A/N: Cephalalgia - headache
Additional E-rated one-shots for Ma Emma Lath can be found on AO3, under the penname Lady_Eglantine.
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The first thing Ellana felt was a slight throb above the bridge of her nose. She didn't have time to think much of it. They had rifts and Venatori to take care of. Only when they began to move out to find someplace to make camp for the night had it worsened, leaving her feeling as if her forehead was being squeezed and a herd of druffalo stampeding through her head. She had had headaches like this frequently as a child, but they became less frequent and less crippling as she got older, though she did still get the severe ones from time to time. While there was a potion she could make that helped to alleviate the symptoms a bit when her chewing bark didn't work, she didn't have nearly half the ingredients she needed and out in the Hissing Wastes, she wasn't likely to find them.
The next best thing she had found was to sit somewhat upright and lean her head back against something solid. But that wasn't an option while riding and even once they made camp, the tents were not sturdy enough for her to press her head against.
Cassandra was the first to notice her clutching at her head, asking concernedly if she was alright, if a demon or Venatori had struck it. Ellana told her she'd be fine, just a headache (one determined to make her feel as miserable as possible, but a headache nonetheless). Cassandra didn't look entirely pacified, but she thankfully dropped the issue.
Ellana couldn't have been more relieved when they finally stopped. Their makeshift campsite was a little too exposed and would require at least one person on watch, but it had a good vantage point (she'd have to remember to tell one of the scouts at the other camps to look into establishing a more permanent camp there). And it was their only option, all of them (including the horses) too tired to carry on further.
By the time the tents were set up, horses secured, a fire along with dinner prepared (the August Ram they had encountered nearby made do for a stew), her head was throbbing unbearably. It was only a matter of time before someone else noticed how quiet she was being, how she kept hopelessly rubbing at her forehead.
"You've barely touched your food, my lady."
Or that she wasn't eating, that too.
She slowly looked up at Blackwall standing above her. "Not very hungry right now."
He wasted no time plopping down beside her. "Cassandra told me about your headache."
Of course Cassandra would have said something to him. No point in denying anything now. "It's gotten worse."
He shifted closer to her so their sides were almost touching. "Do you want to go lie down?" he murmured near her ear, softly enough that Cassandra and Varric did not hear. Not that they would have, anyway. Being far enough away and caught up in what sounded like a discussion (or on Cassandra's end, passionate argument) of some events in Swords and Shields.
She was about to tell Blackwall that while she appreciated the concern (beyond words), that nothing could be done but to wait it out (that lying down usually didn't do much), she recalled her mother and even her sister would act as living head rests for her when she had had really bad bouts. Maybe it could work with him. His gambeson was certainly soft enough to lay her head on.
"Helps to prop my head upright against something."
She could see in Blackwall's eyes that he caught her meaning. She was just going to try to rest her head against one of his shoulders or even his back if they were still a little tender from the injuries sustained battling Erimond and the possessed Grey Wardens back on the Western Approach. Though she knew how affectionate he could be, she also knew how private he was in showing it.
Which is why she did not expect him to gently pull her towards him, guiding her body so she was settled between his legs, propped up with the back of her head resting against his chest.
"Better?" he asked, one of his arms curling itself around her and securing her against him.
Ellana breathed a small sigh of contentment, sinking deeper into him and closing her eyes as he began to gently rub his thumb against the side of her forehead, his embrace and touch helping to soothe her in a way that even the strongest potion couldn't.
"Better."
