Chapter Text
When Fenris woke up, he was alone.
Stretching, he sat up, blinking in the daylight which streamed in through portholes he hadn't noticed upon his arrival. Beneath him, the ship moved gently as waves buffeted it against its moorings, signifying a successful docking at the intended port.
Alim was gone, his pack and armor were also missing.
Touseling his hair, Fenris swung his legs out of the bunk, doing his best to ignore the strange emptiness the unexpected solitude had planted in his chest. Alim was, by all rights, a complete stranger to him. Regardless of how close they had felt the night before, Fenris didn't know him and didn't have any right to feel betrayed by his departure.
Alim was going to find his family and Rivain was a long way off. He was smart to get an early start.
Even so, Fenris didn't feel right not seeing him off, particularly after how Alim had helped him.
He couldn't have been gone for long. If he was quick, Fenris might be able to catch him before the man got very far. He just needed to thank him, he told himself as he hastily pulled his armor on, that was all.
It was strange how often the patterns of their lives overlapped. For someone he had met so few times, Alim had become something like an old friend. Fenris couldn't deny that, after the first few meetings, it was always a pleasant surprise to see the Warden, but he had never missed him. Not before, at least.
He just needed a chance to say goodbye.
Fenris squinted in the morning sunlight as he stepped into the ship’s deck. He threw a hand up to shield his eyes, scanning the faces of the men around. As he had expected, Alim wasn't among them. He had likely disembarked right away. He was probably well on his way out of the city already.
His brow furrowed at the thought. Surely he could catch up with him, find him. Fenris was good at tracking, and he knew the direction Alim would be headed. Based on the position of the sun it was unlikely he had gotten such a lead that the signs of his passing would be gone. Fenris could catch up in an hour, perhaps two if Alim was moving briskly.
Or maybe such measures wouldn't be needed.
Alim was still on the dock, speaking cheerfully with the mate and pressing a not-insubstantial coin purse into the man's hand. As Fenris disembarked he was able to catch the end of their conversation.
“No, no, no, I insist. A round for the whole crew on me. They—you all deserve it! The last time I crossed the sea it took three days, granted it was a much larger ship, but even so, I think you should all be commended for your good work.”
“Thank you kindly, Ser Warden. If you insist I cannot in good faith refuse. I hope we might see you again when your business up north is concluded.”
“Probably not, unfortunately. I don't know when, or if, I intend to head back to Ferelden. I wish you good seas and fair weather.”
Softly murmuring his thanks, the mate shook Alim's in farewell, then, turning back to the ship, gave Fenris a nod as they passed each other. Fenris returned it automatically, his focus fixed on Alim.
“That was generous of you,” he commented, catching the man's attention.
Alim's face lit up. “Fenris! I wasn't sure I would see you!”
Fenris shrugged as if Alim's obvious excitement at his presence didn't deeply touch him. “You have a long way to go, I had thought you would be gone already.”
“I always make a point to thank the crew I travel with,” Alim explained with a sheepish smile.
Shaking his head, Fenris chuckled softly. Such a small kindness, but so thoughtful and so sincerely given. A good description of the man himself .
“Kind of you,” he remarked simply.
Alim shrugged, his smile returning to its usual brightness. “Come to see me off?”
Yes, and to thank you very much for your generous assistance last night. I am sorry to have been such a bother and hope you have a quick and pleasant journey to your destination.
Those were the words Fenris had intended to say.
They were not what he heard coming out of his mouth.
“Could you use some company on the road?”
Alim's eyebrows rose in surprise. “What about your purpose?”
He had said that, hadn't he? That his time in Ferelden had lacked meaning and it was that lack which was sending him back north across the Waking Sea. It's what he had been looking for ever since Danarius’s death, but he seemed to keep looking in the wrong places, putting his faith in the wrong people. Maybe it was Alim's impossibly resilient optimism rubbing off on him, but Fenris thought that maybe the years of coincidental meetings had been slowly leading him around to what he had been seeking.
“Meaning can be found in many places,” Fenris hedged, feeling his cheeks go warm. “And Rivain is near enough Tevinter that I'm sure I can find time to make a difference.”
A moment of confusion passed through Alim's eyes, his lips parting with a half-formed thought, then a knowing smile turned his lips and Alim nodded. “I’m certain you can, if anyone could.”
Fenris couldn't help but smile back. “Besides, can't have you going and getting kidnapped again.’
“You'll protect me?” Alim's eyes fairly sparkled with delight, even as his voice sounded only vaguely amused.
Fenris hadn't realized how much he had missed the playful banter that came with friendly companionship. It was strange how easily he had fallen into the joking, teasing tones with Alim; like they had known each other for years.
But then again, they had, hadn't they?
Shrugging, Fenris chuckled. “I can certainly try, but I have a feeling you have a penchant for finding trouble.”
“And I'd bet you're just as good as putting it down,” Alim retorted. “Seems like I'd be a fool to refuse.”
Fenris shrugged again. “I wasn't going to say it…”
Laughing, Alim playfully shoved his arm, that simple touch and its implicit friendly camaraderie warming Fenris' chilly facade. “I’d be absolutely honored to have you join me.”
“Thank you, Alim.” Fenris gestured to the road. “Shall we, then?”
Alim nodded. “Long way to go, best get started.”
With Alim excitedly leading the way and Fenris following more sedately behind him, the two departed together.
The beginning of a long journey, and maybe something more.