9:30 Guardian 14th
We passed by on the main road without much of a fuss. Yesterday it was all quiet. No one was really talking. For me it was fine considering that I still had a lot to think about from Soldier's Peak. I was at a good 60% right now. I had a light in my step and I played with Alfred. I either chased him down through the snow or I threw sticks at him. He never seemed to get the right one. One time he brought me some dirty pantaloons. That was weird heh.
"All this walking without talking is making me bored." I stretched, my armor clanking as I did.
"I agree. We're all so serious, perhaps a tune or a melody?" Zevran said.
"I do know of a few songs and some chantry hymns." Leliana offered. Wynne, Morrigan, Talen, and Alistair were in the wagon with Eren directing the horse. Alfred, Sten, Leliana, Zevran, Derek, and I were all walking.
"Nah, let's not sing. Why not play a word game of sorts?" Derek wondered.
"Well we could play I Spy but all I see are dead trees, snow, the sky, clouds, and more snow." I said deadpan.
"There is nothing we can do until we meet our destination." Sten said.
"Ever the straight man Sten." Zevran chuckled. "How are you feeling?" Zevran glanced at me
"Not bad." I shrugged. "We're getting to our next step in our journey so that's one thing."
"Once we have secured Arl Eamon's alliance, our travels won't be as hazardous. We will have someone with weight to our side." Leliana said.
"Don't be so sure about that. Loghain is still acting as if he was King. Until we get him off that seat, then there's nothing we can do to make our travels safe. So far we haven't had trouble with darkspawn for a while but, once spring hits, that's going to change. We'll be hit by assassins too though I'm pretty sure that none of them are going to be as bad as Zevran." I mentioned.
"Excuse me?" Zevran looked at me and Leliana giggled.
"You have to admit elf that your ambush wasn't that good." Derek guffawed.
"Well it wasn't my day." Zevran cleared his throat.
"It would have been better should you have not announced your intentions and had that woman act more as a diversion as you ambushed us from behind." Sten explained.
"That would have been better, I agree." Zevran mumbled.
"Struck down by someone who isn't an assassin, how sad." I smirked. Zevran pouted while Leliana and Derek laughed at him.
9:30 Guardian 15th
We reached the outskirts of Lake Calenhad by nightfall. I was able to get a glimpse of the tower through the heavy clouds. It seems we were going to have some snow later. Derek was tending to the horse while everyone was getting dinner ready. Leliana and Alfred hunted down a fox and a rabbit. I have grown more contemplative since our time at Soldier's Peak. It was hard not to. I kept on replaying the day I spent with my family and about the consequences about what I did.
I don't regret it and, every day that I see that Eren is alive and well, slowed down my anger. It was a good sign that I was getting over it. I had to make sure that I wasn't suppressing anything. Holding onto any emotions was bad. Meditating helped. I had found Sten earlier that morning. Neither of us said anything though I wasn't going to take off my shirt like Sten did his. I always knew that Qunari had a rough time during the cold but Jesus Sten put on a shirt!
I had wandered off from the team to the shore of Lake Calenhad. Being a large body of water, it still held its liquid state though frozen bits clung to the dirt. I took a deep breath of the chilling air that seemed to stab my insides. I stared at the night sky. I only saw the milky way once back in my own world. They also had one though not as prominent. Instead, their two moons were extremely beautiful. I heard footsteps behind me and I looked at Eren who seemed to look hesitant.
"I saw you wander off. Are you alright?" Eren asked.
"I'm not going to throw myself in Lake Calenhad if that's what you're thinking. Besides, freezing to death is a bad way to go unless I found a way to sleep in the water." I mentioned.
"That is not a good joke." Eren chastised me.
"Yeah I know. Just a random fact really. It's strange. I died but I can't remember anything. Sometimes when I strain my mind, my chest starts to hurt really bad." I said, absentmindedly rubbing my upper chest. Eren fidgeted with his armor. I stared at him. "Something stabbed me, didn't it?"
"That…" Eren exhaled sharply. "The abomination thrusted its arm through your chest. You took it off as it got destroyed in the battle. I was careless. I should have-" Eren started.
"Shut up." I said. Eren scoffed. "What happened, happened. We can't change the past so we have to look forward. At least I know now. Truthfully I don't think I'm going to get those memories back but know I have something to put in that blank spot."
"You are taking this information quiet well." Eren cleared his throat.
"I already went through my phase in Soldier's Peak and that was that." I sighed. "I won't lie though when I say that it's going to take a while for my mind to get where it was before. Things have changed and I still have a lot to think about." I rubbed my hands together to warm them up. "But that's my problem, not yours."
"You can still lean on me if you need to." Eren said. We caught each other's eyes. Is it that weird that I can read his emotions? Put it plainly, he wasn't still over me.
"No. You have enough on your plate with this bunch. You can't focus on me Eren. You have to see the bigger picture. You're our leader and you're carrying us to defeating the Archdemon. Focus on that, not on me." I said.
"What a logical answer." Eren rolled his eyes.
"How many times am I going to have to reject you for you to accept it?" I hummed. Eren looked like I had struck him. "It's getting cold and I'm sure the food should be done now." I said, heading back to the camp.
"It's not like I asked for these feelings." I heard Eren say.
"But you can at least control them. I love my husband." I rubbed my ring. "That won't change, so since easy isn't working, then I'm going to go in hard." I turned back and I saw Eren waiting expectantly. "There will never be a time when my feelings will go further than simple comradery. I don't love you romantically Eren and I never will. You are a special friend and like a brother to me. Granted a brother I didn't want but the point is, this," I pointed to me and him, "Is not going to happen. That's the last time I'm saying that so please adult like you're supposed to and move on."
"You are so crass, disrespectful, and rude." Eren glared.
"You forced me into this position. If there's anyone to blame for how you're feeling now, just look at yourself." I shot back. "I'm not here to coddle you Eren so that's that." I said, turning away and going up to the camp. I could have probably handled it better but there are times when you just have to put your foot down. Eren wasn't going to see past his rose-colored glasses that he wore around me. It was time to shatter that image.
Back in the day I never had to courage to put my food down on persistent guys. Usually it always turned out worse. Eren had to leave those emotions behind. He had greater things to worry about it. I sat down near the fire and put my hands near it. Leliana gave me a bowl and I ate.
"I used some of your spices in case you found some of it depleted." Leliana said.
"It makes for a better stew." I said, eating slowly. I had to remember as we travel, food like this wasn't going to drop from the sky. I had to savor every last bit. Eren came and silently took his food away from the camp. I saw Morrigan call him over to her camp. Her golden eyes caught my dark brown ones. She smirked. I saw Wynne's scrunched face and Zevran's knowing smile. Well, everyone needs an escape.
9:30 Guardian 16th
I had a nightmare. It was a cruel one. An offer to get to be with my family but my mind was hazy. I was barely able to even make out their silhouettes before I felt a cold stone in my stomach. As I reached my hand out, I bit my lip as hard as I could. The haze flittered away and I stumbled to the ground. It was the place that Halo had made for me but the grass was gone and it was the usual ground of the fade. The blue sky faded in and out from greens. I glared up and clenched my teeth. A desire demon stood before me.
"You know, if you wanted to actually get me to agree to your offer, you need to paint a prettier picture." I got up and patted my hands from the dirt. The desire demon smirked.
"Irregularity. Such a pleasure to meet you." It purred.
"Yeah, yeah, you and so many others now, if you'll excuse me I'm going to go wake up now." I said, going into the direction where the cabin was and the thing floated in front of me again. They giggled.
"You are quiet rude to not greet me properly human." The desire demon growled.
"I know what you want. You want to possess me like so many others want to but I'm not going to let you. Either way, you won't kill me because that would get rid of your chance of taking over my body. Now that we have ended this, I really want to go back to the waking world." I said, sidestepping it and walking again.
"I have the power to grant you what you want. What you most desire." It purred and I heard the happy voices of my family right behind me. I swallowed my despair and kept on walking. "You will break." I heard it whisper in my ear before my eyes flew open and I saw the linen cloth of the tent I was in. The shallow breaths of Leliana and Wynne were steady as I stared out and tears began to leak out.
"Demons think they can own anyone, don't they?" I whispered to myself. I couldn't sleep after that and I shifted to where I could see Wynne. I remember how much I disliked her when I first played. The old know it all but then she began to grow on me, especially after I found out about her 'condition.' It was similar to my own but even she doesn't have the answers to Halo. Halo and the spirits of the fade were vastly different. I miss Halo.
I felt rustling behind me and shifted on my other side. Leliana opened her eyes and rubbed them. She blinked a few times before smiling at me. I got to say, having to see this sight in the morning wasn't that bad.
"You were crying again." She stated. I nodded.
"Bad nightmare." I sighed. She put her hand on my cheek.
"You are strong and I know you won't fall." Leliana whispered. My face heated up before I looked away and nodded. "But since we are both awake, we might as well get ready."
"But it's so warm here." I pouted. Leliana giggled.
"It is isn't it? But we are close to Redcliffe. We should be arriving by afternoon tomorrow." Leliana snuggled closer to me.
"Ok, time to get up!" I harshly whispered and got out of the tent. I saw Zevran reading the Antivan book along with Talen who looked about to sleep sitting up.
"Ah! A very good morning to you!" Zevran winked. I rolled my eyes before the fire suddenly flared and then died down. Leliana gave me a questioning glance as she stood next to me and Talen was looking away. Then I realized it.
"Um Leliana? Your shirt has a hole in it." I said. It was directly underneath her boob. Under boob anyone?
"Good morning indeed." Zevran lecherously chuckled before Talen got up and stood in front of Leliana.
"Stop staring!" Talen's ears were extremely red. Leliana giggled and I face palmed. I walked over from Talen and Leliana before flicking Zevran on the forehead.
"Go get changed Leliana." I said over my shoulder before Zevran gave me his winning smile.
"Jealous?" He raised an eyebrow.
"As if. Truthfully I'm more jealous of Leliana." I sat down next to him as Talen went to wake the others up while Leliana went back to change inside the tent.
"Why exactly?" Zevran wondered, taking out some jerky from his pack.
"She's endowed with more tracks…" I motioned my hands to my boobs. "Of land, if you get my drift and she's a beautiful redhead." I sighed wistfully.
"Do not tell me you are…" Zevran let it hang.
"I'm what? Flat chested? Short? A good cook? Which is not that true, I like making pastries more than food." I rambled.
"Attracted." Zevran cleared his throat as everyone started to groan with waking up.
"What? I can't say that another woman is beautiful without having someone guess my sexuality? And for your information, yes." I took his jerky from his hand as he gaped and ate it with a smirk.
"That will keep me up at night." Zevran mumbled before I pushed him from the log and into the snow.
"Take a cold one." I chuckled. We all gathered up our belongings and went ahead toward the last leg of our journey. The day was slightly windy and I was feeling it as we walked. Wynne was with us this time with Alistair and Talen. Alistair was rambling about Redcliffe and all the sights he was going to show us.
"Now the best view is definitely from the windmill. It sits at the highest point where you can overlook the entire village and get a great view of the castle! Did you know that Redcliffe Castle is deemed one of the most impenetrable fortresses in Ferelden?" Alistair explained.
"That's the fourth time you said that dear." Wynne laughed.
"Maker's balls Alistair, you've just been raving about Redcliffe on and on, can't we talk about something different?" Talen groaned.
"Perhaps we shall talk about your blaspheming young man?" Wynne gave him a hard stare.
"Everyone does it Wynne and it helps for stress and pain." I mentioned.
"Don't encourage it." Wynne shook her head.
"Just speaking from experience." I shrugged. "Whenever I get hit or get scared, I curse and it helps me."
Alistair and Talen then stopped. Wynne and I took that as a sign that darkspawn were near. I took out my daggers and everyone else got their weapons. Eren got out of the wagon and everyone gathered.
"They're up ahead." Talen mentioned. Eren nodded.
"Sten, Alfred, Leliana, and Alistair, stay with the wagon. The rest of you, follow me." Eren lead the way as Zevran and I took our positions near Wynne and Talen. The trail moved away from the lake earlier on. Instead, we were walking through a few cliffs. Eren and Talen walked as I turned a corner from the trail. There were a few darkspawn on the cliff above, taking the advantage of the higher altitude. Though it didn't really defend from Talen's automatic fireball. They scattered while Hurlocks came down the sides toward us.
Derek roared and bulldozed through three of them while Eren and I took down the ones that were on the ground. Zevran weaved through to get to one of their crossbow archers. Wynne made sure to keep her barriers on us. Morrigan transformed into her wasp form and went for the Alpha brushing off the fire. Eren and I got up to the cliff and I tripped a Hurlock over the edge into Derek who quickly splattered him. Morrigan reformed next to Wynne.
We surrounded a Hurlock Alpha. Eren had his shield and sword in front, I was behind him at a crouch and Zevran was right behind. The Alpha growled as it twirled its double handed axe and walked toward Eren before a paralysis glyph appeared at its feet. "Now!" Eren shouted as he rammed his sword through the darkspawn. Zevran stabbed his daggers at the neck from behind. As the paralysis faded and the Alpha stumbled, I tackled it toward the edge. Talen gave the last bunch of bodies another fireball.
"There are no more." Eren flicked the blood off his blade before returning it back to its sheath. He did a loud whistle and I heard a bark in the distance. Talen, Wynne, and Morrigan made their way up to the cliff. I saw Wynne struggling. I was about to go down and help her before she stumbled to the ground.
"Wynne." Talen went to her side and I ran over. Eren glared before Wynne got back to her knees and rubbed her face.
"Oh, for a moment there, I thought it was all over." Wynne mumbled.
"Wynne?" I wondered.
"I am sorry…" Wynne groaned as Talen helped her up.
"Did a darkspawn get to you?" Eren wondered, keeping a hand on his sword.
"No, nothing like that but…there is something that I must explain. Not now though, please, we need to keep moving." Wynne sighed. I knew what was going to happen later. Leliana was leading Lily by her reigns. Talen, Wynne, and Derek were in the wagon. The rest of us were walking. Hopefully with Wynne telling everyone about her 'condition' might make them soften around good spirits. Well, one can dream right?
Beta'd by FearaNightmare and Syutaku
I'm back guys! That month rest really did me wonders. I'm past the danger zone, the queasiness has stopped, and tynelol pm works good with my insomnia so, although i'm not 100%, I'm getting better. Sorry for the filler guys but by next chapter we should be at Redcliffe!
Shout out to SacredSamurai, thedjpro, zansatsusha, NecromancersPrincess, and Arabejila for following/favoriting! Thank you Chimera Spyke, Syutaku, and NecromancersPrincess for reviewing!
Enna: There are different kinds of horses, show horses, riding horses, and work horses. Work horses are sturdier, robust, and can heft a lot of weight. Lily is one of these and, so long as Derek takes care of her hooves and grooming and feeding and giving her rest, she should be fine pulling the wagon. You should look up the clivesdale horses, at least I think that's how you spell it.
Narliea: Hey I recognize you! xD I'm glad you're enjoying the rewrite. Just trying to polish my old story as well as filling in some major plotholes that came with the original. :3
Please Review! The one that gets the 200th review gets a spoiler free question for my Inquisition story. Be sure to word it carefully, if you ask me a yes or no question, you will get a yes or no answer. :)