#climbthewall

He placed his sword and whetstone aside, stretching out his aching legs, “It’s quite simple, lass. As you said, we protect people from the Blights, we’re the last line of defence against the darkspawn. We give up the life we used to have because being a Warden means being willing to lay down your life for others. That is a Warden’s duty; to protect everyone, no matter the cost.”

“That seems an honourable cause,” she said, a smile on her face.

He returned the smile, “Aye, I like to think it is. Very few choose the life of a Warden willingly, as it often means great sacrifice. But I have seen men who were thieves, bandits, cutthroats, who turned themselves around in the ranks of the Wardens, all in the name of their duty.”

“Much like the Hero of Ferelden,” she pointed out.

“You enjoy the tale of the Hero, don’t you, lass?” She often requested a story of the Hero of Ferelden from Leliana on those long nights in camp.

She flashed him a smile, “An elf who rose from the slums of an Alienage, defied the odds, defied everyone’s expectations of her, and ended the Blight? She went beyond her duty, saved thousands of lives, became of hero for the elven people… it’s something to aspire to, I must admit.”

“A sense of duty can make anyone great.”

She met his eyes when he said that, but as she felt the blush start to rise in her cheeks, she looked away, “What about your duty as a Warden now?” she asked.

“I find myself with a new duty,” he told her. His eyes landed on some flowers growing not far from them. He always remembered how much she loved flowers, often wearing them braided into her long black hair, yet it was lacking its usual embellishment today.

“Which is?”

 “I vowed to protect you, and to help you until your quest is complete. My sword and my shield are yours whenever you have need of them. My duty is to you, Madam Inquisitor.”

“Brenna,” she insisted, “I don’t care much for the ‘Inquisitor’ title among friends.”

“Then my duty is to you, Brenna,” he reached over and gently picked a flower. He handed it to her her and she took it carefully in her petite hands. She slid it into her hair just behind her pointed ear.