Chapter 2 - A Journey to the Past

"Time is like wax, dripping from a candle flame. In the moment, it is molten and falling, with the capability to transform into any shape. Then the moment passes, and the wax hits the table top and solidifies into the shape it will always be. It becomes the past — a solid single record of what happened, still holding in its wild curves and contours the potential of every shape it could have held."

- A Memory of Europe, Welcome to Night Vale

Born in the occupation, growing up during the rebellion, Elric saw many atrocities committed by usurpers and their supporters alike. Crimes against common folk were an everyday occurrence, and the only existing law enforcement agency — the Templar Order — was doing nothing to rectify it.

Stripped of their lands and titles, his grandparents were brutally murdered before his mother's eyes, which drove her to join the rebellion. Elric himself was orphaned just two months prior to the besieging of Denerim. He was ten years old when Maric the Saviour freed Ferelden from the rule of the Orlesian Empire.

Since the Grand Cleric of Ferelden still answers to the Divine in Val Royeaux (and the Chantry officially supported the Orlesian Empire), it is hard to place even the smallest amount of trust in their military order even now, years later, not to mention back then.

Shortly after reclaiming the throne, king Maric decreed the creation of the Ferelden Guards, an institution charged with the responsibility of keeping Fereldans safe. Elric hadn't understood it until later, but that decision (probably made on Teyrn Loghain's advice) largely divorced the Chantry from politics (and almost resulted in an Exalted March).

In one fell swoop king Maric divested the Templar Order of a great chunk of its power. Templars still have the authority over magical questions, demonic possession and apostasy, but investigation of crimes and contraband falls under the Ferelden Guards' jurisdiction. In the span of a few years the Guards' outposts could be found in all major settlements.

Ever since childhood, Elric wanted to make a difference. As soon as he turned sixteen, he left the Orphanage in Redcliff for Denerim, wishing to join the Ferelden Guards. The capital met him with grim news: after several months of struggling, the beloved queen Rowan had finally succumbed to the illness. The country was mourning.

Wandering through half-empty streets of the capital without a map and with just two coppers in his pocket, Elric had finally stumbled upon the Guards' headquarters by accident — he was going to see the Palace. It took Ser Landry, his future Drill Sergeant, one look at him — naive, in a mismatched patchwork of armour, with a rusty sword behind his back, and hopelessly idealistic — to enlist Elric immediately. And so his life as a Guard recruit had begun.

Between gruelling training sessions, indoor classes, and his duties at the compound, Elric had little to no time left to explore the city. On the rare day off he preferred to stay in the barracks with a book on Ferelden history or military tactics, borrowed from the Guards' library while Ser Kolred, an ancient, half-deaf librarian, wasn't looking.

Of course, it all changed the second year of his training. One fine evening, tired from hours spent with buckets of potatoes, Elric returned to his room in the barracks only to find the empty bunk next to his occupied by a younger boy with a lot of freckles and a pair of truly obnoxious ears.

"Oh, hullo," greeted Elric the newcomer. "Ah borrowed yer book, hope ye dinnae mynd. Ah'm Kylon, by th' wey." And with evident gusto he bit into an apple. A strangely familiar apple… An apple, which Elric had pilfered from the kitchens just that morning, and that along with the book was in Elric's closed chest!

Turned out, not only Kylon's ears were obnoxious.

After a fistfight, a thorough chewing out performed by enraged Ser Landry, and a week of cleaning lavatories side by side, they actually became best friends.

-[break]-

On a fine day in the middle of Bloomingtide when all Fereldans celebrated prince Cailan's fifth birthday, Elric sat in his favourite corner (behind the tall rack with healing and herbalism tomes) enjoying peace and quiet, which can be found only in libraries at early mornings.

"Here ye are!" That excited cry could belong only to one person in all compound. "Ah was looking for ye sin' dawn! Ah heard from Greg, and he heard it from Leonas, who was told by Ser Corf, and he saw it his-self or so he claims… There's th' Antivan show in th' Market!" Kylon said at a near incomprehensible speed, and solely because of long exposure to this kind of speech pattern and dedication to the Sacred Laws of Frienddom (Kylon's words, not his) Elric was able to understand it, albeit only just. "It's here for th' holiday 'n' will pro'ably leave th'morra! We must go see it!"

Slowly, Elric marked the page he was reading and closed the book. "Good morning, Kyl. How nice of you to abide the rules and keep your tone down."

"Pff, there is na one else but ye 'n' old Grumpy here. And he won't hear a Qunari battle cry were it hollered tae his ear." Kylon grimaced. His dislike for Ser Kolred was known by every willing person, unwilling but unfortunate enough to be caught by Kylon person, and also by their horse and mabari, in a half-mile radius around the Guards' headquarters.

'Ye cannae spend all yer time here, ye will be covered in dust like yer precious tomes 'n' eventually grow mould, 'n' na lassie will ever look at ye and na cry for Templars because she will think yer an abomination, 'n' it is mah duty as yer best friend tae prevent that from happening! So c'moan already!" Kyl finally paused to breathe.

"No."

"Oh, c'moan! You cannae abandon me in mah hour o' need! Remember what happened last time ye left me tae mah own devices?" He arranged his features into a deceptively gullible face, designed to guilt trip Elric into agreeing.

"Yes, I remember it quite well. And I still insist you more than deserved the punishment you've got. Maker only knows what possessed you to climb into the Palace Garden."

"Ah told ye, there are pounds o' apples that just lie there rotting! Free apples that nobody bothers picking! It's a damn crime against Apple Gods!" Kyl said with indignation.

"Once again, there's no such thing as apple gods. As for fruits, you could buy them at the Market."

"But poor apples!.." His protest trailed to a noise not unlike the sound of a mortally wounded nug in its final moments.

"Anyway, I also remember the last time we went out together."

"Aye! And what fun it was!"

"That's not how I recall it. Five hours sitting in a bush, waiting for the Templars to leave their post, just because you deemed it a good idea to collect flowers in the Chantry garden?"

"Roses were Deidre's favourite."

"She dumped you for a stable boy not a week later, and I had to pull thorns out of my butt for just as long!"

"Well, there's that." Kyl sighed wistfully.

"You really should thank the Maker Ser Landry hadn't heard of that. Otherwise, we would be still cleaning lavatories."

"Aye, yes, Ah know. Ah regret mah indiscretions deeply, but now it's absolutely different!"

"Uh-huh." A well of skepticism, thy name is Elric.

"Na, seriously. It's th' Antivan show! There will be exotic dancers! And sword swallowers! 'n' even fire throwers! We cannae miss that!"

"Hmm… Still no."

"Please?" Kyl, the rascal, made a foul blow — he employed his truly pathetic face, and Elric resolve finally crumbled.

"If I say 'yes', will you stop bothering me for at least twenty minutes?"

"Maybe? It really depends on whether ye will go with me or nae."

"Oh, fine, I'll go if you let me finish this chapter on…"

"Yes!" Jumping, he fist pumped the air, jammed an elbow into the nearest shelf, hit Healing Salves and Ointments and that resulted in an Avalanche of Literature.

"Ahem-ahem," came the telltale sign of upcoming retribution from behind the shelves.

Nervously glancing over his shoulder, Kyl chewed on his lower lip. "Thanks, man! I'll meet ye in twenty by th' Gates!"

And Elric was left alone in the centre of a disaster zone to deal with the incensed librarian.

-[break]-

The Market District was full of people, colourful tents set up everywhere. Of course, the Antivan show attracted lots of gawkers, so the Market Square's turned into a pickpocket's heaven (more than it usually is, anyway). Elric wouldn't be surprised if these traveling performers brought a flock of their own thieves with them.

He and Kylon had been wandering around for some time, mindful of their purses, when the ebb and flow of spectators gave way to an opening. A short distance ahead, people cheered in anticipation, and Kyl didn't miss his chance to squeeze them forward, and suddenly Elric found himself looking directly into an intricate fruit basket with leaves and feathers adorning its rim. He blinked.

A large matron before him moved, and, without her extravagant hat to obscure his vision, Elric finally saw... He stared at the most beautiful girl in existence, so pure and bright, it stuck his breath in his throat. He coughed out a feather or two.

Later, if asked, he would tell it was that precise moment when he fell in love with her. She stood completely still in the crowd of dancing and clapping artists, surrounded by chaos like a reef in a raging storm — the only unwavering constant. Elric could have sworn he saw an ethereal glow lit her lovely face. Or maybe it was the fire she spat in the next moment as her part of the show.

Barefoot, she twisted and swirled, flames following her every move. Her dress — flowing red and orange fabric with stripes of black leather that made her figure look torch-like — completed the illusion of burning. It was fantastic. Beautiful and terrifying at the same time.

Elric watched in fascination for as long as he could. He traced the girl with his gaze, catching glimpses of a flower painted on her cheek. Then the dance was over. People laughed and applauded all around him, and sword swallowers filled the stage. Kyl shouted something in his ear, and when it went unheard over the noise, tugged him by the sleeve.

"That was awesome! 'n' tae hot for mah taste." Kylon wiped his sweaty forehead, grimacing. "Now I'm dying for a jar o' cold, sweet ale. Let's find a vendor, shall we?"

Still astonished, with a stunned smile, Elric agreed. "I'm going to marry her."

"Wha? Th' vendor?"

That finally snapped him out of his daze. "No, the fire dancer, you dolt!"

"Ah, ye mean th' lassie with th' show! Antivan beauty. Na offence, my friend, but nae with yer ugly mug. Na chance in Fade, I'd say. Ye should think o' someone closer tae yer level. Hae ye considered a horse, perhaps? Or, better yet, a mabari? It's a mighty patriotic choice!" He said, howling with laughter and barely dodging Elric's swipe.

Elric grinned. "You just wait, you, rascal! See who will be the one laughing when you swap nuptial vows with a banshee."

The next time Elric saw the Fire girl happened on a fine afternoon two weeks later. Earlier that day he received a message saying the book he ordered some months ago had arrived, and so he was on his way to the Wonders of Thedas, excitement punctuating his every step.

Was he paying more attention to his surroundings, surely, he would have noticed that the front door to the Gnawed Noble was opening, but alas. When a girl exited the tavern, in his hurry Elric hadn't seen her until the very last moment, but by that point their collision was inevitable. With the full force of his haste, Elric gentlemanly toppled her over and sprawled half-across her lap.

Lying on the hard ground, the girl — impossibly — giggled. Elric scrambled away from her knees. Blushing all the way to his innards, he mumbled, "Hello. I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking. Please, accept my deepest apologies."

The girl took his proffered hand, so that Elric could help her up. Still holding it, she smiled graciously. "Your clumsiness is forgiven. I'm Andraste." And before he could say anything, she added, "Like the prophet."

"And I—"

"Elric, I know." She smiled at his shocked expression. "I dreamt of you."

Cautiously surveying the street, he chose his next words very carefully. "Are you a mage?"

Andraste arched an eyebrow. "And if I were, why would I tell you?"

"Because of my charming smile and utterly trustworthy face?" Elric smiled in the most winsome way he could manage, which basically was his rendition of Kylon's grin. He expected to receive an eye-roll, but instead, she smiled enigmatically.

"Sometimes I dream, and it comes to pass. Other times it is no more that my imagination. Does it mean I have magic?"

It was a serious question with no easy answer. He chose the diplomatic way. "I believe all beings — except for dwarves, obviously — have the capacity to channel it to a certain extent."

"Because we all are connected to the Fade," understanding, Andraste continued his thought.

"Yes, exactly."

She nodded as if confirming a hypothesis. Then, completely out of the blue, she said, "I like Wilds Flowers," turned around and walked away without even a glance in his direction.

As parting words go, those were extremely bewildering. He watched her willowy figure until she disappeared around the corner. Only back at the compound, after spilling all the details of the encounter to Kylon (who frowned dubiously, said, "Are ye sure she is nae, you know, strange in th' head?" and received a stink-eye in return), did Elric finally remember about his book.

-[break]-

In the following month, Elric couldn't forget about Andraste. Crazy or not, she wouldn't leave his mind. He even went so far as to search Denerim for a Wilds Flower, but, most predictably, the Market failed to present it to him. Thus it was all the more astounding when he saw it lying inconspicuously on a vending cart. Not the actual flower, of course, though at first glance Elric thought exactly that.

It was a brooch made to look as one. The level of mastery its creator must have possessed to carve those exquisite details and etch ornaments into stone and gems so skillfully was unbelievable. His wonder must have been written all over his face.

"Excellent choice, good ser!" said an overly enthusiastic seller. "It is the pearl of my collection! This brooch was crafted by Master Garin, a famous jeweler renowned for his care for minutia. You wouldn't find better quality in all Orzammar!"

Elric weighted the brooch in his palm, nodding in all the right places. Eyes glazing over, he listened to the never ending stream of embellishments that every customer who had ever dealt with a dwarf could recite in his sleep. It was more a matter of pragmatism than politeness: prices had a tendency to skyrocket if you ever interrupted the selling pitch.

When the dwarf finally finished, he asked, "Is it infused with lyrium?"

"Of course, of course!" the vendor waved his meaty hand like he was repelling a fly. "This precious little thing enchanted to augment a powerful element" — he paused for dramatic effect — "fire!"

Figures. Although, Elric found it rather fitting. "How much do you want for it?"

The dwarf looked him up and down. "Four gold and thirty-five silver pieces."

"That's highway robbery!" Although the price wasn't that high, that was par for the course.

As rates went, it wasn't outrageous, though it still was unaffordable on Elric's stipend. His purse wasn't exactly thin, but it didn't host enough money as it was. If he wanted to buy the jewel, he'd need to find at least two more gold pieces somewhere, not to mention cut off all other expenses. No more rare books in the near future. He considered it, anyway.

Sensing the waning of his interest, the dwarf hedged, "But I see you are going to be our protector!" He indicated the insignia marking Elric as a Guard-to-be. "Maybe I can give you a discount."

The haggling seemed to take an eternity and left Elric with a hoarse throat, frayed nerves, and indebted to Kyl till the next Age. In the end, they hashed out a grudgingly satisfactory deal.

-[break]-

Despite not seeing Andraste for months after that time near the tavern, Elric didn't lose hope to meet her again. Feeling daft, he stubbornly continued to carry the brooch everywhere he went. Though, after an embarrassing incident during training session with his mates — not to be mentioned again. Ever! — he always ensured it was carefully hidden in his inner pocket.

One Harvestmere midday, having fulfilled an errand for Ser Kolred, Elric came by the Chanter's Board and was idly perusing job offers. The weather was turning nippy. Elric shivered, assaulted by the blast of wind.

"Excellent day for a walk, isn't it?" said a somewhat familiar voice beside him.

Distracted, he shrugged. "A bit cold, I think. I would rather be by the fire, but to each his own, as they say."

"Then why are you here?"

The voice sounded genuinely curious, so he said, "Financial troubles. Need a job, you see." He sighed. "Can't afford a bloody pint of ale right now."

The person hummed and started to sing. It wasn't something Elric recognised. Probably, because the song wasn't in Common, and he didn't speak any other languages. Plucking a promising leaflet, he turned to leave and finally saw who stood next to him, looking at the Board.

"Oh, it's you!"

Andraste paused mid-word and looked at him. "Yes?"

Elric blushed. "I was hoping to meet you again." He fumbled for a brooch, forgetting where he put it. "I found a flower for you." He missed his pocket twice, but the third try did the trick. "Here."

"You should bring a bow with you," she said, taking the brooch from him and pinning it to her scarf, bringing its ends together.

"What?"

"When you go the the Wilds," she said, "bring a bow with you." Then she laughed at his expression. "I just read the leaflet you tore off. It's better to hunt wolves from a distance. Thank you, it belongs here." That was about the brooch, or so he assumed.

"Oh." Feeling like an idiot, he searched for something else to say. "Do you want to go to the Gnawed Noble?"

"I can buy you a pint."

Elric blanched. "That's not what I meant!"

"It's fine." She smiled. "Next time it will be your turn. Come." And she was off to the tavern.

He didn't really have a choice but to follow.

Fifteen minutes later, sitting in front of a fireplace with a mug in hand, he said, "So are you in Denerim for long?"

Eyes distant, she said, "I might be. Or maybe not. It is still uncertain." Then she focused on Elric. "I'd like to be here more than there, but we are leaving in two days."

He swallowed a mouthful of ale. "Will you return?"

"Everything returns one way or another, eventually, except for those who stay behind. Forgive me, I'm being confusing, but it is better than being confused, don't you agree?"

Elric, being confused at the moment, did. "Certainly," he said, nodding.

Andraste laughed, easy and carefree.

"Are you here with the Carnival? I haven't heard of its arrival."

"Sometimes I travel with them, yes, but not this time. They left for Free Marches."

"Oh?"

"I will join them in Orlais."

"Do you travel a lot, then? What's it like?"

"What's it like to stay in one place for longer than a fortnight?" She raised an eyebrow. "I imagine it's the opposite of that." She smiled. "I like traveling. Maybe I will like staying, too."

Elric sipped the ale. Usually he was better at talking to girls. Not by much if he was being honest, but still. Andraste's words left him bewildered and at a loss for what to say next. He found her endlessly fascinating.

"Personally, I like staying better than being constantly on the go," he said. "We were moving often when I was very young. I remember it became tiring after a while."

She nodded; the look in her eyes suggested she understood more than he was saying. "I'm keeping a friend company," she said instead. "He has some business to attend to in many places."

"Do you have a favourite destination?"

"Not yet. All were equally interesting until recently, but soon it will change. I might grow to love Denerim a lot." She smiled again and stood up. "But now I should go. Don't forget about the bow, Elric."

"Wait!" He stood up as well. "Will I see you again?"

"After the creatures of the forest have lost their minds twice, you will. Until then."

She left, footsteps so light she could have walked on air, leaving Elric with fluttering butterflies in his stomach.

-[break]-

As time went by, the weather became even colder. Thankfully, after performing several tasks for various citizens — one included hunting and skinning wolves in the Brecilian Forest — Elric scraped enough coins to not only pay his debt, but also buy a nice winter coat. He and Kylon celebrated First Day by going to the Festival that was held near the Royal Palace and participating in an ill-advised drinking game with some of the older cadets.

Usually Elric prefered to drink a couple of pints in one sitting, valuing a moderately clear head above all else, but with Kyl shouting encouragements into his ear… Well, it was hardly surprising that he woke up with a bone-splitting headache and little to no memories of the previous evening.

Lying on his side, fully clothed and with one boot dangling from his foot, he contemplated his decision-making skills. At the moment, he was finding them severely lacking. Then again, most of his ill-advised endeavours started with Kyl getting a bright idea, so maybe it wasn't that bad…

He didn't remember much of the day. Mostly, it was a haze of laughter and a feeling of ground shifting under his feet. He imagined that's how being on a ship felt like and for the life of him couldn't understand how anyone can enjoy that kind of travel. Horses are so much nicer, he decided, and friendlier. The old nag at the Orphanage had a soft nose, her breath tickled his palm when he fed her carrots.

"Oi! Yer up?" said Kylon in an awfully cheerful and loud voice.

Elric's newfound appreciation of all things sober was put to a test. "Nrgh," was all he could manage to say, attempting to crawl under his pillow and thinking, 'Will you shut up? Please and thank you,' Kyl's way. Evidently, he needed to work on his telepathy some more as Kylon continued talking.

"Ah brought ye a remedy from th' Apothecary 'n' a slice o' apple pie from that new stall near th' Alienage! Didnae even spend yer winnin' on it, so dae nae say I'm nae a good friend."

In a show of a truly mighty restraint, Elric didn't throw the pillow at his face. Possibly, because he'd only just successfully positioned it over his ears.

Sensing that no coherent response was forthcoming, Kylon dumped the goods on Elric's chest, the impact making them both wince. "Ah will leave it ower 'ere, then," he said and tiptoed out of the room.

His second return to consciousness went a lot better. After downing the remedy and sending a thought of thanks to Kyl, Elric freshened up and, once more feeling like a human being, went in search of his friend. The pie was already cold — he guessed several hours passed since his first awakening — but tasted good enough. He made a mental note to thank Greg for telling them about that stall.

Outside, the weather was crisp, and, shivering, he instantly regretted forgoing a scarf. On the other hand, the winter air had a bite that helped to clear his head further. In the area near the garden he spotted Tomah and Alef, two of his drinking partners of the night before, sprawled on a low bench beside the gates.

"Finnaly! Ah was starting tae think ye went intae hibernation or something!" Kylon shouted from the bench on the other side of the gates.

Grinning, Elric went to join him. "Nah, just fell under a curse that could be lifted only by a fair maiden. But since you are no girl, or if you are, you are an ugly one—"

"Hey!"

"—so you don't count, I had to break it myself with the power of my will." He paused and then finished with a haughty expression, "It took time."

Kyl snorted, rolling his eyes. "Aye, right. 'n' mah hangover remedy haes nothing tae dae wi' it."

Elric smiled lopsidedly. "It helped. Thanks for that."

"Dae nae mention it. Ah figured Ah owed ye one since 'twas mah idea in th' first place. Anywey, we won! Ne'er let it be said that Avvars dae nae hold thair drink!"

"I'm from Highever, not the Frostback Mountains."

"Details, details! Speaking o' which, Ah a'maist forgot tae tell ye yer suppose tae catch up wi` yer lassie at th' Market afore th' evening bell."

"What lassie?"

"Ye haev that many lassies lining up tae tak' ye for a walk?" Kyl raised both eyebrows, mockingly impressed. "Th' fire breathing one wi' a shoogly screw."

"Oh! I thought I've dreamt that up. So we really met her yesterday?" At Kylon's nod, he groaned. "Oh, Maker. This is so embarrassing. She must think I'm a total berk."

"Well, she 'greed tae catch up wi' ye, so it's nae that ill. Though, when ye stood at one knee 'n' asked for her hand in marriage, Ah admit Ah was a bit surprised."

"I did what?! I don't remember it." At the moment, Elric wanted to crawl back under the pillow and never again see the daylight.

"Cheer up, mate! She said tae ask her again when yer sober. Guess she really likes ye." Smirking, Kyl patted him on the shoulder.

"Right." Mortified, Elric glanced at the setting sun. "I better get going, then."

Kyl grinned at him. "Good luck 'n' dinnae forget tae invite me tae yer wedding!"

Erlic punched his arm and hurriedly walked away, hearing Kyl's laughter a good distance after he went through the gates.

As he hoped, Andraste was at the Market, wandering aimlessly between the stalls, sometimes stopping to get a closer look at a trinket that caught her fancy.

"I'm glad you are feeling better," she said without turning to face him as soon as Elric walked up to her.

He coughed. "Yes, well. I'm glad you still came here after last night." His skin felt hot, like he spent too long in the sun. Elric fidgeted. "Um. My apologies. I understand if it made you uncomfortable—"

"Oh, no, not at all! I liked it, it was amusing." She smiled slightly. "Besides, you have a nice voice, even if the words of your serenade were a little jumbled."

He was either running a high fever or blushing, he decided. The fever would have been preferable. "Right. Where would you like to go?"

"I'd like to watch sunset."

He hummed, thinking. "We could go to Fort Drakon."

When she nodded, he led the way. Of course, they couldn't get inside the Fort, but there was a bench some distance away from it, hidden from the main road by an old oak tree. The sun just started to set, coloring the sky with orange and rosy shades. Sitting there, high up the hill, they could see most of Denerim bathed in soft light.

"The view is truly spectacular."

Elric shrugged. "We discovered this place with Kyl on one of his 'exploratory' trips across the city."

The chantry bell tolled, and Andraste hummed along with it; then she started to sing under her breath.

"What song is it?"

She paused to answer. "It's the Chant of Light."

Confused, Elric asked, "Shouldn't you recite it instead?"

"I like it better this way." She looked at the distant horizon dreamily. "I find the Chant soothing. Most of it, anyway. It's like a song all people know and can sing to each other. Like a nursery rhyme." And she sang a verse at a normal volume, voice soft and melodic.

They sat there until the sun disappeared completely. And when Elric escorted her to the Gnawed Noble, she agreed to meet again the next evening.

For two weeks that she was in Denerim, they met almost every day, sometimes going for a walk and other times staying in the tavern. Their time together quickly became the highlights of Elric's days.

He soon learned that despite being named after the prophet, she wasn't a Chantry devotee. When asked why, she pointed at the Tranquil who was sweeping the Chantry grounds. "I don't believe the Maker supports slavery. I don't, either." Still, she liked to visit it and talk with sisters. "They often are the nicest people in any town," she explained, "even if some of their believes are misguided."

Andraste's opinions on most subjects were often unconventional. She had a certain air of contained wildness about her. Like she could run, or laugh, or cry, or stab the nearest Templar in the eye with her dagger at any second and didn't know herself what would it be until the very moment she did it. Like her actions were constantly surprising even herself. Being near her felt liberating and a tiny bit scary.

By the end of the second week, Elric had fallen in love so deeply, he couldn't see the light anymore.

"When will I see you again?" he asked on their last evening. They were walking through Denerim's Gardens, making their way between trees that were bared of leaves by winter.

She looked at him with a slight smile on her lips. "When you close your eyes, I imagine."

Elric took it in stride. "And in person?"

She tugged at the ends of her scarf, the Wilds Flower brooch once again pinning it together. "We will be back in the same amount of time, I hope."

"So in two months?"

She nodded decisively. "Two months."

-[break]-

Elric counted days to her return. At first, Kylon laughed and teased him incessantly every time he saw Elric cross a number on his calendar, but two months turned into three, and still Andraste was nowhere to be found. With each passing day Elric's mood plummeted lower and lower. Teasing remarks gave way to concerned questions, and on the three and a half mark Kylon's patience ended.

"A'right, snap out o' it," he said, ungracefully landing on the bench next to Elric and snatching an apple out of the fruit bowl.

"Hmm?"

Elric listlessly poked at his porridge. Normally, he liked it very much. Their cook added dried fruits and berries, and even a dash of honey, which was like a trip to heaven for his taste buds, but today it was no different from the bland pottage that he ate thrice a day in the Orphanage for years. He didn't have that much of an appetite, anyway.

"That, right 'ere. This haes tae end. Yer mooning isn't going tae bring yer lassie back sooner, 'n' if ye starve tae death, it sure won't mak' her happy."

Privately, Elric agreed with Kylon, but… "What if she won't come back at all?"

Exasperated, Kyl glanced upwards. "Oh, for Maker's sake!" He sighed and said, not unkindly, "Ye move oan, obviously. Ye won't be th' first nor th' last tae suffer from a broken heart."

Without enthusiasm, Elric put a spoonful of porridge into his mouth.

-[break]-

As time passed, Summerday came and went completely unnoticed by Elric. When Bloomingtide turned into Justinian, he stopped counting days and refused to look at the calendar. Slowly, his mood improved. All in all, life went back on track. And then the Carnival came back to Denerim.

"Elric!" Disregarding all rules and regulations, Kyl sprinted through the library with great agitation.

Eric wondered what put him in such a state. Of course, it could very well have been the threat of Ser Kolred's wrath. Occasionally, Kyl liked to pull a stunt and dash away just to get on his nerves, saying that it was to keep the old librarian on his toes.

"Elric!" Kylon repeated, skidding to a halt in front of Elric's table. "Didnae ye hear about th' Antivan show?"

"Yes, I know there will be another show this evening. What of it?"

Perplexed, Kylon asked, "Then how come yer 'ere? Ah thought you'd be a' ower thair tents searching th' lassie."

"I was going to wait until later." Elric sighed. "But I see you are going to drag me there now anyway."

Kyl almost looked affronted. "Weel, efter all that time spent brooding, ye should at least ask why she weren't back sooner. That's why Ah'm 'ere, actually: th' lassie's waiting for ye."

"What, here?"

"No, ye dolt. At the gates."

"Oh. Um." Suddenly in a much brighter mood, Elric looked around. The table before him was covered with books and parchments, his quill and inkwell carefully laid to the side. "You wouldn't mind?.." He gestured at the mess.

"Ah've got it covered." Kylon waved him off with a smile. "Go speak wi' yer lassie."

Elric didn't ran into the courtyard at full speed, instead, he walked there, using the time to calm his wildly beating heart. Andraste stood under the blooming ash tree, her hair longer and skin tanned. She was watching a squirrel in its branches, but as Elric approached, she turned to face him.

All his mental preparations went out the window. He thought he was getting over her? Hah, it was no more true than Kyl's claims that he doesn't really need water, ale will do, thank you.

She smiled at him. "You are well."

"Yes, thank you. You look nice," he said.

Andraste caught his gaze. "When you come to the show, I will tell you the future."

Elric blinked. "Can you tell who I should bet on in a race?"

Her face absolutely serious, she said, "Why, you should always bet on the winner!" And then she laughed. "I can tell you only what's written on your palm. And that, I'm afraid, is not so detailed."

"Ah. That's a pity, I wouldn't mind getting a fortune," he said with a rueful smile.

"I'm sorry for not returning earlier," she said, placing her hand over his heart. "I regret the sadness you felt."

Elric shrugged. "You are here now."

"I am." Going on tiptoe, she kissed his cheek. "Tonight I will do palm reading."

-[break]-

"Well? What took her so long?" said Kylon as soon as he saw Elric.

"I didn't ask," he said with a wide grin.

Kyl stared, then shook his head. "Bloody hell, mate, yer doomed."

He spent the rest of the day in a daze and, according to Kylon, smiling like an idiot. This time when evening came, Elric dragged Kyl to the Market. They found Andraste near a stall with toys. She sat at the small table, intently looking at a woman's palm and saying something in a low voice. The woman oohed and aahed, but as Andraste spoke, her expression lightened, as if a heavy burden was lifted from her shoulders. She thanked Andraste profusely and put a sovereign in the jar.

Kyl grinned and patted his shoulder. "Now Ah can rest assured you won't ever starve."

Elric elbowed him in return and went to Andraste.

"Hello again. Which hand do you need?"

"It matters not. Which one do you like more?"

"I like them both equally, I suppose." He shrugged, but gave her his left hand.

Silently, Andraste traced her index finger over his palm.

"So?"

She looked up. "You will live a long life."

Curious, Eric asked, "How can you tell?"

"See here" — she tapped one of the lines — "is your life line."

Elric had to admit, It was a rather long line.

Andraste continued. "The fate doesn't control you strongly. I see several crucial points when your decision will decide your future." She tapped three times on different lines crossing the one she called life and then twice on fate. "It can change."

"What about love life?"

For some reason, when she smiled, it was tinged with sadness. "You love deeply." She paused. "And your heart will be broken, once."

He swallowed. "Right." Then, to talk of something else, he asked, "What about you? What does your future holds? Did you read it as well?"

"I didn't need to. I know how it will end." And she showed Elric her own palm. The life line didn't reach even half-way across it.

Elric stared.

"'tis fate. Some things are inevitable." She shrugged, unconcerned. "I know how and when I will go to the Maker, but I can choose where," she said, closing her hand. "Would you like to walk through the Gardens tomorrow?"

Perturbed, Elric nodded.

"Good." She smiled again; this time is was a happy expression. "I decided to stay in Ferelden."

In Elric's opinion, that was the start of his courtship.

At first, Andraste stayed at the tavern, but soon she rented a room from a widow. She took a lot of different jobs, asking the bartender at the tavern for work or picking something from the Chanter's Board. She was skilled with swords, could sew and cook, and was an excellent singer.

During that summer they often went hunting in the Brecilian Forest.

One night, sitting near campfire, Elric asked her about her life before the Carnival.

Andraste lowered her voice to a whisper. "My father was a Crow," she said and nodded with meaning.

"Was?"

"Crows do not fly for long. Successful ones are pecked by their brethren, others — swallowed by the job." She shrugged as if it was just a fact of life, not worth dwelling on. She accepted a lot of things the same way you'd think of the weather: if you can't change it, no point in shouting at the sky.

She was right about his love — she was right about many things — the more he got to know her, the stronger it became. And so when August stepped back for Kingsway, Elric asked for her hand. This time he was stone cold sober.

He was so nervous, he stammered through the whole proposal. She laughed and said, "Yes."

They wed as soon as his education was completed, just before Satinalia, at the last day of Harvestmere. It was a quiet affair, attended only by Elric's closest friends — Kyl, obviously, among them — and Andraste's friend Elaudio, with whom she travelled for years before settling down in Denerim. He was more of a father figure to her than her actual father.

Elric was appointed to Lothering, and they moved there after the week of Satinalia festivities. It turned a new leaf in his life, but Elric still keeps in contact with Kylon.

He and Andraste had a good life together; they were happy. Now, ten years later, the time had finally come, and Andraste was dead. Although he knew the day was coming, he still wasn't prepared to say the final goodbye. And suddenly, Elric felt utterly helpless.