Chapter 97

Quietly as he could, Aedan fastened his sword belt. Morrigan's ring he slipped into his pocket, and Lucien's collar hung from his belt.

Stealing back his own gear from the Hero of Ferelden Memorial room had seemed strange, but he didn't want to bother anyone else. The battle was over. Everybody was celebrating. It was time to slip away. He'd done enough to the Inquisition. But work still remained.

He had left a letter for them all, explaining why he had left the way he had. It would suffice. It would have to. He would go to Highever. Spend a couple of days with Fergus. Afterwards, who knew?

Avoiding the main hall wasn't hard. That was where the bulk of the celebrating was happening. Every castle had a side door called a sally port. It was just wide enough for only one person to pass through at any time, and was usually guarded by a lone man, who wouldn't be hard to steal past.

Once he was finished, Aedan unsheathed his sword and studied it. The blade didn't look like it needed any work. After Wade had reforged it, it had never needed whetting. One less thing to worry about, he thought to himself, putting it back in its scabbard.

Now ready for the road, Aedan looked about the room once more. They had thought him dead. This was their tribute to him. He smiled to himself. The Inquisition was in good hands. The Wardens were in good hands. The world had no more need of him.

Finally, I can retire.

"The party's downstairs, you know."

"I know." Aedan turned around to face Marian Hawke, who stood leaning against the doorjamb, a goblet hanging between her fingers. There was a purplish bruise on her left cheek and her eye was swollen. "I guess I've lost my appetite for them."

"I never liked them, either," she said as she came closer, kicking the door closed behind her. "Too many possessed people everywhere."

Aedan sighed. "Marian-"

"It's all right. Really. It reminded me of the time I was headbutted by the Arishok. You have a good straight right. No telegraphing at all. You could say I was Arishook." Aedan stared at her. "Oh. It's a joke. I'd smile, but it stings."

"At least let me apologise for that bruise."

"It wasn't your fault." She sipped gingerly from her goblet of wine. "I've seen more than my share of possessions, Aedan. You have nothing to apologise for. Instead, I should be thanking you."

Aedan said nothing. Marian closed the distance between them and placed her hand on his cheek.

"My brother and I are alive only because of you, you silly man," she told him gently. "I can't even imagine what you must have gone though."

Aedan lowered his head and shook it slightly. "You still had things left to do, as did Alistair and Ellana. Kieran has never known me. It wouldn't have affected him."

"You're not a Warden anymore. Not every burden is yours to bear."

"Sound advice for the both of us."

She smiled at that. "Yes. Yes, it is. Where are you going, anyway?"

"Home," he answered and smiled back. "It's time, I think."

"I agree. I'm off to Kirkwall, too."

"Good."

"Yeah."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Aedan let his gaze wash over her face before he shook his head.

"Marian, about us–"

"Look, you don't have to address it," she cut him off, firmly. "I needed it. I think you did, too. Beyond that..." She shrugged. "We're friends?"

Aedan chuckled. She was... something, all right. Then he leaned in and touched his lips to her forehead.

"You saved my life that night," he told her. "I don't know what it meant to you, but I'm glad whatever happened, happened."

"It meant a lot," Marian said simply and tucked her head under his chin. He put his arms around her and rubbed her back. "I'm glad, too."

Aedan smiled at her when they parted. "If you ever need my help in Kirkwall, let Fergus, Leliana or Alistair know. They'll know how to reach me."

"You, too. If you ever need a dysfunctional mage on your travels, drop Varric a line. I'll get it."

He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "Take care of yourself, okay?"

She squeezed back. "You, too. Stay safe."

There was a lot more he could have said, but Aedan settled for a nod before walking past her. There would be time yet for things of that nature. The first order of business was to slip out of the side gate unseen.

When he got there, the guard was fast asleep on the floor. Standing over him, with Kieran by her side, was Morrigan. She stared at him, unimpressed. Aedan sighed.

"What're you doing here?"

"I could ask the same of you."

"I'm sneaking out."

"As are we."

Kieran tugged on his mother's cloak. "Mother, can he sneak with us?"

Morrigan looked down at him. "No, Kieran." She glanced back at Aedan. "Where he is going, you cannot follow. The Hero must go by himself."

Aedan raised his brow. "And where exactly am I going?"

"To the Western lands, where they have never known a Blight. You aim to find a cure for the Calling, do you not?"

"Tell me more."

"Can't you tell him on the way, Mother?" Kieran asked again. "He could go part of the way with us."

"Kieran..."

"I'll take that offer," Aedan said. "Be best to know for certain where I'm going." Then he smiled down at the boy. "And I'd be glad to spend more time with you. Have you been practicing your exercises?"

"Forty sets of ten every day!"

"Good lad."

"Mother?"

Shaking her head, Morrigan sighed. "'Twould seem it cannot be helped. Come, then." She gave him a look. "But do not expect much."

"From whom? You?"

"Yes."

"I won't. I never have, Morrigan."

"I know," she said quietly and pushed open the door.

As they walked out, Aedan came and took Kieran's other hand as the boy bounced happily between him and his mother.

"I met my grandmother!" he announced. Aedan smiled at him and then at Morrigan.

"I heard. Your mother and I are going to have a very long talk about that."

Morrigan groaned, but he saw the corners of her lips curl upwards.

For a long time, Aedan Cousland hadn't faced the future with a smile.

Now, as he left Skyhold behind him, that was changed.