CHAPTER 13

The dream was strange. He hung, suspended in the air, with a pair of arms keeping him from falling. The only other thing he remembered was hearing a familiar voice whisper, "This is not just. You must stay here, or it will cause her great pain when she deserves none." Then, he woke.

So hard to open my eyes... After first one, then two attempts, finally Nathaniel was able to force his eyes open. When he could finally focus, he realized Anders was sitting next to where he was lying down, one hand absently stroking his cat's fur while the other propped his head up. He looks tired.

Nathaniel tried to speak, managing little more than a gurgle. So dry... But it was enough. Anders heard the sound and looked over to him, immediately dumping the cat off his lap and propped Nathaniel up, holding a cup to his lips. Nathaniel managed a few sips, which was enough to allow him to clear his throat and speak a little. "Thanks." His voice was hoarse, even to his own ears.

"One more time," Anders murmured. "Slow like before – we don't need you vomiting all over yourself." Nathaniel complied and Anders laid him back down, propping him up on some pillows so he could look around a bit. "There we go," the mage continued. "How do you feel?"

"Tired. Thirsty. Weak." Anders nodded to show he understood. "Where are we?"

Anders stood and with a flourish announced, "You, my friend, have been given the honor of being the first occupant of the rebuilt infirmary." He sat back down and said, "We carried you in as soon as the carpenters finished the roof and built a door. It seemed more fitting than lying in a tent, especially since winter weather hit a few days ago."

Nathaniel's eyes widened. "How long?"

"You've been out of it for a week. I'm actually surprised you woke up so soon." Anders then joked, "You do have a flair for the dramatic, though. Being carried into the keep by four beautiful women is definitely how I want to attend my next party. It's too bad you missed it!" He looked serious again. "You nearly died from the blood loss. I am glad that you pulled through. Even now you're still far paler than your usual self. Which is saying a lot, mind you."

Nathaniel watched Anders' face as he asked, "The others? … darkspawn … "

Anders nodded. "They're fine. Well, physically. I had to put the commander to sleep with magic and ask Fergus and Oghren to carry her out so she would lie down. You had her really scared. She was almost as pale as you." Anders' face lightened up again. "You don't want to be me when she wakes up. I'm pretty sure I'll have to bunk up with you when she does!"

"Perish the thought." Nathaniel managed a weak smile. "They're all right, good. Was worried."

Anders nodded. "I'll bet. Here, let's get some more water into you and you need to rest. We'll try some broth in an hour or so if you're awake then." He lifted Nathaniel up into a sitting position again and gave him another drink.

A little while later, Anders was dozing in his chair, Ser Pounce-A-Lot in his lap, when the door opened behind him and a furious female voice whispered, "Anders, if you ever do that again I SWEAR I will get Alistair to teach Oghren his templar tricks!"

Nathaniel was feeling a little better now, having gotten some more water and broth into him. "Elissa?" he croaked.

He heard a gasp, then the door close and footsteps coming toward him. Elissa's face came into view as she studied his face, then put a hand over his. "How long have you been awake?"

"Not long. I'm glad you're all right." He looked over at Anders. "I don't think he heard you, by the way." He looked at Elissa, studying the dark circles under her eyes and the worry lines in her forehead. "You need rest."

She waved it off. "I'm fine. I just got some sleep. Thanks to kitty-boy over there," she growled. "Speaking of which, I'm supposed to relieve him." She got up and opened the door, then slammed it. Anders jumped up, dumping his cat off his lap yet again, and spun to face the door in his battle stance. When he saw it was Elissa he actually backed up a few paces. "You." Elissa said, pointing at Anders. "Out. Now."

Anders retrieved his staff quickly. "You don't need to tell me twice!" he muttered as he hightailed it out of the room. Elissa closed the door after him and sat in the now-empty seat. When she looked at Nathaniel again, her eyes were serious, her mouth set in a grim line. "When Cauthrien and I returned, and saw you lying on the ground ..." her voice trailed off, and she closed her eyes, her chin trembling. She took a moment to compose herself. "You were so pale. I thought you were gone already." She stopped again, and took a deep breath.

She really was scared.

"Thank you for saving my brother's life. I know that you understand how much that means to me." Elissa looked at Nathaniel. "But please don't go into battle alone again unless it's absolutely necessary. I don't want to lose you. You're too important to me." She reached over and squeezed Nathaniel's hand.

So warm. It feels nice. Nathaniel gently squeezed her hand back and smiled, and they sat in a comfortable silence until Nathaniel drifted back to sleep.

This time, the dreams that came to Nathaniel involved feeling the weight of a warm body curled up against his side, with soft, comforting strokes against his hair and face.