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Beginning Our Forever	By : TheDeathRae Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 1691 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age or any of its expansions, nor do I own any of the characters. I make no money from publishing this FanFiction.

Chapter List
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Chapter 4 – Visitors

“She is stirring,” a woman said.
“Oh, thank the Maker,” a deep, tired voice said. “How’s her leg?”
Whose voice is that?
“Improving. It’s still fractured in two places, but with rest and my magic, it will be good as new in a few weeks.”
Wynne?
A sigh. “And her shoulder?”
Alistair?
“Swollen and bruised, but progressing nicely.”
“A few weeks, you say?”
“Yes.”
“We’ll postpone the coronation, then.”
“Alistair, are you sure that is wise?” a older voice from farther away questioned. “You know the Arls will grow restless the longer they wait.”
And Arl Eamon? Where am I?
My heavy eyes opened slowly. I turned my head and my neck cracked from stiffness. Alistair’s back was to me and he faced Arl Eamon.
“It’s important that she is well when my coronation occurs,” Alistair insisted.
Arl Eamon sighed. “Very well. I shall inform the Grand Cleric of the postponement.”
Alistair turned to me, and his jaw dropped open. “Blessed Andraste! When did you…? Wynne! She’s awake!”
I smiled slightly and opened my mouth to speak but no words came out.
“She needs water, Wynne.”
“I’m getting it. Have patience.” Wynne left the room.
Alistair looked like he hadn’t slept in days, perhaps more. I couldn’t be sure… How long have I been out? I wondered. He sat down in a chair next to my bed and his amber eyes melted and swirled with concern. I closed my eyes and sighed in contentment, then reopened my eyes so I could see him. Even with deep purple circles under his eyes, too much stubble, and extremely messy hair, I couldn’t get enough of his face. It felt like I hadn’t seen him in ages. He was wringing his hands and would not take his tired eyes off my face.
Wynne entered, carrying a glass full of water, a damp cloth, and a foul-smelling paste. She first had me sit up and propped me up with pillows so I could drink. I reached for the glass but groaned when my right arm throbbed. Clearly, it didn’t want to be used. I reached instead with my left hand and quickly drank all the water.
“Now, I need to apply some of this ointment to your leg,” Wynne informed me.
She pulled back the sheets covering my legs and I gasped. My leg looked disfigured and too… big to be my leg. It must’ve been swollen to twice its size and was purple all over.
“Alayna?”
I looked at Alistair. His lips were pursed and his eyebrows were scrunched into worry position.
“Yes?” My voice was hoarse.
“I was so worried about you,” he blurted out. “When you flew back and when the stone crushed you… I thought you were dead for sure.”
I smiled. “Well, that’s twice now I’ve fooled you.”
He remembered. “Indeed, you have,” Alistair chuckled.
I winced in pain. “Ah! Ow!”
“I am sorry, but I have to get your leg in proper condition again.”
I groaned. “How long have I been out?”
“Five days,” Wynne replied, “during which time your fiancé has neither slept nor ate.”
My eyes grew wide. “Alistair! Please go and get some rest, you crazy person.”
He laughed, but it did not conceal the sleepiness in his voice. “Wynne exaggerates. I slept off and on, and I did eat, but I’ve not left your side. And as for being crazy… yes. I am so crazy in love with you that I couldn’t leave you while you were unconscious.”
I blushed.
“Shall I leave you two alone?”
“No,” said Alistair. He leaned down and kissed my forehead and as he backed away he wrinkled his nose.
“What? What is it?”
“Oh, nothing. You just need a bath, that’s all,” he teased.
I half-glared at him. “Ha ha, very funny. And you need to get some sleep or those deep purple circles under your eyes will become permanent… and I really don’t want to marry someone who looks old.” I shook my head in disgust.
“Touché.” He smiled and left.
I watched Wynne as she continued applying the salve.
“A few weeks until I’m better?” I asked her.
“Yes. You’ll be able to walk in a week and, if you rest, it will be good as new the week after… provided I use my healing spells. Without them, you’d be here for a few months.”
“Wouldn’t that be divine?” I sighed. “Perhaps I should have taken two pinches from the Urn of Sacred Ashes.”
“The Maker himself might have smote you down,” Wynne laughed.
I laughed back. My leg was looking better already.
“Thank you, Wynne. For everything.”
“You are welcome. It’s the least I could do for the Hero of Fereldan.”
“‘Hero of Fereldan?’ Is that what they call me?”
“Yes, they do,” Wynne replied.
“Well, I didn’t do it alone,” I told her, motioning to my leg. Then something hit me: “Where is Morrigan?”
“No one’s seen her since the explosion of Fort Drakon.”
“Well, she didn’t lie,” I said.
“She said she’d disappear?” Wynne asked, curious.
Knowing she would see through any fibs, I replied, “Yes.”
“Did she way why?”
Well, technically... “Nope.”
“Strange girl, that Morrigan.” She paused. “How is it that both you and Alistair survived? I was under the impression that a Grey Warden had to die to ensure the archdemon’s death.”
I shrugged, and my right arm throbbed again. “As was I. But this was only the Fifth Blight. Perhaps we don’t know everything yet.”
“Yes, you may be right. I think I’ve exhausted you enough for now. Why don’t you get some rest, dear?”
Sleep sounded delightful. “Okay.”
Wynne helped me lay down again and after she left, I fell fast asleep.

)-(
It was night when I awoke. I was alone in the near-pitch blackness. I swallowed: my throat was dry. Another glass of water had been put next to my bed, and I drank it all quickly.
Let’s see… It was midday when I was talking with Wynne. Has it been seven hours or thirty-one? If it’s the next day, Alistair would be here, wouldn’t he? Or maybe he’s with Arl Eamon… or in bed. I sighed.
Footsteps broke the silence and there was a rap at the door.
“Hello?” I called.
“Can I come in?” It was Leliana: her thick Orlesian accent was recognizable anywhere.
“Of course.”
She opened the door slowly and closed it behind her quietly.
“Is there a reason you’re being so furtive?” I inquired.
“Not really. But it’s the middle of the night and I didn’t want to wake anyone.” She sat down in the chair Alistair had sat in earlier. “You hit your head pretty hard out there… and your leg… How are you?”
“Better? I don’t know. I’ve not been conscious long enough to tell.”
“Oh, I see. Well, you look better, if it helps. I, uh… stopped in earlier this week to check on you,” she added.
I smiled. “It does help, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Would you like me to keep you company?”
“If you do not mind.”
“I’ve been awake for a while now.”
“So… have you thought about what I said?” I asked.
Leliana bit her lower lip and glanced at the wall then back at me. “About Zevran?” She tried to sound discreet.
“Mm-hmm.”
She smiled sheepishly. “Well… he is nice. And honest, even if he is gruesome about it.”
“Can’t you just admit you like him?” I half-laughed. “I’ve seen you watch him at night in the camp.”
Leliana blushed. “… He’s fun to watch.”
“Oh, come on.”
“He is handsome, and tall… and those legs, so tanned and muscular.”
I laughed. “So you have been looking at him. Have you thought about talking to him?”
“I have,” she replied. “But… but what if I make a… fool of myself? Wh—what if he does not like me?” she stuttered.
“Relax. Think about it. You have very similar tastes. You both enjoy danger, blood, killing people for money, and sleeping with those people before you kill them.” I laughed. “You’re perfect for each other!”
“We shall see,” she laughed back. “But enough about my love life. You and Alistair are getting married. Are you excited? Nervous?”
“Both, I guess.” I smiled. “How can you describe something you’ve never felt before? I’m anxious, happy, restless… I—I just can’t describe it... I’m getting to marry my true love. Is that describable at all?”
“No, I don’t believe so. But I understand.” She paused and studied my face. “You are thinking about him. Your smile gives it away.”
I blushed. “Indeed, I am.” I looked out the window. “Can you tell me how long it has been since I first woke up?”
“About a day. Wynne has been spending her time looking after you, healing you. She’s worn out by the end of the day.”
“I appreciate her help.” I sighed and looked at the door. “Where is Alistair?”
Leliana smiled. “Sleeping, most likely. He stayed up for days worrying about you.”
“I know, I know. I’m the one who made him go to bed.”
“So… he listened to you and no one else? That Alistair. He probably didn’t want you to worry about him, so he obeyed.”
I smiled widely. “I enjoy our boy talks.”
“Oh, I do, too.” She glanced out the window now. “But I should let you rest. It’s almost sunrise.”
“Thanks for the company, Leliana. Get some sleep, and let me know how talking to Zevran goes!”
“I will, I promise!” She exited the room as quietly as she had entered.
The sun was indeed rising. I noticed my surroundings for the first time, since Alistair wasn’t there to occupy my eyes. I must have been in a small guest room or a servant’s room because there were two other beds along the wall, each with a night stand and an oil lamp beside them. Plus, the room didn’t look like a clinic of any sort, except for the herbs and cloths scattered, which I was sure was Wynne’s doing.
Maybe I’m in Arl Eamon’s estate in Denerim, I thought. But wasn’t it burning when we arrived? Shouldn’t it be damaged? I never did get to see everything… maybe it didn’t get burned too badly. If I’m in a servant’s room, then I’m underground and I wouldn’t be able to see any damage, anyway. Ugh. This hurts my head. Someone just needs to tell me what in Andraste’s name is going on.
I tried to go back to sleep but I was too restless to keep my eyes shut for more than a minute, so I lied awake as the minutes ticked by.
“Maker, I hate being bedridden,” I said out loud.

)-(
A rap at the door caused me to jump.
“Come in!”
The door opened and Wynne walked in. “How long have you been awake?” she asked me.
“I don’t know. Since midnight?”
“Why, it’s nearly seven! Why didn’t you call for someone?”
“I guess I didn’t realize how long I’ve been awake.”
She pulled the sheets off my leg. “It’s nearly healed!” she gasped. “Perhaps your sudden good mood sped up the process. I will have to keep that in mind…” he voice trailed off.
She was right: my leg was not longer purple and double its size, but was yellow with a few spots of heavy bruising and was almost normal-sized again.
“Wow. You’re fantastic, Wynne!”
She was deep in thought. “You should be able to walk by tomorrow, at this rate,” she finally said. She felt around and pressed my leg. I winced when she pressed in certain areas, but it was not unbearable. “Your fractures are mended and you just need to strengthen the muscles by exercising them.”
“Thank you, Wynne. Could you do me one last favor?”
“Yes, child?”
“Don’t tell anyone,” I spit out. “I want to surprise everyone tomorrow.”
She laughed. “Sometimes I forget your youth. But I will do as you ask.” She smiled.
Well, I am barely twenty years old, and Alistair is only twenty-one. “Thanks.” Suddenly, I remembered something: “Where am I?”
“Why, we’re in Arl Eamon’s estate in Denerim.”
“I thought so. Is it damaged much?”
“The front is a bit charred, but the stones held together well and only a few outer extensions burned.”
“I see. Is everyone – besides Morrigan – still here?”
“Yes. They are anxiously awaiting Alistair’s coronation, as are you, I’m sure.”
“Where is he?”
“Alistair is with Arl Eamon setting up the dates for his coronation… and your wedding.”
I instantly smiled at the word ‘wedding,’ and Wynne smiled back.
“I knew that would cheer you up,” she said.
“So… will he not be here all day?”
“He might return in the late evening, but not before then.”
I sighed. “Well, perhaps I will have other visitors.”
“I will let them know you are feeling much better.”
“Thank you, Wynne.” She cleaned my leg of the foul-smelling ointment and replaced the sheets.
“It is no trouble,” she said, smiling. She left the room quietly.
Not twenty seconds later I heard a great commotion down the hall and up the stairs. Chairs scraped against floors and forks clattered on to plates.
The first person who made it to my room was Oghren. His red hair stood up in a spiky, disordered mess atop his head and he was slightly out of breath, hiccupping. I laughed at the sight of the small Dwarf.
His gruff voice finally spoke: “Yer tougher ‘an a bronto’s mother, and I’m mighty glad yer alive. That sodding archdemon couldn’ do othing’ I yeh, heh-heh.” He hiccupped again.
“Are you always drunk?” I laughed again.
“I’m at my bes’ when I’m drunk, don’ yeh know? The ladies like me better ‘is way.”
Wow. I had to admit, he was the funniest Dwarf I’d ever met. And even though he was always sweating ale, he was a good man and a good teacher. He’d taught me the Dwarven way of the berserker and practiced with me until I’d gotten the method down.
‘Ferget all those “proper” methods o’ sword fightin’ an’ let yer senses guide yer blade,’ he had told me.
“I want to see it,” I hollow voice bellowed. Shaled pushed Oghren out of her way and stood in the doorway. She promptly stated: “It is very squishy. I would have been very amused if it had died.”
I rolled my eyes. “Still calling me ‘it’?”
“Yes. I know it exasperates it, and I do enjoy its frustration.”
I sighed. She would always be this way, I guess.
Her footsteps echoed down the hall. How a golem managed to walk around without breaking everything was beyond me.
Sten was next in line. “I am glad you are well, Kadan,” he said simply, and walked away.
Zevran came last. “So. The Hero of Fereldan. Such titles really draw the attention of jealous nobles. Good thing you have me to watch your back.”
Same old Zev. “Thanks for that. You sure you won’t be the one assassinating me?”
“No, never. Not without being paid a great deal of coin first, anyway.”
“Good to know I can trust you!”
He smiled and nodded. “Any time, my friend.” He turned and left the room, humming to himself.
What has him so cheerful? Did Leliana—
Think of the devil, and the devil shall appear. Leliana brought a tray full of food: oranges, bread, cheese, beef, and a couple of cookies. My mouth began watering and my stomach growled.
“Here you are!” she exclaimed, and set the tray of food on my lap.
“How long has it been since I last ate?”
“Umm… before our assault on Denerim, I think. It’s been a while. That’s why I fixed this for you.”
I devoured the fruit and bread first and moved to the meat. “I’m so hungry,” I said between bites.
“I see that,” she laughed. “When I saw how much weight you had lost I—”
My eyes had bugged at ‘weight you had lost.’
“Just how much have I lost, exactly?”
“Well, it’s not that bad. I mean, you haven’t eaten in a week, and you are a Grey Warden, so—”
I laughed. “I forgot we eat more than normal people. I guess it makes sense.”
Leliana picked up a small hand mirror and held it up to my face. I gasped. My face was thinner: my relatively high cheek bones were jutting out slightly and my cheeks were gaunt. (Normally, my cheeks were full and concealed my cheekbones.) The tendons in my neck were visible and – on top of all that – my hair was a mess! I looked at my arms and hands, and for the first time I noticed that they were thinner and bony. I sighed. I’ll bet the only normal-sized thing is my chest. I looked down. Yep. (It’s not like my chest was huge, but it was larger than average for my size.)
“Maker, I’m hideous,” I whispered, feeling smaller than normal.
“That’s not true. You are beautiful; you just need to eat.”
I sighed and resumed eating. When I finished, I drank a mug-full of ale. Leliana dismissed herself and took the empty tray back to the kitchen.
I was alone with my thoughts.

)-(
Several hours later I awoke to yet another rap on the door. The room was dim: the only light was provided by a few candles.
I really need to get on a regular sleep schedule again, I thought.
“Knock, knock.” The deep, smooth voice was unanimous with the knocking.
I sat up in excitement, wiped off my mouth, tried to fix my hair, and folded my hands in my lap. Finally, I answered, “Come in!”
My tall, handsome fiancé stepped through the doorway. He looked extremely tired, but he smiled and sat down next to me.
“Hey, you,” I said with a smile.
“You’re awfully excited to see me.”
“How could you tell?”
“Your hands. You always fold you hands when you are excited,” he teased.
“Do I? I never noticed.” I unfolded my hands but left them in my lap.
He reached for my left hand with his and held it gently. “See? This is why we don’t let women into the Grey Wardens.” He held up my thin hand. “So fragile.”
I gave him a dirty look. “When I have my strength back… just you wait, Alistair Theirin.”
“That might take a while.” He looked over my whole body. “You’re quite thin… it’s that pesky Grey Warden metabolism.”
“Well, you’re lucky you have a Grey Warden metabolism with the way you eat,” I teased back. “You’d be three hundred pounds without it.”
“Oo, that was harsh. I might have to punish you for that…” He poked me in my ribs and I giggled.
“Please, Alistair, no tickling…” I groaned.
He yawned.
“Go get some sleep.”
“Politics is exhausting, you know. This coronation and wedding and other tasks are so much work.”
“So sorry,” I said sarcastically, “but you’re stuck with me.”
“That I am, my dear.” He stood up and said goodnight, kissing my forehead afterwards.
Chills ran up and down my spine.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you, too.”
He turned to leave but I realized that, when everyone came to visit me, my dog was missing.
“Wait, Alistair. Where is my mabari?”
He stopped and waited a few moments before he answered. “I’m so sorry, Alayna.”
“What? No!”
Alistair sighed. “Barkspawn died shortly after the gates of Denerim were secured. Swallowed too much darkspawn blood, poor dog.”
My heart sank. “Oh.”
“I’m sorry. I know he was with you since childhood. But he gave his life saving lives, so he died nobly.”
I sighed. “Thank you for telling me, Alistair. Good night.”
“Good night.” He closed the door silently but his footsteps echoed down the hall.
First my parents and brother, now my dog? How much more do I have to lose?
I laid back down and forced my tear-stung eyes to stay shut.
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Beginning Our Forever