This chapter may seem a bit random; and – heck I suppose it is, seeing as it could be a standalone one shot. However, I felt the flashback would fit in well (plus, I think we needed a small break from the angst). So, without further ado – here it is.


THE SHOW MUST GO ON

0:4

"Staying back in your memory; are the movies in the past.
How you moved is all it takes, to sing a song of when I loved,
the prettiest star"
-

{FLASHBACK}

Elissa sat by a log near the campfire. She was meant to be keeping look out for the night, but the night air was cold, and her armour wasn't exactly the thickest out of everyone's out of the group. In fact, it wasn't that thick at all, but surprisingly it did its job well. Still, she wasn't particularly worried. No darkspawn or other threats had appeared at camp that night, so part of her believed that it was safe to assume that it would just be a normal night for them. Well, a normal night on the road before they left to meet Arl Eamon the next morning.

Elissa kept playing the thought of the landsmeet in her head over and over again. There was still much to prepare for, but she couldn't stop thinking about it. Her mind continuously replayed various scenarios as to what could happen, some more comforting than others. At times, the thoughts would give her a headache, and she just wished she could just switch her brain off.

She pulled her knees towards her as she starred into the flames of the fire. There was really little control she had over everything, if she was honest to herself. Sure, Elissa could use her skills to persuade, but the final decision was still up to a certain persons own views on the matter. And right now, Elissa didn't have a clue what was running through Alistair's mind. Originally, the man was dead set on not being king, finding any excuse to try and weasel his way out of the very thought of having to lead people. But lately, she couldn't help but think that he'd grown more ... mature. Well, it certainly seemed that way at least at times – although sometimes he could still be a complete idiot. Either way, she was convinced that Alistair was probably considering the idea of being a king at the very least, even if he still didn't like it that much. If he did become king, Ferleden would be a much better place, of that much Elissa could guarantee would be true. Still, one thing continued to nag at the back of her mind. If, by some chance, Alistair did become king, well, she wasn't sure where that would leave them.

She sighed, slightly disappointed in herself. Elissa knew duty came first for the both of them but – her heart still told her that she didn't want to think of what life would be like without Alistair beside her. She'd grown ... used to him being there.

It was then that she felt something drape over her shoulders, and noticed that it was in fact a blanket. Knowing who had put it there, she pulled it closer to her.

"You know, when you keep lookout its best if you don't freeze to death," came Alistair's voice as he sat down next to her.

Elissa rolled her eyes in mock playfulness.

"It's not like I intend to freeze, I just can't help being immune to the cold."

"Well that's because of the armour you wear, or should I say lack of."

"My armour doesn't 'lack' in anything, it does exactly what its job is intended for."

"While at the same time making you freeze. Brilliant. Never a better use for armour."

Elissa giggled at how stupid the two of them were being. She knew Alistair wasn't really mad at her, even if he pretended he was. Well, he might still have liked her to wear what he would have called 'better armour', but – that wasn't the case.

"What are you up for anyway? You don't have to keep look out tonight," Elissa asked after her giggling subsided. Alistair just shrugged, merely pulling her into a hug like.

"Couldn't sleep."

Elissa sighed. Yes, she definitely could relate to that feeling. Ever since the last attack on the camp, her own sleeping patterns had been less than what she herself would consider normal. She knew the two of them took it as a sign that the archdemon was approaching soon, and decided she didn't like to think of the idea much. As much as she wanted to see the archdemon dead, she wasn't entirely enthusiastic about fighting it. Not if it was anything to go by what she saw in her dreams at least.

Alistair was the first to break their embrace, instead pulling her into his lap so he could play with her hair. She obliged, thankful for this rare moment that the two of them had just to share with one another. She looked up at the sky, and noticed that it was sparkling with stars that night. Over the months, she'd grown to love camping outside like this. It was, relaxing, and allowed her to appreciate how beautiful nature really was.

"I don't think I've ever seen the stars sparkle so brightly at night," Elissa said after a few moments of silence. Alistair, still putting plaits in her hair, looked up to the sky and smiled.

"Did I ever tell you a story about the stars, well – one star to be exact?"

Elissa frowned. A story about stars? Now this she hadn't heard before, which was odd seeing as Alistair usually liked nothing more than the chat endlessly about nothing a lot of the time.

"No, I don't think so." She replied.

This only made Alistair smile more. Of course he'd never told her; but either way it was a story she knew all too well.

"Well, there was once this man – a very handsome one at that. Oh! And he had great hair," Alistair began. "He didn't have the best start to his life, having been brought up by dogs as a child and such. The man was however, very happy when his life changed, and he was saved from his nightmarish childhood."

Elissa smiled herself. She knew exactly what this story was about now.

"And what happened to him?"

"He joined a group of warriors, a great group they were. His mentor was like a father to him. But then one day, his mentor came back with a new recruit. The man met them, knowing very well to expect a new brother to the group. However, what a shock did he have when they arrived and he found that she was a woman! How odd!, he thought at first. You see, woman were a rare thing to find in such a group. Anyway, events happened and – before he knew it the man was alone. Save for the woman warrior. Everyone else they knew was gone-"

He paused, obviously trying hard to suppress his feelings at the memory. Elissa spoke, trying to get him past the sensitive subject.

"But what happened? The two were alone yes, but that's not where the story ends, is it?"

Alistair shook his head at the sound of her voice, pushing the memory aside.

"Your right, the story was only just beginning. Now, the two warriors travelled the lands on a mission that they had been assigned before they were left alone. Although, they weren't alone for long, as soon they had an ugly witch join them-"

Elissa giggled as he described Morrigan, the poison evident in his voice at just mentioning her.

"- but then, before they knew it, they had a whole group of people join them. Apparently, they were very popular people, these warriors. However, something happened on their travels, and before he knew it, the man was beginning to care for his fellow warrior, a lot. First it was just out guidance, looking to her as a role model for the whole group to follow, but soon – it became more than that. Before he even knew it himself, the man was slowly but surely falling in love with her."

"What a stupid man," Elissa commenting, a smile hidden in her voice.

"Quite. But it wasn't long after he discovered his own feelings that he thought that maybe; possibly, there was some way that the girl – now a shining star to him – could perhaps, love him back."

"And what did he find?"

Alistair fell silent for a minute, letting his hands fall from her hair. He turned Elissa round to face him, until both their eyes met each other. Elissa felt a blush rise in her cheeks slightly, but decided to ignore it.

"He found you".

Alistair cupped her face in his hands, smiling at her lovingly.

"And I can honestly say, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. Like, ever."

Elissa put her hand on top of his, smiling back at him.

"I feel the same way."

"Whoever would have thought, that a bastard child like me, would end up falling for the prettiest star in all of Ferleden."

He bent down to kiss her, wanting nothing but to remember this perfect moment forever. Neither of them had any idea what the future would hold for them, but they knew that none of that mattered to them now. The only thing that mattered was the here, and now.

They broke apart from the kiss, and Alistair leant his forehead against Elissa's.

"I don't care what happens in the future; the landsmeet, the blight – none of it. As long as you're with me through it all, that's all that matters."

Elissa felt tears welling up in her eyes, and brought him into an embrace.

"I'm never letting you go Elissa, never. Whatever the future holds, we'll face it together. And that's a promise."

Elissa just smiled to herself in contentment, silently agreeing in her mind. As long as he was there, she could get through anything. They both could.

Chapter 5 will be up sometime soon, returning back to the present timeline - and to reveal what happens against the archdemon.

Oh! And yes, readers of my other fic 'Live Like We're Dying' : chapter 2 will be up soon too, it is in the midst of being written x]

Don't forget, review if you like the story :) (stops her shameless advertising).