"I think that's the last of them." Alexandra said crossing off the last quest on her list returning it to her backpack. The rest of her party gathered around her underneath the large tree in northern Lothering. She looked over everyone, still amazed that her companions had tripled between waking up this morning to count only Alistair as her closest ally in defeating the Blight and now. She was sure that she was still in some crazy dream that occurred during the Joining and if she blinked too fast that she would wake up to find all her new friends gone and Duncan back alive. She knew that no matter how many times she blinked there was no going to be bringing Duncan or any of the other Grey Wardens back.
"Maker's breath, Alexandra, do something! Argus is defecated the poor tree. It's one of the Maker's creations, you know?" Leliana's voice cut through her thoughts and Alexandra returned back into the reality of the situation around her. "Even if he is a well-trained mabari, he's still a hound, Leliana. I can't stop him from doing that and it's much better that he does it there then on your shoes, right?" She answered trying her best to be serious, but the horrified look on Leliana's face was just too funny. "My shoes? Maker forbid." Leliana answered now scooting further away from Argus.
Argus seemed to agree with his master as he lowered his leg and barked happily Alexandra's direction. This caused all of them to laugh. While all of them were preoccupied with Argus, Alistair tried to sneak off without anyone noticing especially not Alexandra. Unfortunately for him, the one person he wished didn't catch him was the very one that did. "Alistair, where are you going?" Alexandra asked curiously making everyone to turn his direction. 'Hurry and think of an excuse, Alistair! Maker's breath, please don't let it slip that its something for her!' His thoughts yelled knowing she and everyone was still waiting for an answer as he hesitated.
"Uh...I just realized lost something in Lothering." He finally managed to get out, trying his best not to look nervous as he lied. He watched as Alexandra looked him over for a second trying to see if whatever he lost was in his appearance, but he looked exactly as she remembered when they entered Lothering. "Oh really? What was it? Do you want us all to go back? We could find it faster with all of us looking for...whatever it is." She suggested apparently giving up her search. He smiled as she just made it clearer in his mind that he needed to do this. They had just traveled all over the village a couple of times doing various quests and errands, and yet she was still willing to go around again just to help him find his "lost" item. She deserved for him to pick the item he saw.
"You really want to go back to look for one of my socks? I suppose we could. Socks are very sneaky things maybe it would be best to have more people looking for it." He answered with a joke and a hopeful prayer she would just laugh it off. Alexandra did not laugh but he saw the amused smile she tried to suppress as the others as they exchanged looks. "Fine, Alistair, go find whatever it is you lost and we will wait for you by the imperial highway's exit." Alexandra stated at least knowing the point of his joke was just to make up an excuse before she led the rest of the party up the ramp and to the exit.
Alistair sighed out of relief as he turned back towards the village before he began walking to the left. He had seen something amazing while they were going after the bandits and by accident stubble upon a group of spiders. It was beautiful red rose growing out among the bushes near the spider's nest. He was surprised the spiders didn't crush already or the various bandits stamping through the area. He knew the darkspawn would come through the area soon too and their taint would certainly destroy it. He just had to take it, for Alexandra. She deserved something so out of the ordinary.
As he came upon the rose again, he studied it. 'How could something so beautiful exist in a place with so much despair and ugliness?' He found himself thinking as he did. It was such a beautiful rare thing to find amiss all the darkness exactly like Alexandra. She was bright spot in his day even fighting the darkspawn as long as he saw her smile then everything in his world was okay. This rose would definitely make her smile. He leaned over and picked the rose from the bush as gently as he could. He placed it inside his pouch that he carried along with a few hidden poultices and piece or two of fine cheese just in case he got hungry later.
He turned back heading to the exit. New questions arose in his mind as he walked. So he picked a rose for Alexandra? When was he supposed to give it to her? He just couldn't walk up to her now and do it with everyone around Maker's breath that would be too nerve-wracking for him. And how was he going to do it? Was he going to try to be funny and hope that she through it or try to be serious and just tell her how he felt? All these contradicting thoughts were making him more anxious and confused.
There was no doubt about it, he needed advice, but what was he going to do with the rose until then? He didn't want it to die before he had a chance to give it to her. A mage could probably use a spell or two to keep it alive, but he knew only two mages. He couldn't ask Alexandra to do it for him that would just mute the whole point of the surprise. There was only one choice left, Morrigan. Just saying her name reminded him of all the bad blood between them since their first meeting.
She was so collective about everything like nothing affected her. She rarely showed any other emotion then anger or distain towards any of them. Alistair could never be like that. He felt every emotion and it let him have empathy for others. So sometimes these things overwhelmed him, he was stronger for it. It allowed him to be sure that what he was doing was right, not just for him but for others too. Maybe that is why they never meshed well. They were at opposite end of almost every issue. So she probably knew some magic spell that could keep the rose alive longer, maybe even forever. Was he really going to ask her for help? The answer was simple, for Alexandra he would do it and so much more.
Alistair finally reached Alexandra and the others waiting for him. They were head to toe again covered in blood. Apparently he had missed some fighting. He secretly checked his fellow warden over to see if there were any seeable injured but she seemed okay and for that he was glad. Alexandra waved him over where she introduced him to Bodahn, the traveling dwarven merchant, and his son, Sandal who they just saved. They had declined to join them on the road, but at least Alexandra seemed happy to have helped them, which was no surprise to Alistair. He tried unsuccessful to hide his growing smile.
"Alistair is back now. I think we should go over what we will do next. We should find somewhere safe to camp for tonight and then tomorrow we begin to head to Denerim, agreed?" Alexandra commanded and there was collected nod from everyone except for Alistair. He was just staring at her rather strangely. "What Alistair is there something on my face?" She asked, not all being serious when he responded back, "Well actually you got a bit of blood right there on your cheek." "Where?" She said suddenly feeling subconscious about her appearance.
"Right there...No, more to your left...No, your other left...Now, down...Actually bit up...' Alistair continued rattling off the direction while she tried to find the spot he was talking about on her face. He could barely keep from laughing as she didn't seem to get that he was just taking the opportunity to bother her. It took her to hear him start laughing before she realized what he was doing. "Alistair!" She scolded in her all too familiar way already. "I'm sorry I couldn't resist, Alexandra." He said in between his fit of laughter.
Alexandra was not really angry as she would admit that he gotten her good but that did not mean she wasn't going to let that joke go without one of her own. "Well, Alistair, since you can't resist making a joke, how about I can't resist using a little magic on you? You have five seconds to run before I sent a fire spell barreling after you." She stated, pretended to be serious. "Ha-ha, good one Alexandra--What?" He said as his laughter stopped immediately. "5..." She began to count trying to hide a smile from forming.
"Wait...you're serious?" Alistair asked still not willing to believe her. "...4..." She continued to count, ignoring his question. He didn't know what to do as he looked for somebody to help him. "...3..." She stated and panic began to set into him as she continued, "...2...You better run, Alistair because here it comes...1..." He flinched expecting to feel fire consume him but he felt nothing. He heard Alexandra start laughing and he reopened his eyes. "Got you." She said with a cocky smile.
Alistair grinned relaxing. She was nothing more then a big tease but at least in this case he was glad as he wasn't being roasted. "I'm going to get you back, Alexandra, you better run." He warned her playfully. "Oh really, what makes you think you catch me?" She challenged him. "I caught up to you once and I bet I can do it again." He fired back with amused smile to which she answered, "Not really since you cheated." "Wait! You're the one who cheated, Alexandra! Alexandra? ...Hey." Alistair whined as he realized she had taken off running while he was speaking.
"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. You'll have to beat me to where the highway turns towards Denerim to find out." She taunted him playfully as she turned back towards him. "It's a bet, Alexandra!" Alistair said laughing as he took off running after her and once again their little game was on. Their laughter mixed together as they disappeared. They were so involved with their own usual cat and mouse play that they had completely forgot about the others that were with them.
Sten, Morrigan, Leliana watched the two Grey Wardens run off. "And they are supposed to be the only ones that can stop the impending Blight from consuming Ferelden?" Sten asked in deeply disproving tone. "'Tis is true." Morrigan responded with as much disapproval. "What's wrong with it? I think it's cute." Leliana interjected looking between both of them. "And will you still think it's cute when some darkspawn is walk around in your shoes and all over your grave?" Morrigan added sarcastically to which none of them said another word. Argus barked bring them back to what they had to do. Since his master was gone, he self-appointed himself as leader and leading the remaining group onward after the Grey Wardens.
Soon afterwards, everything settled down to familiar seriousness between everyone after they caught up to Alexandra and Alistair. Alexandra and Alistair had found a perfect place to set up camp while they were racing...Well, Alistair had stumbled upon it as he tried to avoid a paralyzing trap set by Alexandra. While he was distracted, she claimed herself the victor again. She was expecting him to be angry or at least a bit annoyed at her for cheating again but he wasn't. He was too happy to show her that the great spot he found, dragging her after him by the hand. That were they sat waiting for the others as Alexandra tried to catch her breath and Alistair tried to keep his eyes focus on anything but the panting form that sat beside him.
He was so glad to see everyone as the blush in his cheeks was getting harder and harder to be kept hidden. He and Alexandra stood up before everyone turned to her waiting for further instructions. Alexandra stated they divide the labor some go to get wood from the forest while others set up the tents they had gotten in Lothering. Alistair, her, and Argus would go get the wood, while Sten, Morrigan, and Leliana stayed at camp. Everyone agreed although not without comments, but they eventually got to work.
Before long, the tents were up and wood was piled in the center of the camp. A few fallen tree logs were moved around the center pile for their makeshift chairs. Alistair volunteered to cook after he started the camp fire, a task he said he had done thousands of times. However after five minutes of struggling to light the fire, Alexandra felt she had to do something as others were still busy with their own things. So she approached him as he crouched beside the firewood. "Alistair, do you need some help?" She asked as she set her hand down on his shoulder causing him to look up at her.
"No, I got it. I know what it is. It is these sticks. They must not be fire-starting sticks." He joked, knowing that was not the real reason. He was looking at the real reason. Just knowing that she was watching him made more nervous and that much more difficult to light the fire. 'Get a grip, Alistair, if you can't even light a fire in front of her worrying if something will go wrong imagine if you and she...' His thoughts stopped and caused a feverish blush to spread across his cheeks.
"Well, you shouldn't be using sticks then." Alexandra said oblivious to his thoughts as she knelt next to him. "Then how are we supposed to light the fire?" Alistair asked gaining his sense enough to talk again. "Magic." She stated summoning a small ball of flame in her open hand again. Alistair watched as she leaned closer the wood and blew the fire towards it gently. A second later the entire pile caught on flames and she sat back throwing him a triumphant smile.
"Show-off." Alistair muttered, but secretly amazed. Alexandra seemed so at ease when she used her power and knowing how much she should use in any given situation. She showed she had control unlike most of the mages he had come into contact with, including Morrigan. "Well, don't be jealous, Alistair. I just happened to better equipped for situations like this. Now, ask me to light a real fire with sticks like you were trying do, morning would come and we would still be in darkness." She responded with a light laugh.
"Maybe I can teach you as with anything else you might have not learned in the Circle, not that you need much teaching with your skills." He said successfully hiding a grin. His response made Alexandra turn him quickly. She had expected some random joke made at her expense not an offer like that. She studied him realizing he was actually serious and she was taken aback. "I-uh-But you can't-What will the others-" She stuttered incoherently not really knowing what to say. Alistair grinned widely now. He reveled slightly in her apparent discomfort as usually he was shy one. Now, he could see why others chose to bother him about it. It was just too easy not to. He glad he made the offer in jest...well mostly in jest.
"I do believe someone is blushing." Alistair stated not hiding his amusement as he noticed a slight blush had begun to creep across her face in the fire's light as she became fluster. Alexandra turned away from him quickly covering her face before insisting, "I am not blushing!" "Whatever you say, pretty lady, whatever you say." He responded with a laugh. To his surprise, he heard her laugh as well and soon they both were laughing uncontrollably. It drew the attention of all others at the camp including Bodahn and Sandal who had decided to stay with the party for their own safety now as night had fallen.
"I think you better start cooking supper, Alistair, unless we want a hostile party on our hands." Alexandra stated feeling all of the new attention on them. Alistair sighed knowing she was right, but a part of him didn't want their fun to end. He caught her eye and she smiled knowingly, letting him know she felt the exact the same way. That made him smile too as he stood up and help Alexandra do the same. He went to work began preparing the food and cooking for all of them.
All the while he was cooking, he keep sneaking glance at Alexandra as she sat waiting on the log beside him. A couple times, she caught him but she smiled back, apparently not bother. He caught her looking at him a couple of times too and one of the times, he had noticed her gaze had drop future down from his face to a spot way lower. He thought he had imagined it as she looked so quickly away upon seeing that he saw her. He realized she had been checking out his hindquarters as a deep blush arose on her face even as she looked away. It gave him special thrill within him and made him begin to get just as red knowing that she was beginning to think of him that way.
He did not have time to dwell about it too long as soon the food was done. An appetizing lump of grey mush was on the menu tonight and probably every night that he cook, everyone would soon learn. That's how he learned to cook, boil it until everything an unformed shade of grey then it was done. Luckily, the Grey Wardens didn't mind as their increased appetite would allow them to eat pretty much anything and not really care if it was little more then expensive gruel.
Alexandra seemed to have the same thought pattern about food as the other Grey Wardens before her. She had inhaled almost half of it before everyone else even gathered up the nerve to try their first spoonful. Alistair had to laugh quietly to himself at the sight. The poor thing didn't even realize the changes of becoming a Grey Warden had already begun to take hold over her. She only outmatched by Argus who had licked his bowl clean in one gulp and was now looking up at his master looking for more.
Argus, like Leliana, had claimed his spot on the side of Alexandra much to Alistair's disappointment. Alistair had to find himself a new seat which unfortunately was right across from Morrigan who refused to sit by anyone. He tried to avoid even looking her direction knowing what he still have to do and find a way to convince her to help him keep the rose alive. He didn't want to mess it up by annoying her before he had even chance to ask for her help. Luckily Leliana's talking seemed to keep everyone focus on her rather then anything else.
Alistair had realized Leliana loved to talk much more then he would expect a sister from a Chantry would and it wasn't even talk about the Maker or anything of the sort. She just liked to tell a tale and although they were very interesting, Alistair found his attention wandering to Alexandra. He noticed her eyes threaten to close quite few times since Leliana had started. He didn't know about her but Alistair had not sleep well since before they even met which seemed like so long ago. He couldn't believe it had only actually been a few days. He had luxury of few hours sleep while they were at Flemeth's hut, but he was so worried about Alexandra dying on him that he could hardly call that sleep restful.
Alexandra really had not done much better in regards to sleeping. She always had trouble sleeping as it was in the Tower but since leaving it, her sleep had not gotten any less terrifying with dreams of blood mages and Fade spirits. So much so that she had begun to dread nightfall knowing she would have eventually sleep. Still, she could not shake the tiredness that overcame her as she sat there listened to Leliana talk and it had nothing to do with her ability as a storyteller. She was just incredible tired now they had a moment of rest since she had become a Grey Warden. Alexandra was surprised when Alistair interrupted Leliana stating maybe should all rest for now as they had plenty of time to finish the story later. He even went as far as suggest that he and Sten would take the first watch.
Alexandra caught his eye and he gave her a knowing grin. Apparently even he realized she needed some sleep and was suddenly taking charge for her sake. She smiled gratefully as everyone disbursed to their places. Alexandra barely had enough energy left to stand before she shuffled slowly to the bedroll she had set up a few feet away. She did have tent she could go to but just the thought of walking another few feet was too exhausting. She would sleep out in the open like almost everyone in her party tonight.
Her eyes closed as soon as she laid down and was out like a light a few second after that secure in the knowledge that Alistair and Sten will keep the camp well protected in her absence. Alistair would keep the camp safe. There was no doubt about that as he noticed her fall straight to sleep. She seemed so calm and peaceful as she slept and it was a different calm and peaceful then usual. It was one belonging to those who didn't have the Blight barreling down towards them and little chance of stopping it without some serious help.
He would do anything to keep that look there even when she was awake. He knew the rose he picked earlier might do the trick. He just had to keep it alive until he could give it to her. He needed Morrigan's help for that. He just had to get to her without anyone seeing him and asking too many questions. So, he waited until Sten circled the far side of camp before Alistair moved from his position watching the southern side of camp. He snuck towards where Morrigan had set up her tent.
She had pulled herself away from everyone in camp since they had arrived. From what Alistair gathered she didn't help Leliana or Sten at all when they split up earlier. She only seemed to care about herself and leave everyone else to survive on their own. It was the same attitude that made him consider turning back even as he approached the campfire she had created for herself, probably with magic just like Alexandra had done. 'Alexandra, I am doing this for her.' He had to remind himself as he braced for whatever welcome, or rather unwelcome, he was going to receive from Morrigan.
Morrigan didn't seem at all pleased when she saw him approach her. She thought he was supposed to be on watch and not bothering her. "What is it, fool? Come to compare me to Mother again?" She asked, still seething at his remark about her nose looking like her mother's. Alistair could hear the anger in her voice even if she tried to hide it. He realized that any mention of her mother would shake her to the very core. It appeared to be the only chink in her otherwise detached armor.
Alistair smiled sheepishly, hoping that she would have let it slide by now but apparently she still held a grudge. "Come now, Morrigan, you can't still be mad at me?" He asked and Morrigan remained unmoved. "Indeed I can fool, but what is it you want?" She pressed knowing the faster she got this conversation over with the faster the little toadstool could go back to pretending to guard them. Alistair took a deep breath knowing the next choice of words were vital to keep the conversation from spiraling into a bunch of insults.
"I need your help, Morrigan, more specifically a spell to keep this alive." He said looking around nervously before pulling the rose out carefully and handing it to her. She examined it and him with equal parts suspicion that this was some joke on his part. "'Tis is a rose, fool. It is suppose to eventually die like all things in the world. Why would it matter that one rose live?" She asked and before he could stop himself, he responded, "It is something for Alexandra." As soon as the words spilled from his lips, he regretted saying them as he watched Morrigan's face twist in smug sneer.
"My, how precious, a gift for his fellow Warden, Alexandra is a lucky girl." She snickered. Alistair narrowed his eyes at her, growing annoyed. "Just give it back already, forget I said anything." He said as he grabbed for the rose. She pulled it out of reach just in time, not about to let this chance pass her by after all the comments he made to her. "Two Grey Wardens together ending the Blight and falling in love along the way, it has beginning of a great story, doesn't it?" She commented sarcastically.
"Enough, Morrigan." He demanded having enough of her games, but she persisted on, "Imagine a mage and a former templar together, I bet the Chantry would love to announce that union." "Morrigan, I said enough!" Alistair practically growled fed up. His demeanor changed so fast that Morrigan stopped. She had not expected his normally laid-back nature to be replaced by one of anger. Maybe he did have a spine after all, pity he didn't use it. They stared at each other for a long time without saying a word.
"If you not going to help me, just give me back the rose." Alistair stated breaking the silence and holding his hand out to her. "Did I say I wouldn't help, fool? I may see no point in it, but I will do it...but not without a deal." Morrigan said much to his surprise. "Name it." He demanded wondering if she was secretly demand he would have to be turned into a toad or something in exchange for her help. The price turned out to not be as high as he thought as she responded, "I want you to cease in talking about Mother and comparing me to her in any way."
Alistair sighed, so much for picking on that sore spot of hers. He reluctantly agreed knowing for Alexandra he could at least do that, besides it wasn't like he couldn't find other things to joke and annoy Morrigan with. His agreement seemed to satisfy Morrigan enough to begin casting the spell she knew would work on the rose. Alistair watched tensely worrying that despite her offer to help, she would still turn around and kill the rose. Her big display of power did not help soothe his fears. She was unlike Alexandra as she seemed to like using more power then necessary making a white light envelope the entire rose and her hand.
Alistair nervously glanced around again hoping no one else in camp saw the light, but fortunately no one seemed to be paying them any heed. A second later, the light faded and the rose appeared unharmed. Honestly it looked as if she had done absolutely nothing to it. His look much have conveyed this as Morrigan shook the rose violently in effort to show him her magic had in fact done something. None of the petals fell or even move in the movement. Forever the rose would stay like that, unbreakable and unfading.
"Thank you, Morrigan." Alistair found himself saying as Morrigan handed him back the rose which he immediately put away. "Well, don't expect me to do another favor for you." She responded shrugging off his appreciation. "Don't worry, I won't." He said with absolute confidence. "I'm glad to see you aren't as stupid as I first thought." She stated turning back to the fire. "And here I thought we were just getting along, too." Alistair remarked before walking off laughing as he returned to his duty.
Morrigan secretly watched him leave. She knew she shouldn't have helped him but not for the obvious reasons. The rose was a gift that could lead the two Wardens down a dangerous and most foolish path known as love. Flemeth had told her all about the fate that awaited the two Wardens as well as her part in the events that would unfold. She knew that Alistair and Alexandra did not know what fate had in store for them. A little part of her wanted to tell them before they got too far in love and it was the same part of her that still wanted that golden mirror her mother smashed. Just like her mother had done that day, that part of her was going to be taught a harsh lesson. Tell only as much as needed and leave the rest for them to find out as it comes. What the Wardens didn't know was better for their sake...and hers as well.