Disclaimer: Dragon Age Origins/Awakening belongs to Bioware and EA Games

AN: There isn't a prompt for this chapter, actually. LadyMimzy gave me an idea about stories being told around a campfire. The various story ideas she gave me will be used, in time, but they still won't be in any order. I tend to write down what comes to mind first…LOL.

Set in DA:O, this campfire story involves Sten regaling the group with a tale about…cookies. It is also before the events in Broken Circle.

Mages and Templars and Wardens Oh My!

Chapter 4 – Campfire Stories…Part 1 – Sten

It was a cool night with the majority of the party huddling around a roaring campfire, the heat from the flames warming everyone. Bodahn and Sandal had already turned in for the night, as did Wynne, and Oghren had already passed out from drinking from his precious beard flask. They all had already eaten their share of dinner, especially since it had been Leliana's turn to cook the night's meal.

Gwen huddled closer to Alistair, secretly enjoying how red her fellow Warden was getting. She would look up into his eyes and get lost in them until Morrigan would make gagging noises. The elf realized she must have gazed into Alistair's eyes again because the swamp witch snorted loudly.

"'Tis a disgusting sight to see, Warden," the dark haired witch complained. "We are not all amused to see such revolting emotions the two of you are spreading."

The assassin with the group leaned back against a log and seemed to agree. "As much as I would love to view, and hopefully partake, in your love games, my dear Warden, I must agree with Morrigan."

"Oh, I think it's sweet," Leliana cooed, thinking of the songs she would write of the love between the Wardens.

Gwen glared at them all and huffed. "Well, I'm sorry that I like staring into Ali's eyes. Do any of you have any ideas on how to pass the time then?"

"Ali?" Alistair managed to get out, feeling a little emasculated by the nickname. He tried to get everyone's attention, but they all seemed to be ignoring him.

The red-haired bard thought for a moment before jumping up. "I say we tell stories about something we did for the first time." She turned to glare at Zevran. "And no, it will not be about the first time having sex."

The blonde elf seemed to deflate a bit. "Then I do not have anything to talk about. Unless you all really want to hear of my sexual exploits. I'd be happy to explain in detail of some of my more memorable encounters. Alistair, you should take some notes…"

"LA la la la! I'm not listening!" the former Templar cried out as he covered his ears. This caused many of the group to laugh at his embarrassment, Gwen included.

"Parshaara, enough of this," the Sten grumbled loudly, getting everyone's attention. "I will tell a tale, if only to stop your foolish ramblings."

Leliana clapped her hands excitedly, eager to hear a new tale. Zevran just sighed and relaxed further against the log he was leaning on while Morrigan rolled her yellow eyes. Gwen and Alistair both seemed to be interested in what the Qunari had to talk about.

Noticing that he had the entire group's attention, Sten no longer seemed to be eager to talk. "Vashedan…Warden, what are those baked things that are sweet and crumble when you eat it?"

Gwen thought for a moment. "Are you talking about cookies?"

The giant warrior nodded. "Yes! We have nothing like that in the Qun. That must be rectified when I return to Seheron."

"What do cookies have to do with anything?" Leliana asked, her bright eyes making the giant a little uncomfortable.

"You stated that the tale must be something we did the first time, bard," Sten answered monotonously. When the redhead motioned for him to continue, he reached around and brought forward a small bag. He reached in and pulled out a simple sugar cookie.

"When my brothers of the Beresaad and I came to Ferelden to look for an answer for the Arishok, we were low on supplies. I gave Ashaad with some coin to acquire the needed sundries and rations. When he returned, he handed me a small pouch full of these strange little discs. He said that it was something that we should all try. Those things looked strange…"

Morrigan raised an eyebrow. "Skeptical of a cookie?"

Sten nodded as he looked at the cookie in his hand. "But of course, witch. What could those little brown things do to make Ashaad excited? I was skeptical, but also curious. I took one of those cookies and took a bite. The taste was unlike anything I have ever known. It was sweet and crumbly. It melted in my mouth…Cookies must be a part of the Qun!"

At that, he popped the cookie in his mouth and hummed in pleasure, making sounds that one would usually equate to sex. When Zevran got up and tried to look into the cookie bag, Sten jerked the bag away and growled at the assassin.

"Do not take my cookies! It is an offense to the Qun!" the Qunari shouted as he took out his sword, Asala, and brandished it at the Antivan. Zevran cocked his head to one side, amused by the giant's reaction. Just to see what would happen, he darted forward and managed to take the bag of cookies away.

That caused Sten to cry out, "Katara, bas!" He then started chasing the blonde elf around the campsite, trying to get his cookies back. He waved his sword around in order to cut the assassin. He missed and accidentally cut the bindings on Wynne's tent, causing it to collapse on the mage. The elderly woman screamed loudly as she managed to get out from under the material, but tripping over a passed out Oghren.

Gwen and Alistair looked at each other and then at the others. It was decided that night to never try and take Sten's cookies away from him.

AN: Mildly humorous…lol. Thanks to LadyMimzy for this idea…^_^ Thank you to Marcus Crassus, Lady Epicness, Enaid Aderyn, and Ventisquear for your reviews. It makes me happy that my strange humor makes people laugh…^_^

Have ideas that you think would be funny for this? Send me a PM and I might use it…^_^

Katara, bas! – Die, thing!