Elaine met up with Alistair a week later, fully intent on storming the city of Kirkwall until she found what she was looking for. Unfortunately, her fellow Grey Warden had other plans in mind, and her search for Anders would have to wait.
Deep within the Vimmark mountains was a Grey Warden prison, home to an ancient Tevinter magister named Corypheus. Alistair explained to Elaine that they had received word a current magister of Tevinter had plans to release Corypheus from his prison. Though Elaine despised the setback in her plans to visit the city, she was gently reminded she was a Grey Warden first, and a woman with emotions second. She studied the documents Alistair had secured on the subject, taking some with her and rewriting others to study as they began their journey.
As they came closer to the ruins, which seemed to be in the middle of nowhere, that old familiar feeling in the pit of their stomachs returned.
"Darkspawn," Alistair confirmed Elaine's instincts as they saw the looming dwarven structure in the distance. "Seems like we're getting closer."
"Why would there be darkspawn here?" Elaine asked as she adjusted her pack and freed her staff. "I thought this place was supposed to be abandoned?"
Alistair shrugged. "From what little reports we could find, it was all but abandoned. The ruins run deep, enough to connect with the Deep Roads, so it's safe to assume this Corypheus is calling to them. Something woke it from its imprisoned slumber."
Elaine sighed with disbelief. "I'm kind of getting tired of the Grey Wardens and their old buildings filled with evil. I wonder if they've learned anything from their past?"
"Apparently not well enough to take care of the things they've left behind," Alistair agreed. "Now it's up to us I suppose."
"Ha," Elaine scoffed, "lucky us. How did you even find out about all this?"
"A letter was intercepted from a magister in Tevinter to the local Carta in Kirkwall. Something about the heir of Malcolm Hawke's blood being needed 'in the name of Master Corypheus'."
"Malcolm Hawke?" Elaine's eyes flashed of recognition.
"Do you know the name?" Alistair prodded.
"If it's an heir of Malcolm Hawke and Leandra Amell, then they would be a cousin of mine, yes," Elaine stated.
Alistair beamed in understanding. "That makes perfect sense!"
She looked confused. "Uhm, explain?"
"I believe I met this heir," Alistair filled her in. "She was with Anders in Kirkwall. I swore her looks and attitude reminded me of you. Of course you'd be related."
"Really," Elaine's eyes widened. "And just what type of attitude reminds you of me?"
Alistair displayed a sheepish grin. "Well it was only briefly. But she did look like you." He tried to get off the topic before sticking his foot in his mouth yet again. "Any plans on what you're going to say to Anders if you find him?"
Elaine ignored him, reaching into her pack to pull out the notes she brought with her. The first were transcribed copies of their originals, too delicate for travel:
The Wardens did not guard the key with care. It was left in a repository, with objects of little worth. Trinkets. Dusty Grey Warden trophies. Not even a guard posted. Fools. If only they knew what they had, and had will not wake at my touch; it sleeps and its power remains within. The Great One says it requires Malcolm Hawke's blood to awaken it. Only then can its powers set him free.I will find the heir to the blood and the Great One will reward me. Yes. Let it be soon.
All we hear is that this is one of the great Grey Warden secrets. "It must be protected at all costs." As usual, they are most concerned with deceiving their own people. But why hide that the Deep Roads were shaped by not only dwarves but Wardens?Early Wardens discovered that some darkspawn could think and speak and command portions of the horde even after the Archdemon's death. A few could wield magic with the skill of a Tevinter magister, and the Wardens feared was here, in the Vimmark Mountains, that Warden Sashamiri set her trap to capture and study the greatest of these creatures, the one they called Corypheus.
It would be wasteful to kill such a creature. If it can be captured, tamed somehow, its unnatural influence over the darkspawn could perhaps be turned to my favor. It is clear the darkspawn will never bow to human commands, but this Corypheus seems at times more human than beast. I have conversed with it, and though it's thoughts are distorted and inhuman, it speaks of the Old Gods by their Tevinter names. I have wondered if perhaps he is no darkspawn at all, but a ghoul, so corrupted by the taint as to have become a new creature entirely. It uses spells both human and tainted.
And in her own hand, her thoughts on what she had learned:
The records say Corypheus has been trapped below the Vimmark since the days of the Tevinter Imperium. Can it be coincidence that the darkspawn besiege this area more fiercely than anywhere else on the surface of Thedas? Or that Kirkwall, the closest city, suffers from endless plagues of violence, lunacy, human sacrifice, and blood magic?If one studies Kirkwall's public records, it becomes hard to deny that some malevolent force has long shaped its history. Could a darkspawn, even a powerful mage, have such influence even as it slumbers?
"Alistair, if all of this is true…"
"We'll take care of it before it goes too far. Talking darkspawn is your specialty, is it not?"
They reached the entrance to the grand fortress moments later, and Elaine gave Alistair a look of desperation. "We're not seriously going in there are we? It'll take forever to find our way through!"
Alistair smiled mischievously. "You, the Warden Commander, afraid of a few darkspawn?"
Elaine almost kicked him as they entered the fortress, and a voice began to call to them in their minds.
It seemed his companions had as much of a tainted history as he did. In the years Anders had been in Kirkwall, many things had changed for him, Justice, and the people he now called friends. Hawke had developed a relationship with a former Tevinter slave named Fenris. In a strange twist of fate, old friends of Elaine's had come into his life; Zevran, an Antivan Crow, and Isabela, former pirate of the seas. Anders had known Isabela from his past, and had learned she knew Elaine as well. Anders kept his former relationship from the two after discovering they knew her, not wanting to reopen old wounds.
Recently Fenris' former master and sister had taken Kirkwall by storm, tormenting Hawke, Fenris, and friends with blood magic and manipulation. During two days of confusion and miscommunication, Hawke had been taken by Danarius. Varania, Fenris' sister explained to the group that Hawke's blood was the key to a prison which held an ancient Tevinter magister Danarius had planned to release. Danarius believed he could control, or absorb, the ancient's power, and become unstoppable in his quest for dominance throughout the Tevinter Imperium.
Varania's information led them to the Vimmark mountains, and already Anders regretted his decision to come along. Seeing the fortress before them, knowing it only led to the Deep Roads, Anders felt his insides stir at the thought of entering the darkspawn riddled passages once again.
"Will you look at that." Zevran said in awe at the looming structure in the distance.
"Some kind of fortress," Fenris questioned what his eyes were seeing. "Out here?"
"There should be no 'here'," Isabela stated. "No one has even heard of this place."
"And it appears we're not alone," Anders said spotting something up ahead.
As they moved closer, they discovered corpses of darkspawn. "What brings them to the surface I wonder?" Anders said, kicking one to make sure it was dead.
"My guess is they were running from something," Zevran said as the trail of bodies continued on to a deep chasm.
"I really need to stay out of the Deep Roads," Anders sighed as they continued on toward the large door in the rock.
A sense of uneasiness ran through the group as they entered the fortress. Darkspawn corpses littered the ground, thankfully already dead, but at whose hands no one was certain. Anders began hearing something in his mind, someone calling to him, and it concerned his companions. It seemed the closer they got the core of the prison, the stronger the voice in Anders' head became. Even Fenris commented on hearing something, though he wasn't sure what.
"This is a strange business," Fenris stated. "I do not like it."
They continued on, passing several rooms that appeared to have been cells at one time, now empty, except for fresh corpses of Desire demons and Profanes. They came upon a larger room with four pillars positioned in the center of a circle, which appeared to have been used for some sort of ritual. Further inspection revealed the innermost point held fresh blood.
Fenris knelt down in the circle and inspected the blood. Fearing the worst, he allowed a moment of sadness to wash over him, until they heard the scream from beneath them as the walls around them shook.
"Did you hear that?" Fenris asked jumping up.
"I heard it," Isabela said looking around, suddenly feeling afraid.
"That was Hawke!" Fenris yelled as he began running toward the door that led to the second level.
Zevran grabbed his arm and stopped him. "Slow down my friend, it will not help us to run headstrong into battle."
Anders stood behind them, now holding his head. "I'm not listening, I'm not listening," he repeated over and over.
Isabela looked at him with concern. "Easy, hold it together, deep breaths."
Zevran looked at Anders and then back to Fenris. "After you my friend."
Fenris sighed as they moved quickly down a long flight of stairs. "How deep does this hole go?" he asked himself. The others followed quickly behind, trying to remain as quiet as possible while still maintaining speed. More torches on this level, more corpses of Emissaries and Genlocks. Several entrances were blocked by cave-ins, and the group picked up the pace, following the bodies.
For a moment they were almost running through the levels of empty halls until Zevran stopped them. "Wait, look at this," he said kneeling down to inspect one of the Genlocks.
"It's a darkspawn, let us move on," Fenris said, frustrated that they had stopped.
"I know my friend, but it is most interesting how he died."
Fenris and Isabela inspected the body more closely. "Are those... sword cuts?" Isabela asked.
"Precisely," Zevran stated, smiling.
"I thought Danarius was a mage?" Isabela asked, clearly not understanding.
"It means, my precious pirate wench, that we are not alone down here. Someone else is killing darkspawn."
"Sounds like he's getting closer," Elaine said as she stood, brushing herself off. She and Alistair had stopped briefly to refuel after battling the darkspawn. Elaine made a quick fire and they had something to eat while setting a trap for Danarius. It was said that four seals needed to be broken, by the blood of a Hawke, in order for Corypheus to be freed. Knowing that battling a Tevinter magister would be a bit difficult head on, they decided to ensnare him before the final seal. As the screams echoed through the halls and the structure shook around them, both Wardens were a bit uneasy in their decision.
They abandoned the fire and moved toward one of the mystical prison cells, preparing their ambush while Danarius made his way to the lower level. The plan was simple; Alistair would smite him, Elaine would freeze him, they would grab Hawke, and then seal Danarius into the cell that lay open for him.
It surprised them both when their plan had actually been successful. Distracted by the unsuspecting smite from the trained Templar, Elaine was able to get off a Hand of Winter spell, freezing Danarius in place as she grabbed Hawke. She brought a knife to the woman's throat as Danarius watched in horror at the potential loss of his precious key.
"I will slit her throat before I allow you to go any further," Elaine said convincingly.
The magister took a step back before the full force of Elaine's Stonefist spell knocked him into the cell. While it didn't shatter him as she had hoped, it was enough to force him into the prison cell, and Alistair quickly activated the barrier, sealing him in.
"Sorry," Elaine muttered as she released her hold on Hawke. "Had to make it convincing."
Hawke rubbed her throat and nodded, recognizing Alistair when she turned around. "You," she said hoarsely, clearly exhausted from her recent ordeal.
"I told you I had important business," he smiled at her as he helped her walk down the hall. "Elaine here is no healer, so let's tend to your wounds as best we can."
Elaine sighed. "Always focusing on my flaws," she laughed teasingly as they moved away from Danarius, where he fumed in his cell.
"We were never formally introduced, were we?" Alistair asked as he lifted the sleeve of Hawke's shirt to find the gash on her arm from Danarius' attack. "I am Alistair. And the feisty mage over there is Elaine."
Hawke took a moment to look up at the mage and smiled. "You seem familiar," she said as Elaine handed her a water skin. "Were you in Kirkwall as well?"
Elaine shook her head, preparing a fire to allow Hawke some rest. "I am an Amell," she stated plainly. "I believe we are cousins of sorts."
Hawke's eyes widened at the admission. "You're the Hero of Ferelden?"
Alistair chuckled as he wrapped Hawke's arm with a bandage. "Famous even here," he muttered mocking her title.
Elaine nudged him in the back with her boot as she sat down by the newly created fire. "I'm just me," she said honestly. "And what about you, Champion of Kirkwall?"
Hawke laughed, the same light in her eyes as Elaine's. "I suppose I'm just me as well," she said. "Danarius… is he secure in that room?"
Elaine nodded. "Only your blood will release that prison," she explained. "I take it you and he have some history?"
Hawke nodded. "He is an evil man. Tortured someone I care deeply for, branded him with lyrium and kept him as a slave for years. I rather hope he rots down here for eternity."
Elaine understood, feeling the brief pain her cousin allowed to come through in her words. "I'm sure we'll figure out a fitting punishment for him." Elaine shook her head for a moment, and looked at Alistair to see if he was feeling the same. "We have to do something about this guy Alistair," Elaine warned. "I can't get him out of my head."
"I know," Alistair said finishing with Hawke's wounds. "There you go, best I can do for now, I'm afraid. Once we get Corypheus settled we can head out, get you some healing magic."
Elaine stood suddenly in alarm, causing Alistair and Hawke to do the same. She felt something in the pit of her stomach, something familiar, yet thought long gone. Alistair noticed it too. "Darkspawn?"
"No," Elaine said softly, recognizing the shared tainted soul. "Wait here," she told him as she began walking away from the two.
"Elaine, what is it?" Alistair began to follow, but she turned to him, eyes wet with tears.
"It's Anders."
Anders was looking off into the distance, a sudden overwhelming feeling taking control of him. "Something is close."
"Something?" Zevran questioned. "Like darkspawn something?"
Anders thought for a moment. "If I could only make him stop talking... I could... oh Maker make him stop talking!"
"The abomination is hearing voices, how unexpected," Fenris said rolling his eyes. "Hear who?" he asked.
"Corypheus. I can hear Corypheus." Anders knelt down holding his head. "Wardens... the Joining... I have too much taint in my blood. I can't shut him out."
"Anders?" Isabela studied her companion. "Shit, it's this place, it's making him mad. Aren't we supposed to slap him or something?"
"Help me," Anders said now kneeling on the ground. "I will... not... be... controlled!"
In an instant Anders was gone, Justice taking over, and simultaneously two Shades were summoned from the Fade to attack. Fenris swung at the Shade on the left as Isabela danced with the one on the right. Zevran flashed behind Justice trying to gain an advantage to take him down, but Justice was faster. He swung backward, tossing Zevran against the wall, as he ran toward Fenris.
"Look out!" Isabela screamed at Fenris as she continued to battle her Shade. Fenris sidestepped out of the way as Justice took a swing at him with Anders' staff. Zevran rejoined the battle, cutting down the Shade Fenris had engaged and he once again tried to get behind Justice. Fenris tried to keep Justice distracted as Zevran made a move, and sliced Justice in the side with one of his daggers. He yelled out in pain but continued to pursue Fenris, swinging wildly out of frustration and desperation.
Isabela finished killing her Shade, and joined the elves as they formed a circle around Justice. He spun around in an attempt to see who was the easier target. They circled him, moving in closer, and Justice released one of Anders spells that knocked them all backward.
"Shit," Isabela exclaimed as she landed hard on her ass. "That's gonna hurt."
Zevran was up within seconds, both daggers out as he faced off with Justice. Fenris soon joined them, and again all three had surrounded the spirit. Justice released a growl, preparing his next move.
"Justice!"
A shout from down the corridor startled all four of them. Elaine walked toward them, holding her staff in front of her, and she released a spell that froze Justice in place. She continued in his direction until she was mere inches from him, and brought her hand to his cheek. "Justice, you mustn't do this," she said softly, addressing the spirit within her former lover. "It wasn't fair to Kristoff, and it's certainly not right with Anders. He is your friend."
He looked at the woman before him, realization sinking in from memory and from Anders. He didn't speak a word as she put her staff behind her and took his hand in hers. "Release him," she said sternly.
He bowed his head to her, and with a bright flash Justice was gone, relinquishing control back to Anders. Elaine took Anders' other hand as he knelt to the ground, and mere seconds later he looked up at her. "Elaine?"
"Welcome back Anders," she said as he gazed at her longingly, tears in his eyes.
Zevran and Isabela both smiled at her, and Fenris looked at them all in confusion.
"Fenris," Zevran said bowing to the woman. "Allow me to introduce to you the Hero of Ferelden." Fenris nodded in her direction but waited as he watched Elaine's interaction with Anders.
"What are you doing here?" Anders asked after he'd recovered from the shock of seeing Elaine.
"I could ask you the same question, but I imagine I already know the answer," she said as she studied the group in front of her. "How odd we all continue to meet under the strangest circumstances." She held his gaze for a moment, wanting nothing more than to grab him, kiss him, and leave this place with him, never to return. But it was clear he was still struggling from the effects of Justice again overtaking him, and she pretended the images of the spirit hadn't bothered her.
She bowed to Zevran, and ran a soft hand along Isabela's cheek. "My old friends, how I have missed you." Elaine extended a hand to Fenris, recognizing this must be the man Hawke had referred to earlier. "My name is Elaine," she said, introducing herself. "Ignore the pompous title. It means little in places such as this."
Fenris accepted her handshake, feeling the atmosphere change among his group at the mere presence of this woman. "You are not alone here I imagine?"
"Oh no," she said smiling to him as she turned around. "Follow me. I'm certain I have a few things you've been looking for."
They returned down the same corridor that she appeared from, past yet another seal, only this one was free from blood. Down another hall they went which held another row of cells, still holding various demons and darkspawn in some sort of suspended state. "They don't talk much," Elaine said as they went past them. "Unless of course you release them, then they say a lot of grrs and args."
"My dear Warden," Zevran said as they continued on, "your sense of humor is still as sexy as I remember."
Fenris sighed. "Do you flirt with everyone?"
Elaine laughed, her sweet voice echoing in the deep halls. "I see your reputation is also intact."
They came to the last cell and Fenris froze. Behind the barrier was Danarius.
"I suppose no introductions are needed," Elaine said as she watched Fenris' expression.
Fenris walked up to the barrier and Danarius stood. They spent several seconds staring at each other.
"Danarius I presume?" Isabela asked.
"Yes," Fenris said, not taking his eyes off his former master. Danarius said nothing, smiling wickedly at Fenris, and then returned to the back corner of his cell and sat down again.
"We'll get back to him," Elaine said as she continued around the corner.
The party followed as the walls were aglow with firelight from a campfire. At the end of the hall was Alistair, his back turned to the group and blocking their view of Hawke.
"Ahem," Elaine coughed, interrupting them. "Your friends have arrived."
"Hawke?" Fenris spoke her name quietly, walking towards her.
Hawke smiled at him and moved toward him as well, and in a move that surprised their friends, Fenris hugged her.
"Ooh, careful" Hawke said, softly laughing as Fenris almost crushed her.
He released her and studied her. "Are you hurt? We heard you scream..."
"I'm alright," she said quickly. "Though I'm glad you have Anders with you, I could use a bit of healing."
Anders broke out of his internal struggle over Elaine when he heard Hawke say his name.
Zevran now stepped forward and spoke to Alistair. "Why am I not surprised to see you with her," he said, extending his hand.
"I like to live dangerously," Alistair chuckled as he shook Zevran's hand.
"Alistair!" Isabela exclaimed as she ran to him and jumped into his arms.
He grabbed her and steadied himself so they wouldn't fall over. "Isabela," he struggled to speak under her grip, "have you gained weight?"
She hit him hard in the chest after jumping off him, and gave Hawke a hug as well. "Good to see you alive Hawke," she said. "But a little annoyed too that I got all dirty to save someone who was already saved."
Hawke gestured for the group to sit. "It seems there's some catching up to do," she said as she sat down.
Elaine and Anders heard little of the conversation taking place around them. While Hawke and her friends reported to each other the events of the past few days, and Alistair filled them in on what the Grey Wardens had gathered, the two mages continued to stare at each other. Their eyes held a silent conversation for them. Longing, questions, relief, sadness. Elaine had wished everyone would just melt away so she'd have a chance to talk to him, but knew that wouldn't happen anytime in the near future.
They were snapped out of their thoughts when the conversation turned to them, and Elaine heard Hawke say her name. A soft laugh at first, and then, "I'm sorry Alistair, but at least you and Elaine can set it right now."
"Yup," Alistair said cheerfully. "That's what we're here for. Securing random prisons around Thedas that the old Wardens forgot about."
"But what is this place?" Anders asked, finally joining in the conversation.
"It is an ancient Grey Warden prison," Alistair explained to the mage, watching him and Elaine. "We received word that the darkspawn had returned here, so we were sent to investigate. From all the history books we could get our hands on, we surmised the prison defenses should've been enough to keep them out. The books were wrong."
"At least the seals kept Corypheus locked up," Elaine continued, "but we had no idea he could still call to the darkspawn until we got here, and were able to hear his voice ourselves."
"Anders heard it too," Zevran confirmed. "A Warden thing?"
"Unfortunate side effect," Alistair stated without going into detail.
"We were already here when Danarius brought Hawke down," Elaine explained. "We could feel the seals breaking, so we set up a trap before the final seal to catch him."
"And he fell for it?" Fenris questioned, finding it difficult to believe only the three of them had been able to take Danarius alive.
"We managed to get Hawke away from him," Alistair explained, "and that was enough to make him stop. He couldn't risk killing her before the final seal. What he didn't know was who he was facing. Another mage and a Templar can make things a bit difficult."
"My my Alistair, you've grown cocky," Isabela said gushing over him.
He blushed and then pouted, pretending to look hurt. "I did help with the Archdemon you know, I know some things."
Anders interrupted the conversation, not being able to stand the uncomfortable feeling in the air. "Kyra, let me tend to your wounds."
Hawke looked at Anders and then nodded, standing up. "We can go over here for some room," she suggested and gestured to a small room not far behind them. "Excuse us," she said to the group as they left.
Once Anders and Hawke were out of earshot, Elaine asked quietly. "How is he?"
Isabela spoke. "Who, Anders?"
"Yes," Elaine confirmed, nodding.
"He's okay. A bit moody, thinks he can save all the mages of the world. Actually a bit annoying now that I think about it," Isabela looked at her old friend. "Why?"
Elaine shrugged. "Just curious."
"Are you alright?" Hawke had asked Anders once they were alone.
Anders tended to her wounds at first, not wanting to discuss what was going on within him. But Hawke's sincere look broke him, her expressions often reminded him of Elaine's. "I lost control over Justice again. And of all the times for it to happen, she had to witness it…"
"Elaine," Hawke said her name, watching Anders face for confirmation. It clicked in Hawke's mind immediately. "She was the one? The one you told me about?"
He nodded. "In the Circle before my final escape. And again in Amaranthine. She was there when Justice and I... she's the only one that seems to be able to control him."
"And she still has your heart," Hawke said quietly.
"Yes," he said as if admitting it to himself for the first time. "But I can not live the life of a Warden. Or keep putting her in danger with Justice. It's why I fled to Kirkwall after Justice and I merged in Amaranthine."
Hawke sighed, feeling the heaviness of his heart. "You know, as far as relationship advice goes, well don't listen to me," she said softly laughing at her own situation. "But perhaps you should ask yourself why she continues to show up in your life."
Anders turned to look at her. "Kyra, I didn't pursue a relationship with you when I met you because of the pain I know I would've caused you. It's the same with her. I've always run from her."
"And yet here she is again," Hawke stated. "You can't deny this as some coincidence. You said yourself she's the only one that can control Justice. Maybe that too should tell you something."
"No," Anders said standing up. "You don't understand. I nearly killed her the last time I was with her. I cannot do it again."
"She hasn't run from you yet, Anders," Hawke assured him. "I think you should forgive yourself, as it seems she has forgiven you."
Anders hung his head. "I don't know how."
Hawke gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "You'll find a way," she assured him, taking his hand and leading him back to the group. As they approached, Anders' insides cringed as he heard the topic they were discussing.
"And you my dear Warden," Zevran had asked Elaine, "still dangerously single?"
Elaine allowed her eyes to look up as Anders as he walked past her. "Yes," she said loud enough for Anders to hear. "I'm still not over the last man I loved."
Hawke caught Anders' expression and gave him a soft smile, hoping he would mend their broken hearts soon.
Elaine and Alistair remained to watch over Fenris as he confronted Danarius. Elaine fought hard to convince Hawke this was something she didn't need to witness. Guilt weighed heavily within Anders once more as he heard Elaine begging Hawke to leave, telling her it wouldn't be good for their relationship if she remained to watch Fenris torture Danarius. Anders knew she spoke from experience, having witnessed him attack Alrik so many years ago.
When it was finished, and Danarius no longer a threat, the group left the prison as quickly as possibly. Alistair and Elaine would return in a few days to seal the prison permanently, but for now they escorted their old and new friends back to the city.
Anders kept his distance from Elaine on the journey, remaining behind the group with an equally broody Fenris. Elaine would look back every once in awhile and catch him watching her, but his eyes darted to the ground as soon as they made contact with hers. "Wait until we're in the city," Alistair advised as they walked. "You'll find time to finally talk then."
"And say what?" Elaine asked nervously. "Hi, how have you been since you left me for dead?"
Alistair laughed at her sarcasm. "I wouldn't put it quite like that. I'm sure it'll come to you."
Elaine sighed. She hated knowing that he was so close to her literally, but so far away figuratively.
When they returned to the gates of Kirkwall, they had agreed to meet at the Hanged Man, a local tavern, later that evening for some relaxation and drinks. Fenris spoke briefly to the group, thanking them all for their help, and everyone parted ways.
Elaine watched as Anders was about to leave as well, and couldn't stop herself from calling out his name. He turned to her, and for a moment she lost her breath. "Will you be joining us this evening?" Elaine asked, hoping he wasn't going to run away from her again.
Anders appeared to be thinking for a moment, and time stood still for Elaine as she waited for his response. "I wouldn't miss it," he said with a weak smile, and he turned from her and continued walking. She couldn't help the knots forming in her stomach, in anticipation of finally being able to speak with him again, after so many years apart.