Borrowed Time, Ch 28 – Archie

AN: I rush rush rushed to this point (It's a first fic, be merciful) and yes, it will skip some since its just battle battle battle. Hopefully the wee twist I put in here will be a welcome one.


After a full day on horseback they were all ready to stop and make camp. There were few enough soldiers left after the battle in Redcliff for everyone to be able to ride a mount, but Shiva and her companions still paired up. Shiva and Leliana rode together, much to Shiva's relief because she would likely fall off at such speed. Oghren leered at them, watching their bodies jounce off the saddle, before he remembered his predicament and called to Loghain behind him.

"If I feel your pole up my arse I'm gonna chop that scowl off your face with my axe!"

"I assure you, you won't ever feel such a thing from me, dwarf." It was bad enough Loghain's nose hovered right above Oghren. Even his armor was absorbing that smell.

Zevran chuckled beside them. "Get a room, you two! That is a joining that I never want to see." Wynne laughed over the elf's shoulder at Loghain's obvious discomfort.

Sten and Morrigan minded their own business. Morrigan was grinning smugly, purposely tilting her rear towards the qunari's groin. The witch periodically cast a spell so Shale would be able to run faster and keep up. Loki was dashing beside the golem.

They stopped to make camp when the sun disappeared behind the Frostbacks. Morrigan was forced to set up her tent closer to everyone else than usual since Teagan and the Redcliff soldiers took the far corner of the encampment. She was meters behind Shiva's tent, the pirate sat next to her as she read the grimoire. She didn't turn into a spider psycho when Shiva sat on the end of her bedroll, which was staggering.

"So how was he?" Morrigan's eyes still scanned the mystical runes on the page, but the corner of her mouth rose. The witch set the journal on her lap, took a deep breath as she looked for eavesdroppers.

"At first, he was disinterested. It was rather annoying, once men experience the spell that enhances the feeling in their phallus, they usually have no further reservations but your general is stubborn." Shiva smirked, wondering what kind of nutty man turned his nose up at pleasure with such a beautiful woman. "But then, he changed. He became quite forceful when the mood overtook him. It was quite barbaric."

"I hate you so much," Shiva laughed. Morrigan giggled as well when the pirate left. When she returned to her tent, Wynne was standing near it, wearily waving Zevran away as he talked about her breasts. Shiva had to take a good look at the old mage, her skin was pale and just a bit green. "Zevran, shoo!"

He started at her interruption. "Alright, alright! I was just giving her a compliment." He sulked back to his own tent.

"Wynne, are you alright? I've never seen you look so…"

"Old?" Her remark wasn't as venomous as usual, there must be something really wrong.

"No, sickly. Is it the traveling?" Wynne didn't expect to see Shiva so worried about her.

"No, dear. It's nothing like that. I know what it is. Nothing to concern yourself with." That was probably the first time Wynne gave her a friendly smile.

"Nonsense, talk to me."

"In the Circle tower, I took a hit from one of the demons. I fell. After everything went black, I felt life return to me. I was rejuvenated. It was not one of the mages, they all ran while I fought the demons. Since then, I have felt," she trailed off, trying to find the right words. "All my life I have been able to sense spirits in the Fade – benevolent spirits. One of them sustains me, but the spirit did not expect it to be so difficult. Its energy wanes, that is why I feel so weak sometimes." Shiva's jaw dropped when she heard the mage had died.

"And I thought my second chance at life was lucky," she mused. "Well what are you doing still standing here, woman? Go rest!"

"It's my watch."

"Don't be foolish. I'll take watch." Wynne thanked her, shuffling slowly to her own tent.


The next morning, smoke billowed high into the clouds before the capital was even in sight. The army raced on with more speed with Shiva, Riordan, and Teagan in the lead. They reached the city gates mid-afternoon. The Dalish were already there, standing within the city with their bows drawn, shooting at the darkspawn that made it inside. When Shiva and the Redcliff army rode in, they drew their swords and hacked at the darkspawn from horseback. Few of the creatures were able to dodge and slash the horses' chests and legs, causing both steed and rider to fall. Shiva pulled the reigns sharply to the right, making the horse spiral around in a wide arc to climb the stairs along the wall beside the gate, giving Leliana a high vantage point to shoot from. Shiva dismounted, running back down the stairs with dagger and axe in hand to engage the darkspawn. Zevran and Wynne still rode as a pair, he did the same on the opposite side so the mage could cut through the darkspawn with her magic. Morrigan stood on the ground amidst the elven archers, shooting cones of fire and ice to all darkspawn that came near.

It was impossible to keep track of her men while Shiva battled. The area was large and open, but bodies were everywhere with more piling up. The darkspawn were unable to feel the wardens with so much taint around them, they simply slashed at anyone with smooth skin, wading through the soldiers to destroy those who threatened the archdemon as it sang its commands.

Shiva faltered when she heard the song, just like in her dreams. She caught sight of a stilled, silverite form that was enraptured by the same thing she was. She made her way to him, nearer the gates to the market, hoping she could find some foundation in their bond that she took comfort in when she woke to find Alistair near her when she had a nightmare in camp. Loghain was stirred from his hypnotic state when he felt the familiar warmth, his haunted gaze fell on her and slowly faded away. Riordan was able to focus on their position through the bond, he ran to them.

"We need to get to the top of Fort Drakon!" He had to shout over the screams of battle around them.

Loghain understood. "You mean to draw the archdemon's attention."

Riordan nodded. "Gather those you wish to travel with you. I would suggest no more than two or three." Loghain looked to Shiva to find those suitable to come with them. She ran into the thick of battle while Riordan went ahead to the market district. Loghain stood guard, killing any and all darkspawn that neared.

Shiva returned to him with Morrigan, Oghren, and Shale. Without stopping, they went to the market district after Riordan, Loghain fell into line with them. Sten had been informed he was to lead those who remained by to defend the city gates. He could be trusted in that, at least.


Six ogres – six ogres met them in the market district. People were being chased down through the streets, she would never be able to save any with the half dozen beasts charging toward her. She took the horn Teagan gave her from around her neck, eight sharp blasts to call upon the dwarves. The reinforcements came swiftly, but it seemed like an eternity. Finally each ogre fell, wounds from four to five dwarves and at least one of Shiva's own bled profusely with the last pump's of the ogres heart.

They left the last two ogres to the dwarves that were busy chopping them down like trees. In the center of the market, were logs that used to be stalls lay in a mess, a darkspawn general taunted the wardens, beckoning them forward into his throng of minions. Shiva smirked, cocking her head at her general for him to show the darkspawn bastard that the warden general was far superior. Loghain charged, less glee in the matter, but just as much determination. The darkspawn general raised his sword high over head and it bounced off of Maric's shield instead of cleaving Loghain's head.

Shiva and the others held the surrounding darkspawn off while Loghain fought the powerful foe. Each parried the other's strikes when their blades didn't meet shields. A dagger flew in, sinking into the darkspawn's neck. It was off guard long enough for Loghain to decapitate. The dagger fell to the ground, Loghain kicked it up with his boot toward Shiva to catch. They left the market district to the dwarves to defend.


They reached the grounds of the palace, bloodied all over with little if any being their own. Shrieks were attacking the palace's guards that defended the doors. Shiva recognized Loghain's men and Ser Cauthrien as she fought by Alistair's side. He must have felt her through their bond, when he knocked a genlock back, he paused to gaze her direction. With his inattention, the genlock bounded forward, ready to strike again. Morrigan set the creature on fire, it fell screaming at Alistair's feet like a prize from his pet.

They returned to battle, not slowing a breath until the palace grounds were clear of all taint that didn't belong to the Grey Wardens. Alistair sheathed his sword and slung his shield over his shoulder. "Riordan passed this way nearly an hour ago," he reported. "Your arrival finally turned the tide. He headed for Fort Drakon."

"That's where we're going," Shiva answered.

"Where's Anora?" Loghain didn't put it past the whelp to kick her out a window as a sacrifice to the darkspawn.

"In the tower, she's fine. Ten guards are with her."

"That's all?" Loghain snapped. Alistair ignored him, turning to Shiva.

"You know, I've thought a lot about what happened. We can agree to disagree, but I need to do this – my final fight as a warden. Duncan would have pushed me to do it above the duty of my birthright. If I fall, Ferelden will still have a strong leader. I shouldn't sit out of this fight with the archdemon." Shiva raised a brow.

"Of course, come along then." The archdemon roared overhead. Everyone looked up to see something fall from high above. Shiva hoped it was one of the bastard's feet but she realized it was shaped like a person. Whoever it was fell on the other side of the palace grounds. They would likely pass the body on their way to the fort. Shiva ran ahead, counting on them to follow. She heard Alistair command Ser Cauthrien to hold ground, then didn't feel the warmth from his taint lessen.

Shiva could see the battle continue toward their road out, she was about to run forward when Loghain called her, running further into the garden. She caught up to him, heart sinking when she saw what caught his attention. Riordan had fallen in the fountain, water swirled red around him. Alistair caught up to them, sighing when he saw their fallen comrade. Shiva shook her head, turning to continue to the fort.


The large doors slammed shut when they made it inside. They leaned against the wood for breath. Shale stomped ahead to see if more were around.

Oghren was gulping air, staring at Alistair. "You that warden?"

"Uhh, yes?"

"Somehow I imagined you manlier. More lines on that baby face and glowing eyes, at the very least."

"Well... Sorry to disappoint?" He didn't know what to make of the dwarf.

"You should be."

Shiva smirked, realizing she never properly introduced the two. There would be time for it later though, she felt like she was being gluttonous stopping for a break in the middle of the battle. She followed the sound of stone squishing darkspawn.

They made it to the top floor, Shale stayed at the door to make sure no darkspawn came through. As they continued, Alistair huffed in a breathless chuckle. "Kinda reminds me of Ishal. Fighting alongside you, I mean. It's so familiar." He didn't show distaste over the memory, so Shiva smiled slightly as they ran through the halls. With shock, she recalled her first nightmare at camp, this was where she was running, alone and frightened.

But she didn't feel afraid. She had Alistair and Loghain beside her, as well as Oghren and Morrigan. They followed her this far, if she met her end, it would not be alone and it didn't guarantee complete failure.

She grasped the handle to the door leading to the rooftop, a jolt of excitement shot up her arm when she opened the door only to be drowned when she emerged, seeing the massive black dragon. It breathed purple flame, tucking an injured wing away from where they stood. Morrigan waved her hands to cast a blizzard spell. Shards of ice whipped across the archdemon's snout and eyes, blinding it while the warriors and rogue each rounded to attack a limb.

When the spell cleared, Morrigan tried to keep it blinded by shooting flame in its eyes. The massive demon shook its head, swatting at the attackers near its legs. Shiva ran back to avoid its swipe, grabbing her horn and calling for any dwarves that remained. She whistled to Alistair as he ran from under a flapping wing. "Alis! The ballistae!" She pointed at the one nearest him – both that were on the roof should be able to hit the darkspawn leader in the middle. At Shiva's signal, both shot. The bolts hit either shoulder, causing it to roar and attempt to fly away. It was off the ground, circling low above them. Shiva turned the ballista, aiming ahead so it would fly into the shot. She triggered the shot, bolts sinking into the darkspawn dragon's belly. It crashed back on the rooftop, shrieking. Darkspawn ran through the doors, dwarves came in from the one they entered. The two forces clashed in the middle as Shiva ran to attack the archdemon with the warriors that already had it engaged.

The archdemon jerked its head away from each strike from the wardens that stood by each eye. Both warriors blocked the collision with the shields of their remembered leaders. The archdemon roared, it's head stayed low to the ground where both warriors slashed at its temples and at the soft spot behind its jaw. When the archdemon would open its mouth to snarl again, the warden warriors on either side would see each other, their dislike for one another channeled into their swords as they slashed with more fury at the terror between them.

Shiva used her axe and dagger to climb up its hind leg, dodging kicks that protested at the puncture wounds the left in her wake. Once on top, she grabbed one of the spiny protrusions along the dragon's backbone, calling for Oghren's attention as he hacked at a wing, preventing it from taking flight. Two crossed, lazy eyes rose to her call as she pointed to the great sword that lay embedded in a nearby darkspawn. The dwarf seized it, pulling it out with a wet squelch and tossing it blade down to his commander. She grabbed the sword in both hands, having sheathed her weapons, and turned the opposite way to call to Morrigan. She held the blade high for the witch to bathe in fire. The flames licked the sword, metal glowing orange like a brand.

Shiva stabbed downward, blade sinking through melted scales and she blinked at the sizzling flesh below her shaking her head to clear her vision as she wrenched the blade forward like a lever, angling it to slice along the archdemon's spine as she ran to its head. Dark red blood poured from the split skin, leaving a river of blood trailing behind her. When she neared its skull, she slowed her run, angling the sword forward to put all her momentum into the blade as it sunk under the plate of its skull and emerged from the roof of its mouth. The archdemon's head jerked upwards, throwing Shiva off just before a beam of light shot up from the killing blow, exploding outward into an aura of blinding light.

Morrigan raised a ward to shield herself from most of the force. Her belted skirt billowed around her legs. Loghain, Alistair, and Oghren were knocked back, skidding until each neared the edge of the rooftop. The scream of the archdemon died down when it's soul departed. The two male wardens were alive, but Shiva had been thrown high after her strike and her body was nowhere to be found. Everyone scoured the area, Loghain even neared the edge and looked over for her body below, with a terrible feeling in his stomach. It didn't lessen when he heard Alistair behind him.

"Oh no..." He breathed with much despair. "No no no..." Loghain whirled, Alistair stood yards behind him, looking high on the wall. He ran beside the future king, turning his gaze to see Shiva impaled on what was once a protrusion the shape of a mabari's head, but had been broken and left in a long spike emerging from the stone. It pinned between her shoulder and left breast. Her head lolled to the right where the rest of her weight sagged, blood trickled from the corner of her mouth and ran over her stomach from the wound. Her eyes were shut and everyone was still. Even Oghren was sobered, their victory unregistered.

Wings flapped over their heads, a great bird hovered over Shiva, grabbing her shoulders with its large talons and slowly bringing her forward off the stone spike. She left a red trail where her body once hung, the men below her could hear the wet slide. The bird freed her and slowly brought her down. Loghain ran forward to help ease Shiva to the ground. Morrigan let her go and returned to her form, landing from flight on her feet.

Alistair hovered over her body, taking ragged gasps.

"Please don't be dead..." Morrigan moved past him, lyrium potion in hand and a glow in the other for her healing spell. Loghain couldn't tell if she breathed or not, but Morrigan wouldn't be healing her if she was already gone.

Morrigan focused on her spell, unused to having to use it so heavily. She sipped on a healing potion. "Tis no use until this armor comes off." Loghain and Morrigan pulled on the straps at either side, gingerly removing the breastplate. The gambeson was torn enough to reveal her wound, Morrigan returned to work on it.

The four of them jumped when Shiva's eyes snapped open and she gasped. She was looking around wildly while she tried to get her bearings.

"Calm down Shiva, the battle is won. You have slain the archdemon."

Shiva's right hand flew to her wound, forming a cage over it like she held a trapped bird. "Did that son of a bitch lizard do this to me?" There was a feral glint in here eye that made Loghain worry.

"It did, in a way."

"I'll kill the motherfucker again!" Her mind was beginning to register the pain. She growled through her teeth, Alistair hadn't heard such a thing since the werewolves in the Brecilian Forest. She gasped between growls that were escalating into furious shouts of pain. He cringed when he heard the sound of her grinding teeth. Morrigan sat on her heels.

"She is in shock."

A thought struck Loghain, he was angered by not thinking of it sooner. "Give me the horn, I'll call the mages. With luck, a decent healer will be among them." Morrigan took it from beside her breastplate. Three long, mournful blows sounded. Shiva jumped at the horn.

"Where is the song? I can't hear it. Where the fuck is the song?"

"It's gone," Loghain answered. "You ended the Blight. As soon as a healer comes your mind will be clear." She shook her head at him, trying to sit up but falling back. Her heart started pumping more blood out of the wound and she kept hitting her head on the rooftop. The mages ran through the door, Alistair called to them for a healer. A red haired mage ran forward, telling everyone to step back.

The mage was bent over her for several minutes. Loghain was unsettled by how still she was. He felt some relief when she bent her knee to flatten the bottom of her foot on the ground. He stared at the blood that was on his armor, realizing he held the war horn tightly.

"She's a tough little moss licker. She'll be fine." Oghren's expression didn't reflect his sure tone.

Loghain and Alistair breathed a sigh of relief when Shiva got to her feet. She slowly rolled her shoulder, wincing at the soreness. Shiva stared at the archdemon dumbly, circling it and squatting to peer into its open mouth. From where Loghain stood, he could see the tip of the blade sticking from the inside of its mouth, like a wide, misplaced tooth.

Shiva stood and walked to Morrigan. The witch stood alone at the edge of the roof, looking like she was ready to jump.


Shiva could see the wind blowing locks of hair Morrigan kept loose. She wondered idly if their hair even grew the past year, it was always pulled back. Morrigan turned to face her. "Tis fortunate you survived, no? I am glad to see you well. It will bring me comfort to know another strong woman still stands once I leave."

"And you thought you were the only one."

"We are a rare breed, I see the necessity of saying goodbye but I am surprised that I do not wish to."

"Yet you will?"

"I must. I have done what I set out to do. Our paths must diverge." Morrigan's face was pinched with sadness. Both girls went to speak, it was Shiva who silenced. "I never thought I would have someone in my life to call friend... Even sister." Shiva nodded, for Morrigan very much was like a sister, in personality and resemblance.

"Thank you, Morrigan. For everything." Shiva slowly stepped forward, knowing the witch was soon to be gone for good. Morrigan was at a loss and allowed Shiva to hug her. The witch seemed like she wanted to retreat at first, but she relaxed and returned the friendly embrace. The thought of being alone again already felt odd. Morrigan pulled back, composed.

"Goodbye, my friend. Remember what we agreed. Do not follow."

"You life is yours to live, I will not interfere." Shiva crossed her arms around herself, shoulders sagging from the stiffness she still felt. Morrigan turned into a raven and flew away over the ravaged capital.