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It was like a blade to the heart, riding away from the small cabin tucked away in the foothills of the Frostbacks. Persephone knew that if she looked back, if she saw Leliana standing just outside and waiting until Persephone had vanished into the distance, she would go back. She knew that this time apart would buy them years more together. Somehow, that knowledge didn’t make the pain any easier. Knowing for months, maybe years, she would wake up in a cold bed. That Leliana and her smiles and laughter and stories would be miles away. Consoling herself with the fact that she would have a lifetime of them if she returned with a cure did little. And if she didn’t find a cure, if there was nothing to be done for the taint coursing through her body, that time apart would have been wasted.
Cool morning air ran its fingers through her hair as Persephone crested another rise. She paused at the top, shielding her eyes against the sunlight as Cerberus skidded to a stop next to her horse. She turned, against her better judgement. Their cabin had faded into the distance, no speck of it or Leliana visible on the horizon.
My dearest, Persephone,
I have arrived safely in Val Royeaux. I know Most Holy has important work for me, and I owe everything I have now to her, but my heart aches to leave our home behind. However short our time in it was. I had an image in my mind, of when you returned to me. Of you riding up to the door, sunrise at your back, and throwing yourself into my arms. Hale and whole, cured of the darkspawn taint that would otherwise have ripped you away from me too soon. Let no one try to convince you that I am not a dreamer, my love.
I had good fortune on the roads, better than we had when travelling together. It felt like we were forever finding conflict and danger in our path. Darkspawn, civil war, bandits, and Zevran, of course. To travel such a safe road only made me miss you more. I wondered how your own travels fared. If you had found yourself in any danger or scrapes since your last letter reached me. Weisshaupt is much farther from home than Val Royeaux, which I suppose you would know better than I.
I have faith you will make it there safely, that you will find the answers you seek. Still, fear gnaws at my heart. I will keep you updated on my work, my love. Write to me when you can, waiting for your next letter is always the most agonising experience.
Yours, always.
Leliana
My dearest, Leliana,
I fear what they say about the Anderfels is true. This is perhaps the most miserable country I have ever seen. I wish more could be done for them, ways to revitalise the land and to push back the darkspawn forever. That is not to say it is without its beauty. I found myself travelling through some wetlands on my path to Weisshaupt and while overall it was almost as bad as my time in the Wilds, now and then I would encounter a clutch of flowers or a small village full of life and hope. It kept me going. Is that not what we fight for? The small beauties in the world? While I resent the Order themselves and the circumstances around me joining their number, I do respect most of the individual Wardens. Though, I admit, Alistair has left me biased on such things. I dread dealing with the politics of Weisshaupt. I’m sure I’ll have more to say as my search begins, but I envy Alistair. To have someone like Anora here to handle the politics for me would be a boon.
As for your arrival in Val Royeaux, it eases me to know you made it safely. I have no doubt you will be a boon to Most Holy. I do envy her, I admit. She has you at her side. I hope the politics of the Chantry and Orlais are not too tiring for you. I find myself rusty after so much time away, while I have full faith in you, I hope you do not find yourself struggling as I do. Tell me of your work, your time there. Or, what you can tell me. I’m sure much of it will be secret or sensitive, and I cannot expect to be told everything. I wish I could ensure all your paths be safe, that you will never find yourself in too great of danger. Unfortunately, I cannot, but if there is anyone I know that can get out of danger and return to me, it is you.
I will write when I can and keep you appraised of my research. Maker guide you, my love.
Aching to hear your voice again,
Persephone.
My dearest, Leliana,
I’m relieved to hear you made it safely from Kirkwall before the explosion of their Chantry. Yours was the first word we had received of the event at Weisshaupt, and I thank the Maker for it. I hate to think of what could have happened if you hadn’t left right after your mission was over. If I had to wait and fret over you if your letter hadn’t come before news of the explosions. Every time you tell me that you’re about to travel, that something potentially dangerous has been asked of you, it keeps me up at night. Wondering if you are safe. Wondering how soon I could reach you. I rest easy when I know you’re safe in your own bed, though I would rest easier if I had you at my side.
As for me, I am to go back on the road myself. I’ve finally found all I can at Weisshaupt and plan to gather more information on Grand Enchanter Fiona. Finding her will be a challenge with the current Mage Templar War, but I’ve reached out to Zevran to see if he can aid me in my search. He’s in Rivain at the moment, so I’ll me meeting him there. It’s a shame you’ll have returned to the South by the time I go through the Free Marches. I miss you, I miss your voice.
Travel safely, my songbird,
Persephone.
My dearest, Persephone,
Most Holy has arranged a Conclave at the Temple of Sacred Ashes to finally put an end to the Mage Templar War. We are nearly there, and all I can think of is you. Eleven years, aproximately, since we came here searching for a cure to Arl Eamon’s illness. I remember how speaking to the cultist made my skin crawl, everything in Haven seemed so strange. Fighting through the temple… and that dragon? Yet you faced it all as if nothing were amiss, even if I could tell you were scared yourself.
Thankfully, there is no cult lurking in Haven now. Or the Temple. I hope the Conclave settles things, we all do. Though Most Holy intends to leave me and Cassandra in Haven during the meeting. I loathe being made to stay behind, as does Cassandra, but we must have faith.
There will be plenty in attendance as well, though of course none of the leaders of the mage or Templar groups. A shame, too. If Fiona were here, I could ask her your questions and come closer to a cure. Aside from the mages and Templars, there are to be Dalish present and even some surface dwarves. The later I suspect due to lyrium smuggling. There will also be Qunari, we’ve hired the Valo-kas mercenary group to act as security. I hope this will bring us closer to peace, I empathise with the mages. I wish there was more we could do for them. I’m glad Most Holy agrees with my hopes of the future and I’m hoping her plans for the Inquisition will help with the Chantry’s reform.
I hope your search with Zevran is going well. I admit that hearing that you both would be travelling into Antiva has put me on edge. Entering the heart of the Crows’ power with Zevran of all people seems unwise, but I trust you both can handle yourselves. I simply ask you to be cautious and avoid drawing too much attention to yourselves. I hope you find more soon.
Yours, always,
Leliana
Persephone,
She is dead. After It doesn’t I don’t know
Cassandra and I have to put her plans for the Inquisition into motion.
I am safe to ease your fears. Haven and the area around the Temple are in disarray. There was an explosion at the Temple and a tear, we’re calling it the Breach, opened in the sky, spilling demons into the surrounding area. We found someone amongst the wreckage. One of the Dalish in attendance. They have a strange mark on their hand, but we believe it can close the Breach. They should be coming too soon. I’ll write again when I get the chance.
Yours, always,
Leliana
Leliana, something has appeared in the sky, a green smudge as the world shook. Are you alright? I had a bad feeling, is it the Conclave? Please tell me you’re safe.
Persephone.
Leliana,
I just received your letter, it arrived the day after I sent my first one. I’m writing this in haste. If you need me, I want to be there as soon as I can be. I’m so sorry about Justinia, I know how much she meant to you. I’m glad you were unharmed from the explosion, but please let me know if anything changes. Do you need me in Haven? I will drop everything to be there as soon as you give the word.
I love you,
Persephone.
Persephone,
I’ll be alright, please, continue your search. We’ve managed to stop the Breach from growing, for now. The elf we found… we’ve taken to calling her the Herald. Her name is Cerridwen, from Clan Lavellan. The figure of a woman was seen when Cerridwen appeared. People believe it was Andraste.
How could the Maker let this happen? So many people died, so many innocent people. Is this his plan? And Justinia
I miss you.
We’ve setup in Haven, for now. We’ll need to start spreading news of the Inquisition and forming connections soon. Cassandra has asked me to help advise the Herald as her spymaster. I’ve also asked Josephine to assist us as the Inquisition’s diplomat. And Cullen, do you remember him from Kinloch, will oversee our troops. Things are coming together. I’ll write to you often, so you’ll never be in the dark, I promise. Stay safe, my love. I love you.
Yours, always,
Leliana
My dearest, Leliana,
Zevran, as always, sends his love.
We’ll be splitting up, which is a shame it was nice having someone to travel with. I’ll be going to the Montsimmard Circle to see if I can recover any records on Fiona and her time there. Then I’ll go to Kinloch Hold to see if there are any records on the assistance the mages provided and then… Amaranthine.
It hurts, knowing I’ll be so close to you but with so much distance between us. When you wrote to me about the attack on Haven… I should have been there. I know you want me to find a cure first, but… I worry about you, Leliana. You’re in this deeper than I am and I can’t do anything for you. I can’t be there. I swear, the moment I find a cure, the moment I am cured, I will be at your side again. Where I belong.
I love you, I miss you,
Persephone.
My dearest, Persephone,
Come to Skyhold. Fiona is here. You can speak to her in person. And we can see each other again. Skip Montsimmard. There is no better source than Fiona herself and I miss you. Every morning I wake up alone and I ache to hold you, to kiss you, to tell you good morning and have you at my side. No one, save Fiona and me, ever has to know you were here. Please.
Yours, always,
Leliana
My dearest, Leliana,
I’ll be there. I love you. I miss you.
I’ll see you soon,
Persephone.