Chapter 25: Camp

Alistair watched Shirl sleeping. He had propped himself up on an elbow and was merely content to stay up all night just watching her sleep. Her back was pressed against his stomach and she slept curled up on her side with one of his arm draped across her. Her breathing was even and deep, and her hair had fallen just so across her face. His fingers twitched to reach out and brush the strands away. But he dare not risk awaking her.

They had travelled westward after leaving the elves back toward Redcliff and the coming darkspawn horde. The closer they seemed to be getting to the bulk of the army the more fitful and restless Shirl's nights had become. Alistair worried that Shirl's dreams were going to cause a relapse of what had occurred in the Deep Roads. He feared she would run off one night into the woods and never be seen again.

Not, ever again just as some crazed lunatic. He amused as he shifted his elbow to keep it from falling asleep. Maker's Breath, she can't possibly know what she puts me through. He sighed and closed his eyes concentrating on the slight humming which was getting louder and louder with each passing day as they drew closer to the bulk of the horde.

Alistair's skin shivered and felt filthy as he tried to pinpoint the exact location of the nearest group of darkspawn. The song barely registered in his mind. At least twenty to thirty miles away to the south-southwest, not to many only a scouting party of about ten. We could take them easily.

Opening his eyes he released the song from his mind looked back down at Shirl. She did not even seem to notice that there were darkspawn within the vicinity. Good, she deserves a break even if for a few days. Against his better judgment, he leaned his head over and kissed her cheek.

Shirl's eyes fluttered open at the lightest touch of his lips to her skin. She blinked and turned her head slightly. Alistair smiled down at her. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to wake you." He whispered as he trailed his fingers down the side of her waist and across her hip. Her skin was warm and soft to the touch. He kissed her shoulder. Under his fingers he felt her shiver. "Of course now that you are awake…" he trailed off as she turned to face him fully. He met her eyes and pulled her body closer to his. He kept his hand on her hip as she snuggled against him. He lowered his head and captured her lips in his.

She moaned softly as he moved his hand upward, his fingers brushing lightly across her skin. His kiss deepened and her hands slipped across his bare chest. Her body was hot almost as if she was flushed with fever. I'm most definitely going to be struck by lightening at some point. He thought as he entwined his other hand into Shirl's hair.

Shirl broke their kiss and brought her hands up to cup his face. "While, I don't disagree to being awakened this way, is everything alright?" She asked breathlessly.

Alistair took her hands gently from his face, "Nothing is wrong. You worry too much." He moved to kiss her again, but she pulled away.

"I worry just the right amount. Thank you very much." Shirl said playfully.

Alistair laughed and released her hands. He began to kiss her neck as he did his hands moved to caress her body. Just light touches, drawing his fingers tenderly along her stomach and down her legs.

Shirl giggled. And a smile tugged at his lips. He liked being to make her feel important, or maybe special. Yes, they were both Grey Wardens, but since her becoming a Grey Warden she had only really seen the death and destruction side of the order. She had not seen the caring, kindness, and togetherness the order's members shared amongst them. He might not have been able to show her the order's highlights, but he could show her that he was glad to be with her, glad to the order and Duncan for recruiting her. One more thing I owe the Grey Wardens. He thought as he found her lips again.

Alistair held a hand up to shield his eyes as he looked out across the expansion of the vast valley laid out before him. The valley was steeped in lush dark green pine trees. Travelling through the valley would be easy it was the climb into the mountains on the other side that Alistair was not looking forward to taking part in. Dark gray looming peaks busted up through the forest canopy looking like worshippers reaching for the heavens trying to touch the Maker's feet. The gray rock peeked out from under a snowy white blanket.

Zevran chimed sourly. The assassin wore a disgusted look as he placed his booted foot a boulder and leaned out across the cliff's edge.

"Don't do that. Shirl will kill me if you fell." Alistair stated as he turned away for the edge of the cliff not daring to see if the elf followed suit.

He heard Zevran chuckle behind him. "You must be getting comfortable with me. When we first met you never turned your back on me."

Alistair shrugged and continued walking. His eyes darted left and right and then he saw what it was he needed. Under a large oak were several branches that had been knocked off the tree. Casually walking over to the pile of dead tree limbs he began to snap off twigs and larger branches.

Zevran joined him a short while later putting the branches into separate piles of smaller kindling pieces and decent size coal burning size. After several minutes of silence the elf opened his mouth, much to Alistair's disappointment.

"You know I was wondering something, if you will indulge me, Alistair?" Zevran asked placing a stick gently onto the kindling pile.

"I'm afraid I'm going to regret this, but do tell." Alistair said snidely. Zevran either the sarcasm or did not care Alistair could not tell which it was but the assassin continued speaking.

"I was wondering if truly can appreciate your fellow Warden." Zevran paused and when Alistair shot him a look that he hoped read 'oh, really do explain', the elf continued. "You see it has come to my attention that you two have become very well acquainted with each other in the past week or so. But, can you truly enjoy the pleasure and appetites of a woman who…"

"Whoa," Alistair held up a hand. "We are not discussing this." He stated sharply.

"Ah, then who do you plan on discussing it with? It is a perfectly normal male thing to talk about their conquest with each other. And I think it will get us something to bond over. Well, let me rephrase that last part. I can offer my advice." Zevran said quickly holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender.

Alistair felt his red growing hot with embarrassment and with fury. He talks about Shirl as if she is just some common whore found in any old brothel. "Zevran, you will do well to not speak of my fellow Warden so dishonorably." Alistair growled.

The assassin raised a curious eyebrow at him and crossed his arms. "Oh, then I was wrong in assuming you are in an intimate relationship. Ah well, if that is the case then might I have your permission to woo and…well show your fellow Warden a most relaxing time?"

Alistair was not certain whether it was the suggestive tone in Zevran's voice or the thought of the elf actually touching Shirl, but which even it was it made him see red. Alistair swung around and slammed his mailed fist into Zevran face. He caught the assassin off guard and across his right cheek.

Zevran flew to the side a couple of feet but managed to keep his footing. Dammit I was hoping to knock him on the ground! Son of nug loving… "You stay away from her! Don't even think of laying one finger on her!" Alistair bellowed at the elf.

Zevran rubbed his cheek and regarded Alistair with a calm placid face except for his eyes. The assassin's golden eyes burned with an emotion that Alistair could not identify nor cared to. He did notice the skin on Zevran cheek had been spilt open and blood was trickling down the elf's face. Good, he deserves it. Alistair glared daggers at Zevran and he waited for a response.

Suddenly Zevran smiled and then chirped out a laugh. "Ha-ha, good I'm glad to know she's in most capable hands." Alistair took a step back from the assassin not certain how to take this newest development. Zevran laughed harder at Alistair's reaction. After a few seconds the assassin composed himself and wiped away a tear from his eye.

"Ah, my friend," Zevran started, taking a deep sobering breath he continued in a very serious tone. "I have fallen for your fellow Warden and in any normal circumstances I might have killed my rival in order to reap the gains, if you know what I mean. But, Shirl is different. In the Deep Roads, I discovered that she needed more than I could give her. While, it broke my heart to see such a fine woman crushed under the weight of her responsibly. I knew deep down she was never meant for me." He sighed and started speaking again. "Around you she seems different, more relaxed, calmer and even more driven. I love her for that, but it is not me who drives her so, it is you." He pointed a finger at Alistair. "She loves you. I must bow to her wishes. I wanted to make certain you loved her just as much. I would not have you hurt her, Alistair." Zevran finished coldly, suddenly he turned away and scooped up the bundle of kindling and stalked off into the forest back toward their camp.

Alistair stared after the elf. I feel like I just passed some sort of test, but for what I'm not exactly certain.