What you leave behind -
Wygnettes
Disclaimer: EA and Bioware own Dragon Age, the whole Franchise and the characters. No doubt about that – because they have given me the gaming experience of the year. However they also left a lot of room for own ideas – and I'm taking advantage of that now.
Author's Note: There are some things I should say beforehand. First of all: I am no English native speaker – so if there are any grammar mistakes, bad wording, syntax errors and anything else, please forgive me. And if the errors are pretty grave and lessen your reading experience please tell me. I'm still eager to learn and to improve myself.
How this story works: I'm not even halfway through with the game – however I already encountered so many opportunities to write about, that I decided to do so. As you might or might not have guessed: Wynne's my favourite character, so the stories will focus on her. I intend to ship her with First Enchanter Irving. You met him? Good! If not, you surely will. And maybe you understand what I mean. If you have any ideas for a Wygnette, tell me, and I see what I can do. Some chapters might contain spoilers, but don't worry – I will warn you.
What else is there to know: To avoid any confusion I should tell you about my PC. She's not the protagonist in the stories, but I cannot guarantee that she will not appear. May I present Auður (for pronunciation issues and such see here: .org/wiki/au%C3%B0ur ) Cousland, proud daughter of the late teyrn Cousland and accomplished warrioress. She mostly acts in a saintly kind of way, trying to make the world a better place. If she succeeds nobody knows. However she is accompanied by her faithful wardog Snorri.
Thanks and dedications: I want to dedicate this story foremost to chinahaeschen, who was with me most of the time I played and without whose input I would never have started writing. I also dedicate it to all fellow players of this masterpiece and those who have yet to play it. And I want to thank the team from Dragon Age Wiki .com/wiki/Dragon_Age_Wiki without whose information I could never have developed my ideas. Thanks guys! You helped a lot. Especially on lore. Let the games begin!
Chapter I
Before Ostagar
"You are already packing?" Irving's voice sounded surprised and a bit sad when he entered Wynne's chamber. He had not expected her to leave so soon.
"I have to. They told me to be ready before dawn. It's a long way to Ostagar and we cannot afford to be late."
"I suppose you're right." He sighed, still in disbelief over the events of the last few days. It seemingly was not enough that life in the Circle as such was dangerous with demons lurking at every corner of your mind. He had heard that the news of a new threat became direr with each passing day.
According to recent reports from the Korcari Wilds hordes of darkspawn were observed to be amassing there. And as he understood it their already large numbers were growing. Some people even spoke of a new Blight, but Irving wouldn't go as far as that. Not yet.
However, the sensible man he was, he could understand the king's concerns and the pleas for help from the Circle. To his surprise Knight-Commander Greagoir had agreed to answer the plea and send some mages, but to his greater surprise Wynne had volunteered to go as well. He had hoped to speak to her once more before she was going, but until now he had always sought excuses to avoid her. Now that he realized that his time was running low he had to do it, because it probably was his last chance of seeing her alive. Slowly he approached her.
"I don't want you to go," he finally managed to say after several minutes of silence. "You could die there."
She stopped packing and turned to him, a bittersweet smile on her face.
"Ever since I have arrived here at the Circle, death was a possibility for me. I don't fear it and to be honest I am grateful to have come this far. I have a feeling that the troops might be in need of someone like me."
"It's true. You're the most accomplished healer I have ever met," he had to agree. "And I don't doubt that you will be very useful to them. As a matter of fact I believe you will do your very best. I even believe your abilities might turn the battle to our favour, considering the powers you possess. But that is not the point." His voice trailed of. "I cannot stand losing you. Not after all the things that were."
"I know," she replied sadly. "But this is not about us. It's about the world as we know it. We're both not as young as we used to be and maybe it's time to step aside and let others continue our work."
He shook his head and put his hands on her shoulders.
"Please don't do this. Please don't hide behind a façade of duty and righteousness. This might be the last chance I have to talk to you and I intend to use it. I want you to know that I am sorry. I am sorry for all the things that you had to endure because of me and I am sorry that things were never again the same as they had been before. I know that it's long past now, but I never brought myself to telling you this. The truth is I was ashamed."
She shook her head. Almost unbelieving.
"Irving, you must know that I have long forgiven you. It was not your fault alone and you know that. It's true that things weren't the same afterwards, but I still considered you a dear friend and…" She paused. "…more."
"I don't deserve any of this. But I thank you for your kindness."
She smiled.
"It is no trouble."
Irving hesitated. He looked closely at the woman before him, the woman who had always treated him with such understanding and consideration. They had shared quite a history together and had remained friends until this very day.
But something else, the things they had shared beyond friendship had been lost over the years. The incident years ago was partly responsible for this change, but he also had to blame himself. He had retreated from her out of fear to repeat the mistakes he had made and thus he had tried to continue a friendship on a less intimate level. Surprisingly she had never asked questions; instead she seemed to have accepted his decisions which only made him feel guiltier. Years had passed since then and he had always believed things would remain the same, giving him all the time he needed – but now everything was changing rapidly and he had to realize that he had wasted valuable years in the vain hope that he could address this matter later. Which he hadn't.
She seemed to sense what was troubling him and somehow he was not surprised at all.
"Please stop blaming yourself, Irving." She remarked after another few seconds of silence. "You cannot change the past and I know you for the man you are. As such you will remain forever in my heart."
She bowed over and ever so carefully she kissed his cheek. "Do not forget this."
He put his arms around her and pulled her close, immersing himself in maybe one last embrace.
"I won't. I promise. And in case you did not know, I love you. Still."
He felt her smile.
"I have always known."
