Chapter 37

Truth

Author's note: [NSFW – smut warning]

A bit of smut towards the end of this chapter, just a head's up

Disclaimer – I don't own Dragon Age or any of its characters

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[Harvestmere – early winter]

We made it to Redcliffe after another few weeks of traveling; I told Teagan and Isolde everything we had learned about the Urn's location, and about Brother Genitivi's disappearance. We planned to rest for a few days and resupply – the weather had been stormy in the south, Teagan had warned us, and the roads were muddy and churned up; our wagon wouldn't last a week with those conditions, so we would wait until the weather had improved before setting out to find Haven.

As we stayed in Redcliffe, Wynne aided the mage who was tutoring Connor, and the boy began to master his self-control. Maker knows, the boy was aware of how dangerous his powers were by now – no matter the Arlessa's attempts to stop them, rumors about what had happened had reached Connor's ears. Isolde had expected the rumors to hurt him, to make the boy afraid of his gift, but in fact, it did just the opposite – Connor was more eager to learn about magic than ever; it seemed he wanted to know as much as possible, so that he could prevent history from repeating itself.

I had spoken to Zevran a little earlier, asking him about another of his adventures. He had started out cheerfully enough, but then had suddenly stopped. "I…I would rather not. I shouldn't have said anything," he murmured, and I shook my head. He had a strange, pained look in his eyes, and I could tell that he didn't want to talk about it.

"It's alright. I understand," I replied gently. Zevran could see that I wasn't going to push him about it, and he smiled weakly.

"Thank you. Perhaps another day, hm?" he tried, and I nodded.

"Only if you want to," I added, patting his arm lightly as I headed upstairs to my room. Leliana caught me on my way up, looking as if she had something to say.

"Do you remember our discussion?" she asked, and I nodded, assuming that she was referring to Marjolaine.

"Yes, of course," I replied.

"I just wanted to tell you that I thought about what you told me and…you were right," she began, knitting her fingers together lightly in front of her, looking at me with steady eyes. "I didn't want to admit it, even to myself, but those years in Lothering, I yearned for the freedom and the recklessness that I knew in Orlais. The Maker made the world beautiful, but He also made it dangerous. To really experience it, I have to embrace this, not…not hide away in some nunnery," she said with firmness in her tone, her eyes carrying a new strength in them.

"No more running away, all right?" I asked gently, and she nodded, smiling.

"Sometimes it takes another to show us the truths we hide from ourselves," Leliana replied.

"Yes, yes…let's not get all sappy here," I teased, and she smirked.

"Am I embarrassing you? Well, fine then. I don't really like you and you're a terrible friend. Terrible. I'm not glad I'm here. At all," she grinned, giving me a wink and bidding me goodnight.

oooo

I lay in bed that night, thinking of all that had happened in the past eight months. There's still so much to do, I thought wearily, letting out a long sigh. One thought kept nagging at me though, bothering me until I sat up, unable to sleep. We're as close to the Wilds as we're going to get, and we're stuck in Redcliffe until the weather clears. I should probably fulfill my promise to Morrigan now, while I have the chance, I thought, sliding out of bed.

I pulled on my clothes, slipping out of the room and making my way down the hall, knocking lightly on Morrigan's door. "Ah, Adeline. This is…most unexpected," Morrigan remarked, although she didn't seem quite so surprised that I would pay her a visit. I glanced up and down the dark hall, and she saw my look, nodding that I could enter. She closed the door behind me with a faint click, and I crossed my arms, taking a deep breath before beginning.

"I'm going after Flemeth," I said, and she was unsurprised by the declaration. "I don't know how long it will take – I'm going to bring Dancia to speed the trip along – but it might still take a few days. I'll…uh…need you to handle everyone. Make up an excuse for why I've suddenly disappeared, I mean," I added.

"Ah. You plan to confront her alone?" Morrigan asked, and I thought I caught a hint of concern in her tone.

"Um…well…I was planning on asking Alistair, actually. He's a Templar, so he knows how to fight mages more effectively than I do. The thing is…we're the last Grey Wardens. Your mother kept us alive for a reason, yes, but if we're trying to kill her, she might not hold back. It's not that I don't want to put him in danger – I mean, I don't – but if something happens to both of us…" I shrugged weakly.

"I thought you might feel conflicted about this. That is why I have spoken to Alistair already," Morrigan said, and I stared up at her in surprise.

"You…what?" I asked incredulously.

"'Tis true that mother's reasons for your rescue yet remain a mystery. However, the two of you stand a better chance battling her together than you would alone. And there is also the matter of my own safety," Morrigan explained, and I raised an eyebrow. "Should you suddenly disappear, and the truth be found out later – that you had died by my mother's hand at my request – I have little doubt that Alistair would kill me himself."

"Alistair wouldn't–"

"He has changed," she interrupted me. "He already despises me – if the woman he loves dies because of me, he will not hesitate to strike me down, either in a fit of rage, or for revenge," Morrigan said firmly.

"I…yes. I suppose he has changed," I murmured. "Thank you, Morrigan. I'll go collect him, and we'll be back by the end of the week. Hopefully," I added, and Morrigan nodded. She gave me a small, straw and cloth charm, telling me that she had learned about it from Flemeth – this charm was meant to ward off darkspawn…or more precisely, cover the 'smell' of a Grey Warden. She said not to go near the main horde, of course, but that was a given.

"Luck be with you," the dark-haired woman said as I left. I walked down the hall, finding Alistair's room and knocking lightly on the door. I listened, wondering if he was asleep, and I knocked again, a little louder.

"Alistair!" I whispered, closing my eyes and listening. I glanced up as I saw him coming down the hall, a pair of packs slung over one shoulder, and his shield over the other.

"Dancia's ready to go," he said, and I raised an eyebrow. "I guessed you were probably going to head out one of these nights. Morrigan explained everything – I don't like it, but I know I won't be able to stop you. And I'll be damned if I let you face a centuries-old abomination on your own," Alistair added, and I smiled slightly, walking over as he handed me one of the packs.

"Here, let me go get–" I paused as he handed me my weapons. "Alright, then," I said as I belted them on, and we headed down the stairs and out the main hall, sneaking out to the stables. The weather was cold, with a stiff breeze, and I took a deep breath, the wind carrying the smell of late fall grasses and leaf mold from the forests. We strapped our bags onto the saddle Dancia had been fitted with, and I looked up at the tall horse with uncertainty. "I, uh, don't know how to ride," I admitted, and Alistair smiled gently.

"I won't let you fall," he promised. Alistair helped me onto the tall horse, climbing up behind me and wrapping his arms around me as he took the reins, tucking our cloaks and scarves around us for warmth. "I haven't ridden much – it's not really a Fereldan thing – but I know enough that we won't constantly be falling on our heads," he added, and I chuckled, leaning back against him as he lightly flicked the reins, directing Dancia forward.

"Alright, I trust you," I replied.

oooo

Instead of following the main roads, as we had on our way from Lothering to Redcliffe, we cut directly through the Wilds. Morrigan had marked out the exact location of her mother's hut on my map, along with references and landmarks along the way, marking places that were shortcuts, or areas to avoid. We made good time – it only took us three days to get back to a recognizable section of the Wilds.

"Ah," I said as we mounted a tall hill, overlooking a basin of pine trees below, "I can see the…Tower of Ishal," I remarked, glancing back at Alistair. His eyes were sad as he looked from the tower to the rest of the ruins of Ostagar, and I leaned against him. "They will never be forgotten," I murmured, and he nodded.

"After all this is through, I'm going to put up a monument in their honor," he said, his tone firm, and I smiled encouragingly.

"That's a wonderful idea," I replied softly. Alistair took another long look at the tower in the distance, and when he was satisfied, gently nudged Dancia's sides with his heels, prodding the mare forward.

oooo

"There's something awfully familiar about all this," Alistair mused as we made our way through the tall grass. We had set up camp a good three miles away, finding a secluded spot that was safe from prying eyes. We left Dancia untethered – she had never wandered off before, and we didn't want her trapped there should wild animals find the spot. I had set up leg-hold traps around the camp, nonetheless; better to be safe than sorry.

I sensed her before I saw her; Flemeth didn't even bother hiding – she probably had known we were coming for some time. My blade was vibrating wildly in the sheath, as if trying to fly out and point towards the demonic energy, and I wondered why it had never done that in her presence before now. Maybe she can had that, too, I mused, keeping a firm grip on the handle. When we finally pushed through the tall grass and cattails, we spotted her waiting by the old, slanted hut, as if she were expecting us, just as she had been, so long ago.

I was surprised at first by her appearance; I almost didn't recognize her. The woman's hair had been pulled back from her face and tied into long, curved spikes, like horns, almost, held together with thin strips of dark leather. On her brow was an elegant, metal band that looked much like a crown, and large, silver earrings hung from her ears. She was wearing a long, burgundy robe that looked to be made of some sort of leather or lizard skin that hung down to her ankles in the back, but was pulled tight in the front, revealing tall, plate-metal boots up to her thighs. Her eyes were bright yellow, and her pupils were slit, like those of a cat, or lizard.

"Told you she was dangerous," I muttered to Alistair under my breath, and he let out a sigh.

"I never doubted that. I just didn't want to panic a bunch of new recruits," he replied, keeping a close watch on Flemeth as the old woman glanced between the two of us.

oOo

"And so you return," Flemeth observed, striding regally over to the pair of Grey Wardens, no longer looking the frail old lady they had met so long ago. They had changed as well, she observed; they both had a certain…strength of spirit that hadn't been there before. "Lovely Morrigan has at last found someone willing to dance to her tune. Such enchanting music she plays, wouldn't you say?" Flemeth smiled charmingly, her dark lipstick like blood on her pale face.

Flemeth glanced at the sword at the Elf's hip and nearly laughed as she recognized it – she had forgotten that Adeline had kept that particular blade; the old god-slayer, Claíomh Solais itself. She honestly had never expected to see the saber again – not after Garahel's old blade was lost killing the last archdemon. "So I should dance to your tune, instead?" Adeline asked, her tone level, but her eyes wary, a hand lingering near her saber the entire time.

"Why dance at all? Why not sing?" Flemeth replied, throwing her head back and cackling at the wary looks on the pair's faces. "What has Morrigan told you, hmm? What little plan has she hatched this time?" she crooned.

"She knows how you extend your unnatural lifespan," Adeline answered, and Flemeth crossed her arms.

"That she does. The question is, do you?" the old woman countered. "Ahhh, but it is an old, old story. One that Flemeth has heard before…and even told. Let us skip right to the ending, shall we? Do you slay the old wretch as Morrigan bids? Or does the tale take a different turn?" Flemeth continued, and Adeline raised an eyebrow.

"I just want the truth," she said, and Flemeth scoffed.

"The truth, she says, as if it were nothing!" Flemeth shook her head, the silver earrings flashing in the light of sunset. "No, no. Far better the lie. Far better the comfort of blankets and shadows and a mother's love," her voice was a low rumble, almost a growl. "Morrigan wishes my grimoire? Take it as a trophy. Tell her I am slain," Flemeth offered, and the two Grey Wardens barely managed to hide their surprise, their expressions guarded and suspicious.

"And what happens to you?" Alistair asked warily, and Flemeth made a vague motion with one of her hands, indicating the Wilds.

"I go. Perhaps I surprise Morrigan one day…or I may simply watch. It would be interesting to see what she does with her freedom. Enlightening, even," the witch murmured, placing her hand lightly over her collarbone, the metal gauntlet she wore making her hand look like the claw of a dragon. "Would you give an old woman that?" she asked, glancing between the two. Her eyes lingered on Adeline's form, and she seemed almost amused. "And perhaps you will…receive something in return. Something rather…educational."

"…what do you mean?" Adeline asked, her eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"You have begun to wonder, haven't you? You grow stronger by the day as your powers mature. You are so different from what our kind normally experiences… I could show you your full potential," Flemeth offered. Alistair glanced at Adeline questioningly, looking to her for an answer. His eyes widened slightly – Adeline looked terrified, and she slowly took a step back. Alistair felt energy thrumming through the air, and he glared at Flemeth, readying to cancel any spells she should attempt to cast.

"I…w-what are you saying?" Adeline asked, trying to keep calm; Flemeth's words had echoed those of Uldred, and the memory of the intense pain resurfaced, nearly crippling the girl with fear.

"Ah, perhaps I will show you, instead," Flemeth replied, holding out a hand. Adeline's body stiffened, and she was thrown back like a ragdoll, tumbling into the tall grass and disappearing from sight. Alistair let out a startled yell, drawing his blade and charging at Flemeth, who cackled, transforming into a large raven and flying up to the rooftop before transforming back and sitting perched atop the house. She crossed her legs, folding her hands lightly in her lap, and she grinned, watching the scene unfold below.

"Maker's breath, Adeline!" Alistair called, running into the grass and searching for her.

"Ugh, over here," he heard her say weakly, shaking some of the tall fronds so that he could find her.

"Thank the Maker you're…" Alistair trailed off as he reached her, freezing. Lying in the grass was a desire demon. He recognized the type from seeing them in the Circle tower, but this one was different. It had red flames around its head, instead of lavender, and its eyes were bright, clear green. Green like…like Adeline's? He looked closely at her features as the demon sat up, massaging her head; she had long, curved horns decorated with carved silver and bronze rings, and a narrow, scaled tail. Her robes were elegantly embroidered, colored pale lavender and gold, and hung lightly about her frame, though more so than the 'clothing' of other desire demons.

"Well, I guess she wasn't trying to kill me, or I wouldn't be talking now," Adeline sighed, getting slowly to her feet and brushing herself off. "What the…?" she muttered in confusion, looking at the robes and glancing up at Alistair. "Wait, we didn't get sent to the Fade somehow, right?" she asked, and Alistair shook his head, unable to speak; he really had nothing that he could say or do that wouldn't result in her panicking.

But this is Adeline, he thought, relief going through him, despite his confusion. This isn't like when someone becomes an abomination, he observed, she's still…her. "Alistair," Adeline said, and he blinked, nodding. She looked like she had been trying to get his attention. "Is there…something the matter?" she asked. She was still confused by her clothes, and as she glanced down, looking at her bare feet, her eyes widened. Her toes were clawed, as were her fingers, and she stared back at Alistair. "Alistair…" she began, her voice rising in panic. She looked back at her hands, her eyes flashing with both recognition and dread, and then slowly moved her hands up to her head, as if she knew what she would find there.

"Adeline, just…just stay calm," Alistair said carefully, watching as she placed her hands on the pair of curled horns. Adeline's eyes went blank with shock for a moment, and she slowly ran her hands down the length of the horns, sliding them down to her face until they rested on her cheeks.

"I…I'm a…" she could hardly form the word, "a…demon…" She looked at Alistair, her heart tightening in her chest, and Alistair could see the conflict on her face as her eyes darted to his sword. She thinks I'm going to…? Alistair immediately sheathed his blade, holding his hands up.

"Adeline, I'm not going to hurt you," he assured her, but she shook her head, taking a step back.

"No I…I…" she trailed off, looking down. "I'm sorry," she murmured, ashamed that she had been afraid of him. "Am I really a…demon?" she asked softly, glancing back at Alistair.

"We'll…we'll figure this out," Alistair said gently, taking a cautious step towards her. Adeline's tail lashed about anxiously, and at his approach, it curled tightly around her legs. "Come on, love," he added softly, holding out a hand. Adeline stared at the armored gauntlet, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing, and she looked up at Alistair with such relief in her eyes that he couldn't help but smile. Definitely still Adeline, he thought as she took his hand.

He gently wrapped his arms around her, feeling her stiffen for a moment before relaxing, shutting her eyes tightly as she hugged him. She shivered, and Alistair looked at her worriedly. "Your armor's a bit cold…and I'm showing a lot of skin," Adeline murmured with a small smile, and Alistair sighed, placing a hand on her cheek gently, kissing her forehead.

They walked out of the tall grass together, and Flemeth watched them from the rooftop, giving slow, sarcastic applause at their approach. "Ah, how sweet. It warms the cockles of my heart to see a demon and a Templar come to an understanding that didn't leave one of them dead," the old woman remarked wryly, and Adeline glared up at her, the red flames that made her hair casting a faint pool of light around them as the sun set.

"Change me back," Adeline demanded, and Flemeth raised an eyebrow.

"Change change change. I already have changed you back, girl – this is your true form," Flemeth snorted, and Adeline crossed her arms.

"Oh, I am done with your half-truths and cryptic speeches. What have you done to me?" Adeline's temper was flaring, and Alistair felt the flames grow hotter around her, licking at the air as her hair bristled and waved about. As a flame touched him, though, it didn't burn, but rather passed right through him, leaving a warm sensation on his skin.

"Oh-ho-ho, such anger. You truly have taken on all the emotions and mannerisms of the mortals, haven't you?" the old woman chuckled, shaking her head. She slid down, dropping from the rooftop and landing lightly on her feet without flinching, as if she hadn't just fallen from the second story of the building. "I have simply removed your disguise. Now, if you ever wish to return to that…charade…then you will think about my offer," Flemeth continued.

"So…so I was…always like this?" Adeline asked, her anger fading and replaced with anxiety.

"Hmph. Not awakened, no. But if you mean to ask if you are abomination, I will tell you, you are not. You are not sharing the body of a mortal. You are a mortal. And a demon. An interesting move…though I suppose you remember nothing," Flemeth said, half to them, half to herself.

"Do you…think we should consider her offer?" Adeline asked quietly, and Alistair nodded slightly.

"…maybe. Even if we do fight her, there's no guarantee she'll…stay dead, from what Morrigan told me. And she seems to know what happened to you – maybe she can explain," he replied, and Adeline took a deep breath, looking back at Flemeth.

"Alright. Flemeth," Adeline began, and Flemeth crossed her arms, looking at her expectantly. "I…accept your offer."

"It's far easier this way, don't you think? The lies are always more fun. Ha-ha, and we can't have a demon leading the mortals to victory against the Blight, now can we? Those Chantry-loving fools would rather slit their own throats," Flemeth chuckled. "The boy can retrieve the book of spells for my clever Morrigan, and I shall see to your…reeducation," Flemeth continued, glancing towards Alistair and waving a hand towards her hut in a shooing motion.

Alistair walked to the hut, not exactly thrilled at leaving Adeline alone with the witch, but he relented. He entered the house, looking around and closing his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. Memories washed over him; memories from what felt like an eternity ago. Adeline, lying broken and on death's door, just in that bed over there. And he, distraught, his mind nearly torn asunder from the loss of everything he knew, sitting on that stool by the fire and wishing it was all a nightmare.

Adeline…was a desire demon. He knew that all of his instincts, all of his training as a Templar, should have made him attack her on sight. He was glad that he couldn't do it. She was still Adeline, and that thought seemed to bring clarity to him. Does her being a demon change anything? He knew that it did not – at least, not for him. He would see how Adeline felt about this…revelation, and he would promise never to speak of it to anyone, should she so wish.

Alistair rummaged through a metal chest in the corner of the room, finding a black, leather-bound tome with the design of a leafless tree embossed on the cover. Ah, her real grimoire, he thought, lifting the book out of the chest and placing it on a nearby table. He glanced over his shoulder, watching as Adeline walked into the house; she was an Elf again, and she looked up at him with weary eyes.

"Are you alright?" Alistair asked softly, and she nodded, walking over to him. He held his hands out, and Adeline stepped into his arms, closing her eyes and leaning against him, finding comfort in his embrace.

"Flemeth's gone. She promised not to try anything with Morrigan, and that we'd never see her again…though how much weight I put on her word is debatable," Adeline sighed. "She also…explained everything. Well…a lot of things. Do you…want to hear?" she asked, and Alistair ran a hand gently through her hair, brushing the red strands from her forehead and resting his fingers lightly on her cheek, looking at her with understanding in his eyes.

"Only if you want to," he replied, and she nodded, taking his hand and leading him to the bed, where they sat down.

"Flemeth said we can do whatever we want here. Take any supplies we need," Adeline added, indicating the things on the shelves and tables. She looked at the wall for a few moments before returning her attention to him, letting out a long sigh. "Now…where do we begin…?"

oOo

Alistair was…taking things rather well. I told him everything that Flemeth had told me, and everything that I had remembered; Flemeth had managed to 'retrieve memories' that I had locked away before I had…been born. Apparently, I had been a demon of rather high standing – as the hierarchy of demons went; I had commanded a relatively large section of the Fade, but instead of battling other demons for territory, I spent time watching mortals as they dreamed. I had an unusual fascination with them – an infatuation, even.

I had met my…mother, Adaia, in the Fade. She had dreamed of having children for so long, but she was barren. My memories were fragmented in places, but from what I could gather, I had gotten the idea into my head that I wanted to become a mortal, but wanted to do this with as little conflict as possible. And so we made a deal, and I was born – neither of us had any memory of our agreement, and I was raised as Adaia's child.

"So…you didn't prey on mortals?" Alistair asked curiously, and I shrugged.

"Not that I can remember. I gather I was so fascinated with them that I didn't feel…comfortable, I guess? The memories are fragmented, but I think I actually hunted other demons. I was a bit of a cannibal, really," I sighed. "You're not…afraid of me now, are you?" I asked softly, and Alistair shook his head.

"Of course not. I'll admit, I was a little startled at first, but…you're still you. Being a demon doesn't change that fact," Alistair replied. I looked up at him, and I felt my eyes misting over. I hurriedly wiped at my tears, and he smiled gently, wrapping an arm around my shoulders as I let out small, relieved sobs, mixed with laughter.

"I'm…I'm so glad," I sighed, once I had recovered.

"Adeline, I promised that I would never hurt you – I won't go back on my word," Alistair breathed, leaning over and kissing my hair.

"Nor will I," I replied, shifting slightly and reaching out a hand, turning his chin and kissing him. I smiled as I thought of something, and I couldn't help but let out an amused laugh.

"Oh? Something funny?" Alistair asked, and I chuckled, leaning my head against his shoulder and looking up at him with mirth in my eyes.

"More absurd, really. Who would have thought, a demon and a Templar, together like this?" I asked, and Alistair smiled.

"Mmm, we do make for a rather odd pair," he admitted, patting my back as we stood.

oooo

We returned to camp, sitting next to each other as we shared the same tent – it would have been a waste of space to carry two of them with us…and I had to admit, I did rather like waking up next to him each morning. I sat on my bedroll, writing down everything that had happened today in my journal, and Alistair unrolled his own sleeping mat, turning to face the other way and pulling off his shirt as he got ready for bed.

Something about him being this close to me, and accepting my situation so easily, even when I had trouble accepting it myself, made my heart tighten. I closed my journal as I finished, turning to look at him as he slid off his shoes, and I slowly reached out a hand, placing it lightly on the bare skin of his back. I traced the shapes of the muscles as I ran my fingers over his shoulders, my touch lingering gently on a few small moles scattered over his warm skin. Alistair stopped with his boot halfway off, glancing back at me with slight surprise. I smiled coyly as I massaged his shoulders, and he placed the boot down, turning to face me as I sidled up to him.

I placed my hands lightly on his shoulders, his skin warm under my fingers, and I slid my hands down until they rested on his chest, and I felt the steady beat of his heart. Alistair's body was covered in toned muscle, and I felt myself blushing slightly as I looked up at him, only now realizing what I was doing, and wondering what had gotten into me. He leaned forward, kissing me gently once, and then again, each kiss lengthening until we were wrapped in the other's arms, bodies pressed tightly against one another, trying to catch our breath.

Alistair slid his hands down my sides, bringing them to rest lightly on my hips as he pulled me into his lap, but I felt him draw back slightly as his fingertips brushed my bare skin; I had been wearing leggings and a cotton undershirt, and had taken my corset off earlier when I had changed. "Is something wrong?" I asked softly, and Alistair shook his head.

"I…just want to know if…you want me to stop," he replied, equally as soft. I smiled slightly, and in reply, I took one of his hands in mine and slid it back over my hip, feeling his fingertips against my skin. He swallowed nervously as I moved his hand further up, under my shirt, and I paused.

"Are you…do you want me to stop?" I asked, and he let out a small chuckle.

"Well, I don't want to sound…overeager and say no…" Alistair replied, and I smiled as he began moving his hands up on his own, bringing his other hand to the small of my back as he held me. I loved the feeling of his hands on my skin; the cuts and calluses along his fingers were rough but warm. I shivered, and a soft moan escaped my lips as his fingers moved over my chest, and he let out a quiet breath as he lightly brushed my sensitive areas.

I shut my eyes as he raised my shirt above my head, and my breathing picked up as his hands moved over my skin. He must have felt my heart pounding under his fingers, and he slid them around my back, leaning against me and kissing me as I lay back against the bedroll, his lips pressed against my chin, my throat, and my collarbone. I let out a soft mewl as I felt his lips moving over my breasts, and he froze for a moment, thinking he'd hurt me, continuing when he saw my flushed face, and my dark eyes.

"Alistair…" I moaned as his lips moved over my stomach, his hands sliding down to my hips and stopping at the hem of my leggings. He paused, resting his ear against my chest and listening to my frantic heartbeat as his fingers withdrew. He looked slightly apologetic, and I smiled; he was still nervous about this kind of thing. And in all honesty…so was I. "I understand," I said gently, placing my hand on his cheek, and he took it lightly, pressing it against his lips. "But…" I added with a small smirk, my eyes flashing. I gripped him between my knees and rolled, and he stared up at me with surprise as I sat on his hips. "That doesn't mean that I can't torture you until you're ready," I teased.

"Oh, will you now?" he asked with a smirk, looking up at me as I leaned over him. In reply, I ran my fingers gently over his chest, tracing out the muscles along his abdomen, and I leaned further, pressing myself against him as I felt his heart beating against mine. I kissed gently – almost teasingly – along his jaw, moving down over his throat and collarbone, my hands trailing down over his sides and following the shape of his hips. I could feel that he wanted me, his eyes darkening as he gripped my sides, and I placed my hands lightly on his stomach as I sat up, moving my pelvis back and forth slowly against his, torturing him as he groaned.

"Adeline…" he breathed, gritting his teeth as he shut his eyes, and I felt his grip tighten on my hips as I made more exaggerated movements, pushing harder against him as I felt my own center throbbing against his. "Adeline…Maker…" he groaned. "Stop or I'll…have to take you right here…" he gasped, and I grinned as he moaned again, louder this time as his hips jerked under me, and his hands gripped my sides. I stopped rocking back and forth as I twined my fingers with his, pinning them gently above his head. I kissed his forehead, and he chuckled slightly, looking up at me as I sprawled across his chest. "You really are a wicked, wicked woman, you know that?" he whispered as he caught his breath, and I laughed.

"You're lucky I'm on your side, then, my dear," I smirked, letting go of his hands and settling down next to him.

"But I…want to wait a bit…" he added softly, "at least…until we're in a proper bed." He nuzzled against my throat as I felt myself blushing; I almost laughed at how easily we could fluster each other.

"I'll hold you to that, then," I whispered in reply, and he smiled. We lay together, wrapped in the other's embrace, still quivering with excitement. I smiled in contentment as we went to sleep, letting out a long sigh as I rested my head against Alistair's shoulder, feeling safe as he held me. "I love you," I murmured softly, and Alistair's arms wrapped more tightly around me.

"And I you," he replied, pressing his lips against my forehead.

oOo

Adeline and Alistair had remained in the Wilds for a day after confronting Flemeth; they had wanted to return to Ostagar. Neither had voiced it, but both wanted to search for Duncan's body. They found his blades in the skeleton of an ogre, but no sign of the older Grey Warden. Alistair had come across the crucified remains of King Cailan, and the two had given him, and any other soldiers they found, a proper funeral. In the royal enclave, Alistair found a sealed chest near Cailan's things, which had miraculously remained intact through all these months – the darkspawn presence had kept out any would-be looters, it seemed.

Within the chest, Alistair had found a longsword made of material similar to that of Adeline's blade, with glowing blue runes along the length. "Impressive…" Adeline remarked, watching Alistair give the blade a few test swings. She drew her own saber and held it out, comparing the runes along their lengths.

"I wonder what they mean…?" Alistair murmured, eyes moving slowly over the glowing marks.

"Maybe it's in an old tongue, lost to the ages," Adeline mused. The blades began humming in harmony, and the two glanced at one another at the sound. Adeline gently tapped the edge of her saber against the longsword, and both blades rippled and shuddered violently, sending a bolt of energy up their arms and forcing both of them to drop the weapons.

"Maker's breath!" Alistair exclaimed, quivering as he felt energy thrumming through him, the hair on his arms and the back of his neck standing on end.

"They're…obviously related," Adeline managed through chattering teeth, shakily bending down and retrieving her sword. "But let's…not do that again. Until we know what it is, anyway," she added, and Alistair nodded.

"Agreed," he said, sheathing his blade as the two returned to Dancia.

oooo

Morrigan had managed to avoid awkward questions the others had begun asking, once they noticed that Alistair and Adeline had disappeared, by feigning ignorance about the whole thing. "You don't think they went after the Urn themselves, do you?" Leliana asked one morning, a few days after the Grey Wardens' disappearance. At first, the group had written it off as something small – perhaps the two had sensed darkspawn nearby, and had gone to investigate – but it had been almost a week since they had gone.

"I don't think they would attempt something like that. Adeline is headstrong, but she knows better than that," Wynne replied, although she too was worried.

"I do not think you need concern yourselves with that," Morrigan remarked, and the two women glanced at her, looking at her oddly. Morrigan leaned against the wall by a window in the hall where they had gathered, and she nodded over her shoulder. "They have returned," she added.

Sten was practicing with his blade in the courtyard, pausing as he heard the Wardens' approach. He glanced up, seeing the two sitting on Dancia's back, and he nodded slightly in greeting. "You were gone for a few days," he remarked, and Adeline shrugged, clambering out of the saddle none-too-gracefully, her foot catching on a stirrup on the way down. Sten caught her before she fell on her face, setting the Elf upright with a small sigh. Still like a helpless kitten, no matter her prowess in battle, the Qunari thought, though not without a hint of affection.

"Thank you Sten," she sighed, rubbing her back and the insides of her knees. "Ow… Now I know why Fereldans don't ride," she added with chagrin, and Alistair laughed, hopping down from the horse and leading the mare towards the stables. "We were…running an errand," Adeline explained, knowing that it probably wouldn't go over too well with Sten.

"So I see," the Qunari remarked; he noticed something different about the Grey Wardens, and had seen a strange, new blade on Alistair's hip – it was a silver longsword with blue runes across the length, much like Adeline's saber. Adeline covered her surprise at Sten's lack of questioning by glancing back at Alistair as he returned with her pack, handing it to her.

"Um, here. I picked these up for you from a merchant we met in town," the girl added, going through her pack and pulling out a paper bag. She handed it to Sten and smiled slightly, heading up the stairs from the courtyard and to the castle with Alistair at her heels. Sten unrolled the top of the bag curiously, taking in a quiet, surprised breath; inside the bag was a small incense burner and a second, smaller bag filled with sticks of incense. Beside that was a small box of thin, sweet biscuits with a layer of white sugar glaze on top, shaped into zigzag patterns.

Adeline hadn't been looking forward to the lecture she was probably going to get from everyone; she was pleasantly surprised when no one chided her or asked where she had gone. She handed out the gifts she had bought everyone – 'peace offerings' she had told Alistair – and they seemed quite happy with them. For Wynne, a romance novel and a wool shawl, for Leliana a pair of blue suede dancing shoes and a ribbon for Schmooples, for Katja a book on astronomy with star maps inside, for Zevran some cologne and a romance novel – the other kind – Adeline had thought, a new quiver with images of halla embroidered on the outer rim for Neria, a bottle of Dwarven ale for Oghren, a travel-sized alembic for Jowan, a lamb bone for Olan, and a set of gold earrings for Morrigan.

"You have returned from the Wilds…alive. What news have you?" Morrigan asked, once things had settled down with the others.

"Flemeth is dead. You're free," Adeline said simply, and Morrigan took in a long breath.

"Dead…? You actually managed it? I barely dared to hope 'twas even possible…" Morrigan murmured, placing a hand over her heart. "And the real grimoire? Did you find it?" she added, glancing back at the Elf.

"Yes, here it is," Adeline replied, handing Morrigan the tome.

"And so here it is. Fantastic. And…thank you. For helping me. No one has ever…thank you," Morrigan was at a loss for words, and Adeline smiled at the dark-haired woman.

"You're welcome," she replied.

"We are hopefully free of any further pressing obligations involving my protection," Morrigan sighed, thanking Adeline once more before retreating to her room, intending to study the book.

Adeline informed the others that they would be heading to Haven the next day, so they packed their things, preparing for the trip. The Elf spoke with Teagan and Isolde, apologizing for the delay, but telling them that there had been urgent business in the Wilds, hoping that they would assume she was talking about the darkspawn horde.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo