Yes! I'm not dead! XD *clears throat* Well, anyway. Now that that announcement is out of the way, I just wanted to say that this is the first time that I've ever written for something that isn't Pokemon or Mortal Kombat related. I don't play any RPG's outside of the aforementioned series and Kingdom Hearts, but when I played through Dragon Age Origins for the first time, I immediately fell in love with Alistair! He's charming, funny and I just wish that I had played the original PC version of the game instead of the crappy PS3 port. : /
But, anyway. Here's a one-shot (again, another first) that I've practically been slaving over a hot laptop for the past couple of months, and I hope that it's somewhat decent. And if it's not, you guys will let me know in a review, right?
~Words of a Songbird~ (A Dragon Age Origins One-Shot)
The Maker truly does work in mysterious ways.
When I had first joined the order of the Grey Wardens around six months ago, I was expected to faithfully serve under King Cailan's benevolent rule and push the matter of ending the darkspawn threat to the forefront of my list.
However, now that I think back on it, had Duncan never recruited me before I could take my vows and become a fully fledged templar, I would have never met and fallen in love with the most amazing woman that has ever graced the Maker's blessed earth.
There are far too many quirks about her gentle and fun-loving personality for me to list off the top of my head.
But, of course, there are a few that immediately come to mind.
When her pet mabari hound, Hunter, lies in her lap and he gently licks her cheek, her eyes shine with such warmth and I find that the same warmth courses through me; as if I had eaten my favorite broth on a cold winter's day.
As her exotic skin, which had been gently kissed by the warmth of the sun, glows radiantly under the silvery moonlight as she dances, it sincerely felt as if I were being wrapped up in a warm blanket.
In what is the kind smile that she holds proudly upon her lips when someone is in need of help will quickly turn into a ferocious snarl when she aggressively pounces upon a ogre that is twice her own size, swiftly ending his life with only a single strike of the twin daggers that were made from the scales of a adult drake, Ophelia and Olivia, and it left me in awe.
It was like a moth being led to a open flame, really.
Even Wynne, being mischievous at her age, once commented on my hazel gaze momentarily drifting towards her womanly hips as they swayed in a seductive manner while we were on a expedition in the Deep Roads in a playful jest.
Besides, it may or may not have been a brief glance in that direction.
But, I'm getting off track.
It was like there was just some kind of light that this immortal goddess in the form of a fearless woman exuded that you just couldn't help but be attracted to.
As I gently cradled the rose that I had planned to give to our fearless leader for quite some time now, I felt my heart thrum a little faster underneath my rib-cage as color quietly stained my cheeks.
She was such a rare and beautiful find amidst all of the death and the destruction.
When the leader of our little entourage had first been inducted into the Grey Wardens, her eyes, which I noticed shone like lifeless jade as they hid behind a thin veil of swollen puffiness from crying, even though I figured that they must have sparkled like glittering emeralds when the light hit them at just the right angle, and it was in that same day that I learned from Duncan that she had barely escaped with her life to Ostagar when, unbeknownst to the teryn and teryna of Highever, that treacherous bastard, Howe, secretly organized the massacre of Castle Cousland; her friends and family gruesomely slaughtered like animals.
So, as I spent the better half of my day attempting to do anything, no matter how small the task was, to bring a smile to her face and to help her keep her mind off of the horrific circumstances that forced her to join our proud and noble Order as its newest recruit before we were to depart for the Korcari Wilds, I embarrassingly admit that I developed a small crush of sorts on her during those first few weeks.
And even now, as a year has passed by before I even knew it, in all of the time that we got to spend together, I knew that my feelings had slowly but surely blossomed, and now that I've finally come to terms with how I felt, I was going to admit it to her as well.
Tonight was the night that I was going to tell Elizabeth Marie Cousland that I loved her.
As my sole objective of the evening was laid out before me, a familiar ink-tipped snout gently poked in between the flaps of my tent before the hound that it belonged to quietly scampered inside and lied down on my lap.
"Hello, Hunter," I greet warmly as I softly scratch the mabari behind his furry ears. "Let me guess. Your mistress has need of my presence?"
A quiet whuff was my only response.
"Well, then. Let us not keep the leader of our little group waiting, shall we? I would prefer not to get chewed out when I have something rather important that I would like to get off of my chest," I joke lightly.
As Hunter lifted his head off of my lap to allow me to stand, a quiet bark of agreement sounded from his lips before his sharp, amber gaze became fixated upon the rose that I had been fiddling with and his stubbed tail began to wag happily.
"Hmm...Oh, this?" I question as I turn my attention towards the rose. "It's nothing, really. I'm just going to give this to your mistress to gently remind her how special I think she is."
Another bark of agreement greeted me.
"Come on, boy. Let us be off."
As I felt Hunter nudge his cold, wet snout behind me to get me to move, my only coherent thought, was that in a few short moments, I was going to come face-to-face with the secret love of my life and tell her how I truly felt...
Once Hunter and I emerged from my tent, we walked across the campsite past the crackling embers of the fire-pit until we approached the leader of our little dysfunctional family, and I felt my breath silently hitch in my throat.
"Good evening, Alistair," my fellow Grey Warden replied softly from her perch on a fallen log, my name sounding like silk on her tongue as her soft chocolate hair, which was cut short and rested against the base of her slender neck, swayed quietly in the pleasant nighttime breeze; a serene smile lighting up her face like the stars that loomed over us. "How are you this evening?"
When pools of glittering emerald found magnetic hazel as she asked me that one, simple question, I found that I couldn't tear my gaze away.
Not that I wanted to, anyway.
By the Maker's breath, why was this woman so damned beautiful?
"I'm fine, Elizabeth," I answered quietly. "How are you?"
"I am fine as well. Thank you for asking," Elizabeth responded in a airy voice.
As Hunter noticed that I had become momentarily distracted, he took the opportunity to leave my side so he could gently wriggle his way into his mistress's lap, hoping to get some attention from her; his golden-brown fur being gently illuminated by the soft glow of the dancing flame.
I can't really explain it, but whenever I see this kind, gentle woman simply befriend someone and put a smile on their face without even trying, it made my heart soar like a proud and fearsome dragon.
Other times, however...
Said woman could be such a naughty little vixen when she felt like it.
And of course, aside from the fact that she was incredibly beautiful, she has also become a beacon of hope for the other members of our little ragtag group of mages, warriors and rogues – someone for them to find solace in when they felt like they were traveling down a dark path.
Even that heartless she-harpy, Morrigan, secretly confided in her from time to time.
"Thank you for retrieving our silly friend for me, Hunter," Elizabeth's hypnotizing voice sounded into the night as she gently wrapped her bare arm around her beloved mabari's thick neck and rested her cheek against his forehead, a quiet smile playing across her lips. "You can go lay down, now."
As Hunter barked softly to acknowledge his mistress's request, I silently watched as he trotted over to her tent and lied down in front of it, resting his head on top of his large paws while keeping one sharp eye open to presumably watch and see if I would possibly act outside of my teachings of behaving like a gentleman while I was growing up in the Chantry.
After a moment of uncomfortable silence passed between us, my fellow Grey Warden's inquisitive emerald gaze fell upon the rose that I was gently holding onto, and she asked curiously "Oh, Alistair. That's quite a lovely rose that you have there. Were you planning on giving it to someone in the camp?"
At the mentioning of the flower that I was thankfully able to save from the darkspawn's corrupted taint, the quiet heat from before seeming to intensify tenfold as I take a seat next to Elizabeth on the log and reply in a somewhat shy tone "I do, actually. And here I thought that you were a Grey Warden, not a mind-reading gypsy."
As Elizabeth playfully rolled her eyes at my somewhat dry attempt at humor, when I presented the thorn-less rose to her, disbelief quietly danced across her face like a shadow, and when nimble fingers gently toyed with velvety petals, I felt a soft chuckle rumble deep within the confines of my throat.
"Thank you for the sentiment, Alistair. You're very sweet," the leader of our entourage breathes softly as she holds the rose closer to her bosom, disbelief quickly giving way to humble, syrupy goodness. But, why did you choose me? I'm no one special."
"Oh, but, Elizabeth. You of all people should know how that statement is not at all true," I interject quietly as I boldly place my hand over hers and give it a gentle squeeze. "It seems that wherever we go, you seem to touch someone's life in one way or another with your radiant light, and all without asking for a reward in return."
And with a sly edge in my voice, I added "And aside from the fact that you're also kind, resourceful and you're not afraid to stand up for yourself, have I ever told you how extraordinarily beautiful you are?"
As I notice Elizabeth turn away from me; hooded eyes gently lowering as a small smile spread across her lips and heat quietly surged into her own dark cheeks to paint them a rather dazzling shade of scarlet, I knew that if we ever survived this Maker-damned Blight, I was going to ask for her hand in marriage.
My birthright and the darkspawn taint that ran rampant through my veins be damned.
"No, I don't believe you have. But, thank you for the compliment all the same," Elizabeth replied quietly. "It is most appreciated."
And as those incredibly long eyelashes batted playfully at me, she giggled softly as she said "And for the record, I think that you're ruggedly handsome as well."
Well, to hear that my songbird say that I was ruggedly handsome.
That statement certainly did add to my already inflated ego, I must admit.
So, as we just silently gazed up at the stars, my hand having let go of hers around a moment earlier to gently tuck the rose into strands of melted chocolate, I suddenly feel her lithe, agile body gently lean against me, not minding in the least that her warm cinnamon skin pressed against chilled leather, and it was then that I truly felt myself at a conundrum.
"What is this woman doing to me?" I wondered as I felt my heartbeat thrum even faster beneath my rib-cage.
"Thank you for always being there for me when I really need you, Alistair," I can hear Elizabeth softly mumble against me. "I don't deserve to have such a good friend like you."
"She doesn't deserve to have me?" I thought incredulously.
Oh, on the contrary, madam.
It is I who does not deserve to be in the presence of your radiant beauty.
But, I digress.
"You're welcome, Elizabeth," I gently reply as I hold her closer to me. "You know that everyone in the camp looks to you for guidance and to help keep their spirits up, and that includes me. And we very well can't do that if our fearless leader doesn't stay on top of her game, now can we?"
"Yes, I suppose you're right," Elizabeth replies as her beautiful voice suddenly grows quiet. "I just sometimes wish that ending this damned Blight wouldn't weigh down so heavily down upon our shoulders, you know? Like all of humanity will cease to exist if we fail in our mission."
"Yes, I know what you mean," I respond softly as I try to remain positive and reassure my songbird that everything was going to be alright and we were going to emerge victorious, even though I was somewhat not convinced by my own words. "But, that only gives us more incentive to end the archdemon's life, right? So that we can bring peace to the people and they won't have to live their lives in constant fear?"
"Oh, yes. You're right," Elizabeth gently agrees. "And that is why, so long as the Blight continues to wreak havoc upon our proud and noble Fereldan, I will continue to fight ferociously for the people that are too frightened to fight back themselves. Because our home is worth fighting for."
As the proud lioness in my arms gives my armored hand a gentle squeeze, she replies quietly "My thanks for your words of encouragement, Alistair. I must admit, I began to doubt my own abilities as a Grey Warden for a moment. But, after hearing your speech, my spirits have been lifted and my heart no longer feels weighed down with doubt and uncertainty."
"Well, why else would I have been made an integral part of this team other than to provide comic relief?" I sheepishly reply as I gently rub the back of my exposed neck in embarrassment. "No, but seriously, though. You don't have to thank me. It was my pleasure."
And then, without a warning of any kind, as my fellow Grey Warden places a gentle kiss against my cheek, I would have thought that I had been running an incredibly high fever with how all of the heat that had been collecting within the past thirty minutes suddenly explodes in a storm of fiery splendor across my face.
Well, that was certainly unexpected.
But, that's not to say that I didn't enjoy it.
Or, that is to say, I would have enjoyed it, had the rather uncomfortable memory of how poorly I treated my indestructible goddess on one horrible night decided to not ruin my rather pleasant mood as it suddenly re-surfaces at such a random interval.
Maker damn it, I had just finally forgotten how my actions spoke volumes about my character that night...
I can just never seem to catch a break, can I?
We had just returned to the camp from our week-long journey to Redcliffe. Everyone was exhausted and our leader had been unbearably quiet for most of the trip, only stopping to offer help to anyone who needed it along the way.
So, after supper had been finished and everyone had begun to settle down for the evening, I swiftly pulled Elizabeth aside so we could talk by the giant willow tree, away from the wandering earshot of our little entourage.
I don't know what had came over me, but when I brought up the topic of the unfortunate demise of Lady Isolde back in the castle, the anger that had been bubbling deep in the pit of my stomach the entire trip back had finally boiled over.
"Damn it, Elizabeth!" I growled lowly as I angrily berated the woman that I had unceremoniously fallen in love with. "Surely, there could have been another way to save Connor's life without sacrificing his poor mother to filthy blood magic! What in the name of the Maker's green earth were you thinking?!"
"Yes, Alistair. I know," Elizabeth whispered brokenly as she ran a hand through her short, chocolate locks and her curvaceous form began to quietly tremble. "And I still feel terrible about my decision. But, what's done is done. Why do you feel the need to bring back up such painful memories?"
At that point, my brain was screaming at me to stop talking, to stop upsetting the beautiful goddess that stood before me.
But, of course, my mouth blatantly refused to listen to reason, and I just continued to speak without thinking.
"And now, when Arl Eamon wakes when we cure him with the Sacred Ashes, we will have to tell him that that his beloved wife is now dead and I have you to thank for that!" I coldly spat as I continued to pace back and forth in agitation.
"Alistair, please stop!" Elizabeth pleaded sadly as glassy tears began to stream down her face.
Oh, but with what I said next, it sincerely made me wish that the blasted archdemon would just swoop out of the sky and eat me alive.
"I wish you had died alongside your family so you would have never brought your misfortune upon the Grey Wardens!"
I internally punched myself in the face the moment those horrid words left my mouth.
As I tried to desperately look anywhere except in Elizabeth's direction as she slowly sank to her knees and began to let out heart-wrenching sobs, I knew that I needed to separate myself from her presence, lest I upset her even more than I already have.
And as if if the situation couldn't have been worse, Hunter, in immediate response to his mistress's distress, came running to her aid, and within moments as he gently wriggled his way into her lap, a low whine rumbled deep in his throat as he attempted to comfort her as best as he could.
So, as I returned to my tent to soothe my anger in private, I knew that that the image of an utterly broken leader and the dark, murderous look that her faithful mabari companion gave me as he bared his lethally sharpened fangs would surely haunt me for the rest of my days.
And from that night forward, I solemnly swore that I would never again see Elizabeth Cousland break down into tears. No. For her, I would gladly move heaven and earth if it meant that a beautiful smile would always remain on her pretty face.
As I awkwardly clear my throat, I gently reply "You know, Elizabeth. There's something that I've been meaning to tell you for quite some time now, and it pertains to why I gave you that rose."
"Yes, Alistair. What is it?" our beautiful leader softly inquires as her inquisitive emerald gaze quietly searches mine for an answer when she looks up at me through still half-hooded eyes, a innocent, almost child-like expression present on her pretty face as high cheekbones were proudly displayed and the thin layer of freckles that lightly dusted the bridge of her nose crinkled in a adorable fashion.
As I recite the speech that I've been slaving over in private for the past week and a half, courage emanates proudly from my being as I reply in a strong, clear voice "When you first joined the Grey Wardens, I honestly didn't expect us to get along because there weren't many women amongst our ranks. But as the months passed and we got to spend more time together, I found myself falling deeper and deeper into the abyss until I thought I was already too far gone and you pulled me out without a second thought. Your selfless actions have inspired me to become a better man, and I can no longer imagine my life without you in it."
"Alistair, what are you trying to tell me?" Elizabeth asked curiously as the scarlet blush that she wore abashedly upon her cheeks earlier darkened considerably.
"What I'm trying to tell you is, even though I said some horrid things to you in the past, which to this day, I'm still kicking myself over, I still thank the Maker every day that our paths were able to cross, because you are the most amazing woman that I've ever had the esteemed privilege of meeting, and I've fallen madly in love with you," I reply warmly as I gently rest my forehead against her own; pools of soft hazel clearly reflecting within matching emerald twins.
"Oh, my," Elizabeth breathed softly as she held a hand to her chest in an attempt to calm her madly fluttering heartbeat. "Alistair, I...don't know what to say."
"Well, it's a good thing that I do. Elizabeth Marie Cousland, last remaining daughter of the noble Cousland family, will you allow me the honor of having your hand in courtship?" I ask with the utmost sincerity.
With my heart being worn on my sleeve, as they say, I honestly expected to face immediate rejection.
But, what I did not expect, however, was for a pair of soft, full lips that tasted sweetly of cherries to gently come crashing into my own as our fearless leader leaned up to kiss me.
Oh, Alistair," Elizabeth replied happily when she pulled away from me; verdant orbs awash in love as a dazzling smile formed upon her lips. "Yes, I would be honored to take your hand in courtship."
Feeling as if a huge weight had just been lifted from my shoulders, I breathe a quiet sigh of relief as I place a gentle kiss upon my newfound lover's forehead and I fiercely promise her the world as I reply without hesitation "You have my word, Elizabeth, that so long as I still draw breath, I will protect you with every fiber of my being, and you will always remain happy and safe. You will never again shed another tear."
A promise that I sincerely hoped that I would be able to keep until my dying breath.
"Mmm...that sounds nice," the love of my life comments sleepily as a quiet yawn escapes from her lips before she nuzzles into my side, warm and content.
"Well, it sounds like someone didn't get her afternoon nap today," I joke lightly as I gently run my thumb across the back of her knuckles.
"That's because I didn't," Elizabeth replies softly as another yawn escapes her notice. "I had been reviewing the treaty between the Grey Wardens and the dwarves all afternoon, and before I knew it, suppertime had already come along."
"Well, then. I guess I know what needs to be done," I reply gently as I lift my beautiful songbird into my arms as if we were newly wed, a silent gasp of surprise breaking free from her throat as she wraps her arms around my neck to steadily support herself; my light stubble gently tickling her cheek.
"Alistair, stop!" Elizabeth quietly laughs as she holds on to me for dear life. "Put me down this instant!"
"Oh, but, Elizabeth," I lightly jest as I reply in the most suave voice that I could muster. "Didn't you know? A prince must escort his fair princess to her bedchamber. It's like, the first rule in any royal handbook. And the last time I checked, I was a prince. So..."
As I walked towards my soulmate's tent, she not being accustomed to being carried in someone's arms like the self-proclaimed princess that I knew that she was, Hunter, in his silent wisdom, gave a quiet bark of approval when we approached, as if to say that he was giving me his blessing to court his mistress.
Although, he had no problem in flashing his incredibly lethal fangs at me as they glinted dangerously in the moonlight; gently reminding me what would happen to me if I ever forgot to mind my speech, and I quietly nodded in understanding.
As I ducked inside the twin flaps of my beloved's tent and gently lowered her into her bedroll, I pulled the thick quilt that Wynne had so lovingly crafted for her up to her chest and she snuggled happily into it.
"I must admit, I've never been complimented to such an extent from a man who wasn't my father," Elizabeth gently responds as her hooded eyelids begin to grow heavy. "So, you have my apologies, because this will take some time for me to get used to. I hope you won't mind."
"No, not at all," I reply softly as I gently remove the rose from her hair to place it upon her makeshift desk before I kneel beside her. "I can wait for as long as it takes until you feel more comfortable. And if we're being completely honest, being involved in a newly budding relationship is still uncharted territory for me as well."
Then, as fingers that have become callous from wielding a sword for several years quietly caress the soft mocha skin of my fair princess's cheek, love was the most prominent emotion that rang strong and clear in my hazel gaze as I place another gentle kiss upon her forehead; basking in her soothing warmth as I stretch like a feline that had lazily bathed in the sun, the muscles in my lower back popping uncomfortably in protest as I did so.
"Well, it is getting rather late, and we need to get up at daybreak if we want to get a good head-start on our journey back to Denerim so that we'll make it in time for the Landsmeet. So, I'll see you first thing in the morning," I reply softly.
"Alright. Don't let me keep you," my beautiful songbird quips as her musically gifted voice continues to grow drowsy with every passing moment.
And just as I turn to leave, the next few words that tumble free from the love of my life's lips honestly made my heart stop faster than any archdemon ever could.
But only for a moment, though.
"Good night, Alistair. I love you."
Well, then.
That was certainly unexpected, I must admit.
But, then again. That was just the kind of woman that Elizabeth was.
Having a heart so big, that she was able to easily share her happiness with the people that she cherished the most above all else in this world.
So, as the initial shock of my songbird returning my affection quickly wore off, a gentle smile broke out across my lips as I replied sincerely "And I love you, Elizabeth. With everything that I am."
And soon after, as the sound of gentle snoring filled the tent as our fearless leader finally got the well-deserved rest that she so desperately needed, when I quietly emerged into the outside world, Hunter looked up at me with his questioning amber gaze; a quiet bark of happiness sounding from his feral lips as his warm, wet tongue lolled playfully.
"Well, boy. We did it," I replied nonchalantly as I look down to the stocky canine, who, in the last few months, had been a invaluable partner to me as he would listen to me practice confessing my feelings to his mistress in preparation for this day. "Now that we're together, we'll bravely stand up to whatever challenge this new chapter in our lives is going to throw at us."
And I'm sure that my overactive imagination was playing pranks on me again. Because I surely didn't just imagine Hunter rolling his surprisingly calculating honey colored eyes at me as a quiet bark of reassurance sounded from his lips; as if he were trying to tell me that I shouldn't worry so much about the negativity and biting remarks that would no doubt come from being involved in a romantic relationship with a fellow Grey Warden, but, to instead focus on all the happy times our newfound love was sure to bring us.
"Hmm...like mistress, like mabari, I suppose."
"You know, I like to think that you're just fooling everyone on purpose, and you can actually speak when no one is around to listen," I jest playfully as Hunter tried to feign innocence and not understand what I was saying to him. "But, regardless. You're right. It's best to just take this slow, one day at a time."
As I crouch down to Hunter's level to appreciatively scratch him between his furry ears, just as I did earlier, he nuzzles into my touch, happily content, as I reply in honest appreciation "My thanks for listening to my woes, Hunter. Your mistress is quite a lucky woman to have you for a friend."
It was then, that the golden-brown mabari hound that was lying comfortably by my feet lets out a yip of agreement, informing me that he already knows this to be truth; having been truly blessed by the Maker for being born to such a kind and loving family, and the heartfelt sentiment gently tugged at my heartstrings.
"Well, it is getting rather late, and I need to catch up on what few hours of rest I still have left," I reply quietly as a yawn escapes me. "I'll see you in the morning, boy. Good night."
As I made my way to my tent, the constant reminder of being crowned the next king of Fereldan once again ran rampant through my mind, and I felt a block of ice form in the pit of my stomach, as I found it often did whenever I thought about this unfortunate part of my birth.
Oh, and if I wasn't already scared out of my mind over this, there was, of course, one other responsibility that was unfortunately attached to the mantle of being born into royalty.
Producing a future heir to ascend to the throne after I pass.
With the obvious fact that the darkspawn taint flowed wildly through our veins, I knew that this might not be possible once I ask Elizabeth to marry and rule beside me as my queen.
But, of course, I could not help but to entertain the idea that in the slim to none chance that my bride-to-be could actually conceive, my child would hopefully inherit its mother's exotic skin, nose and dark chocolate hair and my eyes and lips.
I've always wanted a daughter.
A daughter whom her mother and I would raise to become a fine queen in her own right before we passed to be at the Maker's side for the rest of eternity.
But, I knew that it was just wishful thinking on my part.
So, I suppose that if becoming king meant that I could listen to my beloved's charming laugh when I tell her stories of the misadventures that I would sometimes find myself in alongside my brothers-in-arms when I was young for the rest of my life, therefore making this entire ordeal less frightening for me, then I would brave it.
For her.
I would listen when she needed someone to vent her frustrations to.
I would comfort her when she cried, because no else would understand the pain and hardships of being a Grey Warden.
I would do anything that my princess would ask of me, simply because I love her.
And somehow, I was perfectly content with that decision.
The outfit that my Grey Warden is wearing is called the "Master Bard" if you're playing with mods on the PC version.