The dining hall was quite the sight to behold. Being the rich and powerful nobleman's daughter she was, Cassandra had traveled a great many places and seen all sorts of fantastical Ferelden monuments. But the dining hall was one of the grandest things she'd ever seen. It was the largest room she'd ever been in and at the exact center was an extremely long table that was meant to seat hundreds of people. Each chair at the table was tucked under it with plates, bowls, and silverware neatly arranged and stacked in front of them. There were over a hundred centerpieces and large trays with food in covered plates waiting patiently at the side of the room for everyone to prep themselves for the meal. The walls were tall, dark, and waxed so the wood shined in the dim lighting, and large paintings were placed on the empty wall space in between the floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the port to the Amaranthine Ocean at the setting sun.

Her mother had explained how the supper part worked. Cassandra and the other women would find their family's name written on a card and sit at the spot. The rest of their present family would then come and sit with them. Then, as dinner was served and people ate, Cailan would walk around the table, peruse and interview the women and their families, and have a few other "undercover" suitors pretend to impress him while they examined those around them and wrote down things the king should be aware of.

Suddenly wracked with nerves again, Cassandra began to flatten her new dress even though it was already free of wrinkles.

Should I look for my name card or what? she wondered, looking around anxiously. None of the other girls were moving towards the table, all of them pairing off with their friends or family and chattering with glee. They must all be very proud to have made it this far...

The first part of the "Courting" always had the highest elimination number. After that, it would take almost two months before Cailan narrowed it down to who he would choose as his next wife. At times it might take longer. There was one account that took over 5 years.

I couldn't imagine it, setting my life aside for 5 years just to be able to marry him, Cassandra thought with a shudder.

Finally, people began swarming around the table, all of them looking for their names. Cassandra strolled along the outer area of the room casually, avoiding the crowd. She could make out the names from where she walked, and she found it exhausting how far she had to walk before she found her spot. When she located 'Cousland' in big, black letters, she exhaled and walked slowly towards the spot. Then she froze.

Has the Maker truly forsaken me? she thought with horror.

There he was.

Prince Alistair Theirin.

Just her luck, of course.

She was shaking her head in frustration. Now her parents would probably hear about how she'd walked into his room! Maybe he'd personally requested to sit near her just to tease her in front of her parents. Or maybe it was stupid, dumb, horrible luck. She glanced at the area nearby and her fears were confirmed by 'Theirin' written in the same big, black letters.

Her family, out of all the families seated in the gargantuan dining hall, had to sit next to the Theirins.

Finally she swallowed and took a few brave steps forward. Alistair looked up from his plate and saw her, smiling warmly.

No going back now that he's seen you, Cassandra thought grimly.

As she approached her chair, he stood up in an attempt to show proper manners, but he bumped his leg on the bottom of the table and let out a wild string of curses. Their eyes both met and widened at the same time.

"Oops," he squeaked.

"You know, for a prince you've got quite the sailor's mouth," she teased before realizing she just teased royalty. She slapped a hand on her mouth and blushed, but still couldn't stop smiling.

He looked up at her and, oddly enough, smiled back. "Well I do captain a ship," he said.

"Really?"

Alistair smirked and half-rolled his eyes. "No, but a man can dream."

Cassandra folded her arms and leaned to one side. "Keep making stuff up and you'll lose credibility," she told him pointedly.

He shrugged. "I've never really been good at censoring myself. It's probably why I'm the Theirin nobody talks about. I lack the political grace and tact they all want me to have."

Cassandra raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything in reply, pulling out her chair and sitting down. It was almost frightening how much she related.

They both watched the other people looking for their spots, glancing at each other every now and again but not talking.

Cassandra noted how odd it was that all the babbling women and their families looking for their seats were like background noise. Instead the main thing she heard was her own blood rushing through her. She also found herself overly self-conscious. She figured it was because she was in the presence of a prince, but she didn't feel exactly the same around Cailan.

Nobles walked up every now and again to greet Alistair and say it was a "pleasure", but he wasn't lying when he said he was the Theirin nobody talked about. There was always a crowd of people flocking the other Theirins, but Alistair seemed to be just like any other person.

It felt like ages before Cassandra's family finally found her. Fergus and Bryce were all spiffed up in suits with their hair neatly combed and faces freshly shaved. Eleanor had her hair pinned back in the usual braids and was wearing a new gown she probably got at the market that day.

"Good evening, darling!" Eleanor cooed, leaning in to plant a kiss on Cassandra's cheek. "I'm proud that you stuck out the first day for us!"

"Mother!" Cassandra whined, leaning away. She wasn't quick enough to evade her mother's grasp, though, and suffered an unfortunate kiss. Alistair stifled a giggle from where he sat and watched.

"Prince Alistair!" Bryce greeted, extending his arm over the table. Alistair stood up and shook hands with the Teryn gladly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, and aren't we very lucky to be able to sit with you tonight!"

"Lucky indeed..." Cassandra muttered.

Fergus was the only one who heard, and he raised a curious eyebrow. "What was that, dear sister?"

"Nothing!" Cassandra answered quickly, turning away from him in her seat.

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Teryn Cousland," Alistair purred, bowing his head.

Eleanor smiled. "The honor is all ours, I can assure you! Have you met my daughter Cassandra yet?"

Alistair nodded and looked at Cassandra with a mischievous grin. "Oh yes, I met her. She's a very interesting character."

Cassandra let out a frustrated huff and sunk in her seat, arms crossed.

Eleanor shook her head. "She can be a bit stubborn and head-strong at times, but she's really quite the magnificent young lady."

Alistair looked up at her. "Oh don't get the wrong impression, Teryna Cousland. I find her personality charming, and not at all off-putting. I'm sure she'll catch Cailan's eye," he said.

Bryce patted Cassandra on the back and let out a hearty laugh. "That's my girl!" He met Eleanor's gaze and smiled triumphantly. "I told you she'd win them over with her resiliance!"

Eleanor rolled her eyes and plopped into her chair. "Oh sit down already, Bryce!"

Fergus took a seat next to his sister. "How was your day, Cass?" he asked casually as he scooted in.

She sighed. "It was very long and very..." her eyes darted from Alistair to her brother, "... uneventful."

Alistair heard and smiled to himself, knowing full well she was lying. Cassandra was surprised he hadn't told on her yet. Why wouldn't he? She'd been out of line. She deserved it for being so careless. Any other nobleman would have, Cailan would have. She shook the thought away and concentrated on the paintings that hung on the walls.

One of the paintings was a depiction of Amaranthine farmlands. The Howes owned the area, and because of their frequent visits, Cassandra knew the land well. She recognized the sloping hills, fresh and airy countryside, the tall grass and arching trees. She knew that one day she'd want to go there to settle down. The city life wasn't quite for her, too busy and loud. The open land was so peaceful and quiet, perfect. She passed time during the dinner by daydreaming about her future home while her family talked to Alistair. She almost didn't notice when Cailan arrived.

Everyone sat up straight when he approached except for Alistair, who pressed himself against his seat and closed his eyes so that they were slits.

"Prince Cailan!" Bryce exclaimed in surprise, rising from his seat to welcome the soon-to-be-king.

Cailan smiled and bowed his head respectfully. "Oh, there is no need for you to rise," he said, waving his hand dismissively. Then he looked at Cassandra and his lips twitched. "However I am surprised you did. I guess it doesn't run in the family..."

Eleanor narrowed her eyes and leaned over the table to look at her daughter. "What does that mean? Cassandra what does that mean?"

Cassandra shook her head and pursed her lips, bracing herself.

Alistair cut in quickly. "Cailan! I'm sure you already heard, but I caught wind of darkspawn spotted in the Kolcari Wilds!"

"B-" Eleanor started.

Cailan ignored her. "I sent some scouts a few weeks ago and I'm waiting until they report back before I take action."

Cassandra jumped on the opportunity Alistair provided her. "I've heard that people suspect an oncoming Blight," she added.

"I doubt it's a Blight. We would know by now if it were, I'm certain."

"If there truly are darkspawn in the wilds, how will you handle them?"

Cailan smiled at the thought. "I was hoping to go there myself and battle them! It is not often one gets to battle darkspawn, unless, of course, you're a dwarf!" He laughed to himself.

Bryce cleared his throat. "Pardon me, Your Highness, but I'm not sure I would recommend that. Fighting darkspawn, especially in the Kolcari Wilds, is no simple matter. It's very dangerous and you're likely to get killed."

Cailan made a 'pffft' sound and waved the Teryn's worries away. "It will be nothing. I'd never pass up the oppurtunity. To fight darkspawn... just like the Wardens of old... I'd give anything to let just one darkspawn taste my blade."

"No offense, Prince Cailan," Fergus interrupted, "but fighting darkspawn isn't the same as hunting bears and battling bandits. Even if you're victorious against them, you could contract the taint and become one yourself. Then where would Ferelden's king be?"

"I'd just become a Grey Warden!"

"If they were willing to induct you," Fergus pointed out.

Cassandra nodded. "And don't Wardens have to swear an oath and leave their old lives behind? You could never be king again."

Cailan blushed and scrunched his nose, realizing that people were not letting him have his way. "I am Prince and I shall do as I please!" he nearly shouted.

Fergus and Cassandra exchanged glances but quieted while Bryce and Eleanor stared daggers at their children. Alistair just watched with wide pupils.

Cailan sighed and pinched the skin between his eyebrows. "I apologize. I realize you are all only looking out for my well-being, and that is much appreciated, but I do know what I am doing, and I can promise you that I will take all the proper precautions to keep myself from any true danger."

"Of that we have no doubt, Your Highness," Eleanor replied agreeably.

Cailan sighed again and turned to Cassandra. "Well I'm supposed to ask you a few questions," he stated.

Cassandra nodded and instinctively sat up straight. "Yes, of course."

"What do you see yourself doing in the next few years?"

"Easy. I want to adventure."

Cailan's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "You?" he asked in disbelief.

Cassandra bit back a sarcastic response and instead replied, "Yes."

"Well that's a new one. You'd be surprised how many say 'Being your wife, of course'!" Calian chuckled and asked a few more questions that Cassandra attempted to answer as best she could. It felt awkward with nearly everyone in her family plus Alistair watching and listening.

The rest of the conversation went along smoothly. Bryce and Fergus discussed politics while Eleanor tried to talk up her daughter in between topics. Alistair and Cassandra both remained quiet, however, half-listening half-off in their own worlds.

When dinner finally ended, Cassandra took in a deep breath. This, her mother had informed her, was when the ladies would find out who was being sent home that night. On their way out, each family would get a card that would either say "Congratulations" or "Have a safe trip home". She had her fingers crossed that her card would be wishing her a safe trip home. It was all swell and fine that she made it through the first round, at least her parents knew she tried, but after tonight they'd be leaving for Highever without her and the next chance she'd get to go home, even after being eliminated, wouldn't be for more than a month. She wasn't sure if she could handle being this strange new place without her family.

They inched towards the door, standing in the long line of other suitors. Some women received their cards and whooped, others remained stoic and unphased, and others began weeping loudly. Cassandra took more deep breaths and let her eyes dart around the room, distracting herself from the fact that she was almost to the front of the line.

"Ma'am?" came a voice.

Cassandra turned and stared at the servant who was holding a card out in front of him.

"Ma'am, what are you waiting for?" the man pressed.

Cassandra quickly snatched the card away but refused to look at it, waiting until she was out in the corridor and away from the prying eyes of other suitors.

Eleanor followed closely and tried to peer over her daughter's shoulder for a glimpse. "Well, darling? What does it say?" she asked. Bryce and Fergus were off somewhere else. Cassandra didn't know where and she didn't really care. For some reason the words on the card were consuming her and all of her focus.

"Congratulations," she breathed, still wondering if maybe there'd been a mix-up.

Eleanor grinned, wrapping her daughter in a big embrace. "Oh Cassandra, that's wonderful! You've made it through the most challenging part."

Cassandra grimaced and kept staring at the card. Eventually her mother noticed.

"What's the matter? I expected you'd at least be somewhat happy about making it this far. You were always so competitive."

"It's just-" Cassandra started. Tears were building up in her eyes when she met her mother's gaze. "I'm not sure I'm ready for this. It's all so overwhelming. I don't want to be alone here, and I don't want to win. I just-" She gasped for breath and let her hand fall from her forehead to her side. "I just want to go home." I don't know if I can handle messing everything up like I know I will, was her silent confession.

Eleanor smiled softly and pulled away, gently grasping her daughter's shoulder. "Cassandra... you're growing up, you have to learn to be independent from us- to take responsibility. I know this can seem stressful and frightening- but I promise you this, you don't have to win. Just enjoy yourself here, take a break from us. Make friends! It will all be over before you know it and you can come back home and ride horses and practice your fighting again. I promise."

Cassandra swallowed and nodded, letting her mother hug her but not feeling any less ready.