The twittering of a bird overhead wakes Ana from her slumber. Groaning, she turns and buries her face in her lover's chest. "Damn birds." She mutters. Gilmore's arm holds her close and she smiles. Opening one eye, she looks up at him and sees his eyes still closed.
Shifting slightly, she presses a kiss to his chest. He takes a deep breath and his eyes flutter open. Looking down at her, he smiles. "Good morning, wife."
"Husband." She chuckles. Shifting onto her elbow, she lifts and presses her lips against his. "The first of many nights together."
He moves his hand, reaching up under her nightshirt and running his hand down her bare back. "I look forward to it." He grins. "Everything about this, right now, just feels... right."
As the light outside the tent brightened, they laid together enjoying the feeling of their bodies, still sensitive from just waking up, intertwined together. Ana lets out a content sigh as she rests her head on his shoulder. Her hand sits on his chest with his thumb tracing comforting circles into the back of her hand.
"What are you thinking?" Roderick mutters, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
"I'm thinking about how I want to stay here, just like this in this moment with you, forever." She says. Immediately as she says that, her stomach growls and he chuckles.
"Perhaps we should get up so you can feed that growling belly of yours, my sweet."
"No." She frowns.
He kisses her forehead. "I must insist. Perhaps on the way we can check on Much."
"I also need to go see Hawke and check in with Duncan." She sighs. She glances up at him. "Hawke wanted to check on my injuries."
"That's a good idea." He frowns. "I was worried that you kept wincing during our time together last night."
She shrugs. "It couldn't be helped. Even being sore wouldn't stop me from consummating my marriage." She grins and he chuckles.
After a couple attempts, Roderick finally convinces Ana to get up. They get dressed and once more exit the tent. The chill in the morning air makes Ana shiver and she pulls her cloak closer. Along with a couple other soldiers who shuffle blurry eyed out of their tents, Ana and Roderick start back into the heart of the main encampment. Nearing Duncan's tent, Roderick slows. "Perhaps you should check in with Duncan first?" He suggests. Ana continues walking, shaking her head.
"Not until I know that Much is alright." She says. "Regardless of my father's promise, Much is my first priority."
They reach the hound pens. Some of the dogs are up and barking as people walk by doing their morning duties while a few others either lounge in their pens quietly or continue to sleep. Walking up to Much's pen, Ana frowns as she sees him lying down with his head resting on his paws.
"My poor boy." Ana mutters. Hearing his mistress's voice, he lifts his head with a whine. Unhooking the gate, she ignores Roderick's warning as she comes to sit beside Much. She wraps her arms around his neck and sobs. "I'm so sorry, Much." She sniffs. "I shouldn't have provoked them. If I had just kept my mouth shut…" She trails off as she begins to sob once more. She pulls away slightly and wipes her eyes with the back of her sleeve as he whimpers. "Don't worry, boy." She says as she pets him. "I'm right here."
Lifting his head, he sniffs her and licks her cheek, making her giggle. "Thank you, Much."
Watching Ana with her hound, Roderick smiles. "He's a tough one." He comments. "A complete fruitcake sometimes but so loyal and brave."
Ana looks up at him with a smile. Her stomach growls once more and she feels an overwhelming wave of nausea fall over her. Holding out his hand, Roderick motions with his chin. "Come, my love. Let's let him rest while we eat."
Ana's smile falls as she once more hugs Much, stroking him behind the ears. She plants a kiss on his head. "I'll be right back, Much." She whispers. "I'll even bring you some scaps."
He gives a low bark and she kisses his head once more before rising. As she exited the pen, Much gives a small whine that tugs at Ana's heart as she's ushered away.
"He'll be fine." Roderick says, rubbing her shoulder reassuringly.
"I know." Ana frowns, grabbing his hand. She looks up at him. "I just hate that this all happened." Roderick's brows furrow as she turns and leads him in the opposite direction of the mess tents.
"Ana, where are we going? The mess tent is the other way."
"I know but I still have some things to do."
Heading back to Hawke's campsite, Ana clings to Roderick's side as her eyes sweep the surrounding areas. "This is where it happened, isn't it?" He mutters, holding her close. She nods. As they approach, the camp is empty save Carver who sits beside the campfire, whittling a stick with his knife. It takes him a moment before he notices them.
Hearing a twig snap, his head snaps up and his eyes widen at the sight of them. Dropping the stick, he quickly sheathes his dagger and rises.
"My Lady." He greets with a clumsy bow. "Ser."
Ana looks around impatiently. "Where's Nate?"
Carver straightens, his heart racing as he swallows. "H-he's out….on patrol."
"When will he be back?"
Carver glances at Roderick before shrugging. "I don't know. Later I suppose." He frowns. "How are you feeling? You're certainly looking better."
"Fine." She snips, turning away. "Tell Nate I'm looking for him."
As she begins to walk away, Roderick stays. Her brows furrow.
"What are you waiting for? Let's go."
"I'm sure there's something you need to say to Carver first, my love."
"Like?"
Roderick sighs. "Much?"
She shoots him a glare but turns back around. "Carver."
His eyes widen as she addresses him. He glances over at Roderick who smiles. "Um...yes, My M'lady?"
"I just wanted to say… thank you. I know you were the one who brought Much to the Kennel Master after your brother healed him. I... appreciate it." She pauses, unable to look at him. "Much means a lot to me."
Even though she doesn't see it, he smiles. "You're very welcome. It was the least I could do."
She stiffly nods. After saying their goodbyes, Ana and Roderick start heading back to check in with Duncan. Releasing her hand, Roderick wraps an arm around Ana's shoulders and presses a kiss to her temple. "I'm proud of you." He mutters.
"That was embarrassing." She sneers, looking up at him. "I love you Rory but, husband or not, don't ever embarrass me like that again."
Stopping, he sighs. "Ana, I didn't do it to embarass you."
"Could have fooled me."
He frowns. "Darling, you need to start treating people who help you better. I know right now you're not very trusting given what happened but Nate and his brother have proved to be friends. You'll need them."
Her brows furrow. "Why? I have you." She frowns. "Don't tell me you're going to forsake me."
Stepping forward, he takes her face in his hands, tilting her head so their gazes meet. "Never." He whispers. "But I am just one man. Over time, we'll need allies once Howe realizes that you and Fergus managed to escape. This isn't the castle, Ana. There are no fortified walls to hide behind."
He watched as the fear that she had managed to keep hidden showed in her eyes. "I know., Rory." She says, keeping her voice low. "I'm just so scared."
Leaning in he presses a kiss to her forehead before pulling her into an embrace. "I know, Love." He mutters into her hair. "You'll survive this. Trust me. I'll be right by your side."
"No, no, no!" Howe exclaims as the decorator places the large tapestry of the Howe's crest in the great hall. "Are you blind? I told you to put it in the center just like the other one was!" Placing his hands on his hips, he shakes his head.
He was happy that the castle was slowly looking less and less like the home of his former rival. At first he liked the idea of being surrounded by Bryce Cousland's former furnishings, relishing in the idea that now it was finally all his. Yet after a while, he could practically feel the eyes of Cousland ancestors burning into him from their golden frames. Regardless of spending years here as Bryce's steward, he felt like nothing but an unwelcome guest. Immediately, he sent for his wife's former favorite designer and furnishings from Amaranthine. He ordered the century old portraits, tapestries and books to be burned and replaced with his own.
"Sir!" A servant says, rushing over to him.
"What is it?" Howe asks irritably, not looking away. "I'm a bit busy."
"Forgive me, Sir. A letter has arrived for you."
He turns his gaze on the lad, looking down his nose with his piercing stare. "From whom?"
The lad's gaze drops to the floor. "I believe it's from your son, Nathaniel, My Lord."
"I'm 'Your Lordship' now." He snaps. "As Teyrn, you should address me correctly." He snatches the letter from the man and breaks the seal. "I imagine he's writing to beg me to allow him back to Ferelden. No matter how many times I tell him that sending him to the Free Marches to squire for the reputable Ser Rodolphe was for his own good, he writes to complain about how hard everything is." He stops as his eyes skim the letter before his brows raise. "Hm." He mutters. "It seems he's finally settling in and has even won a tournament."
The servant shifts uneasily before Howe finally glances up. "Fetch my scribe. We still have work to do."
The servant bows and quickly scurries out the great hall.