"You'd think Denerim would give us a few days rest before they request a formal report," Nathaniel mutters irritably beside me as we make our way towards the hall. "Are you certain you don't want me to come with you?"
"I survived the Archdemon before the Mother and the Architect. I think I can handle the king's lackeys," I smile. "Besides, who would I trust to oversee the wardens if you came along?"
I wait as he mentally overturns every name on our roster before relenting with a shrug as we turn the last corner. "Fair enough. It just seems like you've been spread too thin lately. You barely had a week's rest in the last two years and you deserve it. Besides, you seem more exhausted by the prospect of returning to Denerim than anything thus far and that says something. The king was once a companion of yours, right? Is there bad blood?"
The familiar ache echoes in my chest. Nathanial has no idea how close he is to the mark and I don't intend for him to discover it. "No, I'm just weary of the blasted mess darkspawn create," I reply. "The last thing I want is to be traveling, but I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. You just watch after the Keep and make sure everyone's still here when I return."
"You have nothing to worry about here. You may have been raised for a teyrnir, but this arling was intended as my inheritance in another life. I am more than capable of running it."
As we walk through the final archway into the stables, where a young groom waits patiently with my mount, I accept the provisions Nathaniel hands me and tie them to the back of the saddle. "I don't doubt you for a minute," I say, turning back to him as I finish. "Our meeting may have been less-than-savory, but I frequently thank the maker for you. You're a good friend, Nathaniel, and a great Warden. Just promise me one thing; no matter how much they love you the arling is still mine when I return from Denerim."
He laughs at that, his face lighting for a moment. "You have my word, milady. Just come back in one piece, alright? We need you around here."
"I'll see what I can do…" I smile as I mount up, my voice dripping with exaggerated dread.