Departure

It took the next two days for the staff to prepare the Warden Commander and her staff for their departure. Juliette spent the time finalizing her information for Arl Eamon and sending responses to Seneschal Varel's missives.

She and Nathaniel took the opportunity to walk together through the large outer gardens of the palace. They talked of everything, the barriers between them all but gone. Sitting together that evening after dinner she worked up the courage to tell Nathaniel about her conversation with Alistair.

"I need to tell you something, about the conversation that I had with Alistair after the council meeting."

Nathaniel leaned closer to her, listening. "Go on."

"Eamon stayed for a brief time, but Alistair wanted to speak with me alone."

"Yes." he said, his eyes darkening.

"He asked me to stay here, with him." Juliette said quietly. "He apologized for ending things and that he loves me." she paused watching his face fill with anger, his eyes flare. "Nate, I just thought you should know. I don't mean to make you angry."

"Why would THAT make me angry? And what, may I ask, did you tell HIM?" he was fairly shaking in rage.

Juliette was shocked. He had really misunderstood.

"I said no you boob!" she said loudly. "I can't believe you!" but he was still scowling. "Nate, I told him that it had been hard when he ended it but that I wasn't in love with him. I turned him DOWN. Is that clear enough for you?"

"You said no?" he asked. "You turned him down?"

"Yes, I turned him down!" She crossed her arms across her chest and glared at him. "Honestly, why is it the men I fall for are all ASSES?"

Nathaniel stood there, his mouth in a tight line. She continued to glare at him and finally turned her back and began walking away. He realized that she was right but he had his dander up and spent another minute settling down.

"Alright, I apologize. Of course you would turn him down." Nathaniel said from behind as he tried to catch up with her. They were in the peach orchard and he had to duck limbs as he tried to keep up with her. "Jules, damn it woman wait! Ouch!"

Juliette looked behind her to see him on his backend. He obviously hadn't ducked fast enough. She giggled. "Are you alright?"

"Yes blast it. Why the hell did you come in here anyway?" he said rubbing his forehead.

She laughed again, "I didn't know the trees attacked." Juliette lowered herself next to him. "Let me see." And she took his chin into her hands, examining the bump.

"It really hurts. A lot." he grumbled.

"Aww. Perhaps I should kiss it for you?" and she gently kissed the bump. "Better?"

"Much thank you. I bumped my cheek too."

Juliette smiled and bent to carefully kiss his cheek. She leaned back a bit and raised an eyebrow in question.

"And my lip is a little sore."

"Ah. Well, we can't have that." and she smiled and watched his eyes as she kissed his top lip very slowly.

His arms came around her waist and he pulled her to him, deepening the kiss. He felt a giggle escape her mouth.

"Are you laughing at my kiss ma'am?"

Juliette laughed and wiggled in his lap to get up. "Of course not! I would not laugh at a wounded man."

"I think you do." he said, his arms tightening to keep her there.

"And if I am, what would you do about it?" she smiled at him wiggling between giggles.

"I'll show you." and he pulled her in again, kissing her until he knew he had her full attention. Nathaniel slowed the kisses and tucked her further into his arm, loving the feel of her in them. He heard her sigh.

"Not laughing anymore I see." he smiled down at her.

"No." she said softly. "I am sorry that I didn't explain what happened in a better way, Nate."

"Oh, I expect I could have listened a bit better too." he sighed, "I will admit that sometimes I can be a bit, let's say rash, when it comes to you."

"Rash? I think the owners of the Gnawed Noble would say it can be a bit more than rash." she laughed gently.

He laughed and it rumbled in her ear. "Let's say then, that I am very happy with the answer you gave the King."

"I am ready to go home with you Nate." she said snuggling into his arms further.

"As am I."

They returned to the main gallery where the head maid told Juliette that they had been able to send out the correspondence and luggage cart earlier that afternoon.

"They won't get too far by tonight but least they are underway. Good Evening Ma'am."

"Shall we find Oghren and Anders then? We could leave at first light." Nathaniel said.

So they walked together and located Anders. Nathaniel went in search of Oghren, who Anders said was in the soldier mess. Juliette and Anders sat talking in the main gallery while they waited for their return.

"SO, Commander!" Anders said dramatically. "How are, uh, things?"

"Things are, uh fine." she smiled."What are you getting at Anders?"

"I'm getting at you and our tall archer with the big muscles and long hair. What IS going on between you two?" he wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"Anders, really, you are such a snoop!" she laughed.

"Of course I am. What does that have to do with it?" he said. "Anyone with an eye in their head can see you two kids have taken a liking to one another. I'm just asking how the liking is going, that's all.

Juliette smiled at him. "It's going just fine, thanks."

"Good, cause between Oghren's ass and you two not speaking, the ride here was just shy of scarier than the Revered Mother's hairy mole."

Juliette fell into laughter and Anders beamed at her.

"You and he make a good set, Commander."

"I think so too." she said.

Nathaniel and Oghren returned a few minutes later and they all agreed to depart as early as they could the following morning. Anders winked a big wink at her and then said his good nights, Oghren waved as he headed to his room.

"What was Anders about?" Nathaniel asked her.

"He likes us not arguing and avoiding one another." Juliette answered.

"Smart mage."

They arrived at her door and he kissed her on her cheek saying good night. He watched as she shut the door and listened until he heard her lock thrown.

Nathaniel returned to his rooms and finished gathering the items for his pack. He was anxious for the next day to come, ready to return to the Vigil, ready to pursue his feelings for Juliette further.

He was still unsure of how to proceed but knew that if he had his way that he would soon be forced to speak with Fergus. It would be difficult and in truth, probably not go very well, but he would honor her by seeking her brother's blessing first. It was a very real possibility that Fergus would refuse his offer for Juliette, but he would not be deterred.

Completing the tasks at hand he undressed and prepared for sleep. Climbing in to the bed he snuffed the candle. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness he replayed their brief argument in the gardens.

"She called me an ass." laughing he fell asleep smiling and dreamed of peaches.