A/N: Yo! Sorry for the late update! Things are kinda hectic right now, with getting accepted into Ph.D program for biomedical engineering and somehow finding the money for it in this awful economy. *shudders* more debt to pay, yay! Anyhoo, onto the full moon chappy! Lemme me know what ya think!

Thanks to all who have read and reviewed the story! I really appreciate it!

Moonlight Discovery

It had only been six days and already Hadrian felt tired, perhaps more so due to the anxiety of having to leave the camp for that entire night and then some afterwards than the actual trip itself. The only person who saw him in his demonic form, although Zarieth had said otherwise, was Duncan, who had previously perished several weeks ago. Zarieth had warned him that no one should see him on the nights of the full moon. It was part of the contract he and his family had signed. Now, he really wished that Fergus kept his sword in his pants long enough for this particular act to be transferred to him. He had to go and be physical with some woman!

Much to his relief, the companions traveling with him weren't too antagonistic with each other. Actually, in Morrigan and Alistair's case, it was rather quiet and calm. The noble human didn't know what to think of that. He figured with the new members added to his entourage of misfits that the bickering would only get worse and much more irritating than before. In fact, the redhead lady was actually talking about her stories in a musical tone, how she found Ferelden to be so different from Orlais and how constrained the habitants seem to be in their sexual wants and appetites. When she started to talk about the sexual freedom the Orlesians had, she was quickly put off by the Qunari's blunt comment of how wrong it was, to seek solace in another's arms, especially if they were of the same sex. Red flags immediately came and started to wave frantically in Hadrian's mind. He had forgotten that the Qunari weren't exactly open-minded to that idea. In fact, the only type, if you could call it that, that was treated worse than the feyswas the mage class, who were bound and leashed to their masters. However, Hadrian figured that while the Qunari was going to find out sooner or later, it would keep for now.

Because they were walking at a rather brisk but brutal pace, the Circle of Magi was only a week away. Morrigan had learned the beginnings of a haste spell, but she could only use it sparingly due to her limited supply of mana. He didn't want to burn out their only healer along the way to the Tower. However, on the seventh day, with the moon beckoning her call to him, Hadrian had to make camp.

They had found a small alcove dug into the rock face of a tall cliff that towered over River Dane, a river whose name brought up unwanting memories for both Grey Wardens. Despite the Battle of Ostagar having occurred almost a month ago, the ache of betrayal still burned hotly in their memory. Along the way to their current camping site, Alistair and Hadrian talked about it in quiet voices, away from the others. It wasn't as if they didn't want their travelling companions to hear them, but the trust that had been broken was still slow in repairing itself. In their moments of conversation, both had learnt more of each other's past and soon, they talked as smoothly as ever, without the awkwardness of strangers.

It was in their first one that Hadrian realized what that scent from before was. With the full moon coming to term tonight, his senses were more acute than ever and the scent reminded him of strawberries with whipped cream. Since it was just him and Alistair walking at the forefront, Hadrian was shocked to see that the scent was coming from him of all people. He had thought that it would have come from at least Leliana. Her heart-shaped face with full lips seemed alluring enough for any man, who might consider her to be a fragile flower herself. However, her display of skills proved otherwise and though Hadrian knew that he could take her on without any problems, she would still prove to be a formidable opponent. Morrigan, whom he spent far too long with, reminded him of a Belladonna, a poisonous flower whose exotic appearance clearly warded off any dangers, both potential and actual. Yet, these scents of the females in his camp weren't tantalizing to him to all while Alistair's proved mouth-watering indeed.

However, the unfortunate results of his previous affairs discouraged any further thought of pursuing his fellow Grey Warden. There was a saying that his mother had always told him when she was telling him of her past suitors. Once bitten, twice shy. Speaking of which, the observations he had made earlier upon their first meeting came up again and he was startled to discover that his friend looked oddly similar to the deceased King Cailan. Suddenly, the old visage of his former lover's face peered at him from behind Alistair's own face and a soft gasp was emitted, prompting a questioning look from the said Warden.

"Hadrian? What's wrong?"

The voice, the voice was different. It lacked the confident timbre of King Cailan but it was softer and more comforting. Chocolate eyes sought his own blue ones and for once, Hadrian couldn't stand to look at him. The King's face had disappeared as soon as Alistair spoke, but he didn't want to chance seeing it again. He really was over Cailan. That affair was over and done with and too many years had stood between him and Cailan to rekindle those old feelings again. Yet, it seemed that the Maker was bound and determine to make his life miserable again by presenting this subtle attraction. No! Hadrian absolutely refused to fall in love again. It would only end in heartbreak in the end. Why would this be any different?

"Hadrian?" This time, the man stood so close to him that the smell increased in its intensity, overwhelming his already sharp senses. It almost burned him. Why? Why was his body acting this way towards him? He had never felt this awful sensation before, not even with Nathan, his first love.

"It's fine," the Cousland said a little bit too hasty for Alistair's liking.

Alistair grew even more concerned when he saw the eyes dart quickly from his. He stepped closer to him and could see that they were slightly glazed over, as if the man was in a slight fever. Was Hadrian hurt somehow? He was always at the front of the party. Perhaps he got bitten by an adder but didn't tell them. However, Alistair was with Hadrian that whole time and he couldn't recall his friend being in any situation that would have resulted in his injury. Maybe he's just tired. We've been walking for days on end after all.

He didn't want to prod the man about his question of state but then again, Hadrian had constantly prodded him with questions of his times with the Wardens before this whole accursed mess occurred. It was only fair for him to return that consideration.

"Maybe you should lie down and rest," Alistair suggested timidly. He wasn't entirely sure if his friend would be receptive to his idea, but it was worth a try.

Hadrian's head nodded in agreement, to his ultimate surprise, and the senior Grey Warden watched, with even more concerned eyes, as Hadrian paced to his bedroll that was at the entrance of the alcove. The rest were set further in, to make use of the shelter the cave provided from rain and sleet.

Alistair wasn't the only watching him though and Leliana accosted the remaining Warden.

"Is he ok?" The thick Orlesian accent was distinctly clear from Hadrian's own.

"Not sure. He didn't look injured."

"We are all tired from our excursion here. Since the Tower can be seen not too far from away, we are getting close to it." Leliana said in an assuring voice.

She had heard tales of this infamous Tower, tales of both the good and the bad. The wonders of how The Templars could keep in such dangerous powers were unduly fascinating to her and she wanted to see herself how the mageborn lived under those conditions.

The sound of thunder brought their attentions to the sky. Through what they could see amidst the tops of the various trees that culminated this area they were in, dark clouds hovered nearby, pregnant with impending rain.

"Looks like it will rain soon. Good thing we have some rations leftover from the last hunt thanks to Morrigan's way of packing." Leliana murmured appreciatively. Even Alistair, despite his extreme dislike for the witch, had to appreciate the witch's proficiency. Survival should always come first. That's what she had said to explain for her quick, methodical ways. It also explained why she was still with them, even when the opportunities to abandon her compatriots to the unpredictability of Mother Nature and Fate were plentiful and in abundance.

"Yeah. Good thing," Alistair agreed reluctantly. Leliana let out a soft laugh at the dejected expression on her friend's face. She had known that the two didn't always get along but there was a grudging respect between the two that often outdid feelings of animosity. "Since Hadrian's already asleep, I'll take first watch."

"Oh. I was actually going to offer take that spot." The disappointment was clear on her tanned face and Alistair thought that maybe he should relinquish that position to the newcomer.

"Ok, fine by me. I'll get some sleep that way too. If I can get any." The Warden didn't elucidate as to the reason why he wouldn't get any sleep. Instead, like Hadrian, he too tucked himself in his bedroll, which was situated right behind that of his friend's. The Qunari refused to sleep in a bedroll, thinking it underneath him that he should lie with humans. Initially, he had wanted to sleep by the riverbanks but the witch's threat that they would leave him in this strange land made him abandon that idea. Thus, he made do by just standing outside the cave's entrance, acting as a silent sentinel for the inhabitants within.

Leliana felt the first drops of rain falling down and she put forth her hand. With winter coming on, the rain was colder than normal and the temperature had plummeted down to 10°C. She hoped that Morrigan had cast a warming spell before settling in the night. As if reading her mind, she heard someone mutter a couple of phrases and the first watcher sighed in relief as warm air greeted her back. She grabbed her bow, a longbow for range more than power, and held it in her hand. Having been in the woods before back in Orlais, she was inured to the foreign sounds of the forest's denizens and to the calls of danger that brewed restlessly within. Humans weren't the only predators in the forest and her eyes scanned the area profusely, not wanting to be caught off guard by an unseemly animal. When a few hours had passed uneventfully, her guard relaxed enough to the point that she never heard the rustling of the sheets and soft footsteps padding away from her and the camp. Neither did the Qunari, whose loud snores echoed rather loudly in the cave but was unheard of by the sleeping members.

-o0o-

Alistair jarred awake and he jerked upwards, his sweaty hands clutching at the blankets. By the Maker, that was a weird dream! He dreamt of running, the forest whizzing by so fast that it would be a blur to normal human eyes. However, with these ones, he could clearly see the outlines of the trees passing by, the shrubs, the animals, all of them were in minute details. He felt freer somehow, despite the disturbing feeling that he wasn't running as a human, but as a four-legged animal. There was a soft growl to the left of him and he stopped in his tracks, astonished to see a smaller wolf running ahead of him for a few moments before circling back. Its pace slowed from a running type to a slow trot before the wolf stopped entirely, familiar blue eyes gazing back at him, the feelings of love and longing sending a pleasurable jolt through the Warden.

Alistair…

How did the wolf know him by name?

His thoughts were interrupted by a shadow that loomed over him and he jumped at a hand placing itself on his shoulder.

"Alistair. I'm sorry for scaring you," Leliana whispered softly. "But have you seen Hadrian? He's not in his bedroll..."

"Huh?" That is a smart answer!

Their Orlesian tracker didn't chide him for his monosyllable reply. She gave him a small smile instead, perhaps understanding that her presence scared Alistair out of his wits upon his waking.

"Hadrian," She continued in a patient tone. Her eyes flickered to the side of him, where Hadrian's bedroll laid disturbed and abandoned of its occupant. The moon was shining brightly enough for the pair to see some faint tracks leading away from the bedroll but that was all. She could only do so much tracking with little light.

"I thought he was sleeping," Alistair replied. "Maybe he went to relieve himself?"

Lelian's lips pursed tightly. She apparently didn't think so.

"Non. He's been missing for a candlelight. No one takes that long to do so, not even us women."

"I can find him. I'm already awake." Alistair slowly climbed to his feet and stretched out his limbs. He took with him his shortsword, one that Hadrian actually gave him as a small gift after having left Lothering. He would have felt special but Hadrian gave everyone little gifts: a demonic statute for Morrigan, a silver bracelet for Leliana, and a very, very tiny painting for the Qunari. How could that huge monstrosity have a liking for something so tangible, so poignantly emotional to a human? Alistair's respect hiked up a bit at seeing the very astonished but nonetheless grateful expression on that strong Qunari face.

"Are you sure? It's quite cold out there without Morrigan's warming spell."

As if to support her words, a chill breeze came through and it caused the man to cross his arms across his chest in a poor attempt to keep out the cold.

"I-I'll be fine. He couldn't have gone that far right?"

"Well, wait here." Leliana turned and walked into the cave. After a few moments, she returned, holding a thick jacket in her hands. How in the Maker's Pits could she wear that and move so quickly?

"Believe it or not," Leliana started to say as she gave the jacket over to Alistair, who was marveling at the good quality of the wool, "it's actually quite light despite appearances and keeps you very warm too. It should be useful for you, yes?"

"Thanks, Leliana," Alistair breathed and he put it on. She giggled when the sleeves turned out to be a little bit on the short side.

"It's a little short, sorry," Leliana said in a cheery tone.

"It's no problem. Thanks again," Alistair straightened himself out and realized that his body was already feeling warmer than it was before. He really didn't want to return this...

"I want it back after you're done with it." There goes that idea! Her eyes twinkled knowingly at him and he made a mental note that women could really read your mind!

"If you are not back by dawn for sure, we will do a search for you two." She called out to him as he disappeared into the dark woods. Really, they should be back within a candlelight. What could go wrong?

-TBC-

Ooh! A cliffy! Stay tuned for the next chappie, where both partners are confused in what their destined roles and one of them really puts up a resistance, which really pisses off Zarieth.