Amaranthine's marketplace was bustling with activity. Brightly colored banners marked merchant stalls, waving in the breeze as if they were trying to draw the most attention to their locale. Children ran about without care, playing games of hide-and-seek and tag, darting about between the adults in their youthful excitement. Women and men pored over the merchants' offerings, testing out goods or haggling on price in order to get the best deals possible. Many vendors shouted to the crowds gathered to entice people to sample their wares and drop their hard-earned coin. It was a riot of color and sound and motion that enthralled Elissa and caused her to stop and take it all in before actually entering the market.
"This is coming along much better than I expected," she finally said after absorbing all the life in the market. "I have to admit, I'm impressed." She looked over to see Nathaniel also observing everything with a look of satisfaction on his face.
"This is better than what I remember from my childhood," he said. "I wonder how much more needs renovation. It certainly looks like everything here is complete." She nodded in silent response and they looked on the market together for another moment before she spoke again.
"Go ahead to Delilah's while I shop. I might be a while and I'm sure you'd like to spend as much time with her as you can." She smiled at Nathaniel as his eyes brightened at the mention of his sister. "We can stay at the inn if you want to stay overnight. Just send word – I'll take my dinner there." She turned back toward the marketplace and took three steps before his voice stopped her.
"Come with me." Surprised, she turned to look at his face. His eyes burned with an intensity she had not seen before.
"Really?" She knew her eyes must have been wide and her trepidation written all over her face. "I don't want to upset her if … if she doesn't want me there. Is it a good time, with the baby and all?" She remembered when she met Nathaniel in the dungeon of the keep and how angry he was toward her. "I don't want to cause an unpleasant surprise for her."
If she hates me, will we end when we've only just begun? I know she's the most important person in the world to you. Nathaniel must have guessed the question that she refused to voice aloud, because he smiled as he said, "It will be all right. Trust me." He seemed confident, although his eyes were still intently watching hers.
This is important to him. She closed her eyes for a minute, then opened them and nodded at him. "All right. Let's go see Delilah together. We can shop later." Nathaniel relaxed and his smile grew broader as he led her to meet his sister.
The walk to Delilah's house was far too short for Elissa's comfort. She felt incredibly nervous. I only killed her father. No problem, right? She mentally rolled her eyes at the thought. Still, Delilah was the one who told Nathaniel about what his father had done, so maybe it won't be too bad. I just hope that things go all right. I don't want Nathaniel to be at odds with his sister over me. They reached a small house on the edge of the housing district and Nathaniel stopped and knocked on the door. Too late to back out now.
The door opened and a lovely, incredibly pregnant woman stepped into the doorway. Her green eyes lit up when she saw Nathaniel. "Nathaniel! I'm so glad you were able to visit again so soon!" Elissa studied her while she hugged Nathaniel. They have the same hair, but otherwise they look nothing alike.
Nathaniel broke off the hug and indicated Elissa. "Delilah, I would like you to meet Elissa Cousland. Elissa, this is my sister Delilah."
Delilah smiled warmly at Elissa. Hmm, I wasn't expecting that. "Welcome! Please, do come in. I've heard so much about you. I'm glad to finally meet you!" She ushered both Nathaniel and Elissa into her home.
Elissa looked around the small living quarters of the house. It was sparsely decorated, but very comfortable looking. The house felt cozy and serene. "I love your house," she said honestly. "This is nice."
Delilah seemed pleased. "Thank you! It's small but I've always liked it. It feels like a home should to me. You'll stay for dinner, won't you?"
"I don't want to impose," Elissa began. "I'm sure you don't need to cook for extra people - "
"Nonsense!" Delilah waved off the protest. "Besides, we can make my brother cook." The last bit was whispered theatrically, although Elissa could tell that Delilah was making sure that Nathaniel heard. It worked; Nathaniel shook his head and snorted.
Elissa laughed, feeling much more at ease. "Well, then! It sounds like a good idea to me." Delilah gave her a conspiratorial wink and invited both of them to sit and chat.
The afternoon passed quickly; Delilah was an engaging and lively hostess. They told each other stories about everything from when they were children to current plans for Vigil's Keep. Elissa could easily see why Nathaniel adored his sister. She was a fun, intelligent woman who had the same practical streak as Nathaniel. She also had a knack for putting people at ease. Elissa realized that she hadn't had a girlfriend to talk to in far too long; Leliana had been gone to guard the Urn of Sacred Ashes for over a year. It was a nice change to be able to sit down with another woman and just talk like a normal person.
After they had chatted a while, Nathaniel stood up and announced that since Delilah volunteered him to make dinner, he would go to the market to buy something to make. Elissa got up to go with him, but he waved her back down into her seat. "I'll be fine. You two stay here and I'll be right back."
Delilah replied, "Oh, good! It's time for girl talk then!" Nathaniel acted horrified and Elissa watched him escape through the front door while Delilah laughed. Then Delilah turned to Elissa and looked at her knowingly. "When Nathaniel was here last," she said quietly, "I told him that I was glad that he was getting along with you. I didn't realize how close you two had gotten. How long have you two been together?"
Elissa felt her face warm. "Not very long," she replied. "Is it that obvious?"
Delilah smiled. "I see the way you watch each other." She laughed as Elissa felt her face redden more. "I'm glad of it," she continued. "He is happier than he's ever been his whole life. Father never understood him and never accepted who he was. You seem to do both, and that's all I ever wanted for him. You both deserve to have some happiness after everything you've been through. It's wonderful to see that something good is coming from all the ugliness of the past two years."
"I never expected it," Elissa admitted. "It truly surprised me when I realized I care for him. I think it surprised me even more when I discovered he felt the same way. I'm glad you don't object, especially with your father ..." her voice trailed off.
Delilah snorted. "You know better than anyone that Father needed to be stopped. I'm actually glad you got to be the one to do it, since he did horrible things to your family. And we both know that he would have done far worse had you not stopped him when you did. Besides, things turned out for the best. This is a good life for me, and I think Nathaniel finally has a place where he can be himself." She smiled at Elissa.
She really means it. Elissa smiled back, the tension that she didn't know she was holding releasing on a long breath.
Delilah changed the subject. "You know, I haven't had a girlfriend to talk to in forever. You know what I miss most?" She smiled slyly at Elissa.
"No, what's that?"
"I haven't been able to play with hairstyles! And you have the perfect hair for it!" Elissa laughed even as she groaned. Delilah continued, "Come, sit in front of me and I'll braid your hair. Humor a pregnant woman." Elissa laughed again and shook her head, but complied. It was nice to do girly things once in a while and she found she had missed it too.
When Nathaniel returned from the market, he found Delilah and Elissa chattering away as Delilah was combing out Elissa's hair and putting it into extravagant hairstyles. He just shook his head and went to the kitchen to start preparing dinner. Albert arrived home a short time later, and the four of them enjoyed a blessedly normal evening visiting with each other before Nathaniel and Elissa finally said their good-byes and went to the inn to stay the night.
As they were lying together in bed, Elissa murmured to Nathaniel, "I really like your sister." She felt Nathaniel's chest rumble as he laughed quietly and she drifted off to sleep.