"History-- little miss didn't do right.

Went and ruined all the true plans.

Such a shame, such a sin."
- Wendla, Spring Awakening

Chapter Four
When she spotted her coming out of her room, Trija had took hold of her daughter's hand on the way out. Wiping angry tears off her face, she silently refused to let anymore fall anywhere near the house.

They had walked to where they were now, by a little stream. She wasn't as angry at Farridan as she had been, so the tears had relented. Salvia was happily paddling in a shallow part of the stream, handfuls of her hem in her hands and occasionally clinging onto half-submerged mossy rocks. The young elf felt like such an idiot for the ways she seemed to always act on impulse. She heaved a heavy sigh, and announced to her daughter that it was time to go find her father.

Trija knew where Farridan would go, probably the place where they had met; the tavern by their house. But she couldn't possibly take Salvia there now, not at her age. She growled playfully and looked down to her daughter.

"Race you back home?" She chuckled. The girl just grinned, released her hand and galloped off in the direction of their house.

* * * *

It was just turning a purple dusk when Alistair had decided to go back to Denerim. He had been a fool to come. To be quite honest, he didn't think Orlais was even a threat. Anora was just being a paranoid crazy woman. Her usual self. He had decided he would get his horse and go, and try and make up some elaborate excuse as to why he was unaccompanied. He was halfway out of the small house when Trija and her daughter almost ran straight into him. They both halted right in front of him, Trija considerably more out of breath than Salvia.

"Where are you...going?" She panted. Alistair clenched his jaw.
"Back to Denerim. Sorry to bother you." He made to walk in the direction of his horse but Trija stopped him by putting out a hand.
"Wait, I'm just about to put Sal to bed; just wait," The little girl groaned at this while her mother grabbed her hand.

Alistair had settled himself in the room at the front of the house while Trija helped the girl get ready for bed. He had sat awkwardly at the table situated in the room, and waited for her to return. When she eventually did after a good period of time, she looked completely flustered. Trija smiled apologetically at him and sat down at the table across from him.
"What made you decide to leave?" She asked him, her expression completely unreadable and blank. Alistair looked at the table.
"Er...I just didn't think things are...right." Handled with his usual deft brilliance. Trija frowned.
"I don't actually believe that things with Orlais could be so bad." She stated, lingering for a moment. "Did Anora take such rumors personally?" Alistair grimaced and she chuckled.
"Perhaps...but they weren't rumors, they were much more solid." Trija nodded slowly.
"Alright...I will come back to Denerim with you on one condition." She rested both her forearms on the table and leant towards him. "That you let Salvia and Farridan come too."

Alistair shuddered at the thought. "Do you really think that would be safe for both of them?" He asked incredulously.

Trija got out of her chair angrily. "Of course, it's such a stupid idea. I'm so sorry I wasted your time, your Highness." She drawled sarcastically. She didn't face him but instead made to go in the direction of Salvia's room.

"Go back to Denerim, Alistair. Your wife will be wondering where you are." She called over her shoulder.
"No," he called back. "I'm afraid I'm not going until you say yes." Trija turned, feeling a bit shocked inside that he had learned to say no. She took a few steps to try and close the gap between them as Alistair looked directly at her. In an odd way, it reminded her of when they first met.

And just like that, it was gone. Trija felt a little shape thud into the back of her legs: Salvia. She was hysterical, and covered in sweat.

Once Trija had calmed the young girl down, they had sat down at the table once again. Salvia was still in floods of tears while she sat on her mother's lap.
"What's wrong, love?" Her mother soothed as the little girl gulped dramatically. "Bad dreams, again?" Salvia just nodded and buried her face in her mother's chest. They sat in peaceful silence for a few long moments. "See, Alistair?" She whispered. "How could I possibly leave them alone like this?" She planted a chaste kiss on the girl's forehead and carried her back to her room.

When she returned once again Alistair was standing. She ventured closer to him this time.
"I'm willing to negotiate." He uttered. "But you have to be able to promise that they won't be in the way, or be in danger." Happiness and triumph lit up the young woman's eyes. "Thank you," was all she whispered, her lips parted softly from the words. She didn't realise how close they had been standing, but Alistair had. He had itching to just close the distance, and for this once he did not shake such thoughts out of his head. But he did not act upon them.

Trija had noticed this after too long. She cleared her throat awkwardly and tried to step backwards as inconspicuously as possible.
"But you have to go. For now, anyway. Come back to Highever in about a fortnight and I promise you I will be ready. Can I have at least that long?" He nodded in reply, and smiled meekly.

"But you have to go now," she repeated to no one in particular. "Because I'm not going to leave my loved ones behind."

**
A/N: Had some major technical difficulties with my laptop, but it's all sorted for now. I'm not exactly sure what I think of this whole fic yet. So tell me what you think? I would love to hear what you all really think, as I'm chock full of ideas for the ways I can go with this. Tell me what you think; like, love, or hate. Completely un-Beta'd! Sorry for the short chapter and thanks for taking time to read. I love you guys. ;)