Chapter 61: Aftermath
"You have changed my boy."
Alim and Irving walked together as they had done since the First Enchanter had taken him as an apprentice almost six years ago. The elf would not admit it, but he had missed these little journeys. He had learned much at the feet of his master.
The circle would never be a true home, but Irving was the closest thing he had to a father.
It had been hard, to be forced out of the circle, to see the disappointment in Irving's eyes.
Alim had never wanted to displease his master, but he would do it again in a heartbeat, right or wrong.
Jowan may not have been worthy of his aid, but the fact that Alim had attempted it showed his quality.
I will never leave a friend behind…
Never.
"I know who and what I am now First Enchanter, where I fit in the world" Alim replied, "I know what my powers mean. I know now that I am not simply a dangerous freak."
Irving chuckled.
"You were never a freak dear boy," he said, "I always saw your gifts as a mark of greatness," the old mage smiled, "It pleases me to see that you have embraced them."
Alim nodded, for far too long he had hated his powers, but now…thanks to his experiences in the Brecilian forests, he no longer felt like an outcast.
The legacy of the Stormbreakers lives in me. It is my place to carry on their grand work.
The elf looked at his old mentor. Irving was still recovering from Uldred's depravity, he seemed frailer than Alim remembered, but he did not underestimate the First Enchanter. Irving had strength that not many people saw. He would survive this, and endure.
"I'm sorry with the way we parted last," Alim said to him, his ears lowering slightly, "I never wanted to disappoint you."
The First Enchanter's expression turned grim.
"It was not how I wished to see you leave us," the old man admitted, "I had always hoped that you would replace me when I retired. In truth, I was trying to point Duncan towards Solona. She would have made a fine Grey warden I think."
The old man frowned
"I respect what you tried to do for Jowan, but…if you had only come to me."
"Would it have mattered?" Alim asked, "Jowan still would have been punished. I'm not happy that he lied to me, but I still stand by my decision."
Irving nodded.
"You were always stubborn, but I always admired the strength of your convictions."
"They have served me well."
"I do not doubt that."
Alim was surprised to hear Irving speak that way, most of the time the First Enchanter had tried to teach him the value of compromise. He had said his apprentice was too unyielding.
What had been weakness in a mage had become a boon to a grey warden.
"You will likely need aid as you continue this journey;" Irving said quietly, "Wynne has requested leave to follow you."
Alim nodded, the elder mage would be valuable.
"Could Solona join us as well?" he asked, "I fear for her here in the tower, especially with her Templar acting so cold towards her."
Irving's face turned more thoughtful.
"Solona has requested to work with the surviving senior enchanters. She wishes to improve her battle magic. She will likely accompany the mages that join you when you truly turn to face the Blight. I will do what I can to prepare her for that."
Alim sighed; he still worried about his friend.
"Do not fear about Ser Cullen," Irving said, "Greagoir and I have discussed it, perhaps it would be better if the boy left the tower. The garrison at Kirkwall has apparently been calling for Templars. A knight of Ser Cullen's skill will be welcomed there."
The elf nodded. He knew that it would hurt Solona, but perhaps it would be for the best.
She needed time, Cullen too, perhaps they would find their way back to each other someday, or perhaps that was the hopeless romantic in him talking.
Both of them needed time.
There was still so much to do. The wardens had gathered allies, but now they had to win the support of the Ferelden people.
That would likely be difficult. Loghain had had months now to turn the people against the order.
For now, it was best not to dwell on such heavy thoughts. Despite the many dangers, the tower and the circle had been saved.
It was a victory that should not pass unmarked.
The two mages fell silent then, simply walking the tower and offering aid where they could give it. It would take time, but the circle would be restored to its former strength.
They would stand with the rest of Ferelden, at the side of the Grey Wardens.
Irving would see to that.
IOI
The tower was once again secure. Uldred's death had ended much of the demonic threat. Greagoir had proven to be a man of his word. He accepted Irving's assurance that they had taken back the tower. Cullen had tried to sway the Commander against it, but Greagoir had overruled him.
Alim did not hate Cullen, the poor man, what he had been through would leave anyone broken.
Hopefully, in time, the man would find his way back to compassion or that Solona would be able to bring the poor man back to a calmer more rational frame of mind.
At least the elf hoped so, for Solona's sake.
"It will take us time to recover from this," Irving warned his old pupil. "But, the Circle will stand with you in this fight. You have my word as First Enchanter."
Alim nodded a pleased smile on his face.
The final treaty was now fulfilled. At last they had something to throw back in that bastard Loghain's face.
Perhaps he could be forced to see reason, to help his people before it was too late.
The elf suspected that it was time to confer with this Arl Eamon. The wardens had more to offer than simply coin or empty promises. They had an actual army now, or would once the Dalish and dwarves arrived.
Even the most jaded Ferelden noble had to see them as powerful allies.
Alim had sent word to the others back at camp. They were all invited to rest and recover here in the tower. Gus came over, but Oghren, Sten, and Shale could not be coaxed out of camp.
Perhaps it is for the best. Who knew what trouble Shale could get into here in the tower?
They had been fortunate, the battle with Uldred had been fierce, but the group had only suffered minor injuries. Alistair had broken some ribs, but between Wynne and Solona's healing touch, he was on the mend. Seri had been pinned by an abomination during the fight and had been clawed viciously, minor injuries yes, but ones that had to be treated carefully. Who knew what kind of poisons an abomination could conjure up within its body?
Then…there had been Leliana.
Alim frowned.
He…he had not wanted to hurt her, but when she had fallen she had cracked her skull and broken her wrist. Wynne and the other healers had put her to sleep while they cast powerful healing enchantments on her. It would keep her asleep for two days, after which she should awaken fully healed.
Wynne had warned him there might be some memory loss, but perhaps that was for the best. They had faced horrors within the tower. Perhaps it was better if she did not remember it all clearly.
"Is something wrong my boy?"
Alim shrugged.
"It is nothing First Enchanter."
The older man smiled.
"You're thinking of her, your red haired companion."
"Am I that transparent?"
The First Enchanter gave him what might be called 'an old fashioned look.'
"I've seen that look on your face many times," Irving said, "Typically when some young girl has gotten you into trouble."
The elf blushed. Irving did know him well.
"Tread lightly Alim," the First Enchanter warned, "The world you now find yourself in does not forgive mistakes easily. You must be careful not to be distracted."
From anyone else, such a comment would have invited an angry retort from the elf, but Irving was different. Alim knew he had his best interests at heart. Many times a pretty face had led the elf astray, Irving knew that, but did not judge his former apprentice for it.
"I know ser," the elf replied, "But…Leliana…she…she has saved my life many times in the last few months. She is…is…a woman of vision."
The elf nearly chuckled, it sounded ridiculous…but at the same time he was not willing to mention Leli's visions to anyone outside the group. If Greagoir knew, he might decide to have the Templars…examine her.
Alim would not risk losing her to overzealous fools.
"I would like to see her if that would be possible," the elf said.
Irving smiled.
"I suspected that you might," the First Enchanter said, "I had her placed in one of the mage's quarters upstairs. Wynne is with her now. You should be able to go up and see her. She may not hear you however, if she is asleep do not try to wake her. The girl needs her rest."
Alim left quickly, trying not to appear too eager.
He was going to see Leliana.
Nothing could please him more at that moment.
IOI
Wynne left as soon as Alim arrived, granting the two their privacy, a fact that Alim was grateful for.
He knew she was okay. He trusted his fellows to keep her safe, but part of him still wanted to see her…just to be sure.
Alim looked down on the sleeping bard. She was clean and her wounds had been dressed. Magic had healed all signs of damage to her head, not even a single bump remained.
She looks so peaceful, he thought, her face relaxed, her lips curled into a slight smile.
Perfect.
He felt color flush his face, blood rush to the tips of his elven ears.
She was perfect. Dangerous, skilled, these were all words that described her, but nothing would take away from the core of what she was…
Beautiful.
She was beautiful inside and out.
He sat at her side, just watching her sleep, content to keep vigil over her until she woke.
Her brow furrowed, she took a deep breath…
Her eyes fluttered open.
"Alim?" she murmured, "Alim…where is Alim?"
His heart skipped at her mention of his name.
"I'm here," he whispered, taking her hand in his.
"I'm right here," he smiled.
She looked at him; a gentle smile came to her lips.
"Hey," she whispered.
"Hello," he responded, his voice cracking slightly.
Maker save me, he thought, I feel like an uneducated peasant boy around her.
She looked around the room, she still seemed lost in sleep her eyes not really focusing.
"Where am I?" she asked.
"We're still in the circle tower," he informed her.
Her brow furrowed with concern.
"The mages…are they safe?"
He nodded.
She relaxed.
"Good," she whispered," Very good."
She shifted in bed trying to get more comfortable. The covers slid back revealing bare skin. The healers had removed her armor to tend to her injuries; all she wore now was her smalls and a breast band.
Alim averted his gaze respectfully, but not without a sense of longing to see more.
She glanced around at the rather Spartan décor of the room. No pictures or books decorated the walls.
"Does anyone stay here?" she asked.
"No," Alim replied, "Which is probably why the abominations did not wreck it as bad as the other rooms."
Alim's ears twitched nervously, he did not know why admitting the next part bothered him so.
"This would have been my room," he confessed, "Had I not been taken in by the wardens I would have lived here."
The elf chuckled.
"It probably would not have been so neat now if that was the case."
Leliana's cheeks darkened, she giggled slightly.
"What?" he asked with an amused smile.
"Tell me," she asked, "Am I the first naked woman you have had in your bed?"
The elf's face turned beet red.
"I'm," he coughed trying to breathe, "I…uh…technically you are…um not…uh… naked, and as I said…I only had just moved in the day I was cast out."
She was teasing him he realized, but he did not want her to stop.
"So the bed was unused," she smiled slyly. The heat in her eyes would have melted silverite.
He gulped.
"We could fix that." She said letting the covers drop slightly.
Oh Maker!
He was trying very hard not to stare. That pale creamy skin, the firm toned body.
Andraste give me strength.
Her hand went up and gently brushed his cheek, her fingers lightly stroked his right ear, her lightest touch like fire.
The flames of lust burning bright not an easy thing to turn aside.
He swallowed hard, his mind and body at war. Fighting the arousal he was feeling.
It would not be real, he reminded himself, she is injured and still recovering. Her head is still swimmy from the fall.
No…he…he could not do this! He would kick himself hard later, but he would not take advantage of her. She was his friend.
A friend he was falling madly in love with, but a friend none the less.
He took her hand away, but not before tracing her fingers with his lips.
She murmured happily.
He placed her hand back on her chest, and gently stroked her cheek. She sighed, leaning into his touch.
"You do not have to be afraid around me," he said softly, "I will keep you safe."
She smiled, but it faded quickly, that cute furrow returned to her brow.
"I need to tell you something," she said, "About why I left Orlais, you…you need to know."
"Not now," he purred, "You need your rest. "We shall speak of this again…when you're feeling better."
She nodded, burying herself deeper in the covers.
Alim did his best to hide any disappointment, as her pale skin disappeared from view.
"Will you stay with me Lim?" she asked.
He nodded, his fingers finding hers and giving them a gentle squeeze.
She closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.
He sighed deeply. He felt so confused, so conflicted.
What did he want here? What could he have? Did he want her friendship and respect, or did he want more?
Big questions, that deserved big answers, he would need to answer them eventually, but for now he focused on one thing.
She wanted him at her side that was all that mattered.
"I'm here for you Leli," he whispered, even though he doubted that she could hear him.
"I will always be here for you."