Hello, Brooders! I've been working my way through the thread, and thought I'd say "hi" with a response to the new prompt. Like a lot of people, I imagine that Fergus and Nathaniel were friends in their youth, though I see their relationship developing into something of a not-necessarily-friendly rivalry as they got older - helped along, in no small way, by Rendon, who wouldn't be able to stomach his son having Fergus for a close friend. Because so much of the game seems to be about parallels stretching down through the generations - at least in my own canon story, where my HNF plays Loghain to Alistair's Maric - I like to think of their gradually worsening relationship as mimicking that of Bryce and Rendon. Though in this case, Nate was removed from the picture before bitterness and resentment could become lasting hatred.
I actually wrote a series of snapshots that make a more complete story, but the entire thing is far too long to post here. I might put it up on fanfiction.net if I get the guts, but this is the first bit of writing I've done in quite some time, and the first time since my school days that I've actually put something out there for someone
else to read. So excuse me while I go off and hide.

**
18 “What are you two doing?” piped a small voice from behind them.
Fergus whirled towards the doorway, where his slip of a sister stood, half-hidden in the shadow of the heavy door, while Nathaniel - halfway out the window - swore and scrabbled for purchase.
Maker’s breath – the girl’s quiet as a cat! “You’re not supposed to be in here, Elissa,” Fergus growled. “Go back to your room.”
“And
you’re not supposed to be sneaking out,” she retorted, stepping fully into the room. “Where were you going?” She shot a look towards Nathaniel and the window, green eyes bright with excitement and interest.
“Nowhere that’s any of
your business. Now get out of here or, Maker help me, I’m going to catch every spider in this castle and put them in your bed!”
“I happen to
like spiders!” came the bold reply, before she disappeared back into the hall. With a curse, Fergus sprung after her, only to return a moment later. “I couldn’t catch her,” he said, head shaking ruefully. “She's quick - I'll give her that.”
“My mother says your parents are too indulgent with her,” Nathaniel commented, managing at last to get both boots back through the window and onto solid ground.
“Yes, well, try telling
them that,” Fergus grinned and ran a hand through his hair, before shooting another glance at the door. “I don’t know if she’ll rat us out or not.”
“Maybe we should just stay in, then.”
“And miss out on your last night of freedom? C’mon, Nate; I’m sure all the girls will want to wish you goodbye, hmm?” Fergus elbowed him good-naturedly, his eyebrows waggling.
Nathaniel drew back, his smile hard. “All
you have to worry about is a few dirty looks from your mother. Whereas
I won’t hear about anything else for the entire journey home, and the next week besides.”
“Don’t be so dismissive of my mother’s dirty looks. She’s deadly, I tell you.” Fergus laughed, then shrugged and turned away, “But it’s your decision. Even if it is a
boring one.”
“That’s because I’m boring,” Nathaniel replied, voice flat, but managed a ghost of a smile before heading for the door. “Good night, Fergus.”
It was hardly a disappointment. Their secret, late night excursions into the taverns, to rub shoulders with the locals - and particularly the local wenches - had become something of a tradition for the pair whenever his family visited Highever. There were no such opportunities in Amaranthine. The thrill of disobedience aside, these trips had lost their charm for him after he'd noticed that, after spotting Fergus, most of the women hardly spared him a second glance. And who could blame them? Fergus was handsome and charismatic, with all the grace and charm that seemed to come so effortlessly to the Couslands. Nathaniel was sickly pale, with his father's nose and his mother's jaw, and his manners seemed stiff and awkward in such raucous company as Fergus preferred. Next to Fergus, he would always just be second-best, forever hidden in his friend's shadow.