Thank you for coming along with me this far! Four chapters done and only one more to go! I hope you're hungry because this chapter ended up being a bit longer than I had anticipated. There's a lot for our two lovers to catch up on which means there's going to be a lot to keep you entertained, I hope you enjoy it!
My dear Connie . flint . 125 - was once again instrumental in my editing! Please go read her Dragon Age Trilogy if you haven't already. Her Cullen and Inquisitor Bronwynn are unlike any I've seen before!
Thank you luv! I couldn't do it without you!
Disclaimer: All recognizable content belongs to Bioware/EA Games,
though they all have my heart, only Lyna truly belongs to me,
but I'm willing to share.
Warning: NSFW
Conversation And Miracles
Alistair woke to gentle kisses on his chest and a familiar weight laying on top of him. Wrapping his arms around his dream come true, he opened his eyes to discover the early grey of morning beginning to light up the room. The fire had once again burned down to embers, casting a flickering red glow over the dim morning light. He gazed down at the beautiful woman before him and chuckled softly as she smiled up at him.
"You're still here." He said sleepily.
"I told you that I wasn't going anywhere." Lyna pulled herself up to be able to kiss his lips again.
As Alistair lifted his head to meet her halfway, white hot pain shot through his head, blurring his vision. With a gasp and a groan he laid his head back down on the pillow and threw one of his arms over his eyes to try to hide from the pain.
Lyna gently brushed her lips against his then kissed his temple before reluctantly withdrawing from the warmth of his body completely.
Alistair thrust his lip out and pouted, "Where do you think you're going?"
Chuckling softly, Lyna padded over to stoke up the fire before putting more water on for tea.
Daring to open one eye, Alistair watched as the glow of the firelight danced across her firm, naked body; toned and muscled from battle yet soft and curved in all the right places. He reached across the bed towards her and said wistfully, "Come back, you're too far away."
Lyna brought the tray of food over to the bed and set it down on the bedside table. "It appears that it's going to take more than just our lovemaking to clear your head from all of the abuses of the drink my love." She smiled lovingly at him as she plucked a grape off the tray and brought it to his lips. He accepted the sweet fruit and gently sucked her fingertip before relinquishing it with a kiss.
He replied, his voice husky with both pain and desire, "Yes but, just think of all the fun we'll have trying."
"Sustenance first, then we'll see where the mood takes us," She said with a smirk. Lyna moved back to the table to finish preparing their tea.
Remembering his distrust from the night before, she asked, "Would you like more of the elfroot powders this morning?"
"Yes! Please! And make mine a double," he said with a groan as he attempted to sit up in bed again.
Once upright, he asked, "Wherever did you find them?"
Lyna brought a steaming cup of tea over to Alistair and replied, "Wynne taught me how to make them so that I could help Oghren focus after one of his all nighters. Now I always keep them in my pack and I can make more should we need them."
Alistair accepted the cup gratefully. He took a sip before closing his eyes and rested his head against the headboard to let the herbs take effect. Lyna sat next to him on the bed and took a sip of her own tea before setting it down near the tray of food. She silently sliced a small bit of cheese off the wedge and placed it to his lips saying, "Open".
Without opening his eyes, he obeyed with his lips and groaned with pleasure when the sharp taste hit his tongue. He chewed it slowly, moaning in euphoria while savoring every bit of it. Alistair swallowed with a sigh. "I... am a lucky, lucky man. How did you find my favorite Ferelden cheese here in Kirkwall?"
Lyna chuckled and replied, "Ah well, that, you will have to thank Zevran for; when I finally let you out of this room. Though I should remind you; I am paid up through the end of the week, so it may have to wait until I've had my fill of you first." She kissed him eagerly to drive her point home.
Alistair accepted his imprisonment without complaint. Reaching up he cupping her face with his free hand and ventured to open his eyes again. He gazed into her own sea-green pools with complete adoration.
Tucking her hair behind one of her perfectly pointed ears he asked, "Do I have him to thank for finding you back in my arms again as well?" Without waiting for a response, he continued, "I thought that I had imagined the two of you walking in together last night."
He stroked her cheek, "But you are very much here, so I assume that he's around here somewhere as well. Where is he?"
Lyna closed her eyes and savored the feel of his touch on her cheek. "I imagine that he's in his own room at this hour. Though it is Zev, so anything is possible. His room should be just down the hall should we need him. He helped me bring you up here last night after you hit your head. While I was cleaning you up, he went and found you some clothes and brought us this tray of food as well. I didn't know how this journey would end up. At the very least, I had hoped to be able to explain to you what had happened and slip away again should you have no longer wanted to be in my company."
Alistair's breath caught at the thought of her leaving again. He squeezed her hand gently, "I don't think I'd like it if you tried to slip away again. Now that I've had a taste, there is so much more that I can't wait to savor." He winked at her then took another sip of his tea. The restorative properties of the powders soothed the pain in his head to a dull ache.
"Out of curiosity though, where would you have gone?"
"I'm not entirely sure, maybe to Amaranthine. I was asked to rebuild the Grey Wardens there, but I had more pressing matters to attend to first." She leaned in to illustrate what exactly those pressing matters could be and laid a gentle kiss on Alistair's lips before continuing. "I suppose I could always go back and try to find my clan again. I saw Merrill here last night before I found you, so it's possible that they're near by. Something tells me that I wouldn't quite fit back into that life anymore. So much has changed in me since I left."
"I quite enjoy what I see." Alistair teased her playfully while enjoying her still naked form sitting next to him.
Lyna laughed and admitted, "I didn't really have a plan after finding you. I never really allowed myself to dare to hope."
She laid her hand upon his chest, "To be able to touch you again. I haven't exactly been thinking straight since I watched you walk out of the Landsmeet. Fighting was automatic. Duty called and I obeyed, just going through the motions. After it was all said and done in Denerim, I only knew that I needed to find you. It was a single mindedness that likely would have gotten me killed if it weren't for Zevran's insistence on coming with me. He kept me grounded and focused when my mind and heart were not exactly on the here and now."
She met his eyes briefly with a small smile before turning back to the tray and slicing up more cheese along with some sausages.
She and Alistair took turns feeding each other while they talked. They asked one another questions and hung on to each other's answers. Reacquainting and reminiscing. Their conversation came easily as it does with best friends and soul mates. Soon the tray was empty, the tea was gone and Lyna found herself propped up against Alistair, her back nestled into his chest. He had wrapped his arms around her while they talked some more. Comfortable and confident in each other's company.
After a while there was only gentle caresses and soft murmurs of affection as they held each other longer.
Alistair ran his fingers through Lyna's hair, completely content and happy for the first time since he'd lost her. His eyes slowly drifted closed as he held her. He knew sleep would soon claim him, but he didn't dare move. Sitting up with his back pressed against the headboard, Lyna snuggled up against his chest. Her head resting just over his heart. Their legs intertwined, his arms wrapped around her while he ran his hands through her incredibly soft brown hair. He kissed the top of her head and breathed in her intoxicating scent; a mix of sweet and flowery, he would never tire of it. Resting his cheek against her hair, he finally let sleep claim him.
Running through the mist, Alistair couldn't see anything. He felt like he'd lost something, or maybe he was lost, but couldn't remember. He was definitely searching and not running from whatever it was that was propelling him forward. He called out, "Hello? Where are you?"
It must be someone he was looking for, not some thing.
He continued to search, through the dense fog. It was cold, so cold and he felt so alone. "Hello?" He said again, but received no answer as he ran on endlessly.
The ground around him was littered with hidden debris that crunched under his boots as he ran. The fog was so thick that he couldn't see what he kept tripping and stumbling over until he lost his footing altogether and crashed to the ground. There he came face to face with a skull; bleached clean and white from the sun. Being so close to the ground now, Alistair noticed that what had been crunching under his boots was not sticks and twigs or other regular forest debris; He had been running through a field of bones. All cleaned of any flesh. They were everywhere, skulls, fingers, rib cages whole, intact; some broken with signs of battle.
The fog around him began to thin allowing him to see the vast field of carnage surrounding him. Too much death. In the distance Alistair began to make out some of the terrain. This place. It was familiar. Ostagar? He spun in a full circle, taking in everything around him. Discarded weapons and armor littered the field. The bones weren't all human: some were elven, ogre and various shapes of darkspawn. So many dead.
There was a rumbling of the ground off to his left. Alistair stared as some of the bones and armor began to shift and part. From beneath them, or perhaps created from them, slowly rose a being in familiar Grey Warden armor. The image began to coalesce into a shape from his past. The only mentor that ever seemed to care about what he wanted. Duncan.
It was the shield that gave him away. Shining brightly, blood dripping from the talons of the griffin emblazoned proudly in its center. The creature ambled forward, wearing Duncan's armor, but not quite fully Duncan. There was too much rot, not enough flesh covering the bones in the armor. The pitch black hair speckled with silver on his head and face was matted with blood and clung to its flesh in patches. The eyes never fully formed, leaving only two black holes where they should have been. As he limped closer to him, the figure raised its right arm and pointed straight at the dumbstruck Alistair.
The creature rasped, "You!" His voice sounded like Duncan's, only drier, more hoarse.
Alistair blanched, 'me?'
Duncan, not Duncan continued, "It was your fault we all died."
Alistair's heart crumbled, this was what he had told himself many times since that battle at Ostagar. Lyna had argued with him over the point as he argued now, "No! I was sent to light the signal fire. You sent me to light it at the King's request. Loghain was supposed to bring reinforcements."
"No Alistair, you are to blame for all of this death. Look around you, had you been more like your father or brother; more of a leader, just… more, all of this could have been prevented."
Something in his voice rang true down to Alistair's core. He wanted to be there, he had begged to fight by Duncan's side, to protect the King; his brother. There was a part of him that knew he should have fought harder to be there alongside his warden brethren. He knew he should have been more. But was it his fault that he was raised as he was? Unwanted, unneeded, a bastard! These were things beyond his control. He tried his best to not let it bother him, to keep his spirits up, to work diligently and fight his hardest to maintain his sanity and become the best man that he was capable being. He had finally found his place within the order. They welcomed him as a brother. He should have stood and died with them.
As if granting his wish, the gravely voice intoned the all too familiar words.
"Join us brothers and sisters."
As it spoke, the littered bones began to knit together to form more Wardens surrounding the image that wasn't Duncan. They all stood together facing Alistair.
"Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant."
The warriors that joined the Duncan/not-Duncan began to add their dusty voices in reciting the words from his joining. Word's spoken at every new Warden's initiation from the very first to today.
"Join us as we carry out the duty that cannot be forsworn."
Alistair began to feel a heavy vibration through his chest as the voices increased in volume and intensity. Pain increasing as each new voice joined the cacophony. Arms reaching up from beneath his feet, grabbed at his legs, tugging him down towards the nether and he was powerless to fight it.
"And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten."
Alistair looked around frantically, tried to speak, tried to call out for help - but couldn't. He felt hopeless, helpless, trapped. This was somehow all his fault and he would die in sacrifice for it. One of the many lost through the ages. Forgotten. Just like the words said he wouldn't be.
"And that one day, we shall join you."
'Or I shall join them.' Feeling nothing but despair and resignation, Alistair prepared for the end. The hands still pulled at him, tugging at him as he sunk further into the mound of death. He couldn't fight, couldn't call out for help. Didn't want to. There was a layer of dread blanketing all hope in his life. This was it.
From off to his right, a beam of light shone down onto a lone figure and caught his attention stopping his descent. She was beyond beautiful! Radiant even! The epitome of hope. If only he could get to her. She was looking straight into his soul and calling out but no sound was reaching him. He began to fight against the bones and the voices willing himself to rise up out of the darkness. Inch by inch he began to ascend. Focusing harder on the image before him, it became easier to move, to breathe. The lithe figure was wearing brown leather armor that seemed to be molded to her beautiful form. She was so familiar that he felt he must know her from somewhere. Silky brown hair with errant wisps framing her delicate face, tied back, practical for battle, showing off her delicate pointed ears.
Something about those ears tugged further at Alistair's memory. He fought harder against the dread that was threatening to pull him under. He wanted to get closer to her, to see more of her. Whoever she was, he knew he needed her.
She called out to him again and this time he heard her voice break though his dream barriers. "Alistair my love, wake up! Everything is ok. It's only a dream. I'm here with you, I've got you. Come back to me."
'Lyna?' His Lyna had found him, she came for him. He had lost all hope and yet, here she was casting her light upon his darkness.
She walked towards him slowly, her arm outstretched, reaching for his hand. He began to inch his way towards her too, trudging through the limbs that still grasped at his legs and feet. Lyna was his light, pulling him in like a beacon. The bones slowly fell away beneath him. Not-Duncan and his entourage returned to the pile of dust, bones and armor from which they came. The pain in his chest subsided and his heart began to calm, lulled into a peace that only she could ever bring him. The mist gathered heavily around them as she wrapped him in her arms and kissed him gently; reassuring him that he was safe, she was there and everything was going to be ok.
He sighed in relief. The weight of his dream fading with each new breath; cleansing the darkness from him. He gratefully whispered, "thank you" before drifting back into a blissfully dreamless sleep, safe within her arms.
Lyna slowly became aware of feather light kisses on her bare shoulder and gentle calloused fingers ghosting over the smooth curves of her hips. Snuggling in closer to the warmth of the man next to her, she wrapped her arms around his strong body and looked up into those adoring golden brown eyes.
"Mmm good morning to you too my love." She tipped her chin up and was rewarded with a very passionate kiss. Slow, deep, sensual. The perfect wake-up kiss. Alistair was always very attentive first thing in the morning. His kisses and caresses never stayed chaste and innocent. Thankfully neither of them had anywhere pressing to be on this day, so spending it together 'reacquainting' themselves with each other, seemed like a perfect way to spend the day.
Lyna reached up and ran her fingers through Alistair's sleep tousled hair. She gazed lovingly into those beautiful eyes that seemed to reach clear into her soul. How could one man make her feel so whole and complete? He returned her look of pure adoration but his also sparkled with a bit of mischief which made Lyna raise an eyebrow in question.
He answered with a playful grin as he rolled her flat onto her back and began his attack on her extremely sensitive ears.
"Oh!" Was all Lyna managed to say as Alistair pressed his body up against hers and went to work on her tender lobes. He ran his tongue deliberately up the outer ridge of her ear and flicked his tongue against the pointed tip causing her to gasp with excitement. Grabbing both of her hands in his left, he held them deftly above her head while his right hand worked at her other lobe.
Lyna was lost to his tongue, teeth, fingers and lips as he worked both of her ears simultaneously. Writhing in response to his attentions, she couldn't form a coherent thought and only knew that she didn't want him to stop.
The sensations he was eliciting from her body by touching nothing more than her ears, was almost criminal; yet, incredibly delicious. Lyna craved more. It wouldn't take him long to work her to her height this way. He knew just which buttons to push and how exactly to stroke them to bring her over the edge quickly and completely. She moaned louder as she neared the precipice. Alistair responded with moans of his own, the vibrations adding to the stimuli currently overwhelming Lyna's senses. It was when he penetrated her ear with his tongue, that Lyna was sent over the edge into a mind-blowing orgasm.
She screamed his name as she came, arching her back and lifting her hips up off the bed. Alistair had touched naught but her ears but couldn't wait to taste the rest of her. As she worked at catching her breath, he released her ears and positioned himself between her legs. The scent of her arousal was heavy in the room and filled his senses with its heady aroma.
Alistair chuckled lovingly as he gazed down at the beautiful woman, regaining her faculties below him. "I will never tire of that my love."
Unable yet to find words to respond, Lyna attempted to roll her hips towards him, wanting to be filled by him.
He pulled back further out of her reach. "Tsk tsk. You won't land me that easily woman." Alistair teased in response. "I have other plans for you first." Alistair kissed her deeply, barely letting his body taste the top of her warmth before pulling away.
Lyna whimpered and bit her bottom lip as Alistair's tongue began to work its magic on other areas of her very sensitive body. He kissed his way down her neck then paid worship to each of her beautifully pert breasts before kissing his way down her flat abdomen. He couldn't resist stopping and running his tongue around her navel before suggestively plunging his tongue into it's tiny indentation. She moaned in anticipation of the wonders this man had to offer. Alistair definitely had a way with his mouth. He was intelligent and witty with a sharp sense of humor. His words had ways of making Lyna feel loved and cherished while his tongue could bring her to the brink of oblivion on any number of different locations on her body.
Kissing his way down her hips and over both of her thighs, he savored the anticipation of what awaited him. The scent of her recent orgasm had his head reeling. He loved the smell of his beloved, could never get enough of her tangy sweet juices. Their first reunion last night had been quick and full of intense need, having sated that immediate desire, Alistair wanted nothing more than to savor these moments. Make them last and draw them out for as long as he could.
Her wetness was glistening on her lower lips. The closely trimmed hair framing her delicate pink opening which was begging for his attentions. Running his tongue along the outer edge of her labia where it met her inner thigh, he felt her shudder beneath him and groan in appreciation. Not about to leave the other side lonely, he repeated the action, eliciting a pained squeal of anticipation from his less than patient partner. Blowing a soft stream of air over her moist folds, she pressed herself closer to him and begged for him to stop teasing her.
Unable to resist the temptation before him any longer, Alistair ran his tongue lightly over the soft petals of her perfect flower. Moaning with his own pleasure at tasting her again after so long apart, he leaned in again to drink in the essence of the woman he loved so completely.
His tongue never seemed to tire when he was bringing her pleasure this way. Feeling her move beneath him, hearing her moan and gasp as she rose closer and closer to her climax. Feeling how wet he made her always drove him crazy with desire. He loved it, relished it, couldn't get enough. The feel of her satiny skin beneath his tongue, the hard nub of her clit as he licked and sucked on it. The feeling of her tight pussy as he inserted first one - then two fingers inside of her, constricting around his digits as if she were milking his cock to its own climax.
His mouth never stopped working at her velvety soft petals, his tongue relentless in fanning her inner fires, his fingers plunging repeatedly inside of her as she writhed to his attentions.
Lyna's hands now no longer above her head were gripped Alistair's hair, holding him where she wanted him, guiding him where she needed him as her hips rocked and she rode her way to her own release. Feeling the warmth pool in her pelvis she held him perfectly still as she felt the rush of her orgasm engulf her completely.
Alistair stilled his mouth over Lyna's swollen clit. Holding onto his lover's rigid body as her climax washed over her. He worked his fingers slowly in and out of her as her inner walls clamped tightly down on them until her body began to relax. He then released her now overly sensitive button and proceeded to drink up her juices, savoring every last drop of her release with his own moans of pleasure.
Kissing his way back up her body, Alistair felt her twitch and jerk with each contact his lips made with her skin. As he gazed into her heavily lidded eyes, he kissed her once before declaring, "Now my love, I think you may be ready for me."
Lyna reached up in response and pulled him down to claim his lips for her own, savoring her own essence upon them. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she guided him inside her still constricting core with a welcome sigh.
They were in no hurry this time. Wanting to savor and appreciate every thrust and thrill of them being one. Alistair withdrew slowly and teased her opening with the swollen head of his penis; barely penetrating then withdrawing without fully seating himself inside of her. She whimpered as he teased her and just when she was on the verge of begging for more, he would sheathe himself fully and savor the sounds that he could elicit from his beloved.
Lyna grinned up at Alistair with eyes dancing with mischief, after one particularly forceful thrust. Looking down at her with a smirk of his own, he drew out a few long, full length thrusts and savored the way she felt surrounding his shaft. This was how they danced best; playful and free, wholeheartedly without any inhibitions. They teased and taunted, cherished and delighted in each other's presence while always trying to get the better of the other. It was a finely choreographed performance with never a victor. Or perhaps always two champions.
Pushing him off of her and rolling them both over, Lyna grabbed a strip of silk that she hadn't noticed before on the nightstand. Her grin grew even more wicked as she tied his hands together then directed him to sit with his back against the head of the bed before climbing onto his lap and guiding him back inside her. He groaned deeply and let his head fall back as she worked him for a few long, sensual strokes. Not letting him get used to being treated so gently, she grabbed the top of the headboard and positioned her feet flat on the bed on either side of his hips. Lyna then proceeded to raise and lower herself onto his throbbing member without touching him with any other part of her body. The penetration was deep and intense, but the lack of other contact was maddening.
She started out slow, milking his shaft from base to tip in delicious yet agonizingly slow motions. Next she'd slam herself down faster and faster, feeling him hit that perfect spot inside of her before slowing down again. He groaned at feeling himself so deep inside of her, but couldn't stand the total absence of her body pressed up against his. He tried to wriggle out of his bonds, but the silk was strong and his lover was adept at keeping him where she wanted him.
He then tried to lean his body forward towards hers, but she was strong and nimble and would dodge his advances while maintaining her decadent dance on his lap. He finally settled on attacking her beautiful breasts with his mouth instead. She didn't refuse him this time, allowing him the small bit of contact as she worked them both into a frenzy. He started out gentle but soon turned to nipping and biting at her tender flesh as she rode him harder. Each bite earned him a tremble and a moan causing her to rest longer against his body before rising up again off of him.
The feeling of her tight folds milking his member was exquisite and excruciating all at once. She would work him close to climax then change her rhythm making him have to make the climb again. Finally being unable to take it anymore, Alistair managed to slip one of his wrists out of their binds. He grabbed her hips and with a growl in the back of his throat, pulled her down firmly, impaling her completely on his rod, her legs collapsing beneath her. Lyna giggled at his forcefulness but wouldn't be deterred.
With her arms now firmly around his shoulders Lyna began to rock her hips on his rigid cock. Thrusting her tongue into his mouth, she kissed him deeply while pressing their bodies together. Arms wrapped tightly around each other now, they rocked to a new rhythm. The new position allowing for Lyna to grind her clit against his pelvis as she rode him frantically. Faster and faster they rocked, panting and grinding until they came undone together.
They kissed and held each other until their breathing settled, then stayed pressed together for just a little while longer. Kissing and grinning happily and content with how their morning was going so far.
Alistair finally broke the silence, "I'd say that it's been a very good morning so far indeed. What exactly should we plan for an encore?"
Before Lyna could answer, Alistair's stomach chose that moment to join in on the conversation. "Well it sounds to me like I need to feed you again before we do anything else." She teased.
Alistair shrugged and said, "Warden appetite, what can I say? I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get dressed and go downstairs to try to find something to eat huh?"
Lyna pouted, "And here I was hoping to keep you naked in bed all day."
"Ah as tempting as that is, I fear we've already eaten all of the food that Zevran had provided for us." Alistair turned to indicate the empty tray they had left on the nightstand only to find it gone.
Lyna looked at Alistair and they both looked over at the table and found a fresh tray had already been laid out for them, full to the brim with food! They both cautiously climbed out of bed and went over to investigate. Lyna checked the door first and found that it was still locked.
Upon approaching the tray, she found a note sticking out from underneath it.
Lyna read the note first while Alistair freshened up at the wash basin.
My Dearests Friends,
I hope you do not mind my intrusion, but I took the silence coming from within your room to indicate a safe time to come and replenish your supplies. With all that exercise you've been getting, you must keep up your strength you know.
I am truly happy that you two have reconciled. In truth, you both looked so happy and content laying there sleeping. Your happiness brings my heart joy. No two people belong together more than the both of you.
Enjoy your morning... and afternoon. I hope I have provided you with enough sustenance that you shouldn't need to emerge from your little cocoon until this evening's meal. I will await you both downstairs at sundown to catch up as old friends do. I hope you don't mind, but I've invited Isabela to join us. She has been an enjoyable distraction in your absence. Oh the stories we could tell. Ah but they are for another time perhaps.
You may also note that I have returned Alistair's freshly laundered armor padding. Sadly, I had to burn the clothes, but have provided you with a fresh set, as well as an extra treat there on your nightstand, so we're good yes?
Eat! Drink! Make more mad passionate love and tonight, we will reconvene and swap stories!
Ciao,
Zevran
Lyna was blushing as she handed the letter over to Alistair who had just shoved a bit of bread into his mouth as he began to read. Lyna took her turn at washing up while Alistair finished choking on his bread while he finished reading the note.
"Zevran… was in here? While we were?" He sputtered between coughs and just looked back at the bed then at his wrist, which still had the piece of silk attached to it.
Lyna grinned and just shook her head. "At least he waited until we were asleep before coming in. And I didn't hear you complaining too terribly much when I had you restrained. I rather enjoyed that part myself."
"But the door was locked!" Alistair exclaimed.
Lyna chuckled, "That lock is a good lock, but not good enough to keep me out had I wanted in. So it's safe to assume that it was no match for Zevran's skills as well. And he did lock it again on his way out." She reminded him.
She shrugged and wandered over to put some water on to boil for tea. "Besides, it's of no matter now. He's been in and gone and he did manage to procure more cheese for you as well as new clothes and clean padding. He's also allowing us to not have to get dressed and go face the world just yet. Which, may I remind you, we were just lamenting before realizing he'd snuck in on us."
Lyna pressed her bare breasts against his naked chest and kissed him tenderly, "You're not regretting our current state of undress are you?"
Wrapping his arms firmly around Lyna, he relented, "No, of course not. It's just unsettling to know someone's been in and out without us being aware."
"I understand my love. But honestly, when was the last time you slept behind a locked door?" Lyna half teased him then rested her head against his chest while chuckling.
"That's different." He countered and Lyna snorted in disbelief.
He continued, "I didn't feel like I had anything to lose then." He hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head. "Now I have everything to lose and I'm not willing to risk it." He kissed her again and shook off a shudder.
Lyna looked up at him, "What is it love?"
"My nightmare. I was so alone, it was awful. I can't…" He shook his head and tried again. "There was so much darkness and death. It was all around. And there was no hope, a blanket of dread hovered over everything. The details have mostly slipped away, but what I remember is a feeling of utter despair and inevitable death. I was resigned to it. I was dying and I didn't care because I was so incredibly alone. Then you were there. You called me back from the brink. Your light pulled me out of the darkness. Your love helped me remember who I was. Who I am. Who I want to be."
He kissed her then, full of tenderness and warmth. Releasing her lips he continued, "Not unlike our reality." He smiled at her and said, "Thank you my love. Once again, you came to my aid. When I'm awake, when I'm asleep. You light my way and bring me continued hope for the future. Our future."
Lyna smiled brightly up at the man she adored, "I like that. Hearing you say, 'our future'... For the first time, I truly am willing to believe that we can have one. I always had hope, but with the blight and all the fighting. You never really could tell when our last night together would be. And now… I can picture our life together, 5 years from now… 10 years and longer. Oh Alistair, I always want to be there for you when you need me as you have been for me. That will never change."
He breathed her in and released the breath with a contented sigh, "I can live with that. But that brings us back to our sneaky thief, coming in while we were sleeping. We have so much lost time to make up for. I don't want to think of our lack of vigilance taking any of that away from us."
Lyna looked up at her love with a mischievous grin, "So, If we're being more vigilant, does this mean that you don't want me to distract you anymore?" She then rose up on her tiptoes and flicked her tongue over his ear.
Alistair moaned and pulled away grinning. "Some distractions may be acceptable." He said, then picked her up off the ground and kissed her soundly before setting her back down on her own feet.
With his arms still firmly around her, Alistair glanced over at the tray of food and back at Lyna. "I fear, my lady, that I am having a dilemma. There is food and there is you. I don't think I want to let you go long enough to sit and eat at the table."
He brushed his fingers tenderly down the side of her cheek, "To not be able to touch you after so long apart would be excruciating." He nuzzled her hair with his nose and placed a lingering kiss a mere breath away from her ear. "I just can't bring myself to stop."
Lyna smiled demurely and hugged Alistair closer. "I know what you mean my love. But perhaps we can compromise and picnic on the bed like before?"
He claimed her lips again and lingered a loving look into her luscious sea-green eyes. "There you go, coming up with solutions to save the day once again. I think I can live with that." Alistair said with a teasing smile.
The duo gathered their tea and tray of comestibles and placing it on the bedside table. They then made themselves comfortable on the coverlet of their bed.
"I really must thank Zevran properly for all that he's done for us. Look at this feast: breads, meats, several different types of cheese, strawberries and sweet cream! And my precious Lyna, back in my arms. I would think that I'd died and joined the Maker if I didn't believe this to be more enjoyable." Alistair grabbed a strawberry dipped in the thick sweet cream and proceeded to offer it to Lyna.
She savored the delicate treat, then responded to Alistair's first statement. "Be careful how you offer to thank Zevran, my heart, your definition of 'properly' will most likely have a very different meaning than Zevran's. I don't know that I'm willing to share you just yet." She said with a wink.
Alistair groaned and said, "Duly noted." Reaching for a bread crisp, he spread some Orlesian soft cheese on it and savored the tangy treat. "What happened to our other friends, if you don't mind my asking? Zevran came with you, but what about Wynne, Leliana and the others? Yes, I suppose I'm even asking about Morrigan. Did they all make it through the blight?"
Lyna finished her strawberry, then began to tell Alistair about their companion's decisions after the celebrations had ended. While she talked, he continued to partake of the delicacies Zevran had provided. "Let's see, Leliana was asked by the chantry to go back and protect the Urn of Sacred Ashes. You can imagine how thrilled she was at that prospect. The whole adventure through Haven, it was all she could talk about and then the look on her face when the Ashes healed Eamon. I fear she will be more madly devout than she was when we found her in Lothering." Lyna shook her head and smiled at her memory of the overly enthusiastic bard.
She paused here and there in her descriptions of their friends as he continued to feed her more of the delicious food on the tray before them. "Oghren said something about heading up to visit Felsi at the Spoiled Princess. Come to think of it, Zevran and I traveled through there looking for you, but we didn't see either one of them. Huh. I guess, I'm not sure where he is then." Lyna's brow furrowed. She hadn't thought to look for either of them when she had stayed at the inn, her mind had been very much elsewhere at the time.
"Shale and Wynne were planning on heading up to Tevinter together to try to find a way to make Shale mortal again and Sten was heading back to Par Vollen since we had reunited him with his sword." Lyna sighed as if unwilling to continue her telling.
"What of that witch Morrigan, did she finally get what was coming to her? Did Flemeth swoop in and haul her away kicking and screaming like the spoiled little witch that she is?" He chuckled as the image of that happening flashed through his mind.
Lyna shook her head and said with reluctance, "No actually, she uh… didn't even fight against the archdemon. She… left the night before."
Lyna hesitated then took a breath to prepare herself to continue.
Alistair could see that something was bothering Lyna. He took her hand and asked, "What is it love? What happened? Whatever it is that you don't want to say, it won't change anything!"
Lyna smiled weakly up at Alistair and squeezed his hand in reassurance. "Remember when I said, the reason I pushed you away was because it was the only solution to saving both of our lives?"
Alistair nodded in remembrance, but his brow furrowed in wonderance of what she was so hesitant to say.
Lyna took another deep breath and continued while looking down at their hands clasped firmly together. "We were in Redcliff the night before the battle with the archdemon. I had just come out of a meeting with Riordan and Loghain. This was the meeting that Riordan reaffirmed what Morrigan had told me about one of us needing to make the final sacrifice for the blight to end. When I got back to my room, Morrigan was there and offered up an alternative to one of us Warden's having to die."
"An alternative? But Loghain still died. I take it the option wasn't a palatable one?" Alistair asked hesitantly.
"No, it wasn't palatable at all. Even had it been, Loghain still needed to die for what he did; I wouldn't have accepted it anyway. There wasn't an option anywhere that would have had me try to save him. I wasn't happy at the prospect, I would have been even less happy to accept it had you been there with me. Though I fear you might think differently after all you suffered when I sent you away." She paused a moment to sip her tea before continuing. "Her solution, had we gone along with it, would have had Loghain survive the battle and her off carrying his child with the essence of the archdemon inside of it." She paused to let that sink in.
Alistair shuddered when the realization finally hit, "You mean."
Lyna nodded and ventured a glance up at his expression.
"To survive the blight, I would have had to have slept with her? To give her a child?" His face visibly blanched, "A demon child?"
Lyna watched Alistair closely as he processed what she had just told him. She was worried that he would be mad at her again now knowing that there was another possibility other than pushing him away.
"Maker's breath Lyna! I should thank you for sending me away! I can't imagine… touching… ugh!" Alistair shuddered again and refused to finish the sentence. He pulled her close into a tight hug as if he'd just had a terrible nightmare and needed the reassurance of her touch that it was over.
"So, you're not mad at me then?" Lyna hedged.
"Mad at you? No! Why would I be mad at you?"
Lyna rested her head against his shoulder, "I sent you away. Quite cruelly I might add. I thought it was the only way to save you and then to find out that there was another solution all along."
"Lyna my love, that is no other solution. I would prefer to have perished by the archdemon than to have to succumb to that witch's wiles. To produce Maker knows what kind of child." He physically shuddered at the thought. "No sweetheart, I am not mad at you at all. Whatever happened, it's in the past. I only want to think about the here and now. I only want to think about our future and all the pleasures we'll find within it." He tilted her chin up towards his mouth and kissed her ardently.
Their food forgotten, Alistair leaned farther into his embrace with Lyna, laying her back onto the bed. He broke their kiss and said with feeling, "I can only imagine ever being with you. I only want to be with you. My Lyna. My life." To prove his point, he claimed her lips again, laying his body on top of hers. His erection growing steadily as their tongues intertwined. Alistair ran his fingers through her hair and cupped her face, looking down at the beautiful woman beneath him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, but prevented him from parting her legs to seek her entrance. He pulled back and looked at her quizzically only to find that glint back in her eye again.
"You won't land me that easily." Lyna tossed Alistair's words from earlier back at him. "I have other plans for you." She kissed him once more deeply, before pulling herself out from underneath his warmth, rolling them both over.
Dipping her finger into the thick sweet cream, Lyna offered up the cream for Alistair to lick from her digit. He did so willingly and relished the feel of her finger in his mouth, swirling his tongue around it and finally kissing the tip to release it. He gazed up at her expectantly as she dipped her finger back into the bowl. As he opened his mouth to receive her finger again, he watches as this time she licked the sweet treat herself and with the thick cream still on her tongue, leaned down to share it with him. They both moaned as their tongues savored the dessert that only enhanced their already impassioned kisses.
As Lyna pulled back, she saw Alistair's fingers leave the bowl and watched with intrigue as he brought them close to her lips, only to have them drop at the last moment to coat her nipple. Taking the bait, she leaned forward so that Alistair could remove what he had painted her with.
She groaned with pleasure as his hot mouth enveloped her breast, his tongue lapping up the cool cream upon it. His coated fingers finding their way into her waiting mouth after all so she could clean them of their stickiness. Taking one and then the other into her mouth, she worked her tongue in slow circles around his digits. She finished by taking both together all the way into her mouth before releasing them slowly, nipping playfully at his fingertips. Alistair growled low in his throat at the promises that her mouth held.
Leaning forward over her beloved, Lyna plunged her tongue into Alistair's waiting mouth. His hands wrapped firmly around her, as she pressed her body tightly against his, trapping his cock between them. She rocked her body against his, sliding her taut abs up his rigid shaft and then down again.
Her lips left his and traveled across his jaw towards his ear. Nipping at his sensitive lobe, she felt Alistair jerk beneath her, pressing his member closer to her still. He began to thrust against her body, not caring that he wasn't inside her. He sought the friction and the heat that her body provided as she teased his ear relentlessly.
Releasing his ear before he could find his own release, she pulled back to let the air play between them. Alistair whimpered at her absence only to feel that familiar creaminess applied to his own nipple. His eyes still closed in euphoria, he didn't see Lyna's grin at his receptiveness to her play. She allowed her body to touch his penis again, ever so lightly before she pulled back and lapped the treat from his nipple.
She began to kiss her way lower when Alistair found his voice again and pouted, "Hey no fair! Equal! You can't tease one without the other, it might get jealous!" She giggled and obliged his sense of balance by licking cream from his other nipple as well.
"I only licked one of your ears though my love, shall I move back up to give the other side it's fair share too? Or perhaps you'd like me to proceed lower? There is so much more of you that I still desire to taste." Lyna took his shaft in her hand and gave it a firm squeeze to illustrate her point.
His moan was her only answer. Lyna proceeded to kiss his abdomen again to hide the fact that she was once again dipping her fingers into the delicious bowl of fun that Zevran had provided for them. As she pulled back, she pumped his cock once fully from tip to base and back again, watching as the precum coated his swollen mushroom head. She combined the cream with his own personal essence and covered the entire tip with the mixture.
Alistair opened his eyes and gazed down the length of his body as Lyna held his eyes while personally cleaning the white cream seductively from her own fingertips. He let his head fall back with a prayer of, "Sweet Maker" as she got comfortable over the top of him and began to very slowly lick the cream from the head of his incredibly excited penis. She ran her tongue along the extra sensitive underside before circling it completely, leaving the very tip for last. Savoring the sweet mixed with his own salty tanginess, Lyna moaned as she wrapped her lips completely around the end of his cock. His hips jerked under her but she held him down as she worked her own brand of magic on his manhood.
Releasing him briefly, she gently caressed his balls with her hand, then took one and then the other into her hot, hungry mouth. Gently suckling each then letting her tongue run over the smooth ridge between them and right up the full underside of his member. He gasped as her mouth engulfed the head of his cock again and moaned as she began her slow descent down his shaft. Her tongue dancing furtively as her mouth took him in, inch by inch.
As her lips met with the base of his thick member, he felt them tighten around his girth. His head was already swimming, but Lyna wasn't finished with him yet. She proceeded to hallow out her cheeks providing the sweetest suction on Thedas as she slowly worked her way up his length again. The whole time she was caressing his testicals with one hand and the other was tucked underneath him squeezing his ass to press his hips further upwards.
Lyna hummed as she worked at his throbbing cock, adding the vibration to the already overwhelmingly delicious treat that was her mouth. As
Alistair began to feel that familiar stirring of warmth within him, he knew he wouldn't last much longer. Lyna could read his body's language almost as good as he could and slowly withdrew her mouth from him with one last kiss, before replacing her mouth with her hand for a last gentle squeeze as she climbed up on top of her Alistair to claim his lips for herself again.
Pulling away from her swollen lips, Alistair tried to catch his breath and calm his body's reaction to this amazing woman. She knew that he would need a minute to fully take back control from her attentions before they proceeded. She was patient and content and adored knowing that the effect Alistair had on her was definitely mutual.
Confident that he would be able to last at least a little bit longer, Alistair rolled Lyna over so that she was once again beneath him. She wrapped both of her petite legs around his hips as he took one of her nipples into his mouth and then the other before sliding himself slowly inside of her hot, wet core.
She closed her eyes and crooned his name at feeling him fully inside her. As much as she loved her playful relationship with Alistair, as much as she enjoyed the amazing things his mouth could do to her and she enjoyed retaliating in kind; that was nothing in comparison to how they felt joined together as one. It was beautiful when they found their perfect rhythm. The feeling of their bodies moving together, thrusting in perfect harmony. Hands caressing, lips seeking and finding their place. Their home. The union was always a glorious refrain. Their hearts beating as one. Thrusts sharper as they crescendoed towards their apex. The joy of their convergence washing over them. Every-time: their lovemaking was a beautiful symphony of which Lyna could never get enough.
Panting breathlessly, Alistair rested his forehead on Lyna's. Completely spent. Fully at peace. He opened his eyes and gazed into hers. Honey brown meeting sea-foam green, love and adoration reflected in each. His lips brushed hers; once, twice. It would never be enough. He never wanted it to be. This was where they both belonged. Together. Home. A third kiss caught a tear silently gliding down her cheek. Worry turned to relief as he saw the smile on Lyna's lips when she looked up at him.
"I love you Alistair." She whispered against his lips. He knew exactly how she felt.
"I will always love you Lyna." he responded in kind.
Coming down the stairs into the crowded main floor of the Hanged Man; Lyna could hardly believe that it had only been 24 hours since she had helped carry Alistair up those same stairs the night before. Hand in hand, she and Alistair headed towards the table in front of the fire where Zevran sat with Isabella. Both of them stood at their approach, grinning widely with knowing smirks upon their faces.
Zevran reached out his hand to greet Alistair who reached out in kind and grasped hold of his forearm. Zevran began, "It is good to see you again my friend!"
Releasing his arm, Alistair surprised Zevran by pulling the smaller man into a very big bear-hug. Unabashedly wrapping both arms fully around the blond assassin, he whispered a heartfelt, "Thank you!" into his ear so only those closest to them could hear.
Zevran's eyes were wild as he looked at Lyna before tentatively returning the larger man's embrace. "You, my friend, are most welcome. Though I'm not sure what it is exactly that you are thanking me for."
Alistair pulled back and grinned at the elven rogue. Grabbing onto Lyna's hand once again, he said, "Well it wasn't for sneaking in while we were sleeping, that's for sure. Though I do appreciate the fresh clothes, the silk ties, and the strawberries and cream, they were a very delicious touch too." He winked at Zevran before glancing at Lyna whose ears had turned a delicious shade of pink as she gazed down at her toes.
Zevran chuckled knowingly and clapped Alistair on the back. "I'm happy that you are finally taking my advice with matters in the bedroom my friend. Should you ever want that instruction on Antivan massage, you only have but to ask." He winked at Alistair then went to embrace Lyna.
"You are looking more like yourself mia amata. It brings my heart joy to see you smiling again. And that blushing you're doing is adorable too!"
Alistair excused himself to go talk to the barkeep, as the rest of them sat down at the table. Lyna watched cautiously as he appeared to be ordering drinks and raised an eyebrow as Corff slid a small bundle to him across the bar before going to get their drinks. She saw Alistair pocket part of the package while he fingered the second piece. As Corff returned with what appeared to be a glass of water and a glass of wine, Alistair slid the second item over his neck and tucked it against his chest before returning to the table with their drinks.
Isabela started to comment on Alistair's choice in beverage when he stopped her, "Don't. Just… no. I've had my fair share for awhile, I think I'll stick to the simpler things for now. I'd actually like to remember," he paused and looked lovingly over at Lyna, "and to enjoy my life right now. There's no reason I can think of to try to cloud things anymore." He leaned over and very gently kissed Lyna on the lips before handing her the glass of honeyed mead.
Lyna smiled up at Alistair and took a sip before glancing at the spot where he had tucked the second item. "I can't get anything past you, can I?" He joked. He reached inside his shirt and pulled out a silver chain with an amulet dangling at the end.
"Your mother's amulet?" Lyna gasped in recognition.
Alistair looked around the table at his companions before admitting, "When I got here, I knew I was in no shape to keep certain things safe. So I asked Corff over there to hold this for me, so I wouldn't do anything stupid, like try to sell it to pay for something else to drink. He had very specific instructions not to release them back to me until I was of a sound mind again."
Lyna smiled and reached for the necklace, she ran her fingers over the carving on its face before tucking it back into Alistair's shirt for him. "And the other item?"
He coughed briefly before admitting, "That… that is something for another time." He looked deeply into her eyes before finishing, "Soon, I promise." He winked at her before turning back to their friends.
"So, you already know what we've been up to." He blushed lightly while changing the subject, "What kinds of mischief have the two of you been up to while we were… uh, indisposed."
Lyna took a drink of her wine to hide her own blush but was saved as the serving girl Norah brought their food over. Steaming stew with meat and potatoes with a loaf of freshly baked bread and butter. Lyna breathed in appreciatively then commented, "This is quite the Ferelden fare for Kirkwall isn't it?"
Norah responded with a nod, "Since the blight brought so many refugees messere, we've included some more familiar dishes to appease your palettes." She began to walk away, then hesitating, turned and faced Alistair. "If I may say so sir, since you seem to be wholly sober." She blushed lightly and bowed her head, "I just wanted to say thank you."
Alistair looked a little taken aback and perhaps a little worried at what must have happened for her to be thanking him. "Thank you miss?"
"You may not remember, but awhile back, there was a group in here that got pretty pushy with me. I'm used to a certain amount of grabbing, but this group was a bit, more scary." She looked around quickly before whispering conspiratorially, "They had one of them qunari with them you see." Continuing in her regular tone, she continued, "You… you defended me to them and when they wouldn't back down, you… Well, you sort of made them leave messere. All of them. I just wanted to say, thank you. Now that you may hopefully remember." She bowed her head quickly towards him before turning and leaving, not waiting for his response."
Lyna and Zevran shared a look, then glanced back at Alistair who still seemed fairly flummoxed before they both burst out laughing. Alistair looked from one to the other of them before glancing at Isabela for aid.
"Don't look at me? I have no idea what she was on about." Isabela said with a grin. "Though I can't wait to hear the story." The raven haired private said in response to that laughter.
Lyna shared what had happened with them at the Spoiled Princess back in Ferelden. She talked while they all ate their evening meal. The parts that she left out, Zevran was happy to fill in. Specifically the part about her unbuttoning her blouse and sauntering over to get the mercenary group's attention. He even went so far as to stand up and pantomime the 'saunter', which Isabela found quite amusing. As he continued on with his rather more dramatic telling of the event, he also elaborated on the bit where tiny Lyna threatened their over-large leader with a dagger to his throat, making it seem quite the more interesting tale than how she-herself remembered it.
Lyna was mostly only concerned with the information that it was there that they acquired the lead that had directed them towards Kirkwall. Towards Alistair. She was thankful for the skirmish that had sent the mercenary group packing. She might even be more thankful than Norah, whom he had been protecting in the first place. Still, Zevran's tale would have even impressed the dwarf that was weaving tales the night before.
As they laughed, talked and finished their meal, the door to the Hanged man opened and a familiar Templar came in. The tall armored man scanned the room twice looking for someone before his gaze landed on Lyna's table. His eyes widened in surprise before taking long strides over towards them.
"By the Maker's good graces, Warden Mahariel! To what does Kirkwall owe the honor of welcoming in the Hero of Ferelden?" the armored man asked with a humble grin. Some of the tables around them suddenly grew very quiet.
Lyna spoke, "Cullen!" at the same time that Isabela greeted him by title, "Knight-Captain."
Lyna glanced at Isabela then back at Cullen, "Knight-Captain is it now? Congratulations on the promotion." She said the last returning his smile. Lowering her voice, she said, "I was kind of traveling incognito. Searching for someone dear to me as it were." She indicated Alistair at her side who nodded towards Cullen.
"Knight-Captain, I hope I haven't been too much trouble around here lately. I haven't really been myself you know. Thankfully, I'm feeling much more complete now." Alistair rested his hand on top of Lyna's on the table and they both visibly relaxed at the contact.
Cullen responded kindly, "You provided us and the guard with a fair amount of entertainment but no, you weren't any trouble and were actually more helpful than you may realize. We don't get down to Darktown often enough and you managed to keep it fairly clear from some of the more nefarious dealings. I'm glad to see that you are back to rights again."
Alistair looked relieved and only nodded his acknowledgement of the Templar's response, but still didn't release Lyna's hand.
Lyna leaned closer to the Knight-Captain and whispered so only they could hear, "How are you? You are looking so much better than the last time we met."
A darkness fell over Cullen's eyes, but he answered honestly, "I am well enough considering." He paused to think about how to continue, "Thanks to you… If you hadn't come along when you did. I don't know…" He stopped himself again and looked around before continuing, "I owe you an apology Warden. When we met last, I was not myself. I said some things that were unworthy of me. You were there to help, you saved so many people, including myself. I will be forever in your debt. My humble thanks to all three of you." Cullen finished with a salute and bowed his head towards Lyna and her friends.
Lyna smiled at Cullen and reassured him, "I am happy that you are well Cullen. I worried for you, but see now that you are on your way to doing good things. Kirkwall is only a stopping point for you my friend, don't let its darkness overshadow the light that you hold within. There are many people who will look to you for guidance in the years to come. You will be their pillar of strength and for some, their ray of hope. Proof that the insurmountable can be overcome. When that time comes, do not worry. It may be scarier than facing down a tower full of abominations, but its rewards are immense. Keep looking towards that light inside, it will give you the strength you need and you shall endure. The dawn will come my friend."
Cullen stared at Lyna in disbelief. This tiny elf who saved all of Ferelden from the blight and himself from the tower's darkest hour, was encouraging him. She sounded almost like she knew what his future held. He already didn't feel worthy. His days were dark and his nights and nightmares were even darker. His life was filled with nothing but duty and uncertainty and yet, this lithe little hero was telling him that it would all be all right. The dawn will come, like the old chantry hymn reassured them. And for the first time since before Kinloch Hold fell, he actually believed it.
Cullen took a knee before the little elf and bowed his head in deep reverence and respect. "Thank you Warden, your words mean more to me than I can express. I will take them to heart and let them guide me in the uncertainty ahead." He stood up again and glanced once more around the room as if looking for someone.
"If you'll excuse me, I am searching for a few of my newer recruits that have gone missing. It is very unlike them. Safe journeys my friends. May the Maker watch over you all." With that, he saluted again, turned on his heel and walked out of the tavern.
Alistair chuckled to ease some of the tension at the table. "And that my friends, is why she's in charge and I follow willingly in her shadow."
Zevran raised his glass in concurrence, "Salute!"
Lyna blushed but raised her glass with her three companions, grinning at having people she cared about surrounding her again. She took a sip of her mead as Norah came and cleared away their dishes.
Lyna looked over at Isabela and Zevran and reminded them, "Now if I remember correctly, you were about to tell us what you've been up to while we were… uh, busy elsewhere. What news is there?"
Isabela grinned at Zevran who grinned luridly back at her. Lyna stopped them before they could begin, "I don't need those details. What's the news here in town?"
Isabella looked a bit crestfallen, but Zevran just laughed at his friend's squeamishness. They then began talking in turns about what had been happening around Kirkwall. They discussed someone named Hawke who seemed to be a good addition to the city. She and her sister were Ferelden blight refugees from Lothering. They had been helping a lot of people out and seemed to be keeping level heads while doing it. Isabela occasionally lent a hand on some of the more interesting adventures they shared, which gave her an inside perspective on the good they were doing.
The duo also gave quick run downs of some other things going on. They spoke about a group of Qunari who were currently marooned in town who didn't seem in a big hurry to leave. There were some slavers in town who were looking for someone who had escaped from Tevinter. And they had just begun to discuss the Crows presence in Kirkwall and how Zevran might need to lay low when Merrill came in and inserted herself in their conversation.
"You bear the same features as my clan, you could always blend in there should you need a place of refuge."
Zevran shook his head in response. He didn't know Merrill and only kept his tone civil because he had seen Lyna hug this stranger the night before, "Thank you friend of my friend. That is kind of you to offer, but I must decline. It would be too dangerous and I wouldn't wish to burden your clan with the repercussions of mine own actions."
She shrugged at his response as if it were no matter, then turned to her friend as if only just spotting her, "Oh Lyna! I was hoping to get to see you again! I see you found Alistair! Hello Alistair, it's nice to see you… uh, focusing and upright. Hi Isabela and who are you exactly?" She had turned back towards Zevran. "I'm Merrill by the way. You are a friend of Lyna's I'm guessing?"
Zevran smiled his most alluring smile at Merrill, took her hand and kissed the back of it before replying with a bow, "My name is Zevran Arainai. Former Antivan Crow, assassin of some repute, internationally renowned lover, and yes, I like to think, friend to Lyna Mahariel." He kissed her hand again for good measure before releasing it, leaving Merrill very flustered and strangely quiet.
Lyna chuckled then glared lightly at Zevran, "Leave her alone will you!" Turning back to the mage she said, "I'm glad you're here Merrill, I was hoping to get to ask about our clan and Keeper Marethari. Are they nearby?"
Shaking off the effects of Zevran's dulcet voice, Merrill answered, "They're at the base of Sundermount. They've been there for awhile now, I don't know if they'll be moving along anytime soon though. I don't live with them anymore you see." Merrill paused and looked uncertain of how to proceed.
Lyna asked worried, "What happened Merrill? You were the Keeper's First! How could you not be with the clan anymore?"
Merrill gave Lyna a small smile. "You know, after you left, we kept searching for Tamlen. I didn't want to believe that he had just vanished. I began to think about that mirror the two of you found and that somehow, it would hold the answers to finding him. So I started investigating and collecting its pieces. The Keeper and I disagreed on many aspects of this. She humored me up unto a point, but as I came near to finishing putting it back together again, she ultimately disagreed with me getting it working. She feared that I would bring the blight down on us all as it infected you and took Tamlen away from us. So when Hawke came to us with the Asha'bellanar amulet, the Keeper asked her to take me with her when she left. It is her job to protect our people, should I succeed in my personal mission to fix the Eluvian." Merrill sighed sadly, but looked resigned to her fate.
"There are so many questions, so much I'd like to hear about. But first, why did Hawke have Flemeth's amulet?" Lyna looked at Alistair then Zevran with worry before landing her gaze back on Merrill.
The elf answered, "She traveled in it. Well a piece of her did, I suppose. Hawke said that Asha'bellanar helped them escape the blight and in return she was to carry the amulet to us so I could perform the ritual to release her."
"She's here?!" Alistair looked around as if Flemeth would burst through the door at any moment.
"Well not here per se, but she flew off from Sundermount the last I saw her."
Lyna was somewhat placated, so proceeded to broach another tender subject that Merrill had touched on. "Merrill, you know that Tamlen won't be coming back right?"
"We never found him Lyna, he could still be out there. Sick like you were! If only we could look harder, or differently, we may still be able to bring him back." Merrill almost pleaded with Lyna.
"No Merrill, he isn't." Lyna sighed heavily before continuing. "I did find him again eventually. Or rather, he found me. He was too far gone with the taint. There was nothing else I could do. He's… he's gone Merrill. He's not suffering any more."
Alistair reached his arm around Lyna's shoulders and pulled her in closer to his body. He knew how much it hurt Lyna to talk about Tamlen. They were close once. Shared the innocence of young love that might have become more, had things happened differently.
He remembered the night that the darkspawn had ambushed their camp. Lyna had broken away from the main battle to engage a lone figure outside of the light of their fire. At first, it didn't seem as if Lyna was fighting with him at all, they appeared to be talking. But darkspawn didn't talk, did they? The creature had eventually attempted to attack her which only left him dead at her feet. Alistair found her sobbing over the blighted body, unrecognizable as anything but darkspawn, but Lyna knew that it was Tamlen.
Darkspawn or no, she had insisted that they give him a proper Dalish burial before they abandoned their camp. Alistair himself was tasked with finding a cedar branch while Lyna fastened an oaken staff to bury him with. She informed them that the staff was to help Tamlen along his path in the afterlife and the cedar branch was included to scatter the ravens of Fear and Deceit who were once the servants of Dirthamen, the elven god of secrets and knowledge.
Alistair didn't really understand the burial rights of his beloved. He only knew that she was hurting and that this was important to her. It was her tradition. He heard Lyna recanting all of this to Merrill as they both toasted to their lost clanmate.
A hush blanketed the group as they contemplated lost friends. Breaking the silence and changing the subject, Lyna asked, "So you live here in town now?"
Merrill smiled and replied, "Oh yes, I live in the alienage. It's quite lovely, or as lovely as it can be I suppose. But the vhenadahl is quite beautiful and I don't spend all of my time there. I do tend to travel with Hawke whenever she needs me. Speaking of, I am supposed to meet up with Hawke, Fenris and Varric here shortly."
As if on cue, the animated dwarf from the night before descended the stairs and headed straight for their table. "Greetings folks!" He said to everyone in general then looked from Merrill to Isabela to Zevran and greeted them personally, at least, that's what Lyna guessed was happening, he didn't actually use their names after all. "Daisy, Riviani, uh Pointy? - That one may stick, if not, you'll get your nickname later, don't you worry."
Finally he looked towards Lyna and Alistair and nodded once in greeting then bowed with a flourish before them, "Wardens. My name is Varric: last in line to lead house Tethras, Merchant Prince of Kirkwall, devilishly handsome rogue and purveyor of grand stories of epic adventure!"
Rising to his full dwarvish height again, he patted his unusual crossbow affectionately before continuing, "and this here is my Bianca. She's a beauty. Isn't that right, sweetheart!" He said while stroking his crossbow lovingly before continuing. "I'd love to stay and chat, I bet you all have some incredible stories to tell. Those are the best kind you know! But alas, there isn't time to memorize all of your sordid details." He seemed to sigh wistfully as if he'd rather do nothing more than stay and recant tales of Grey Warden lore plus add more stories to his arsenal while listening to them tell of their own adventures.
He looked at the Dalish Mage and asked reluctantly, "Are you ready to go Daisy? I bet Hawke has an agenda of death and destruction for us to wade through tonight. Y'know, just like almost every night."
She nodded and rose to join him. As almost an afterthought she turned back and hugged Lyna tightly, "It was wonderful to catch up a little. I'm happy to see you alive and well, the last time I saw you, you were still so pale and sick. If you happen to go talk to the Keeper, will you tell her what you told me about Tamlen? I think… I think it will ease her mind to hear that. And to see you again of course." With that she shouldered her staff and headed for the front door.
Varric looked over at Isabela, "Not joining us tonight Riviani?"
She shook her head no before answering with a smirk, "Tonight belongs to you and Bianca Varric, I could never compete with her wiles." She winked at him then smiled at Lyna as he nodded his ascent and excused himself to join Merrill.
The conversation at their table ended up back at Isabela who told them all about her most recent sea voyage and why she was currently a captain without a ship. Something about smuggling goods that she later found out were people and there was a storm, or perhaps a qunari dreadnaught, or maybe it was both that ultimately destroyed her vessel and freed said cargo in the process. Isabela being Isabela, seemed to be leaving out some select pieces to her story, but as this didn't really have any personal effect on the group, Lyna let it pass.
Their conversation was comfortable and warm. Four old friends catching up on old times. It eventually came back around to what the trio would do next. They all agreed that staying in Kirkwall was probably not the best option with the Crows still looking for Zevran, mages & Templars being at odds. When were they not? Add to that the Qunari in town and it just didn't amount up to a relaxing vacation. Now that Lyna and Alistair had been reunited, they didn't really want to jump right into their old life of fighting and being in the thick of all that turmoil again. Even though they had no idea what would happen next, they agreed, that Kirkwall wasn't the place to find their future.
Zevran turned to Isabela, "What about you? You are, of course, welcome to travel with us as well!"
"Sadly no poppet, I have a few loose ends I need to tie up here in Kirkwall. You go on and have fun without me. I'll stay here and deter any 'interested' parties that may inquire about you." She affectionately patted Zevran's leg and took another drink of her ale.
"Well that leaves just us three, if you'll allow for my continued intrusion that is."
Lyna began to answer but was cut off by Alistair, "I owe you more than I can could ever repay you friend. I would be honored to have you travel with us once more." As an afterthought, he glanced at Lyna to make sure she approved.
Lyna grinned and raised her glass, "To less adventurous adventures!" They toasted and drank, then began making tentative plans for the future.
A few minutes into their planning, Lyna and Alistair both sensed tainted individuals nearby. Leaving their conversation hanging, they simultaneously tensed and turned towards the entrance to the tavern a fraction of a second before the door opened.
In walked a small patrol headed straight for their table. It was a diverse group, though they all were wearing familiar, coordinating, blue and white uniforms. Lyna didn't need to see the Warden sigil that they all bore to know that each of them carried the same taint as she did. Wardens. She looked at Alistair then back at the group as they approached single file. Realizing a bit too late that this probably wasn't going to be good, they steadied themselves for what was to come.
The first to salute was a dark haired elf in robes. His skin was bronze and his face was unmarked by a vallaslin. The second to approach and salute as they fanned out around the table was a rather large, fair skinned warrior that had an impressive two handed sword strapped to his back. Third to approach was a dark haired man with light grey eyes carrying a bow. As the archer stepped aside, Lyna recognized the smug face of her old dwarven companion.
"Well smack my ass and call me Sally! It's about time we found you!" the dwarf declared loudly. "You led us on quite the goose chase you know!"
Lyna recovered quickly from her shock at seeing her old dwarven friend again, "Oghren! What are you doing here?" She narrowed her eyes at him as she looked his uniform up and down, "And why are you wearing…" She trailed off as she noticed that she could sense the Warden's taint in him as well.
"Oghren? You're a Warden!? Who lost the bet to make that happen?"
"Oh ha ha! I went searching for you in Amaranthine after things with Felsi and I didn't work out. Didn't find you, but I decided to stay anyway and make my darkspawn slaying a permanent gig! What do you think? I look pretty hot in blue and white don't I?!" Oghren laughed loudly but was cut off from further conversation by the dark haired Warden with the bow.
"Warden-Commander, my name is Nathaniel and we come with an urgent missive for you from the First Warden".
Alistair looked at Lyna, "Warden-Commander is it now huh? Aren't you moving up in the world?" He nudged her shoulder playfully.
Rolling her eyes, she accepted the rolled parchment from the Warden. "Thank you Warden, please just call me Lyna. I don't believe the promotion was ever made official anyway." She said the last with a sideways look towards Alistair.
As she unrolled the letter and began to scan over its contents Nathaniel summarized them for her, "It has actually. The commander that was sent to Amaranthine to rebuild the order, made quite the mess of things. You are being summoned back into duty as the new Arlessa of Amaranthine and the Warden-Commander of Ferelden. We are to escort you back to make sure that you arrive safely."
Oghren chimed in, "To make sure you actually show up, is more like it. Can't have you flitting off to make puppies with your man here. Hey Alistair, good to see you again! Gotta get you two back into the swing of things. Put you back to work. Apparently the world can't handle itself without you there to hold it all together."
Lyna rolled her eyes then re-rolled the summons and tucked it into her pouch. There were a lot more details inside than what she could currently focus on. Slipping easily back into her leadership role, she addressed the newly arrived Wardens. "You four must be pretty tired from your travels. Why don't you get something to eat and rest for the night. I will confer with my friends and we can reconvene in the morning. I will give you my answer then."
Oghren began to protest when Lyna added, "I will be here in the morning Oghren. You have my word, I will see you then." With that she took Alistair's hand and rose from the table offering it to the new arrivals so they could rest and eat.
Isabela also rose from the table and bid everyone good luck and a fond farewell. She hugged Lyna briefly and whispered, "You two are good for each other. I'm glad to see you both smiling again."
Lyna returned her hug with a fondness, "Good luck to you my friend. May your next ship be as majestic as the seas and as flamboyant as the hat that I know you will acquire to go with it!"
Isabela replied, "What can I say? I like big boats, I cannot lie." She finished with a large grin.
Turning to Zevran she said, "Thanks for last night's little adventure. Just like old times eh? Next time you're in town, look me up." She lifted his chin with her index finger and placed a kiss on the corner of his mouth. Pulling away with a smirk, she turned and sauntered out of the tavern.
Lyna, Alistair and Zevran bid the Wardens goodnight. They then retired to Zevran's room to fully read the missive and make their decisions over the adventures to come.