A/N: I. RETURN! Despite my hellacious overtime, I've managed to drop everything for a few hours to update a few more of my stories. That, and to play Dragon Age again, thus rekindling my love for the genre and this ficlet. Things get a bit...dicey in this chapter, so I'll be upgrading the status to M. Fanfiction's witchunt is over, so it should be alright...I hope. I've been away from this story for so terribly long that my interest nearly waned, but Dragon Age Inquisition perked me up a tad and kicked my muse into high gear =D
So I thought to myself; how can I can I make this story unique? Give it a flare? And then I thought of something I haven't seen, OR read about, a possiblity that just kept poking at me until I gave the damn thing its just due. I hope you'll enjoy it.
And with that, let us continue...
... with The Witch and The Warden! 'Tis a surprise! An odd thing tho, the doc manager seems to be making all my words small, so I apologize if any of this comes out weird once the chapter is posted! Must be an error with the site or something...and this chapter gets very silly and funny at the end! Hope ya like it!
"If someone doesn't get golden boy out of the larder, I'm going to chop his balls off!"
~?
Kingmaker and Kingbreaker
Cailan did, in fact, survive the Joining.
Such a tiny change. One lives where another does not. A survivor, who should have died. Perished, on the field of battle with his fellows. That he did not was still regarded as something of a miracle; that he survived the Joining in his own, tainted, slumbering state. Within three days, his pallor brightened, his once wan complexion and rheumy, white eyes returning to their true color. Then, he woke.
And in that moment, the very instant in which the King of Ferelden awoke as a Grey Warden, the world changed. All in those three days.
Everything changed.
Three days passed.
Three full days in which Duncan, Cailan, Allistair, and the Cousland girl recovered. Three days for Naruto to resupply, reprovision, and rearmor his little band. Three days for Morrigan to come and go as she pleased, wondering why her love had taken such an interest in their wellbeing.
Three. Days. Thirty-six hours.
Three days for the King of Ferelden to regain his strength, as he was spoon-fed a steady diet of potions and poultices to aid his recovery. His sleep was restless and fitful, his mind never quite...there. His eyes stirred beneath their lids, but still, he did not wake. The Archdemon mocked him incessantly, its voice harsh and grating, yet eerily soothing at the same time.
"Poor little king." It sneered, white eyes rolling madly, "You've failed. You've failed them all. You're not even human anymore...sleep now...sleep and forget it all...yes...sleep...
It was horribly tempting to listen to that voice, to simply give in and go to his final rest. But Cailan was nothing if not stubborn, and he resisted that siren song with all his might.
Instead of sweet slumber, he dreamed of dragons and darkspawn, of demons and darkness, of oaths broken and betrayal Of Loghain. As always the dragon mocked and tormented him relentlessly, ever visiting his failures upon him with exacting vengeance. He saw the dead faces of men and women-his army-staring at him, asking him why they'd died. Why? For honor? For some misbegotten notion of glory?
Guilt gnawed at him throughout, like a mabari wearing down a brittle bone. All his doubts, all his fears, haunting him.
He knew the battle would not be won at Ostagar, yet he had fought it anyway. His mind argued it was for morale, but still...
Sometimes the dreams made him fight that battle all over again. Except this time, he was alone, and for all his efforts, no matter how hard he tried, he always failed. Instead of crushing him, the Ogre would come and all but bite his head off, leaving his headless corpse to wander. Sometimes, it would simply trample him to death. But inevitably, as always, he would perish.
Fighting, always fighting, again and again, and again...
It wasn't fair. Not fair at all! He'd tried so hard, gotten so far, and in the end, none of it mattered!
His nightmare-wrought sleep stretched on for what seemed like an eternity without end. But all things, good or ill, must end eventually and such was the case for his odd slumber. After what felt like the second eternity of this misbegotten hell, the dragon and demons and darkspawn faded. The endless battle faded. All the endless terrors lessened.
Abated.
From out of nowhere a small fire lit the black. Then another. Another. And another still, until he found himself staring down a passage of torches, their eerie amber light casting everything in orange relief. And there at the end of the path. A light. Someone called out to him amongst it; their voice soft and soothing, a balm to his ragged nerves.
This way, little king.
For a moment Cailan actually considered ignoring. He glanced at his back, half-expecting to find another torment waiting for him. Shadows lurked, prying at him. Tugging. "No." they seethed. "Not that way. Sleep..." Indeed, that way lay escape, peace, bliss, even-
Cailan Theirin! The voice barked at him again, louder now, carrying an irate edge. You get your arse over here right now! That voice...it reminded him of his father but sharper somehow, more determined. Blinding brilliance flashed from the torches and the blackness recoiled as though it had been struck; jerking away from the blessed rays and the power that came with them. In the end, that decided it.
With weary feet he trod down the firelight path, hoping this wasn't a trick; some fresh new hell come to visit vengeance upon him. Almost immediately the dream shifted.
The fires fell away, leaving him standing at the edge of a campfire, gazing upon a man on a log. Flames crackled and spit as his stick poked at it, stoking those tiny embers, preventing them from dying, but only just. "Who...?" Familiar blue eyes peered back him, set within a whiskered visage, framed by shaggy blond hair. He raised his gaze, the man did, and the king felt a flicker of recognition flit through him, sharp and angry.
"Its...you. Naruto."
"In the flesh. More or less." The man quietly patted the log beside him, his smile warm, almost fatherly. "Siddown, Cailan. This may be a dream, but we've got a lot to talk about..." Cailan did not sit down. Outrage colored his features, fury and confusion darkening his normally sunny brow. Not anger at the man, oh no, but the stunning realization that this wasn't quite a dream anymore; everything he was seeing was painfully, terribly...real. And his very soul cried out at that, the cold betrayal inflicted upon him and his men.
"But...Ostagar! The men...the battle...Loghain...
"All real." Naruto nodded sagely, magefire crackling from his raised fingertips. "Now. Sit."
Reluctantly the monarch complied, his armor clanking heavily as he plopped down onto the log beside him. Naruto gave him a long, appraising look. Cailan frowned, fidgeting restlessly beneath that intense glare. "What?"
"This is the Fade, you know. That armor won't do you much good."
"What?"
"Right, right, you've only ever visited it before in your dreams...never quite like this."
A beat of silence passed between them after that. Naruto cleared his throat.
"So," he began, "I've got a fair bit to tell you. Let's talk."
And they did just that.
On the eve of the third day, his fever finally broke.
The next morning, King Cailan, Son of Maric Therein and Rowan Guerin, newly born Grey Warden...
...awoke.
And on that third day, he saw something very strange indeed.
"You planned this."
Flemmeth blinked, looking up from the pot of stew, bubbling on the fire. A bemused smile wreathed her wrinkled face.
"What?"
"Don't play coy. You planned this, I know you did." Naruto didn't stir from where he sat, his eyes still glued to the armor on the workbench, his hands methodically pounding out dents and scrubbing down their scratches until the grey iron looked good as new. It didn't quite shine to her eyes, but she doubted the warden was going for shiny, anyway.
"And what, pray tell, did I plan?"
That got him to turn. She didn't like that smile. It was dangerous.
"This." His armored hand swung around, indicating the hut and its occupants in a broad gesture. "Snatching up Allistair and the Cousland girl was to be expected, but I know for a fact that Cailan was dead when I left him at Ostagar. I'd all but tried to accept that Ramen was probably dead, too, when, surprise surprise, he comes trundling out of the wilds carrying the king on his back. A king who, as it so happened, was alive. Breathing as a matter of fact."
"How odd." a coy smile stretched her lips. "Perhaps you simply failed to tell the difference between slumber and death."
Ah. And there it was. The blond bristled, his teeth-fangs-flashing in the waning light of the afternoon. "I know the difference."
"Do you know?" Flemmeth replied, still smiling. "One would think you had little magical talent otherwise."
Naruto clicked his jaw and a nearby bush burst into flame. A word, and those flames shot away, circling in his palm. "Wanna say that again?"
For a moment, she actually considered holding her tongue. The young man was clearly worried about his allies, and with Morrigan presently out collecting herbs, there was nothing to reign him in. Not that her daughter would. Ha, Morrigan would probably enjoy this! In the end, she decided to test the waters and goad him, one last time.
"I still fail to see what this has to do with me-
"ENOUGH!"
Naruto exploded into motion before her very eyes, changing from man to beast, human to fox, in an instant. One moment a mortal stood there, the next something else was towering over her, the hut, and a good portion of the Kocori Wilds themselves. Four paws slammed into the ground, its nine tails threatening to shake the very earth itself apart. Somehow, the Witch of the Wilds managed to find her voice. Her reply was decidedly...unimpressive.
"Oh."
Kurama towered over her, a being of pure energy, jaws snapping, his snout a mere millimeter from the startled witch's face. Warmth breathe blew her hair back, and she wondered for a moment if he might simply eat her and be done with it all.
"I am in no mood for your games, woman." when the beast spoke its voice was like the Maker itself, crashing with thunder, terrible in its wrath. "You would do well to remember that!"
She scoffed. "Whether or not I bespelled him matters little now; he survived, did he not? And now you have a Warden King, a valuable ally against the blight."
Naruto must've decided not to eat her; because with a sound of something like a reverse sneeze, he reverted. Those eerie red eyes locked on her.
"So it was you." weathered arms folded across his chest. "I'm surprise an old hag such as yourself knew any healing spells.
Flemmeth considered him for a moment, bemused by his wit. If she'd been a few decades younger...
"Old, you say? Perhaps you should look again, boy."
"I am looking and-oh."
The witch grinned-and then she was someone else.
In a plume of black smoke he found himself looking at someone very much like Morrigan herself...if perhaps only in the way she held herself. Stark white hair be pulled back into fierce horn-like shapes, lean with curves in the right places; everywhere but the eyes. Irises of bright, glinting gold stared back at him but they were different somehow. Deeper. He felt as though he were standing in the prescences of something old and ancient, a being whom time itself had nearly forgotten. Within him, Kurama opened an eye again, regarding the old witch with intent.
"Interesting...
He could see where Morrigan had gotten it from.
"Well then," she preened, "do you like what you see?"
"No."
"Good." Oddly enough, she seemed pleased with his reply. "You are not so easily swayed. My Morrigan woudn't fancy you, otherwise."
Flemmeth sagged, and the illusion vanished; she was suddenly an old women once more, worn beyond her years. Naruto was left even more baffled than before, not entirely sure who-or what-he'd just witnessed. Regardless, Flemmeth was clearly more than she appeared to be. He'd have to watch her. Someone so ancient was clearly dangerous, perhaps not as much as Kaguya, but still, dangerous-
WHAM!
Whatever else he might've thought died when the door to the hut wrenched itself open with an audible crunch. Ramen came bounding out with wild barks, catching the attention of a morose Scout. The black bitch glanced up, her attentions drawn by the commotion and then she was up, excited, delighted yips leaping after her. Naruto arched an eyebrow, following her flight, and there staggering out the door after them...aha! Naruto felt his eyes light up as he beheld Cousland and Allistair, the latter leaning heavily on the former until Scout's pleas for attention finally drew the redhead toward her.
Duncan emerged moments later, looking a little lost. Naruto felt his heart lurch. He'd have to watch his old friend, make sure he didn't do anything rash...
And there, behind him, looking quite sullen indeed...
"Ah, so that is the illustrious Cailan you so espoused. I must confess, I am rather disappointed."
"Go easy on him, will you." Naruto sighed slightly as Morrigan materialized from the Wilds behind him, golden eyes dancing. "He's had a rough time of it. You know that. Missed you." Her response was to twine an arm round his waist; quite a bold display of affection from someone who usually disdained such things. "And yes, before you ask, I meant it."
"So it would seem." She took stock of Duncan as he expected she would; glancing at him for a moment, finding him lacking, then moving on. Having already met Elissa and Allistair her gaze roved over them before locking upon the fourth and final occupant of the hut, still focusing on the monarch. "Ah. It seems you already broke the news to him." the words lacked their usual poison he noted; was that a touch of...sympathy, just now? No no, surely it was his imaginations; Morrigan would never show pity...
"Hey, I'm standing right here." he huffed. "You mind not staring?"
"He is...fair of face, I suppose." the witch shrugged, leaning into him. "If it makes you feel better, I prefer you."
"Oh, yes, because that makes me feel so much better.
She kissed him gently, her lips lingering.
"It should. Now, off with you. It seems your lackeys are in need of direction."
"They are not my lackeys...oh, sod it."
Disentangling himself from the witch with an effort, he clapped his hands and strode into the fray, voice booming. All eyes snapped toward him, all except Allistair of course, who was currently staring goggle-eyed at Cailan. Naruto coughed loudly, capturing his attention at last.
"Welcome back, everyone!" he called. "Everyone alive? Still breathing? Good, good. Whoever need a rejuvenation spell, this way please...
Cailan was practically despondent.
No amount of magical invigoration could lift his spirits; as such he remained quite quiet as the situation was was laid out at their feet. In short, as Naruto put it, they were right buggered. Five Grey wardens out of the two dozens that'd had come to Ferelden, betrayed by Loghain-oh, and there would be a reckoning for that!-and now that the lot of them had recovered, their merry little band had a job to do. Personal grudges, it seemed would have to come later. They were still alive only thanks to Naruto and the two apostates who'd saved them, yet it would have to wait.
Their new commander wasn't apathetic to their concerns, on the contrary, he empathized with them. An angry mind was an unfocused one. When you were angry, you made mistakes. When you made mistakes, you died. Cailan couldn't be certain, but he thought those words were directed at him.
Maybe I deserve it...
On a fundamental level, he understood. Ostagar was very much his fault, just as Loghain bore the responsibility for deserting. It didn't mean he was happy about it, however. If only they'd waited for reinforcements...!
Of course, it wasn't a total hash. He'd become a Grey Warden after all. His lifelong dream! If only so many hadn't had to perish to see it made a reality...
It wasn't until they'd gathered their meager belongings-consisting mostly of weapons and armor-that he learned one of the apostates, the daughter, would be traveling with them. Under normal circumstances the prescence of such a lovely creature would've raised his morale greatly, but the way she stuck to Naruto told him in no uncertain terms that she was spoken for.
So their small, not-so-merry band left the Wilds, trudging down the road to Lothering...
...and trouble.
Cailan saw the men lounging in the distance first, his keen eyesight picking them out, clear as day. Five fit and well-armed men, who by rights had no business being here. They had blockaded the roat with overturned wagon, and scattered crates as well as barrels. A chantry sister seemed to be arguing with them most emphatically, though seemingly no avail. That was all well and good, but then one of the foul blighters decided they wanted to knock her down. Cailan bristled, the flames of his anger stoked at the sight.
How dare they?!
Almost before he knew what was happening he was striding forward, his golden armor flashing madly in the sun. His helm concealed his anger, but even then the five bandits physically shrank back at the sight of the towering warrior. That, and his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"What is going on here?"
"Road tax, my good man." the leader replied. "We were just explaining to Sister Lelianna here that everyone has to pay...
The redhead spun on him, wide eyes pleading.
"Good sir...they're blocking this road...from refugees! Please, stop them!"
"Well, when you put it like that-
"FIEND!"
He'd yanked off the helmet before Naruto could stop him and thrown it at the man.
"I am your king," he growled, "And you will do as I command! Remove this blockage at once!"
Those dark eyes bulged.
"Th-The king?! But you died at Osta-"
Whatever else he might've said died on Cailan's blade. The rest were dead in relatively short order, chopped to little bloody pieces as Naruto and Allistair stepped up beside him, their swords making quick work of the rest. Cailan thought himself quite righteous in that instant, he did.
"Oh, thank you sir!"
"Anything for you, my lady. It's what we Wardens do."
"
"Cailan, she's one Archdemon short of a blight!" Naruto muttered, pushing him aside. "Bloody hell...miss, I'm very sorry about this...
"Yes, but her eyes...
WHAP!
Aliistair sighed, pinching the brow of his nose as the shinobi dragged their brother away from the chantry sister. "I'm terribly, terribly sorry, Lelianna, I don't know what's gotten into them...
A/N: Ah, Morrigan. We love you so. Especially in the events of Inquisition. I hope I got her personality down well enough. I swear, she's just so damnably fun to write about sometimes. And now we see she's having visions in her sleep...whatever could this mean? The events of Dragon Age Origins start up in earnest next chapter...things are bound to be different with Naruto around, methinks! And I assure you, there is a reason for including Cailan.
He's going to evolve throughout this story, not just as a former king, but a person as well. I thought he deserved a hearty draught of redemption, as suggested by Culaio. Clearly, no one's going to be calling Cailan "Your Highness!" however, until the Landsmeet, perhaps not even then! And what of the business with Orlais? Look forward to it!
So, in the immortal words of Atlas...
...Review...would you kindly? And of course, enjoy the preview! 'Tis another shocker!
(Preview)
Morrigan froze, the Warden's words still ringing after her.
"You've been ill an awful lot lately..."
"No." it was a tiny whisper.
She ran a quick magical diagnostic on herself, and felt her stomach drop as her hand ghost over her navel. There. A bulge. Not large, but noticeable. More than a tiny spark, more than a small gathering of cells. This didn't make sense. She was too far along. That couldn't be. It didn't make any sense. Something kicked, and Morrigan, always so calm, ever in control, ever level-headed, nearly yelped in surprise.
Mama.
The voice-vision?-of that severe, dark-haired and golden-eyed little girl came out of nowhere again, battering her, bombarding her with the certainty. This wasn't some accident. This was...was...
Life.
No! she struggled to quash the instinctive surge of paternal feelings toward this child-her daughter!-tried to shove it away, but to no avail. She could not have a child! Not now! If she did, the ritual...
It didn't make any sense. She'd been taking her contraceptive tea daily; there was no conceivable way that this could have happened. As if to disprove that very notion, another bout of nausea seized her, forcing her to empty the contents of her stomach into the lava flow of Orzammar. A few dwarves gave her odds looks, but she ignored them, so caught up was she in her own terror. No, no no, this was all wrong, this couldn't be happening now, it couldn't...
Swearing she cleaned her mouth, trying-failing-to clamp down on the sudden surge of fear. She wasn't ready to be a mother. She wasn't ready for...this!
Oh dear, sweet Maker, no...
R&R! =D