Chapter 99) King's Speech


"And so, I urge you knights to fight with courage and valor! Let the tournament commence!" The crowd's cheer shook the seats as the jousting tournament began. Those who won here would go on to the Grand Tourney in the Free Marches, so it was quite the tournament.

I sat with the royal family, as this tournament was also King Maric publically acknowledging and honoring Father for his diplomacy. But, even though I pretended to pay attention to the fighting, I was more focused on the speech. I could see why many called him a good public speaker. He knew just the right combination of friendliness and grandness to capture everyone's attention.

I just hoped he continued to be as good of a person as he was a king.


The city was on fire. It almost looked like a deranged sunset.

"Damn these things," Loghain whispered. At Aiden's personal request, Loghain was 'assigned' to me, as I was the most likely person who could best utilize his skills, and for the comfort of the soldiers. They snarled at him, but he ignored it. I imagine he got used to being looked down upon, thanks to the court. "I feel like I'm back at the Rebellion."

"I wish we were fighting something human," I murmured. The army was gathering up, waiting for Alistair to step onto the makeshift stage set up. I couldn't remember whose idea it was for him to address the troops. "Are you worried for Anora?"

"Considering that mess?" That was a good point. "Still, this is everything your group has been working for."

"Yes." It almost seemed unreal. "Did the last battles of the Rebellion feel disconnected?"

"So much so that Maric and I would do stupid things just to make sure things were real. Rowan gave us the most scathing lectures…" Loghain tilted his head to the side. "What is that singing?"

"If you're talking about the old ethereal song that has no words and you feel in your bones, Loghain, then that's the Archdemon." I could see it flying from here, circling the city. "That's how the Wardens knew this was a Blight."

"You know; if they had actually explained things, I think I might have been a little more cooperative." Ha… "The lad is on the stage." Yes, Alistair was. I hoped he would be all right. At his request, he was up on that stage alone.

"Soldiers," Alistair called, catching everyone's attention. I knew they were judging him right now. "Before us stands the might of the darkspawn horde." Leliana must have been giving him lessons. He pitched his voice perfectly, so that he could be heard, but not be considered yelling. "Gaze upon them now, but fear them not." He gestured to our group. "Look on these men and women I am proud to call my friends. This is home to only some of them, yet still, they all fight with valor and triumph. Without them, none of us would be here. Without their leaders, the Wardens…" He nodded to us four, slight smile on his face. I knew it was a little sad, as this was essentially him 'officially' saying that he was leaving, but at the same time, he was so proud of all of us. "The darkspawn would have already won." Then, to my surprise, Alistair began walking off the makeshift stage. "Today, we save Denerim!" His voice was firm and confident. "Today, we avenge the death of my brother, Cailan!" He held himself certain and relaxed, the air of someone who knew they would win. "But, most of all, today, we show the Wardens that we honor all that they have done for us, continue to do for us! So, my good soldiers!" Alistair raised his hand and the army started cheering loud enough to shake the trees. "For Fereldan! For our people! For the Grey Wardens!"

…Well, no one was ever going to say that Alistair couldn't make speeches. Holy flames. The army just charged forward with not a shred of fear in their demeanor.

Loghain and I quickly made our way to the front, using our shields to bash through enemy lines and make an opening. The darkspawn were sent flying as the army crashed into them. Blood rained and bodies fell as we took advantage of our numbers and variety. Spells hammered into the back lines of the enemy as the warriors took the front and the rogues handled the flanks.

I had been the one to orchestrate most of this strategy, but even I didn't think it would work this well. Were the darkspawn weaker? Were we stronger? I had no idea, truthfully. It could be both. But after Ostagar, after Lothering, there was something absolutely satisfying in completely ripping through the enemy.

Of course, that wouldn't last. We were outnumbered ten to one. It was clear that with the element of surprise lost, we were not going to hold out.

"All right, tactician, give me some mildly good news," Aiden asked. When the fighting calmed, our group clustered together to talk, and for Layla and Wynne to heal whatever injuries we had. "I will literally take anything."

"Well, we have our way in at last," I noted lightly. Movement caught my attention, and I watched Riordan slip away out of the corner of my eye. I barely checked the urge to sigh. Secrecy was going to damn the Wardens one of these days. The worst part was that he was gone before I could say anything. "Have we word from the scouts, Cleon?" Some had used the fighting as a smokescreen to slip in.

'Yes, it seems like there are four main generals,' Cleon signed. Leliana helpfully told Loghain what he was saying, and strangely enough, Loghain didn't show any signs of distaste that an Orlesian was helping him. 'Market, Port, Alienage, and the Castle.' Why were they in the Alienage? I could get the others, but… did the Archdemon know that it was Aiden's home? I hoped not, because that had some very disturbing implications.

"When you consider that we need to continuously hold the gate, we're going to have to split into five groups." All eyes turned to me. "You all want me to pick, and pick fast, don't you?" I could only sigh at the nods. "Well, since that is the case, no one is allowed to complain."

'Fen'harel's teeth, just get on with it.'

"Cleon, you're in the market with Wynne and Shale." Here was hoping no one asked why I was picking these groups. I did have explanations, but they would take too long. "Sten and Oghren, lead the soldiers who remain here. Layla, head to the port with Elsepth and Morrigan. Aiden, save your home with Zevran and Leliana. I will take Alistair and Loghain to the castle." I glowered when I saw some open their mouths, ready to yell. "I told you that you weren't allowed to complain."

"After all, there's no time," Aiden sighed. He glanced up at something. "Everyone, move to the right. Now." It really said something about us that we obeyed without question. It also really said something when a giant rock landed next to us, likely thrown by an ogre, and none of us really reacted. "Steel yourselves, and, if you want, say your farewells." It was time to go.

I didn't really plan on saying anything. Based on the looks on their faces, neither did Layla, Aiden, or Cleon. Our friends, however, had other plans. I figured that out when Wynne gently touched my arm to catch my attention as I went to walk away.

"So, this is it," she murmured. She looked out over the flames. "This is where it all ends." She turned to me, smiling. "Whatever happens now, to either of us, know that I am proud to know you, Nuada."

"Is this the part where we all make sappy little goodbyes?" I joked. She simply laughed. "I'm glad to have met you, Wynne. Try to hold on, if you can."

"I shall do my best. I would hate to die before everything is over, at least." She reached up to stroke my hair, and I was instantly reminded of Mother. "Maker watch over you." She walked off then, heading over to Layla, but I wasn't alone for long. Oghren, apparently, had also decided to talk.

"So, this is it," Oghren said. He looked rather resigned to everything. "Huh. Wish I had a bit more ale for this."

"Sorry, I don't have any on me," I replied. He laughed. "It's been an honor getting to fight with you."

"Honor?" He laughed again, but this time, it was a bit bitter. "Nobody's looked at me and seen honor in a long time, Nuada. Then again, nobody ever played wingman either." That was going to be a memory I cherished. It really was. It was too funny. "A drunken disgrace of a warrior, finding the will to keep going and fighting. All because you helped me find the one woman in the sodding world who might put up with me." This was a lot more emotional than I expected from him. "I owe you kids a lot. I consider it a fine honor to fight for your cause. And if I fall, it's a good death." He smiled. "Let the stone turn red from the blood of heroes. Let us show the enemy our hearts, and then show them theirs. Today, I will be the warrior you all saw in me." With those rather inspiring words, he walked over to Aiden. Thudding steps behind me, though, hinted I had another visitor.

"So, the archdemon is next, is it?" Shale, of all people, had approached me. "Strange. Part of me is apprehensive," she continued, looking almost put out. "I would almost say that I feel concern for something other than myself, even maybe for some soft, squishy companions, but that would be silly, wouldn't it?"

"The silliest," I teased, mostly to reassure her. I thought she even smiled. "Watch out for Cleon, please. Things are going to be chaotic."

"Oh, very well. I suppose Cleon would be doomed without me anyway." She sighed. "Also, do try to not get swallowed whole by the archdemon. If the beast were to fly about afterwards and poop it out, irony would dictate that it would land on me." What. "I couldn't take it." I think I cracked a rib to keep from laughing. "Well, I suppose this is it. There's a burning city to invade or something." Shale! "Have fun storming the castle." Damn it, now I knew I cracked some ribs. I also knew I was smiling as Shale wandered off, and that cheer didn't fade as I saw Sten walk up, face Sten.

"Are you ready?" Of course those would be the first words out of his mouth. "We have reached the battlefield at last," he mused, looking almost excited. I thought he was proud that we trusted him enough to hold the gate alongside Oghren.

"Thank you for everything, Sten," I told him. Really, it needed to be said. "We all appreciate it."

"But I have done nothing." He shook his head. "You four have carried us this far. Do not doubt that. All I did was hit things until they died." He shook his head. "The enemy waits. Be certain to grant him the death he asks of us."

"Of course. It's only fair."

"Ataash varin kata, Ashkaari." If I survived this, I was definitely asking him for a translation. "You will be fine." He left, no doubt going to say his piece to the others. But I, again, wasn't left alone for long. Leliana decided she was next, after all.

"So, this is it," she breathed, looking out over everything. "We've come so far." She definitely had a point there. "It's so strange knowing that all our fates will be decided in a matter of hours."

"Leliana, get out of my head," I teased. She laughed. "It's like a story."

"Yes, it is." She closed her eyes. "We stand on the precipice before the greatest battle of our age. I wonder if the heroes of old ever felt like this." I thought of the 'Garahel' I saw in the Fade. I wished I had been in a better frame of mind to ask 'him' questions. "But, I am not afraid. We go to fight for a good cause, and there is nowhere else I would rather be." She opened her eyes, though, and frowned. "However, I will be extremely cross with you if you don't live through this. I intend to sing ballads of you and Layla." The thought made me smile. "I will see you again soon. But this day, we forge a legend of our own." Humming a song, she skipped away, heading over to Cleon for some reason.

"Glorious, is it not?" Zevran, of course, took that as an opportunity to waltz up to the music. "So, now we all head into the city to face the archdemon, hmm?" he kept his tone light and cheerful. "Excellent. I've been meaning to teach this dragon a lesson. It is most distressing, not having your letters returned." Ha! "It should have really stayed in whatever hole it crawled out of. I am certain it will agree once we are done this day."

"Try not to get distracted by Aiden's sexy ass, okay?" I joked. He laughed. "Watch your back."

"I shall. You do the same. No getting eaten. Unless you think it's really important, of course." He patted me on the shoulder, and left, glancing at someone behind him almost knowingly.

I was actually very surprised to see Morrigan shyly approach. "Tis been a long journey," she whispered. "To think, it seems like not long ago you and I were dealing with two unconscious bodies in the Wilds." That was true. Morrigan had been with us since almost the beginning of this crazy adventure. "But this is not the time to linger. I simply wished to inform you of something, so that you do not worry."

"What is it?" I asked, curious. I knew there was some big secret involving her. Elspeth had hinted that to me, though she spoke around it. "Is everything all right?"

"Yes." Her voice hinted that she wished things could be different. "It is simply that I do not intend to linger around after this." Was this why Cleon had been out of sorts recently? "You all head to your destinies, and I will head to mine. But I am… glad to have spent time with you all. I did not know what friendship was, but I would gladly consider… most of you… that." She smiled shyly, and it shook. "Live gloriously, Nuada. This will not be the end." She fled. I had no other word for it, and some part of me wondered if she was holding back tears. It did not quite seem like 'her', but then again, very little about that conversation had seemed like her.

Elspeth passed by then, on her way to something else. She gave me a smile, and a hug. "Please, try to keep your promise to me," she whispered. It took me a second to remember what promise she meant: the one I made all the way back at Ostagar. "I know you might not get a choice, but please, try."

"Okay," I whispered back, hugging her tightly. "However, you must keep your promise to me too."

"Okay." She stepped back then, and there was really nothing else for us to say. We were twins, and we were Couslands. We knew our duty. So, she ran off to continue whatever her task was, and I decided it was time for me to walk. Alistair and Loghain were waiting, after all.

"Everything good?" Alistair asked. Loghain rolled his eyes, and Alistair shot him a glare. "You need to say anything to Layla or Aiden or Cleon?"

"At this point, I don't think any of us have anything to say," I pointed out. We'd been working together too long for us to say anything as odd as a goodbye. "So, no, there's nothing."

"Well, all right. I, however, need to say something before all of this starts." Alistair's voice was surprisingly serious. "It's been an honor, fighting by your side, Nuada. I'm glad we met."

"I am as well." I grinned. "You've been a good friend."

"Glad we're agreeing." He looked playfully stern. "I'm saying this now. Be careful. You said you'd help me be king, and I'm not letting you off if you go dying or something."

"Oh, I wouldn't die before giving you the overprotective brother speech. You're marrying my twin, remember?"

"Yeah, I kind of can't forget that part."

"Are you two done?" Loghain asked dryly. Alistair shot him another glare; I simply rolled my eyes. "There is little time to waste. The more you talk, the higher the chances we will not complete our objectives."

"Let the friends banter, Loghain," I protested, pouting slightly. Loghain smiled slightly, but shook his head. He truly did not think it the time. "Well, I suppose you're right. The darkspawn won't slay themselves, after all."

Let the battle begin.


Next Chapter – Cleon in the Market