AN: So I was chatting with some friends when I remembered something. Then this happened. I need to stop hurting Leli. One day... For now, enjoy. Or...not.

She had always loved butterflies. So colorful, full of life, inspiring. They evolved, becoming an incredible beauty, a wonder. They soar through the sky, flaunting their majesty like gold.

Alixon represented such a creature. She was beautiful, fierce, wonderful. She soared above everyone, fluttering her wings as she led forward. Her movements were awe-inspiring as she danced with her sword on the battlefield, flawlessly moving from enemy to enemy, leaving a crimson river in her wake.

Leliana remembered catching a butterfly once, when she lived with Lady Cecile. She had been in Val Royeaux, admiring all the extravagant nobles as they walked by, their silk and velvet clothes shining brightly. Her eyes had been averted as she watched a butterfly, the color of the sun, gently fly by her. Her childish way taking over, she chased after it earnestly. She remembers her face hurting from laughing, her lungs burning as she began to run out of breath.

Then, she caught it! She was so overjoyed!

"Leliana?"

The voice removed her from her thoughts as the woman that had led her and their group called her name. Alixon stood looking at the bard, her emerald eyes swirling with emotions the redhead could not discern. Leliana stood.

"Yes, Alixon?"

"There is... something I wish to discuss with you."

Leliana's heart fell. She knew what the conversation would hold. She just didn't know the outcome.

"Very well, then. You have made up your mind?"

She noticed Alixon flinch slightly. "I... Well..." She took a deep breath. "This isn't easy."

"You've chosen the witch, haven't you?" She urged the tears in her eyes not to fall.

Alixon closed her eyes, looking away. Leliana sighed. She should've expected such an outcome. Morrigan was wild, free, uncaring of the world. Leliana was simple and unimportant. She had trusted her heart in someone else's hands again. She never learned her lesson, it seems

"It seems I am correct." Leliana said, the dam in her eyes breaking. "Know that our brief... dalliance will not affect our quest in any way, Warden."

"Please, Leli, I-"

"There is no need to explain. Morrigan must be waiting for you." She wiped her wet cheeks with the back of her hand. "Go to her."

"I still love-"

"Warden, don't. If you did, you would've stayed. Now if you excuse me, I must retire to my tent. It's awfully late and we have a long journey ahead of us on the morrow."

She brushed past Alixon, her heart shattering with every step. Finally reaching her tent, she curled up in her bedroll, letting the tears flow freely now.

The butterfly she caught was so beautiful in the streets of Val Royeaux. It began fluttering its wings in Leliana's hands, however; squirming in her grasp. Regretfully, the young Leliana let the majestic creature free, watching as it flew away.

Now, a much older and experienced Leliana had to let go of yet another butterfly. This loss, however, hurt so much more.