The Arrangement

Under pressure, Alistair is desperate to find a suitable Queen. Only that his choice is a highly unusual young noble woman and a new danger threatens Alistair's very life- Luckily Aedan Cousland is here to help. AU. M!Cousland Warden, Alistair, Non-Warden F!Cousland and the rest of the gang!

Hello there and welcome to the third chapter of The Arrangement. This is an early update as I will be away for the weekend (going camping!), and I do not know what time I'll return on Sunday.

Thank you to Melysande and Swooping is Bad for your reviews and also, thank you to those who have added this story to their alerts. I did not really imagine for this fanfic to have much interest. So again, thank you!=)

Edited: Fixed errors (10/07)

-JP

Chapter 3: First Impressions

"Alistair?'' Eamon, the Arl of Redcliffe, prompted.

Alistair shot him a tired look. ''I can understand your concerns Eamon but-''

Eamon frowned. ''It is not a concern that we can no longer ignore.''

Alistair scowled down at his cup, contemplating whether or not to hurl it at the Arl. He felt exhausted. Over the last few months since the end of the Blight, Alistair had often found himself cloistered in meetings, riding around the city to supervise and assist the clean-up operations; the Darkspawn armies had left far too much devastation and there were many buildings that required to be rebuilt and citizens and refugees to be provided for. And now this latest nag.

With a sigh and a grimace, he took off his crown and ran a weary hand through his hair. It had been a long day, and if Eamon had his way, what looked to be a long night. Abruptly he stood, crown in hand and announced, ''I'm going to retire for the evening, whilst it's still night. We shall talk more on this tomorrow.''

Ignoring the growing frown across the older man's features, Alistair stepped down from the dais and strode out of the main doors, his bodyguards trailing behind him, as he made his way to his own apartments.

It seemed to Alistair that he had only just lay down and closed his eyes, only for them to open again. For a few moments he laid in place, listening to his breathing, until finally he sat up with a sigh and tossed the blankets off.

Yawning, he stepped away from the bed, and grabbed a robe as he made his way out of his bedchamber and down the servants' door – that he knew from prior experience – that would take him to the garden.

Outside, it was a lovely summer's night, the air still warm, and the sky a deep shade of blue that was littered with glittering stars. In the main part of the garden, the surrounding walls were littered with glowing torches and passing guardsmen as they patrolled the perimeter. But, left down a side path, there was a small stone bench sheltered by a small peach tree that provided ideal seclusion. It was here that Alistair settled himself, leaning against the cool stone as he looked up at the sky above him, breathing in the clean peach scented air. It calmed him, somewhat, and allowed him a few moments to relax and forget that he was bone tired.

Suddenly, he tensed as he caught sight of a shrouded figure walking up the side path. Instinctively his hand flew to his side, grasping for his sword, only to belatedly remember that he had left it on the weapon rack up in his apartments. Cursing silently Alistair stepped away from the bench, and straightened as he waited for the figure to make its way towards him.

000

Elissa had been surprised at how quickly Aedan's companions had accepted her. As Leliana had claimed, they were all very nice people and they did not make judgement when she took Wynne's words literally and made a fool out of herself. Although, Aedan had furrowed his brows in irritation, the mage had merely smiled and apologised for any discomfit that she may have caused for the younger Cousland. Nonetheless, Elissa had been grateful when Fergus took her by the arm and kindly led her back to her bedchamber and yet despite feeling exhausted, she found herself unable to sleep. Sighing deeply, she reached for her cloak and made her way out of her room, and headed outside.

It was nice, she thought as she strolled along the side path that led to the main garden, to be somewhere where she could be herself and not what was expected of her. She-

Elissa let out a small squeak as a large hand shot to clutch at her forearm, pulling her tight against a solid chest.

''Hold it right there!''

If there was one thing that she had learnt growing up with two brothers, was how to fight against those who were much bigger and stronger than herself. Without pausing to think, she instinctively kicked out, catching one of her attacker's shins whilst at the same time as shoving an elbow into his ribs that produced a grunt of pain that for a moment slackened the man's iron grip, forcing him to let her go. As she managed to scramble away from him, however, her long skirts betrayed her as she stumbled and fell to her knees.

Her assailant once again grabbed one of her arms, Elissa saw her only chance and acted, biting down on his forearm as he roughly forced her up onto her feet. ''You crazy bitch!'' he cursed as he whirled her around to face him.

Feeling dumbfounded, Alistair regarded the young woman in front of him. The face lifted to him was not what he considered to be the idea of beauty but her skin was pale and she sported the high cheekbones that suggested she was of noble descent. However he could hardly fail to notice that she had the most beautiful eyes that he had ever seen. They were large and leaf coloured, framed with dark lashes.

''I am so sorry,'' he said in a gentler tone as he silently admonished himself for his paranoia. She was obviously not after all some assassin creeping in the night to kill him. Damn you Eamon! He smiled at the girl, ''who are you and what are you doing here?''

Elissa was furious. She had only come down for a peaceful walk, only to find herself attacked and manhandled. ''How dare you attack me,'' she exclaimed, ''when my brothers hear of this, they will bring all the might of House Cousland on you!''

Alistair was abashed, ''I am sorry. I thought you were, well it is not important who I thought you were. Wait,'' his eyes widened in surprise and shock. ''Did you say Cousland?''

The woman shot him a look that clearly stated that she thought that he was an idiot, ''Of course I said Cousland!'' she replied haughtily, bringing herself up to her full height, small that it was, ''Do you habitually attack defenceless women who happen to take to walking the gardens?'' she asked sharply.

''Defenceless women?'' he repeated in disbelief as he looked down at where she had bitten him, ''you are anything but defenceless.''

She sent another glare at him, ''You seem to forget Ser that you had attacked me,'' she argued, ''so I had no other option but to defend myself.''

Elissa saw the man hesitate and continued. ''Just let me go back to my chambers and I will not mention this to my brothers,'' she offered, tossing her dark hair back and regarded him with a cool unwavering gaze.

''You bit me!'' Alistair stuttered in disbelief, ''and you're a Cousland!''

''You keep saying that but I do not see why my birth has anything to do with this situation,'' she replied in annoyance, ''and as for biting you, 'I can't apologise for something that was a rational action but if it makes you feel better I could offer an apology?''

''It may be infected,'' the man whined as he turned his full attention onto his forearm as he rolled his sleeve up to examine the bite, he would have a bruise tomorrow he thought with a sigh.

Elissa rolled her eyes, as she apologised, ''Now please, allow me to return back to my chambers and I won't mention this at all.''

''That wasn't a real apology,'' Alistair said in annoyance.

''I have already told you, I can't apologise for something that was a rational action,'' she told him, flatly.

''That doesn't make any sense,'' he argued, ''if you offer an apology it's supposed to be sincere.'' He let out a low growl, ''ah, never mind! I accept your apology. Wait, where are you going?'' he asked.

''I am leaving,'' she explained with a perplexed look on her face.

Alistair gritted his teeth and fought the desire to clonk her down on the ground. ''But we are talking!'' He exclaimed and took a step closer.

''We are done now are we not?'' Elissa replied casually.

''Of course we are not!''

''I said I was sorry for biting you,'' she said with a shrug. ''As far as I can see we have nothing more to discuss, so I shall be going back to my chambers.''

For a moment he regarded her dumbfounded. She was standing in front of him, her head half cocked as she regarded him with those green orbs. He was not sure whether to be furious, burst out laughing or kiss her.

''It is a mystery to me why neither of your brothers haven't strangled you,'' he commented at last.

She shot him a grin at that and he found himself grinning back. ''Very well,'' he conceded. ''I'll escort you back to your chambers.''

''Do you promise not to tell my brothers if you happen to meet them?''

''I promise, if you promise not to tell anyone.'' He replied as he offered her his arm.

For a long moment hazel eyes met green as she looked up at him.

''What is your name?''

''Elissa.''

''In that case, it is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance my lady Elissa,'' he exclaimed with a small bow over her hand, causing her to smile a little at his actions, ''you mock me Ser.''

''Me? Mock you?"Alistair's eyes widened in surprise, ''No, no, no. I would never mock a Lady of House Cousland.''

Elissa was feeling utterly bewildered by the turn of events. ''Are we going inside?'' she asked, changing the subject.

''That is what you wanted, wasn't it?''

''Yes, but-'' she paused in confusion. Alistair interpreted it correctly and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he replied, ''let's just say that I wish to escort such a beautiful young lady back to her brothers.''

''Very well,'' she said in a measured tone as she took his arm.

Silently they walked across the path towards the main part of the castle. Alistair nodded to the door guards as they passed by. The sudden light of torches seemed very bright as their eyes adjusted. He stole a quick glance down at his companion who appeared to be deep in thought. It had certainly been an interesting introduction to the younger child of Bryce and Eleanor Cousland.

''Well, good night my lady,'' he said, stopping in front of her chamber door.

''Thank you,'' she said hesitantly, ''and I am sorry about biting you, and kicking you and-''

Alistair raised a hand to brush her lips, ''Yes but remember, no one needs to know about that.''

She smiled, her eyes gleaming in the torch light. ''I suppose not,'' she conceded.

With a feather kiss across her knuckles, he turned and made his way back down the corridor. After giving him a last long look, Elissa opened the door and passed through.

It was only after she had lain back down onto the bed that she realised that she had not asked the man's name.

And now the games begin...