Now that our merry band of travelers has had their stress release, maybe it's time to do something about that pesky Archdemon! My continued thanks to all of you who are reading, favoriting, and especially reviewing this story! Your enthusiasm makes this experience incredibly rewarding.
Later—much later—in their bedroom at Arl Eamon's estate, Daniel lay in the midst of their sheets. Judith was tucked into his side, her head on his chest, her hair spread out across him. She was nearly asleep, the only indication that she wasn't there yet the occasional small noises as she cuddled closer.
Daniel supposed he should sleep, too, but something was bothering him. And why shouldn't it, with Judith and her team off tomorrow to Redcliffe to take on the Archdemon and its horde? He worried for them, traveling through country overrun and occupied by darkspawn. Lothering was gone, the whole town razed and burnt down. A noble whose name he didn't remember had complained that the crops from the Southron Hills were so trampled and tainted he didn't know how he would feed his people this winter. Bann Sighard of Dragon's Peak had complained that the darkspawn were beginning to encroach on his lands, as well.
Suddenly he saw it, plain as day, as if the map of Ferelden hung in front of his eyes. Lothering; the Southron Hills; Dragon's Peak. The darkspawn were moving! North and east—toward Denerim!
"Judith," he said. "Judith, wake up!"
The urgency in his voice pulled her from the doze she'd dropped into, but not all the way. "Mmm?" she mumbled against his chest. "Too sleepy, love. Morning."
"No, Judith, I see it now!"
"See what?" She lifted her head, blinking at him sleepily.
"The darkspawn. Judith, why are you going to Redcliffe?"
She sat up, the question slowly penetrating the fog in her brain. "Because—because Riordan said that was the nearest town to where the darkspawn were massing." She yawned heavily. "It seemed the most likely place for them to attack."
"But why? What do they gain from attacking Redcliffe?"
"They're darkspawn. They gain … whatever darkspawn gain." She shrugged, pulling the blankets up around her.
"Surely they have a plan," he said urgently. "Even darkspawn have to have some tactics. The Archdemon wants something, and he's not going to get it at Redcliffe. Look, Judith—they've taken Lothering. Some bann or another was complaining that his fields in the Southron Hills are tainted. Dragon's Peak has the darkspawn nibbling at its edges. Don't you see? They're not going to Redcliffe. They're coming here, to Denerim!"
"What? No, that's not possible. We would know." She smiled at him affectionately. "You have Denerim's safety on the brain, my darling. Go to sleep."
"Think about it, Judith. Denerim is the capitol of Ferelden. To take out Denerim is to … cut the heart out of the country."
"You and your city," she said, but the conviction was lacking. As she considered her lover's words, she had to admit they rang true.
"You know it, though, don't you?" he said. He took her hands in his. "Judith, none of you have been paying attention to the movements of the darkspawn. Loghain's been trying to make money and capture you; you've been trying to gather your armies and outwit Loghain. How would you know if they were coming this way? You've been here!"
"I have," she said slowly. "But … Riordan said …"
"Riordan's been in Howe's dungeon. How would he know where they are?"
Judith put her hands to her hair, absently twisting it up into its usual bun. "Oh, Daniel," she said. "You may well be right." She sat there in bed for a few moments, mulling over the possibilities. Then she groaned.
"What is it?"
"They're all going to kill me." She climbed out of bed, lighting the candle in the sconce and reaching for her mage robes.
"Who's going to kill you?"
"Everyone I'm about to get out of bed," she snapped. "Stay here, please. We'll be back."
She left the room hastily, moving down the hall, knocking on doors.
Daniel got dressed as well. Slowly they began to trickle in. Oghren, a wild gleam in his eyes, alternately pulling from his mug and trying to tell Daniel all about the red-headed elf in his bed. Daniel tried hard not to listen. Sten was next, standing next to the door silently. Then Zevran, fully armored and alert. Wynne, sleepily rubbing her eyes. Morrigan, disapproving. Leliana, looking flushed and surprisingly content. Alistair, of course, was at the Palace. He'd have to be brought up to speed in the morning.
Judith came in after Leliana. "Sorry to … er, wake you all." Several members of the company blushed or chuckled, indicating that they hadn't exactly been asleep. "Daniel spent some time tonight talking to the nobles, and he says from what they told him, it appears the darkspawn are moving this way, instead of gathering near Redcliffe as we had thought they might. He makes a case I can't ignore. Therefore, what I plan to do is split the company. Half will go to Redcliffe, half will stay here, so that we can cover both possibilities."
"Have we proof of this movement?" Morrigan looked sharply perturbed. "Are we changing our entire strategy because you were pleased in the bedchamber?"
"The Captain has a point, amiga," Zev said. "I, too, was listening this evening, and it sounds as though the darkspawn are moving, quite possibly this direction."
Shooting an irritated glance at Morrigan, Judith said, "It makes enough sense that I'm not willing to leave the city without a Grey Warden and team to help in its protection." At the questioning gazes directed toward her, she waved a hand impatiently. "If someone other than a Grey Warden kills the Archdemon, the tainted Old God seeks out another darkspawn and makes a new Archdemon. Long story, Grey Warden secrets, you all know the drill. So Alistair will stay here. Wynne, Sten, I want you both to stay as well."
"Of course," Wynne said. "I shall help wherever I am most needed."
"It is a good plan. I approve," Sten said briefly.
"Zev, you, too."
The Antivan nodded, flashing an impudent grin in Daniel's direction. "Are you sure you want to leave such temptation unattended within my reach?"
Daniel and Judith both rolled their eyes. "I'll take that risk," she said.
Sidling closer to Daniel, Zev murmured, "Ah, what fun we shall have."
"Looking forward to it, Zev," Daniel deadpanned. "I'm sure my recruits could give you quite a … workout."
Zev looked horrified, and everyone laughed.
When the laughter had subsided, Judith went on, "Morrigan, Oghren, Leliana, you'll be with me, and Sam, of course." The mabari would be glad to get out of the kennels and back to war, she thought.
"No."
The word caught Judith by surprise, and she turned to the witch. "What?"
"No. I will not go to Redcliffe."
"Mutiny, Morrigan?"
"No," Morrigan said. "I respect your leadership, except that I will not go to Redcliffe."
Judith stared at the apostate, open-mouthed. Then she threw up her hands. "Fine. Stay in Denerim," she said. She didn't have the energy to argue with Morrigan, and wouldn't be likely to get a straight answer out of the witch if she asked for an explanation anyway. "All right, are we clear, then?" There were nods. "All right, you can all go back to bed."
Leliana and Oghren left quickly. Wynne paused, one hand on Judith's shoulder. "My dear, please take care of yourself. Don't take foolish risks—we need you in one piece."
"I won't do anything you wouldn't do," Judith said, grinning affectionately at her teacher.
"I know," Wynne said. "That's what worries me." She smiled back, and the two women embraced.
"Amiga, I understand why you should choose to leave behind the awesomeness that is Zev," the assassin said, "but do your best to avoid those who are trying to kill you."
"Same to you, Zev." Judith hugged the assassin, as well.
She didn't hug Sten, who merely stared at her, unblinking. "Kadan. Do not die."
"I'll do my best. As will you, I hope."
"Indeed."
Morrigan was the last one out of the room. Judith looked at her sorrowfully. "I thought we'd achieved a level of trust, Morrigan. Can't you tell me why you won't leave?"
"It is nothing. Merely a … the foolish fears of a weak mortal."
"I thought you were beyond that kind of thing, Morrigan," Judith said skeptically.
Shrugging uncomfortably, Morrigan said, "As did I." She left, her shoulders stiff. Judith stared after, feeling more unnerved by Morrigan's odd behavior than anything else that had happened so far.
"What was that about?" Daniel asked.
"I don't know. Keep an eye on her, will you? Anything that makes her act like that can't be good news."
"Will do." Crossing the room, he folded her in his arms. "Leaving Alistair here, you must be hoping the Archdemon will go to Redcliffe."
"I'm hoping the Archdemon will go back to the sodding Deep Roads where it came from and get out of my life," she said, burying her face in his chest to hide the tears rolling down her cheeks. After a moment, she raised a tear-stained face to his. "I … I know I'm asking a lot of you …"
Daniel shook his head, rubbing his hand comfortingly over her back. "Don't worry. I can do whatever you need me to."
"Watch over Alistair? Make sure he … doesn't do anything stupid. K-keep him from trying to kill the Archdemon if you can." She looked away. "That should be for me to do. Ferelden will need him."
Clenching his jaw against the protests that rose up in him—could he really save someone else just to watch her die?—Daniel nodded. "I'll do my best."
Judith drew his head down to hers, kissing him deeply. "You think I don't know what I'm asking, but I do. And the fact that you can promise anyway is one of the many reasons I love you."
"When this is all over …" Daniel began, but she shook her head.
"Don't. Not now. Let me go into this without knowing … everything I stand to lose." She smiled at him. "Just kiss me, will you?"
"As you command, my lady," he said huskily, his arms tightening around her as though that way he could protect her from what was to come.
