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[VioletTheirin]

Eight years have passed since the blight was ended by Eruthiawen Tabris. A drunken and bitter Alistair returns to Ferelden to find that he left behind more than he could have ever imagined. Alistair/Tabris; Tabris/Zevran; Zevran/Rinna. Please Read and Review!

The Link to the story on fanfiction.net is... http://www.fanfictio...of_the_Alienage
The Link to my authors page, incase you want to check out any of my oneshots is http://www.fanfictio.../Violet_Theirin

Modifié par VioletTheirin, 08 novembre 2010 - 02:29 .

[VioletTheirin]

Chapter One: Homecoming

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A/N: I own nothing other than the first name of my character and her daughter. I am lovingly borrowing everything else from David Gaider and the lovely people of Bioware who chose to share such a wonderful storyline with myself and the world. This is my first attempt at fan-fic and it has been many many moons since I have written. Reviews are greatly appreciated as I fear there is much I have forgotten over the years. Enjoy!!



"Oh Ferelden, it has been entirely too long…or not long enough, I haven't quite decided." Mused the drunken redhead as he stumbled off of the ship. It had been eight years since the blight was ended and Eruthiawen Tabris declared the "Hero of Fereldend". Alistair should have been there beside her, had she not betrayed him. "Damn her anyway." He thought as he took a large knock off of the flask he was carrying. "Why should I flee my homeland because of some woman? Ferelden is a large enough place, chances are I will never see her."



They say that time heals all wounds, but that is not necessarily true. As far as wounds go, Alistair was fatal. He had never loved a woman in his life and when he did finally find "the one" whom he could give himself to in every sense of the word, she betrayed him for the man that killed the leader of Ferelden's Grey Wardens and the nearest thing he had to a father, Duncan. She showed mercy to Loghain when he could show not even a scrap of it towards King Cailan, the king's army, Duncan, or for any of the Grey Wardens. Had Loghain had his way both Alistair and Eruthiawen would be dead as well, either at the top of the Tower of Ishal or at the hands of the Antivan Crows. Yet when it had come his time to pay she granted him the mercy he never could have even defined. She not only allowed him to live, but to fight for the same order that he had attempted to completely put asunder. And then if that wasn't enough, she allowed for Loghain's pit viper of a daughter, Anora to take the throne and then to exile him. "Well at least she insisted I not be executed…how generous of her."



Time had certainly not changed Denerim much. The docks were still quite dodgy, with mercenaries and sailors walking about. The Pearl still stood with it's vast array of ladies and gentlemen of the evening waiting to greet their next clients. And though he hadn't noticed it before, Alistair's nose began to pick up on the scent of wet dogs and garbage. "I suppose after being gone for so long I got used to other smells." He thought. Alistair decided that Orlais definitely smelled better than Ferelden, but he much preferred the soggy pup scent of his homeland to the leathery smell of Antiva. "The damn assassin can keep his grand Antiva City" he thought to himself "I never did see what was so wonderful about it".



As Alistair left the docks he began to cross over into the Alienage. This was one part of Denerim that did indeed seem to have gotten better with time. The small squalled huts that the elves had once lived in had been transformed into nice quaint cottages and apartments. The once muddy and dirty streets were now paved. There was a nice new school standing where the old haunted orphanage had once been. There were children laughing and playing, running around the grand tree that stood in the middle of the square. Alistair decided to sit down on a nearby bench to rest. Nearly a week at sea with nothing more in his stomach than some dodgy fish chowder, moldy cheese and some rotgut did nothing for his stamina. Perhaps he would head back to The Pearl, find a bed to sleep in and possibly some companionship for the night.



As Alistair sat and watched the children there was one little girl that particularly caught his attention. She was quite short, like the other elven children but did not have the pointy ears that all of the other children did. It was obvious that she was the odd one out amongst the youngsters. As he watched another little girl came up and snatched something out of her hand. "Give it back!" the little girl screamed. As she began to cry, reaching for this prized possession Alistair could take no more "Poor thing." He thought as he stood to help.



Alistair walked over to the two girls. "What seems to be the problem here ladies?" he asked as the girls jumped back in shock. "She stole something that belongs to me and she will not give it back." She exclaimed as the tears poured down her face.



"Why don't you be nice and just give her back her possession" Alistair said to the other girl, whom he noticed stood a good two inches shorter than the child she was picking on.



"Oh fine, take it you stupid half breed." She retorted as she shoved what looked to be a necklace into the little girls hand. She then ran off after a small group of children that had been cheering her on.



The little girl quickly tried to compose herself as she attempted to get the necklace on her neck. "Here, let me help you with that." Alistair said.



"Thank you sir." Said the little girl as she handed him a small chain with what looked to be a rose petal charm on the end of it. "You've no idea what this means to me. This is all that I have of my father and nearly all that I have left of my mother." She said. Alistair finished clasping the chain and turned the young girl by the shoulders to look at him.



"I couldn't just stand by and let them pick on you." He said. It was then that Alistair really got to look at the little girl. As he noticed she was quite petite, but with remarkably broad shoulders. She had very light strawberry blonde hair and rounded human ears. After hearing the other girl call her a half breed he realized she must have had one human and one elven parent as those children always get the human ears. It was her eyes though that caught Alistair's attention. They were the deepest emerald green, a color he had only ever seen one other time in his life…..Eruthiawen….



"You said that your necklace was all that you had of your father, what happened to him?" asked Alistair.



"Daddy was a soldier and died protecting us from the blight." Said the little girl.



"And your mother?" he questioned.



"Mamae is gone…she died a few months ago." Replied the little girl "Auntie Leili said that it was a broken heart that killed her, whatever that means. I don't remember Mamae ever feeling well." She said "But Uncle Zev said that she was once very brave and fought alongside my daddy."



Alistair was taken back. "Uncle Zev, Auntie Leili? Surely it couldn't be." He thought to himself. It was then that he realized, the pendant that she wore was indeed a rose petal, or it had been. It appeared to have been cast in some sort of bronze but he recognized it…it was his rose, the one that he gave to Eruthiawen when he began to have feelings for her. He clasped his hand over his mouth as he looked down at the little girl.



"Thank you so much for helping me." She said "I need to get home before Auntie begins to worry."



"What is your name, if I may ask?" asked a dumbfounded Alistair



"My name is Rose." replied the little girl. "What is your name?"



"Call me Al." he said



"It was a pleasure meeting your Al." she said "I won't forget you!"



"The pleasure was all mine." He said as he poured the remaining contents of his flask onto the ground.



Alistair watched little Rose run off, down the street and around the corner. "I have a daughter." He thought to himself as he felt tears nearing the surface of his eyes. For the first time in eight years Alistair allowed himself to feel something other than anger, as he dropped the flask and headed in the direction that Rose had left in.



It then came to his attention what Rose had said…her Mamae was gone too, dead from a broken heart. "Oh Ruthi, what have I done?" he said out loud. "By the Maker what have I done!" he shouted as he began to run down the street toward where he saw Rose turn the corner.



"I have to find her." He thought, "I have to know for sure what happened."

[Gilgamesh1138]

HOORAY! You put it here too! *does happy dance*



*waves at Violet*

[VioletTheirin]

Awww it's my Erynnar!!! Yay *does happy dance and falls on face* sorry...very inebriated at the moment ) Daiquiris are GOOD

[Gilgamesh1138]

ROFL now I know what you have been up to! Ignore my email to you then! Okay so you have daiquiris, which I love, and you have crayons. I wanna come over!

[VioletTheirin]

ooops, just caught this post after your e-mail. Oh well )

[Gilgamesh1138]

ROFL! I need to go get some alcohol. But I am not allowed until I finish my latest chapter. ; P

[VioletTheirin]

Chapter Two- Fancy Meeting You Here.
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Alistair continued to follow Rose, trying to stay close enough to see when she turned a corner but far enough away so as to not alert her to the fact that he was there. Stealth was an interesting proposition as Alistair was coming off of an eight year stupor. He was never entirely stealthy to begin with. Years of clunking around with a big shield and sword all the while wearing heavy plate armor made sure of that. Now, even though the armor and weaponry was gone, he had hazy eyes and an extra 20 pounds of stomach to blame for his clumsiness.

"At least I don't need to worry about someone recognizing me." He thought to himself.

How could they? After all, the man who once stood so proud, so clean shaven and pure was now but a faint memory of his former self. His once neatly kept hair was now long, shaggy, and nearly black from the dirt and sweat built up in it. His face, once young and clean was now dirty and looked old beyond its years. There was a long dirty beard where there had once been only the slightest hint of stubble, and was stained with months of dirt, sweat and ale.

As Alistair followed Rose, he began to recognize some of the elves along the Alienage streets. Some of them he even helped rescue from the slave traders just before the Landsmeet. Thinking back on this only made him grow angry.

"How could she have betrayed me for someone who allowed her own people to be enslaved." He fumed.

Alistair didn't have long to reflect on it because just then he slammed headlong into someone, crashing down and landing right on top of them.

"Maker, I'm sorry." He said as he struggled to regain his footing and pull himself from atop the woman. "I was lost in thought and not paying attention to where I was going." He reached out a hand toward the woman who had already managed to get herself up and brushed off.

"Don't apologize to the Maker!" she spat. "Twas not him that you nearly crushed to death; And just the idea that you had even the smallest thought pass through your puny skull has me completely perplexed."

"Morrigan?" Alistair rubbed his eyes.

"Ah, so you remember me do you?" she glared. "Funny how well you can remember someone whom you hated with every fiber of your being, but could all but forget the woman you supposedly loved with all of your heart."

"You have no idea why I did the things that I did." He bellowed. "It was not me that betrayed her, she's the one who…"

"Yes, yes, yes, she's the one that betrayed you." She rolled her eyes. "So it shall be this whole song and dance again, shall it? The poor little Templar, had his feelings hurt by that mean and nasty little elf. Do I have the lyrics right, or has time fogged my memory?" she questioned as she stepped closer to him. "Now riddle me this you fool, why have you come back if she all but tore out your heart?"

"I wanted to return to my home." He lamented "I have been gone away for far too long and I didn't see the sense in allowing one woman to keep me from all that I once knew."

"Ah yes, but why here? Why Denerim? Why the very Alienage where she grew up and where her family still resides?" she interrogated. "Surely, if she hurt you so, this would be the last place you would decide to run to."

"I was merely passing through when I ran into the most interesting person" he said. "Why was I not told that I have a daughter?"

Morrigan was taken aback by this. She took two steps back from him and tried to gather her composure."What on earth are you talking about? What daughter?" She asked, all the while trying to hide the shock in her eyes.

"Don't try to play your little games with me Morrigan." He fumed. "I met Rose today, I know she is mine. Now tell me, why did I not know about her sooner?"

"First tell me my dear friend, where were we supposed to locate you?" Came another familiar voice from behind him. "Seems quite unreasonable to send letters to every tavern on Thedas to tell you that you had a child with a woman you cared nothing about. No?"

"Ah, and now the assassin joins in." he spat. "Tell me Zevran, how long after I left did it take you to bed her?" "We all know you were just biding your time, waiting for me to be out of the picture to pounce."

With that Alistair was knocked back as Zevran's fist met forcefully with his jaw.

"I suggest you stop while you are ahead my dear templar, there are many things that you know nothing of." Zevran seethed. "And from the smell of you, you are in no frame of mind to hear any of it.  Go, get yourself a room for the night and sober up. If you truly wish to speak civilly we can do so at that time. If all that you wish to do is throw accusations toward the person who has spent the last eight years picking up the pieces of the life that you broke, I suggest you go somewhere else to do it. That is unless you wish for me to end this right here?" Zevran pulled a dagger from his boot. "I can kill you much faster than the liquor that you have grown so fond of."

"Fine, I will speak to you tomorrow" Alistair stated as he tried to regain his composure. "Meet me at The Pearl at noon, but I will be expecting some answers."

"Si, answers I can provide in abundance." He said as he put the dagger back into his boot. "I can only hope, dear Alistair that you realize that they won't all be what you want to hear."

"Just be there." Alistair glared back at Zevran and Morrigan, who he noticed had grown surprisingly quiet upon the assassin's arrival.

"So what is it that you plan on telling the fool?" She asked as Alistair stomped away.

"Honesty is always the best policy. No?" he ran a hand through his hair. "No matter how painful the truth may be."

Modifié par VioletTheirin, 02 mai 2010 - 02:56 .

[Gilgamesh1138]

Since I have been following this on FF, You know I love it. : D

[VioletTheirin]

I can always rely on you to make me smile!

[Gilgamesh1138]

Aw shucks ma'am twernt nothin'. *tips hat* : D

[VioletTheirin]

 Chapter 3- Idiots and Children
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The chiming of the bells at noon the next day found Alistair all but
running through the halls of The Pearl. 
He had sobered up quite a bit, he washed and shaved and even had one of
the resident “ladies” give him a haircut. 
He was still a far cry from the handsome young man he used to be but
glimmers of the old Alistair were definitely able to be seen.  As he made his way into the tavern part of
The Pearl he was completely expecting to see Zevran sitting at the table with
his smug little smile about his face, or even Morrigan brooding away in a
corner.  Much to his surprise (and
relief) the face looking back at him was that of Leiliana.  While Alistair was sure that she was not any happier
with him than Morrigan or Zevran were, she always had a pleasant air about her,
and he often thought that had it not been for his feelings for Ruthi, he could
have easily developed feelings for the former bard.

“Good afternoon Alistair.” She said as she stood to greet him with a
hug. “I hope that today finds you well.”

“Hello Leiliana, not to sound unhappy to see you but where is
Zevran…Morrigan?  I was expecting a bit
harsher of a greeting.” Alistair looked around. “He isn’t lying in wait
somewhere is he?  I never could see him
when he didn’t want to be seen.” His eyes darted around the room.” “Or is
Morrigan getting ready to toad me?”

“Zevran will be along shortly, and Morrigan, it was decided would do
best staying back at the house with the children.” Stated Leiliana

“Children?” He asked.  “Besides
Rose, what children are there to attend to?”

“I guess I truly had forgotten just how long you haven been gone.”
Leiliana reflected. “Well there is Slade and he is six. He is Oghren and
Felsi’s.  We don’t see much of him since
Oghren joined the Grey Wardens.”

“Oghren joined the Grey Wardens?” Alistair looked puzzled

“Yes, he decided that family life was not for him so he left.  Ruthi convinced him that even though he
wasn’t the type to settle down, he still needed to be a part of Slade’s life so
he writes to him frequently and stops to visit on occasion.” She said

“It’s hard to imagine. Oghren, as a Warden?” Alistair puzzled as he
waved the bar maid down and asked for a glass of water.

“Morrigan got married about two years ago to another apostate mage
named Anders.” Leiliana smiled. “It is quite funny actually; with as much as
you and Morrigan never got along that she would marry someone who is so much
like you.”

“Like me?” Alistair questioned

“Oh yes.  Anders and you are
like a templar and apostate cut from the same cloth. Sarcastic, yet charming as
the day is long.  Plus, he too is a
Warden” Leiliana giggled.  “They have a
son named Drake and he is a year old.”

Alistair just shook his head.

“Soon after the Blight was ended I fell in love with Ruthi’s cousin,
Soris.  You remember him, don’t you?” She
asked.

“Yes, I believe I do.” He said thoughtfully.  “He’s the one that helped free Ruthi from
Vaughn’s estate.”

“Yes, that Soris.”  She smiled.
“Well we were wed and have 3 wonderful children.  Cecile is six, Cyrion is four, and Shianni is
almost one.” 

“Then there is of course Rose, she is the oldest of all of the
children.” She said as she adjusted herself in her chair. “Then there is her
brother Nelaros Duncan.”

“Brother?  Brother by whom?”
Alistair asked

This question made Leiliana squirm in her chair “Umm….”

“He is my son if you must know.” Came a voice from behind. 

“You…” Alistair stood, anger pouring from his eyes.  “I knew it; I knew you pounced the first
chance you got.”

In the blink of an eye Zevran had Alistair by the collar of his shirt,
fist pulled back and ready to strike.

“Zevran!” Leiliana screamed as she grabbed the elf and pulled him off
of Alistair. “This is exactly why I said that I would talk to him and would
come and get you when everything had been explained!”

“What, Leiliana is there to explain!?” Alistair spat “All he ever
wanted was to bed Ruthi, ever since she forgave him for TRYING TO KILL HER.”

“What concern is it of yours Alistair? 
You are the one who tore her heart out and wished her dead, are you not?”
seethed Zevran

“Andraste’s flaming sword; both of you stop!” screamed Leiliana.

By this time quite the crowd had grown around the little corner table.  Sanga the proprietor of the Pearl then walked
up.

“You know I’ll have none of this nonsense in my tavern!” she stated
with a firm hand on her hip.  “Now will
you be takin’ this little fight elsewhere on your own, or do I need to have
Biff show you the way out?” she motioned to the bouncer near the door.

“I’m sorry Sanga, we’ll be going.” Leiliana apologized as she pulled
both Zevran and Alistair by the collar. “Here’s a sovereign for the trouble.”
She let go of Zevran long enough to drop the gold on the table and grabbed him
again quickly.

“By The Maker, dealing with the both of you is like dealing with a
couple of mabari pups!” Exclaimed Leiliana as she shoved them out the door.

Once outside and around the corner, Leiliana released her hold on the
two men but placed herself abruptly between the two of them.

“Zevran, you go back to my house and wait for me there.  Tell Soris I will be along shortly.”  She snapped “And Alistair, you are coming
with me.  You are going to hear the whole
truth before you start throwing accusations around!”

Once Zevran was out of sight she looked Alistair in the eyes.  “I have been nothing but kind and patient
towards you since you walked up to the table today Alistair.  It took every ounce of self control that I
possessed to not run you through on the spot after what you did to Ruthi.”

“What about what she di…..” Alistair began

“Will you stop with your crying about how she hurt you?  Can you not see there is more to this than
just you and your bruised ego?”  She
asked as the last of her patience vanished. 
“What about Ruthi? She was never the same after you left.  You broke her heart in two over a man who
wasn’t worth the breath that it took to say his name.”

“Then why did she chose him over me?” he yelled.  “Why did she let him live and allow his
daughter to have me exiled?  She knew
what he did, she knew he allowed my brother die, he allowed Duncan to die, he
allowed all of those Wardens and soldiers to die.  And when it came his time she allowed him to
live.”

“Here, these are letters that Ruthi wrote, from the time that you left
up until about a week before she died. 
She asked that I give them to you if I ever saw you again.” Leiliana
shoved a small box into Alistair’s chest. “I truly don’t think you deserve to
set eyes upon them but there you are.”

Alistair took the box and ran his fingers over the lid.

“What about Zevran?”  He asked
softly.  “If she was so in love with me
and so broken up over me leaving, why do they have a son together?”

“Ruthi never loved Zevran, not like she loved you.” Leiliana said as
she sat down on a bench along the docks. 
“When she found out she was with child, Ruthi was scared…Zevran was
there for her.  When she worried herself
night and day over how she was going to take care of a child all on her own
Zevran married her.  He raised your child
as if she was his own; he took care of the woman you loved, knowing that there
was never a chance of her having the same feelings for him.  He listened to the woman that he loved as she
died with another man’s name on her lips.” 


“If she didn’t truly love him, why do they have a child together?”
Alistair questioned

“Because Ruthi told me that after all that Zevran gave her, the least
she could give him was a son and a piece of herself.” She looked into his eyes
“And even then, instead of giving him a name that meant something to him, he
named his son after Ruthi’s murdered fiancé and the name of your mentor.  When I asked him why he did so much he told
me that “He would rather play second lyre than not play with the minstrels at
all.”  Now if we are talking about
fairness…who do you now believe truly got the short end of the stick.”

Tears in his eyes, Alistair was finally speechless.

“Now, it seems you have some reading to do.” Leiliana tapped the box
with her finger.  “Then, if you wish to
speak some more you can find me at the Chantry. 
During the day I work with the orphans and widows of The Blight.”

Alistair clutched the box and walked back toward The Pearl.

 

 

 

[Gilgamesh1138]

Yes, I know I reviewed this on FF, but I have to say how very much I love this story here too! : D

[VioletTheirin]

I just reviewed your last 5 chapters on FF...woman, you are amazing!

[Gilgamesh1138]

Aw, thanks sweetie! I hope to make them more amazing. : D

[VioletTheirin]

Chapter 4- The Scars That Love Can Leave

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After the meeting with Alistair, Leiliana made her way home to the farmstead that she shared with her husband Soris and their ever growing family which sat just outside of the city. Their home was not fancy, but was quite large. Of course it had to be big to be able to accommodate the multitude of "Aunties", "Uncles", and "Cousins" that could show up on any given day. In the front of the house was a long stone walkway leading up to the front door. The scent of Andraste's Grace hung in the air, emanating from the garden that ran along the entire back side of the property. All of the stress that Leiliana had been carrying since her meeting with Alistair lifted from her as she inhaled the sweet aroma of her favorite flowers.



"Soris, I'm home!" She sang as she walked through the front door which led into a spacious sitting room. "Who missed me?"



"By the maker, I thought you got lost." Sighed an obviously exhausted Soris as he walked into the room. He carried baby Shianni on his hip as Cyrion clung to his leg.



Leiliana glanced around the room in absolute awe of the complete chaos. Anders, looking equally as frazzled as Soris was working frantically to calm Nelaros who was screaming at the top of his lungs, holding his forearm protectively against his chest. Nearby little Drake sat on the floor giggling as Morrigan scolded him for biting Nelaros. Just behind Morrigan, Rose and Cecile had each other by the hair. Both of the girls were screaming, but neither one of them would give up and let go. On the other side of the room Slade sat by himself in a corner with his arms crossed as Felsi scrubbed away at a puddle of Maker knows what that her son had apparently spilled on the floor.



"Enough!" The normally soft-spoken woman yelled at the top of her lungs, but still the chaos ensued. She began to feel all of the stress and frustration that she had pushed off of her back not five minutes ago begin to pile itself onto her shoulders once again. Frustrated and without so much as a scrap of patience remaining within her Leiliana stepped up on a nearby chair and put two finger tips into her mouth. Soris immediately put a hand over one of Shianni's ears, laying her other ear up against his chest as Leiliana produced an agonizingly loud, high pitched whistle, reminiscent of the sound made by an attacking Shriek. The house finally fell silent as everyone in it froze in place, seemingly afraid to even move.



Without a word Leiliana walked over to Rose and Cecile and untangled their fingers from each others hair. Each girl was handed a book and sent to separate corners of the room until they had time to let their tempers cool. Another book was handed to Slade as Leiliana assisted Felsi in cleaning the remains of what she could now tell was molasses off of the floor. Morrigan took Shianni from Soris who was working to unwind Cyrion's arms from around his legs. With Drake by the hand and Shianni on her hip Morrigan headed toward the nursery to lay them down for a nap. Anders was then finally able to convince a still shaken Nelaros to show him his arm. With a wave of his hand the large bite mark faded and a look of relief overtook the toddlers face. Anders then took the boy to join Shianni and Drake in the nursery.



After all was said and done Slade, Cyrion, Celine, and Rose were sent outside to play as the younger children took their naps. Felsi thanked Leiliana for her help in cleaning the mess on the floor as she took her leave to change out of her sticky clothes and to wash up. Leiliana, Soris and Morrigan slumped down into the cozy chairs in the sitting room as Anders went into the kitchen to make some tea.



"Well that's two battles I've had to thrust myself into today." Leiliana remarked as Anders walked into the room carrying a tray of tea and a large plate of cookies. "I must say I would rather take on a whole house full of children than have to deal with two grown men who insist upon acting like them."



"I assume you are referring to Zevran and Alistair?" remarked Morrigan from behind her teacup "So tell me, what got under the pathetic sot's skin today?"



"In all honesty, the meeting was going better than I had hoped to begin with." Leiliana reflected. "He had cleaned himself up, at least that was my perception after the way that Zevran and yourself described him the night before. His hair was clean and cut and his face was clean shaven. We exchanged pleasantries and he showed what I took to be a genuine interest in what we all have been doing for the past eight years."



"So what started the fight?" asked Soris as he set his teacup on the table and grabbed a cookie from the plate.



Leiliana sighed and glanced toward the nursery. "Well, let's just say that Nelaros' parentage came into question."



"You can't tell me that he got upset about it?" replied a shocked Anders. "It was my understanding that he made it quite clear that he wanted nothing to do with Ruthi and had opted instead to go on an eight year bender, drinking his way across Thedas."



"The thing that Alistair failed to realize is that the kind of love that he shared with Eruthiawen cannot simply be ended and forgotten." Leiliana said thoughtfully. "The feelings that they shared leave scars upon the heart, and though you can do your best to cover them up and pretend they do not exist, there will always be something or someone that will cause them to make their presence known. For Alistair, it was the thought of Ruthi moving on and loving another man that compelled his heart to betray him."



"So how did Zevran come into play in all of this?" Soris questioned. "I was under the impression that he had agreed to wait for you to break the ice before joining you."



Leiliana shook her head. "That indeed was the plan, however I was apparently the only one to remember it, for as soon as Nelaros was brought into question Zevran appeared out of nowhere to inform Alistair that he was his son."



"And I'm sure Alistair took this bit of news with the poise and constraint of a rabid Mabari?" Anders joked as he too took a cookie from the tray.



"Comparing the fool to a mabari would be giving his intellect far too much credit my love." Morrigan stared at the ceiling as if trying to recover a long lost memory from within the rafters. "When Alistair feels that he has been treated unfairly, 'tis a berserking Hurlock that he more closely resembles; mindlessly swinging at the air until something connects."



"Ah, so just your average templar then is he?" laughed Anders as he poured another cup of tea. "Their sense of reason is as clear as a stagnant mud puddle."



"There was so much rage in his eyes." Leiliana reflected as she relaxed back in her chair. "It was as if Alistair had completely vanished in the blink of an eye only to be replaced with a broken down, angry shell of a man seething venom from every pore." Leiliana paused and seemingly became lost in thought.



"Well?" prodded Soris "What happened?"



"Before I could even process what was going on before my own eyes Zevran had Alistair by the collar with his fist pulled back." Leiliana sighed. "Thank the Maker for giving me the gift of agility for if he had not, Alistair's face would be nothing more than an enormous contusion. I got hold of the both of them by their shirts and dragged them out of the Pearl, all the while apologizing to Sanga who at that point was ready to have us all strung up for causing such a scene in her establishment."



Leiliana sat up and began to pour herself another cup of tea. "Once we were outside I sent Zev on his way and took Alistair off by himself. Right away he started lamenting how life has been so unfair to him and how his heart was tore apart." Leiliana shook her head in disgust. "At that point any sympathetic feelings I had toward him went out the window. I told him that Zev was there for Ruthi when he should have been, marrying her when she felt she couldn't handle raising his daughter by herself. I then gave Alistair the circumstances surrounding Nelaros' birth, how Ruthi felt she needed to do something for Zevran after all he had done for her and that Nelaros was a baby born out of gratitude toward a friend, rather than out of true love. I gave him the box of letters that Ruthi had written to him over the past eight years and told him to contact me when he was through reading them."



"So do you think that any of it got through to him?" Soris asked as he began to gather the dirty cups and plates from the small table in front of them.



"'Tis doubtful." Snapped Morrigan, a look of unmistakable disgust poured across her face "The man has the intellectual capacity of a tree trunk."



Thinking back Leiliana remarked "I actually believe that it did get through on some level. His entire face seemed to relax back to normal and I swear that I saw a tear running down his cheek as I left. Now as for who he was crying for… himself, Zevran, Eruthiawen, Nelaros or even Rose, that is anyone's guess…"



Leiliana stood and began to help Soris clear the dishes as Morrigan went to check on the babies napping in the nursery and Anders saw to the older children still playing outside. She then paused and looked at Soris with question in her eyes. "You know it just occurred to me I haven't seen Zevran since I sent him away after his fight with Alistair. I told him to come here and let you know I would be along later, did he never come by?"



Soris shook his head. "No, I haven't seen Zev since he left with you late this morning. When he didn't arrive home with you I figured that he had other business to attend to and that he would just be along later."



Worry began to sweep over Leiliana. Zevran was not in the best state of mind when they departed. He was never one to wear his emotions on his sleeve, instead Zev embraced this façade of arrogance mixed in with just the right amount of suave seduction and masculinity that he had developed during his time with The Crows in Antiva.



"I think it would be a good idea that Morrigan, Anders and I see if we can find Zev." Leiliana said as she quickly sat the tea tray down upon the wooden counter in the kitchen.



Recognizing the urgency in her voice Soris nodded "Do what you need to Leili, Oghren is supposed to be arriving this evening. I think between him, Felsi and me we can handle the kids till you get back." Soris kissed his wife on the forehead "I will pray to the Maker that everything is okay."



"Please do my love." Remarked Leiliana as she began to search for Morrigan and Anders. "One of us will check in periodically incase he should return while we are gone."



As she started to leave Soris called after her "I'm sure he is alright Leili, Zevran never seemed the type to do anything rash…especially out of hatred or anger."



Leiliana looked over her shoulder at Soris. "Hatred and anger are easy to overcome. However love can cause even the most reasonable person to do the most unreasonable things…especially if they know that that love will be forever unrequited."



With an understanding smile and a nod Soris watched as Leiliana rushed out the door.

[Gilgamesh1138]

YAY, you posted another great chapter! I love this!

[VioletTheirin]

Chapter 5- Ruthi's Little Messenger
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A warm evening air blew as Zevran sat amongst the flowers in Leiliana's garden. The scent of Andraste's Grace rose from the darkness and filled his senses. He had been sitting there for what seemed like hours, listening to the children as they played. He hadn't planned on staying for more than a moment but he could not bring himself to face the crowd of people waiting inside. He slipped into the garden in an attempt to avoid the barrage of questions that he had no interest in answering. But instead of diminishing, Zevran's desire for solitude only increased.

Zev sat down upon a small stone bench in the back of the garden and pulled from his shirt an old pair of gloves. With tears in his eyes he ran his fingers across the worn leather. For the first time in his life, Zevran did not feel as though he was in complete control of his emotions. This was disquieting for the former assassin. In his training with the Crows he was taught that emotions only served to get in between the assassin and the task at hand. So over the years Zevran developed his emotional mask. Anger was masked with apathy, Sadness was masked with vicious depravity, and love was replaced with unabashed and shameless debauchery. Once this mask was in place, Zevran believed it would remain there for the rest of his life. Eruthiawen however, began to break down this façade and all of these troublesome emotions started to seep to the surface. Normally Zev was still able to keep his cool outwardly while waging an emotional war within his own mind. But this time, try as he might Zevran could not slake the tempest of anger and grief that was swirling around inside of him.

Tears overwhelmed his eyes as he held the gloves against his cheek. It was then that Zev finally gave in and let the tears flow. All at once the mountain of grief that had been bottled up inside of him for the better part of 30 years came cascading forth. His mask finally shattered and the once stagnant emotions made their presence known. In an instant Zevran longed for the mother he never knew and grieved for the childhood that he was never allowed to have. He felt guilt for every life that he ended with his own hands and love for the woman who rescued him, not only from the crows but also from himself. Thinking about the mercy that Eruthiawen bestowed upon her would be killer made Zev think about the reason he accepted the contract on her life in the first place. He thought of his beloved Rinna, remembering the way he took delight in watching the life drain from her pretty face as Taliesen slit her throat.

Zevran's stomach churned at the memory of Rinna's unseeing eyes staring up at him, and just as he felt he could no longer hold back the sickness churning inside of him he felt a small hand upon his shoulder. Startled, Zevran turned to see a familiar pair of emerald eyes staring back at him with concern.

"Uncle Zev?" Rose whispered "What's wrong? Why are you sad?"

He wanted to talk, wanted to assure her that everything was fine but all that Zevran could do was cry. He quickly turned his face in an attempt to hide his anguish.

"Snap out of it Arainai." He thought to himself "Be a man, no more tears, you are above tears!"

Rose sat down beside her beloved Uncle, wrapped her small arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. Zevran could feel his heart melting as he put his arms around the girl and rested his cheek on her head. Neither of them said a word, but in the silence Zevran felt comfort.

"I can't give in." he said to himself. "I have to be there for Rose and Nelaros. Ruthi entrusted me with their care and I will not forsake her now."

"Do you miss Mamae?" Rose whispered into his chest.

"Si, mi bendición, I miss her very much." Zev replied in a whisper. "More than words can say."

Rose sat up and looked into Zevran's tear stained eyes. "She misses you too you know." She stated with confidence. "Sometimes when I sleep I visit her in The Fade. She talks about you a lot."

A hint of a smile made its way across his face. "Does she?" Zevran asked as he turned to look at Rose.

"Oh yes, she speaks of you every time I see her." Rose replied

"And my dear just what does your beautiful mother have to say about your old Uncle Zev, hmm?" He asked as his curiosity was piqued.

"Oh, mostly about how you were her very best friend in the world and how much she misses you; sometimes she even tells stories about your travels and the Blight." Rose tenderly held Zevran's hand in hers. "She wishes that YOU would come visit her in The Fade sometimes because she misses the way you could always make her laugh."

Zevran shook his head as he peered at the ground. "Oh my dear sweet Rose, how I wish I could visit your Mother, but alas I don't know how. I dream nearly every night, but your Mother has never come to visit me."

"I asked her one night why there are some nights that she comes and other nights she is gone, she said that those are the nights when the clouds are too thick and she can't find me." Rose stated thoughtfully. "She told me before we go to sleep at night we need to think of the happiest memory we have of her, concentrate on that memory extra hard, and push any sad or unhappy thoughts out of our mind."

"What happens when our thoughts are not happy?" Zevran asked with a curious smile

"Mamae said that angry and sad thoughts create dark clouds that surround us, but when we have only good thoughts, especially thoughts of her, it creates a bright white light all around us." Rose explained. "The bright light leads her right to us."

Zevran kissed Rose upon her forehead and hugged her tight. "Te amo mi bendición"

Rose returned Zev's hug. "Mamae also wanted me to give you a message, one that she said is very important." Rose bowed her head as if she were ashamed of something, kicking the dirt beneath her feet. "But….."

Zev put two fingers under the child's chin, tilting her head up so he could look at her face. "Oh my dear child, what is the matter? Surely it can't be all that bad." Zev gave her a reassuring smile.

Rose shook her head. "No, I don't think it is bad, though I'm not really sure what everything means. I'm just ashamed because Mamae told me what to tell you weeks ago but I never did because I was having trouble remembering everything and I didn't want to mess it up."

"We need not worry about that my sweet one." He patted her strawberry hair. "I have an idea. You could tell me what you remember and when I find your Mamae in the fade she can fill in what you couldn't remember. That would work. No?"

Rose paused for a moment, trying to remember as much as she could of what her mother had said; she took in a deep breath and began. "She said to tell you that she spoke to Rinna."

Zev felt his heart leap into his throat as the sensation of ice cold needles fell upon his back.

"Rinna wanted you to know that she still loves you with all of her heart and that she always would." Rose paused for a moment, trying to collect her thoughts. "Hmmm…..there was something else…."

Zev gave her a reassuring pat on the back as a million thoughts raced through his head.

"Oh yes, I remember!" Rose rejoiced. "She said that she understands why you did what you did, she said she forgives you and that it is time for you to forgive yourself." With that Rose grinned with pride at the fact that she remembered the whole message as she looked up at Zev.

"Did I do a good job Uncle Zev, did the message make sense?" Rose asked with excitement.

Zevran stared at Rose nodding in silence. He wanted to praise her and thank her but no words would come.

"Could it be true?" he questioned to himself "It has to be, there is no way she could have known to say these things otherwise."

The sound of Soris calling Rose to dinner echoed across the yard.

"I'm coming!" Rose shouted in reply. She hugged Zev tight and gave him a kiss on the cheek before running off toward the house.

Zevran stared off into the distance, lost in thought but was quickly snapped out of it as he was struck in the back of the head by a weakened (Thank The Maker) arcane bolt. Zev quickly turned to see Anders standing a few yards behind him.

Anders noticed Zev looking at him from the distance. He looked to his left and right only to notice that he was left standing alone. Suddenly in fear of his life the baffled mage quickly shook his head and shrugged as he declared "I didn't do it!"

It was then that Leiliana and Morrigan crept out from behind a shrub a short distance behind Anders.

"Way to take one for the team my darling" Morrigan patted her still confused husband on the back as she walked past. " 'tis so hard to find a reliable scapegoat these days."

Leiliana stormed past Anders who was frozen in place, still not sure what to make of what just happened. Leili had her sights set on the blonde elf and could see nothing else.

"Zevran!" she shouted, her voice tinged with a mixture of anger, disgust, worry and complete exhaustion.

"Leiliana!" he answered back in a mocking tone

Leiliana pulled back and slapped the bewildered Antivan across the face. "Where in Thedas have you been? We just spent our entire evening walking the streets of Denerim trying to find you, worried out of our minds, probing every person that we came across for answers in an attempt to find you!"

Zev smirked "My dear Leiliana, you mean to tell me that you had a night filled with the wanton probing of random bystanders, and you did not even think to include me in the debauchery?" he chided "And here I thought we were friends."

Once again, Zev was knocked back as his manhood was greeted by one of Leiliana's brand new Orlesian Boots. He fell to the ground only able to moan in response.

"As you can see Zevran, I am in no mood for your tomfoolery. I have spent my night searching for you, leaving my dear sweet husband to attend to a house full of people!" Leiliana crouched to look Zevran directly in his pain stricken eyes. "I swear to The Maker, Andraste, and by every fiber of my being, if you worry me like that again I will do what The Crows could not."

With that Leiliana stomped across the yard toward the house. Morrigan followed closely behind, and as she walked past Zevran she shook her head, obviously amused. "I'm sure one day you will see there was something to be learned in all of this…."

Anders knelt down beside Zevran who was still lying in the fetal position on the ground and called after his wife as she walked away. "Yes my darling, a very valuable lesson that I'm sure Zevran will never forget." Morrigan turned her head and grinned at Anders over her shoulder and as she entered the house. "And the lesson of the day is…be wary of the tiny Orlesian with the big shoe fetish." Anders jokingly whispered as he produced a blue light from his fingertips and expertly aimed it between the legs of the pain addled elf.

In mere moments a feeling of warm numbness spread across Zevran's groin as Anders helped him off of the ground.

"Make sure you put some ice on that or you will be right back to where you were once the magic wears off." Anders said as he turned to leave, and looking over his shoulder added "Or might I suggest some quality time with your stash of Antivan Brandy as an equally effective if not more enjoyable solution."

Zevran remained in the garden for a short while longer as he allowed for Anders spell to take full effect. He then slowly made his way to the house, not enjoying the thought of having to face anyone, least of all Leiliana. So it was much to his chagrin that the redheaded bard was the first person he saw as the door swung open.

"I have only come to gather my children and then I shall go home." Zev shot a glance at Leiliana as he made a b-line for Rose and Nelaros who were sleeping peacefully in an oversized chair in the corner of the room.

"Oh don't be silly Zevran, stay and have some dinner!" giggled Leiliana who had apparently calmed down since their earlier confrontation. "You look like you have had a ton of bricks fall upon you!"

"Four pounds of expertly wielded shoe leather would be a much more accurate representation, would it not?" Zevran growled as he shot an angry glare in the direction of the irritatingly bubbly Orlesian. "No my friend, I think I will be heading home. It is a long walk just to the outskirts of the Alienage and even further to get to our apartment on the other side. I would rather not have 'Little Zev' wake from his magic induced slumber halfway there."

Guilt swept through Leiliana's conscience as she watched her friend struggle to lift his small son from the chair. She wanted so badly to intervene and help him out but knew it was best for her to keep her distance, at least for tonight. She turned and whispered into Soris' ear and with an understanding nod he walked over to the chair and gingerly swept Rose into his arms. Zevran gave Soris an appreciative smile and walked out the front door without saying a word.

Relief swept through Zev's body as they finally rounded the corner and his apartment came in to view. His injured appendage had begun to regain feeling before they had even reached the entrance to the Alienage, and by the time they got to the other side Zevran felt as though he had been walking for hours though in reality it had only been about ten minutes.

Zevran thanked Soris for his help and promised that he would talk to Leiliana once they had both had some time to think. After Soris had left and Zevran closed and locked the door, he tiptoed into the bedroom that his children shared. He watched in silence for a moment as they slept peacefully and then kissed each of them softly on their forehead. "Te amo mis ángeles." He whispered as he left the small bedroom.

As he reached his own bed Zev began to think about his earlier conversation with Rose and what she had told him about the Fade. He wanted so desperately to be able to visit Ruthi tonight, to look into her deep green eyes and hold her in his arms, but he resigned himself to the fact that his Fade clouds would be too much for him to lift after all that had happened today. The confrontation with Alistair was bad enough, but Leiliana's flying feet were the icing on the cake.

Zevran took a long drink from a bottle of Antivan Brandy that he pulled from a chest at the foot of the bed and made a silent promise to himself. No matter what tomorrow brings to his door, he will not allow it to bring him down, he will not let the clouds form, for when evening falls he will visit The Fade and he will see his warden again.

Modifié par VioletTheirin, 03 mai 2010 - 08:59 .

[Gilgamesh1138]

Keep posting girl! Love every chapter! : D

[VioletTheirin]

Chapter 6- Cruel Goodbye

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Moonlight shone through the small window of Alistair's rented room at The Pearl. In that moonlight the templar lay awake running his fingers down the smooth, soft curves of one of The Pearl's elven "ladies".



"Almost…" he thought to himself "Almost perfect, just the eyes…those damn eyes."



Alistair had spent eight years trying to replace the woman that he said he never needed. He convinced himself that the more these women looked like her, acted like her, and felt like her, the less and less special the real Ruthi would become. The truth was his heart was breaking for the only woman he would ever love, but pride would not allow him to ever admit it, even to himself. So every time he found his memories taking him back to her, another surrogate Ruthi came into existence.



Of all of the look-alikes this one was probably the closest to the real thing that he had been with. Her hair was the same color of red, tied back loosely in a bun, she was about the same height and she had long dexterous fingers just like Ruthi. Her skin was smooth, her voice was soft, but her eyes were blue…not green. She told Alistair her name wasTalah, though it could have been just about anything and it would have made no difference; tonight…she became Alistair's newest Ruthi.



Alistair carefully stood up from the bed, slipped on a long sleep shirt and picked up from the table the box containing Ruthi's letters. Nearly 14 hours had passed since his hands first wrapped around it and still there it was…unopened.



He had no idea why, but every time he tried to open it his stomach knotted up, his heart raced and he began to feel dizzy. He would take a deep breath and try again but he just could not do it. He had no idea what to expect, and it was most likely the fear of going into this emotional battle completely blind which caused the sickening pounding within his chest.



So there he sat, in the moonlight staring at the missing piece to a puzzle the templar had long since given up solving. He let out a deep sigh.



Silence was broken as Talah began to stir beneath the blankets on the bed. She sat up and just stared at the man in front of her.



"What's in the box handsome?" She curiously asked as she pulled the blankets up to cover her chest.



Happy to have someone to talk to Alistair replied. "A million reminders of a life that I thought I had left behind."



Talah leaned her back against the headboard and pulled her knees to her, quizzically cocking her head to the side. "But why haven't you opened it? I've noticed you staring at it off and on ever since I came into the room."



Alistair sighed and shook his head. "It is supposed to be filled with all of these answers as to why the woman, who I loved more than life, would betray me. I don't want to open it and be forced to rehash memories I've worked for eight years to forget. I cannot think of a single reason she could put forth that would justify the way that she betrayed me."



"Oh, you mean at the Landsmeet…when she let Loghain Mac Tir redeem himself by becoming a warden." She stated nonchalantly as she slipped into her small clothes and a loose tunic.



Alistair stared blankly at Talah, not knowing what to say. "How did you know about that?"



"When you work at a ****house you hear things." She shrugged her shoulders. "I heard all about you the moment you walked in the door."



"Oh, Maker!" Alistair rolled his eyes.



Talah then got upon her hands and knees and crawled across the bed toward Alistair as she theatrically gave her account of the story. "Everyone around here knows who Eruthiawen Tabris Aranai is, how she gathered an army full of elves, mages, and dwarves, quelled the blight, and returned as 'The Hero Of Ferelden'." She then lowered her voice. "But also you hear tales about the tragedy of our hero losing her one true love and how the other man who loved her came in to pick up the pieces to a heart that would never be his." Talah let out a deep sigh "So tragic…"



Alistair stood up, nearly knocking over his chair and began pacing. "Loghain Mac Tir is nothing more than a megalomaniacal traitor who left King Cailan, the king's army, and every Grey Warden in Ferelden to die at the hands of darkspawn! And the only tragedy is that when it came time for him to get his just desserts he was spared and allowed to go out with honor. And now forever he shall be Loghain, Ferelden's consummate hero."



Exasperated, Alistair flopped down on the bed beside Talah and placed his head in his hands. "I don't want to open that box because all it will only convince me to hate her more. There is no reasoning that she could provide that will change the fact that justice was not served."



"If you don't feel there is anything within that box that will change your mind about what happened, why are you so afraid of reading it? You won't get any angrier than you already are; in fact it could serve to give you some peace of mind that you were justified in that anger to begin with. Are you afraid to move on?" The pretty elf crawled across the bed to look directly into Alistair's eyes. "I think that the reason you don't want to open it is because no matter how much you try to deny it, you know there is a real possibility you could have been wrong; that there truly were very good reasons to allow Loghain to live. It may not make you feel any better about his being spared, but it may show you that there was much more that Eruthiawen had to take into consideration besides your feelings."



Alistair just remained still, trying to hide the fact that what she just said had affected him.



"You have got to be the most obtuse man I have ever met!" Talah picked up the box and shook it in front of Alistair. "This is your answer, this is your resolution, and deep down I think that this is the reason you returned to Ferelden; you couldn't deal with all of the doubts swirling inside of you any longer." She set the box on his lap, stood up from the bed, picked her dress up from the floor and began to slip it on.



Once dressed Talah started out of the room but when she reached the door she turned around to look back at Alistair who sat on the bed staring once again at the box in his hands. "I don't think you ever stopped loving her; and as much as you may deny it if the hands of time were yours to turn I believe you would go back to that day and at least let her explain her motivation to you; if for no other reason than to put it to rest once and for all." She pointed towards the box that he held so tightly. "Right there's your hands of time…don't leave them unturned." And with that another Ruthi walked out the door.



Alistair took a deep breath and finally lifted the lid on the box. Within it there were dozens of folded up pieces of parchment along with an assortment of small mementos; some of which Alistair recognized such as a fragment of a white rune stone Ruthi had given him as a gift. Some of the items he had never seen before. But one item stood out from all of the rest. On top of the stack of letters laid a dried up rose stem with a few crushed petals scattered around it. Alistair felt a lump rise into his throat. He took one more deep breath, pushed the skeleton of his rose to the side and picked up the first letter.



Dear Alistair,



I know you think that the decision I made was wrong, I myself still wonder the same thing. I had every intention of striking him down as he knelt in front of me, but when Riordan said "there are compelling reasons to have as many grey wardens as possible to battle the archdemon"….I don't know…something in Riordan's eyes told me that it was meant as more than a strength in numbers kind of reasoning. I suppose time will tell what it truly meant…if it meant anything at all... I could just be fooling myself.



When I arrived back at Eamon's I actually expected you to be here…brooding no doubt, but here. Instead, all that I found when I walked into our room were two rune stones smashed against the floor, every gift I ever gave you tossed aside, Cailan's armor lay on the bed, with your father's sword lying beside it.



Alistair, I understand your being mad, I understand your not trusting Loghain, what I don't understand is why you felt that you couldn't trust me. You have allowed me to be leader ever since I made it through the joining….I never once asked for it! If you could trust my judgment, follow me blindly after just knowing me for a day, why could you not trust my intentions after knowing me for a year? After all that we have been through? After you claimed to love me without end?



I wish with all of my heart that you would just come back so I could talk to you, to make you understand but I know that you won't. I cannot just let this go and pretend that our love never existed.



I just ran into Brother Genitivi as he had come to deliver a book about some unknown Chantry history to Wynne and he said he overheard you speaking to Gorim; he said you were taking a ship in the morning, bound for Rivain. I will be there Alistair; and I shall try one last time to convince you that I never wanted to hurt you…I just know that this is what needed to be done. Even if I can't explain it…I just know it.



Then, if you still decide that what you need is to leave, I love you enough to let you go.



I will be yours always,



Eruthiawen



As Alistair finished reading the letter, all of the color drained from his face. He had nearly forgotten…his final goodbye to Ruthi.



He remembered standing there, along the docks as the ship to Rivain began to board. Just as he prepared to step onto the boarding plank he heard an all too familiar voice call his name.



"Alistair, wait!" Ruthi was running along the docks, dodging people and jumping over the crates that were scattered along the way. "Before you leave I needed you to understand…"



Alistair bellowed with utter absolute hate in his voice. "There is nothing to understand, there is nothing I want to hear from you nor is there a thing that I need from you. You made your choice, now live with it!" He turned again to board the ship and she grabbed him by the arm.



"If I ever meant anything to you please, give me a moment…just one…"



With that Alistair grabbed Eruthiawen by the face and kissed her ferociously. As his tongue found hers his hand clenched a fistful of her soft red hair. As their lips parted Alistair threw Eruthiawen to the ground, and with venom seething from his voice hissed "You're nothing to me."



Ruthi began to shake her head as tears streamed from her beautiful green eyes. "No Alistair, you don't mean that…"



"YOU ARE NOTHING TO ME!" he yelled as he knelt down, his face an inch from hers. He then lowered his voice to nearly a whisper. "In fact, I wish I had volunteered to go to the tower on my own. Then you would have been down on that battlefield, you would have died along with all the rest of them…the only difference is I would have made sure that you were avenged." And as he stood Alistair looked her coldly in the eyes and in an empty and callous voice left her with the words "I hate you."



With that Alistair boarded the ship, leaving Ruthi lying on the ground, still reaching for him. She didn't even notice that she had cut her arm open on a crate as she fell to the ground. She didn't notice a sailor and one of the bouncers from The Pearl trying to lift her to her feet. She just sat there, arm extended with tears streaming down her face; crying for him, pleading for him, dying inside. Those three little words, "I hate you" were the first nail in her coffin.



Alistair's stomach churned at the memory. He quickly reached for a chamber pot lying beneath the edge of the bed and heaved.



Once his stomach calmed Alistair walked to the window and opened it. He took in a deep breath of the fresh air that was streaming in and then dumped the chamber pot into the dirty alleyway below.



Alistair sat back on the bed, his head throbbed as large tears rolled down his face. He really wasn't sure what he was feeling; it was like nothing he had ever experienced. He only knew that it was horrible.



He braced himself as he took another letter from the box and began to open it, unsure whether he was ready to face what he might find.



My Beloved,



Though I know you will never receive these letters, I find solace in writing them. After the way we parted on the docks that day I'll not fool myself into believing that you will be back. I thought with all of my heart that if I put enough of me into that final kiss, a piece of my soul might also go with you and make you understand…But alas, it is but a moot point now. It is so lonely here without you. I am not the most popular person around camp these days; Both Leiliana and Wynne have only just begun talking to me and only as much as necessary, Sten and Shayle are both still mostly silent, so little change there. Oghren will only say to me as much as is completely necessary though unlike some, he never had completely stopped talking to me. Loghain broods away and only really interacts with Emaba, but that beast will take to anyone who has a spare scrap of meat they are willing to part with. Only Morrigan and Zevran still make any attempt to converse with me and they are the two people in the whole camp that I would rather leave me alone. Morrigan wants nothing more than to praise me for getting rid of you, insisting that I'm better off now that I have you out of my life. Zevran has been nothing but supportive but I do not trust myself to be around him right now especially after I….I just can't trust myself, I shall leave it at that. I only wish that everyone would quit asking me if I think I did the right thing; as if regretting showing Loghain mercy would make everything better. Regret helps nothing; I will just have to make due with what I have and hope that in the end it proves to be worth it.



We have made our way to Redcliffe and now wait to begin a forced march for Denerim first thing in the morning. We arrived in the village only to find it and the castle being attacked by a small army of darkspawn. They were easily dispatched and we made our way inside. Riordan arrived unexpectedly and brought disastrous news; the horde, with the archdemon at the head of it, is marching for Denerim. I know not what is going to happen, I don't know that it will even be possible to get there before the city is brought to the ground; but whatever is going to happen is going to happen tomorrow. Maybe justice will be served as you wished and both Loghain and I will be struck down just as Duncan was; I suppose it would only be fitting. I will leave this letter now as Riordan has called for Loghain and I to meet with him…"Grey Warden Business" apparently. Whatever news he has, it does not sound good. Tomorrow is judgment day, Maker help us all….



Yours, Forever and Always,



Eruthiawen



Sickness churned within his stomach again but this time Alistair was able to keep it at bay. His head however throbbed even more than before. While he was finding some understanding in her words he was being left with even more questions. "Why couldn't she trust herself around Zevran? Why would no one speak to her?" he puzzled. And then he asked the question that only he himself would be able to ever answer. "Why did I still leave when in my heart I wanted to stay?"



Alistair carefully placed the letters along with the fragment of rune stone and the stem of his rose back into the box. He needed to sleep, to try to clear his head and decided that in the morning he would make his way to the chantry and speak with Leiliana though he knew that it would take some swallowing of his pride…and pride is a very bitter pill to take.

[Gilgamesh1138]

That chapter makes my heart hurt every time I read it. What a great job! : D

[VioletTheirin]

Thanks Hon! I think you are the only one reading it on here, but you are the poo so that is okay )

[VioletTheirin]

Chapter 7- From The Outside Looking In

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“Uuuuuugh…” moaned Zevran as the morning light shone directly into his sleepy eyes. He rolled to his side and nearly fell backward out of the bed at the sight of Leliana sitting on the edge of the bed. Maldita sea!, Leliana what do you think you are doing!?



Sheepishly Leliana looked down at the bed. “After I saw you struggling to pick up Nelaros last night I began feeling just terribly for what I did, I was hoping you would let me take the children for the day so that you may rest; and possibly it can serve to help me make it up to you?”



“Ah my dear precious Leliana, I cannot stay angry with you.” Zevran sat up and gave her a reassuring hug. “I do have one request of you if you would so indulge me.”



Leiliana sat up and brushed a tear of joy from her eye. “Yes, anything…well…errrm….I mean…”



“Worry not my dear Leli for as you know I have come past that point in my life. Si?” Zevran patted the bard kindly on the shoulder. “No, the boon that I ask of you is this; Should bad blood ever fall between us again I beg to you that you direct your hostility toward me, not Little Zev…while I know he has gotten me in my fair share of trouble in the past, he was merely a bystander in this instance.”



Leliana laughed as she hugged her friend “Oh thank you Zev, I couldn’t bare you being angry with me.”



Zevran squeezed her tightly. “Fear not for I still love you my dear.”



“Love you too Zev.” She said as she stood from the bed and composed herself. “Now as I said, I insist on taking the children for today so that you can have some time to yourself, and then you WILL come to my house and have dinner.”



Zevran gave a sly smile “Ah my dear, you know what you tenacious, assertive women do to me…you are a cruel woman!”



“Zevran Aranai! I am a married woman, what if Soris should hear your libidinous suggestions?” She protested with a laugh.



“Jealousy need not be an issue my saucy friend, Soris is more than welcome to join in on the fun!” He gave a big smile “There is always plenty of Zev to go around!”



With that Leliana picked up a pillow from the bed and proceeded to whack Zevran over the head with it. “The children and I will be seeing you this evening for supper; I hope you enjoy your day.”



Zevran nodded at Leiliana and as she walked toward the door called after her. “Leli, thank you for this, for everything; I truly love you as one of my dearest friends.”



“Love you too Mon ami merveilleux.” She smiled back at Zevran as she picked a sleeping Nelaros up off of a small couch near the front door. She looked at Rose. “Say goodbye to your dear Uncle Zev Rose, he’ll be to my house this evening.”



Rose ran into the room and threw her arms around Zevran who was sitting up on the side of the bed and nearly knocked him over backwards. She whispered into his ear “Remember only happy thoughts!” She kissed him on the cheek.



Zevran then gave the girl a big squeeze. “Si mi bendición, the happiest that I have!”



Rose smiled as she turned and ran to Leliana who was waiting by the door. They both waved and walked out into the early morning light.



Zevran placed his hands behind his head and leaned back onto the bed. “You are a lucky man Aranai…a lucky, lucky man.” He then dozed off, with a smile upon his face that only comes from true and absolute happiness.



Within that same morning light Alistair made his way to the Chantry which stood just near the gates in the market district. He had with him the box of letters which had taken the place of his whiskey flask as his constant companion. While what he read only hours before was a lot to take in, he still felt as though a huge weight had been lifted off of him somehow; a certain clarity had come to his memories.



Just outside of the chantry he approached one of the sisters who was telling a story to a group of children seated in the courtyard. She looked up at Alistair with a smile. “Did you need some help?”



“Oh, I didn’t want to interrupt…I’m looking for Leliana, I was told that she did some work with widows and orphans here during the day?”



The sister gave him an affirmative nod “Why yes, she does but unfortunately she is not going to be here today. She came by this morning and said that she would be helping a friend who was not feeling well so she would not be able to stay.” She pointed off in the direction of the Alienage “She lives on a farmstead just on the outside of the city, it cannot be missed it’s the one with very large white house.”



“Thank you my dear woman.” Alistair gave her an appreciative smile.



“It was my pleasure; May The Maker watch over you.” She said as she went back to telling her story.



Not in the bravest of moods Alistair decided it would probably be best for him to not show up unannounced at Leliana’s house. Instead he paid a young man a sovereign to take a hastily scribbled note to Leliana’s house for him; asking that she come and talk to him and to send word back with the boy as to when and where would be best for them to meet.



Alistair watched the boy run off toward the gates. He looked down at the box and sighed. “I’ve waited for eight years; I suppose I can wait just a bit longer.” He then sat down along the wall outside of The Chantry courtyard, waiting to hear word back form Leliana; as he closed his eyes and listened to the Sister recounting the story of Andraste and The Maker. Like Zevran, he too was able to finally give at least a small smile as he relaxed in the warm summer sun.



Leiliana’s house was bustling with life, everyone enjoying the day and each other’s company. Nelaros and Drake sat on the floor of the sitting room playing with some blocks that Soris had carved with some scrap lumber left from building their woodshed. Leliana and Felsi giggled and joked as they drank wine and prepared a large dinner of roasted chicken and freshly picked vegetables. Oghren was asleep in a guest room upstairs and Shianni napped in her nursery.



Cyrion, Cecile, Slade and Rose were sitting in a circle on the floor playing a game that Bodhan had given to Ruthi as a show of gratitude for allowing himself and his son Sandal to follow them on their travels and camp along side of them. The game consisted of a board with squares drawn around it; the names of different places on Thedas on each one. Each child had a small token which was placed on the board and moved a certain amount of spaces depending on the number they rolled on a small set of dice. As they made their way around the board they could purchase the squares using small pieces of wood painted to look like sovereigns and as the squares were purchased the other players would have to pay a certain amount of money depending on the value of the square for every time they landed on it. The children took to the game quickly, especially Cecile who was proving to be quite the shrewd business woman; much to the chagrin of Rose whose token was forever inhabiting one of Cecile’s properties.



Suddenly the door leading from the outside into the kitchen slammed as a flustered Anders came storming in with Morrigan right behind him apologizing through fits of laughter. Anders had been working with Morrigan to improve the healing skills that Wynne had tried to teach her before she gave up out of frustration. Anders insisted that she would learn better from someone she could speak to for more than 5 minutes without going into a rage; but upon their entry to the house it appeared he was beginning to change his mind.



“Anders dear be reasonable, twas an accident!” Morrigan stated as she tried to suppress her laughter and take on a serious tone.



“Accident my arse; how do you accidentally do that?” he questioned as he turned a cold shoulder to his wife. “You must think me to be incredibly stupid!”



“What happened?” Questioned Leliana who had never seen Anders angry with his wife; normally this type of scene played out in the completely opposite way. “Are her lessons not going as well as you had hoped?”



“That’s putting it mildly.” Huffed Anders, I now have a whole new appreciation for our dear departed Wynne.”



Morrigan rolled her eyes. “Oh you are being such a baby, twas not that bad!”



“Not that bad??” Anders turned toward his wife with an uncharacteristically serious look upon his face. “You turned me into a nug!!!”



Not sure what to think Leliana turned to Morrigan who now had her hand on her forehead, looking at the floor. “A nug??”



Morrigan looked up and crossed her arms defensively. “I see not what the big problem is, he got better!”



Before Anders could reply, a commotion came from the sitting room where the older children were playing.



“Bloody thunder humper!” Exclaimed Rose as she watched a large pile of her sovereigns get scooped up by a grinning and giggling Cecile.”



Leliana paused; a look of absolute bewilderment befell her face as she heard such unsavory language come out of such a sweet innocent mouth. “OGHREN!!!!” She was going to get him this time…it was obvious who was the source of such vile language. “I would suggest putting some haste into those short little legs of yours if you know what is good for you!!!”



“Andraste’s flaming ****** woman, I’m not in the Deep Roads and I do have a working set of ears, keep your sodding voice down!” Oghren grumbled as he stumbled (and nearly fell) down the stairs. “Now what is all of the sodding shouting for?”



“It would seem that we have a bit of a problem, dwarf.” Morrigan crossed her arms as she glared down into Oghren’s permanently bloodshot eyes.



“Ya? Well, no one forced you to marry ole sparkle fingers, so it isn’t so much of a “we” problem as a “you” problem.” Oghren let out a deep belly laugh, taking much appreciation in his own joke.



Anders waved his arms “Hey, watch it! Ole sparkle fingers is right here you know!”



Morrigan pointed her staff at the dwarf. “T’would be in your best interest to shut your booze drenched mouth dwarf, unless you relish the possibility of being reduced to nothing more than viscous pile of dwarfy goo.



“Or we could always subject you to Leliana’s flying feet of fury.” Anders chimed in and watched Leliana’s cheeks turn red.



“Oh Sod it, I give!” Oghren threw his arms up in defeat. “What did I do this time?”



“Sodding thunderhumper!!” Rose once again cried out as her remaining sovereigns were swept up by an overjoyed Cecile.



With that, Leliana raised one eyebrow and nodded in the direction of the angel faced girl as everyone else shot discerning glances at the stunned dwarf.



Oghren, feeling much like the hound caught in the larder began fidgeting and looking around the room, straining to come up with some way to eject himself from the situation… and then the glow rune brightened…



“Oy, do you feel that?” He looked around the room, trying to avoid a dozen angry glances. “Darkspawn, I sense ‘em….it would be un-wardenly of me to not attend to it…..ummm……now!



Anders gave him a skeptical glance. “Darkspawn eh? Why can’t I sense ‘em?”



“I’ve been a warden longer you skirt wearing nug humper, my senses are…errrm…..more sensitive!” He protested.



“You took your joining a mere five minutes before me, that hardly makes you my senior!” Anders argued



“Well you sit here and riddle over who joined before who, and I’ll go and take care of the sodding Darkspawn for the both of us!” Oghren turned on his heel and all but ran out the door.



Leiliana looked at Felsi. “When is he due to go back to Amaranthine?”



“In three days…….” Felsi groaned. “….Three…long…agonizing days.”



“Give it back you sodding son of a ****!” Cecile exclaimed as Cyrion took off down the hallway with a handful of her gold.



With that, Leiliana’s face turned a deep scarlet. “I must give you my condolences Felsi.”



“Your condolences?” Felsi replied.



“Yes, my heart felt condolences for the impending murder of your husband.” Said Leiliana, clenching her fists.



Felsi smiled "Forget the condolences, throw me a sodding party!"



Leliana smiled at Felsi and called out to the children. “Come my dear ones, let us go to the garden and I will tell you the tale of the serpant’s tongue!”



As she started out the door she nearly ran over the young messenger that Alistair had sent for her.



“I’ve a message for you mum.” The young man stated as he handed her the folded piece of parchment “I’m to deliver your response straight away.”



She quickly read the note. “Tell him that I shall speak to him tomorrow as I am busy this evening. Tell him I will be at one of the tables in the private section of the Gnawed Noble Tavern around noontime…tell him also that I expect a nice lunch to be provided.” She smiled at the young man as he nodded and ran back toward the city.



A couple of hours passed and the children once again sat on the floor of the sitting room playing their game. Only the sweetest words were exchanged between them after their lesson on the serpant’s sharp tongue and how it always got him into dire trouble. Leliana felt very satisfied with herself and the lesson that she had taught them. No one had the heart to tell her though that it wasn’t her story, but Felsi’s threat to clean the nasty words out of Slade’s mouth with a piece of soap that tied their tongues.



Just as dinner was placed on the large table in the dining room Soris and Zevran walked through the front door; conversing about Soris’ day at the wood mill and Zevran’s day of solitude.



Soris smiled as his wife greeted him with a kiss. “Good evening dear husband, I hope you had a good day.”



“I did, a very good day and from the smell of it, my evening is shaping up to be just as wonderful.” He kissed Leli upon the cheek and ran up the stairs to change out of his sawdust covered clothes.



Leliana turned to Zevran. “And how about you Zev, did you enjoy your day off? I must say you look quite refreshed.”



“Si my dear friend, I spent a couple of hours catching up on my beauty sleep.” Zevran grinned “And spent the remainder of the day counting down the hours until I could see mis ángeles preciosos. He then picked up his son who had stood at his feet grinning from ear to ear at the sight of his Dah and kissed him all over his smiling face.



The group sat around the large table joking and laughing. Oghren slipped in just as they sat down and gave his wife a loving kiss on her cheek (as he pinched her butt). Not a single angry or bitter word was exchanged and not a single voice was raised as the group enjoyed their dinner; as well as each others company. As different as they all were, as varied as each of their personalities was; still they were a family.



Alistair stood just outside the fence surrounding the little farm hold and watched the figures moving around in the large window; listening to the laughter and imagining himself inside laughing along with them. After he got Leliana’s message, he decided to go for a walk; just to see where she lived and hopefully catch a glance of his little girl. That was three hours earlier, and he just could not tear himself away. The more he tried to keep the protective walls up around himself the more and more he wished that he had never built them in the first place; for while they helped to keep his pride firmly in place, they also allowed all of the love, friendship, and happiness that he once felt to be pushed out of the way, never to be allowed in again.



After another hour of watching what could have been play out in front of him; he arrived back at The Pearl. He was approached by a smiling Talah who asked him if he was in the mood for some “company” for the evening.



Alistair merely shook his head and said “No, thank you.” as he made his way to his room.



There would be no more surrogate Ruthi’s for Alistair. He walked into the darkened room alone and closed the door as a small piece of his wall fell to the ground.



The hour got to be quite late and it was decided that Zevran and the children would go ahead and stay at Leliana’s house for the night. They had all had a wonderful time, remembering their companions that had gone to the maker and the fun moments that they had shared around the fire. They drank ale and wine, they laughed, they even cried as they began to talk about Ruthi and how much she meant to each of them and how she had saved each of them on numerous occasions; not only from darkspawn and bandits, but also from themselves.



Zevran pulled on a sleep shirt that he borrowed from Soris and slipped under the covers. “After today, the light around me should be blinding my dear Eruthiawen; I’ll be waiting for you with open arms mi amore.” Zevran blew out the candle on the table beside the bed and closed his eyes as a tear of joy slid down his cheek. For tonight, he would see his love again.

[Gilgamesh1138]

ROFL, many read it here but don't always post a comment. : D But never too much exposure!

[VioletTheirin]

Chapter 8- Into The Fade
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"Zevran….Zevran, wake up Zev." A whisper befell Zevran's ears.
As he rubbed away the sleep that still rested within his eyes, Zevran noticed that he was no longer in his bed back in Denerim's Alienage; but in camp laying in front of the fire and looking into a pair of deep green eyes.
"You made it at last!" Zevran knew that voice, that voice that had been but a ghostly whisper for nearly 5 months. "I never thought I would be able to find you but you are here."
"Ruthi?" his voice shook as he locked in on the eyes that he never believed he would see again. His own welled up with tears as he stood in front of Eruthiawen.
"Yes Zev, it's me." Eruthiawen smiled. "I am so glad I was finally able to find you."
Zevran stared in disbelief, unsure of what to say; not sure if he should even talk and risk spoiling the moment. There before him stood his beloved Ruthi. She looked so healthy, so peaceful and so happy; she wore a light lavender dress that hanged loosely off of her slender body, her tan skin was free of the scars of battle. Curls of soft red hair cascaded down her back and over her shoulders framing her beautiful smiling face.
She looked so vibrant, just as she had when they were traveling during the blight; before Alistair left. After the Landsmeet she was never the same. It was very rare that she smiled and she always looked so sad and lifeless. They always told Rose that Ruthi was sick; they figured it would be too hard to explain to a child what heartbreak was and why sadness sometimes just doesn't go away. But here she was…smiling…happy…healthy. Zevran scooped her up into his arms and just held her, kissed her…loved her. "My sweet, sweet Ruthi, I have missed you so." Zevran squeezed her tighter, burying his face in her neck.
Ruthi stroked her fingers through Zevran's hair. "I know my darling, I know. I have missed you too, so very, very much." She gently held her husband's face, tilting it up to look into her eyes. "You are a good man Zevran and I never could have asked for a better husband or a better father for my children."
"Then why could you never love me like you loved Alistair, mi amore?" his voice shook. "I was always there, there is nothing I would have denied you, there is nothing I would not have done for you, yet your heart could never be mine. My sweet beautiful Ruthi, why would you not love me? What did I need to do?"
Ruthi turned away from Zevran with tears coming to her eyes. "Oh Zev, I did love you, I still do; more than you could ever know. It just could never be the same as between Alistair and I. I wanted it to be, I tried for it to be; but eventually I learned it just was not possible."
"But why Ruthi; he hurt you and betrayed you, why could you not let him go?" Zevran grabbed Ruthi by the shoulders, turning her around and forcing her to look at him.
"Because Zev, you deserved so much more than a used up and broken heart." Ruthi smiled through her tears. "After something breaks and we are forced to put the pieces back together, no matter how hard we try…no matter how we try to smooth the edges it is never the same again, it is never whole. When Alistair broke my heart a piece of it went with him, across the sea to Rivain, Antiva, Orlais and Seheron. And after someone takes a piece of your heart any other love is meaningless…no matter how much effort you put into making it the same as the first it never will be. You deserve more than that…you deserve an untainted heart that no one else holds a piece of. I love you too much for you to be just another man...there for my carnal pleasures….a warm body in my bed. Where Alistair holds that piece of my heart, you hold something much more dear…you hold a piece of my soul. And unlike the missing piece of my heart that piece of my soul was given willingly and would be given just as willingly million times over. You are my best friend and I could think of no one better to have as my husband; and if given the chance I would marry you all over again."
Zevran wrapped his arms around Ruthi's slender body, dipping her backwards as he kissed her passionately. Ruthi's hands traced the vallaslin on Zevran's face as she tenderly broke the seal he had placed upon their lips.
Zevran's face fell with sadness. "Alas, even in my dreams your heart will not be mine."
"Zevran, I am the same person in the Fade as I was on Thedas with the same broken heart. I have more clarity to my thoughts and am able to better understand my own emotions but I still will not give you the false hope of me giving myself to you fully." Ruthi took a step back and held Zevran's hands between them. "And even in the Fade I will not accept a heart that never could fully be mine."
Zevran pulled her toward him, placing her hand on his chest over his heart "Mi amore, my heart has always been yours, you know that and it will always be…all of it."
Ruthi shook her head as she smiled tenderly. "No Zevran, there is someone else who has held your heart pieces since before the first day I met you; you know this."
Zevran could do nothing but agree with her, his heart, like Ruthi's had been broken too. His head bowed as he stared toward the ground. "I am the cause of my own grief my dear Ruthi, and there are pieces of my heart laying from the shores of Antiva to the Korcari Wilds…you were the one that helped me to keep the little bit of my heart that I have left."
"No Zevran, the heart you have…and there is much there, do not let yourself believe any differently; was there from the moment that we met, I simply helped to chip away the stone that had surrounded it." She caressed his face with the back of her hand. "I will not take that which does not belong to me."
Zevran took Ruthi's hand in his, kissing it gently as he pulled her into an embrace. "Then if it is your soul that you wish me to have, I shall take it and treasure it always, provided you do the same courtesy for mine." He smiled, trying to hide his sadness.
"You know I will." Ruthi assured him as she kissed him gently upon the cheek.
"I must say my darling, this is not exactly how I pictured The Fade, I never thought I would spend my afterlife by a campfire." Zevran took in the scene that surrounded him.
"The Fade really can be whatever you want it to be; some of my happiest memories were made around this campfire so where better to spend eternity?" Ruthi replied thoughtfully.
Zevran sat down on a log beside the fire and Ruthi joined him, laying her head on his shoulder.
"Do you remember that one Satanila, when I got prank gifts for everyone?" Ruthi reminisced
Zev smiled "Si, I am still chaffed from that damnable chastity belt."
Ruthi giggled "Yes, that one. I can still remember Shayle after I gave her the uncrushable pigeon, shouting 'Ah! It's a thingy…a fiendish thingy!! Get it off!' all the while running and swatting at her shoulder."
"I remember Wynne's satchel full of potions being crushed under a giant stone foot during the chaos." Zev grinned "I also seem to remember the buxom mage threatening to turn you into a pigeon to be given to Shayle as punishment."
Ruthi laughed as she shook her head "Ah, the good old days."
Zevran placed his arm around Ruthi's shoulders and laid his cheek upon her soft red hair.
"Zev, I don't think I ever really thanked you for all that you did for me…all that you are still doing for me." Ruthi whispered softly.
Zevran shook his head "Mi amore, there is no need to thank me. I did it out of love and would do it again in an instant.
Ruthi took Zevran's hands in hers and looked into his amber eyes. "No, some of the things that you did for me were beyond what anyone should have to do for anyone. You know what I am talking about, Zevran."
Zev did indeed know what she was referring to; the night that she died. That memory was painfully burned into Zevran's mind and try as he might to forget it, he could not make it go away. Like a horrible nightmare, that whole night played out over and over again in his subconscious and upon her mention of it Zevran closed his eyes and relived it once again.
Zevran, Eruthiawen, Rose and Nelaros were at Leliana's house for dinner. They had just finished eating when a knock came upon the door; Soris answered it to find none other than Queen Anora standing on the doorstep, a worried look upon her face.
"Soris, I need to speak with you and Eruthiawen…it is urgent." Anora stated as she walked through the door.
"What is wrong Anora? You look as though you've seen a ghost, what is going on?" Ruthi asked as she stood up from the table.
"I have some bad news but I feel I should address yourself and Soris in private, especially away from the children." She said with an urgent look in her eyes.
"I'll take them to the nursery and tell them a bedtime story." Leliana stood and began to usher the children out of the room.
Once Leliana and the children were safely behind the closed door of the nursery Anora beckoned the remaining adults; Ruthi, Zevran and Soris, into the sitting room. She sat stiffly on the edge of one of the large overstuffed chairs. "Eruthiawen, Soris…I fear I have some terrible news. I didn't feel it right to send it simply by messenger, especially not to The Hero of Ferelden…"
Impatiently Ruthi interrupted "What is it Anora? What has happened? Just tell me!"
Anora cleared her throat. "It's about Shianni."
Ice cold chills crept down Eruthiawen's back and her heart leapt into her throat as Soris grabbed her hand and pulled her down onto the sofa beside him. Zevran stood behind her, placing a supportive hand upon her shoulder.
Anora continued. "I don't know how to tell you this other than coming right out and saying it. Shianni has been murdered."
Soris and Ruthi gasped in unison.
"What happened? Who would want to kill Shianni?" Zev asked as he quickly pulled his wife into an embrace and she buried her face in his shoulder.
"A man by the name of Asamar Fenlin; he was apparently a good friend of the late Bann Vaughan. He had been in the Free Marches for about ten years and upon returning to Ferelden he learned about the death of his friend." Anora folded her hands in her lap "He began asking around, trying to find out exactly what had happened and was told about the abduction and rape of Shianni by one of Vaughan's former guards. He was told where to find both you and Shianni…and… he found her first." Anora stood and placed a hand on Ruthi's trembling shoulder. "We have already arrested the guard that incited all of this and we are doing all that we can to find Fenlin. We have already had several sightings of tall dirty man in a red tunic come in from different parts of the city; and every lead is being pursued in earnest. I assure you Eruthiawen, justice will come."
Ruthi pushed Anora's hand from her shoulder "I have no time for your assurances, he will find justice by my hand." And before anyone could react Ruthi ran out the door.
"We have to get her." Zevran said with a panicked voice "She is going to get herself hurt or worse."
Zevran and Soris rushed out of the room to the small study where Soris kept his and any visitors' weapons locked up. Zevran grabbed his daggers and Soris his sword and shield and they rushed out the door after Ruthi; but by the time they stepped out into the yard she was already lost to the shadows.
"I'll check the market district, you check the Alienage. We will meet up at the docks and search them and the alleyways together." Soris shouted to Zevran as they ran across the farm hold.
"I'll check the Alienage, Soris you get the Marketplace and Zev you get the docks." Leliana yelled after them as she ran trying to catch up; all the while strapping her short bow and quiver to her back. "Anora's lady in waiting has agreed to stay with the children, you are not leaving me behind. We will meet at The Pearl." They all nodded in agreement as they sprinted toward the city gates.
Zevran arrived at the docks and after searching for only moments heard a familiar and ear piercing scream coming from behind The Pearl. He took off like a bolt of lightening into the dim alleyway and turned the corner just in time to see a tall, scruff looking man pulling a blade from his beloved's stomach.
In an instant Zevran had his daggers pulled and leapt toward him. "You deserve so much worse than death." Zevran seethed as he plunged one dagger into the man's heart and sliced the other across his neck." Asamar Fenlin fell in a heap upon the ground.
Zevran ran to his wife who was lying in the dirty alleyway and scooped her into his arms as she began to cough up blood.
She looked up into his eyes and a strange smile fell upon her face. "Alistair? My love, I knew you would come home!"
Zevran could feel his heart tearing in half. He wanted so badly to correct her but he knew that she was in the last moments of her life and he wanted those moments to be happy for her; so, doing his best to disguise his Antivan accent he pulled Ruthi into a strong embrace. "Yes my love, I have come back to you. I was wrong to have left you. I love you Eruthiawen."
As the last bit of life drained from her eyes she whispered "I love you Alistair. I love you…."
Zevran began to cry, burying his face in his wife's chest. Sadness then turned to anger as Zevran sat up and looked into her lifeless eyes. "Why did you do it Ruthi, you didn't even bring a weapon….what did you think you would accomplish." His voice became angry "You are so stupid and stubborn why did you have to go and take this into your own hands." Tears again poured from Zevran's eyes and his head once again fell upon her chest.
Soris and Leliana rounded the corner a while later and found Zevran still sitting upon the ground, still holding Eruthiawen close to him. A group of Anora's guards stood around him, unsure of what to do.
Zevran knew they were standing behind him, he felt Leliana's hands on his shoulders as she tried to pull him back but he remained where he was, face buried, clinging to his beloved Ruthi not saying a word, overwhelmed by sadness…
"I know you let me believe you were Alistair." Ruthi wiped a tear from Zevran's cheek "You allowed me to meet the maker with a smile upon my face and I will never forget that. But I know how much it hurt you and for that I will never be able to forgive myself."
Zevran took Eruthiawen's hand in his and looked into her sad eyes. "I would do it again and again if I knew it would make you happy."
"But what about you Zev, you deserve happiness too." Ruthi smiled
Zevran shook his head "I am content just knowing that you are smiling."
"Still, it is my turn to do something for you." Ruthi said as she stood up; brushing the remaining tears from her cheek.
Zevran shook his head "Ah but my darling wife, what more could you give me that you have not already? I have my freedom, good friends, a handsome son and a beautiful little girl who I think of as nothing less than a daughter." He gave her a reassuring grin.
Zevran then felt a gentle touch fall upon his shoulder. "Then if my presence is not desired I shall take my leave." A voice whispered into his ear.
Ruthi grinned at Zev as he turned his head toward the source of the soft Antivan voice. "Rinna?"

Modifié par VioletTheirin, 04 mai 2010 - 03:53 .