Chapter Text
“How is she?” Alistair asked as Fergus came out of Elissa’s bedchambers.
Fergus’ features were a mix of anger, guilt, and worriedness. "The healer says Elissa hasn't woken up yet. But we should look out for signs of infection. There are some herbs that should help with the healing process.”
"Can we see her?"
The healer's word did nothing to calm his nerves. He wasn't sure what happened. One moment she was fine and the next she had fallen.
Alistair tried to get to her as soon as possible but their enemies didn't make things any easier.
When he reached her she was bleeding from her side. He tried to give her a healing potion but that wasn't easy.
Alistair had difficulty trying to wake her. And when she finally did she mumbled words he couldn't understand.
"Yes," Fergus' words interrupted his thoughts. "You can go in if you want."
Alistair frowned at his tone, "You don't?"
Fergus sighed. "I can't," he admitted and Alistair didn't think it was easy for him. "I have to take care of this mess.
Alistair had his fair share of guilt. When Duncan and the others died he blamed himself. He should've been at that battlefield.
When Elissa had fallen, matters didn't make it easier though. Morrigan and Flemeth's words didn't soothe his worries at all.
He wanted to believe them, but his mind wouldn't let him. Instead, he was buried under guilt.
And that was what he recognized when her brother spoke.
"It's not your fault. If what Elissa said is true then you couldn't have seen this coming."
If there were a chair, he would've sat. "This shouldn't have happened." Fergus buried his face in his hands.
"But it did."
He stared at Alistair for a while. So hard that he thought Elissa's brother would say he shouldn't have abandoned her. If that was what was on his mind he didn't need to say it. Alistair felt it.
But instead, he said the opposite. "You're good for her. I couldn't have left her." Fergus let out a breath with heavy burdens, "But if you didn't… well, it's better not to think of that."
Alistair nodded, not being sure what to say.
"Welcome to the family. It's been unsaid for too long." He paused, as he thought things over. "I'm glad my sister married someone like you," Fergus added as an afterthought.
"It's an honour to be your guests."
"Not guests," Fergus corrected, "Family. This is your home too."
Alistair nodded but this place felt like the last place he would have called home. And somehow he felt like this wasn't a home to Elissa anymore as well.
After some time Alistair drifted off. He knew when he heard a chair creak and he was wide awake.
Fergus gave him one look and it said it all. "You should get some rest. You haven't slept at all last night. I'll stay with her."
But Alistair shook his head firmly, "I want to be here when she wakes up."
"I'll send for you if that happens."
Alistair didn't want to leave. He wanted to make sure Elissa was alright. To be here if she's in pain. But he was sure Fergus wouldn't let this go. And at least she wouldn't be alone.
"Alright," Alistair said and stood up from his chair.
When Elissa woke up she wasn't sure what happened or where she was. Nothing made sense.
She tried to move but when she did her side blazed with pain and she couldn't help to groan.
"Elissa!" Someone sounded alarmed. Her mind was too foggy and her vision too blurry to make the person out. A headache was forming at the sides of her vision and that was when she remembered what happened.
Betrayal. A battle. A slash at her side.
Elissa frowned when the vision was more clearer. "Fergus?"
"You scared us," he leaned closer with his elbows on his knees.
"Us?" She needed to make sure her memory was intact.
Fergus frowned at her words. "Me and Alistair. Don't you remember?"
"No. No. I do." Elissa said quickly when she saw his eyes widen in alarm. "I'm just…"
"Confused," Fergus finished. "The healer said you might be confused when you wake up."
"What a mess, huh?" Elissa rubbed her eyes with the hand whose side wasn't on fire.
"You can say that again."
"What happened?" Fergus was ready to do something. Anything. He stood up in alarm. "I mean besides the obvious."
"Dalton is killed. I expect that's your doing. It seems like some of the houses aren't happy we're back." Fergus looked so tired and miserable. This was eating him alive.
How long have I been sleeping?
It felt like days, but she had a feeling it was less than a day.
"Seems like that. Dalton was very proud of it." She used her hands to try to sit back but she shut her eyes when her side protested. "What about the friends that still needed to arrive?"
Fergus nervously ran his hand through his hair, "That wasn't as literal as we thought. Turns out Dalton wasn't the only traitor."
Elissa shut her eyes. She didn't even consider that. She couldn't believe some of the other guards were involved as well, "I'm sorry. We'll figure it out."
"First," Fergus said, "You need to heal."
"I'm fine."
But Fergus looked at her seriously, "I'm serious. If you…"
She squeezed her brother's hand. "I'm alright. And we'll fix this."
Fergus only squeezed her hand back.
Fergus left the room to call Alistair. And it wasn't long until they arrived.
Her lips formed a smile when she saw him, glad to see him safe. She would've lied if she said she wasn't worried.
"I'll leave you two alone," Fergus excused himself.
"Morning sleepyhead," Alistair joked.
"Hey, yourself."
"Are you alright?" He looked serious and worried at the same time.
"Yes, just sore but I'll be alright." Then she buried her head in her hands with a lot of work, "This is a mess. I can't believe we're here again."
When she lifted her hands Alistair gave her a supportive smile, "We'll catch the bad guys."
But it wasn't just the bad guys.
"What if I lost you or Fergus. If that…" But her voice broke and she shook her head. Thinking of the worst scenarios. "I can't do that again."
Alistair climbed in bed next to her. Careful not to hurt her. Slowly. "Hey, that's not going to happen."
But she only stared at him," You can't promise that."
Alistair sighed as he must've realized that was the truth, "You're not back there. This is different."
She closed her eyes as tears were falling down her cheeks. "I hate being here. It reminds me of… well, everything."
Alistair only came closer to her, still being careful. He wrapped his arms around her. "I can't imagine it's easy. But you'll get through this."
He knew just as she did that she was still living in the past. The problem was she didn't think she could let go of it. "Why can't I go pass this? It's always here."
He rubbed away her tears away, "Together we'll do this."
Elissa smiled, "What would I do without you?"
"You won't need to find out."
He pulled away and she immediately needed to stop him.
"Wait! No, don't go. Please I can't…" She couldn't even finish her sentence.
"You need rest," but Alistair stopped.
“I need to hear your voice before I go to sleep. Just singing or reading or humming to yourself. Just stay here.”
"Alright," Alistair moved closer again and Elissa could feel herself relaxing.
So Alistair talked. About his mission where the funniest things happened. He made her laugh. And she forgot the rest.