Summary: After she receives an unexpected gift from Alistair, Scarlett comes to realize how much he means to her. Finding the courage to express her feelings, however... well, that's the tricky part.

I hope you enjoy reading this chapter as much as I loved writing it.

Disclaimer: I did not write the song Scarlett sings. I just thought its beautiful simplicity fit super well with the mood of this chapter and overall story.

To hear Scarlett (aka me) sing, please visit my soundcloud (user-217358805/storm).

Again, enjoy and I can't wait to read your feedback!

"Scarlett..." I heard a whisper. Then I felt something soft and velvety run down my cheek and I slowly opened my eyes to see Alistair smiling down at me.
"What's that?" I yawned and stretched my body to its fullest length across my bedroll.
"Well, I want to thank you for agreeing to coming here. I know you didn't have to do it and it would have been easier not to, but you did it anyway. It means the world to me. And this…" he twirled the rose in his fingers, "I picked it in Lothering. I remember thinking, how could something so beautiful exist in a place with such despair and ugliness? I probably should have left it alone, but I couldn't. The darkspawn would come and their taint would just destroy it. So, I've had it ever since."
"It's beautiful." I whispered softly.

I must admit I've always had a soft spot for red roses, as cliché as they could sometimes be. I loved everything about them, from the vibrant crimson of the petals to their sharp ambrosial scent. And Maker, were they romantic. I know, I know. I should lay off the fairy tales.

"I thought I might… give it to you, actually. As a thank-you for what you've done." He paused as he struggled to find the courage to complete his thought. "And in a lot of ways… I think the same thing when I look at you."
I smiled brightly and turned to lay on my side, propping myself up on my elbow. "I'm not exactly what you'd call a delicate flower."
"Heh, delicate, no. I guess it's a bit silly, isn't it? I just thought, here I am, doing all this complaining and you haven't exactly been having a good time of it yourself. You've had none of the good experience of being a Grey Warden. It's all been death and fighting and tragedy."
"Well, it hasn't all been bad. There was wine." I smirked.
"Heh yes, that's true, there was wine." He smiled. "Anyway, I thought maybe I could say something. Tell you what a rare and wonderful thing you are to find amidst all this… darkness."
"I… I don't know what to say. Thank you, Alistair. That's… it's lovely." I gave him a shy smile. I never quite learned how to take a compliment well. Usually I would just blush and stammer awkwardly until the moment had passed. At least this time I managed to get a complete sentence out.

"I'm glad you like it." He beamed. I extended my arms and he helped me to my feet.
"I do. Very much so." I smiled wider as I brought the rose up to my nose, closed my eyes, and breathed it in. Ahhh. "While I do appreciate you making me take the time to literally stop and smell the roses, we have a little boy to exorcise so, we'd better hop to it."
"Always so practical." He smirked.
"Force of habit." I shrugged.

Yeah, I played it cool on the outside; inside I was reeling. Was he really just trying to thank me? Or did it mean something… more? Despite my best efforts to keep them in check, my feelings toward Alistair had been steadily building since the day I'd met him. For a long time, I hadn't even realized it. I just kept telling myself we were friends and it should remain that way. In a situation already this jam-packed with complications, the last thing I needed was to add more. But all those gentle moments when we were alone, the unfettered laughs we shared and deep confessions we made, the sideways glances and the innocent caresses we stole… sometimes it all seemed anything but friendly. And now this… I just… didn't really know where to go from here. Maybe he felt the same way I'd slowly come to realize I was feeling about him. Maybe not. Maybe we'd just stay in this weird limbo forever. Wouldn't that be fun?

We quickly packed up the horses and rode the rest of the way to the Circle.

I brought Wynne in case Irving needed a little… softening. I noticed the last time we visited the Circle that Irving obviously respected her. Luckily, when I spoke to him he was happy to lend a helping hand, which was a huge relief. I don't know what we would have done if he'd turned us down. Alistair and Wynne led the way back to the pier while Leliana and I followed a few paces behind.

"It seems our Alistair has taken quite a liking to you." Leliana smiled at me, and it seemed a genuine smile—not a hint of jealousy. Maybe I'd misread their little talk a few days ago after all.
"What makes you say that? Because he gave me this?" I held up the rose.
"Well, not just that but yes, that's part of it. Are you intending to… return his affection?"
"Well, I don't know if I'd call giving a woman a rose 'affection,' exactly…"
"I wouldn't know what else to call it."
"He was just thanking me for not taking the easy way out with this Connor thing. I wouldn't read too much into it."
"Scarlett, I know you are shy, but do come on. That boy cares for you. And not just as a friend."

I felt a warmth invade my cheeks. I just couldn't help it. I was probably the same shade of red as that rose. Ugh.

"I… I'm terrible in these sorts of situations, Leliana. I always stammer and blush and feel terribly shy and awkward."
"Heh, you are both awkward, in your way." She sniggered. "But there is a lid for every pot. The question is… do you feel the same way?"
"Even if I did—hypothetically, of course—I don't know if I could just come out and tell him. Just thinking about it right now is making my mouth dry and my palms sweaty. Super romantic, right?"
"Then you must think of a way to show your feelings that doesn't involve talking. I'm sure you will think of something." She offered with a wink.

Welp, that blush was there to stay alright.

We rode back to Redcliffe, mages and lyrium in tow, with great haste. Before I knew it I was back in the castle's great hall. Irving was speaking to his mages to make preparations for the ritual.

"Morrigan…" I called.
"Yes? I see you have returned in one piece. That bodes well, I suppose."
"Yes, so far so good." I gave her a half smile. "Well, I'll cut right to the chase. We'll need a mage to navigate the Fade and slay this demon. I would like to entrust that task to you."
"You… would? Why not Wynne?"
"Never send a lamb to do a lion's job." That made her smile. Yep, you read that right—I made the ice queen smile. Incredible. I know I wasn't quite being fair to Wynne, but when you're facing a demon—especially one as damn frightening as this one—you pull out all the stops. Morrigan may have been the more… prickly of the pair, but she was also the more lethal. Of this I was certain.

"I am... honored. I shall do this and the boy shall remain unharmed. You have my word."
"Thank you. I know you won't disappoint me." She nodded in acknowledgment and we made our way back to the others.

"Any last-minute advice, Irving?" I asked.
"It truly depends on the manner of demon. It sounds like a spirit of greed and desire, one of the more powerful in the hierarchy. It will likely tempt you with an offer. Resist it. Making deals with demons never turns out well."
"Please, as if I would be foolish enough to bargain with a demon. Do give me a little credit. It is not as though we are sending Alistair through the Fade."
"Hey!" Alistair whined.
"Alright, let's proceed. Morrigan, I know you probably won't need it but, best of luck." I offered.
"You are correct. I will not need it."

And so the mages began the ritual and off she went. I don't know how much time she was really gone for, but it felt like an eternity. But somehow, some way, she managed to defeat the damn thing and she returned to us, thank the Maker. And Connor was saved.

We all gathered outside as the remaining residents of Redcliffe built pyres for their dead.

"So it is over." Teagan declared. "Connor seems to be back to his old self, which is a blessing. I suppose we will need to send him to the Circle for training, once the war is over."
"I think that would be wise." I glared daggers at Isolde.
"Eamon will have much to mourn, should he recover. But at least he can be thankful that both his son and wife are safe."
"I owe you my deepest thanks. I had nearly… I can scarcely believe Connor is the boy he once was." Isolde offered.
"You're welcome." Was all I could say in return. I still wasn't happy with her, but there was no need to rub salt in the wound either.
"There is still the matter of Jowan. His poisoning of Eamon began this whole mess, yet he lives. I must decide what to do with him." Teagan looked to me as though he wanted me to instruct him. That… really wasn't my thing, so I remained quiet.
"We will hold him for Eamon to decide his fate. If he doesn't recover, his fate his sealed." Works for me. "But our task is not done yet. Whatever the demon did to my brother, it seems to have spared his life, but he remains comatose."
"The Urn!" Isolde suggested excitedly. "The Urn of Sacred Ashes will save Eamon!"
"Yes, I remember Ser Donall mentioning this Urn in Lothering. He made it sound like a needle in a haystack at best, and a pipedream at worst." I recalled.
"It is our only hope. I know we have already asked too much of you, Warden. But please, do us this service." Isolde sounded more and more desperate with each syllable that passed her lips.
I sighed. "Alright, let's say I wanted to find this thing. Where would I begin?" I asked.
"You must seek out Brother Genitivi in Denerim. No one knows more about the Urn than him." Isolde suggested.
"Alright, we'll depart first thing tomorrow."
"You must stay here tonight and dine with us." Isolde offered. "It is really the least we could do after all you have done for Connor."
"I wouldn't want to impose." I lied. I so would want to impose if it meant spending another night tent-free.
"I will not take no for an answer. Please. Our home is your home."

Huh. It's amazing how saving someone's life and the life of their child really changes a person's attitude.

"Thank you. I confess a hot bath would be the most wondrous thing in the world right now."
"Please, come inside."

And with that we all followed Isolde inside and her servants, or at least what remained of them, showed us to our quarters.

When I walked in the room my jaw dropped. I had grown up in rather… luxurious surroundings, but this room was something else entirely. Rich blue velvet drapes tied with golden ropes, vast, plush carpets stretching from wall to wall, rich cherry wood dressers and furnishings and a mirror so large it could have fit someone twice the size of Sten in its reflection. And the bed. Maker, the bed. I wanted nothing more than to crawl in and feel its softness all around me, but I was a mess. I wasn't about to tarnish the majesty of those high thread-count sheets with zombie entrails. So, inviting as it was, it would have to wait.

"Your bath will be ready in just a moment, my lady." A small elf offered. "Do make yourself at home in the meantime."

I sat down and removed my boots and my armor and felt twenty pounds lighter… probably because I was. I thought about just staying in my room but that bed kept calling my name, so I decided to wander around a bit.

I found my way into Eamon's study and decided to snoop around. I know I probably shouldn't have, but if we were going to go through all this trouble just to save him, I wanted to get an idea of the sort of man he really was. I had Alistair's opinion of course but if he was truly the closest thing he had to a father growing up, I'm sure he was quite biased. I didn't find much, but I did find an amulet—the one Alistair thought he destroyed when Eamon sent him away. It was all in one piece, though there were cracks throughout. Eamon must have found it and pieced it back together. He really did care, it seems. I put it in my pocket for safe keeping and moved to another room.

And that, my friends, is when I found the motherlode—I had never seen a library so large in my life. Books of every shape, color, and size. Books of every subject you could imagine. I so wished I hadn't said we'd leave tomorrow. I could get lost in this room for months.

"Ah, there you are my lady. Your bath is ready." Figures.

The bath felt… amazing isn't a strong enough word. It felt extraordinary. You're familiar with the phrase 'You don't know what you got 'til it's gone,' yes? I did not fully appreciate hot water until all I had was a cold lake to wash in, and that was on the good days. This… this was divine. I washed myself with my usual cherry almond-scented soap and playfully moved the bubbles around for a bit. Then I closed my eyes and sunk down and it felt as though all of my troubles were melting away.

Before long I started to get pruny, so I grabbed a towel and dried off. When I came back to my room I saw a magnificent red dress laid out across the bed. Scarlett. Red dress. Cute. Then I noticed the heels on the floor beside it. With my height not only were they completely unnecessary, but I couldn't walk in them to save my life. I held the dress up and prayed it would be long enough to cover my feet so I could just walk around in stockings.

The dress was made of velvet with black piping and lace in tasteful accents around the bodice and the bottom of the skirt. Ah, there's the rub. It had a lace-up corset back. There was no way I was getting into this blasted thing by myself.

"Leliana!" I called into the hall after I threw on a robe and opened the door—her room was just across the way from mine.
"Yes?" She answered as she walked out of her own and into my room.
"I don't suppose you'd be willing to lend me a hand…" I closed the door behind us and gestured toward the fine garment strewn across the bed.
She gasped with excitement. "Maker! It's beautiful!"
"Yes, it's a nice dress. And also impossible for me to get on by myself."
"And the shoes! Tell me you're wearing the shoes!" I had never seen her eyes light up like that since I'd known her.
"I'm… not actually. You're welcome to them if they fit."
"Really?!" She almost jumped up and down. "I don't care if they don't fit. Sometimes a girl just wants pretty feet." She smiled brightly. "Get undressed. Together we'll make this gown see reason."

I smiled back. I guess this was something similar to what it would be like to have a sister. It was… kind of fun, actually.

She took the gown and held it up, preparing to help me slip it on. I raised my arms over my head to ease the process. Then Leliana just looked up at me, dumbfounded by the difference in our respective heights.

"Okay, bad idea. Maybe I should just step into it." I suggested. Leliana brought the dress down to the floor and I placed my feet inside before she pulled it all the way up. The dress actually fit like a dream, and my feet were blissfully hidden. Thank the Maker. Then she began to lace me up…

"I know these things are supposed to be tight, but do make an exception. I prefer the ability to breathe over being fashionable." I advised.
"Oh very well. I suppose your bosoms are heaving enough without the help of this blasted thing."

When she finished I stood up straight and looked at myself in the impossibly huge mirror. I actually looked… like me. Or rather, how I used to look before everything had happened. Before Highever fell. Before the Joining. It felt so long ago I barely recognized myself. My skin was completely white, almost glowing in its milky paleness, not a blemish to be found (luckily the dress managed to hide all my bruises, of which there were many). And she wasn't lying about the heaving bosom thing. I'd spent so much time in heavy armor lately I'd almost forgotten I'd had them. The top of the bodice formed a bateau neckline that led to billowy sleeves, showcasing my neck, shoulders, and collarbone quite nicely.

"What do you think?" I asked as I held out my arms and did a slow turn.

"Oh, you're not done yet. We must do something with that hair."

It seemed I didn't have much choice in the matter so I just let her do… whatever it is she did.

"There. You're ready." She smiled and brought me to the mirror. I… had to hand it to her. She apparently knew what she was doing. She placed my hair atop my head in loose curls held in place by an onyx comb. She used just a dab of rouge on my lips and cheeks, which was a nice contrast to the paleness of my skin and the deep crimson of the dress.

"You are a vision." She smiled wider. "He won't be able to keep his hands off you." And just as I was about to open my mouth to scold her, she was gone. Ugh. Rogues.

Before long the elf who had drawn my bath greeted me warmly. "Dinner is served, my lady."

And so I made my way into the dining room. I don't know how it happened since I'd left as soon as the elf had told me to, but somehow I wound up being the last to arrive at the table. Awesome. We all know how much I love drawing extra attention to myself.

Teagan was at the head with Alistair to his left. I—apparently the guest of honor—was to sit to his right. Leliana was beside me with Zevran across the way. Morrigan sat beside Leliana. Sten beside Zevran. Wynne was across from Connor and Isolde was waaaay at the other end of the table. Fine by me.

As I made my way to my seat, I had eyes only for the young man standing across the table from me. He looked devastatingly handsome. Freshly shaved and perfectly coiffed (he had mentioned a hair obsession, hadn't he?), his white tunic freshly pressed, laced up halfway so part of the tanned skin of his chest was tantalizingly exposed. Over the tunic he wore an ornate but understated black vest with a jaquard pattern that hung open and hit him just about mid-thigh, his legs clad in black leather pants and boots that came up to his knee. And he studied me just as closely, his eyes wandering over every inch of me. I felt quite bashful at first but only at first, all my fears relieved as soon as a slow smile crept across his lips. Then our eyes met, his stunned amber stare mirroring my emerald one. Once the initial shock wore off and he remembered his manners, he walked around the table to pull out my chair for me and offered me his hand—ever the gentleman. I took it and sat down. Before he returned to his seat he whispered in my ear, "You look… breathtakingly beautiful." That earned him a wide smile and I could feel a blush painting my cheeks and chest. I know Leliana meant well, but I probably didn't need the rouge after all, the way this day was shaping up.

"You look lovely, Lady Cousland." Teagan complimented.
"Yes, the dress suits you quite nicely. I wasn't sure it would fit a woman of your size, but all seems to be well." Ah, there was the Isolde I'd come to know and love. Bitch.
"Thank you." I said through gritted teeth. I wanted to say a whole lot more but… well… no reason to look a gift horse in the mouth. We were her guests, after all.

Teagan stood up after the food had been brought to the table. "We thank the Maker for this bounty and ask that He use it to the strength and nourishment of our bodies. We also thank Him for sending us these brave souls, without whom, we would not be alive today. Amen."

The food was quite delicious but the wine… Merciful Andraste, the wine. It was perfect. Full-bodied, fragrant, not too sweet, not too dry. The flavor just… danced across my tastebuds. As I looked around the table I noticed Morrigan trying to flirt with Sten by attempting to fit an entire cucumber into her mouth. I almost felt bad for the Qunari but I had to admit, her repeated attempts to make him uncomfortable were downright hilarious. Oddly enough, I saw Zevran trying to do the same thing. No idea for whose benefit that was. Still, it was impressive. Maybe he just wanted to show he could.

"Do you like the food, Lady Cousland?" Teagan asked.
"Scarlett, please. And it's wonderful, thank you. And the wine is even better."
"Yes, how fortunate you're old enough to drink it now. I fear the last time you were a guest here your father had to deny you." He smiled.
"Yes, I believe you're right."
"I remember he used to go on and on about you. He said you could sing like no one he'd ever heard. What was it he used to call you? His little siren, I think it was."
"Well, my father likes… liked to exaggerate a bit. And that was… a long time ago. Unfortunately, my singing does nothing to lure darkspawn to their deaths. Otherwise this whole Grey Warden thing would be a whole lot easier."

I tried to keep the smile up, but I felt it running away from my face in a hurry the more we talked about my father, especially in the past tense.

Teagan let out a hearty laugh. "Yes, I'm sure you're quite right."
"Are you… sure you have the right Scarlett Cousland?" Alistair asked.
"Oh yes. He simply could not stop singing the praises of his oh-so-talented daughter." Teagan smiled. "Won't you sing us a song?"
"Oh you must!" Isolde pleaded.
"...That's really more Leliana's thing. I'm sure she'd be all too happy to—"
"Nonsense! We must hear this voice of yours. Your father would not have it any other way. Please, Lady Cousland. These halls have heard nothing but sadness and despair for so long. Let us fill them with something beautiful."

Welp, looks like I wasn't getting out of this one. How could I say no to that? I stood up from my chair and took a deep breath. I closed my eyes and thought about what the heck would be appropriate for the occasion. Then I remembered Leliana's advice… That I'd need to use something other than talking to express my feelings for Alistair. And then the song became all too clear.

I kept my eyes closed and I drew breath and the first few words escaped my throat:

How long have I been in this storm?

The reverberation from the stone walls surrounding us made my voice sound ten times bigger than it was, but I had to admit, it did sound pretty.

So overwhelmed by the ocean's shapeless form
Water's getting harder to tread
With these waves crashing over my head

I slowly opened my eyes and made sure they found Alistair's. And I sang only to him. Maker, it felt so silly at first but I just felt the words and kept staring into those hazel eyes and I was just… carried away to somewhere else. A place where no one existed but he and I. And it was beautiful.

If I could just see you
Everything would be alright
If I'd see you
This darkness would turn to light

And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
I'll know everything will be alright
I'll know everything is alright

I know you didn't bring me out here to drown
So why am I ten feet under and upside down
Barely surviving has become my purpose
Cause I'm so used to living underneath the surface

If I could just see you
Everything would be alright
If I'd see you
This darkness would turn to light

I noticed Teagan lean over to Alistair and whisper something in his ear. Alistair turned a bright shade of red. What did he say, I wondered. It would have to wait. No stopping now.

And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
I'll know everything will be alright
I'll know everything... is... alright

And that was that. I sheepishly sat back down and silently thanked the Maker my voice didn't crack and I remembered all the words. Then silence. Stunned silence. Great. Not awkward at all.

"I—" I began in an attempt to break the silence, but I was interrupted by Zevran hopping out of his chair and clapping as loudly and obnoxiously as he could. Then Teagan joined in, followed by a diffident Isolde, then Connor, Wynne, and Leliana. Morrigan and Sten… well, I knew better than to expect anything from them, and Alistair was just sitting in his seat, mouth slightly agape. I guess he got the message. Or, at least, I hoped he had. Time would tell.

Before long the time came to retire to our rooms, and thank the Maker for that. It had been a very, very long day, but I couldn't go to bed before going back to that library. I took a small candelabra from my room and decided to spend a few hours getting lost in a good book before sleep.

The library was even more beautiful at night. Several candles lit the main hallway on either side and between them and the moonlight, the room had the most magnificent glow. I walked all the way down to the end of the hall, set the candelabra down on a small nearby table, and attempted to make my selection—not an easy task. I could no sooner choose a favorite star among the night sky.

When I finally pulled one from the shelf, I could hear footsteps approaching.

"I thought I might find you here." Alistair greeted. I jumped a little before turning around to see him.
"You know me too well, it seems." I smiled shyly. From what I could see in the dim candlelight, he gave me a warm, wide smile back.
"Can't sleep?" He asked. As he slowly, deliberately made his way down the hallway, he licked his thumb and index finger and began to extinguish each candle as he drew closer.

"I could probably sleep for a year at this point but… this place was too beautiful to ignore."
"I believe I know just what you mean." I couldn't be sure with the main aisle as dark as it now was, but I think he gave me another smile. But this was not your typical Alistair smile. This was something else. Something… hungry. I quickly turned back around to face the bookshelf. I don't entirely know why but I was feeling extremely timid and a little embarrassed. I just couldn't bring myself to face him.

"That song you sang before…" he began. I just remained quiet and let the butterflies in my stomach grow larger and larger with each nearing footstep. "Was it for me?" he asked.
"I…"

Subject change, Scarlett. A subject change would be good here!

"I noticed Teagan whispering to you. What did he say?"
"He said…" He was so close now I could feel the hot breath from his whispers tickling the back of my neck, "'When a woman looks at you like that, it usually means something.'"

I felt the goosebumps begin to raise all over my exposed flesh. Then I felt his hands slipping around my waist. Maker's breath, was this really happening?

"Did it? ...Mean something?" I felt him inhaling the scent of my hair as he pulled me even closer to him. I still couldn't force myself to turn around. All I could manage was a slow nod. Then he continued that torturous, seductive whispering into my ear.

"I know it might sound strange considering we haven't known each other for very long, but I've come to… care for you… a great deal. I think maybe it's because we've gone through so much together, I don't know… Or maybe I'm fooling myself…" Then I felt him let out a slow, hot breath against my skin before I felt his lips begin to trail their way from my exposed shoulder to my neck. I closed my eyes and my breathing grew heavier with each gentle kiss.

"Am I?" he asked between the gentle brushes of his lips against my skin. "Fooling myself?"

I turned around to face him and reached up and removed the comb from my hair, letting the long tresses come tumbling down in loose waves. I leaned in, my face less than an inch away from his and whispered "No" against his lips. Then he closed the gap between us and slowly, gently brushed his full, perfectly shaped lips against mine. I don't know what happened exactly, but I was feeling anything but shy now, and that soft brush of lips just wasn't enough. I hungrily sucked his mouth into mine and he pulled me tighter against him, immersing his fingers in my loose hair and holding my mouth to his. My tongue slipped past my lips and found his, testing, unsure strokes at first, then dancing together in slow, tantalizing circles. I heard him moan softly into my mouth and it made things low in my body tighten and ache. It took every ounce of willpower I had in me not to drag him back to my room right then and there, but I knew Alistair. I knew he'd want to move slowly. He was a gentleman. It was actually one of my favorite things about him.

When the kiss broke, I was breathless, my chest heaving and almost spilling out of the confines of the dress. He loosened his grip on my hair as he whispered against my lips, "Maker's breath but you're beautiful. I am a lucky man."

I smiled against the curve of his lips, then I leaned down to blow the remaining candles out.