An Early Gift

Another arrow that Elissa had shot from her bow found the bullseye of the target perfectly. Still concentrating, she quickly and gracefully notched another from her quiver and concentrated to land another. As she drew the bowstring back, she did not notice the person who had quietly snuck up behind her.

"Keep trying, Elissa…but I doubt you'll ever be as good as me." The person whispered into her ear.

Surprised, Elissa accidentally let go of the bowstring too soon and the arrow flew way above the target and into a nearby window sill. She heard a small crash and the sound of angry cursing. A very angry Nan then appeared at the window, glaring down at the two suspects that had sent a flying arrow into the kitchen.

"YOU!" Nan angrily yelled, pointing at Elissa and waving the stray arrow with her other hand. "What do you think you're doing, you stupid girl?! You nearly missed planting this thing on my side and it knocked over a bottle of expensive ale!"

Elissa tried to look sheepish. "I'm sorry, Nan! It wasn't my fault! It was his!" She pointed to the perpetrator behind her that had caused her to slip. He raised his hands in mock surrender.

"And YOU!" Nan pointed at the other. "How many times did I tell you to stay away from my girl, you moddled half-wit. Hurry up and get out of here before I release the hounds on you, Nathaniel Howe!"

"Ah, Nan…you are still the beautiful and passionate woman I have come to love." Nathaniel bowed low.

"Humph!" Nan grumbled and strolled away from the window, her cursing was still audible from the kitchens.

"Thanks a lot, Nathaniel." Elissa muttered and strolled over to her well-used practice target. "Nan will be harping on me for days."

Nathaniel shrugged. "It is not my fault if you were unable to concentrate. Being distracted is the worst thing a soldier can do on a battlefield."

Elissa rolled her eyes and pulled out the arrows from the target to place back into her quiver. "So what are you doing in Highever, Nathaniel? Is your father visiting us again? Or do you want to spar with me again?"

"Yes he is…he is with the Teyrn at the moment. And no, I have no desire to receive the usual thrashing." Nathaniel grinned mischievously. "But that is not the reason I am here."

"Oh Maker, what have you done now." Elissa groaned. "I know that look of yours. You always have that stupid face whenever you have something idiotic planned up your sleeve."

"Such little faith." Nathaniel pretended to look hurt and dug into his pack that was slung around his shoulder. "I came to give you…this." He threw a bound package towards Elissa.

Elissa gracefully caught it with one hand and immediately felt the weight. Curious, she unbound the twine and the rough brown paper fell apart, revealing what was wrapped inside.

"A new dagger?!" Elissa exclaimed, picking it up and admiring the blade. It shined brilliantly in the sunlight and the sheath was intricately carved with designs. "Is this for me?"

"You are very welcome." Nathaniel looked smug.

"What is this for?" Elissa turned her blue eyes to him, confused.

Nathaniel sighed. "For Andraste's sake…do you not know that your sixteenth birthday is coming up?"

"But my birthday isn't coming up until next week."

"I thought it would be best if I gave it to you early. Be the first to have the honor." Nathaniel grinned, delighted with surprising her with his present.

Elissa gave him a genuine smile. "Thank you so much, Nathaniel. It is a wonderful gift! My old iron dagger was barely holding together."

Nathaniel stood back and admired Elissa as she fawned over her gift. She had grown out of the lanky boyish build she had when she was a child and her curves had developed beautifully. Her blond curls were no longer and her hair had grown to become golden brown like the rest of the Couslands. She kept her hair shorter than what was in style with the women in Ferelden, but her silky hair still tended to curl at the ends, just as it had when she was a child. Her sky blue eyes were still her most distinguishing feature.

He also had to appreciate the fact that Elissa was one of a kind amongst the noble ladies of Ferelden. Elissa was one of the most talented fighters he has ever met. Her skills had been polished to perfection thanks to the trainers her father had gotten for her over the years. She was more comfortable in her leather wear than in a gown, much to the Teyrna's dismay.

And for those reasons and more, Nathaniel has found himself wistfully in love with the Cousland girl.

"So tell me, Nathaniel…" Elissa broke his reverie. "Why have you gotten me such a wonderful gift so early? I've known you since we were children, don't tell me you don't have some sort of ulterior motive."

"Can't I just do something nice for you?" Nathaniel crossed his arms. "It does you no good to be so suspicious."

"Only when it comes to you, good ser." Elissa teased and sheathed her new dagger on her ankle strap to see how it felt.

"Ha, you got me." Nathaniel grinned. "There is a reason I gave your birthday present early, but you'll have to wait for my explanation tonight."

Elissa sighed. "Fine then. I can wait for tonight." She observed her friend who was leaning back casually against the wall. He wasn't wearing his casual garments but had his noble dress wear on. His black hair was short again.

"What are you looking at?" Nathaniel noticed her stare. "Are you just discovering how ruggedly handsome I am?"

Elissa waved off his remark. "Actually, I noticed that you've cut your hair again. It was getting pretty long when I last saw you."

"Oh, this?" He ran his hair through his short hair. It still felt odd to him. "My father forced the kitchen cook to take her shears to my head. And here I thought he was going to let me get away with it."

Elissa gathered up her bow and un-strapped her archery armguard. "You were looking quite like a pirate there for a while. I bet you had the girls in court swooning over you."

"I never had you swooning over me…allow me." Nathaniel picked up her quiver of arrows before she could protest.

"Thank you." Elissa started to walk towards the common rooms. "Your father is here, isn't he? I should make myself proper and greet him."

"He would like that. Thomas and Delilah are also here as well."

"Ah…Thomas." She sighed. The youngest Howe child had developed a severe crush on her in the past year.

Nathaniel chuckled. "Now, now…it's only puppy love, Elissa. Be a sweetheart and don't crush his fragile heart under your boots."

"There is absolutely nothing fragile about the Howes." Elissa quipped and Nathaniel laughed in agreement.