The archdemon roared, its bellow echoing through the spires of Fort Drakon and down into Denerim below. It leaned back, opening its giant maw to emit deadly purple flames. Its foes – a mishmash of mages, Dalish elves, dwarves and Redcliffe soldiers scrambled out of the way, attempting to avoid darkspawn blades as they moved.

Leliana dodged with the gathered forces, taking cover near one of the ballistae. Her heart thudded in her chest, scanning the crowd of darkspawn and men for her other allies. Here at the climax of all their battles, she worried for the safety of her friends – especially the survival of her love.

Spotting Legam running towards her, closely pursued by shrieks and hurlocks, Leliana silently thanked the Maker. Notching an arrow, the bard pulled back, letting the missile fly and knock over one of the mage's chasers. Rapidly retrieving and firing arrows, Leliana dispatched all of the darkspawn pursuers by the time Legam reached the ballista beside her.

Nodding his head in silent thanks, the mage ran over to the giant contraption, moving it into position. Leliana stood by his side, keeping an open eye for any more enemies to slay or nearby allies to aid.

Legam pulled back on the ballista's trigger, loading a large bolt into the slot. Once the missile was secured, he focused his sights on the archdemon, carefully aiming the siege weapon. He pulled back on the firing mechanism, sending the missile flying.

The bolt slammed into archdemon's shoulder, finally knocking the beast to the ground, stunned. Legam collapsed against the ballista, exhausted. Gathering the last shreds of his energy, the mage clenched his hand into a determined fist, pushing himself back up on his feet. The darkspawn leader was incapacitated, not dead – and that needed rectifying, fast. He looked at his staff then tossed it aside. The Warden was too drained to use magic, so something sharp and pointy would have to suffice.

As the Rivain mage scanned the battlefield for a spare blade, he felt a firm, gauntleted hand clap his shoulder. Turning, he faced Alistair – fellow Grey Warden and future king of Ferelden.

"Wait," the strawberry-blond templar urged, "What if… What if Morrigan's wrong? If the ritual didn't take, then whoever strikes the final blow… Well, you know."

Leliana, previously occupied with shooting down the last few darkspawn on the tower, snapped to attention. She turned her head to the two Wardens. "Ritual? What are you talking about?"

Either the two men didn't hear her, or they chose to ignore her. Legam glanced back at the crumpled dragon, biting his lip. He turned his head back, shaking it slowly.

"I'll do it," Legam's eyebrows furrowed in determination. When Alistair opened his mouth to protest, the mage held up a hand to halt him. "No, don't start the noble act. We're both Grey Wardens, we know the risks. You have a kingdom to rule. Anora knows how to run a government, but you have the connection to the common folk she lacks. Ferelden needs that balance."

Alistair smiled, "I still think I'd be a piss poor king, but there's no arguing with you over that, is there?"

Legam returned the grin, "Nope. Besides…" His face turned serious again, his voice lowering, "I… Convinced you to do ritual because I couldn't bring myself to do it… Even though I get along with Morrigan far better than you ever did."

Leliana crossed her arms, growing irritated, "What are you two talking about? What's this about Morrigan?"

A quick glance in her direction told Leliana Legam heard her, but still he didn't answer. Instead, the mage continued addressing Alistair. "And I made you king, though you never wanted it. I've been a bit of a horrid friend this past month or so, haven't I? If I'm wrong, and the soul doesn't… Well, redirect itself… Then it's my responsibility to pay the price. You've done more than enough, Alistair."

Shale eyed the archdemon, seeing it begin to stir. "Would somebody just go and squish the damn thing's head, before I do?"

Alistair nodded to Legam, "Maker protect you, my friend." The Rivain nodded back, dashing off down the ramp and towards the Old God.

Leliana stood next to Alistair, glaring. "What is going on? What were you two talking about?" Her companion bit his lip, reluctant. Her patience snapped – the bard grabbed the templar by the collar of his breastplate, pulling his face down level with hers. "Alistair."

The Grey Warden played with his fingers, glancing around nervously, "Well, you see… Ah… Morrigan had this ritual to help us with slaying the archdemon. I'd… Rather not think about the details."

Leliana huffed. "I gathered that much. I don't care about the particulars. What did you need it for?"

Legam spotted a great sword embedded in the heart of a fallen soldier. He glanced at the rising archdemon. The mage yanked out the blade with some effort, stumbling back a few paces from the weight.

Alistair laughed nervously, "Eheh, well… Uh… It's to hopefully stop… Eh…" The Orlesian bard's leer told him he'd best satisfy her curiosity quickly. Inhaling deeply, he began rambling, "You know how Wardens are tainted after the Joining, right? Well, along with sensing darkspawn and dying young, it has one more added benefit. When a Warden kills an archdemon, our taint draws in its soul and destroys it."

Finally stabilized, Legam charged at the giant dragon. It roared, diving its head at the Rivaini Warden. Crouching low, Legam dodged its attack, bracing his hands against the hilt and holding the sword up high. The archdemon slammed right into it, slicing open its neck as it moved through the sword.

Leliana's grip on Alistair eased, dread sinking in. "That… Doesn't sound good for the Warden."

"Ah… It's not. The Warden tends to die from i– Oof!" Leliana shoved Alistair aside, running after Legam. The mage had yanked the blade free from the archdemon's neck, stepping back as the dragon's head pounded into the ground once again. Legam panted, short of breath.

"Wait!" Leliana yelled desperately, stretching one arm out, her fingers spread apart in a plea of cessation. "Stop!"

Too late. Scowling, Legam flipped the sword in his grasp, pointing the edge downwards. The mage raised the sword above his head, bellowing in an almost ungodly war cry. He thrust the weapon down, impaling it upon the archdemon's skull in a geyser of blood. The second steel met darkspawn flesh, bright yellow rays of light emitted from the wound, reaching up into the skies and engulfing the Warden and archdemon in an ethereal glow.

Leliana skidded to a halt, raising her arm to shield her eyes from the blinding light. Alistair ran up next to her, also stopping short a few dozen yards away from Legam and the archdemon. They watched the mage struggle to hold on to the blade, his body twisting as the life force of the Old God passed through him. Leliana lurched forward a pace, apparently wishing to help her love. She thought better of it and stepped back again, instead exchanging a worried glance with Alistair.

The energy from the deadly dragon literally exploded, throwing everyone into the air. A deafening sonic boom resounded in their ears as they all slammed back into the fort's rooftop.

~*~*~

Heavy, nauseating scents of smoke and decay greeted Leliana's nostrils when she regained consciousness. Groaning and coughing, the bard slowly sat up, her body aching all over. She blinked a few times, her eyes slowly coming back into focus. Alistair stirred beside her, as did Shale further behind them. Scanning the battlefield, she spotted the grisly remains of the arch demon, sticky with gore and smoking. Leliana scrunched her nose in disgust, but continued looking for Legam. Finding no trace of him, the bard grew worried, rising to her feet to better survey the scene.

Alistair groaned again, sitting up. He rubbed his back. "I think that fall broke my spine," the templar exaggerated painfully. Leliana offered him a hand, helping her companion rise to his feet.

Shale stomped over, no worse for the wear, "I see the sister and Warden managed to not get squished by the darkspawn." The golem looked about, frowning, "But where is It?"

The templar Warden scrunched his face, concerned. "I don't know. It's hard to see through all the smoke…" He squinted, spotting a bloodied sword lying some yards away from the archdemon's carcass. "Well, there's the sword…"

"Maker's breath!" Leliana gasped, covering her mouth. She spotted a crumpled body some feet away from the blade. The bard dashed onward, ignoring the pain shooting through her limbs as she moved. "Legam!"

She slid to a stop when she reached the Rivain's still form. Covered in blood – likely the archdemon's – the mage lay on his back, eyes shut and lips barely parted to reveal bloody teeth. He made no movement or noise – not even the soft stirrings of breathing.

Leliana dropped to her knees beside him, reaching a trembling hand towards his ichor-splattered face. "Legam?" No response. Gently she grabbed his chin, turning his face forward, hoping for a reaction. "Legam?" Releasing her hold, Leliana watched his head slump back to the side, muscles completely lax. Tears stung her eyes, blurring her vision.

Alistair jogged over, still rubbing his sore back. Seeing the mage's stillness and the bard's crying, he clenched his fist and cursed. "Damn you, Morrigan. I knew we shouldn't trust her. If I ever see that **** again, I'll –"

Loud, gurgling coughs interrupted Alistair's ranting.

Their attention grabbed, the two humans swung their vision back down to the red-drenched mage. Legam's body shook as he coughed again, slowly raising a fist to contain his hacking. He rolled his head to face the sky, eyelids cracking open. His green eyes dilated, adjusting to the light.

"You know…" Legam rasped, "It would've been bloody brilliant if Riordan had warned us about archdemons exploding beforehand." He leaned his head back, squeezing his eyes shut and grumbling in pain.

Alistair laughed at the quip, relieved to see his comrade still breathed. Leliana gasped out something between a chuckle and a sob, throwing her arms around the mage's shoulders and pulling him up into a fierce hug.

"I swear if you ever frighten me like that again, exploding archdemons will be the least of your concerns." She vowed, burying her face into the base of his neck.

Legam flinched, his muscles aching at the sudden contact. Regardless of the pain, he smiled warmly and encircled his arms around the bard, completing the embrace. "Ooh, how dramatic." He teased, quoting Leliana from a previous conversation, "I'm holding you to that promise."

Relief and awe at their victory nearly overwhelmed the group, surveying the remains of their epic combat. Against all odds, they halted the Blight in its tracks, and everyone still lived to enjoy their triumph… And mourn the harsh reality of the destructive aftermath. There was much work yet ahead – picking off the darkspawn strays, rebuilding a nation, Alistair's coronation.

For the moment, the friends allowed themselves a small reprieve: a year's worth of adventure, blood, heartache and struggle all come to fruition. To call it satisfying hardly did the onslaught of emotions justice.

Legam, too weak to walk on his own feet, leaned on Alistair and Leliana for support before Shale begrudgingly swept him up into its arms.

"We will not speak of this again after today," the golem promised, "Let us just focus on finding Its fellow fleshy companions." Legam merely laughed in reply.

As the four triumphant companions began their descent down Fort Drakon, Leliana's bright blue gaze met Legam's green eyes. They smiled and nodded at one another, silently exchanging an affirmation of victory, congratulations, and mutual affection. Today, they had indeed forged a legend of their own.