Prologue: Betrayal

Chapter 4: Child of Justice

"Wake up Cousin, why are you still in bed? It's your big day!" Darrian Tabris heard his younger cousin Shianni say, pulling him from his peaceful slumber.

He groaned as he sat up, exhausted from all the work he had done the night before. Cleaning the house was one thing, but he had other errands to run. The twenty four year old elf barely had time to eat and drink dinner before he crashed hard onto his bed. As soon as he hit the soft mattress, he passed out.

He pushed a stray lock of his long and blonde hair behind his ear as he looked into his cousin's green eyes with his own blue ones. She truly was a beautiful woman with orange hair, and though it may have been wrong to say such a thing, if they were not cousins he would have taken her as his wife. Whether that was the tradition of the Alienage Elves or not. She deserved it after all she had been through all of her life. The humans of Denerim were barely tolerating the Elves and their presence in their 'great city.' In truth, Darrian thought the city he was raised in was everything but 'great.' But alas, it was home nonetheless.

"What…" He said, feeling a bit groggy, "... what are you doing in my room, again, Shianni?" He asked.

Indeed this wasn't her first time suddenly appearing in his room. Often they had cuddled, or just sat there and talked. She had a hard life, and often the Arl's son, Vaughan, had stopped by seemingly just to torture the Elvish women. He was the definition of disgusting. He was a man that violated women every single day, and he loved being even more sadistic to the Elvish women. He had never gotten his hands on Shianni, but they had a few brief encounters that always ended with Darrian scaring the little boy away, watching in anger as the pathetic human made his way back to his father.

Whilst he loved it when Shianni and himself talked, or cuddled, or did anything together, yesterday was an exception. She had broken into his room and stolen a coin purse. What she had done with it, he did not know, nor did he want to. It wasn't the loss of the currency that upset him, he would have given her much more than what was in that coin purse. It was just that she felt she had to sneak in order to get it, and that upset him. She should have known better.

"Oh please, don't tell me you've forgotten! It's your wedding, silly!" She said with a giggle, one that Darrian had come to enjoy hearing from her.

Each time he heard it, it was like a gift from above. She was a girl who did not laugh much, as she had no reason to. Hard lives often worked that way and whether Darrian liked it or not, he doubted he could ever change that. Then a thought occurred to him, did he want to be married? In all honesty he didn't think he did, or even thought he was ready for such a large step in life. Just a minute ago he had thought of how beautiful his cousin of all people was. How could that indicate he was ready to be wed? He hadn't even set up the arrangement, it was his father who did so. Of course, what his father said happened. It had always been that way, and it made Darrian feel like his opinion didn't matter. If it wasn't his father, it was the Hahren.

"Shianni… I rather not get married. I'd prefer it if you and I could just go do something together today." Darrian said with a sigh, slowly beginning to wake up.

She nodded, "I… would like that too, but Cyrion would be upset if we skipped the wedding. Especially if you did." She sighed, wanting nothing more than to spend the day with him.

That was the nature of their relationship. Yes, cousins, but also very close friends. An outsider looking in on their relationship could say that it was unnatural or disgusting, in the sense of their thoughts on one another as if they were more than just cousins. One could also decide that their relationship is healthy and good, as family should be close friends. Which ever one decided to choose, there was one thing that was for certain; Darrian would never let any harm come to her, or any residents of the Alienage for that matter. He and Shianni had been through a lot together, he would see to it that she was safe, even if he was killed as a cost for her safety.

He got up onto his feet and stretched briefly before placing his hands on her shoulders, "I'm willing to risk it. I've no desire to be married, not to mention she's a stranger to me. Unlike you and I who have known each other for as long as I can remember." He grumbled softly.

"We… can't." She sighed, placing a hand on his cheek. "You need to get ready… your bride is probably already here."

Darrian growled, briefly placing his forehead against hers before backing up. "Alright. I'll be out in a few minutes. But Shianni, I don't want this to make it so we can't do what we have been… we've always been there for each other."

She nodded, "Don't worry, it won't. I'll see you outside." She said quickly, too quickly for Darrian's liking, before she left him alone to get dressed.

He sighed and got up, putting on the rather expensive clothes his father had bought him for this event. They weren't expensive in the way most humans would think, but to Elves that lived in the Alienage, it was nearly an entire lifetime's worth of gold. It was made out of cloth, and it looked like something a human might wear to a casual, yet slightly formal dinner. Though that was one thing that had always gotten on the young man's nerves.

Humans had always lived in luxury while his kind suffered. Humans got all the good things, well paying jobs, respect, proper aid, deals for living arrangements, all of it. What did the Elves get? Quite the opposite, really. He had heard the Dalish would shoot someone like him on sight, a city elf, because he chose to turn his back on their Gods and nomadic ways. Despite not getting a choice in the matter, he did not live such a luxurious life that they no doubt thought of Elves that lived in the city had.

His mother had taught him how to fight when he was younger, and it was a good thing she had done so. Countless times had that human, the Arl's son, Vaughan, came down to pay them a visit. He and his friends always tried to pick a fight, or to abduct some of the Elvish women, which they had succeeded a couple of times in the past. However, whenever Darrian showed his face they ran away like the little rats they were.

With a sigh, not wanting to begin this day, he walked out of his room and towards the exit of the house, putting his hair in a braid running horizontally around the middle-back of his head, ending in a loose knot. He ran into his father, who was waiting for him. Cyrion looked very much like his son. Strong, wise, and bold. Though he was a bit more weathered and grey in the hair than the young elf.

"Morning, Father." Darrian said with a small smile despite not liking what was soon to happen. A fate that his father had brought unto him without his consent or with prior warning.

The greying man smiled and nodded at his son, "Good morning, my boy. Did you sleep well? You have a big day today, perhaps the biggest day of your life." He said in his calm, worn voice.

Darrian stretched and scratched the back of his neck before shrugging. How did he sleep? Well, aside from the rude awakening into the harsh reality of his situation, pretty damn good.

"Great. I'm a bit nervous about today, though. How did you sleep?" Darrian asked with a calm tone of voice, hoping to have hidden his frustration with his father.

"That's good, and perfectly normal, my son. It's a big step in your life, getting married. And I slept well, thank you. Well, I shouldn't keep you any longer. Your bride arrived earlier this morning, and not only that but Shianni says Soris ran away from her when she tried to talk to him about today. You should go find him." Cyrion said with a chuckle before his face got serious again. "Oh, and take these. Your mother wanted you to have them when you were of age. Also, try and keep your training to a down-low. We wouldn't want to scare your bride away." He said as he handed Darrian a pair of leather boots, adorned with patterns of vines.

"Thank you, father. And why not? She'll find out sooner or later." The young elf said as he put the boots on. They fit him surprisingly well, and at last he had something to carry with him that could remind him of his mother.

She hadn't left him much, and her death at the hands of men was sudden to say the least. She had been gone for so long that if it weren't for a painting of her above the fireplace, he would have forgotten what she had looked like. A beautiful tan elf with blonde hair much like his own, and brown eyes.

"Later. Definitely later. Now get going, my son. You have done enough procrastinating. Your mother would be so proud of the young man you have grown up to be." He said with a sad, yet happy smile.

Darrian nodded and did as he was told, walking out of the house. The fresh, cool morning air slammed into him like an angry bull. He could have sworn if he hadn't had proper footing he would have fell over. He straightened up and took a long, deep breath of the morning air. He was much more of a morning elf than his mother who seemed to like the night. He couldn't help but wonder how much of that was because of her trouble-making ways.

He listened to every little sound, elves conversing with each other about the big ceremony that was to happen today, the birds chirping, shouting, dogs barking, everything. This was the sound he had grown used to, and it always meant one thing: a peaceful morning. Whenever it had gotten quiet, that was when you knew something wasn't quite right. As when silence took over, so too did chaos. Usually. Humans didn't make their phrases tell lies, he was certain of that. 'The calm before the storm' was nearly always correct in Denerim.

He walked through the Alienage, passing the tree that was right in the center of it. He tried avoiding everyone the best he could as he didn't want to get distracted. Mainly because he knew if he did get distracted, well, for starters he wouldn't find Soris. Another reason being he would make sure he stayed distracted until at least the next day.

After a few more minutes, he stumbled across Soris who was rather close to the Alienage's exit. Darrian smiled, walking up to his cousin and crossing his arms, "Are you trying to sneak away and escape your inevitable doom too, cousin?" He asked.

Soris laughed and shook his head, "Yeah, don't we both wish it were that easy. You and I both know that we would get hunted down and brought back here to face more than just Cyrion and Shianni's wrath. We'd have our brides to deal with as well."

"Right. Soris, if I wanted any more nightmares about this I would have told you." Darrian said with a nervous chuckle.

The reddish-brown haired elf laughed, "Oh but that'd be too easy. Well, I was told our brides are here. We may as well meet them for the first time and spend a few hours with them. C'mon." Soris said with a sigh before taking the lead, Darrian reluctantly following behind him.

And so they had spent the next few hours with their brides to be. It was nerve-racking at first, but as time went on it became more and more relaxed. They finished eating and walked, eventually stopping rather close to the large tree in the center of the Alienage.

"Well, we'd better let them finish getting ready, Cousin." Soris said with a chuckle before doing a final conversation with his bride.

Darrian chuckled lightly before nodding at his soon-to-be, Nesiara. "Well, I had fun today." She said in her quiet, calm, and soft voice.

He smiled, "Yeah, I did too. And the fun is only just beginning." His words were delivered softly, but void of any clear emotion.

It was true, everything about this girl was beautiful. Her appearance, her personality, her voice… but it lacked something. He shook his head subtly and the thoughts with it. No, Darrian. You are not going there more than four times in one day. It's not normal. It's sick. He thought quietly to himself before getting pulled around from his thoughts by Soris.

"Alright, come on. Let her get read-" He said with a chuckle before he went dead serious. "Cousin…" He whispered. "Vaughan and his lot are here."

He heard the human and his crew walk up from behind him, their women in his sights. "Well it's a party, right? Grab a whore and let's have a good time." The man said, clearly thinking he was high and mighty.

"Enjoy the hunt boys, I fancy that pretty little elvish lass over there." Vaughan said with a chuckle, pointing directly at Shianni.

"Touch me and I'll gut you, you pig!" Shianni warned the man.

"Oh hoh, I see she has a fire to her… you'll be a fun one to tame." Vaughan said, the tone of his voice mixed with his promise made all of the elves sick.

Darrian had enough of the perverse man and turned around, both he and Soris approached the so called 'nobility' of Ferelden. This caught Vaughan's attention, and he laughed as he too approached the two elves. He had the look of most 'lords' of the land. Fine clothes, no doubt so expensive they probably could buy the Alienage. His presence was most sickening to Darrian, and he knew exactly why. The man was a rapist, the son of an Arl, but still a rapist. That wasn't even the worse part of it all. He was a sadistic man, inside or out of his perverted deeds. Being perverse and sadistic never mixed well.

"Ah! The two grooms have come to greet me personally." He said with a clap of his hands whilst Darrian saw Shianni retreat to grab something.

Darrian growled, "You think you are welcomed here? Get out of here."

The man laughed, about to say something, but before he could get a word out Shianni smashed his head with the bottle she had recovered from a nearby table. The pathetic man dropped like a sack of bricks, making Darrian laugh. It never ceased to amaze him how these so called strong, noble, and royal men were weaker than a child. A newborn baby, even.

"Do you have any idea what you just did? You assaulted the Arl's son! We'll be back, bitch." One of Vaughan's friends said before picking the unconscious man up.

With regret in her voice, Shianni put her hands up to her lips as if trying to shush herself. "O-Oh dear… What did I just do?"

As the man tried to walk away, he was immediately caught by Darrian who looked furious. "Would you call your mother a bitch? Do not answer that, human, for I know you would. If you come in here again and assault - let alone insult one of our women, you will not be pleased with the outcome." He warned with his voice thick with hatred.

Darrian then let the human go, he had given his warning and hoped that the man had received it. If he hadn't, there could possibly be bloodshed. He never liked humans and their 'high and mighty' ways, but he always gave an opponent with a conscience one warning before getting violent. Despite the fact he had given the humans of Denerim multiple warnings due to not wanting any troubles to befall the Alienage. Though his patience, anger, and justice-seeking nature could only survive so much, for so long.

Deep down, both he and Soris knew they would be back. Whether that same day or the next, a son of wealth and power would always seek blood. Even for the most petty of offense. Alas, he would do what he must. Justice would be served. It would be swift, and brutal, and without a care should it invoke the humans' wrath. Their own twisted view of 'justice.'

The young elf walked over to speak to Shianni before he was busy for the rest of the day. Doing married things. Maker, he was really getting married, wasn't he?

Hours of uneventful conversation was what followed the incident with Vaughan. The only thing of note was some Grey Warden named Duncan arriving, however since he was a friend of the Hahren, Darrian and Soris let him be. If this is what weddings were like, Darrian didn't see the sense in it. He was no doubt alone in the world when it came to thoughts like these. In fact, he began doubting the emotion that was 'love' altogether. What did it ever do for anyone? Love was something he knew he had for people, but on closer inspection he had to wonder what and why it was he loved them. He watched over them. He protected them. He cared for them. However, he was not a foolish when it came to the fact he knew they were a weakness for him.

So there they were, gathered on the small wooden platform where they were to be married. A Mother of the Chantry, a beautiful one at that, was there and the Hahren began speaking the words prior to the ceremony. Just as the Mother had begun to wed them, Darrian and Soris immediately spotted Vaughan, along with his friends and nine of Denerim's guards walk around the corner. Darrian growled as he clenched his fists, his anger building, but before he knew it the bastard had one of the guards punch him in the face. Something he normally would have been able to take, but between the unexpected force of the punch and the metal gauntlet the guard wore, he was knocked out cold. The last thing he remembered was a bright light before darkness.

He awoke in the same place he was when he received the bloody nose. Several elves were gathered around him, hoping and praying that he was okay. He growled, rising to his feet. He watched as everyone backed away from him. They knew what he was like when he was enraged.

"Where are the women?" He asked in a growl, Soris replied shortly after with a nervous tone of voice.

"Uh, Vaughan has taken them up to his family's estate, to… uhm… yeah." The middle cousin out of three said, scratching the back of his neck.

Darrian nodded before marching to the Hahren who was discussing something with the Grey Warden. Soris reluctantly followed him. From what he knew, the Wardens were a noble bunch. Where they were, justice and all that is light followed. At least if they involved themselves into the affairs of the area they were in.

"Ah, I see you have awoken and are okay. I am pleased to see this good news, my boy." The Hahren said with a small smile.

Duncan nodded, "Indeed. I am sorry for what has happened here today."

The Warden Commander had caught Darrian's gaze. "Truly?" He asked, "If so, then you will give me weapons to get our women back."

Duncan chuckled, "Even if I were to do that, I do not see the guards letting an armed elf into the Arl's estate. Such a thing would obviously not mean well."

An elvish servant approached and in a small, submissive voice he spoke. "I… I could get you and maybe one other into the estate. There's a back way into it, the servant's entrance. I'm sure they would think nothing of two other servants going to work."

Darrian nodded, he liked the idea. It helped them maintain the element of surprise. Duncan stroked his beard, as if consulting it for it's opinion before nodding.

"Yes, indeed that would be a good plan. Here, you will need these." The Warden said with a smile, giving the two elves weapons. Darrian got a longsword, whilst Soris was given the bow. "A man should be able to properly defend his loved ones. Good luck." Duncan said before Soris and Darrian followed the servant. They had no time to waste.

They stopped at the exit to the Alienage, and Soris looked to Darrian. "Are you sure this is a good idea? We could get killed." He asked with a soft tone of voice.

Darrian nodded with his stance looking strong like a warrior's, "A true man does not stand by whilst his women are raped and beaten. Not to mention our Shianni is in there, Soris. Come with me, or give me your bow and stay."

The brown haired elf sighed, "Alright. I don't like it, but I will watch your back in there."

Darrian smiled, "Good man. No one likes to possibly go into their deaths, but sometimes it is necessary. Alright, friend. Lead the way. Soris, you watch our backs." He said like a leader of men.

Duncan watched on with the Hahren. And so my potential recruits march on… He thought quietly to himself, crossing his arms as the three elves departed from the Alienage on a most righteous quest.

The three elves reached the Arl's estate after a fairly long walk with Darrian and Soris arguing about what they were about to do. Darrian wanted to end the lives of the humans that harmed their women. Soris, on the other hand, wanted to just secure the women and get out with as little bloodshed as possible. As always, though, the eldest of the two would get their wish. The walls of the Arl's estate would be painted red with human blood, and anything else foolish enough to get in Darrian's way.

As they entered through the small gate, they were immediately charged by a mabari war hound. Unfortunately, it was no match for Darrian's quick reaction time and knowledge of how to kill. His blade stabbed through the dog's head, killing it nearly in an instant, before he ripped it out and looked around. Thankfully no one had heard the growling.

"We're lucky that dog didn't alert others. Or else we'd be in a world of pain." Soris said with a disappointed tone.

Darrian shook his head, "Shut up, Soris. We're here to get the women, kill those humans, and get out. We've no time to do your little game of "or elses." Understood?" The long haired elf said before marching down the left path of the estate.

Before he turned to the right with the walkway, a guard marched around the corner accompanied by a mabari. "Oi! You lot, what are you doing here? The estate is off-" The man said loudly before spotting the weapons Darrian and Soris were carrying.

He blocked Darrian's leaping attack with his sword, sending the elf stumbling back. Soris, however, shot the mabari that was accompanying him with the bow Duncan had provided him with. Luckily the shot was in the head, effectively killing the dog bred for war. Soris looked around, there wasn't much he could do to help his cousin out in fighting the guard. That alone made him sad as he saw Darrian losing the fight against the skilled guard.

However, Darrian didn't need his help. It was all a part of his battle strategy. The man had a good defense, but if there was one thing he knew about humans, it was that they got careless if they seemed to be getting the upper hand. As Darrian continued stepping back, seemingly getting beaten by the man's powerful blows, the guard decided to daze him with a bash of his shield. Just as he was about to run Darrian through with his blade, the blonde elf took the opportunity and chopped his head off. The fool had lowered his shield just low enough for such an attack to work.

With his arms and chest covered in the blood that spurted from the dead guard's neck, he stepped over the corpse and looked down the rest of the path. Seeing it was clear, he motioned for Soris and the elf servant to continue on with him. If that was the best the humans could throw at them, this would be easy. Darrian knew better. Anything he could bring to the table, the humans could bring that and plenty more. Never underestimate your opponent, but never overestimate them either. He thought quietly to himself. He did neither of these things, he knew the fact that they could kill him and his cousin easily. They had manpower and discipline on their side. They had leaders, strategy on their side. Darrian, well he just improvised if a battle was not going his way.

They made their way through a small pumpkin patch, only encountering two more mabari and one more guard. They dispatched them quickly, Darrian managing to get more human blood on himself. At least they were doing something useful for once, fertilizing the ground with their blood. Whether that'd nurture nature however was debatable. Their blood was filled with corruption.

They made it to the side entrance, that led to a small room and then the kitchen. "This is as far as I can take you. I wish you luck. Make them pay and get our women back." The elvish servant said before quickly taking off back down the same path they had came from.

"Well, cousin, you ready for this?" Soris asked Darrian.

The eldest simply grinned wickedly, taking a dagger he had recovered from one of the guards he had slaughtered, tossing it in the air playfully. He caught it by the blade and winked at Soris, "When am I not ready?" He asked before kicking open the door.

This alerted the guard that was asleep on his post, unfortunately for him, Darrian tossed the dagger and it planted itself deep within the man's forehead. "That was… ruthless, cousin." Soris commented as the clang of the armored man's corpse falling to the floor was heard.

"So was taking our wives and Shianni." Darrian growled before marching to the next door, giving it the same treatment and kicking it open.

An elf and human chef spun around, the human man marching right up to Darrian. "Who do you think you are, barging in here like that, elf?!" The elderly man demanded to know.

Darrian growled coldly, "Do not think you are better than me, human scum." He said before running the innocent man through with his sword. He had no time for humans.

He twisted the blade, hearing the quiet squeal of agony the chef let out. It was like music to Darrian's ears. He ripped the blade out of the man's gut, letting him fall to the ground to die in his own pool of blood.

"Cousin! Did you have to do that?!" Soris exclaimed, shocked and disgusted by Darrian's actions.

"Yes. He was a human, and he got in my way. I will no longer bow to humans. Now, go home or let's get moving." Darrian growled before he watched the elf servant slowly walk out.

"You've no idea how long that shem has had that coming. Good luck in there, Vaughan has taken your women to his back room." The servant said before getting out of the estate.

Darrian sighed, so it was true. They had little time to waste, then. He opened the next door calmly, seeing that it led to a dining hall where five off-duty guards were eating their dinner. With a rage that rivaled the Dwarvish berserkers, Darrian closed in on them with a fire and lust for human blood in his eyes. Soris simply watched his cousin slaughter the surprised men one by one. The sight made him sad, as he knew his cousin was falling into darkness.

Once Darrian was finished with them, they made their way through the halls of the Arl's estate. They really only encountered small patrols, ranging from one man to four. They entered the room just before Vaughan's, which was filled with five men crowding around a dead corpse. One of them killed an elvish girl, she looked familiar but Darrian couldn't place her.

"Great, we should have kept that wench alive. Now look at her? A waste of a good fuck." One of the guards said with a sigh.

"How picky are you? Her body is still warm enough, get it before it's cold!" Another said.

"Nola!" Soris said loudly, catching the attention of all of the guards.

"Ah lookie here, boys! More elves to slaughter!" Their leader said before they all drew their weapons and rushed towards the two young elves.

Darrian and Soris were dripping in blood of their vanquished foes. These lot did not stand a chance. Soris had gotten used to loading and firing his bow. So used to it, that he could just fire in rapid succession whilst Darrian took on the leader. This was good organization as the four were nothing compared to their leader, who Darrian knew had seen countless of battles.

Darrian slid his blade around the human's, successfully cutting off the hands of the man. This caused him to scream in agony as he backed up against the door that led into Vaughan's quarters.

"P-Please don't kill me!" The man begged.

Darrian shook his head, "I bet she said the same thing. I will now give you the same treatment you gave her. Death." He growled before driving his sword through the man's throat, kicking him off of his blade immediately after.

Doing that send the door flying open and the man falling inside, gurgling on his own warm blood. Darrian and Soris stepped in, and immediately they saw Vaughan and his friends around Shianni who looked sick, wounded, and defiled. She was on the ground, holding her gut.

"Well, look who decided to show up." Vaughan said, turning from Shianni and approaching Darrian.

"We'll get 'em Vaughan." One of his friends said before the Arl's son shushed the pampered noble.

"Quiet, fool. They're covered in enough blood to fill a tub. Look, friend, you know what killing me will do. It will bring unimaginable suffering upon your people. However, we can be civilized and come to an agreement, I hope. Me and my friends just want fun, how about I pay you forty gold for your troubles and send you on your way?" He asked, causing Darrian to growl.

"No." Darrian said before he suddenly swung his sword, cutting Vaughan's head free from his shoulders.

"Vaughan!" One of the other humans said, rushing at Darrian with his blade.

They were all pathetic. Merely political creatures. Their mastery of weapons was less than pathetic, ultimately earning them their swift deaths given by Soris and Darrian. After all they had been through, they learned that these would-be men were nothing more than children. Cut down like wheat to a scythe.

"Soris, you go look for the others. I'll attend to Shianni." Darrian ordered, and his cousin did as he was told.

The eldest of all of the elves in the estate walked up to his cousin who was whimpering. He crouched behind her, slowly taking her in his arms. Something many would not want as he was covered in blood, but she didn't seem to care. She turned so she could bury her face in his chest as she wept.

"T-They…" She whimpered, muffled by his clothed chest.

"Shh, it's alright… I'm here now. Every single one of those humans who harmed you are dead." Darrian said, trying to comfort her.

"Good… good…" She said sadly, though he could hear the relief in her voice.

He did not need to ask her what they had done to her, the evidence was all around him. He growled lowly, keeping her in his arms, watching as Soris and the two brides approached him and Shianni. He felt his youngest cousin pull on his shirt's sleeve and looked down to meet her gaze.

"Home… T-Take me home… I want to go home…" She wept before burying her face in his chest again.

Darrian nodded slowly and picked her up as he got to his feet. "Thank you for saving us." Nesiara said softly.

In the short time they had gotten to know each other before the wedding, Darrian found he actually liked his wife-to-be. She was a quiet, calm, sweet and intelligent elf. Darrian smiled lightly as he nodded.

"You should thank Soris, he was the hero behind the plan. Told fearful old me to keep going, that we couldn't let our women be abused by men without having the men punished." Darrian said, winking at Soris before taking the lead.

"Err… right. Well I'll watch our backs." Soris said, having the girls walk in between Darrian and himself. He wondered why his cousin made himself sound like a coward, when really it was the other way around.

The walk back to the Alienage was a quiet one, and eventually Shianni got up onto her own two feet so she could walk to Darrian and Cyrion's house. The two cousins were stopped by Duncan and the Hahren. Both had a serious look on their faces. Both Soris and Darrian handed Duncan his weapons, Darrian more reluctantly than Soris.

"How fared your quest?" Duncan asked, amused by their success as he reclaimed his weapons.

Darrian nodded and sighed, "The Arl's son is dead, along with multiple guards. Unfortunately… Nola did not survive. The savages cut her down and when we arrived were about to… I'll spare you the details." The young elvish man said, his voice displaying his disgust.

"I… see. I will inform Tormey of the death of his daughter. However, killing the Arl's son is a very-" The Hahren began to say before the guard Captain and nine other guards marched into the Alienage.

"Alright, I will not coat this with sugar. Which one of you filth killed the Arl's son and countless men of the Denerim guard?" The man with a red goatee demanded to know, staring directly at the elf whom he recognized. "Was it the Alienage's local troublemaker, Hahren?" He asked.

"As a matter of fact, shemlen, it was me. I alone killed that swine, and every single filthy… fat, want-to-be soldier that defended him." Darrian growled, and as he approached the guard Captain all the guards but the Captain himself drew their swords.

The man laughed, "You expect me to believe a lone elf killed all of those men, and the Arl's son?" He asked.

"Not all of us are so defenseless as we seem." The Hahren replied.

"Regardless, that was too quick for any one person to achieve." The Captain said with a sigh and roll of his eyes.

"Emma shem'nan. Ma emma harel." Darrian growled.

"Speak Common you foolish little boy." The man sighed in response before shaking his head. "Never mind, it matters not. You say you did it, then you will hang."

Duncan then stepped up and put his hand on Darrian's shoulder. "If I may, Captain, it is my right as the Warden Commander of Ferelden to conscript those I see fit to become Grey Wardens. More of us are needed if we are to stop the Darkspawn horde rising in the south."

The Captain groaned before nodding. "Very well, Warden. Just make sure he leaves my city by nightfall."

"It will be done." Duncan said, bowing his head as the guards sheathed their weapons and walked out of the Alienage.

Darrian turned to face Duncan, whom nodded at him calmly. "You'd best go say your goodbyes. We leave for Highever immediately." He told the young elf.

"As you say." Darrian said before walking away from them, getting stopped by Soris who remained at his side.

"Don't think I didn't notice what you did. You are a hero, cousin, and I thank you. Please, whenever you can, come visit Valora and I." He said with a small smile, though in truth he was sad his eldest cousin was leaving. Darrian was a mentor to Soris.

Darrian grinned, "Of course, cousin. I'll keep in touch. Watch for the raven that will arrive at my doorstep on the first and last days of each month." He said before walking to the small building that had been his home all of his life.

Everyone seemed quiet, the entire Alienage felt as if it had vanished. Though this wasn't the case as he could see several elves moving about. Occasionally, one would stop and either call him a fool, or a hero, which he knew he was neither. He slowly approached his house, where he saw his father standing and waiting for him.

The aging man sighed, "If this is what the Maker has planned for you, my dear boy, then so be it. Know that your mother and I will always be there for you. And know that you have made both of us proud." He said softly, walking up to his son and hugging him.

"I don't want to go, father…" Darrian said, hugging him back. For an elf like Darrian, tears were rare. Yet he felt them pressing against his eyes, threatening to spill over and down his face.

"Of that I have no doubt, but there is nothing anyone can do about that. You may return one day, or you may not. I do not know. Though there is one thing I know, the Grey Wardens are heroes, my son. They protect us all, and they have conscripted you into their ranks. You should feel as honored as I do, if not more. I am able to call my son a Grey Warden. A hero. You know, they tried to recruit your mother once, but she declined their offer. She wanted to raise you with me." He said, his voice growing shaky. "Now, go say farewell to Nesiara and Shianni. They await you inside. Go, before it gets any harder on either of us." He said.

As Darrian pulled away and went to open the door, Cyrion stopped him again. "Oh, and my son. Take this, it's an amulet of your mother's." He said, handing Darrian a necklace held together by a silver chain. A bright green emerald was encased in the center of a decorated silver pendant.

"Thank you, father." Darrian said, swallowing hard before entering the house where he found Valora standing there. Waiting for him, or so he assumed

"Hello Darrian! Nesiara, your betrothed is here!" She called back to where his room was.

"I'll be just a minute!" The soft voice of Nesiara called back.

Valora turned back to Darrian and smiled, "You should visit us whenever you can. Nesiara and I are thinking about opening up our own shop. If you ever find yourself in Denerim, come and visit us! And thank you… for me, for Soris, for everything. I'll never be able to repay you." She said happily as Nesiara approached. "Well, I'll leave you two alone." She finished with a smile before walking out of the house.

"Thank you, Valora." Nesiara said, turning to Darrian. "Well, what happens now? Your father says you are to become a Grey Warden… you're leaving, aren't you?" She asked sadly, the look on her face was worse than a sword to Darrian's heart.

He nodded, "Nesiara… I'm sorry. But I'll come back for you, I promise." He said softly, approaching her and taking her hands in his own.

"No, you won't." She groaned, pulling her hands away from his own with a sigh. "Grey Wardens can't have wives or families. I guess we'll never know what might have been. Your… friend is waiting for you." She sighed before walking to meet up with Valora. "Be safe out there."

He turned the corner and entered his room where Shianni was standing in a fresh change of clothes. She was smiling as he approached. He was her hero, no, her living spirit of justice. Her guardian. Her Darrian.

"You took all of the responsibility for what happened. You're amazing, you know that?" She asked with an adoring smile on her face.

"How are you holding up?" He asked her softly.

She smiled, "I'm okay, thanks to you. I've just been putting on a tough face so people don't coddle me like I'm a child. As far as they know, I just got knocked around a bit." Shianni informed him before sighing sadly. "I'll miss you cousin… you know that, right? It'll be lonely around here without you."

"I'll miss you too, Shianni. As I told Soris, I will send word every first and last day of each month if I can. If I find myself in Denerim, you know I'll stop by and say hello." He said softly before pulling her into an embrace.

"I love you… please be safe out there. Okay?" She said softly into his neck.

He groaned before nodding, "I love you too. As for being safe, well…" He said, pulling away from her and giving her a grin accompanied by a wink. "You know me. Stay safe as well Shianni."

With that said, he hugged her one last time before pulling away and walking outside. He sighed heavily, looking around at the Alienage that was his home before walking towards the exit where Duncan was waiting for him. He had saved Shianni and the women, though criticized himself for not being fast enough to save Nola. He killed that bastard son of the Arl so he could no longer harm the women of the city, and in return got sentenced to death. However, this was stopped by Duncan, The Warden Commander, by invoking the Rite of Conscription upon Darrian, taking him under his wing as a Grey Warden.

Now they were to set off to Highever, where they would observe Ser Gilmore, though Duncan told him that he was really there to observe not just him, but the two children of Teyrn Cousland. Aedan and Elissa. Whilst he did not like leaving all he had known behind, Darrian knew it was to serve justice to all of the unjust. The Grey Wardens kept the tainted Darkspawn at bay, and where they walked, the Corruption that was present always seemed to be vanquished. He just hoped Soris, Nesiara, Valora, and most definitely Shianni would be safe without him. Along with everyone else in the Alienage. However, there was little he could do. His destiny lied with Duncan and the Grey Wardens. A destiny of war and blood, and most important to him. Justice.

Author's Note: Hey pretties, sorry this chapter took longer than the others. I have been busy as of late. Do not worry, I will try and post more frequently, but if I can't, I shall inform you of my plans. I hope you all like Darrian, as he is probably one of my most... not young, but mold-able characters I have made so far. Next chapter shall be the Mages, Daylen and Neria.

In other news, I hope you guys had a great month! See you in the next chapter! -Saren