Author's Note: I think we all know that I have no association with the actual copyrights of Dragon Age, but as this is my first submission, I felt a little disclaimer was necessary. This is intended to be the first chapter of a very extended ending of the Origins game in relation to my PC Amell. I wanted to keep the chapters short to keep people from getting bored, but if you find yourself finishing just this chapter and wondering what the point of it was - I promise it was just meant as an introduction. Please review kindly; I'm delicate. ;P
*
Though the echo of the booming light faded, the flare of the defeated enemy continued to rack Illusen Amell's body longer than was pleasant to watch. Oghren had never seen such magic and as the mage fell away from the sword that pierced the archdemon; he felt the weight of her victory. He wiped his mouth down the front of his moustache and looked to Wynne, assuming, that as another mage, she might know what it truly meant that the archdemon was dead. The dwarf could not imagine that the ravaging horde below would simply disband, no matter what the humans said. They worked in bands both bigger and smaller in the deep roads with enough organization to kill nobles; it should be no different above ground.
Wynne faltered. She had been aware of Illusen's selfless sense of duty, but even now was unprepared for what it would mean for the Warden. The white haired maiden lowered her head in respect, knowing that grievances would be misplaced. She noticed Oghren staring and arched an eyebrow at her funny little companion, but was cut off when she moved to speak.
"Well, it has certainly set quite the standard for squishing heads," blurted Shale, much to the disapproval of the old mage, making the golem feel rather pleased with herself. Still, she felt something she hadn't in a very long time at the loss of this particular squishy creature, a depression she doubted she would feel again for any more deaths she would witness in her endless life. A smile reassured her companions as she stepped forward to carry the body of her fallen leader. Her heavy feet marched forward, clunking against the stone floor in a most amusing way, until, they didn't anymore, and Shale stayed in place.
Hearing the nothing associated with this, Oghren turned from his view of the battlefield and walked steadily towards the Warden. He too froze for a short second upon getting closer to the girl, before rushing forward to her limp body and shouting back to Wynne, "The Warden's alive! She's breathing!"
Wynne's gratitude for Illusen's sacrifice melted away in anger and fear, as despite having no knowledge why Grey Wardens died when they killed an archdemon, she still knew it was an integral part of the ritual. This may mean that the archdemon lived still, whether in the Warden, or elsewhere. She did not move.
Although Oghren had been capable of lifting the thin, fragile looking human into his arms, Shale relieved him of the burden and took Illusen into a more balanced embrace. The quartet made their way down the tower slowly, and despite Wynne muttering pessimistic phrases for the duration of the march, the loudest noise still seemed to be, the unnatural breathing of the Warden.
The roar of battle had been a welcome distraction for the new king. It was to Alistair's dismay that Arl Eamon called him away from the front lines where the last stragglers inside Denerim were being fought, to just outside his estate to discuss fortifications and where the most likely places were for the population to have retreated to. Despite the urgency of this conversation, it was not one Alistair could concentrate on at the moment. He stared at his feet as he thought of his fallen love and waited to hear the news officially.
He did not have to wait long by this point, and the low rumble of Shale's approach was distinctive against the distant sounds of a dying Blight. He looked up, biting his tongue already, as he knew he would be fighting tears upon seeing her body. And there it was, the sensation of losing family he had felt after the battle of Ostagar, it ripped at his insides, but this time he was prepared and would not fall as he had now that he was in the company of those he knew. Arl Eamon said something, but he sounded a million miles away, and Alistair heard nothing but the beating of his own heart as it fought for release from his ribs. Not bothering to ask what was said, he spoke directly to Oghren, "Thank you, for bringing back her remains."
"That's the thing," said the dwarf in gruff confusion, "she's not dead."