A/N: For some reason while listening to the song Into the West* from the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, this scene kept popping into my head, so I figured I'd run with it. WARNING: Major character death.
Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You have come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore
She pulled Alistair into her lap, his head heavy and weak from the last few hours of battle. She almost regretted being here now, looking down at his closed eyes, watching his chest barely rise and fall with his last breaths. His face was covered with filth and blood, the small lines around his eyes and mouth seemed as sullen as the situation they were in. She gently ran her hand through his hair, realizing for the first time how much longer it had grown since their journey underground. His eyes fluttered open slowly to stare up at her, her weak smile a failed attempt at being strong for him. A cough, and then a sigh, and then a tear fell from his eye, gathering dirt before it fell on to her leg.
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping
"Rest now," she whispers to him, leaning down to kiss his forehead. Alistair manages to bring his left arm to his chest reaching out for her, and she immediately takes his hand in hers. She brings it to her lips, kissing each knuckle as he had often done to hers. He manages a smile before his heavy eyelids fall again, and she struggles to speak with the large lump in her throat. "Is it true Alistair," she whispers the question, "what they say about the others welcoming you?"
What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home
She wondered if the Fade looked different now to him as he drifted in and out of consciousness. Was it distorted and lacking bright colors as it was for them when they were forced there so many years ago? Or was he not even in the Fade, and instead seeing nothing until the Maker decided it was time to take him? Her mother once told her that everyone who had joined the Makers side before her would help her journey there when it was her time. Who was there for him? His father? Brother? Duncan? Or would the nightmares still haunt him even in his last moments with her?
And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
All souls pass
Alistair shifted and she took the opportunity to reposition her numb legs under him. She focused on the pinpricks that shot below her skin from the lack of blood flow under his weight. It was easier than watching his handsome face grow paler, or feel his grasp of her hand weakening. His dry lips parted slightly, the sound of her name as haunting as if she heard it on the wind. "I'm here my love," she whispered in his ear, followed by a kiss to his forehead. She thought he may have more to say when he slowly turned his head towards her body, but her anticipation was met with silence.
Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time
Don't say, "we have come now to the end"
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again
It was her tears now that fell, not that he seemed to mind as they hit his face in her lap. His fingers no longer curled over hers. His eyes no longer struggled to open and look at her one last time. She refused to let go of his hand but rested hers on his chest; it no longer took in breath. She pulled him in closer now without fear of hurting him, and embraced him with her remaining strength. His body shook with hers as she choked on endless sobs, her own breath finding it difficult to sustain her. Sharp quick inhales with very little exhales, she shut her eyes before screaming into the darkness.
And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping
She didn't care about the dirt on the ground, or the corpses of darkspawn a small distance away. She layed next to him, facing him as she always did when they lay together. She stroked his hair, though there was no soft moan that normally followed. She wiped away her tears from his face, though no hand grabbed hers to stop her. She pressed her soft warm lips on his, though no nibbles came to her bottom lip. She curled into him, burying her head under his neck, though no arm embraced her and pulled her closer.
What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home
When the tears ran out and the warmth of Alistair grew cold, she found the strength to give him one last kiss. The ache in the pit of her stomach grew stronger, and she knew the time had come. As hard as the last hour had been, to watch him slowly succumb to his wounds and pass from this world, she felt renewed energy at the thought of what was to come. She stood, gathered his weapons as well as her own, and offered him one last promise. "I will be with you shortly my love," she said as she left to battle the darkspawn to the death.
And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the west
*Into The West: written by Fran Walsh, Howard Shore, and Annie Lennox.
Album: The Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King Soundtrack.
Copyright: 2003 Reprise Records for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. outside the U.S..