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[Sisimka]

Awww, Walk of Shame - I call it a Walk of Fame! Whoo!



Also, I loved that Zevran gave him the dancing lessons, he's a man of many talents!

[MireliA]

Ok so this chapter should have more of an Angst warning (at least compared to the last few ).  And I just loved the idea of Zev teaching Alistair to dance too. I think Zev would be hobbling at the end of it

Chapter 10




Over the next few months, Talissa and Alistair tried their best to keep their professional and private lives separate, although they didn’t always succeed. The rest of the castle seemed to have accepted their relationship and within a short time no-one responded to see them together. One morning, when she’d arrived at his study, Alistair was
looking out of the window and didn’t seem to hear her come in.

‘Morning.’ Talissa said, before realising he was not his usual self. He’d been fine when she’d left him in bed
that morning. Then she noticed a cream envelope on his desk, with her name written in sharp calligraphy.  She turned the envelope over to open it and noticed the seal. The Royal seal. She gulped.

‘What’s this about Alistair? I don’t understand...’ her voice trailed off.

‘Read it.’ Alistair said dispassionately, barely turning to see her.

Sitting down, she picked up the letter opener and slit the envelope. Inside was an invitation for her to have an audience with the Queen about a ‘personal matter’ on the day they were going to Denerim for a meeting with Empress Celene’s envoy. On Alistair’s side of the desk, a similar envelope with his name on it had already been opened.

‘I take it this never happened to Alex.’ She said flatly.

He leant his hands against the wall and put his head forward between his arms.

‘Aides never have meetings with the queen directly.’ Alistair said between clenched teeth ‘Someone has said something about us being together.’

‘Who would do such a thing?’ Talissa put her head in her hands. ‘We should never have let our emotions get
in the way of our duty as Grey Wardens, Alistair.’ She whispered.

‘NO!’ his voice cracked. ‘Never say that. This was meant to happen.’

She began to cry, racking sobs and he came and put his arms round her, held her until the crying subsided. Talissa couldn’t believe her happiness seemed to have shattered like glass.

‘We’ll get through this, I promise.’ Alistair kissed her on the forehead. ‘Come on, let’s get out of here.
I don’t think either of us can concentrate much at the moment.’ Alistair led Talissa out of her chair and to the door.

 

They walked round the gardens, feeling the sun’s warmth radiating from Highever windows. Alistair led Talissa to a secluded gazebo and once they’d sat down, he said, ‘I haven’t been totally truthful with you about why Anora and I hate each other.’ Alistair put his hands together and stared at them, avoiding her gaze.

‘Oh, I knew about Mireli suggesting you marry her. So what is it that you’ve not told me? You were Anora’s lover in another life?’ Talissa smiled warily, hoping he wouldn’t take it the wrong way.

‘Oh Makers breath, I hope not.’ He chuckled.

‘Everything changed at the Landsmeet, the one that Arl Eamon called to announce they’d found a hidden bastard son of Maric’s. I’m surprised there weren’t other bastards they found.’ He tried to smile but it felt false. ‘I told you that her father Loghain Mac Tir was Anora’s regent at the time of the Landsmeet. She told Mireli that she thought her father was starting to lose the plot. Mireli always did see the good in others, which is why we ended up with such an eclectic band of individuals. She was usually right about people. Anyway, Anora got Mireli on her side to
support her as queen. Mireli knew I didn’t want to rule, even if it meant having her as my queen.  So I was pleased
when she told me about the plan.’

‘Then came the Landsmeet, and Loghain was there. I hated that man with a passion. He killed many who were at the Battle of Ostagar, including a Grey Warden called Duncan who I almost considered to be my father. Mireli and I were supposed to be lighting a beacon for Loghain’s troops to attack and we nearly died at that forsaken tower.  Loghain pulled his troops out, which left everyone on the field with no back up. He killed King Cailan my half-brother and Duncan as surely as if he’d stabbed them himself, among hundreds of others. I could not forgive him and when he challenged Mireli to a fight at the Landsmeet, I told her I would take her place. She knew how much I wanted him dead but knew I had to finish this to close the chapter. Loghain and I fought and as a younger man, I beat him. When it came time for his surrender, Anora suggested a compromise. She suggested he
become a Grey Warden, possibly dying at the Joining but it would give him a chance at life. Mireli thought it was a good plan but I was furious. I took her to another room and we argued, the first time we’d really argued about anything serious.  She knew she might lose me so she eventually backed down. I went back into that Landsmeet and gave him one chance to say his goodbyes to Anora and-‘ Alistair stopped, he felt sick at the thought of what he had to say.

‘I slit his throat. That’s mainly why Anora hates me and I can’t say I blame her.’ He pictured Loghain’s blood
running across the floor, dark red and Mireli bending down next to him, closing his eyes as a mark of respect for a fellow warrior. He at least deserved that, she’d said later.

Talissa held his hand in hers and leant against him. She’d never seem him so disconcerted.

‘If this had been the Alistair of now, I would have given the man a chance, let him take the Joining. But I was a
young man, sickened by war and Blight and bitter that Duncan never had a chance to go to Orzammar as he wanted to.’

‘When you meet Queen Anora she is a skilled politician, a beautiful yet bitter and lonely woman. She will never
marry again unless it is a politically viable marriage. On our first meeting alone after making me Warden Commander at Arl Eamon’s behest, she bluntly told me she wished that Mireli had lived and it had been me who had died killing the Archdemon.  I told her I also wished for the same thing. I was heartsick at the time. Anora never mentioned it again.’ Alistair looked at Talissa, looking concerned for him.

‘So now you know, Tal.’ Alistair sighed.

‘I know you’re not proud of what happened with Loghain but you have to stop being ashamed about this. You’re not the same person you were then.’ Talissa said.

‘Of all the people we killed, his was the only death I wish I could have undone. The others were for a reason.’
Alistair put his arm round Talissa.

‘I wish I could take this from you, sweetheart.’ She whispered reaching up to kiss him. He responded and they
began to kiss long and hard, each desperate for the other.  No words were spoken as Alistair took her hand and led her back to his room. 

 

On the ride down to Denerim, both of them were quiet, lost in their own thoughts. They had agreed to tell the truth about their relationship because Queen Anora would likely know the truth or a variation of it. As they went through the gates of the Royal Palace, Alistair squeezed Talissa’s hand and told her not to worry. He felt guilty for her
involvement but he knew he wanted to be with Talissa as much as she wanted to be with him.

When they arrived at the steps of the Royal Palace, she smoothed down the velvet of her long green dress as she
got out of the carriage. Talissa was due to see the Queen before Alistair.

‘Remember its ‘Your Majesty’ and she likes the women to curtsey on the way in and out of the Reception rooms.
You’ll be fine, I know.’ Alistair whispered to her as they walked up the marble stairs to the double doors.

‘Yes, Warden Commander.’ Protocol at all times. It felt like a farce, like they were acting in a play. Now was
the time to face her audience.

Alistair turned to his left and walked to the anterooms Talissa usually shared with her fellow aides, while she
took the long walk to the queen’s reception rooms.

‘This way, miss.’ The butler said after looking at the card, as he motioned towards the white and
gold doors. He opened the doors and told her to wait as he walked in.

‘Your Majesty, we have Talissa the Grey Warden to see you.’ she heard him say.

‘Send her in, Edwards.’ Anora’s voice sounded prickly.

‘You may go in now, Miss.’

Talissa took a deep breath and began the walk down the white carpet leading across the room. She saw a beautiful golden-haired woman, whose hair shone in the afternoon light.  Although young, Queen Anora began
to look as if her life experiences had started to age her.

‘Talissa.’ Queen Anora said, pronouncing it as if it were a hiss.

Talissa curtseyed, and said ‘Your Majesty.’

The queen turned to her aides and ladies in waiting and dismissed them, asking for tea from the closest lady.

‘Talissa, come and talk to me. It has been an age since I spoke to a Grey Warden who was not Alistair.’ Anora pointed at a seat close to her as she smiled and Talissa sat down. She felt very vulnerable in her company, like a mouse being watched by a semi-alert cat.

‘So tell me Talissa, how does an elf from the Alienage come to be Joined as a Grey Warden?’ Queen Anora looked her directly in the eyes as if trying to weigh her up. Talissa was taken aback by her candour.

‘My family moved to Redcliffe some years ago and it was there I was found by Teryn Cousland about eighteen months ago.’ Talissa replied, as the tea was brought in. Anora poured a cup for each of them and handed one to Talissa. For politeness’ sake she pretended to sip the tea.

‘Ah Fergus, yes. And this was only eighteen months ago you say? Truly, you must have some skill in your chosen area to have moved up the ranks the way you have.’ Anora looked at Talissa in an unblinking stare, as if challenging her to a duel.

‘I am not sure what Your Majesty is trying to imply.’ Talissa stammered. She felt her heart
hammering in her chest.

‘Come now. As women let us be honest with each other, shall we? We both know that King Maric’s sons are at their best when they have a woman to dote upon. I have heard about your relationship with Alistair. Neither of you have exactly been discreet, have you?’ Anora put her tea cup down on the table. ‘We also know that this sort of dalliance is not good for the Warden Commander’s career or for the country.  I would think on this before you bed him next.’ Anora muttered the last sentence so the guards couldn’t hear. Although muttering the steel in her voice noticeable by Talissa.

‘I think we have talked enough. Thank you for this pleasant talk. It has been most enlightening.’

‘Yes, Your Majesty.’ Talissa said, as she stood to take her leave.

‘Oh and send Alistair in if you should see him. Which I’m sure you will.’ Anora said, as Talissa reached the door.

Talissa had to ignore the urge to turn tail and run.

 

Alistair saw Talissa walking towards him down the corridor. He grasped that the meeting had not gone well. Talissa’s eyes were luminous with unshed tears. He looked at her and touched her arm with the back of his hand as she walked past. He really wanted to stop and comfort her but that would be frowned upon in the hierarchy of court life. He hated all this fakery.

As he reached the door, Edwards the butler asked him to wait there.

‘The Warden Commander to see you, Your Majesty.’

‘Very well  Edwards.’

‘You may go in Warden Commander, ser.’

‘Thank you Edwards.’ replied Alistair as he strode through the door.

‘Ah Alistair, how lovely of you to come and see me.’ Queen Anora said, her voice dripping
sarcasm.

‘Queen Anora. I was surprised to receive a personal summons to court for both myself and my
aide, when I was already coming to discuss strategy plans with Empress Celene’s
ambassador.’ Alistair could feel himself getting angry with her.

‘Really Alistair, how crass of you. No ‘And how are you on this glorious afternoon, Your Majesty?’ I was just coming to my reasons for bringing you here.’ Anora seemed to get pleasure from baiting him. ‘Very well, seeing as you are determined to bring this up immediately, I understand your relationship with Talissa is more than that of just an aide.’ Alistair refused the seat that was offered to him, and stood close by instead.

‘Seeing as you obviously know so much, I’m not going to deny the truth.’ Alistair replied in a
flat tone.

‘I was sent a letter by someone at Highever, informing me of your relationship. I believe that your superiors at Weisshaupt would also be most interested in this little arrangement of yours.’ Anora put her hands in her lap and watched the man in front of her begin pacing the floor like a caged animal.

‘Someone from Highever told you?’ Alistair asked in a surprised tone, trying to ignore her supposedly empty jibe about the Warden headquarters. ‘And may I ask who sent the letter?’

‘You may ask but I am not willing to tell you. That is for you to find out , to have control over your Wardens.’ Anora sighed. ‘Let us get to business. Your relationship with Talissa, both of us know it is not good for you to have this elf as your mistress.’

Alistair clenched his fists, digging his nails into his palms. ’She is not imy mistress. And if someone has an
issue with her being an elf that is their problem, not ours.’

‘Alistair, you just do not seem to understand. I personally do not care who you take to your bed but the Orlesians do have concerns with the elves. They treat them much more like slaves than we Fereldens do.’ Anora shook her head. ‘If they were to find out that the Commander of the Grey Wardens of all Ferelden was bedding an elf...’ Anora left the line trailing.

‘You are saying that by sleeping with Talissa, I could be putting our negotiations with Orlais at risk?’ Alistair was incredulous.

‘Finally you understand, yes.’ Anora looked at him sadly. ‘I am sorry to have to ask you this but you have a week to decide what is more important: Your job as Warden Commander or this relationship with Talissa. Choose wisely and don’t let your heart rule your head, I would be sorry to lose you as Warden Commander.’

‘Very well Your Majesty. You’ll excuse me from this afternoons meeting with the ambassador, I am sure.’ Alistair felt sick to his stomach. Of all the outcomes he was expecting, this was not it.

‘You’re excused.’

 

Later on in the inn, Alistair and Talissa were talking about the day’s events. Both of them had been shocked by the Queen’s words.

‘Alistair.’ Talissa said quietly as she sat next to him on the sofa in their room.

‘Yes?’ Alistair said, his arms wrapped around Talissa.

‘You know what you have to do.’ Talissa said trying not to cry. ‘I can’t have you giving up everything for me.  It wouldn’t be right.’

‘No! I told you, I’m not giving you up. ‘Alistair said fiercely. ‘At the end of the day, it’s a job and a fancy title. You are worth so much more to me than that.’

Talissa began to cry. Alistair lifted her chin and began to kiss the tears on her face.

 

The carriage pulled up at Highever Castle and Alistair and Talissa alighted. They went their separate ways, Talissa to her bedroom and Alistair to his study. They both needed to think about their situation. Alistair thought he was going mad. He wanted to be with Talissa but he felt he was letting everyone else down if he gave up his job.

In the evening, Talissa came to see Alistair. He was sat on his chair staring into the fire and didn’t even notice Talissa come in.

‘Hey.’ Talissa said, standing by his chair.

‘Oh I didn’t see you standing there.’ Alistair said, looking up at her. ‘Fancy sitting on my knee?’

She sat across his lap and put her arm round his shoulders. 


‘Remember whatever happens this week, I love you.’ She whispered, kissing his forehead.

‘I love you too.’ Alistair looked perplexed. ‘What’s brought this on, Talissa?’

She smiled ‘Oh I don’t know, I’ve spent too long thinking today, that’s all.’

‘Enough thinking. We need to do something else with our evening.’

 

Next morning, Alistair woke up and stretched his arm across the bed. Instead of finding a warm woman next to him, the bed was cold. He sat up and looked around. None of her clothes were there. Then he saw it. The piece of parchment on her pillow. He read the note and felt sick. He jumped out of bed, dressed and he ran as fast as he could do to her bedroom and banged on the door. There was no-one there so he walked in. Everything that belonged to her was gone. He put his head in his hands and knelt on the ground next to her bed. Maker, what had he brought on them both?

------------------------------
Someone is bound to say what does the Queen have to do with the GW's but I think she's abusing her power. She's much more bitter and twisted than she was five years earlier. Thats my take on it!

Modifié par MireliA, 11 avril 2010 - 09:22 .

[Sisimka]

I read this last night and forgot to comment, sorry! It's an interesting twist! Not much love for poor Anora on the forums lately, is there? I feel the need to write something fluffy for her.

[Sandtigress]

I thought it all very plausible, MireliA. Phew, finally caught back up - traveling does a number on one's reading. Poor Alistair, even becoming a Grey Warden and not king means his relationships are all messed up!

[MireliA]

Chapter 11

‘Shianni!’ A male voice, vaguely familiar caused her to turn round.

‘Grey Warden.’ Shianni watched the ex-royal bastard of Ferelden walk towards her, a second man by his side. She never expected to see Alistair in the Alienage again. He looked exhausted, she noticed.

 ‘Shianni, sorry to bother you but I really need to know if you’ve seen your cousin Talissa lately? She’s gone missing from Highever and we’re trying to find her.’ Alistair indicated a dark haired man stood next to him.

Shianni’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘No I’ve not seen her for nearly six months. Missing? What happened?’ Shianni found herself wondering about her cousin’s relationship with Alistair. The Warden Commander didn’t go round the country looking for a stray elf, even if she was his aide.

‘She can look after herself in a fight but we need to find her.’ The dark haired man said.
Alistair’s shoulders drooped. He’d been hoping she’d be there.

‘I’ll certainly let you know if she turns up.’ Shianni said.

‘Thanks Shianni.’ Alistair smiled at her, a smile she could see didn’t meet his eyes.

 

Talissa stood on the roadside, the midday sun hot on her back. She had been walking for hours, the persistent ache of unshed tears numbed by the pain in her feet. She had stopped for a short rest and a drink of water from the skin she brought. She thought about why she was here, what reason she had for leaving Highever and she wanted to cry. Talissa felt so sneaky about leaving, not telling Alistair but it was for the best. The plan had crystallized in her mind while she’d been alone in her room, thinking.  The hard part had being trying to get out of the room without him noticing. He put his arms round her as she tried to get up and it was all she could do from staying there in the warmth of his embrace.  Her thoughts were dragged back to the present by the sound of a horse-driven carriage. She stood, quickly pulled the cloak hood over her head to hide her ears and stood waving
on the roadside to get the drivers attention.

 

Later that day, Diandra saw Fergus in the hallway outside Alistair’s study.

‘How is he?’ Diandra whispered.

‘In shock I think. He’s talking about mounting a search for her with Zevran. I’ve not seen him this bad since Mireli’s funeral. He’s trying to stay positive but I know he’s not right. The trip to the Alienage turned up nothing.’ Fergus was worried about his friend, she knew. And he had told Fergus about the Queen’s threat which caused Talissa to run away in the first place. Fergus knew that if Alistair had his way, he would give up almost everything for her. 

He decided to tell Diandra about what had transpired with the Queen.

‘Maker’s Breath, no wonder she ran away!’ It had been just over a day since Talissa’s departure and already Diandra missed her friend.

‘Why did she disappear?’ Fergus asked. He’d been married a long time ago and he was now with this woman, yet there were times that women were a complete mystery to him.

‘Because she thinks she’s helping him. She loves him but she doesn’t want him to lose his position over her. So she takes herself out of the equation, and therefore she thinks he’ll be alright.’ Diandra finished.

‘What? No-one can feel all that, they’d explode! And Alistair is talking about giving up being the Commander no matter what happens.’ Fergus looked astounded.

‘Female logic. Sometimes the answers you come up with when you back yourself into a corner aren’t the answers you come up with when you’re able to talk to someone else.’ Diandra said. She was saddened that Talissa hadn’t been able to speak to her before she’d left. Perhaps she could have stopped her from leaving?

‘Well, we better hope he finds her before Friday.’ Fergus said, shaking his head.

 

Talissa heard the hiss of the fire and the roar of damp wood. She looked up and realised she was in a campsite sitting on a log, somewhere she didn’t recognise. Then she heard a voice, a siren’s call.

‘Talissa’

She got up and made to follow the voice but it seemed to come from all round her. It bewildered her. When she turned round where she’d been sat there was a beautiful red haired woman in leather armour, stroking a tan mabari hound.

‘Mireli?’ Talissa said, stood in front of her. The woman nodded and smiled, her face kindly.

‘Talissa, I know you also love him as I do. Remember my message from Leliana. It is as it should be.’ Mireli said.

 ‘I don’t want to be the reason he would lose his position.’ Talissa looked down and felt a light touch on her shoulder.

‘I must go but don’t be afraid.’ Mireli smiled at her as she walked away.

 

The next day, Natalia wiped her brow with the back of her hand. She hated it when her husband left her to deal with the shop by herself. She had been putting goods on low shelves, kneeling down and bending over and it was making her back ache. Never mind, soon I can go get a drink before we open the shop again, she thought.
Once she’d unfolded herself from the uncomfortable position she was in, she boiled a kettle in the back room. 
Natalia heard the bell over the door ring.

‘Sorry we’re closed.’ She yelled but she didn’t hear the bell ring again so she went out into the shop. She saw a woman with long dark hair facing the wall. She had two knives sticking up from underneath the grey cloak she was wearing.

‘Did you not hear me? I said we’re closed.’ The woman turned round. Natalia gasped.

‘Mama, it’s me.’ Talissa’s voice cracked.

‘Talissa, my dear girl. You look so grown up! I thought I would never see you again.’ In a few steps Natalia was round the counter and holding her daughter in her arms. Talissa seemed to crumple and Natalia led her into the back room.

 Once Natalia made her daughter a tea she asked ‘So why are you back here, my daughter?’ She held her hand and patted it gently.

‘I wanted to come home, to come back to Redcliffe.’ Talissa said quietly.

‘You can’t solve problems by running away from them.’ Natalia shook her head.

‘In this case, I am the problem, mama.’ She looked down at the mug of tea in her hand.

‘It’s a man isn’t it?’ Natalia answered looking at her daughter. She couldn’t say too much as her and Maren’s relationship had hardly been correct within the confines of either of their communities.

Talissa nodded but stayed quiet.

‘I wish that the arranged marriage with Neralos could have happened, so that you wouldn’t have had this pain but I know that married life in any Alienage, was not for you.’ Natalia sighed.

‘Alistair is a good man. He was given an ultimatum, give our relationship up or lose his position. I have made the decision for him.’ Talissa began to cry again.

‘Child, that decision wasn’t yours to make, it was his. If he loves you enough to give his position up for you, he is a brave man indeed.’ Natalia looked at her sobbing daughter and realised that she truly did love this man.

‘Well, your room is still as you left it. You can stay for as long as you want but I would give some thought to going back and soon. I’m sure you will be missed there.’ Natalia didn’t want her daughter to leave again but she knew her duty lay elsewhere than this backwater town.

 

At Highever, that morning, there was a knock on the study door.

‘Enter.’ Alistair sounded weary. He had barely slept all night.

A nervous Edmund walked into the room and stood in front of the desk. ‘Warden Commander’, he nodded.

 ‘Yes Edmund, what is it?’

‘I wish to say something. I know about this letter that was sent to Queen Anora.’

Alistair stood up, intrigued. He noticed Edmund could not look him in the face. In fact he was finding the floor incredibly interesting.

‘How do you know about this letter, Edmund?’ Alistair asked leaning forward on the desk and wondered who had been spreading rumours.

‘I, well, it was me who wrote it.’ Edmund swallowed.

Alistair had never experienced such a height of rage for years. He was across the room in a second, shoving the younger man against the wall, arm tight against his throat.


‘You B***ARD! You caused her to leave! Why would you do something like that?’ Alistair yelled in his face, his nose almost touching Edmund’s.

‘Because I love her.’ Edmund said in a gravelly voice as he was barely able to speak with Alistair’s arm against his neck.

Alistair pushed his arm harder against his throat, hearing him choke. ‘If you love her so damn much, why in all the fiery pits of Orzammar would you want to hurt her?’ He saw Edmund go red in the face and heard his rasping breaths but he didn’t care what happened to the younger man.

Then Alistair heard the door open.

‘Alistair. NO!’ Zevran pulled him away and as he dragged him off to one side, Edmund dodged out from under his arm. Something about that move angered Alistair, he was determined not to let the sneaky git get away again. Alistair lunged out of Zevran’s grasp and punched Edmund on the jaw. A sickening crack rent the air and Edmund was propelled into a bookcase in the corner. That seemed to bring Alistair to his senses. In all his years as a Grey Warden, he had never hit or injured a fellow warden in anger. He flung himself down in a chair, shocked at
his behaviour. He saw Edmund, in pain crumpled in the remains of a bookcase, looking just as shocked as Alistair. He gagged as he thought about what his anger had made him do. Maker, what on earth was he doing? If he ever needed proof that he loved Talissa, this was it but it was the wrong sort of proof. He looked at his hand, which was starting to bruise across the knuckles and back of the hand. Zevran was trying to find out from Edmund if he knew where Talissa could be. Redcliffe he heard Edmund manage to see through his mangled jaw. Why had he wasted time dragging Fergus to Denerim when she would have run home? Damn, he didn’t know her half as well he thought he did.

‘Alistair, Edmund thinks she’ll be at Redcliffe and I’m inclined to agree with him.’ Zevran touched his friend on the shoulder. Edmund had already gone to the healer.

‘We need to find her, Zev. Fancy a trip to Redcliffe?’

‘Tsk, walking?’ Zevran shook his head.

‘We can take the carriage. We should make the most of it while I still can use it.’

‘Why didn’t you say so in the first place, hmm? How long will it take?’ Zevran asked.

‘Over a day each way but we’ll be away a few nights so we best get prepared. I need to speak to Fergus, tell him what just happened and ask him to look after my duties while I’m away.’ Alistair stood up straighter.  He had his focus back.

‘Good, oh and on your way there, try not to break any more jaws, my friend.’ Zevran smirked.

 

Serena watched her sister sleep in the old room they used to share when they were younger. The Arlessa had kindly given her time off. A family emergency she had said and as Serena had not even been ill in the five years she’d served the Arlessa’s family, she agreed. Talissa was starting to cry and thrash around. She was even
calling out names in her sleep, Alistair being one of them. Talissa had barely said anything to them since she came home except for the conversation with their mother so Serena knew Alistair was the man she was involved with. Yet during daylight hours, Talissa walked around as in a dream. It was obvious her sleep wasn’t restful.

Serena was concerned about her sister, so when she heard her crying she shook her awake. ‘Talissa, stop it please.’ Serena looked at her little sister, grey circles under her eyes and tears running down her face.

‘Rena, I don’t know what to do anymore.’ Talissa sobbed as she sat up. ‘I can’t give up being a Grey Warden, I don’t want to but I don’t know if I can face anyone at Highever again.’

Serena put an arm round her sister. ’Talissa, listen, you can’t stay here. Not that we don’t want you but this isn’t where you belong, not anymore. You have a duty as a Grey Warden to perform and not only that but your heart is at Highever, with Alistair. If you love him, go back to him.’

‘But I can’t, I don’t think he’d have me after this.’ Talissa shook her head sadly.

‘You always were the stubborn one, even when you were a brat.’ Serena smiled. ‘For once in your life, back down.’

 

Alistair took first watch that night followed by the driver, then Zevran. He sat watching into the flames, the heat of the fire turning the logs white, listening to the horses quietly whinny to each other.  He was desperate to get to Redcliffe but the driver had objected as the horses wouldn’t be good for much except horsemeat if they carried on.

Alistair was thinking back to a conversation he’d had earlier with Zevran.

‘What if Talissa doesn’t want to come back to Highever, Alistair?’ Zevran said in a concerned tone of voice.

He shook his head. ‘She has to, I can’t think like that.’

‘You are starting to sound like Edmund. Obsessed and wanting to own her. She is a person with free will, not an object to be made to bend to your control.’

‘I didn’t mean to sound like that. If she really doesn’t want to come back to Highever, well, there’s always the Orlesian Wardens.’ Alistair’s heart sank when he thought about it. He reached into his breastplate and pulled out his mother’s locket. Since Talissa left, he’d started to wear it again, as if it would protect him against pain. He wished it would. His eyes blurred as he thought about Mireli wearing it. She treasured it almost as much as he had. For her to give it him back, there must be a good reason behind it. He kissed the locket and whispered, ‘Thank you Mireli’.

 

It was a gorgeous late morning and Talissa was sent out of the shop by her mother to go and get some fresh air. Natalia saw the greyish tinge her daughter’s face was starting to take on. She was barely sleeping, crying when she was and barely eating as she had little appetite. Talissa was glad of the opportunity to escape the worried eyes of her family and picked up an apple and a skin of water on the way out.  She’d found her old clothes in a drawer and wore a long plain muted blue dress. Her other dresses or her armour made her stand out and at the moment, she just wanted to blend in.

She walked past the Chantry, nodding a greeting at the Sisters stood outside, went across the green and the bridge in front of the Blacksmiths. As she walked past the small row boats, the ground rose and she smiled in spite of the way she’d felt lately. She would come here when she was younger, if she could get away from her parents shop. Sometimes it was good to be alone and far away from the prying eyes of the people in town. The path led partway up the hill and there was a flat piece of land she used to lie down on. If she lay low enough down,
no-one knew she was here. She sat down facing the lake, munching her apple and thinking. Then she realised what she’d been staring at: Redcliffe Castle. Her stomach lurched as she remembered the stories that Alistair had told her about his childhood. No matter where I go, that man seems to be there, in my thoughts. She sighed as she finished off her apple and sipped some water. The sun was beating down hot and she began to feel sleepy. Talissa lay, propped up on the hillside and fell into a much more restful sleep than she’d had in days.

 

NB: Fergus’s line ‘No-one can feel all that, they’d explode!’ is from the 5th Harry Potter book. (left out Hermione’s response, ‘Just because you have the emotional depth of a teaspoon, Ron!’)

Modifié par MireliA, 18 avril 2010 - 07:39 .

[Sandtigress]

Hurry up and get to Redcliffe, Alistair!!!

[MireliA]

Sandtigress wrote...

Hurry up and get to Redcliffe, Alistair!!!

I know, it might have been quicker to walk to Redcliffe

[MireliA]

This is still an M rated fiction (though its more suggestion and innuendo lately.).

Chapter 12


Serena was looking after her parents’ shop. It had been a fairly slow morning and she was thinking about going to get a drink, when a man walked into the shop she had not seen before. He was tall and obviously muscular, wearing leather and mail armour, with light red hair.

‘Can I help you?’ Serena knew most of the people who came into the shop and as she didn’t recognise him she was intrigued as to who this man was.

The tall man turned to face her and seemed to stop shocked. He was struggling for the right words.

‘Is there anything the matter, ser? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.’ Serena said confused.

‘You remind me of someone. Do you own the shop?’ He asked.

‘No I’m just helping my parents out. My mother is upstairs if you want to speak to her.’

‘And Talissa, is she here?’

Serena’s mouth made an ‘O’ as she finally understood who this man was.

‘Excuse me.’ Serena said to the man as she almost ran to the bottom of the stairs leading to their flat. ‘Mama, there’s someone here you might want to meet.’

 

‘Ah, so the sleeping beauty awakes.’

Talissa had just woken up, not immediately noticing Alistair sat to her left. He looked tired but had a slight smile on his lips.

‘Alistair, what are you doing here? I don’t understand.’ She brushed her hair free of grass and grouped it over one shoulder.

Alistair sat on his haunches, his hands clenched together as he spoke. ‘It’s like this. There was this beautiful woman that I fell in love with and when faced with me making a decision about my future, she thought she had all the answers, so she ran away. To save me. At least, that’s what she said in her goodbye note.’ She heard the edge of bitterness in Alistair’s voice and she suddenly felt defensive.

‘I didn’t want you to give up your job. Not over me, I told you that.’ Talissa narrowed her eyes angrily. 

‘It’s not your choice to make.’.

That phrase again! She thought. Talissa heard her voice rise in tone. ‘I left for you. Then you follow me halfway across Ferelden, no doubt to drag me back to Highever. Well, tough! I’m not coming back.’ She stood up and started walking back down the hill towards the town.

‘Talissa listen to me.’ She knew Alistair was behind her but Talissa was surprised when he grabbed her arm and spun her to face him, jarring her shoulder. If he was trying to calm her down, he was going the wrong way about it.

She turned, her eyes boring into him. ‘NO!’ Talissa yelled. ‘I told you my reasons for leaving. I did it because I love you. Can’t you understand? You’re better off without me.’

‘That makes no sense AT ALL!’ Alistair yelled. He brought his hands upto his head as if he were going to grab his hair in frustration and thought better of it.

‘It does to me!’ Talissa tried to lower her voice but her anger dictated the volume. ’I didn’t want you to hate me every time you looked at me, to resent the fact I lost you your role. At least this way you had some good memories of the time we spent together.’

‘Good memories turned bitter by the fact you ran away when things got tough. I needed you and you left.’

This calm tone of voice made Talissa feel worse than Alistair shouting at her. She watched him walking down the hill.

‘Alistair...’ She felt her stomach twist into knots looking at him leaving.

‘What? You’ve made your decision clear.’ He turned to face her, ‘If you don’t want us to be together I know where I stand, don’t I?’ Alistair glanced at her coldly and carried on walking down the hill.

‘Please Alistair, don’t do this!’ She cried out. She knew she sounded pathetic but was beyond caring. He came to a stop but faced away from her and sighed as she reached for him, touching his arm.

‘Talissa. You either want to be with me or you don’t.’ He gazed less coldly at her. ‘I don’t want you running away every time it gets difficult.’

‘I want to be with you. I just –‘

Before she had finished her words he was holding her face in his hands and was kissing her frantically. Talissa tried to pull away at first then she gave in and pressed her body against his.

When they finally pulled apart Alistair laughed ‘That was one way to end an argument.’ Talissa looked at him, tears in her eyes.

‘I’m sorry Alistair.’ She put her head in her hands and cried. Alistair put his arms round her and stroked her hair.

‘I didn’t mean what I said, I was just so angry with you. I thought it would be better for your career if you forgot about me. That’s why I left you.’ Talissa put her hand in his and they walked back up the hill and sat in their previous position, Alistair with his arm round Talissa.

‘I’m sorry about the way I reacted.’ Alistair paused for a moment. ‘I’ve decided. I don’t want the job of Warden Commander anymore.’

 ‘This isn’t only because of that letter is it?’

‘That meeting with Anora was the final straw. I enjoyed being the Warden Commander at Highever but not being dragged to Denerim on the slightest whim. I hate the palace protocol and the fakery of court life. The queen may not have direct control over the wardens but she can certainly make things difficult if she doesn’t get her own way.’

Talissa gritted her teeth, remembering her dealings with Loghain’s daughter. She had not been at her best, not stood up for her and Alistair. But Talissa knew Anora had scripted their meeting and the queen certainly had the upper hand.

 ‘Would you be upset if I was just Alistair instead of Warden Commander?’

Talissa looked at him, watching. ‘For a long time, you’ve been Alistair to me anyway. The title doesn’t change how I feel about you.’ Talissa held his hand to her mouth and kissed it, running a finger over the bruises.

‘What wall has been upsetting you now?’

‘The writer of the letter came forward yesterday morning. I’m not proud of this but I broke his jaw.’

‘Alistair!’ The shock in her tone was obvious. ‘Who was it?’

‘Edmund. He said he did it because he loved you.’

An involuntary shiver went down her back. ‘What? He wrote the letter to Anora? The bastard!’

Alistair started to laugh. ‘That’s what I called him too.’

‘I must have been stupid not to see, after him kissing me. Then there were the jibes he took for being my friend, the ‘elf-lover’ names he got called when we lived in Redcliffe.’ Talissa shook her head.

‘Would it have made any difference if he’d told you how he felt when you lived here?’

‘No besides I have the person I want to be with right here. Why would I want anyone else?’ Talissa felt him kiss her hair and knew he was smiling behind her.

‘By the way, I met your mother and sister in the shop.’ Alistair said innocently.

‘What[/i]! Why did you do that?’ Talissa squeaked.

‘Hehe, calm down. I was looking for you of course. Serena told me where you’d be. You and your sister look very much alike.’

‘Oh I see, you’ve had your way with the younger sister, now you prefer the more mature woman instead?’ she said, her eyes narrowing.

‘You know that’s not true.’ His tone of voice turned serious. ‘Come back to Highever with me. Tomorrow. I’ve been lost without you.’

‘I feel stupid for having left the way I did. My mother was right. It wasn’t my decision to make and instead of you instantly forgetting me, the way I hoped you would, I’ve just distracted you instead.  I’m sorry Alistair. Do you forgive me for running away?’

Alistair sighed and stroked her hair. ‘Do you honestly think I would be here if I didn’t forgive you?’

They stayed quiet, their thoughts distracting them until Talissa asked ‘So where are you staying? And is it in the stables?’ She smirked and Alistair tickled her ribs until she begged for mercy.

‘Oh very amusing. I thought I was the funny guy in this relationship?’

‘I’ve got to keep you on your toes.’ She grinned.

‘Anyway, the Arlessa has finally relented and let me back in the castle. In fact, Zevran is probably trying to seduce her as we speak. That reminds me.’ Alistair moved his arm from behind her back and pulled a sovereign ring off his little finger.  She was mystified, as she’d never seen him wear a ring before.

‘Put your hand out.’ Alistair put the ring in the palm of her hand.

‘What’s this about?’

Alistair watched Talissa wrinkle her nose up, as she did when she was bewildered.  ‘You know tonight I’m staying in the big castle, in a big bed, all by myself.’ He began to grin. One of her legs was showing from under her skirt. He moved the skirt further up and using a nail, he gently traced a pattern on her bare thigh, making her heart race.

‘Yesss Alistair?’ She imitated him, knowing exactly where he was going with this.

‘I know a way into the castle, a secret entrance and you use the sovereign ring to open the door. It’s in the mill. I thought you might take pity on me and join me. I could meet you in the dungeon at twelve and give you a quick guided tour of the castle.’ He raised an eyebrow at her, looking hopeful.

‘Give me a quick guided tour of your bedroom, you mean.’ Talissa grinned and straddled his legs. He moved his hands further up her legs, under the skirt. She kissed him and their tongues met partway, then he pulled away from the kiss.

‘Does that mean you won’t visit me?’ Alistair grinned in the infuriating way he did that made her heart race.

‘You know I will. Damn it Alistair, I’ve missed you.’

 

After all her family had gone to bed, Talissa dressed quietly in her green velvet dress, cloak and boots. From habit she had a sheathed knife with her in case she ran into trouble but that was unlikely.

‘And where do you think you’re going?’ A voice whispered in the dark.

‘Where do you think?’ Talissa whispered back.

‘He’s goodlooking, that man of yours. But be careful. I don’t want you having a blessed event, Papa would kill him.’ Serena said quietly.

‘Don’t worry, that won’t happen.’ Talissa grinned kissing her sister on the cheek.

Once outside her house, having traversed the squeaky floorboards on the stairs, Talissa walked through the town and headed up towards the mill. She felt the sovereign ring on her finger and smiled to herself.

 

Alistair stood in the dungeon just before twelve, waiting for Talissa. Even though he had a lamp with him, the flickering of the flames still cast shadows on the walls and floor that made him think of his childhood. Being trapped in the dungeon had been his biggest nightmare, still haunting him in the Chantry. Then he heard
it: A heavy door opening in the distance and light footsteps, cloth swishing against stone steps. The door opened in front of him and in she walked, her amber eyes catching the light. In only three steps, he was across the floor and picked her up, hugging her to him.

‘Maker’s breath, am I glad to see you.’

 Later on, they lay naked on a blanket covering the floor in front of the fire. She was propped up on a bolster while Alistair lay on his side, tracing a pattern on her bare stomach with his finger and watching her looking at him.

‘I thought we’d never do this again. I had visions of being celibate for the rest of my days.’ He smiled and kissed her flat stomach.

‘You, celibate again? That’s unlikely, I’m sure you would have found someone out there for you.’ She winked at him while he shook his head.

‘No, I don’t want anyone else. Not after you and Mireli.’ The air seemed to go quiet around them at the mention of her name.

‘Mireli visited me in the Fade the other night.’

‘What did she tell you?’  Alistair asked.

‘I’m not telling you, it was girl talk,’ She smirked as she ran a fingernail down the middle of his chest.

‘You see that’s unfair.’ Alistair put his arm underneath her back and leant on her. ‘You didn’t tell me your dream. Oh, and I used a fingertip, you use your nails.’

‘But I know what a turn on you find me using my nails on your skin.’ Talissa demonstrated by moving her hands behind him and running her nails slowly down the length of his back.

She saw his eyes roll upwards and felt him arch his back. ‘Damn you woman.’

 

Early next morning, Talissa woke up next to Alistair, feeling him breathing in her hair and his arms wrapped round her. She felt she could sleep like this all day. Then she remembered where she was, hearing the noises outside their room and it occurred to her she was going to have problems getting out of the castle.

‘Alistair, we better move. I need to get home or my father will be aiming at you with his Longbow.’ Talissa said, lifting his arm and getting out of bed.

‘What?’ Alistair said, coming to. ‘Oh I ache. What did you do to me?’

‘Hey, it was your idea too.’ Talissa answered, finding her clothes wherever she’d dropped them last night.

‘By the way, Eamon wants to meet you.’ Alistair watched Talissa running around putting her clothes on. ‘He wants to see who this woman is that I’m giving everything up for.’

‘You did tell him I was an elf, didn’t you?’ She stopped, staring at him.

‘I did tell him but whether it sank in. He was annoyed with me.’

Talissa made a groaning noise. ‘Oh wonderful, this is going to be a great meeting, I can see.’

‘Well, I’ll come and pick you up from your parents’ house after breakfast. I have something I need to do.’ Alistair said, starting to get out of bed.

‘Oh yes and what would that be?’ Talissa said.

‘Never you mind, now go!’ Alistair kissed her and smacked her behind as she was at the door.

She gave him a warning look and headed out of the door.

 

Talissa was half way down the hallway outside Alistair’s bedroom, when the door to the staircase opened behind her.

‘Oh Serena, I didn’t know you were back today!’ It was a female voice with an Orlesian accent.

Talissa turned around and there was her sister’s employer, the Arlessa. She was starting to age although she was still very beautiful. So this is the woman who forced Alistair out, Talissa thought.

Isolde looked surprised. ‘You’re not Serena. May I ask who you are? I wasn’t aware of any extra visitors with the Grey Wardens.’ She sounded annoyed and a frown marred her features.

Just then, Alistair’s door opened and out he walked, wearing only his trousers. Talissa saw a bite mark on his shoulder and if she could see it, so could the Arlessa. She resisted the urge to put her hand to her face and groan aloud.

‘Lady Isolde, my apologies. Talissa is also a Grey Warden. She came to, erm, visit me.’ Alistair said trying to sound as convincing as he could.

Isolde looked at Alistair directly, one eyebrow raised and said ‘So I see, Alistair.’ She looked even more angry.

‘Lady Isolde, Serena is my sister. She is due to come back to the castle today. I do hope this incident won’t make things difficult for her.’ Talissa kept her gaze straight and refused to blink. The situation with Anora would never happen again.

For a moment, it would seem that neither woman would back down, until Isolde said ‘Of course not. Your sister is an excellent maid. And I’m sure Eamon would be delighted to meet you.’ The sarcasm was evident in her voice as she turned on her heel and walked back downstairs.

‘Alistair, you might have wanted to wear a shirt. That’s a lovely set of teethmarks on your shoulder.’ Talissa giggled as she traced the bruise with her finger.

‘Oh great. You could have told me! Anyway, that’s the last time I save your hide!’

Modifié par MireliA, 25 avril 2010 - 09:36 .

[Sandtigress]

Oh that Isolde. She is so much fun to hate...... Glad Alistair and Talissa have made up though!

[MireliA]

Sandtigress wrote...

Oh that Isolde. She is so much fun to hate...... Glad Alistair and Talissa have made up though!

I've so want Isolde to be a nicer person but I can never write her like that - she's much more interesting as a nasty piece of work.

That probably says more about me than her 

[Gilgamesh1138]

ROFL, I am glad Ali and Tal made up too! And Isolde is such a ****, I can't write her nice either, not much. I had m story PC **** slap her, twice. And it that says you are a perceptive person and a great writer!

Modifié par Gilgamesh1138, 27 avril 2010 - 10:38 .

[MireliA]

Gilgamesh1138 wrote...

ROFL, I am glad Ali and Tal made up too! And Isolde is such a ****, I can't write her nice either, not much. I had m story PC **** slap her, twice. And it that says you are a perceptive person and a great writer!

ooh I remember that LOL. *blushes from the compliment*

[Gilgamesh1138]

I LOVE this story, and I love your Ali, so perfect. And Tal cracks me up. She is a firebrand. Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy this. I have been lax, my bad!

[Sisimka]

Finally caught up... teeth marks? Rowr!!



I think you captured Isolde perfectly *shudder*

[MireliA]

A more fluffier chapter than previous. Cheers to Sandtigress, Sisimka and Gilgamesh .

Chapter 13

Talissa walked at a fast pace to get back home. Her parents were still fairly protective of her and Serena. She supposed it came from having girls rather than boys. When she walked in the door, her father looked surprised and asked her where she had been. She said she had got up early and went for a walk. Her father seemed happy with this explanation but her mother raised an eyebrow in a look she knew so well when younger. An ‘I don’t believe you’ look. Talissa hated lying to her parents but her mother wouldn’t tell her father what she suspected. It would only upset him. She went upstairs and changed into her armour, packing her clothes and belongings to take back with her.  Talissa heard voices outside and she looked out of the window, not able to see anything.

The bedroom door opened. ‘Hey sis, your man is here.’ Serena smirked.

‘Fine I’ll be down in a minute.’ Talissa brushed her hair and put some make up on. ‘How do I look?’ Talissa asked, knowing Serena was still watching her.

‘Like the cat that got the cream.’ Serena still smiled. ‘Come on, you don’t want to be late.’ Serena escorted her sister downstairs.

Talissa had a feeling that everyone knew something, except her. That feeling was compounded when she saw Alistair looking nervous and her mother smiling at her as well.

He kissed her modestly on the cheek ‘Long time, no see.’ He whispered. ‘I’m here to see your father.’

Talissa looked at him as if he had gone mad. ‘Can I ask what this is all about?’

He grinned ‘You’ll find out soon enough.’ She watched him walk into the shop, followed by her mother.

 Serena linked arms with her and they started to wander round the town green. This place was smaller than she remembered and even though she loved seeing her family again, Talissa was pleased to be leaving Redcliffe. The place didn’t hold as many fond memories as it should have.

‘So what are you all upto then?’ 

Serena laughed. ‘You can ask but I’ll not tell. It’s nothing bad.’

‘I saw your employer this morning, I don’t think she likes me very much. She caught me coming out of Alistair’s room, thought I was you and then Alistair came out in just his trousers. That didn’t help!’ Talissa saw her sister laughing.

‘Well, if you will sneak out of the house and do the walk of shame through the castle, that’s what you get.’

‘So is there anyone for you sister?’ Talissa realised she had never asked her sister in all the time she’d been  back.

‘There could be. He’s the stable master at the castle. He’s a bit older than me but I like him.’ Serena seemed to be lost in her thoughts.

‘We seem to like our older men.’

Talissa heard footsteps behind her. ‘Sorry Serena, but I’m kidnapping your sister.’ Alistair grabbed her free hand and he walked back to the shop at a brisk pace.

‘Alistair? What’s going on?’ Talissa tried in her most plaintive voice.

Alistair ignored her, walked upto the front of the shop and sat her on a barrel outside. Luckily few other people were there, except her father and mother.

Alistair got down on one knee in front of her.

‘Talissa, will you marry me?’

Talissa was in shock and knew she had to reply. Eventually she said ‘Yes of course Alistair’ trying not to cry.

He kissed her and produced a small box. Inside lay a small gold rope ring. He took it out, put it on her ring finger – and it dawned on him that this ring was far too big. She looked bemused and started giggling. ‘How did you work out what size my finger was, Alistair?’

‘I, hmm, I used my little finger?’ Alistair said, abashed.

Talissa’s family started to laugh too. ‘Hold your hand up.’ Talissa asked.

He did as he was told. Talissa held her hand next to his, pinkie to ring finger. That was when he realised how slender her fingers were in comparison to his.  Alistair scratched the back of his head.  
‘Perhaps you can g-‘ He was surprised as she quickly put a finger to his lips

‘Don’t say I can grow into it Alistair!’ She kissed him on the lips. ‘It’s gorgeous and I love it. Altering it would be a good idea though!’

Her family were ecstatic. Talissa felt as if she were in shock. After her parents congratulated them both and her father assured Talissa that if Alistair made her happy that was good enough for him, both daughters got ready to leave.

Talissa and Serena kissed her parents goodbye and with Alistair volunteering to carry Talissa’s bag, they walked back to Redcliffe Castle.

+++++++

On arrival in the castle courtyard, Zevran was packing up the carriage ready for the journey. He smiled when he saw them and came over. His attention instant turned to Serena.

‘And may I ask, who is this lovely lady?’ Zevran motioned at Serena.

‘Let me introduce you both. Zevran this is my older sister, Serena. Serena, this is Zevran, my weapons trainer and lecher-in-residence at Highever.’ Talissa replied grinning.

‘For shame, that is unfair. Truly, there are some beautiful women in your family.’ Zevran kissed Serena’s hand and Serena blushed. She said her goodbyes and left quickly.

Zevran watched her go. ‘Why did you not tell me your sister was so pretty, Talissa?’

‘My mind was elsewhere.’ Talissa winked at Alistair.

‘I’ve got some good news. We’ve just got engaged.’ Alistair could not keep the happiness out of his voice.

‘Congratulations, both of you.’ Zevran shook Alistair’s hand and kissed Talissa on the cheek.

‘Thanks Zev but can you try to keep it a secret when we get back to Highever. We’ll tell people ourselves.’ Alistair asked.

++++++

As they walked through the front door, Alistair’s hand was gripped by Talissa. He stopped and said ‘If you can stand upto Isolde, you can certainly face Eamon. I was really proud of you facing down Isolde like that.’

‘Thank you’ she smiled, trying to calm down.

They found Arl Eamon in his study. He noticed Eamon was getting older, his hair whitening and his hand hands had a slight tremor to them when he held it out to shake hands. After the basic introductions and pleasantries were over, Eamon asked Alistair to leave them to talk. Once the door was closed, Eamon seemed to glare at her.

‘I understand you and your family were refugees from the Alienage in Denerim. Your parents are now grocers in Redcliffe and your sister is my wife’s maid. What precisely do you think you will gain by marrying my foster son?’ Eamon looked at her directly.

Talissa returned the gaze, not flinching ‘It’s true about my heritage. I have never denied my family, nor do I want to. I don’t want inherited money or properties. Instead, my reason for marrying him is simply that I love him.’

Eamon seemed to scrutinize the young woman in front of him. ‘If you love him, why did you run away when he talked about giving up the position of Warden Commander?’

‘I know the only reason he was being threatened with losing his job was because I’m an elf. Queen Anora admitted that. I wanted him to make the right choice without our relationship distracting him. Instead I hurt him,
a choice which I’m ashamed of.’ Talissa’s voice dropped as did her gaze. She looked up and Eamon had a surprised look on his face.

‘Thank you for being so honest with me, Talissa. I hope you will both be very happy together. After Mireli’s death, I thought I would never see him smile again. It’s good to see him back to his old self again.’ Eamon shook Talissa’s hand and walked to the door. He opened it for Alistair to come in.

‘Alistair my boy, you did your best as Warden Commander and perhaps five years is time enough.’ Eamon looked him straight in the eye and held him stiffly by the top of the arms.

‘Thank you Eamon.’ Alistair looked surprised at his change of view.

Eamon asked a servant to fetch Lady Isolde. A few minutes later, Isolde walked into the room, a smirk on her lips.

‘Isolde, I hope you will join with me in wishing both Alistair and Talissa every happiness for the future. Congratulations both of you.’

‘But husband, I ... of course, congratulations.’ Isolde smiled a false smile. Talissa knew she’d been wrong-footed by the news.

‘Thank you Lady Isolde.’ Talissa replied.

++++++

 

That night as they stopped to make camp, Talissa and Alistair did first watch. They sat and talked quietly.

‘I couldn’t believe Eamon’s reaction when he congratulated us.’ Talissa smiled and shook her head.

Alistair put an arm round her. ‘Me neither, you must have done some pretty fancy talking to convince him.’

‘Are you sure you want to marry me?’ Talissa sounded small and vulnerable.

‘I want to marry you, I wouldn’t have risked your father shooting at me with his longbow otherwise.’

She smiled ‘What did he say to you?’

‘He sounded relieved actually. I told your parents who my father was, I thought it only right they know.’ Alistair kissed the top of her head. ‘I know I’m just an ignorant shem but I love you Talissa, I honestly do. And this feels right to me.’

‘You want to marry a knife-ears with a temper, you must be mad.’ She smiled and kissed his mouth. ‘I love you too and I want to be with you, so why wait?’

Alistair reached inside his armour, pulling it off over his head. ‘I want you to have this.’ He gave her his mother’s locket. ‘You should know that Mireli had this before you so if you don’t want to take this, I understand.’

Talissa took the necklace from him and looked at it. She realised this was what Mireli had worn in the portrait. It was bashed and scratched but obviously well loved. She handed it back to Alistair.

‘You don’t want to have it.’ Alistair looked slightly hurt.

She shook her head. ‘I want to have it but I want you to put it on me.’

‘Ah.’ He smiled as he put the locket over her head, kissing her.

‘I’ll put the ring on there, before we get it altered. I don’t want to lose it.’

‘One more thing I wanted to ask you. I know we’re not actually married but would you finally move into my room? I think it should be about big enough for your collection of clothes.’ He smiled.

‘I’d love to, although I’ll miss sharing with Diandra. She’s become a good friend to me.’

‘What I want to know is what do you women find so fascinating to talk about?’

‘I can’t tell you that! I’d be drummed out of the girls' club!’

++++++

He knew this place: the Deep Roads. The smell of the lava, the stone and the fleshy smell he associated with the Broodmother and her tribe. He was looking down on the darkspawn amassing below, wondering if they could see him, if they knew where and what he was. He spun round and he was surrounded by darkspawn. They didn’t respond to his being there but he fought nausea. Their closeness made him want to run but there was nowhere to run to. Darkspawn on one side, yawning chasm on the other.

‘Alistair, wake up!’

He heard Mireli behind him. Turning he saw her looking angry.

‘Mireli!’

‘Wake up, they will attack you!’

+++++++

Alistair woke and sat up. The night seemed still and calm. Yet he could feel darkspawn nearby.

‘Talissa, wake up.’ She groaned but had her knives to hand just under the edge of the bedroll. Alistair knew Zevran was still on watch and he had to get to the carriage to get his sword and shield.

‘Zev’ he whispered loudly.

‘Yes’ A stealthed Zevran whispered in his ear. Zevran had also sensed the unnatural quiet.

‘We’re due to be attacked. Protect Talissa, I need to get my sword.’ Zevran nodded his assent as he moved to where Talissa was.

Alistair was in the carriage when he heard the darkspawn attacking the camp. Alistair jumped out of the carriage with his sword and shield, grabbed the driver who was just waking up, and told him to wait in the carriage. There were eight Shrieks that he could see, attacking Talissa and Zevran, who had their backs to each other. Alistair ran up next to his friends and alternated Shield Bash on both of the creatures they were fighting. This meant the rogues could take them down much quicker. Zev had no time to use his venom but that didn’t stop him from taking them down with lightning speed.

Alistair taunted the next shriek and Talissa backstabbed it. The dual combinations of stuns and attacks made short work of the last few darkspawn. Once they were finished, coated in darkspawn blood, they dragged the shriek bodies across the road and began cleaning themselves up at the stream.  The driver was quite scared and they decided that rather than try and finish the night off asleep, they would hitch the horses to the carriage at
first light. They found the horses in the next field and they were spooked by the darkspawn but they calmed down once the carriage driver spoke to them.

Alistair hugged a shaken Talissa. ‘For your first Darkspawn you did really well. They were Shrieks, and unfortunately they're born from darkspawn who are female elves.’

Her eyes went wide. ‘No! They were just...monstrous’

 He nodded his agreement. ‘Oh and you should know. Darkspawn blood takes ages to get off your armour. Where’s a Mabari hound when you need one?’ Alistair said.

She laughed then, although he could feel her still shaking. ‘What did happen to Mireli’s dog? I saw it
when I saw her in the Fade.’

‘I looked after Fluff for about six months but he pined away. Refused to eat. I tried so hard to keep that dog alive but he just wanted Mireli. I knew how he felt.’

‘Sorry Alistair, I didn’t know.’ She said, looking at him.

‘Why should you? I never told you.’

+++++++

They arrived back at Highever just after noon. Alistair had already told them both he was thinking of asking Fergus if he wanted to be Warden Commander, assuming he’d not allowed the castle to burn down in their absence. He wanted to speak to Fergus alone and make sure he agreed with Alistair’s decision.

Talissa, went to her room and put her stuff on her bed, soon not to be her bed much longer. She’d agreed to move into Alistair’s room once they’d come back from Denerim. She was staring out of the window when Diandra walked in and went up to her friend.

‘What the heck did you do that for? You had us all worried, you daft cow.’ Diandra said, annoyed but glad to see her back.

‘And hello to you too.’ Talissa said sarcastically.

Diandra gave her a hug and Talissa heard her crying. ‘What’s wrong? I’m back now.’ Talissa said.

‘That’s not the point. I was worried about you. And Alistair was beside himself with worry.’ Diandra replied, still holding on to her friend.

Talissa felt her throat tightening when she heard how much pain she’d caused people. ‘I am sorry about that. I just thought as it was me he was losing his job over, if I was out of the picture he’d be able to make up his mind without me distracting him.’

‘He needs you, you know.’ Diandra said, sitting down on her bed and putting an arm on her shoulder. ‘Without you he does stupid things, like breaking people’s jaws.’ They both smiled.

‘I heard. And how is Edmund?’ Talissa said.

‘Better than he deserves to be. Once it’s healed, he’s going to be shipped off to the Anderfels, as Alistair promised. I can’t believe the crap he put you both through.’ Diandra said in an angry tone of voice.

‘I hate to say this but I think I have to make a hospital visit. Will you come with me? I don’t want to be alone with him.’ Talissa pleaded with Diandra.

‘I think you’re mad but yes I’ll come with you.’

+++++++

 

Talissa changed her clothes and cleaned up. She wasn’t looking forward to this but knew she would have to speak to Edmund before he left. She wore the blue dress she was wearing at Redcliffe and boots and they walked up to the top of the castle, where the healers worked and knocked on the door.

‘Enter’ a female voice replied.

 ‘Talissa, how lovely to see you again.’ Millie the healer hugged her friend. ‘Did you have a good trip?’

‘It went well thanks Millie. Is Edmund here?’ Talissa said.

Millie’s lips narrowed. ‘Yes.’ She pointed to the far end of the room.

Talissa moved forward and walked behind the screen.

‘Edmund.’

He was surprised. He was sat in a chair next to the bed, his jaw strapped up. The break had been healed
but they needed to allow time for the swelling to go down. Of all the people he expected to see before he left for the Anderfels, Talissa was not one of them.

‘Talissa. How lovely to see you. And Diandra too.’ He said through mostly closed lips.

She sat on the bed close by. ‘I want to know why you wrote that letter, Edmund.’ Her amber eyes stared fixedly at him.

He couldn’t meet her unflinching gaze for long. ‘You know why Talissa.’ Edmund said quietly, looking at his hands resting in his lap.

‘What did you honestly think you would gain by telling the Queen? Answer me!’ Talissa was very close to losing her temper with him. She’d never been this annoyed for a long time. Diandra stood next to her, putting a hand on her shoulder.

‘I thought you would come to me, I thought you would be mine once the Warden Commander was kicked out.’
Edmund closed his eyes for a second. Shame burned through him.

Her voice dropped and she leaned forward. ‘That would never have happened. You lost your chance years ago. You know that, don’t you?’

He nodded dumbly.

‘I’m sorry you’re leaving to go to the Anderfels, but you and I need to be away from each other. You didn’t love me, you wanted to possess me. That’s not the same thing, Edmund.’ Talissa looked at him almost sadly. ‘I still think naively that there is someone out there for everyone, but I’m not the person for you.’

Talissa felt terrible when she looked at him and saw a tear running down a cheek.

‘Then I think it is only fair we say goodbye here and now, Talissa. You were a good friend to me in Redcliffe and I would like to think I was a good friend to you too, once.’ He said, his voice beginning to crack.

‘You were a good friend to me back then and I know you were teased for standing up for me and my family in
Redcliffe. But I lost you as a friend when we came to Highever, before I even met Alistair.’ Talissa wanted to hold his hand but couldn’t do that. She didn’t want him to think there was even the smallest chance of them being together.

She stood up and turned to walk away.

‘Goodbye Talissa and – I hope he makes you happy.’ He hesitated.

She looked at him, this wretched man and knew he would never have been right for her. ‘Goodbye Edmund. I hope you find some peace within.’

Then the two women walked out of the healer’s room, tears running down Talissa’s face.




Thanks to Gil for pre-reading this and the ring suggestion. Kudos to you

Modifié par MireliA, 02 mai 2010 - 11:53 .

[Gilgamesh1138]

YAY for another fantastic chapter! I am so glad they are back together, nicely handled with Edmund.



*blushes* Aw shucks, it was my pleasure sweetie! Cheers!

[MireliA]

Gilgamesh1138 wrote...

*blushes* Aw shucks, it was my pleasure sweetie! Cheers!

And Talissa ran off with the line - bah! Alistair needs to get control of her :happy:

Modifié par MireliA, 29 avril 2010 - 10:57 .

[Gilgamesh1138]

LOL! You rock!

[MireliA]

Gilgamesh1138 wrote...

LOL! You rock!

As do you!

[Gilgamesh1138]

Aw now I am going to blush! I can't wait for the next chapter.

[MireliA]

Still M-rated 

Chapter 14


That evening, Talissa went to Alistair’s study. He’d asked her to join him after tea. In she walked to find Alistair, Fergus, Diandra and Zevran already there.

‘You’re always late.’ Alistair said grinning as he poured her a drink

‘I’m fashionably late, sweetheart.’ Talissa purred back, taking the drink from him.

The other three looked at each other, bemused. They were already acting like an old married couple.

‘Well, you’re probably wondering why I’ve called you into the study. There are some changes about to happen.’ Alistair sipped his drink and carried on, ‘Firstly, we’re going to Denerim tomorrow to give the Queen my answer. I am due to step down as Warden Commander.’ This didn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone so Alistair ploughed on. ‘And in my place, I would like Fergus to step into the role. I will speak to the Queen and as she knows and likes Fergus in some twisted way, I’m sure she will accept my decision.’ Fergus smiled.

‘You kept that quiet, Fergus.’ Diandra looked at him surprised.

‘Yes and don’t forget its Warden Commander from now on, even in bed.’ He said in a loud stage whisper.

The rest of them laughed. ‘Hah! Like that’s going to happen.’ Diandra grinned.

‘Secondly, I have some more news. I have asked this lovely woman,’ Alistair indicated Talissa, sat next to him,
‘to be my wife. And she, in her madness has accepted.’ Diandra gasped. She and Fergus got up and kissed Talissa congratulations and shook Alistair’s hand.

‘Now you’ve told them, can I have my ring back?’ Talissa put her hand out in front of Alistair. He reached into
his pocket and turning her hand over, put the engagement ring on her finger, where it hung loose. Diandra ‘oohed’ over the ring as Talissa told them the story of how Alistair estimated her ring size. The group laughed, just like her
family had. Fergus asked them when they would be getting married. They’d already decided the previous night, three months time at Highever. Although Eamon had offered Redcliffe as a venue, they both decided that Highever felt more like home than Redcliffe ever had to either of them. 

‘And where are you going for a honeymoon?’ Zevran asked.

‘I was thinking perhaps a trip to Orzammar, take in the sights, kill a few Darkspawn. You know the sort of thing.’ Alistair smiled as Talissa nodded in agreement. It had been her idea after the run-in with the darkspawn. What was the point of being a Grey Warden if she couldn’t fight darkspawn?

‘Wow, you really know how to romance a girl.’ Diandra grinned.

Not long after that, Zevran took his leave and left the two couples to talk. Talissa broke it to Diandra that she was moving into Alistair’s room and although Diandra was sad, she her friend would move on. Before she’d left Talissa was hardly ever in her room, even keeping a change of clothes in Alistair’s wardrobe.  Alistair told them that he was going to take over Fergus’s job as sword and shield trainer, a job Talissa knew he’d enjoy
much more than Warden Commander. They left the study earlier than usual as Alistair and Talissa had the trip to Denerim the following day.

#=#

Later that night they lay in his bed talking. Neither of them were tired, though they knew they should be.

 ‘Alistair, I know you’re going to be a fight trainer, but what am I going to do? Nothing personal against Fergus, but I wouldn’t want to be his aide. It wouldn’t feel the same.’ Talissa said softly. She’s only just recognised she also would be out of a job.

‘Hmm, I’m not sure. Diandra might have something for you or there might be another role in the Castle. You can
always carry on training with Zevran until we find you something.’ Alistair kissed her bare shoulder but she moved away from him.

‘I think you should know something. Don’t be angry at me but I went to see Edmund this afternoon. Diandra came with me.’ Talissa had her back to him so he couldn’t see her face but she sounded upset.

‘Oh.’ He said, lying on his back. ‘May I ask why?’

‘He was still a friend of mine at Redcliffe, the only friend I had who wasn’t my sister. He went out of his way to protect me. I didn’t understand then he was doing this because he loved me. I thought he just liked me as a friend.’ Talissa replied, her throat sore from not crying. She felt guilty as surely as if she was sailing the boat to the
Anderfels in the first place.

Alistair close behind her and put his arm round her waist. ‘I do understand, I was just concerned that it would
make things worse.’

Talissa shook her head and faced him. ‘I don’t think so. I told him exactly what I thought and that it would never have worked. I felt like a total ****, but I had to say it. We wished each other well and said goodbye.’ She gave into her tears and cried against him then.

‘You did the right thing.’

#=#

The following morning they were on their way to Denerim, for the last time as Warden Commander and his aide.
They decided to give up on the pretence of having two rooms at the Gnawed Noble and signed in as ‘Mr and Mrs Theron’, spelling the Royal name differently to not to cause any questions. Talissa went for a walk while Alistair went to deliver his verdict to Queen Anora. She had a letter to deliver to a gentleman by the name of Brother Genitivi, for Leliana and then she had a trip of her own to make. She knocked on the door of Brother Genitivi’s house. She was about to put the letter through the letter box, when she heard someone shuffling towards
the other side of the door.

‘Yes, can I help you?’ An elderly bald-headed man opened the door.

‘Brother Genitivi, I was wondering if Leliana was still staying with you or you knew where she is?’

He squinted at her. ‘And may I ask who you are?’

‘I’m Talissa. I’m with the Grey Wardens and I have a letter for her.’

‘Oh, why didn’t you say you worked for them? A servant I presume.’ Genitivi opened the door further.

She sighed. ‘No, I am a Grey Warden. I currently work alongside the Warden Commander of Ferelden as his
aide.’

He seemed taken aback by the news. ‘Oh I’m sorry, I never thought...’ Brother Genitivi looked straight at her. ‘Leliana went on a trip to the Urn of Sacred Ashes about a month ago. However I will make sure she gets your message.’

‘Please do. It’s a joint invitation to her from myself and Alistair to come to our wedding.’ She turned on her heel and walked off. She didn’t want to have to explain her heritage to someone she would probably never meet again.

Now where was that dressmaker Leliana took her to?

#=#

As Alistair entered the Royal Reception rooms in the palace, the Queen and her servants seemed more subdued
than usual.

‘Alistair. I understand you have made your decision. Come and sit with me.’ Alistair did as he was bade and sat
across from her. The Ladies-in-waiting moved themselves away from them both.

‘I have made my decision and it was not an easy one to make.’ Alistair tried to read this woman’s face and knew
she was implacable.

‘Love over responsibility.’ Anora said simply. ‘You always were a fool for the women you loved, Alistair.’ She
sighed.

‘Actually Your Majesty, I still have my duty as a Grey Warden. That will never change.’ Alistair tried to
remain calm.

‘And do you have anyone in mind to take over your position?’

‘I do, Your Majesty. Fergus Cousland.’

‘A sound choice. I’m sure he will do an excellent job. Very well, I agree to the decision.’ Anora nodded her
assent.

‘I will inform Weisshaupt of the decision. I’m sure they will not disagree.’

‘You and Talissa.’ Anora said after a moment’s silence. ‘When are you due to get married?’

‘We’re due to be wed in three months time, at Highever. Your Majesty is invited, however you might find our
accommodations more basic than you are used to.’ Alistair said, knowing she would decline.

‘That is kind of you both. I wish you all the best for the future. And I will miss our verbal sparring, Alistair.
I do not have many people willing to stand up to me.’ Queen Anora looked at him sadly.

Alistair felt he had to say something. ‘Your father. I am sorry for the way he died. Had it been now, I
would have given him the chance to take part in the Ritual. At least he might have had a chance to live longer.’

Anora shook her head. ‘My father lived and died by the sword. Dying by a slow poison was not the way he would
have wanted to go, I know. None of us are the same people we were then.’

Alistair stood up and bowed and took his leave.

#=#

Alistair was getting ready for dinner, when Talissa walked in, holding a parcel and a pleased look on her
face.

‘And where have you been Mrs Theron?’ Alistair grabbed her and kissed her as she went past him.

‘Never you mind. I need to get ready. I have a date with a man tonight.’ She smirked.

‘Oh well, let me know how it goes. I thought I would wander to The Pearl myself...’ Talissa let out a squeak
and hit him on the arm.

‘Oww! That was mean.’ Alistair said, rubbing his arm.

‘Serves you right. Go down to the bar while I finish dressing. I’ll be down in ten minutes, I promise.’ Talissa
kissed his arm and his face and pointed at the door.

‘Fine I know when I’m not wanted.’

#=#

Alistair was at the bar and had just started to drink his first drink when he saw a vision in red silk out of
the corner of his eye.  He felt almost guilty, for looking at her, until he saw it was Talissa, in an almost identical
one to her purple dress and with shoes to match. He stood up as she drew near.

‘Wow, that is a great colour on you.’ Alistair breathed. He resisted the urge to lead her back to the bedroom,
but only just.

‘Thank you. I ordered it last time we were here.’

Alistair noticed she was attracting a lot of attention from other men in the bar. He kissed her on the cheek and he led her into dinner. They talked about the day’s events, about Anora’s revelation and her comments. Talissa knew that her enquiries were almost being friendly.

They both sat drinking after they’d finished their dinner.

‘Alistair? There’s something that I have to ask you.’ Talissa bit her lip.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘Nothing’s wrong exactly, it’s just if we could have children...’ Talissa left the sentence hanging.

‘You’re not trying to tell me something are you?’Alistair replied quickly.

‘No I’m not but if I was, would you be happy with that?’ Talissa asked quietly.

‘You do know that it’s very rare for Grey Wardens to have children together and if they do, there can be
problems due to the taint?’ Alistair looked at his fiancée, trying not to see the hurt on her face.

 ‘I know that Alistair. The thought struck me that of everything I know about you, I don’t know if you want children.’

‘Ah, I see. Well if you became pregnant I would love to have a child together.’ Alistair reached across the table and held her hand. ‘You want to be a mother, don’t you?’

Talissa nodded. ‘No-one ever told me that doing my duty meant sacrificing everything. I never knew until Diandra
told me a few months ago that the taint made it almost impossible to conceive or stay pregnant.’

‘When I went to Weisshaupt  a few years ago, there was talk about only conscripting men for this reason. It might seem sexist but it’s not meant like that. Many women have a strong maternal instinct and if they can’t have
children, it’s just unfair.’

‘If only men had got conscripted, I would never have met you Alistair. That not something I ever want to give up.
Even if we can never have children together, I still want to be with you.’

‘I’m happy to hear that.’ Alistair whispered, stroking her hand with his thumb.

#=#

Later on, Talissa and Alistair lay side by side, each in their own thoughts. 


‘I’ll miss this, our nights away in Denerim knowing there’s no-one listening at the door from Highever.’ Alistair said putting his arm around Talissa and pulling her close.

‘Thinking about what Edmund did still gives me the creeps. I do wonder how much he heard?’ Talissa said.

‘A fair amount if he was right up against the door, though why you’d torture yourself when you were in love with
that person, I don’t know.’ Alistair stroked her hair from her face.

‘I have no idea. Anyway forget about him.  This is our last night here,
is there anything we’ve not already done that you fancy doing?’

‘Ooo my rampant elven girlfriend.’ Alistair began to kiss the side of her face and kissing the edge of her ears.  ‘You see that set of drawers over there...’


Thanks to Gil for the second opinion

[Gilgamesh1138]

HOORAY! Another great chapter!  You spoil me!

[Miri1984]

I love happy Alistair. Thanks for this chapter .

[MireliA]

Gilgamesh1138 wrote...

HOORAY! Another great chapter!  You spoil me!

Thank you! *offers some round chocolates wrapped in gold foil and piled high*

Miri1984 wrote...

I love happy Alistair. Thanks for this
chapter .

Your welcome! Happy Alistair is more preferable to Angsty for sure *waves chocs in front of Miri*

Modifié par MireliA, 03 mai 2010 - 12:43 .

[MireliA]

Chapter 15 is up (I can't believe it's nearly a month since I last posted!) and as its over 6K I decided to Link it instead.