Carver chewed his lip nervously; glancing around wondering where Alistair was. When Carver had woken that morning Alistair was already putting on his armour. He had gripped Alistair so tightly during their parting kiss he wondered if his love was bruised. They had said their goodbyes the night before showing each other with actions rather than words their love for each other and lost themselves momentarily in a bliss so intense they never wanted it to end. He had known Alistair would be leaving before him, to take the first step and call the Archdemon to them. He knew Alistair was using the intense link that had been formed, had used his nightmares to lull the Archdemon to them. His fists clenched when Loghain started.

"Typical that we are on the front line and your beloved Commander is nowhere to be seen." Loghain sniped. "Is he cowering somewhere perhaps, using his injury as an excuse to stay out of the fighting? Face it, like so many others has he led us to be slaughtered!"

"Shut your mouth!" Carver snarled. "You have no idea what he has gone through, what it has cost him to draw the Archdemon to us!"

"Cost him! This foolishness will cost all our lives!"

Carver didn't even process what he was doing before he had Loghain on the ground his fists flying at his face. He was forcibly dragged away, though both realised not before he had landed another blow. "Alistair is doing what needs to be done to get the bloody thing here!" He snarled. "Just do your part and leave us to do ours!"

xXx

Alistair pressed himself close to the rock face and took long deep calming breaths. His heart was pounding so fiercely he wondered if it would perhaps give out before his plan was completed. He slowly closed his eyes allowing for a moment his thoughts to linger on Carver. He felt the swell of love he had never imagined was possible and the ache that what he would do would hurt Carver the most. Alistair clenched and unclenched his hands to try and shake out the tremor. Maker guide my hand. Let my last act mean something. Let me do what must be done without the sacrifice of another.

The Archdemon was close; Alistair could feel the poisonous mind reach out to him, searching for him. He gave a prayer to the Maker that the creature had taken the bait. He eased himself up the rock face knowing he would have to time this perfectly. A sharp pain darted up his spine, Alistair growled and downed the third potion, it had taken two just to get him up the difficult path to the ledge. Alistair shuddered, praying the Archdemon would arrive soon while he still had sense enough to remember what he was supposed to do.

Then he heard it, a roar that echoed throughout the valley, his whole body freezing. He was not afraid of death; nor of the oblivion that would follow, but he was afraid of failing, of Loghain being right about him. He gripped Leliana's daggers in his hands, checked his sword was tightly buckled reassured by the soft blue glow of the additional runes and inched forward to the cliff edge.

xXx

A crack like thunder echoed around the valley as the crossbows were fired, one missing the Archdemon by inches, the other finding its target and ripping through one of the wings. The Archdemon gave a roar of rage and banked sharply left; only to be met with a volley of arrows, one grazing its eye. Fire poured from its mouth; but the archers had already dived for cover, the natural crevices in the rock giving them shelter. It was enough time for the crossbows to be loaded again and fired, this time both hitting their target, one embedded in its tail, the other tearing into the stomach. The creature snarled, hitting hard off the mountain, crushing one crossbow and those defending it, screaming for the Darkspawn that were unable to reach it. The tunnels had been cut off and there was only one way into the Valley. The Darkspawn were caught in a natural choke point and screamed in rage as they fell one by one, caught by the arrows rained down on them and the spells that engulfed them in flame. Those that managed to get passed found themselves pitted against a line of deadly warriors and rogues; each determined that no Darkspawn would get passed them. The valley echoed with the clash of steel, the grunts and gasps as swords drove through tainted and untainted flesh alike. The screams of the dying on both sides urged the fighters on, until the ground was sodden with blood and the dead. Despite the ferocity of the battle, the Darkspawn could not gain an advantage and their numbers were dwindling.

Carver and Garrett broke away into smaller groups as they saw the dragon struggling to maintain its height, moving swiftly to get into a position to take down the Archdemon.

"By the Paragons we're going to do it." Serac crowed with delight, before turning at the sound of Anders cry of alarm. Carver following his gaze pain and fear pinning him to the spot. The Archdemon was flying low and a lone figure leapt from a ledge beyond the crossbows onto its back. Loghain glanced up and felt his body turn to ice.

xXx

Alistair felt the rush of air as he leapt and as his feet touched scale he drove the daggers deep beneath the dragons armour and held on for dear life as it gave a scream of pain and fury and began to gain height with astonishing speed. It swirled and turned, spinning violently trying to dislodge its unwanted passenger. It was all Alistair could do to hold on. When it finally leveled out he scrambled across its back driving his sword through the thinner membrane where wing and side met. The Archdemon roared in pain as Alistair did the same to the other side, taking them into a forward dive, Alistair jamming his sword between the scales at its neck, grimly holding on, refusing to die until it did.

The Archdemon crunched into the ground; Alistair ripping out his sword, landing badly and rolling from the dragon, his body screaming in protest, crying out in pain as flailing claws dragged down his left side. Breathing heavily Archdemon and Warden Commander assessed each other. Both badly hurt; both bleeding, both determined to kill the other. Alistair drank the final two potions in quick succession as a foggy haze began to descend and the pain increased. He was rewarded with renewed strength; his pain a slight ache in the background, barely noticing the blood of his wounds.

Alistair let out a battle roar and hurtled towards the dragon; sinking to his knees, his momentum keeping him going as he drove his sword into and down its throat. Rolling to one side as it collapsed screeching horribly he took a moment to catch his breath. The wings flapped helplessly, claws pawing at the ground as its blood soaked into the earth.

Alistair held the memories of Carver to him; the man he loved the reason he was doing this, so he would be safe, so he could build a new life. His hands gripped tightly the hilt of his sword. I love you Carver. He gave a roar of pain and regret and triumph as he drove his sword through the Archdemon's head, driving it through with all of his strength until the sword sank into the earth beneath.

A brilliant white beam of light burst out of the beast reaching skyward; surrounding Alistair, his skin feeling as though it was burning. He screamed in pain as the Archdemon sought to claim his body for its own. Alistair's eyes widened as he felt himself engulfed in the darkness of the Old God, clinging to who he was before there was an explosion and the light tore through him. Alistair felt himself ripped from his body, the soul of the old god wrapping around his before the force hit them and all that they had been was destroyed.

xXx

Silence filled the void the explosion had created, a terrible silence that was broken with an agonised wail as Carver sank to his knees, pulling his love into his arms. "Give him back!" Carver screamed, cursing the Maker in strangled breaths. Cailan and Anders sank to their knees beside him, unable to speak as grief claimed them. Carver wept openly; pressing soft kisses to Alistair lips, lips that would never again kiss him back. "Why you?" He sobbed. "You bloody fool." His voice raising in his anger. "Always doing your damned duty! Why didn't you let me do this one thing for you?" He buried his face against Alistair's shoulder, his body shaking violently. "Why wouldn't you let me save you for once?" He mumbled through his tears; as his fingers moved through Alistair's hair, pressing their foreheads together. He felt a hand on his shoulder but shrugged it away, clutching Alistair tightly to him.

Merrill knelt beside him, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Dareth shiral, Alistair. May your god hold you close and keep you safe."

Carver glanced at her, his vision blurred with tears. There would be no embrace of the Maker for his love. He had sacrificed everything he was to stop the Archdemon. Carver wept bitterly, he did not even have the comfort of knowing when his own time came he would join Alistair in the afterlife. He felt Garrett's arms wrap around him and he allowed it, knowing his brother was the only other person there that knew just what the sacrifice meant.

"I'm so sorry Carver." Garrett whispered his voice thick with his own tears.

Carver didn't speak; couldn't, simply held onto Alistair's body as Garrett held onto him. It was over, but there was no joy for him. He winced at the cheers of those who saw the dead Archdemon, before the silence fell as they began to realise that Alistair had made the ultimate sacrifice to save them.

xXx

Carver stared at the parchment in his hand, the letter that had been on their bed when those who had survived had returned to Soldiers Peak, Garrett supporting him as Serac and his men carried back the broken body of the Warden Commander. He would later find out Merrill had placed the letter on the bed after he had left the room. He didn't bother to try and stop the tears that blurred his vision, unable to read his loves final words to him until the darkness had devoured all but a few threads of gold still lighting the sky. Carver lit a candle; his heart engulfed by the darkness of grief and finally began to read.

Carver

That you are reading this means I have perished, I can only pray that my death has also meant the death of the Archdemon. That being the case know that what I did; had to be done, but know that leaving you was not easy. You brought me such joy in the short time we have had together and it is that love that lights my way now, shields me in my darkest moments and helps me to hold true to what I have to do.

I have always strived to fulfil my duty. As Commander it is my duty to slay the Archdemon, but I do this willingly. I would sacrifice my own life without hesitation to ensure you live. I give myself permission in these my last moments to be selfish, I will not let you take the final blow, I cannot let you sacrifice yourself when I can prevent it. I love you Carver; with every breath, with every beat of my heart.

I have a favour to ask of you my love. Should there be anything left of my body, please burn me. I cannot bear the thought of whatever remains of me to be encased in a tomb. I lived and died in Ferelden and I do not wish my body to reside elsewhere. I know this is foolish; in taking the final blow I will be forever destroyed, but grant me this one last request.

Know that my final thoughts will be of you, think of me kindly. Perhaps when your anger dims you will remember your love of me and at least think of me fondly.

Live well Carver

My love; my heart, my every breath.

Alistair.

xXx

Carver trembled as Alistair's body was placed on the pyre. He swallowed his tears as Loghain approached him.

"I thought those of your order who killed the Archdemons were afforded an honoured tomb at Weisshaupt."

Carver scowled. "Alistair left instructions that he did not wish that. Why are you here Loghain?"

"I have come to pay my respects."

Carver gave him a piercing glare. "Why? You never respected him when he was alive."

"I was wrong. My bitterness and anger blinded me."

Carver turned on him fists clenched, cheeks flushed with rage. "Go tell it to someone who gives a damn!"

Loghain paled and turned, nodding to Howe who clasped his shoulder.

Carver turned back to the pyre grateful when Garrett, Anders and Zevran moved to his side.

Cailan gave a shuddering breath, turning to those gathered. "Alistair never realised the impact he made as Warden Commander. I do not believe he ever truly realised that those under his Command would follow him to the Void if he had asked it. He may have been reluctant at first, but he proved himself more than capable in the role." He stopped struggling to speak. "Damn it …" He raised tear filled eyes and gazed at the pyre. "He was a man of honour, a generous soul with an uncompromising nature. He earned the respect and loyalty of those around him and the world is a poorer place without him." He was startled as Anders moved to his side, gently gripping his shoulder. "Alistair was my brother and I am so proud of him. I should have acknowledged him publically a long time ago." He turned to Anders. "I will not make that mistake again." Anders eyes widened as Cailan gripped his arm. "Forgive me brother."

Most people knew they were brothers, but to have it said publically was an entirely different matter. Anders swallowed. "Cailan you don't need to …."

Cailan pulled him tight, his tears falling. "You are my brother Anders and I am not ashamed, I am grateful."

Anders sank into the embrace, his heart pounding painfully. He felt Zevran's reassuring presence and moved away from his brother accepting the embrace of his lover. Trembling, his vision blurred as Cailan lit the pyre. He felt his legs give way; weeping against Zevran's chest, of all the sacrifices they had made, this one was too much to bear.

Zevran held Anders tight, his own tears flowing unchecked down his cheeks. Words failed him, this grief was too intense for mere words to bring some relief. He remembered Alistair when he had first met him, the flushing, naive young man, who would become a friend he would have given his life for. Zevran swallowed hard. "Journey well my friend. May you find peace."

Aedan felt the burn of tears he refused to shed. He stood firm, fists clenched driving back the debilitating grief that was tearing at his heart. He glanced down as Oren gripped his hand, Oriana softly weeping as Fergus held her. Bryce and Eleanor stood near them, eyes red with tears. Aedan knelt down and felt his resolve crumble as his nephew wrapped his arms around his neck.

"I don't want him to be dead." Oren mumbled.

Aedan struggled to breathe. "I don't want him to be dead either." He hugged Oren closer as the boy sniffed back tears, Aedan finally allowing his to fall. "But we won't forget him."

Oren nodded, pulling back slightly and wiping his sleeve across his eyes. "I'm going to be a knight." His voice trembling slightly.

Aedan smiled, Oriana having told him of Alistair and Oren's conversation. "Alistair will be very proud and so will I."

Sten watched as the flames rose high; his face impassive, but within his chest his heart betrayed him. He was proud of his friend; he had died in battle achieving his goal, but for once that was not enough. Alistair represented more than friendship, more than what humans could be and achieve if they chose. Sten bowed and then moved away from the pyre; he did not linger, there was no need. Alistair had died saving his country and the people he loved; it had been a good death. Yet the pain remained and as he held Asala's hilt he knew he was not the same man to have landed on Ferelden's shores nearly two years ago.

Oghren glared at the flames as though they offended him, he kept up his gruff exterior refusing to acknowledge that Alistair was really gone. He glanced to Serac as he moved to his side. They had lost over half of those who had made it to the Peak, but the fighting wasn't over and Oghren would go where he was needed.

Merrill blinked away the tears and nodded as Ethalis gripped her shoulder. Marethari had not survived the battle and Merrill was now the clan Keeper. Her eyes drifted to the pyre. "May the light always be with you, may the grass always be green beneath your feet and may you walk proudly with the Ancestors. Travel well my friend."

As the flames took hold it was too much and Carver slumped against his brother, not bothering to hide his tears. Alistair was gone and his heart was broken, he was filled with an emptiness and a grief that he felt sure would encompass the remaining days of his life.

xXx

Author Note: Alistair dying was probably one of the hardest things I have ever written.

Dareth shiral - safe journey