AN- Already I recieved a flame...yay! Again, if you're not interested in an Alistair/Cousland fic, then...don't read. It's in the summary. But, again, this is an A/U, so I'd rather recieve constructive criticism if any, rather than "This is just another boring Alistair/Cousland fic because everyone on FF does the same Alistair/Cousland" blah blah. So, if you like, go ahead and send me a review, if not, that's fine too...thank you!

Chapter 2

Bryce walked towards his horse, with Teagan, Eamon's younger brother, at his side, flanked by a few guards. "Bryce!" He heard from behind him.

His anguish boiled at Loghain's self proclamation of regency for his newly widowed daughter. He could hear her hastily approaching them, and he gathered his emotions, turning to her. "Yes, your majesty?" He asked, avoiding to grit his teeth.

Bryce had been seething since the Landsmeet. He never liked Anora, knowing she allowed her father to pull her strings. He had fought alongside Maric and Loghain to take back Ferelden, and restore it to what it was meant to be. Cailan had offered a proposal to Bryce's daughter, however Bryce and his wife had never believed in forcing their children into arranged marriages. He himself had married Eleanor out of his passionate love for the battle maiden he had met during the war to take back Ferelden. He was confident in his children and their decision making, but with the Kingdom suddenly threatening to fall apart, he had a sudden regret at not pressuring his daughter to be Queen, over Anora. The Queen had finally reached the Teyrn, and the men bowed their heads as she approached. "Please, accept my condolences over the loss of your son," Anora told him, as she placed her hand on his arm. "I understand he joined the Grey Wardens. My husband was excited to have seen him, and somewhat jealous of the fact that Fergus had the opportunity to join the Wardens."

The Teyrn swallowed harshly at the thought of the loss of his son, "Yes, well, we plan on holding a vigil in his memory," He then straightened, staring down at the woman, "As well as in the memory of your husband, your majesty." He then turned, walking away from her.

Teagan shook his head in disappointment at Anora and the fact that she had stood up for the man rumored to have abandoned the King in his dire need. The men mounted their horses, and began to ride off. "Where to now, my lord?" Teagan asked Bryce.

"We shall gather at Redcliffe. Afterwards we march to Highever and plan from there. We can call a meeting with a few nobles to discuss this situation." Bryce told the young Bann.

Highever Castle had seemed to be the only normal place in all of Ferelden that Fergus had laid eyes on since Ostagar. He knew he wouldn't be recognized, and wondered if his parents had received word of the battle yet. The blue laurel wreaths on the white Cousland flags had hung near the Castle gates as normal; and people had bustled through their duties as he and his companions rode their horses towards the gates. "Are you sure it's wise for you to go into the castle?" Morrigan asked, raising an eyebrow as they stopped just at the bridge leading to the Castle.

"I have to make sure my family is alright. I'm sure none of the servants will recognize me," Fergus winked at the mage, gesturing to his unshaven face.

In just the few weeks, Fergus had been battle worn; recruiting a crazy Orleasian Lay sister from Lothering who believes she was sent to him by the Maker, and a Qunari prisoner, who was sure to scare any citizen of Highever they will pass to get to the Castle. They had picked up a dwarven merchant along the way with his simple son, who insisted on following them out of safety in exchange for supplies. They reached the gates, seeing two guards walk towards them, one holding up his hand to stop them. "Hail." The guard greeted the travelers. "I apologize, but by order of the Teyrna, we are full of refugees within the city. You will have to camp just outside the limits."

"The Teyrna has returned?" Fergus asked, glad that the man had not recognized him, and his voice.

"Teryn and Teryna Cousland are still away, however their daughter, who has now been assumed in the position of Teyrna in the absence of her parents and brother, is present." The guard told him.

Fergus' heart leapt at the mention of his sister and parents so far being alive still, and that his sister was still here at the castle. He knew she would be more than willing to help him and his companions, and shelter them. He remembered how she begged to come along with him to join the honorable Grey Wardens; he'd hoped that her view had not been tainted at any rumors that now circulated around Ferelden. "I request to have an audience with the Teyrna." Fergus demanded.

The guard's eyes narrowed in suspicion, "And whom shall I say is asking?" He asked, his hand going to the hilt of his sword.

"We wish no bloodshed, my friend. We only ask to speak to the Teyrna for any possible help." Fergus stated.

"Please, allow them through. The Teyrna will see them." A woman stated, as she approached the gates.

Fergus didn't recognize the older, heavyset woman; but then again, he had been away from home for a long time. Perhaps his sister finally did hire a Lady in Waiting. The guard allowed the party to pass through the gates, as they dismounted their horses, and walked through. "Stable your horses for now," The woman instructed, as she waved over a few young men.

They each allowed the reins to their horses to be taken, while Bodahn and Sandal, the dwarves that followed, stayed behind with their carriage and ox that pulled them along. The party began to follow Fergus, as he took in the surroundings of the courtyard of the castle. It was almost as if the sorrowful news of the battle had not reached Highever, which was somewhat of a relief to Fergus. He was hopeful his sister had continued to believe he was alive, and also that his home was still normal to him. They reached the large doors to the throne room, and the woman turned, stopping them all. She eyed the group, "Leave your weapons." She told them.

Fergus and Alistair glanced at each other, their eyes questioning the woman. She stood her ground, not letting them pass until they did as they were instructed. Guards stood near the doors watching them. "This is ridiculous!" Morrigan sniped.

Fergus narrowed his eyes at the woman, wondering if she had recognized him. So far, she hadn't shown any sign of knowing who he was, and he'd rather kept it that way until he was able to see his sister. Reluctantly, Fergus turned to the party, "Alistair and I will go in. The rest of you, stay out here," He told them, as he removed his daggers.

Alistair removed his sword and shield, handing them to Leliana. "Are you sure?" The red head rogue asked Fergus, taking his daggers as well.

They began to step forward, but the woman stopped them, pointing to Alistair. "Just you," She told them.

Alistair looked at Fergus, his eyes widening in panic. "Go ahead, I'll be right out here. You know her," Fergus told him.

"What?" He asked his friend, and then turned to the woman, "Why me?"

"Just go." Fergus shoved his friend forward, "And don't say a word to anyone but her. She'll recognize you, trust me."

Alistair reluctantly followed the woman through the doors into the throne room. "What a dimwit." Morrigan shook her head as the doors closed, looking at Fergus who had leaned back against them.

"Why are you allowing him to go? Wouldn't it make more sense for you to go through?" Leliana asked.

Fergus leaned towards her, whispering, "If she knows I'm alive, and there's a bounty on our heads, what if she's not alone?"

"So, you send Alistair in just in case, right?" Leliana rose an eyebrow in question of their "leader's" decision.

Fergus shrugged, "I know she'll recognize Alistair, but no one else would. This is just a security precaution. Besides, we're right outside these doors in case anything were to go wrong."

Alistair stood in the middle of the throne room, waiting. The curtains had been drawn, with only the fire pit at the dais providing the light in the room. He crossed his arms across his chest, waiting. Finally, he heard a door open, and close up towards the balcony overlooking the throne room below. He looked up, seeing a figure walk into the light. He bowed his head, "Lady Cousland, it's a pleasure to see you." He said aloud.

Alistair looked up, trying to find a recognition on the woman he had spent a few years of his childhood with. The round figured woman stared at him; he couldn't picture her as Fergus' younger sister, but then again, he hadn't seen her in almost ten years. "Who are you, and what is your business here?" Her voice was low with suspicion.

He narrowed his eyes, "Why, my lady, we knew each other. I'm Alistair." He answered her.

"You must be mistaken, for Alistair Theirin and my brother had perished at the battle of Ostagar with the other Grey Wardens." She told him.

He squinted to focus on her face; she had no resemblance to Fergus. She had seemed to gain a considerable amount of weight in the years, and had a regal attitude towards him that differed from the carefree attitude that Fergus had described. He swallowed, "The years-" He took a deep breath, "The years have been kind to you."

"Thank you."

"My lady, my companions and I have come in seek of your aide. We have reason to believe that your family may also need protection from those who seek to take over the crown." Alistair told her.

She laughed, "Protection?" Her laugh died away as she narrowed her eyes, and Alistair felt an end of a blade to his back. "As you can see, I have no need for your protection. I have been charged to oversee Highever until my father and mother return. Now, if you'll excuse me." She then turned, walking out the door, ignoring Alistair's call for her to return so he could explain himself.

Alistair rolled his eyes, holding up his hands in defense, and to show his assailant he was unarmed. "Very manly of you to draw a weapon on an unarmed man," He said.

He then turned swiftly, out of the way of the blade, grabbing onto the fully armored guard's sword arm. The guard had pulled out another dagger, swinging at Alistair, as he dodged equally fast, trying to avoid being sliced. He let out a loud yell for help, as he fell backwards onto a table, dodging a stab from the guard.

Outside, Fergus had allowed Sten and Morrigan to see to Bodahn and Sandal while he and Leliana waited outside of the throne room. He heard Alistair's cry from inside, and cursed as he tried opening the doors. He glared at the guards, "Open the doors, now!" He screamed at them.

Alistair continued to dodge, but finally knocked a blade away from the guard, while the guard continued to go at him with the other. He kicked the guard back, and took the opportunity to slam the guard backwards into the wall. He held onto the guard's arms, attempting to slam the blade out of the guard's other hand. He noticed a candle votive hanging on the wall nearby, and forced the guard to slide towards it, slowly lowering the guard's hand towards the flame. After a few seconds of the guard's hand beginning to burn from the heat, the guard dropped the blade, but Alistair's eyes narrowed in confusion as he heard what sounded like a woman screaming from beneath the helm the guard wore. He let go of the guard's hand, and lifted the helm off; a woman with dark chestnut hair pulled back, growled at him, her hazel orbs flared with rage as she stared back at Alistair. He nearly backed away, but as the doors to the throne room burst open, she quickly took the opportunity and kneed him into the groin.

Leliana and Fergus burst through the doors in time to see Alistair holding her against the wall, and as she swiftly kneed him, he fell to the ground, holding himself in pain, looking up at her. "What the-" Fergus muttered at the sight.

The woman took a deep breath of relief, holding onto her hand trying to calm the pain from the burn she had almost suffered. "Hel-" Alistair tried to speak through the pain, "Hello, Kathryn."

She looked down at him in surprise that he knew who she was. "Kate?" She heard from the door.

"Fergus?"

"What is going on here?" Leliana finally asked.

Fergus lowered his sword, dropping it to the ground as he rushed to Kathryn, pulling her into a deep hug. "Fergus, I thought you were dead," She told him.

"Thanks for that," Alistair grumbled, as he finally stood up. He bent over, attempting to catch his breath. "That was low, even for you." Alistair growled at her.

Fergus turned to Leliana, "This is my sister, Kathryn."

AN - I give credit to the scene that made me think of writing the fic in this way, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. If you'd seen it, you'll know the scene I'm speaking of; for it's a "Dragon Age" version of it :) Thanks again! :)