Dear Diary,
10 days and no assassination attempts from Zev, I truly do hope he meant his oath. I would say I'm slightly skeptical. However, Alistair and Morrigan are almost hateful in their skepticism. It was interesting to observe a bonding moment between these 2 brought about by their dislike of Zevran.
It was Alistair's turn to cook tonight (not that anyone wanted to eat it his cooking). Blessed Andraste, the sacrifices we make.
"Alistair," Leliana asks "what was the stew you made last night? I couldn't quite place it."
"It's a traditional Ferelden lamb and pea stew," answers Alistair.
"I've never associated that taste or texture with lamb," Leliana dryly replies.
"Oh, that must be because the last time you had lamb it was cooked Orlesian style. Food shouldn't be silly and pretentious. Here in Ferelden we cook things differently," Alistair explains, "We do things right. We take our ingredients, throw everything into the largest pot we can find and cook it as long as possible until everything is a uniform grey color. As soon as it looks completely bland and unappetizing, that's when I know it's done."
"You're having me on," jokes Leliana.
"You need to eat in more Ferelden inns," laughs Alistair.
After hearing this Zevran pipes up, "I can cook." He obviously decided he did not want to be subjected to Alistair's cooking again (Not that any of us would have blamed him).
Alistair jumps up, "ABSOLUTELEY NOT!" he states.
"For once I and the Dim-witted one agree," Morrigan adds wryly crossing her arms.
Morrigan and Alistair exchange glances with an understanding.
"Why not?" I ask the two.
"Well," said Alistair condescendingly," It's not like he hasn't tried to kill us."
"He could easily poison the food," added Morrigan.
"We trust him to have our backs and he hasn't stabbed us yet," I countered.
"Tis true," concedes Morrigan, "however I don't wish to push my luck just yet."
"I won't eat anything he cooks," Alistair adds stubbornly.
"Very well, however at some point I wouldn't mind trying some Antivan cuisine," I relent, "it has be better than whatever Alistair cooks."
"Perhaps Morrigan should do more cooking," throws in Leliana, "Her cooking is tastier than Alistair's."
"Hey….it isn't that bad is it," whines Alistair. We all just stopped. Leliana looks at him with a raised eyebrow. Morrigan is rolling her eyes. Zevran mimes praying and I'm sure my expression is conveying the "are you kidding me "vibe.
"Okay," Alistair sighs.
Sten had been silent. He nods and says, "That would be preferable."
"Sten are you saying you like Morrigan's cooking?" I ask. I'm suddenly very curious as the big guy never says much.
"She makes these little things crumbly like cake but smaller," He says stoically.
"Cookies?" I inquire.
"Yes, we have no such thing our lands, this should be rectified," Sten answers and turns toward his tent.
"Andraste's Flaming Ass!" I mouth to Leliana as she giggles.
"Sten, I would have never thought you had a sweet tooth but I'll see what I can do," I say.
"My thanks," replies Sten as he enters his tent.
"He's a softie," giggles Leliana.
"I wouldn't say that to his face," cautions Alistair.
"I'll take that under advisement," Leliana titters.
"So we are decided then?" I ask, "Morrigan will take over Alistair's cooking duties and Alistair will get the wood for Morrigan's fire."
I added this because I know Morrigan likes her own fire and tent away from the rest of us.
Alistair and Morrigan glance at each other uneasily.
Finally, Alistair concedes, "yes I will get the crazy witch's firewood, so long as I don't have to cook." He looks relieved.
"I don't mind cooking for the drooling dimwit, so long as, I don't have to take time to get firewood and I'll make cookies," she smiles tentatively.
I think that is progress but only time will tell.
Author's note: I redid the chapter to correct any spelling or grammatical errors.