The Grey Warden balks and begins spluttering in an attempt to argue with me. Instantly, I glare and stalk up to the man. I'm not nearly as tall as him, but I puff myself up and attempt to look threatening. It works because Alistair smartly shuts his mouth and stops looking me in the eye. The man mumbles something about 'ungrateful' underneath his breath before storming out of the tavern. He's acting like a damned baby. Just grow up and accept that nobody wants to be around you, then we can all suffer together in quiet discontent. He slams the door behind him and proves my point. Duncan is panting and looking at me with soft eyes that scream love; Morrigan has a smug smirk on her face as she looks at where Alistair once stood; and Leliana is still strapping her daggers to her back.
I'm almost sucked into becoming a drooling idiot again. Then, I catch myself and remind myself she's a shem. A pretty shem, but still a shem. Leliana finishes putting her weapons on and looks up at me. Her gentle smile causes an ache deep in my heart. Pull yourself together! You're a damned elf and all shem are terrible creatures out to harm you! Just ignore the eyes and smile... The red-haired sister says something that forces me back into reality.
"I'd prefer a bow whenever you find one.". I nod without even thinking of the one in my pack from the bandits. Morrigan snorts and I feel her hand lightly place itself on my shoulder. I look over and see the woman glaring at me. Surprisingly, her glare doesn't make me shiver or cow me. The witch seems to notice because she glares harder. I do something I'll most likely regret and glare back. Damn, it's like her attraction isn't even working on me. Sweet! I can finally treat her like the shem she is! Something clicks in my mind and I realize I probably have a weakness for pretty girls. Morrigan stops glaring, but I can see a coldness come to her eyes as she calmly commands me.
"We need to talk. Alone.". I shoot a glance at Leliana. She smiles again and my chest tightens. Looks like I have a weakness for the prettiest girl. Morrigan begins leading me away. Duncan tries to follow, but the witch swings at him and I motion for him to leave in order to avoid my dog getting hit. Duncan whimpers, but turns around and practically tackles Leliana. The sister laughs before dropping to her knees and petting my dog. The last thing I see before I'm pulled out of the building is Duncan rolling onto his back and Leliana laughing. Then, Morrigan has successfully pulled be outside and yanks me around to the side of the building. I feel my back roughly slam against the wall as the woman traps me.
"What was that back there?! You were a drooling idiot!". My stomach tightens and I begin thrashing against Morrigan. Not enough to break free, but enough to let her know what I think of her pinning me against a wall. The apostate holds me tighter and digs her nails into the flesh of my arm. A hiss of pain slides past my lips and I stop fighting. Morrigan isn't nearly as cute as Leliana, but she still scares me and there's no harm in having her as a backup. Besides, I suppose I have a small amount of respect for her. The witch clearly doesn't feel the same way because she starts snarling off a warning to me.
"You're acting like a damned Orlesian pet! Your ancestors defended the Dales until their last breath, but you trip over your own feet at the sight of a pretty smile!". She shakes me roughly and keeps growling off her speech.
"Act like a proud elf and not an idiot teenage boy! You aren't some domesticated cow that was bred for human pleasure, so start acting like it!". I try to think of the people back home and the injustice done to them. A small flame burns inside me and is rallying my spirit. Then, it shrinks at the thought of Leliana smiling at me. No! I'm an elf! A strong elf who won't take orders from shem! I nod to Morrigan and make her a single promise.
"I'll treat Leliana no different than I would treat Alistair.". A smile crosses Morrigan's lips and she nods. Finally, the apostate backs away and allows me away from the wood.
"I'm glad we understand each other.". An almost enraged look comes over her face.
"That woman is an insane fanatic who believes her dreams are 'signs from the Maker'! I'm glad you came to your senses before something happened and all of us ended up being murdered by her.". Morrigan stomps away before I can say anything. I hate to admit it, but the woman has a point. I need to stop acting like an idiot around Leliana. She's pretty and nice (and a terrible shem), but I'm going to freak her out or let my guard down too much. I just need to treat her like she was an average looking elven woman.
Elven? Am I really going to treat this woman like an elf? No. She'll never understand the pain or suffering my people have gone through. I'll treat her like a human... not a shem. It'll be the hardest thing of my life, but I need to manage it. I won't be drooling over her like a damned idiot, and I'll still be able to sate my crush until it blows over into nothing. I take a deep breath and follow Morrigan back into the tavern. I see Leliana still petting Duncan and suck in my breath. I feel my own hands digging around in my bag until I find a bow. I rush past Morrigan (I swear I hear a snarl from her) and practically shove the weapon at the sister.
Leliana takes the bow from me and nods in appreciation.
"Thank you. I'll make sure to use it wisely.". She hands the daggers back to me and straps the bow to her back. I shove the daggers at Morrigan; Morrigan curses at me; and I motion for Leliana to sit with me at a table. There's nothing wrong with getting to know a little about the woman I'll soon be traveling with. Leliana sits down beside me and Duncan flops onto my feet. I scratch the dog with my boot and listen to his leg thump on the floor. Leliana laughs like a damned saint and I barely manage to remind myself not to be creepy. Morrigan throws the daggers to the floor and thunders over to the bar. I ignore the mage and speak to the sister before me.
"So, this vision of yours...". Leliana frowns and I instantly regret saying anything about it. However, the woman remains calm and tries to explain it.
"I knew this would come up. I dreamed of being at the edge of a deep pit. Inside of it was nothing. Corruption and darkness surrounded me. In the end I jumped, but I woke up before anything else could happen.". It sounds like she dreamed of the Blight. Darkness and corruption sound about right. That will doesn't explain why she'd want to help me.
"Why did your dream make you want to risk your life to come and help me defeat the Blight?". Leliana bites her lips as she tries to once again explain things to me.
"I couldn't stand by and just let the Blight sweep across the land. I wanted to make a difference and you're a Grey Warden.". She sits up a little straighter and gets closer to me to speak.
"I don't believe what they say about Ostagar. I still think you're a true hero who needs to save the day. If you can do that, then I'd follow you anywhere. I couldn't sit idle. I needed to act. The Maker sent you to me, so I decided now was the perfect time". I don't know much about the Chantry, but I know they think the Maker has abandoned us. Why would Leliana believe anything different than that?
"But the Chantry says the Maker has abandoned us.". Leliana shakes her head.
"I do not believe that. His love for us is eternal and beyond measure. He would at least allow us the means to defend ourselves from the Darkspawn. I know some of my fellows at the Chantry disagreed with me.". I don't believe in the Maker at all, but it clearly matters to Leliana. I can also guess that almost everyone she's told that to has disagreed with her. I can tell from the look on her face that she's waiting for me to say something about her belief. I might not agree with it, but I decide to be nice and at least say something true and kind to her. She's been through a lot and deserves that much.
"I think I prefer your belief over those taught at the Chantry.". Leliana looks at me like I've just said the single thing she wanted to hear, but never expected to. The woman breaths a sigh of relief and seems to smile at me as she speaks.
"Thank you. It's good to know I'm traveling with someone who can think for themselves.". I almost melt into another puddle, but I manage to hold myself together. Then, a loud gagging noise beside my ear ruins the moment. I look over my shoulder and see Morrigan glaring at me. The witch points towards the door and snarls a warning to me.
"We need to get back to camp before we spend the entire day chatting and not accomplishing anything.". I'm about to say something when Leliana speaks to me (completely ignoring Morrigan).
"Wait! You need to stay and help the people of Lothering! It won't take longer than an hour or two, and these people won't survive long either way! The least you want do is make their last few hours as comfortable as possible...". I honestly want to leave and get it over with, but I can see on Leliana's face that staying and helping means something to her. Morrigan is going to be upset either way, so I might as well decide to try to make Leliana a little happier with me. I look into the sister's eyes and nod.
"Okay. We'll stay and help for a little bit.". Morrigan groans and throws her hands up into the air; Duncan slides out from under the table and begins looking for whatever Morrigan threw; and Leliana chuckles a little while I decide to get this show on the road. I stand and whistle to Duncan. My Mabari runs over to me. A smile crosses my face as I ruffle his fur, then grab onto his worn leather collar and start walking with him. He's capable of walking and staying with me, but I like holding his collar. It makes me feel like we have a stronger bond. Leliana agrees because she walks beside me and smiles at me and Duncan bonding. Morrigan trails behind us and occasionally lets out a dramatic sigh. Typical. Duncan breaks free and rushes a nearby child. Yes, completely typical.
Note: I'd like to apologize for my small absence. I was busy taking care of things going on at my house. There's still some stuff going on, so expect another delay. I'm sorry, but sometimes life gets in the way and it's useless to try to fight it.