Where We Stand - Chapter 9

[valiasedai]

(Did I post chapter 8 over here? I thought I did.)

Chapter: 9 - Close
Words: 1200ish
Characters: Erise/Varel
Summary: I can't think of a non-spoileriffic summary for the chapter >.>

Over at ff.net

Varel pushed away from his desk and stretched. Erise acted as though she was fully recovered, but everyone could see the way her hands shook by the time evening fell. The reports that had filled his desk during her absence continued to come.

Erise had taken to visiting him in the evenings. While he took no small pride in being her safe haven, he was beginning to wonder if her earlier affections had disappeared. She confided in him, and over the last few days she'd been more at peace, if still a little sad. Her departure was always accompanied by a chaste kiss and a wish to sleep well, but the earlier heat hadn't returned. It was worrying – he'd taken his share of lovers since his wife had died, but he had never minded when they drifted away. The thought of Erise doing the same bothered him deeply.

A soft knock sounded at the door. "Varel? May I come in?"

The heavy accent was familiar. "Of course."

Erise slipped into the room, shutting the door quietly behind her before she took the seat across from him. "How are you?" Her posture was easy.

"I'm fine." He cleared his throat and tried to ignore the inquisitive eyebrow she raised at him. "How are you?"

Erise looked at the desk and let out a sigh. "Better than I was." She gave him a small smile. "I've been meaning to thank you. I know I haven't said much, but you have been a great help." When he frowned in confusion she grinned. "I must sound crazy, but it's been nice to have something good amid all that's gone wrong."

Her eyes were intent on his face and Varel swallowed hard. "You said we'd talk when you returned." He'd hoped to sound casual, but there was a sense of urgency to his tone.

Her grin faded and she nodded. "So I did. What do you have to say?"

Varel could hear his heart pounding in his ears. "I've only known you a few months, and this may sound overly forward, but… I want you."

Green eyes widened and there were a few moments of silence before Erise stood and walked to his side of the desk. He moved to stand as well, but she laid a hand on his shoulder and shook her head.

He stared up at her, unable to read her expression. She placed her hands on the chair's arms and leaned down, eyes never leaving his. "Tell me again."

The request made his breath catch. "I want you."

She smiled. "You have me." Her mouth was on his suddenly and Varel let out a soft murmur of contentment.

When she finally broke the kiss, both of them were panting. Erise pressed her forehead against his with a soft sigh. There were so many things he wanted to say, but the silence felt right in a way words didn't.

She moved to kiss him again when a loud knock rattled the door. "Merde, again?" Erise closed her eyes and frowned. The knock sounded again, louder this time. She stood and stormed across the room before throwing the door open. "What is it?"

It was Nathaniel, pale and out of breath. "Darkspawn have surrounded Amaranthine. The guard isn't strong enough to keep them out for very long. I don't know how they got a messenger through, but –"

"You and Anders prepare to leave. And… get Justice as well. Meet me at the gate in half an hour. And if you can find a servant. Have them supplies from the infirmary." The other man nodded before running off. Erise was half-way out the door before she turned to Varel. Her face was creased in worry. "Amaranthine should not have been able to get word to us. I don't trust this. Sigrun and Oghren will stay here. Close the gate and double the patrols.
Dread curled in Varel's gut, heavy and slick with fear. "Erise." He stood quickly, shoving the chair aside. He crossed the room and wrapped her in a tight hug. She clung to him and kissed him and for a moment the fear inside him was quiet.

They finally pulled apart and she kept her eyes from his. "I have to go."

He kissed her forehead and tried to keep the tremor from his voice. "I know. Be careful. I'll send word to Denerim for help. Just… come back. Please."

She kissed him once more. "I'll try." Her voice was hollow. She slipped from his grasp and ran down the hall, quickly disappearing from his view.

*****

Erise grunted as one of the children impaled itself on her sword. The wound under her arm was deep and she could feel the blood trickling down her side. She turned towards the sound of a guttural roar and hacked at the full-grown childer while it lunged at her. An arrow punctured the thing's skull cleanly and she gave a short, grateful shout to Nathaniel.

"No!" The voice belonged to Anders and Erise turned in time to see him run between an old Chantry brother and a hurlock. It swung at him, and he barely blocked it with his staff.

Erise charged forward, letting out a yell that drew the darkspawn's attention. She wouldn't lose another Warden. The pain in her shoulder flared as she swung back, only to deepen as it hit flesh and bone. She cut through the thing's armor easily and bitter blood splattered across her face.
"Maker, I thought I was dead." Anders fumbled with a belt pouch and withdrew a small blue vial, tearing the cork out with his teeth. "I think that's most of them."

Pain flared in her ankle and Erise staggered, nearly falling as she tried to turn. A genlock was setting a crossbow bolt while it grinned at her. "Anders, get down, now!" Not another one, not the healer…

A hum in her blood pulled her eyes to Justice. He was running towards the darkspawn, closing the space rapidly, but he was too slow. The bolt hit hard, piercing her plate and chest. Her vision flared white and she had the vaguest sense of falling. Anders' voice was distant and muffled under the frantic pounding of her heart.

As her vision cleared she could see blue sky and thick, black smoke. She tried to sit up – it was too dangerous to just lie there – but she only choked and coughed. She groped around blindly, trying to find her sword. When she finally found the hilt she nearly cried with relief. It was almost too heavy to lift, but it was a weapon and it was hers. An odd sense of peace filled her as each breath became more painful and little clouds of bloody mist escaped her lips. She closed her eyes and tried to steady her breath. This was a good death, better than dying alone in the Deep Roads. Her throat felt like it was closing up and tears stung her eyes, but she fought against the panic. She was a Warden. She would die well.

The deafening beat of her heart began to abate, growing softer, slower, weaker. Her final breath was echoed with one last flutter of her pulse before the world ended.