Leliana followed Tempests' lead and grasped onto the railing as well as leaning over to look to the ocean below. Her orbs scanned the area, beginning to hear the rest of the crew come forward whispering soft words that Leliana really didn't catch onto. Her mind was on the two men in the freezing water.
Aragorn opened his orbs to see himself still in the depths of the water. He shifted his frame left to right as well as he could with the gaudy and heavy amour which he had on. Upon hearing muffled words the Warden looked up to see Anders floating above, and then diving down. He didn't hesitate as he began swimming up, and to the surface. But before he stopped to grab Anders attention to show he was alright. He pointed to the surface quickly as he swam quickly. Upon reaching the surface he immediately gasped for air. Looking around, as he used one gloved hand to wipe away any beads of water that ran down his face. "Come on Anders." He spoke out as he began swimming once more and to the wooden ladder, climbing up and onto the deck of the ship.
Leliana stood and waited near where the men would climb from and once the warden had took a step towards her she gave him a push and a smack to the back of his head. "What were you thinking!?"
"Ow…" He reached back rubbing the spot where she smacked. She might have been smaller than him but when she was pissed she could pack a punch. "Err… Sorry?" He replied a bit sheepishly as he stabled his footing once more. Looking back to Anders to see it probably wasn't the best idea to play that kind of trick it seemed as if karma had got him right away for that one. "I should go get out of these clothes before catching a cold." He said with a shake of his arms and cracking his head to the side in attempt to shake the water from his ears and wherever else it may be.
Leliana shook her head as she walked over to Anders taking his drenched hand with hers and began pulling on him gently. "That means you too mister." She said with a smile.
The warden looked back at the two, halting in his pace allowing a small sigh to pass through his lips which he cut off with a smile as he looked to Isabela, Fenris, and Tempest. "I will speak with you guys in the morning. I don't think you want to speak to me in my smalls." He said with a short pause to then look to Anders. "Don't be causing any trouble Anders or I'll toss you when you're sleeping and next time I won't go under with you." He joked before retreating and making his leave for the mean time.
Anders followed his Commander upon reaching the rope ladder. While he seemed to have moved more gracefully away of the rescue, the mage was actually more clumsily and hit the deck face down. He remained there, pressing his belly more firmly against the wood, not caring that he was possibly being stared at, and tried his best to even hug it if he could.
"Thank the Maker…! I thought the sharks were coming, for sure…!" He sighed and simply remained there for a moment longer. He barely even heard the slight spat Leliana started against Aragorn as to ward him away; but upon his slow motion of starting to stand (and regaining wobbly sea-legs) Anders did give in slightly to her hand guiding him.
Of course, nearly as if on cue once the Grey Warden began to give his departure, Isabela was quick retort with a grin. "Oh, sweet thing, there's nothing small from where I'm standing."
"Then you need to move downwind." Fenris sniped and glanced towards her.
Tempest; though, had looked at her a bit curiously. His eyebrows lifted some in surprise, looking from Aragorn and then back towards Isabela –who looked like she was ready to even pounce. "Did you sleep with him too?"
This quickly caused Fenris to scowl at the bloodmage and he pointed towards the man's cabin near the end of the ship. "What kind of a question is that? Get back to your quarters before I kick you all the way there!"
Tempest flinched some, but quickly spun around in a forward march. "Yes, Serrah!"
Anders frowned from the sight, but said nothing. He was too busy keeping down as much salt water as he could; despite how pathetic Tempest seemed to look at the moment. Though by then, Tempest was out of earshot, and even out of range. Tempest could certainly move fast when he wanted to; which only left Anders to wonder just how 'bad' was that 'bummed leg' that bloodmage had…
"You're no fun…" Isabela sighed at being 'blocked' once again by Fenris's demanding nature. She turned, prissing her way back towards her cabin for the night.
The warden heard Isabela's words from behind causing him to halt in his stroll, as he shook his head in shock. He didn't say a word as he reached up, crossing his arms over head while his palms rested at the nape of his neck as he left the people to their thoughts.
Leliana shook her cranium slightly of the asking if she slept with warden as well. Which even brought a curiosity to her own mind. Not in jealous but pure curiosity since the last she remembered of the Warden being was very, slow… At making his moves, making sure was set at the right time and tempo. One thing she admired about him when she had first fallen for him since there were little to no men like that around… Especially in Lothering.
The rouge kept to herself for a moment longer, before leading Anders back to his room. Her hand released his as the entered through the doorway, and she slowly closed the door behind her. She rested her back against the wooden frame for a moment. Watching Anders before she stepped towards him.
Her fingertips played along with one of his feather as she glanced up from his chest and set her eyes to his. A bead of water struck her finger causing her to chuckle passed through her lips as she was reminded how soaked he was, she didn't hesitate any longer as she rushed over to a near by cupboard pulling out a towel which she took over to him. Laying it over the crown of his head. "You're going to freeze." She stated as she didn't halt in her actions as she reached over as her fingertips worked at the clasps of his robes, slowly and cautiously unbuttoning each one. Unsure if he would stop her, or allow her to continue. Her hands slid under his feathered shall, as she caught in one arm and brought it to a nearby object allowing it to sit there to dry. Next she reached up taking the towel, wrapping her hands within in as she softly slid the towel along his jawline, to his hair line, and the same on the other side.
Anders had given in and was being lead back to his cabin. He hadn't thought much of it when Leliana continued to move around and attempted to keep him dry. It was a medical procedure; well almost… and it was basically of how had he had seen it as such. Though noticing her hesitation did leave him at least a few moments to question if that was all. Feeling her hands slip towards the buttons of his coat, after removing his feathered shall, Anders's hands did reach up and eventually had stopped her.
"I'll be fine." He spoke in a soft tone and looked back down at Leliana's hands.
He didn't want to remain there, staring at her displays of caring for him, so Anders had moved to the side, walking more to the center of the room. He reached up to the towel on his head and briskly started to shake the fabric in order to dry his hair at least a bit better. He tried to think of something; a topic to keep his mind busy, and to end the growing silence between them.
"He scared me half to death that time... " He chuckled a bit while slipping out of his shirt. In between tossing that to hang against the counter end of the dresser, Anders moved quickly wipe the towel across his arms and chest next. Finishing, the mage folded it—or rather wrapped—the fabric over his shoulders and bent down to remove his boots. "If only Oghren saw that marvel; I bet I'd never hear the end of it."
Leliana looked to his hand which grasped around hers. Causing her to blink a few times before shifting her hues to him which held a form of question in them. She wasn't sure if he was uncomfortable with her trying to help or if he was hiding something. She would of pried but she shook it off at least for the moment as she stepped forward, somewhat closing the gap between them once more after he began to trail in another direction from her.
"He is a bit crazy." She replied, as she began tapping each of her fingers against one another before looking up to him. "I'm just glad you both came out okay. The least we needed was for either of you to get hurt. Though I have to admit it was a bit hilarious to see both of you falling over board and then you and your shouting… It was rather cute. I told ya it would be fun going on this ship." She finished with a wink of her eye.
She glanced to the side, her attention being brought to a chair which she made her way over to, and sat down on. She rested her chin in the palm of her hands as she continued to fix her emerald optics on Anders, smiling in doing so. "Is there something on your mind?" She finally asked curiously, as she began to rest her spine on the back of the chair. "You sure are quiet tonight."
He could only laugh a little at her explanation. Of course, about the Warden Commander, she was right. Anders could remember the times those sorts of pranks were usually pulled on Nathaniel rather than himself. It most likely had to do with the rumors of nobility and the two having some kind of twisted entangled past of something… It was nothing Anders had ever pried into back then; he was too busy enjoying the feeling of being free—truly free—for the first time. Back then, he was having fun; so Anders might have missed a lot of the important-gossipy things.
Perhaps that was Aragorn's intention then, and since Nathaniel wasn't around to be the scapegoat or guinea pig, Anders would have fit the replacement quite nicely. The thought of Nathaniel not being around did leave Anders a bit relieved still. From the vibe he got off from Valeena, Anders was pretty certain that the other man would have probably wanted him dead too.
He finished removing his boots and socks after hearing Leliana's next question. Despite how confident the mage was, his body language did reveal quite a lot more than he was intending to lead onward about. Of course, there were a few things wrong, but Anders was beside himself with revealing anything at all.
"What? -No, nothing…" He answered while turning the towel back around his hands for the moment and rested it into his left arm's grasp. His eyes glanced over towards his reflection in the small hanging mirror on the wall, but it seemed as though he was lost in thought for the moment. "I just… had a big gulp of sea water and the waves have not been easy on my stomach… I think… I may need a balm for night."
Leliana despised how much she could read people. Ever since her younger days as a bard being able to almost know what people were thinking or feeling never seemed to leave her trades she learned from her old master. It could be a good suite to have once in a while but when she knew someone was flat out lying to her was when she got irritated with the fact that she had this gift. If you would call it that. She sighed some after Anders confessed of nothing bothering him. Plus men weren't always the best of liars. She wanted to reach over and shake whatever it was that he was hiding.
"Mhm…" She began to hum softly deep in her throat as she kept her lips sealed shut. She rolled her eyes some at the mention of the balm as she began pushing herself up from the chair and walked on over to Anders. "I don't think it's going to help." She replied with a poke to his chest. Upon leaning in she whispered into his ear. "I know your hiding something." Her body pulled away, as her arms wrapped around his torso, pulling herself closer into him. She didn't bother to take her eyes off him just in case if he broke even the slightest at her words.
"I was trained to read people you know." She stated with a nod of her head as she took another step in and with her lips she began placing teasing kisses on his chest. She didn't bother to look up as she laid a kiss between every word she spoke. "And I got always get what I wanted out a person." She broke her contact with his chest to then lay her lips in the crook of his neck, as she took small playful nibbles from his shoulder to his jawline and lower ear lobe. "Even if it meant teasing one to get what they were hiding out."
Anders wanted run after finding how quick and close she was drawing near. He knew this stop-and-go situation from him was probably maddening (more to himself than Leliana would ever know) but there was too much he had been wary of by now. Feeling her lips and whispers were big temptations for him, guiding his sensations in wanting to melted more into her hold. How much he had wanted just to have turned more towards her and returned kiss to answer the slight questioning feathered ones he was receiving. Anders had to shake his head a little and blink a couple of times before rubbing his eyes in order to keep himself to remain the gentleman still.
"Um… Uh, Le-Leliana…?" Anders's voice had squeaked as he reached up to slightly hold her back and step away. He did notice that this was the second time his voice had probably broke from being nervous. Too many scares in one day. "I-I'm kind of in my small clothes… and they're wet…"
Okay, that was a lame excuse, but it was something to keep a slight distance. If anything, he wanted to curse himself for doing what he had just done—and to use the Grey Warden's own phrases too! How utterly embarrassing….
Anders cleared his throat a little and attempted at dodging her again. He escaped towards the dresser and started to pull out a long sleeved pajama gown and some slacks. He wasn't about to be overly embarrassed while having to dress with Leliana near him; but he was going remain keeping himself covered. He pulled on the cotton nightgown, letting it fall all the way down to his knees and from the covered side of his gown he began to unbuckle his slacks, letting them fall to the floor in a soaked flop. Finally, he could trade those for the dry ones to wear instead.
"Justice does not like any of this… and he's been pretty verbal with me as of late." Anders finally answered, to at least one of his major 'problems' and looked back towards her when he was finally finished. For the brief moment, he turned slightly away, taking the wet slacks back to the chair to hang on for the time being. He pressed his fingers back to his chin stubble afterwards.
"The last thing I need is for the Commander to know about him; and if Justice decides to reveal himself for any reason—then it will give our friendly Warden a reason not to be so friendly to me anymore… Maybe even to the both of us…"
Leliana gazed through her lashes up to Anders as he spoke to her. Her lips were still pressed against him so when he pulled away, a soft smacking noise pass between the two as they broke. Her lower lip pouted out since he managed to get away. Of him speaking of his clothing brought Leliana to look down upon his wet slacks once more while shrugging her shoulders. "I could of helped with that." She replied in a small tease.
She had to admit he was one of the toughest man she had encountered yet. Usually men couldn't stop their urges. But all that meant was more of a challenge for her. She frowned for a moment, and began crossing her arms over her chest. He was so utterly confusing to her. One minute he was hot and then the next he was cold. There was no keeping track of him but she wasn't going to give up on him no matter how hard he pushed.
She began shaking her own head at his words. As she continued to keep her back to him, to give him somewhat of a privacy as he changed. Once she thought it was clear she looked over her shoulder to see him dressed. She began turning on her heels now facing him she figured she'd speak her own mind this time. "I don't care what Justice has to say." She stated. "I'm not afraid of what's inside you. As for the Warden I doubt he will cause either of us any harm…" She replied with a nod of her head knowing the Warden may of seemed intimidating and rough, but Leliana had a place in his heart. To where she could almost ask anything of him and he would see to it that she got that. He would of done that for any former comrade yet to think of it.
"I thought we were past this?" She asked as she began stepping forward cautiously. Hoping in the back of her mind he didn't try to run off yet again. This time instead of pushing herself on him, she reached out taking his hands in her if he didn't fight her, as she still left a gap between the two. Silent-ness passed between them for a moment before she gazed up from the wooden floor and looked to Anders. "Don't you remember I told you? I love you and that I won't leave…" She asked, pausing momentarily. "Why do you keep pushing me away…?"
Anders just shook his head and looked away; though he didn't move from Leliana's hold of him. To him, she still underestimated Justice from all angles. Anders's worst fear would have been of him losing control of himself and having the spirit prove it's weighted worth of needing to have been heeded with caution. Looking back towards her at last, he tried to explain once more.
"Don't you see? I'm trying to protect you." He said, looking into her eyes. "If it was my last breath worthy enough to save you from any harm, I'd give it... But what happens when and if I ever find your blood or your pain drawn by my hands? I cannot go through another broken heart like that again, Leliana—I refuse. I would go mad."
His head lowered, looking back down towards their joined hands as his mind wandered in his deeper thoughts. "…The longer I stall from what needs to be done, the louder 'He' gets. I'm not good for you, and it will only get worse."
"I don't need protecting." She replied rather harshly then she intended to. Her hands tightened around his as she tried to duck down and look to his eyes. "You need to have faith in me, and us… Pushing people away to keep them safe isn't the safest route. For both parties." Leliana dropped one hand from her hold on him, as she brought it up, cupping along his jawline as her fingertips worked slowly in small little circular motions. "I trust you won't hurt me. You just need to trust me."
Leliana couldn't help but feel a bit furious upon hearing the name Justice. She wished there was a way she could help him so he didn't have to worry about the spirit, demon whatever you wanted to call it any longer. "What is it Justice is nagging you about?" She asked as she tugged on his hand, leading him to the bed, as she sat on the edge crossing her legs. "What if I help you and Justice, get all this squared away. What then… Will he be satisfied, and leave you alone? Or is it a never ending process to please him?" She shook her head beginning to think she sounded crazy to Anders but she was truly willing to help Anders in any way she possibly could. To gain Justice's trust and to stay near Anders side. "You know you're not getting rid of me easily… Right?"
At first he hadn't answered. He was staring back down towards the floor, trying not to have smiled at the thought of Leliana still willing to tag along near him. Though, from now, he wasn't certain of what any of this had meant. Part of him wanted to ask her about the Warden Commander out flatly; but that wouldn't have the best shielded approach. He didn't want to offend her, and at the same time, he didn't want to have the pondering questions linger from the back of his mind either. Such things were what his conscience took delight in toying him with the most.
"I don't think there's anything you can do. I brought this on myself, and I'm reminded of it constantly." Anders replied quietly. He lifted his head, looking back towards Leliana and at last forced the half wiry smile. "It's strange, I—I argue with myself about you as it is. I can feel of what's left of me slipping."
He glanced back down and nodded some in thought. "When we were Tevinter, and preparing our war with what resources the Black Divine had promised, Justice was quiet. I was at peace, and everything felt right. Now, that I'm being pulled away from the original objective to hunt for some trinket or book that this sullen wench—"
He blinked some, quickly realizing of what he had just said and reached up, digging his hands back into his hair. Had he just called Isabela a 'sullen wench'… or was that Justice's feelings being felt through him? Anders couldn't quite place it; and such accidents frightened him. Slowly he moved towards Leliana, curling up onto the mattress and holding Leliana's stomach tight to him in an embrace. Resting his head more into her lap, his eyes were slightly widened from his own actions.
"Maker… He may be more impatient than I thought…" He mumbled softly; feeling his body actually shivering. Anders was frightened, and mostly of himself. Anders's only hope was to have the one person willing to see past everything about him near. It was a fleeting hope, but in doing so, it might keep Anders consciously as himself. "…Don't leave me, please. Not tonight."
Leliana still felt as if there was something he wasn't telling her. But it was getting late, and she didn't want to push him in anyway with her constant poking and prodding of questions she kept tossing his way. She couldn't help but be shocked as she heard Anders harsh words about Isabela. A small hesitant nervous chuckle passed through her lips as she didn't bother to ask him of it. After his own reaction to his words brought her to think they just slipped out. She knew he was on edge, and that he felt safer in Tevinter. She began shrugging her shoulders as she remakered "Maybe afterwards we can go back? I'm sure it won't take too long to finish up what we started here."
She began to look down as Anders rested his weigh on her lap. Leliana sat there, leaning back for a moment, caught off guard once more. Here he was being hot instead of standoffish cold. She shrugged it off right away though as she took her hand and with her digits she slid her fingertips within the nape of his neck allowing her fingers to tangle gently into his locks.
As she was asked to stay here, she nodded agreeing. "I can't sleep in my armor though." She replied as she stood to her feet and began stripping down to her under garments. Hoping it wouldn't bother Anders since she really didn't have any form of clothing. Once she kicked off the last of her boots she snuck under the covers and snuggled against Anders own form. Her arms wrapped tightly around him, while her fingertips slowly danced upon his back.
Before drifting off to sleep, she couldn't help herself as she scooted herself up to rest a small quick peck on his lips. Her hand cupping the side of his features as she slowly trailed her hand back to start playing with his hairline and nape once more, and before she knew it she had found herself falling to sleep, resting peacefully.
Anders didn't mind with her getting as comfortable as she needed to. He remained with his eyes closed, and rested; trying to be as much of a gentleman as Leliana had allowed him to be. His passing thought was having her lips brush lightly across his own—the same ones that were claimed by his Warden Commander within the very same day. It was such an awkward feeling; but one that had to pass nonetheless. He had to bury that jealousy before it rerouted to anger and soon.
Regardless of what category, Anders tried to classify his rotating relationship with Leliana was, he still found himself cuddling her against him. He was always one to cuddle when sleeping; the slight friction and warmth from his body against another was soothing to him. It was like being cradled, only the embrace was much larger than just a mere hug. In his sleep, spooning was even better; and though Anders did tend to toss and slightly turn, he was always one to return back to a loving cuddle against Leliana's warmth.
The night had passed and soon it had drawn into the morning. The creaking sound of the door being opened stirred Anders awake. He was finding that this sort of awakening was happening a lot to him as of lately. When he looked to see who it was, he had felt even a slight déjà vu strike him. It was Fenris; however the elf moved around the place as though actually awaking the residents from inside was the least on his agenda. The spiked armored male darted to the floor and lifted the covers up to look under the bed, and after a moment stood back up to move towards the closet to check inside there.
Anders shifted slightly from under his hold of Leliana, though he kept his arm wrapped securely around her shoulders. His tired voice yawned a bit before actually speaking to him. "…You're not going to find any bed-monsters around here."
"I'm looking for Tempest." Fenris excused himself while he searched through the closet.
"Is he missing?" Anders asked with another yawn and rubbed his eyes.
Fenris scoffed quickly to the answer. "No, he suddenly just shrank to the size of a peanut and thought it'd be funny to raid Isabela's panty draw."
"You know… From the way you prevent him from having any free time to himself, I wouldn't put him past it, either." Anders stretched his back against the mattress in his retort.
"Spare me." Fenris responded flatly and pulled back just as he abruptly closed the closet doors before turning back around to face him. He folded his arms and bared his lanky arms as if to flex what muscle he could in any form of intimidation. "I've done nothing worse, nor in comparison, to what he's probably done to the rest of the others on this ship."
"Have you ever thought that maybe he could have been a nice guy to them?" Anders shook his head; even more disappointed at him with hearing his verdict.
"No. But if he's jumped overboard, he's probably dead from exhaustion… ." Fenris answered honestly before turning away and heading back out of the room. "We're reaching the shore. Get ready to help anchor the Siren when hit land."
As she rested Leliana dreamt of many small passing dreams. None she could recall if she had been awoken. But none the less she reached out in her slumber upon hearing voices speak to one another, her arms wrapping around Anders chest as she shifted her head around until she found a more comfortable setting to rest her head down.
An uncontrollable yawn passed through her lips followed by a small whisper of his name. "Anders…" It wasn't clear if it was a question or her waking or her still dreaming yet. But since she hadn't popped open her eyes yet it must have been the last.
As the room grew silent once more, it seemed as if this caused the rouge to open her eyes in a quick fluttering motion. In a reaction to the sleepiness still held in them, she began rubbing at the corners of her eyes, followed by a large yawn. "Morning?" Leliana took a moment to look around the room, she was certain she heard a voice not too long ago. And yet it was just the two of them. As she tried to focus her optics as they scanned the room, she halted and brought her attention back to Anders as she didn't bother to start rising from the bed, as she was still entangled with him. Her toes playfully flicked and rubbed against his own feet as she rested her chin on his bare chest.
She wanted nothing more than to stay in bed with him the whole day. But she knew someone would wonder what the heck happened to them. So sadly she knew she couldn't have her wish at least not at this moment on their travels. Before speaking once more, a final yawn forced its way out. Her face buried into his chest as she laid sweet kisses on his chest. "I guess we should get up." She said in a distraught tone of voice, and with laying a final kiss on one of nipples (purposely) she began to press firmly with the palm of her hands that laid on him, pushing her frame up.
She swung her legs over the bed giving a small stretch. As began pacing through the room as she collected her belongings and slowly, and hesitantly began dressing herself. Clasping on her armor plate, which followed by sliding on her armored skirt in a hopping motion as she put each leg through, not as graceful as some women but she had just woken up at least that was her excuse. This caused her to look back to Anders, smiling as she took her boots and sat at the edge of the bed pulling them on at last. Her chin rested at her knees for a moment, as she tucked her legs close to her chest. Pondering on their destination. "Are you worried still… About where were going?"
"Good morning…" He answered to her sleepily but soon drooped his head back down into the pillow.
His eyes closed, but he felt Leliana moving over him and trying to get up. His hands had blindly sought out Leliana's thighs; caressing them briefly and seeking further warmth. Anders groaned a little once she had moved off from him though, but still had made no attempt at really getting up. He wanted to remain there for at least a moment longer; but a moment longer would turn into an even longer moment afterwards.
Feeling Leliana's weight leave him, and later hearing her words sobered him some from his stupor. He wished he didn't have the 'problems' that prevented him from feeling happiness like others did. He wanted to express himself better and more confident to Leliana, but there was always something keeping him from feeling capable. He paused for the moment and lastly reached up to rub his eyes some more.
"Of course…" He answered gently, though honest. After taking another yawn, he finally gave in to the fact that he was going to have to get up some time. Anders moved towards sitting up and rolled out of bed. "I would rather deal with Chantry issues than the Ways of the Qun any given day."
"But you are dealing with the chantry. Me of course. Every single day." She teased as she began to stalk towards Anders, placing her palms on his hips as she stepped in just a bit. It took all her strength she had built inside her not to just give into her racing mind of thoughts and just throw herself at him. She was determined to be a lady. And not have what happened in the tavern reenacted unless he had made the first move. Which she was growing more and more impatient with.
Looking over her shoulder she raised a brow wondering if she was going crazy moments ago or if there was someone here before she awoke. "Did someone come in here?" She asked curiously. But before she could go too deep into a conversation she was turned around by the sound of a loud thumping at the door.
"Leliana you in there?" Called out the commander, through broken knocks.
Leliana began shaking her head unsure as to why the warden was searching for her. And yet why he came to Anders room for her. Though it was obvious he caught on to her feelings for the mage. Leliana didn't hesitate as she dropped her arms to her side and went to the door opening it as she peaked her head out. "Yes? What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you." He replied. "I went to your cabin to see you weren't there and your bed not rested in. So my second guess was you being here." He added with a smile.
"And what do you want?" She asked suspiciously, her brow arching in question.
"I figured we could catch up before we docked."
Leliana sighed some, her head still peered out through the door as she began glancing back to Anders. Upon looking back to the Warden she nodded while giving a signal to wait a moment as she closed the door and walked back over to Anders. "I guess I'll see you in a bit?" She asked curiously, as she stood to her tippy toes and placed a kiss on his unshave cheek. As she pulled away her thumb caressed the area of where she laid her kiss, as her hues took a moment to gaze into his own before she turned and made her way to the door, grasping the brass knob to turn it allowing it to just slightly crack open enough for her to squeeze through as she didn't want to embarrass Anders as he still wasn't fully dress.
Closing the door behind she looked to the Warden who had an odd cheesy smile on his face. She wasn't sure if he learned it from Alistair or if it was one feature that was never brought to her attention. A chuckle only passed through her lips as she held out her hand as if guiding him to walk along with her.
Having Leliana's remark hit so close to his…well, acknowledgment, did raise a slight blush to Anders's cheeks. He had shyly glanced away, uncertain if the best thing for him to have done was to have reached out for her or not. Though before he could really land a solid decision on the offering, the subject had changed, and Anders heard Leliana's growing concerns. His eyes shifted towards the door and he paused for a moment—as if swept away and regaining back his thoughts.
"Uh…," was about all he could muster until the knocking came at the door.
He blinked some, looking at her as Leliana pulled away from him and walked towards the door. That had to be an instant clue for him to have moved or hide in the closet; he supposed. So, Anders quickly pulled up the covers and spun around to stare back at the opposite wall. He tried to give off the image that he was still lost in his sleep; or drifting back into it. However, his ears were keen, and he heard most of the conversation she was having between the other person.
It was the Grey Warden again; and theoretically his Commander, if he was ever to return to the ranks. The churning feeling of something vile tossed in the pit of his stomach when Anders had thought about it. He winced some at some of the phrases the other man even gave.
Did he have to say bed? Did he have to be searching for her every waking moment? Had he always been this selfish, or was it just Anders being the one to develop an unhealthy attachment?
He knew the sickness inside of him was jealousy and he could feel it like a cankerous sore. Perhaps it was Anders who was the selfish one; keeping her from the Commander. After all, even without a rank, who was he to stand against the Hero of Ferelden? He was essentially the villain, and if not that then just another apostate. Oh the imagination in him was certainly wild in the morning…
Meanwhile outside, the ship had finally struck the first sediment of land. Isabela was busy hollering orders loud enough for the elves down below to hear. The men were lined up, taking ropes that had the ship attached in their hands, and pulling the ship closer to the bank of land. With each given instruction to pull, they were one tug closer to securing the ship.
Fenris had made his way back to Isabela's side and watched from over the edge of the boat to see the others hard at work. His eyes glossed over the men until at last giving his report. "…No sign of the bloodmage. He may have jumped ship… But with that injured leg of his, I wouldn't imagine him remaining afloat for long."
Isabela smiled proudly despite the report she heard from him. "Oh, I doubt we've seen the last of him..."
The duo eventually found themselves yacking it up like two long lost friends. After all it had been years since she last saw the Warden so actually speaking to him face to face instead of hearing of about his stories from a third party was a relief. The two either spoke about old times and the harmless pranks they would play on Alistair. Leliana told him of her rejoining of the Chantry, and the sudden leaving with Anders which seemed to grab his attention more than anything. Along with almost being struck down twice.
The Warden's expression changed to worry one as he didn't enjoy to hear any of those close to him being close to harm's way. Especially after losing his family the way he had. It had brought him closer to the ones he traveled with long ago.
The sea breeze pressed against Leliana's back causing her hair to thrash astray, she began reaching up tucking her hair behind her ear as she looked to Isabela who shouted orders from above. Taking a quick breath in from her nostrils, and releasing the excess from her lips she looked to the Warden as he spoke.
"Looks like we better head up there." He started rather plainly as he stood to his feet, his arm extended out in a friendly jester to help her stand to her own feet.
Leliana took a moment, which followed by nodding her head. She looked to his gauntlet covered hand before hesitantly reaching out and grasping onto his hand. Within one fellow swoop she was pulled up to her feet. Leliana shifted her attention to Isabela, as she dropped her hand and hold from the Wardens before she quickly began to trail up to the stern of the ship, to greet Isabela.
The Warden followed slowly behind, but the two managed to come at the right time. Or so it seemed as he caught what the two were speaking of. At least the half end of it. "Tempest is gone?" He questioned curiously as he stopped at the top of the stairs and with folding his arms he looked over the ship and to the waters below. He tried not to worry himself to much with the bloodmage as he had kept the happy go lucky attitude of he probably would come back as well… Eventually.
Leliana on the other hand continue to walk forward. Making her way to the railing, as she rested her palms and leaned forward. She watched from the corner of her eye as the crew worked at docking the ship, but her mind seemed elsewhere far from where she was now at least.
"So I was thinking maybe I should speak to the Qun first?" The Warden suggested, shrugging his shoulders slightly at his own words. "That is if you want me too. I'm sure they'll be more open to speak to me? Though I doubt I should go alone."
"He's coming back." Isabela said in full confidence to the question Aragorn gave about Tempest.
Of course Fenris had glanced towards her, but he remained silent. There was no point in him continuing after he had said his peace on the matter. The elf watched as the other two had seemed to lean forward to the edge of the boat railing; though there was really no need for him to feel nervous about them falling over and drowning next. The waters below here would have been shallow; while the drop might have hurt a bit, they wouldn't drown like the other man.
Hearing Aragorn's volunteered suggestion, Isabela beamed as if on cue. She smiled coyly and turned slightly towards them. "That's what I love about you; always ready and willing. Let's see…"
The elf raised a slight eyebrow in question towards the captain as he watched her pace the floor. He was accustomed by now to how Isabela planned things as she went; but he would have expected her to have been at least a little more prepared than she seemed. Isabela clasped her hands together and spun around her heals.
"I've got it." She piped up happily. "How about, you pretend to be the captain of my ship for the day…? Tell the Arishok that you're ship struck a land rock and started to retain water. All you request is a few supplies in trade and you'll be on your way. Just keep him busy and stay within the city limits."
"I'll go with you." Fenris volunteered openly. He reached up and folded his arms, looking towards the island in front of him. "I can speak the language; and we sent together on this assignment anyway- whatever it is."
"You ask too many questions." Isabela laughed and waved her hand back at him quickly.
"Well that's what I'm here for to help when its needed." He replied in a joking tone, but he meant what he said. He would help Isabela anyway he could. He wasn't sure if to take what she said of him being ready and willing as a compliment or an insult since so many had always told him he was to kind. Always putting his neck out for others in need. It most likely was one trait he was given by his mother. Due to her kindness, it just seemed rub off on him.
Leliana shook her head as she listened to Aragorn's statement. Obviously Alistairs attitude also rubbed off on him with his cocky attitude. Or she just wasn't use anymore to the way he acted anymore. Looking to both Fenris and Aragorn, Leliana leaned herself against the railing "Just be careful?" She asked in more of a plead than anything else, her hues shifted to Fenris as she spoke those final words. The least they needed was for the Warden to get hurt in the process of putting himself out there.
"Ah it's okay Leli. I've come this far in my life I doubt a few Qun will rid of me. I think the most I have to worry about is when the roads call for me." He replied, a smile tugging at his lips as he tried to stay positive for the rest of the crew. He then turned facing Fenris, as he propped a hand on his hip. "Shall we get this done and over with than?" He asked curiously. As he didn't wait as he began making his way down the steps and where he would be able to exit the ship once they were securely docked and had the ramp in place.
Leliana watched the Warden leave for a moment before turning over to Isabela. "Where's Anders… Has he come out yet?" She asked, her hues began scanning the area in search for the mage. But quickly her mind went to what they were supposed to. She doubted they were just going to be sitting here like lumps. "What do you have planned for us? I need to preoccupy my mind so I don't go crazy waiting… And wondering what going on out there."
"Oh, don't worry about them…and Anders should be coming…or I would at least think so…" Isabela smiled brightly in response before really taking such worry into consideration.
Isabela certainly was not a person who worried easily; though. She was still wild and carefree, nearly as much as her planning. Parading her way down the steps of the main haul and onto the main deck, the Pirate Captain still seemed to have been in thought over the plan she was hatching. She really hadn't planned to have had the famed Grey Warden's help, and much less the help of anyone else she possibly had known from the past. From the moment she was in an entangled meeting with Fenris, she was developing all sorts of luck!
"A few years back, the Tal Vashoth traveled to Minrathous, in search of a book. They stole it and took it back to their homeland for market purposes. Unfortunately, the book fell into the hands of the Fog Warriors of the land, and the two have been at war with each other over the blasted thing until it eventually turned up lost."
She started to explain and then spun on heel back to face Leliana once more. "All I really know is that it's a treasure to someone and it doesn't belong on this island. A faction from the Starkhaven Circle has requested a high priced reward for it, and the coin would be useful to me. So while our Grey Warden and loyal Fenris keep the civilized Qunari's attention, we will be free to explore the wilds here with hopefully only the Tal Vashoth and the Fog Warriors to worry about."
Leliana couldn't help but worry in the back of her mind. Thinking the worst. Ever since she and Wynne had to free the two Wardens from being captured she knew anything was possible. It didn't matter how strong one was but who was the most cleaver at the moment. Though with Fenris there, it might have been a safer bet. As he seemed to have a more stable head on his shoulders and wasn't always cracking a joke at any chance he could get. She took thought to Isabela's words though, believing in them as she nodded her head. Knowing worrying would get nowhere. "You're probably right."
She followed the Pirate slowly down the staircase, and stopping some feet behind as she listened to this trinket she was searching for. She should have known it was something to do with money. After all, that's all pirates were after, along with rum and sex. Which wasn't all bad, she guessed. But she just hoped they found this book she spoke of quickly. That way they could leave and be done with this foolishness business. She hated the thought of helping the Stark Haven. But she had no choice now that she was here. Confusion filled her mind as she hadn't recalled this book as she traveled with the stark haven. Then again she didn't bother to get to involved with their problems. Maybe that's why it was so easy for her to turn her back to them when she did.
"Well I can't wait." She stated somewhat stalely. To see the Tal Vashoth was not on the top of her list. And the last she remembered Isabela wasn't too fond of them either. But she seemed so calm. Maybe it was due to being around her crew. And she needed to put on a face of no worry to keep everything at peace. Whatever the reason, she didn't worry her little head over it. "At least it will almost be like old times, slicing and dicing our way through the enemy... Yes? Just don't get any of us killed." She finished with a slight teasing tone of voice.