A/N: I am trying my best to keep this fiction from being too lemony (although there is absolutely nothing wrong with lemons ^^), so please don't hesitate to let me know if it is. As always, thanks for the encouragement =)
One Desperate Night
"I didn't realize you Grey Wardens favored walking so much." Nathaniel muttered, stretching his arms out.
Elissa shrugged. "Complaining will do you no good. Besides, you're a Grey Warden yourself…so you should get used to it."
They have gotten back to Vigil's Keep after a brutal fight with the darkspawn at some of the farms on the outskirts of Amaranthine. It was making Elissa edgy that the attacks were increasing. She was appreciative of her companion's support thus far. Oghren and Anders have proven themselves to be worthy of the Warden title.
Nathaniel had been the biggest surprise. Elissa had almost forgotten how fast and lethal he was. Apparently he had much more practice in Free Marches than she had originally believed. As unmotivated he tried to make himself out to be, whenever she found herself under enemy attack, Nathaniel was instantly there to protect her back.
She recalled the times they sparred in training. She always felt that Nathaniel held back his attacks during those matches. While they fought against the darkspawn, she was sure that he was doing his best to make sure no harm fell upon her. She made no mention of it, but it was exactly like old times.
"Well, if we're going to be here for the night, might I suggest Oghren take a much needed bath?" Anders suggested, pinching his nose at the dwarf's direction. "It's getting to the point I have to walk upwind to avoid the stench as we travel."
"How about if you join me and I'll hold your head under the water to make sure you wash behind your ears." Oghren's gave his surly reply.
Elissa noticed Nathaniel give a slight hint of a smile at their banter. Nathaniel's broody personality was slowly beginning to break away. She grinned to herself, careful not to let him see her self-satisfied expression.
As they were all about to head into their respective chambers in the Keep, Varel emerged from the main hall and waved Elissa over. The others stayed in place as Elissa stepped towards the Seneschal.
"My lady." Varel greeted her, sounding a bit breathless. "I have come to tell you that the King of Ferelden is arriving shortly. The guards on the lookout tower noticed a small army of Denerim soldiers accompanying him."
Elissa felt the blood drain from her face. She was dirty, exhausted, and had just fought several battles with the horde. She was not in the best state of mind to meet with anyone…especially Alistair. "How long do we have until they arrive?" She asked, hoping for a chance to make herself presentable at the very least.
"He should be arriving at any moment now. Would you like me to keep him occupied until you prepare yourself?" Varel volunteered, noticing how tired his Arlessa was looking.
"Yes, please. Thank you, Varel. I will join you in the main hall as soon as I can." She inclined her head.
Off to the side, the others watched as Elissa quickly headed towards her quarters and the Seneschal headed back towards the main hall of the Keep. Nathaniel noticed how pale she became when she received the news of the King's arrival. It was not a normal reaction…at least not for Elissa.
"The King is arriving then?" Anders let out a low whistle. "I guess that's not much of a surprise considering she is the Hero of Ferelden after all."
"Mind yourself, sparkle fingers." Oghren spat. "This is going to be rough for our commander. Just keep your nose to yourself and don't ask questions when she's done."
Nathaniel turned to the dwarf who was staring off into the distance with an angry look on his face. "I take it you don't like the new King very much? Didn't you all fight by each other's side during the battle with the archdemon?" He couldn't help asking.
Oghren furrowed his brow and let out a grunt. "It's not like I don't like the kid. It's become sodding awkward with those two now…I left the palace and followed the boss thinking I could get away from that mess. But I think both he and the commander knew what they were getting into when they decided to…tap the midnight still."
Both Anders and Nathaniel were shocked by Oghren's admission. "Wait, wait." Anders gestured Oghren to slow down. "Are you saying that the commander and the King were…intimate?"
"Are you as slow as you are annoying?" Oghren crossed his arms. "All you need to do is to keep your gossiping mouth shut. What happened isn't our business and the boss can take care of herself."
Anders simply nodded in response and both he and Oghren continued to walk into their own respective quarters. Nathaniel was frozen in place, still in disbelief of the dwarf's comments.
Elissa and the King? Nathaniel felt a small pain in his chest as he tried to grasp the scenario. He was not sure why it was such a shock to him. He has not seen or heard from Elissa in several years…and during that time it would be quite normal for her to fall in love with somebody else. For the past several days since he had become a Grey Warden, he tried to convince himself that she was not the same Elissa that he had left behind in Highever. Even though he was in debt to her because she was his savior, she was also his father's murderer, and such a thing could not be easily forgiven.
However, Nathaniel thought as he slowly headed to his own quarters, he could not deny that a small part of himself was hoping that Elissa had been waiting for him and would accept his proposal from that starry night all those years ago.
Varel greeted the King of Ferelden and immediately offered Vigil Keep's hospitality to the soldiers that have accompanied him from Denerim.
King Alistair and the Seneschal chatted amicably about the state of Amaranthine. It was apparent to Varel that whatever reason the King came to Vigil Keep for, he would not discuss the matter unless it was with the Warden Commander. He prayed that the Arlessa would be quick…as friendly as the new King was, it was still unnerving to keep him waiting.
His prayers were answered when he heard her apology as she entered the main hall. "I'm sorry to keep you both waiting."
They both turned and saw that Elissa had changed into a formal gown of red velvet and gold lining. She had left her hair down and the curls rested on top of her shoulders. Varel let out a silent sigh of relief that she was able to make herself look so beautiful after she had stomped into the keep a few moments ago looking as if she was caught in a rain of mud. Although he wished that his Arlessa did not change into a dress where the neckline was so revealing.
Elissa immediately knelt down before the King. "Your Majesty."
Varel could have sworn that the King looked uncomfortable as he nodded his acceptance. "Warden Commander."
Elissa did her best to keep her face as neutral as she could. She was grateful that Varel was present so she would not be alone with Alistair. It was still too uncomfortable to be around him. "May I ask what brings the King to Vigil's Keep?"
"Oh…uh…yes." Alistair got his bearings together. He hadn't seen Elissa in what seemed like an eternity and he had been staring at her wistfully, wishing he could simply take her into his arms as a greeting. "I came to give the Orlesian Grey Wardens a formal welcome…but it seems like they are not present at the moment."
"My King, the Orlesian Grey Wardens have either been killed or gone missing due to the recent attack by the darkspawn." Varel explained.
"Missing?" Alistair was shocked and turned to Elissa. "The darkspawn took them? Do they do that?"
Elissa sadly shook her head at the loss. "These darkspawn apparently do."
"Perhaps you need to tell me more about what's been going on." Alistair said, clasping his hands behind his back.
"You may want to have a seat then, Your Majesty." Elissa said grimly. "It's quite a story so far…"
After they spent several hours discussing the newest threat, Elissa began to feel emotionally and physically drained. They sat together at the long table of the dining room. Periodically, one of the servants have been quietly stepping in to refill their goblets with water. Alistair had been listening intently to both Elissa and Varel's recounts of the attacks on Amaranthine.
Alistair suddenly let out a yawn and the Seneschal immediately caught notice. "Are you okay, Your Majesty? You must be exhausted after such a long trip from Denerim."
"Yes, I apologize for my rudeness." Alistair slowly rose from his seat. "I have absorbed a lot of information tonight. I will make sure that Amaranthine receives additional support from Denerim to help with your defenses."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. That would be much appreciated." Varel gratefully replied.
"If you do not mind, I would like to go to sleep for the night." Alistair turned to Elissa, who also stood up from her chair. "May I impose upon the Warden Commander to escort me to my rooms? I'm afraid this keep is quite large and I do not know my way around."
Elissa was caught off-guard and was unable to come up with an excuse to his request. She immediately glanced at Varel who was also getting up from his seat, oblivious to her discomfort. "Uh…yes. I will be more than happy to show you, Your Majesty."
Like a gentleman, Alistair held his arm out to Elissa. She hesitated and then slowly threaded her arm through his. The closeness felt familiar but awkward at the same time.
"I will see you off in the morning then." Varel bowed low to them both. "Have a good night's sleep."
"You as well, Varel." Elissa inclined her head and led Alistair out of the dining room and towards his chambers.
They walked in uneasy silence, their steps echoing through the corridor hallways. Elissa felt her heart pounding away at her chest, wishing that she wasn't in such a predicament. She still cared deeply for Alistair, but ever since that day when she told him the awful truth…they would never be able to go back to their former camaraderie. It would be too painful for her to be around him…knowing that they would never be able to be together.
They arrived at the door of the guest chambers and Elissa opened the door for the King. "I apologize the accommodations aren't grand, but I hope this will do-"
Her apology was cut short when Alistair suddenly took hold of her face and crushed his lips on hers. It has been so long and the taste of his lips were so welcoming that she could not fight him off. Rather, she found herself softly moan in response.
"Stay with me tonight, Elissa." Alistair murmured softly against her lips.
She wanted to refuse and push him away, but her body would not obey her commands to run. She kicked the door shut behind them and they both stumbled towards the bed, his royal armor dropping to the floor in pieces like a trail being left behind them. Alistair's hands almost tore her gown apart as he was frantic to feel her naked skin on his own.
They both fell to the bed and found themselves tangled in each other's limbs. She let out small whimpers of pleasure as she felt Alistair's calloused hands ran over her body, leaving her skin tingling wherever he touched.
She opened herself to him and he took her hard…she let out a small gasp in surprise. His mouth immediately found hers and he ravaged her tongue with his own. In the past occasions when she and Alistair had made love, he had always been gentle and slow, as if he were trying to savor each moment. As he pressed his body on top of her own, she felt his desperate need as if his life depended on it, and it only heightened her own desire and she responded to him just as intensely.
As he felt her grip him harder between her thighs, he went faster, feeling his own release about to approach. As she shuddered with pleasure beneath him, he embraced her tightly and emptied inside her. They were both breathless and exhausted…and welcomed the sleep that quickly came over them while in each other's arms.