Bethany.
Sunshine.
I don't how Nightingale's bird found, but if it did, then you need to know that your big brother is gone.
If you're still angry at him for the whole deep roads thing; then I understand. I won't go into details about how he died; just know that he said goodbye and that he still loves you. I don't know if I can do this to you Sunshine or if you'll even attend, but; the Inquisition is hosting a service for him in Kirkwall, please come; it would mean the world to him and to us.
Be safe Sunshine.
Varric.
The shrill winds of the Frostbacks made reading the letter difficult, but Bethany read every word with a cold stare. She shifted her cloak and looked around her, her party of wardens sat around the fire; but none of them even seemed to feel the cold, each were eight years her senior in the Order.
One of them saw her cold stare and seated himself next to her; he was a tall, slender man with greying black hair and a hooked nose; he always had dark shadows under his eyes, the dreams of the Archdemon had always struck him hard; that never effected his aim however. Nathaniel handed her a bowl of the uniform grey lamb stew and smiled at her, Bethany took the bowl and just gave him weary smile.
Across from them; a stocky, gruff, drunkard and excessively hairy dwarf; snored away his latest drunk stupor and at the mouth of cave; sat another dwarf: she had her axe and dagger sat across her folded lap, her horned helmet set on the floor next her, she watched the vast white expanse through a small brass spy - glass.
Nathaniel eyed the letter and then looked to Bethany; who was once again reading the letter with the same blank stare she gave everything lately. He was about to speak; when she just tossed the piece of paper into the fire. "Bad news?" Came the gruff tone of the male dwarf.
Bethany eyed Oghren with annoyance, but the dwarf just laughed her glare away and said. "I knew a witch that used to give the same look. Didn't bother me then, doesn't bother me when you do it." He smoothed his long, well - kept beard and grunted, before giving her a serious look; with his one good eye.
Bethany relented. "My brother's dead." Her voice was so cold, it surprised even her. Once upon a time; she would have weeped and cried like a child, but her time with the Wardens had hardened her heart to stone and now; the blight was her only concern. She had once hated her brother for taking her into the deep roads and then allowing that abomination to 'save' her; but among the Wardens; she had found a new family, each one with a different story and identical goals.
"You going to his funeral?" Sigrun called from her perch at the mouth of the cave. Bethany shook her head, but the looks her comrades gave her; meant they weren't buying it.
Oghren sat foward and eyed Bethany; his good eye gleaming in the light of the fire. "Listen kid. We ain't got much time, a friend once told me. 'Life is too short to life with regrets; shorter even still for a Warden.' I don't think she meant for me to hear that part, but I did. I used to regret the man Branka made me. Now, I'm Warden - Constable of Ferelden, I still have good relationship with my wife and my kid. If you don't go to his send off; you'll regret you never got to say goodbye."
Nathaniel was next to speak. "We cut all ties to our old life correct? That does not mean we have to stop caring about those we left behind." He seemed to have said enough, he stood up and moved to the mouth of the cave; relieving Sigrun. Bethany lay down and stared up at the bare stone; sighing she rolled on her side and wiped away the single tear that was rolling down her cheek.
Morning came and the party were already making tracks before the morning sun had even coated the snow laced path. As they began their decent into the Hinterlands, Bethany announced to the group. "I plan on leaving for the Free Marches when we have completed the mission. I don't plan on being gone for long." She couldn't see it, but the group of senior Wardens were smiling.
"So you'll be leaving right now then? The missions over. We were told to scout the path and ensure it was clear of anything blighted." Sigrun smiled at the shocked expression Bethany gave them. Nathaniel turned and tossed a large purse of coins at Bethany, she caught it and shifted her expression to the Howe; he just waved off her thanks. Oghren stopped suddenly and turned to face the junior Warden. "Don't worry. Warden - Commander Caron will hear directly from me. You won't get charged for going to your brother's funeral." Bethany thanked all of them and parted ways with them; destined for Gwaren.
When she arrived at the coastal city; the Inquisition was all any one could talk about, she was glad that a Warden was going unnoticed for a change. She booked passage on a ship destined for Ostwick and from there; she would travel either by horse or on foot to Kirkwall. She would say her farewells and would never again look back in regret or anger, she would move forward as a Warden and as a Hawke. She would at last be free from pain.
(A.N) I decided to go with Warden Bethany; because I wanted to show a more hardened Bethany ( I also wanted to work my favourite Berserker into the story.)
Hope you peoples enjoyed it. Please leave a review or PM me with what you think.
Thanks for reading! Bu-bye!
