Chapter 83

Being a bard, Leliana knew full well the power of music. Applied at the right moment, it was all it took to make or break people. Words had power beyond what people could comprehend. But where words failed, song sometimes moved the stoniest of hearts.

It had been a very, very long time since she'd sung a song. The Blight, being Justinia's Left Hand, and working with the Inquisition had left her with very little time to sing for personal pleasure. She didn't think she was capable of it after all that she'd seen and done.

And she was right. Even as she let her voice meet those of the masses, even as everyone gathered around the Herald, even as sagging spirits lifted and hope flickered anew, Leliana couldn't help but think that the song was a brilliant strategy to unify everybody. She hated that she couldn't see acts of purity and faith as such anymore. All she saw were hidden agendas, possible motives and blades in the dark. She envied those who didn't. Truly. They could look upon anything and see the good, see the pure.

Then again, it was what got them killed.

But, she was happy, all things considered. Both Aedan and Ellana had found their way to them, both still alive. The Inquisition's forces, though reduced, had made it out, as had a vast majority of Haven's residents. Even for a defeat, this was surprisingly good luck. She'd heard from Ellana about the encounter with Corypheus and all that he'd said. While that was not good news, at least they now knew for certain who this elusive Elder One was.

Every bit of knowledge helps.

As the people broke off and formed their groups, chatting away with newfound vigour, Leliana started walking over to where Aedan lay but ran into Solas on the way. He had been using his magic to heal Aedan. Upon asking how the man was doing, he merely shook his head.

"He is abysmally lucky," said the elf. "When you inhale that much snow, it tends to freeze your lungs if you run. Your lungs fill up with blood, you start coughing. Had we not been there, his lungs would have burst and he would have drowned in his blood where he fell." He looked back at Aedan as Leliana digested this information. "A true hero. I owe him much." He turned back to Leliana. "You know him?"

"Yes."

Solas nodded. "Make sure he rests. He will recover."

Thanking the mage, Leliana went inside the tent and found Alistair sitting by Aedan's cot. The Hero of Ferelden was all wrapped up in furs and blankets, unconscious.

"Solas said he would've lost all his toes had it been any later," Alistair told her and took the bottle of brandy she offered. "That stupid bastard went and almost became a dumbsicle." He took a long gulp of the drink. "This is exactly why we don't lick lampposts in winter."

"Are you all right?" Leliana asked him as she drew up a chair to sit beside him. Alistair chuckled.

"Am I all right? Am I-" He stopped himself and sniffed, shaking his head. "I don't even know. For ten years he's been throwing himself at danger after danger with no regard for himself whatsoever. You'd think now he'd slow down and smell the roses, but no! He just has to be the Hero of Ferelden!"

Leliana put her head on his shoulder and Alistair took a deep breath.

"It's just the way he is, I suppose," she mused. "He's been that way ever since Morrigan-"

"Let's not talk about that, okay?"

"Okay. But are you all right?"

"Yes. Yes, Leli. I'm fine." He passed her the bottle and she took a sip. "It's just a lot. I'm still thinking about what to do."

"About what?"

"About the archdemon. If it is one, and I think it is, then that means another Blight's coming. If so, I'll have to send word to the Vigil. Make ready." He sighed and pinched his eyes. "I have no idea how he did this."

"It isn't easy, Alistair," she agreed. "But I think you'd make a good Commander."

"Where'd you get that?"

"At Haven. During the evacuation. You led them. People listened to you." She put the brandy bottle on the snow and twined her hands around his arm. "You have a presence, Alistair. You've seen and done things that many people haven't and shouldn't. That gives you power, whether or not you want to admit it."

Alistair said nothing.

"You are the Warden-Constable. You have been for ten years. It's a long time, Alistair, and you wouldn't have lasted had the people not wanted you to." She nuzzled his cheek. "And they wouldn't want you if they didn't see something in you worth following."

"Yeah, but he's the Hero of Ferelden. He would know what to do."

"Maybe. But he's out of commission. You are his second-in-command. He trusted you with that post to make the choices when he couldn't."

Alistair said nothing. Leliana hummed.

"It has been a while, but would you like to hear a story?"

"Always."

"I say story, but it isn't really. You see, a long time ago, a king had to address his fractured kingdom. He was a man of words and the people liked him, but the circumstances were unprecedented. Nobody had ever tried to reconcile two halves of a split empire and succeeded. Yet the king did so."

"How?"

"With a speech. A short one. Would you like to hear it?"

"Of course."

Leliana cleared her throat. "He said, 'The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our kingdom.'" She was silent a while. "I love the word 'disenthrall.' To be enthralled means to be enslaved. We are all slaves to our past convictions, yet they are not suited for the present.

"Your case is new, Alistair. To meet the demands, you must think anew and act anew. So be the leader they know you to be, as I know you to be." She kissed his cheek. "Rise not for the occasion, Alistair, but with it. Reward Aedan's trust. You can do it."

Alistair laughed and looked at her. "You just made up that story, didn't you?"

Leliana smiled back. "I don't know what you mean. This is a real-"

He interrupted her with a quick kiss. Leliana didn't mind at all.

"Thank you, Leli. I think I'll follow your advice." He kissed her forehead and glanced back at Aedan. "I think I know what I'll do next."

"Oh?"

He nodded. "It's time to call the Wardens."