Forbidden Lovers

Chapter 6

They had been walking for hours till the sun began to paint the sky with the orange and yellows of dawn. Duncan called a halt then began setting up for a cold camp. Passing some of his journey rations to his new charge and her companion. Fen accepted the hard bread and cheese, wrinkling his nose in distaste over the dried meat. He broke the bread and cheese in half passing some to Jess before quietly starting in on his own. Jess slightly smiled at this them moved her eyes away. She shared  a generous portion with Jake, without eating herself with a sigh. Duncan watched the two, then slipped into the woods without a word nor a sound. Fen finished with his portion and scratched Jake behind the ear. Placing his forehead against the Mabari's he whispered something in elvhen. He released the dog after a friendly scratch to the chin. As Jake wondered to the edge of camp clearly on guard, Fen spoke. "You should grab some sleep while we can. If what this Warden tells us is true, we will need all the rest that we can get." "Sleeping now? I struggle to keep my emotions at ease...I'll just keep an eye out for now” Jess finished then stared into the crackling fire. Her tone was full of everlasting grief as she cried silently. He leaned back pillowing his head on his arm. Fen looked up at her in concern. "Jess, sleep. You will want to be alert the closer we get to Ostagar. Jake will wake us if there is need." Jess sighed with a low tone. Wiping away her salty tears.Her voice cracked ever so slightly showing clear signs of her hurt and fear “I don't know if I can sleep…” Jess placed her arms upon her knees. Then gently rested her chin down.

He considered her words for a long moment. She had likely never been out of Highever before he met her and to have all that you've known taken from you. He stood and went to sit by Jess. He placed his arm around her shoulder. "Rest I will guard your sleep. Should you start to dream I will wake you." "Alright. I'll sleep...if it pleases you” Jess laid her head on Fen's shoulder. Her exhausted irritated eyes slowly closed but never stopped their floods. Slowly falling to the darkness of the fade, everything was silent. Fen relaxed as her breathing became the steady rhythm of sleep. He nodded to Duncan as the Warden entered camp. Duncan returned the nod, a fleeting glint of sympathy in his eyes when he gazed upon Jess. The warden laid quietly his gentle snores quickly joined Jess. Jess slept peacefully for a bit then began to toss and turn endlessly. The elf soothed her hair and began to hum softly. Jake snuggled up to her resting his head in her lap before being taken to the fade himself. Jess eased a bit but still had her night fears.
***
Mid morning, Duncan stirred and readied himself for travel. "Fen is it?" Speaking quietly so as not to wake Jess. "Fen'revas. " Duncan chuckled at the correction. "You have some skill with your bow and I couldn't miss the way you handled the soldiers. With the Darkspawn massing to the south I'd like you to consider joining our cause." He stood, shouldered his pack, then met the elf's eyes. "We have a long journey ahead, think about what I said. We can use every warden." Fen nodded, he gently shook Jess awake. "On dhea, ina'lan'ehnathe Jess." Jess slowly opened her eyes. "Daddy?" Still halfway asleep. Opening her eyes she fully realized he was gone. Her head lowered in sorrow not making eye contact “I'm sorry..." Fen tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. A sad smile gracing his lips. "Jess, we must be going." Jess nodded as she began to stand up. Grabbing her weapons, Jake followed right behind her.
***
They spent days traveling, avoiding large towns. Duncan would occasionally leave the group at camp to replenish their supplies at small farmsteads. The last leg found Ostagar looming ominously ahead. Jess remained in her silent state for most of this time. Taking in her surroundings with caution. Duncan addressed the two as they passed the Tower of Ishal. "The rest of the Wardens are bivouacked with the King's men, I'll need you to seek out the quartermaster to replace any gear you need and to re-provision your packs. Then I need you to find the warden Alistair, round up the other recruits and meet me at my tent." Without waiting for a response Duncan left them to follow his instructions. Jess began to wonder around in search of Alistair like Duncan had requested. Kinda lost but found her way after some time. Jess asked around and eventually found him, arguing with a mage not far from the quartermaster.