A Talking To

Loghain glanced at the Warden's tent. Ever since she'd set up the tent, Julaan had hidden inside. Part of him wanted to ridicule the child for acting like a hormonal teenager. But another part of him reminded him that she was grieving, just like when he and Maric had when Rowan had died. The man she'd loved had walked out of her life.

The other part of him flared at up at the thought of Alistair. A bastard who'd wanted revenge for the death of the other Wardens.

Wouldn't you have done the same though? He wanted to kill you especially for killing Duncan.

Lelianna, the Orlaisian bard, had explained to him that Alistair had seen Duncan as a father figure. One who'd never abandoned him. In his eyes, Maric hadn't given a damn about him, Eamon had cast him into the Chantry at the insistence of that bitchy Orlaisian fishwife. The Grey Wardens will have been the only place where he'd have felt welcome.

Why then did Julaan spare me, then? She knows I can atone this way, my strategic mind is of use. But why sacrifice the man she loves for me?

Loghain made up his mind and made his way to her tent. She needed to be strong, be an example. The men will want to see their hero ,strong and determined, not broken and depressed. Then Wynne intercepted him.

"And where do you think you're going?" She asked, spite in her voice.

"To talk some sense into Julaan and pass her something to eat."

"Leave her be. We don't want our general to be turned into cinders."

"I deserve it. So I'll risk it." Was his retort as he sidestepped her and opened the tent flap.

Inside there was a bundle curled up in the bedroll. It twitched as a blanket was pulled over Julaan's head. Putting the package of food to one side, he tried to tug the blanket off. A pair of hands kept it in place.

"Sod off before I set your arse on fire." Came the stone-cold threat. It was a tone he recognised when her and Howe had gotten into an argument, when he'd confronted Eamon at the Redcliffe estate. Part of it reminded him of Rowan, always standing her ground.

"Well, you're going to have to. Here eat up, you'll need your strength and try to act strong for the men. The last thing they want to see is you mopping."

"I'm not hungry. Now go Loghain." He finally succeeded in removing the blanket, he chucked the bundle of food into the mage's arms.

"I'll go when you've had something to eat." Reluctantly she sat up, opened the bundle and began chewing on some dried meat. After a few minutes of silence, Loghain asked her an question.

"Why? Why chose me over him?"

"I don't want to talk about it. Later when the Archdemon's dead or we're in it's stomach. There I've ate something, now go if you're fond of keeping your backside." Loghain acknowledged the order and threat and left. Outside Wynne feigned surprise that he wasn't on fire. Deep down Loghain knew he couldn't really stay much longer in the camp before he strangled someone. So he went to the outskirts, eventually finding a clearing among the trees.

From Teryn to Regent to Warden. An interesting day. The Maker certainly has it in for me. But at least I'm getting a second chance, if there's a chance of sacrifice then I'll take it. I have to pay with my life for what I've done.

Then a slight tingling began in his blood. At first he startled, but then remembered what Riordan had told him. He was most proberly sensing Julaan now. Though over time the tingling worsened.

Darkspawn? No, the Alarm would have been raised back at camp. Perhaps this is normal…

Then he remembered something else, Riordan said he'd have trouble sensing individual wardens or darkspawn at first. And he remembered that just as a sword rested against his neck.

Ahh, the Bastard's smarter than he looks.

"This ends right here."

"Hello Alistair. Not out of Fereldan I see."

"Why would I leave if you're still alive?" Slowly Loghain stood up and faced the young Warden. Alistair's eyes were no longer the calm topaz, but now blazing with anger.

He's definitely Maric's son.

"You do know if you're here. Julaan will sense you. So I'd advise you just get it over with."

"Oh so you want to die. Then why go though the joining? Why not refuse?"

"I was resigned to my fate. If she chose death, then I would've embraced it. But she chose that I end up somewhere in a deep pit surrounded by Darkspawn. That is what happens to most Wardens from what I've been told. Either way I die, at least this way I can atone…" Suddenly the sword came closer.

"You can't atone for what you've done. The amount of people you killed by quitting the field in Ostagar, the bloody Civil war, letting the blight ran rampant. You can't clean the blood off your hands." Hissed Alistair, then his face became alert, as if he'd sensed something.

"Julaan's coming isn't she? You best kill me and run, if that's what you want. But before you do. Know this, she regrets her decision. She's been in her tent all night crying. You do this and she'll know the Alistair she cared for is gone."

"She stopped caring about me, when she chose you over me!" In the distance Loghain could hear the rustle of leaves. She was close, she could hear them now. Then she came crashing into the clearing.

"Alistair! No! Don't kill him!" She yelled, panting heavily for breath.

"He killed all the Wardens, he killed Duncan!" The former Templar seemed to be struggling now, trying to ignore Julaan's pleas. He stepped closer, his hand shaking.

"Ali… please don't do this. I can't let you." Julaan gently brushed the sword away and stood in-between the two men.

"Duncan was like a father to me. The only person who acted like one to me. You know why I'm doing this. You can't expect me to let him walk away free. Neither do I expect you to be the type to stand by and let your father die." Something in Julaan seemed to snap.

"You're right about that! I wouldn't and didn't stand by and let someone kill my father. " A mask of confusion spread over Alistair's face.

"Julaan! You never knew your father. You told me yourself, you were raised in the Chantry…"

"Oh you are so dense at times."

"Well go on spell it out for me!" The two younger Wardens were so busy yelling at each other they didn't notice the rest of their party run into the clearing.

"Fine! Loghain's my father!"

Immediately silence fell apart from a clatter as everyone dropped their weapons and their jaws fell open. Julaan cringed as she realised everyone was in the clearing. Eventually the others gathered enough control to all yell one word.

"WHAT!?"

And on that Bombshell, ladies and gentlemen, I bid you good night! (Jeremy Clarkson)

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