AN: Hi again. Here's chapter two! Hope you enjoy it. Reviews, criticism and advice all welcome!
"You know why Zevran. I have to see her."
Zevran was hardly surprised, why else would he be here? Alistair might want to see her, but would she want to see him? Considering how they'd parted ways it seemed highly doubtful.
"And who would this be?" Alistair practically growled at him, Zevran let out a sigh, it was a poor joke anyway,
"You think I know where she is? I would have thought you'd be privy to that information" Zevran said, "You are, after all, The Grey Warden here, not me."
"EX warden remember?" Alistair scowled, "Disgraced ex-warden I might add." A knowing look came into his eyes, Zevran was playing dumb. Zevran was many things, dumb was not one of them. You didn't get to be one of the best assassins in Antiva by being stupid. Besides, Alistair knew full well how much he cared for her, she was possibly one of the only friends Zevran had ever had, he knew exactly where she was, he took a gamble, "You think they'd let me get within a mile of Vigils Keep?"
"If you think they're more accepting of ex-crows then you are sadly mistaken my friend," Zevran huffed, he was impressed despite himself. He had no idea Alistair would know about Vigils keep, the fact that The Warden was there was not common knowledge, especially after the events at Amaranthine. There were, unfortunately, a great deal less people to spread rumours,
"Why would you think I can get you to her?"
Alistair gave a bitter half grin, "Because I know you Zevran, and I know her. If you two haven't figured out a way to get messages to each other by now then I'm the Queen of Antiva," Alistair dropped his gaze, refusing to meet Zevrans eyes, "Please Zevran. You and I may not have always seen eye to eye, but you know I wouldn't be here if I didn't really need your help."
Alistair continued to avert his eyes but heard Zevran slide his dagger back into it's holder and released a breath he hadn't realised he was holding. Truth be told he had half expected Zevran to attack him on sight but he's had no choice, Zevran was his best, and probably only chance to get into Vigils Keep. This at least was a step in the right direction.
"Come," Zevran said, leading Alistair into the camp site. He silently nodded to the spot opposite his own place next to the burned out fire in invitation and went to work on getting the fire started again and preparing some supper. Once it was burning away merrily he placed a stew pot of rabbit and vegetables over the flames.
Alistair had been silent the entire time, staring into space and clearly lost in his own thoughts. It was a far cry from the laughing and joking young man he'd got to know while fighting the blight. Alistair had been slow to trust him, true. Zevran couldn't really blame him for that, the elf had tried to kill him after all. But the silent, thoughtfulness was new. It made Zevran uneasy.
Alistair took the offered bowl of stew when it was finally ready, nodding in thanks. Zevran had expected him to merely pick at the food but he was wrong, the bowl was empty in seconds. He'd forgotten how much The Grey Wardens ate and by the looks of things it had been a while since Alistair had had a good meal.
Just as Alistair was reaching for a second bowl of stew he heard Zevran clear his throat,
"I was there you know, when she faced the archdemon," Alistair stilled with his hand halfway to the pot, Zevrans shrewd eyes caught the pause, ah, he thought, now we're getting somewhere,
"Yes," Zevran continued., "A glorious battle, mages, knights, dwarfs and elves. Endless darkspawn and a huge dragon. The stuff of legend." Zevran paused, unsure of how far he should push the subject, "You should have been there."
"Enough Zevran," Alistair snapped.
Zevran took in the clenched fists, the set jaw and agreed. Yes, that was enough, for now. He would hear the full story but perhaps another day. Zevran had to admit, he was intrigued. What could have happened to make Alistair come back? Getting involved with whatever was going on here was probably not the best idea. He could think of a thousand reasons why he should just walk away from this. But Zevran was never very good at walking away from things. He let out a sigh. Travelling around alone had lost it's charm anyway.
"There is a small settlement a few hours walk to the east, if we can acquire some horses there then we can make it Vigils Keep in two days,"
Alistair finally looked him in the eyes for the first time since they had sat down,
"You'll help me then?" Hope blossomed in his chest,
"Ah, Alistair. There just so happens to be a lovely young serving girl that works in the kitchens of Vigils Keep. A pretty little elf that has been known to pass certain pieces for information between The Warden and I. It as been far too long since I last saw her, young thing probably misses me." Alistair rolled his eyes, Zevran never could take anything seriously.
"I can take you to her, whether she will agree to see YOU is another matter entirely. We shall see hm?"
"She will." He sounded a lot more confident than he felt, even to his own ears, "She has to."
Zevran just nodded at him and stood up, night had truly fallen by then, "Well then we will need an early start yes? I'm going to get some sleep."
Alistair nodded back and reached into is own pack, removing his bedroll. Zevran watched him out of the corner of his eye as Alistair removed his travelling cloak and started to take off his armour, gone was the shining Viridium that he once wore, armour that Alistair had spent many an hour polishing in front of a different camp fire, replaced by cheap boiled leather and plate. Zevran was relieved to see he still carried Calins blade and Duncans shield however. In the flickering light of the campfire Zevran noticed the new scars spanning across Alistairs left shoulder and towards the center of his back, they certainly weren't there last time.
Zevran stopped in the entrance of his tent, "Alistair?"
Alistair paused with his back to him, just about to pull a tunic over his head to sleep in and waited,
"This is important yes?"
"It is." Alistair said quietly,
Zevran knew he wouldn't be getting any more information out of him tonight and entered his tent.
Alistair lay awake for a long time, listening to the quiet noises of the forest, looking up at the night sky. The fire had burned out, the only light in the clearing now came from the moon and stars. He was excited and terrified at the same time. He hadn't exactly left on good terms, to put it lightly, would she even listen to what he had to say? All Alistair could do at this point was hope. He had no chance on his own, he knew that. If she refused her help...no it wouldn't come to that. Despite what had happened and what they had once meant to each other she wouldn't and couldn't ignore innocents that needed help. It simply wasn't her way. He had to admit that a small, selfish part of him that had nothing to do with his current quest was overjoyed at having an excuse to see her again. He had missed her desperately and often wondered, late at night with nothing but a flask of ale for company, if she thought of him as often as he thought of her. On nights like that he would take his mothers old amulet out of his pack and thumb it lightly, reminiscing. Who'd have thought that in the midst of a blight he'd have times that were some of the best of his life?