Thanks to everyone who has read and favorited this story!
Many thanks to my newest reviewers: LadyR3d
Much love for the "We Hate Howe Club", lisakodysam, voltagelisa, Shakespira, Nithu, and cousland1982: Thank you for supporting me!
My deepest appreciation always goes to my dear friend and Beta Reader, Lisa: This chapter was a tough one - I couldn't have done it without you!
Bioware owns all - If I owned Duncan, there would be no time for reading! ;-)
Zeva and Alistair arrived at the Warden campsite to find Jory, Daveth and Duncan waiting for them. Duncan looked at the new arrivals and froze, his jaw dropping open at Zeva's Dalish armor. At the look on his face, Zeva felt her entire body blushing. Her choice of armor had elicited the response she had hoped for from the handsome Warden.
Duncan recovered quickly, closing his mouth and standing straighter, once again glad for the protection his armor afforded. It simply wouldn't do to have Alistair, Jory and Daveth realize how greatly he desired their comrade.
Duncan cleared his throat and spoke to Zeva, trying not to look below her shoulders. "You found Alistair, did you? Good. I'll assume you are ready to begin preparations. Assuming, of course you are quite finished riling up mages, Alistair."
"What can I say?" Alistair replied, a slight smile on his face. "The Revered Mother ambushed me. The way she wields guilt, they should stick her in the army." Zeva chucked softly at his joke.
Duncan was not amused. "She forced you to sass the mage, did she? We cannot afford to antagonize anyone, Alistair. We don't need to give anyone more ammunition against us."
Alistair, looking contrite, lowered his gaze and said, "You're right, Duncan. I... apologize."
Nodding, Duncan began. "Now then, since you are all here we can begin. You four will be heading into the Korcari Wilds to perform two tasks. The first is to obtain three vials of darkspawn blood, one for each recruit."
"And the second task?" Zeva asked.
Duncan continued, "There was once a Grey Warden archive in the Wilds abandoned long ago when we could no longer afford to maintain such remote outposts. It has recently come to our attention that some scrolls have been left behind, magically sealed to protect them. Alistair, I want you to retrieve these scrolls if you can."
"Scrolls?" Alistair questioned.
"Old treaties, promises of support made to the Grey Wardens long ago," Duncan explained. "They were once considered only formalities. With so many having forgotten their commitments to us, I suspect it may be a good idea to have something to remind them."
When no further questions were posed, Duncan looked at the group, eyes lingering on Zeva's face. "Watch over your charges, Alistair. Return quickly and safely."
The hunger Zeva saw in the depths of Duncan's eyes said more than any words ever could. She smiled gently and turned to go. She heard his voice drift from behind her. " May the Maker watch over your path. I will see you when you return."
o~~~~~~~~o
The team entered the Korcari Wilds and immediately stumbled upon a scene of destruction. Dead soldiers lay strewn about the forest floor. Zeva quickly scanned the faces, but did not see Fergus, much to her relief. One soldier remained alive and he crawled slowly toward the party.
"Who is that - Grey Wardens?" he gasped.
Alistair looked down and smiled. "Well, he's not half as dead as he looks, is he?"
"My scouting band was attacked by darkspawn," the soldier explained. "They came out of the ground. Please help me. I've got to return to camp."
Zeva stepped closer to the injured man. "Of course we will help you," she said quietly.
Alistair removed some bandages from his pack, passing them to Zeva, which she used to tend to the soldier's wounds. Once she was done, she helped him up. He was unsteady at first, but finally gained his footing and was able to stand without assistance.
Zeva placed her hand on the soldier's arm. "I have some questions, if I may. My name is Zeva Cousland and my brother, Fergus, was leading a group of men on a scouting mission through these Wilds. Have you seen him?"
"Yes, Milady," the soldier replied, breathing heavily. "I did see your brother in camp the other day, but I have not seen him or any of his men since I entered the Wilds. I am sorry I cannot be of more help. He is a very able fighter, though, from what I have seen. I am sure he is fine."
The soldier bowed his head shakily, "Thank you again for the help, Milady. I've...I've got to get out of here." With that, he limped slowly back to the compound.
As soon as the soldier was out of earshot, Jory spoke up anxiously, "Did you hear? An entire patrol of seasoned men killed by darkspawn!"
Alistair turned to him and said, "Calm down, Ser Jory. We'll be fine if we are careful."
Jory continued, growing ever more agitated. "Those soldiers were careful and they were still overwhelmed. How many darkspawn can the four of us slay? A dozen? A hundred? There's an entire army hidden in these forests."
"There are darkspawn about but we are in no danger of walking into the bulk of the horde," Alistair explained, his voice gaining confidence.
"How do you know?" Jory exclaimed. " I am not a coward, but this is foolish and reckless. We should go back."
Zeva rolled her eyes and looked toward Daveth, who smiled knowingly at her. "You certainly seem like a coward to me," she said calmly. Jory turned toward her, a shocked expression on his face.
"Know this," Alistair stated calmly, attempting to allay the knight's fears. "All Grey Wardens can sense darkspawn. Whatever their cunning, I guarantee they won't take us by surprise. That's why I am here."
Daveth spoke up, looking at Jory with a sarcastic grin on his face. "You see, Ser Knight! We might die, but we'll be warned about it first." Zeva laughed aloud at this comment. I like this thief, she thought to herself. He is very clever - and cute!
"That is reassuring," Jory mumbled, as the party continued along the trail. Zeva and Daveth had already moved ahead together, whispering and laughing. Alistair felt a twinge of discomfort at the sign of affection between the two. Alistair thought he should mention the blossoming relationship to Duncan, in case there were regulations against fraternization of which he was unaware.
o~~~~~~~~o
The fighting had been intense, and the small party had faced numerous groups of darkspawn. Collecting the blood hadn't been difficult, once they had defeated enough foes.
They reached the ruins of what must once have been the Warden tower. Zeva entered first and immediately spotted the chest Duncan had referred to. Unfortunately, it was broken and empty.
As she searched the surrounding area, a woman's voice drifted down from the stairs above her. "Well, well, what have we here? Are you a vulture, I wonder? A scavenger, poking amidst a corpse whose bones were long since cleaned? Or merely an intruder, come into these darkspawn filled Wilds of mine in search of easy prey?" the beautiful young woman said to them.
Zeva rose to meet the stranger, who looked at her and asked. " What say you, hmmm? Scavenger or intruder?"
Never one to be intimidated, Zeva met the woman's piercing gaze and answered, "I am neither. This tower once belonged to the Grey Wardens."
The intruder laughed and said, a touch of disdain in her tone. " 'Tis a tower no longer. The Wilds have obviously claimed this desiccated corpse. I have watched your progress for some time. Where do they go, I wondered. Why are they here? And now, you disturb ashes none have touched for so long. Why is that?"
Before Zeva could answer, Alistair moved beside her and said quietly, "Don't answer her. She looks Chasind, and that means others may be nearby."
The woman held up her arms and laughed, "Oooo. You fear barbarians will swoop down upon you?"
"Yes," Alistair said emphatically, "Swooping…is…bad."
"She's a witch of the Wilds, she is." Daveth announced. "She'll turn us into toads."
"Witch of the Wilds?" the stranger asked, a highly amused look on her face. "Such idle fancies, those legends. Have you no minds of your own?"
She turned her attention to Zeva, "You, there. Women do not frighten like little boys. Tell me your name and I shall tell you mine."
Zeva stepped forward and smiled. "My name is Zeva. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Now that is a civil greeting, even here in the Wilds. You may call me Morrigan, if you wish," the dark haired beauty uttered and inclined her head toward the party.
Morrigan continued, "Shall I guess your purpose? You sought something in that chest - something that is here no longer."
Alistair, finding his tongue, spoke angrily. "Here no longer? You stole them, didn't you? You're some kind of…sneaky witch thief!"
"How very eloquent." Morrigan answered derisively. "Tell me, how does one steal from dead men?"
Alistair drew himself up to his full height, and spoke, in an authoritative manner. "Quite easily, it seems. Those documents are Grey Warden property and I suggest you return them."
Not to be intimidated by the former Templar, Morrigan replied, "I will not, for 'twas not I who removed them. Invoke a name that means nothing here any longer if you wish. I am not threatened."
"Can you tell us who did take them?" Zeva asked politely. It was obvious that a challenging tone would not work with this woman.
"'Twas my mother, in fact." Morrigan replied, looking at Zeva.
Now we are getting somewhere! Zeva thought. "Would you please take us to her, then?"
Morrigan smiled, and responded. "Now, there is a sensible request. I like you."
"I'd be careful. First it's 'I like you,' " Alistair said, affecting an effeminate voice, before reverting to his own. "But then ZAP, frog time!"
Not helping, Alistair, Zeva thought angrily.
Daveth spoke up one last time, refusing to let go of his 'witch' theory. "She'll put us all in a pot, she will. Just you watch!"
Jory, who had been blessedly silent throughout the entire exchange, finally commented. "If the pot is warmer than this forest, it'll be a nice change." Wow, Zeva thought, the man can form a coherent thought. I'm shocked!
Morrigan turned to leave the ruins, calling behind her. "Follow me then, if it pleases you."
o~~~~~~~~o
The party returned to Ostagar, escorted by Morrigan, with the treaties and darkspawn blood in hand. They had met Morrigan's mother, a rather eccentric, and quite possibly insane, old woman, who had been protecting the treaties for quite some time. She had shown a great deal of interest in Zeva, and warned her to tell the Wardens that this darkspawn threat was greater than they knew.
Zeva had left the group to give a woodland flower to the kennel master, who needed it to help heal one of the King's Mabari hounds, which had swallowed darkspawn blood in the previous battle. She then returned to the Warden camp, where Alistair was telling Duncan about Morrigan and her mother.
Duncan smiled warmly as she approached, then turned his attention back to Alistair. "I have had the Chantry mages preparing. With the darkspawn blood you retrieved, we should be able to complete the Joining. I suggest you each take some time to rest. You will need all of your courage to face what comes next. It will not be easy for any of you."
Daveth spoke up, "Courage? Exactly how much danger are we in?"
Duncan looked at the rogue, and answered softly, " I will not lie. We Grey Wardens pay a heavy price to become what we are. Fate may decree that you pay your price now, rather than later."
"Wonderful," Daveth murmured, then turned to Zeva, holding out his arm. "Well, what say we get some food and have some drink, for tomorrow we may all die!"
Zeva chuckled softly and slipped her arm through Daveth's. " I say that is a marvelous idea, my friend!"
The duo smiled to the Wardens and headed down toward the tents. As they walked away, Daveth could be heard saying, "Friend? Well, that's a good start, I suppose."
Alistair turned to Duncan, completely unaware of the blood boiling in his mentor's veins while watching Zeva walk away with Daveth. "So, Duncan, have there been many cases of fraternization in the Wardens?" he asked innocently.
"What?" Duncan turned to Alistair and asked sharply, "why do you ask?"
"Well, you see, I noticed how 'friendly' Daveth and Zeva were while we were in the Korcari Wilds, and…" Alistair began.
"Friendly? What do you mean 'friendly'? Exactly what did you see, Alistair?" Duncan demanded. Alistair could now see the vein pulsing in Duncan's neck and wondered exactly what he had done.
"Nothing specific, Duncan, really!" Alistair sputtered. "They just spend a lot of time together, speaking quietly and laughing. He also touched her quite a bit. You know, helped her climb over boulders, things like that. I just wondered if there were rules against such things, in case they went further, you know..."
Alistair could see that Duncan was now turning red. "No, Alistair! There are no specific rules against two Wardens being together!" With that, Duncan seemed to pause and contemplate his own comment. At last, he sighed and looked at Alistair, a smile forming on his lips. "Thank you, Alistair. You have been a great help. Truly."
With that, Duncan turned and walked toward the Royal Tent. Alistair stared after him, wondering what he had just missed. How did I help? he thought to himself. Seeing that an explanation would not be forthcoming, he shrugged and headed to the food tent. They had better not have eaten all the cheese...
o~~~~~~~~o
Zeva excused herself shortly after dinner, much to Daveth's dismay, and walked toward the ruins past the Royal Tent. She had seen a secluded spot earlier in the day and she needed some time to contemplate everything before she met the others for the Joining ritual.
She stood overlooking the bridge that connected the Ostagar courtyard to the Tower of Ishal. It was a chilly night, and she had her arms wrapped around herself. Her thoughts were tumbling from one subject to another.
She wondered where Fergus was, and if he was safe. She also wondered how she would ever tell him what had befallen their family.
She thought of her mother and father, and their last moments of life. She had tried so hard to save them, all in vain. Howe, that bastard!
Turning her thoughts to Howe, she let herself imagine the various tortures she would inflict upon him when finally given the chance. He would never live to hurt another family, to destroy another young woman's life.
Finally, she thought of Duncan. His beautiful amber eyes, his handsome face, and strong, muscular arms. Maker, she had to put this out of her mind! Maybe she should have gone with Daveth, as he requested. If she had, she could have erased thoughts of Duncan from her mind, at least temporarily.
As if he could read her thoughts, she heard a voice speak softly behind her, "Zeva? May I join you?"
She turned and nodded as Duncan moved toward her from within the shadows. She felt her heart flutter as he smiled tenderly at her. No, she thought. She had made the right choice in turning down Daveth. There would never be another man who made her feel as Duncan did. She didn't want anyone else, ever!
"Duncan," she said quietly. "I wasn't expecting you."
He frowned slightly, his eyes darkening. "Were you waiting for someone else? Daveth perhaps?" he asked, his voice growing quieter.
Zeva chuckled. "No, I wasn't expecting Daveth. I came here to get away from everyone, actually. Although," she added with a small smile, "the fact that you would mention Daveth makes me wonder why it would be of concern to you. You haven't exactly been forthcoming with your feelings where I am concerned, have you?"
Before she had time to contemplate her next statement, Duncan had closed the distance between them, pulling her roughly to him and capturing her mouth with his own. He wrapped his arms tightly around her back and groaned softly as his tongue sought purchase within her mouth.
Zeva eagerly accepted the intrusion and wrapped her tongue around his own, feeling rushes of heat travel down her body, settling firmly between her legs. Her knees grew weak from the passion she felt, and she held onto Duncan tightly to keep from falling.
"Maker!," Zeva gasped as she pulled her lips away from his, desperately needing to catch her breath. She stayed locked in his arms, gazing deeply into his eyes. "You cannot know how long I have waited for you to do that."
Duncan smiled and placed another quick kiss on her swollen lips. "I would imagine almost as long as I have waited to do it." He pulled her closer to his chest and held her, running his hands down her back languidly.
"I hope you realize you have completely ruined me for any other man," Zeva whispered into Duncan's ear. "No one will ever make me feel the way you do." She felt a shiver run through him at her confession.
He pulled slowly back and his eyes locked onto hers. "I have tried desperately to fight my feelings for you. Everything in me says that this cannot be. We are heading into an impossible fight against unbelievable odds. The foe we face tomorrow is unlike any we have faced before. In the end, one or both of us may be d.."
"No!" Zeva said quickly, putting her finger over his mouth to stop him. "I am well aware of the odds we face, and I know that we may not make it; but I don't want to think of it now. You said it yourself. I may not even survive the Joining. Now, this moment, may be all I have with you, and I will not have it ruined with thoughts of what may be. Just hold me, Duncan. Hold me, and for a time, make me believe that everything will be alright."
He held her. She turned her back to him and he pulled her into his chest, wrapping his arms around her. Together, they looked out over the place where they would face their destiny. Neither spoke, as words were pointless. They both knew how they felt, and they silently prayed that when all was done, they would be able to tell each other the whole truth, and walk into the future together.
Duncan was the first to break the silence. "We need to go, Zeva," he said softly. "It is time for the Joining."
"I know," she answered and pulled his arms tightly around her one last time. With a final look at the ground below, Zeva turned to Duncan and pulled his lips to hers in one last, tender kiss. Then she took his hand and led him from their hiding place, back toward the Warden camp and reality.
o~~~~~~~~o
Duncan and Zeva met the others at the Wardens' camp. Daveth looked longingly at Zeva, and she smiled at him innocently, moving to stand next to Alistair. Jory stepped forward and spoke, "shall we get this over with then?"
Duncan nodded slowly and said, "Alistair, take them to the old Temple."
Zeva thought she would either go mad or kill Jory if the man didn't stop pacing and whining. Maker, he isn't a man at all, is he? she wondered.
Currently the coward in question was arguing with Daveth about the Joining. "The more I hear about this Joining the less I like it," he complained.
Daveth sighed loudly and turned to Jory. "Are you blubbering again?" Zeva could not help but laugh at this, and Daveth gave her a crooked smile.
Jory was not to be deterred from his whimpering, "why all these damned tests? Have I not earned my place?"
"Maybe it's tradition. Maybe they're just trying to annoy you," Daveth countered.
Zeva approached the group and said in an exasperated tone, "I swear I am the bravest one here, and I am a woman!"
"No doubt of that, Love!" Daveth laughed.
"I only know that my wife is in Highever with a child on the way. If they had warned me, "Jory began, "I... it just doesn't seem fair."
Zeva opened her mouth to tell him she knew all about what was "fair" in Highever, but Daveth interrupted. "Would you have come if they had warned you? Maybe that's why they don't. The Wardens do what they must, right?"
"Including sacrificing us?" Jory moaned.
That's it! Zeva thought angrily. She crossed the floor of the Tower ruin and threw Jory up against the wall. "Sacrifice? What could you possibly know of sacrifice, you sniveling coward! Let me tell you about sacrifice. My family - the Couslands - were slaughtered three weeks ago by a madman who decided I should become his 'pet'! He destroyed my entire home and threatened the lives of everyone I loved for the sake of a tumble!
I had to watch as he forced a knife to the throat of my young nephew and made a 'deal' with me - as long as I went along with his deviant sexual demands, he would spare them!" Zeva was screaming at this point, and Alistair had begun moving closer to her, afraid that she may actually kill Jory in her anger.
"Then, when I fought him off and tried to save them, they were DEAD - my mother, father, sister-in-law and young nephew! And yet, here I am, after all that, willing to give everything to save Ferelden!" she sputtered, fury blazing in her eyes.
Her breathing ragged, she pulled Jory closer and said in a deadly tone, "Now, which of us do you believe knows more about sacrifice?" She released her grip on Jory and he slid to the ground, speechless.
Zeva stepped back from Jory and turned away, trying to regain control of her emotions, and came eye to eye with Duncan. His pained expression told her he had heard everything. She opened her mouth to speak, but he shook his head and approached her, placing a hand on her arm. She calmed almost instantly and looked at him, gratitude shining in her eyes. He smiled and moved past her, heading to a table on the far side of the ruin.
"At last, we come to the joining. The Grey Wardens were founded during the first Blight, when humanity stood on the verge of annihilation. So it was that the first Grey Wardens drank of darkspawn blood, and mastered it's taint." Duncan said the last while placing a large chalice on the table in front of him.
Jory, his voice finally returning, spoke quietly, "We're going to drink the blood of those... those creatures?"
Duncan nodded and moved closer to the group. "As the first Grey Wardens did before us, as we did before you. This is the source of our power and our victory."
Alistair was the next to speak. "Those who survive the joining become immune to the taint. We can sense it in the darkspawn and use it to slay the Archdemon," he added.
The party looked at Zeva as she spoke, "Then let us get this over with."
Duncan picked up the goblet from the table, came forward and spoke once more. "We speak only a few words prior to the joining, but these words have been said since the first. Alistair, if you would."
Alistair bowed his head and spoke reverently,
"Join us Brothers and Sisters.
Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant.
Join us as we carry the duty that cannot be forsworn.
And know that should you perish, that your sacrifice will not be forgotten.
And that one day, we shall join you."
Duncan held the chalice out and spoke, "Daveth step forward."
Daveth took the chalice and drank from it. The ruin was silent for a long moment, when suddenly Daveth grabbed at his throat and began choking.
"Maker's Breath," Jory gasped as he watched the flailing man.
Daveth fell forward to the ground, convulsed and was still.
Duncan looked down upon him and said, "I am sorry, Daveth."
He once again raised the chalice and turned to the Redcliffe knight, "Step forward Jory."
Instead of taking the chalice, Jory began backing away, drawing his sword. "But I have a wife... a child. Had I known…" he muttered, looking around for a way out.
Duncan advanced on Jory, drawing his own blade. "There is no turning back."
Jory shook his head furiously, "No, you ask too much! There is no glory in this!" With his final statement, he stepped forward and swung his sword at Duncan.
Duncan easily parried the blow and drove his slim dagger directly into Jory's heart. Blood flowed from the wound in Jory's chest and his open mouth as he fell forward onto Duncan, who caught him easily and lowered him to the ground, whispering softly, "I am sorry."
Pausing only for a moment, Duncan stood up and walked toward Zeva. "But the joining is not yet complete. You are called upon to submit yourself to the taint, for the greater good," he said, holding the chalice out to her. She took it from him, her fingers gently brushing his, and immediately took a long drink.
She felt the liquid burn down her throat. The taste was horrendous and she wondered how she would keep from vomiting it back up.
Suddenly, pain hit her and she bent forward. It felt as though her skin was on fire and her stomach might explode. As the tainted blood took hold, she began to hallucinate.
An enormous skeletal dragon flew over a field of darkspawn, breathing fire and destroying everything in its path. Bodies of fallen soldiers littered the ground. Suddenly, the beast looked directly at her, coming closer...
Before she lost consciousness, she heard Duncan speak, "From this moment forth, you are a Grey Warden." With that, the world went black.
o~~~~~~~~o
Duncan and Alistair sat by Zeva's side, listening to her steady breathing. There were no words to describe how relieved Duncan had been when Zeva had slipped peacefully to the floor, indicating the she had survived the Joining.
She would live. Maker thank you! he repeated in his head over and over. Whatever may come next, Duncan had not lost his love to the taint. The war was just beginning, but this one small battle had been won.
"Duncan, I think she is coming around," Alistair said, and they both leaned over her. Zeva's eyes opened slowly, and Duncan felt his heart soar at the beautiful sight. She focused on him and he smiled.
"Welcome," was all he said.