When I enter the castle I'm greeted by the Arl's family, Alistair, and Wynne all waiting for me. Wynne nods when she sees me to show that the Arl is still alive. That's a small mercy I suppose. Hopefully. I dig the ashes out from my pocket and dangle it from my fingertips. The Arl's wife breaks down into sobs while his brother bows deeply before me. I barely manage to restrain from rolling my eyes as I tell them what they're going to do.

"Take me to him.". The brother and wife grab my arms and begin tugging me along. The Arl is in a finely decorated room in a bed covered with enough silk to keep my family fed for years. Resentment boils in my guts as I practically smash the ashes into his mouth. The man gags and I keep shoving the warm ash into his gullet. Finally, his eyes slowly open. I crack him across the face once. Just as a little revenge for being ridiculously rich. I step back and allow the family to crowd around him. The Arl is lifted to his feet and led out of the room. I snort as I watch the royal family go. I even snarl under my breath.

"You're fucking welcome.". Duncan nuzzles my hand and my human companions offer me their sympathies. I brush all of them off and follow the royal family to wherever they went. I find the man resting in his throne with his family surrounding him. As I approach, the man nods and motions at the ground. I assume he wants me to kneel. I don't. The Arl's face sours a tiny bit. He clears his throat to push past the awkwardness, then speaks to me.

"I am Arl Eamon. I understand I have you to thank with my life.". I straighten my back with a pride I know I deserve. I speak in a formal tone and put the Arl in his place.

"You owe me your life, your Orlesian wife's life, and your bastard son's life.". Isolde looks completely offended I've brought her heritage into this, but I don't mind. I hate Orlesian men and women more than I hate Ferelden men and women. Ferelden men and women at least know what it's like to chaff under the collar of those who think they're better than you. Orlesian men and women abuse not only my people, but the poor of their own kind. Besides, Ferelden has dogs. The Arl suddenly sighs and shakes his head.

"I understand that. Now, do you wish for me to call a Landsmeet? It's the only option we have right now to overthrow Loghain.". Alistair begins to speak. I throw him a glare to shut him up, then turn to the Arl.

"Yes.". He nods and shakily pushes himself to his feet.

"We have gathered all the forces we can. Loghain is sure to have himself and his forces already set up in the capital before us, and so we must race to Denerim, as quickly as we can. The lives of many thousands hang in the balance; we must not forsake them. You have gathered an army to replace the one lost at Ostagar, Grey Warden. Let us pray that it will be enough to usurp Loghain from his ill-gotten throne.".


Isolde finds me as we're riding.

"Surely you know that Orlais is more forgiving to elves than Ferelden, don't you?". I scoff and put her in her place.

"I'd watch my tongue. Fereldens don't say that 'Orlais' is better at Ferelden than anything.". She shies her horse away from mine a little, but is too persistent to quit.

"Empress Celene Valmont has changed things among the elves who live in the cities of Orlais.". The mention of city elves catches my attention. I try not to look too interested as I question her.

"How are the elves in the cities of Orlais treated better?". She seems encouraged and begins stating her case.

"Shartan's mural is kept in the chantry in Val Royeaux! His ears are docked, but it's still in the capital of Orlais! When's the last time the most famous elven hero has been seen by your eyes in Ferelden?". I hesitate. I only know of Shartan because of my mother being obsessed with elven history. I nod and give her that point; though, I remind her of something.

"His ears are docked. And, I've heard rumors that Orlesion nobility believes elves to be animals due to our ears, and the fact hardly any of us are educated due to poverty.". She nods and relents on that point. However, she still doesn't give up.

"There are those who would like to call you an animal, but they do not truly believe it. They're just racist against you and wish to hurt elves.". I roll my eyes.

"Well, that doesn't help much.". Isolde sighs.

"Alright, it doesn't. However, you can at least learn culturally! Empress Celene is even pushing for elves to be accepted into schools and colleges!". I hesitate even more. During the Orlesion occupation elves were considered personal property and sold among the nobility. Could it have really changed that much?

"What about slavery?". Isolde shakes her head.

"Slavery is no longer a concern. Many elves are kept as servants, however. Although, a servant is usually well protected. If you worked for the Empress, then you would wear a mask signifying yourself as her servant while you were in the city. None would dare harm you. And, all elves can carry a blade as long as their palm.". Orlais is sounding better and better. Ferelden doesn't allow elves to carry weapons.

Any who are found carrying them will be killed with them. And, being a servant to a Ferelden lord means absolutely nothing. Servants can be killed and their masters won't blink an eye unless it's considered an insult to their authority. If I wasn't a Grey Warden and I was still stuck in the slums of Denerim, then I could see how it would be tempting to simply flee north. Although, I can also see how it's tempting to either leave to go find the Dalish because they're free elves, or join the Qun because they treat everyone equal across the board. I shake my head a little bit to clear it.

"None of this matters. What do you want me to do? Head to Orlais?". Isolde shrugs.

"I just wanted you to think about Orlais a little more. And, not to judge it too harshly. I'm a Ferelden and my loyalty lies here, but Orlais is no longer the beast everyone makes it out to be. Do we have problems? Yes. Does Ferelden? Yes. All that matters is that both sides are doing their best to fix them.". She falls silent and yanks her animal back. I do my best to remain silent for the rest of the ride. Elves have always been treated like shit. I carried a blade at my hip every single day in Denerim, but I could have technically been killed for it if any of the guards wanted to kill me.

They just knew trying to take me down would cause too big of a fuss, and that I didn't actually have the guts to hurt anyone with my weapon. In Orlais I could have actually carried a dagger. And, (more importantly) the poor elves I lived with could have carried a dagger. My father and cousins aren't skilled warriors, but having all of them carrying blades would make everyone feel safer. Just knowing that any human in the city could currently kill them always upset me. A dagger won't exactly save you from a group of thugs, but it's better than nothing. I bite my lip and continue chewing over this new important the entire ride to Denerim.


My entire group spreads out and begins claiming their spots when we reach the tremendous, royalty-decorated palace in Denerim. I see Leliana duck into a nearby room and go to follow her. A hand resting on my shoulder stops me. Eamon drags me over to the center of the palace's hall. I look around at portraits of humans and the rich, colorful furniture that decorates the room. Eamon elbows me and I snap my eyes towards the door. Loghain Mac Tir and some dark-haired human come into the room.

My blood boils and I grit my teeth at the sight of them. My vision begins to narrow and a ringing fills my ears. I bite deep enough into my tongue to draw blood. Slowly, I come out of my battle rage. Loghain is standing before me now and the woman is sizing me up. Loghain sneers at Eamon and completely ignores me as he addresses his fellow human.

"You and I both know this is a farce, Eamon. This Landsmeet is little more than a political power grab you've orchestrated in order to better your own position. I am the finest general in all of Ferelden and the queen regent!". I can't help myself.

"Considering Ostagar, I believe we need a better general.". Loghain's stern face snaps to me in an instant. I hold firm. On instinct, he blinks. Loghain snarls at me when he realizes his mistake.

"Nobody asked you!". I snarl and sneer right back at him. Finally, the man turns back to his fellow. Eamon takes his opportunity to speak.

"Surrender now and we can call off the Landsmeet.". I straighten my spine and add to the threat.

"We will not bow to you.". The woman scoffs and snarls at me.

"Don't speak when your betters are talking, child.". My first instinct is to threaten her. My second is to make her uncomfortable. I go with the second instinct and hope Leliana isn't watching. Loghain watches me carefully and the woman tenses as I slide over to her. I rest a single hand atop her right shoulder, place the other hand on her thick breastplate, and smile as I hover my face only an inch or two away from hers.

"You I wouldn't mind bowing to. Or taking orders from. Say a single word and I'll do both.". I cackle as the woman roughly shoves me away and Loghain gags. The older man shakes his head at Eamon.

"I will not surrender and you will not win.". The two storm out, and I notice the woman makes sure to walk a little quicker than what is considered completely necessary. I turn to see Eamon shaking his head and already turned towards me.

"He won't see sense. It looks like we'll have to do this the hard way.". He sighs again. Eamon doesn't do anything else as he turns and motions for me to follow him. I don't like being told what to do, but I go ahead and just go with it. The elf waiting for me in the sparsely decorated serving quarters is finely dressed. Obviously, a servant of some sort. No other elf in this city (besides me) would be dressed that nice without bowing to someone in a position of power. The woman bows a tiny bit to Eamon and I when we enter. I hold in my sharp remark and sneer. I hold my tongue as Eamon motions towards the woman and explains.

"The Queen's handmaid. She claimed to have some important information that we would need to know about.". He steps back a tiny bit to give the elf the focus. She swallows a lump in her throat before talking to me.

"The Queen has been taken prisoner by her father! She's in terrible danger and sent for the Grey Wardens to rescue her! I'm-". I cut her off.

"I don't care about names. Let me get my team, then lead the way.". She beams as she speeds away.