We all have a story, some just tougher than others.
It was a clear night as the full moon tried to peak through the trees. The party of 6 had decided to make camp for the night after hours of traveling from the small village of Lothering towards Lake Calahad; home to the Circle of Magi and, all the so called sin-stained, magic users of Ferelden. All was quiet in the camp, everyone in their tents, all except Lulia who was sitting near the dimming fire. Memories of Highever, her beloved home since birth, flashed through her head as the moving flame showed images of the fall of her family line. Her loving parents, her nephew, sister-in-law, and all those dear to her; all slaughtered through betrayal, leaving her as the lone survivor. She shook her head to try to remove the sights but they remained like a scar. Her eyes began to burn as she attempted to hold back the sadness bottled inside her.
"Was I…not a good daughter?" she asked herself as the first tear fell down her pale cheek.
She grabbed onto her arms as her body shook. She wept quietly as the tears began to flow smoothly like a stream down her face.
Alistair, the other Grey Warden other than her, had awaken from a frightful dream seduced from the taint and saw his comrade through the flap of his tent moving from the slight chilled breeze. He respected her, showing bravery where he would complain and make smartalic remarks.
He grabbed the extra blanket next to him and left his tent, placing it upon her shaking shoulders. "Bad dreams?"
She quickly wiped her face of the unwanted fluids and looked over at her companion. "You could say that."
He sat down next to her and held his hands up to the warmth of the low flame. "It'll take time but eventually you'll be able to drown out the dreams. They say that they're worse for people who join during a blight. Has it been bad for you?"
She clenched onto the heavy blanket around her. "Yeah…strange dreams."
He put his hand on her covered shoulder. "If you need to talk Lulia, know I'm here for you. We're Grey Wardens, we stick together; no matter what." He said with a smile.
She smirked and punched his arm. "Don't be going soft on me now Chantry boy."
He rubbed his arm and whimpered. "Hey now, I bruise easily. That's gonna be a big one…"
"I barely hit you. Besides, what's a punch from a girl to a strong Grey Warden such as yourself?" she rolled her eyes.
He laughed. "You're right. I am a strong guy."
She just shook her head, a little glad to see him take the compliment with his ears a slight pink at the tips.
Alistair wiped her cheek as a tear had snuck its way through. "Why don't you take my tent for the rest of the night? I know you said you'd be alright without one until we had enough money to get more but-"
"No," she cut him off bluntly. "I'm fine. I just need some time alone."
He nodded and took the hint. Patting her head, he returned to his tent. Ronzo, Lulia's beloved mabari warhound, had found his way to her side.
"Let's go to sleep boy. It's been a long night." The dog followed her as she threw the final log onto the now timid flame, still wrapped in the warm embrace of Alistair's blanket.