Marian stared into the two crimson hawks that made up the symbol of the Amell Family. Works well as the symbol of the Hawke family too. It's more fitting really. She removed the ring from her finger and clutched it in her hand before holding it close to her heart. The ring was something her mother had made before giving it to her father. Three years ago, her father poured magic into it and gave it to her before passing away. She could feel his presence in it. Comforting her.
"Bad dream, I take it?"
Aedan sat up beside her. Noticing her slight shiver, the young Teyrn wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. She didn't stop him and leaned into his touch.
"You could say that." Marian muttered.
He would've pried further but decided against doing so and changed the subject quickly.
"That's a beautiful ring."
"My mother had it made for my father. It's the Amell Family crest, if you're curious. She was the daughter of a noble in Kirkwall before she ran away with Father. Father gave me this ring along with his knife before he passed away. He gave my siblings something as well but it's not my place to share what they were."
Marian slipped the ring back on her finger before turning her head to look at Aedan.
"It's off to Highever for you in the morning, right?"
"Aye." He nodded. "That's the plan... Will you join me?"
"As much as I want to go with you, I can't." Marian shook her head. "Mother's still recovering from a fever. I don't want her to strain herself. She needs rest and she can't get that when she's on the road. Before you ask, no. I'm not leaving my family."
The ravenette pulled away from him and crossed her arms before giving him a pointed look.
"I'll admit. You're handsome and a beast in the sheets but that's not enough to convince me to leave my family behind. Paying me won't work either."
"The thought never even crossed my mind, Marian." He reached out and wrapped his arm around her once more before planting a kiss on the top of her head. "And thank you for the compliment."
Marian snorted and lightly hit him in the chest. "Arse."
Aedan chuckled at that and responded by pulling her closer to his body. She didn't pull away and leaned into his touch as he laid back down. They stayed like that for a few minutes. Comfortable in each other's arms. That is until Marian moved her leg and accidentally brushed against his length. The ravenette was surprised when she felt his member start getting harder and looked up at the young Teyrn who gave her a sheepish grin.
"Uh, sorry."
Marian shook her head in amusement before removing herself from Aedan.
"Well. Since you'll be leaving in a few hours and who knows when we'll see each other again. If ever." She straddled his lap and placed her hands on his abdomen. "I'm going to make sure you will never forget me."
She expected him to stutter or something along the lines. Instead, Aedan's demeanor changed and his mouth formed into a mischievous smirk. One she found quite alluring. Before she knew what was happening, Marian found herself on her back on the mattress before being rolled to her front. She felt an arm around her abdomen and lifted her up until she was on all fours before feeling his hands on her hips and the tip of his length by her entrance.
"And I'll make sure you won't forget me either." He whispered into her ear.
That was all the warning she got before Aedan shoved his entire length inside her. His movements were hard and fast. Then suddenly, Marian felt a sharp pain in her rear and was unable to hold back the scream of pleasure from escaping her throat. Her arms gave out and her head lay on the mattress. Her teeth bit into the sheets and she stopped herself from making a sound as the young Teyrn pounded into her.
Aedan's grunts of pleasure started to sound like growls and bared his teeth as he continued his relentless thrusts before slapping Marian's rear once more. Getting a muffled moan from the ravenette but that wasn't what he wanted to hear. No. He wanted to hear her scream his name but it seems Marian wasn't going to make it easy for him. No matter. They still have a couple of hours before he leaves and they intend to make every second count.
(Line Break)
When the time came for Aedan to leave Lothering, he did so with a heavy heart. They spent the last few hours they had together exploring every inch of the other's body. Her scent. Her touch. Her voice. Everything. He took it all in. They made good with their promise and neither of them would ever forget the other anytime soon. He made her scream his name in pleasure and she made him work harder and harder for every release. Neither of them cared if anyone heard them at that point.
By the time they were done and as Aedan prepared to leave, he made her a promise. When all of this was over and when they survive the Blight, he would find her. No matter how long it would take or how far he would have to go, he would find her. Spend every waking moment by her side. Loving her and more. Despite her face making a very good impression of a tomato when he said that, she gave him the most beautiful smile he had ever seen and promised him that she would wait for him.
Aedan and Marian left the windmill together and accompanied the latter to her house before leaving. Once they arrived to their destination, the two shared one last kiss before Aedan left for the village to inform his company that they would he departing for Highever but not before leaving something for her.
Marian watched him go before looking down at the medallion in her hand. Engraved on the front of the medallion was a laurel wreath. The symbol of the Couslands. She flipped the medallion and saw Aedan's name was engraved on the back. The ravenette smiled and wore the medallion around her neck before turning around to enter the house only to be greeted by one Leandra Amell standing in the middle of the open door with her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed. She was tapping her foot none too patiently on the wooden floorboards of their home. Marian could see the head of the family hound, Garrett, peeking his head out from behind Mother.
"Mother?! Uh. What are you doing out of bed? Shouldn't you be resting?"
"I should but I can't help but worry when my eldest hadn't returned when she was supposed to. Do you have any idea how worried I was? If Sister Leliana hadn't assured me, I would've gone out to look for you myself."
Marian winced and rubbed the back of her neck while doing her best to avoid looking into her mother's eyes. Then she realized what Leandra just said and would thank Leliana when she next sees her.
"I'm sorry I worried you, Mother. I know I should've gone home but I was... caught up with something."
Eyes narrowing further, Leandra walked over to her eldest and moved the collar of Marian's shirt aside to reveal the purple bruise on her neck. She then took notice of the medallion she was wearing and saw the symbol on the front of it. Recognizing it immediately. After all, she was in the village when the young Teyrn first arrive in Lothering before heading for Ostagar. Eyes wide, Leandra looked at her daughter who refused to meet her eyes.
"You did not."
"...I did."
There was no use lying to Leandra Amell. She would get it out Marian eventually anyway. Might as well save the both of them time and get this over with.
"If it's any consolation, you're not going to be a grandmother just yet."
The ravenette looked away and scratched her cheek.
"But if I hadn't cast that spell... Well... "
"Dear Maker, Marian. You're going to be the death of me someday."
Leandra shook her head and walked back to the house. She did not have the energy to deal with her eldest's shenanigans right now. Of all the things Marian had to inherit from her dear Malcolm it had to be his mouthy personality and sense of humor. Still. She wouldn't have it any other way. Although a part of her was slightly disappointed. Raising her children was challenging yet there were moments during that time that made all the challenges worth it. She yearned to experience that once again or at least spoil her grandchild or grandchildren rotten. Not that she'll tell Marian that... yet.
(Line Break)
After informing his company of his plan and announcing that they would be leaving for Highever today, Aedan had finished his packing and was simply waiting for the others to do the same. In the meantime, he sat by the steps of the Chantry with his Mabari beside him. Simply watching the villagers and refugees go about their day. Despite the situation Ferelden finds itself in, some of the children around were oblivious to the looming threat of the Blight and the Darkspawn and were playing games. The young Teyrn smiled at the scene before looking down at his hound who had fallen asleep.
Aedan sighed and rubbed William's ear gently. Even if he didn't die in battle or through Blight Sickness, William would have passed away from old age. The Cousland family hound had been with them for more than a decade after all. Even before Howe betrayed them, Aedan had already seen the signs. William was slower and grew easily tired nowadays. Spending much of his time just lying on the ground and watching his surroundings. Sometimes he didn't even finish his meals. Back then, he would've played with the children and explored the village by himself. Coming back to Aedan when he found something that he deemed interesting enough. He would devour his meals with gusto and barely leave anything on the bowl.
One of the things that remained was his fighting spirit and his loyalty to the Couslands. While he may not fight as good as he used to, William would still defend Aedan with his life. Aedan wanted to stay by William's side when the time finally comes but a part of him prayed –begged– for the Maker to not take him away just yet. William was part of the family and currently one of the last few Aedan has left. He wasn't willing to part with him so soon.
As if reading his thoughts, William let out a small whine and nuzzled Aedan's hand before resting his head on the young Teyrn's lap. Eyes looking up curiously at his owner's own sad ones.
"It's alright, boy. It's alright."
He rubbed the hound's head and got a sigh in response before William closed his eyes and started drifting off to sleep for a few seconds.
"Your Lordship."
Aedan turned his head to look at the speaker and saw Dairren approach him. Accompanied as always by Iona. It's rare to see the two apart these past few days.
"We're ready to leave, Your Lordship."
The Teyrn of Highever nodded before rising to his feet and looked down at William as the hound let out a yawn then slowly got up as well.
"Come on, boy. Let's go."
"Uh. Before you go, Your Lordship. There is something we've been meaning to ask you."
Aedan paused in his steps and raised a brow at the two.
"What is it?"
Dairren and Iona shared a look before the former took a deep breath and looked at Aedan in the eyes.
"Your Lordship, we humbly request that you would allow Iona and I to leave for Denerim."
"Denerim? Whatever for?"
"My daughter, Your Lordship." Iona answered. The Elven lady-in-waiting took a step forward and looked up at his towering figure with pleading eyes. "My little Amethyne is in Denerim's Alienage. I was supposed to visit her weeks ago but- "
Aedan didn't let her finish as he raised a hand. Gesturing her her to stop.
"No. I understand. There's no need to say more."
The young Teyrn walked over to them and placed a hand on their shoulders.
"I will allow the both of you to leave. Just keep safe and head for Oswin once you recover Amethyne. Staying in Denerim would be dangerous. If anyone recognizes you, Dairren, Howe will learn of it and would have you arrested or killed. I advise you take refuge in your mother's manor, Dairren, once you leave Denerim with Amethyne. I only ask that you try to convince your father to support me in the Landsmeet."
"I will do the best I can, Your Lordship."
"Good man." Aedan held out his hand. "May the Maker watch over you. Both of you."
Dairren grasped Aedan's forearm and nodded resolutely.
"And may He watch over you as well, my friend."
The young Teyrn pulled back and received a hug from Iona before watching the two leave to find horses. He heard William whine beside him and scratched the top of the hound's head.
"We'll see them again, boy. We just have to be patient."
William barked before the two turned away and Aedan began overseeing the company as they made last minute checks if they were all ready.
It didn't take long before they were finished packing up and were walking out of the village after bidding Lothering farewell. Once they stepped foot onto the paved road of the Imperial Highway, the company began there long trek for Highever. Just before they left, Aedan spared the village one last look over his shoulder before joining the others in their march. He hoped and prayed that by the time the Blight eventually reaches Lothering, Marian and her family had already left the village and sought refuge someplace safe.
Aedan will make good on his promise to her. He will find Marian when all of this was over and perhaps, if her mother permits it, court her and ask for her hand.
(Line Break)
Kallian wasn't sure how long she put up with Alistair and Morrigan's bickering. She probably would've exploded at the two on their first day but she hadn't and it was all thanks to the Mabari that had imprinted on her. She and Alistair were rather surprised that the hound survived Ostagar when the last they saw of her, she was weak and recovering from Blight Sickness. The Elven Grey Warden looked down at the Mabari who walked beside her at all times whenever they were travelling and smiled before playfully rubbing the top of the Mabari's head. She had named the hound Nel. After her late husband, Nelaros.
Nel was a rather curious hound. Always looking around when they stopped to rest and bringing her all sort of things she managed to find. Among the things Nel had brought her was a bottle of wine that had yet to be opened, a ball of yarn, a stick, and a couple of other trinkets. Nel was also a good hunter which she proved to them when she suddenly ran off and came back to them with a pair of dead rabbits between her teeth. Morrigan made tasty rabbit stew that night.
As the sun began to set in the distance, Kallian saw a village in the distance and thanked the Maker profusely in her head as they finally arrived in Lothering. She was relieved but that relief turned into dread when she saw two Templars standing by the stairs leading down from the highway and into the outskirts of the village.
"Shit." She muttered.
'Okay. We'll have to play it cool. We'll just pass Morrigan off as Chasind. Yeah. She looks Chasind or so Alistair said. Have her walk with a limp. Tell them that she has a bad leg and that her stave is a walking stick. Yeah. Yeah. That could work. Wait. Do Chasind even use walking sticks? Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit!'
"Halt."
One of the Templar's raised his hand and gestured for them to stop before taking a step forward.
"State your business."
"We~"
Kallian cleared her throat. Maker, she hated how her voice cracks whenever she's nervous.
"We came from Ostagar and had been hiding from the Darkspawn after the battle. It's only a few days ago that we managed to sneak past the Darkspawn and escape."
"Survivors?" The other Templar spoke up. Looking to his partner. "Didn't think there were anyone left."
The second Templar then turned to address them. "If you had arrived here earlier, you would've caught up with the Teyrn and the other survivors from the battle."
"The Teyrn? You mean Loghain?" Alistair asked. There was a hint of anger in his voice but neither of the Templars noticed it or they didn't care.
"No. Teyrn Cousland."
That surprised Kallian as well as Alistair. They remembered the young Teyrn, Aedan, as being part of the King's forces in the valley alongside the other Grey Wardens. They thought no one survived. Slaughtered to the last man after Loghain abandoned them. It appears they were wrong and that there were others who survived the battle.
"Where were they heading?"
"To Highever." The first Templar replied. "Teyrn Loghain had taken the regency from Queen Anora and declared Arl Rendon Howe as Teyrn of Highever and Arl of Denerim."
"Wait. What happened to Arl Urien?"
It was expected that Kallian would be curious. After all, the man wanted her dead for killing his son, his friends and every single guard in his estate.
"Arl Bryland found him and his escorts dead in the Imperial Highway. Never made it to Ostagar."
Seeing that they had more questions to ask, the two Templars allowed them entry to the village and told them to speak to Knight-Commander Bryant if they wanted answers. They didn't even question them about Morrigan.
As it turns out, there were also Chasind refugees in Lothering and the Templars had been housing refugees regardless of whether they were Fereldan or Chasind. It also appears that not only the Teyrn and his company had left Lothering but other villagers and refugees as well. Teyrn Cousland had been warning them since his return from Ostagar that the Blight would reach Lothering soon and he implored them to leave while they still can. Many started listening to him after he and his company had left while a few were still stubborn and remained or where in the midst of packing up.
When they entered the Chantry, Ser Bryant answered all of their questions to the best of his ability as well as informed them of why Teyrn Cousland was heading for Highever. He also informed them of Arl Eamon's current state after Alistair mentioned the Arl when they discussed where they would go next. Needless to say, Alistair wanted to head for Redcliffe but Kallian had final say on where they would go. It still made her wonder why she gets final say in many things. Wasn't Alistair supposed to be her senior since he was more experienced and had been a Grey Warden longer than her? Still. She didn't pry for his reasoning and simply went along with it.
Kallian decided they would head for Kinloch Hold first and gain the support of the Mages. Once that's done, they'll... Uh... They'll just... You know what? They'll just cross that bridge when they get there.
Before they left, the group found themselves joined by two new companions. One was a Chantry Sister managed to worm her way into their group by proving herself that she was a very skilled archer. After all, who wouldn't be impressed after seeing someone shoot a bear right in the eyes from a great distance.
Despite the Sister's reasons for desperately wanting to join them, Kallian allowed Leliana into their group before heading over to the Chantry and convincing the Revered Mother to release the Qunari, Sten, into their custody. While she didn't like the fact that the big guy killed some innocent kids and farmers, Kallian could see that Sten can be a powerful companion against the Darkspawn.
She was proven right when Sten almost single-handedly killed a group of Darkspawn that were about to kill a Dwarven merchant and his son. Even without proper armor and weapon, Sten wrestled the battle axe from the Hurlock Alpha's hands and beheaded the Darkspawn with it's own weapon before proceeding to kill the remaining Hurlocks and Genlocks. Of course they helped but Sten was the one to kill the majority of the Darkspawn. Seeing him in action just convinced Kallian that she made the right decision of freeing him from that cage.
After getting acquainted with the Dwarven merchant, Bodahn Feddic, and his son, Sandal, the group left Lothering and headed for Kinloch Hold before setting up camp for the night. Though Kallian was reluctant to do so at first. She had been hoping that they could catch up to Teyrn Cousland. If they were going to go up against Loghain, they would need someone powerful, influential and popular on their side. Arl Eamon was their first choice but since he's currently "indisposed" of at the moment, the young Teyrn was all they got.
Kallian also wasn't adverse to seeing the nobleman again. He was kinder compared to the other nobles she met. She also wanted to ask him where Nelaros lived in Highever and if her late husband had any family there. They needed to know what happened to him. It's the least she can do after he died trying to rescue them. Rescue her.
As the Elven Grey Warden lay in her tent, her hand reached into her shirt and pulled out Nelaros' ring which she had been wearing in a necklace alongside the amulet Duncan gave to her after she woke up from her Joining. Her hand gripped the ring tightly and Kallian closed her eyes as she willed herself to sleep. A lone tear slipped from the corner of her eye as she imagined what could have been.
Even though she had avenged him, the guilt and pain remained. The guilt of being the reason he died and the pain that came with his loss. She knew that they would never go away no matter what she tries. That they would remain with her forever.
(Line Break)
On the deck of a large ship, a man of great stature stood over the corpse of a Howe Knight. Thick, meaty arms that could deal devastating, sometimes even fatal, blows to any who dared to wrong him were crossed over his wide chest. His hair had gone white and he had also grown fat over the years yet this man's strength remained. He can still wield a greatsword with ease. A mix of mail and leather armor protected his body against his foes while a great kilt was worn over this armor with pride. In one hand, he held a massive greatsword that only he could wield and on the other was the severed head of the dead knight below him.
Fearchar Mac Eanraig, Bann of Storm Coast and a fearsome raider, stands proud and victorious as he and his Storm Raiders achieved victory against their enemy who dared to try and fight them at sea. This, however, was just one of the many navy battles that occurred between Storm Coast and Amaranthine. Howe would have Ferelden believe that these battles were unsolicited attacks by a senile old man but that was not true. No. This was just a small part of Fearchar's much larger retaliation against Rendon Howe for his role in the death of his daughter and her family.
'All of this is for you, Eleanor.' Fearchar thought to himself as he stared at the sinking ships and the Amaranthine sailors on the water. Left to drown or as food for the beasts below.
'You and your family. All of you will be avenged.'
The Storm Giant felt a stab of pain in his heart when he thought of his daughter and the ill fate that fell upon her and her family. Betrayed by a man they called friend, the Couslands and his daughter were slain in the dead of night. Leaving no survivors or so he had thought.
Eleanor's youngest survived and had ordered other survivors of that night to spread word of Howe's treachery across Highever before heading for Ostagar to demand justice for the murder of his family. When news reached him of the Battle of Ostagar and it's outcome, Fearchar fell into despair but not for long. His despair turned into rage when the regent, Loghain, named the rat fucker, Rendon Howe, the Teyrn of Highever rather than bring him to justice. Upon hearing the excuses Howe used to justify his reason for his actions, the Storm Giant knew they were nothing but lies. All to slander the good name of the Couslands who considered Rendon Howe a friend.
At that point, Fearchar has had enough of Howe and began raiding Amaranthine to draw the bastard out of Denerim. Instead, Howe insulted him by refusing to meet him in battle and sent Amaranthine ships against him. HIM. The Storm Giant and the Storm Raiders. Fearchar swore to the Maker that when finds the rat bastard, he would take the fucker's head as payback for the Sack of Castle Cousland and the murder of his daughter and her family.
When Storm Coast began engaging Amaranthine, the people of Highever revolted against Howe's rule and Fearchar openly supported their rebellion. Giving them weapons and training them how to wield said weapons as well as strategy. If Loghain plans on intervening with this rebellion then he can go fuck himself. War hero or not, the Storm Giant will not let anything stand between him and vengeance.
Fueled by his burning rage, Fearchar threw the severed head to the sea before raising his greatsword above his head just as lightning flashed.
"Mac Eanraig!"
Despite the storm drowning out much of the sounds around them, the voices of the Storm Raiders cut through the strong winds and was heard by all loud and clear.
"MAC EANRAIG!!"