Chapter 51 – Battle for Amaranthine

"Garavel, gather your swiftest men. Get them moving as soon as it can be managed. I'll ride ahead with a team of Wardens to scout the situation," Alyx ordered as she marched with purpose into the armory; the Captain and the other Wardens trailing behind her.

Garavel opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted by the arrival of Varel, looking ashen and worried but otherwise well for someone who'd had an arrow pulled out of his hide just a couple of days before.

"Apologies for my intrusion, but I just received a report that a group of darkspawn are attacking our farmlands. Lord Eckart says the situation is desperate," Varel added.

"Shit," Alyx swore as she ran a hand through her hair in frustration.

"Commander, we cannot afford to split our resources at a time like this. If we send men to protect the countryside we cannot properly defend Amaranthine—"Garavel interjected.

"—And if we let the farmlands fall prey to the darkspawn we will all be starving by Winter's End," Varel retorted evenly. "My Lady, Fereldan is still suffering from the effects of the blight. If we let our crops be tainted we cannot count on support from outside of the Arling."

"If the city falls then it would hardly matter would it?" Garavel snapped.

"We can't abandon those people, Garavel. They are defenseless whereas Amaranthine has a force of men already within the city," Alyx replied.

"Men that is neither prepared nor trained to handle a darkspawn invasion."

"Sending our entire force to Amaranthine when we do not even know the darkspawn numbers would be deeply imprudent. We cannot take the chance that there's a larger plan at work here," Nathaniel added thoughtfully.

"Surely you aren't suggesting that the darkspawn are smart enough to formulate such an elaborate strategy?" Garavel asked with a snort of astonishment.

"Normally I would say no, not without an archdemon to lead them…but the new darkspawn we've seen these past months are intelligent enough to organize on a level never recorded outside of a blight," Alyx replied.

"There are things set in motion here we do not fully understand. We must proceed carefully if we are to save anyone," Nathaniel insisted.

"Can't have our asses hanging in the wind," Oghren added.

"Just so," Alyx said with a quirk of her lips. "Garavel, send a contingent of men to the farmlands and keep another here at the Vigil. We cannot risk putting her at jeopardy despite the peril Amaranthine now faces. The rest will come with us to the city."

"But Commander—"

"You would do well to remember your place, Captain. You may lead the men but when it comes to darkspawn it is ultimately my decision as to where and how we defend our lands. Grey Wardens have always done what they must for the greater good, and so shall I."

"As you say," Garavel replid with a bow, though it was with obvious reluctance. Alyx gritted her teeth but did not have the patience to debate further with the man. Time was of the essence.

"Nate, Anders and Sigrun—you're with me. The rest of you stay back to keep an eye on things here," she continued as she went back to the business of collecting her gear. At once several voices were raised in protest at this announcement, all of which stopped at the sharp glare Alyx shot them save for one familiar voice that carried over the rest.

"Like hell you're going to keep me sittin' here twiddling my thumbs when there's darkspawn to kill!"Oghren bellowed, his face turning almost as red as his hair.

Alyx stopped herself from snapping as she studied the dwarf's face. She suddenly realized that it wasn't being kept out of the action that upset him so much. Carefully laying her daggers down Alyx walked around the table she'd been standing at to place a hand on her friend's shoulder.

"Oghren, I need you here to keep an eye on things in my absence. You're the only Warden here with formal military experience. If anything should happen you're the only one I can trust to know what to do."

"Uh—yeah—I guess I could do that," Oghren mumbled as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Hey Howe—and you too sparkles—you two nug-humpers better keep her alive or I'll feed you piece by blighted piece to the darkspawn!" he growled at Nate and Anders as he stabbed a finger at them in emphasis.

"Right, because I planned to knock her out and leave her in a ditch," Anders muttered with an eye-roll.

"On my life, dwarf, I will protect her—not that she needs it," Nate added with a wry grin at Alyx.

His smile faded however when he saw her face blanch before she could cover it up. Clearing his throat Nate approached her carefully as she went back to preparing her weapons.

"I, uh, thought for a moment there you might ask me to stay behind," he said in a low voice so only she could hear.

"Is that what you want?" she asked him.

"No, of course not! I just prepared myself for an argument. I'm just—I'm glad. There's no way I was going to be anywhere else but at your side for this one."

"I almost did," Alyx confessed softly. "But I couldn't. Maybe that's selfish of me, I don't know, but—I can't…"

"I know," Nate replied, his hand momentarily closing around hers. He didn't miss the way Anders' lips pinched at the small show of affection but he couldn't concentrate on the mage now. Not with so much riding on what came next.

Maker, please guide our weapons. Whatever comes, let us face it together.


They could see the smoke billowing over the horizon before Amaranthine ever came into view. Alyx shuddered as memories started to surface of another time and another city. She mentally tried to lock down those thoughts to concentrate on the here and now but the closer to the city they got the more difficult it was to put out of her mind. Nate's steady, familiar presence was the only thing that had kept her grounded through the long, grueling ride to the city. Now perched on a stone mound within viewing distance of the outskirts, Alyx surveyed the current situation as best she could.

"So?" Anders asked when she crouched back behind the rocks where the others were waiting with varying degrees of anticipation.

"The city's already been infiltrated, but by the sound of it the guards are putting up one hell of a fight."

"Any signs of civilians?" Nate asked. Alyx's heart lurched at the tinge of concern in his voice. There had been so much to worry about on their way here that she had nearly forgotten that Nate's sister lived in the city…his very pregnant sister. Of course he'd be worried, she thought, but knew that it would do no good to sugar coat the situation.

"Only casualties, but not quite as many as I feared. Hopefully that means they had enough warning to evacuate," she replied, though she knew the chances of that were small. Seeing the look in Nate's eyes, she saw that he knew it too and she prayed that by some miracle Delilah Howe had been spared. She couldn't bear for him to have to go through such grief when the loss of the rest of his family was still a prevalent pain to him.

"So what do we do now?" Sigrun asked. "Those guards needed backup yesterday…and there's no sign of Garavel's men yet."

"Those people down there can't afford for us to wait. I say we attack now," Nate replied.

"Are you crazy? We would be ridiculously outnumbered," Anders interjected.

"Outnumbered or not we're better equipped to deal with the darkspawn than either the city guards or Garavel's men. We attack now," Alyx replied with a look that brooked no argument.

"Alright…but if I end up as Ogre fodder I will personally haunt you for the rest of your life," Anders said.

"What's the plan?" Nate asked, ignoring the mage's comment.

"We dispatch the darkspawn in the outskirts first. With any luck the guards—"

"—assuming there's any left—" Anders muttered.

"—can let us know what's happening in the city," Alyx finished with a glare. "From their accounts we'll assess next steps. By then we may have bought enough time for Garavel to have caught up.

"In other words: try not to get killed before the cavalry comes," Anders said.

"Already dead, remember?" Sigrun quipped with a wink. "So what are we waiting for? Let's crash this party!"

Alyx could almost feel the excitement vibrating off the dwarf and could not help but smile even as she shook her head in wonder. Sigrun's energy was contagious, and even though Alyx had chosen to bring her along because she owed her that much, she was suddenly grateful to have her there.

"Let's go in fast and silent. They'll probably sense us before we get there but with luck we can take them off guard. Everyone ready for this?" Alyx asked.

"Let's do this Commander," Nate replied. His bow already in his hand, the others following suit with nods in agreement.

It was a quick jog down the winding path that led to the main road into the city. No sooner had they hit the outskirts than they were beset upon by a pack of shrieks. Adrenaline pumped through Alyx as she engaged, dodging the lethal claws threatening to tear her to pieces while at the same time plunging her bladeds into flesh exposed between the gaps of its disheveled armor. In that moment the weeks of convalescence fell away and she was once again a fully capable darkspawn slaying machine.

Another wave of spawn were on them just as the last of the shrieks were killed and the team fell into a well worn routine. Alyx watched Sigrun sprint by with an excited whoop while Nate's arrows zipped past her peripheral at a steady rate. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as Anders conjured lightning behind her, a once frightening sensation now all too familiar.

They made short work of the remaining darkspawn and for the moment at least they were able to take a breath. Only then did Alyx notice the handful of guards led by Constable Aiden, looking exhausted and disheveled. She had to wonder how long they'd been holding this point before the warden's came along.

"Warden Commander, thank the Maker you're here," the Constable breathed with obvious relief.

"Good to see you still on your feet, Aiden," she said as she shook the man's hand. "What's happening in the city?"

"I'm afraid you're too late, Commander. Two nights ago they came from within the city walls. They attacked without warning, corrupting everything in their path," Aiden replied.

"From within the walls, but how? Where did they come from?" Nate asked.

"As far as we could tell they were coming from the Inn. How they managed to get in through that way without anyone noticing is beyond me."

"The basement?" Sigrun offered.

"Smuggler's Cove more like," Nate replied with a scowl. "Remember the group we busted up? Those tunnels had to run pretty deep. Ten silver the barkeep had a piece of the black market."

"He did have some pretty exotic selections, now that I think about it."

"Well, shit," Anders muttered and Alyx silently agreed.

"I'm afraid the city is already lost. Over a quarter of the population were killed just the first day. The guards remaining are doing all they can but we're running out of men and resources," the Constable said.

"I'm not ready to give up on Amarathine yet," Alyx replied.

"Commander!" A voice called behind them and Alyx breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Garavel approach with his men. She quickly filled the Captain in and was just beginning to formulate a plan when a hue and cry went up from behind them.

"A darkspawn approaches m'lady…alone. One of the intelligent ones…it demands to speak with you," one of Garavel's men said with a salute.

Looking around Alyx could see the darkspawn in question moving quickly up the path and every soldier, guard and warden drew their weapons at its approach.

"Archers!" Garavel called.

"Please be letting me speak!" it called with its hands up unthreateningly.

"Let it pass," she commanded, signaling the men to put down their weapons. Her warden instincts screamed for her to kill it but curiosity won out when she recognized the armor and markings of one of the Architect's creatures. This should be good, she thought, crossing her arms in front of her.

"Grey Warden," it started in a garbled voice that sent chills down her spine. "The Architect sends me to warn you…the Mother's army marches to Vigil's Keep. She attacks now. You must save the Keep…then attack the Mother in her lair. It is the only way!"

"The Vigil is under attack now, why? And why warn us?" Anders asked, his eyebrows shooting up in astonishment.

"They Grey Wardens are important to the Architect. The Mother knows this…she want them all killed and the Keep utterly destroyed. You must not let that happen!" The Messenger replied.

"The darkspawn has a point," Garavel said, with obvious disgust at his own words. "We cannot let the Vigil fall. If we leave now we can make it back in time."

"And what of the darkspawn here?" Alyx asked.

"They will soon join the others at the Vigil," the Messenger replied flatly, as if the creature believed the city's fall was already fact.

"Constable Aiden says the city is lost. I say burn it and everything within," Garavel counseled.

"Are you mad? You're talking about the mass murder of innocents!" Anders cried.

"After so long there cannot be many survivors left," Garavel retorted.

"We will do no such thing," Alyx commanded, her eyes flashing dangerously. "I will not abandon Amarathine to such a cruel fate."

"But Commander, the Vigil—"

"I have faith in the Keep we have built. With the improvements and the force we left behind to protect it…it will have to be enough. Maker watch over them," she said with finality.

Garavel was fuming but she could see the moment he resigned himself to her command. A part of her respected Garavel for his straight forward thinking. He knew the value of sacrifice for the greater good, but could not always see the broader scope of his actions. For she knew what Garavel failed to see. Amaranthine was a major port city. Without her the Vigil would not stand for long. Not only that but all of Fereldan would suffer. None of them now could afford them to fail.


Soon after the Messenger left (for Alyx had let him go with the promise that he would help them fight the Mother's forces) they formulated a plan to take out the darkspawn Generals that were leading the main groups of the horde within the city.

Finding the leaders was not difficult. She'd used similar tactics during the blight and was an experienced enough warden to single them out from the rest. It was fighting through the waves of darkspawn that was between them and their targets that proved to be a challenge, but with Garavel's men and the city guard on their side the darkspawn were soon routed and the streets went eerily quiet.

"Commander, should we head to the Chantry? Any survivors would've likely taken refuge there-" Anders began.

"—And should give us a safe place to rest and resupply. This isn't over yet," Alyx added with a nod of approval.

"They found the Chantry barred and heavily guarded but as soon as they were recognized they were quickly given access. The others were ushered away by a pair of exhausted yet grateful chantry sisters, leaving Alyx on her own for the first time in days.

The chantry was packed with a sea of refugees in various states of well being and dress. It was obvious the darkspawn had attacked in the night when most of the city's civilians had been asleep. Fleeing for their lives, these people were forced to leave all their worldly belongings behind without knowing whether they would see the dawn let alone their homes again. Bracing herself she walked down the aisle towards the front of the hall, feeling the eyes of the people surrounding her as she passed.

Worse still was the numbers that lay injured or dying. The chantry sisters had sectioned off chambers to tend to the injured according to the seriousness of condition. Alyx paled when she turned left and saw a sister come out of a much larger chamber. They had the doors closed off to the public but a brief glance within was enough to see this is where they were keeping the dead.

"Warden Commander," a soft voice called behind her and Alyx turned to see the regal figure of the Reverend Mother standing there, her hands loosely clasped in front of her. "You are a most welcome sight to these old eyes. Maker bless you and your men for helping us in our time of need."

"Thank you, your grace…but I fear we came too late," Alyx replied with another glance in the direction of the make-shift morgue.

"Ah, child. Do not fret for those that cannot be saved, for they are in the Maker's embrace. We cannot know His plan but for those that remain it is because of you they have hope in a tomorrow. Please…we do not have much to offer but you are welcome to any provisions you and your men might need."

"That's very kind of you Reverend Mother."

"It is the least we can do to repay your bravery. Walk in the Maker's Grace," she replied with a small bow before taking her leave.

Alyx took a deep breath as she tried to sort through her jumbled thoughts. She couldn't help but smile as she heard familiar voices behind her over the sounds of the refugees settling in for the evening.

"Man this place is gloomy, your people actually worship here?" Sigrun asked.

"When it's a lot less covered in blood and stranded refugees, yes…at least some do. I've never been much of an Andrastian myself," Anders quipped.

"In the middle of the day with the sun streaming in through the stained glass it can actually be quite beautiful," Nathaniel said. "Delilah and I always used to find solace in the chantry whenever our parents brought us into the city. I always thought it peaceful here."

"With a father like yours I suppose I shouldn't be surprised," Anders said.

"Nor I, retrospectively," Nate conceded.

"What now, Commander?" Sigrun asked as Alyx joined them.

"We may have made strides but the hard part is still before us. You should all rest while you can. If anything changes I'll come and get you, otherwise we'll reconvene at first light to talk strategy," Alyx replied.

"And what about you?" Nathaniel asked while the others slinked off to their bedrolls.

"I'll stand watch. If there's darkspawn movement I'll sense it before the guards ever get a visual."

"You need to rest just as much as we do, Lex."

"Never could sleep before a battle."

"Alyx—"

"I'll be fine, Nate. Please, you'll need your strength."

"I need you more," he said, dropping his voice so only she could hear. "I won't be able to rest knowing you are putting yourself at risk by ignoring your body's needs. Not so soon after your last recovery. At least let me split watch with you…please…"

"You're incorrigible, you know that?" she said with a sigh, her lips curving ever so slightly into a smile.

"Dare I hope also irresistible?" he asked in a husky voice.

"You keep talking to me like that, sweetheart, and we're bound to break over a dozen chantry rules before the night is out."

"It would be worth it," he whispered in her ear, sending delicious shivers down her spine.

"I think I've created a monster," she murmured, which made him laugh in a way that reminded her how much things had changed since she'd recruited him all those months ago. That Nate had been sullen and angry at the cards he'd been dealt. This one, she suspected, was only just beginning to truly open himself back up to the world. It was a bittersweet thought knowing if things went wrong she might never get the chance to see the end result of Nate's awakening.

Suddenly the reality of what was in front of them caught up to her, and everything began to feel all too familiar. Fear seized her chest until she was practically choking on it. Her face must have shown some of her thoughts because Nate's expression changed immediately. With a quick glance around the room he took her by the arm and ushered her to a nearby bench which had been pushed up against the wall to make space. It was hardly private but far enough away from the gathered refugees to ensure they wouldn't be overheard.

"What is it?" he asked in a low voice.

"You'll think me foolish."

"You can tell me anything, Lex. I'm here for you, no matter what you might say."

"That's just it," Alyx said with a halfhearted self-deprecating laugh that barely concealed her shaking voice. "We're very close to ending this, Nate, I can feel it. I should be concentrating on coming up with a game plan to get us all out of this alive but every time I try I am overwhelmed with the feeling that I am only reliving a different version of the same nightmare that has plagued me for years. We know next to nothing about this 'Mother' or what she's capable of. I keep asking myself: what of this is it? What if I'm not strong enough to finish this? The logical conclusion would be to weed out any weakness that is holding me back before I face this creature…but I can't do that anymore than I could when faced with the same doubts two years ago. It's you…you are my weakness. If anything were to happen to you…I can't Nate. It would end me."

"You listen to me now, Alyxandria Cousland. You can't let the past dictate your future. This is not the blight. None of us needs to die to end this and I refuse to let you leave me behind because of what 'might' happen. We are in this together, the Mother be damned."

"Nathaniel."

"I'm serious, Alyx. I will not stand by and watch as you—"

"I love you."

Nate froze.

"Did you hear me?" Alyx asked when he did not move or speak.

"I'm sorry but I must be dreaming. I thought you said that—"

"I love you, Nate…are you—is everything alright?

"I…words cannot do justice to what I'm feeling. I never thought…I hoped, but to actually hear you say…"

"I wanted to tell you for some time. At first I thought it might be too soon. Then when you said the words to me the other day I…I…"

"It doesn't matter. Nothing else matters to me right now. Maker, woman, but I love you," he said, then without another word he kissed her.

The moment Nate's lips touched hers everything else fell away. That they were in the chantry surrounded by strangers no longer registered as he deepened the kiss and she clung to him tighter. Nate moaned softly into her mouth as their tongues tangled together in heated exchange. She could feel the familiar ache of need bloom in her chest and spread quickly until her whole body tingled and her heart pounded wildly beneath her breast bone.

There was no telling how long they might have stayed like that if it hadn't been for a nearby squeal that jolted them apart.

"I knew it! Didn't I tell you Albert? I knew it!"

Alyx looked around and nearly fell out of her seat. Less than a stone's throw away was Delilah Howe, looking radiant and flushed with gratified delight. Her husband stood beside her, one arm wrapped protectively around her waist as Delilah pressed a hand to her swollen belly in an unconscious gesture Alyx remember all too well from the days when she carried her own child. Despite herself she felt a pang of envy towards the younger woman but it was quickly replaced by the relief of finding her friend alive and well.

"Delilah!" Nate gasped, jumping out of his seat to embrace his sister in a bone-crushing hug. "Let me look at you, are you alright?"

"Alright? I'm over the moon! Oh Nate, why couldn't you have told me?"

"I—err…"

"What I think he means to say is that he hasn't had the chance to…it's recent," Alyx said as she joined the siblings. "Hello Deli."

"Alyx, it's so good to see you!" Delilah cried as the two women hugged. She made a quick introduction to her husband before the poor man made his escape, recognizing his wife's need to catch up with her brother and childhood friend alone.

"I've been wanting to come and see you but things have been a bit busy," Alyx said once Albert departed.

"So I see," Delilah replied, her eyes dancing in silent mirth as she looked from Alyx to Nate.

"Deli, how did you escape?" Nate asked. "The guards said there was no warning, and in your condition…"

"We were lucky," she replied. "I was already in the chantry when the darkspawn started to attack. Albert was just down the street checking in with one of his suppliers. When he saw what was happening he came straight away and we've been locked up here ever since. We were starting to lose hope when the whispers started that the Grey Wardens had arrived. I just knew I had to find you. We've heard so many rumors…how bad is it?"

Nate and Alyx exchanged a glance, which was enough to tell Delilah all she needed to know.

"I see," she said sadly, her hand once again cradling the unborn child in her womb.

"If we're able to route the remaining darkspawn Amaranthine has a fighting chance. It will take time to rebuild, and will not make up for the lives already lost…but it is a chance nonetheless," Alyx said.

"Which is more than we would've had before you came along," Delilah said as she squeezed Alyx's hands tightly. "I do not know what our future holds for us, but whatever may come I am glad you and my brother have finally found each other. Even when we were children I knew you were meant to be, but Nate is so stubborn…I feared he would deny his feelings to his dying day if for no other reason than to prove me wrong. Which reminds me, Nathaniel…you owe me fifty silver and one impressive public display if I remember correctly."

"What? I do not!" Nate crowed in surprise.

"You don't remember? The last day we were all together at Highever Castle I bet you fifty silver that you would one day find yourself madly in love with 'Little Lexy.' Do you remember what you told me?"

Nate turned scarlet as his mouth opened and closed, his eyes pleading with his sister not to make him say the words.

"Just what did you tell her, Nathaniel dear?" Alyx asked playfully as she crossed her arms in front of her, waiting for his reply. When he still didn't respond Alyx raised an eyebrow at him in silent question and Nate sighed in defeat.

"That the day I fell in love with you would be the day I danced the remigold bare-arsed naked across the Vigil's battlements, shouting my profession of love for all to hear."

"Oh, is that all?" Alyx replied with a stifled laugh she tried to hide behind her hand.

"You can't really expect me to agree to such nonsense, Deli. I was a stupid, arrogant child—"

"—sixteen…and man enough to compete against knights twice your age in the tourney—"

"—who in hindsight was terrified at the idea of falling in love with any woman let alone my best friend's sister."

"I recall telling you I would hold you to that statement…which you proceeded to inform me that if you were fool enough to fall in love with a brat like Alyxandria Cousland then you would deserve the embarrassment that came with it."

"Ouch," Alyx winced.

"I think I already established the fact that I was an utter idiot," Nate muttered, his face turning an even deeper shade of red.

"There may be a way we can come to an understanding," Delilah said mischievously.

"And what pray tell is that?"

"Oh no, no, no, brother. You'll learn the price when the time is right and not a minute before."

"Why do I suddenly feel as if I should be more frightened of you than the darkspawn?"

"Don't worry. It won't hurt…much…"

"Now Deli—"

"I would take her offer if I were you," Alyx interjected. "I would not be quite so forgiving."

"And what price would you have me pay?" he said, shooting her a look daring her to do her worst.

"If a public demonstration is out of the question perhaps you would be more willing to consider a private one instead?" she said in a husky voice, eyeing him through lowered eyelashes in a coquettish fashion. Nate's eyebrows shot up and he coughed to hide his sudden discomfort (and arousal) at the suggestion.

Delilah exploded with laughter at the sight of her brother's pained expression.

"Oh Nate, you have definitely met your match," she hooted triumphantly.

"So I have, sister. So I have."


*Muse Tunes: "Warm Shadow" by Fink (Dactyl Remix); "Running Out of Time" by Bear McCreary (Outlander Season 2 OST); "Battle for Kattegat" by Trevor Morris (Vikings Season 2 OST); "Kyrie for the Magdalene" by Hans Zimmer (The DaVinci Code OST); "Courage and Wisdom" by Howard Shore (The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies OST); "Where the River Bends" by Matthew Barber