Highever
Elissa's Room
A few days passed, or so she was told. There was simply no way to get a sense of time, between all of the rest and healing, and everything they wanted to shove down her throat to consume.
Healing tonics, food, water.
One of the first things she did remember from her drift of consciousness back to the dreamland of the Fade, was Morrigan whispering something to her parents as she lay on the bed.
Her mother pulled away the blanket, and lifted the stained clothing on the left side of her stomach.
Eleanor's face lit up with genuine, motherly fear.
The rest was hard for Elissa to remember, only that either her mother or father, or Fergus, insisted on staying with her from then on, and they were all smothering her with attention.
Of course, the worst offender stood over them all.
Once she started feeling better, Tristan wouldn't stop whining and kissing her face.
It was sweet, of course, but enough was enough.
"Alright, alright, I get it! I love you too!"
She gently, but firmly, pushed him off of her, and then scratched his ear from the side of the bed.
But he wasn't content.
"No…" Elissa tilted her head "Don't you dare-"
Tristan leapt up on top of the bed and continued his assault on his giggling mistress.
"Tristan, stop! I can't bloody well present myself if I look like a chew toy that was left in the kennel!"
It took longer than expected to put on a fresh outfit and tend to herself. Many were already fussing over her, including some of her servants.
The ones that survived, that is, she reminded herself.
And everyone was trying to ask her questions!
"Is it true that King Cailan died fighting the Archdemon?"
"I heard Rendon Howe is going to try to remarry and become King of Ferelden."
"Did you really set the Arl of Denerim's on fire and escape with the help of a magical bird? Are you a mage?"
It was ironic the last statement was actually the closest to the truth.
Many people, including her own family, wanted answers. And that was only fair.
But there was only one thing on her mind right now, besides a long sleep and a large bottle of Chasind Sack Mead.
Highever Castle
Outside the Castle Walls, by a tree
During the initial attack on her home, because she had alerted the captain of the guard on time, they were able to push out the traitors, but not without casualties.
Three came to mind.
Mother Mallol.
Elissa never considered herself very religious. Yet still, Elissa would visit her to confess, and the holy mother never judged her. Instead, she was kind and patient. If righteousness existed, it didn't exist in dogmatic templars who slew mage children for sport. It resided in people like Mallol.
Sage Aldous.
Elissa smirked. Aldous could be a rude, snide old man, but he was sharp, and gifted. Perhaps he pushed her so hard because he didn't like to see potential wasted. In his own way, perhaps he cared about her. Cared enough at least in that he was showing interest in her development as a leader of Ferelden.
Were his efforts wasted on her in the end?
And then there was Nan.
The Cousland daughter didn't like how she treated the elven servants, and made that opinion plain. Yet there was goodness in her. Yes, the stories about the arrogant mabari were a bit cheesy, but that didn't mean they were wrong. Nan wanted Elissa to be a good woman.
Ser Gilmore had told her that they had just enough time to set up a pyre for the fallen in the first attack, before reinforcements came from the east. The pyre was set underneath a great tree in the west.
Elissa knelt before the massive wooden frame. The bodies were long since ash, the wood black and brittle.
She held out a hand to it, grasping it lightly.
"I'm sorry I couldn't save you all. I tried."
Elissa contemplated the ashes before her. All of this, because of one man's insatiable greed.
Their laughter, their joy, their hope, everything they were, snuffed away in the face of so much mindless, ruthless ambition.
One man….for all of this.
"I swear to you," Elissa's voice was solemn, and tinged with anger "I will never forget. I will keep your memory alive."
Her hand turned into a fist on the wood, thinking of Duncan and Cailan.
"Now. And always."
Elissa spent some time in silence, observing the soot and remains of her former friends and mentors.
It was only when Ser Gilmore and Alistair were sent to retrieve her, that she rose from her place and bid them all a farewell.
"Goodbye for now. I'll see you all again."
"Elissa."
Elissa turned to Alistair, who was on the verge of tears.
She nearly tackled him in a hug, and he embraced her as fiercely as he could.
Gilmore could hardly believe this man was wearing Cailan's armor, and none questioned it!
His thoughts were interrupted when he was subsequently accosted by his Lady, who was glad he had survived.
She pulled back, wiping away tears, with a bittersweet smile. "Here we are. Three survivors. Highever. Then Ostagar."
"I…I heard about Duncan and Cailan, and what you did." Alistair nodded to her solemnly "Thank you for trying."
Her shoulders slouched, and her voice broke a little "I'm sorry it wasn't enough."
"You did what you could." Gilmore assured her. "Because of you, the Teyrn survived. And don't think for a moment the men have forgotten what you did for them at Ostagar. Many would never have returned if you hadn't suggested the change to the battle plans."
"I am proud of that." she admitted, "But it was still too little, too late. The King is dead. Duncan is dead. For all my efforts, I've failed to stop this civil war….this…madness."
"That's not on you." Alistair crossed his arms "Nobles like Loghain and Howe don't need much excuses to do what they please, no matter if it hurts everyone else."
"Elissa," Gilmore's curiosity finally overtook him "I've a great deal of questions, if your Ladyship permits them."
"Not here."
Elissa started to march to the gates. "I'll explain everything at the formal audience today."
Sorry for the long delay! Finally taking a break from Elden Ring.
This is a short chapter, but there's more to come.
