrick couldn't believe what his mother was saying.

"I do not care for your excuses. You filled her head with fantasies of marriage! This must be corrected. Your father was expecting more from you. More for the people! An Arl's son should know better! There are lives at stake. We need their protection, we are running out food and trade. You know this! Were a major crisis to hit us...I don't know what would happen to us Garrick."

Garrick sighed and begrudgingly said, "I...understand now."

"Good. Because I've sent word to the Couslands of their daughter's return. Which will be very soon now that we've cleared this up. I may have also given them another offer to consider."

Garrick raised a worried eyebrow but his mother waved her hand "You will find out soon enough."

IXI

Gwendoyl was unaware of what had happened in just the other room. She went home happy and light as a feather thinking it went well. That was until her own mother came up to her in a raging storm the moment she arrived home.

"You went behind our backs to scam Lord Garrick into making you a marriage proposal? You scheming...! I'll have you know that was your sister's mark for the night." there was such a bitterness to her voice that Gwen wanted to spit. Mark? She viewed Garrick as a mark? And I never scammed him! He came up to me! Although she wanted to scream this at her mother, she did not. She knew it would only worsen her temper.

Eleanor took a deep breath and calmed herself, "It doesn't matter what you tried to do, now that it's failed. Don't ever try to grab for power that was destined for your sister," she threatened.

Gwendoyln was confused, "What do you mean failed?"

"Oh my!" she held back a laugh, "You don't know? His family sent us a letter before you arrived. You've been rejected. They don't want you to marry their son. Even more interesting they ask that Elissa and Garrick meet personally to discuss such matters as...marriage for one."

"You wouldn't dare," Gwen felt the familiar rage boil up beneath her.

"I would and I will. He was never meant for you. As you were always meant for the Chantry. Know your place and remember it."

The heat was radiating off of Gwen's body. Eleanor sensed Gwen raged and retreated to her chambers before things got lethal.

That night she gave into her old vice and stormed into the woods. She burned brightly with furry as she charged a pack of wolves. She ravaged them tearing them apart limb from limb. The poor animals only attacked her on instinct of hunger, with no idea of the atrocities that awaited them.

When the red settled, she found herself a million miles away from her goal. She wanted to be normal, to be calm and serene. To stop killing. But she couldn't.

She just couldn't.

She feel to her knees like a wounded, defeated warrior. Crying out in despair she wailed at the top of her lungs. She screamed until her throat was raw and there were no bird wings flapping, no night crickets chirping. The woods were silent as it lamented the loss of the wolves and the loss of Gwen's humanity.