Rosalie tried to do a quick recount of the materials that she had left; it wasn’t just the wounded that came to her in order for assistance, she also ha to donate from time to time resources to the wardens that came asking for bandages potions or assistance and now she was pretty much at her limit.
Her hair was up in a messy bun as she finished her inventory, the heavy steps of a soldier filling the grim silence that seemed to last forever, only interrupted by the groans of the wounded and the dying. She sighed and started to speak before even turning around “I am almost out of supplies, which means that sadly I have nothing to spare, at the least until the end of the week. I am sorry but I can’t tend people without the basics so sadly this time I can’t spare anything”.
She turned around a tired expression on her face which turned into curiosity “Nathaniel?” she asked, eyebrows up “I didn’t expect you…” she wondered if the Wardens sent him because they knew she had a soft spot for him. “Well the same applies, even if I am even more sorry to say no to you” she said with a small smile which didn’t made to her eyes.
Nathaniel stepped into the room, his sharp gaze sweeping over the dwindling supplies, the rows of wounded, and Rosalie at the center of it all, exhaustion weighing heavily on her. He didn’t waste time.
Rosalie, he said, his voice steady but urgent. You’ve done everything you can here, but Orlais is falling. The Blight’s closing in, and it’s time to go.
He took a step closer, his tone softening. Ferelden needs you—the refugees need you. You can do more for them there than you can here. Staying until you burn yourself out won’t stop what’s coming.
Nathaniel met her eyes, his expression firm but not unkind. Let me help with what’s left here. When it’s time, promise me you’ll come. There’s nothing more to fight for here, Rosalie—not compared to what you could do there.
He folded his arms, the faintest trace of a wry smile tugging at his lips. You’re too smart to waste yourself on a fight that’s already lost.
Rosalie looked at him stunned, since he was a Grey Warden, he was the last person that she expected to tell her to flee “Good morning to you too, dear friend” said Rosalie a bit shocked about the urgency in his words. Nathaniel was more to her than a friend but he didn’t have to know and she didn’t want to burden him with a confession of unrequited love.
She thought about what he said, the patients wouldn’t be abandoned and he would not remain behind “but…you will come with me too right? I know that you are saying that but I need you to swear it. I care too much about yo…our friendship to just leave without you” she said with the same firmness that he had shown in his expression.
“I am not smart I am hardworker, everybody can learn medicine with enough resources and hours of study” she said shyly; Rosalie had never been smooth at admitting praise.
Nathaniel studied her for a moment, his dark eyes unreadable. He shifted his weight slightly, his posture remaining formal, but his tone softened just enough to pierce through Rosalie's apprehension.
I’ll come with you, he said, his voice low but resolute. You have my word. I won’t let you face this alone.
He glanced at the patients behind her, then back to Rosalie, his jaw tightening. But don’t think for a second that what you do is anything less than extraordinary. You call it hard work, and maybe it is—but not everyone has the will to give so much of themselves. Most people would’ve run by now. You stayed.
Nathaniel stepped closer, his voice dropping to a quieter, more intimate register. If you can look me in the eye and tell me that anyone could do what you’ve done here, I’ll let it go. But we both know you can’t.
His lips twitched into a faint smile, though his tone remained serious. You don’t have to agree with me, of course. But at least admit this—you’d never let me get away with saying something that self-effacing.
There was a pause, a slight hesitance as if he wanted to say more but thought better of it. Instead, he nodded toward her dwindling supplies. Let’s get these sorted. Then we’ll figure out the rest. Together.
“That’s all I need; thank you Nathaniel knowing that you will be there brings me peace” she said with a small smile.
“People like you inspires me, I wouldn’t have been able to endure without you. You are too an exceptional warden and an amazing man Nathaniel” she said gently, refraining from letting him know what she really thought, that she thought about him as amazing for reasons that went beyond just friendship.
“Well I can’t deny you if you speak to me like that” she said blinking, her brain shutting down with the closeness “I mean, your logic; I can’t deny your logic” she said, her whole face a shade of dark red.
“Then we are together in this” she said gently “There’s no one I would rather team up with Nate”
Nathaniel’s expression softened further, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face at her words. He didn’t step back; instead, he stayed close, his presence steady and reassuring.
Rosalie… he began, his voice dipping lower as if he might be about to say something deeply personal. But then, he hesitated, the barest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips to mask whatever emotion had surfaced. You always know how to turn things around, don’t you? Here I was trying to convince you, and now I feel like I’ve been conscripted into following your lead.
He straightened slightly, regaining the measured composure of a seasoned Warden. But you’re right. We’ll face this together. Whatever comes next, you won’t be rid of me that easily.
There was a beat of silence, broken only by the distant sounds of the wounded and dying around them. His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary, a faint trace of something vulnerable in his eyes, quickly replaced by determination.
Now, let’s get to work. The Blight doesn’t wait for sentimentality, does it?
His tone turned lighter, almost teasing, as he gestured toward the supplies. If you’re going to keep blushing every time you try to compliment me, I’ll be forced to carry all of this myself. And trust me, I’ll make sure you owe me for it.
Despite the weight of the moment, a small chuckle escaped him—a rare sound, one that carried both warmth and a trace of wry humor. He nodded firmly. Come on, Rosalie. Let’s save who we can and then get out of here. Together.
“Well I am a doctor, that’s a talent of mine” she said with a small smile “You know, you have to tell me how do you do it…at times I feel that you are going to say something but then what leaves your mouth is not what I expected at all” she wasn’t mad just curious about how Nathaniel managed to surprise her every single time.
“You need to make it Nate, I have lost too much I wouldn’t bear to lose you too” she said, a frown in her features as she thought about something happening to him. Perhaps her feelings were one sided, but that didn’t mean that she didn’t cherish Nathaniel and that he wasn’t an important part of her life.
“I fear not; duty always calls, doesn’t it?” she said with a sad smile. If only she was braver or she had more time she would tell him. It would change nothing but at the least she would get the weight off her chest.
“Well threats aren’t very gentelmany or wardenly of you” she said playfully “Don’t worry I will do my part, I don’t want to be indebted to you, I am sure of that you’d ask me to do something silly or embarrassing” she said with a smile.
“The ones that can walk don’t need evacuation, the ones that are too sick to move are not…” she didn’t finish the sentence but it was clear what she meant “and the ones that can move a little will be helped by the ones that can move more” she said to herself as she started to arrange the evacuation.
Nathaniel exhaled softly, his smirk fading into something quieter—more contemplative. He tilted his head slightly, watching her with that unreadable intensity of his.
I suppose I like to keep you on your toes, he admitted, though there was an edge of something else beneath his words, something he wasn’t ready to voice. Can’t have you thinking you know me too well, now can I?
His gaze darkened, serious once more as she spoke of loss. He wanted to tell her that she wouldn’t lose him, that he’d make sure of it—but Nathaniel had seen too much to make promises he couldn’t keep. Instead, he reached out, briefly clasping her forearm—strong, steady, grounding.
I’ll do everything in my power to survive this, Rosalie. You have my word.
He let go just as quickly, his expression carefully composed again. When she teased him, the corner of his mouth twitched upward.
A gentlemanly Warden? Now there’s a contradiction if I’ve ever heard one. He crossed his arms, raising a brow. And as for debts—oh, I wouldn’t ask for anything too ridiculous. Just a lifetime of owing me favors. Nothing unreasonable.
His teasing tone faded as she outlined the grim reality of their situation. He nodded, the humor vanishing from his face, replaced by the quiet resolve of a man who had long since made peace with impossible choices.
Then let’s make sure everyone who can be saved makes it out. He stepped beside her, his voice low but sure. And when we leave, we don’t look back.
