Part Two
Chapter One
A Troubling Start

The sun began its slow descent into the western hills as the city of Denerim closed its gates for the night. Outside of the barricades, the land was still, silent. The sounds of crickets and the wind blowing through the grass created an almost peaceful lullaby to the creatures of the land. To the east, the sounds of the Amaranthine Ocean created a soft melodic noise that could ease most troubled minds and put many to rest.

It was unfortunate that the beautiful sounds nature produced that night could not be heard inside the gates of the vast city. Instead of the soft whisper of wind - spouses, parents and children wept aloud for the fallen armies of Ostagar. Their wails could be heard throughout the walls of Denerim and it broke even the hardest of hearts. Where outside, the soft chirp of the crickets assisted the sounds of the wind, inside, there were screams of riots and anarchy in the streets where no king was present. Instead of the melodic beat of the waves upon the rocks, the sounds of the Chantry bells were heard, declaring the deaths of the men and women who had sacrificed themselves.

It was in this city of heartbreak and uncertainty that Loghain had returned with his men alone. As he had entered the gates that morning, there had been stares, accusations, women desperate for news from the battlefront. Loghain was in no position to acknowledge any of their pleas or glances. He had to act quickly to ensure his daughters safety upon the throne and for his own safety as regent to the land.

Anora had welcomed him with open arms and weeped for her deceased husband, as was her duty as wife and queen to Cailan. She had cried in her fathers arms and he held her until her tears subsided.

"What are we to do now, father?" she asked, her blue eyes shimmering in the torchlight of the castle. She had no doubt in her mind that she and her father could continue to strengthen Ferelden together without a king; however, she had not believed that her subjects would follow suit with them.

"Anora, hush. It will be all right." Loghain stroked his daughters blonde hair with affection, happy to be with her again.

She wiped her eyes and led him to her sitting room. When the servants had brought them tea and a hot meal, Anora was finally able to speak of the battle. She had allowed her father to sit and enjoy his meal before her questions had begun. She needed her answers then, and she needed them from her father at that very moment.

"Please, father, tell me what happened. Why did Cailan have to perish?"

Loghain had shook his head, grinning to himself. "My dear sweet girl, Cailan did not have to perish, had he only listened to my warnings. I had told him of the Grey Wardens and their ways of treachery. They had tricked his father so many years ago, and they would stop at nothing to overthrow him as well.

"It was the job of two Wardens to light the beacon atop the tower of Ishal. That beacon would allow my army to advance on the darkspawn and help vanquish the evil that threatened our land. But..." Loghain trailed, remembering his decision to retreat. "The beacon was not lit in time, dear. The Wardens...whether by their own doing or not, took far too long to light the beacon. The battle was already won by the time I was told to charge."

"But there must have been something..." Anora had stared into her cup and watched her reflection change with the small ripples of water. She had been tired, almost too tired to fight with her father. All she had wanted was to sleep and forget this had happened.

Loghain had seen her discontent and sat next to her, holding her once again. "Anora, had there been something I could have done then, it would have been done. Believe me when I tell you that Cailan's death is my biggest regret. My duty is always to the king and Ferelden first; however I could not risk anymore men to a lost cause."

She had understood. Though the death of her husband was upsetting, Anora knew she would continue to be the voice of power in the kingdom and time would march on. Cailan had been a good a husband as any arranged marriage could provide, but he had never been the one to want to rule. From a young age, she had known his heart was on the battlefield; where hers was in Denerim, helping the kingdom prosper. Fate had dealt them a card that day, and although it was a tough card in her hand, it had to be played.

"Anora," Loghain continued after she had stayed silent, "understand that I did what I could. Cailan would have done the same, were our roles reversed. But you and I, we both know that our land will continue to live. You were the one who decided for Cailan when it came to political and economic decisions for Ferelden. You are the queen, and you will continue that task without your husband. You are strong and will be able to continue on."

She had cast a slightly accusing eye to her father, still unsure of what to do. He had been right about her involvement in ruling Ferelden and how that would not change merely because of Cailans death. Cailan had no siblings and so no one could oppose her place on the throne unless civil war were to break out. Her father was a fine commander and a voice of reason in her world. She had no reason to believe Loghain would rid Ferelden of Cailan for his own benefit.

"These Wardens...who were too late to light the beacon..." she whispered, her eyes averting back to her steaming cup. "Do they still live?"

Loghain sighed. He was not sure of their fate. At the time, he had no reason to believe they would have been slaughtered in the tower. After all, it was always his belief that the Wardens would stop at nothing to try to usurp the throne. This had been the perfect opportunity.

"Anora, it is my belief that at least those two did survive," he finally said.

She had nodded and stood. It was then that she'd decided it was time to make her first announcement as the only ruler of Ferelden. She had then called for a gathering that very evening of the nobles, Arls and Banns to explain the situation and appoint her father to regent. It was what was necessary to ensure the war against the darkspawn would not falter and the Blight would be ended as quickly as possible.

It was that night that Loghain made his first speech and his first order as regent. He stood upon the wooden rise and, with his daughter next to her, he spoke to the people.

"Lords, ladies, Arls, Arlessas and Banns, please hear me. Tonight we grieve for the loss of many soldiers at Ostagar. We suffered a great loss of men and women who fought bravely and now we hear its affect in our streets, in our homes. We hear the cries from women, children and parents alike, and it breaks my heart and my spirit to know I can do nothing to stop it.

"But our greatest loss of all is our king. Cailan Therein was a great man who valued the freedom and safety of Ferelden. However, he was fooled by men who once were great warriors and generals; men who, centuries ago, saved our lands against the Blight that threatened it. Today, it seems their loyalties have changed and now threaten our very existence.

"The Grey Wardens murdered Cailan. It was them who were to light my beacon; it was them who assured me of the signal and our victory. Were it not for their scheming, your king would still be alive! Because of their deceit, I could not charge, for the battle was already lost! It is not in me to sacrifice more soldiers for a lost cause!"

The crowd shifted uneasily. It was clear that not only the news of Cailans death shook them, but the thought that their vast armies could not defer the darkspawn either. Loghain saw their discomfort and grinned inwardly. He knew the threat of the darkspawn would be easily contained and would be contained by his army. The Blight would stop before it could begin, if Loghain had any say in the matter. Thanks to his daughter, he now did.

"Do not fear, for our armies can be rebuilt. The darkspawn numbers dwindled as did ours, but if we regroup fast enough, we have a greater chance at thwarting their efforts! As regent for the queen of Ferelden, I will lead the armies into battle after their training is complete. Together we will defeat the threat of the Blight before it reaches our doorsteps, and I expect each of you to supply the men I require! We must rebuild the army lost at Ostagar, and quickly; for there are those who would take advantage of our weakened state if we let them. We must defeat the darkspawn incursion, but we must do so sensibly and without hesitation."

A man was watching from the crowd, arms crossed over his chest as he listened to the lies the Teryn fed to the people. He knew in his bones that Loghain had no real intention of saving the king in Ostagar. The opportunity was too great for a man such as the commander to pass up to bring him into power. With Loghain as regent, Anora would surely fall into his footsteps and hunger for the same power, destroying Ferelden in the process.

The man stepped forward, his face set with deep concern. "Your lordship, if I might speak?"

Loghain looked down at the Bann and nodded.

Bann Teagan breathed in deeply and exhaled, gathering his wits before speaking. "You have declared yourself Queen Anora's regent, and claim we must unite under your banner for our own good." He could feel the eyes of every noble on him, and it made his pale skin brighten to a shade of red. "But what of the army at Ostagar? Your withdrawal was most...fortuitous."

Gasps were heard all around as Bann Teagan finished his subtle accusation. He bowed his head, but could imagine the look upon the Teryn's face.

Loghain felt his face grow hot from anger. He could not believe this small man would cast aside his reasoning and oppose him. He glared as the Bann stared up at him without falter. Loghain frowned and looked Bann Teagan directly in the eyes from atop the podium.

"Everything I have done has been to secure Ferelden's independence," he explained, anger growing in his voice. He raised his head to look upon the crowd and continued. "I have not shirked my duty to the throne, and neither will any of you!"

Bann Teagan stood defiantly. He knew the lands south of Denerim would have a hard time accepting this man as regent to the queen. It was a hard story to swallow, for Loghain was rumored to be a great general and strategist. Had there not been any signal, as he was claiming, then his years of experience should have prompted him to attack when he felt the time was right. Perhaps he really was telling the truth, and it was too late to save the army and King Cailan; but the cards played were just too coincidental for Teagan's taste.

"The Bannorn will not bow to you simply because you demand it!" he yelled back.

This caused an uproar in the hall. Men and women were shouting at each other about their loyalties and accusing the others of treason. Through the bustle of the crowd, Bann Teagan refused to take his gaze away from Loghain, and the new regent refused the same.

"Understand this," he growled to Teagan, "I will brook no threat to this nation from you," he looked up and pointed to the crowd, catching the attention of the nobles. "Or anyone!"

Loghain stormed off the podium and left Anora to deal with the masses. She stared out hopelessly as the nobles glared at one another and voiced their opinions to anyone who would hear them. Teagan shook his head and began to take his leave.

"Bann Teagan! Please!" Anora cried out to the man.

He stopped and looked up at the young woman who he once held is a higher esteem. "Your majesty," he said. "Your father risks civil war. If Eamon were here-"

"Bann Teagan," she interrupted. "My father is only doing what is best!"

Teagan raised an eyebrow at her. How could she be so blind? Did she not see her father for what he really was? What did he tell her when he returned? What did he tell her when he had to explain Cailans death? Perhaps now her judgement was fazed by the recent events, but as the only ruler of Ferelden, she would have to be stronger and realize that most people were merely out to gain more power; her father was no different.

He looked at her sternly and sighed. "Did he also do what is best for your husband, your majesty?"

As he left, Anora gasped. She felt the air being sucked out of her lungs as Teagan walked away from her. Perhaps she had played the cards in her hand a little to early...

In the midst of the darkness, a thundering roar was heard amongst the dark walls of the cave. She could smell the brimstone, the fire, and stench of the darkspawn. They stood far below where she could see, rallied and waiting for the next order they heard. She felt their eagerness for blood and battle and cringed when they cried back at the creature above them, acknowledging its presence.

The scaled beast breathed its fire about the cavern, its screech heard throughout the twisting labrynth. It reared its head and the darkspawn cheered in their own monstrous voices.

It was then that they marched, the dragon remaining behind.

Aerianes slowly rolled over from her spot on top of the rocks and blinked rapidly as the night sky began to fill her vision. The stars twinkled at her and she heard the crackle of the campfire and smelled the meat cooking on its flames. She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes and the sweat from her brow. Daugion nudged her arm and whimpered, she patted his head in response.

"Bad dreams, huh?"

Alistair sat by the fire, prodding at the spit and pot that contained what the elf could only assume was breakfast. She saw the faintest trace of morning light off in the distance and was thankful for it; she was sure she couldn't be falling asleep again.

"It...seemed so real..." she groaned.

He pulled the spit from the fire and began to strip the meat onto the tin plates. "Well it is real, sort of," he replied. "You see, a part of being a Grey Warden is the ability to hear the darkspawn. That's what your dream was - hearing them. The archdemon, it talks to the horde and we feel it just as they do," he sighed as he dished out the overcooked grains and handed a plate to his partner. She took it gladly as he continued. "That's how we know this is really a Blight."

Aerianes swallowed her first bite of food and cringed. She supposed she would have to get used to the human gruel her companion consumed and eat it as well. For the time being, they had only the meat they hunted and the grains from Morrigan's pack. Gruel would have to be the food of choice until they reached their destination that day. Alistair grabbed himself a helping and sat down next to her.

"The archdemon?" she finally asked. "Is that the dragon?"

Alistair finished his own mouthful and shrugged. "I don't know if its really a dragon, but it sure looks like one; but yes, that's the archdemon. It takes a bit, but eventually you can block the dreams out. Some of the older Grey Wardens say that they can understand the archdemon a bit, but I sure can't." He took another bite of his meal and sighed. "Anyhow, when I heard you thrashing about I thought I should tell you. It was scary at first for me too."

Aerianes was quite confused about this human. At one moment he seemed a pompous jerk set in his own ways and beliefs. It was those humans who turned their noses up to the elves and drove her people from their homeland. Those were the shems Aerianes despised. However, there was another side to Alistair that cared about her, elf of not. She had never met someone like him before. Perhaps traveling with humans wouldn't be so bad.

"Thank you Alistair, I appreciate it," she said, finishing her plate and yawning.

He grinned. "That's what I'm here for; to deliver bad news and witty one liners." He took her plate and his own and rinsed them in the river water they acquired the night before. "Anyhow, you're up now right? Let's pull up camp and get a move on."

She nodded and stood. "We need to wake up Morrigan first," she grinned. "Or do you not remember her accompanying us?"

Alistair cringed as he put out the fire and placed the plates in the pack. "Right, of course! Silly me, how I forget such things."

Aerianes shook her head and walked over to the tent where Morrigan slept. She set herself far from the two Wardens, creating her own campfire and eating her own food. The elf saw it as quite peculiar that she would go to such lengths to avoid her party. Alistair and Morrigan were both human, after all. She expected them to at least relate on that level.

"Morrigan?" Aerianes asked, gently pulling the tent flap aside. "Are you awake?"

From behind her, the elf heard the rustle of bushes and the snapping of twigs. Morrigan was nowhere in her tent, nor around her campfire. She sucked in her breath as she felt a large and strong presence behind her.

"M-Morrigan..."

"Aerianes! Behind you!" Alistair called out, running towards her, blade in hand.

The elf turned to see the beast on its hind legs, its teeth bared and its girth stunning her. She had never seen a bear this close before, and she had never seen one bold enough to walk into a camp to search for food. She yelled and reached for her daggers, realizing then that they were back by her bedroll and she was defenseless. She fell into the tent and pushed herself into a corner.

The bear then fell back on all fours and cocked its head. Slowly, its fur began to change to a lighter shade of brown, its muscles began to thin and shrink and its face started to flatten. The hind legs bent and lengthened to the torso, warping the beats bone structure. Before the elf's own eyes, she watched the bear morph into a human form; Morrigan's human form, to be precise.

"You will have to be more on your toes Warden, if you expect to survive a night in camp with darkspawn and beast lurking about."

"Maker's breath! We could have killed you!" Alistair exclaimed as he approached the women. Daugion trotted beside him and whined as it watched the bear's transformation.

"Not with those slow reflexes I regret to say," the witch grinned as she stood and began to pack her things. She looked over at Aerianes and saw the awed expression on her face. Morrigan shook her head. "I am a shapeshifter. I can assume many animal forms, and I was out looking for some breakfast as your companion seemed to only be cooking enough for the two of you."

Aerianes found her legs again and crawled out of the tent. She looked over at Alistair and glared. Again, he had found a way to put a strike against himself in her books. He frowned, and kicked at the rocks beneath his feet, avoiding her gaze. The elf was amazed at how childish he could really be.

"Believe me Morrigan," she said, her eyes still locked on Alistair, "there will always be a plate for you at the fire. It's the least we can do for helping us out of Ostagar and the Wilds."

"Well," Alistair interrupted, clearing his throat. "We really should finish packing. Lothering shouldn't be too far ahead. We should reach it before lunch."

As he walked back to the fire, Aerianes shook her head. She was disappointed in the lack of tolerance from the senior Grey Warden. She had heard that all types of humans, elves and dwarves were recruited into their ranks at one time. Aerianes wondered if Alistair knew that himself. She heard Morrigan mumbling under her breath and decided she wasn't even going to bother.

'Some humans are just never meant to cross paths,' she thought.

When they had finished gathering their belongings, the sun had peaked over the horizon, casting long shadows over the land and warming the travelers as they began their journey again. Aerianes breathed in the morning air deeply and smiled inwardly. She knew the journey would be nowhere near this easy for long, and she supposed she might as well enjoy the momentary peace while she could.