I think my favorite thing about children is that they'll ask you damn near anything without worrying about the ramifications. So, Samahla from this asks Anders a few questions.

-Questions and Answers-

Anders stretched out a leg in the hammock. The bowl of blueberries on his chest counterbalanced by the cat near his feet. From somewhere below him a little voice asks, "Andy, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, Sam."

"Where does the sun go at night?"

"Antiva."

"Why is the grass green?"

"Because it isn't red. I thought you had a question."

"How many people are there in the world?"

"More than you can count, and more than I could be bothered to."

"Why are my ears pointy?"

"You're an elf, silly."

"Can I have a bite?"

"Yes."

He offers her the bowl, which she takes greedily.

"Do you like me?" She pops a handful of berries into her mouth.

"What?"

"Do you like me?"

Anders half opens one eye and finds himself face to face with the little towheaded elf. "Why are you asking me that Sam?" She's gnawing at her tunic sleeve and he pulls it away from her blue-stained mouth before sitting up, careful to maintain his balance and gingerly move the dozing cat. He takes her round little face in his hands. "I like you, Samahla. I," he takes a breath, "I love you." He ruffles her hair and smiles. "You know that."

"I thought you might not like people like me," she ventures, visibly fighting the impulse to bring her sleeve back to her mouth.

"Elves? I think Mae would tell you that I'm quite fond of her," Anders says trying to keep from laughing.

"No," she screws up her face. "A kid."

"What makes you say that?" He is suddenly hit with a feeling of unease. This was going to be one of those sort of conversations.

"Well, when the puppies came here. I asked how they got here. You said Vorenus loved Niobe and they made the puppies."

"Yes, I did say that. Didn't I?" Oh sweet Maker in his vaulted heaven.

"You love Mae, but you don't have any puppies," she says clearly distressed.

"Well, we've got you," he runs a hand over her hair trying desperately to comfort her for both their sakes.

"'S not the same as from her belly, Andy."

"No, I suppose it's not, kid. I could lie to you and say it is the same, but lying is bad, isn't it?"

She nods slowly.

"Let's just say being a Grey Warden made me sick in a way that even I can't heal, so I can't have 'puppies' with Maeve. I would though... if you ask her and she asks."

"Okay, Andy," she says satisfied with his answer. She tries to wriggle into his lap, but he stops her before she tumps them both out of the hammock. He wraps his arms around her and leans back in one fluid motion.

"Can I ask another question?" Samahla buries her head into his chest and yawns.

"Why do you ask me so many questions?" Anders smiles into the top of her head.

"'Cause your my da and you know everything, silly. Can I ask my question now?"

Anders felt himself smirk at no one in particular as the wave of pride washed over him. "Sure, Sam. Ask away."

Bioware owns Anders and the settings within this story.