entranceway | ➶ four (action & video)

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➶ four (action & video)

[ The archdemon uttered a low, deep growl, collapsed and nearly dead, but not quite. Covered in gore and exhausted, the Warden had acted before thinking, dashing forward, all the while knowing an arrow would never be enough to take the life of a dragon, and instead grabbing a fallen warrior's blade from the ground as she went. The monster began to rise, snarling, its long, reptilian neck swaying as it watched her approach, but she never slowed, fearing her courage or energy might abandon her. It stretched out and roared, teeth bared, but she ducked beneath and traced the sword's edge along its exposed neck. Blood spilled overhead and behind her as the archdemon wailed, thrashing and then falling with an enormous crash nearby, finally defeated-- but, though the dragon had almost been ended, the soul would seek out another, and she drew ragged breaths in that final moment, shaking with adrenaline and fear.

Sacrifice. The word rang out in her mind in a dozen voices and she tried to picture the faces of all the people she'd fought with, all the people who hadn't made it to see this moment, before raising the borrowed weapon and driving it home in the skull of the leader of the darkspawn horde. A blinding light exploded before her eyes, the definitive sign that they'd succeeded, and she could just make out the sound in the distance of people calling out to her as that whiteness overtook her vision, blinding her, and then--

Blue. Robyn Cousland realizes her eyes are open again, staring up above at a clear, vast sky. She remains motionless for a long time, mind blissfully blank, but... dogged by a budding confusion. The Warden stretches her fingers and toes, wrinkles her nose at a very strange and unpleasant odor, shifts where she lies and winces as her joints crack. She's inexplicably lying in a garden, surrounded by flowers, likely crushing more than one of them. It's far from clear how she got here, or... where here even is, and eventually she's encouraged by curiosity to draw herself up to a seated position so that she can look around. The grounds with their lush hills and bubbling fountain aren't exactly familiar, but when her gaze falls on a looming mansion, her heart speeds up rapidly as if it had just woken up all at once. ]

Wonderland. [ She stares at it with her mouth now slightly agape. Wonderland, the strange place she'd been spirited to for... months, back before the Landsmeet, where she'd met... a handful of people from Thedas and even more from places more bizarre-sounding than Wonderland itself. She'd made friends and... likely enemies, she guesses, though their names and faces are still a little hazy. She'd met people who hadn't known her at all despite her memories saying otherwise. When she recalls those instances, particularly with Alistair and Morrigan, she recalls very sharply from where she'd just come and gets to her feet, albeit shakily. The off-putting scent had been the blood that covered her almost from head to toe mingled with the flowers she'd landed in, a smell nauseating in its combination. As such, she moves away from the gardens and to the fountain, sitting, weary, on its edge and washing off her face and hands. There is a room that, at one point, belonged to her inside the walls, and eventually she'll make her way there and bathe. There may be a mabari, too, who wasn't her hound from childhood, Calen, but Oren, named for her nephew.

It's all incredibly overwhelmingly, and on top of those new, old memories, she's still reeling from defeating the archdemon and-- dying. Robyn waits for the grief, which she remembers, now, so clearly from when Leliana had first warned her of her fate... but, it doesn't come. There's only a tired sort of resignation, the knowledge that the job had been done, and that this -- Wonderland -- is the only way to go forward with her life now.

The now rightfully-titled Hero of Ferelden lingers by the fountaion for a while, watching her reflecting idly, before moving inside to clean the tide of battle from her skin and armor. ]

[ It's many hours after she arrives in the gardens that Robyn remembers the network, that she thinks to pick up her device and to send out a message. She's freshly washed and no longer dressed for a fight, but when she does show her face, there's something distinctly different about it. Where she had just a week earlier seemed a little more the overeager girl, today she seems a great deal more Grey Warden than anything. ]

Greetings. [ Robyn speaks, tone crisp and polite, but almost distant, as if she's mentally somewhere else all throughout. ] I'm sorry if I... worried anyone. I've been told that I've only been gone a week, but as I suspect many of you know from experience, it was a little longer than that where I was.

[ She pauses, then scoffs faintly, shaking her head. ]

Well... to be honest, I couldn't say how much time passed. Maybe it wasn't so long after all. It felt like... ages.

[ Considering all that happened in Denerim with Howe, Loghain, the Landsmeet, and... the battle to follow. ]

I've come back unharmed. [ In case anyone had seen her earlier and was concerned about the amount of blood she'd been wearing. ] And... I hope the week has been kind.

[ Considering just before she'd left they had been tempted down into the Deep Roads, it's only fair that Wonderland let the lot of them off the hook every once in a while.

Robyn seems as if she's about too end the call, but she hesitates as something seems to come to mind. ]

Has... anyone seen my dog? I can only imagine what he may have been up to in the meantime...

( ooc ; feel free to encounter her during the action portion at any point in her return! )

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[Alistair is quick to appear when he sees her message, relief clear on his face.]

Robyn! You're back! I was getting worried.

[Her room had still been there and so had Oren so he'd been fairly sure she'd come back sooner or later. But there was always that niggling fear when someone disappeared that this time it would be for good. And even if it were a temporary absence that didn't mean everything was fine. He didn't think she'd died again somehow but Wonderland could be so unpredictable. And if she'd been sent back to Ferelden, it would be during the Blight where they both knew she could die. Seeing her back and in one piece doesn't allay all those fears but it's a start.]

What happened?

[ The last thing Alistair had said to her in Fort Drakon had been "And I love you. Always." It would be the last thing he'd ever say to her, but as soon as that thought drifts through her still-fuzzy brain, she has to remind herself that, no, she still has another Alistair here, in Wonderland. A friend, a fellow Warden. Her time in Thedas may be done, but Wonderland is still here, still real.

... Still. It's hard to reconcile so soon after leaving him behind to sit out the final battle, after parting ways in order to make sure he wouldn't be the one to strike that final blow. ]

I'm back. [ She repeats, adopting the most "at ease" expression she can and mostly just looking wearied as a result. ] No need to worry.

[ His question isn't an easy one and it isn't one she wants to lay on his shoulders, particularly after he'd eased the brunt of her angst after her death in the mansion. Robyn swallows, smiling evenly, trying to focus on words and conversation and not still-fresh memories of a massive dragon trying to do them all in. ]

Oh, you know how it is. Hordes of darkspawn, politics, just the usual.

[ Yes, he'll never question that very specific answer. ]

[Right. That's convincing. But again, if she's been back home - something Robyn goes on to confirm - then she's been dealing with a Blight and everything else. Tired seems mild compared to what she could be. At least she already confirmed that she's not hurt. That's a good sign. Whatever happened back in Ferelden, she's not been harmed.]

It's a little late for that. [Not worrying. Since he already has been. And still is, but it's eased by seeing her again in one piece.] I was wondering if you'd gone back or- [Or something else. But no, the truth is unpleasant enough without adding all the other possibilities that had occurred to him in there.] How long were you there? ...Is it all over?

[The most important question. Is the Blight ended? Or did Wonderland pull her back before she finished it, so that threat still looms over her? If it is over, did she kill the archdemon and survive as he'd hoped she would be able to? So many questions begging to be asked and his struggle to hold them all back is obvious. They'll come out eventually but for now he's trying not to immediately bombard Robyn with demands for answers.]

[ No, she isn't hurt, but words can be tricky. Right now, she's very alive and warm and breathing and bears no mark of having recently lost her very soul to destroy an archdemon. Robyn offers him the best smile she can muster, which is made increasingly difficult as he corners her into either the truth or a lie. Dodging things is easier, but with a question like that... ]

I was there for a while. [ How long, she isn't completely sure. Long enough to see Arl Howe dead, to see Alistair himself duel and execute Loghain, to see his daughter take the crown. To fight alongside the armies of Ferelden. To die. ]

It's all over. [ Robyn confirms after a measured pause. She knows she's being infuriating, but it's so hard to decide how she wants to proceed, how far removed he'll be from her and her woes. They aren't his to bear, not when she isn't of his world, and she's less sure every minute that he should know the entirety of it.

Particularly when she'd broken her promise, had found another way out and had turned it away. Morrigan had tempted her with the possibility of Alistair making the final strike himself, but Robyn had never intended to let him get close enough to try.

Morrigan had also reminded her of the grief that he would face after Robyn's sacrifice, but that was a pain she hadn't been able to spare him from. ]

Ferelden is safe. [ She murmurs quietly. ] The Blight is finished.

Edited 2016-05-26 02:34 (UTC)

[A 'while' is a frustratingly vague answer but he can understand that it's hard to keep track of time when travelling and in constant danger. The passage of days and weeks becomes less important than what is achieved. And what has been achieved while she was absent is the most important thing that could happen in either of their versions of Ferelden. That's what matters.]

You did it? [He's almost incredulous. Plenty of people have said that the Blight was ended years ago but to know that Robyn has fought and slain the archdemon in her absence... That hurdle still awaits him whenever he manages to return to Ferelden but it feels a little less imposing, looking at her and knowing that with similar forces to those mustered in his home the archdemon was defeated.]

Maker, I almost don't believe it. [A week and it's all over. For Robyn. Yet she doesn't seem to be in as celebratory a mood as he might expect. There could be a perfectly innocent reason for that - she could still be wearied from the battle or unhappy to be back in Wonderland when there is still work to be done in Ferelden. Or it could be something far worse. He remembers what Leliana had told Robyn her fate would be. Alistair wants to believe it isn't possible - she looks fine - but he remembers waking up perfectly fine with no sign of what happened after he died in Wonderland.

Stomach sinking he leans closer to the screen of the device as if somehow it will let him see her better.] Did- Are you alright? [He can't just ask 'did you survive' much as he wants to. Forcing a smile he tries instead-] Am I talking to the new Warden-Commander of Ferelden then? Needing to get back home to rebuild the order?

Healthy as can be. [ She replies promptly, almost more easily now that she's begun to fabricate this second life that isn't hers, or at least to avoid the complete truth of what happened in her Ferelden. ] And-- No, it was just after the battle that I woke here again. No time for celebrations or titles, unfortunately.

[ There had been time for goodbyes, though. Thank the Maker for that. ]

So, there's nothing to worry about. [ Robyn insists lightly, smiling. ] I almost don't believe it, myself - I could tell you enough of the battle for a month's worth of new nightmares - but it ended. There was actually another Grey Warden who fought with us, too: he'd been a prisoner of Howe's. He was a senior member and I'm not sure we could have done it without him.

[ Unfortunately, he hadn't lived to see the day won. Robyn dips her chin respectfully in memory of the loss. ]

So many died. [ She muses. ] But, so many more will live after this.

[Thank the Maker. She'd survived. Robyn had slain the archdemon and survived. Alistair grins broadly as it sinks in, the expression only fading at the reminder that there were still lives lost for all that Robyn herself wasn't. Including one person he does know.]

Riordan didn't make it? [With all his injuries from his time in Howe's dungeons the older Warden would have been in no condition to fight the archdemon. And yet it's no surprise to hear he did anyway. He did what any Warden would have.] He'll be remembered. As will everyone who died.

[Trying to steer the conversation back in a more cheerful direction he goes on-] But I wouldn't say there's nothing to worry about. [Surely there will still be nightmares, as she says herself and coming to terms with the fact that it's all over for her. But more than that-] You fought an archdemon and haven't even got to the celebration after! That's just not right. We should fix that as soon as possible.

[And at some point he should ask about the battle. If there's any chance he can learn something that would help when he gets back to his Ferelden - and he can find a way to remember it - then he has to know. But later. Now is for being relieved not making Robyn relive bad memories.]

[ Lying isn't a skill that comes easily or naturally to her, and doing so to someone she considers a friend feels so inherently wrong that she winces inadvertently. It's easy enough to play it off as having been born from sadness at their many losses or simple fatigue, given everything she'd just gone through... she hopes. ]

Of course. [ Robyn insists quietly. ] They deserve memorials, for stories of their heroism to be told around fires everywhere. I plan to light a candle and to pray for their lives tonight.

[ And she will. That part is no fabrication. ]

I don't need a celebration. [ Robyn replies quickly. ] We don't need any more reminders of the Blight here, do we? Even if it's about the end of it. And-- It isn't fair, what with you still having to face it all. Once you've lived through all that, we can... celebrate.

[ Celebrate his survival as soon as he can confirm it. It doesn't occur to the Warden that Alistair could just as easily lie about his fate to her. ]

[He had sounded too flippant there, hadn't he? Robyn had just seen all the death and destruction firsthand. He shouldn't let his relief blind him to the fact she still needed to process it all.

He nods somberly at her, unsure if it would be appropriate to join her or not. He knows at least some of the fallen in a sense, but has yet to see them sacrificed himself.] Of course.

[Offering a more subdued smile he agrees] If that's what you'd prefer. You might be waiting a while, there's no knowing when I'll see the end of it for myself.

[And honestly he's not sure if he wants it to happen sooner or later. On one hand, having it over and done with would be a relief instead of knowing that the Blight is waiting for him the second he gets back to Ferelden. On the other, there's always the chance something will be different for him. He won't survive or one of their party will die or they'll fail. He hopes not and tells himself that it won't happen - not a single person from Thedas has failed to recognise him or expects him to be dead or thinks the Blight wiped out Ferelden. But the fear still nags at the back of his mind.]

But fine. When it's over for us both. Then we should celebrate.

You will. [ She says promptly. ] And you'll go on to become a senior Warden for all the young recruits to look up to and admire, and then when you're out of sight, you'll be the same, joking Alistair as always.

[ But he'll live. Grey Warden or king, whatever the outcome, to have not yet heard that he dies in the fray is a blessing. It releases some of the tension that she feels in her own chest, lessening the knot-- and it isn't just him, either. All her companions survive Fort Drakon.

Robyn sighs deeply, smiling a small, but more genuine smile. ]

Then we can celebrate. [ She confirms. ] Maybe by going out for that camping trip that we talked about. [ She remembers that discussion, at least. ] I would really like that.

[ If anything can be counted on as a constant here in Wonderland or back in Ferelden, it's his kindness. It's how he always manages to make her feel better. ]

I still haven't forgiven you, you know. [ Robyn says, lip twitching upward, brow quirked. ] You know, for the outrageous insult you did me.

You think I'll have that much restraint? I was thinking I'd be making a fool of myself in front of all the new recruits and bringing shame to the order.

[Kind of how he had at Ostagar in front of the other Warden Cousland and presumably her. If he stays with the Wardens. Otherwise he might be making a fool of himself in front of the nobles of Ferelden which is an even more terrifying a prospect than new recruits looking to him for guidance.

So maybe later would be better for Blight ending but no, he'd still prefer to know Ferelden is safe as soon as possible.]

Deal. On the celebration. We don't have to wait that long for the camping trip if you don't want to.

[With no way of knowing when it will be time to celebrate they could be waiting months. And Robyn deserves something good after what she's just been through and with Wonderland not even letting her stay to enjoy the festivities following the ending of the Blight. Though their definition of something good may not always be the same.]

Insult? Me? [He attempts an affronted tone.] I did no such thing. I was helping a fellow Warden keep her skills sharp. You should thank me!

Then they'll just want to follow your lead, as you're their senior, and then you'll all be at least the same level of foolish.

[ The idea of a group of Wardens all gabbing loudly at the same time, telling jokes and laughing and chatting happily, has her smiling. ]

It's up to you. Your schedule here may have changed massively since I was last here. [ Never mind that it's only been a week. ] Whenever it suits you, my lord.

[ She'd like to go sooner, though, honestly. It'll make her feel a little like she's back home in a place that is her last shot to be home. ]

Thank you? I'll do no such thing. [ She replies coolly. ] In fact, I've already begun scheming how to get back at you for the entire affair.

I might be able to stomach being senior Warden in that case.

[Wardens do tend to be a varied bunch, as even their small number in Wonderland demonstrates. So a bunch of them being idiots together isn't so unlikely. He could handle that.]

Ooh yes, I have ever so much to keep me occupied my lady. [What with all the doing nothing he has to do when Wonderland isn't trying to kill them all.] I'll surprise you.

[When she least expects it. He'll just turn up and drag her out into the woods. In a not-creepy way. That has nothing to do with mud.]

I'd like to see you try! [Digging his own metaphorical grave? Yes. But he's looking forward to seeing whatever revenge she's planning.] I should let you get on with your scheming then.

[And let her rest, if she's still fresh from battle.]

I'm glad I can offer you some reassurances, in that case.

[ He deserves it, anyhow, since she does honestly trust in his ability to lead. ]

I'm not sure I like your surprises. [ She remarks, brow arched. ] Not after all that. So, should I trust you to camp nearby without... I don't know, tossing me into the ocean? Or, should I keep my guard up and be prepared to attack you back?

[ This time, she'll be ready. Before that, though, she's totally going to get revenge. ]

Until such a time as I've managed to return the favor, I'll-- Yes, get back to my scheming. You know how well I love to plot.

[ When it comes to the mud stuff, maybe.

There's a little pause in which it's incredibly obvious that she wants to say something else, pausing before ending the broadcast and watching him, lips seemingly half-forming words and then dropping them-- ]

Take care. [ Robyn ends with a smile. ]

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