Author's Note: This chapter is dedicated to DarkDust27 who has left me a review on all of the chapters! (I am so happy.)
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I found a tree a ways from the camp, making sure I could still see the faint light of the fire in the distance. It wouldn't do to get lost out here, though it was a strange feeling being here. If I had been in my old world I would have been too afraid to go off on my own. Now, I felt confident in my abilities. If I absolutely needed to, I knew I could protect myself, knew I could hunt any wildlife that lingered to survive in the wilderness.
I probably should have been a Dalish elf. But I was alright with being a shemlen too. Thinking of elves of course turned my thoughts to Solas, remembering my heartbreak from that love story. Two days, all I could do was watch sad music videos about it and read fan fiction that would ease the pain of knowing that in the end, he would maim me—try to stop me from stopping him—rather than think of a different way.
That love was a lieeeee. I still and always would say that Alistair is the best man to come out of the entire series. I thought Adrien was kind of awesome, too, but he didn't count because he's not there if you decide to be a female.
I slid down the tree's trunk as I tried to clear my mind of Solas, the Inquisitor, Alistair and Adrien. I crossed my legs, resting my bow across my knees as I tried to meditate some before my warden fellows appeared. I needed to remember everything that the game had taught me of the wardens so that I could better explain to them.
I had gotten most of my thoughts gathered when they appeared before me, the crunching of leaves giving them away. I opened one eye, watching their boots as they stopped before me. I slowly opened both of my eyes, nodding my head to the ground as I held out my hand. "Sit. There's a bit we must discuss before sleep is to be had tonight." I yawned as if punctuating my sentence.
Alistair gave me one of his smiles, brows raising as he lowered himself. "Sounds like your body is rejecting that notion."
Adrien sat down as well, the three of us making a triangle. A trifecta. It seemed to symbolize all the different choices we could make. Between the three of us, we would mold Ferelden's future.
And I intended to hear their opinions on the matter. I wasn't sure if I was ready for that conversation yet, however.
"Yes, well, I'm sure it's used to disappointment by this time," I grinned before spear-heading the main issue. "The other Grey Wardens are most likely dead." Even if I knew Duncan to be probably alive, it was something I would wait to disclose. "We said we would build an army, even though we are new Wardens without a senior member among us."
They nodded, following me and perhaps a bit confused why I was stating the obvious.
"We must use all of the resources we have to survive, yes?"
They nodded once more, Adrien looking like he might have just figured out where I am going with this.
"I won't.. keep my knowledge to myself. Because becoming a Warden... It's a terrifying experience. And the sacrifice we have made to save this world—because if we do not stop it in the coming months—it will cover all of Thedas."
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They were quiet, taking it all in as I explained to them the perils of being a Grey Warden, the Calling, the dreams, the appetite increase.
It was the shortened life span that upset them. They both looked physically ill, Alistair moving to stand if my hand hadn't latched onto his elbow of its own accord. I quickly let go, but the damage had been done and he was staring at me, directing his anger towards me.
Adrien silently fumed though he didn't say anything.
In a quiet voice I repeated words that had once been told to me from a computer monitor. "It's not how you die that's important. It's how you live."
I could feel them calm at my words, Adrien reaching over to take my hand, squeezing it lightly. Alistair almost looked like he was pouting at the display of his brotherly love. I smiled softly, offering my other hand to Alistair. He took it without hesitation, causing my heart to palpitate.
I cleared my throat, eyes directed upwards, spying the starry sky through the branches. With no light pollution here the sky was a sight to behold. I tried to get back on task. "There may be a solution in the coming years to stop the Calling, but that's one of the few things I don't really know."
Alistair's brow raised, eyes flickering over to my brother's. He gave him the smallest nod.
"You two realize.. I know what you're doing, right?"
They both looked at me innocently. I groaned, letting go of their hands. "That you think you two can have a silent conversation over my head is annoying. And rude. Like if you decided to start speaking in Dwarvish or Elven."
They both laughed quietly, eyes softening as they looked at me. I let out a sigh.
"You should both be prepared for the metaphorical and literal bloodbath we're walking into."
It get their attention, laughter dying as they both straightened. "Bloodbath?" Adrien questioned, lips thinning the way they did when he wondered if he would be able to keep me out of it but knowing he couldn't.
He had accepted I was basically the leader. None of that would be allowed.
Alistair had a similar look on his face.
"Every place we go, searching for our allies, will have some kind of issue we will have to solve for them before they decide to pledge any troops to our cause. They all need to be reminded that their ancestors pledged support—which is seriously disappointing. It's a Blight. Everyone needs to work together or we're all going to die." I took a breath, pulling myself out of my rant. "Anyways. I will be making a list for us, on the off chance I forget or you forget or.. something." If I have to leave.
It was going to get harder as time went on. The Archdemon.. I shivered. I could still feel its lust for me, as if I was its only people. If the darkspawn got me.. Would I be turned into a dragon looking demon as well?
Alistair and Adrien shared another look, pulling me out of my thoughts. Probably wondering if I was going crazy or something. I forced a smile, fingers wrapping around my sides. "It's cold." I pulled myself up and off the ground, putting my bow over my shoulder. "I'll tell you more in the morning before we go what we'll be facing at the Circle's Tower."
I start walking back, knowing they were on my heels. "Try to get some sleep tonight. Long nights are head of us. Nightmares tend to be worse when you join during a Blight, apparently."
I looked back at them, forcing a smile. Tonight.. would be a very long night. The first night since waking up in Flemeth's hut. My dreams would not be kind.
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My screams woke me. Sleeping in a tent for the first time in my life, my experience had not been kind. I had somehow twisted myself into my bedroll, my arms trapped as I tried desperately to move, to flail my limbs if I had to.
"Rosalind! I bruise easily! Shhhh, Rose!"
His desperate calling was like a bucket of water. Clarity filtered into my mind and tent with the tiniest of rays of light as the sun barely rose. My eyes slowly blinked open, finding amber eyes holding me in place carefully. I let out a breath, relief sinking through me as I tried to push the nightmare away from me. Not that I could really call it a nightmare. Nightmares were fiction, your subconscious coming up with scenarios so that you might be mentally prepared should it ever occur.
An Archdemon spending the night trying to learn more about my location, probing my mind as it promises what it will do to me in detail for not doing exactly as it says?
Alistair's arms slowly receded from me as I calmed, arms going limp under his strong hands. He looked as if he were trying to decide whether to ask me now or wait until later, his cheeks flushing as it dawned on him that he was in my tent. Alone. With my bare leg just barely peeking out of my bedroll.
"I, uh," he quickly cleared his throat, uncomfortable, rearranging himself next to me, legs pulled up in an easy position to escape with. His hand rested near me, propping himself up as he pointedly looked away from my form.
I wanted to ease his nervousness, reaching out for him before I realized what I was doing. My fingers wrapped around his wrist, thumb carefully rubbing the delicate skin of the inside of his wrist. "Thank you," I murmured softly.
His smile looked sad. He probably didn't think he'd done much. He glanced over at me, deciding he would wait a moment before escaping. My fear stricken eyes kept him immobile.
"Nightmares?" He questioned, already knowing.
I nodded slowly, moving my blankets to cover all of me before rolling towards him. "You don't have to say anything," I told him. "I just.. want to try to rest for a moment next to someone. I.. Didn't sleep at all. Not really." I closed my eyes as I breathed in his silent strength, hoping I might use it as a crutch.
"Of course, Rose. We can spare a few hours," he said softly and I felt careful fingers sliding into my hair, gently pushing it back as my grip on his wrist tightened.
"Thank you, Alistair," I mumbled, already slipping away into a gentler sleep. This time, I did not encounter the Archdemon as I nestled into the warmth of my bedroll and blankets, a comfortable weight wrapped around me as Alistair slowly played with my hair. The tension left me and I slumbered.
