Bioware copyrighted.

A First Time For Everything

Despite my worries about the coming winter, travel was steady. The air was filled with our chatter, or Morrigan arguing with Alistair or Leliana. Leliana learned quickly to keep her mouth shut when the witch went too far. Alistair, on the other hand, couldn't let anything go. It usually took someone telling them to shut up to stop their bickering. I finally told them to can it myself, which worked, until Alistair asked me what exactly "can it" meant.

I almost had a cow when Leliana spoke some Orlesian under her breath one evening. It sounded like French, but there was definitely differences. I asked her to speak more of it, and after a brief moment of surprise, she obliged. I recognized words and phrases, and excitedly told her so.

"There is a place that must be similar to Orlais," I said with a smile, "called France, and in my home country, an area called Quebec that is mostly French speaking. I know the basics, but I'd love if you could teach me Orlesian!"

"I think that is a wonderful idea. It has been a long time since anyone has spoken to me in Orlesian," the bard smiled back at me. "Let me hear what you know, and we can begin."

We finally got to see Shale in action when a group of unlucky bandits crossed our paths. They flew through the air like dolls, only to land and be mauled by Helíos. It was very impressive team work, but terrifying to watch.

"Remind me not to get in your way," Alistair commented, staring at the remains of a man that had hit a nearby rock. From the looks of it, he had died instantly. "I don't think I would look very good splattered against a rock like that. I don't have the figure for it."

"I would beg to differ," Morrigan said, but her heart wasn't in it. She was looking at the body and then Shale carefully.

I would have laughed at the Warden's joke if it hadn't been so dark. I was also trying not to gag from all of the other bodies and the smell of death.

"Let's go," I finally croaked. Sten looked at me harshly, but I ignored him. I knew I was being pathetic, but I wasn't going to get better instantly.

We saw many refugees as well on the road. Mostly they avoided our small group, so either Leliana or I talked to them to get news, if there was anything new to be heard.

"Lothering is no more," Leliana told us quietly one afternoon.

"Ah," Bodahn sighed heavily. "I'm sorry to see it go. It was a quaint little village, and the people were good souls."

"I'm so sorry Leliana," I put my hand on her shoulder. She gave a sad smile and put her hand over top of mine. I motioned for the others to move on ahead to give her some privacy.

"Would you like me to say a prayer?" Alistair whispered as soon as the non-believers were out of earshot. Leliana sniffed and nodded slowly.

He cleared his throat before speaking and bowed his head. "Maker find a place for all of the brave, kind and unwavering servants of Him that gave their lives in His name to protect the innocent. May He forgive their sins, and may He show a road to freedom and safety to those that survived, and have a place at His side for those that did not. In your name, the Maker."

Everything was silent for a moment. Even the birds did not sing while Leliana cried. "That was beautiful Alistair, I thank you," she finally said. She wiped her eyes, and then went to join the rest of the group, already out of sight to us.

"That was beautiful," I agreed softly. "Do they teach poetry in the Chantry?"

He looked down at his boots sheepishly. "Well, no. It was just a simple prayer. The templars are taught them just in case one of us falls in battle."

"It doesn't matter, it was very sweet." I grabbed his hand," Come on, we're falling behind."

It was raining –again- the morning that we arrived at the docks to the tower. For the past few days we had been able to see it over the trees, adding to my excitement at getting the first treaty done, and to my dread because of the templars we were going to meet. Alistair distracted me with the promise of a warm bed, food I didn't have to cook, and beer.

"Ale," he corrected. "You can't say that here. People will notice," he smiled.

"Alistair, do you really think people aren't going to notice us already?" Leliana rescued me.

"Well, maybe. Don't have to add to it is all," he tried to argue.

"If I may ask it a favor, if the other squishy things will stop antagonizing it," Shale grumbled behind me.

"What can I do for you Shale?"

"It may be wise if I accompanied it to the tower. If it is expected to be poked and prodded, I may as well go along with it. The circle may know something about my past. It is known to have a collection of knowledge, unless I am wrong."

"That," I looked around the golem at the lake, and then the shabby brown boat sitting at the dock, "was the plan. You and Alistair can join me, unless anyone else wants to come too?"

Everyone's head followed my lead, looked back, and a chorus of no's reached my ears.

"Fantastic, try not to spend our entire bag of money okay?"

"You can't be serious. How have you never had ale before?"

I looked down at the cup that had been recently shoved into my hand. Complementary with the dinner, I had been told. "Technically, I have," I said to Leliana. "Just not here."

"Then today is your lucky day," Alistair announced, "courtesy of the Spoiled Princess." He may have had more than the complementary one.

I looked down at the cup again, having trouble diving into it unlike him. I wanted to, but I figured that the alcohol safety protocols in Ferelden were kind of lacking compared to home. Plus, by the look of the edges, the cup had probably been cleaned twice in the past decade. My inner germ freak was starting to cringe.

"Come on Abby," Leliana encouraged. "Stop looking at it like it has six legs." She had definitely had more than one.

I licked my lips and inhaled the scent, finding the usual booze smell, and something else I didn't want to guess. Bringing up the mug, I thought I saw something with six legs, but it was just a giant piece of dirt. Taking a long, slow sip, I found the taste not unpleasant. The worst beer I had ever had, but the best in a long time.

"I guess it's okay," I said with a grin.

Alistair waved over the female dwarf serving us. "Another round for the three of us, if you please."

I had just finished my second when Sten spoke up, still holding his first drink that I doubted had even been thought about. "How is it that you managed to adapt to this place?"

Leliana's eyes light up. "Oh, yes please! I want to hear this story!"

It's like he knows what drinking does to me. Clever guy. I thought before speaking. "Really, I still haven't, as you all have seen firsthand. I remember falling in a cave, and then next thing I know I'm in a cabin with two strange men, well one man, and an elf. I guess the elf, Lodan, had found me in the forest, and the man, Tanin, was an apostate who nursed me back to health. They both taught me about Ferelden and Thedas."

"Good thing Morrigan isn't around to hear that hm?" Leliana nudged Alistair playfully.

He rolled his eyes. "That's all she needs to hear, that good apostates are rescuing people from death."

I shifted uncomfortably, painfully aware that I was still under Sten's watchful gaze.

"Who taught you to fight then?" Leliana asked, and then gulped down more ale.

"Lodan did. I could already use a bow to some extent, but the sword work came later."

"Well I'm glad you made it," Alistair said, "Cheers to Abigail; the girl from another world!"

"Yeah, we live in constant fear everyday and there's a Blight running rampant across the country, but I guess I'm glad I'm still alive."

"But you wouldn't have met us," he waved his arm at the table we were all scrunched around. "We must be the most interesting people in Thedas!"

"I would find that hard to believe," Sten muttered.

We laughed, the alcohol in our systems keeping us light and free of his negativity.

A short while later I made my way up to my room, kind of proud of myself for being able to walk straight compared to the amount of drinking the three of us had managed to do. It felt nice to be able to relax and laugh with people again, it felt like home.

A pang in my chest made short work of the happiness I had created. I suddenly missed my friends and home so much it hurt. I sat down on the ground and told myself not to cry, forcing back the memories that usually flooded my mind. I pushed myself back up and opened the door to Morrigan's and my room.

The witch was already fast asleep on the far bed, the blankets rising and falling gently. She seemed so peaceful, the usual scowl on her face gone. She looked really pretty with her black hair down. I wondered to myself if that what she looked like all the time at her mother's hut.

Then it hit me in a wave. I had been so stupid. All this time I had been so selfish, being sad and miserable just like in the hallway about being dropped in the middle of this chaos, all the while everyone else was in the same position. Alistair had grown up in the Chantry with no family, Morrigan hated her mother who had forced her to come with us, Leliana was from Orlais, hiding in Lothering from some past mistake which had just burned to the ground, Sten was far from home, unable or unwilling to go back, and Shale had no idea what its own history was. Even my dog had it worse than I did. Then there was Lodan, who had cared for me when he had been exiled from his own people.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair, cringing at how oily it felt. Leliana had shared soap with me, but it wasn't the same to Lodan's recipe, something I hadn't had the chance to recreate. I sat on my bed and took off my leathers and changed into plain clothes, kicking myself for being selfish.

From now on, no more complaining.

Giggling in the hallway caught my attention just as I pulled back the blankets on my own bed. I opened the door to see Alistair helping Leliana to her room.

The bard giggled again. "I'll be needing assistance out of my armour as well, if you would."

Alistair turned a bright shade of pink. "Uh, can't you do it yourself?"

I fought a smile, and came to his rescue. "I'll help you Leliana." I took her arm from the blushing man and put her to bed.

"Thank the Maker," Alistair said as I closed her door. "I owe you one Abby."

"Only your soul will do," I said wickedly. "But seriously, I think I still owe you for all the times you've saved me. What are you at? Forty?"

He laughed. "What can I say, I think you are more cut out to be a diplomat. It's a very important job," he said gravely. "Sweet dreams peacekeeper, if you can."

"Alistair, wait," I said before he could open his own door. He turned back to me with an inquiring eyebrow raised. I rolled on the balls of my feet, and then walked over and hugged him. He held his arms out at his side awkwardly for a moment, and then embraced me as well.

"I'm so glad you are here. I couldn't do this without you. Without any of you," I whispered to him.

He nodded, and I let go and went to my room, and closed the door, feeling warm and fuzzy. I did need him, and everyone else. This wasn't going to be easy, but for once, I felt like it was possible. It didn't' seem like a mountain I couldn't climb, it had suddenly become much easier.

I'm back! So sorry to keep you waiting, but I'm sure you all know how bad certain classes can be. Now I am free and can start updating regularly again! Thanks again everyone, I feel the love.