It's short, but I figured I had to start trying to catch up at some point. I kept some of the original dialogue because I liked it so much. The next chapter will have more action in it, I promise.

Enjoy and review.

There was a bridge over an abyss filled with what looked like magma. Then it flashed, showing a familiar terrifying dragon as it…spoke…to hordes and hordes of darkspawn. It roared and flames spurted out of its mouth willingly.

I woke up trembling, unable to completely process how real the dream felt.

"Bad dreams, huh?" Alistair asked gently. I looked up, spotting him by the fire. I got up to join him, hoping that the warmth of the fire would calm the tremors running through me.

"I saw…a dragon…darkspawn. It seemed so real." I told him quietly.

"It is real. Well, sort of." he replied. What? "Part of being a Grey Warden is being able to hear the darkspawn. The archdemon it…talks… to the hordes, and we feel it, just as they do. That's what your dream was. That's how we know this is really a Blight."

"So the archdemon is a dragon?" I asked, wondering for the first time how over our heads we had gotten. Alistair nodded. "I've seen it before. In my dreams after the Joining."

"It takes a bit, but after awhile you can block the dreams out. Some of the older wardens say they can understand the archdemon, but I sure can't. Anyway, when I heard you thrashing around, I thought I should tell you. It was scary at first for me too." There was something so sincere in his voice that warmth ran through my entire body. I stopped shaking.

"Thank you Alistair. I appreciate it."

"That's what I'm here for: delivering unpleasant news and witty one-liners. While you're up, we should decide where we're going to next." There was a tension to him, and I realized his unspoken request.

"We should go to Redcliffe, to see the condition of Arl Eamon." I said. Alistair relaxed visibly. Obviously he was concerned about the arl's welfare.

"Thank you."

The road to Redcliffe was fairly uneventful, and the journey passed more quickly when I had either Alistair or Leliana to speak with. We talked of all manners of things, from our families and our past lives to the abilities that we possess. There was still so much to learn about my companions, and I was happy to gain as much knowledge about them as possible. As soon as Redcliffe was in sight, Alistair pulled me aside.

"Look, before we go any further, there's something I need to tell you. I, uh, probably should have told you earlier." He told me.

"If it's about your love of cheeses, I figured that one out myself." I said, trying to avoid the nagging anxiety about what he was going to tell me.

"You noticed that, did you?" he asked with a slight smile. "No, it's not about that. I told you before that Arl Eamon raised me, right?" I nodded.

"Your mother was a serving girl at the castle and he took you in, I remember." I supplied.

"Right, well, the reason that he did that was because…well…um…because King Maric was my father, which made Cailan my half brother."

I blinked. This was definitely unexpected. Somewhere in the pit of my stomach, hurt welled up. Why had he not told me earlier? Surely we were friends?

"So, you're not only a bastard, you're a royal bastard?" I asked, trying to mask my hurt. Do not act like a pining little girl, I scolded myself.

"Ha, I suppose you're right," he mused, "I'll have to use that one more often. Look, I should have told you earlier but it never really came up. Besides, I kind of liked you not knowing."

"You…enjoyed not telling me?" I asked, confused.

"Whenever anyone knew about it, they treated me differently. Even Duncan kept me out of the fighting because of it. I just wanted you to like me for me. I know it sounds stupid." He was having trouble meeting my eyes. Oh Alistair, I sighed inwardly, I would have liked you regardless. Too much.

"It doesn't sound stupid…I just wish that…" I sighed, trailing off, "Is there anything else you're not telling me? Any more secrets?" His characteristic smile was back on his face.

"Well, you already found out about my unholy love of fine cheeses… so just a minor obsession with my hair. That's all there is. Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you before."

"It's alright, I think I understand."

"Oh, good. I actually feel better now that I've told you. We can just go back to you believing that I'm just another nobody who was lucky enough not to die with the rest of the Grey Wardens." As if I could think that, I thought.

"What does that make me then?" I dared to ask, and Alistair's face grew uncharacteristically serious.

"The reason, I think, that there's hope of winning."