Chapter 49: Moonlight Conversations
Alim and Gus stood first watch the night they stayed at the Princess. The elf was not entirely sure they had seen the last of the reavers who had held the place for so long; the tavern owner had said they had captured at least two of the knights, and had taken them away for questioning.
Alim wanted to be ready if their friends came back.
Alim glanced over at the knight, he seemed…colder since hearing Theron's story. Alim hated to admit it, but he was glad that Gus would be staying here tomorrow; he had come to trust Gus to keep things on track.
Shale, Sten, and Oghren would likely need that.
"That noble Theron mentioned," Alim began, "You know him?"
Gus nodded.
"Rendon Howe murdered my family," the knight replied, "I got word of that shortly after I fled the wilds. Apparently, he purged Highever Castle in Teyrn Loghain's name. My parents, my sister, my wife, my…my son were all there. They…they were…"
The man choked up, he shook his head, refusing to show any emotion.
Alim placed a hand on his shoulder. It surprised Gus.
The elf gave the man a sad smile.
"You have every right to be angry," he said, "It seems that we both have reasons to hate this bastard now. If he is helping Loghain, he will pay. You have my word on that."
Gus's eyes turned grim.
"When the time comes warden," he said, "I want to be there when we bring the bastard down. I've seen what you can do, if anyone can reach Howe…I…I think it will be you."
"I'll do my best."
"Warden," Morrigan emerged from the darkness, she had her bag hefted over her shoulder. Apparently she had chosen to spend the night in the Tavern.
Gus went back to his duties, so that the two of them could talk.
"Yes Morrigan? "He said.
"I have a thought," she said.
"Only one?" the elf smirked.
"Very amusing," the witch laughed, "You and my Mother should form a company of jesters. Trust me Alim, tis something you will wish to consider."
Alim nodded and motioned for her to continue.
"We have an opportunity here that I do not believe we should let pass us by. To the point, my Mother was once divested of a certain grimoire by a very annoying Templar hunter. It happened long before I was born, but even today, my mother speaks of the theft with great rage. I'm certain that the book now likely resides somewhere within the circle of magi…"
"And you wish to recover it," Alim said.
The witch nodded.
"The book is leather bound, and adorned with the marking of a leafless tree. The book would be a mere curiosity to the mages of the circle; none would be able to read it. I however, who was trained by my Mother, know what wards she would put around it, could translate its language. I…would find such a tome, most…interesting."
"Sooo, you want me to steal from the circle?"
"Not steal, recover," the witch clarified, "Tis part of my birthright after all, and think of the value to you. The spells within that book would make me more powerful, and therefore, more useful to you in your campaign."
Alim's ears twitched, the last time a friend of his asked for him to steal something from the tower had not ended well. Morrigan did make a fair point however; any tool that could aid them against the Archdemon should be used.
If such a book was in the tower, it would likely be in the restricted section of the library, or locked up in the First Enchanter's office. Greagoir would not allow him to search either with impunity. Irving might be more understanding.
Provided they both don't cast me out for even asking.
Morrigan looked at him with genuine desire in her amber eyes; he could see how important this was to her.
The elf sighed.
"I will help you," he promised, "But I can guarantee nothing, the book may have been destroyed by the Templars years ago."
"If it no longer exists I will put it out of my mind," she said smiling, "Thank you warden, I am most grateful for you to do this."
She hefted her bag and entered the Tavern, Alim sighed.
Gus wanted to kill this Howe.
Morrigan wanted this spell book.
It seemed that everyone wanted something of him these days.
IOI
Alim's turn at watch passed quickly, soon he and Gus were relieved by Shale and Oghren. He cautioned the golem not to squish the dwarf and Oghren to at least try and stay sober, and not to annoy Shale.
Both of his companions snorted and began their duties.
Alim released a tired sigh, yet he did not think that sleep would come easy tonight. Tomorrow, he would be back in the tower.
Tomorrow, he…he was going home.
He had no idea how he would be greeted there, Greagoir could not block his conscription and Irving had been disappointed in him.
It was Irving's reaction that ate at him the most, he…he respected the First Enchanter. Irving…he…he had been like a Father to him.
There is nothing you can do about it. They will either help or they will not. You have the treaty; the law is on your side.
He hoped that both Irving and Greagoir would see that.
The upstairs of the Princess was dark for the most part, the rest of his companions sleeping in their rooms.
"Alistairrrr!"
Alim frowned, most of them anyway.
The door to Alistair's room was open a crack, the elf could hear the sound of a creaking bed, and Alistair and Morrigan's soft moaning.
He rolled his eyes.
Couldn't the two go one night without…?
He carefully approached the door, lightly touched the handle and silently closed it tight. It muffled the sounds greatly.
Maybe now, the rest of us can get some sleep.
He went straight for his own room, hoping to avoid anyone else tonight. Bandit slept on the floor near his bed. Sighing, the elf removed his hat, coat and warden gambeson. There was a basin of cool water next to bed; he splashed a little on his face, trying to wash off the mud and blood of the day.
"Noooo!"
The elf paused; he had heard a voice cry out as if in pain.
"I won't…I won't hurt them…"
Alim's eyes widened, that…that sounded like Leliana!
He scooped up his sword and ran to her room.
He heard her cry out one more time.
He knocked loudly on the door, his heart pounding.
"Are you alright?" he called out.
No response.
"Leliana?"
He heard footsteps approaching the door.
The door unlocked.
Alim opened it and stepped inside.
His breath caught in his throat.
Leliana stood there, the silky nightgown she wore did nothing to hide her generous form. He blinked twice making sure he was not dreaming.
Tears were running down her cheeks.
He lowered his weapon.
"Leliana?" he whimpered.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. She was slightly taller than him, but that was not a problem. She sobbed softly in his arms.
He did the only thing he could do in such a situation. He held her, and did his best to comfort her.
It…it was the only thing he could do.
IOI
Leliana did her best to control herself, but had failed miserably.
The vision had returned with a vengeance, she had tried to ignore it and it came back stronger.
She…she had seen herself killing the others. No…no, she would not do it, but in the dream she could not help herself.
Alim…Alim had died last.
Now…now she was here, in his arms, sobbing like a child. It…it was shameful to carry on so, but she could not help it. She was grateful that she had not harmed him, had not harmed any of them, and least…not yet.
Slowly, she came to herself, and started realizing the…awkwardness of the situation.
She must have startled Alim from his bed; he was dressed only in his trousers. Her fingers ran down his bare chest, the skin was so soft, so smooth, and so very warm. Even in the pale moonlight she could see the muscle tone there. Alistair's sword training had definitely been having a positive effect on the elf's body.
She blushed, this…this was so very awkward, but…nice at the same time.
She backed away from him, she might have been wrong, but it looked like he was blushing a bit to.
"I'm sorry," she sniffled, "A nightmare, I…you must think me an infant."
"Your definitely not an infant," he said warmly, she realized he was looking at her body.
Her blush darkened considerably.
He looked away shyly, perhaps regretting saying that.
"Was…was it another vision?" he asked.
She trembled.
"I…I think so."
"Tell me about it," he said, "Any warning that you have to give me, I will listen."
She…she did not want to say anything. She did want to admit that she was the threat here. He…he might cast her out, what would become of her then? Would the visions slowly drive her mad?
She told him what she had seen.
He listened as he always did.
When she had finished, she gave him her most serious look.
"If…if it looks like I'm going to betray you," she began.
"That won't happen," he said.
"If it does, I…I don't want you to hesitate. Kill me, the Blight is too important, my life does not matter in the face of stopping it."
"You won't betray us," he repeated, "You are too strong, you are a good woman. You know that to be true."
"Do I?" she said sadly.
He came to her again, pulling her into his arms. She did not resist.
They simply stood there, in the darkness, taking comfort from the warmth of their bodies.
His breath was warm against her neck, his fingers drifted to the small of her back, he rubbed in comfortingly.
She shivered with delight.
Maker save me, she thought, he…he is so warm.
IOI
Alim was trying hard to remain focused, resisting the arousal he was experiencing.
Leliana was looking for comfort, she…she did not need him.
He leaned closer, smelling her hair, the sweet smell of wild flowers, and her skin so soft.
She moved her head; her lips brushed one of his elven ears.
He gasped slightly.
Elven ears were extremely sensitive. Many times in his youth they had been tweaked to get him to focus during his mage training.
He had never liked anything touching them…
Until now.
After a few moments, and more than a few calming breath's Alim tried to slip out of her arms, he…he needed to return to his room.
She would not allow that.
"I…um…I should go," he whispered.
"Stay, please," she whimpered, "Hold me, at least until I fall asleep, please Alim."
He murmured softly against her shoulder.
Maker…she was making this so difficult…so hard…
…In more ways than one.
He led her back to the bed.
She lay back down, he joined her shortly after, the two of them just lying there, bathed in the moonlight.
He hated to admit that he was enjoying this, at least at little. Never before had a woman asked him to hold her like this, to sooth, and comfort her.
No woman had ever looked at him in that way…
The way that Leliana was looking at him now, it was both wonderful and terrifying.
He hated that he was enjoy this moment, she was scared and in pain.
What kind of man was he?
"Thank you," she murmured her breath warm on his bare chest.
He shivered.
"You…you do not have to be afraid around me," he whispered.
She snuggled against him; he prayed that she could not feel him through his trousers,
"I'm here for you," he murmured into her hair.
IOI
Leliana purred like a contented kitten.
She…she felt no shame about this, their leader, her friend, holding her, comforting her in his arms.
His heartbeat was fast, but slowing, as he got used to her closeness.
How long had it been since she had done this? Lay in someone's arms, no fear, no expectations?
Even when she had been sharing herself with Marjolaine, there had always been some distance.
A bard must never let down her guard my pretty thing, not totally.
Leliana had forgotten that in dealing with her old master.
She had paid the highest price.
Alim… the warden, he…he was different.
Alim asked nothing of her that she would not give willingly. He could have rejected her knowing what she was.
Instead he was here, holding her.
She smiled slightly.
Many men would have taken advantage of this situation, had Alim…had he pushed the issue.
She was not entirely certain she would say no.
Yet, he remained a gentleman, not forcing himself upon her.
Her respect for him and her affection only continued to grow.
The elf's heartbeat was hypnotic; she felt her eyes growing heavy, the warmth of his fingers on her lower back so calming.
She slowly drifted back to sleep.
Warm and safe in the arms of a friend…
She felt safe…safe in the arms of a good man, the man that would save them all, in that she was certain.
Alim would save her.
He would save them all.
IOI
He knew he should leave, he felt her body relax as she drifted off to sleep.
He knew he should have left, but…he did not want to.
Leliana, who was she? Was she a ruthless spy? Was she a chantry sister? Was she a kind woman, or cunning manipulator?
Perhaps she was none of those things, or all of them.
He could not say for sure.
His eye were feeling heavy, the warmth of her breath on her skin, the gentle beat of her heart, it was all so soothing,
He blinked, trying to stay awake.
He knew he should not be here, that he should return to his own room.
But, she…she was so soft.
He snuggled closer to her, she murmured softly, a smile on her sweet face.
He looked fondly on her.
He knew that he needed to remain strong.
But he feared that he was dangerously close to losing his heart, and to a chantry sister no less, and a spy.
He shook his head.
Andraste save him.