AN: Sorry it was so long for this update. Major events in the personal life that hindered writing.
The road back to Redcliffe was relatively silent, but they were nearly running. They had to regroup and be ready for battle at any time and there wasn't much time left. Darkspawn groups were ambushing anyone on the roads, which told Azriæl that they had to be close to Redcliffe already.
It was another two hours before the companions arrived and they could tell from the hillside that the town was already deserted. The eerie silence wasn't giving them much hope either. Azriæl raced down the path to the bridge, praying to the Maker the darkspawn hadn't destroyed Redcliffe.
Surprisingly, there was someone standing just on the other side of the bridge. He turned quickly and Azriæl saw his face go from sheer terror to relief.
"By the Maker, it's you... The Grey Warden. I thought I could back to the castle before they returned." The man said, obviously winded.
"Before who returned? What's been happening?" Azriæl asked.
"The darkspawn. Everyone is up in the castle for protection, but I thought I could get to my home for a few things before they attacked, but... I saw them." The man stated, getting scared again.
"Go back to the castle. We will go through the village and get rid of any darkspawn we see." Alistair stated, "Tell Eamon we will meet there shortly."
The man nodded and ran back towards the castle. Once they could see he was at the gates, Azriæl turned to the others and drew her weapons. The companions nodded and followed suit.
"Spread out, but stay either close to one another or in twos." Azriæl commanded.
Without a second thought, she lead the others over the bridge and towards the windmill. No surprise, there were darkspawn coming up from the village. Just hurlocks and genlocks, but they all knew more were below.
The companions ran towards the advancing darkspawn, cutting them down. As they neared the windmill, Azriæl saw a number of blight wolves and yelled a warning. Morrigan and Wynne stayed back, each using healing and attack magic.
It wasn't long before the companions were making their way down the hill, where more hurlocks were waiting. Before they reached the last bridge, the ground began to shake. Everyone knew without a second thought, ogres were here as well.
Just as Azriæl cleared the bridge, two ogres came charging. The companions fell out of the way just as Morrigan casted tempest and stunned the ogres and other darkspawn that were in the area. Once the attack wore down, Alistair and Zevran were the first to recover and attacked one of the ogres. Azriæl lead an assault on the other, but the ogre had grabbed her and thrown her to the ground.
She felt her arm and ribs break in a variety of places as she collided with the ground. Stars and black blotches filled her eyes until a warmth consumed her. Thanking the Maker for having Wynne and Morrigan around. Shaking off the mixed feeling of ache and comfort, Azriæl made another attempt at the ogre.
Along with the others, Azriæl used many of her rouge talents to finally bring the ogre down before leaping for the final blow. As the ogre bled out, she looked over to Zevran and Alistair. They had just brought down that ogre, with help from Morrigan and looked to her. Many of the darkspawn had held off attacks, believing the ogres would kill them, but Azriæl wasn't going to wait and jumped onto the nearest hurlock.
By the Maker's Blessing did the companions rid Redcliffe of the darkspawn and were on the way to the castle in no time. Azriæl swore more than just she groaned when there darkspawn here, too. Should have known… Luckily, the darkspawn did not see them until the companions were on top of them.
"More are coming!" One of the guards yelled, pointing to the gate.
Azriæl readied herself in the middle of the courtyard, but she could hear bows being drawn as well. At least they had some backup this time as a number of hurlocks and shrieks came barreling at them. Though she was getting tired, Azriæl pushed through her exhaustion as wave after wave came storming through the gates. Suddenly, there was a silence as the last hurlock fell to the ground.
"Don't tell me…" Alistair started to whine.
"Then we won't. Just close your eyes and just hope for the best." Zevran laughed.
"What… what is going on?" A guard asked, nearly whispering.
"Just get back and prepare for something big." Alistair warned as the guards nodded. They ran back to the stairs and walls around the keep just in time for the ground to start shaking as another ogre come charging through the gates. The companions composed themselves, but the guards were shouting and freaking out.
"Just cover us from the other darkspawn!" Azriæl ordered and gave the command to attack.
Immediately, the ogre swung a massive hand at the companions, but they all were able to jump away in time. Azriæl rolled under the beast and used the opportunity to climb up its back to begin a barrage of attacks. With the attacks from her companions and the guards as well, it wasn't long before the ogre fell, its blood soaking the grounds.
"My lady, you're here. Thank goodness." One of the guards said she walked up towards the castle.
"What happened? Did the darkspawn get into the castle?" Azriæl asked.
"Some did, yes." The guard replied, "But we were able to close the gates and kill the ones in the courtyard. I was told to watch for your arrival as your comrade, Riordan arrived just ahead of the darkspawn. He has urgent news for you!"
"Riordan?" Azriæl asked, looking to Alistair, "What is he doing here?"
"I don't rightly know. Things happened so fast as I only know he was scouting in the south before he arrived." The guard shrugged, "I will take you to the hall right away, my lady. They'll be waiting for you there."
Azriæl and the others followed the guard into the castle and to the hall where Riordan, Eamon, and Teagan stood. She could just feel in the air something was absolutely wrong and the three of them looking… relieved at seeing her and the others didn't ease the tightness in her gut.
Riordan turned and Azriæl swore to herself that he looked excited to see them, "It is a relief to see you all unharmed, you above all… Your Majesty."
Alistair immediately shook his head, "No, no. I wouldn't say that. Not yet, anyway."
"The horde was assumed to be marching in this direction, but they were relatively few in number." Riordan stated bluntly.
"The bulk of the horde is, in fact, heading towards Denerim. Possibly only two days away from the capital." Eamon added.
"Are we sure about that? If that's true…" Alistair sighed, looking to Azriæl.
The eldest Warden nodded, "I ventured close enough to… 'listen in', as it were. I am quite certain."
"Then we need to march to Denerim at once." Azriæl stated.
"There is, I'm afraid one other piece of news that is of greater concern." Riordan replied, turning from all of them, "The archdemon has shown itself. The dragon is at the head of the horde."
"Maker preserve us." Teagan bowed his head.
"We can't reach Denerim in two days, can we? It's too far." Alistair sighed.
Eamon wasn't as disheartened, "We must begin a forced marched to the capital immediately, with what we have." Eamon stated, "Denerim must be defended at all costs."
"The horde must be defeated, but the archdemon is our true target." Riordan added, looking at Azriæl and Alistair, "Only the Grey Wardens can defeat an archdemon."
"Then we march with what army we've collected." Alistair nodded, "How long before the army can set out?"
"By daybreak."
"Then let's get them ready. I won't let all those people die without giving them a chance." Alistair proclaimed.
"Just how are we supposed to defeat the archdemon?" Azriæl asked.
"Yes, I was wondering that as well."
Riordan's face fell, "Then… you don't know? Of course not, you are new recruits. Duncan wouldn't have expected. You and Alistair should meet me before you retire for the evening. There are… things we need to speak of."
"I will give the orders at once. I will notify you the moment we are ready to march." Arl Eamon stated, "I will have someone show you all to your rooms. I suggest you all get as much rest as you can."
With that, the hall emptied and groups gathered to talk before heading to their chambers. Azriæl made sure to talk to all her friends, making sure there was nothing anyone needed. Once they headed back to Denerim, everyone's focus had to be on the horde. Alistair was the last person she talked to, knowing the two of them were needed by Riordan and went to meet with him.
"You are both here, good." The eldest Warden said as they entered, "Please know, I assumed you had already been told. Otherwise, I would have told you when you freed me…I am sorry."
"What?" Azriæl asked, looking to Alistair.
"What is it, why are you apologizing?" He added.
"Tell me, have you ever wondered why the Grey Wardens are needed to defeat the darkspawn?" Riordan asked.
"Because of our skill and ability to sense them?" Azriæl replied, "I assumed it had something to do with the taint."
"Exactly, though the archdemon may be slain as any other darkspawn, it will not be enough." Riordan nodded as he started to pace around the younger Wardens, "The essence of the beast will pass through the taint to the nearest darkspawn. The dragon is all but immortal as it will be reborn. If a Grey Warden slays the beast, then the essence travels into that Warden."
"And the Grey Warden?" Azriæl asked.
"A darkspawn is an empty and soulless vessel, a Grey Warden is not. The essence is destroyed… along with the Grey Warden." Riordan replied solemnly.
"The Grey Warden… dies." Alistair reasoned.
"Yes, but without the archdemon, the Blight ends…"
"Is there no other way?" Azriæl begged.
"As far as we know, the transfer is automatic. It will all be for nothing if one of us is not there when it is slain." Riordan replied, "There is no other way. I'm sorry."
"Then I will take that final blow myself." Azriæl said without thinking.
"As much as it warms my heart, the final blow should be mine. I am the eldest and the taint will not spare me much longer. The Blight must be stopped at all costs and if I cannot take the final blow, it falls upon you two. But enough, there will be much to do and little time to rest. Return to your rooms."
"Then I will meet you before we march tomorrow. This will end, one way or another." Alistair nodded.
"That is does, my friends, that is does." Riordan nodded sadly.
Alistair bid Azriæl a good night with a kiss to her cheek. Azriæl reciprocated the kiss to Alistair and headed to her room. As she opened the door, someone was standing in her room, near the fireplace.
"Do not be alarmed, tis only I." She nearly sang as Azriæl entered the room.
The young Warden closed the door and looked to Morrigan worriedly, "Is everything alright Morrigan?"
"Yes, but I need to speak with you."