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How to Adopt a Warden and Other Tales	By : Royality Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 2658 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Alistair was having a bad day. It wasn't unusually for him to be having bad days, as he often thought that if it weren't for bad days, he'd have no days at all. On a cloudy and windy day in the ancient Ostagar Fortress, the would-have-been Templar was now harassing a mage under orders. It was soon after the irritated mage stormed off did Alistair naturally assume that his day was going to get worse. Wandering up to him, their sharp green eyes trailing the back of the mage who just left, was the most interesting and beautiful creature he had ever seen.
She was a vision, dressed in leather armor, but obviously still quite young as her body had not taken the shape of a fully developed woman yet. She wasn't very tall either, which suited Alistair just fine. Perhaps, Elven? He wasn't picky, of course, all things considered but he did fall in love with her hair. It was this unusual, flowing white hair blowing in the wind that reminded him of swirling clouds or sea foam or something as equally lame and romantic. She didn't speak, just looked, and it was enough to find himself babbling like a brook. "You know... it just occurred to me that there have never been many women in the Grey Wardens. I wonder why that is?"
"Excuse me?" Staring, Alistair could only blink.
"I...are you a man?" Leaning closer, Izarre's face stiffened at the sudden intrusion.
"Of course, I'm a man! Who the hell do you think you are?!” Alistair could not speak and his continued staring only pissed off the other young man even more. “My name is Izarre Cousland from Highever. Didn't Duncan tell you about me?" Izarre raised an eyebrow at Alistair, wondering if all the Grey Wardens were this inept or if it was just this one. As the leather gloved hand from Izarre moved to up to push Alistair's face away, young Alistair himself felt his day staying on course to remain terrible indeed.
"Right!” Alistair finally spoke, snapping out of the daze he was in. “That was the name! Izarre means star, right? You have to admit, that's pretty girly...And the way you look, no wonder I was confused..." Though the last line was mumbled, Izarre heard him, loud and clear.
"From the way I look? Excuse me for not looking like I lived under a bush for the last month! I'm here to be a Warden, not sexually assaulted by some pent-up letch..."
"I'm not some slobbering, drooling letcher...please stop looking at me like that."
Izarre’s glare softened to a smile which allowed him to sigh. This man truly was an idiot. "Look, I didn't mean to be rude. I've just...had a very long past few days. I look forward to traveling with you."
"Huh, that's a switch,” said Alistair was he dropped his guard. “Well, I'm Alistair. As the Junior member of the Order, I'll be helping you with the Joining. I can't tell you much about it, but that's how it is. Did you speak to the other members already? If not, I can gather them later." Izarre gave a nod, tucking a strand of loose hair behind a rounded ear. It was a terrible habit to have, but it proved enough that he wasn't an elf to onlookers who already questioned his heritage.
"I have."

"Good, we better get a move on to Duncan then. I'm sure he wants this over with as soon as possible considering what we're up against here." Again, Izarre nodded. "You don't talk much, do you?" Alistair's curiosity was admittedly peeked. This frail looking thing was not only a man, but recruited by Duncan himself. Not only that, but he felt no threatening or battle-hardened feeling from him. Not to mention that hair, how bizarre. While he had seen white, silky hair like this amongst the elves, a quick glace to the ears said he was otherwise. On Izarre's back were his weapons of choice, a sharpened dagger and a sword, embedded with the Cousland Family Crest. It was supposed to be his father’s sword, his brother's sword, his nephew's sword, but now, it was his. Walking back to the tent in silence was uncomfortable to Alistair, but he felt the heavy burden that most new recruits felts. The current Warden knew all too well what the Joining was and how it could suddenly end.
"Duncan, I need to speak to you about the new recruit..." Before setting off to the Wilds, Alistair had stayed behind with the promise to meet the three recruits at the gate.
"That's unusual for you, Alistair. I understand you have a sense of justice, but Daveth..."
"No, not him. I get him. I'm talking about the one with white hair. Izarre. Who is..."
"Ah." Alistair was silenced effectively by Duncan's back turning to him as he went to organize some scrolls. "That is the Cousland's youngest. From Highever. Since the King already knows, I suppose I should update you as well. Arl Howe turned against the family, killing all, but the two of us."
"...What? Arl Howe? But why would he..."
"Opportunity comes in many forms. Arl Howe used the Blight as an excuse to empty the castle of Highever and used his own men to try to raise his position. He would have killed everyone and made the Cousland's out to be traitors." Pressing dried lips together, Alistair looked away as he processed the thoughts.
"But you said that King Cailin already knows..."
"Yes, and there is the Blight to worry about first. Young Cousland will get his chance, but he is a fine fighter. One of I best I've ever seen." Laughing, Alistair crossed his arms.
"Are you serious? I confused him for a woman and he barely comes to my neck. He's tiny and looks timid as a chantry mouse. How did he live? Ran into a hole and hid until you came to rescue him?" Laughing, Duncan turned to look back at his underling.
"Not at all. He cut through the guards, defended his mother, and managed to make it, but his father was badly hurt. His...mother stayed with his father...and his brother is lost here in the Wilds. A large burden has been placed upon him, Alistair. Please have more respect for my decisions. Izarre will prove himself to you, if you would stop bothering me with questions and head to the Wilds like I told you." Shocked, Alistair lowered his arms.
"Are...Are you serious? He managed to cut through guard like that?"
"Ah, yes. There is another thing...As you may or may not have heard, Izarre is not a true Cousland. He was adopted at a young age by the family, but you and I both know that blood has nothing to do with family."
"Ah...yes...I heard such rumors...and...you're right. I apologize. I'm heading out now."
"Maker be with you, Alistair."
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(AN: A few lines of dialogue have been taken directly from the game or 
have been paraphrased from game dialogue. Anything recognizable as 
game dialogue is not mine, and I bow to the Bioware writing team.)
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How to Adopt a Warden and Other Tales