I thought I'd investigate one of my preferred couples since not many think of them as such!
Leliana was walking through Lothering, hearing the pleas of refugees, her heart touched by their sad tales. As she walked, she found herself just outside the village. To her left was the cage where the Revered Mother had placed a Quinari soldier. She couldn't help but feel frightened, knowing all too well the rumors of what he'd done. Nonetheless, she found herself curious. If he truly was such a monster as they said, why had he simply stayed, awaiting capture without resistance? She slowly stepped up to the cage, looking up into the small eyes of the large man.
The Quinari looked down at her. "I have nothing that would amuse you, priestess."
Leliana blushed slightly. "I am no priest. I have never taken my vows. I am an Affirmed."
"So you dabble in priesthood?"
"No. We affirm our belief in the Maker, and in Andraste his bride. But we do not take vows."
The Quinari pursed his lips. "You are lost. You have no way to go, no path. Why are you here?"
Leliana sighed. "Never mind; you would not understand." She turned to go.
"The villagers speak truly." Leliana turned around to face him. "I did kill the farmhold. Eight people, in addition to the children."
Leliana's breath caught.
"I panicked. Now I will die, and find my atonement in death."
Leliana opened her mouth to speak but no words came. She mustered her courage then. "What is your name?"
The Quinari looked at her. "I am called Sten."
Leliana nodded. "I am Leliana."
Sten grunted and Leliana turned and went back into the village. No matter how she tried to focus, however, her thoughts kept drifting to Sten.
Over the next few days, Leliana made several visits to Sten. She learned very little about him, however, though she explained to him most of her life. She began giving him half of her food each day, taking it to him and eating with him. She came to feel a genuine friendship with this man, finding that he actually came close to smiling when she came. However, the growing threat of the blight was taking its toll on everyone. Leliana started getting a distant look in her eyes, as though she were thinking of something else.
One evening, when it was raining, Leliana came to Sten with a covered basket. She smiled at him. "Here," she handed the basket through the bars, "there are cookies in there this time too." She smiled at him.
"My thanks. Now go inside."
Leliana got a hurt look. "Why, Sten?"
Sten raised an eyebrow. "It's raining. You have buildings to go into to be dry."
Leliana shook her head. "You don't, though. So I'm going to stay with you." She smiled and sat down. In that moment, Sten's eyes softened as he looked down at this woman. She was unlike any Quinari woman: she was shorter, had fairer skin, was slender...yet there was something about her which he found reminded him of home. Her spirit, perhaps? Her way? Indeed, he had discovered she did have a path to follow, but she was waiting for something.
Days later, two Grey Wardens, a mage, and a mabari hound came into Lothering. Sten heard the commotion from his cage and talked to the wardens when they asked what he was doing in the cage. He found himself shocked when Leliana came to him with them, holding a key. She unlocked the cage and let him out, smiling as she did so. This was what she'd been waiting for, then? These wardens? Or...perhaps she had been waiting for a chance to free him. It mattered not; all was well now and they left the village of Lothering far behind them, never looking back.