I have been loving fluff stories a lot more lately, so here's another one This time, the first time that Alistair saw his Warden, along with Elissa announcing her pregnancy to Alistair(if you read Blasted From the Shadows, you may recognize a bit of that in here). Also, this uses some (but not all) of the dialogue from Dragon Age Origins.
I do not own Dragon Age, BioWare does…
"Alistair? Can…can I talk to you for a minute?" Alistair Theirin looked up from his letter to Starkhaven's ambassador to see his wife standing in the doorway. Elissa was wearing a light blue dressed with silver lacing at the cuffs and hem; it was Alistair's favourite dress on Elissa. Alistair could see worry plastered all over Elissa's face, and she was also drumming on the side of her thigh with her fingertips, which was never a good sign. Nevertheless, Alistair smiled, and said, "Of course, dearest. Is something wrong?"
"Oh nothing's wrong, though I suppose a lot of things could be considered wrong in the broad spectrum of things, but this-"
Alistair cut Elissa off by embracing her in a hug, and kissing the top of her head. "Yes. Nothing's wrong. That's why you're rambling about nothing in particular. Come on, love, what do you take me for?"
Elissa blew a sigh of exasperation. "You're right. It's just…I'm scared, and I don't know what's going to happen after I tell you this."
"Lyssa, now you're scaring me." replied Alistair with a shaky laugh. Elissa laughed with him, but suddenly fell forwards. Alsiair caught her in his arms, his face as now as white as hers.
"Elissa! Lyssa, love, are you alright?"
"Urgh, yes, if you would stop squishing me." Alistair carried her to his desk chair.
"Do you need a healer? Should I get Bernice?"
"No, no. This is all to do with what I was trying to tell you earlier."
"Please, Lyssa, tell me."
"Alright. Alistair…I'm pregnant."
The ground lurched, but Alistair forced himself to stay upright (mostly because Elissa occupied the only chair in the room). "You're…what? How?"
Elissa raised an eyebrow at him. "You know, when a man and a woman love each other very much-"
Alistair groaned, and put his head in his hands. "I know how! Maker above, you sound like Wynne when you say things like that! I just…Grey Wardens have never been able to have children with the Taint in them. Are-are you sure?"
"Yes. All the dizziness and vomiting I've been doing made Bernice think that I'd been in the wine cellar and drank something bad, so she checked me…and again, and then again. She told me that our lives were about to get a lot more interesting. Because…I'm pregnant with twins." Elissa smiled, but her smile was delivered to empty space. "Alistair?"
Alistair had turned to face the huge open window that was behind his desk; his mind now trailed elsewhere.
Maker, I never thought that I would be in this position. Me, a father? I didn't even think this was possible...The first time I met Lyssa, I was a-well, I knew what I was. But I didn't know who she was, or what she would do to me…
Maker above, I have never been more aggravated in my entire life. It was a simple task from the revered mother: deliver a message to a mage. However, I did not know that that mage was just as unhappy to see me as I was to see him.
"What is it now? Haven't the Grey Wardens asked more than enough of the Circle." The mage gave me a look that could cut the thickest of cheeses from a mile away.
"I simply come to deliver a message from the revered mother, ser mage." The sarcasm in my voice is not taken well by the mage, given his now fouler look. "She desires your presence."
"What her reverence 'desires' is of no concern to me! I am busy helping the Grey Wardens-by the king's orders I might add!"
"Oh, should I have asked her to write a note?" I am getting more and more agitated by this man by the minute.
"Tell her I will not be harassed in this manner!" Harrassed?! Oh, so that's how you want to play?
"Yes, I was harassing you by delivering a message."
"Your glibness does you no credit." The mage sneers at me, crossing his hands over his chest.
"Here I thought we were getting along so well! I was even going to name one of my children after you...the grumpy one." I shoot him a look, and his eyebrows shoot up; he must have thought he was winning this fight. Maker, I can feel a headache coming on as I prepare for the onslaught of words about to spew from his mouth.
But then…I saw her. She approached from a distance, cautiously (I guess she heard my little spat with this mage from a mile away). I at first wondered who she was; she wasn't an elf, and she was dressed in good quality chainmail and carried a long sword. At her heels was a black Mabari. She…she's the prettiest woman that I've ever seen, and the smallest human woman I've ever seen either. Dark brown hair that's cut off at her shoulders, great long lashes above bright blue eyes. I keep my eyes from going below her shoulders, though my brain is telling me, go on. You know you want to look.
"Hm?"
I then realized that the mage was still here. I sigh and say, "Well, if you really feel like arguing with the revered mother, all the Templars, and the entire Chantry..."
"Enough. I will speak to the woman if I must. Get out of my way, fool." The mage pushes me aside and goes off out of the ruin. I breathe a sigh of relief, and turn to the woman, who has now come closer now that that mage has gone.
"You know, one good thing about the Blight is how it brings people together."
"I know what you mean." says the woman shyly, her eyes only meeting mine for a second. Is-is she-afraid of me? I have been around so few women my age that seem to notice my existence (and the ones that did were most scantily clad), and I have never seen someone act as this woman is. My head is spinning in circles.
"Wait, we haven't met have we? I don't suppose you happen to be another mage?" I only then realize what I have just said. You idiot, of course she's not a mage! Look at her sword!
"How could you tell? Did my sword and wonderful personality give me away?" She smiles. Great, now she's playing games. Well, two can play at this.
"You know, that might be it! The lack of a staff and permanent frown on your face must have completely slipped my mind." Now she's blushing furiously, and I'm wondering if that's a good or a bad thing. No matter. "You must be Duncan's new recruit. I'm Alistair. Glad to meet you. As the junior member of the order, I'll be accompanying you as you prepare for the Joining."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Elissa." The woman attempts a curtsy, but stumbles, making her blush even more prominent. Elissa? As in Elissa Cousland? Daughter of Bryce Cousland of Highever? Now I'm blushing as badly as she is. Embarrassing myself in front of a teryn's daughter, that's a new low, even for me.
"Right, that was the name. You know, it just occurred to me that there have never been very many women in the Grey Wardens. I wonder why that is?" My attempts to make up are fruitless, as Elissa raises an eyebrow at me.
"Oh? You want more women in the Grey Wardens, do you?"
Maker save me. Alistair, you're playing with fire now, and you are being BURNED. "Would that be so terrible? Not that I'm some drooling lecher or anything." Please don't look at me like that. Elissa snorts with laughter, and I understand that I said that last part aloud. I am a puddle of embarrassment by now.
"No, I think we're too smart for you."
"This is true. But what does that make you?" Yes, a good comeback!
"Just…one of the boys?" Elissa looks plain sheepish now. Maybe she feels bad about teasing me.
"Sad, isn't it?"
"I can handle myself better than most." At this remark, the Mabari behind her gives a single bark, and looked straight into my eyes with a piercing glare.
"Of that, I have no doubt. Sooooo…have you even fought a darkspawn?" Though the casual conversation killed me last time, I intend to make a good impression on this woman no matter what the cost.
"No. But I've heard stories. Are they as terrible as people say?" There was bravery on Elissa's face, but I look into her eyes, and see raw and unbridled fear.
"Well, they're not something that you would want sneaking up on you in the middle of the night, that's for sure." Elissa manages a shaky laugh, and I feel that I have done my job. "Anyways, I have fought them, and that's why I will be accompanying you."
"Well then, I look forward to traveling with you." The blush creeps back into her cheeks as she processes what she just said to me. "I mean, um, I-"Elissa swallows, and looks at me with those big, blue eyes. "I, um, have to go now. Come on." She makes a motion to the Mabari and runs off, or runs as fast as she can with chainmail armor and a Mabari at her heels. I sigh, and follow behind her. I am most glad of your company as well, Elissa.
So this turned out way longer than I expected, so I'm making this a two-parter. Also, Blasted From the Shadows is taking a longer break than expected, but fear not for it shall return! Anyways, son't forget to favourite/review/kudos if you enjoyed!