finishing Awakenings brought back the old girl from an older canon point. whoops.

[wardencousland]

Mundane, I'm certain you have more productive things to do with your time than yank me around like some child's plaything. [Smoldering anger is go. Somebody's not happy.] I know I have Darkspawn to kill and a King-to-be to chase down before he escapes yet another lesson from Arl Eamon. You'd think he was running from Ogres the way he goes on about it, not lessons in politics. ...Though I would honestly take the Ogre myself. At least those you can kill.

[sigh + headshake. She sees that man as someone important, truly, but the number of headaches Alistair's given her...Maker.]

Now, let us simply go our seperate ways and agree that this---no, Mundane. You may not attempt to "put me" anywhere. I know you have other things to do, and I...I would prefer to stay home, for once. I've had quite enough travelling for one lifetime, thank you.

Comments

[ordonaturalis]

Perhaps you should simply command him to sit and stay. All these long words, such complicated sentences. You must be confusing the poor man.

[wardencousland]

I've honestly considered it, you know. [laugh. They don't call Fereldens doglords for no reason, after all.] Though I'm afraid it may give my mabari the wrong idea when I really need his help to find Alistair again. I wouldn't want to confuse the poor thing.

[The dog, she means. He at least listens to her most of the time. If she brings him a crunch.]

[ordonaturalis]

Oh, I wouldn't worry. Mongrels are most adept at knowing their place in the pack. 'Tis clear even to a simple beast Alistair's position. At the bottom.

[poorfatbombur]

[Bombur is listening to her, truly, but he's otherwise very occupied with finishing his bread rolls. Then he finally speaks up and he's surprisingly soft-spoken for such a rotund dwarf.]

What's an ogre, lass?

[wardencousland]

[Considering her dealings with the dwarf she knows, bread rolls are a major step up. He can take all the time he needs to finish them.]

An ogre, Ser Dwarf, is...not something to be taken lightly. They're monstrous creatures. [She pauses for a moment, then continues, describing the creature she means in rather vivid detail. She's tangled with a few too many to forget them anytime soon.]

[wardencousland]

[Another laugh. Maker, Morrigan...she's missed you and your razor sharp wit.]

He would protest at that, you know. Something about being a king affording him more than the bottom rung in the pack. [snort.] Though if he keeps sneaking out like this, he'll never get there, so perhaps I should tell him what you said.

[poorfatbombur]

[He's just about to pop another bread roll into his mouth when she begins to describe the horrible creature. It sounds wholly frightening and Bombur decides he wouldn't like to encounter one! He's a gentle-natured cook, not a warrior and when she's finished he's gaping up at her with his little mouth slack.]

[wardencousland]

[She offers him a soft smile when she finishes, knowing how hard they can be to hear about. She's seen platoons of trained soldiers give serious consideration to a retreat when faced with an Ogre, and honestly? She can't blame them.]

They also have the tendency to make quite a bit of noise, so I wouldn't worry overly much. You would have plenty of time to find somewhere to hide before it would be upon you.

[poorfatbombur]

[Bombur's almost been eaten by trolls before so he's very wary about large creatures these days. He returns her smile and feels a little better for it.]

Aye... 'm getting better at running. Me brother Bofur said so himself.

[wardencousland]

[There we go. She hadn't meant to frighten him, just...warn him of the danger. Maker only knows what this place has hiding it it.]

And brothers never lie. [she chuckles, but it's a matter of fact tone. She's a younger sibling herself.] I'm sure you're very good at running, Ser Dwarf.

[poorfatbombur]

Bofur wouldn' lie to me. [In Bombur's opinion, at least. He really looks up to his brother who's only a few years older than him but much better at many things, including running, wit and cleverness and the like although Bombur's the better cook between them! You wouldn't want to eat Bofur's stew.]

[Her statement makes the fat dwarf chuckle, his large stomach moving along with it. Very good at running?] Not very good, lass! 'm always last.

[ordonaturalis]

Being born is no grand feat. Squirrels manage that. Rabbits in the field. That he managed to do so with a thimbleful of royal blood is hardly his accomplishment. If any credit is to be given, my friend, it must be to you. For so cleverly tricking a nation of fools and simpletons into believing the man should be rewarded for his mother's charms and father's indulgence.

[wardencousland]

Of course he wouldn't. What kind of brother would he be if he did? [She's clearly amused, but she does mean that. Siblings look after one another.]

I never said fast, I said very good. [smile.] All the speed in the world wouldn't do you any good if you trip over your feet when you're trying to outpace something. A steady pace has saved more than one life, you know.

[wardencousland]

Perhaps so, Morrigan. Perhaps so. [indulgent smile is go. Alistair is a good man, and Maker knows she loves him, but there are times...well. There are times she does find herself agreeing with her sarcastic mage friend. Now, however...]

He has his merits, though. He didn't run when I appointed him as King instead of giving Anora the crown, and I thought he would try to do so. That should speak of his courage in some things, at least.

[It's one thing to face an Ogre. It's another thing to face the Court and live. She would know both from experience, and only one would be a good day.]

[poorfatbombur]

[Dwarves are especially close to their kin; the two of them look after their cousin Bifur as well after the accident with the axe. He smiles a little at her uplifting words.]

Do ye really think'm good at running? [Bombur figures it's because she'd never seen him run, though he's faster when he's eaten something. Could he ever ask such a fancy human lass for some food?]

'm feeling hungry... just finished me last bread roll. [It's always hungry or tired with this particular dwarf.]

[ordonaturalis]

Or to his inability to locate the correct door in a moment of panic.

[Sigh]

Yet, I see you are set in having your inflated opinions of the man. 'Tis no matter. Not if you are fated to depart to some new, strange soon enough, in any case.

[wardencousland]

[A smile and a nod, before she's admittedly startled into a laugh. Sounds like Oghren and his mead, that's for sure.]

I may have something that can help with that. Hold on...

[She has a satchel at her hip--always be prepared, her father had said--and it only takes a moment for her to dig through it and come out with a wrapped sandwich. Roast beef and still warm. She'll be holding that out to Bombur now. Yes, she really is offering. Go ahead, Ser Dwarf.]

[wardencousland]

A fair point.

[No sighing, you. She thinks the world of him, yes, but even she can see he's a bit of an idiot sometimes. ...Most days. Okay almost all the time. As for the rest...]

I have my doubts about actually going anywhere. Not many places would take one such as myself, though I can't say if I should be grateful for that or insulted.

[Too many variables, apparently. Bah. She meant what she said about wanting to stay home, though. Sleeping in her own bed is wonderful.]

[ordonaturalis]

Allowing others to decide your fate? My, Warden, your pet has worn off on you. And, no. I do not mean the dog.

[If you had hope a subject change would be enough to stop digs at Alistair, Warden, you were so very, very wrong.]

'Tis no different than the darkspawn, hm? Seek allies where they may be found. And then leave the rest to the werewolves and abominations and whatever other troubles these creatures manage to create for themselves.

[poorfatbombur]

[Bombur's not as big a drinker as his brother but he eats more than any dwarf he knows and he has the frame to prove it, of course. He's short even for a dwarf but extraordinarily tubby, almost entirely round in shape.]

[The big reveal of that delicious smelling roast beef sandwich is enough to inspire a look of pure adoration from Bombur.] Yer- yer giving that whole sandwich to me? [You'll have his undying loyalty for that, no doubt about it. He's eaten only meagre stews and lean soups the last few weeks.]

[wardencousland]

[Ah, Morrigan. You never change, do you. Yes, that is an amused look on her face. Go ahead. Dig away. She might even feel inclined to help at some point.]

You would sooner have more luck teaching Sten how to cast magic than I would have changing the minds of those in charge of this place. There is little I can do besides be silent and give them trouble.

[Which she fully intends to do anyway. None of this going to other realms, thank you. Had enough of that in the Circle Tower.]

Though I shall remember that advice of yours if the worst comes to pass. The experience from our journey will no doubt be useful.

[ordonaturalis]

There are ever alternatives, my friend. For those willing to seek them.

[Because it isn't a conversation with a Witch of the Wilds without something sounding just a little ominous.]

Though I suppose if there is but one door you would seek and it has been barred to you, you must accept a fate at your darling King's side. A most grim prospect, indeed.

[wardencousland]

Of course I am. You said you were hungry, did you not?

[It's an honest offer. She won't pull it back, if that's what he's worried about, and she's not doing it for loyalty. If someone is hungry, feed them. If someone is injured, tend to them. Doing the right thing will always be the right thing.]

[wardencousland]

[Nod. Ominous wording aside, she knows that to be true. Especially considering what Morrigan did for her...or at least, that's how she's choosing to think of things for the moment. Her views may change later.]

I can think of worse places to be, honestly. Being trapped in the Deep Roads would be a harder fate to swallow. [smirk.] Though I would still take the Darkspawn over nobles. At least their intentions are known.

[Most of the time, anyway. The Architect was...something else. Shame Morrigan missed all of that.]

[sten]

[If you'd all just submit to the Qunari, you wouldn't have to mess with stupid human politics.]

Still running from his duty. [Scoff.] He will not last long among the Qunari.

[birchcore]

[ she will comment on the rest shortly. but the awful o-word has been spoken. ]

If I never see another of those Maker-forsaken monsters again, it will be too soon.

[wardencousland]

[No, but then they'd have to deal with crazy Qunari politics. Some people wouldn't like that.]

Not many of us would. The Qun is too different from what most of us have been raised with. It would take time to adjust, and your people aren't known for patience.

[or at least, the ones she's dealt with aren't.]

[wardencousland]

I know what you mean. They are a rather ugly sight, aren't they? Not to mention loud.

[On the one hand, nobody could sleep through one of those so there was little chance of somebody getting squished in their sleep. On the other...they just have no sense of timing. Then again no Darkspawn has a sense of timing.]

[birchcore]

Extremely. And they are quite adept at crushing people.

[ no darkspawn ever has a sense of timing. it's part and parcel of being mindless. ]

[wardencousland]

That they are. [be it by stomp or by squeeze. After that rather morbid though, however, the Warden tilts her head. So young but she knows this...] You've run into a few, I take it?

[birchcore]

One, and it was more than enough.

[ she takes a breath and looks away. ]

It killed my twin brother.

[wardencousland]

[There is no sharp inhale or sound of surprise. There is just a sympathetic look and a hand on Bethany's shoulder, the Warden's voice quiet and soft now.]

For what it's worth, I'm sorry. I know what it's like to lose family.

[She lost her parents, lived for months with the sure emptiness of losing her own older brother...but got him back. Got another family in return. She can't even say this poor girl's brother is in a better place. She knows little of the Maker's realm, but she can still try and offer what comfort she knows.]

[birchcore]

[ this is the hero of ferelden, isn't it? bethany isn't sure why she finds it surprising that they have any thing at all in common. and not some thing good, at that. she bites her lip. ]

Thank you. I'm sorry for your loss, as well.

[ the warden is much better at comfort than gamlen. that unto itself makes this much more pleasant a conversation. ]

[wardencousland]

[The hero and future queen, but she was once the same as Bethany. A girl who adored her family and would have done anything to save them. That girl's not entirely gone, just...tempered a bit.]

Thank you. [the corner of her mouth twitches upward.] I suppose this is where they would say "they're in a better place now" or "they're at the Maker's side", but that does those of us left behind little good. It doesn't really help with the ache of missing them.

[Or the guilt of not doing enough to save them. She still has that somedays. Even if it's been almost a year already.]

[birchcore]

[ a good queen, who will care for her people. bethany would want to live in a ferelden ruled by she and alistair. only that is a bit hard when she is an apostate. ]

You're welcome. [ she smiles a little. ] It gives me comfort for their sakes, but admittedly not for mine. It doesn't stop me from missing them, you're right.

Or the fact that I no longer wake to find my braid nailed to the bed.

[ she has this all the time. :c and it's been much longer than a year. ]