Thank you to all who faved and reviewed most kind! xxx

This is my first DAI fanfic so be warned...THERE WILL BE MISTAKES! XD I'm not perfect, I will eventually get a beta reader, but until then please endure. I have read through it myself over and over, but I will have missed a few things!

I really hope you enjoy!

I am not the creator, just the puppet master of the DAI stuffs in the fanfic.

REVIEWS = LOOOOOVE! x ^^

ENJOY!

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Dawn had broken through the gate of Skyhold, Rivaleth was already down at the carts making sure everything was in order before they made their way to the Storm Coast. Her excessive checking and securing of the cargo kept her hands busy, but not her mind; which kept turning to last nights experience in the spring. She was not a particularly self-conscious person, but when it came to people's opinions and views of her, she was rather dense. Having heard it straight out like that and from the people she travelled with, made her feel a little more nervous about the trip more then usual.

Her hands stilled on the tight ropes strapping the cargo to the cart when panic repeated in her head. Did people really think that way about her? Do they all talk about her like she's the biggest 'thing' in Thedas since Sharten? She accepted this role to help, to save people not to became a idol…she was still getting used to it all, back in her camp, everyone knew everyone but…it was familiar, they were like a large family. This was just…distracting, shaking her head she banished all thoughts that clouded her mind with doubt and focused on the task at hand. Her meditations didn't last too long before they were shattered by a bellow of her name across the courtyard.

"Boss! You're out here early!" Iron Bull yelled over to her making his was towards the cart with his chargers behind him. "Sleepless night huh? Can't blame after seeing so much of this last night…" Bull gestured to himself.

Rivaleth rolled her eyes and folded her arms over her chest. "Yes, your ginormous bosom of doom will forever haunt my nightmares…" She teased with a small smirked.

"I thought your group were travelling once we had this thing scoped out?" She asked looking at the cargo hesitantly.

"Uh, yeah about that…I've got a feeling there's no getting around this so we might as well just go for it." Bull explained.

Rivaleth nodded. "Fair enough, we should have enough cargo for everyone if people don't mind sharing tents."

The chargers nodded and headed for the carts stationing themselves and waiting to depart. "Thanks for this Boss, I'd feel better with them coming along." Bull said a little quieter.

"Anytime Bull." Rivaleth chirped.

"Heh! Is that an invitation…?" He teased, his voice that pitch that growled in his chest.

Rivaleth fought to keep her self up for a moment before speaking. "Don't push it be big guy, I'm not that easy…" She teased. Noticing Dorian and Blackwall making their way over to the carts she smirked up at him before meeting them half way across the courtyard to explain the change in plans.

"Clearly…" Bull all but whispered under his breath as he watched her walk away, the rumble in his chest lingering with approval.

As Rivaleth explained the new plan Bull leant against the cart watching. "So does this mean we get the day off?" Dorian thrilled.

Rivaleth shook her head with a small smile. "Sorry boys I've got a feeling you'll be needed. Drinks on me when we get back though!" She smiled warmly.

"Well if that's not enough to persuade a man I don't know what else is." Blackwall shrugged with a slight chuckle.

"Oh alright, I find myself unable to deny you anything when you smile like that…crafty woman." Dorian gave his one sided smirk.

With that they started on their way towards the Storm Coast, The chargers and Bull were at point whilst Dorian took left and Blackwall took the right and Rivaleth took the rear. Once they were out of the mountains that surrounded Skyhold the weather started to look up. The skies cleared and the sun shone a white heat, thankfully they were travelling through the wilds, the canopy sheltering them from burning under its fever.

They reached a river deeper into the wilds; it was coming to the end of the day and decided to set up camp. Whilst the chargers set up the tents, Black wall and Bull gathers firewood and Dorian…well he was cleaning his boots in the water. Rivaleth took the reins off of the Druffalo pulling the carts and lead it over to the river to drink. The heat was affecting the poor thing its think coat sweltering it's skin underneath. She ran her fingers through it's fur to air it out and planted the palm of her and on the back of it's neck before conjuring the smallest amount of ice magic through her finger tips. She sent small busts of cooling magic through it's pours to cool it down, she heard it growl softly in approval. She smiled and strapped its food bag to its muzzle before making her back into the now half set up camp.

"You couldn't work those cooling fingers on me could you, I'm baking on my own skin over here." Dorian complained.

"You could do it yourself you know…?" Rivaleth suggested cocking her hip slightly.

"Not my expertise dear, please just a little…" Dorian pleaded.

Rolling her eyes she made her way over to him and repeated the gesture, she looked away as he tilted his head back and almost moaned. This is awkward…she thought to herself.

When she took her hands away, he almost fell over. "Thanks love. Much better, my Antivan leather boots however are not…" He groaned.

Rivaleth left him to it and helped out around the camp to set it up. Everything was in place, along with a fire by nightfall.

Rivaleth dished out the stew she had been brewing on the fire, Dalish from the chargers had caught some rabbits for the meat and she used the vegetables from the cart. Everyone was sat round the fire contently eating whilst the Druffalo slept by the river. You knew it the stew was good when everyone was quiet.

Rivaleth took the pot off the fire and set it aside to cool, they could use the rest for the way back. Looking around there weren't as many tents, so everyone would have to share; she shrugged thinking they would sort it out when the time came.

She sat back on the log between Dorian and Bull, Black wall was sat under a try to the side, and his helmet pulled over his eyes.

"Anyone got a story then?" Dorian started the banter.

"I should have brought Varric, he's best at those kind of things…" Rivaleth shrugged lightly.

"Bah! I'm sure we can come up with one! What about that time we were chased by those Giants!" Bull bellowed and laughed whilst the chargers groaned.

"Not that one again Boss! We've heard it a hundred times…" Krem scorned.

"Alright then you tell one!" Bull growled. Krem just took a long swig from his tankard.

"What about a Tevintar tale? I've got lots of those, there was one time I woke up in a peacock farm completely naked wearing nothing but a saucepan on my head!" Dorian chuckled at the memory.

"Yeah…lets not go into anymore details about that one…" Rivaleth teased drinking form her own tankard.

"What about you then, I'm sure you've got lots of tales from being in your clan, gallivanting through the wilds running with wolves or something?" Dorian smiled.

Rivaleth almost choked on her average booze. "Me? Oh no, I've got nothing…nothing worth hearing anyway." She waved her hands frantically.

"Aw come on! We're struggling here, we've all heard my stories and Dorian's well…aren't fit for even adult ears…" Bull bellowed.

They all had a laugh whilst Rivaleth thought for a moment trying to think of something interesting to tell. Her lips broadened into a small smile as she thought of just the story.

"Well I guess I could tell one, but if it gets boring just stop me…" She shrugged, looking down into her tankard of ale.

"It's about a woman and an Orge, it's a little ridiculous, I used to tell it to the children in my clan." She paused for a moment remembering how they used to sit around her and listen intently. There was always the occasional on that fell asleep in the back, not that she could blame them.

"In a small village not far from anywhere, there was a young woman who was known by everyone for her beauty and grace. Though she was loved throughout the town, she hadn't known love. Unable to provide her partner with life, she was left untouched. Instead, she grew a Rose garden on the roof of her house, to nurture her emptiness. But each time she planted the rose bushes, days later they would die. She could never understand why, but she kept trying and every few days she would replant every single rose bush hoping for them to take and bloom. Not far from the village in a deep dark cave lived an Ogre, he towered over everyone in the village and was considered the most hideous being anyone had ever seen. Because of this, he was banished from the village to live in the cave where no one would have to see him.

One evening, whilst the ogre was in the wilds gathering wood for a fire, he could hear something sad coming from the town on the other side. Dropping all of his wood, he quietly followed the sound of the voice, becoming his heart tightening with sadness the closer he got. When the sound got louder, he looked around, until he could see a woman on a rooftop kneeling on the floor with her face covered. He instantly hid hoping she hadn't seen him. He watched as tears streamed from her eyes crying to the heavens.

'Why, why won't my roses grow, am I cursed never to nurture, never to give life.' The woman pleaded to the starry sky.

The Ogre noticed the dead rose bushes that streamed her rooftop; he could not understand why such a beautiful woman could even shed a tear. She was after all more beautiful then he.

Before he was disfigured, he used to have a garden of his own, and was well known for the fruits he provided the village. Thoughts and memories racing through his mind, he didn't notice that the woman had disappeared. When he was sure there was no one around he went to her garden, overlooking its demise, the flowers weren't dead they were just wilting. He pinched the soil and noticed it was dry, and then he smelt it. The smell was horrendous he almost gagged; the soil wasn't pure enough for the rose she was growing, she may not have realized it, but the merchant was selling her foil soil. He scowled at the thought and without hesitation headed into the wilds to hatch his plan.

Anyone bored yet?" She teased looking up from her tankard finally. She was shocked to se everyone was leaning forward almost listening intently. Even Black wall had his helmet up and was looking over to her.

"You're not going to stop there are you?!" Bull accused almost annoyed.

Rivaleth was taken back slightly. "I didn't think it was that interesting, it's just a children's story…" She shrugged.

When no one said anything she continued. "The next morning the woman went out onto her garden with new rose-bushes to plant. But when she step foot on the grass, she dropped everything and her eyes widened with glee. Every rose bush was blooming happily, the red fullness of each petal made her heart tighten with joy. She knelt by them and took in their scent; looking to the sky she thanked the gods for helping her rose grow.

The Orge was near by and heard her happily laughing and thanking the heavens for the miracle; he smiled to himself and headed back to his cave.

He visited again a few nights later and noticed she was using the same soil from the merchant. He scowled; the merchant knew he was selling her this stuff; it was probably a lot cheaper. He replaced the soil from the ground the trees of the wilds grew from and with a pleased smile headed back home.

The next few months carried on like this, she would buy the spoilt soil from the merchant and every fortnight he would replace it with soil the wilds grew from. Every s often he thought of warning her about the soil from the merchant, but then…he would have no reason to return to her garden. He took happiness in hers knowing she was content with her roses, and even in his cave, he heard her pleas of thanks.

One night, he was feeling particularly brave and left her a not on one of the rose bushes after replacing the soil. When he returned the next week, she in turn and left her a reply, he had never felt so needed in his life, no one loved him, he had no friends…until now.

In her recent note, she said she wanted to meet the man that had know so much beauty that he helped her garden grow. He was nervous and replied saying it wasn't possible. When he was walking to her rooftop to tend to her garden and leave the note, he was struck still when his eyes came into contact with hers. She had hidden in the rose bushes to find out who was visiting her garden. But much to her excitement, what she saw, she was not expecting. Her eyes filled with horror and tears, she opened her mouth to speak, but he was already gone.

The look on her face would haunt him forever, the one person he considered a friend, looked at him with such horror it made her cry…he never wanted to see those tears from her eyes again. "

"That's horrible, poor thing…" Dalish from the chargers said softly.

Rivaleth looked up to see everyone with a saddened expression, she smiled warmly. "There's a happy ending I promise." She spoke softly before continuing.

"He hadn't visited for months, and as they days passed by, her garden started to wilt again. Eventually they died completely, the woman sat in her garden every night, hoping to see the Ogre again. She was reserved about him, but it was the first time anyone had treated her this way, the only one who wanted to grow life with her…

The Ogre spent his days tormented in the cave, never stepping foot outside, not even for food. He couldn't get her face form his mind, he knew that her garden must not have survived this long, but he couldn't bring himself to go and help her.

The woman started asking around the village about the Ogre, when she found out that he was banished for his appearance, she was horrified. Thoughts of sadness clouded her mind, thought she was not hideous, she was still defected, she was unable to give birth, to give life, even to her garden…and even still, the Ogre wanted to give her life.

Later that night the Ogre was still sat in his cave when he heard footsteps at the entrance. He turned to tell them to go away, but when he saw the same woman from the village stood there, he could nothing but stare in awe.

She had cut all of her hair and wore rags that looked as if taken from a corpse; he looked behind her and saw a cart of the dying rose bushes from her garden.

He couldn't think of anything to say she had made herself ugly to get banished from the village and her only possession she brought were their roses.

She spoke first. "I can not give you a child, and I am no longer beautiful, but if you'll have me. I can give you love and roses." She said softly, her soft voice ringing against the walls of the cave.

The Orge felt his heart burst with joy he smiled warmly and knelt down to her taking her in the palm of his hand. 'As long as I have you, I have life, as long as we have roses, we have love.'

The end." She smiled at her last words and looked up at everyone, not having realized she was watching the fire flicker as she spoke. Their faces were lit, clearly thankful for the happy ending.

"That was beautiful love, just what we needed." Dorian said softly placing a soft hand on her shoulder.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it." She shivered slightly. "I suppose we should be getting our rest." She stood

"Dalish and I will take first watch." Krem said remaining sat as the rest got up to find their tents.

Rivaleth let everyone get settled first, if there was no room, she could just take a bedroll and sleep under the stars. She picked up her pack and made her way to the river, after travelling in that hot weather, she desperately needed a wash.

The river was concealed by tall reeds, which hopefully will make it hard for anyone to see her. Undressing behind a tree she hung her things on the branch and slowly stepping into the fresh cool water.

"Maker that feels good…" She sighed making her way further into the deep water. When it got to her shoulders she stopped and started to run her hands over her body under the water washing off the travels dirt from her skin. Just as she was starting to relax she heard the reeds rustle behind her, she turned to see a horned beast stood at the bank of the river.

Her face flattened. "Am I ever going to have a bath alone again, Bull?" She looked over her shoulder and saw his silhouette under the tree; she could make out much, the moonlight shining through the leaves lit up half of his face. He was leaned against the trunk with a half smirk and eyes intent on her, she felt her spine tremble.

"Has anyone told you you're a perv, Bull?" She said flatly again before turning away from him and continuing to wash her skin. When he didn't say anything she turned to see him in the same position but this time, he had his back to her. Her eyes widened when she remember something he had said when they first met on the Storm Coast.

'You need a body guard, I'm your guy…'

Rivaleth felt her lips tug into a small smile at the memory but it was fleeting, she felt slightly relieved and disappointed at the same time that he had his back to her…what was wrong with her?

Now who's the perv…? She scorned to herself.

It was a long stretch of time, every so often Rivaleth looked over her shoulder at Bull, but he was always unmoving watching the camp as she washed herself. She felt bad that he was just stood there; he probably needed to be in here as much as her.

"You know…ahem." She cleared her throat before continuing. "If you need to wash you could always join me, I mean I won't look or anything. I feel like I hogging…" she said softly.

She could have sworn she saw his shoulders move as if he chuckled. "You're alright boss, just hurry up before someone sees you." He rumbled.

"Don't trust your precious chargers?" She teased.

"I trust them with a sword at my back, but they're still horny arses." He chuckled.

Rivaleth felt a little more exposed, thinking she had obviously had enough and this was just too awkward she swam to the bank of the river just behind Bull. Even though she hadn't touched him, she could have sworn he was shaking. She reached for her things and dressed back into her robes, using the towel to dry off the last of her hair.

"I'm, uh…I'm done. Thank you Bull for guarding my body…" She stuttered teasing towards the end.

Bull shrugged and turned around to look at her, she was back in her light mage armour her short brown hair still damp with small strands stuck to her face. Her bright blue eyes staring up at him warmly, e felt like someone shoved a harpoon through his chest.

Coughing he patted his chest trying to extinguish the feeling. "It's what I'm here for boss, come on, lets see if we can find a tent."

Rivaleth nodded and followed him back to the campsite. Apart from Krem and Dalish, the rest except for one occupied all the tents, not that she minded too much, she used to sleep under the stars in the camp before. This would be no different.

"You take the last tent with Krem and Dalish, I'll just take a bedroll and camp up over there." She pointed to a patch of grass under some trees a little ways out of the way of the camp. Before Bull could say anything she went to get a bedroll form the cart and headed for the trees. Bull growled slightly and headed for the cart taking another bedroll.

Rivaleth had a small smile on her face, almost excited to spend the night in the open air, it reminded her of when she used to do it with her friends from her clan. Whilst she was unrolling her bedroll, she hadn't noticed bull until he suddenly rolled one out just next to her.

Rivaleth looked up at him. "Bull, take a break from guarding me, I'll be fine, I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself…" she said softly, not wanting to seem ungrateful.

"This isn't something you just take a break off of Boss." He said sternly before removing the top half of his armour.

Whilst the armour was being carefully pulled over his horns, she found it difficult to look away from him suddenly. The way his muscles flexed when he lifted the armour over his head, the way his chest heaved when he breathed. Oh god he's looking…damn! She panicked to herself.

Bull smirked to himself. "No problem with lookin' boss, its all part of the package." He said smugly.

"Is that so, so what do I get charged by the glance or for every second I stare longingly at you?" She teased back roughly taking her outer coat and boots off with her back to him.

"You'll know when you get the bill." He chuckled.

God I hope he's not being serious…

Rivaleth sighed heavily and let herself drop back onto her bedroll and folded her hands behind her head. Looking up at the canopy, she could just make out the stars beyond the thick foliage. She heard more then more Bull slump back onto his bedroll almost mimicking her position with his hands behind his head.

Rivaleth spared a glance trying not to look at the taught muscles in his biceps. There was a long silence; she could feel her eyelids start to slowly shut, heavy with the day journey.

"About your story?" Bull said suddenly causing Rivaleth's eyes to fly open.

"Uhm, mmh." She mumbled rubbing her eyes to keep herself awake.

"Well, the part at the end about the woman making herself ugly to be banished from the village, why didn't she just go to him, I don't think she needed to make herself ugly to just go to him?" Bull rambled.

Rivaleth looked over to him to see his eyes were closed, his breathing even and his hands resting on his chest. She watched as it lifted and descended with his breathing, suddenly feeling the urge to rest her head on it…

Oh yeah he just asked me something…uh what was it again…

"Well, if she had just gone to him, the villagers might have either thought she ran off or was kidnapped by the Ogre, with way, they would go looking for her and could have ended up getting the Ogre hurt." She explained sleepily.

Bull just grunted in reply, his eyes still closed. "But wouldn't the Orgre feel I don't know differently about her after she changed." He added suddenly.

"I would think if you loved someone then it wouldn't mattered how they looked or how they changed, you would still love them no matter what." Rivaleth added, feeling slightly more awake.

Bull just grunted again.

"You not been in love then Bull?" She teased her eyes closed again.

Bull grunted again.

"Fair enough." Rivaleth replied shugging against the bedroll.

Another long silence stretched before Bull spoke again. "You?"

Rivaleth sighed peacefully starting to feel herself fall asleep again. "Mhh hmm…" She hummed, not really realizing what she was saying.

Bull looked over at her seeing her peaceful face turned up to the sky her hair splayed out against the bedroll and a small warm smile on her soft red lips. He attention focused on them, reminding him of another part of the story. 'The red fullness of their petals…'

From the side, her lips looked like a rose to him, it made something tick in the back of his mind. His rose, his love, his Kadan…

…

Awwwww (puke!)

I know it's a little short, forgive me, but I am still just getting in snip-its at work (I'm so bad!) Anyway! I hope you all enjoyed, please keep me informed if you think it's worth continuing! ^^

Thanks for reading! 3