Authors notes: Next chapter will throw up some favourite people.
The choices made for her
Bryce Cousland paced the study, eyes kept on his youngest child, "My darling girl, you need to get married, you are 19 now."
"I know how old I am Father," Aurelia sighed with annoyance, "I will get married, just not to the fools you think I'd be happy with. I want a Husband who has knowledge of the world and not just knowledge of his own bedroom."
"Nathaniel is a smart young man," Bryce protested.
"He's also well know for his activities with servants, forgive me for wanting a Husband who will stay faithful to me," Aurelia crossed her arms, her patience wearing thin.
"Oh, and you know of these men do you?"
"There's Bann Teagan, you turned him down for no reason. Teyrn Loghain, he's honourable and respectful. Even Maric would be ok. But no, you seem to want to saddle me with the biggest fools in Ferelden."
"If I pick someone who isn't a fool, will you marry them?" Bryce asked exasperated.
"Yes, but I guarantee father, if he is a wretch like the rest, I will leave Ferelden for good," Aurelia gave her father one last glare before leaving the room.
Bryce sighed, his daughter was a force to be reckoned with, even he struggled to reason with her. A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts, "Come in."
He noticed Habren walk in, "Excuse me, Teyrn Bryce, I'd like to talk to you about Aurelia," She said innocently.
"Go ahead my dear."
"Well," Habren fiddled with her fingers, "I think the reason she doesn't want to marry Nathaniel is because she wants to marry Arl Howe instead. She wouldn't say anything because you already turned Teyrn Loghain down, he might have been too old."
"Thank you, Habren," Bryce said smiling.
Habren nodded before turning to walk out, Bryce not seeing the evil smirk on her face.
Loghain waited outside the study for Aurelia to come out, the discussion between Father and Daughter had got heated, Aurelia obviously unhappy.
Cailan and Maric walked up the steps by Loghain, a huge smile plastered on both men's faces, they were up to mischief, "Good afternoon, you romantic stallion," Cailan said through a huge grin on.
"Waiting for someone are we?" Maric asked, "Lady Aurelia, maybe."
Loghain led both into a room, closing the door firmly, "What did you see?"
"Lady Aurelia on your lap, you weren't wearing much," Cailan thought to suppress his laughter.
"I..we...I love her," He admitted to them, sadness etched on his face.
"So, ask for her hand again, tell Bryce you love her," Maric told his friend, pity raising for him.
Loghain Scoffed, "Bryce wants Aurelia to have a political marriage to Nathaniel Howe. I have the same standing as he but it's not enough, he has his mind-set."
"You're thinking about Celia?" Maric asked.
"I..yes, I feel somehow I'm betraying her for loving Aurelia. I loved Celia yes, I used to miss her, but...Aurelia is the one I couldn't live without, even if she isn't mine, she's still there," Loghain's head sunk thinking about the day he could lose Aurelia.
"You know she feels the same way," Maric said, trying to soothe Loghain.
"She said she did, she wouldn't lie about that so at least I have that," Loghain heard the study door open, "I need to see Aurelia," He left the room without another word.
Loghain approached Aurelia, who directed him to the library, Aurelia's shoulders sagged, "I think Father is planning to announce my engagement tonight."
"Any idea who?" Loghain asked.
Aurelia shook her head, "No matter who it is, I'll be expected to stay faithful," She cried silent tear, "There'll be no more us."
Loghain pulled her into his arms, "Aurelia, you know I love you, I'll always be here for you."
Aurelia surrounded herself in his embrace, "I love you too. The only man I'll ever love."
Loghain held her for what seemed an eternity, soon he'd never be able to touch her again.
Aurelia walked out of her room, the feeling in the pit of stomach still strong, nausea plaguing her, for she knew, tonight was the night she was betrothed.
When she got to the dining hall, she was seated between her Father and Arl Howe, the feeling in the pit of stomach turned into an angry burn, in fact it was a blood boiling fury searing its way through her, damn her father.
Once everyone had seated for dinner, Bryce stood up to make the announcement, "My friends, time has come for me to announce my daughters engagement to my dear friend Rendon Howe," The diners applauded the news.
Loghain looked at Aurelia, he saw the anger burning in her eyes. Bile rose in his throat, he knew Aurelia would be treated nothing like a common whore by Howe and that boy of his. He wanted nothing more than to beat Bryce and Rendon to death.
Aurelia looked at the food placed in front of her, she didnt dare touch it for the fear she would vomit everywhere, she merely pushed the plate away, it didnt go unnoticed by Bryce, "Why aren't you eating?" He asked, voice riddled with annoyance.
"Lost my appetite," She fired back with a sneer.
"I thought this is what you wanted"
Aurelia scoffed, "Oh yes, to be married to a man who treats women like whores."
"Aurelia!" Bryce hissed.
"Oh drop dead Father, I'm glad you listen to Habren before you listen to me," Aurelia stormed out of the dining hall, any longer as she would have hit her father.
Once out on the grounds, she felt her tears forming in her eyes, she heard rustling behind her, turning to see the smirking face of Habren, "Convincing your Father was so very easy."
"Why?" Aurelia asked trying to hold back her anger.
"Because finally, you're going to be put in your place, like the lazy little slut that you are. Father is going to ask Teyrn Loghain to marry me," She sneered in reply.
"He will never marry you."
"Oh, what makes you so sure?"
Aurelia laughed in her face, "Because ugly little whores are not his thing."
"He has sex with you," Habren spat back.
Aurelia slapped Habren around the face, who in turn slapped her back, "You bitch," Aurelia screamed lunging at her. Aurelia pinned Habren down, punching her over and over.
"Aurelia, get off of her now," Bryce shouted running to pull his daughter off Habren.
Arl Bryland dragged his bloodied daughter away, throwing a glare at an angry Aurelia.
"What is wrong with you Aurelia?" Bryce demanded.
"Get off of me, it's all your fault," She sneered, "If you wanted me to become Howe's personal whore you could have just sold me into slavery, at least I'd be a problem you solved. Don't worry Father, I'll open my legs for Nathaniel too, produce a few bastard children with him to make you really proud.
Bryce slapped his Daughter on her right cheek, his ring opening up her delicate skin, blood pouring.
Aurelia held her face, shocked and scared, "I hate you, if you die I will celebrate," Aurelia rushing away shaking, shrugging of Loghain's attempts to comfort her.
Loghain looked at Bryce, anger in his heart, "You are a cruel man Bryce, you never deserved to have her as a Daughter," Loghain walked away before he gave into the temptation to strangle Bryce with his bare hands.
Aurelia sobbed into her pillow, her world had crashed around her, her Father had slapped her, injuring her face. She saw her dagger on the bed side table, she could end it all, no one could hurt her any more. Aurelia grabbed the dagger, willing herself to bring it across her wrist, in one movement, she sliced her skin, whimpering in pain as the blood started to seep out.
The door to her room opened revealing Loghain, he rushed to her immediately, "What did you do Aurelia?" He desperately tried to stop the flow.
Loghain rushed out of the room to get the castle healer, a few moments later they appeared, the healer immediately going to heal her wrist, "You should rest my lady."
The Healer pulled Loghain aside to talk, once distracted, Aurelia pulled a fertility potion from the healer's bag, she drink it quickly, hiding the evidence.
Loghain dismissed the healer, he moved to Aurelia's side, sitting on the bed, "Why did you do it Aurelia?"
Aurelia choked on a sob, "I just wanted to be free."
Loghain's heart broke for her, he pulled her into his lap, his arms wrapped around her, her tears wetting his tunic. He looked down at her, kissing her lightly on the lips. Aurelia moved, pushing him back against the bed, claiming his mouth with her own, Strong hands moved to her hips, pushing up her shift, letting her remove it.
His hands travelled over her breasts and down her stomach, he pulled her close to him, rolling them over, positioning himself in between her legs. He removed his clothes, his aching erection springing free.
"No teasing tonight Loghain, I just need you inside of me," Aurelia breathed out.
Loghain climbed in between her thighs, kissing her as he hilted himself inside of her, he took it slow and gentle, making love to her, giving her what she asked for.
Aurelia felt the bliss of a slow building orgasm heat her up, but she needed more, "Faster please," She begged.
Loghain moved faster and harder into her, gripping on to her thighs, making around mewl and thrash around underneath him. He felt her walls clenched around him, she called out his name as she arched her back, he made a few more desperate thrusts before spilling his seed into her, Aurelia wrapping her legs around him to drive him deeper, his seed invading her womb.
"Stay with me until I fall asleep?" Aurelia asked between gentle kisses.
"I will, I love you," He replied kissing her deeply, stroking her hair.
"I love you Loghain, no matter what, always remember that," Loghain nodded wrapping his arms around her, kissing her shoulder.
Loghain felt her body sagged and her breathing deepen, kissing her one more time, he slipped away off the bed, He pulled his clothes on and slipped out of the room.
Aurelia felt the bed move as Loghain slipped away. Hearing the door shut, she left it a few minutes before getting up, writing 2 letters, for Loghain and Eleanor. She went to the chest she insisted she bring from Highever, pulling some clothes out, a few sovereigns and a bed roll. She packed the items, making it easy to carry.
Opening her bedroom door, looking around to make sure it was clear, she slipped out, sliding letters underneath the doors of Loghain and Eleanor. She run to the stables, placing a mount of her favourite palace horse. She mounted the horse, galloping away from the castle.
She looked back at the palace, knowing her love was blissfully unaware that she wont be there in the morning. She cried forcing herself to keep going.