AN: So I wanted to write this during Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, but between family coming over and searching for last-minute gifts, I was not able to do so. So it's a late Christmas gift. Sorry.

I don't think there is any mention of a Christmas-like celebration in the world of Dragon Age and if there is, I've never heard of it. So I decided to come up with one. Same thing, different name. I came up with the "very" creative name "Andraste Day." Sounds kind of funny but it's fanfiction. So here ya go. It'll be a two- or three-parter, most likely two, though. Enjoy!


After weeks of traveling, the group finally reached Denerim. Alixon Cousland was more than exhausted when she and her band of misfits arrived at the city gates. Between odd stares from the city dwellers and the occasional smile, the group reached the local tavern. Despite all the refugees, there was still enough room for all of them. Alixon, Leliana, and Max the mabari in one; Alistair and Wynne in another; Oghren and Zevran; Morrigan in a separate one on her own after much argument; and Sten outside after he argued that qunari don't sleep in beds, but under the stars.

"Maker, I'm tired." Alixon said, unceremoniously sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"You'd think a seasoned warrior would be able to take that long journey." The red-headed bard teased.

"I would if it weren't for all that snow. It's a miracle we even made it without freezing out there. I guess we had Oghren to thank with all that ale he had. I don't even want to know where he gets so much of it."

Leliana sat on the bed beside Alixon. "The good thing is that we made it, no? Better to be thankful to Andraste than to nag at Her for all the hardships She placed in our way."

"Speaking of Andraste," Alixon began, "Would you like to do something for Andraste Day? I'm sure Orlesians have to do something on that day."

Leliana looked into the Warden's eyes, thinking as far as Alixon could tell. "If you don't want to-" Alixon began.

"No, I do. I just... Maker... The last time I celebrated Andraste Day- truly celebrated -was when I was with Lady Cecile. She would have me sing songs and carols to her. We'd dine together with some acquaintances of hers..." Leliana looked down to the wooden floor. Alixon could only wonder what was going through her head.

Alixon had celebrated Andraste Day for as long as she could remember. A few servants would help decorate the Great Hall with glass Orlesian ornaments and different colored garland. She loved seeing all the different colors reflect off each other. Her parents would invite relatives and friends to come over for dinner. They would dine, talk, laugh, the children would play. Everything seemed blissful. At midnight, they would say a prayer to Andraste, welcoming her into the world. The next morning, they handed out gifts to each other, just like Andraste handed out her kindness to the elves and humans against Tevinter.

Thinking back, Alixon realized it would be the first Andraste Day she would pass without her mother, father, and brother. Fergus especially loved the celebration as a young boy. He was so excited when their father gave him a sword- a real one -as a gift. Then Alixon two years after. Eleanor would help cook the dinner and Bryce would help the servants with the decorations.

"-would be good. Love?"

Alixon was so deep in her memories, she had not realized Leliana had spoken. "I'm sorry, Leli. I was... thinking."

"Your parents?" Leliana asked.

Alixon nodded in response. "I miss them."

Leliana moved closer to her lover and wrapped her arms around Alixon. She held her for a while, how long neither knew. Alixon didn't cry, but she felt like letting a feral scream that would reach the very heavens if she would yell it out. But she didn't. Leliana always managed to coax her anger and her sadness away. The Warden didn't know how her love did it, but she loved her for it, and other reasons.

Once Alixon had calmed, she removed herself from Leliana and placed her lips gently on Leliana's. "Thank you." She said after pulling away.

"You don't need to thank me." The bard replied as she caressed her lover's cheek. "Why don't we get some rest? We will speak of this tomorrow."


A small ray of sunshine hit Alixon's face, forcing her to wake up. Her eyes still closed, she searched the opposite side of the bed with her arm, giving a small groan of protest when she found it empty. She was used to waking up in Leliana's arms, cuddling or waking her bard lover with sensual touches. Curiosity forcing into the Warden's mind, she sat up, groggy eyes searching the small room for her lover. Nothing. Not even Max.

Her curiosity increasing, she changed into some casual clothes and went out in search of Leliana. The dining room of the tavern had a few customers, sleepily breaking their fast. Alixon went to the other rooms, only to find them completely empty. This was becoming extremely odd. None of her companions were in the tavern. Not even her mabari.

Looking around the room, she found some of the boy's belongings. At least she knew they hadn't left without her. She exit the room and decided to ask the tavernkeeper about her friend's whereabouts.

"Excuse me, sir." she began. "You wouldn't know where my companions went, would you? The ones I came in with last evening."

The tavernkeeper scratched his beard. "They left this note for you." he replied, handing her a piece of parchment. "Said to give it to you when you awoke."

"Thank you."

She turned away from the man and began to look at the note. The handwriting was nice and neat.

Go to the Chantry and ask for Brother Rein.

-Leliana

That's all the note said. A simple command to head to the Chantry. Only thing was that the note was from Leliana, so she was obviously up to something. Deciding to play her lover's little game, she grabbed a quick bite of the tavern's food and headed for the Chantry.