The Alistair Gush Thread: *Squee*

And to start off, my fill.

The Gift and the Curse…

Travelers often avoided the Brecilian Forest when possible. It was rumored to be haunted, full of bandits, Dalish tribes, and werewolves. Dan found out that they were not really rumors but facts, and travelers were right to be wary around the forest. He had come with his group of companions in hopes of finding one of the elusive Dalish clans to fulfill the last remaining treaty. He found one led by Zathrian, an elf many centuries old. The clan was also besieged by werewolves, which meant at the very start two of the rumors were indeed true. Zathrian asked the warden and his companions for help in resolving the werewolf problem since many of his clan had been attacked and inflicted with the curse. In their condition they could not help the wardens, and this was complicated in that the curse was spreading. Dan had agreed to help the elves, and with Leliana, Alistair, and Morrigan entered the forest to find the source, Witherfang.
While in the forest, Dan discovered another true rumor, the Brecilian Forest was indeed haunted. They were first attacked by large sylvan trees. Farther in they met with one larger tree calling itself the Grand Oak, and it was the only living tree that did speak…mostly in rhymes. It told the four companions about some of the old battles that had been fought in the forest centuries ago, and that the veil to the Fade was thin in the forest. The attacking sylvans were most likely possessed by spirits either crossed over the veil or remnants from the old battles. They later found an old camp, and upon further investigation discovered the camp was actually a trap laid by a shade hiding in wait for unwary travelers. Braving all of these perils, and coming upon a werewolf called Swiftrunner, Dan and his friends found Witherfang. Zathrian had told them Witherfang was a great white wolf that originated the curse, but in reality was the spirit of the forest bound to the wolf by Zathrian himself in revenge for the deaths of his children centuries earlier. After a brief confrontation Zathrian was convinced to end the curse he had began thereby freeing the werewolves and the Dalish recently infected.
The final rumor proved to be true when Dan, Leliana, Alistair, and Morrigan were returning from the werewolves’ lair which happened to be ruins of either an old elven or Tevinter origin. As they neared the Dalish camp bandits attacked. It was not an easy battle, and although the four were victorious they did emerge with some injuries. Alistair suffered a broken wrist on his shield arm when a large bandit fell into him. He fought most of the battle in this condition, and the wrist required more healing than magic could provide. Morrigan had doted on the former Templar trying to ease his pain using healing spells she had learned from Wynne. Morrigan herself was unhurt, and she asked Alistair if he had spent extra effort in protecting her since no bandits came close to her. Alistair denied showing her any special favor despite his proximity to her during the entire battle. Leliana suffered some minor scrapes and bruises, and Dan twisted his ankle and suffered a severe cut along the length of his arm…armpit to wrist. The latter he sustained when he blocked a rogue’s attempt to stab Leliana in the back. Leliana was able to slow the bleeding, but the group now moved as fast as they could to get Dan back to the Dalish and their healers. He was carried by Alistair using his good arm and Leliana. He was starting to lose consciousness when they reached the edge of the camp guarded by Mithra and her hunters. She led them directly to the Dalish healers where they immediately set to work saving Dan’s arm and potentially his very life. Alistair and Morrigan left the healers alone while Leliana never left Dan’s side. The healers tried to get Alistair to stay so they could work on his wrist, but he refused urging them all to concentrate on his friend, the wrist could wait.
The oft reluctant couple then split up with Morrigan heading towards the halla pens and Alistair wandering around without any clear direction. He finally settled at the campfire of the clan’s lore keeper and storyteller, Sarel. Around the fire were two elven children…one boy and one girl, Zevran, Oghren, and Lanaya who had become the new keeper upon Zathrian’s death.
“Welcome, warden,” Sarel said gesturing for Alistair to sit on one of the benches surrounding the fire. “I have not had a chance to thank you or your companions for ending the curse and saving our hunters. Keeper Lanaya has told us what happened in the Forest.”
Alistair took a seat next to Lanaya across from Zevran and Oghren. Sarel sat with the children to their right. Alistair’s head hung low as he thought about his friend possibly dying on the other side of the camp.
“Are you concerned for your friend?” Lanaya asked apparently sensing Alistair’s thoughts. He just nodded back to her. “Our healers will do everything they can to make sure he recovers fully.”
“And we have sent hunters to find Anerin, the healer,” added Sarel. “You’re mage friend told us where you had met him in the Forest. The older one, Wynne, went with the hunters.” Alistair just nodded again as he stared into the fire.
“What happened?” Zevran asked.
“Bandits attacked us on the way back,” replied the warden.
“Bloody nuglickers,” chimed in Oghren. “We should have all gone instead of just the four of you. I bet then none of us would have gotten hurt.”
“Or more of could have,” Alistair replied throwing some dirt into the fire. “Dan figured a small party would have been better than a larger one, and I agreed with him. I still do…it was the right call.”
“I agree as well,” Zevran added. “A lager group could have posed more problems than was necessary, my hairy friend.” Oghren scoffed at Zevran’s reply and crossed his arms. Zevran then turned to Alistair. “How was Dan injured, if I may ask?”
Alistair was quiet for a moment. He then looked up at the assassin with a tear in his eye. “He was fighting a bandit when another one came up behind Leliana. She was aiming her bow at one of their archers and didn’t see this one coming. Dan threw out his left arm and blocked the bandits swing. I don’t know where his dagger was, but Dan didn’t have it in his hand when he blocked the bandit’s…” he paused. “He just stuck his arm out.”
The elf and dwarf nodded their understanding. Sarel bent over to whisper in one of the children’s ear, and Lanaya looked questioningly at Alistair.
“Why would he do that? Is she special to him?”
“Very much so,” Zevran answered as Alistair just looked into the fire. “They have been very close for a very long time.”
“Is she his mate?” one of the children asked. It was the boy.
“Might as well be,” answered Oghren drawing a leery glare from Zevran. “What? Those two are always kissing. Even when I first met them, and we went into the Deep Roads they were always stopping to kiss each other. I could have sworn if there weren’t darkspawn everywhere they would have…”
“There are children present,” Zevran said as he backhanded Oghren across the shoulder. He then looked back at the child who had asked the question. “If you are asking if they are man and wife…no, they are not. I think they would if we were not fighting the blight, but to answer your question…no, they are not married…as the humans call it.”
“She stays by him while the healers work on him. She must feel the same about him,” the child responded.
“She does. And if their roles had been reversed she would have done the exact same thing he did. And then it would be him staying with her as she does with him,” Zevran said.
The other child looked at Alistair. “Is that how you broke your hand? Is the dark haired mage your mate?”
When Alistair did not answer instead appearing to have not heard the question, Oghren looked at the girl. “Well…they did have…” Zevran backhanded him across the shoulder a second time. “What?!”
“Children,” Zevran stated. He then looked at the girl who had asked the question. “They are friends much like I imagine the two of you are.” He motioned to the boy sitting on the other side of Sarel from the girl.
“He’s not my friend. He pulls my hair and calls me flat ear.”
“I do not!”
“You do so!”
“Children, please try to remember we are amongst guests to our camp,” interrupted Sarel.
“It is quite alright,” Zevran said. “And he is much the same way with her,” he said to the two children.
“He pulls her hair too?”
“I am sure he did when they were…”Oghren started when Zevran smacked him a third time. Oghren turned on the elf. “You do that one more time…” to which Zevran motioned again to the children. Oghren then got up to leave. “Sodding, no good, fun spoiling, Antivan…” his swearing trailed of as he left their earshot.
“I apologize,” Zevran said to the Dalish sitting with them. “In defense of his race, not all dwarves are like him. He just recently came to the surface, and it’s an entirely new experience to him.”
“He is under a lot of stress,” Sarel said. “If you will excuse me, I must help with the preparations for the evening meal. Children, you will come with me.”
“Awwww…do we have to?” both asked together.
“Do as Hairen Sarel says,” Lanaya chimed in. The three left the fire. Lanaya then turned to Zevran and Alistair. “I think I will leave you two alone and check on how our healers are doing with your friend. Dareth shiralle.”
When the two men were alone, Zevran noticed Alistair had not looked away from the fire or acknowledged the others had left. He still sat with his shoulders slumped and head hung low.
“Alistair?” No response. “Alistair?” When he did not respond again Zevran picked up a twig and hurled it at the warden. It bounced off the top of his head.
“Huh?” he finally responded.
“Are you ok, Alistair? You have been very quiet.”
“I’m sorry,” he started and looked around to see there was no one left but Zevran. “Where’d everyone go?”
“Oghren was being an ass and basically drove everyone off. But what’s the matter with you? You feeling ok? Is your wrist bothering you?”
“It’s hurts, but that’s not what is bothering me,” Alistair replied. “I keep seeing that cut in my mind. The blood…so much blood.”
“Blood? We’ve been surrounded by blood everywhere we go.”
“But not like this. Not from one of us. Not from him.” Alistair looked back down at the fire as he spoke. “He didn’t even cry out when he was cut…he just winced…and then fell…his sword in the chest of the one bandit. Leliana turned and thrust her dagger into the one that cut Dan. She tried to catch him…couldn’t catch him…she was crying…there was blood everywhere…his blood…” He looked back up and Zevran was now beside him on the bench. “He’s like my brother, you know. So much blood…”
“You’ve lost others before close to you, no?”
“He’s not dead!”
“I didn’t say he is, but you are acting like it is so.” Zevran reached up to place his hand on Alistair’s shoulder. “He is in good hands. Better than you can imagine. He will be ok. You got him back here, and they will do the rest.”
“I just should have…I don’t know,” Alistair lamented. “After all we have been through we’ve never had something like this come up. It’s not like it was with Duncan. I miss Duncan a great deal, but I didn’t see him hurt like that. But when we were carrying Dan back here, I could feel the life ebbing from him, see the trail of blood that even a child could follow. I’ve never had someone this close to me hurt like this where I could see it happening.”
“He’ll be fine. You did what you could. He would not want to see you like this. And how do you think Leliana feels right now? The man she loves more than anyone is lying there next to her. She’ll need you to lean on while Dan recovers. She’ll need you strong because you are Dan’s closest friend. And believe it or not that makes you hers as well.”
“Really? Are you certain.”
“As certain as I am sitting here talking to you now. At times like this you need me I am here for you. Be strong for her during this time when you are around her, and when you are not, come to me and I will be here for you. This I swear.”
“Thank you, Zevran. It means a lot. And you’re right. I hadn’t thought about how she’s feeling, but you’re right.”
The two men sat alone by the fire for a while longer. Eventually they left to check on Dan’s progress, and true to Zevran’s words he was healing. When they reached the area Leliana got up from her vigil by Dan’s side and wrapped her arms around Alistair. She said nothing, and Alistair returned her hug as he looked to Zevran who only smiled and nodded. Leliana then let go and returned to Dan’s side, and a healer came to Alistair to begin work on his wrist. He had almost forgotten it, but quickly remembered when the healers began applying their various techniques. Zevran stayed by his side until the healers caused Alistair to fall asleep. He then left to walk the camp alone. He watched as various people went about doing their individual things. He finally came to a quiet corner and began to cry. Not only did he cry for his friends who were hurting, but for himself. Before he met them he was a Crow, and death was just a part of his life. But then there was Reina, and his perspective on his life began to change. And now he had friends like he had never known he could have. The people who he would normally turn to for help in times like this were the ones needing his help. He found himself in an awkward and lonely place. But he told himself he had to be strong now for them as well as for himself, and he then realized he was in the same place Dan walked every day. Everyone looked to Dan for help and support, guidance and leadership. But now he was the one filling the role Dan usually occupied. Did Dan do this when things got bad? Hide somewhere to let his feelings run and his tears to flow? He knew Dan leaned on Leliana for support, so it was not quite the same as he was experiencing now. Perhaps that was Dan’s secret and his gift. But to Zevran right now it also felt like a curse. If so, perhaps he had more to learn for his leader. Perhaps it was time for him to find someone special as well. He returned to the busy areas of the camp and watched the people around him. Yes, he decided, perhaps when this was over a partner…a true partner…was just what he needed.

The Alistair Gush Thread: Squee

#34676
RagingCyclone

Posté 06 septembre 2011 - 07:34

#34677
Merilsell

Posté 07 septembre 2011 - 07:12

#34678
java_jive_girl

Posté 07 septembre 2011 - 10:04

#34679
theskymoves

Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 01:27

#34680
RagingCyclone

Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 02:15

#34681
gingergen

Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 04:11

#34682
java_jive_girl

Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 05:48

#34683
Guest_AmbraAlhambra_*

Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 05:54

#34684
FaWa

Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 06:08

#34685
rak72

Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 06:36

#34686
Maricsblade

Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 11:36

#34687
hobbit of the shire

Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 11:56

#34688
Penarddun

Posté 09 septembre 2011 - 12:11

#34689
Maricsblade

Posté 09 septembre 2011 - 01:14

#34690
RagingCyclone

Posté 09 septembre 2011 - 04:30

#34691
RagingCyclone

Posté 09 septembre 2011 - 04:38

#34692
theskymoves

Posté 09 septembre 2011 - 04:42

#34693
RagingCyclone

Posté 09 septembre 2011 - 04:57

#34694
theskymoves

Posté 09 septembre 2011 - 09:17

#34695
theskymoves

Posté 12 septembre 2011 - 02:13

#34696
RagingCyclone

Posté 12 septembre 2011 - 03:45

#34697
rak72

Posté 12 septembre 2011 - 03:50

#34698
RagingCyclone

Posté 12 septembre 2011 - 03:56

#34699
Avorous

Posté 14 septembre 2011 - 01:20

#34700
theskymoves

Posté 14 septembre 2011 - 03:14

#34676 RagingCyclone Posté 06 septembre 2011 - 07:34

#34677 Merilsell Posté 07 septembre 2011 - 07:12

#34678 java_jive_girl Posté 07 septembre 2011 - 10:04

#34679 theskymoves Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 01:27

#34680 RagingCyclone Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 02:15

#34681 gingergen Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 04:11

#34682 java_jive_girl Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 05:48

#34683 Guest_AmbraAlhambra_* Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 05:54

#34684 FaWa Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 06:08

#34685 rak72 Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 06:36

#34686 Maricsblade Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 11:36

#34687 hobbit of the shire Posté 08 septembre 2011 - 11:56

#34688 Penarddun Posté 09 septembre 2011 - 12:11

#34689 Maricsblade Posté 09 septembre 2011 - 01:14

#34690 RagingCyclone Posté 09 septembre 2011 - 04:30

#34691 RagingCyclone Posté 09 septembre 2011 - 04:38

#34692 theskymoves Posté 09 septembre 2011 - 04:42

#34693 RagingCyclone Posté 09 septembre 2011 - 04:57

#34694 theskymoves Posté 09 septembre 2011 - 09:17

#34695 theskymoves Posté 12 septembre 2011 - 02:13

#34696 RagingCyclone Posté 12 septembre 2011 - 03:45

#34697 rak72 Posté 12 septembre 2011 - 03:50

#34698 RagingCyclone Posté 12 septembre 2011 - 03:56

#34699 Avorous Posté 14 septembre 2011 - 01:20

#34700 theskymoves Posté 14 septembre 2011 - 03:14

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