Memories
Alistair smiled as he remembered asking some of their companions for advice when he had wondered about telling Sabriel that he loved her. He had felt so awkward then, so flustered and nervous. It felt good to close his eyes and remember.
* * *
He had gone to Wynne first, thinking if anyone could help him, she could. Her sagely grandmotherly wisdom was always given freely and with kindness. Yes, she would be the best person to ask. He had told himself.
He found her near the fire and after a deep breath he said "Wynne, what would you do if someone told you that they loved you?
She looked up from the stew she was making. Her face showed surprise but there was a mischievous merriment in her eyes that made him regret saying anything to her. Damn, I forgot what a minx she can sometimes be.
"Check their eyesight first, perhaps. Is this someone I should know about?" she said with a laugh.
Alistiar felt himself blush right up to his ears. "No. I mean, pretend you're a woman..."
"I am a woman, Alistair." She cut in. "That shouldn't be too hard, but I'll give it a try."
Oh damn, that was not a good way to start this conversation he thought almost kicking himself.
"Ahhh, that's... not what I meant. Just... pretend you're another woman. And someone told you that they loved you. How would you react?" He hoped he didn't sound too desperate. He felt like his heart was in his throat and his hands had suddenly gotten very sweaty.
Wynne cocked her head to one side kept smiling, not unlike a cat who is watching a mouse. "Well, that depends. Does this someone just blurt it out? Do I love them back? I need context."
Feeling more and more flustered Alistair babbled "I... I don't know if you love them back. Maybe you do. You've... spent a lot of time with this person."
Her expression softened and she turned back to stirring the stew. "Perhaps you need to wait for the right moment? You could get her alone in camp, give her a gift perhaps."
The right moment? When would that be? When all this with the darkspawn was over? When they finished saving Redcliff? He thought and realized that Wynne probably suspected who he was referring to.
"Oh, I wasn't talking about me... just... forget I said anything." He managed before he walked away.
He heard her chuckle behind him and said softly, "As you wish."
He had felt like bashing his head against the nearest tree as he walked farther from the camp, he felt so embarrassed…and…and…flustered. He had forgotten how grandmother figures could make you feel all nervous and embarrassed and pinch your cheeks till they were red and sore.
"At least I left before she could do that to me." He said absent mindedly touching his cheeks which felt hot to the touch.