Sorry about the late update but here it is. Hope you guys enjoy it :)

CHAPTER 15: Sword of Mercy

Kallian shivered as Leliana whispered the instructions right next to her ear. She couldn't stop herself from flicking her gaze sideways. Her aim went too far to the left and the arrow shot past the trunk. Leliana giggled from beside her.

"Oh dear," said the bard slyly, handing her another arrow.

The elf took it and pulled the bowstring again. This time she kept her gaze firmly on the target. Her right hand gripped the string tightly, resting on her cheek. But just as she was about to release the tension, the sister blew on her neck. The last arrow went completely off target.

She turned around to stare at the woman.

"Hmm, it seems you need more practice," said the bard, suppressing a smile.

"I had that one this time," grumbled Kallian.

"Are you sure?" asked Leliana, coming to put an arm around the elf's neck. She leaned in close. "We can't have you distracted so easily."

Kallian felt her heart beating faster at the contact. The woman's face was so close... she stared at the long lashes curving up, the elegant line of her nose, the details on that flawless cheek...

"Maker, what have you been doing at the Chantry?" she asked.

Leliana raised an eyebrow. "Whatever do you mean?"

"I didn't know you were so damn flirty."

The bard smiled coquettishly. "Oh, I suppose we are taught to act more appropriately. I try, of course. But there are times when I want a bit of... fun," she replied, tapping the elf's nose with a slender finger.

Kallian felt a grin spreading despite herself. She shook her head, chuckling.

"Hey, are you two finished?" called Alistair from the campsite. "I'm starving!"

The elf slapped her forehead with a hand- she'd forgotten it was her duty to cook today. "Yeah, coming!" she replied.

Leliana checked to see no one was watching before planting a kiss on Kallian's cheek. "I will get the arrows, you go and make lunch."

The elf grinned stupidly. "Thanks." She turned and ran back to the campsite, touching her cheek. It still tingled from the kiss.

Alistair looked up from heating up the pot. "You look like you've had a good session."

Kallian realized she still had that goofy smile plastered on her face. She cleared her throat. "Uh… yeah."

She avoided his eyes and washed her hands before sitting down. Alistair had peeled the vegetables, leaving her to cut them up and skin the fish. After throwing them in with the salt and spices, Kallian started cleaning the knife and cutting board.

"Ahh," said Alistair in satisfaction, sniffing the smell. "I can't wait."

Wynne stalked up to them at that moment, narrowing her eyes at the former Templar. Kallian looked up curiously.

"Alistair, what is this?"

She eyed the grimy piece of cloth. It was so dirty it took her a few seconds to realize it was-

"A sock?"

"It's a filthy sock," said the mage, shaking her head in disapproval. "How did it find its way to my bedroll?"

"Maybe it likes you? Socks are sneaky like that. Anyway, it's not mine."

Kallian could have sworn a smile flit across his face.

"It has your name stitched on it."

"Oh. Ha, ha. Ha…"

The older woman spent the next couple of minutes lecturing Alistair on washing his clothes. Kallian smirked as she half listened and cleaned the knife. She was half listening because the other half of her mind was elsewhere… like the practice sessions she had with Leliana. A big smile surfaced again as she remembered the sly methods the bard had used to distract her.

Stop it, Kallian told herself, trying to control her facial muscles, which were aching from smiling so much. She felt like a kid again, wanting to sprint across the landscape, whooping and shouting.

Leliana was back now and she sat across the fire from her, watching sideways from beneath long lashes. The elf tried not to be too obvious when she returned the gaze, grinning crookedly.

"Um… Kallian? What is that smell?"

Alistair's voice snapped her out of her reverie.

"Oh shit," said the elf, looking down at the blackened mess in the pot. It was not the first time this had happened over the past few days. Now that she was back in reality, the smell hit her hard.

Even Wynne came over to narrow her eyes at her. "Child, how is it that you failed three times already? This won't do," she said, tutting. The mage shooed her to the side and Kallian got up to stand like a berated child.

There was a barely concealed laugh from Leliana.

"Really," said the witch, unimpressed. "It shall be evening before we leave this camp."

"Well, maybe she just has a lot of things to think about," said Alistair, coming to Kallian's defence.

"And I wonder what these things are…" said the witch, unimpressed.

"Oh, I am sure they will be important things," came the assassin's silky voice.

Kallian felt her face start burning and ducked her head to hide it.

Damn it, she thought in embarrassment. These blushes are going to give me away one of these days…

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"Oh, wonderful! A dwarven tavern!" said Wynne, smiling. "I've always wanted to try some of their ale. I hear it's quite potent."

Kallian raised her eyebrows at that, as did everyone else. "Wynne... I didn't think you'd be one to drink."

"And why not?" asked the mage. "Because I am old? You forget that old women can enjoy a time at the tavern too."

"Well…"

They all entered the Tapster's Tavern, which was predictably loud and crowded with dwarves. Leliana stepped in after Zevran and was met by a blast of warmth and the strong smell of ale. It was a nice enough environment and Leliana felt her limbs relax a little.

Kallian led them over to a table and the companions sat down. The bard placed herself next to her lover, taking the elf's hand under the table. Kallian jumped and Leliana smirked at the reaction.

"So," said Alistair. "Has anyone had dwarven ale before?"

Leliana nodded. "I once drank a thimble of it."

"How was it?" asked Kallian, curious.

The bard smiled suggestively. "Woke up a week later in Jader wearing nothing but my shoes and a towel."

"Er…"

Zevran whistled. "That would be a sight to see. If you ever need a partner, I would happy to come along."

Kallian glared at him, which the assassin ignored.

"How inappropriate," said Wynne, tutting. "Really, Zevran. You need to put a rein on that tongue."

"Forgive me, I shall be more discreet," said the assassin, smiling. Leliana had the feeling his definition of discreet was different to Wynne's. He turned to the bard.

"So I imagine it has been some time for you, Leliana."

The bard raised an eyebrow.

What is he up to now?

"Some time for me? I do not know what you mean."

Zevran leaned back in the chair with a languid smile. The others were distracted by the dwarf that came to take their orders.

"Some time since you last knocked boots, shall we say? You did just come from the cloistered life, no?"

Leliana kept her face neutral. "Of course it has been some time. There are more important things in life than "knocking boots"."

Zevran laughed. He glanced at Wynne before leaning in to whisper. "Oh, I'll not argue that. I simply mean that the body has urges, urges given to us by the Maker. Yours must be... considerable. After all that time."

She felt Kallian's hand twitch under hers. Leliana gave it a squeeze before giving Zevran a warning look. "That is a very personal question."

"I mean no offense. I simply offer my services should you ever feel the need for... release."

Now Kallian looked thunderous.

"What's happening here?" said Alistair, bringing the tankards with the dwarf. "Why does Kallian look angry?"

Wynne glanced at Zevran suspiciously. "My dear elf, have you been making trouble again?"

"No doubt he cannot resist the temptation," commented the witch, lips twisting.

"Such sinister glares do you a disservice, dear Morrigan. Yours should be a face that smiles," said Zevran, flashing a smile at her.

"Again with the flattery? Do you not tire from these pointless exercises?" asked the witch with a scathing look.

"In Antiva, women are accustomed to being showered with the praise they deserve."

"They don't find that incredibly annoying?"

Leliana watched as Kallian drained the ale, wiping her mouth. There was still some froth left beside her lips and the sister resisted the urge to wipe it for her. Instead, she sighed. Zevran most likely knew about the two, so why...?

Oh...

The assassin winked at her mischievously, looking pleased with himself. Leliana let her lips spread in a small smile, understanding. Zevran certainly liked playing his little games.

She felt her limbs relax and leaned back in her chair. Her gaze roamed the tavern and its customers. Leliana watched the dwarves curiously, taking in their strange clothes, foreign gestures and listened to their guttural language. Finally, her attention came back to the group.

She glanced at Alistair, who was chatting with Kallian. The bard felt a stab of guilt. It wouldn't be long before he knew about the relationship and she wondered how he would take it. Leliana took a sip of the ale and let the liquor run down her throat, relishing the taste- it was a pleasantly nutty flavour with a sweet overtone.

Kallian turned to her to look at her with those dark eyes. They gazed at each other for a moment before Leliana smiled.

"So serious, my love," she said in a low voice.

"Sorry," the elf replied, looking troubled. "I'm not really a fun person to hang around, am I?"

Leliana raised her brows. "Kallian, I wouldn't want to be with anyone else."

Kallian didn't seem to hear her. She fixed murderous eyes on Zevran, taking a sip of her ale.

The bard leaned in with a sly smile. "You look so adorable when you're jealous."

Kallian choked, blushing. "I wasn't jealous," she said indignantly.

Leliana smiled wider and nudged her. "Of course you weren't."

The elf played with the tankard absent mindedly. "I don't like the way he looks at you."

"And how does he look at me?"

Kallian narrowed her eyes. "Like a piece of meat. He has this slippery look, like… are you laughing at me?"

Leliana bit her lower lip, trying not to smile. "Oh, it's so easy to tease you."

"… So I've heard."

Then the bard leaned away from Kallian quickly when she caught Wynne's gaze. The expression on the mage's face gave her pause. But then Alistair started a conversation and she was distracted.

Leliana turned back to Kallian, trying to smile. But even as she did, she had the nagging feeling that Wynne suspected their relationship. And not only that, but she couldn't wave away the feeling she didn't approve of it…

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"Excuse me, stranger. But have you seen a Grey Warden pass by?"

Kallian stopped trying to sidestep him. She frowned and looked him up and down. The dwarf was thickset, with red hair that was nothing like Leliana's and a big plaited moustache. He swayed dangerously, as if drunk. "I might have, why?"

"There's been rumour floating around that he… or was it she-you understand this was many mugs ago- was searching for Branka on Lord Harrowmont's own command."

Kallian gave him a sidelong gaze. "And what did the Warden look like?"

"Stout and muscular, fair of face, but with a strong jaw and a bold nose, surrounded by a great glowing nimbus."

Leliana snorted behind her.

But the dwarf wasn't done. "If she's a woman, she might be more slight, but her eyes will shine with the light of purity and her large but chaste bosom will heave magnificently," he said, gesturing with his hands.

What the fuck?

Now the bard was giggling uncontrollably. Kallian's eye twitched as she stared at the man incredulously.

"I've been looking for hours," said the dwarf, sighing. "But I haven't seen anyone like that. Very frustrating."

"Maybe that's because she doesn't look like that."

The dwarf's expression turned hopeful. "You seen her?"

"I'm the Warden."

"…"

The dwarf looked her up and down. "Didn't expect you'd be an elf. The standards must have gone way down."

Kallian raised an eyebrow at this.

"Say, could I ask you a favour?"

The Warden crossed her arms, glaring at him. "You just insulted my race, and now you want my help?"

"Alright, forget I said that then. Name's Oghren, and if you ever heard of me before, it's probably all about how I piss ale and kill little boys that look at me wrong," said the dwarf, laughing.

No one laughed with him.

Oghren cleared his throat and continued. "And that's mostly true, but the part they never say is how I'm still the only one trying to save our only Paragon."

Kallian's pointed ears pricked up. "Go on."

"I'm the only one who knows what she was looking for, which might be sodding helpful in finding her. She's a smart woman, but half the time she would add two and two and make fifty. If you want to find her, you want to know how she thinks."

"Alright," said Kallian, thinking. "So why do you need my help? Why haven't you found her?"

"Believe me, I've tried. But where she was going, it's a lost thaig. I searched as far as I could but…" his voice trailed off and he sighed dejectedly. "Ach! And I'm not some sodding elf maiden sitting around and waiting for a passing hero to solve all my problems. I'm a bloody warrior!"

"Why do you care so much about Branka?"

"Why?" asked Oghren in disbelief. "Because I was sodding married to her, that's why."

"Married?" said Kallian, surprised. "Okay, then. Tell me what she was looking for."

"The Anvil of the Void, which is probably the most important invention in Orzammar's history."

Kallian sighed.

Circles within circles…

"You can join us then, and tell us about this Anvil of the Void along the way."

"Perfect. Say, do you have some ale with you?"

With the additional companion, the party continued to the Proving Grounds. When they got there, Kallian tried to convince the two dwarfs Baizyl and Gwiddon, who both stubbornly refused to fight.

"Look," said the burlier warrior. "Unless you can recover those letters, I don't want any more harassment!"

Kallian sought out Gwiddon, whose response wasn't any better: "It's my family's job to protect this city, not get caught up in some political games better left to the noble caste."

She exchanged glances with Alistair.

"Well… I guess it's just us then."

The other Warden nodded.

"Let's go. I'm ready."

Kallian turned to the Proving Master and started to move with the others when a gentle tug pulled her back.

Leliana looked down at her and jerked her head in the direction of one of the recovery rooms. Before anyone could glance back and see them, she quickly followed the bard. Kallian faced her in the room and gave her a quizzical look. Leliana slipped off her pack and the elf watched curiously. She took out the bedroll, which had been protruding out from the bag for the whole way. Kallian had vaguely noticed this but never asked. And now she understood why Leliana hid it.

Kallian's eyes widened as the bard revealed the full length of a beautiful sword. It was silver, well-tempered and styled to perfection. The blade was long and slim, tapering to a wicked point.

"Maker," she breathed, fingering the word etched on the flat: mercy.

She looked up to see the bard's soft gaze.

Kallian shook her head. "When did you… how did you-?"

"You mentioned you needed a new sword in Haven," said Leliana. "You've given me so many gifts already… I wanted to give you something back."

The elf laughed softly. "So you gave me a real sword of mercy?"

Her lover smiled, reaching out with soft fingers to touch her cheek. "So you will always remember me."

Kallian grinned and nodded. "I definitely will." Then she gave her a sideways look. "So I guess this is the equivalent of a couple ring?"

Leliana's smile widened, and the elf watched as the light changed in her blue eyes. "I suppose it is."

Kallian smiled so widely she thought her cheeks would burst.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, Kallian."

The elf ran her hand along the smooth blade, still in awe. She gripped it and tested it out. It was perfectly balanced.

She sheathed it and took the bard's hand, pressing her lips to it. "Then... I shall win this fight for you, my lady," she said with a bow.

Leliana laughed and nodded.

"I will be waiting, my knight."