Chapter 70) Crowning of a King

Aiden POV


Normally, elves wouldn't be allowed to be so close. But, really, I was only this close by accident. I'd had to run an errand and could not get out of the crowd in time. So, instead, I had one of the best views of King Cailan's coronation.

I didn't really pay attention. He walked up some stairs, the Grand Cleric said some words, and then a crown was put on his head. It seemed so simple, but this was the start of a new chapter in Fereldan's history, and the closing of another.

I really needed to get out of here before someone saw me.


We arrived in Ostagar and before we could even bullshit something with the throne, we were all but captured and shoved into some sideroom in the Assembly room to be the deciding vote. Well, by 'we', I meant Cleon, Oghren, and me. Because the others showed 'preference'. Meaning this is all because we took the neutral route. Damn it, I chose to do that so that we didn't get involved!

I groaned again, glaring at the crown. The whole point of going into the Deep Roads had been to get a paragon to be the deciding vote. Yet here we were. Being the deciding vote. Son of a tied down bitch, we didn't even have to go into the Deep Roads. Though, it did end up being good for Shale, so I couldn't say it was all bad…

"So, Cleon," Oghren began. I brought my hands up automatically to translate for him, waving to make sure Cleon was looking at me. Instead of, you know, napping in the corner like a smart person like he had been. "I heard you became deaf after an attack." Cleon nodded, eyes narrowed slightly. "Then why don't you still talk?" I made the signs, and then processed what he said. Uh…

"…I… can still… talk…" Cleon replied, verbally. Even though it was slow, and I could tell he was doing his best, it still was hard to understand him. The words sounded flat, and almost mush. "But it is harder to understand me, since I cannot hear myself to adapt my voice."

"…On the way back from the Brecilian Forest, none of us could figure out what he was saying," I explained, signing for Cleon. He nodded and settled back into his corner. I remember how frustrated he had been, and how much it had hurt. "Finally, Lady Elspeth got out a pen and paper from her pack. That way we could know what it was he was trying to say. Good thing too, because he was warning us that we were walking off a damn cliff." Cleon grinned, and I saw him relax.

"So, he just chose to be quiet," Oghren summarized. He nodded. "Been wondering. Took forever for some warriors who lost their hearing to get used to not talking, and it hasn't been all that long for you." Cleon and I exchanged a look. It might not have been on a calendar, but it felt much longer. I swear that I had aged ten years, at least, in… however long it had actually been. "So. King." Right, right… we couldn't delay forever.

'You do it,' Cleon signed. I translated for him. 'Aiden and I know shit about either.'

"As if they'll trust the decision of a drunk berserker that they threw to the side when the training they all praised came to the forefront at an inconvenient time." Oghren rolled his eyes. "Look, I'll give you a summary of both, and you can pick from there." I sighed and nodded. Cleon sat up a little straighter. "So, Harrowmont. Nice guy, more or less. If, you know, you're not casteless." I see. "Traditionalist, so he'll keep the status quo." Cleon and I exchanged a look. That matched the bits of rumors we heard before. "Now Bhelen… you hear the rumors. Killed his brother, framed his sister, killed his father. He's ambitious, ruthless, pragmatic. But he's also a revolutionary. Got big plans, like letting the casteless officially take up arms, more trade with the surface, that sort of thing."

"So, the moral traditionalist or the ruthless revolutionary are our choices." I sighed, and glanced at Cleon again. He had his eyes closed, though, so I knew he was just thinking. "I'm guessing relatives of the rivals will die?"

"Harrowmont might not do that, but Bhelen definitely will." Great… "But… ah… no, never mind."

Cleon waved to catch my attention and I turned to him. 'Orzammar is going to die if it keeps to its ways,' he signed. I sighed and nodded. I agreed. I didn't like it, but I agreed. 'I don't like how the surface ignores the plight they face anyway, but if they keep isolated, any attempts to help…' He threw up his hands and shrugged. I could fill in the rest.

"Then we go with Bhelen." And condemn the family of Harrowmont just because he lost the fight for the crown. For the future of Orzammar, and the security of the alliance. It left a bitter taste in my mouth. "I wish we never came here. I don't like it here at all." Because while we got what we came for, there was no feeling of triumph here. Not like at the other places.

"For what it's worth, I'm glad you did," Oghren admitted. He looked quite serious at us both, and it actually took me a second to remember to sign for Cleon because I was caught off-guard. "I got the answers I wanted. I don't like what I found. I hate how my hopes were dashed. But it's better than waiting and wondering, drowning what brain I have left in alcohol." Cleon and I shared a smile. Yeah, that… was nice to know. We helped Shale and Oghren. That would be good enough. "Let's hand the damn crown over, then."

Right, here we go. I was going to regret this until I died, but I think I'd regret it less and it would just have to do. "Let's go."


"Truly, you were sent by the Ancestors to end the farce of an election, Warden Tabris." So. This was Bhelen. First time meeting him, and I was already ready to leave. "Without your aid, I would not have taken the throne so smoothly or quickly," he told me, smiling warmly. I half-wondered if he'd been planning on assassinating Harrowmont anyway. He just executed him in front of everyone and no one protested. Not even Harrowmont himself. Politics were stupid. "I have my generals preparing for a mission to the surface, to get a clearer picture of what is going on." Oh.

"You work quickly," I murmured, making myself smile. No wonder Lady Elspeth defaulted to 'stone', and Lord Nuada smiled like an idiot half the time. The fake smile was the only way I was getting through this. I wished I was with the others, but nooooo, they managed to get out of talking to the new king. Something about giving things to the Shaperate or… well, Wynne had claimed there was a dwarf girl named Dagna who wanted to talk and Cleon went with her, but I think she was just making that up. I wished I could think of an excuse, but nope, I was stuck. "I am grateful."

"You lost a lot of time here, more than I think you expected or wished." He shrugged. "It seemed only fair to make up for it." Huh. Maybe he wasn't quite so bad? Maybe. Big maybe. "I will be sending my warriors looking for every able-bodied dwarf in Orzammar willing to fight." Every able… so, not just warrior caste? Oghren was right, then. "Though it does mean, sadly, that I think I am out of time."

"I believe my group is eager to return to the surface to see how our other allies are doing." More like we just wanted to get out of Orzammar. Fast. And hopefully never return. "Thank you for your aid."

"Good luck up there, Warden. And may we both crush our enemies." He nodded a dismissal, and I nodded back before leaving the throne room. And sighed in relief as soon as the damn doors closed behind me. Ugh… never again.

"Looks like you didn't get a good impression." I found myself smiling at that laughing voice, and I even relaxed when I saw Natia skip up. Unlike before, she was wearing a rather fancy, if still practical, dress. "Wanted to see you before you left," she noted. She smiled apologetically. "I seriously thought they'd listen only to a Paragon. Never dreamed they'd go 'oh, wait, the Ancestors favor the Wardens, so let's throw the problem in their lap'."

"I think it's my fault for playing so neutral," I sighed, shaking my head. If I had picked a side, surely it wouldn't have come to that. …Right? "Well, it was good for a couple of people. The trip down, I mean."

"It was good for a lot. The information you put into the Shaperate is saving some families who were on the verge of losing everything." Huh? "You guys found a lot of stuff that was lost to the Memories. That means the Memories are getting edited and they've decided that those related to Golems would be elevated to higher castes, like warrior." Seriously? "Even some casteless, if you can believe it. Plus some old noble houses are being reinstated because your information found that there were actually survivors, meaning there's new blood in the Assembly for the first time in who knows how long." Her smile turned sweet. "It'll probably take years for the full effects to be felt, but believe me. You guys… saved a lot of people." Oh… "And if you forget that, remember Zerlinda. She and her baby are doing just fine. Good health and everything."

That… "That does make me feel better." My own smile turned wry. "This has been a… very tiring adventure."

"I can imagine." She winked and saluted. "Oh, and I've got the Carta all set up to help you lot up on the surface." Seriously? "We'll start giving spy reports. Where should they go for now?"

"We're meeting in Redcliffe Castle, so I guess there?" Who… was going to handle those reports? Cleon? Yeah, Cleon. I'd make him do it. "Thank you, Natia."

"No problem." She laughed. "Anyway, I've got to go reassure my sister. She's freaking out because now she's the king's concubine and it just hit her how powerful she is."

"Good luck?" She laughed again and waved goodbye. With my mood lifted greatly, I headed down the hall, looking for the way out.

But, on the way, I ran into somehow I didn't expect. Kardol of the Legion. "I still can't believe it," he all but laughed when he saw me, shaking his head as he approached. "There's a king again, because of you. I get my order at last, meaning I can finally take the Legion further into the line. Who knows? Maybe we can take back… well, you know it as the Dead Trenches." He nodded to me, and I just tried to smile as I remembered that part of the journey. I would have nightmares forever, just of the broodmother. "You'll definitely have us indirectly. When you break the horde, we'll keep them from retreating. And, who knows, maybe you'll have us directly too."

"…Directly?" That… startled me. "You were so angry before…"

"Look, kid. I hate surfacers." I winced, but nodded. I understood it. Hated it, because we needed help, but understood it. "But I got to give credit to someone who pulled off miracles. Maybe you can do so again." He shrugged, even as I stared in surprise. "Like I said. Maybe. I'm still thinking on it."

"I'm honored you are even considering it." I smiled. "I'll look for you in the fight."

"Ha, might be worth going up just to see you all fight again. It was fun." He did laugh then. "Well, each of the Legion owes our homeland a death, but if it's better shed on the surface, then maybe we'll do that. But if we do, you better ensure we're returned to the Stone."

"Of course." I bowed to him. "Thank you."

"Save the thanks. And get Oghren to teach you how to be a proper Berserker. You hold back too much." Oghren? "Ah, there he is. I'll let him go from here. And Warden? Nice meeting you." Kardol walked off, waving goodbye.

I turned to see Oghren was standing in the doorway, looking at me. "I've only stayed because I wanted to know what happened to my family," he told me easily. He was armed and armored, and I could tell his pack was… well, packed. "I'm heading to the surface no matter what. Figured it might be better to go with you lot."

"Are you certain?" I asked, startled. I had assumed we'd go our separate ways after returning from the Deep Roads. "The surface is…"

"Different. I've made a mess of my life down here. Maybe I can make something again up there." Ah… "And he's right. You've got the makings of a Berserker, but you hold back too much. I'll teach you the proper way."

"It's not going to involve getting drunk, right? I hold my liquor well."

"Nah, that's just a bonus." He grinned. "Basically, showing you the 'right' way to get the anger burning." Ah. "Then showing you good ways to smash things. Get your second wind. It's an offensive style. You play too defensively."

Well, then. "I'm going to get my ass beaten into the ground a lot, aren't I?" I groaned. He just laughed. "Welcome aboard, Oghren."

"Good to hear." There were gasps outside, and incredulous shouts and cheers. "I bet Shale's back." Nodding, we both moved outside, and saw he was right. Shale had returned. And, to my surprise, she brought… I couldn't even see the end of the line of golems. There had been this many? And this many… were willing to fight?

"Ah, there it is," Shale grumbled. She looked annoyed, but seemed placated by how shocked I looked. "Well, here you go. Golems for your use. No control rods, of course." Of course…

And now I needed to think rapidly. Because there was no way Orzammar was going to let us take all of them, no matter their wishes. "Shale, you're a miracle worker," I breathed. I glanced over and saw Bhelen just staring in shock. Right, okay. "Shale, would some be willing to remain and guard Orzammar?"

"I imagine so. Some were nervous about going up on the surface." Oh, good. "The rest are eager for a fight."

"And we will show them one." Golems. I had golems. We had golems. A fighting force no one had for… what? Over a thousand years? And they were our allies. Not Orzammars. Ours.

This… also meant we were traveling with a bunch of golems. Well, I was sure they'd fit in well with our bird-hating golem, our witch of the wilds, our Circle mage, our Qunari, our Antivan Crow, our former Orlesian bard, and now our dwarven berserker. All of which followed a city elf and a dalish elf. And that wasn't even going into the other four…

We were such a weird group. The storytellers were going to have a blast with us.


Author's notes: And now we're done with a Paragon of Her Kind, last of the four 'main' questlines'. Kardol will assist the Warden if you pass a persuasion check (or are a dwarf), lending some of his Legion to your dwarven allies. ALSO, THE CONVERSATION ABOUT CLEON'S SILENCE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ACTUALLY SHOWN EARLIER, AND I'M SORRY I MISSED THAT NOTE IN MY OUTLINING!

(Ahem) Anyway, though, yes, Bhelen rules. Harrowmont is the more 'moral' choice, but he's kinda bad for Orzammar ultimately, while Bhelen is more 'pragmatic', but actually helps Orzammar, so Aiden picked it.

Next Chapter – Redcliffe with Nuada