Summary:

*Another Bonus Chapter!*
A look at the relationship between Mother Natalie and a 'much' younger Alistair.


Notes:

The Mother's Day dedication sent me down another path...
I couldn't help myself. I really tried.
No, actually-I didn't. Not very hard at all. The thought was there, so I swooped it up and ran maniacally with it!
"Little Alistair! Soooo CUTE!" (apparently swooping isn't always bad... at least I hope you think so too)


Warnings:
Discussion of one child verbally tormenting another. Cause kids can be so mean.
Also, reluctantly allowing your child to be raised by another.
I wouldn't consider this an angsty chapter. The topics in question are not dwelled upon, but are included to explain things a little better.


Mother Natalie

(In the Cocktails & Cheese Universe)


"Now where did that boy get off to? Maker help me, he's going to be the death of me!"

The newly promoted Mother checked the dormitory, the grand hall and even the galley. Either the kitchen staff were lying about knowing where he was, or something happened to upset the boy and he was hiding again.

If he didn't want to be found, there would be no help for it. Alistair was so good at hiding, the other kids refused to play hide and seek with him anymore. It upset him more than he would let people see, but Natalie always knew, when it came to Alistair.

"If he's hiding, I'll just have to wait for him to find me." Resigning herself to waiting him out, she collected her knitting and proceeded to head out to her favorite spot near the roses in the garden. Sitting on the bench, she took out her needles and worked on the hat for one of her charges. She'd noticed that little Emmy's was looking a little threadbare and with winter in full swing, she didn't want the child to get cold.

As she worked another round, a rustling in the laurel behind her clued her in to Alistair's presence. Her lip quirked in a quick smile before she returned her features to relaxed concentration. Focusing on her stitches, she listened as the sound drew closer.

She pretended not to notice as the little boy with bright red hair slunk up to her, sat at her feet, and laid his head down on her knees. He was silent-not a good sign, in her experience-and seemed content to sit there leaning against her legs, occasionally wiping his eyes and nose on her skirts.

Holding her needles in one hand, she reached out with the other and softly stroked her fingers through his wild spiky hair. It was softer than it looked-that always surprised her.

From experience, she knew that he would talk when he was ready and not a moment before. He'd been with her for six years now, brought to her when he was just a baby. She knew that she wasn't supposed to pick favorites amongst the orphans, but she couldn't help but love him a little more than all the rest. He was different; he wasn't going away anytime soon and he was-a little bit-like her.

It's rare for a human child to be born with the sight, but it does happen. Maybe it's his half-elven heritage, or the fact that his mother is a mage and a Grey Warden. Whatever the reason, whatever the cause, this boy had already seen true horror and it was only the beginning of what he will actually see in his lifetime. There was no one else in the chantry who understood, no one else with the sight that could help him understand. So she took it upon herself to reassure him, to comfort and explain the multi-layered world in which they lived.

Her own sight came late in life and she always questioned its purpose. She wasn't a born fighter or healer to help counter anything from the other side of the veil. She would never be able to keep up with the Wardens or the true-Templars. The only thing she was ever certain of was her faith. She knew she'd been chosen with this gift for a reason. Looking down at the boy seeking comfort in her lap, she acknowledged that he was her purpose. He needed a guardian and a guide. Someone to love and look out for him. Someone who understood the scary world around them. It was a responsibility that she happily accepted and one she felt was absolutely worth dedicating her life to.

As she ran her fingers through his hair, she hummed tunelessly, remembering the night Alistair was brought to the orphanage...


There was a light drizzle in the air that early spring morning and Natalie had been instructed to greet those that entered the chantry. It was her job to make sure they wiped their feet and then direct them, should they have questions.

She was mopping up a puddle from the last visitors that came in when she saw two people walk in. A tall male and a petite female, judging by the outlines of their bodies, still fully enveloped in wool cloaks. As they pushed back their hoods, Natalie saw that they were travel worn, but wore calm determination like it was armor. The gentleman had almost black hair with a beard to match and dark brown eyes, his face was sun-darkened and stern, but when he looked at the tiny elf next to him, Natalie glimpsed the gentleness that seeped through his tough exterior.

The woman at his side had similar colored hair and eyes. If it weren't for the points of her ears to contrast the roundness of his, Natalie would have thought them siblings. As they shook off the rain, the tiny bundle in her arms began to fuss. The woman peeled back the blanket surrounding the baby's head, revealing a bright shock of red hair.

Caressing her finger down the babe's cheek, she soothed, "Shh, my son, you will be safe here." The babe quieted at her touch and Natalie was struck at how tragic the whole image felt. Natalie startled with a gasp as the woman's shifting, opened her cloak revealing a flash of blue and white armor underneath. Natalie recognized that armor.

Hastening to the two visitors, she whispered, "Welcome, Wardens. Is everything ok?"

The two shared a glance. He nodded once and she returned her gaze to the sister inclining her head in acknowledgement, "Thank you, sister, it's not often that we are recognized. Can you direct us to the Revered Mother? I have a special request that I must make of the chantry."

Nodding, Natalie indicated that they should follow her, "She's currently in her office and is probably the only other person here who might know what you are. It's right this way." The three walked in silence, the two visitors and the babe, two steps behind the sister.

Knocking quickly on the large door, Natalie heard a distinctive, "Come in." from the other side.

"Revered Mother, there are two Wardens here, seeking an audience with you." Natalie said with the appropriate amount of reverence and respect.

"Show them in, dear, and please wait just outside for when we're through."

Nodding once, she opened the door wider, letting them in and closing it behind them. Standing her post outside the door, she pondered why two Wardens would be here in the chantry. She didn't have long to wait, as after about five minutes the door was opened by the young man and she was asked to join them again.

"Sister, this is Fiona and Duncan, as you already know, they are Grey Wardens. Their duty is unsuited to raising a child and as such, we will have a new charge here at the orphanage." The Revered Mother indicated the tiny bundle. "I would like you to make sure young Alistair here gets settled in the nursery before you go back to your duties."

"Yes your Reverence." She said as she hesitantly reached for the baby in the woman's arms.

Leaning in with a kiss to his forehead, Fiona reluctantly handed the baby over. Getting her first look at the young man, she knew… knew from the first moment she touched her finger to his cheek, that there was a connection, this boy was special. She didn't know how yet.. But she was determined to guard him with her life if need be.

The Revered Mother added, "I want you to make it clear to everyone, that this child is not to be put up for adoption. His circumstances here are special. These Wardens have made a generous contribution to the chantry and in return, we are to keep the boy safe for them. This will be his home until he turns eighteen."

The young woman turned to the Revered Mother, "I have one further request, if I may." Her tone was respectful, but left no room for argument. She was used to giving orders and expecting them to be obeyed.

"Yes?" the Revered Mother asked curiously.

"He is my son; I want him to know that I am his mother. I don't want him to ever think that he is unloved or unwanted. I want to be able to have open communication with him; write him letters and come see him. Truthfully, that may not be that often, considering my duties, but still. Will these conditions be acceptable to you, your Reverence?"

"There should be no problem with any of that." The Revered Mother smiled kindly.

"Also, I want to be the one to tell him about his father when he is older. No one else here is to know that he belongs to the Theirin bloodline. It will be hard enough for him to grow up here, without having the weight of that name on his shoulders as well."

"It will be as you say, Warden. Most of our children here have no last names, so simply calling him Alistair will be fine. No one but Sister Natalie and myself will know of his bloodline." She looked pointedly at the young sister, who nodded solemnly."

Gulping audibly with the weight of her new charge resting on her shoulders, Natalie dipped her head, "You have my word Wardens." Pulling the child to her chest, she felt the babe sigh and relax into her grip.

Fiona and Duncan took their leave from the Revered Mother and stopped just outside the office. "May I say goodbye to my son?" Fiona asked hesitantly. It was the first indication that she was reluctant to leave-the pain in her eyes speaking the regret she would never let her mouth utter.

Natalie handed him over gently, Fiona scooped him up and buried her face in his hair. She couldn't help but overhear Fiona whisper to her son, "May the Creators and the Maker watch over you, Alistair. I will be back as often as I can to see you. Know that you will always be loved and you are so very wanted." She then kissed him on each cheek, each eyelid, his forehead then his tiny cherub lips before hugging him to her chest one last time and handing him back to the sister.

Wiping away a single tear, she whispered, "Please watch over him for me Sister. The Revered Mother has much to oversee, and I know she will be unable to tend to him personally."

"I will, Warden; he will be safe here." Then she added, "And loved."

Nodding solemnly, the two Wardens turned on their heals and hastened out of the building. Watching them depart, Natalie glanced down at the child in her arms. She'd never thought about being a parent before. Her plan was always to give her life wholly to the Maker and his work. But looking into those beautiful honeyed eyes staring back at her, she couldn't help but smile at the boy. "Hello Alistair, I am Sister Natalie. It looks like you and I will be spending a lot of time together over the years. If you ever need anything, I'm here for you!"

She leaned down and kissed him on the nose. Pulling back, he flashed her a large toothless grin. Chuckling, she left for the nursery muttering to herself. "Maker... that smile. I know I'm in trouble already."


Mother Natalie lifted Alistair's chin so she could look at him. Tear stained cheeks, puffy red eyes, and a runny nose said more than words ever could about how he was feeling. As their eyes met, she saw the sadness deep within his. Hoping he was finally ready to tell her what happened, she wiped his face with her skirt as she asked, "What is it child? What has you so worked up?"

"Why doesn't my Mamae love me?"

"What do you mean, Ali? You just saw her last week on your birthday. You know she loves you very much."

"But Rodney says that she doesn't love me because she doesn't want me to live with her." Alistair wiped his sleeve across his nose and looked up at Natalie expectantly.

"You know, Rodney is just jealous because you get visitors and he wishes he got them too."

Alistair nodded, then remembering something else and shook his head, "Rodney said that no one loves me and I'm unadoptable. He's going to find a good family to adopt him and love him and buy him a pony… while I'll be stuck here with you."

"Thanks a lot!" She chuckled, knowing he didn't mean anything by it. "You don't like being here with me?"

"Can you buy me a pony?" He looked up hopefully.

"Where would you keep it? I don't think your room is big enough and you know they are a lot of work."

Looking a bit crestfallen, he stared at the ground with a sigh, then suddenly grinned, "I bet they poop a lot too! I don't think I want to clean their poop."

"No, probably not. I can barely get you to make your bed," she chided.

"I just get in it again and mess it back up later!"

"That may be, but the rules remain the same. Beds must be made before you head down to breakfast. And you know why." She reminded him gently.

He sighed, "I know, but the people who come to adopt never see my room, why do I have to keep it neat like everyone else?"

She smiled down at him, "You know why we don't let potential parents interview you, don't you?"

Looking at the ground, Alistair picked at the grass and shrugged one shoulder.

"It's because you already have a mother that loves you. She would be very sad if we adopted you out to another family."

"But why can't I go with her? Why can't I live with her instead of here?" he asked mournfully.

"Now Alistair, you know your Mamae and Duncan have very important jobs."

"Rodney says that Grey Warden's don't exist except in fairy tales." He ripped several blades of grass out at once and watched them fall from his fingers back to the ground.

"And I suppose you think that Rodney knows everything?"

"No."

"Are you sure about that? It seems that you've let this boy get you all riled up about a bunch of things he knows little to nothing about."

Alistair huffed but otherwise remained petulantly silent.

"Your mother would love nothing more than to take you with her. But her work is much too dangerous and she loves you far too much to risk your life. It would break her heart if something ever happened to you. That's why she entrusted you to live here, while she tends to her duties."

"Is my Mamae a super hero?" Alistair looked up for the first time hopefully.

"Do you think she is one?"

"Well." Alistair pondered, "She works a very dangerous job."

"Yes."

"Protects those around her."

"True."

"She even has a secret identity... like batman!" He looked up excited!

Mother Natalie chuckled, "yes… I suppose she does. Not many people know enough about what's really out there, to know that what she does is vital to our survival."

His eyes looked a little haunted. "It is true though. I've seen… scary things."

"I know you have, child. I wish sometimes you couldn't, but there's nothing we can do about that."

"You can see them too." He said as more of a statement than a question.

"Yes… I can," she sighed.

"But no one else can?"

"There was another person here once who could. But the old Revered Mother has since joined the Maker. Now it's just you and me."

He nodded solemnly, then suddenly smiled up at the Sister. "That's ok. You're my favorite anyway!" he said, standing up and suddenly hugging the startled Mother.

Chuckling into his hair, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him back, "Yes, I know, dear. You're my favorite too." Pulling back just far enough so she could wink at him, "But shhh, you can't tell, I'm not allowed to have favorites."

Alistair's grin grew and his eyes lit up, "We have lots of secrets that no one can share." He giggled then whispered, "You want to know another one?"

"Of course."

"When I grow up, I want to be a Mother just like you!" He giggled again.

"But I thought you wanted to be a superhero?"

"I can do that too! You said I can be anything I want to be when I grow up! So, I'm going to be the best Grey Warden and Revered Mother ever!"

"Oh, a Revered Mother, huh? You'll even outrank me!"

"No I won't, silly! When I'm a Revered Mother, you'll be the Divine!"

"Oh you think so, do you?"

"Yup!" He said, suddenly much happier and full of the joy and mischievousness she'd come to expect in the boy. "I do!"


End Notes:

There is a term in this piece that will be elaborated on in my next update to the main story. True-Templars are a piece of lore that I haven't introduced yet, but since it's so close to being revealed, I didn't feel too bad about including it here. Chapter 12 will have the answers you seek, I promise!

My heartfelt thanks to three very giving souls, who helped me spit-n-polish this piece up so I could get it out quickly for you!
Lola Auditore, Ponticle, and Earlgreyer - you three Rock! Or are my rocks? My reasons to keep writing? Just freaking awesome! Yes please and all of the above!

Two bonus chapters in one week?! I know, I know. Don't get used to it. But I have to say, I'm loving my muse this week!

I also want to thank everyone for reading, commenting, reviewing, giving kudo's, favoriting, and subscribing (y'know - depending on which site you're reading this on, cause I'm too lazy to write separate thank-you's this time). I mostly write for me, because it makes me happy. I never expected to get so giddy seeing people enjoying my boys as much as I do! It's humbling and brings my heart joy! You all are the best!