A/N: Final chapter of Ferelden Nights. I hope everyone has enjoyed reading it. It was a labor of love, and I enjoyed writing it. There is a line from Amy Lee's Love Exists. 'Stop standing on the edge' the song belongs to her. i just like the Lyrics and always pictured a scene with Leliana. So, i added it. please check out the song if you want it is so very beautiful.
The landsmeet, had gone better than expected. There was almost unanimous support to our arguments, and the proof we had. Loghain, was unable to bow out peacefully and challenged Sasha to one on one combat. "Be careful Sasha, Loghain is a powerful fighter. We may have won every single fight we had been in. Do not under estimate him." I told her my observations.
The duel lasted 15 minutes, with Sasha as victor. This is where we ran into a debate. Queen Anora wanted her father to live, but undergo the Warden's ritual. Alistair refused, and said he would not let the man pollute the Wardens. She tried suggesting the people decide, but they were evenly matched with yeses and noes.
With a resigned sigh, Sasha executed him. Anora remained true to her promise to wed Alistair after the blight. But killing her father, may have caused the end of Sasha's relationship with Alistair and what had begun as the relationship between her and Anora.
I snuck into Anora's room and hid in the shadows. "You killed my Father, how am I supposed to be ok with us being an us now?" She asks Sasha. "He caused the death of your husband, did Cailan mean so little to you?" Alistair asks. "Al. Please, your anger isn't helping. I love you, but please go and help Eamon plan." She says to him. He nods and walks off.
"Anora, I took no pleasure in your father's execution. But Ferelden needs you and Al. He is a good man, a strong leader, but you know nobility and courts. You both will need to work together for the country we love. I held no hatred for your father. I was confused of his actions, and it would be easy to blame him for the violation and slaughter of my whole family. But it was Howe's men." She said.
Anora did not look moved. "Anora, look at me please. I know we barely know each other, but you feel or felt the connection we had." She says. Anora faces her, tears threatening to fall. "I do not expect forgiveness, if I live through this blight, I will have to live with Loghain's blood on my hands. I only ask, you try and understand. Your father, though once a noble and proud general, he has harmed your people, more than was shared at the landsmeet." She says.
She handed her a battered journal and a roll of papers I had known nothing about. "My Father's journal, and what are these?" she asks referring to the bundle of papers. "Reports and complaints not given to you, are some. There are others sealed shut with your father's seal. A note to was attached to it." She handed her the note. "This, is who Loghain Mac Tir really is. R.J." she says. "Red Jenny." Sasha replies.
I know of the organization, as does Anora by her look. "You know Red Jenny as do I. I ask that you support Alistair, but tell him kindly if and why when you do not agree with him. Because they will be times when you don't. Do not judge him for his reaction to your father, judge him by his own merits. Just as you asked us to not judge you by your father's actions." Sasha says.
She almost runs into me on her way out. I wanted to read those things. The first thing Anora reads are the bundles of paper she was given. I judge by her reactions what the paper elicits in her. I only grow more curious. She reads them quickly, and sets them aside. She picks up the journal, she only gets half way through it before covering her mouth tossing it to the side and running out.
I pick the papers up, dozens of reports on Elven assaults, most are about nobles. I feel Leli coming and place my finger on my lips. I show her the reports and she read them. She wavers a bit, no doubt memories of her imprisonment flaring. I steady her, and sit her down on the seat Anora vacated not long ago. I pick up the journal, making sure to keep my finger on the page she that landed on the floor.
I did not think it was possible, but the journal contains even more disturbing things. I think I hear footsteps and place everything where it had been and grab Leli. We fade shift out as Sasha and Anora come back in.
I coax her to lie down and do my best to replace her horrible memories with gentle and deep love making. We were laying in each other's arms. "I cannot believe how truly despicable Loghain was. Killing her lovers, forcing her into a marriage where she would not be appreciated or even loved. All to control every aspect he possibly could. The Orlesian Game seems like a pleasant leap frog compared to that." Leli says. I nodded in agreement and yawned.
We had decided to speak no further of it and sleep, we were leaving for Redcliffe Village again tomorrow. The signs pointed to the Darkspawn horde going in that direction, and so that is where we would go.
When we got to Redcliffe a small force of Darkspawn already attacking. The force easily removed. "That cannot have been it." I state a runner barges in. "Forgive me my Lords and Ladies. But the Archdemon has been spotted flying to Denerim. A mighty host of Darkspawn following." The messenger says. "How far out are they?" Alistair asks. "A day, maybe two my lord." He answers.
"Even if we leave now, they will get there before us. We still need to send out the summons." Sasha says. "Send the birds, we leave before dawn. Let us pray the gates, and soldiers in Denerim can hold." Eamon says.
Leli and I of course made love like it would be our last night on Thedas. She sleeps comfortably next to me. Not even the knocking on my door rouses her from her slumber. I put on a robe and open the door to a frantic and angry Zarola.
I follow her out and to her room. Morrigan was nowhere to be found. "She put a sleeping spell on me, when I woke to search for her she was in Alistair's room. Riding his cock, I thought she hated him. Why, why Phaedra would she do this to me, to us?" her anger had become tears. "I do not know, but I am sure there is a good reason. She loves you Zar, she wouldn't hurt you intentionally." I said.
"That does not make me feel better Phae." She says. "I am sorry. But perhaps, when this was all over, she will explain." I said. I knew I should be more comforting, or outraged, but Morrigan never did anything without a reason. "Do you even care?" she says, before storming off. I found no rest that night, my mind consumed with regret. I should have said, or done something.
I took solace in the fact that, soon, I would be far too busy to dwell on my mistakes. Zarola, did show up. A rousing speech uplifted the soldiers we had. As we traveled, I escaped my bard to find the rogue I had hurt so much. Morrigan had spoken to her first, I am sure she felt her lover's pain. But Zarola, seemed like she could care less.
"Zar, I know you are upset with me. I can apologize until I am blue in the face. But it does not make right, that I was not there for you last night." I said. She said nothing. "I am not good with this, I have never been betrayed like you or Leli. I stubbornly cling on to the hope, that Morrigan had a good reason. But I am blinded by our friendship." I said.
I was getting frustrated as once again, she did not respond. "There is never a good reason to cheat on your spouse. No matter how you look at it, it was wrong of her." I said. Finally, she responds. "Do you mean that? Or are you just saying that?" she asks. "I mean it. If Leli had done that to me no matter the reason, I would feel like I had died inside, and love was just an illusion." I admitted honestly.
She sighs again. "Okay, I will forgive your insensitivity. I hated being alone. I can't even look at her or Alistair. And I am having trust issues with Sasha. Did she know about it? Did she allow it?" she asks. "Did I allow what?" Sasha asks. "Gah! Curse our excellent teaching skills!" We said together at being jump scared by her.
"Alistair and Morrigan?" Zarola asks. Sasha looks genuinely confused, then her eyes widen. "I can't believe she did that, even after I adamantly said no." She says. "Why did she ask you? Why Alistair?" I asked confused. Sasha sighs and shakes her head.
"I will tell you, but it is a Grey Warden secret. It cannot get out to the public." She says we swear not to say anything. "The only way to end a blight is to kill the Archdemon. We are all aware of that. What the Warden's keep to themselves, is the Grey Warden that does the killing blow, dies to." She told us, and we gasped.
"Morrigan, found a way around this. There is a ritual of magic. If she were to perform the ritual and lie with a Grey Warden, from that union a child is created. The soul of the old god, the arch demon, enters the child instead of the Grey Warden. Sparing their life, but it is unknown what the child would be, other than powerful. Like people, they can be good or bad." Sasha explains.
"And she approached you, why?" Zarola says. "Riordan, was too long with the blight. That is how a Warden gains their abilities. They drink darkspawn blood. If they survive, the blood becomes a part of them. And as you both know, I am a woman, so I wouldn't have been able to either." She says.
"Which left Alistair." We finished her thought. "She approached me, vaguely explained the results. I told her no. Not for jealousy purposes, but because it felt wrong, I have never, nor ever condoned infidelity. Not even if it spares my life. For the past year we have scrambled and fought to end the blight. The child created could become an even greater risk." Sasha says.
"So, Morrigan went against your wishes, and convinced Alistair to complete this ritual?" I ask. "That is how it appears. Wynne had warned me, that this was a possibility. Out of love, we do something normally we wouldn't for the sake of the one we love. The consequences be damned, and boom, the world suffers because of it. I should have listened." She admits.
"No, though it is true, we do stupid things out of love, love is what also keeps us fighting." Zarola says. "Are you just going to forgive her like that?" I ask perturbed after what she put me through. "I don't know. I think I need time to sort it out." She responds. "I am not sure I can forgive Alistair either, for going along with it. Or her for doing it anyways." Sasha says.
Their voices fade away, and I become lost in thought. "You're brooding." Leli says. "I am not, I do not brood." I said. "Yes, you do. And I would bet it had something to do with the conversation you just had." She says.
"I suppose so, I do not know if I can explain it to you. It involves Grey Warden secrets. And I promised Sasha, I wouldn't share it." I said. "I do not think she meant from me love." Leli says. "One sec." I ran up to Sasha. "I promised, I would not say anything. Does that include Leli?" I asked. "No. but only if she keeps it to herself." Sasha replies.
I run back to Leli. "I can tell you, only as long as you keep it a secret." I said. "I am capable of keeping it a secret." She says. I give her a brief overview. "I see, but why does it make you brood?" She asks. "What if we make that mistake. Doom the world, because we love each other too much? Have we done so in the past?" I ask.
"If it was the world or you, I do not think I could make the right decision. You are my world." I shared honestly. She strokes my cheek. "It is the same for me as well. But, If, that decision came down to you. Save the world, and we will see each other again in the afterlife. I would not hold it against you." she says.
It helps but a little. I would continue to pray that the fate of the world never rests on Leliana's life. Because I would let this world burn. I see no redeeming quality, other than Leliana. But I could also not deny her wishes. It was a conundrum.
"The gates are before us. Charge!" Alistair says, and we do. After clearing the initial Darkspawn, we watched the Arch Demon fly back to Fort Drakon. "Taking out the generals, will weaken the horde. Search for them, I will start towards the Arch Demon." Riordan says.
"We'll need a few people to remain here and help hold the gate." Sasha says. "I will stay behind." I volunteer. "I would like to take Leliana with me. I need a good archer." Sasha says. "I know. I will still stay. The people at the gate may need my healing and magic." I explain. My bard knows that I am still brooding about our conversation earlier.
"I would like to go to the alienage if possible. I am worried about my family." Zarola says. Any mention of her wife is wisely kept silent. "Very well, Wynne, are you up to going with her?" Sasha asks. "Hold on a moment. If she needs a mage, you should send me." Morrigan says. "No, I would prefer you remain close, regardless of your 'condition'" Sasha says tersely.
"Sash…" Alistair begins. "Save it Al. We can talk about it, after we kill the Arch Demon. Since, we will have time now." She says with the same terseness. "Sten, I will need you to be in charge here. Oghren, you are second in command." She says.
She kneels in front of Rufus. "Hey killer. I want you to stay with Sten, keep em all in line. I know boy, but up there it will be far too dangerous. I would not like my favorite warrior to get smashed by a dragon tail." She says. He tilts his head and looks at Alistair. "Al and I have some things to work out." She responds to his silent question and scratches his head. He licks her hand and dutifully stands next to Sten.
Before me now is my love, my one true heart's desire. "I expect you to make it through this and wait for me to come back down." She says. I nod and lift my face to kiss her lips, possibly for the last time. I whistle for Banal'ras and Elgara as she walks towards the next section of the city.
"Go with her, make sure she comes back to me safely." I order they nod and both nudge my hand and catch up to walk on each side of Leli. As soon as they make it through the gate another wave hits us from behind. My battle song begins.
After what seems like hours of a continuous stream of Darkspawn. We get a break. As fast as possible I weave my way through the battlefield and heal those I can. By the time I was finished, I was out of Lyrium potions, sitting against a wall. A bottle full of blue liquid enters my line of sight and I look up.
"You must drink this. We know not when they will come again, my friend." Sten says. I nod, and drink it and grip his gigantic hand. "Thank you, Sten. For the lyrium and calling me a friend." I replied. "It is what you are to me. I am still confused about a woman fighting, but I respect your battle skills. You have saved me a number of times." He says patting my back. "More are coming through!" A soldier gets out before an Ogre crushes his body.
Another undetermined amount of time and there was a sound of an explosion, and immediately retreating Darkspawn. I look to the tower and see a pillar of light. "They did it then." I said. I feel a sharp pain and look down to see a sword protruding from my gut. I grabbed the Hurlock before he could escape and crushed him with my magic. My lips tightly closed.
I slump to my knees, and cough out my own blood. I force myself to vomit. The ground meets my face and I fade in and out of darkness. Words are muffled, my vision is blurry. A light pierces my haze. "Mon ange. Please Hold on." The pain makes me sink further into unconsciousness.
The pain I feel when my senses come back, threaten to make me shrink back to the darkness. A warm hand and the smell of Andraste's Grace, pulls me back. I turn my head, breathe in the scent and slowly open my eyes. I see my flame-haired angel, asleep resting her head on my hand. I so dearly want to move, but I cannot.
My throat is dry and hurts, I would swallow my spit, but I fear I have none. It is Mr. Schmooples lifting his head from my knees, and nudging her that wakes her. Her smile is bright when she sees my eyes awake. I struggle to speak again, I cannot. "Water?" she asks. I nod. I lift my head as best as I can, but she pushes me up further to drink.
Now, with my throat cooled and no longer parched, I try to speak again. But again, no words come out. I must have drunk a pitcher of water, but still could not utter a sound. Leli leaves to bring a healer. "She has been trying to speak, and even after a pitcher she still can't" She tells the healer.
"I was afraid, this may happen. The poison on the blade, when she vomited, it must have burned her vocal cords. Has she been able to move much?" he asks her. "Just her head and barely. What is wrong with her?" she asks. "Find me a healing mage, I have no way of figuring it out without them." He says to her. She comes back seconds later, Wynne in tow.
"Are you a spirit healer?" the non-mage healer asks. "Yes." She replies tiredly. "I need a way to see what the damages are inside." My connection to the fade, shows me she is too weak to attempt this. Her spirit of faith too is weak. I shake my head, trying desperately to tell her do not attempt this. "I am still weak, I will need a few more healing mages to assist." She admits.
"But they are back at the tower now." Leli says. "The longer we wait the more chance this state becomes permanent, if it hasn't become that already." The healer says. I shake my head fervently. Hoping my eyes scream do not attempt. I will wait.
With sheer will and determination, I enter the Fade and pull Leliana's spirit in with me. "What have you done?" she asks. "I do not have much time Leli, this is taxing enough to hold with my low mana. Do not under any circumstances let Wynne even attempt this." I said.
"But if she can help, even a little…" she says, and I interrupt her. "She can't help me. She will die Leli, even from just the attempt." I said. "Andraste's Ashes, maybe." She says. "The guardian, he has moved them. Brother Genitivi, was insistent that the world knew of them. We could not kill and innocent man." I said.
"But Mon Ange." She says. "I can wait. Please Leli. For me, do not let her." I could not hold the magic any longer and pushed her out and back in to her body. "I suppose, I could try. Use her magic to bolster mine." I heard Wynne say. "No, Wynne. If you try, in your current state you will die. We will wait for the extra healers." Leli says and I nod in approval.
I spend a lot of my time dozing in and out, drawing strength from the fade. Each time I wake up my Leli is there. When the healers finally get there, they shoo her out. I feel crowded and overwhelmed, but I gulp and suffer through the intrusions. After hours of working and examining I am ok. I refuse to speak to them my first words would be for Leli's ears.
I look for my love through the fade and see her standing on the edge of the tower. I know she has no desire to jump. She just needed the fresh and cool air. I push my healers away and fade step up to the tower. "Ma Vehnan." I croak out she turns to me and smiles. I walk towards her.
"Mon amor. You are better." She says. I nod at her. "Why are you out here? You aren't planning to jump, are you?" I asked. "Of course not. I was just thinking." She says I sit down next to her, our booted feet hanging over the edge. "What about?" I asked.
"You, me, us. We have endured so much. Yet here we are together and in love. The blight is over. We have all lived through this. Sometimes, even as harsh as our journeys to this point have been, it feels like a dream. Sort of." She says.
"How?" I ask. "I wake up, and I see you, I feel you against me. Your scent lingering in my nose. A good scent. Like the forest after it rains. And I feel so moved and happy that this could not be real. It's like, my body is still in that dungeon. But my heart and mind are here with you and our friends." She says.
I think I understand her feelings. She is broadcasting it clearly to me. I put my arm around her. "Such is love. It is vast, unpredictable, very dreamlike." I said kissing her cheek. Silently I get up and stand on the tower proper. "Mon Ange?" she says confused.
"Stop standing on the edge. Take my hand and erase the past forever. My love is you. My love you are." I hold out my hand, she turns and takes my hand and I pull her to me kissing her so deeply she would not be able to dream of the feeling it created.
"Does that feel like a dream?" I asked. "I could never dream up such a kiss, so deeply." She says. "Good. So, the blight is over. The darkness has receded for now. What do we do next?" I asked. My arms are around her waist her arms are on my shoulder. "For starters. A nice long hot bath, followed by a night of lovemaking, then the wedding and reception. Then I want you to come with me to the Valence Cloister and meet the woman who led me to Lothering." She says.
"As my heart wishes do I concede. But you forgot to add we get married and journey throughout Thedas until we no longer can. Then a nice cottage overlooking a lake or sea. Growing old together and finally resting." I said. "Are you asking for my hand in marriage?" she asks. "I am asking all of you in marriage. Talented as your hand is, I want all of you." I said.
"Then, I accept and take all of you in marriage too." A fresh breeze teases our senses and makes us shiver. "Hot bath." I said fighting the urge for my teeth to chatter from cold. We went inside and proceeded to bathe, make love all night. Sleepily we smile and compare our wedding would be like to Anora and Alistair's. Sasha stands to the side holding back her tears of joy.
From what I understand, they worked out their problems. But there was a companion missing. Morrigan had disappeared. Leaving a destitute Zarola in her wake. Leli and I sat her between us comforting her and stilling her tears if but temporarily.
We enjoy the festivities later as best we can. "So, Sasha. What next for you?" I asked when she had managed to escape for brief respite. "I am leaving in a week to take up duties as Warden Commander in Amaranth. The people there need someone to clean up and fix whatever Howe did to them." She said.
She sounded weary. "You seem exhausted. Must you go so soon?" Leliana asks. "I cannot linger long. Who knows what state those poor people are in. I would leave sooner, but I must wait at least 3 days. That is when I am free to be with both my loves. At least for a bit." She says.
"Why not sooner?" I asked. "Tradition. For 3 days hence, wedded couples must make love multiple times to increase the chance of an heir. I have been asked to perform the King and Queen's duties during this time. Because someone has to take care of this kingdom while they are occupied." She says.
"Human nobles are weird." I comment. Leli and Sasha chuckle. "Yes, we are." Sasha agrees. "Do not forget that you too must rest. Do not become overwhelmed and make yourself sick." I said to her. "I won't. Erlina has been instructed not to let me. By order of the King and Queen." She says smiling her eyes no doubt imagining her next time to be with her loves.
"What of you two?" Sasha asks snapping out of her daze. "Leli is taking me to meet Revered Mother Dorothea. We will ask for her blessing to get married." I said. "Truly?" she asks. "Yes. It is not necessary, but Dorothea means a lot to me." Leli says.
"As long as I can be at the wedding." Sasha says. "We would not dream of having it without you. The Hero of Ferelden." I tease. "We are all heroes in my book." She says kissing our cheek and breathing in deeply to face the world and no doubt parade in her honor.
We left mid morning and arrived in Valence in three days. Zarola had agreed to go with Sasha part of the way to Amaranth. But she would be leaving to search for her wife. She deserved answers on her abandonment.
Zevran stayed with the King after Sasha's departure, promising to keep the King and Queen safe. Who better to protect from assassins then an assassin? Wynne left with Shale, promising to return to the tower when her task was complete. Sten went home with Rufus on his heel after objecting to Sasha leaving him in Ferelden. He had earned retirement. As for our dwarven merchants they returned to traveling. Oghren could return to Orzammar as warrior.
We were sitting in a tub in our room in Valence. It was late upon our arrival. Dorothea had already retired for the evening. "I thought you wanted to reconnect with your family in Kirkwall?" Leli asks. "I do, and I will. But this is important to you. And I would love you to go with me." I said.
"As for our wedding?" she asks. "I would like them to be there. Both my human and Elven family. I know the second one may not happen though." I said sadness creeping into my voice. "You never know. They may." She says. I nod and kiss her cheek.
The next six months is the very epitome of a dream. We were happy. I still had not gotten in touch with the Amells in Kirkwall. But I did see Wynne again and my brother. Both were assured they could attend my wedding.
Sadly, I could not find my former clan in Ferelden. I had no idea where they had gone too. I had received a letter from Zarola. She had found her wife and they were going to work on their relationship. After her letter I had been given updates on all our companions. We were in a state of joy when Dorothea became Divine Justinia.
However, my happiness was at an end. After a night of glorious lovemaking, I felt Leliana slip out of bed. She had kissed my cheek and said she would be back shortly. She had felt the need for a hot cider and a sweet roll. I had said I was good. Rolled over and went back to sleep. The next day, I woke up to an empty bed and my love was nowhere to be found.
"Have you seen my betrothed?" I asked a servant. She handed me a sealed letter. When I opened a piece of jewelry fell out and into my hand. It was the engagement ring I had forged for Leli. And nothing else. "I am sorry mistress. I saw her leave, but I could not find out where she went." She said.
"My name is Phaedra. And it is alright. I will find out." I said and went to the woman I knew would have answers. I had no manners and stormed into the Divine's quarters. I had noticed it was the divine's seal. "How dare you!" a guard asked. I flung him to the side. "Where is she? I was given this." I placed Leli's ring on her desk. "It was in an envelop. With your seal on it. Where is she?" I asked again.
Dorothea waved away the guards that had begun to converge. "Leliana is on a mission for me. It is of the upmost importance and a secret. You will only put her at risk. You distract her. She has a higher purpose." She says.
"But you blessed our union. Was that just a lie to make her more complacent to your will?" I asked. "No. Phaedra. It was not. I do bless your marriage." She says. "Then why?" I asked. "I would not have stood in her way. But by her side." I said. She sighs. "I know. But her mission will be hard enough, with her as a hero of the fifth blight. She may need to delve into her past as a bard. This mission must succeed." She says.
"I can find her you know." I said. "You could, if she had not sought a mage employed by me. She has been given a means to hide from you. I urge you please do not look for her. She loves you. You love her. But if you were to look for her. You put her life at risk." She says.
I sigh defeated. The one thing I could never do. Cause harm to my beloved. "Will you see her again?" I asked. She nods. "Give this to her. She need not wear it but, I made it for her with all the love I bear for her. It belongs with her. Tell her, I love her and will wait for her." She nods, and I allow her to embrace me but, so it began. The crushing loss of my lover.
The next day, I made haste to Kirkwall. It was with heartbreak and heaviness I trudged up the stairs to the city. I knew from my brother where the Amell estate was. Sadly, the house stood empty. Or at least I think it did. I asked a guardswoman for a place to stay.
"In Lowtown. There is a place called 'The Hangedman. They will have lodgings." She says. "Lowtown?" I asked. "Come with me, my shift is at end. I will lead you there." She says. I nod and follow behind her. We meet up with a bulky fellow, he seems nice. "Guardswoman Aveline." He greets cordially. I see the look of tentative love in her eyes. "Guardsman Donnec." She says.
They speak a few moments, passing down information. "And what of the young woman with you?" he asks looking at me kindly. "She has just arrived in Kirkwall. I am taking her to the Hanged Man for lodgings." She replies.
"Welcome to Kirkwall Mistress. I am Guardsman Donnec." He says politely holding out his hand to shake mine. I do not get bad vibes from him. Tentatively, I shake his hand. "Phaedra Amell." I reply. "I'm sorry did you say Amell?" Aveline asks. "Yes, my lady." I reply. "Any relation to Gamlen Amell?" She asks.
"I do not know mistress. My Father was an Amell. My mother a Dalish. My brother mentioned a, 'Leandra Hawke'. I came from Ferelden, looking for the Amells." I said. She sighs. "Alright, come with me. There are a few people you should meet then. We are still going to The Hangedman. They are usually there for a game of Wicked Grace by now." She says.
She bids farewell to Donnec and leads me to Lowtown. "I know Leandra Hawke. I count her among my extended family. She is a good and kind woman. I will not abide by fooling her, so, if you are not her kin… I strongly suggest you abandon your plot. Or by the Maker, I will make you pay and then send you packing." She says. I nod in agreement.
I enter the tavern, the familiar scent of stale vomit, urine and ale hitting my nose. It made me nostalgic for Oghren's company again. I was happy he and Sasha had reunited in Amaranth. I had received a letter from Sasha about Oghren becoming a Grey Warden. I could not believe he drank the whole chalice of Darkspawn Blood.
"Hawke!" Aveline yells, from behind the stairs comes a woman, beautiful, eyes of deep sapphire and hair as black as mine own. Her jerkin was crooked and untucked, her breeches open. "Really, must you be so uncouth. Fix yourself. There is someone here looking for your mother." Aveline says.
This seems to sober up and she unwraps pale thin arms, with a distinctive tattoo. I knew that tattoo. "Merrill?" I ask out loud. She looks from around Hawke. "Phaedra? Is that you, truly?" she asks. I had cut my hair shorter, but it should not have changed my looks much. "It is Da'len. It has been too long." I reply.
Her eyes thin and glare upon me. I knew what was coming. I would let her, I did deserve it after all. She quickly walked up to me and the slap to my face stung like hell and had my head jerking to side. This action seemed to both impress and infuriate Hawke. She went to punch me, I grabbed her hand.
"I deserved that from Merrill, which is why I did not stop it. But you do not know me and therefore, I will not allow you to hit me." I said steel in voice. "She is my paramour. What hurts her, angers me." She replied equally steely. "Rilia." Merrill says, and her voice instantly soothes the rage burning in Hawke.
"Fine, I will leave it. But a slap like that warrants an explanation." Rilia says. "And I will tell you later. She came here looking for your Mother. I think I know why. But please, hear her out." Merrill says. "Fine. I need another ale." She says. She heads to the barkeep and I sit in a cozy room. A dwarf, A mage, and a brooding elf sit down around the table.
"By the way you owe me an explanation too." She says. Before sitting next to an empty chair, I had no doubt the seat belonged to Hawke. Aveline stood imposingly at the doorway. When Hawke returned, I told my story from my life with the elves and my exile. Merrill got her explanation. We were getting ready to leave. I had to still prove my claim as family. Leandra would be my witness. But it would wait until tomorrow.
The closed door, burst open. "What have I missed?" I knew that voice too. "Well, hello again Phaedra. Come to relive our night on the Siren's call. But I do not see the songbird." She says leaning over me her gloriously large and inviting breasts pushing into my back. Hawke cleared her throat. Isabela backed off. "She and I have separated temporarily." I replied, my voice cracking a bit.
"So, you are a free agent then. Never mind we can still relive that night. "Isabela. What would Bethany say?" Hawke asks. Isabela seems to change a bit. "Well, it is not like we are together. So, I imagine she would have nothing to say." Isabela says. But her falter there, gives me some insight. "Wow, who would have thought, the infamous booty pirate, almost spoken for." I commented teasingly. Bella throws a knife at me and I catch it easily. She storms out.
I deny their plea to tell them the story of that night, and set up a room to retire. I make sure to lock the door and ward it. Because you never know when a lustful pirate rogue would try and break in. I sighed heavily. "And so, begins my nights in Kirkwall. This should be interesting." I said aloud. With a yawn I lay in the bed fully clothes and armored, just in case. I fell asleep, swearing I could hear my Leli singing Suledin in Elvish.