Damn it, damn it!
I burst through the door to my apartment, already stripping off my coat and tossing my backpack aside. Typical that the one day I needed to leave the hospital on time, a cardiac arrest makes me two hours late. It was a busy night, too—filled with broken bones, strokes and asthma attacks—and I want so much to throw myself onto my bed, but today that luxury is beyond me.
Bethany is so going to kill me…
I throw off my scrubs and enter the bathroom, twisting the shower on. I don't bother to wait for the water to warm and bolt inside. I need something to keep me awake after those fourteen hours of hell. Moments later I'm out, drying myself and reaching for the beautiful backless dress I left on my bed before I started my shift. I roughly brush my hair, a soggy mess, but if I don't get a move on, I'm going to miss the ceremony entirely.
Finally I don my necklace and earrings and slide into my heels, then take a glance in the mirror. It's not the prettiest sight, but it will do. Makeup will have to wait until I get there. The venue is a gorgeous castle on the edge of the coast, but it's also a forty-five minute drive away. If I leave now, I should still make it in time, traffic permitting.
Grabbing my purse and keys, I lock up and then dash back to my car. I manage to steal a glimpse at my phone, noting the missed calls and texts that have been steadily accumulating since I left work. There's not much point replying; I'll be there soon.
I rev the engine, then pull out onto the road. Fortunately all the traffic is going the other way, and for once I'm actually glad I worked the night shift. Of course my eyes don't agree, trying to close, so I turn on the radio and pull the windows down. I don't need to get into an accident and be delayed any more.
At long last the exit appears, and I turn off. I glance to the clock; I have about ten minutes. I can only pray they're running late. Honestly, this is the last time I let the hospital blackmail me into covering a shift so last minute.
The car park is full, so I end up parking a little way down the road. Then I'm running—not very well, given the heels—and I reach the castle entrance. The pale stone and grand turrets are beyond belief, but I can't appreciate it for long. I race between the open doors, into the vestibule. The main hall is through another set of doors, and it's decorated to the hilt. A red carpet lines the centre, flanked with seats full of guests, and the walls are covered in white lilies and silver and gold ribbons.
Suddenly a flash of green catches my eye, and I spot Amber emerging into the vestibule. She's wearing a jade dress with a deep neckline, her hair twisted into a beautiful bun. I wave to her, and she gasps, rushing to meet me.
"My God, you're a mess, Elissa!" she whispers, eyeing me up and down. "Did you forget what day it was?"
"Had to cover an emergency shift," I mouth back.
"Pfft, any excuse." Amber glances at her watch. "Okay, Carver, Nathaniel, Beth and Mom just went to tidy themselves, they'll be back any second, hurry hurry!"
She sets her bouquet on a table and pushes me towards the ladies' room. It's a plush affair, with golden taps, marble sinks and a soft couch. Amber dumps her purse onto the sink, and I catch sight of lipstick, eyeliner, a small brush and a few other items. She doesn't hesitate and sits me on the couch, quickly but carefully doing her magic. At last she backs away, smirking.
"There, now you don't look like you had facial surgery with an angle-grinder," she quips.
"I've been awake for almost eighteen hours, give me a break!" I grumble, lightly punching her arm.
"Aw, baby," Amber laughs. She regathers her supplies, then heads back to the vestibule. She picks up her bouquet, splitting it in half. I take the flowers, and that's when Bethany, Carver, Nathaniel and Leandra step out from one of the side rooms. The men are wearing black tuxedoes with golden waistcoats, while Bethany is as radiant as the sun. She's wearing a white and gold dress, her long black curls set with a gleaming tiara.
"Elissa!" Her eyes light up, and she manages an awkward embrace. Then her lips purse into a pout. "You're so late! I was…"
"I'll plead my case later," I answer, giving her a nudge. "You have something far more important to be getting on with."
Bethany's cheeks flush, and she averts her gaze. Taking a breath, she takes Carver's offered arm, and then they stand at the hall entrance. A grand shuffle echoes as the guests turn to watch. Leandra chokes back a sob, beaming. Even Amber starts to tear up, and she wipes her eyes before it smudges her mascara. Nathaniel chuckles, adjusting his hold on the cushion bearing the ring, and I can only smile sadly. Malcolm Hawke must be watching from above, just as proud.
The organ starts to play, and the walk begins. Amber, Nathaniel and I follow behind, and I take a moment to look around. Lara is already at the altar, along with her bridesmaids Cassandra and Josephine. She's wearing a lacy black dress, her auburn hair done up with silver ribbons, and she looks absolutely stunning. Joseph, her brother, is also beside her, dressed in a black tuxedo with silver waistcoat, holding his own ring on a cushion.
Eventually we flank the two brides; Cassandra, Joseph and Josephine on Lara's side, Amber, Nathaniel and myself on Bethany's. Josephine raises a brow at me, and I can only shrug. The priest clears his throat, and starts the ceremony.
"We are gathered here today…"
It's not long before the vows are spoken and rings exchanged, and then Lara and Bethany share their first kiss as married couple. Everyone applauds, and they pause for the photographer.
"Glad you finally made it, Doc," Lara whispers to me, winking.
"Wasn't my fault," I murmur back. "And congrats."
"I suppose I can forgive you," Bethany joins in. "I was really worried you weren't going to show up."
"And be murdered on the spot? Even I'm not that brave," I answer.
"Hey, can we get on with it?" Amber asks. "I'm thirsty, and that bar isn't going to empty itself."
Lara chuckles. She takes Bethany's hand, and then they lead the way up the aisle. Cassandra, Josephine, Amber, Joseph, Nathaniel and myself walk behind them, and then the front row of guests falls in as well.
"Fashionably late, as always, Elissa," Joseph chides.
"Couldn't you get the day off?" Nathaniel asks.
"Oh, I got the day off," I reply, "but I had to do the night before to make up for it."
"I know, bet you're really going to feel this later," Amber jokes. "So might as well go all out and get lashed!"
I pull a face at her as we enter the reception room, deciding not to mention I still have to drive home. A long head table stretches across the back, while smaller circular tables fill the rest of the space. Bethany and Lara take their seats, and they're soon joined by Leandra, Carver, and Lara's parents. Amber and Joseph nod at me, before heading off to the two brides.
"We are seated here," Josephine informs us, pointing to the table beside the balcony. I nod, and follow her over. As we wander the tables, I catch sight of other familiar faces—Alistair enjoying a glass of wine with Fenris and Cullen; Wynne, Bethany and Carver's godmother, chatting to Anders; Zevran, Varric, Isabela and Dorian, milking the open bar for what it was worth; the sultry Morrigan, sitting in the corner and trying not to look too bored; her son Kieran nearby, playing with Cole and Sera. A few are missing, of course, but I know they're out there, somewhere.
Even her…
"I shall fetch some drinks," Josephine declares. "Any requests?"
"No alcohol for me," I state, "but any soft drink is fine."
"Vodka and coke will do," Cassandra answers. "I need something after all that standing around."
"Whatever the beer of the day is," Nathaniel adds.
Josephine nods, and hitches her dress as she makes her way to the bar. Dorian and Isabela greet her loudly, then shout to the barman. Cassandra, Nathaniel and I take our seats, and it's only now that the night fatigue really starts to hit. My eyes close for longer and longer periods, and I don't even realise when Josephine returns.
"You must be exhausted," she says, prodding my shoulder. "I know of some quiet rooms if you want a little nap?"
"I can't be that rude," I answer. My eyes fall to the balcony, and I stand up. "A bit of fresh air should wake me up a bit. I'll be back soon."
"Don't take too long," Nathaniel warns. "I don't want you missing the speeches."
"I won't."
Downing my glass, I carefully step to the balcony door. I push it open, and at once the sea breeze assaults me. My hair flying, I walk to the stone railing, overlooking the water. Waves dash and froth against the rocks far below, and I take a breath, memories stirred.
So much like Highever.
I make myself comfortable, watching the horizon. It provokes so many memories—or perhaps they aren't memories, merely fragments of a dream best left forgotten. Yet as fleeting and faraway as those images seem, my heart knows better. I'm still amazed at how many of us found each other again, yet I'm the only one who remembers…that life. All that was fought for and sacrificed, all that was lost forever, and all that was reborn. It remains so clear in my mind, so much that I've started to write everything down. Bethany teases me, telling me I should submit them for publishing, but I could never bring myself to share the stories so openly.
Not when they hold such a deeper meaning…
The balcony door creaks, and I catch a woman's sigh.
"It's so hot in there, isn't it?"
I freeze.
That voice…
No, it can't be.
Her heels clack as she walks towards me, also wanting to enjoy the view. My heart pounds against my ribs, and I can't even bring myself to turn around. My ears have to be wrong. There's no way I caught that tiniest Orles…no, French lilt…
She halts beside me, the wind sending her dress billowing. At last I find some courage, and I glance from the corner of my eye. She has vibrant red hair, matching her sleeveless maroon dress. The sun chooses that moment to emerge from a cloud, revealing her grey-blue eyes, and she turns to me, smiling warmly. I can only stare, my hands trembling.
It's…it's really…oh my God…
"Are you alright?" the woman asks, her brow raised. "You look like you need to sit down."
The spell breaks, and I struggle to find my voice.
"Oh, sorry, I'm…I'm fine," I stutter, my cheeks flushing. "I had a long night. I'm still a bit tired."
"So it looks like," the woman chuckles. "But it is quite warm in there." She holds out her hand. "My name is Leliana. I don't believe we've met?"
It takes all of my willpower not to bulldoze her into a hug. I've been waiting for this moment for years, knowing she was out there somewhere, and yet never able to find her. I had no idea she was so close. But alas, like everyone else, she doesn't remember. Just like I couldn't for all those years. The irony isn't lost on me.
"I'm Elissa," I state, taking her hand. The moment our palms touch, a flicker of recognition crosses Leliana's gaze, but it swiftly vanishes. Still, it leaves an effect on her, and her cheeks turn ever so slightly pink.
"Oh, so you are the famous Dr. Cousland Lara loves to gush about?" she says, twirling a lock of her hair about her finger. Just like she used to when she was nervous.
"I don't know about famous," I reply, "but that's me alright."
"Your reputation precedes you, Elissa," Leliana smirks. "But I am glad I finally get to meet you in person. I've heard so much about you." She nods to the bar. "Shall we get a drink?"
I find myself smiling.
"I'd like that, yes."
THE END
And so there you have the backstory for every Dragon Age AU ever…you're welcome =P
Wow this has been a long journey! I never expected to actually write this crossover fic but at the encouragement of fellow Dragon Age fans (along with a promise of chocolate cake) I went ahead with it. Don't think I'll be doing more anytime soon, this was a hell of a lot of work!
To those who've read the entire massive saga, I hope you enjoyed! Going back to fanfic was meant to be a break from my main novel writing to recharge as I'd lost a lot of inspiration. Ironically enough now I'm about burnt out on DA fanfic, so I won't be returning for a while.
Please do check out my other stories, as the Dragon Age ones do fill out some additional backstory details for Origins if you were curious.
Byeee! :D