I wake up on the cold, hard floor and allow a groan to pass my lips. I push myself up and find the rest of my group doing the same. Duncan is halfway up, Wynne is struggling to her feet, and Tabris is already standing. I notice the elf is facing away from me. I try to go over to her, but the warden quickly rushes over to Wynne and helps the older woman up. I sigh and wait for the elf to speak.
Tabris motions all of us along and explains the situation as we continue up to the top of the tower. "I have a scroll to use to prevent the demons from corrupting anymore mages. We need to hit the leader as soon as we go in, never let up, and kill him as quickly as possible. I want to go to meet up with Alistair within a week, then go to Denerim. Or the other way around given the fact we're making incredible time.".
The elf stops talking as we enter the tower. Multiple corrupt mages and abominations are standing in a circle around the remaining mages. The warden steps forward, holds the scroll in the air, and whistles. Everyone turns to her as she activates the spell. Instantly, the abominations are upon us. The battle is short, but intense. I shoot without aiming because of the sheer density of our foes, Wynne follows my lead, and the warden and her dog can do their best to flank the foes. The mages are quickly killed and looted.
We're finishing cleaning up when the leader of the mages begins walking towards us. Quickly, the warden turns around and motions for us to leave. "I'll catch up with you guys, but for now go make camp deeper in the woods. Also, make sure that Morrigan took her stuff before leaving.". I nod and begin leaving with Duncan while Wynne stays with Tabris. Duncan and I leave the tower, cross the lake, and move the camp without incident. I choose a spot that's a little ways into the trees, but not deep enough for any predators or bandits to find us. Duncan helped by dragging a stick behind him.
I try to take it to build the fire, but the dog refuses. I sigh and go back to sitting up camp. However, I run into a quick problem. Morrigan took her tent and returned the muddy one, but there's still only two tents. A smile spreads across my face as I clean off the muddy tent. I'll just have to sleep with the warden again. My smile isn't due to the fact I intent to do anything to her, but the fact that we're both going to have to finally face our feelings for one another.
I've just put up the final tent when Wynne and Tabris return. The elf explains the situation as Wynne gets settled. "She's joined us.". I nod and point towards the tents. "I expected that.". I notice that the warden still isn't making eye contact with me and won't turn her body towards me.
I inwardly sigh and go about preparing some food for us. I find some rabbit in my bag and throw it into a stew pot. I'm aware both of my companions are from this land, so I don't add any spices or herbs for their sake. I leave the stew extremely dull and simply make sure the soggy meat is cooked enough to eat. I divide it up and hand my friends their food. Duncan's done almost as soon as I put his bowl down, Wynne thanks me and gingerly begins eating, and the warden hastily yanks her soup from me. Some splatters on her armor, but she ignores it in order to mumble 'thanks' at me.
Then, she turns her body away from me once again. I shake my head before choking down my dinner. Finally, it's time to turn in. The warden looks about ready to bolt for her single tent, but Wynne beats her to it. The older woman isn't trying to beat the elf or anything; she was just closer to the tent and started heading there sooner.
The elf freezes, then launches herself into our shared tent with Duncan right behind her. I douse our fire and quickly join her. The woman is curled up on her side on one side of the tent. Our one sleeping bag is shoved to the opposite side of the tent. Duncan is wrapped around his mistress in a protective blanket. I roll my eyes, sit down on my sleeping bag, and whistle to get the elf's attention.
The woman pretends not to hear me. I roll my eyes again before scooting over to her, gently moving Duncan, and forcing the woman to face me. I inhale sharply and regret forcing her. Tears are leaking down her red face as she stares up at me with a pitiful gaze. I barely manage to squeak out my concern. "What's wrong?". Her voice quivers as she starts spilling her concerns.
"'m a damned disgrace. My friends and family would sneer and call me a tamed elf. Maybe that's what I am. Some damn pet meant to sit on a human's lap.". My heart aches. Her entire life she's been told it's wrong to love a human and those who do should be shamed. Now she loves (well, maybe that's a strong word at the moment) a human. She's what she was always told was wrong. The elf keeps going.
"And I'm a disgrace to elves everywhere. I'm twenty and still a virgin, I've never even been kissed, and I've never had a serious relationship. I'm a loser. All I can do is swing a sword and, apparently, disgrace my entire race. I should just go sell myself into slavery now and make everything easier. My people would pity instead of hate me; I wouldn't have to feel guilty for wanting to be fucked by a human; and my tameness will be seen as a result of captivity.". I desperately try to talk some sense into the woman by defeating her weakest point.
"Who says you're going to be 'tame' if you start a relationship with me?". She sniffles before answering. "My father, my cousins, and Morrigan to name a few.". I inwardly scream at the witch and try destroying the elf's point. "Morrigan's just an insensitive bitch who likes seeing you angry and mad at the world. Calling you tame is just a way for her to control you. It gets you to act how she wants and look to her for approval.". Her tears slowly stop. "Now, what has your father done to make you think he would be upset if you found happiness?".
She doesn't sniffle as she answers. "My mother was killed by humans.". She doesn't continue. "Is that it?". She hides her face and mumbles a 'yes'. I reach out and gently lay my hand on her arm. She doesn't pull back. "I'm certain he hates the humans that killed his wife and I'm sure he'll take some time to warm up to me, but I still think your happiness would matter most to him.". She doesn't press the issue and I decide to go after the cousins.
"What about your cousins?". She manages to look at me with a red face and watery eyes. "Soris is always telling me to be cautious of humans and to steer clear of them. Shianni would tease me when I'd choose human whores at The Pearl.". I begin rubbing her arm as I tell her my argument. "I don't think that means 'don't love a human'.".
She doesn't get upset, so I keep going. "Soris probably didn't want you to get hurt or upset. I heard from Alistair what you were like when you two first met. You hated every human you laid eyes on. Soris just wanted to make sure you didn't do something to get you executed. Shianni was just playfully mocking you. It's what cousins do.". She wipes her face clean and I continue.
"You aren't the first elf to love a human. I mean, there are half-elf half-human children out there! Elves who love humans might be looked at a little funny, but they've never been killed for it! I'm certain there are humans and elves out there who think you and I are disgracing our races, but I'm also certain there are elves and humans who're happy for us!". Her face is slowly going back to its natural 'ghostly pale' color. I begin stroking her arm a little lighter. Finally, the warden asks me a question.
"What if I forget who I am? What if I just get so caught up in you that I unwittingly begin working against my own people? I've seen it happen before. Elf falls in love with human, human spirits elf away to a better life of almost-human benefits, and elf gets caught up in a better life and never looks back.". I can understand her concern, so I gently explain it to her. "You're a strong-willed and dedicated woman. You'll never forget about the elves.".
Slowly, the elf sits up. "And if you do, then I'll remind you. I'd hate to take away a part of your elven spirit in order to keep the whole woman.". I think of something that might help her. "You could even be the one calling the shots when we finally become intimate.". The elf recoils and shakes her head. "No. I can't do that.". I nod as a weight lifts itself off my chest. It's taken me years to figure out I prefer dominating to being dominated. It wouldn't have made me stop pursuing her, but it sure wouldn't have made me jump into bed with her any quicker. "Alright. When it comes time, I'll be the one on top.".
Tabris looks down at the floor and fiddles with her fingers. I remove my hand from her arm and reach down to intertwine my fingers with hers. Carefully, I pull the woman closer. I remember her lists of reasons she's a disgrace, and I intent of fixing one of those reasons tonight. Tabris shows her submissive side and allows me to lead her into a kiss.
I can already tell the woman wasn't lying when she said she'd never kissed anyone. She tenses up and I have to gently move my lips on hers to get a response. The elf follows my lead in whatever I do. So, I take advantage. I use my hands to massage her jaw open, then forcibly press my lips against hers in an extremely ungentle kiss.
The warden accepts my domineering demand and allows me to lazily explore her mouth. I feel uncertain hands come to rest of my side. I slide my own hands down to the woman's hips and roughly squeeze. A gasp from the elf allows me to explore her mouth even deeper. The warden's own tongue lightly plays with my own, but ultimately allows me to do whatever I please. I feel myself getting hotter at the thought that Tabris would let me do whatever I want to do to her. I wouldn't take advantage of that fact, but it does manage to get me worked up. I move my hands around to the elf's back and hesitantly begin moving downwards.
The elf doesn't stop me as she continues allowing me to dominate her mouth. I roughly begin groping the elf's ass as I push myself harder onto her. The warden allows me to fall on top of her and keep controlling her. Whimpers begin leaking from the elf as I grind my hips down onto her. Slowly, I bring one of my hands around to touch her stomach.
I rub her shirt in circles until enough skin is revealed for me to slide my fingers underneath her shirt. The elf is breathing heavily as I take full control of the situation. I strum my fingers slowly up her stomach and to rest on her clothed left tit. The elf pulls back with shining eyes and opens her mouth to say something. That's when Duncan tackles me.