Chapter 82) Haunting Pasts
Aiden POV
"Aiden!" Mother laughed as she called my name. "Come on, my little soldier! I need your help to clean!"
"Why do you need my help?" I teased, even as I ran over to her. "You're strong enough to move everything on your own."
"Yes, yes." Mom's smile was warm. "But I need to go fetch something from the market, so I want you to get started for me." She laughed again when I made a face. "Please, my little one?"
"Why don't I go to the market instead?"
"Because, Aiden, the whole point of cleaning is to get things ready for your birthday!" She tapped my nose to make me squirm. "You can't go pick up your birthday presents. That will ruin the surprise!"
"Fine, fine." I sighed, shaking my head. "Love you, Mother."
"I love you too, Aiden." She laughed and waved as she walked off, leaving the Alienage for the market.
That was the last time I saw her alive. Humans murdered her for the twelve bronze coins she had after buying my present: a pair of gauntlets that I could never bring myself to wear.
"The market is so lovely!" Leliana laughed as she and I meandered through the crowd. "A shame Zevran couldn't come along like we originally planned." He was following up on something the assassins from a few days ago said. It seemed important. "Morrigan is listening on some nobles as a pretty little bird, yes?"
"Yes, that's correct," I confirmed. She had made a big show at transforming, just to scare the servants. It took forever to calm them down. "We have to make sure Shale doesn't accidentally hurt her."
"Yes, yes." She giggled, though, clearly in her element. "Now, we should listen to rumors, and spin a few of our own." She could do the latter. I was just doing the former. "And…" She suddenly trailed off, eyes going wide. "Marjolaine…?" The one word shook so much. I could barely understand it. "What is she…?" Her hands shook even more. "I…" And then she was off, pushing through the crowd. I followed her as closely as I could, doing my best to not lose sight of her. What was going on?
Eventually, we were out of the market, heading towards one of the hovels, one run down enough to look like a building from the Alienage. Leliana paused at the door, glancing back. She seemed almost relieved when she saw me, and she opened the door without a word. Confused, I just followed her inside, wondering what in flames was going on.
"Ah, Leliana!" I blinked slowly, startled by the very elegantly dressed woman standing in the middle of the hovel. "So good to see you again," the woman purred, Orlesian accent very thick. Who was this? "You're looking wonderful as always." Uh… "Oh, did you bring a gift for me? You shouldn't have." The woman slinked over to me, trailing a hand up my torso and neck. "So handsome… you would be a fine-" I grabbed her wrist and squeezed, snapping it easily. "AUGH!" She stumbled back, eyes wide, blazing in fury. "How dare a lowly rabbit…!"
"Aiden is the Commander of the Grey Wardens in Fereldan," Leliana growled. Her eyes sparked with fury, so I figured now was not a time to point out that I held no such title. "He is one of my dearest friends, and came because he worried." Yeah, and also because I was really, really confused. "Skip the pleasantries. And get to the point. You can't wield your bow with a broken wrist."
"How did he break it so easily?" Because I accidentally drank an alchemical concoction that boosted the abilities of my Tainted Blood which had very practical applications. "Bah, no matter…" The woman shook her head. "I'd try to be a good host, but you see what I have to work with, and I really can't do much with a broken wrist." I had a headache. "This country smells like wet dog everywhere. It's in my hair, my clothes…" She sighed heavily.
"I am not here to discuss Fereldan's odor, Marjolaine!" Leliana's voice cracked. "You framed me years ago!" She did what? "You stabbed me in the stomach, framed me, left me to be raped and tortured in the cells of Denerim's estate!" Ah… maybe I shouldn't be here to hear this. "I thought I was free from you here! Why are you haunting me?!"
"Oh, Leliana, I know you. I know what you're capable of. You escaped easily, did you not?" Marjo… I was just going to call her Marjo because I could not wrap my head around that name. Marjo was dismissive, but the look on Leliana's face implied it hadn't been 'easy'. "But I was so distraught that you did not return to my side, so I simply had to find you, my dear love."
"Just get to the point!" Leliana sounded ready to cry. I just lingered awkwardly in the doorway. "Why are you really here?"
"In truth, you have knowledge that can be used against me." She made to cross her arms, but winced as her hand dangled awkwardly off her arm. "You know the Game, Leliana. For my own safety, I cannot let you be." I really needed to learn what this damn 'Game' was. Everything mentioned about Orlais seemed to be bringing it up. "Did you truly think you escaped me, my Leliana? That I did not know where you were?" Stalker, much? "Goodness, you confused me so. Quiet life, peasant clothes, hair messy and ragged like a boy's… it baffled me."
"I was living a new life."
"You almost had me fooled too. No letters, barely speaking to anyone, not even the stories you told to the villagers in that quaint little town hinted to anything." She shook her head, smirking. "Very clever. But then you left the Chantry so suddenly. What conclusion should I have drawn?" …What.
"There's a Blight, you pompous, egotistical, megalomaniac," I deadpanned, unable to keep quiet. She sneered at me, but Leliana actually burst into startled laughter. "I hate to inform you, madam, but there are things more important in the world than you."
"Madam?!" she yelped. That… that was what she was going to be mad about? That was seriously going to be... oh, whatever. "How dare you!"
"I'm so sorry, Elder." She looked even more outraged. This was actually hilarious. "Careful, careful. I think I see some wrinkles coming on." Her non-broken hand flew to her face. "Sorry, Leliana, I'm sure you had things to say."
"It's fine," Leliana reassured. "I needed the laugh." But her cheer faded as she looked back to Marjo. "I did not leave for you. I am not you."
"Oh, yes, you are," Marjo growled. She smiled seductively, creeping closer. "No one will ever understand you like I do, my dear. No one will ever love you as I did. Because, my dear, you are me." She caressed Leliana's cheek. I waited to see if Leliana wound do anything, but when I saw she was frozen, I reached over and twisted Marjo's arm, accidentally snapping it.
"Oops," I murmured as she screamed in pain. "Honestly didn't mean to break anything that time. Though, I have to say; abusers deserve worse." I glanced at Leliana, waiting until she saw me before nudging her arm. "So, I've accidentally disarmed her, almost literally." Leliana managed a giggle in reply. "Choose what you want to do with her."
"…Yes," she murmured. She looked around the room before turning to me. "You have a knife?" I pulled out Fang, Mother's dagger, from my boot and passed it to her. "Thank you."
Marjo said something, in Orlesian so I couldn't understand. Whatever it was, it made Leliana flinch before she brought the dagger down.
She stabbed Marjo again and again, blood flying everywhere. I counted forty strikes before I caught her by the shoulder to stop her. Marjo was almost completely unrecognizable.
"Do you want to talk?" I asked her. Leliana only shook her head, staring at the body. Blood dripped down her face. "Then let's head back to the estate to clean up. I know hidden paths thanks to my previous work." She nodded and stood up slowly. She glanced down at the knife, tilting her head. "You can clean and return it to me later." She nodded. "Come on. Let's go."
As we left, she snagged my hand, squeezing tightly. I squeezed back reassuringly. I think she just needed something to ground her, and I didn't mind being it.
When I brought Leliana back to the estate, I wondered how we were going to explain things. However, Lady Elspeth seemed to know something was wrong, as she appeared almost immediately, towel in hand, and spoke only Orlesian as she dragged her off to get washed up. She signed to me 'Leave her to me', so I smiled and shrugged before heading back out to listen to the rumors.
The rumors were rather nice to hear. Defamation of Loghain, complete ripping apart of Howe, Oathbreaker process being cheered for, praise for our group… honestly, it seemed like the only real 'debating' going on was who should rule Fereldan: Alistair, an unknown bastard son of Maric, or Anora, the widow queen. And there were really interesting things to hear about that debate.
There were many who wondered if Anora had conspired with her father to kill her husband for the throne. Others insisted that wasn't the case, that it was all Loghain's fault. Some pointed out how well she had ruled for the past five years. Others pointed out that she had done nothing for the current problem, a true crisis. Many pointed out that she was her father's daughter, skilled and clever, but some wondered if that was the problem. They worried she was overconfident in her own abilities, unwilling to compromise her visions even to save her people, and that was why the current situation has devolved so badly. 'She believes she is the only one who knows how to fix things, and everyone should stay out of their way, even when all evidence shows she is in way over her head.'
There were many who wondered, though, if Alistair really was Maric's son. It was certainly 'convenient' that an unknown bastard suddenly showed up, to challenge Anora's claim. Others liked that he has been fighting on the front, though, impressed that he was actually dealing with the problem. Others worried about his lack of training in political matters. 'He is a good man to have during a crisis, but can he rule a country into peace?'
Still others thought that Anora and Alistair should just marry, to get the 'best of both worlds'. A true Warrior King, and a proven Diplomatic Queen. I didn't much like that idea, and not just because I knew Alistair was in love with Lady Elspeth, and she with him, no matter how much they danced around each other. Alistair hated Loghain, loathed him for destroying the only 'family' he ever had. That would cause problems with Anora, who adored her father above all else. Plus, Alistair was very similar to King Cailan, both in looks and personality, surprisingly so. Wouldn't it just be cruel to force her to marry her dead husband's younger brother? I thought so, but maybe that was just my opinion.
"And so here is the mighty Grey Warden at long last." I paused at the words, glancing around to find the source. I was in one of the side areas of Denerim, a place normally empty except during festivals. "Well, one of them, at least. The leader." There, lounging on the edge of a room, was a man with an Antivan accent. He bowed when I caught his eye. "The Crows send their greetings," he told me. "Once again." Oh, you have got to be kidding me.
"I thought you lot gave up when Zevran failed," I groaned, rubbing my temple. I needed to just leave the estate with my weapons from now on always.
"And where is Zevran?" He jumped down from the roof, utilizing window ledges to land safely. "How disappointing that he's not with you."
"If you're here to kill me, can we just get to the part where I punch you out of my misery?" I had faced down darkspawn, demons, dragons, and far too much else. I couldn't bring myself to be scared of a human assassin who openly challenged me. "Though I imagine I'll have to avoid the daggers." I was assuming poison.
"Aw, but I wanted to talk. Find out where Zevran is."
"Zevran is right here, Taliesin." Oh, hello, Zevran, nice of you to join us. "Did they send you here, my friend?" he asked. I glared up at the sky, wondering if the Maker could see me. Could he have at least spaced out these two events a little more, damn it? "Or did you volunteer?"
"I volunteered, of course," Taliesin replied. He looked almost insulted that Zevran even questioned it. "When I heard the Great Zevran himself went rogue, I had to see it for myself."
"Is that so? Well, here I am, in the flesh." Zevran sighed. "I would have been here sooner if your damn scavenger hunt didn't take me all over the city."
"Come now. Wasn't it just like training? Only without the beatings." Taliesin smiled and held out his hand. "Come home, Zevran. I know your head is still messed up because of what happened to Rinna." Who? Maker, please, can you let me find out my friends' past when they want me to? Why did you have to drag their pasts out to haunt them and make my life uncomfortable? "I don't blame you. It really was fucked up." My head hurt. Could I leave? "We can make up a story, though. I'll keep you safe, just as I did in the past."
"…No." Zevran shook his head. "No, my friend. It's time that I finally protect myself. I will not return. I am in a place when I am valued as more than a weapon."
"Zevran…!" Taliesin's eyes widened, and I was startled to see they were filled with tears. "The Crows will kill you!"
"I will kill them first. It is not hard fighting, when your spirit is finally whole." Zevran drew his weapons, and I stepped back to stay out of the way. "Strike me down or leave, Taliesin. That is the only choice left to us."
Taliesin chose to charge, tears streaming down his face. Zevran dodged easily, though, and it took me a couple of blinks to realize all that happened. Zevran threw one dagger, a trick I had seen Leliana teach him and Cleon many times, and as Taliesin's guard fell, he slipped in and struck Taliesin in the chest, through both a lung and the heart. Taliesin gasped in shock, blood speckling his lips as he whispered something I couldn't understand. I could only make out 'Rinna'.
Then Taliesin was dead, collapsing in Zevran's arms. He cradled the body briefly before setting it down gently.
"The year the Crows bought me, they bought seventeen others," Zevran began slowly. His voice was flat, and he just looked at the body. Taliesin was smiling, even as the tears lingered on his dead face. "However, only two of us survived the training, me and Taliesin. We partnered up, in… well, in both sense of the word. He was my best friend." Ah… "Eventually, we met another, Rinnala. We called her 'Rinna'. I think she was an elfblooded human, because she frequently talked about living in an Alienage, despite her human ears."
"Rare, that," I murmured. Most elfblooded humans just… lived as humans. They could. Slim was the only one I knew that didn't. Then again, as far as I knew, I only knew two: Slim and Layla. "So, I take it you three were close."
"Haha, very close. We were a single unit among the crows, too skilled to split apart. She was the brains, I was the seducer and poisoner, and Taliesin was the muscle." I see… "But then, one day, things just went wrong. It seemed like Rinna had betrayed us, so Taliesin and I killed her." He sighed heavily, slumping. "I found out later that wasn't the case at all. She had been framed, some deal made among the Grandmasters. We were expendable, nothing more than weapons." So, Leliana was directly betrayed, and Zevran thought he had been, only to have killed the wrong person. Well, damn. "She screamed that she loved us, loved me, as we killed her."
"That's…" What could I say?
"Ha… made it hard to watch that Thomas lad die. It was like I was back in the past." Oh, that's right. I had heard Thomas confessed to Lady Elspeth before she shot the arrow. "Ah, that's enough of the past." He gave me a wan smile. "Let's go."
"Do you want to burn the body first?"
"…We'll take him to the Chantry for that." Okay. "Let's go."
"Yes."
It seemed like a good idea to just return to the estate after dropping off Taliesin's body. Oghren took one look at Zevran and dragged him off to do something. Drink, maybe? Or banter. Or both. Leliana was still resting in her room, talking to Lady Elspeth and Wynne, so I didn't bother her.
Instead, I just spent the rest of the day in the library, wondering if maybe there was something more about the Archdemon here. It was a slim possibility, but perhaps there was some old story or nursery rhyme that held the answer. You heard about knowledge being passed on like that in stories often.
But ressurective immortality that could only be ended by a Warden? Somehow? And no Warden who killed the Archdemon lived to see the peace they won? Was it just chance? Lady Elspeth had mentioned Garahel had been flung a great distance. Others might have just been too injured. But what if it was something more? What if it was a guarantee?
After everything we suffered and survived, was one of us going to have to die to save the world?
I growled under my breath as I returned to my room, having found nothing in the library to help with these dark thoughts. I was so caught up in said thoughts and frustration that I had my shirt off and almost took off my pants too, for a relaxing bath, before realizing I wasn't alone in my room.
"Oh, please, do not stop on my account!" Zevran joked. He was sprawled out on my bed, smirking. Well, someone seemed better. "I was quite enjoying the show."
"I'm sure," I deadpanned. Sighing, I ran a hand through my hair, noting it was getting longer. Much longer, actually. Come to think of it, all of our hair was longer. It wasn't like we had time to sit down for haircuts in the middle of everything. "Need something? Need to talk?"
"Well, yes, actually." Zevran shifted so that he was sitting on my bed instead. "Looks like your tattoo is healing well."
"Yes, it is?" A pair of griffon wings on my lower back, curling around my waist and hips. I rather liked it. "It doesn't hurt or anything anymore."
"Good, I'm glad. I rather like it." I was just going to go wash my face or something until he got to the po- "I rather like the person it's on too." …Wha…? "Oh, whoops, did I say that aloud? Ah, well. The cat's out of the bag."
"You… what?" I faced him, staring with wide eyes.
He looked deadly serious. "I rather like you. Perhaps, even love." A-ah… "I do enjoy the little flirting games, but I think my feelings are becoming a bit too serious for me to just play. I realized that, as I was carrying Taliesin into the Chantry." Oh. "So, I figured I'd get everything out into the open." He stood, coming to stand in front of me. I could only continue to stare. "See what happens, if anything. No obligations. If you do not return the feelings, then we'll pretend the conversation didn't happen, and after a few days for me to sulk, we'll return to the game with the knowledge that it is only that. A game." I… "I know the timing is off, but I assure you, I mean every word." That's… "So?"
"Ah…" I couldn't think. I hadn't been expecting anything like this. Lord Nuada's words ran through my head, but I couldn't figure out a way to even think coherently, much less string anything into words.
After a long bout of silence, Zevran smiled wryly, as if he expected it. "Ah, what a shame, but if they are unrequited, they are unrequited." He shrugged, and turned away. I saw the pain in his back, even though his voice was light. "I shan't keep you any longer, so-"
I reached out to snag his arm, keeping him from leaving. I wasn't even sure why… but… but… "I'm scared." There. There, I got that out. He held still, just listening. "I'm scared of loving someone. I'm scared of even thinking about loving someone." My voice cracked, and I swore I was near tears. "But I do like being around you. I do like the teasing, the banter. I do like you. I'm just scared."
There was a long, long bout of silence, where I kept my head down, studying the stone tiles of the floor. Then, Zevran turned back towards me, and rested a gentle hand on my cheek. "Then, how about we be scared together?" He was scared too? "How does that sound?"
"Can you deal with something like that?"
"I think you are well worth it." Those words just made me start crying. I wasn't even sure why I was crying. "I do believe this is the first time I've seen your tears." Maybe? I couldn't really remember crying a lot. "They're pretty, but I definitely prefer your smile."
"Sorry…"
"No, no, I rather like all of you." He smiled warmly and hugged me, drawing my face into his shoulder. "There, there. Let it out."
"You're loving the role reversal."
"That's how a relationship should work." Yeah, I could see that.
So, I simply relaxed, crying tears that made no sense, and let him hold me. I liked this. I liked being near him.
Maybe I did love him. Or maybe I could learn to love him. Regardless, he was important to me. That… that was worth being scared for. I figured that much, at least.
Author's Note: And… there we go? Ahaha? And this is basically the last of the companion quests (I dislike Alistair's in-game one, so we're not doing it). As a bit of a reminder, the Warden's Keep DLC gives your Warden two extra abilities. What I've done for Aiden, though, is that it gives him the ability to utilize the Taint to increase his strength and speed, and also increase the speed that he perceives things. This is why he could break Marjolaine's bones so easily. Also bringing in the arguments between Anora and Alistair. Both are good choices, imo, and I do like both of them. The choice is going to be based on the chars.
Next Chapter – Nuada in Denerim
