#alastair x cousland

[aeducanwrites]

I’m once again deep in my feelings over Alastair and my canon warden, Mindel Cousland, even though it’s been about a year since I’ve written about either of them. I plan on writing more, though, and posting them here bc why not, so have a little drabble about the first time Min and Alastair ever met ❤️ you can see the full slightly AU timeline I wrote for them here.

———

9:19 Dragon

The breeze that came off of Lake Calenhad was cool as it blew across the plains of the Hinterlands, pollen drifting along from elfroot and spindleweed and making Fergus sneeze in rapid succession. What little breeze that got through the windows of the Cousland family carriage brushed through Mindel Cousland’s loose brown hair, only held down by an equally loose braided headband, though a few strands still managed to get caught in her mouth. She furrowed her eyebrows and wiped at her cheek, looking away from the plains and to her parents. Mother was offering Fergus her handkerchief, and Father was looking over papers sent to him by Arl Eamon.

Which was why they were heading to Redcliffe, or so Father said. Mindel certainly hadn’t wanted to leave home behind for the next month and a half. Mother had made her leave her mabari, Moose, at home with Nan and Gilmore, and she missed having her dog slobbering at her feet immensely.

“Do we really have to stay for so long, Father?” she asked for the fifth time since getting into the carriage with her family, leaning forward onto her knees and clasping her hands together. She could practically see the frustration building in between Father’s eyebrows, though whether it was from the papers he was reading or her nagging Mindel had yet to decide. He did set the papers down though, finally, and met her eyes with a look she’d come to consider a cross between tired father and cross teyrn, like he hadn’t fully transitioned from one role to the other by the time he’d shifted his focus. Mindel had been said focus of that particular look since she’d decided she’d rather learn swordsmanship than politics; she didn’t see the point when Cousland Castle was going to Fergus instead of her, and she’d sooner fight a war single-handedly before she ran a teyrnir by herself.

“Yes, pup, you have to stay the entire time,” Father sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Making connections with other noble families will be important when you’re older, even if you don’t see it yet. The Redcliffe arling is a valuable relationship to have, and the sooner you get to know Arl Eamon and his family the better.”

“Maybe for Fergus,” she muttered, looking at her allergy-ridden brother in annoyance. “He’s taking Highever, not me. I don’t see the point in this.”

“How about this,” Mother chimed in, ever the angel of patience. “You’ll be here the entire time because both your father and I have said you will. Understood?”

“Yes mother,” Mindel said glumly, slouching in her seat and ignoring the chiding Mother sent her way for her posture.

The Hinterlands was a boring landscape to watch roll by, but soon enough they came upon Redcliffe Castle, the bustling village resembling ants the further up the hill the carriage went. She was tempted to sneak out and explore the village, but unlike in Amaranthine, she wouldn’t have Thomas or Nathaniel at her side; to the best of Mindel’s knowledge, Arl Eamon didn’t have any heirs. Their stay in Redcliffe became bleeker at the realization, and Mindel put on a smile to hide her disappointment as the staff introduced them in the hall of the castle. Despite his allergies, her brother was the epitome of dignified, bowing low at the waist to greet Arl Eamon and his new bride, Arlessa Isolde. When her name was said, Mindel gave a low curtsy and resisted squirming under the arlessa’s scrutinizing stare.

“It’s good to see you again, Bryce,” Eamon said happily, walking over to Father and patting his shoulder. “A shame you couldn’t make it a month ago.”

“As much as I’d wished to have been here, Eamon, you know how duty can call,” Father responded easily, giving him an easy smile. “My congratulations on your wedding to the both of you. I trust my package arrived safely?”

“It did,” Isolde said, clasping her hands together at the front. “And such a marvelous gift! Thank you so much.”

Mindel exchanged a confused glance with Fergus, who simply gave her a subtle shrug and turned his attention back to the adults. Mindel did as well but quickly grew bored, her mind wandering as the four of them (and occasionally Fergus) chatted about politics or whatever else adults found interesting. Nan often told her she was quite mature, for a twelve year old, but her head was often in the clouds. Right now only seemed to prove Nan’s point, she idly notes as she took in the main hall of Redcliffe Castle. It was darker than Cousland Castle, even with the roaring fire at the back and the candles lined along the dark brick walls. She sincerely hoped Isolde brought about a lighter atmosphere to the castle, or they would sooner push potential guests away rather than encourage them to visit. Mother had insisted on keeping their windows open whenever the weather permitted, and Mindel hadn’t realized how much she’d taken advantage of that until Father had started insisting she go with him on trips to other holds.

A flash of ginger appeared in her peripheral vision, and Mindel turned her head just in time to see a small figure dart across the open doorway to its other side. She frowned and glanced back at her brother, but he seemed oblivious to whatever may have happened. Irritation flooded her, and Mindel shifted her eyes to her mother before letting out a large, unladylike yawn. The adults stopped chatting, and Isolde looked scandalized.

“My word,” she tutted, and Mindel decided she hated her.

Mother just sighed wearily and shook her head, touching Father’s arm gently. “Might we be seen to our rooms, dear? It seems the long travel has caught up to our little darling.”

“Of course, where are my manners?” Eamon asked, shaking his head. “You had to have had quite the trip from Highever. I’ll call for someone to show you to your rooms, and we can continue our discussion after you’ve rested.”

“I appreciate it, Eamon,” Father said, guiding his family toward the servants that appeared a moment later. “And I apologize for Mindel’s manners. They seem to have slipped with her exhaustion.”

Mindel feigned shame and chewed her bottom lip. “I am sorry, my Lord. I don’t know what came over me.”

“That’s quite alright, my dear,” Eamon said kindly, and she nearly felt bad for interrupting. “You go rest, and we shall see you all for lunch.”

She followed her family to the rooms Eamon had prepared for them, Father thanking and dismissing the servants before turning to her, looking faintly amused. Mother looked less amused, but luckily Father spoke first.

“Meetings are quite boring, aren’t they?”

“Bryce!” Mother smacked his arm and shook her head firmly. “We cannot encourage impolite behavior just because you find it funny.”

“Eleanor, sweetheart, I also cannot discourage the truth. Besides, poor Fergus was fighting a sneezing fit the entire time. Don’t think I didn’t notice, son.” Father smirked as Fergus finally let the sneeze out and knelt in front of Mindel. “Your mother has a point, however. Sometimes you have to sit through the boring things to get to the good stuff.”

“Good stuff?” Mindel shook her head. “I don’t even know what you were talking about most of the time.”

“You will, with time. Though between you and me, Eamon can talk for hours. I should be thanking you.”

“Bryce!” Mother scolded, and Father laughed, reaching down to pat Mindel’s head.

“Get some rest since we’re here, Pup. You can explore the castle later.”

“Yes, Father,” Mindel said, heading to one of the provided beds and getting comfortable under the covers. The dress was uncomfortable to nap in, but luckily Mother had let her wear a loose-fitting one that day, so she didn’t feel the need to change into her sleepwear. The last thing she heard as she drifted off was her parents fussing over Fergus despite her brother’s loud protests, and she made a mental note to look for someone with ginger hair when she woke up later.

———

“Mindel, get over here this instant!” Mother shouted into Redcliffe Castle’s courtyard, and Mindel quietly giggled as she hid from her mother’s ire among the overgrown bushels of hay and corn, stopping for a moment to adjust the rope she’d tied around the waist of her brother’s trousers. She knew she looked ridiculous, drowning in Fergus’ spare dress shirt and having rolled up each leg of the trousers enough to look comical, but she was far more comfortable than she’d been while wearing the dress Mother had chosen for her, so her pride could suffer a little. Besides, it was much easier to avoid Mother’s wrath while not worrying about tripping over her skirt, and it was with that thought in mind that Mindel finally snuck out of potential sight and toward the barn just down the way. She had heard there were mabari puppies staying in the barn, cute little whelps still too young to be trained as warhounds, and she missed her own hound terribly enough to risk sneaking into the den and pet one.

The lack of guards near the shed made Mindel hesitate briefly, but she steeled her resolve and pushed the barn door open, a grin spreading across her cheeks as she heard a few puppy cries and saw little brown bodies squirming near a small figure at the middle of the room. She quickly shut the door behind her and took in the ragged clothing the figure wore, possibly due to the puppies wanting to naw on everything in sight, but her eyes widened when she noticed the ginger hair the figure had.

“It’s you!” she shouted, and the boy in the center jumped, looking hilariously spooked. His eyes darted around as if expecting her to be accompanied by someone, but when he saw no one he relaxed slightly, shoulders sagging and attention being drawn back to the puppies.

“I don’t think I know you,” he quipped. “I think I’d recognize such a loud mouth if I did.”

Mindel huffed. “Well that’s not very nice. Maybe you have the loud mouth.”

“Do you think I do?”

She touched her fingers to her chin. “Not as of yet,” she decided. The boy’s lips twitched up, and he finally left the puppies alone long enough to give her a proper bow.

“Then I appreciate it. May I know why you decided to shout at me, miss?”

She smirked and dropped into a quick curtsy, which probably looked silly without a skirt to actually curtsy with. “I saw you run by the door while I was in the main hall earlier. I didn’t think Arl Eamon had any children.”

The boy looked startled, shaking his head. “I--no, I’m not Arl Eamon’s child. He’s just looking after me.”

“And why would he do that if you’re not his son?”

“Maybe he just has a good heart,” he said, which was honestly a fair point. “I’m Alistair. You must be Mindel Cousland, if you were in the hall yesterday.” He bowed again. “A pleasure to meet you, my lady.”

Mindel shook her head and sat on one of the barrels in the barn, patting a puppy that trotted her way. “Could you forego the formalities, Alistair? They’re getting rather draining.”

Alistair seemed hesitant. “...alright, but if I get busted for it it’ll be your head.”

Mindel snorted and nodded. “I promise to take full responsibility for your lack of propriety, Alistair not-Guirren.”

“For which I am eternally grateful,” he shot back, sitting beside her and picking up one of the puppies. The mabari squirmed in his arms but eventually settled, Alistair looking far from uncomfortable as it gnawed gently on his forearm. Mindel smiled warmly and reached over, scratching it behind its ear.

“I have a mabari puppy at home,” she said after a moment. “His name is Moose. He’s about this little guy’s age, I believe.”

“Maybe younger,” he said, looking down at the pup. “This one is a runt, so he’s a bit smaller than the rest. He’s taken a shine to me, I think.”

“Do you think he’s imprinted on you?”

Alistair’s eyes widened, and he looked at Mindel like she’d grown a second head. “I--no, there’s no way.”

“And how do you know that?” she asked, tilting her head to the side. Alistair’s neck turned rose pink, and he just shook his head again.

“Mabaris imprint on nobles and those worthy of it,” he said slowly, scratching the pup under his chin. The pup’s eyes closed at all the attention being given to it, while his brothers and sisters went to the mother to feed. The runt didn’t seem inclined to move, even after both of them pulled away to let it crawl away. Rather, it curled tighter against Alistair’s stomach and began to snooze in earnest. Mindel chuckled quietly at the loud snores and glanced at the younger boy through her eyelashes.

“Mabaris don’t just imprint because someone is noble,” she said slowly. “If that were the case, my brother and I would have several mabaris to our name. My entire family would, really. They’re smart dogs, you know. They can see into your very being to tell whether you’re worthy of their trust or not.” She hesitated. “At least, that’s what Nan said when we found Moose and he refused to leave my side.”

Alistair’s lips twitched up, and Mindel knocked her shoulder into his. “Lucky me,” he said. “I get the runt. How ironic. He is a cutie though.”

Mindel grinned. “Just like you. What a perfect match.”

Alistair’s blush made the little flirt worth it, and she laughed when the pup woke up and began licking and nibbling at his face. The boy sputtered and fell backward onto the floor, puppies swarming him quickly. Mindel got onto the floor with him and let the mabari puppies consume her, the barn echoing with puppy whines and the laughter of two children.

———

By the time the Couslands left Redcliffe, Mindel didn’t want to leave. She had visited Alistair at the barn every day when she could get away from her mother, the two of them chatting without the propriety that drove her up the wall. It was nice to be respected, sure, but everyone treaded carefully even when she thought they were friends. Arl Eamon seemed thrilled enough that Alistair had a friend; he’d pulled her aside one evening to thank her for spending time with Alistair, and Mindel had shook her head in response.

“I don’t need to be thanked,” she had said. “He’s a great friend! Do you thank people for being your friend, Arl Eamon?”

The arl had chuckled. “Only when I’m being particularly stubborn, I suppose. Still, accept my thanks on Alistair’s behalf. Maker knows he won’t say it himself.”

That was admittedly confusing, but Fergus had taught her to nod and smile when she was confused until someone offered clarification, so she had done just that. “I should thank him, actually. Is he in the barn?”

“He’s in his lessons actually. Perhaps you two can talk afterward.”

That afternoon, when a surprisingly well-dressed Alistair had left his tutor, Mindel ambushed him with a tug on his hands to drag him along. The two had run out past the castle gates and fallen to the ground just across the stone bridge leading into Redcliffe’s boundaries, the night sky shimmering above. Mindel looked at Alistair, his awed smile doing something funny to her stomach, and rolled onto her side.

“You’ll write when my family leaves, right?” she had asked. “It won’t be fun at home without you there.”

He’d turned an interesting shade of pink. “I-if you want, I’ll write. You’re a good friend, Min.”

“Not just good,” she’d teased. “You’re my best friend, and I’m yours. Right?”

Alistair had smiled, rivaling the shine of the stars above. “Right! Best friends, I promise.”

Leaving Redcliffe was hard because of Alistair; Mindel didn’t want to leave him behind. Father merely chuckled as she watched the castle disappear from the carriage’s view, waving goodbye to Alistair and him waving back until they were out of sight from one another. She sat down with a sigh when the view became nothing but open road, head tilting back against the carriage wall.

“Still upset that you’d stayed with us in Redcliffe?” Father asked teasingly. Mindel narrowed his eyes into a glare, but it didn’t stay long as she shook her head.

“No, I suppose not,” she admitted. “Alistair is fun to be with, Father. Can we come to Redcliffe again soon?”

“I’ll see what I can do, pup. Until then, you’ll have your letters.”

“Yeah. We will.”

[ooachilliaoo]

About Me

The lovely @poweredbycoffeeandwine tagged me. Thanks so much for thinking of me hun! *hugs*

I’ll tag @faith-less-one @eisschirmchen @hawkeykirsah @everkings @vorchagirl and anyone else who wants to! (no obligation of course)

Favourite colour: Red – I’m just always inexorably drawn to red things.

Top 3 Ships: Sarah Shepard x Kaidan Alenko / Evelyn Trevelyan x Cullen Rutherford / Elissa Cousland x Alastair Theirin – I mean they’re the main three I write about so it had to be them.  

Lipstick or Chapstick: Lipstick! Don’t get me wrong Chapstick is great but there are so many fun lipstick colours. I have like four red’s, one of which is the same shade Hayley Atwell wore as Peggy Carter and a purply colour called ‘Power Move’ which I absolutely love and wear whenever I need to project a very ‘don’t fuck with me’ kinda attitude.  

Last Song:  The last song I listed to was ‘Only happy when it rains’ from the Captain Marvel soundtrack, because Carol Danvers and Endgame.

Currently Reading: ‘A Court of Mist and Fury’ by Sarah J Maas, for the second time because this series. OMG. It’s full of all those fanfic tropes everyone loves and yet there are so many surprises along the way. I wanted to re-read the series now I know what happens and you know what? It still makes me weep. Sarah J Maas is an evil evil genius and I love her.