#femcousland

[illusivesoul]

"Don't look now, Eleanor, but I think the girl has a crush on your lass"

[theoriginalladya]

20 Fanfic Questions

I was tagged by @bioticbooty. Thank you, friend!

Tagging @mtreebeardiles @tiny-banana-time @shadoedseptmbr and @wrathoscribbles and anyone else who wants to participate.

How many works do you have on AO3?

153 stories across 40 series

2. What's your total AO3 words count?

2,700,745

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Mostly Mass Effect. Some Dragon Age in the past and some crossover worlds with ME (World of Darkness, WWII, etc.). Potentially Baldur's Gate 3 in future if the muses start talking.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Ever Constant - My Dragon Age epic fic. FemCousland/Nathaniel Howe, pre-Blight through Dragon Age: Origins. (103)

Dribbles & Drabs - a collection of writing prompts for various pairings, mostly Mass Effect related, mostly Caleb Shepard but also includes Michael Shepard, Kristofer Shepard, Tessa Shepard, Abbots (Abby Williams/Major Coats) and a few others. (102)

Found Family - A Collection of Drabbles - specific writing prompts from the Dribbles & Drabs collection related to Caleb Shepard/Kaidan Alenko and their kids. (92)

Destiny's Road - married Shep/Shep AU pairing set in ME1, first of the three game related stories. (83)

Destiny's Fate - divorced ShepShep AU pairing set in ME3, third of three game related stories. (64)

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I do, yes! I love to hear from readers!

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Probably either Bury Me In Willow , Give Me Peace, or Never Alone.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Difficult to say, but Shepard in Sherwood is a pretty fun, positive one.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

I have two or three times, unsolicited comments from people who believe their opinion matters more than how I want to tell my story.

9. Do you write smut. If so what kind?

It depends. I have in past, I do on occasion these days, but it's very rare because I'm just not that comfortable writing it. I tend to stress a lot more when writing smut, too.

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

Several, actually. Most of mine are crossovers with historical time periods rather than fandoms (though there are a couple) ME/World of Darkness, ME/WWII, ME/ME Andromeda, a couple of ME/Celtic Ireland, and a new ME/American Revolution idea. I have a couple ideas for ME/DAO crossovers, but have yet to start them.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

A couple small, old ones.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Translated, no. Podcasted, yes.

13. Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

Yes. In 2022, @happychica and I began writing Caleb Shepard in her Modern ME series, The Town of Norman in the story, As Luck Would Have It

14. What's your all-time favourite ship?

mshenko and femshenko. Okay, who am I kidding, anyone and Kaidan - Alenkoats (with Coats), Reylenko (with Reyes Vidal), Parasenko (with Gianna Parasini). Another very high fave of mine (because of Caleb and Kaidan) is Abboats - Abby Williams/Major Coats.

15. What's a WIP you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

I would love to bring all the hundreds of ideas I have drabbled on (but not shared), or started but haven't gotten back to, but it probably won't happen. For now, I just take it a day at a time and hope the muses will keep inspiring me so I can get more done.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Plotting.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Just about everything else. I have moments where I sort of go 'zen' and can get good things going, but it isn't consistent for me, and I wish it was. Still, I'm constantly working on them, so I hope I have at least improved them somewhat over the years and will continue to do so.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I have done, to a point, with fics, but not usually more than an expression here or there. If I do, it's usually French because I have the most experience with it.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Dragon Age

20. Favourite fic you've ever written?

This is like asking me to pick which of my children is my favorite!!!

(Okay, so I only have one kid - but I have TONS of stories!!!)

For now I will say anything with Caleb Shepard. He has been such a wonderful learning experience for me and continues to be, and I love how his world has been turning out - past, present and future. Can't wait to share it all!

[haequation]

any alistair/femcousland should be bi4bi and at the very least t4t imo

[kinglywarden]

likes and unlikes all of your posts pointedly even though you don't follow me back so you notice me and notice that i'm a femcousland

live reaction of me seeing nan choose violence. i really appreciate that you were around for every discourse i have been involved in within the da rpc FIUGDHJFNF

[commander-sarahs-art]

Some doodles I did yesterday to celebrate DAO’s 10th anniversary!💙

[shep-writes]

The Queen for a Kingdom, Ch. 1

Fandom: Dragon Age Character(s): f!Cousland, Alistair Theirin, Nathaniel Howe, Velanna, Bethany Hawke, Sigrun, Oghren, The Architect Pairing(s): Alistair/f!Cousland, Nathaniel/Velanna Rating: T Genre: Romance/Angst Warnings: N/A Language: English Summary:  The Hero of Ferelden is missing. With the Divine Conclave fast approaching, tension is mounting between the mages and templars, especially in Redcliffe where a whole host of rebel mages has taken refuge. However, with the Blight finally starting to take hold of her beloved King, the Warden Queen finds that her fate lies down a different path than that of the rest of Thedas. A/N: N/A Read On: fanfiction, AO3 Chapter: 2/? Chapter Title: N/A

“The King is coming.”

Those were the words that greeted Miri as she threw open the doors to Vigil's Keep, lightning flashing in the distance as the sky wept. It was a cold, dreary rain, the sort that chilled one to the bone and gave them the sort of sickness from which they did not recover.

Breath clouding in front of her thin, colorless lips, Miri cast off the damp hood that shadowed her face, Nathaniel Howe—the man that had spoken to her upon her arrival—jumped, no doubt startled by her ghastly appearance. Miri could only imagine what she looked like—little sleep, dark circles ringing eyes that had once been the deep green of an emerald but now resembled the sickly yellowish hue of dying grass, skin pale and stretched thin over blue-black veins.

“Andraste's tits,” she heard Nathaniel gasp.

Purposefully ignoring the slip, the former Warden-Commander shook her hair loose, brow furrowing. “Of course he's coming. The fool.” There was no animosity in her voice, no real bite, and if one had looked at her for a moment, just that one moment, they would have seen the hard lines brought on by her frown soften.

A flash of golden hair, the echo of innocent laughter, a hawk perched on a branch—

“Miri.”

Miri shook her head, brought back to the present by Nathaniel's voice and the rapidly cooling trickle of something warm leaving her nose. Swiping her hand across her mouth, she wiped away the stark reminder of why she was there at Vigil's Keep, away from her beloved.

“When you said—I had no idea—” Nathaniel broke off abruptly, taking Miri's blood-covered gauntlet in his hands before she could tuck it away behind her back out of sight. His bright blue eyes narrowed in concern as he raised her hand up, exposing it to the light of the torches in the great hall. “Maker.”

Miri fought the urge to squirm, not needing or wanting his sympathy. He would be suffering alongside her soon enough; he'd dealt with more Darkspawn in his life than she had, traveled farther into the Deep Roads, and Blight or not, she'd only really been exposed to the creatures during her brief travels and short stint as Warden-Commander afterwords. But Nathaniel...he'd spent the past decade hunting them while she'd been holed up in Denerim, sitting on a throne.

“Miri...”

Wrenching herself free of his grasp, refusing to meet his empathetic gaze, Miri headed in the direction that she remembered lead to the stables. She must have been correct, for it wasn't long before Nathaniel quietly fell in beside her, shortening his steps to match her smaller stride. It was a mite infuriating to Miri—she was walking as briskly as she could without running and waking the entire Keep with the clanking of her armor, yet the man still outpaced her—but she pushed the irritation aside, focused instead on the larger task that lay before her.

Despite knowing otherwise, that Anders had left long ago, that Justice was now one with him, Miri was surprised that she did not see Ser Pounce rounding a corner with the mage hot on his trail, Justice in turn following with a sort of fascination that such a large being would take comfort from something so small. She half-expected Sigrun to come chasing after the lot of them—cat, man and ghoul—bubbling to the brim with questions, Oghren's drunken bawl of a laugh ringing throughout the Keep's winding corridors.

A smile slipped across the Queen's face.

Velanna, of course, would be sitting in an alcove, somehow never far from the fray she tried so desperately to avoid, her nose in a book, a cross look on her face. Her perpetually down-turned mouth would pinch together unpleasantly, nostrils flaring in annoyance as the bumbling group of Ser Pounce, Anders, Justice and Sigrun wandered by, a caustic remark about their tomfoolery following them as they stumbled into the next room. And yet, when they were gone and the Dalish mage thought she was alone, she would grin to herself before snuggling up comfortably in the blanket Nathaniel had awkwardly gifted her, cheeks painted the lightest rose red.

This was all, of course, before Miri had left and their little family had dissolved. Miri did not miss those lonely nights when she slept alone, devoid of Alistair's comfort and warmth lest the Taint that ran through his veins be sensed by the other Wardens in the Keep and it be known that the King was not only a bastard but a Warden as well, but she did miss the motley group that had become as dear to her as her own flesh and blood.

She felt her hands curl into fists where they hung at her sides.

They—Alistair, Nathaniel, Anders, Sigrun, Oghren, Velanna—were why she could not fail, why she would not. She would save them all, save them from what she had cursed them with—an heirless kingdom, a gruesome death.

Miri's armored footsteps clinked against the stone as they maneuvered passage after passage, Nathaniel lighter on his feet and more at ease with creeping and lurking than she ever would be. There was the occasional flicker of flame, the opening and shutting of a door from far off in the castle, but that was all that could be heard, silence a wedge between the two companions that had shed blood, sweat and tears side by side once upon a time.

“Velanna,” Miri spoke at last. “You've found her?”

Out of the corner of her eye she saw the archer flinch and her heart twisted in agony for the raven-haired man. He had loved her—still loved her.

“Yes,” Nathaniel said after a pregnant pause. “Despite her intentions for me—us—not to, we've found her.”

“The Architect?”

Nathaniel nodded. “She's with him.”

“And Seranni?”

Nathaniel shook his head.

“….I see.”

Silence again reigned supreme between them as Miri digested this information. Velanna was alive and so was The Architect. Seranni may or may not be, but seeing as how The Architect was still in one piece and Velanna sighted with rather than against him…

“I wish you'd reconsider,” Nathaniel said, interrupting Miri's thoughts.

Miri blinked, a sad smile stretching her lips, and nudged his arm playfully. “Sorry, Nate. Sigrun's my rogue on this one. Where we're going, blades will be worth more than arrows. Why? Jealous?”

The rogue raised an eyebrow, giving the smaller woman a sideways glance. “Hardly. I've had enough of the Deep Roads to last a lifetime. I'd just feel better knowing you had someone competent with you.”

Miri's smile spread, became genuine, a spark lighting in her dead eyes. “So the truth comes out at long last. You think I'm incompetent, that years sitting on my behind dealing with stuffy nobles has dulled my blade.”

“I—that's not what—Miri.” Nathaniel's expression darkened reproachfully, though a hint of amusement could be seen gleaming in his eyes. “Your blade may have dulled, but your wit is sharp as ever, I see. Thank the Maker Darkspawn can be simply be insulted to death.”

The Queen broke out in laughter, damning the need for secrecy. She had missed this. She had missed him. The pair stopped walking as she broke out in a raucous cacophony of joy, her nerves frayed at the end and welcoming this bit of a diversion. Nathaniel stood still as a statue, only moving to support his former Warden-Commander as she rested her head against his breastplate, tears slipping from her eyes and dotting the floor.

“Nathan...” Her voice wavered.“I want you to know, I—”

“Don't,” Nathan cut her off. “Don't you bloody say it.”

Miri clamped her mouth shut. Not many could get away with ordering her around like that—Queen or not—but there had been too much they had been through together for her to be angry with him.

“Are you sure you can handle him?” she asked instead.

“The King?” Nathaniel scoffed. “If it was the other way around—you coming after him—then I'd be worried.”

Miri snorted. “Yes. I suppose that's true.”

At last they reached the door that led to the stables.

“I'm missing a mage from this little expedition of mine. Too bad you're not a mage,” Miri quipped as Nathaniel put a hand on the wooden door.

Nathaniel grinned. “Not quite. I've got you a mage, from Kirkwall.” Miri raised an eyebrow. “A former Ferelden, no less.”

“Oh?”

Nathaniel pushed open the door and Miri's eyes fell on a girl with long, curly, coal-colored hair that stood by a horse with bags hanging off its saddle, stroking it across the nose comfortingly.

“Miri!”

“Boss!”

At Sigrun's and Oghren's joyous shouts, the girl turned around, her amber eyes meeting Miri's.

“Miri, I'd like to introduce you to Bethany Hawke.”

/ /

Faster. He needed to go faster.

King Alistair spurred his horse onward with a kick. His knee twinged at the act and he suppressed a grimace; an old battle wound, nothing more. Just behind him he could hear his wife's beloved mabari panting hard, struggling to keep up with the stallion upon which he rode, and beyond that the clamor of his guardsmen on horseback. He hadn't intended for this entourage to follow him and he could still hear Bann Teagen's shouts ringing in his ears, commanding him—commanding him, the King of Ferelden!—to come back.

The bed had still been warm when he'd awoken with the gut feeling that something was very, very wrong. The letter he had found had proved his suspicions and he'd barely had the mind to throw on clothes before he'd stumbled out of his chamber with a ruckus that had woken the whole castle. As it was he'd forgotten his smallclothes and his pants were riding up uncomfortably, catching in all the wrong places.

Rain pelted him mercilessly with icy slaps across his face, but he did not slow, did not stop. He had to reach her before she was gone, before she left him and went to what would surely be her death.

She's Miriana Cousland-Theirin, slayer of Archdemons and things that go bump in the night. She'll be fine; she'll make it back from this, he told himself. Just let her go, let her do this. Trust her, as you've always trusted her before you hulking buffoon.

Yet he could not, would not let her go. He trusted her, trusted that she'd do everything in her power to make it back to him, and, Maker, was his wife fierce, but still…!

His heart raced as the landscape sped by, the road alternating between broken stone, grass, and rock. He was soaked to the bone, skin slick with perspiration and the heaven's tears, his breath coming in ragged puffs and gasps as his chest burned with fear.

The galloping hooves of his guards' horses faded as they fell more and more behind their frantic King, and even the mabari's slobbering pants grew distant. The steed beneath Alistair seemed to sense his urgency and feed on his terror, for never before had the former Warden ridden a beast so fast. Still, he feared it wasn't fast enough, and he choked at the thought, tears stinging his eyes.

“My love, wait for me. Please, please wait for me.”

[queentheirins]

The morning came all too quickly for a night that Alistair never wanted to end. As he slowly opened his eyes, a smile spread across his lips as his love gazed back at him with a twinkle in her eye.

“Hmm, I could get used to this.” He stated as he moved his arm to hold her close.

“What’s that?” Bridget asked coyly as she gently traced his full lips with the pad of her finger.

“Waking up next to you after a night of wild passion.” He replied with a blush.

Bridget giggled.

“Yes, I could say the same. You’re very handsome first thing in the morning.”

This, Alistair doubted as he was sure sleep still clung to his eyes and he could feel the dried drool on his chin. Still, he would never tire of Bridget calling him handsome. He gently ran the pad of his thumb across her smooth shoulder.

“I suppose we have to return to the real world now, huh?” He asked sadly.

Bridget shrugged him and caressed the side of his face.

“Unfortunately…but tonight, tonight will be ours once again, and so will every other night to follow. Until I take my dying breath, Alistair. I am yours.”

Alistair felt his heart soar as they leaned in and kissed each other deeply. Once they pulled apart, he bumped his nose against Bridget’s and sighed happily.

“And I yours. Till the very end.”

***

Another gorgeous sketch by TobioFish on Twitter! If you haven’t already, PLEASE go check out their art! They are simply amazing and always a joy to work with! 💜💜💜💜

And if you’re interested, you can find Bridget and Alistair’s story on my AO3! https://archiveofourown.org/works/34409608

Readers, comments, and kudos are greatly appreciated!!! 💜💜💜💜

[kwynoodle]

the boy likes to make Em blush

[brennacedria]

Also, I want to revive @fuckyeahfemcousland, but everything I ever got to reblog there was more of the same, including my own contributions. And really, without more variety in both styles of Couslands and in their backgrounds I don’t see a reason to do so. In addition to that, I want more fics on it but never had time to moderate those myself.

So, in the light of maybe bringing it back, rec me some Couslands to reblog there. OPs or links to them preferred so the creator gets the notes, past Couslands who have been featured welcome but more diversity in Couslands even more welcome. Including/especially multi-origin Cousland crossovers and AUs and rare pair Couslands. And fics, though as I’ve mentioned in the past I’ll need help keeping up with and reblogging those (first off to just read them, second off to make sure what to tag them with content-wise).

Send message/ask if you’re maybe interested.

[vecchio-fastidioso]

Boy oh boy that colouring programme can be fun

[i-am-shepard-commander]

Going through old files on my laptop and stumbled across this gem! Sketch card I commissioned from @aimosketchcard! King Alistair Theirin and Queen Miri Cousland <3

[theoriginalladya]

Writer tag chat

I was tagged by @screwyouflightlieutenant - thank you!

What is your total posted wordcount on ao3?

2,628,016 at the moment.

Do you have a routine for writing?

I used to, more or less. These days, it's been more of whenever the muses decide to show up. It's been a crazy year, to say the least! lol

Whats your favorite tropes/pairing

Pairings: Alistair Theirin/my OC (not a Warden), Nathaniel Howe/Female Cousland, mShenko, femShenko, mClone Shenko, Kaidan Alenko/Gianna Parasini, Reyes Vidal/Kaidan Alenko, Abby Williams/Major Coats, Major Coats/Kaidan Alenko, Scott Ryder/Kaidan Alenko (I may have a bit of a theme...)

Tropes: Found Family is definitely on the list

Do you have a favorite fic of yours?

Oh gosh, can I get away with ALL of them??? No? Well then, No Rest for the Wicked will always be a favorite as is As Luck Would Have It, if I have to pick.

Your fic with the most kudos?

Ever Constant, my femCousland/Nathaniel Howe fic for Dragon Age and (mostly) Caleb's drabbles in Dribbles & Drabs for Mass Effect.

Anything you don't like about your writing?

Depends on the day. I can't name one specific thing, though there are times when I just want to chuck a piece against the far wall and let it sit for six months until it learns to behave itself.

Now something you do like?

Hmm... Each and every one of my OCs. Each has a unique story all their own which helps in keeping them separate in my head. They might seem similar when you see their backgrounds based on the game information, but no, each one is unique and I love plotting their stories. That's something I know I'm good at: plotting.

Tagging anyone who wants to share who hasn't!

[wardencommanderkarissa]

@chelsea-beleren-vess

Ho-ly-shit, I actually finished a comic. A simple, 2 page one, but, still. 

so, here’s Alistair and my Cousland, getting married.. and coronated.. at the same time.. I have no idea how these things are done. Just run with it.

and, even though I actually don’t know them.. I want to thank @siriusdraws very much.. as looking at their awesome comics (and a inspirational thingy I found on their blog).. really inspired me to finally finish one of the (many) comics I’ve started to make (and then left to rot in a “wip”-folder).

[persephoneggsy]

I started up DA: Origins again to play with my femCousland, Fiora, and thinking about the similarities between her and Sebastian’s stories

Youngest child of a respected noble family, yearning for a chance to stand out and prove themselves. Both are archers, both families suffered a brutal betrayal at the hands of a close family friend, were left the only survivors of the horrific slaughter (minus Fergus, but as far as Fiora knows he could be dead in the Wilds). 

Both are consumed with revenge and claim it, but ultimately realize that they need to grow up and be a leader.

[incorrect-dragon-age-quotes]

I romanced Zevran with a femCousland in Dao, Anders with Garrett in DA2 and then came DAI, and there I was with my mage femAdaar, I wanted to romance Krem, went sad when it wasn't possible, and then did the Josephine romance. (which was very sweet and cute but still, rip)

nice! and yeah krem would have made a great romance, but bioware really gotta do us like that. i really hope da4 will give us more diverse romances, like a trans romance option would be amazing and we’re still waiting on our lovable dwarf. 

[charlatron]

4. Awkward kiss - for Alistair x Helena.

Such a rare couple to get a request for! (To be fair, I don’t give her enough love either...)

Alistair stood close to her in the crowded room. “This is really weird,” he whispered, smiling down at her. His clean-shaven look and perfectly groomed hair were charming, but a bit out of place on him. The lopsided grin certainly wasn’t. Or the look of absolute adoration in his brown eyes. 

“It is, isn’t it?” Helena agreed. Her rosy lips were only tinted faintly as they were a lovely color all their own. Full and enticing.

“Your majesty?” The tall, incredibly thin man beside them spoke up. “I said that you may-” 

“I heard,” Alistair said louder, though he didn’t take his eyes off of her. She was divine in her white and gold dress. A thin gold circlet lay over the crown of her hair. “I suppose we should…” he trailed off slowly. 

She pursed her lips as she smiled, trying not to laugh at him. Nodding quickly, Helena lifted her hand to his cheek. He bent his head and she met him halfway. She pressed her lips to his and after only a mere moment, he pulled away with a nervous chuckle. Letting out a soft sigh of disappointment she rocked back onto her feet. Alistair glanced at the crowd that gathered, blushing at the scattered applause. 

Then, from the front row,  they heard a distinctly Antivan voice. “Pathetic! Kiss la tua regina like you mean it! Like she deserves! Shall I show you how?” Zevran even stood, feinting a few steps toward the dais with a determined look. 

Helena certainly was hoping for something more, but she knew how nervous Alistair was to kiss her in front so many people. He’d been fretting about it for days. She would get what she wanted in private later anyway. 

However, Zevran’s ribbing seemed to spur him into action. His hand cupped the back of her neck, the other sliding down to the small of her back. He caught her off guard with the feverish kiss and almost immediately she forgot about their audience. Alistair’s hand slid over the swell of her backside and down her leg. 

He bent over her slightly, lifting her leg to wrap around him which she did without question. One arm slid around his neck while the other kept the circlet on her head as he dipped her amid the whistles and cheers of the royal court and their found family. 

Helena was quite literally breathless when he straightened and released her leg. “How was that?” he whispered against her lips. 

“Decidedly not awkward,” she whispered back. 

“You’re blushing, wife.” Alistair’s grin made her heart skip a beat. 

“So are you!” 

“May I now present, King Alistair Theirin and his wife, Queen Helena!” The official said among the din that had only subsided slightly before swelling back into an approving cacophony at Alistair’s second try. 

Alistair looked over his shoulder. “And?” He prompted. 

“Highness, the queen should not have more titles than the king.” The official balked, paling slightly. 

“And!” Alistair prompted again. 

“Queen Helena, last of house Cousland, Warden-Commander of the Grey Wardens and Hero of Ferelden.” Though he was less than enthusiastic in his announcement, Alistair was satisfied nonetheless. 

Looking over at her, he took her hand and squeezed. “I love you, Hel.” 

Her smile back at him did more things to him than just make his heart skip a beat. No matter what had happened in the past, or what would happen in the future, this woman was everything. If he only remembered one thing about today, it would be the look in her eyes when she answered; “I love you too, Ali.”