Origins CH 44: Breakfast

”Good morning, pup. So do you have an answer for me this morning?”

“Would you kill the spider to save the butterfly?”

“Do we have to do this? Can’t we just start?” Merlissia asked as she drew her sword. You ask this every day, I don’t know she thought as she took a step forward.

“Good, your sidefaced, less of you to hit this way,”

She felt her lips curve up as she listened to his praise.

“Now lower your shoulders, we do not hack at our opponents as if they were a rack of lamb. Our movements are fluid, delicate, but strong,”

She watched as he demonstrated his words, turning his sword in the air as if it were part of a dance. She couldn’t help but be in awe of his moments.

“Don’t worry pup, you’ll get there.”

For two hours the two of them squared off against each other. Every time she felt she was getting the upperhand, he somehow slipped from her grasp. His blade stopping short of her delicate skin as he out maneuvered her. Still, all too soon the lesson was coming to a close.

“So, tell me…”

“Would you kill the spider to save the butterfly?”

A heavy hand on her shoulder startled her. Father? The first thing her eyes focused on was a pair of honey eyes framed by golden locks stairing down at her.

“Zevran?” she questioned groggily. “Go away, I’m not going to breakfast… Alistair is cooking,” she complained as she tried to roll over, stopping when she felt his hand hold her in place.

“A-ha! I see I wasn’t the only one who thought it better to go hungry than eat Alistair’s breakfast,” Zevran laughed as he shifted so that she could see past him.

Standing grouped behind him was the rest of their ragtag group as well as bann Teagan and ser Perth standing by the door. She couldn’t help but laugh as she sat up in the plush bed.

“The tavern then?” Merlissia asked as she stood to look out the window over to towards the tavern.

“They do have a decent selection for breakfast. I gathered that Alistair would not be very successful when it came to cooking,” Teagan said as he took a step forward.

“And what do I owe the honor of ser Perth’s presence?” Merlissia asked as she looked back to see the blushing guard.

“I-uh… I was tasked to bring you to breakfast… So I’m afraid…”

“Ah, then you can escort me to the tavern,” Merlissia interrupted with a smile.

“I’m sure the arl was requesting your presence—“

“For breakfast, you will not be failing in your task. I’ll even treat you to a meal of your choice,” Merlissia answered quickly. “So, Teagan… I assume you know the best way out of this place,” she smiled.

“Well we could sneak back out to the windmill,” Teagan suggested with a shrug. “Though I do suppose that Eamon would anticipate such actions from me.”

“Well, we could do that… but it may be quicker and less expected…” Zevran started as he opened Merlissia’s window and looked toward the large tree that shaded the room. Without a word he pulled himself into the window and jumped out.

Merlissia didn’t even have time to call out to him before he was gone. Looking out the window she found him standing on one of the thick out stretched limbs.

“Or that works for me… anyone else?” Merlissia asked quickly just before a knock on the door followed by a servant informing her that breakfast would be ready soon. “I guess that settles it,” she finished as she pulled herself into the window.

Easily she jumped landing on the thick branch as Zevran worked his way down the tree. One by one they jumped from the window and made their down the tree and headed out to the tavern.

“As I recall, thanks to Sten, you do own this fine establishment do you not?” Zevran questioned with a smile.

“Ah-Ha!! I do! Even better!” Merlissia cheered as she walked in to see a woman jumping up to greet her.

“Oh, my lady, I am so glad to meet you!” she exclaimed nervously.

“No need to be nervous, I am nobody of importance,” Merlissia dismissed.

“Sorry, I’m Bella, the barmaid here,” she answered quickly.

“Oh, perfect!” Merlissia smiled. “My friends and I would love some breakfast,” she continued as she moved to the side showing the large group of companions behind her.

Without another word, Merlissia found herself a seat at one of the large round tables watching as everyone else found spots for themselves at the tables. Bann Teagan and ser Perth found themselves spots to her left as Liliana and Morrigan sat to her right. Zevran sat across from her next to Sten.

“I’m so glad that I’m not the only one who decided to skip breakfast,” Merlissia said happily as she looked at her companions. “I want something sweet,” Merlissia requested when Bella came over. She waited patiently as the others spoke their requests.

“Dinner is going to be something,” Teagan started as he looked over to Merlissia.

“Oh? And why is that?” Leliana questioned curiously.

“Ah… I’m afraid dinner will be all talk of strategy and politics. Two topics I know your lovely leader here is not interested in,” Teagan answered as he watched Merlissia nod in agreeance. “From what I remember, Bryce said that it was Fergus who excelled in that area,” he added hesitantly.

“Yes, Fergus always had an eye for such details… I always would find some excuse to cut out early,” Merlissia laughed softly as she shook her head. “Would have been better for us now if I would have stayed,” she shrugged.

“Never fear, we have Alistair to help with the politics and strategy,” Morrigan added watching as Merlissia laughed, dropping her forehead down onto the table.

“… On second thought, you’re on your own there,” Morrigan corrected herself with a satisfied laugh.

“As much as I wish it weren’t so, but I fear you are right in this Morrigan. Dinner will not be easy,” Merlissia agreed.

“Why? What are you expecting to come out of dinner? I thought I heard that you were cooking,” Zevran questioned as he looked over to her.

“Well,” Merlissia sighed. “Eamon will want to put Alistair on the throne,” she continued as she watched the expressions fall on all of her companion’s faces.

“He what?!” Morrigan shouted as she slammed her fists down to the table.

“Is he really that bad?” Teagan asked as he saw the disbelief on everyone’s face.

“Oh, you have no idea,” Zevran hummed as he turned to see Bella coming from the back with an armful of dishes. He watched the way that Merlissia’s eyes seemed to light up as her plate was placed before her. It was almost cute to him, the way her eyes danced from the sweet berries that topped the sweet cakes on her plate.

Merlissia wasted no time as she started cutting into her breakfast, making sure to take a different mixture of fruit with each bite. Only looking up to see everyone watching her enthusiasm.

“What? We could be eating Alistair’s slop…” Merlissia insisted as she took another bite. “But, in the end… I don’t think we really have a choice in the matter,” she added as she paused, tapping her knife on one of the sweet cakes. “For whatever reason, Duncan made it sound as if Grey Wardens alone could stop the blight… if he is right, then Ferelden has no hope if Loghain remains in power,” she finished as she stopped tapping her knife on her breakfast.

“Why can only Grey Warden’s defeat the blight?” ser Perth asked as he looked up from his eggs and toast.

“A good question, unfortunately Duncan didn’t live long enough to give me that lecture,” Merlissia shrugged. “Surely the dragon hunters, or assassins or someone would be capable with the right skills…. So what is it that makes us so different?” she puzzled out loud as she looked down to one of the strawberries on her plate. “I’m not sure it matters… as long as it happens,” she finished.

“So then, what are we going to do about Alistair?” Leliana asked, setting down her glass of juice.

“He has to grow up,” Merlissia answered as she started back on her breakfast.

“You know he will refuse, he doesn’t want the crown,” Leliana insisted.

“Seems, being a Grey Warden strips away your choices. It doesn’t matter what he wants. This must be done, we will have to prepare him best we can,” Merlissia said as she took the last bite of her sweet cake, leaving herself a few berries to snack on until everyone had finished.

“It may be the wrong time, but you would make a good match for Alistair,” Teagan suggested as he stole a quick glance at the reactions of her companions.

“Now, you must be joking,” Zevran laughed as he looked over to Merlissia as the he thought of the ways Alistair had been treating her since his arrival.

“Not in the least, she is the child of Bryce Cousland. One of the most powerful nobles in all of Ferelden, second only to the throne,” Teagan started. “With a bloodline like that, there is no better choice,” he finished as he pushed his plate to the side.

“No, it will never happen,” Merlissia said shortly.

“Now, I know you two haven’t been getting along, but this is for the good of Ferelden,” Teagan insisted.

“No. That is who I was. As I said, being a Grey Warden strips you of your choices, of who you are. Before, the mere mention of my name opened whatever door I wanted. Now, now I am a traitor. I am not worth the dust on your boots,” Merlissia argued. “Plus, it would look like the Grey Wardens were trying to gain power,” she added quickly.

“Ah, you have a point…” Teagan said as he turned his focus to his glass.

“That and he’s an ass… And, technically I’m still promised to another,” she added quietly. “Well, now… since this has spoiled the mood, I suppose I should be heading back,” Merlissia announced as she pushed herself from the table after the heavy air of silence  became too much for her.

It was only moments later when she heard the rest of her companions stand along with her.

“Good, it’ll be much more fun to explain our absence to Eamon as a group,” Merlissia smiled as she headed for the door.

“Oh, and Bella!” Merlissia called out, waiting as the woman hurried over. “You seem a bright woman… I have no need of a tavern as a Warden,” Merlissia started. “How would you like to own it?” she asked curiously as she watched the woman’s eyes light up.

“Maker you can’t be serious!” Bella breathed. “Of course! Of course!! And you and your companions will always be my guests,” she added excitedly.

With that, Merlissia turned on her heels and headed back to the castle already trying to figure out what excuse she was going to give Eamon as to why they were not at breakfast. In the end, it wouldn’t matter. What was he going to do about it anyway? So for the walk back, she kept quiet, listening to the others discuss their thoughts of what they believed should happen.

There were a lot of decisions to be made, she had known that all along but had hoped that she wouldn’t have to deal with them. Like most things, it would have to be done. Whether she liked it or not. The moment she walked in the door both Eamon and Alistair were standing waiting for them.

“Ah, good of you to join us,” Eamon announced angrily.

“Oh! You meant breakfast would be today?!” Merlissia lied as she ran her hand through her hair.

“You knew damn well it was,” Eamon said as he took a step forward. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

“I didn’t want to eat Alistair’s food,” she shrugged as she matched Eamon’s step.

“You dare, disobey my command?!” Eamon shouted as he took hold of Merlissia’s collar.

“You forget who you are speaking to,” Merlissia started as she looked up to Eamon. “And like it or not, Alistair and I are the only Grey Wardens left in Ferelden. There will be no defeating the blight without us,” Merlissia announced throwing her cards on the table, so to speak.

“How dare you!” Eamon started. “I’ll—“

“You’ll what? What could you possibly do to me that would make a difference?” Merlissia asked as she tilted her head to the side. “You also forget, I have nothing more to lose,” she said slowly, making sure he heard every word as she smacked his hand away.

“We’ll talk at dinner,” Merlissia said as she turned and headed down the hall back towards her quarters.