What Are Friends For?

Epilogue

It was almost inhuman how long their protector was able to keep this all up. He was pitted against a whole pack of blight wolves, all coming at him in all different directions. Normal men would have succumbed to such an assault, yet he was able to fell each and every one with his arcane pyre, causing them all to crumble into ash.

Despite the refugee's faith in his skills, he knew he was still one man. There were only so many darkspawn even he could take before he tired.

When the bereskarn came prowling out of the woods towards them, its guttural roar almost shaking the very foundation they stood on, the refugee feared how long their protector would last.

The corrupt bear charged at the mage, full speed, teeth bared. He quickly turned and cast his spell, an eruption of cold air bursting from his palms, freezing the bear solid. Their protector collapsed onto the ground, his breath heavy, staring at the frozen bear's maul that hovered inches before his own face.

But they all knew they were not safe yet. They all glanced, around to see the blight wolves slowly making their advance. Their protector forced himself back on his feet, readying his spell, waiting to see if the bereskarn would break free from his icy prison.

Instead, the ice shattered into thousands of pieces.

He and the other refugees could not believe the sight when an elven mage – one of the last grey wardens, he realized – and her companions rushed out of the woods and into the fray.

When the last of the wolves was finally slain, its dying whine music to the refugee's ears, the warden turned towards them all, asking if they were alright, if there were any injuries.

She stopped mid-sentence when her eyes met with their protector.

All either of them did was stare at each other, her eyes wide and his mouth slightly agape.

Their protector was the first to break to silence.

"It's... you. It's really you," he breathed out. She still didn't say a word. He raised his hands up and took a tentative step back. "I've only been trying to help out here. You must believe me."

"Warden or not, don't you go scaring Master Levyn!" one of the other refugees shouted. "He saved us at least three times over!"

The warden's brow quirked up, bemusement seeming to dance over her features.

"Levyn?"

"Yes, you heard right. My name is Levyn, warden," he deadpanned. The refugee wasn't sure if it was the trick of the light, but he was sure he saw spots of red on his ears and creeping up his neck.

"Well then, Levyn," – she paused a moment, shaking her head, almost in total amusement of the name, while Levyn seemed to shoot her an exasperated look – "I was happy to help your protect these people, but it seems you have a handle on things. Please continue on your journey."

"Oh, t-thank you, warden."

They smiled at one another and nodded their heads in silent acknowledgment before Levyn led them forward.

"Oh, and Levyn?"

He paused and waited, not turning to face her.

"That spell you had cast... That Cone of Cold spell... It had great power behind it. Good control too."

The refugee noticed Levyn's eyes widened. The warden's lips curved into a soft smile, and her own gaze turned towards her feet. "I guess what I am trying to say is that you seem like a very capable mage... so just keep up that good work. I'm proud of you."

The refugee felt his brow crease together, wondering at how the warden seemed almost misty-eyed. What in the world was that about?

It seemed that Levyn understood.

He turned and watched as Levyn's lower lip seemed to quiver, his hands gripping the sleeves of his robe tightly, before rushing forward.

~{x}~

"Say, Master Levyn, did you know that warden?"

A smirk ghosted his lips. "You could say that. That warden was once my best friend."


a/n; why was I sapping up hardcore when I was writing this part. I never had so many emotions while writing a piece before.

anyways this is based upon the bugged 'Jowan's Intention' quest.

For some reason I could totally picture Jowan's alias creating his alias by accident. When he rescued the refugees the first time, he was like 'glad to see you're safe, I'm leavin' now' while the refugees were like 'Yay, thanks for saving us Master Levyn!' Jowan tried corrected them multiple times ('no my name isn't Levyn I said that I'm leavin') but unfortunately never worked so the name stuck.

thanks for reading~