They seemed to have developed a knack for meeting unexpectedly away from camp. Not in woods this time, but out in the grasslands. She was standing on one of the slight rolling rises, admiring the view she had of the vast expanse of nearly-flat land here, when she heard a hail, and turned to see Arren walking toward her, bow in hand and Mouse trotting along at his heels.
"Morrigan!" he called, as he drew close enough that she could hear him over the sound of the stiff wind blowing through the tall grasses. "Any luck hunting today?"
She silently held up the sizable hare she was carrying in one hand. He grinned and nodded, moving closer. "That's a nice one," he observed. "I haven't seen a thing since leaving camp."
She smiled slightly. "I cheated – 'tis far easier to spot game in country like this from on the wing than from down here."
He nodded. "Have I mentioned before how envious I am of that skill?" he asked, smiling warmly at her as he reached the top of the rise.
"Frequently," she observed, and smiled back, before turning to face into the wind again. "Such a lovely day; 'tis hard to remember the terrible events that must be taking place elsewhere, while we travel through such beautiful unspoiled countryside."
Arren nodded, and moved to stand beside her, looking out across the waving grasses. "I get the most terrible feeling of urgency sometimes, as if we're not moving fast enough; as if we might not get things done in time. I have nightmares of the darkspawn flooding out across the land – of what places like this would look like afterwards. Anywhere that darkspawn remain for long becomes as tainted and twisted as they are. Only fire cleanses the soil and plants of whatever corruption it is they leave behind. If they've lingered long enough, the land may be not just years in recovering, but decades, centuries."
Morrigan nodded. "I have heard such from mother," she agreed. "The wastes in the far west, similar barrens further north... it is a terrible thing. Here, hold this," she suddenly said, holding out the hare.
He took it, startled, and a moment later she leapt up, transforming into a bird on the wing, riding the wind up into the sky. She circled a moment, some distance ahead of where they'd been standing, then stooped, flashing down to disappear into the long grass. Arren shaded his eyes, watching. She rose to her feet a moment later, triumphantly holding up a second hare.
"How did you even know that was there?" he called out as she walked back to where he and Mouse waited.
She smiled, looking pleased with herself. "The way the grass moved; something more than the wind was disturbing it there."
Arren grinned and shook his head. "I would never have noticed that," he said.
Morrigan smiled again. "I have spent much time in the grasslands before," she answered. "You would likely be better at spotting game in heavy forest than I am. Well – that should be more than enough meat for the pot. I suppose we might as well head back."
Arren nodded, and fell into step beside her. They walked in silence for a while. Morrigan glanced over at Arren occasionally, and soon noticed that he was mainly looking away from her, watching the sky, the grass, the ground at their feet. Morrigan found herself smiling, watching him, charmed anew by his self-conscious shyness. The next time he glanced at her he didn't look away, but slowed to a stop, smiling back. She stopped as well, and turned to face him, one eyebrow rising questioningly.
He bit his lip, took a half-step closer to her, then paused, looking almost frightened. Her smile widened, and he moved even nearer. He leaned in, slowly, and kissed her on the lips, gently, briefly. He was flushed with embarrassment as he backed off again. "Sorry," he mumbled, looking away again.
"Do not apologize," she scolded him, gently, and turned away and resumed walking.
Arren hurried to catch up with her, falling step with her again. "It, err... was welcome then?" he asked hopefully.
She laughed, and transferred the hare to her other hand, so she could reach out and catch his near hand in hers. She squeezed it. "Yes, it was welcome," she said agreeably. "There is only one thing I would reprimand you on over it," she added thoughtfully, before giving him a mischievous grin.
He smiled back cheerfully, picking up on her buoyant mood. "Oh? What is that?" he asked lightly.
"It didn't last long enough," she said, pouting slightly.
Arren stopped, and laughed, and pulled on her hand, drawing her close again. His second kiss lasted much longer, and was delivered with more assurance. He looked quite pleased with himself, when it ended. "And that?" he asked.
"Much better," she said approvingly. "You improve with practise. Perhaps you may become as adept at it, in time, as you are with that bow," she added, giving him an amused smile.
"Are you saying that you're willing to help me practise?" he asked as they resumed walking.
She squeezed his hand. "Perhaps," she said airily, looking away from him, out across the grasslands.
"Only perhaps?" he asked, sounding disappointed.
She smiled again. As camp came into view, she squeezed his hand again. "Yes. I would be most pleased to help you practise more."
"Good," he said, softly, and drew her close for a third kiss. She hummed in approval, releasing his hand so she could reach up and touch his chin, lightly guiding him to a better angle. When she let her mouth fall open a little, and licked at his lips, he only briefly hesitated before opening his mouth as well. It ended up being a very long kiss, with both of them smiling and a little breathless when it finally ended.
"Well," he said, and cleared his throat, and smiled, looking self-conscious again. "I suppose we should leave off any further practise until later."
"Yes," she agreed. They resumed their interrupted walk toward the camp, no longer holding hands, but still walking side-by-side. She darted another sideways look at him. "Perhaps tonight?" she suggested, quietly, when they were almost at the camp.
Arren smiled crookedly. "Perhaps," he agreed, airily.
Morrigan laughed again.