Respite

Elaine sighed contentedly as she put up her feet on the chair across from her and sipped her mug of ale. A night off, how lovely. Alistair, Zevran, and Sten had gone across the lake to secure the mages' support. She had wanted Morrigan to go with them so they would see that at least one mage had already joined them, but Morrigan had staunchly refused. Her subsequent tirade against the Circle of Magi had nearly burned Elaine's ears off, and she had let the matter go. If Alistair couldn't convince them, then hopefully Zevran's silver tongue would. Or Sten could stare at them until they capitulated.

In any case, it wasn't her responsibility, and she planned to enjoy every minute of her evening. If only she could have a bath… Elaine sat up straight, splashing her ale on the table.

"What is it?" Leliana cried in alarm.

"A bath!" exclaimed Elaine.

"What? Where? What are you talking about?"

Elaine laughed. "Well, we're right by a lake, aren't we? Perfect for bathing."

"If you like a cold bath, then yes."

"At this point, I like any bath. I haven't felt clean in weeks. What do you say? Join me?"

Leliana grinned. "Sounds like fun."

Elaine was first in the water, jumping gleefully into the lake from the dock and gasping at the cold. Leliana waded in slowly, trying to accustom herself to the temperature before going in deeper.

"Oh, come on!" Elaine chided. "If you just jump in, it'll be over faster. You're only torturing yourself."

Leliana gave her a disparaging look and ignored her advice. Elaine shrugged and began scrubbing at her hair and skin. "No soap," she lamented, "but it's better than nothing."

Dinadan paced back and forth on the lakeshore, whimpering in worry over his mistress.

"Come on in, Din! You need a bath, too, you stinker!"

Dinadan dipped a paw in the water and drew back with a light growl.

"Awww, don't be shy, boy. Come in, come here," Elaine called. Dinadan gave her a suspicious look.

"It's fun! You'll like it! You love to swim! Leliana, tell him."

Leliana, who had made it in up to her waist, finally took the plunge and came up squealing. Dinadan huffed as if to say, "See? I knew I was right," and he went to relieve himself on an old boat that was sitting on the shore.

"Now see what you've done?" the Warden protested with a laugh and a splash in Leliana's direction. "Now I have to go get him."

"Well, he is smarter than we are," retorted Leliana with a return splash. "He is still warm and dry."

"And dirty." Another splash.

Leliana's responding splash resulted in a whole flurry of splashes, shouts, and giggles. Dinadan, finally unable to resist, ran up the wooden dock and belly-flopped in between the two women. The three of them splashed and dunked and chased each other around the lake until they were too exhausted to continue. The bard and the Warden stayed in the lake, floating and talking contentedly, while Dinadan swam back to shore, shook, and began to dry himself off on the ladies' garments.

"Oh, no!" cried Leliana. "Now our clothes are going to smell like wet dog."

"It's alright. We can wash those, too. Dinadan! Get off!" Elaine began to wade out of the water.

Dinadan stopped rolling and got on all fours. As his mistress approached, he let out a whuff of excitement, and bounced on his forelegs, pushing his hindquarters up and wagging his tail in anticipation – the universal sign of a dog who wants to play.

Elaine smiled and laughed. "Come on, Din! That's a good boy! Get off, now."

Dinadan ran in a series of playful, frantic circles before grabbing Elaine's leggings and darting off toward the tavern.

"No! Oh, no! Dinadan! Come back! Leliana, help!"

Leliana strolled out of the water and began leisurely dressing. "What am I supposed to do? He only listens to you, you know."

Elaine gave the bard an exasperated look. "Could you go get him, please? I don't want to go walking around without any trousers."

A mischievous look stole across Leliana's face. Elaine looked at her suspiciously. "What? What are you doing?"

Leliana grinned, bent down, snatched the Warden's shirt, and darted off in the same direction as Dinadan.

"Oh, you witch! That's not fair!" Elaine took chase, but after only a few moments ran straight into the wall of Sten's chest.

"Andraste's tits!" she cursed.

Zevran, standing just behind Sten, leered. "An apt comparison."

Just then, Alistair appeared with Leliana close behind. "What in the Maker's name is going on?" the templar demanded before seeing Elaine standing there in her wet smallclothes. "Oh! Um, uh – " he blushed furiously and tried to look anywhere else without looking like he was trying to look anywhere else.

"My shirt, if you please, Leliana."

Stifling a laugh, Leliana handed it over. Elaine glared at her and pulled it quickly over her head. It wasn't very long, but it hid her smallclothes, at least. She pulled at it so it covered as much as possible, then summoned up her last shred of dignity and looked up at Alistair. "Back so soon? That must have been easy."

Alistair grimaced. "No. No, it wasn't. I'm afraid we've got a problem…"