Chapter 22: Battles
Aeden rechecked everything needed for the upcoming battle in detail. Every member of the town's militia had repaired armor and weapons, oil was taken from the store and used to create a barricade at the hilltop, and the knights were given medallions with Andraste's holy symbol to shore up their resolve. As dusk approached, the mood of the residents was hopeful. The confidence level of the townsfolk had improved immensely, and even the mayor believed they were ready to take on the monsters' attack.
The only concern Aeden still had was where to assign his own party members. As he thought about it, he felt it best to have his strongest people with him, fighting alongside the knights at the top of the hill. The knights were fewer in number than the town's militia, so he thought it best to strengthen them and go downhill toward the docks if the militia needed assistance.
He was worried about the women and children in the Chantry. When he was in the building, he overheard many conversations where the people expressed their fears. If he had Leliana and Delia stay in the Chantry with the people, perhaps they would feel better protected and Aeden would be more at ease. He still didn't feel confident in Delia's fighting ability, so it would be best if she believed she had an important job but was really being kept safe.
He gathered his group together to relay his strategy.
"I want Alistair and Sten with me for their strength as well as Morrigan because I think magic could be very useful against the monsters. Delia and Leliana, I want you to take Dusty with you and remain in the Chantry as their last line of defense with Teagan. The people need to feel protected and safe, and having your blades with them will give them security."
Delia shifted uncomfortably. Spending the night in the Chantry with Teagan was not what she wanted. She would rather be fighting with Alistair and Aeden, but she didn't complain. Aeden's reasoning was sound, so she accepted his assignment with as much grace as she could muster. She spent as much time as she could before the sun set outside, talking to Alistair and trying to keep a positive attitude.
When the sun was low in the sky it was time for Aeden and the others to take their places at the hilltop with the knights. The entire party stood outside the Chantry along with the militia, knights and Teagan. Leliana and Delia gave each of their friends hugs for good luck, but when Delia hugged Alistair she lingered a moment longer than the others. Teagan took notice, but said nothing.
The leader of the Redcliffe knights, Ser Perth, led the knights up the path to the hilltop, followed by the wardens and their companions. Alistair couldn't help himself but to look back at Delia and, flashing his trademark grin, waved to her one last time. Delia waved back and watched until a curve in the path made it impossible to see him any farther. She was truly afraid for his safety, as well as Aeden's and the other party members', but she needed to have a courageous and confident expression on her face for the sake of the people.
Teagan held the door of the Chantry open for Delia, Leliana and Dusty. After they were inside, he placed the heavy wooden bar across the door and gave a silent prayer to the Maker that they would all survive the night. Watching the sun set from the stained glass window, he felt nervous and dreaded the battle sounds he expected to hear soon.
In the meantime, Dusty was getting a lot of attention. The children gathered around the dog and started to ask Delia questions about him.
"Is he really a mabari?" asked a little girl with red curly hair.
"Yes he is!" exclaimed Delia. "And he is a really nice mabari, and very smart too."
Dusty wagged his tail and woofed softly in agreement. He had been around children for most of his life, so he knew that loud barking would frighten them.
One small boy was hanging onto his mother's skirt and was afraid to come closer. Delia reassured him that Dusty really liked to have children as friends and asked if anyone would like a doggy kiss. Several children raised their hands, so Dusty pranced around the circle to each child who raised their hand. Every one of the children broke out in giggles! Delia asked Dusty to do some simple tricks to amuse and relax the group, and soon the hound was being hugged by every child in the room, even the one boy who had been so afraid.
Leliana clapped her hands together and asked if the children would like to hear a story. With a unanimous cry of yes, they all crowded around her. Taking a lute from her pack, she started by singing a few children's songs and then regaled the group with the story of Aveline, the woman knight. Dusty did his part by listening just as attentively as the children, and he became the favorite pillow of several of the youngsters as they grew sleepy.
While Leliana had the attention of the children (as well as most of the adults!), Teagan approached Delia and asked her to follow him to the Reverend Mother's office. Sighing, Delia stood and followed him. After she was in the door, Teagan offered her a chair near the hearth and closed the door behind them. Then he sat in front of her on the ottoman and looked into her face. His eyes were full of concern.
"Delia, I need an explanation. How in the Maker's name are you a Grey Warden recruit? You are a noble woman with an extensive education, not a hardened battle maiden! Why would they do this to you?"
With a soft sigh and a small frown, Delia tried to explain. "As I told you, I requested to become a recruit. No one asked me, much less forced me. I actually had to convince Duncan, the Warden Commander, to accept me, and I have worked very diligently ever since to learn my fighting skills and be worthy of the title."
"But why? Surely, this was not a personal goal of yours! You have never had any proclivity to battle."
"No, I never expected my life to take this direction. As for the reason why, I found myself needing a… place in this world. I needed people who would give me a reason to live, as well as people who would protect me."
His eyes flashed angrily. "You have a place in this world. You are a noble born woman who should be married to another noble and helping to rule their lands. Why join the wardens instead of going to your home? Your mother surely would find someone for you rather than turn you into a warrior!"
"Home?" Her eyes opened wide with anger. "I have no home. Not anymore, anyway. My mother and brother were killed at Highever along with Aeden's family and his entire castle staff. My grandfather died several months earlier, having never recovered from the shame cast upon him from my father, and to even suggest that I should return to West Hill to my father, well… I would hope that not even a Guerrin would wish that fate on me." She immediately regretted her last words, as she did not intend any malice toward Teagan.
Teagan's face contorted in sadness. "Delia, I could never wish any ill of you, and you know that. You know that I care for you – I always have and always will. Why didn't you come here, to me? I would have moved heaven and earth to help you; to protect you."
"You know why, Teagan. I was forbidden to return here by your brother. To be honest, I am terrified of how he will react when he discovers that I am here."
He took her hands in his, and gently raised her left hand to his lips. "Eamon is a fair man. He never had any ill feelings for you; the only problem was your father. I would have been able to convince him to allow our marriage and I would have kept you safe. You would have learned to love me, I'm certain of it. I always thought that the two of us were quite compatible."
"Yes, we were compatible. If it weren't for my father we would have been married already and none of this would be an issue."
His face brightened and he put his hands on her shoulders. "Then marry me. I will simply tell Eamon this is my wish. If he doesn't agree, I will remind him of the many members of the Landsmeet who disapproved of his marriage to Isolde. If he was permitted to marry for love, I should be allowed to do the same." He smiled and looked at her expectantly.
Delia's stomach knotted. Her feelings were becoming stronger for Alistair daily. Did she really want to marry Teagan? She certainly didn't want to hurt him in any way. There were also Eamon and Isolde to contend with. Would it even be fair to him to cause trouble between him and his family? He had a duty to support his brother, and Delia's presence would possibly cause a wedge between the brothers that could not be repaired. Duty… maybe the answer lay in duty!
She smiled at Teagan sadly. "I… appreciate what you are willing to do for me, but I have already given my word to the Grey Wardens. I must fulfill my duty to them in assisting to defeat the Blight. I cannot expect you to wait for me, dear Teagan. You deserve to be happy, and I couldn't bear being the cause of any discord between you and your family."
His eyes went to the floor. "Perhaps, after the Blight has been defeated we can think about a marriage. I suppose I must accept things as they are for now. In the meantime I will keep you in my prayers to the Maker and Andraste to beg for your safety. My hope is that we will have the chance to be happy together."
"We shall see, Teagan. The Maker has always watched over his children, and though his plan is mysterious and his reasons may not be readily understood by us, He has his reasons for the trials he puts us through. He may yet have plans for us to be together." She smiled as she stood from the chair, and started walking to the door. "May the Maker keep you and your family safe through these difficult times, Teagan."
She walked into the sanctuary of the Chantry and sat next to Leliana. The stories had ended for the evening and the children were sleeping with their families, some more soundly than others. Leliana had asked the families to set up their bedding, such as it was, as far away from the entrance as possible. Not only did that leave room for them to fight, if necessary, but the sounds of the battle raging outside were quieter in the back, allowing a small bit of comfort to the refugees.
Leliana looked at her friend's face. Delia looked worried and exhausted and the initiate saw clearly that her conversation with Teagan had been stressful.
"Are you alright, Delia? Was your conversation that difficult?"
"It wasn't as difficult as I expected, but I cannot talk about it, at least not here. Ask me when we return to our own camp and we can speak alone. I certainly could use some advice." She smiled at Leliana and then turned her face to the window, where she kept watch for the first beams of the morning sun.
Teagan walked out of the office and joined them, sitting silently. The three remained silent, not only for the sake of the worried families, but because their worries made idle conversation seem disrespectful. Dusty lay in front of the door, seemingly asleep and yet fully alert. The battle sounds were frightening.
The night seemed interminable, and yet finally a beam of light emerged from the darkness. Slowly the sun rose over the lake, and with the sunlight the creatures screamed in agony and disappeared. A cry of victory sounded from the docks, waking the sleeping families in the Chantry.
Teagan was not convinced that all was well until the mayor's voice was heard through the heavy wooden door. "Bann Teagan! We are victorious!" With that, Teagan lifted the beam holding the doors closed, and the townsfolk emptied the Chantry into the town square. The men of the militia swept forward, searching for their families.
Delia tried to make her way through the crowd, searching for her party members. The first person she found was Aeden, who had followed the mayor to the chantry. Delia ran to him and jumped into his arms. He swung her in a circle, both of them laughing heartily. Delia had never been so happy to see him in her entire life, and she thanked the Maker for keeping him safe.
"Aeden, where are the others? Is everyone safe?"
"Yes, we only had one casualty in the militia, a young man who ran out onto the docks alone. You can see Sten there, to the left. His height gives him away!" He chuckled. "Morrigan is sitting on a boulder next to the path uphill. And Alistair…"
"Is right behind you!" Delia spun around to see the Templar smiling ear to ear, his eyes sparkling. She threw herself into his arms and he gave her a bear hug.
Releasing her grip on him, she put one hand on Alistair's shoulder and the other on Aeden's. "Thank the Maker you are both safe. Are you injured? What do you need?"
Aeden looked at her lovingly. "We're both fine, but I think we'd both like breakfast. After all," he looked at Alistair and winked, "our legendary appetites are screaming at us!"
Laughing at her two boys, she took one on each arm and led them to where Morrigan sat. Leliana joined them after locating Sten, and then Delia and Leliana brought bread and cheese to their friends and some jerky for Dusty. The group sat together, watching the happy scene in front of them as families reunited. Alistair caught Delia's eye and, smiling, moved closer to her. He reached over and grabbed her hand, then they sat together and each breathed a sigh of relief that they were together for another day.