Disclaimer: I don't own DA:O or any of its characters.

A/N: A new element of Elissa's past is about to come to the forefront. Nothing has been mentioned of it thus far, so it may seem a bit out of left field. Sorry for that, the idea came to me in a dream, har har. :)

A New Friend

When I emerge from the tent, I'm met with Zevran's knowing smile. I narrow my eyes and slump next to him on a log that had been turned into a makeshift seat. He hands me a plate of roasted potatoes and eggs, which I begin to dig into immediately.

"I see the king decided to join you last night," Zevran says. "And you seem to have worked up a rather insatiable appetite."

I chew my potatoes and swallow before replying. "Nothing happened," I mutter. "He teases me mercilessly, only to leave me high and dry. It's a slow torture, and I don't know how much more I can handle. I woke up this morning and felt every inch of him pressed up against my arse. I tried to wiggle up against him, you know, entice him a little. Want to know what he did? He kissed me on the crown and said 'better go get some breakfast, love, before Zevran eats it all'. Andraste's blood, I think I'm going to kill him." I violently spear an egg yolk, causing the yellow substance to smear across my plate.

Zevran chuckles softly. "He is playing you well, my lady Cousland. It's so wonderful to see that part of me rubbed off on him during our earlier travels."

"So I have you to thank for this?" I point my fork in his direction. "You should have let that sodding templar kill me. Maker knows it's the only action I've seen lately." I glance up to see Bridget climbing out of her tent. She wanders over to us, taking up her own plate of food on the way. "Morning, lady mage." I smile and pat the spot on the other side of me on the log. "We were just discussing the finer points of Orlesian art."

"So the king didn't put out last night?" she asks with a grin. I elbow her playfully.

"Shut up and eat your eggs," I retort. Zevran stands and stretches languidly. He bows to both of us and trots off toward the lake, where I presume he's gone to bathe. Bridget and I continue to eat in comfortable silence. I'm actually quite surprised with how easily we're getting along. Normally I don't warm to women easily. Mostly because I don't behave in a way that's deemed to be appropriate for proper civilized ladies. With Bridget, I know I don't have to worry about my crass behaviour. If anything, from what little I know of her, she seems even more outspoken than I.

"I assumed that you were seeing the elf," she remarks suddenly. I cast a sidelong glance in her direction.

"Eh?"

"When we first met, I mean, when I first rushed into your room and found you all roughed up. I just assumed you and the elf were romantically involved. I guess I was wrong," she tilts her head to one side and assesses me with a quiet gaze.

"You mean Zevran? No, he's just a friend. You're welcome to him, if you'd like," the corner of my mouth quirks up into a smirk.

Bridget's cheeks begin to flush prettily. "What? Oh, no. That's not what I was trying to get at. I was just making conversation, being nosy, you know. He's not really my type to be honest."

"You don't like elves?" I ask.

"No, it's not that. I've been with elves before," she says hesitantly. "Uhm, maybe I'm giving you a bit more information than you really want. Let's change the subject." She adjusts her robes awkwardly and I shrug a shoulder. I open my mouth to reply when I notice Alistair's head pop out of my tent.

"Psst! Elissa!" He beckons. "I need your help!"

I roll my eyes. "Don't tell me, you found another spider?"

"No, thank the Maker for that. It's just that in all of the hubbub last night, I forgot my shirt in my tent…could you maybe get it for me? It's so freezing out!" he bats his eyelashes and pouts. I let loose a growl, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. I can hear several snickers from around me as I reach into the king's tent and snatch the nearest tunic I can find. I stride over to my tent and thrust the garment in his face.

"Now everyone will think we're screwing," I hiss.

"So? Let them think what they want. First smart comment and I feed them to the darkspawn." He grins widely.

"Look, it's all well and good for you to have a reputation as a smooth operator, but I need to at least appear a little chaste. I don't want to be known as your personal whore," I grind out.

Alistair frowns while tugging the tunic over his head. "You know, I'm starting to think that you doubt my intentions. Can't you see that I want something more?"

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. "Alistair, I'll admit that I'm fond of you, but I just don't think I can… I can't let myself be vulnerable again. It hurts too much."

He stands and takes a step closer to me, reaching out to grasp my hand. "What do you mean, Elissa? What happened?" His eyes are searching mine, but I turn away suddenly.

"Nothing, forget it. That part of my life is over," I murmur. "It's best to leave the past in the past." I begin to wander back to the campfire when Alistair grabs hold of my wrist.

"I can't accept that. Please, tell me."

I look over my shoulder, taking in his pleading gaze. As much as I would love to open up to him, I can't. I'm not ready yet. I harden my resolve and return my attention to the fire. "Another time perhaps." I snatch my wrist away from him and take up my spot next to Bridget. My entire exchange with Alistair had been unsettling, to say the least. It had been quite some time since I'd had to think about that particular element of my past. I'd kept it so deeply buried that I found it difficult to face on my own, much less share the story with someone I barely knew. With everything that had been happening in Denerim and the palace, I'd barely had time to myself to sort through my own feelings. Now, out in the middle of nowhere, self-reflection was becoming a nightly occurrence. Without thinking, I reach up with one hand and glide my thumb and forefinger over the gold hoop earring dangling from my left earlobe. The piece itself was unremarkable. Not once had anyone questioned its origins, which I took to be a blessing in disguise. I'm not sure what I would say were anyone to ask about it. A sudden commotion breaks me from my reverie.

"Halt! You will step no further! State your business!" Several guards have positioned themselves at the head of the camp. Apparently we have a visitor.

"Have no fear," Zevran calls out. He's just returned from his swim, and his damp hair hangs loosely around his shoulders. "She is here by the king's orders."

One of the guards turns to Alistair. "Is this true your majesty?"

Alistair glances over one of the guard's shoulders. "Yep, that's her alright." I crane my neck to try and get a better view, but to no avail. I lean toward Bridget.

"Hey, Bridge, do you know anything about this woman that's going to be joining us?"

Bridget shakes her head, her cerulean eyes darting toward the guards as well. "No, not at all. I know she's an old friend of the king's, but that's it. You do have every right to approach them you know, you are the teyrna after all," she points out.

"Ahhh. Good idea." I stand from the log and wander over to where the guards, the king and Zevran have congregated. I push past them until I encounter our newest visitor. She's quite a sight to behold, with wide blue eyes, full pouting lips and chin length copper hair. I place my hands on my hips. "Is this any way to welcome a guest?" I admonish the men. "Please forgive them," I say to the newcomer. "They were apparently raised by dogs…or maybe that was me. I can never remember. Regardless, allow me to welcome you to our humble camp. My name is Elissa Cousland. Who might you be?" I hold my hand out to her. Her eyes widen immediately.

"Oh my lady Cousland, it is an honour!" she brings my hand to her lips and kisses my knuckles. I can detect the soothing lilt of an Orlesian accent. "When Zevran told me I was to help protect someone special, I had no idea it was Ser Aedan's sister! I am Leliana, and it is a pleasure to finally meet you!"

I give a small laugh. "Le plaisir, c'est le mien, ma belle."

She lets out a girlish squeal. "You speak Orlesian? A woman after my own heart." She turns to Alistair. "Your Majesty, no wonder you kept her hidden from me." She winks at Alistair who merely flushes by reply. I can't help but laugh.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," I say, holding up my hands. "I'm afraid that, as beautiful as you are, you lack the proper equipment. In fact, I seem to recall having this exact conversation not too long ago…"

Leliana grins wickedly. "That's what they all say, my noble beauty. But I have confidence in my skills." She winks at me playfully and throws an arm around my shoulders. "Come now, you must fill me in on all of the details surrounding this recent assassination attempt. I would like to know what I am up against. You wouldn't happen to have any soaps around here? Do you like shoes?"

I cast a helpless gaze over my shoulder at Alistair, who only holds up his hands in defeat. So much for him playing the part of the knight in shining armour. Instead I'm going to have to be subjected to death by shoes.

What an unpleasant thought. Thank the Maker we were getting closer to Highever!