Rana rushed out of the secret passage of her childhood home, Highever. Have just lost everything, her sister-in-law, nephew, childhood friends, nanny/cook, and finally father. She watched in horror as the stone door closed. She watched her mother, you bid her run to save herself and not look back, take down four loathsome creatures who worse than the darkspawn her father told her stories of, with 'The SeaWulf' her mother's trusted bow from her younger years, before she too struck in the heart by the fifth, a rogue, who snuck in behind her.
Her mind switched to autopilot when the realization of her best friend, protector, and wall just may have very well killed as well, Ser Roland Gilmore.
Death blanketed in and around the castle, it seemed to blot out everything: moon, stars, even the winds. The only sound heard was the barking of mabari, clanking metal, and screams of their victims.
"Wait." She growled through her teeth. With a wave of her hand, she halted the movements of her mabari, Cucumber, and Duncan, the Grey Warden who visited Highever to find recruits on behalf of the king.
She pulled her long blood red hair back in a tight bun; Cucumber steadied himself in the shadows, awaiting his mistress' next order. There was a guard and his dog with him, with subtle hand motions she signaled Cucumber to attack the man, in one swoop Rana slipped her dagger between the vertebrae of the beast's spine and deftly covering the mouth of the man before he made a sound when her furry friend crippled him at the knees. Pushing her dagger into his kidneys, with a twist and pull, she released him, dragging him into the shadows, leaving him slumped against the wall.
"Let us go before more show." She cleaned her blades before placing them back into their holsters. Duncan followed, and they began their two-week journey to Ostagar.
Once at Ostagar, the Commander and his charge arrived late in the afternoon. Freezing from the cold, filthy, and exhausted, Duncan carried Rana the rest of the way to the recruit camp. Marrus saw them approach and took Rana from Duncan's arms.
"She passed out when we saw the fires for the camp. Take her to the mages for healing. She has been through a lot." Duncan looked at the girl sleeping in the other warden's arms. Turning to Cucumber, Duncan looked at the dog that had been at his side the whole walk to camp.
"Your mistress will be fine. Come so I can alert the King, and find you something to eat." With a pitiful whine, Cucumber reluctantly followed behind Duncan, taking glances back over his shoulder.
Once food and hygiene satisfied both the mabari and Duncan, Duncan then met with King Cailan. "Your Majesty, I have brought back a recruit from Highever. I think she has a few words to say to you once she recovers." He bowed his head slightly as he led him to the Warden camp, with a single tent for the girl they had resting.
They entered the tent to find a mage doing one last sweep of the girl, checking to see if anything was amiss. They gave clear her to move slightly and bowed before leaving when the King and Duncan arrived to speak with her. Gently moving her legs over the edge of the cot as she went to stand, felt a wave of dizziness wash over her, Cailan quickly made it to her side, holding her elbow to steady her.
"Are you well, my lady?" He asked as he let her go when she was steady.
"Yes, I am my thanks." She swept her hair over her shoulder, looking at the man who kept her from falling. "Cailan?"
"Rana?" He gave the girl a long look. Through narrowed eyes, he looked into her sapphire eyes, and saw the girl he knew what seemed like ages ago.
Rana threw her arms around Cailan's neck, sobbing uncontrollably into his shoulder. The sobs were heart wrenching to hear but the understanding of the what took place in Highever weeks ago it was a time for the girl to mourn; she clung to him for dear life as she hyperventilated and was soon was heaving due to lack of air.
"They are gone, Your Majesty, as far as we know. I will leave you two." Duncan slipped out of the tent and headed to the Warden Camp on the other side of the encampment.
Cailan sat Rana down, rubbing her back as her sobs softened. He looked at the girl before him and fought with himself to question her whereabouts, opting that this was not the time or the place he took a moment to probe her carefully.
Cailan handed her a cup of water. "Rana, what happened exactly?"
"Mother, Father, Oren, Oriana, and Fergus are gone, murdered." She whispered as she stared into the cup of water while thumbing the sides, as the tears fell.
"Oh Rana…" He said, voice full of sorrow. He continued with what he hoped was a bit of good news. "Fergus is in the Kocari Wilds as we speak." He said, hoping to bring some solace to her pain.
She looked up at him. He was never the one for lying, but after all she has been through, she was far from being hopeful. "I must go to him then." She got up and Cailan pulled her back down.
"You are not going anywhere!" He snapped.
"Fergus is out there and I need to tell him what happened! His wife and son. Cailan, let me go to him!" Her face twisted into a combination of feelings. Cailan grabbed her into his arms and hugged her.
"You are not going anywhere. You are in no condition to go find anyone. As your friend, I will not see you hurt more by running off. I will send a messenger." He pushed her back slightly, lifted her chin, and placed a comforting kiss on her forehead.
"Please get some rest. I will set up a place for you in my tent. I wish to keep a close eye on you." He helped her to her cot. Satisfied she was comfortable, he lifted the flap before taking one last glance before he left.
"You have a habit of disappearing during important events. We will speak later." Cailan left.
Rana lay staring at the canvas of the tent, 'Important events?' Echoed for a moment before her thoughts trailed back to the matters at hand, muddling over whether to find Fergus, or do as her King says, she needed to see that he was alive and well for her own peace, to inform him of his family and their parents. "Why did this happen?" Rana cried herself into a tormented sleep.
Rana woke to find herself in a place that felt so very warm and inviting.
"Pup, come here…" her father called
The sun was bright and warm; it was a beautiful day. They were at the lake behind their home was wafting on the winds as she and her family were enjoying an outing. Rana came running through the flower field to where her parents stood, waving and inviting her to eat a lunch with them. She was laughing when Cucumber tripped her in the flower field, eyes closed from the blinding sun as it beat on her tanned face. A slight shadow blocked some of the sun's heat.
"Oren, is that you, silly boy? Come, give your auntie a hug." She reached up and pulled the little boy into a bear hug.
"Oren, you're all cold and wet… and sticky?" Rana sat up with the boy in her arms giggling and slowly opened her eyes, looking down at her beloved nephew.
Terror took her voice when her eyes cleared at the sight before her. In her arms was the cold limp body of her nephew, his lifeless eyes staring as the fog covered them with their death.
She looked around and everything was gone, blanketed by the crimson slick as the bodies of her family scattered around her from where she sat, all slain in pools of crimson life.
As it ebbed closer to her, the blood formed at her feet as the sound of a cackling laughter filled her ears, taking the form of a man, Rendon Howe, he had a murderous look in his eyes as he reached for her, blood dripping from his hand as he clamped down around her throat.
Cailan, with Loghain, ran to the screams coming from her tent. Cailan, returning shortly after seeing his Father-in-Law, knelt by her cot, shaking her.
"Rana, wake up!" He called as he shook her, her sapphire eyes flew open as she bolted upright, throwing a punch-landing square on Cailan's jaw, startling the two men in her tent.
She looked around wildly, gasping for air clutching at her throat. Rana dashed out of the tent, brushing past Loghain, to be free of her dream. She fell to her knees, gasping for air, clutching her chest to find breath. Rana crumpled as she cried again, her vision became blurry. As her mind kept picturing her butchered family, she lay on the cold ground in a ball sobbing.
Loghain came to her side and picked her up from the cold, hard ground, carrying her back to her tent.
Cailan lifted the flap, rubbing his jaw. "Loghain, I want her in my tent. I need to monitor her."
Loghain raised an eyebrow. "Do you not think you have enough issues, your Majesty?"
Ignoring the older man, he took Rana from his arms and carried her off into his tent.
"There… there, all will be well. You are safe." He laid her on his bed, covering her with several warm fur blankets, as he stroked her cheek.
Her sobs lessened as she let him comfort her. "Howe did it… W-why would h-he?" Rana's face twisted. "He killed a little boy!" she arched her body, as she wanted to scream and wretch. She slapped Cailan's hand away as she reached up to press the thoughts from her head in her hands.
Rana snapped she shrilled, trying to dispel the images from her mind to make them stop. She would not sleep or keep her eyes open without the thought vividly coming to the forefront.
Loghain rushed into the tent, followed closely by two guards. "Fetch a healer now!" Cailan shouted.
With another piercing scream, she twisted violently as if she were trying to shake free, as she continued to clutch her head with fistfuls of her hair.
"Offer your aid, do not stand there. Help me settle her!" On either side of her, they pried her fingers from her hair as they held her down.
The mage came in shortly after. Cailan was lying on her legs and Loghain pinned her arms down.
Loghain shot a nasty glance at the mage standing at the entrance, growling. "Put her to sleep, something!"
She was still thrashing about, trying to get them off her; she continued to scream as if she were being attacked like her dream again.
As soon as it had started, it stopped. Rana lay motionless. Not another sound was uttered as she slept. Loghain released her hands slowly, as to expect the worst. Cailan rose to his feet looking at her, her face red and splotchy, hair in severe disarray, and her hands still balled into fist.
The General looked at the King and waited for an answer. "Rendon Howe killed the Couslands." Cailan said finally as he continued to look down at the woman in his bed, covering her once again.
Loghain froze for the briefest of seconds. He knew Howe was in Highever to escort Bryce and Fergus to Ostagar, but to murder the Couslands? "We need to go over strategies." The older man looked at the young woman's face, leaving the tent back to his own.
Cailan moved strands of hair from her face, talking to her as she slept. "Where have you been these past years?" He kissed her forehead, then pressed his to hers, before leaving to find his nagging General.
~*\/*~
Two days and nights, Rana slept with the occasional groan. Her outburst visibly shook Cailan decided the best course of action would be to keep her safe in his arms. With the handful of Darkspawn that had been popping every so often, he constantly disturbed with reports. Cailan tended to her while she slept, feeding her, brushing her hair, and he even told her stories from when they were younger.
Cailan let out a slight chuckle as he smoothed the red-colored tendrils of hair. "Do you remember when Anora and you drug me into the cellars of the castle to play hero? We would of almost got caught if it hadn't been for Anora and that mabari of yours." He let out a lazy laugh. "Or the time when we went out…." His voice seemed to fade away as she listened to him.
Rana looked up to the canvas roof, remembering better times as Cailan spoke. She woke to one of their many adventures, even with Anora, occasionally. Then the quiet times when they all read on the days they did not feel like playing.
~*\/*~
It was during one of those times when they were much older she her fifteenth year and he his eighteenth, Anora had taken ill when Cailan and she figured they would go for a hunt.
It was the hot summer months, and the men were ready to go, Rana sighting that it was entirely too hot wore the lightest armor she had.
Her mother, Eleanor, wondered if she would be safe. "Rana, my darling, are you sure you are wearing enough?"
Rana sighed slightly, "Mother, you worry too much, besides it sweltering and we will be back well before dark."
She came down with two daggers on her right hip, a quiver of arrows on her left, and an elegantly carved bow in hand as she fastened it to her back. The men halted the conversation as she glided down the staircase. Cailan normally saw her as his best friend, only seeing her in dresses when she attended court, but today he could not take his eyes off her the way her form fit snuggly, the light leather clinging to her shapely body.
~*\/*~
They left with four others to track deer, a few of the trackers spotted a heard some was in a clearing, they split into four groups of two, Cailan and Rana in one, Teagan and Roland in another two other men, to flank the herd and strike as many as they could.
Cailan saw this as an opportunity to show his prowess as a man and win himself a kiss from the lady fair. They crept in a large circle as the deer ate; Rana saw a nearby tree and took an approach from the branches.
"Cailan, I will need a little hand to get up the tree, if you will be so kind." She couldn't of made it to the branch without causing too much of a disturbance, Cailan went to kneel to give her a leg to stand on and the scent of mint caught him unawares, he stopped and followed the scent to her hair, the heat from her body made the mint that much stronger.
Looking around, from behind the tree to where the others in their party were currently located, he noticed that none were looking, and the others were quite a distance away. Cailan leaned in a little closer and inhaled the wonderful sent in her hair. Rana, unaware of what was going on, became slightly annoyed because she did not want to lose the game.
"Cailan, are you going to help… or… not?" she trailed off when she saw him standing staring at her. He stepped closer and reached and moved a strand of hair that had gotten in her eyes.
"You are lovely, Rana." His heart raced. It seemed to get hotter out and as he tucked the hair behind her ear.
Rana felt slightly uncomfortable. Her heart and breath tried to outdo each other. It was hard to breathe even more so when his eyes locked on her lips.
He gazed from her face to her body, and settled on her lips, those lips he wanted to taste, and wondered who else had a drink. She was biting her lip and all the years he knew Rana; she did that when she was nervous.
"Stop biting your lip." He whispered as he moved closer, moving closer to claim her mouth.
She stopped and her lip slowly slipped from her teeth as she watched him move in closer. Then, suddenly, the sound of hooves thundered past them. Quickly regaining her composure, she took down six deer. Cailan fell flat on his back when she pushed him out of the way. He noticed Rana's rooted eyes wide with excitement; she notched her bow slowly as the squeal of a large boar was staring at the prone form of the Prince as he lay there.
Rana smirked as she shifted into the shadows. "Do not move unless you wish to be run through."
Cailan never did like to listen, scrambled out of the animal's path and Rana let the arrow fly, right past the Prince's ear and between the eyes of the animal. Frozen, he watched as the animal came skidding to a halt just a breath away from his arm.
"Did I not just warn you not to move?" she sighed, reaching her hand out to help him up.
Cailan laughed, "It was supposed to be I who saved you this day." He brushed himself off, pushing Rana back up against the large tree, and promptly tasted her lips.
The sudden realization of the man who was her friend, the Prince that would be King, Anora's betrothed, she pushed him away. Shaking her head no, she brushed past him to collect the arrows that fell from their query that was the night's dinner. Whistling to signal their position, she called over for Cailan's help to drag the catch in a pile.
~*\/*~
She let a smile play on her lips as she slowly sat up. "Our first kiss. I remember you taking me by surprise, and every time after when we were alone, that was all we allowed ourselves." She turned to face him with a slightly bigger grin.
Cailan moved to sit next to her on the bed, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her close. "Where did you go to these years?" Unable to hold it in, he missed her and the time they spent together.
She gently took his arms from around her and went to dress. "I spent a few years in Antiva. I had left shortly after your marriage to Anora." She walked behind the divider, putting her armor back on.
Cailan frowned slightly. His friend disappeared, and it was not after his marriage. "You left during the ceremony. Why?"
Rana stopped. She did not think he. remembered she cleared her throat; this was not the conversation she will have.
"I need to speak with the Grey Warden. I will move my things to my tent, if you will not mind." She grabbed her daggers and holstered them, making her way out of the tent.
Cailan grabbed her arm, pulling her around to face him. "Why did you leave? I needed you." He pulled her close and looked longingly into her eyes.
He saw she was biting her lip. 'Why is she nervous? We have been this close before?' He cupped her face, holding her around her waist; he leaned in to claim her lips again.
"King Cailan!" Loghain had entered just in time to stop history from repeating itself.
Rana wiggled from his grasp as she muttered her thank yous as she grabbed the cloak on her way out of the tent. Loghain and Cailan's voices fading in the distance as their arguing grew louder; she went in search of Duncan.
~*\/*~
Sometime later, she found the man, among several others, standing by a large fire pit. Seeing her approach, he knew it would be a matter of time before she was well enough to move around. He had heard about her distraught state and felt it best to let her seek him. "Ah, you are up and about everything is well." He greeted her with a slight smile and a nod. Some dispersed, going about their duty as instructed.
Rana returned the gesture with a nod of her own. "Yes, I am well. Thank you for asking. Oh, I did not know you were conversing, I apologize." Seeing that Duncan was speaking to a younger man, as she walked up who struck a slight resemblance to Cailan.
Duncan stepped to the side to introduce the two. "No bother, as we were just finishing up. Alistair, this is Lady Rana Cousland."
Rana nodded her head in the young man's direction, noticing he was keeping his eyes trained on her face, and tuning a slight shade of pink if his eyes fell elsewhere, she looked down and realized her cloak undone she quickly slipped it over her shoulder.
Alistair stammered slightly. "W-well met, my lady. Duncan, I am going to see to the other recruits." He bowed to Duncan and Rana, he walked a few feet away he took a chance looking at her once again remembering how long her leg were shaking his head quickly to remove the thoughts, he cleared his throat and knocking an elf down in the process of escape.
Laughter erupted from various spots around the camp; even Duncan let a chuckle escape his throat. Rana raised an eyebrow and continued to talk with Duncan.
They talked for a few hours and Duncan found she was more than willing to undergo the process to join the Warden Order. She, along with two other recruits, will head into the Kocari Wilds in search of fresh Darkspawn blood.
They would not be leaving for a few days, as other things needed arranging first. Cailan wrangled his way from Loghain's sights in search of Rana later in the evening. Once he found her, someone preoccupied her smile with something amusing they shared. Once Cailan sighted whom she was speaking with, he rid her of her companion.
Cailan walked up behind her and slipped his arm around her waist, a hand to her throat, tilting her head back to kiss her neck, rubbing her tight stomach. Alistair's eyes went wide as Cailan glared at him through her loose hair.
'Mine boy.' Alistair swore he could hear the King's thoughts. Alistair excused himself and left as quickly as possible.
Rana removed his hands and faced him. "Are you well, my King?" she questioned as she slowly took a step back from him.
"I am. Why are you running or are we playing that game again?" he stalked her slowly. Rana backed away, shaking her head.
"Cailan, no, this is not right, not anymore."
He paused for a moment. "What is that supposed to mean? I thought you enjoyed a good chase?"
"I do, and not from the King." She stopped moving, squaring her shoulders as she looked him in the eyes.
"Rana, what is the matter? Tell me, I promise I will be nothing but the gentleman." He raised his hands and placed them behind his back.
Rana looked at him for a long moment, walking a little way to a tall pillar, "Well, you are wedded, and it is to one of my close friends." She leaned against wondering if he was going to see reason.
Cailan pulled his chin in thought, thinking of a way to get what he wants, knowing that she would surely want the same thing. He could tell she started her habit. That was second nature.
He placed his hand back behind his back as he walked over to Rana. Placing a finger on her chin rubbed the line of her jaw and caressed her cheek with the backs of his fingers.
He moved a loose strand of hair from her eyes as she leaned into his touch. "This seems familiar." He chuckled lightly.
Rana nodded her agreement, "But instead of deer and a rampaging boar, we have Teyrn Loghain and the man you just ran off." She leaned in closer, whispering ever so lightly, "Who is still watching us." pointing to the movement of a shadow down the ruin path.
Cailan's head shot up to the direction Alistair took off in, seeing a small shadow behind a pillar to where he supposedly left shift slightly. Smirking towards the shadow, he turned his attention back to Rana.
Cailan pulled Rana closer, cupping her face once again. "Then let us give him something to watch."
Rana giggled. It was not like Cailan to be so bold and the thought amused her, but Cailan's lips soon smothered as that idea evaporated as soon as it formed. Hungrily pressed his lips against hers. Her mind reeled as he kissed her. It was tantalizing. The thought of them having an audience sent pleasant shivers to her core. Rana's kiss deepened when she felt his erection grinning into her hip.
This was a need Cailan desired: she was back in his arms again, she was Cailan's, and the boy that watched on was going to know that. Cailan opened her cloak far enough to show him, grabbing her behind in his large right hand, squeezing and massaging her buttocks.
Cailan pulled her undergarments down, catching what was going on as Rana protested, pushing the King back. "Cailan not here. We cannot do this. A kiss is one thing." She silenced once again as Cailan greedily attacked her neck.
He grunted against her sweet skin. "Face him, show him you are enjoying this." He helped her as he attacked the right side of her neck, causing her to turn and face Alistair. Cailan was enjoying this too much himself. His hardening erection throbbed in his trousers as he continued to extract the luscious sounds that escaped her lips. Lifting her by her thighs and pressing her back firmly against the pillar, he released himself from his cloth prison and found the treasure he had fantasized about and even tried to seek, even as he bedded his Queen of five years.
Alistair watched from the shadows as her legs wrapped tightly around the King's waist. He saw how Cailan made her look in his direction as they coupled. Alistair left, as her moaning was arousing him.
~*\/*~
Cailan kissed her hard to hush her pleasured, moaning. He did it also to quiet himself. She was tight and slick. Squeezing around his throbbing erection was maddening. Feeling himself close to the edge, he pulled himself away from her warmth, spilling himself at the base of the pillar.
Rana's knees wanted to buckle. Trying to catch her breath, she forced herself to stand upright and head for her tent. Cailan grabbed her arm after he pulled himself together.
"Where are you going?" he pulled her arm lightly.
She needed to get away from him; it was the reason she did not stay during his marriage to Anora. "To my tent, I… I cannot do this. I did it just now, but not again, never again!" Rana's voice broke as she jerked her arm from his grasp and went running to her tent.
Cailan was confused. He surely thought that this was what she had wanted as well. Looking back to see if their watcher was still present, not seeing movement, he left back on Rana's trail.
~*\/*~
Rana never told him how much she cared for him, what happened just a few moments ago she had been avoiding. 'A kiss is one thing you fool.' she thought as she made her way through camp.
Rana ran muttering apologies and dodging out of the many people's way as she headed for her tent. She needed to get away and if her tent provided just that amount of security, then so be it.
Alistair emerged from his tent. He stretched and saw Rana coming towards him. She hurried past him, making her way to her tent, as he watched her retreating form and, not seeing King Cailan around, he followed her.
~*\/*~
Rana had plopped in front of the hot rocks, teary-eyed, talking to herself, "Why did he have to do that?" she sighed, rubbing her face. "A kiss is one thing… now I am confused. I enjoyed it, but I cannot ever let him know that."
Just a few moments ago, she thought back. Rana slipped her graceful fingers down and around her breast, her stomach, then between her thighs. She was still very moist and slightly swollen; she tingled a bit still with the lasting linger of Cailan's machinations.
Hearing foot fall close to the entrance of her tent, she got up quickly to clean herself and wash her hands thoroughly. A tentative voice called.
"Rana, are you well?"
"Yes, you may enter." She called back.
Minute passed when the flap opened, revealing Warden Alistair. "Hi, I… umm… well…" he stammered and blushed so hard he was warming the tent.
"Alistair, I know you saw. I will not mention it, please put it far from your mind." Rana put her best comforting smile on ease his mind.
He blushed even harder and turned around. He just could not face her, but after the way she passed him, he had to know if she was well. With a clearing of his throat, the image in his mind was visiting once more. "I just came to see if you were alright, the way you brushed past me." He swallowed hard, then turning slowly to at least not give her his back to talk too. "Did the King hurt you?"
"No. Not rightly no, I am well, thank you for caring…" it surprised her he would care for a complete stranger; 'He does not even know me.' Rana walked over to the small liqueur table and offered him a seat near her cot. "Would you care for a drink?"
"Oh, I, umm, no alcohol for me, thank you. It makes me do the damnedest things." He took the seat she offered instead.
"Well, you wouldn't mind if I had a little then. I have a tea if you prefer?" She made the drink as they continued to talk. Noticing the small gifts, the King left her.
Rana handed him the cup of tea and herself a goblet of orange spice. As they chatted about the Grey Wardens, her intention of joining it was keeping her mind occupied instead of on the King. They laughed and really enjoy themselves when King Cailan came barging into her tent.
"You again?" Cailan scowled at Alistair.
Alistair jumped from his seat, dropping the cup on the ground. Rana got up and picked the cup up and placed it on the small table between her and Alistair, then turning her attention to the intruding king.
"Cailan, what is the matter with you? Alistair means no harm." She said, turning from the table.
Completely ignoring her complaint, "You want her? Is that why you chase her? Is that why I find you with her?"
Alistair was so nervous he could not speak. Cailan stepped closer to Alistair. Cailan was clearly a half foot taller than Alistair. He easily looked down at him. "Answer me. You watched us, so you should be able to answer. Do-you-want-her?" Cailan asked slower.
Alistair stood wide-eyed and gulped. "N-n-no m-my l-l-lord."
Rana moved between the two men. "Cailan, stop!" Cailan looked at her for a long moment, then turned his gaze back to Alistair. "Kiss him."
"What?" she thought she heard wrong.
Cailan stood with his arms folded. "I said kiss him, maybe then he will leave you alone…. Or is it possible he is hoping for another viewing?"
The heat from Alistair's body was heating Rana's back.
Cailan laughed hard. "I believe that is what he would like. Shall we oblige?" he unfolded his arms and started pulling Rana by the waist to him.
Rana swatted at Cailan's hands. She would very much like to feel the king inside of her again, but with present company, "Cailan, are you mad? This is inappropriate. Alistair, I apologize for this." When she turned to face Alistair, he did not budge. He looked like he would actually stay and watch.
Rana was stuck between laughing and running away, screaming. Cailan was nibbling on her neck as Alistair stood there, watching. She spoke between soft moans, "Alright, not here, your tent, Cailan. It has more room."
"Bit of a naughty streak, my dear?" Cailan removed his arms from her, making his way to his tent. Alistair followed shortly after, Rana watched as they departed her face felt hot and she got the feeling she was going to be in for a long night, she took another swing from her goblet before shifting into the shadows and heading to the king's tent herself.
~*\/*~
It was quiet and the night watches were the only ones making any sort of sound, next to the mabari, who barked occasionally.
Rana slipped through the night past Alistair and Cailan, quickly ducking into the king's tent. Removing her cloak, she ruffled her hair. Looking around briefly, she spied a bottle of her favorite drink and poured three glasses. Feeling a slight buzz and a little giggly, she removed her boots. She had a bit of mint tucked in her cloak and she slipped a piece between the hot rocks that were warming the tent.
Soon after, Cailan entered, followed by Alistair. They spotted Rana kneeling near the rocks. It smelled of mint as they came closer.
"Took you men long enough. I figured you two would not show." She grinned, walking over to the small table to retrieve her drink and handing each of the men one.
Alistair went to protest, but soon ignored by Rana's kiss to his cheek. Pressing the goblet into his hands. "You will enjoy it a little better, just a sip." She encouraged as she lifted her glass to her lips, making sure he mirrored her movements.
Satisfied that he took a drink, she placed her goblet back on the night table. She pulled a seat out for Alistair to sit comfortably, then turning her attentions to Cailan, who prepared the bed removing several pillows.
Rana tugged at Cailan's shift. "You and I need to have a long talk when all of this is over."
"Help me with my boots and get out of that armor." he said, giving her a quick kiss to the lips. Cailan sat on the end of the bed as Rana got down on her knees, forgetting how short her battle skirt was, giving Alistair a sight that would make the Maker blush.
Cailan, watching her, walked his eyes down her back to her hips. Hearing the rustling of armor, he saw Alistair looking in another direction. "Alistair, look at her. Do not pretend to be shy now. Take the armor off." Cailan nodded his head as he reached down and stroked Rana's lower back.
Rana sat on her heels. "Oh, leave him alone. It will take a little getting use too. He may not of seen a partly nude woman before."
Turning slightly to look at Alistair, even in the moderately lit light tent, he was glowing red. As he removed his armor, he had a bit of difficultly pulling the tie, then felt the armor weight ease from him. Cailan nodded then went and sat back on the bed pulling Rana by her hips, she kissed the top of his head, his fingers nimbly undid the fasting to the bottom of her armor, the king kissed her firm stomach, Between kisses to her navel, "Alistair, come remove her breastplate, and bindings." Cailan slid his hands up and down her long, shapely legs, humming his approval.
Alistair was in his woolen pants and shift finally. He walked over to the couple as Rana moved her hair out of the way. "Umm… there are no lacings in the back."
Rana retorted with soft giggles. "They are in the front, silly." Rana turned around and grabbed his hands, guiding them around her breast, gently allowing him to massage her full breast through the light covering to find the lacing. He looked so unsure of himself. She placed a hand on his cheek, and he seemed to settle some. "I do not bite, hard." She grinned.
Cailan, seeing this as a glorious opportunity, promptly bit her on her ass. "I do." He let out a throaty chuckle.
"Ouch you beast." Rana playfully pulled Cailan's long golden locks. Cailan grunted as he enjoyed her fingers in his hair.
Alistair clumsily undid the laces of her top, helping her out of it, and then tackled the breast band. She grabbed his hand yet again and put them on her waist, while she handled the strip of cloth covering her supple bosom.
As Cailan kneaded her round hips and ass, Alistair worked on her front with a little guidance. Rana let herself be lulled as both men rubbed her down. Cailan stopped briefly as he kissed her left hip as he got up to remove his leggings and underclothes.
Rana watched Alistair through heavy lids. Her head rolled back as she was enjoying the sensation; she ran her long elegant fingers through his short-cropped hair, pulling him to her neck. He nervously licked his lips, then slowly kissed and nip lightly; she began emitting her approval with giggles and mewling.
Cailan took his position back behind Rana and nip and licked the left side of her neck, resuming his fondling of her behind. "Such full hips would grant me strong sons." He whispered into her ear.
He rubbed his hardened penis on her behind as he let his fingers wander to her womanhood. Upon his play with her over sensitive area, she gasped sharply as his fingers entered her. Alistair, thinking it was he, stopped nibbling her neck.
Rana looked at him seductively. "It wasn't you." Then she looked down as Alistair's eyes followed and saw Cailan's hand was rubbing her center.
Cailan pulled her onto his lap. "Sit down and watch." Alistair did as he was told, the bulge in his leggings a dead giveaway that they thoroughly aroused him. Cailan place her legs over his knees, spreading her wide allowing the boy a full view of what he was doing, he then slipped his fingers between her folds and rubbed lightly before sliding them into her, she wriggled as her head thrown back moaning in euphoric rhythms. Alistair removed his erection from the tight confines to stroke himself as he watched the woman before him.
Cailan massaged her breast with the other hand, making her alluring sounds intensify.
Rana could not help but press against his member. Her breathing labored. "Cailan, enter me… please."
The king happily obliged, lifting her by the waist then placing his stiff member inside her tense center. Cailan grunted his pleasure as she sat on him, covering him completely. Cailan leaned back, holding onto her hips, guiding her as he slid further into her.
She watched Alistair stroke himself faster as she was being filled. She moved her hand to her folds and rubbed her swollen bud. Alistair could not turn away. He was on the verged of spilling his seed. Rana bit down on her lower lip. It was pure ecstasy. Never had she been so aroused.
Cailan felt her muscles quiver as he extracted himself from her and laid her down. Climbing over the top of her to her left, he called Alistair over. Suckling her breast, his fingers finding her slick once more. "My beautiful Rana. You are naughty."
Striping the remaining clothing he had on climbed in the large bed with them. Tenderly, he touched her stomach, trailing his way to cup her breast.
"Rana, face me, so Alistair may take you." Cailan pulled her shoulder lightly, his lips finding her once more. As Alistair pushed her hips, allowing her back and shoulder to face him.
Alistair looked at her curved hip and rubbed his hand along her soft skin, kissing her shoulder lightly. "I have never done this before." His breathing ragged fanning over her smoothing skin, his erection throbbing in need of release a second time.
Cailan nodded his agreement. "I know. Worry not. She will guide you." He kissed Rana as he massaged her breast.
Rana raised her leg, arching her back, feeling Alistair's heat moving even closer to her, reached to guide Alistair in. Once he slipped in, she moaned as a new sensation overcame her. Cailan was nipping her hard rose pink points and Alistair stroked her insides. Once he was in well enough Rana to hold of Cailan's erection and stroked him, the king and Rana continued to kiss as Alistair caressed her womanhood from behind.
Ragged breathing from them all as their touches, kisses, licks sent new pleasures discovered.
"Do not seed her. She is to have my child." Cailan warned him, Alistair pulled before doing just that and spilling himself over her lovely hip that trickled onto her behind.
Cailan pulled her over to lay her on her back, settling between her thighs her once again; it was not long before Cailan filled her deep with his seed.
~*\/*~
They lay in a heap of tangled limbs as both men continued to stroke her soft skin; Rana was slowly succumbing to sleep when Cailan disturbed the quiet.
"Rana, I have always loved you. There is something I must tell you." He waited until her sapphire eyes settled into his. "The man I allowed you to take is my brother. You will have no other but he or I."
Rana turned her head to the man lying behind her. As she looked between the both of them, realization struck. Facing king Cailan, her friend and now lover. She nodded slowly, then is dawned on her. "What about Anora? If you indeed sired a child with me, what then?"
Cailan kissed her deeply for a moment. "If anything should happen to me, tell her the truth. Make sure he takes the throne." He moved his hand to her stomach. "Raise the child together. I give my consent. I will draw up papers in the morning." Kissing her once more, he was erect once again. Their waves had not disturbed Alistair as he slept.
When the King filled her once more, Rana felt Alistair nuzzle up to the back of her neck, a protective arm around her waist and Cailan to her breast as they slept soundly, holding each other.
~*\/*~
Hours later, she awoke with the two men holding her still. While they slept, she wondered about the possibilities of her new, possibly developed situation. 'I will need to tell him I want to become a Grey Warden, but if I am in fact with child.' She figured it would be best to abandon the thought currently and focus on entering the Kocari Wilds. Eventually, Rana slipped back off to sleep.
~*\/*~
Cailan woke a few hours later. He carefully climbed from the bed and roused Alistair. Once the younger man awakened, and both dressed, they took a walk, leaving Rana in a peaceful sleep.
Cailan, with Alistair in tow, stopped on the bridge leading to the tower of Ishal. Alistair looked onto the horizon to the black cloud that loomed over the Wilds.
"Alistair, I wish you to take care of her and the child within her." Cailan said ominously.
Alistair turned towards the king, studying his expression and trying to find the meaning within the king's statement, "Pardon me, your majesty…" he could not speak further when Cailan laid a hand to his shoulder.
"I know who you are. I have known for years. For reasons I cannot explain, I ask this of you. I need you to watch over them." Cailan looked into his younger brother's eyes with such sincerity, it forced Alistair to nod in agreement. "Good, I will have papers drawn for the both of you, you are to raise the child as your own. I also give you permission to wed." Cailan removed his hand and looked at the approaching black blanket covering the skies.
'I will always love you, my Anora. I shall miss your lovely face.' Cailan thought sadly. He turned, facing Alistair with a forced smile. "I also need something else from you, but you will have to let Rana guide you when the time comes."
Alistair, obviously confused by the sudden shift in the King's mood, did well to listen. "If I may, how do you know me?" Breaking Cailan from his thoughts.
Cailan turned with a warm smile. "You are my brother, and not by the woman we shared, by blood." He smirked. "I believe I have done well to keep you somewhat comfortable without raising suspicions?" He chuckled.
Alistair lowered his head, closing his eyes to the realization that he has a brother who has acknowledged him. "So, why are you telling me all of this?"
Sobering, as he looked back out over the vast horizon. "Because I could not live with myself if I did not properly introduce myself, and you will get to have Rana and the child…" his voice trailed off.
Alistair frowned slightly. He did not want to seem ungrateful, as he had many questions without answers. "But if Lady Cousland is your woman, then why am I to marry her? Do not think me ungrateful."
Cailan chuckled lightly once more. "Worry not about that now. Just know that is what I am asking. As your King you must obey." He laughed harder, pulling a befuddled Alistair in a half hug back to camp.
~*\/*~
Rana woke a while later to find both men gone. She cleaned her body from last night's engagement, brushed her hair through, pulling it into a tight bun, dressed and headed to find a mage. Shortly after Rana left, Cailan entered the tent to see that it was empty, with a smile, not entirely worried that she was absent he figured it is as good a time as any to go over strategies with Loghain, seeking the older man out he headed to the General's tent.
Rana wandered a few, stopping to get something to eat before seeing to the healer. She ran into Alistair, who was heading to the cook as well. "Alistair, how are you this morn?" she smiled brightly with a nod of her head.
"I am confused." His talk with Cailan made the young man worry. He was getting the feeling something was going on and he could not, for the life of him, put his finger on it. Alistair explained what transpired between himself and the King while she slept.
Eating their meal of eggs, crispy ham, and porridge, Rana explained what her plan was. If she is indeed pregnant, she was trying to insure the safety of the child. "Yes, he said something similar last night; I would not have a problem fulfilling the request." She leaned in closer to his ear. "You were very filling." Rana purred in his ear. Watching Alistair blush, she continued on. "I could see if there is a herbalist in the magi camp that could make something. Then speak with Duncan about my joining the Wardens."
Nodding his agreement, Alistair and Rana continued chatting shortly, parting ways until later. Rana found the magi camp and quickly sought the healer. "Hello ma'am, I was wondering if… perchance…" she was fumbling over her words.
The older woman looked her over and smiled to herself. She waited for the young lady to gather her thoughts and continue on.
Rana chewed her lower lip and decided that the best way to handle the situation would be to come right out and say it. "I need a protection potion and I was wondering if you would know if they could make any?" Rana said in a slighted rush.
The elder nodded her head and noticed that the girl was rubbing her lower stomach. "Worry not, young lady. I will see what I can do." She gave a knowing smile and walked off to the encampment, past the hulking templars.
Rana, forgetting her manners, stopped just in front of the two men. "My name is Rana." she called after the older woman."
The silver-haired mage turned around nodding with a pleasant smile, "Wynne." she turned and headed to her tent.
Rana trotted off to find Cailan and finish the rest of her day's plan. Tomorrow, she, Alistair, and a few other recruits were to head into the Kocari Wilds.
~*\/*~
Many months passed since Ostagar, and again, so much death. They survived the horrors, Alistair and she, and amassed an army. They traveled far and wide gathering, hunting, helping and befriending, last stop Denerim the Landsmeet.
Death clings to this woman like a well-worn cloak. It had followed her from her home in Highever, and it will keep following her until she stops it. Howe is here. She saw the slimy bastard stride up with all his fancy titles pouring from his mouth. It made her sick, Loghain stepped in front of her murderous glances at Howe and quietly apologized for the rage she felt, as he then turned his attentions to Arl Eamon the Landsmeet will begin in a few days, which should give her plenty of time to hunt the weasel dung-heap down.
Pure satisfaction as she bore down on the man that slue her loved ones. She straddled his chest as he laid there. He looked up at her, defiant as ever.
"Any last words, bitch?" Rana snarled with the Highever sword firmly at his throat.
With a snarl of his own, "You should have been my pet. I deserve more."
As the last word left his lips, she sliced his neck, letting the life force flow from his deep wound and the life drain out of his eyes. She saw the forms of her family in the blood pool then fade as her vision blurred. Leliana, with Alistair, helped her up and out of the dungeon; Cucumber and Cumin relived themselves over the cooling corpse of Rendon Howe.
Upon returning to the upper floors to release Anora and safely make their way to Eamon's estate, another hindrance presented itself as Cauthrien and forty heavily armed guards. Alistair stepped forward between Rana and the Lieutenant.
"Alistair, no." Rana whispered behind him, "Get Anora out of here, now."
"Rana, I am not leaving you." He turned his head, never letting his eyes leave the guards and Cauthrien.
Rana placed a hand on his arm and walked around him. "Leave, you have something to do other than protect me."
She nodded to the armor clad Anora and stepped further into the main hall of the Denerim estate. He watched with a pain in his chest as they clasped the irons on her delicate wrist and led out of the hall into Maker knows what.
~*\/*~
Rana, a simple young noble, joined the ranks of the Grey Warden's two years ago–they destroyed her home, her family murdered, except for her older brother Fergus. She has taken the steps to ensure the Blight will end.
Alistair at her side, Cailan in her heart. She stands high over Denerim face to face with the ultimate evil.
There is fighting all around, but she must remain focused. Rana runs through the Darkspawn, leaping out of the way of the bodies as they fall to the ground. Seeing the beast distracted, she finds her chance. She runs up along the spine of the hulking beast heading for its neck, with light footwork she races, it's just a matter of time, she shoves both blades into the soft flesh twist them and pulls them out tearing the membrane, nerves, and damaging the soft tissues of the Archdemon's once beautiful neck.
Rana runs back the way she came, she stops in the middle of its thrashing back unsheathes her father's sword and in one quick motion paralyzed the dragon abomination, pushing the sword between the vertebrate severing the spinal cord she releases the sword from its back and runs back down to solid ground.
The beast falls with a mighty ground-shaking thud; they watch as blood spewed from the wounds. It was slow; it has lost so much black blood it was coating the roof from where it lay. She handed her sword to the nearest man, threatening him to lose it. She came around to the face of it; Rana takes a dagger and gouges out its eye then taking the family long-sword from the guard, rose it high above her head and shoved it through its skull with a sick crack with all her might, the sword was logged in the stone from the force.
Column of light soon encases her, she passes out.
~*\/*~
"My love, how is our boy?" Cailan welcomes her warmly, giving her a desired hug.
She smiles into his chest, "He is well, we are well." She looked up at his face and he smiling at her.
Rana raises a hand to his face, "I have missed you so. I did as you asked. Alistair is King, and he has been the best Father ever."
Cailan kissed her fiercely. Reluctantly, he pulls away and puts a hand on her stomach. "You are going to have another." He kissed her softly on the forehead.
Holding his hand that rested on her stomach, looked off into the distance, smiling brightly with tears in her eyes. She looked up at Cailan once more and smiled back.
"Now if you are to have his, you need to leave here. I came to retrieve you. I told you before you are mine and my brothers, you need to go to him. He needs you. Our son needs you." He kissed her again. He laid her down in the soft grasses under the warm sun. They lay, him stroking her cheek as she slipped off to sleep with him, telling her how much he loved her.
~*\/*~
Rana woke to with him stroking her cheek, still murmuring with worry, apologizing that he didn't protect her better, wishing she would just wake up and reprimand him for worrying so.
"Mmmm." Alistair called to her a few times; she shifted slightly, "Where…. Am…." Her voice was weak and mouth parched.
"In the castle, are you alright love?" He took her hand and gave it a slight squeeze; he gently sat her up and reached for the water nearest the table by the bed. Lifting the goblet to her lips, Rana took a sip, letting the water rehydrate her dry mouth.
"I am well enough. How is Duncan?" She took a mouthful of water and sipped.
"Worrying as much as I, he has been trying to get in here since he had returned from the Brecilian Forest." Alistair flashed his lopsided grin, sighing to himself.
Finished with her water, she put back on the night table and slid out of the bed. Alistair helped her out of the bed and led her to the nursery where their little Duncan waited.
The door opened, and sitting near the fireplace were Wynne, Leliana, and Duncan. His reddish blonde hair glowing near the firelight, he turned to see her standing next to his daddy, "MOMMY!" the little boy cried as he got up and ran to her awaiting arms.
"Baby, mommy missed you. Did you have fun with the Halla?" she squatted down until she sat on the floor hugging the toddler tightly.
Alistair helped the both of them off the floor. Rana kissed the boy's soft curls, "I need to see Anora." Rana sighed as she looked into her son's big steel-blue eyes.
"Very well. She is in her room, guarded, of course. You are not taking Duncan are you?" he questioned, knowing it was a silly thing to do.
With a nod, Rana thanked her friends for watching the little boy. With him safely in her arms, the three made their way to Anora's quarters.
The guard standing post saluted and stepped aside to allow the King and his family through. Anora was sitting by the window when they walked in. "Anora, I missed you." Rana smiled shyly as she approached the former Queen.
Anora turned and gave her a weak smile in return, it was plain to see her heart broken and she looked utterly defeated, but when she gazed to the child, resting in Rana's arms she slowly stood with her lips pressed into a thin line. She was doing her best to not tear let them flow, which soon gave way when Rana handed him to her.
"Yes, I told Cailan that I would tell you the truth. I loved him as well. His name is Duncan." Rana nodded her head to her baby boy.
Anora tilted her head looking at the little chubby cheek boy in her arms, "He is beautiful, I am sorry as well you have given Cailan something I could not. I also appreciate you sparing my father's life." Anora went and sat with the boy by the window.
"I will let you two get to know each other." Rana smiled at the two of them as Anora and Duncan looked out of the window.
Alistair sent the guard in to watch her. Alone in the hall, Alistair hugged Rana so tightly he was afraid that if he let go, she would disappear.
"Alistair, I have something to tell you." She nuzzled into his neck as her cheeks warmed.
Stroking her back, happy she was just standing, rested his cheek atop her head. "What is it, my love?" Smiling as he listened to her sweet voice.
Wrapping her arms about his waist tighter, she was trying hard not to grin but could not help herself. "Duncan is going to be a big brother."
"Duncan is going to be a big brother." Alistair repeated, still smiling to himself as he continued to stroke her back.
Then Alistair slowed his petting and raised his head, frowning slightly, re-repeating what just came out of his mouth, "Duncan is going… to…" his eyes widened and as he grasped Rana's shoulders staring into her eyes. "Duncan is going to be a big brother?"
With Rana chewing on her lower lip nodding bashfully, tears formed in the man's eyes as he hugged her, swaying her back and forth.
~*Fin*~