Chapter 5-The Gift
Aubrie awoke to the smell of fish cooking. After dressing into her armor, she exited the tent to find Alistair cutting up a cooked fish and throwing the pieces into last nights leftover stew. She walked over to him and kissed his cheek. Seeing about half a dozen fish on the ground she said, "You've been busy."
"I couldn't sleep last night," he replied. "I was thinking about what you said, how you had your suspicions. Aubrie, why didn't you tell me?"
"Would it have mattered? From what you said, avenging Duncan was the only thing on your mind when it came to Loghain." She wrapped her arms around the back of his neck. Their faces were only inches apart "And I know you Alistair. You would've still wanted to take the final blow, and I couldn't live with that."
"You're right, I would have. And I guess that wouldn't be all that great because then I couldn't do this," he said before covering the distance between them and capturing her lips with his. This was no ordinary kiss. This was a year's worth of pent up frustration and need. Tongues were tangling and teeth were nipping. If it weren't for the sound of someone clearing their throat, Alistair would've taken her right there.
"I'm very glad the two of you made up," Wynne began. "But the rest of us don't want to see devouring each others faces either."
"I don't know Wynne," Zevran said. "I was rather enjoying it, though it would've been better if I was in the mix."
Alistair scowled. "Creepy."
Aubrie laughed. "Well now that you two are up, I suppose we better have some breakfast and be on our way."
"From the looks of things, you two already had you breakfast." Zevran said while grabbing a bowl of stew.
This time it was Aubrie's turn to scowl. "Eat your stew Zevran."
***
Before they left Aubrie pulled Alistair aside. "Let me see your sword and shield."
"Why?" he said confused.
"Don't argue, just let me see them," she said.
He obliged. The sword was a simple steel sword. Though it could do some damage she didn't feel it would be enough. The shield was pathetic. If they should find any bandits or lingering darkspawn, it would never protect him.
Aubrie threw them into the fire.
"Hey, what did you do that for?" Alistair whined.
"Come with me." He followed her as she walked over to her horse. "Now close your eyes."
"Why, you're not going to kill me are you?" he asked.
She glared at him.
"Alright, alright. I'm closing them."
She pulled the two gifts out of the pack on her horse. "Okay, open your eyes."
He did. At first he didn't get it. Then recognition sunk in. "It's Duncan's shield, I recognize the crest." He looked at the sword. "And that's his sword. Where did you find these?"
"The shield was in a warehouse in Denerim. I was going to give it to you after the Landsmeet, but..." her voice trailed off. She didn't want to get into that again.
"I'm so sorry, Aubrie." he said sadly.
"Don't worry about it. It's in the past." she assured him. "Anyway I found the sword when I went back to Ostagar after the final battle."
"Wow, I can't believe this," he said still in shock. Then he looked at her lovingly "How can I ever repay you."
"Well," she said wrapping her arms around his neck. "You can start by kissing me."
"What can I say," Alistair began. "My wish is your command."
***
Their remaining trip to Denerim went smoothly, for the most part. There was a set of bandits who thought they would get in their way. They were simple bandits, however, and it didn't take much to run them off. Besides, it gave Alistair a chance to test his new shield and sword.
When they reached Denerim's city gates, they left their horses near some trees. Before they walked through the gates, Alistair pulled Aubrie aside, letting Zevran and Wynne walk in ahead of them.
Aubrie noticed that he seemed nervous. "Alistair are you ok?
"Aubrie, I've been thinking, and I love you, you know that right. And well, I don't know how to ask you this," he stammered. "Oh Maker, I'm making a mess of this. Aubrie, will you marry me?"
Aubrie was stunned. "What?"
"I know this isn't the most romantic setting, but I can't help it." He looked into her eyes. "I want you to be my wife. Please say you'll marry me."
Aubrie looked at the ground, then looked back at Alistair. "I'm sorry Alistair, but...I can't"
Then she walked through the gates leaving Alistair with his jaw on the ground.