Legam held up a small leather coin purse, contemplating it. Such an inordinate object, so unassuming. Within it resided just a small pinch of ashes, but the mage went through the longest six weeks of his life to retrieve them. He and his companions spent a month trekking steep mountains, fought a demented cult, slew a high dragon and went through a literal trial of faith to collect the small relic. The Warden shook his head, still in awe he possessed remains of the prophet Andraste.
The moment he beheld the Urn of Sacred Ashes made the entire journey worth taking. Never before in his life did the mage feel filled with such awe, such enlightenment. Legam still doubted his worthiness in beholding such a holy artifact, let alone actually touching it. Yet he passed the challenges of the Gauntlet, so perhaps the Maker saw something within the Warden that he didn't.
He sighed, carefully placing the small bag back within his belt pouch. Arl Eamon needed the ashes to recover from a poison-induced illness. Legam rubbed his temple, recalling the incident back at Redcliffe. Expecting to recruit the Arl's aid against Lohgain, he instead discovered a town under attack by undead and the castle cut off from contact.
After aiding Bann Teagan – the Arl's brother – with saving the town, Legam and his team infiltrated the fortress to discover a tangled web of deceit and misguided intentions. At the root of it resided a demon-possessed boy and a man the Rivain never expected to see again: Jowan. Legam frowned, still unsure of what to think about his former friend.
They grew up in the Circle together, yet Jowan lied about practicing blood magic and unintentionally led Legam into his current Grey Warden lifestyle. Later, he discovered the apostate was the one poisoning the arl, triggering the series of events that placed Redcliffe at the whims of a desire demon. Part of him resented his fellow mage for all the death and destruction he wrought, however unintentional. The other part pitied and worried over his old friend, despite his transgressions. Legam still didn't know if he'd vouch for Jowan should Arl Eamon awake.
"I know that look. You're brooding about something." A very familiar, sweet voice uttered behind him. Smiling, Legam turned to see Leliana sit beside him. She folded her hands atop his shoulder, and rested her chin upon her hands. His smile widened slightly, appreciative of the bard's open affection. Sometimes he hardly believed three months passed since the Orlesian admitted her adoration. Her companionship and love brightened the dreariness of his duty, a single candle flame amidst infinite shadows.
Legam toyed with the bard's braid, twirling the tip in his fingers as he responded, "Oh, just wondering what will happen when we return to Redcliffe. Hopefully, the Ashes will work. If… When… Arl Eamon's health returns, Jowan must answer for his crimes. I'm just not sure what is appropriate."
Leliana pursed her lips, thinking. "In the end, he aided us, did he not? While you did not use his methods to save Connor, it was his suggestion that brought the Circle's help to mind, yes? Because of his original idea, you managed to save the arl's family."
"True," The mage admitted, releasing her hair. "But his poisoning made Arl Eamon ill in the first place and started the whole fiasco."
"I do not deny that. But when you freed him from his prison, he chose to stay. Even knowing the consequences, Jowan chose to make amends. Everyone deserves a second chance."
"Aye, but after what he did at the Circle, he continued to make foolish decisions." Legam sighed, rubbing his temple again. "I know Jowan. He is not a malicious man, but… He is not exactly the brightest at times, either. I do not doubt his intentions, but his good judgment."
Leliana gently grabbed his fingers, pulling them away from his head. "Perhaps this is a situation best left to the Circle? Your former friendship might very well color your own judgment of the situation."
Legam stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Perhaps. Chances are the Circle will make him Tranquil or execute him, but… Who knows? They may show mercy for his help. They are not without bias either, but Irving's always strived for fairness." He nodded. "Yes… That is probably the best solution. Thank you for your council, Leli." The Warden craned his neck, attempting to kiss her cheek affectionately. He missed, pecking the tip of her nose instead.
The bard giggled. "Was that your intended trajectory?" She teased.
He flushed, but grinned in spite of himself. "That's the story I choose to tell. I do not share your agility, I fear."
"Certainly not!" Leliana agreed, laughing before kissing his cheek, "But that's just part of your oafish charm, my dear."
"Good to know I am loved." His green eyes rolled, though the mage retained his smirk.
She laughed again, laying her cheek on his shoulder and wrapping her arms around his. "Very much so, do not doubt that." He chuckled, resting his head atop hers. The two sat in quiet contentment, enjoying the low crackle of the camp fire and the soft sounds of each other's breathing.
Tiny squeaking snorts broke the stillness. Legam felt something bump his shin. He smirked, recognizing the disruption as a certain subterranean bunny-pig. After finding the Sacred Ashes, a blizzard forced the party into the underground roads. Luckily, Oghren recognized a path leading back to Orzammar.
Unsure of the surface weather, the group returned to the dwarven city for a few days, restocking and resting. During their stay, Legam managed to procure a nug, recalling Leliana's fascination with the strange animals. He gave it to her as a pet, much to the bard's delight. She named it Schmooples. Schmooples! Even now, the ridiculous moniker sent the mage into snickers. Almost indignantly, the nug bumped his leg again.
"Looks like somebody's hungry… Or jealous of the attention I'm getting." He mused. Leliana straightened, picking up the nug and cradling him in one arm.
"Likely both," she chuckled, getting up. "It's about time for his dinner and bedtime, anyway. I shall return shortly."
Legam plopped down onto the grass, folding his hands behind his head, "Take your time, I shan't go anywhere."
Leliana carried the nug over to the basket that served as his bed. Placing the hairless critter down, she rummaged her pack for food. Retrieving several carrot sticks, she fed it to Schmooples. He squeaked happily, nibbling the vegetables. The bard giggled, shaking her head. As her pet enjoyed his meal, she turned her gaze back to the lounging Warden.
Sometimes it still amazed her the Maker had blessed her with Legam's companionship. Perhaps He sought to reward her for her faith, or counterbalance the pain she suffered in her last days within Orlais all those years ago. Whatever the reason, Leliana savored each moment spent in her love's company.
Leliana smiled. Love. When the bard had gathered the courage to express Legam's importance to her, she was unsure how deep her adoration went. Three months later, no doubt remained. She loved him with all her heart – the mage was the most important person to her since Marjolaine. Even with all their responsibilities and constant battles, Legam brought true happiness to her life. He remained her most trusted companion, a great comfort in trying times.
Comfort. She sighed, blowing a few strands of hair from her face. It was wonderful to share such affection with a man and actually mean it for once. No longer did she seduce for secrets and gain. After joining the Chantry, the bard vowed to take such things more seriously, and to save the pleasures of the flesh for one she truly loved. Lovemaking should remain just that – not a tool to manipulate people.
Only… Despite her open admission of love, the couple had yet to be intimate. Leliana felt they reached the point in their relationship to explore such areas, but waited to see if Legam made any moves first. So far, nothing. He ever remained a gentleman in her company. Part of her loved his considerate demeanor; the other boiled from years of pent-up sexual frustration, on the verge of exploding at times. Thankfully, Leliana mastered her urges a long time ago.
Still, she knew as they drew closer to Redcliffe each day, the closer they came to being swept up in Ferelden politics. When that happened, their time for each other would diminish rapidly. The window of opportunity shrank, and Leliana decided she must take things into her own hands once more. Scratching Schmooples behind his ear, she let the nug finish his meal. His hunger satisfied, Schmooples curled up in the basket, his ears drooping with sleep. Leliana patted the hairless rodent's head one last time, bidding him good night.
She strolled back over to Legam, who now stood, leaning on his staff as he gazed up at the stars. The bard stopped next to him, scanning the heavens. "See something interesting?"
Legam shrugged, "Just looking at Alindra's constellation. It's much further off in the horizon now."
"Well, it is getting late in the year. Stars move about through the seasons." Leliana noted. Legam nodded.
"Oh, I know. It is just a reminder of how much time has passed. He scratched his beard, turning his eyes back down to the Orlesian." Sometimes, it's hard to believe less than a year ago I left the Circle to join the Wardens."
"I know what you mean," Leliana thought on all their accomplishments during the past several months. "It is amazing where life takes one sometimes, no? When I stepped out of Lotherring's cloister, I had no idea where my path would lead. I walked where the Maker led me and..." The bard threaded her fingers through his, smiling sweetly. "He has rewarded me for my faith. I found you."
Legam chuckled, running his thumb along the back of her hand. "What, am I some sort of divine gift, now?"
Leliana grinned, "Something like that. The Maker wants His children to be happy. Why else create the capacity in us for love, if we were not meant to share it?"
The mage returned her smile. "Very true. Then I must remember to thank Him for bringing us together."
Elated by his agreement, Leliana squeezed his hand tenderly. "You don't know how it makes me feel to hear you say that." She paused, considering her options. The hour drew late, and who knew what tomorrow brought? No time like the present. She decided to start dropping hints. "But now it's getting late. I think I might... Turn in early." The corners of her mouth curled into a coy smile. "I can't help thinking about how soft and warm my bedroll is."
Legam raised an eyebrow. True, the night grew late, but Leliana rarely went to sleep this early. Was she tired of conversation? "You don't want to talk to me anymore?"
"Oh, of course I do. You know I enjoy your company." She shook her head, resisting a chuckle. Legam could be so innocent sometimes. "But it's getting a little chilly and I'd prefer to be in my bedroll." Leliana jerked her head in the direction of her tent, hoping to reinforce her implication.
Legam nodded. The nights did get rather cold around here, and they spent a long day traveling. He understood her need to retire. "Well, I shan't keep you." The mage turned to leave, relaxing his grip on her hand.
Leliana managed to grip the tips of his digits before his hand slipped completely from her grasp, halting his departure. Why did he toy with her like this? Perhaps he required a more direct hint. "You know, it would be nice if you came with me."
He tilted his head. Now he was truly baffled. Did Leliana not just say she wanted to sleep? "What for?"
Leliana bit her lip, growing frustrated. No man could truly be this dense, could they? "So I can show you my collection of pressed flowers, obviously." She muttered through her teeth, voice dripping with sarcasm.
Legam wracked his brain for tidbits of their past conversations. Did she mention this before? Her mother did keep dried flower petals, but he was fairly certain Leliana never mentioned a collection of her own before. "Huh. I didn't know you collected pressed flowers."
Her jaw slacked slightly, stumped Legam carried the jest this far, "I... Don't." She frowned, tired of this game. "Stop pretending you don't know what I want!"
The mage cringed, noting the ire in her voice. What did he say that offended her so? Women confounded him sometimes. "I have no idea what's going on…" He whimpered, rubbing his head and furrowing his dark eyebrows.
"Oh, the games you play." Leliana sighed deeply. Perhaps Legam was that dense, after all. No more dancing around the issue then. "Listen, I want to spend the night with you. There, I said it."
Legam scrunched his face, processing her words. His features relaxed, eyes widening in realization at last. "You…" He felt as though every drop of blood in his body rushed to his face, burning his ears and cheeks. "…You want me to come to bed?"
Leliana threw her hands up into the air, though she could not keep the mirth from her voice. "Oh, now he gets it." She crossed her arms, amused by his shock.
His insides fluttered, mind scrambling in panic. Fumbling his hands, the mage babbled, unable to form words. Finally he stammered, "C-can't! Bad time! Later!" and fled off to the far side of camp.
Leliana's arms dropped, shocked. "W-what?" She never expected such a reaction. Why would he turn her down? Unease clawed at her heart, hurt by his rejection.
"Astounding. I did not realize mages could dash so quickly." Zevran's thickly accented, amused voice chuckled behind her. "What did you say to frighten the poor lad so?"
The pain of rejection shifted into indignant anger. "Mind your own business, Zevran." She snapped.
The Antivan assassin threw his hands up defensively. "Such ire coming from as lovely a creature as you! Trouble in paradise, I take it?"
"I said leave me be! I am in no mood for your harassment." Leliana scowled, avoiding the elf's gaze, lest she strangle him out of frustration.
Unperturbed, Zevran rubbed his thumb across the tips of his fingers, smirking. He had caught bits of the conversation earlier, and knew exactly what the problem was. Truthfully, the former Crow held an insight from overhearing a conversation between the Wardens that he suspected his bard companion lacked. The situation humored him greatly, but perhaps he should clear the confusion anyway… In his own manner, of course.
Zevran continued eying his hand, a smug smirk pulling at his face. "Could it be," He wondered, "That our dear former seductress is not quite as good at reading men as she believes?"
Leliana turned on her heel, clenching her fists. Anger burned within, brightly as her own red hair. "Zevran! Maker help me, if you don't leave now, I will–"
"Could it be," Zevran raised his voice, cutting her off, "that she does not realize Alistair is not the only… inexperienced Warden in our company?"
Her anger fizzled out, replaced by confusion. "Inexperienced? Wh…" Realization dawned. "You… You mean he's never…?"
The elf hummed affirmatively. "I overheard him and Alistair talk about knocking boots some time back. Both claimed complete virginity. Considering their demeanors, is it really so surprising?"
Leliana smacked her forehead. Why hadn't Legam mentioned this before? Frustration crept back in, but sympathy quickly drove it away. No wonder the poor Rivaini ran! He knew not how to handle the situation, and probably defaulted to his old defense mechanism – flight. Best to straighten things out now before they escalated into more misunderstandings.
She relaxed her arm, letting her hand fall at her side and turned to her assassin comrade. "I can't believe I am actually saying this, but… Thank you, Zevran. Now I must go and fix this situation." Leliana walked around him, setting off to find the mage Warden.
"Don't give him too hard a time over this!" Zevran called. He paused. "Well… Actually… Perhaps you should! Both of you need a good romp!"
Red flared across Leliana's cheeks and ears. She grumbled, deciding not to justify Zevran's taunting with a response. Her search did not take long, finding the mage sitting outside his tent, his knees curled up to his chest to bury his head within them. She stopped a few feet away, playing with her hands nervously.
"So… May we speak?"
Legam startled slightly, looking up at her. He rubbed his neck bashfully, "Leli! I… I–I'm so sorry about that! I j… just never…"
She sat down next to him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's all right. Zevran told me that you are… inexperienced."
He pressed his palm against his face, crimson with embarrassment. "I… I'm not sure I want to know how he ascertained that, but… Yes. I've… Erm… Never 'licked a lamppost in winter,' as Alistair would say."
Leliana couldn't resist a giggle. "'Licked a lamppost?'"
Legam chuckled, "Well, that's his euphemism of choice."
"You know, you could have told me you were a virgin instead of scampering away like a startled cat." The bard teased, nudging his shoulder.
He shrugged, "I just… I don't know. I don't talk about it, because I don't think about it much, to be honest. I know it's unusual at my age to be so unversed, especially considering mage promiscuity, but…" Legam shrugged once again, "I just never bothered back at the Circle, I suppose. I always enjoyed tales of romance and love, but most of the female mages weren't interested in me. I dedicated my time to my studies and spells."
Leliana arched an eyebrow. "And yet you flirt with me and listen to all my tales of my rather unscrupulous past."
The mage scratched his head, "As you say, the past should remain there. I don't judge or begrudge your seductive history. In regards to the flirting… What can I say? I suppose I have a weakness for Orlesian accents." He grinned a little.
She snickered, batting his arm playfully. "Well, I am glad we cleared this up." Leliana straightened her expression, turning more serious. "I did not mean to make you so uncomfortable though, and…" She cleared her throat, "I understand your reluctance. I love you, and I won't ask anything of you that makes you uncomfortable." Leliana squeezed his hand reassuringly, planting a gentle kiss upon his cheek.
The bard rose to leave, but Legam placed a firm hand on her shoulder to stop her. She eyed him inquisitively. He hesitated, biting his lower lip. Finally, he spoke. "It's… Mn… It's not that I don't want to…" Color flooded his face again. "Just… Considering our different areas of experience… I'm afraid you'll find my… ah… 'performance' rather… disappointing." He rubbed his neck again, averting her gaze.
Leliana relaxed, touched by his concern and pitying his lack of confidence. She curled a few fingers around his bearded chin, coaxing his head to face her. "Is that what this is really all about?" His eyes glanced away, and Leliana chuckled at his shyness. "My dearest one, as I said, I love you. You cannot possibly disappoint me. Everybody starts somewhere, and I would be happy to guide you through the… Nuances." The tiniest hint of a sly smirk spread across her lips.
"I…" His blush flared so brightly even his chocolate skin failed to conceal it, "If… You have the patience to tutor me through my bumbling…"
Her grin stretched, wide enough to show teeth, "I think you'll find me a very supportive teacher." Leliana rose slowly, taking Legam's hands in hers and guiding the mage to his feet. "But come. Such lessons are meant for more private locations."
Though his hands trembled in her gentle hold, Legam allowed the bard to lead him into his tent. "I am yours to command, milady…"
~*~*~
Zevran sat by the central camp fire, but his attention focused on the exchange between his party leader and the Orlesian bard. When the two retreated into the seclusion of Legam's tent, the elf shook his head and chuckled lowly. Noticing Alistair across the fire, eying him quizzically, Zevran laughed.
"It seems soon you will be the only person in our company belonging to the untapped boots club." The elf teased. The ex-templar's eyebrows shot further up his forehead.
"What on earth are you talking about? What have my boots got to do with anything?"
Zevran didn't elaborate, merely guffawing at the Grey Warden's expense.
~*~*~
Leliana curled up beside Legam, resting her head upon his collarbone. Her lover's gasping breaths, still winded after their excursions, gently rocked her face against his chest. The bard idly ran a finger across his stomach, tracing the smatterings of hair that ran from his pectorals all the way past his belly button. She found his body hair intriguing; most men in Orlais lacked much of it – if not due to heredity, than due to Orlesian shaving fashions.
Smirking slightly at her musings, Leliana lightly poked Legam's belly, amused by its pudginess. It wasn't enough to notice when the mage wore his robes, but it did make him a tad… Squishier. She didn't mind that, either. The redheaded Orlesian sighed, relaxed and content. She looked up at her Grey Warden, smiling.
"Now, was that really something to get all worked up over?" She teased. Legam lazily raised a hand to his forehead, pushing several stray strands of hair back while managing a small, winded chuckle.
"There's a double-entendre in there, but I currently lack the coherency to properly address it." He breathed. Leliana laughed. Recovering most of his breath finally, Legam reached an arm up to softly fiddle with her braid. "It is no wonder you were such a successful seductress back in Orlais."
Leliana smirked impishly, "Oh, this is simply a preface to a whole new chapter in your life, my dear. I have yet many things to teach you."
He chuckled again, "I only hope my attempts were not too clunky and awkward, like everything else I do around you."
The bard giggled, "Perhaps a little, but that is part of your charm." Leliana tapped the tip of his nose teasingly. "Besides, the art of lovemaking is like any other skill: one's abilities improve the more you practice."
"Then I eagerly await future rehearsals." Legam kissed her, sleepiness seeping into the corners of his consciousness. He yawned, nuzzling Leliana and resting his cheek atop her head. "Unfortunately… I lack the energy for another tutoring session tonight." The mage yawned again, emphasizing his fatigue.
Leliana lazily draped an arm around his chest, also starting to feel the pull of sleep. "Rest is a good idea." She agreed.
Legam wrapped an arm around her back, pulling her closer to his side. Comfortable and warm, the mage felt his eyelids drooping. "Mn. I think I'll enjoy sleeping like this," he murmured.
Leliana nodded slowly, her own eyelids getting heavy, "Indeed. It is soothing to sleep while in the arms of your love." She pecked his trim beard, too tired to raise her head higher than his chin. "Sweet dreams, Legam."
The Grey Warden muttered a barely intelligible, "You too," before his breathing slowed into the quiet rhythm of dreams. Leliana smiled contently, warm and secure in Legam's embrace. Her eyes slowly closed, weariness setting in. Nuzzling her cheek against his neck and shoulder, the bard's smile spread, and she drifted into a peaceful slumber. After all her trials and tribulations, she finally found home.