A/N: Chapter 14 is here. Some traveling to be expected and arrival at the Peak.

I wish to thank everyone who have read this far. Special thanks to those who fave/alerted. Very special thanks to those who reviewed. Extra special thanks and my eternal gratitude goes for Faelan. Your support is invaluable my friend.

Dragon Age and all you recognize belongs to Bioware and everything you don't recognize belongs to me. Lenya belongs to herself.

Update, December 2013: Grammar and other errors fixed.

On the road to the Soldiers Peak

They were about a days journey away from the Soldiers Peak and they had just witnessed something very odd. Elderly shem couple had been standing near a huge crater on the ground and they had been speaking of how a child had apparently fallen from the skies and ended at the bottom of that crater. Lenya thought that the shems had been crazy, but Leliana thought it was a miracle or something. They had taken the metal, that had been at the bottom of the crater, with them though. Shale had become almost giddy when it had touched it and started to mutter that it was starmetal or something like that.

"You really think that the Maker of yours just tied the child into a lump of odd metal and hurled it down from the skies?" Lenya asked, rolling her eyes, when they walked together in front of the group, "And made sure there was childless couple waiting nearby?"

"You have to admit, Lenya, that it's as good explanation as anything else," Leliana said.

"No I don't," Lenya shook her head, "More likely story is that someone abandoned the child there."

"How do you explain the odd metal then?" Leliana asked.

"Don't see any reason why it could have not fallen from the sky," Lenya shrugged, "But you can call me a shem before I believe that the child just fell from the sky like that and didn't go squish."

"I don't think I want to go and call you a shem," Leliana said smiling.

"Good call," Lenya chuckled.

After that they walked in silence for a while. It was an odd sensation for Lenya. Feeling like she was with friends. Well, mostly with friends. She didn't know if she could call Wynne a friend. The old mage tried to preach her whenever she went to talk with her. It was maddening. She also didn't count Sten as a friend and she knew that he didn't count Lenya herself as such either.

Then Lenya sensed a change in how Leliana moved. Leliana was now cautious and nervous. So she was most likely going to say something to her and wasn't quite sure how she would take it.

It still took sometime before Leliana said anything and when she spoke she was weighing her words carefully, "I must say that traveling with you has opened my eyes to how wrong some are about the Dalish," Leliana said and that explained why she was so careful. She didn't want to offend Lenya, "You're not at all savage. And I've not seen you snatch away women and children without provocation."

"You have seen me fight and still say I'm not a savage?" Lenya chuckled and then shook her head slightly, "But my people are often misunderstood. We're used to it."

"If my people would be more open to interacting with yours, we could do away with such misperceptions," Leliana said. She really was an optimist.

"I don't think we are ready to interact with shems," Lenya shook her head, "The last time that happened, it didn't end well for us."

"I know humans and elves don't share a happy history, but peace must be possible," Leliana said, "Look at how well you get along with humans."

"Leliana," Lenya sighed, "Most shem... humans I meet, besides you four, tend to end up either dead or humiliated and you have to remember that without certain events I would still be with my clan and only way I would meet humans, would be when I defend the clan against their attacks," She felt, now familiar, pain in her heart when she mentioned her clan. She hoped it would ease up with time.

"But just being what you are, you are proof that the Dalish and humans can get along," Leliana said and then she smiled, "I hear many city folks talk about how wonderful it must be to live simpler lives, close to the earth. They could learn from the Dalish."

"Do you think us a quaint curiosity meant for study?" Lenya asked sharply. Trying to reign in the anger Leliana's words ignited in her. If any stranger would have said, what Leliana had said, she might have just shrugged at it, but she'd started to expect more from Leliana and for her to express a viewpoint every shem seemed to share, hurt and angered her.

"I... I am sorry. I did not mean it like that. I didn't mean to belittle your culture," Leliana said and she looked miserable. She was truly sorry, "I have met very few elves and those that I have met were... pledged to the service of Orlesian nobles," She continued, trying to explain.

"Slaves," Lenya spat out and Leliana jumped, a little, at that.

"They are serfs. There is no slavery in Orleais," Leliana said.

"It's the same damn thing," Lenya snarled. It was getting harder for her to hold on with her temper. Slavery always made her blood boil.

"Elven servants are well-compensated for their services. Some of them live richer lives than humans," Leliana tried to explain. It was obvious that she believed in what she was saying. Which made it even worse in Lenya's ears, "A well-trained elven servant is highly valued in Orlais. They are nimble and dextrous and many people find them pleasant to look at."

"Like a prize-winning animal?" Lenya asked in a voice that sounded almost like a growl and she closed her eyes. She did not want to lash out on Leliana, but Leliana was making it really hard.

"No, I did not mean it that way!" Leliana said and then she sighed, "My words were clumsily chosen," She got that right, "I did not mean to offend," And that was the only reason why Lenya was not yelling at Leliana at the moment, "I- ugh... I am sorry," Leliana then said and she looked really miserable.

Lenya took a few deep breaths before she spoke, "You may not be cruel, but you still see us differently," She said, "Even you see us first as elves and only after that as persons. You don't even notice it. Which is of course better than those who notice it and try to make sure that we know how lowly we are and how much better they are."

"I... I did not realize that," Leliana said after a short pause and then she shook her head slightly, "It is so strange, how long-held beliefs just seem natural and... right. Like there is no other way to feel," She continued and Lenya knew exactly how realizing that, felt. Changing what you had learned to hold true was really hard as Lenya was finding out herself, "Thank you. You have given me a lot to think about," Leliana said finally and Lenya just nodded at her and slowed her pace, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

After Lenya left her side, Leliana couldn't stop thinking, what Lenya had said. She now saw, that she'd really thought herself superior to Lenya. Without even thinking. Sure they were all following Lenya and doing as she told, but Leliana had still always been sure, that she could do as well or even better because she was a human and Lenya was not. Which was not true in the slightest.

Only thing she could do better than Lenya, was talk to humans and the biggest reason for that wasn't even Lenya's complete lack of diplomatic skills, but the fact that she was human and Lenya was not. She'd seen the looks humans gave to Lenya. Like she was barely worth looking at. Let alone speak to. If it was not that, it was fear. Fear of the armed elf. Neither she nor Alistair got quite so many fearful looks and they were just as armed as Lenya was.

It was actually a miracle that Lenya had not killed more people. Leliana was not sure she would have been able to hold herself back, if she'd been treated like Lenya was treated every time she spoke to humans. That made her respect Lenya even more. Now that she was thinking, she remembered things that she'd just ignored as irrelevant. Lenya's respect towards Irving right from the start. At the time she'd wondered why Lenya was showing respect to Irving, a human she'd just met, but now Leliana remembered the respect Irving had shown to Lenya from the beginning. He had not cared about Lenya's race and she had shown the same courtesy to him.

Lenya had even shown respect towards Greagoir at the beginning and it was not because Greagoir was human that he'd lost Lenya's respect.

It pained Leliana to admit that Lenya had been more respectful towards humans than she'd given her credit for. Lenya just wanted to be treated as a person instead of just an elf and if you gave her that, she was polite towards you, well polite in Lenya's standards at least, unless you gave her other reason to dislike you.

Leliana had believed that Lenya's behavior towards people she'd threatened had been because they were humans, but it was more, that they were trying to do wrong against her, than that they were humans. She was sure that it was easier for Lenya to threaten humans, but encounter with Zevran had taught her that Lenya didn't have any problems on threatening elves either. It was not only the race that mattered to her in the end. It was how you acted.

"What did our gorgeous leader say to you, that it made you fall so deep into your own thoughts?" Zevran's voice brought Leliana back to the present.

"She made me see things differently," Leliana replied.

"She is very good at that," Zevran nodded, "Just a moment ago she told me that I am missing all the good parts when I asked her to bed me."

"You did what?" Leliana almost choked on her tongue.

"Surely that can't be misunderstood," Zevran mused, "I assume it does mean the same thing in Ferelden as it does in Antiva."

"Yes, it does mean the same thing, but did you really just go and ask her to sleep with you?" Leliana asked giving him a disbelieving look.

"Well, I didn't suggest we sleep and I didn't go and blurt it out just like that. I'm not a barbarian," Zevran replied smiling, "I flirted with her and suggested things we could do together and then she laughed at me and told that I lack all the good parts."

"I could have told you that," Leliana chuckled.

"I'm sure you could have," Zevran nodded, "Does our young templar friend know that as well?" He asked then and looked behind them where Alistair was walking.

"I've tried to tell him, but every time I start to tell him, I get interrupted. Usually by Lenya herself," Leliana sighed. She'd noticed that Alistair was getting more and more enamored by Lenya and she wanted to spare him from the heartache when he eventually would find out that Lenya liked women, not men, "And I can't just go to him and blurt out that 'by the way, Alistair, Lenya likes women.'"

"I can see how he might take that. I've seen how he watches you and Lenya when you two are together. He could see that as an attempt to make him back off or for you trying to keep Lenya yourself," Zevran said and Leliana nodded, "He either have to figure it out by himself or Lenya has to tell him that."

"It didn't help at all that Lenya passed out on top of me, in my room at the Spoiled Princess inn," Leliana sighed.

"Our gorgeous leader was drunk and passed on top of you?" Zevran asked, "Oh, you have to tell me the whole story. Don't leave any saucy stuff out," He then added grinning at her.

"Nothing like that happen, Zevran," Leliana sighed again and already regretted even mentioning that.

"I'm sure," Zevran chuckled, "I'll just imagine all the saucy stuff then, my dear Leliana."

"You are quite insufferable," Leliana sighed again.

After that they talked about more general things. Even though Zevran tried to get back to Lenya and her more than once.

Soldiers Peak

"It does look a bit more homey," Lenya said when they got out of the tunnel that lead to the Peak and the fortress became visible, "And I can't sense the damn Beyond here," She sighed in relief. If there was something she'd had more than enough of it was the Beyond.

"There's still birds," Shale rumbled, annoyed.

"I doubt they've paid much attention on killing the birds," Lenya said.

"It just shows how poorly you squishy things understand the priorities of life," Shale sighed and picked up a large rock and threw it at the ravens that were flying near them. Its aim was good and couple of birds got hit by the rock and was crushed by it.

"Feeling better?" Lenya asked as they heard the rock fall down somewhere in the mountains.

"Only marginally," Shale replied and sighed again.

"Well, at least you can be sure that those few birds won't come back anymore," Lenya comforted the golem.

"Its words are appreciated," Shale said and walked ahead of them.

"I don't know how you do that," Alistair said and stopped beside her.

"Do what?" Lenya asked, puzzled.

"Can treat Shale like its a normal person and not a very heavy moving rock with an unhealthy desire to squish people," Alistair replied.

"That's easy," Lenya said, "Shale is a person and so what if it likes to crush our enemies heads. You don't complain... well not anymore at least, when I cut the heads off from them, so why should you care if Shale crushes them?" She didn't understand Alistair sometimes. He had such a narrow view of life sometimes and everything that didn't fit in it, was unnerving to him.

"Shale doesn't limit its desire to crush heads to our enemies," Alistair pointed out.

"Neither do I," Lenya countered, "But there is a difference between wanting to do something and actually doing it. If I'd cut the head off from all the people who'd annoyed me, since I came to Ostagar, none of you would be here or more likely I wouldn't be here, because I would have cut the head off from the King and been executed on the spot."

"But..." Alistair started, but stopped when she lifted her hand up.

"There is nothing wrong with Shale. It has been a great help to us and it is invaluable in fight so you better get used to the fact that, as long as it wants, it can travel with us," Lenya said, "Now, lets go see if I can get a new armor."

"There's nothing wrong with your armor, dear Lenya," Zevran said.

"Then you can wear it," Lenya chuckled.

"Alas, if I would wear it, it would not be filled in all the right places," Zevran sighed theatrically.

"I told you that you are missing all the good parts," Lenya grinned at him.

"So you did, my dear lady," Zevran chuckled and then he studied the fortress, "Impressive building."

"Not many Wardens in there," Lenya shrugged, "Only one half crazy blood mage in the tower."

"Once the Wardens flourished, their ranks full, their caliber certain. Now they even accept people like Alistair," Morrigan said behind them.

"Hey!" Alistair exclaimed looking hurt. Lenya chuckled at that as they approached the gate that lead inside the fortress.

"Warden!" Levi's voice greeted them when they stepped into the courtyard, "It is good to see you alive and well."

"Thank you, Levi," She nodded at the trader, "The keep looks a bit different."

"Ah, yes. While you were away whole family pitched in and we've been clearing out the keep ever since."

"Nice work," Lenya smiled, "It's a lot less gloomy than it was."

"Yes, it's hard to believe there was undead and demons moving around here," Levi said, "But I'm sure you didn't come here just to talk about what we've done to the keep."

"No, we didn't," Lenya said, "Leliana and Alistair seem to think that your brother could make me an armor and as you can see I am really in need of one."

"They are right," Levi said and gave an odd look to Alistair and Leliana. Lenya turned to look at the pair and both of them suddenly found something else to look at. What was going on here? - she thought, "This way Warden," Levi said and set off to the other side of the courtyard where someone had set up a smithy.

"Am I missing something?" Lenya asked from no one in particular as she walked behind Levi.

"Ah, you're the Warden who helped our family," A rough looking man, who only barely resembled Levi, said when they approach the smithy.

"Yes. You could say that," Lenya said.

"I have your armor ready," The man said, "Only final refitting needs to be done."

"My armor...?" Lenya said looking puzzled, "How can you already have an armor for me when I just came to ask if you can make me one?" She asked, confused.

"Ah," The man said, "Levi told me that your friends there asked me to refit the armor, you found from here, to a female elf."

"My... You... I... But...?" Lenya didn't know what to say. She remembered the armor. It was gorgeous and she'd felt bad about selling it. She'd never imagined that Leliana and Alistair would go behind her back and arrange something like this. Suddenly she felt light headed and she had to take support from something. Tears started to flow down her cheeks. This simple gesture from her companions meant more to her than they probably understood. It confirmed her that Leliana had been right. She was not alone. They may not be elves, but they were her friends and she was not alone.

Two sets of arms wrapped her in a hug. She could smell Alistair's armor and even through that, the mild flowery scent that belonged to Leliana. Neither of them said anything. They just held her there.

Then, just when her tears dried up, they let her go. She could not find words to thank them for what they'd done, but she knew that they understood anyway.

"Lets..." Lenya said and cleared her throat, "Lets see the refitting then," She did not know what the smith thought about her breaking down in front of him and she didn't care. She was not alone anymore.

"It was worth everything," Leliana said to Alistair as they watched Lenya go inside with the smith.

"Yes," Alistair said absentmindedly and he had a look on his face like he'd decided something and Leliana wasn't quite sure he even knew she was there. She saw him take a one single rose from his belt pouch and studying it in silence.

"What is that?" Leliana asked.

"Oh..." Alistair seemed to wake up, "It's nothing... just something I picked up in Lothering," He blushed and then left her standing there alone.

How could a rose from Lothering still be fresh like that? - Leliana thought and then shook her head. She must have understood his words wrong somehow.

Still shaking her head Leliana went to see if Wynne needed help with preparing the food.

Leliana was sitting at the fire with everyone else when she heard the door opening from the smiths shop and saw the smith stepping out.

Then she saw a light reflecting from something silvery and Lenya stepped out wearing the Warden Commander armor like she'd born with it. Silverite and gold gleamed in the light of setting sun.. She'd seen the armor on Sophia and it had been gorgeous then, but there was no words she could find right now, to describe how gorgeous that armor looked on Lenya.

There was no doubt that the armor belonged to Lenya. Lenya had always demanded attention. Now, Leliana felt like she should kneel in front of her. She was damn certain that she was not alone in that. Quick glance on Alistair confirmed that.

Lenya walked to them and despite wearing full plate armor she moved like a cat. There was a hint of a smile on her lips and her eyes shined, "What do you think?" She asked after a while. Like she didn't even see their awestruck expressions.

"My dear lady," Zevran broke the silence and actually knelt, "In all my travels I've never witnessed such beauty and I would pledge my sword to you in an instant..." He said in awe.

"...if you hadn't already done that," Lenya finished his sentence and smiled at him.

"Exactly," Zevran nodded and stood up.

"You... you look breathtaking, Lenya," Leliana said, finally getting her mouth open, "You've meant to wear that armor."

"Ma Serannas, Lethallan," Lenya said to her, "I can't thank you two enough for this. There are no words that would express what this means to me."

"You are beautiful," Alistair finally managed to say and it also made him blush.

"Ma Serannas, Alistair," Lenya smiled at him, "You're just happy that you're not the only Tinman anymore," She added and grinned at him.

"I could never compare myself to you," Alistair said, "There is no way I could make moving in armor look like I've born to do it."

"You're too kind, but I do feel a bit clumsy at the moment," Lenya said and it took all Leliana's concentration to not let her jaw drop. Lenya thought herself clumsy? - Leliana thought - When she moved like she was not even wearing heavy armor, "It will take a bit before I get used to how to move while wearing armor like this again," Then she turned to look at Levi's brother, Mikhail, "Thank you, Mikhail. The armor fits perfectly."

"Thank you, Warden," Mikhail said and nodded, "You should try how fighting in it feels, however, before you leave from here."

"You might be right," Lenya nodded and then turned to look back at them, "Who wants to fight against me?" She asked and unsheathed her weapons. That fluid motion, when she did that, was really contradicting her statement of being clumsy.

"I will," Leliana said and got up. She nodded towards Zevran who gave her his sword. It had been a long time since she'd fought with sword and dagger, but few swings brought the memory of how, back to her mind. She was sure that she was nowhere near Lenya's skill, but she'd wanted to spar with her for a sometime now. Ever since she'd seen her practicing against Alistair before they went to the tower.

Lenya lifted her eyes on hers and smiled. Then she sheathed her dagger and made a taunting 'come get me' motion with her hand.

Leliana started to circle her, but Lenya answered all her steps without thinking. She still had not brought her dagger back out.

Leliana's first strike was met with ease and Lenya still only used her sword. That made her do fast strikes with both of her weapons, but Lenya parried those easily, "You can do better than that, Lethallan," Lenya said and then she unsheathed her dagger, "You have to," She added and then she attacked.

All Leliana could do was to defend herself. Lenya was too fast, too skilled and too distracting. She found herself admiring her instead of trying to find way to counter her attacks. Lenya's eyes were like two shining blue stars and she was enjoying herself immensely. There was nothing clumsy in her movements. Her armor didn't seem to hinder her movements at all.

"Lethallan, you can't beat me if your mind is not in the fight," Lenya said as she sent Leliana's sword and dagger flying. Tip of Lenya's sword was under her chin, touching it slightly.

"And there is nothing clumsy in you, Lenya," Leliana said smiling and then it struck her. What Lenya had been calling her. Lethallan. She remembered what Lenya had told her about the meaning of that word. You used it only for a very close friend or a kin. And Lenya had been using it first time at the clearing where she'd buried her clan. Warm feeling blossomed inside her and she smiled at Lenya.

"Well, you put something like this on and then we see how graceful you feel in it," Lenya chuckled and withdrew her sword from Leliana's neck, "You are good with the sword and dagger... for a beginner," She said and sheathed her weapons.

"Thank you... I think," Leliana said and tried to find where her weapons flew.

"Here, my deadly sex goddesses," Zevran said and handed her dagger back to her. He already had his sword sheathed on his back, "If either of you need some tension relieved from your muscles after such exertions, I am at your disposal, my dear ladies," He said in a flirting tone.

"No, Zevran," Leliana shook her head, "I don't need a massage and I won't be sleeping with you either."

"You are still missing the good parts," Lenya said smiling.

"You two are very cruel women," Zevran sais, "Maybe I have more luck with our beautiful witch then," He added and turned to look at Morrigan.

"Only if you want to be turned into a toad, fool," Morrigan said without even turning to look at Zevran.

"Such a cruel world I have been thrust," Zevran said theatrically.

Leliana shook her head. Zevran really was insufferable. Lenya seemed to like him though and Alistair really did not. Which was clearly evident from his expression at the moment. He looked like he was about to explode and strangle Zevran.

"It does seem that the armor fits perfectly," Leliana said, trying to turn Alistair's focus out of Zevran.

"Yes," Lenya nodded, "When I get used to the added weight I should be able to move like I've used to."

Leliana really did not know how could Lenya say that she was clumsy. She moved with same elegance as she'd always done and the armor didn't seem to hinder her at all.

"Alistair," Lenya said then.

"Yes, Lenya?" Alistair asked, shaking his head and returning to the present, from where ever his mind had been. Torturing or killing Zevran probably.

"Mikhail said he has armors ready that we could buy for you," Lenya said, "They are not as good as this one, but they are really good regardless and you do need better armor as well."

"Can we afford it?" Alistair asked.

"Mikhail promised to sell the armor to us with the cost of the materials. He won't charge from the work," Lenya said, "And with all the stuff we've looted we have enough extra so we can arm ourselves better before we head towards Orzammar."

"Don't forget that you promised that I can work on the starmetal, Warden," Mikhail said.

"I remember," Lenya said, "Shale, could you bring the metal here?" She asked from the golem. Lenya was always polite to Shale. She never ordered it to do something.

"As it wishes," Shale said and brought the heavy lump of metal to Mikhail, so he could look at it.

"Yes," Mikhail said, "This is indeed starmetal."

"What can you do from it?" Lenya asked.

"I should be able to make two swords from this," Mikhail said.

She could sense Lenya's excitement and so could everyone one else. They all knew her fascination to swords, "Could you make two identical long swords with same kind of ornamental motifs as this armor has?" Lenya asked and tapped the golden Grey Warden gryphon etched at the chest of her armor.

"You mean golden gryphons and the like?" Mikhail asked.

"Yes and so that they are balanced for dual weapon fighting," Lenya explained.

"I can do that, but it will take three days at least," Mikhail said.

Leliana could see that Lenya was struggling between her desire for the swords and what she knew to be her duty. She knew that if it became Lenya's decision she would make them leave.

Just as she was about to say that they could spare the time Alistair did so, "We can spare few days, Lenya. We could all use some time for resting."

It still took a while before Lenya nodded, "I guess we can spare few days for resting," She looked very guilty though. Like she was sure she was doing something she shouldn't, "Alistair's armor is priority though."

"Understood, Warden," Mikhail said and motioned Alistair to follow him.

Lenya was standing at the fortress wall, watching how the stars came out. She was still wearing her new armor. Even though she knew they would not continue journey today or even on the next day. She kept telling herself that she had to get used to the armor and that was why she'd not changed to more comfortable camp clothing.

"Who are you trying to kid, Lenya," Lenya said aloud, "You are wearing the armor because it is damn gorgeous," Leliana had been right. She really didn't feel clumsy in this armor. Because it was mainly made out of silverite, it was far lighter than anything made out of steel, red steel or veridium would be. When you added her increased strength, it was like she was wearing a light armor.

"Came to watch the stars as well, Alistair?" Lenya asked without turning. She'd sensed his familiar sense in the taint. It still felt a bit creepy that she could feel him like that and it didn't help at all, that she knew, that Alistair could feel her the same way.

"Yes... I mean no," Alistair said stumbling in his words. Lenya turned to look at him questioningly, "I wanted to talk to you," He said nervously and he was hiding something in his hands.

"Oh?" Lenya said and lifted her brow.

Alistair became more nervous and then he brought his hand forward, "Here, look at this," There was a single red rose in it, "Do you know what it is?" He asked.

Lenya looked at the flower and then Alistair. Not quite sure what to say. She was about to say a rose, but anyone could see that it was a rose, "Erm, your new weapon of choice?" She asked in the end.

"Yes, that's right! Watch as I thrash our enemies with the mighty power of floral arrangements! Feel my thorns, darkspawn! I will overpower you with my rosy scent!" Alistair said and she had to chuckle at that, "Or, you know, it could just be a rose. I know that's pretty dull in comparison."

"Okay, it's a rose," Lenya said and looked at him, little puzzled. Waiting him to get to the point.

"I picked it in Lothering," Alistair said and that made Lenya look at the rose again. How, by the Creators, it was still alive? "I remember thinking, how could something so beautiful exist in a place with so much despair and ugliness?" He continued in a soft voice, "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 was something Lenya would expect him to do. Save the flower so it would not get tainted by the darkspawn. He really was a puzzling man. Even for a shem, "That's a nice sentiment," She said and smiled at him.

He blushed and got even more nervous. Was she really that hard to talk to? - Lenya thought, "I thought that I might... give it to you, actually," He said finally bringing Lenya's musings to a halt - He what? "In a lot of ways, I think the same thing when I look at you."

By the Creators, he was giving her flowers. For the first time since she'd met Alistair she did not quite know what to say, "You think me as a gentle flower?" Lenya managed to ask. Gentle and flower was not the words you used to describe her.

"I guess it's a bit silly, isn't it?" Alistair said smiling at her. She could only nod at him, "I just thought, here I am doing all this complaining, and you haven't exactly been having a good time of it, yourself," He continued and she nodded again, "You've had none of the good experiences of being a Grey Warden since your Joining. Not a word of thanks or congratulations. It's all been death and fighting and tragedy," He continued with a gentle tone. Lenya felt that the tears were not far, again. These shems, she was traveling with, continued to surprise her, "I thought maybe I could say something. Tell you what a rare and wonderful thing you are to find amidst all this... darkness," He continued and lifted her chin so their eyes met.

What Lenya saw in Alistair eyes brought her back to the present. He was courting her. That made her sigh. She really didn't want to hurt Alistair, but she also couldn't give him what he was asking. Gently she wrapped his fingers around the rose, "I thank you for the beautiful words and for thinking of me, but I can't accept this."

Alistair face fell and she cursed silently, "It's because I'm a human, isn't it?" Alistair asked, "I've seen how well you get along with that assassin," He said accusingly and turned away from her.

"Alistair, look at me," Lenya said gently, but with a voice that made him turn, "The fact that you are human has nothing to do with why I can't accept this rose," She said when he was again looking at her. That actually surprised even herself. Even as shortly as half a year ago a mere thought that human might court her would have filled her with disgust and her she was now rejecting Alistair, not because he was human, but because of his gender.

"What else could it be," Alistair scoffed.

"Do you remember what I told Zevran when he offered his massage after Leliana and I sparred?" Lenya asked. Not wanting to just hammer the fact into his head. Somehow she felt it would be better if he figured it out himself.

He looked a bit puzzled, but nodded, "You said that he was missing all the good parts."

"You and Zevran have a thing in common with that," Lenya lead him on.

"But... I don't have anything in common with him," Alistair said indignantly.

"You have at least one thing in common," Lenya said and then sighed. He was not going to get it, "You are both men." She finally said.

"But, what..." Then Alistair's face brightened and turned almost comical, "You like women?" He asked with an unsure voice. Then he blushed, "And the parts that are missing..." His eyes dropped on Lenya's breasts and started to go lower before he pulled his eyes up and then he blushed a bit more.

"Yes, Alistair, I like women and those are the parts I mean," Lenya said smiling. He tried to look just about anywhere else, but her. She waited him to get himself together, which took a quite long time, before she asked, "Can you understand now, why I can't accept the rose?"

"Yes," Alistair nodded. He was not happy about it, but he understood, "Is that why you enjoy Leliana's company so much?"

"I haven't thought about it, but it's possible," Lenya said after thinking it a bit, "But she's also been there for me when I've needed a friend. She is the only one who'd always come to talk to me. Even after I gave her nothing but angry words and even death threats. It's hard not to respect her for that alone."

"I've never understood how she found courage to go and talk to you," Alistair said, "You are really intimidating and scary."

"What?" Lenya said indignantly, "What happen to the gentle flower part?" She asked and grinned at him.

"I think you scared it away," Alistair grinned.

"Ha ha," Lenya smiled at him, "Are we okay?" She asked then.

"I'm embarrassed and want the earth to open up and swallow me, but we are okay, Lenya," He said, "I'll leave you alone now. I think I need some time alone as well."

"As you wish," Lenya nodded, "And, Alistair..." He turned to look at her, "...thank you for what you said. I won't forget it."

"You're welcome, Lenya," Alistair said and then he was gone.

After he was gone, Lenya turned and watched the stars.

A/N: And that's it for the chapter. As this story progresses I'm starting to find out that there will be quite a few traveling chapters. I'm finding them very well suited for developing character relationships and also handling little things like confrontations with bandits and the like for example. Just need to be careful not to over use them.

The Warden Commander armor I use in this story and in my game is not the same one you get from the Peak. I'm using a mod called Runic Grey Warden armor and I like the look of that armor more than the normal one you get from the Peak. And I'm sure all of you noticed I left Starfang out completely and made Mikhail do two identical swords for Lenya instead. Design for those swords comes also from the Runic Grey Warden armor mod.

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Reviews, good or bad, are always welcome.