Chapter 12: The Teyrn's Daughter (Elissa)

Castle Cousland got more and more guests. A couple of days ago, a few hours after Aedan, Lady Landra Loren arrived with her son Dairren and her maid Iona. Today, Bryce and Fergus are leaving with most of the warriors for Ostagar. Much to Elissa's surprise, the father made the decision to leave the twins in the castle, as he doesn't want to risk the lives of all of his children. Aedan was dissatisfied, he hoped to protect his father and brother in case of trouble. Bryce's friend and vassal, Arl Rendon Howe, arrived today with his army, and soon first Fergus and then Bryce will be on the march.

But right now Elissa didn't care about that. She was dressing up for the meeting with Arl Howe. And she was not alone.

- Do you have to go downstairs, my dear? - Dairren asked from the bed. - Maybe we can continue what we started last night? Your dress is, of course, beautiful, but without it you look stunning.

- Unfortunately, I can't leave without it. Family and guests will not understand. But thanks for the compliment, I appreciate it. What are you going to do while I'm gone?

- I'm going to the library.

- That's why I adore you, Dairren. Few men are so interested in education. By the way, I recommend The Art of Passionate Love by Brother Capria.

Dairren got up from the bed and wrapped his arms around Elissa from behind.

- The one banned by the Chantry? I will read this book. And after the troops leave, I will demonstrate what I've learned from it.

Dairren kissed Elissa and she left her room. First she needed to find Aedan, and she knew where to look for him.

Elissa opened the door to the training room, where she saw Aedan having a practice fight with the head of the castle guard, Ser Roderick Gilmore. Both opponents were a good match for each other, as they prefer to use two-handed swords. Aedan dodged several times from Roderick's strikes and knocked him down with a successful leg strike.

- Chivalry is good, - said Aedan, helping Roderick to his feet. - But not every opponent of yours will be the same noble knight as you. Feel free to use dishonest tactics when necessary.

- Thank you, my lord, - replied the knight.

- Just call me Aedan. I'm glad you serve our family. Five years ago you were an ordinary guard, and this is what you have become! The Grey Warden will recruit you today, I'm sure of it.

- Thank you very much, Aedan.

Roderick noticed Elissa, bowed to her, and left the hall.

- Looking for me, sister? - Aedan asked.

- Yes, you know that Arl Howe is coming today?

- Howe? That's whom I would not want to see today.

- We have no choice. Let's go!

The twins reached the main hall, where their father was already feeling nostalgic with Arl Howe.

- Soon we'll be fighting side by side again, - Bryce said.

- Actually, we were fighting the Orlesians then, not the darkspawn, - Howe added.

- At least the smell will be the same.

The men laughed out loud and looked at the twins as they approached. Howe obviously didn't expect to see Aedan.

- Hello, Elissa, - he said. - Hello to you too, Aedan. I thought your exile wasn't over yet.

- As you can see, it was, - Bryce said. - Aedan returned a couple of days ago.

- Well, that's… quite a pleasant surprise. Delilah asked about you, Aedan, the action of yours that got you exiled has won her heart. Have you thought about marrying into my family?

- Uncle Rendon, I'm afraid not, Delilah and I don't know each other very well.

- Well, sorry.

A man in an armor with the image of a griffon, unfamiliar to Elissa, entered the hall.

- Greetings! - he said.

- The Grey Warden is here too? I… didn't know, - Howe said.

- My children, this is Duncan, Commander of the Grey Wardens of Ferelden, - Bryce said. - What do you know about the Grey Wardens?"

- This is an order of great warriors, - said Aedan.

- Years ago they defeated the darkspawn, - Elissa added.

- I'm afraid that victory was not ultimate, - Duncan said. - I came here for recruits.

And then Elissa had an idea. What if she offers Duncan herself as a recruit? With Fergus in the castle, she still wouldn't be Teyrna after her parents died. Dairren would go with her, and the two of them could save Thedas from the Blight.

- I want to join your order, - said Aedan, ahead of his sister.

Aedan thinks the same way as her. Cute. Elissa wouldn't be surprised if her parents let Aedan go but denied her request. There have always been a lot of problems from her brother, and his presence in the castle can lead to a conflict with the king.

- No, pup, I'm sure you'll have something to do in Ferelden without it, - Bryce objected. - Besides, Ser Gilmore has expressed his desire to join the order.

- I'll talk to him, but I'm not promising anything, - Duncan said. - Besides, he's not the only suitable candidate in this castle.

- Elissa, when Fergus, Rendon and I leave, you will stay in charge of the castle.

- Me? Father, but why not mother or Aedan?

- Consider this your first experience of leadership. Mom has agreed with me. Aedan, are you going to help your sister?

- Of course, father.

- Say goodbye to Fergus while you can. I will come to you soon.

The twins left the room. First, they split up: Aedan went to check the guards at the posts and at the treasury, and Elissa, along with Roderick, found out why Roger was acting aggressively in the kitchen. As it turned out, there were giant rats from which the brave mabari tried to protect food supplies.

The siblings then reunited and had a short chat with their mother and guests from Bann Loren's family. Since Dairren was also from a noble family, Elissa didn't have to hide her relationship with him, which made her very happy. Lady Landra clearly wants Elissa to marry her son. And Elissa wants the same. But somehow Dairren is not trying to propose. Meanwhile, Aedan was talking to his mother, trying not to look at Iona. Elissa guessed there must have been something between the two. After the small talk, the twins reached Fergus's room.

- Are you going to war, dad? - Oren asked. - Will you bring me the sward?

- Not a sward, but a sword, Oren, - Fergus corrected the mistake of his son. - And I will return as soon as possible and bring you the strongest of all swords.

- I wish I could believe it, I'm worried, - Oriana said.

- Don't scare the boy, my love. Everything will be fine. And here are my younger brother and sister.

- I would like to go with you, - said Aedan.

- You have just returned from exile. Rest a little, gather your thoughts, and then, when I defeat all the darkspawn, we will talk properly.

- Yeah, Fergus, I wish I had your self-confidence.

- Word is coming from the south that the last few battles have ended in our victories. Maybe it's not the Blight at all. Pray for me and I'll be back in a month or two.

- Fergus, do you know what the Grey Warden is in the castle? - Elissa asked.

- Is he flying a griffon? Cool! - Oren exclaimed.

- Quiet, Oren. Griffons no longer exist, - Fergus stopped his son. – Yes, I heard about him. Elissa, do you know why he's here?

- He's thinking of taking Roderick into his order.

- Great! I'm sure he will succeed. Although if I were a Grey Warden, I would take a closer look at you and Aedan. I haven't seen anyone more skillful with two swords than you. And Aedan has a lot of combat experience. Okay, I have to go. Time is short, and the darkspawn which I need to decapitate are numerous. Bye. And take care of yourself.

- Come back soon, Fergus.

After Fergus left the castle, everyone went about their business. Elissa went to the library to fetch Dairren, hoping to have a pleasant evening with him. Unfortunately, Elissa will remember this evening for the rest of her life, but not because of her date with Dairren.