The Dragon and the Griffon

A/N: Draco Cousland is a Warrior whom Duncan recruited from Highever. Irasabeth Tabris is a rouge Duncan found in the Elven Alienage. This is going to be the story about how these two very different people become close friends and took on the Blight with their small band of misfit allies.

A big old thanks to my beta Lisa! You are a life saver!

Chapter 2: Saved your life!

Draco walked alongside Irasabeth, finding a sort of comfort in her bouncy, happy-go-lucky ways. She reminded him of one of the other elves he used to play with as children on his family's estate. He sighed softly, causing her to look at him.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

Draco shook his head. "Just a little homesick I guess."

She nodded. "I know how you feel. Even though living in the Alienage was pure hell, I still miss it. Not every day was horrid, we had parties you know? Birthdays were a big thing with all of us, so were weddings. We always laughed and tried to make the best of the bad," she smiled fondly at the memory. "Oh this one time my cousin Shianni and I went sneaking around the Alienage and we found her brother wrapped in the arms of this pretty little blonde girl. Her name was…oh what was it? Eilsa? Elana? No, none of those sound right…something to that effect though. She was a lady-in-waiting for some very nice noblewoman. She had a daughter too."

Draco went cold inside. "Was her name Iona?"

"Iona! That was the name…how did you know?"

He sighed. "Because Iona was at my family's estate in Highever. She served my mother's friend Lady Landra. They were visiting when Arl Howe attacked."

Irasabeth put a hand over her mouth. "By the Maker…is she…"

"I don't know," he said, "but I believe that she is dead. I didn't find her but I doubt anyone made it out alive. I was with Lady Landra's son, Dairren, when the attack happened."

Irasabeth arched an eyebrow, before shooting a glance at the three men in front of them before lowering her voice. "The lady's son? I would have thought you would have been with Iona."

Draco shrugged. "Iona was beautiful but not my type."

"What, you don't like elves?" she asked.

"I have had plenty of elven lovers over the years." He said.

"Oh so you don't like blondes? Is that the thing?" She asked, a smirk playing over her lips.

Draco laughed. "Iona lacked the proper parts."

Irasabeth laughed and grinned. "Oh-ho…so was he good in bed?"

Draco smirked. "Dairren has been…had been my lover on and off again since we were 16. He was wicked in bed and he followed orders very well."

Irasabeth nodded. "That's good…oh hey look Darkspawn!" She laughed as she pulled her bow off her back.

Draco grinned as he dove into the battle, his shield connecting with Darkspawn blades. He relished in the thrill of battle. It was almost as good as sex, he smiled as he cut through the darkspawn. "They just keep throwing themselves on my blade. Are they just that stupid?" he yelled at Alistair.

Alistair laughed. "Yeah, they are." He laughed. He glanced over in time to see a Hurlock Emissary conjure up a huge hunk of earth and hurl it at Draco. He cursed as he ran at full speed and tackled him to the ground. They rolled and ended up in the water with Alistair landing on top. Alistair stifled a grunt as hard strong arms wrapped around him and he was rolled over with Draco looking down at him. Draco gazed down into amber eyes and felt his groin jerk.

Draco grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, come here often?" He purred, causing Alistair to blush deeply. Draco's smile grew as he began to lean down; his lips almost touched Alistair's when they were interrupted by a shriek.

"Hey! Hey!" Irasabeth yelled as she let off a flurry of arrows. "Remember the Darkspawn? You know-big nasty things that want to kill us?" She yelled.

Draco growled as he stood up and helped Alistair to his feet. Alistair darted off back into the battle and Draco went to help Irasabeth. I'll have you yet Alistair. He thought to himself.

When they finally retrieved the treaties and the vials of blood, the sun had started to set and they were still a ways away from Ostagar, forcing them to set up camp in the Wilds. As they set camp up Alistair kept shooting glances at Draco, who discussed Highever with Jory.

"Silver for your thoughts?" Irasabeth asked as she dropped down from a nearby tree.

Alistair jumped. "Don't do that Irasy!" He yelped.

She grinned. "So…I saw you and Draco in the water. He looked like he was getting ready to kiss you." She said as she nudged him in the ribs.

Alistair blushed. "I-I don't know what you are talking about."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh c'mon Ali," she said. "There's no need to be shy. Draco's cute." She said. "He also likes men."

"How do you know?"

She rolled her eyes. "Because, dummy, he told me himself. His lover was killed when Highever was taken by Arl Howe."

Alistair's eyes widened. "His…his lover?"

She nodded. "So stop being some kind of girl and grow a pair. I've known you for six months and you don't let anyone in." she said shaking her head.

"That's not true, I let you in." he grumbled.

She rolled her eyes. "Alistair, I know next to nothing about your childhood. You've never told me about your parents or how you grew up. The only thing I know about you is that you were brought here by Duncan and saved from being turned into a Templar."

"That's all that really needs to be known."

Irasabeth rolled her eyes. "Ali, you have a lot to learn. Just get to know him, you never know, he may be someone special to you later on." She said as she got up and walked over to Daveth who was sharpening his daggers.

"Alistair? Do you have a moment to talk?" Draco asked as he walked over to him.

"O-of course. What's on your mind?" Alistair asked.

"About the battle earlier…thanks for saving my life. I could have gotten crushed." He said as he ran his fingers through his now loose hair.

Alistair watched the movement and noticed that Draco's hair fell to his shoulders and framed the strong hard line of his jaw. The man was truly attractive, as if the Maker took his time carving him out of pure stone.

"Alistair?" he asked tilting his head to the side.

"Huh?" Alistair asked then blushed. "Oh…um…not a problem. It is my job after all."

"And about what happened in the water. I hope you don't think poorly of me. You are just so handsome that I couldn't help myself." He said giving him a charming half smile that caused Alistair's insides to melt.

"It—It's quite alright. I don't mind." He said softly.

Draco's eyebrows shot up. "Well, its good to know that you won't hold it against me. Now then, we've got first watch." He said smiling. "We can talk more about this at Ostagar." He said as he walked off to the edge of camp.

The next morning, they broke camp and finished their trip back to Ostagar. When they walked into the camp Draco was tackled by his faithful Mabari. He yelped as the dog braced his huge paws on him and licked him happily. "Damn it Ares! You big lug get off!" He laughed.

Alistair felt a tug at his heart as he watched the 'Dragon of Highever' roll around on the ground with his dog. The dog finally got off and bounced around, barking happily. Draco got to his feet and rubbed the dog's head. "Well, lets get to Duncan and get the Joining over with." He said as he led the group to where Duncan stood.

Duncan turned. "I was wondering where you all went. You were due back last night, what happened?"

Irasabeth stepped up, handing him the treaties and the vials of blood. "We ran into a slight problem that took us deeper into the Wilds than we had intended. This crazy old woman had the treaties."

Duncan stroked his beard. "Hm…sounds like you have quite the tale to tell, but it will have to wait. We need to hurry along with the Joining. Alistair, take them to the old temple, I will be there shortly."

Alistair nodded as he led them away to the old temple. Duncan arrived shortly with a chalice and he turned to each one of them. "You have all made it to the Joining, here you will face what truly makes us a Grey Warden. We must take the taint of the Darkspawn into us, to do that we have to drink of their blood."

"Can I just say 'ew'?" Irasabeth asked, causing Draco to snicker.

Duncan pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Yes, it is not ideal but it is the only way and gives us the ability to sense the Darkspawn and to fight the Archdemon."

She shrugged. "Alright, well lets get on with it then." She said.

After a few words from Alistair, Duncan walked to "Daveth, from this moment you are a Grey Warden."

Daveth muttered a prayer as he took the chalice and drank. After a few moments he began to cough and stagger. Duncan looked at him sadly. "I am sorry Daveth. Step forward Jory." He said turning to the Knight.

"No! You ask to much! There is no honor in this!" The man cried as he pulled his sword out.

Irasabeth gasped as she saw them exchange a few blows and turned her face to Draco's neck. "Let me know when it's over." She muttered.

"No need, it's your turn." Draco said.

Irasabeth took a deep breath as she looked at the two bodies of the men on the floor. "If I die…take me back to my family please." She whispered softly as she took the chalice and took a drink. She let out a cry as her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she fell back, knocked out cold.

Duncan turned to Draco. "Draco Cousland, you are the last." He said holding out the chalice.

Draco nodded and drank. The blood burned as it went down and pain ripped through him. He felt the blood hum through him and was knocked out cold.

Alistair walked over to both of them and checked their pulses. "They're both alive, we have two new Grey Wardens." He said happily.

Duncan nodded. "These two are special, watch over them Alistair. You three will be important in the battles to come."

Alistair looked up at his mentor with confusion in his eyes. "What do you mean, Duncan?"

Duncan chuckled. "You'll see. Send Draco to me, he has been requested to join me in the war council by the King." He said as he walked off.

Alistair nodded and waited for the other two to wake. Once they were awake he gave them their pendants. "Oh Draco(,) before I forget, you are wanted by the King in the war council. The meeting is just down the stairs."

Draco groaned. "Not one of those," he groaned. "My father used to make me sit in his."

"Maybe the King just wants to look at you." Irasabeth said with a laugh and a wink.

Draco rolled his eyes. "You know Irasabeth, I'm starting to regret telling you anything."

She shrugged with a smile on her face and walked off humming a tune of her own. Draco shook his head. "How do you stand her?" He asked the other man.

Alistair shrugged. "She's a great woman, a wonderful fighter, and she's also a good friend."

Draco nodded. "Well, I'll see you after the meeting."

Alistair watched as he walked off, his head tilting to the side as he walked away. Alistair smiled softly to himself. "I'm really glad you survived, Draco." He whispered as he turned and went to find Irasabeth.

End chapter 2

And I did it! I am done with Chapter 2 and now its time to cook up something for chapter 3…is it time for some steamy Alistair loving? I think so =] Thank you to Lisa again for her wonderful Beta-ness.