Disclaimer: Bioware owns the game, characters, etc. This is just for fun. This is a one shot that takes place after Connor is saved at Redcliffe but before searching for the Urn. I never thought Isolde accounted enough for
her actions regarding her cruel treatment of Alistair.
What Goes Around Comes Around
Marissa closed the door to Morrigan's room so she could rest after
her foray into the Fade. Killing the demon that controlled Connor had taken
a lot out of Morrigan and feeling exhausted herself from her own experience in
the Fade; Marissa felt she deserved the rest. Rest would be good for everyone
before they made the trip to Denerim to search for Brother Genitivi but there
was one last thing Marissa wanted to do.
"Where is the Arlessa?" Marissa asked the servant preparing her room.
"She is the main hall with Bann Teagan, My Lady." The servant told
her.
"Thank you." Marissa headed out the room and toward the stairs.
Before arriving at Redcliffe, Alistair had revealed the part of his
childhood before being sent to the Monastery and it filled her with anger
on how he was forced to sleep in the loft above the stables. For supposedly
being a very pious woman, Isolde had treated Alistair with such petty
callousness and still has not owned up to any of her actions. That was going
to change though; for Marissa was make that woman account for her
hypocrisy.
"Warden Marissa." Lady Isolde said graciously. "I hope the rooms
are to your satisfaction. If there is anything else you need, please don't
hesitate to ask."
"Yes." Teagan said. "If there is anything else you need, please let
us know."
"I know the Maker brought you to us and he will guide you to the urn."
Isolde said.
"Just like The Maker told you to force a little a boy to sleep in the stables because of your petty and paranoid insecurities." Marissa said.
.
"Wh….What?" Isolde stammered.
"Oh lets not be coy." Marissa said. "Do you think Alistair would not
tell me how you treated him before having him carted off to the monastery?"
"Marissa." Teagan began. "It is neither the time nor place to talk about
the past."
Marissa turned to him. "Forgive me Teagan; but considering what we went through to save Redcliffe, Connor, and even the Arlessa herself, I am
entitled to have my say. You of all people know how it could have ended.
I chose this route because it was the right thing to do and I am also not about to
forget the things Alistair told me."
Teagan nodded and took a step back. "You're right."
Isolde gave a pleading look to Teagan.
"Lady Isolde, I can see the love you have for your son and it was
told to me several times, how pious you are. I just want to know
why you would treat a little boy so cruelly."
"I was…young and foolish back then."
"Oh please you can't expect me to accept that excuse now! Do not think I have forgotten your rude behavior to Alistair when you fled the castle
and came upon us for the first time! And need I remind you that you were hiding certain truths from us then?" Marissa shot back.
Isolde covered her mouth and slumped back in her chair.
"So tell me Lady Isolde;" Marissa said. "Is there something
in the Chant of Light that says it's alright to be that heartless to a young child
because I really want to know so I can avoid that portion of it."
Isolde closed her eyes and started to cry.
"Lady Isolde, I am waiting for your answer!" Marissa yelled.
"What do you want me to say?" She cried. "I did not…like
the gossip. I was newly wed to Eamon, it was humiliating."
"So you think that justifies why you treated Alistair the way
you did? He was a little boy and not to blame for his birthright. What you
did to him was beyond cruel and it's amazing how he grew into such a strong, amazing and forgiving person despite your treatment of him."
"Alistair wanted to save Connor and even you despite what you
did to him because he no longer harbors any bitterness. Any other
person would have walked away." Marissa continued.
"You know she is right Isolde." Teagan told her.
"My father once told me that what goes around comes around."
Marissa said. "Did it ever occur to you that perhaps your past actions could be
one of the reasons for these recent events?"
"I'm so sorry." Isolde buried her face in hands. "Maker forgive me."
The Maker is not the only one you need to say you are sorry too."
Marissa told her as she left the room and headed down the hall, unaware that
Alistair was standing on the opposite side of the doorway and had heard the entire confrontation.
Alistair was overwhelmed by what he had just heard. Aside from
Duncan, there was no one else who had ever come so ardently to his defense
until now.
"So you heard that?" Alistair looked to see Teagan standing in the
doorway.
"Teagan." Alistair said. "I hope you believe that I did not prompt
her to say those things to Lady Isolde. Marissa has a mind of her own. Its one of
the many reasons why I…"
"Care for her?" Teagan smiled. "No worries Alistair, it had to be
said. My only regret is not being around for you as much because I
think Eamon would have come to his senses eventually. I'm truly sorry for what
you had to endure."
"It's in the past." Alistair said.
"It's obvious how much she cares for you Alistair." Teagan grinned.
"Beautiful, formidable, and a pure heart; you are a lucky man."
The sound of Isolde wailing finally became too much for Alistair
and he excused himself in order to speak with her.
Alistair found her slumped over in the chair crying.
"Lady Isolde." He said gently.
She looked up when hearing him.
"Alistair I am so… so sorry for what I did to you when you were a
a child." She cried. "Warden Marissa was right, my behavior to you was
appalling and went against everything I was taught. Thank you so much for
finding the forgiveness in your heart and helping to save me and my son. I
certainly do not deserve any sort of mercy for my past actions."
"Isolde; I forgave you a long time ago." He told her. "And saving
the both of you was the only option."
Alistair held out his arms and Isolde rushed over and hugged him.
"You are good man." She said between sobs. "I wish I could go
back and correct the mistakes I made."
"I don't." He said. "Because if things had gone too differently than
what they are, I would have never met Marissa." Alistair kissed her cheek and
left the room.
Alistair peeked in Marissa's room and found her fast asleep. He
touched his mother's pendant that was around his neck. Marissa had
discovered it in the Arl's study the other day and had given it to him. He wanted
to sweep her in his arms and twirl her around when she did that but now he
wanted to kiss her and never let her go. Alistair smiled when he remembered the
elation he felt when she accepted his rose. As soon as he gets enough nerve, he
would declare his feelings and he prayed that he would not make a fool of
himself in the process.
