[Completed] Cough Syrup

Dearest Rosalie,

I realise it may seem like I only write to you when I'm worried about you, but considering we're fighting a blight in not one, but two kingdoms simultaneously; and well I know that you are helping where you can with the injured and sick. I also realise you know the dangers that it puts you in, but honestly with all the dangers around I'm more worried that you are going to overwork yourself.

It's OK to take a break even when the world is going to shit. You're no good to anyone if you over do it. Look, even I took a break from working with the recruits to write you a letter and get a bite to eat, though I partly did that so you couldn't call the kettle black on me. Look, I just worry about you OK, I always will and I know how likely you are to work yourself into a coma.

Just, let me know how you're getting on. You're always welcome here if you need a break. We've got wards up so it's one of the safest places in Ferelden right now, well after Flemeth's Hut, that's where Morrigan and Kieran are right now.

Take five minutes to write me and put my mind at ease please. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Your big brother

Well considering that you are my older brother I think that you writing me because you are worried is quite reasonable. I do worry about you too and hope that this letter finds you well, I know that you are as much of a hard worker as me, or even more.

It’s not about the break, it’s about…have you ever felt that doing your best is not bad but still not enough? I love my job but since I came here to assist the Grey Wardens is just…

I am happy to do what I do best but I feel is not enough, I am terrified all the time of failure, because my failure will hurt others. I save most people but I remember for days the ones that I don’t
And the smell of darkspawn reminds me of Honnleath going down in the first blight, I have not seen a darkspawn again, but it’s like if I was there all over when I see that sticky black blood.

I am sorry, I was writing this to reassure you but I needed to talk about this with someone that would understand, and unfairly I am unable to put this burden on Vincent. Maybe because this reminds me to when I was five and you helped me to stop fearing the dark by staying with me in that dark room for an hour to prove me that nothing would happen.

With love
Roro

Dear Rosalie,

I wish fighting the blight were as easy as fighting your fears had been. I still haven't wrapped my head around there being not one, but two archdemons flying about and so soon after the last blight. Four blights in over eight hundred years and then suddenly, bam, we have three blights within eighteen years. It's absolutely insane. 

As far as if I've ever felt like doing my best just wasn't good enough, pretty much all the time. Well, maybe not 'all' the time but quite often, even back when I was a Templar, and then when I was fighting the last blight with Lana, then at the Inquisition and now here at Soldier's Peak. I mean I'm helping to training Grey Warden recruits even though I'm not a grey warden. 

You can't help people if you don't look after yourself first though. I realise that may sound a bit like the pot calling the kettle black, but I have my baking hobby and I have Lana and the boys to make sure I take breaks, and a sister who writes me.

Take care of yourself,
Cullen

Dear Cullen

It is insane, it seems that peace is more of a wishful thinking than a reality nowadays, I can’t even begin to image the pressure that both you and Lana are facing.

Well, if someone can do that training properly it’s you brother, you might not be a grey warden but few people in Thedas have your experience.

I don’t have time here to do my usual hobbies, Vincent helps me when it comes to distance myself from the current situation but lately even that doesn’t help. It hurts to admit it, but I don’t know if I can stay here for long before I go insane, but on the other hand I don’t want to abandon these poor people.

Best wishes and a big hug

Rosie

Dear Rosalie,

Well, going insane certainly won't help anyone. You should come stay here for a bit, doesn't have to be long, just long enough for you to breathe and get your head on straight. I can send someone to get you, maybe meet you at the Ferelden border, if you don't mind flying the rest of the way from there that is, it would be quicker. Let me know and I'll see who I can send, maybe Nathaniel.

Your Brother,
Cullen

Dear Cullen

As much as it hurts me, you have a point. Flying is good with me, hopefully, it's not like I have much experience with it. Tell Nathaniel to pick me up and I'll take a month of holidays before returning to my research

With love, Rosalie