EPILOGUE
Years later, Marian returned to that elven camp, motivated by a yearning to know what had happened to her elf, Luine. This time though, she wasn't concealing her identity. Marian Hawke was now The Champion of Kirkwall—a title she felt was undeserved, given that the Qunari weren't exactly wrong about Kirkwall. At least the title wasn't as bad in taste as the statue they had placed in the docks for all to see, and the title did include the most wonderful armor she had ever worn.
This time around, she also brought an emissary—because even though she wasn't concealing who she was, even though she apparently was a very important person now—the elves would still demand their justice be served. They too, wouldn't exactly be in the wrong either.
Hawke remained in the tree line near the outskirts of the camp, out of sight for almost an hour. When Merrill finally returned, she brought the news of what had happened to Luine after that night.
The elf had renounced her position as First to the Keeper and chosen a different path. She left the camp and went to live up in the mountain, where she became the self-appointed guardian and scholar of the Varterral's lair, including any secrets the creature may have been protecting. There were rumors, that apparently Luine had done this in order to allow the clan a more open communication with the humans. With a guardian appointed to the cave, the events of that time could be avoided. What had happened that night years ago, had turned the elves of her clan even more prejudiced and isolated, precisely the sort of thing Luine had always fought against.
Continuing the quest to learn what had happened to Luine, Marian and Merrill ascended the mountain and arrived at what appeared to be another camp. It was much smaller though, yet bustling with activity. There were several young elves absorbed in what appeared to be combat practice of some sort. When Marian inquired for information about Luine, she wasn't met with quite as much hostility as she predicted. This camp was apparently dedicated to protect the cave where the Varterral dwelled and the elven ruins within it, and it had been created under the tutelage of Luine. That explained the fact that they were more open about meeting outsiders, and humans at that.
The elf that was in charge of the camp explained to Marian that Luine had left a few months before. After years of faithfully keeping to the task of guarding and studying the ruins, Luine had decided to pass on her knowledge and abilities to others. Once there had been someone trustful and skilled enough to be left in care of the cave, she left them with a simple message: I am going to see the world.
That same day, as the sun set in the horizon and the sky turned purple and gold, Marian and Merrill journeyed back to Kirkwall.
When looking at the forest bathed in the twilight—green leaves bathed in dark hues—Hawke was reminded of Luine's eyes that night. She couldn't understand why the elf had never contacted her, why she had never looked for her in Kirkwall, but at least she now felt a measure of peace about it. With the passage of time, she had feared that some terrible fate had befallen her elf, and now she knew that Luine was safe. That was an enormous relief, even if Marian were never to meet Luine again.
Over the years, Marian had gotten more acquainted with Merrill. After meeting Luine and exchanging stories, many of the opinions and philosophies that Merrill put forth started looking less outlandish. It was also around that time that she learned the meaning of what Luine had called her that night years ago.
Ma'vhenan, my heart.
It did not matter what had happened, or if their fates had been taken down through different paths, meant to never meet again. Marian could accept that, because when someone accepts you without question and loves you so fully—willfully plunging their whole self into that love—there is no room for any regret.
Regret would be never to have such a thing in your life.
As gold and purple turned dark blue and black in the sky, Marian felt an arm lock with hers.
"Why are you smiling like that?" Merrill looked at her with eyes full of childlike curiosity and admiration.
Without taking her eyes off the road ahead, Marian leaned her head toward the elf.
"Because, all things considered, I've had a pretty good life."
Such a response would be unacceptable to Merrill, and Marian knew it. She had barely finished replying when the elf was already tugging at her arm, whining about the cryptic response. Before Luine, the thought would have never crossed her mind, but now…
Was Merrill interested in her?
Marian Hawke realized that she wouldn't mind that at all.