Chapter 21 : The Road to Orzammar

"Am I to believe, the good people of Denerim couldn't be convinced to take me off your hands?" Zevran asked leaning back comfortably in the wagon.

"No, they said they had no room in their prison for failed assassins," Lyssa said curtly as they rode along.

"I love it when you are testy. You get this gleam in your eye that is so sexy," Zevran said, staring at Lyssa.

"Cut it out. She's not interested," Alistair said testily.

"Is she not then? I find that women often don't admit what they really want for fear it will make them seem... oh, what is the word I am looking for, aggressive?"

"You don't know what you are talking about," Alistair said.

"Really? You have had a lot of experience with women then?"

"No.. but..."

"Ah. I see. That explains it."

"That explains what? I don't see how that should explain anything to you. Other than that I am a gentleman."

"Oh ho ho ho, Alistair. You are so adorable. I should like to have some private time in this wagon with you and teach you a thing or two. That would be most enjoyable."

"I...am going to ride over there now."

Morrigan rode up alongside the wagon, smiling. "Zevran, I think I'm starting to like you."

"Somehow, that frightens me just a little bit," Zevran said.

**

Alistair was riding slightly in front of the pack keeping an eye out for anything he could forage from the lands surrounding the road when Wynne sidled up next to him.

"Here to lecture me again about the wisdom of socializing with my fellow warden," Alistair said genially.

"I think you are doing more than socializing, but if that's what you'd like to call it..." Wynne said smiling.

"Well, I was trying to be discreet. Isn't that what a man is supposed to do when he's in love?"

"So you are in love?"

"Uh, well, yes if you must know."

"Then yes, it is what a man is supposed to do. And no, I wasn't going to lecture you. I came to apologize. I have... well I think I acted hastily when I spoke to you at first. I didn't know you fully, and I was wrong."

"Really? You didn't pick up any funny looking mushrooms along the way and snack on them, did you?"

"No, Alistair. I am completely in control of myself."

"This doesn't have anything to do with the conversation I saw you having with her before, does it?"

"It might."

"Well now I am curious. What did she say?"

"It doesn't really matter, Alistair. What matters is that you two seem to be good for each other, and that isn't a bad thing."

"Aw come on, you can't tease me like that. Did she tell you what she thinks of my hair?"

"No."

"Are you sure, because I spent all morning getting it just right."

**

Alistair was rushing to catch up since he had found another apple tree and had grabbed as many as he could. The sacks on either side of his horse were chock full of the fruit. Leliana was at the back of the group, and Alistair slowed so he could ask her a question that was bothering him.

"Leliana," Alistair said.

"Yes?"

"A man like Zevran, do you really think he's had a lot of experience with women?"

"Oh, I wouldn't be surprised. He is handsome and dashing. And he has probably been trained in the art of seduction. Many assassins are."

"Oh," Alistair said a little sullenly. "So women, like yourself...,"

"Very good, Alistair, you remembered."

"Yes. I'm good at that, remembering when someone is a woman as long as I've already confirmed it with them. But back to my question. Do women, sometimes, not tell you when they want something...,"

"Something what? Ohhh," Leliana giggled, "I think I know what you mean."

"Thank the maker because there was no way I was finishing that sentence," Alistair said relieved. "So..."

"Well, sometimes a woman will be embarrassed to ask for something... let's say special. She will not want to seem so forthright. Sometimes it is up to the man to... explore their options."

"So, I could be do something wrong then, and not even know it?"

"Oh, I don't think so Alistair. Not by the sound of things anyway."

"Excuse me?"

Leliana giggled.

"Oh forget I asked."

**

Alistair handed out apples to everyone, even Zevran. Lyssa was setting up the tent, and Alistair noticed it was toward the edge of camp. He felt a little relieved. After Lyssa was done setting up the tent she turned to see Alistair coming her way. She smiled.

"Do you want to make it an early night?" Lyssa asked.

"Actually, I was kind of hoping you'd sit by the fire with me for a bit," he said smiling.

"Okay," Lyssa said a little confused.

She walked over to the fire and noticed everyone was off doing something else. There was a small mug of something steaming near the fire pit. Alistair had rolled a large log close to the fire for them to lean against.

"Kick off your boots, your feet must be tired," he said.

"Okay," Lyssa said laughing and leaning up against the log while she pulled off her boots, "What is this all about?"

Alistair smiled as he reached to take a mug of steaming liquid from the fire, carefully passing it to Lyssa. He took off his gloves and began massaging her feet. Lyssa cocked her head, a funny smile on her face and sniffed the mug of liquid.

"Alistair! Where did you get this?"

"I snuck off to get it when we were in Denerim. I thought you'd like it. I figured I could give you at least one night to relax."

Lyssa sipped the chocolate and smiled at the taste. Then she remembered her conversation with Uldred. She couldn't believe Alistair had remembered what she had said. She blushed at the sweet gesture.

"Alistair," she said putting the cup of chocolate down next to her.

"Yes dear?" he asked still rubbing her feet.

"I think you should come to the tent with me."

Alistair looked up at Lyssa and saw the look in her eyes.

"Your wish is my command."

**

Alistair held Lyssa close to his body and felt her deep regular breathing. He could tell she wasn't quite asleep, but she was very close.

"Lyssa, I've been thinking."

"Hmmm," she said softly.

"What you said earlier today, about keeping something for myself, about doing the things I want to do. Did you mean that?"

"Yes. I think it will help you to keep going, if you know you can have something for yourself. It's how I keep going, at least, knowing that my life will be one of service for the people, that I may have to make sacrifices for the rest of my life," Lyssa said sleepily.

"What do you have... for yourself I mean?"

"I have you. No matter what happens, as long as I have you, I don't care about the rest. That's all that matters right, that we have each other?"

Alistair looked down at Lyssa and smiled. "Yes, that's all that matters," and he kissed Lyssa long and deep, entangling his fingers in her hair. When he pulled away he looked down at her, her eyes half open and restful. She touched his cheek.

"And I'm going to do things a little differently now. I'm not going to let people push me around anymore. I'm going to make sure that no matter what, I am always by your side."

"I love you Alastair," Lyssa said placing her hand on his chest.

"I love you, too, always" Alastair said placing his hand over hers. As he kissed her she could feel his heart race.

**

In the far off distance they could see the Frostback Mountains piercing the sky. Lyssa was chewing on an apple as she stared at the tallest peak, wondering exactly how high it was when Zevran interrupted her thoughts.

"So, Lyssa, may I call you Lyssa? Lyssa, I understand the two of you are.."

"I don't see how that's any of your business," Lyssa said coldly.

"No, of course not. I only ask because I wonder, do you think a man like Alistair would ever consider sharing a tent with a… man like me?"

"I didn't know you fancied that sort of thing?"

"'That sort of thing?' You say that as if it is some sort of...,"

"I didn't mean it like that," Lyssa said quickly, "I meant, you seemed very interested in the women around you. I didn't realize you fancied men as well."

"Ah, I am glad to hear it. And that is very forward thinking of you as well. I applaud you for such a mature stance."

"Nothing mature about it. I spent many days in the field where men outnumbered women three to one. People have needs. Some people have different needs. It is not so uncommon that I did not see it happen from time to time."

"I see. I did not know this about you. So you spent a lot of time in the field... with so many men? I should think that Alastair was not the first man to share your tent then."

"You should think whatever you like, it still isn't any of your business."

"Ah, then I am correct. That is good. A woman should never settle on the first man she beds. How else will she know how good she has it? I would hope Alastair is equally impressive in the tent as he looks in armor, or without his shirt on for that matter. Otherwise, it would be such a waste," Zevran said eying Lyssa carefully.

Lyssa stared straight forward not looking at Zevran.

"That good? Well that is good news, something for me to shoot for then. I shall just lie back now and have some pleasant dreams where you both invite me to your tent to teach you a few things. By the way, I would be more than happy to do so should you wish."

**

"What were you talking about earlier?"

Zevran opened his eyes and looked up to see Alistair scowling down at him.

"Oh, it is you. You mean to your lady love? I was just asking her about her past... in particular I was interested in her tent activities."

"She told you about the one before me?"

"The one? She did not tell me about any of her tent activities, like getting water from a stone actually, but this is very interesting. Only one? Such a shame. What has she told you about... the one?"

"Nothing... I mean I didn't ask. It isn't polite. And besides, why would I want to know about anyone else? They don't matter to her anymore."

"Of course he matters to her. Or, she matters, I suppose. I shouldn't make assumptions."

"What do you mean he matters to her?"

"Well he is the one she will judge all the rest on, of course, all the rest meaning you, which is truly a shame, I must say it again. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I have done enough mischief for one day and I need to get my beauty rest."

**

"Oh, why am I doing this? Morrigan?"

"Alistair, what a pleasant surprise. I was just fretting over what terrible thing would happen to make my day miserable, and here you are. Now I no longer have to dwell on it."

"Yes, I'm glad I could be of service. I was wondering something."

"Imagine that."

"Is your mother, is she actually the Flemeth from the old tales?"

"I'm surprised you've heard such tales, growing up in the Chantry and all."

"The Chantry didn't stop us from reading stories of apostates, if that's what you mean."

"Oh… Then you haven't heard the good ones? They can be quite racy actually, so I'm not surprised that they didn't let you read them in the Chantry. There was this one, it's a favorite of mine actually, where Flemeth, and this Dragon..."

"Never mind."