Forbidden Lovers

Chapter 4

Arriving at the Spoiled Princess the elf tethered the horse to the hitching post and held out his hand to help Jess dismount. "Thank you Fen. This has been...fun" Jess spoke with a slight snicker, stopping herself before she said romantic like she had wanted. They hadn't know each other very long but she felt her heart skip a beat when he was near. Her wandering eyes gazed around at the area. Attempting to calm her racing heart. "I've never been here before. What is it?" Jess advanced towards the lake. Fen looked at the lake, small ripples in the water catching their reflection. "It is a tavern my lady" Fen smirked. His eyes drifted across the surface coming to rest on Kenlock Hold. "My clan tends to stir clear of this place, I however have been here twice. The innkeeper is fair, his patrons questionable." Jess pointed to the tower not far away. "That is the Circle of Magi correct? I wonder what it's like?” Jess sat on the ground slowly. Her eyes never leaving the tower. Fen nodded. "They keep mages locked away, for an accident of birth." He shook his head, eyes troubled, "We do not treat our mages like this. It goes against the Creators." "I wish I could change their ways. I hope others will agree." Jess sighed, her mabari galloped up and kissed her before he laid his head on her lap. Fen watched her quietly for a moment. " Why do you care for the mages? Most humans believe this," He gestured toward the tower, "is right." "I've always had a different view on everything. Most even called me crazy. How I see it is the only difference is they have gained magic later in their life. A uncontrollable gift. That can't be their fault. Just like elves. They use to get along with the humans till they were abused and woman raped. No one chooses these lives. " Jess stared at the tower as she brought up her knees, placing her arms upon them crossed. “Plus I know what it is like to be locked up…” she breathed in her arms at the childhood memories. I don't want to go back to that…

He nodded thoughtfully. His faraway look, became a glower as Howe interrupted. "The circles are here to protect us from the corruption of power. The mages would inflict on us. It is the Maker's will and the reason Andraste began her exalted march." Rendon ignored Fen continuing to speak with Jess. "I've spoken with the innkeeper and have procured our rooms for the evening." "Good to hear. Let's get settled in for the night” She began to get on her feet. Fen moved to follow. Entering their rooms Jess removed her skin tight armor. Howe stood in the stairwell with a clear view of their rooms and the common room.
***
Once Jess had shut her door, he waited for the elf to approach. Fen paid the innkeeper for his room, shouldering his pack he headed for the rooms upstairs. He met Howe's eyes glare for glare and waited for the older man to speak. Howe nervously cleared his throat before speaking. His voice coached so as not to carry beyond them. "The lady is young, have respect for her station. When we arrive at Highever I expect you to take your leave, her father would not take kindly to the actions you have displayed. Nor do I." He left the stairwell to stand before The Lady Cousland's door and watched as the elf disappeared to his room.
***
Jess strived to get to sleep, so she headed out to the lake for a relaxing swim. Little did she know she wouldn't be alone. Fen removed his armor, nimble fingers making quick work of the buckles and lacing. Once down to his soft woven shirt and leggings, the elf settled himself against the headboard and began to play an old Dalish lullaby. Allowing the settling sound to fill his weary ears.
***
Jess arrived out by the lake. Once out of her tight armor, she jumped in. It was just what she needed when it sent a shiver up her spine. When her lips began to turn purple and chatter she had finally exited the lake. Just her luck, a young Templar reached out and seized her by the rear. Attempting to cop a feel of her bosoms as well with his free hand. "Watch your hands unless you wish to lose them" she stared him down as he snatched her tightly, not releasing her. "I wanna see you try sweetheart" he glowed. Jess struggled to escape his grasp, whipping around as she yelled "Unhand me you scum!" The man laughed like a maniac. “How bout a hottie like you just shuts your trap and let a man show you a fun time” his eyes were full of mischief and a sly smile.
***
Fen'revas halted his music listening for the sound. Not sure if it's his imagination he held the flute to his lips, but hesitated. His eyes glanced around for a moment then shut, focusing on the sound.
***
Jess fired punches at the Templar who still had a tight grasp on her. "Let go!"Jess snarled with pain and frustration. He couldn't help but snicker at her feistiness. Slowly he started feeling up Jess's hour glass figure "Why would I do that?" He radiated with an evil gleam inside of his eyes. His lips brushing across her earlobe gently.
***
He pulled the flute from his lips, then headed to the window, peering out into the darkness. Uneasily he listened intently to the night sounds and the muffled noises coming from the direction of the lake. I could almost have sworn that was Jess. He shook his head at the thought, last he had seen she had gone into her room and Howe was standing guard at her door. He started to close the window and head back for bed.
***
Jess spat in the Templar's face with clenching fists. Holding on still with one arm he wiped away the slimy saliva. "Now that wasn't very gracious. Someone should teach you manners." He lifted up his hand and struck her a few times across her face, then threw her to the ground. She plopped down with a THUD. She pushed herself up with tears streaming down her cheeks. Quickly grabbing her armor and placed it on with swift fingers snapping the buckles. She got up to her feet, dashing back to her quarters.
***
The ruckus outside drew Fen out of his room, just in time to see a very angry Jess in full armor leaving her room. "Jess?" "Yes Fen, how can I assist you?” Jess tried to hide her face from him. Still red from the strikes with the start of slight bruising as well. His brow furrowed in concern as she turned away. He glared at Howe's closed door. "Jess what happened?" He turned her to face him, getting a glimpse of the delinquency. "Who did this?" His anger was palpable. Jess exhaled, there was no point of hiding it now. "I was out swimming in the lake and a templar tried fondling me. He kept touching me so I told him to let me go. He simply refused. I spat in his face because he had my arms and he hit me several times..." Jess looked away once again, ashamed. Fen growled low in his throat and stormed out the door of the tavern in search of the Templar. Jess rushed after him to talk him out of his idea to find the man. "Fen please. It's fine" Jess insisted as he rounded on her.
"It is not fine! The len'alas lath'din.." He let the sentence die off before heading toward the lake again. Jess stopped for a second, dead in her tracks. Then proceeded to follow him in silence. Fen started searching the waters edge for signs of a struggle. He found her small prints going in, then coming out of the water further down the bank a second set of larger prints fell in behind hers just past the boat house. The Templar's heavy plate leaving a clear impression in the moonlight. Fen followed the prints a short distance before kneeling in the soft wet dirt of the bank. Dirt furrowed to the side showed where Jess had been assaulted and the Templar had attempted to drag her off. A few broken twigs, a scuffle and the clear outline of where a body had been thrown and a scattering of debris where Jess had managed to escape her attacker and head back toward the inn. The Templar's tracks led away, along the edge of the lake."I'm sorry Fen. I should have had my daggers on me" Jess followed, arms crossed and her hands rubbing her arms gently. Fen'revas looked over his shoulder at her and came to a halt, the anger draining from his eyes. "Jess you have nothing to apologize for." He put his arm around her shoulders and started back to the inn. "Let's get you back, I will insure the Templar does not return." His lips turned up into a sheepish grin. "Ah Mythal protects the foolish." He plucked at his home spun shirt. "Charging after a fully armed Templar may not be the wisest course." Jess glanced up at the elf cautiously. "Really? Your anger was caused because I couldn't escape and was foolish and went off alone" she gazed away to the right, more of towards the ground. Dark thoughts clouded his eyes and he spoke in a quiet tone. "No one should have to face that alone." "But many do and I am one of those many tonight...It is why I wish to help people. So they don't go through what I go through" Jess took in a deep breath and slightly frowned. He brain worked while they advanced in silence. What it would mean for someone to lookout for the welfare of everyone, even the elvhen. What it would have meant for his son. "It's a noble goal to wish to protect others." He spoke softly. "Well if I don't then who will" Jess started to consider how others were. Just selfish. Yet Fen cared for her a great deal, more than she thought he would. "Come, you should get some rest we have an early rise if we are to make good time toward West Hill." He escorted her back to the inn.
"Fen...will you stay in the room with me?" Jess looked around noticing some Templars around within the Inn. Fen smiled, cupping her cheeks affectionately."Lethallan, I will done my leathers and sleep across the door. Anyone attempting your room will need to go through me first." A mischievous sparkle in his eye. "Your dear friend Howe has trouble with me sharing your horse, I think sharing your room would cause him to seizure." Jess hugged Fen tightly. "Promise...I don't want to be alone" Jess slowly loosened her grip, tears dripping from her blue eyes. Scared of the Templars, probably for ever now. Returning her hug he gently pushed her toward her door. "I promise, nothing will enter through me. Take Jake in there with you, he is one smart Mabari and between the two of us you will be safer than that Templar should we see him." Jess nodded lightly and called Jake into her quarters, closing the door behind her. Fen quickly dons his armor, then leaned against the door frame. “Not the first time I've caught shut eye while on guard, not likely to be the last.” He thought again about their conversation earlier, then closed his eyes for a light nap. Ready for anything that might arise.
***
Jess laid her head upon her mabari and slipped into an exhaustion eventually. Not awaking in till the morning.
***
Fen's rest was uneasy as he woke to every sound. The last group of humans downstairs had been particularly rowdy and Fen had stayed on alert since.
***
When morning came Jess opened the door. Bruises now completely formed, with slight swelling. Fen looked up from his seat on the floor and winced. "Ir arbelas Jess, I should have been there."  He stood, took her by the hand and led her to his room. Careful to leave the door open he rummaged through his pack for the healing poultice he kept handy. He held up the small jar, letting her see the white shimmery substance. Opening the jar he took a generous portion and began to work it gently into the bruise. "This will not heal the bruise quickly but it will take away the sting and speed the healing process." "Thank you Fen and don’t blame yourself.You didn't know it was happening. So this is my fault not yours" Jess closed her eyes and thought of something other than the light pain upon her face. He shook his head. Fen smiled knowing she could not see him with her eyes closed. "The fault does not lie with you. Promise me should you want to go off again, not to go off alone." "I promise Fen" Jess moved her strands of hair from her face."Good." Fen held out his hand and helped her to her feet. "We should ready the horses. The baggage needs to be redistributed between the horses." He grinned. "Howe's horse should be able to carry more than just him." "You're right. We should get to it" Jess chuckled as she grabbed her bags. Fen followed her out of his room to find Howe glaring at them. The lord's face was an impressive shade of purple with veins pulsating with his anger. Jess kept her head facing the ground. Not wanting to make things worse so she kept quiet. "Young miss Cousland, I suggest you go down to the horses while our escort and I have a very long conversation." Howe pressed his lips in a hard unpleasant line unwilling to take his eyes from the upstart elf. "Yes Howe" Jess bowed then did what she was told. So out the door she went and to the stables. Feeding the horses as she was lost in her thoughts.

***
Fen'revas returned Howe's glare with a deadly one of his own. "No." He growled but Jess had already disappeared out the door to the inn. Howe lashed into the elf with quickness "You have taken advantage of a young girl and likely dishonored her beyond marriageable status and I will see you hang for this mark my words!"  Howe's eyes narrowed further. "Leave now and I may be generous enough to let you live and keep her little secret." Jess gathered drinks for their journey. Feeling she should head back to check on Fen. Fen'revas glared at the old Lord as he jammed his fingers into the elf’s chest. His eyes flashed angrily as he grabbed Howe's wrist and twisted it behind the Arl’s back , forcing him into the wall. He held his dagger to his neck in lethal promise. "Jess was put in danger from your lack of foresight! I would sooner take her back to the clan where she would be safe. Yet, I have made her a promise to see her safely home to her father. If you're not able to keep her safety in mind tell me now and I will insure you have no need to worry in the future." Fen released Howe and headed down stairs while Howe nursed his wounded pride.
***
Jess headed out of the inn, hopping upon her trusty steed as she spotted them joining. Fen exited the inn with Howe not far behind him. Both men glowering, if Howe's glare could kill Fen would be dead. If Howe had his way, the elf would not live past the gates of Highever. Jess on her horse held out her hand to Fen. After helping him up she gently hit the horse's side to gallop away. Getting ahead of Howe. She remained quiet. What will father think of my actions. Jess thought to herself. Not taking her eyes off of the trail in front of her. Tired after the night's long activities Fen wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning his head on her back and slipped quietly away into a light sleep. Jess noticed him falling to the fade and slowed down the horse to a steady pace. Howe's roan pulled aside them. He continued to glare, but holds his tongue. Jess held her head up high trying to enjoy nature on their travel and not let them know she was ashamed. Keeping his tone low and reasonable, he addressed Jess.

"My dear this isn't the journey I intended for us." He glanced at the sleeping elf and lowered his voice further. "I can understand your infatuation with the young man, I was young once myself and due to ah..the circumstances I think it wisest to continue past West Hill and make straight to your father's tyrn." "Our journey is to Highever Howe. " Jess glanced at Howe then back to the path. He smiled down at her as she stared ahead at the road. "Of course dear. I just thought the best course was to avoid any unwanted attention on the rest of this little trip." "Howe heading to father's Tyrn would take longer than just heading to Highever. You know this" Jess looked at him again. He watched her for a long moment before nodding and setting his horse into a canter ahead. Jess stayed at a slow pace until Fen should awaken on his own. Fen chuckled. "He really isn't fond of me." "No he isn't. How much did you hear?" Jess peaked over her shoulder to him. He grinned. "Enough, I thought best to let him think I was still traveling the fade." "He doesn't like many. He's a close family friend, but very grumpy" Jess laughed softly. He nodded. "I can understand his need to keep you protected. " "His is not protection. He was being rude to you and it is not acceptable" Jess whipped her head away. His rich chuckle returned. "He means to protect you from the infamous Dalish." "The Dalish are kind people who are just misunderstood" Jess shook her head. Fen blinked. "Some of us yes. There are a number of clans that hold similar views of humans that people such as Howe have of all elvhen. And like humans and Dwarves there are some who are little better than bandits."

***
They traveled for days passing by West Hill avoiding any unwanted attention from the nobility. Accepting the hospitality of the occasional farmer. Fen could feel his nervousness increase as Highever drew near, that Howe was becoming more and more smug as their destination drew closer, it did not body well in the elf's opinion.