A Tale of Two Wardens
Chapter 1 - The Start of a New Life
The orange glow of the small fire washed over his pale skin, a stark contrast to the dark tan of his companion. The young face marked by deep bags under his eyes, masking the delicate beauty that Elven eyes naturally had. The vestiges of fatigue pulled at his face, only one day had passed but in that one day, everything changed. Theron's life had been normal for an elf, happy even, but now, now his family was pulled apart, his people in danger due to his actions, and he was on the way to become a Grey warden. When he woke up this morning, this was farther then the last thing he figured would happen.
"Theron, we are three days from Highever, and then we have a week's travel down to Ostagar," his companion spoke, breaking the silence of the night in their camp along the side of the road west of Denerim. Theron nodded, quickly glancing at his companion, the Warden-Commander of Ferelden, a strong but stoic man, the man who saved his life. Why exactly, he wasn't sure, all he knew was that his mother and Duncan were companions for a time, she had almost been inducted into the order. He couldn't help but question how different his life would have been. Could a Grey Warden even have children?
Duncan reached out and handed him a waterskin, "I'm sure you aren't used to long travels, you should keep hydrated."
The aching in his legs and feet that felt like it traveled up his whole body was proof of that. "Thank you," he whispered, his mouth dry, but not from thirst. He figured that Duncan wasn't going to make this a very talkative trip, but he was happy with that, at least for now. Now more than ever he wanted to be left to his thoughts. "What would his mother have thought? Would she be proud that he had fought for his family and friends...would she be happy that he would be safe from the wrath of the guards...and joining this noble order?" The questions had been plaguing his mind the whole day and would likely continue to, but he had no answers. Maybe he would figure out the answers in the next few days, he had to, as Duncan said, "A Grey Warden need be free from fear and regret, free from bindings and connections."
Without saying a word, Theron got up and laid down on the bedroll, one of the few things Duncan carried with him. "We walk again by dawn," Duncan said to him as his eyes shut. "If only I would wake up to Shianni in my face," he mumbled to himself and dozed off quickly, succumbing to fatigue.