Yes, a second chapter tonight. I may not be able to write tomorrow as I had planned, so I decided to push this through now. Hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 44: Encampment
The wardens' companions spent the evening camped comfortably among the elves. They stayed to themselves, as the elves were not very comfortable with their presence, but it didn't trouble the humans. Each member of the group understood the difficulty the elves had with humans, and they didn't take their aloofness personally.
Most of the group sat around the campfire chatting after dinner. Wynne was kind enough to share some wine she brought from the Tower. The alcohol helped warm them as the evening was quite chilly. Delia sat on the ground between Alistair's legs, leaning back on his chest. She told the others it was purely for warmth, but she rather enjoyed being that close to him and wanted to take full advantage of the opportunity. He would be gone for several days with Aeden, Wynne and Leliana as they searched for Witherfang, and Delia knew she would miss Alistair terribly.
It wasn't long before Wynne took her leave, followed shortly by Leliana and Zevran. Both women wanted to have a good night's sleep before whatever awaited them in the forest. Aeden left the fire soon after, taking Dusty with him to patrol the camp. Morrigan had stayed at her own tent, as was her normal ritual, and Sten had gone to his tent early to prepare for his watch later in the evening with Zevran.
"Alone at last," Alistair whispered in Delia's ear. As he started to nuzzle her neck, his stub of a beard tickled her, and she turned to face him as she laughed.
"You know, I'm going to miss you while you're away. Make sure you don't get desperate for a woman's companionship out there. I don't think I'd be able to forgive Leli… or Wynne for that matter."
He acted shocked. "As if either of them could possible compare to you, my heart. And… Wynne? I think of her as a sort of grandmotherly type. You couldn't possibly think she could ever be… I mean, really!"
"Well, you never know. Zev seems to be smitten with her bosom after all. Who am I to say what you men find attractive." She smiled and touched her finger to his nose. "I only hope that the memory of me will keep you warm enough while you are away."
"You have nothing to worry about. Wynne is definitely too old, and from what I can tell, Leliana may be… taken."
Delia's eyes opened wide. "What do you mean?"
"Well, I believe our Aeden is smitten. Have you seen the way he looks at her? And really, why would he choose her to go with us? You and Zevran have both surpassed her lock picking skills, Zev is the best rogue in the group, sorry my dear, but you know it's true," he smiled at her lopsidedly, "and so if he were to bring any rogue besides him he should bring you. As you've said, how can you get better at battles if you don't get practice?"
"Hmmm…. Aeden smitten… I've been too busy thinking about myself to even see it! I think you're right, Alistair." She smiled at him as she moved her face closer to his. "At least I have less reason to fret about being replaced now."
He pulled her closer to him. "There is no replacing you. Not ever." He kissed her passionately. As he pulled away, she put her head on his shoulder.
"Good to know. I do love you, Alistair."
"And I, you. Now… unfortunately I must get some sleep, or I will be falling asleep while we walk tomorrow. For some reason I don't think Aeden would appreciate that much, especially if I'm in the front of our group. I might lead us off a cliff or something."
She looked up into his eyes and chuckled. "We definitely don't want that to happen. After all, Wynne might turn you into a toad or something…"
"Wynne would never do that to me. She loves me like her own grandson." He ran his fingers through her hair absentmindedly.
"Still, it would be best to keep her on your good side. Oh, and don't bother her with darning your socks or repairing your clothes. You know how that irritates her. Anything you need repaired just leave here with me, and I'll take care of them for you."
He put his arms on her shoulders and looked into her eyes. "You will? Wow… that is true love when a woman actually volunteers to darn your socks!" She punched him in his arm, getting a hearty laugh from him. The two kissed goodnight and they went to their separate tents, Delia immediately missing the warmth of his body as she climbed into her cold bedroll.
Delia and Shale had the third watch, so after they walked the perimeter of camp Delia performed her stretching routine near the fire. Shale stood guard while watching the human stretch.
"Does it do this every morning? I do not see the point."
"Yes, Shale. Humans have muscles in their arms and legs that need to be stretched out, especially after a cold night."
"I am unaffected by the weather, but I suppose it might make some sense. I find myself feeling a bit sorry for it. I actually like the cold weather. The birds tend to be elsewhere when it is cold, giving me a reprieve from those feathered fiends."
Delia chuckled softly. "Yes, I can imagine you would enjoy that. Don't worry though, if I see any pigeons flying your way I'll shoo them off."
"I knew there was a reason why I enjoyed its company."
Delia smiled at the golem as the first rays of the sun shown over the treetops. She decided to build the fire higher because she knew everyone would be cold sitting in the crisp morning air, and then she started cooking breakfast. Delia decided to cook a pot of oatmeal and use dried apples and cinnamon to flavor it. As it cooked, its delicious aroma wafted through the camp. Dusty was the first to wake up to the smell, not surprising in that the mabari's nose was sensitive to scents. The dog emerged from Aeden's tent, wagging his tail as he tried to convince Delia to feed him breakfast.
"Sorry, Dusty, breakfast isn't ready yet. I promise I'll have a bowl for you as soon as possible."
Dusty licked her hand in reply, almost as if to say thank you. Then he ran toward a tree to take care of his mabari needs. The other members of the camp started to wake, and Delia could hear rustling in most of the tents as they dressed themselves. As she crouched in front of the pot to stir the oatmeal she felt hands on her shoulders and a soft kiss on the top of her head. She turned around, smiling, expecting to see Alistair, but instead it was Zevran.
"Ah, my dear Delia, I can't begin to tell you how happy I am that you are cooking breakfast this morning. You are the only person here who can make proper oatmeal. The lumps that are formed when Morrigan cooks are repulsive. I do not understand that woman, and I do pride myself on understanding women! Men too, but women mostly since I am not one of them myself." He smiled at her, leeringly, earning a smirk back.
"Zev, you really shouldn't sneak up on me like that. You never know when I might simply strike out, and I wouldn't want to hurt you."
"Ah, but you would not hurt your Zevran. I know you love me." He wiggled his eyebrow at her. "And someday I will convince you of that fact. Perhaps with your handsome Templar in tow… who knows!" He laughed uproariously as she chuckled.
"I know that you are a lucky man, but I highly doubt that even you are that lucky."
"Ah, you wound me!" He took a seat near the fire and watched as Alistair came out of his tent. "And, see now, here he comes! Perhaps I shall be lucky sooner than you think!"
Alistair frowned at the elf. "Sorry, Zevran, I heard your conversation and I have to say it won't happen even if the Black Temple itself freezes over."
Zevran smiled happily at the Templar. "You cannot blame a man for trying, eh? I shall not give up on you, Alistair. You are far too luscious a target."
Alistair visibly shook and then turned his back on Zevran with a sigh. "Maybe the forest will be a good change of pace for me. I don't know how much more of him I can take." He leaned down and kissed Delia on her cheek. "You, however, I can never see enough of." He smiled warmly at her, and earned a broad smile in return.
The campsite seemed to suddenly spring to life as the other members of the party emerged from their tents and joined them at the fire. Delia gave the serving duties over to Wynne and sat down with her breakfast alongside Alistair and Aeden.
The three talked about what the wardens wanted Delia to work on during her stay with the elves. Aeden felt Delia would be a perfect diplomat to establish trust and friendship with the Dalish, given her studies in culture, history and religion as well as her herbalism knowledge. Her goals were to assist with the care of the sick elves while she worked on building relationships. Delia felt Lanaya would become a friend easily. She felt very relaxed with the young woman, and they shared their herbalism interest which gave an easy starting point.
"I'm leaving Zev with you on purpose." Aeden looked at Delia thoughtfully. "I know he's a flirt, but I think your friendship with him will show us in a positive light. He may also be able to learn things about the Dalish that we can't, either because of his being an elf or by hiding in the shadows. I also trust that he will have your best interests at heart and will protect you with his life."
Delia nodded. "Zev is a wonderful man." As Alistair rolled his eyes at her, she laughed and continued to speak. "I know, Alistair, but underneath his tough exterior he has a heart of gold. I do trust him with my life. With Zev as my eyes and Sten as my blade I will be safe, I know it."
"Ye-es, I know, but I do wish he'd tone himself down. I trust him too – just don't tell him that." Alistair took her hand and kissed it gently.
Both Delia and Aeden snickered. "Alright, I suppose we'd best pack up."
After Alistair walked into his tent, Aeden looked at his adopted sister with a worried look. "Are you sure you'll be alright? I hate to leave you behind, but the Dalish need help here."
She put her hand on his arm. "I'll be fine. Zev won't let anything happen to me."
"Maybe I should leave Dusty here with you. I just have a bad feeling. He could be a better personal guardian than Zev in that he can be right at your side at all times. Would you feel… awkward if I gave him that job?" Aeden's eyes reflected his fears for her safety.
"If you don't think you'll need him with you, I would gladly have him with me. I think you may be right, given something Lanaya said to me yesterday."
"It's settled then. Dusty will be your personal guardian until I come back. It'll make Alistair and Wynne both feel better too. It's amazing how much Wynne worries about you."
Delia laughed. "I thought she only cared about her adopted grandson! It's good to know I'm on her good side."
Aeden gave her a quick kiss on her cheek and walked to his own tent to finish his packing. The four were ready to leave within an hour. Delia and Dusty accompanied Alistair, Aeden, Leliana and Wynne to the path leading deeper into the forest. Zathrian was waiting at the entrance to the woods, and he walked up to Aeden as they arrived.
"I wanted to wish the Creator's blessings on your party, warden. May he assist you in every way so that you may return safely and successfully." Zathrian bowed to the wardens as he spoke.
"Thank you, keeper. While we are gone, Delia and Morrigan will assist your healers. Both women are very skilled at herbalism, and I'm certain that both our people will learn a great deal from each other."
Zathrian walked back to his aravel and left the humans alone. Delia turned to her friends and wished them well, giving each a hug before they left. She saved Alistair's hug for last, and after a lingering kiss she whispered in his ear, "Stay safe, my heart. I will scarcely breathe until you are back in my arms."
He kissed her ear. "You say the sweetest things, but be sure to breathe. I wouldn't want you looking blue when I get back." He chuckled softly, and then kissed her softly once more. "You stay safe as well, my heart. Keep Dusty at your side all the time. Promise me?"
"Yes, I will. Dusty will watch over me even better than you do." She smiled at him and pushed him toward the forest. "You had better go now, else I won't be able to let you go."
Alistair gave her a lopsided smile as he walked backward. "We'll be back as soon as possible. I love you, Delia."
"And I you, Alistair." She watched them as they walked down the narrow trail until they were lost among the underbrush. With a heavy sigh, Delia turned back toward the center of the elven encampment, steeling herself for the work ahead of her. She straightened her back, took a deep breath, and walked toward Lanaya's aravel.