Sorry that this story's been on hold for like a month but if you've been following my ME story you'll understand why! If you're not I'll shamelessly plug it now: The Bringer of Destruction for ME2, go check it out if you like a femShep/Miri romance... after you've read this ;)
Had a couple inquiries about my characters so here's a brief list of those I've introduced to you already in varying degrees:
Cailan: King of Ferelden, married to Anora daughter of Loghain, close friends with both Lana and Fergus Cousland, recently spent time in Orlais with Lana where learned of plots to harm his Queen, in love with both Anora and Lana but Lana refused any form of an affair, deceased (poor guy).
Duncan: Commander of the Wardens, father figure to Alistair, honourable, trustworthy, sees the potential in people and unfortunately deceased.
Kaylana (Lana) Cousland: Noble origin, daughter of Teyrn Bryce and Teyrna Eleanor Cousland, close friends with Cailan and Anora, highly educated, linguist, cunning, quite the bard, there is a connection between her and the Dalish that will be explored later, can use bow, dual swords/daggers, throwing knives. Oh and she's NOT a Warden.
Fergus Cousland: Lana's older brother, educated but didn't take to languages like Lana did, intelligent without the ruthless streak Lana can portray, honourable, charismatic and unlike the game will be a significant player in my story, uses sword and shield. NOT a Warden
Sahera: OC, Dalish Hunter, stoic, fiercely protective of Lana, mentor and you'll find out more about her background and what's beneath her layers later (and no I don't mean clothes, she's Dalish they don't wear much as it is!) uses bow, NOT a Warden
Ashana Surana: Elven mage origin, taken to the Circle very young, innocent and childish, easily awed, her magic is powerful - could probably beat on a good day Morrigan, enthusiastic, belying her childish manner she's usually the first to draw, so to speak, in a fight. WARDEN
Lucia Amell: Human mage origin, healer, mature and easily annoyed with Ashana but treats her like a little sister, can actually understand the Archdemon when it speaks. WARDEN
Cullen: Templar, by not remaining in the tower and with his experiences as a Grey Warden I'm going to alter his character slightly from the broken man you find when you go to recruit the mages. Get's tongue tied around pretty girls, highly protective of the mages for multiple reasons and not just because he's a Templar, uses a broadsword in battle. WARDEN
Alistair: Junior Warden, bastard prince, almost templar, recruited by Duncan noted for his sense of humour and putting his foot in his mouth around Lana, fights with sword and shield, still doesn't want to lead anyone for fear of death or loss of pants. WARDEN
Morrigan:Beloved Bit- I mean Witch of the Wilds, cunning, intelligent, ruthless, yes we know her well for her dislike of people in general and preference for hanging out with wolves! NOT WARDEN
Sten of the Beresend:Qunari Sten, stoic, firm beliefs, doesn't believe women should fight so on and so forth... NOT WARDEN
Leliana: Former Lay Sister, Bard from Orlais, believes devoutly in the Maker and Andraste and... why am I detailing these characters they're from the game and I'm gonna be sticking with their persona's. NOT WARDEN
Bear: Mabari healed by Ashana in the Tower of Ishal and imprinted on her.
Temerly: OC, Archer and soldier of Highever, dedicated to the Couslands especially Lana, giant man of little words. NOT WARDEN
Captain Leonys: OC, Commander of Highever's troops, dedicated to the Couslands, furious with Howe and Loghain, a man the troops follow wholeheartedly. NOT WARDEN
Demarin: OC, Head of the remaining Highever servants a high position no elf has ever attained before in Ferelden. Loyal, organized, manipulative in a good way? or just sneaky for the good cause... NOT WARDEN
Arianne: OC, Elder of the Highever Alienage, escaped to the Waking Seas Bannorn with most of the elves of Highever because of Lana's warning. NOT WARDEN
I think that's everyone of importance and hope that helps.
When it was approaching sunset Morrigan braved the ire of Lana and matched her stride, "'Twould perhaps be wise to consider looking for a place to camp for the evening. Unless you wish to pitch your tent in darkness." She pointed out.
"There's a suitable location a little further on that's off the road, near a creek and is clear enough for the wagon to reach it without causing problems. Besides, light really shouldn't be a problem with three mages around should it? I mean surely one of you knows a spell." Lana's ire had faded over the day but she was still not in the best of moods.
"Indeed." Morrigan nodded, pleased to hear Lana was planning ahead, "You were not pleased initially about this Arl Eamon." she murmured quietly, the others were not in hearing distance.
"No." Lana didn't feel the need to say anything more as the woman hadn't asked.
"Yet he is useful so you intend to make use of him in spite of whatever it is you have concerns about?" Morrigan glanced at Lana out of the corner of her eye.
"Yes." Lana wasn't sure how much she should divulge to this woman, she barely knew her after all.
"Good to know." Morrigan smirked in approval. "So why so angry at Alistair's observation?" she dared to ask curiously.
"You mean other than my family was betrayed, massacred and called traitors so clearly have no claim to the throne? Idiot." she muttered.
"We agree on that." Morrigan approved but then glanced back at the young woman as she attempted to understand what had happened to her, she knew little about Ferelden politics or noble families. "So before your family was betrayed Alistair's assumption could in fact have been correct?" she asked with no tact whatsoever.
Lana didn't respond right away. When she did her voice was low, "If you're talking about blood rights then yes, either Fergus or I would be considered as next in line for the throne. However, Anora is already Queen and she is quite capable during peace time." Her shoulders slumped a little, "But she's an administrator, she'll leave war to her father and word has it Loghain's going for the regency. She won't deny him it in a time of war and he wants us dead."
Morrigan was watching Lana closely out the corner of her eye and could see the slumped shoulders straighten at the mention of being wanted dead, a steely resolve in that clenched jaw line that spoke of great inner strength and determination. Lana Cousland was not a woman to toy with. "So kill him." Morrigan shrugged as if it was simply common sense.
Lana burst out laughing.
Morrigan glared at her.
"That's it huh? Problems solved?" Lana was smiling but it didn't reach her eyes. "Morrigan darling Ferelden politics are not that simple."
Morrigan literally growled at being called darling.
"We take out Loghain then Howe will push in, we take out Howe then Eamon will push in, we let Eamon push in and that'll open the door for an Orlesian invasion and not only will we have darkspawn to deal with but flaming Chevaliers." Lana tried to keep it as simple as possible for the apostate.
"So what then?" Morrigan demanded hotly, "Just let him win?"
Now Lana's smile reached her eyes, "Oh no, no, no." she waggled her finger at Morrigan, "We keep them busy. We have them looking at one hand while the other does the real work." She lowered her right hand and with her left held up Morrigan's herbal pouch with a wink.
Morrigan was about to protest at the invasion of her personal space when it dawned on her just what Lana was saying. "Ah so that's why you wish to see this Eamon. With his meddling and your brothers forces Loghain and Howe will be distracted from us."
Lana held out the pouch to Morrigan, "Exactly. On their own neither will really be enough. Eamon will keep them off guard politically and Fergus militarily and hopefully the Bannorn won't tear itself apart because if that happens we're all screwed." she turned her gaze to the horizon and glared off into the distance as though her sheer will would make it so.
Morrigan smirked as she tucked her pouch away again. It was going to be a very interesting journey with the young noblewoman.
Finding the clearing they'd stopped at with Duncan on the way to Ostagar was easy enough and in short order three tents were set up in a semi circle around a roaring fire kindly lit by Ashana after Cullen and Alistair had gathered the wood. Sahera and Morrigan had both vanished into the darkness, Sahera to hunt and they presumed Morrigan to do the same but no one was really sure.
Lana scheduled them all for a watch in pairs. Ashana and Kallian would be first, followed by Cullen and Alistair, then Sten and Sahera and lastly Lana and Morrigan. Lucia was cooking tonight with Leliana's assistance. Lana already knew she personally was not a decent cook, not for lack of trying as Sahera had tried to teach her to cook like a Dalish but it was just one lesson she'd never been able to master.
As for the sleeping situation Sten apparently didn't need a tent and Morrigan had disappeared before she could be asked but Ashana had told them the witch usually just shifted into a wolf to keep herself warm. However with only three tents, all that could be spared from the Highever supplies, they'd still be sharing tents and swapping bed rolls with the next watch. Lana couldn't help but shudder at the thought of swapping bed rolls with Alistair or Cullen, it was definitely not her most ideal situation. She wished she could just turn into a wolf for the night like Morrigan. As Ashana thought about the tent situation more she realized something... they hadn't accounted for Leliana, seeing as Morrigan and Sten didn't require a tent.
"Void." Lana muttered and looked around the two person tents in consternation. The first watch could work for swapping beds, Ashana and Kallian would kick out Cullen and Alistair for a tent but when the men swapped with Sten and Sahera one would be without a bed and the other would be sharing with her as she'd intended on sharing a tent with Sahera. That was unacceptable. Not because she was a prude but because she just couldn't stomach sharing a tent with a male, it made her sick just contemplating it. She'd figured that Lucia and Leliana would share a tent, they'd get a full night sleep without disruption so they'd be able to take first watch the next night. Okay so what if the three elven women shared a tent, being smaller and all, and she... she looked over to the wagon and shook her head, no she was not going to ask to share the wagon with the dwarves... but perhaps Cullen or Alistair could. No that still left her sharing a tent with a man.
Lana's thoughts were disturbed by Leliana.
"Such consternation, what troubles you so?" Leliana smiled to her, she knew that in order to truly fit in with this group it was Lana she needed to win over, or perhaps Ashana to get to Lana as she'd noticed Lana treated Ashana a little differently to the others. Lana had been looking at Ashana when she'd chosen to kill that soldier in the Tavern. She would prefer the more direct approach though in earning Lana's acceptance.
"Just trying to sort out the sleeping situation. As you can see we're short on tents." Lana was standing, almost glaring at the tents with her arms crossed and tapping her fingers on her biceps.
Leliana found it quite attractive actually, Lana was a beautiful woman after all, "So what are you thinking so far? Perhaps speaking it out loud could help." she offered.
Lana couldn't fault her for wanting to know who she'd be sharing a tent with, though she wanted to smack the woman on the back of the head for some reason she didn't really want to analyse. Maybe it was the way those blue eyes were examining her so closely? "First watch I've got sorted but then we get to the second and it gets tricky. You and Lucia share that tent," she pointed to the one on the end furthest from the fire that would get the least amount of disturbance, "Then Cullen and Alistair and Sahera and myself." she gestured to the other two tents.
Leliana nodded, she'd enjoyed talking with Lucia today so had no problem in sharing a tent with her.
"Ashana and Kallian kick out Cullen and Alistair when they swap. But then Sten and Sahera are on watch which means one of the men will have to share the wagon with Bodhan and the other... with me." she shook her head, her voice hitching a little in the back of her throat.
Leliana glanced at her, "And you find that disagreeable?" she asked softly, sensing there was something there, a story perhaps.
Lana frowned and swallowed the growing lump in her throat, her stomach knotting, "Yes." she carried on quickly before Leliana could say anything else, "So then I thought about having Ashana, Kallian and Sahera share seeing as they're smaller but that still doesn't really work either because then I'd have to squeeze in with two of them when watches change and while they're small they're not that small."
Leliana grinned, "Oh you wouldn't want to cuddle up to two beautiful young elven women?" she teased, she knew she certainly wouldn't mind.
"I'd probably squash one of them in my sleep, what d'ya think Kallian? Death by Lana's heavy arse?" she called over to the elven woman knowing that even if the humans couldn't hear them talking the elves could.
"Preferable to darkspawn, besides we might kill you in our sleep with our knife-ears." Kallian shot back good naturedly.
"Well if your ears are getting that close to me... actually never mind, clearly not a good idea. Sorry to break your heart gorgeous but we're just too dangerous for each other." she winked at Kallian.
That brought up a round of sniggers and chuckles from the tired Wardens and Leliana.
"Alas whatever shall I do? My heart is broken beyond repair you cruel, cruel woman." Kallian put her hand to her forehead melodramatically, her tone utterly deadpan but her green eyes were twinkling. She was very pleased that Lana was in a better mood and so was everyone else for that matter.
"Oh I'm sure you'll survive. You don't want to get too attached to a noble at any rate. We are fickle creatures prone to temper tantrums and throwing things when we don't get our way or wish to make a point." Lana tossed a small rock at the elven woman which bounced off the shoulder guard harmlessly much to the amusement of those listening in.
Sahera returned with a half dozen rabbits in one hand and a couple birds in the other to find that the atmosphere of the camp was jovial and most were smiling... except for Sten, she wasn't sure the Qunari was physically able to smile.
Lana immediately went to help the Dalish with skinning the rabbits, away from the others so they didn't make a mess near the campfire or tents.
Ashana was still totally grossed out by the whole idea of killing and eating innocent little animals and forced herself not to watch.
"You realize that all the meat we eat comes from animals right?" Kallian grinned at the pale faced blonde haired mage beside her as she worked on cleaning up her armour from the earlier clash with darkspawn.
Ashana shuddered and didn't respond.
"You know you're better off having the conversation of where babies come from with her." Lucia chuckled, her grin devious and eyes filled with mirth.
Ashana pouted, "I know where babies come from, Lucy!" then with confidence and conviction in her voice she added, "Storks. The storks bring them and leave them on the steps of the Chantry."
There was silence. All eyes were staring at the elven woman in disbelief. Even Bear cocked his head at her curiously.
Then Ashana's serious face cracked and she burst out laughing, "You should see your faces! That was hilarious, you thought I was serious!"
Kallian chuckled at her fellow Warden and friend while Leliana and Alistair joined in with Ashana's laughing and Lucia shook her head with a smile. Cullen just grinned and continued polishing his sword to remove every little flake of darkspawn residue.
Morrigan had also returned and was sorting out some herbs and the like she'd collected some distance from the others at her own little fire. She just wasn't used to so many people. Her life in the Wilds had consisted of her mother and herself, anyone else they came across, or Flemeth had seduced home for her sadistic entertainment, didn't last long. When the others all laughed at something she glanced over for a half second before scowling and returning her attention to her herbs.
Also sitting apart from the others Lana and Sahera quietly worked on the results of Sahera's hunt. This wasn't something new to them, hunting, camping and survival had been ingrained into Lana by Sahera since a young age and it showed in the confident and efficient use of her blade.
Sahera noticed that Lana's attention was not on the Wardens but on the witch. "Be careful of that one lethallan. Asha'Bellanar would not send with us her daughter if she did not have an ulterior motive."
"Who is this Asha'Bellanar?" Lana asked curiously, her voice soft and low like Sahera's had been. She recalled Sahera mentioning that name when she'd met Morrigan earlier but it was unfamiliar to her.
"You would know her as Flemeth." Sahera responded in a murmur as though she might be overheard for just mentioning the woman's name.
Lana looked to her sharply, "As in the Witch of the Wilds?"
Sahera nodded once.
"Well then, we'll just have to keep a close eye on her." Lana glanced back at Morrigan, keeping an eye on the raven haired beauty would not be a problem.
Morrigan scowled at the intruder approaching her campfire, though it lessened slightly as she identified Lana.
"Not sure if you're hungry so I brought you something." Lana smiled down at the woman, holding out a bowl of rabbit and vegetable stew.
"I've already eaten." Morrigan declined, not looking up at Lana as she continued to prepare an elfroot potion.
"Ah well, more for Kallian then, I swear she inhales her own body weight in food." Lana chuckled, glancing back at said elf who was on to her third bowl of stew already.
Morrigan snorted in agreement as it was something all the Wardens had in common.
When it was clear that Morrigan wasn't going to say anything in response to the light comment Lana continued, "You and I are on first watch tonight. I know a little about potions and poultices if you'd like my assistance." She'd swapped the pairs around to accommodate bedrolls for everyone, though it had ended up that she would be sharing with Ashana and Kallian at some point during the night.
"I do not require assistance." Morrigan snapped instantly in annoyance her golden eyes narrowing but not looking up at the woman who was intruding in her personal space.
"As you wish, just thought an extra pair of hands will get more done. I guess I'll fletch some arrows for Sahera then." Lana shrugged, she'd offered there was nothing else she could really do. "If the others think about asking where I am I'll be at the river washing up."
"I'm not your messenger, you desire that they know then tell them yourself." Morrigan growled, shooting a fierce glare up at the woman.
Lana was not intimidated in the least, she'd received scarier glares off Loghain, "No I really don't want to announce to Alistair or Cullen that I'm going to bathe. I said if they asked. I'll probably be back before they even notice." her tone remained relatively light and she merely nodded with a smile. Leaving the bowl of stew in case Morrigan changed her mind she headed off into the shadows of the night towards the creek.
Morrigan watched her go, surprised that she'd actually brought of a meal for her, it was... thoughtful. Her next thought was wondering what Lana had wanted in return as she'd also offered to help with the elfroot potions, yet she'd left the bowl. Curious. Flemeth had ingrained in her that nothing came without a price so she would wait and see what Lana Cousland wanted.
When it came time for their watch to begin Lana and Morrigan pretty much sat on opposite sides of the camp. Morrigan continuing with her potion making, as she was certain the Wardens would need as many as she could make to remain effective in combat against the darkspawn. Lana deftly whittling away to make more arrows for Sahera and Leliana because not all arrows fired at the enemy could be retrieved, let it not be said that Lana wasn't good with her hands... in many ways.
So exhausted from everything that had happened in the past few days as soon as her head touched the bedroll Lana had fallen asleep. Quite dead to the world as the others moved around her during changes of the watch she was unaware that she'd rolled to the centre of the tent, subconsciously knowing that Sahera was safe company. It meant, however, that when Sahera swapped out with Ashana and Kallian the two elves had to wriggle in either side of Lana.
The warmth of two Warden bodies was quite welcome to the sleeping Lana, fending off the chill of the night very effectively. What was not welcome was when both of them began thrashing about wildly in their sleep.
Lana was quite rudely awakened by elbows and knees and fists to her back and stomach not to mention being kicked in the shins and none of them were gentle. She cried out in alarm, no idea what was going on at first especially when Kallian elbowed her in the face. Shooting up and out of the way she blinked and looked around for her assailant to discover the two whimpering elves were her attackers.
"By the flaming void! Will you two knock it off?" She hissed at them in bleary eyed frustration, though doused with a little concern.
Alistair and Cullen were currently on watch and hearing the pissed off voice of Lana they looked over curiously.
Lana wasn't sure what to do with them. Clearly they were dreaming about the Archdemon, was she supposed to wake them or let them be? Sticking her head out the tent flap she looked over to see who was on watch and was relieved to see Alistair.
"Lana what's up?" Alistair grinned over to her.
"These two are fantasizing about beating up the Archdemon with their fists, can I wake them up or is that bad?" she growled, rubbing her cheek that was throbbing from being elbowed.
Alistair stopped grinning, "You can wake them up." he assured her.
"Thank the creators." Lana muttered and disappeared back into the tent.
What happened next left both men chuckling.
Lana grabbed the girls by the scruff of their shirts and shook them, "Alright you two, if I didn't have to sleep in here I'd throw water on you. Wake the bloody void up!" she snarled at them. A thought occurred to her then... with Cullen and Alistair by the fire Sahera would have the tent all to herself...
Ashana was the first to come around and squeaked in fright.
Lana softened at the terror in Ashana's expression and pulled the girl over for a hug, "Come on now, it's alright, no big scary dragons here... at least not anymore. Someone punches me in the face again and I make no promises."
Ashana clung to her with a sob, Lana's voice so soothing after having the Archdemon screaming at her.
Kallian trembled, gasping for breath as she woke up. A warm hand was already tenderly caressing her face.
"It's alright Kallian, you're alright." Lana soothed.
Kallian jerked back at the touch and almost went for her blade until she realized where she was and who she was with. Lana was cradling Ashana who looked a bit shocked still, not that she could blame her friend at all. Needing fresh air she crawled out of the tent just in breeches and undershirt, it was just all too much right now.
Ashana eventually calmed and fell back asleep in Lana's arms without uttering a single word.
Lana sighed then muttered under her breath, "Not usually the response I get holding someone like this but not complaining. You'd better not attack me again kiddo or I will bring out the water." with that she laid Ashana back on the bed roll and covered her with the blanket. Sticking her head back out the tent again she determined quickly that Kallian had not joined the boys by the fire.
"She went that way." Alistair pointed to his right.
"She's all yours Mr. Gray Warden. Tell her there's a free roll next to Sahera would you. One double attack of killer dreaming elves is enough for me thanks." she growled at them and went back to bed. She didn't know how to help with their dreams other than to hug them or something and from the way Kallian jerked back and knowing that she'd had dealings with Vaughn she figured hugging Kallian was a big no-no.
It took her awhile to get back to sleep, what with her throbbing cheek and now aching body, but eventually she did. Only to be woken up shortly after for breakfast... Lucia had been the one to discover that Lana Cousland was not a morning person and left the tent in a hurry.
Next chapter will be on Fergus but my muse is very much still on the Normandy. Don't worry I still have plans for this story just be patient, given how AU this is I truly want to do it the justice it deserves... which is struggling being torn between Seph/Miri and Lana/Morrigan, Morrigan is looking at me like I'm crazy cos why would she ever be romantically inclined towards another person, though Lana is quite liking the idea...
Always love reviews!