The Other Cousland

Chapter 7

I am so sorry I have not updated in so long. I got a new job and life has been hectic and chaotic. I hope to be updating more often so please be patient with me as I adjust.

Usual disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age or any of its wonderful characters or places. Please leave a review as they truly make my day and help me improve.

I quickly got into a rhythm boiling the linens for bandages. Sundance would trot to the healers and grab a bundle of soiled linens and bring them back to me and I would send her back with a bundle of clean ones. I lost track of time, focused only on what I was doing when all of a sudden.. I heard a deep woof and a blur of dark fawn fur before I was tackled to the ground and was being slobbered all over by a very happy mabari.

"What in the name of the Maker?!" was all I could get out and I was lavished with affection and happiness. I tried pushing away the overjoyed hound but it was no use. I was covered in slobber when I heard a low growl and the hound finally stopped and looked up cautiously. Sundance was standing there on full alert eyeing up the newcomer suspiciously. The bundle of linens she was bringing me lay on the ground forgotten.

The other hound stepped away from me very slowly and layed down looking up at Sundance pitifully. I sat up wiping away the slobber from my face, trying to figure out where he came from. Sundance stepped toward him and sniffed him, then her defensive posture relaxed and she tilted her head looking at him curiously.

All at once she began wagging her tail and looked at me grinning. The hound lifted his head and woofed at her and wagged his tail in return. I sat up and looked at him carefully when I realized…

"Zander? Is that you handsome boy?" I looked at him, not daring to hope. His answer was to stand up and nuzzle me with his giant head. I couldn't believe it! "Zander!" I threw my arms around him and hugged him tight, beginning to cry happy tears as he licked my face. "How did you find me?! How did you escape the darkspawn? I'm so glad you are safe! What a good, smart, brave boy!" I caressed his face scarcely believing my eyes.

His whole body shook and he wiggled and let out a series of excited happy barks. I looked over and Sundance and she didn't seem to know what to do. Although she seemed happy that he was ok, she wasn't thrilled about sharing my attention. She saw me looking at her and hung her head a little and huffed like she felt left out.

"Sundance, what do you think, should we have him join our family? It's up to you pretty girl." She looked at Zander for a bit, tilting her head considering my question. Zander stopped moving and stared at her intently holding his breath. Finally she walked to him and gave him a big kiss on his nose. They began to bounce around happily together, almost seeming to dance.

When they finally calmed down, I hugged them both and just breathed in the moment of brief happiness in the midst of all the sadness. For right now the Maker smiled down on me and gave me this small measure of comfort.

"Where did this hound come from?" I nearly jumped out of my skin as Lelianna materialized next to me.

"Holy Maker!" I yelped in surprise. "You need to wear a set of bells! You nearly scared the life out of me!" She smiled mischievously at me.

"Then I would not get to see the funny faces you make when I startle you." her grin widened when I scowled at her and she began to laugh. Her musical laughter caused heads to turn toward her. She had quickly become my best friend. I couldn't stay mad at her and soon began laughing as well, I couldn't help it.

"I'm sorry I was not able to speak with you in the tavern. Apparently not all the Grey Wardens fell in battle, two are here in the village helping those they can before traveling to gain allies to defeat the darkspawn!" I stopped her before she could continue.

"There are 2 Grey Wardens here?! Maybe my brothers are still alive! I have to speak with them!" I began rushing towards the tavern when she grabbed my arm.

"Calm down, there is no need to rush. They are making camp not far from here tonight. They are clearing out some dangers around Lothering so travelers will be safer to leave." She looked away from me looking slightly uncomfortable. Something was nagging at the back of my mind as I asked her my next question.

"Lelianna, how do you know where they will be camping?" I looked at her intently as she kept looking away. She took a deep breath before answering.

"Because I will be leaving with them." I couldn't believe my ears and just stared at her numbly. "The Maker has shown me a sign, I need to help them defeat the blight before all the land is covered in darkness."

"But you are a sister of the Chantry… how are you supposed to help defeat the blight? And you promised to help me.." I was so confused and hurt.

"I wasn't always a sister, I have a past, and my past can help them. If the darkspawn win we all lose. I have to do this, but once the blight is ended I will help you. You are my friend and I do not let my friends down." She put her hand gently on my shoulder.

"I don't want to lose you too.." I looked into her eyes, fighting tears. "I can't keep losing those I care about and you have become like a sister to me." I took calming breaths as she pulled me in for a tight hug.

"Maybe I can bring you with me, we will watch each other's backs." I wiped my tears and smiled.

"We are in this together right? I'm sure the Grey Wardens would welcome more help." As if on cue my marbari's pressed close to my sides looking brave and strong and we both chuckled at them.

"I'm sure we can persuade them and yes we are in this together. Now where did this handsome boy come from?" she knelt down and smiled as Zander.

"Remember the hound at Ostagar that I told you about?" I asked, stroking Zander's broad head. "Somehow he escaped the darkspawn and tracked me here!" She looked at him in surprise and delight.

"That is wonderful! What a smart, brave boy!" Lelianna praised him and he bounced around looking pleased with himself. "Come, we must prepare to begin our journey, we have done all we can for the people here and have encouraged them to leave. Most of the refugees that were stuck here because their belongings were stolen have reclaimed them and are already either gone or preparing to depart as well." Lelianna tugged me towards my campsite so that I could pack.

"Alright, but what if the Grey Wardens refuse to let me accompany you?" I stopped her and she smiled sadly at me.

"If they refuse then you must journey to safety without me, but I will not leave here knowing you are in the darkspawn's path. They will be here within the next few days according to the Wardens." She stood stubbornly with her arms crossed.

"Ok, I will prepare to leave, when and where should we meet you so that I can speak with the Wardens?" I asked, feeling worried.

"Meet me at the bridge that heads North an hour before sundown. Together we will go to the Wardens camp and try to convince them to allow you to travel with us so that I can help keep you safe. It will be hard for them to decline with both of us trying to convince them no?" she grinned widely. It was hard for me to imagine anyone telling Lelianna no. I hugged her quickly and jogged off towards my campsite with Zander and Sundance by my side.

My men were doing several different tasks as I walked into camp.

"Men, prepare to pack up camp, we will be leaving before sundown today." I said walking towards my tent. Some looked relieved while others looked confused.

"My Lady, are we going home?" One man asked.

"If you wish to go home I release you to do so. I will hopefully be traveling with Sister Lelianna and the last surviving Grey Wardens. I am meeting her at the bridge heading north an hour before sundown. I have helped the people here as much as I can but the darkspawn are only a few days away from here so now is the time for us to depart." The men looked at each other, uncertain of what to do.

"My Lady, surely you do not wish to travel with Grey Wardens after hearing about their betrayal?" Anger bubbled up in me so quickly I shook with the force of it.

"Do you really believe that nonsense?! Do you believe my brother would betray his King and Country?!" The men took a step back, surprised by my change in demeanor. I had always been calm and kind, but right now I was furious. "How dare you insinuate that my brother would do something so dishonorable! My brother was a good man, and a hero. He always put his duty and his people first, and now to tarnish his memory this way is unthinkable!"

"We meant no disrespect My Lady, Master Aedan was a good man, but what of the other Wardens? You do not know their intentions." He tried to reason with me.

"If Lelianna trusts them, then so do I." I said with finality. The men looked at each other uncomfortably and one by one started packing up camp. There was an air of tension in the air as we worked to get everything ready. Thankfully it didn't take long for everything to be packed and loaded up for travel. I said my farewells to the remaining villagers and templars as I made my way to the bridge. Right before we reached the meeting point the men stopped. I turned my horse around and looked at them puzzled.

"Lelianna said she would meet us just up the rise here, why did you stop?" I looked at each of my guards and none would meet my eyes. Finally the sergeant moved in front of me and met my eyes.

"I'm sorry My Lady, but we cannot in good conscience go with you to aid the Wardens." I opened my mouth in shock, they were leaving me? "Your brother was a good man but we do not trust the Wardens any longer. You heard the Teryn, the Wardens betrayed the King. You may trust Sister Lelianna, but you barely know her. We believe your best option would be to go to Denerim and petition the Teryn or the Queen for aid to reclaim Highever. We would be willing to accompany you there but we will not work with the Wardens." He said firmly. I looked at my men and each of them looked determined.

"You all feel this way?" I asked, looking each in the eyes. Their only answer was to nod their head. What the sergeant said about traveling to denerim made sense, it's what most nobles would do in my place. Yet in the back of my mind alarm bells were going off. Something about the Teryn's withdrawal seemed wrong to me, like he wasn't telling the whole truth. Cailan was not only his King but his son in law as well, yet he left him to die on the battlefield. Did he even attempt to get him away from the fighting before running away? I didn't listen to my intuition at Highever and it cost me everything. Maybe Lelianna was right and the Maker has a plan for us, I just need to listen.

"Thank you for standing by me and helping me get here from Ostagar, but it seems it is now time for us to part ways." I sat straight in my saddle and held my head high.

"My Lady, you can't be serious! Let us escort you to Denerim where you will be safe, it's what your brothers would have wanted!" One of the men exclaimed.

"My brothers wanted me to be safe, this is true, but there is nowhere safe anymore. How do we know Howe is not in Denerim this very minute spreading lies that will get me imprisoned or executed? I am the last surviving Cousland, what if going to Denerim will play right into Howes' plan? It's what he would expect me to do." the men exchanged surprised glances as if they hadn't considered that and they all shifted uncomfortably not knowing what to do.

"I release you all to go home to your families, Maker willing they will all be safe and happy to have you home. I am going to travel with Sister Lelianna and hopefully find out what happened to my brothers, I need to know." The Sergeant looked at me and sighed. He rode to one of the horses with supplies loaded on its back and brought it to me.

He was a beautiful Ferelden Forder with a coat that looked like liquid maple syrup and gentle brown eyes. He was strongly built as well. I couldn't help but compare him to Lady who was a Dalish All-Bred. Her coat was a dark brown the color of deep rich earth and creamy white. Where Ajax was beefy and muscular, Lady was more petite and agile.

"This is Ajax. He is strong, brave, and loyal and will stay by your side. He will love you forever if you give him pears, they are his favorite. He has your tent and supplies, we packed it separately in case you chose to travel without us." He explained stroking Ajax's head affectionately.

"I will take good care of him, don't worry. Once this is over I will bring him home to you." I could tell he had a strong bond with Ajax and it made me sad to separate them.

"Maker watch over you My Lady, I hope to see you back in Highever once this is all over with." He placed a gentle hand on my shoulder and squeezed it.

"Maker watch over us all." I said, smiling sadly. I watched them head towards the bridge to the Imperial Highway uncertain of what was in store for me.

Once they were out of sight I rode up the rise with Sundance, Zander, and Ajax following closely. Lelianna was waiting for me just as she promised but when she saw I was alone she frowned.

"Where are your men?" she asked, looking behind me.

"They do not trust the Wardens and said they did not wish to aid them. So I released them to go home." I explained.

"What? But now you are alone! What happens if the Wardens won't let you come with us?!" She was getting very upset so I cut her off.

"Then we better be really convincing.." I grinned. This stopped her rant and after taking a deep breath she chuckled.

"We must be very convincing indeed, my friend. Come, we should hurry so we can set up our tents while it is still light." With that she turned her horse and began our short ride to the Wardens camp.