A/N: TMW you're looking through google docs to find your notes on plans for future chapters, and think you had completely forgotten to write down an awesome idea because you can't find it in your notes, so you do a character's name search and get that idea made real in a fully written out chapter 13 of Eliwood's story. Wow.

Review responses!

Guest: I could fricken kiss you; you gave me an amazing idea that lets me keep all that character development in and then some. Seriously, THANK YOU!

UT Midnight Sky: Just an epilogue to Lyn's story, no way in inferno, paradiso, or purgatorio am I stopping until I've written a narrative of the full game and then some.

Enriks: They will be merged. Some (by which I just mean at least one) of the Hector exclusive chapters wont be included but Farina and Karla will be included for sure, as will other Hector Exclusive things. Eliwood, however, will still be the emphasized character compared to Hector in terms of who is main protagonist, because really it is Eliwood's story.

JP I'm Italian: I've made a note to commit Seppuku later for my transgression. I apologize. Also, you were wondering how good you were at predicting things? Because f#ck I didn't expect someone right off the bat to ask if that tome is Apocalypse. Guess I'm not as clever as I thought. The tome is not Apocalypse, if for no other reason than holy frick that would make Varric a god among men if he learned how to properly use it, and as I've said before I have no intention of making him a major combatant. Your guesses are however pretty much as close as one could possibly be. Except for what you said about Chloe, SHE'S EAGLER'S DAUGHTER, REMEMBER? Wallace IS like an uncle to her though. And yes I shamelessly stole that bit from RNKR. I freaking loved that bit and felt it was a great way to set up some development for Wil later down the line.

Heavenschoir: If Rekka No Ken Retold isn't your number one then go read that so my story can become your third fav.

Ringlord7: I'm...uh….to put it lightly my grammar checking is what one would call "fucking abysmal". I DID grammar check this chapter, twice actually. like I said, f#cking abysmal… and don't worry about Varric. He's still weaker than every single person he's travelled with excluding Serra for obvious reasons (and including Nils, the kid who can dodge basically anything. Oh and the Serra thing is gonna change not too far from now). His training was to boost his ENDURANCE, not his strength. Compared to the like of Sain's strength of Kent's skill he doesn't hold a candle. Even though trained in thief style combat, it's basic training and he isn't remotely as quick or agile as a professional like Matthew. As you'll quickly learn in Eliwood's story, his tome isn't meant for offense, it's meant for utility. The last thing I want is for Varric to turn into a front line fighter; his magic use will mostly be for the sake of plot advancement, not combat. Heck, I haven't even finished giving him abilities (don't worry though, only one more and even then it's a new ability per se) You'll see…

And26169: My dad's a soccer coach and i learn Muay Thai from a professional, so knowing about exercise routines and the science of them kinda comes with the territory XD. As for the dye thing, I have a slight obsession with colors and their history. That's the simplest way to word it.

"Why are we coming all the way out here again?!" Varric complained as Matthew led him across increasingly rocky terrain. The two had already spent a week going over how to properly use a dagger before Matthew declared their basic lessons over, leaving Varric wondering what the next part of the regiment was.

"You said you wanted to learn how to fight with a dagger." Matthew responded. "You aren't gonna beat anyone with a sword or lance if you cant weave your way in close for a throat stab."

"Yeah, you said go for throat about a million times when showing me form. We need to be an hour's hike from Caelin because…?"

Matthew sighed. "Because the base of these cliffs is the rockiest area around. Like I Said when we left, we need to work on your coordination. Learn to move swiftly on rocky terrain like this and you'll be able to fight on even ground no problem."

Varric was grateful he wore ragged clothing for training; if he'd worn anything more it'd be ruined. His lower body was covered in cuts and bruises from countless trips and falls. He gripped his dagger, having been forced to learn to ignore the pain of gripping things with a sliced palm. "Let's keep going!"

Matthew twirled the hunk of blunt metal he'd been using in place of an actual blade. "Chloe really did up your endurance for this stuff. Still, you should use a bit of Vulnerary. We don't need all those small cuts to turn into nastier wounds. Besides…" he jerked a thumb to the sack he'd brought. "It's time for lunch!"

The two sat next to a fire, meat cooking over it. As Varric rubbed the medicine onto his wounds, he looked to Matthew. "Ya know, I just realized how screwed I would've been if I hadn't been dropped alongside someone like Lyn."

Matthew turned his head. "What do you mean by that?"

Varric stared into the fire. "Where I'm from is nothing like Elibe. Plenty of people don't spend much time in the wilderness at all. I was gonna say that it was impressive that someone who normally does work in cities is as good at survival skills as you are, but I guess it's actually pretty normal stuff in this world…"

Matthew nodded slowly. "Yep… to be honest, most if not all of us were wondering about where you're from even before you dropped that surprise on us. No one wants to be the one to actually ask about it though; it's been obvious from the start you'd rather be as vague as possible about your homeland."

Varric shuffled uncomfortably. "It's just-"

Matthew held up a hand. "You don't need to say anything about it. None of us hold it against you; you're open as can be about everything else-"

Both their heads snapped direction as they heard a rustle in the brush. Matthew reached around behind him. "Who's there?!"

To Matthew's surprise and Varric's barely hidden glee, a young man with green hair and nomadic clothes collapsed at their feet.

Varric was visibly cheery as the two returned to Castle Caelin.

Matthew let out a laugh. "I assume we're gonna run into him again somewhere down the line?"

Varric grinned. "You know it."

Matthew rubbed his stomach. "Seriously, though, let's get some food for ourselves. Can't believe that guy ate four portions worth…"

2 weeks later.

Lyn ran up to Florina in the hallway. "Florina, have you-"

"He's in the archive." Florina answered in advance.

Lyn sighed. "Of course…" she muttered.

At that Florina became slightly frantic. "W-well he needs to learn about this land if he wants to get by, so he's going to need to read up as much as he can!"

Lyn nodded. "I know, it's just… Even after Matthew finished with him, he just spends that much more time holed up reading and studying maps."

Florina immediately saw something was up. "Lyn, what're you worried over…?"

"...I don't think Varric is going to stay in Caelin much longer."

Varric became increasingly more excited as he double, triple, and quadruple checked his work, before doing a double fist pump. "FOUND YOU!" He yelled, and almost immediately, despite being alone, ducked down in embarrassment. "...this has to be where it's from, I finally have a location! It's always off the path between here and Rebecca's village, assuming Wil wasn't trying to throw me off or anything when I asked where his hometown is…

Varric sprinted through the castle and barracks, leaving notes in several rooms, before he finally reached the door to Lyn's chambers, holding one last note. He stood staring at the piece of paper in his hands, but as he reached towards the door it opened with Lyn standing there. "Uh… hi." Varric said redfaced.

Lyn laughed for a moment but her smile quickly became sorrowful. In that moment, Varric felt like he's been shot in the chest.

"Lyn, I…" he tried to start, but quickly faltered.

"...I'm not going to lie and say I'll be fine." Lyn began as she took Varric and sat him down.

Varric became alarmed. "Wh-what?! Why?!""

Lyn looked out. "I'm… I'm scared. I don't want it to happen again…"

"What are you talking about-" Varric started but quickly cut himself off. "She means her tribe...but what do I have to do with that?"

Lyn looked him in the face. "I don't know where I'd be if you hadn't come along; even if Lundgren wasn't involved, I might not be alive if not for you…"

Again, Varric felt like someone had put a bullet in his chest.

"You gave me hope, you guided me, you were there for me at all times...I never realized how reliant I was on your support." Before Varric could think of a response she went on. "I never noticed until after Lundgren's defeat; that was when you started acting out of your own interests instead of everyone else's, and I became more involved in this heiress business." Lyn got up and began pacing. "It's selfish of me, really. I'm upset because you're finally living for yourself; this is what I've been asking you to do since months ago…"

Immediately Varric got up and took her hand. His eyes were watering. "No, you're not selfish. You're the most selfless person I've ever know; everything you've ever done has been for the sake of others. Don't ever think it's selfish to want something yourself." His grip tightened and his eyes shut. "I'm the one who's selfish! Ever since the incident I stopped thinking about others, I only thought about my own affairs…" Tears began streaming down his face. "I don't want to say goodbye, but I also never even thought about how you all would feel… I'm so sorry." From there he broke down into sobs.

"I don't… I don't want you to leave…" Lyn managed before she embraced the tactician, crying softly as well.

The two sat, crying into one another in near silence. No more words needed to be said between the tactician and warrior.

As Varric approached the edge of Caelin, he looked back at the castle. "...I'm sorry, guys…"

"You should be!" A familiar pegasus knight scolded. Varric jumped and turned to see not just Lyn, but Florina, Wil, the two knights, Lucius, and even Chloe and Wallace as well.

Chloe scoffed. "No goodbyes save a scribbled note? I thought I trained you to be a bigger man than that!"

Varric looked to Lyn, who simply smiled. "What can I say? They insisted they come say goodbye."

Sain walked up and lightly punched Varric. "Honestly, can't believe you thought you could just slip away."

"I…" Varric murmured. Wallace began laughing.

"Greenhorn, saying goodbye is never easy, but not saying goodbye will haunt you forever!" His laugh subsided to a chuckle. "Besides, you seem pretty sure this isn't the last we'll see of each other." He added with a wink.

"Whatever's in store for us, we'll be ready." Lucius assured.

Kent walked over holding a bag. "Here, you'll want more provisions than what you took."

Varric flushed at his poor preparation and gratefully took the satchel. "Guys… thanks."

Sain smirked and shrugged. "Honestly, what will you even do without us?"

Lyn stepped forward. "I'm sorry for making things more difficult, Varric, I really am…"

Varric shook his head. "It was best for both of us." He reached into his bag. "Um...could you close your eyes?"

Lyn blinked. "Sure…?"

Varric took something from his bag and placed it around Lyn's neck. She opened her eyes to see a familiar glow around her neck.

Florina smiled. "That's beautiful…"

Lucius nodded. "A very resourceful use of those shards."

Lyn examined the necklace. It was composed entirely of dulled cobalt shards strung together with the exception of one brightly glowing one. "Varric… it's perfect." She said smiling wide.

Varric scratched the back of his head, face flushed red. "After you went to all that trouble with the yes, I couldn't just-" he was interrupted by an embrace from Lyn.

"Don't ever hesitate to call this place home."

Varric slowly came to his senses and returned the embrace. He spoke quietly. "There's so much I want to tell you...so much I can't tell you…"

"I understand, Varric…"

Varric broke away just far enough to look her in the eyes. "Just know: when things seem darkest, I'll be there with help. I swear by it on my status as "Master Tactician.""

Lyn took it in and smiled warmly. "...and I'll never give up. I swear on it by my title of "Peerless Warrior.""

The two stayed there in each other's arms for several moments before the first rays of the sun shone on them.

"...I have to go." Varric said mournfully.

Lyn broke away. "I don't know what your goals are now...but I have no doubt you'll succeed."

Varric looked back at the waving group. "I swear, come a year's time, I'll be back for all of you." He put his hood over his head and waved back before turning and heading towards the mountains. "Next stop: Bramimond's Shrine…"

A/N: IT'S FINALLY DONE. THANK FRICKING NAGA IT'S DONE. I mean yeah there's the rest of the game but I ACTUALLY FINISHED LYN'S STORY, i never thought in a million years I'd actually get this far and I actually feel like crying tears of joy holy crap this is amazing.

Please please PLEASE review, not just this chapter but a review of the whole story up until now as well if possible; lemme know what my biggest strengths and weaknesses are - I beg of you.