"I'm sorry Anders," the older elf said softly, brushing his long graying hair behind a pointed ear.
"Hm, what do you mean commander?" the blonde mage said, looking at him confused.
Tabris was silent for many moments before responding again. "You deserve so much more than I gave you, I'm sorry for all of this."
Anders face started to flush. "Oh come one Commander it's not-"
"No!" the older man said, his hands clenching into fists at his sides, startling the younger Warden. "You had your whole life ahead of you, you could've done so much. And what did I do? I gave you an early death, I gave you nightmares of things some people refuse to believe even exist." Tabris looked up into the honey colored eyes of Anders, a friend he hasn't expected to make, and tears shone in his own oceanic orbs. "I'm sorry Anders. All this isn't something I should've forced onto you, you deserved so much better."
Anders took a deep breathe and smacked the Warden Commander on the back of the head. Before he could voice his annoyance Anders said, "you didn't force me into anything. If I wanted to leave I would. Hell, I escaped the circle seven times I could definitely find my way out of this place."
Tabris placed a hand on the back of his own head and rubbed at the spot Anders hit. "You're such a brat," he whispered, smiling to himself.
Anders snorted. "As if you're any better."
"I never claimed to be," and before either of them knew it laughter shook their frames and they leaned on each other to keep standing.
"Hey Anders," Tabris started, "how's Kirkwall?"
Anders tilted his head. "Wh-how do you…?"
Tabris smiled and winked. "It's a secret," he whispered, placing a fingertip to his own lips. "I just want you to know I'm proud of you. For everything you did. You're a good man, and deserve a lot better than you got."
Anders stood silently, a look of confusion on his face just staring at Tabris. "Sir, what...what do you…"
With that Warden Commander Tabris smiled sadly, turned and began walking away, leaving Anders with a knot in his chest. "W-wait!"
The elf stopped and turned, smiling with tears shining on his cheeks. "You've done so well."
Anders awoke suddenly, panting with a cold sweat already drying on his flesh. He ran his shaking hand through his tangled hair, and rubbed his temples. He got up slowly and stepped out of his tent.
You deserved so much better…
He stared up at the night sky, thinking of the Warden Commander.