Chapter 3: cherished Memories

Alistair looked at Necromancer and gave him a nervous smile, lifting both his hands in defense as he slowly backed away from Duncan and the Elf.

"Okay, okay you win. I don't want to lose an arm over a little fight, I'm sorry" Alistair apologized but he had no idea if it would even help, Necromancer was still giving him a dark grimacing stare.

Without warning, the elf pushed Duncan aside and charged after the young man. Alistair quickly turned and started running away, screaming for his life. The other grey wardens that were sitting outside their tents laughed, watching Alistair running past them and Necromancer right behind with a pissed off expression on his face.

Alistair ran around the camp a few times when the boy pounced on him and started punching hard, The young man did his best to block the punches and thank the maker he had armor on when he started to hear claws scrapping across the split mail armor.

Necromancer's mind was in a blank when he attacked, Alistair was able to take a few minutes to have a closer look at the elf's nails and saw they were claws. He had no idea if his armor could take any more damage when the other grey wardens started to take this matter seriously, they tried to get the boy off Alistair with sticks and yelling but nothing seemed to work. Necromancer was far gone and his attacks were becoming a danger to the others along with Alistair that was taking the most damage.

Duncan had no choice; he had to do something before Necromancer decided to attack the rest of them. The warden ran to his tent quickly while the others grabbed some rope and chains to tie around the elf but Necromancer would have none of that when he jumped off Alistair and attacked one of the wardens.

The warden dwarves tossed one rope to the other, repeating this until they all pulled at once and managed to tangle the crazed elf. What came next was unexpected when the elf let out a horrible screeching noise that brought pain to the other warden's ears, the elf struggled to break free but it only made it worse for him.

Duncan came running to the others with a small black bag in his left hand, he didn't want to do it but he had to or the boy would not stop. Just a few feet away, Duncan saw blood and Necromancer was standing over one Warden. Blood dripping from his wounds that were made from the ropes and chains, thankfully the other warden was staying still and made no attempt to move.

"Necromancer!" Duncan shouted with his voice a bit scratchy from the run, the boy was still blank minded and with eyes like an angry beast when he slowly glared at Duncan.

"If you try to kill anyone! I will have no choice but to put this on you!" Duncan held up the black bag in front of him so the boy could see it, Necromancer gave him a dark smile and laughed wickedly.

"You don't have the balls to put that on me, I am too precious to you!" Necromancer mocked Duncan and glared down at the Warden below him, grinning as he sat down on the man's chest and only made him huff a little since he was light.

"Very well, you leave me no choice" Duncan spoke softly, mainly to himself when he bolted to the boy and tackled him off the man. Pinning the elf's arms with his knees to keep from any attacks and pulled out a black steel collar.

"Wait! Duncan please! No, STOP!" Necromancer pleased, Struggling to break free from the man's hold and panicking to see the collar.

"I'm Sorry, Necromancer…" Duncan looked down at him, upset that it came this far for the boy to snap back to his senses. "I'm so sorry" he said softly when he leaned over a bit to slip the collar on and watched it glow, preparing to lock and activate.

"Duncan please… stop… it…" Necromancer's mind and ability all became like a mindless husk, like a tranquil mage ready to be ordered to do something.

The other wardens sighed in relief that the mad elf was put under control as they helped the wounded back to camp, Alistair was helped back to the camp as well but he could hold himself from looking back. He saw Duncan kneeling by the boy's side with his head low, silent with one hand on the other's chest.

A tear would fall down his cheek slowly, closing his eyes for a moment when he suddenly felt a soft hand touch his cheek and wiped away the tear with a thumb.

"Please don't cry, Duncan." Necromancer quietly spoke as he looked up at the older man, "I am better off this way, I feel more sane and relaxed. It's not your fault and don't make it your fault." He gave Duncan a kind smile and yet Duncan was not convinced that Necromancer was actually telling the truth or just saying that to make him smile.

If only there was a cure for you, I would have found it already Duncan thought when he pulled the elf up slowly and held him close; knowing Necromancer will never be the same once the collar comes off.

Necromancer waited at the table for a long time now, ordering ale after ale while he waited, he wanted to leave but he could not leave without Duncan or some noble would try to take him for a servant. He softly sighed and wondered what the warden was talking about, that man should know by now that this elf was not a patient one.

"That is it! I'm a kick'en his arse and… and make him hurt" Necromancer mixed his words as he stumbled to get up from his seat, stumbling a bit more when he started to walk to the extra room where Duncan went. Keep a serious face while his hands are out in case he fell over, his view in a blur when he managed to make it to the door and kicked it open.

"Dun…" he hiccupped and spoke loudly, "Duncan! You bastard, don't keep me waiting out here like… like a nug waiting to be ate" Necromancer stumbled a bit as he glared. Wait… did I say that right? Thought he was saying the right words when he looked at Duncan, trying to cross his arms only to fall to one side.

The warden was holding some playing cards when he looked over at the elf, the other guys that saw the elf all looked and laughed.

Duncan sighed, not liking how this turned out when he placed his cards down and got up, "Sorry to leave like this but I have a new recruit to send off to bed, we can continue next time" He walked over to the elf and helped him stand, putting one arm around his neck and placed his hand on Necromancer's side.

"Alright Duncan, see you next time" the warrior waved at Duncan and took the cards to start a new game with his other friends, the warden walked out of the room with the elf.

After Duncan paid for a room with two beds, he took the key and would help Necromancer to the room as he plopped the elf on the right side of the bed. Duncan went to close the door while the elf looked at the ground, trying to keep himself stable when he glanced at the man.

I never thought… wow he slowly grinned to himself when he saw how tall and bold the man is; he wondered what else the man did to keep himself strong. Necromancer envied Duncan yet he couldn't help but to stare when he found himself flustered by the man, Duncan looked over and shook his head.

"How much ale did you drink?" Duncan questioned the elf, walking over to him and kneeled down to remove the boots.

"I… I think ten or twelve" Necromancer tried to keep his mind focused while he watched his boots slip off, still flustered when he looked at the man.

"Or twelve, you should really keep an eye on your drinking" Duncan was ready to lecher the elf when he noticed the flustered cheeks, only taking it as part of being drunk.

"It's not my fault that my father was a dwarf" Necromancer tried to argue but he gasped and covered his mouth, looking away from the warden.

"Why be ashamed of whom your father was or was not" Duncan spoke calmly, not much surprised now that he knew why the boy was shorter than the rest of the elves.

Duncan slowly reached up to touch Necromancer's hand and moved it away from his mouth, looking at him with calm eyes as he gave a comforting smile.

"I just… never liked talking about my parents to… to anyone" Necromancer glanced at Duncan and started to blush a little more, that smile… why smile like that to me, why the elf thought as he began to feel nervous and reached out to touch the man's cheek softly.

Duncan allowed him to do so and strangely, he liked the feeling when he realized his hands were on Necromancer's leg. The elf smiled when he moved his hand and leg, moving back to lie on his bed and got ready to sleep.

The warden stood up slowly and pulled the blanket over the elf, he looked down at the elf when suddenly he felt stranger towards him. Duncan wondered why when he slowly leaned over to place a kiss upon Necromancer's forehead but paused for a moment, glancing at the elf's lips.

"Um, Duncan… I am not a child, don't treat me like one" Necromancer spoke softly, looking up at the warden and curious of what he was looking at when the warden moved back a bit. He kindly smiled at him and nodded only once to him, "Sorry" was the only word Necromancer heard before the candle burnt off.

Evening past slowly but for some, they did not mind the night since its glorious night brought on the beauty of the stars. Everything seemed so peaceful and the ones that stayed up were either drunk or night owls. The cool breeze blowing across the streets as the mabaris guarded their masters and mistresses, The moon is full and bright and there are no clouds in sight.

In the dark room of the inn, Candles were burnt out and everything was silent until…

Soft moans in the dark…

The sounds of movement in the blanket…

Noise of the bed creaking…

Soft panting and groans…

Another moan could be heard with a soft whimper…

"Necromancer…" Duncan whispered

"Stop it…" The elf whimpered softly in discomfort, gripping the sheets tightly

"Are you okay…" the warden asked softly

"No…stop it…" Necromancer whimpered again as he tossed and turned, panting heavily

"What's wrong?" Duncan got turned over on his bed, getting off his bed when he heard the boy moving around on his bed. He lit one candle and quietly walked over to Necromancer, he wondered what the boy was dreaming about since it was certainly not about Darkspawn or at least he hoped it wasn't about them.

Necromancer shot up from his sleep, screaming in terror as he quickly curled up and panted. Tears streaming from his eyes as he stared down at his bed, shaking from the nightmare he just had.

"Are you okay?" Duncan asked with a calm tone, he could not figure out of he should comfort the elf or just stand there. Suddenly Necromancer glanced at him and pounced, wrapping his arms around the warden's waist tightly. "Can I sleep on your bed… with you, Duncan?" the boy looked up at him with tears still running down his cheeks, this caught the man off guard and was stunted by his request.

"Well, I um… why?" The warden was lost with words and he could not respond properly when he gently placed his hands on Necromancer's back and nods only once, allowing the young man to sleep with him as Necromancer gave him a sideways smile and wiped away his tears with one hand.

After Duncan got into his bed, he moved over for the elf to get in and lies down as he faced the wall. Duncan felt Necromancer curling up against his back and getting comfortable, when he flustered to feel an arm come around and held onto him. The warden was about to turn and reject the arm when he moved a bit, the hold tighten a little and so he just relaxed as he soon closed his eyes. Necromancer turned for a moment to blowout the candle and went back to holding onto Duncan and soon fell asleep, warm and curled up to someone.

Duncan on the other hand was still lying there, unable to sleep while having someone's arm around him like this. He felt uncomfortable as he opened his eyes to stare at the dark wall, when all kinds of questions came into his head when suddenly an interesting question came.

I wonder if he wants something to happen right here… right now. Or he must be waiting for me to make the first move… Duncan shook his head a little to get rid of the thought. He knew men don't work that way and when the need came, some would go out to brothels but this elf was different and the way he acted sometimes made even Duncan Blush or Speechless. Duncan is the bloody warden commander. He should not think of such things but curiosity always found a way to creep into the mind, even Duncan was a little curious and he was worried if this curiousness was a good thing or a bad.

Suddenly the warden found himself tensing up to the image of the elf below him, he felt the elf's arm slowly moving up to his neck and began to move in gentle strokes. Duncan moved his shoulder to block the hand a little when he found it ticklish and refused to laugh, strangely he found it nice when the gentle stroke moved down to his shoulder and arm slowly.

The warden heard a soft whisper near his ear, "Relax, I am not going to kill you." The soft voice giggled a little and the elf moved his hand to turn away so his back was against Duncan's, Necromancer had a feeling that that the warden didn't trust him enough to share a bed with him.

I wonder why he doesn't trust me… the elf glanced at the night table, Maybe it's because I'm an elf and he thinks I might kill him in his sleep. He softly sighed as he closed his eyes and went to sleep.

The two of them soon fell asleep with their backs against one another.

The next morning, Necromancer woke to feeling an arm around him and fuzzy breaded chin between his neck and shoulder. His eyes widen when he realized he felt one leg over his own and so close to his body, by the… does he think I'm a woman and… and cuddled up to me! The elf was too shocked to move and what made it worse. He felt the warden breathing down his neck when he tried to move away, the man groaned in his sleep and moved him closer. Moving his head a little, the elf tensed when he felt the man's lips stroke against his ear and nibbled a little.

"That's it, get off!" Necromancer growled, turning and pushed Duncan against the wall with his head first to make sure he woke up the man.

"Ouch!" Duncan grumbled when he woke from his disturbed sleep, moving to sit up when he glanced at the angry elf and rubbed his eyes. "What did I do?" He asked, rubbing his head next when he felt the slight pain grow there.

"You nibbled my ear!" The elf hissed, grabbing the man by the collar of his shirt

"Ugh… I did what?" Duncan questioned him, not sure of what the elf was talking about

"You nibbled my ear and breathed down my neck, you fool!" Necromancer shoved Duncan down on the bed and pinned him with his legs while holding to his shirt still and ready to punch the crap out of him.

Duncan only looked up at him, allowing himself to be pinned and stayed alert for any attacks the elf might do.

"Well I am sorry if I found you comfortable" those were the only words Duncan used as he smiled up at the elf.

"Why you son of… wait, what? You found me… Comfortable" Necromancer was confused now when his hold slowly weakened, he stared at the man with disbelief.

"Yes… and adorable when you whimper in your sleep" Duncan smiled more as he slowly reached up with one hand and gently stroked his cheek, he found this very surprising when the elf didn't flinch or move.

"You're lying…" Necromancer looked away as he felt like the warden was only doing that to confuse him when he felt the hand slowly move to the back of his head and gently pulled him inward.

"Am I…" Duncan whispered into his ear and placed a kiss upon the elf's cheek, making him blush like made and pulled him down when the warden embraced him closely. Necromancer started to feel very weird now and this moment was the weirdest he ever felt, he wanted to punch the man now but instead he too embraced him and placed his forehead against Duncan's forehead.

The man smiled up at the elf as they stayed like that for a few minutes, embracing one another with their noses almost touching. Duncan tilted his head a little and slowly leaned in a little more, making Necromancer's heart race when their lips slightly grazed each other.

Suddenly a loud knock was heard and Necromancer moved up quickly to look at the door, trying to avoid the awkward moment when he felt the man pull him down by the arm as he turned to see what the warden was doing, a shock blanked his confused mind when he felt lips against his. The elf blushed once more to see Duncan's eyes were closed as the man held onto his arm and placed his hand on the back of the elf's head.

A passionate kiss for a perfect moment Duncan thought as he deepen the kiss when he felt the return kiss, his grip on the other's arm loosened slowly and wrapped around the elf to switch positions. Now Duncan was on top of him and his kisses soon left Necromancer's lips and down to his neck, soft gentle kisses going up and down his neck slow with passion as the elf let out a soft moan.

Placing both his hands on the warden's shoulders, feeling his body pressed against him just right. This is crazy! Crazy and even more crazy, why am I even enjoying this! I should be fighting him off and beating him up! But no, I am allowing this to happen… Ooh, his hands are so gentle with his kisses… his weight not fully on me like he knows what he is doing… Should I stop him, Should I…? Necromancer let out another soft moan when he felt the man bite his neck just a bit and kissed again to ease the feeling, he couldn't think anymore each time the warden nibbled his neck.

I'll allow it… just for him… for Duncan.

After sending a day from awkwardness to passion, Necromancer waited for Duncan outside the Inn while leaning against the wall. He had some time to think through what just happened. He had to keep his neck hidden as he stared at the dirt ground, deep in thought as he softly sighed and shook his head.

This is business now, Duncan said he wanted to recruit me into the grey wardens and hopefully… Maybe he could take me with him on his travels. I doubt I would be any good to the other wardens he wouldn't admit it to himself but he enjoyed being around Duncan, more than ever now and he hoped the warden felt the same way. You fool… You gave him your heart too soon, you should have waited a little longer to do it but, he did the same. He said it himself and I know he did or we wouldn't have… he caught himself smiling again when he heard the door open, his smile changed to a serious expression as he stood straight and looked at the man.

"Let's go. I am tired of this place already" Necromancer tried to sound rude when he spotted a smirk on Duncan's face and began to walk, the elf wanted to smile but he kept it to himself and followed. Feeling a little sore now that his body was moving and in his mind, he cursed Duncan and himself for it in his mind.

Now here they are, Duncan in tears and holding his beloved friend and lover in his arms. Knowing damn well that the collar would change Necromancer forever, he had to be strong for him and his fellow grey wardens but was he when his friend was changing from the inside out. Duncan looked at him and saw that same smile he so much enjoyed seeing, he wanted to yell at himself but he did it on the inside while keeping his close friend near him.

"Duncan, if my emotions change and I end up being different from the elf you cared for… please keep me with you until the end…" Necromancer looked up at Duncan and gently placed his hand on his beloved warden's hand, his lively colored eyes slowly changing to a dull color with a blank emotion.

"You know I will…" Duncan spoke softly as he leaned over and gently placed a kiss upon Necromancer's forehead, knowing deep down that one day his friend might not remember his name or their time together as another tear falls down his cheek and onto the elf's cheek.

"Duncan… I wanted to say something for a long time, I think now would be my only chance to say it…" Necromancer whispered softly as his hand gripped the warden's hand.

"I know… But I would like to hear it coming from you, my dearest friend" Duncan replied with a soft kind voice as he held his friend close to his ear, Ready to hear the very words he wanted to say back to him.

Necromancer leaned in close enough to give him a little kiss on the cheekbone as he smiled a bit, hesitating a little bit when he heard Duncan sobbing quietly when he softly sighed. His body getting numb from the foot and up slowly, he got ready to say the words.

"Duncan…"

Note From Writer: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I will continue my writing. pray for a chapter 4 :3