I am moving the story at a fast pace right now, but it will slow down soon. There will be plenty to read. As always enjoy the story!
Josephine~
The nobles are arriving and gathering in the great hall. I felt on edge being in Denerim. Especially when Zevran was not by my side. He was assisting with training some of the recruits. I have to find Alistair, speaking of the orc. "Alistair! May I have a word with you?" I request. We walk down a hall to a secluded area. We stand in an akward silence. "It is done. I won't have you dying anytime soon. I do not wish to relive it but I do not regret what I did. She assured me that this was to save you and then she will dissappear forever. I am fine, don't worry." he caressed my cheek. I hugged my friend, hoping it wouldn't be the last.
Eamon needed to speak with Alistair before we entered the hall. So Leli joined me. She seemed so happy. There was a brightness to her smile and an extra bounce in her step. "Thats a pretty earring." she eyed it suspiciously. "You look happier than usual, especially since we are marching to our deaths." I replied. "I think we both have some good news to share! Come let us speak privately." Again I walked down a side hall. Leli looked like she was about to burst. I gestured for her to say or ask, "So you and Zevran? You finally shared a passionate night?" She grinned. "No but we did share our first kiss. I was ready to give myself to him, but he wants to wait. To believe that we have a future. He doesn't want to make love out of desperation. So instead he spent the night getting to know more about me." Leli looked dissappointed. "But he did propose!" That did it. She squeeled and jumped up and down. Then she embraced me tightly. "I am so happy for you sister. You deserve happiness. I hope you will be around to be an aunt to the heir of Ferelden?" She asked. "Your pregnant? How? When? Congratulations!" I hugged her again. "Does Alistair know yet?" She shook her head no. "I don't want to get his hopes up if we don't survive this." I kissed her cheek and wiped away a stray tear. We walked back over toward the group.
Zevran has rejoined us and so has Alistair. We enter the hall unsure of what is to come.
I hacked and slashed away at the soldiers trying to kill me. We collected enough evidence to sway the nobles in my favor. Even after Anora's outburst against me, the little snake. Loghain had enough man power to fight us. He was currently fighting Zev. I heard him cry out as his blade caught my Zev! That was enough for me. I fought like I was the Archdemon. I put down everything in my sight. Loghain never saw me coming. I came down hard with my sword, it sliced through his fighting arm. It wasn't severed but he was no longer able to swing a weapon. I hear yelling but it is so far away. I see red and I continue to hack at the man that would hurt my love! My sword is gone now I don't know where it went. So I resort to hand to hand combat. Loghain is no longer fighting but I continue my assault.
I am pryed off of him, I lash out at the person only to be restrained further. I can hear sweet whispers in my ear. A familiar scent wafts to my nose. "Zev?" I finally come to my senses. I am in Zevran's arms on the floor. Alistair is standing between us and Loghain, whom is barely conscious. "Everything is fine my love. No more fighting, enough." He continues to rock me. Wynne is there checking me for wounds. I hear her say "There is so much blood. Where is it coming from?" "Does anything hurt?" Leli asked with a panicked voice. I listen to my body, only the pain of physical exertion. "No, I think she is fine. This blood is not hers. Isn't that right my warden?" I look up at him. "I am fine. Please Wynne help Zev. I saw him get hurt." I was finally allowed to stand.
"Why is he till breathing?" I demanded. "I begged them to not kill him. We could use him alive. We could make him a warden and send him to fight the Archdemon. Make him pay for his misdeeds against Ferelden." Riordan claimed. "There is no guarantee that he will survive the Joining." Alaistair points out. "Please do not kill my father. He is a good man." Anora begs. Everyone turns to me looking for answers. I look at Alistair, we already have a way out in place. "What say you Alistair?" He thinks for a moment.
Then he stands in front of Loghain. Loghain is standing and has been healed enough to understand that his fate is being decided. He looks into Alistair's eyes. "Loghain you are charged with the deaths of King Calian, Duncan, and several soldiers. You are found guilty, their fate is your fate." Anora starts to cry and her father soothes her. Then he gathers up some dignity, "I did want what is best for the kingdom. I didn't know it would end this way. Do what you must." With that Alsitair swung his blade forward and Loghain's head fell to the floor. It was like a geyser of blood had erupted in the room. It covered nearly everyone including Anora who sat there horrified. Eamon did not waste time telling me to pick a ruler. I annouced that Alistair would be King. He gave an amazing speech that helped rally the troops.
I retired to my chamber feeling numb. Zev got us a bath and then went to sleep. I awoke as dawn was just peeking over the horizon. I lay there enjoying a moment of peace with Zev. Which was interruted by Sten banging on the door. It was time to end this blight.
Our armor and weapons had been shined and repaired. We moved to join the group outside. Darkspawn were already headed for the gates of Denerim. Alistair is barking out orders. It makes me happy to see him finally coming into his own. Taking charge and commanding respect. He will be a wonderful King and Leli a beautiful Queen. I smiled at the thought of the new heir already growing in my sister. I stopped before reaching the crowd. I turned to Zev, "I need you to stay here." "NO, absolutely not! I will be by your side no matter what." he argued. "Zev I need you to stay behind. I will be very well protected. Alistair will be there, Wynne, Sten, and Ohgren. I need you here. Be my General." I pleaded. "No. The one thing I hold near and dear to my heart needs me. What is there here for me?" I thought a moment. "I need someone I trust to protect Dunc, Leli, and Morrigan." I stated. Zev looked puzzled. "Zev, Morrigan must live so I can live and she carries an inncoent life. Dunc is like my baby. I do not have to explain that." "Okay well why Leliana?" he asked. "Leliana carries the future of Ferelden. She is with chld, the Theirin line will live on!" I smiled. Zev looks awestruck. "I will do it for you my love. For us!" We share a kiss so fiery the world falls away. And then the moment is over and I must part from my love.
As our group takes it's leave I glance back one last time. Zevran is smiling, he blows me a kiss that warms my heart.
We come to a group of darkspawn ahead of the horde. We fight and push forward. The Archdeom flies over head. Riordan is on top of it trying to kill it. He slips and shreds the wing. The dragon is forced into a crash landing on the tower. We all are forced to watch as Riordan falls to his death. I feel tears forming but I refuse to let them loose. "Onward!" I shout. The onslaught has been going on for hours. It feels like it will never end. Then Alistair picks me back up, Wynne dusts me off, and Sten pushes me forward. We head to the Alienage to help them. An elf named Shianni is leading them. She is very brave, she would make a good dalish warrior. If she survives this I'll speak to her about it. I rush to Alistair's aid. I fight with him as darkpawn overwhelm us. A massive blast helps us. Wynne looks exhausted. We need to get to the top of the tower. That is the last sighting of the Archdemon. This needs to end, NOW!
"We need to move, everyone is worse for wear. I don't know how much longer we can keep this up. Killing the dragon will end this." Alistair nods to me, "Let's move it men. To the tower." He commanded. With the last orc slain we start our ascent into the tower.
Down at the Gates of Denerim
Zevran~
"Are you alright?" I asked Leliana. She shakes her head yes. I help her to her feet. It is a bit distracting to try and protect these three but I promised Josephine. I scan the area, Morrigan transforms into a massive spider. Leliana resumes throwing knives. Dunc has just ripped the face off of a darkspawn. I use my battle cry to make them come to me. Draw the attention away from my three wards. It works and I lead them away. I funnel them through a narrow passage and the soldiers make light work of them.
I hear Dunc whine, I rush to his aid. "I need a mage, here NOW!" I hollered. A young man comes over quickly applying salves and wound stitches itself shut and Dunc is running and killing again. I follow his lead and charge into the group. I am struck by an arrow so hard I am knocked on my arse. The world is spinning. I see something blocking my view. Standing over me is Dunc. He kills anything that gets too close. He barks loud enough that my ears start to ring. Morrigan is there holding my head and performing a spell. Leliana and Dunc are covering us. With the arrow removed and the wound gone I return to the battle.
Josephine~
There is a flame in my heart and it burns bright with the last memory of Zev. His smiling face calls to me. I fight to get back to that, to help Alistair get back to Leli and their child. With each step we are closer to a brighter future. We get to a landing just to have the air knocked out of me. An ogre is there waiting. Eager to end us for it's master. ROOOOOOOOOAAAAAARRRRR! The archdemon is waiting at the top. This despicable creature stands in my way. "CHARGE!" I scream. We take it by surprise and stab our blades and spells into thing practically explodes from all of the activity. Before this moment We were covered in flesh and blood. But now we are unrecognizable. I could not care less.
We run up the last set of stairs. We run through an arch way at the top and behold the creature we are looking for. The Archdemon is radiating anger. It is like a tidal wave crashing against us. It's wing is destroyed so it cannot get away. "For Ferelden!" Alistair calls out. All the soldiers surge forward. Everyone, the elves, dwarves, mages, and templars working toward the same goal. The dragon called out to it's minions. Darkspawn are spilling out of the stairway. The Archdemon chomps and stomps our men to death. They seem to have the upper hand. "Work together, Forget your differences and fight as a team!" I command them. A templar runs to help a mage, an elf saves a human.
We are finally pushing them back. But the Archdemon just looks angrier. I need to think. How can we take down such a big foe? Thats when I notice the balistas. I run with all my energy. I push it into just the right spot. I pull the lever back and fire! It is a direct hit knocking the beast over. It seems almost dazed. I quickly reload and fire again. "Don't worry Warden I've got this. Leave it to good ol' Oghren." and just like that I am pushed aside. I hurry back to the center searching for Alistair. He is on the ground weaponless. Darkspawn surround him. I charge in I disembowel the first two and decapitate the third. "Wynne." I call out. I kneel beside Alistair. He is holding his side and blood is coming out of his mouth. I put pressure on the wound. I am joined by Wynne. She hands me a poultice. Then she calls upon the spirit she harbors within for strength. Her eyes glow white and the bleeding stops. I quickly apply the poultice. Alistair cries out. He appears exhausted and weak. His eyes flutter closed, "No Alistair. Open your eyes. We need you. Ferelden needs you!" His eyes open slightly but he slumps over futher. His breath is shallow. Wynne firmly grips my arm, almost painfully. Her eyes glow and her voice echos. "Finish this. End the blight and save us!" She then releases me and I stagger backwards.
I struggle to my feet and look at the scene before me. So much death, innocent lives lost. But we aren't done yet. I can do this. "Men get to the balistas! Aim it at the dragon everyone else defend them. Work together!" I command them. Soon they are doing what I said. The Archdemon is getting weaker. I stood several feet from the Archdemon. I lift my sword and start towards the dragon. I cut down darkspawn as I pass them. The plan was slowly working but they were being overwhelmed. I use the last of my energy and lift my weapon over my head, and run.
The Archdemon lifts its ugly head and roars at me. Just then Oghren makes a direct hit causing it to drop its head. NOW! I move with swiftness and determination. Once I am in position I swing down severing the dragon's head from its' body. There was a bright flash and then nothing.
The Archdemon is slain and the blight is over. The darkspawn started their retreat. Many are dead but many more are alive. It will take time but Ferelden will heal and renew.
Josephine~
Whoa my head hurts. My whole body feels so heavy, where am I? "Don't move. You are still healing. I was so worried about you. I feared the worst. I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you Joise." Alistair sniffled. I opened my eyes, "I am fine. Did everyone make it? Is everyone accounted for?" I asked afraid to hear the answer. "Let's worry about you first. Then when you can walk you can find out for yourself. I know that is what you truly want to do." Wynne laughed. "You made it Wynne! I was so worried about you. Last time I saw you, well you were glowing. I am happy to see that you survived." She just smiled. Silently we both knew she didn't have much time left in this world. I would take what ever time she could give me.
Wynne worked throught the rest of the night. Alistair would show up with updates. By the next morning I was able to walk. So I went in search of my companions. Sten and Oghren were drinking together. Reliving their battles of the previous night. I needed to find Leli and make sure the royal line still existed. I found her attending the wounded. But she was in near perfect health and so was her unborn child. I sighed in relief at the will tell Alistair as soon as everyone is taken care of.
She told me that Morrigan was in one piece when she left here. But that she was gone. It made me sad to not say goodbye, but it is for the best. Dunc had been by my side since I awoke. He was now occupying nearby children. He is the best mabari anyone could have ever had. Alistair was easy to find. He was giving orders and helping the injured. Our King has finally arrived! I continued my search there is only one face I need to see. I spoke with everyone trying to locate my love. After an hour I became scared and frantic. I had returned to the castle in hopes that Zev would return there as well. Another hour passes. Finally the scouts I sent out returned.
"We scoured the land for him my lady. This is all we found." I was handed a glove. It is one of the dalish made gloves I gave to Zev. It was damaged and a finger tip was missing. He is gone? Zev and I don't get our future together? Everything I wanted and needed was gone. "Thank you. That is all." dismissed them. "I am so-," "No, I said that is all. thank you." With that I left the room to be alone in my grief. But it was short lived. Alistair believed we needed to celebrate our victory. It would help the people heal. I agreed with him. So I put my feelings aside to help my friends.
So by night fall there was loud music, lots of food, and dancing. It did boost the spirits of the villagers. Food was delivered to the injured and immobile. Music was played to them and everyone rejoiced. Leli managed to put me in a forest green gown. I was told many times how beautiful I looked. I wanted none of it. Alistair pushed me to eat, he pushed me to dance, and he pushed me to be happy. "Enough Alistair! Just leave me alone. I feel like you are suffocating me!" I walked away from him. No one seemed to understand my pain. Yes we all lost so much. But the one thing I fought for, I couldn't save. It is all my fault he is gone. I should have taken him with me. I shouldn't have left him behind! I step out into the cool night air. I am headed toward the stables. I do not go in I stand there looking at the night sky.
I pull his glove from my corset and smell it. I can still smell him. Thats when I break. I drop to my knees clutching the glove to my heart, as I scream into the empty sky. I don't know how long I screamed but my voice gave out. I sat upon my knees rocking back and forth, sobbing. I am all alone, without Zev there is nothing left to live for.
Did you like this chapter? Please review!
