Chapter 10

Matrinails 28

Road to Lothering

Dear Falon,

I was right about Alistair last night. I finished my letter to you then tried to sleep. When sleep was finally pulling me into its embrace I heard Alistair sniff and let out a shaky breath. I turned over onto my other side to face Alistair, though he was still facing away from me. At first I wasn't sure what to do. Out of instinct, I put my arm around his side and lay my head on his back. He stiffened at first, then relaxed and placed his hand over mine. I could hear him cry some more and allowed him to do so.

Eventually, he turned over to face me. Even in the dark I could see how puffy his cheeks were. I gave him a sad smile and wiped away a falling tear. He tried to apologize, but I stopped him. He was mourning, which I understand. I let him wrap his arms around me. We found comfort in each other's embrace and, somehow, slept.

I was the first to wake in the morning and realized we had slept that way. I blushed and wanted to move, but did not wish to wake him yet. It was strange seeing his face so close. Even with his tear stained cheeks and puffy eyes, he was very handsome- NO! I will not allow myself to be taken into his handsome facial features or the fact that I was so close to his amazingly sculpted body . . . Sweet Andraste! Why am I doing this? These words just seem to enter my mind and form on the paper.

Anyway, he woke and we ate before heading off. Before we left, Flemeth informed us that Morrigan was coming with us. She didn't want at first, nor did Alistair want her to. But we need all the help we can get. So once she was packed we set off.

Things were quiet in the silence of the forest. Woodpeckers here and there, bugs would often fly around, birds or squirrels would play in the trees or make little noises. But a dead silence remained in the group. Well, until Morrigan began bothering Alistair, being a rather pest to him and such. He made no move to stop it. He was still grieving, I could see that.

We did not make it to Lothering today, as Morrigan predicted so. So Alistair and I built a fire while Morrigan set off a bit away from us and Alistair did too. The night is freezing, Falon! Alistair was much away from the fire's warmth. So I decided to go to him.

"Do you want to talk about Duncan?" I signed, sitting next to him.

"You don't have to do that. I know you didn't know him as well as I did."

"He was like a father to you. I understand." He sighed and told me how he should be handling this better. That any one of us could die in battle and he shouldn't have lost it. He apologized to me, though I explained no harm had been done. Then he asked if I've lost someone close to me. I then remembered that Duncan never told him of what happened, and I do not wish for him to know just yet, so I simply replied "yes" but did not explained who. I will tell him . . . at some point. He nodded with a small smile on his lips.

I got him to come back to the fire and told him we would split shifts. I'd take the first while he the second. He was about to protest but I told him he needed to rest and that I was already wide awake. He agreed. So now, here I am, writing to you on my watch. Morrigan told us we will be arriving at the village tomorrow around noon. I wonder what we may find there. I hope Morrigan will stop it with Alistair. If she continues I will have to talk with her. Even I may go mad at these insults.

Yours, Vercy.