It was early evening when Eostre finally awoke, the sun had begun to set, casting beautiful rose-coloured rays of light across the sky. Stretching, she arose from her bed and changed into a clean set of clothes. The bath was still sitting by the fire, the water now cold.
She glided across the floor to the balcony, looking out over Skyhold. She could see the guards patrolling the battlements, soldiers training in the yard and the many ravens returning to the rookery. Of these ravens, one seemed oddly out of place.
It was smaller compared to the others, with a minor deformity in one of its wings. Originally, it was flying to the rookery, following behind a well-fed, well-groomed raven, but it seemed that Eostre's present on the balcony distracted it.
In a few seconds, it diverted its course, flapping its wings with much enthusiasm, trying its best to climb to the height to reach the balcony. Eostre couldn't help but notice that this raven was familiar somehow, but how, she couldn't say.
A small gust of wind blew, almost taking the raven out of the sky. Eostre held her breath, hope in her heart that this small, determined raven would make it to her balcony. And, landing with a little thud, the raven started to squawk happily, hopping up and down, pleased that it had reached its destination but, more importantly, that it saw Eostre again.
Eostre noticed the familiar crest that hung around its neck. On further inspection, she noticed a small E by the Horse Head. This was her own version of the Trevelyan family crest, a symbol she had been obligated to abandon.
She took off the small note that was secured to one of the raven's legs and uncoiled it, revealing the immaculate cursive writing of her Great Aunt Lucille.
My Most Treasured,
A gift for you on the announcement of your courtship to the Commander.
You were always fond of this little raven; you saved his life after all. Do you happen to remember his name?
Great Aunt.
Instantly, Eostre was transported back to when she was a little girl of just 10 years old, in the Pavilion with her Great Aunt, observing with great interest as the eggs began to hatch. Of all the eggs, one was having difficulty.
"This one is a bust, deposit of it will you?" Lucille nonchalantly remarked to her attendant only to hear the scream of her sweet Eostre, who grabbed the egg and sprinted as fast as she could, only to trip and fall.
The egg bounced out of her hands as soon as she hit the floor, causing yet another scream to be omitted from her lips. It finally came to rest a few feet from her, the impact having helped the little chick to break free.
The small cries of life brought tears of joy to the young Eostre as she picked up the little bird. It was considerably smaller than the other ravens and its left ring had become deformed from the impact.
"Well then, it would appear that this little raven has had a lucky escape," Lucille couldn't help but smile at her grand niece's actions. She offered her hand out gently, coaxing the reluctant little girl to give up the raven.
"It's a little boy. What shall my sweet Eostre name him?"
"Mortimer." A wide smile crossed her lips as the name of the now-grown raven returned to her. He chirped happily upon hearing his name, hopping onto her opened hand and up onto her shoulder.
"I best get you some food." Mortimer rubbed his face against Eostre's, happy to be reunited.
Arriving at the rookery, she was greeted by Leliana who was greatly interested in the bird on her shoulder. "Who is this?" Leliana extended a hand to take Mortimer, only to recoil her hand when he snapped at her.
"Mortimer! Play nice." Eostre scratched under his chin, making Mortimer once again chirp with happiness. "This is Mortimer. I saved him when I was a little girl. He wasn't breaking out of his shell as fast as the others so Great Aunt Lucille was going to throw him away."
"Great Aunt Lucille sent him to me as a gift on account of my courtship. I can only assume how she heard that news." Eostre leaned over the railings, looking at the ravens. Mortimer let out a short squawk, to which another short squawk was given in reply.
Beside her on the railing appeared another raven, the one she had seen earlier who she could have only assumed Mortimer was following. She let out a short chuckle before stroking the raven's head, chirping in delight.
Leliana stood there perplexed, forcing another short laugh from Eostre when she turned to face her. "Oh, where are my manners, this is Tollmack. He is one of Great Aunt Lucille's favourites. I noticed them flying in from the balcony."
Tollmack was considerably more polite than Mortimer, bowing his head to Leliana before graciously accepting head pats, a warm smile lighting up Leliana's face.
"So, you and Cullen?" Leliana began, causing Eostre to giggle whilst blushing. "I haven't the faintest clue what you could mean." They erupted into laughter, shortly joined by squawks.