Cousland: The Chosen - Dragon Age Fanfiction

-Chapter Eight-

I watched as the men and women of the camp bowed their heads in respect as Ian's corpse was carried though the camp, to the tent of the dead. My heart leapt unevenly as I saw the flash of his blonde-red hair disappear.

"I'm sorry for your loss, my lady. He was a good man." Darrien said as the nurse that had bandaged my leg walked away carrying her bloody tools. I slowly got up from the cot and took a deep breath as I stood, happy that for once since the battle I had not hissed in pain.

"It's not only my loss Darrien, It's the world's. He was a honorable man, I loved him." I said coldly as I walked towards the campground.

"I apologize, May the Maker take him by His side and protect him from harm." Darrien said crossing his arms over his chest.

"I'm sorry Darrien, I didn't mean it in a rude way, I just need to morn in peace." I said as I waved to him goodbye as I entered my tent. He smiled sympathetically as I closed the tent's curtain and I looked around the tent which I shared with Ian. His belongings were laying all over the floor and his bedroll was messily in the right corner, his clothing laying on my blanket.

I looked at the tent's opening fold, hoping that he would walk though any minute and take me into his arms, and kiss me again. He would playfully come in and shake his strawberry blonde hair around like a dog would while it was raining, purposely aiming for me as he did so. His blue eyes full of happiness as he kissed me.

I closed eyes as I took off my armor and I pulled on my silk underdress as I laid down in Ian's bedroll inhaling his scent. The mixture of rain and his forestry natural smell making my heart ache and remind me of home. Our home.

"Evelyn? Can I come in?" A deep voice asked as I sat up and grabbed my cloth hair tie and quickly tied my messy hair up, to look presentable.

"Come in Duncan." I said, recognizing his deep fatherly voice. The tent's opening moved and Duncan emerged and he shut the opening and his face softened as he looked down at me. My face was stiff from the tears drying and my eyes felt swollen.

"Lady Cousland, I am so sorry for your loss. I have come to understand that Ian Gilmore and you were close. I am sorry it had come to this. I apologize for not realizing how bad a person Sir Edward Gory was and for not realizing he was a colleague of Arl Tendon Howe's. Ian, a little while back left a letter for you. In case this had happened. He gave it to me in private and told me to tell you not to be filled with grief. I am sorry my lady." Duncan said handing me a white envelope with rose and fern patterns drawn onto it. He exited my tent with sad brown eyes, leaving me to my thoughts. I took a deep breath and opened the envelope, seeing the perfectly written letter in Ian's handwriting.

Dear, Evelyn Rosette Cousland

If you are reading this my love, I am so sorry. This means I have died so early into our future together. I saw you and Alistair together walking around camp and I thought I should write this while I have the chance. What we had was real. I believed it was real. But if I am dead then I wasn't the right man for you. I saw how he will look at you, I've seen your future together in my dreams, everything will make sense. I knew my time was coming for the Maker had shown me that it would be alright. Everything will be alright, I promise. Don't be overcome with grief. I love you with all my heart, and I want you to move on. Look for love, for the love YOU want. The man of your dreams.

I love you forever and always even past life itself.

Yours truly, Ian Stephan Gilmore.

My tears stated to flow even more as I read the letter, imagining his voice reading it to me.

"Evelyn; can I come in?" Another deep voice called from outside my tent. I took a deep breath recognizing Alistair's voice.