Yes, I changed the color of the rose to match the picture in the inventory.

Alistair

When he was in the Chantry, Alistair hardly ever saw a girl his age, let alone talked to one. For years he was lectured in the ways of a gentleman, that relationships, especially out of wedlock, were forbidden. At the time, Alistair didn't think about it too much. In his mind, he was going to be a templar, be miserable and addicted to lyrium for the rest of his life, and then die alone. He was never too worried about marriage or children, especially since... well.

The thing is, women don't scare Alistair, but for some reason Avina terrifies him. The moment she looks his way his breath freezes in his lungs and he can't think. He thinks maybe it's because she's such a lovely woman with a pure heart like he's never seen before, but whatever the reason he can't stop thinking about her.

He has no idea what he's doing, either. He's never been in any kind of relationship; the Chantry forbids it, anyway. He has no idea what to say, how to act around her... what if she thinks he's an idiot?

Lost in his thoughts, he doesn't notice the stone in his path until he trips over it, nearly falling on his face. He glances up quickly to see if anyone saw, and to his horror Avina is looking back at him with a soft look in her silvery blue eyes. She smiles over at him, giggling quietly, and Alistair blushes and ducks his head.

Well, if she thinks he's an idiot, she's not wrong, he thinks, embarrassed.

The point is, he tells himself, that he needs help.

Usually, whenever he was curious about something he would ask Duncan about it. Now, that's no longer an option, he remembers sadly.

Daylen doesn't seem to like Avina or Alistair enough to lend him reliable advice, Sten is simply terrifying, and he'd rather stab out his eyes with a rusty fork than go to Morrigan for help.

He briefly considers asking Griffon for help when it finally hits him.

He turns to Leliana. "So, you're female, Leliana," he starts. "right?"

Her lips quirk upwards. "I am? That's news. When did that happen?"

Alistair flushes. "I just... wanted some advice." He looks up at Avina, who's near the front of the group, speaking with Daylen. Out of earshot. "What should I do if... If I think a woman is special and..."

"You want to woo her?" Leliana jumps in. "Here's a good tip: you shouldn't question her about her female-ness."

"Alright, yes," he agrees, rubbing the back of his neck. "Good point."

"Why do you ask?" she asks. "Are you afraid things will not proceed naturally?"

"Why would they? Especially when I do things like ask women if they're female."

Leliana smiles and nudges him with her shoulder. "It adds to your charm, Alistair. You're a little... awkward. It is endearing."

Alistair's brow furrows. "So I should be awkward? Didn't you just say not to do things like that?"

"Just be yourself," she amends. "You do know how to do that, don't you?"

"Alright," he gives up. "Forget I asked."

Leliana's 'advice' doesn't exactly make him feel better. In fact, he thinks he's even more nervous now, if that's possible. He has no idea how to talk to Avina still, and he has yet to tell her, and everyone else really, who he really is.

And it terrifies him.

But it has to be said sooner or later, so he resolves to tell Avina and Daylen when they reach Redcliffe.

Avina

She first thinks something's wrong when Alistair pulls Daylen aside, where no one can see them. She thinks perhaps something terrible has happened, that maybe he's warning Daylen about something.

She hears nothing for several moments, and then Alistair and Daylen come back. Alistair looks somewhat relieved, and Daylen looks almost... pleased.

But before they continue on the path, Alistair tentatively touches her shoulder, pulling her aside as he did with Daylen. "Look," he murmurs. "Can we talk for a moment? I need to tell you something. I, uh, probably should have told you earlier."

"What's on your mind?" she asks worriedly. She has no idea what to expect at this point.

"I told you before how Arl Eamon raised me, right? That my mother was a serving girl at the castle and he took me in?" At her nod, he continues. "The reason he did that was because... well, because my father was King Maric. Which made Cailan my... half-brother, I suppose."

She gapes at him for several moments, as if what he's said in incomprehensible, or perhaps this is another joke of his. She doesn't know what to say.

But he's looking at her hopefully, with the slightest amount of fear in his eyes.

She closes her mouth slowly, and grins up at him. "So, you're not only a bastard but you're a royal bastard?"

It seems he was not expecting this as he snorts. "Ha! Yes, I guess it does at that. I should use that line more often." He runs a hand through his hair, and suddenly it's not so funny anymore. He clears his throat. "I... I would have told you, but... it never really meant anything to me. I was inconvenient, a possible threat to Cailan's rule and so they kept me secret. I've never talked about it to anyone. Everyone who knew either resented me for it or they coddled me... even Duncan kept me out of the fighting because of it. I didn't want you to know as long as possible. I'm sorry."

She bites her lip. She understands, or at least she thinks she does. Here, outside the Circle, she sometimes wants to hide the fact that she's a mage, fearing how others may treat her. Finally, she says, "I think I understand."

He lets out a sigh of relief. "Oh, good. I'm glad. It's not like I got special treatment for it, anyhow. At any rate, that's it. That's what I had to tell you. I thought you should know about it."

"Are you sure?" she presses playfully. "You're not hiding anything else?"

He gives her a lopsided grin. "Besides my unholy love of fine cheeses and a minor obsession with my hair, no. That's it. Just the prince thing."

She puts on what she hopes is a seductive face and says, "You're a prince. Somehow I find that very... thrilling."

It apparently works. "Oh," he breathes, "Did I just find the one damn decent thing about my birthright? I think I did. I have no illusions about my status, however. It's always been made very clear that I'm a commoner and now a Grey Warden and in no way in line for the throne. And that's fine by me. No, if there's an heir to be found, it's Arl Eamon himself. He's not of royal blood but he is Cailan's uncle, and more importantly, very popular with the people." He lets out a breath. "So there you have it. Now can we move on, and I'll just pretend I'm some... nobody who was too lucky to die with the rest of the Grey Wardens."

She frowns. "That's not really what you think, is it?"

He purses his lips for a moment, then shakes his head. "Well, no," he admits. "What I really think is that I was lucky enough to survive with you."

He turns before he can see her expression change to one of adoration.

Daylen

He sighs.

Nothing is ever simple, is it? Nothing can ever be easy.

Teagan is a good man, sturdy and strong, a good leader. If Eamon is half as good as his brother, they may have a chance, Daylen muses to himself. That is, if he's still alive.

Daylen agrees to help them because if he doesn't, he knows they will not survive. Even if it was just him and Avina helping, it would be a massive boost for them. Adding three mages, a qunari, a rogue, a warhound, and an ex-templar is almost definitely going to ensure they survive.

Morrigan is less than pleased, but she too knows they have no choice.

They cannot hope to face the Blight without Arl Eamon's support.

Avina stays behind at the Chantry to do what she can for the wounded, while the others head outside to speak to Murdock.

Murdock is a big man with a ruddy mustache and thick eyebrows which furrow when he sees the well armed group approaching.

"So you're the Grey Wardens, are you?"

Daylen nods. "I'm not here to chat. Let's get down to business; what do you need?"

Murdock sighs, running a hand through his hair. "We need what little armor and weapons we have repaired, and quickly, or half of us will be fighting without either. Owen's the only blacksmith who can do it, but the stubborn fool refuses to even talk. If we're to be ready for tonight, we'll need that crotchety bastard's help."

Daylen frowns. How is one supposed to get a crotchety bastard's help? This is definitely not his strong point. Maybe he should go back to the Chantry for Avina... "Why won't he speak to you?"

"His daughter, Valena, is one of the arlessa's maids. So he hasn't heard from her since this whole business started," he explains. "He demanded we attack the castle, break down the gate, and force our way in. I said it was impossible, but he wouldn't listen. He's locked himself in the smithy now. I can't force him to do the repairs... he says he'd rather die first."

Daylen curses under his breath. "No one else can do the repairs?"

Murdock shakes his head. "Not by nightfall, and not well enough that I'd be happy to test it in combat. If there were others, don't you think I'd ask them?"

"I'll see what I can do, then."

"I'd appreciate it. If he doesn't help, he'll die like the rest of us. What good will that do anyone then?"

Avina is finished healing when Daylen comes back and asks for help, so she agrees.

No one's gotten through the smithy's front door yet, but she gets him to unlock it in less than ten seconds.

And Daylen is suddenly very glad she survived everything so far.

The stench of alcohol hits them in the face as soon as the door opens. Well, Daylen thinks. They know what he was doing in here all that time.

At first, the old drunk treats them coldly, but Avina gets him to calm down and tell her what's wrong, the same thing Murdock told Daylen. His daughter's in the castle, he hasn't heard from her, she's trapped and no one's been able to reach her.

Avina's only choice is to promise to rescue her; and she seems completely sincere. If she's already dead, this promise is no good, so Daylen wouldn't have made it himself... but if it got him to make the repairs, so be it.

But when they're outside again, Avina demands they search the village for a small boy named Bevin who apparently ran from his sister. Daylen almost argues that they don't have the time, but it's not true. It's not yet noon, and the monsters attack only at nightfall.

One of the houses' doors is locked.

"Bevin might be inside," Avina persuades. "We can't just leave."

Daylen shrugs. "I'm not opposed to a little breaking and entering. Does anyone know how to pick a lock?"

Leliana volunteers, and soon the door swings open.

Revealing a dwarf and two thugs.

As it turns out, the dwarf is a man named Dwyn, a veteran soldier. He isn't very happy that someone, or really that many someones, broke into his house. Daylen steps forward and sneers at his cowardice, and to his surprise Avina remains silent, allowing his attack. Dwyn doesn't seem fazed, however, and only by promising to put a good word in with the mayor or Bann Teagan does he get Dwyn to agree to defend the village.

Now, all that's left is to prepare the knights and find the kid.

When they find Bevin, Daylen swears he'll never question Avina's decisions again.

Who knew the boy would have a sword - a viridium sword, of all things - in his possession?

When the boy told them about it, Daylen thought it could have been anything from wood to grey iron, but he was not expecting this.

The blade is obviously quite old; but since it belonged to the boy's grandfather, it isn't a surprise. The metal is some of the finest any of them have seen, and of elven make to boot. They decide to give the blade to Alistair, and he immediately gapes at it, brushing his fingers over the smooth metal. As a mage, Daylen doesn't know his swords very well, but this one is fine.

Yes. This will help things greatly.

And the knights, as it turns out, need nothing at all save for a lie.

A lie Daylen is more than willing to provide.

With their holy amulets, the knights claim to be as ready as they could possibly be, shielded by the Maker and whatnot. Only Leliana protests when they give them the amulets, but she is quickly silenced by Avina.

Like Daylen, she knows that belief is a strong thing.

And all in all, Daylen believes they've done everything they possibly could have for the village.

It's time to wait for nightfall.

Tel'abelas.

Next chapter: Avina's Past