OK so here's the third chapter of the day. There may some timeline issues with the next couple of chapters but it's the only way to make it flow as I want. All feedback and comments are welcome!
Lorelai didn't stop until she felt she'd put enough distance between herself and Denerim, though if she was honest with herself there would never be enough distance. She came to a stream and knelt down on the bank, cupping the cold water she splashed it on her face, rubbing away the dirt and dust. She stared down at the reflection on the water's surface, barely recognising the girl who stared back. Everything she had known was gone, her home, her family and now her King. She could try calling a Landsmeet, her blood would allow that, but if Loghain was in cahoots with Howe, then there wasn't much hope for her or Fereldon. No doubt Howe's new position as the Arl of Denerim had something to do with the massacre he ordered. She ground her teeth in anger, she was allegedly from one of oldest and most powerful family in Fereldon and yet here she was alone, unsure, powerless and though she didn't want to admit it she was scared.
She tried to think what her father would do, it was true she'd been groomed to take over Highever when the time came but this was different. Highever was no more than a ruin, and if she didn't do something soon Fereldon would follow. A Cousland always does their duty, her father's words echoed in her mind Yes but what is my duty? Survival? Killing Howe? Finding Fergus? What is my duty? She picked absentmindedly at the grass on the bank.
"Our duty, above all else, is to our people and never to ourselves. A ruler serves their people and in return the people will serve the ruler." Bryce's features were soft as he gently stroked his youngest's hair.
"But who are my people? They all died at Highever, I have no people left to serve." Lorelai answered the ghost of her father.
"Your people are more than just the place where you grew up. We Cousland's can trace our line as far back as Calenhead, our people are Fereldon. Your duty is to them. You know what you must do."
"Remove Loghain's clutches on the throne. Like that's going to be easy." Lorelai scoffed. "And even if I did somehow manage it who would serve in his place. Anora's claim is no better."
"Have faith my dear girl." Bryce smiled.
And then the image of her father was gone. Lorelai began to wonder whether she was going crazy, creating conversations in her head with her dead father, definitely a tick for the crazy box. She stood up and began walking the path adjacent to the stream, then like lightening it hit her. Eamon's men weren't at Ostagar, he would still have his army and he was Calian's uncle. The Landsmeet would surely listen to Eamon, he was well respected, her father had always spoken highly of him and perhaps with his help, Lorelai could go back to some semblance of her life before. Yes she would head for Redcliffe, after all it wasn't as if she had anything to lose.