Chapter 57: Separation Anxiety
When Alistair woke in the morning he didn't want to get out of his bed. He was feeling warm and happy, and all he could think about was Delia. It would be wonderful to wake up in the morning with her in his arms. The knock on his door pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Who is it?" he called out to the door.
"Aeden. You'd best get up, you're already running late. Did you stay up late?" The teasing tone of his voice gave away what he was thinking, and Alistair was not amused.
"No, but instead of your insinuating that I was busy why don't you just come in here so we can talk instead of scream."
Aeden laughed. "Thanks, but I'll pass, although we do need to talk. I'm heading down to breakfast. Meet me down there."
Alistair heard Aeden's footsteps head to the stairs as he reluctantly pulled himself out of bed. He dressed as quickly as he could and made his way to the dining room. When he arrived, there was no one in the room except for Zevran.
"Good morning, Zev. Where is everyone else?" Alistair asked as he looked around.
"Most members of our party are still asleep, although our dear Delia asked Aeden to assist her with a battle stance. I expect they will be along momentarily. I must admit, my dear Alistair, I am glad to have this opportunity to speak with you alone. Would you care to join me?"
Alistair looked at the elf warily before sitting across the table from him. He poured a mug of hot cider for himself and took a swig as he tried to determine what Zevran was up to. "What's on your mind, Zev?"
"Well, my friend, I happen to know that a certain… tome has come into your possession, and that its contents were a bit… disappointing?" Zevran watched as the blush crept over Alistair's face before continuing. "You were hoping to learn some skills, perhaps? Ah, but a book written by a celibate monk would never be able to teach you the techniques that someone such as myself knows. I would like to offer you my services, as a teacher."
Alistair choked on his cider. "You? As a teacher? Of what?"
Zevran frowned. "My dear Alistair, it is common knowledge that you were raised in the Chantry. I have no doubt that you have little if any idea of what must be done in order to please a woman. What I offer is knowledge. You are to marry my adopted sister, yes? I would be remiss if I were not to offer my assistance to you since you will be my adopted brother once you are married. It is important to me that my sister enjoys herself. The pleasures you can give to each other will only make your marriage that much more exciting."
Alistair ran his hand through his hair. "Maker's breath, what have I done to deserve sinking to such a low level as learning about sex from an assassin?"
"It is merely an option I put before you, my friend, but who knows more about the art of passionate love than a man who was raised in a whorehouse and has used sex to get whatever he has wanted? I would like to give you a gift no one else is equipped to give to you – knowledge that will make Delia a very happy woman."
"I'll… consider what you've said, Zevran. Right now I just want to eat and try to get my mind clear."
Luckily for Alistair, Deirdre walked into the room with plates filled with eggs and bacon. "Ah, warden, I see you're awake. Aeden was just in here a minute ago… where did he go?"
Zevran accepted a plate from her as he answered, "Delia pulled him away to spar with her for a few moments. I am certain he will be back shortly." He took a bite from his plate. "My dear Deirdre, you have outdone yourself this morning! If you were not already married to Gorshep I would have to steal you away. You could cook these magnificent meals for me, and I would make you a very happy woman the rest of the time!"
She whipped him with a towel that had been hanging on her shoulder as she smiled at him. "Ah, you are an irrepressible flirt, aren't you Zevran? Best you don't let Gorshep hear you – he can be mighty jealous, and he swings an ax like the best of 'em."
Zevran laughed. "My dear lady, I wouldn't dream of upsetting my host. He is certainly a very lucky man."
"Who is a lucky man, Zev?" Delia asked as she walked into the room followed by Aeden.
He looked impishly at Alistair. "Actually there are several lucky men among us, but I was referring to the husband of our lovely Deirdre at this time. I have not had the privilege of eating such delicacies for far longer than I want to think."
"Ack, enough of you now. Eat your eggs, Zevran, and enjoy them. I don't think I can listen to your golden tongue any more or my head will swell up and I'll really fall into the sky!" Deirdre made a hasty retreat back to the kitchen as Aeden and Delia laughed heartily.
They took seats next to Zevran and Alistair respectively, and Delia gave Alistair a kiss on the cheek. He looked sullen and didn't return her kiss, so she pouted.
"Something wrong, Alistair? You don't seem like yourself this morning."
"I'm fine, Delia. I'm just… pondering something that Zevran and I were discussing."
Aeden looked at the two of them with his eyebrow raised in question. "Perhaps we should discuss today's plan?"
Alistair nodded. "Yes… I'm sure that will help get my mind off of… things."
Aeden continued to speak about what they would face in Orzammar as Deirdre placed plates filled with food in front of him and Delia. The Proving Tournament would be later in the morning. After the tournament they hoped to meet with Harrowmount himself and be back at the Warden House in the afternoon.
"I think we should take Wynne and Sten with us. I don't think the dwarves could have anyone matching the strength of the three of us, and with Wynne's heals we are unstoppable."
"I agree, Aeden. We should go as soon as we can. I want to get back here as soon as possible." Alistair mustered a small grin for Delia and continued to eat.
They finished their breakfast and Aeden and Alistair went to pack supplies for the day. Delia sat in the study with Griffon. She was thinking about Alistair's mood while she absentmindedly scratched the deer hound behind his ears. Griffon could sense that something was bothering his new friend, so he stood up and put his head on her lap, looking up at her eyes plaintively.
"Oh, don't worry about me, Griff. I'm just wondering why Alistair was in such a mood this morning. I hope I didn't say anything that upset him." She smiled at the dog. "Maker knows that men can be so frustrating at times. I can't tell you how glad I am that you are a dog, even if you are male."
Griffon gave her a look that passed for a smile and woofed softly. Delia chuckled at the dog and motioned for him to follow her to the kitchen. There were a couple of leftover strips of bacon, so she gave one to the deer hound, telling him she had to save one for Dusty to be fair. Hearing voices in the foyer, she walked out to find the foursome ready to leave. They said their goodbyes and as Aeden walked out with Sten and Wynne, Alistair stayed behind for a moment.
He took Delia in his arms and gave her a kiss. "Mmm… I hate having to leave again. I'll see you as soon as we get back."
"Are you alright? You seemed bothered this morning." She put her hand on his cheek and he turned his head to kiss her palm.
"I'm alright. Just bothered by a conversation I had with Zev, but I'll be fine. I'll tell you about it tonight, I promise. Right now I'd better get moving, or Wynne is likely to turn me into a toad."
He left with a smile on his face, and Delia walked back to the study. Leliana was there, looking aggravated.
"There you are, Delia. I was wondering if we might be able to go to the market today. We've been cooped up here in the house for what seems like an eternity and I need some fresh air." She looked at Delia imploringly. "Please? There were several merchants whose wears looked very interesting when we came through the other day. I am so bored!"
Delia thought about it a moment and then nodded. "I think that's an excellent idea. Let's see who else would like to go."
Leliana gleefully bounced off to locate the others, and before long they had Trent and Zevran joining them. They decided to bring the two dogs as well to give them some exercise. After putting on their cloaks, they began the trek through the snow to the market square. The merchants were already buzzing about with their stock. Leliana pulled Zevran over to a stall selling fine Orlesian goods while Trent and Delia gravitated to an herbalist. Trent noticed the merchant next to the herbalist had leather supplies, so he walked the short distance to purchase some saddle soap.
Delia looked over the herbs for sale. There were many fine herbs from all over the world, including many from Nevarra and the Anderfels that she had never used before. The herbalist gave her recipes for using the herbs to intensify particular potions for heat and cold resistance, so Delia purchased a fair quantity.
As she looked at the other herbs and teas, she noticed dried flowers were available as well. The herbalist explained they were used to make soaps or scented oils, but that many women also liked to use the lavender in particular to make sachets to keep their clothes smelling nice. Suddenly Delia had an idea. She purchased some dried lavender and rose petals along with her herbs and some Seheron tea for Sten and, thanking the merchant for her help, walked over to Trent.
The two found Leliana and Zevran still at the Orlesian wares merchant. Leliana was finishing her purchase, which had been already wrapped up. Delia noticed some embroidery floss and selected some in several colors and then looked through some fine silk handkerchiefs. After choosing several, she paid for her purchase and the group walked around the rest of the market.
One of the merchants had dried fruit from Antiva. Delia and Zevran salivated over fruit, trying to decide which delicacy they most wanted. After not being able to decide, they bought a selection of dried figs, dates and apricots in an amount that not only would their entire party be able to enjoy them, but Deirdre would have a selection to experiment with in her kitchen.
Finally they made their way back to Warden House, and after eating their lunch Delia excused herself and went to her room. Removing her purchases from her pack, she selected a white handkerchief and began to embroider a design onto it using dark blue, red, green and silver threads. When she finished the stitching, she carefully cut the fabric and sewed the edges together, forming a shape of a small heart. A small hole was left in one end, and she stuffed the heart with the dried rose petals and lavender, closing the hole afterward. One side of the heart had two gryphons surrounded by twining roses. The other had the letters A and D, joined together in an intricate design.
Delia was quite proud of the sachet she created and couldn't wait to be able to give it to Alistair. It had taken most of the afternoon to make, and she started to become very anxious for the party to return to the house. After she carefully placed the sachet into her pocket, she walked downstairs to the study and started to read as history book she found about Weisshaupt Fortress. Griffon and Dusty lay down on either side of her chair as she waited fretfully.
The afternoon seemed to be interminable. Delia tried to focus on her reading, but her mind was wandering to her friends. "Where are they? I hope nothing bad happened…" Delia was just about to give up on her book and start pacing when she heard the main door open. She rushed over to greet the group. They looked exhausted, and so Delia helped each of them with their cloaks.
With the wardens' group back at the house, Deirdre called them all into the dining room. The entire group gathered at the table. Delia sat next to a haggard looking Alistair. He noticed her worried face and took her hand in his, kissing the palm gently. There was a thick mutton stew with fresh bread and herbed butter. After the meal, Deirdre put out a supply of the dried fruits Delia had purchased that afternoon. When they finished, Alistair and Aeden brought Delia into the library to tell her about their day.
They had indeed won the Proving Tournament, but of course, that wasn't enough of an accomplishment to secure the thrown for Harrowmount. Their party had to travel to Dust Town, the part of Orzammar where the castless dwarves lived, and deal with a bunch of criminals led by a dwarf named Jarvia. After battling the thieves and killing most of them, they returned to Harrowmount only to learn that he still needed the wardens' party to do more for him in order to gain the throne. They needed to enter the Deep Roads the next morning and search for a living Paragon named Branka. Although it could take weeks or months to travel through the underground passages to find whatever remained of the missing woman, they only had two days before the Assembly had to decide who the legitimate king would be.
Neither Alistair nor Aeden seemed to be happy to travel into the Deep Roads, and when Delia asked why the two stumbled over their words. She could only gather that it was because of the sheer number of darkspawn they would be forced to fight. Yet again, she would have to be separated from her betrothed, and this time it would be for a couple of days. Taking a deep breath, Delia assured the two that she would be fine handling everything at their home base.
Aeden then excused himself so he could have a hot bath and get to sleep. Alistair was about to do the same, but Delia put her hand on his arm to stop him.
"I know you're exhausted, love, but just give me a minute, please?"
He looked into her pleading eyes and smiled warmly. "How could I ever deny you anything, my dear?" He sat next to the fireplace and pulled her onto his lap. She felt so good in his arms… so right, and he buried his face in her hair. The smell of her soap relaxed him and he kissed her softly.
Delia could feel him relax and was glad. He had seemed to be so stressed all day and she worried about him.
"Alistair…"
"Hmmm…." He replied as he nuzzled into her hair.
"I have something for you." She pushed back just far enough so she could reach into her pocket and take out the sachet. "We went to the market today, and I bought the supplies to make this for you." She placed it into his hand.
His eyes opened wide when he noticed the fine handiwork. "This… this is extraordinary. You made this yourself?"
Delia giggled. "Yes, but it really isn't that wonderful. You should see the work of my teacher, now that is truly exceptional."
"Perhaps, but you made this. The way you have our initials intertwined… this is a work of art!"
"Smell it, Alistair."
"Smell it? I don't understand…"
"It's a sachet. Smell it."
He took a deep lungful and smelled the fragrance of the lavender and roses. "It… smells like you!" He smiled from ear to ear. "How did you do that?"
Delia snuggled closer against his chest. "It has dried rose petals and lavender inside, the same flowers that are used in my soap. I thought… you could keep it with you when you are apart from me, and when you miss me you can take it out and know that my heart is always with you, even when you aren't at my side."
Alistair pulled back from her and took her face between his two hands. "Delia, do you have any idea how amazing you are? No one has ever given me anything as wonderful as this present. I will keep it with me always." He gently kissed her, the soft feel of her lips unleashing his deep feelings for her. When they finally released the kiss, both were breathing hard.
"Darling, I don't want to leave you tonight. I really don't. I really need to sleep though. The Deep Roads are dangerous, and I need to be at my best. Forgive me for taking my leave of you."
Delia nodded. "I understand. I'll walk you to your room."
They both stood and walked with their arms around each other's waist up to Alistair's room. Before he opened the door, he took her into his arms again and kissed her passionately once again.
"Maker… you have no idea how much I want to stay with you…" he sighed as he traced her face with his index finger.
"Oh, I think I have some idea." Delia blushed and smiled at him shyly. "I'll see you in the morning before you leave, won't I?"
"Oh, I promise. You can't get away from me that easily, woman!" he laughed.
They said goodnight to each other and Delia walked across the hallway to her room, smiling once more at him as she opened the door and disappeared behind it. Sighing to herself sadly, she readied herself for bed and lay down. She still didn't know what was troubling her love, and she couldn't help but worry, so she prayed to Andraste that he would find a way to solve his problem, whatever is was. It took a long time, but she finally found a troubled sleep, tossing and turning until the sun finally rose.