When Fate Summons (a Dragon Age fanfiction)

Night Moves

As Anawyn watched her sister, her best friend, walk off between Morrigan and Xandros, she couldn't help the tears that filled her eyes and started to roll down her cheeks. They'd been inseparable, dependent on each other for so long, Anawyn hadn't thought about what it would be like when they had to part.

Thora put her arm around the little girl's shoulders. "We'll see her again soon, sweetheart. I promise," she said. "Meanwhile, there are people waiting at Redcliffe who must be really worried about you by now. Shall we go reassure them?"

Anawyn sniffled, drawing her sleeve across her face. "All right, Mother."

"Leliana, will you come with us? Or do you have somewhere you need to be?"

The red-headed bard smiled. "No, I think by now my colleagues will have informed the Chantry that the Temple of Andraste is no longer at Haven. I do not believe that funding will be renewed."

"What will you do?"

Leliana shrugged. "I do not know. But I will start by coming along with you. Just like old times."

"Good to have you with us," Alistair said. "Ladies, the open road awaits," he said, bowing exaggeratedly before them. Anawyn giggled through her tears. The four of them headed south toward Redcliffe.

It was a beautiful day to be on the march. Warm and sunny, the birds singing, the breeze rustling the leaves in the trees. Thora turned her face up to the sun. Its warmth paled next to the warmth of Alistair's smile, she thought, her eyes seeking out his face again.

He turned his head, catching her watching him. "Copper for your thoughts?"

The heat and love in his eyes turned her insides liquid. "I don't think I should share these thoughts for money," she said, her voice soft and suggestive.

"Oh? And what would I have to give?" Alistair moved closer to her, feeling young again, as if all the intervening years since they'd last been like this had disappeared.

"Well, you might have to give up those robes," she said.

"Gladly," he said, shifting uncomfortably. "I'm surprised more mages don't go mad and become abominations, if they all have to wear these things."

"I think Anders's robes are a bit ... tighter in places than those of other mages," Thora said, suppressing a giggle.

"Show-off," Alistair muttered.

"Don't tell me you didn't enjoy all that attention while we were in the Tower, all those apprentice mages ogling you."

"It wasn't the apprentice mages I was watching," he said. He took her hand in his, bringing it to his mouth. "I only have eyes for you, you know that."

Thora blushed as he kissed her hand, his eyes lingering on hers.

"Ahem," Leliana sang from behind them, giggling. "There are children present, you two!"

"Is that a fancy way of saying 'ewww'?" Anawyn asked.

"Something like that."

"What she said, then," Anawyn said. She looked at Leliana. "Have they always been that gross?"

"Oh, yes, always," Leliana said. Her eyes danced at the sight of Thora's red cheeks and Alistair's abashed expression.