Chapter 72: My Dearest One
Content.
It was the only word that could describe Leliana this fine morning. Last night, oh Maker, last night had been, pun not intended, magical. Alim, mmm, he had awoken something in her, something that she feared was long dead.
Last night she had been simply Leliana the bard again, she had been someone who did not care about the dangers that they had faced, or that they were yet to face. No, that Leliana was interested only in slaking her lust. The hunger for her own pleasure had been undeniable, she remembered attacking him like a lioness, she…she had barely recognized herself in that moment.
A gentle smile came to her lips then, Alim…her dearest little man had been magnificent. The passions he had unleashed upon her, they were not far different than the storms that he wielded through his magic. Lust had taken them both, like a lightning storm that both had been powerless to resist. Then at the height of their passion, lust had given way to pure desire, drenching them both like a summer rain.
She had guided him, at least, at first. She had helped him explore the wonders of physical love, and how to take his own pleasure in it.
Judging from the contented smile on her lover's face, she had succeeded. She had come looking for peace and she had found it, and in the process Alim had found his own peace as well.
Now…all that remained was to see where they would go from here.
Last night, the two of them had surrendered to their own storm, and now found themselves in a new place because of it. She did not believe that they could go back to being simply friends after this, not after what they had just shared. No, the two of them would have to find a new normal.
It would be a most interesting exploration to be sure.
They were still in bed, not a stitch of clothes between them. Leliana lay on her side, her head resting on her arm, just admiring Alim's slim body.
She gently ran a finger down his bare chest, the elf groaned in his sleep, murmuring her name.
The bard smiled at that.
He had taken her three times during the night, kissing her neck, waking her from her dosing, murmuring softly in her ear.
"Love me Leli."
It seemed that the stories of warden stamina were not exaggerated, she thought.
Afterward, they had simply lain together, taking comfort from simply being there for each other. For the first time in weeks, no nightmares came to haunt either of them. She had no visions, and he had no dreams of the Archdemon.
She almost laughed. Last night, she had prayed to the Maker for a night of peace, and even though she had not gotten much sleep, she had certainly found the release she had been searching for.
Alim's elven ears twitched, he groaned softly, his beautiful brown eyes fluttered open.
He looked at her and smiled.
"Hello," she purred.
"Mmm," he sighed stretching, "Good morning, how did you sleep?"
"The best I have in months," she said, "The best since before I left Val Royeaux. I…I had not realized how much I had missed the company of another in my bed."
The elf blushed.
"I…I did not disappoint you last night did I," he asked shyly, "Last night…um…it was my…uh…my first time."
She gave him a wicked smirk, his declaration was so cute, and it was nice to know that he was now comfortable enough around her to let his guard down.
"You are a fast learner my dearest," she purred, "So sweet and attentive, I could not ask for a better friend, or a more skilled lover."
Color spread up through his ears.
She gave him a lazy sexy smile.
"But practice makes perfect, no?"
Smiling he pulled her into his arms kissing her deeply.
She groaned as he began to touch her, his finger gliding over her body, starting to awaken her passions again.
The bard moaned and arched her back.
"My dearest," she sighed, "My…my Alim."
He rolled her onto her back, she found herself staring up into his eyes.
"You have such pretty eyelashes," she said.
He chuckled.
"I don't think you were interested in my eyelashes last night?"
Leliana giggled.
"Oh no," she agreed, "The rest of you was quite…diverting."
Their kisses deepened, he wanted more, and…and she was ready to give it to him.
There was a polite knock on the door.
Alim groaned in frustration.
"Damn it," he mumbled into her shoulder.
"Sister," Theron's lilting voice sounded from the hall, "Are you awake?"
She placed a finger to her lips, silencing Alim.
"I'm here Theron," she replied, "Please don't enter, I…I'm not decent."
"Of course," the Dalish said shyly, "We're getting ready to proceed into the deep roads again. If…if you see Alim, please let him know."
"Thank you," she replied, "If I see him, will let him know."
She heard the elf's boots clanking as he left.
Leliana sighed heavily, so much for their gentle good morning.
She gently pushed Alim aside.
"We don't have to go yet," he purred.
She giggled.
"The Blight is waiting Alim," she reminded him.
"The Blight can kiss my elven ass," he responded, "Something else requires my attention right now."
"Really," she smirked, "And what is that? I…we can't just…oh…ooh!"
He pushed her back, seizing her again, a wicked smile on his lips.
"The beautiful woman in my bed requires attention," he whispered, "I'm sure you can understand that?"
"Yes," she panted, "Yes…I…ooh…understand completely."
"I so glad you agree," he murmured kissing her neck.
The bard surrendered.
Fourth time was the charm, it seemed.
IOI
The journey to the deep roads took a bit longer to set up.
Alistair had searched for Alim, but the elf was nowhere to be found. So, it had fallen to him and Theron to the get the others organized. Silverite draughts distributed to those needing protection from the taint, as well as the need to recover the most recent map of Kadash Thaig from the Shaperate. The dwarves had cleared out Kadash Thaig a year ago of the darkspawn, but alas, the creatures always seemed to return, there were always more of them.
A frustrating problem for the wardens, there were always more darkspawn.
Alim finally showed up, right before they were ready to leave. The elf was in good spirits this morning, despite their destination. He had needed to stop by one of the merchants in the commons; his new gambeson needed some alterations.
The elven mage was smiling from ear to ear.
"Are we all ready to do this?" he asked.
Members of the party nodded.
Leliana gave him a shy smile.
The elf's grin widened.
Alistair handed him the map to Kadash Thaig. The elf's ears twitched with interest.
"The way seems clear, it should not take us long to make it to the Thaig we seek," he informed the others, "But the unexpected might happen. We are entering the belly of the beast so to speak. Watch for darkspawn ambushes, and ladies, do not let the darkspawn isolate you from the main group, if they manage to get you away from us…that would be bad for you."
IOI
Leliana shivered memories of Hespith and the Broodmother danced through her head. It was almost enough to kill her joy from last night with Alim…almost.
The group marched out of the diamond quarter, Alim hoped that the mine's commander would not give them any sass about their trip. After the Branka thing, he was not in the mood for dwarven arrogance about holding the line.
"Wardens."
They were surprised to see a group of armed dwarves approaching them, many of them casteless; they were led by a tough looking young man with fiery red hair.
Alim tensed a spell already on his lips.
The dwarf held up his hands, showing that he was not interested in a fight.
"King Bhelen sends his regards wardens," the dwarf said, "I'm Faren Brosca, Commander of the Dust Town militia, my men and I are here to aid you in your quest."
Alim lowered his staff, but did not relax.
"That is kind of His Grace," Alim responded.
"Bhelen remembers his friends," the dwarf smiled, "Plus, I had no great love for the Carta, they threatened my sister's life. You did me a favor by killing Jarvia. I repay my debts."
Alim took the dwarf's hand, and shook it.
"Welcome aboard Brosca," he said, "Have you and yours fought darkspawn yet?"
"Not yet," the dwarf confessed, "We could use the experience."
You will get it," Alim said, "watch your wounds, you do not want to get any darkspawn blood in them, you get tainted, and it is over."
"Thanks for the warning," the dwarf smirked, "Never figured I would be fighting spawn, figured that I would die forgotten in dust town."
"Fate likes to shake things up a bit doesn't it," Alim chuckled, "She can be a real bitch that way."
Brosca laughed.
"That she can be warden," he agreed.
IOI
Shale gave the newcomers an arched look.
"So we have more midgets in our party now?" the golem said, "How wonderful!"
Brosca glared at her.
"Midgets?" he said.
Alim chuckled.
"Ignore her master dwarf," he said, "Shale is a good companion, but she can be a little prickly at times."
The dwarf chuckled.
"That is a she?" he said, "Guess it must be that time of the month."
The golem's eyes narrowed.
"I can crush the fire-haired dwarf, if it likes."
"Shale," Alim frowned, "Be nice, please."
The golem shook its head.
"I have said it before, and I will say it again, it is no fun," the golem pouted, "Still it was polite, and it is doing as I have requested, so I shall obey."
"Thank you Milady," Alim smirked, "You are a credit to golems everywhere."
Shale stood a little straighter.
"I'm far superior to other golems, because of my free will," she said proudly, "But I accept its compliment as intended thank you."
The group headed out, now reinforced by Brosca's people.
IOI
Alim hated to admit it, but he wished he had had this kind of force when they were hunting for Branka, compared to that, the trip to Kadash Thaig should be a nice day trip.
He found Shale walking beside him, the golem had a smirk on her face, at least, he thought it was a smirk.
It was hard to tell with Shale's stone face.
"Yes," he asked.
The golem gave him a puzzled look.
"So it and the sister are together now?" the golem asked.
Alim blushed.
"I…I suppose we are," he admitted, "What of it?"
Shale snorted.
"I find the desires of the squishy mortal people…disturbing," the golem said, "First the other warden and the swamp witch, now it and the sister; you are all very fond of your coupling it seems. It is most disturbing."
Alim laughed.
"There is nothing wrong with sharing yourself with another, Shale," he said.
"Perhaps," the golem replied.
Alim laughed.
"What if you find out in Kadash Thaig that you were married once Shale, what if we find records that you had a family, children? Would you still think coupling disgusting?'
Shale looked sick for a moment.
"Does it think that might have been possible?"
"Anything is possible Shale," the elf shrugged.
"Yick," the golem shuddered, "I hope that it is wrong, the thought that I…I might have been coupling with another midget…just…just…YICK!"
Alim laughed.
"You might change your tune if you could remember what it was like," Alim said with a smile.
His thoughts drifted back to his night with Leliana, his body warmed at the memory.
The golem's expression turned thoughtful.
"Did it enjoy being with the sister?" the golem asked, "Was it good?"
Alim smiled.
"It was quite good," he confessed. "I…I've been alone for a long time Shale. Being in the circle, I...I feared that I would never meet someone. That I would spend my life alone, and die just another mage in the tower, just another Templar prisoner, forgotten except for my circle file."
His ears twitched happily.
"I'm glad that I had a chance to be with Leliana. Even if I don't survive this Blight, I have at least gotten a chance to be with her…to be loved. Not that I'm planning to die easily. I will fight as hard as I can to survive. I want…I want the chance to see what might become of Leliana and me, if we make it through this Blight. Perhaps I'm wrong; perhaps we will part when this is over. I hope not, but…if we do, at least we were together for at least a while."
Shale considered his words.
"And that is important?" the golem said.
"I think so," the elf said.
Shale snorted and shook her head.
"Squishy people have very odd thoughts."
Alim laughed again.
"We do indeed Shale," he grinned.
"We do indeed."