Update 2/24/15

"What about you, Hawke? Anywhere you'd call home?"

Marian was pulled from any other thoughts at Alistair's question. For him of course it would be Redcliffe, but as the female Warden thought she realized it was a hard question. Lothering was gone, her family fled to a city she had never even visited. "I could say it is with my family," she conceded, "but that iNt quite right anymore. I left that charge behind me. I guess if I am to have a home, Alistair it would be with the Wardens. With..." She paused, hesitating at the last word until she manage to look up into his eyes. Such a sweet, soft brown. How had she not noticed? "With you," she finally managed, blushing.

"Careful, or I just might think you were flirting with me, and wouldn't want that would you? A man raised by a pack of dogs?"

Marian did laugh, breaking contact. It was a false humor even to her, and she had to wonder if Alistair caught on. Apparently the answer was no, since he changed to talking about his previous companions. It sounded as though they'd had fun in their own way, even Duncan. She let him talk and reminisce, hoping it would help. Beyond everything else Alistair was her friend, and she valued that bond greatly. It also gave her insight into Duncan's leadership, and how he would want the Grey Wardens to proceed.

Marian was pleased with how her group turned out if nothing else. For as diverse as they were, every single one of them manage to get along. To a point at least. That didn't mean there weren't any hiccups- Leliana's strong devotion to the Chantry did rile Sten from time to time, and Marian was sure Wynne was going to either kill or kiss Zevran sometime soon just to see the result. All in all however, she was pleased with the communication now that Alistair and Morrigan were talking.

The biggest surprise she got was after clearing the Circle on their second mission. Morrigan and Alistair had both performed admirably, only to disappear as soon as they returned to camp. Hawke spoke with Wynne for an hour about the Circle, the two calmly debating what came first: the repression or the blood magic. Then she became a little concerned. It wasn't like either Alistair or Morrigan to run off. Not anymore.

Marian looked around after her discourse with the elder mage and found a separate campfire. Morrigan had done that for the first few weeks, but it showing up now did confuse her. Most would have simply allowed the separation but Hawke hadn't liked the inconsistency. Still didn't. Instead of ordering, she'd brought the young witch into the group, convincing the others to see her and talk with her. It had been rewarding- especially when she and Alistair stopped bickering and began bantering. She wasn't going to let it be for nothing.

Slowly, Marian approached, wondering if she would need to talk things out with Morrigan after the Circle. Instead, her ears picked up something much more telling.

"So tell me, was the Tower of Magi everything you thought it would be?"

The chuckle in response was very dry. "Abominations running rampant? Templars ready to slaughter every mage in sight? Yes, it rather met all my expectations."

"You don't think you might have been better off getting your training there? Instead of whatever your mother taught you?"

"You're right. My mother didn't nearly have as many abominations running about. That certainly would have improved my education."

Alistair laughed heartily. Marian kept stealthy, not wanting either so see her and break the moment. "I'll give you that one," the former Templar agreed. "Though it would have been nice. Someone like you in the tower may have made me less apt to leave first chance I got."

"If I was trained at the Tower I would not be who I am now, choir boy. Best things remain as they are."

Alistair moved closer. "True enough. Morrigan, there is...I mean..." He pulled something from his waist pouch. "Do you know what this is?"

Marian about choked and blew her cover seeing the item he offered to the witch: a single rose. Morrigan did not gawk, instead looking into his eyes with a smile. "Your new weapon of choice?"

Marian winced. Her fellow warden was putting his heart on the line, and Mari was near certain the witch would not be gentle in her rejection. Still Alistair combated with his own easy humor, seeming eased. "That's right. Watch as I thrash our enemies with the mighty power of floral arrangements! Feel my thorns, darkspawn! I will overpower you with my rosy scent." His face softened then, and Marian had to smile at his touching kindness towards Morrigan. "Or, you know, it could just be a rose. I know that's pretty dull in comparison."

Morrigan considered the man in front of her, and the flower on her hand. "You know, sentiment CAN be a pretty potent weapon I am told." She was leaning close to him now, as if expecting...

Marian closed her eyes, calming herself as she backed away. This was a private moment, and one she should not be witnessing. Her heart cried a little as she stepped away, her head reeling.

Alistair and Morrigan. She should have noticed their connection, and thought better when they began to be lighter with each other. It happened somewhere when they had been griping, Morrigan again attacking Alistair's intellect. That time it had grated on him and he'd spoken up. Sure Morrigan had initially replied with scorn, but then she had come to him with an herb of healing and apology later after he'd gotten in the way of a darkspawn trying to attack her.

With a breath, she let her own crush on the former Templar dissipate. No sense in thinking on it if he had found someone else to accept his affections. One more to add to her list of romances considered but never acted on. One more thing she was too late for.

Not that it would get her down.

Marian had a smile back before she even returned to the main fire. Wynne considered her but remained wisely silent. "Hey Leliana," Marian asked as she added some wood to the fire, "do you have any stories to tell?"

000 - on route to the next location - 000

The road to the Brecilian forest felt every bit as long as it was. Marian was glad to have her whole group with her as they went. Then she saw Morrigan and Alistair making doe-eyes at each other and sighed loudly.

"What's the deal with him anyway?" She asked, glaring pointedly at Morrigan.

"Him? Who him? Is this supposed to mean something to me?"

Marian grumbled, walking away as she murmured. "You know exactly who I mean. Mister...mister kissy-face over there." She was suddenly keenly aware everyone was watching as she started back to the front.

"Why...oh. You're jealous. I didn't think...did I take your favorite grey warden away from you?"

Marian felt the group pause, and glanced to her side to see Alistair gaping. "I'm not jealous."

"Those blushing cheeks tell a different tale," Leliana butt in. Even Zevran seemed amused by the flustering.

"I'm just concerned you'll turn into a spider and suck the blood out of him when you are done, Morrigan."

The witch laughed raucously. "Did you need to...suck...on something of Alistair's?"

Marian went off in a short huff. "That is so not what I meant and you know it."

It was several minutes of scouting ahead before Hawke felt two of her group come up around her. She turned to see Alistair and Zevran both there.

"Marian I..." Alistair sighed. "I am sorry if..."

"Forget it." Marian forced her brightest smile. "Go back to your witchy witch." Her tone was playful- both he and Morrigan knew she meant nothing cruel. "Do tell her to have a little more care next time she dabbles in another girl's feelings though."

"Mari.."

"I said forget it. Zevran, help me look ahead?"

Once Alistair had gone, Zevran reached a hand for Marian. "Are you alright? Truly? She was a bit cruel."

"It wasn't untrue, though I don't know if that's better or worse." She looked to the elf. "You're a good friend. If only we weren't wrapped up in totally opposite directions we might... As it is I think if we ever did make a go of it we'd create another archdemon."

Zevran laughed. "We would, wouldn't we cara?" He let her have a brief hug and walked forward to scout the area with her, but not before saying, "You'll find your match. Some nobleman no doubt with a healthy respect for family and a handsome face. Though he will have to have a very dry humor indeed in order to make up for your abundant witty remarks."

Marian joined his laughter. "If he's a master archer maybe Leliana will get off my back about learning the bow."