So this chapter is literally just Alistair/Mori fluff.

Chapter 41

W-O-R-D-S~

Alistair

Eager and ready to leave we were all packed up and ensuring our allies will be with us in the fight. King Duran was doing well in gathering soldiers and thankfully people were willing to follow him, especially with Horrowmont as his advisor. Some of the more pompous nobles were not too willing to give up their men for such a battle, but after a quick mention of how it could bring honor, glory, and a more notable name they became more enthusiastic. Mori stayed at my side for most of it, grumbling about it. But finally, our time in Orzammar was finally ended with armies ready at command and agreements with Duran about future ties with the "surface" and we were off.

Honestly the only one actually reluctant to go was Shale, but as we were moving towards the exit, Mori promised her that one day she would bring her back and she could "explore all the Deep Roads he stone heart desired to kill 'squishy things' and find more about the past" and Shale was quite content with that response.

Stepping out into the bright sunlight . . . wasn't as great as I had hoped. The second the doors opened to the outside, we were blinded. The dwarven guards laugh at us, saying our eyes would readjust in no time. We stayed on the entry way for a while longer until they were adjusted enough. Which wasn't much, considering we haven't had sunlight in a few weeks. Morriana suggested we set up camp not far from everything, just in case, to which I agreed. Well, she is my lover so I kind of have to agree with most things so I don't get punched. We don't need any surprises while mostly blind. So we set up just after the merchants, who are more than happy to make the acquaintance of those who helped kind a king for Orzammar and are leading troops to defeat the Blight. It's nice we found some people who turn us away due to rumors about us leading our king to his death.

We stay in the sunlight for the rest of the day, retraining our eyes to take in the sunlight. Some of the other dwarves help us out and give advice that we take to heart. Maker, who thought that readjusting to light would be so difficult? By the time night hits our eyes are all sore and burning.

I spent my evening chatting with the dwarven merchants, trying to find some gossip about Loghain, or anywhere else in Ferelden that is being affected. Some tell nothing due to ignorance, some tell little due to whisperes from others. I hear from one about the Dalish, that they are some in the Brecilian forest. A tribe that has remained unmoved for some time and shows no notion of passing on anytime soon, but why I do not know. I thank the merchants and head back to our little camp. It is dark now (thank the Maker) and I find Mori in our tent with one of my books open. I see she looks upon the words with sadness, still upset and embarrassed about her lack of education.

"Hey," I say to get her attention. She jumps as she looks up at me. Hmm, she must have been deep in thought indeed.

"Hey." She greets back, giving me a small smile.

"Want another lesson?" I ask. Her smile widens and so I grab more paper. I take the book and close it, using the cover as a hard surface to write.

"Alistair." I look at her and I see curiosity and slight nervousness in her eyes. "How . . ." She breaks off and blushes.

"What is it Mori?" I reach over and brush some hair out of her eyes. She has it down and allows it to fall over her shoulders. Maker she looks so beautiful like this.

"How do you spell your name?" she finally asks. I lift an eyebrow, curious that this is what she desires to know.

"Here," she moves closer to me so she can see. I make my writing basic so she can better see it. I was trained to make my words swoopy and curvy, all fancy-like. But she doesn't need to learn that right now. I say out the letters as I write them so she can have a verbal and written sense of the combinations of letters. "A-l-i-s-t-a-i-r." When I finish she takes the paper and stares in awe, as if it is some foreign language.

"Wow," she whispers. "That . . . that's your name?" I nod. "It . . . It's beautiful." I am not sure whether she means my handwriting, which I know is impressive if you ask me, or simply my name. Neither have I really every considered either beautiful. But I suppose through her eyes I might see them differently.

"Would you like to see your name?" She hesitates, unsure. Finally she nods and hands the paper back. "M-o-r-r-i-a-n-a." I make her name fancier than mine, but not so she can't understand the letters.

"That's my name?" she stares at it, astounded.

"Yup. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman." She is too caught up in the moment to give me her signature "really?" look. She stared at the words in awe, refusing to look away. Her look suddenly turned sad and I felt part of my heart break.

"I'll never be able to write like this." I am quite to cress her cheek, rubbing my thumb against her smooth skin.

"You will, Mori. Maybe not right now, but you will. You're a dedicated person and I think you'll be able to get it in no time." Her lips press together in a thin line, like she does when she's not sure. I smile and press a quick kiss to them. She makes a fake glare at me and I kiss her again. Her acting falters and she giggles into the kiss. Our kissing continues, as Mori holds my face to deepen the kiss. It is not full of lust like it sometimes is, but full of love. I don't think I've ever made anyone feel happy before.

She stops after a while, ginning wide, then giggling.

"Alright, enough of that. You have teaching to do." I feign sadness at the broken kiss and she lightly hits my arm.

"Alright my love." I pick back up the paper and begin to write the alphabet on it, leaving space below. Mori keeps a close eye on how I write so she can better imitate it. When I am finished I hand them to her. "Copy the letters. And don't worry if it's not perfect. It won't be the first few times." She nods and begins to spread the ink. Her fingers shake as she struggles to hold the quill, the foreign hold bothering her hand.

"This feels awkward," she comments as she writes 'C.' I nod in understanding.

"It will be the first time. You'll get used to it and soon it will be second nature, like using your blades. She continues on, muttering the letter as she writes it so she can better remember them. She seems to remember well from when I showed them to her in Aeducans palace. Although she is concentrating hard, her letters are still shaky and awkward. When she finished she looks back over it there is a mix of both disappointment and excitement in her eyes. She stares at what she wrote and I can no longer tell what is going on inside her head.

"Mori?" She looks at me and tears are now brimming her eyes.

"Sorry I . . . I've never written the alphabet before. This is just . . . overwhelming." I move behind her and kiss her neck and wrap my arms around her torso.

"And soon, you'll be writing words, then sentences, then you'll be reading all the books you can get your hands on." She shivers at the thought.

"What's it like? Reading?" she looks at me with curious eyes.

"Sometimes it's like reading a dream. Tales of fiction to fuel imagination. Most a books filled with information you didn't know and sometimes its stuff you never even think about. Sometimes it's time consuming. When you just want hours to go by, reading will make it seem like time never existed." A tear slips from her eye and I am stunned. I mean, I might be a romantic (sometimes) and I do say the right things (rarely).

"Normally it's Zevran to romanticize something. But that . . . that was beautiful."

"Really? Hmm. I guess reading does help then." We both laugh and then fall silent. "Mori. When this is all over, I am going to get you all the books you want." She giggles at me.

"Really?" I nod.

"Yup. And who knows. Maybe you'll write a tale of your own." I expected a scoff. But instead she looks thoughtful.

"Many people think we're traitors. When this ends, hopefully that will change. And maybe I can tell our story."

"About how two traitorous wardens, a bard, an apostate, a circle mage, an assassin, a Qunari, a golem, and a hound saved all of Ferelden?" I meant it as a joke. But Maker, it sounds awesome. "Please let me write that with you." She lightly punches me.

"Of course."

"And will you add in there how incredibly heroic I've been?"

"Yes."

"And that we went through this together, side-by-side?"

"Absolutely." I push hair behind her ear and cress her cheek, placing a kiss to her neck.

"And about how I was able to get passed those stubborn walls you put up and then made you the most treasured thing in my life?" Our eyes connect and her eyes gleam with what little light has entered the tent, practically making it obvious how much she loves me.

"Defiantly."