The things he knew about her could barely fill a thimble, and yet, he loved her anyway.
He knew that she was different, that she showed wisdom beyond her years. He knew that she loved him, but that didn't stop him from leaving. He knew that she cared for everyone, and that she did her best to help people, even if it didn't always work. He knew she was Dalish, but he knew she was more than that. He knew that she held a special place in his heart. He knew her loyalty.
That was all he knew.
He didn't know her heart, though he wanted to, and he certainly didn't know how he had shattered it beyond repair. He didn't know her favourite things, though he wanted to. He didn't know the secret to her grace and skill, though he wanted to. He didn't know her dreams or aspirations, though he wanted to. He didn't know how far she would go to protect him, and she didn't want him to, for she knew it would break his heart.
The things she knew about him could barely fill a thimble, and yet, she loved him anyway.
She knew he was unlike anyone she had ever met, and that he knew things that no one else did. She knew he loved her, and she knew that he would do anything for her. Well, almost anything. He didn't stay, no matter how much she begged. She knew that he put his duty above all else, even if she didn't know what that duty was. She knew he had broken her heart. She knew he strove towards a better world.
But she didn't know the extent of it.
She didn't know who he was in the slightest. She didn't know what he had done, and what he was trying to do. She didn't know his true hatred for himself and for all he had done. She didn't know his intentions. She didn't know his power. She didn't know that he loved her more than life itself, and she didn't know that life meant almost nothing to him. She didn't know his sorrow, or his guilt.
The things they knew of each other could barely fill a thimble, but they loved each other anyway.
If Varric ever wrote their story, it would most certainly be a tragedy. Fortunately, he could never bring himself to.
The things he knew of them could fill the pages of a thousand books, and he knew still wouldn't cover it all. He knew it would be a cruel injustice to try.