A/N: I was asked recently in a review how do Alim's ears droop. Here is my answer, the elves in my dragon age stories have a bit more control over their long ears. They droop in sadness, or lower in anger. It is just a part of whimsy on my part, I want my elves to be a little different than small humans with pointed ears, I wanted to give the feel that they were a different race. That is all, hope I answered your question, and enjoy thirty three!
Chapter 33: Into Darkness
The day came for the warden's journey into the deep roads.
Alim gathered their little party together. He wanted to make sure that everyone understood the objectives of this little mission.
Find Branka, or what was left of her, and get back to Orzammar as quickly as possible to settle the kingship.
The elf mage did not expect this task to be easy, but they were out of options, the dwarves seemed unable to settle the matter of throne themselves.
The wardens needed to take matters into their own hands.
Alistair and his group would remain behind to handle the next treaty if they did not return. Alim wanted him to continue to work Bhelen and Harrowmont, keep the wardens in both their good graces, if by some miracle the kingship was decided while they were away, the wardens could still negotiate for the fulfillment of the treaty.
Morrigan promised Alim that she would keep things on track; she would make sure that the fool's conscience did not get in the way of his duty.
The elf thanked her. Alistair was a good warden with a good heart, but sometimes a cold calculating mind was needed…
That is where the witch came in.
Alim, Bandit, Sten, Shale, and Leliana left the warden estate shortly what on the surface would be sun up. They carried enough supplies for a two month journey into the deep roads. Including a potion that supposedly protected a non-warden from the effects of the blight sickness, Sten and Leliana would need that protection, the deep roads were supposedly safer to travel during a Blight, but there were bound to still be darkspawn and other tainted monsters hiding in the deeps.
They met up with Oghren at Tapster's, surprisingly, the ginger haired warrior was not drunk today, his armor had been polished to a mirror shine, and he carried both a battle ax and a heavy maul. One of the warrior caste noticed him, he threatened to have Oghren arrested for carrying arms in city limits, apparently he had been forbade for doing so after killing some nobleman's son.
Alim stood up for him.
Oghren was going into the deep roads, he would need those weapons.
The warriors were shocked that the warden actually wanted Oghren to go with them.
The dwarf chuckled; he gave them all the finger as they left the Tavern.
There were cheers as they made their way to the mines entrance that led to the deep roads. Apparently word had gotten out about the warden's mission.
As far as the rest of the city knew, he was still in the employ of Lord Harrowmont. The side deal the elf had made with Bhelen remained a secret.
Alim hoped it stayed that way until their return; they did not need dwarves interfering with their search for the lost paragon.
As they drew close to the entrance an old dwarven woman stopped them, she said her name was Filda, her son Ruck had been lost in the deep roads five years ago, she promised to pay if they found anything that might enlighten her to his fate.
Leliana embraced the woman; she promised that they would keep her son in mind as they conducted their search for Branka.
Alim shot her a look; it was not a good idea to make promises they could not keep.
After five years…would there be anything left of the woman's son to find?
Leliana told him later that she knew that the chances were remote, but sometimes a kind promise was all that was needed.
Sometimes…all someone needed was a little hope.
Alim saw her point, though he hated to admit it. Once again the beautiful red head had shown the strength of her heart.
He tried to push those thoughts away.
There was no reason to obsess over something…over someone he could never have.
He needed to stay focused.
They had a job to do.
IOI
"OPEN YOUR EYES MAN, THIS WARDEN IS ON A QUEST TO SAVE YOUR PARAGON! DO I HAVE TO TEAR YOUR SODDING HEAD OFF?"
Alim sighed; it seemed that Oghren made friends so easily. The mine commander at the gates had tried to stop them from entering the deep roads.
Oghren stepped up and objected to that.
The elf just hoped that their new companion's objections would not land them all in a dwarven prison cell.
Fortunately, Leliana was with them. She put on her most disarming smile.
Even the hardened dwarf seemed to relax.
"We enter the deep roads under the permission of Lord Harrowmont, Ser dwarf," she explained, "We seek to return Branka to your city in his name."
The man nodded.
"So it seems lass," he said checking the papers that Harrowmont had given them, "And even if you had not, Oghren should have been a deshyr for House Branka. I suppose he is the best in both skill and arrogance. You may path in Lord Harrowmont's name, but be warned, my men will not be wasted on rescue missions if you get into trouble, are orders are to hold this entrance, whatever the cost."
Alim nodded, he expected little else from the dwarves.
"Are there any other military units past this point?" the elf asked.
"Legion of the Dead mostly, "the Commander said with a shrug, "An independent company of soldiers, they will take anyone, offering a clean slate in the eyes of the paragons in exchange for a noble death in battle."
Leliana nodded, she had heard of these people before, from her friend Tug. Several of his friends back in Orzammar had chosen to join the legion. He had accepted exile himself, and eventually came into Marjolaine's employ.
He had died during her betrayal.
Leliana shook her head, not was not the time to think about old friends, she needed to remain cold and collected, the deep roads killed all but the strong.
She…needed to be strong.
Shale chuckled to itself; it was pleased to know that there would be no birds in that dark place.
At least it had one redeeming feature.
The door to the deep roads creaked open like the door to an ancient tomb, the musty smell of rot and decay emerged.
Alim shuddered, his warden senses burned with the background taint emerging from those dark tunnels. He willed himself to ignore it, to try to keep focused for any approaching darkspawn.
In the deep roads he would be the only warden they had, the group's only warning before a spawn attack.
He sighed, mustering his courage.
He hoped that he was up to it.
Leliana stopped them before they proceeded inside; she dropped to her knees and raised her hands in prayer, asking that the Maker watch over them in this endeavor.
Shale and Sten both gave the woman an annoyed look, but the elf stopped them with a glare.
They were about to walk into deadly danger.
He might not be a believer himself, but he would be damned if anyone would interrupt her.
If she felt her faith protected her, let her believe it.
They would likely need all the protection they could get.
Straightening his hat and robes, he led the way, Bandit padding silently along beside him. The other followed silently behind them. Leliana followed between Sten and Shale, Oghren stayed close to Alim, his dwarven stone sense would serve them well in the dark.
The dwarf commander gave the signal.
The door to Orzammar closed with a resounding boom.
Alim could not help but jump, he cursed his weakness.
There was no turning back now.
He motioned the group forward.
They began their journey into the deep roads.
IOI
Alim was not sure how long they had walked before they finally stopped, it had seemed like hours, but that was no clear judge.
Time did not seem to flow right in these darkened tunnels.
The deep roads were a world all their own.
They had been attack only once that first day, a group of chubby genlocks. Their little fellowship had made quick work of the creatures. Oghren had impressed Alim; the dwarf was a terror with that battle ax. He was a storm all his own.
The man's skill brought a question to the elf's mind.
Why had Branka left him behind?
"Heeey Warden!" Oghren slurred.
Alim rolled his eyes; the dwarf had been drinking heavily from a water skin.
Alim should have realized that it likely contained no water.
"Yes Oghren?" he replied.
"Look at me," he snorted, "I'm an elf,"
The dwarf danced merrily.
The warden shook his head, he was certain somewhere above them thunder was rumbling.
"I love nature," the dwarf sang, "trees are pretty, tra-la-la."
Oghren belched loudly and collapsed, the sound of heavy snoring filled the air.
Alim shook his head maybe that was the reason that Branka had left her husband behind.
"Would it like me to squish the drunken midget?" Shale asked him.
Alim shook his head no, they still needed Oghren.
"Spoilsport," the golem huffed.
Alim snorted in amusement.
IOI
Sten agreed to take the first watch. Alim settled into his bed roll, Bandit already snoozing beside him.
His eyes wandered to Leliana.
The bard was settling down into her own bedroll, she slipped off her leather vest revealing a sleeveless white silken shirt, the muscle tone of her pale arms were clear, as well as the gold chain that bore the sign of the chantry around her slender neck. A chain that…
Alim's eyes widened, he…he looked away.
He was trying very hard not to stare.
It…it was a little chilly down here…
He could see that she was not wearing a breast band.
Nice one Surana, he thought with a snort, let's not turn into some drooling lecher now.
He shifted uncomfortably in his bed roll.
Maker save him, why did she have to be so…so…
So…her.
Before she lay down for the night, she drew out a small vial from her pack.
One of the anti-blight potions they had purchased in Orzammar, the soldiers they had bought it from swore by them. They were not the same as immunity to the taint, but they did hold back the general background sickness that filled the air.
Leliana made a face as she swallowed the foul stuff.
Alim did his best to suppress a smirk.
She was cute even when she was not trying to be.
Leliana pulled out a long dagger from a sheath at her back; she slid it under her pillow for protection.
Only then did she sink into the bedroll with a tired sigh.
The bard must have noticed something
She glanced up, staring at him, she…she must have realized he had been watching her.
Shit!
Say something quickly, stupid!
"Remind me not to try and wake you in the morning," he said dryly, motioning to the blade.
She considered what he said. The bard smiled lightly.
"You don't need to worry," she replied, "I would not cut anything important."
"That still leaves a lot of room to maneuver," he said.
"Yes, it does," she said with a wolfish smile.
Alim laughed lightly.
"Remind me never to make you mad."
She shrugged; she snuggled closer to the tiny fire.
Hopefully, they would be able to get a few uninterrupted hours of sleep.
Provided the darkspawn dreams let him sleep of course, the elf thought.
He tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable.
"Can't sleep?" she asked.
A snarky retort died on his lips, it…it was nice to know that she was concerned about him.
"Yeah," he said, "It…it is the taint down here, my warden senses are screaming at me. How do other wardens deal with sleeping in this place?"
"They probably have to get used to it," she shrugged.
"You're probably right," he said with a tired sigh.
She gave him a concerned look.
"Would you like me to stop talking?"
"Please don't," he said, "it is nice to have something to focus on beside my warden senses. Your voice…your voice is soothing,"
She laughed lightly at that.
He gave her a look.
"Did I say something funny?"
"No," she said grinning, "I…I was just thinking of how far we have come…since Lothering I mean…I…well…I thought you hated me back then."
Alim shifted uncomfortably, he…he had hated her back then, but not because of anything she had done or said…it…it had been stupid.
"When I was eight years old," he told her, "A chantry sister came to our home with two Templars. She spent hours talking to my mother, convincing her that I was not her son anymore. That my magic made me some kind of monster. When it came to time for the Templars to take me, the sister showed no compassion for either of us. My going to the circle was the Maker's will. She grew scared when I summoned a lightning bolt in my anger. One of her Templars cracked me over the head."
Leliana gasped.
"But…but you were just a child, a baby."
"I was an eight year old who could summon lightning," he said with a sigh, "I suppose they had a legitimate reason to be afraid of me. I needed to learn how to control my powers. I…I could not do that in Lothering. I…I just wish they could have been kinder about it, for me and her," Alim frowned, he gave Leliana a sad look, his ears drooped slightly.
"I blamed every sister I met for that night," he confessed, "That…that was why I was such a little prick to you back then."
"You weren't," she replied.
"Yes, I was," he sighed, "I…I let my feelings get in the way of the mission."
"You had good reason I think," She replied, "I love the Maker, and seek to do his work, but I recognize that many who serve him can be too self-righteous for their own good. When I told them about my beliefs, that the Maker reveals himself in the beauty of his world…they…they treated me with disdain. They want to believe that he is gone, so that when he looks upon them they feel special chosen. The Maker cannot possibly have love for all, the sick and the weary, the beggars and the fools."
"I'm not the greatest of believers myself," he confessed, "But…if I was…I would like to think your beliefs are the right ones."
She gave him a warm smile.
He felt himself blush slightly.
""It is kind of you to say," she said, "Perhaps I am wrong, but that is for the Maker to decide, not men…not the Chantry."
Alim nodded, he had to admit, he admired her strength…her spirit.
Never let the bastards get you down.
They sat in silence for a few moments, just looking into the flames.
"Leliana," he whispered.
"Yes…Alim," she replied.
Hearing her use his name started a fire in his belly; typically she just called him warden.
It was nice to hear his name in her sweet voice.
"I'm…" he was trying very hard not to stutter, "I'm grateful that you did not give up, that you forced your way onto our little quest. You…you are needed here…here with…m…us."
She reached out to him.
Their hands touched.
He felt a shock jump down his arm.
"It…It pleases me to hear you say that," she replied.
Shale let out a heavy sigh interrupting them, the golem glared at the two.
"Will the sister spend the entire time talking to it," Shale huffed, "Or will the two of you actually get some rest?"
Both elf and bard shifted away from each other, Leliana rolled over no longer facing him.
Alim glared at the golem.
Nice one, Shale, real nice!
"Shale is right Alim," she said, "We need to get some rest; we have a long way ahead of us."
Alim snorted, she was right, but that did not mean he had to like it. Tomorrow they would set out for the old Aeducan Thaig, Bhelen had suggested that they stop there, there was fresh water and hopefully untainted food stuffs, mushrooms and the like. It would take them a week at most to reach it, from there, they would strike out for Caradin's Cross, an old crossroads that would hopefully lead them to the Ortan Thaig. Oghren had told them that Branka had planned to stop and search there.
What she was looking for, the dwarf would not say yet, he was waiting until they picked up Branka's trail.
All and all, there journey should take only three weeks, four at the most.
In a month they would hopefully know Branka's fate and be on their way back to Orzammar.
Provided there were no surprises of course.
"You are right," he agreed, he lay his head back down, closed his eyes trying to fall asleep.
The warmth of Bandit so near him started to put him asleep.
"Goodnight, Leliana," he whispered.
He thought that she had not heard him, but then…just as he drifted off…
He heard her.
"Goodnight…Alim."