Chapter 24: Lessons and a Rose

Alriana heard the thump and turned around. She saw that Wynne had collapsed to the ground. She nearly knocked over Leliana to rush over to the elderly mage. She reached her just as Ardeth did and he kneeled and began muttering some sort of spell. Kneeling, she helped Wynne sit up, "Wynne are you all right?"

On the road towards Orzammar, they had been ambushed by a bunch of darkspawn, specifically Hurlocks. Alriana and Leliana used their bows to try to take out the archers while the others charged the ones wielding blades. It was rather quick even though the Hurlocks had the advantages of numbers. Morrigan took out the last of them by transforming into a spider. They were continuing on the trail when Wynne collapsed.

Wynne held her head as Alriana and Ardeth helped her up. "Oh, I fell. For a moment I thought it was over."

"What was over, Wynne?" Alriana looked at the mage, trying to see if anything was wrong. She glanced at Ardeth who was muttering something.

Wynne looked over at Ardeth and tried to shake him off, "Ardeth, please."

Ardeth raised his brow at Wynne and replied, "Now it's my turn to fuss Wynne. Now what did you mean by you thought it was over?"

Wynne sighed, "Everything. I'll explain when we pitch camp. Now is not the time. We should move away from here."

Ardeth raised his brow at Wynne. He knew that Wynne was the kind of person to play down her physical condition if she thought that it would benefit the rest of the group in succeeding. He glanced at Alriana who merely nodded and said, "Alright Wynne." Then to the group she said, "Keep moving."

Ardeth stayed with Wynne despite her protests. He said to the elderly mage, "Now Wynne you really want to try and hurt my feelings this time?"

Wynne gave a gentle chuckle as they moved forward, "I doubt it. I'm not an old woman to be treated like delicate china."

"Never thought you to be otherwise," Ardeth replied with a smile. He walked by Wynne being close enough to catch her if she fell but not too close to make it look like he was helping her. "I know well enough how you get. It took me a week to grow back the burnt parts of my hair when I was practicing shields."

"And look at you now. Still singing your hair," Wynne reached up to tousle Ardeth's blonde tinged hair. She then gave a cheek pinch. "Always the scamp you were. Reminds me of a puppy."

"And you say that with the greatest respect and affection," Ardeth finished for her. He never minded when Wynne went motherly on him. "As for the hair, it was an accident that had a pretty good effect." He laughed as Wynne did and he could sense something was off about her. He could only hope that she would be honest with him and the Dalish.

It was a couple of hours later that Alriana found the site to pitch camp. It was good thing too since Wynne was clearly exhausted and she did not protest as strongly when Ardeth pitched her tent for the night. He gave Wynne a look over to make sure that she was all right and he was able to sense something that was off about the elderly mage and it was not threatening. He figured that she would explain in good time. He then said, "Now you take it easy Wynne for once." He then grinned his playful smirk and went to speak to the Wardens about staying for a couple of days to which they readily agreed.

Later, the three of them approached Wynne to check upon her and she told them. "What Petra said at the tower was true, I was badly injured. Actually I died but a friendly spirit bonded with me. It is the only thing that is keeping me in this world."

"You always did have a strong connection with the Fade, Wynne," Ardeth replied with a slight smile.

"Not like yours. The battle was taxing on the spirit and I felt it weaken. I fear I don't have much time left."

Alriana gave a reassuring smile at the elderly mage she had come to like, "Then make the most of your time with us. Just know that we are here for you… all of us."

"I agree," Alistair added. "Besides someone needs to be around to boss us and make sure our socks don't end up lost." He grinned for good measure.

Wynne gave a chuckle that was more reassuring for the three young ones in front of her than anything else she might have said. It was Alriana who tugged them away stating that Wynne needed to rest and informed the mage that they would remain a few days. Wynne watched as the two Wardens departed noticing that there was a faint and growing attraction growing between them. She gave a slight frown as she muddled through her thoughts.

Alriana took her time stretching. It had been some time since she had been able to take sufficient time to warm up her muscles using the techniques that she had learned from the clan member who taught her nerve strikes. Usually she did simple stretches to release her body from the night's sleep. Now she was taking the time to really stretch since she felt that she would need it for the plan she had worked out ever since they pitched camp after a week of travel to Orzammar where they found the merchant who had Sten's sword. The Qunari was impressed and grateful to be reunited with Asala, his blade. Now they were taking some down time to restock on rations before heading out to Denerim. Once finished, she stole over to where Bodahn was keeping their spare equipment and looked for what she wanted. She walked a fair distance away and pulled out her sword. Closing her eyes, she tried to remember all the steps and she started.

Alistair was an early riser by nature even more so when his dreams were plagued by darkspawn, an archdemon and the creature in white with eyes that were suspiciously familiar. Those were the least thoughts on his mind when he stepped out of his tent to start the fire to so their motley crew could break their fast. He was going to pick up the axe they carried when a distinct sound caught his ears and he followed it up a small swell. What he found was something that he never would have expected.

Standing there was none other than Alriana and she was practicing swinging a shield and wielding a sword. Well she was trying to. Alistair's practiced eye noticed that her stance was not strong enough and she had little idea how to use the shield. Watching her, he guessed that she was relying on her memory of what she had seen others do. Why couldn't she just ask? Alistair sighed and moved closer, hoping she would not try to attack him for sneaking up on her. When he was close enough he said, "You're doing it wrong."

Alriana was too busy practicing to hear someone approaching. She stopped when Alistair's voice pierced her concentration and told her she was doing it wrong. She stopped and turned to face him. She looked at him and replied, "I am only imitating what I have seen."

"That's what you call it?" Alistair grinned at Alriana amused. "Could've fooled me. I thought you were dancing."

Alriana nearly blushed. Does he really see that close? She kept it under control though and wiped the sweat from her brow. She replied, "Perhaps. I'm used to one stance. Figured it might work." She shrugged her shoulders as if it did not matter.

Alistair gave a slight chuckle, "Sure but I don't think the darkspawn would be that impressed that you can make shield stances look graceful. It hardly seems like an effective tool. Seriously though why the sudden interest?"

Alriana paused, not sure of what to say. Better to say the truth, though probably not the whole truth, if she was willing to admit to what that was. She said, "Well, before you gave me my dagger, I was considering learning how to use one. After that last ambush, I thought it would be a good idea."

Alistair remembered that ambush. He recalled stepping in front of Alriana when he spotted the Hurlock alpha firing at her. Did she feel that she was beholden to him and did not like it? Suddenly the conversation he had with Ardeth seemed irrelevant now. He replied, "Why? If you want my honest opinion, you wouldn't need to know how to use a shield. You're faster than any one of us. You would have a darkspawn down before I could even think about chopping off its head." He noticed on her face that she had thought exactly the same thing and immediately felt like an idiot. "Sorry, I should have known you would have thought something like that. Well… um… I'll leave you alone then."

"Teach me."

Alistair stopped and nearly stumbled. He turned to look at Alriana who was staring at him. "What?"

"Teach me. You said I was doing it wrong, so teach me how to do it right." Alriana saw the uncertainty flit across his face. She then said, "Think of it as me asking you about your world and you are giving me the answer."

Alistair was not sure of whether or not to give into the request considering that while he could carry on a casual conversation with her, it generally led to him blushing and the feeling of fear that she might find out exactly what he thought of her. He truly did not think she needed to know how to use a shield but since she asked… "Alright I'll teach you."

Alriana beamed at him. She had been feeling frustrated when she was trying on her own. The movements did not feel quite right when she did them. Her line of thinking was using every tactical advantage but if she really wanted to be honest with herself, she would have been surprised at the answer. She picked up the small shield and slipped it onto her arm. She then looked at Alistair and asked, "Should you not have your own?"

"No. Show me what you know." Alistair crossed his arms over his chest and looked at her much like a trainer would look at his trainees.

Alriana tried and failed to hide the laughter that was coming. She hastily apologized and assumed the stance she had been practicing with only to have him tell her she was doing it wrong. She obeyed his instructions and tried again. Each time he mentioned something else was wrong and had her fix it. At one point she nearly wanted to throw it down and walk away but she knew that was childish. Instead she stopped and stood to catch her breath. She then said, "I can see why you're good at this. Repetition is good but how do you balance out everything else?"

Alistair looked at her confused, "What do you mean?"

Alriana frowned at the confusion on his face and chewed her lower lip. "You don't know?"

"Know what? That it's a bad idea to let a Mabari steal your pack?"

Alriana sighed. She picked up the shield and was going to walk back to camp since she was starting to feel hungry. "Never mind. I forget you wouldn't know."

Alistair fought to keep the scowl off his face. "Don't do this Alriana. I don't know what your people know so you're going to have to humor me."

Alriana stopped realizing she was being rude. She turned around and said, "What I was referring to was the balance within a warrior. My mentor, the one who taught me nerve strikes, taught me other things as well. The most important is about being a warrior." She paused then added, "He taught me that the world is filled with opposites and that included people. To be a good warrior, you have to bring all of it into balance. One is not more important than the other but all have their uses."

"So I am guessing that's why you want to learn this," Alistair replied leaning against a nearby tree. "It makes sense when you mentioned that whole advantage thing when you told me about that nerve thing. You really are unique Alri."

Alriana shot a look, "What did you call me?"

Alistair realized he had shortened her name, one that he had figured out during the wee hours in the morning in his tent. He privately called her that and would not have dreamed of telling that to her face. Well he started this and he might as well finish it, "I'm sorry. It was a nickname I came up with and I didn't mean to say anything. I think I'll just head on back and indulge in self-flagellation." He moved to leave not wanting to take another hit literally from her.

Alriana had been caught off guard by the nickname. No one had called her that before and Tamlen had only used terms of endearment with her. She said, "Wait. Why bother with a nickname?"

Seeing that he was not going to get out of this, Alistair stopped and faced her, surprised to see confusion on her face. "It was a stray thought. I know you shortened Leliana's name because you have a hard time pronouncing it. It's just something friends do." He shrugged his shoulders at the lame attempt of explaining.

For some reason Alriana felt pleased. It had more to do with the fact that he came up with that just for her and it allowed her to say, "Then you can call me that."

Alistair looked at her with a slight frown. Alriana knew he was recalling his experiences at Ostagar when she made a fuss over proper titles. It passed when he gave a slight nod. Smiling Alriana picked up the shield readied it on her arm and asked in a teasing tone, "Again?"

"Warden, you are not as callow as I thought."

"Glad to have changed your mind Sten," Alriana replied to the giant as she went about curing the hide from the deer that she and Alistair had hunted earlier

"Though women are not warriors, you have shown yourself as such. It is puzzling," Sten replied.

For a moment Alriana thought she saw the Qunari frown in puzzlement. She continued to scrape the hide rhythmically and said, "Like I mentioned before, here it is different. One can choose who they want to be and that works. For your people, they are born into their ways."

"This is true. If you were present before the arishok, there would have been questions and I doubt they would have allowed you to answer in your fashion." Sten gave something that could be considered a smile.

Alriana grinned back, "Then I guess you'll have some tales to tell when you return to give your report."

"First we deal with the Blight."

"Agreed," Alriana replied before resuming her administrations to the deer hide. She had finished the outer layer of three pairs of rabbit hide. She figured the deer hide would be a warm inner lining and the leftovers would be handy for something else. When she finished, she picked up the hide to lay it on the ground near her tent. As she was straightening it out, she heard voices.

"So what's it like being a Circle cow?"

"Much like being a bitch of the Wilds. You discover you have talent, you go to school and you become experienced. You haven't forgotten already?"

Morrigan eyed Ardeth with a raised brow. Ever since he showed up in the Wilds with Flemeth and the two Wardens, she had been intrigued by him. When he spoke though, she was aware of disappointment. It was like listening to the fool templar though she had to admit that he had more of a bite in his retorts. Their bantering started out with minor insults and it had escalated but in good humor and a desire to learn anything he had to offer. She replied, "How eloquent, though more so than the fool."

Ardeth smirked at Morrigan. He knew that his Circle background was cause for her disdain as well as the fact that he had a similar personality to Alistair yet he was amused that the witch would continue to have interest in her heckling him. He suspected that she wanted to learn some of what he knew. He replied, "So I'm being compared now? Pray tell me who's the more eloquent and maybe you can tell me what interests you?"

Morrigan narrowed her eyes at the Arcana and retorted, "Seems to me you would find moss growing on stone interesting."

"Indeed. Did you know that there are at least three different types of moss that exist within your part of the Kocari Wilds alone and all three have healing properties," Ardeth replied with a smirk that was guaranteed to annoy Morrigan.

Meanwhile Alriana came over to where Leliana and Zevran were watching the banter and asked them, "What is going on?"

"Ah my beautiful Warden it seems that two of our mages are engaged in a battle of words that I might say will escalate to an exchange of magical blows. Such talent is a sight to behold in the mage sex goddess," Zevran answered.

Leliana gave him an elbow and said, "They've been at it all day. It's been mostly insults but I think it's just Morrigan's way of asking his advice in magic."

Alriana looked at the pair ribbing each other. She listened to the comments and heard that it was not done in cruelty. It was nothing like the jibes Morrigan gave Alistair. In fact it was rather friendly. She sat down to watch. "So you think they will actually fight?"

"Most assuredly my dear Warden. Nothing brings more excitement than a woman hurling magic though I must say that the physique our Arcana friend is most impressive."

Leliana giggled, "If he heard you say that, he would say something unlike Alistair who would just blush."

"Probably my dear Leliana since he is Chantry raised and Zevran, I find it rather delightful you think so well of me," Ardeth called over grinning. He then turned his attention to Morrigan, "Now my dear Bitch of the Wilds where were we?"

"You were telling me that life was fun being raised a Circle cow."

"And if that were the case you'd be bored to tears."

"I cry for no man," Morrigan retorted, "You on the other hand would weep over a woman."

"I would if you crawled into a bush and died," Ardeth smirked.

"Really? You want to test that theory?" Morrigan raised a brow egging on the challenge.

"I would if you were game. Circle cow versus the Bitch of the Wilds?"

Morrigan gave a feral smile. "Certainly. T'would be a challenge I'd eagerly take on. You may prove more worthy than the fool."

Ardeth gave a mock grimace as he stood up and walked towards an opening. He replied, "I usually loathe such comparisons however when it is uttered by a complete utter bitch, who am I to refuse a challenge?" He then gave a flick of his wrist and a flame sprung into his hands which he held and then another flick and it disappeared into a wad of bubbles. He then blew them over towards Morrigan where they popped leaving purple blotches all over Morrigan. He laughed as Morrigan roared in anger. "Like I said, I can't refuse a challenge."

Morrigan looked at the purple on her clothing and her body. She scowled and replied, "Such a childish display."

"Well you're angry aren't you?"

Morrigan gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes. She had underestimated the Arcana. As much as she considered it childish, she would show him her power. "Fine have it your way." She then started back to begin circling and was pleased that he followed suit.

It was right in the middle of the 'duel' that Alistair made himself known. He was followed by the orphan wolf pup that Alriana had fobbed off on him earlier and it bounced around his legs. He had no idea what she was thinking when she gave it to him since he and dogs did not get along. Then again what happened at the hunt made him agreeable to anything and, as she pointed out, he was raised by dogs. It was too late now that the pup imprinted on him. He had spent the rest of the day getting acquainted with the thing by the lake.

Now they were returning and he felt the familiar tingle that accompanied a mage using magic. It was not like when Wynne would use her magic. This was different. He picked up the pace and came across Ardeth and Morrigan facing off. Morrigan was covered in purple and Ardeth was sporting changes in his hair color. They were both charging up for something else when he noticed that Alriana was nearby and he felt the sudden surge.

Reacting rather than taking time to assess the situation, he ran forward and drew on his templar abilities. He was heedless of his name being called and he released his smite. When it cleared he was greeted with a punch to the chest and a rather angry Alriana saying, "What do you think you are doing?"

It was Ardeth who said, "Well it's been awhile since I've had a holy smite hit me." He began laughing as he dusted himself off. He looked at what Morrigan gave him on his arm and said, "Well placed Bitch of the Wilds."

Morrigan was scowling at the smite the fool used but managed to regain her good humor and replied, "Indeed Circle Cow."

Then Wynne's voice broke over the din, "What is going on here?"

"Alri I thought they were really fighting." Alistair sighed as Alriana said nothing but continued to work with the deer hide though she was smirking at him. She was really making him work for this.

Alriana glanced at Alistair and watched him trying to apologize. After Wynne gave them all a good scolding she demanded them to explain what had happened. It was Ardeth who managed to turn it all into a big joke so she ended up ruffling his hair and giving him a cheek pinch for good measure after he cleared up most of the damage the magic caused. Since then, Alistair had been trying to apologize with trying being the operative word. Now it was into the evening and he was sitting in his usual place beside her.

Alriana knew he was just looking out for them though judging by his fervent attempts to speak to her, she could guess that he was more concerned about her. The very thought made her blush. It was beginning to become a frequent occurrence and she had a hard time being the responsible leader. She hid behind the deer hide and working with the gloves. Taryn sensed her discomfort and nudged her hard towards Alistair while giving his happy bark. It was followed by a cheerful yipping from the pup. She chuckled when Alistair, "Cut it out Aedan."

Alriana gave up ignoring him and turned towards Alistair and gave a tap to his chin and said, "I see you two have bonded."

Alistair nearly glared but found that he could not. He mock growled, "It's your fault since you gave him to me."

Alriana chuckled, "You did say that you were raised by dogs." She continued to work on the hide while feeling the warmth of the fire. She glanced over at Wynne who was trying to rid the purple off of Morrigan and Ardeth sat there laughing refusing to clear it up unless Morrigan declared him the victor. Sten was taking up patrol while Leli and Zevran were going over blade techniques. She nearly dropped what was in her hands when Alistair asked if he could talk to her. Nodding she set down her work and followed him until they were well away from the camp. She asked, "You know camp is a pretty good place to talk."

"I know but I wanted to not have the others eavesdropping."

"You don't have to keep apologizing lethallin. I realize that you were just concerned for everyone. I just wanted to give you a hard time. You kind of look cute almost like a puppy." Alriana then grinned mischievously watching as Alistair's face passed through a hundred expressions while changing to a shade of red.

Alistair pinched the bridge of his nose and replied, "That's not what I wanted to talk about." He took a moment to collect his thoughts and then said, "What I wanted to say was well thank you for helping the arl and his family. I know you didn't have to but I appreciated it."

Alriana stared up at Alistair silently waiting for him to finish. Out of everything they had done so far, his thanks was more sincere than the ones that came from the people they had helped. She replied, "You're welcome." Then seeing his reaction, she bit her lower lip in confusion.

Alistair squirmed under her gaze, wondering if he should do what he had planned on doing earlier while he was playing with the pup. He then glanced over and saw her looking confused. Great. Just scare her away Alistair because you're too nervous to give it to her. Alistair looked away, not seeing the fleeting look of hurt on her face. He thumbed the rose that he held behind his back and debated on following through with his plan. Andraste's flaming sword, just… give it to her.

Alriana stood there watching Alistair go through some internal debate wondering what was wrong. It came almost like a punch when he shoved something in her face and said, "Here. Look at this. Do you know what this is?"

Alriana looked at the item and saw what it was. She thought it was a trick question and she did not understand what he was attempting to do. She decided to tease him a bit, "Your new weapon of choice?"

Alistair felt a wave of relief when she spoke. Her choice of words gave him something to work with and get over his nervousness. He replied, "Yes, that's right. Watch as I thrash our enemies with the mighty power of floral arrangements! Feel my thorns, darkspawn! I will overpower you with my rosy scent!" To make a show of it, he held the rose out like a sword in mock fashion. He made a few swings and watched as Alriana's face grinned and he heard an actual giggle.

Alriana surprised herself by giggling as she replied, "Yes that certainly will give the darkspawn something to think about. That and dancing in a circle while holding hands."

"Or, you know, it could be just a rose. I know that's pretty dull in comparison," Alistair replied and held the rose thumbing the petals gently. He then took her hand and placed it in hers.

Alriana held the rose and looked at the full redness of the petals. She was aware that she was starting to feel… shy? She swallowed and said, "Sentiment can be a potent weapon."

"Is it that easy to see right through me? I guess I shouldn't be surprised considering you are quite good at that," Alistair replied and ran a hand through his hair. He continued, "I picked it in Lothering and I remember thinking 'How could something so beautiful exist in a place with so much despair and ugliness.' I probably should have left it alone but I couldn't. The darkspawn would have come and their taint would've just destroyed it. So I've had it ever since."

Alriana stroked the petals gently listening to his words. She was not completely sure of shem customs and she was not sure if she should ask. She had to know. "And what do you intend to do with it?"

Alistair cleared his throat and braced himself. "I thought that I might… give it to you actually. In a lot of ways, I think the same thing when I look at you." There I said it… somewhat.

Alriana was speechless. He saw her… beautiful? A small part of her Dalish upbringing said that he was just stringing her along like a potential conquest. The other part argued and won vehemently that it was not true in Alistair's case. She knew he was not like that. Not ready to admit that she understood his implications, she hid behind the obvious while pretending to be annoyed at the comparison though her heart was not into it, "You think of me as a gentle flower?"

A slight chuckle turned into a playful tone, "A gentle flower? No, I… don't think that I'd put it that way." In his mind he saw the white creature from his dreams. He brushed it away thinking it nothing more than a random thought and said, "I guess it's a bit silly isn't it? I just thought… here I am doing all this complaining and you haven't been having a good time of it yourself."

"We do what we must," Alriana replied quietly, trying to convince herself that a thank you was not necessary. Yet to hear him acknowledge that she had not been on the good receiving end, it warmed her heart.

Alistair heard her but he was not listening. He continued, "You've had none of the good experiences of being a Grey Warden since your Joining and not a word of thanks or congratulations. It's all been death and fighting and tragedy. I thought maybe I could say something. Tell you what a rare and wonderful thing you are to find amidst all this… darkness."

Alriana chewed her bottom lip for a lack of something to say. She let her thoughts brush through her mind and she ran through the quick version of the events that had happened since she had become tainted. Out of all of them, good and bad, she realized something. Slowly and quietly she replied with gentleness that was different, "I… thank you lethallin." She held the rose uncertainly, not sure what to do with it but still feeling pleased that he gave it to her.

Alistair breathed a sigh of relief. It was not outward rejection and looking closer, he saw the look of uncertainty. Her hold on the rose was like a child trying to hold a piece of china, as if it would break if she did the wrong movement. When she thanked him, the tone of her voice was different from the other times. Feeling a slight surge of courage, he gently took the rose from her hands and knowing that he might be risking dismemberment, he tucked it in her hair near her ear. "I'm glad you like it," and blushing as he finished fixing the rose he began mumbling in his awkward way, "Now… if we could move right on past this awkward, embarrassing stage and get right to the steamy bits, I'd appreciate that."

Alriana knew he was unsure about touching her so she did not move and let him tuck his gift into her hair. She was not sure why she let him but she knew well enough that, at least with her clan, to let a man place a flower in your hair was a silent indicator you thought him worthy of your attention. Maybe for shems it was the same thing. The idea of it though sent a moment of panic. It was his joking that brought her out of that panic and she felt rather disappointed that he decided to use humor. She noticed that he was blushing and to pay him back in his own coin, she replied, "You're cute when you're bashful. Rather endearing… like a puppy."

Alistair started laughing nervously, "Maker's breath you'll be the end of me." He continued to blush as he stammered, "Umm… I'll be standing over there. Until the blushing stops. Just to be safe. You know how it is." He then turned and walked back towards the camp feeling foolish but rather pleased that she had not thrown the rose back at him.

Alriana watched her fellow Warden retreat and a smile crept onto her face. She could admit that she was amused that he was bashful when he spoke to her and that she loved his gift. It was… different from when he gave her the dagger. Her mind drifted until she heard her inner voice berate her. Stop this. You are Dalish. Carry your head high. Alriana sighed as she walked back to camp. She had a duty and she must follow it. She walked back to where she left her hides and sat down, aware that she had not removed the rose.

Leliana noticed that she had returned and sidled up next to Alriana. She asked, "So what did you two talk about?"

"Nothing."

Leliana gave a slight frown but she noticed the rose in the elf's hair and was able to figure it out. She said, "I think it's beautiful."

Alriana pricked her finger with her needle and stopped her work to examine the injury. At least it was something she could hide behind. She replied, "He thinks I'm a flower."

Leliana giggled, "I doubt that. I think it's sweet of him and I think he likes you."

"We're Grey Wardens. We have a duty to end the Blight. That he likes me is…" Alriana pinched on the vein to halt the bleeding. She refused to look at Leliana for a moment and then she looked at the bard, "Leli, duty is important. Without someone to see the bigger picture… The Dalish contribute to the clan as a whole. We look out for each other."

"Certainly you have relationships too, no?"

"I…"

Leliana smiled and wrapped an arm around Alriana's shoulders. "I understand that you feel you have an obligation but surely there are members of your clan that can have both. No?"

"Leli, I was told that my people had an agreement with the Grey Wardens to help during a Blight. It is a duty." Alriana felt pained to say it.

"I have a duty to the Maker but does that mean I should deny everything else? I have known people who have made duty their whole lives but one thing was missing and that was living." Leliana checked the elf's finger and took a handkerchief and dabbed it with water to wash away the blood. "Sometimes people who dedicate their lives to duty forget that they have to live. It's the beauty and joy of life."

Alriana slowly reached up and touched the rose that was in her hair. She glanced around and noticed that the light in Alistair's tent was on. She smiled at his silhouette thinking of his words. Maybe Leli was right. Still she would have to figure out for herself where her duty lies and if she could follow Leli's advice. She turned back to her friend, "This is a difficult lesson to learn Leli but I will think on it. Ma serannas, friend."

A/N: Originally the fight was going to be more of an intentional thing where Ardeth and Morrigan really show a hatred for each other. The fight took a mind of its own and I really wanted to show the love/hate relationship between the two. Of course I borrowed game dialogue and used the same playful tones certain characters use in the game. Enjoy.