Abandoned Sanctuary

Title:

Abandoned Sanctuary

Idle

Time

“Stop

yer belly-achin you’d be getten some when yer mistress be commin back to camp,”

Aslinn said as she slowly turned the deer meat that was roasting over the fire.

Eric sat near her and whined again. “Aye, you can have the gristle.” She tossed

the mabari over the meat, which caught it in his mouth before it even hit the

ground.

Morrigan

made her way over to the fire. “’Tis good to see someone else

cooking. I don’t know if my taste buds could take another night of Alistair’s

cooking.”

“Laurena

seemed to be ‘joyin his cooking,” Aslinn turned her attention to the pot.

“She

would eat mud if Alistair put it in a pot and served it to her,” Morrigan waved

her hand dismissively and sat down next to the fire.

Aslinn

cut off a strip of meat and popped it in her mouth, closing her eyes and

chewing slowly. “It’d be done,” she glanced back at Morrigan who was just

sitting on the log reading a book. “Yah wanna try?” Without looking up from the

book, Morrigan held out her hand and Aslinn cut her a long strip, causing Eric

to whine in protest. “Oi dunna you be startin that now, you’ve been havin had

yours already.” She gently took the hot meat away from the fire and started

cutting them up into smaller, bite-size, pieces then dumped those into the pot.

Aslinn bent down and stirred the pot now filled with meat spices and

water—setting aside the carrots, celery, and onions to add later.

A

bitter wind, from the North, blew into camp. Eric picked his head up from the

bone he’d persuaded Aslinn to give him and sniffed the air. Aslinn gave out a

loud curse.

“Azeyma’s golden fan! How’d it get so

bloody cold all a sudden,” she quickly picked up her newly repaired cloak and

wrapped it around her shoulders tightly.

“Winter approaches and it does not help that we are this far

North,” Morrigan watched Zevran shiver and move closer to the fire as well.

“’Tis like this ever year, it has not even begun to snow yet.”

“Yer

jestin? Snow…dis time’a da year?” Aslinn said excitedly, her tail swishing

fervently behind her

“In

Antiva, snowfall is a rare sight even on the coldest of days. I imagine it must

fall quiet frequently here.” Zevran rubbed his exposed arms and contemplating

switching to an armor set that covered more skin.

Aslinn

unceremoniously plopped down on the log right next to Zevran,

he could feel the heat radiating from where their legs almost touched since she

had sat closer to him than normal in an unconscious effort to be near something

warm. “Have yah ever seen snow on the ground? In Gridina it’d snow but it be

melted by day’s end.” She smiled at him, her pointed fangs teeth poking out

over her bottom lip.

Zevran

open his mouth to reply to her but Eric interrupted when he stood up and began

barking loudly in short happy sounding spurts. Both Aslinn and Zevran turned

their attention when the mabari began to chase his short stubby tail. Morrigan

looked at Eric with a look of disgust. It was then Zevran noticed the movements

of Aslinn’s feline ears, they went straight towards the mabari, then one flicked

to the side, towards the path leading away from the camp.

The tip of Aslinn’s nose twitched slightly and

smiled bending over to pet Eric, using the tips of her claws to lightly scratch

behind his ears. “I’d be understandin now, yah be

smelling yer mistress not far from camp.” She walked back over to the pot and

began dumping the vegetables into the pot. The mabari, now calm, laid back down and put his head down on his large paws.

It

did not take long before Eric’s head popped up and got up to make his way

towards the entrance of camp. The missing members of the group walked into camp

and the female Grey Warden immediately dropped down to her knees, allowing the mabari

to lick her face. She laughed and rubbed Eric before gently pushing him off

her. Alistair smiled before sitting off to the side of the fire, across from

Zevran. Leliana, Laurena and Wynne settled down around the cooking pit, Leliana

set down a satchel and turned to Aslinn.

“I

found some lovely hats, scarves, and ribbons to put in your hair. I didn’t know

your size but Wynne and I found some charming elven sized garments for you as

well,” Leliana practically had stars in her eyes when she spoke. “Before supper

we should bathe and I can do your hair for you. I would also like to see how

the clothes fit you.”

Aslinn

had stiffened at the mention of ribbons, she wearily

turned away from the pot towards the bard. “Eh, it’d be too cold to bathe. Wouldna

do no good gettin sick.”

Laurena

chuckled to herself, knowing Aslinn was making excuses not to be dolled up by

Leliana. She had glanced at the purchases and they were practical…mostly. She

was glad it was Aslinn that Leliana had decided to play dress up with instead

of her. Laurena loathed it when her mother had made her wear dresses and put

ribbons in her hair. Her mother had always fawned over her long black hair, but

it had always gotten in her way when sparring with Ser Gilmore so she had taken

a knife to it one night and cropped it short. She remembered how furious her

mother had been with her the next morning.

“Bathing

would be nice and it won’t be cold, Aslinn, I promise.” Laurena spoke causally,

rescuing Aslinn from Leliana as she described the different hair styles she

could do with the younger woman’s hair.

“I’m

sorry, Laurena, but I think if we do bath it will have to be in cold water. It

has turned unexpectedly chilly since we left for Denerim. Unless

you are thinking of going back to Denerim and renting some rooms at an inn.”

As Leliana spoke her eyes widened at the prospect and Aslinn groaned, knowing

another trip into the city would only mean more shopping and more dolling over

for her.

Laurena

shook her head. “No staying in Denerim would only invite trouble but have no

fear we can bathe in warm water,” she turned to Morrigan. “If you would heat

the water for us it would be pleasant change for us all.”

“Why

would I waste my magic on doing that?” The witch scoffed.

“If

you would do that and come bathe with us I could let you borrow my brush, and I

could even pull up your hair for you.” Laurena thought it a wise move of

Leliana to go after Morrigan’s vanity.

“Very well.”

“Excellent.”

Laurena smiled then turned to Wynne. “Will you join us as well, Wynne?”

“Perhaps

I will. These old bones need a good soaking.”

“Agreed then.”

The

woman headed for a small pond that they would be using to bathe, Eric trotted

along behind them, stopping on the edge of the water. Leliana brought her brush

and Aslinn’s purchases so that they could see what fit best. Aslinn glanced at

the bag in dismay and Laurena felt sorry for her. Morrigan cast a fire spell

and it hit the water with a loud hiss. She cast another one and this time steam

could be seem coming off the water.

 

___

  

(¬,¬)

  [_

]  )o{=====>

    

UU    

Alistair

followed Laurena’s form as she and the other women walked out of camp and

sighed. He thumbed the silky petals of the rose he held tenderly in his hands.

Alistair had been debating when the perfect moment would be to give his simple

gift to Laurena but he would either loose her nerve or get interrupted by one

of the others. He wanted to give it to her tonight so he arranged it so that he

and his fellow Grey Warden would share watch together. Alistair glanced over at

Zevran, who was lounging by the fire, the elf’s head

was facing the direction the women had gone. The Grey Warden sighed, wrapping

the rose gently and tucking it away, before heading toward the former Crow.

“Zevran,”

Alistair took a seat near the elf and wait for him to turn his attention

towards him. When Zevran looked away from the tree line and sat up did Alistair

continue. “Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?”

Zevran,

with an amused smiled on his lips, answered smoothly. “You may ask, but I may

choose not to answer.”

“Fair enough.” Alistair felt very nervous about having this

discussion with him but who else could advise him? Sten…well Alistair really

did not thing “wooing” was in the quanri’s language. “Have you…had many women

in your time?” This caused Zevran’s golden eyebrow to raise and give him skeptical

look. “I mean…you seem like the sort of man who would…”

Zevran

cut him off. “I have indulged from time to time, perhaps, when my interest is

not elsewhere.” Right now Zevran’s interest was wondering where the obviously

embarrassed man was going with this.

 

“Right. Well, how do you…” he was having trouble

coming up with the right word. Think

Alistair think. “woo them?” He finished. “Is there

a…technique? Or…”

Again,

Zevran cut off his embarrassed stumbling. “Woo them? Are you quite serious?”

“Er…yes?” Alistair said picking lint off his trousers

and refused to look direct at Zevran. “I don’t know what else to call it.”

“So

let me get this straight,” Zevran had now sat up straight instead of his

comfortable lounge and looked at Alistair with a mockingly serious expression

on his face. “You have never wooed? Not once? You are woo-less,

as it were?”

“All right. Bad idea,” he stood up. “Never

mind.”

Zevran

couldn’t help himself, he was in disbelief but it certainly explained a lot of thing

about the would-be-templar. “My friend, I jest, I jest.” Alistair turned and sat back down. “You are

trying to woo our fair Grey Warden,

yes?”

“Ah…it’s

not what you think! I mean, I’m...” Alistair was stumbling over his words. “Maybe,”

he finally admitted.

Zevran

laughed. “No need to be shy, Alistair. I can see your interest in out leader. I,

myself, am trying to woo one of our

companions but she has, how do you say, been playing hard to get.”

That perked Alistair’s interest “Who?”

“Aslinn,”

he said quickly. “But you distract me from my point.” Zevran waved his had

dismissively. “Every female has her likes and dislikes. The key, my friend, is

figuring that out. Sweet honeyed words would be the best to start with, whispered

during the initial embrace…enough would open her heart…” Zevran chuckled, “Or better

yet, the straps to her armor.” He leaned forward. “Don’t under estimate the

power a pair of attentive hands can bestow. The slightest touch, at the right

time and place, can elicit most…pleasurable moments.” Zevran paused having

heard the man in front of him take a loud gulp. “Besides the first two, utilize

your other senses to weaken her inhibitions. Sight, smell, taste—the

combinations are endless.” He leaned back. “That should head you in the right

direction, but I cannot give away all my trade secrets now can I?” He laughed

at the, now very red Alistair.

“Umm

yeah…thanks… I think I got the root of it.” Alistair stood up and walked

towards his tent.

“Hmm…”

Zevran turned back toward wear the women wondered off to. “I cannot help but

wonder what is taking our lady companions so long.”

“What

do you mean?” Alistair started to worry that they may have been attacked.

“Well

think about, they are out there not a stitch of clothing between them.” Zevran

smiled to himself. He could not help himself, he had to tease Alistair. The man

was just baited so easily. “Washing each other, yes?” he sighed. “It is enough

to make a man very jealous. Just think those naked bodies, suds all over their

bodies and…touching one another.”

“I

ummm…going to go over here and sharpen my sword until they get back.”

“Truly? Here I thought that was forbidden in the

Chantry,” Zevran laughed when Alistair stumbled of a root at his words.

___

  

(¬,¬)

  [_

]  )o{=====>

    

UU    

Laurena

sneezed.

“Maker’s

Blessing upon you” Leliana said.”You know they say if you sneeze, someone is

talking about you.”

Laurena

rubbed her nose. “That is an old wife’s tale.”

“Maybe. Now isn’t that much better than that old

wrap.” Leliana said having tied a large ribbon around Aslinn’s head. She handed

her fellow red-head Morrigan’s mirror.

“Yer

jestin?” Aslinn said turning her head this way and that. “This be worse than tyin em around me ears.” She reached up and

took the ribbon down.

“Aw

but it was cute.” Leliana pouted

“Yes

but not practical,” Laurena smiled. “I don’t think she appreciated the choker

with the bell either.” Aslinn made a face at the mention of the choker. It was

silk and bright pink with a bell in the center that would jingle every time the

woman who wore it moved.

The

woman had finished bathing and Leliana went immediately to work on Aslinn. The

bard did have some impractical ideas about how to hide some of Aslinn’s extra

assets but she, thankfully, had some good ones as well..

Morrigan came up with the idea to have Aslinn put her wrap in front of her ears

and tie it at the nape of her neck instead of wrapping it around her head. This

made her look more like a city elf if she wore it with the vest. Aslinn had

been happy to hear that they had initially mistook her for an elf and that she

might be mistaken again for one, Laurena thought this was strange but said

nothing more on the matter.

The

woman went through the rest of the contents of the sack, keeping a few outfits

and headwear for Aslinn. Leliana even convinced the miqo’te to keep a simple

dress “just in case”. Grumblingly she put it on the pile she had in her arms

and followed the others back to camp. Aslinn began to stuff the articles of

clothing into her knapsack. Without a word she returned to her station at the

cooking pot and began spooning out portions for everyone.

Laurena

felt her stomach rumble, she was famished and looked

over towards the cooking pot. “You cooked? It smells wonderful.”

“Aye,

lot too. Morrigan mentioned some’em ‘bout Grey Wardens eatin lots so I’d made

enough for feedin an allegiance,” Aslinn took a portion for herself and sat

down beside Zevran.

“That’s

it, she is… officially... the camp cook.” Alistair

said in between mouthfuls.

“But

I like my kingly meals,” Laurena pouted and Alistair let out a groan.

“You, maybe, but I like to be able to identify what I am eating,” Leliana took tiny

spoonfuls savoring the flavor.

“Ah,

this reminds me of home, only here I do not have to check my food for poison,”

Zevran caught Aslinn glancing at him. “The company is much finer too.” She

smiled and gave him a gentle bump with her hip.

“Flatter.”

“I

say it only because it is true.” He flashed Aslinn a smile and heard Morrigan

groan in disgust.

“Where

did you say we are headed next?” Wynne quickly changed the subject before the

two of them went to innuendos.

“Soldier’s

Peak, I have been putting it off but since we are in the area I should keep my

promise to Levi.” Laurena motioned towards her pack with a tilt of her head.

“His map is in my pack, we were to meet him at his cousin’s inn when we were

ready. I estimated it would take us maybe three days to get there but with the

weather turning colder it may take longer.

“Brr

snow it be makin me cold just thinkin ‘bout it.” Aslinn let out a shiver.

“My

dear, there is no need to suffer in the cold when I would be more than happy to

share my tent with you. Warm your bed, as it were.” Zevran turned a lecherous

grin to the woman sitting next to him.

“Aye,

I might be takin you up that if the weather turns sour.”

“Clothing

is optional, of course.” Zevran’s hand found its way to Aslinn’s waist. She

opened her mouth to retort but Laurena interrupted the exchange.

“Ok

that’s enough out of you two. Keep it up and I’m putting one of you with Sten

on watch duty.” Their leader shook her head and was starting to regret pairing

them together on watch duty. She prayed to Maker they would actually keep their

hands off one another long enough for another shift to take over.

During

the course of dinner Laurena realized two things. First being that Aslinn was a

wonderful “road cook” as she had called herself, she would try and convince the

woman to cook at every opportunity. Not that she didn’t like the other’s dishes

but cheese flavored grey blobs or half burnt rabbit, as Sten liked to cook, got

a bit repetitive. Aslinn haven’t lived most of her life in the woods or on the

road, as an adventurer, she knew what went well with wild game.

Second, that Alistair was looking more nervous

than he normally would act around camp. Alistair hand would brush lightly over

hers or he could look at her softly then turn away when she would notice. She

would have to sit him down and speak with him during their shift.

The

group dispersed shortly after dinner was eaten and camp chores were done.

Everyone, thankfully, went to their respective tents or in Aslinn’s case her respective tree. Alistair came to sit beside her,

starting her and bringing her back from her thoughts.

He

smiled softly at her, taking a blanket and wrapped it around their legs. “Sorry

about that.”

“It’s

no problem, I was just thinki—Maker, your hands are freezing, get them under

here.” She took his hands in between her, placing both their hands beneath the

blanket, and rubbed her hands against his colder ones.

Without

thinking Alistair linked his fingers between hers and they both sat in

comfortable silence—each lost in their own thoughts. It wasn’t until his thumb instinctively

started to gently rub her knuckles did they both realize they were still

holding hands. Alistair could feel his face heat up and even in the dim fire

light that Laurena was blushing as well. Maker

she is beautiful. He thought and leaned in closer. His intent had been to kiss her but unfortunately

there was a rustling in a nearby bush, so she pulled away from him and gripped

the handle of her sword. Eric came trotting out of the bush a moment later with

a dead hair in his mouth.

“Caught

dinner have you boy?” Laurena reached forward to pat his head, the resumed her

watch.

Alistair

saw the mabari head in the direction of Morrigan’s camp. He wondered for a

moment what the hound was up to, then grinned when the hound came back with

nothing in his jaws. The mabari turned around three times before settling down

in from of Laurena’s tent for the night. Alistair’s eyes caught sight of his

pack and he made a decision. Now or never.

“Here,

look at this,” Alistair held out a rose to Laurena, twirling it slightly as he

spoke. “Do you know what this is?”

Laurena

gently touched the rose petals in his fingers. “Is this a trick question?” A smirk across her face.

“Yes, absolutely. I’m trying to trick you. Is it

working?” She laughed at him and shook her head. “Aw, I just about had you

didn’t I?”

“Now,

you’re just making fun of me.” Laurena’s eyebrows were furrowed but there was a

smile coming from corner of her lips.

“Make

fun of you, dear lady?” Thinking back on Zevran’s advice, he took one of her

hands in his and ran his thumb across her knuckles again. “I picked it in

Lothering. I remember thinking, how could

something so beautiful exist in a place with so much despair and ugliness?

I probably should have left is alone, but I couldn’t. The darkspawn would come

and their taint would just destroy it.” His eyebrow furrowed and Laurena had

the sudden urge to stroke his face and make those lines go away. “So I’ve had

it ever since.”

Laurena

bit her lip, suddenly very nervous, her famous Cousland confidence was nowhere

to be found. Why am I so on edge we’ve kissed

once before but…She lost her train of thought as she stared into Alistair’s

hazel-colored eyes. “What do you intend to do with it?”

“I

thought that I might…” Alistair looked as nervous as she felt. “Give it to you

actually.” she let out a breath she didn’t know she had been holding. “In a lot

of ways, I think the same thing when I look at you.”

She

took the rose gently from him, their fingers brushing for the briefest of

moments. “I…don’t know what to say.”

“I

guess it’s a bit silly, isn’t it? I just thought…here I am doing all this

complaining, and you haven’t exactly been having a good time of it yourself.”

The creases returned between his eyebrows as he looked away. “You’ve had none

of the good experience of being a Grey warden since your Joining, not a word of

thanks or congratulations. It’s all been death and fighting and tragedy.”

Alistair

looked up and Laurena felt her breath hitch, there was tenderness hidden behind

his eyes.“I thought maybe I could say something. Tell

you what a rare and wonderful thinking you are to find amidst all

this…darkness.”

“So…are

we married now?” Alistair isn’t the only

one able to deflect seriousness with humor, Laurena thought.

“Ha!

You won’t land me that easily, woman! I’m quite the prize, after all, no need to

start crying on me or anything.” The laughter on Alistair’s face faded back to

seriousness and Laurena didn’t like it when he made that face— it meant he was

second guessing himself. “I guess it was, uh, just a stupid impulse. I don’t

know, was it the wrong one?”

“No,

it wasn’t. Thank you, Alistair.”

“”I’m

glad you like it.” His face light up. “Now…If we could move right on past this

awkward, embarrassing stage and get right to the steamy bits, I’d appreciate

it.”

“Steamy bits…sounds good. Off with the trousers then…” Laurena

jokingly placed her hand on Alistair’s thigh; he immediately stood straight up

and started to ramble off words quickly.

“H-Hehe,

bluff called! Damn, she saw right through me.” Alistair mumbled the last part

to himself.

“You’re

so cute when you’re bashful.”

“I’ll

be…” He took a big gulp of air and laughed nervously. “I’ll be sitting over

here, until the blushing stops. Just to be, uh, safe. You know how it is.” He

quickly took a seat on the log opposite the one they had both been just sitting

on.

“Alistair”

She called to him a blush staining her cheek, went her gaze meet his Alistair

felt a heat run thru him from the tips of his hairs down to his toes. “Come

over here and kiss me.”

“When you put it like that how can I refuse…bossy…hot.” He closed the

distance in three strides.

 

Their

lips meet with a gentle caress and Alistair pulls Laurena closer to him with a

gentle tug on her waist. She complies, sliding into his lap as her hand tangles

her fingers in his short hair. There was a short whistle and they both pulled away

from each other faster than a dwarf runs away from a bath. Aslinn grinned toothily at them from her perch

atop the tree branch.

“We

hav’tta behave but Wardens gone Wild happens when we all be asleep.” The feline

swished her tail nosily at the too stunned Wardens.

“How

long have you been awake?” Alistair’s face was red to the tips of his ears.

“Since,

‘Make fun of you, dear lady’. I’d be

too cold out here to sleep”

If

it was possible Alistair just became redder. “Ok you go in my tent and sleep

until I wake you for your shift. Maker if I hear you and Zevran snickering

tonight, I swear I will throw you at the archdemon.” Laurena said sternly but

not loud enough to wake any of the others. Hopefully.

 

A/N

I

want to thank my lil mage in hiding beta, Janec Shannon. We had fun with

Alistair this chapter. I wanted to also thank Aimo from Deviant Art for her

inspiration on part of the “Advice” scene.

I

wanted to give everyone a heads up that they should really read Janec’s story

“Stars” because there are a lot of easter egg type

references or jokes that you might not get if you do not read it. So give her

some props!

Here

is the link to “Stars” remember to take out what is in the ( ) and put in what

is in that space. So for (slash) replace it with /

 

http:(slash

slash)www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net(slash)s(slash)5655515(slash)1(slash)Stars