This chapter will be continuously switching between Alistair and Morriana's pov.
Chapter 39
~A New King, A Discovered Past~
Morriana
I thanked the Maker above that we had enough supplies for another few days, if we were careful. But being with a golem that doesn't eat, an assassin who was, sadly, probably used to going with little to eat, and a Qunari that could go weeks without caring for food I'd say we'd do just fine until we got back to Orzammar. I used Wynne's stone to light the way, although I knew Oghren could see in the dark, I felt like I had asked enough of him.
These tunnels seemed different as we went. We passed more pillars covered with dwarven writing. I wondered how far this would even be. The last thing we needed was to get lost in the depths of the Deep Roads. It was about a few hours of silent walking when Shale suddenly stopped.
"This is it. Cadash thiag." I look around the long abandoned place, feeling chills, as I now know what lurks in these places.
"We should be careful." I comment. Shale seems to agree.
"These ruins are always overrun by vermin. There may be something noteworthy further in, however." As we walked further into the thaig I could hear Shale behind me, talking to himself out loud, pondering ruins that once might have been its home.
"Darkspawn!" Zevran cried out behind me. My weapons are out quickly on instinct, as I see he speaks the truth. A group of darkspawn run our way. I groan, and slash at the first monster near me.
###
Alistair
Although I was fuming about not being able to go with Morriana, I still tread on back to Orzammar with the rest of them, following close behind Duran. There were less darkspawn on the way back, thank the Maker. This made the trip faster now that darkspawn were not jumping out of every corner. Sneaky bastards.
"Are you sure the Assembly will accept you?" I asked Duran, hesitantly. His stride does not falter but the looks in his eyes changed to doubt.
"I can only hope, Warden. Your assassin friend found good evidence of bribes at the time of my conviction. I was hoping that when we got back he could try to find more evidence, if you'll allow that. We might need as much proof as possible. Some kind of written record of his attack on Trian." His voice cracked at the name of his brother and I felt his pain.
"Were you close to your older brother?" I asked. He scoffed.
"Not before he died. It was my belief that he thought I was trying to surpass him and take our fathers throne. But that was mostly due to how famous I was in the Proving." I gave him a curious look and he laughed. "The Proving is a battle area, where men and women prove their strength against one another." I nodded my understanding. "I didn't, though. Want my father's throne, I mean. I always knew it would go to Trian and I accepted that long ago. I guess Bhelen didn't." he spat out his name like poison.
"Don't worry. We will do all we can to get the justice both you and your brother deserve." He glanced up at me and gave and appreciative smile.
"My thanks, Warden." We fell into a silent walk, one that was somehow comfortable.
###
Morriana
I whip the blood from my face as we walk. Maker I hate darkspawn. And not because of the Blight. I just hate these annoying asses.
At any rate, we ventured around the various buildings time had long since claimed. It was almost sad to see the ruins of this thaig. To think, this place was bustling we life. Now it has succumbed to the ages and is a home to the most evil of creatures. It wasn't much longer until we came to a bridge that lead to another part of the city. It seemed quiet for the most part, which worried me.
As I walked one the soft dirt below me something shifted. I jumped back with a curse as deepstalkers crawled up from the ground around us. I kicked the one I had practically walked over before cutting its small head off. The things were killed fast, to which I was glad. I hate those things as much as the darkspawn. Of course, the ruckus from our fight drew more darkspawn to us. Maker, with all this fighting you would think we put a dent in the darkspawns forces.
###
Alistair
Duran kept his helm on as we walked through Orzammar and to the tavern from when we first came. The crown Caradin forged for him lay tucked and covered in my pack, which was now causing me pain. We decided we would not approach the Assembly until the next day as to allow ourselves time for food, bathing, and resting. I wasn't too sure how long we'd been down in the Deep Roads, but given Duran told us was about almost five days ago when he join I'd say for a lot longer than initially thought.
Duran also wanted time to figure out the papers Zevran had found in order to sort through them. It was my thought that he wanted to make sure he had enough evidence to support his claim of betrayal and innocence.
I walked to the counter, exhausted enough to where I wasn't even embarrassed when the bartenders' daughter giggled at me. I reordered our rooms, to which I face planted on the coverlets of mine, not even caring to remove my uncomfortable armor.
###
Morriana
I cursed profanity, receiving a laugh from Zervan.
"Cursin' like an assassin there, Warden." He said as he wrapped my arm. Some stupid darkspawn archer caught my arm with a stinging poisoned tip. Luckily, it wasn't deadly, as Zevran identified, but hurt like sodding hell.
"When will the pain stop?" I asked through my teeth. I vaguely heard Shale mutter something about "weak, feeble elves."
"The burning-stinging pain?" I nod. He laughs again. "Eh, it'll be some time. Try not to think about it." Zevran had been good to me, soI bit back shouting at him to shut up while I sat in pain. "Come on, get up." He commanded as he help me up and we walked on. I tried my best not to scratch the wound, which itched as much as it hurt.
The thaig was quieter, now that we'd been killing everything that moved. We began crossing over a bridge and froze in our places as a thundering roar nearly shook the bridge.
"Ogre." I sighed. I looked up at Shale, who simply smiled.
###
Alistair
Duran took a deep breath as we stood outside the Assembly. I stood at his side, everyone else directly behind me. We were all now well rested, armor and weapons cleaned. Although we did not have Sten or Shale with us, but we still looked intimidating. I wasn't quite sure if that's what we were intending. But Duran warned us that his brother might be enraged to learn of his survival.
"Are you ready, Warden?" Duran asked as he stood tall (dwarven-wise) beside me. I knew he was just asking for reassurance. Through my years of Templar training we became masters at hiding emotions, though I barely bothered with it. Because of this, I could tell Duran was hiding his true emotions, which in his eyes shouted fear, anger, and hope. I gave him a big smile, one that I was sure would reassure him.
"Ready when you are, my lord." He smiled and nodded, putting on his helm. We opened the door at the same time. We allowed the doors to smack against the wall to cause a shuddering thunder across the room, silencing everyone. Including Bhelen and Harrowmont, standing in the center of the room. We must have interrupted a debate. We strode in, our armor echoing as we climbed down the stairs. The deshyr's whispered all around us and I blushed at the attention.
"Ah, Warden. You return." The Bhelen called to us. "Where is the other?" I shrug.
"Detour."
"And you have returned successful?" I nod, reaching into my pack and pulling out the crown. I hold it high, gaining audible gasps from those around us. Oghren stepped forward and recited all we had learned of Caradin and Branka.
"Before he died Caradin forged this crown for his chosen king." I didn't actually think on saying that, but I gave Oghren credit for adding it.
"And who is this king-to-be?" Bhelen inquired, trying not to smirk. I step closer, smiling.
"Duran Aeducan." More gasps and murmurs can be heard and Duran comes next to me, removing his helm, revealing his face.
"D-Duran? Brother . . . you live? I thought you were surely dead." From all what Duran told me of him it was now easy to tell he feigned shock and joy with shock and 'oh shit.' Duran sneered at Bhelen, giving him no greeting or pleasantries. He took in a deep breath and spoke.
"My lords and ladies of the Assembly." His voice deep and strong as he addressed all. "I am aware my presence is unwelcome. I know I was banished. But I inform to you all: I was not the killer of my brother, Trian's, wrongful death." He turns and makes solid eye contact with Bhelen. "And I have proof." I hands him the papers and Duran holds them high. "Here in my hands is the proof that Bhelen ordered the attack on our own brother and bribed some of you, some of Orzammars finest deshyrs, to vote in banishing me before I could make my case in court." He walks to the steward of the Assembly and hands them the papers. "Everything is there, lord steward. Evidence of Trian's death and my banishment."
The lord reads the papers. The rooms if filled with such strong silence I begin to wonder if I have suddenly gone deaf. After about a minute he looks back up, his face showing complete morose.
"You truly have been wronged, my prince." He gives Duran a small smile, to which he returns it. "The evidence is true, which includes the names of those who took the bribes" he tells the deshyrs accusingly. "And we shall revote."
"You can't do that!" Bhelen shout, hostilely. The Lord steward locks eyes with him.
"Watch me." He then turns back to the Assembly. "To all those who stand by this evidence and claim Duran Aeducan to be innocent raise hand." My heart swells as I see more than half of the deshyrs have raised their hand for him. And those who count Bhelen accountable for the death of prince Trian?" the same people raise hands.
He turns to Bhelen, anger now taking place. "Prince Bhelen, you are under arrest." Two guards come behind Bhelen but he stops them.
"You believe him? A human who knows nothing of our ways and a drunken, dishonored duster. I will not stand for this! Those papers could have easily been forged!"
"Like the papers you forged those papers to discredit Harrowmont and gain more support?" I shout out. The room goes quiet and Bhelen freezes. "Lady Dace and Lord Helmi can come forward to show they were given papers that showed false information of Harrowmont playing them."
"The Paragon Caradin has spoken, Bhelen. Stand down." Harromont agrees. Bhelen shakes his head in anger.
"No! That crown rightfully belongs to me, not a banished murderer."
"He has been proven innocent, Bhelen—" Duran steps between them, staring Bhelen down. I can tell something is about to happen, so I take a couple of cautious steps back. Just to be safe.
"With your permission, my lord." He does not take eyes away from Bhelen. "I would like to settle this. Fairly and quickly." I can tell he means to duel and take one more step back. The steward, Harrowmont, and the guards give them space.
"Winner takes the crown, brother?" Bhelen spits at him. "You expect me to fight you?"
"You used violence for the crown with Trian. Why not me?" I bite back an 'ooh' and simply watch. They circle each other and I am reminded of a Landsmeet. Although I had never seen one I had always heard stories. Duran quickly bring out his sword to strike, to which Bhelen blocks with his shield. Bhelen moves to stab but Duran jumps back and hits the sword with his. They continue with the sword fight, a constant clanging filling the area. Bhelen eventually got a lucky shot and caught Duran on his left arm, causing him to drop his dagger.
"Seems you lost some skill in the tunnels, brother." Bhelen mocks. Duran hisses at him. He then charges him, ducking as Bhelen swings at him then kicking Bhelen in the knee. A loud crack could be heard and it was almost enough to make me gag. Bhelen cried out and Duran used this opportunity to cut at the shield, severing the leather which held it to Bhelen's arm. Duran smashed Bhelen's head with the butt of the dagger, making him fall back. As Duran went around him he kicked his sword away and held his to Bhelens throat.
"Perhaps it is you whose skill was lost in my absence, brother." Bhelen looks up at his brother, anger and defeat on his face. "Yield to me." He tells him. Bhelen scoffs, then groans in pain.
"Never." Duran sighs, and I can tell he truly does not want another brother to be dead, no matter his crimes.
"So be it." Most of the deshyrs turn away as Duran plunges his sword through Bhelen's throat, killing him within seconds. Duran kneels next to him, remorse in his eyes. "I am sorry, my brother." He closes Bhelens eyes then returns to standing, facing the steward.
"It is done. Duran Aeducan, king of Orzammar!" the Assembly begins a steady beat as I hand over the crown to be placed on Duran. Once on his head he turned to face the people.
"Orzammar has been struggling, but I promise you, we will rise again and be as strong as ever." This earns some cheers and he gives a quick glance to me. "War is coming to Orzammar and the land above us. I know some of you will not be willing to send people off to war above, but this is a desperate time in which the Wardens have called to our aid. With this, we shall prove the dwarves are still as powerful as ever against the darkspawn. Winning this Blight will help us to dwindle the darkspawn numbers and maybe even dwell back into the Deep Roads to reclaim our rightful thaigs. But we cannot do this unless we stand together." I hear more cheers and motivation and I could almost cry at the fact we had finally gained more aid. "Thank you, my fellow deshyrs. You all truly are the best."
###
Morriana
I struggle as I am hold onto my blades, now sunken deep into the back of the ogre.
"Hold on Warden!" Sten cries as he jumps back from a swing.
"I'm trying!" I shout back at him. I suppose this is what I get for jumping onto its back while it was one its knees. How was I supposed to know that would just piss it off? Still annoyed with me, he backs up to crush me into the wall behind me. My head hits the wall and I am overcome with bright lights and dizziness. It does this a second time, also knocking the wind out of me. I hold tightly to the handles and pray I can stay on.
My vision comes back just in time to see Shale punches the Ogres leg, all whilst shouting profanities. Angered it moves toward him.
"Warden!" I hear a shout below me and look to see Sten below, sword stuck in the dirt and his arms reaching toward me. With faith and hope I release my grip and fall into the armored arms of the qunari. When I look back up the ogre now has throwing knifes in both of its eyes, curtesy of Zevran. Blinded, the ogre charges forward. Shale and Zevran leap out of the way, giving path for the ogre to go past and fall from the edge. Despite my head throbbing like some God-awful hangover, I laughed as I head the garish thud as the ogre crashed below.
"Warden, are you alright?" Sten asked me. I nod, rubbing my head.
"Yeah. I'll just have this headache for a while." I looked back up at Shale, but she seemed hypnotized by something. She walked over the wall behind Sten and me. It was only then I noticed writing on it.
"Here it is." Shale points to a spot on the wall. "Shale of house Cadash. Caradin spoke the truth." We are silent a moment, giving Shale a moment to process. She continued to look about the wall, taking in all its dwarven words.
"Did you remember anything?" She shrugs.
"Flashes. Small things. It is just . . . hard to comprehend that this is who I was; this," she gestures out to the thaig, "was where I lived."
"So . . . you found what you were looking for?" Shale stares at me for a moment, before nodding.
"I think so." Smiling, I motioned for them to follow me as we headed for the nearest exit out of the thaig.