Disclaimer: I own none of this. The ideas are mine, though.
I realized something when I finally got time to do some writing again; I find that it's a lot easier for me to write from Lyra's perspective than the others. I dove headfirst right into the Dalish origin when I first picked up Dragon Age: Origins back in 2011 (I was a 12 soon-to-be 13-year-old boy and thought the cover looked cool). Between all the elven ridiculousness of DA: 2 and DA: I (if you know, you know. If not, I won't spoil it), I still have a preference towards that 'Elven Ranger and Hunter' Archetype. Just a random observation. Anywho, onto the reason you're really here…
In Dragon Age, there is a 'common tongue', or just 'common'. Other languages will be shown in italics.
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
Canticle of Transfigurations 12:1
"O Maker, hear my cry:
Guide me through the blackest nights.
Steel my heart against the temptations of the wicked.
Make me to rest in the warmest places."
Faren Brosca
Waking up in strange places with a headache was nothing strange. Faren had been drunk and hungover more than enough to be familiar with it. This one felt like he'd been stomped on by a Bronto, though. Opening his eyes, and seeing the light passing through the cracks in old wood brought it all back.
'How did we get off the Tower? The last thing I remember was the screeching of those beasts…'
Sitting up, he marveled at the softly breathing forms of his companions. He and Alistair had been laid up on one side of the room, resting on cots of leather and wood. On the other side of the room lay Lyra and Aedan. Getting up from the cot, he looked down at himself and frowned.
'I wonder where my armor went.'
Leaving the room, Faren stopped at the doorway when he heard someone stirring behind him. Turning around, he noticed Lyra shifting as she rose. Leaning against the wall, he waited for her to notice him before speaking up.
"Well, we survived." He said, nodding towards the two others.
"So it would seem. I'm not entirely sure how, although I'm not unhappy about it. Should we go try to find out where we are, and let the other two rest?" She said, nodding towards the door.
The two stepped out of the room, entering a larger room with several cauldrons bubbling away, as well as a larger pot bubbling over a fire against the wall. Before they could go further into the room the other door opened, and a hooded figure walked in.
"'tis good to see you awake. Mother will want to know that you survived the rescue. 'twould be a shame to waste all the effort she put into making sure you survived." Morrigan said, lowering her hood.
"Thank you for rescuing us. We are in your debt." Lyra said with a smile.
"As I said, 'twas my mother who did the bulk of the work. I merely brewed the poultices and brews needed for the magicks she used to take effect." She said demurely.
"Still, thank you Morrigan. I doubt we'd be having this conversation without the both of you, not just Flemeth." Faren said.
"I… thank you. Anyway, I should go tell mother that you are awake. She will want to talk to you all. Feel free to wander, although I'd ask that you not interrupt any of the brews or wander far from the cottage." Morrigan said, voice cracking at accepting their thanks.
The pair walked out of the cottage, leaving the young Chasind woman to her own devices. The two sat in silence on a large rock, the thick trees and dank swamps of the wilds surrounding them.
"This is the second time I've had to be rescued from the darkspawn. This will be the last time, I swear it." Lyra said, looking away angrily.
"Are you seriously beating yourself up over the fact that you had to be rescued from literally tens of thousands of darkspawn?" Faren said in disbelief. "You do realize just how ridiculous that sounds, right?"
"I know that you were listening when Alistair told you all what happened to me. Both times I had to be rescued and other people died instead of me. How do you just brush that off? First my best friend dies because of a dumb idea and some idiots who led us to a cave…" Lyra stopped for a minute, visibly composing herself.
"Now we're some of the only survivors of a battle, where thousands of people all died and it didn't make a difference at all. Duncan and all the other senior wardens are dead. How in Fen'Harel's name are we supposed to stop a blight?" Lyra finished, glaring angrily out at the swamp.
After a minute or two Faren spoke up, having reached much the same conclusion about their odds.
"I used to think I'd never get out of The Carta, a group of thieves and thugs back in Orzammar. Every day I'd wake up and I wouldn't know if my end would come from an ill-tempered noble, an angry duster with a blade, or something out of the Deep Roads. In all that time, I always used to tell myself something that I heard from an old Legionnaire. 'No matter what hits you, you stand up and hit it back twice as hard. You keep going until either you fall, or it does.'"
"What's a legionnaire?" Lyra asked.
"So, in Orzammar, we all live right next to the Deep Roads. During a blight, the darkspawn come to the surface and try to wipe out everyone on top. But what most people forget is that they are always in the Deep Roads. We must struggle against them every day. Back when there were more of us, one of the Kings created a separate branch of the military to specifically fight the darkspawn. They take everyone, no matter their background. It's a bit like the Grey Wardens, but they don't have any rituals or anything the way the Wardens do. The members of the Legion are called 'Legionnaires'."
The two sat in silence for a while longer, each deep in their thoughts.
Lyra finally stood up, offering a hand to Faren.
"Thanks."
"Don't worry about it. What was it you said in the camp, we're family? I'm not used to having a sister that's taller than me, but I think I'll manage." He said with a smirk.
'Natia and I promised each other once that if anything ever happened, the other wouldn't forget to live. I hope she knows I'm trying…'
Lyra Mahariel
Walking back inside, Lyra bumped into Alistair. Seeing the relief in the man's eyes, she pointed outside.
"Faren is outside building a fire if you'd like to join him. I figure we can all talk and come up with a plan once Aedan wakes up." She said.
Nodding at her, he stepped outside to join the dwarf.
"I'm glad it's more than just me and Aedan that survived. When I awoke and just saw him there, my heart just about stopped. Morrigan said you and Faren were outside, so I wanted to check on the two of you. Are you alright?"
"Faren and I woke a few hours ago. We talked a bit, before I decided to come and check on you two. He's building a fire outside; I'm going out in a bit to go catch some game. I can't say living off of someone else's generosity agrees with either of us."
Nodding at her, he went to go join the dwarf outside while she stepped further inside and closed the door.
"Is there any way I can help out? I'd hate to be taking advantage of your hospitality." Lyra asked after a moment.
"Hmm… you're more perceptive than the others. I doubt they'd be able to notice my presence near as well." Flemeth said, stepping past a curtain leading into the third room of the cottage.
"I had to be able to recognize threats to me or my hunting partner. I was one of our best hunters." Lyra said with pride, before frowning.
'I hope they can get by without me or Tamlen. I wonder if there's a way for me to send a message to them. I know the plan was to head to the Free Marches after the Brecilian Forest.'
"It will serve your group well if you all stay wary. The world is rarely kind to those who do more than let themselves be led around."
"How did you save us?" Lyra asked.
"Now, now. That would be telling, my dear. Did you ever question how your keeper knew what she knew?" Flemeth asked, laughing.
"Besides, my story is much longer and more complicated than you'd think. Best not to focus on ancient history, and focus more on the path forwards."
"Now you really do sound like the Keeper from my clan" Lyra said with a small smile.
"Maybe Marethari just listened to the right people." Flemeth said with a smirk, before walking outside.
Lyra stood there in shock, not knowing what to say.
'She knew the keeper? Why didn't the keeper say she knew Asha'bellanar…'
Walking back outside, there was no sign of Flemeth anywhere. Left with nothing else to do, she went and sat by the fire. Faren and Alistair were looking at several local plants while a pot of water was heating up.
"Would you two like some help so none of us end up poisoned?" She said, smirking.
"I wouldn't say no to a hand. I barely know anything about the local plants." Alistair confessed.
Pulling a deathroot out of their pile of herbs, Lyra got to work separating what was edible and what wasn't from what they'd gathered.
-line break-
Aedan Cousland
"Ah, your eyes finally open. Mother will be pleased."
Aedan looked at the girl in confusion, before realizing who it was.
"Morrigan? Where am I?" he asked.
"You're back in the wilds, of course. I just got done changing your bandages. You are welcome, by the way. How does your memory fare? Do you remember mother's rescue?"
"I remember being overwhelmed by darkspawn… I thought for sure it was the end."
"Mother rescued you and a few others from atop the tower. You are quite lucky to of made an impression on her. It's rare she involves herself with others. Your friend, Alistair… is not taking the loss of the battle well."
"He is outside by the fire, with the others. Mother asked to see you when you awoke."
"What happened to my armor? And weapons?" Aedan asked, looking at the rough cotton tunic he was wearing.
"Your companions were repairing their armor outside, and had taken yours as well. As for your weapons, they were unfortunately left behind during the rescue. Between mother and I, we have scavenged some basic weaponry for you all so that you are not defenseless." She explained.
Nodding at her in thanks, he swung his legs over the side of the cot. Following her outside, he walked over to the others.
"See? Here is your fellow warrior. You worry too much, young man." Flemeth said, looking at Aedan.
Alistair looked up at him from his seat by the fire, relaxing now that the final member of their party was up and moving.
"This doesn't seem real. If it weren't for Morrigan and her mother, we'd of all perished on top of that tower. I can still hardly believe it all, myself." He said, leading Aedan closer to the other wardens.
"Do not talk about me as if I am not present, lad." Flemeth said.
"I- I didn't mean-"
"It's alright, I know it's been a rough time for you all. Just make sure not to forget your savior too often. May make me feel like I'm unappreciated." She said, laughing again.
"So, not to seem ungrateful why did you save us? It can't have been easy to save four people out of the slaughter that the battle turned into." Aedan asked
"Well, we cannot have all the Grey Wardens dying at once, can we? Someone has to deal with these darkspawn. It has always been the Grey Wardens duty to unite the lands against The Blight, or did that change when I wasn't looking?" she replied, looking at Aedan.
"All this has done is make it a bit harder to do it. But we will still stop this, before it's too late." Lyra said, moving away from the stew.
"A bit harder?" Faren asked with a smirk.
"Maybe a bit harder than that, but we still need to try." Lyra said in reply.
Nodding at the other two, Aedan sighed.
"The land is hardly united thanks to the Teyrn. Loghain quit the field with his army, and left the king to die."
"That still makes no sense. Why would he do that? His daughter married Cailan, he was best friends with his father Maric."
"Now that is a good question. Men's hearts hold shadows darker than any blighted creature. Perhaps he believes the blight is an army he can outmaneuver? Perhaps he does not see that the evil behind it is the true threat." Flemeth said.
"I still can't see what he gains out of all this. Why let Cailan die?" Alistair said.
"Maybe he's after the throne? He wouldn't be the first noble to attempt something like that, even recently. Remember Arl Howe? That bastard took everything from my family." Aedan said darkly.
"Still, he cannot see how he thinks he would get away with murder?" Alistair replied.
"You speak as if he would be the first king to gain his throne that way. Stop living in stories and grow up, lad." Flemeth said, causing Alistair to frown.
"Still, if Arl Eamonn knew what he did he would never stand for it. The Landsmeet would never stand for it, there would be civil war."
"Arl Eamonn? The Arl of Redcliffe?" Aedan asked.
"Arl Eamonn wasn't at Ostagar, still a few days away. That means he still has all his men, and he's Cailan's Uncle. Maybe he can help us stand up and reveal Loghain's treachery. I know him, he's a good man. He would help us."
"I don't think we should rule it out, but in my experience the 'noble' tend to only act like it when it's convenient for them. Loghain was supposed to be a good and honorable man, and we all know how that went." Faren interjected.
"Surely there are other allies we could call on?" Lyra asked, causing Alistair's eyes to light up.
"Of course, the treaties! The treaties are with dwarves, elves, the mages and templars, and some other smaller groups. Each one guarantees that in a time of Blight, Grey Wardens have the power to enlist aid."
"I may be old, but dwarves, elves, mages, and who knows what else… this sounds like an army to me." Flemeth said with a small smile.
"We can do this. We can still defeat the darkspawn before this spreads to the rest of Thedas." Aedan said, relieved that they still had a way to fight.
"It appears we have a plan, then. We must gather an army to replace the one lost at Ostagar, and end the darkspawn threat before it's too late." Lyra said.
'If only Aldous could see me now. He always told me I'd make my mark on history.'
The group all sat down around the fire, while Flemeth left them to talk. Accepting a bowl of the vegetable stew, the group was silent for a few minutes as they ate.
"I'm sorry about Duncan. I know losing him hit you rather hard." Lyra said quietly to Alistair.
"It's… I'll be alright. I just can't wait to reveal Loghain for the traitorous snake that he is."
Lyra Mahariel
Lyra carried the stewpot back towards the cottage, leaving the other three to get their armor on. Placing it in the kitchen area of the cottage, she quickly ducked into the room they all had awoken in and changed into her leathers. Just being in the familiar armor helped calm any remaining doubts she had about their plan. It was going to be difficult, but she had faith that they would succeed.
Walking back outside, she found the others putting out the fire. Gathering the packs that they were gifted by Flemeth, the group all turned to thank the old woman for her assistance.
"So, you are all set then?" She said, walking out of the cottage.
"Yes, thank you for everything Flemeth. Your help has been invaluable." Aedan replied.
"Before you leave, I have one final gift to offer." Flemeth said, as Morrigan approached.
"The stew is bubbling, and will soon be ready. I was surprised you all elected to make your own food. Most would have simply assumed they would be provided for."
"You've both helped us all so much already, we didn't want to impose any further than we already had." Lyra explained.
"It was no imposition, it's quite alright. The Grey Wardens are leaving, girl; and you will be joining them." Flemeth revealed.
"Such a shame we won- What?" Morrigan exclaimed, eyes widening as she looked at her mother.
"You heard me girl. The last time I looked, you had ears." Flemeth laughed.
"As much aid as she could provide, if she doesn't wish to leave, we wouldn't w-"
"Have I no say in this?" Morrigan said in shock.
"You have been itching to get out of the wilds for years. Now here is your chance. As for you, Wardens. Consider this repayment for your lives."
"Was this part of your plan the whole time?" Faren asked with suspicion.
"Pardon me, but I had the impression that you needed all the help you could get, whatever the form." She said, frowning at him.
"And I suppose I am supposed to just do as you say and come back when you call?" Morrigan said, glaring at Flemeth.
"You must go with them. Alone, these four must unite Ferelden against the Darkspawn. They need you, Morrigan. Besides, you didn't think I trained you so well only to never let you leave this place, did you? All will perish under The Blight, including this place. Nothing can stand against them forever. Not even I."
"I… understand." She said, looking down.
"And you, Wardens. Do you understand? I give you that what I value above all else in this world. I do this because you must succeed." She said, now addressing them.
"We'll ensure she returns to you, Flemeth. We understand." Aedan said.
"Allow me to get my things, and I'll be ready to go."
Morrigan returned shortly after, a pack similar to their own across her shoulder.
"I am at your disposal, Grey Wardens. There is a village north of us that may be worth visiting. It should allow us to pick up further supplies as well."
"Then we have our destination. Thank you again for all of your help, Flemeth. We won't forget this." Alistair said, nodding at the woman.
The group departed shortly thereafter, Morrigan taking the lead to show them out of the wilds.
Not quite as long as some of my other chapters, but I figured a shorter chapter is better than no chapter. Part of my original plan was to write them getting to and going through Lothering in this chapter, but I realized that I wanted a bit more time to flesh out what my plans are for that bit. For now, the party grows and now our favorite snarky mage has joined them.
Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about Daf. Aedan is just a bit overwhelmed right now, so he hasn't bothered to bring her up yet.
I'll see you guys next time!
Ameridane