"Before you go," Teagan said, "I have something for you."

Teagan pulled Kaei aside before they had a chance to leave. There was all new madness to deal with, in the form of heading into Denerim, where Kaei just hoped they wouldn't be killed on sight. To find some chantry brother who had found the final resting place of Andraste. Kaei didn't believe in Andraste, or the Maker per se, well at least not any more than her own gods. But if these ashes actually existed, and did what they were rumored to do, well, she wasn't sure what that was going to mean.

"What's this?" Kaei said, taking the small pouch from Teagan. She opened it and pulled out a silver symbol of Andraste's holy flame. Not unlike the one she'd found in Lothering and given to Leliana. Except this one had been broken and carefully put back together with silver solder. Careful soldering or not, the cracks were still plainly visible.

"Wait," Kaei said, looking at the amulet, "This is Alistair's mother's amulet, isn't it?"

Teagan smiled. "He told you about it, did he? Not terribly surprising."

Kaei raised an eyebrow at him. "Excuse me?"

"I've seen those doe eyes before, although not often enough in my own direction for my liking," he laughed. "But, regardless, I want Alistair to have this back. In case . . in case Eamon doesn't awaken . . . ."

"Then why are you giving it to me?" Kaei asked.

"Because I want you to wait until you are gone from Redcliffe to give it to him," Teagan explained. "He will need some time to think on it before he returns."

"But why? What does this mean?"

Teagan sighed. "Eamon was always very hard on Alistair. He expected almost too much from him. Certainly, he is Maric son, but he was also just a child. After Eamon sent Alistair away . . . he felt very guilty about it. He kept this, and had it repaired with the intention of returning it to him once he took his Templar vows. Of course, that never happened. But nonetheless, the sentiment is still there."

"Hm," Kaei said. "I don't know how he'll take it."

"Neither do I," Teagan admitted. "Which is the other reason I'd like you to give it to him. I get the impression he might forgive you more easily than others, including myself."

"You may just be right about that part, at least," Kaei smiled. "Which shocks me on a regular basis."

Teagan laughed. "No doubt, but I know Alistair. And he is a good lad, with a good heart. And despite his contrary mouth, he is not as blind as he lets on."

"I have noticed that about him," Kaei said.

"And other things as well, I imagine. Since he isn't the only one with the doe eyes," Teagan teased.

"I . . . well, " Kaei stuttered.

"Ah, don't mind me," Teagan said. "But Alistair is certainly a lucky man."


It was a long road from Redcliffe to Denerim. The first two nights were quiet. The third it rained, and they all had to retreat to their tents early to stay dry. It made Kaei very restless to be trapped under her little shelter of canvas by herself with only Laethie as company. She debated sneaking into Alistair's tent to talk, and perhaps give him the amulet, but she thought better of it. Sneaking kisses when no one was looking was one thing, but she wasn't sure she was ready to be alone in his tent with him. Not yet anyway.

The forth night was warm, and clear. The stars were muted by a brilliant full moon that lit up the sky like a silver lamp. It was beautiful and peaceful. Although Kaei set up her tent out of habit, and tried to crawl inside to sleep it was entirely too depressing to leave the moonlight behind. Grabbing her bedroll, she dragged it just outside the light of the fire and laid down to bask in the pale blue glow. The fire wasn't necessary anyway. Despite traveling north, it was warmer now than it had been for weeks.

The camp was so quiet. The embers in the fire had ceased crackling and even the crickets were muted somehow. There was still the sound of Sten's pacing feet, and the tiny clink of his armor as he stood watch. Kaei wondered if he ever actually slept. She heard a rustle of cloth and rolled over on her belly to see who it was. It was clearly the sound of a tent flap. Alistair popped his head out comically and grinned at her.

"Hi there," he whispered. Kaei grinned at him. "Why are you out there?" he asked.

"Its too nice to be inside my tent. Besides, Laethie snores and hogs the bed," Kaei replied.

"What a coincidence," Alistair said. "So do I."

Kaei snickered. "Why am I not surprised?" Grinning broadly, Alistair crawled out of his tent, dragging a blanket behind him like a petulant child. His hair was askew and he wasn't wearing a shirt, which made it suddenly very hard for Kaei to take a whole breath. She tried not to stare as he came closer and laid his blanket on the ground next to hers and mimicked her position, laying down on his belly and propping his chin in his hand. Kaei tried not to notice how the muscles in his back rearranged themselves under his skin.

He didn't say anything, just looked at her. Kaei realized she was grinning stupidly. She slid her hand up over her mouth and realized her face was very, very warm. Alistair raised an eyebrow at her.

"What?" she said from behind her hand.

"Nothing, well, except that you look very beautiful in the moonlight." He paused. "That was rather cliche of me to say, wasn't it?"

"A bit," she said. "Not that I mind."

"Good," he said. "I have a whole bag full of romantic cliches just ready for such moments."

"Alright, if that's the case, then maybe its just the right moment for this," she said.

"For what?" he asked. Kaei reached into her cleavage and Alistair's eyes widened rather fetchingly for a moment before he realized she was pulling out a little velvet bag. Kaei rolled on to her side, half sitting up and pulled the drawstring on the bag, pouring the amulet into her hand.

"Whatever that is," he said, grinning, "It sure is lucky."

"Is that so?" Kaei replied.

"Very."

"This is for you," she said, holding out her hand.

He took it by the chain and lifted it up. The silver glittered in the moonlight, highlighting the mended cracks. Alistair's mouth dropped open.

"Maker's breath," he said, shocked. "This is my mother's amulet, it has to be. Where did you find it?"

"Teagan gave it to me, before we left Redcliffe," Kaei explained.

"Eamon must have found it after I threw it against the wall. And repaired it. But why would he do that?" Alistair asked.

"He wanted you to have it," she said softly. "That's what Teagan told me, anyway."

"I just don't understand. After the way I left . . . I was so angry. I blamed him for everything," Alistair said.

"Maybe he cares about you more than you realize," Kaei said.

"Maybe," Alistair said thoughtfully. "I'll have to ask him about it if he . . . I mean when he recovers."

"I think that's an excellent idea," she said. "I thought the same thing as soon as I realized what it was."

"Did you remember me mentioning it? Wow, really? I'm not used to people actually listening when I talk," he said.

"Of course I remembered it," Kaei said. Softer, she continued, "You're special to me."

Alistair smiled, slipping the chain over his head. "Hmm, it's warm."

Kaei laughed. "Why do you think I was keeping it in there?"

"To make me crazy?"

"Why ever would it do that?" Kaei asked innocently.

"Well, of course, I have no idea, being an virtuous chantry raised boy and all," he grinned. "So is this the part where the music plays and we start dancing? Because I'm game. Bring on the minstrels!"

"I could always go wake Leliana," Kaei offered.

"On second thought, let's forget the music idea, shall we?" he said. Suddenly he had that heavy lidded look on his face she'd come to recognize as meaning he intended to kiss her. Smiling wickedly, she leaned in closer.

"Hm, not wanting an audience at the moment?"

"Not so much," he said, sliding his hand up her arm to cup her face. He leaned in, and gently kissed her. But instead of pulling away, he increased the pressure and opened his mouth, taking her lower lip between his. Kaei's feet tingled. She slid her fingers into the hair on the nape of his neck and felt herself moving in closer until she realized they were touching from head to foot. The feeling of his warm, solid body against her sent a ripple of chills up her spine.

Kaei leaned back and Alistair followed until he was half on top of her. Tentatively, she slid her hand down his neck and gently along the sleek muscles, finally resting her hand against the small of his back and pulling him closer. He whimpered against her mouth. She thought that if he didn't stop, she might die of pleasure, right then and there. She also thought she might just as equally die if he did.

Kaei bent her leg, rubbing the soft skin of her inner thigh up until it touched the naked skin of his side. Alistair shuddered and stopped suddenly. Kaei blinked at him.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

Alistair shook his head. "No, it's just . . . ."

Kaei took a deep breath. "Do you . . want to go back to the tent with me?" she asked.

"I . . . yes, but I can't, not yet," he said. "Not that I don't want to."

Kaei moved her hand from its intimate position on his back and cupped his face. "It's okay," she said softly. "I can wait."

"Are you sure?" he asked. "It hasn't . . put you off or anything, has it?"

"Of course not," Kaei replied. "You just let me know when you're ready. I'm not going anywhere."

"Trust me, you'll be the first to know," he said. "Possibly even before I do."

Kaei smiled. "I'm sure it'll be worth the wait."

"I hope so," he said sheepishly, sliding back to his own blanket. He sat up, and looked as if he was debating whether or not to leave. Kaei sat up and put her hand on his shoulder.

"You don't have to go," she said.

"I'm not sure that I don't," he said.

"I promise I'll behave," Kaei said, swallowing a giggle.

"I'm sure," he said. "But will I?"

"Come on," she said, "Just lay down."

With his back still to her, he did as she asked. Kaei smiled down at him, her hand on his arm. He was very tense. This was definitely new. She never expected that her fumbling beginnings with Tamlen would ever make her the more experienced. But she supposed everyone had to have a first time. She felt a little pang of regret, laying here with Alistair, when Tamlen was so newly dead. Only five months since he'd gone to the Beyond.

But five months was a lifetime now. Especially since there was a chance that every day might be her last. And Tamlen would have wanted one thing above all others. He would have wanted Kaei to be happy; he loved her after all. Feeling suddenly very safe, and very content, Kaei laid down next to Alistair and draped her arm over him. He took her hand and kissed it before he relaxed back against her.

"Good night," he whispered.

"Yes," Kaei replied. "Yes, it is."