I think so often about how if Wesley had survived, he would've turned the mage Hawkes in... Which is so interesting to me. Aveline works beside Anders, Merrill, and potentially a mage Hawke for years and she doesn't turn them in. How different would things have been if Wesley had made it with them to Kirkwall?
By the time Lydia and the others reached her mother, she knew the truth, Bethany would not be waking up ever again. Lydia wanted to scream and cry. Bethany and her had always been so close and now.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am, but your daughter is gone,” Aveline said solemnly, allowing the siblings to work through their own emotions as they faced the fact that the best of them was gone.
“No, not Bethany, these things will not take my daughter!” Leandra screamed.
“Mother, perhaps we should grieve once we’re safe?” Lydia cautiously asked, trying to keep her own voice from cracking.
“Don’t you dare speak to me of grief. How could you let her run off like that?! Your baby sister! My little sweetheart.”
Lydia just looked away, resisting the urge to scream at her mother because honestly, she was right. She had promised her father that she would look after Bethany and keep her safe and free from the Circle, and she had failed.
“Mother, if we don’t get moving, we’re all going to be dead.” Carver said.
“Allow me to commend your daughter’s spirit to the Maker,” Wesley added, praying over the girl. They were finally able to get Leandra to lay Bethany down and stand, but as they turned.
“Flames.” Aveline said, as she, Carver and Lydia drew their weapons. The Horde had caught up to them. “We’re too late.”
“Well, I’m not going down without a fight.” Carver shouted, rushing in.
“Oh no you don’t.” Lydia said, pulling him back behind her. “I lost Bethany, I’m not losing you too.” She said, throwing up a quick barrier to protect them and their loved ones.
“I don’t think we’re going to make it out of this one, Lyds,” Carver pointed out.
“Don’t say that so loud, do you want Mother to hear you?” Lydia hissed.
“Less bickering you two, and more fighting.” Aveline said. “They are not having us without a fight.”
But before any of them could charge, they heard a large roar behind them, and they all turned to see a Dragon above them.
“You have got to be kidding me.” Lydia snapped. “First Darkspawn, now this?! Can this get any worse?!!”
I wish Ser Wesley hadn't died in the opening of DA:II. He could have been a cool companion or even just an NPC you can talk to like a companion, to Hawke, and I'm sure Aveline could have convinced him to let Bethany or Mage!Hawke go about their lives outside a circle.
Confession: I've never felt more offended than the time Aveline accused me of getting rid of her husband's shield without being able to answer that i had kept that garbage in the state for apparently four years and that she was invited to come pick it up anytime