Our conversation lasted well into the night. Eventually Leliana knocked on the door to check on me and joined us. We all agreed that the Magister should not get away with a single elf and came up with a plan for when they arrived.
Riordan would join Garrett, Leliana and I in the 'clean up' as I called it while Isabela would sneak around to the dock side and be sure there were no elves on the vessel before we forced them out. Then all the elves go free and lock themselves in their homes while the rest of us lay low either at Trudy's or the safe house and wait for the Wardens to arrive with Arl Eamon.
A little while later, Leliana decided to return to the inn and both Isabela and Riordan excused themselves, leaving Garrett and I alone. The bottle long empty, we had switched to water and were trying to figure out a safe place for all of us to spar. I knew I was getting rusty and needed some exercise which Garrett was all too quick to agree with.
"Nice," I said sarcastically, "You're a charmer." He laughed.
"Not the first time I've been accused of that," he said. "Speaking of being charming, what's with you and that warden, Al is his name?" He looked at me curiously as I shook my head.
"Alistair," I corrected him, "and nothing. He's a warden and I am nobility. End of story." I looked down at my hands, realizing the pain had dulled ever so slightly when I thought of him. I hoped he was getting past it more effectively than I was. Garrett stood from his chair and sat next to me.
"Remember that thing you said about being a shitty liar?" he asked as he bumped his shoulder into mine. "I see through you Kendalls. Talk to me." I sighed and looked up at him.
"I love him," I blurted out, "but there isn't a damned thing either one of us can do about it. It used to make me crazy, pained me terribly some days but my hands are tied so... he and I are no more." I paused, thinking about what I just said then laughing. "I cannot believe I just dumped that on you." Garrett laughed nervously, taking the tie out of his hair, letting the dark strands hang loose into his face.
"Honestly neither can I," he said. "However I have to admit I asked the question so it is kind of my fault." He looked at me, trying to get a read so I just shook my head. "No? Not going to admit it, huh?"
He ran his fingers through his hair to slick it back somewhat but I noticed one rebellious lock falling toward his eye. I tucked it behind his ear, partly out of the habit of doing it to Cailan but mostly because of my affection for him. We weren't betrothed anymore but it didn't change the fact that I still cared for him, even if he did make me feel like an ass after kissing me to distraction… and then some.
Not wanting to dwell on that thought I slapped him arm.
"Seriously Garrett? Maker you are a nosey pain in the ass," I said. He smiled and remained silent.
He always could see right through me, especially if I was reluctant to tell him anything. He zeroed right in on it, not letting up until the 'secret' was revealed. Rolling my eyes, I could tell he was not going to give up until I spilled.
"Just for the record I hate you." I said as I grabbed my glass and finished off the water, pouring myself another glass then sitting back in my chair. "And then there was Cailan."
"Yeeeees…" he drawled out, waving his hand for me to continue. I rolled my eyes again and shook my head.
"You've met the man, you know all about him and how charming he can be!" I sighed, thinking about the day he and I spent in the tavern in Redcliffe, just laughing and talking. "We bonded, more so than I thought I would with him and I miss him terribly."
"Out with it Kendalls."
"Ok, so there was a temptation there for a moment but it passed, who wouldn't be tempted?" I looked at him pleadingly, hoping he would agree with me.
"Kora, I have never known you to be boy crazy," he was laughing as he said it but the shock on his face was obvious, "but what you're telling me is you fell for two men. And not just two men but BROTHERS!" He laughed out loud at that, dropping his head to the table. I was tempted to grab him by his hair and bash his forehead into the table but I resisted.
"Don't make me kick your ass Wulff," I threatened. His laughing subsided and he sat up again to look at me.
"You are too much. So are we marrying the King or what?" He was laughing at me but I swore I saw something else in his eyes. Something that wasn't jovial or mocking. I shook my head and started laughing myself.
"Um no, not happening either. First off as I said previously, I'm over it. Second, kind of difficult to be Arlessa AND Queen, don't you think?" I said.
"Seriously?" he asked, apparently surprised by my answer. "Why the hell not Kora? If you care for the man, and if he has half a brain he would marry you in a heartbeat, what is the problem?" I glared at him.
"Let's see. One, there is the fact that I will not leave Denerim to be fought over by the wolves that make up the nobility in Ferelden," I said, raising one finger. I raised a second finger. "Two, after the civil war and the blight are over this place will be decimated. Denerim will need someone who is dedicated to its reconstruction, not just its buildings but its people, their very lives.
"I'm not even sure my feelings were real. It was probably just a crush, it was over so quickly." I shook my head, sighing. "Bottom line, Denerim needs me far more than Cailan does. Besides, he's an attractive man. He will find someone else quickly if he hasn't already." I rolled my eyes.
"So let me get this straight," Garrett gave me a sideways glance, "you would give up the crown, as well as possible happiness for Denerim?"
"The key word is 'possible' and yes, is that so hard to believe?" I asked taken aback by the insinuation in his question. "That I would be selfless in my service to Denerim or that I would be selfless at all?" I felt the hurt bubbling up and heard it in my voice. Garrett shook his head.
"Damn it, woman," he growled, "why are you always so quick to believe I think less of you? Get it through your head," he said as he pointed to my forehead. "I respect you, I trust you, even admire you. Look at all you've accomplished in the last few weeks, things that others would cringe at and run away from. And yet here you are, seeing it through and accusing me of thinking you're a selfish noble twit." He shook his head. "For someone so intelligent you can be so daft." I smirked and looked toward one of the windows, seeing the rays of dawn peeking through the cracks in the black paint.
"Yep, a charmer to the last," I said as I stood to leave. Garrett stood as well.
"Leaving already?" He asked. I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Disappointed you won't have anyone to pick on?" I asked. He smiled meekly.
"I was just thinking we didn't discuss the, um, thing that happened earlier." I saw a slight blush hit his cheek bones and smiled.
"Why bother? I just assumed it didn't mean anything, you not knowing what came over you and all." I sat back in my chair and smirked, raising both eyebrows. He laughed nervously and sat down.
"Ok, I deserve that," he said as he ran a hand through his hair. "Look, I wasn't expecting that to happen. What I mean to say is that I didn't plan it when I entered your room. I just wanted to wake you; I could hear you thrashing in your sleep through the door." His face showed concern so I softened, relaxing my features and listening. "You were crying and yelling something about a maniacal beast.
"I couldn't let it go on so I tried to wake you and you were so…" he paused and shook his head. "You were vulnerable and there I was, swooping in and taking advantage of your weakened state. I apologize, it was not how I would have had our first…" he stopped, panic ghosting his face as he looked down at his hands.
"What are you two still doing here?" Isabela asked from the alleyway door. Nearly jumping out of my skin, our heads snapped up to her simultaneously.
"We were just… talking," I said, feeling the blush creep up my neck. I grabbed my glass of water and downed it, then stood to leave. Garrett stood also.
"I'll walk you back to Trudy's," he said to me, taking my cloak off the back of my chair and putting it around my shoulders. I smiled gratefully as he tied it at my neck, lifting the hood over my head.
"Might not be a good idea considering what I heard just now." I looked at Isabela.
"What have you heard?" I asked. She smiled, raising her eyebrows.
"Apparently your presence here is known," she said as she sat in my recently vacated chair. She threw her feet up on top of the table. "Queen Anora herself is putting out word that you are to go to her at the palace. She claims you will be given safe passage." Her grin told me she knew better.
"Safe passage my ass," I said, "Loghain will have me drawn and quartered if what you said is true Garrett." I looked at him thoughtfully. "The only way they would know I am here, unless someone recognized me and reported it, is if they drew the same conclusions you did from Lothering. That also means…"
"They could know there are survivors from Ostagar," he said, rubbing his chin in thought. I shrugged.
"Ok, so maybe not drawn and quartered right away," I said, "interrogated first. Then the drawing and quartering will commence. Wow," I shook my head in disbelief, "she really must think me a fool." Garrett slapped me on the back.
"See? I'm not the only one," he said with a wink and a grin. I jabbed him in the gut hard enough to invoke a response and made my way over to the door. "Whoa! Hold it. You are not going anywhere." I turned and looked at him.
"Garrett, I'm tired and it's a short walk. I need to sleep. We've been up all night!" Isabela dropped her feet to the floor and stood up.
"Come with me kitten," she said, smiling at Garrett. "I'll lend you my bed." She winked at me and walked toward the other room. I looked at Garrett.
"I'd ask what that look was about but I doubt I'd get a straight answer," I said as I lowered my hood and untied my cloak, following Isabela.
She led me up some stairs and down a long hallway, opening the door of a small bedroom at the end. It had a bed big enough for two and a small dresser in it with two small windows that let in the sun. She walked over to one and closed the drapes.
"It's not much," she said, "but it's clean and cozy. Get some rest, kitten, and I'll let your friends know you are safe." She closed the drapes on the other window and walked over to the doorway, grabbing the handle and smiling. "If you get company shortly don't worry, he doesn't bite… hard." She winked and walked out into the hall, shutting the door behind her. I laughed, stripping down to my breast band and small clothes and throwing the items over the bottom of the bed. I climbed into the covers and sighed.
It was definitely cozy, just as she said, and I felt myself drift off to sleep almost immediately. The sleep was a deep one, so much so that I didn't hear anyone enter the room but I felt the bed move when they were getting into it. I rolled over, facing away from the intruder and moaned.
"Occupado!" I demanded sleepily as I pulled the blankets back over me.
"Shit! Kora, what are you doing in here?" I heard Garrett spit out. I giggled sleepily.
"Bela put me in here. So that was why she was giving you the eye." I turned toward Garrett, opening my eyes to see him pulling his breeches up over his hips and tying them… and he was shirtless.
I held my breath for a moment as I stared at him. His lean, muscled shoulders and arms had scars, most likely from sparring and dealing with the occasional bandit given they didn't look deep. His chest was just as toned but with one scar that made me wince right above his heart. It was about three inches long and its pink color gave away how recent the wound was. I sat up, pulling the blanket up to cover my chest and reached out to point at it.
"Maker, Garrett, what is that from?" I asked. He looked down at it and shrugged.
"Just a scratch," he said as he stood there. I smirked.
"Scratch my ass," I said as I pulled the blanket around me and got up on my knees, touching it with my finger tips. "And it's so close…"
"To my heart, yes," he said smiling. He covered my hand with his, holding it to his body. "As are you." I looked up at him, completely dumbfounded by what he said.
He always knew what to say when we were younger, how to make me forget when I was angry with him or change the subject without repercussions. He would even use this one particular smile that made my heart melt, but only as a last ditch effort to stay in my good graces. As much as I hated to admit it, it always worked. He knew how to work me, and it seemed he was trying to see if he still did.
"Garrett," I croaked, then cleared my throat, "tell me." He sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed but not releasing my hand. I leaned toward him, resting on my hip.
"We were leaving Lothering," He said, "and the soldiers you had run off were coming back with reinforcements, I can only assume to look for you. One of them recognized my sigil and started barking orders at me like I was some commoner. I drew my blades but it was too late, another had already sunk theirs into my chest. I went down but my men fought the blighters off and got me to the chantry. The revered mother herself couldn't believe my luck, just missed." He smiled as he looked down at me. "The Maker must have a plan for me." I smiled up at him.
"He must at that," I said as I slowly took my hand away from him. He released it, putting his in his lap. "I take it this is your room?" I asked, looking around.
"Yes, when I can get away from the barracks." He looked away from me. "It's difficult sometimes. On occasion I'm sent to guard your parents' estate and having all the memories…" He shook his head.
"I can imagine," I said as I pulled the blanket closer. "I should probably put something on if you're going to inhabit the same…" I looked away, feeling the warmth creep up my neck. I heard him laugh.
"My Lady!" Garrett exclaimed, feigning shock, "you would sleep next to me un-chaperoned? The horror! What would the other selfish noble twits think?" He smiled, pulling on the blanket slightly as if he would take it. I yanked it back with an evil glare.
"Do not test me, Wulff," I growled, "now turn your back so I can get my shirt on at least." He stood and turned away to face the wall so I grabbed the shirt and threw it on. "Ok, get your clothes on and… you know." He shook his head, smirking.
"Sorry, sweet thing," he said, "but I sleep bare." I shook my head violently.
"Not today." He stuck out his lower lip to pout but I continued to shake my head.
"Ok, how about just the breeches," he asked. "I hate having a shirt on, I feel like I'm choking." I sighed and nodded.
"Fine. Breeches then." I laid back down and covered up as he slid into the bed next to me. With both of us in it I realized the bed was big enough for two but only just. There was no way we weren't going to come in contact with each other. "Ok, this is not very comfortable." He faced me, propping his head up on his hand and smiling innocently.
"Do you want to cuddle?" He asked in a high pitched voice. I couldn't help but laugh and blush all at the same time. He rested his head back down and pulled me into his arms, facing him. Then, after he had securely wrapped his arms around me, we entwined our legs and he kissed my forehead. I pulled my arms up to rest my hands on his chest next to my head. "Good night, love." I took a deep breath and sighed, completely relaxing for the first time in what seemed like forever.
"Good night Garrett."
The room was pitch black when my eyes started to open. I smiled. Snuggly warm and curled up with Garrett I had slept like a rock. Though I was content to stay put my stomach was not so I tried to stretch. Garrett's arms, already holding me to his chest, locked around me tightly. I lifted my head to look up at him only to have his arms tense more, strengthening his hold. His grip border-lined on pain and made me gasp.
"Garrett!" I squeaked. "Garrett, you're hurting me, seriously." He didn't budge as a groan came from his throat. I tried to free a hand but my arms were pinned by his and my hands were trapped underneath his body. Sometime during the night he had rolled over onto his back and I was sprawled out across his chest. No way was I going to be able to break his hold so I decided to try something.
I relaxed my body and breathed out. As I took the next breath in, I tried to pull all the tension I felt in him into myself, kind of like a mana drain, hoping it would calm his dreams enough for him to loosen his hold. My gut clenched as the anxiety in him moved into my chest. I kept pulling, drawing in anything negative I could feel. His arms began to relax so I flexed my fingers as best I could underneath him to try and rouse him.
"Garrett?" I whispered. His emotions I had taken were overpowering me, a mix of anxiety and grief, and they were intense. "Garrett, wake up, please."
His head moved back and forth as he came around, his arms relaxing and his hands moving slowly up and down my back. He mumbled something and opened his eyes. I breathed out and pulled away from him, pushing myself upright on the bed. I wasn't going to take the chance that he wasn't completely awake and tried latching on to me again. Holding myself up with one arm I wiped my hair from my face with the other as I tried to get control over whatever it was that I took from him. I felt tears stinging the backs of my eyes.
"Hey," he groaned, sitting up and cupping my cheek, "what's wrong?" I was gasping for air, the emotional pain in my chest almost unbearable.
"What were you dreaming about?" I asked between breaths, completely astonished with the intensity of what he was feeling. He schooled his face and shrugged.
"I don't remember, why?" he asked. Catching my breath, I shook my head and gave him a stern look.
"Just as you can see through me, Wulff," I said in a low voice, "I can see through you. Talk to me." He held my gaze for a few moments then relented, the pain I was feeling revealing itself on his face.
"Can we not talk about it?" he asked quietly. I moved my legs to sit cross legged and took his hands in mine.
"Garrett." He looked down at our hands as I caressed the back of his with my thumbs. I waited, knowing he would tell me on his time.
"I remember the day I found out," he began. "I was in the yard, sword and shield in hand, practicing on a dummy when one of the guards walked up to me. I could just tell he had bad news so I continued and asked him what he wanted. He didn't speak at first so I stopped and snapped at him. He handed me a letter and practically ran off." Garrett got up off the bed and went to the dresser, lighting the lantern and opening the top drawer. He pulled out a piece of paper. Closing the drawer, he sat back down on the bed and handed it to me. I opened it carefully, being brittle with age and handling I was afraid it would tear.
The letter was from Knight Commander Greagoir at Kinloch Hold and it was addressed to my father, notifying him of my assumed death. It went on to say how wonderful a templar I was, how he was honored to have served with me and the loss would be felt, blah blah blah. I stared at it, noting the frayed corners and looked at the date. It was almost a year old, a year he had hung onto this letter. My vision blurred as tears welled up in my eyes. I handed it back to him, unable to look him in the eye.
"I am so sorry," I whispered. He took my chin and raised it up to face him. I felt the tears roll down my cheeks.
"What in Thedas do you have to apologize for?" he asked. "Did you send this? Did you intentionally deceive us into thinking you were dead when you weren't? No, Kora, you should not be apologizing." He folded the letter back up and tossed it aside. "It no longer matters. You are here and alive and safe." He ran his fingers along my jaw, his chocolate brown eyes seemingly caressing mine. I sniffed, wiping my face dry and slapping him, trying to get back on subject.
"That does not answer my question," I playfully demanded. He smiled.
"Stubborn," he whispered. His face darkened. "In my dream I was there. I was in the wilds with you when you were attacked. You…" he paused, shaking his head. "You died in my arms." I reached for the part of my arm he had pinned before, realizing it was tender and would probably bruise. I decided against sharing that and shook my head.
"Well," I said, "that explains why you had the death grip on me. But why would you have that dream? You said it yourself; I'm here and alive and safe." I poked him in the chest then tapped him on the nose. "Get it through your head." He smiled a small smile but a smile none the less. I considered it a victory and smiled back.
"You, My Lady, are a brat," he said as he slapped my bare leg, making a loud smacking sound and jumped off the bed. I screeched, seeing a red mark appear in that very spot and glared at him playfully.
"You are a dead man, Wulff," I said as I stood up on the bed and jumped on him. He caught me in mid air, legs around his waist and his hands cupping my ass, holding me up. I wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed, nuzzling into his neck. I hummed against his skin, making him giggle and squirm.
"Kora! You know I'm ticklish!" he almost screeched. I laughed and put my feet to the floor, still holding his shoulders.
"I'm sorry!" I insisted. He smirked down at me, his arms still around me.
"Prove it."
The statement had all the characteristics of a challenge, the kind we used to propose when we were kids. And the 'I dare you' look he had in his eye was so tempting. However, I reminded myself that we were scantily clad and the chances of something torrid happening were too good for me to dismiss. I decided now was not the time to get lost in such things and came up with an alternative.
"Alright, I'll buy you dinner then!" I said as I released him and turned to retrieve my clothes. His arms locked around me from behind as he pulled me into him.
"Really?" he whispered into my ear. I bit my lip, fighting off the heat that threatened to take over my entire body. Taking a deep breath I laughed.
"Quit screwing around, Wulff," I said as I pulled his hands apart to free myself. "I am starving and you are interfering with me getting fed. After all this time one would think you would know better." I grabbed my breeches, sitting on the bed and sliding both legs in, then standing to pull them up. "Aren't you hungry?" He smiled, a look of embarrassment flashing across his face as he walked to the other side of the room.
"I could eat," he said as he threw his shirt on and went over to the dresser, grabbing some socks. Phew, I thought, that was a close one.
Too close.
We made our way along the docks in the dark, my stomach betraying me every once in a while. He would laugh every time it grumbled and I would pull a lock of his hair playfully as we walked.
I had always felt so comfortable with him, free to be myself whether I was in a fighting mood or a playful one. Never holding back, I always knew that he would be there whether I was a sobbing mess or a screaming one. He didn't seem to care, just stood by with either a joke or a hug, waiting for me to come back down. I must have been deep in thought because I didn't realize we had stopped walking at first.
"What's wrong?" I asked with a smile. I looked up at him, his face angry and staring straight ahead. I looked in his line of sight and saw three men standing directly in our path. I sighed, remembering I had no armor and no weapon. "Shit."
"Come now love," the larger of the three said. "Such words are not proper for a LADY." I recognized the voice and the face as Grant, the bastard Garrett was stationed with at the front gates. "Or are you still pretending you are no Lady? Considering Garrett missed drills today I assume you were quite busy not being one. All day in fact!" He laughed an insidious laugh. It almost made me cringe.
"Shut your mouth, Grant, or I will shut it for you!" Garrett bristled as I felt his body tense up. I released his arm, knowing he would be able to grab his daggers with less notice. Grant laughed again.
"Watch it boy," he growled, "I may forgive you for skipping out on us today if you help me round up our ladyship here and take her to Fort Drakon. I hear she will bring a hefty price." The two men flanking Grant nodded and smiled, slowly stalking toward me. I took a step back with my right foot, readying myself for their attack. I could feel the tension pouring off of Garrett as he crouched down slightly.
"Not on your life," he growled, pulling a small blade from his belt and cupping it in his hand. I didn't look directly at it but could see in my peripheral that it was a throwing knife.
"Well, that is disappointing," Grant said as he drew his greatsword. "I suppose we will have to drag your corpse along with her." His smile made my skin crawl but I had to focus.
Of the two with him the one without a helm had daggers drawn and the other with a helm had a sword and shield. Deciding I needed a weapon, I focused on the helm, trying to pick out any weaknesses I could as he made his way toward me.
His armor was low quality, the chest piece must have had broken clips as it was barely hanging on to his shoulders. The helm was thin, two good kicks and it would crush his skull. Deciding I needed to get him on the ground, I figured a good loud yell and a frontal attack would take him off guard. I just had to hope Grant would underestimate me and hang back long enough for me to take that guy out. Or that Garrett planned to throw that knife into Grant's eye.
I yelled, lunging at the man and knocking him down. I jumped up and stomped on his face five times, crushing his helm and his head. Glancing up at Grant I saw a small handle had sprouted from his eye as he staggered then fell to the ground. I grabbed the sword and shield, strapping it to my arm and facing the third opponent only to find Garrett standing over his lifeless body, yanking his blades out of his chest. I smiled, catching my breath.
"Well," I said, "that was fun. I killed one with my bare hands and you killed two with blades. I think that makes us even." I shrugged and dropped the weapons I had taken then started rummaging through their pockets. I felt a pouch and yanked it free, tossing it to get an idea on its weight. "Ooh, I think there may be a sovereign in there!" Garrett laughed and shook his head, taking the pouch and tossing it himself.
"Wishful thinking love," he winked as he handed it back to me and searched Grant. He pulled a piece of paper from inside his chest piece and sighed. "So it's true." I looked over his shoulder at the paper and gasped.
"That is a terrible likeness, I should complain!" I huffed as I yanked it out of his hand. It was a drawing of me on a wanted poster, claiming a reward for my live capture. "I'm to be brought straight to the fort then. Well," I said as I rolled it up and held it to the flame of one of the lamps that lit the dock, "there goes my dream of safe passage." The paper lit and I watched it burn, imagining it was Anora's gown catching fire and burning her to a crisp. "Ugly bitch." Garrett put his hand on my shoulder.
"Come on, let's get some food," he said as he nodded his head toward Trudy's Inn. I looked from him to the paper burning in my hand.
"Amazing, isn't it?" I asked. "One thing was changed in the story line, only one. Me. And yet the ripples spread out and become waves of change in so many places." I walked over to the edge of the water and dropped what remained of the paper in. "I wonder if it will affect the other story lines."
"Wait," Garrett said as he approached me, "there are OTHER story lines?" I nodded, still watching the paper as it sank into the blackness of the ocean.
"Isabela is part of one," I said as I turned to look at him. "She is a very critical part of one as a matter of fact. Does she work for a man named Castillon?" Garrett nodded. "Good. Hopefully I don't fuck that one up."
"What does Castillon have to do with anything?" he asked. I smiled and shook my head.
"Oh no you don't, I'm still hungry and I am not having this conversation on an empty stomach." I gave him a playful shove and started toward the inn. Garrett came up behind me and slapped me square on the ass. I shrieked and jabbed his shoulder, both of us laughing as we walked in the door.