Fated Destinies 2 Remembering

Buried memories come to the surface for both Alistair and Marabeth while resting at Redcliffe for a few days before embarking for the Urn of Sacred ashes.

Alistair sat up in bed. "I guess I should be thankful it was not a darkspawn nightmare." He said aloud.

He was disturbed though because it was always the same dream. He would see himself as a child, running along the shore with an unfamiliar little girl. They would be laughing, playing, and having fun. Alistair could feel the joy emanating from his younger self.

Alistair had very few good memories of his childhood at Redcliffe and none of them involved a little girl so he wondered what his mind was trying to tell him.

Heading out into the hall, Alistair came across Wynne coming out of her room. "How was your nap?" Wynne asked.

"I had that dream again." He told her.

"You mean the one where you see yourself as a child playing with a little girl?" Wynne asked.

"That's the one." Alistair said. "And I still have not figured it out."

"Don't worry you will eventually." She reassured him.

"I certainly hope so because I would think I would remember this little girl if I had played with her as a child."

"Perhaps you blocked it out."

Alistair knew Wynne could be right. His anger at being shipped off to the monastery was so great, that it took years before he could recall the few moments of joy he had when living at Redcliffe.

"How is Marabeth?" Alistair asked. "I've been worried about her."

"I think it's good that we are taking some time to rest." Wynne said. "Marabeth is no mage and I think her experience in the fade took a lot out of her."

Wynne was right. Marabeth was exhausted to the point that she had fainted after returning from their second trip to the Circle when they were seeking help to save Connor. After agreeing to search for the urn, Marabeth collapsed and he carried her to one of the rooms. He immediately took charge and insisted on a few days rest before heading to Denerim and except for Sten, nobody seemed to object.

"But is she getting better?" Alistair asked.

"I think she will be back to her old self in a few days." Wynne smiled. "She's taking a walk by the shore now if you want to talk to her."

"Thanks." Alistair said. "I think I will do that."

Marabeth was pitching rocks out in the water. Her armor was being cleaned and she was wearing a dress that Isolde had given her. It had been a long time since she had worn a dress, and it took some getting used to but that was not what was bothering her.

Since first arriving at Redcliffe, Marabeth had felt a familiarity with the place she could not comprehend. It was like she had been to Redcliffe before but Marabeth did not understand how that could be. Marabeth did not tell Alistair about this because he had revealed his childhood here and she did not want to add anymore pain.

"Marabeth, is that you?"

She turned to see Alistair looking at her with a surprised look on his face.

Alistair was stunned. It was the first time he had seen Marabeth without armor and seeing her in a dress took his breath away. He prayed to the Maker that he would not start to babble when he spoke to her.

"You look nice." He smiled

"Thank you. Isolde let me borrow the dress while my armor is cleaned."

"How are you feeling?" Alistair asked.

"Much better, thanks." Marabeth said. "And Alistair, thank you so much for taking charge. What you did proves you have leadership abilities."

Alistair could feel himself blush. "Thank you, but I will be relieved when you are at the helm again."

"It's so pretty around here." Marabeth said. "The sound of the water splashing against the rocks is peaceful."

"I used to run along this shore when I was a child. I'd make boats out of twigs and leaves and would put them in the water to see how far they could float."

"There was a brook near the castle and I would love to spend time there. I would make little boats too and pitch rocks." Marabeth said.

Miranda saw him looking at the stables in the distance.

"Alistair?"

"Yes?"

"Are you alright?" Marabeth asked. "You were really lost in your thoughts there."

"I'm fine." Alistair smiled. "It's almost lunch time. How about we head back to the castle?" He held out his arm and she took it.

"Thank you."

Marabeth knew that despite making amends with Isolde; being here still stirred up painful memories for Alistair. As they walked back to the castle, Marabeth made plans to sneak out of the castle when everyone was asleep and a pay a visit to those stables. She wanted to see where Alistair was forced to live that last couple of years before he was sent off

The door to Alistair's room was partially open and Marabeth saw he was fast asleep as she slowly crept down the hall heading towards the stairs.

As she made her way to towards the main door, Marabeth saw the two guards posted by it. They would ask questions but if given the proper incentive, would keep quiet. Telling them she couldn't sleep; Marabeth gave them each two sovereigns and said she was going for a walk and would be back shortly and they immediately opened the door for her.

Marabeth ignored the biting cold as she made her way towards the stables. The entrance was lit by two torches hanging by the each side of the door and Marabeth took one before heading inside.

"Why does this seem so familiar?" Marabeth asked herself as she looked around.

When Marabeth opened the door; a few of the horse were startled but soon quieted down. She found the ladder that led up to the loft on the other side. Marabeth could feel her heart sink as she got the first glimpse of how Alistair lived.

On one corner of the loft, there were still remnants of hay with a few old pillows and blankets strewn about. Marabeth found a trunk that contained some clothes, toy soldiers, and a golem doll. On the table she found books and a quill. Marabeth started to cry as she marveled how Alistair could come out of this experience with such a pure heart. The light from the torch made her suddenly notice some initials carved on the wall.

"A plus M?" She read them aloud.

Whoever this M person was, Marabeth hoped they brought some joy to Alistair's existence.

She stepped down the ladder and prepared to head back to the castle.