A/N: Hey everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the story so far! Thank you for those who have rated the story, those who keep reading and those who have reviewed! Again, any feedback would be appreciated!
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JOINING
Chapter 3
“Tell me again why we didn’t go to Redcliffe first?” Alistair asked over the yells of the Shades as he cleaved one of them in half. In the distance, Leliana shot icy arrows into another Shade, while the mage, Wynne, electrocuted it.
“Not NOW, Alistair!” Elissa exclaimed. She dodged the attack of an enchanted Templar, but only barely. A searing pain across her stomach signified that the Templar’s sword had been closer than she had expected. She kicked the Templar in the stomach, stunning him for a moment before she sunk her dagger into his stomach. He fell to the ground, dead, as she examined her wound. There was blood, lots of blood. But she didn’t have time to stop. There were people trapped in the tower that needed their help.
Elissa felt her head pounding and tried to blink away the oncoming headache. The Fade had messed with her mind and she was mentally exhausted. Lately it seemed she was always exhausted in some way. They needed to clear the tower and fast. Elissa could already picture heading out to the Spoiled Princess and grabbing a large pint and a room when they were done.
What she wouldn’t give to sleep in a bed.
The room they were in was finally clear of attackers, and Alistair made his way to Elissa’s side. He noticed her hand pressed to her stomach, and the blood seeping between her fingers. “You’re hurt,” he exclaimed, reaching out for her. “Let me see.”
“It’s nothing,” Elissa said, shrinking away from his touch. She didn’t like being coddled. “It’s just a scratch. See, it’s almost completely stopped bleeding.” The cut had already started to clot, and the blood around the wound was drying. “We need to keep going.”
“At least let Wynne-” Alistair began.
“No, not for just a small cut,” Elissa said. “She needs all her energy to help those upstairs. Let’s just keep moving.” She pushed passed Alistair and headed towards the next door.
They were almost done.
--- “Well, that was extremely unpleasant,” Alistair commented hours later. Uldred had been stopped and the tower had been cleansed of most of the blood mages and abominations. The First Enchanter had promised to gather as many mages as the Circle could spare and Wynne had decided to join Elissa’s group of companions. They were meeting her in the morning before they set out to meet back up with Morrigan and Sten, who were patrolling the roads for darkspawn.
Elissa could see the Spoiled Princess as the boat grew closer to shore and she smiled slightly. A warm bed was waiting for her. She couldn’t help her excitement.
“You’re smiling,” Alistair said, causing her to look at him. “I haven’t seen you do that in a very long time.” His hair was completely mused and stuck to his forehead by sweat. He was also covered in dried blood, some his, but mostly the blood of the abominations. Elissa knew she probably looked just as bad as he did, maybe even worse.
“I’m smiling because we get to spend the night in a tavern and not outside,” Elissa told him, reaching her hand into the lake and splashing water onto her face. The coldness felt wonderful against her hot neck and cheeks, but she soon regretted the move when she realized how chilly the evening was. “And also because there will be a tub in said tavern.”
“A proper bath does sound good right about now,” Leliana responded. “Along with a nice meal and some ale, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Definitely,” Alistair said. The boat reached the dock moments later and the three carefully climbed out. Hermes decided jumping into the lake was better and he swam around for a bit before he met them on shore, shaking water from his fur. Elissa didn’t know the owner’s policy about dogs, but she was not going to leave her Mabari outside, and allowed Hermes to follow them into the tavern.
The warrior and two rogues ordered dinner and ale, and enjoyed a merry dinner together before retiring for the night. Leliana was the first to say goodnight and head to her room. However, when Alistair and Elissa went to speak to the owner, they were met with a problem.
“What do you mean you only have one room left?” Alistair asked, looking around the empty tavern. There had been no one there when they had visited before heading into the tower, and it looked like there hadn’t been anyone since. “Who else is there to rent rooms out to?”
“We have several rooms, actually,” the owner said back, obviously insulted. “But there is only one room left. It’s a double, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”
“But-” Alistair began, clearly ready to argue some more.
Elissa was too tired for the men to continue on. “We’ll take it,” she said, cutting Alistair off and reaching for her coin bag. She fished out the necessary coins and handed them to the owner.
The man took them before looking down at Hermes. “I usually charged extra for pets.”
“We can just leave him down here, where he will most likely attack you once Elissa is out of his sights,” Alistair said with a shrug. “You know how temperamental Mabaris can be.” As if to punctuate his words, Hermes looked at the owner and let out a low, dangerous growl.
“Alright, alright,” the owner said hastily. “Just keep him quiet and don’t let him on any of the furniture.”
Elissa and Alistair glared at the man as they made their way to the room they had to share. Hermes followed them, his tailing wagging happily. They didn’t speak as they walked, both too exhausted to really want to say anything. When they reached the room, they were glad to finally be there…until they noticed something. The room, while large, had only one bed.
“That sneaky bastard,” Alistair snapped as they walked in, closing the door behind them. “When he said double, I thought he meant two beds.”
“That’s what they usually mean,” Elissa said with a groan. It would be their luck to be put in almost the same situation as the tent.
“I suppose you can go find Leliana and room with her,” Alistair suggested.
Elissa rubbed her forehead. “I don’t even know which room is hers,” she said. “And I think I might collapse if I have to go any further.”
“I will take the couch then,” Alistair said, putting his pack down and turning to said piece of furniture. Unfortunately, as they had been talking, Hermes had jumped up on the couch and was now sprawled out, his eyes closed as he snored softly. “Or not.”
“Don’t try and move him,” Elissa warned, kicking off her shoes. “He will bite your hand off.”
“I assumed as much,” Alistair said. He sighed heavily and dropped his weapons on the floor, too tired to hold them anymore. “What do you want to do?”
Elissa eyes the tub in the corner, thankful there were at least curtains around it. “I think I will have a bath, and then we can just share the bed,” she said, removing her gloves. She could see Alistair’s wide, almost terrified eyes. “There are plenty of pillows. We’ll put them in between us if that will make you feel better. The bed is big, Alistair, we should be fine.”
Alistair gulped, but nodded. “Alright,” he said, removing his gauntlets. The real reason he had gotten nervous was because she would be taking a bath. This meant, that there would only been a flimsy curtain keeping his eyes from seeing her naked body. The room had just gotten exceptionally warmer.
Elissa began to fill the tub, surprised that such a small tavern had running water. But she was not going to argue. She pulled the curtain tightly closed, making sure that there were no cracks. As she began to remove her armor, the coldness of the room suddenly hit her. “Alistair, can you start a fire?” she asked, kicking the last of her armor to the side.
“Sure,” came his soft response.
She felt she might be making him uncomfortable, but she was too tired to care much. The tub was full and she happily sank into the hot water, which felt wonderful against her sore muscles. She couldn’t help but let out a soft moan. When she did, she heard a soft thud on the other side of the curtain and Alistair swear. “Are you alright?” she asked worriedly.
“Yes,” Alistair said. “Just dropped the log is all.” She heard him near the fireplace and after a few minutes she saw the soft glow of the small fire he had started. “How is your bath?”
“It’s wonderful,” Elissa said with a smile, pulling the pins out of her hair before wetting it. She missed being able to properly wash her hair. She grabbed a vial off the edge of the tub and examined it. It looked and smelled like the stuff she used to use in Highever, and she happily lathered her hair. “You should definitely try this.”
Alistair gave a laugh, which could have been considered a nervous one if Elissa was really paying attention. “The tub is preoccupied at the moment,” he said.
Elissa suddenly remembered that Alistair probably wished to bathe as well, and she hurriedly rinsed out her hair. “Don’t worry,” she said. “I won’t take too long.”
“Take all the time you want,” Alistair assured her. “I’ll be just fine.”
“You will bathe though, won’t you?” Elissa couldn’t help asking. “If we are going to share a bed, I would very much like not to have blood on it.”
Alistair chuckled. “I understand,” he said. “Do not worry.”
Elissa continued washing and soaking for some time, before she realized that the water was beginning to cool. She slowly eased herself out and wrapped a towel firmly around herself, sighing as she felt the cut on her abdomen sting. It had reopened in the water, but it was at least clean for the moment. Elissa suddenly realized that she had been very stupid. She had no clothes to wear. She had fresh smallclothes in her pack, and at least one comfortable nightgown for sleeping. But her pack was on the other side of the room.
“Um, Alistair?” she asked.
“Yes?”
“Can you hand me my pack?” Elissa asked, feeling foolish. She should have remembered to grab it.
“Why do you need it?” Alistair asked curiously. She heard him cross the room.
“Because my clothes are in it,” Elissa said.
“Oh really?” Alistair asked. She could hear the playfulness in his tone. “What if I don’t see your pack anywhere?”
She knew he was joking. She had put her pack near the door. But she decided to play along. “Then I guess I will just have to walk around the room completely naked,” she said, poking her head out from between the curtains. She made sure she caught Alistair’s eyes when she spoke. “And even go to sleep naked…in the bed we have to share.” She allowed herself to smirk as he gulped nervously.
“Just kidding!” he said, holding up her pack. “Here it is!”
He crossed the room quickly and handed her the pack, before purposely turning his back on her. She smiled and shook her head fondly as she disappeared behind the curtain. She let the tub drain and dressed quickly, rubbing her hair dry with her towel. “Alistair, do you have any bandages?” she asked, stepping out from behind the curtain.
“Sure, why?” he asked, reaching for his pack. “Is your cut okay?”
Elissa lifted her shirt slightly and winced as she noticed blood beginning to drip out of one of the corners. “I
was okay,” she mumbled. Alistair sighed and grabbed some bandages and motioned for Elissa to sit. She sat on the bed, but noticed that it would be easier for him to bandage if she lay down.
Lying on the bed felt heavenly, and she closed her eyes as Alistair smoothed an herbal paste over her cut. The paste was cold, but Alistair’s hand was soft and gentle. She found she enjoyed the feeling of his hand touching her skin. His hand sizzled against her skin and felt a slightly shiver run through her body. She hadn’t been touched by a man since she had been in Highever. She opened her eyes to look at Alistair, but he did not seemed fazed by what he had been doing.
He had bandaged many people in his time that he wasn’t thinking of anything but helping her. Once he had coated her cut in the paste, he gently wrapped the bandage around her middle. “It should be better by the morning,” he said, wiping his hand on a towel.
She smiled and gently took his hand, making him freeze slightly. “Thank you,” she said, giving his hand a squeeze.
Alistair gulped but nodded. He gently released her hand and grabbed his pack, heading over the tub. “My turn!” he said, somewhat excited. Elissa giggled sleepily and sat up slowly. Digging through her bag, she found her brush and began to take the knots out of her hair. She hummed softly to herself, listening to the sounds of Alistair filling the tub and getting ready for his bath. She glanced over and froze briefly. The edge of the curtain wasn’t pulled completely shut.
She briefly got a full view of Alistair’s naked body. His body was rippling with muscles and her mouth grew a little dry at the sight. She only saw his back at first and frowned as she saw the bruises and marks that he had from the battles they had encountered. But as he stepped into the tub, she turned away sheepishly. She had seen Alistair’s naked backside and the image was now burned in her mind.
And she did not care so much.
Smirking slightly, she continued to comb her hair, making sure her back was completely turned on the tub. By the time Alistair was finished with his bath, Elissa’s hair was almost dry and she was ready for bed. Putting her brush down, she stretched and yawned. “Hello bed,” she said fondly, falling unceremoniously forward, face-first into the pillow. She let out a sigh of content.
Alistair emerged from behind the curtain and chuckled. “I can’t imagine that you are comfortable like that,” he said, putting his pack near the couch. Hermes was still snoring away.
“You’d be surprised,” Elissa said, her voice muffled. She removed her face, only to arrange the extra pillows as a barrier between her side and Alistair’s, as promised. The former Templar extinguished the candles in the room, until only the fire in the fireplace remained. The light danced off the walls and Alistair’s breath caught in his throat. Elissa was lying on her side, facing his side of the bed as he walked over. She looked just as peaceful as she had the morning of his inappropriate dream. The light of the fire eliminated her, casting her in a beautiful light.
Alistair realized he liked the sight of her waiting for him to get into bed.
Smiling slightly he slipped under the covers, and lay down on his side, facing her. “Happy to be in a bed again?” he asked, admitting to himself that the bed felt amazing.
“So happy,” Elissa said with a smile. “We can set out to Redcliffe first thing in the morning.”
“Thank you,” he said.
She nodded, the smile still on her face . “You know, we keep making a habit of this,” she said.
“A habit of what?” Alistair asked curiously.
“Falling asleep near each other,” she said.
Alistair thought back to the nights before the tent and the night of the tent. They had only had a couple of days where one slept in the tent and the other outside, but essentially, she was right. “Huh,” he said. “I hadn’t noticed.”
“Truthfully, I like it,” Elissa admitted.
Alistair raised his eyebrows. “Really?” he asked.
Elissa nodded, her eyes blinking slowly as sleep began to take over. “It helps to talk about something before I sleep,” she said. “I don’t dream about the darkspawn right away after we fall asleep talking.” Her voice had gotten slower and her eyes didn’t open.
“What do you dream about?” Alistair couldn’t help asking.
But there was no response. Elissa was fast asleep, breathing softly as she sifted in her sleep. Alistair sighed, but smiled. Her hair had fallen into her face again, and this time he allowed himself to gently brush it away from her face. In her sleep, Elissa moved and gently leaned into his hand, smiling slightly before she was still again.
Alistair smiled too and didn’t bother turning away this time, wanting her face to be the last thing he saw before he fell asleep.
--- A/N: DONE! Finally! Sorry for the wait! So, I’ve been playing Dragon Age 2 and [SPOILER ALERT]: If you import the game where you marry Alistair and make him king, as the noble, he has a brief cameo in this game and says a really funny line about you (your character from origins) at the end of his scene. I won’t say it for spoiler reasons, but youtube it. It made me giggle. Hope you enjoyed :) Please review!
