Disclaimer: I don't own A song of Ice and Fire or Dragon Age
Game of Dragons
King's landing was alight with joy and activity. People were celebrating the glorious union of their favourite families. Hand of the king, Fausten Amell leant against his cane as the Septon linked the hands of Rhaenys Targaryen and Revion Amell. Beside him, Aerys actually had tears in his eyes.
"Finally, our family is now one," the former king said.
It had been years since Aerys abdicated to Rhaegar and the 'Glorious Age' began. Rhaegar proved to be a great king, whom united the realm in a way Aerys never had. No longer did the Targaryens need dragons. Through trust in the people, they had created their ideal world. Fausten slapped Aerys's back, smiling at him as he chuckled like they did as children. He took a deep breath and sniffed.
"You're crying too," Aerys said.
"Well you started it old friend," Fausten chuckled.
The nobility applauded as Rhaenys and Revion kissed. Fausten walked to the entrance of the Septon and breathed out a sigh of relief. Everything was as it should be.
"Old man," a voice spoke behind him.
He turned and saw a young man in a black coat. The man removed his hood, revealing the tanned skin, brown hair and blue eyes of his first grandchild.
"Daylen, how is Daenerys?" Fausten asked.
Daylen pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head.
"Wake up old man," he said, walking past Fausten.
"Daylen what's wrong?" Daylen turned and widened his eyes in shock.
The boy's clothes had suddenly changed into a blue robe.
"You can't have this grandfather, remember where I am, where all of us are!"
Fausten screamed as he woke up, punching and swiping at the air. His sleeping had gotten rougher, but the dreams were also more frequent now. Dreams of wishes unfulfilled, or worlds that he wished he could live in. Then came the unpleasant smell, and two embarrassing realisations. First he had urinated on his bed, and second, he had become very old. His back ached as he got up, knees quivered, hands shaking as he reached his cane.
"You were strong once old friend, what happened?"
He looked across his bedroom and saw on the balcony as bright as the sun, as young as they had once been. His old friend, Aerys!
"How could you allow yourself to become this?" the ghost asked.
House Amell of Westeros
Chapter 21: A new path
The lord of the Meadow screamed, his cane clattering to the floor. When the staff had picked him up and helped him to bath, Fausten dismissed them as he dressed himself. By the time he was done, breakfast had long passed and the guests had begun to arrive. For the next few days, the Amell family would support the Greenwards. Formerly lords of the Meadow, when the royal decree came out, the Amells became their liege lords, depriving the Greenwards of what they had worked hard to achieve. There was little love between the two families. One part of it believed that the Amells had ridden at first the friendship that Fausten shared with Aerys, and then betrayed that friendship and stole from the rightful rulers of Westeros. Their lord, Richard, was a bitter man, but a man who knew how to keep his bitterness in check. His brother Henry however wasn't so smart, Fausten foresaw Richard's mirror causing problems. Whilst Richard was tall, had kept himself fit and healthy, Henry was the opposite. Apparently he had been a jouster in his youth, but sloth had over ridden him, and cost him quite a bond with his wife. Though she was nothing more than a minor Meadow heiress, much younger than Henry and equally as disinterested in him.
For in the woods of the Meadow, Amelia Bellfry-Greenward was screaming more for Dayk than she did for her husband. She hung her head back as Dayk kissed her neck, with the same tenderness he did his other lovers. He always treated them exactly the same way, kissing them as if they were the woman he loved. And if they wished it, he held them as they regained their bearings. Amelia smiled as Dayk stroked her black hair and kissed her forehead. She pushed him onto the dirt and rested on his chest for a moment. Then the time came for the fleeting moment to pass, for that was all it was, a moment to never be pursued again.
"Should we wait a moment, before going back?" she asked as he began to dress.
"No, you should return as soon as you can, Marcus will help you get back," Dayk said, slipping on his grey coat.
Amelia stood, tip toeing across the dirt before she played with the buttons of Dayk's coat.
"My husband is baron you know, he's tried time and time again, but still I am without child. Thirty years separates us, but you and I, only three," she kissed at Dayk's mouth, trying to entice him again.
"I see what you are suggesting," Dayk said.
He turned away from Amelia, leaving her confused as he did the buttons on his coat up. Slipping his feet into his boots, he fixed his hair and put on his black gloves.
"It would benefit our houses, my father would not be against annulling the marriage."
Dayk produced a small pouch from his pocket, giving it to Amelia.
"Take this, it's a medicine from Thedas, it'll keep my seed from taking root," he said.
Amelia looked at the twigs and then at Dayk. There was no warmth or emotion in his eyes. He simply stood there, waiting expectedly for her to follow his command. A command he had given to many lovers. Dayk had only one bastard, he would not have anymore.
"Marcus will escort you back," he said over his shoulder, walking into the woods.
After he had deflowered Carla, the Freys had come to the Meadow and demanded some sort of compensation from the Amells and the Sunflares. In Lord Frey's eyes, Carla was unfit to be a wife, or so the Frey messengers had made it clear. Dayk had said nothing, suggested nothing, it was Fausten whom claimed that the marriage of Carla and the Frey would be annulled. Carla was with a child, a child she would not part with. One of the Freys (their names always escaped Dayk's memory and care) stated:
"The Amells have a love for bastards don't they? Even the ones far away in their 'mage schools' is that what they are called now?"
His words had made the other Frey men laugh. But Fausten had not been amused.
"Do not make allegations like that in my house, and do not speak of the girl as if she has no worth. You have not lost nor gained anything from this incident, now tell your father that if he still wants to marry all of his children then he should just stop FUCKING FOR A WHILE!" the man yelled.
Fausten's fury was enough to drive them away. But it would not go unpunished. No one would marry Carla, and in time, Carla was thrown from her house in favour of her younger sisters. She was not willing to cast her son onto the streets either, thus Fausten took her in as a ward, provided her coin and housing and a tutor for her son. Bryan was that sort of tutor. Dayk watched the boy practice with wooden swords against the skilled knight, whom veined wounds as part of a game. Carla and her boy lived in a house at a clearing in the woods, and Dayk often visited.
'He's growing big fast, as all of us do,' he thought of his son.
His son, it always felt strange to know that. He did not consider him some accident, but truly his son. But he could not raise the boy.
'I cannot be a father, he'll become a better person than I, if I have no place in his life,' that was the logic that Dayk followed.
He rode back to the castle, where Richard Greenward stood alongside his daughter Selene. She stood with the grace and respect that was expected of most women in Westeros. Her face was stoic, not unattractive, but Dayk would not have described the flame haired woman as a great beauty. Richard watched a few of the Amell squires fire arrows into targets, practicing for a tournament the Greenward's planned to hold next month. Fausten came out of the gate, dressed respectfully, which was a rare thing these days. He often wore simple robes or just paraded around the castle in his under clothes. Dayk saw in his grandfather a rare instance in which he wasn't troubled.
"Dayk, finally, where have you been?" Fausten asked.
"I had a ride through the woods," Dayk said, he couldn't help the curve of his lip as he spoke.
Fausten bowed his head to Richard, who returned the gesture. Dayk did so too, but received no such gesture from either Fausten or Selene.
"We have come to discuss the terms of Selene's marriage to your grandson," Richard said.
"Indeed, come inside and we'll do just that," Fausten smiled.
There was hesitance in Fausten's voice, as if he had struggled to remember what the meeting was about. Dayk shook his head, his grandfather wasn't qualified to make such arrangements and his mother didn't have it in her. He had no desire to marry the girl, and he would make his feelings clear at this meeting. When they got into the hall however, Revion was sat there.
"Brother, you are back?" Dayk asked.
"For a lot longer this time I promise you," he said.
"What exactly is this arrangement?"
"I see only one of your grandson's pays attention to the Meadow's politics," Richard said.
"Come sit, Dayk, it isn't necessary for you to be here, but you may sit if you wish to learn a few things," Revion explained.
Dayk sat next to his brother as the Greenwards sat opposite them.
"The Amells will provide a dowry of two hundred Sovereigns, for lord Henry's investments in Thedas, as well as the services of our dwarven craftsmen to repair the lodgings in the Greenward territories," Revion explained.
"A generous offer, but I must wonder Revion, why Selene?" Richard asked.
"Your daughter is one of the most intelligent women in the Meadow, if not smarter than any of the ladies in Westeros. She and I spoke often when I visited you my lord, she will no doubt make a brilliant Lady of the Meadow, and I believe considering the bad blood between our families, it is time we put aside the past and joined together," Revion explained.
"For many years, my family ruled over the Meadow, until Aerys promised the land to you. I will not pretend that that didn't injure the pride and honour of my family, but neither will I pretend that the Meadow hasn't prospered under your rule. I am no fool, to wish for something I would not be able to improve upon," Richard explained.
"I wish to know what Lady Selene thinks of this," Fausten said.
The four men looked towards Selene, whom remained calm as she spoke.
"I will serve my father, the people of the Meadow, and if you will it, my husband," she said.
Revion smiled as he nodded his head.
"Then it is agreed, you will marry my daughter," Richard said.
The word was given, and even a contract signed. Richard placed his seal on it, a garden of black flowers, matching the buckle Selene wore. Over the next few days, the Greenwards stayed and celebrated the new union. When a feast began, Fausten walked outside the castle grounds and breathed in the fresh air.
"It may not be to the family you wish my friend, but they will make a fine coupling," Aerys, or the image of the young Aerys said.
"Why are you here?" Fausten asked, rubbing his eyes in an attempt to wipe away the ghost.
"I wanted to see what you had done with the Meadow, and you haven't disappointed. You were a far better leader than Richard's father and grandfather were, I always wanted to give the Meadow away. But there was no real strategic value to it, it was on the way to most places but people could avoid it. Perhaps the greatest thing it had was its ruins in the forest, the history behind it," Aerys explained.
"Yes, a place where the races truly joined together," Fausten said, looking off into the distance.
"Father!" Revka called out to Fausten.
He turned and smiled as his daughter approached. Despite the loss of her hand, she was stronger than ever.
"More guests are arriving," she said.
"They have come for the lord of the Meadow, and let us face it my dear, I'm not capable of being that anymore," Fausten said.
"Oh father," Revka rested her head on Fausten's shoulder.
They sat and watched the sun set, wanting Damion to be with them. Fausten however saw his son with them, perhaps in spirit, or perhaps a result of his aged mind. Whatever it was, it comforted Fausten to see his smile again. Revka too smiled, feeling like a child again just sitting with her father and enjoying the moment. It was peace, whatever political troubles were going on in the capital, they were at peace.
Revion looked down at his mother and grandfather from his bedroom window. He had decided to retire early, wishing to get some sleep after his months of travel. That and he wanted to be away from the revelry, to focus on his plans for the Meadow, and the many other plans he had accumulated over the years. He walked over to his desk, touching Balmung. The blade of a legendary dragon slayer, though if the world was an ideal place, it would not see combat. A knock came at his door as he removed his boots. Revion passed the distance and opened it. Waiting on the other side was Selene, standing with the poise and elegance expected of the ideal lady.
"Lord Revion, may I speak with you for a moment?" she asked.
"Of course Lady Selene, please come in," he said.
She stepped inside, and as soon as the door shut a sudden change gripped the Greenward heiress. Grabbing the collar of Revion's shirt, Selene pushed him against the door, stood on her toes and kissed him. His eyes were wide in shock at first, but Revion quickly wrapped his arms around the shorter woman and caressed her lips with his. She snaked her arms around his neck, moaning in bliss from the embrace. Their lips slowly separated and they both smiled.
"I have wanted to do that since I crossed the border," she said.
"We should stop, it isn't the right time for this," Revion said.
"Soon though, soon nothing will stop us," Selene whispered, kissing Revion's cheek.
He kissed her forehead and took a few steps back. Again his eyes fell on Balmung, he put a hand to his chin and looked at the map of the known world.
"The Northern lands beyond the wall, where ice covers all. Westeros, home of a game of thrones, a game shared by Orlais, a failing empire. A fate already achieved by the Tevinter Imperium, the seat of power for mages and where chains are forged. Chains that in the lands of Essos, bind those without the strength to resist the monsters of that region. The Free Marches, whom broke those chains, yet remain a divided region, bound only by their shared freedom. Ferelden, a place that values its freedom. Each one of these regions has some sort of fundamental ideal behind it, and a sad truth," Revion explained.
"That is what you discovered isn't it my love?" Selene asked.
"There's still more for me to learn, but for now, I will do as my family name dictates and rule, with you by my side," Revion turned to Selene as he spoke. "Not as a symbol, not as a tool, but as my equal as a wife should be."
Again they kissed, lost in the bliss of their reunion, and the plans for the future.
Across the seas, one Amell walked out of the tower for the first time. He breathed in the air, raised his arms and took in the touch of the wind. Daylen had abandoned his robes and the belt Irving had given him. He was no longer a mage of the tower, though he was not completely free either. He wore a grey shirt and a boiled leather belt over a pair of beige trousers. The young man lowered his arms, turning to Duncan as the Grey Warden approached.
"It is time," he said.
They began their long walk to Ostagar, a walk that Daylen enjoyed. He could see the trees, the grass, even people on the roads. It was a sight some very much took for granted. When they got to a tavern, Duncan rolled out a map of Ferelden that Daylen was already very familiar with.
"Ostagar is surrounded by the Kokari wilds, are you familiar with Ostagar?" Duncan asked.
"It was built by the Tevinter Imperium as a garrison to watch the Chasind. But during the first blight it was abandoned. When the Chasind were defeated by Hafter, the first Teryn of Ferelden, the garrison was left abandoned for centuries after the second blight," Daylen explained.
"Yes, but with the darkspawn gathering in the wilds, King Cailan and Teryn Loghain have positioned their armies there in preparation for a battle. They have already won several encounters with the darkspawn," Duncan said.
"The Darkspawn are smarter than they appear right?" Daylen asked.
"Their intelligence grows under the influence of an archdemon, but they are no fools, they are adept at trapping. Tell me what do you know of Darkspawn?"
"Mostly stories from the previous blights, that they become organised under the command of a Archdemon. The previous Archdemons were Dumat, dragon of silence. Zazikel, dragon of freedom. Toth, dragon of fire. And Andoral, the dragon of unity."
"Correct, though most sources believe them to be the corrupted form of the Old gods. We have confirmed that the Darkspawn burrow underground, and find them, thus beginning the Blights. With the possibility of this being the fifth blight, they may have discovered the dragon of beauty," Duncan explained.
"Urthemiel," Daylen felt a shiver run down his spine as he spoke the name of their enemy.
Part of him wanted to believe there was no blight. But he could not shake the feeling that what he was walking to was exactly that. Loghain was no fool, as the stories said and Daylen hoped the king wasn't one either. Although, he wouldn't be the first king to be as such, nor would Loghain be the first lord to have exaggerated stories behind his name. The hero of River Dane, Daylen had read of Loghain's life many times. It was one that showed him that greatness could come from those believed to be the lowest. After spending the night at the Tavern, they moved on and continued until they reached a hill on the edge of the wilds.
"What you see in the distance is the tower of Ishal, we may encounter darkspawn in the wilds, for that I wish to continue our conversation from yesterday. What do you know of darkspawn?" Duncan asked again.
"I could stand to learn more," Daylen said.
Duncan sat and removed several parchments from his bag. He rolled them out, showing Daylen artistic interpretations of the Darkspawn.
"Four types of darkspawn, Genlocks, formed from dwarven brood mothers, Hurlocks, formed from human brood mothers, Shreiks from elf brood mothers and Ogres formed from Qunari brood mothers," he indicated each monstrous image and continued:
"Genlocks are the most common, shorter than the others, but no less stronger, some are even capable of using magic. Hurlocks are another common one, making up the vanguard of the darkspawn forces. They are strong, organised and there are mages amongst them too."
"But dwarves can't use magic," Daylen said.
"They draw their power from the taint within them, Genlock mages are a rarity though. The Hurlock mages, named Emissaries are power and savagery combined. Shrieks are the most savage of all the darkspawn, even under an Archdemon's influence, they surpass even the Ogres in their bestiality. The Shrieks specialise in ambushes and outnumbering their opponents. Then there are the Ogres, the most rarest of all the Darkspawn to see, they far surpass the Qunari in their size and strength," Duncan explained.
"And all of the darkspawn have been seen in the horde?" Daylen asked.
"We haven't received confirmation that there is a horde, but we have spotted groups of Genlocks and Hurlocks travelling together through the woods. They take our scouts, ambush the king's army and have attacked the camp several times."
"They could be testing the Garrison's defences," Daylen suggested.
"Loghain thought as much, now Daylen, there are two things you must know. You were recruited by the wardens, but you are not yet one of us. First you must go through the joining with the other new recruits, I will assign several tasks for you when we reach camp, these tasks you will complete with the recruits and another warden. Next, and this is the most important part Daylen. The darkspawn carry within them the taint, the very thing that drives them and sustains them. The taint is a poison that causes a slow and agonising death, be careful of the darkspawn blood. Get it in your eyes and it could blind you, burn your skin, if you swallow it you will become infected with the taint," Duncan explained.
"I'll become like them?" Daylen asked.
"Not immediately, first it'll kill you, or it'll at least feel as if its killed you. Then you will start to hear what the darkspawn hear, a song, one that drives them to seek out and follow the Archdemons. You will lose your mind, and become a ghoul, a danger to all those around you," Duncan said, keeping his eyes locked on Daylen's.
"So you're just reinforcing the fact that darkspawn are the most dangerous creatures in the world," Daylen said and Duncan nodded.
"Now come, it is time for us to continue towards the camp."
When they got to the edge of the forest, Daylen stopped. He looked at the tall trees, they obscured the path ahead. Smells invaded his senses, smells he never sensed in the tower. Freedom was both a gift and a new obstacle in his life. In fact, Daylen realised, he wasn't truly free. Looking at his burnt hand, he tried to remember the smell of his own flesh. It must have been worse than the stench of animal shit. At least Daylen imagined it was. What really gave him pause was fear. He felt his heart pounding, every story he heard of the Darkspawn echoing in his mind. His mind twisted these stories into horrors of what could happen to him if he walked through the forest.
'Ambushes, they could be in the tree, in the marshes, the bushes, the very ground itself. If they surprise me, they could get close, if I kill them and blood gets on me, that could be the end.' so many possibilities ran through his mind.
"Come," Duncan said, but it didn't snap him away from his fears.
'What if Duncan dies, I could get lost in the wilds, the king's men could find me, if templars are with them they'll see I'm a mage and think I escaped. They won't bother to check if the wardens recruited me, and why would the wardens clarify it if one of their own is dead. What if I get the darkspawn blood in me, what if I wander and start to change. I could hurt someone, or kill myself, but if it comes down to it I might not do it, a good hearted fool can talk about ending their life for the greater good, but doing it is different,' his hand was shaking, sweat running down his face.
"Daylen," Duncan spoke louder, finally drawing Daylen's attention.
"There is no going back," the warden said.
"I know what I have to do, I know what duties are expected of me. But still..."
"I too have felt the fear you feel," Duncan said.
He put his hands on his hips and walked out of the forest.
"When I was younger, I was not a willing recruit of the wardens. I was a thief, bound for the hang man's noose, wardens took note of my skill and invoked the rite. Even though I was no stranger to conflict or blood, I too paused at the possibility that I would fight the darkspawn. You must not let this fear dominate you, rather use..."
"To give me an edge," Daylen finished Duncan's speech and looked up. "Use it to fight for longer than necessary, to strike harder than necessary. Sometimes a man who doesn't want to die, will live longer than a man who does, so long as he uses the fear right. It's what my grandfather used to say."
"I have heard that Fausten Amell was a great warrior," Duncan said.
"He still is, even if he loses his ability to fight, he'll remain one of the strongest men I've ever known," Daylen explained.
Duncan nodded and watched Daylen walk on ahead, he had been through all of his hesitation and was moving forward. They moved through the dirt and marshes, through the bush and trees. Daylen wanted to marvel at the world that was the Kokari wilds. He saw a great many things he hadn't gotten to see, hilltops, natural rock, swamp and trees that reached as high as the buildings in Kirkwall. But he knew he had to be focused, alert for animals in the wild, alert for the dark spawn. Duncan moved ahead for a bit and though Daylen trusted the tested warrior's senses, he kept himself awake and aware of his surroundings. He flinched when they passed a tree, dead bodies had been pinned to it. But when they got closer, and he saw the flies buzzing around them, the maggots crawling out of the dead flesh, Daylen felt the bile in his throat rise up. His hand came up to his mouth, but he couldn't fight it.
"It is all right, take a few breaths and regain your bearings," Duncan said, letting Daylen empty his stomach.
It was shock and fear, but not the kind that would hold him back, Duncan knew that. He watched the young man centre himself, the body still on his mind as was natural for it to be. But it wouldn't hold him back.
'Maker I at least hope it won't,' the Grey warden.
"We should bury them," Daylen said.
"We cannot linger here, in time, we will come back for their bodies, but right now we must see to ourselves," Duncan said.
Daylen held his tongue, he felt and knew that leaving those poor men on display like that was wrong. The Darkspawn had pinned them by their hands to the trees, cut off their private areas, they had opened one man's belly and cut out another man's eyes and for another had clearly bitten into his neck. Each death was slow and had no doubt called others here to investigate. The bodies had been feasted on by scavengers, bite marks were on their skin. When Daylen and Duncan walked a bit further, they felt bulges on the ground. Daylen backed away from the corpse of a man in chainmail, his face bashed in by a club. He looked in shock, seeing that bodies had been piled on top of one another.
"Scouts," Duncan identified them.
"They wanted to help their friends, this was a trapping area," Daylen said.
"Yes, this is what the darkspawn do, they are monsters, but not fools. They have tactics and can problem solve, that is why they are so dangerous," Duncan explained.
"I see, we need to go now," Daylen said.
Duncan pushed Daylen onwards, but then stopped. He gripped Daylen's shoulder and narrowed his eyes.
"What is it Dun..." Daylen never finished his sentence.
Duncan pulled him back, throwing him to the floor. An axe flew past where Daylen once stood, imbedding itself in the ground. Daylen heard them screech and roar, creatures he had only read about. Then he saw them, the Hurlocks, standing tall and ferocious, the Genlosk, bulky and snarling. Their armour, if it could be called that, was crude, made up of pieces of metal and possessed none of the decoration human armour did. They carried weapons that seemed to be reflections of the corruption within them. Daylen rose from the floor and counted the enemies around them. Five Hurlocks, three Genlocks. Two of the Hurlocks struck first and Duncan drew his weapon.
"Put fire between us and the enemy," Duncan commanded.
Daylen nodded his head, shooting a stream of fire from his hand. It formed a wall of fire and Duncan looked at it for a moment, the fire was bigger than he thought it would be. He blocked one of the Hurlock's swords and batted it to the ground, then slashed the Hurlock across the neck. The other came in as its ally fell and swung its great sword wildly. Duncan parried the blade, drew his knife and slashed the beast across the belly. He yanked his blade out of the creature's gut, then slashed it across the back. The other darkspawn ran either side of the flames. Daylen conjured a bolt of lightning, electrocuting one of the Genlocks. Then he used ice on a Hurlock, but much to his shock the monster broke through the ice and rushed towards him. Daylen slammed his staff into the ground, ready to use a telekinetic wave. But such a move was used on solid ground, not the muddy marsh of the wilds. When he released his magic, the dirt was thrown up into his face and he lost his footing.
'Damn it,' Daylen wiped the dirt away and looked up in horror.
The Hurlock was standing over him, ready to bring its blade down. Daylen brought his staff up, just in time to deflect the creature's blow. It stomped on his chest and Daylen felt one of his ribs break. He hit the Hurlock across the side of its head, burning it with the tip of his staff. But the Hurlock simply tried to slash at Daylen again. He blocked, then rolled out of the Hurlock's reach. Daylen looked towards Duncan and saw the warden engaging multiple enemies at once. The older man had already imbedded his knife in the head of a Genlock, and was parrying the blows of the other one. A hurlock came up behind Duncan, but was quickly slashed across the throat. Daylen rolled, avoiding his opponent's sword. Then he looked to his right and saw the other Hurlock approach with its spear drawn. It thrust forward, and Daylen tilted his head, feeling the jagged blade tear his cheek. He didn't feel the pain however, his heart was beating too fast.
'I don't want to die, I don't want to die,' he thought over and over.
He imagined the Hurlock's spear blade, the shape of it, how cruel it looked and savage. The same image appeared on the tip of his staff and he thrust it forward, tearing through the Hurlock's mouth. Daylen heard the rip of flesh and the shattering of bone, and he felt nothing.
'Move, MOVE!' he screamed inwardly.
The other Hurlock hit his staff so hard that he lost his grip on it.
'No, stupid, stupid, MOVE!'
He threw his hand forward, creating a rock fist that knocked the Hurlock back. Crawling across the floor, Daylen reached for his staff. But the Hurlock grabbed his leg and pulled him towards it. It dug its knee into Daylen's belly, pinning Daylen in place. The mage looked towards Duncan, locked in battle with another Hurlock.
"NO!" Daylen slammed his head into Hurlock's face, feeling its teeth cut his forehead.
He grabbed a stone and smashed it across the Hurlock's face. Crawling away from the monster, he got up and charged one hand with ice and another with electricity. He fired the ice into the Hurlock's leg, freezing it solid. Then grabbed the Hurlock by its forehead and unleashed the lightning. He watched the Hurlock convulse and heard it cry out in agony. The Hurlock's head began to bulge and bubble and Daylen closed his eyes and mouth. There was a pop, and Daylen felt the blood coat his face. He stepped back, feeling his heart still pounding. Then he fell into a sitting position and let out a trembled sigh of relief.
"DUNCAN!" he yelled.
"Daylen I am here, calm yourself, keep your eyes closed and your mouth shut," Duncan said.
Daylen felt the Warden pull him to his feet, heard the uncorking of a water satchel.
'The blood, is it going to burn my face more, have I been infected?' he wondered, filled with worry.
Duncan poured water over his face, using his glove to wash the blood off of it.
"Open your eyes, we're safe now, they're all dead," he told the mage.
Daylen took a few deep breaths and shook his head, punching his cheek to snap himself out of the shock of what had happened.
"I have seen magic and its power before, that was unlike any mage I had seen before. You rushed forward, stood your ground instead of retreated," Duncan said, his tone sounding like a lecture.
"If I fell back there was a good chance they would have killed me, I just did everything I could to stay alive," Daylen said.
"You have good instincts for fighting, well done," Duncan patted his back and let him find his balance, so he could stand on his own.
Daylen turned and walked towards his staff, picking it up from the ground. He saw a knife beside the corpse of a human soldier. A sudden thought crossed Daylen's mind, if he ever got pinned a knife would be a deadlier tool to get an opponent off than a rock. He picked the knife up, examining it. It had a red cloth handle and a ring on the end of it. The blade itself was sharp, though there was a chip on the edge of it, near the handle. Daylen slid the blade through his belt, gaining a nod of approval from Duncan, whom himself saw knives as a good reserve weapon.
"Shall we continue?" Daylen asked.
Again Duncan nodded in approval. He saw how Daylen reacted, fearful, cautious, everything an inexperienced young recruit would be. But despite that, he still moved forward and perhaps would be more courageous than ever. It was enough for Duncan to know that he hadn't made a mistake recruiting the young mage.
The Meadow
Selene and Revion stood side by side, both dressed in the finest clothes they had. But in comparison to other lords and ladies of the Meadow, they were dressed quite modestly. They stood in front of Bella, the only priest they trusted to lead their service. On one side were those loyal to the House Amell, and on the other were those loyal to House Greenward. Dayla, Dayk, Aristanna, Revka, Fausten and Bryan sat at the front of the House Amell side and many held a different reaction. Aristanna saw true love being fulfilled, Revka saw a son about to marry the woman he loved, Dayla saw her twin carrying out a ridiculous concept, Dayk saw his brother achieving happiness before he could. Bryan's attention however was caught by Fausten.
"You will take care of them will you?" his old friend asked him.
"Faust, what are you saying?" Bryan asked.
"Nothing, we shouldn't really talk," Fausten grinned.
"We are gathered here today not as servants of any faith, but as members of two families about to become one. Revion, I have loved you like my own son since the moment I held you in my arms, you are the culmination of your grandfather's wisdom and your mother's courage. Selene, I see not just the qualities of a dutiful wife, but a trust worthy partner and a devoted lover for Revion, I see the love between you. In this world of titles and lands, many forget that the basis of marriage was love, and it warms my heart to see it in you," Bella explained.
"As a priestess of the chant of light, I speak these words, do you Selene Greenward vow to love Revion, to support him through good and bad, to keep his path true, to never betray his trust and to stand by his side through richer and poorer, sickness and health, until death parts you from one another?"
"I vow," Selene said, looking at Revion as she spoke the words.
"Revion Amell, do you vow to love Selene, to protect and respect her, to never cage her and trust her, to never betray her trust and stand by her side through richer and poorer, sickness and health, until death parts you from one another?"
"I vow!"
"Stand within this circle please," Bella pulled off her scarf as Revion and Selene stepped into a chalk circle.
She tied the scarf around their necks, linking them together.
"This sort of ceremony, it is not one used by the old gods or the new," someone from the Greenward side said.
"The Chantry does not do this," said another from the Amell side.
Bella ignored them and carried on.
"Within this circle is a world you now both share. Each trial ahead is not your own to bear, but the others as well. This scarf is the bond between you, one that will never break. Now, through the power and authority granted to me by the maker, the divine and King Robert Baratheon, I hereby proclaim you both man and wife," she untied the scarf and smiled at the two youths. "Now kiss, and let that be what solidifies your bond!"
Revion traced his finger over Selene's forehead, around her cheek and to her chin. She linked her hand with his, rested her other hand on his chest as he pulled her into a gentle kiss. Slowly their lips pressed together, holding it as people began to cheer. The two lovers, now husband and wife separated their lips and smiled at one another.
"It is done," she whispered.
"This is the single most happiest moment of my life," Revion said.
"No my love, that moment will come when you have achieved everything you have always wanted," Selene said.
"No, this, you are what I want, everything else is simply duty."
Again they kissed, when night passed, the fire raged and people celebrated. Revion danced with his new wife, Aristanna and Dayla playfully with one another and many others. Fausten's old warrior friends drank and sang old songs with Selene's father and Revion stood in solitude. Bella and Revka sat together, sipping cups with mead in them.
"Father is not here, I think I know what he is planning," Revka lowered her head as she spoke.
"I believe Revion will be ready, it is Dayk who concerns me, there is still a great darkness lingering around him," Bella said.
"He will find his way, I have faith Bella, my children have grown so strong. Father wishes to go, so to will I, Cersei invited me to stay with her in Kings landing, I think I will accept her offer. It is about time the young make the Meadow their own dreams come true," Revka explained and smiled.
"What has driven you to this decision sister?" Bella asked.
It was a question that Bryan asked Fausten. The older man came out of his barn, his hair cut as short as he used to cut it, his beard too trimmed. He had dressed himself in red under clothes, but over them he had put on a bronze chainmail shirt, grey greaves over his boots, a grey vest across his chest and back and pauldrons. He fastened a pair of steel guards over his gloves and walked to his horse.
"Usually they have to wait for you to die," Bryan muttered.
"I am dead Bryan, I haven't been the same lord for a few years now, being lord of the Meadow doesn't stimulate my mind the way it needs to be anymore. How many lords can say that they parted with their title on their own terms? This is how I part with it, by giving it to a worthy successor, and there is more. We received a letter from First Enchanter Irving...he is free Bryan, Daylen is now walking a path free of the confines of the tower, the path of a Grey warden," Fausten laughed as Bryan widened his eyes.
"It is a path fraught with danger, but I have no doubt in my mind that he will become a hero now. This has made me realise, that I never got to fulfil my dream, to be a hero. Who says that it is too late to fulfil that dream?" Fausten asked.
"You are not the warrior you used to be old friend, you can't piss right anymore and you forget your days," Bryan said.
"You're not getting any younger yourself Bryan," Fausten retorted. "Besides its easier to say goodbye to a previous lord when he's become less capable," the man grinned and Bryan widened his eyes in shock.
Then he shook his head and chuckled in amusement, he noticed Fausten wasn't walking with a cane anymore, his back was straighter and he didn't fumble with his words. The man had taken a page straight from the book of Pycelle. Perhaps his mind still wasn't what it used to be, even so he was still brilliant. He fastened a green cloak onto his shoulders, picked up a spear and climbed onto his white horse. Bryan offered Fausten his sword and the old warrior slid it through his belt. Fausten gave him the letter, his will, and both patted their fists together.
"Go old friend and fulfil your dream, wherever it may take you," Bryan said.
"Maybe to Dorne, or the Iron islands, or to Essos, perhaps I'll even find a dragon," Fausten winked and kicked his horse, galloping out of the stables.
The old warrior rode as fast as he could, leaving behind the Meadow and passing those whom looked up to him. People whispered, 'was that Lord Fausten?' and watched him ride away.
'Aerys my old friend, thank you for the Meadow, but that was never my dream. Let it go to the young ones, let them forge their own stories now. I will see you again old friend, but not yet, not yet, the Meadow was but one chapter of my life. The Story of Fausten Amell, the phoenix has not ended yet!' Fausten saw the prince on the hill top, raising his hand in farewell.
He was the image of the noble prince that Fausten chose to remember.
"HEY FAUST!" a yell alerted Fausten to others behind him.
He looked over his shoulder and saw galloping after him, friends. Stork and Stone both led a host of old warriors including Ulrich and Darius, all of them smiling.
"You didn't think we'd let you go alone did you?" the dwarf asked.
"HA! Then let us go my friends, let us ride forth to many more ADVENTURES!" Fausten yelled, raising his spear and riding onwards.
And so Fausten Amell left the Meadow, and would later leave Westeros to pursue a new path in Essos. That night, Bryan would read Fausten's will and declare Revion and Selene the new lord and lady of the Meadow. Revka would travel to King's landing the next day, establish an estate outside of the city and join the royal court.
Daylen meanwhile walked into the Ferelden camp at Ostagar and began his trials as a Grey Warden.
Next Final Chapter: The battle of Ostagar
Final chapter? Wait and see to find out. Next time is a focus on Daylen, and brief flashes to Westeros, as Daylen faces the life changing trials of Ostagar and House Amell heads in a new direction.