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[RagingCyclone]

Prompt:

While in Lothering...

[theskymoves]

tklivory wrote...

A late entry for the prompt (yes, I know I already put in an entry, be quiet;))

A link only, since the first one was long enough as it is. 

(All right, I'll be honest, this was originally for the ZevThread prompt, but I really liked it, and it has a F!Warden/Alistair romance, so....)

Enjoy!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Archdemon

Warning: there be limericks ahead!  And Shale!

I read this last night, well on my way through a not-half bad bottle of Australian chardonnay, and was laughing like a loon. Well met, tklivory! Well met!

And while it is (1) late; (2) not up to the standard set by the regular Challenge participants, and (3) admittedly stretches the bounds of the prompt, I submit for your consideration this bit of nonsense from over at my Tumblr:

Can we keep her?

pax~
tsm

Modifié par theskymoves, 28 novembre 2011 - 04:21 .

[RagingCyclone]

For the ToP I got...and to make up for the previous ToP:


TSM: I like that prompt.

Modifié par RagingCyclone, 29 octobre 2011 - 04:23 .

[theskymoves]

RagingCyclone wrote...



Prompt:

While in Lothering...

Heh! My drabble fits this prompt, too! This prompt stuff is easier than I thought! *runs away*

[RagingCyclone]

lol...it does tsm. ;P

And here is mine:

While in Lothering…

The four newly acquainted companions browsed the few shops left in Lothering. After the Bann had left with his men to the north to follow Loghain, many of the people in the village were busy packing what belongings they could to leave themselves. News of the darkspawn victory over King Cailan and the Grey Wardens had already reached the village by the time Dan, Alistair, and Morrigan had arrived. First it was bandits on the roads around the village. Then it was the group of men left behind by Loghain to eliminate any wardens that may have survived. It was when they ambushed the trio in Dane’s Refuge that the former chantry sister Leliana came to join their party. There was also the rumor around the village about a Quanari who had murdered a nearby family of farmers, but they had yet to see this person.
The two women were at another shop while Dan and Alistair checked out the lone smithy in the village. What armor they had left was ragged and torn from the battle at Ostagar, and their swords were in definite need of sharpening. They also wanted to get some armor and weapons for the two women. Morrigan was a mage, so her needs would be on the lighter end, and Leliana was quite adept at daggers. She had shown this skill while helping the trio in Dane’s Refuge, and when Dan asked her where a chantry sister would acquire such skills, she casually mentioned she had been a minstrel and learned the skills along her travels. She was also quite adept at using a bow, and Dan had lent her his when they dealt with the remaining bandits outside the village for Ser Bryant of the local Templars. There was something about the redhead that intrigued Dan, and he was still trying to figure that out while he looked through the bows that the smithy had left in his shop. Alistair was looking to replace his Templar shield, or at least remove the heraldry that adorned its main side.
“What should I replace the sunburst with?” he asked Dan.
“I wouldn’t replace it with anything. The less attention we draw to ourselves, the better.”
“That’s true I suppose. But a blank shield might draw questions.”
“And a heralded shield will draw more like ‘why aren’t you with your unit?’ and ‘who did you steal that shield from?’” was Dan’s reply.
“Good point.” Alistair turned to the smithy, “Just take that one off and leave it blank if at all possible.” The smithy set to work while Alistair turned his attention back to Dan examining the bows. “See anything that works for you? I noticed there was a nice crossbow over there next to the helms.”
“Crossbows are slow. I’ve never liked them. I prefer longbows, myself.”
“I never could hit the target with one. Crossbows I like much better. More power and they can go through armor.”
“But too slow.” Dan replied while examining an elm longbow. Alistair just looked at Dan and stuck his tongue out. “You keep that up it’ll dry out.”
“How did you know what I was doing?”
“What do you think I do when I’m behind your back?” Both men shared a laugh and resumed their shopping. “I need a good bow to replace the one I gave to Leliana.”
“I thought you were looking for one for Leliana. Why does she have yours? I thought you just lent it to her.”
“I’m thinking of just giving it to her.”
“What?” Alistair asked while pulling on Dan’s shoulder to look him in the face. “You’re going to give her that bow? Isn’t it one from Antiva that you said your father gave to you? Made of dragonthorn?”
“Yes. But she’s a much better archer than I am, and she could make better use of it. Plus, it’s not like she’s going to be anywhere far away.”
Alistair looked Dan in the eye, and saw something. “You’re sweet on her, aren’t you?”
“What? We just met her. Don’t be ridiculous. Sweet on her?” he scoffed and turned back to examine a yew longbow.
“Don’t give me that…you like her…I mean like really ‘like’ her.” Alistair teased. Dan stayed silent. “Well? Aren’t you going to say something?”
“I think I prefer this one made of yew. I like the grip better than the one made of elm.”
“Don’t ignore me! You’re sweet on the girl, aren’t you?” Alistair continued.
Dan turned to the smithy, “I’ll take this yew longbow here. Do you have any daggers?” to which the smithy pointed Dan to the opposite side of the room. Dan walked over to a long table that held a small assortment of swords ranging from greatswords all the way to small knives. They were aligned on the table in no particular order, so he began the arduous task of looking for daggers and short swords that might best suit the petite redhead. Alistair followed him waiting for an answer to his question, but Dan still ignored him as he examined a pair of daggers he found with dragonbone blades and ivory handles.
“Oh, sure, ignore me. I’m just the insignificant warden standing here. The only other warden in all of Ferelden standing right here talking to no one I guess.”
Dan held up the two daggers, “These are very nice, don’t you think?”
“Sure…and expensive.”
“She’s worth it.”
“Ha! You are sweet on her!”
“I mean…she has the skills…and she would make good use of them…why not get her the best?” Dan flushed.
“Uh huh.”
“She would!”
“Sure…whatever you say,” pressed Alistair. “I was thinking that now there are the four of us, we could pass as two couples and as long as we don’t go telling everyone we meet we’re wardens…we should be able to move fairly freely.”
“True enough. Sounds like a good idea.”
Alistair had his opening to get Dan to confess, “So I figured you would pair up with Morrigan and I would pair up with Leliana. That way people would just…”
Dan placed the daggers back on the table and spun around to look Alistair in the eye. “Why pair me with Morrigan? I mean it would make more sense with me paired with Leliana since we both are archers.”
“Annnnnd?” Alistair pressed.
“And what?”
“Annnnnd?” he leaned closer to pressure Dan. “Wouldn’t it look odd for a mage and a templar to be paired together?”
“You had the heraldry removed from our shield.”
“Not good enough.” Alistair leaned back and folded his arms across his chest. He saw beads of sweat begin to form along the top of Dan’s bald head. He had him. “Other Templars and mages would know us.”
“They can?”
“Oh, yes, very easily,” he lied. There really wasn’t a way to tell either without phylacteries, but he gambled that Dan did not know that.
“Well, then…we could say that Morrigan was your prisoner, and you were taking her back to the Circle.”
Alistair inwardly swore. He hadn’t thought of that comeback. It would be harder for him to get Dan to confess about liking Leliana than he thought. Or he could just give up trying. “Fine, have it your way then. I will pair with Morrigan, and change stories if we come across any mages or Templars. You can be paired with Leliana…assuming either woman accepts that arrangement.”
“Why wouldn’t they? Did you already talk to them about this plan of yours?”
“Not yet, but we’ll find out soon enough,” he replied deciding that he would not get a confession out of Dan this time.
Dan turned back to pick up the two daggers, and both men returned to the smithy to pay for the items and work they had purchased. They met up with the women in the refugee area of Lothering as they had planned before, and Alistair laid out his plans for their travels once they left Lothering. Leliana seemed quite impressed with the idea, and Morrigan grudgingly agreed. So the two couples proceeded to get the remainder of their needed supplies with the two women walking a short distance ahead of the men.
Alistair kept a wary eye on Dan for any hint that he might use to get Dan to admit to liking Leliana. He couldn’t really blame the other man for liking her. She was petite, had a nice sway to her walk, and her skills were quite impressive. Her accent was Orlesian, but not so bad as he had heard in the past, namely Lady Isolde from Redcliffe, Arl Eamon’s wife. Growing up he could have sworn her voice was the bane of anyone’s ears, and the screeching of crows sounded better than listening to the woman. Leliana’s was much more melodic and pleasant to the ears. She also liked to tell stories. He grew bored with them having never really like listening to stories, but Dan seemed enraptured every time she told him one. And he noticed Dan watched her a lot when she was around, especially as they two women walked in front of them. Dan gazed at Leliana as she walked. Alistair knew there was something there.
The four finished gathering their supplies, and as they made their way out of Lothering towards the main road leading to Redcliffe, they finally came across the Quanari. They listened to the man called Sten tell how he had murdered a family nearby, and did not even try to fight the authorities. He was the first Quanari Dan or Alistair had ever seen. The man seemed capable enough a fighter, and pledged to the two wardens he would fight with them to end the blight if the Revered Mother would allow it. So they headed back into Lothering to first get Ser Bryant’s take on the Quanari, and then the Revered Mother about Sten’s release. Having secured that and the key to the cage holding Sten, they proceeded back towards the outskirts and freed the Quanari. They had debated on whether to stop for more arms and armor for Sten beforehand, but they realized there would be nothing in the giant’s size available.
The five of them headed back to the road leading to Redcliffe. At the junction they met up with some darkspawn attacking a dwarf and his son. They dispatched the darkspawn quickly, and welcomed the two dwarves to their small group. That night they made camp a small ways off the road to avoid attracting any wary travelers. The dwarves were merchants and had some supplies with them including some off piece armors that fit Sten plus a tent for him to use. Since the group had saved the dwarves, there was no cost except protection from any danger that might happen upon their camp. Dan built a central campfire while the various other companions set up their tents. After the fire was built, Alistair proceeded to make what Dan hoped was a stew, and he walked the perimeter of the camp looking for any potential threats. When he was about half way done with this, Leliana had come to join him. She talked and he listened, and Alistair noticed the couple while he was cooking. He could not hear what they were talking about, but once in a while she would giggle at something Dan had said. They seemed friendly enough, but he figured Dan at least felt something more. He didn’t know Leliana well enough to say the same for her, but he had gotten to know Dan quite a bit over the past several weeks since their first meeting in Ostagar.
Morrigan walked over next to him and sniffed the pot Alistair was working on. She scrunched her nose at the aroma. “This…again?” she asked.
“What you mean ‘again’?”
“Nevermind. I notice our ‘other couple’ in your plan must not realize that plan will no longer work.”
“They’re just walking and talking. I don’t think they are necessarily thinking of the plan at the moment.”
“For her part I would have to agree.”
Alistair looked up at the witch. “For her part?” he asked.
“All she could talk about in Lothering was him. Asking me questions about what he liked, where he came from, did I know him long? I kept telling her I didn’t know him that well, but she kept asking. That girl has a crush on your friend.”
“You don’t say.”
She looked back at Alistair, “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Who says I’m not telling you anything?”
“Your tone. You know something, or at least suspect something. Does he have feelings for her?”
He looked around to make sure no one could hear him. “He wouldn’t admit it, but yeah…I think he does. He keeps staring at her. When I mentioned the plan…”
“The stupid one?” she leered.
“Yeah…that one. It does seem kind of stupid now, doesn’t it?” he chuckled.
“To the point?”
“Oh, right. Well, I mentioned he should be paired with you and me with Leliana.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes, but he wanted to be paired with her. He was pretty adamant about it. But every time I try to get him to tell me, he either ignores me or outmaneuvers me.”
“Neither of those would be hard to do.”
“Heeeey!”
“So he preferred to be with her. Interesting,” she pondered. “It does seem to imply that he feels something towards her. Nothing conclusive, but a shame really. I can’t imagine what he would see in her.”
“Is that jealousy I hear in your voice?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she retorted.
“You are jealous.”
“And your…whatever that is…is burning.”
“Ooooh!” He turned his attention back to his cooking while she turned and left towards her tent.
That night as they ate the evening meal both Alistair and Morrigan watched the blossoming couple. They sat next to each other, and when Leliana sang her songs or told her stories Dan was enthralled. And she giggled at all of his jokes, even the bad ones. Only a fool could not see they were falling for each other. And although Morrigan kept calling him one, Alistair was no fool. He didn’t need to have Dan tell he had feelings for Leliana. It was obvious for all to see when she was around. And after his talk with Morrigan, he could see the same in Leliana as well.

[tklivory]

Yay, a new prompt! *think think think*

@ tsm - Heh, love the drabble!  Completely silly and yet still in character for the group...

@ Rage - Aaaw, blossoming love story.   And some great 'Bros in the making' interaction.  Very sweet.  I really like your Dan and Leliana (i'm sure I've mentioned that before, o' course), and I also feel your Dan/Alistair writing is very true to Alistair's character.  As much as we thread-dwellers love to pair our female Wardens up with Alistair, I like to see him with a good friend, too.

[RagingCyclone]

tklivory--thanks. Most of my playing experience with Alistair is with male characters. I have done his romance a couple of times, and spared Loghain a couple of times, and dumped him for Zevran once. I have a couple of Morrigan romances also...and from all the different playthroughs use what I could find to round out the characters in my fic. It's a big reason why I feel comfortable having Ali/Mori have a one time thing due to drunkeness, or Ali fall in love with an Amell before finding his lasting love in Maggie. The stories reflect my canon or fave playthrough, but where in the game Ali remains loveless I just didn't feel that was necessary. With the fic I am not limited to the gameplay mechanics. I guess it's also why I like reading some of the other fics to see other people's interpretations of the characters outside the limitations of the game. I tend to not read as much the one's where Alistair comes off as...well for lack of a better term...a softie. All dreamy and kowtowing to the warden because as we all know he is much tougher than that. He can be sweet and loving, but he also has a stronger persona. It's especially seen when he is angry or just being a companion like a bro. It's also why I write Leliana like I do. Like Alistair she's sweet and loving, but also very tough and strong willed. It's why in the relationship between her and Dan she many times is his rock. She supports Dan in many ways as the stories progress. And Dan in many ways reflects myself even having my name (lack of imagination on that part lol) but does have his moments of weakness. I never wanted him to be a superhero never having doubts or faults. It's why in a couple of places he almost dies, and especially in Denerim where his world and strength seem to fall apart and his self doubt begin to take hold. He can only handle so much stress as a leader and bear the burdens so long before he falters. It's why my favorite parts of my writing are those in Denerim. The Animal Side in particular is my favorite where he loses complete control as I imagine many would when faced with the man who murdered your family.

Anyway...I'm rambling...so some pics to serve as a distraction:

[ShimmeringDjinn]

*Sneak in*

*Sneak out*

Modifié par ShimmeringDjinn, 31 octobre 2011 - 12:18 .

[KnightofPhoenix]

DA hands are scary.

[Hypathia]

Greetings Alistair fans;

Quick - silly question: To be queen as human noble female (in romance with Alistair), he should be hardened or it doesnt matter at all?

[ShimmeringDjinn]

Hypathia wrote...

Greetings Alistair fans;

Quick - silly question: To be queen as human noble female (in romance with Alistair), he should be hardened or it doesnt matter at all?

I don't think it matters. It will just change the epilogue slightly.
@KoP lol they certainly are.....even with mods.

Modifié par ShimmeringDjinn, 31 octobre 2011 - 02:21 .

[AnniLau]

After 6 playthroughs of DA2, I suddenly realized this weekend that I miss Alistair, so I started a new game.

(I think the catalyst may have been his "love of my life" comment when Hawke ran into him in Low Town.)

[ShimmeringDjinn]

AnniLau wrote...

After 6 playthroughs of DA2, I suddenly realized this weekend that I miss Alistair, so I started a new game.

(I think the catalyst may have been his "love of my life" comment when Hawke ran into him in Low Town.)

I didn't know he said that......But then again, I only played DA2 for a month before I got bored.
Welcome back :happy:

[AnniLau]

ShimmeringDjinn wrote...

I didn't know he said that......

My Alistair is less homely though. Mods are awesome, even the more limited versions DA2 allows.

But then again, I only played DA2 for a month before I got bored.

It's a different game than DA:O, but I still wound up enjoying it. Um, obviously.

Welcome back [smilie]../../../images/forum/emoticons/happy.png[/smilie]

Thanks! Now I just need that Warden armor. Is it tmp's?

[ShimmeringDjinn]

If only Neria had the option to zap that b***h with a lightning bolt . Ah well.

Modifié par ShimmeringDjinn, 31 octobre 2011 - 03:43 .

[Merilsell]

*runs in*

I bring an update to my (Lenya) Mahariel/Alistair story. Just as an info for the habitant of this thread interested and reading my story

It's B...er Witch slaying time xD



*runs out*

Modifié par Merilsell, 31 octobre 2011 - 09:24 .

[Penarddun]

Merilsell wrote...
I bring an update to my (Lenya) Mahariel/Alistair story.

*goes off to read* Thanks for letting us know Meri!

[tklivory]

Merilsell wrote...
I bring an update to my (Lenya) Mahariel/Alistair story. Just as an info for the habitant of this thread interested and reading my story

*Does happy dance* :wub:

[AnniLau]

I'm amused by Morrigan peering over my Warden's head.

[tklivory]

@ AnniLau - Yes, the Grey Warden Armour can be found here.

Also, lulz at the peeking Morrigan.

[tklivory]

Hope


It had been altered many years ago, in thanks for kindness rendered.  An apostate, fleeing the implacable Templars, had happened upon the nascent town that hadn’t even decided upon a name yet, and found shelter with a sympathetic shemlen who had lost a child to the Templars and the Tower, and thus had no sympathy towards his pursuers.  In gratitude, the elvish mage magicked the shem’s favorite rosebush so that the blooms it produced would not fade as others did, but remain fresh and new and lovely.

For many years, the shemlen enjoyed her beautiful roses, when one day of a sudden they withered and fell from the bush, leaving it bare and thorny and lifeless.  With a certainty she could not explain, the woman knew that the kind elven mage she had helped was dead, murdered by those who thought they knew best. When the Chantry offered her a tidy sum for her land so they could build a headquarters in what was now known as Lothering, she quietly accepted and went west to Redcliffe.

The sisters tried to get rid of the rosebush, and were surprised when they discovered its roots went too deep to be pulled from the earth.  The Chantry was built nevertheless, with the bush relegated to a forgotten corner of the vast gardens, mourning the loss of its mother and father.

When the Orlesian bard came to Lothering, running from herself and from her past, she felt a strange sense of kindred with the withered plant, almost as if she could sense the sadness that emanated from it.  She found herself checking on the rosebush frequently during her stay there, singing quietly to it during her hours of contemplation in the Chantry gardens, lavishing upon it attention that she could not elsewise dedicate.  And, eventually, when it sensed her distress of an evening, caused by a particularly bleak but enlightening nightmare, it called forth the last reserves it possessed and produced one final bloom: a rose of such beauty that it turned any lingering despair she possessed into hope.

Yet it was not the bard who plucked this last offering, but a man who happened to be passing by, his heart in turmoil.  He had lost everything of meaning in his life, all that had given him purpose since he had been rescued from a life of servitude to the Chantry, and in his confused state his feet instinctively turned towards the place that had for most of his life meant ‘home’.  There, in a deserted corner of the neglected garden behind the Chantry proper, he found the twisted and gnarled bush, empty of life save for one single red rose that glistened softly in the moonlight.

The man contemplated the sight for a few moments, struck to the core by how much it reminded him of his life.  He had nothing – no comrades, no family, no future – save one last hope: a fellow Grey Warden that he had known for only a few short days.  Yet, even amongst all that had happened, despite the pain of his own life, he could recall with exactitude the color of her eyes, the confidence of her stance, and the sorrow on her face.  He wasn’t alone in death and tragedy, he realized. 

Nor was he alone.

Acting on impulse, he reached out to take the rose, cradling it gently in hands more accustomed to destruction than creation.  Its delicate scent filled the air around him, granting him a small measure of peace in the midst of the impending darkness.  As he left the garden, he carefully tucked it into his belongings.  It wasn’t much, but it was a sign of hope.

The Grey Wardens would need all the hope they could get.

Modifié par tklivory, 01 novembre 2011 - 04:04 .

[RagingCyclone]

Lovely, tklivory. That rose has been the source of debate here and elsewhere. But it is a beautiful thing in both Leliana and Alistair's stories. *bows*

And it's officially Tuesday here:

[theskymoves]

@Rage, @tklivory - Thanks for reading my nonsense! Enjoyed both your fills!

pax~
tsm

[Cosmochyck]

*delurks*
I've been trying to read all 1400+ pages but there is way too much info!
@Rage - love the dynamic created with Alistair & Dan as good friends (and the stew!)
@tklivory - great fill! Such a wonderful way to introduce the rose and it's acquistion...

[RagingCyclone]

*waves at Cosmochyck* thanks. glad you liked it. And you should delurk more often, just saying.