Disclaimer: I do NOT own Dragon Age or anything related to it.

"for every goodbye, God also provides a hello"
― Donna Gable Hatch

Chapter 4:Goodbyes and Helloes

Having just fled the larder with Leonard and Ser Gilmore, Valerie was now on her way to Fergus's quarters with her often irksome yet also very loyal and lovable hound right by her side since Ser Gilmore left to prepare for the arrival of more of Arl Howe's men. The blonde rogue hummed quietly to herself as she walked down the path and stroked Leonard's head affectionally, unable to keep from smiling when he barked happily each time. Looking up, she suddenly stopped right in her tracks and gave a very sarcastic sigh at the sight of her mother standing right in front of the way to Fergus's chambers talking and laughing with some of her friends.

"Oh, wonderful," She said sarcastically with the shake of her head,", more guests."

Leonard panted and whined, rubbing his head against his mistress's leg. She looked down at him and moaned, running a hand over her face before reluctantly making her way toward her mother. Because she was in the middle of babbling about some past event, Eleanor did not notice her daughter approaching and Valerie listened in to what her mother was saying with a small smirk of amusement.

"...and my husband Bryce brought this back from Orlais last year. From what I understand, the marquis who gave it to him was quite drunk and apparently mistook Bryce for the king." The Teryna chuckled lightly and then noticed Valerie trotting over to them, still smirking."Ah, and here comes my lovely daughter. I take it by the presence of that troublesome hound of yours that the situation in the kitchen has been handled?"

"Yes, Mother." Valerie said, biting her lip hard to hold back her laughter."Nan is back to work as we speak."

Nodding, Eleanor sighed in relief."Good, you've always had a way with her." She then smiled politely and gestured toward the woman standing next to her."Darling, you remember Lady Landra, Bann Loren's wife."

'Unfortunately, I do.' Valerie said in her head.

"I believe we last met at your mother's spring salon." Lady Landra said.

"Of course." Valerie put on a fake smile."It's so good to see you again, milady."

'No, it isn't!' A voice in her head shouted.

"You're too kind dear girl." Landra blushed."Didn't I spend half the salon trying to convince you to marry my son?"

"And made a very poor case for it, I might add." Dairren scowled, folding his arms over his chest and glaring at his mother.

"Do you remember my son, Dairren?" Landra asked with an almost teasing smile."He's not married yet either."

Dairren rolled his eyes and uncrossed his arms, giving Valerie an apologetic smile."Don't listen to her, milady. It's good to see you again. You're looking as beautiful as ever."

"Flatterer." Valerie teased.

"And this is my lady-in-waiting, Iona." Landra gestured toward a pretty blonde elven woman standing quietly behind Dairren."Do say something please, dear."

"It is a great pleasure, milady." Iona said with a sweet smile."You are as pretty as your mother describes."

Eleanor sighed."You would think that would make it easier to find a match for her, but it's actually more difficult."

"Perhaps your daughter simply has a mind of her own, your ladyship." Dairren said in defense of Valerie, who gave him a grateful smile in return."You should be proud."

Eleanor huffed, crossing her arms."Well proud doesn't exactly get me anymore children, now does it?"

"I can handle my own affairs, thank you." Valerie said coldly.

Eleanor scoffed."All evidence to the contrary."

'Maker, I hate this woman sometimes!' Valerie growled in her head.

Landra cleared her throat awkwardly."I think perhaps I shall rest now, my dear. Dairren, I will see you and Iona at supper."

Dairren nodded."Perhaps we'll retire to the study for now, Iona." The elf gave a small nod of agreement as she followed after Dairren.

"Good evening, your ladyship." Landra said to Eleanor before taking her leave. Eleanor slowly came closer to her daughter.

"You should say goodbye to Fergus while you still have the chance, Valerie." She said, looking a little sad and worried.

"I have a bad feeling about all of this this, Mother." Valerie said quietly.

"As do I." The Teryna nodded."Your father and brother are both marching off to fight Maker knows what and all the assurances in the world don't comfort me. But it wouldn't help for us to simply take up arms and fight. Each of us has our duty and yours and mine are here as it would seem."

"Will you be staying at the castle?"

"For a few days. Then I will travel with Lady Landra back to her estate and keep her company for a time. Your father feels my presence here might undermine your authority."

Valerie frowned, looking down."I don't think you should go."

"Don't worry, my dear." Eleanor patted her lightly on the cheek."It won't be long."

Valerie nodded."I should go."

"I love you, my darling girl. You know that, don't you?"

"I love you too, Mother."

"Will there really be a war, Papa?" Oren asked."Will you bring me back a sward?"

Chuckling, Fergus knelt in front of his son."That's sword, Oren. And yes, I promise I'll bring you bacl the most mightiest one I can find. You can count on it. I'll be back before you know it."

"I wish victory was indeed so certain." Oriana sniffed, her voice slightly muffled by the tissue she held to wipe away her tears."My heart is...disquiet."

"Don't frighten the boy, love." Fergus stood up to take his wife into his arms and hug her to him."I speak the truth." He kissed her and did not notice Valerie sauntering into the room with Leonard on her heels while Oren made a disgusted little noise at his parents. Rolling her eyes, Valerie picked up her nephew in her arms with a small grunt and cleared her throat to get her brother and sister-in-law's attention. They both jumped slightly in surprise and separated as Oren and Valerie both snickered.

"You two are nauseating us." Valerie quipped dryly.

"When there's a man in your life, you'll understand." Fergus replied with a roll of hid eyes.

"I think we both know that's never going to happen."

"Mark my words little sister, one day you'll find someone who can handle your, ahem, personality."

"Oh, stow it, Fergus." She rolled her eyes at him and lowered her head with a sigh."I wish I could go with you."

"Me too, sister." Fergus nodded."It'll be hard killing all of those darkspawn on my own."

"In Antiva, it would be unthinkable for a woman to fight in battle." Oriana stated.

"Is that so?" Fergus quirked an eyebrow."I always heard that Antivan women were quite dangerous."

"With kindness and poison only, my husband." She teased.

"Interesting choice of words from the woman who serves me my tea." Fergus said with a snort.

Valerie rolled her eyes again."Did you know there's a Grey Warden here in the castle with two of his elven recruits?"

"Really?!" Oren asked, shifting slightly in his aunt's arms."Was he riding a griffon? And did the elves have pointy ears?"

Oriana shushed him."Griffons only exist in stories now, Oren." She paused briefly."And elves wouldn't elves if they didn't have pointy ears." She shrugged lightly.

"I heard about that." Fergus said with nod."Did he say why he's come?"

"He's looking for some more recruits." Valerie answered.

"Oh? If I were a Grey Warden, Val, I'd definitely have my eye on you." He gave a quick cough."Not that Father would ever allow it."

Valerie snorted, rolling her eyes."Of course he wouldn't. I thought he was going to have a heart attack when the Grey Warden dared to express any interest in me." She gave a small sigh."You'll be missed, Brother."

Fergus smirked."If it's any consolation, I'm sure I'll freeze to death in the southern rain and be completely jealous of you up here, all safe and warm."

"I am positively thrilled to hear that you will be suffering so terribly, my husband." Oriana said sarcastically.

Valerie snickered."Speaking of fighting, Father wants you to lead the troops ahead of him to Ostagar."

Fergus sighed."Then the arl's men are delayed. Sometimes, it feels like they're all just walking backwards." He wasn't exactly fond of Arl Howe either, but like Valerie, he acted respectful and friendly enough for their father's fake."Well then I'd better get underway. So many darkspawn to behead and so little time to do so. Off we go then, I'll see you soon, my love."

"I'd hoped dear boy, that'd you'd at least planned to wait for us before taking your leave." Bryce said as he and Eleanor entered the room.

"Be well, my son." Eleanor said to Fergus."I will pray for your safety every day you are gone."

"Oh, knock it off, Mother." Valerie rolled her eyes, annoyed with how everyone was fretting so much over her brother."Fergus will be fine."

"I keep telling you nothing will happen." Fergus said."No darkspawn can possibly best me."

"Maker sustain and preserve us all." Oriana whispered in prayer."Watch over our sons, husband, and fathers and bring them safely back to us."

"And bring us some ale and wenches while you're at it." Fergus added, making Valerie groan."For the men, of course."

"Fergus!" Oriana yelled."You would say this in front of your mother?"

"You obviously don't know who you're talking to, sister." Valerie retorted."This is Fergus we're talking about, after all."

"What's a wench?" Oren asked curiously, hugging Valerie by the neck."Is that what you pull on to get the bucket out of the well?"

"Andraste's arse, wait a go Fergus!" Valerie exclaimed sarcastically.

"A wench is a woman who pours the ale in a tavern, Oren." Bryce answered."Or a woman who just drinks a lot of ale."

"Bryce!" Eleanor growled, hitting him upside the head."Maker's breath, it's like living with a pair of small boys. Thankfully, I have a daughter."

"I'll miss you, Mother dear." Fergus laughed, hugging her."You'll take care of her won't you, Val?"

"You can count on me." Valerie said with sly smile.

"Oh good!" The Teryna quipped sarcastically."How thrilling to know I'm so well taken care of!"

"Enough, enough." Bryce chortled, putting his hands up."Let us just enjoy these last few moments we have together before Fergus and I have left."

Oren poked Valerie's arm for attention and she looked down at him with a raised eyebrow."Mama says you'll be taking care of us while Papa is gone. Is that true, Auntie?"

Valerie groaned."I really wish you wouldn't call me that, Oren."

"By you're my auntie!" He gave a cute little grin."What else would I call you, silly?"

"Your aunt probably thinks it makes her sound old, Oren." Oriana said with a smirk.

"But she is old, Mama." Oren replied with frown that quickly became a grin again."But definitely not as old as you."

Oriana scowled, punching her husband in the shoulder."This is your influence, Fergus."

"What?!" Fergus cried, rubbing his now aching shoulder."I didn't say anything."

"Are you going to teach me how to use a sword, Auntie?" Oren asked."Then I can fight evil too!" He waved his hands around playfully."Take that you dire bunny! All darkspawn fear my sword of truthiness!"

"You bet I will!" Valerie said cheerfully.

Oriana groaned."Fergus, there are times when your family, especially your sister, cause me great pain."

"And there are times when you cause me great boredom, sister." Valerie repsponded dryly as she ran out of the room cheering happily with Oren still in her arms and Leonard on her heels.

"No wait, stop!" Oriana cried, chasing after them with Eleanor while Fergus and Bryce nearly fell over laughing."Valerie!"

Please remember to review, leave conductive criticism, but no flames!

Chapter 5:Betrayal