Chapter 12 = = On the Road to Denerim = Drakonis 9:30
The group was gathered at the stables at dawn readying to leave Redcliffe. Teagan looked at Aedan. "Please keep the horses for the rest of your journey."
"Thank you! Given we have treaties both in Orzammar and the Brecilian Forest, the horses will shorten our travel time by half."
There were horses already saddled for Leliana, Aedan, Alistair, and Sten.
"Surana, as the only other Warden, we shouldn't share a saddle. Given their armor, Sten and Alistair have little room in their saddles. Leliana, that leaves you."
"Of course. Perhaps, Surana, I can teach you how to ride, yes?"
"Emmalynn, you can ride with me."
"Are there not enough horses?" Emmalynn looked puzzled.
"There are plenty of horses in the stable. Why…Oh! You can ride?" Aedan was genuinely surprised.
Emmalynn nodded. Because this wasn't about healing, her normal shyness surfaced as she stammered in answer to Aedan, "My…um…my parents had horses…and felt I should learn. I was five when I started, and I…um… rode until I was taken to the Circle…so...ah it's been a while. Perhaps a less spirited horse would be good?"
Alistair spoke to one of the grooms who nodded and went into the barn.
Surana grinned at Aedan. "At least Leliana doesn't have to worry about my doing anything inappropriate while riding with her."
Aedan shook his head and chuckled. "I keep telling you, Surana, that you're barking up the wrong tree."
The good-humored teasing sent chuckles through the group.
The groom returned from the stables leading out a saddled dark cinnamon-colored Forder with a white blaze, and gave the reins to Emmalynn.
"What's her name?"
"Molly…My lady." The groom smiled.
"Thank you." She brushed the horse's velvety nose and surreptitiously fed her an apple. "Hello Molly. You'll be patient with me, won't you?"
Alistair smiled to himself as he watched Molly eat. "Emmalynn, do you need hand up?"
"No, there's a convenient log over here."
He watched Emmalynn with a trainer's eye as she swung into the saddle and settled in. Deep seat, looks comfortable, holds the reins loosely, Good.
Before Alistair got on his horse, Teagan embraced his son, his voice strained. "Stay safe…Please?"
"I'll be fine. Trust me."
~oOOo~
That first night on the road to Denerim was the first time Emmalynn had ever camped, Aedan having decided to stay at an inn on their way from Kinloch to Redcliffe.
She looked over the pile of canvas and poles. I know these are supposed to make a tent, but I have no idea how...I will not ask for help on something that should be easy. Perhaps as I sort through my pack, I'll just watch what the others do.
After she saw Leliana put up her tent, she decided to give it a go. Okay, first I put the stakes into the ground and attach the canvas corners to the stakes...done! Now all I have to do is lift this center pole…Ugh, this canvas is heavy...Okay Amell, put your back into it!
She got the pole up and stuck it into the ground, but it leaned to the left. That is just going to have to do. Anyway, it gives the tent character. She sat down inside and spread out her bedroll.
That's when the tent collapsed.
Alistair had been watching. He had sensed her determination to put up the tent on her own, so he didn't immediately offer help. However, when the tent collapsed he walked over to it and lifted up the canvas.
Emmalynn stood up, dragging her bedroll with her. Her curly hair was escaping its careful braid. She blew a ringlet from in front of her eyes, looking frustrated.
Maker, she's lovely. "Would you like some help?"
She sighed. "I rather hoped not to be the proverbial damsel in distress, but yes, I would be grateful for your assistance." Wait…I didn't stammer. Why don't I stammer when I talk to Alistair?
With his hands under hers they pushed up the center pole and secured it into the ground pointing straight up.
"Thank you, Alistair. Tell me, is there an easier way to put up this tent or am I just not strong enough?"
Alistair rubbed the back of his neck. "Well…you have the correct method."
"As I feared. I'll just need to build up my upper arm strength or get used to sleeping outside."
Alistair looked puzzled. "You can ask for help."
"I know, I know. I just hate being the weakling circle-mage."
"Trust me, no one who saw what you did at Redcliffe thinks you're weak."
She shook her head. "I only did what needed to be done. I wasn't about to let anyone kill Connor or use blood magic." She turned towards her tent. "Even if it meant being the only one to power the lyrium."
The last she said under her breath, but Alistair had heard her. "Wait! Emmalynn, could you have done that?"
She turned back and slowly nodded. "I would have had to use my life essence to provide the additional power; not blood, but soul."
"Wait. Would sending Morrigan into the fade have killed you?"
"Possibly."
Alistair placed his hands gently on her shoulders. "Emmalynn, look at me."
She looked into his eyes.
"You would have given your life to save a boy you hardly know?"
Her voice was subdued but her eyes burned with conviction. "What is my life compared to that of an innocent child? A child who only wanted to save his father's life?"
She shook her head, changing the subject. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to ask Aedan when I'm on watch. Thank you so much for helping me with my tent!"
She began to walk away and then she turned biting her lower lip. "I…doubt I will be any stronger tomorrow; would you be willing to help me with my tent again?"
Alistair smiled and bowed. "Of course, my lady."
She curtsied, "Thank you. Ser Knight."
That night Emmalynn wrote in her journal
Road to Denerim Day 1
Aedan told us that, because the wardens are wanted regicides, we need to avoid run-ins with Loghain's soldiers, which means staying off the Imperial Highway as much as possible. Consequently, what would have been an eight-day journey will actually be closer to 12 days. Still and all that is far better than 19 days on foot!
I am hoping by the time we get to Denerim I will be able to put up my tent without help.
Emmalynn looked up from her journal. "Not that I mind Alistair's assistance. How does that man manage to smell so good after a day in the saddle?"
~oOOo~
On the Road to Denerim, Day 3
We have been fighting darkspawn for the last two days. Aedan and Rana said these darkspawn are part of the horde that was headed to Lothering. I wanted to look for survivors, but Aedan told me that the Darkspawn would not have left anyone alive.
Those poor people in Lothering! Facing such horror with no hope of defending themselves.
I'm tired, but not as tired as I would be if I also had watch duty. Thankfully, Rana suggested to Aedan that I not be given watch duties when we are doing so much fighting; now I have the maximum time to restore my mana.
~oOOo~
Their fourth day on the road was particularly draining as they had to fight in the pouring rain.
Leliana sighed as she and Emmalynn were retrieving arrows. "Le temps de Ferelden est morne et déprimant!"
Emmalynn had become friends with the lay sister smiled. "The weather isn't that depressing, Leliana. At least when it rains the air doesn't smell like a wet dog."
Leliana beamed "You understand Orlesian!"
"Oui. Mon accent a besoin d'amélioration."
"Actually, your accent is surprisingly good for one who never lived in Orlais. Let me know if you want to improve it, yes?"
Emmalynn smiled without comment. Learning to speak better Orlesian while traveling in Ferelden does not seem like the best use of my time.
~oOOo~
On the fifth day, Aedan decided to make camp at mid-afternoon. He said, "I know we are all exhausted after the last several days. Neither Surana nor I sense any darkspawn in the vicinity, so we should take advantage of the opportunity to rest."
They camped near the Drakon river. This was the first time Emmalynn could remember seeing a river. She was sitting on the bank letting the sun warm her back and enjoying the cool breeze ruffling her hair. Her thoughts turned to a heated discussion she had had with Anders last year.
…... ... ...
Anders stood facing her, hands gesturing to the arrow-slit window. "They keep us isolated from the world so we accept our life sentence for a crime we've never committed!"
"This is hardly a prison, Anders."
"Can you leave?"
"Well, no."
"Then it's a prison. Ferelden is so beautiful. Aren't you a little curious to see it?
Emmalynn shrugged.
"What if I told you about how the sun warms your back just enough to where you feel your muscles relax, and when you are about to feel too warm a cool breeze blows gently through your hair, refreshing you. Doesn't that sound like something you'd like to experience?
… ... ... .. .
Footsteps interrupted her thoughts and she turned to see Alistair standing there. "Emmalynn, might I sit with you?"
"Of course."
Alistair sat next to her. "Is everything okay?"
"Oh yes! I was just enjoying how beautiful it is here."
"It is beautiful."
"You sound surprised."
"I guess I am…which is silly of me."
"I wouldn't say you're silly."
"Oh, I would! I am considerably silly," Alistair joked.
Emmalynn giggled. "Okay, that was silly. But why are you surprised?"
Alistair thought a moment. "I see rivers and lakes all the time. I guess that's the point: I've taken it for granted, but you've been in the circle for most of your life…you've been missing this."
"I was thinking that now I understand why they never let us outside. After experiences all of this," her hand gestured to take in the area around them, "many of us wouldn't want to go back to the Circle."
"Would you?" He murmured.
Emmalynn looked into his eyes. "While Ferelden is very beautiful, that alone would not make me want to become an apostate."
"What else would?"
"Dinner!" Leliana called.
Alistair regretfully stood up. He held out his hand to Emmalynn; once she was standing, she was only a hand's breadth away, and tall enough that he only had to lower his gaze to catch hers. He brought her hand to his lips and gently kissed the back of her hand.
~oOOo~
Aedan and Surana were scouting ahead sensing for darkspawn. Having felt nothing, they were about to turn back to camp.
"Surana, wait. Can I ask you something?"
"No conversation that starts that way is ever good." Surana smirked. "What's bugging you?"
"Well...I've noticed that Emmalynn doesn't use offensive magic; no fireballs, no rock fists, no lightning, and no cold spells. I know she takes being a healer very seriously, which is all well and good, and I know you to are close friends so don't take this the wrong way, but it's kind of annoying that she won't use offensive magic."
"Why are you annoyed? Do you expect her to stop healing, rejuvenating, and shielding just to add another battlemage to our group?"
"Well no, put that way it sounds asinine, but she can't protect herself by healing the darkspawn to death."
"Rest assured, if it becomes necessary, M will kill Darkspawn, and demons with magic or without."
"Good to know."
"Oh, one thing." Surana grinned. "M can throw a dagger."
"Is she any good?"
"Surprisingly, yes."
"They don't teach that in the Circle, even I know that."
"Before M came to the Circle, she had a huge crush on one of her father's knights. To get close to him she asked if he could train her on a weapon. She wasn't strong enough for a sword, so he taught her how to throw a dagger."
"Where does she even carry a dagger?"
"Her staff blade is really a detachable dagger that she can throw. Ask her to show you. Oh, but please don't mention that you know about the Knight!"
~oOOo~
Emmalynn and Alistair were riding side by side. "Everyone calls you Emmalynn but Surana calls you 'Em'."
She grinned. "Actually, it's M as in the letter M, not E-m short for Emmalynn."
"M?"
"Rana was the one assigned to show me around the apprentice floor when I first came to the circle. After I told him my name he said. 'Emmalynn Amell? Your name is all Ms and Ls, what a mouthful.'
"When we got to what was to be my bunk, the letter M had been carved into the side of the headboard. Rana felt that it was a sign and said, 'hence forth I shall call you M!'
"Is he the only one who has ever given you a nickname?''
Emmalynn nodded. "Aside from Rana, I don't have another close friend in the Circle. I am friendly with my colleagues, but I only felt safe confiding in Rana. As you've noticed, I am ridiculously shy except when I am being a healer." and apparently when talking to you. "What about you? I didn't notice anyone call you anything other than Alistair…oh, and Son." She smiled. "Your father is so proud of you."
"I am blessed to have Teagan as my father." Alistair beamed. She doesn't seem shy around me.
"It's nice to see a happy family. That is something no one has in the circle. So, do you have a nickname or something short for Alistair?"
Alistair briefly thought back to Nora calling him Al.
Emmalynn quickly noticed a shadow behind his eyes. "Sorry, I didn't mean to send your thoughts down an unpleasant road."
Alistair blinked and looked at Emmalynn "Don't be sorry. It's just a young woman I was involved with called me Al."
"Ah, then I shan't call you that."
"May I call you Emma?"
Emmalynn blushed. "I'd like that."
~oOOo~
After they finished dinner Alistair asked Emmalynn to take walk with him along the river
They were walking arm and arm; Emmalynn stopped and looked up. "The sky is so clear tonight. Every night since I've been out of the Circle it's been cloudy." Her tone turned wistful. "I used to watch the stars with Mother. She knew all the constellations."
"How long have you been in the Circle?"
"About ten years. I was nine."
They sat together on a flat moss-covered boulder with a clear view of the sky
Alistair pointed up. "That is one of my favorites."
"Draconis, isn't it?"
Alistair nodded. "It is. I think I like it because it doesn't really look like a dragon."
"Mother said it looked more like a winged, large-mouthed slug." She grinned.
Alistair threw his head back and guffawed. "Brilliant! That is exactly what it looks like! Do you have a favorite constellation?"
"I do, but you'll think I'm weird..."
"I doubt that. Come on, tell me."
Emmalynn pointed to it.
"The Sword of Mercy? Why is it your favorite?" Alistair was genuinely curious.
"Originally it represented Tevinter's twisted version of justice. The Chantry changed it to mercy. I think there needs to be more mercy in the world."
"That doesn't sound weird at all." Alistair smiled.
"To hear some mages rail about it you would think I was the head of the Loyalists."
"Isn't that mage group they call Chantry-apologists?"
"You are well-read! Yes, they believe that mages cannot be trusted, and support the constant vigilance doctrine. I avoid the fraternities because all they do is perpetuate 'us versus them' thinking. Anyway, to me that constellation isn't about the chantry, it is about being merciful."
They continued looking at the stars and sharing Ferelden and Alamarri tales they had learned about each constellation. When it was time to head back to camp Alistair helped Emmalynn stand; he looked into her eyes. "Emma…may I kiss you?"
She nodded nervously, but her eyes sparkled.
Cupping her face, he leaned in and gently kissed her. Her lips were soft and responsive. Then he pulled back. "Maker's Breath, but you're beautiful."
"You...you think I'm beautiful?" She was genuinely surprised.
"Yes! You doubt?"
"I've never really thought about it. No one's ever told me that."
"Well, I'll just have to tell you more often."
"Then she'll just get a swollen head," Surana teased as he walked past them.
"Rana, you're terrible!" Emmalynn laughed as she called after him.
"Yeah, but you love me anyway!" he called back.
AN: Many thanks to my Beta Goddess ElyssaCousland. Thank you to those are reading. Thank you to those who have faved and are following Thank you to Judy, and Lightningstorm99 for your reviews. Please review, if you can. This is a different writing process than my previous stories!