AWAKENING

Chapter One

Capture the Vigil

"Mhairi; honor to meet you. You've heard of my brother, Lord Aedan Cousland – Commander of the Grey, Teyrn of Gwaren and Hero of Ferelden. I'm Arvaala Cousland, Chancellor or Ferelden – for now," I extended my hand to the beautiful woman in front of me.

Mhairi was 5'7, short black hair, green-grey eyes, and a soft voice. I remembered that she was from Dragons Peak. Her silver armor had two red painted dragons on either breast and her shield held the Dragons Peak Crest.

It was still amazing to me that I was living in Thedas when only 9 months ago I was back on Earth. I was a Pixie now; something that looked like an elf but with wings and strong magic that didn't really seem to be connected to the fade.

I was 5'3 weighing 250 ish pounds; 18 stone… a good portion of that was in my chest too. My hair reached to my waist and was red enough to be seen from space, my eyes were pale silver that glowed in the sunlight, and my skin was vampire pale.

"An honor to meet you, Lord Commander, Lady Chancellor." I snorted as Aedan laughed.

"No titles. I'm Ara, that's Ser Doofus," I grinned as Mhairi laughed and Aedan looked affronted.

At 21, Aedan had black hair that went down to his shoulders when not pulled back, grey eyes that were reminiscent of a brewing storm and 6 feet of height that made me jealous. He was handsome enough, I suppose.

It only took us a solid week to reach Vigils' Keep. And yes, it was overrun. Aedan gave me a look for not warning him, but I gave him a cheeky grin as we fought.

Anders… sweet, innocent Anders, was the only survivor of his group. He was 5'8, with his blond shoulder-length hair tied back, a gold earring, brown eyes and a strong jaw covered in tan-gold stubble. He was quite cute, but honestly, after romancing Fenris I hadn't gone back to Anders in Dragon Age 2.

He was frying a Hurlock when we got to him, and I giggled as he waved his hands like in the game while turning toward us.

"Er… I didn't do it? Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not beaten up about them dying, to be perfectly honest. Biff there made the funniest gurgle when he went down."

"Not too fond of them, I take it?" Aedan asked, amused. Mhairi looked disturbed.

"Oh, I know. Most people enjoy being kicked in the head to be woken up each morning. Me? I'm just so picky." I giggled again and Anders gave me a wink.

"You may call me Anders. I'm a Mage, and sadly a wanted Apostate."

"An Apostate… at Vigils Keep?" Mhairi asked looking stunned. She no longer looked at Anders in disgust however, after his mention of being kicked.

"You weren't here when we arrived. I'm quite sure I would have remembered a lovely woman such as yourself," he gave be a mock bow as he flirted, "We were just stopping by on our way back to the tower, actually. Just a short rest, they said… now they're dead. Shame."

"Templars who abuse their charges deserve no less," I shrugged. Anders grinned at me.

"Well, tell you what, I'll help you and we can discuss what comes later…once all the bastards are put down, yes?"

"We'd love you to join us, Anders. Oh, I think I saw a cat around here… if we find it, do you think you could make sure it's okay?" I smirked as Aedan realized what I was doing.

"A cat? Of course! Of I do hope, the cat will be okay," I saw him glancing around.

"Well, Darkspawn tend to go for people, not animals, so I'm sure the fur ball is safe from that… I just worry that it had its tail stepped on or something." He seemed to relax and off we went.

"Mhairi… if my intel is correct," Aedan snorted, "Then Oghren should be around here somewhere… did you happen to meet a surly red-haired dwarf who always seems to be drunk?"

"Him… yes, he was here when I left. I don't like him much though."

"Then we should find him soon. He survived the blight, no way is this gonna kill him," I sighed.

True to form, we found him after saving 5 survivors, sending them out the front to be treated by the officer we had out there.

4'8 with a beard longer than my forearm, Oghren had red hair, pale skin, and green eyes. The dwarf was always drunk, but he was good in a fight… which is where we found him.

He saw us and blinked for a moment. "Aha! There you are. When these darkspawn showed up I thought, 'just you wait until the new commander gets here and you'll all be spitting teeth out your arses!' Followed the screaming and sure enough, here ya are. Good on you," I snorted. "Doubting your eyes, heh? I get like that after the fifth bottle or so. Came here thinking I might try my hand at becoming a bona fide Grey Warden."

"I can't believe the wardens didn't kick him out," Mhairi muttered.

"Heh hey! If it isn't the recruit with the great rack," Oghren said leaning against the bannister.

"Yes. A prize for the Wardens, I'm sure." Mhairi shot back.

"I know, I know too good to be true, right? Hey… who's the mage? Boyfriend? Should I leave you two alone?" Oghren asked though he directed it at me, not Mhairi.

"Woooow, a dwarf that smells like a brewery. You never see those anywhere," Anders snarked causing me to chuckle when Oghren replied, "Heh, a Mage comedian, thought those usually dies young."

"Yes, Oghren, the Mage is totally a boyfriend and you should get lost for the next few hours," I smirked as Anders raised an eyebrow and Aedan snorted again.

"Brother, dear, if you keep doing that, you'll end up with a sore throat."

"Then stop being funny."

"Let's get the keep cleared." Mhairi stated.

"Yes, let's go introduce some Darkspawn arses to my foot. Only polite thing to do," Oghren grinned as I laughed.


The keep was… easier to clear than in the game, and it wasn't hard at all in the game. Dwarkin with his explosives had cleared the courtyard after we met Anders, and there were more survivors than in game too.

After saving the seneschal and getting back to check on Survivors we heard someone yell, "The King approaches!"

Aedan looked at me and we all headed to the front gate.

"Looks like I missed the party. Too bad, I rather miss the whole darkspawn killing thing."

"King Alistair," Mhairi breathed as she knelt.

Alistair was 6'1, sunny blond hair, green eyes, tan skin from our adventures during the blight, and gold armor fit for his station; but I knew that under that armor was a man who rippled with muscles. I was his secret wife after all. We just couldn't tell anyone yet.

"I'd wanted to come and give the Wardens a formal welcome. I certainly wasn't expecting this," he caught my smirk as I was still knelt before him. He gestured me to stand and continued his words, "What's the situation?"

I hugged him, catching many guards, Anders, Mhairi, and the Templar with him off guard… especially when he hugged me back.

"What Darkspawn remained have fled, Your Majesty. The Grey Wardens who had arrived from Orlais appear to be either dead or missing." Seneschal Varel replied. I took a moment to look at him. Varel was early 50s at latest, but looked like my grandfather had before… my Grandfather had been Military, a trainer even. Varel was 5'10, white hair that was kept neat, grey eyes that spoke of wisdom and hardship, and darkened skin from days in the sun.

"Missing? As in, taken by the darkspawn? Do they even do that?" Alistair asked. I could hear the nerves in his voice so I reached up and grabbed his face, pulling him to look at me.

"Look at me, love. These 'spawn may be different, but we will take care of it."

"And how about you, my love? You weren't badly hurt, I see," he asked in a soft voice.

I snorted. "No, love, I wasn't touched. You know the darkspawn can't hurt me! Just ask the Archdemon," he grinned. "I fell in love with an Indestructible Goddess. I am such a lucky man. You have quite the task ahead of you. Really, I'd love to stay and help, but I'm needed in the Bannorn. You're on your own for the moment." He looked sad that he couldn't stay.

"Hey, what am I; chopped nug liver?" Oghren groused.

"From the smell, that's not a bad guess," Anders smirked, causing Alistair, Aedan and I to laugh. I saw Fen was at Alistairs side so I leaned down and gave him a scratch. I knew Ash was still in Denerim… Fen had gotten her pregnant so there was a litter of Pups on the way.

"Your Majesty, beware! This man is a dangerous criminal," Templar Rylock said. She was nearly as tall as Alistair with black hair done in buns, brown eyes, and… she looked older than the game implied. Early 60s if my guess was right.

"Oh, the dwarf is a bit of an ass, but I wouldn't go that far…" I sniggered.

"She means me," Anders sighed, and I stepped between him and Rylock.

"I'm sorry, Templar, but this man is being conscripted into the Grey Wardens. If you want him you'll have to fight your way out," I glared at her.

"That's… that's right. In front of these witnesses I hereby invoke the Rite of Conscription on the Mage Anders," Aedan said, catching on instantly.

"What? Never!" Rylock cried.

"I believe the Grey Wardens still retain the Rite of Conscription, no? I will allow it," Alistair said coldly, picking up on my severe dislike of Rylock.

"If… if your Majesty feels it is best," She bit out before stalking off.

"Me? A Grey Warden? I guess that will work!" Anders smiled at me.

"Well… if you have everything under control, I will need to take my leave. I hate having you do this love… it would be so much more interesting if you stayed at court," Alistair grinned at me.

"I'm sure the Bannorn could wait just one more night? Stay. I may need your help calming Aedan tonight when he learns who else I wish him to conscript," I worried at my lip.

"Hmm… well it is pretty late. Secure the area, we'll leave at dawn!" he commanded. Aedan looked at me with darkened eyes.

"What's going on? Why would Alistair need to help calm me?"

"Let's all go see… the prisoner that gave your men a hard time before we arrived." I flinched but Aedan, Anders, Alistair, Oghren and Mhairi followed me anyway.

"Nathaniel Howe. Welcome home… I'm having you conscripted to the Wardens," I called out as we entered the jail.

Aedan began to lunge forward but Alistair caught him.

"Ara has never led you astray, Aedan. Think for a minute. If she wants him recruited, then there is a good reason."

"Rendon killed my parents!" Aedan shouted.

"Nathaniel is not to blame. The sins of the father are not the sins of the son! He's been in the Free Marches for about 8 years, Aedan. Until he can talk with his sister, he doesn't know the extent of his father's treachery! He thinks you killed his father in cold blood, like you know his father did to Bryce!"

Nathaniel was 6' even, cropped black hair, green eyes…he was 30, I knew that much. He looked stunned at my words. "I… I'm positive I don't know you."

"You may not know me, Nathaniel, but I know you. My name is Arvaala Cousland."

His eyes widened. "The adopted Lady who became Chancellor of the realm. If my father really did as you say, why do you stand up for me?"

I smiled at him. "Maybe I just think you're cute. But really, you are not your father. I know that Delilah will set you straight when we meet with her in the Amaranthine Market. You deserve a chance to clear your family name. I don't like that with nobility the sins of one become the sins of the family."

He nodded. "If I'm… recruited, I can only promise to reserve judgment until I meet with my sister. I can promise no more."

Alistair let go of Aedan who said, "Fine… fine. If he can be civil, then so can I. I'll give him a chance. But step out of line, I'll run you through myself."

"Well, off you all go for the joining. Alistair and I are going to make the most of our night together," I smirked as Aedan made a sound of disgust and stomped off.

I watched as Oghren, Anders, Mhairi and Nathaniel followed after him before turning to Alistair and pulling out a small vial of my blood.

"What is that?" Alistair asked warily.

"We are going to cure your taint. The First Wardens envoy has already come and collected the blood of Urthemiel, and you are a King so they can't just take you if they find out… but there will be a false calling in a few years, and I don't want you feeling the effects. I will inject this direct to your blood stream. Please? It will also help for when we are ready to have kids…I mean, the longer you're tainted the less likely our chances…" yes, I was dangling the carrot.

He groaned and removed one of his gauntlets, holding out his arm. I gave him a big smile and gave him the dose of blood. I didn't tell him that I had cleansed and used the cup of Archdemon blood I had saved because my instincts screamed I would need it. He already had dragon blood in his veins so that wouldn't matter… much.

The Dragon blood had given me a few things. My wings felt stronger, elemental magics came easier, and I could sense my surroundings… I was stronger, faster, and had more stamina.

As the Archdemon was an old god, that meant it also increased my Magic resistance and abilities… and I could hear snippets of thoughts from those around me.

After 'curing' Alistair, he escorted me to the master bedroom; Aedan had given that to me because he was 'raised a gentleman' and refused to have his sister 'sleep anywhere but the best' if he could help it. I tried fighting it but obviously with Alistair's appearance, I lost.