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Chapter 4: Traveling to Redcliffe

It was the same dream he had since he left his home. He was running through the castle slowly. He saw Howe's men killing Oren, Oriana, and Ser Gilmore but he can't stop to go help; all he could do is run forward. He reached to the door that lead into the larder, but this time when he barged through, in front of him was the same dragon he saw after the Joining.

Malcolm jolted up from his sleep, and went for his sword. But instead of being on his back, it was on the ground next to him. He could hear his heart pounding in his chest, so he took deep breaths and help them for a few seconds then let them out. As he did that, Alistair walked over to him. "Bad dreams?"

"It felt so real."

"Well, it is real, sort of. You see, that dream was the taint in you reaching out to the archdemon. The dragon looking thing, it 'talks' to the horde, through the taint. Some of the older Wardens say they could understand the archdemon. But that is how we know this is a Blight."

"I… see. Kind of. Thanks."

"That's what I'm here for. To deliver unpleasant news and witty one-liners. Anyway, you're up now, so we better figure out where we should go first."

"Ok. Have Sten, Leliana, and Morrigan keep watch, while you and Halia start packing the camp up." As Alistair went to do that, Malcolm got up to get some water to put out the fire. When he got to the river he saw that it led to somewhere. He followed the river to a small pond, but there was someone in it. On closer inspection, he found Leliana taking a bath.

She was humming a little tune that reminded Malcolm of the lullaby that his mother used to sing to him when he was little. He was pulled into a memory that made him forget where he was and started to hum with her. Her short scream brought him back to the present. He brought up his helmet, that he was going to use as a bucket, to both cover his eyes and his cheeks.

"I...I…I'm sorry! I…I didn't mean to… I…I'll just…just go now." He ran away. He made a short stop to fill his helmet with water for the fire. When he got back, it looks like no one noticed the scream. He quickly went to fire and put it out. After he poured the water out, he used some cloth to dry off the inside of his helmet. After that, Malcolm helped Alistair with a tent.

"Hey, Malcolm."

"Yeah?"

"What happened in the tavern? Why did you go off on Leliana?"

"It's personal."

"Okay. One more question. Did you hear what sounded like a scream earlier?"

'Shit. Okay think,' Malcolm thought. "Wait, that was a scream? I thought it was an animal."

"Yeah it might have been. Well, thanks for humoring me."

"No problem."

A few minutes after camp was taken down, Sten, Morrigan, and Goliath kept watch as the other three gathered around Alistair, who unfolded a map. "So," Alistair said, "we have four locations we can go. We can go east into the forest," he points at the forest on map, "where we can hopefully run into a Dalish tribe."

Halia speaks up, "If we do go that way, I could take point, as you humans say, and help get their support, since I am a Dalish, I have the best chance."

Alistair continued, "We could also head to Redcliffe," he points to it on the map, "I know the arl and I know he could help us. Both with the Blight and Loghain."

Leliana points at Orzammar on the map, "And if we go to Orzammar, we can get the dwarfs to help. Plus," she points to a spot on the map between Redcliffe and Orzammar, "I heard that there's a merchant in this area with something special, but I don't know what."

It was Malcolm's turn. "There's also the Circle of Magi," he points to the tower, where the mages are held, "and we just might need their powerful magic for offense, defense, and support."

Alistair turns to Malcolm. "So where do you think we should go?"

"Why are you leaving it to me?"

"Well, the three of us talked about you, and we all agree that you should be the leader. You just have the feel of a natural born leader."

Malcolm looked at Halia and Leliana. "You both think so?" They both nod. "Well then. I think we should head to Redcliffe. Let's move out." They got up and headed off.

While they were walking to Redcliffe, Sten walked up to Malcolm. "The Blight. How will you end it?"

Malcolm looked at him. "We need to find and kill the archdemon."

"But it's surrounded by an army of darkspawn."

"That's why we going to build an army."

"Smart."

"So, why are you here, Sten?"

"To answer the question."

"What was the question?"

"The arishok asked, 'What is the Blight?' By his curiosity, I am here now."

"What's an arishok?"

"The one who commands the antaam-the body of the qunari."

"So he is like your king?"

"No. More like a general."

"Okay. Did you find the answer to his question?"

"A portion of it."

"Don't you have to report back, then?"

"Yes."

"When are you going to?"

"Never. I cannot go home."

"Why not?"

"It's personal."

"I understand. You can stay with us in the meantime."

"…Thank you." Sten falls back in line.

Leliana catches up to Malcolm. "What was that about?"

"Sten just wanted to know how we will end the Blight. Hey, about earlier."

"Yeah?"

"I didn't mean to…you know…"

"Don't worry. You just startled me. But how did you know that song?"

"My…mother used to sing that lullaby to me when I was young…" Malcolm lowers his head.

"You miss her, don't you?"

"Yeah."

"Don't worry. After we beat the Blight, you can go see her again."

Malcolm couldn't help but smile, but he knew that he could only see her when he's dead. "Yeah. Thanks."

"Hey it's no problem." Malcolm turns his head to her, smiling. She smiles back. "What are we going to do when we get to Redcliffe?"

"Well we are going to have to get some mules or something to carry our stuff. Then we need to see Arl Eamon."

"Speaking about that, I noticed that you didn't sleep in a tent last night."

"Yeah, well, you needed it more."

"And what does that mean?"

"It means that, I don't need a tent," he lied.

"Hmm." It seems that Leliana doesn't believe him. They spent the rest of the day in silence.

Later at night. Malcolm and Halia walked over to Alistair. Halia spoke up. "Hey, Alistair?"

Alistair looked over to her. "Yes?"

"We wanted to know, what physical changes do Wardens go through?"

"You know, I asked Duncan this once, and all he said was, 'You'll see.' It's not that Duncan wanted to keep it a secret, it's just not that pleasant to talk about. First thing I noticed was an increase of appetite. And before you say anything, both of you eat savagely already. Then were the nightmares. Like I said earlier, it's the taint tapping into, like a hive-mind. Some are more sensitive than others. Everyone ends up the same, though. When you reached a certain age, then the real nightmares begin, and that's when a Warden knows his time has come."

Malcolm was confused. "Wait, what do you mean by that?"

"Oh… right. Sorry, I forgot. Well, Wardens never die from old age. After becoming a Grey Warden, you get thirty years to live, give or take. The taint, it's a death sentence. Eventually, your body won't be able to take it. Most Wardens go to Orzammar and die in battle rather than… waiting. It's tradition. Duncan told me, privately, that he started to get the dreams. It was almost time for him." Alistair looked at the ground.

Malcolm replied, "I'm sorry, Alistair."

"Yeah."

"I'll take watch now. You two go to bed." They went and left Malcolm alone.

A few minutes later, Leliana walked up and sat beside him. "Hey."

"Hey."

"I lied before. About why I came to Ferelden. I was a bard, and my mentor, Marjolaine, framed me. There were these documents, stating that she had betrayed Orlais. I took it to her, and she said that they were going to be destroyed. But instead, the guards captured me and showed those same documents, altered to say I was the traitor. I was imprisoned but I escaped and fled to Lothering. There, no more secrets between us."

"I know how it feels to be betrayed by the person you trust with your life." He turned to face her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you for trusting me." He stared into her eyes, and she into his. He moved his hand to her head as they slowly got close to each other, until they were inches apart.

(Clears throat) They quickly broke up and turned to see Alistair and Halia. "I hope we're not interrupting something."

Malcolm looked at Leliana, who was blushing, then quickly to Alistair. "No, no, no. You aren't interrupting anything." Malcolm clears his throat. "What's up?"

"It's our turn to keep watch."

"Of course." He got up and helped Leliana up. Then they walked away and Leliana went into a tent, while Malcolm just laid on the ground.

Halia turned to Alistair. "Do you want to talk about Duncan?"

"You don't have to do that. I know you didn't know him as long as I did."

"He was like a father to you, wasn't he?"

"I… should have handled it better. Duncan warned me right from the beginning that this could happen. Any of us could die in battle. I shouldn't have lost it, not when so much is riding on us, not with the Blight and… and everything. I'm sorry."

"I know what it's like, to lose someone so dear to me."

"I didn't know. Who was it?"

"Not long ago, I lost my fiancé, Tamlen." She fidgets with her Dalish promise ring.

"What happened?"

"We found this mirror. It was corrupted, and it tainted us." Tears start to show up. "Malcolm and Duncan found me but not Tamlen. Duncan saved both mine and Malcolm's lives." She starts crying, and Alistair hugs her. After a few minutes, Halia has cried herself to sleep.

The next day. It seemed like a peaceful day. Malcolm was leading the group to Redcliffe. Halia caught up to him. They were talking more about what they will do when they get to Redcliffe.

"Well when you and Alistair," Halia says, "go talk to this Eamon, I'll stay…" she suddenly becomes silent.

"What's wrong?"

Halia was looking around but was making it look like she wasn't. "I have the feeling we are being watched." Malcolm was about to stop. "No. Keep walking. Make it seem like nothing's wrong. When we make camp, I'll stealthily look around see if I can find something to prove that we're being followed."

Malcolm looks at the sky. "We'll break for camp soon." She nods. "Do you want to tell the others?"

"No. Anyone of them could tip the people off in any number of ways."

"At least tell Leliana and Sten. Leliana was a bard, a spy, and Sten… I don't think it will change his behavior."

"Agreed." She slows down to tell Leliana and Sten.

An hour later. Malcolm looks at the sky again. He turns to the group. "It's time to set up camp." They find a clearing. Halia went for food, Sten and Goliath kept watch, Morrigan made her own camp, Alistair went for firewood, and Malcolm and Leliana set up camp. While Malcolm and Leliana was putting up a tent, Malcolm talked to Leliana. "Did Halia tell you?"

"That we're being watched and followed? Yeah."

"Could you see anything?"

"No. Whoever it is, is good."

"We need to be careful, then." As they went to put another tent up, Malcolm asked, "About last night?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

His heart wanted him to say something about the almost-kiss, but instead he said, "Thank you again, for telling me. I appreciate it."

Leliana relied, grateful that she's on the other side of the tent, "Th-Thank you for listening." Her cheeks are a bit warm.

A few hours later, it was Malcolm's and Leliana's shift. This time, they were talking about a story about the stars. Leliana tells him, "I have to wonder at times. Does such a love exist? Can it exist?"

Malcolm, without thinking, says, "If we lose hope in love, then we are truly lost."

"I never expected you to say that. It is… a pleasant surprise." Now Malcolm relies what he said.

"Don't tell anyone I said that, please."

She giggles. "Of course not. It will be our secret." Malcolm sighs in relief. "I have to say there is a certain severity to you. Finding a person behind all that is nice. Maybe you should let your softer side show more often. Sometimes following you heart, not your head, leads you to remarkable places."

Malcolm sighs and looks at the floor. "My heart." He scoffs. "My heart is broken. It's why I yelled at you in the tavern. My head would not have done that. My heart has led me to anger and grief and it will continue to do so. So, I need to lead with my head."

Leliana is surprised. "What happened? What happened to you?"

"I… I… can't say."

"Why?"

"It's painful." He looks at her, tears starting to build up. "It's not that I don't trust you, it's just too painful to talk about. I try not to bring it up as much as I can, because I keep reliving it when I sleep." As tears start to fall, Leliana scoots over and hugs him. He hugs back. "Thank you for understanding." She stops hugging but doesn't move. "Leliana?" He pulls back and sees that she fell asleep. He grabs his old shield and lays her down with her head on the shield.

He sees Halia walking up to him. "She fell asleep?"

"Yeah." She stares at him thinking about something. "What?"

"Oh, nothing."

"What are you thinking about?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Just thinking about you two. About how you yelled at her, back in Lothering, and now you two are always on the same shift. I think you have a crush on her," she says, smiling.

Malcolm turns his head, while trying not to blush. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Huh, sure you don't."

"Don't you have something to do, other than bothering me?"

"Nope, I already did it." She walks over and kneels next to him. "I searched around as best as I could. I didn't find anyone, but I did find some footprints. I couldn't tell how many, but there is a group of humans, but…"

"But?"

"…There's also at least one elf."

"Hmmm… That's strange. What do you think? Have they realized that we're onto them?"

"I can't tell. But whoever they are, they're professionals. I had to really look to find the tracks. I think we're being followed by assassins. If so, then we need to be ready for an ambush."

"Agreed. Tell Sten. When Leliana wakes, I'll tell her." Halia stands and walks away. Malcolm looks at Leliana and sees that she's shivering a bit. He gets up and grabs a blanket. He gets back and puts it over her. As she stops, he continues to watch her. Halia wasn't wrong. He does have feelings for her. Then he remembers someone else who he had feelings for, and looked away.

Hey guys. I know I said I would leave it to you to say where they go, but it only works if at least three people vote. So after the group completes the search for the Sacred Ashes, and heals Eamon that is you input will be decided. So right know the group will go, in this order, Redcliffe, Circle, Redcliffe, Denerim, Lake, Denerim, Haven, Temple, then Redcliffe. Please vote so I can have your input. I would like this to be our story, 'my' characters but your destination choices.