This is my first fanfic. It will span the entire game of Dragon Age Origins, and features all three female elven Wardens. This will be a yuri fic, so if that bothers you, then don't read this. There will also be lemons later on, so if you're under eighteen, beware.

Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Age. If I did, Tallis would've been a permanent romanceable companion, and Dragon Age 3 would be out by now.

There, I think that about covers my hind-end. The first few chapters will be the origins for my Wardens. Enjoy, I hope.


It was around midnight when they brought her to the top of the tower. After so long, it was finally time for her Harrowing. Avarielle Surana looked around the chamber in awe, as it was the first time she'd ever been up here. The ceiling was high, and there were large stained windows all around the walls. There were templars standing in a circle around the center, with First Enchanter Irving, Knight-Commander Greagoir, and a pedestal filled with a glowing blue liquid in the center. The templars stood aside to allow her into the circle, and then closed around her, becoming a veritable wall of steel.

"Magic exists to serve man, and never to rule over him," Greagoir said as he approached her. "Thus spoke the prophet Andraste when she cast down the Tevinter Imperium, once ruled by mages who brought the world to the edge of ruin." Greagoir stopped just in front of Avarielle and looked down at her. As she was an elf, she was at least a foot shorter than him, if not slightly more. She had to look up in order to see into his face. His hair was short and graying, as was his trimmed beard. He was donned in the armor of the Knight-Commander, though he forewent the use of his helmet. "Your magic is a gift," he continued, "but it is also a curse. Demons of the dream realm, the Fade, are drawn to you, and seek to use you as a gateway into this world."

"This is why the Harrowing exists," Irving said as he stepped to Avarielle's other side. His hair and long beard were also graying, though slightly more so. He wore the robes of the First Enchanter, and the wrinkles around his gold eyes gave him a sage-like look. "The ritual sends you into the Fade, and there you will face a demon, armed with only your will."

"I am ready," Avarielle said confidently. This was what she had been waiting for.

"Know this, Avarielle," Greagoir said warningly, "if you fail, we templars will perform our duty, and you will die." This caused Avarielle to be slightly nervous. Greagoir then gestured to the pedestal in the center of the room. "This is lyrium, the very essence of magic, and your gateway into the Fade."

"The Harrowing is a secret out of necessity, child," Irving said, placing an encouraging hand on Avarielle's shoulder and leading her a few steps to the side. "Every mage must go through this trial by fire. As we succeeded, so shall you." Irving the leaned in closer and began to mutter in her ear. "Keep your wits about you, and remember; the Fade is a realm of dreams. The spirits may rule it, but your own will is real." Avarielle nodded as she took all of this in.

"The apprentice must go through this test alone, First Enchanter," Greagoir said in an annoyed manner, having clearly heard everything Irving said. He then gestured again to the lyrium, giving Avarielle an encouraging nod. "You are ready," he assured her.

Avarielle nodded in return and approached the lyrium, her anxiety growing with each step. When she reached the pedestal, she looked down into the lyrium at her own reflection. Her long black hair was down, as she left it whenever she slept. She could see the nervousness in her jade eyes, framed by the blue tattoos that adorned her face. Avarielle reached out nervously and touched the lyrium. The moment it touched her skin, energy filled her hand and ran up her body. The power from the lyrium filled her until she felt like she would explode, and then, in a flash of light, everything went dark.


Avarielle opened her eyes to a sickly yellow-green sky. There seemed to be light around her, but with no discernable source. She rose to her feet and looked around. Everything seemed to have the same greenish-yellow tint as the sky, and she was on what appeared to be a floating island. Avarielle walked to the edge and peered down into the abyss, and seeing no end to it, nor did there seem to be any end in any other direction. And off into the distance, almost out of Avarielle's sight, with its dark gates and towers, was the Black City, the former seat of the Maker.

"So this is the Fade?" Avarielle said to herself. She had read about it in books, heard it described by the senior mages, but she had never seen it for herself.

"Someone else thrown to the wolves, as fresh and unprepared as ever," a voice said behind her. Avarielle jumped and turned around to see who it was, but there was no one there. "Down here!" Avarielle looked down to see…a mouse? "It isn't right that they do this, the templars. Not to you, me, anyone."

"You're…a mouse," Avarielle said, feeling dumbfounded. Mice weren't supposed to talk, at least not to her knowledge.

"What, do you really think you look the way you do? In the Fade, nothing is what it seems. Let me show you," In a flash of light, the mouse was gone, and a man with short brown hair and green eyes stood in front of her, wearing red mage robes. "See? Allow me to welcome you to the Fade. You can call me…well, Mouse."

"Not your real name, I take it?" Avarielle asked, noticing the way he hesitated when he told her.

"No," Mouse said. "I don't remember anything from…before. The templars kill you if you take too long, you see. They figure you failed, and they don't want something getting out. That's what they did to me, I think," Mouse put a hand over his face. "I have no body to reclaim, and you don't have much time before you end up the same!"

"How long do I have, exactly?" Avarielle asked, feeling worried. Killing the apprentices for taking too long? She could scarcely believe it.

"I…I don't remember," Mouse said. "I ran away and I hid. I don't know how long." So not only would she be killed if she took too long, now Avarielle didn't even know how long she had.

"What am I supposed to do?" Avarielle remembered fully what Irving told her, but perhaps Mouse would be able to tell her something more.

"There's something here, contained, just for an apprentice like you," he said. "You have to face the creature, a demon, and resist it, if you can. That's your way out, or your opponent's, if the templars wouldn't kill you." He then scoffed. "A test for you, a tease for the creatures of the Fade." So, that was her task? To defeat a demon? Avarielle shook her head.

"Anything can die. I doubt it's as simple as that," she said skeptically.

"You would be a fool to just attack everything you see," Mouse informed her. "What you face is powerful, cunning," He raised a finger to his chin in thought. "There are…others here, other spirits. They may be able to help you, if you can believe anything you see. I will follow, if that's alright. My chance was long ago, but you, you may have a way out."

"You may accompany me, if you wish," Avarielle said. Mouse smiled and transformed back into a mouse. Avarielle then looked around her. There didn't seem to be any path to take. "How do we get away from here?"

"This is the Fade. Your will rules here," Mouse said. "Imagine a stone pathway appearing before you, perhaps to that other island, over there." Avarielle looked to see which one Mouse was talking about, and saw a large one that was close to them, but higher up. Avarielle took a deep breath and focused her will. Within a matter of moments a stone walkway materialized in front of her, stretching towards the other island. "That's it, you've got it!"

Avarielle felt proud of herself for having accomplished such a feat on her first try. She crossed the stone walkway to the other side, with Mouse scampering along behind her. When they reached the other island, there was a large ring of low flames burned into the ground off to the right. To the left was a pathway leading through a forest.

"This is where you will be tested," Mouse said, taking a few steps towards the ring of fire to indicate what he was talking about. "The demon isn't here right now, but it can come back at any moment," Mouse then turned towards the pathway. "There is a spirit down that way. I've always thought he fell short of his name, but he might be able to help you."

"Alright, let's go see him," Avarielle said.

"Um, I'll just stay here. That guy scares me," Mouse said, cringing, his ears flat against his head. "In fact, I think I'll go hide somewhere, just in case the demon comes back."

"Okay, be safe," Avarielle said as Mouse scampered into a hole in the ground. She then steeled herself as she made her way down the pathway through the woods. She came out into an open field full of lush grass. There was a tree in the distance, and she could see someone swinging a sword within it's shade. There also seemed to be other objects in the air around him. Avarielle figured that this must be the spirit Mouse spoke of and began making her way over to him. The spirit must've noticed her approach, because he stopped swinging his sword. As Avarielle got closer, she could see that the spirit was wearing heavy plate armor with a helmet, and that he had a shield along with his sword. Also, she could see that the objects floating around him were weapons of every shape and size.

"Another mortal thrown into the flames and left to burn, I see," The spirit's voice was deep, and seemed to echo all around Avarielle. "Your mages have devised a cowardly test. Better you were pitted against each other to prove your mettle with skill, than to be sent unarmed against a demon."

"Fight each other?" Avarielle said, astounded at what the spirit suggested. "We're not warriors!"

"They would have you battle a demon," the spirit proclaimed. "With magic or weapon, to be the victor would make you a warrior still. That you remain means that you have not yet defeated your hunter. I wish you a glorious battle to come."

"What kind of spirit are you?" Avarielle asked. This spirit didn't seem like anything Avarielle had ever read about.

"I am Valor, a warrior spirit," the spirit, now known as Valor, said. "I hone my weapons in search of the perfect expression of combat."

"Will you help me, Valor?" Avarielle asked.

"I am not here to assist you, mortal," Valor said, much to Avarielle's disappointment. "My purpose is to seek perfection, creating the ultimate weapon in the pursuit of valor." So Valor would not help her? Avarielle looked at all the weapons around them, and saw that there were staffs among them. This gave Avarielle an idea; if Valor wouldn't help her directly, then perhaps he could help her indirectly?

"Would one of these weapons affect the demon?" Avarielle asked, pretending to be curious about them.

"Without a doubt! In this realm, everything that exists is the expression of a thought," Valor said. He then gestured to the weapons floating around. "Do you think these blades be steel? These staves be wood? Do you believe they draw blood? A weapon is a single need for battle, and my will makes that need reality," Valor then turned to her with a look that even through his helmet said that he wasn't fooled by Avarielle's act, and knew exactly what it was she wanted. "Do you truly desire one of my weapons?"

"Yes, please," Avarielle said, deciding that honesty was the best policy at this point.

"Very well, I will give one to you," Valor put away his sword and raised his hand. A staff floated down and into his hand. It was made of ivory dragon bone with carvings of leaves and vines along the shaft. At the head of the staff was a pair of wing-like structures and a leaf-shaped malachite as the focus. Avarielle was amazed at the beauty of the staff, and how even in it's beauty it resembled a spear. Valor held the staff out to Avarielle. "You may have this staff, if you agree to duel me first. Valor shall test your mettle, as it should be tested."

Avarielle hesitated. A staff of even half the craftsmanship of the one being offered her would be of great use against the demon she'd have to face, but could she hold her own against Valor? He was a spirit, and not a demon, so surely he could be trusted to fight fairly, but would that be enough? Avarielle would just have to take that chance. She reached out and took hold of the staff.

"I agree to your duel, Valor," Avarielle said determinedly. Valor let go of the staff and drew his sword.

"We will battle until I am convinced you are strong enough to defeat your demon. If you do not convince me, I will slay you. Are these rules understood?" Avarielle nodded, and Valor raised his shield. "Our duel begins! Fight with Valor!"

Avarielle had to quickly raise the staff with both hands in order to fend off Valor's attack. Valor swung relentlessly, driving Avarielle back with every blow. Avarielle narrowly avoided an attack that would've taken her head off and maneuvered herself to Valor's left side. But before she could draw upon her mana, she was slammed by Valor's shield and knocked onto her back.

Avarielle quickly lifted herself on to one knee and fired an arcane missile at Valor, which he blocked by simply raising his shield in front of him as he charged her. Having needed very little mana for the spell thanks to the staff, Avarielle sent out a stream of arcane missiles, hoping to keep Valor's shield up. Just like she wanted, Valor kept his shield in front of his face as he charged her. She kept up her barrage right up until the point where Valor tried to slam his shield into her again. Because it was a blind swing, Avarielle was able to easily dodge it. She then parried Valor's sword and leaned back away from the second swing.

Avarielle thrust the staff forward with her right arm and sent an icy blast straight into Valor's face, causing him to stumble backwards and swing his sword blindly. She then summoned stones to form into a glove around her left hand and punched at Valor, launching the stone fist into his chest and knocking him onto his back. Avarielle summoned fire to her free hand in case Valor continued to attack her. Valor sat up with one hand raised.

"Enough, your strength is sufficient to the task. The staff is yours," Avarielle let out a breath she didn't know she was holding as she released the flames in her hand. Valor stood up and bowed in respect. "May you find glory in all your achievements, mortal."

"Thank you, Valor," Avarielle said, returning the bow. She then turned to leave, but she didn't get far before Valor stopped her.

"A moment, mortal. Might I ask who told you I was here?" he asked.

"A fellow apprentice who had taken too long with their Harrowing," Avarielle replied.

"And where might this apprentice be?" Valor asked. He seemed to be suspicious of something, but of what Avarielle couldn't be sure.

"He stayed behind. He said he didn't want to see you," she told him.

"I see," Valor said. He then waved her away. "Carry on, mortal." Avarielle nodded and continued back to the circle of flames where Mouse was waiting for her.

"Mouse," she called as she entered the clearing. "I'm back, and I have a staff from Valor."

"Oh, thank goodness," Mouse said as he stuck his head out of the hole he was hiding in. "I was afraid something had happened to you."

"Has the demon returned yet?" Avarielle asked.

"Yes, and he's waiting for you in the circle," Mouse replied. Avarielle nodded and made her way into the circle of flames. As she stepped into the ring, the flames rose higher to prevent her escape. Of course, it wasn't like she was going to try; with her staff, Avarielle felt like she could take on anything the Fade had to offer. She struck the ground with the end of her staff.

"Reveal yourself, demon!" she exclaimed. The ground before her began to ooze lava, and in a small eruption of fire, a rage demon rose from the ground in front of her. It's body was made of lava, and it's eyes were filled with fire.

"And so it comes to me at last," the demon said. "Soon I shall see the land of the living with your eyes, creature. You shall be mine, body and soul!"

"Then come and get me, if you can," Avarielle said confidently, holding her staff out in front of herself.

"Oh, I shall," the demon replied with a malicious chuckle. "So this creature is your offering, Mouse? Another plaything, as per our arrangement?"

"What is he talking about, Mouse?" Avarielle said, not taking her eyes off the demon.

"I'm not offering you anything!" Mouse said, walking up next to Avarielle in his human form. Avarielle was startled to see him there. How had he gotten past the flames? "I don't have to help you anymore!"

"Aw, and after all of those wonderful meals we have shared, now suddenly the mouse has changed the rules?"

"I have help, now," Mouse said, gesturing to Avarielle. "I don't need to bargain with you!"

"We shall see!" The demon launched a fireball at Avarielle. Avarielle threw up an arcane shield to defend herself. There was a flash of light that told her that Mouse had made a break for it. The demon then shot out a steady stream of fire from it's hands.

Avarielle couldn't stay on the defensive forever, as she was running out of time. Keeping the shield up, Avarielle focused her mana into the end of her staff, which she then released in a devastating cone of cold. The ice pushed back the flames and enveloped the demon, which gave a angry, pained scream as it's entire body was frozen solid. Avarielle lowered her shield to conserve her mana, and fired a stone fist at the frozen demon, shattering it into a hundred pieces. The ring of fire died down, and Mouse walked up to Avarielle in his regular form with a big grin on his face.

"You did it! You actually did it!" he exclaimed, thrusting his fists into the air with glee. "When you came, I hoped you might be able to, but I never thought any of you were ever really worthy!"

"The ones you betrayed before me," Avarielle said, shooting Mouse a glare, "What were their names?"

"What?" Mouse took a step back, raising his hands in front of him. "They were not as promising as you! It was a…long time ago. I don't remember their names, I don't even remember my own name! It's the Fade! And the templars, killing me, like they tried with you!"

"So what is it you think you can gain from me? Avarielle asked, finding it harder to trust Mouse.

"You defeated a demon! You completed your test!" Mouse said pointing at Avarielle. "With time, you will be a master enchanter with no equal!" He then smiled and held his arms out to the sides in a humble gesture. "And maybe there's hope in that for someone as small and as…forgotten as me, if you want to help. There may be a way for me to leave here, to get a foothold outside. You just need to want to let me in."

That didn't sound right to Avarielle. Mouse's suggestion sounded too much like a demon's proposition. And how could she even trust him? His hands were stained with blood as red as his robes. That thought struck Avarielle as odd. Red robes were worn by senior enchanters, not apprentices. If Mouse hadn't completed his Harrowing, why wasn't he wearing the blue robes of an apprentice? And how did he know his way around the Fade so well?

'Might I ask who told you where to find me?' How did Mouse know where to find Valor? Avarielle pointed her staff at Mouse.

"I'm starting to think the other demon wasn't my test," Mouse's eyes widened in fear as he took several steps back.

"O-of course it was! What could there possibly be here that could stand against a mage as powerful as you?" Mouse then stopped and smiled maliciously. "My, but you are a smart one," His voice then turned deep and menacing, and Avarielle gripped her staff tighter. "Simple killing is a warrior's job. The real dangers of the Fade are preconceptions, careless trust…Pride!" Mouse raised his hands as a flash of light enveloped him. When the light faded, Mouse was gone, and in his place was a monster. It was twelve feet tall with hard, purplish skin, eight eyes, razor sharp teeth, and horns on it's head and spikes all over its body.

"You're a…pride demon!" Avarielle said, backing up as fear gripped her heart.

"And you are just the mage I have been waiting for," the Pride said. "With your magic at my disposal, those foolish templars will be unable to defeat me."

"I won't let you have my body!" Avarielle said, calling fire to her hand and throwing it at Pride. The flaming sphere hit Pride in the chest and exploded, but Pride merely laugh at her.

"You cannot hurt me with a spell like that, little mage," Pride said before charging at Avarielle. Avarielle sprayed Pride with a cone of cold, but it did nothing to slow him down. Before Avarielle could move out of the way, Pride snatched her up and held her out in front of him. "You will make a very tasty meal," Pride said. But before he could try and devour Avarielle, a spear lodged itself within the arm that held her. The demon roared in pain and dropped Avarielle. Avarielle looked up from where she was on the ground to see who had thrown the spear. There stood Valor, his sword and shield drawn.

"Somehow I knew it was you, my old foe," Valor said. "The mortal has resisted you and passed her test. You overstep your boundaries!"

"Soon I will have no boundaries, you pathetic worm," Pride snarled at Valor, taking the spear of his arm and threw it at Valor. Valor raised his shield in defense, but the spear punched clean through it, narrowly missing Valor. Valor sheathed his sword and withdrew the spear and cast his shield aside. Transferring the spear to his left hand, Valor redrew his sword and pointed it at Pride.

"I will never allow you to gain a foothold in the mortal world! Fight me!" Valor charged at Pride as Pride did the same, smashing his fist into the ground when they reached each other. Valor dodged the blow and weaved in between Pride's legs. Slashing through one of Pride's ankles to momentarily stall him as he ran by, Valor ran over to Avarielle and helped her to her feet. "Return to where you first appeared in the Fade," he ordered. "There you will be able to return to the mortal world. You do not have much time left. Go!"

Avarielle nodded and began running towards the stone pathway she had raised earlier. But try as she might, she could not bring herself to cross it. A warrior spirit battling a pride demon; it was the stuff of legends and fairytales. Avarielle knew she would probably never see anything like this again. Knowing that time was of the essence, Avarielle still turned to watch the ensuing battle.

It quickly became clear that Valor had been holding back against her. If he had fought Avarielle like he was fighting Pride, he would have most certainly killed her. Avarielle watched as Valor danced around the demon, thrusting with his spear and slashing with his sword. The wounds he left were minor, but the overall effect was accumulating. Pride smashed his fist into the ground again, narrowly missing Valor. Valor then thrust his spear down into Pride's hand and pinned it to the ground, and then raised his sword with both hands and cut the demon's hand clean off.

Pride reeled back, roaring in pain as black ichor poured from the stump where his hand had been. He grabbed Valor with his remaining hand as the spirit was retrieving his spear and began to slam him into the ground repeatedly. Avarielle watched in horror as the mighty spirit was helpless to defend himself. Without thinking, Avarielle ran back to the fight. Pointing her staff at Pride, she called upon the power of lightning. Lightning, as well as certain entropy magic, was difficult for her, but as fire and ice had failed her, she had to try. With a loud blast of thunder, a bolt of lightning arced from the end of her staff and struck Pride in the back. Pride let go of Valor in mid-swing as he roared in pain, causing Valor to be hurled through the air and land near Avarielle's feet. Pride turned to Avarielle with a snarl. The lightning had done the trick, if the smoke rising from Pride's back and the smell of burnt demon flesh were anything to go by. Combine that with Pride's severed hand and numerous other wounds, and Pride had to be at his limits. Avarielle prayed that he was. After a moment of staring Pride growled in annoyance.

"You have won this time, but I will return. Keep your wits about you, little mage. True tests never end," And with a flash of light he was gone. Avarielle let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. By some miracle, she had just driven off one of the mightiest races of demons in the entire Fade! Her amazement was short live, however, as a pained groan brought her attention to the wounded spirit at her feet.

"Stay alive, please, don't die on me!" Avarielle pleaded as she dropped to Valor's side and began applying healing magic to him. Blood was seeping from his armor, and his breathing was labored. Valor took Avarielle's hand and pulled it away.

"I am too gravely wounded, mortal," he said, and then he gave a pained cough that wracked his whole body. "No magic can save me now. I am honored to die in such a glorious battle."

"No, there must be some way I can save you!" Avarielle pleaded. "I can't let you die like this, not after you saved my life! Please, let me help you!" Valor was quiet for a moment, and only his ragged breaths let Avarielle know he was still alive.

"There is only way that I can think of," Valor said hesitantly, "but I could not possibly ask it of you."

"Then I will ask," Avarielle said determinedly. She didn't know why, but she simply could not let Valor die. "What do I have to do?"

"You will have to let me merge my essence with yours," Valor said, seeming resigned to accept Avarielle's aid. "We will become one being, and share the same mind. However, if the templars discover me, they may assume me to be a demon and slay you. Are you willing to take that risk?"

"What must I do?" Avarielle asked.

"You simply have to want…to let me in."


A.N./ Bet you didn't see that coming. I tried to follow canon on this as much as possible, with an obvious exception to certain parts. I took out Sloth because I didn't see the point in it. Plus, defeating the rage demon by themselves would've given the mage even more to be proud of, hence more ammunition for Pride. I also had Mouse stay behind when Avarielle went to see Valor because I figured a spirit of the Fade would've been able to recognize a demon in disguise.

A big thanks to Hikari86 for helping think of a title, Avarielle's name, and also proof-reading this chapter. The next chapter will be the second half of the mage origin.