Hello everyone.
I'm pretty new to the Dragon Age fanfiction and I'm doing extensive research on the history and modern society of Thedas. Due to this idea coming to me just after finishing Dragon Age: Inquisition, this takes place before Trespasser. This came to me as a 'What happened to Hawke in Weisshaupt' and my love of my Grey Warden. So forget all about Trespasser and all that jazz since I have not played it.
I do not own Dragon Age or its characters, only my OC's etc.
Let me know what you think, yeah?
-Mee
9:43 Dragon
Tevinter Imperium
Minrathous
Footsteps echoed down the hall of the empty yet marvelous building. The sound came from one flustered individual making his way to a specific room, hidden behind a black door with gold trimmings. Beside followed his second in command.
"First Warden, please calm down-"
"Don't tell me to calm down, Jason!" The man snapped.
"Sir-"
"These bloody Tevinters think they can just order me around? Me!?" He growled. "I'm the fucking First Warden! I don't take orders, I give them!"
They reached the desired door but First Warden Rufus Jook was having none of it. He threw open the doors, caring little for the eyes of dangerous men and women training on him.
"First Warden Jook," a man spoke. "Thank you for joining us."
"Who do you think you are, summoning me like one of your slaves? I am-"
"Watch your tongue, First Warden Jook," a woman hushed. "You are in and amongst the Court of Magisters."
"We are the best mages Tevinter -and Thedas for that matter- has to offer," another man continued.
"Magister Belatris, Magister Tres, enough," the first man said.
Belatris turned to him. "But Archon Radonis, he-"
"Is a foreigner and does not know our custom," Radonis interjected, tone scolding before turning his dark gaze back on Rufus. "Forgive them, First Warden. They are quick to anger when it comes to disrepect."
"Disrespect is when you drag me all the way out here while I'm trying to get things -your things- done down south!"
Radonis took in Rufus's demeaner for a moment before bowing his head ever so slightly.
"My apologies but time was of the essence. For whatever reason, the Qunari have halted their assault against us from the north. If ever was the time to strike, now would be it. Is everything in place?"
Rufus huffed but calmed, if only a little.
"Yes. Everyone is in place."
Radonis allowed a satisfied smirk to grace his lips. Around the room, similar expressioned echoed his own.
"Good, good. Let us begin immediately then, shall we?"
Orlais
Val Royeaux
The capital of Orlais was bustling as always. As the morning rays descended upon Val Royeaux, the Chant of Light started strong, greeting all and filling many with hope for a good day.
Leliana, as Divine Justinia, watched with mild adoration from her place within the Chantry. While she should be part of the chanting, as the Divine she was privy to meeting with dignitaries and the faithful and so she never could enjoy the Chant to its fullest. With the Chant resounding around her, she gave her blessing to many but something bothered her. Something she dreamed of that night.
A flower. The flower. Wilting as blood dripped onto it.
That was all. That was all she saw. When she woke, it left her cold and in yet in a sweat.
Something bad was coming.
The Winter Palace was quiet, this early in the morning. While the nobles and such slept in their rooms, the servants worked.
Celene lay upon her bed inside her bedchambers as soft streams of light came in through the open balcony doors. The door to her room opened slightly, allowing another to see the Empress vulnerable to attack. The person moved forward, creeping towards the bed. Beside her, her mask sat upon the bedside table. An item almost as famous at the Empress herself. The stranger took a moment to study the Empress' face.
Her skin was soft, almost aglow from the rays of sun hitting her bed.
The mysterious person raised their hand, placing it around Celenes' throat softly but also firm. As she slowly roused from sleep, her eyes remained closed, sensing she was not alone.
When the hand began to tighten, her eyes shot open. Her mouth opened to scream but lips pressed against her own to swallow them. Above her, Celene recognised the trespasser immediately.
"Briala, you scared me," the Empress huffed, holding a hand to her heart that beat erratically.
The elven woman smirked at her lover. "You know I can't resist when your neck is left exposed to me, my love."
Celene reached for the other woman who went to her side without hesitation. She caressed Briala's more angular face while the elf leant into her touch.
"I love you, Celene," Briala whispered, kissing her palm.
"And I, you," she murmured back.
Even though they were hidden away from prying eyes, they were well aware of listening ears that thrived on such a condemning union. To make sure they weren't heard, Briala closed the space between their lips as she joined the other woman on the bed.
Free Marches
Kirkwall
Viscount Ban groaned as he was pulled away from eating his lunch.
"Damn nobles," he muttered as he jumped straight back into work.
He was surprised though, when he was instead met with Guard-Captain Aveline.
"Aveline. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
Aveline bowed to im respectfully. "Sir, some of my men have noticed an increase of people within the city slums."
Bran watched her with confusion. "I don't understand," he answered. "How could that be? I haven't heard anything about nobles claiming bankruptcy."
"Me neither," Aveline stated. "I suspect that there are people sneaking into the city."
"But why? Why are people trying to sneak in when they could just enter normally?"
Aveline paused for a moment.
"Have you heard anything of Hawke?" Bran asked.
"No, not since she and Anders went to Weisshaupt."
Something clicked to her.
"The only reason for people to sneak in is if they have bad intentions. The reason they don't just walk in is because they are not meant to be seen-"
"Until it's too late," Bran finished, his eyes wide.
Nevarra
Nevarra City
The palace was quiet. Servants did their duties quick and efficiently before moving on to their next. Unlike Orlais, the Nevarrans never cared much for gossip and the Game.
A group of four Mortalitasi mages approached the weakened king, Markus Pentaghast.
"Yes?" He addressed them.
"Worry not, my king," one of them spoke. "It is just us."
The king nodded and got lost in thought again.
"The people have begun talking again."
"Of what, Brother Henry?"
"Of our less than decent 'influence' over our King," Henry answered, looking at the oldest of them all. "Why do they say such things, Brother Matthew?"
"Because the people do not understand us or our beliefs. Fear is caused by the unknown and to them, we are the unknown," he replied. "They will always spread rumours about us, Brother Henry. Try to not let it get to you. It once bothered Brother David and Sister Anna but they, too, learnt to ignore the populus and their opinion."
"We know the truth, Henry," Anna told him soothingly. "We know what is really going on and that should be all that matters."
Henry nodded and smiled at her.
"Thank you, Sister Anna. I just wish the people stopped thinking the worst of us."
"It's human nature to fear what we don't know," David spoke up. "We can't blame them for it."
"You have a lot to learn about being an Advisor to a ruler, Brother Henry," Matthew stated. "Thankfully, we have all the time in the world."
Free Marches
Starkhaven
Sebastian poured himself over a map of Thedas, biting his lip.
"Where are you hiding, Anders?" He wondered.
There was a knock on the door but he never took his eyes off the map.
"What is it?"
A woman entered wearing Starkhaven finery and a slight sway in her hips.
"Word has arrived from some of your men in Tevinter."
"Rebeka," he greeted, finally looking at her as she moved to the map.
She pointed to the Anderfels.
"It seems your mage has been spotted on his way towards the Anderfels."
"But why would he go to the Anderfels? Isn't it just a barron wasteland?"
"Anders was once a Grey Warden, yes? The Anderfels holds the Headquarters to the Grey Wardens."
"But Anders ran from them. Why would he go back? Was he alone?"
"No. It turns out Mary Hawke is travelling with him."
"Mary is still with him?" He growled. "Damn it. There's nothing I can do if they're there."
"Is there anything else I can help you with, your Highness?" Rebeka asked.
Sebastian shook his head.
"No. Thank you for bringing me this news, Rebeka."
She curtsied, bowing lower to show off more cleavage than necessary before leaving.
Sebastian looked back at the map with a hiss.
"One day, Anders. One day I will find you and kill you."
Ferelden
Denerim
Alistair entered the palace after a late night training session. He may be thirty-two but he's never been more fit. With his wife having been gone for several years, he knew she'd be keeping in shape and Maker forbid she returned to a fat, gluttonous king.
He entered the kitchen which he assumed would be empty due to the time but instead he found a familiar blond elf.
"What are you doing up, Amethyne."
The elf in question half screamed in surprise.
"King Alistair!" She stuttered, wiping her wet hands on her pants.
"Why are you doing the dishes at this time of night? The kitchen staff was told to do them in the morning since it was such a big night. Why are you doing them?"
"I-I couldn't sleep, your Majesty," she replied. "I was consumed with thoughts of the Queen and couldn't get to sleep."
Alistair shot her a look of understanding as he raided the pantry for food.
"You miss her too, huh?"
"B-But not as much as you, your Majesty. Y-You must be longing for her more than anybody."
"Don't do that," Alistair called from his place out of sight. "There's no such thing as missing someone more than someone else. We both miss her. It's okay to say that. She was like a mother to you, wasn't she?"
"Not just her, your Majesty!" Amethyne was quick to say. "What I mean is...I never knew my father and so it was easy for me to see you as...I mean, pardon me. I forget myself and my place sometimes and-"
A hand came down on her head, ruffling her hair slightly. "It's alright, Amethyne."
She looked up at Alistair who looked down at her kindly, the way a father did his child.
"You two didn't have to take me in but the moment she became Queen, Lady Donna found me in the Alienage again and took me in as her Lady In Waiting. To take care of me since my mother could not."
"I know Donna told you the truth about what happened to your mother," Alistair spoke as he sat on the bench, a large cheese wheel beside him.
"I know. My mother was killed in Highever during the Cousland Massacre but that wasn't her or her family's fault. It was Rendon Howes."
"Still, Donna got to meet Iona and she talked about you. When we saw you in the Alienage and you told us your name, Donna acted like she saw a ghost. It wasn't until after we killed Rendon that she told us about Iona and why meeting you had her all tense."
"You two have given me everything I could have wanted. You even abolished the Alienage to give elves an equal standing in society. You have done so much for me and my people that I wish I could give something back and now that Donna is away, I-I just don't know what to do with myself."
"You shouldn't worry so much," Alistair comforted her. "Donna is an amazing fighter. I know she'll be okay."
Amethyne smiled at him. "Thank you, King Alistair."
"You're welcome. Now, would you like to share this cheese wheel with me?"
Tevinter Imperium
Minrathous
Rufus entered the Court of Magisters again the next day.
"Report?" Radonis asked.
"The attack has begun. As we speak, our men are hitting the major heads on the Thedas Mainland."
Radonis let out a laugh, one that echoed with power and knowledge.
"Let us see how the world handles an alliance between the Grey Wardens and Tevinter."
He turned to the window with a smirk.
"Soon, Tevinter will be returned to its former glory and punishment will be brought to those Wardens that abandoned the Order."
Rufus smirked alongside him.
"Let the fun begin."
Orlais
Andoral's Reach
The grass barely made a sound beneath his bare feet as he walked up the hill. At the top rested an ancient tree, its branches long and majestic in the morning light. Unfortunately, he was not there for the tree. He was there for the woman kneeling before it.
"Why have you been following me for the past month?" She spoke from her kneeling place in front of a tombstone.
"I come in peace," he answered, raising his hands even though her back was to him. "I have been following you to ask for your help."
"I'm sorry, I can't help you."
"I know you can and I think...you are the only one that can."
The woman stood but not before touching the name written on the cold stone and bowing her head respectfully.
She turned to the man only to see him cloaked just like her. Clearly, he did not wish to be recognised either.
"Who are you?" She asked.
Looking around, he deemed it safe to unviel himself and stood before the other unhidden to her eyes.
Silver hair ruffled from a passing breeze as his steel green eyes stayed glued to the woman.
"My name is Fenris," he spoke. "I was a companion to Hawke, the Champion of Kirkwall."
"And what is it that you think only I can help you with?"
"After Corypheus was defeated, Hawke and Anders went to Weisshaupt to tell them about what had happened. They never came back. I have also heard that other Wardens have been going missing all over Thedas. When I journeyed to Ferelden, an aquaintance of mine confirmed the rumour and continues to report more missing Wardens."
He saw the woman had tensed slightly. He had definitely caught her attention with his words.
"Who is this contact of yours? Can their information be trusted?"
"Her name is Merril. She is the Keeper to a Dalish clan that moved back to Ferelden given the happenings in Kirkwall some years ago. She, too, was a companion to Hawke."
"And why is that you think I can help you with this?" The woman asked.
"Because you are the Commander of the Grey. Leader of the Silver Order."
Knowing her identity was known, she pulled her hood down to reveal her dark skin, brown hair and blue eyes.
"Warden-Commander Donna Cousland-Theirin, Queen of Ferelden."
So what did you think so far?
I'm trying to keep this as close to Canon without actually being Canon...if that makes sense.
Review and let me know what you think!
- Mee3