Alena ran a bath, she knew it was very late but she needed it. She needed Anders, but pushing him in his weak state would never help anything. She left her thin underwear and breast belt on, they became see-through on contact with the water. She didn't care though. She submerged herself for a few seconds, the hot water almost scalding her.
After a while the water began to cool, so she got out and sat in front of the fire to dry off. She heard a few noises and they sounded like they were from Anders' room. Suddenly Ser Pouncealot ran in the room and his frenzied meows alerted her. Something was wrong, seriously wrong. She quickly grabbed a robe and ran down the corridor. Isabella and Avaline were awakened by the sounds too. "Honey, he sounds terrible. Maybe we should go in there and make him feel better". She smirked and winked, much to Alena and Avaline's disgust. "Isabella this isn't the damn time for your games...sorry. Look we need to stay out of his room. Justice could get violent, Anders did warn me of that". Isabella threw up her hands in mock surrender. "Tie me down and gag me, then I'll shut up hehe. Ok, so shall we leave...oh hello Ser Pounce, aren't you a handsome boy". She went to pet him but he ran past her and jumped onto Anders bed. The draft that followed him had opened the door even more.
Isabella peeked in and she gasped, Avaline looked in the room in response to her then looked at the ground. "Oh Maker no, Anders? Alena, I think he's dead". "What? No way, he, he can't be". Alena was too confused to feel anything, she had to be sure. "Isabella get Fenris, he stayed here tonight, drunk as usual. He is in the first bedroom on the left. He can protect me in case Anders is alive and he lashes out". "Sure thing". She swayed her hips as she walked to his room. After 5 minutes of what sounded like arguing, Fenris eventually appeared with Isabella in tow. "Right, so the mage may be dead, and you want me to protect you? Really Hawke?". Fenris got a growl in response to his answer. Isabella winked at Alena, she found her annoyed growl sexy, she found almost anything sexy though. "FENRIS, this is not the time for, oh he's a mage. For Maker's sake please just help me. If Anders lashes out, possibly Justice, your speed and strength can save us both. Please". Alena's voice sounded like she would cry. "Ok, I'll go in first". Fenris was clearly a bit shaken from her shouting at him. He knew why though.
Fenris carefully approached Anders still form and he saw no blue light emanating from him, so Justice wasn't awakened yet. He waved his hand for Alena to come in. She went to check Anders pulse, Fenris readied his hand beside her, lyrium flaring. She sighed gratefully. He had a pulse, and it wasn't faint. Maybe he is an incredibly heavy sleeper? A nightmare perhaps? Anders then shot up and Ser Pouncealot jumped into Alena's arms. "What in Maker's name was that all about? That nightmare, it really hurt. Ow, Justice this is not the time for you to be crushing my skull. Oh? Alena, Fenris? Why are you here?" Fenris looked bemused and left them to it, motioning to Isabella and Avaline that Anders was fine and that they should return to their rooms. They did so, wondering what the hell had just happened.
"We came to check on you. We heard loud bangs coming from your room. Fenris was here just in case you or Justice lashed out. You had a nightmare?" Alena's voice shook, worry was emblazoned on her face, fear in her eyes. She looked around and saw that several heavy objects had been thrown in his room. So that would explain the noises. "Yes, I'm sorry, I am still a bit out of it. You know I said that being a Grey Warden makes you have nightmares? About the Archdemon. The blight is over, the Archdemon dead but I saw it. It's arm was crushing me, I tried to fight, stabbed it several times. Then it's claws dug into my chest, I was in so much pain that I passed out, before my eyes shut, I saw and smelt the metallic life in my veins slip out of my chest. And the I woke up. I am so sorry Alena. You look frightened. I made you like that". He hung his head in shame.
"Anders, you warned me about this. I am frightened, but I love you. I am sticking by you no matter what". Alena began to cry, Anders eyes welled up too and she cuddled him. She needed him close. If her embrace helped him, then she would keep him close. Ser Pouncealot jumped onto Anders lap, began to purr and rub his neck against his and Alena's hand. They both smiled. "He likes you. He usually shy's away from any other person, but you he likes". The purring was soothing, and Alena grabbed the blanket at the end of the bed. She gave it to Anders and kissed his cheek. He latched onto her hand. "Alena, please stay with me. I don't mean anything by that". He sounded tired. "Of course. Right Ser Pouncealot, you may need to budge over so I can lie next to your Master". She giggled, returned to her room, changed into her sleeping attire, returned and shut the door. She lay next to him and lay his head on her heart, the beat calming him.
"I love you Anders". Her voice was music in his ears. "And I love you sweet Alena". They both fell asleep, peaceful and happy.