[The dwarven girl had been so eager to learn, he remembers that much even after meeting her so briefly. Maybe she found a way to get her wish in his Ferelden too, even without help.
Helping in that case had admittedly had nothing to do with their duty as Wardens. But their job was to protect people. Primarily from the darkspawn but that didn't excuse them from everything else.]
That's what I tried to say. But- [Alistair shakes his head, fists clenching by his sides in frustration.] It didn't get through.
[An understatement. That confrontation had gone absolutely nowhere. The most he can say is that he'd spoken up and hope it counts for something.]
I heard some of it. [He hesitates, glancing down at her worriedly. It honestly hadn't occurred to him until just then that the things Howe had done to Aedan Cousland's family would also have happened to Robyn Cousland. She would have been as distraught after Ostagar as he was. But she'd been the one to shoulder the burden of leadership. It makes him feel selfish, knowing if they were from the same Ferelden he'd have left everything to her despite all she lost.] It was because Duncan was there, wasn't it? He helped you escape after- After.
[He doesn't know all the details but everyone had heard about the massacre at Highever. It was no secret. Her entire family. Pausing, Alistair reaches out to squeeze her shoulder gently, uncertain if she'll welcome an attempt at comfort or not. This could well have come up between Robyn and 'her Alistair', making anything he has to offer an unwelcome reminder, but he can't ignore it.]
no subject
[The dwarven girl had been so eager to learn, he remembers that much even after meeting her so briefly. Maybe she found a way to get her wish in his Ferelden too, even without help.
Helping in that case had admittedly had nothing to do with their duty as Wardens. But their job was to protect people. Primarily from the darkspawn but that didn't excuse them from everything else.]
That's what I tried to say. But- [Alistair shakes his head, fists clenching by his sides in frustration.] It didn't get through.
[An understatement. That confrontation had gone absolutely nowhere. The most he can say is that he'd spoken up and hope it counts for something.]
I heard some of it. [He hesitates, glancing down at her worriedly. It honestly hadn't occurred to him until just then that the things Howe had done to Aedan Cousland's family would also have happened to Robyn Cousland. She would have been as distraught after Ostagar as he was. But she'd been the one to shoulder the burden of leadership. It makes him feel selfish, knowing if they were from the same Ferelden he'd have left everything to her despite all she lost.] It was because Duncan was there, wasn't it? He helped you escape after- After.
[He doesn't know all the details but everyone had heard about the massacre at Highever. It was no secret. Her entire family. Pausing, Alistair reaches out to squeeze her shoulder gently, uncertain if she'll welcome an attempt at comfort or not. This could well have come up between Robyn and 'her Alistair', making anything he has to offer an unwelcome reminder, but he can't ignore it.]