"Love is friendship, friendship is love. If love fails, friendship should remain. For friendship is the foundation of love." –Anonymous

With all that had happened in Lothering the group seemed to be more somber about the threat of the Darkspawn. They had left Lothering at dawn and decided to travel through a light winter storm. Leliana's optimistic disposition seemed to fade away and even Zevran's witty comments died down. Wynne tried to lighten the mood at times with some with stories that didn't have horrible endings while Morrigan kept to herself as usual. They all had their mind on the lost lives no matter how they viewed it. Evelyn felt partly responsible since she and Alistair were considered the last Grey Wardens. The guilt of losing more innocent lives ate away at her and when she glanced over to Alistair the same look reflected in his eyes. For the entire day they traveled in silence until dusk. They set up camp between several boulders and near a water source.

As each party member picked their spots, Morrigan decided to stay a little closer to the group. Evelyn took notice and smiled a little before heading over to the swamp witch's camp. She stopped a few feet away and cleared her throat before speaking, "May I join you?"

Morrigan looked up at Evelyn and nodded her head before waving her hand at her own fire to warm things up. As Evelyn sat with Morrigan she noticed things had changed. She decided to reach out as a friend, "I know we haven't really talked much, Morrigan and for that I am sorry…I've been rather cruel to you and there is no reason for it."

"Yes, there is." Morrigan replied and looked at Evelyn directly with those owl like eyes of hers. She sighed softly, "I too have not been easy to work with and I see that I have misjudged you. You strive to gain allies in this war with the Darkspawn and all I have done is hinder you."

Evelyn laughed as she shook her head, "Morrigan I said you could speak freely and I meant it. I value the opinions of my friends no matter if we fight more than we should." She smiled softly at the memory of Flemeth saying she'd regret letting Morrigan speak her mind. Morrigan caught on fast and shook her head before letting a small smile cross her lips. Evelyn grinned, "I think I saw a smile."

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Morrigan replied and looked like she usually did, stoic. She began to unpack a few herbs and some bottles before she stopped, "If I may ask…What was your mother like?"

The subject of Evelyn's family had always been a touchy one. She tended to get moody over it but this time Evelyn felt nothing. The question caught her off guard as she looked at Morrigan shocked at the question, "My mother? Well…hm…I didn't expect you to ask me that, not that I mind." She paused a moment as she let herself fall into her memories of her mother. She could see her clearly as if it were yesterday. Her eyes stared into the dancing flames as she began to tell Morrigan about her mother.

"My mother was a good woman. She's very stubborn and fiercely loyal. I remember how she would always fuss over me when I would get dirty from play fighting with my brother. If I scraped my knee she'd tear a piece of her sleeve or skirt just to bandage me up. It was always funny how she would treat me differently just because I was a girl yet she knew how to handle a sword. I remember how the story Ser Jean would tell me about my mother sparring father just for fun when they were courting. She laid him out in three moves."

Morrigan could see the mixed emotions dancing over Evelyn's face as she recalled memories and spoke proudly of her mother. It was something she wished she could have done in regard to Flemeth. She envied that about Evelyn. "Perhaps she wanted you to not be like her. Being a tomboy wouldn't get you a suitable companion."

Evelyn blinked and looked at Morrigan with a raised brow combined with a wrinkled nose then countered, "My mother did fine in finding my father. They were a perfect pair in my eyes…I only wish to be as happy as they were but I'm off to a rotten start."

"Did you love her?" Morrigan whispered as she looked away from Evelyn to the fire.

Again Morrigan had managed to get her off guard. She could see that this was a touchy subject for Morrigan. To be raised without real love had to be hard and that to ask her about her mother was to compare notes. Evelyn took a moment and smiled sadly, "Yes…I did and I still do."

Morrigan said nothing more and set about getting some potions made. It was Evelyn's cue to take her leave. She headed to check on the others and even stopped to speak with Sten who was a talkative as ever. Once she got back to her part of the camp she noticed Alistair was working on it. She moved quickly to help him, "You didn't have to do this."

"Of course I did. How else can I show my affection?" Alistair grinned boyishly as he tied down the tent with Evelyn.

"I could give you some suggestions." Zevran quipped as he came by and helped out, "There is this book I happen to have that shows some very good tension releasing…"

"Oh leave them alone." Leliana chastised Zevran as she crossed her arms and eyed the elf.

Zevran grinned at Alistair and Evelyn, "What can I say? She cannot resist the ears." He turned to face Leliana, "My sexy minx…All you had to do is say you wanted me undivided attention. I would be happy to help with that pressed flower collection you keep mentioning to our dear warden."

Leliana blinked and opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Zevran slipped to her side, "Speechless I see. Well I can fix that back at my tent." He tried to slip his arm around her when he winced in pain. Leliana had managed to grab his finger, twisting it just right to get him to stop. She grinned, "You will be going back to your tent alone and Maker help you if you sneak over to mine."

"Now now, children." Wynne spoke up and laughed softly as her head shook slowly, "We should spend this time resting. I fear the storm coming in will be much worse than when we were in Lothering. Perhaps we will make it to some small town on the way to this Haven place?"

"I don't know what the elder mage is complaining about. I feel nothing." Shale huffed before moving more towards Evelyn's tent.

"I believe I asked you to not refer to me as elder mage." Wynne frowned as she helped get their dinner prepared with Leliana and Alistair joining forces.

Shale seemed to sigh, "As the fussy mage desires."

"Oh I give up." Wynne grumbled and set about cleaning some root vegetables they had found along the way.

Evelyn and the others couldn't help but laugh. She shook her head as she calmed down from laughing, "Well at least we are all talking more. Father used to tell me laughter was always the best poultice." She smiled softly then set off to get some water, "Shale, can you lend a hand?"

"If It wants me to." Shale followed Evelyn to fetch water. It took a few trips to get water to cook with along with some water to wash with but it was done before dinner was finished.

Evelyn was the last to get cleaned up and the warm water felt good but then the shock of the cold made her realize she needed to make it quick. She finished up and moved to her tent that was near Alistair's. She really hadn't spent much time with him and wondered if he was already asleep. Her eyes shifted away from Alistair's tent and she moved into her own with Dax at her side. She sat down and watched Dax pick his usual spot before curling up into a furry ball. Softly she sighed and set about brushing her long hair. Having it in braids all the time had created a nice wave. For a moment she took a moment to look at herself in the hand mirror. She saw her mother staring back.

I'm going to be always reminded…But it seems to hurt a little less lately.

She noticed something move behind her and turned to get a better look rather than trust the mirror. Her eyes met with Alistair's and she blinked, "Alistair?"

"Yes, it's me…I…uh…" He stammered nervously and rubbed the back of his head. His eyes shifted from looking into hers to the ground, "I'm not good at doing this."

Evelyn moved to him after setting her brush and mirror down. She took his hand into hers and could feel how cold it was, "How long have you been out there?"

"Not quite sure. I've had a lot on my mind lately…With everything that you've told me." Alistair stopped being so nervous and felt the warm returning to his hand thanks to her. Slowly he moved the other hand from the back of his head to rest over hers, "And what you said is right. I need to think more about myself. I mean…Of course I need to think of others but I can't always sacrifice my own feels on the matter."

She could see him struggle with his words but stayed silent for the moment as she listened. Her hands gently rubbed his to get the warmth back into them. She could feel the calluses from working hard and she had to wonder how many he had gotten from their own journey. Her eyes shifted from his hands to look into his lovely hazel eyes. He had been watching her and it made her blush for a change. She watched him smile softly then he kissed her forehead.

"Thank you." Alistair whispered and pulled her close. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his head against the top of hers.

Evelyn closed her eyes as she rested her head against his chest, "You shouldn't thank me. I just spoke the truth. When I saw how you were treated and remembered what happened when we were just children it just angered me. To see you get pushed around just for being caring…I couldn't stand by and watch. I wanted you to stand up for yourself like you had for me." Her arms moved around him and gently she squeezed him.

"I guess you've become the hero now erm I mean heroine." Alistair teased before feeling her smack him on the back. He laughed then moved his hand to tilt her chin up to look at him, "Truthfully you have saved me and for that I am eternally grateful…But I haven't repaid you properly."

"Repaid me?" Evelyn frowned as she looked at him confused, "Why would you need to repay me? You stood up for me when we were just children. You were chivalrous and I only did what I believed was right. You owe me nothing Alistair."

Alistair smiled as if that was what he wanted to hear. It just confused Evelyn even more which made him laugh softly, "This is why I love you, my dear Lady Cousland."

The blush returned again to Evelyn's cheeks and she tried to look away like some shy lady at court. Alistair kept smiling as he leaned closer to her lips, brushing his against hers before kissing her. He didn't feel as nervous anymore and decided to take their relationship to another level. As he parted his lips from hers he whispered, "Let me stay with you tonight."

"Alistair…"Evelyn whispered as she blushed even more and smiled shyly. Her eyes gave her answer and Dax just turned his body away to give his mistress privacy.