My eye sight was blurry and my legs were like stone. I was standing in the main hall of my home at Cousland Castle and tears were streaming down my face, sobs wracking my body. In front of me, my whole family was being slaughtered by Howe's guards. Arl Howe was looking on with an amused smile. He turned to me, sneering, "You'll die, just like them." Rage filled me. I wanted to decapitate him, but I couldn't move. I couldn't do anything. I was helpless and my family was dying, their screams swarming my head, clouding everything. Suddenly, I saw Duncan run into the hall, his strong body sprinting toward me and a look of determination in his eyes. He grabbed me and pulled me toward the door and I was screaming and kicking, begging him to let me go, to help me protect my family. And then everything started to fade again. Alistair stood in front of me. We were standing in front of a sunken dome in the middle of the Wilds, "Please wake up, Drovana. Please." He had tears in his eyes and he kept reaching for me but I was involuntarily backing away, moving farther from him. He kept saying it over and over, "Wake up, please. Please, wake up," and I wanted to tell him that I was awake but nothing would come out of my mouth. He kept begging and then suddenly a thin veil of smoke surrounded him and he transformed into Duncan. He stepped forward, Duncan's hulking frame shadowing the sun. He took my hand, looked into my eyes, and said in a soft, nurturing voice, "It's okay. You can wake up now. You have so much to do. Wake up."

And I did.

"Duncan!" My voice croaked and I sat straight up. I looked around, tears clouding my vision. I was in some sort of makeshift hut and there was a tall, thin figure standing near the door. It took me a moment to clear the tears from my eyes and to realize that it was Morrigan standing there. Morrigan? The women from the Wilds? Alistair had taken two other recruits and I into the Wilds before the battle to retrieve some important documents for the Grey Wardens. Morrigan was there, took us to her home where her mother was keeping the scrolls. But why was she here with me? Where was I? Where was Duncan…?

"Ahh you're awake." Morrigan said, cocking her head.

"Where am I? Where is-"

"My mother brought you here after you lit the beacon. It would appear that the army intended to respond to the beacon… quit the field."

It took me a second to collect everything she was telling me. To come to terms with the fact that I had become a Grey Warden and was not at home. That my family was dead. That everything that had transpired recently was not a terrible dream.

"Teyrn Loghain…. quit?" I asked, certain she was lying.

Morrigan nodded flatly and said, "The battle was lost and anyone who didn't run, was slaughtered, including the King."

"Duncan?" I croaked out, "Where is Dunc-"

"Dead. And your friend isn't handling that bit very well."

"My friend? Alistair is alive?!" I jumped up from the bed, realizing instantly that I was mostly naked except for a pair of undergarments covering my bottom half. I drew my arms across my bare chest, blushing under the eyes of Morrigan. She was a beautiful woman, thin and tall and dark haired. She was scantily clad in clothes that hung from her body, barely covering her breasts. I had spent most of my life covered in heavy frocks and dresses. And recently, armor. My body wasn't used to being so bare and in front of a complete stranger. She eyed me with a smirk on her face, "I assure you, it's nothing I haven't seen before." She tossed me a white tunic and I slipped it over my head. It was loose fitting and almost see-through. If I was back home, wearing something like this would cause quite a stir. But now was not the time to care about my reputation.

I adjusted myself, smoothing out my long hair, "Is he… okay?" I asked, inquiring about Alistair. I found myself nervous to see him, to see the state he could be in.

"Your friend, Alistair isn't handling the news of anything very well right now but he is unharmed." Morrigan said, watching me.

"I have to see him."

"He is just outside. My mother would like to speak with you once you have gathered yourself."

"Yes, of course. I would like to thank her for her aid." I said, silently wishing I could just retreat back to the bed and forget everything that had happened. Morrigan nodded, "Yes, well… go on then. I will make us something to eat."

"Thank you, Morrigan." I met her eyes and she cocked an eyebrow like she wanted to say something sarcastic but thought better of it. She settled for a polite, if not slightly awkward, "You are welcome," and I left the hut. I had found myself in the spot I had been not too long ago to retrieve the scrolls from Morrigan's mother. Suddenly my dog was bounding toward me, barking excitedly.

"Maker! You're alive, Victor!" I was practically sobbing. I never even thought to inquire about my dog. I guess I had assumed he had fallen on the top floor of the tower. Victor bounced around me happily and I scratched the back of his ear. I bent down and let him lick my face. He rolled over on the ground and I patted his belly. Victor was the only thing I had left of my family. I was ready to protect him with my life just to hold on to something that could remind me of my life before and keep me going.

"Thank the Maker, you're alive! I was sure you wouldn't make it through…" I heard the deep, smooth voice behind me. I turned and saw Alistair standing a few feet away near the pond. The sad look in his eye struggling to keep a relieved smile on his face. I walked toward him, "I kind of wish I wasn't." I said softly.

Alistair inhaled and exhaled, clearly understanding the feelings inside me at this moment. He shook his head, obviously trying to clear his mind but it didn't work because he said, "They are all dead… Duncan is, Duncan's…"

"I know." I cut him off. It pained me to see the struggle he was going through. His handsome face torn between sadness, regret, and relief to be alive.

"If it weren't for Morrigan's mother we would surely be dead too. None of this seems real. I keep hoping that I am just in a terrible nightmare." Alistair said softly.

The voice of Morrigan's mother was suddenly present, "See? I told you that your Warden friend would be fine." Alistair and I both turned to see the old woman walking toward us from around the hut. She had a proud look on her face but altogether seemed to look the same as she did when we encountered her before the battle. She looked frail and weathered but something inside me told me not to let her looks be deceiving.

"Thank you for rescuing us." I said genuinely.

"Yes," Alistair half-heartedly agreed, "But I have to ask, what is your name? It seems we should know the name of the woman who rescued us."

"Names are pretty but useless." The woman said, a hint of annoyance in her voice, "The Chasind call me Flemeth. I suppose you may as well."

Alistair and I exchanged shocked looks and he spoke first, "The Flemeth?" He asked incredulously, "From the legends?"

"Impossible!" I spoke up, "You're the Witch of the Wilds?" And here was yet another encounter I never dreamed I would have. The Witch of the Wilds was a tale, something used to scare children. She wasn't a real person. And she certainly couldn't have been one who saved soldiers from their deaths.

"Impossible? Well, I suppose it was too much expect real gratitude for saving your lives." Flemeth chided, "Rather than focusing on who I am, you should be asking yourselves why you were betrayed and what you plan to do about it."

I thought back to what Morrigan said in the hut, that Loghain abandoned the battle, letting everyone die. Duncan and the King included. I looked at Alistair who was forming his words carefully. I could see that even after all that had happened, he still trying to be polite, "I don't know why Loghain would do what he did." Alistair said, his voice small but with a hint of edge to it.

"Men's hearts hold shadows darker than any tainted creature," Flemeth said ominously, "He probably believes the Blight isn't a threat at all, that he can out maneuver it. He doesn't see the true evil behind it."

Alistair raised his eyes from the ground and looked at Flemeth, a hint of terror in his eyes and his tone serious, "The Archdemon."

"Okay," I said carefully, "So, we find the Archdemon and we kill it. Then we deal with Loghain."

"Kill it? By ourselves?" Alistair shook his head giving me a look like I was covered in Frogs or warts, "It's not that easy. A Blight needs armies, armies I have no idea how to form. Loghain just made sure that the country is more divided now more than ever. No, it's just… it's not that easy, Drovana."

Flemish gave him a skeptical look, "Do the Grey Wardens not have allies? Surely forming an army would be the proper first step in all of this."

Alistair was mulling things over in his head and I wondered if his head was messier than mine. I wondered then if the two people like us would be capable of anything after having lost so much so quickly. We were two broken people who were suddenly expected to repair the world. It seemed tragic. I was just about to express how hopeless the situation was when Alistair finally spoke, "What about Arl Eamon? His troops weren't at Ostagar. We could appeal to him for help. I know him personally and know that he is a good man. He is surely to have some idea of what to do."

"Alistair," I addressed him carefully. I didn't want to say the wrong thing. I didn't want to say something that would kill this new found hope that was starting to form in him, "We need more than an army from Redcliffe. We are talking about a Blight here."

Alistair looked around, stuck once again inside his head and then spoke suddenly, the small hint of hope in his voice increasing, "The treaties!"

"What about them?" I asked, feeling a chill in the air and realizing that this tunic was doing me no good out here. I crossed my arms to hold in the heat of my own body. Or maybe it was just the chill of uncertainty.

"The Grey Wardens have the power to demand the aid of the elves, dwarves, and mages. It's all written in the treaties we gathered before the battle. If we can convince them that the Blight is a real, true threat…"

"Now you're on to it." Flemeth laughed, "I guess you weren't as much of a fool as I earlier believed."'

Alistair glared at her, "Wow, thanks. You're a true motivator."

I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore their banter, "Well, if we can get these factions together and with the help of the Arl…"

"It would be an army," Flemeth said flatly.

Alistair and I exchanged looks and for the first time I felt strong, like maybe all would not be lost. Alistair must have felt the same thing because he said, "So, let's do it. Let's go to Redcliffe, let's go to the mage's circle and to these other places, let's build an army."

"So it seems you are ready to stop milling about and actually do your duty as Grey Wardens," Flemeth said.

I was at the point where I was done dealing with Flemeth's side ways insults so I spoke as pointedly as I could, "Thank you so much for your help, Flemeth. But we should probably be on our way soon." Just then, Morrigan came out of the hut talking about the stew that was cooking and who was staying for dinner. Flemeth eyed me, seeing though my faux-politeness but giving me a grin.

"My daughter, Morrigan will accompany you." She said and not as a request, but a demand.

Morrigan, Alistair, and I all had the same reaction, "What?!"

Flemeth laughed heartily, "Oh, don't be so dramatic. She will be of use to you, I am sure."

"I don't have a say in the matter?" Morrigan asked, her voice higher than usual. It was clear she wasn't expecting this and well, neither was I.

"Oh calm down, girl. You have been itching to get out of the wilds for years and now here is your chance."

I looked at Morrigan and back at Flemeth, debating how to proceed. I let out a sigh, "Okay, she can come."

"Whoa whoa, what!?" Alistair obviously didn't agree with the decision but the more I thought about it the more I realized how useful it would be to have a mage with us. "Out of the Wilds, she is an apostate! She could get us in a world of trouble." Alistair explained.

"Oh hush, boy. If you can't handle us "illegal" mages, perhaps I should have left you on the tower to die."

Alistair closed his eyes, the stress of everything was obviously taking it's toll, "Point taken." He said, giving up without a fight.

"Okay then, it's decided." I said, trying to rally him but I could see it wasn't working. He was tired, sad, and if he was anything like me, he was finding little hope in our situation. But, we had to be strong and we had to stick together. I needed him to understand that.

Morrigan began to protest more and her and her mother began to argue back and forth. Alistair and I stepped away, letting them workout their quarrel.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Alistair asked, looking down at me. I hated the defeated look in his eyes. He was so handsome and when I first met him in the ruins of Ostagar, I remember thinking how kind his eyes were. How kind he was. And now here I was hoping that all this tragedy didn't change him or take away from his boyish charm. The kindness was still there but half hidden by his sadness. I instinctively reached my hand out to him but pulled back quickly thinking better of it.

"Yes, I think it's a good idea. I mean, what other options do we have?"

He nodded slowly, taking in my words, "I suppose you're right. We need all the help we can get. I just want to make sure we can trust her and if you do, then I do too."

Morrigan approached us just then, "Well it appears I am at your disposal." She said, her tone dripping in irritation as if we had just interrupted her while she was knitting a dress or while she was enjoying afternoon tea.

"Morrigan, I really am glad to have you-"

"Please, spare me the corny sentiments. We should be on our way. I suggest we make a stop to a village not far from here and gather supplies. Unless of course you rather I not offer such ideas. I don't mind standing idly by while you two argue over where to go next."

I let out a laugh, "I assure you that I would much prefer you speak your mind."

It was Flemeth's turn to laugh at that, "You will regret saying that," She teased and Morrigan rolled her eyes before changing the subject by saying, "Well, we should be on our way. Goodbye mother. Please try make sure you take care of yourself while I am away."

"Don't worry about me, girl. There are far more important things you should be concerned about."

Morrigan gave her a curt nod and I could see that she was hurt by the fact her mother could cast her off so easily. But she tried to hide it and for the most part, she hid it well.

And with that we were off. Morrigan led the way, Alistair, Victor, and I followed. I could hear Morrigan muttering curses under her breath and figured it was best to leave her to her thoughts for a little while. I knew all too well it was hard to leave home, to leave the comforts of familiarity.

When we reached a suitable area to camp for the night, both Alistair and I collapsed on the ground with heavy sighs. I heard Morrigan let out a chuckle before saying, "You do know you have to set up camp before you pass out?"

"We thought you could do it for us," Alistair joked, looking up at the stars, "Isn't that why you're here? To make our campsite magically appear with your mage skills?"

I cringed, anticipating Morrigan's retort.

"Oh Alistair, I can assure you that if I had the skill to set up a campsite with the flick of my magic wand, I would instead flick your ass right into that river over there."

Alistair laughed and sat up, "Fair enough. I suppose I should get to work then." And he started unpacking a tent that Morrigan had brought along. I continued to lay there on the ground, looking up at the sky. My body ached. While the walking didn't help any, it seemed that the task ahead of us, the idea of doing all these things and trying to save Ferelden from it's doom was settling into my bones making it seem impossible. So impossible that my body was rejecting it. I needed to not think about these things. I got up and started a fire. Once the flames were licking the air nicely, I rummaged through my pack and pulled out some dried meat, offering up some to the rest of my small party. We all sat there, gazing into the flames not really having a reason to talk or a want to talk and that was okay.

"I'll take first watch," I offered, seeing the sleepy look in Morrigan and Alistair's eyes. Victor was already curled up with himself nearby. Morrigan didn't argue, she simply crawled into her makeshift tent. Alistair moved closer to me though, his eyes still not leaving the fire pit.

"I'm glad we are doing this." He said softly.

I pulled my knees up close to me and rested my head on them, looking over at him, "I get the feeling you might be thinking differently when we are getting our asses kicked on the road."

Alistair laughed, his eyes finally leaving the flames and looked at me, "Well, maybe you will be getting your ass kicked. I am sure I will be the gallant warrior who has to swoop in and rescue you!"

"You wish."

"Yes, yes I do. I need something to prove my manhood, right?"

"Yes, I suppose you do. I will try to faint at the sight of Darkspawn in the future just to help you out a little."

Alistair feigned awe, "So sweet of you." And he paused, thinking for a moment, "But really though, I am glad we are doing this. I think Duncan would be glad to see us still trying."

I turned back toward the fire, "I think he would be too."

Alistair's eyes met mine again and we held the exchange for a moment. The fire lit up his eyes which were already a lighter twinge of hazel. He opened his mouth as if to say something as he studied my face but must have thought better of it. Instead he said, "Well, I should probably get some sleep. I will get next watch."

I watched him stand and move to his bed roll just on the other side of the tent. I couldn't see him through the flames of the fire but I knew he was there and that comforted me. I looked over a Victor, who was letting out soft puppy snores. For now, everything was peaceful and I enjoyed the company I held at the moment, even if Morrigan wasn't keen on being here and Alistair was fighting off the tragedy of losing everything he knew. As the world now stood, this is where I wanted to be, ready to fight for what was right and keep these people safe. I had to try the best I could. Failure wasn't an option.