{{a/n-wow! It's been literally a month! I sincerely apologize to everyone, I didn't mean for it to take so long to get the next chapter up! But it's been a busy month for me, and it was my youngest's birthday yesterday! So today I woke up early just to finish this and get it up! And here we go! thanks to Clarafount for your review, the PMs in my mailbox and to the followers on and off the grid ^_^}}
Avery shut the door to the main hall and turned her face to the sunlight, slightly less agitated than she was with Howe, more-so than when she woke up this morning, completely uninterested in the Grey Warden at the castle, and now charged with the task to find Fergus and relay the message. She clasped her hands behind her head and casually made her way down and around the path. After tonight, she'd get to run Castle Highever all on her own, 'Finally! A little fun!' she thought, then she stopped momentarily and wondered what her mother would be doing during this time, she made a mental note to find her and ask before the day was over. She made her way toward the back to the estate, to Fergus's room, lost in thought, when she quite literally walked into Ser Gilmore, who was quite relieved to see her.
"My Lady, your mother asked that I find you right away, but I knew the Teyrn was wanting to speak with you earlier today, have you seen your father yet?"
Avery cocked her head to the side, "I don't see how that's any business of yours, ser knight."
He could tell she was still a little bitter from this morning, and probably from sparring too, he meant to take it easy on her, but she always knew how to unnerve him, work him up, especially today. He steadied his breath and took a step into her, "Avery..."
She stepped back and crossed her arms. He put up his hands in defeat, he never knew what to do right in these situations, even after all these years. "Okay fine." He shifted in his armor. "I only came to tell you that your hound is in the larder again and Nan's threatening to skin the helpers, the hound and leave, though I don't know in which order. I tried my best to get him, but anyone who isn't his mistress risks having an arm bitten off." He started to walk away. "Your mother requested your presence in the kitchen to help diffuse the situation." He rounded the corner and left.
The young rogue smiled proudly to herself as she followed Gilmore down the path. If ever there was anyone who could make Gilmore seem more a childish boy and less a knight, it was Avery, and damn if she didn't want to play this childish game forever, just to make him miserable, like she was. She glimpsed up the left path as she walked toward the Atrium and saw her mother talking with a few people and... was that Dairren? Her mother did mention something of Lady Landra, but all she could remember of the noble was the spring salon and how she was awfully drunk and talking of marriage. Her son was handsome and polite enough for the both of them as he and her lady-in-waiting basically poured the lush into her carriage at the night's end. She waved a greeting and apology as she heard yelling an ran toward the kitchen.
She entered to find the servants cowering in the corner, and Gilmore waiting by the panty door, arms crossed and frowning. She looked around and was just about to ask where Nan was when a loud and hard -thwap!- cracked her shoulder.
"Your bloody mongrel keeps getting into the larder! That beast should be put down!" She was beating Avery with a spatula. "If I can't get into the larder..."
Avery laughed and bowed in defeat. "He's not a mongrel Nan!"
"Avery..!" Nan threatened her with a raised spatula once more.
"Okay okay Nan! I'll get him."
"You have GOT to be kidding me."
"Nope! It'll be so much fun Addy!"
"Right up until I get made tranquil for sneaking into the templar quarters Anders!" She hit his upper arm and he laughed in return.
Addison was trying to process just what exactly her insane friend was asking of her, while Anders just grinned widely.
"Think about it! It's just what you need to help get your mind off today and it'll be an adventure of your own!" His grin growing impossibly bigger.
She stood and threw a cushion at him, he certainly had valid points, if it weren't the fourth floor they were talking about, and the fact that she knew he was plotting something more mischievous, somehow. She knew this probably wouldn't well but couldn't help mulling it over. Anders laughed when he noticed her scrunchy thinking face, which Addison quickly tried to hide but failed. She was intrigued enough, she'd do it, he thought proudly.
She sat back down and sighed. Make knew the only adventures she enjoyed nowadays were the ones she lived vicariously through the stories she read. She looked up at Anders, who was now standing and watching her with bright eyes and the same enormous grin.
"Hypothetically speaking," she saw his eyes light up even more, "HYPOTHETICALLY Anders! How would we even get up there?"
As if right on cue their third friend stumbled over the staircase with a surprising -clank clack- of metal and fabric, that actually made a few eyes wander the bookcases before going back to their studies.
"Dear Maker Jowan!" Addison yelped as Anders went to help their clumsy friend.
"Well first off, no we, just you Addy dear, and... this." He spun around with the decorative templar suit they used more for arts and theater, and the most self-satisfied look on his face.
"You cannot be serious."
The boys looked at each other and nodded in unison.
XxXXXOooOxXXoOOoxXXXxX
How in all of Thedas did they talk her into this? She wondered as she not-quite-silently-but-not-quite-loudly shuffled her way up, around, and to the next flight of guarded stairs. She was positive she was fooling no one, but surprisingly, not one person gave her a second glance. Huh, they must really be in a hurry, or just plain unobservant, she thought as the two templars came into view. She stiffened and held her breath, here came the true test. She stopped in front of the templars, still holding the air in her lungs. They stopped their conversation only to nod and shift to the side. allowing her passage before going back to what they were discussing.
Addison stood in disbelief. Surely this silly little costume they used as a prop didn't fool them. The metal was thin enough to bend with the pressure of a pinky, and sounded nothing like the heavy stuff they wear, not to mention she didn't even have a shield, or sword...
"Uh..are you okay?"
She jumped at the voice, nodded and ran up the stairs. "Yeah, thanks," she huffed in as manly a voice as she could muster, though she didn't know why. The two shrugged and turned their backs to her.
Maybe she could get away with this, she reassured herself as she quickly crossed the Great Hall, unnoticed by anyone as they themselves were busy preparing for the evening and dinnertime. She stopped just in front of the fourth floor door, perhaps to allow herself one final chance to back out. She wasn't one for breaking rules, she liked order, routine, definitely not much for getting into trouble. But sometimes she just couldn't say 'no' to a good plot-line or adventure to write in life, though she did tend to stay away from life threatening things, and this, proved solitary confinement at best, and that'd be fun with her books...right? She chuckled to herself, got to love that Cousland humor.
She quickly looked around and headed toward the right. How Anders had even gotten this information was beyond her, and, the more she thought about it - she chuckled to herself - probably best not to ask for details. She walked with her head held high, as inside she began to wilt with worry, what if it wasn't there? What if the room was full of templars? She shook her head, Anders said only two bunked here, and one, Douglas, was currently escorting some senior mages to Denerim. Whatever- or whoever- Ander's source was had better be right she whispered to herself as she neared the first door on the left. She pushed on the slightly ajar door and peaked her head in, only one person, and they were sleeping. Source-1 Addy-0 she smiled at the thought and quietly toed over to the vanity. She open the drawer and saw her prize. There sat 3 bottles of Sun Blonde Vint -1, apparently someone's father was a great collector of sorts and sent these on his son's 21st birthday. She grabbed one, closed the vanity and went to exit the room. She turned the bottle around to read the label and tripped over the boots in the middle of the floor she forgot were there. Her breath caught as the bottle fell, but remained intact, eliciting a sigh of relief from her as well, thought she silently cursed when she heard a man's voice.
"Ugh..What was that?"
She reached for the bottle and stood, just as the naked, save for small clothed, man threw his legs over the side and rose out of bed.
Ohh...my... She softly moaned into her free hand as the man stretched and turned to face her. His ever so softly bronzed body was everything and nothing like she'd daydream about. From his muscular arms, slightly bigger than she'd thought they'd be, to his perfectly sculpted abs, probably from all the armor and such, and the oh so soft inviting trail of fuzz from his chest to his... MAKER were those cloths slung low. She gripped the bottle closer but couldn't take her eyes off of him.
He pointed to her chest, "Douglas will have a fit you know."
"I-I'm sorry..." she started in her normal voice.
The lack of masculinity to her voice made one eyebrow raise before they both jumped and he reached for his pants. "O-oh! Forgive my appearance! I didn't know realize...well..." He ran an embarrassed hand through his messy curls. "But you really shouldn't take that or he'll..."
She merely waved her hand, finally out of the trance she was in. "Oh, I'm sure he won't mind."
That's when he caught it. Peaches and vanilla.
He narrowed his eyes at her before simply shrugging and going back to bed. "S-sure. If you say so Ad- ma'am." How did he not notice that outfit?! He shook his head. How did everyone else not notice?! Her voice snapped him from his thoughts.
"Okay..well-sorry to disturb you. I'll be going." she opened the door, then closed it behind her, "Bye."
"See you around..."
She swore she heard her name with the click of the door.
Avery headed back to the Atrium with a satisfied Joker in tow, and Gilmore's words still in her head. The start of every bad adventure tale, he said, was he insinuating that her time overseeing the castle would just be some bad adventure? She kicked at a rock, she knew she shouldn't take it so personally, but he way she'd been treating him today, she was certain he meant it maliciously. Joker nuzzled her hand and she patted his head.
"Who did such a good job slaying rats? YOU did!"
She rounded the corner and was greeted with all smiles, except from her mother.
"i trust from the presence of that troublesome hound of yours that the situation in the kitchen is handled?"
Avery nodded.
"Good, you remember Lady Landra?
"Yes mother, Bann Loren's wife, from the spring salon? Good to see you again m'lady." She smiled a little too widely at the older woman.
"Oh you're too kind dear girl, didn't I spend half of the salon trying to convince you to marry my son?"
The young man in the group rolled his eyes. "And making a very poor case of it I might add. It is good to see you again m'lady." He took a step and grabbed her hand.
"You remember Dairren dear? He's still not married either." His mother said dryly.
Avery giggled as Dairren rolled his eyes once more.
"Do ignore her." He kissed her hand. "You're looking as beautiful as ever."
Avery blushed. "You're looking quite handsome yourself Dairren, maybe we'll get a chance to speak somewhere more private later?"
"Of course" He winked. She blushed harder. He certainly had gotten more handsome and charming since last they met. Lady Landra interrupted her thoughts with reintroducing Iona, her lady in waiting, and then excuse herself to her room, while the other two saw themselves to the study. Avery turned her attention on her mother.
"You should say goodby to Fergus while you have the chance," Her mother smiled softly.
"That's where I was off too, if it wasnt for all the interruptions, Do you know where he might be?" Avery folded her arms. Her mother laid a patient hand on Avery's lower arm, "Probably in his room dear, saying good to Oriana and Oren." She embraced her daughter, catching her off guard. "I love you my darling daughter, you know that don't you?"
Avery wiggled free, "?Yes mother, I love you as well. Will you be staying at the castle?" Her mother nodded, "For a few days, then I will travel with Lady Landra and keep her company. Your father says my presence would undermine your authority.
"Okay. I should go." Her mother nodded and set off toward the living quarters, as Avery followed, then turned around and headed for the study instead.
xxXxxXoOOoxXXxx
"Why hellllooo dear lady, " the young man seductively drawled out, "your castle's study is marvelous. Might I ask whose collection this is?"
"My-", she hesitated, "grandfather's, but I come here often to read." She lied, she hated reading, the collection was Addison's, and this was really one of very very the few times she's stepped foot into the study in the last decade. She shuddered at the thought before she realized Darrien was talking and caught the end of his sentence, "- would I, do you have a favorite book?"
She thought a moment before she flashed the most smug of smiles at the handsome man before her, "The Art of Passionate Love," by Brother Capria.
The man's eyes shot wide before he blushed and looked away momentarily. "Oh! That was banned by the chantry wasn't it? Quite...provocative, I understand. I've, ah, never actually read it myself." His eyes lit with challenge and she didn't miss it. She took a step into him, "I could...show you what I've learned, if of course, you're interested," she offered as she played with the collar of his shirt.
He looked around, Iona was sitting in a chair reading, with her back to them, he smiled at he deviously and boldly wrapped an arm around her, she giggled.
"Oh? That sounds most interesting! Just...right here?" He ran his other hand through her hair and slowly pulled her in for a kiss.
"Ahem."
The pair quickly startled out of their embrace to find Iona simply wagging a finger over her shoulder, "Mixed company."
Avery huffed and sent daggers to the back of the elven woman's head.
"Ah. Never you fear, my lady," Dairren started as he brought her eyes and attention back to him. He stroked her cheek, "Our mothers are expecting us for dinner soon anyway."
"I know." Avery pouted, "I guess I shall see you at dinner then, sweet Darrien." She turned to leave, but was twirled around and caught again in his arms. he brought his lips to her ears, breath hot along the outline, and down her neck, sending sweet shivers up her spine, "If my lady wills it, I could come see her after everyone has retired for a more, private lesson?" He pressed his lips against the soft skin beneath her lobe as she moaned softly. She merely nodded at his proposal, lest risk inappropriate sounds leaving her mouth. He released her, took a step back, and folded his arms nonchalantly, "Very well, I look forward to supper and this evening. I shan't keep you from your duties longer." He winked and sat down with a book, "Good day, dear lady."
She smiled, "Until tonight," and laid a hand on his shoulder as she walked out. Now, her smile and attitude at a high, to find Fergus.
xxXxxXoOOoxXXxx
Avery was just finishing her promise to teach Oren to fight, with his mother rolling her eyes, and Fergus giving consent to his sister and son, when the Teyrn and Teyrna walked in. Avery folded her arms and huffed, "You could have just given him the message yourself if you were coming up here anyway, father."
The Teyrn chuckled, "and risk the chance to be together as a family one last time before we see to our duties? I think not, besides-" He held up a letter and everyone became excited, except Avery, who became visibly upset and angered, "It's here. Shall we?" He opened the envelope and pulled the letter out when Avery slapped her hands down on her father's.
"Please father, spare me." she sadly stated.
The Teyrna rested a hand on her husband's shoulder as he sighed. They all knew how Avery felt, but he was hoping with circumstances being as they are, that she would take part, just this once. His wife silently urged him not to press the issue.
"Very well Pup, you should retire early anyway," he gave her a quick squeeze, "You've a long day ahead of you tomorrow"
"Yes father."
Her mother hugged her next, "Goodnight dear daughter, we love you." The couple went to go talk to Orianna and Oren as Fergus came over and patted his sister's head, "Getting sent to bed early are we?" She swatted his hand away and they chuckled. "I don't mind, I have someone waiting for me in fact," she grinned up at her big brother. "Oh! You saucy minx!" he teased, "make sure he treats you well, or I'll be back to have his head!"
She embraced her brother tightly, almost a little too tight, "Promise?"
"Oh of course! I'll snap his-"
"No!" she interrupted, "That. That you'll come back?" she looked up at him with scared blue eyes, just like she would when they were younger. He hugged his youngest sister tighter. "Absolutely, I promise sis." He pushed her hair to the side and kissed her forehead, "Now. Go enjoy your...devil's desert." He winked and patted her head. She nodded and turned to leave.
"One more thing?" Fergus called after her. She turned around to face him. "YOU better be here, when I come back," he said sternly, though with a smile.
"I promise," she smiled back and walked over to her room. She opened the door to find Dairren already inside, waiting.
"I couldn't wait until the castle was asleep, I am a bit of an impatient one." He smiled devilishly as her.
She chuckled and closed the door.
The three friends met in Addison's spot just after dinner. Jowan and Anders arrived first and anxiously awaited Addison's arrival, they had seen her at the table with the First Enchanter, and she didn't seem in trouble, so the couldn't wait to her what happened, especially Anders, since his source told him who the room belonged to. he smiled to himself, proud of his meddling ways, when a tome cam flying over the shelves, and landed on his head.
"Ouch! You could have warned me!" he rubbed the bump that immediately formed from the heavy hit.
"Says the kettle! You're lucky i don't castrate you, you, you MEDDLING MENAICAL MAGE!" came her voice from the other side.
"I think she's upset," offered Jowan.
"Thanks for that brilliant piece of insight Jo-Jo."
Anders feigned innocence as she hopped over the staircase with a basket.
"What'd I do?"
Her face was beet red, more with embarrassment that anger. "You KNEW that was Cullen's room too!"
The boys both fell to the ground in tears, laughing. "We're sorry Addy, we were only trying to help speed this... sad start of a wild sex life up!" Anders replied, still chuckling while he fidgeted with the basket she set down. Jowan rose his hands in defense when Addison shot daggered eyes in his direction, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, he- not we," he said pointing to Anders, "I only knew the get the costume, let's drink part, not about Cullen. Honest!"
"Whatever, what's all in here anyway Addy? Did you find it?"
She flicked her finger and a spark shocked Anders' prying fingers from the basket.
"Ow!" he put his hand to his mouth.
"Tch tch," she waggled her finger at him.
The three gathered around the basket as she pulled out a loaf of bread, fruits, some cheese, and three glasses.
"Wow Addy! How did you...-" Jowan was clearly amazed.
"I asked the First Enchanter if I could help clean up after dinner, and the cooks gave it to me as thanks, though, why the glasses are here...?"
"For the fruit?" Anders shrugged, "Who cares?! Where's the bottle!?"
She pulled the prize out of her robes.
"Now now Anders," she said as she unflatteringly ripped the cork out with her teeth, "Ladies first."
XxXxXOoOOOxxXXx
He could hear their muffled laughs as he made his way through the library once more. They were quiet his first time around, but he knew they were there. Making his way down earlier, he noticed she wasn't in her room, and her excursion earlier, and the surprising scent of alcohol coming from behind the bookcase only confirmed his suspicion. It was her up there earlier, and now they were celebrating. He shook his head, she sure was brave, as he crawled out of sight, up the staircase next to her 'spot' and dared a look. She had her back to him and was talking with Anders, who sat in the corner farthest from him, so neither one could see the other's vantage point. The third mage was already passed out, sprawled on the floor across three cushions.
"-Hic- I- I just ca-can't Anders. I mean, Maker was he...is he gorgeous..." she giggled and pressed her hands softly to her lips, "and sweet, and charming..."
"So tell him how you feel!" The blond mage stood and walked over to her, and the young templar quickly slid down and out of sight, and sat on the stairs.
"I just... can't." she sighed, "Everyone has a weakness Anders, and mine just gets people hurt."
He heard a soft thud and a sigh, then steps coming toward him.
"Do you mind taking her back again, dear Cullen?" a voice just beyond the wall inquired, "I can't very well move both of these easyunders."
Cullen stood, "Easy...unders? How did you know I was here?"
"Easy to drink under the table. Also easy to get information, gossip, and possibly bed," he sighed, "if you're the right guy. And I saw you between the bookshelves, I'd figure you'd come sooner but..." He shrugged and threw an almost empty bottle to the templar. "Sorry about stealing your friends bottle, but there's a little left. Goodnight." Anders hoisted himself and a passed out Jowan on the crate and over the stairs before walking unsteadily out of sight. Cullen sighed, looked at the contents before and finishing them off and deciding that the mage was alright, albeit a little sex crazed. He smiled softly to himself as he jumped down to get Addison and bring her back to her room, at least her dear friend Anders approved of him being one to make sure Addison was safe.
{{a/n-wow! sorry that got kind of long there! I don't know what happened, but I like? Yes? No? hehe! reviews and messages welcome! }}