Author Note: This idea has been running around in my mind for some time now. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age Origins, Awakenings, DA2 or any of their characters.

xXx

The dragon set down on the snowy ledge and surveyed all that lay before her. From here the land was quiet; calm even, but it was a lie, a mask to hide the darkness massing beneath the earth. The dragon shimmered and took her human form. A woman who had lived a life span that outstretched most creatures in Thedas. She moved with purpose along a small trail that wound higher still towards the peak of the Frostback Mountains. Flemeth could have flown there directly; but the journey itself was to prepare her, the Call was no easy magic to perform, made more difficult by the fact that Morgan would likely try to silence it.

Flemeth clenched her fists; she could not abide such foolishness. Once long ago she and Morgan had worked together to protect the world they had been born into. They had taken on the burden of their brother's sin. He had fallen to darkness and he and others like him had desecrated the Golden City and brought great evil to the world. They had never been able to find Corypheus and presumed he had perished.

Halting for a moment Flemeth's memories took her back to the moment when the world had shuddered as the Golden City was torn asunder and corrupted. She and Morgan had made the ultimate sacrifice, binding themselves so that they would live until the evil was cleansed. As the years turned to decades and decades to centuries they changed. Hardened by battle and hardship mere mortals would never understand.

Both had known they stood no chance alone and so they set out to find a way to stem the tide of corruption. Flemeth delved into ancient magic and found a way to combine the very essence of the Darkspawn evil into a potion that would grant immunity and great power, but the price was horrific. As the first Blight began to tear Thedas apart the first Wardens were created, men and women dedicated to defending their home and making whatever sacrifice was necessary, even their very soul.

Morgan sought out a magic and a people as ancient as the dragons. She crossed the Volca Sea to Melchrest and met with the priestesses of the land. She discovered those with the gift of transformation. A people who were ready to fight and die in the protection of their world, the Guardians. They came to Ferelden in the hundreds, the sky darkening at their approach, the beat of their wings like thunder. Each swore themselves to the Warden cause, offering their bond. Separately the two were formidable, but together Warden and Griffon were nearly unstoppable. When bonded; a Griffon and Warden were as one, their strength and resilience magnified. They drove back the Archdemon and its minions, their sacrifice making them heros. Many chose to stay in Thedas, the bond with their Warden was not entered into lightly and was not easily broken. Their constant fight against the Darkspawn decreased their numbers and by the end of the third blight there were so few left in Ferelden that Flemeth feared their end was near.

When the fourth blight erupted she called to Morgan who had remained in Melcrest, using the Eluvian to contact her sister and asked again for the Guardians. The Call had been listened to with reluctance, but Tristan the Kings son rallied the Guardians and once more the Griffons took flight, returning to Thedas. The numbers of Griffons in Thedas were less than twenty and those who made the journey from Melcrest were barely double that number, but they were fierce warriors and mages. They stood proudly with the Wardens and despite their many sacrifices they prevailed.

Morgan was both powerful and revered in Melchrest and as the survivors of the fourth blight returned, she wept for their sacrifice. In a moment of grief shared by the nation she turned from Flemeth and the Wardens; Melchrest had its own enemies, Thedas was on its own. She gave the Eluvian into the keeping of one of the most trusted priestesses who wrapped it within the veil of the Fade where no mortal could tread.

Morgan felt the darkness approaching and knew her sister would call soon. This time there would be no response. The last of the Guardians in Thedas had returned to their Ancestors and as Morgan felt the shiver on the winds and felt the tang of her sisters magic she swore that no Guardian would set foot on Thedas again. They had sacrificed enough because of her.

Flemeth slowly climbed the steps to the Eluvian. It's magic kept it shrouded from all but those who knew its secrets. Flemeth had been there at its creation and she and Morgan alone knew just how truly powerful they were. She pressed her fingertips to the shimmering surface, her words whispered on the currents of magic. She stood back and waited, a sinking feeling slowly churning in the pit of her stomach. As the coldness settled around her, seeping into her bones, it was joined by a coldness just as cutting, there was no answer. Flemeth felt rage darken her heart and using her most powerful magic she sent the Call again, praying that some Guardians at least would hear her. A blizzard set in; but this was of magics creation and her words, like her magic dissolved into the storm. Flemeth battled against the magic and sent out the Call a third and final time; sending it as far reaching as possible, Morgan was not powerful enough to silence all of it.

xXx

Aeronwen sat on the bank of the River Numueian and trailed her fingers in its cool waters, softly humming and occasionally breaking into song. She chuckled to herself; here in the Wilds she could sing as loud as she liked and not fear being mocked by her brothers, but even so she kept her voice low, she had no wish to disturb nature with her less than melodic singing. She glanced to the book on her lap; as important as it was to be able to fight, she also knew how important it was to understand her heritage. To understand the Wardens and their enemy the Darkspawn. She fiddled absently with the silver griffon pendant she had been given when she had achieved her Guardian status. It had been a great honour, only three others were given the rank and they had all been given assignments in different sections of their land. Aeronwen pursed her lips, she knew well why she stayed while the others had left and it gave her no comfort. She had been born for battle and instead a life at court and eventually marriage to one of the nobles loomed in her future. She gave a deep sigh; it had been a long time since any of her line had crossed the Volca Sea to Thedas and she wondered as she often had, why it was Thedas alone seemed cursed with the Blights.

She paused hearing a voice calling from beyond the valley. Aeronwen struggled to hear the words, but clearly heard the expression of need. It filled her with an urgency that brought her sharply to her feet. The call ended abruptly. Aeronwen waited; the noises of the valley and forest returning, but the echo of the woman's voice remaining in her mind. Aeronwen ran back down the trail, following the rivers course as it flowed past the Temple, her heart pounding in her ears. Running up the steps she bowed low to the Priestesses who had gathered speaking in hushed voices. Morgan watched her approach and greeted her warmly.

"Are you well dear one?"

"I am thank you. I heard the call; but it ended unexpectedly, I felt sure there was more, though I could not distinguish all of the words."

Morgan eyed Aeronwen and sighed regretfully, she had hoped to cut off the call before any of the Guardians had heard. "It is unimportant Aeronwen, you may return to whatever you were doing."

"Have others been assigned?" Aeronwen was concerned; she had never known Morgan to be so dismissive.

"No, nor shall there be."

Aeronwen looked at the priestess puzzled. "It was a call for the Guardians was it not?"

"Child this is not your concern. I have dealt with it, now..." She stopped; Aeronwen was glaring at her, hands on her hips, lips pursed in frustration and annoyance.

"Who sent the call?" Aeronwen commanded. She tended to avoid using her position of being of the Royal line, but the call had ignited a fire within her and she could not be denied.

Morgan saw the change within her and a grim look marred her features. "Thedas once more is faced with a Blight and our aid has been requested."

Aeronwen nodded. "I ask to be assigned."

Morgan glanced at her a deep frown creasing her face.

"I am ready to serve." Aeronwen added determinedly.

"No Princess. Thedas has had the blood of the Guardians time and time again. When Tristan returned after their fourth Blight it was agreed that no more aid would be given."

Aeronwen knew well the legend of Tristan and Garahel. The bond between Warden and Guardian was intense and romantic relationships had been forbidden due to the devastation of a surviving partner. Tristan and Garahel had ignored this rule, but it was Tristan who paid the price having watched his beloved fall in slaying the Archdemon. "We have never stood by when those of Thedas or Andrana have needed us. Thedas has proven itself many times over, we cannot abandon it!"

"They squandered what was given to them!"

"If Thedas falls; what is to say Melchrest will not fall next. How many must die before we will act?"

Morgan turned to the priestesses watching their heated discussion. "Thedas has taken what was so generously given and extinguished the light of the Guardians in their part of our world. I invoke the fourth ruling. Guardians are forbidden to journey to Thedas." She turned meaningfully to Aeronwen. "To disobey is to be banished."

xXx

Aeronwen ran on through the marsh; her armour feeling heavier than usual, as though weighed down by the mists itself. She wore simple leather breeches with a chain mail tunic; its links woven into intricate patterns of the runes of power, serving to add increased protection, speed and endurance. Plate armour protected her shoulders and sections of her arms and legs. She wore knee high boots of thick hide, dyed black. Her long ebony braids were hidden beneath the griffin wing helmet. Aeronwen was furious, no amount of persuasion had brought Morgan to her way of thinking and she had refused to assign any of the Guardians. She heard movement behind her and quickened her pace, racing on ignoring the suction of the mud against her feet.

"Aeronwen for the love of the Ancestors stop!"

She turned startled as her brother Finn caught up to her, Asher and Brom reaching them moments later.

Finn was breathing heavily, his light leather armour covered in sludge where he had fallen. "Why do you tempt Morgan's wrath?"

"Thedas would not call idly. They have need of our help. If they do not succeed in stopping the Blight we could all be endangered."

"The priestess's magic will protect us." Brom countered.

Aeronwen sighed. "That is not a certainty, besides those of our line have always been Guardians. Our House swore an oath to protect this world. The same oath I swore when I came of age. How can I ignore my duty?"

"Your duty is to your country." Asher interrupted.

"Asher we have been over this, my duty as Guardian supersedes..."

"Aeronwen you are the first in line to the throne!"

"Asher you would make a better King than I would make a Queen. Besides I gave up that right when I became a Guardian."

Brom shook his head. "You were given the title in name only."

Aeronwen felt the flush of anger. "I earned my place!"

Brom paled. "I did not mean … Aeronwen if anyone deserves to be a Guardian it is you and you have more than proven yourself, but we all know Morgan will never let you leave."

"I will not give her a choice."

Finn gazed at his sister and sighed. "How can you hope to do anything by yourself? No-one but you it seems will go against the ruling."

Aeronwen glared. "I have the utmost respect for Morgan, but she has no right to invoke that ruling. Father will …"

"Father agreed with her." Asher said quietly, wincing at his sister's look of shock.

Aeronwen felt a dull pain in her chest, beginning to realise the full weight of the choice she intended to make. "I must try. Some help is surely better than none."

Asher gazed at her miserably. "If you go you will be banished."

Aeronwen lowered her head and then moved to Asher, clasping his arm. "Then this is goodbye brother."

She was hugged by each of her brothers, Finn pulling her tight to him. "I will find a way to make Morgan see reason and have the ruling revoked."

Aeronwen grinned. Morgan was centuries old at least and not inclined to see reason; particularly from those who spanned only twenty two years, however Finn had a deep bond with her. "If anyone can it would be you."

xXx

Aeronwen reached the edge of the mist and called upon the Keeper of Gates.

Sarazen moved out of the mist, shrouded in robes of lilac. "Child of the House of Undran, you called me."

"I did Keeper. I ask to be allowed use of the Eluvian to journey to Thedas."

"You chose exile then."

Aeronwen rolled back her shoulders and stood as straight as possible. "I cannot abandon Thedas."

"I see the courage and resilience within you, but you have never faced the horror of a Blight."

"I will not face it alone. I will stand with the Wardens as the Guardians always have."

"Do not expect things to be as the tales you love so much. Reality is often more base, shocking and sadly disappointing. If you search for glory you may find it absent."

"I do not search for glory, or a name for myself. I am a Guardian and I will fulfill my duty."

Sarazen nodded and with a swift flick of her hand the Eluvian formed before them. Stone steps led up to what appeared to be a mirror, its surface a swirling pink rather than glass. The frame was of silverwood, intricately carved with a Griffin on one side and a dragon on the opposite. "Go then daughter of Kings and seek your destiny."

Aeronwen walked slowly up the steps, her heart heavy. She loved her home and her people, but she saw the potential of the Blight to destroy all that she loved and that gave her the strength to move to the final step. She reached out her hand, her fingers trailing across the liquid surface. "Forgive me." She whispered as she stepped through the doorway.