Chapter 17

Beth woke slowly, her whole body ached from the intense battle the night before. She looked around the room curiously, the last thing she remembered was Anders' saying something about carrying her. She smiled when she saw him sitting in a hard chair, sound asleep. Her smile turned into a grimace as she painfully sat up. She was in her small clothes with a rather large bandage on her left side.

She was lifting a corner to peek under it when Anders said, "Leave it alone. I'll change the dressing and you can see for yourself."

"I'm sorry Anders. I guess that Templar was better than I thought," she watched as he rose from the chair and gathered the materials to change her dressing.

He sat down on the bed next to her and said softly, "I'm the one who's sorry. I didn't mean to get you in the middle of that mess. I should have realized it wouldn't be that easy for me to get my phylactery back."

"I don't like the idea that they are still tracking you." Beth grimaced as he pulled the old bandage off. The wound wasn't that bad and was already healing well.

Anders saw her examine the wound and said, "The innkeeper sent for a healer to help. Good thing too, whatever that Templar did was powerful. I still don't have my magic back."

Beth closed her eyes and began to chant. When she opened her eyes and looked at him, he said sadly, "Nope. He really shut me down. The last time a Templar did this, it took almost a week for me to get my magic back to full power."

Beth looked at Anders and squeezed his hand. "You have done wonderfully without using magic." She stood slowly and looked her armor over. "I'll need a good repair job when we get back to the Keep."

Anders frowned, "You shouldn't travel yet. Give that wound another day of rest to heal. In fact, you should just get back into bed."

Beth looked at him and smirked, "And what am I supposed to do? Just lay here?" She shook her head, "You know me better than that. I can't stay still. I'll take it slowly, I promise."

Anders stood and grabbed her armor. "No! I insist. Get back in that bed and wait. I'll get your armor repaired and then we can leave."

Beth raised an eyebrow at him. "This is mutiny," she grumbled, but, she climbed slowly back into the bed. "You better be back soon."

...

Margaret watched Nate pace. They had gathered at the sparring ring and were watching Garrett and the other soldiers work out. Ohgren was hacking away at one of the straw dummies waiting for whatever orders were given for the day.

"Where are they?" Nate said, impatience wearing his nerves thin. "You don't think something happened?"

Margaret sighed, "Look. The Commander and Anders probably will turn up any minute. Just calm down. Go practice with Ohgren." She shook her head. Nate's and Anders' rivalry over the Commander was one of the worst kept secrets at the Keep. She tried to be understanding, but Nate made it hard with his stubbornness.

"No. I'm going to Amaranthine. I can't just wait around here doing nothing," he said and marched out of the training area.

Velanna shook her head, "Why do men think women can't take care of themselves?"

Margaret shrugged, "And the Commander can take care of herself better than most."

...

Anders wandered around the marketplace with nothing to do. Albert told him it would take a while to repair Beth's armor, so Anders was trying to find a way to kill time. He sat down on a bench, lost in thought. He never felt about anyone the way he felt about Beth. She treated him differently than anyone else ever had. Maybe she trusted him? No one has ever just trusted him. But she was Nate's childhood friend and Anders was sure that Nate felt more than friendship with her.

Anders decided to put Beth out of his mind and headed back to the smithy shop. He knew he would be early but maybe he could watch Albert work. As he walked into the shop, Travis looked up from the piece of leather he was working on.

"Welcome to our shop." Travis said and looked at Anders closer. "I know you. You're Anders, right? A Grey Warden?"

"Good memory, and you are Travis, Nate's friend," Anders replied, smiling.

Albert came out from the back. "It's going to take longer than I thought to fix this armor. Why don't you and Beth come for dinner?"

Delilah came in with sandwiches and drinks for Albert and Travis. Hearing Albert's question, she echoed, "We'd love for you and Beth to join us for dinner."

"Um..." Anders said, not sure what to say.

"I'm sure Delilah can loan Beth a dress until the armor is repaired." Albert said looking fondly at his wife.

"Sure, give me a moment." Delilah said and hurried back into the house. She returned after a moment with a plain brown package. "This might be a little big on her, but it will do."

"Thank you," Anders said, "We'll see you later."

Anders hurried back to the Inn and went up to the room. Beth was sound asleep and he didn't want to wake her, so he left the package on a chair and went downstairs to the tavern for some food.

...

Beth opened her eyes and groggily looked at the bright sun shining in the window. Confused, she sat up, grimacing at the pain in her side. The room was on the west side of the inn, so the sun shouldn't be shining in...unless it's late in the day. She looked around the room and spotted a brown package on a chair. She slowly got up and walked slowly over to it, stretching her aching muscles.

She was surprised to find a pretty brown peasant dress and matching shoes inside the package. Looking around the room again, she realized that her armor was gone and remembered Anders said he would get it repaired. Sighing, she went over to the dresser and looked into the mirror above it.

Her hair was a mess and her face was still dirty from the events of the previous night. Using the soap, bowl of water and cloth on the dresser, she cleaned up. As she dressed, she thought about Anders. He surprised her in many ways. At first, she had just seen him as a ladies' man, no real connection to the women he flirted with. But, he had a compassion in him, that's what made him such a good healer, and she realized she was attracted to that. 'I'm not getting involved with anyone,' she vowed. 'Not for a long time.' She gave her hair a good brushing, then giving herself one final review in the mirror, she left the room and went downstairs to the tavern.

...

Anders sat at a table with a view of the stairs. He sipped from the mug in front of him, wondering how long Beth would sleep. He saw her walking slowly down the stairs and waved. She nodded to him and headed his way. He still couldn't believe that underneath the armor was this beautiful woman.

Beth sat down and ordered an ale. "What's the plan?" she asked.

Anders looked at her and said, "Albert is fixing your armor and we have been invited to dinner at their house."

Beth nodded and motioned to the dress, "Delilah's?"

"Yep." He said grinning. "And let me say, you look wonderful in it." His grin faded and he asked, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, Anders, stop worrying," she smiled and held his hand.

He looked down and said, "I am so sorry you got hurt helping me."

"Look. It's not my first scar and it won't be my last," she said squeezing his hand before she let go to accept the mug of ale the waitress brought her.

"About that..." Anders hesitated, "Can I ask about the...um...other scars?"

Beth looked into her mug. "It was on Fort Drakon, near the end of the Blight. Not something I want to remember."

Anders nodded, "I'm sorry...I seem to be putting my foot in my mouth a lot. Let's see...what topic would be safe?... How about kitties? Kitties are safe, right?"

Beth laughed and then said somberly, "I'm not trying to avoid talking to you. I'm just not ready to talk to anyone about that year. We still have a little time before going over to Albert & Delilah's, tell me more about you."

Anders took a drink, then smirked at her, "Well, I was born in the Anderfels and taken from my parents when I was ten to live in the lap of luxury at the Tower of Magi." He laughed, "I grew up beloved by all and excelled in all my classes."

Beth smiled and put her hand on his. "It's okay, Anders. I know how hard you must have had it. We will find your phylactery. I'll make it my personal mission."

"No!" Anders said appalled. "I will not have you risking your life and honor for me."

"I don't plan to be the Warden-Commander forever," Beth said. "Once I resolve this darkspawn issue, I'm going to leave."

Anders looked at her. He couldn't imagine the Keep without her. "That will be a sad day for me," Anders said somberly.

"Well, I think you have quite a while before that happens." She said, "Let's go. I'm sure Delilah won't mind if we're a bit early."

Throwing a few coins on the table, Beth stood up and swayed. Sitting back down, she smiled at Anders. "Stood too fast."

Anders moved quickly over to her side, "Here's my arm. I'll help you."

"Don't you have your magic back, yet?" she asked.

"Nope. That Templar really blocked me," he replied sadly.

"Do you have any lyrium on you?" she asked.

He nodded, then looked at her suspiciously.

"Give it to me and sit down," she said.

Anders sat down and handed her the vial. "Wait!" he cried as she swallowed the contents. Beth reached over and took both of Anders' hands into his own. She began chanting under her breath and Anders closed his eyes as he felt the magic flowing back into him. When she finished, she released his hands and sat back. Anders opened his eyes and looked at her surprised. "You have an affinity for magic?"

Beth sighed, "I begged Alistair to teach me Templar skills. He was just about to take his vows when Duncan conscripted him into the Grey Wardens. While he was teaching me, we discovered that magic came naturally to me. Alistair said that with training, almost anyone can do minor defensive spells without lyrium, but we discovered that I could do other spells. Quite by accident I found out that if I use lyrium, I can cast any simple spell at a full mage's strength. I know that lyrium is addicting, so I only use it if I absolutely have to. The Chantry tells the Templars that they need the lyrium, then get them addicted to it to keep them in line."

Anders thought a moment, "You mean the Chantry traps the Templars, the way the Templars trap the mages?"

Beth nodded, "It's a sad situation all the way around. Alistair was going to change that when he became King."

Anders looked closely at her. They hadn't talked about the incident in the Fade, so he took the opening, "I'm sorry you lost him, he seemed like a good man."

She smiled sadly at him, "Since the Blackmarsh, I'm dealing with his loss better. Now, how are you feeling? Magic back?"

Anders closed his eyes and a blue glow emanated from his hands. He stood up and held his glowing hands at her side. She felt the healing spell tingle around the wound. "Yep." He said, "All fixed." He stood next to her and helped her up. "Shall we go?"

Beth nodded, put her arm in Anders' arm and they walked out of the tavern together. Walking through the busy afternoon streets, Beth was sure they looked like a happy couple and she glanced at Anders. He had a happy grin on his face and she couldn't help but smile at his happiness.

...

After their dinner, Beth helped Delilah clean up, while Anders, Albert and Travis cleaned up the shop.

"It seems you have an admirer," Delilah laughed.

"Travis is cute," she said, thinking of the boy's adoring glances.

"I wasn't thinking of Travis," Delilah said, knowingly. "Anders is in love with you and doesn't know it."

"Anders is sweet," Beth said, "but I'm not ready for a relationship."

"Ready or not..."Delilah said.

They chatted amicably for a while longer until the cleaning was done. Beth changed into her armor, said goodbye to Delilah and went into the shop.

"Albert. Thank you. You did an excellent job. I'll be sure to send some more work your way." Beth said, smiling.

Albert bowed. "My pleasure. Are you sure you want to head back now?"

"Yes, the moon is bright and I've been away longer than I planned." Beth said.

Anders followed Beth and raised his eyebrow as they headed into the barn instead of the road. Beth bent over and picked something up. "Anders. I know how much you miss the cat from the tower..." she said and handed him a small bundle of yellow fur. "Delilah said they are old enough to leave their mother and you can have one."

Anders looked at the small orange striped kitten in his hands. It was rubbing against his hand and purring. "Oooo...what a cute widdle baby," he cooed. "Does the widdle kitty wanna wiv with me?"

Beth burst out laughing and Anders shrugged, smirking. "Well, how would you talk to him?"

"I'm glad you like him," she said. "C'mon, let's go home."

Anders looked at her, then grabbed her into a hug and kissed her. Beth was taken by surprise, but melted into his passion. As the kiss deepened, the door to the stable opened and Nate walked in.