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Chapter 2

"Father have you seen Arianna?" Fergus sighed out as he walked into the castle.

"Pup? Haven't seen her all day, I thought Nan was getting her ready for the Howe's visit." Bryce Cousland answered his sons question while he was looking over papers that he had been given.

"Nan said she had dressed her but then she went on her way." Fergus replied with a light laugh.

"Knowing my daughter I'd say go see some of the guards, she is probably with Jacob and his Mabari." Bryce answered another question as he glanced over the papers he had and looked at his fourteen year old son.

"Did I hear that Arl Howe had another son?" Fergus questioned curiously, wanting to spend time with his father.

"Yes, Thomas I believe he's two at the moment, Fergus I must get some things done before the Howe's get here, please go make sure Pup is ready."

"Yes father."

"Oh Jacob I wish when I am older that I can have one all of my own!" Arianna squealed happily as she patted his Mabari.

"I'm sure you will Lady Arianna." Jacob smiled down at the six year old as she grinned back up at him.

"I want to be a solider just like daddy." She added making kissy faces at the dog, as he was happily wagging his tail.

"Your father is one of the best I've-"

"Arianna." Fergus interrupted as he placed his hands on his hips.

"I'm just playing with Rex." She replied sweetly, batting her eye lashes as she did so.

"Father told me to make sure you were ready to meet the Howes'." Fergus spoke sternly, rolling his eyes at her attempts to be cute.

"But I want to stay and play." She put on her whining voice as she pouted.

"You can play after, come on." Fergus said holding out his hand for her.

"Oookay." She gave a lengthy sigh as she jumped up and grabbed onto her brothers hand. "Goodbye Rex, Goodbye Jacob!" She added, waving at them as she walked away.

"You smell like dog." Fergus wrinkled his nose at his sister as he led her to the castle.

"You smell like girl." She shot back, sticking her tongue out at him as she did so.

"Touché little sister." He chuckled lightly pulling his sister along at a slightly faster rate.

Arianna's hair swayed side to side as she walked clumsily along side her brother, it's golden brown colour sparkled gold in the sun as it sat in loose ringlets that went all the way down her back; Nan had dressed her in a lovely pink dress with a black ribbon around the waist pulled into a bow at the back, the bow was large but not overly. A matching black ribbon was tied around her hair to keep it out of her face as it was tied into a small bow as well, she was an adorable site.

"Ah Fergus I see you found pup, with Jacob was she?" Bryce called out as they entered the castle, a man stood next to him, a little boy next to the man.

"She was playing with Rex." He sighed letting go of her hand in the process.

"I want a Mabari when I'm older daddy!" She squeaked happily as she ran over to him.

Bryce chuckled light as he picked up his daughter and wrapped her into a hug, she giggled as he did so. Arianna looked at the man standing with her father, she knew it was Arl Howe but then her eyes drifted to the young boy next to him, he looked about nine as his brown hair was kept short and his dusty brown eyes met her bright blue ones.


"Pup this is the Arl's son, Nathaniel." Bryce introduced them placing his daughter back on her feet.

"It is lovely to meet you." Arianna spoke so elegantly. She was coping how her mother was when she met new people.

"And you." Nathaniel grunted back in return, pulling a face at her as he did so.

"Nathaniel, be nice." Arl Howe growled down at his son, pushing him closer to her.

"She's like six, dad." Nathaniel sighed clearly not amused with having to play with someone three years younger.

"Don't let her age fool you, son." Arl Howe replied glancing down at the little one.

"She's already top of her class for combat." Bryce boasted, glowing with pride at his daughter.

"If I have to." Nathaniel once again sighed pulling another face at her.

Nathaniel's POV

We stayed in Amaranthine for most of the morning as Arianna did meaningless tasks to gain the approval of the lazy guards in this city, her people skills were amazing, just like old times, I rolled my eyes at the fact I was thinking about her again.

Once she was done we set off to where she was dragging us too next, I couldn't help but watch her as she walked ahead of us; she had grown up so much and I could barely see the young clumsy girl she once was.

"By the sodding Ancestors!" Oghren had yelled out, snapping my attention back to reality.

"What now, Oghren?" Arianna asked sweetly as she stopped walking to turn to the fool.

"I'm sick of walkin'! Why isn't there more drinkin?" He bellowed as I let out a low sigh, but Arianna's small chuckle would just encourage the idiot.

"There will be plenty of drinking once we have done what is needed to be done." Ari spoke swiftly as she continued on her way. "Besides Oghren I think a little less Alcohol will do you some good."

"Ah! You can talk Commander!" He snorted loudly causing her to laugh sweetly once again, he was right though, she could drink.

Arianna spun around to face the stubby dwarf as she walked backwards for a moment. "That was a one time thing until we have figured out what the darkspawn are here for."

"Sparkle-fingers!" The dwarf continued his overly-loud rant as we continued on walking… too much walking.

"Yes Oghren." The mage replied indulging the dwarf to continue on his useless rant.

"What's it like wearin' a man-skirt?' He mused towards the mage and then that's where I stopped listening.

My eyes were once again placed on her, everything about her was perfect just like it use to be, the only difference was she was much more mature and her hair was light brown instead of golden.

The nine year old Arianna stared at the twelve year old me, a blank look on her face. "That was so gross." She stated simply as we stared at each other.

We burst into uncontrollable laughter at each other before I nudged her gently. "That's why you can't stop hanging around me; I'm as gross as you." He grinned goofily at the young girl in front of him.

She was much more boyish at the moment, her hair was shoulder length and still golden ringlets but wilder, she wore more shirts and jeans and preferred playing in the dirt with the boys, then having tea parties with the girls which turned all the noble daughters her age off her. "I think you're the one who can't stop hanging around me! After all I teach you some pretty cool moves!"

I chuckled lightly pushing her gently once more. "Not bad for a girl." I teased knowing her pressure points in and out.

"Ah!" Arianna scoffed glancing at the gawky looking me, my hair covered my eyes in length as my height made me stand out as being 'over tall' she was my best friend and I hers. "It's your head being up in the clouds for too long, N teddy."

"You know you and Thomas coming up with that nickname was ridicules!" I flushed with an annoyed tone hanging thickly on every words.

Arianna poked her small red tongue out at him. "I happen to think it suits!" She then giggled at my facial expressions getting more and more embarrassed.

"Oh and why is that?" I scoffed pulling myself up into a sitting position, turning I then turned my gaze onto Ari. "Enlighten me."

"You're such a softy on the inside!" Arianna teased in a serious voice but failed and laughed at the end of the word inside.

"What ever girly, I don't have to be nice you know." I huffed in annoyance causing her to giggle once again, until it came to a Holt. "What's wrong Ari?" I asked noticing her Holt straight away.

"Fergus' friend." She huffed quietly staring over at the older boy. "He doesn't like me."

"No one likes you, Ari." I teased lightly trying to take her mind away from the boy and back onto me, but when I heard her sniff quietly my head shot up and towards her. "Ari? I was only joking."

Arianna ran her hand over the shortened grass and stayed quiet, this is what she did when she was upset and I rolled my eyes at her. "You're right though… no one likes me and I don't know what I did." She whimpered.


"It's because you can kick their butts in combat classes when you are three years younger." I glanced at her while her head hung low. "Idiots don't seem to realize I'm using you to my strengths."

Arianna continued to run her hand over the lovely cut green grass, feeling it softly tickling her hand. "Nathaniel…"


"What now?" I sighed as I leaned back on my arms and glancing up towards the lovely blue sky.

"Thanks for talking to me… Even if daddy asked your dad to make sure you did." Her voice was small as her eyes stayed down at the grass she was 'playing' with.

"Ari don't think that I'd ever listen to my father, believe it or not I don't mind hanging with your snotty self." I let out a laugh while I continued to look up at the beautiful clear blue sky.

"Thanks Nathaniel… That's really nice to hear considering I can get you to yield in one minute and twenty seconds." She snickered smugly turning to face me with a grin on her face. "You should use bows… your not a dagger kinda' guy."

I fell out of my mind gasping at my bow a little from the memory, she was so skilled back then that hardly anyone her age, or mine for that matter, would utter a word to her; then eventually she didn't care what they thought of her anymore… a large more amount of walking went on before she finally let us stop for the night.

"Nathaniel." Her voice called to me beautifully as I shook my head to regain myself.

I looked down to notice she was standing almost right under me, I still was incredibly tall to her, I had forgotten for a moment just how much. "Yes?" I murmured towards her.

She bit the bottom of her lip nervously as I raised an eye brow in suspicion. "I would like to talk to you about something." She was very nervous I could tell because she was doing that fidgeting thing with her fingers.

"Right now?" I mused still unsure of what she was going to talk about or why she was so nervous.

She shifted uncomfortably on her feet which I caught; I had known her for too much of her life not to know how to read her like a book. "I was hoping so yes."

Why was I still acting so horrid towards her? I knew she killed father for the right reason so why was I still so hostile? "Of course Ari." I spoke softly using her nickname.

She let a small smile cross her perfect red lips while her gorgeous blue eyes stared up at me. "I was hoping we could talk for a moment… I know you talked to you're sister…" She wasn't as confident with me anymore and this threw me off guard.

"I did speak to her, I understand it all now… I'm sorry for calling you a murderer." I stood with my arms crossed and my eyes straight forward which I knew would send her a message saying I didn't want to talk.

I heard her sigh lightly but I dared not too look down. "I was just hoping… to have my best friend back by now… is all." I heard her voice break at the end but I still did not look down… I couldn't.

"Goodnight Commander." I said coldly before turning on my heels and walking off towards my tent leaving her behind.

"Just like old times hey." She called out after me angrily but worst of all I could hear the heartbreak that went along with it.

I sighed out lightly, I still loved her and that was bad… very bad. She was married to the King of Ferelden and she and I were just a memory. I pushed open my tent roughly making my way into it clumsily as my mind once again wondered, I hated being around Arianna because she always made me feel this way, it was a sign of weakness. She made me remember the day I had left.

"Nathaniel." Arianna loudly called through the castle in which she was swiftly walking through. She was nineteen and the most desired young lady in the area, her lovely curves made their appearance when she was sixteen but her body had become more defined over the years, her long brown hair was dead straight now and was pinned up on either side leaving the rest of it out and her bright blue eyes caught everyone's attention.

I stepped out into the hallway too look around curiously too see where the noisy woman was. "Ari what do you want?" I called back down the hallways.

She popped out from behind the corner of the end of the hallway with a large smile on her face causing me to roll my eyes. "I was looking for you." She spoke blissfully strolling towards me.

I got a bit nervous as I watched her walk towards me, she had really grown up into a beautiful young woman and I loved her and she loved me… but I had to leave. "What for?" I managed to get out.

She giggled softly enchanting me like always; she glided in front of me and swiftly slid her arms around me. "I missed you." She whispered resting her head on my chest.

I wrapped my arms around her nervously, but as soon as I did I felt her in my arms and I relaxed, a little. "I haven't gone anywhere." I chuckled lightly looking down at the beauty.

"Your brother confessed his love for me." She sighed delicately tilting her head up to let her amazing blue eyes look up at me. "He wants me to be 'all his and only his'." She added with a swift roll of her eyes.

I let out a small chuckle pulling her body towards me as much as I could so she was up against me. "What did you say? Broke my little brothers heart softly I hope."

She shook her head and once again sighed as I felt her chest rise and fall against me. "I think I did it badly, I didn't mean to laugh but I was so nervous." She head butted me in the chest sighing more. "I apologized after laughing and said I loved someone else and that I was sorry."

"That serves himself right for aiming for my woman." I teased her lightly but when I laughed, her face folded into a frown; I bent down and rested my forehead onto hers. "I love you Ari berry, forever" I whispered using her nickname; I then slowly placed my lips onto her lovely soft red ones.

We kissed passionately and I held her body close to mine, I loved her more then anything but I had to leave and very soon, she broke the kissed and her enchanting eyes looked up at me once more. "I love you too, N teddy." She teased with the nickname.

"Ari… There is something I need to tell you." I thought about how to say it… I didn't want to hurt her but I think I would; no matter how I put it. "I have to leave for the Free Marche…" Nothing happened for a moment or too, she stayed as still as anything as I nervously cleared my throat. "I'm sorry Ari… I really need to do this."

She pulled away from me; a stunned expression was on her face as she stood away from me. "How long?" I could hear her voice become uneven while she stared straight ahead of herself and not at me.

"I'm not sure Ari… I properly won't…" What a stupid reply… I stepped a step closer and in an instant she took one step backwards, I sighed. "Ari… Please…"

"Did I do something?" Was her first reaction but then her face folded into yet another frown "No I didn't I know that I didn't, so please explain a little more?"

I looked at her taking in her beautiful site for possibly the last time. "It's something my father wants me to do, you know how he can get, Ari Berry I love you, nothing will change that."

"Stuff your father! Stay with me and we can…" She paused and her glance went to the floor causing her hair to fall gently in front of her face. "We can be together…" She finished so quietly.

"I can't Ari I need to do this." I answered trying so hard not to give into her, this was hard… too hard. "I love you Arianna Cousland."

"I love you too Nathaniel Howe." She barely got it out before she burst into tears she pretty much collapsed onto the floor like a small child, helpless. "I don't want to loose my best friend."

I watched her as tears ran down her soft pale cheeks, her hair covered most of her face as she was hunched down arms to either side in defeat, and it broke my heart. "Goodbye Arianna."

I sighed to myself as I laid down on my 'bed' it was a cruel way to leave her, the year after that was when her family was slaughtered by my father. I growled as I pushed myself up and out of the tent, I needed to talk to her, apologize for what I did all those years ago… I walked out into the 'main camp' as the fire burnt brightly, and of course Arianna was snuggled up to herself in front of it… my Ari-Berry.

I uncomfortably cleared my throat behind her causing her to jump ten feet high. "I'm sorry Ari; I didn't mean to scare you." I said watching her relax and go back to staring at the fire.

I sat myself down next to her; she didn't look up at me, just stared into the heart of the raging fire. "Is there something you want Nathaniel?" Her voice was soft just like normal.

"I wanted to apologize, I'm not the guy I was all those years ago now am I?" I tried to lighten the mood a little with a laugh, but seeing it having no effect I sighed. "I just needed to process everything my sister told me… I couldn't believe my father was capable of that, the man had his problems, but this?"

She stayed silent for a moment but turned her head slightly too look at me, maker she was beautiful. "People disappoint you all the time…" I knew that was a dig at me.

"Ari do you know why I left?" I questioned her, seeing the flinch I could tell I accidently hit a nerve. "Ari-Berry I didn't want too but I had too, there was an army over there and I joined it because my father had already told them I would."

She took a deep breath in and turned her body mostly to face myself, I did the same. "I missed you so much." She sighed staring into my eyes.

"I missed you too Ari, there wasn't days were I didn't think about you…" I replied giving her a small smile receiving one in reply. "I wanted to surprise you on your twenty-first but then I got the letter that you were dead and I was crushed."

Arianna's eyes darted to the ground in an instance, her family being mention still upset her. "I almost did… If it wasn't for Duncan, he saved me." Her eyes flickered back up to me as she exhaled heavily. "Nath…" She paused not really saying.

"How bout we start over?" I scooted closer to her slowly; she didn't protest so I placed my arm around her and brought her closer. "But if I could redo it… I would have stayed when you offered."

She hesitated for a moment, I could feel it, but she rested her head on my right shoulder and continued to stare into the fire, my arms were around her tightly, just like old times. "…I missed you…" She whispered finally saying something.

We stayed there for a good while not really saying anything, just sitting and watching the fire burn brightly. Then after a while she fell asleep on me which made me chuckle lightly.

"We are so going to stay up all night!" The seven year old Arianna squealed happily to me as I rolled my eyes back at her. "We have so much fun."

I sat next to her on her overly-large bed in her overly-extravagant room, we had made a deal to stay up late to get to know each other more since our fathers were best friends, she seemed to like me more then Thomas and Delilah would stay back with mother more then come here with father. "As if you would make it all the way to the end of the night." I scoffed.

She let out a small giggle grinning at me like an idiot. "I so can." So sat next to me heavily so that the bed would bob along with her. "What's your favorite color?" She questioned oddly.

"Blue." I replied with a frown on my face, what a child kind of question to start with. "Yours?"

"Purple." She grinned sitting closely next to me. "What about favorite animal?"

"A dragon… You?"

"I love Mabari's more then anything else! I want one of my own."

"I'll keep that in mind."

We continued like this for a good couple of hours, we were lying on her extremely comfortable bed with her facing me and me facing her, she kept that goofy grin on her face the whole night. "You're my best friend Nathaniel Howe." She yawned out sloppily rubbing her eyes tiredly.

"And you mine." I laughed back lazily, feeling just as tired, I turned to look at her when I realized she had fallen asleep. I chuckled lightly to myself before turning over to the other side and falling to sleep myself.