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Chapter 21: The Unforgettable Love
"In life we all have an unspeakable secret, an irreversible regret, an unreachable dream and an unforgettable love." - Diego Marchi
It was already dawn and a small ray of light was gently lighting a guest room from the Royal Palace. There was an overwhelming scent of fresh roses in the room. The woman, who was sleeping in a bed, opened her eyes slowly and looked around. She heard a small noise in the room and immediately got up, taking a dagger in her hand, from behind her pillow.
"I'm so sorry… my lady, I didn't mean to wake you up. I apologize!" said a small elven female servant from a corner of the room.
Elissa opened her eyes wide, not believing what she just saw. There were big baskets full of red roses everywhere in the room! On the floor, on the furniture, on the windows, near her bed… everywhere! One could hardly walk through the room without stepping on a basket of red roses! The small servant was gently walking through the room, arranging the baskets on her way. She smiled at Elissa and then opened the room's biggest window largely.
"My lady, the king asked me to tell you to look at the window… when you're ready!" said the servant, smiling beautifully.
Elissa quickly got dressed and tried hard to walk towards the window, afraid not to ruin the beautifully decorated baskets of red roses. She even took some of the baskets in her hands and placed them gently on the bed, making a small empty alley in the room full of roses. After a few minutes of practically struggling through the red roses in the room, she finally arrived in front of the big window. She looked there, on the window, then she pinched herself hard, not believing her eyes. The castle's yard was almost full of baskets with red roses, arranged in the shape of a big heart. Inside the big heart of red roses, there were some words written, using other baskets full of red roses, of course. She read the letters from the big heart slowly: 'I LOVE YOU. MARRY ME!' And in the middle of the heart of red roses there was a man, standing there, grinning from ear to ear: the king of Ferelden.
Elissa looked in open-mouthed wonder for a few minutes, the pinched herself again… it was not a dream!
"Maker...", it all she was able to say, as she was in a deep shock.
After a few minutes of staring at each other, Alistair left the yard in a hurry. In a few minutes he was already knocking on her door. The servant opened the door, then left the king alone with Elissa.
Alistair struggled through the room full of red roses and, after a few minutes, he finally got closer to Elissa, who was staring open-mouthed at him. He gently knelled in front of her, then raised his head to look into her eyes.
"I know that not even all the red roses on Thedas would make up for what I did… I know that I don't deserve a second chance… but still, I know that I love you with all my heart. It's hard to describe how much I love you and I'm so lucky that you can feel it… and I also feel your love for me too. We are connected somehow, I don't understand how… the point is that I can't imagine my life without you… I don't want to spend a minute away from you anymore! I promise you that I will never disappoint you again, never! I want you to be happy, because then I'm happy too… your happiness is my happiness… how ironical is that!" said Alistair looking into her eyes.
Then, he took a small red wooden box out of his pocket, shaped like a rose; he opened it slowly. He gently picked up a simple golden ring, with a small emerald stone, out of the red rose-shaped box.
"I bought this ring almost seven years ago, right after our first night together… I wanted to give it to you then, but I was waiting for the perfect moment, I was such a fool! Then, Arl Eamon said that I should be king and he, somehow, convinced me… manipulated me to postpone my proposal to you. Then, he told me that a king needs to have an heir, it's his duty to the country, and that I should reconsider my decision regarding my proposal to you. I listened to him, I was weak, young and easy to manipulate! I know it wasn't entirely arl Eamon's fault, it was my fault too! I should have fought harder for our love! I should never given up on you! But I did and I'm so sorry! I've regretted it so much over the last seven years! I been so miserable when I had to marry someone that I did not love… just to do my kingly duty. I wanted to give you this ring, I know it's not a fancy expensive ring, it's just a simple golden ring. As a king, I could have bought you the most expensive and exquisite ring on Thedas, but I thought that this ring here has a more powerful value, a sentimental one. I want to make it up to you, I want you to take it, even if you won't marry me... please!" he said sadly, almost crying.
"I… I'm speechless… you bought me a ring? You know that I almost thought that you were going to propose to me after the Landsmeet! I'm… I'm in shock!" she said as she took the ring from his hand and studying it. The ring had the words 'I love you, Elissa. Always.' carved on it.
"I'm so sorry for hurting you so badly back then, after the Landsmeet… I was miserable too… and, probably, I was also feeling your sadness too, but I didn't realize it then… now I'm sure of it!" he said sadly.
"I do," she said after a few moments of staring at the ring.
"Pardon?" he said surprised, like he had just waken up from a dream.
"I'll marry you!" she said, smiling beautifully to him.
"Really? Wow!" , he said surprised,"Really?", he said again, his face lighting up with joy, "Oh, Maker! Thank you, Maker! I'm the luckiest man on Thedas!" he said enthusiastically.
And then he slowly got up and put the ring on her finger. He embraced her, kissed her gently, holding her close to him. They stood there for a few minutes, just kissing and holding each other close, sensing their mutual love, not saying anything... because words were just useless at that precious moment.
"I guess there is one more obstacle to overcome now: I need to ask your brother for your hand", said Alistair after a passionate kiss.
"That would be… quite interesting… and dangerous," said Elissa, smiling beautifully at him.
"I guess it will be… but I'm confident in my new persuading abilities," he said smiling back.
"Things could go ugly. He might even punch you!" said Elissa getting a bit serious.
"I guess I deserve a punch or maybe two… but I think I'll survive… I hope!" said Alistair smiling.
"Just promise me you won't execute him!" she said very seriously.
"I promise! I'll take my punishment like a man, now let's go! We're leaving right now. I've already made all the preparations." he answered in a very determinate voice.
"Really? Wow, you've really changed!" she said surprised.
"Yeah, I hope you like the new 'me'!" he said smiling.
"Hey, just don't change too much! I like the old you a lot!" she said smiling back.
"Really? How much? Can you describe it?" then he started to laugh."Oh… never mind, don't try to describe it, words are useless… I already feel it!" and then he kissed her again.
"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"
Fergus was walking nervously through the Highever's crowed market. It was a market day and the place was in a big bustle. He got closer to a flower merchant and searched quickly for what he was looking for.
"I want to buy all your Andraste's Grace!" said the noble in a very determinate voice.
"Of course, my lord," said the merchant and gently gave the noble a basket full of fresh flowers.
Fergus took the basket, then payed the merchant and quickly walked back to the Highever castle. He found Leliana in the castle's yard, playing with his mabari hound. He tried to sneak behind her back, but he failed, as she had already spotted him. She was a rogue, after all. He tried to hide the basket behind his back, hoping she wouldn't notice it.
"What are you trying to hide behind your back, Fergus?" said Leliana smiling, not even turning to look at him. She already knew what he was hiding.
"Just a basket… look Leliana, can we have a word in private?" he asked nervously.
"Sure, Fergus. Your dog is so cute! And so playful!" she said smiling.
Then Fergus led Leliana into a small garden and they both set down on a bench.
"I wanted to tell you something… we've become such good friends, over the last nine months, and I wanted to give you a gift. Elissa told me that you like Andraste's Grace, so I've bought you a basket full of fresh flowers!" he said blushing, feeling that he was getting soft, too soft for his strong character.
"Ooh, how dear of you! Thank you so much!" said Leliana smelling the fresh flowers.
"I've been thinking… I've started to care about you, Leli, very very much!" he said smiling.
Leliana smiled beautifully. "I care about you too, Fergus. A lot!" she said smiling back.
And then he didn't wait much, he slowly bended to her mouth and kissed her gently and she kissed him back. And they sat there on that bench talking and kissing for a few hours, then they got inside the castle and spent the evening together.
"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"
Alistair and Elissa arrived at Highever early in the morning, followed only by a group of royal guards, as Ela and Duncan had remained in Denerim. Fergus was already expecting them in the castle's yard, as they had sent word of their arrival, one day ago.
Elissa looked at Fergus and noticed that he seemed very happy and in a good mood. She got closer to Alistair and whispered into his ear. "He seems in a good mood. That's a good start!"
Alistair nodded, then swallowed hard, while he was thinking about the following confrontation with Elissa's brother. He remembered their conversation almost six and a half years ago.
"So, what's the purpose of this unexpected visit, your Majesty?" asked Fergus directly, in a harsh tone.
"We need to talk to you, Fergus. Let's go inside," answered Elissa.
Fergus looked suspiciously at Alistair and Elissa and immediately noticed how genuinely happy they both looked. He tried to imagine what had happened… he immediately had a hunch about it.
They all got inside the castle and entered the castle's big dinning room.
"We're getting married, Fergus!" said Elissa as soon as they all sat at a table.
Fergus raised an eyebrow. He stared at Alistair, awaiting for him to say something.
"I've come here to ask for your sister's hand, Fergus," said Alistair in a very determinate voice.
Fergus looked at Elissa. "I would like to have a word in private with Alistair." said Fergus in a very harsh tone.
"No! Fergus, I already accepted! I'll marry him, Fergus. We love each other." stated Elissa.
"Just let us talk for a few moments," said Fergus again in a very harsh tone.
"It's alright, Elissa. Let us talk!" said Alistair to Elissa.
"Just promise me you won't hurt each other!" said Elissa.
"I cannot make you that promise." said Fergus in a very harsh tone.
"Then I won't go!" yelled Elissa.
"I promise I won't kill him, that's the best you can get from me, Elissa." said Fergus.
Elissa looked angrily at her brother, then got closer to Alistair and whispered in his ear. "If he attacks you, defend yourself and strike back!"
Alistair smiled and whispered back. "Don't worry, love! I'll be fine!"
Fergus led Elissa out of the dinning room, then he locked the door from inside; he and Alistair remained alone in the room.
"So, Alistair, you want to marry my little sister?" said Fergus shooting fire with his eyes at Alistair.
"Yes, Fergus. I love her." said Alistair calmly.
"Really? Are you sure you really love her this time? I remember that she told me how you said you loved her, almost seven years ago… then, suddenly, you broke her heart and got rid of her like a whore!" yelled Fergus getting angry.
"I was a fool!" said Alistair, sadly.
"Yes, probably. The question is how do I know you won't break her heart again, Alistair?" said Fergus in a very harsh tone.
"I would never hurt her again. I want her to be happy." said Alistair.
"I wish I could believe you, Alistair." said Fergus.
"I promise you, Fergus. I won't break her heart again." said Alistair in a very determinate voice.
"That's not good enough!" said Fergus.
"Then what do you want me to do to prove you that I have good intentions?" asked Alistair.
"Tell me Alistair, would you fight for her happiness?" said Fergus, raising an eyebrow.
"The Maker Himself!" yelled Alistair.
"Good! Then fight me first!" said Fergus, while he was taking two swords and two shields down from a wall nearby.
He gave Alistair a sword and a shield. "Prepare yourself!" said Fergus.
"I don't want to hurt you, Fergus." said Alistair.
"Too bad, because I'm going to hurt you!" yelled Fergus, while he was charging Alistair with all his power.
Alistair immediately defended himself with his shield from Fergus's powerful strike.
"You took her virginity, then got rid of her like a whore! She deserves better!" yelled Fergus striking again, with more power this time.
"I wanted to marry her, back then. I even got her a ring!" yelled Alistair, defending himself.
"And why didn't you? Oh, let me guess, she couldn't give you an heir! Such a weak reason!" yelled Fergus, preparing for another charge.
"I was a fool! I thought we couldn't have children together!" said Alistair, preparing to defend himself for another possible attack.
"You were a fool indeed. How did you know she wasn't already pregnant back then, when you broke up with her?" said Fergus striking again.
"I… I didn't know… you're right. She might have been!" he said sadly, sighing deeply.
Fergus took advantage of this distraction and pushed Alistair over a chair. The chair broke into pieces and Alistair fell on the ground.
"You should have fought harder for her!" yelled Fergus, waiting for Alistair to get up.
Alistair got up slowly from the ground. "I was so sure that Grey Warden could not have children with each other!"
"Well, you were wrong about that! You're such a coward!" yelled Fergus, charging again.
Alistair turned all red with anger. "I've changed!" yelled Alistair defending himself from Fergus's strike.
"Really?" yelled Fergus, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes! I'm not weak anymore!" yelled Alistair, charging Fergus with all his power.
Fergus hardly managed to defend himself from Alistair's strike and he immediately fell on the ground.
"I've changed and I know I did wrong, I want to make things right, Fergus. I love her and this time I won't let anything or anybody stand in my way! I want to fix things, I want to marry her!" yelled Alistair, waiting for Fergus to get up.
"And how do I know you won't cheat on her with the first young servant you'll find available, Alistair? Your brother and your father had colorful… reputations!" said Fergus.
Alistair gathered all his power and hit Fergus hard with his shield. "I'm not my father, or my brother! I would never cheat on her! I love her with all my heart!" yelled the king.
Fergus fell on the floor and Alistair immediately placed his sword on his chest."We love each other, Fergus! We're going to marry with of without your blessing! Surrender, Fergus!"
Fergus smirked. "I see that you've really changed! Good! And you passed my little test too!"
Alistair raised an eyebrow, then removed his sword from Fergus's chest and helped him get up.
As soon as Fergus was up on his feet again, he smiled to Alistair. "You have my blessing, Alistair."
And when Elissa and Leliana finally managed to enter the dining room - after Leliana had successful lock picked the door - they found all the furniture in the room destroyed, but the two men were shaking hands and smiling at each other like they were two old friends.
"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"