Chapter 91: The Road to Denerim
Something had changed.
Leliana was not quite sure what it was, but it was clear that something had happened. As they made their way north towards the capitol of Ferelden, Alim and Alistair, for the first time in weeks seemed at peace with each other. The two wardens had been so coldly civil to each other since that business with Flemeth had ended. The tension and hostility had been so thick at one point that you could almost cut it with a knife.
Leliana had feared a break within the group that the two wardens might choose to go their separate ways. Such a move would have been a disaster in her eyes. She had tried to speak with both Alim and Alistair about it, but they both could be so stubborn…
And then almost overnight, that tension had gone away. The two were totally back to the way they were before, but it was clear that they were healing after the rift that nearly tore the group apart.
She was glad of course, but that did not make her any less curious.
They were still about a day's march from Denerim when she finally could not take it anymore. She found herself walking beside Alim, a curious look on her face.
He noticed it, and smiled.
"Something bothering you?" he asked.
"Is everything all right now?" she asked, "Between you and Alistair, I mean."
The elf chuckled.
"Don't worry Leli," he replied, "I have no designs on my fellow warden, that particular door doesn't swing that way."
His response boggled her for a moment.
"I…um…excuse me…what?"
The elf smirked.
"Merely having a little fun dearest," he replied, "But to answer your question, yes, Alistair and I are fine, we had…things to settle, and with Theron's help we did."
The bard sighed.
"Praise the Maker," she murmured under her breath.
The last thing they needed was division among the wardens. The group had a hard enough time as it was with so many enemies still after the bounty on their heads.
Alim rubbed his shoulder.
"It is amazing what being shot by an arrow will do to you."
Leliana almost gasped.
"What?" she said.
"Theron," Alim added, "he shot us both, Alistair and me."
Leliana glanced back at the Dalish who gave her a nod.
He…he shot them. Theron shot Alistair and Alim?
She…he…oh Maker!
"Why would he do such a thing?!" she gasped.
"He wasn't trying to hurt us, seriously."
"But still…"
"It worked."
"True…but…oh Maker, why would he need to do such a thing?"
Alim's expression turned thoughtful, he sighed and tried to put what he was feeling into words.
"Because… we needed it," he said, "Talk wasn't working, as you no doubt saw. I blamed Alistair for you being hurt during the Flemeth fight, and he felt that I was going to sell out Morrigan. It is difficult to focus when someone you care about has been hurt. Theron just needed to remind us what we were truly doing out here. The lesson was a little painful, but necessary."
She took a moment to digest this. What her love said made sense, but…
A playful smile came to her lips.
"I will have to remember that the next time you are being stubborn, dearest," she purred, "It is nice to know that I have a military option to get my way."
The elf chuckled again.
Personally,' he said, "I fear where you might choose to shoot, love. Maker knows you can do serious damage when you put your mind to it."
She leaned in and kissed the tip of one of his elven ears.
"Fear not, I would never do any serious damage, at least not to the parts that I would miss."
He blushed slightly and fell silent.
Leliana felt warmed by that.
Her dear, sweet Alim…
…she was grateful that at least one of the group's problems had been solved.
IOI
They walked in a relaxed silence for a while, simply enjoying the road, and the presence of each other's company. The group had grown large enough now that bandits thought twice before trying to attack it, too many blades and people in armor for their tastes.
Alim considered where they were headed. He had not been in Denerim since he had been a baby, and had no memory of it. Mother had told him stories about the Alienage when he was little, but nothing else.
It would be in the city that they would hopefully find Brother Genitivi, and from there, see if finding the Sacred Ashes for Arl Eamon was even possible.
He still could not shake the feeling that they were chasing a fable, but given what Jowan had done to the Arl…
They really had no choice.
He glanced at his lover, Leli seemed relaxed, but he did notice at least a little stiffness in her movements, the way ran her fingers down the hilt of one of her daggers.
His brow furrowed slightly, he remembered what she had said about her former master. That she suspected that…this Marjolaine would still be waiting for her in Denerim.
If the woman was waiting, Leliana would no doubt wish to confront her. He would stand with her when it happened, but that did not mean that he was not concerned.
"Do you still intend to look for your former master?" he asked.
Leliana's mouth became a grim line.
"It…it has been almost three years now, Alim" she said, her sweet voice slipping into a soft lethal purr, "If I do not come, she will only send more men to get my attention."
The bard's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"We will not have to look for her," she said, "she will be waiting in her safe house, the one in the letter. She is too proud not to…"
She drew one of her daggers from its sheath, inspecting the blade, imagining it finding Marjolaine's throat perhaps.
"We have a score to settle, unfinished business."
She slid the blade back into its sheath.
"It is time to finish this matter…for good."
IOI
It was nearly sun set when the group finally passed through Denerim's gates. The march had been long, and everyone seemed pleased to finally be off the road.
The vastness of the capitol spread out before them.
Alistair glanced over at Morrigan, the witch's amber eyes widened; the sheer size of the city had her spellbound.
"There… there are so many," she murmured, "Tis it always like this, so many people? I expected it to be large like Orzammar, but this…"
She shook her head in disbelief.
"Tis amazing."
Alistair could not help him, seeing the wonder in her eyes, the childlike innocence of it; it was nothing like the Morrigan he had known these past few months.
It was pleasing to know that Flemeth had not completely driven that childlike wonder from her daughter, pleasing and a little fetching.
He leaned in and kissed the witch on the cheek.
She gave him a curious look.
"What was that for," she asked.
"Merely trying to help you settle yourself," he said, "The city can be a dangerous place to the unwary."
The witch snorted.
"Do you think me some defenseless waif?"
"Not at all, but you are out of your element here."
Morrigan considered his words.
Finally, she nodded.
"Tis good then that I have you here to watch over me then," she purred, her eyes exploring the wonder of stone standing all around her, "Or to make sure that this city does nothing to offend me, that it survives my first visit."
He smirked at that.
"Don't worry," he said, "I'll see that you both survive the next few days."
"I'm so relieved."
IOI
Shayle had elected to remain outside the city with the horses. The golem had no desire to draw any unwanted attention to group. Loghain still ruled this city after all. Sten had decided to stay with her as well, the Qunari were still something of an oddity this far in the south. No doubt Loghain's spies had heard by now that a Qunari travelled with the Grey Wardens.
He had no desire to see them all arrested for simply walking with them.
It was dark when the wardens finally came to a small inn not far from the gates. Much of the market had already shut down for the night, and city's night watch was already beginning its patrols.
Considering that there was a bounty on their heads, Alim thought it smart that they avoid asking any guards about Brother Genitivi's House. They had an address sure, but given Denerim's size.
Well…it would have been nice to have a point of reference.
Kally kept her hood pulled up since they arrived, most of the guard would not know her at a glance, and those that had likely suspected her long dead. She decided not to take any chances.
Fergus spoke with the barkeep and saw about arranging rooms for them for the night. The noble man was far more used to the pulse of Denerim then the rest of their little group. Alim provided the gold necessary for meals and places to sleep. The couples in their group wishing to share a room of course, Alim wasn't sure, but it looked like Fergus was a little crestfallen when Kally volunteered to share a room with Wynne.
He promised himself to speak with the two at the earliest convenience; something was clearly going on between them even if they did not realize it themselves.
He wished to head off any problems before they turned into something more serious.
Alim glanced around the room. It was not that much different than the other taverns they had frequented in the last few months, larger perhaps, but still not that much different. The smell of ale and sweat, merchants, mercenaries, and tavern girl's hurried about their business.
Zev and Seri retired first, both saying that they were very tired from the road.
Alim rolled his eyes once they left, he knew exactly what the two were going to do once they reached their room and it certainly wasn't rest.
The elf and the dwarf were certainly not very subtle about their relationship, not that subtlety was easy travelling in a small company like theirs.
At least Morrigan and Alistair confined their lovemaking to her distant tent, not that he and Leliana were any better he supposed, they tried to be discreet, but when the passions took them well…
He supposed that he had no room to talk about Zev and Seri.
As the night drew on a company of musicians arrived to entertain the evening crowd. Most being merchants and travelers they welcomed the music that the minstrels brought.
Leliana sighed as they began to play; she leaned in closer to him, resting her head on the elf's shoulder, while her hand gently rubbed his thigh.
Alim would not deny that he was enjoying her closeness, the warmth of her hand on his leg seeping into the rest of his body…
It was starting to give him ideas.
The music, the creeping shadows along the walls, it made everything seem closer, more intimate.
He leaned in; smelling her hair, the scent of Andraste's Grace tickled his nose, filling him with many affectionate thoughts.
Leliana enjoyed such places. A youth of travelling through the empire gave her a fondness for taverns and inns. He welcomed that happiness, when she was happy; she tended to make him happy.
…very happy indeed.
Only once was the group interrupted, a group of Ferelden soldiers came in looking for an evening's entertainment. They were already deep in the cups, and one made the mistake of coming up to Alim and Leliana.
Alim's ears lowered slightly.
"Is there something you want?" he asked.
The guard glared at them. Alim was not sure what he had done to offend the man, but he had no interest in starting a fight in here.
The man looked right at Leliana.
"May I see your transit papers please?" the guard asked.
Alim frowned.
Bodahn had warned him about that, in the last tavern they had passed, merchants were supposed to go to the local magistrate for transit papers before entering the capitol, papers that identified every member of the group, whether they be merchant, mercenary or bodyguard.
Apparently the idea had come from Rendon Howe, to keep undesirables and rebels out of the city, at least in theory. In truth, it was just another way for the local guard to hit merchants up for bribes.
Of course this man did not look like he wanted money.
Leliana pouted, and slipped a sovereign into Alim's hand, she snuggled against him, licking and nibbling on his elven ear.
He did his best to suppress a groan, and handed the man his coin.
"I," he said struggling to concentrate, "Think you will find everything is in order."
The guard took the sovereign but still glared at Leliana.
She pulled away from Alim and smirked at the man.
"Your kind disgusts me," the young soldier growled.
Alim's eyes widened, he had finally figured out what was going on.
It was not unusual to see a human man travelling with an elven woman. Human males found elven ladies attractive, but when the situation was reversed.
Some human's did not like to see their women with elves.
Even over the din of the tavern, Alim could hear the thunder rumble, responding to his sudden flash of anger.
Fortunately, Leliana knew how to deal with the fool, and did it expertly. She gently touched Alim's arms, her eyes telling him to let her handle this.
He nodded, accepting her decision.
She gave the man a wicked smirk.
"And your kind disgusts me," she snorted, "Which is why I am with him."
The man looked about to lash out, but one of his friends stopped him, pulling him over to the bar.
The elf glared at the man's back.
"Bastard," he spat.
"Ignore him dearest," Leliana purred pulling him in for a quick kiss. He responded, enjoying the sweet wine taste of her lips, and the feeling of her hand running up his thigh.
When they finally broke the kiss, he found himself getting lost in her blue eyes, eyes darkening with passion.
"Come," she purred, taking him by the hand.
He followed her without any coaxing.
"Where are we going?" he asked coyly.
"I'm going to make you forget about that fool," she said, "It has been a long time since I was last in this city, the experience has fired my blood."
She grinned at him.
"I trust that you know what to do with that fire?"
His eyes lit up.
He had few ideas yes.
Soon they were in their room. Alim locked the door while Leliana sighed, removing her weapons and armor.
Alim tried not to be a total drooling lecher, and at least pretend not to be enjoying watching her undress, but it was very hard. Leliana could not stop being a bard, even undressing for her lover was a performance, a bit of theatre, meant to fire his blood, and arouse his passions.
She made the act both efficient, but maddeningly sensual. By the time, she slipped naked under their sheets, he could barely control himself. He slipped off his armor and trouser and almost leapt into bed.
Leliana giggled as he started attacking her, his mouth exploring her body.
"A…a little frisky this eve, my dearest?" she asked.
He paused, smiling up at her before gently kissing his way down her throat.
"Merely justifying your choice to be with me," He replied.
She sighed, enjoying his kisses, the gentle caress of his tongue.
"That," she moaned, "That is something that you do not need to just…jus…Oh Maker…Ooh Alim!"
He felt her arch her back, getting lost in the sensation.
Alim smiled as his hands began to explore her body, finding the parts she enjoyed him touching most.
It seemed that the time for talk was over. In the morning, they would need to take care of business but for tonight…their night.
The world belonged to them.
He did not intend to disappoint.