CHAPTER 10

The trip to Denerim was uneventful. The group would take a short breakfast, walk all day save for a stop to rest and take a brief midday meal, then it was more walking until it was time to make camp for the night. Nathaniel typically would hunt for rabbit or other small game while Alec built a fire, and Nathaniel or Elissa would cook while Cauthrien continued Alec's sword training. After dinner consisted of the group sitting around the campfire in quiet conversation and then watches for the night. It was surprising that the normalcy of it all was … well, boring. Cauthrien was quiet and respectful, very thoughtful even, and Alec seemed to have the sort of hero-worship for Elissa that small boys have for their childhood heroes. I can't believe I actually miss all the noise Anders and Oghren make. They would laugh if I ever told them. Still, it is nice to be outdoors and able to actually look at the stars for a change, even if I'm itching to do something.

Once or twice, during the quiet moments, Nathaniel would look up and see Elissa watching him, an unreadable expression on her face. He would raise his eyebrow quizzically at her, causing her to blink and then return to whatever she was doing. She must notice the silence as well. He would then shrug and go back to switching between contemplation and wariness, expecting an attack that never happened.

With the lack of delay, the group easily made it to Denerim in good time. Elissa led them to a tavern in the market district and took out rooms for them. Since it was late in the day, she decided that they would wait until morning to visit the palace, instead sending the tavern's messenger to the palace to inform the King of their arrival and plans.

After a quick bath to clean up from the road and a change of clothing, Nathaniel left his room to visit the tavern. He found Cauthrien and Alec seated at a table, but no sign of Elissa. "Have you already eaten?" he asked.

Cauthrien shook her head. "We've ordered, but haven't gotten our food yet. The Commander said to go on without us and eat, but she did ask that you see her to talk about some Warden business."

"I will do that then," Nathaniel replied. "Thank you."

Nathaniel ordered food, enough for both of them to eat if Elissa hadn't taken dinner yet, and carried the tray to her door. When he knocked, he heard a muffled, "Just a moment!" and a few moments later the door opened to show a freshly scrubbed Elissa, her hair still wet from her bath and loose from its customary bun, wearing a linen shirt untucked over loose-fitting breeches.

She opened the door wide. "Please, come in," she said with a smile. "I was just getting dressed when you knocked." She looked down at the tray Nathaniel was carrying. "Excellent! I'm starving. Thanks." She smiled again and padded into her room, her feet bare, and curled up on the sofa in the sitting area. "Let's eat and then we can talk."

Nathaniel brought the tray forward and placed it on the sitting table before taking his place on the other end of the sofa she was sitting on. He studied her for a moment as she started to eat. Her color was good, and instead of the ever-present sadness that she had in her eyes when they had first met, there was peace. Combining that with the loose clothing and the way she was sitting on the sofa, her feet tucked under her, she looked adorable. Wait, I just thought of a woman who can kill an ogre with one shot as adorable. I must be losing my mind.

Elissa looked up at Nathaniel then. "Did you want something to eat?" she asked. Then, studying his face, "What are you thinking about?"

How you are a lovely woman and I've never noticed it before, his mind said. His mouth came up with a different response. "You know, I've never seen you out of your armor before. Well, except for that one time." Nathaniel felt his face growing hot as he realized how that sounded. He quickly picked a piece of bread from the tray and broke it to cover his embarrassment.

Elissa laughed, a low, sultry sound. "You, dear Nathaniel, have been spending entirely too much time with Anders," she teased. She looked down at herself. "It's comfortable, and I've always hated wearing dresses. I used to frustrate my mother to no end." She chuckled. She then pitched her voice slightly higher and said, in a nagging tone, "How will I ever have more grandchildren if you don't settle down? And you won't settle down until you at least pretend to be a proper lady!" She shook her head in amusement. "All I knew is that most of the proper ladies I saw looked like they needed to let their corsets out significantly."

Nathaniel laughed. "How true." He then smiled at Elissa. "I think this," he indicated her current choice of attire, "suits you." He then picked up some food and began to eat in earnest. Elissa smiled, and they enjoyed a companionable silence while they ate their fill and opened a bottle of wine.

After dinner, Elissa sat back. "So, what do you think of Cauthrien?" she asked conversationally.

Nathaniel considered the question a moment. "She certainly has skill," he started, "and she understands military hierarchy and strategy, especially since she used to command Loghain's forces. I'm used to having more boisterous companions," at this Elissa grinned, "but I think she would do fine as a Warden."

"Good, I thought so too and wanted to get your opinion. Now, about tomorrow, I think we should go to the castle first thing and take care of whatever Alistair wants to talk about, as soon as he's able to see us. Then we can go shopping at our leisure, get things for the keep, and I might want to visit the Alienage to see the elder there. I figure we might as well do some recruiting while we're in the capitol."

Nathaniel agreed that this was a sound plan. They spent the rest of the evening talking comfortably to each other and finishing the wine, like they had fallen in the habit of doing before Vigil's Keep had been attacked. As the evening drew to a close, Nathaniel excused himself and went to his room. I missed this.

The next morning, they met in the front room of the tavern to have breakfast together. During breakfast, Elissa asked Cauthrien to help Alec shop for a new greatsword, as he desperately needed a weapon that was more suited for his own hand than one of Oghren's cast-offs. Cauthrien readily agreed, and after they were finished eating, Elissa and Nathaniel made their way to Denerim's royal palace to meet with King Alistair.

Once Elissa announced herself at the gate, the pair was shown directly to a small sitting room where King Alistair awaited them. He stood as they entered. "Warden Commander, it is good to see you again," he said formally. "Is this one of the new Wardens?"

Elissa cocked her head and studied the King before answering. "You know, Alistair, I had just gotten finished telling Nathaniel here that you weren't all stuffy and political like some of the other nobles. Are you trying to make a liar out of me?" She grinned at him then, beaming one of her brightest smiles.

Alistair looked surprised for a moment, then smiled back at her. "Thank the Maker! I really HATE having to be all king-like unless it's necessary." He relaxed and sat back down. "Please, have a seat, both of you. Eamon will be coming in soon and we can all talk. Nathaniel, right? It's good to meet you."

Nathaniel nodded back. "Thank you. It is good to meet you too."

While they waited for Chancellor Eamon to arrive, Elissa and Alistair made small talk. Nathaniel studied the king. The man was physically fit, with a tanned, handsome face and almost-blond hair. He was very expressive, every emotion showing on his face as he talked. He seems very likable. It must be one of the reasons why he is already a popular king.

Nathaniel tuned back in to the conversation when he noticed Alistair looking nervous. "There is one thing I wanted to tell you, Elissa, before word gets out. I didn't want someone else to tell you. Next week I'll be announcing my," he swallowed, "my engagement."

Elissa sat there, stunned for a moment. Then she stood and walked over to Alistair and put a hand on his arm. "I just want you to be happy," she said quietly. "That is all I've ever wanted for you. Do I know her?"

Alistair sighed, looking relieved. "Do you remember Bann Alfstanna? The sister of the templar we found in the dungeons of the Arl of Denerim's estate?"

Elissa thought for a moment, then smiled. "Is that your fiancee? She's a good woman, and I think you and she make an excellent match. She's more likely to understand you than most of the noblewomen out there. She'll be a good queen."

Alistair smiled at her. "Thank you. Coming from you, that means a lot. I'm glad that after … everything, that we can be friends."

Elissa started to answer, but then an older gentleman came in the door. "Ah! It is good to see that you are here, and still in one piece. Your reputation as an indestructible force of nature grows every time I hear something about you." The man smiled at Elissa. He then turned to Nathaniel. "I am Eamon Guerrin, and you are?"

Elissa stepped in. "Eamon, please meet Nathaniel Howe, my second in command and a Grey Warden." Nathaniel bowed as both men stopped dead in their tracks, staring at Elissa like she'd gone insane. Before anyone could say anything, however, Elissa's voice rang out impatiently. "Oh, please. You, of all people, should know by now that a person's parentage means nothing to me when compared to their character." Nathaniel looked up to see she was addressing the King, who was now looking at her rather sheepishly. And then she turned to the chancellor. "And I like you, Eamon, but you really need to relax. Nathaniel is a good man and I trust him with my life."

Eamon sounded amused as he replied, "Well, then. I guess if you're fine with it then I should be as well. Bryce didn't call you his 'fierce girl' for nothing. Since that matter seems to be settled, on to business." He sounded serious now. "We asked you to come here, Elissa, because we need to decide what to do about Anora."