This is my first Dragon Age story. It is about my first character of the game the Surana mage. I am using the default name Neira for the female Surana, as the name of the character of this story. I hope you enjoy and if you have any advice on how to write the DA characters such as Alistair, and Zevran better.


"Neira you can't be serious about going alone." Alistair says desperate to convince her otherwise but the elven mage fixes her short cut blood red hair and continues to be absurdly stubborn.

"I won't be alone. Mhairi will be with me." Neira retorts, remembering the girl's name from earlier introductions. She turns back to her packs. They were really stuffed already, with extra potions and gear. She still had to finish packing as well, so the likelihood of the rest of her things having to be brought on a cart after her was high.

"That's not the same thing. She's an escort. One. You are the warden who ended the blight, no doubt there will trouble. Why not take Zevran with you?"

"Yes Warden, why not? Then we could be alone for a change." The elf says as he walks over smoothly and without effort, setting his arm around the warden's waist as she stood up from pulling out a few extra mabari treats she had.

She pulls away from him and walks over to the other side of the room to grab a knife. "What would us being alone change Zevran? It would still be two versus whoever attacks us. If I go with just you instead of just Mhairi." Neira says and rubs the dried blood stains on the knife. She knew they were never coming off but she still tried to clean them off every once in a while. It was sentimental to her. Maybe she was too sentimental sometimes.

"That's not what I meant Neira." Zevran says, cooing as he reaches for her again.

"Then you've lost me." Neira says and sets the knife in it's sheath that was tied to her leg. She feels Zevran's hand grabs hers and spin her.

"Zevran. What are you doing?"

"Watching how a grey warden defends one of his own." Zevran teases. He watches Alistair's face as he dips Neira who smacks his hands away from her and moves away from him quickly to the opposite side of the room where she looks over the shelves for anything she might need.

"Zevran we don't have times for games. I will be leaving very soon I have to make sure I have everything ready. If I am to be an Arl, then I have to be a prepared one."

"Never mind, don't take Zevran." Alistair says and shoots him an angry look that made Zevran laugh heartily. "But why aren't you taking Hark?"

"You know he's staying in Denerim for the time. He will be sent to Amaranthine as soon as they can spare him again." She sits on the bed and pulls her pack closer. She opens it and check to make sure all her poultices were in it. Once she was happy with the way the bag was organized she shuts it.

Alistair frowns more deeply. "Then allow me to come. I can be spared for at least a few days just to make sure you make it there safely."

"I am not a child in need of protection Alistair." She stands up and wraps her arms around his neck, giving him a quick kiss, before letting him go again and simply resting her small hands on his chest. "We both know that we both can't go. One of us has to stay here until the other grey wardens come and you already have orders to go to Kirkwall after that. You can't come and that's that."

"But Neira, after everything with the blight."

"Denerim needs to be rebuilt and I told Anora I was needed elsewhere. She already knew I wasn't planning on staying plus, after all of this we still have to visit Sten in his home country."

"Wait, since when?" Alistair asks surprised by the news.

"He invited me to come along right after we defeated the archdemon. He wasn't so happy when I agreed as long as you two could join me as well, but I talked him over. It was easy to speak up for you but he took a lot of convincing to not kill Zevran on sight if he came."

"Ah, our warden. Always with the silver tongue that could charm any snake."

"That's ridiculous. Sten isn't a snake. He's a qunari. A lot less venomous."

"No less dangerous."

"Or understanding."

"Oh, stop it you two. Care to help me carrying my things downstairs. My guide is waiting. As well as the Orlais wardens."

"And your Arling." Zevran chimes.

"And the new recruits you'll find no doubt." Alistair adds and let's Neira go as they all grab a bag.

They walk down the stone steps of the house Neira and Alistair had saved up a portion of their money to pay rent for. It was a small two story building that had two rooms and a very small kitchen downstairs. There was a fireplace as well and enough room for the three and the usual mabari hound that was there to sit and chat when they weren't out on missions or jobs, or just out shopping they had, had plenty of fun times at home. Still for the most part they were never there and within a few days the place would be empty once again.

Neira looks back at the building that had provided there shelter for the few months after the war She had first told Anora she did not want the Arling, but somehow she was talked into it.

"Hello Commander."

"Neira is fine." She says and shakes Mhairi's hand. "Sorry to keep you waiting out here."

"No, it is fine. I am glad to have the opportunity to work with you, one of the most revered Grey Wardens there is."

Neira laughs. "Maybe revered for now but time will past and that will change."

"With all respect Miss. I doubt that."

Neira simply nods letting the conversation come to an end. She looks back at Alistair and Zevran. "I can count on you two to keep things in order while I'm gone, correct?"

"My dear lady, do you doubt us. After everything we've been through." Zevran says pretending to play the wounded man.

Neira just smiles at him. "Not at all my dear crow."

Zevran smirks at the pet name and takes a step back. His time on the stage was over for now, as he allows Alistair to take the lead. "Neira," He starts but chokes up. Alistair looks down as Neira grabs his hands and lifts them up. He sighs and closes his eyes, thinking over what he would say next. Once he thought he had found the words he dares to open his eyes and look into her bright pale green eyes. They looked as if they were made of small crystals. Sparkled and dotted with spots of blue and white. "please be safe?" He finishes, requesting his last request of her for who knew how long.

"Don't worry Al. I'm sure everything will be fine. I write letters and keep you updated on everything, but you must do the same."

"I will." He promises.

"Thank you."

"Does you ruling an Arling mean you will pause in your search for, her?" He asks knowing the answer already.

"No. Leliana is helping me as well. Alistair I know you and Morrigan never got along, but she called me sister and she was my close friend. She is also the mother of your child."

This caused him to frown and let go of her arms. Not the reaction she wanted but one she knew might occur. "And whose brilliant plan was that?"

"This silly mage's." She answers and sets her own hand on her pack's straps.

Alistair gives her a side look. She was still smiling. Her eyes shone, and she was smiling but he couldn't help but think she was sad. He knew her well enough by now to know when her smile was one of false cheerfulness, or when she was smiling simply to make sure no one gave up, when she her smile was genuine, or one was complete blithe. He could tell just by what her smile was what she truly felt, he had wondered many times if anyone else had ever noticed.

"Commander, I'm sorry but if we are to arrive on time we must go now."

Neira quickly turns to face her guide. "Yes, sorry. Goodbyes can take so long sometimes. I'm sorry for any hindrance, just a moment more please?"

Mhairi nods and silently stands, waiting once again.

Alistair hugs Neira as she had started to turn back to him. He squeezes her as tight as he could without thinking he would hurt her beneath her armor. She squeezes him back. "I love you Surana. Make sure to come back in one piece."

"And without any new broken hearts." Zevran adds ruining the moment. Alistair turns to shoot him a death glare but Neira laughs and rests her hand on Alistair's cheek to push his attention back to her.

"I will. Stop worrying."

"I can't help it. With such a close call with the archdemon."

"Alistair. An archdemon and regular darkspawn are two different things, completely."

"I know. It's just, you were so, and yet you still managed to deliver the final blow."

"Alistair." Neria says calmingly. She waits for him to relax again while in her arms, resting his head in the crevice of her neck and shoulder. She lets him stay there for a few moments gently swaying her back and forth as he did so.

When it was finally time to go he kissed her. Passionately, yet gently, one last time before she had to turn her back on them and leave. He wished she didn't have to go. He also wish he could go with, because he knew that wherever Neira went trouble was sure to follow, even though the whole time he had known her she always tried to find the best solution to everything, and more often than not, did.


I know it may be a bit of a slow build but there shall be more. This story is taking place, from right before Awakening then continues throughout the story and will go on to what happens to her after, the part of the warden's story we never see. I may also be using this character for another Dragon Age story I will begin writing soon.