Disclaimers: Dragon Age: Origins and all related characters are obviously copy-write to Bioware. I'm just playing with them.
Spoilers: Through end game.
Author's Note: I got to the end of my first play through and was left wondering a question – why did Morrigan have to be the mother of the child in her ritual? I also wondered what would've happened had Alistair been approached about the ritual after the PC (in this case, Leask the city elf) turned him down.

For reference, Anora is on the throne, first enchanter Irving lived, the Dalish elves prevailed over the werewolves although Zathrain did end up sacrificing himself. Isolde killed Conner herself, and Harrowmont was crowned king in Orzammar. In the long run, I am playing about with elvish compatibility (in a biological sense) with humans, and running some of my own ideas about the effects of the taint and Morrigan's ritual. All these will be explained in text where appropriate.

Finally, all reviews and criticism is gratefully received!

~xXx~

Good Intentions

Chapter One

A Bad Decision.

"Morrigan, I will not convince Alistair to sleep with you, and that's the end of that." Leask sighed at the apostate, running her hand through her braided red hair. "Besides, I highly doubt he would ever have agreed. Lets just leave it, OK?"

Morrigan frowned, letting her eyes wander to the fireplace and then back to the Grey Warden. "If you are completely sure about it Leask..." She replied softly. "I'll see if I can come up with something else to prevent your death. It would pain me to lose the first friend I've ever had."

Leask chuckled, reaching out to slap Morrigan on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it, old horse." She said with a grin. "In the event of my death, I'm sure Zevran would be more than happy to keep you company any night you feel lonely." And with that teasing remark, the Grey Warden winked and left.

~xXx~

"I had no idea it would have to end so horribly for you Alistair." Zevran commiserated Alistair in the kitchen. The two of them were sat with Oghren, several bottles of spirit open in front of them. Admittedly the dwarf was swaying a little on his stool, but it seemed to make no difference to his ability to hold his own in the conversation. The Grey Warden looked like he'd just been told his puppy had died after choking on his hamster.

The news from Riordan that one of the three of them would have to die was not sitting well with him. There was a one in three chance it could be Leask. Probably even higher as the damn elf was so stubborn she would probably knock him on the head out cold before he could kill the damn beast. And while Riordan was willing to make the sacrifice himself....Alistair had his doubts. Again the logical choice was Leask - Riordan was the only one capable of recruiting new Grey Wardens, neither himself nor Leask had the knowledge. And the city elf was far too sensible for her own good.

He slugged another mouthful of the Antivan Ale, and waved one hand at Zevran, drunkenly. "How...how come she's so damn commanding?" He complained, having forgotten the assassin's lament for him. "I mean, I have seniority, she's only been a warden what, six, seven months? Duncan was training me! I should be the one declaring this, and declaring that..."

Zevran and Oghren exchanged a long glance. The assassin slowly reached out and poured some water into Alistair's mug. "Ah my dear friend, but she is the ruler of your heart, your head and your lust." A smile touched his full lips. "And anyway, you declined the kingship and she put Anora on the throne so you did not have to rule. You have more influence over our lady than you realise."

Alistair snorted with a frown. "And what do you think, Oghren?" He said, turning to the dwarf as he drained a glass. "What should I do?"

The dwarf drained his mug and poured himself another before answering. "I think if you don't go to bed soon warden, you will miss out on your last chance to tap the forbidden still with the boss." A deep, throaty chuckle to himself. "Last night to don the velvet hat, ride the bucking bronco." More sniggers from the dwarf, before he quietly, gently, passed out and slid off his stool.

The silence that greeted him was only punctuated by Oghren's gentle drunken snores. "Well, with him out of the picture our heads will not be so cloudy in the morning." Zevran declared, before standing up and reaching across the table to pat Alistair on the shoulder. "I trust my friend, that should you die very bravely in battle tomorrow you will permit me to attempt to fill the void you leave in our dear lady's heart..."

"Don't you dare touch her!" Alistair's little jealous streak came to the fore, one hand reaching out to slap away the elf's patronising hand. His face flushed a little with embarrassment as he realised the elf was joking. The elf hopped back nimbly on his feet, his grin only widening. "Of course, I can always fill the void she leaves in yours...."

"Urgh! Go away!" Alistair glared, lurching across the table. "You revolting beast, is there anyone you won't pursue?" Zevran chuckled, reaching into one of his pockets. "Quiet yourself, my drunken friend. I only jest. Here, however, if you chew on this root you will find that your...performance is not so hampered by our merriment this evening." And with that the elf departed, leaving Alistair with only the asleep Oghren from company.

He sighed, letting his blue eyes wander to fix onto the dwarf, wondering in part how the man managed to sleep so uncomfortably like that. But Alistair's mind kept on wandering back to what Riordan had said - one of them would have to die, if not all of them. Half a year ago this would not have made any difference - hell, even a few months ago he would've gladly gone after the arch demon himself and slaughtered the beast without any hesitation. Watching Zevran and Leask together had made him furious. Inwardly he had resented them both... until Leask had found his mothers amulet. And remembered it was his, instead of selling it on like all the other trinkets she had found. From then on he had watched her carefully, noticing that she she displayed the same amount of thought and affection for everyone in the group. The mirror she found for Morrigan, the flowers and the nug for Leilana. The way she always paused at the markets, taking the time to find a particular ale she though Oghren might enjoy, or haggling for a good hour for a book for Wynne. Zevran's treatment, the dalish gloves like his mothers, the antivan boots. Leask was just showing that she listened. Eventually he saw Leask's and Zevran's relationship for what it was - just physical fun. A way of easing tension, a body to curl up with on the cold nights. It became even more clear that evening when they hit the pearl and Zevran vanished off with Isabella after Leask had learnt how to properly duel.

Leask was sat with a book, her feet up on the table and a cup of some hot drink or another held in one hand. Zevran had been sitting with Isabella when Alistair had left to bathe, giggling and caressing, and Alistair was surprised to wander back and not see anyone sitting with Leask. He raised an eyebrow and gestured to the seat beside her. "Not spending the evening with Zevran?" He had said, before sitting down opposite her.

Green eyes looked up from her book, and a slight smile curled the corner of her lips. "He has chosen a different bedfellow for tonight." She replied, marking her place in her book and closing it. "I was quite enjoying the solitude for once, actually."
"Really?" He replied, unable to stop the surprise filtering into his voice. "I thought you two....you know...were romantically entwined?"
Leask's eyes widened, "With Zevran?" She laughed. "God no. Yes, he's good for a bit of a fun, a little bit of pleasure, but come on, Alistair. The bloke has the attention span of a gnat, a good friend, yes, but a..." She waved a hand, searching for right words, a frown caressing her brow. "A lover, a husband, a..." Her groping for the right word vanished..."A you know. True love. Isn't really what I'm looking for. He's not dedicated enough. Not like you would be."

Alistair had been taken aback, and the look on his face must've been something priceless for Leask had burst out with that musical laughter of hers. She reached over and patted his hand. "Don't worry though, dear heart." Her terms of endearment were used indiscriminately. Even Morrigan had gotten used to the sleuths of wide ranging affection. "I am sure Zevran does not have his eye on you. I rather think his type of man is a little less shy." And with that she winked, before Alistair turned the subject to something other than sex.

Alistair hadn't fallen for Leask that night - truthfully, he couldn't remember when he had fallen for her. Maybe it had been when she had found Duncan's shield for him, or maybe the night they had sat by the fire, just talking about a future neither of them of them would ever have. Alistair wanted it even more now - he had never expected to have children, nor really desired them. But with Leask... he wanted dozens. He didn't want to die in 20 years down the road fighting darkspawn in the deep roads. He wanted to grow old and see what sort of grandchildren he would have with Leask. He wanted to explore the rest of the world with her, travel to Orlais, go and see Sten's homeland. Now it pained him that they might not have that future. That he might not be around to see those things with her. That she might not be around to help him see those things, that Leask might lay that final blow to the arch demon and...

"There is another way, you know." Morrigan said, interrupting his thoughts. Frowning, he lifted his eyes to look at her. Resplendent in the glow of the fire place, she cut an eerie figure in the dark, empty kitchen. The only thing that cut through her dramatic entrance was Oghren muttering under his breath about stinkin' nugs. "What do you mean?" Alistair replied as Morrigan sat down opposite him, lifting the pitcher of ale and sniffing it tentatively.

"There's another way. No need for either of you to die when you kill the arch demon."
"I don't understand."
"There is an ancient ritual. I won't lie to you, I'm not sure you'll like it."
Alistair hesitated, and if he hadn't been otherwise inebriated, he might've replied differently. Thought a little longer. "...Go..on?"
"Flemeth told of me a ritual. If you and Leask conceive a child tonight, I can conduct the soul from the arch demon into the child, and neither of you will be harmed."
Alistair eyed Morrigan carefully. "Won't that kill the baby?" He said softly.
"It may, it may not. All I ask is that if Leask successfully carries the child to full term, that you hand it to me. To raise as my own."
"No, absolutely not." Alistair said, standing up. He pushed back the stool, shaking his head at the apostate's suggestion. "What a ludicrous idea. No, I won't do it."
As he left, Morrigan's final statement echoed in his ears..."If later, you change your mind....you know where to find me."

~xXx~

"If there was a way for one of us not to die..."Alistair whispered to Leask as they lay in bed that night, she on her front, arms resting on folded arms, eyes shut, he on his side, fingers playing with the small braids Leask habitually wore in her red hair, "Would you take it?"
"There is a way." She muttered softly. "Let Riordan kill the arch demon. Simple."
"That's a little heartless, Leask." Alistair scolded gently in reply.
"It is the truth." She answered, rolling onto her back, the motion causing his hand to rest onto her cheek. Then down her neck. For a moment Alistair was distracted while his fingers lingered on her shoulder, before sliding down to rest on her naked belly. Her green eyes focused on his, before lifting one of her hands behind her head.
"What's on your mind?" Leask asked gently, letting Alistair see the concern on her face. "Were you talking to Eamon again about duty? Was he trying to convince you to marry Anora again? Or were you drinking with Zevran? You know that is always a mistake."
"Zevran and Oghren." Alistair answered truthfully, letting out a sigh. "And they all have nothing to do with it. The battle tomorrow...with the darkspawn. I wish...I wish it wasn't happening."
Leask chuckled, the sound neither patronising or mocking. "Oh Ali..." She said gently, moving to cup his cheeks. "It was you who said that if it wasn't for the blight we would never have met. Can you imagine our futures? You, a templar. Me, a city elf married to a sweet but useless boy. Our paths may have passed...but you'd have had a stick so far up your ass you wouldn't be able to bend over and tie your shoes, and I'd have been so angry and bitter about my lot in life I'd probably have been hanged by now." Her fingers touched his hairline, her body moving closer to his. Without thinking Alistair let his arm encircle her petite waist, drawing her even closer. "No, better to have loved you for a moment, than to have lived forever without you." She whispered, before kissing him. He wanted to argue with her, to bemoan the loss of their future together, but he couldn't. All they had was here and now... Alistair's arms tightened about Leask, and he deepened the kiss.

~xXx~

As Leask lay sleeping, Alistair made his decision. Dressing quietly he got out of bed, and headed to Morrigan's bedchamber. She was awake, standing in front of the fire as if expecting his arrival. He hated himself for doing this but....

"Changed your mind?" She said as he pushed open her door, a smile curling her lips.
"What do I have to do?" Alistair said, folding his arms over his chest...
"Nine months from now...Leask will give birth to twins. One will be blond and hazel eyed like yourself, the other will have dark hair and green eyes. I will collect the child with the green eyes. The birth will be...difficult. Do not let anyone interfere, Alistair, the second child is mine."
A deep frown wandered over the former templars face. Briefly his tongue flickered over his bottom lip, one hand lifting up to rub the back of his head. His weight shifted from left to right.
"And you're sure that if one of us lays the final blow, we won't die?"
"Neither of you would die. I can't say the same for Riordan, however. He has had the taint much longer than either of you, and as a result is a much more complicated subject."
For a long moment Alistair considered it. For a long time he thought about rights and wrongs, shoulds and should nots.... But in the end he drew a conclusion. That he would do anything not to lose Leask.
"Very well then."
It was the decision that would change everything.

~xXx~

They'd secured the gates. "There's two generals..." Riordan declared, explaining that the Arch Demon would call on them at some point in the battle, and it might be wise that they were eliminated before the Arch Demon was engaged.
"Sten, you take Leilana and the Redcliffe soldiers. Keep this gate secure. Morrigan, Oghren, Wynne you head to the market district and hunt the General there." Leask said, handing over the bugles. "The rest of us will hunt out the other General in the Alienage."
"Is that wise?" Riordan declared, "You have family in the Alienage, what if you get distracted?"
"Riordan, old horse..." Leask grinned. "I've spent the last few months of my life fighting with the man I am fucking by my side. I'm not going to get distracted."
Alistair could feel blush rising to his cheeks, as Leask clapped the older Grey Warden on his shoulder and grinned. "Come on boys and girls." She carried on breezily, tossing her head back and offering a toothy grin. "Just another day in the fields, lets get rid of some vermin."
"YEA!" Oghren raised his axe in a happy bellow.

The groups headed their separate ways. As they surged into the Alienage, Alistair recognised Shianni, Leask's cousin. Or was she her sister? "Shianni!" He shouted, running over to her.
"Alistair!" The red headed elf replied, genuinely surprised to see him. "The darkspawn! They've got us cornered, can you help?"
"Be glad to," He grinned, reaching for his sword. "Just tell us where to go."
"Um...Alistair..." Zevran sounded hesitant, his accent thicker. Like he was really worried about something.
"What?" The warden replied, glancing over his shoulder to see the elf looking about the place worriedly.
"Where's Billy?"
"Who is Billy?" Shianni asked, over the thundering of a darkspawn ogre at the make shift barricade. "Leask's dog!" Alistair shouted back, his eyes darting back to the barricade. It was built well, but wood only held so long against a focused ogre. He could see it dropping it's head for another charge. "She's never without him...LEASK?"
Zevran waited for Alistair's brain to catch up.
"LEASK?!" He shouted again, looking about for her. "Leask? Where are you?!"
But before he could panic the barricade was down, and the darkspawn swarmed through.

~xXx~

Leask loathed climbing. She loathed it more than stairs, and she had never really liked stairs anyway. Billy was leaping up the rubble like a mountain goat, and turned around to gloat at her with a happy bark.
"Oh, wheesht!" She shouted back at the mabari, glad briefly for the distraction. "Are we nearly there yet Riordan?!" She called up after the other warden, who seemed to be sharing the same enthusiasm as the blasted dog for climbing up the half destroyed tower.
The shriek from the arch demon shook the tower. Cursing the beast Leask's already sore fingers found more resolve, and she managed to push herself up more of the tower.
"The summit is in sight!" Riordan yelled back to her, giving her the encouragement to clamber up the rest of it. It wasn't long before the three of them stood on the highest platform of the tower at Fort Drakon, The arch demon circled the edge of the city, a stream of spirit fire blasting from it's mouth, eradicating what was possibly the pearl. For a brief moment Leask frowned. "Aw, Zevran will be heart broken if the Pearl has gone up in smoke." She observed, her joke falling onto deaf ears. At least Billy pretended to look amused.
"We must lure the arch demon over here." Riordan went on. "Our presence does not seem to be affecting it."
Leask unhooked her crossbow, and grabbed one of her ice bolts. "I'm a dreadful shot." She admitted, "But I can give it a go?"
"Let me..." The other warden took the crossbow, loaded the bolt into place, took aim...and fired.
The bolt hit the Arch Demon's side, long enough after being released that Leask found her breath caught in her throat. The great beast roared in fury, spinning in the air to change it's flight path. It's eyes caught sight of the two wardens on the tower.

~xXx~

The scream of fury from the Arch Demon caught everyone's attention. Sensibly, Alistair struck off the head of a Hurlock before letting his eyes look over in it's direction. It had been flying around setting fire to various parts of the city, but now it seemed to have a streaming purpose. It was heading for Fort Drakon.

"Is that...?" He wondered aloud, ducking under the wild slash from a genlock.

"Leask and Riordan on the tower? Don't be daft!" Zevran shouted in reply, kicking a darkspawn in the chest before using his dagger to open it's throat. "Why would two Grey Wardens be exactly where the arch demon is flying?"

"Maker damn it!" Alistair cursed, felling another two with an angry sweep. "That fucking elf!"

"I take offence!" Zevran hissed back, stepping backwards. He couldn't help but notice that they were getting surrounded by darkspawn. His back momentarily pressed against Alistair's – they had been fighting in a ring formation, covering each other's flanks and felling anything that came within range. It wasn't the elf's preferred fighting style, he'd always rather pick off enemies from a distance, but there was just none to be had. He nodded to his left.

"The general is over there, at three o'clock." The assassin pointed out, and saw Alistair's attention head that way.

"Right then, new plan. We kill the general, and the hack and slash our way to Fort Drakon."

"But Leask told us to hold the Alienage!"

"Damn Leask!" Was the templar's response.

~xXx~

"This isn't the wisest of ideas." Leask mused, tying the rope around the Axe Head, and around her waist.

"Agreed," Riordan nodded, making sure he had all of his daggers. "But it's the only one we've got."

It was a plan that was stupid in it's simplicity. The two of them would leap onto the Arch Demon, using their blades as a way to stay on. When on it's back it couldn't really do much damage to them, so while Leask stabbed and hacked at it in squishy, sore places, hopefully distracting it, Riordan would clamber along it and slice it's jugular. Or stab something deep into it's brain. That in theory, should be the killing stroke. Whether or not the plan would work was yet to be seen – it was after all hurriedly thrown together after they had shot the beast.

"Good job I brought rope." The elf muttered to herself, beginning to seriously doubt whether or not her axe would actually get enough purchase on the arch demon's flesh. Still, she had to try. The beast was upon them now, and it launched a fireball at them. Riordan leapt left, and Leask right. They scattered as masonry fell. The dog growled in protest, poised to leap.

"No Billy." She said, momentarily resting her hand atop the mabari's head. "You have to sit this one out. Go look after my boys." The dog whined, then barked.

Leask's green eyes sought out Riordan. He leapt from edge of the tower, free falling before arching his dagger around and stopping his fall by slashing the arch demon's flesh. It barely made a dent in the monster. Wasting no time in seeing how he was getting on, she began to swing her axe around in a circle on the end of it's rope.

"Andraste, if your listening." She muttered, not believing in the prayer but figured there was no harm in it. "Please let this axe find purchase.

The arch demon flew up past her. It's sides were huge. It stank. Either the taint, or the filth from such a huge, hot beast.... Leask hurled the axe at it's side. The blade found purchase. As the arch demon continued to climb higher into the sky, Leask was dragged off her feet and up with it.

From the tower, her mabari let out a long howl.

~xXx~

"HOLD!" Bellowed Sten, the 50 or so Redcliffe soldiers standing behind him. They were nervous, of that he was sure. The hoard were creeping forward, holding their line. One side would have to break first, and Sten was determined that it would be the darkspawn.

"They absolutely reek." Wynne observed, her hands moving as she summoned a heroic aura, giving the men behind them a stronger resolve to stay in line. They had already cleared the marketplace, finding surprisingly little resistance from the general and a few ogres. It was worrying. Almost felt like a trap. They had returned to the gates on Wynne's instance that something was going on.

"What do you expect from a few hundred darkspawn?" Morrigan retorted. "You were lucky you weren't with us in the dark roads. I still wake up smelling the stench."

Sten laughed, "Look. One of them breaks."

Leliana let loose an arrow, and the beast fell with it through it's eye. That seemed to be enough, the dark spawn lunged forward and the battle began.

~xXx~

"Look! The damn thing is flying, we'll never catch it!" Zevran shouted as he and Alistair ran through the city. Occasionally they stopped and swiped at darkspawn, but it was wild hacking and slashing. Alistair didn't even pause to make sure the damn things were dead.

"It's got to land sometime!" He yelled back, glancing over his shoulder. "And when it does I'll gut it like a fish!"

Zevran fell silent, running along just behind Alistair. There was no dissuading the man. He was determined to face down the arch demon. Well, in that case...He did have his orders. Zevran just hoped he would be able to carry them out.

~xXx~

Leask floundered along in the air for a moment. She had to admit, she was enjoying the thrill. She swung back, the arch demon flying low past the palace. For a second her feet found purchase on the stone wall, and she was able to push herself off and towards the body of the demon. She hauled out one of her knifes, and forced it into the beast's hide quarter. He screeched in fury again, but now she had a purchase. Balancing one foot on the beast she then proceeded to clamber up it's side, using small knives to create footholds. Soon she was on the creature's broad back, and she could see the whole city. She'd never been this high in her life.

Unfortunately, the elf had more important things to do than admire the view. "Riordan!" She yelled, in time to see him ahead of her, nearer to the creature's shoulder. He ignored her, and started to stride towards the creature's head. She frowned at him, only in time for the arch demon to suddenly swoop right. It was only by thinking quickly that Leask didn't fall off the beast entirely – she swiftly thudded one of her knives into it's back. Her legs dangled in the air and she watched helplessly as the arch demon turned left, causing Riordan to thump heavily onto the membrane of one of it's wings. "Use your knife!" She screamed at him, unsure if the grey warden would hear her.

Either he did, or was thinking the same thoughts as she because his knife failed to gain purchase. It sliced through the thin membrane, Riordan sliding helplessly down towards the ground.

"Riordan!" Leask yelled again, panic rising from her stomach. Getting to her feet she ran forwards, not sure what she would do but desperately trying to think of something, anything. She threw herself on her stomach, sliding forward just in time to see Riordan run out wing to slide down, and fall down into the chasm of air. He flew right past her, and wildly she grabbed for him, gaining some purchase on his armour. She could feel the edge of the metal plate cutting through her glove into her fingers where she gripped it, the blood making her purchase on him slippy.

"You must kill it!" Riordan yelled at her.

"No!" Leask yelled back, scrabbling with her free hand to grab another dagger. "Hold onto this!" Again, she slammed the small blade into beast's side. It roared, and banked left again, losing altitude due to it's ravaged wing.

Riordan stretched one hand out, but at that moment Leask lost a hold of him and he plummeted down to the ground. "Riordan!" The elf yelled uselessly, feeling sick. But she had no time to cry, no time react. The arch demon came around, low over the battle at the gate. Her grip on her hastily embedded dagger began to slip. She had to get to the arch demon's head.

~xXx~

"It's going to land!" Alistair upped the speed of his run. "And looks like it's going to be in the forecourt of palace. Come on Zev, we're nearly there!"

The elf had fallen behind, considering his options. Leask has specifically told him not to let Alistair near the arch demon during any part of the battle. And while he had questioned her daft devotion to the human, he had agreed. What he hadn't realised was that Leask would've done a disappearing act in a 'I'm going to kill the giant beastie myself' sort of way that would lead to Alistair acting like this. He'd tried persuasion, and already he knew reasoning wasn't going to work. He'd have to get physical, and knock the damn bastard out. Shit.

"Wait up Alistair!" He called, speeding up his own run.

~xXx~

"Watch out!" Leliana called, pulling her blade out of a gemlock's head. "Here comes the arch demon!"

The wind created by the beast as it flew over head nearly knocked them to the ground. Morrigan found herself ducking to avoid a taloned foot. She brought her staff around, spotting Leask clambering along it's back. Her dark eyes glanced around – Sten was hacking down three darkspawn. Leliana was flanking Wynne as she moved through the battlefield, healing as best she could. Oghren was surrounded by bodies of darkspawn, and more were approaching him. It was time. Stepping backwards she exited quietly, disappearing through crowd.

~xXx~

Leask had found her footing and ran towards the dragon's head. It was flying low, nearly on the ground. Drawing her warden longsword from her back she leapt. Swiftly she covered the distance along it's neck, feet landing just behind the crown of the creature's horns.

With all her strength Leask brought the blade down on the beast's spine. She heard the horrible crunching of Silverite through bone.

The arch demon reared, letting out another furious roar. He footing gone, Leask struggled to hold onto the pommel, dangling helplessly. She let out a scream of fury, swinging her legs back and forth , hooking one of them around it's horns. Finally with a heave she hauled the sword out, just in time to lift it to slash across one of the arch demon's forepaws as it brought them around in an attempt to dislodge her. Screaming again Leask brought the blade down once more, hacking into the spine before being flung off by a furious shake of the arch demon's head.

With a sickening crack the elf hit the wall, before sliding down it. Her entire back ached, and for a moment she lay stunned on the ground, vision swimming. It was only the shaking of the ground from the arch demon's footfalls that brought her around. She struggled to her feet.

Alistair rounded the corner to the portcullis of the forecourt. He could see the arch demon, trailing one useless wing. Blood was pouring down it's dark hide from a massive wound in it's neck. It would never stem the flow from that wound. But in front of it? He could see Leask, obviously dazed as she got to her feet. "Leask!" He shouted, unable to stop himself. He made to run for her, but from nowhere a darkspawn cut him off. He didn't have time to draw his sword, but a growl and the stink of hot animal passed his shoulder. The dog landed on the darkspawn, ripping the creature's head off before surging forward. There was at least 15 darkspawn cutting them off from Leask.

The templar roared in frustration, hauling out his sword again and smacking a Shriek in the face with his shield, before stabbing it through the mouth.

"Zevran!" He yelled over his shoulder. "Any chance of you hitting the Arch Demon with an ice bolt?"

"All out my friend!" The assassin shouted back, before reaching his belt and hauling off a soulrot bomb. This he hurled into the group of darkspawn, forcing a small space which he stepped into. "I'll see what I can find to fling at it though, although I'm rather sure it would be more like spitting into a thunder storm!"

"We've got to get to Leask!" It was all Alistair cared about. All that mattered.

Leask swayed on her feet. She was sure at least some of her ribs were broken. Possibly her upper arm too. Nevertheless, as the arch demon rounded on her, she saw her chance. Running forward she snatched up a sword buried in the body of a darkspawn. Lifting it over her shoulder she ran at it, ducking under it's head and ramming the blade up in to the soft flesh of it's neck. Running forward she opened up a massive wound in it's neck, which sprouted blood into her eyes. Cursing the creature Leask skidded to a halt as it let out a death scream before collapsing to the ground.

"Leask!" She could hear Alistair, but she ignored him. As much as she would've liked to have said a final goodbye, there was no time. She moved forward, again raising the great-sword above her head and brought it down on the arch demon's neck, only to lifted off her feet as the arch demon tossed it's great head one last time. It's muzzle hit her in the stomach, the force of the blow knocking her backwards, across the courtyard.

She flew just above the heads of the darkspawn, over Alistair and Zevran, before again colliding with the wall. Leask definatly felt bones crunch this time as she hit the stone pavings, but was grateful to see the arch demon still, motionless. The dark spawn began to run.

"Maker, Leask are you alright!?" She heard Alistair. The elf was sure she could see Morrigan standing over by the Arch Demon. What was she doing there? She specifically remembered telling her to hold the gate...

"Fire!" Zevran screamed, the remaining darkspawn streaming away from the palace forecourt. The last thing Leask saw was Alistair, shielding her body with his. Her last thought as her eyes closed was she had told Zevran to stop Alistair getting anywhere near the Arch Demon. Why did nobody listen to her?