2 That Touch

The treaty was signed and witnessed by both the Keeper and her First. Caleb and Amara also beared witness. There was to be a great celebration that night. Cousland House was thrown open to both the Dalish tribe and the surrounding nobles.

Amara and Caleb rode back towards home ahead of their father. They spoke excitedly together at their father's accomplishment. This was indeed a good day. Amara glanced at her brother as they rode. "Hmm… did you speak to her then brother?"

Caleb gave her a sidelong glance. "Yes. I asked her if she was coming tonight. She said yes."

"OOH, how romantic, you and Lady Andriel at a party. Will it be your first official date?" How she loved needling him about his slow and careful progress with the elf. Caleb took a swing at her arm and made it numb. "Ow!"

"You deserved it you rascal." Caleb shook his head. He had spoken to Andriel a few times since they first met. Each time falling deeper in love. The last few meetings resulting in his request to court her officially.

"Well brother, I think tonight is the night." Amara chuckled and rode ahead of him to avoid another dead arm. "Don't worry dear. I'll be there. I'll make sure you two are alone together at some point." She looked back at his furious glance.

"Maker help me if you start something you'll regret it dear sister." They spurred their horses on. They only had half a day to make everything ready.

Amara wore a velvet jacket, in a deep blue. Silver buttons laced the front of it. It was cut well for her shape, accentuating her waistline. Black leather leggings were all the rage of course and tall boots that came up to her knees. She looked in the mirror and admired herself. Maybe one day there will be a she elf for her. If all goes well as father hoped, their house would be joined both in marriage and land. The wildest portion of their land was being ceded back to the Dalish. It was the first such a treaty ever made. She was immensely proud of her father. As she looked at the mirror she noticed her mother's face in the behind her. She smiled.

"You look handsome my daughter." Her mother looked at her with pride and straightened her collar. "Hmm… someday I'm sure there will be girl that will catch you." Amara caught a gleam in her mother's eyes.

"Mother!" she shook her head and rested in on top of her mother's shoulder. Though she was taller than her she always seemed to find a way to feel little around her again.

"You look much like your father in those clothes."

Amara smiled. "Thank you mother."

"Now, go see your brother. I believe he is pacing around in his quarters. Amara rolled her eyes. "Promise me you'll help him tonight. He gets so nervous around his lady." Her mother kissed her cheek and left her room. Amara walked to her mantle and took down her sword. She buckled it on as was customary for the heirs to always be at the ready. She closed the door to her chambers and walked down the hall to her brother's room. She knocked twice and was admitted.

She looked all around him. The room was in disarray but at least he was dressed and was fussing with his collar. Like her he wore a velvet jacket but longer and thicker. The blue darker than hers as befitting of his birth. Silver embroidery ran in intricate elvish patterns across his left breast. He sighed as she came to him and helped with his collar. His mantle held his sword and his hat. She placed his hat on his head and tucked the stray curls behind his ears as he buckled his sword to his hip. He looked up and she smiled at him. "Brother! I believe you will do well tonight." A mischievous smile came to her lips. "The lady will not be able to resist you."

"Oh! And sister, who are you trying to impress tonight? I saw quite a few elf maidens blush as you strode past them." They both looked at their reflection together in the mirror. Amara nudged him.

"I didn't see anyone fawning over me. Perhaps you can do me a courtesy and point them out tonight, hmm?"

"Oh, I can do that right now. T'was the Keeper whose eyes you caught." Caleb laughed and laughed at his sister's shocked face. "Finally! She shuts up." Amara closed her mouth and turned away from the mirror. "Oh, now who's got the big girly crush!" Caleb nudged her shoulder.

Amara's mind was racing. "Oh Maker, this will be an interesting night!" She thought.

The dining room was well lit by candles overhead. There was a hearth fire on either side of the room, driving the chill from the air. Amara wrung her hands nervously. They were clammy. The Keeper? Really? She had always admired the elf maiden from a far never dreaming she would feel the same way. She thought of those quiet walks as she escorted the lady safely into the manor and back to the wilds. The many times that the Keeper watched her ride ahead to ensure the way was clear. It brought to question the Keeper's many request that Amara study her books with her under the great tree as she chaperoned Andriel's and Caleb's courtship. The way her body thrummed when the lady was close by. Amara shook her head in wonder. She was concentrating so much on helping her brother she didn't notice she was being pursued.

Both her brother and she stood with her father as he discussed events of the day. They all looked up as the horn blew. The manor gates were raised as the Dalish under escort of her father's personal guard was welcomed into the court. Caleb took his place on their fathers right she took her place on her mother's left. Together as a family they came down the steps of their home and warmly greeted their new allies and kin. After exchanging pleasantries their father nodded to Caleb who escorted Lady Andriel to the dining hall. Amara squeezed her mother's hand and inclined her head to Lady Elise, the tribe's Keeper. Taking her meaning, she whispered gently in her husband's ear. He quirked and eye brow and a smile graced his lips. He nodded to Amara his permission. As formally and as confidently as she could muster, she walked towards the Keeper and offered her arm. Lady Elise's eyes locked with hers and shone bright. A redness began to suffuse Amara's cheeks as the Keeper placed a warm hand on her arm. Somewhere she heard murmuring from the other guests. She was seldom seen to be partnered with anyone other than her mother at gatherings. This was going to illicit some gossip throughout the night. Eyes still locked they turned together towards the dining hall followed by her mother and father arm in arm. She could feel her mother's eyes on them. Lady Elise was so close to her as they walked to end of the great hall.

"Lethallan, this is a beautiful home." Lady Elise tilted her head up to look at Amara who swallowed and found it hard to find her voice to answer.

"Yes, my Lady. I've enjoyed living here very much. But I now find that I'm looking forward to visiting you more often, now with the treaty in place between our kin." Amara smiled. She wasn't new to the flirtation game. At times she found it quite easy letting her naturally mischievous personality shine. This time though, she felt she was nothing more than a student reading a book she barely understood. She'd never been this nervous around Elise before. They took their place at her mother's side and stood waiting as everyone found their seats. She saw her father nod to his guests and extend his hand in welcome. Gently Amara pulled the seat out for the lady as she stepped in to take it. Pushing it forwards slightly again as she sat. "Thank you Lethallan."

"You're welcome my lady." Amara took her own seat. She relaxed somewhat now that formalities had been observed. Elise noticed this.

"Do you feel better now that that was over?" She gave Amara a wink with those green eyes as a smile spread across her lips. Amara laughed, loud enough for her brother to look at her. She relaxed even more and all nervousness passed from her mind and body. Elise and her spoke of many things throughout the dinner, just as they normally did when they travelled together. Often both their eyes would stray towards Caleb and Andriel. Both seem to be doing well. Amara was relieved that her brother didn't look stiff and nervous. He actually looked quite relaxed as he enjoyed his lady's company. Many speeches were made that night. About the treaty and both clans hopes. Arl Howe made an endearing speech celebrating and praising the treaty's success. Delilah had accompanied him this night. Amara gave her head a slight bow as their eyes met across the table. They had dallied together once but neither was inclined to try it again. It was all just puppy curiosity after all.

Minstrels struck up a song that had everyone clapping in time. Slowly but surely, nobles and Dalish began to dance in the space near the musicians. "Well, it's now or never." Amara thought. She touched Elise on the arm a gesture that had her thrumming. She leaned close to her ear and asked if she wanted to dance. The Keeper smiled and placed her hand in hers as Amara lead up from her seat on to the floor. The first few couple of songs were loud and fast. People cheering as their bodies moved to the beat. Elise laughed as her partner spun her around. Caleb and Andriel graced the floor, dancing quite close to one another. The minstrel seeing this they slowed their tune. Amara smiled. She saw Caleb listen to the tune in wonder. He awkwardly placed his hands lower on Andriel's hips as she rested her head on his shoulder. As they turned slowly Caleb caught his sister's smile. His eyes became wide. He mouth an accusation at her. "You! You did this!" He sent a quick glare in her direction and she smiled and mouthed back. "You're welcome!" Amara's eyes left his brother's face as he returned his gaze to his beloved and smiled. Elise was watching her closely now with a smile in her eyes.

"You orchestrated this didn't you? You little minx!" Amara looked down at her as she watched the keeper steal a glance at her brother and her First. Amara shrugged one shoulder and smiled back.

"I don't know what you are talking about my Lady." Her eyes twinkled as they locked with the Keeper's.

"Well seeing as the music has changed pace I have one request of you."

"Oh?"

"Hold me closer." At those words Amara's mouth went dry. Her tongue gone to leather as she swallowed hard. Slowly she ran her hands towards up the Keeper's shoulders and let them rest there a moment as she stared into those green eyes. Elise had a smirk on her face challenging her to be bolder. Slowly, gently she caressed her back and sides as her hands slid to the Keepers waist and settled on her hips. Her whole body hummed as the song lingered in the background. Her eyes never leaving the Keeper's. She felt Elise's hands travel up her back and shoulders and along her neck. Interlocking her fingers as she cradled her head. Amara's eyes closed a little and her heartbeat quickened as Elise drew her into an intimate embrace. Maybe one or two songs of the same pace passed them as they danced. She wasn't sure anymore. She was mesmerized, staring deeply into those green eyes. It wasn't till she noticed that the dance floor was quite bare around them that she looked up at the room again. The other guests were off to the side watching them dance, her brother with a big smile on his face was already seated with Andriel and their father. Her father looked at them with an amused smile on his face. And her mother she could tell, was fighting that smirk down.

Amara looked down at her elven lady and smiled. "I think we've attracted quite an audience." Elise's eyes went wide as she glanced about the room.

"What do we do now? How does one graciously leave these eyes?" She asked a bit bewildered.

"Follow me?" Elise nodded. "Ok, here goes my lady…" Gently Amara leaned in close to her face. Their eyes locked on each other's. Slowly she moved her head to the side and kissed Elise on her cheek. Her skin there was warm, matching her burning lips. The other guests cooed at them. Gently she parted from Elise's form holding her hands in a wide circle. Softly she spoke. "Now we bow." Elise dipped her head and gave a curtsey while Amara placed her arm across her the front of her belly and bowed deeply for her lady. As they straightened the music became lively again and Amara held the Keeper's hand as they walked from the floor. They reached the edge and let out a relieved sigh and giggled together. When this subsided both were flushed from their ordeal. Amara noted this and invited Elise for a stroll in the gardens. Fresh air would do them good. Elise walked beside her out the door not relinquishing her hand for a moment.

...

After spending much of the day discussing their plans, Amara stood up gingerly. She had sat in the cold too long and stomach and sides hurt. She carefully wondered back into the hut and crawled into Morrigan's bed once more. She closed her eyes, willing her body to heal. She had a lot to do. She supposed she slept for when she next opened them, darkness filled the hut and a familiar warmth and soft light emanated from the brazier. Her eyes scanned the room. She found Morrigan's frame bent over a book on the table. She shifted in the covers and wondered how long she had slept. She was hungry. She watched Morrigan a little longer, seeing her eye brows crease as she studied. A faint blue glow began to shine from the witch's hands. She made a noise at the wondrous sight, surprising the sorceress who hurled the ball of light by her head. Morrigan gasped in surprise as Amara shrieked. How she hated shrieking. The wall to the side of her face plastered with a frozen sheet.

"Amara!" Morrigan stood and ran to the poor girl's side. Her cool hands held the sides of her face, her eyes wide. "Are you ok? I'm so sorry!" Amara visibly gulped and panted. Her fright was quite apparent.

"I'm ok, I'm ok. I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt." Her warm hands moved to the witch's cool ones and held them. She could still feel power from them. She squeezed them gently.

"I… oh, that could have been bad. Yes, well done Morrigan! You killed Ferelden's only hope!" Amara smiled as the witch berated herself. She squeezed her hands again and gently moved them down from her face to her neck, just below her jaw.

"It's ok my dear." Her heart still hammered as her soft voice reached Morrigan's ears. Morrigan looked at her then her eyes travelled to where their hands met. The warden's warm hands cupped her own and held them firmly but gently. A sudden blush came to Morrigan's cheeks reddening every bit of her skin. She gasped softly and tore her eyes away from the warden. Amara smiled, gently allowing the witch to retreat, her hands slowly slipping out of hers. Her voice was husky as she reassured Morrigan once more. "No harm done."

Morrigan looked down at her feet. "Is there anything you need Warden?" Her eyes flitting back as she waited.

"I'm a little hungry, but I can go…"

"No, I'll get it! I insist." Sensing the witch's need to collect herself she nodded her thanks. She left through the door to the fire outside. "Damnation!" Amara heard her cursing at herself.

"What's that all about?" Alistair's query could be heard through the walls as was the furious clanking of metal on wood as Morrigan ladled the stew into a bowl.

"None of your business nosy! And yes your warden is just fine." Morrigan huffed and strode back into the hut. She shut the door hard behind her and leaned her back to it, closing her eyes. A moment lapsed and her eyes snapped open again as she remembered she wasn't alone in the room. "Oh for f…" she strode across the room and handed Amara the bowl and spoon. "Here, dear warden. I… must leave you for the moment, the woods they call me on a night like this." With that she turned and left the hut. Through the walls Amara heard, "No, not one word Alistair or I really will turn you into a frog!" Her angry foot falls receded. Amara sat with her stew and began to eat. She couldn't help the smile that played on her lips as she chewed ravenously. There was a moment there. They both felt it, she was sure.

Morrigan huffed away from her hut and across the clearing. In the darkness she turned back and watched the fire glow within the hut. She looked at her hands and rubbed her fingers together. That was not good. None of it. Not the mishap with the ice, not their hands touching. Not that look that melted her. No! This will not do. She whirled into the darkness transforming into a wolf as she reached the edge of the clearing. She ran for miles that night, shaking her great wolf head to herself. From atop a tree Flemeth watched her daughter and smiled.

Morning came slowly for Amara. She waited up for a while and hoped for Morrigan's return. She couldn't get the witch out of her head. Not those yellow eyes that stared into her, those lips as they spoke, not her warm heat arising to her face. She thought of their touch as Amara held her hands in hers. How slowly they left her own, so reluctant to part. She fell asleep again eventually with her hands to her lips, breathing in the witch's scent.