While I was playing Dragon Age Origins: Awakening, one of many things that stuck in my head was how when you talked to The Architect, he said that when he sent The Withered to Vigil's Keep, he should have predicted that the Wardens stationed there would see it as an attack. Well… what if he did predict that? What if instead of sending a large force to Vigil's Keep, he sent a lone Disciple to meet with the Warden Commander while he was on the road with Mhairi? This is a fanfic which shows a possible story.

Actions/History of my Warden in Dragon Age Origins:

Male Human Noble (name is Aedan)

Warrior (sword and shield)

Cleared Soldier's Peak of demons

Spared Avernus and told him to research ways to help the Grey Wardens ethically

Saved the Circle of Magi

Saved Redcliffe without a single civilian casualty

Saved Connor without sacrificing Isolde

Preserved the Urn of Sacred Ashes

Killed the High Dragon

Saved the Dalish and got Zathrian to lift the werewolf curse

Destroyed the Anvil of the Void

Made Bhelen the King of Orzammar (I know that Bhelen is a power-hungry asshole, but Harrowmont is too traditional. Bhelen on the other hand at least gives those poor casteless a chance at a life outside of the Carta.)

Spared and befriended Zevran

Found Sten's sword

Reunited Oghren with Felsi

Did not harden Leliana after she confronted Marjolaine

Killed Flemeth

Got Wynne to reconcile with her former apprentice

Romanced Morrigan and Leliana – bow chicka bow wow (you actually can do that in the game, look it up.)

Killed Loghain

Got Shale to remember who she once was, and try to regain her mortality

Had Alistair (hardened) marry Anora and become King of Ferelden

Did Morrigan's secret ritual

Let me know if there's anything else that you want to know about my Warden's history that you're interested in that I missed.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Dragon Age franchise – that goes to Bioware.

Okay, now that that's out of the way… here, we, go!

Chapter 1: Change Of Plans

Within his fortress underneath the silverite mines, the Architect turned towards the Withered "Remember, we are trying to secure an alliance with the Grey Wardens. Do not fight them unless you are given no alternative. And even then, kill as few as you possibly can."

The Withered bowed "Of course, Architect. This will be the beginning of a new age of peace between the Grey Wardens, and the Disciples."

"Good, gather your troops, and leave for Vigil's Keep."

But before the Withered could leave, another Disciple known as the Messenger came forward. "Architect, do you truly think it wise to send such a large force to the Grey Wardens' fortress?"

The Architect turned to the newcomer "Why do you ask, Messenger?"

"It is often difficult to predict how these humans will react, Architect. But as far as they know we are a race that exists only to destroy. I fear that when the Wardens see the Withered approaching along with his soldiers, they will think that he is there to attack the Vigil."

The Architect took a moment to consider this statement, then sighed "I fear that you may be correct. We would gain nothing if this attempt at an alliance were to instead turn into a bloodbath. Do you have an alternative plan?"

The Messenger responded "Our scouts report that the Warden Commander is just over a day's journey from reaching the Keep. I suggest that I go alone to speak with him before he reaches the fortress. The stories the humans have about the Warden Commander, they indicate that he is of a fair mind, and will not fight unless he has to. And if I fail, it will merely result in my own death, rather than the death of an entire army."

The Architect took another moment to think, then announced "Very well Messenger, you will set out alone to intercept the Warden Commander before he reaches Vigil's Keep. Withered, disperse your troops for the time being. You will remain here, and we will contemplate our next move. Luck be with you both.

Aedan Cousland; Hero of Ferelden; Arl of Amaranthine; Warden Commander of Ferelden, was nearing the end of a long journey on foot to reach the newly gifted fortress of Vigil's Keep. He was looking forward to finally getting a nice hot meal, and being able to sleep in a bed. Tomorrow he would focus on rebuilding the Fereldan Grey Wardens and governing Amaranthine, but tonight he would get some long awaited and well earned rest. He looked over at the woman from the Vigil who'd met him this morning to escort him the rest of the way. All he knew about her was that she was a new recruit for the Wardens - he didn't even know her name. Aedan figured it was time to change that.

"What's your story?"

The woman looked startled at this statement. "Pardon, Commander?"

"I like to get to know the people I'll be fighting alongside. And please, call me Aedan. You don't have to be so formal all the time you know." The Hero of Ferelden chuckled.

The woman still looked a little tense, but relented "Proper introductions were to be taken care of at the Keep… Aedan. But if that is your wish-"

Aedan stopped her right there before she could continue "You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. That wasn't an order, it was just a question."

She finally seemed to relax a bit, and introduced herself "My name is Mhairi. I was a knight in the king's army until I was recruited into the Grey Wardens a month ago… but I still haven't taken my Joining yet. I look forward to fighting at your side, Comma-… Aedan."

Aedan smiled "And I look forward to fighting at yours, Mhairi. What brought you to the Wardens exactly?"

Mhairi smiled as though slightly embarrassed "To be honest, Aedan, every since I was a child I loved listening to tales about kings, knights, and great warriors of legend, all fighting for what they believed in. I could scarcely believe it when I heard the story of how you united Ferelden and defeated the Blight almost singlehandedly. And when I heard that they were looking for new recruits to rebuild the Grey Wardens, I jumped at the chance to join."

Aedan smiled warmly, her enthusiasm might be considered rather childish by some. But he knew that as long as she was able to maintain a focused mind on the battlefield, she would go far.

Feeling curious about their destination, he asked Mhairi "What can you tell me about Vigil's Keep?"

Mhairi answered "I've heard that it was built by the Avvar barbarians in the times of ancient Tevinter. Other than that, all I know is that it was once the home of the late Arl Rendon Howe. If you ask me, considering what he did to the Wardens and your family, having their lands taken from them is the least of the Howes' problems.

Aedan sighed to himself. Part of him knew that it was wrong for the entire Howe family to be punished for Rendon's treachery. But after watching his entire family being butchered by a man his father had called a friend, and Rendon himself never showing any semblance of remorse, he couldn't really sympathize.

They were still several hours from getting to the Keep, so the two Wardens passed the time by simply talking to one another. Mhairi quickly realized that she could relax around Aedan so long as she followed his orders in battle, which she could and would do without hesitation. They continued this way for nearly half an hour until Aedan stopped, and got a serious expression on his face.

"Aedan, what's wrong?" Mhairi asked, curious at his sudden change of behaviour.

The Warden Commander muttered "I sense a darkspawn."

They both drew their weapons, and were instantly alert. Aedan focused his mind, and turned to where he sensed the darkspawn was coming from. He saw an armoured shape of what looked like a Hurlock running towards them. Yet strangely it didn't have its weapon drawn.

Regardless, it was a darkspawn. He nudged Mhairi, who instantly saw the approaching enemy. They both stood ready with their shields in front of them, and were about to charge their foe when suddenly a voice with a strange lisp came from the direction of the darkspawn.

"Peace! Do not be killing! Only talk."

Mhairi gaped "Did that darkspawn just talk?"

I know that this is a short chapter, but I just felt that this was a good way to set the pace and/or general direction of the story. Besides, if I end here, then I leave you guys at a nice cliff hanger screaming "I want to knowwhat happens next!"

Please rate and review, and hopefully I'll be back with the next chapter soon!