Chapter 51: Conflict

When the sunlight woke Delia in the morning, the first thing she did was look at her hand. Seeing Alistair's ring there made her smile with the realization that the previous night's events were not a dream after all! She smiled as she remembered how Alistair had proposed. She was incredibly happy, and felt that she truly had a purpose in her life being at his side.

Dressing quickly, she walked out of her tent into the frigid air and walked quickly to the edge of the camp to start her morning workout. Because it was so cold, she took her time stretching her muscles, making certain that her body was ready before she started her strength building exercises. Her back was turned to the camp, and she didn't notice immediately when Alistair walked over to join her. It wasn't until he was within 20 feet of her that she realized he was there, but with a smile on her face she ignored him for a moment until she felt his eyes on her and knew he would be leaning against a tree just watching her, wearing that grin of his that made her heart flutter. After giving him a few moments to just watch her, she couldn't contain herself any longer.

"Are you going to just gawk at me or are you going to practice with me?" she said softly as she turned around to meet his gaze.

He moved closer and put his arms around her waist. "There are many things I'd like to practice with you. But, I suppose, sparring will have to do, for now."

Laughing at him, Delia pulled out of his embrace after kissing him on the cheek. They started to spar, making certain to have Delia practice strengthening her weaknesses especially well. When they finished, they walked together over to the fire for breakfast. Trent and Aeden were sitting there, enjoying a breakfast treat of fresh eggs given to the group by their Dalish friends. Trent spooned up heaping servings for both Alistair and Delia, and the two sat down to enjoy the warmth of the fire as well as their conversation.

It wasn't long before the rest of the camp was bustling, and as soon as everyone had breakfast they quickly packed and readied themselves to travel yet again. Once they were finished, the group walked slowly through the Dalish camp, leading the horses rather than riding. Lanaya and Sarel led their people to give the wardens' group a proper farewell. Many of the elves came forward, either to simply speak to their newfound friends or to give them a handshake or hug to wish them well. Delia left her horse with Trent before she walked to Lanaya. Giving her a warm hug, the two friends exchanged their personal goodbyes.

Lanaya spoke for her entire clan, wishing the wardens a safe and successful journey to Orzammar. She promised them that her clan would meet them when the time came to battle the darkspawn, and she presented them with a gift of two homing pigeons. The birds were trained to find the clan wherever they would be, which would be the easiest way for the wardens to call upon their aid. After she spoke to the entire group, Lanaya spoke to Delia, Alistair and Aeden separately. She presented a special globe to Aeden. If something happened to the birds, he needed to hold the globe in his hands and concentrate on her. A second globe in her aravel would glow, and she would know the wardens needed her and a messenger would be sent to Redcliffe to establish contact. Aeden thanked Lanaya and they started back to their horses.

As they mounted, Zevran walked to Lanaya and gave her a private farewell. He would miss the beautiful elf, but he knew in his heart they would meet again.

The wardens and their companions left the Dalish camp to the sound of their cheers. It warmed their hearts, knowing they had such good friends in the clan. The wardens were beginning to have more hope that their efforts to fight the Blight would be successful, and they began their journey to the Dwarven city feeling optimistic.

Aeden decided they would travel west to Lake Calenhad, then north around the eastern edge of the lake. He hoped to be able to rest along the way in an inn to allow the group a chance to bath properly and sleep in real beds for a change of pace.

The day was uneventful, and the group only stopped for a quick meal of jerky and dried fruit. They were able to make a great deal of progress before Aeden decided it was time to camp for the night. He found a glen off the road that was just large enough for their party, and they each set to work. After the camp itself was ready, Trent and Aeden took Dusty to hunt some small game. Before long there was a nice rabbit stew cooking over the fire. Zevran, Trent, Aeden and Alistair sat at the fire, sharing some Antivan brandy – a gift to Zev from Lanaya – and were talking amiably among themselves. Delia sat outside of her tent, mending one of her tunics, when Wynne walked over to her.

"May I join you, Delia?" the mage asked.

"Of course, Wynne. I would love some company." She smiled warmly at Wynne as she motioned for her to sit.

The mage sat slowly and appeared to be ill at ease. Delia watched her with concern.

"Are you alright, Wynne? I know you have not been feeling your best. Alistair has been very worried about you."

Wynne smiled with a soft chuckle. "Yes, the boy worries too much at times. I assure you, I am fine. There is something I wished to talk to you about, though. I've been watching your relationship progress with Alistair, and I have some… concerns."

"Oh?" Delia said with surprise. "What seems to be the problem?"

"I believe the two of you are making a grave mistake. It was… bad enough that you were spending so much time together that you seemed to be joined at the hip, so to speak, but becoming betrothed? Have you no thought of duty?"

Delia frowned. "What do you mean? We think of duty every day."

Wynne put her hand to her forehead and rubbed. "I mean to say that love is inevitably selfish. It will cause you to put the other first above your duty. Have you thought what it will do to Alistair? He is a very nice young man, and I do not want to see him hurt."

"Hurt? Do you really believe I would hurt him?" Her eyes were wide in surprise.

"Yes, I do. He must remain focused on the task in front of him. Alistair must not only fight this Blight, but he must stand as king to unite Ferelden. Being… attached to you will indeed hurt him in the grand scheme of things. He may not take risks he may need to in order to avoid hurting you. Your mere presence may cause him trouble at the Landsmeet because of who your father is. And what happens when you grow tired of him… when the novelty of a new love wears off? The pain you will cause him when you abandon him may destroy him."

Delia was visibly upset. "Why would you ever think that I would abandon him? I love him."

Wynne was irritated. "Yes, yes, but he has never been in love with anyone before and has far less experience with relationships than you. He cannot afford…"

"I have never been in love with anyone before either," she snapped. "Actually, since I met him at Ostagar I believe he has become only more confident and self-assured. As for my family lineage causing him trouble at the Landsmeet, I actually mentioned that to him when he proposed to me and he believes that by focusing more on my relationship to my grandfather it could be an advantage. As for my hurting him, either of us could be killed at any moment. Either of us would be devastated in that event, but that is our reality. We both feel that it is better to find some semblance of happiness, if even for only a moment, than to have none at all. I know better than anyone at this camp what abandoning Alistair would do to him, and I would never willingly leave his side. Alistair knows that, just as I know he would never leave mine."

Wynne shook her head. "I thought you would listen to reason. Instead, I come to find you are a foolish child, who simply wants to play a game. But this is not a game we are playing. Lives are at stake… the entire country is at stake. You must let him go to do his duty. He cannot afford to be distracted by you."

Wynne stood and smoothed her robe. "Think about what I have said. I hope you will understand and see reason." She walked away, leaving Delia in tears.

Delia set down her sewing and ran toward the horses. She needed to be away from camp, from Wynne in particular. How could this woman be so uncaring? Delia entered the horses' enclosure and found her bay mare. Burying her face in the horse's neck, she sobbed as quietly as she could. She hoped no one had noticed her departure from the rest of the camp, but of course, she was unlucky.

"Delia? Love, what's wrong?" Alistair came behind her and put his hands on her waist.

Delia turned around and threw her arms around his neck, burying her face into his chest. "It's nothing, really… just a conversation I had with Wynne."

He pushed her just far enough from him so he could look into her eyes. "What in the Maker's name did she say to you, to get you so upset?"

"She feels that it is selfish for me to be betrothed to you, that I am playing games with your love for me and that I will hurt you. My parentage will hurt you in the Landsmeet. She thinks that you are some sort of novelty to me and that I will abandon you." Her eyes showed her great pain at that last sentence, and she placed her hand on his cheek. "I will never abandon you, Alistair. I will never leave your side unless fate forces me in some way. I love you and only you… there has never been anyone else, nor will there ever be."

He held back his anger at the mage that wanted to explode from his chest and instead kissed her gently on her forehead. "Delia, I love you and only you. You are the only woman I could possibly ever want or need. Don't listen to Wynne. She means well, but…"

"But there are things she said that make sense. You have to attend to your duty… to Ferelden. I can't impede on that. Maybe she's right. Maybe we shouldn't marry…"

He grasped her shoulders firmly. "Don't say that. You give me strength, Delia. I believe the Maker himself sent you to me. How else can you explain all the coincidences that brought us together? I honestly don't believe I can be an effective king without you at my side. I'm going to speak to Wynne. She needs to keep her nose out of our business."

He gave her a gentle kiss, and then walked briskly toward Wynne's tent. Delia stayed with the horses, taking the time to stroke her horse's neck to calm herself. Before long the sound of Alistair's raised voice carried across the glen. He was, in no uncertain terms, telling Wynne to keep her opinions about his duty to herself. He knew full well everything he was expected to do for his country, and he also knew what he needed to accomplish it all. One of the most important things in that regard was having the people he could trust at his side, whether that was Aeden in charge of the wardens or Delia as his wife.

Every member of the party took notice to what he was saying to the elder mage. They couldn't help it, since he was commanding and adamant in his beliefs. Not a one of them had ever seen him behaving like a leader – maybe even a king, but he earned a great deal of respect from them all. When he was finished berating the mage, she apologized before he walked away. Delia saw him as he came closer to her, and she met him halfway, allowing him to enfold her in his arms.

"Delia, no one will stand in our way. I need you to be my wife. I could never trust any other woman as I trust you, and I know that you always have my back. Neither Wynne nor anyone else has a say in my choices, or yours for that matter. You told me once that everyone is out for themselves. Well… I think it's high time that I am out for myself too. If it is selfish for me to want you to marry me, then I will be selfish."

He led her back to the campfire, and they sat with Aeden and Trent. Both men nodded their approval to Alistair as he joined them, but the evening was marred by the tension in the air. Wynne took her meal in her tent, as did most of their group. Delia hoped friction would pass quickly, as she didn't want any bad feelings to exist among her friends. She took her leave of the men early, fitfully trying to sleep. It seemed to take hours before she finally slipped into a light sleep, but she hoped that the morning would bring perspective to everyone involved with their conflict.