Elissa had never been prouder of Aedan.

The moment they'd returned to Redcliffe, all three treaties acquired, he set to making himself presentable. He had always been the one to embrace their nobility. He was always the face of their family, and oh, did he look like it in Grey Warden armor.

His hadn't needed adjustments like hers had. It fit him like glue. It looked just as good on him, if not better, than it did on Alistair. It was good to see him outfitted with real armor, and not the shit they'd fled Highever in. It was good knowing he was really protected by what he wore, and not at constant risk of being chopped in half.

Before they left, he made a point to actually spend time with her. It would be good for both of them, something she was looking forward to. It was comforting seeing him taking an active interest in grooming himself in a way he hadn't seemed to care for since the Blight began. Most days he'd acquired a beard, one that was shaven only every month or so, and his hair was even less cared for. Watching Leliana cut it all off was strangely fascinating.

After it was back to its normal length, Aedan styled it the way he always had—similar to Alistair's, just shorter. He looked so proud, so strong. Seeing him like that again... Elissa hadn't known what to say. He looked like Aedan again.

She hadn't seen him like that in so long. He looked just like their father. He was even wearing the amulet he'd been given by the ghost at the temple. It sat right in front, hanging just high enough to remain above his chestplate.

Everything they'd been through, every step they made up to this point, was all because of him. He made sure to talk to every member of their party, even Oghren, who'd decided to join them after Branka's passing. He was the glue that kept them together. She'd even spotted him buying a sword as they'd left Orzammar, one Sten now proudly sported on his back. Whatever he'd gotten up to when they were in Denerim, it had been for Zevran. As soon as they got back to the city, he was going to settle both Alistair's and Leliana's personal issues.

He cared about all of them—if they allowed him. He was such a good man and she couldn't be more impressed with him if she tried.

Elissa didn't know how he did it. She could barely put up with Alistair, and that wasn't even anything against him. She just didn't like people, no matter how hard she tried. How Leliana had wiggled her way past that barrier Elissa would never understand.

But Aedan always made time for them. At camp, he was basically making rounds checking in on everyone after supper. He rarely checked on her, personally, and she was okay with it. Even if she wished he would, she understood. He was exhausted and those few minutes he didn't spend with her could be spent resting.

If that was a sacrifice she had to make, it was worth it. He gave so much for them and no one gave anything back. If this was all that could be given, Elissa would give it without hesitation. She would give so much more if only she knew how.

If anyone deserved it, Aedan did.

When she first set eyes on him, she could've cried. He looked as he had before the Blight. Clean shaven, hair only slightly tousled in such a way it was clearly intentional, and such a light in his eyes it was clear why he was the favorite son.

He grinned. "Looks good, right?" When she nodded, Aedan added, "I forgot how nice it felt to be well-kept."

Elissa choked on a laugh. "You pull off the roguishly handsome look pretty well, in your defense."

"I don't think that's for me," he admitted. "It's a wonder what a good haircut will do for your mood."

Aedan wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and Elissa understood immediately. Shaking her head, Elissa replied, "No, I look better with long hair."

"Still as much of a boring ass as usual, I see." He gestured for her to follow, and she did, falling in beside him. It was strange to walk alongside him instead of behind and at an angle. It wasn't bad. She liked it. She missed being able to just...be siblings. "We haven't really talked much since...well..."

"I honestly can't remember," Elissa admitted.

"Me either."

The walls here felt empty. So many of Eamon's knights, what remained of them, would be accompanying them to Redcliffe, and many had already departed. The Landsmeet had been called—many lords were at Denerim, impatiently awaiting their arrival, and it wouldn't do to not even make some attempt at...whatever word it was he used earlier. Elissa didn't really care what the nobility thought of them, regardless of whether or not she understood why they were important to their cause.

"How're you holding up?" she asked.

He nodded once, sighing. "Eamon does not want to agree to our plan."

She snorted. "Is that all you think about?"

"Well...lately, yes," Aedan said with a shrug. "It's eating away at me."

"What are you afraid of?"

He swallowed deeply, looking away. "I don't know. It feels...wrong. I shouldn't be pushing for this. Anora should be cast aside and I should return to Highever, with Alistair as king. I haven't been raised for any of that and I've never even thought about it."

"Alistair has even less preparation than you do, in that case," Elissa explained. She was growing exasperated with this topic already. If Aedan was that uncomfortable, he should just give into Eamon's wishes, but the fact that he hadn't done so was evidence enough to see he understood her and Alistair's side. As long as she didn't back down, he likely wouldn't, either. "You'll be fine."

"It's terrifying, Elissa," Aedan said. "We're trying to shift the power balance here in a way that has never been tried before. Doesn't that bother you?"

She frowned. "You mean because a different family would take the throne?"

"It's never happened before. Not in Ferelden. What if the banns rebel like they did against Orlais?"

"I highly doubt that'll happen," Elissa said. "You're a popular face. Defeat the Blight, and you'll have people practically kissing the ground you walk on."

Aedan just sighed again, eyes looking desperately around in search of a subject change. Nothing Elissa had said ever comforted him here, and she wasn't surprised. Part of her knew why—he was raised to believe in his king, and in turn, Alistair. It was why he supported Prince Bhelen at Orzammar and it was why this decision was eating him up inside.

That, and she figured he probably was just terrified. Elissa couldn't imagine ruling a teyrnir. A country would be another matter altogether. She was just glad this wasn't something that had to weigh on her shoulders.

Growing up, Elissa had always envied Aedan. In some ways, she'd wished she could be Aedan, but as an adult, Elissa was quickly realizing how decent of a position she was in. She was a Grey Warden, and while that was looking like it wouldn't end up mattering, being a mage would effectively keep her from any status of import for the rest of her life. Templars couldn't touch her, no matter how hard they'd try.

But Aedan? He was just...Aedan, like Alistair was just Alistair, and with the country scrambling for some iota of leadership, eyes would turn to the two of them.

Maybe being a mage wasn't so bad. Maybe being a Grey Warden wasn't, either. The former would keep her away from people, and the latter would keep the people who wanted to imprison her away too. She might actually be able to live her own life when the Blight was over.

Then she remembered she didn't know how to do that and would probably end up following Aedan around like a kicked puppy, so she was back to square one.

"What do you want to do when this is all over with?"

Elissa frowned at the question. "What do you mean?"

Aedan shrugged. "You know. If you could do anything in the world right now, what would it be?"

Her frown deepened as she thought. Elissa hadn't really thought about anything of the sort in...ever, had she? She didn't think very far ahead. She hadn't really ever actually considered they would get this far, let alone actually see the Blight end. Sure, Elissa thought about it often, but she never really expected it to go away. This was just the way life was now.

"You first," Elissa said.

"Hmm," he said, folding his arms behind his back. "I think I'd like to return to Highever."

"Oh?"

Aedan nodded. "I want to give our parents a proper burial. And Fergus and his family, of course, but..." He inhaled deeply, not quite sighing. "For some reason, I don't think Howe gave them that much."

Elissa snorted at the dark humor.

"And then after that... I don't know," he admitted. "If Anora agrees to this stupid idea, I imagine she'll want to get it over with as soon as possible. I know I'd want to. If that's what happens, then... I dunno. I guess I'll stay in Denerim."

"No more adventures for Aedan Cousland?" Elissa asked dramatically.

"No, I've had enough adventures to last me a lifetime," Aedan said, laughing. She returned his grin, but didn't press the matter further. He didn't seem like he wanted to think about it, either, and asked only out of politeness. "Your turn."

"I'd like to sail, I think," Elissa answered. "I'd probably be bad at it, but I'd like to try."

He looked at her quizzically. "You? Sailing?"

"I like the water," she deadpanned. "Yes, Aedan. I'd like to go somewhere."

"Somewhere...not in Ferelden?"

She shrugged. "Maybe. There's not much here for me, anyway, aside from you."

"You could rebuild the Wardens," he suggested.

"Pfft, that seems more up Alistair's alley than my own," Elissa replied. "I don't care about the Wardens. All they're good for is keeping the templars off my back."

"Would you want to learn more about magic?"

"We've both seen those results."

He frowned. "You're right. That's disastrous." Elissa scoffed indignantly and he chuckled. "This just isn't a good place or time to be practicing those kinds of things."

"Agreed."

They fell quiet again, the only sounds permeating the silence was that of their armor rustling and jingling. It suited him so well. He looked so...heroic, and Elissa just looked like some dunce unlucky enough to be put alongside him.

But somehow they were both Grey Wardens, so who was really the unlucky one?

Eventually, the pair made their way out to the courtyard. Alistair was there, beating the stuffing out of a training dummy. He was the only other person outside. It was odd—the last time Elissa was here, people were running around like crazy. Now they were all gone, headed to Denerim. Only a small force remained, and after they left in the morning, the force here would be even smaller.

Elissa wondered if Eamon was comfortable leaving his home so unguarded with darkspawn popping up everywhere. She wondered how long it took him to decide he didn't have a choice.