Chapter 20: Readying Redcliffe

Alriana stormed about like a crazy woman. The defenses had to be set before nightfall before the creatures came. She had not eaten since that morning but she was running around as if she had energy to spare. She was stopped by Sten asking, "Pasharra, should not we be going against the Blight?"

She whirled around so fast it looked as if her finger had struck him. She replied, "The Blight is a horde. We need soldiers."

"Fair enough but why help these weaklings?"

"They are farmers and fisherman but of course all you see is the field and a bloody blade," Alriana replied and stormed off, cutting off the conversation. Alriana thought her head was going to explode from the stupid things the shemlen were asking her as if she had all the answers.

"Alriana perhaps a meal…"

"Not hungry. Too much to do," Alriana replied immediately regretting how she sounded. It was Leli after all and all the girl did was try to be friendly. She hastened to apologize, "Abelas Leli. I'm not sure I can stomach the idea of food without throwing it."

Leliana had been taken aback by the curt response but when the elf apologized, she saw that there was an underlying cause to it. She said, "At something or someone?"

Alriana was about to respond when she saw him coming out of the stupid Chantry with the amulets for the shem knight Ser Perth. She shut her mouth and turned around and walked away. She did not want to be near him at the moment.

Ardeth was lounging against the wall of the smithy petting Oiche. The hawk chirped in approval as he was petted. When Alriana passed in front of them, Oiche chirped and looked at Ardeth. He turned his head upside down and right side up. Ardeth said, "I'm not getting involved in this one. They have to work it out. It's the nature of relationships."

Oiche chirped again. It then gave a gentle nip on the sleeve of Ardeth's robes. Ardeth said, "I'm not getting involved. We'll just have to wait and see." Ardeth then sighed. "Hmm. I guess Vilmaris is waiting to give me a big I told you so but she just loves rubbing in my position within things."

Oiche chirped as if he were laughing. Ardeth gave a mock scowl, "Very funny. You got on her bad side and look at how things turned out. You really think I'm going to mention your little history? You have another thing coming. We're a team in this but some things can't be mentioned… yet."

Oiche said no more leaving Ardeth time to watch the motley crew that he attached himself to prepare for the attack that night. He watched as Alistair tried to catch up to Alriana only to be rebuffed. He watched as Alistair sighed.

Alistair had been trying all day to talk to her yet every time he tried, she would either ignore him or treat him impersonal like a soldier. He was not stupid. He knew he was the cause of this and all because he waited to tell her the truth.

After leaving Vilmaris' settlement, it took them five days to reach Redcliffe. During those days, he thought that he and Alriana were getting on better footing. He was beginning to admit to himself that he was growing to care for her. He was even beginning to think that she was beginning to let her guard down and let him in. They had some good times even though he growled at the fact that she would talk to the assassin on occasion though he was not ready to admit it was jealousy. When they got closer to Redcliffe, the conversation he had with Vilmaris stole into his mind. He really hated the fact that she knew, at least he thought she knew the truth.

The conversation was on his mind so much that he grew quiet. Of course Alriana picked right up on that and asked if he was all right. He tried putting it off but then she gave the look she did when she was sizing something up. He ignored it until they came to the swell overlooking the village and he could not stand it anymore. He said to her, "Alright, can we talk for a moment? I need to tell you something that I probably should have told you earlier."

She had sent everyone into the village with the exception of Taryn and stayed with him. She then looked at him with those beautiful hazel green eyes and asked him, "What's on your mind lethallin?"

He had a hard time speaking after hearing her call him that. He knew though that he could not put it off. As much as he hated to admit it, Vilmaris was right. He replied, "I told you before how Arl Eamon raised me and that my mother was a serving girl at the castle and he took me in?"

She replied while frowning in confusion, "Of course I remember. Why?"

He said, "Well the reason he did that was because… well because my father was King Maric. Which made Cailan my… half-brother I suppose." He remembered that being the most agonizing wait of his life. She looked at him intensely and he felt himself start to squirm inside.

She then asked, "You didn't think you should have told me sooner?"

She had said it in a tone like a hurt child almost but he could almost hear the accusatory note as well. He had gotten a little defensive but he beat it down. "How? When would I say that? Oh by the way King Maric had sex with a servant and she produced a bastard son. That's me."

"Still why now? Why not earlier?"

"I would have told you but… it never really meant anything to me. You know that I was turned out. I was seen as an inconvenience, a possible threat to Cailan's rule and so they kept me a secret. I've never talked about it to anyone."

"But you are talking to me about it now?"

He needed to explain and prayed to the Maker that she would understand. "Everyone who knew either resented me for it or they coddled me… even Duncan kept me out of the fighting because of it. I didn't want you to know for as long as possible. I'm sorry."

She had raised her brow at him when he mentioned Duncan and he could almost guess that she was surprised that he felt resentful that his mentor kept him out of the battle because of his blood. She then said in that quiet voice, "You still should have told me. It wouldn't have mattered."

She had said it would not have mattered but he knew better. It always mattered. "You're right. I should have. It's brought me nothing but problems to be honest. At any rate, that's it. That's what I wanted to tell you. I thought you should know about it."

The next words she spoke should have told him that he should not have made light of it. "Are you sure?" She had asked with that raised brow, "You're not hiding anything else?"

He had to say it, "Besides my unholy love of fine cheeses and a minor obsession with my hair, no. That's it. Just the prince thing."

"Why tell me then? Why do I need to know?"

That was another warning that he should have picked up on but he did not. He just dug himself a deeper hole. "Because it will probably come up. I didn't want to walk into Redcliffe without you knowing the truth. That would be just awkward. So there you have it. Now can we move on and I'll just pretend you still think I'm some nobody who was too lucky to die with the rest of the Grey Wardens."

"That's not what you really think is it?"

He spoke the truth with his next words, "Well, no. What I really think is that I was lucky enough to survive with you." Then he walked off towards the village.

Alistair knew now that was a mistake. He did not catch it at first but when she started treating everyone curtly, especially him, he tried to talk to her. Thing was she refused to be in any place alone with him. He found that he missed her. On the trail to Redcliffe, she made time to practice that dance she taught him and would talk about nothing, mostly with her asking about Ferelden in general. Now she spoke of nothing unless it was to give him a job to do.

He went to get something to inspire Ser Perth and his men, per her request since she would 'rather swallow another round of darkspawn blood than talk to the revered mother,' and saw her just outside the Chantry giving advice to the militia on their archery and talking to Sten and Leliana. He knew she saw him and turned and walked away. Alistair knew he had to talk to her but he just did not know how to get her alone. He reached into his pouch and his hand brushed against the little wooden animal. He dug around some more and his hand touched the rose.

"She's not angry because of what you told her."

Alistair jumped slightly at the sound of Ardeth's voice. He turned to face the Arcana and said, "You're as bad as the assassin but you're right. I kind of got the feeling."

"Then you should try to fix it."

"Believe me I'm trying. She just won't let me near her." Alistair shrugged his shoulders, not knowing what to do next.

Ardeth knew that he needed to push the boy into the right direction. He made the suggestion, "Perhaps seek the advice of someone who knows about such things. Just one piece of advice from me: Pay attention. Read between the lines, especially with Dalish elves. Believe me I know." Ardeth then brushed the hair by the tips of his ears to reveal the slight point. There was no harm in letting Alistair know. He then then walked to enter the Chantry to place some protective wards on the place. It was the least he could do. Plus it would be fun to ruffle the Revered Mother's feathers.

Alistair watched Ardeth enter the Chantry surprised to learn something about their newest companion. Ardeth was half elf. Still Alistair saw that was not the issue. His relationship with Alriana was more important. He needed help to talk to her about it. They needed to talk if they were going to get through this together. He knew just who to talk to.

Alriana looked at the weathered door before her with a raised brow. "This is the general store Ser Perth talked about?"

"Yes," Alistair answered. He gave a quick prayer to the Maker that this would work otherwise there would be hell to pay. He glanced at Leliana and Zevran who merely shrugged their shoulders though Leliana gave him a smirk and a wink. He did a slight eye roll and said, "He said there were some things that might help in there."

"Fine." Alriana marched forward and opened the door with unnecessary force. The dust that fell told the story that it had not been open for quite some time. She wrinkled her nose and then walked in. She heard the distinct tread of Alistair's boots follow her in and he was followed by Leli and Zevran. She began looking around for things that might help during the battle. She found some barrels that were full of something. Since they were sealed, she pulled out her dagger and began to pry the lid off.

Alistair watched her working with the barrel and made the motion to look at other things while glancing at Leliana and Zevran. Leliana stifled a giggle and motioned for him to focus on what he is doing. He found some poultices that had been left behind and said, "Alriana, I found some poultices. They still look good."

Alriana muttered something and continued to try to pry the lid off. She missed the tell-tale signs something was up until it was too late. The door slammed shut and the sound of it being barricaded fell upon her ears. The noise enabled her to pry the lid off the barrel but it was moot now as she started walking towards the door and pounded on the door demanding to be let out. "Leli, open the door. This isn't funny!"

Alistair stood there and watched her work up a storm. Leliana's voice came through, "Too bad. You two need to work out your issues!"

Alistair felt a slight moment of panic when Leliana said that. That was replaced by a raised brow that would have been similar to one Alriana would give. He watched as Alriana growled and gave a final kick at the door before turning towards him. Her eyes were accusatory and it was verified when she asked, "You had something to do with this didn't you?"

"If I had, what are you going to do about it? Hit me?"

Alriana was sporting for a fight and it felt better that she could direct her anger at its cause. She smirked and replied, "We got plenty of room. Why not?"

Alistair sighed. He was hoping to avoid a fist fight but it appeared that he had no choice. He removed his gauntlets since he did not want to hurt her unnecessarily. Tossing them aside, he almost got hit when she swung a fist at him. He deflected it easily and it began. It was mostly punches and kicks that were easily deflected on both sides and then Alriana lunged forward. Alistair grabbed both her wrists and twisted her arms in a manner so that her face was close to his. Ignoring the fact that they were that close, he resisted the sudden urge to kiss her and he said, "We need to talk. About what we talked about."

Alriana wrenched free and moved back into a defensive position, her hands at rest but ready to move. She replied, "Sure why not?" She then launched again into a combination of punches and kicks. "Maybe you can tell me why you felt the need to keep your birthright a secret?"

"You never asked?"

"You want to make me more angry?"

Alistair had his palms open to block her strikes. It stung when they contacted but he wanted to show her that he was willing to let her hit him. He replied, "Not really but you aren't giving me much to work with. What are you really upset about?"

Alriana paused for a moment. What was she really angry about? It hit her as if he had punched her in the stomach. She dropped her hands to her sides and dropped her head. "I'm hurt that you didn't trust me."

Alistair looked at her downturned head, grateful that she gave up fighting him, and replied, "No, please don't think that. It's not that I didn't trust you— I trust you with my life—It's…" He then sighed realizing that this was going to be difficult. "Please, let me try to explain."

Alriana raised her head to look at Alistair in the eye. It was some measure of comfort that he admitted that he trusted her to watch his back. She felt ashamed to hear her voice crack slightly when she said with a sorrowful look, "Please do."

It was hard to see that painful look on her face. Alistair said, "The thing is, I'm used to not telling anyone who didn't already know. It was always a secret and even then Duncan was the only Grey Warden who knew. And then after the battle, when I should have told you… I don't know. It seemed like it was too late by then and even then how do you just tell someone that?" He frowned in apology while swirling the dust on the ground with the toe of his boot.

Alriana felt her anger starting to ebb. She said, "It's not really hard to come out and say it. Did you really think that I would judge you based on that? The Dalish don't carry titles like you shemlen. You've been avoiding this Alistair."

"I know and I should have known better as far as you are concerned," Alistair replied. He saw that Alriana's hair started falling out of its usual tidiness. One lock was near her temple and fluttering in her eyes. He tentatively reached out and moved the lock until it was secure behind her ear. "I suppose a small part of me kind of liked you not knowing."

Alriana felt the heat rise when he touched her hair and moved it behind her ear. It was a fluttering sensation that was foreign but eerily similar to the feeling she got when he gave her the dagger. She was also aware that she was annoyed that he took for granted that she would be petty about his parentage. She swallowed and replied, "You… enjoyed not telling me?" Her voice cracked slightly betraying the slightest hint of annoyance.

"It's just that anyone who's ever found out has treated me differently afterwards. I became the bastard prince instead of just Alistair. Just understand that I have no illusions about my status. It's been always made clear to me that I'm a commoner and now a Grey Warden and in no line for the throne, which is fine by me. I just hate that it has shaped my entire life. I never wanted it and I certainly don't want to be king. The very idea of it terrifies me."

"Is that why you want me to lead? Me, the least experienced Warden?" Alriana looked up at Alistair expectantly. It seemed now that she had some sort of answer as to why Alistair was content to follow her instead of lead.

When did this come up? Alistair was not sure of what to say. He sighed, "Bad things happen when I take the lead. I'm not cut out for it."

Alriana listened. Despite what he said, she could hear and even see the potential. The fact that other thoughts such as his being handsome stole into her mind almost had her want to start fighting again. She picked her words carefully, "Ashalle once told me that there can be a thousand ways not to be a good leader but there is one right way and it doesn't happen overnight. How does one learn to wield a sword or arm a bow? Practice gains experience. I don't blame you for how you feel."

Alistair listened to her advice and it made sense but he still felt that he was not cut out to lead. He tried to keep the bitterness out of his voice, "My blood seems to haunt me no matter what I do. For what it's worth, I'm sorry for not telling you sooner. I… I guess I was just hoping that you would like me for who I am. It was a dumb thing for do."

Alriana said nothing at first taking in his words. She knew she had to be patient with the fact that he did not mean to be hurtful when he took for granted that she might be like her city cousins. It conflicted with the feelings of approval in that he treated her like an equal and not a second class citizen or even a savage. She knew in her heart that she forgave him and she said, "Apology accepted."

Alistair felt a huge relief that overcame him. He was going to say something when her fist collided hard with his chest with a well-placed punch. He rubbed his chest as she said, "Don't hold anything back from me again lethallin. Secrets like that can destroy much that matters."

Alistair still rubbed where she punched taking in her words. He had not realized how much it hurt from her end. She thought he did not trust her and he saw her point. He replied, "I guess it's kind of a relief that you know now." He made a silent promise to himself that he would try to not let her doubt his trust in her again.

Alriana smiled back at Alistair. She knew she had to give back so she told him, "It is only fair to tell you lethallin that even though my clan took care of me, there were some who disliked me because I was willing to give the benefit of a doubt to shems. You and people like your Bann Teagan are proof that not all shemlen are as my people have claimed. When we approach the clans, don't be surprised if they accuse me of being a shem lover or even call me a flat ear. I have my reasons for being what I am."

Alistair would have liked to have heard her reasons but he knew that she had her own ideas of what to share and what not to share. He had the feeling that it was personal and forayed into that realm that she kept at arm's length from everyone. She was setting the groundwork and she was trying to follow it. He replied, "That's good to know. I don't want to start any fights when you get called names. Dirty looks I can handle."

Alriana chuckled as she walked up to Alistair. She noticed that she had struck hard enough to leave some faint bruises on his forearms. She examined them using a gentle hand and said, "I have some more of my salve back at camp. Fresh batch too. Remind me okay?"

"If I remember," Alistair replied before moving to pick up his gauntlets off the floor. He marveled at how soft her hands felt. He then noticed the pried off lid and walked over to the barrels. It was a good way to hide what started to invade his thoughts. He then said, "Hey I think you struck gold. These barrels are full of lamp oil. We could use this for tonight."

Alriana walked up to inspect the barrels. Alistair was right and when she spoke her voice was no longer curt. "I think we should let Ser Perth know. Good work lethallin."

"Well my beautiful bard, let us hope this plan of yours works and they don't kill each other while they are locked up in there." Zevran leaned against the door listening to the sounds of fighting through the door.

"It will work. Alistair would not try to hurt her even when she's the one doing all the fighting. He'd rather be hurt than hurt her," Leliana replied. "Besides whatever happened between them has made everyone on edge, you included."

Zevran did not let on that he had been that easily read. While he was turned on by the Warden's terseness, he rather liked her more gentle side that said she was nice but could still bite. He replied, "Violence from the Warden is to be expected. When it's directed at the source, it is much more entertaining."

Leliana scoffed. "And you enjoy exploiting the attraction between them, especially in regards to Alistair."

"Easy mark, my beautiful bard."

They continued the wait wondering why it was so quiet until Leliana decided that it was too quiet. Upon opening the door, they came across two Grey Wardens looking over a bunch of barrels and discussing the use of the contents. It was baffling when Alriana sauntered out and said they needed to see Ser Perth about the oil. She then left followed by Alistair who gave a slight nod to Leliana to thank her.

Ser Perth proved to be pleased with the plan the Grey Wardens presented regarding the oil in the barrels and word was sent to the militia to prepare the oil. Alriana then jogged back down to where everyone else was waiting and gave assignments for positions. She reported to Murdock that everything was set. Now they would begin the long wait for nightfall and the battle with the walking dead.

She stood at the top of the hill watching the castle as the sun began its slow descent. Alistair stood with her watching. She said, "It looks so peaceful that it hardly seems possible that something terrible is going to come out of those gates."

"Well at least I'll be there to watch your back."

Alriana smirked as she removed her bow from her shoulder, "Just as long as you keep your eyes forward and on those creatures."

Alistair had taken out his sword and was going to take position. He initially blushed at the comment, reminded of the heckling Leliana and Morrigan gave him. He then had a wicked thought to get back at Alriana. It was bold even for him but the burden of his heritage being lifted from his shoulders was a lifting feeling and he decided to act upon it. He said, "You're so kind Alriana." With a gentle swing, he swatted Alriana on her hindquarters with the flat end of his blade with a firm pat before double timing it to his position leaving Alriana to give a scowl that was ruined by the twinkle in her eyes.

A/N: Another chapter and some good old fashioned fist fighting between my warden and Alistair. Call it a lover's spat. The fight itself was actually inspired in part by another fight scene that was almost seductive in nature and the sword spank came to me in a fit of humor.

Thanks to those who reviewed like Chev 7, fujingodofwind and others who thought my drabbles were worth the read. Also thanks to all who placed this on their favorites and alert lists.