Author's Note: The Dragon Age universe elements used belong to Bioware, I just borrow them for fun. My intent with this story is the illustrate a fuller life of the Human Noble Female than you obviously see in the games. Her connections to her family, companions, and how these people shaped the decisions she made throughout the journey.

Chapter 1 - A Simple Request

Serena parried a quick blow from Ser Samuell before flinging her dagger into one of the posed dummies across the practice yard. "Thought you'd backstab me, did you, darkspawn filth?" she shouted at the dummy, to the knight's obvious amusement. Spinning swiftly on her heel, she landed her second dagger into the 'heart' of another dummy.

She looked up quickly, noticing a figure in an upstairs window staring down at her. Someone with dark hair and a beard she didn't recognize. Perhaps one of the guests her mother had warned her would be coming today? She couldn't pinpoint who it was before she heard Samuell calling to her a few feet away and her attention snapped back to the training session.

"Excellent toss, but now you are without a weapon, my lady! And there is still the final darkspawn to deal with, I'm afraid." Indicating himself, Samuell pressed his advantage, and brought his sword around to swing at her as she feigned right and rolled, sliding easily under his blade.

"I am never without a weapon, Ser!" Pulling a third, albiet much smaller dagger from the side of her boot, Serena charged toward the nearby stone wall, taking a few running steps and flipping up and over the knights head, landing at his back, the blade now pressed to the chink in his armor. She looked up at the window again, but the dark figure was gone. Turning her attention back to the knight, she shouted. "Do you yield? I have you at quite the disadvantage, dear knight."

"I yield, my lady." Samuell smiled broadly, happy to have such an enthusiastic training partner for the day. The youngest of Castle Highever's knights, it was rare someone would challenge him for an afternoon's duel, as most of the more seasoned knights preferred to take their 'practice' matches to Highever's main fighting arena in the middle of the city, where any manner of noble lady would fawn over them. Samuell, however, found his practice sessions with the Teyrn's daughter pushed him much further than any duel against his fellow knights. She knew how to fight dirty.

"My lady, if you don't mind me saying, you have become quite formiddable with those blades of yours these past few months. Our practice dummies will need all new stuffing come the spring." He pulled one of her daggers from the poor slumped dummy, sawdust bursting from the hole in its chest. "Although I am thankful you skewered this poor sap rather than me."

"Oh, Samuell, you have to get out of that armor occasionally. You can't possibly hope to best me while stuck in that cage." She ran a hand over his gleaming armor, he must have polished it just this morning. "Although it is quite fancy, with the city crest and all." She fingered the two crossed spears over a single dew drop on his breastplate. "I bet all the ladies swoon when you walk into the market, don't they?"

The knight cleared his throat awkwardly, hoping his face didn't reveal his blush too much. "My lady, I- er, I don't- uh, I don't spend much time in the market anymore. There is a lot to do around the castle and... patrolling the grounds," he finished lamely.

"Too busy practicing with me, eh?" Serena smiled, but her bright blue eyes were serious. "I do appreciate it, you know. That you take the time to work out with me." She held one of her daggers, idly spinning it about in her hand. "I'd be absolute rubbish with these if it weren't for you and Ser Gilmore. Sometimes I think the Maker himself sent you two to me."

"My lady, you compliment me too much. Surely the other knights would take you in a practice fight if you asked them." Ser Samuell began picking up the practice dummies and Serena followed suit, dragging the second along behind him.

"But I don't like to ask them! They're not nearly as fun as you, Ser," she quipped. "I would have never gotten to try that flip out, for one. They all worry about me too much." She replaced the small dagger in her boot and put on a mocking air, her voice high pitched. "My lady, you are the Teyrn's daughter! I cannot allow you to hurt your dainty bits! Plus, you're all made of lady business, surely you could do better upstairs sewing a new ruffle for your dress?" Serena made a face at the knight. "You don't treat me like a silly girl."

"My lady, with those blades, I would hope not." The knight pulled one of her daggers from the other dummy. "You wouldn't want to forget these in the shed." He handed it to her. "These are silverite, aren't they?"

Serena grinned. Her daggers were her most prized possession, even over her warhound, Peanut. The finest silverite, and dwarven made, they were a gift on her 16th birthday from her father, Teyrn Bryce Cousland, a few years ago.

"Ah, my first love," she intoned, sliding the daggers into their sheaths at her belt. "Mother was furious, of course, even though if you tried to pull that bow from her side she would have an absolute fit. Father told her it was high time I had a weapon of my own, lest all this gorgeousness and deadly skill go to waste," she said, gesturing mockingly to herself.

"I think you are beautiful with or without the blades, my lady," Ser Samuell commented softly. He blushed again, the dark roots of his hair standing black against his reddening skin.

"You are too sweet," Serena said with a small smile. "Why can't Mother marry me off to you? We could ride off and fight the darkspawn together."

The knight chuckled. "If only I were so lucky, my lady. But the Maker has other things in mind for me, I'm afraid." He looked out past the practice yard to the stables beyond, his eyes cloudy with thoughts of the uncertain future before him. Already servants and other knights could be seen, readying their horses and equipment. "I'm to move out at first light in the morning with Arl Howe's men, and your father."

Serena followed his gaze and frowned slightly. "Yes, I'd heard about that. I wish I could ride with you all. Father says those darkspawn wouldn't know what to do with me!"

"Indeed they wouldn't, my lady. You are a force to be reckoned with, certainly." Samuell shook himself from his watch and turned to Serena, purposefully avoiding her steady gaze. "Let's get these last bits back in the shed, eh?"

Stuffing the dummy into the equipment shed, Serena sighed as she moved to heft the last large practice dummy from the yard. She longed to keep bashing at them for awhile longer, but her mother had explicitly stated that guests would be arriving in the early afternoon for a large banquet tonight, and to prepare for tomorrow's ride out. Maker have mercy if she showed up to dinner with sweat pouring down her face.

"Oh, Mother would have my head on a platter for sure," Serena mumbled, tucking the third and final dummy into the large wooden shed the soldiers used to store the castle's training equipment. Her training partner nodded his thanks for her help. "If I don't see you again before you leave, Ser-" she paused, not sure whether to continue. She popped up on her toes and gave the knight a quick kiss on the cheek. "May the Maker bless you."

The knight blushed again, putting a gloved hand to his cheek. "May the Maker bless us all, my lady," he replied with a quick nod. Running his sword back into the sheath at his back, Ser Samuell turned to head into the knights quarters. Serena watched his back for awhile, noting the quick spring in his step with a smile.

Strolling back into the castle, Serena absently wiped the saw dust on her daggers from the dummies onto her leather jerkin, her mind still turning over the sight of the men packing their horses. Passing the main hall, she noticed her Father standing with two other men she didn't immediately recognize. "These better not be the guests Mother was talking about here already. I haven't even washed my face..." She grimaced as she put a hand to her cheek. A thick lock of hair was stuck to the side of her face by sweat. "Oh, gross."

Serena peeked around the corner, hopeful she could sneak past without her Father's notice. She was in absolutely no state to say hello to strangers, with her hair a mess and her face looking like she scrubbed it with dirt. Straining, she could hear his voice coming from the end of the main hall. "I trust your troops will be here shortly-"

"I expect they will start arriving tonight," replied another man. He sounded vaguely familiar to her, but she couldn't quite put a face to the voice. Cold and haughty, the man was clearly a noble of some sort. "We can march tomorrow as planned. I apologize for the delay, my lord. This is entirely my fault..." Serena quietly snorted. He sounded anything but apologetic.

"No, no. The appearance of the darkspawn in the south has us all scrambling, doesn't it? I only received the call from the King a few days ago, myself." Bryce Cousland was a handsome man, even with the swaths of gray coming into his dark chestnut hair. Serena put a hand to her own hair, the same color as her father's. She had his same bright blue eyes as well. He had said many times that while her and her older brother Fergus took after their mother mostly in looks, Serena alone of the two siblings had his eyes.

"I'll send my eldest off with my men. You and I will ride together tomorrow, just like the old days," her father continued to the haughty man. Serena wracked her brain to try to remember his name. Arl... Howde? Howell? Howe! That was it. Her mother had been trying to set Serena up with his youngest son, Thomas, just last year, to near disastrous results. The boy was very handsome, if a bit stuck-up. Her father's lands, Amarathine, were the treasure of Ferelden, however, so she supposed some of his obnoxiousness came from simply growing up in the city.

"True," Arl Howe was saying. "But we both had less gray in our hair then, and we fought Orlesians, not... monsters..."

Serena's father laughed. "Orlesians! Darkspawn! Is there really much of a difference? At least the smell will be the same."

Well respected by all, Bryce Cousland was one of the two last Teyrns in all of Fereldan, along with the King's uncle, Teyrn Loghain of Gwaren, in the southeast. Serena watched her father pace the hall somewhat restlessly. He looked so tired, despite his joking tone. Leaning a bit further in, she must have caught her father's eye as he turned to face her.

"Ah, there you are, pup. Come in here, I would like you to meet someone." Her father gestured to the Arl. "Howe, you remember my daughter?"

Drats. Apparently luck was not with her today, it would seem. Her father seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to his young daughter anyhow, he always knew when she was about. She wiped her face quickly with the back of her hand, hoping she was wiping some of the dirt away instead of just smearing it around, and followed her father's voice into the main hall.

"Hello, Father. Arl Howe." Serena nodded her head slightly, hoping her she didn't look as grubby as she felt.

"I see she's become a lovely young woman. Please to see you again, my dear." The Arl smiled at her, although it didn't quite reach his eyes. Serena absently noted his bottom teeth were crooked.

"Is your family here, Arl?"

Howe shifted slightly at the mention of his family, but recovered quickly. "Oh, oh no. I left them in Amaranthine, well away from the fighting in the south. They do send their best wishes, though. My son Thomas asked after you, of course." There was that strange half-smile again. Serena wondered if he was mocking her in some sly way. "Perhaps I should bring him with me next time."

"Tell Thomas I say hello," Serena said, plastering her own fake smile on. "He must be... 15? 16 now? I remember he was a few years younger than me."

"As you get older, those years make less difference. A lesson often hard won," Howe replied.

"I doubt she'll be receptive, Howe. You remember how Eleanor tried to push them together, oh, last year, wasn't it, pup?" Serena nodded and her father continued. "My fierce girl has her own mind these days, Maker bless her heart."

The Arl was nodding his head, in agreement or in something else, Serena wasn't sure. "Hmm, no doubt about that. Your daughter certainly has some more... roguish qualities." He eyed what Serena was sure were the smudges on her face. "How... unique." Well, if he was looking for a dainty noble girl for his Thomas, he wouldn't find it here, that was for sure.

"How is your older son, Arl Howe? And Delilah?" Serena remembered the boy being a few years older than her, but unlike his little brother, he was very skilled with a bow. She hadn't seen him in at least 2 years, however. Perhaps he had married, she thought. He was getting to be around that age.

Howe shrugged, as if his other children didn't hold nearly the same interest as Thomas. "Nathaniel is doing well, I suppose. My wife received a letter from him not long ago. He is in the Free Marches currently, while my daughter spends most of her time in Amaranthine now. I will tell her you asked after her, my dear."

Her father turned to Serena once again. "At any rate, pup, I summoned you in here for a reason. While your brother and I are both away, I'm leaving you in charge of the castle."

Serena hoped her face didn't flush. "What? I-" She stopped and tried to force a smile. She needed to help out as much as she could, even if it was just glorified babysitting. "Of course, Father. I'll do my best."

Her father beamed at her. "That's what I like to hear. I know you'll do an excellent job." He seemed to notice her slightly crestfallen face. "You know, pup, if it were up to me, I'd have you riding off with us, but your mother would kill me if I let you go. She's already twisted into knots about Fergus and me going. But keep in mind, this is no needless task, I ask you to take a great responsibility to keep this castle secure and all within it safe. Only a token force is remaining here, Ser Gilmore and Bryant and a few others, and you must keep peace in the region. You know what they say about mice when the cat is away, yes?"

"Yes, Father. Of course. If that's all, I should go wash up, you know how Mother gets-" Serena started to turn when her father stopped her with a wave of his hand.

"One moment, there's also someone you must meet." He turned to one of the nearby guards, addressing him. "Please, could you show Duncan in?" The guard nodded and left the hall, returning quickly with a broad shouldered man with dark hair and a beard. Serena stared at him. Was that the man she'd seen in the window earlier during her training with Ser Samuell?

The large man, Duncan, wore light armor over a red tunic, a griffon blazing across his chest. He had two weapons strapped to his back, a long sword and long dagger. Serena eyed the dagger eagerly, wondering if it compared to hers. And why was he here at all? The griffon in particular nagged at her... where had she seen it before?

"It is an honor to be a guest within your hall, Teyrn Cousland," Duncan said. His voice was low and somewhat grave, like he was used to giving bad news. Or maybe receiving bad news. If Serena was intrigued about Duncan, Arl Howe looked positively disturbed to see him. Or perhaps annoyed seemed like a better word for it. Did he know him from somewhere?

"Your Lordship, you didn't mention that a Grey Warden would be present," Howe said. A Grey Warden? What did she know about the Grey Wardens? They were an old order, and they were founded to battle the darkspawn centuries ago. Yes, that must be why Duncan is here, to ride with Fergus and my father, Serena thought. She wondered if they still rode the griffons into battle, like from the stories her tutor, Aldous, used to tell her. Probably not, but she smiled when she glanced at the griffon on his tunic again.

"Duncan arrived just recently, Howe, unannounced," her father replied. "Is there a problem?"

"Of course not," said Howe, smoothing his already perfectly combed hair. "But a guest of this... statue... demands certain protocol. I am... at a disadvantage." Bryce Cousland narrowed his eyes, but said nothing, instead turning back to Serena. So her father had sensed Howe's suspicious behavior, too, Serena noted with an inner smile. Glad I'm not the only one who thinks he's acting strangely.

"We rarely have the pleasure of seeing one in person, that's true," her father said. "Pup, Brother Aldous taught you who the Grey Wardens are, I hope?"

Serena smiled at Duncan, nodding. "Yes, Father. They're an order of great warriors. They swear allegiance to no country, but help every land in Thedas fight against the darkspawn threat." Oh, if Aldous could hear her now, she thought wickedly. He wouldn't accuse me of napping during his lectures.

Her father beamed proudly at her. "They are the heroes of legend, who ended the Blights and saved us all. Duncan is looking for recruits before joining us and his fellow Wardens in the south. I believe he's got his eye on Ser Gilmore."

Serena nodded. Ser Gilmore would be a fine addition to their ranks. He was one of Highever's best knights, and also very kind and a good teacher, as Serena knew personally. When Ser Samuell wasn't available, Ser Gilmore had always offered to practice with her in the yard. In fact, it was with him that they first created the darkspawn sparring game her and Samuell had engaged in earlier. Duncan must have seen that, though, Serena thought. I wonder what he thought of me?

As if he could read her thoughts, Duncan turned his dark eyes on her and smiled. "If I might be so bold, I would suggest that your daughter is also an excellent candidate, Teyrn Cousland."

Her father grimaced a bit at that, and shifted slightly to stand in front of Serena. She wondered if he realized it seemed like he was subconsciously trying to shield her from the Warden. "Honor though that might be, this is my daughter we're talking about..."

"After you return from this battle, perhaps, Father? You would be in charge of the castle again, and.. It would be good for me, I think, to put my skills to use for the order." Serena hadn't planned on saying this, but once it was out, she realized how true it was. She would very much like to join the order, fighting darkspawn alongside Duncan and the other Grey Wardens, sinking her daggers into their blackened flesh... She fingered one of her daggers longingly. That is, if she could get her father to let her, of course.

"You did just finish saying that Grey Wardens are heroes, old friend," Howe supplied.

"I've not so many children, Howe, that I'll gladly see them all off to battle," Bryce huffed. He turned to Duncan again. "Unless you intend to invoke the Right of Conscription...?" Her father was honestly worried Duncan might try to steal her away into the Grey Wardens? Serena had to admit, the thought was a tempting one. She shook her head and refocused on the conversation.

"Have no fear," Duncan was saying. "While we need as many good recruits as we can find, I've no intention of forcing the issue." At that, her father visibly relaxed. Her turned to her and smiled, and though it was a weaker version of his earlier one, it still made her feel better.

"Pup, can you ensure that Duncan's requests are seen to while I'm gone?" he asked. Serena nodded, and her father continued. "In the meantime, could you find Fergus and tell him to lead the troops to Ostagar ahead of me? I believe he's in his chambers. We'll talk later."

"Of course, Father." Serena gave him a small hug and turned to go. She noticed Duncan was eyeing her, and she wished she'd had more time to talk to him, to question him about his visit, about the order, about everything! Ah well, if he was staying for a few more days after Fergus and Father left to test Ser Gilmore, she would have plenty of chances to corner him then without her father's prying eyes or ears.

Serena left the main hall to go find a good scrub cloth before relaying her father's message to Fergus. With my luck, she thought, more guests will have arrived at the castle before I even get to change out of my armor. With a sigh, she trudged up the castle steps to her room.