Presents

Alistair stared at the elven assassin sitting across the campfire from him. She had let him live. It was unthinkable. She had killed a 10-year-old boy, but she let this bastard stick around?

The elf began to sharpen one of his daggers. He lifted his eyes to meet Alistair's glowering gaze and his lips quirked upward into a faint smirk.

Smug arse, Alistair thought. Then he was startled out of his bad mood by a bowl of stew being thrust into his face.

"Here. Something to distract you." Leliana sat down beside him with her own bowl. "My mother always told me if I frowned too much, my face would stick like that. You'd better be careful."

Alistair tightened his mouth into a rueful smile, then lifted a spoonful of stew to his mouth. "It's…been a rough few days. And now this. How do we know he won't try to kill us the minute he gets the chance?"

Leliana shrugged. "Maybe he will. Though he wasn't too successful the first time." She chewed a moment, thoughtfully. "But from what I know of the Crows, he was telling the truth: they would kill him for his failure. He obviously values his life. And his freedom. Perhaps he is part of the Maker's plan as well."

Alistair gave a noncommittal grunt and shifted uncomfortably.

"You don't believe in the Maker? I thought you were trained as a templar."

"I guess it didn't really take. I certainly wasn't much help against…" His voice trailed off. He sighed, put down the stew bowl, and rubbed his face.

"You were very hard on Elaine." Leliana's voice was sympathetic.

"I know. And I'm sorry. It was just so horrible. And in the end I was a coward. I should have been the one to do it."

"It is not cowardly to refrain from killing. It was a difficult choice." Leliana paused and took a bite of stew. "You know, you should be saying these things to her."

He sighed. "I know. I just feel like every conversation I have with her, one of us is apologizing for something. We can never just - I wish it were easier."

Leliana put her hand on his shoulder and smiled. "Maybe you should try talking to her when you're not angry. That always helps."

Alistair laughed. "Yes, that probably would help."

"You know what else might help?"

He looked up at her expectantly. She grinned at him, winked, and said, "Presents."