9:29 Cloudreach 15th
I took Eren's advice and packed away for at least a week's worth of supplies. It took me four days to get to Denerim but I didn't care. If Eren was going to be like that then fine. I'd rather not be around him. I sighed as I got my pack and got out of my carriage. Denerim was actually nice during the springtime. I went and explored a little bit. The streets didn't change much.
People didn't even notice a woman in armor with unusual weapons. I looked around the marketplace but everything was way overprice. I shook my head as I saw Orlesian nobles and Ferelden nobles duke it out with their money. Rich people. I went through the marketplace and, when a kid bumped into me, I twisted their arms as they tried to steal my change pouch. They ran away and I didn't care. It wasn't my job to track him down.
I took the backstreets and ended up back at Thomas' herb shop. It looked the same as always. I entered and the door rang. There was a line with Thomas putting herbs in small pouches and a very familiar red head talking his ear off.
"And I told him right? 'Lift with your legs, not your back.' He didn't listen to me and now he's been put in bed rest for even trying to…" As he talked to Thomas, his head turned toward the door. I lightly waved. Rael was speechless.
"Thank Andraste, you got him to shut up." Thomas huffed, filling in the pouch of the last customer. They left and Rael still haven't moved.
"I'm guessing I'm interr-" I started before Rael slammed me in a bear hug.
"Andraste's flames! You're here! You're really here!" Rael laughed. I hugged him back.
"Yes I'm really here." I laughed. Rael let me go and looked me up and down.
"Wow, look at you. You're so much tanner and fit! Is that armor custom fitted?" Rael asked.
"It is actually." I giggled. Rael hugged me again and sniffed my collar.
"Oh I missed you." Rael mumbled into my collar. I giggled because it tickled so much.
"If you two would stop rutting at my door, I would appreciate it." Thomas barked. Rael let me go, his face as red as his hair.
"We are not doing that!" He squeaked. I laughed. "Anyway, we shouldn't be inside. It's a great day!" Rael grabbed my hand and he took me out.
"Hey wait Rael, I haven't even gotten a place to stay!" I laughed. Rael stopped and rubbed his face sheepishly.
"Oh of course. I'm sorry. I'm just so excited you're back! You didn't even mention it in your letters." Rael breathed out.
"How could I when this was shoved in my face?" I grumbled, remembering how Eren just told me to leave. Rael gave me a smile and tugged at my hand.
"Come, you might as well tell me all about it." Rael said. I nodded. I followed him back to the marketplace and toward the Alienage. I stopped at the gate and I gave him a questioning glance.
"It's alright. As long as I tell them you're my friend. You'll be fine." Rael chuckled. I trusted him but that didn't mean I wasn't uneasy. I followed him down a bridge that was the only thing connecting the Alienage to the main city. It was a little sad actually. I kept close to Rael as I watched how a few group of elves stared at us, mostly at me, with hate.
"You a shem lover now Rael?" One of them mentioned.
"She's one of my friends so you'd best respect her." Rael flicked an obscene gesture and took my hand in his. I hugged my pack closer to me. We went into one of the nearest shack of the Alienage. Rael opened it wide and it smelled like someone was cooking.
"Dad, I'm home!" Rael announced.
"About time you dragged your ass back here. I was thinking that I might as well serve your portion to the dogs since you were so…late…" Another redhead came around the corner where the rooms were located. Rael shut the door and I was face to face with Shianni. She glared at me and looked at Rael. "Ok, what the shit?"
"Shianni mind your language." His father came in. He looked old with wrinkles all over his face but there was a fire in those eyes. "I think you need to introduce your friend."
"Did Rael bring someone for dinner, that's rare." Another one came in, another confused face. He slightly resembled Rael if paler and skinnier.
"Ok, remember how I told all of you of that friend that sent me money? Oh don't think that's all I think you are mind you ok?" Rael turned to me really quickly, "You're actually really important for me not a sort of endless money pouch ok?" Rael rambled and looked at me. I shook my head and smiled.
"Rael." His father said sternly.
"Oh right, this is Nia an employee of the Couslands of Highever." Rael said proudly.
"I thought she was an elf not a shem." Shianni crossed her arms and glared.
"Shianni, it doesn't matter. My name is Cyrion. This is my niece Shianni and my nephew Soris. It is an honor to finally meet you." Cyrion took out his hand and I gave him a firm handshake.
"Thank you so much." I breathed out. Rael put his arm around me and smiled proudly.
"Oh wipe that smile off your face. We don't have enough food for her." Shianni scoffed and started to set up the table.
"I actually brought my own food. I'm always well prepared." I laughed sheepishly. Shianni gave me an annoyed look before sitting down.
"Please excuse my cousin. We've had a few incidents in the Alienage because of humans. I know you aren't the same. Our lives have become much better with the money you've sent." Soris explained.
"Soris stop ogling her and come sit down." Shianni said. Soris got red before Rael laughed and shoved me near the dinner table. He gave me a stool to sit on as I took out some bread. Cyrion still gave me some of the soup that Soris was working on. It was a really good simple vegetable soup actually. Shianni wolfed hers down and excused herself as soon as she could, slamming the door as she went out.
"She really doesn't like me does she?" I sighed. Cyrion laughed.
"As my nephew said, we've had incidents." Cyrion rubbed his chin and his face looked older.
"We've had riots and we've lost some elves thanks to them. The more we push, the harder they push back. I keep trying to keep the peace but no matter what I do, no one listens to me." Rael sighed.
"It's not your fault Rael as it wasn't your fault that your mother died." Cyrion explained, putting his hand on Rael's shoulder to calm him down. Rael pouted. It was cute.
"I'm sorry I can't help more." I said sincerely.
"Don't worry yourself about it. All we can do is endure. It is all what our people have done for centuries. I'm sorry we don't have room for you." Cyrion said.
"Oh don't worry about that. I can just get an inn somewhere in Denerim." I said, waving him off.
"Rael, she is your guest." Cyrion nodded. Rael nodded furiously and he led me out. It was already sundown when we got out of the Alienage. Rael had a skip in his step. We crossed the bridge and got back into the marketplace.
"I have a cheap inn near the main gates. Much better than Gnawed Noble Tavern. They are extremely overpriced. Never go there." Rael shook his head. I chuckled.
"I'll take your word on that." I said. As we walked on, I heard a few other footsteps right behind ours. I stood closer to Rael until I was able to grab his arm. He looked down at me and I shook my head. "We're being followed. Know a good way to shake them?" I asked. Rael gave me a mischievous grin before grabbing my hand and taking off on a sprint. With my training, it was easy to follow his pace.
"Get them!" I heard someone shout behind us. We ran through alleys, jumped over fences, and then Rael stopped suddenly behind an abandoned house. He put a hand on my mouth and stilled his breathing. I heard the footsteps keep running until their echoes were gone. He took off his hand and I breathed out.
"Sorry about that." Rael leaned away. "I didn't mean to treat you so harshly." He apologized but I smiled and shook my head.
"I'm fine. Quick thinking but we should probably head out before they realize that they're not chasing us anymore." I said. Rael nodded and he quickly took me to the other inn. He was about to leave until I grabbed his shirt. "Nope, you're not going home. You'll get jumped if you go now." I said sternly.
"No, I'll be fine I swear." Rael chuckled sheepishly. I gave him a hard stare before dragging him in with me. I asked the proprietor and she told me 30 silvers for both of us. I put it down before getting the key and walking up the stairs. Rael looked at me and fidgeted with his clothes.
"Come on or I'm dragging you up here." I said sternly.
"Ah yes!" Rael came and followed me while I found the room and unlocked it. It was small but they had two separate single beds. There was the low candle light but since it was warm, I decided to not touch the fireplace. I sighed as I saw the armor stand. I took off my armor while Rael waited at the door. "Um I guess I should-"
"Head back out and I'll drag you back kicking and screaming." I looked at him as his hand was on the door. "I mean it." I glared. Rael nodded and sat down on a stool. I took off my hair tie, wrapping it around my wrist. My hair fell down in a cascade as it centered past my shoulders.
"You're hair has gotten long." Rael commented.
"Yeah." I sighed and ran my fingers through it. "I really need to cut it chin length or slightly longer. It's a pain taking care of long hair."
"I could cut it for you. I always do it for the kids in the Alienage." Rael suggested.
"Sure, but not now. If I cut it before going to sleep it's going to itch everywhere tomorrow." I said as I started to take off my armor. Rael stood up and looked in awe at it.
"Can I touch it?" He asked with wide eyes.
"Sure, it's a bit heavy." I said, grabbing a glove and handing it to him. He didn't have too much trouble lifting it.
"It has weight to it." Rael mumbled while poking my chestplate and chainmail.
"Oh trust me it does. I had to walk, run, then sprint with this on. Don't get me started on the things Eren had me train in." I sighed heavily, taking off my boots, knee, shin guards, and socks.
"It must have been rough since your muscles are popping out." Rael chuckled. I poked at my bulging muscles. Rael lifted his shirt and showed that his were bigger.
"Show off." I mumbled.
"So…I'm really staying here?" Rael said tentatively, putting my glove away and playing with his fingers.
"I'm not letting you get beat up just because you're an elf. Now, do whatever you do before bed that gets you comfortable and let's get some sleep." I said. I blew out the few candles that were near me and settled in. Rael gave out an aggravated sigh before I heard the rustling of clothes. I heard him blow out his own candles and the room was dark. Once my eyes got used to the darkness, the light of the moon came through.
I took that time to take off my bra and my pants underneath my covers. I couldn't sleep with them on. Well I could but it was too uncomfortable. As I did that, I heard Rael sighed.
"I…you're still awake right?" Rael asked. I chuckled.
"I don't sleep instantaneously." As I did a quiet victory taking off my clothes. I put my bra under the pillow and pushed my pants on the floor.
"You know after all this time…I'm really glad you came into my life." Rael confessed quietly. I turned over to his side and saw that he was already looking at my own bed. His face turned red and he quickly put the covers over his face. "Because, you know, I've never really had a close friend like you. Well there are my cousins and all the people in the Alienage but it's different with you. Maybe it's because you're human. No wait, that doesn't sound right. It's because you're a girl that isn't my cousin? No, not that either! It's, well…"
"It's ok Rael." I laughed. "I'm glad you're my friend too…It's been…hard kinda." I did a long sigh and laid back, staring at the ceiling.
"Did something happen? If that ass did something to you-" He got up.
"I'll punt him in the balls, no nothing like that happened." I interrupted him and I heard him lay down again. I tried to find the words to explain it to him. I fidgeted with my fingers. It was a hard thing to confess.
"Nia…?" Rael asked quietly. I felt a few tears escape my eyes. I kept on breathing deeply, trying to make sure not to sob. I bit my lip, trying to control my emotions. I sniffled a little. "Nia?" Rael asked more urgently.
"I killed a man." I covered my face in shame. I sobbed quietly, sniffling and wiping my tears. "I didn't mean to but…" I moaned slightly and turned in my bed, gripping the covers. "We were outnumbered and these men were aiming to kill us. I…Eren yelled and I didn't realize it until the blood…." My sentences came out incoherently as I tried to explain it but I was so scared at losing Rael. I let out a shuddering breath and heard his bed creak. My own bed shifted as I saw that he sat on it. I felt cold, thinking that he was going to judge me before he placed a hand on my shoulder.
"You didn't mean it. Even I can tell that so stop beating yourself up about it. It's only going to make you feel worse." Rael said softly. I went up to grab his hand and intertwined his fingers with my own.
"Sorry but can I be selfish?" I sniffled.
"Sure, anything." Rael nodded.
"Can you lay down with me please?" I asked. Rael gulped but nodded. It was a tight fit but I snuggled into him, holding his arm to my chest.. He seemed oddly tense. It wasn't right though. He was hard since he was all muscle. My husband was more plush. I sighed in disappointment. "I really wish I could go see my family." Instantly, Rael relaxed.
"Oh yeah…you haven't gone to see them huh?" Rael quietly asked.
"No." I replied.
"Your husband must be missing you. Don't you have enough for a ship? You should at least make that brat do that much for you." Rael grumbled. I chuckled softly.
"I can't. I promise to protect Eren even if he did tell me to stay away." I sighed.
"Then why are you still there?" Rael asked.
Because Eren might be the next Grey Warden and he'll need help and lead me to Flemeth who can hopefully solve my problem, I thought. I smelled deeply and he smelled like the sea. So much different from Eren as his odd sweet musky scent.
"Because I made a promise and I won't leave until I see it through." I replied quietly.
"You should at least let your family know." Rael said. I nodded but didn't respond. In the end I fell asleep like that, wishing that it was my husband next to me instead of Rael.
My most wondeful beta, FearaNightmare!
I'm not one for writing fluff but I couldn't help it. Rael is such a dear and so cute! Also, I have now reached the blight! Muhahah!
Shout out to Triple T123, for favoriting/following! Thank you Chimera Spyke, Syutaku, and ThelonewolfNT for reviewing! Please Review!