Well, here we are. After a few months now I've actually finished another chapter, and just when I thought this was dead! Yay me! So anyway, From no on I'm going to be adding in extra snippet kinda chapters. Like mini chapters or something, to give glimpses into the minds of the other characters of the story. Some might be cinematics from the game like the ones with Loghain in Denerim, some might be humorous dialogues between characters I always imagined might happen, and some might romantic scenes on the road.
Anywho, I thought that it might add to the story to deepen the personalities behind the characters. I'll try my best! Hope ya'll like this chapter as much as the last ones...if you liked the last ones anyway.
Chapter 3
"How very fitting that they would build a prison for mages in the middle of a lake and make it look like a giant phallus."
Looking upon a great crevice, green radiated up. The torchlights of millions darkspawn glowed like a beacon of death calling all those who would dare oppose the force. The marching of a million pairs of feet echoed up the canyon until it became thunder. A dragon was standing on a bridge at the top of the cliff looking down upon the great mass of its minions. The dragon took off breathing indigo flames to fly out over its army.
Lariel sat up with a jolt breathing heavily and sweating. Alistair was sitting by the fire.
"Bad dreams, huh?" he said.
"Yes...sorry did I wake you...?" asked Lariel.
"No, my turn to watch the camp." said Alistair
"Why do Wardens have those dreams, Alistair?" Lariel said.
"Well, you see the dreams are a way of Grey Wardens "seeing" the horde. We "feel" the archdemon, understand what it communicates. That's why we know it's a true Blight." explained Alistair.
"Does that mean the archdemon was the dragon?"
"I don't know if it's an actual dragon, but yes, that's what it looks like." Alistair continued further, "Eventually you'll be able to block the dreams out. Some of the older Grey Wardens said they could even understand what the archdemon says, but I never could. Anyway, I saw you trashing about and decided I should tell you. It was scary for me first, too." Lariel sighed.
"Thank you, Alistair. It's nice to have someone around who can explain things." Lariel said smiling a little at the man.
"That's what I'm here for! To deliver unpleasant news and witty one-liners." Lariel chuckled.
"Go get some sleep Alistair. I'm up anyway I'll watch camp for a while."
"Are you sure?" asked Alistair.
"Yes. Go sleep." Lariel said.
"Oh. Well, thanks, Lariel. Have a good night." Alistair got up heading for his tent.
"You too, Alistair." Lariel said more to himself. He wrapped his blanket around him hung on to his daggers and sat warm by the fire, listening to it crackle. He sighed. For the first time since he left the clan, he felt the intense loneliness of not having them there. It made tears well up in his eyes. He felt a hand on his shoulder, which made him jump. It was only Aeden. Under the blanket, Lariel sheathed his knives.
"You're sad..." He said with a child's honesty.
"No I'm not." Lariel lied.
"Yes you are. Mother would always get that look when Papa went into town. You're sad."
"Maybe some I guess..." Lariel said. Aeden sat down next to him and Lariel extended his blanket around the boy. He leaned against the elf resting his head on the Warden's arm in response.
"Want to tell me about it?" He asked innocently enough. Lariel looked around to each tent to see if anyone was listening. From what he could tell, everyone was asleep in their tents.
"I come from an elven clan far away in the forest. Only about a few weeks ago, my friend Tamlen and I discovered an ancient ruin in the forest. Inside that ruin was an old mirror that killed Tamlen and cursed me. The only way to cure the curse was to become a Grey Warden. But that also meant I had to leave my clan. I may never find them again..." It was hard for him not to keep his tears from falling.
"So you'll never see your mother again either...?" Aeden asked.
"No one said you won't see your mother again Aeden." said Lariel. He wanted to avoid the question about his parents. He had never known them and the truth about their death still left an open wound.
"She's dead though, isn't she?" Lariel didn't know how to respond. He thought the truth would be best.
"Yes, Aeden. I'm sorry we lied to you."
"She had problems with getting sick. She couldn't work on the fields or pick me up or anything. It made her very sad sometimes...and then Papa would go to the village and she would get sadder...She couldn't have ever chased away the bad men..." Aeden sniffed and Lariel looked down to see the boy crying silently. He shifted the boy to his lap and hugged him, putting the boy's face into his shoulder. He hummed a lullaby hoping Aeden would fall back asleep. Finally, he did and Lariel sat with Aeden in his arms listening to his soft breathing. Lariel sat in the relative silence, thinking about before he left. His chest ached painfully in sorrow at the thoughts. He stared blankly at the fire, failing to distract himself.
Hearing a rustling sound, Lariel turned to see Sten get out from his tent. His shirt was gone and he wore only a pair or cloth breeches. The sight of his muscled body made Lariel blush and grow uncomfortable. He walked over to Lariel looking down at the elf.
"I am surprised. I thought it was Alistair who was supposed to be here." He said to Lariel.
"Yes, but I awoke and thought it would be nice for him to get some early sleep." said Lariel.
"I am here now. It is my turn to watch the camp. You should rest. You will need it to fight the darkspawn."
"Don't worry about it Sten." Lariel said softly, "I have Aeden asleep on my lap anyway. Go back to sleep."
"But that is not fair." Sten said, "Not only are you watching the camp for someone else, but you are doing it with the extra burden of a child."
"It's not always about doing what's fair." said Lariel, "But doing what is kind."
"Is it kind to risk our lives because you haven't gotten proper sleep?"
"Well," Lariel laughed a bit inspite of himself, "Maybe not. But doing kind things is...just something I find enjoyable."
"You get enjoyment by risking our lives?" said Sten.
"I don't think you understand what kindness means, Sten."
"Then tell me. What does it mean, elf?"
"Making others happy." Lariel said finally looking up at the Qunari. "Even if it hurts you in the process." Sten stayed silent for a moment contemplating this.
"Give me the boy." He said. He leaned down quickly, and I instinctively gave him Aeden not wanting to wake him.
"Sten, what are you-?"
"Go back to bed. You will need it." He stood with the boy in his arms. Lariel looked up at him a moment before smiling. He saw how delicately Sten held Aeden, how alert his eyes were for danger, and the slight movement of his thumb as he stroked Aeden's hair soothingly. Lariel got up and walked over to his bedroll, his blanket still wrapped around Aeden, trailing down Sten's arms.
"Thank you, Sten." He said as warmly as he could, looking back at him.
"For what?" Lariel lied down. He thought for a moment he could see Sten's mouth twitch into a smile. Looking harder, he decided it must only have been a flicker of the fire. He turned over and fell asleep almost immediately.
"They say you can get anything here. I once got pickpocketed."
They had arrived at Denerim. It took a little less than a eight days and only one group of rogue darkspawn to get there. They were going to drop Aeden off at the Chantry, then go to the cicle of Magi, for it was closest to Denerim, to ask for help. Sten and Alistair were the only two with Lariel. He asked Morrigan and Leliana to stay behind to keep their party small and avoid suspision so close Loghain. Anelium stayed with them also, for he would only serve as a distraction here.
The city itself was overwhelming to Lariel. Scents of fresh bread, urine, dirt, wet dog, perfume, salted meats, iron, blood, dwarf, and several others that he couldn't identify assulted his nose at once. The sounds of laughing, blacksmiths, merchants, gossip, animals, priestesses, and soldiers shot into his ears like arrows. He developed a headache almost instantly and began feeling nausious soon after that.
"Are you alright?" It was Sten. Both Alistair and Aeden looked at me.
"Fine. Just a bit too much to take in at once." Lariel said. Alistair looked concerned while Aeden was too excited to pay much attention. Lariel concentrated as hard as he could. Off to the left was the Chantry, where many members were outside reciting prayers. Infront of the doors were two Templars. The group walked up to them, Lariel making sure to keep hold of Aeden's hand.
"Hello." Lariel said to one of the Templar men, "I have a orphen here from Lothering. I was wondering if I could talk to someone about finding him a home."
"I'm sorry young elf, but the Chantry is closed." The soldier said.
"What?" said Alistiar said, "How can the Chantry be closed?"
"Because of the funerals..."the Templar said, "All the deaths at Ostagar...almost everyone here at Denerim had either a son or a daughter in the army there. There has been three funerals a day since the battle and still so many more to do..."
"Is there no one who we can talk to or who might be able to take him?" Lariel asked.
"No one. The Revered Father is giving pray most of the day and night for funerals, and most of the high priests and priestesses dies at Ostagar. There just isn't anyway, I'm sorry..."
"Thank you anyway..." Lariel said halfheartedly and walked away. He sat down on bench a little ways from the Chantry.
"So what do we do now?" Alistair asked.
"Do we have any choice?" said Lariel. He pinched the corners of his eyes trying to get the headache to go away.
"We can't take him." Sten said, "He will only impede our progress." Lariel had hoped he wouldn't say that. After Aeden awoke in Sten's arms he had taken a liking to the man. Sten had subtle ways of returning the child's affection, which Lariel thought only he noticed.
"We can't just abandon him either, I won't do that." said Lariel looking up at the other Warden, "Alistair is there any other place we might be able to get him some help? Anywhere at all?"
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Is there another area of the city we could take him to or something? I've never been here before, I don't know anything about it."
"We could try the noble quarter although I'm pretty sure most people would just throw him out."
"Okay keep going." Lariel was feeling more and more nausious at the smell of everything around him.
"Well, there are a lot of backstreets that we could try and...um...Lariel, you don't look to good..." Lariel got up and ran to a corner of the small paddock around the Chantry, vomit flying from his mouth. The smell and taste drowned out the rest of the city as he spewed his breakfast all over the wall.
"I will take the child into one of the stores." Sten said taking Aeden by the hand and leading him to shop called The Wonders of Thedas. Alistair walked up and patted Lariel on the back. Lariel was bent over double, dry heaving and gasping for air.
"Absolutely lovely. Adds a certain charm to the Chantry, they really, should have everyone redecorated that way. Quite ironic really, how an elf is throwing up all over the human god's chruch." Lariel laughed at this as his heaving subsided. He wiped a tear from his cheek than wiped his mouth on his gauntlet.
"Thanks Alistair." Lariel said smiling at the man.
"It was my pleasure. It's always nice to have an audience." It took Lariel a moment to realize he meant the priests and priestesses still standing around the paddock all of which heard Alistair's comment.
"Soooooo, what was that all about?" Alistair said as they made their way to The Wonders of Thedas.
"Remember when I said elves had better senses than humans? I'm having a bit of an overload with everything in the city."
"Oh, I'm sorry...I didn't even think about that..." Alistair said giving Lariel another concerned look.
"It's alright. I've gotten all the food from my system, I'm much better now." said Lariel. They entered the shop to find Aeden playing with a small doll. Sten was nearby, a silent gaurdian sneaking glances at the odd things stuffed around the room.
"Hey, minature golem dolls!" Alistair said walking over to Aeden and picking up one from the shelf. "Erl Eamon got one of these for me once. When I was very little."
"Can I have one, please?" Aeden asked coming over to Lariel and holding out the doll.
"I don't see why not." Lariel looked over at Alistair who was admiring the dolls himself. "Do you want one as well, Alistair?"
"What? Can I have one of what? Oh these? No, haha, no, um...can I really...?" Lariel just laughed picking another doll out from the small pile and heading over to the table to pay for them.
"Good afternoon." The main said in a monotone voice. "That will be two silvers please."
"Um...okay..." said Lariel handing over the money. He tried not to stare at the man, but his voice was very odd.
"Thank you. Have a fine evening." He said, still monotone. Lariel walked away looking at the vendor over his shoulder and almost walking straight into Sten.
"Why did you buy those? They are useless for our mission and a waste of money." He said, "And what kind of man needs a children's toy?"
"I don't know, what kind of man steals cookies from an innocent child?" Lariel returned.
"It was for his own good." Sten said extremely seriously, intently looking down at Lariel.
"Alright, alright." said Lariel, "Do you remember our talk on kindness? Another way of showing kindness is by buying something for a person they might like. It is another way of showing you care about them."
"So wasting money on pointless items is a way of showing kindness? You have very odd customs here." Sten said. They left the store going out into the street. Alistair was examining his doll, rubbing it against his face, lost in memory, while Aeden clutched his vertically running in circles pretending it could fly. Lariel was just contemplating what to do with Aeden, when he saw someone he was certain he knew.
"Follow me..." he said.
"Sure, sure. I'm right behind you." Alistair said, still looking at the doll and not paying attention as Lariel walked off. Sten looked at him and growled a little before grabbing Aeden's free hand and leading him after the elf. Lariel moved quickly between people, trying his best to ignore the sounds and smells, to what he thought he saw in a circle of merchants in the middle of the market.
"Lady Sandra, is that you?" An elven woman turned around. She was with an elderly gentleman, older even than the elder of Lariel's clan, bent over from age.
"War-Lariel!" said Sandra correcting herself with perfect timing, "What are you doing here? And so soon after we just saw you!"
"Are you going to introduce me, dear Sandra, or am I going to have to guess at this young man's identity?" The elderly gentleman said. He wore beautiful silk clothing the color of the sky.
"Oh, uh, yes sir! This is Lariel. He helped my family and I escape from Lothering before it was overwhelmed by the Darkspawn." She told the man.
"Indeed? You must be quite the kind man to do something so noble." the gentleman said chuckling to himself a bit.
"I don't think so, sir, but thank you for saying so." said Lariel, making sure to treat the man with the utmost respect. It didn't seem like he hated elves, but he was obviously a noble, nonetheless, and Lariel did't want to cause Sandra any unnecassary trouble.
"And polite too? You have very good taste in saviors my dear." The older man said, "Run along with him now, my dear. I'm sure you two have much to catch up on." He said.
"Thank you sir! I'll will see you tomorrow, then?" She asked.
"Of course, dear, of course." He said turning back to the merchant and discussing prices with him. Sandra led the group away from the market, heading south.
"Maker above, Lariel, I can't believe you're here! May I ask why?" She said. Alistair finally saw they left and ran to catch up with them.
"It's about the boy. The one's hand my friend is holding. Do you recognize him?"
"He does...is that Aeden? From Lothering?"
"The very same. His mother and father are both dead." Lariel told her, "I felt sorry for the poor child, and he was so willing to be kind to an elf. I thought it would be good to make sure he got to Denerim and found a good home."
"Have you found anywhere yet?" she asked.
"No. The Chantry is closed at the moment, which is where I was hoping to take him." Lariel admitted. Sandra thought for a moment before responding.
"Come with me to the Alienage." she said.
They traveled through the streets of Denerim heading for the Alienage. On the way, Lariel explained to Alistair how he met Sandra and her family and how he had helped them. Sten simply kept Aeden from wandering off. It only took a few minutes to get to the Alienage. Outside the gates I could feel Alistair tense up.
"Errr...we're not going to get mobbed, right? That's not something elves do here? Mob people."
"Only on Tuesdays." Sandra said as they entered the Alienage. Compared to the rest of the city, it was a dump though, somehow, it still smelled slightly better than the main city. The houses were built haphazardly and from what appeared to be chunks of multiple houses put together. There was one main street that led to the Vhenadahl and the square, but inumerable side streets webed outward, creating hidden worlds in the underneath of rooves.
"Were your people being thrifty when they built this place from refuse?" Sten said looking around. Elves were everywhere. Children ran, around adults stood around the circle, older woman gossiped around the Vhenadahl while older men complained.
"We don't have much to use." Sandra explained patiently while leading them somewhere. "We must make due with what we can find. Often it leds to houses like the ones you see. Not pretty, but very practical." She led us to a house just inside the Alienage. She held the door open for us and we all climbed inside, Sten had to duck down to fit.
"Anderan ati'shan Sandra! Who is this you've brought to my home?" It was an older elven man. He had white hair, a strip of which was braid and tucked behind his ear. Although he had the most intense grey eyes Lariel had ever seen, they were dulled presumably from age.
"Anderan ati'shan Cyrion." She bowed to him, "This is the man who got us here. Warden Lariel this is Cyrion Tabirs, my uncle-in-law."
""Anderan ati'shan, Warden. It's a pleasure to meet you. And so soon after my nephew's family returned too." He had a voice that seemed too old for the body it was in.
"Anderan ati'shan Sir Tabris." Lariel lowered his head in respect, "Thank you for letting us into your home."
"Thank you for returning my family to me." Cyrion gave Lariel and the party a welcoming smile. "But come. you must be hungry. Soris and Shianni will be home soon and they will bring supper with them."
"I'm sorry, but we came here to ask a favor of you and are in a bit of a hurry." Lariel explained.
"Oh?" Cyrion gave him a questioning look.
"Yes, we need someone to take care of this child. Aeden come here, it's alright." The boy timidly walked out from Sten's shadow.
"Come here child." said Cyrion, beckgoning the boy over. Aeden looked up at Lariel who gave him a nod. With the golem doll still in hand, he traveled over to the elf. Cyrion exaimened him gently turning his face back and forth. He looked back at Lariel.
"A Shemlen child, Warden?"
"Will you take him in?" asked Lariel worriedly. Cyrion gave it a moments thought.
"I will indeed, but you will owe me one avor in return."
"But uncle, he has given us so much already!" Sandra came to Lariel's defense.
"And he must surely understand the danger he is putting all of us in by having this human child." Cyrion said calmly enough.
"It's okay, Sandra, I will do him whatever favor he may need. What did you have in mind, Cyrion?" Lariel asked. Cyrion let go of Aeden who went shooting back to hide behind Sten.
Just then there was a knocking on the door. Cyrion got up from his chair and motioned for us to move.
"Please, take a seat." He said. Lairel and Alistair both sat in chairs by the hearth. Sten stood in the corner of the room, Aeden sticking by closly to his leg. When Cyrion opened the door a young woman burst over the threshold. Her hair was a beautiful shade of auburn.
"Uncle!" She cried giving him a big hug. He staggered back a little.
"Hello to you too Shianni! And Soris, please come in son!" A elven man roughly the same age as Lariel came through the door. He was grinning wildly and carried a platter of food.
"Anderan ati'shan, uncle. I trust you've been okay?"
"Much better now that you two are back with me." He said, laughing. He fought Shianni off him. "And I have a surprise for you both." As he said this Sandra stood up.
"Anderan ati'shan Shianni. Anderan ati'shan Soris." Soris continued grinning, though sheepishly now while he looked at Shianni. Shianni simply stared at the woman blankly her mouth open a little.
"Is that...you Sandra...?" She asked hesitantly.
"Yeah...!" Sandra said nodding. Shianni cover her mouth as tears poured from both sets of womens' eyes. A moment later they went running to each other, howling in grief or excitment or happiness, no one else there was quite sure. They hugged each other close whispering things back and forth.
"Sandra grew up here in the Alienage." Cyrion whispered to Lariel. "Although she and Shianni are quite a few years apart, they were and still remain good friends."
"And both are as loud as I remember them being." Soris said grinning from beside his uncle. The women were finally seperating, still sobbing mildly. Both smiled contently at the other.
"So, if you're here, does that mean Sarin is here as well?" Shianni asked between sniffs.
"Yes." said Sandra, "He was suppose to be home before me though. Oh Shianni, I can't wait till you see Sydnea! She has gotten so big over the past few years!"
"I hope they get here soon. You've been keeping my cousin holed up far too long." she returned completely letting go of Sandra now.
"Excuse me, Shianni?" Cyrion said. She looked over to him, "We have guests my dear." It seemed to be the first time she noticed the people standing in the corner.
"Oh! Sorry! Ansraste's ass, you think I'd learn some social graces. I'm Shianni, in case you didn't hear. I'm Cyrion's niece. And this," She said grabbing Soris by the shoulder and yanking im over to her, "Is Soris. Anderan ati'shan and welcome."
"Anderan ati'shan to you both." Lariel said, "My name is Lariel."
"I'm Alistar." Alistair said, "Anarin atie...um..."
"Anderan ati'shan...?" Shianni asked.
"Ah! Yes! That thing! That thing to you." He said. All the elves in the room laughed, but appreciated his attempt.
"And who is this?" asked Soris nodding towards Sten.
"You may call me Sten." Sten said with finality.
"Well, It's nice to meet you Sten. Anderan ati'shan ." He grunted in response. Soris left them for a moment to put the platter on the table.
"Well now uncle, may I ask why they are here?" asked Shianni in a pleaset tone.
"Lariel asked a favor of me." Cyrion told her.
"And what would that be?"
"He wants us to watch a shem child called Aeden." Shanni looked at Lariel, then back at her uncle.
"Are you accepting him?" she asked.
"Yes of course. I would never turn down someone in need." Cyrion responded. Shianni looked back at Lariel.
"So where is he then?" She asked an edge to her tone. Lariel heard Sten shift into a more battle-ready position at the change, though it was a very subtle move.
"He is right here. Aeden, come here it's alright." said Lariel. This time the boy looked to Sten for an answer and when the Qunari nodded ever so slightly, Aeden walked over to Lariel.
"Say 'hello' Aeden." Lariel encouraged looked timidly from the groud up to Shianni.
"H-hello..." said Aeden.
"Look at that Shianni, you've scared him already!" Soris said. He walked up to Aeden who took half a step back. Soris squated to look Aeden in the eye.
"Hi there. My name is Soris. Now I know my sister might look like a great, big monster, and that's not a mask she's wearing, but you just have to try and ignore her. Her looks make most children cry, in fact, so-" Shianni came over and started beating on him, and Aeden watched them laughing nervously. When Shianni had her fill of violently abusing her brother she came back to Aeden taking up the same position he left.
"Don't listen to him, he's just a mean, rotten man. I'm Shianni. It would be our pleasure to have you here. Now come on I have a whole bunch of toys you can play with!" He looked at Sten again he waited a moment before nodding again. She took his free hand and led him out of the room. Soris walked backward over to where Sten was standing watching the door his sister left from. He was startled when Sten said something to him.
"You tricked her into liking the boy." he said. Soris grinned up at him.
"Of course! It would make everything run smoother if she liked him. Besides," He added, "He's a good kid who just lost his parents. He doesn't need anyone being rude or mean." Sten was quiet for a moment, seemingly in thought.
"Hmph. He is a good kid afterall." He said it more to himself than anyone else, and only Soris and Lariel picked up on it. Whether he meant Aeden or Soris remained to be seen.
"Come. Have dinner here. We have more than enough for everyone." Cyrion said, "We can discuss your favor than as well." Lariel thought for a moment before he spoke. It was imperative that they got underway, but he needded Cyrion to take Aeden; sacrifices had to be made...
"Alright. But we have to leave right after that."
"Good. Soris get the table set for our guests. Shianni!" Cyrion called for his niece. She popped her head out of the door just a moment later.
"Will you go find your cousin and niece? The were suppose to be here an hour ago." said Cyrion. Shianni walked into the room.
"Alright. Do you know where they are?"
"He works for Bann Alfstanna as does Sydnea." Sandra told her. "Bann Alfstanna makes them work late often so it's best to check there first. I've had to go drag them back once already." Shianni smiled a bit.
"I'll make sure to go easy on them." Shianni said. She made for the door. "Don't have dinner without me!" She called over her shoulder as she left.
"Now, lets prepare for dinner. Come help me in the kitchen and we'll talk."
Alistair and Lariel joined Cyrion in the kitchen preparing the food, while Soris found a few more chairs, plates, and eating ware. Sten left to keep an eye on Aeden until everything was ready. Sandra left to go pick up drinks from somewhere.
"So, about this favor..." Lariel said as he skinned potatoes for boiling.
"Yes, about that favor." Cyrion answered, "I want you to take Soris with you."
"What?" blurted Alistair.
"And if you have to, envoke the right of enscription to make him a Grey Warden." Cyrion said pretending as if Alistair had never spoken.
"Why would we need to do that?" Lariel asked suddenly very suspicous of the elven man. Cyrion sighed.
"Please, don't think bad of the lad. He...killed a Bann's son." Cyrion told them. Alistiar who was cutting bread into slices, stopped.
"He killed a bann's son. Like a member of the council Bann. Are you serious?"
"I am." said Cyrion morbidly.
"Why did he murder this man?" Lariel asked.
"The bann's son raped Shianni." Cyrion said in a hushed voice. Both men loked at each other quietly.
"Give us one minute." Lariel turned to Alistair and they walked just outside the kitchen.
"I think we should do it." he whispered.
"Are you mad? Do you have any idea how much trouble he could be? Besides, we already have one murderous scumbag do we really need another?"
"He is not a scumbag! Imagine if you had a sister Alistair and she was raped. Wouldn't you find her rapist and kill him even with your bare hands if need be?"
Lariel said intently looking up at the man. He went a bit livid before looking down and responding.
"Yes. But I'm still not sure how I feel about it." Alistair seeming subdued.
"We are already fugitives according to Loghain. What harm could it do to have another amongst us?" said Lariel a bit jokingly. Alistair chuckled lightly.
"Let's do it then." Alistair agreed with a sigh, "A least I won't have to change any breeches." They turned back to Cyrion who was taking the turkey from the oven.
"We'll do it." Lariel said with a nod. Cyrion smiled brightly at them.
"Wonderful, wonderful! And tell him to get my late wife's things as soon as dinner is over." said Cyrion excitedly, "He already knows he would be leaving soon so I will just inform him it will be with your group."
They finished the rest of the preparations in silence, except for the noises of cutting and chopping. It was somewhat awkward, but there was nothing the men could think to talk about. Lariel stripped the turkey, while Cyrion prepared pies of some sort and Alistair mashed the potatoes that were now finished being peeled. They took their time doing this waiting for Shianni to return each concentrating on the tasks at hand. After each course was finished, Cyrion would hand the men a plate or bowl and have them plate the food then put it on the table. It was easy work that need no real thought something that was nice after several days of constant stress, worry, and mindful hours.
After their meal was cooked and plated the three men set it on the large, circular table. Soris had fetched Sten and Aeden while the other three were still in the kitchen and were now seated. Sten sat in between Soris and Aeden, Lariel sat next to Soris, and Alistar sat to the right of Lariel. Three empty seats sperated Alistar from Cyrion, the last to take a seat next to his niece-in-law.
"Let's eat." Cyrion said jovial, and Soris was the first to comply. Spread on top the table was a roasted tukey with sour bread stuffing and gravy, mashed red potatoes, rabbit meat pies, cheese and cinnamon bread, two bottles of mead and a pitcher of water. Soris dove for the chicken, while Cyrion helped himself to the cinnamon bread, Alistar poured mead, Lariel took a rabbit meat pie, and Sten took a helping of mashed potatoes for both himself and for Aeden. They passed each dish around taking food and drink, but making sure to leave some for whenever Shianni, Sydnea, and Sarin arrived.
Converstaion struck up quickly. Surprisingly it was Alistair who was the main talker, and he constantly posed questions to the city elves who were both more than happy to respond.
"Are you allowed to marry here?"
"Why yes of course, it's a very special day The whole alienage gets together and we have a very big ceremony with much feasting." Cyrion said.
"Whats that big tree thing out in the middle?"
"That is the Vhenadahl. It's a sign of our unity, faith, and love. It's very special to all elves and is a reminder of who we are and what we are trying to accomplish." Sandra answered.
"What is that?"
"Trying to stay together and find a place where we can help one another. Trying to simply survive as a family together."
"What kind of cheeses do you have?" Alistair asked.
"We don't have too many cheese, for milk is kinda rare here so we just drink it instead of letting it furment into cheese. Most our cheese is bought outside the Alienage, though Theedron makes the most delicous cinamon-spiced cheese you could ever find." Soris responded.
"Cinamon spiced?" Alistair perked up, "When does he make that?"
"Normally only for weddings, but even then it's not certain he'll make it."
"Now I really want to try that cheese..." Alistair said. Everyone laughed at that.
Lariel was halfway through his second pie when the three returned. It was almost completely dark now, the last traces of light extinguished by the curtain of black.
"You guys started without us?" Shiani said as she came into the house.
"You were taking too long." Soris said jokingly. Shianni scowled at him.
"It's not my fault Bann Alfstanna is a good for nothing bitch who-"
"Enough, Shianni, enough." It was Sarin. He walked in after Shianni and closed the door. Sydnea bolted off to Soris.
"Uncle Soris!" She cried. He stood as she came running and grabbed her around the waist, twirling her in the air.
"You're so big Sydnea! When did you get so tall?" He said playfully. Putting her down he and Sarin made their way to each other. They hugged in brotherly affection.
"How are you Sarin? What took you so long to get here?" Soris asked.
"Bann Alfstanna just kept me late again. Sorry it took so long." responded Sarin. They seperated and Sarin, seeing Lariel at the table, greeted the elf.
"It's good to see you again, Warden. But what are you doing here?" asked Sarin.
"Just needed a favor from your uncle." Lariel said.
"Well don't just stand there, come, get something to eat!" Cyrion said to them. The three of them sat down at the table and helped themselves to the food.
They talked bosteriously with one another as they ate, even Sten, who struck up a converstaion with Soris about cookies. Lariel talked with Alistair, both men trying to keep the conversation from steering into the impending battle they would be fighting. The food was delicous and much of it was foreign to Lariel. He found his favorite thing to be the rabbit meat pies. They were filled with gravy, elfroot, carrots, and peas, and the flavors blended together marvelously. He had four of them.
They were all finished eating, their bellies full of delisish food. Aeden was lazily leaning against Sten slipping into sleep rather quickly now that night had come. The group still talked amongst themselves, pecking at the last bit of their food. Soris smiled at Sten.
"Wow, he really must like you, huh Sten?" Soris said looking Aeden then back up at Sten.
"I don't understand what you mean." He said back, taking a drink of his water.
"Aeden is what I mean." said Soris, "He seems to like you a lot, is all." Sten looked down at Aeden. The boy was struggling to stay awake, as if some great phenomne would spontaneously occur when he fell asleep.
"He's just a child. He is more like a dog; feed a dog and it will love you forever." Sten said. Soris chuckled at his morbid answer.
"You couldn't have fed him that much." Sten looked down at the elf's big, bright grey eyes. They twinkled a bit in the light and looked even brighter from the alcohol blush and huge grin on Soris's face.
"No, I suppose not." Sten said more gentle then how he spoke at first. He turned back to his water as Cyrion stood up.
"Everyone!" Everyone grew quiet, "I hoped you've enjoyed the food. First, I must give thanks once again, to Lariel who brought our loved ones back to us." Lariel blushed a bit from the praise and loving looks that were thrown his way. "Second I must say welcome back to Sarin and his family. It is very good to see you all alive and well." Both mother and father nodded in his direction. "And finally to less happy news. I'm sorry to announce that Soris will be leaving with the Warden tonight." Soris sighed a bit and closed his eyes. Shianni paled and looked at him. "We all know why. The sooner you leave the better. Get your things ready Soris." Soris left the table in a scramble to the other room before anyone could stop him. The group got up from their seats, Sten picking up Aeden, and stretched out a bit trying to shake off the sleepiness that came with a good, warm meal. Shianni got up too, as did Sarin and Sandra. Sandra picked up their daughter and carried her into the room Soris went.
"Follow Sandra." Cyrion said talking to Sten. "Put the poor lad down on whatever bed is there." Sten silently did as Cyrion told and carried Aeden into what could only be a bedroom. Lariel stood awkwardly with Alistair and Cyrion by the door waiting to leave the city quickly. The sooner they got out the better.
"I really can't thank you enough for all you've done for us." Cyrion said to the dalish.
"Thank you for your hospotality." replied Lariel, "And we were simply doing what are suppose to do." Sten walked out from the bedroom.
"He is coming." Was all he said. He took a place by Lariel's side. Soon after he came into the room. He had leather armor on and a longsword and shield on his back. Shianni was crying and followed behind him. He turned as he took a place on Sten's right.
"It's alright Shianni." Soris cooed gently, "I'll be back soon." Shiani cried out loudly.
"But you just got back...!" She sobbed, "A-and, what if something happens to you...?"
"Shhhh, nothing's gonna happen." He hugged her close. "We have to go now Shianni. Take care of everyone while I'm gone, okay?" She nodded and they broke apart.
"Now get going." She punched him playfully, "And don't get back here till you take care of the blight."
"Of course. And you don't get into anymore trouble while I'm gone." She laughed.
"Okay, okay." She hugged him one last time. "I'm going to miss you..." She said shakily.
"I'm going to miss you too." They seperated and she moved away so Cyrion could talk.
"Do us proud out there Soris. Let them see just what a city elf can do."
"I will uncle." replied Soris.
"Now, you must get going. I'm sure they already have a guard headed this way so get out of the city as fast as possible." Cyrion warned them.
"Thank you again for everything, Cyrion." Lariel said as the group started heading out the door, "I'll keep an eye on him." Cyrion laughed.
"Keep both on him. He gets into trouble far more often than whats healthy." Lariel smiled at the old elf and left through the door, back into the streets of the Alienage.
"Well," Soris said taking the lead, "Lets get on with it then."
Back at the camp, the Morrigan impatiently tapped her foot looking at the group as they approched. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she scowled at Lariel as he walked up.
"Where the hell have you been? I swear if I have to deal with this hallutcination induced wench or your foul smelling dog any longer I will bash my head in with my own staff."
"I happen to be a respected sister of the chantry!" Lelianna said, "And it was you who choose to burn our food when it wasn't cooking properly." Morrigan whiped her head around to the other woman sitting on a log a little ways behind her.
"Well maybe if you could actually do something besides pray to whore of a god-!" Morrigan started. Lelianna jumped to her feet.
"Don't you dare insult the Holy Mother in such a way!" Lariel jumped into the middle of them as they started glaring each other in the face only inches between them.
"Stop fighting now! Do either of you really think this will get us anywhere?" He looked back and forth between them. Both looked away knowing the truth that lie in his words. "Now if you two are done, I have someone to introduce to you. This is Soris." The city elf walked forward from he blackness of the night into the firelight. He waved and smiled a little obviously nervous at the extreme situation coupled with a wholely new enviroment. "He will be accompanying us on our journey."
"How do you do?" He said hesitantly. Both woman stared at him a moment. Morrigan just walked off to her tent far from camp while Lelianna sighed and smiled. She walked up to him extending her hand.
"It's nice to see more company. My name's Lelianna, it's nice to meet you Soris." Soris took the hand and shook it vigorously. Both smiled a little wider at the greeting.
"Sooooo, not to burst this bubble of love, but we still don't have any kind of plan. Unless you have something in mind Lariel." It waas Alistair. Sten had walked off to wherever it was Sten goes, and Anelium simply lay limp in the ground next to the fire staring up blankly at the group.
"Well, sort of, yes. I thought, especailly with how many people we are bringing now, that we should split up. That way we can cover more places at once." Lariel said.
"Okay, I guess that makes sense, go on."
"I go to the circle of magi to see if I can get any help from them. No offense, but I think a templar, even an ex-templar might might send the wrong message." He said.
"Oh, but it would just be so lovely to rip the staves out of their rear ends." Lariel smiled a bit knowing by now that it was Alistair's way of approving things.
"You'd go to Redcliff; you know the people there and...well, I am an elf after all. The Circle of Magi would take better to elves than human nobles I'm sure." Lariel said a bit embaressed. Lelianna, Soris, and Sten came over t the converstaion then, listening in to what was being said.
"Where do we fit into all of this?" Lelianna asked reasonably.
"Well, I figured we could split up. Sten, Soris, and I would go to the Circle of Magi, while Alistair, you, Morrigan, and Anelium go to Redcliff."
"Why do I have to take Morrigan?" Was Alistair's immediate response. It waws defensive and accompanied with a scowl.
"Who is Morrigan?" Soris asked looking in the direction the dark woman had run off to.
"Morrigan is the young mage woman with the black hair you saw eariler. She's very um..."
"Difficult?" Sten sugggested.
"Not the word I would have used." Lelianna snorted. Lariel turned back to Alistair.
"Because, Alistair, what do you tihnk would happen if I brought an Apostate to the Temple of Magi?" He spoke as sincerely and calmly as he could though a bit of irriation did leak out.
"So? Becoming a Tranquil would do so much for her personality!" Lariel gave Alistair a hard look.
"The elf is right. She should go with you, Alistair." Sten said.
"Fine, fine but don't blame me if someone is mysteriously found with...pieces cut off or-or whatever she does in her spare time." Alistair shivered a little.
"I have a question. Why do you want me coming with you?" Sten said. It was still weird for Lariel to have to look up do high to see the Qunari.
"Yes, I wanted to ask you that too..." Soris questiond as well.
"Because; Soris, you are new here. I don't know you very well, no offense to you, don't seem like much of a warrior." He blushed a little and look down.
"Well my aunt taught me a little, but I suppose you're right." Lariel felt guilty after he said that.
"Well, no matter what your training level, I want to get to know you a bit more. Besides, I've seen that you're a good person; I'm not afraid of you doing anything to me." He gave me a half smile and I figured that was a good sign. "I want you to come along, Sten, because you're a strong minded individual and because you are very intimidating. We might have to scare help from the mages, maybe even the templars if they try to make things difficult. That is if you would be willing to help do that?"
"Will that help fight the darkspawn?" Sten asked.
"Well, in a way, yes. It would be recruiting people to help us fight the darkspawn so there would be more people to fight." said Lariel.
"But is there darkspawn at the tower of magi?" Sten asked.
"Well...No, not that I know of..." Lariel said struggling not to look away from Sten's eyes.
"Then I don't see what the purpose is." It was blunt and to the point.
"Sten, if you are about to fight an army darker, stronger, and larger than any man coul make, wouldn't it be good to have your own army as well?" Lariel countered patiently.
"..Very well...I see your point, though I do not like it." His voice was grim like always.
"Well it needs to be done. Does everyone know what's going to happen?"
"Uh, I have a question actually, yes, how are we suppose to get back together?" Alistair asked.
"We will come to you. Stay at Redcliff for now. In a months time if we have not come to you asume us dead." Lariel said.
"But it's only a weeks travel to Tower of Ishsal than maybe another week to Redcliff." Alistair said.
"Yes, but I don't know what will happen once we get on the road. It might be that a road is blocked or we are arrested by Loghain. I just want to be prepared, that's why it's a month."
"Alright, alright." Alistair said giving in, "A month it is." Lairel sighed.
"All of you should get some rest. We'll have to leave early in the morning."The others said their agreements and turned to leave, all except Soris.
"Um...uh...Wh-what of the witch? I think you said her name was Morrigan?" Lariel turned as his question registered. He smiled a little.
"Don't worry about her, Soris. I'm sure sh already knows everything we said."
"What...-" Soris said giving the other elf a confused look.
"Don't worry. Go get yourself some sleep. We have much traveling to do in the morning." Lariel said patting him on the shoulder and sitting down on the opposite side of the fire to start the first watch for the night."
"If you say so..." He said quietly and went to an empty tent Lariel had explained was his, but would let Soris use for the night. Lariel liked looking at the stars anyway.