Sorry for the delay, I was distracted by college and Gears of War 3. I will try to update more often. Also, the name Gleadr belongs to Christopher Paolini.
Chapter 3
Matthew charged through Denerim's open gates, a snarl on his face, and the flaming Summer Sword, taken from Loghain's lieutenant, Ser Cauthrien's corpse. Swinging the blade in an overhead chop, he slashed a genlock from head to pelvis, than continued on to the melee brewing in the courtyard. So far, only his companions and a few of Redcliffe's soldiers had made it into the city, but more were coming in with each passing second.
As he ran, he saw dozens of hurlocks and genlocks swarm into the courtyard, trying to stop them with sheer numbers, but they were no match for Matthew's elite group. Parrying and slashing through the horde, he occasionally saw his other companions striking down foes; he saw Alistair stab a Hurlock in the chest, then crush its head with his shield; Leliana firing arrows so quickly her hands appeared bleared; Oghren cutting three darkspawn in half with one blow of his ax; Sten grabbing a Hurlock by the neck, and impaling it with his sword, Asala; Wynne healing fallen soldiers; Zevran leaping onto an ogre's chest and driving his sword into its shoulder, then its head; Gleadr, his mabari warhound biting a downed hurlocks head, and shaking it until the neck broke; and Morrigan, conjuring up a massive blizzard that froze a dozen darkspawn, leaving them defenseless.
Finally, the darkspawn began to retreat into the city as the New Army of Fereldan poured through the gates in earnest. It was an extremely motley collection of warriors; the forces of Redcliffe, under Arl Eamon; the Dalish elves, under Keeper Lanaya; the dwarves of Orzammar, under King Bhelen; and the surviving mages of the Circle of Magi, and their templar guards. Normally, Matthew would have objected to the templar presence, but the mages were vulnerable in close-quarters combat, and the army always needed skilled fighters, so he tolerated them.
Riorden then jogged up to him, bringing him out of his inner thoughts. "You managed to fight your way to the gates. We're doing better than I'd hoped!" "That will change quickly," Matthew heard Sten mutter as he pulled his blade out of a genlock's corpse. "Bloody nug-runners," Oghren shouted. "We're outnumbered 3 to 1!"
Riorden nodded. "The army will not last long, so we'll need to move quickly to defeat the archdemon. I suggest taking Alistair and no more than 2 others with you. Anyone you don't bring can remain here to prevent more darkspawn from coming in on our tails." "Yeah, quick question," Matthew said "how are we going to fight a FLYING DRAGON!" "We are going to need to reach a high point in the city." Riorden replied. "I'm thinking the top of Fort Drakon should work. Also, I can sense two darkspawn generals in Denerim. As soon as we engage the Archdemon, it will call these darkspawn to help it." "I am sure that if we kill those generals, it will stop the darkspawn in the city from doing a lot of harm." Leliana commented. "It may also waste resources trying to find them. Now," Riorden said, returning to their current situation, "who do you wish to take with you into the city?"
Matthew thought for a moment, then turned to his companions and barked, "Alistair, Wynne, and Leliana, you're with me! The rest of you, stay here and guard the gate. Sten, you're in charge here." The Qunari smiled, and replied, "Very likely."
"Good," Riorden cut in, "that should be sufficient. Nothing you have done will have prepared you for what you face now. May the Maker watch over you."
With that, Riorden turned, and charged into the city with the rest of the army. Matthew turned to his companions, whom he had come to regard as family, and walked up to them, determined to say goodbye to each of them if the worst should happen.
The first one he came to was Oghren. The dwarf turned to him and, with deep, thoughtful tone that was unlike him, said "Well, this is it Warden. When from the blood of battle the stone is fed, let the heroes prevail, and the blighters lie dead. As one of the blighters, I sodding salute you. Let's show them our hearts, and then show them theirs!" And with that, he walked off before Matthew could reply.
Next was Gleadr, his hound. The dog trotted up to him and gave a worried whine. "Don't worry, boy," Matthew said, putting as much confidence into his voice as he could, "I'll be back." Evidently, it was enough, because Gleadr barked happily, then went off after Oghren.
After him came Sten. The Qunari seemed to shake the earth as he walked up to him. "Are you ready?" Matthew nodded. "We have reached the battlefield at last." The Qunari almost seemed surprised by this. Matthew looked Sten in the eyes and said, "Thank you for all your help, Sten." "I have done nothing, kadan. You have carried us this far. Do not doubt that," Sten replied, then took his position by the gates.
Then came Leliana, and she had an odd look in her eyes. "So this is it," the bard started. "This is the end? We've come so far. It is strange to know that all our fates will be decided in a matter of hours. I wonder if the heroes of old ever felt like this." "They probably did," Matthew replied. "They just didn't want to tell everyone that." Leliana giggled, than replied, "You're likely right. But there is still nowhere else I would rather be. This day we forge a legend of our own." She then headed over to one of the inner towers, waiting for the rest of their group.
Up next was Zevran, the Antivan Elvin assassin. With a humorous gleam in his eyes, he commented, "Heading off to slay dragons without me, hmmm. Fine, fine, but please say hello to the Archdemon for me. He never writes anymore; it is rather distressing." Laughing, Matthew said, "I'll be sure to mention that whilst I drive my sword into its skull." "Ah, that would surely get his attention; I thank you. And please, no getting eaten, unless you think it is really important, of course."
After Zevran left, Wynne joined him and Leliana. "So this is it then. All that we have been through has come to this." She paused, then she continued. "Whatever happens now, to either of us, know that I am proud, infinitely proud, to have called you my friend." "I feel the same, Wynne," Matthew replied. "Onward then, and may the Maker smile fortune upon us."
Finally, Alistair, King of Fereldan, spoke up. "Before we head after the Archdemon, I want to say something; as king, it is my duty to defend Fereldan against this Blight; I will be the one to take the final blow." Matthew considered telling him of Morrigan's ritual right then, but instead decided to say, "Alistair, under no circumstances are you to sacrifice yourself against that dragon." "Yes, mother," Alistair replied, rolling his eyes. Matthew would have protested further, but then Morrigan ran up to him, and began yelling at him indignantly.
"After all we have been through, I will not be going with you!" Matthew pulled her aside and whispered urgently, "I cannot allow you to be hurt, Morrigan. For reasons both practical and sentimental." Morrigan paused, then smiled. "Ah, the mighty warrior fears his concubine will be done away with in his stead. Very well, I concede to your argument." Smiling, Matthew kissed his love with more passion than he had in recent memory, and Morrigan responded equally.
Finally, Alistair called for Matthew to hurry up, and he reluctantly parted from her. "I love you, Morrigan." "And I love you, as well," the Witch of the Wilds replied, as the last scion of House Cousland led the charge against evil incarnate.