May it be an evening star,
Shines down upon you.
May it be when darkness falls
Your heart will be true
You walk a lonely road
Oh, how far you are from home

Mornié utúlié (darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornié alantié (darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now

May it be shadows call
Will fly away
May it be your journey on
To light the day
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun

Mornié utúlié (darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornié alantié (darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now

A promise lives within you now

-May It Be – Enya for Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

The sun had set leaving just the flicker of various campfires and lanterns hung by the small buildings as the only source of light. Some singing in the camp seemed to lighten the hearts of the refugees despite their troubles. Evelyn looked at the groups huddled around the fires and felt pain in her heart. She couldn't believe that the village had nothing to eat. Her head shook as she thought about how to help the people here and she felt a hand on her shoulder, "Are you alright?"

"Yes…" She lied and turned to see Alistair looking at her. He didn't believe her answer. She hated how some people could use their eyes on her to break her through her lies and she sighed, "No…I am not alright."

Her eyes scanned over the various camps seeing the firelight on their faces creating shadows. She saw their hunger and despair, and wanted to do something. Her face was easy to read and Alistair nodded in understanding. He smiled softly, "I know how you feel…And it's because, like you said, you have a heart."

"Do I? Do I really?" Evelyn whispered as she watched one child wandering and calling for his mother. She was reminded of Oren when she saw him and her eyes started to well up with tears. She shut her azure eyes in a futile attempt to make the tears go away but to no avail. There was no escape.

You're going to take care of us aren't you, Auntie? Will you teach me how to use a sword?

Alistair saw the pain on her face along with the tears. His hand reached out to wipe them away but, before he could, Evelyn opened her eyes. They stared at each other for what almost felt like an eternity but the moment was broken when she ran off to the Chantry. The look in her eyes burned into his memory. They were blue like the light of the moon and just as sad. He wanted to hug her tight and tell her it would be alright but he hardly knew her. His fingertips barely touched her cheek before she pulled away then shook her head as she backed away into the darkness. He could feel a tear on his fingertips and he wanted to say something, but she was gone.

Morrigan observed from a distance and hm'd to herself. She found it curious that the two Wardens were so close yet distant with each other. Her brow arched and she decided to follow Evelyn after giving Alistair a cold stare. He looked at her with narrowed eyes as if to warn her but she just blew it off as she continued. Dax had already taken off after Evelyn, leaving Alistair alone.

He kicked at a rock on the ground then sighed before wandering off on his own. As he walked through the village, he came upon the Chantry and pondered going inside. It had been awhile since he was inside one and thought about growing up in their care. Alistair stood at the steps while a templar watched him for a moment then looked away to make sure no trouble rose up from the refugees that surrounded the Chantry's grounds. He sighed heavily seeing how this could overwhelm Evelyn and moved away to sit on a bench that wasn't occupied.

As he sat on the cold stone bench, he looked up to the heavens and wondered if their task would be frivolous. A few clouds started to pass over the full moon and he bowed his head.

Maker, give me a sign that this isn't some fool's errand…

Alistair wasn't really very religious but he still muttered a prayer every so often. He rubbed his face as he sighed then moved his hands as if in a form of prayer before the clouds allowed the moonbeams to shine down on Lothering. Out of the corner of his eyes he noticed something unusual and shifted to get a better look as another cloud passed overhead. He saw a dead rose bush then shook his head figuring his mind was playing tricks with him until a moonbeam revealed a beautiful red rose. At first he rubbed his eyes believing it was some trick but as he looked again he saw it was real. The sweet scent of the rose filled the air next to him and he smiled softly. Was this the Maker's answer to his prayer? He took the handkerchief he had been given by Evelyn while in the Wilds then carefully plucked the rose from the bush.

Despite all the darkness…beauty still remains…

"Alistair?" Evelyn whispered as she approached.

He tucked the rose away into his pack then turned to see Evelyn in the moon's pale light, "Evelyn?"

"About what happened earlier…You were just trying to be comforting and I'm sorry for my behavior." Evelyn said as she looked at him, "Shall we see what we can do about getting these people some food?"

Alistair smiled then nodded as he moved to join her, "Lead on fearless one."

Evelyn smiled as she shook her head and laughed softly before walking ahead of him. He watched her for a moment before following.

Beauty still remains.