Title: Bards Know Things

Theme: Love

Characters: Lichae (M!Mahariel Warden), Leliana, mentions of other companions

Spoilers: None

Setting: Dragon Age Origins - Dalish Camp (But not the Warden's.)

Notes: I couldn't bring myself to write something pure lovey, so maybe just Lichae trying to figure his feelings out will be okay. Oh Lichae, you're such an innocent hippie. And also kind of a girl with all of these FEELINGS.

"Leliana, I have a question. Do you have a moment?"

Leliana looked up from her lute, then smiled. "I always have a moment, my friend." She moved over slightly, then patted the log next to her that she was sitting on. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, I've just been...thinking." Lichae sat, and Leliana smiled when she realized he'd taken off most of his armor. His missing boots were no surprise - it seemed like he only wore them when he needed to. As it was, he was only wearing his shirt and pants and gloves now. There was probably a pile of leather and chain mail somewhere.

"What about?" Leliana set her lute down, carefully, and for a few moments there was only the cracking of the fire and the distant quiet chattering of Dalish. It was near night which meant a great many of the Dalish were settling in to sleep. The younger ones had all be gathered and captured and placed into their beds, and more than one lullaby drifted on the breeze.

"Earlier, that couple. Do you remember?" Lichae looked into the fire. "The man, he didn't have his vallaslin. That is, his facial tattoos." Lichae looked at Leliana, pointing at his own face and the blue markings that decorated it. "It's very important to us. It means we're adults." The elf looked back at the fire. "Even though he wasn't an adult, that girl was willing to marry him. That's love, right?"

"Love? I suppose so. But love can be a great many things." Leliana nodded. "Is that all you wanted to ask?"

"No, no. Abelas. Let me...How to ask this?" Lichae frowned. "Leliana. You've been in love, haven't you?"

"I have." Leliana smiled. "I know the feeling well. That's why I'm so happy when I know that others are feeling it."

"What's it like?" Lichae looked from the fire to Leliana.

Leliana blinked at Lichae, looking surprised a moment. "You've never felt love?"

"I've felt love, I think. But it's different, isn't it? I mean, I love my birth clan, and my new clan with us running around. But that's a different kind of love. Like Sten's love for cookies, or Alistair's love of fine cheese."

"That is very true." Leliana smiled. "This is about Zevran, isn't it?"

Lichae straightened. "No, it's…" The elf sighed, slouching. "...Please don't tell him. I don't even know for sure. I thought you would just be the best person to ask...Oh, never mind." Lichae stood, resting a hand on the back of his neck. "Maybe I'm just sick."

"If it's love, you may be," Leliana said, taking his hand and tugging him back down to sit. "You enjoy your time with him?"

"Well, yes-"

"Even time outside of your tent?" Leliana patted the elf's hand gently.

"Of course I do!" Lichae's ears turned the tiniest bit pink. "I like our talks, and listening to his stories, and even the training. Even when I get bruises." He paused, then looked off to the side. "Though the bruises aren't so bad. And Zevran really is good at massages."

Leliana smiled, resting her hands in her lap. "And does your stomach do little flips? Does your heart skip a beat?"

"Well, sometimes..."

"And I suppose you just feel funny and at peace around him?" Leliana smiled when Lichae nodded. "You know, when he's around you smile more. I'm afraid you may be in love, my friend."

"...This is terrible!" Lichae said after a short pause. The volume of his voice and the tone, as if he'd just been told of a death, made a few people look over.

"What? Why is it so terrible?" Leliana asked, looking confused. "Love is a good thing, no?"

"No, it's not!" Lichae heavy a heavy sigh and frowned, seeming quite distressed. "He can't know," he said, quickly. "I'll just have to get through this. It's not like I have to tell him."

"Well, I'm sure you have your reasons, but I'm not sure love is something you can just brush off." Leliana smiled.

Lichae lifted his head when he heard someone call his name. He looked over his shoulder and, spotting Zevran making his way over, he stood. "Leliana, please, don't mention anything," he whispered, before stepping over the log and meeting Zevran halfway.

Looking now, Leliana smiled. It was certainly love, from the way Lichae lit up to the way he looked relaxed. Zevran too had changed, though Leliana doubted anyone else had noticed. The Crow was guarded in some things, but his smile was different, and Leliana had no fear that either of their Wardens were going to be killed anytime soon.