Ladies Day at the Spa

A Dragon Age Fanfic

Before Elinora Cousland stood an array of men and women, all beautiful, all scantily clad, all giving her a come hither stare. She was pretty sure that her face was going to catch on fire from the intensity of her blush.

She dared look over at Alistair, terrified that he would be selecting his playmate for the evening. To her very deep relief he was blushing just as red as she was. Truthfully he looked ready to bolt. As for the rest of her companions, Wynne had a sly smile on her face and Sten was his usual stoic self.

"Um," her voice was something of a squeak, "no thank you. I think we need to head on."

"But you must have some sort of reward for your efforts," the proprietress, Sanga, insisted. "If this is not to your pleasure, perhaps we can offer something else at The Lotus."

"What's The Lotus?" Elinora couldn't keep the suspicion out of her voice.

"An Orlisian style spa." At Elinora's confused look, she continued. "It is a place of cleansing and relaxation. We offer massages, a steam room, meditation suites, a hot spring and mud baths. Gender segregated, of course."

For the life of her, Elinora couldn't figure out why one would take a bath in mud on purpose, but the rest of it sounded like heaven.

"A hot spring? In Denerim?" Wynne asked.

Sanga brushed it off. "Man-made, of course, but just as soothing as the real thing and cleaner as well."

"Interesting," the old mage replied.

Elinora looked to her. "Would you like to see it?"

Wynne nodded. "I'd like to make use of it, if we can take the time. These old bones would dearly love a good hot soak."

"If they had someone to clean our armor and a dog groomer, it would be perfect."

Sanga smiled. "We offer those services."

"Well, then I think our next stop is The Lotus." Elinora and Wynne exchanged a smile.

Sten grunted in disapproval behind her, but Elinora had a plan. "Sten, would you please go back to camp and let the others know what we are up to."

"Must I come back?"

"No, as long as someone brings Finn along. That hound is started to get a bit ripe."

Sten nodded once and departed.

Wynne turned an arched eyebrow on Alistair. "And you?"

"Um…" He was still blushing. "Well, my armor does need a good cleaning…"

Elinora looked to Sanga. "Lead the way."

The Lotus was five doors down from The Pearl, close but not too close for more discriminating clientele. A simple courtyard lead to a foyer, where servants lead Elinora and Wynne one way, and Alistair another.

Sanga insisted that everything was on the house, any and all services they might desire. Elinora planned to make her regret it. Armor sent off with a servant for cleaning, she wrapped herself in the light robe supplied by the spa and headed to her first treatment.

She started with a scrub and massage. The masseuse, a female elf named Alegri, first doused her in warm water then delicately rubbed her down with a mixture of sea salt and oil. Mother had often used a salt scrub to keep her skin soft, not that soft skin was something that Elinora needed now, but it still felt so good.

Scrubbed, massaged and oiled, Elinora slipped into the hot spring with a contented sigh. She hadn't been this clean in a long time, nor this alone. She knew Wynne was here somewhere, probably getting a massage. She had no idea what Alistair was up to, but hoped he was getting himself cleaned up too. The picture of Alistair, shiny as a new silver, put a soft smile on her face, but also reminded her about the quest they were on.

She shoved the dark thoughts aside. For this moment, for right now, Elinora was not going to worry about anything but her own peace.

Her quiet did not last long. With the slap of bare feet and splash Leliana and Morrigan joined her in the spring. Morrigan quickly sank to her chin in the bubbling water and Leliana giggled. "Really? We all have the same womanly bits here, or is there something you're trying to hide? A third nipple, perhaps, or webbed toes?"

Morrigan shot her a dark look. "Whom have you been getting your information from? Ridiculous rumors and stereotypes."

"Forgive me." Leliana stretched, completely comfortable with her nudity. "Just trying to get you to relax a little. After all, that is the point of these places."

"You're familiar with, what did she call it, a spa?" This concept was just foreign to Elinora, brought up far from city indulgences.

"Oh yes," Leliana bubbled. "Val Royeaux has several of them at various class levels. Lady Celene was very fond of a day at the spa."

"And how does this compare?" asked Morrigan tartly.

Leliana shrugged. "Not too bad. There's no music, which is a shame, but the treatments are more than adequate."

Elinora splashed at the bubbles. "Interesting that it should be attached to a brothel."

"Not at all. That's how they got started in Orlais as well. Pleasure breeds pleasure you know. And I understand its one way some deal with courtesans that have become too old or simply wish to retire from that life."

Morrigan gave Leliana a hard look. "You know some interesting things for a Chantry girl."

Leliana scooted a next to Morrigan flirtatiously. "I wasn't always a Chantry girl, you know…" Morrigan slid away from the redhead with such speed that she crashed into Elinora, who shook her head and got out of the spring.

"You two…" she sighed and wrapped a towel around her rapidly pruning body. "I'm headed for the steams and some peace and quiet." Robe in hand, she headed into the steam room.

Morrigan gave Leliana a good splash, which was returned with interest. Elinora shook her head. She and Fergus had gotten into splash fights as children when they went for a swim in the millpond. It was even sillier with adults.

The steam room was not as empty as Elinora was hoping. Wynne sat on a cedar bench, her eyes closed and a restful look on her face. Elinora made an effort to move quietly, a little extra stealth than was needed, and found a seat on another cedar bench.

"This was a very good idea." Wynne sighed with contentment.

Elinora made a small sound of agreement and allowed the steam to soak into her.

"So, when are you and Alistair going to stop staring at each other like starving children and get on with it?"

"What?" Of all the questions to come from Wynne, she wasn't expecting that. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh don't be coy, child. Its obvious that the two of you have a growing attachment."

Elinora sighed. "So much for my skills of obfuscation."

Wynne chuckled as Morrigan and Leliana joined them in the steams. "A blind man could see it," Wynne continued. "You protect each other in battle, he touches you at every opportunity…"

"Oh!" Leliana perked up. "Are we talking about the great unrequited romance of Elinora and Alistair?"

Elinora threw her head back in frustration. "There is no romance."

"Oh please," chimed in Morrigan. "You two spend most evenings sitting by the fire and talking to the exclusion of all others."

"About Grey Warden matters!"

"Two nights ago your two were laughing until both of you fell over." Leliana added. "Can't be all somber Grey Warden matters."

"Sometimes one story leads into another…" Elinora knew it was a feeble excuse.

"You should kiss him!" Leliana brightly suggested.

Elinora opened her mouth to protest, but Wynne beat her to it. "I don't think that would be a good idea."

"Thank you."

"Alistair needs to kiss her."

Elinora buried her sweaty face in her hands.

"I think the boy needs that little conquest," Wynne continued. "A positive response would certainly be good for his ego."

Morrigan raised a skeptical eyebrow. "He needs to get more arrogant?"

"All rulers need some arrogance, but it's a delicate balance to strike." Wynne leaned back against the wall. "He had suffered a great many blows these last few weeks, as have you. In fact, I believe both of you have gone through massive upheavals in your lives. A little comfort could do wonders."

"Comfort?" Elinora didn't like the taste of that word. "You make me sound no better than one of the Pearl's workers."

"Not at all." Wynne's smile was just a little suggestive. "Most people will seek others out in times of stress. As long as your enter into it knowing your heart, all will be well, eventually."

"Eventually?"

"Of course. What's the fun of a torrid love affair without the pain to accentuate the pleasure?"

The three younger women gapped at the elder. Wynne, stately, serene and downright grandmotherly, did not have torrid love affairs. She shook her head at the girls. "I wasn't born old, you know."

Leliana recovered first, giggling. "Now there are tales there, I'm sure. But Wynne, what if it isn't an affair. What if its true love?"

Morrigan gave a scoffing snort. "As if that boy would know love if it bit him."

"Which is why it's more likely." Elinora could see Leliana composing a love ballad in her head. "He's pure of heart and intention, just right for true love."

"Well, that takes me out." Elinora shrugged. "Nothing pure about me."

"Really?" Wynne gave her a penetrating look. "Because I haven't seen anything I would call impure from you."

"I loot bodies of those I've killed. I'd make a deal before attacking and I steal whatever I think will be useful, even if that's just to sell."

Morrigan looked at Elinora blandly. "And thus we are fed and well armed. If you really just cared about profit you would have taken the offer from the Crows."

"I'm no assassin." Not that it had stopped Elinora from learning a thing or two from Zevran.

"Nor are you some wanton hussy, looking for someone to keep your bed warm." Wynne shook her head. "You judge yourself too harshly, girl."

"Hussy or not, that doesn't change that Alistair needs to make the next move, or so you have concluded."

"Yes," Wynne said slowly. "I'm sure there's a way to prod him along…"