Chapter Thirty-Nine

Final Preparations

Upon returning to the Vigil, I gave Wade the materials for the Golem Shell Armor and the Iron ore for Herren. I went around for days making sure everything was prepared for the final assault. Wade finished all his commissions and I placed the items into my void-storage.

I had been surprised that Alistair was there at the Vigil when we returned.

"Hello, love; I brought you a gift." Alistair hugged me the minute he saw me.

"Oh?" I asked.

"I was just thinking of gifts that could compare to the wonderful sword you brought me. I bought a house in Hightown – Kirkwall. It's in your name, of course. I brought you the Key and address. I just received it two days ago. It's across from the Amell estate and has a cellar that leads into that spot in Dark-town you told me about for the clinic."

I pulled him down and kissed him. "You're too good for me."

"Nonsense! I love you. Unfortunately, I can only spend the one night – and only because Eamon was eager to take over when he heard the reason for my trip."

I blinked, "He was?"

Alistair gave me a smirk, "I don't think you know just how many nobles are pushing for our marriage, Atarah. Eamon tries to get me to marry someone else, but his heart isn't in it. Not to mention – every noble woman of age who is single has already said no to his half-hearted letters unless you get married to someone else first."

I flushed, feeling more like a bitch for the whole affair with Lyna. He caught my expression and said, "I love you, Tara – and from what I hear from the rest of the pack here, you broke things off with Lyna. I'm not mad."

I grumbled about how I still felt like a bitch. He chuckled and kissed my cheek.

"Oh – I brought you the Warden Stationary from the Denerim Cache, like you asked… are you going to tell me what that is about?"

"You remember the Hawkes?"

His face darkened, "If you tell me you're going to be with…"

"No! No, I promise it's not that. Carver and Bethany need to be conscripted – that is all. I promise."

His face relaxed, "I believe you. You've never lied to me before, anyway."

"Oghren told me I'm not allowed to sleep with anyone but you and Cullen. That was his way of helping me to stop with the self-sabotage thing. So, here and now, I am declaring that I won't be sleeping with anyone but the two of you ever again… unless one or both of you is involved in it. Till the death of both you and Cullen this pact will hold."

Joy filtered onto his face, "I will admit that does make me feel a lot better about you going to Kirkwall without me… a lot better. You know I never would have asked that of you…"

"I know – you are so understanding and… I really don't deserve either of you, but Alistair you are amazing."

He chuckled, "I love you… so much."

After that night together, I went around all day every day making sure everything was prepared for the siege. My excuse was that I was used to walking all over Ferelden for the last year so I was board. I also made sure to get that stone tablet to Dworkin and Voldrik who swore Orzammar would get it.

Justice and Anders Merged not long after. I was furious when I found out that they hadn't waited, but Justice had wanted Kristoffs widow to get his body as soon as possible… I couldn't bitch and told them to keep it quiet. Only them and I would know for now.

We were all gathered in the 'throne' room with all the nobles when the time we had all been waiting for finally arrived.

"Commander, commander!" a young elven woman came running into the hall and tripped. Lyna caught her and asked, "Yes, my lady?"

"A darkspawn army is within sight of Amaranthine."

Varel and Captain Garevel spoke their piece but I interrupted.

"Lyna, you will be taking Sigrun, Velanna, Oghren and Nathaniel. At all costs protect the city. Anders and I will stay and protect the Keep. No matter what, that city must be saved. We have men and a fort that would hold up to a 10 year siege. Go now."

The ones I had singled out all started for the door without question much to the amusement of those around me.

"Now that they are gone, Garevel, get the men ready! We will be attacked by a separate group within a few days. Get Dworkin on the Battlements; that's his new bedroom, dammit. I want archers and Ballista's ready for action. Anyone who is of the Warrior variety is to be prepared for assault. Gates lowered, captain! As of this moment, we are at War."

Everyone around us looked fearful, but Varel began barking orders to see that my plans were followed and Garevel rushed out the door to lower the Gates and get the men ready.

I was right. 4 days later, around the time Lyna would have arrived at the City, we were attacked.

"Commander, we're under attack!" yeah… in Lynas absence I was apparently next in command though I wasn't a Warden… I tried foisting them onto Anders as the real Warden, but unless I vanished it was impossible. Something about being Chosen of the Maker made them want to look to me more than anything.

"We've been drilling for this for the past 3 days, recruit! We are more than ready."

Voldrik saluted me, "The walls are acceptable, Lady Commander. No surprise Ogre attacks will get though!"

"Master Wade has worked Day and Night, Neice. Your men are fully equipped." Herren looked so proud.

Dworkin was giddy as he said, "Darkspawn by the Scores and a handful of stone is all that separates us. Feels like home! I've got a catapult rigged with Explosives I have left; just holler if you want a whole mess of beasties to meet their Maker!"

Sergeant Maverlies saluted me, her black hair cropped quite short and green eyes more than determined, "I'm not a half-bad shot with a bow. I'll make my way to the tower, Ser. If you want me to harass any particular Darkspawn, just point them out." I handed her a crossbow and a large bucket of bolts, "These are enchanted for maximum damage."

She grabbed the items and hurried out.

"Positions! I want as few casualties on our side as possible. If the number is less than 10 dead, I will personally have alcohol on hand for a full day that anyone can partake from! Get moving."

People rushed to get into position.

As I came out of the Keep, I saw flaming Catapulted stone flying overhead. Thinking quickly, I raised my hand and shielded the keep from attacks from above. I would not allow them to kill us from afar.

"Front gate is down!" I heard the sergeant shout from above and watched as three Armored Ogres rushed forward… have I ever mentioned I really hate Ogres?

A squad of 23 Hurlocks and Genlocks followed; then came a rush of 'Children' and 4 Emissaries.

I groaned. "Dworkin! You see an Ogre and I want it in itty bitty pieces! Sergeant Maverlies, I want you to focus on the ugly grubs!"

I heard a chorus of 'yes, ma'am!' before booooom! Went the Ogre group. Then a second boom when the first didn't kill them.

I watched fascinated as Children fell with shrieks. Sergeant Maverlies was hitting every single one in the eye sockets to guarantee a kill.

Anders channeled a healing aura and focused on anyone who was hit. Varel was giving hell with his sword and shield and I caught sight of Garevel swinging his blade in swift but precise motions.

I pulled the same stunts I did in Redcliff all those months ago. I was jumping and bending in ways that shouldn't have been possible with my weight, but thanks to magic and experience, were easily executed.

I used Arcane Missiles, summoned my Deadric servant, called Durnehviir and shifted into my Dragon form after letting Inas know I was under siege… it wasn't long before Azeroth joined the battle – Rachel, my mage friend, Inas, Jaina and a few other familiar faces had come through a portal near the keep. Morale skyrocketed with that move.

"Commander, the East Wall!" I heard Garevel shout.

I shifted back to give instructions, "I want half our forces to keep this area as clear as possible – remember, less than 10 casualties means open bar for survivors!"

Jaina gave me an amused look for that comment – it was a popular move of mine.

31 Children, 2 Hurlocks and 8 Genlocks. Anders was flinging Ice spells before we were fully in View of the gate there.

I smirked and used magic to paralyze any darkspawn that got near me.

The Children, as expected, were more damn trouble than anything. I had to behead one that had tackled Garevel before it could rip his throat out.

Just as we killed the last Childer… the Shrieks appeared in force. 46 of the bastards, each looking like ones from Inquisition; twisted elves.

I was knocked into by one of our men and it distracted me just long enough to earn a dagger to my right shoulder.

"Fuck me sideways with a tree-branch!" I shouted before spinning and kicking out to knock the fucker over.

I healed myself as I straddled the fallen Hurlock decapitating him with one swift motion of my sword.

Apparently, that was the last enemy at the East Wall, because people were standing around giving me a look.

"A tree-branch?" Anders asked.

I growled. "If anyone mentions that again, I will fuck them with a tree-stump up the arse!"

Inas laughed merrily at that.

Garevel nodded and said, "The Children are dead, but I fear the Front Gates may need us once more."

I stood and headed that way, the others following me.

I threw a shield on Varel the second I saw him.

"Hold together men. Andraste's Blood, hold! For the Wardens, for Amaranthine!"

Varel turned away from the gate for one moment, and that was all it took for an Ogre to side swipe him. He was unconscious, but he'd live.

3 more Ogres joined the first to make it an even 4 along with more spawn.

I admit to being impressed when, as Dworkin blew up the newer 3, Garevel used his blade to climb the first one before embedding the sword deep into its neck.

When the fighting was over, I approached Varel as he awoke.

"Is it… over? Did we win?"

"Yeah… you missed the best fight, man. Good thing that Ogre just knocked you out though… could have been messy." I winked at him and I saw in his eyes that he knew it was my doing.

"Thought I was a dead man for sure, my lady."

"Call me that one more time, Varel, and I can arrange that."

The final wave fell with very little trouble as some people moved Varel back to the Keep.

When it was over I looked to the Captain, "I want a status report – yesterday!"

He nodded and said, "I can already give you the report, Your Worship – only 3 dead, 8 wounded. None of your reinforcements took any damage… except the Dragon… he was one of the casualties."

"So only 2 casualties, then – that beast is immortal and is likely sleeping in the Soul Cairn right now… who else?"

He looked stunned for a quick second before saying, "Oh… um… a foot soldier named Calder and a sergeant named Meghan. The wounded are in the infirmary now waiting for a healer."

I called out, "Inas – get these people a couple casks of Ironforges' finest ale. Anders, come with me to heal the wounded."

Both the Captain and Inas saluted me while Anders trailed along to help me.

"Captain! Lady Commander, I've news!" I heard the shout as I returned to the main yard where the celebrations were being held.

"Sergeant, if you tell me you know where the Darkspawn came from it doesn't matter – I'm positive that Lyna is already in route to take care of the source of this infestation. I'm sure she'd love for me to join her, but she knows what needs doing and will be just fine without me. Send word to Amaranthine that we've survived – and that if aid is needed they need only ask."

"As you say, Commander."

I stayed in the Vigil until Lyna returned with news that the Architect and the Mother were both dead. Velanna ran off after her sister, however.

After, I summoned my Fox mount – Masaaki – for Anders and I to ride to Amaranthine where we would take a boat. I disguised my hair and ears. I had ported to Dalaran before getting on the ship so that I could get three new tattoos – 1 for N'Zoth, another for the Archdemon and one for the birth of my son, Duncan. Duncans got put on my left rib; the other two got designated to my right leg.

Another thing, I had spoken with the Maker for the first time. Well… Andraste played translator, but close enough. This was to be my 'last life'. I was always destined for Thedas, so it was my final destination. I was more than happy with that information even if Inas and Alistair had taken it a bit hard. Inas had wanted to assign me guards and Alistair tried to second the motion!

I was over-ruled by a third vote – Anduin heard the news and granted Inas' request to have people set to rotate on watching over me. I now had 3 Horde and 3 Alliance guards who would pair up and switch off… I was pissed.

The first rotation of guards, A Lightforged Draenei female and a Vulpera were my 'day' guards. The second set, a Mecha-Gnome and a Zandalari Troll, were my 'night' guards and the third set, a Worgen and a Blood elf were my 'switch' guards – they all actually rotated in a way that meant they didn't actually have a set time of day.

Set one would be my first set for 10 hours, then set two the set three – doing it like this meant each set had 20 hours of 'down' time… Anders found the whole situation hilarious. The designations of Day, Night and Switch were literally only to name the guard sets.

I managed to at least make it so that the guards wouldn't arrive until after I was in Kirkwall – no point paying for ship fare on 6 extra bodies when I wasn't likely to be looked at, let alone attacked.

Alistair had announced officially that while Duncan was Heir, if anything happened to Alistair before Duncan was 16 I was to assume the throne until Duncan came of age. I sent him a strongly worded letter consisting of only two words: You Bastard.

I had received one back with double the word count: I love you too.

Anders was actually prone to motion sickness – go figure. Thankfully, it was a short 2 day journey from Amaranthine to Kirkwall.