Aonghas Cousland: the Hero of Ferelden

Chapter One: The Hero of Ferelden Tries to Leave Denerim Behind

25th Day, Wintermarch (January), 9:32

Aonghas Cousland watched Alistair from the shadows of the Palace's main hall. Not yet four months before he and Alistair had stood confronting Loghain in the same hall. That landsmeet that had been called by Arl Eamon had changed many things. It had put an end to Loghain's bid for power and it had made Alistair the King of Ferelden. It had caused both Aonghas and Alistair to lose the always fragile personal connection to each other. Aonghas stayed in Denerim more because he didn't know what else to do than any other reason. Part of him clung to the hope that Alistair would change his mind about their personal relationship being at an end, but as more time passed Aonghas was beginning to realize that Alistair had changed too much and that he wasn't going to change his mind. Alistair had become stronger in mind, more confident in his abilities, and he is clearly more determined to put his duty first; there was no room in his world for a personal relationship with Aonghas.

Aonghas heaved a great sigh and stared down at his clenched fists in surprise. When he looked up again he saw the old man Ceorlic that Alistair had stopped to talk to and he knew if he had been a dog his hackles would have raised, but instead he could feel the slight blush of remembered shame. The old man had called Aonghas a spoiled child at the landsmeet. Aonghas had been infuriated at the time even as he had felt his cheeks redden, Alistair had moved up behind him and leaned close to whisper in his ear, "Don't mind him, just bring up the evidence we found." Aonghas had recovered quickly and proceeded to confront Loghain about the poisoning of Arl Eamon, Howe's torturing of people, and the enslavement of the elves. Aonghas had finished with a comment about Loghain not believing it is a blight. Loghain had shown his arrogance to all assembled in the landsmeet before confronting and accusing Aonghas of kidnapping his daughter. Aonghas felt himself chuckle as he remembered Alistair's sarcasm when he wasn't surprised by Anora turning on them. Alistair had chosen to kill Loghain even though Riordan had tried to encourage us to accept Loghain as a grey warden. Aonghas had considered it but Alistair was adamant that Loghain must pay for his crimes and Aonghas agreed that having Loghain be a brother after all he had put the nation through was beyond repulsive. Aonghas had defeated Loghain in single combat in this very same hall, the same hall that Loghain had lost his head. There was something about the memory of Alistair coldly beheading Loghain that made Aonghas' stomach ache in response, before he could further explore the sensation Zevran slipped up beside Aonghas.

"Are you ready to go?" Aonghas nodded as his eyes watched Alistair walk across the hall to talk to Fergus; he could see Zevran following his gaze out of the corner of his eye. "Have you told them you are leaving?" Aonghas shook his head in the negative. "Did you at least leave them notes?" Aonghas nodded but he couldn't seem to take his eyes from his brother's face as he laughed at something Alistair had said. "Let's be on our way then, lad." Aonghas straightened and slipped out of the hall in Zevran's wake.

Aonghas and Zevran made a quick stop at the Teryn of Highever's estate for Aonghas to change into the well worn clothing and leathers Zevran had obtained for him. Aonghas packed the clothes that Leliana had picked out for him in the same trunk he had packed the armor she had picked out. Another trunk held Bryce Cousland's armor; the breast plate that Alistair had damaged was now repaired. That same trunk held the family sword and shield with a note to Fergus. Zevran had arranged for Aonghas' things to be shipped home with Aonghas' brother Fergus. Aonghas found himself captivated by the trunk as his mind slipped into the past.

Alistair grabbed and slammed Aonghas into a nearby tree as Aonghas' most recent victims moved out of hearing range. "Those were refugees, Aonghas, how dare you steal from them!" Aonghas remembered claiming not to know what Alistair was talking about, but when Alistair reached for Aonghas' belt pouch, anger filled the younger man and he slapped the reaching hand away and then twisted in Alistair's grip managing to break free. Two steps found Aonghas caught again and slammed into the same large tree. "Tell me again you didn't steal from them?" Aonghas' father's armor protected Aonghas from serious harm; although, Aonghas remembered being concerned that the ceremonial armor would be dented from the impact. Aonghas still couldn't wrap his head around the violence Alistair had displayed that day. Aonghas had reacted with a surge of his own anger and brought his arms up between them to slam his gauntlet covered fists into the warden commander Griffon crest on Alistair's breastplate as hard as the lack of room would allow for. The blow staggered Alistair and ripped his hands from the grip he had on Aonghas, allowing the slighter man to slip to the side and away from the tree. Alistair was only momentarily stunned and his roar of rage caused Aonghas to panic and stumble over a root of the tree. That was all the time Alistair needed to grab his comrade once more and slam him into the tree face forward this time and the breastplate caved in from the force; pressing into Aonghas' chest. Aonghas remembered thinking, 'Maker Alistair is one extremely strong man,' as he grabbed the tree and tried to push off. Alistair had growled pressing himself hard against Aonghas; effectively holding the slighter man against the tree. Aonghas remembered clearly the strange sensations that had assaulted his body and mind as Alistair demanded he stop resisting and admit what he had done. Aonghas could almost feel Alistair's panting breath against his ear again and the fierce trembling in the body behind him. Alistair's rage had been great, but Zevran had arrived at that moment making a comment about disappearing horses. Aonghas remembered how embarrassed he was by Zevran catching them at their worst and he believed Alistair was embarrassed to be caught at it as well.

"Aonghas, we should go." Zevran's accented tone brought Aonghas snapping back to the present. Aonghas smiled at his friend and then followed the elf from the room. The two slipped silently from the estate and into the streets of Denerim.

Zevran stepped agilely out of the gates of Denerim with a human at his side. The human was cloaked and hooded; his shoulders were stooped forward to accommodate the weight of the pack on his back and he walked with the aid of a staff. The guards eyed the elf and the human suspiciously but they didn't recognize the hero of Ferelden as he passed them in his cloak and hood.

Half an hour later a large male mabari war hound burst by the guards running at a speed that could only be described as breakneck. The guards were startled and before they could regain their senses enough to consider stopping the hound he was long gone.

Aonghas stretched his feet out and slipped them under the warm body of his mabari war hound Majestic. He shifted his upper body trying to get more comfortable while leaning against his bulging pack. Zevran was seated across the small fire from him with his eyes barely open. With a sigh Aonghas tried to lay still and not disturb whatever type of meditation Zevran was in. As Aonghas stared into the flames he found his mind wandering. He amused himself with imagining how his absence would be taken by Denerim and then unbidden his mind showed him a window into the past.

The bath in the Orzammar guest house was surprising very deep in its lower tiers. Aonghas had never seen a bath so intricate with multiple levels. He stood naked staring into the depths of the deepest tier wondering exactly how deep it was when he heard a rush of feet and a body as naked as his own slammed into him taking him over the edge of the pool and into the depths. Aonghas struggled to break free from the arms wrapped around his chest but his own arms were trapped and the water made moving much slower. As the two surfaced the arms released Aonghas and when Aonghas turned he was confronted by Ser Gilmore's laughing eyes. Laughter from above drew Aonghas' attention and just as he found the source, Alistair took a jump step and dove into the pool. Aonghas heard Roland laugh and turned to face him in time to take a face full of water. Sputtering Aonghas turned away in time to receive another face full of water from Alistair. Aonghas dove under water as Roland and Alistair attempted to bombard him with water and when he came up further away he couldn't help but laugh as he watched the two giving each other faces full of water. Aonghas swam to the edge of the pool and began dragging himself out.

"Where are you going, lad?" Aonghas stopped and looked up at the naked elf that stood at the pool edge. As Aonghas stared Zevran's grin widened, "Consider this a form of exercise. I notice you are getting a bit plump around the middle." Before Aonghas could respond indignantly he felt his legs grabbed by two sets of hands and he was pulled under the water and away from the edge. As Aonghas surfaced he found himself surrounded by three of his comrades and they only gave him a moment to recognize his peril before slapping water at him. Aonghas quickly dove and the four spent the next hour attempting to escape and take each other down. At one point in time Aonghas swore he could hear Sten and Oghren placing bets on the water fight, he only had a moment to wave at the two who were lounging in the higher tiers of the bath, before being dragged back into the battle.

"Aonghas? Lad? What are you thinking about?" Zevran's voice yanked Aonghas back to the present and he grinned at the elf.

"The water battle in Orzammar. Who did win?"

Zevran laughed in his rich accent and then answered, "Nobody won. Leliana walked in and asked us if we were planning to share the bath with the woman or were we getting out."

Aonghas blushed scarlet, "Ugh, I forgot about that." More laughter from Zevran deepened his blush.

"Yes that is the blush I remember. Alistair and Ser Gilmore's faces were about the same shade of red." Zevran laughed as he fed the fire. "That stay in Orzammar had some memorable times." Aonghas decided that Zevran's eyesight must be much better than his own to be able to see him blushing in the firelight.

"So. We've been here for three days. When are we going to move on?"

"Actually I think we may have to go back to Denerim for a time."

"What? There is no way I'm going back. No."

Zevran stretched and sat up straighter to look Aonghas in the eyes. "Do you know even in the pitch of night without a fire I can see your eyes? They actually glow."

Aonghas sat up and leaned towards the fire as he gave Zevran a concerned look. "Tell me this isn't something you are just realizing now?"

"No, but I had forgotten how obvious it is. We have dyed your hair and I have the makeup to hide your pale skin and your youth, but those eyes. They are the eyes of the Grey Warden Aonghas."

"I can't change my eyes, Zevran."

"In Antiva I once heard of this mage that could change his appearance and the appearance of others. I think that we should seek this mage out."

"I'm not sure I want to go all the way to Antiva."

"We won't have to. The mage was supposed to have been from Ferelden originally and I could kick myself for not remembering this sooner but I had heard news that he was in Denerim, back when I was hired by Loghain."

"So this is why we have been sitting here less than a week from Denerim? Why wait till now to tell me?"

"You were so happy to be away from it all and the more time we let slip by the less likely the guards will be on the lookout for us."

"Why don't you just send somebody for this mage and ask him to come to us?"

"He wouldn't just come out here for some nobodies and if we told him who you are the palace would be sure to find out."

"So how are we supposed to get into Denerim?"

"We have the dye and makeup and you will have to make sure not to look at anybody in the eyes, we can keep your hood low so nobody would be able to see them glowing. Best to go in during the daytime though, the glow isn't as clear then."

"Alright. I really don't want to go back but if it is true that this mage can change my appearance how long will it last."

"That's another problem; from what I've heard it lasts only a day."

"Then it is a waste of time to go back to Denerim."

"Couldn't this mage teach you how to do it yourself?"

"It could take months for me to learn the talent if I am even capable of it!"

"We could easily hide out in Denerim as you learn what you need to. There are plenty of places. We could hide in the Alienage; Soris and Shianni would help us."

"No. If we do this nobody can know I am there."

"So are we going to?"

"Yes, but Zevran you will be recognized."

"I will use the hair dye and makeup on myself. There is another possible problem though."

"Great! What?"

"Your brother hasn't left Denerim yet. This is the way he would go, but I've seen no sign of him. He was supposed to leave two days after we left. I can only think your leaving made him decide to stay longer."

"How is it a problem? We'll be hiding from him."

"He knows your hound for one."

"Well, Majestic will just have to be good at hiding. You can do that right, boy?" Majestic barked once before laying his head back on his paws. "See he knows what to do. You said for one. What more?"

"Your family guards may be able to recognize you; even disguised you look incredibly like Fergus, maybe even more so than with your platinum blond hair."

"Well I happen to think that Fergus and I do not look that much alike but couldn't you do something different with the makeup?"

"I will of course try but it still may raise suspicions."

"We'll have to chance it. Once this mage teaches me, if I can learn, then I will be able to change my appearance myself."

The human and elf were not given a second glance as they entered the gates of Denerim and they disappeared in the docks district soon after. The guards were busy searching a merchants cart when a war hound looped into the city and easily faded from view in the bustle of the city.

It took a week for Zevran to find the mage without raising suspicion and the mage agreed to teach Aonghas his skill. It was obvious the mage knew who Aonghas was but he seemed to understand Aonghas' desire to escape his life. The mage allowed them to stay with him, but he only had a handful of hours to give to training, so Aonghas had taken to frequenting taverns with the mages disguise spell cast on him. Zevran always laughed as Aonghas told him how amazing it was not to be recognized. Aonghas was very careful to ensure that he couldn't sense Alistair and he could only hope that Alistair wouldn't be able to sense him. As timed passed he became less concerned. The day Aonghas was finally able to cast the disguise spell was almost three weeks from returning to Denerim. The mage and Aonghas were surprised at how quickly Aonghas had learned the ability. Aonghas went off to celebrate, in a disguise he had done all on his own, by himself because Zevran was still off doing whatever it was he did while Aonghas was learning. As he thought about it he realized that he hadn't seen Zevran in a couple of days. He didn't let himself worry about the disappearance because that would ruin his celebration.

Aonghas had been drinking heavily and was dozing and unaware of all of his senses; even so, he sprang up from his chair as the front door was slammed open. He was reaching for his staff ready to do battle when Alistair shouted at him. "Did you really think I wouldn't find you?" Aonghas left his staff leaning against the wall and turned to face the former Grey Warden. Alistair obviously knew who he was despite his disguised appearance. Aonghas silently cursed the grey warden taint and ability to sense it in others as Alistair strode to within a foot of Aonghas and glared as he waited to be answered. Aonghas stared into Alistair's eyes unable to move or speak as his mind fought against the sudden surge of adrenaline that made Aonghas want to bring a fist around to slam into the glare before him. All Aonghas could think was, 'In a crowded tavern common room he chooses to confront me? Why does he do this?' Aonghas could feel his rage increasing and despite his best effort his tongue began to run away with him. He didn't shout but his voice was definitive, hard, and cold.

"How dare you march in here and speak to me in that tone. If you have something to say to me you can wait until we are in private. Get out of my face, Alistair."

Aonghas watched Alistair go from anger to rage and Aonghas felt a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach as the monarch searched for an appropriate response to his disrespect. Aonghas knew by the look on Alistair's face that he had gone too far this time. Aonghas saw the fist heading towards his face a second too late and as he lay on the sticky tavern floor holding his throbbing jaw he stared up at Fergus. Fergus practically hissed; his voice just above a whisper, "Little brother, you will not be disrespectful to King Alistair. You bring shame to our family name. Get up." In a louder voice Fergus spoke to the tavern owner, "Tavern Keep do you have a private room?"

"In the back, My Lord. Please your, Majesty, feel free to use it." King Alistair nodded and strode across the common room and through the door into the private back room. Aonghas had gained his feet and after he retrieved his staff he moved towards the room and passed the brother who had struck him in public. Fergus took Aonghas' staff from him as he passed and then closed the door behind the two men. Fergus stood guard at the door to prevent anyone from following and anybody who came close found the mixed guards of the King and the Teryn of Highever escorting them away. It wasn't long before the tavern was empty. Zevran came into the tavern then and settled on a stool at the bar waiting patiently for things to play out. Majestic had followed him in but he wandered over to Fergus and whined. Fergus squatted down and began petting the dog speaking to him in a deep calming voice. Finally the dog calmed and went to lie beside the common room fire.

Zevran stood and moved to stand near Fergus so they could talk privately. "He didn't leave you a letter or one for Alistair?"

Fergus gave Zevran a hard look, "No he did not. The only letter that was left was the one in the chest with Father's armor and the Cousland shield and sword. All it said was he wanted me to have the items. Did he tell you he had left us letters?"

Zevran sighed deeply, "I should have made sure he did. I knew he wanted to leave and that he was angry about something that had transpired between you two; but I didn't expect him to lie about the letters."

"I told him he needed to let go of his anger with Alistair and that it was interfering with Alistair's ability to rule. He was angry with me; telling me I didn't know anything and that I should just shut up. Needless to say I wasn't pleased and we had a scuffle which ended when I slapped him. He left the room before we could talk anymore and then he avoided me for a few days and then you were both gone."

"I did not realize. I am sorry, My Lord Cousland. Had I known that he didn't leave you a letter I would have…," Zevran found himself interrupted by Fergus.

"What? You think you would have been able to convince him to leave one? My little brother is if anything the most stubborn person I know. He wanted to punish me and he wanted to punish Alistair. It would not have mattered what anybody said or did to try to change his mind. I thought that he would have matured more after everything that he has been through, but if anything it seems to have made him more immature in his stubbornness. I am not naïve enough to think that I can stop him from leaving. He's going to leave and I hope that you will remain at his side. I have a few favors to ask of you."

"Anything."

"First of all help him to grow up. At this point you are the only person who is able to influence him. Promise me you will do this."

"I promise to try to the best of my ability, My Lord Fergus."

"Thank you, Zevran. The second thing is a promise to keep my staff in Highever apprised of where you are and where you are going. I know that this may not be…"

"Done."

"Oh, thank you again. The third and last thing. Do everything within your power to convince him to come see me before leaving Denerim. He and I need to have time to work out a few things. You can tell him I will not track him down if he sees me before leaving."

"Agreed."

"Thank you, Zevran. I feel my trust in you is not misplaced."

"I will prove that to you, My Lord."

Neither spoke again as they stood listening to the muffled voices of Alistair and Aonghas. Unable to hear what was said the two separately wondered if they would ever know what transpired between the two Grey Wardens of Ferelden.

A good hour or more had passed by the time the door behind Fergus opened. Alistair exited followed by Aonghas. They both looked flushed but whereas Alistair looked satisfied with the outcome of their talk; Aonghas had an air of defeated resignation about him. Fergus handed Aonghas his staff before following Alistair from the tavern. One of the Kings guards clunked a bag of coins on the counter in front of the tavern keep before exiting. Aonghas went back to settle in the chair he had occupied previously and sighed deeply as he leaned his staff against the wall behind him. Zevran joined his friend and sat silent waiting for Aonghas to speak.

"Makers breath that was bracing." Zevran felt his lips twitch at how much Aonghas had sounded like Alistair, but it was too soon for laughter and he controlled himself.

"To say the least." Zevran shifted in his chair, "I'm embarrassed to say it was me and not your hound that got you found out."

"Yes well, I knew there was a chance it would happen. When do we leave?"

"When you are done learning."

"Oh right. This is me maintaining this disguise now."

"Amazing. In that case we can leave as soon as you are done talking to your brother." Zevran smiled as the younger man looked around quickly with a worried look as he searched for his brother. "He wants you to go to the Highever estate."

"You think I should go see him?"

"He said if you do not he will hunt you down."

"Like he won't if I do?"

"He said he would let you go if you see him first."

"What is the catch? What did you promise him?"

"It's not important right now. You go see him and we'll worry about details on the road."

"I'll go see him now then." Aonghas stood and grabbed his staff; as he was about to step away from Zevran he turned back for a moment. "Don't leave me," he begged his voice full of insecurity.

"Never, lad. Majestic and I will be at the mages awaiting your return." Aonghas nodded and Zevran watched him leave the tavern without his normal arrogant swagger.

Aonghas returned to the mage's home late two days after he had left to go to the Highever Estate in Denerim. Zevran breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the young man enter the room next to his through the door in between their rooms. "Things went well with your brother?"

"Everything is settled, Zevran. I need a good nights sleep and then we can be on the road in the morning if you agree."

"I will be ready." Aonghas nodded and closed the door between them.

A dark haired middle aged elf and young human with dirty blond hair and brown eyes walked towards the gates of Denerim. The slight elf walked spryly for his age looking around smiling at everyone they passed while the heavier human seemed to walk stiffly, the pack on his back seeming to weight him down. The slighter man paused and turned to the other. "Are you in pain? You are walking like you are?"

"I am fine. This pack is just heavier than I remember is all." The elf looked skeptical but shrugged and continued on his way with the human walking stiffly behind him. The two were passing out of the gates of Denerim when they were nearly knocked over by a large mabari war hound rushing through gate. The guards shouted and tried to stop the hound leaving but the beast was too swift for them, evading them easily and running off down the road. The elf and human continued past the guards as they were distracted by the hound and the guards didn't stop them as they walked off. "Finally we are away from here." The elf laughed but didn't answer.

The travelers were about two hours away from Denerim when Majestic came running up barking excitedly. "What is it, boy?" inquired the human. The dog turned towards the woods and a red-headed woman came out of the woods and approached. She looked puzzled at the strange elf and human. The human sounded surprised, "Bella?"

The human woman seemed nervous and she kept peering at the human until she finally asked, "It is you, Aonghas?"

"Yes, Bella these are our disguises. What are you doing out here?"

"You helped me so much back in Redcliff and I have to admit that I never felt safer than when I knew you were around. I have always wanted to travel and I thought maybe you would need somebody to join you." She looked at the elf briefly and then back to the disguised Aonghas with a look of uncertainty, "I hadn't realized you already have a servant."

Aonghas laughed, "Bella that is Zevran in disguise. I'm not sure how safe you will be traveling with us, but you are welcome to come and see if we suit each other." Bella suddenly smiled and gave a nod to Zevran.

"Just give me a chance. Give me a moment." She ran back to the woods and when she returned she was leading a horse loaded down with packs. "I've brought supplies."

"Oh this one will work out fine I should say." Zevran's voice was pleased and he immediately went to the horse and began peeking into saddle bags. "We should be able to off load some of what we have in our packs onto the horse, Aonghas. Well done Bella."

"Where did you get all of this? The money I gave you to go to Denerim?"

"Yes and the money I earned while there. Luckily I didn't arrive until after you had defeated the darkspawn."

"Thank the Maker for that." Zevran approached Aonghas then and began tugging off his pack. Aonghas hissed in pain and then gave up the pack in relief. "I'm glad you showed up when you did. My back and legs are not up to carrying that load." As Bella laughed along with Aonghas Zevran looked in disbelief at his comrade. He hefted the bag a few times and then shaking his head he went to off load it into the saddlebags. "Bella, how did you find us?"

"Majestic found me in Denerim and I knew he wouldn't be there without you. I asked him if you would be leaving soon and he got all excited so I packed everything and left yesterday. I camped in the woods last night and waited until he found me."

"You took a big chance doing that."

"I don't know; something about Majestic made me believe I wasn't taking a big chance. I told him what I wanted to do and he understood." Majestic barked once and wagged his tail, "Yes you do understand me. You're a good boy."

"So now the dog is finding companions for us?" Zevran laughed as Majestic barked once at him in response to his question. "Who would argue with that?"

It wasn't long before they began walking again with Aonghas and Bella in the front talking up a storm, while Zevran followed guiding the horse with Majestic at his side keeping him company. Zevran narrowed his eyes as he noticed Aonghas was still walking a bit stiffly even without a pack. Zevran started to speculate but then just shook his head and began chatting up Majestic and the horse. "Ah. This walking feels good but my boots will need to be repaired often. Maybe you should find us a boot maker, Majestic. Then we would never have to worry about holes in our boots. And what of you, Ser Horse, will you begin finding us traveling companions as well?" Neither animal answered but it didn't stop Zevran from continuing to talk to them.

That night when they settled down at their campfire Bella spoke quietly in an uncertain voice. "Do you want to hear a tale I was told when I was younger? I think you will both find it interesting."

"That would be great. Zevran and I often spend the evenings telling tales."

"Most assuredly and being told by such a lovely woman with a voice as beautiful as bird song will be a most pleasant change." Zevran and Aonghas both laughed at Zevran's comment. Nervously Bella cleared her throat and began her tale.

"This tale was told to me by the kennel master of Redcliff."

I was chastising the young whelp Alistair when the hounds in the kennels become unusually quiet and when I turned there was a young child in the kennel. He had dark brown hair and his arms were wrapped around the neck of the most dominant female hound. I had approached the two slowly hoping to save the lad from getting hurt; however, the hound let out a low deep growl and shifted itself to the side to protect the lad. "Easy, Milady." The young child lifted his head and I recognized him as the son of the visiting Teryn. I felt awe and worry as I spoke softly, "Come away from the hound, young lord." The child raised his chin and shook his head and then buried his face against the hounds head again. The hounds rumbling growl increased a bit; warning me to leave them be. I backed away in shocked disbelief that she allowed him to touch her and was in turn threatening me protecting him as if he was one of her own. "Come away, lad." The child ignored me completely this time and after a time standing and not knowing how to handle the situation I gave and order to the nine year old lad who I had been chastising, "Alistair, go get Arl Eamon and the Teryn who is with him. Go quickly."

The lad left quickly and returned with what appeared to be the entire court. The Teyrn allowed some time to pass before speaking to his son. "Pup, what are you doing?"

"I'm learning. She has so much knowledge. If you listen closely you can almost hear her ancestors." The child leaned his head back against the hounds and then he shifted as if upset and he released his hold from around the hound's neck and turned to face the growing but silent crowd. He rested a hand on the hounds back and smiled. "Can I have her?"

"No. Come out from there, pup." The child frowned and dragged his feet all the way to the edge of the kennel. He didn't object as his father reached over and lifted him up and out of the kennel. He wiggled as his father hugged him, giggling a bit. "Don't ever do this again, Mabari can be very dangerous."

Arl Eamon had turned to the visiting Teyrn and spoke, "Well, Bryce. This sure beats the stories my brother was telling us." The young boy smiled and wrapped his arms around his father's neck as the men laughed. A bark startled them all and they all turned to the kennel. "Look at that I think she's trying to give one of her pups to your son, Bryce." The young boy rushed over to the kennel and held his arms out and smiled up at Arl Eamon. I knew as the pup licked the lad making him giggle that the pup and a boy had immediately became imprinted to each other

"Eamon, he's only six," complained Teyrn Bryce Cousland.

"And imprinted already. Surely he is blessed by the Maker. What say you, Bryce, shall we talk price?"

"Wait. This tale; it's a tale about me. This is a tale about Majestic and I? Is it not?"

"It is. I thought you might like to know that even before you became the Hero of Ferelden there were tales about you."

"Truly amazing," Zevran commented in wry amusement.

"This is crazy and you said tales. You mean there are more?"

"Perhaps, but I will only share one tale a night. It's time for one of you to share one."

The two men obliged her and they all laughed and had a good first evening on the road.

Zevran squatted down by Aonghas' sleeping body and leaned over him to look him in the face. It was extremely dark but Zevran had heard the lad thrashing around moaning and had become concerned. Just as Zevran reached to touch Aonghas' shoulder the lad's eyes opened wide and his emerald green eyes glowed in the night even as a hand grabbed Zevran by the throat and squeezed tight. Zevran froze for a moment shocked by Aonghas' quick reflexes and then he grabbed the wrist of the hand crushing his wind pipe and dug his nails in while bringing up his other hand and trying to strike Aonghas across the face. The younger man blocked his slapping hand. Zevran tried to speak, but he couldn't breath and then suddenly Majestic was there. The large hound pushed his head between Zevran and Aonghas and growled into Aonghas' face. Zevran was shocked that the war hound threatened Aonghas and not himself; he couldn't see Aonghas' reaction but at that moment Aonghas released him and Zevran fell back to his knees gripping his throat in agony as his breath wheezed in and out. Majestic still had his large face in Aonghas' his lips curled in a snarl as he continued to growl and then just as suddenly as he had arrived the dog moved away from his owner and lay down beside him. Zevran watched Aonghas closely as the younger man covered his eyes with his hands, Zevran wanted to say something but he still hadn't recovered breath enough to do so.

Finally the lad sat up and looked at Zevran. "What did I do? Did I. Makers Blood, Zevran did I just strangle you? I thought it was a dream." Aonghas moved close and pulled Zevran's hands away from his damaged throat. Aonghas placed the same hand that had caused the damage on the bared throat. Zevran shifted uncomfortably; fighting the urge not to move away as he felt the tingling slow warmth of healing invade his flesh easing the pain and damage. "I think that's enough. Can you talk now?"

"That was bracing."

"I'm so sorry, Zev. I was dreaming about darkspawn and I thought you were one, I couldn't even see you. I'm so sorry."

"I am fine now, lad. I'll be more careful in the future. I'll be sure to keep my pretty neck out of reach in the future." Zevran held still as the younger man continued touching his neck. The light brushing of the lad's fingers against his skin made Zevran shiver and he found it hard to associate that gentle touch with the damage the hand had caused to his throat.

Finally Aonghas' dropped his hand from Zevran's neck and sighed deeply. "I'm really sorry, Zev."

"Enough, you repaired what you have done. Stop being sorry and tell me why I could feel your arm and hand trembling in fatigue. You've been moving around stiffly since the morning we left Denerim." He thought for a moment the lad was going to refuse to tell him but after a deep sigh the lad began to speak quietly so only Zevran could hear.

"Fergus and I talked and argued for the whole first day I was with him and then the last day he decided he needed to teach me a few things and so we went down to the training yard. We fought against each other for hours and he won barely more than I did, but it seemed to anger him more than anything. And then he… he decided to bring up, Alistair. We argued and fought about it and then he... well… let us just say he expressed his anger in a more physical way before sending me off with a warning to not cause anymore problems for King Alistair."

"A more physical way?"

"Please Zevran do not ask anymore. The day of fighting Fergus has every muscle in my body aching and trembling. It has been over two months since I last had to fight for so long. Fatigue as you said."

"Then we will stay here for a while."

"Thank you, Zev. Hopefully a couple of days will be enough." Zevran went back to his own bedroll as Aonghas lay down again. He could hear the lad shifting around trying to get comfortable before his breathing slowed to that of a man asleep. Zevran closed his eyes and fell into slumber.