Chapter 1
We met some time ago. A very long time ago, in fact. It almost feels like an age since I saw her last. We were all facing mortal danger, and she waltzed into a tavern with the only hope for Ferelden at her side, and my heart in her hand.
I was a lost soul, finding peace with the Maker but madness in my past. I looked back and saw all that I hated about myself, dancing with all that I enjoyed. My life as a bard, my dealings with the Game. Marjolaine. And all I wanted was to escape into a deeper purpose.
I found my legend at the end of the Fifth Blight, but with it came despair. I lost so many things there. My innocence, for the second time. The love of my life, who I couldn't love back. And the dream of my existence, who didn't love me.
She intoxicated me with her words, formed into poetry as soon as they left her, but as quick as if she were babbling nonsense. It was all natural to her. I could listen to her talk for hours, but, of course, she never breathed a word to me.
I was her antithesis. I am her evil twin. I believed in the things she treated as fairy tales. Whenever I pleaded for the life of another, she showed me her eyes, justenough to make my heart weep, to hate my compassion.
And so I was tortured, daring not to break my silent struggle. I found a kindred spirit in The Hero, but to speak of her would be blasphemy. I did not deserve her love, one I didn't share. My heart was taken already, and nothing could take it back. Not distance. Not a decade.
But that's when, just as before, she waltzed into my life.