First things first, I tried to switch a bit the in-game dialogue as well as switching the order of an event or two... I wanted to write more but I think this one is already big as it is so I'll leave it for the next part... also I'd like to make a plea since there seems to be a few people who are enjoying this... every single bit of criticism is appreciated so if you have anything to say, good or bad, if you loved it, if you think it's lacking somewhere or even if you have any ideas, any input is more than welcome. Thanks (: and enjoy.

"Today we save Denerim, today we avenge the death of my brother King Cailan. But most of all, today we show the Grey Wardens that we remember and honor their sacrifice! For Ferelden! For the Grey Wardens!"

Words weren't enough to describe the feeling of seeing Alistair up there, speaking to the troops. I didn't see the templar in training that left to become a Grey Warden or even the fumbling young man trying to confess his love. I saw a King, the rightful heir, and right then and there with just a quick glance at the troops and knowing that thanks to that man, they were more ready than ever for battle, I knew I had made the right decision, no matter what came out of it. The effusive roars of the crowd eventually subsided and a glowing Alistair came down from his place and walked in the midst of all the hails and the dispersing troops.

"How did I do?" he had a big smile plastered on his face.

"Perfectly. See, you can lead." I smiled as well, tapping his arm lightly "And you didn't lose your pants in the process."

"Well it's still pretty early, we have a whole day ahead of us, who knows what might happen to my pants."

There was a light, a fire in his eyes. Despite everything, the pressures and the recent less than welcome revelations, he was fitting right into the role of King, so perfect I couldn't even try to envision it going any other way. Even with his non royal upbringing, I saw nothing but a regal figure before me and my heart was filled to the brim with pride. I never was a firm believer in destiny but this was all too perfect to be true, just like pieces of a puzzle that fit nowhere else but in their designated places. He was to be King, and me? I was more than certain where my path would lead me, as short as it seemed.

I couldn't help but feel slightly scared. Even after spending the past year in constant battle, the tents across the yard, the various factions gathering and preparing for the fight, everything screamed of Ostagar to me. And the fear of failure was an unwelcome but firm presence on my mind.

But those were things that shouldn't cloud my mind, as I was quickly reminded of it by a shadowy figure crossing the red sky. The presence of the Darkspawn was immense and we knew that the time had come to finally meet the horde.

The troops were already gathered and ready as we walked to the front and saw the fiends in the distance. Riordan stepped next to us, gripping his sword and slightly bowing his head.

"It's time."

I nodded in agreement and his powerful voice was heard as he let out a fearsome battle cry, urging the soldiers onwards to meet steel with steel. I ran with full force and clashed my sword against the first Darkspawn head I met, the blood splattering on me and giving me even more strength to battle the next fiend that ran towards my way. The horrid creature's battle axe fell with tremendous brute force towards me but with a swift move I avoided it and let it be buried on the ground. As the creature fumbled with it, trying to desperately remove the weapon, I went to its back and furiously lodged my sword on its neck, blood spilling everywhere when I removed the blade. It was always a strange feeling, almost as if I was detached from reality, to kill and decimate like it was a simple and mindless task, even if it was these soulless beasts.

I took a glance to my side and saw Oghren beheading a fallen Darkspawn, proceeding to spit on the corpse and noticing me looking at him, smiling and turning to swing his axe towards the nearest enemy.

I began to see more and more corpses, a few of our own but many of theirs as well as many running away chased by our men, as the terrible shape of the draconic Archdemon flew above us towards the sky high buildings above. Despite the ominous figure roaming the skies, I couldn't help but smile inwardly at our small victory. We had battled them, as an army, and unlike Ostagar, we not only dwindled their numbers but also managed to chase them away, through the gates. The soldiers were ecstatic, roars of victory filling the air. We were making it... we were actually making it.

I saw Alistair on the far side, covered in blood but also joining the troops in their cheering. Even the midst of the crowd, his eyes managed to search and find mine, with that glow I adored.

Riordan approached me with a smile as well, obviously satisfied with what we had just accomplished.

"Well done my friend, we managed to get to the gates, we are doing much better than I expected. However, the army might not last long."

"You can bet your ass it won't, to say we're outnumbered is an understatement!" Oghren wiped the blood off his axe with his gloves, with an obvious frown clouding his features.

"The dwarf is right. Their numbers might have suffered but so have we and being outnumbered as we are... We should get as quickly as we can to the Archdemon. I suggest you divide your companions, take a few with you and the others should stay here, to help prevent any Darkspawn from breaching the gates."

"I agree Riordan, but how are we supposed to fight that?" I asked, pointing to the tower where the Archdemon had flown to.

"We'll need to reach a high point in the city. The top of Fort Drakon might just do."

"The top of...you actually want to draw the attention of that?" Alistair's voice had some concern in it and I noticed as he finished his sentence, his eyes were drawn towards me.

"We have little choice. However I must warn you that as soon as we engage the beast, it will call all its generals to help it."

It boiled my blood to listen to Alistair in the midst of this conversation. I did not want him to discuss any tactics when it came to slaying the Archdemon, I didn't even want to fathom the idea of him being there for it to happen. And that wasn't going to happen, not if I had any say in it.

"I'll be going to Fort Drakon, with Wynne, Ohgren and Dog" I quickly said and glanced at my chosen companions as they nodded in silent agreement "Sten, you'll be leading here and hold off the gates. We can't afford to have the Darkspawn breaching them."

I knew very well he was going to protest but my decision was made and I was most determined not to let him go with me to Fort Drakon. Our destinies were set, I was to rid Ferelden of the Archdemon, in case Riordan failed, and Alistair was to rule the kingdom back to its former glory. I wouldn't have it any other way.

"One of them can stay here, I'm going with you." there was determination in his eyes but I could not accept it. No. This was my decision.

"You're staying here. You're more needed here than up there, I can hold my own. I've told you before..." I leaned towards him and lowered my voice "...this is not your decision."

"Riordan, excuse us for a second." he pulled me aside, leaving the older Warden a bit bewildered as this really wasn't the time or place for private conversations. He lowered his head and whispered to me "You know damn well you're not going up there without me."

I removed my gloves and held his face between my hands, caressing his skin and cherishing the touch "My love... no matter what happens, you know what I feel. Don't you?"

"Don't. Save that for later. I won't leave you, ever. So I want you to promise me the same." his eyebrows furrowed and his eyes pleaded for my promise, which never came as Riordan, to my relief, interrupted us.

"Excuse me, my friends. I apologize for interrupting but I sense two Darkspawn generals. You may wish to seek them out before you head to the Archdemon, no matter who you take with you. It is your choice, it may help you greatly in the final battle or it may simply help to reduce our troops' numbers."

"Where are these generals?"

"Wait..." Riordan stopped for a moment and closed his eyes, frowning and pursing his lips for what seemed like an eternity, before finally facing me "The Alienage and the Market District."

I bit my lip and avoided Alistair's gaze. I knew what to do and I would not let him nor anyone stop me.

"I'll take the Alienage's General with Dog and Oghren. Alistair will go to the Market District with Wynne."

I finally looked at him and saw his fists clenching, he was desperate to try and dissuade me from what I was doing but he knew it was impossible.

"And we'll meet at Fort Drakon." I stared intently into his eyes and deep down, I believe he knew exactly what my plan was. The Elven Alienage was much closer to the Fort, I was bound to get there first and to reach the dragon. But he couldn't protest, not now. We did not have the time. He grasped my hand and kept looking at me until I finally let go of him and started getting ready to go through the gates. Once again, I looked back to him and silently formed the words that I knew he wanted to hear. A small glimmer of hope for him, I thought.

I'll wait for you.

Looking at the corpses lying around us, I could still hear Leliana's voice in my head. She would gladly fight by my side until the end... and I knew she wasn't the only one. Who was I, to inspire this much loyalty in people? Only a year ago I was simply a young spoiled noble girl, whose only cares in life were to keep her Mabari hound away from the larder and to hide all those seedy novels that were so amusing and unintentionally hilarious from her maids. Improper literature for such a young lady, my mother would say. But where was all the fun in the proper stuff?

A year ago, I was nothing more than just another soon to be lady. Now? I was a warrior who did not hesitate in battle and who was inspiring to the point of making others want to fight beside her, even if that meant their deaths. I did not recognize myself as the little young Cousland girl anymore, those memories seemed so distant... all the blood on my armor, as disgusting as it might be, was a reminder of all that I had been through, all of my growth and hardships that I overcame as well as the dearest of friends I made. I could not have wished for a more fulfilling life. Not with all the people I met along the way. It truly is the journey that counts.

A deep and terrifying roaring snapped me out of my thoughts, making all of us look into the sky. The Archdemon was soaring the skies, a darkened mass flapping gigantic blackened wings that menaced to cover the entire kingdom with their shadow. As the dragon flew past a tower, I saw another smaller figure running in that same building, a glint of mail in it, suddenly jumping and landing on the beast's back, slashing the shrieking fiend with its blade. Riordan. It was the Warden Riordan and my heart skipped a beat to see such an act, finally starting to believe that things would truly go as planned and that everything would be just as we hoped it would afterwards.

The dragon roared with pain and seemed to lose control, blue menacing fire spewing from its gaping maw and its wings flapping around uncontrollably, desperately trying to be rid of the pest that insisted on slashing its back, ending up going against one of the towers that stood on fire.

Everyone stood with mouth agape looking upwards as Riordan's small figure clung to the creature's wing, sliding once more into its back, simply clinging to his sword. Another slash and more blood spilling but the sword slid down the beast's spine until it had no more flesh to rip and the dragon fell high above in Fort Drakon. A small figure fell from the infinite sky to the ground, as if it were nothing more but a ragdoll.

The Archdemon was wounded but not dead, I could feel it. But Riordan... despite all the bravery in his actions he had failed and it finally dawned on me. My journey, as marvelous as it had been, was nearing its end. I knew now, more than ever, what to do, what my purpose in this life was. To finish what the older Warden began. To stop the Blight. No matter what the consequences were.

I was, as strange as it seems, relieved to find a horde of Darkspawn within the fort. It meant that we had gotten there first and if we were lucky enough, we would reach the top before Alistair could reach us. After battling our way upwards, when we entered the yard, the air smelled of death and acid. I felt exactly like when I had my first nightmare due to the taint... a slithering presence hissing in my senses, although now it was very real and right in front of me. This was no mechanized battle, this was everything I had prepared for. The three of us joined forces against the beast, doing our best to avoid the scalding fire of its breath as well as the tail that swept through the ground in swift and quick movements. We managed to hold our own, battling a few weakening fiends before some of our troops arrived, just in time as Oghren slid off of the dragon's back, skillfully avoiding one fiery breath and running towards us. After an exhausting fight, the beast stood before us, weakened and ready for the taking. I gripped my sword's handle, drawing one last breath and digging my feet into the ground. I believe I've heard Alistair' voice screaming my name as I started running towards the dragon. It all became a blur then, something as simple as my own steps feeling ethereal and unreal. I took advantage of the dragon's position and slid on my knees, lifting my sword and slashing its belly as the blood rained upon me as if it was one final curse. The head of the fiend fell with tremendous force right next to me, dark and thick blood pooling around. Life still pulsed through the unholy shell so I raised my sword above my head, gathered every single ounce of strength within me and plunged it on its head, smalls specks of light flickering through the wound and finally turning into pulsing rays of blinding light. I could feel... something... forcing its way within me, rushing through my veins and pouring itself out of every single pore in my body. My fingers were ablaze, something that felt like jolting shocks of electricity pulsing through my sword and into them. But I did not let go. I couldn't. This was the end and I was not giving up now. The light was getting more and more bright, until I saw nothing but pure white. I heard voices, my name, but they sounded like they were buried... submerged... far away.

I didn't feel restrained by the prison of flesh that once enveloped me but even so I felt warm... that familiar feeling... home. And those two strange figures that stood before me... Mother! Father!

I hugged them both, clinging to them with desperation, the warmth feeling so familiar and the smell on my mother's hair... of apples and roses. I was crying and yet I did not feel the wetness of my tears, only the sobbing movements of my chest.

"Don't cry pup."

"Father! I did it! I saved Ferelden! And now I'm here, back with... both of you!"

"We are proud my child." my mother's smile felt like sunshine.

"But this is not your time. Not yet, pup."

I was confused. I had slain the Archdemon, I had plunged myself into death. That had been the cost to kill the beast and I had willingly gone through with it.

"We will meet again my dear. But it's still early..." my father ran his fingers through my hair "...you still have much to live. We love you."

Their figures and the warmth began to fade. The smell lingered on my nostrils for a while before it disappeared as well. And then only the darkness. The pain and the discomfort of the stone floor on my body was too much to bear, my eyelids were heavy and I could barely try opening them. The sounds... muffled... slightly becoming clearer...

"Wynne! Wynne! She's waking up!"

Yup, not quite the end :D what was to become only a series of snippets got way out of hand, turned into a monster really and now I can't do anything but write it :p but oh well... we'll see how it goes. Hope you enjoyed.