This story begins 10 months before the battle at Ostagar and tells Duncan's tale as he searches for new recruits to rebuild the Grey Warden Order of Ferelden. He deals with problems both personal and the trials of restoring a once outlawed Order that has lost all relevance in the minds of the common folk and in the present days of Ferelden. Luckily he has an eager and somewhat awe-struck benefactor in the form of the current king of Ferelden, King Cailan Theirin.
This story will follow Duncan as he visits every dark corner of Ferelden in search of those willing and capable to perform the duties of a Grey Warden. Not only will he visit each of the locations where the Origin Stories takes place, he will also visit all the main towns and cities within Ferelden. Some will survive the trials that follow others may not reach Ostagar for their Joining Ritual.
The story will finish once the Joining Ritual is complete and will continue with the next story The Dark Ages of Blood & Chaos. This story will follow the remaining Grey Wardens on their journey to unite the various factions of Ferelden in their effort to defeat the Archdemon and the Blight.
Return of the Griffon Riders
Prologue: Grey Wardens of Ferelden
10 Months Before the Battle of Ostagar, The Grey Griffon Hall,
King's Plaza District, Denerim, Ferelden
The Grey Griffon Hall stood tall and proud in the centre of the noble district of King's Plaza. It was a wealthy area of Denerim that stood out from most of the city for its opulence and splendour. Only a few years ago the hall had been a run down hovel, used by the wealthy merchants of the district to store their wares. With the arrival of the Grey Warden commander Duncan in Denerim, King Cailan had insisted that he would tidy up the old Grey Warden stronghold and even go so far as to furnish the place and provide suitable and capable servants for the every day running of the place.
So fascinated was the young king with all things to do with the Grey Wardens. The king kept to his word and provided the Grey Wardens with a magnificent stronghold, the only thing they lacked were the actual Grey Wardens. The Grey Warden Order of Ferelden consisted of just two wardens, or technically one warden and one possible recruit as Alistair had not yet undergone The Joining Ritual. The Wardens of Orlais numbered in their hundreds at the very least, perhaps more than a thousand, but the Empire had not made the same mistake as Ferelden in outlawing the Order.
Duncan paced, and paced, and paced some more. He couldn't think of a single moment since his time in the Deep Roads when he had been more nervous than this. Who would have thought it? How could it have happened? Whatever was he to do now? How could he have been so careless? What fool brained shenanigans had brought him to this desperate situation from which there was no apparent escape?
This wasn't supposed to happen to Grey Wardens. He had responsibilities beyond the personal, such as the rebuilding of an entire order of Grey Wardens. That was why the Grandmaster of the Orlesian Grey Wardens had sent him back to Ferelden. Now that the Grey Wardens were once more welcomed within the borders of Ferelden, and not hunted as outlaws and troublemakers, he had a very important job to do. He simply didn't have time for this. He wasn't ready. He didn't think he would ever be ready for this. Surely it was a mistake, was he being tricked, duped into believing this tale of deceit. But how could he think such a thing. Duncan jumped as the screams from behind the locked door intensified. The waiting was unnerving. It was distressing and worst of all he felt so helpless. The screams continued unabated.
"You'll wear out those Orlesian carpets the king gave us if you pace any more, Duncan. There is no need to be so nervous. I'm certain every one in your position feels exactly the same as you are feeling right now. Perhaps …" Duncan shot Alistair a withering and defiant look. It was a look which told Alistair he had better watch his words and not push the veteran Grey Warden too far, lest he take it out on the closest person to get in his way, most likely Alistair, if his past luck was anything to go by.
"Be quiet, boy. If you have nothing better to do, Alistair, bring me several bottles of chilled Orlesian wine, I can bear this waiting no longer." Duncan said, almost raising his voice to a shout as he slammed a gauntleted fist into the heavy wooden table.
"As you wish, Duncan. But it will be alright, they know what they are doing." Alistair left the main hall and returned moments later with three bottles of chilled wine and two tankards. He poured a drink for Duncan and then one for himself, filling the tankards almost to the top.
"Were there no glasses?" Duncan asked as he gulped down a mouthful of wine. He gave a small grin as the liquid poured down his throat, if all else failed today he knew he could always find solace and comfort in the waiting grasp of Orlesian wine. The taste was as ever recognisably delicious, it brought a colour to his cheeks, the potent alcohol famous for leaving anyone who consumed too much in a drunken state and was notoriously renowned for leaving its after effects for the day after when one who had consumed a little too much would undoubtedly suffer the worst of hangovers they had ever had the misfortune of suffering. The shouts of never again could be heard through the veiled curses of Orlesian wine producers.
"I thought you would want something a little larger, Duncan." Alistair said with a wicked grin and offered him the bottle again. Duncan lowered his tankard and waited until the deep red liquid reached almost to the top. Duncan knew Ellani would complain bitterly about him drinking on such an occasion, but he simply couldn't help himself. His frayed nerves demanded it.
"What is taking so long, surely it must be over by now." Duncan demanded of no one in particular, and continued gulping down his wine until there was nothing left. He put the tankard back down on the table and waited for Alistair to open another bottle.
"I bet you never thought this was going to happen any time soon." Alistair sniggered, unable to contain his amusement any longer. He had witnessed the Grey Warden Commander at his most violent and vicious. He was a man who almost demanded respect and maybe even fear, but he now seemed so helpless.
"It was stupid of me to allow it to happen at all. Afterall what will I do now? I'm simply not ready for this, I have responsibilities." Duncan shook his head helplessly; he really worried for what the future would hold for him now.
"Well now you have a few more …." Alistair began but was distracted along with Duncan as the movement from inside the room drew both of their attention.
Duncan watched as the key in the door turned. Moments seemed like hours as he waited for the news he had been expecting. A woman stepped out of the room, grinning from ear to ear. The rolls of fat on her considerably chubby face were flushed with exhaustion.
"It is good news, Warden Commander. You are now the proud father of twins, a boy and girl." The fat woman said as she wiped beads of sweat from her brow.
"Did you hear that, Alistair? Twins you say and how is Lady Ellani? I trust she is well?" Duncan asked with an obvious expression of concern across his face.
"Both mother and children are doing just fine. You may enter now if you wish, Warden Commander."
"You are certain they are doing well. I do not think I could … If they were to …" Duncan began, but his words trailed off as the woman sought to comfort him with her words.
"There is no need to worry, Warden Commander. They are in good health and simply awaiting your presence. Lady Ellani demanded that you go in immediately."
Duncan couldn't help himself and gave out a large lung filled laugh that echoed around the large hall. "Just like the Ellani I know, demanding in the extreme."
"She said it's the least you could do, as you were the one responsible for getting her into this state." The midwife stated accusingly, almost scalding Duncan with her tone as though he were a naughty boy and she his mother.
"Did she now? Then I had better attend to her needs before she flies into one of her ferocious fits that I'm sure you are …." Duncan imagined for a moment the vicious tongue lashings he had received in the past from his beloved Ellani. She was not one to struggle with her words. And she always made her presence known. It was hardly ladylike he thought. That's probably why he loved her so much.
"If you're out there Duncan, get you're lazy good for nothing backside in here and take a look at our children. Surely you can't be drinking already, without any thought for your new family." Ellani shouted at the top of her voice, followed by crying which he assumed came from the children.
"I think you had better get in there quickly, Duncan. You know what a temper she has." Alistair could barely contain his delight at Duncan's obvious discomfort. He couldn't ever remember seeing the rogue so lost and not quite knowing what to do next.
"I'm well aware of that, Alistair. I'm merely building up to it." He said as he gulped down a full tankard of wine and then wiped his gauntleted hand across his mouth to stem the flow of dark red liquid running down his chin.
The midwife looked at him once again as though he were a naughty child and shook her head while muttering something incoherently to herself.
"Wish me luck, Alistair." Duncan gave a half hearted grin and walked into the room.
"If I may beg a moment of your attention, Ser Alistair." Alistair couldn't help but to continue to giggle to himself as Duncan wandered off to see the new additions to his growing family. He looked around at the smartly dressed servant who he immediately recognised as Rusty. At least that was what he thought his name was.
"Ah, Rusty, my good man, what news do you bring this fine day?"
"Please good ser, my name is Aldo Rustill. We are and have always been a family of butlers that have served the nobles of Ferelden for over five hundred years. It would do my honour no good at all if my family name were merely shortened to such a common sounding …"
"Don't get yourself so wound up my good man. No one stands on ceremony around here."
"I have noticed the lack of etiquette and good breeding …" The disapproving look as he stuck his snooty nose in the air in thought of better days when he had actually served lords and ladies. Maker only knew what disfavour he must have earned from the king to be given away to these commoners.
"Have you really, well perhaps your not looking in the right place. Now if you have finished insulting every one present, perhaps you could deliver your message."
"I beg your forgiveness my lord, I meant no offence."
"The message?"
"Yes my lord. His Royal Highness King Cailan and Queen Anora Theirin, along with Teyrn Bryce and Teyrna Eleanor Cousland, Arl Eamon and Arlessa Isolde Guerrein, will attend Grey Griffon Hall in two days time at noon. They will be accompanied by Ser Aedan and Lady Elissa Cousland, Ser Fergus and Lady Oriana Cousland, Bann Teagan Guerrein, Regent & Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir, Bann Landra Loren, Ser Dairren Loren, Ser Roland Gilmore, Arl Rendon Howe, Ser Nathaniel Howe, Ser Thomas Howe, Lady Delilah Howe, Lieutenant Commander Ser Cauthrien Regana." Aldo said each name slowly and with a pronounced reverence for each member of the Ferelden nobility.
"Really, aren't we the popular ones. I trust all preparations have been made to receive our illustrious guests?"
"Of course, my lord. I will see to everything personally as is my duty. A duty which I perform with determination and pride."
"So I can safely leave everything in your hands and we won't have any unwelcome problems at the last moment."
"There will be no problems, Ser Alistair. I would not allow such a thing to happen on such an important occasion. Or any other occasion for that matter. I will have the servants begin to make immediate preparations, it is better to start and finish early than to discover something to be amiss at the last moment. The second and more pressing matter is that we have guests from Orlais, Grey Wardens. They wish to have an audience with Warden Commander Duncan as soon as possible."
"You do realise, Lady Ellani will throw the worst tantrum you have ever witnessed if Duncan is disturbed today. Can't they settle for me for the moment?"
"I apologise, Ser Alistair. They were adamant that only Warden Commander Duncan would be acceptable, and that their news was dire indeed and of the utmost urgency. They intend to wait for however long is necessary, but insist on seeing the Warden Commander today with no excuses acceptable to them."
"Have you at least made them comfortable? Provided them with food and drink?"
"Of course, Ser Alistair. They are presently within the guest study on the ground floor."
"Good, at least that will keep them quiet for now. What would we do without you, Rusty? Oh, sorry, Aldo, if you prefer."
"I would imagine the place would return to rack and ruin, my presence here has never been needed more so than at present."
"Quite right, Aldo. Now be a good man and tell our guests I shall speak with Duncan and see if he can spare a few moments."
"Duncan, where have you been? Do you not want to see our children or your future wife?" Ellani asked, seeming almost hurt by his reluctance.
"My dear, it has only been moments since you gave birth. I have been outside the door all this time at the request of the midwife. She insisted my presence would only complicate matters during the birth."
"I suppose it will have to do. But you could at least make an effort. Afterall, it was you who got me in this condition in the first place."
"I believe it would have taken both of us to get you in this condition, my love."
"Quite, but that's not the point. I am a lady of noble birth. My father is Bann Rendell Morgann, it is seen as highly inappropriate to give birth outside of marriage and even more so when the father of the child is not of noble birth."
"I thought we had discussed this, Ellani."
"My father demands that you marry me at once, or he will seek satisfaction on the battlefield."
"Your father has passed his prime, surely he realises …."
"How dare you, you horrible man. My father is honourable and was a great warrior in his youth. He would cut you down where you stand for slandering his good name."
"Horrible man? It seems I can do little right these days, Ellani. Perhaps I should come back later when you are more agreeable."
"Sometimes, Duncan I really have to force myself not to despise you. Your son and daughter lay here at my side and you haven't once tried to hold them. You care only about your precious pride and those damned Grey Wardens, not that you've managed to recruit a single one yet."
"I want nothing more than to hold my children, Ellani, but you make my life difficult at times. I love you dearly, but sometimes I wonder if we are well matched."
"Well matched, is that what you call it? We most certainly are not well matched. You will always be beneath me, Duncan. Nothing can change that. It is simply the truth and however much you try, you will simply never be a part of the great nobility of Ferelden. You will never be good enough for most of them and most certainly will never be one of them."
"Is that really what you think of me, Ellani? I care nothing for the fleeting whims of acceptance from the oh-so-precious nobles of Ferelden. I care only what you think of me. If you hold me in such low regard, then perhaps we should think twice about …."
"How dare you? You would leave me with your children while you gallivant across the country in search of mythical beasts that no one truly believes ever existed. Do you really hate me so much that you would leave me with your children, an unmarried mother, an outcast of noble birth? I would probably finish my short life begging for coppers …."
"What are you talking about, Ellani? Don't be so bloody dramatic. You are the daughter of perhaps the wealthiest Bann in all of Ferelden. Your mother and father love you dearly and would never let anything happen to you despite the gossiping of their fellow noblemen. They would dote on their grandchildren endlessly and without remorse. No children in all of Ferelden would be more spoilt."
"That is because they love me unconditionally, something you seem incapable of doing, Duncan. I really do wonder how I fell for your charms, when there is such a wicked and cruel man underneath all the dashing charm and bravado. I should not have so easily succumbed to your wicked charms, Duncan. I do sometimes regret that I was so weak willed as to allow my head to be turned by the first charming rogue that came along. Not to mention the age difference, I think perhaps I was so besotted with the older man that I allowed my guard to slip and didn't think of the consequences."
"The older man? Ellani, you are thirty six years old, there is but ten years between us, you are hardly the blushing young virgin rose, ripe for the picking.
"How dare you, you wicked man? How can you say such a thing, you were my first."
"Then you have truly lived a sheltered and pampered life if you were waiting for the dashing stranger to sweep you off your feet and marry you at the first drop of a hat."
"Oh I hate you, Duncan. You say the cruellest things to me. I will ask father to let me return to the estate with the children, if you are so adamant that you don't want us."
"When have I ever said I don't want you? You take my words and change them to your own twisted ends. How many times do I have to say I love you, Ellani, before it will sink in? I love our children and want us all to be together, but you make it so difficult some times."
"Hold your children, Duncan. Stop coming up with excuses, at least if you can't show your love for me when I have given birth to your children, then do the decent thing and be a caring father to your children."
"You are an impossibly difficult woman to please, Ellani?"
"To think I could have had my pick of princes, and I settled for a commoner."
"Well if you will scrape the bottom of the barrel, don't be surprised that what you get isn't all you thought it would be."
"Duncan, will you force me out of my bed, albeit in the kitchen pantry among the rat droppings and the stench of onions and garlic. If I have to get up I will never forgive you, take your children just for a moment. Look into their eyes and tell me you don't immediately fall in love with them."
"Alright, if it will keep you quiet for a moment, woman."
Duncan stepped forward and nervously leaned over to take the wrapped bundle from the right side of Ellani.
"That is your son, Duncan, do be careful with him."
"Of course, Ellani, my dear."
Before he could get much of a chance to look at his son, Alistair knocked at the door to the room and then wandered in.
"I am sorry to disturb you, Lady Ellani, Duncan. But we have very pressing matters that need to be taken care of."
"What is it, Alistair?"
"And what can possibly be more important than Duncan spending time with his child and future wife, did you put him up to this, Duncan?"
"No, I most certainly did not."
"It's the delegation of Grey Wardens from Orlais, they have finally arrived. They wish to see you as soon as possible, I offered to speak to them but apparently they don't settle for the underlings."
"Don't you dare leave me here in this damn pantry, to …"
"I will arrange for the servants to move you to our bedchambers and to attend to your needs. I will be back the moment I can spare a few moments …."
"Maker damn you, Duncan. To hell with your Grey Wardens, soon enough you are going to have to make a decision, them or your family. Now give me back my son, and get out of here, we'll manage on our own."
"All fifty or so servants will be at your beck and call, Ellani, my dear. The nanny awaits her new duties, so you may rest at your leisure."
"Just go, Duncan, we will manage without you. I get the feeling we will have to cope without you being around in the coming months."
"But …"
"Just go."
Alistair returned his son to his mother's side and then turned with Alistair to leave. Moments later they were stood outside with Aldo and the midwife who were chatting like they had known each other for years.
"Aldo, ensure Lady Ellani has everything she needs, and arrange for the servants to move her into our bedchambers now the birth is over."
"As you wish, Warden Commander. I will see to it immediately." Aldo said before wishing the midwife a good day and then wandering off in search of the servants who worked under him, as he was head of the house servants.
"Are you beginning to regret your dalliances with the good lady, Ellani? I had thought you loved her dearly, Duncan."
"Let's just say I hadn't planned on a wife and children quite so soon, despite my steadily advancing years."
"Advancing years, just how old are you, Duncan?"
"At the last count I was forty six years old. I think in all honesty I had never thought there was a situation from which I couldn't escape. But alas, here I am, trapped and cornered like a rat in a hole."
"I thought you would have taken the birth of your children somewhat better than this, Duncan. Maybe you should mention something to Lady Ellani."
"Are you trying to put me in an early grave, Alistair? If I were to appear anything but the devoted father and soon to be husband if she gets her way. Then I would surely never hear the last of it and would be swamped with calls for justice from the Morgann clan, as relatives and champions of the wronged woman challenged me to combat to the death to restore honour to their good family name. I really believe I have only two choices in this matter."
"And what would they be?"
"There's no need to look so smug and pleased with yourself, Alistair, your day will come, mark my word. My choices as I see it come down to just two. Either I leave immediately for Orlais and never return to Ferelden or I marry Ellani."
"You would consider just leaving?"
"Not unless it becomes unbearable."
"But what of the children, what would become of them if you did leave?"
"Bann Rendell Morgann is one of the richest merchant barons in all of Ferelden with ties to every major trading nation. He would ensure that his only daughter and probably his only grand children were well looked after. Besides which they would probably be better off without a Grey Warden for a father. My profession isn't exactly one that lends itself well to family life."
"I thought you would be a little more pleased, Duncan."
"In truth, so did I. But I am not a man to be tied to anything other than the Grey Wardens, and I didn't exactly ask for that either."
"Perhaps fatherhood will grow on you in time."
"One can only hope, Alistair. Now let's go and speak with our Orlesian guests. At least I can handle rumours of Blights and Darkspawn. They pale in comparison to an enraged Lady Ellani."