A/N: Thank you ElyssaCousland you are an incredible beta reader!
Unexpected.
Neri was inside the Keep for quite a while, so long in fact that Arietta got worried, and went back inside. She found Neri squealing happily, as she flicked through a dusty old tome.
"Neri?"
"Oh, sorry! I got distracted. We can leave now." She smiled brightly.
Arietta nodded a farewell to the old Warden mage, and they exited the Keep.
Arietta peered at the smiling elf. "So, what did you want to talk to him about?"
"I noticed the tomes earlier, so I wanted to check them out; he let me borrow one!"
Arietta quirked an eyebrow. "That was it, just a book?"
Neri scoffed. "Not just any old book, Arietta, a book on griffons!"
Arietta chuckled. "Okay then, we need to head back to Highever, and then on to Redcliffe, so you can't read and walk."
"Ohh, no fair." Neri pouted.
…
They got lost more than once on their way back down the mountain, but as long as they were heading 'down' they had hoped to eventually reach the bottom, and they did.
"Really, why would I want a wet boot?" Neri exclaimed to Barkspawn, who was holding a tatty old boot in his maw.
The boot dropped to the floor and he barked happily.
Neri picked it up with a look of disgust on her face. "I have perfectly fine boots on; I do not need an odd boot!"
Barkspawn wagged his tail playfully and yapped at her some more.
Neri let out a sigh, and patted the hound on the head. "Yes, well done, thank you so much!" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Barkspawn barked and bounded off again.
"He's just being helpful," Arietta mused; she gave Blossom a rub behind her ears.
"Does Blossom bring you old boots and worn trousers? Because I've been given enough of the damn things to outfit an army."
Arietta chuckled. "Blossom is far too sensible for such nonsense."
"She's just old," Neri retorted.
"How old is she now?" Alistair asked, as he too stroked Blossom.
"Hmm, nearly thirteen…"
"Is that old for a Mabari?" Neri questioned.
Arietta nodded. "She's certainly getting on a bit, but she's got at least a few more years left though. Don't you, girl?"
Blossom smiled up at her, with her tongue hanging out the side of her mouth.
"I wish Barkspawn was better trained. I mean he listens to me, he understands what I'm saying… but he seems to enjoy ignoring me."
Arietta let out a bark of laughter. "I've had Blossom since she was tiny though. Barkspawn was trained by someone else; perhaps you're not using the right commands?"
"Who in Thedas would say something other than 'sit' to make him sit?" Neri said incredulity.
Alistair and Arietta both chuckled softly. "Perhaps they spoke a different language? Or maybe even made up one of their own?" Alistair suggested.
Neri glared at him.
Arietta smiled coyly. "Alistair might not be wrong, actually."
Neri glanced at her with a confused look.
"I mean, there's a language the Ash Warriors use… I learnt about it at Highever. Wasn't Barkspawn one of theirs originally?"
Neri considered her words. "He may have been…"
"Okay then. To call him, repeat after me, 'Iymah'."
Neri frowned. "Iymah."
"Louder, so he can hear you. 'Stew'."
"Stew!"
There was no sign of Barkspawn. "Louder. 'peddle'."
"PEDDLE
"Fah
"FAH."
"Now all together?"
"IYMAH STEW PEDDLE FAH!"
Arietta and Alistair burst out laughing.
Neri glared at them, and then realised what she had just said. "I'm a stupid elf!?" She burst out laughing too. "Congrats, I didn't realise you had a funny bone in you."
"I guess you've rubbed off on me." Arietta giggled.
"Not as much as I'd have liked." Neri winked.
"Would you actually sleep with us?" Alistair asked deadpan.
Neri was taken aback."Uhhh."
Arietta smirked at Alistair. "If we said yes, that we wanted to… Would you go through with it?"
Neri swallowed. "Well… I mean… you're both very attractive…" Her cheeks turned bright red.
Arietta sauntered toward Neri and wrapped her arms around the elf's narrow waist, pulling her close. "You've wanted to for a while, why the apprehension?" she said innocently.
Neri's eyes bulged, and she licked her lips. "Well, I just assumed it would never happen…" She smiled lopsidedly.
Arietta leant into the elf's pointy ear, brushing her lips against it. "But it is," she whispered.
Neri shuddered against her and her breathing became ragged. "Okay," she said breathlessly.
Arietta was momentarily stunned and then resumed her act. She smiled roguishly as she ran a hand through the elf's hair. "We can do it back at Highever, get a room all to ourselves…"
Neri smiled. "Fuck that, we're doing it now." Her smile turned into a mischievous grin.
Alistair was blushing furiously as he cleared his throat. "Oh, but the ground is so hard and dusty…"
"We can set up camp early, it looks like rain anyway." Neri smiled impishly.
Alistair was starting to cave, but Arietta continued. "Okay then."
They found a clearing and put up a single tent in silence as Neri eyed them both with her predatory gaze.
Alistair kept stealing glances at Arietta, as if to say 'hasn't this gone on long enough, we're not actually going through with this, are we?'
Arietta just shrugged at him, and continued to eye-fuck Neri in return.
Once the tent was up they all stood around it awkwardly, nobody willing to take the first step inside.
Neri was looking at them both, her eyes sparkling like two twin stars.
"Shouldn't we wait for Zevran? He'd be very upset to have missed out on this…." Arietta said, an octave higher than usual.
"He'll enjoy me telling him about it just as much." Neri giggled.
Rain suddenly poured down, and they all rushed into the tent.
They caught their breath, and all blushed as they realised their close proximity to one another.
Neri grinned playfully, and stalked toward Arietta on all fours, until her face was inches from Arietta's.
Neri looked up at her through her thick lashes, and Arietta's breath hitched.
Alistair cleared his throat; he was pink all the way to the tips of his ears.
"Oh, how rude of me," Neri hummed. The elf moved over to Alistair's lap and straddled him.
Arietta's eyes bulged as Neri wrapped her arms around her soon-to-be-husband, and ran her hands through his silky hair.
Neri looked at Arietta. "Tell me what you want me to do," she growled, her mouth inches from Alistair's.
Arietta swallowed hard, her palms sweating profusely. "Kiss him," she rasped.
Neri's eyes twinkled dangerously, and she turned her head back to Alistair.
Alistair was watching on in shock, with his hands firmly planted at his sides. Neri craned her head to the side and closed her eyes, as she slowly moved to kiss him.
Alistair's eyes were wide. "OKAY, NO!"
Neri's eyes flew open, and she grinned. "I fucking knew it!"
Arietta sighed in relief. "When did you figure it out?"
Neri hopped off of Alistair's lap, with a smirk.
"Outside. For a rogue, you certainly have some obvious tells." Neri shrugged.
Arietta's heartbeat returned to normal. "Trust you to drag it out for as long as possible!"
"You deserved it." Neri stuck her tongue out. "Tricking me once, and trying to a second time, for a moment I thought that maybe…" She shook her head. "No, never mind."
Arietta frowned. "What?"
Neri sighed. "I thought maybe Wynne told you, and that this was my present."
Arietta's frown deepened. "Told us what?"
"That it's my birthday today."
Alistair and Arietta both stared at her with their mouths open.
Arietta found her voice. "You never said anything!"
Neri shrugged. "They don't really celebrate birthdays in the Circle; it's not a big deal."
"You're nineteen?" Arietta asked softly.
Neri nodded her head.
She was so young.
"Sometimes I forget how young you are," Alistair said quietly, mirroring Arietta's thoughts.
Neri inhaled deeply. "Yeah." She chewed on her lip and frowned. "Do you think we can do it, stop the Blight I mean? How do you rate our chances?" she almost whispered.
Tears pricked Arietta's eyes. "I wish I could tell you we will defeat it, but it won't be easy. You've read about the past Blights, you know how long some of them raged on for…"
Neri took a shaky breath. "I don't know what would hurt more: dying myself, leaving all of you behind, or watching you die and being left alone." A tear fell down Neri's cheek.
Arietta grabbed the elf and pulled her into a hug. "Oh Neri, we'll get through this, together." She reached over and pulled Alistair into their hug. Neri wrapped an arm around him and pulled him in closer as she began to sob.
They fell asleep not long after, all curled up together.
…
When they arrived back at Highever there were no more bodies or blood stains to be seen, and most of the rubble had been cleared away too. Iona was returning home to her family and loved ones, but Arietta promised she would visit her once the Blight was over. She had told Fergus to remain at the castle to continue to gather allies while she returned to Redcliffe, and then went on to deal with the Landsmeet in Denerim. He didn't like being separated from her, but she needed him to stay at Highever to try to get things back in order. So they had said their farewells, she wasn't sure if she'd have much time to see him after the Landsmeet, before they had to deal with the darkspawn threat.
"Last time it was me marching off to fight darkspawn, with you worrying over me, and now here I am, staying behind while you go to find the bleedin' Archdemon," Fergus had said.
"You were always tardy though. I promise to return punctually." She had smirked back at him.
"I will hold you to that promise, Etta." He had hugged her tightly as she wrapped her arms around him.
After that, they had returned to Redcliffe; Eamon was ready to leave within the week, and was glad they had returned when they did.
Arietta liked the old man; he was kind, but he knew how to play the game of thrones, just like every other noble. And, so far, Arietta was impressed; he had gathered an extensive list of allies in the past few months, not quite enough to outright defeat Loghain, but it was a start.
They had all woken bright and early to make last minute preparations for their journey to the capital, and Neri was not happy about their chosen mode of transport.
"Can't we walk?" Neri complained.
Arietta patted the palfrey in front of her, a huge, lean sand coloured beast with a long black mane. "Riding will get us there faster, plus we will look more respectable on horse."
"Yes but can't we just–" Neri backed away as her cob nickered in her face "Ugh… march in with our noses in the air?"
"Is that fear lacing your words, my dear?" Zevran teased, as he slid in beside them leading his beautiful white stallion, Winterbreath, into the court yard.
Neri's mouth opened and closed a few times. "I'm not scared of a stupid horse." She folded her arms. "They're just rather tall..."
Arietta hopped up onto her palfrey, Hanno. "We can get you a gelding, they'll be less temperamental," she suggested.
"Or you can ride with me, if you prefer." Zevran winked, as he clambered up onto his horse. Winterbreath immediately bucked, and sent him flying into the dirt. He rolled around clutching his buttocks, moaning in pain, as they all chuckled.
"What was it you said to me that time on the battlements? Oh yes. You never forget, like riding a horse," Neri mocked.
"Ohh, I probably deserve that. Still, you wound me fair maiden!"
"Ha! Only thing fair about me is my skin." Neri helped Zev to his feet.
…
Neri's horse veered off of the path again, her gelding, Terrance, deciding he rather liked the look of a patch of grass on the roadside.
"Stupid, fucking, horse! Move!" Neri cursed.
Arietta laughed as she directed Hanno over to Terrance and Neri. She pulled out a carrot from her pocket and waved it at him; the gelding lifted his head and sprinted up the hill, eliciting a gargled cry from Neri, as she held on for dear life.
Terrance chomped down on the carrot happily as Neri composed herself once more.
"You okay?" Arietta said, with a chuckle.
Neri glared at her, and nodded her head stubbornly.
Arietta kicked Hanno into a trot and pulled up next to Alistair once more.
"How are you, love?" Arietta asked him.
He was riding on the largest stallion of them all, a huge black beast with white socks. His name was Bolt, and he was the sweetest horse of the lot, most of the time; unless there was a thunderstorm, and then he screamed and ran away in fear, hence the name.
He smiled. "Good. I haven't ridden for so many years; I've missed it."
"I have too," she admitted.
She used to ride at Highever a lot, her mother had insisted she have lessons from a young age, and she had even started to teach Elissa to ride before… She sighed. That memory was still fresh in her mind, like the wound had been reopened. 'Lissa had loved Highever, she loved everything about it, the tapestries and stained glass windows, the library full of books, the water fountain in the gardens, the tree house father had built… all of that was completely broken now, or at the very least damaged from the attacks and from the soldiers. The charming guards had set fire to the tapestries, smashed the stained glass windows, pissed on the books, poured blood and shit in the fountain and burnt down the tree house.
But they would rebuild it, just like they would rebuild Ferelden. Alistair and her…
"We're getting married," she said quietly.
Alistair grinned at her. "Yes, we are."
She swallowed and looked at him. "It's only just sinking in; we'll have to rule all of Ferelden."
He took a deep breath. "I was rather hoping you'd know how to do something like that, because I don't have a clue." He smirked.
She snorted. "I think we'll have to make it up as we go along, love."
"Well, that method has served us well so far…," he said playfully.
A smile tugged at her lips. "We'll figure it out, together. We have to; everyone will be counting on us."
"No pressure." He chuckled.
…
Their horses trotted under the arch of the city's west gate; she gently patted her palfrey's neck to slow his pace. The people in the streets parted for them, and did something quite remarkable: they cheered. The streets were filled to the brim with people; each and every one of them had a grin on their faces as they clapped and cheered at their entourage. They were cheering for them, for the Grey Wardens, some even had griffon flags, and there were similar banners hanging out of windows.
"I was not expecting this," Alistair said in disbelief.
"Me neither…" Arietta said, as she looked around wide-eyed.
"I've never seen Denerim like this," Eamon remarked in awe.
The market was a similar story; there were crowds of people parting for them in the streets, as guards tried desperately to split them up. Their horses circled the square, and the cheers roared around them; people were throwing flowers and swinging flags, all while chanting 'Warden, Warden, Warden!'
Arietta glanced at the elf behind her. "Neri… I think they mean you."
Neri frowned. "What? Don't be absurd why would they–" Neri's mouth hung open.
Some soldiers were screaming now as they pushed through Loghain's men.
"Ostagar! Ostagar!"
"The King!" another shouted.
Arietta began to grin. "Neri, they were at Ostagar; they survived the battle because of your barrier!"
Neri's eyes were wide as she took in the cheering faces.
"Saviour!" a woman shouted, as she clutched a young soldier's hand.
They pushed their way through the crowd, and into Eamon's estate, the gates closed behind them and people rallied against the bars.
"Thank you!" they were yelling now. "Take him down!" The gates rattled as they shook them. "Kill the traitor!"
Arietta slid off her horse and stared at the people in stunned silence. Alistair joined her and took her hand in his, and then Neri did the same. All three of them grinned, as the people cheered and clapped.
"We will end this civil war, we will end the Blight, and we will save Ferelden!" Arietta shouted.
Their cheers roared around them.
With a nod they all turned to walk inside.
They walked down the long entrance way of the estate; it was a beautiful stone building, and the walls were decorated with colourful tapestries and paintings.
"In all my years, I have never experienced something like that before," Eamon said, still in shock.
Arietta hummed her agreement. "Maybe winning this Landsmeet won't be so difficult after all?"
Alistair nodded. "We certainly have the support of the common people…"
"It helps, but we need the Chantry and nobility on our side to stand a chance where it really counts, in the Landsmeet," Eamon said as he ran a hand through his beard.
"Do you think Loghain will make an appearance?" Arietta asked.
"Under normal circumstances, I would say yes, but he'd be mad to leave the palace with a crowd like that outside our gate."
"So… what do we need to do then?" Neri questioned.
"Loghain has been here for months; whatever he's been up to, whatever schemes he has hatched, they started here. Arietta, it would be worth speaking with the nobility of the City, whoever you can find; there will undoubtedly be familiar faces. Find out what they know, and figure out if they are allies. And if they're not, make them one."
Arietta nodded her head.
"Neri, I understand you know a Templar here? Perhaps try speaking with him, as he may prove useful; speak to the soldiers too, and see what you can learn."
Arietta rubbed her neck. "Last time we were here the Chantry was closed for funerals, which may still be the case," she warned.
"Then I guess I'll need some new clothes; a black dress and veil should work well." Neri smirked.
Arietta snorted. "You're going to sneak in with a funeral precession, aren't you?"
"I've never used a disguise before! This is so exciting." Neri grinned.
"Okay: Neri head off with Zev, find out what you can; Alistair, Leliana and I have some things to take care of; everyone else see what you can find out from the common people, maybe buy some supplies? We can meet back here in a few hours."
...
Neri ducked under another griffon banner, and past some children with blue and silver face paint. She kept her hood up and her head low, as she passed more cheering faces. The crowds were starting to disperse now, but the streets were still a lot busier than she ever thought possible. Zevran was leading her through most of the crowds, and they finally reached an alley and could walk side by side again.
Neri wanted to talk to some soldiers, but not out in the open, so Zev was taking her to a tavern where he said a lot of the off-duty soldiers were probably drinking. It started to spit with rain as they walked along the cobbled paths; it pattered down gently on her cloak, and when there was a gust of wind, her face got sprayed with drizzle.
"Not far now," Zev said.
The streets here were decidedly less friendly than the market. The men and woman eyed them suspiciously as they walked briskly past them, and there were very few children visible; those that could be seen were scrawny, dirty things that glared at them as they walked by.
"Lovely neighbourhood," she said dryly, pulling her hood closer.
Zevran smirked. "All cities are like this; the markets and main roads paint you a pretty picture, but ugliness is all around the edges."
"That was almost profound, Zev!" she teased, grinning easily at his feigned offence.
"I can be profound when I need to be; alas I much prefer to be naughty," he said wickedly, pulling her to him for a hungry kiss.
They came into a clearing, and Zevran stopped dead in his tracks. The hair on the back of Neri's neck stood up, and then the Crows stepped forward.
"And here is the mighty Grey Warden at long last. The Crows send their greetings, once again," a man said smoothly.
"One greeting was quite enough, thank you," Neri snipped, as she pulled down her hood to get a better look at them all. They were surrounded by at least thirty men.
"So, they sent you Taliesen, or did you volunteer for it?" Zevran asked solemnly.
A half-smile played across the man's lips. "I volunteered of course," he said arrogantly. "When I heard that the great Zevran had gone rogue, I simply had to see it for myself."
"Is that so? Well, here I am in the flesh," Zev said miserably. Neri hated how depressed he suddenly sounded; she hated the Crows more for making him that way.
"You can return with me Zevran. I know why you did this and I don't blame you," he said slickly. "It's not too late; come back and we'll make up a story. Anyone can make a mistake," he said sympathetically. He glanced at Neri. "And I daresay, she would make a fine Crow too." He grinned roguishly
Neri snorted disgustedly at his obvious chicanery. "I'm flattered, really, but you can go fuck yourself, mate."
Zevran chuckled. "Looks like we're not coming with you, Taliesen."
Neri let out the breath she didn't realise she'd been holding.
"You've gone soft, traitor," he said bitterly, with a disappointed shake of his head, and then he drew his daggers with a flourish.
The fight was over before it truly began. Neri had dragged all of the Crows across the floor into a lovely pile, and then they had picked them off one at a time; Neri had even impaled a few of them on their own weapons.
She wiped the sweat from her brow; despite not having to fight much; holding enemies in place for long periods of time was always exhausting. "You okay, Zev?" she asked softly.
He took a deep breath, and nodded his head. "He was my friend once."
"I'm sorry." He looked so defeated, his face set in a deep scowl, and it broke her heart to see. "I know what it's like to be betrayed by a friend." She rubbed his arm and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for staying with me; that can't have been easy," she said tenderly, trying not to show how panicked she had been at the thought of him leaving her.
"Anything for you, my dear." He gave her a grin, but it didn't quite touch his eyes. "Come, let us find this tavern and get you the answers you seek."
The Pearl was the tavern in question, and it was indeed full of soldiers; most were drunk, some were fighting. She hoped she could speak to a few and rally them to her cause.
"Next round's on me!" she shouted, as she walked in, nimbly avoiding a falling drunk.
All of the patrons cheered.
She walked up to the bar, and ordered Zevran and herself a couple of ales and left a purse of coin with the bartender to pay for everyone else's drinks.
"Well look who we have here." A gorgeous brunette sauntered toward them; she was eyeing Zevran with a sultry smile. "Come to apologise for leaving me bereft of my lord husband, and then vanishing without a trace?"
"You know it was just business, Isabela." Zevran smiled. "Business that turned out well for you I see. You inherited the ship, I take it?"
"Hm. I suppose I never did like the greasy bastard," she admitted.
"I take it you know each other?" Neri ran her eyes up and down the pirate; she was a curvy woman, absolutely beautiful, with luscious hair, voluptuous breasts and sparkling brown eyes.
"Indeed. This is Isabela, Queen of the Eastern Seas and the sharpest blade in Llomeryn. And Isabela, my dear, you will no doubt be amused to discover I am travelling with a Grey Warden."
"A Grey Warden?" Isabela smiled, her eyes dancing mischievously. "Charmed," she purred.
"I've never met a pirate before; I'd love to see what you've got below deck," Neri said brazenly.
"Sweet thing, I'd love to show you." She winked. "Tell me, is it true what they say about Grey Warden stamina?"
Zevran laughed. "My dear, you have no idea."
Neri grinned. "I could show you, if you like. I'd only require a small favour in return."
Isabela eyed her curiously. "Oh?"
"Zev and I could use some help with a certain plan of ours… Nothing too dangerous, although I imagine you're the sort who quite enjoys that kind of thing, and I will make it worth your while," Neri said luridly.
Isabela grinned. "I'm listening."
…
"You know, I haven't been with a mage for months, the last one I was with did this electricity thing…" Isabela said wistfully, sighing contentedly, her cheeks still rosy for their recent venture together.
Neri's eyebrows leapt up her forehead. "Anders?"
"Hmmm, yes that might have been his name, I was a little distracted…" Isabela giggled.
Neri grinned. "I'm not surprised." She missed that damn mage.
"I must say your force magic is… I've never experienced anything like that before, are you sure you want to stay in Denerim? Can't you come with me on my ship?" Isabela pouted, pulling Neri close for a passionate kiss.
Neri chuckled against the pirate's lips and then pulled back slightly. "I wish, unfortunately there are these pesky darkspawn running around, and Grey Wardens are supposed to kill them, apparently."
Isabela sighed as she took a step back. "No fun, and I suppose I have to help you in return now?"
"Ah, it will be fun Isabela, just a different sort of fun, yes?" Zevran smiled playfully.
"We'll need more men; give me a moment," Neri said.
She walked over to the bar and clambered onto the counter. She stuck two fingers in her mouth and whistled, all the patrons turned to look at her. "Alright men, I hope you've enjoyed the drinks and the time off, there's more where that came from if you'll help me with a little something first."
"What's that then?" a bearded man shouted.
"We're going to have a little bit of fun in the market." She grinned.