Disclaimer: I do not own DragonAge or any characters copyrighted to Bioware. Addien and Fallyn are mine, but their origins are not.

A/N: I was inspired for this from a writing prompt on the kinkmeme. I've been mulling it over for a while and will be bouncing back and forth between this work and my other Blightfic "A Pound of Flesh". The two works are pretty much going to be polar opposites - this one being the fairly happy romance, and the other a darkfic. Please read and review! I'll try to keep the updates regular.

A Rare and Wonderful Thing

Chapter One: On the Road to Redcliffe

Addien felt completely alone, even with the current crowd at camp. Fallyn, her fellow Circle mage and Grey Warden, always seemed to draw everyone to her naturally. Addien had to admit the small elven woman was charismatic and beautiful, traits Fallyn always used to her advantage, making Addien feel inadequate. Fallyn was slender, with an elegant beauty, high cheeks, long blonde hair that flowed gorgeously though they had spent weeks without a bath, sparkling green eyes; Addien was plain by comparison with dark hair braided simply to her head, matching brown eyes, and a bone structure that only could be described as "strong". She had wide shoulders and hips, a small area of chub lining her tummy, just barely hidden by her modest robes. Addien was also terribly shy, which did not help matters with their companions.

Addien let out a sigh as she sat across from Fallyn at the campfire. The nights had gotten unbearably cold and she was missing the Circle Tower's warm halls and beds. Addien held her hands out before her to warm her fingers as she watched Fallyn laugh with their newest addition, Zevran. It was only by Addien's insistence that he was added to the group, Fallyn and Alistair both insisting he be put to death. Though Fallyn had been cold to him at first, he was quickly finding the elven mage to be warmer to him every day, a fact that Addien was most displeased with. She regretted not being more social.

She tore her eyes away as Fallyn and Zevran shared a passionate kiss across from her. Addien's cheeks flushed as she stared at the ground. She absently watched as the assassin followed her fellow warden to her tent and tried best to ignore the sounds that came from the pair.

"Nice night," a warm voice said as he sat beside Addien.

"Hm?" she looked up at Alistair, who was digging through his pack beside her.

"I mean if you like freezing nights in the middle of nowhere, taking a break from fighting for your life, only to be unable to sleep due to the nearly inhuman sounds coming from the tent next to yours," he said with a grin as he began pulling bread and cheese from his pack. He held out a hand and offered some to Addien, who took it with quiet words of thanks.

"It could be worse," she said as she popped a small piece of hard bread into her mouth.

"I suppose," Alistair replied, his voice low.

A few moments of silence passed before Alistair sighed. He scratched the back of his head and inhaled deeply, only to shake his head. Addien watched him carefully. "Something on your mind?" she asked after several moments.

"I need to say something, but I'm not sure how," he said finally.

"You should probably speak to Fallyn about it then. You're closer with her," Addien suggested. A few moments later, quietly adding, "Unless it's about me," she began, "I mean, if I smell bad, or I'm not doing something right. I know I'm having trouble keeping up with everyone else, and I'm sorry. I'm not used to all the walking or the cold or-"

"Addy! It's fine, you're doing fine," Alistair interrupted with a slight chuckle. "And I'm not really that close with Fallyn." He paused for a few moments before adding, "Well, not as close as I'd hoped. But I guess I always kind of knew she was playing with me."

"Alistair?"

"Its nothing, I guess," he said as he moved to stand.

"You came to speak, though you've said much of nothing," Addien spoke with a slight tone of accusation.

Alistair slumped back into his seat. "I just don't know what to do," he started. "I mean, we've addressed the treaties and now we're heading to Redcliffe to see the Arl and I'm just worried."

"So you said this Arl Eamon raised you?"

"Did I say that?" Alistair said with a grin, "I meant the dogs raised me. Giant, slobbering dogs from the Anderfels. A whole pack of them, in fact!"

Addien looked at him with an eyebrow raised. "Really?" she started, "That must have been tough for them."

Alistair's grin grew wider. "Well, they were flying dogs, you see. Surprisingly strict parents, too. And devout Andrastians to boot!"

"Uh huh. Raised by flying, devout dogs, I see. This explains a lot," Addien said, a slight curve pulling at her lips.

"Hey!" Alistair accused, mocking offense. "I suppose I may have dreamed all of that. Funny the dreams you'll have when you sleep on the cold, hard ground, isn't it?" He chuckled. "Are you having strange dreams?"

Addien allowed herself to smile fully. "Only ones where we're making mad love in my tent." She quickly gasped and covered her mouth as she turned as red as a tomato. She couldn't believe she actually said that.

"Well, that explains the screaming, then!" Alistair countered. "'No! Don't come any closer!'" He mocked in falsetto, "'Please no! Ahhhh!'" Addien playfully shoved his arm, giggling. "I.. Uh, I completely lost my train of thought. Oh there it is," he paused. "Let's see, how do I explain this? I'm a bastard! And before you make any smart comments, I mean the fatherless kind. My mother was a serving girl at Redcliffe castle who died when I was very young. Arl Eamon wasn't my father, but he took me in anyhow. Put a roof over my head. He was good to me. And he didn't have to be. I respect the man and I don't blame him anymore for sending me off to the Chantry once I was old enough."

"What's got you so open with me all of a sudden?" Addien asked suddenly. "I mean, we've barely talked before."

"Well, you've barely talked. To anyone really. You sit off in your own little world and it's got me a little worried," he said before quickly adding, "I mean, we're Wardens. We need to work together. And we can't exactly work together if we don't know eachother. Besides, you seem to be the most level-headed out of our group."

"Well, I supposed you're right there!" Addien said with mock confidence. "The Arl wasn't your father? So you know who is?"

Alistair sighed. "I know who I was told was my father. He died even before my mother did, anyhow. It isn't important. Arl Eamon eventually married a young woman from Orlais, which caused all sorts of problems between him and the King because it was so soon after the war. But he loved her. Anyhow, the new Arlessa resented the rumors which pegged me as his bastard. They weren't true, but of course they existed. The arl didn't care, but she did. So off I was packed to the nearest monastery at age ten. Just as well, the Arlessa made sure the castle wasn't a home to me by that point. She despised me."

Addien's face softened. "If its any consolation, I kind of know how you feel."

"How so?"

"It wasn't easy for my parents once they found out about my. . . ability. During the time they waited for the templar escorts to the Circle, they had me locked in a room. My sister hissed at me through the door. For nearly a week, the door remained locked and after a day I was terrified they had forgotten about me. I was only eight at the time and it felt like I was alone for an eternity. When I left, they didn't even say goodbye. I wrote them, but they never replied, save for one letter telling me I no longer belonged to their family. Feeling unwanted is the worst feeling."

"Oh Addy, I'm sorry," he said softly as he twisted his hands in his lap. "What an awful thing to do to a child."

"I could say the same of the Arlessa," she replied, looking up at him.

"Maybe. She felt threatened by my presence, I can see that now. I can't say I blame her. She wondered if the rumors were true herself, I bet. But what your family did to you. . . there is no excuse," he patted her hand lightly with his larger one.

"I don't remember them too much anymore," Addien admitted. "I had a ring of my grandmother's that I took with me when I came to the Circle. It was a simple silver band with two small emeralds and I thought it was the most beautiful thing. I was once very close with my grandmother. I later found out she was a mage as well, and she hid from the Circle. She died shortly before my talents emerged. I kept the ring well hidden so the templars couldn't find it. Sadly, when Fallyn and I left, it was rushed and I wasn't able to retrieve it."

"Didn't you look for it while we were at the Tower?"

Addien shook her head. "We had more important things to take care of. I felt selfish for wanting to chase after it with all the chaos. I'm sure someone has found it by now and has claimed it for their own."

"If we go back, we'll find it," Alistair said with a smile. Addien shook her head again. "I remember I had an amulet," Alistair said, looking at the campfire. He tossed another log onto the flames before he continued. "It had Andraste's holy symbol on it. The only thing I had of my mother's. I was so furious at being sent away, I tore it off and threw it at the wall and it shattered. Stupid, stupid thing to do. At least you have a chance to get your heirloom back, mine's gone forever." This time, Addien grabbed Alistair's hand and squeezed it lightly. He gave her a warm smile, to which she blushed furiously and tore her hand away. "The Arl came by the monastery a few times to see how I was," he continued, "But I was stubborn. I hated it there and blamed him for everything. And eventually, he just stopped coming."

"Are you sure he isn't your father?"

"Yes, I'm quite sure," Alistair said reluctantly. "At any rate, I don't look anything like him. You'll see for yourself. Not that it stopped the rumors any. All I know is that the Arl is a good man and well loved by the people. He also was King Cailan's uncle. So he has a personal motivation to see Loghain pay for what he did. Anyway, that's really all there is to the story."

"It must be tearing you up that we haven't made it to Redcliffe, then, knowing the Arl is sick," Addien suggested.

"Yes, thanks for reminding me," he sighed. Noting the hurt look on her face, he continued, "I know it's not for lack of trying, but our fearless leader thought it was wiser to collect our support before approaching Redcliffe."

"I still think we should have split up," Addien said quietly. "But no one really ever listens to me."

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Alistair said with a grin.

"You're horrible!" Addien laughed.

"I'm sorry, what? I wasn't paying attention!" Alistair chuckled.

Addien shoved him and he poked her lightly in the ribs. She squealed and snorted as Alistair burst out laughing.

Fallyn and Zevran emerged from Fallyn's tent, lips locked. "Excuse me while I begin projectile vomiting," Alistair whispered to Addien with a face. Addien giggled.

"What was that, Alistair? We were not listening," Fallyn said with a smile as she turned to the affections of the assassin once more. The two elves retired to their own tents as Alistair and Addien sat in silence.

"Are you on watch tonight?" she asked after a few moments of staring into the fire.

"Yes, I'm on first watch. Fallyn is taking second; Sten, third," he replied in dismay.

"Do you mind if I stay up with you?" she asked hesitantly.

"Not at all! I'll be glad for the company," Alistair assured.

"I feel so useless all of the time," Addien admitted. "I'm no good in battle. I don't have enough skill to be left on watch alone," she sighed.

"You're not useless! You're an amazing healer. Just as good as Wynne, if not better," he said, speaking a little lower, "But don't tell her I said that!" Addien giggled. "You're quiet, but thoughtful. You have great ideas, but Fallyn is too headstrong to hear them out. And you're the only one of us that can make a decent meal."

Addien snorted. "Following your lamb and pea stew, I looked like a culinary goddess!"

"Hey! It was supposed to be grey!" Alistair said with a laugh. "Anyways, I'm thankful that at least you know your way around a kitchen. Or campfire, as it may be."

"Obviously," she said solemly, squeezing the bit of chub around her midsection.

"Oh come on, don't be hard on yourself! I'm trying to give you a compliment!" Alistair insisted.

"You'd think that with all this walking and the constant battles and lack of variety in foods, some of this would have gone away," she mused.

"Don't think like that! At least its insulation from the cold," Alistair chuckled but was cut short from a shove from the mage beside him. "Besides," he said in a lower voice, "I think women look a little better with some curves."

"You're just saying that to make me feel better," Addien sighed.

"And so what if I am? Maybe I just want my traveling companion to be happy. Or maybe it's the truth and I truly do like a little more meat on the bone, as they say."

"That's unlikely."

"Unlikely? Not impossible!" He chirped.

Addien stood. "Improbable, especially coming from someone like you."

"What do you mean?" Alistair said, voice sounding hurt.

"Goodnight, Alistair," she said grimly before heading to her tent.

"Goodnight," he replied sadly.