Chapter Text
“Theon, Theon! Come Quick!” Furgus’ small voice called for his younger brother. “Mother had the babe!” He shouted excitedly as the boys raced through the halls.
“Calm yourselves boys,” their father chided as they neared their parents room. “Mother needs you to be on your best behavior now, am I clear?”
”Yes father.” The boys said in unison.
“Very well, who wants to hold the babe first?” Bryce asked his boys as they entered quietly and cautiously to the room.
“Theon does.” Furgus volunteered. Coward. Theon thought but agreed he wanted to hold his sibling first.
“Alight Theon, you’re first. Have a seat on the bed.”
“Hello my sweet boy.” Their mother greeted as Theon crawled up next to her in anticipation.
“Hello mother.” He said looking all around the room for his new sibling eliciting a soft giggle form his mother.
“Are you ready?” Bryce asked coming around with the small bundle in arms.
“Yes.” Theon said nodding his head.
“Alright, hold out your arms and be very careful now.” He said placing the infant across his lap more than in his arms. “This is your sister, Diana”
“She’s my sister?” Theon said excitedly.
“Yes, Theon.” Mother said with a beaming smile leaning over and showing him how to hold her head properly. “Like this Theon, so you don’t hurt her.”
“I will never hurt her.” He said with determination which cause awes from their mother.
[8th day of Firstfall-9:28 Dragon 1 year till blight]
Theon’s eyes took turns opening and closing at different intervals as the morning light poured into his room. He groaned and lifted his head looking about his room and mostly at the girl on each side of him. He grinned proudly to himself and plopped his head back down. He nudged the deep red headed elf on his left.
“Taroni” He said softly to wake her calling forth grumbles from the elf. He chuckled to himself.
“What?” She asked quietly.
“Its morning.” he stated.
“So?” She groaned
”So? So, Nan’s probably looking for you.” He said with amusement.
”OH MAKER.” She exclaimed jumping out of bed and searching for her cloths.
“Get us some breakfast.” He said giving her a smack on the backside as she rushed passed him. She tossed a flustered look over her shoulder and was met with his condescending, albeit handsome, smirk as she passed though the door. He turned his attention on the remaining women in his bed.
“Sleigh bell.” He whispered as he rolled over throwing his arm over the brunette on his right. “My darling sleigh bell”
“I’m not a serving girl.” She hummed. “You can’t send me away that easily.”
”You wound me darling.” He purred starting to trail kissed down her neck his long chestnut hair slipping forward and tickling her shoulder . “Besides I wanted you all to myself this morning.” he murmured against her skin eliciting a giggle.
“Oh is that what you wanted? I though you wanted breakfast in bed.” She yawned
”Well of course I do. Are you really going to try and tell me you don’t?” He chuckled softly
”Fair point.” She agreed sleepily.
”I think you two had too much fun last night and left poor me out in the cold.” he whispered giving her earlobe a gentle nibble
”Ohh is that what you think? I quite remember you being at the center of our evenings events” She signed lifting her chin toward the ceiling allowing him better access to her throat
”Hardly.” He said against her skin turning her over to her back and straddling over her.
“Oh does my poor Lord feel neglected.” She mocked pushing her head back into the pillow.
“Extremely.” He purred kissing her naval and traveling further down her torso.
Taroni did not bring breakfast as he had request. Probably her version of getting back at me for sending her away. Theon mused to himself as he exited his room, adjusting the sleeves of his plain white tunic than puling his hair back into a knot a with a few shorter strands coming loose and falling into his hazel green eyes.
Dillon, a brown haired elven manservant, informed Theon that breakfast was being served down in Diana’s personal garden and so he made his way across the long corridors. Honestly did she have to have the room across the bloody compound from me? He grumbled internally crossing the long length of the Family Living Quarters to reach her area. Only Diana would want breakfast in her garden in Firstfall. Then again, had father not paid unruly amounts of Sovereigns to the Chantry to allow a mage to Enchant it for her to use in all seasons she probably would never use it and the garden did look quite wondrous adorned in snow. If only she were home more from her Order to enjoy it.
“Good morning dear brother.” Diana greeted from the table not bothering to look up from her paper. “Have fun last night?”
”Of course.” He smirked taking the seat next to her, as the newest serving girl came by placing a cup before him and pouring some coffee. He looked her up and down admiringly, long blond hair, large green eyes, lean and lithe like most elves.
She blushed as Theon glided his hand down her backside and uttered his thanks. Diana rolled her eyes and looked over at Fergus who huffed before he took a sip of his coffee.
”The Sleep is barely from your eyes and you’re already at it again.” Said Fergus.
“Was that Lady Monet Bell, Comte Damian Bell’s daughter,I saw you traipsing off with last night?” She asked over her tea.
“It was indeed, along with Taroni” He said buttering a slice of bread. Diana gave him a quizzical look.
“Please Diana, She’s been with us for three years now. Nan’s assistant cook.” He teased taking a sip of coffee.
“I haven’t been home consecutively in the past three years and really, an Elf?” Diana said snobbishly.
“Yes an elf and a red head.” he pointed out being met with confused looks from his siblings.
“Meaning?” She implored hoping it wasn’t a backhanded compliment about her preference of a certain ginger knight.
”Meaning I have officially hit sexual bingo as it were. You all shall be happy to hear that I have officially completed my map of Thedas.” He was again met with confused looks.
“I have officially slept with at least one human or elven women from every country in Thedas. As well as every hair color in Thedas thanks to Taroni.” He said with pride.
“Oh so does that mean you are finally done with these foolish conquests?” Diana asked.
“Hardly” He practically laughed in her face.
”Honestly when are you going to settle down, find a women?” Fergus muttered in disdain with a roll of his eyes.
”I find plenty of them actually. Besides I remember a time not so long ago that you were at my side wooing women for sport before….that one…what’s her name”. He said looking off into space for the name.
“Oriana” Fergus said through his teeth.
“Yes that one.. Bit of a kill joy I might add.” Theon said under his breath.
”One you actually love.” Diana amended folding her paper and tossing it aside on the table.
”Oh come now sister, you know I only have room in my heart for one women and that is you.” Theon said leaning over and placing a sweet kiss on his sisters cheek.
“ Its a wonder you keep it together while she’s away. What ever will you do when she marries?” Fergus asked in bewilderment.
“She will do no such thing,” Theon said with horror “There will never be a man good enough for my sweet Diana not even King Cailan .”
“Well tell that to mother and father, they seemed to think Dairren Loren is quite suitable.” She said bitterly.
”He most certainly is not! That little shew is as much a harlot as I!” Theon exclaimed, rising from his seat almost knocking it back.
”At least he admits it.” Fergus grinned tossing a glance at Diana, who smiled in agreement, Theon appeared to not have noticed as he tossed his napkin down and turned on heels storming toward the main Living Quarters.
“I shall speak to father about this at once. UNACCEPTABLE!” He practically shouted as he exited up the winding path.
“Good morning, Theon” Father greeted in a dry tone, hardly glancing up from his paper work.
“Good morning, Father, are you truly trying to marry Diana off to that inbreed, backwater, no real claim to nobility, Dairren Loren?” Theon wasted no time his anger seething, stopping just on the other end of his fathers desk.
“I hardly see how that concerns you but yes your mother thinks it would be quite the pairing.” Father replied looking between the documents in each hand.
”I assure you it will be quite something.” Theon threatened with a balling of his fist.
“Oh please, Theon. Don’t you dare badger me about this.” Father snapped dropping the papers on the desk and staring hard into his son. “Or I will have to bring up your questionable actions.”
”Then bring them, father, for I assure you, you are more upset about discussing them than I am.” Theon said bravely holding his ground almost proudly across the desk.
”Very well, Lady Ashlyn Barrow’s family have just sent word that she is indeed with child and claims it is your doing.” He growled low as Theon went three shades paler and slack jawed.All pride now gone. “Any bold words now?” Theon covered his mouth with left hand stared hard into the void. I DO NOT WANT TO BE MARRIED TO LADY ASHLYN FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY LIFE!! Theon began to panic as thoughts of doom rushed through him.
“I take it by your reaction you’d rather be happy to hear I am dealing with the matter.” Father said flatly resuming his study of earlier documents. A relieved sigh was heard from Theon.
“Though I am Immensely exhausted from cleaning up your messes.” father grumbled.
“What do you mean? This is the first mess you have had to deal with.” Theon exclaimed Naively.
“You think this is the first of your foolish trysts to send word of this magnitude?! I assure you it is not! I should be a grandfather a dozen times over with how many of these situations I have had to deal with on your behalf.” father shouted rising from his chair and leaned over his desk palms forced hard into the wood desk. Theon’s eyes went wide with shock and took a half step back. He had had no idea the repercussions of his actions. Yes surely he knew how it all worked but he just always assumed it was an at will sort of thing that only happened when it was desired to.
“It’s time for you to cast aside these childish things Theon, take a wife settle down” Father said tiredly rubbing his eyes with one hand and slumping back down to his chair.
“And if i choose not to marry?” Theon felt brave enough to venture there.
“THAN DO SOMETHING WORTHY OF YOU BESIDES FATHERING BASTARDS!” father shouted and Theon hung his head. “For I assure you this is the last time I am saving you from yourself. You’ll have to go to your mother with any more of this foolishness and then good ridden’s to you, you ambitious-less rake.” He amended breathing heavy from his rage. Theon stared at his father for a few moments their eyes locked yet not looking at each other for several moments before he turned and left his fathers study.
Theon grumbled to himself on his way down to the local tavern. How dare father! He truly thinks I have no ambitions?! Perhaps he should try to lour Lady Marcella into bed with two Elven serving girls and tell me that wasn’t as ambitious as it gets. I still have no finer feat to speak of. His mind quickly turned from pride to concern and regret as he pondered if any of those women had been women father had to deal with on his behalf. The Elven women would have been turned away with a fine some of coin since they were only servants but Lady Marcella DuBois would have had fair claim against him. And what had dealing with this issue truly meant? He doubted a heavy bag of coin was not enough to stifle a noble woman from keeping her honor. Which would only mean a healer would have been involved…. I’d be a grandfather a dozen times over. Theon recalled his fathers words painfully. Just how many bastards do I have out there somewhere? Was the question ailing him as he entered the Crowded tavern and made his way to his usual booth in the back. He had been too entranced in his thoughts to pay any heed to the enormous gathering that had come together this early in the morning. The waitresses were stretched thin and hustling as hard as they could to serve the large crowed. Theon didn’t even pay them any mind just sat in his own world, all noise seeming far away to him.
And what of Elaina? Is that the true reason for father sending her away after she had been practically raised in our household? Father had said it was because of the passing looks between the two of us but what if it was more? He was younger than and probably would have run off with her, at least for a time. Theon could practically hear his father’s lecture about how no son of his would be running off with an elven serving girl, and before he knew it Theon had mapped out an entire argument in his head for both sides.
“-eon!” Joy, his usual waitress was attempting to pull him back to the real world. “Are you alright?” She asked with a warm smile. His eyes shot up to her in a bit of surprise.
“Not really.” He said a small shake in his voice. “Just give me a glass of whiskey please.”
”This early?…Alright m’Lord.” She shuffled off with a shrug. He returned back to his thoughts all the wile twisting his family ring on his right hand furiously.
“Pardon me, but might I share this table with you? All the others seem to be taken full?” A man’s voice asked from his left side. Theon hardly even noticed the man and muttered a gentle ‘sure’ without even looking up from his hands. Joy brought Theon his drink and quickly exclaimed.
“’ey you mus’ be tha’ Grey Warden ever’ones been gawking about.” Theon finally looked over at his guest while taking a long pull of his whiskey. The man had black hair and strange grey eyes the had an eerie glow to them, but did not offset his kind features. He spoke with a soft but strong voice as he replied.
“That I am miss, but please do not get too caught up in their tales I am just a man like this kind man who let me sit with him.” he gestured over his plate to Theon who was still putting the whiskey away. Joy made a strange pfft sound with her mouth and looked over to Theon who lowered the cup but still kept it at his lips.
“’im?” She asked with a giggle “Oh yes a ‘kindly man’ indeed, least with the women folk. I hope fur yo’r sake Ser you are a better man than tha’” she said snickering off to the kitchen.” Theon huffed and tilted the cup high again. After a few moments of awkward silence the Grey Warden spoke up.
“Forgive me for intruding young man, but I haven’t quiet seen men your age drink that much and looked so distressed in a fair time. May I ask what is bothering you?”
”You can ask, doesn't mean I’ll answer.” Theon replied.
“Fair enough.” He said and continued his meal. They sat quietly, with Theon giving the other man curious looks all the wile he drank. He contemplated his position in his home and the delicate situation with his father that lead his mind astray to attempting to count the possibilities which lead to a deep distressful sadness that pulled in his chest and than brought his eyes back curiously to the other gentlemen. He went round in circles several times before he ventured a question.
“Your order was just recently allowed back in Ferelden wasn’t is?”
“Yes, by King Maric” The Grey Warden said and Theon nodded a moment before they slipped back into a silence for a time, with Theon taking the occasional swig of his whiskey.
”He was a good man,” Theon said softly into his mug as the warm liquid started to work its way though his body.
”That he was,” the warden agreed. “Cailan has been a good king so far, thankfully.”
“Ha!” Theon said into his mug with a snort. “That little bastard has always been too conceited for his own good, and hell bent on trying to find glory and fame instead of ruling.” he drawled placing the mug down finally, and leaning into his right hand.
“You speak as though you know him,” the warden observed taking another bite.
“Grew up with him,” Theon said looking down his half-full tankard. “Smarmy shit thought his was gonna marry my sister. I set that shit straight though.” The warden took an attentive glance around them, no one seemed to be looking on or whispering about the pair sitting together, which was odd if he were some sort of nobility as he lead on to be.
“Father had my ass after that though,” Theon continued. “How dare you threaten the king! I’d threaten the bloody Maker if he made a pass at my sister,” Theon said taking a swig of his mug. “I mean bloody hell she was what, seventeen, fuckin’ perv, but no I’m the wrong one for not letting father marry her off to that moron. Oh yes as you see the Tarynier is completely let down that Diana Cousland did not marry Cailan as a teenager, how ever shall we survive,” he finished his rant rather snarkily with a roll of his eyes and wide gesturing to their surroundings.
”You are Teyrn Cousland’s son, forgive me my lord,” the warden said preparing to stand and bow but Theon waved him down.
“Don’t bother, I’m not even important even to be noticed by a crowed,” he chuckled sadly to himself. The warden still offered a small bow from his seat, Theon responded with a soft smile.
“Is it true the Grey Wardens take anyone?” Theon asked a few moments later. The man gave a nod as he swallowed his food placing a hand over his mouth a moment than cleared this throat.
“Yes, the wardens accept anyone are willing to make the sacrifice. Sometimes we must Conscript those, when the need is dire enough”
”Even-”
”Even Criminals,” the warden cut off before Theon could finish and gathered a large bite on his fork.
“I was going to ask, even nobles?” the warden stopped short of his bite and looked over at Theon. He seemed to be sizing him up, which made Theon regret he had asked.
“Never mind,” he said quietly with a huff and finished off his drink.
“We do,” the warden affirmed and popped the bite into his mouth. Theon eyed him for a moment contemplating, which given the copious amount of whiskey in his system was rather difficult, but a grin crossed the young lords lips anyway.
Bryce paced the grand courtyard impatiently.
“Where the hell is Theon?” he groaned in anger. Diana sat on a bench against a wall near by sipping on a chalice of wine.
“Perhaps, father, if you stopped attacking him on a daily basis he wouldn’t lash out and disappear for the day” She said looking off at the stars as they slowly began to appear as the sun settled beneath the horizon. He gave his daughter and intense scolding look.
“You know nothing of the matter,” he snapped drawing Diana’s stunned gaze down to him.
“I may not, but that is no reason to treat him as an burden to yourself,” she returned with an even tone.
“I have done no such thing!” he grumbled returning to his pacing.
“Truly father? You believe that? What about the incident with Baron Arlen’s son when i was thirteen?” she asked with a questioning brown. Bryce stopped and turned on her harshly.
“He struck the boy to the ground! He had a nasty gash in his cheek which I’m told the scare of it remains to this day!”
”Rupert, who need i remind you was seventeen at the time, threw me to the ground first, and had his hand half-way up my skirt!” she practically growled. Bryce threw up his hands and returned to pacing.
“All in all it was no reason to strike the boy,”
“According to you,” she said under her breath.
“Beside the fact you had already broken his nose,” he reminded “You always defend him,” he snapped at her to which she rolled her eyes and took a sip of her drink. “For once could you see the destruction he wreaks?”
“The destruction of virtue in virtue-less women?” she said with nonchalance.
“The same has been said of you,” he replied but before she could question further the door in the front gate opened and Theon poured forth with the help of an older black haired man.
“Father! Just who I wanted to see!” Theon slurred, and Diana let her gaze fall to the floor in disappointment. “I have found the answer to out problem!” he shouted as he steadied himself without the help of the other man.
“A vow of chastity?” Bryce mumbled.
“Perish the thought. No much, more better.” He said taking a wobbly steps toward the living quarters. Bryce approached the other man.
“Thanks you for seeing him home, Ser?” He asked ignoring his son momentarily as Theon slurred off in drunken ramblings
”Duncan of the Grey Wardens, My Teyrn” the warden said with a respect bow of his head.
“I apologize for my son burdening you with his disposition,” Bryce said in a hushed voice looking over at Theon who guided himself to a wall for support.
“It was no burden on my account. The lad seemed to have been troubled when I met him earlier. I was happy to assist,” Duncan replied.
“Please, allow me to compensate for your trouble,” Bryce insisted.
“No, no that will not be needed by if I may say, without overstepping my bounds My Lord, your son seems to need guidance.”
”That he does.”
”The guidance only a father can give.”
”That is overstepping your bound.”
“Forgive me, I did not mean to offend.”
“ARE YOU LISTENING FATHER!” Theon shouted at the top of his lungs standing, moderately straight in the hall opening. The few present turned to look at him in silence just as Elanor entered from a side hall to the groups left with Ser Gilmore by her side.
“Good mother, you’re here too,” he said.
“Whats going on?” Elanor asked cautiously, eyeing her son on her right than over at her daughter who was astutely studying her chalice.
“Well?” Bryce demanded
“I have decided to make all your lives immensely easier by removing myself from it,” he said staring directly at Bryce.
“And how ,prey tell, do you intend to do that?” Bryce asked rather condescendingly.
“I’m going to join the Grey Wardens,” He said. Bryce eyed Duncan who closed his eyes and sighed.
“Forgive me , your Lordship, he has been quite adamantly stating this for several hours now. I do not think he is in the right mind set for what he claims”
”Clearly,” Bryce said in low voice.
“No, I do know what I’m saying,” Theon demanded “Just think of it father, you can finally be rid of me. As Grey Wardens are not permitted to contact their former family. You can finally tell everyone I died or something and be done with the embarrassment that has been me for the past twenty-four years.”
“Theon,” Diana said softly and he turned his gaze toward her finally and his expression fell as he saw the hurt on her face. His shoulders fell slightly and he shuffled his way over to her and plopped down next to her on the bench and rested his forehead on her shoulder.
“I’m sorry , dear sister. But with you off with the Hunters its, almost unbearable to be here anymore,” He said softly to her alone. “I will miss you.”
“A Huntress?” Duncan asked and lowered to one knee, bowing his head before her. She waved him off and bit him to rise with curious glances going about as to what power the Order of Hunters really had to have a Grey Warden bow so honorably to them.
“Theon please, don’t do this,” Diana pleaded bringing his face to look at her cupping it in her hands. “I’ll never see you again.”
“Then perhaps you shouldn’t have left me here,” He said coldly and rose from the bench heading towards the living quarters again, as a mix of hurt and shock crossed her face.
“This doesn’t need to be decided tonight,” Elanor chimed in softly and gestured for Ser Gilmore to assist Theon to his room. He obliged quickly with Theon shewing him away quickly but instead of leaving, Ser Gilmore fallowed quietly behind.
“Forgive me,” Duncan began again but Elanor waved him off and instead descended on her husband.
“What have you done this time?” she snapped.
“Me?” Bryce began defensively.
“Yes you! You are the only who seems to hound after him and now he want to basically go off and die to please you.”
”Hound after him? What would you have me do let him run wild across Thedas?!”
“That’s not what I’m saying, would It kill you to try to have a relationship with him that wasn’t based solely off punishment?” Duncan slowly backed away from the Teyrn and Teyrna as their voices raised and accusations flew.
“Here,” Diana said coming to his side and leading him towards the door. “Thank you for bringing my brother home safely.”
”I apologize again My Lady,”
”Please, stop. Your apology is not needed. May I ask where you say? Come morning if he is still hell bent to join your order I would send for you.”
“At the Golden Tap, your ladyship.”
“The Tavern? Well that wont do,” She stopped at the door and lead toward the side hall Elanor had come from.
“You’ll stay here,” she decided without giving him room to protest. “Illia,” she called and a blonde male servant appeared from seemingly no where. “See that Ser Duncan be made a room from the night and send someone for any of his things he may have need of,” the servant nodded.
“If you’ll fallow me, ser,” Illia offered. Duncan gave his thanks and small bow and fallowed the servant back. Diana made her way down another hall and back toward the living quarters main hall as Ser Gilmore emerged from Theon’s hall.
“How is he?” she asked
“Asleep, soundly,” he smiled at her, which she returned. “Though, I presume he’ll have a mighty headache in the morning.”
“I prey that is all he has,” She sighed and made her way down the opposite hall.