On the Road Again

They were back to stew again. The Dalish camp had brought a welcome change from their normal fare, but after a few days of road travel, the elven supplies had run out. When Alistair had left to wash out the stew pot, the girls had been engaged in a lively conversation about shoes, and he was surprised to discover when he returned nearly twenty minutes later, they were on the same subject. Who could talk about shoes for that long? Or at all, for that matter? Girls apparently could. Certainly Elaine and Leliana could. Morrigan was at her own fire, set apart from the rest, as usual. And he didn't really think of Morrigan as a "girl." More like a wolf in witch's clothing. Literally, Alistair thought bemusedly, as he settled down to rest. Morrigan had shape-shifted into wolf form more than once in battle and each time she did, it took every bit of self-control he had not to attack her. He liked to think his templar training was something under his control – something he could use when he wished but that wasn't really a part of who he was.He didn't think of himself as a templar, after all. He preferred being a Grey Warden. But obviously the years of conditioning at the monastery ran deeper than he cared to admit.

He glanced over at the other Warden. She was smiling and talking animatedly with Leliana – the two of them had apparently bonded on their adventure in the Brecilian Forest, and Alistair was a little surprised at the stab of jealousy that arose at the thought. She had done it without him. She hadn't needed his help, and now it appeared she no longer needed his company. He wondered if she meant to resume her plan of keeping separate from one another, and he glowered.

Zevran stepped out of the shadows, and Alistair's dark mood grew even darker. The elf's lips twitched as he sat down near the templar. He leaned back and startled Alistair by talking. "She's very beautiful, no? Sexy and dangerous."

"Which one?"

Zevran chuckled. "That is a good question. Both of them, I suppose. Although I was referring to the Warden. She is the one you are admiring, no?"

"I wasn't admiring her."

Zevran ignored him. "If you want a woman like that, you must appeal to her nature."

Alistair was instantly annoyed. "And what do you know about her nature?"

"I know she is a noblewoman and she appreciates fine things. I know she can fight, but she doesn't like to kill. I know she is strong and capable, but also compassionate. I know –"

"Alright, alright," Alistair interrupted. "What's your point?"

"My point is, gifts of arrows are not the way to this woman's heart. She needs a softer touch. She is a lady, after all, not a true warrior. Treat her as such and you will catch her."

"What makes you think I want to catch her?"

Zevran looked amused. "No? Well, then, I will leave you be." The elf stood and walked over to the two women. He bowed at them and said something Alistair couldn't hear. The ladies laughed and made room for the elf to sit. He drew a bottle out of his pack and offered it to them. Elaine read the label and looked impressed and pleased.

Alistair turned away, suddenly unwilling to watch any longer. A noblewoman who appreciates fine things. He hadn't really thought of her that way. When he met her all those weeks ago, she had been a spoiled and entitled brat, but as he drifted off to sleep he was pleasantly surprised to realize that he couldn't remember the last time she had complained aloud about anything.