The battle for Roran had been that and nothing but. Just as the elven Warden had said earlier, that wasn't the horde they were expecting but simply a small scouting party. The thought of more of those disgusting, smelly creatures showing up at any moment was enough to make Roran's stomach twist uncomfortably. It was her first encounter with them and it wasn't one she would soon forget. Their smell stuck with her like burnt hair. It was like it was trapped in her nostrils and no matter what she tried she couldn't get it out. Especially the smell of them burning at the hand of her battle companion.
Roran shuddered at the thought of the woman, as well as from the cold of the night. It scared her how complacent she'd gotten around the woman. It was just another reminder that any stranger could be maleficar and you couldn't trust to let your guard down. It was Roran's luck that the woman didn't seem to want to cause anyone but the darkspawn harm though. She didn't know if she'd be so lucky next time. Her ignorance to magic is what fueled her fear and almost hatred. She wasn't like some people in town who thought all mages, even the ones who were Chantry sanctioned, should be burned. She knew a few of those mages and they seemed like nice enough people, but she'd heard so many stories as a child that she couldn't fully let her guard down around them.
But was she really any better than them? Mages couldn't help who they were. They couldn't help that the Maker saw fit to condemn them with magic powers for something they had done (at least that's how it'd been explained to her once upon a time). And it wasn't their fault that corruption was so seductive. Just like it wasn't Roran's fault for enjoying some of her battle companions tricks... right? She hadn't meant to take so much pleasure in shattering the frozen darkspawn... but the fact was she had. Was taking pleasure in magic like that an offense to the Maker? Did she need to confess this to the Revered Mother and repent?
These thoughts, as well as some others, ran through Roran's head as she methodically tended to her blades. She'd washed them earlier when the sun was still visible and now she was taking a stone to the steel to make sure her blades stayed sharp. She knew she'd need them to be in the best condition they could be in for the coming battle. The act was second nature for Roran, so she didn't need full attention on the task. She didn't notice the male approach not because she was focused on her work, but because she was so focused on her thoughts. So when he spoke, she jumped in her seat, missing her blade as she went to stroke it again and narrowly missing cutting her under arm, an injury she couldn't afford right now.
She cursed under her breath slightly, intent on turning around and giving the person an ear full. If she'd cut herself she could have bled to death at the very most, but definitely wouldn't have been much help in the coming battle. But as she turned in her seat to look at whoever had approached she stopped mid-sentence. Roran was used to everyone being taller than her, but this man was giant. Granted she was sitting down, but even still Roran felt incredibly small. In the dim light of the fire she couldn't make out his features completely and part of her sent a quick prayer to the Maker that he wasn't another stranger mage. That was the last thing she needed.
Regaining her composure, Roran looked down at the sword in her lap and smirked slightly. She was used to the cracks about her height and it actually made her more comfortable around the stranger. Bringing her gaze back up to him (and marveling at his height once more) she made her glib response. "I'm the one you least expect to 'ave them. I can get closer to a target than any thief and they'd never know I was there," she joked, laughing lightly to herself. While her height was always the joke around her, her words were very true. Her shortness allowed her to get into the thick of a fight and strike without ever being noticed and her lithe frame allowed her to get out quickly. She was a great asset to have.