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Leliana's voice was mesmerizing.
She listened to her sing the Dalish lament, her gaze drawn to the redhead. Rhian had known that Leliana was a skilled storyteller, and her skills as a bard naturally lead to singing. But hearing it was something else altogether. Even Morrigan quieted her usual sniping remarks. Alistair looked half-asleep, lulled to rest by the sound, and Wynne and Zevran both looked relaxed, as well.
Rhian, however, was invigorated. A very small part of her wondered if she'd heard the song before.
If, before the Circle, her mother had sung her Dalish songs.
The rest of her was simply enamored. Leliana was as lovely as her voice, and Rhian adored her.
She wasn't inexperienced in the bedroom, or at least, fumbling behind a bookshelf. But romance?
The templars discouraged such things in the Circle, after all.
And who was she going to go to for advice? Wynne, who had been as restricted as she was? Alistair, who had been trained as a templar? Zevran flirted a lot, but she wasn't sure he was the right person. Morrigan was completely out of the question.
And, of course, she couldn't go to Leliana, who certainly would have an answer.
Her song trailed off, and Rhian smiled.
"That was wonderful," she said softly, certain that her feelings could be seen on her face.
"Oh, thank you!" Leliana exclaimed, looking a little flustered. "It's been some time since I've sung for a group. I fear I'm out of practice. And without an instrument, it does lack something."
"Oh, no!" Rhian shook her head. "You were... beautiful."
It was difficult to see in the firelight, but Rhian was fairly certain that Leliana blushed.
The next day, while the others were finishing packing up camp, she approached Bodahn. He'd started traveling with their group about a week previously, and Rhian was glad for it. He had connections and plenty of useful supplies, and his son Sandal was brilliant with enchantments.
This time, though, she was looking for something else.
Bodahn was as helpful as usual, and she walked away from his card lighter a few coins, but very pleased.
Leliana was busy dismantling her tent, but Rhian was so excited she couldn't wait for her to finish.
"Um," she said, not sure how to start. "Leliana."
The bard turned around, a soft smile on her face.
"Yes, Rhian?"
"I brought you something," she said, pulling the lute out from behind her back, and handing it out to Leliana.
"Oh! It's beautiful." Leliana almost reverently took the instrument. She held it in position and strummed it, smiling. "A little out of tune, but I can fix that. How did you know?"
"You, um, mentioned it a few days ago. How you used to play the lute," Rhian said, feeling both pleased and somewhat awkward.
"I did, didn't I?" Leliana said softly.
She stepped forward and pressed a gentle kiss to Rhian's cheek.
"Thank you, Rhian."
"You're welcome," Rhian said, staring at Leliana for a moment, before reaching up and touching her cheek where the kiss had landed.
"I'll play for you tonight, yes?"
"That would be wonderful."