Forbidden Lovers

Chapter 7

Fen had gone off in search of the quartermaster to replenish their supplies with a promise to catch up with her before they head for Duncan's tent.
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The young Warden could be seen arguing with one of the circle mages. Eventually the mage stormed off in a fit of pique. Alistair laughed good naturedly before realizing he had an audience. "Oh, uh... Sorry I did not see you there. You wouldn't happen to be another mage would you?" "I am no mage. I am a Cousland. The name is Jess Cousland" Jess bowed slightly to be polite as a noble should be. He smacked his forehead. "Yes that’s it. Duncan told me he would be bringing in a recruit from Highever, you must be her. Have you met the other two recruits yet?" "No I haven't, but I would love too. You must be Alistair I take it? It's a pleasure to meet you" Jess smiled at him and placed her hands on her curvy hips.
***
Fen headed to the quartermaster and was met by the surly man just in front of the forge. " You elf, where's that girl? I sent her off an hour ago with that armor, she should have returned by now." Fen glared at the man. "I'm no servant, find her yourself." "I beg your forgiveness you elves all look alike to me. You must be one of the new recruits I haven’t seen many elves in the regular army. I have a lot of gear and potions, tell me what you would like and I'll take care of your needs." Fen purchased a number of potions and poultices to replace what he had lost on the trip to Highever and their subsequent escape. He also found a beautiful set of silverite daggers with intricately carved hilts Jess would like and picked up the pair for her. He tucked those away in his pack for later and set off to find her.
***
Alistair reddened. "Right then first order of business we will need to locate Ser Jory and Daveth, have you been to the quartermaster yet? If not we should stop by him as well." "No but I'm sure my friend has" Jess grinned slightly at Alistair. "He said he would meet up with us." Alistair laughed. "Just arrived to Ostagar and already have the young men in the army running errands for you." He started to lead her toward Duncan's tent. "We should keep an eye out for the other two if we are lucky we'll run into them on our way to Duncan. If you have any question feel free to ask."
***
Fen caught up with Alistair and Jess. So as not to interrupt the young Warden as he goes into great detail on the terrifying creatures darkspawn are, he handed Jess a small pack containing some of the potions he purchased along with additional bandages and dried rations."Thank you. I appreciate this Fen’revas" Jess began glancing in it. Her mabari at her side as they walked to Duncan at his tent. Alistair smiled at Fen. "You must be the friend Jess told me about." He held his hand out to the elf in greeting. "I'm Alistair, as a junior member in the order I'll be assisting Jess and the other new recruits into the order. Will you be staying to help with the battle or will you be off then?" Jess watched Alistair. She was a bit surprised the he was being so respectful to Fen. Being here won't be half bad after all. Jess smiled at her thoughts. Fen took Alistair’s measure before accepting his hand in greeting. "Aneth ara Alistair, I'm Fen'revas."
Alistair cut him off. "You're Dalish? That’s wonderful I've never met one of your people before, though like Garahel I've heard they are warriors without peer." Fen smiled. "I am and no I will not be leaving, I'll be joining the Wardens with Jess." He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye to see how she would take the news. Jess's eyes widen in surprise. "Your joining? That's great Fen!" Jess hugged him in congrats. Fen returned her hug, perhaps holding on to her a little longer than was proper. Reluctantly he released her and turned his attention back to the Junior Warden. Alistair cleared his throat. "Um, yes. Right then, this way let's not keep Duncan waiting." "Lead the way Alistair" Jess watched him, knowing she made him feel awkward. Fen followed Jess and Alistair to Duncan's tent by the fire in the center of Ostagar.

***
Duncan and the other two recruits were resting by the fire awaiting for them. "Ah excellent, I see you've found Alistair. Now if you'll stop antagonizing the mage's we can get down to business." Duncan began addressing the rest of the recruits. "Now the five of you will be going down into the Korcari Wilds. You will need to retrieve a vial of Darkspawn blood for each of you, search out the old Warden outpost and return with the treaties located there. Once you return we'll began the ritual that will make you wardens." Fen nodded assent, accepting the vial he was to use in the joining. He watched as the other recruits accepted theirs and watched as Duncan held out the last vial to Jess. Jess accepted it and bowed with respect like she always did. "We will return shortly. May the maker watch over you." Duncan smiled returning her bow with a tilted head of his own. "Maker watch over you all. Your Mabari will need to stay here with me until you complete your mission." Jess kneeled down to her dog with a frown. He whined as he rubbed his head against her leg. “I know boy, but you heard him. I promise I will be back. Friends forever” she smiled with a chuckle as she held her hand out to the mabari, he lifted his paw and placed it on her hand with a gentle BARK.
***
Fen ensued behind Alistair listening to Ser Jory lament on his lot in life and how he hadn't signed up to spend time in the swamp. He grinned at Daveth's attempt to woo Jess. Jess chuckled softly thinking about teasing him. "Don't get too distracted back there Daveth" Jess walked up ahead of the group. Fen dropped back behind the group and withdrew his bow, he wanted to keep Jess insight and be prepared for anything that may attack. Jory's incessant talking was beginning to where on his nerve though. The older knight was broadcasting the whereabouts to every darkspawn and bandit near by. Jess pulled out her father's dagger and twirled it a bit. His initials engraved into the side blade. It had been a gift to her for her twenty-first birthday. She will always treasure it...
One thing Fen could say about the young Warden, he knew his way around the wilderness. He unerringly lead them through the worst parts of the swamp without anyone becoming stuck in the bog. They first came upon signs of Darkspawn late in the afternoon, a pitched battle had taken place, most of the soldiers were either dead or dragged far off. One gravely wounded soldier had managed to hide underneath an upturned wagon. His cries for help catching their attention. Jess rushed over to the soldier, dropping to her knees in slight shock and worry crept upon her face. "He's bleeding badly. We have to help. Got any spare bandages?" Jess glanced back at the group. Fen kneeled next to her, handing a small bundle of bandages to her reached out hand. Alistair moved to assist, Fen pull the wounded man from under the wagon to where they could treat his wounds. Ser Jory spoke up in his habitual whine. "We don't have time for this. I say we finish what we are supposed to be doing and get out of this Maker forsaken place." Daveth laughed. "You're a fine one Ser Knight, go home and leave the dirty work to those of us with a spine for it." The bickering between the two began in earnest. "Stop bickering like toddlers you two!" She finished wrapping up his injuries, blood now stained her hands ."We can take you back sir if you'd like."
The soldier waved her off. "No, no. Thank you my lady, I should be able to make it back to camp." Fen glared over his shoulder at their two vocal companions. Alistair rolled his eyes then wished the soldier luck on his way. Jory turned entreatingly to Fen and Jess looking for some support. "You two have seen what these creatures have done to seasoned veterans what chance do we have against that? We should go back to camp where we will be safe and warm." Fen snorted, "This is a test of skill if you do not think you can handle this then you can see the soldier safely back to camp and tell Duncan you are unfit to be a warden." Alistair chuckled. "I like you. Jory we are in no danger at the moment, I would be able to tell you if any Darkspawn were near." He thought heavily for a moment then continued. "The main horde is still a long way from us and we have nothing to worry about." "Even if we are attacked we have Alistair to protect us" Jess chuckled softly as she turned to them definitely in a settle tone.
Fen looked surprised at Jess's statement and Alistair chuckled nervously. "I don't know if I could hold a group by myself, maybe one or two." Jess looked at him, laughter filled her lungs "I'll help ya. I've lead an army after all. Besides I only jest.”  Alistair rubbed his hands together. "Let's see how many stragglers we can find." He grinned at the group, we finish here the quicker we can get something in our stomachs. I'm famished." Fen checked the tension on his bow and joined the two, ready to take on any Darkspawn that drew near. Before Jess wondered ahead she leaned over to Fen, kissing his cheek gently without the others noticing. “No need to fret, my heart belongs to another” she whispered in his ear and then walked ahead. Fen’s eyes widened with a raised brow. Then he moved after the group. Jess couldn't wipe the stupid grin from her face until she noticed some blasted darkspawn ahead. Jory shouted a war cry then charged the first Genlock he seen avoiding the Hurlock heading straight for Jess.
The creature swung its mighty two handed ax with enough force to cleave a tree in two. On top of the hill before them are three more of the filthy creatures. Fen took careful aim for the creature swinging at Jess. Releasing his shot. The creature stopped, axe dropping from his nerveless fingers, the darkspawn dropped to its knees and fell face first into the dirt. Jess whipped around quickly to a sound of a THUD. "Sorry , I got side tracked" Fen grinned and winked at Jess. "Vhenan, do not be sorry. Stay safe." Alistair charged the next genlock, knocking it flat on its back. Daveth swung into action next to him quickly dispatching the darkspawn moving onto the next. Jess flipped over a darkspawn and stabbed him from behind. Fen stood quietly nearby while Alistair took the vials from Daveth and Jory then began filling them with the black viscous fluid that was known as darkspawn's blood. After watching what was needed Fen withdrew his vial and offered to fill Jess'  vial as well.
***
After all vials were full, Alistair led them yet further into the swamp looking for the old Warden fort. By the time they had spotted the run down building, Jory and Daveth were at each other's throats again. Searching the old fort proved fruitless. Alistair stood up from the last broken chest. "Gone." He kicked the chest in frustration, sending what was left of the lid skittering across the floor with a scraping sound you might hear in a horror movie. The sudden  sound of clapping then echoed through the building behind them. "Well, well, well. What have we here?" A tall elegant black haired beauty glided into the area. Her gold eyes taking in the small party. "You are searching for something. Something that is here no longer. Yes?" More of a statement than a question. Alistair stepped forward glaring at the mysterious woman. "What do you mean here no longer? You stole them didn't you. You, you...You're some kind of sneaky...witch thief aren't you. Return them they are warden property." She returned Alistair's glare with one of contempt. "I cannot for it was not I that took them."
Fen stepped protectively in front of Jess, in return she grabbed his arm gently. "If you do not have them do you know who does?" The golden eyed beauty took note of Fen standing protectively between her and the human woman behind him. She smiled seductively at the elf. "Handsome elf, I've watched your group for some time. Traveling my swamp and I had wondered what would bring such an odd group here." The woman glided down toward the group. She slowly walked around Fen who kept her firmly in sight. As she walked between Jess and the elf. The smile she gave Jess was one of honey eyed venom. She came to a stop before Fen "Tell me your name and I shall tell you mine." Jess stepped a side before speaking. "My name is Jessica Elizabeth Cousland. We are new recruits to the wardens. We have come for the ancient warden scrolls. Do you know who has taken them? They are important to the blight" Jess crossed her arms not sure what to think about this woman, but if she knew who had the scrolls then she would have to trust her for now at least. The woman's glance moved over to Jess, who just stood with a great deal of pride. "I do. My mother has taken them in for safekeeping. " Alistair whispered to Jess a little too loudly to even be considered a whisper. "She is an apostate."
When Fen looked at him he clarified. "An illegal mage, don't listen to her she is likely trying to lure us into a trap." Fen ignored Alistair's advice and addressed the Witch. "Aneth ara, I am Fen'revas." He respectfully nodded to the woman. "Would you take us to her?" A throaty chuckle escaped the woman. "There, now that is a proper civil greeting." She glanced at Jess, "You may call me Morrigan." Morrigan still watching Jess purred into the elf's ear. "You I like." Fen smiled at the bold witch. She was clearly toying with them and he was very aware of it. Morrigan turned on her heel. "Follow if you dare." She drawled. "Ooo, I like you. Just you wait she's likely to stick you in a pot she will." Daveth shook his head then went after the witch, Jory fell in beside him and immediately began arguing with the rogue. Alistair rolled his eyes and followed the others. Jess began to growl to herself with jealousy. She is seducing Fen! Who does she think she is? Jess placed a quick hand upon Alistair's shoulder gently. "We don't have a choice in the matter, but I understand what you are saying. Maybe after this we won't ever see her again" Alistair grumbled a bit. "Don't say I didn't warn you. Just turn your back on her and then Zap Frog time."
***
Fen chuckled and continued to follow as Morrigan led them to a small shack with an older woman just out side. "My mother. If it pleases you." She drawled then went to stand behind the old woman. Jess stood back with good distance with Alistair. Not sure if she could trust her, not knowing the place scared her a bit but so did everything... The older woman cackled, she walked up to the small party and examined each in turn. She stopped on Alistair. "A woman, and elf, two men barely boys. At least one of you belongs to the Grey Wardens. You have come for your precious treaties." She laughed again in her gravelly voice. "You are late. I've been waiting for someone to retrieve them." Snapping her fingers imperiously "Girl get them their papers." Morrigan rolled her eyes. "Yes mother." "I am a woman but joining the wardens as well. We all are ." Jess continued to stay back some distance. She wouldn't let the women judge her for her gender nor Fen for his race.
"Woman you may be, or maybe not." She laughed at her own joke. She pointed at Jess, no longer laughing but deadly serious. "Take these papers back to whoever happens to be in charge and tell them this threat is bigger than they realize." Fen accepted the treaties from Morrigan and passed them to Alistair for safe keeping. "What do you mean, a greater threat?" "This will end badly..." Jess took her warning into consideration but for the time being she was wanting to survive theses mages. She had nothing against mages just these two frightened her. The old woman laughed again a vacant look in her eyes. "Will it? Well best have clean socks. You can never have too many clean socks. Morrigan. Show them the way out." Jess kept the distance between them. Following behind ,being last. Her thoughts taking over her mind. Fen frowned in concern, "Lethallan, you seem troubled." His voice a bare whisper. "I just been thinking. About what Morrigan's mother said. I don't trust them but they are right" Jess sighed softly watching everyone in front of her.
He nodded watching the witch as she led the group through the swamp. "I fear they are right… Barlen had told me before we left Lothering that the Bann was conscripting soldiers for fighting down south. I think this is what he meant." "I wasn't going to fight. I'm here cause I no longer have a home. Possibly no family either, but I'm going to die in this battle to save the ones... who I care for. For you" Stopping herself, she realized she had spoken those words out loud. Her face began to blush. Fen glanced down at her , his eyes a darker shade of green. "You are not alone and I will see you through this. Do not doubt I will keep you safe." Jess grinned like a child who just got a new puppy before words descended from her lips "Thank you Fen. I appreciate your help but as a Cousland it is my duty to protect others.” It had seemed he didn't notice what she had said. Thank the maker. " He nodded his understanding. "I am a hunter of the clan I understand the responsibility to keep my people safe. You may not have been born elvhen, but you have the same sense of duty. That duty is why you must live so that you may continue to protect those who cannot protect themselves." "Fen you've protected me... it's my turn to return the favor." Jess smiled into his heavenly green eyes. Fen returned her smile and brushed a stray hair from her face to behind her ear. "Ma serannas lethallan." Jess blushed as she turned her head away from Fen.