Forbidden Love (A Dragon Age Story)

Chapter 1

It had been such a stunning day in Ferelden. The sun sent warm rays of sunshine down that kept the villagers warm and the gentle breeze streaming through their locks of hair and drifted across their flesh.

It was almost nightfall when Jess had arrived at her destination, Lothering. Quite a long journey since she had traveled all the way from Highever, which was way up north in Ferelden. Her long, dark, red, curly hair was up in a ponytail as her bangs laid behind her little round human ears. Her eyes were a sparkling crystal blue, it would just take your breath away with a glance.

As she opened the door to the tavern it CREAKED, her eyes browsed her surroundings. A one room Tavern, so finding the person she was suppose to be meeting should not be that difficult. Over in the back left corner of the Tavern sat Arl Howe, an old family friend, just slurping upon his mug of ale companionless. Jess swayed her head as she waltzed over. Pulling out a chair right by his side, she took a rather quick seat.

"Greetings Howe, Father will be pleased that I found you with no problems" she conversed with a rather accomplished grin upon her face. Her first journey out of the castle and it was going rather swell. Setting down the mug he let out a half chuckle sound to her enchantment "Indeed he will be. How was your journey here to Lothering for the first time? I am sure that it will be a tale to tell Thomas when you see him again" Howe simpered at the suggestion. Whenever he had the chance he brought up his youngest son, years of trying to get them to set her up with an arranged marriage but Jess simply refused each time with great respect.

Shaking her head gently her bangs flopped from her left to right a few times. "Howe, I am flattered that your son has taken interest in me but I still don't want to be married. At least not an arranged marriage. I want to find love...I know it is obtuse but I hope you will take a consideration to my decision" Jess softly exhaled, despising the topic more and more each time it was brought up.

A moment in silence... It was truly uncomfortable, some might even say amateurish. Alas Jess made her eyes meet with Howe's as she uttered "We must be heading back to Highever, father will worry if I am away longer than is intended." Howe snickered at her words, understanding how Bryce felt about her. He was a parent himself after all. " He only worries for your safety dear. You will understand later after you are married and have your own children someday" smiling at her with a swig of the last of his Ferelden ale.

Jess arose slowly with a bright smile until a small child snagged up her wallet from her side. "Hey!" She shouted at him out of shock. Quickly she shook her head back to reality and dashed after him but was a little bit slow, being a noble she wasn't allowed to run around. She was told it was the way of the hooligans. Almost reaching the door he was blocked by a young elvhen man with snow white hair and deep, dark green eyes.The elvhen boy sundered to the ground in fear as the man took the wallet from his hands with a glare and a slight snarl. The boy did not move a muscle as his eyes widened, showing they were a hazel with a tint of brown near the pupils.

Jess came to a halt in front of them, breathing heavily from the long chase. "Thank you for stopping him kind sir...now... where is my wallet? I am in need of it for my journey back home little one" She expressed tenderness to the child with such a gentle tone. The man handed her back her wallet in silence and sat back down at his table, sipping away upon his beverage of liquor. Jess accepted it back with a bow of her head and quickly tied it back to her waist tightly so no one else could steal her sovereign for the road. "If you needed some sovereign for food all you had to do was ask" Jess made a smile but the child still sat in horror, gazing to the man sitting at the table. "He can move along" the man spoke, his voice like a growl of anger. With the scowl the child ran out the door and didn't look back.

Jess sighed softly with disappointment, a light shake of her head as her hands moved to rest upon her hips. "I will never understand why no matter how nice I am people still fear me" she looked back over to the elvhen man again with a smile. "Thank you stranger, How can I repay you?" The elvhen man shook his head side to side. "Ar'vas ensansal. No payment." Jess turned to face the man who helped her. "I'm sorry if I scared him...I really just want to help" She sighed daintily.