HAPPY LITTLE BUNNIES
CHAPTER 1
The sun hung heavy in the west, melting into the forest, causing a dazzling display of light and shadow to play across the camp. It would be cold and dark soon, but Duncan took a moment to enjoy the last remnants of warmth on his face. When he opened his eyes he glanced around the bustling camp, everyone busy preparing for the feast that was to begin shortly. Spirits seemed high for this particular group of people. Grey Wardens weren't usually known for their cheeriness.
Duncan started off again, his moment of respite over. The festivities were missing an important face, one Duncan was determined to drag out of his tent, whether he liked it or not. He could not afford ill spirits to run rampant through his camp.
"Brooding will not help matters. You need to socialize more." Duncan didn't even say hello as he ducked into Alistair's tent. Despite this unannounced visit, Alistair didn't move. He sat on his bunk, head sinking ever lower in his hands.
"I can't sleep." Alistair mumbled. "No sleep makes Alistair a cranky boy."
"Nightmares?" Duncan asked sympathetically. Alistair merely nodded in reply.
"They'll subside."
"Promise?"
Duncan hesitated. He was trying to make the boy feel better but he didn't want to outright lie to him. His hesitation was enough answer apparently because Alistair sighed. "I know, I agreed to this. I'll be okay."
"Well, I did kind of forced your hand." Duncan conceded.
Alistair looked up at that. "No I agreed to join."
"Right of Conscription?" Duncan reminded him, eyebrow raised.
"Yes, but I wanted to come, you know I had no desire to become a Templar." Alistair attempted a half smile. "I'm better off here; I can serve The Maker better as a Grey Warden than in the Chantry." He sounded as though he was trying to convince himself as much as Duncan.
"There is a feast tonight, in honor of the newest batch of recruits. Their joining was this evening." Duncan looked down at his hands as he continued. "Three of the five survived the ceremony."
Alistair closed his eyes. "Two dead."
"You always see the bad. There is good in this. Our ranks grow as the threat of the Blight grows. We need every Grey Warden we can get." It was Duncan's turn to sigh. "Please come join the feast, Alistair. I hate to see you in here in this perpetual state of sadness."
Alistair didn't respond right away. He was lost in thought, upset by all the loss of life he had come to see in this past month since joining the Grey Warden ranks. Finally he stood, resolve firmly in place in his expression.
"Okay Duncan. You win. No more pity party for me. All roses and streamers and happy little bunny thoughts from here on out. Call me Alistair the optimist." He forced a cheesy smile.
Duncan thought it was a little over the top but he also knew he needed to encourage this new attitude lest it be lost forever. They were in dire times but he didn't need his Grey Wardens, especially Alistair, to feel negative about their situation. Even if it was humorous and halfhearted, he needed a strong, bold, hopeful, if not cheerful Alistair. Alistair was going to be key.
"Come along then, before Elijah eats all the pie." Duncan led the way out of the tent and into the camp. The mood of the people around them was catching and soon everyone was eating and celebrating. There was a sense of having to get merriment in while they could; Duncan could see people straining to smile and forcing laughs.
It was unfortunate but inevitable. Soon, there would be no time for laughter and fun. Soon, there would be war.
"Are you sure you want to go alone, Duncan? Elves can be...tricky to get along with." Elijah furrowed a concerned brow. Elijah himself was half Dalish, though one couldn't tell by looking at him. Like most half elves he looked human, his features a bit more striking and youthful then his age would have you believe. He was average height, lightly built for a warrior with dark hair and blue eyes the color of midmorning sky. He had been raised an orphan, dropped off at the orphanage as a newborn by his Elvin mother, the only reason he knew of his Elvin heritage.
Duncan smiled at his friend. Though ten years his junior, Elijah was a seasoned warrior and knowledgeable beyond his years. His background before joining the Grey Wardens was a mystery to all but Duncan; most of the camp wondered at their leader's reasoning behind listening intently to Elijah's counseling. However, they quickly found that Elijah had yet to lead them astray in battle and most of the Wardens now appreciated his expertise.
This was one time, however, that Duncan wasn't going along with his friend's advice. "I need you here, Elijah, while I am gone; I will be fine alone. I should be back in 3 days time. You know what to do."
"Defend the camp, send scouts to clear the way to South Reach." Elijah nodded. "It will be done." He still didn't feel right about sending Duncan off on his own. He knew the man was fully capable of defending himself but there was a bad feeling growing in Elijah's gut. He'd learned early to listen to those warnings his intuition gave him; it had saved his life many times before.
But Duncan had a plan of his own and Elijah had to defer to his leadership. "I know." Duncan replied; he had full confidence in his lieutenant. "Three days." With that, he turned and left the camp.