Author's Note: Hello world! Sorry it's been a while, I've had to deal with reality. *Shudder* Anywho, I just thought y'all should know that this story has been consuming my thoughts. Really, I'll be sitting in class and poof! Thinking about Aedan and Bell. I have to apologize right now, though. I feel as though Aedan changes personalities every chapter. I don't mean to do that, but I guess that I haven't figured him out yet. And Bell is constantly moping. Sorry that my characters have no depth; I'm still learning. And now after this incredibly long "author's note" (more like a rant of some sorts) I'll leave you to the story. Enjoy!
Bell walked back to camp through the early morning fog.
She could never get over the ethereal beauty that fog could bring. When she was young, before the Order, she would wake up early for the sole purpose of seeing the tendrils of fog wisp across the ground.
She was brought out of her thoughts when she entered camp.
"Bell," whispered Aedan.
He was standing there, disheveled and sleep-deprived, waiting for her.
She walked towards him guiltily, like a teenager who had stayed out too late the night before.
Instead of the lecture she expected, she was pulled into an embrace.
"Please tell me you found your answer, Bell. I can't stand to just stand here and watch you fall apart. You've just been…so distant. I just want you to be okay."
Bell stopped the tears that were forming in her eyes. She would not cry. Not in front of Aedan.
Bell nodded as she pulled back from the embrace.
"I think I did find my answer," replied Bell.
Aedan sighed.
"Thank the Maker. Do you need a moment to clear your head?" he asked.
Bell's heart nearly broke.
He was taking it slow. He genuinely cared.
Bell felt even more guilt weigh on her heart. How did she just leave him?
"Yes, please," she nodded.
Aedan kissed the top of her head then left her, walking over to tend to the small fire.
Bell shed silent tears.
She had been a jerk, an idiot, a complete failure of a person.
But Bell quickly toughened up. Crying was a sign of weakness, and she didn't deserve the self-pity that came with it.
After a minute or two, the redness receded from her face and any traces of tears were gone.
Bell walked over to the still disheveled Aedan and cleared her throat.
"I'm sorry. For everything," she said, her eyes on the ground and her fingers subconsciously fiddling with her dress.
She didn't see Aedan's smile.
"You don't need to apologize, Bell. We all have our moments."
Bell looked up.
"Then when are yours?"
Aedan smile faltered a bit as he thought.
He shook his head when he didn't reach an answer.
"It doesn't matter, Bell. All I care about is the fact that you are back."
Bell smiled, though the guilt still haunted her.
"Thank you, Aedan."
Bell turned to walk off to fix breakfast.
"And Bell?" called Aedan.
Bell turned around.
"Next time, don't tell Alistair you're leaving. He couldn't keep a secret if his life depended on it."
Bell smiled and rolled her eyes.
Leave it to Aedan to brighten the mood.
"Bell! You look well today. Are you feeling better?" asked Leliana as they continued toward Redcliffe.
"Much," replied Bell, smiling at the red-head.
"Good. We were a bit worried for you."
"I thought my tonic might have done something," admitted Wynne.
"No! Maker's Breath, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to get all…whatever I was. Please forgive me."
The group laughed.
"Of course you are forgiven! There is nothing to be sorry for," said Leliana.
Bell smiled as she felt a bit of her old self return.
The group stopped for lunch and Aedan stood to make an announcement.
"Alright. We should be arriving at Redcliffe tomorrow. If there are any last minute things that you want to wrap up before we get there, please let me know."
The group nodded and returned to their lunch.
Aedan sat next to Bell.
"I don't know if you realize this, but the morale has gone up since you got out of your fog. I'm not saying that reflecting is wrong; please don't take it that way. I just thought you should know that the group really cares about you."
"Except for Morrigan."
Aedan laughed.
"You can't please her. I think she just hates happiness."
Bell smiled.
"Thank you, Aedan."
Aedan smiled, but raised an eyebrow.
"What for?"
"Everything. Taking on the Blight is no small task and having a mopey companion can be quite the burden. Thank you for being patient with me. I don't plan on making this any harder for you."
Aedan smiled.
"Bell, Bell, Bell. What am I going to do with you?"
Bell rolled her eyes, but allowed herself a small smile.
Aedan continued.
"I should be thanking you. Without you, I wouldn't have made it this far."
Bell blushed.
"Thank you. I am honored that you would say such a thing, even if it is a lie."
Aedan seemed mildly surprised and a tad offended.
"You could've done this without me and you know it. You're a strong and driven individual, Aedan. Trust me when I say that I know you could do this, even if you would stumble over a few treaties and parlays here and there."
Aedan smiled and the two turned when they heard someone clear their throat.
"Shouldn't we be moving?" asked Morrigan.
Aedan's smiled fell a bit.
"Of course," he said to Morrigan.
"And we'll continue this tonight," he said to Bell.
Bell smiled.
Indeed they would.
Aedan was true to his word, and that night he was sitting by the fire waiting for Bell.
"Hello," said Bell as she sat down next to Aedan.
"Hello," replied Aedan.
The two sat in silence for a moment before Bell spoke up.
"Aedan?"
"Yes?"
"Do you ever miss your parents?" she whispered.
Aedan looked down at the girl.
"Of course. They raised me after all."
She nodded.
"Why?" asked Aedan.
She shook her head.
"I don't know. I thought about my family yesterday. It had been a while, but I thought about them. I haven't seen them in over three years. When I left, the little ones were only eight and ten. Who knows what they are doing now.
"And then I think about how you're family…well…"
"Was murdered. It's okay. I've accepted that fact."
Bell nodded.
"How you don't have a family," she continued. "It just makes me feel…I don't know, like a horrible person. Here you are without a family and here I am leaving mine. It just doesn't seem right."
Aedan took Bell's hand and began stroking it.
"Sometimes, nothing seems right, but that's the way it is. You just have to learn to accept that."
"I know. But it doesn't change the fact that it's still wrong. Why do people do things like that?"
Aedan gave her hand a squeeze.
"I don't know, Bell. But, please, let's not talk about this."
"Of course," said Bell, yawning.
"Aedan?" she asked as she rested her head against his shoulder.
"Yes, Bell?"
"Do you think that we will ever defeat this Blight?"
"Of course, Bell. Now hush. You need sleep. Go on."
Bell shook her head.
"No. I'm staying with you. Isn't that what I'm supposed to do in this relationship thing?"
Aedan chuckled.
"Yes, Bell, but it's not a rule you have to follow."
Bell blushed.
"But I want to follow it," she said quietly.
Aedan's heart leapt with joy, and surprisingly, there was no push to go further. No ache in his chest for something more primal. He found he rather liked the slow pace they established, because it gave him time to figure out the depth of this relationship. They were so much more than the superficial "girlfriend-boyfriend" titles. Both people needed each other in their own way and time had brought them closer together. It was a surprise for him though when he realized just how much this maiden had influenced him.
She brought out a different side to him, an unstable and caring one. She knew the Cousland that resided in him and knew this childish side that could show itself, but she wanted to stay with him, despite the things that he had told himself when she was away.
He had convinced himself that he wasn't good enough for her and here she was practically clinging to him.
"Aedan?" she asked when he didn't respond for a while.
"I'm here, Bell."
She sighed and it was then that Aedan realized that she was sleeping.
He felt a deep rush of bliss when he realized that she was softly saying his name in her sleep.
He wrapped a blanket around her and leaned his head against hers.
"I'm here, Bell," he said as he stroked her hand. "And I'm not leaving."
Author's Note: Ah, the cheesy ending. Sorry about that, I just had to. Anyways, here it is, another random chapter. The next chapter should be actual plot though, so just hold out a little bit longer. Thank you for sticking around, and if you have any advice for my character issues, please send it my way. Peace out, girl scout. (Wow that is so lame...)
I knew I was forgetting something. Shout-out to Judy! Thank you for sticking with the story for so long. Really, it means a lot. I hope you're doing well and all that since I haven't written you a "proper letter" in quite some time. I'm really sorry about that, I just get easily distracted and forget what I'm doing. Anyways, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to you and wish you the best of luck with whatever you need it for. Have a great day!