Chapter 8: Heroes and Villains

They walked together, a chantry brother and the Viscountess, down the halls of the Viscountess's Keep. It was not an unusual sight. Sebastian had spent the last few months speaking often with Solona, at first it had been about strictly about Starkhaven and his family, but…slowly the pretense of a new trade agreement had been dropped. They had become closer.

The two had simply become friends.

Though Solona admitted in her weakest moments that she wanted more, it was not enough to have him as her friend, she wanted him here. She wanted him period. She wished to have him in her life, and in her bed, making her moan his name into a pillow.

The very thought made her blush.

It seemed that the old saying was true.

Forbidden fruit was the sweetest, not that she had had a chance to taste…

at least not yet.

Sebastian for his part was oblivious to her desires and advances. It was annoying beyond belief, even today…she had dressed to kill. A beautiful blue dress, low cut in front, not as low as Garrett's friend Isabela might have done, but far more risqué that she normally wore.

He either did not notice or was being too respectful to comment on it.

It was frustrating. What did she have to do, wave a sign in front of him, 'I want you' in huge letters written on it.

She assumed him more observant than this, or had being in the chantry all these years broken that part of him.

She prayed that they had not.

He smiled at her; it warmed her like the sun on a hot summer day.

"Is it true what I have heard," he asked, "Is the Hero of Ferelden truly coming to Kirkwall?"

Solona smiled.

"Lord Aedan is expected to arrive tonight," she informed him, "He will be with us for a month, and then he shall return home and take command of the Warden Garrison in Ferelden."

"The Grand Cleric will likely wish to meet him," Sebastian said thoughtfully, "It is said that he is a true believer, a true son of the Andrastian faith."

"He was the last time in visited," she said.

The brother's eye arched.

"You knew the hero before the Blight?"

Solona nodded.

"He came here with his Father almost a year before the Blight began. Bryce Cousland was a good man, an honorable man," Solona frowned.

"His death was a great loss."

"Why did his lordship bring his son here?"

The Viscountess laughed lightly.

"I suspect he was investigating a new alliance between Kirkwall and his home in Highever. I think he was hoping to marry Aedan off."

Sebastian paused; his mouth became a grim line for a second.

"Sebastian?" she asked.

"Yes…um," he shook his head, his manner had become a bit more frosty, "I'm sorry Your Excellency, I must have been distracted."

Solona considered this, had…had she detected a hint of jealousy there?

Why did she take that as a good sign?

"Aedan rejected me Sebastian," she said trying to sooth his mind, "He preferred the Maker's love over a mortal's love."

Oh…I see… that is most unfortunate Your Excellency."

Solona smiled slightly.

It did not sound like he thought it was unfortunate.

"You should join me…us…I mean us for dinner this eve,' she offered, "Lord Aedan would not mind, and you can see the man who rejected me."

Sebastian laughed lightly.

"A foolish rejection Your Excellency," he said, "But Kirkwall's loss was the Grey Warden's gain, if he had stayed here…who knows if the Blight would have been stopped. I would love to dine with you."

Solona beamed.

"But I cannot…not tonight," he said sadly, "Elthina requires my aid this eve, she is travelling to Orlais and wishes me to accompany her."

"Oh," Solona murmured, trying not to sound hurt.

"When….when will you be back?"

Before Satinalia I hope," he replied.

"You should attend the ball," she offered, "It has been far too long since a Vael attended one of these…functions. Your noble family should be represented."

He smiled thoughtfully.

"I'm not much of a Vael these days," he said, "but I appreciate the offer. I shall try to make it."

"Until then?" she said.

"Until then," he replied.

He leaned in. She expected a brotherly hug from him.

What she got was gentle chaste kiss on the cheek.

Her eyes widened in shock, her cheeks flushed.

Oh my!

"Farewell Your Excellency," he said.

"Yes," she said a dreamy voice, "Farewell…Sebastian."

He left her, floating in fluffy clouds of happiness.

Oh my.

"Cousin?"

Bethany's voice snapped her out of her stupor.

"Yes," she murmured happily.

"Your hands cousin," she murmured.

Solona looked down.

Snowflakes were fluttering from her frosted gloves.

She cursed, willing them quickly to stop.

The magic faded.

"Are you well?" Bethany asked in a concerned voice.

Solona glared at her hands.

This had been happening more and more lately. Her magic was…flaring up. Brother Alec thought that her powers were growing again. She needed to use them…to exhaust them lest her emotions cause these little flares.

They were risky, so far no one had noticed, but it was only a matter of time.

If a friend of the Templars saw one.

"Perhaps you should not go out today cousin," Bethany suggested. "Let Aveline collect the Warden. You can stay here and focus on getting this under control."

She frowned at Bethany. She knew the wisdom in this, but at the same time, she did not wish to insult Aedan.

She had been concealing her gift safely for almost a decade, she could do it for a day, but first…she had business to attend to.

A meeting with Varric and Garrett, then she had a surprise for Aveline.

She would get these things done before Lord Aedan arrived.

"Your brother is coming to visit," she told Bethany, "would you like to join me in greeting him?"

Bethany nodded; yes she would like to see Garrett again.

These once a month visits were not very good for keeping them all a family.

She understood the need for caution, but still…

She missed her brother.

IOI

"Varric no."

They were meeting in the Viscountess's office. Aveline and Bethany stood behind Solona while Garrett and Varric faced her.

The Viscountess tried to keep a stern face, but she simply couldn't.

Varric was trying to amuse her enough that she would give him and Hawke her blessing. That would not happen.

"It is a good deal Cousin Lona," Garrett said.

"And it will be easy Your Highnessness," Varric chimed in, "Hawke and I can handle everything."

Solona smirked.

"I'm not changing the landowners' laws so that you two can steal ownership of the Hanged Man."

"Steal?" the two rogues said in unison.

"Cousin I'm hurt," Hawke said grabbing his chest dramatically.

"Yeah," Varric agreed, "You wound us, Highnessness."

"My Mother would approve too much of wounding you Varric, but I will go easy on you cousin."

"You are too kind Your Excellency," Hawke said dryly.

Bethany giggled.

Aveline rolled her eyes, but did not completely hide her own smile.

That seemed to please Hawke.

"I consider this matter closed," the Viscountess said.

"You never let us have any fun!" Hawke complained.

"Thank goodness," Bethany exclaimed.

Even Solona couldn't completely hide her amusement then.

"Would you be so kind to remain for a moment boys," Solona said rising from her chair, "I have a surprise for Aveline, and I think you will want to see this too."

"Your Excellency?" Aveline sounded surprised.

Solona put her hand on the woman's shoulder.

"You have been good friend and guard Aveline," The Viscountess said smiling, "I would offer you your own knighthood and a place in the nobility, but I suspect that that would not please you."

Aveline looked chagrinned.

"Please do not Your Excellency," she begged, "I…I'm a guard, I'm content with that role. I would rather kill a bandit and save a merchant's family, then spend my days attending noble parties in fancy dresses."

Solona smirked.

"I thought you might say that," the Viscountess said, "That is why I hope you approve of your new job."

"My…my new job?" Aveline looked confused.

"Follow me," the Viscountess said.

They all did.

IOI

Angry shouts filled the guard barracks. Captain Jeven struggled as the Viscountess's guard dragged him from his office.

Bran stood there waiting when they arrived.

Solona glared at the guard captain.

She had warned him for the last time.

She had reached the limits of her patience.

Aveline looked surprised.

"I asked you to keep an eye on Jeven, remember?" Solona said.

Aveline nodded.

Bradley followed him one night; he was meeting in secret with known Coterie members. He apparently was responsible for the death of several guardsmen. He…he set them up to be killed so that the Coterie could steal city accounts, and copies of my seal."

Solona stood eye to eye with Jeven.

"It is a lie Your Excellency," the man whined, "I never would…"

Solona slapped him.

"My father trusted you," she growled, "He understood your vices. As long as they harmed no one he was willing to tolerate them, but when you caused the death of innocents…"

She shook her head angrily.

"You will be imprisoned," she said coldly, "I suspect that the people you have put away will be far crueler to you than any fate I could devise."

She let him; think about that for a second, she saw his face pale.

She smiled coldly.

"Take him away," she said.

They dragged him off, begging her to let him explain.

Solona shook her head.

She was not interested in his lies…not anymore.

Aveline smirked at Jeven, she had always hated the bastard, hated his swaggering arrogance, and the way he treated the men under him.

She felt no mercy for his situation.

"You approve?" Solona asked her.

Aveline nodded.

"The guard deserves better than him Your Excellency," She replied.

"The Viscountess agrees with you," Bran said, "he would see you put your care of the men into practice."

Aveline's eyes widened.

"What?!"

Solona smirked.

"I need someone I can trust in this spot," she said, "The Viscountess's Guard's loss is the city's gain. I hope you will accept this burden. We need you here."

Aveline smiled lightly.

"You need not ask Your Excellency," she said proudly, "I will do what you expect of me, with pleasure."

Solona nodded.

"Good," she said embracing her new Guard Captain, "I even have a task for you."

"I'm ready my Viscountess," Aveline said snapping to attention.

"My entourage is going out to greet the Hero of Ferelden," she replied, "It would be nice to have the new guard captain with me."

"An honor Your Excellency," Aveline responded.

Solona nodded and left to prepare for Aedan's visit.

Bethany, Varric, and Hawke stayed behind to congratulate her.

"It is well deserved Aveline," Bethany said.

"Milady Sunshine is right," Varric agreed.

"It will be good to have the law on our side," Hawke said.

Aveline glared at him, but there was no heat in it.

"You two will behave yourselves is what you will do."

Hawke chuckled.

Same old Aveline.

IOI

The docks were a mass of activity.

Solona stood waiting with her guard, while Aveline kept the crowd back. Hawke and Bethany stood at her side. The Ferelden ship bearing Lord Aedan and his party sat in the harbor, a long boat rowed across the harbor towards shore. Two Grey Wardens sat inside, fully adorned in their blue and silver battle armor.

Some of the Qunari stood outside their compound, watching the proceedings. Fishermen and merchants paused in their work to watch the spectacle. The only thing out of place were several dwarven merchants haggling with the harbor master and cloaked fisherman asleep in his boat, a Mabari warhound panting on the dock keeping watch over him.

Aveline had spoken to both groups, neither seemed interested in causing trouble. She let them pass.

Solona stood a little straighter; she could not help but feel a burning sense of curiosity.

She couldn't wait to see Lord Aedan; there were so many questions she had for him.

The boat pulled into the dock.

The smaller of the two wardens rose. Clad in heavy battle armor and a helmet hid much of the warrior, but it was clear that this was either a boy or a woman. The markings on her armor marked the warden as a full lieutenant commander.

The man, similarly dressed was broad-shouldered, and wore the cloak of a commander, he did not move, waiting for his second to finish the introduction.

This must have been Aedan, Solona thought; he had certainly filled out in the last year.

Though he seemed to have grown more arrogant, not even rising to greet an old friend, she feared that being a hero had gone to the nobleman's head.

The woman approached them; she removed her helm revealing a pretty face with short blond hair and blue eyes.

She regarded the Viscountess and her party coldly.

"Viscounteese Em-ell?" she said.

Solona nodded.

The woman's accent surprised her.

The girl was an Orlesian aristocrat! Her accent was pure Val Royeaux.

"I am Leonie," she said, "Commandair Aedan's second in command."

"Welcome Lieutenant commander," Solona said, "Kirkwall greets you both, you honor us…"

An arrow struck Aedan in the throat, right where the helmet met the neck.

The Viscountess gasped as the male warden tipped into the water.

Hawke tackled Bethany while Aveline pulled Solona behind her.

The docks turned into a battlefield.

It was the dwarves, the merchant that Aveline had allowed to stay. They had all pulled weapons.

All directed at the remaining warden.

"FOR HARROWMONT!" one of the assassins shouted, "Death to the warden!"

The man in the armor sunk like a stone.

Leonie drew her sword, a hungry smile on her lips.

"Come dirt sneefer," she purred wickedly, "We shall show you a warden's vengeance."

The dwarf charged her.

The Fisherman's Mabari warhound plowed into him, it ripped out the dwarf's throat. Barking it went to Leonie's aid.

Solona glanced over at him, the man, clearly no longer asleep was now on his feet.

He stood drawing a glowing long sword from beneath his cloak, a shield he pulled from under his fishing nets.

Aveline moved to stop him, but Solona held her back.

Solona knew the markings on that shield, it was the laurels of Cousland family, the rulers of Highever!

Solona looked at the 'fisherman.'

"Lord Aedan?" she whispered.

He removed his hood.

Aedan had changed much in the last two years. His brown hair, once shoulder length was now cut short, in a military style. The right side of his face was marred with a burn scar, but did little to harm his handsomeness, it actually made him look more rugged. The most telling sign that he had changed though were his eyes, once they had shown with innocence, a man certain of the Maker's love and divinity.

Now…they shone with grim determination, the look of a man who had seen far too much in his short life.

"Leonie, Havard," he shouted, "No prisoners! NO MERCY!"

The female warden nodded and went after a fleeing dwarven archer.

Solona looked on in shock.

"Aedan?" she repeated.

He smirked at her.

"Milady Solona," Aedan Cousland said with a respectful nod, "Forgive me, but I must aid Leonie and Havard."

Solona gave him a quizzical look.

"Havard?"

"My hound," he said, "He would be lost without me."

Aedan lunged. He decapitated one of the dwarves with his sword.

Solona winced. The sword…clearly was magical, magical and wrong!

It felt wrong, frost dripped from the blade, cold rose from it, it seemed to wail when Aedan swung it.

He laughed wickedly.

"Go to Harrowmont you bastards," Aedan grinned, "You will join him at your ancestor's side."

He leapt into the thickest of the fighting.

Solona's eyes widened.

This…this was Aedan?

What in Andraste's name had happened to him?

"That is the Hero of Ferelden?" Aveline asked, even she sounded shocked.

Solona nodded.

It must have been the Hero of Ferelden.

It was certainly not Aedan Cousland.

Not the Aedan she remembered.

The poor man, what had happened to him?

The Viscountess had no answers.

A/N: Behold the hero! LOL Aedan will be appearing soon in my grim tales one shots. What do you think of his introduction here. Shoot me a review, you know I love them.

DG