A/N: Last night I was asking myself all these different what if questions like what if there was no blight? What if Alistair was acknowledged as prince? Things like that and here is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy!

When Two Are One

"If things were perfect, we wouldn't have met."

Talk of a family close to royalty was coming to Redcliffe. Oh, the talk didn't escape Alistair's ears. Some may have even thought that he was nervous to meet such a family. Yeah. He was nervous. He knew what was expected of him but… why would he want to try to woo a woman that he had only just met? He paced in the courtyard of the Redcliffe castle, his known safe have when trying to escape the distaster that was Denerim. He was mostly there because he didn't want to face his half brother and his wife. He knew what people said and he really didn't feel like looking at them in the face when they looked at him as their inferior.

"Calm down, Alistair."

Alistair turned to look at his uncle. He couldn't help but fidget. He was more than happy to let Anora and Cailan rule Ferelden without any thought of him trying to take over the throne. His little secret had been out for quite some time now and Lady Isolde could stop looking at him like he was the damned plague. "I can't help it," he admitted. Even though he couldn't have the throne, Eamon was ever so gallant in trying to get him to remain in some nobility. After all, Connor was to be Arl after him, and Teagan had named him successor because of his inability to have children. Ok. Ok. Alistair didn't mind. He would do his duty when asked, but for once in his life, he would have preferred to have control of his own life, if only for one time. His eyebrows furrowed together. Yes, he'd rather be a Bann than a bastard prince.

"I know," Eamon started, "Some girls can be a bit intimidating, but I know the family personally. Trust me, they are held in high regard. But I need you to do this for me Alistair, alliance with the Teryn of Highever is important." Alistair wanted to ask why but he knew better. He had personally never met the Couslands but he knew that they were held in high esteem. Their oldest son, Fergus, was going to inherit the land while their youngest, Raina, had been expected to marry nobility. Ha. He was hardly such a thing.

"When are they expected?" Alistair asked.

"Tonight, around dinner. I expect you to be there, as does Teagan. We wouldn't want to insult the delicate Raina, now would we?" From what he had heard, Raina was far from delicate. While daughters of Teryns were expected to be lady like, the youngest of the Cousland children was known for being wild and well, that sodding frightened Alistair. How could Eamon and Teagan expect him to act normal around the woman? Bah. Only time could tell, correct?

Wild laughter escaped her lips as she ran through the forest. She could hear her mother calling her name. She had to get ready to pack up camp leave for Redcliffe. Honestly, were her parents expecting her to marry a Bann? Well, if Fergus was going to inherit Highever, it seemed only natural for her to be married off. Ugh, but she hated it so and her brother seemed to be the only one to understand. She felt a hand grab her wrist and she whirled around to be met by her brother, Fergus. A smirk spread across her lips. "Mother sent you, didn't she?" She asked. Oh how he was the only one to know her well enough to anticipate her next move.

"And face your wrath herself, dear sister? I think I'd be the more suitable choice," Fergus said, smiling as he winked at her. He was right. As much as mother wanted her to be a warrior, she despaired at the thought that Raina wanted nothing to do with girlish things like dresses or…even worse…courting.

"Is it true?" She asked him. "Are we going to Redcliffe for me to meet a potential suitor?"

Fergus couldn't help but laugh. "Ah yes, a potential suitor, that is if you don't scare him off at first. Mother would surely be sent to her deathbed if she had to look for another after this one," he told her. Raina raised an eyebrow. Really? And who was this potential suitor?

"Do you know who he is?"

"Heir to Bann Teagan," he started and leaned in a bit, "Some say he's the bastard son of Maric Theirin." Her eyes widened a bit. No wonder why her mother had been so uncharacteristic in trying to get her daughter to act like a lady. She bit her lower lip for a moment, inwardly debating what should be done. Ah. Duty. She had to do her duty. It was expected of her, as much as she didn't like it and would rather stay in Highever as an old spinster. "Don't be so shocked. Mother and Father only want the best for you." Yes, yes. "So will you at least put on your dress?"

Raina sighed. "Fine," she grumbled and headed back towards camp to change.

They arrived at Redcliffe later that evening, earlier than expected to add. Raina rode her horse like a lady, much to her own despair. Remmy trotted beside her, barking happily but not loud enough to make the horse uneasy. She sighed a bit as Redcliffe castle came into view. She glanced at Fergus, who winked at her. Maker give her strength. She wouldn't have put up with the parading around if it wasn't for him. "Ah, pup," her father, Bryce, started as he rode next to her. "Your mother thinks this man is a perfect match. Arl Eamon speaks of him in high regard." He would. She sighed a bit. "Every princess deserves a prince."

They were greeted by the arl and arlessa. She hadn't expected to meet them first. She saw a young boy with them but she doubted someone THAT young was the one she was supposed to be meeting. Bryce and Eleanor were first in the greetings, introducing their children next. Raina bowed. "It's an honor to meet you both," she told them. Yes. Yes. She could play nice. Resentment threatened to rise but she harbored the feeling.

"And it's a pleasure to finally meet you, Raina. Your father always speaks of you in high regard," Eamon greeted. Good. That was something that she liked to hear. "It is unfortunate that Alistair couldn't make it at the moment but he's sure to be around during dinner."

Raina didn't comment. She wasn't looking forward to dinner. Begrudgingly she followed her family into the castle and went to her room. She needed to get out of there. Being kept in one place wasn't her thing. Remmy scratched at the bedroom door. Oh, he knew her too well. She went to her Mabari and petted her dog. "I feel the same way, boy," she told him and then opened the door. If anyone wondered where she was going, she was going to tell them that she was simply taking her dog out. What was she really going to do? Find a local pub.

Alistair leaned over his mug of ale. It wasn't like him to pine over alcohol but he needed something to calm his nerves. There was so much expected of him, he just wanted to escape. Was it even worth trying to get to know some random woman? Oh, Maker's breath, he should've just taken the offer of going to the Chantry to become a templar. That was he probably could've seen the rest of Ferelden. The pub was quiet, something that Alistair didn't mind at all. He didn't want to disappoint Eamon but he knew that he might as well have, he didn't even have the gual to meet the woman when she arrived. "Sit where yer like!" The bartender called to someone behind him. He turned to see a dark haired woman walking in with her… was that a Mabari war dog? He was sure that he had never seen the two in Redcliffe before.

Just his luck, she took a seat next to him. "The strongest, you've got, please," she told the bartender. Alistair turned his head to look at her. Well that was a curious notion, surely someone of her…size, the tiny little lady, looking like the most delicate flower that Alistair had ever laid eyes upon…would want to drink like a man. It wasn't like the thought was unappealing, it was just, surprising. He hadn't seen many women drink and if they did it was just Lady Isolde sipping from her fine Orlesian wine. Oh! And the fact that she had a Mabari with her was intriguing. It wasn't every day that you got to see one of those. "Who's the cute and adorable puppy?" He found himself asking allowed. The dark haired woman who had so kindly intruded in her personal bubble turned her head ever so slowly to look at him. One eyebrow was cocked upwards and he wasn't sure that she was amused or ready to beat him.

The dog beside her growled slightly and she leaned down to pet it. "It's ok boy," she told him before looking back at Alistair. He immediately wanted to take back what he said but he knew that it was too late. Oh, Maker, she probably thought that he was an idiot, not that he'd blame her of course. He did have an awful habit of putting his foot into his mouth when the occasional didn't call for it. "His name is Remmy and I think that he takes offense to the cute and adorable part," she added. Her voice was silky smooth. Sweet almost, like honey, laced through her words was definite amusement. Oh joy.

Alistair extended his hand out towards her. "I'm Marc," he lied. She eyed him suspiciously. She was going to see right through him.

"Brenna."

"Well that's a lovely name."

"Not when your mother screams it every five minutes."

"Does that mean we'll hear it in four?"

The mysterious woman laughed and Alistair decided that he liked the way it sounded. Well, he didn't feel half bad about lying to her about his name. He was glad to see that she didn't know it already. Lucky for him, the bartender minded his own business and wouldn't be calling him out on it anytime soon. "If we're lucky, no," she replied. She leaned in a bit and smiled. "Where are you from?" She asked. Oh, casual conversation. He could do that.

"Denerim, you?"

She seemed to pause for a moment. "Dragons Peak." Alistair nodded slightly. She did look like someone who would tell you the truth without a seconds thought but there was something a little off.

"I always heard those from Dragons Peak walked around with their nose in the air, yet I didn't see you do it," he teased.

"I'm feeling nice." Oh, the notion was returned. Maybe it was time for him to head off, he did have a dinner to catch and he was sure that soon enough he was going to start blushing and have this girl…er… woman running for the hills. No. No. At least he probably wouldn't see her again. He wouldn't have to face that embarrassment later on.

"Well, we've had a nice and short chant but I have previous engagements that I need to get to," he said standing up, paying for his drink. He looked back at Brenna. "It was nice meeting you, really." He sucked in a sharp breath. Stopped talking and go. "Maybe we'll meet again." Smooth, Alistair. Smooth. If that happened, then you'd have to tell her your real name.

"Maybe indeed," he heard her say before he left. The Maker must have been smiling down at him that very moment.