It took the group twelve days in total to reach Redcliffe. The lack of horses and the state that the group had severely infringed on their journey times. Whilst the injuries healed as they made their way from Ostagar, it was still clear that a lot of recovery would be needed by the time they reached their destination.
Aside from the injuries, their journey had otherwise been an easy one. The cold winds of the South soon gave way to the warm summer winds of the North, and the rain was replaced by warm summer days and cool evenings. They had encountered the odd band of darkspawn as they traveled, those who still lurked in the ravines of the Hinterlands, hoping to prey on any poor soul who found themselves on the path. Unfortunately for the darkspawn, they just found a group who were far too use to this fight now. All the bands were dispatched with ease, barely adding minutes to their journey.
The wolves, however, were a different story. Each night, as the group made camp, they would lurk around the boundaries, their amber eyes visible in the distance thanks to the light of the camp fire. Each took it in turns to keep watch, making sure that the pack knew to keep away from them and that they would not be an easy group to attack. It was a relief when the group were clear of the mountains and the path ahead of them became much easier to navigate without the additional threat.
There were no travelers in this part of the world, save for the lone Dwarven wagon that had been making it's way back to Orzammar from Denerim. Loghain had stopped the wagon to see if there was any news from Denerim, the echoes of his conversation with Catheryn still lingering in mind. It was quite unnerving when the Dwarf had informed him that there were some whispers of unrest in Amaranthine, but, rumours had it that it was all down to the death of Howe and the area was now in chaos. As he moved off, the Dwarf muttered something about Cloud heads, but, Loghain ignored him and soon caught up with the group, mulling over the feeling that was now sneaking into the pit of his stomach.
The atmosphere within the group had changed vastly. Everyone was much more relaxed, despite being weary and any tension that there had been had all but melted away over the course of those few days. Wynne had all but ceased the looks of disdain and condemnation. Whether it was in defeat, knowing that no matter what she said, Catheryn would not give up on the man, or whether it was because that very same man had saved her life, Catheryn wasn't sure, but, her heart had filled with joy on the occasions when she had witnessed them having something resembling a conversation.
It was a welcome sight when Redcliffe Village began to loom on the horizon, the quaint little houses dotted all over the hillside and the Lake Calenhad shimmering beautifully in the early afternoon sun. It reminded her much of the village towns around Highever, always a hive of activity and the people were warm and welcoming, mirroring the affection for Arl Eamon that people had had for her Mother and Father.
Catheryn was glad to see that the Village wasn't looking as empty as it had done. Many had died here only a few months before, but, with people fleeing the darkspawn, it seemed as though some of the refugees had come here instead of Denerim. There was a buzz around the Village centre as people went about their daily business, all of them stopping to watch as the group made their way through. Those who had survived the horror that was the walking dead gave Loghain looks of utter disdain. There had been many rumours about Arl Eamon's sickness and who had played their part in it, many of them blaming Loghain. At the time, Catheryn had been happy to believe the rumours, more down to her own anger than anything else. However, it was only as time went on that she actually thought about it properly. Loghain had been blamed for so much that Howe had orchestrated and, whilst he had stood aside and let these things happen, she now understood that politics were a far more dangerous game than she ever wished to dream. It was a game that she had been far too inexperienced to play and it was only thanks to Eamon that the Wardens had been triumphant in the end.
But for now, Eamon and his family welcomed the group into their home, even extending the courtesy to Loghain, though there was an awkwardness about it. Catheryn could see it in the eyes of both men. Eamon still did not trust Loghain and, Loghain was not about to ask for his forgiveness. Catheryn had long since learned that he was still a proud man and even though the events of Ostagar still played on his conscience, there was still a part of him that still believed that he had done what was best. She wasn't sure if it was a defense, but she let him be. Those demons would be there until he either decided to confide in her, or let them go completely.
Before the group were shown to the rooms that would be their home until the final battle, Taeghan had come to greet them once more, just as he had done on their first visit. He was not as gracious as Eamon and did not hesitate to exchange glares with Loghain. Loghain himself simply let the glare wash over him. He was far too used to the condemnation now, far too use to silently berating himself for all the poor choices he had made. These were deeds that would not be fixed at all and, to some extent, he wondered if they could ever be put right. But, this wasn't the time or place for such a confrontation. There was so much more going on in the world now than a disagreement between the two. He hated to admit it, but, he admired Taeghan, he had been one of the few who had challenged Loghain, one of the few who had made his feelings about Ostagar completely clear and had never backed down.
The first night was a quiet and weary one, the group just happy to be somewhere that was safe and warm, where soft beds and hot food were theirs to be enjoyed for as long as their appetites could hold. It was a grand place, it's stone walls standing the test of time, watching over it's occupants as generations had come and gone, the first line of Ferelden defense. It had seen many wars, it had seen much happiness and heartache. There were stories hidden in the stone that no one would ever know and yet, somehow, it still felt like a home. It was warm and welcoming, the smells from the kitchen wafted through the halls, guards and maids all going about their day, the odd echo of laughter here or excited chattering there. It caused Catheryn's heart to ache slightly, missing the days when she would wander around Highever, making idle chatter to whoever had time to listen to her. Catheryn appreciated the time that they had now, to truly embrace the beauty of the castle. The last time they had been here, they were on such borrowed time that, there wasn't the chance to take it all in. The atmosphere had been so very different and now, it was calm, only the slight edge of an uncertain tomorrow lingered in the air.
The sleeping quarters on the first floor were just as fine as the rooms on the ground floor. Huge four poster beds occupied most of them, grand fireplaces stood as a feature for each, empty now, due to the warm weather. Catheryn could almost picture what winter was like, curled up in the warm beds, the fireplace crackling, the orange glow filling the room. It was a thought that was enough to tire an already weary body all the more.
As the group were shown to their rooms, Catheryn came to a stop beside a portrait, taking the time to look at it carefully. It was of Queen Rowan and King Maric and, for the first time, Catheryn looked passed the legend and the tales and actually looked at those grey eyes. They were sad, almost distant and yet, this was a woman who had become a Queen. The story of the great love between Maric and Rowan could be heard in any court throughout the land, but, Catheryn knew now, it had all been a lie. It had been a sacrifice for the good of Ferelden and she wondered if she would be able to make the same sacrifice. When it came to the final battle, would she be able to let him go, or would a life without him destroy her as it had done Rowan?
'Catheryn?'
Leaving her thoughts behind, Catheryn looked into those spectacular blue eyes and smiled softly, stepping away from the portrait and following him into their shared room. The request had been met with surprise, their betrothal still a secret from the rest of the group. But Eamon was a gracious host and did not ask too many questions, simply commenting that the maids would be glad for one less room to tend to. Removing her armour, carefully this time, she let out a soft sigh at the sudden relief, feeling two arms wrap around her waist, a gentle kiss lingering on her neck.
'You're lost in thought again.' Closing her eyes, she smiled softly, this man knew her far too well. He led her over to the bed and sat on the edge, holding her hips gently as he held her gaze.
'Do I remind you of Rowan?' Her voice was calm, there was no accusation in it, but it caused Loghain to raise his eyebrow nonetheless.
'When I first saw you, back at your coming of age ceremony, yes, you reminded me of Rowan. But, there have been times when you have reminded me of Maric, and I can assure you, I was in no way attracted to him.'
Catheryn couldn't help but laugh, the look in his eyes helping to chase away any of the insecurities that she had felt building inside. Her father had always told that she looked like Rowan and it had been something that had been voiced by others. Seeing her portrait, it had brought all that flooding back and, for a moment, she had been scared.
'I do understand though, all of this, it has happened so quickly, it's a little overwhelming for me as well. I'm not a wordsmith, but, know that I love the remarkable, troublesome, caring woman that you are.'
Touching his face gently, it was Loghain's turn to be caught a little off guard by the affection in her eyes. He felt so much peace in that moment, content with the world and everything that was around them. How she managed to make him feel so whole, it was beyond him, but he welcomed it and he cherished it.
Tilting her head down, Catheryn kissed him gently, the kiss soft, slow and affectionate, the one thing that stood out was how tender he was when he touched her. Every time now, his hands had been kind and gentle, even when they were lost in the throes of their passion. It was a tenderness that she had not expected and it had been one of many delightful surprises ever since they had started down this path. Even as the kiss broke, his fingers were so careful as he caressed her face, she felt as though she could cry at any moment, such was the joy that swelled inside her heart.
Once the moment had passed, the intensity lingered on long into the night. Loghain, washed her neck and her back, his eyes taking in the scar once more, his fingers dancing lightly over the skin, the goosebumps chasing each other as the warm water cooled against her skin. It was a simple gesture, but it was one he enjoyed, feeling the complete and utter trust that she had in his motives. They didn't need to talk, the silence of the evening and the tension in the room was doing a far better job than any poor attempt at poetry he could muster. There was a reason he remained silent so much after all, he was more than aware that he would most definitely use the wrong words and it would spoil the mood.
That night, all they did was hold each other, each enjoying the warmth of the other, Catheryn using the sound of his heartbeat as a gentle lullaby to ease her to sleep. Loghain was awake for a little longer, watching as she slept, his hand stroking her hair gently as he did so. She was so peaceful, so content as she rested against him, the lingering smile playing on her lips, lost in whatever dream world had taken hold of her tonight. Just the simple pleasure of being able to share a proper bed with her, it gave him glimpses of the future, a future where she was by his side, where they were married and rebuilding the Grey Warden's in Ferelden. It was, for the first time, a future that he could see as though it were about to happen tomorrow and he welcomed it. Not for the first time, he found himself wishing to make it through the final battle alive, so that he could make amends to his Country and have Catheryn live out the rest of his days firmly by his side. Selfish it may have been, but Loghain did not care, she was worthy of that life and he intended to provide it.