They had all been resigned once they found out how the archdemon was to be defeated; about who was to defeat it. The only agreement made between them all was that no one would mention who had autonomously chosen herself as the sacrifice were Riordan to fail. This was not done necessarily out of kindness for Alistair, but more a favor to their leader, who though emotionally broken, still loved him.
Leliana, who was the first to approach the mage on the subject, asked why she had done it. The only replied received was, "For his people, like I wanted him to."
In their eyes she had always been more of a symbol than a person. She had laughed with them, drank until silly (especially since Ogren needed much liquor to open up), and bled through the worst of the battles. However it was a unanimous truth that she was otherworldly. But now, with a broken heart and stubborn tears trying to push through she seemed to have finally come down from the godly realms in which she stood.
The view of her to the outside world was, of course, unaltered. She was the Grey Warden Aria Surana, the elven mage that was leading the fight against the Blight to save the powerful kingdom that was Ferelden. To any outsider she looked as she always did. She spoke often with Earl Eamon and Riordan about the strategy they would use as they walked towards what most considered certain death. Not once did she lower her head in the presence of the King and rather than showing him the pain she felt, showed him an indifference that by what Leliana could surmise only caused him anger and pain. He was already angry by Aria's proposition of keeping him at Redcliffe and were it not for Bann Teagan's reminder that a war was about to break loose, Aria would have lost limbs and Alistair would have been frozen and locked in a cell. To make matters worse, before leaving for Ferelden, Morrigan disappeared, leaving only the golden mirror that Aria had given her. Though no one was particularly upset about the change (unless one counts Zevran who enjoyed ruffling the Apostate's feathers) or Aria who had somehow managed to become friends with Morrigan, it had become a mystery to those who had traveled with her.
They knew Aria had set herself to die. It was her choice and though they could not agree with it, they knew that she had not worked so hard to get Ferelden a fair and honorable King just to have him die by the claw of the Archdemon.
Once they had separated, Ogren and the others protecting the borders of Denerim, and Aria, Alistair, Leliana, and Zevran heading towards the tower, the tension rose. Much of it was taken out on the darkspawn, who held no chance against an angry mage's swords and spells or Alistair's shield. Yet as they reached the tower, the oppressing aura of something needing to be said hung around the two. They walked side by side, ignoring the presence of the other but minutely aware to one another. He unconsciously knew he would not be allowed to die at the exchange of the one he treasured most. He loved her and wanted her to be by his side even if he could no longer show it as he once did.
"Aria."
She felt the chill of fear laced through her name and trembled at what he could possibly say to her
"Yes Your Majesty?" she replied, brown eyes turning to him.
"I love you."
"As do I, sir."
Without preamble, she opened the door and headed towards her fate.