Disclaimer: I do not own Bioware or Dragon Age. If you squint, you can see a reference to the Nightmare before Christmas. I don't own that either.
Thanks to Zeeji who reviewed the previous chapter!
I have cookies for you, as requested!
*reaches into pocket for package of cookies but pulls out a note reading, "Thanks, Sten"*
There might be a bit of delay with regards to the cookies...
On, then!
Chapter 2: How could I be so Blind!
Something very cold is touching my hand.
It seems like the first thought that I have had in quite some time. What was I doing before that thought?
I should know this!
I feel like I'm waking up from a long dream.
What was I doing before this?
There was… the hunt for Darkspawn blood and some papers. A full 2 days wandering lost in the foul-smelling Wilds. My fellow recruits were a wonderful distraction from my own problems, and the smell.
Ser Jory was attempting to be brave while literally shaking in his boots so loudly the Darkspawn knew where we were at the same time that Alistair sensed them. He refused to change into a set of leather armor I found so that he could be quiet. Something about a bleeding Darkspawn touching it first seemed to bother him, Big Baby. So much for sneaking by any Darkspawn, Witch of the Wilds or animals.
My other fellow recruit, Daveth, was a whole another kind of cheese altogether. He seemed to enjoy my blushes from his constant flirting until I threatened to shave his head when he slept. Alistair's laugh at his look of horror caused Daveth to turn his attentions on the Junior Grey Warden. He seemed to enjoy Alistair's blushes even more than mine, not that I blame him. I have never seen a blush that bright before. It looked handsome on him.
But that still does not tell me where I am now.
What happened after that? Did we complete our mission?
Without opening my eyes, I try to figure out my location. If I can't remember anything after that, then there is a chance that I am not somewhere safe. I had better get the most information before anyone realizes that I am awake.
This bedroll that I am lying on is not like my bedroll. Too many lumps and it is not nearly as warm as the blankets I usually have.
Something is very wrong. I get the impression that I am outside or near it. I feel a slight breeze. It smells like it is about to rain. Perhaps we are still in the Wilds?
There is another smell, too. I recognize this smell all too well. It is the smell of my Marabi, Bosco, when he is just come from a bath. This is usually before walking up to Fergus and shaking nose-to-tail to get dry. He is a precious boy, my Bosco.
Wherever I am, Bosco is here and that is a relief. The cold on my hand finally registers as his nose. He usually sleeps next to me, but there must not be enough room.
With Bosco on guard, I could probably doze for a little while. Almost asleep, I am startled by voices. Two men are nearby, talking very quietly. I strain to hear what they are saying.
"I just don't understand how this could happen?" Alistair's voice said, sounding very upset.
I had only met Alistair 3 days ago when I arrived at Ostagar. There was just something about him that I instantly liked. It was only 5 minutes after meeting him that the first smile crossed my face since Highever. If such a happy person like him is upset, then maybe I don't want to wake up. For some reason, I don't want to see him upset.
"In the history of the Grey Warden's, this has only happened once before. It was a very long time ago, but I remember my mentor mentioning that it was also a woman.", I heard Duncan's voice drifting over to me. He sounded tired and worried, more so then usual. But there was something else in his voice. It made a chill run down my spine.
"So, what happens now? Will she…be sent away?" I could hear pain and a deep sadness from the Junior Warden. Who is she? Why would this woman be sent away?
Suddenly, it comes back to me. The papers we were sent to find were with the Witches, Morrigan and her mother. Alistair seemed to be very nervous around them. The two women seemed dark and mysterious, but I did not really think that they were a threat to the Grey Wardens. They seemed to prefer tormenting the men, like a little kid poking a snail whenever it comes out of its shell.
Perhaps there was more going on then I was aware of, but then why would Alistair sound so upset about something bad happening to…them? He seemed ready to find a cliff and kick them off it, not the genuine concern that I could hear now. A woman's voice interrupted my contemplation of the Witchy Duo vs. The Templar-in-Training,
"She has not awaken yet, but I see the spell that I put on her hound has lasted this long." The woman sounded bemused.
Wait, Did she say mean Bosco?
"Now, Wynne, the hound heard it's Mistress scream. Being the loyal hound he is, he charged in to defend her. When he saw 2 dead bodies, and Alistair and I standing over her writhing form, he came to the only logical conclusion." Duncan said soothingly.
I could hear the sound of armor shaking as Alistair snorted, "Logical conclusion, he says. The mutt didn't leave teeth marks in his armor."
Wynne sighed, "When I saw the hound running, I knew nothing would stop him from protecting her, except maybe a little magic. I'll unfreeze him once she can tell him herself that we are not a threat."
They were discussing me!
I tried to open my eyes, but it felt like my eyelids had turned to stone. What happened to me?
But if they were talking about me before Wynne appeared, then they are going to try and send me away? This confusion will not do!
Nap time is over. No one is going to make another decision for me. Not now, not ever again, if I have my way!
The struggle to wake up is painful. It is like being under water for too long and flailing to get to the surface before your air runs out.
I need to say something soon, if only to save the 3 of them from an angry Marabi. Or perhaps, to free said Marabi to sick on them. I'll decide that when I see the situation fully.
Duncan seemed to be the first to have noticed my movements. "She is waking", he said.
I sensed all three of them moving closer to me.
"What happened?", I groaned.
Is that my voice? It sounds so raspy. I wince just listening to it.
"Are you alright, Child? Does anything hurt?" asks Wynne.
She sounds genuinely concerned about me, a complete stranger. I like her already. An unusually calm feeling starts in my temple, where her fingers are touching, and spreads throughout my body. Despite the spell and the pain disappearing, I still feel like something is off.
Hands gently help me to sit up and then hold me upright. My body feels like it is sleeping, despite my mind being awake and Wynne's spell. This sluggish feeling is new and utterly terrifying. I can feel myself start to shake.
"It is alright, now. You are safe, sister" Duncan whispers to me, right by my ear. So he is the one holding me. But I also feel someone holding my hand. Is it Alistair? Finally, I gather the strength to open my eyes.
Strangely, the scene before opening my eyes…
…Does not change.
"Can someone let a little light in here so I can see what is going on? " Perhaps sitting in the dark, whispering, is another part of the Joining?
No one says anything, nor seems to move.
"Well?" I ask impatiently. My voice assumes that Tone. The tone that always made someone confess to my mother immediately, regardless of how bad the situation was. It seems to work on Grey Wardens, too. Mother would be pleased.
"Oh, Sophie…there is already light in here" Alistair chokes out.
A/N: Reviews are always welcome.