A/N: My attempt at writing a backstory for Abelas. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: We all know I don't own Dragon Age. Must you make me say it?
Collection one: Suledin
…...
Each rasping wheeze pierced the boy's ears. His heart clenched tightly in his chest at the sound. His mother's sobs were full of sorrow and heartbreak but he refused to cry.
It couldn't be real.
He closed his eyes, trying to will away this moment. He tried to imagine something, anything, to replace the sight of the man lying on the bed. His small fists balled at his side as another bout of coughing tore from the man's throat. The noise brought tears that stung his eyes and forced him to swallow past the lump in his throat. His shoulders slumped in misery.
His papae was dying and there was nothing he could do.
The healers had already come and gone. They tried everything from tonics and potions to spirit healing but there was nothing to done. They had shook their head sadly and told his mother that his father had only a short time and then he'd be gone.
"Samahl...my boy. Co..Come…" His father's gravelly voice called from the bed. Just those few words had taken a toll on his father. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead and his breathing rattled his chest.
Samahl stood and shuffled towards the bed. As he got closer, he could see how pale and grey his father's skin looked. His veins were prominent against his drawn countenance. His eyes, which had been the color of honey, were now glazed and smokey. His lips were bloodless and cracked.
He didn't understand. Just this morning his father had been healthy. Laughing and swinging him around as they danced and cleaned the kitchens. Now his father was laying in a bed as his life slowly slipped away.
Samahl reached the bed and took his father's hand. His skin was hot to the touch and clammy. "Papae?" he asked, eyes filling with tears.
"You...You must…" said his father before another cough racked through him. Blood splattered over his shirt and Samahl cried out, clutching at his father's hand.
"Don't speak, papae. Please," he sobbed. His mother's crying increased as she clutched at his father's shirt.
His father took a shaky breath. "You...must be...brave," his father whispered. Samahl moved closer in order to hear him as he continued, "Never...never falter. Always...endure. Promise…"
Samahl nodded, tears falling freely down his face. "I promise," he vowed.
His father attempted to squeeze his hand but his words had robbed him of his remaining strength. With one last shuddering breath his father's eyes closed and Samahl knew that he was gone. He sat there for what felt like hours as his mother bawled against his father's chest. He stared at the man's face, now peaceful and still, and tried to comprehend this moment.
Try though as he might, he just didn't understand.
…...
A/N: Each chapter will be short. Anywhere from 300 to 1000 words (give or take). Samahl means laugh in elvish. I thought it fitting. Lol.
