Well, this is my longest chapter yet (compared to chapter fours shortness)! Read and review is you can, please! ^_^

It had been three years since I had begun my training. And, as it turned out, I was able to train with Nathaniel—he had been the squire Father had spoken of. I still remembered the day her arrived like it was yesterday.

I had just finished my training session of the day. It was late morning, almost mealtime. My hair was swept up in a high, tight bun and I was covered in dirt and sweat. I had heard the clopping of horse hooves behind me and turned to see a boy in leather armor sitting atop a gray horse and talking with Father. He had his helmet on so I hadn't recognized him, at first. I had stood and watched for a time before wandering over to investigate.

Father smiled as I approached. "Ah, pup. There you are. Come to meet the new squire, did you?" Father had asked.

I nodded my reply and wiped a loose strand of hair from my eyes.

"Meet me? Have you forgotten who I am already, Ely?" The boy chuckled as he removed his helmet. Nathaniel's long dark brown hair shone in the sun and his eyes glinted with amusement. He smiled at me and my heart started thumping like crazy again.

"Na-Nathaniel! You'll… be living at Castle Cousland?" I asked, fumbling with my words. Here was this nervous feeling again. My heart was racing, my palms were sweaty, and my stomach was in knots. Were my parents right? Did I have… a crush on Nathaniel?

Nathaniel got down from his horse. "Yep! Father wanted me to be trained by the best and I hear your trainer is the best so here I am," he said. His smile had lit my heart on fire.

I shook myself to bring myself back to the present. That nervous feeling around Nathaniel had eventually faded. My heart still raced when I saw him but I was no longer awkward speaking to him. I had finally admitted to myself that I was not sick. I liked Nathaniel. The way he laughed, the way his eyes would light up when he was excited about something, the way his muscles glistened in the sun when he was training, even the way he would growl when he was angry or frustrated. I liked everything about him but I still didn't really understand what that meant. Did I want to marry him someday? What did boys and girls do together? I knew that they kissed, and more, from the lewd comments I heard the boys in town say when they thought I wasn't near enough to hear. What I didn't understand was what the "more" was. It didn't matter though, I was certain Nathaniel would never be interested in a girl like me. The girls Fergus and the other boys were into were all… larger in the chest region and more feminine. Taller, too. In three years I hadn't even grown an inch.

Mother said I would probably be short like her mother was. Grandmother never grew past 5'0 and in her old age she hunched over and looked even shorter, a bit like a Dwarf. I prayed every night to the Maker to let me be taller than a Dwarf. She had been a nice woman, though; she and grandfather had been very much in love from what mother told me. They both died together, in their sleep, a month before I was born.

The waves crashed noisily against the rocks where I was sitting. I had taken my horse, Aska, to the coastline to cool my head. I had seen Nathaniel flirting with yet another commoner girl. Nathaniel flirted with every girl he met; he was known in town as being a ladies' man and doing more than just flirting with the young girls. Whatever the hell that meant. I didn't have any claim on him, but I couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Nathaniel probably just didn't have time for little eleven-year-old girls now that he was fourteen.

I pulled my boots off and dipped my toes in the cold water, letting the waves splash against my legs. I leaned back and let my long hair blow in the wind. I wanted to cut it off, but Mother had made me promise to keep it long. She said even warriors needed to attract men and a woman's pride was her hair. I hated my long hair. I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of the pounding waves and seagulls crying.

"I've been looking for you, Ely. Never thought I'd find you down by the sea," I heard a voice say. I sat up quickly and reached for my sword before realizing it was Nathaniel.

"Maker's breath! Nate, you scared me half to death; what are you doing out here?" I asked, releasing the hilt of my sword. He had recently begun to prefer going by Nate. I still called him Nathaniel a lot of the time but, sometimes, I'd use Nate like everyone else.

Nathaniel chuckled. The low sound seemed to glide against my skin like silk. "Looking for you, weren't you listening?"

"Hmph. Well, you found me! What do you want?" I asked, still grumpy from seeing him flirt with that girl.

He raised an eyebrow at my tone. "Well, if I'm not wanted here, maybe I should go?"

I sighed. If only he knew how much I wanted him here, not that me spilling my pathetic guts would help anything. "Sorry." I mumbled and shrugged my shoulders as I settled back down on the rocks.

Nathaniel sat down beside me and for a few minutes we just sat there in silence, watching the sea. I could hear the horses nearby, snorting loudly and munching on grass.

He turned his head slightly to look at me, a curious smile on his lips. "Aren't you going to ask why I was looking for you, Ely?" Nathaniel asked.

"Hmm? Oh! I suppose. Why were you looking for me, Nathaniel?" I asked, meeting his gray-colored eyes. His eyes reminded me of the sky after a storm; they were the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen.

He handed me a string of shells and small gems tied together on a leather strip. "I made this for you. I know Satinalia isn't for another week, but I thought I'd give you a present early," he said.

I turned the ornament over in my hands, admiring the shells and gems. It was beautiful and I could tell how much work had gone into this. The shells had been carefully pierced so a thong of leather could be laced throughout and the gems were bright purple amethyst and light blue topazes that glittered in the sun's light. At the bottom I noticed a large wooden bead. I brought it closer to my face so I could study the intricate carvings.

"I carved that bead myself. Do you like it?" Nathaniel asked, a slight tone of uncertainty in his voice.

"It's beautiful Nathaniel, thank you much!" I looked up at him, my eyes shining with happiness. I quickly tied it to my belt to prove I liked it.

He grinned suddenly; probably glad I liked his craftsmanship. "Good. Now I expect something equally as nice in return." He teased, his tone light. "Come on, we'd both better get back to the castle. Don't you have archery training today?"

I groaned loudly. I hated archery. My fingers would always fumble and I'd drop the stupid arrow. I'd spend most of archery practice swearing. I reluctantly got up and followed Nathaniel to where our horses were standing. Nathaniel grabbed the reins of my horse before suddenly grabbing my hand.

"Here, Lady Eilonwy, let me help you on your horse," he said with a lopsided a grin on his face. In my shock at his sudden change of behavior I let him help me mount Aska even though I was more than capable on my own. After I was seated he brought my hand to his lips. He pressed a soft kiss on my hand, looking into my eyes with a small grin on his face. Then he hopped on his own horse, a gray mare name Ryu, and galloped off.

My face felt hot and my heart fluttered strangely beneath my breast. What in the Maker's name was that all about? I tried hard to ignore it as I spurred Aska into a canter. I needed some space before catching up to Nathaniel; my face was still flushed and I didn't want him to see my blush.

When I reached the stables I let my mind wander as I wiped the sweat off Aska and put away her tack. I idly combed through her long black mane as my thoughts drifted towards archery. Father had told me it was essential I learn some type of long range attack. He seemed convinced it would be useful to me some day, despite Mother having told me just yesterday I was not allowed to join the King's Army. I knew she was only worried for my safety but it wasn't fair. It was my dream to someday join the King's Army and fight alongside the mighty King in battle. I wanted to serve Ferelden as a Cousland and bring more glory to our name and our country. Maybe if I proved myself to Mother she would change her mind.

I put on my bracers; lacing them tight on the back of my wrists so the hardened leather would protect the sensitive skin. I slipped on both my leather gloves and chestguard as well. I hated the chestguard. It was supposed to protect a woman's breasts but I didn't have any so why in the Maker's name was I forced to wear one? Mother assured me I'd grow in time but I didn't believe her. I was going to be stuck in a tiny body with no breasts for the rest of my life and no boy was ever going to find me attractive, of this I was sure.

I sighed heavily and walked out to the archery field. Dairren and Fergus were both already there practicing. Nathaniel was sitting nearby; lounging lazily in the grass. Nathaniel was a natural with a bow; he rarely missed a target even at his young age so he got away with sitting out when he wanted to.

I nocked the arrow and placed my index and middle fingers on the string and pulled the string back to my ear and released. The arrow landed a foot in front of me, in the ground. Shit.

I grabbed another arrow and nocked a second one. I pulled back again and dropped the arrow.

"Andraste's knickers!" I grumbled in frustration. I could hear Dairren and Fergus laughing nearby. Stupid boys.

"Put a sword in your hand and you turn into a fierce battle maiden, but the moment you grab a bow you turn back into the clumsy Ely I know." Nathaniel said as he came up to me.

I looked up at him, shading my eyes from the sun with my hand. "Are you just here to mock me, Nathaniel Howe, or help?"

He chuckled, that low, deep sound causing me to shiver slightly. "Here, I'll help." He grabbed the arrow I had dropped and scooted in close behind me, tucking his body snug against mine. I could feel the heat in my cheeks rising again as he put his right hand over mine and helped me grip the bow.

"Your hands are so tiny, Lady Eilonwy, so delicate," he mumbled into my hair. I felt so flustered I couldn't even think a response as he reached his other hand forward to nock the arrow in place. "Now, you have to keep your elbow straight. I've noticed you tilt your elbow skyward which is why the arrow never flies straight."

Nathaniel helped me to pull the bowstring back to my ear again; this time keeping my elbow aligned properly and the arrow in place. "Now, keep your eyes on the center of the target and aim behind it," he whispered, his breath tickling my ear slightly. We released the arrow together. It flew straight and hit the target almost in the center! I knew it was only because Nathaniel was helping me but I couldn't keep the grin off my face at having finally hit the target. I normally hit the ground or dropped my arrows entirely; this was my first time making it even near the target.

Nathaniel stepped back, releasing me, and grinned wide. "See, Ely? I knew you'd hit it, eventually."

I just nodded in reply, still feeling confused from our previous closeness. I reached for another arrow and tried again, this time on my own, while Nathaniel watched on; giving helpful tips as the hour went on. Eventually I was able to hit the target by myself, though nowhere near the center.

Nathaniel, Fergus, Dairren, and I all took lunch together out on the lawn. Dairren's sword fighting had improved since he came here but he still lost most of his fights. He was better than me with the bow but I had bested him with the sword and shield every time we fought.

"So, sister of mine, today we have our first practice bout together. I'll try not to hurt you, too much," Fergus said.

I rolled my eyes but before I could reply Dairren spoke up. "Yeah, try and take it easy on her Fergus. She is a girl, after all."

Nathaniel raised his brows before openly laughing. "Take it easy on her? Is that why you always lose to her, Dairren?" Dairren turned bright red at this and Fergus burst out laughing. "Besides, it's Ely who should take it easy on poor Fergus here. "

"What? Seriously, Nate? You think my sister could honestly beat me? I'm insulted, my friend," my brother replied haughtily.

"No way Eilonwy could beat Fergus, he's a beast on the field," Dairren interjected, having finally overcome his embarrassment.

"Oh?" Nathaniel winked at me. "I bet you a whole sovereign Ely will beat Fergus in their practice bout," Nathaniel proclaimed.

Fergus's eyes widened in shock. A whole sovereign? I felt the pressure low in my gut; now I had to win. I couldn't disappoint Nathaniel, not if he was going to bet so much money on me.

Darrian agreed to the bet and I could feel my stomach turning. Not the butterfly flutter I would feel with Nathaniel; more like a giant hard lump had settled in the pit of my stomach and was rolling around.

Nathaniel helped me with my practice armor and Dairren assisted Fergus. Nathaniel kept whispering encouraging things to me as we put on the chest plate, gauntlets, and other equipment but I barely heard him. I took a deep breath and stepped onto the field. I saw our instructor out of the corner of my eye standing close by to watch.

I took my stance and held my shield at the ready. We paced around each other in a slow, tight circle. Fergus lunged first, bringing his sword down in a swiping motion. I brought my shield up and blocked the blow easily while twisting slightly and ramming the hilt of my sword on the lower side of his helmet. Andraste's ass, if I wasn't so blasted short that blow would have hit the top of his head. Still, the blow seemed to dizzy him a bit because he stumbled as he took a step back.

I pressed my advantage and used my leg to kick out and make contact with his knee, bringing Fergus down to ground. I lifted my sword for the final blow but he ducked down and rolled out of the way of the blade at the last second.

He regained his footing and we squared off again. The bards try to romanticize sword fighting but it isn't pretty. It's dirty, hot, and damn hard. Sweat dripped down my face and stung my eyes; my muscles were tense with the effort of moving fluidly in heavy armor.

Fergus struck out in a lower blow this time with more success; it connected soundly with my left leg. I dropped to the ground, my leg howling in pain. He pressed harder, swinging his sword in controlled arcs. Even though I blocked them with my shield, I could feel the contact vibrate in my arm. If he kept up this assault I would lose the fight.

I moved my shield forward, letting his blade make contact with my shoulder, and slammed my shield into his midriff. I could tell my unconventional move had surprised him and took the opportunity to stand up and swing my sword in a swift movement towards his neck. The moment the blade made contact with his armor the fight was over. In a practice bout the winner was determined by whoever made a "killing" blow with their dulled blades; people were rarely seriously injured during training.

I heard Nathaniel cheering boisterously behind me. I barely had time to take my helmet off before he was there sweeping me up in a hug and spinning me around. I laughed and hugged him back; still exhilarated from the fight.

Dairren came over and begrudgingly gave Nathaniel a sovereign before glaring at Fergus and punching him in the shoulder. "You just cost me a sovereign, Cousland. Thanks for that."