Last of Their Line: Ser Gilmore

The first Blight had already raged for 90 years. The world was in chaos. A god had risen, twisted and corrupted. The remaining gods of Tevinter were silent, withdrawn. What writing we have recovered from those times is filled with despair, for everyone believed, from the greatest archons to the lowliest slaves, that the world was coming to an end.

At Weisshaupt fortress in the desolate Anderfels, a meeting transpired. Soldiers of the Imperium, seasoned veterans who had known nothing their entire lifetimes except hopeless war, came together. When they left Weisshaupt, they had renounced their oaths to the Imperium. They were soldiers no longer: They were the Grey Wardens.

The Wardens began an aggressive campaign against the Blight, striking back against the darkspawn, reclaiming lands given up for lost. The Blight was far from over, but their victories brought notice, and soon they received aid from every nation in Thedas.

They grew in number as well as reputation. Finally, in the year 992 of the Tevinter Imperium, upon the Silent Plains, they met the archdemon Dumat in battle. A third of all the armies of northern Thedas were lost to the fighting, but Dumat fell and the darkspawn fled back underground.

Even that was not the end.

The Imperium once revered seven gods: Dumat, Zazikel, Toth, Andoral, Razikale, Lusacan, and Urthemiel. Four have risen as archdemons. The Grey Wardens have kept watch through the ages, well aware that peace is fleeting, and that their war continues until the last of the dragon-gods is gone.

-From Ferelden: Folklore and History, by Sister Petrine, Chantry scholar.

As they walked out, Aedan closed the door behind him and grabbed his sister by the arm.

"What was that all about?" He sneered.

"What ARE you doing?" Elissa jerked away from him.

"Looking out for you. What business do we have with the Grey Wardens?! Now I understand how much they're respected here and in Orlais, but I don't want you to fight darkspawn all your life."

Elissa took his point, but was not swayed the slightest. "I am WELL aware of that, thank you, dear brother. Still, you're telling me that to join the Wardens isn't a honor? To be someone people look up to in the world?"

"Elissa, I understand how well of a fighter you've become, but you're a noble. Duty to the king and the family should come first in all matters before you gallop off with the Wardens."

"Yes, I-well-don't tell me for a second you aren't intrigued by them. Look at Duncan. He has an aura of a men taking on a horde of darkspawn a hundred times over."

Aedan cocked a brow. "Are you...interested in him...or the Wardens?"

"I...WHAT?! Oh, how-UGH!" She stormed off up the path.

"Hey, Elissa. That wasn't a yes or no." He ran after here.

"Aedan, get lost. I cannot believe you - for the Maker's sake, he's much older than me. How could you be so -"

"Well, you said it like you were-"

"Aedan, you're such a -"

"Milady, milord. There you both are." A familiar voice said, ceasing the argument before it caught fire on oil and spread. Ser Gilmore came up beside them. In addition to wearing the standard chainmail armor of the Highever Knights, he was one of the few distinguished men with red hair and a good sword-hand in service to the Teyrn. His longsword was sheathed over his back, as was the tradition of all bearing arms in Thedas.

"I would have seen you two sooner, but your mother told me the Teyrn had summoned you both, so I didn't want to interrupt."

"Oh, hello to you too, Ser Gilmore." Elissa greeted him, temporarily regaining his pose.

"Uh, why are you're looking for us, Ser Gilmore?"

"Actually, I was looking for you, Lord Aedan."

"Oh? How come?"

"Well, pardon my manners, my lord. It's simply that I've been looking all over the castle for you."

His tone suggested whatever was up was not good in the slightest. Nevertheless..."Ser Gilmore, it can't be that bad."

He lifted a brow. "I think you may want to hold onto that thought, my lord."

Elissa turned to leave, but Aedan stopped. '"Hold it. Where do you think you're going, sister?"

"Pardon me, but this is your business, not mine."

"This won't take long...alright, Ser Gilmore. What's happened?"

Gilmore pointed behind him with his right thumb. "I fear you hound has the kitchens in uproar once again. Nan is threatening to leave."

Now Aedan knew it was bad. "Oh, no. Did the dog get into the larder again?"

Gilmore nodded. "No matter how the maids try to keep him out, he always finds a way in."

"Doesn't you dog know better by now? If I were his -"

"Hold it. Hold it! Remember five years ago, when Father brought him to Highever as a pup for our birthdays along with that gold necklace from that grouchy dwarf merchant of Orzammar, he asked both of us who wanted what? You wanted the necklace; I wanted the mabari. Remember that? Everyone, including me and you, was surprised when he imprinted me as his master. You even said you didn't like mabari hounds."

"I know what I said back then, but he isn't all like I saw or heard as a little girl. He grew on me. You just got lucky is all."

Aedan was dismayed at his sister's recently announced affection of his hound. "This, from the girl who screamed bloody murder when he ripped up grandmother's silk red dress while you were trying it on."

Elissa winced. "Okay. Minus that one incident, he's a good dog...occasionally."

Ser Gilmore interceded, but politely than Howe did. "Well, you know these mabari hounds. They only listen to their masters; anyone else risks having an arm bitten off."

Aedan looked at Gilmore with the 'Really? Really?' look. "He's knows better than to hurt anyone."

Ser Gilmore shook his hands in refusal. "I'm not willing to test that."

"You don't have to do that; remember what happened two summers ago with Bann Sighard's niece?" Elissa said.

Aedan raged up. "Hey, don't pin that on Barkspawn; Father specifically warned Sighard not to bring those huckleberries from his garden; that mabari was all over them in the blink of an eye, and hopefully young Hilda has her...uh, forgot it. That is not a good memory."

"Depends on who you ask. I found it hilarious." Elissa chuckled lightly. "And speaking of hilarious, what in Andraste's name made you name the mabari 'Barkspawn'?"

Aedan smiled. "I know it sounds silly, but that is was he was like as a puppy: he barked a lot. I know he kept many a man and woman up at night, but he made more than a handful of burglars and thieves screw up in their planned heists due to the constant and repeating howling, right? Plus, he made sure a few of them need tailors. The name just...came to me, and it stuck."

"So you great creative mind took the name 'darkspawn', moved the first letter two letters up in the alphabet, and that's the name you gave to you mabari?" Elissa mocked her brother on his dog's identity.

"What would have called him? 'Damned fiend of the Fade?' "Gluttonous Mutt?'" He asked.

"How about 'Dog'? Or "Maric?'" She thought.

"Nah. Too simple." Aedan said.

"It is a unique name that most suits your mabari's personality...though he hasn't improved with time on the 'annoying cooks' thing, my lord." Gilmore interjected.

"Yes, yes. I know. Thank you." Aedan said, very much knowing, without the presence of constant reminders, how naughty his hound was when it came to food.

Ser Gilmore proceeded further. "Well, you're quite lucky to have your own mabari war hound, you know. Smart enough not to talk, my father use to say. Of course, that means he's easily bored. Nan swears he confounds her just to amuse himself."

"That's...open for further debate." Aedan added.

"At any rate, your mother would have me accompany you until the matter is settled. Shall we?"

"I suppose we must. Barkspawn has always had me to get him out of messes; I won't deny him this one. To the kitchens, then."

Gilmore pointed with his whole hand this time. "Just follow the yelling. When's Nan's unhappy, she makes sure everyone know it."

"Isn't that the Maker-be-praised truth? By the way, where is my mother, exactly?" Aedan asked off topic.

"She was entertaining Lady Landra and her son when I left her. Perhaps in the atrium?" He replied.

"Oooohhhh. Lady Landra's here?! I wonder what she brought me." She race up to the path leading to the atrium.

"Wait one minute, sister!" Aedan ordered. Gilmore gave the 'here they go again' look to a passing guard, who just laughed and kept marching.

"But - I - she - brother -"

"Our earlier talk is on hold for the moment, but while I'm attending to this...mess with Ser Gilmore, I need you to do the rounds with the guards' barracks and the treasury. I will need you assistance in maintaining the castle's integrity while Father and Brother are away." Aedan said, authority ringing high in his voice. Ser Gilmore was impressed.

Elissa was not. "I am your sister, not your maid. You are in charge of the castle, yes, but I don't have to take care of your duties. I have my own things to do, as you know full well."

Aedan knew she was right. "What if I promised you more time with our esteemed quest if you do this for me?"

"I can spend time with him anytime I want."

"Not really. He seems to be a man who will make himself available for conversation when he wants to. And the only person who can allow castle staff and residents to see him is me."

Elissa gave me a venomously look. "Excuse me?"

Aedan added. "I mean that, Elissa. Plus, I give you my word that for the duration of Father's and Brother's absence...I will not bother you. For any reason."

She seemed bemused by his offer. "And what, dear brother, happens if you don't uphold your end of this bargain?"

Aedan swallowed his pride. "I promise to say nothing but good things about you...and take care of both our gardening shifts. And try on your new clothes for you wherever, whenever you choose."

Elissa calmed down and though about the proposal. "Just the barracks and the treasury?"

"Yes."

"...Alright." She walked away from them saying, "Don't forget the vigil for the soldiers tonight."

"I won't. I don't want Malorn pissed with me as much as Nan is right now."

Ser Gilmore lifted a brow when his lord's gaze turned back to him. "Are you serious, my lord?'

"If this goes bad, I'd rather attempt at trying on her clothes instead of facing Nan's wrath."

They chuckled at Aedan's remark. Nan was one hot-tempered old hoot.

As Aedan prepared to walk to the kitchens, Gilmore stopped him. "Err...before we go, my lord, might I beg question?"

"I wouldn't wanted to keep Nan waiting on me...but if you must insist, go ahead, Ser Gilmore."

He looked around a bit gleefully. "I've heard from several people that a Grey Warden is here. Is that true?"

Aedan had forgot; Ser Gilmore was as big a fan as the Wardens as his sister. "You sound...excited."

"Awed, more like. The reputation of the Grey Wardens as mythical warriors is unsurpassed."

Aedan couldn't deny that Ser Gilmore was right; the Wardens were indeed renowned for their battle prowess. "Yes, it's true. Well, three of them are here. The leader is Duncan. I've met him just recently."

"Three?! Really?! That's...wow. One is rare, but three?!" Ser Gilmore was like a little child at his birthday party.

"Gilmore, calm down. You're making a scene."

"Oh...sorry, milord. I guess I'm a little over-excited. So, then...is it true that this Grey warden, Duncan, was asking after me?"

Aedan wondered how Gilmore got this information without being at the meeting. Gilmore was many things but not an eavesdropper. Aedan smiled. "Yes, Ser Gilmore. He intends to test you for recruitment."

Gilmore was stunned for a slight moment. "Maker's breath. Are - are you certain?! Can you imagine? Me?! A Grey Warden?! It would be everything I've dreamed of!" Gilmore paused in his excitement to notice Aedan staring at him with crossed arms. He stopped all pomp and circumstance. "Of course, I shouldn't get ahead of myself. Pardon my outburst."

"It's alright. I guess getting recognized by an order as esteemed as the Wardens is an honor in its own right." Aedan frowned.

"Is something the matter, Lord Aedan? I mean, I could fail this test and stay here."

Aedan sadly chuckled and patted Gilmore on the shoulder. "I'm happy for you, Ser Gilmore, but you are not the cause of my worry. Elissa...my sister Elissa seemed to make a good impression on Duncan, and me and my father are...well..."

"Oh. Oh, I see. That would be troublesome. Does this Grey Warden intend to-"

Aedan stopped him with a hand gesture, knowing what he was going to say. 'No, Duncan doesn't want trouble with my father. We'll see how fate decides this matter."

"I can only imagine what your mother would think of this."

"Gilmore, I have one elderly woman on my back. Two is not an improvement. Speaking of which, we should get to the kitchens. Hopefully Barkspawn hasn't eaten tonight's dinner...again." He hated adding the last bit, but was a honest bit, nonetheless.

"Would that be the fourth time, Lord Aedan?" Ser Gilmore said with a cheerful laugh.

Aedan was a bit amused. "Fifth. The banquet last spring still holds the highest marks of a...limited feast."

-~-0-~-

"Oh, Aedan. How dumb do you think I am? 'Won't bother you during Father and Brother's tenure a Ostagar.' 'Do both our gardening shifts.' He says one thing, then does the exact opposite of what he swore he wouldn't do. Well, when it comes to me, at least, I'm reliable..." Elissa said to herself as she approached the family treasury. As she opened the door, she caught a glimpse of two guards playing cards on the only table in the room then upon seeing her, in their haste, flung the cards in the air, embarrassed.

"Oh, my lady. We were just...uh..." The guard on farthest side of the table began to say.

Elissa took one good look at the falling cards "...ignoring your duties? Taking a break? Playing cards, good soldier?"

The nearest guard pointed to the treasury door to the right of him. "Well...the treasury's safe...I...well, we're not sure why the teyrn stationed us here." His friend behind him clearly showed an expression of 'I don't need you to drag me into this mess. I can do that myself, thank you.'

Elissa smirked. "I understand your frustration, but my father has a reason for everything he does. Is that clear?"

The two guards stood at attention and both shouted, "Yes, Lady Cousland!"

Elissa though a moment. "On that note, did my father fear someone would steal something?"

The two guards looked at each other, hoping the other would come up with an answer. Then the nearest one spoke. "I...don't know, my lady. No one has come to look at the treasury...except for you, of course."

"Hmmm...Who has the key to the treasury?" Elissa asked.

The nearest guard shrugged. The farther one seemed to think. He spoke after a moment. "The teyrn, and perhaps the teyrna? I honestly don't know, my lady."

"I see...well, then. Since nothing out of the ordinary has occurred, I'll forget about you recent 'activity'. This time." She said strongly.

The nearest guard saluted her. "Yes, my lady. Thank you...We won't forget this." The farthest one repeated the action. "Yes, thank you!"

As Elissa left and closed the door behind her, she could roughly her them shuffling a new deck. She smiled. Guards in a castle all day need something to do after their daily routine, she thought. She went off the barracks next.

-~-0-~-

As they were halfway to the kitchens, Aedan decided to pass the time by initiating a conversation with Ser Gilmore. "Gilmore, while were walking, do you mind a chat or two?"

Ser Gilmore eyed him with confusion. "I don't know. We really should go after your hound, my lord before he does something worse."

"We'll get the kitchens in time, Ser Gilmore. We might as well pass the time until we get there with something, no?"

"I suppose you have a point, Lord Aedan. So, what shall we discuss?" He asked as they began walking down the stone ramp.

"Do you know much about the Grey Wardens?"

He smiled with great pleasure. "Only what everyone hears and reads about. I never expected to actually meet one, or three. Well, I haven't yet, but it will be a fantastic experience. So few of them are here in Ferelden."

"Too true. As we are speaking of Wardens, have you ever seen darkspawn?"

"Never. You hear about darkspawn attacking homesteads and travelers, but...I thought they were all stories."

"From what Duncan said, apparently not."

Ser Gilmore seemed as worried about Aedan's statement as Aedan himself was. If Father and Brother were really going to fight these beast, he began to think, but dismissed the notion and got back to the conversation. "Wardens seem to posses great posture and honor, but I've yet to see them in action. Are Grey Wardens really as skilled the legends say?" They was a lingering element of doubt in his voice.

Ser Gilmore shrugged. "I hear they only recruit the most skilled. It'd be disappointing to say the least if it wasn't true."

Aedan did not seem surprised by Gilmore's theory. Still..."So, what happens if the Wardens recruit you?"

Ser Gilmore stopped and took a moment to think, then looked at Aedan dead in the eyes. "I only hear that once you become a Grey Warden, your old life is over. There's no going back."

Aedan knew why Gilmore looked at him directly; he wasn't just talking about himself. "And Elissa wants that life." They continued walking and made a left turn down the hallway where the kitchens and storehouse were located, following the sound of a dog barking and an elderly woman on the verge of screaming bloody murder.

"Lady Elissa is very strong-willed and stubborn in most ways as you are, my lord. Telling you both what to do may cause unintentional harm to the recipient."

Aedan chuckled and leaned on the wall behind him. "Well, I'm stubborn enough to know my place is here. I want Elissa to have a good life, not a dangerous one."

"Isn't life a dangerous journey in its own right, my lord?" They stopped again.

Aedan saw Gilmore in a new light. "That's uncharacteristically wise of you, Gilmore."

"I pick up a few things from Scribe Aldous, my lord."

Aedan laughed. "I thought as much. It sounds exactly like something he would say." He sighed. "I hope Elissa doesn't do anything stupid to impress Duncan."

"Your sister is many things, my lord. Stupid is not in her nature."

"A fair point...I'd like to talk about something else. This topic is getting a little personal that I thought it would."

"As you wish, my lord...but, uh..."

"Yes, Ser Gilmore?"

"But what if the Grey Warden, this Duncan, tries to recruit you? Have you thought about it?"

Aedan was shocked; he hadn't actually, even when Duncan verbally said he was a good candidate for the Wardens. He regained his composure after consultation with his conscience.

"He assured my father he wouldn't recruit me or my sister."

"Does Elissa intend to defy your Father?"

"I thought we agreed Elissa wasn't stupid, Gilmore."

"Stupid, not at all. Foolish and stupid are usually put in the same category but rarely the same thing."

"Maybe...he seemed to make his point on us clear, though."

Ser Gilmore didn't seem too convinced. "Even so, my lord, he could change his mind, this Duncan. Grey Wardens are notorious for doing whatever is necessary to fight the Darkspawn."

"Duncan doesn't seem to be a man who would force this issue without enraging my father and getting my mother on his back...then again, I only met the man. Who knows what goes on in a Grey Warden's head?"

"Scribe Aldous once told me that Grey Wardens used to burn villages to keep them out of dakspawn hands." He said with a shutter.

Aedan blinked. "So they'll kill people to protect them? That's not what I heard from Aldous. Then again, the last I heard of the Wardens was some years ago..."

Gilmore nodded. "Only if they have to. A few villages are a small price to pay to save the world."

"But a price, nonetheless."

"War is nothing without sacrifice, my lord. Surely all the stories we've heard from your father and Scribe Aldous make that clear." Ser GIlmore stated.

Aedan nodded back. "True enough...still, why would he recruit me? I'm a fair hand with a blade, as is my sister, but this..." He gestures to the surrounding walls of the castle."...this is my life. My duty is here to the crown and my family, not to them."

Ser Gilmore seemed a little offended. "Surely you jest, my lord. You're strong, skilled, and easily the equal of men twice your age. Even though you are a noble, the Grey Wardens would be fools to overlook you. I can understand. In your position, what the highs and lows of it are, but surely, my lord...this is an honor in its own right."

Aedan let Gilmore's words counsel him to believe that he was indeed honored by this, but felt his duties to Highever overshadowed the Grey Wardens' interests. Still...he couldn't shake the feeling off.

He looked at Gilmore with honest eyes."When I first met Duncan, I didn't think of him much, even though he is a Grey Warden. He seemed like a unique man and a skilled fighter, but nothing more in my eyes. Hearing him talk to my sister, though, explaining the looming menace...started to sway me a bit, though I hid it lest my father be doubly worried. Now...now I really don't know how I feel about it."

Gilmore nodded in understanding. "I suppose you have many other options. Me, I would do anything to be recruited."

Aedan lifted himself from leaning. "Well, if they do recruit you, I hope you march alongside them with honor and a sharp sword. Speaking of that, why aren't you marching with our men? You one of our best knights."

Gilmore lips soured up. "I would, were it my choice. Your father decided I should remain with the complement guarding the castle." His lips sweetened a little. "I hope it's because the Grey Warden wishes to see me."

"From what Duncan said, I believe that is the case." He was just heading for another when he heard his mabari barking louder than before and Nan's voice higher than his. "Ser Gilmore, I don't mean to come off rude, but this is my problem. My mother shouldn't have asked you to be a part of this. You really don't have to accompany me, you know."

Gilmore chuckled a bit, amused. "Oh, it's no bother. I should make sure that Nan is settled, anyhow, or your mother will have my hide."

"Our hides, Ser Gilmore. I'm generous enough to take responsibility for this." Aedan corrected him.

"Aren't you a most charitable person, then, my lord?" Gilmore jested.

"Always, my friend. Always." He joked back.

As they continued their walk and approached the kitchens, Aedan asked, "You know, Ser Gilmore, in all the years I've known you, I don't think I ever asked you this: tell me a little about yourself, if it isn't too much of a bother."

Ser Gilmore seemed confused but obliged. "Well, you know I've served your father for years, since my own father sent me to squire here. As you know, my father is a minor lord in the Bannorn, but our land is little more than a glorified farmstead." He grew sad. "I do miss it, though. The valleys of the Bannorn are beautiful this time of year. I take great pride in serving the Teyrn. Still, if I had the opportunity to join the Grey Wardens, I wouldn't hesitate."

"Even if Duncan did in fact recruit you, you would leave my father's services?"

Gilmore smiled, a mix of sadness and hope. "With his blessing, I imagine. Joining the Grey Wardens is the highest service one can render."

"Even higher than being king?"

Gilmore laughed. "I suppose it is. Come, my lord. We are here, and I believe Nan is past her breaking point."

"Nan is only past her breaking point when she herself actually breaks something. Well, let's get this over with...for the fifth time...Maker help us all." He said as he opened the door to the kitchen.

-~0~-

"I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light." - Helen Keller, a deaf and blind American author, political activist, and lecturer

"One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood." - Lucius Annaeus Seneca, a Roman Stoic philosopher and statesman

"No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow." - Alice Walker, American novelist, notably for The Color Purple

"A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself." - Jim Morrison, an American singer, songwriter, and lead singer for the rock band The Doors.