Thank you Jinx1983, Eva Galana and Warrose for your reviews and a very special thanks to PheonRen who is reviewing each and every chapter in this fic! Wow! :D
Just a few more conversations here between the characters who are slowly getting very close to one another. :D
Bioware owns! :D
Chapter 15 - Respite
I know that you've been shattered
You been bruised
We both know what it feels like when you lose
But I'd bet my life on a roll of the dice for you
If that's what it takes, that's what I'd do
Tonight's the night, I'm gonna prove it to you
Do I have to break down, baby just to break through
If that's what it takes, that's what I'd do
If that's what it takes...
Bon Jovi - If that's what it takes
.
.
Maker's breath! What do I do? Is she expecting something? What if I frighten her? What do I do?
Alistair had finished taking his bath but was still sitting in the tub, and had broken into a sweat. He was having a hard time getting out of the tub, and even harder when he realized he had no clothes to change into.
Oh, this is just champion! Yes, why don't you just walk calmly into the room completely naked?
He then stood up and reached for the towels next to him. Fortunately for him there were two of them, so he managed to put one around his waist, securing it firmly and used the other one to dry his hair and draped that around his shoulders.
Just, breathe, Alistair, breathe. That's it...calm and cool. You are a gentleman! Remember that!
"I'm...er...coming out now," he said softly.
"Yes, that's fine. I won't look," Chantalle replied in a high-pitched voice. She was obviously very nervous herself.
He stepped outside and she was looking at the door, a deep blush tinting her face. Alistair's heart melted.
"I've got a couple of towels around me, but I'll put something on, all right?"
She nodded furiously, keeping her eyes away from his figure, as he crossed the room to where his pack lay. He fished for a pair of trousers and a white tunic and dashed behind the screen again, his heart thumping wildly in his chest. He then concentrated on getting dressed and fussed with his hair, his fingers working nervously through the reddish brown strands automatically, thankful for the mirror in front of him.
A knock on the door and this time it was another warden, announcing that dinner would be served in the dining area in an hour. Chantalle thanked him and let Alistair know what he had said.
"I slept all day? No wonder I'm hungry!" He walked from behind the screen and stood in front of her, smiling.
"Yes, I can imagine you are, but you must not overdo it. Remember that Fiona said you are still in a delicate state, yes?"
Alistair scoffed and waved a hand to emphasize what he was thinking. "I'll eat anyway. You cannot simply ignore the Grey Warden appetite."
He knelt down beside her, and took both of her hands in his, kissing each palm softly, which earned him a loving look and sigh from her. She bent down and kissed him then, and he responded to the kiss with fervor.
After a short while, Alistair broke away from the kiss gently. "So, why did you stay here? I could have gone looking for you."
"I just wanted to be with you," she replied quickly, but one of his eyebrows shot up as he regarded her, totally amused at her trying to keep the truth from him.
"Oh, fine! I wanted to see if I could, you know...finally do...that...but, I can't. I'm not ready yet. I just keep on thinking about what happened and-" she stopped talking and shuddered.
He held her closely and very gently then. "My love," he crooned. "You have nothing to worry about with me. I just want you to be ready. You know this. Don't try to force this to happen. Maker's breath! You've been through a lot! Give yourself some time, all right?"
She shuddered again, and nodded against his chest, her heart beating wildly.
"I'm so sorry. I'm sorry that such a good, kind man like you has to go through this. You are so good to me!"
"There is nothing to be sorry about. I feel a little nervous about it myself," he gave a laugh as she eyed him curiously.
"You are?"
"Of course I am! All this is new to me, after all. And before you make any smart comments about Leonie, no, I never bedded her. I'll tell you what happened with her when I feel more comfortable about it. I wish it hadn't happened now," he said wistfully.
"It doesn't matter, Alistair. We were not together then anyway."
"I know, but I did find myself attracted to you from the very first time I laid eyes on you. Well, not attracted in that sense! Maker's breath, don't look at me like that!" He held her chin firmly in his hand and looked deeply into her eyes. "I'm truly not a lecher and very inexperienced when it comes to...well...that. We'll learn together. Is that all right with you?"
She nodded, a smile creeping up her lips and face. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Alistair."
"Good to know." His arms pulled her close again and they resumed kissing, their hands resting lightly on each other. The kiss got passionate and his hands began to roam over her back, as well as hers. Her fingers were suddenly entwined in his hair, and his breathing hitched as she hummed softly into his lips.
"Hmmm," he broke away gently. "Let's go get something to eat, before I ravish you here on the spot, shall we?"
She laughed and stood up, and he kissed her again, before leading her out of the room.
...
Fiona arrived to see Chantalle and Alistair sitting at the table, alone. She didn't want to intrude on them, but the rest were due to arrive any minute, so she cleared her throat to make her presence known and sat down beside Alistair smiling.
Alistair smiled back genuinely at her, his eyes warm.
"You know, it's not very often you see a budding relationship between an elf and a human man. And I just wanted to say I approve and am very happy for the both of you," she said affectionately.
"It is not allowed among the Dalish. But my clan is gone now. Alistair is my clan," Chantalle said softly, and Alistair squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"I have heard a lot about the Dalish and admire them greatly," Fiona smiled back.
"You were a city elf before you became a mage, then?" Chantalle blurted out her question, then blushed when she saw the sad look on Fiona's face.
"I am...sorry," she stammered out. "I did not mean to pry into your personal life."
But Fiona smiled back at her, and shook her head.
"It's all right my dear. That was a very long time ago. I will tell you my story. You know that we, as elves, have to endure a lot of pain and humiliation in our lives."
"It does not have to be that way! My people believe that one day we will have our own land again, and we will get back what was taken from us," her eyes flashed and she held her head high.
"That may be so, child. But it may take a while. And I don't think that humans are ready to treat us as equals. They are harsh and cruel to us," she held out a hand to Alistair, and he took it immediately. "I do not mean to offend you, dear, truly."
"No offense taken. I know what we have done to the elves and am not happy about it at all," he said earnestly.
"I was a city elf. I was bought as a slave from the alienage here in Orlais. Yes, I am Orlesian. The Count who bought me kept me as a pet. He raped me. I was seven. I was his pet until I was fourteen, then I was sent to the circle when he discovered I was a mage."
The words spoken were cold and harsh, and Fiona stiffened while she said them. But she droned on, oblivious to the fact that they both had horrified looks on their faces.
"I never felt the same way about nobles after that. Until I met one that changed my views on nobles and human men forever. But that," she paused and now turned to them, smiling gently, "is a story for another day."
"I'm so sorry, Fiona," Alistair murmured, his eyes sad as he looked at her.
"No, you shouldn't be. What happened later was a turning point in my life. And as I just said, it changed my views on human men and nobility. I discovered that humans can be good and kind as well. And here you are, a good, kind person yourself. This tells me that what I think now is correct." Her smile lit up her face and she squeezed his hand affectionately.
Leliana walked into the room then, Oghren trailing beside her, swaying on his feet and nearly falling over when she stopped suddenly and he bumped into her.
"By the tits of my ancestors! Be careful when you stop walking, woman!" He growled and Alistair suddenly gave a bark of a laugh as he stared at Oghren.
"Ah, pike-twirler," he said, smiling through his bloodshot eyes. "I have some of my brew here, care to join me?"
Alistair then shook his head, still smiling. "Me? I'm never drinking again, thank you!"
"Suit yourself," he turned his eyes on Fiona. "Mage, eh? Well, mage, how would you like a taste of my brew?"
Fiona laughed. "I think I'll pass."
"You all don't know what yer missing, that's what," he toppled over to a chair and said down with a thump, taking a long sip from his deer skin and then burped.
Leliana smiled sweetly at Fiona, Alistair and Chantalle.
"I hope we aren't interrupting?" She asked in dulcet tones.
"No, not at all," Fiona replied nicely.
"Are you from Ferelden?" Leliana pressed on.
"No. I was born in Orlais, and grew up in the Alienage here, but then...oh, never mind. You'll find out soon enough. I'll tell you later."
"I would love to continue our conversation later," Leliana said, her eyes sparkling.
"Later it is, then," Fiona remarked as the rest of the wardens started to file into the hall, and the smell of dinner reached their nostrils, causing Alistair to smack his lips audibly.
...
Duran kept everyone laughing during dinner. He tried to get them to drink but they all declined. Alistair was making plans to visit the city with Chantalle the following day. They whispered while the rest talked on about their mission and other more trivial things.
"Hey, Warden Commander...can you at least join us when we talk? How about another drink tonight?" Duran grinned at him mischievously.
"Oh, no. I'll pass," Alistair laughed.
"Yes, I can see you have your hands...er...tied." Duran snickered. Alistair's ears turned a bright red and he stole a bashful glance at Chantalle who was grinning at the dwarf.
"Would you like to walk around Val Royeaux tonight Alistair? You haven't been around the city much, have you?" Leliana said smiling affectionately at her friend.
"Oh! No, I haven't! I'd like that, yes." He turned to Chantalle automatically who nodded at him.
"Oh, yes, of course I was going to ask you to join us, Chantalle," Leliana giggled. "And Fiona too, if possible, yes?
"Oh, no. I'm afraid I'm too old for that," Fiona said, smiling. "I have to get to bed early. But you all run along and have fun. Orlais comes to life during the night. All the people like to party and have fun here. Especially here, in Val Royeaux."
"It is hardly a time to have fun, with all the refugees, but I am sure there will be plenty of people around having fun anyway. We Orlesians try to make the best of things, even when times are dark," Leonie smiled.
"I think I'll join you, if you don't mind," Anders added hastily, as Leonie threw a dark look in his direction.
"Yes, of course, Anders. If you don't have any prior engagement, that is," Alistair's eyes twinkled.
"Oh, no, no, no. No engagement," he tried to laugh, but a squeak came out of the middle of his laugh, cutting it off abruptly.
"Excellent, then!" Alistair answered back, and he saw that Leonie had risen from her chair and then hurriedly bid everyone good night. She left in a huff and Anders visibly sighed with relief.
"She's a dominant, bitter one, isn't she? Almost reminds me of a person that used to be my Warden Commander, a long time ago..." Fiona mused, lost in thought. "Well, you all have fun! I'll see you some time tomorrow." She nodded to all and left.
Alistair nuzzled Chantalle's neck playfully. She giggled and swatted him away and he pouted.
"All right, let's get going," Leliana said, and they stood up to leave.
"Have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Duran called after them happily.
...
"So, you are a bard, correct?" Anders asked Leliana nonchalantly.
"Mmhmm," she offered as a reply, busily looking around the city square. The crowded city had a lot to offer, and nothing escaped Leliana's eyes. She wasn't really interested in Anders at all. She just wanted to head somewhere where acting or singing was taking place, determined that they all should have a good time.
Anders looked a bit offended and confused. Alistair had not noticed anything going on at all, he was too busy staring down at Chantalle, who was in turn looking at all the people. She obviously had never been to such a large city and he took in her looks and reactions, clearly enjoying them immensely.
"Hey Alistair, can I have a word with you?" Anders's voice interrupted him.
"Mmmm," came Alistair's reply, still focused on Chantalle's lovely profile.
"By the Maker, I'm serious here!" Anders rolled his eyes.
"Oh! Yes...well, what is it?" He let himself be led off to the side by Anders.
"What is the deal with Leliana, is she...single?" Anders blurted out.
Alistair's eyes widened. "What? Are you serious?"
"No, I just have a penchant for pointless questions," Anders replied, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose momentarily. "Of course I'm serious."
"Well, she isn't with anyone if that's what you're asking. But I'd be more careful if I were you...Leonie can really be something when she gets angry," Alistair was once again focused on Chantalle, this time his eyes roamed over to her hips, and he wet his lips unconsciously.
"I swear, Alistair, you have to get it out of your system! You are standing there, staring at her like a fool. Pull yourself together, man!"
"Oh!" Alistair blushed and then looked at Anders. "Well, what can I say? She is beautiful and I am in love," he grinned.
Anders flung his hands up and shook his head.
"All right, all right. Well, let's see. Leliana is sweet, but she also can be pretty strange at times." Alistair's voice dropped to a melodramatic whisper.
"Strange? What do you mean?" Anders asked, his face turning a little pale.
"You'll see..." Alistair ended the conversation cryptically, and walked off towards Chantalle again, chuckling under his breath.
Chantalle's eyes brightened as he approached and he thought he had never before seen anything as beautiful as she.
Anders shook his head and ran after them, thinking that it might be a good idea to stay away from women for now.
It certainly seemed as though the Maker was throwing all the insane ones in his direction.
...
A/N: Poor Anders! I promise he will get a good girl...though I don't know yet if it will be in this fic! haha! :P