Author's notes: I have just finished beating Dragon Age for the second time and I was inspired to write this fanfiction. I'm going to be writing this fanfiction in the different perspectives of the characters. I'll try to make it as least confusing as possible ! Please bear with me. I hope you all enjoy !

Rayne

Looking up upon the face of the dragon, Rayne was breathing heavily. She knew it wouldn't be much longer before the battle was over. The cries of her fallen allies didn't sit well with her but she knew she had to ignore them, she knew she had to focus, she had to kill the archdemon. Bodies lay strewn everywhere on the rooftop, pools of blood enveloped the fallen and proved to be a difficult fighting ground for those in combat.

Arrows shot out around her as the elves tried to take down the dragon. The redcliff soliders as well as the dwarvs fought off the darkspawn as they tried to creep up from behind and stop them. The mages continuously chanted spells to heal everyone as well as damage the dragon. The army she had gathered was now working to help her, this was all for the cause, to end the blight.

Near the dragon's feet she could see him - Alistair. It was up to them to take down the archdemon, they were the grey wardens, they had to do it. Rayne chanted a spell and ice formed all over the dragon's body, slowing its movements and damaging it as well. Taking another deep breath, Rayne was losing her mana. Concentrating on her arcane warrior abilities, her body was partially in this realm and partially in the fade. It took a lot out of her to keep that defense up. However,she knew that she would have to switch to her sword. Turning to Morrigan, Morrigan nodded as if already knowing what she was trying to say.

Placing her staff on the ground, Rayne drew her sword and ran towards the archdemon but was quickly knocked down by an unseen force. Rising to her feet she looked around to see where it had come from. It was a darkspawn mage. Her eyes widened if only for a moment. Those were very powerful, very dangerous enemies and this one was determined not to let Rayne get any closer to the archdemon.

Rayne could see the mage preparing another spell., she quickly moved to avoid it but wasn't fast enough. Once again she was slammed to the ground, hard enough that it caused some real damage to her. Wincing, she moved slower this time to her feet. Rayne knew that she could cast a spell to be rid of this mage but she didn't have her staff and it would take longer with just her hands. Looking around she needed a way to get this mage before it was too late.

Just then a giant spider landed ontop the mage and tore at its face. A smirk appeared on Rayne's face as Morrigan's form was now standing beside the fallen darkpawn mage. With a nod of thanks Rayne turned on her heel and ran toards the archdemon, she could feel a heavy pressure on her chest from where she was injured but she ignored it.

Jumping over corpses and ducking to avoid the random swings from darkspawn she drew closer to the Archdemon. Skidding to a stop she readjusted her sword and prepared to attack. However, the Archdemon moved suddenly and grabbed Alistair bringing him closer to its face. Rayne froze.

The dragon crushed Alistair slowly and looked at him. Alistair struggled to break free but couldn't. He let out a cry of pain as the dragon's grip tightened. Rayne couldn't move. Thinking back to what Wynne and Morrigan warned her about. Developing feelings for Alistair was dangerous, they had told her, for exact reasons as this. It was such hesitations as hers that they couldn't afford.

---

It was another night in the camp. Rayne stood at the perimeter and was attentative, making sure nothing would creep up on them unexpectedly. A slight breee rustled the leaves of the nearby trees and bushes. Rayne took a deep breath as she welcomed the cool breeze. It moved locks of her hair and it felt nice.

She suddenly tensed when she heard a footstep. Turning on her heel she drew her sword and had it aimed at the throat of her fellow Grey Warden. " Note to self, never ever, try to sneak up on Rayne." Alistair said with a nervous laugh as his hands were in the air as a surrender and he stared from the blade to her.

Rayne looked him up and down and then relaxed, if only enough to lower her blade. "You'll get yourself killed like that." she said turning and facing the outer perimeter once more.

"Heh, duelly noted." Alistair said as he took a step beside her. They remained silent for a moment or two. "Ah, silence. Something nice for a change." Alistair said glancing over at Rayne.

"Not when you're around." she quipped with a smirk. Alistair had a shocked look on his face for a moment and then shrugged. " Can't argue with you there." he said with a small chuckle.

"What are you doing up, it's not your turn to guard." Rayne asked glancing over at him.

"I couldn't sleep. My mind was filled with...things." he paused. " My mind was filled with thoughts of you." he said his cheeks turning a bit pink. Rayne looked at him. Her eyes were more softer and a small smile was developing. Alistair extended his arms and pulled her close. Looking down into her emerald green eyes he smiled and leaned in closer. Their lips met and it was a rare chance for them to spend alone. Sometime later Alistair relieved Rayne from her guard duty and insisted that she needed rest.

Upon making her way back to her tent she passed Morrigan's ( secluded from everyone else of course ). She noticed that Morrigan was still awake but she did not stop to bother her. However Rayne was caught by surprise when Morrigan began speaking to her.

" 'Tis unwise to develop a realtionship during times such as these. It will bring nothing but trouble." Morrigan spoke with a tone that held the feeling that she knew more than what she was letting on.

Rayne turned and faced her. Surprised that she started a conversation with her and upset with what she had said. Rayne cared deeply for Alistair, she had developed feelings that she never experienced beforehand and he meant a lot to her. Even during a time when they were battling the blight she couldn't help but fall in love with him. It somehow gave her..hope. It helped fuel her to fight, to protect him. to protect what they had.

"It's times like these when a realtionship is perfect to develop. Times like these that make us realize what we take for granted and what is at stake. Life. Friendship. Love. Although I wouldn't expect a heartless being such as yourself to understand." Rayne said, coldly near the end as she turned and headed towards her tent.

"Perhaps...but tell me Warden. What if you are faced with the decsion to save the one you loved... or end the Blight." Morrigan spoke, knowing she had caused the young elf to think.

Rayne stopped if only for a second and then continued to her tent. Morrigan's question running through her head all night long. A decsion Rayne hoped she would never have to make.

-

Forcing herself to move she dropped her sword and chanted a spell, a cone of lightening erupted from her fingertips and stunned the Archdemon causing it to let go of Alistair. Rayne picked up her sword and watched as Alistair hit the ground with a louder thud than she had liked.

Though now the Archdemon's attention was drawn to her, she needed to move fast. To save everyone. Ruynning towards the Archdemon, the dragon reached out to grab her and she slid beneath its gras[, with her sword held upwards as the blade pierced the underbelly of the Archdemon ripping it open. Another pool of blood was formed fromt he fresh wound of the Archdemon.

Rolling to the side Rayne knelt on one knee, breathing heavily. The dragon let out a cry of pain and turned to face her once more, except slower this time. Purple flame erupted from the dragon's mouth. Rayne moved to avoid it but she was caught by some of the flame and she could feel the burn on her left arm.

Hiding behind a pillar Rayne tried to catch her breath. Ignoring the pain that was all over her body, she peaked out from behind her cover. She could see Alistair on the other side of the dragon with his sword in hand. He slashed at the dragon a few times and the dragon now turned to face him.

Rayne appeared from her cover and ran towards the Archdemon once more. Jumping in the air she brought down her blade in the archdemons leg and using her body weight brought it down to the ground tearing open more flesh. Out of reaction the dragons tail, like a whip, caught Rayne on her side and she was thrown like a ragdoll into the nearest wall.

Laying against the wall Rayne could feel the darkness pulling her into unconciousness. Her body ached and she felt very lightheaded. Her vision became blurry and her hearing muffled. But there was something she heard, Alistair's voice. Fighting to open her eyes she saw Alistair on the back of the dragon.

Looking around Rayne could see the others fighting off the darkspawn. The dwarves had fallen, the redcliff soliders were down to but one or two. The elves were small in number and she could only see one remaining mage.

Leliana was running out of arrows and she could see darkspawn moving in behind her. Morrigan was cornered by a bunch of darkspawn and it wouldn't be long before she was out of lerium and her defenses fell. Turning her attention back to Alistair she could see that he was slashing away while ontop of the demon. The demon's movement's were very slow now and it looked as though it were ready to fall.

Alistair's footing was off and he fell, the dragon was quick enough to catch him. Throwing him with all its might Alistair colided with a nearby pillar causing it to crumble to the ground. Rayne's eyes widened and she called out to Alistair but she couldn't find her voice, and it hurt when she tried to speak.

Rayne heard the cry of Leliana and knew Morrigan wasn't too far off. Gripping her sword tighter she rose to her feet. She was a Grey Warden. All of Ferelden was counting on her, she needed to stop this, she needed to end this now. Unsure of whether or not the ritual with Morrigan that Alistair took part in was completely dependable, she knew there was a chance she may not make it. Rayne wasn't afraid of death. She would rather she strike the final blow and die than Alistair.

The archdemon grew weak and slowly crumbled to the ground, but it wasn't dead, not yet. It struggled to regain its balance and rise to its feet, Rayne wouldn't give it that chance. Running as fast as her body would allow her she jumped into the air, using her acrobatic skills thanks to her elven heritage, she landed on the dragons neck. Without a moments hesitation she plunged her sword into the dragons skull.

A pillar of light erupted from the creature englufing Rayne in it. Pain surged through her body but also the feeling of accomplishment. Rayne could feel the darkness surrounding her, the fingers of evil tickling her mind trying to find a way in. Find a way to corrupt her. This was worse than the nightmares, worse than any pain she's ever experienced.

From the corner of her eye she could see Alistair trying to run to her but Leliana holding him back with all her might. The Templar was just too strong for the Bard and he broke free of her grasp. Turning back to her blade Rayne used her remaining strength and twisted the blade plunging it deeper into the dragon's skull. This caused and eruption of energy and everyone atop the tower was thrown down to the ground, all but Rayne. Considering she was at the very center of the powersource it did not affect her.

As the energy subsided Rayne slowly released the handle of the blade. Staggering a couple steps back she stared down at the fallen Archdemon as it slowly closed its eyes and breathed out its last breath.

With that, Rayne collapsed. Laying on the ground Rayne could hear footsteps hurridly approaching her and she felt her body being moved into sombody's lap. Alistair, by the sound of his voice. However her attention wasn't focused on Alistair, instead her eyes fell upon a bird that was perched atop the wall.

The raven, as it were, was staring straight back at her. It's yellow piercing eyes never leaving hers. There was something familiar about those eyes. The bird then extended its wings and flew off.

Morrigan...

Rayne lost conciousness.