The late summer sun was hanging low in the sky, still giving off a gentle warmth. Ayu was curled against Zevran, leaning into his chest as they cuddled together in the soft grass. A little boy with a mop of curly blonde hair sat at their feet, playing with his little sister, her strawberry pigtails bouncing as she prances her stuffed halla in front of her. Zevran pressed a lazy kiss to Ayu's shoulder, squeezing her tightly. His breath tickled her ear and jaw as he sighed loving, feather-light kisses along her skin.
"Ewww, gross dad." Deygan suppressed a cheeky grin as he and Rillien walked up the path to the little house they shared with Zevran and Ayu. The pair effectively adopted the twin orphans after Ayu's resurrection. The boys swore their lives to the Warden and her cause. Ayu wouldn't hear of it at first, of course, but compromised by offering to adopt the boys. She would make sure the twins had a good home and the boys would be able to stay by her side. It worked well for everyone.
"You'll scar us for life," Rillien chimed in, handing the rabbits the boys caught to his brother.
"No one wants to see that."
Zevran's lips curled in a sexy smirk. "See what? How much your father loves, adores and worships your mother? Surely that cannot be a bad thing, no?"
The twins stuck out their tongues, pulling faces in fake disgust.
"Yes?" Zevran purred. "Hmm, Pity." He turned Ayu's face toward his with gentle fingers, making a point to kiss her noisily. She giggled against Zevran's smiling mouth as he teased the boys.
"Deygan!" The little boy got to his feet and raced to the twins. He wrapped his arms around Deygan's leg, hopping up and down on his toes. The older boy ruffled the little one's hair playfully in greeting.
"Willien!" The girl squealed in surprise, trundling on her little toddler legs to her favourite twin. Rillien picked her up and blew on her tummy until she giggled and squirmed in delight.
He held her on his hip with one arm and waved his hand in front of his nose. "Whew, you are stinky little miss."
She swatted him with a tiny, pudgy palm. "No, woo stwinky." She giggled, wiggling in Rillien's arm.
Just then, a messenger came up the lane in a rush. He nodded to the twins breathlessly before turning his attention to the Warden. "Lady Ayu," he bowed, placing his fist on his chest. "I apologize for the intrusion, however, the King has just arrived at our borders. The scouts are escorting his majesty to the main square."
Ayu cocked her head, rising from Zevran's lap. "Something must have happened. He wasn't due for a visit yet." She outstretched her hand to the assassin, helping him from the grass.
"Then we must not keep him waiting." Zevran threaded Ayu's arm through his. "Boys, watch the children." Zevran steered the Warden down the path away from the house.
"Alistair," Ayu called walking toward him with arms outstretched. "It is good to see you well." She embraced her once-fellow Warden, stepping back to allow the men to shake hands.
"I wish I had better news to offer you." Alistair followed Ayu and Zevran to a series of benches, flicking his furred cape behind him to sit. "I have a report from Kirkwall to the north and things are not good." The King looked Zevran dead in the eye, handing him a letter he drew from his tunic. "Will you help? I have secured safe passage and a handsome payment, of course."
Zevran read the letter, a serious expression on his face. He looked at Ayu, the lines of worry already starting to mar her pretty face. He stroked her jaw tenderly. "Do not look at me so," he said quietly. "I will return to you in one piece."
"Of course you will because I'm coming with you," Ayu said flatly.
Zevran shook his head gently. "No mio amore, the children need you here. I will be more worried if you are not with them."
"But-" Ayu started.
"No. I must do this alone. You must trust me to return." He cradled Ayu's head against his neck, holding her there. The elf turned his attention to Alistair. "When does the ship leave?"
"Tonight."
"Let me gather my things." Zevran rose from his seat, tucking the King's letter into his tunic.
"But-" Ayu tried to stand from her seat, but Zevran gently forced her back down again.
He shook his head, stroking her chin in his hand. He tore himself from her wide, desperate eyes and turned to the King once more. "I won't be long." He bowed before he twisted on his heel and ventured back up the path to their home.
Ayu looked at Alistair, offering him a small smile. "So . . . You gave Zev a mission."
"Yes," he confirmed. "Kirkwall requires the use of his . . his specific skill set."
"You mean-" Ayu looked shocked.
Alistair paused a beat in confusion and shook his head vigorously, waving his hands in front of him. "No, no not that skillset. The stabby one."
Ayu looked relieved, placing a hand to her chest and breathing a sigh. Zevran was wanted for his assassination skills, not his massage skills. She was sure that, King or no, she'd beat Alistair otherwise.
A few minutes later, Zevran returned in his armour, shoving rations into his pack. The twins followed behind him, each carrying a kid in their arms. Zevran sealed his pack, stopping in front of Ayu. The elf reached for each of his children in turn, holding them tight and planting kisses on their heads. He turned his attention to the twin boys. "Take care of the house and your mother while I'm away."
"Dad," Rillien rolled his eyes, "She was the one to kill a giant dragon, end the Blight and came back to tell about it. I'm pretty sure everything is afraid of her." The boys flashed huge grins at him. Zevran sighed and tousled their hair. That cheeky grin was a trait that they picked up from him and he knew it.
"Mind you mother then. Do as she says and be good." Zevran readjusted his pack on his shoulder. He stepped closer to Ayu, taking her into his arms. She raised her head to gaze at him, worry still etching her face. She began fussing over him, playing with the strap across his chest holding his weapons. "Stop fussing, my sweet. I'll be fine. You and I have been through much worse." Zevran ran his hands along her arms and shoulders, trying to relax her.
"I know, Zev," Ayu began picking at his armour again. "But . . . I'm not with you."
Zevran stopped her hands from fidgeting, holding them in place on his chest. He grasped both her hands with one of his, cupping her cheek with the other and forcing her to look at him. He gazed at her for a moment, opening his lips to speak. "Yes, you are." He grabs her hard, holding her body tightly to his and kissed her breathless. "I do not like being away from you, but I must go. The Crows have harassed my family for the last time." Zevran finally released Ayu, taking a step back from her.
"I love you," Ayu said with the utmost affection.
Zevran smiled in return. "I love you too."
A herd-master arrived leading Lothren, fully tacked, beside her. She handed the reins over to Ayu, bowing and leaving them. Ayu gave the reins to Zevran. "Take Lothren. He's as fast as any halla and will see you safely to your destination."
Zevran gives Ayu another tender kiss, pulling himself up into the saddle. Lothren danced under him in excitement to run. The elf looked at Alistair. "Take care of my family, my friend."
King Alistair nodded. "I will. Good luck."
Zevran spurred Lothren forward, taking off in a plume of dust and the pounding of hoofbeats.
"Don't worry, Ayu. He'll be back." Alistair laid his hand comfortingly on his friend's shoulder.
"There's unrest breaking out in Kirkwall, isn't there?" Ayu asked, almost to herself.
"Yes, between the Crows and the qunari, Hawke has their hands full."
"The qunari? Our Sten is not involved is he?"
"No. I don't think so anyway." Alistair shook his head. "I've been getting reports from the area. Something bad is going to happen."
Ayu pursed her lips in resolve. "If it gets any worse," she looked up at Alistair, "then I'm going."