Here we go with chapter 7 of Naruto of the Grey.
Before I begin don't own Naruto or Dragon Age.
Sorry for not updating anything in a while but real life has to come first sometimes.
_Chapter VII_
Naruto awoke with a start in an unfamiliar bed and grabbed his shoulder where the arrow had struck him. Only to find it wrapped in a bandage. Looking round Naruto saw he was in a hut of some kind a fire burning at one wall the smoke rising slowly up the chimney. Upon further inspection he saw that both Éowyn and Arwen were laid out on some sleeping mats both alive and breathing steadily in their sleep, Shadow was there too laid next to Éowyn whining softly in distress at his master's state. Seeing them Naruto sighed in relief, hearing some movement to his left Naruto looked to the source to see Morrigan stood at a book shelf. Seeing her Naruto coughed gaining the woman's attention, turning Morrigan saw he was awake.
"Ah so the whiskered one awakes second. Tell me do you remember what happened?" Morrigan asked looking at the blonde before her.
"I remember ordering the beacon lit before we were over whelmed… WAIT! What happened to the King, Duncan and the rest of the Army?" Naruto asked, his panicked tone stirring Arwen from her own slumber in time to hear the answer.
"All dead," Morrigan stated simply before continuing. "The man who was to reinforce you quit the field. Those he abandoned were massacred. …Your friend he is not taking the news well." Morrigan finished, answering Naruto's question fully
"Our friend… you mean Alistair?" Arwen asked letting both Naruto and Morrigan know she was now also awake.
"The suspicious dull witted one yes, he is outside by the fire. Mother wishes to speak with the four of you once you all wake. I will inform your friend once she wakes." Morrigan said in a calm voice her tone saying much about the task her mother had obviously assigned her.
Nodding Naruto and Arwen redressed in their individual armors before heading outside where they saw Alistair staring into the fire that burned before him. Looking up when he heard Naruto call out to him Alistair's eyes widened. You're… You're alive both of you… Is Éowyn?"
"She's alive, Alistair she is still asleep for now?" Naruto answered grabbing Alistair's shoulder and saw Alistair sigh in relief from the news.
"Thank The Maker, were all alive. But what are we going to do now?" Alistair asked looking at the two before him.
Naruto was about to answer but it was Arwen who spoke up first. "I think we should wait for Éowyn first, then we discuss strategy it would be best so that we can get her own opinion as well." Hearing her both Naruto and Alistair nodded and the three sat to wait for Éowyn to wake.
=NotG=
It was a further ten minutes before Éowyn and Shadow left the hut Éowyn now dressed in her Drakeskin armor and was rubbing her chest where the arrow had hit her. "So were all alive? Thank the Maker." Éowyn said and everyone heard her own relief in the young woman's voice.
"I know if it wasn't for Morrigan's mother here…" Alistair started only to be interrupted by the appearance of said woman.
"Do not speak of me as though I weren't here boy!" The elderly woman said in a not quite harsh tone.
"I'm sorry it's just…we don't even know your name." Alistair explained quickly hoping to avoid the elderly woman's wrath.
The woman looked to Alistair an unreadable expression was on her face. "Names are privy. But if you must call me something call me Flemeth." The now identified Flemeth said and Naruto saw the eyes of his companions widen in surprise at her name.
"Flemeth, the one from the legends?" Éowyn asked in disbelief
"What does it matter if she is we need to do something!" Arwen asked angrily.
"We need to bring Loghain to justice!" Alistair stated looking at his fellow Wardens
Naruto who had been watching this knew they were about to take a dangerous path and he needed to remind them of the real danger around them. "We need to stop the blight and the Archdemon." Naruto sated calmly.
"By ourselves? Naruto are you mad?" Éowyn asked in complete surprise which was mirrored by the looks upon his other two companion's faces.
"No, not by ourselves we have those treaties for the alliance with the Elves, Mages and Dwarves. Let's use them and get any other allies we can as well." Naruto said
"There is also Arl Eamon; he still has all his men!" Alistair said liking where Naruto was going with this idea of his.
"Elves, Dwarves, Mages this Arl Eamon and who knows what else. Sounds to me like you will have all the help you need to defeat the Archdemon." Flemeth said in what could have been encouragement.
Naruto looked at Flemeth for a moment the same uneasy feeling from before reasserting it's self in his gut, an uneasy feeling he now recognized. And though he didn't trust her as far as he could throw Gamabunta he felt he needed to ask something. "I don't suppose you could offer us any more help could you?"
Flemeth looked to Naruto before answering. "I just might be able to." Flemeth's answer came just as Morrigan exited the hut and came over to them.
"The Stew is bubbling mother; shall we have four guests for the eve or none?" Morrigan asked her tone telling Naruto she really didn't care if they were staying.
"The Grey Wardens are leaving girl, and you'll be going with them." Flemeth answered to the surprise of the others.
"Such a shame, wait what!?" Morrigan asked having just realized her mother's words.
"You heard me girl. Last I checked you had ears. Besides you have been itching to get out of the Wilds for some time, here is your chance."
Seeing the reluctance from Morrigan Naruto spoke up to show she was wanted. "Having Morrigan join us is a great idea. We need a Mage to balance out our band." Hearing Naruto, Arwen nodded in agreement as did Éowyn although reluctantly. However Alistair was the one to voice his concern.
"I don't want to be negative but is taking Morrigan with us worth the risk? Outside of the Wilds she's an Apostate, we may have to deal with the Templars if they find out about her."
Naruto turned to Alistair and fixed him with a glare so intense that it made Alistair try to go into a fetal position while at the same time he had tried to go ram rod stiff. "Alistair take these words to heart if we are to stop the Blight then we will need all the help we can get I don't care if they are Apostates, monsters or even the very demons of the Fade if they will fight Darkspawn then we have them join us." Naruto said before once again turning to face Flemeth and Morrigan "We would be honored to have Morrigan join us." Flemeth nodded silently in acknowledgment at Naruto's words.
"Do I have no say in this?" Morrigan asked annoyed that she was being used in this fashion by her mother.
Flemeth turned to face her daughter and said. "The Grey Wardens need you if they fail then Ferelden will fall."
Hearing her mother Morrigan sighed. "Fine allow me to gather my things then." She then turned and returned to the hut once more.
Several minutes later Morrigan emerged from the hut now wearing a traveling cloak a gnarled wooden staff in her hand and a simple brown leather pack over her shoulders. "Goodbye mother, please don't forget the stew I would hate to return to a burned down hut." Morrigan said in a bored tone to Flemeth still unhappy with the situation she had been put in by the woman.
"BAH! It's more likely that you'll return to find me dead and this whole area swallowed by the Darkspawn." Flemeth said angrily in response to Morrigan's attitude.
"I didn't…" Morrigan started to say in regret to her mother
"I know girl. And you Grey Warden." Flemeth said turning from Morrigan to face Naruto. "Understand I give you that which I value most."
"I understand Hebi Okasan, Morrigan will come to no harm while under my command." Naruto said causing Flemeth's eyebrow to rise at the phrase used by Naruto. This action went unseen by Naruto as he had turned to face Morrigan. "So where do you suggest we go from here Morrigan?"
"A small village north of here called Lothering. If we are to arrive before the Horde I suggest we leave now." Morrigan explained who turned and started walking away with the four Wardens.
=NotG=
The group of five plus one dog were several hours out from Ostagar when suddenly Shadow who was slightly ahead of the group, ears perked up and he started to bark. Éowyn concerned for her Mabari went to him to see what was wrong with him when he suddenly stopped and more barking could be heard only this barking sounded further away, but was also getting closer. Soon another Mabari appeared and could be seen heading towards them with a few Darkspawn chasing the poor thing.
The battle that followed was short and unimportant in the long run, as once the Hurlock Alpha was killed the other Darkspawn, now without a pack leader became confused and were easily dispatched. Once the battle was over the Mabari who had been chased went and stood before Naruto its tail waggling happily.
"Hey I recognize you. You were the Mabari I helped back at Ostagar." Stated Naruto to which the Mabari barked in happiness at Naruto's remembrance of him.
"I've heard about this Naruto, he's… chosen you as his new master." Alistair explained coming up next to Naruto.
Naruto looked from his fellow warden to the Mabari before him as the dog was still before him. "I think I would like to keep you boy." Naruto said kneeling down to look into the Mabari's eyes which gave another happy bark.
"You can give him any name you want Naruto a Mabari forgets its old name when their master dies." Explained Éowyn as she came up to Naruto's other side.
Naruto nodded at Éowyn and turned his attention back to the waiting Mabari before him and thought for a moment. "I will call you Kurama after an old friend of mine." Naruto said which caused the now named Kurama to bounce around while barking happily.
"So now we have two dogs. And Alistair is still the stupidest one here" Mused Morrigan causing everyone to chuckle even Alistair until that is he realized what had just been said.
"Hey." Was all he said before they continued on their way to Lothering.
=NotG=
It was another two hours before the group of five arrived at the entrance to Lothering off the Imperial Highway. Before they could enter however they were stopped just outside the entrance by a group of men in leather armor. "Wake up gentlemen more travelers on the road. By the full plate I'd say this one's the leader." A tanned man with dark hair said pointing at Naruto.
In another time and place this meeting went differently with Alistair and Morrigan both giving their opinions of what should be done. But with this much larger group things transpired differently. "Err maybe we should let this lot pass they don't look like the others." A tall balding brutish looking man next to the tanned man's right said with no small amount of worry in his voice.
Acting as if he had not heard him the gang's apparent leader continued on. "Nonsense the toll applies to everyone that's why it's a toll and not… a refugee tax." He explained to both his dim-witted accomplice and to Naruto's group.
"Ohhh, in that case if you don't pay we get to ransack your corpses." The brute said his tone much more confidant this time.
"Sorry we are not refuges." Naruto said darkly his hand slowly moving to his sword the others behind him also slowly moving to draw their own weapons.
Hearing the tone the brute again looked nervous. "What did I tell you, no wagons and they all look armed."
"Still a toll's a toll." said the apparent leader confident that his men could defeat the five before him
Naruto whose hand was now on his sword frowned at the casual way he said those words. "Forget it! We're not paying!" Naruto said as he drew his sword and attacked the others doing the same. Naruto smashed the brute with his shield expecting him to stumble back what he was not expecting however was for the man to shatter into a thousand pieces of frozen flesh. Glancing back he saw Morrigan nod at him before she attacked her next target. Within a few more minutes all but the leader laid dead or dying on the road around them.
"Alright, alright you win. Look we were just trying to get by." The man said quickly now wishing he had listened to his dead accomplice, an accomplice whose remains were slowly defrosting to his right.
"Get by!" Éowyn practically screamed in response to the man's words. "You're a criminal!" she then growled in accusation.
"Yes I admit it." The man said in response his tone showing he was actually proud of the fact.
"I'd hand over everything you've stolen Shem. If you do we may let you live." Arwen said her bow in hand an arrow drawn ready to kill the man.
Seeing Arwen ready to shoot him the man looked panicked before quickly pulling out a pouch and tossing it at Naruto's feet. "There, that's all the money we stole just over thirty silver, the rest is in the wagons behind me. Now will you free me?" asked the man a small amount of hopefulness in his voice.
"No, Arwen." Said Naruto and before the man could react, Arwen had released her hold on her bow string shooting the man between his eyes. "Right, search the wagons for anything we can use. Most of the owners will have moved on now." Naruto Ordered as he was still technically in charge.
"Naruto, can I have a word please." Alistair said and Naruto went to stand by him as Alistair pulled a locket and a small scroll from the corpse of a Templar that was laid out on the road.
"What's wrong Alistair?" Naruto asked once Alistair had finished a quick prayer for the deceased.
"I was wondering where we will go from here?" Alistair asked of his fellow warden.
"First I want to gather some information, and then we will go with your idea of going to see Arl Eamon and asking for his help. From Redcliff we will split up into two groups with one going to Orzammar to recruit the Dwarves and the other going to the Brecilian forest for the Elves. Then we will meet up at the Inn near the Circle Tower where we will get the Mages." Naruto explained getting a nod from Alistair.
"Right we can discuss further strategy at Redcliff." Alistair said in response to Naruto's words.
Turning from Alistair Naruto saw the others had finished raiding the wagons for money and supplies. Oddly enough though Arwen was comforting a scared lamb with a large blue bow tied lovingly round its neck, clearly a pet that had been taken from someone and would have no doubt wound up in the gangs pot for dinner.
"Good let's head into the village. Kurama come on boy." Naruto said as he walked into the small village followed quickly by the others. As they walked in the direction of the Chantry Naruto stopped when a young elven girl ran up to him. "Can I help you little one?" Naruto asked thinking the young girl needed help.
Nervously the girl spoke to Naruto. "Y-yes can I have my lamb back please?" The young girl asked pointing to the lamb still held in Arwen's arms. Hearing the little girl Arwen smiled before handing her the lamb the lamb bleating almost immediately in happiness when the little girl held it close. As this was happening two older elves had come over and were now speaking with Naruto.
"Thank you for that Ser, our daughter loves that lamb. If you have recovered it what happened to the bandits that took it from her?" asked the daughter's father.
"We killed them, go and retrieve your things then continue heading north." Éowyn said gently, hearing Éowyn the older elves nodded before taking their daughter and leaving to get their things.
Naruto and the rest of his group then continued on into the village. Naruto immediately noticed the Chantry board and looked towards Alistair and Éowyn. "Alistair, Éowyn see if you can get us some more money using the Chantry board, once your done meet us in the Inn that Morrigan mentioned." Ordered Naruto and both Alistair and Éowyn nodded before going and grabbing the jobs from the board. "Morrigan, Arwen lets go to the Inn I hope to get some news there." Naruto said walking off to the Inn over the small stream.
As they made their way to the Inn Naruto encountered a lost little boy who after a brief conversation Naruto handed the boy two Silvers and told him that once he had gotten something to eat he should go to the Chantry where someone would look after him. Smiling as the boy thanked him before running off to get the food Naruto then continued to lead his small group to the Inn.
Entering the Inn that which Naruto noticed was called 'Dane's Refuge' Naruto and his group were immediately confronted by a group of men in medium armor, one obviously the leader as unlike those with him who were in Grey Iron Chainmail he was in Steel Scale armor.
"Look here Gentlemen; I'd say we've just been blessed." The dark haired leader said waving his arms in mild exaggeration.
"Didn't we just finish asking about a man and an elf with these very descriptions?" asked one of the men with him.
Before the leader could responded, a women with short red hair that was braided on one side a lone dagger sheathed on her back. Dressed I chantry robes of all things came over. "Gentlemen please is there no way to end this peacefully? After all it appears you are all survivors from Ostagar." She asked in hope that there would be no conflict.
"You were not there! If it weren't for Loghain warning us of the Grey Wardens treachery then we would be all dead." The man nearly shouted. "Arrest this traitor and his whores."
That did it for Naruto he would abide many things but calling a woman any woman a whore in his presence was asking him to beat you within an inch of your life. "If you want a fight we would be happy to oblige." Naruto said darkly as he drew his sword and shield. At that same time Arwen drew twin daggers, Morrigan's staff glowed ominously and Kurama growled darkly.
=NotG=
The sight that greeted Alistair, Éowyn and Shadow when they entered Dane's Refuge was of Naruto having his sword at the neck of a tanned man in medium Steel Scale armor. Alistair didn't hear what Naruto said but never had Alistair seen a man's skin turn that particular shade of white before. But whatever it was that Naruto said caused the man to flee the Inn as if a Demon of the Fade had appeared and was chasing him.
Alistair and his companions then approached Naruto just as the Chantry woman started to speak. "I am sorry for interfering but I couldn't stand by and watch as he attacked you." The red haired women said her voice soft, gentle and lyrical something that Éowyn found to be captivating and found herself focusing entirely on the woman's voice alone.
Naruto smirked at the words the woman had said. "So I see, tell me where did you learn to fight because it certainly wasn't the Chantry." Naruto asked
"You are correct Ser, I am Leliana one of the Lay Sisters here in Lothering." The now identified Leliana responded and Éowyn found the name suited the beautiful women before her.
"And I am Naruto Uzumaki, and those with me are Alistair, Morrigan, Arwen and Éowyn Cousland." Naruto said only to hear two disgruntled barks. "I was getting too you two. And of course Éowyn and my own Mabaris Shadow and Kurama." Naruto said each Mabari barking at their names to let Leliana know who was who.
Leliana smiled gently at the two Mabari before turning to face Naruto again. "That man said you were a Grey Warden, was he speaking the truth?" Asked Leliana her tone holding no suspicion over the rumors currently surrounding their order.
"Alastair, Éowyn, Arwen and myself are. Morrigan however is something else." Naruto explained, Leliana nodded understanding what Naruto truly meant about Morrigan being an Apostate.
"Then I guess you will need all the help you can get, which is why I'm coming with you." Leliana said pleasantly. Much to the surprise of those gathered.
"We will need all the help we can get." Naruto said gaining nods from Arwen and Éowyn.
"That and the Maker told me too help." Leliana explained as if were an everyday occurrence.
"More crazy Naruto? I thought we were full up?" Alistair said missing Éowyn's death glare aimed at the back of his head.
"I kno..." began Leliana only to be interrupted before she could explain herself.
"You're in. Let's get you some armor and we will be heading out." Naruto said about to take Leliana to buy some only to be stopped by said woman.
"Actually Naruto I have some stored in the Chantry I will get it before returning here." Leliana said and moved to leave only to stop when Éowyn called out to her.
"Leliana wait, what do you know about that Qunari in the cage? I had a quick talk with him and he didn't say why he was in the cage." Éowyn asked.
Hearing her Leliana looked remorseful before answering. "All I know is that the revered mother says he killed a family including the children."
Hearing the answer Naruto frowned before looking at Éowyn. "Éowyn did he sound in any way regretful of his action?"
"He did sound like he regretted what he did and was ready to be killed by the Darkspawn for the crime." Éowyn said before she tilted her head in confusion when Naruto closed his eyes and nodded before he reopened them and looked at Leliana.
"Leliana I think I will speak go your revered mother about this Qunari. Alistair you and the others meet us at his cage." Naruto explained before he followed Leliana out of the inn.
=NotG=
"So it's agreed. You join with my group and fight the Darkspawn to gain your redemption instead of waiting to be slaughtered here?" Naruto asked the Qunari who he learned was called Sten and waited for him to respond.
"Yes, I will follow you into battle and to my redemption." Sten answered calmly getting a nod from Naruto who then unlocked the cage with the key he had been given by the revered mother allowing Sten to step out.
"Now let's get you some equipment." Naruto said before facing Alistair and was about to tell him to go get a set of armor for their new companion
"Éowyn and I actually found some while clearing out a small bandit camp not far from the windmill in a chest. I'll lead you to it." Alastair said be for being asked hen lead them to a chest which held a full set of Veridium heavy armor With a Red Steel Great sword propped up against it . Once Stern was changed Naruto nodded then called out that they were leaving Lothering and were heading to Redcliff. As they were leaving they helped save a dwarf called Bodahn Feddic and his son Sandal from a small group of Darkspawn before explaining who they were the dwarf deciding that the wardens road was probably more dangerous than they were looking for bid them good day and wished them luck.
And done probably the longest chapter to date with this story hope you enjoyed it.
