Griffin's Walk

Highever, the Teyrn's study

Warden Commander Attryne Cousland:

My brother's children were growing like weeds, enough to make every visit a little bittersweet. The oldest was finally nearing the age of Oren and resembled him in ways that still hurt.

Maybe that was because we only visited a few times a year at best.

I only smiled when Treven raised a fuss. I could do that as an aunt. Liz gave baby Alberic to their elven nanny so she and Fergus could take Trev in hand. Leola left without much of a fuss, followed by a mature mabari pup, one of my Mouser's get by her coloring.

Once the traveling show left, only my brother Fergus, Alistair, and I remained in the study. I wasn't happy to learn about Anora's message.

I frowned at my brother, wanting to punch him in the arm like when we were young. “I don't know what Anora wants right now, but I get news from both my steward and Second regularly.”

“We haven't been there since almost Satinalia, though the Queen might not approve of your Second that much.” Alistair looked a little smug at this repeating friction. “She's not that used to treating an elf as a respected leader instead of only servants.

I hadn't been happy when the First Warden requested some from our thinner roster to help in the Marches over the years. I would have preferred to keep Nathaniel close if more Orlesians decided to come 'help us.' “She's not that bad if I remind her how Eladras' mother was killed by Orlesians. We need to be able to recruit and this way we don't interfere as much with the army and the Banns. And we get fresher blood too.”

Fergus laughed. “It still makes me think how Mother and Father hoped to keep you out of the army. Here you are, with your own Arldom and separate command.”

I'd always known Fergus would become Teyrn after Father, but Mother... “Mother kept ordering dresses for me to wear for visitors. She wanted me to have the carefree youth she didn't have.” She and I finally came to terms just before she died and that still hurt. My hopes to accomplish something more didn't set that well with her, though Father understood more.

“She wanted you to have a family, and not become some kind of shield maiden.” Fergus stopped smiling.

I had stopped too. “Wardens can't have families. You know that.”

Teyrn Cousland stepped over and gripped my arm hard. “They can't have Arldoms either, or survive killing an Archdemon. You must secure an heir, Trinna. Find a consort, like Anora did. Ferelden cannot survive yet another civil war in one lifetime, over an important domain. I'm speaking as your brother, don't make me speak as your Teyrn as well.”

Alistair had paled.

My throat hurt and I wanted to smack the Teyrn. But I knew this game more than I wanted to think about. It was bad enough there were still fiefs in the Bannorn that were open or only recently granted. So many had died in the Blight and many more had hotheaded Banns.

There were enough curmudgeons who didn't like my elevation anymore than the Queen's consort's. So far no Bann had distinguished her- or himself enough to make a new Teyrn for Gwaren.

During my pause, Fergus continued his attack. “Your duty is clear for the Wardens, but this will help that vigilance too. If the Wardens are out in the open like any noble family instead of some secret fortress or at the other end of Thedas they would be more trusted.”

Mustering up some outrage, Alistair said, “We shouldn't have to prove our loyalty over and over. We are Fereldan, born and bred. That doesn't conflict with fighting darkspawn.”

“I know that, and Anora knows that, even if she likes the political games. And those games often come down to inheritance and power in the land...” Fergus paused and loosened his grip on my arm a little. “And Trinna, your life is dangerous enough. How many trips into the Deep Roads will you survive? You must attend to your duty as Arlessa. You will make a good mother, I keep tabs on you through your steward and you have applied Mother's rules there quite clearly...

“Find a consort. Make a business arrangement for a marriage if you must. Spring is a good time, as more of the nobility will be in Denerim for the next few weeks. You know that is one of our greatest duties, to prepare for the next generation.” Fergus looked sad for a moment.

Maker. “Was Liz a business arrangement too?”

Fergus's face got still and I could see that he didn't want to say whatever he was about to. “Yes, she was the younger daughter of a Bann who was nearly wiped out in the south. Our affection came later.” He almost looked at Alistair. “I kept someone on the side for several years, that is accepted.”

Alistair looked hurt and I stepped back from my brother. I'd thought he liked Alistair.

A knock at the door, and Liz peeked in. “Hurry up, Fergus. We're using the last of the dried cherries in tonight's pies and the twins are all excited about your visit.”

When she left, Fergus turned back to me. “This need not require that much of your time Warden, but it must be done.”

My stomach churned at a stray thought that landed like an anvil. I wasn't sure if I wanted the Teyrn of Highever raising Amaranthine... a complete reversal of not that many generations before.

---

A/N: The challenge is to include the words: cherry, carefree, and curmudgeon. Thanks to my beta reader who has been kind enough to read this and point out stupid flubs. Any typos that remain are not intentional... Reviews or a PM to let me know what you think would be very appreciated.