Leliana

Leliana's heart broke as Scarlett looked up at her waiting to hear her answer. She didn't know what to say. She loved Scarlett with all her heart, but the Revered Mother had said time was of the essence. She had come here hoping to bring Scarlett along. This morning she had considered staying after seeing she wasn't in any fit state to travel. But she owed The Divine. Dorothea had saved her life once and she at least had to meet her and hear what she had to say.

Leliana sat down on the wall beside Scarlett and wrapped her arm around her, her chin resting on Scarlett's head. Tears began to well up in her eyes. Maker, why did everything have to be so complicated between then? Things would be so much simpler if Scarlett wasn't a Grey Warden and she wasn't with the Chantry, if they didn't have to put their duties before their love. A lump formed in Leliana's throat.

"I'm sorry, Scarlett" she said, swallowing hard. "I...I have to leave...tomorrow."

Scarlett pulled back and stared at her dejectedly. A tear fell down Leliana's face as she saw the pain she was causing her. Scarlett reached out and wiped it away. Her hand lingered on Leliana's cheek.

"You can't leave" she pled. Her voice was barely a whisper. Leliana couldn't look into her eyes anymore. More tears fell down her face as she stared out into the distance. She could feel the warmth of Scarlett's hand on her face. It was so beautiful here. What she wouldn't give to spend the rest of her days at Scarlett's side.

"I'm sorry" she repeated, looking back into her eyes. "I...I was supposed to head straight to Orlais from Lothering...but I couldn't leave...Not without seeing you...I'm so sorry..."

Leliana broke down, holding her face in her hands as she sobbed. She felt Scarlett's arms wrap around her and buried her face in her chest. She could feel her tears soak Scarlett's dress but she didn't care. Scarlett stroked her hair and held her as tight as she could. They sat there for several minutes, neither of them wanting to let go. Finally Leliana regained her composure. Scarlett took her face in her hands and gazed into her eyes, her golden brown ones piercing Leliana's blue. Leliana had never remembered them being more beautiful.

"I understand" Scarlett said.

Leliana exhaled. "You do?"

Scarlett nodded. "Just know that I love you...I always will."

Leliana couldn't look away. "And I you" she replied. Scarlett leaned in and kissed her, like she had never kissed her before. They sat in the sunlight, lips slightly parted, eyes closed, hoping to hold on to the moment forever.

Suddenly there were whistles and cheers. Scarlett and Leliana broke apart and stared in the direction of the noise. A few young men had gathered below the barracks had had seen them kiss. They wolf whistled and continued cheering as they walked away.

Leliana turned to Scarlett, who looked annoyed at the interruption. Leliana reached over and took her hands, helping her to her feet.

"Come on" she said softly. "Let's go back inside."

She wrapped her arms around Scarlett again and helped her down the stairs of the barracks.

They had been gone for hours. It was well past midday and the sun was starting to fade behind the clouds when they got back to the Vigil. They entered the Throne Room. Leliana realised that Scarlett had been slowing down the last couple of steps. She must be exhausted. Oghren sat on his own drinking from his hip flask. He toasted them as they walked past before taking a sip. They got a whiff of the alcohol inside. It smelt potent. Seneschal Varel and Mistress Woolsey stood talking by the Throne. They nodded in greeting as Leliana and Scarlett passed. Leliana was glad that no one spoke to them. She wanted nothing more than to spend her remaining time here alone with Scarlett.

They entered the sitting room and chose the long chair in front of the recently lit fire. Scarlett placed her head on Leliana's chest and they lay beside each other on the chair. Leliana stroked her hair absentmindedly, as they both became entranced by the bouncing flames. She could hear Scarlett's long, even breaths after a few minutes and could tell she had fallen asleep. Gradually her own eyes grew heavy and she began to drift off.

About an hour later Leliana awoke to the sound of a woman's voice. She opened her eyes as someone touched her on the shoulder. The woman was standing over her.

"Sorry for waking you, my lady. But dinner is being served in the dining hall."

It took a while for Leliana's eyes to register, then she realised that it was a cook who spoke. She was a rather large woman with an apron over her clothes. She looked at Leliana expectantly. Scarlett was still fast asleep on her chest.

"Thank you" she said, straightening up slightly. Scarlett stirred.

"Scarlett?" Leliana said gently. Scarlett's eyes opened and she looked around, disorientated.

"I'll give you two a minute" the cook said kindly before leaving the room.

"Hey" Leliana soothed, caressing her cheek. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine" said Scarlett groggily, rubbing her eyes with her knuckles. "Who were you talking to?"

"I think it was the cook. She said dinner is being served in the dining hall. Are you hungry?"

Scarlett nodded. "A bit."

"Come on then" Leliana replied. She helped Scarlett up off her and then stood up, reaching down with her hands to help her to her feet. Leliana then led them to the dining hall.

Scarlett Tabris

Scarlett sat with the Grey Warden's and Leliana and ate her lamb and pea stew. She didn't realise how hungry she actually was until she started eating. The day had taken a lot out of her. It was the best day she'd had in months, but it was also the worst. Tomorrow morning Leliana would leave her and head back to Orlais. If she had been in any fit state she would have gladly followed her, but she knew it was hopeless. The power in her muscles was only beginning to come back and she still had business to attend to before she took her leave. She stole a glance at Leliana who was eating beside her. She wished tomorrow would never come.

Scarlett remembered long ago during the blight when Wynne had warned her about her blossoming relationship with Leliana.

"You are a Grey Warden. You have responsibilities which should precede your personal desires" Wynne had said. "You may have to choose between saving your love, and saving everyone else. And then what would you do?"

It was a statement that had stuck with Scarlett through the many months of their relationship. The night before the battle against the Arch Demon she had actually tried to send Leliana away, out of fear.

"I can't bear to lose you" she said. Leliana stood before her, confused. They were standing in Scarlett's bedroom in Redcliffe castle.

"So you're sending me away?" he asked. "Where's the logic in this?"

Scarlett knew it sounded silly but she wasn't sure whether she would survive the coming battle. She didn't want Leliana to be in danger. Leliana stayed of course. There was no telling her otherwise. Scarlett finally conceded and before they knew it they were making love. Neither of them knew if they would be alive the next night. There was no future, no past, only the moment, and they made the most of it.

The memory made Scarlett sad. After everything they'd been through together it was impossible to imagine that she might never see her again. She understood why Leliana had to leave but it didn't make it any easier. As Wynne said, they had responsibilities which should precede their personal desires. Leliana was tied to the Chantry just as Scarlett was tied to the Grey Wardens.

Scarlett finished her stew gloomily. The others around her joked and laughed, oblivious to her sorrow. Leliana passed her a mug of ale. There eyes met as Scarlett took it from her. She saw in Leliana's eyes the same regret which was undoubtedly in her own. Leliana smiled at her understandingly.

They had a few more drinks with the others before returning to Scarlett's bedroom. Leliana disappeared to the water closet as Scarlett made her way to the balcony. She leaned on the edge and looked up at the night sky. It was scattered with stars as far as the eye could see. The full moon glowed brightly in the sky almost as a beacon. Scarlett stared at its face, thinking of Leliana.

All of a sudden she felt a pair of hands caress her back. Leliana leaned her head on Scarlett's shoulder following her gaze.

"The stars are out" she said with a smile.

Scarlett nodded and turned her gaze to a cluster of stars. "Tell me the story of Alindra and her Soldier again?" she asked.

Leliana laughed softly. "How appropriate" she said, before beginning. She repeated the story to Scarlett which told of Alindra and her soldier love. Her father didn't want her to marry a commoner so he sent the soldier off to war where he would meet his doom.

"...Upon hearing of his death Alindra Alone in her tower, Alindra wept for her love and beseeched the gods to deliver her from this cruel world. So earnest was her plea that the gods themselves were moved. They gathered Alindra into their arms and lifted her high into the heavens, where she became a star. The gods also raised up the soul of Alindra's soldier love and there he dwells, across the horizon from her. The band of stars between them is a river of Alindra's tears, cried for her lost love. They say that when Alindra has cried enough, she will be able to cross the river to be reunited with her soldier."

Leliana sighed as she finished. Scarlett turned to her and reached up, placing her lips on Leliana's. The rain started to pour down around them. They stood on the balcony holding each other close, kissing for several minutes, becoming soaked to the skin. Scarlett ran her fingers through Leliana's wet hair as she felt Leliana's hands moved from her neck and slide the wet dress down her body. Scarlett felt the rain water dripping down her chest as it began to fall harder. She tried to take off Leliana's clothes however before she could, Leliana hesitated and pulled back.

"Are you sure?" she asked, surprised. "What about your wound?"

Scarlett looked at her determinedly. "I don't care" she replied. True her wound was hurting again but she wouldn't let anything get in the way of her last night with the woman she loved. She smiled at Leliana and tore her clothes away before she could protest. Leliana giggled. They kissed some more, both standing there naked. Scarlett didn't care if anyone was watching. Nothing would take away this moment from her.

Leliana took Scarlett's hand and guided her between her thighs. Scarlett touched her gently, moving her lips to Leliana's neck while continuing to pleasure her. Leliana leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

Leliana

The rain poured down hard on Leliana's face as she stared up at the sky. She could feel Scarlett's tongue caress her neck, her left hand on her lower back, while the slender fingers one her right hand touched her below. Her breath was quickening as her arousal grew. Suddenly she could no longer be quiet. A loud moan escaped her lips as her body tensed under Scarlett's touch.

Seconds later, Scarlett fell to her knees. The strength in her legs had given out. Leliana bent down beside her and gently guided her to the floor.

"Are you ok?" she asked concerned.

Scarlett simply smiled. "Better than ok" she replied. Leliana giggled. She lay herself down beside Scarlett on the soaking balcony floor and placed her head on her bosom. Scarlett held her side as they both lay, catching their breaths. Leliana glanced down and saw how much worse the wound looked. She placed her hand over Scarlett's, hoping to help her numb the pain.

"I love you" Scarlett said.

Leliana smiled. "I love you, too."

They lay there for several minutes. The rain still fell around them as they lost themselves in the night sky. Then Leliana spoke.

"Promise me something, Scarlett" she said, lifting her head to look at her. "Promise me you will visit Shianni when I'm gone."

Scarlett looked down at her. Leliana could see the conflict in her eyes. Finally she spoke.

"I promise."

Leliana smiled and lay her head back down. She knew Scarlett didn't know why it was so important to her that she visit her friend. Leliana, however, knew it would be hard for Scarlett to see her leave. Scarlett was a complicated person who closed herself off from others. Being an elf, she still held a hatred and distrust for humans she didn't know. After what happened to her mother, Leliana couldn't blame her. She also knew that apart from herself, the one person who would be able to comfort Scarlett properly and be there for her would be Shianni. She didn't know Shianni well but from the stories Scarlett's father Cyrion had told her, blood couldn't make them any closer. No matter what Scarlett was running from in her past, she was sure that Shianni would forgive her.

Leliana felt Scarlett's hand move from under hers. With her other hand that she had wrapped around Leliana she pulled her wedding ring off her finger.

"Here" Scarlett said, holding it out to Leliana, "Something to remember me by."

Leliana's looked at her, surprised. Not once, in all the time she had known Scarlett had she ever seen her take off her ring. She shook her head.

"Scarlett...I can't take that" she said eyeing the ring. The ring, Scarlett once told her, she wore in memory of her fiancé who had died on their wedding day.

"I need to tell you the truth" Scarlett said. Leliana looked at her. "I mean...I need to tell you all of it."

A moment of silence passed between them as Scarlett struggled to find the words.

"Nelaros didn't die" she began, "He was murdered..." Leliana's mouth fell open. Scarlett continued. "On my wedding day... Shianni and I and several other elven women were stole from the ceremony by the Arl of Denerim's son Vaughan and his soldiers and locked in his palace. They had...entered the Alienage earlier that day and...assaulted a few of our people. I argued with them and Shianni...broke a bottle over Vaughan's head when he tried to take me."

Leliana listened intently as Scarlett revealed her darkest secret.

"After Soris saved me in the palace he told me Nelaros was the reason they were here. He had come to rescue me. As we reached him he was...the guards they..."

Scarlett stopped speaking. Leliana reached out and stroked her arm. She could tell what happened even if Scarlett couldn't say it.

"I took the ring off his body. I-I had been a complete asshole to him that day. I never wanted to get married, and I made sure he knew it... But that didn't stop him trying to save my life." A hollow look appeared on Scarlett's face as she remembered. Leliana was speechless.

"As Soris and I searched the palace frantically for the others, a-a woman's scream caught our attention. I knew that voice...It was Shianni. I rushed to the end of the hall and kicked open the door. Inside the bedroom were Vaughan and his two friends. Vaughan had Shianni pinned to the ground...her dress was torn...she was bleeding badly...crying. I-I killed him." Scarlett had a tortured expression on her face. "I had never killed before that day but something...something changed in me. I revelled in every blow, slicing off his head before killing the other two."

Tears streamed down both Scarlett and Leliana's faces. "I had failed Shianni." Scarlett whispered. "I had protected her my whole life...but this time I couldn't. That filthy Shem had won. When we got back to the Alienage the guards came for me and that's when Duncan recruited me. He saved me from being executed."

"Was Shianni alright?" Leliana asked.

"I...I don't know" said Scarlett, truthfully. "I couldn't face her so...I left... without saying goodbye."

"Oh Scarlett" Leliana said sympathetically. She drew her close and hugged her. "Why are giving me this ring if it means so much to you?"

Scarlett pulled back. "I wore that ring as a reminder of my failure. I wore it in remembrance to Nelaros and Shianni. I wore it to remind myself not to judge people before I got to know them. It took me a while" she smiled slightly. "I hated humans for so long, a part of me still does...but then I met you and learned they are not all alike. The thought of possibly never seeing you again is killing me, Lel. I want you to have it for all that you have given me."

Leliana couldn't help but smile at her. "I love you so much" she said, pulling her close and kissing her. She took the ring and placed it on her wedding finger. It fit perfectly. Suddenly she was aware they were still lying in the rain. She placed her arm around Scarlett and helped her to her feet and they went inside.

After helping Scarlett into bed, Leliana climbed in the other side. She wrapped her arms around her and ran her fingers through her soaking wet hair. Her heart broke as she thought about leaving again.

"Scarlett, I...You know I won't be here when you wake up" she said, her voice cracking.

"I know" Scarlett replied sadly. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too. This isn't good bye forever. As soon as I can, I'll be back to you. I promise."

She heard Scarlett smile in the darkness.