9:27 Haring/December 14th

It was the night that Oriana and Fergus decided to go out. I can see why Fergus loves her so much. They are a true pair. Oren was playing with his wooden blocks in the library with me. I recited the books while he was near and Aldous was tutoring a few squires that were picked out for the knights. It was a very quiet night and I relished it.

"I am telling you the early winter has made the people irritable. We must increase the guard rotations." Eren told a familiar red headed knight. Gilmore was right behind him as they strolled into the library. Oren came up to Eren and hugged his leg. Eren lightly patted his head and moved away.

"We only have so much men milord. If we add more shifts, they'll be sleeping where they are standing." Gilmore retorted.

"Yes but when we have several thieving incidents because of a food shortage then it is only a matter of time before they will escalate. Ser Gilmore, go to the guard and tell them to add rotations. I will try to convince my father to raise the food rations for the people." Eren grabbed a book from a shelf and started to leaf through it.

"Milord if you do that, then there will not be enough food for the people in the castle! Surely there could be another way." Gilmore argued. It was fascinating watching them talk about something serious. Eren looked like a leader.

"There isn't much we can do Gilmore. The harbor has ice floating in its water. It would be too risky to send out more ships for fishing and the men can die of frostbite. The most we can do now is give out the food rations and see if we can persuade a few ranchers to kill off their livestock to salt it and sell it." Eren took a few more books, patted Oren's head, and headed out again. Aldous sighed, letting the squires go for the day.

"Are things really as bad as they seem?" I wondered.

"The early winter means that the harvest was cut short and many of the vegetables died off before being picked. That means less grain, less bread, less food. The food rations can only last for so long." Aldous explained while sitting on my table.

"But why was Eren talking about the guard?" I asked.

"He is the Captain of the Guard." Aldous nodded. My eyebrows shot up. "Eren is the second born which means that he will not inherit the title as that will belong to Fergus but that does not mean he cannot go without learning about the kingdom. Out of all the things that he grew up with, he showed tenacity for protecting and serving. For that, his father wanted him to take over the guard but my lord instead opted to work hard for that position. He earned it himself. Unfortunately…" Aldous groaned. My eyebrows furrowed.

"Unfortunately…?" I wondered.

"It only during hard times such as these that his hard work personality has shown but recently he has…slacked off. He would abuse his position if only for the women. There have been various instances where he would disguise himself and drink. Eren has become problematic but the fact is he does enjoy his position and thinks about the citizens. There comes a time when he must realize that he cannot be selfish but that is not that time yet." Aldous explained. "Oh I am sorry. It seems this old fool does not seem to realize that he is ranting to a young woman." He chuckled.

"No, it's ok. I don't mind listening. I actually want to learn more about the Cousland family." I said. Aldous lit up and I felt that sinking stomach feeling. Oren came by and sat on my lap, playing with his toys.

"Well since you are so interested in learning…the Couslands have been around for many, many generations. Truthfully this lands was first owned by the Howes but when their head of household was murdered by his wife, the lands fell into the Couslands around the Towers age…" Aldous started.

I smiled politely and heard it all. It was interesting but Aldous really needs to work on his delivery. Oren fell asleep at the first ten minutes. My butt fell asleep as I sat for hours.

9:27 Haring/December 20th

Eren has been gone for almost a week at Denerim. From what I heard from the other servants, he was trying to gain more guards around Highever to help the place. I kept up my duties and Oriana gave me an early day off. I spent it in the library, reading all the history that they had there. Most of it was, of course, about Ferelden and how the country got started. There were a few Antivan history books and well as, ahem, romance novels.

I tended to keep away from those…most of the time. I have to say the cheesy romance novels are kinda fun. I had a close seat to the roaring fireplace. Aldous was placing away a few books away and there were a few guards spending some of their break time here. I leaned back and did a few back stretches and Aldous came to put down the key.

"It's time for this old man's bed time." Aldous chuckled. "I trust you'll put away your books once you're done?"

"Yes Aldous." I nodded. He gave me a small bow before leaving. After putting more logs in the fire, I put down the book, stretched my arms across the table, and moaned slightly. The warmth was penetrating my bones and it felt so good. I nearly fell asleep before I heard the thumps of heavy boots on the floor. I looked up. It was Eren. He gave me a glare. I looked away before gathering my books to put them away. I didn't want to stay anywhere near him. As I neared the bookshelves, I noticed that Eren follow me and crossed his arms.

Alarm bells suddenly rang in my head when I thought about the situation. We were completely alone in the library. He was in armor and I was in my usual maid clothes. I felt that strong urge of panic and fear in my stomach but I put on a brave front.

"Is there something I can help you with?" I asked politely, keeping a small smile on my face to not look threatening.

"Do you truly understand the severity of your actions?" Eren asked me in a low voice. I furrowed my brows.

"My actions?" I wondered. Eren stepped closer and I was trying to look at exits within my peripheral vision. Unfortunately he literally backed me into a corner.

"I do not believe in something that is too good to be true." Eren casually tapped on the bookshelves while glaring at me. "You gained the trust of my family by saving a boy you didn't know of. Or, perhaps, you did know of his heritage. That is how you came into our castle." Eren stepped closer.

"Is there anything that you're leading to?" I asked. I still had a small knife hidden in my apron just in case. If I did attack him, I'd be put away for life. It was a risk I had to take in case he turned physical.

"You came here to sabotage my family. I know how you Antivan's are. Living alongside those Crows would turn any good woman into their spies." Eren towered over me. I felt the rage bubble in my stomach.

"Are you serious?" I breathed out.

"I track everyone that gets close to my family. Someone like you would do anything to cause my family harm. After all, what would an Antivan and an elf do together than try everything to gain power?" Eren scoffed.

"Did you do something to Rael?" I asked in a low voice, my hands clenching into fists.

"That elf had no information to give me no matter how…persuasive I was." Eren shook his head, giving me an evil smirk. Before I knew it, all I saw was red and my fist landing on Eren's face. He staggered as blood ran down from his nose to his chin. He gave me the best surprised face but I couldn't relish it. I was too angry.

"I only saved him because I saw a child in danger! I would have done it for any other children as well! You think I saved Oren because he was a noble and I wanted to hurt your family!? Tough shit! I only did what any mother would have done at that moment! Rael saved me when I had to run from a sinking ship that was on fire! I would have died without him! So what if he's an elf!? He's more human than any of you, you pompous prick!" I shouted. "How dare you think I only came here on the sole reason to hurt any of you!? You really think I want to be here!? I want to go home to my family instead of being here surrounded by strange people in a strange land! If I had an opportunity to get away, I would have taken it! So don't you dare assume that I'm only here to scrounge for information to people I don't give two shits about!" I panted, small tears threatening to fall. Eren wiped away the blood from his face. I stood straight and tall. I would never allow him to see weakness. Eren gave me one last glare before turning and leaving.

After I heard the library's door closed, I collapsed on the floor and sobbed. I was so angry and worried. What did he do to Rael? Did he hurt him bad? Then I felt slightly betrayed. How could he think that I would come here just for that? That I would hurt them? That I would hurt Oren? That I would use him? I punched the floor a few times until my knuckles bled. After all the rage left, I felt empty. I leaned against the bookshelf, focusing on breathing.

I hated this. I didn't want to be here but I was forced here. I wiped my hands with my apron and wiped my tears. I took some water and doused the fireplace. It became dark and I relished the shadows. Alone I could remember my family and think about them. Alone I could pray for them and everyone else. I took the key from the table and locked up the library. I put the key in a small vase near the door where Aldous would hide it.

I wandered to my room and locked it away. It was mechanical how I would undress and go under my covers. All my emotions were drained and I felt an extreme fatigue. All I wanted was to sleep and hope that I would wake up in the same bed as my husband with the warm smile of my son and daughter.

9:27 Haring/December 21st

Instead of having a nice dreamless sleep, I woke up in the fade. I groaned. I really didn't want to be here right now. I got up and I was dressed in my usual clothes from my home. I was laying on the road right outside my house. There were no cars, no electricity poles, and nothing modern besides the houses.

"Well, this is really creepy. It reminds me of those apocalyptic movies where there's only one survivor." I mumbled. I sat on the road. I didn't want to go anywhere at this point. I noticed a few bright figures though. I rubbed my eyes but they weren't playing tricks on me. They faded in and out, looking like people but not really.

"Strange." I got up and headed toward those lights but the closer I got, the more they disappeared. I wondered if these were the people that were dreaming right now. I've always had a knack for remembering my dreams. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the spirit that resembled a Halo. It was hesitant seeing me and I could tell that it was looking around for a hiding place. I rolled my eyes and walked around my neighborhood.

I sighed, kicking a few stray pebbles. They made no sound. I saw the eerie sky and the floating islands and, in the center, a great island that seemed to grow darker the more I stared at it. The Black City. Was it the throne of God as they thought it was? Or something that was connected to Fen'Harel?

I continued on until my neighborhood started to get slightly weird. There were floating pieces of dirt and trees, a few houses that were built at an angle, and various items that were floating in the air. The fade was a weird place. I sat on a stone fence and sighed. The spirit that was shaped as a halo was near me to make sure I didn't get into trouble.

"I don't get it. What's wrong with being helpful? I swear, is it that hard to find good people in this world that you suspect everyone?" I scoffed and crossed my arms, my heels tapping on the stone wall. "Stupid Eren, at least I gave him a good punch before I'm fired for good." I sighed.

'Help.' I heard a small voice said. I looked around and the spirit that looked like a halo gave me a confused look. It shrugged it shoulders. I looked around before I saw a small spirit that almost looked like a child near me. 'Help others.'

"Yes. I guess you understand right? I like to help others in a reasonable manner at least." I chuckled. The small spirit nodded.

'Compassion.' The spirit bowed.

"My name is Nia." I introduced myself. "I sometimes forget that we have nice spirits like you." I sighed. After I imagined it smiling, I woke up. I wrote down everything and made myself ready for getting fired.

It never happened.

The day went by like all the others days were I helped Oriana with her day, appointments, letters, and business. Though when I helped Oriana at the dinner table, I saw Eren come in with a noticeable bruise on his face. He glared at me before taking his seat. Bryce laughed at him.

"Well, pup, did you offend the wrong lady?" Bryce chuckled.

"Bryce." Eleanor warned.

"I misjudged her. It won't happen again." Eren mumbled, sitting down roughly. Fergus came in shortly after and laughed at him as well. Oriana excused me and I was left eating alone in my own room wondering why Eren didn't tell everyone I punched him. I wasn't sure if it was because I damaged his pride or because of other reasons.

There was one thing for sure: I had to keep a careful eye on Eren. He seemed to be a big playboy with no regards to his family but he really does care for them and his city. He can be scary when he wants to be but I won't let that stop me from doing what I need to do. As big as a prick that he is, I still need to save him.

Woo! I added another fade adventure! As you can see I've played up a few of Eren's straight that I only touched upon but never really focused on. Eren is a natural leader and I felt like I wasn't able to explore that part of him.

Shout out to Kasanra, Buggy300, Dr. Dragon, Monstertrainer, and Simlicity for favoriting/following! Please Review!