Hello again! We return to see what's happening with our dear Aeden Cousland as he marches to Redcliffe. Wasn't sure if I was gonna be able to get this up tonight but it's here! Chapter 9! Enjoy and Review! :D

It hadn't seemed as though much time had passed until the sky lightened, sighing Aeden slowly pulled himself up from the alcove of tree roots that had been his bed for the night, though he had not slept. He winced as he stood his aches and pains more prominent with the morning light, he stretched his stiff limbs and tried to rub the tiredness from his face, the morning chill sent goose bumps over his skin.

He looked around the tree to see the elven woman still sleeping facing away from him; Fang curled up at her back. He sighed before grabbing a small bar of soap and leaving the clearing, walking down to a small stream he had found the night before while disposing of the dead soldiers. The cool water made him shiver as he let it fall over his head lifting the last of his weariness. He quickly washed his hair, and after a moment's thought, his beard, he was not used to having so much hair on his face though it had stopped itching as much as before. Satisfied that he no longer looked like a crazed man covered in muck and blood he returned to the small clearing.

Fang had woken from his deep sleep and looked up at his master's return, afraid he would awaken the still sleeping woman he quickly brought his finger to his lips to silence the dog, Fang huffed to show he understood.

Pulling his last remaining shirt from his bag he whispered "Why don't you go see if you can find yourself some breakfast?" Fang jumped and happily barked and ran in to the forest with his stubby tail wagging. He laughed quietly at the dog enthusiasm until he heard the shifting of the bed roll, he turned quickly to face away from the awakening elf and he pulled his shirt on. he wondered if she could see the mass of bruises he could feel ever time he moved.

"Morning mi Lady" he said when he had finished with the ties of his shirt. He could better see the features of the woman in the morning light, she looked to be a few years older than him, though by how much he couldn't guess, her hair still looked black in the light and her eyes where a simple brown. The Dalish woman didn't say anything, simply watched as he reached in to his pack and pulled some food out, an apple and some dried meat. Again he placed the food on the far side of the fallen tree as he had done the night before moving back to gather his own portion.

"Ma serannas…" Aeden's head shot up at the unfamiliar sound, at first he thought he had imagined it, but he looked towards the elven woman to see her looking towards him. "My thanks" she said after Aeden dumbly stared at her for a few seconds.

"O, ah you're welcome." He ran his hand through his hair not really sure what to say next, the silence had been awkward, the reality of making conversation seemed worse. Before he could think of anything to say, the Dalish woman spoke again.

"Were those men looking for you?"

He felt a deep pull within his stomach as he looked towards the area he had dropped the bodies. "Yes, I'm sorry; it's my fault they were here in the first place."

"You are not to blame for their actions." She said reassuringly.

"Maybe not, but it is still my fault they were here." They ate in silence for a few minutes before Aeden realised something, "My name Aeden, by the way."

"Keeli"

"Keeli, I am heading to a village called Redcliffe, to the east. I do not think there are any more soldiers in the woods, but if you do not feel safe enough to travel by yourself I would be happy to accompany you if you wish."

Keeli sat in thought for a moment before answering, "I will walk with you until we come to the path that will lead to the east, my home is not far from there."

Fang arrive as they finished their small breakfast, seemingly satisfied with whatever he had found for his own.

Aeden quickly repacked his supplies before buckling himself back in to his armour, it wasn't long until they began to trek through the woods.

I'm a little behind on my chapters at the moment, have been a little stuck cause I keep re-writing everything! actually thought I would be further along in the story by now, sorta thought I'd have got them to Circle Tower by now but story seems to have taken a life of his own, they haven't even made it to Redcliffe! But we'll get there soon, so yeh as I mention last week there's loads of different parings coming up I'm wondering who you think will end up with who and your favourite paring?