This was written in response to a CMDA challenge to a set of prompt including two DA characters, a place and a question. And no, it wasn't easy to come up with a coherent story... ;-)
Priorities
Part 1:
Characters: Herren & Bann Teagan
Place: Under a stone bridge over a raging river in a rainstorm
Question: "Did he wrangle your nugs?"
Teagan cursed under his breath. The rain was really pouring down now, and the high stone arches of the bridge crossing the Hafter were the only thing offering some semblance of shelter. Or they would have, if most of the space under them hadn't been taken up by a huge oxcart and a sour-faced weapon-smith's assistant.
Why had he ever agreed to do this? Teagan sighed. It was a purely rhetorical question. He'd never been able to deny Natia any of her wishes, not since that night at Redcliffe when she had knocked on his door and slipped into his bed, a bright smile on her tattooed face.
So when she had asked him to accompany Herren to Denerim to pick up a shipment of leather for Master Wade and bring it back to Vigil's Keep, his protest had been feeble at best.
"I'm not a bodyguard, my little gemstone. Can't anybody else-"
"Oh, Teagan, please." She had snuggled up close to him, her broad hips grinding into his crotch, wearing away the last bit of his resistance. "Half my Wardens are down with the flu, and we really, really need the new armour. I promise I'll make it up to you."
So now here he was, raindrops trickling down his back under his jerkin, the swirling waters of the Hafter steadily rising at his feet, while behind him the precious shipment was safe and dry.
"Blight it, Herren, I'm getting soaked! Can't you push that cart aside at least a little bit?" Teagan prided himself on his peaceful nature and his self-restraint, but the urge to throttle Herren was growing by the minute.
"I'm sorry, Bann Teagan, but this is absolutely impossible." Maker, how that nasal voice grated on his nerves. "This is the finest calfskin from the Anderfels, cured and prepared exactly to Master Wade's specifications. I can't let it get spoiled in the rain."
Teagan raged and fumed, but Herren wouldn't budge. And the rain showed no sign of letting up. They would have to spend the night down here.
When the morning sun rose, Teagan was thoroughly miserable. He had tried to get some sleep, curled up against a stone pillar in his damp bedroll, but Herren's snores had kept him awake. The man had spent the night sprawled on top of the leathers, ostensibly to make sure they kept dry.
They set out toward the Keep again, but the oxen moved at a placid, leisurely pace. Teagan's rage at Herren was the only thing that kept him from freezing. They hadn't got very far, when they heard hoof-beats on the road ahead, and two ponies and a horse came into view. It was Natia, accompanied by Anders and Sigrun.
"Teagan!" She threw herself into his arms with a happy squeal, ignoring his angry scowl. "What took you so long? We've been waiting for you."
He glanced over at his travelling companion, a frown on his face. "Herren insisted we spend the night under the old stone bridge."
Natia looked at him, clearly puzzled by his testy tone. "But why? And why are you so angry at Herren? What did he do! Did he wrangle your nugs?"
"Did he what?" Teagan stared at her, his face a picture of confusion.
Sigrun was trying very hard not to laugh. Herren, too, seemed to be familiar with the term, judging from the dark pink blush spreading from his ears down his cheeks.
"Whoops. Never heard that before? It's what we dusters say when... Ah, never mind. It's probably better if you don't know."
Natia reached up to ruffle his hair affectionately, and he threw her a dark glance.
"Come on." She got on tiptoes to whisper into his ear. "Let's get back to the Keep and draw you a nice, hot bath. Then, if you're still freezing, I have an idea or two that will warm you up."
Teagan sighed and followed her with a weary shake of his head. He knew he wouldn't be able to stay mad at her for long.
Hugs and thanks to ShebasDawn for betaing this.