03. THE OLD DAYS
By dawn the Grey Wardens had prepared themselves for the journey to Denerim where they would consult King Alistair on how to proceed next. They thanked Arl Eamon for his hospitality and proceeded on to the stables to retrieve their steady steeds and head out.
Combing her hand through the steed's manes, Neveah curiously eyed the Commander who saddled up her horse. She had not told her companions what she'd found out last night and neither Neveah nor Nathaniel could deny that they were not curious.
The Commander was anything but dense and she could sense their inquisitiveness, yet she pretended to not take note of it. She grasped onto the rains and pulled herself into the leather saddle, leaning forward to whisper some soothing words into her horse's ear.
Without many words exchanged the three Wardens commenced the journey for Denerim. The Commander had been thinking: seeing as her suspicious were as well as confirmed after her little visit in Redcliffe's tavern, she knew they would need a mage to help them. A mage she could trust.
That brought three names to mind: Morrigan; Anders and Velanna.
While her horse trotted forward she let out a deep sigh, knowing she cross off two of the options. Morrigan had been gone since the night she had slain the Archdemon and Velanna too had disappeared after defeating the Broodmother with help of the Architect.
And that left Anders, a mage who had been labeled as an apostate when she'd met him at Vigil's Keep, now training young mage Grey Wardens. A journey to Vigil's Keep would take a long time, it would be best if word got to him as quickly as possible.
The Wardens passed Lake Calenhad, and Nathaniel gazed up at the mage tower which stood in the centre of it.
"Mages should really be more practical. Why place their tower in the middle of a lake?"
Neveah chucked quietly while the Commander suddenly looked more alert than before.
"We'll have to make a quick stop there, actually – now you mention it." She said completely out of the blue.
Both Neveah and Nathaniel didn't quite follow her, both slowly nodding her head. Then Nathaniel changed his mind and shook his head friskily.
"Why?" He questioned defiantly.
"I need them to send a message to Vigil's Keep." The Commander replied matter-of-factly, descending down the hill and heading for the docks, the others warily following behind her.
First Enchanter Irving was the first to greet the Commander and her companions as they set foot in the Mage Tower.
"Commander of the Wardens, I am delightedly surprised to see you." He said, folding his aged palms around her hands, his eyes creased by the smile that formed on his face.
"First Enchanter Irving, it is very good to see you again." The Commander said politely. "I have come to ask a favour of you." Apprehension chilled over her for a moment, but soon faded as the expression on the First Enchanter's face did not change whilst he nodded his head.
"Anything child, for you are after all the one we have to thank for everything we have." He stated, beaconing the Commander and her companions to look around and take in the fully restored tower, bustling with life again and young apprentices eager to learn. Things had been very different during the blight, the Commander remembered. The First Enchanter owed his life to the Commander, and he knew that too.
"I need someone to send a message for me to Vigil's Keep. I would do it myself but I and my companions are traveling towards Denerim and as you know, Vigil's Keep is not exactly on our route."
Irving nodded his head understandingly. "I will send one of my Tranquils to deliver whatever message you carry."
The Commander squeezed the First Enchanter's hands lightly. "It is important that the Tranquil deliver the message to Anders." when mentioning his name she could see how Irving grew slightly more reluctant. Anders had always had trouble with the Circle of Magi, having escaped numerous amounts of times and being captured over and over again. "Tell Anders that the Commander of the Warden needs his aid in Denerim and that is of great urgency. Can you do this for me, Irving?"
"You know how I think of Anders after all he has done and all he has gotten away with.." The First Enchanted said grimly. "But for you, Commander – I'll make the arrangements."
"Thank you very much, Irving. I do not mean to be rude but we must be on our way. I am indebted to you."
After their little detour they continued toward Denerim. The blue sky had been broken by orange and red, the night was nearing. It should not take much longer before they'd catch sight of the familiar front gates of the capital city of Fereleden. The Commander could feel her heart steadily beating in her chest. It had been a long time since she'd rode through these woods, through a place that seemed completely untouched from all the evil that still remained. Everything here was peaceful, it was a sanctuary.
"So, are you you ever going to tell us what you learnt when you snuck out of the castle last night?" Nathaniel Howe questioned as he rode beside her, his gaze gripping onto hers, refusing to let go unless she answered him.
"I asked a few villagers some questions, that is all."
"And?" Neveah asked in a quiet voice, holding he breath.
"I am afraid that what I suspected has been confirmed. We are dealing with some type of abomination. How many? I do not know." She said gravely, keeping her eyes set ahead of them.
The gates were now only a few yards away and guards had already spotted them from afar as a horn sounded loud and clear.
"The Commander of the Grey Wardens and Queen of Ferelden has returned!"
Through the masses of people that had gathered to welcome them to Denerim, one stood out most of all. Clad in golden armor, came King Alistair; his boyish hair having grown longer; his face baring a thin layer of stubble; his eyes glowing and grinning from ear to ear.
Eleanor hopped off of her horse, letting one of the stable boys take him to the royal stables. She darted her way through the loving villagers of Denerim. Finally she had made her way through the sea of people, and cordially greeted her husband.
"My Queen." Was all that Alistair said with the brightest beaming smile.
"It's been a while." Eleanor replied modestly, trying to hide her joy. Of course she could not fully indulge in the exultation of being reunited with her other half, not given the current circumstances.
"Thank the Maker you are home."
The King had invited the Commander and her companions to dine with him that evening. It had not escaped him that one of his wife's trusty comrades was missing and this worried him. Especially seeing as his queen returning to him was a complete surprise to him.
"Now, did I buy all of this beer and wine for nought? Where is Oghren?" Alistair asked, looking around the table. At first, when he hadn't seen him in the crowd he had hoped the dwarf had already made a run for the tavern, but when he wasn't present during dinner he grew worried.
He could sense he'd hit a nerve with all of the Wardens, watching them stare at their plates silently.
"During our investigation within the Wending Woods, Oghren was taken by what we believe to be an abomination." The Commander answered, putting her utensils down on the table and folding her hands together.
"An abomination? Are you sure?"
"Unless old blacksmith from Redcliffe suddenly went totally mad." She replied. "I recognized him, just not the wicked look in his eyes. I asked around in Redcliffe and everyone said the same thing. He'd been acting strangely, having nightmares, claiming he was being haunted by some sort of demonic force. And then suddenly he'd just lost every fraction of humanity."
Silence filled the dining hall.
"This is a grave matter." King Alistair mumbled, slumping against the back of his chair.
"It is, your highness." Nathaniel Howe agreed. "The Commander has sent for a mage to meet us here in Denerim. We believe the abomination keeps its victims within the Fade."
"I see." Alistair muttered, rubbing his chin pensively.
" 'Tis Anders, he was with me during my time in Vigil's Keep." The Commander clarified. "He should be here within three days. He was always hard to keep up with while traveling." Eleanor couldn't help but chuckle while looking back on he fond memories of her time with Anders. In a way he always reminded her of Alistair, minus the fact that while Eleanor traveled with Alistair, he'd always been trying to woo her – looks like finally it worked.
"Well, of course you are more than welcome to stay here for as long as you like. I will have the maidens set up your chambers." He then coyly glanced at his wife, as if to say: But not for you my dear, I have a special room for you – as in the King's chambers.
The Commander nodded disapprovingly, trying to hide a smile. Even though times like these were difficult, the Wardens always managed to look towards the light.