"I wonder if in the middle of this plan of yours you had a little bit of true friendship for me," Kallian had said.
"People are dead and others are about to die and you are asking about those futile things, Warden?" Huna had answered sarcastically… It was perhaps the least important thing right now, but after what had happened with Morrigan, Kallian couldn't stop thinking that maybe it was something about her that attracted those women who saw nothing else but a dupe.
"I will simply say that my plan was supposed to end with the death of that woman's daughter and yet I am here standing with you…you can interpret this as it pleases you, warden," The young woman had said before giving her the red vial.
Kallian remembered those words as she walked through the dark hallways, following two guards to the palace's gaol…she was extirpated from her thoughts when a guard stopped before a cell and pointed to it with the lamp in his hand…Kallian rushed to glance through the metallic bars…Loghain was sitting on the floor, he didn't even raise his head to see who was standing before his cell.
"Open the door," Kallian hastened the guard.
She rushed inside followed by the other guard who put the clothes and armor he was carrying on the floor beside the prisoner.
"You will need this lamp the other guard said as he put it in front of the opened cell.
He still didn't raise his head even after he heard her voice…he didn't move at all…no reactions.
Kallian kneeled beside him and put a trembling hand on his shoulder…did she came too late?
Kallian's hand slid carefully up his shoulder to his neck then cheek, his skin was warm enough to indicate that he was still breathing. Kallian pressed her mouth against his rough unshaven cheek...This man deserved to feel this pain he had served to many people, it was undeniable, but to see Loghain like this...it was a sad and overwhelming vision to witness a strong man broken like this...
"Loghain," she had whispered near his ear, "it is me,"
The man finally raised his head and looked at her…even with the feeble light she could see the dark rings under his eyes…his eyes…were hollow, empty of all emotions.
Kallian swallowed painfully…she had to get hold of herself, this was not the place for a meltdown.
"Put on your clothes and armor, it is time to go," Kallian said with a voice she had wanted to sound more strong than emotional.
Oddly the man in front of her didn't seem surprised, he just nodded and stood up.
He uttered no words as she helped him to dress and put his armor on.
They both followed the two guards out and when they crossed the back door of the palace, one of the guards outside handed Kallian her twin daggers and handed Loghain his sword and shield saying,
"Your horses are waiting for you, Warden."
Kallian looked at Loghain, he was frowning, looking at the sword in his hand in disbelief…She thanked the guards and said "let's go," gently touching Loghain's arm.
He sheathed his sword and followed her.
When they were far enough from the guards, Loghain finally spoke,
"What have you done?"
Kallian blinked, the question itself frightened her…was he suspecting her for what happened to his daughter?
"I thought I was going to walk to my execution, what have you done to have me released?" He repeated.
"I convinced Alistair…" Kallian lied and quickly added, "You are a free man Loghain, but we have to leave Ferelden,"
"Exiled?" Loghain whispered.
"Yes," Kallian muttered… 'Who told you that the old man would prefer a life of exile with you rather than to die in his country?' Huna had warned her…was she right?
Loghain stared at Kallian for several seconds, his face unreadable.
"You shouldn't have done this, elf," He finally said.
"the elf would have never done it," Kallian's growled, "Being a warden, I had no choice in it, I was conscripted and couldn't refuse this for this reason I have always been reticent to die as a Warden…I refused to die honorably, but I had a choice at the landsmeet, and I escaped death by accepting to become your wife…I will honor the vows I made and…" her voice softened as she added "I promised you, I will always have your back,"
Loghain didn't speak, he kept staring at her…the elf was dumber than what he had thought…Even Celia who had been his wife for almost thirty years would have chosen Gwaren's Teyrnir over an exile with him… the elf was certainly about to become a rich widow and inherit all the gold and lands…yet, it seems that she had bargained all of it to save the life of an old broken man…she was an idiot and she, mostly, was all he had left.
Loghain suddenly bowed in front of her…Kallian, surprised, stared down and she saw his joined hands forming a stirrup.
"Hurry up and get on this horse's back," he said.
Kallian put her feet on the improvised stirrup and he lifted her. Once she was installed on the saddle, Loghain put each one of her feet in the stirrups and went to his horse.
Kallian smiled…maybe, he was glad to be alive and to have her by his side after all.
From afar, she saw Huna waving at her with a smile, praying that Kallian, the small elven Warden, would never regret her choice.
"Are you ready?" Loghain asked.
"I think I am," Kallian nodded with a smile.
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AN:This was the final chapter, so,I hope you enjoyed this story. thank you for the reviews and for your encouragement.