Things Done Right

"I must say, I misjudged you, your highness."

This comment caught Duran off guard as he was adjusting his bedding for the night. The camp had fallen into a quiet lull after the unsettling display of Alistair's cooking, which had, as usual, pleased not even the dog. The darkened sky above was dotted with stars, and the twin moons cast their pale light over the encampment. The only sound was the faint growl of Tamlen, who had been tethered to a tree for weeks, only fed under the strictest supervision. He was barely alive, kept on a fragile thread of hope that Duran would find a cure for his condition.

But back to the comment…

Duran stood, stretching his stiff limbs, and turned toward the voice. It was Adela. Over the past few weeks, she had grown quieter, voicing fewer objections or criticisms regarding Duran's decisions. Her silence had become almost a relief to him, even though he couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed between them.

"I believe I must have misheard you. I thought I just heard you admit a mistake," Duran said, his voice light with playful sarcasm, as he shook out his straw mattress, trying to hide the sudden curiosity that stirred within him.

Adela, leaning casually against the tree where their tents were tied, raised an eyebrow. "At least you're not as useless as I thought," she shot back, her tone a mix of wry amusement and grudging respect.

Duran finished preparing his resting spot, and gave her his full attention. The flickering light from the twin moons illuminated her silhouette, casting long shadows that softened the lines of her figure. The beauty she exuded rivaled only the grandeur of Orzammar's royal palace, a fleeting thought that made him pause. Yet, beneath the surface of this woman, the sharp-tongued and fiercely independent Adela, there had been something deeper—a quiet strength that Duran was only beginning to understand.

"Should I now feel all warm and fuzzy inside?" Duran replied with a sarcastic edge, crossing his arms over his chest, though there was no malice in his words.

Adela's gaze shifted away, her eyes sweeping over the quiet camp. "The others trust you… You've proven leadership qualities that I didn't expect from you," she said, her voice softer than he had ever heard it. Their eyes met again, and for the first time, Duran noticed the subtle vulnerability in her gaze. "You show real strength. You stand firm behind your choices, and you carry the weight of the burdens that lie ahead."

She paused, her expression shifting as if choosing her words carefully. Her eyes dropped to the ground. "And I have to admit, those qualities impress me."

Duran saw the faint flush creeping up her neck, something he would have never expected to see on someone like her. He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What happened to the Adela I used to know? The one who questioned every decision we made? Compliments where there were only judgments before?" He chuckled softly, almost to himself. "I suppose I must be doing something right, then."

Adela looked at him for a long moment before replying. "Take it as you will. I just thought you should know."

She straightened up, the faint blush on her cheeks beginning to fade. With a chuckle Duran replied: "Hmmm… I must say, I'm impressed by this change of heart. These words mean a lot more than I let on. I may not always show it, but I do value your criticisms and your thoughts, So... thank you, Adela."

She only gave a small nod and turned toward her sleeping spot.

For a moment, Duran remained standing, lost in thought. Then, as if something nudged him forward, he called out to her one last time. "And Adela?"

She hesitated, turning back toward him, her curiosity piqued.

"Your qualitities are impressive too," Duran said, his lips curling into a mischievous grin. There was a spark of playfulness in his eyes, a teasing warmth that softened the words.

Adela shook her head slightly but Duran caught the flash of a smile on her lips, a subtle one, but enough to make his heart skip a beat. In the pale light of the moons, he saw her face softened by a secret amusement, a glimpse of the woman she kept hidden beneath her tough exterior.

Without another word, she turned and walked toward her resting place.

Duran watched her retreating figure, feeling a mixture of fondness and wonder. Despite her hard shell, there was something tender inside her, something he had never quite expected. As he settled down for the night, a warm feeling spread through him, and he drifted off to sleep, his thoughts lingering on Adela, and a dream of them together dancing in the grand palace in Orzammar.