Chapter 4 = =The Bann's Daughter = = 9:28

AN Later in the chapter is NSFW

When the 18-year-old Alistair met Bann McCarty's 19-year-old daughter, Eleanora, she had recently returned home after her first year at the University of Orlais. Alistair was staying at the McCarty's estate for the summer to help the Bann establish a stable of Ferelden Forders. Alistair brought Star Dancer, which Teagan had gifted to Bann Vernon, to serve as the stud horse for the new stables.

"You're sure you have everything you need, Son?"

Alistair grinned. "Clothes, check. Armor, wearing it. What am I missing? Oh right." Alistair snapped his fingers. "Star Dancer and his tack."

Teagan chuckled and mussed Alistair's hair. "Okay, I get it. I'm being a bit of a hen."

"Really, I do have everything, but if I forget something, I'll take care of it."

"I know you will."

"Da, thank you again for letting me do this. I'm really looking forward to helping Bann Vernon establish his riding stable."

"I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you, too Da." Alistair swung into the saddle. "See you at the end of the summer!"

Teagan watched Alistair go. Maker's sake, he's 18 summers. Where has the time gone?

~oOOo~

Bann Vernon McCarty was a tall, thickset man, with greying hair, a neatly trimmed goatee, and a broad smile. I've always liked Bann Vernon. He has a great sense of humor and is one of the better Banns in southern Ferelden. Alistair had dismounted and watched the Bann limping towards him. Maker's breath, who is the woman next to him? She's stunning.

"Alistair, welcome! My wife is visiting with her sister and should return tomorrow; this is my daughter. Eleanora, please meet Bann Teagan's son, Alistair, soon to be Ser Alistair."

"Good to see you, again Bann Vernon! Pleased to meet you, My Lady." Why is my throat suddenly dry?

"Oh, you can just call me Nora." She giggled.

Her father doesn't look too happy with that idea. "Well, then it is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Nora."

Nora rolled her eyes.

"Bann Vernon, I hope your knee is healing?"

"My knee is coming along well. How is your father?"

"Busy, but well. I need to settle-in Star Dancer and meet with the grooms. Later, if you are amenable, we can discuss your plans for the stable?"

"Perfect! We can talk over dinner. Eleonora, could you show Alistair to the stables, please?"

"Certainly, Father. my lord, please follow me."

She has very, very nice hips…the way they sway…

"Alistair, I've been learning dressage at University and it has piqued my interest in learning more about horses. Could I tag along this afternoon?"

Alistair startled briefly, blushing furiously. "Oh…Of course, Lady Nora."

"Please, it's just Nora."

Alistair rubbed the back of his neck. "Ah, your father didn't look too happy with that idea."

"Oh poo. Then call me Nora when we're alone."

I doubt the Bann wants me to be alone with you either. "Okay, only when we're alone."

~oOOo~

30 Bloomingtide,
9:28 Dragon

Father,

I have had always enjoyed working with horses, but the experience of teaching others is new and I have to admit to feeling a certain sense of pride as I watch the grooms' confidence increase. They overcame their fear of the large Forders and have begun to find the same joy I do in working them.

Star Dancer has settled in well. It's clear that he both knows and loves that he is the only stallion and I doubt he will have any trouble covering both of Bann Vernon's mares.

Bann Vernon and his wife send their regards, as does his daughter Eleanora.

Write again soon,

Alistair

~oOOo~

Two-month later...

"Al, where did you find this hair clip? It's so pretty, and it's my favorite color! Can you put it in my hair?" Eleanora playing the coquette grinned at Alistair as he fastened the beaded clip into her black hair.

He then took her hand and kissed it. "It looks beautiful. But you make everything look beautiful, Nora."

"I bet you say that to all the women."

"Nope – only those with black hair, chocolate brown eyes who are named Eleanora."

She put her arms around Alistair's neck. "Well, then I am very lucky to match that rather specific description." She leaned in and kissed him.

Alistair walked her back a foot until she was leaning against the large beech tree. Their horses were drinking from the stream as they took a break from their ride.

The kiss quickly became heated. "Al please, I want you. Lay with me?"

Alistair drew back. "No, Nora. As much as I want to…and I really want to, I don't want our first time together to be a quick tumble against a tree."

"Oh poo," Nora said. "Okay, I get it. You're doing the whole gentleman thing, but Al, you are too yummy by half."

Alistair smirked. "Yummy, is it? Am I something you want to eat?"

Nora looked up at him and grinned. "Oh yes, very much so." She knelt in front of Alistair and unlaced his trousers. "Let me show you how much."

Alistair placed his hand on hers. "Nora, what are you doing?

"What do you think?"

Violently blushing when he realized what she was planning. "Oh! Ah, you don't have to do this."

"But I want to do it. Now, move your hand, silly."

Soon, Alistair felt her mouth hot and soft around him. He looked down and met her eyes as she looked up at him. "Maker, Nora that feels so…unh… amazing…!"

As they rode back to the house, whenever Alistair looked at Nora, she smiled knowingly. "I cannot thank you enough for the hair clip, Al."

"I think you thanked me plenty, Nora."

~oOOo~

Summer was coming to an end when Nora suggested a special picnic lunch.

Alistair looked at the Bann's daughter suspiciously. They were going out for a picnic – just the two of them. "So where are we going, Nora?"

"Oh, just a place I found where the horses can graze, where there is water, soft grass, and the remains of an old stone wall so no one can see us."

"Oh? What do you not want people to see, my lady?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

The ride had been pleasant and relatively short.

"Al, you take care of the horses and I'll set up our picnic."

He kissed her hand. "As my lady wishes." What is she up to?

The horses have room to move and graze and there is fresh water. Perfect. Now let see what Nora is…holy Andraste!

Nora had set up the blanket and their lunch, and next to it was another blanket on which Nora lay, wearing nothing save a smile. "Now you know what I didn't want people to see."

Keep cool Alistair. "You wanted to have a picnic lunch in the nude?"

"Well…I didn't plan on being the only one naked." She stood and took Alistair's hand to lead him back to the blanket. "Please, Al. I said I love you, you said you love me. We have all day so it isn't a quick tumble and we aren't against a tree."

Maker, I can't think straight. All I see is the woman I love who has beautiful soft skin, that I want to touch…and lick…and…I have no idea what I am doing. "Well far be it from me to spoil a lady's well-made plans."

Nora beamed and began to undress Alistair. Once he was in his smalls he sat down and pull Nora down with him. "You know that I've never done this before?"

"So, you've told me. Kiss me, Alistair."

"How can I refuse?" He pulled her into his arms and began to kiss her, she opened to him her tongue teasing his deepening their kiss.

She nibbled his earlobe. He began to kiss her neck. He felt quiver and sigh.

Nora took his hand and brought it to her breast.

Alistair understood and began to caress it, his palm traveled over he nipple and he felt it harden beneath his hand. He played with the pebbled point and then brought his hand to the other breast.

"Lick them, Al, I want to feel your mouth on them."

I know the basics, but none of the nuances. So, I'll just do everything slowly, regardless of how hard and ready I already am. His hands and mouth caressed her skin, from her breasts, over her abdomen, and down her legs. He could see and hear the effect his ministrations were having on her as she arched, writhed and moaned, especially as he kissed his way up her long firm legs, to the inside of her thighs to her hot center that was hidden behind black curls.

It's as if I've found some kind of treasure, I wonder what she tastes like.

He gently licked at her center finding a nubbin of skin that became swollen when he flicked it with his tongue. Nora moaned and thrust her hips and placed her hand in his hair guiding his mouth.

She whimpered and started to pant, then she could barely speak, "Al-is-tair don't stop…I'm so close." Suddenly she cried out and her thighs clamped down on his head; he could feel her juices flow over his tongue.

Looking up he said, "You taste wonderful."

"I need you inside me, please Al." She reached out and guided his very hard member to her core.

Alistair said, "I know this might hur…"

She cut him off with a searing kiss as he slowly entered her.

Barely able to control himself, he slowly started to move, but Nora urged him on with her hips, making him move faster and deeper, making her moan and writhe underneath him. Alistair was close when Nora said, "harder." After that all he heard were his cries and hers as he felt his release.

They were lying next to each other, catching their breath, then Alistair rolled onto his side. "Are you sure I didn't hurt you? I…I know the first time can hurt a woman."

Nora didn't look directly at him. She said, "You didn't hurt me at all… I guess you're…a natural."

~oOOo~

Teagan wrote in his journal after Alistair came home.

23 Solace, 9:28 Dragon

Alistair wants to ask Eleanora McCarty to marry him. I have to say I'm surprised. As I recall, Vernon sent Eleonora to Orlais after she carried on with two of Bryland's Knights. One of the knights challenged the other to a duel and was promptly released from Bryland's service.

Perhaps her year in Orlais helped her grow up.

I suggested to Alistair that he write to Vernon and ask for Eleanora's hand.

~oOOo~

Vernon wrote back

August 1st 9:29 Dragon
Bann Teagan Guerrin
Rainesfere

Dear Teagan,

After I received Alistair's letter I spoke with my daughter. Apparently, she failed to tell him why she went to Orlais. I had hoped she had been sincere in her feelings for Alistair. However, she admitted that she is involved with someone in Orlais. My sources tell me it is Bryland's former Knight.

I am ashamed of my daughter's behavior, and for the hurt, it may cause your son. Alistair is an honorable man and if circumstances were different I would have been proud to have him as my son-in-law.

Given this situation, I would understand if you want me to return Star Dancer.

Yours in service,

Bann Vernon McCarty

Teagan called Alistair to his study after reading Vernon's letter. Maker, I hope this does not embitter Alistair. "Son, I received this letter from Bann McCarty. It would seem that Lady Eleanora wasn't entirely truthful with you."

Alistair read the letter. The muscles in his jaw tightened. He handed the note back to his father and said, "Da, this isn't Vernon's fault, it's mine. Please don't ask him to return Star Dancer."

"If you don't want me to, then I will not ask."

"Should I write to Bann Vernon?"

"No, Son. I'll write to him. Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not right now. I was heading to the stable take Biscuit on another training ride. Is that alright?"

"Of course! Whatever you need."

"Thanks, Da."

Alistair spent the next three days working with the horses. On the fourth day he Alistair came to Teagan. "Da, can we talk?"

This must be about Eleanora. "Of course. Do you want to go to the tavern?"

"How about we talk here and then go to the Tavern?"

Sitting in his father's study, Alistair looked up at the ceiling, then to Teagan. "I've been going over everything. I should have realized that she wasn't as innocent as she led on, but it never occurred to me to doubt what I was feeling. Every time I thought about her, every time I was with her, it was like I couldn't breathe. I felt like my head was going to explode and I couldn't think straight.

"Clearly though if I really loved her I would be more upset than I am. I am hurt that she lied to me but I think I was lying to myself. Da, what is love supposed to feel like?"

"Well, feeling like your head is going to explode and not thinking straight can still happen, but it won't be the only thing you feel. You should also feel a sense of…rightness; for want of a better word, the person feels like home."

"Is it my fault that you haven't married, yet?"

Teagan looked surprised. "Why do you think my not being married would be your fault?"

Alistair looked down at his feet, then at Teagan.

I can see it in his eyes. "What did Isolde say?"

"That no woman of quality would marry you with a bastard child under your roof."

Teagan swallowed his anger at his sister-in-law and gently said, "Alistair, if a woman does not want to be with me because of you, then she isn't a woman of quality."

"I know I shouldn't listen to Arlessa Isolde, but she makes it..."

"Hard not to hear her?"

Alistair nodded, then chuckled. "How about that pint?"