Justice returned to Anders as soon as they heard the scream. He, Alistair and Zevran knew that that was Wren's. They came to the scene; Anders quickly took out the Darkspawn archer that was readying another arrow. Wren was on her knees, stroking the body of her mabari, Blaise. Her body shook as tears ran down her nose. A bloody arrow was chucked aside. Alistair ran to the dog and the elf.
"Wren…what happened?" he whispered, touching her face. She looked up at him, her face suddenly like she was a child.
"H-he s-saved me," she cried. "From th-the arrow."
Blaise whined. Alistair looked at the old mabari and scratched him behind the ear. He could tell they were slowly losing him.
"Wren, I think –"
"Don't you dare say it," she hissed. "Don't you dare…"
He looked at her with sad, brown eyes.
"The arrow pierced his lung," he said softly, "To leave him like this would only extend the suffering he's facing."
"I'm not losing him too!" she snarled, her voice becoming desperate. Isabela sat down next to the elf.
"He's in pain, kitten." She murmured. Wren pushed away Isabela's comforting touch. She looked wildly at Hawke and Anders.
"There has to be something you can do? Please!"
Hawke shook her head apologetically.
"Anders?" Wren pleaded.
"I haven't needed to heal an animal, so I don't even know if I can do it." He answered. There they sat in an uncomfortable silence, not knowing how move on from there. Zevran broke it by stepping forward.
"I know a poison…" he said quietly, "It's painless. It will be like he has fallen asleep."
Blaise whimpered and licked his Mistress' hand. She knew it was his way of saying 'it's alright'. Without looking at anyone but her hound, the Hero nodded in defeat. Everyone left them to either scout for any other rogue groups of Darkspawn, setting up camp, or helping Zevran find the ingredients for the poison. Alistair stayed with Wren and Blaise.
"Do you remember when you found those bloomers?" she asked the dog. He gave a small snort. Wren let out a small laugh, "And you insisted in giving them to Morrigan. She was so furious! Or the time you gave her that half-eaten hare…"
Blaise made a grumbling sound like he was laughing. Alistair smiled half-heartedly. To onlookers, reminiscing with a dog would seem strange, even for Ferelden's who are incredibly close to their own; but Blaise was more than just a pet. He was a friend who on countless times saved them in more ways than one, especially Wren. He was there when everyone else she held dearest wasn't. Anders and Zevran came over to them, and put down a bowl of water.
"He won't be able to taste it," Zevran reassured them. He was about to leave out of guilt when Wren grabbed his hand.
"Please stay with us."
"Of course."
Before Anders left he scratched the dog behind the ear and smiled.
"I've never been a dog person, but I always did like you," he smiled sadly, "Both of us."
With that he left to join the others. Alistair helped Blaise drink the spiked water, while the two elves comforted the hound by petting and scratching him. His breathing became slower and deeper. Blaise's eyes sleepily closed then sprung back open to look at his old friends.
"I'm going to miss you, boy." Wren sniffed, trying not to break out into sobs again, but not succeeding.
"We all are." Zevran said quietly.
"Goodbye, old boy." Alistair murmured, a tear running down his nose. The dog let out a small growl that ended in a bark. Alistair had a feeling that it meant 'don't you get weak, human. You have to look after my Mistress and find her daughter'. At least that's what he kept telling himself. A few minutes went by and Blaise slowly drifted off to sleep…
Lupa started to howl up at the sky.