Denerim was hit hard, it was in a total state of chaos the dead littered the streets – human, elf and darkspawn, buildings crumble under the weight of the attack, and fires that scattered about the city lit it with an unholy glow. The smell of rotted flesh and blood coved every nook and cranny of the Blight torn city. Deedolett and her group fought during most of the morning, but the darkspawn still came, tired and weary they fought until a path was clear from the front gates.

Leliana slumped against a partly crumbled wall, that was still intact,

"I am tired, so very tired." She took a thankful drink from her water skin passing it to Zevran who sat next to her, also drinking heavily of the skin.

"Yes - we must rest, the soldiers - seemed to clear a path - we should be safe for now." Zevran said between swallows.

Deedolett was feeling dizzy from all the lyrium she drank from the morning's battle and she laid a tired head on Leliana's lap. Wynne was assessing everyone's state, minor cuts and bumps, nothing major that needed serious attending to.

Alistair sat with his back to a burnt wall looking amongst his comrades, as they were all exhausted. It was evident the city was going to need serious repair if they survived he looked over to Deedolett as she rested. He regretted his actions during the Landsmeet and hoped that soon she would allow him to apologize for his hasty actions – should they survive the night.

Shale was standing guard along with Sten, who for once took a knee to rest. Morrigan was resting close to Deedolett and Oghren leaned on Tengu – the faithful mabari while cleaning his axe.

Deedolett shifted from her spot on Leliana's lap, "We move in an hour, it should provide enough time for us to recover. We have to push to the Fort, Riordan is counting on us." As she rubbed her head willing the spinning to stop, all murmured their agreement.

They eat light and drank light for the hour they rested, Deedolett, Leliana, Wynne and Alistair started to pray for a miracle as they desperately needed, they pressed forward towards the defeat of both Hurlock Generals then…. to Fort Drakon.

~O~O~O~O~O~

Re-gathering supplies from various parts of their old homes, the two High elves made way to the High elf city of Felwithe and the Wood elves Kelethin, Lili'Enyel headed to Surefall Glade - also making sure they each had harness for their steeds, the quintet was ready to leave.

"We are all set, yes?" The high elf woman spoke as she draped the hood of her cloak over her long platinum hair.

The others followed suite as Xellexes summoned a column of lightning that surrounded the newly formed gate spell that awaited entry - the gate started to glow and shift. It emanated a purple and blackish aura, and in the center of the spell was the tower that they sought, memorizing the new gate spell – Tenkou, Xellexes and the Lady scribed it into their books.

The female High elf cast levitation on the others and finally herself, with a few more cast of various shielding, sight and mana - with a nod they stepped through the portal one by one. The portal closed behind them with a brilliant flash of blue-lavender light.

They found themselves sometime later hovering over a lake looking around briefly, they saw that it was night and pitch black out, and they walked to the land where the tower stood.

~O~O~O~O~O~

The Circle of Magi was a little more quiet - more so now that most of the magi where off headway to Denerim to stop the Blight. Cullen was asleep in his quarters, he was tossing and turning he woke with a start.

"Not again." He muttered to himself as he wiped the sweat from his brow, it was the same dream he kept having after Deedo came and saved the tower from Uldred's attack. He kept reliving the hate and anger he felt and kept seeing the look of hurt in her eyes, for she didn't know what he had endured nor for how long.

All Cullen wished is that she return safe and he can apologize properly, he reached over and took out the wooden box she gave to him before she left the tower. He lifted the lid still fascinated by the trinkets inside, ten pieces of a slivery metal coin, a few folded pieces of parchment, with several gems and some assorted jewelry.

He pulled one of the three necklaces out, a perfect rose colored stone the chain it was attached to was quite a sight, it was a very light translucent metal. Something which the likes had never seen before, he slipped it around his neck Cullen felt more relieved as he wore it, a sense of peace. Cullen had thought it a little piece of her with him.

He went to close the lid, and from the corner of his eye a bright flash of light shown and dimmed. Walking over to the window, he saw in the center of the lake a second light, then a third fourth and finally a fifth. Cullen blinked as the light subsided there were five figures standing in the middle of the lake.

Fearing the worst he quickly dressed and ran to Knight Commander Greagoir office. As he passed several of his brothers, he skidded to a stop in front of the office and with a hasty knock walked in not waiting a response.

Greagoir sat behind his desk going over paperwork he looked up to see Cullen sweating and flushed, "What is it, I am busy and really do not have time…"

Cullen cut him off without trying to sound too harsh, "The lake….five people…hovering over the lake…they are coming this way!" he said breathing heavy through his nose.

Greagoir rose from is desk, another knock on his door halted the Knight Commanders thoughts about Cullen's sudden interruption.

"Enter." He said rather harshly.

Ser Coal entered the room, "There are…persons here wishing to speak to the…" He paused as to choose his words wisely.

"What is it Coal, speak to the… who?" Visibly aggravated Greagoir crossed his arms over his chest.

Ser Coal took a deep breath, "The Paladin guild-master." He said finally.

A confused look showed on the older man's face, "Both of you come with me, no better yet, Coal go gather some of the other templars, Cullen come with me." As he came around his desk, leading the way to the Towers' main doors with Cullen on his heel.

~O~O~O~O~O~

Atop Fort Drakon, the Archdemon waited with its darkspawn snapping, snarling and growling cutting down soldiers, who made the attempt to lessen the burden that was to face their King and Warden Deedolett. Arl Eamon was there as well as First Enchanter Irving and Dwarven Legion of the Dead, Kardol – who kept his word. So many people she came across for this moment stood by her side, her friends the army she helped gather stood in the face of the beast.

Murmured prayers came from several as they charged forth, battle cries came from all directions, bodies lay everywhere - it was going to be a very, very long night.

BOOM… was the sound from the dragon made as it came crashing to the ground to land on top of Deedolett; Alistair tackled her to the ground covering her head before he rose to continue his onslaught.

The Elf Magi scrambled out of the path of the darkspawn she crashed into after being tackled, tripping them she grinned then groaned holding her side, she sent a mind blast then summoned a cone of cold to freeze the Maker-less sods as they shortly become crushed into thousands of pieces by her charging Mabari.

The beast spewed a hellish flame of black and purple, it called raining fire to keep itself alive. Morrigan and Deedolett froze it in place as it tried to flee to the air. The others were killing darkspawn at various points on the roof of the Fort, Wynne and several other Magi concentrated on healing. As spells flew from all directions, soon darkspawn numbers dwindled and the Archdemon was alone focusing attacks upon the monster Deedolett took to the ballista that could surely concentrate more damage.

"Morrigan, Wynne freeze it!" she shouted as she ran leaping over bodies to the ballista, "Sten come help me!" she shouted to the Warrior. He moved the ballista towards the dragons' chest. "Do not stop firing, we have to weaken it." She was hoarse and tired.

She moved in closer to cast her blizzard to keep the thing still. "Slow it down!" she croaked, Leliana aimed for it wings to tear the skin so it would not try to take wing. Zevran pierced the back of its legs applying poisons to weaken it more; he was knocked out of the way by a kick Zevran slid laying unconscious with daggers in hand.

Oghren hacked at the hind legs causing a decent amount of damage as well.

THWANG the sound of the ballista as it shot though the air shredding the demons left wing. The Archdemon let out a piercing roar as started to thrash about. Wynne was close to Zevran when he went down as she was already tending to his wounds if any.

THWANG another cut into the spine of dragon, it was weakened enough; it was staggering head hanging low as it swayed from the pain.

Alistair saw his moment, he and Shale were moving the injured out of the fray as fast as they could, it was now or never he headed for a long sword that was going to end the miserable demons life once and for all, Deedolett seeing this took off from the other direction. They reached the sword at the same time, each with a hand on the hilt.

Alistair covered in blood yanked the sword from the Magi "No, I refuse to let you do this I saw the look in your eye, I must do this." he shouted shaking his head.

Deedolett put little distance between them, raised her hand to his cheek, and paralyzed him where he stood. "I do care." She said as she took the sword from his hand before the spell set in.

Gripping the sword with a hand tightly around the hilt, she ran dragging the sword as it created sparks along the stone roof, she summoned a grease spell between her and the dragon, she slid griping the sword with her other hand sliced through the chest and stomach spilling the contents on the stone below.

With another eardrum, shattering roar the dragon raised upon its hind legs and with a bolt of lightning aimed at its exposed back it fell with a sickening thud as it lay twitching trying to lift its ugly head. Deedolett circled to the front of the beast she spit in its eye, raised the sword high above her head, and impaled the horde leader in the skull, twisting for good measure – insuring its demise.

Thunder sounded the sky lit briefly, then a sudden column of light pierced through the clouds striking where the Archdemon lay dead, catching the elf unaware in the process. Incased in the light she could not move she felt as her body was on fire, she screamed an ear-piercing shriek as her body convulsed.

Losing concentration on the spell shortly after being hit, Alistair and a few other companions went to try to free her, she continued to scream, she raised slightly off the ground her head thrown back, and the violent screaming that uttered from her mouth hurt those who looked on.

With each pulse of light her screams grew more agonizing and without warning a shockwave threw the living and dead about like rag dolls, the reverb nauseated several when they came to shortly after. The group sat up slowly some holding their heads other their stomachs. It seemed that everyone was well – well enough- as they examined the situation.

The Archdemon lay dead charred slightly but dead, Shale was helping Wynne and Zevran to stand, Leliana check on the Arl and First Enchanter. Oghren kicked the demons tail for good measure, Alistair ran to the dead heap of dragon looking for Deedo, swinging around spotted her, she was unconscious laying in Sten's arms,

"No…. No." he shook his head as he approached Sten, Sten just looked at the still form of the girl in his arms and just stared.

Alistair put his hand to her forehead, she was cold he felt no pulse, "WYNNE!" he shouted panic-stricken. "WYNNE!"

The senior magi came as quickly as she could, "Sten lower her gently." The Qunari did as instructed and Wynne began to work her magic, assessing is she was in fact in a hyper-induced coma… or worse.

The others gathered around watching helplessly as the healer waved her hands over their leader. First Enchanter Irving watched in horror as she lay. Several minutes had passed Leliana was in tears as she watched on dropping on her knees, trying to will her friend to consciousness. Zevran placed a hand on Alistair's shoulder as the two watched the lady they love lay motionless.

Wynne grew weary and ceased her casting; she wiped her brow then placed a hand on Deedolett's forehead. "She will be fine, but she will not wake anytime soon."

"Sten please carry her back to the palace. We have done well." Alistair called for the soldiers who could walk and stand to start moving the others; tomorrow they will start the rebuilding and cleanup process.