"A Journey's Path"
Written by: Toni the Mink
Commissioned by: Azalon
Dragon Age and all related indica © Bioware
Aidan, Elandil and all other fancharacters © Azalon
Elandil slept soundly through the night. He couldn't remember the last time he slept so well. Then again, his nights have always consisted of sleeping on a cold, hard floor with very little to wrap himself in. He was lucky if it the weather was warm and if there were no mice and bugs to make a meal of him. This place was no mansion, but it was a cool night, and a soft warm bed. He had never experienced such comfort before.
And not to mention the protection. The person who normally awoken him was the man who would do so viciously and beat him to work. At times it had gotten so bad that whenever he'd lose consciousness, he wished to never wake up. But he would, and be forced to do his usual labor.
When Elandil heard noise, his first instinct was to jump out of bed and prepare for the abuse. He was taken back at his surroundings, and suddenly remembered where he was.
"Sorry," said Aidan, "I was trying to be quiet. You're a light sleeper, aren't you?"
Elandil lowered his head. "When you're normally beaten awake, that's what happens…"
"Beaten..?" Aidan stopped what he was doing and looked over to the elf, "Tell me about it…"
Elandil cringed. "I'd… I'd rather not…"
Aidan frowned, but nodded, "Well, it's over now. You're going to a better place."
The elf glanced up at the boy. "You're really going to help me?"
"It beats hiding around town ducking guards on a daily basis," the teen grinned as he grabbed his sack.
Elandil tilted his head. "Where are you going?"
"If we're going to find this elf village, we're going to need some supplies," smiled Aidan.
"Oh, uh…" Elandil started wringing his hands and glancing around nervously. Clearly the thought of going out into daylight and out in the open didn't sit well with the elf. Aidan could read this.
"Believe me, my friend," he grinned, "With all due respect, you didn't do too well out there. I'm not about to send you out again. Besides, you look like you could still catch a few winks. Go ahead and rest it off. I shouldn't be long."
Elandil lowered his head once more. "You're too kind…"
He jumped slightly at the touch of a hand on his chin. Glancing up, he saw Aidan in front of him, giving a warm smile. Gently, he moved his chin upwards so the elf was no longer looking down. "Keep your chin up," said Aidan, "You've got nothing to be ashamed of."
The opposite of what he was told in the past. Elandil was not used to compliments, and just blinked in confusion. Aidan, on the other hand, found this to be cute and gave another smile. "Just sit tight. I should be back by the end of the day."
"Please be careful."
Aidan winked. "Never was caught yet."
For Aidan, it started out as another day, creeping through the hightown, slipping through the cracks and corners, and when nobody was looking, taking what he needed. A few extra sheets will keep them warm for the night. There were wild creatures outside of town, so some daggers could keep them safe. If only his sac was big enough for a sword. Do elves like gold? Perhaps these bracelets will be a nice ice breaker and convince the elves of the village to take in Elandil.
The sac was nearly getting full, but there was still some more Aidan needed. Aidan snuck through town, scouting left and right for anything else he could use. He got a little bit of fruit, but it would be nice if he and Elandil had something very hearty during their journey.
"Would you look at the size of that goose?"
Aidan peeked over some shoulders to get a good look. At a meat stand, there stood on display a large goose, half the size as him. It looked so juicy and succulent, and that delicious smell… Would he have loved to bring that on the journey! Too bad his sac wasn't that big, otherwise he would have gone with the swords instead of the daggers…
But maybe… he could take off little pieces.
Carefully weaving through the traffic of onlookers, he made it to the display, and ducked under the table. Phase one complete. Everybody was admiring the goose, so he'd have to cause a distraction… He figured he didn't need THAT many daggers. Leaning out the back, he reached back and flung a dagger across the street, striking the side of the building.
There were collective gasps. "An attack?!"
"What's going on?"
Everyone looked around in a panic, towards the dagger, and away from the goose. The perfect opportunity to snag a few pieces. Once everyone's eyes were averted, Aidan peeked up, took one of his daggers, and sawed into a huge hunk of the goose.
"Caught ya!"
"What?!" Before he knew it, Aidan was grabbed from behind.
"The sting worked well!" sneered a burly guard, holding Aidan up by the arms as he struggled to free himself. "It was only a matter of time before your greediness got the best of ya!"
"Let me go!" Aidan cried, "You don't understand!"
"No, you don't seem to understand, boy!" growled the guard, "You can't just take what you want without paying! You've given us guards enough grief! It's the captain with you!"
"Enter!" Aveline Vallen called out as the door to her quarters was knocked on. The doors slammed open and the burly guard marched in, dragging with him a struggling Aidan.
"Sir!" the guard saluted, "We have captured the street rat. This little bug has been causing the town grief with his thieving."
"No one's really noticed," Aidan mumbled, "I'm just a bug, remember?"
The guard gave him a harsh shaking. "Enough out of you!" He turned to Aveline, "What shall we do with him? Shall I imprison him? Or perhaps cut his arms off."
"That will be enough," spoke Aveline as she rose from her seat, "You are dismissed."
The guard gave a dark look to Aidan. He obviously wanted to do the last part, but he couldn't go against his captain. He gave a nod to Aveline and exited the room.
Aveline stepped around her desk and approached the boy. "So you're the young man that's been causing trouble to my guards," she droned.
Aidan lowered his head. "Please… let me explain..!"
"Very well. I'm listening."
Aidan glanced back up. He was not expecting that. The guards of Kirkland were rough and viciously went after Aidan as if he were a murderer. He assumed the captain was just as bad, if not worse.
Then again, the last captain was a bit of an ass. From what he heard on the streets, this woman was the newly appointed captain. And she seemed a lot more reasonable.
"Captain…" Aidan started.
"Call me Aveline."
"Okay… Aveline… I'm not what you think. I'm not a bad guy… I'm just trying to survive."
"Where is your family?"
"… Gone. They were killed during the Fifth Blight… I managed to survive, but I was the only one…"
Aveline lowered her head. "I know how you feel… I too lost someone very dear to me during the Blight."
"I don't mean to cause anybody any trouble. I only take what I need to live. I've got no one-" he stopped himself, "No… actually, there is someone else…"
"Someone else?"
"I don't normally take weapons, but my friend, he's…" Aidan thought of the correct words. He wasn't sure if it was wise to describe Elandil and where he came from. As he said to himself earlier, not all humans were the name. And therefore not all were like him, tolerant of elves.
"He… he needs to find a village," he continued, "He needs to escape. I want to help him."
"Let me see your sac."
Aidan did as ordered and handed his sac over to Aveline. She turned to her desk and dumped the contents on top. "Sheets… fruit… daggers… and a bit of a goose," she couldn't help but chuckle a bit.
"I know it was wrong to take them," said Aidan, "But my friend needs them… We need to find this village so he can be safe."
"It's looks like you have just what you need," said Aveline, "You're not as greedy as the guards describe you."
"Please! I know I didn't pay for them, but it's important! I need to help my friend..!"
Aveline turned to face the boy. "I understand your situation, but you must understand I cannot condone what you have done," she said.
"I'll do whatever it takes!" cried Aidan, "Just please let me keep those things!"
Aveline nodded. "I will," she said, "But on the condition that you work for them."
"Work..?"
"From now on, you will work for me. You will do tasks for the guards under my supervision. If they ever give you a hard time, you let me know. In exchange for your work, I will give you food and some gold. Until then you may keep what you have taken…"
She placed a hand on Aidan's shoulder, and escorted him out of her quarters, "After of course, you do a few things for me…"
Aidan knew better than to complain. All Aveline had him do was polish the guards' armor and weapons.
Of course, with the many soldiers that protected Kirkwall, this was a very tedious task and took all day. It didn't help that the guards had harassed him and would dump dirty armor on him just when he thought he was finishing up. As Adeline promised, however, she would scold any of the guards that gave him a hard time.
By the time he was finished, night had fallen, and Aidan's arms felt ready to fall off. He almost wished that the big burly guard had in fact cut them off like he wanted. But the work was done, and Aveline also kept her other promise and allowed him to keep what he had stolen, as well as rewarded him for his hard work a few ounces of gold and was sent home.
The docks were a long walk from the Viscount's palace. At least Aidan didn't have to worry about sneaking through town once more. Aveline had ordered her guards to fall back on the once thief, who promised to return to work after his journey was finished.
Still, it was a long walk home, and Aidan's legs ached as bad as his arms. Once he made it to his lowly house, he nearly collapsed through the door, startling the elf inside.
"Aidan!" Elandil cried out, "You're back!"
"Sorry I'm late," Aidan muttered, dragging himself across the floor and falling to his knees in the center.
"I was beginning to wonder if you had abandoned me…."
"Never. I always keep my promises," Aidan gave a struggled grin, but even that was exhausting.
Elandil approached the tired boy. "Are you all right? What happened..?"
"I got caught getting our supplies."
Elandil gave a small gasp. "What did they do to you?"
"Oh, everything's okay…" Aidan slowly crawled to the floor, stretching out in exhaustion, "The new captain of the guard went easy on me. Had me polish all her guards' weapons and armor… Not as easy as you think. At least she let me keep what I stole."
Elandil looked away. "I'm sorry… I'm causing you so much trouble…"
"Now don't start," said Aidan, "You know I don't mind helping you. This journey'll be fun, and definitely worth it."
"If I may…" Elandil reached down, took Aidan by the shoulders, and lifted him back up to a sitting position.
Aidan was taken aback by the gesture. Wasn't this elf afraid to go near him the other day? "What are you doing?"
"You've taken good care of me," Elandil stood and went to a barrel, filled with food, "Now it is my turn…" Taking a plate, he began to fill it with rolls and meat. "I know you don't have much, but you must be starving…"
As if on cue, Aidan's stomach began growling. He smiled sheepishly, "Guess I did kind of skip dinner…"
"Here," Elandil placed the plate of food in his hands, "Please eat. You must have your strength for the journey."
"Thank you," Aidan dug in, barely able to reach his roll to his mouth, "I'm so tired, I can barely keep my arms up…"
"Allow me…" Elandil took a roll from the plate and brought it to Aidan's mouth. Aidan gave a slightly embarrassed smile before taking it in. Elandil returned the smile, as Aidan finished the food.
"Are you going to bed now?" asked the elf.
"I can barely move," said Aidan, "I think I'll make myself comfortable on the floor." He leaned back down and stretched out, and pulled back slightly at the achyness. "Augh…"
"Here…" Elandil got behind Aidan and knelt down, resting his head on his lap. Taking a firm hold of his shoulders, he began moving his hands up and down, trying to soothe the muscles. Aidan gave a low sigh of pleasure as the elf gently kneaded the shoulder area, moving down to his arms slightly and to his back.
This was nice… Completely comforted and relaxed, Aidan's eyes closed, and he ended up snoozing away, as Elandil continued to massage gently.
"Rest easy, my friend," he whispered, "For tonight, it is my turn to take care of you."
