Chapter Text
The sun is setting behind the sparse cover of trees as the caravan slowly comes to a halt. Evangeline shifts, groaning in irritation at the sound of her bones popping back into place.
“How are you feeling?” Emmrich approaches the cart with an odd look on his face she can't place. It's a mix of worry, and perhaps frustration or annoyance - the same attitude that has been dragging on all day long.
“Bored,” Evangeline answers honestly, as she stretches. Even her backside is numb after being forced to sit for what feels like half a lifetime now. “Is my punishment over now?” her voice remains light and teasing, but the intention is clearly not appreciated.
Emmrich lets out a slightly annoyed huff at her, and gives her a chiding look. “You wouldn't be in this position if you had listened to me this morning,” he says.
“If I listened to you this morning we would still be sorting out our bags back at the manor,” Evangeline crosses her arms with a pout. “We needed to actually get it done, not just stand around and talk about it.”
“Darling, you fainted,” Emmrich gives her a pointed look.
“I did not!” Evangeline protests vehemently.
“I had to use smelling salts to wake you!” Emmrich says, incredulously.
“I was just a bit dizzy, alright? I forgot to have breakfast.” Evangeline says.
“Which would not have happened, had you stayed put until I woke!” Emmrich raises his voice.
“Ugh! Why are you so annoyed?!” Evangeline jumps off of the cart.
“Me?” Emmrich narrows his eyes. “Why are you?”
“Hey, so a few of us managed to hunt down some kind of a goat over there, so we're gonna be setting up camp now to cook it.” Anton interrupts. “You know, if you’d like something to eat after you get whatever this is out of your system.”
“Thanks, Anton, but I don't think I’m allowed to even lift a finger today, or the Professor will surely have an apoplexy.” She says, teeth gnashing.
Anton lifts his hands in surrender and backs away.
Interestingly, the elves around them all simultaneously get the same idea and they also scatter to the winds.
“Brilliant!” She throws her hands up. “No witnesses now, Emmrich, go ahead and tie me up. Can't be a nuisance if I can't move, can I?”
Emmrich gives her a long, hard look, then shakes his head. “I don't understand why caring about your wellbeing is so offensive to you,” he says.
There's something about the way he says it that deflates her, sudden anger turning into awkward embarrassment.
“It's not,” she exhales. “But these people have to be taken care of. I don't start things I can't finish, Emmrich. And whether you like it or not I’m going to see this through.”
Emmrich turns away slightly at this, jaws tight. “I never implied otherwise,” he says evenly.
Evangeline stares at him, wondering just what was going through his mind. He looks almost frightened, but of what she just doesn't understand.
“Then what's the actual problem here, Emmrich?” She asks, trying to sound genuine and not self-defensive. “You’ve been annoyed with me all day long, and I’m tired of it. What's gotten into you?”
“What's gotten into me?” He asks, and Evangeline can clearly hear a slight tremor in his voice as he turns back towards her with an uncertain expression on his face. “Forgive me if I don't understand where I stand with you today.”
It's Evangeline's time to look completely baffled by his words. “What?” She asks.
Emmrich sighs and deflates a bit, although there's still visible tension in his shoulders. “After last night…” he says, then trails off before picking up the trail of thoughts again. “I suppose I wasn't expecting to wake up to an empty bed and then spend the whole day worrying about… about you. Us. Everything.”
“Oh,” Evangeline takes a step closer to him, eyes wide as realization finally dawns on her. “Oh, I wasn't thinking, was I?” She asks awkwardly shifting from one leg to another.
Emmrich's eyebrows rise, his expression going from dejected to hopeful. “So you weren't trying to reject me, without actually having to reject me…?” he asks.
“Emmrich,” she shakes her head. “When's the last time I avoided a problem?”
The last of his tension seems to evaporate at this, and he lets out a little huff. “Should we just pretend this never happened?” He asks.
“I was thinking more along the line of a make-up make-out session, but if that's how you wish to proceed, who am I to deny you?” she shrugs.
It's a very welcome relief that runs down her spine when she sees his lips twitch up into a smile.
“Come here,” he says and throws open his arms so she can close the remaining gap. Evangeline does so without fanfare, returning the hug with enough gusto that Emmrich’s feet lift off of the ground slightly.
“Let that be a warning,” she mumbles playfully as she sets him back, and Emmrich lets out a warm chuckle.
“We should probably go and help set up camp,” Emmrich says after a few moments of clinging to her, his hands roaming around her back in slow circles.
“Alright, master healer,” Evangeline pulls away. “What am I allowed to do tonight?”
“Just don't overdo it again, please,” Emmrich says. “I’d prefer taking care of you while you were in good health if it's all the same to you,”
Evangeline tilts her head at this, and gives him a considering look. “Are you trying to hint that you’ll be taking me on a proper date soon?” She asks.
“No, that’s no hint, darling, ” Emmrich says. "That's a promise.”
They start towards the group, most of whom are already halfway done with securing tents for the night. Anton and his small group are gathering firewood, while two of the older elves are preparing the goat to be roasted.
Evangeline sees Emmrich look away from that sight, a little green around the edges, and turns them immediately the opposite way.
“Are there going to be little bite-sized chocolates?” She asks.
“Anything you wish,” Emmrich says, and from the way he looks at her she believes him completely.
“Well in that case I’m going to put up a tent for us and make a list of several dozen demands for that magical evening,” she says, but before she can turn away from him she catches his hand in hers.
Emmrich gives her a curious look, his fingers wrapping around hers like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“For what it's worth, I’m sorry. For this morning. And I guess everything that came after.”
Emmrich's gaze warms up at this and he gives her a smile that makes her heart flutter. “Thank you,” he says and pulls her in just so he can press a soft kiss against her forehead. “Now, go, before we will be forced to sleep under the sky again.”
***
To Emmrich’s surprise, most of the elves retire early that night. There’s barely a handful of people left around the campfire, their murmured voices blending with the crackle of burning wood. A quiet stillness settles over the clearing, the kind that makes every sound feel heavier in the cooling air.
The soft crunch of approaching footsteps makes him glance up just as a blanket drops around his shoulders. Before he can react, Evangeline plops down beside him, close enough that her knee bumps his.
“Here,” she says, holding out her palm. Resting there are six halves of peeled-back unripe walnuts. “Got more in my pockets if you want them.”
Emmrich blinks, caught between surprise and delight. “Oh, I haven’t had these since I was a boy,” he admits, already smiling as he pops one into his mouth.
Evangeline looks terribly pleased with herself as she begins fishing more from her pockets, producing them in a small avalanche between them. Emmrich reaches for one, but his hand is promptly smacked away.
“My hands are already stained,” she scolds, though the corners of her mouth twitch upward. “Leave them to me.”
Emmrich watches her work on them methodically, cracking and peeling the green hulls with her deft fingers, her brow furrowed in exaggerated concentration. She makes sure the hardened brown shell cracks in a way that the walnut inside can be pulled out in two perfect halves, and then she makes quick work at peeling the bitter skin off of them.
There’s something hypnotic in the rhythm of it: the soft crack, the quiet peel, the little wrinkle of her nose when a bit of bitter skin refuses to come off. Her fingertips are already stained brown, and the faint smell of walnut oil mixes with the firesmoke that drifts happily up to the cloudless sky.
“Are you going to tell me about the constellations now?" She asks after a while, her eyes twinkling in the soft light of the campfire.
“I’m sure you’ve been wooed with the stars by plenty of other men,” Emmrich's lips twitch. “I wouldn't want to bore you so,”
“So you have something else in mind then?” Evangeline asks, as she hands over another walnut.
Emmrich plucks it out of her hand with a flourish, but instead of bringing it to his mouth he places it down on the ground a few feet away.
Evangeline makes a confused little noise which he silences with a finger against his lips, then points towards the walnut on the ground.
There's a small movement, a shadow beyond the light of the fire as a small critter passes by. They wait in silence until finally the darkness dissolves around the form of a fluffy squirrel.
Emmrich turns his gaze to Evangeline then, taking in the sight of her silent delight at the creature darting into the light to pilfer the walnut, before running back into the safety of the night.
Her smile is wide, eyes awash with the joy of the moment. Emmrich’s heart speeds up in his chest, a wave of protectiveness washing over him. He wishes for an infinite number of moments like this in her future: enjoying simple delights to an almost impossible degree.
“Well that was definitely not boring,” she says, once the squirrel is gone. Her smile remains unchanged as she turns back towards him, and Emmrich lets out a soft chuckle in response.
“A lucky coincidence,” he admits.
“Coincidence or not, that sure beats hearing a ‘fun fact’ about some mysterious eight god stricken from historical records,” she says.
“Draconis, really?” Emmrich laughs. “I would've thought Bellitanus a more popular choice.”
“Is that what you would've gone with?” She asks, a teasing tone to her question.
“No,” Emmrich answers immediately. “No, truthfully I never thought any of them were appropriate for such an… intimate moment.”
“In that case what's your move?” She asks, and cracks the last remaining walnut. “I’ve never met a man in my life who didn't have a trick up their sleeve.”
“I’m far too old for tricks, darling.” Emmrich chuckles. “I find honesty is much more preferable.”
Evangeline lets out an incredulous huff at this, before she rolls her eyes. “Oh please, if honesty was all that was needed, the whole Thedas would be knee-deep in babies.”
“I believe you misunderstand,” Emmrich’s lips twitch, laughter bubbling inside his chest. “Merely stating the obvious doesn't quite constitute honesty.”
Evangeline gives him a confused look as she hands over the cleaned walnut, then shimmies closer to him.
“What does, then?” she asks. “Be honest, now.”
Emmrich lifts the edge of the blanket draped over his shoulder, then moves it across hers until it covers both of them. His hand slides lower, encircling her waist as he pulls her even closer, so he can lower his voice even further.
“I’ve never felt this unmoored in my life,” he whispers. “I used to think I understood myself. I was content. And then you…” he exhales, a quiet helpless sound. “You quite literally fell into my arms and since that moment I forgot what being calm feels like. Even now, I’m terrified. Of what the future will bring. Of you deciding you’ve had enough. Of me having to return to the Necropolis alone once again.”
He hesitates, his fingers brushing against her waist in a nervous manner. “I don’t want to bear the silence of the crypts anymore. Not when I know what the sound of your laughter feels like.”
Evangeline stays silent, her eyes locked on the fire crackling in front of them. Then, she lets out a breath, her voice cracking as she speaks. “You think you’re the only one terrified?” She asks. “Despite what you think I’m aware of the fact I’m not exactly a spring chicken anymore. I’m so tired, but I can’t just… stop. There are so many people out there who need help. And every time I stop to think about what I want… who I want… I feel selfish.”
She trails off for a second and Emmrich’s heart skips a beat as she nuzzles closer, her head resting against his shoulder, her arm embracing him now too. “It's actually unfair how tempting this is,” she sighs. “Being cared for, instead of the other way around.”
Emmrich swallows back the earnest words already threatening to spill from him: that he would be happy to care for her for the rest of their days, if she so chose. There's no use in trying to convince her, he realizes. It would just end with her spark muted, the fire burning under her skin extinguished.
So instead he stays silent, his cheek resting against her hair, his heart heavy with the thought that soon their paths will split once again, and what the uncertain fears of today will become his new reality.
The fire crackles, but its sound is a mere background noise as he listens at her soft breaths. It doesn't take too long for her to settle, her weight against him shifting as she succumbs to the call of sleep.
Emmrich closes his eyes for a second, trying to lose himself to the serenity of the night, but his thoughts and emotions whirl around in him like a storm.
The sound of footsteps approaching draws his attention out of his misery and he cracks open his eyes just as Anton settles down on the log beside him.
“The scout’s back,” he says, his voice carrying over the tents.
Emmrich flinches slightly as he looks down on Evangeline, who, thankfully, snoozes on undisturbed.
“Sorry, I didn't realize,” Anton whispers, ducking his head sheepishly.
Emmrich readjusts the blanket around their shoulders and turns toward the man slightly.
“No trouble, I hope?” He asks, his voice so low that Anton has to lean forward to hear him better.
“None,” Anton says, his face brightening. “We are actually closer to Nevarra City than we thought. Scout says we would be able to make it by the day after tomorrow at most.”
This news is not what he wanted to hear right now. Emmrich tries to mask his disappointment but the other man seems to catch it nonetheless as he gives him a sympathetic look.
“Not looking forward to it, are you?” He asks.
“It's not…” he says, then lets out a breath as he tries to wrangle his thoughts back in their place. “I’ll be glad once everyone is safe,” he says. “I just wish we had more time before the end. We… it’s not going to be easy. You might be forced to stay in the Alienage until everything is sorted.”
Anton’s eyes flicker to Evangeline’s sleeping form, before he turns back to Emmrich.
“I doubt it will be worse than what we’ve all been through,” he says. “She wouldn't stand for that.”
Emmrich hums thoughtfully at this, his gaze sliding back towards the fire. That's part of the problem, he thinks, and it's somewhat odd to hear it from the mouth of someone they met merely a few days ago.
Anton picks up a stick to poke at the fire with it, sending hundreds of tiny sparkles up in the air.
“So how did you manage to catch the interest of the great White Rook?” He asks, curiosity dripping from his every cell.
Emmrich’s expression changes into a fond smile at the question. “I suppose there was some catching involved,” he chuckles. “Quite literally, I’m afraid.”
“Sounds like the start of a typical White Rook story to me already,” Anton quips, then he shakes his head. “Although I better not mention stories in her presence again. I’ve heard enough on the matter yesterday.”
“Oh?” Emmrich lifts an eyebrow, immediately wanting to know what the man was talking about. If he remembered it correctly, Evangeline was with Anton last night just before they retired to their room.
Anton hums and pokes the fire again, then drops a large dried-out piece of bark into it. “I made the mistake of bringing up the stories I’ve heard about her. She gave me a lecture on not confusing stories with reality.”
This gives him a slight pause, her earlier words echoing back the same sentiment. Emmrich swallows, his fingers never stopping caressing her under the blanket, the repetitive movement a soft comfort to him as his thoughts still whirl around in his head.
“There's a certain point when those stories become dangerous,” Emmrich says. “Step on too many feet, and they will no longer be just a fun little tale to share during a night out with friends.”
He wonders at the truth of this line of thought, a few half-formed sentences she’d previously mentioned. Not too long ago she told him that she was aware she won't be able to do what she does forever.
If so, her reluctance to give in to her personal feelings might gain more sense. Her position was threatened in multiple ways, and she was nothing if not stubborn.
There was a reason one of her friends was a fellow named Spite, after all.
“That's what happens when you become famous, I suppose,” Anton says. “All big forts crumble eventually.”
But Emmrich is no longer listening as his mind zeroes in on this new line of thought. A spark of hope lights up in his chest as he considers what the best strategic options would be for everyone in this situation to come out victorious.
And when the tentative outlines of a new plan starts to form, he looks down at the woman peacefully slumbering in his arms with a newfound certainty.
“Darling?” He reaches up to caress her face as gently as possible. “I think we should retire,” he adds when her eyes flutter open, though from the way she looks at him through a daze he’s not sure she is truly awake. She allows herself to be pulled to her feet as he stands, her weight still leaning against him, but otherwise seems to remain lost to the world.
“Anton, would you mind waiting for me? I’d like to discuss something with you,” he asks, and when the man nods he turns away with a relieved sigh.
The walk to their tent is silent, punctuated only by the low murmur of night insects and Evangeline's breaths against his neck. She's still half-asleep as she walks beside him, and when they finally arrive it takes almost no time to see her curled up underneath the blankets they set out earlier.
Emmrich presses a kiss against her forehead, and then with a near-silent murmur of goodnight he slips back out.