The road leading out of Lothering proved to be very eventful. Two dwarves were being attacked by darkspawn. It was worrisome, realizing the creatures were this close to civilization.

We made quick work of them, there weren't so many we couldn't handle them. One did get close to the older dwarf. A blade flying through the air spared him death, though.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" the older dwarf, Bodahn cried several times. His son, Sandal, wore a silly smile and clapped his hands, "Enchantment!"

"How can we repay you? Perhaps we should travel with you. Yes! That's an excellent idea!"

I shook my head, smiling ruefully, "You wouldn't want to travel with Grey Wardens, would you?"

That silenced him, making him blink a few times, "Oh. Yeah, that might be too much excitement. Still, there must be something we can do!?"

Leaving it up to the others, I shrugged and skipped away, Seraphine trailing after me.

I ignored the muffled talking, the haggling (I assumed). Alistair and Leliana could handle that much.

The group met me by the outskirts. I'd been sure to stay within sight, so Alistair would know where the only other Grey Warden in Ferelden was and not panic. Or freak out. Or cry. More than not, he would probably laugh to cover up any anxiety.

When they caught up to me, Alistair gave me a look that promised we were going to talk the first chance we got.

Sure enough, as soon as camp had been made, he came over to me and asked for me to follow. His tone let it be known there would be no getting out of it.

"What were you thinking today?" he frowned down at me, arms crossed over his chest.

I shrugged, staring at the ground, "She proved useful, didn't she? She can get us in to places we otherwise couldn't, since she's a Chantry sister, right?"

"Be that as it may, what about the Qunari? The Revered Mother said he'd slaughtered an entire family. Without remorse."

"I know." I heard his sharp intake of breath, "But that just means he was living on borrowed time in Lothering. In that cage, a fearsome warrior would have died without being put to good use. Here, with us, he might die killing darkspawn. The monsters he takes down with him are ones we don't have to contend with. Ones that won't be around to take innocent lives." I raised my chin defiantly, "Aren't Grey Wardens supposed to prevent people from dying and stop the Blight? How are we going to do that, if we don't take help when it's offered on a silver platter? Grey Wardens do what is necessary. No matter the cost, right? Or am I wrong…?"

Dropping my gaze, I kicked at the ground, hoping the tears pricking my eyes wouldn't fall.

The senior warden let out a gusty breath, his arms dropping to his sides, "I see your point. I just…. I don't know."

"I'm not the easiest person to get along with." I sighed, "I push my boundaries. A lot. Sometimes I go too far. I-"

"Yes, but you're still a child. As old as you act, you're still young. It's hard to remember that. And it's not the you being a child that's getting to me, I swear." He held up his hands as my head snapped up, "It's just…. It's hard to explain, actually."

"You want someone else to lead, to make the decisions, so you don't have to have it on your conscious. Only, you're not entirely happy with what I've done. Not happy with me. Even on my best behavior, I seem to be doing wrong. I helped the people in that town by doing the things they couldn't. I-"

His eyes tightened, "Bandits. Spiders. Bears. Wolves. Any of them could have torn you apart. Any of them could have killed you. You need to think about that before you just run off. We might be the only two Grey Wardens left in all of Ferelden."

"I'm not denying that. I'm not arguing that. But those people were scared and hurting. I just did what I thought was right. I did what you would have done. And I made money. I more than made up for what I spent on-"

"That's what you were worried about?" he threw his hands up in exasperation, "That's…. What…. Really?! You could have waited for us, or at the very least have gotten the hound!"

I stomped my foot, my hands balling in to fists, "Don't treat me like I'm a child!" I screamed at him, tears flowing now, "I'm a Grey Warden, too!"

With that, I turned and fled the camp.

I didn't run far, just far enough to be alone. No prying eyes. No one to yell at me. No one to disappoint.

Sitting in the higher branches of one of many trees surrounding us, I hugged my knees close to my chest and cried softly. I wasn't used to being treated like that. Like I was so fragile that I had no right to partake in fighting. I was a Grey Warden now. That had to count for something, no? I mean…. They didn't let just anyone join the organization, so I know I hadn't been a case of pity.

The night passed me by, the sky slowly starting to lighten, as I sat there. I didn't want to go back. I'd made such a scene. I was so embarrassed, thinking about it. I needed to figure my fellow warden out. Maybe he was like that with everyone. If that was it, then I could ignore him when he started lecturing me. He had tried to tell Leliana no, hadn't he? Was it because she was a woman? Hmm….

With a sigh, I jumped, landing gracefully in a crouch and made my way back. Reluctantly. First thing I would do is apologize to Alistair.

"There you are." Leliana's voice drifted toward me from the fire.

I smiled hesitantly, "Here I am. Where is Alistair?"

She nodded to his tent, "He's gathering his things to go out in search of you."

"Thank you." I murmured, heading that way.

To my death.

As I approached, I could hear him muttering to himself. Steeling everything within me, I raised my hand to knock on the fabric, but the tent flap pulled aside.

His eyes met mine, and he jumped, cursing, "Maker's breath! You can't just sneak up on people like that…. Wait. You're back. Where were you? Are you alright?"

He grabbed my shoulders, looking me over for any injuries, "I'm fine." A raised eyebrow at my cool tone, "I wanted to apologize for yesterday. I shouldn't have run off like that. I was out of line."

"It's okay." I tensed as he pulled me in for a hug, "I was wrong to yell. I should have kept my head. I didn't even realize you hadn't come back until I woke up a little while ago. I was just about to go looking for you, but you're here now, so it's okay. And you're sure you're alright?" he held me at arm's length to study me again.

"I-I'm fine. I already told you." I stuttered, unused to people actually caring about my well being. I quickly recovered, "I can't promise I won't do things like that again, though. I'll do whatever I have to, whatever I am able, no matter what."

Both eyebrows shot up at that, his eyes widening slightly, "Alright. Well…. How about you tell me beforehand? Would that work?"

I mulled it over, "If there's time, then I'll try. But, again, I make no promises."

He nodded, squeezing my shoulders, "This went better than I thought it would. I was prepared to grovel." A childish grin stretched across his face.

I raised an eyebrow, mimicking him earlier, "Groveling? I guess I was scarier than I'd thought."

A chuckle rumbled through him, "Nah. I just remember being your age. I was a handful. Much worse than you."

"Really?"

"Oh, yeah. Of course, if didn't help that I was raised by dogs."

"Dogs?"

"Flying dogs."

"Your mother must have been a bitch." The words tumbled from my mouth.

A look of surprise flashed across his face before he burst out laughing, "That's a good one! I'll have to remember that and use it next time."

I giggled, shaking my head at him, "You're a dork."

"That's better than being called an idiot."

"Who calls you that?" I frowned.

"Just about everyone."

"Why?"

"Because he is one, of course." Morrigan chimed in, nearing us.

"Oh, hello, you sneaky witch thief." Alistair countered.

"Your words wound me deeply…. Idiot." She flounced away.

"Good morning, Morrigan!" I shouted at her back.

She grumbled the sentiment back. I think.

"Anyway, we should eat, then pack up camp."

"I agree." My stomach growled, "And so does my stomach. Well. Nice to see we're on the same page, there." I patted my belly.

He released my shoulders, holding out a hand and motioning me to go first, "After you."

...

At one point, Alistair asked me about the dress.

I tapped my leather breast plate, "Would you be more willing to let your guard down around a child in full armor or a dress?"

"Point taken. But…. You didn't fight in that dress. You changed after."

I shook my head, correcting his assumption, "No. I fought in the dress."

"How…. It was pristine. There was no blood on it at all."

"I'm magic." I shrugged.

"Oh, of course. How silly of me to question that." He replied sarcastically.

"I'm a stealthy rogue. I'm quick on my feet. Aside from that ogre, I am excellent at dodging." I pirouetted nimbly as an example.

"It's true. You were amazing when you fought in Lothering." Alistair and I glanced at the Chantry sister as she came up between us, "I saw the whole thing."

A smile turned up a corner of my mouth, "I was wondering. I'd felt two pairs of eyes on me."

"You're more intuitive than I'd thought." She clapped her hands excitedly, "I would love to see what you can do! May we spar soon? Maybe the next time we set camp?"

Alistair opened his mouth, and Leliana turned to him, unleashing hopeful puppy dog eyes on him. He swallowed hard.

"I would like that very much." I interceded, "I'd love to learn from you."

Her eyes widened in surprise as she glanced back at me, "From me?"

"You're a rogue, too. I can see it. You barely make a sound when you walk, and you're fleet footed." I praised.

"I would be honored to teach you what I know, Grey Warden!" she smiled happily, "It is settled, then! Tonight, after we've set camp, we shall have a bit of fun!"

She dashed off, going to ask Morrigan and Sten if they would like to participate, I assumed, leaving Alistair and I alone once again.

"She's nonstop." He sighed, "I trust your judgement, though. You were right, when you said she could be an asset. I'm still not sure about the Qunari-"

"He has a name." I murmured.

"joining us, but I'm trying to let it go." He pretended I hadn't spoken.

I rolled my eyes, "Now who's the child?" I asked under my breath, then said a little louder, "At least you're trying."

"We're both children." He laughed.

I grinned, "How much farther to Redcliffe? We've been travelling for days."

"It shouldn't take that much longer. Maybe tomorrow night? The next day, at the latest." He estimated.

"Ah, okay. That's not too bad."

Several hours later found Leliana and me sizing each other up. Circling. Our weapons drawn.

She launched herself at me, arching through the air like a pouncing cat. I easily side stepped and danced away.

"Are you afraid to face me, now that we've begun?" she taunted cruelly.

"Come now, sister, it's impolite to talk to children that way." I shot back.

A steely glint in her eyes, she darted toward me, swiping her daggers at my head and midriff. I laughed as I dodged, teasing her by staying just out of reach.

Swiftly, she picked up her bow and fired rapidly. Her patience wore thin as she missed arrow after arrow by mere millimeters.

"Come at me, child!" she shouted as she pulled her blades free again, settling in to her stance.

Instead, I turned on my heel and fled, leaving her to chase after me. She yelled in frustration, her voice trailing after me. Calling me a child over and over. Without warning, I launched myself backward, landing lightly on my feet. Behind her. My sudden move threw her just long enough for me to put the tip of my blade against the back of her neck.

"Dead." I murmured, my voice soft. My tone deadly.

She froze, her eyes wide when she finally swung her head around to meet mine, "Amazing." She breathed.

The rest of our companions watched silently. Morrigan looked curious. Sten, intrigued. Seraphine barked happily from the sidelines. Alistair, though, I couldn't read.