Three days after Elissa arrived home was to be the day the men marched. She spent as much time as possible with her father and brother. She didn't wish to go to war but she wished she were riding along side them. She knew little about Blights and darkspawn, but the thought of her family falling to them was too much to think about at times.
Her father, Teryn Bryce Cousland decided to wait for his friend Arl Rendon Howe to begin the march south. Showing a unified front to King Cailan was important since five years ago when King Maric died people had talked about making Bryce king. Bryce stood behind King Cailan though, and had become a trusted adviser to the young king.
Eleanor, Elissa's mother had often jokes with Elissa if Queen Anora hadn't been promised to the boy she could have been Cailan's wife. Elissa wasn't a fool. She had seen Cailan and a marriage to him wouldn't have been a hardship. But alas he was married. Elissa heard stories about Cailan and his rule, and it was Anora who did the ruling while Cailan charmed the nobles and commoners.
When Arl Howe arrived, Bryce summoned his daughter to the hall. Elissa was out shooting targets with her bow while the castle was in an uproar. Since she was not going south she stayed out of everyone's way. When word came that her father wanted to see her she went straight to the hall. When she saw Arl Howe she pasted on a smile, he was a charmer and reminded her of a snake at times but he was her father's oldest friend.
"Ah I didn't see you there Pup," Bryce came forward and kissed Elissa on the cheek. "And I see by your attire you've been out practicing."
Elissa shrugged, "It keeps my mind off of the matters at hand."
Bryce saw the shadows under Elissa's eyes and knew she hadn't been getting much sleep. She had always been a worrier but kept her thoughts to her self.
"Howe you remember my daughter," Bryce said remembering his guest.
Howe smiled at the girl in a way that made Elissa's skin crawl. "Of course I do, you are looking as lovely as ever my dear, and it is good to see you."
Elissa found herself wanting to back away, the way he was looking at her just didn't sit well. "It is good to see you as well Arl Howe, how is your family?"
"They are well, staying in Amaranthine far away from the fighting. My son Thomas asked after you apparently he saw you at the Denerim Fair recently and hasn't been able to talk about anything else since. Perhaps next time I shall bring him with me."
Elissa paused, why was everyone suddenly rushing to match her up with a husband. "I was under the impression Thomas didn't like me," Elissa said.
"Oh you know these young people their minds are always changing," Arl Howe smiled.
Bryce laughed, "I fear my daughter will not be receptive Howe, she has her own mind these days. And Eleanor and I are determined to let her find her own way."
"Yes well I'm sure you'll have little trouble with her, she is quite talented I'm sure, one to watch," Howe smiled.
Elissa fought the urge to raise an eyebrow. He was acting rather smug and the way he looked at her and talked about her made her feel like a prized cow.
"Anyway Pup, I called you here for a reason," Bryce turned to his daughter and smiled. She was like her mother in so many ways it would break his heart when she left Highever.
"What is it Papa?" Elissa asked looking up at her father. She never called him father it was always Papa no matter how many times Eleanor tried to break her of the habit.
"While Fergus and I are away I'm leaving you in charge of the castle," Bryce said.
Elissa's jaw dropped open, why was he doing that, her mother was still going to be here and she was more suitable to the task. "Are you certain?"
Bryce laughed, "I wouldn't set you to the task unless I was sure you were more than capable of handling it. There will only be a small force left behind but you must keep peace in the region. "
"I'll do my best Papa," Elissa smiled.
"Good, that's what I like to hear. Howe's men are delayed however so we won't be setting off until the morning. But I'd like you to go tell Fergus to get our men on the road," Bryce sighed and looked down. Sending his son off without him by his side was hard but they'd meet up again at Ostagar.
"Was there anything else?" Elissa asked.
"Yes, we have a guest," Bryce said. He turned to Perkins one of his personal guards. "Please show Duncan in."
Elissa hadn't heard about any guests showing up. Roland always told her if there was someone new around but she hadn't seen him all day.
A man walked into the hall dressed for war. Elissa studied his hardened face and found it very difficult not to back far away from the man. He walked with confidence and she knew he was very capable of handling every foe. He was staring directly at her and smiled. "Ah Duncan, I'd like you to meet my daughter Elissa and my friend Arl Howe. This is Duncan leader of the Grey Wardens in Fereldan."
"It is an honor to be a guest within your hall Teryn Cousland," Duncan bowed.
Grey Warden, Elissa searched her mind for anything she knew about them and wished that she had paid more attention when Scribe Aldous talked about them. She remembered they defeated the Blights of the past but that was about all she knew.
"Your lordship you didn't mention that a Grey Warden would be present," Howe said.
"Duncan arrived just recently unannounced, is there a problem?" Bryce asked.
"Of course not, but…but a guest of this stature requires certain protocol, I am at a disadvantage," Howe said looking down.
Elissa raised an eyebrow and wondered how this put him at a disadvantage. Grey Warden's weren't exactly on the level of royalty and he was as much a guest in Highever as the Warden was.
"We rarely have the pleasure of hosting one that is true, but Duncan is here on business," Bryce turned to Elissa. "Pup, Brother Aldous has told you who the Grey Wardens are I hope?"
"Of course, they are an order of warriors who fight darkspawn," Elissa said looking at Duncan again warily. If he was there on business that meant he was there for one thing only.
"Duncan is looking for recruits before joining us and his fellow wardens in the south. I believe he has his eye on Ser Gilmore," Bryce smiled.
Elissa smiled at the thought of Roland becoming a Grey Warden he would love that.
"If I might be so bold, I would suggest your daughter is an excellent candidate," Duncan said.
Elissa took a step back, she could fight but that didn't mean she wanted to. Especially with something like darkspawn, she wanted to leave that to the people who could stomach monsters.
"Honor though that might be this is my daughter we are talking about," Bryce stepped in front of Elissa blocking her from Duncan. He wanted to protect her from the life he had heard Warden's lived. It was not what he wanted for her.
Elissa felt the tension in the room. She cleared her throat, "I have no interest in becoming a Grey Warden."
"Did you hear that, my daughter is not interested so unless you intend to invoke the Right of Conscription?" Bryce left the question hanging in the air.
Elissa felt sorry for Duncan but noticed he was taking it in stride he nodded. "Have no fear, as much as we need good recruits I have no intention of forcing the issue."
Duncan smiled at Elissa and she nodded taking a sigh of relief.
"Elissa can you ensure that Duncan's requests are seen to while I'm gone?" Bryce looked at his daughter.
She smiled, "Of course."
"Good in the mean time go find Fergus and tell him to lead the troops to Ostagar ahead of me," Bryce sighed.
Elissa studied her father the coming war was weighing heavily on him. He was no stranger to war. Elissa could only imagine what he was going through.
"Are you trying to get rid of me Papa?" Elissa asked raising an eyebrow at him and cocked the side of her mouth up in a half smile.
Bryce laughed, "We must talk about the battle in the south Pup. We'll talk again before we leave now be a good lass and do as I ask."
Elissa knew a dismissal when she heard one. She turned to address their guests, "Arl Howe I hope your men being delayed is nothing serious."
"Poor weather I believe, nothing you need worry about," Howe smiled.
"Well I just want to wish you well just in case I don't have a chance to speak to you before you depart," Elissa smiled.
"Oh…" Howe looked taken back. "Thank you that is quite unnecessary."
Elissa raised her eyebrows at that and looked at her father he shrugged. Then she turned to Duncan, "Good evening Duncan."
With that she turned from the small group and walked out of the hall. No sooner had she left it she heard the barking of Lucky echoing through the halls.
Ser Gilmore came running up to her out of breath. "There you are!"
"What did you do to my dog?" Elissa raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms.
"I did nothing! Your mother asked me to find you to get your dog out of Nan's hair." Ser Gilmore sighed.
"Is he in the larder again?" Elissa asked. Nan was now the cook and in control of the kitchen, before that she used to be Elissa's nurse.
"You know your dog, he always manages to get in there," Ser Gilmore shrugged.
"I suppose we should go do something about that," Elissa sighed.
"That would be wise, considering Nan is threatening to leave," he smiled.
"She would do no such thing!" Elissa smiled. "Where is my mother anyway?"
"She is entertaining Lady Landra and her son in the atrium," Ser Gilmore smirked at the mention of Lady Landra's son.
Elissa frowned she had done her best to avoid being alone with Dairren since returning home. However it didn't stop her mother or Lady Landra from pushing him onto her.
"Elissa can I ask you, is it true a Grey Warden is here?" Ser Gilmore asked looking excited about the guest.
"Yes it is, his name is Duncan he's in talking with my father as we speak," Elissa smiled. "You seem rather excited by that Roland."
"Is it true he's asking about me?"
"Yes it is, he intends to test you for recruitment," Elissa smiled and looped her arm through his and continued to walk towards the kitchens.
"Maker's breath can you imagine me a Grey Warden?" Roland laughed.
"You'd be a fabulous Grey Warden! Do you know much about the order?" Elissa asked.
"I only know once you join them your old life is over there's no going back," Roland sighed.
Elissa was saddened about the thought of losing her friend to the Wardens but he deserved more than to be just a knight in her father's service. "Well I hope you'd come back and visit at least."
"Oh I will," Roland said. "Just to put worms in your hair at the very least."
"Don't make me knock you over Roland, you know how bad that would look if you were bested by me when being tested to join the Wardens!" Elissa threatened with a laugh.
"What if he tries to recruit you Elissa?"
"I don't want to be a Warden, Roland. I like my life now. I don't know the first thing about battle or darkspawn. I can shoot a bow but that's about it."
"That's not true. You know more than you let on. But I suppose you have a number of options," Roland said.
"Anyway father told him no," Elissa sighed.
"He could change his mind, Warden's are notorious for doing what must be done. Scribe Aldous told me once that they burnt an entire village to keep it out of the hands of darkspawn."
Elissa paused and looked up at Ser Gilmore, "You mean they'll kill people in order to save them?"
"If they must," Roland nodded. "Come now Elissa, lets go collect your hound."
But Elissa couldn't get that thought out of her head. Why kill people when you are trying to save them? It made no sense to her. She'd be an awful Warden she'd always be trying to save everyone.