Interlude – Orlesian Bard
"This way, this way," she murmurs, carefully herding the children. They are antsy, afraid even now, but they follow her easily, clinging to her hands when she reaches out to them. Mages or not, they are just like every other child in Thedas. Easily frightened and in need of the protection only adults can provide.
She glances back, eyes finding Nuada quickly. After all, he makes sure to keep his blindside to a wall, ensuring no one sneaks up on him. For all his jokes, she's seen him grimace as he bumps into things, miss when he reaches out to grab something. He'll adapt, of course. And she's already figured out he'll do it silently, without telling a soul. He had been that way in Orlais, and it seems returning to Fereldan had only aggravated his issues, not healed.
She shakes her head, and glances to Layla. She's at his side, babbling to both him, and Irving, who Nuada carries on his back. She doesn't miss how her eyes flick over to the young templar, Cullen, though. She doesn't miss the slight, longing pain in her gaze, or the flinching, self-hating pain in his when he looks at her. In love with each other, though they must have never said a word. And now, of course, there is no way for it to blossom. Both are too damaged, changed. It almost makes her sad, the romantic in her wanting to encourage them anyway, but she knows it would just be a horrible mess. Besides, it's not as if she doesn't notice the light in Layla's eyes when she talks to Nuada. Where old love dies, new ones blossom. Perhaps Cullen will experience that too, when the wounds fade to scars.
She realizes her thoughts and chuckles to herself. Once, not as long ago as she would like, she would have been using that information to slide into their confidences, to seduce and beguile as she stole away important information. As a Bard, under Marjolaine, she hadn't done a lot of 'saving'. Sure, she, Tug, and Sketch had their fun, but they often ruined people's lives or reputation. That had been the name of the Game.
Except, now it's not. Now, she's fallen into an adventure, like those in the stories she used to devour as a child, those she told with bright voice and brighter eyes. Truly, that vision must have been from the Maker. She had been certain when she'd seen the beautiful white rose blooming on the dead bush, but this merely reinforces it. Even if it made her an outcast in Lothering, it had led her here, in a place where she can finally do some good, with even better, more wonderful people.
She wonders, though, if she should retrain herself in her old arts. What Marjolaine taught her, shaped her to be… perhaps that could do some good here, too, with them.
Something thuds, and she brings herself out of her thoughts, watching the mages pound on the locked doors. And, as the echoes fade, Irving uses what little strength he has left to lift himself a little higher on Nuada's shoulders and call, "Greagoir, open the doors. We're tired."
There is barely even a second before they hear the 'thunk' of a bar being removed and the doors fly open, gentle sunlight streaming in from the windows. There, in the center, is the Knight-Commander from before. She swears she sees tears of relief in his eyes as he steps forward. "Took your time, Irving," he growls out, tone wobbling at the force of his smile. "Took your damn time."
And then everything is chaotic. She watches everyone smile, see them all crying. She hears them cheering, praising the Maker for his miracle. And she smiles, even more certain talking to Aiden that day had been the correct decision.
Maker bless the Wardens, her friends. They are doing His work, and saving the world so beloved by His Bride, Andraste. And she will help. However she can. So that there could be more smiles like this, more celebrations like this, when the Blight ends and the dust settles at last.
Author's note: And here is our favorite bard. Since Leliana's companion quest will be done MUCH later in the story, I'm slowly having her 'hardening' on her own, as a result of wanting to help. (Much like how she hardens her outlook in order to assist Justinia). I also wanted to show her being quite observational, since I'm certain it was important for her job, though we all know Leliana has flaws (out of practice and consistently shown to become quite naïve and gullible when dealing with people she loves).
Next Chapter – End of the Circle Quest with Layla
