Chapter 23
~"I love you" ~
Alistair

Its wasn't usual for us to have a meeting here in camp. And when we do, it's usually for something important. Morriana was the one who called them. When had one before we came to Denerim, in which we all voice our opinions. We all sat outside Denerim where we had set up camp the night before. I, for one was glad we got warmer clothing and more supplies, with an addition to Bodahn restocking.

I sat on a stump from a tree long since being a tree. Zevran sat not too far away and Orrick lay at my feet. Morrigan even joined, though she looked half concerned, half bored. Morriana stood and cleared her throat so the ones that were talking (Leliana and Wynne and Zevran, to be exact) would stop.

"We found today evidence that Genitive found a lead to the ashes," Morriana starts. "It's a place called 'Haven'. I don't think it's a known place, but we need to try. But I know that wherever the ashes are, Genitive is. It's down near the bottom tip of the Frostback Mountains. It will be cold, but we will find it. And—"

"So we should all freeze to death looking for a mad woman? Excellent." Muttered Morrigan.

"Anyway," Morriana continues. "By the location, it should take us around six, seven days, however due to the cold weather and the inclusion of the mountains and soon to fall snow, it may take us longer than a week or so."

"But we don't have that kind of time!" I call out. "Eamon could be dead already, for all we know."

"I know that, Alistair. But we have to do this. Do you know any other way of solving this?" I stayed silent. "Very well, does anyone have any other objections?" I saw Sten rise and Morriana looked at him with a questioning glance.

"Interesting strategy. Do you intend to keep moving north until it becomes south and attack the darkspawn from behind? Is this your plan? Or is that you run around doing countless errands while the Blight continues to move and spread? It would surprise me if my enemy fooled me by running away on a mountain." he asked.

"No one's running Sten, this is necessary." Morriana replies.

"The archdemon is our goal and we are heading away from it to find the charred remints of a dead woman. I will not simply follow in your shadow while you run for battle."

"Sten, I'm in charge so I would think what I say goes." She retorted at him.

"Not anymore. I am taking command. Defend yourself." Sten says as he picked up his blade. I jumped to my feet so fast everything became suddenly bright. I picked up my sword and shield and moved in front of Morriana, defending her with the shield. "And so you need your companions who now decide to have a spine to defend you? Pity." When I look around I see everyone has leapt to their feet and brought out their weapons. Even Morrigan and Zevran.

"Hold on, everyone stop!" Morriana shouts. Everyone seemed to freeze. Even me. "Alistair, put the sword away. That goes for all of you. Now!" She shouted when no one complied. We all did, save for Sten. "Sten, I don't need them defending me." she told him. Was she truly going to fight him?

"Then draw your weapon." He demanded back.

"No." she said simply. "I won't fight you because there's nothing to fight about. Sten, I don't plan to fight the archdemon head on at the moment, Sten. We aren't prepared. That's why we're doing this. We need and army, we need people on our side, we need the county to be as one with each other. If we faced it head on then it's simply us against an entire hoard and a big-arse dragon. That's suicide. So don't you think we need to do this in order to stop it?" He stayed silent.

"That's what I thought. We leave bright an early," she then called out to everyone, "so head to sleep early. I'll be taking first watch." We all did as she said and Sten withdrew to himself for the rest of the night.

As everyone headed into their tents after dinner and bathing I sat next to Morriana, who was more over focused on the fire. I stayed silent for a moment, contemplating on what to say. She had been the best to me, perhaps not at first but then she was. And when I looked back on how I acted after Goldana… I feel so guilty.

"Listen Morriana, I'm sorry about what I said after we saw my… my sister." She turned her gaze to me and listened. "I know you care about me. Maybe that's just something that I'm having trouble with. Not that I don't want it," I quickly add. "But… my whole life I was never wanted so… well, I'm glad that I have someone like you here, with me. I feel lucky in fact." She smiles brightly, making the dark of night light up like the sun. "It could have been left with anyone when this started, and I'm glad it was you. I…I think… I know that I love you." Morriana sharply sucked in air and looked at me wide eyes. I know perhaps it might not have been long since I met her but I'm grateful all the same.

"I do love you, Morriana." I continue. "I know it hasn't been long but . . . I know what I feel." I move my hand to cuff her cheek. Her skin is so soft against my calloused hands and it sends sparks through my entire body. She opened her mouth in shock but then closed it. She said nothing. instead she leaned in and kissed me. Just like the first time we kissed it felt like I was being shocked and it felt right. To be her with her, to have her in my life . . . I couldn't ask for more.

Morriana sighs as it becomes more passionate. Our arms wrap around each other and I enjoyed the feel over her close to me. Leaning more into her she moved down until her back lay on the grass and we were still kissing. As we kissed I laid more on her, our bodies pressing together. Suddenly she gasps and her arms move to my chest, and instead of moving on, she stopped kissing me and pushed me away. She was gasping for air, utter fear showed in her eyes, and her body quacked.

"Mori, what's wrong?" I didn't acknowledge that I finally shortened her name. I moved off of her and didn't touch her as she moved back up. I waited until her breathing back normal again and she buried her face in her hands. "Mori?" I said again.

"I thought I'd be over this." I hear her whisper.

"Mori?" finally she looks up, tears brimming her eyes. Hesitantly I reach out to her, cautious to whether she wants me to touch her or not. She answers that by taking the hand and placing it on her cheek. Now knowing she wasn't afraid of me, I moved closer and took her into my arms. "It's okay," I whisper. "Everything's going to be okay."

"I know." She says back. After a silent moment she moves so she can look me in the eyes. I smile and lean in to kiss her once again. I don't know what just happened before, but whenever she wants to tell me she can.

Just a small sweet chap. And next! We have Haven! Ah haven…. Always creped me out. Anyway, two more things. First, I apologize for being late once again, my bad. Second a thax to Fifespice for the many reviews. I mean, I was just sitting on my couch and I see my review go from 25 to 30 something and then more came every few minutes and I was all like "Ho-ly s### that was fast!" So thank you for the reviews! And for making my day!

Also, don't forget to vote on the next story.

Luv to all!