Emma chewed on a piece of salted meat as she sat in front of the extinguished fire from the night before. She was looking over the map, pondering to herself if they'd make it to Redcliffe Village before nightfall. It was looking to be a close call, but she felt they'd be close enough to the village to be safe enough continuing into the early evening.
She was all packed and ready to go. Wynne, Leliana, Morrigan and Alistair were gathering up the rest of the camp, sunlight just peaking over the mountain tops.
Alistair buckled his belt around his waist. He slid his axe into it's scabbard, then grabbed his shield and hooked it to his armor at his back. He adjusted his breast plate and sighed as he looked around to see if he forgot anything. Finding he had not he then looked to Emma. He smiled at the intent look on her face, and the slow manner with which she chewed. It reminded him of the slow, lazy chewing of an ox, or horse.
He picked up his pack and walked over to her. "Do you think we'll make it before nightfall?" he asked as he stopped a couple feet away from her.
Emma looked up at him and shook her head. She tore another bite of salted meat from the piece she had been munching and chewed. She swallowed before talking. "No. But we'll be close enough to be alright."
"Alright," he nodded.
"We should be fine," Emma reiterated as she bit into the salted meat again, holding it in her teeth as she folded the map up. She shoved it into her pack and stood up to stand next to Alistair. She ripped a chunk from the salted meat and chewed, talking with her mouth full. "Weh've pretteh muh pahst the dehnse areah's of fohrest..." she spoke, her words muffled by chews. "Suh eveh if thur are durhkspahwn," she swallowed, "I don't think we will have much of a problem disposing them."
He nodded. "Yeah," he looked over Emma's shoulder to see Wynne rolling up her bedroll. Leliana was drying her hair from the wash she had in the lake. Morrigan rested near a tree, waiting for everyone to get going. He looked over to the edge of camp to see Bodahn and his son, Sandal, readying their cart for travel.
His eyes came back to Emma's. "Has anyone said anything to you?" he asked quietly, referencing their argument/reconciliation from the night before.
Emma shook her. "No. You?"
He shook his head as well. "Nope."
She bit off another piece of her salted meat, chewed and swallowed. "It's weird, to not... be open about it with them. But then..." she spoke quietly. She looked a little sad for a moment, but quickly went back to practical. "It's best we try to keep the task at hand in focus," she looked up at him, unsure. "Right?"
He sighed a tiny sigh. "Right," he nodded as he spoke. As he looked back at her he realized what she was eating. His brow crinkled. "Is that what you're eating for breakfast?" he asked.
Emma nodded. "Yeah. It's good," she took another bite. She held it out to him as she chewed. "Jooh whant sum?"
Alistair grinned. "Sure," he took it and ripped a piece off for himself. "Your so giving," he handed it back to her as he tossed his piece in his mouth and ate it.
Emma shoved the rest of hers in her mouth and ate it as she leaned down to hoist her pack over her shoulder. She swallowed and gave him a loving smile and said softly, "Only for you."
His stomach fluttered lightly.
"Alright. Let's get going, shall we?" Wynne walked over to the two of them.
Emma turned to see Wynne all ready to go. Leliana was just pulling her pack on as well. "Alright," she looked to Alistair. She asked, "Alistair, will you let Bodahn know we'll be on our way now?"
"Of course," he answered. He slung his pack over his shoulder and turned to give Bodahn Emma's message.
Emma walked over to Morrigan, who began to stand up as Emma approached. "How are you feeling?" she asked as she reached the mage.
Morrigan gave Emma a curt nod. "The pain is drastically decreased, so.. fine."
"Good," Emma picked up Morrigan's pack. "Do you need any help walking?" Emma offered.
"No, I am fine," she looked to Emma courteously. She saw Emma had grabbed her pack. "I can-" was all she was able to say before Emma held up a hand.
"I would like to carry it for you," Emma insisted.
Morrigan once again nodded. She then followed Emma as Emma turned to follow the rest of the group out of the clearing.
Morrigan felt the want to tell Emma she was sorry for the trouble she had caused her. As much as Morrigan believed that her actions were her own and that if Emma let them affect her so it was Emma's own doing, she still felt guilt after hearing how hard Emma defended her against Alistair.
Also hearing Emma and Alistair's obvious feelings for one another coming to a head had made Morrigan realize Emma was very practical in her opinions and beliefs. Even if her true emotions pushed her to put them first, she still put her duty as a Grey Warden first.
She looked forward to watch Emma carrying her pack for her in her right hand. Her armor swayed with her walk, showing a confident stride in her step, Morrigan noted to herself.
She would speak with Emma at the arl's, Morrigan concluded to herself; to express her thanks for all that had been done for her.
Bodhan had given Alistair an apple from the tree Emma had mentioned the night before. He was ripping into it as Wynne approached him.
Wynne was curious to see if everything was alright with him. She, as well as everyone else, had heard the argument he and Emma had had the night before. As she approached she saw the happy look on his face as he chewed his apple. It didn't seem as if Alistair was in any distress, or unhappy in any way. She didn't want to bring up anything if there wasn't a problem, she concluded.
Alistair saw Wynne approach and smiled. "Good morning, Wynne," he bit into his apple again. "Did you sleep well?" he chewed cheerily.
Wynne nodded with a smile. "I did," she had a quick thought to the argument between Emma and him, but brushed it away, "And yourself?"
Alistair thought back to the feeling of Emma's head resting on his shoulder, the feeling of her hand caressing his chest ever so gently as he fell asleep. He recalled the smell of the citrus soap in her hair. It filled his mind with delicious thoughts of Emma...
"I slept very well, thank you," he nodded.
Wynne could see that whatever occurred last night was rectified, and felt no need to worry. "Good."
Alistair saw Morrigan following Emma, and did not realize he was making a face. Wynne noticed it though.
Wynne turned her head to get a glimpse of what she assumed, and was correct, was Alistair giving Morrigan the evil eye. She rested a hand on his arm gently, "Alistair. We have an obligation to help all those in need."
Alistair scoffed as he looked away. "Ungrateful-" he continued to mutter to himself, but brought it down to an inaudible level so Wynne would not hear it.
"I would hope she realizes, now, the extent with which Emma cares for her. For everyone," Wynne added.
Alistair sighed. He looked to Emma and noticed her carrying Morrigan's pack. He shook his head, still annoyed. "Emma gives too much."
Wynne heard the hurt for Emma in his voice. She was touched.
"She does what is asked of her," Wynne reassured him.
Alistair looked to Wynne. "She knows nothing of thanks, of, of congratulations for what she does," he sighed, his arms falling to his sides in defeat. His brow furrowed as he thought longer on it. He sighed angrily.
"I haven't been a Grey Warden much longer than she, and I at least knew of some reward for the sacrifice. I had the king's support, and the support of his men. I had the other Grey Wardens... I had Duncan..." his eyes met Wynne's again. "All she knows of the Grey Wardens is the death of the man who gave her this burden, the pain and suffering of the joining, and me..." Alistair looked almost disgusted with his words.
"She can't sleep because she's plagued with the nightmares and the terrors of the Blight. Of the archdemon!" his voice was filled with anger on Emma's behalf. He was clutching his apple tightly in his hand. "And that, wench of a woman has the gall to treat her with disdain? To disrespect her?"
Wynne was surprised at Alistair's sudden anger. It was an awesome yet distressing thing to witness. She was touched to hear the emotion for Emma in his voice. He obviously felt immensely for her in this difficult time. She admired Alistair's capability to feel so compassionately.
He shook his head as if trying to shake away his thoughts. "I'm sorry, Wynne. I just..." Alistair looked up to see Emma and Morrigan pass them by. Emma caught his eye with hers, smiling at him as she passed. Morrigan's glance stayed ahead as she limped behind Emma out to the road.
Alistair smiled back at Emma, her smile making him forget what he was talking about. He looked to Wynne grinning back at him mischievously. "What?" he asked, confused.
"It's nothing," she gave his arm a motherly squeeze. "Let us go," she turned and began to walk with the others.
He frowned. "What were you smiling at?" he pouted as he asked and followed her.