This chapter contains adult content.

Together In All Things

Alistair held Annika's sleeping form tight against his chest, her soft and steady breathing warming his skin. Her open hand lay on his belly, one long leg was nestled between his, and the simple joy he always found in the way their bodies seemed to meld together, swallowed him whole. As he considered all that had happened in the last eight days, he kept returning to one truth: He could never lose her again, the only question was what to do next? The immediate answer, of course, was to leave Llomerynn as soon as possible. The news of Jogrian's death would spread through the city like wildfire, and Alistair was anxious to have Annika away from the repercussions. He had little doubt that Jogrian's underlings would soon be hunting them down.

Stroking her back, Alistair thought of the future, one with the woman in his arms. For so long, he had not cared about what the next day would bring, had not dared to hope he would be happy again. All that was now changed and he would spend the rest of his life thanking the Maker for it. Everything he was, everything he wanted or dared to hope for, was in his arms, and, Alistair realized with a chuckle, was starting to drool a bit on his chest. He shifted Annika slightly, her hand sliding lower down his belly as he did. His body tingled at the touch.

"Ali?" she whispered against his neck, "are you alright?"

Alistair turned and kissed her forehead. "Shhh, sweet, go back to sleep," he whispered. She did not answer, but he did feel her mouth kiss his neck, goosebumps rising all over his skin in response. Her hand stroked his belly now, and she pressed her pelvis against the side of his hip. Groaning, Alistair reached down and cupped her bottom, turning his hips to hers and seeking out her mouth. She welcomed his tongue, responding to him immediately, and reaching between them, she took his shaft in her hand.

Alistair quickly became fully erect, and rolled onto his back, pulling her on top of him. Straddling him, she settled on his belly, leaned down, and kissed his chest. He pushed himself up and met her halfway, kissing her deeply, caressing her breasts, paying particular attention to her nipples. He was eager to taste her skin and he pulled her closer, taking a tight nipple into his mouth, causing her to toss her head back and moan. They kissed, tasted, and stroked one another, teasing, until Alistair lifted her hips, and holding his long member at its base, easing her onto him.

Annika leaned forward, taking his hands in hers; using them as leverage to lift her hips and meet his thrusts. This lovemaking was different than earlier, it was more urgent and the pace was fast and rough. Bouncing her up and down, Alistair needed more, and rolled her onto her back. He grasped and lifted her legs, resting her calves on his shoulders and drove himself deeply into her. Annika was mumbling, saying his name, urging him on, "Harder! Please, oh, YES!" She climaxed quickly and as her spasms massaged him, he too approached completion, and with a few last unrelenting thrusts, pushed his seed far into her. Panting, Alistair lowered her legs from his shoulders and settled himself on top of her, staying up on his elbows. As he kissed her softly, he gently pulled out and rested next to her.

"Maker, Annie!" he grinned at her, watching her eyes sparkle. "You are so beautiful," he whispered as he kissed her tenderly.

Annika returned his smile. "That's what you get for waking me," she said cheekily.

"Yes, well, I suppose I got what I deserved," he laughed, "bad Alistair!" He placed a quick kiss on her brow, "Alright, quiet now woman, I need my beauty sleep, so hands off!" he said.

"Sorry," she replied with mock seriousness, "I cannot seem to help myself," and, as Alistair happily learned, it seemed she could not.

xXx

"What is next?" she asked him as the first rays of sunlight began to brighten the room. They lay spooning, their fingers entwined.

"We leave Llomerynn," Alistair answered. "I think it should be no later than tomorrow, but I want to speak with Zevran first," he answered simply. "We should book passage to Ostwick or Bastion, those two ports seem to have the most vessels coming and going, and are outside of Rivain," he added.

Annika shook her head, "No, we shouldn't go to Bastion, it is too close to Antiva City. We cannot risk Zevran being spotted," she warned. "But we could go to Ostwick, which is where the three of us sailed from, or Hercinia."

Alistair stretched and sat up, and she rolled over, laying her head on his thigh, "And then where shall we go?" he asked.

Annika looked at him and decided to ask what she was most afraid to, "It is 'we', then?" she whispered. Alistair's brow furrowed and a look of concern crept into his face, "I thought, I mean, of course it's 'we', isn't it?" he said shyly as he toyed with her hair.

"Yes, yes it is," she said immediately. "I wanted to ask, Alistair, I just wanted to make sure…" her answer trailed off, and she sighed. "I want to make sure that you are doing what you want to do, and not what I am telling you to do," Annika finished.

"Annie," Alistair said, his tone growing more confident, "I love you. I never want to be apart from you, not again, not ever," he vowed, "I know exactly what I want, and what I want is you," he stated, "So, I ask again, where shall we go?"

Annika beamed up at him, "Anywhere," she answered.

xXx

Zevran watched out of his window carefully, his concern over what he felt was imminent retaliation pulling him from his bed hours ago. He had spent the earliest part of the morning walking the alleys and streets that led to the docks, memorizing their twists and turns, learning what advantages, if any, each path would hold. The yardmaster at the docks had told him that three vessels in the harbor were accepting passengers, each departing today. Two were bound for Ostwick, one for Kirkwall. It seemed to Zevran that Kirkwall would be the most logical destination for each of them, as it was the closest to Nevarra as well as Highever. Now, as the sun indicated the morning had arrived in full, he finished gathering his items, and left his room. Knocking on Leliana's door, he quickly relayed his thoughts and with her agreement given, Zevran left her to prepare for their journey. His next stop was Annika's room. He only hoped, as he raised his knuckles to rap on the door, that they were dressed; or at least that Alistair would be.

Alistair opened the door and stood back, muttering, "Morning," to him as he did. Annika offered him a genuine smile, her demeanor relaxed, calm, and satisfied. It irritated Zevran enormously.

"Good morning, Zev, how are you today?" she asked cheerfully. "Did you sleep well?"

"I have spent the morning gathering the necessary information for our departure," Zevran said to them both. "We can sail today, my Warden, if you should choose for us to do so," he nodded toward the windows. "The day is upon us, so we must make a decision quickly."

"So you have already been to the docks?" Alistair asked. "What did you learn?"

"I have, and I spoke with the yardmaster," Zevran answered. "We have three ships to choose from, two bound for Ostwick, one for Kirkwall. I feel that we should leave here and depart for Kirkwall." He recommended, feeling the need to hurry them all away from here, to hurry her away from here. "I do not want to wait another day," he added, his tone betraying his sense of urgency.

"Agreed," said Annika as she stood up from the edge of the bed. She walked to the privacy screen and began pulling clothing from the top to pack, "Zevran, have you spoken with Leliana?" she enquired.

"He has," answered a light voice with an Orlesian accent. Annika turned to greet Leliana as she entered the room. "I assumed we would be in a hurry," Leliana continued, "so I asked the innkeeper to prepare us a satchel of food, and to tally what we owe. Both items will be ready shortly."

Zevran nodded with satisfaction, "I want to book our passage quickly, and I do not want to stay in one place too long," he said. "Well done, Leliana."

"Will it be two cabins or three?" asked Leliana, looking from Alistair to Annika. "I certainly hope it's three."

Zevran anticipated the answer, of course, but still pressed his lips in a firm line of annoyance as Alistair answered, "Three. Sorry Lil, but you will not be sharing a cabin with Annie this time."

Zevran watched as Annika and Alistair gathered their items, packing them in the bulky backpacks that had become as much a part of their equipment as swords and armor. He watched as Annika began to roll her favorite daggers into their soft velvet cloths, "I want us to return to the docks prepared for a fight, so do not pack your equipment," he said, "I feel we should be on alert, and should remain so until we see Llomerynn disappear behind the horizon."

Alistair immediately agreed, and when Leliana and Annika began to complain, Zevran was surprised to see Alistair shake his head at Annika. "No Annie, you will not be taking any chances. Zevran is right, and you will be prepared," Alistair insisted firmly. Zevran was amazed to hear Alistair tell Annika anything, but was more so when she complied.

"Wonders will never cease," Zevran whispered under his breath.

A short time later, they stood in the main room downstairs, and Annika settled their account with the innkeeper. Alistair picked up the large satchel of food and slung it over his armored back, and with one final check of the courtyard, Zevran led them away from The Purring Pussy.

xXx

The group rapidly descended the steep streets leading down to the harbor. Zevran took point as Alistair brought up the rear, each man constantly on the lookout for a threat, both clearly nervous. Leliana and Annika chatted the whole way, each prepared for anything but determined to appear relaxed. Once they reached the main dock, which was easily one hundred feet wide and extended several hundred feet out into the harbor, Zevran disappeared into the bustling crowd. He returned quickly with the details of the arrangements he had made.

"We will sail out on the Humble Servant with the evening tide," Zevran told them. "It is the second to last vessel at the end of the dock," and he pointed toward a massive set of masts, which seemed to tower over the others bobbing beside the dock. "It is one of the biggest ships sailing, or so the yardmaster says."

Slowly, they worked their way down the dock, until they reached the gangplank. Leliana stopped short, though, and spun on her heel. "Oh! Annie, I will be right back!" and she darted back up the length of the dock.

"Where is she going?" Alistair asked as he watched her go. "She shouldn't go alone."

Zevran sighed, "I will follow her, I know where she is going," and he hurried behind Leliana.

"Oh yuck, she's off to find me some jutta root, I just know it," Annika whined. "That is the most revolting tasting stuff, absolutely VILE," she blanched just thinking of it.

"Why would she be after that?" Alistair asked her, amused that the look of disgust on her face was so severe, it was almost comical. "Isn't it for seasickness?"

Annika groaned, "Yes, it is, and it's for me. Apparently the ocean and I don't get along, but I told you this," she said and then rolled her eyes when he shook his head in confusion. "I did," she reminded him, "I mentioned that I did not sail very well, after you shared the story about Jogrian."

"I am sorry to hear it is bad enough to warrant jutta root," Alistair said sympathetically, as he tucked a piece of hair that had blown loose back behind her ear. "Is there anything I can do?" he asked with concern.

At that moment, Zevran and Leliana came back into view, Leliana carrying several roots in one hand and a dented tin cup in the other. "Drink up now, my darling," she ordered as she thrust the cup into her hand. "If you can get it all down, you may not be as sick as last time. Come now, I must return the herbalists cup," Leliana rushed, "Bottoms up!"

Annika grimaced and took several deep breaths before putting the cup to her lips and gulping down its contents as quickly as possible. Handing the cup back to Leliana, Annika fought back the usual wave of nausea at its foul taste. Gagging and coughing, she heard Alistair laugh lightly from beside her.

"Annie, come on," he chuckled, "It cannot be THAT bad, it smelled pretty nice." Alistair teased but stopped when he suddenly jerked forward, her hands having grabbed his plated collar. She kissed him thoroughly, pushing her tongue into his mouth. "Oh, Maker! What did you do that for?" Alistair staggered back, frantically wiping his armored hand across his lips as he gagged. "That is AWFUL! No! Don't!" he yelled as she flashed an evil grin and came at him again. "No! Stop!" he cried, "woman get away from me!" but he could not help his laughter as she kissed his cheeks and face rapidly, covering him with the horrible taste.

"Evil witch!" he laughed as she relented, a giggle escaping her lips. Leliana arrived back from returning the cup and laughed loudly with them.

"If the three of you are finished," Zevran smirked, "then let us board, lest your little show draws even more attention to us!"

Together they mounted the gangplank, and a few hours later, watched as Llomerynn disappeared beyond the horizon.

Thank you always to Lisa, who is an amazing Beta and author. I cannot tell you how much I value your input and time, and your willingness to hit me about the head and shoulders, as needed. Mwah!