Chapter 20
~Promises~

Morriana

The gates of Denerim came into view as we were nearly a mile out of the city. We started out in the early brink of the morning to save time and to quicken our speed. The arl's life did count on it, anyway although we got there as the sun was setting. The assassin had been right and I felt much better, as if nothing had happened. Zevran wasn't too bad, and I enjoyed his stories he shared about being an assassin, and even some lovers of the night, or daytime, or somewhere around noon I'd think. We had encountered darkspawn just the other day and he fought them very well. I don't know if he has before, but he seemed well enough to fight them. Well, anyone who can fight darkspawn without running away screaming like a two year old who saw a bug and can fight is good enough for me.

I walked up in front, Leliana at my side as she talked about some shopping she'd like to do while here. Shopping Shianni would leap at the chance to do. Me, not so much. The way Leliana talks about shoes you'd think them to be some kind of hidden old god or something in some small footwear. But I listened, nonetheless. Fancy shoes were a luxury I, nor anyone at home, could afford. I had two pairs: regular shoes I went out in, and boots to train or mess around. And the hair! Never had I heard of such things do to hair. It sounds pretty enough, but insane!

I assume Leliana thought I enjoyed talking about all of this with her, due to the smile I had on my face, but that wasn't the cause. We were near Denerim. Denerim! Where my Alienage was! I was finally going home, after so long. It feels like forever since I've been there and couldn't wait to see Shianni and father's smiling face. And, plus, I could finally help Soris.

Flashback:

I felt so relieved when my foot sent onto the dirty ground of the Alienage. I had an arm wrapped around Shianni, whom I knew was about to break as soon as we were home. I probably would too, but I had to keep it together.

"You have returned!" Valendrien said as we came out. Duncan stood next to him and my father on the other side. "Have any of you been hurt?" I look at Shianni and she shakes her head.

"No," I lie. "We're fine." He looked at us, then fear struck his face. "Where is Tormey's daughter, Nola?" Valora chocked a sob.

"Nola didn't make it," Soris explained.

"She refused and—and they killed her!" Valora finished.

"Nelaros too." Soris added. "The guards killed him."

"And we killed them." I said.

"I…see. Would the rest of you ladies please take Shianni home? She needs rest." The other girls nodded and I let go of Shianni. I knew she wanted to protest but she knew the look I had so well she simply nodded and let the others pull her along to home. "Now tell me," Valendrien said, once they were gone, "what happened?" I looked at him, but didn't speak, so Soris did instead.

"Vaughn's…dead." He put a hand on my shoulder and I nodded. Well, it seems their family just got a bit shorter…

"Then the garrison could already be on their way." Duncan said. "You have little time." Let them come. I wanted to say this out loud, but I just couldn't speak.

"We may have to leave Denerim for a while." An elf with cherry red hair suddenly rushed up to us.

"The guards are here!" he shouted. Some of the other elves suddenly began to whisper and panic, most even walked away, pretending to have no part in this.

"Don't panic," Valendrien told him. "Let's see what comes of this." It wasn't but a few moments later that the clatter of steel came behind us. I sucked in air and turned to see five guards approaching.

"I seek Valendrien, elder and administer of the Alienage!" The first one shouted, obviously the commander here."

"Here, Captain. I take it you have come in response to today's disruption?"

"Don't play ignorant with me, elder. You will not prevent justice from being done. The arl's son lies dead in a river of blood that runs through the entire palace! I need names, and I need them now!" I put my head down and stayed quiet.

"I'm afraid I can't help you Captain. You know the tales they tell about the arl's son. I'm sure you can guess what happened." Despite what was happening I couldn't help but admire how calm Valendrien was. I suppose that's why he's our elder.

"I know that no matter what happened it has gone too far! You're silence will put the entire Alienage at risk." He then turned to Duncan. "You there, Grey Warden, tell me what you know of this murder's foul deeds." He demanded.

"I have nothing to say, Captain," Duncan responded, putting his arms behind him with a quick glance at me.

"Then I'll ask one more time. If anyone knows who murdered the arl's son speak now and save yourself a lot more trouble." I didn't want any harm to come to anyone. I may not have known everyone in the Alienage completely but I still loved them all. I could not let this man hurt anyone. Just as I was contemplating stepping forward and admitting the doing was all mine another elf decided for me.

"It was Soris and Morriana. Them," she said, pointing to us. My head snapped toward her so quickly my neck cracked. The Captain looked at her, then me and Soris and mockingly chuckled.

"I suppose I am expected to believe that two elves did all of that?!"

"We are not all that helpless," Valendrien commented. He was silent for a moment then turned to us.

"Very well. I am placing you both under arrest for the murder of Vaughn Loren, the arl of Denerim's son. You both will wait in the dungeons until the arl decides what to do with you."

"Captain, a word if you please." Duncan said, stepping forward and stopping the guards from arresting us. I looked at him curiously, then turned to Soris, who shrugged.

"What is it Grey Warden? This situation is well under control, as you can see."

"Be that as it may, I hereby invoke the Right of Conscription on this young elf, Morriana Tabris. I remove this prisoner into my custody." Wait? Just me! What about Soris?!

"Son of a…" The Captain sighed. "Very well Grey Warden. As for the other, you are still under arrest."

"Wait," I stopped him. "Grey Warden Duncan, can't you conscript Soris too?"

"I am sorry, but I cannot." One of the guards forcefully pulled Soris and deprived him of his weapons.

"Grey Warden, the only thing I ask is that you be ride of this murderer today."

"Agreed."

"No!" I shouted as they dragged Soris away. My Duncan wrapped his arms around me and held me back as I tried desperately to claw my way to Soris. As the gates closed behind them, I suddenly went still. My cousin, one of the only friends I ever had, save for Shianni, was now gone. Gone to the depths of a heartless dungeon full of torture and pain.

And I couldn't save him.

Duncan let me go and I fell to my knees, chocking out a sob. I failed. I failed so badly. I let everyone down. It's all my fault.

"My little girl." My father said and he knelt beside me. He put a hand one my shoulder and I swiped it away.

"No." I whispered. I stood up and whipped my eyes. "If I am to leave… then so be it. I will just… go say good bye, then." I walked away without another word, and they said nothing. I walked slowly home, savoring my last moments of being home.

When I arrived at our house I opened the door. Valora and another one of the bridesmaids were sitting by the fire. When they saw me they both stood up.

"Morriana." Valora said walking to me. "Shianni's in the next room." I nodded and looked away.

"Soris… won't be coming home." I told her. She gasped.

"What!" I shut my eyes, ignoring the hurt sensation I just sent upon her. I recounted what happened and she folded her arms, sorrow written on her face. "I… I see." I looked back at her and saw the other bridesmaids left. I put my hands on her shoulders.

"I will get him back, Valora. When I leave, I leave with this promise. I will return, and I will bring him back, even if I die doing it." She sadly smiled at me and hugged me.

"Go talk to Shianni." She said once she broke the embrace. "She needs you." I nodded and waited as she left the house to give us privacy. I walked over to the beds and saw her sitting on mine, her gaze stuck to the floor and her arms crossed over herself. I opened my mouth to say something but she stopped me.

"I heard everything." She said, her voice cracked with tears threatening to fall.

"I'm sorry," was all I said. She looked up at me, her eyes glistening from soon to fall tears. I sat down next to her and hugged her. She returned it with a sigh.

"I know what happened." I let go and looked at her. "Don't give me that look, cousin. I know they…" I don't either of us could have finished that, nor would we have wanted to. I looked away than back at her, more tears falling.

"No one must know. You can't tell anyone." I told her. She nodded. Shianni was always the one I could tell something to and it wouldn't go all over the Alienage. Soris too, but mainly her.

"I'll miss you cousin." We hugged again, this time with our arms tightening each other so much I though one of us would snap in half. I don't know if she wanted to mention it, but this was no doubt my fault. If I was faster, stronger, or even smarter I would have saved all of us. I would have made sure none of us got captured; I would have made sure Nelaros and Nola were alive; I would have made sure both Shianni and I had not lost our innocents; I would have made sure I wouldn't have to leave and follow out with what my father wanted.

We both jumped apart as we hear the door open. Whipping our tears we stood up as my father entered the room.

"I still can't believe this," he said with a sad sigh. Shianni got up and walked over to the fire to give us privacy.

"Nor can I." I let our breath and shook my head. "So much has happened in one day…"

"I know." He put his hands in my shoulder, and I put my hands on his. "This isn't really the future I had planned out for you." He gave a halfhearted chuckle. "But now all I can give is my love for you and my hope that the Maker will be with you." I forced a half smile.

"Thank you father. I hold them both dearly to me." He returned my smile and then hugged me, tightly. When we let go I realized we were both crying.

"I think it must be time for you to go." I was so reluctant to go. I thought about procrastinating, but I knew I couldn't. So I nodded and walked to the door. I stopped when my hand was at the handle and turned.

"What… what do you think mother would have thought of me now?" He looked at my with a smile, as if I had answered the question to life itself, whatever that may be.

"She would have been so proud of you, no matter what. I know I am." His words struck me life a knife through the stomach. I said nothing as I reached for my pack I kept on the table, even though it was empty. Proud? How could anybody be proud of what I've done? More so, what I didn't do?! I then opened the door without another word and stepped outside, shutting it behind me. I looked around. The Alienage no longer held its life like color. Anyone who was not from here would not be able to see it, but I've lived here all my life. There were no people outside anymore, save for about five people. Two being Duncan and Valendrien as they talk and the others were taking down the decorations and putting the wedding feastings away for later. I walked to Duncan, a cold feeling filling my entire body.

"Are you ready to leave?" Duncan asked me. I nodded, not trusting my voice. "Then we should head out immediately. Duncan walked toward the exit and I followed, looking back at my beloved home one more time before I headed into a new future in which only the Maker would know what will happen.

Flashback:

I took a deep breath as I thought on that. An embarrassing yelp erupted from me as I noticed Zevran at my side.

"Maker, Zevran." I shouted. I breathed deep, trying to calm myself and steady my racing heart.

"My apologize, Warden. But I suggest we camp outside Denerim and head in when the sun rises. There are many people who would like to get their hands on such equipment that we have. Not to mention, there is a rather large bounty for anyone who finds a Warden." I nodded and we headed off the road, making sure Bodahn was able to get the cart through, and we began to make camp. I took the first shift, like always now, and so after a quickly made dinner, everyone went to sleep, save for Orrick and me as we sat by the fire.

###

It was some time later when I noticed my shift was over and now it was Sten's. I woke him up and said I was going to the nearby pond for a moment. His silent nod was all I got and I left, hiding my knife in my sleeve of my long-sleeve shirt for more scares to join my arm.

Yeah, so a continuation of Morriana's origin, mainly.

YAY! We have finally reached Denerim! Who knows what will lie ahead?! (Gives wired, but slightly cool, stare)