AN: Thanks to my new editor ArtemysFavr for bravely offering to beta and edit my jumbled messes. Please look up and read her stories. they are dark and completely wonderful!
This is a short chapter if only because I felt Maric and Alistair needed to start a bonding process. I know it's a bit of a lack luster chapter, I swear I'll try to work in some action into the next chapter.
After the mornings events Alistair ordered the group to travel the lesser known trails within the surrounding woods. It would add an extra day or two to their journey, but Alistair, along with everyone else, knew sacrificing convenience for safety was worth the delay.
Out of the corner of his eye Alistair glanced worriedly at Elissa, who had been silently riding beside him since he had revealed his own berserker suspicions. He had been expecting laughter, adamant denial and maybe a joke over him having such a thought. Much to his surprise she had simply shrugged and turned her attention back watching the woods. While her silence on the subject irritated him to no end, he knew when to give her space. It was best to let the subject be. For now.
Berserker. Ha! That is just ridiculous! Elissa scoffed inwardly and nearly laughed aloud at the mere idea of herself having such an ability. Yet, the more she thought on the subject the more she suspected Alistair may be right. However the more she thought on the possibility of actually being a berserker, the more terrifying the idea became.
Oh Maker. She softly groaned so no one else could hear. While her stomach was tied in knots, her mind spun with denial. Perhaps if I ignore it like I did when I was on lyrium, it will go away on its own. She only barely resisted the urge to physically smack some sense into herself. There is no way I can be a Berserker. I'm not even the right type….
This thought lead her to regain control of her own brain. Type. What the hell does that even mean anymore? Type is fairly meaningless anymore when mages can become warriors.. Argh! this is all so confusing. She heaved a heavy and clearly audible sigh. She would simply have to wait until she could find someone with the ability so she could question them endlessly. Disappointed that her own rational mind could not come up with any sensible answers, she allowed it to wander back into denial and wild speculation.
Her inner turmoil had not gone completely unnoticed. Even though Maric could only see the back of her head he could tell simply by her tense riding posture she was troubled. Thanks to the power of deduction, Maric assumed it was the morning events; along with Alistair's suspicions that were weighing heavily on her mind. He hadn't meant to ease drop, it just kind of happened that way.
Her handling of the morning assassin situation had intrigued far more than frightened him. Speaking on the subject would have to wait until she had time to work through her feelings and doubts. Maker only knew how long that would be.
The day's travels were (thankfully), uneventful. By nightfall the ground found a clearing with a lake, making some much needed bathing possible. They took care of the horses first, making sure each horse was fed, given water and resting comfortably by the lake before they proceeded to set up camp. Elissa silently went to work carving up the meat (Waving away Leliana's offer to help with the meal) which was to be roast over the fire Alistair was busy starting, while everyone else went about setting up tents.
Dinner was consumed in virtual silence, with the occasional glance in Elissa's direction, which, in turn, made her self-conscious. Elissa quickly devoured her meal, excused herself and nearly ran towards the lake in an attempt to escape the curious glances. She dropped to the ground next to the lake and released the breath she had not realized she had been holding, relieved to have a moment to herself. Listening to the branches crunching under heavy footsteps, she knew her relief would be short lived.
"I was merely curious when you might be finished falling on that blade of yours?" Maric groaned as he lowered himself to the ground next to Elissa on the ground. "You don't seem (to me) like the wallowing sort."
Her head snapped up, glaring at the former King she started to say, "I-no..." Elissa was about to argue and deny Maric's accusation, but found she could not. The annoyance slowly disappeared from her eyes as she continued, "Nosy old bugger." They both smirked and chuckled softly.
"I willingly admit I am rather nosy, my dear. But I do so resent being called old." He said sounding genuinely insulted.
"I had no idea you were so very sensitive. My deepest apologies your Highness." Each word dripped with sarcasm.
Maric smirked slightly and shrugged. "You're deflecting my original question with humor, which actually is oddly familiar." He found the tactic far more annoying when others used it. Now he finally understood why those around them were always so annoyed with him.
Elissa's smile slowly faded away. The humor in her eyes was replaced by confusion. She then pulled her knees to her chest, resting her chin on her knees. "I haven't fallen on a sword. I'm simply confused."
"There are worse things than being able to channel your anger into a productive and helpful ability."
"You really are a nosy bugger." Elissa's brow rose slightly. Maric made no effort to deny the truth of his nature. He was nosy and he knew it. He merely grinned in silent response. "When you say it like that, the whole idea doesn't seem so scary."
"I understand why it would scare you. However, you don't even know if it's true. It's merely a theory at this point." He could tell his words did very little to calm her worries. Time for a different strategy. "You know, the ability itself doesn't have to be scary. You simply need to learn to stop suppressing it; learn to control and use it to your advantage."
Elissa chuckled bitterly. "How do you propose I go about doing that? The only berserker I know isn't allowed to leave his home in Denerim." Which was of course by Elissa's own doing. Oghren was going to learn to enjoy being a family man if it killed him. Coming to him with a problem like this would just give him the crazy excuse to leave Felsi and the baby again.
"I bet it would thrill Eamon to teach you." Maric laughed at Elissa's wide eyed surprise and shock. "We didn't always have creaking bones and wrinkles my dear."
"You'll have to forgive me for being so skeptical; Arl Eamon has always appeared to be so...subdued and calm."
"Because he has learned to control is ability. If you truly are a berserker as Alistair suggests, then I believe you should talk to Eamon. If he's unable to show you how to control the ability, then at the very least he should be able to talk you through the basics." he said. In a moment of feeling rather fatherly, Maric put a comforting arm around Elissa's shoulder, pulling her into a hug, which she willingly allowed. "All will be well my dear. You need to learn how to ask for help from those around you." he whispered to the young woman.
Elissa sighed heavily against his chest. "You sound like Alistair." Elissa picked up her head slightly from Maric's chest; looking over his shoulder towards the large tree behind them. "Isn't that right my dear." She called out to the tree.
"Damn!" Alistair swore as he stepped out from behind the tree. "I thought my hiding place was clever and inconspicuous." He said as he brushed off the remaining tree bark. Both Elissa and Maric snorted in mocking laughter. "Stop that." He smirked at Elissa's laughter. Even though he wasn't the person who had gone about making her feel better (it annoyed him to no end), to hear her laugh again was something of a relief.
She carefully removed herself from Maric and pushed herself off of the ground. Holding out a hand to Maric, helping him off the ground as well. He groaned quietly as he stood, Elissa couldn't help but chuckle.
I'm not old." He hissed defensively.
"Of course not my King." She rolled her eyes. "Now if you two would kindly leave so I may clean this dried blood." She kindly asked before placing a hand on both Alistair and Maric's back, and gently pushed them towards the camp.
"Fine, I can take a hint." Alistair playfully huffed. He planted a small kiss on her forehead before strolling towards the camp.
"He still hates me." Maric sighed heavily.
"I've told you before, Maric, he doesn't hate you. It's a little more complicated than that." She said as she removed her hands from Maric's back. Her heart and stomach clinched as her eyes fell upon the sadness in Maric's features as well as his eyes. Alistair is going to kill me. She thought to herself as she whispered in Maric ear.
"That will do quite nicely you clever little minx." He winked and smiled widely before turning back to the camp. Elissa was relieved to finally be able to wash the dried blood that had been bothering her since the morning.
"We're taking watch tonight." Alistair informed Elissa upon her return from the lake. She had hoped he would say something to that effect, as it directly played in to her and Maric's plan.
It was time to put her acting skills to the test. She stretched her arms over her head. "Good Maker but I am tired." She said, her words followed by a loud and mighty yawn. "I don't think I could possibly keep myself up tonight." She looked about the camp at all the tired faces.
"But we always take watch together… It's our thing. " A lump of dread formed in the back of Elissa's throat at the disappointment in his voice and on his face. Casting a glance at Maric's hopeful face, Elissa took a deep breath and forced down the lump in her throat before continuing.
"I know it is." She said giving him a genuine sympathetic smile as she slid her hands into his. "To be perfectly honest, after the excitement this morning and everything else, I don't trust myself around any kind of weapon. I just want to lay down, think over my options and eventually fall asleep." Very little acting was involved in this, as that was her original plan for the night. Alistair shrugged and nodded in understanding. "You'll just have to find someone else to take watch with you."
"I happen to be wide awake; not to mention good with a sword." quipped Maric who spoke up right on cue. Staring at Elissa, confusion came over Alistair's face until his brain was able to register what had been said.
"No. Absolutely not," He whispered low enough for only Elissa to hear. "Anyone but him."
"If you'll look around you dearest, no one else is available. You can't avoid him forever. " She gave him a kiss on the cheek followed by a quick hug. "Well, goodnight!" She sang cheerfully as she briskly walked past a confused Alistair, and disappearing into their tent. Leaving father and son alone and in an awkward silence.
"Shit." Alistair hissed under his breath. Glancing back at a satisfied looking Maric, Alistair released a loud and frustrated sigh. "Fine." He said aloud as he started towards the blazing fire. "Sit over there." Maric nodded as he sat on the ground directly across from Alistair.
"It's a chilly night." Said Maric as he held his hands out to the fire.
"I suppose." Alistair said coldly.
Instead of feeling hurt by his son's cold demeanor, Maric found himself smirking. So much like his mother He thought to himself. "How long have you been a Grey Warden?"
"Almost four years."
"Good for you."
"I am so thrilled to have your approval on the matter." Alistair's cheerful sarcasm did little to dissuade Maric from questioning his son further.
"Where did Duncan recruit you from?"
"The Chantry. I was to be a Templar thanks to Arlessa Isolde believing I was Eamon's bastard instead of yours." Alistair watched Maric for any kind of reaction. The man gave no indication he was disturbed by Alistair's words. "He did little to correct her suspicions. Aside from the studying, I loathed every moment I was captive of the Chantry. Is there anything else you wish to know?" Each word was just as bitter as the last. Maric knew he had struck a nerve.
"Actually I was rather surprised you're sharing anything at all."
"What can I say. I love sharing."
"No. You're trying to make me feel guilty for leaving you with Eamon."
"Hardly." A disgusted scoff came from Alistair before he could stop himself. Despite the denial he knew what Maric said was true.
"Whatever you say." Maric nearly sang knowingly. "I could sit here and tell you the reasons why it needed to be done. I believe it would all be a waste of your time and this old man's breath." He shrugged.
"I've heard them all before." He said while glaring into the fire.
"Of that, I have no doubt." It was time for a slight subject change. "So you met Elissa in Ostagar?" He watched as Alistair features softened.
"Yes. We did."
"So the two of you have been together for nearly four years? That is most impressive."
"W...Well not exactly." Alistair said slowly, shifting uncomfortably where he sat on the ground. "It's not something I wish to discuss with YOU."
Maric knew he would get nothing more on the subject from Alistair. He would simply have to hope the subject came up with Elissa during one of their history lessons. "I suppose it does not matter how the two of you came to be. Obviously you make each other happy, that is all that matters."
"Again, I'm so thrilled to have your approval."
"You should be. I like Elissa a great deal. Any man would be lucky to have her. In fact, if I were several years younger..."
"Not a chance. You'd simply be younger, and still lost at sea." As soon as the words left his mouth Alistair felt incredibility guilty for speaking so rudely.
Maric began chuckling softly, so not to wake anyone in the surrounding tents. Unable to help himself, Alistair smiled; strangely relieved the man took no offense at his words."I'm not sure if that was a slight at my age, sense of direction or taste in women."
"I see nothing wrong with your taste in women. However, being lost at sea for eight years says much about your directional skills."
"There is nothing wrong with my sense of direction. I simply wanted to travel for a while."
"You were lost." Alistair smirked.
Maric sighed dramatically. "Yeah, I was." He said smiling. Sarcasm was far better than the cold shoulder he had been receiving from Alistair over the past couple of days. It was definitely a start. "Thank the Maker my crew had the sense of direction I lacked."
"You had a crew?" Alistair asked.
Maric was surprised by Alistair's sudden interest. Quick to recover, Maric nodded. "Of course I had a crew. Who else is a King supposed to drink with at night, and bark orders at during the day? Well, I guess I'm not the King now, but I was on my ship." He smiled fondly into the fire. As much as he disliked traveling by boat and the water, he missed his faithful crew.
"If you miss them, why did you come back? Sorry, I hardly meant it to sound like that."
"I know. And all of that will be explained in good time. I'd prefer not to repeat that story, thus why I shall wait until we've reached Redcliffe."
"Fair enough." Alistair Said.
"So…care to tell me about the Chantry?"
"Why?"
"Alistair, just because I wasn't there to watch you grow and protect you as I should have doesn't mean I'm not interested in your life. Also, if it makes you feel any better," he glanced down to the ground almost sheepishly," I was just as ignorant of Cailan's childhood."
"No. It doesn't make me feel better, but I'll tell you anyways if only because we have time to kill."
Alistair began telling Maric of his childhood in Redcliffe and the Chantry. Maric hung on Alistair's every word with great interest. Maric knew when to ask questions, and when to sit and listen. He also knew when to offer his sympathy.
Alistair found speaking with Maric was easy. Yet, he did not offer too much information about himself all at once. He had issues and information that he was hardly ready to speak of yet, especially with him. It would be brought up eventually, but only when enough trust was built between the two of them. Until then the man would just have to made due with tidbits of information.
Elissa pulled herself away from the opening of the tent, and wrapped herself tightly in her bedroll. When sleep finally claimed her, she fell asleep with a smug smile on her face. It was a rocky start, but at least it was a start in a direction leading towards some kind of relationship between a father and his son.