Highever Holding Cells~

Aedan made his way down to the lower levels of the castle to the holding cells. Outside the cell block stood Sir Rory Gilmore. Aedan walked up to his old friend and nodded as Gilmore made a slight bow. Rumor that Gilmore would be recruited had been circulating for weeks, but Aedan knew that the Teyrn had invited a Gray Warden to assess Gilmore personally.

"Sir Gilmore? You are to be recruited by the Wardens. Standing guard for one prisoner can't be the best way to prepare for battling darkspawn."

Gilmore cracked a smile "My lord, this prisoner took down an entire squad of guards. Nine men are sporting proper shiners and busted lips thanks to this duelist. I am merely here to stop the men from taking revenge while she is locked up and unable to defend herself."

Aedan nodded at Gilmore's explanation

"One woman against nine men, and she still came out the better. She must be one hell of a fighter."

Sir Gilmore chuckled at the admiration in Aedan's voice, "Duelist, sir."

"Pardon?"

"Duelist." Sir Gilmore repeated, "She prefers to be called a duelist, she was quite adamant about not being called a rogue. When I heard that the men were so soundly defeated I made sure to personally guard the cell, and we spoke for a while. Her name is Claire, more than that she will not say. She calls herself a duelist. Whatever she maybe, she is a very capable woman. She seems to be completely unbothered by the fact that she is under arrest. She has a sense of decency, none of the guards were seriously injured other than a few scrapes and being knocked unconscious, and she treated their wounds afterwards. I heard that she had to wait for them to wake up so they could arrest her."

Aedan's eyebrows climbed higher and higher as Sir Gilmore described what had happened. Though there was one thing that was bothering him.

"Why did Claire attack them in the first place?" Aedan asked as he crossed his arms.

Gilmore's brow furrowed at this. "Ah, that is the one thing that makes no sense sir. The merchants say that one of the men approached her with unwanted advances and she defended herself. But if that was the case, why didn't she leave afterwards? Why wait to be arrested? I've asked her these same questions and received nothing but deflections."

"Hmm."

It's almost like she wants to be here, Aedan thought. What else would compel her to get arrested? She sounds like she is skilled enough to evade the guard. What could she want in Castle Cousland?

While Aedan was thinking Sir Gilmore gestured to a locked trunk which was next to him.

"These belong to her sir.

Aedan looked up at Sir Gilmore then back into the truck which Gilmore opened. Claire's rapier, a dagger of similar make, cloak, and other miscellaneous objects lay alongside her pack. Although Aedan glanced at her belongings, nothing belied her purpose or intent.

"I'll talk to her Sir Gilmore, let's see if I have better luck than you do."

Sir Gilmore nodded and opened the doors to the cellblock. Aedan walked in and Gilmore closed the door behind him. The cell block was essentially a long hallway, with cells on either side. Each one was a 5 foot wide by 5 foot deep square. A singular window at the end of the block let in light and air. It was too small for anyone but a child to climb out, but it was the one bright spot in the dim prison.

Claire was in the cell on the end of the left row. She was the only prisoner and was sitting with her ankles crossed in a ray of sunlight that came from the lonely window right into her cell. She had heard Aedan come in and watched the man as he walked down the row of cells. Aedan did his best to control his pace and school his facial expressions, but he could not help staring at the simply stunning woman before him. Leather leggings and close fitting leather under-armor revealed nothing, but left very little room for the imagination. A pretty face, beautiful eyes, blonde hair that was pulled to the side in a loose braid, and arms crossed under a generous pair of breasts made it incredibly difficult for him or any man to look away. While he was taking in her looks Claire was doing the same for him, though subtly and with less gawking.

Aedan was a handsome man himself. His noble's finery sat well on broad shoulders and hard muscles trained from years of heavy armor and horseback riding. A well cut face and chin, high cheekbones, and mane of black hair gave him a refined, yet still wild look. One that many female nobles would admire and many male nobles would seek to emulate.

Although Aedan took in her appearance in a second and quickly hid his emotions, Claire caught it, and they both knew it. She sat the way she did because she knew she looked stunning. Men tended to stare and in that instance they let their guard down. From the moment Aedan saw her, Claire was in control of the conversation. But Aedan wasn't one to back down from a difficult situation, particularly involving such a fascinating woman, he continued to walk down the row to stand outside of Claire's cell.

Before Aedean could open his mouth Claire spoke, "Well it seems I have a visitor. And what can I do for you my lord? Or would you prefer silence while you stare?"

Damn, I knew she caught me gawking.

Aedan said nothing for a moment, then replied, "My name is Aedan Cousland. I apologise for my earlier behavior, but I have never seen such a stunning beauty locked away in my cell. I suppose the more important questions are: May I have your name my lady? And what can I do for you?

Aedan added a slight bow and a smile at the end of his response.

"My name is Claire, and as for what you can do for me, I am feeling slightly hungry. Perhaps you might be a gentleman and procure a meal for a lady?"

I ask for her purpose and she asks for a meal? Gilmore was right, I'm not going to get any straight answers out of her.

"Of course, I believe that ameal is served once a day for such esteemed guests such as yourselves. An extravagant dinner of week old bread, cheese, and water.", Aedan smirked as a slim eyebrow on Claire's face twitched in mild irritation. "But I would like to propose an alternative. Have lunch with me. At the very least I can promise you bread that is only a day old."

Now it was Claire's turn to stare.

"Forgive me for saying so my lord, but why would you invite me? I did manage to fight my way through nine men, what reason do you have to share a meal with me?"

Got her. "Is it such a crime for a man to want to dine with a beautiful woman?"

"Then it is merely for the sake of my appearance while you eat that you wish for me to join you?"

Or maybe not. "No! Of course not! I find you a fascinating person and I would like the opportunity to get to know you better." Aedan flashed her a winning smile.

Claire was silent for a moment. Though she didn't want to admit it, she didn't like old foods and she wasn't immune to Aedan's charms. The man was easy on the eyes, and he had called her beautiful a number of times in only a few minutes. He was just buttering her up, but it still felt nice to hear it from another person.

"Alright. I accept. I'll have lunch with you. Will you join me in this cell? It is a little cramped in here for two of us." Claire smiled back at Aedan.

Damn she has a nice smile.

"I'll arrange something. I'll be right back."

Aedan gave Claire a short bow and exited the cell block. As he closed the door behind him Sir Gilmore turned to him with a curious expression.

"Well? Did she say anything?"

"More than she thinks she said, but less than we wanted. She is supremely confident, she doesn't feel like a prisoner. My guess is that she has found some way to escape and is biding her time. She likes good food, and enjoys flattery. Though the last part is hardly saying anything, most of us like good food and enjoy flattery."

"So you found out nothing then." sighed Sir Gilmore.

"Not nothing, I got her to have lunch with me. We will see what else I can learn from our mysterious duelist."

"Is that wise my lord?"

"I don't believe she is here to hurt us Gilmore.", said Aedan. "She left our guards alive and with minor injuries. She wants something from us. I just have to find out what."

Aedan left the cells and started towards the kitchens. On the way he ran into Nan and got an earful about his mabari, Skyler. Aedan had to kill the rats in the pantry to appease her. Afterwards he asked her to put together a basket of food for two. Nan gave him a funny look, but he ignored her. Aedan was eager to learn more about Claire. Their exchange earlier was short, and while he could easily say that she was a beautiful and intelligent woman, he had not gleaned much else.

However, everything seemed to get in the way of returning to the holding cells. Aedan met his mother on the way back to Claire. Eleanor Cousland spoke for a while with her son and convinced him to see his brother off and meet with the Arl Howe. When he met with his father and Arl Howe, he also met Duncan, Commander of the Ferelden Grey Wardens.

With so many people clamouring for his attention, it was a while before he was able to get away. By the time Aedan started back towards the cell block with a fresh basket of food that he convinced Nan to remake, it was sunset.

Late for a date? Hardly the best first impression.

Aedan mentally kicked himself as he approached the cell block. Stopping in front of the door to the hold he took a calming breath and opened the door slowly. As he peeked into the cells he could see Claire in nearly the same position that he left her. The only difference was a bowl that previously held her meal was already finished and placed in front of her.

Wincing Aedan walked up to the cell. Before he could say anything Claire spoke.

"So? Are most men in Ferelden like you my lord?

Tilting his head in confusion Aedan tried to understand what she meant.

"Like me?"

Claire met Aedan's blue eyes with her own. Disappointment was evident in her expression.

"You 'invite' me to lunch, but you disappear and I am served this slop for dinner. Is it a habit of Ferelden men to make empty promises?"

Aedan knew that he had messed up. He barely met this woman, but had already given the impression that he was unreliable.

Dammit.

"My deepest apologies my lady. Anything I can say would be an excuse for the inexcusable. I was held by other responsibilities around the keep. All I can say is sorry, it will not happen again." Aedan finished with a light bow.

Claire's lips twitched into a slight smirk. Again?

"You presume that I would agree to lunch again."

Laughing lightly Aedan pulled himself upright again. He placed the basket in front of her cell and sat down outside as well. With a flourish he pulled wine, fruits, a few pastries, and cheese from the basket. Silently complimenting himself on having Nan change the meal.

"I know that you've had your dinner, but I hope you're still in the mood for dessert?"

"What? No candles, no music, and a host who sits on the other side of a metal cage? This is indeed the height of romantic gestures." Claire's smirk earlier had bloomed into a full grin.

Aedan was grinning now too. "I seem to be making all the right mistakes here. But if you'll indulge me, I would still like to get to know you better."

The sudden admission seemed to throw Claire off a little. Her grin faltering into a line of contemplation. Aedan moved at his own pace, deftly ignoring statements that didn't fit in with his own narrative. But it never seemed rude, and it was always replaced by a compliment or outright flattery. In any case she still had time to kill before Howe arrived. With nothing better to do she sat up and crossed her legs, moving closer to the bars of her cell.

"Alright my lord. Let us talk then."

"Where are you from?", asked Aedan as he poured some wine.

Aedan obviously knew the answer, Claire's accent had given her away almost immediately. But it was only polite to start with the easy questions.

"Antiva of course. Can't you tell by my accent and tanned skin?.", replied Claire, sarcasm rolling off her in waves.

"Why are you here?"

"I heard of the legendary hospitality of the Ferelden justice system and simply had to experience it for myself." said Claire, now helping herself to some grapes that Aedan had brought along.

Aedan smiled indulgently, Claire was not telling him anything. But the more she talked the more convinced he was that she was from Orlais. Her manner of speech also said to him that she was highborn.

And now to ask a more personal question.

"Are your parents not opposed to you traveling alone and testing our justice system?

Claire's eyes flashed with some emotion that was gone so quickly that Aedan almost didn't catch it. She put down the wine and grapes. Suddenly more withdrawn and cold.

"They wouldn't have approved."

And there it is. Thought Aedan. 'They wouldn't have approved'? They don't know? Or maybe they are dead, and will never know. In any case that last question cost me any further truths from her. She won't want to talk to me after I called in some apparently bad memories.

Just as Aedan predicted Claire folded her arms and repositioned her body so that they were no longer face to face.

"I apologise for such a forward question my lady. I hope I haven't offended."

Claire looks up at Aedan. Her eyes less friendly than they were earlier.

"I think I've had enough company for the evening. Pleasant though it was."

Although Aedan had just barely sat down, he recognized a dismissal and he knew it was his own fault. He pushed too hard, too far, too fast, and put his foot up his own mouth.

"I understand. And for what it's worth. I am sorry. It was none of my business."

Aedan pushed himself off the ground. And made his way back towards the door.

"Please keep the basket as an apology."

Claire gave no indication that she had heard him. Her face turned away and thoughts clearly elsewhere.

Author's Notes:

SORRY! I plan to upload more chapters soon! This is a story that was backed up on my computer that I never got around to. I'm a very new author and it's nerve wracking to upload my work on the internet. Not to mention it's also much more difficult than I believed to keep a regular upload and writing schedule. I promise I will upload more. I always hated it when authors left stories hanging or unfinished. But I've seen behind the curtain now and I know it's difficult. But I will be trying my hardest to continue to write. Please comment if you have any thoughts about this story! I appreciate any feedback from all of you!