Bioware owns everything but what I made up.
This is my first fanfic ever so please go easy on me. I want to give a special shout out to Erynnar who is a talented writer and the one who inspired me to write a fanfic of my own. You should really check out her works, The First Cut Is Always The Deepest, Soul mates (which is the sequel to The First Cut), and Whispering Sighs of the Blade ( which was written to add depth to the story, The First Cut Is Always The Deepest).
I know that Duncan seems OOC in these first couple chapters but keep in mind that he is only about 20 years old here, and more prone to show his emotions, as I dont think his hard exterior came until later, and that (at least in my story) this experience was a contributing factor to his later personality.
And I want to thank all of you who read/review my work. You all are the reason I write.
Goddess Bless!
Chapter 1 - Special Delivery - Pt. 1
A lone rider could be seen barreling down the Imperial Highway headed for Lake Calenhad. He was a very young man, maybe 20 years old at the most, if someone were to hazard a guess. He had a strong well muscled body, dark tan skin, and dark brown eyes that saw more than they let on. He had shoulder length ebony colored hair which was pulled back into a ponytail at the base of his head. His beard and mustache were trimmed and well groomed and he sported an earring in his right ear, and if not for the Grey Warden uniform that he wore he could have easily been mistaken for a Rivaini pirate. He was riding as if he had the very darkspawn themselves on his heels, a look of staunch determination written on his face.
The wind was picking up and thunder could be heard rumbling in the distance. The air was unseasonably chilly for being the summer season in Ferelden. Usually the weather would be hot and balmy this time of year, and it did not bode well that the weather had had such a sudden change. Thankfully the moon that was rising was full and bright, making traveling at night a bit easier.
"I need to reach the inn at the Lake Calenhad docks before the storm hits, it would not be good to get caught out in the rain", Duncan thought to himself as he pushed his horse even harder. The small bundle strapped to his chest stirred and fussed, as if she could sense his distress. Duncan looked down at the fussing babe and whispered, "Do not worry little one everything will be alright, we'll make it to the inn in time", in an attempt to soothe her fussing. They rode on for another three hours, keeping just ahead of the storm until Lake Calenhad finally came into view.
Duncan hurried through the small town and down the hill to the inn that stood right next to the docks. The name of the inn, as he recalled, was called The Spoiled Princess. Duncan let out a tiny chuckle as he thought of his small cargo, but then quickly sobered when he remembered the fate that awaited her on the morrow. If circumstances were a little different she may have been a spoiled princess, but alas the Maker seemed to have other plans for this child. "Sometimes the Maker could be a right royal arse", Duncan thought bitterly. The sound of the stable boy coming out to greet him pulled Duncan from his sullen thoughts.
"Take your horse M'lord ?", the young boy asked as Duncan rode up to the stable. Duncan dismounted carefully, keeping one hand wrapped around the child so that she did not fall out of the carry sling as he got off the horse. "Thank you young man", Duncan said as the boy led the horse to a stall. The young man, who said his name was Farrel, removed Duncan's pack from his horse and handed it to him. Duncan set the pack down on the ground and began rummaging through it while the stable boy removed the rest of the horse's trappings. Once the boy had finished putting everything away Duncan called him back over to him.
"Anything else I can do for you M'lord?", Farrel asked. "As a matter of fact there is", Duncan replied. "Can you ensure that my horse is well fed and blanketed tonight, as I fear it will be a rather chilly night tonight?" The boy smiled broadly, "Yes M'lord, I will see to it, and if it pleases you I can brush him down for you as well."
Duncan smiled back at the boy and thanked him for his generosity by tossing him a silver coin that he had gotten from his coin purse as he was rummaging around in his pack. The boy's eyes went wide as he eyed the silver coin in his hand. "Wow, thank you M'lord!" the boy exclaimed. It was more money than the boy had ever had. Duncan put his coin purse back in his pack and tied it back up. Just as he was slinging the pack onto his back the child in the carry sling began to fuss and cry.
"Alright little one, I'll get you some warm milk as soon as we get a room", Duncan cooed at the babe, while he patted her back in an attempt to calm her. Duncan walked out of the stables and down to the shoreline of Lake Calenhad. With a sad and heavy sigh Duncan looked out across the lake to the Circle of Magi Tower. "Tomorrow you will reach your new home little one", Duncan said sadly as he looked down at his small charge with unshed tears in his eyes. As if the child knew the fate that was about to befall her, she let out an ear piercing wail. "Yes I know little one, I do not like it anymore than you do", Duncan said remorsefully. Duncan began rocking the babe and rubbing her back as he tried to calm her. He knew all to well what lay in store for her at the Circle Tower.
Since the beginning mages have always been looked upon with fear and contempt, treated as less than people, because of the power they wield. Duncan understood the necessity of the Tower and the Templars, but that didn't mean he had to like it. Even though the Tower was meant to protect mages from those that would do them harm, it was still a prison, one that they couldn't leave accept under the most strictest of watches. And if you tried to escape from the tower, the templars would hunt you down, calling you apostate, and killed you, no trial no justice.
And then there were the Templars, the so called guardians of the mages, more like wardens and executioners Duncan thought. They watched the mages, always watching their every move "to ensure that they don't turn into abominations", so the chantry says. The mages were allowed no privacy what-so-ever, not even in the private moments of bathing and such, the templars always had eyes everywhere, even if you didn't always see them. And many templars abused the power they had over the mages, threatening them with death if they didn't do what the templar wanted. It made Duncan sick to his stomach.
Then there was the horrid practice of Tranquility. Duncan cringed at the thought of those who underwent the rite or were forced to because those in charge thought you were too dangerous to become a mage. It turned his stomach to think of them being stripped of their emotions, the side affect of being cut off from the Fade, so they could be made "safe". Tranquil mages were the only ones allowed to roam outside the tower unfettered.
Then there was the Maker forsaken Harrowing. Every person with magical ability, who did not undergo the rite of tranquility, had to undergo a trial by fire, The Harrowing. Thrown to the mercy of a Demon in the Fade, unequipped and unprepared, to fight for their life and if they failed the test and became possessed or even just took to long, they were put to death by the templars. "Completely barbaric and cruel!" Duncan thought to himself with disgust. Mages aren't encouraged to marry, and since they rarely ever leave the tower, opportunities to meet people and fall in love are slim to begin with. And they are not allowed to have relations with other mages either. If two mages managed to fall in love, any children that may result from that union are taken away as soon as they are born, and the parents are never allowed to see them.
The more Duncan thought about it the more he was tempted to steal the child in his arms away with him to the Grey Wardens, at least there she would be treated decently and with some respect. But Duncan knew that he could not, he couldn't risk angering the Circle and the Chantry, the wardens must remain neutral. But even more important than that, he had made a promise, and he always kept his promises. Duncan let out a heavy sigh, as much as he wanted to save the babe from the lonely life in what Duncan considered nothing more than a prettied up prison, he knew he could not.
With that thought in mind he looked down at the babe in his arms, who's wails had finally settled down into whimpers, and headed for the inn. Just as he entered the inn the storm clouds broke and it started to downpour. It matched his mood, he hated this, but he had given his word that he would see it done. He let out another heavy sigh as he approached the bar. The inn, Duncan noticed to his relief, was quiet and cozy with only a couple of people sitting around the large fireplace at the back of the room.
"Welcome to The Spoiled Princess, my name is Seth, how may I serve you today?", the innkeeper said, giving a curious look at the child in Duncan's arms before returning his gaze to Duncan. "I require lodging for the night for the babe and myself, and a hot meal for the both of us", Duncan replied. The innkeeper was a tall man with short black hair and blue eyes. The dark circles under his eyes belied his cheery tone as he told Duncan what rooms he had available. Duncan set down his pack on the bar and pulled out his coin purse as he asked for a room near the back and the rear exit. Duncan then asked for a meal, a tankard of mead and a skin of goats milk be brought up to his room, along with a couple of extra blankets. Duncan paid for his room and his meal and then handed the innkeeper an extra sovereign for a tip before pulling his pack back on . The innkeeper thanked Duncan for his generosity before asking if there was anything else he could get for him, such as a bath after his meal. "Yes a bath would be welcome, we've been on the road for quite a while and haven't had much of an opportunity for a real bath", Duncan replied. "Would you also have a bassinet or cradle available for the babe to sleep in?", Duncan asked hopefully. "I am truly sorry M'lord but I am afraid that we do not", the innkeeper said nervously as he once again looked at the babe with unconcealed curiosity. Once all the arrangements had been made Duncan headed up to his room.
The Spoiled Princess was nestled into the hillside so that the whole back side of the inn was set right into the bedrock of the hill. Duncan let out a small chuckle as he neared his room. "Old habits die hard", he thought as he realized that not only was the room far enough away from the others as to not disturb anyone should the child wake at night, but was also the closest to the rear exit for a quick getaway if needs be. Duncan pulled out the key the innkeeper had given him, unlocked the door, stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Now that he was inside Duncan took a good look around the room, studying his surroundings. The room was easily defendable, as the only ways into the room were through the door or through the small window that was used for ventilation. The room was sparsely furnished with a bed, a chamber pot, a small desk and chair, and a metal tub with a curtain hung for privacy. There was a good sized fireplace against the far wall just on the other side of the small desk, with a fire already steadily going in the fire pit.
"This could be a problem", Duncan thought as he looked at the single bed. "I suppose the babe could sleep on my chest as she had when we were forced to camp outside at night, but I am afraid that I might accidentally injure her if I rolled over in my sleep, or thrashed around if I have one of the nightmares that all wardens suffer from", Duncan mused as he tried to figure out what to do. He was amazed that he hadn't had any nightmares while on the road so far, but falling off someone who's already on the ground is a lot different than falling off someone on a bed, it was a lot farther to fall. All of the inns they had stayed at on their journey here luckily had had a bassinet or cradle that he could use, sadly it looked like that was not the case here. "This will not do at all, I'll have to figure out a makeshift bed for the babe", Duncan thought with a mental grumble.
Duncan walked over to the bed and undid the straps to the carry sling, laying her down on the bed for now. He decided to worry about the sleeping arrangements later, and set about unpacking the items they would need for tonight. Just then he heard a knock at the door and went to answer it, it was the chambermaid bringing up the extra blankets he had requested. Duncan let her in and went back to his unpacking. She came in carrying a basket with not only the blankets he had asked for but also some towels and soap for the bath. Duncan eyed the basket and an idea came to him. "Would it be alright if I borrowed your basket for tonight? The innkeeper didn't have a bed for the babe to sleep in, so I was thinking I could use your basket to make a makeshift one for her, it would do for the night at least", Duncan asked the chambermaid expectantly. "Certainly M'lord", the chambermaid replied, "I have many more that I can use for my duties, it would be no trouble."
Duncan took the basket from her and set it down next to the bed. "Thank you …. Umm?" "Oh forgive my poor manners M'lord, I did not introduce myself. My name is Elaina", she said modestly. "If there is anything else you require please do not hesitate to call on me", Elaina said somewhat dreamily as she stared at Duncan. "He looks like a dashing rogue or a pirate from on of those old tales, and sooo handsome", she thought as she blushed slightly and looked at the floor in embarrassment. "Thank you Elaina", Duncan said while trying to suppress an embarrassing blush of his own at the obvious interest she was showing him. The maid was a pretty young woman, with sandy blonde hair that was pulled back into one long braid down her back. She had striking sea blue eyes, they were the first thing Duncan noticed about her when she first entered the room.
Elaina turned to leave but just as she got to the door her curiosity got the better of her. She turned back to Duncan, cleared her throat and shyly asked, "Might I beg a question M'lord?" Duncan nodded for her to proceed so she asked, "Is the babe yours M'lord? I do not mean to pry, it is just that it is very odd for a man to travel alone with a child, without so much as a wet nurse. Even odder to see a Grey Warden with a child." "Please forgive my rudeness, I am merely curious M'lord, you need not answer if you do not wish to", she added quickly, mentally admonishing herself for being so forward with such an important person as the Commander of the Grey.
Duncan looked over at the babe lying quietly on the bed and then back at the maid. Duncan smiled a sad sort of smile as he said, "No she's not mine". He looked again at the child on the bed and sighed heavily as he continued, "But I was named as her guardian by her parents. I am taking her to her new home", Duncan managed to say. He didn't want to think about this now, it was going to be hard enough without constant reminders from curious people that he had to let her go tomorrow.
But the maid's curiosity was really peaking now, so she asked, "What happened to her parents?" Duncan let out a great heaving sigh, he had to put an end to these questions. He looked at the woman with a pained expression full of sorrow and regret as he said, "I am sorry, but I am not permitted to speak more of it." Duncan turned away from her then, as unshed tears threatened to fall, and walked over to the bed and sat down next to the babe, his back to the maid. Realizing she would get no further information from him, Elaina turned to go. "My apologies M'lord, I did not mean to bring up painful memories", she said remorsefully as she retreated out of the room.
Once she had closed the door behind her Duncan took a deep, heaving breath, trying to collect himself, fighting back the tears that still threatened to fall. He decided to distract himself from any further thoughts about it by emptying out the basket and getting things ready for this evening. Duncan put the soap and towels on the small table next to the bed. Once that was done, he pulled out the blankets, setting one on the end of the bed while he folded up the other and set it back in the basket. "That should do as a bed for the babe", Duncan thought, "I can use the other blanket to cover her when I put her down for the night."
Another knock at the door signaled that his meal had arrived. "Please come in", Duncan said. Elaina entered with a very large tray, and Duncan indicated for her to set it down on the table next to the towels and soap. Once she had deposited her tray Elaina left quietly and closed the door behind her.
Duncan got up and walked over to the small table and sat down to eat. The babe on the bed was cooing softly and Duncan thought sadly, with a pang of regret, "She's such a good child, I really wish I could take her with me." Duncan let out a silent sigh and turned back to his meal. It was a thick beef stew with vegetables, a whole round of bread, and a tankard of spiced ale. Elaina had even made sure to bring plenty of fresh butter for the bread and a plate of various fruits and cheeses.
Duncan spoke quietly over his shoulder to the infant on the bed, "Let me finish my meal little one, and then I will feed you some nice goat's milk when I'm done. Duncan received a loud gurgling giggle as a response from the babe. Duncan ate quickly, chuckling lightly to himself, as he looked at the size of the bowl of stew he was given. The "bowl" looked more like a small cauldron rather than an actual bowl. "Elaina must have had experience with the Grey Wardens' legendary appetites' before", Duncan thought with a chuckle. He smiled and made a mental note to leave her a generous tip.
Once he was done with his meal and ale, Duncan set the tray outside the door so Elaina could collect it. After he closed the door he went back over to his pack and pulled out a strange looking contraption. It looked like the "tit" of a cow, with one end tied off with a leather cord and the other end was open, but had a drawstring to close it once filled. Duncan took the skin of goat's milk off the table and filled the "tit", pulling the drawstring closed once it was full. He set the skin of goat's milk back on the table and walked back over to the bed. He laid the contraption down on the bed and picked up the baby. He used his free hand to grab the pillows and prop them up against the wall at the head of the bed. Duncan sat down on the bed and leaned back against the pillows, and adjusted the babe in his arms so that she was in a good position to feed her. He picked up the "tit" and bent one end up so he could untie the cord without the milk spilling out. Duncan settled back into the pillows and brought the tit to the babe's mouth and began feeding her. She took the tit readily and Duncan watched as she ate. He would have sworn that she was a Grey Warden as her appetite was as ravenous as his. Duncan chuckled at this thought, but then his chest constricted painfully at the thought of leaving her at the tower tomorrow.
Tears once again threatened to overwhelm him, "Oh how I wish I could take you with me little one. I probably will not have any children of my own as it is nearly impossible for a Grey Warden to have children", Duncan thought sullenly. "Maker give me strength to do what must be done", Duncan begged the Maker. Once she had finished eating, Duncan burped and changed her. As he rocked her to sleep her tiny little hand held onto his finger as he thought back to the events of the last few weeks that lead him here.