Horribly Wrong – Chapter 4

Author's Note: Trying to keep up with Roze13 chapter for chapter here. But, if you find my work getting in any way rushed sounding, tell me and I'll slow up a bit. ^.^

Disclaimer: The characters, places and things of the Dragon Age universe do not belong to me. If they did, Alistair would live at my house and Zevran would be in a collar.

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Zevran kneeled in the middle of the road looking directly into Alistair's eyes. From the moment Nelia explained what had happened over the last six years he had a dead serious look on his face. He slowly reached out and poked a finger into Alistair's chest.

"Oww!" Alistair took a step back, rubbing where he was poked. "What did you poke me for, what gives Zevran?"

Zevran stood and turned away from Alistair, trying hard to hide his laughter. He walked quickly to Nelia's side and bit his bottom lip. "So, you are telling me… that not only is our fearless prince alive… but he's…" Zevran broke off and let out a snort of laughter. "A…child?!" He barked out the last two words, keeling over with laughter.

Alistair balled his fists and scowled at Zevran's laughing form. "Nobody asked you, stupid elf." Muttering, he began to kick at the dirt. "I hate that stupid elf…thinks he's better than me…"

Nelia sighed. "Aww, don't pick on him Zev." She walked over to Alistair and pulled him into a hug. "Zev doesn't mean it love, he's just jealous."

Over Nelia's shoulder, Alistair shot Zevran a look of contempt and stuck his tongue out. "Damn right he's jealous."

This only made Zevran's laughter grow louder. "And now he has a size to match how he's always acted!" He fell to the ground while laughing, eyes welling with tears. "This is just too much Nelia! Oh my… "

Alistair pulled away from Nelia's arms and ran at Zevran with a growl, stopping just short and kicking the elf square in the backside with his small boot. Sadly this did not produce the effect he wanted, it only made Zevran laugh even louder.

"Now now Zevran." Wynne looked down at them from her horse. "Don't be so mean to the poor boy, he's been through a very interesting six years."

Nelia returned to her horse, jumping back into the saddle. "She's right Zev, now let's get a move on…we want to get a bit further before it's time to make camp, and you're just holding us up."

Alistair scowled at Zevran, who was still laughing in the dirt, and walked over to Mouse who was waiting next to the horses. He threw another pout the elf's way before climbing onto Mouse's back and wrapping arms around the mabari's neck for support. "I told you he'd make fun of me."

Zevran chose that moment to stand and turn around, only to be faced with the sight of six year old Alistair using the Mabari as a mount. This, unfortunately for Alistair, sent the ex-assassin into another fit of laughter.

From his horse, after being oddly silent during the entire meeting, Cullen let out a bark of laughter. "To the elf's defense Alistair… you do look a little…hmm… cute." He nodded down at the smaller boy. "Yes, that is the word I would use. Cute."

Mouse looked up at Nelia and gave a rather indignant sounding woof. With a smirk, Nelia shook her head, "I understand that he is the rightful king of Ferelden." Another woof and Mouse turned his nose up in the air, looking smug. Nelia let out a giggle, "Well, I'm quite aware that the pair of you are not that cute… and how much of an honor it is you are carrying him."

Wynne struggled not to burst into laughter. "Alright you three, we should really get moving less the beacon of darkspawn attraction that Nelia is will attract us some guests."

Zevran pulled himself back onto his horse, still snorting slightly with laughter, and spurred his horse to Nelia's side. "So, my dear Warden… does this mean that I finally have a chance with you?" He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Rolling her eyes, Nelia took off at a trot. "A snowball's chance in hell Zev." She caught up with Mouse who had decided that it was time to go, and settled into a brisk pace at Alistair's side.

Cullen attempted to catch up to Nelia and ride next to her, but Zevran noticed him and he found himself under the scrutinous gaze of the assassin. "Can I help you Assassin?" He blinked at the elf, not entirely sure of the elf's intentions.

"You know, I didn't realize I would be traveling with…" Zevran broke off, eyes narrowed as he looked Cullen up and down. His eyes flashed and he smirked slyly. "This trip may prove to be very interesting… very interesting indeed."

Wynne, who was bringing up the rear of the little group, laughed outright at this. "You had better run while you can Cullen, now that he's settled his eyes on you… he may never let up. Just ask Nelia."

Cullen, blushing slightly at this, flashed Wynne a smile. "You know, I'm not even entirely sure that prospect frightens me… as odd as that sounds."

"Oh ho!" Zevran laughed. "Oh yes, very interesting."

At the front of the group, Alistair was deep in conversation with Nelia. "I meant what I said, you know… about wanting to free myself from this form for you."

Nelia placed a hand on the top of Alistair's head, he on the Mabari brought it to just about her elbow height on the horse. "Seeing you again makes me both happy and sad all over again. Though this time of year always brings around less than happy memories for me."

"I'm sorry that Morrigan didn't alert you sooner…" Alistair had a slight scowl on his face. "I knew she was afraid of you though, that is why I think she waited until this year… so that it would be easier for you to believe me."

With a laugh, Nelia nodded. "I do… well, did hate her. Loosing you was the hardest thing that I have ever done, so I am just happy to have you back, six or not."

Alistair looked up at her face and turned red. "Damn this body." He grumbled under this breath. "Aww hell, I'll even settle for eighteen."

"If we don't succeed…" Nelia started suddenly. "I will be happy waiting for you to grow up you know." Her face took on a serious look. "I do mean that, and if you find some other girl along the way I won't be upset either."

Shaking his head, Alistair reached out and patted Nelia's leg. "Now that's just depressing talk. You and I are good at succeeding where everyone fails. And don't you even talk about any other woman to me, I've only eyes for you my dear."

As he spoke, Nelia could almost hear his adult voice in her mind instead of the child one he was currently using. She knew then without a doubt that he had been returned to her. "Alright then, enough talk of the depressing. Let us focus on the task at hand, for we should run into Leliana in the morning."

Turning his head, Alistair looked behind him where Zevran and Wynne had fallen into an old banter about murder and her bosom. He made a face and plunked his head on top of Mouse's, moaning. "This entire trip is going to be a nightmare."