And... I still only own Beth.

The rating for this chapter is going up to M for Paranoia (but seriously, some very light mentioning of sexual themes, and consumption of alcohol)

Hope you enjoy!

Following that evening, Krem' situation had evolved for the better. He now got to greet his beloved Beth every day, and be greeted in return. However, the Bull noticed with great grief that his lieutenant had now developped a new problem: every single day, he walked to Beth to say hello and the two would exchange a few words before she went about her work, and every single day, on his way back to the door/chair/table/Bull, Krem's feet caught into a chair or a stool and he nearly fell over. This would have been ok if the issues with drinking and sitting had been resolved, only they weren't. Now, on top of not being able to sit or drink properly, his Krem could no longer walk properly.

"So anyway, I just said like yeah stop singing that song and stuff, and she said people love it, but I'm one of the regular people aren't I , I don't want people singing songs about me innit? If they sing songs about me that makes me like the Inquisitor or something innit..."

"Well that's perhaps a bit extreme, comparing yourself to the Inquisitor, Sera. And it really is a lovely song. I could do with a song. 'Dorian was never the best of sons, He preferred bright clothes to dull brown 'jimjams.'.."

"Look at him, look at him," interrupted the Bull.

Krem was walking back to his chair. He threw one last glance at Beth over his shoulder, and sure enough, his foot got caught in some table's leg and he bumped his knee. He rubbed his leg and struggled back to his chair, knocking somebody's glass over, then he sat on top of his chair's back with his feet on the seat. He picked up his bottle and brought it to his nose, all the while staring at his waitress. Wine poured into his nostril and he sneezed it back out.

"Did you see him?"

The Bull sounded so giddy that Dorian threw him a look that bordered on worried.

"His heart beats hard" said Cole, appearing out of the shadows. Sera swore. "The longing is sweet but so painful, it can never be. What would she think?"

"I can tell you what I think, demon-boy" said Sera.

"Yes Cole, what does she think then? Listen to her" said Bull.

Cole looked over to Beth, scowling in effort.

"She... She is very warm. And her head feels light. She knows he is watching her, Dalia told her."

"Yes, but does she like Krem then or not?"

"He saved her. He is warm, bright like the sun, he is good. He is not like other men." Cole seemed very confused for a moment. "She is convinced that he is hot, but Krem feels just fine today."

"That's a yes" grinned Bull.

"She is right in thinking he is different" said Dorian. "Only, she doesn't know just how different. He really is not like other men. If Cremisius is serious in pursuing her, then eventually he will have to tell her the truth. It is not right to deceive the girl."

"He is a man. There is no deception."

"Do not misunderstand me, Iron Bull, I am not saying he isn't, but..."

"But nothing. Krem is a man."

"If they were to ever share a bed, as you would expect from two young lovers, then she would notice something was amiss, would she not? I believe it is better to tell her gently rather than let her discover the truth the hard way."

"Wait... What are you on about?" Asked Sera.

"Krem was born a girl." Answered Dorian. "And technically, he still is..."

"Watch it, Pavus." Warned Bull.

"... In terms of reproductive organs."

"Really?"

Sera shook her head, looking over at Krem.

"Well, whatever yeah, as long as he's happy it's all good innit. It's not like you need a dick to make a woman come. Maybe she already knows."

The warrior, the rogue and the mage all looked to Cole.

"She.. Already knows he is a man, yes" said Cole in confusion.

Sera groaned. And groaned again when Maryden started playing the first few notes of her famous hit "Sera was Never".

"One day, that bard is going to have an accident" she predicted.

From her spot near the stairs, Maryden was smiling coyly at Sera.

"Creepy" said the archer. "What don't she write a song about Krem? 'Krem was never the best at being a girl, and he fancied the pants off the elven tavern girl'"

"Rhyming 'girl' with 'girl' is... A truly poetic suggestion, Sera. I had no idea you had such a talent with words. Do make sure to teach Maryden your ways when you get the chance."

"You could do with me teaching you my ways and talents, Dorian, you think women need dicks."

"I've never said such a thing! And what would I know, or want to know, about pleasuring a woman?"

"Nothing, so shut up. Krem doesn't need a dick to keep Beth happy."

"I never said he did" insisted Dorian, who was getting a bit annoyed and flustered. "I only said that it seemed unfair to me that Beth wasn't made aware of Krem' situation, that's all. And the sooner the better."

"They've only just started saying hello to each other" said Bull, "he doesn't need to be telling her about his private bits just yet does he?"

"You both are intent on misunderstanding anything I say." Complained Dorian. "Cole, you understand me, don't you?"

"I can see she is lovely, he thinks, but she just doesn't tempt me. I must tell her this can never be. The woman thinks he is dashing, she checks her hair and pinches her cheeks, what a handsome husband he could be. I must not lie to her, I must not lead her on. I cannot, these lies sicken me. She must know now before her heart gets too involved."

"Yes, well, I like honesty, what can I say?"

He stood.

"Where are you going?"

"To the loo, Iron Bull, if that's ok with you?"

"Sure. Want some company?"

The mage snorted, walking away.

"That's not a no, Dorian!" Called out Bull. "It's not a no" he repeated to Sera and Cole, who both chose to stay silent. "Is it a no?"

The following week, the whole of Skyhold was bubbling with mirth. The Inquisitor had come back victorious from Adamant, having successfully defeated yet another threat and earning the admiration and gratefulness of the older generation by enlisting the Wardens to the Inquisition. The atmosphere of celebration was all the more palpable that Hawke, the great champion of Kirkwall, was here in person. The Inquisitor and Hawke walked around Skyhold getting congratulated on their victory, and it was rather entertaining to watch them interact with the crowd. The Inquisitor was all shy smiles and quiet thanks, while Hawke, ever the crowd pleaser, joked and teased and winked at everybody.

The tavern knew to expect a lot of people, and early, and so tables were placed outside while service started early in the morning and never ended. Extra waitresses and waiters and bartenders were hired, and the Herald's Rest had its most profitable week yet. Everyone was happy. Maryden, who had greatly opposed the temporary addition of another bard, sang sometimes inside and sometimes outside the tavern, having sworn to only play joyful tunes. Even the Inquisitor and their three advisors had come down from the Castle to join in the festivities. One evening, the third of a long series, the dwarf Varric was over the moon as he watched his friend Hawke dancing with the civilians. Commander Cullen stood straight, the embodiment of military values, but his foot was discreetly tapping along with the music. Warden Blackwall was sitting at the bar, drinking up the courage to walk over to ambassador Josephine and ask her for a dance. Dorian was sitting with him, drinking his weight in Fereldan beer while staring at the Iron Bull.

Sera had rolled under a table somewhere, not before beating several people at arm-wrestling, including Balckwall, though the latter claimed he had let her win to be gallant.

The Chargers were joining in, as expected, and Krem made his way to the bar to order another round. It was really hot inside the tavern, despite the cool mountain air blowing in through the open door and windows, and the young warrior had discarded his armor. He wore his trousers and a thick shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He reached the bar with great difficulty, the tavern being absolutely packed, and had to lean in between Blackwall and Dorian to get to the taps.

"Lad" yelled the warden into his ear, setting a very heavy hand onto his shoulder. "Why are you here? Go make her dance."

"Who?" Asked Krem, although he had a very clear idea of who Balckwall was talking about.

"Your girl. Your waitress. Go dance with her, lad." His eyes started to tear up, then. "Love is so precious. Love makes the world go right, lad, do you know what I mean? Love has no conditions. She'll love you no matter what, go sweep her off her feet, dance with her."

Despite the alcohol clouding his mind, Krem did manage to wonder how it was possible that every single person in Skyhold seemed to know both of his attraction to Beth as well as his 'situation', except for Beth herself.

"She's working" he slurred.

"Nonsense" interrupted Dorian. "Drink this, then go."

"I can't dance"

"Fereldan dances are a lot less demanding than they are back home" said Dorian. He was doing a much better job than Balckwall at hiding his drunken state. Only his slightly red eyes and dishevelled hair gave him away. "All you do, is lock arms and jump around in a circle"

"Put your arm around her waist" yelled Blackwall. "Make her feel safe!"

"Will she feel safe if we're jumping around in circles?"

"Fasta vass, just go already!"

Dorian pushed Krem away from the bar. The young warrior looked down to his hands and saw the tankard of ale resting there. He looked up, and saw Beth clearing a table near the stairs. How did she always look so gorgeous? Krem felt like a sweaty mess, and Beth was beautiful, with her lovely hair tied up loosely above her slender neck. She was wearing a white dress with a red and brown apron, her shoulders left bare. The dress must have been designed for a human, otherwise it would cover her shoulders a bit more. Not that Krem complained. Still staring at her, he brought the tankard to his lips. Unfortunately, his waitress looked up to him at this exact moment and gave him the most attractive smile he'd ever seen. The ale poured down his cheek. He wiped his face, too tipsy to care that she'd seen the whole thing, and walked over to her with great determination. Her laugh died on her lips as he stopped a bit too close to her, her cheeks turning a charming shade of red that had nothing to do with the heat.

"Good Beth" he said. "I mean, good evening, Beth."

"Good evening"

Wow, he's close, thought Beth. The thing with working in a tavern was that no matter what happened, you'd always be the most sober person in the room. Krem had obviously had a little bit to drink, judging by his sudden inability to respect personal space. Not that she complained. She felt like laughing again, he was just standing there looking at her, with an expression of pure happiness on his face.

"Are you having a good night?" She asked him.

"It's even better now" he replied without a hint of hesitation, his eyes boring into hers.

And what was she supposed to answer to that? The young elf felt the blush spread to her neck. Krem leant forward, his mouth close to her pointed ear, and said:

"You look so beautiful"

Oh my, how much had he had to drink exactly? Beth was almost certain her shoulders were red too by then.

"When is your break?"

He'd moved back a bit, and she could breathe.

"It's, erm, right about now I think" she giggled, although she wasn't quite sure why. Maybe tipsyness was contagious. The truth was, her service had ended about two hours before, but she'd kept on working because she needed an excuse to stay amongst the festivities, just in case Krem did come to speak to her.

"Can I get you a drink?"

"Yes please"

They made their way to the bar, Beth noticing that Krem's hand had come to rest at the small of her back.

They sat on the stools there, looking back at the room. Well, Beth was looking at the room, trying hard not to show that she could feel Krem's eyes on her. What Beth couldn't see was that behind her, the Tevinter mage and warden Blackwall were both wiggling their eyebrows at her companion.

"So you're from Tevinter?" Beth asked.

"I am."

"Like sir Dorian Pavus?"

"Sort of, but he's an Altus, a mage from a noble family. I'm just a tailor' son. And I'm not quite as dashing." He smiled. His hand was resting on his leg, very close to her knee.

"Well I think you're really handsome," said Beth, refusing to be the only one to blush that night. His eyes widened in surprise, and he looked like he wasn't sure he'd heard her correctly.

"Pardon? I can't hear"

"I said, I think you're really handsome"

"Pardon?"

"I said, I think that..." Then it hit her. Krem was giving her a cheeky smile, and Beth burst out laughing and hit him on the arm, though not too hard. Somewhere behind her, someone whistled.

"Will you dance with me?" He asked her.

Maryden had just started playing a particularly catchy tune, and a lot of patrons had moved to the middle of the room to dance.

"I will, although you are but a tailor' son" she joked.

Beth let him lead her to the middle of the room, and bit her lip as his arm snaked around her waist. His other hand met hers, and the two of them started dancing. His shoulder felt warm and strong under her hand.

"I've never danced this" he said.

"It's ok, all you need to do is hold me close and jump around in circles" she replied. He laughed.

"I can do that"

He was doing a pretty good job, she thought, especially the "hold me close" part. All too soon,sadly, the music ended and the bartender rang the bell which meant that they would soon have to stop serving so the staff could catch a rest. The Inquisitor had just retired to their quarters, which made it acceptable for everyone else to feel tired.

"That's a shame" said Krem. They'd stopped moving, but she was still in his arms and he seemed very reluctant to let her go.

"I am free tomorrow, I've got a day off" said Beth, whose mouth had started speaking of its own accord. "We could meet up if you like? Go for a walk?"

"Really?"

Oh no, was she being weird? The waitress shrugged, pretending to be very casual about the whole thing.

"Yeah, if you like, you could tell me about how a tailor' son ends up a mercenary. And I could tell you about the bog I come from, I'm sure you're dying to hear more about that."

"Really? I mean, yes, that would be great, what time? Where should I meet you?"

"Midday? And... Meet me here?"

"Great," he said, his smile so infectious she felt her own lips stretch.

"Good night, Beth," he said, as she slipped out of his arms.

"Good night, Krem," said she, and Krem loved the way his name sounded on her lips.

For a second there, she looked like she was about to reach out for him, and Krem felt his heart beat furiously in his ribcage, but then she just waved and walked away.

Feeling like the happiest fool that ever was, Krem turned around to set off to find the Chargers (were they still waiting for their round?), when his feet caught in the table's leg and he banged his knee.