The fire was still roaring in the hearth from the previous night; and everyone was beginning to rise, though none had felt completely settled within the walls of the Peak.

Aeronwen winced at the tightness of her shoulder, moving it in circles to try and release the protesting muscles. The ache of her heart throbbed painfully, so she concentrated on the pain of her shoulder to ignore it.

"Are you injured?" Sten enquired watching her.

"My shoulder is simply knotted." She glanced to Zevran who was in much better spirits as Sketch had regained consciousness and his pain levels were tolerable. She gave a warm smile she did not feel. "Perhaps Zevran could massage my aches away." Winking at the amused assassin. Aeronwen let out a pained yelp as Sten gripped her shoulder and arm and tugged, satisfied with the sharp crack.

"Better?"

Aeronwen glared, but couldn't deny her shoulder was much improved. "I would have preferred a gentle massage."

"Preference is irrelevant."

"Sten you are no fun!"

"Fun is irrelevant."

"Then tell me Sten, what in your opinion is relevant?"

"Being fit enough for battle."

"Precisely my point. Yesterday was … difficult. To be at our best for battle we would benefit from rest and relaxation, even if it is just for one day!"

Malcolm was watching their exchange with some amusement, realising that the Qunari's overprotectiveness was coming out in some unexpected ways.

Sten made a disgusted noise in the back of his throat. "I will meet you in the training yard."

To their astonishment Leandra intervened. "I'm afraid that is not possible, Aeronwen will be helping me today. She is a young woman and all of this fighting is not womanly."

Sten looked like he was going to explode. "She is no woman!"

Aeronwen opened her mouth to protest, but thought better of it and settled for rolling her eyes. She moved over to Alistair who was leaning on the wall a huge grin on his face. "Ancestors this should be interesting."

Leandra was undeterred. "She most certainly is a woman and as such she should have a grounding in basic skills, her cooking has a lot to be desired."

Sten let out a low growl. "Do you intend her to serve a pot of stew to the Archdemon?"

"Maker I would hope she is not going anywhere near that thing!"

Bethany had slipped over to Aeronwen as the argument continued. She was concerned about her friend; doubting that she could have gotten over something so intense so quickly, but followed her lead needing something light hearted herself. "So, you're not a woman huh?"

Aeronwen smirked. "Apparently not."

"Because you have really impressive breasts for a man."

Alistair let out a muffled snort, Aeronwen promptly elbowing him in the ribs. "Hush the pair of you."

Sten drew himself up to his full height and glared down at Leandra who had put her hands on her hips and was looking up at him unimpressed. "This is irrelevant; she will spend the day training."

Leandra prodded Sten's armour glaring up at the Qunari. "You do not impress me and your lack of concern for her wellbeing is utterly offensive. Aeronwen was almost killed yesterday in case you failed to notice. There will be no fighting today!"

Sten shifted his stance slightly realising Leandra's eyes had taken on an almost predatory look, like a wolf protecting her cubs. He considered his options and bowed slightly. "As you wish." He turned and marched out of the room leaving Aeronwen staring after him in stunned silence. She swallowed hard as Leandra turned to her, the same look pinning her to the spot before softening slightly. "Well, to the kitchen with you."

Bethany chuckled and linked her arm pulling her out of the room. "I think you have just officially been adopted."

Malcolm moved over to his wife and smiled. "I thought you disapproved of her? And given what she did yesterday ..."

Leandra looked slightly ashamed. "I have been so selfish lately Malcolm, I'm so very sorry. We almost lost the boys and I know something about being cut off from my family, only I was lucky enough to gain you four. Aeronwen has no-one apart from that grumpy Qunari, and whatever she did yesterday ensured Garrett and Carver have had the opportunity to recover. The least we can do is make her feel a part of a family even if it isn't her own."

Malcolm pulled Leandra into his arms and kissed her gently, seeing the loving generous soul he had married in the woman in his arms. "I'm proud of you." He murmured.

Leandra flushed and patted his arm. "Well best get to it."

xXx

The kitchen was thankfully usable since the Wardens had removed the bones and corpses from its floor. Leandra elicited the help of Alistair; Garrett and Carver to remove the broken furniture and turn it into firewood, while Aeronwen and Bethany salvaged what cooking equipment they could. Within the hour a large amount of wood filled the nook in the wall created for its storage, inches from the fire but protecting the wood from any sparks. The food preparation table was filled with every assortment of cooking utensil ever created and Leandra had expressed her satisfaction that she could turn this into a 'proper' kitchen. Leandra then had all five cleaning until the kitchen was sparkling. Leaving them too it she had gone to speak to Bodahn regarding food supplies, delighted when he was able to supply her with a range of dried herbs and spices, dried meat and an assortment of vegetables. He was aware Leandra and Malcolm intended to stay at the Peak to begin the process of making it into a usable base and suggested she draw him up a list of necessary supplies which he would be happy to pick up in Denerim.

When Leandra returned she dedicated the following hour to preparing lunch, Aeronwen following her instructions to the letter. Alistair was also hovering around trying to pick up some tips, but mostly it was because he was worried about Aeronwen and he didn't want to be too far from her. Leandra soon had him roped in with the cooking, the pair distracting her enough that her own children were able to escape the kitchen.

Bethany chuckled. "We are so mean to leave them with mother."

Garrett grinned. "Alistair and Aeronwen can hold their own, besides I didn't see them complaining."

Bethany grinned smugly. "No, they weren't."

Carver noticed the gleam in her eye and nudged his sister playfully. "Sis if you are matchmaking again can I just point out the Peaches fiasco. Not to mention Alistair is with Leliana and if my eyesight wasn't playing tricks on me I think there is something going on with Aeronwen and the big guy."

Bethany's jaw dropped. "Sten?!"

"Yup, they were looking pretty friendly in the river a few nights back."

Gripping Carvers arm she propelled him towards the table and sat him down. "Tell me exactly what you saw."

Carver grinned realising he was foiling her plans. "He was massaging her back."

Bethany rolled her eyes. "I've done that Carver, doesn't mean I'm sharing her bed."

"Well then there was the cuddle and just to remind you Bethany they were in the river so it was a naked cuddle!"

"I wonder if what is in his pants matches his …. stature."

Carver gave a disgusted sigh. "Bethany I don't need to hear this from my own sister."

"Come on Carver; you guys have bathed together, you must have seen."

"I have not!" He sputtered indignantly.

"Well I have." Garrett murmured sitting next to them. "And if those two are together; as long as he knows what to do with it, I would say she is one happy woman, though I think she would be walking slightly differently." He chuckled at Bethany's flush. "You started this Be."

Bethany cleared her throat. "And um Alistair; is he, you know … um …"

Garrett grinned. "I would say when he finally gets around to the deed; Leliana is going to be more than satisfied."

Bethany sighed. "Come on you two; you can feel it too I know you can, there is something off about that woman."

"You just want him free so you can pair him up with Aeronwen."

"Well yes there is that, but it's the way she looks at him. It predatory and not in a sexy I want to spend the night giving you pleasure kind of look. It's more of a; I'm going to make you do exactly what I want whether you want to or not."

"Isn't that how all women look at men?" Garrett teased accepting her punch to his arm good naturedly. "Besides, Alistair doesn't seem to mind."

Bethany snorted in impatience. "He doesn't see it! She's all sweet around him."

"Bethany I would leave well alone. Let them figure it out themselves. Has Aeronwen actually expressed an interest in him, or Alistair for her come to think of it?"

"Well no, but just look at them."

Garrett glanced up as Alistair and Aeronwen walked into the room, laughing and carrying huge plates of steaming food. He grinned wickedly. "Ah, at last the poison has arrived."

Aeronwen grinned. "Watch your tongue Garrett, or I will make you eat a second helping."

"Mercy milady!"

"Sorry, all out of that today."

As she walked back to the kitchen, Alistair once more at her side the pair talking animatedly Garrett turned to Bethany. "Okay so there is definitely something there; but really Be, let them figure it out, I wouldn't like to get in Leliana's way. Even her own guys are tending to avoid her at the moment."

Bethany gave a dramatic sigh. "All is fair in love and war."

"Yeh, it's the war part that worries me." Garrett murmured, noticing the look on Leliana's face as Alistair and Aeronwen returned to the kitchen.

xXx

After the trauma of the day before; everyone sitting around the huge table laughing, teasing and eating a good meal was something of a gift. Aeronwen and Alistair were teased mercilessly about potentially poisoning them all, though the two took it in their stride and it was eventually silenced by Leandra who had taken something of a motherly role with the pair, much to the Hawke siblings delight who teased them even more moments later.

Malcolm and Leandra spoke with Duncan as conversations started up in smaller groups, confirming their intention to remain at the Peak and bring working order back to the building. Duncan also mentioned to Malcolm, Avernus had some research he would like him to take a look at. Duncan was aware of Malcolm's previous interaction with the Warden's and although he had no intention of bringing up such a brutal experience, he was hoping that Malcolm would prove to be a valuable resource.

Morrigan was deep in thought about the amber feather currently hidden in her pack. She had never seen anything quite like it. It had been attached to armour salvaged by Bohdan from the soldiers taken down by Aeronwen and Sten. She was determined to discover its secrets and after yesterday she was more convinced than ever that it was connected to her. She fell into step with Leliana as they carried the dirty plates into the kitchen. "Tis curious is it not, how close Alistair and Aeronwen have become; especially as he seems to be enjoying your company."

Leliana raised an eyebrow. "Why the interest?"

Morrigan smirked. "Tis simply a wonder."

"I admit I am finding it somewhat unsettling. Though he maintains they are friends, nothing more."

"It would be an unusual man who would seek only friendship with a woman."

Leliana rolled her eyes. "He is unusual; the only man to have turned down the offer to join me in bed in fact!"

Morrigan had known about it, but had never expected Leliana to tell her. She had seen the bumbling fool blush his way through politely declining. Morrigan raised an eyebrow feigning ignorance. "He has not yet succumbed to your charms?"

"Urgh, he wants to wait for the right moment."

"Why do you bother with him?"

"I have my reasons."

"They must be important indeed to suffer that fool." When Leliana did not answer Morrigan smirked. "We could help each other. I wish to know who Aeronwen is and I believe Alistair can help with that, with your persuasion. I can then make sure she gets no closer to him. I could also make him more amenable to joining you in your bedroll, if you wish."

Leliana glanced at her. "What do you need me to do?"

Morrigan smiled smugly. "There is a book I have noticed her carrying, I wish to know what it is."

"Sounds simple enough, you suspect it will tell you something about her?"

"Something held that close has to have some significance, I would know what it is. You know as well as I Leliana that knowledge is power."

xXx

Alistair settled down next to Aeronwen and grinned. "Whatcha reading?"

Leliana almost choked; he was as subtle as a brick, but to her relief Aeronwen looked up and smiled.

"I think this is Leandra's way of making me a lady." Aeronwen leaned closer showing him the book. She found Leandra's attempts highly amusing, wondering what she would think if she became aware of her origins.

"Embroidery will make you a Lady?"

"Apparently embroidery is the art of any accomplished lady."

"She carries around sewing books. No never mind, not important. Urgh I can't even sew a button on my tunic."

Aeronwen giggled. "I happen to be quite the accomplished embroider of cushions, but do not breathe a word of that."

Alistair raised an eyebrow. "Why are you keeping it a secret?" He whispered.

"She is being nice to me. It is … appreciated."

Grinning Alistair lifted the book read a few sentences and handed it back to her. "Dull, there's no story line." Aeronwen clamped her hand to her mouth to stifle the unladylike snort, leaving Alistair grinning like a Cheshire cat. "So you like reading then?"

"I do. There is knowledge in books."

"A little knowledge is dangerous."

"That Alistair is why I like to read a lot."

"I had a book once."

Aeronwen glanced at him when he did not continue, startled to see sadness had replaced the teasing twinkle of his eyes. "What was it about?" She asked gently.

Alistair seemed to pull himself back from wherever he had gone the smile returning. "It was about the Grey Wardens actually and dragons and griffons. All very exciting stuff, but probably not much of it based in fact." He shuddered. "It sure didn't prepare me for becoming a Warden, believe me there is nothing glorious involved." He shook his head. "Teagan gave it to me for my name day, I was six. I remember all of his presents." He glanced up shyly. "They were the only ones I ever got."

Aeronwen resisted the temptation to hug him given Leliana was watching them without trying to be seen watching them and settled for squeezing his hand. "Teagan seems like a nice man."

Alistair nodded his head enthusiastically. "He is. I don't envy him having to put up with Isolde now."

"I still think she needs assassinating." Aeronwen murmured turning onto the next page.

Alistair glanced over to Zevran who was openly fussing over Sketch, much to the mages amusement and delight. "I thought about asking Zev, but I doubt I have enough coin."

"He already mentioned she has high connections and it would be unwise."

Alistair gaped at her. "You already asked him, for real?"

"She is an unpleasant woman without conscience or care and she is dangerous. She was brutal to you and she has a grip on Teagan that she will use to her own ends. So yes, I enquired. You disapprove?"

"No I just …. It's just … you're not like anyone I've ever met before." They sat in companionable silence for several moments before Alistair brought himself around to asking Leliana's question. He had no idea why she wanted to know about the book, but given he was curious himself he was not averse to asking. "So you and reading …"

Aeronwen chuckled. "Alistair if you have something you wish to ask please ask."

Alistair flushed slightly. "It's really none of my business, but I've seen you reading the same book several times. You kind of look all sad and serious when you read it and I wondered why you would read something that makes you sad. Does it remind you of home?"

Aeronwen blinked rapidly and forced a smile. "I did not realise I was being observed."

"Oh I wasn't observing. I mean I was, but not in a creepy way." Alistair's flush deepened. "It's just every time you read that book you take yourself away from camp and come back looking more determined, but as though you have the weight of the world on your shoulders."

Aeronwen smiled warmly. "I am honoured you are watching out for me." She chuckled at the deepening flush. "It is a book dear to my heart; not only because of what is written in it, but also because of who gave it to me."

Alistair waited and realised she was not going to volunteer any further information. "Was it a gift from family?" He asked hesitantly.

"It was from my … from someone very dear to me, who has since returned to the Ancestors."

Alistair noticed the slight tremble of her hand and felt a tremor of panic. "I'm sorry I never know when to shut up do I and I just ask the wrong things and end up upsetting you."

Aeronwen squeezed his hand again, effectively silencing him. "I will tell you one day Alistair, but I simply cannot bear to speak of it today. Not … not after yesterday."

Alistair gripped her hand and pulled her to her feet. "Then how about we indulge in a very unladylike game of Wicked Grace?"

"Wicked what?"

Alistair grinned. "You're going to love it!"

xXx

It didn't take long for Aeronwen to realise that along with cooking and singing, cards were not her forte. Of course not that it would stop her doing it, to her mind she simply needed more practice. She glanced over to where Oghren was sitting by the fire. It was unusual for him to ignore a card game and the look on his face had her concerned. Paying her dues she left the table and moved over to Bodahn.

Oghren was agitated and needed a drink; but for once he didn't want to drink alone, but neither did he want to play cards. He just wanted to drink and forget. "Come on you nug humpers." He muttered glaring in particular at the Wardens. "Join me in a drink."

Alistair shook his head with a chuckle. "The last time I joined you for a drink I was unconscious for three days!"

Oghren actually chuckled. "Good times!"

Aeronwen watched as each gave their excuses not to drink, the mood of the grieving dwarf becoming more sullen. Bodahn had returned from retrieving the item she had requested and Aeronwen exchanged money for a bottle of something called Mackay's Epic Single Malt and wandered over to Oghren. Her experience with Nimue had deepened her ache for home and she hoped indulging in alcohol would give her respite, however brief from her grieving heart. "Is that drink on offer to everyone." She flashed the bottle. "I come bearing gifts."

Oghren glanced up and raised an eyebrow at the expensive liquor. "Sure, sit your pretty ass down." A wicked grin lit his face. "First we start with this." He poured an amber liquid into a mug from a bottle labelled 'Dragons Piss'.

Aeronwen inspected the contents, knowing Oghren was waiting for her reaction. She brought the mug to her lips and drank the shot, grinning and licking her lips. "Passable."

Oghren grinned, perhaps someone worthy of his special brew. "One for the hard stuff are you?"

"That depends."

Oghren pulled out a flask from his pack and poured the slightly darker liquid into their mugs. "Hirol's Lava Burst, get your tongue around that!"

"Um Aeronwen." Alistair leaned back on his chair watching them. "You might not want to drink that!"

Aeronwen lifted the mug her eyes watering just from the smell. "Ancestors what is this?"

"A way to forget." Oghren mumbled drinking it down in one go. "Even if it is just one night."

Aeronwen glanced at him in concern. "Oghren."

"No talking." He grumbled. "Just drinking."

Aeronwen glanced to Alistair who was shaking his head; but she wanted to forget too and knocked back the drink as quickly as she could, only just managing to restrain herself from coughing as the liquid burned a trail down her throat. Alistair flung up his hands and returned to the game though kept glancing over.

"You can take it, I'll give you that." Oghren opened the bottle she had brought and poured them another shot. "Where'd you learn to drink?"

"I have three brothers; I learned to hold my own."

Oghren chuckled. "Keeping up with the older brothers eh?"

"As it happens I am the oldest. Sometimes drinking is the only way to keep you men out of trouble."

Oghren caught the twinkle in her eyes and smirked. He forgot his no talking rule. They didn't touch on Branka, but Oghren happily described his life as a warrior. "So I was providing protection for a group heading into the Deep Roads when things got a bit dicey. The Darkspawn were waiting for us and it went from bad to worse. I was the only one to survive and they had got me with the taint. The Wardens found me and the rest is history. What about you nuglet?"

Aeronwen glanced up from whatever spirit he had given her to try. "What about me?"

Oghren was still sober enough not to touch on the events of yesterday, but drunk enough to push a little. "Well you ain't from here. What's your story? Where you from?"

Aeronwen propped her chin on her hand and sighed. "My home is in Melchrest. You should see it Oghren, it is so beautiful at this time of year. My home is nestled in the Valien Valley. Rich farmland; stunning mountains and close to the sea, the best of all worlds."

Oghren downed his mug. "Never heard of it."

Aeronwen shook her head. "Nobody apart from Sten seems to. You would think none of you ever venture over the Volca Sea."

"They don't!" Sten muttered.

Aeronwen caught the tone of agitation and patted a seat next to her. "Join us Sten."

"I do not drink."

"You do not have to drink to sit down and talk."

"You are drunk and will make little sense."

Aeronwen leaned over to Oghren. "Back in a minute." Gracefully she stood up and walked over to him.

Duncan realised with a growing sense of discomfort he was mesmerised by her swaying hips. Finding himself wondering if she always walked like that, appreciating those curves that tunic and breeches showed more clearly than her armour. Damn elf!

"Sten do you disapprove of my drinking?"

"It does not serve you!"

"Sten sometimes you just need to relax." She placed a hand on his chest plate, gazing up at him. "Stop struggling."

"See." Carver hissed under his breath to Bethany. "There is definitely something going on between those two."

Alistair glanced to Sten and Aeronwen and back to Carver. "Really?"

Bethany kicked Carver's shin making him yelp. "Of course not!"

"Cause he's a big guy." Alistair flushed. "Not that I was looking or anything. I'm just going to shut up now."

"This is not what I meant." Sten retorted ignoring the conversation at the table.

Aeronwen smiled. "I know just what would relax you."

Duncan realised he was holding his breath, as was Bethany, Carver and Alistair.

Sten scowled. "I doubt that."

"You hardly broke a sweat fighting the undead and demons yesterday. You need a more intensive workout."

"You are inebriated."

"That's usually the best time." Oghren chuckled. "Makes them more flexible and adventurous."

Through the haze of alcohol Aeronwen suddenly realised they were talking about very different things. "I was talking about sparring!" Aeronwen stated with as much dignity as she could muster.

"Sure you were." Oghren teased. "I like sparring between the sheets myself."

Aeronwen could feel herself flush. Stens face remained impassive; but she knew the tell-tale signs, the slight curve of his lip and the slightly more relaxed stance. She glared at him accusingly. "You are finding this amusing."

"Continue your drinking." Sten grumbled. "You amuse the dwarf."

Aeronwen wondered if she could even salvage her dignity at this point and decided another drink would help and sauntered across the room taking the seat once more next to Oghren, casting Sten a look that told him they would be sparring tomorrow and she would not be going easy on him. "Where were we?"

"You were rambling about Melchrest. Here try this, my own special brew."

Alistair scraped his chair back, making enough noise to catch Aeronwen's attention. He was shaking his head and making elaborate gestures with his hands that she supposed was to stop her from drinking whatever Oghren had put in her mug. She tentatively sniffed, swirling the liquid in the mug. "Rambling huh."

"Yup."

She downed the drink; only vaguely aware of the choked noise Alistair seemed to be making, watching curiously as the world seemed to bevel, widening her eyes until two Oghren's finally settled back into one. "Why did you not ssstart with thisss." She slurred, shaking her head and watching startled as a kaleidoscope of colours seemed to explode before her eyes.

Oghren leaned forward a huge smile on his face. "Always save the best for last princess."

Aeronwen managed to focus on him. "How did you know?" She managed to whisper.

"Know what?"

She leaned forward conspiratorially, whispering so only Oghren could here. "That I am a .." She hiccuped and grinned. "...a princess?"

Oghren blinked. "Man you are drunk."

"You … have no … no um … yes." Aeronwen smiled, pressing her finger to her lips. "Sssssh, it is a secret."

Oghren chuckled; before belching, licking his lips and passing out.

"No way you out drank Oghren!" Alistair gasped. There was a moment of stunned silence as Aeronwen leaned over the chair looking at the dwarf before getting up and although very unsteady on her feet started to drag the loudly snoring dwarf towards his bedroll.

Alistair joined her and helped get the dwarf to the other side of the room, grinning as Aeronwen kept bumping into him and slurring her apologies. "Do you need help getting to your bed?" He teased.

Aeronwen was quite sure her cheeks were crimson. "No thank you!" She managed in her most courtly voice, drawing herself up and walking slowly but steadily back towards the table and the card game.

Alistair jogged to her side and grinned. "Fine, I can take all your money."

Aeronwen glanced at him and grinned. "It is ssssso on!"

"She's going to pass out any minute now." Aedan chuckled. "Bless him; Ali is such a knight in shining armour."

Bethany had been smiling when she noticed Alistair's arm wind around Aeronwen's waist and as if on cue; her legs gave way, Alistair lifting her effortlessly into his arms turning and walking back to the bedrolls. "How did you know?"

"It happened to us all the only time we were daft enough to drink that stuff, Maker knows what he puts in it. She lasted longer than me I'll give her that." He grinned. "Ali did the same for me, but he wasn't quite as gentle." He chuckled raising his voice to ensure Alistair heard.

Alistair grinned, pulled a blanket over Aeronwen and returned to the table. "You're not as pretty."

Aedan clutched his chest. "You wound me Ali; all those nights sharing a tent, I thought I meant something to you."

Alistair grinned. "Shut up you ass."

"I always knew you liked my ass, some say it's my best feature."

"Just deal." Alistair chuckled.

Leliana had glanced to Morrigan at their teasing and found herself wondering if there was a rather important fact about the young Warden she had failed to see, which would certainly explain his reluctance to join her in bed.

Bethany was also considering their teasing and decided if anyone could find out Alistair's true preferences it would be Zevran.

xXx

Author Note:Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed.

I wanted to make this chapter a little more light hearted and I thought with everything that had happened Leandra would have a reality check and realise just how lucky she is. I also love writing banter between the Hawke siblings. I hope you were as amused reading it as i was writing it.