Okay, so chapter 4 started as something else originally, but turned into…well this. I was NOT planning on going this route at all, but now that I have, I like it a lot more. Also, new character alert! We are now getting into the main story a little bit, so I hope you enjoy!
I do not own Dragon Age, BioWare does, I claim Lyna and Johnathan…
Chapter 4: On the Road
"Lyssa, what in the name of the Maker are you doing?"
"What does it look like, Alistair? I'm hungry, and I'm getting an apple." Elissa Therin gave her husband a snarky look as she reached above her to grab the apple from the tree.
"Darling, if you were hungry, why didn't you say something to Bernice? She would have gotten something at the last village."
"Well, I wasn't hungry then. Besides-"
"Elissa, please. You might hurt…them."
Elissa sighed, hitched up the hem of her dress and wrapped her legs over the bough of the tree. "Alistair, don't you think I am thinking of them? I wouldn't do this unless I was sure it was safe." To prove her point, she grabbed the apple and carefully climbed down from the tree, avoiding anything that would hit her stomach. "See? Perfectly safe." Alistair groaned.
"You, woman, will be the death of me. Unless the Taint gets me first." Elissa laughed, and kissed him.
"Isn't that the goal of every wife? At least- Oh!"
"What! What! Should I get a healer? What do I-"
Elissa put her hand over Alistair's mouth, took his hand, and pressed it to her stomach. Alistair was silent as he felt the gentle flutter on his hand. "They…they're kicking."
"They're saying, see da? Mother knows what she's doing." said Elissa with a giggle. She knew Alistair meant well with his constant worrying, but it had taken her ten years to get pregnant, and she knew he wanted this more than anything in the world. Elissa smiled to herself, thinking of the day when she had first found out, seven months ago. It had been cold that morning (and Alistair had taken all the blankets, as normal), and she had woken up freezing cold, and her shivering prompted projectile vomit all over herself and Alistair. It took only seconds before Alistair's screams of surprise had brought guards from halfway across the castle. Bernice, Elissa's handmaiden and resident healer, told them not only what they had been hoping for for over ten years, but also that they would have their hands full with twins, and the both of them cried for joy. Two Grey Wardens attempting to have a baby: next to impossible. Having Elissa not only be pregnant, with pregnant with twins was a Maker-given miracle. However, Elissa's pregnancy had been littered with annoyances, most of them from Alistair. He had been so protective over her from the moment that they had found out about the babies, and on most days Elissa felt smothered. Add morning sickness, swollen joints everywhere, and pregnancy cravings on top of Grey Warden hunger, and Elissa had been most uncomfortable throughout the last seven months.
"Come on Lyssa, back in the carriage. If we want to get to Skyhold by sundown, we have to leave now."
"But it's so lonely in there!" Elissa knew she sounded like a three year old, but after nearly a week of travel by herself in a carriage, she had had enough. "I'd soon as rather walk the rest of the way than travel alone again! I have spent a week in that carriage along bumpy side roads and dark back paths, and I'll be damned if I'll do that again, no matter how short the journey is. We could have been to Skyhold in three days if we had taken the main roads!"
"I know, I know." said Alastair with a sigh. "Look, it hasn't been easier for me, either. I haven't been able to sit on a horse for a week in eleven years. But... I suppose I could ride with you...just for a little while." Elissa kissed him.
"Thank you." Just then, a guard came running up from the carriage line.
"Your Highness, we have encountered a slight...problem." Alistair's face immediately took on its more kingly nature.
"Right. Lyssa, back in the carriage." Elissa shot him a look that could kill a darkspawn in its tracks.
"Not happening. I am your wife, and your queen. Whatever happens, we deal with together. If it gets dangerous, I'll go back. But we both know I'm the better diplomat between the two of us."
Alastair started to say something, and then stopped. "Alright, I know when I'm beat." Taking her hand, the pair walked to the front of the procession, where a strange sight met their eyes. The road, which went off in two different directions, had partially been destroyed on one side; the side, which Elissa noted, took the back road up to Skyhold. Two men stood in front of the ruined side of the road. The shorter of the two was cloaked in black robes and had a blackwood staff strapped to his back. The taller was cloaked in dark blue and brown trimmings, and had his hand on a long, thin sword.
"Greetings, your majesty. I believe you'll find that your original plan of arrival has been...altered."
"How do you know our path? Who are you?" Alistair gripped his sword, preparing to draw. However Elissa, who tended to know a fight before it started, touched her husband on the shoulder.
"I'm sure we mean you no harm, sirs. We are but minor nobles, attempting to get to Skyhold for an audience with the Inquisitor. If you will let us pass, we will soon be out of your way." Elissa's voice would normally soothe and turn away any potential enemy, but the man in blue merely laughed at her words.
"I am not so soon phased by your pretty words, your majesty. No, both Lord Herdal and I only wish to convey a message from our master, whose lands you are now trespassing on."
"I was not aware that these roads were spoken for." said Alistair, looking at Elissa, who knew territories and their lords better than he did.
"They are not, at least not according to the last maps I looked at." responded Elissa, slow panic rising in her chest, though she kept her composure and straight face.
"Ah, well my lady, our master knows none of these maps that you speak of, I'm sure." the taller man said, with a smile that was obviously on for show. "Our master is new to these lands, and only wishes for you to stay away from matters that you know nothing of." The more that the man spoke, his voice took on more of a threatening tone.
"We mean you, your companion and your master no harm." said Elissa. "We only wish for our trip to Skyhold, and as soon as it is over, we will depart from the lands of your master."
"May I take that as your word of promise, my lady?" asked the stranger, with the same sickening smile.
"She promises nothing, sir." broke in Alistair, who had obviously had enough of the conversation. "Now, unless you have more business with us…"
"No, I think not." The two men turned to leave, and as they did so, the tall man shot Elissa a look of hate. He turned his cape, and the two men vanished instantly.
"Well…that was unexpected." said Alistair, who shook himself. "Are you alright, Elissa?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Let's…let's just get to Skyhold. Will you still come in the carriage with me?"
Alistair smiled, and wrapped an arm around his wife. "Of course, dearest. Whatever you like."
And so it begins...I wouldn't kill off Alistair and Elissa like that, don't worry. I hope you enjoyed, don't forget to review :)