Aeronwen took a deep breath of the clear, fresh mountain air. It had seemed forever since sunlight had touched her skin. She twirled, spinning faster until she sank into the flowers laughing. She heard a child's laughter and peered over the ridge her breath catching in her throat. She saw her mother sitting in the flowers, herself at six sitting next to her. Aeronwen watched in fascination as her mother braided her hair, threading the beautiful wild bell lilies through the strands. The flowers were pale pink matching the dress her mother wore. The scent drifted over her, the smell she always associated with her.

"Do you know what this is my little star?"

Aeronwen watched as her younger self stared curiously at the crystal her mother placed in her hand, clear quartz with a vein of lyrium threaded through it. "It is very beautiful." Aeronwen glanced to her mother. "It makes my hand tingle."

Arethusa smiled. "It is a rune stone, it is very old. The first Guardians to travel to Thedas took some with them, to light the way in the dark."

Aeronwen gently kissed the rune stone and passed it back to her mother. "For luck."

Arethusa pulled Aeronwen into her arms kissing her forehead. "Thank you my darling."

"Tell me more about Thedas mom; I want to travel it all!"

Arethusa chuckled. "Sten is having quite the influence on you; did you enjoy Par Vollen so much you wish to be gone from us again so soon?"

Aeronwen wrapped her arms around her mother's neck kissing her cheek. "Melchrest will always be home mom, but travelling and meeting new people is so much fun and one day I will travel all of Thedas."

"Well my darling if you are going to do that you had better get your sea legs."

Aeronwen giggled and snuggled against her mother. "I was only sick once mom and Sten said I was better on the return trip."

Arethusa brushed the hair back from Aeronwen's forehead and smiled. "He is very proud of you as am I."

Aeronwen woke startled imagining she could still smell the flowers and her mother's arms around her. She glanced to Sten who caught her look startled by the mischievous smile she gave him. He nodded in return the corners of his lips curling upwards slightly. She retrieved the crystal Oghren had given her from her breast band running her thumb over the smooth surface. "Where will you light the way too I wonder."

xXx

Darkspawn bodies filled the tunnel; armour splattered with gore, blood covering the stone. They kept moving, resting amidst the tainted dead was not something anyone was inclined to do. The tunnel slowly transformed into a corridor; dwarven craftsmanship apparent in the carvings of the walls, before the tunnel took a sharp bend and ended abruptly at a door.

Niyra moved cautiously forward with Oghren her fingers tracing runes carved into the stone. "Oh crap!" She muttered glancing back to the group who were watching her curiously. "Okay the only thing you need to know about dwarves is we are a bunch of bastards when it comes to screwing our own kind. We open this door expect a shit storm."

"Can you be more specific on the form this shit storm will take?" Aedan asked uneasily.

Oghren shook his head looking agitated. "This was probably built under the instruction of the Paragon Caridin himself. Expect things that can cause bone crushing pain."

"Lovely." Jowan muttered.

Niyra grinned. "Come on we haven't fought anything for a full five minutes, that's got to be some kind of record."

"Then I suggest you take the lead." Morrigan muttered.

Niyra carefully disarmed the trap attached to the door hearing a sharp click. She waited for several seconds before slowly opening the door. A thick green smog filled the room causing the young dwarf to curse the Paragons, Ancestors and any nug that happened to be in the vicinity.

Several moments later Niyra entered the room darting to the left, Zevran taking the right heading for the levers that would cut off the gas. Despite covering their nose and mouth with thick cloth the pair were coughing violently by the time they reached the switches. Oghren gave a roar of alarm noticing movement, two golems moving from alcoves on either side. Ignoring the gas Oghren ran at the one heading for Niyra, Alistair half running half limping towards the one moving towards Zevran. Jowan hit both golems with rockfist sending them staggering backwards, allowing the others to take advantage.

The gas was clearing and Nirya and Zevran were already moving onto the next levers. However to the horror of the group this only served to activate two more golems. Niyra gave a scream of pain as she pulled the lever a stone hand gripping her and throwing her against the wall. Oghren and Aedan ran at the golem, Jowan throwing out a rock fist just before he reached it, axe and sword smashing into stone.

Marrok gave a pained yelp as a golem slammed into his side. The golem was forced backwards by Aeronwen in her griffon form before she gave a terrible shriek as stone arms gripped beneath her wings and slowly began to crush.

"No!" Alistair screamed, racing at the golem his blade driving against the Anvil's creation.

Jowan cast a rockfist, his eyes widening in horror as the golem moved faster than he thought possible the spell hitting Aeronwen as she retook her human form trying to slip from its grasp. "Maker no!" He forced back the panic casting a healing spell in Aeronwen's direction.

Aeronwen felt the crushing blow to her chest; her mangled armour only partially protecting her, pain bursting through her body as she hit the floor. Aeronwen tried to drag herself across the ground and away from the golem, but the pain was unbearable and she was struggling for each breath. She heard the clash of steel, yells and anguished cries. She managed to turn, seeing the stone fist heading straight towards her.

Jowan cast cone of cold slowing down the golem enough that the blow Alistair took to his shield to protect Aeronwen, though painful did not crush his arm as it would have done. Jowan cast rock fist twice in quick succession, Alistair shielding them as the golem shattered.

Morrigan moved to Alistair's side and together they pulled Aeronwen towards the far side of the room. The others were still facing two golems, Jowan using the last of his mana with Niyra who groggily returned to consciousness. Morrigan gripped Alistair's arm. "I will tend to her; you must do what you do best and defend us, destroy those things."

Alistair looked at her, startled by the concern and something almost akin to warmth in her eyes. He glanced to Aeronwen.

Morrigan's grip tightened. "The only way you can help her is to give us time, I will not allow her to die."

Alistair nodded and ignoring the pull of his thigh he sprinted across the room.

Sten had dragged Zevran over to Jowan who forced a potion passed his lips, the barely conscious elf vomiting violently having inhaled too much of the poisoned gas. He lost consciousness, Jowan pulling him onto his side ensuring if he vomited again he would not choke. He cast Aeronwen a guilty look before he downed another lyrium potion and headed back into the fight.

Duncan; Aedan, Alistair, Sten, Oghren and Garrett focused on the final two golems, dodging blows that would have crushed limbs and shattered bones as Flax tried to distract the creatures of stone. Jowan continued to manifest rock fist, the only magic that seemed to significantly affect them apart from ice spells.

Morrigan carefully wiped the blood from Aeronwen's mouth pouring a healing potion passed her lips. "Aeronwen listen to me; you faced the Archdemon and survived, it would be ridiculous to now die because of a golem."

Aeronwen's chuckle turned to a grimace as she gazed into golden eyes fighting for each breath.

Morrigan hunted through her pack and grabbed a vial, the liquid within shimmering with an aquamarine glow. My actions are my own mother. She brought the vial to Aeronwen's lips. "There will be pain." She whispered grasping her hand.

Aeronwen's eyes flared open, her body arching back her face contorted with pain as the potion sought out that which suppressed her natural healing ability.

Morrigan gripped her tightly as Aeronwen's body was purged of the potion that had coated Leliana's arrow so long ago, holding her down as her body thrashed. The witch whispering soothingly as Aeronwen cried out begging Morrigan to make the pain stop, her hands clawing at her in panic as her lungs seemed to burn. "I am so sorry." She whispered as Aeronwen struggled in her arms. Morrigan began to panic as Aeronwen's skin burned, the colour of her eyes changing so rapidly beneath the onslaught of the potion the witch was afraid she would not be able to withstand the process. Morrigan cupped her cheek bending so low their lips were almost touching. "Aeronwen you must survive; I have been so foolish, so very blinded and one day perhaps we will speak of it, but for now know that I am your friend, whatever we face in the days ahead I will be by your side." Her vision blurred with tears, desperation gripping her. "If you are truly my friend you will survive this!" She snapped, her fear making her resort to falling back on anger. Aeronwen arched violently, a choked noise rushing from her lips. "You will not die do you hear me Aeronwen, now fight! Fight as you have always done!" As Aeronwen became still Morrigan gently stroked her hair, running her fingers over burning cheeks. "Aeronwen please."

Aeronwen managed to focus her gaze on the distraught witch. "Like … you said." She gave a shuddering breath. "It would … be … ridiculous … to die … because of a … golem."

Morrigan gave a choked laugh and smoothed the hair from Aeronwen's face. "Yes, it would." She watched in awe as the bruises and wounds began to visibly heal. She had never seen anything like it without the aid of magic. She momentarily turned her attention back to the room realising the golems had been destroyed. Garrett was holding onto Jowan who had collapsed from exhaustion.

Alistair gently carried Marrok placing him next to Zevran, Flax gently nosing the fallen wolf before settling next to him. Alistair cast a quick glance to Morrigan startled and relieved when she smiled turning his attention to Zevran who was waking and muttering oaths in Antivan.

Oghren helped Nirya to sit up and to her amusement was checking her injuries; he had enough experience of field first aid to be able to help until Jowan recouped his mana.

Duncan moved to Aeronwen's side glancing at her anxiously, watching startled as the bite marks and bruising left by the Archdemon on her arm began to heal. "How is this possible?" He whispered.

"Her natural healing ability was suppressed." Morrigan stated calmly. "I … suspected as much and have been working on a potion to lift the suppression." Her cheeks flushed at the half lie.

Duncan glanced to her. "The arrow, she said she should have healed quicker."

"Yes." Morrigan whispered; her stomach churned, but an admission of her guilt would help no-one down here and her confession if there was to be one was for Aeronwen, no other.

Aeronwen slowly opened her eyes; accepting Morrigan and Duncan's help to sit up, groaning slightly at the uncomfortable sensation of her body healing itself. "What did you give me?" Aeronwen asked startled.

"Something I have been working on." Morrigan stated trying to remain calm. To her astonishment Aeronwen wrapped her arms around her neck and hugged her.

"Thank you my friend."

Morrigan flushed and gently patted her back. "You are welcome."

Aeronwen pulled back aware she was making the witch uncomfortable. "Thank you Morrigan, truly."

xXx

Though none wanted to linger in the room, moving on quickly was out of the question. Zevran and Niyra were both suffering the effects of the poison gas and Niyra was still in pain from a broken rib Jowan had managed to mend. Marrok's broken ribs had also been healed along with a fracture to a back leg, but he would be limping for a few days, Flax forcing the wolf to lay down and rest. After seeing to the various scrapes and bruises of the others Jowan had fallen into an exhausted slumber. Aeronwen too was sleeping, her body forcing her to rest as the healing continued.

Duncan, Aedan and Sten took the opportunity to scout out what was beyond the room, returning ashen faced. Beyond the room was yet another corridor and another room with more golems. They had all sat silently for some time having no desire to face such formidable opponents so soon.

"T'is ironic is it not that we come seeking golems and yet are destroying them." Morrigan muttered glaring at the shattered stone.

Jowan shuddered. "They seem affected by rockfist and a little by ice spells." He glanced to Morrigan. "We have to work as a team; you freeze, I'll shatter."

Garrett gripped his arm. "Jowan you're exhausted."

"I know, but is there a choice?"

Niyra shifted uncomfortably having listened to the descriptions of the traps Duncan has also noticed in the room. "Maybe if we can disarm the traps the golems won't activate."

"It's a risk." Aedan murmured.

"Well we either try it, or we go back."

Sten glanced at the dwarf nodding slightly. "If the traps are disarmed and the golems still activate, they must be drawn to the door, it will be easier to tackle them one at a time."

They all managed to catch a few hours rest before they faced the new room, watching anxiously as Duncan slipped into the room disarming the first trap. They all held their breath as he moved on disarming the second before there was an awful grinding of stone. Duncan dodged the golems fist and raced back the way he had come, four golems lumbering after him. As he ran through the door Morrigan cast winters grasp, rock fist slamming into the first golem, Jowan sending a second and a third while Morrigan continued to cast ice spells on the others approaching until the first golem shattered. The mages fell back to consume lyrium potions as a golem reached the door, its bulk blocking the other two. The warriors and rogues had already decided their formation and as Aeronwen and Niyra threw freezing bombs the warriors hacked at the stone until the four golems lay in piles of rubble on the ground. They dealt with the final two in the same way, their confidence and moral bolstered by the victory.

xXx

"What fresh nightmare is this?" Niyra muttered staring at the stone structure ahead of them which was suspended from the ceiling, four faces carved into the rock each facing a separate anvil that seemed almost transparent, reached by steps leading up to a platform. Veins of lyrium curled into intricate patterns in the stone ceiling above it. As they cautiously approached spirits of dwarven warriors shimmered into being next to each anvil.

"The exit is locked." Zevran muttered; rolling his eyes as Oghren took his axe to it, the blade not even scratching the surface. "My friend; this door will not open until we have solved the mystery of this new game of Caridin's."

Oghren shrugged and shuffled back glaring at the door. "Could have worked." He grumbled.

Niyra grinned and patted his arm. "Nice try."

Aeronwen cautiously climbed the steps up to the platform. Despite still being in a great deal of pain the relief of feeling her body healing the way it should enabled her to keep moving. She ignored Duncan's strangled hiss and glanced to the spirit nearest her that watched her but did not move. She moved on to the central structure pressing her hand to the stone face. She glanced up at the grinding noise and the structure rotated the opposite face now before her. She heard a hissing noise and ducked as a jet of some foul corrosive liquid was spat from the mouth, the spirit of the anvil the face looked upon moving towards her sword raised. Aeronwen blocked the spirit's blade with her own, driving it back towards the anvil driving her sword through the spirits chest.

Alistair and Oghren joined her blades sinking into the spirit before it vanished. They stared startled as the anvil lost its transparent look becoming solid. Oghren brought his axe down onto the anvil shattering it. The entire chamber seemed to shake and rumble the stone face cracking.

Alistair glanced to the other spirits. "Why didn't they attack?"

"It works in our favour." Aedan jumped onto the platform. "One spirit at a time."

They worked quickly, avoiding the corrosive substance spat by the faces as they changed direction. They soon realised they needed to draw the spirits away from the central structure that apparently regenerated its health. If the spirit was not killed before the face moved on they had to face it again and each time it seemed more powerful. They worked as a team, dispatching the spirits and anvils until the entire structure made a cracking noise, before it shattered raining rocks down onto the platform. They all turned at the clicking noise and their way out opened.

Oghren grinned. "Piece of cake!"

xXx

The chamber the small tunnel led to was surrounded by lava; six golems standing on opposite sides of the door created an aisle, a seventh golem bigger and more imposing than the others was standing directly ahead of them.

Oghren gasped. "Soddin nug humpers the bloody thing is real."

Everyone looked to where he was pointing and saw the Anvil.

The largest golem moved forward its body crackling with power, the companions taking a step back in alarm. "You have come seeking the Anvil?"

Duncan forced his breathing to calm, hoping the talking golem would be less hostile and stepped into the chamber the others following. "Yes. A Blight is once more destroying the land."

"Then listen and listen well, you should know at what cost you would create your golem army. I created the Anvil from sheer desperation; a need to help my people. The blight was terrifying, we had experienced nothing like it before and we were dying. I forged a man of stone and steel and they made me a Paragon for it. The Anvil will create almost invincible warriors, but it cannot create life. For life to be granted to the golem, a life must be sacrificed. There were many volunteers, each eager to sacrifice their life for the opportunity to defeat our enemy as they were reforged … but it was not enough."

Niyra stared at the golems feeling sick, remembering the tale her mother had told her.

"How does killing someone make a golem?" Aedan gazed at the Paragon horrified.

"Suits of armour were created the size of golems of stone and steel. The volunteers were placed into the armour. Molten lyrium was then poured through the eye hole, mouth holes and joints. It was then shaped to perfection."

Aeronwen felt her rage flare. "What possessed you to create such a monstrosity?"

"We were dying; the Blight was destroying everything, we were desperate."

Aeronwen stared at the Anvil; at the atrocity it was, her mind taking her back to her fight with the Archdemon. "You said it was not enough."

Caridin bowed his head. "When there were no more volunteers the King ordered more golems to be made by force. I refused and was laid upon the Anvil myself."

Aeronwen turned to Duncan. "We have to destroy it." She shivered as his eyes told her all she needed to know, he intended to use it. "Duncan we cannot let the dwarven King have this, we cannot let the atrocities of the past be repeated."

"We do what we must." He muttered.

"Please listen." Caridan stated. "The Anvil must be destroyed; more lives cannot be sacrificed to it. We have guarded it these many years to ensure it would never be used again."

Aedan stared at the Anvil and returned his attention to Caridin. "If you were so afraid of it being used again why not destroy the thing?"

"No golem can destroy it."

Duncan gritted his teeth. "You have all seen what we face. We must do whatever it takes, make any sacrifice necessary."

Oghren cleared his throat. "Listen Commander I'm all for doing what's necessary, but this is something else. There aren't enough dwarfs left who would volunteer. Each House must ensure its survival so they will guard their members closely. You would maybe get a handful of the warrior cast who would volunteer, but few others."

Niyra trembled. "They'll take the Castless. They won't be asked for volunteers, they'll just be rounded up and forced into those suits and they'll … they'll die horribly." Niyra paled thinking of Leske and what his final tortured moments would be if they took the Anvil. "We can't take it back, we just can't."

"I'm sorry Niyra but we have little option."

Aeronwen shook her head. "Not this Duncan. We will find another way."

"There is no other way!" Duncan roared. "Warden's do what they must. You swore to do the same or has the princess simply been playing at Guardian all this time?"

Aeronwen's eyes darkened. "How dare you question my commitment! I am only too aware that there are times when lives must be sacrificed to save the many; but this is an atrocity!"

Duncan moved closer to her, his words a whispered hiss. "Wardens are an atrocity. Why should we be the only ones to suffer such terrible fates?"

Aeronwen felt her heart ache for him as the Archdemon tore apart his heart; revealing the life he had never wanted, the life forced upon him and the life he had forced upon others. "That is why you recruit so few." She whispered.

Duncan swallowed painfully. "We are abominations Aeronwen. Our sacrifice paid in blood and lyrium just as the golems. We are a necessary evil."

Aeronwen forced her breathing to calm as the taint swelled within him. "We cannot condemn the dwarven people to this fate! Do you think the dwarven King will tell his people the price they must pay for their stone army?"

"We do what we must Aeronwen, there are no easy choices. Not for us. Golems will give us the advantage we cannot afford to ignore."

"I cannot follow you down this path Duncan, my conscience and my code will not allow it."

"Aeronwen we have no choice."

"Yes we do Duncan; it is simply on this occasion we are making opposite choices."

Duncan's look became menacing. "If you had brought an army of Guardians with you we might have been able to turn this opportunity aside, but you came alone. Instead of trying to persuade the others to follow you, you sought glory and honour for yourself. You are royalty for Makers sake, you could have forced them!" His voice deepened seeming to hiss. "What did you think one Guardian would accomplish?"

Aeronwen paled. "There is no army of Guardians!" She snarled, swallowing back the bitter swell of hate. "Thedas is not the only continent aside from our own that has need of us! I will not give up my soul. Coming to fight the Blight has taken enough from me already. I will not sacrifice that too!"

Duncan glared at her. "You chose to become a Guardian. You chose to come here. You chose to stay with us and you chose to bond with me. The Blight has taken nothing you did not first give!"

Aeronwen stared at him her heart pounding. "Then this I will not give." Narrowing her eyes she glared at Duncan. "Know this Commander should you choose to try and take the Anvil I will stop you." Aeronwen moved to stand at Caridin's side and unsheathed her sword. "I will do what I must. The Anvil is evil and I will fight to ensure it is destroyed."

Alistair felt his anxiety flare as he saw Duncan's hand move to the hilt of his sword. "Paragon Caridin you and your golems have already made this sacrifice; no more blood should be spilled for this at least. Will you help us fight the Blight?"

Caridin turned to Alistair. "We will join you, but in return you must destroy the Anvil."

Alistair looked to Duncan saw the rage in his eyes, but stood fast. He had hidden, kept quiet and it had only lead to the loss and deaths of people he loved and cared for. He would no longer remain silent and he would stand up for what he believed was right. He met Duncan's look. "There are seven golems Duncan and their support requires no blood sacrifice. Aeronwen is right; this thing is an atrocity, even its creator knows this to be true."

"We could have an army with the Anvil." Duncan snapped, but he was faltering.

Alistair turned back to Caridin. "We had to fight golems to get here, are there any more in other chambers?"

"I do not know. Long have we stood in this place. There are hidden passages and rooms, but I do not know if golems remain. However I am a living Paragon, the King will not deny my call for the dwarven army to join your cause. I pledge myself and those with me and the dwarven army. Please Commander; do what I cannot do, destroy the Anvil."

Duncan looked to Caridin. "I have your word you will fight with us and you will order the dwarves to fight."

"You have my word."

Duncan closed his eyes, his shoulders slumping. "Then we will destroy it."

Caridin sighed in deep relief. "You have my eternal thanks."

xXx

The Anvil had been destroyed; Sten had picked up the enormous hammer and cleaved it in two with one mighty blow, both pieces having fallen into the lava below.

Duncan's anger had reached boiling point with Aeronwen. Fists clenched he marched over to where she stood gazing down into the lava, standing where the Anvil had been.

Aeronwen gazed into the rush of molten magma shimmering like a river of gold beneath them. She ached for Tyril and was grateful that the heat kept tears at bay. She felt Duncan approach, his rage washing over her wondering not for the first time in this world beneath the earth why she loved him.

"Is it really so difficult to accept my Command?" Duncan snarled glaring at her.

A darkness was massing; it was like electricity against her skin, invasive and it was prodding at her, her love for him opened like a wound becoming a tainted and terrible thing. "There are certain paths I cannot follow you down Duncan, no matter our bond."

"We have to defeat the Blight!"

"We can defeat it without turning to tactics like those. Duncan in your heart you know the Anvil had to be destroyed. You can blame me all you like, but it had to be done." Aeronwen turned to walk away when Duncan gripped her arm.

"You must hate me." He hissed.

Aeronwen swallowed painfully. "I am starting to."

Duncan wrenched his hand away from her. "Do not defy me again."

xXx

Elrist glanced into the pool as Aeronwen's image shimmered on the surface. His heart ached as it never had in all the years of his long life. He felt Eluren's presence and ignored her.

"You know as well as I it had to be done Elrist."

Muscles rippling he turned to The First. "Another could take the final blow; it does not have to be Duncan. His time line ended at Ostagar, were it not for Flemeth's intervention he would have been returned to his Ancestors."

Eluren's form shimmered as she settled on the rock near the water; her hand skimming over the surface, Alistair coming into focus. "You know Alistair would take his place and that cannot be allowed to happen. His destiny is to be King and King he must be. Flemeth was aware of this."

Elrist huffed softly. "They may yet take the witches offer."

Eluren gazed at Alistair. "No; he has come too far, experienced too much to allow it. He would rather face death than that."

"He may not even be told."

Ilebren leapt down onto the rock, fixing Eluren with a piercing gaze. "Aeronwen fights even your influence."

"You seem amused by that."

"I am proud. She is strong, stronger than any of us ever anticipated. You should not have interfered. She is Alistair's as he is hers."

Heat washed over them as Tyril leaned against the rock watching them. "We have not served her well."

"We gave her everything she would need to survive this." Nimue's soft voice seemed to ripple in the air.

Elrist clenched a claw. "This joining with Duncan is an atrocity that should never have been allowed. This relationship between them is destroying her soul."

Ilebren paced in agitation. "They will still have to face the Lady when they leave the Deep Roads."

Eluren sighed. "We cannot interfere."

Elrist's eyes darkened. "You already have."

"I did what had to be done." Eluren snapped. "I do not like it any more than you do." She let out a deep breath. "As of now we must watch only." She shimmered and vanished.

Ilebren glanced to Elrist who nodded. Just as the Huntress had urged Marrok to join the group, Elrist could also extend help. He went out onto the mountain and picked six of the bell lilies placing them on the white marble altar within his cavern. His breath poured onto the petals coaxing them into a new form. He smiled tenderly. "You were taken from her too soon. You know your time is limited, use it wisely." The form shimmered into silver sparkles before vanishing. He glanced back to the pool and Aeronwen's image; his heart aching at the pain in her eyes as she gazed at the lava, if Eluren herself was going to interfere, he was damned if he was going to stand by and do nothing.