Author's Note: The story Leliana tells is called Alindra and her Soldier, and you can get to hear it if you romance her. Obviously nobody is romancing her here, but it seems appropriate, regardless. Rainesfere is a city mentioned in-game (Teagan is Bann of the area) and Vintiver is from the Blood of Ferelden tabletop expansion. It's east of Lothering, along the West Road, I believe.

Chapter 23 - Leaving Lothering

The trip out of Lothering was about as exciting as the trip in. They had easily gotten the key from the Revered Mother with Leliana's help- it appeared that the qunari made everyone nervous, and Serena doubted they wouldn't appreciate seeing the back of him. Honestly, Serena didn't blame them. The man was difficult at every turn, and for such a seemingly quiet man, he sure had a lot in the way of opinions.

While leaving, refugees had once again accosted their group, only these had been brandishing weapons rather than words. Luckily, Leliana had talked them out of harming anyone. Serena pleaded with them to move on from the little town, that it's location, so close to the Wilds, would surely bring darkspawn upon their heads before long. With the army gone, they would be without any protection.

"And where shall we go, then?" one of the refugees had said.

"Rainesfere to the west, or Vintiver, or... or South Reach," Serena replied, thinking quickly. "Any would be larger than here, and more likely to be able to take you in. Please, just take your families and go! This town is not safe from the Blight, I assure you." After that, the refugees had scattered, mumbling curses and other things. Yes, Serena was nothing but glad to lead the way out of Lothering. What a miserable little town.

But barely back onto the Imperial Highway, Peanut began to bark wildly, dashing forward around a bend.

"That mutt is a problem, truly," Morrigan muttered to Serena, pulling her staff. "He probably saw a squirrel or some other dead thing he can place in my tent."

"No, it's..." Serena touched her head where a burning headache had begun.

"It's darkspawn," Alistair answered, sprinting after the hound. He had his sword drawn already, disappearing around the bend.

A group of at least six darkspawn were attacking a large merchant's cart with their rusted weapons. Two dwarves were shouting and racing around the cart, desperately trying to avoid them. Soon the blonde one simply crawled under the wagon altogether, watching as the other dwarf continued running. Serena realized he was the one doing all the shouting.

Peanut was already engaged with two of the beasts, while Alistair took on another with his sword. Reaching them, Serena pulled her bow, shooting one in the face and another in the leg as her mabari ripped its throat out. Leliana, too, had taken out her sword and was pummeling one of the smaller creatures across the face with the blade.

Beside her, Serena could see Morrigan casting, a bolt of what looked like frost shot out of the end of her staff, freezing one of the fat darkspawn in its tracks. Sten stood beside the witch, taller than even the largest darkspawn; he plowed forward and punched the frozen fiend, shattering it into pieces.

Serena loosened another few arrows from her bow and then they were done as quickly as they had begun. Pulling one of her arrows from a downed darkspawn, she inspected the tip for damage. Black ichor clung to it, but otherwise, the arrow was perfect. She popped it back into her quiver, moving around the small battlefield to collect the rest. Perhaps the tainted arrows could be used against other enemies as effectively as another poison?

"Mighty timely arrival there, my friend!" One of the dwarves waved to Serena, his braided beard twisting into a grin. "I'm much obliged. The name's Bodahn Feddic, merchant and entrepreneur." He put an arm around the young blonde dwarf coming up behind him. "This here is my son, Sandal. Say hello, my boy."

The boy peered at Serena, his eyes wide and dull. "Hello."

"Road's been mighty dangerous these days," Bodahn continued, completely unfazed by his son's obvious simplemindedness. "Mind if I ask what brings you out here? Perhaps we're going the same way."

"I... we're headed to Redcliffe, presently," Serena replied, glancing at Alistair for confirmation. "You're welcome to come along, we could certainly use the-"

"Wait, now we're picking up dwarves?" Morrigan huffed. "What is this, a caravan of misfits?"

Serena frowned at her and continued to Bodahn as if she hadn't spoken. "You're welcome to come along if you'd like, Mister Feddic. We could... offer you protection in exchange for access to your goods?"

"Ah, I suspect there's more excitement on your path than my boy and I can handle," the dwarf said, considering her proposition. "But your rescue here was rather timely... perhaps we'll just accompany you to Redcliffe, see how it goes on the road. And of course, I can offer you all a great discount on my goods, for your help."

"Fantastic," Serena said, shaking the dwarf's hand. She could hear Morrigan's irritated sigh behind her but pointedly ignored it. "So... Shall we help you clean up this mess so we can get back on the road?"

Alistair hadn't foreseen how very crowded camp could become now that they'd added two new companions and a merchant wagon to their little party. The dwarves both slept in their wagon just beyond the firelight of their camp. While the qunari, Sten, seemed perfectly content on his own, or even stranger, in the company of Morrigan at her bizarre tent contraption, Leliana had preferred to camp near him and Serena.

Admittedly, that left little time for him to speak to Serena alone.

"So, you were born in Orlais?" Serena asked. "What made you come to Ferelden? And to Lothering of all places..." She wrinkled her nose, as if the memory of the village they'd just left had caused a disgusting smell to linger in the air.

"It is a long story," Leliana replied, stirring her stew slowly. "But my mother was from Ferelden. Denerim, actually. It was during the occupation when she came to work for an Orlesian noble. When Orlais was defeated by King Maric, the common folk began to resent the presence of any Orlesian, and so the lady returned to Orlais taking my mother with her to Val Royeaux."

"That is when I was born, when my mother went back with Lady Cecilie. But... Mother died when I was very young," she continued, sighing. "Lady Cecilie let me stay with her... I had no one else. She was quite old then, and she had me study music and dance to entertain her. That is where I learned how to play this." Leliana tapped the flat front of her nearby lute with a stylish boot.

"Oh, I absolutely love the sound of a lute," Serena replied, smiling happily. "Back in Highever, every fall we would have a harvest festival, with music and dancing..." She paused, and Alsitair could see her cheeks reddening in the firelight. He loved when she would relate stories from her childhood, she always looked so happy. "When I was little, I thought it was for me, since it happened so close to my birthday."

"When is your birthday?" Leliana asked, setting her bowl down and picking up the lute. She strummed it gently a few times, frowning, then put it back down. "That needs to be tuned badly..." she murmured.

"The 15th of September," Serena said. "I'll be 19. It's not a big deal, but my nephew Oren's... his birthday was the week before, and we were going to have a double party. He was going to be ten. I... told him you only turn ten once..." Alistair saw her quickly wipe at her eyes. He leaned over, putting an arm around her.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Leliana said, placing one of her hands on Serena's knee consolingly. "It is always so very hard when we lose those we are close to, especially when they are young."

"Yes, he was... such a sweet boy. I was... supposed to teach him to shoot." Serena leaned into Alistair's embrace, and he could feel her relax a bit against his chest. Her hand searched for his and grasped it gently. "I miss them all, but it's getting easier."

"If you don't mind me asking... was it darkspawn? Is that why you became a Grey Warden?"

"No, it was... it was... an evil man who my father thought was his friend." Alistair felt her hand squeeze his unconsciously as her sorrow was replaced with outrage. "He had his men massacre my family... Maker, who knows? If he could kill a child, he probably took everyone left in the castle..." Serena paused, ducking her head low. "I swear, if he knows what's good for him, he'll never show his face to me again."

"And if he does, we'll be right there beside you, Serena," Alistair said softly. She turned to him, staring right into his hazel eyes, and he swore to himself if Leliana hadn't been there, he would have kissed her right then. But then the moment passed, and she was shaking her head.

"Anyway, I shouldn't be bothering you two with this stuff. It's a nice night out, no need to tarnish it with crazy revenge scenarios, right?" Serena pulled away from him then, picking up their empty bowls. "I'll be right back, just going to clean these out."

Leliana looked like she wanted to stop her, but Alistair shook his head, motioning for her to let Serena go. "Sometimes, I think she sort of... needs a bit of time to herself," he whispered to the bard. "Going to the river is... basically her secret code for leave me alone while I get myself back in order. She did the same thing when she first told me about her family."

"Have you known her long?" Leliana asked. "You seem like you are very... comfortable with each other."

"Ah, yes, well, that's a complicated question," Alistair replied. He could feel his face flush a bit and tried to keep his voice steady. "I actually knew her briefly when we were young, but then I went to the monastery to train as a templar, and she..."

He paused, thinking of the right words. "She was a teyrn's daughter, so she was busy doing nobley stuff, I imagine. Learning how to run a castle and get married to a wealthy bann or whatever. Anyway... After her family... happened, she was recruited by the Grey Wardens, and we sort of met up, again."

Leliana smiled at him. "It is Fate then, no? That you two should meet up again after so many years?" The bard crossed her legs and leaned back, staring up at the stars. "You know, you two remind me of a story, about that cluster of stars over there. Would you like to hear it?"

"Yes," Alistair said simply. He leaned back on his hands, matching her pose, and listened as Leliana's light accented voice carried across the fire to him.

"A long time ago, there lived a fair maiden named Alindra. She had many suitors, but spurned them all, for she did not love them. One day, Alindra was sitting by the window in her father's castle, singing and dreaming, when her lovely voice caught the attention of a young soldier."

"Entranced by her song, the soldier drew near to Alindra's window," Leliana continued. "As their eyes met, he fell in love with her, and she with him. When Alindra told her father about the man she had chosen, he was furious, for Alindra was highborn, but her love was nothing but a common soldier. To keep them apart, he had Alindra imprisoned in the highest tower in his castle and sent her soldier to the wars."

"He imprisoned his own daughter?" Alistair asked, incredulous. "How could he... I mean, nevermind, this is just a story, right?"

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. But alas, not even a month had passed before news of the soldier's death reached Alindra. Alone in her tower, she wept for her love, and beseeched the gods to deliver her from this cruel world." Leliana paused, her eyes looking deep into the flames of their fire. Alistair thought for a moment she simply looked... terribly lonely. "So earnest was her plea, that the gods themselves were moved. They gathered Alindra into their arms and lifted her high into the heavens, where she became a star."

"They also raised up the soul of Alindra's soldier love, and there he dwells, across the horizon from her." Leliana raised a slender arm and pointed to a collection of dusty stars in the sky. "The bale of stars between them is a river of Alindra's tears, cried for her lost love. They say that when Alindra has cried enough, she will be able to cross the river, to be reunited with her soldier."

"I... that wasn't very happy," Alistair said. He didn't want to think about why this story reminded her of him and Serena. Did she think they were... that they were together? Or if they were to get together eventually, that it was somehow doomed?

"Ah, but it is one of my favorites regardless." Leliana sighed wistfully. "A tale of a love so great and so enduring that it defies death and moves the gods to action..."

"Yes, but... they both died. And before that, they weren't exactly a happy couple."

"I think perhaps you are missing the overall message," Leliana said sagely, a small smile on her face. "But nevertheless, it is a good story."

"What is a good story?" Serena had returned, carrying their clean bowls. She sat back down at the fire near Alistair. He glanced quickly into her face, but she'd already turned away. "You know, Bodahn was just telling me a story about his son. Did you know he can do enchantments? Isn't that bizarre?"

"I thought dwarves couldn't work magic?" Alistair said. "Something about them being too connected to the stone or... I don't know."

"Yes, that's exactly what I thought, too, but Bodahn said he thought maybe he was lyrium-addled. He had him tested by the Circle, even." Serena fingered one of her dagger sheaths longingly. "Bodahn said he could do just about anything we asked. I was thinking about asking Morrigan about what kinds of magic would enhance a weapon."

"Might be helpful to look into, before we reach Redcliffe." Alistair grabbed his pack, pulling out a small map. "I was looking into it earlier, and I think we're somewhere around here, abouts. I recognize these hills, anyway." He traced the line of the Imperial Highway up past Lothering and west to Lake Calenhad. "We should be in Redcliffe by late tomorrow, or maybe early morning on the... what day is today?"

"It is day 27 of this month," Leliana answered. "I liked to keep an accurate calendar at the Chantry, although you can tell the approximate day by the position of certain stars."

"So, that puts us in Redcliffe late on the 28th, or early on the 29th?" Serena stared at the map, her own finger tapping the old paper thoughtfully. "I suppose we ought to turn in for the night then, hmm? Sten said he and Morrigan would take watch tonight, as long as Morrigan could rest in Bodahn's wagon tomorrow to make up for it. I think they like being up at night. Or Morrigan does, anyway."

"Well, I shall leave you both to it, then," Leliana said, picking up her lute and disappearing into her tent.

"Serena?" He put out a hand to stop her from standing. "I... could we talk, really quick?"

"Of course." She scooted closer, giving him her full attention. "You aren't going to try to kiss me again, are you?" She grinned impishly at him.

"I hadn't been planning on it, but..." He grinned back her, a slight fluttering he couldn't control starting in his stomach. "I just... wanted to say thank you. For going to Redcliffe first. The arl has done a lot for me over the years, and I feel like... I owe him, a little, you know? To see if I can help out."

Serena reached over and squeezed his hand. "It'll be fine, Alistair. Let's just focus on getting there, and then we'll deal with whatever is going on." She leaned over and for a moment Alistair thought she was going to kiss him, but she simply put a hand on his cheek and smiled. "It'll be fine."

"You're... right," he breathed. "I'll... see you in the morning then?"

"Unless I'm stolen away in the night by darkspawn," she replied, grinning again. She waved a hand, turned and headed to her own tent. "Sleep well, Alistair," she called.

Alistair sat by the fire for awhile, a nervousness settling in his stomach. He knew he should have told her then, it was the perfect moment, they were alone... and he'd... what? Brought up the arl?

He sighed, rubbing his temples. How did one tell a girl, any girl really, but for him, particularly this girl, that you weren't really just a stable boy, or a Grey Warden, or anything she had come to believe you were, but a prince? And a bastard one, at that? Who takes that kind of information well? He certainly hadn't when he was younger. Maker's breath, he didn't take it well now, and he was twenty years old!

Alistair sulked, feeling decidedly like a liar, and a bit like a coward.

"Before Redcliffe," he whispered, pulling his pack with him into his own tent. He spared a glance over at where Serena surely lay, waiting for sleep to take her, and he sighed heavily, disappearing into his own tent.