Chapter Eleven
Dalish
I had woken up the next morning to find Alistair curled around me. Neither of us spoke a word about it – but he moved his things into the room and we pretended it was always that way.
Arthur had left early the next morning, but returned each night for a real bed. It took him 4 days at top speed to get to Denerim and another week to get everything there in order. He finished that the same day we got to the Dalish encampment.
Lyna – of course – was leading us today since these were her people; but all of us were out in the open.
As we walked, Aedan said, "Hey – is your room sound-proofed or something?"
"Yes – they all are… why?" I asked.
"Well, we all heard you with Cailan," I was horrified, "But we haven't heard you and Alistair…"
I whirled, "Cailan Theirin!"
Cailan raised his hands in surrender, "I guess the door didn't close all the way?"
"Don't even try that with me! I can see the guilt in your eyes. Why?"
"… Trying to get my brother to pull his head from his ass before he lost you," Cailan sighed, "It was my hope that he would get jealous enough to challenge me to a duel if I got rough so he could show you… his intent. But you… ahem, you enjoyed what we did far more than I expected."
"… You would have had to try a lot harder than that to be the worst or roughest lover I've ever taken to bed. Solona did worse," I quipped.
Solona nodded, "I just figured you like your men a little weaker…"
"Beside the point – my love life is my business. You had no right to do that. I feel… I think I feel a little violated, actually. That everyone heard that… that's what I get for faking an orgasm with you," I shook my head.
"Wait – what?" Cailan looked affronted.
Solona stepped in again, "Yeah – I wasn't going to say anything, but I knew she had to have been faking with one of us… sounds were too different. And I knew it wasn't me – circle towers are places to cultivate debauchery. I am likely more skilled than you are."
I groaned, "Fucking A…"
Alistair was red but I could see the slightly smug look in his eye as he glanced toward Cailan.
"What if Alistair doesn't live up to it?" Cailan pouted.
"Actually, him being a virgin is perfect for me. No need to un-teach him all the bad habits of previous lovers. I can teach him what I like and not worry about him slipping into past habits… like you did." I smiled sweetly.
Aedan choked, "Okay – were changing the subject now. How far to the Dalish camp, do you think?"
"No – I want to get this out of the way. Cailan, you were good – but you just couldn't… handle me. Your brother won't disappoint – if only because it'll be easier to teach him. Oh – and the whole promised pleasure thing. It won't even be possible for him to not get me off. That's a benefit to being mates."
"… I agree with Aedan – how long to the camp?" Cailan asked.
Alistair looked pleased; but so embarrassed that he couldn't speak yet.
We were almost there when Cailan spoke again, "… Did you really fake it?"
Oh my Storms – he was feeling insecure? I took mercy, "Yes – but there was a reason I couldn't that had nothing to do with you. You were actually really good. But you weren't my mate and I'd met one by that point. It wasn't physically possible for you to… aid me."
"… So Hawke couldn't either?" he flushed.
"Hawke and I just snuggled. He just played like we did because he was trying to get Alistair to make a move too. He's actually a romantic and when he learned that I didn't hold enough attraction for him to possibly be my mate, we only snuggled." I confessed.
Alistair seemed to relax at my words.
"Well – what a horrible fate. You can't get any pleasure without your mates?" Cailan looked horrified.
I shrugged, "I can enjoy it – but I'm not going to get anywhere."
"What is he purpose of females 'getting off'?" Sten asked. I stumbled, "Are you joking? For one thing, it's simply fair play. For another, it can aid in fertility."
"Explain – how does it aid in fertility?" Sten asked.
"Are we really… talking about this?" I heard Lyna ask.
I answered Sten, "So when a woman gets off, the vaginal wall contract. If the male has already gotten off or does so at the same time, then this moves the seamen deeper into the uterus – where the eggs are if the woman is ovulating – thus allowing greater possibility of conception. It increases the possibility of a child at the right time by a lot."
"… I will be telling this to the Qun."
"Tell them it's why humans populate so quickly too. When it's enjoyable, people do it more and have greater chances." I quipped.
He nodded, "I will do so."
"Halt – you will… ah, sister; Aneth Ara. You've come a long way; I give you the welcome of my clan. These are curious companions you have – might I ask the purpose of your visit?" a woman called out.
She was about 2 inches taller than me with short brown hair that went down to her chin, tan skin, and blue eyes. Her armor was the same as a Dalish from the game, with her midriff exposed.
I smiled. Lyna spoke, "Sure, sister; I'm following the blue-haired princess there. She saved my life twice; I owe her a life debt twice-over. She follows that one – due to her peoples' unique customs. And he is a grey warden here to use the treaties to recruit the Dalish. In all, everyone but her, her, her and him are Grey Wardens in this group."
Me, Leliana, Morrigan, and Sten were the ones that she motioned to at the end.
She looked startled and replied, "The Wardens? You have joined their order…? How unusual. Forgive my surprise; I will take you all to the keeper at once." she led us to the Keeper anyway. He was about 5 foot 7, bald, and had grey eyes.
"Ah, Mithra… I see you've brought guests – and one of our own among them." But then his eyes landed on me, and they widened, "Ah… hello. I know you."
"That's a change – how?" I asked.
"A mutual friend." He said.
I groaned, "Don't tell me – black hair with gold eyes?"
"… Yes. He stopped by here on his way to Denerim. He said you would come. He was an interesting man. He said he was in a rush, but that you would help with our… problem?"
"I'm surprised you let him in," I sighed, "Arthur looks…"
"Like a very tall human? Indeed – but his abilities were remarkable. And he gave us quite a bit of Ironbark just to speak with me for a moment before he was on his way again." Zathrian looked amused.
I nodded, "Right – heading into the werewolf infested forest and confronting the werewolf leader it is then. But you do know that…?"
"He said as much. Convinced me… you clear the way and I will follow," the old keeper sighed, "I have lived too long. I have made my preparations by now."
I blinked and walked away with the excuse of needing to make preparations ourselves.
I then called Arthur. He answered almost at once, "My beloved little sister?"
"Yeah – what did you say to Zathrian?"
"Ah – so, I played the game in its entirety and read through the books completely too. I took a chance and greeted him as one of the followers of Solas. It worked – he is a follower. So I told him that you were an agent too – an Agent of Fen'Harel. The dread wolf. I'll show you when I meet up tonight."
"It's been 2 weeks since I brought you to Thedas!" I argued.
"Took me only a few hours to complete Origins, another few for DA2 and… a lot more for Inquisition. I read the books while I worked. You know how good I am at multi-tasking. Besides – this helps you. Zathrian is spreading it around that we're agents – one of us is bound to be contacted by Felassan or Solas himself. And being part of this is something we may need by the end of the Inquisition game. Believe me."
"I do – I just… thought it would take longer for you to get through those games…" I admitted.
"The first two are rather quick to play – even as a completionist. I also played the DLC. Leliana is hardcore sis – don't let her fool you, she's a former assassin-slash-spy. Bard is what they call it. But she's good – she's sweet. You can trust her. Play Lelianas' Song – the DLC in Origin. The other DLC takes place in the future. I know you already investigated the Darkspawn one. But the third game takes almost 100 hours to do even with mods making the war missions go faster. And let me tell you – if you're going to the winter ball in that time, I'm dressing you. You are not wearing some fancy uniform."
I blinked, "That sounds dreadful."
"It is – red suits that cover everything from the neck down. Everything. You will have at least your mate Cullen with you there. I can't allow you to look like a potato sack! Anyway. Just saying – as far as the agents of Fen'Harel know, we stand with them."
"Well – it won't be too difficult. Widow was still my mom, and from what I know, the agents are trying to support elves." I spoke of my dads' elven mate. She had died, but…
"And my moms' sister is an elf – and she was one of the few that cared about me. Her, mom and you."
"And look how that turned out. You worship me like I'm some kind of goddess," I quipped.
"Aren't you?" he asked in what sounded like genuine surprise – I knew it wasn't, "Lonnie, you are a goddess to me – a goddess that kept me sane. Aunt Syvis was ruling her own kingdom, mom was busy with the clan… I had no one around me that was constant. Until you sought me out. You know that Lady Pearl only allowed me around because it was clear that I worshiped you. She knew I would never harm you; you were everything to me."
"I am everything to you – still. Though… you need to get a girlfriend – or a guy friend. Whatever floats you." I frowned.
He chuckled, "I have a few thoughts on that. Vampires do not have mates like you Jinn do, so it's up to me to find one. There's this Elf in the second game… he's just my type."
I smiled, "Well, good – then I won't push until that time comes."
"Oh – Loghain is calling me. It's time for me to officially meet the Queen. I'll see you later." And he hung up.
Aedan asked, "Okay – so what do we need to do before heading into the wolf-infested forest?"
They'd all heard that conversation.
Lyna looked as though she planned to talk to me at length about it and I didn't blame her. From what I knew, Fen'Harel was to the Dalish as lucifer had been to the Christian humans on earth.
"Someone needs to check supplies with the clan craft-master – see what we need and if he needs anything in turn. I read that there's a sick Halla – but the Halla isn't sick, her mate is. Someone needs to tell the herder that…"
I wanted to help Cammen get with his girl… but I didn't want to just give him the pelt. I bit my lip and called out to the forest – this was a selfish whim that hadn't been asked of me. I wanted the two to be together.
A wolf burst through the tree line and I magically directed it at Cammen. I saw several hunters draw bows and my own people moved to stop it until I held up a hand. The Dalish shot arrows – but with my aid, the wolf dodged them all as it went for Cammen.
Sten was watching me calculatingly. Cammen exclaimed in shock as the wolf lunged. He held out his dagger and slashed clumsily – he was rather lucky, I thought. He managed to slash at just the right time to slit the wolves neck.
I snorted softly, "This kid is blessed with luck."
Sten spoke – equally as soft as he leaned down to my ear, "Why did you make him kill a wolf?"
"He wants to be a hunter – and he wants that red haired girl over there. He can only be with her if he becomes a hunter. He needs to kill and skin a wolf or bear on his own. I wanted to help him."
"What is the purpose? If he cannot do so on his own, then he…"
I cut him off, "That's why I didn't just give him a pelt, Sten. This boy will be aiding us in the war against the Darkspawn – I needed to see if he was up to it. He got lucky – and luck can be just as powerful as skill at times. He didn't freeze up – that's a good start. He'll receive extra training as a part of the preparations to aid us now that he's a full hunter. That's one more unit to fight for us. Another body between us and certain failure."
Sten straightened up, "I see. You are not as naive as I believed. Very well."
I had said it that way knowing that he would accept it.
I looked over. The others were gaping at me – they hadn't heard me or Sten, but they'd seen Sten talk to me and they'd noticed my involvement in the wolf spectacle.
Alistair shook his head, "Why did you attack that kid?"
"The wolf wouldn't have killed him; but he needed to become a hunter. He couldn't do that with Zathrian ordering everyone to stay in camp." Was all I said.
Lyna sighed, "He can't be a hunter without presenting the pelt of an animal he killed and skinned himself. So you presented the opportunity. What if the boy had frozen, Lethallan?"
I almost stilled at how she called me – a friend, "The wolf would have 'stumbled' on the fall, giving him a chance to gather himself. If he failed passed that, I would have stepped in and 'tamed' the wolf."
"So you did have a plan for if he failed?" Faren asked.
"A test is a test – I wouldn't have killed him just for that." I shrugged.
Aedan coughed, "Lyna, you handle the craft-master. Sereda, the Halla-Herder. Anything else, Ava?"
"…No." I said after a moment of thought.
All but Alistair wondered off to do whatever – my mate cleared his throat and passed me a rose, "Here, do you know what this is?"
I blinked as I looked down at the pretty red rose, "… Is it… your new weapon of choice?" I couldn't help the quip. I mean, it was quite obviously a flower – what else could it be?
He chuckled, "Yes, that's right – watch as I thrash our enemies with the mighty power of floral arrangements! Feel my thorns, darkspawn. I will overpower you with my rosy scent!" he coughed and cleared his throat, "Or… you know… it could just be a rose. I know – pretty dull in comparison."
I blinked, "Well, you've been thumbing this flower for weeks now – you keep it hidden in the room, right?"
He flushed, "I picked it in Lothering. I just… remember thinking 'how can something so beautiful exist in a place with so much despair and ugliness?' I probably should have left it alone, - at least I wouldn't have had to bribe Morrigan to put a preserving spell on it – but I couldn't. The darkspawn would come their taint would just destroy it. I've… had it since then."
"That's a beautiful thing to think of." I smiled softly as I pulled the rose up to inhale.
"I thought I might… ahem… I thought I might give it to you. In a lot of ways, I think the same whing when I look at you." He was bright red.
I think I matched him then, "O-oh? Thank you."
"I was just thinking – here I am doing all this complaining and you certainly haven't had a good time of it – thinking… you were going to die and all… because I couldn't form a proper thought with you. I just thought… maybe I could say something – tell you what a rare and wonderful thing you are to find amidst all this darkness. I mean – I guess it was just a stupid impulse. I don't know… was it… the wrong one?" he looked so insecure.
I placed the flower in my hair and reached up to caress his cheek, "No – no, it wasn't. I love it, Alistair."
"I'm glad you like it. Now… if we could move past the awkward and embarrassing stage and skip right to the steamy bits, I'd appreciate it."
I was floored, "Oh? well, I mean – we are married…" I had a small smile on my lips.
He laughed nervously, "Bluff called. Damn – saw right through me."
I gave a pout, "Aw – I had hoped… but if you aren't ready then I suppose we can continue to be awkward and embarrassed a while longer."
He cleared his throat, "It's not that I don't want to… it's just…"
"You don't have to explain, Alistair. You never need a reason to not… do that. Wanting to or not isn't the issue here. If you aren't ready, fine. If you are and just don't want to, fine. Even if you and I never got to that point… just knowing you care for me? That makes everything worth it. Knowing that I was wrong – I couldn't be happier." I smiled up at him.
He looked somewhat amazed, "What…? Really?"
I nodded, "Take your time – even if it takes forever, I'll wait. Chaste marriage is still marriage."
He bit his lip, "On… that note… about Cullen."
I felt my heart shudder, "Yes?"
"I won't stop you – from being with him, I mean. I actually fell in love with him a while back – but… I mean, he and I never… talked about that. I think I just didn't want to ruin our friendship and I don't know that he was ever interested in me past curiosity and… well. My point is – I won't stop you from pursuing him. I don't think I could ever be jealous of him when I love him too. I've known him since he was 13 and I was 14. He took his vows at 18 and I was recruited to the wardens at the same time – just a year after our… kiss…"
Relief washed over me, "You… really mean that?"
"I do – Cullen is… well, you'll see when you meet him. I think he'll like what you stocked his closet with – and his new office too."
I beamed, "Good – and thank you."
He hugged me, "Please… don't ever think I don't want you again."
I hugged him back… until we heard someone clearing their throat. I glanced and saw Cailan. He said, "You mean that you two haven't even made your marriage official yet?"
Alistair flushed and I said, "So what? Chaste marriages stay 'unofficial' but are no less recognized by your faith."
"… how did you know that?" Cailan asked.
"In the game, there's someone you can enter into a chaste marriage with. Second game. He's also a prince – leaving the brotherhood at the end of the second game to take up his families throne."
Alistair looked curious, "Really?"
"Uh-huh. He's been a brother for 9 years now. And will be for another 8 before heading out for that."
Cailan sighed, "Still – you're supposed to be working on an heir."
Right – my mother had declared him infertile; meaning that his reason for deposing Anora was invalid. He was the issue, so it fell to Alistair – who my mother declared completely healthy… other than the taint.
My mother had frowned when she sensed that within him and instantly checked everyone. She's been there to check Alistair to make sure she'd have grandbabies. Good news – Alistair was… very able. Mom had been over-the-moon.
"I can't have kids until I'm free, Cailan. Anything before that is just fun." I pointed out, "So there's no real point in rushing things."
Cailan tipped his head back, "Forgot."
I snorted before jumping with a yelp when another Fate-message appeared hovering before me. I reached out and took it.
"What's that?" Sten asked.
"A… remember the note Arthur handed me – from the Fates? They usually pick a messenger to deliver these – but they can do it this way too…"
I hesitantly opened it and went bright red before snapping it shut.
Pregnancy will come much sooner than freedom. I would have to be very careful when I began sleeping with Alistair – or… Cullen. Depending on when we got rid of Howe. From the first time I lay with either of my mates, I would have to use 'Divine Shield' while in battle – a layer of sunlight that deflected incoming projectiles. The downside was that it was very taxing to use… draining.
"What did it say?" Aedan asked as he approached – the whole camp was now watching us since my yelp and most of the group had returned to me.
"Nothing!" I shoved the note into my pocket and shook my head.
"… Real convincing," Faren drawled.
"It has nothing to do with you," I quipped with a pout, "And doesn't even affect me at the moment."
Alistair had seen over my shoulder and he was red too, "Do you know when…?"
"Not until close to the end of the Blight," I replied quickly – he was going to ask when Howe would be defeated.
"And how long…?" is the blight.
"… one year." I muttered softly.
"… Maker; so Cullen," he said firmly. I glanced at him in shock, "What?"
"Well, if that will happen that soon, then…" oh – he was saying that he was sure he wouldn't be ready.
"To be fair, it just says that will come sooner – it didn't say that I would already… you know… by then." I wouldn't give birth.
"But it says much sooner – so in my estimation… it should happen fairly soon, right? And I'm not…"
I could see the others were all confused. I hummed, "You may have a point – then the second would be…"
"One that stays for each?" Alistair asked with a small smile.
The first note from the fates – my first two children would remain human. One for each then.
"Apparently – though, isn't Cullen… the same in that regard?" just as shy?
"Maybe not – he was the bold one between us. It was him that initiated that night." Speaking of the kiss.
"Okay – either tell us what in the Fade you two are talking about or shut up; I'm getting a headache," Solona quipped.
Faren held up the note, "Got it – apparently… she can get pregnant before she gains her freedom."
I lunged – tackling the sneaky dwarf, "You ass!"
While the dwarf and I rolled around in the dirt, the others discussed pretty much why Alistair and I said what we had.
I managed to give the dwarf a black eye before Alistair and Cailan managed to get me off of him.
"Where I come from, it's illegal to read someone elses mail," I snipped.
"I think that if the fates wanted that to remain a secret, then they would have waited to give it to you," Faren quipped back.
I knew he was right – they wanted this news known – but that didn't lessen my anger, "And I think that you're asking me to bruise the other eye too!"
"You know – I thought she was pretty harmless before. She kinda just went with how things were going and didn't get involved if she didn't have to – seeing her like this; with the wolf and now with Faren… I think she's more like a sleeping lion than a kitten." Solona hummed.
"You didn't see her in the escape from Highever. I knew she was deadly. You've seen her fight – but you haven't seen her when she's emotionally invested in the fight. Oren being… hurt… meant that she showed no mercy. I almost – almost – pity Howe when we find him. I've stated that I want him dead – I wonder what she feels that means." Aedan mused.
"It means that I stick a long, sharp spear up his ass and watch him bleed to death," I snapped with my arms crossed, "I won't stick it far – just enough to rupture some delicate inner organs. Bleeding from his ass is a good way for him to die."
"… Lesson learned – don't piss off the genie." Alim said quietly.
Darrien was nodding sagely. Sten spoke, "Why torture?"
"The man offended me by trying to kill the kid in my house. That kid is mine now. At least until we find his father. It's on me to exact vengeance for his almost death. The first person to get between me and Howe dies a slower death than I have planned for him," I growled.
Sten inclined his head, "I was mistaken about you. I thought you were a woman."
"… I see – Qunari believe women cannot fight?" I asked.
"Correct."
"Then I am a man in your eyes." I stated.
He nodded.
"I see – and when I begin staying back from the fights due to pregnancy?"
"Then you will be a woman again." He said.
"… Simple enough." I shrugged.
"You're going to allow him to call you as a man?" Solona asked.
I gave an indifferent shrug, "Why not? There was a period of about 400 years where I went around as one since one of my masters hated women. I can look like one too if need be."
"I wish to observe this." Sten said.
I shook my head, "I can't – I have no desire to and my master or mate didn't wish for it so…"
He glanced at Alistair who shook his head, "I like how she looks now, thanks."
Aedan said, "I'm saving wish number two for if I need it."
Sten seemed to pout.
I coughed, "Are we ready to head into the creepy forest full of Werewolves?"
"Actually, no – it's too dark out to safely navigate."
"… I could pull a pixie in. Their wings are bioluminescent – meaning they glow in the dark…?" I asked.
"Nah – we'll sleep and get a fresh start in the morning," Solona said.
"Why do you want to go at night?" Aedan asked.
"… I'm trying to avoid all of you ribbing me and Alistair." I said honestly.
"…About having kids?" Aedan clarified.
"… Maybe…" I muttered.
He looked thoughtful and glanced at the others. I sighed, "Look – we're moving at our own pace; you all shouldn't try to interfere with that just because I received a 'prophecy'. I don't want things to be ruined just because you lot decide to tease us. First one with smart comments gets to camp rather than getting the luxury of a bed."
Alistair grinned at me, "You know – this is why I love you."
I beamed at that.
"So… no smart comments about your love life if we want to sleep in a real bed – got it." Faren held up his hands in surrender, "For clarification – is it just comments about the templar or can we rib Cailan about…?"
I leveled a warning glare at him, "All comments that pertain to my love life – meaning that if it involved me in any way, it counts."
Lyna – just getting back from the craft-master – said, "Hmm – I don't know that I want to know what's going on. Anyway – are we getting some sleep before we head out or are we going now?"
"… Sleep," Aedan said firmly, "So long as no one talks about Ava's love life, we can keep the beds, so sleep."
I took us all into the house – knowing that some of the Dalish Clan would be stunned.
