Sleeping Beauty

It was such a different Redcliffe that they looked down upon. There was no acrid smoke settling over the village, the sound of the smithy was audible; there was even laughter. Dain felt content to look down upon the village. But even as he halted his steps, the Ashes under armour seemed to gain weight, threatening to bend him, straining at the cord around his neck. He looked to Alistair who was even grinning,

"This is how I remember it."

It was enough to push him forward, to take the first step towards the castle, and to maybe even healing Eamon.

He hadn't asked to be present, but Teagan, Alistair and to his surprise Isolde, had assumed he would be. The others had quickly split to the rooms assigned them. Sten for now, seemed content to stand in the main hall, ignoring the rushing of servants and knights around him. Isolde was wrining her hands even as she looked at the mage as he took possession of the pouch. Her eyes widened and tears shone as she watching with the fervour and hope of a believer. But all Dain could think of was that the mage was sprinkling the remains of a dead woman over an unconscious man. It was morbid and gross, but he watched with the hope that he would not have to make the decision that could change Redcliffe's future. Even standing before the gauntlet, looking at the Guardian whose stare had looked as old as time…Before it had seemed straight forward, but now with the old looking Eamon lying motionless, Isolde with bright tears in her eyes and Teagan clenching his fist so tight his knuckles were white, he wasn't so sure. He didn't hear the Arl's first words when his eyes opened, as soon as he saw the head turn on the pillow the blood roared in his ears,

"Alistair, stay here. He'll want to hear it from you."

The blonde nodded, with a cool nod to Teagan who looked at him with such thanks he was outside.

"Warden?"

Connor pushed up from where he had been sitting pressed up against the wall. The boy's eyes were red and swollen from crying. He stared up at Dain; he remembered nothing about the demon, the attacks on the village, it didn't change the fact the boy was a fledgling mage. But there was recognition on Connor's face as he looked at the man before him. Dain couldn't shift to a smile but he offered a nod.

"Connor."

"How come you didn't bring Bear?"

Even now after so long since Ishal, the loss of Bear still seemed to cause pain.

"Bear was killed at Ostagar. I found Grimm when I went back. I'm sure he's…around."

As if only speaking his name the clack of long nails on the stones announced the mabari's presence. Wynne must have followed through with her threat of a bath. For now he was cleaned of even kaddis. Splotches of white fur appeared through red. Connor grinned at the appearance of the huge animal, but as he turned back to Dain it was gone and his lip shook.

"They said Father is going to die."

Dain knelt, wiping the tear from the boy's cheek; so like Oren.

"I think you should go and see him."

Sudden and blinding hope appeared on his face, a smile spreading across his face.

"Really?"

"Go for it kid."

Connor wrenched open the door, it slammed shut behind him but not before he heard Connor call out to his awake father.

Dain knocked on the door, waiting for the mage to answer. She did, opening the door a smile on her face as she saw him,

"It worked."

He nodded, she opened the door fully, ushering him in with a hand on his arm. He entered falling heavily into a chair, she moved quickly to his side. Eyes already scanning him for injury out of habit.

"Are you alright Dain?"

He shrugged, but forced himself to answer.

"I thought that getting Eamon awake would make me feel…better. But it hasn't."

Wynne smiled at him, he recognised that look. He had seen it on his mother's face when he had seen Iona. It was a smile that showed him she understood him, and it was a little frightening.

"Dain, I think you were hoping that with Eamon awake, there might be a let up in pressure. I don't think that is destined to happen Dain, I'm sorry."

She wasn't ready for the resigned grin he gave as he stood though,

"Don't worry about it Wynne, I think I also expected that. Thanks anyway."

A servant directed him to his suite, bowing low. It surprised him, though as a noble born Dain knew it was his right. But for over a year he had disappeared into the title of Warden rather than anything else, he barely used his last name anymore, the title of Grey Warden more than enough, if it hadn't Warden Commander had been. His movements were coloured by sighs, fingers flicking at catches before he managed to pull the armour from his body, setting each piece on the wooden mannequin in the corner of his room. When he stood only in the rough clothing he wore under did he stand still, looking at the well worn armour, hitching a hip as he tried to understand something, anything from the rampant griffon on the chest plate. Not learning anything he drew the Reflection pendant from under his shirt and placed it on the mannequin, letting it sit on top of the metal. As Dain stared at it that familiar face shone out him; it seemed to smile, perhaps seeing something in the man before it before it was simply a chantry disc once more. He spun at the knock on the door, eyes automatically going to his sword, his dagger and the smooth narrow stiletto slid under the pillow; the hilt just visible.

"Um, Warden?"

The voice was female, and snaked through the door. Dain forced his shoulders to relax and strode to the door. He did recognise the woman who stood there, she had light blonde hair now tamed and smoothed, her face was hopeful and no longer tear stained, not like when he had first found her. Here in the castle trapped by the undead and terrified.

"Valenna, how can I help you?"

His reminisce of his oble birth seemed to stil he playing on his mind, for his bow as he gestured into the room was as good as one who had held court in Denerim. Valenna repied with a curtsey, flaring out her dress before stepping in gracefully. Dain spied the wine decanter on one of the side boards. A tilt of an eyebrow and she grinned,

"Yes, thank you."

He poured her one, then one for himself as an afterthought. Dain waited until she had sipped before prompting her,

"How may I help you."

She blushed, prettily, even trying to hide it in the second sip from the goblet. It seemed that she had forgotten her words, for after a few minutes of long fingers tapping on the stem she set it aside and stood, moving to look into the massive fireplace,

"I know that I have already said so, and my father too - but I wanted to thank you for saving my lady, Connor and the Arl. Without them I don't think that Redcliffe could have survived…so thank you for everything that you have done, and continue to do."

She turned, her hair catching the red from the fire. He hadn't moved from when she had awkwardly looked away from him. His untouched goblet sat on the stone mantel at his side. Her courage seemed to return though, for she looked at him properly now, now hiding behind a twist of hair or the manners of a maiden. As he looked her gaze changed, though Dain knew it was a response to the look in his eyes. But it was she who strode forward, her hands alighted on his cheeks, pulling him down with no effort so her lips could reach his. It was soft and delicate at first. Until his hands rose to her hips, sliding gently up and around to her back, pulling her closer to him. She tasted of plums or wine. Sweet, until her tongue swept along his lips goading for entry. That and the moan that started in her throat made him jerk, pulling her so tight to his chest. Her hands disappeared from his face, appearing under his shirt, nails tracing along his muscles causing his skin to pimple. It was his turn to moan he felt her lips turn up in a grin at what she had pulled from him. Dain was content to let her take charge, and she did. She pressed him back, he knew the bed was behind him, when his legs struck the end he fell fully. Valenna stood before him, her hands pulling her skirt up, flashing him thigh and pale flesh. She crept up the bed, her legs astride him, her lips already swollen from their heated kiss. She could feel the hardness of him as she sat, pressing her own covered heat against him, his hands rising of their own volition to rest on the bare skin of her legs.

"Don't stop now."

He said, she bent, kissing him carefully and nearly chastely, if it hadn't been for her hands, guiding his higher under her skirt. And then her gown was falling, undone in motions he hadn't seen. He pulled her arms free, her breasts gleaming with subtle sweat, the gown pooling around her waist, hiding their heat. With a wicked grin on her face she lifted herself; she didn't seem willing to wait, instead only drawing him free before settling her self, hard. It was sleek and hot, Valenna set the motion and speed. She opened her eyes, seeing the pleasure in Dain's face, she bent causing his breath to catch even further. They kissed hard, his hands sliding into her hair. The press of their joining caught at the material of his tights and the gown, smooth buttons grinding into skin. Their breath came harsh, slight moans coming from Valenna, but not enough, not yet for Dain. He slid his hands up her legs gripping her before pulling her harder, down onto himself. Now she moaned out loud, her hips speeding up. But he never gave up pressure, holding her hard onto himself, driving as deep as he could, his own hips moving in time with hers. He felt it building and with a sudden movement that took her by surprise he sat up pulling her legs behind his back, her hands on his shoulders helping her keep grinding against him. And then she exploded, he pulled her harder even savagely keeping her in the orgasm's grip and then his surged from him with jerking hips.