Dragon Age: Destiny's Rise

Royal Palace, Denerim

Day 460-461 (Dragon Age 9:31, Month 4, Day 10, 11)

"Shh! Stop...be quiet!"

Leliana turned her head sharply towards the door leading out into the main hall of the palace.

Some grumbling could be heard just outside. People shuffling around as well.

On the other side of the door, Alistair, Anora, and countless others were apparently restarting the crowning ceremony practices.

Again.

They had been doing so for the last two full days.

Alistair, and his soon to be bride, had come three days ago to Aedan and told him the crowning would be soon and that a ceremony was to be held in Aedan's honor immediately after. He was to be declared, formally, the Hero of Ferelden.

As was the norm for such pomp and circumstance, practices were to be held for several days prior.

Aedan, used to Ferelden ceremonies and the long drawn out practices associated, had yet to decide which was worse. The practices, or being declared the Hero of Ferelden.

Leliana had actually been rather excited for the crowning. At first.

And she was simply having entirely too much fun with Aedan's new title. She loved it. She especially loved that he absolutely hated it.

But she had quickly tired of the standing, and moving, and sitting, and long drawn out speeches. By the end of the day yesterday she had suggested they run away.

Her suggestion was only half in jest.

Today had been a little different though.

She had seen Zevran coming out of a broom closet earlier, one of the minor Bann's daughters following him. She had pointed it out to Aedan. He had laughed a little, shaking his head.

Then he had looked back to Leliana.

She was not laughing.

That was ten minutes ago.

Now her dress was hiked up, her legs were wrapped around Aedan's waist, and her back was pressed up to the wall while he supported her.

They were in the hall, linking the main throne room to the dining area. Not exactly hidden.

The noise had stopped them.

Growing quieter outside, Leliana turned back to Aedan and smiled, trying desperately to control the laugh forming on her lips.

"Would the Hero of Ferelden like to continue fucking me? Or would he...ugh..."

She was cut off as Aedan pushed into her roughly.

Aedan was beginning to get tired of her calling him that. She had been doing so nonstop since Alistair had mentioned it three days ago.

He took his aggressions out on her in rather interesting ways however. Ways that she rather enjoyed seeing as how her face was buried in his shoulder as she tried to stifle a laugh.

His reactions had only intensified her teasing. Which was the plan no doubt. She was a master at it after all. Even down to her choice of dirty words.

She grabbed his head and kissed him passionately as he continued. Her hands running over his now very short hair.

"We have to hurry...oh Hero of Fer...ugh...oh..."

She stopped talking but her mouth was still hanging open. She looked at him and smiled again. He pressed her hard against the wall and grunted. She wrapped tightly around him, pulling him into her even further as he finished.

They stayed there for a few seconds until the noises started again. This time Aedan's head turned sharply at hearing his name called. He turned to her.

"They're looking for us."

Leliana giggled. "We should let them find us like this. Maybe they'd let us go."

Aedan put her legs on the ground and let her go, reaching for his pants that were down around his ankles.

"I doubt it. It would be scandalous though."

She pulled her smallclothes bottoms back on and brushed out the wrinkles in her dress.

She finished and looked around as Aedan moved towards the door. "Wait..."

He stopped and watched her run into the dining hall, coming back with two apples. She handed one to him.

"We came for a snack yes?"

He smirked. "Indeed we did."

She wrapped her arm through his and laughed as he opened the door. He bit into the apple. It was rather good, and he was actually hungry.

Leliana sighed however as they walked into the main hall.

He whispered to her. "What?"

"My smallclothes are soaking wet."

The rest of the day had been rather uneventful, aside from Zevran smiling wickedly at them both. He had seen them enter the main hall from the door. He had known immediately.

Leliana had cursed at him though, playfully, when he opened his mouth. He did not mention it after, but had a ridiculous grin on his face the rest of the day.

They had gone back to the rooms after. Oghren and Sten were both complaining about the day's events to no end. Even Wynne seemed tired of it. Only Shale, recently deciding to participate, seemed not to mind.

All went into their own rooms to relax for a bit after standing most of the day. Dinner was to be a festive occasion, as it had every night since they'd arrived, but that was a few hours off.

Leliana rolled over on the bed, sliding off of Aedan. Again.

A rather common occurrence since the healers had given him leave to resume some normal activities.

"We should slow down a little."

Aedan snorted. "Why? You did all the work that time."

She propped herself up on her elbow and stared at him. "Fair is fair yes? You had to pick me up this afternoon the whole time."

Aedan brushed her hair from her eyes. "I suppose. I feel fine though."

"Good. Because after dinner I'm going to..." She stopped as someone banged on the door.

She quickly darted up and threw on the dress she was wearing earlier. Aedan got up and walked around the armoire, looking for his pants.

Leliana looked back, then cracked the door and slid outside. It was only a messenger.

"My lady, the king wishes to inform the Warden that he has an important guest downstairs."

Leliana's eyes opened wide but she recovered quickly and thanked him.

She stood in front of the door and wondered.

A guest? Who? Everyone is here...

Except for one...

She moved to open the door but held the handle for a second. Shaking her head she opened the door.

No. It can't be...

She walked inside. Aedan was standing there, pants in his hands.

"You have a guest. An important one."

He looked curious. "Who?"

"He did not say."

Aedan nodded. He dropped his pants and jumped into the tub and quickly cleaned off. Leliana followed him, doing the same.

She was not exactly invited, but she was going to see who this was. Thankfully, Aedan did not seem to mind.

Both left the room ten minutes later. Walking briskly through the chambers and down the stairs to the main halls.

Leliana looked at Aedan as he walked. He was curious. He had no idea who it could be. She was puzzled by this, and curious herself.

Entering the main hall, up by the throne, talking with Alistair, was a slightly taller man with dark hair. He looked a little haggard, like he had been sleeping outdoors and moving for weeks, or longer.

Aedan saw him at a distance and picked up his pace.

Leliana slowed as she watched him. As he got closer to the throne he broke into a run. The other man did the same and they met in the middle, grabbing each other in simultaneous bear hugs.

Neither spoke, they just embraced.

Leliana moved up beside Alistair. Now very curious. The king looked to her. His eyes were actually a little misty and he was trying to hide it from her.

"It's his brother. He's alive..."

She turned, eyes beginning to water herself, and watched as the two grown men, one of them the toughest, most accomplished warrior she had ever even heard of, tales and all, began to cry.

She looked at Alistair and moved to his throne. She had to sit down.

She put her hands to her head and cried, unable to stop it. Alistair moved closer to her, putting a hand to her shoulder. She looked up. He was in tears as well.

The good kind for once.

Finally.

Dinner had turned into a rather large affair with Fergus' return. Alistair had forgone the normal proceedings and moved everyone into the formal chambers a day earlier. It would put the staff on short notice, and make the following day's events more difficult of course. But under the circumstances, he felt the situation called for it.

Anora, usually against such things, agreed.

Fergus and the queen were of similar ages and had known one another since childhood. She was also very happy to see him alive.

Besides, it solved a huge problem.

The two Teyrnirs, Highever and Gwaren, were both unoccupied. With Fergus' return, Highever was automatically resolved, passing back to him.

Fergus had told his tales. Tracking throughout the Wilds as Ostagar was attacked. Venturing back two days after and being caught in a darkspawn ambush. Many had died. Only fifteen out of fifty survived.

But the survivors, Highever men all, made there way into the Brecilian and came out after word of Lothering's fall had reached them. Slowly they had made their way through the Bannorn towards Highever.

There they had snuck into the city and recruited more men. They'd began raids on supply trains and had started kidnapping Howe's men when able. By the time of the Landsmeet, word had reached of the new Grey Wardens, assuming command of the country's forces after Loghain's death. One of them Maric's lost son, set to be king.

Not knowing who the wardens actually were, Fergus had his men infiltrate and overtake Highever castle during the battle of Denerim. Most of Howe's men had simply ran as word of Howe's death had spread wide by then.

None had faith in Thomas, Howe's eldest. He was killed by his own troops.

With the castle recovered, the city itself followed suit. Bloodshed was kept to a minimum with most of the enemy simply dropping their weapons or leaving.

Fergus, after reestablishing control, had set off for Denerim at first chance.

He had only learned this afternoon, from the new king no less, just who was responsible for stopping the Blight.

His own little brother.

Aedan for his part had been a little quiet. He felt responsible for Oriana and Oren. And for their mother and father.

Seeing his brother, as happy as it made him, also made him think of how badly he had failed.

He watched as Fergus was talking with Anora, Alistair and Leliana. His fellow warden and king telling his brother of their adventures. The bard adding flair and correcting Alistair every third sentence.

Aedan smiled at listening to them but he was not smiling inside.

Strangely, Sten seemed to grasp this and pulled him away.

"Kadan. Deaths in the past must remain there. A different man exists now where before he thinks himself a failure." The large Qunari sighed. "I know this as well as any."

Aedan looked up at Sten. He was the only one taller than he. He nodded.

"Maybe..." He looked over at his brother. They had not spoken of the family yet. He dreaded it. Turning back to Sten he found the Qunari watching as well. He seemed a little different. Anxious in some ways.

"Sten..." The Qunari turned to him. "You're going to make your report soon aren't you?"

A slight smile escaped his lips. "Yes. I leave tomorrow, after the celebration. Such as waste."

"What, leaving or the celebration?"

"Both."

Aedan laughed. "I agree."

"Still...even Qunari have such revelries at times. Many executions tend to follow such occasions."

Aedan smiled. "We'll try to avoid that this time but you never know."

Sten placed a large hand on Aedan's shoulder and walked over to the table. He ate six cookies at a time, as if he'd never have them again.

Aedan thought to himself it was possible he would not.

Sten had been a strange one. Their conversations short and seemingly unfriendly to an outsider. A deep respect existed between them though. And Tiberius was fascinated with the Qunari. Only Morrigan had spent more time with the hound.

His thoughts were interrupted.

"Warden...if I may?"

He turned and found Wynne.

He raised his eyebrows. Shale was behind her. A rarity. The golem had preferred to remain away from most of the castle nonsense as she had called it. Aedan was secretly jealous.

"Ladies."

The golem actually snorted.

Wynne cracked a smile. "Aedan...I have a favor if I may."

"Anything."

"I have been speaking to Shale. She has expressed a desire to...well...reverse the process of being a golem."

Aedan looked from the old mage to the golem, slightly in shock.

"Shale?"

"Warden?"

Aedan did not know what to say really. He looked at Wynne. "Is it possible?"

She looked back at the golem, then to Aedan. "Maybe. Tevinter Magister Lords would often fuse souls in the same manner as the anvil did. They could also reverse them. If it can be done then Minrathous is where we'll find the answer."

Aedan nodded. "I understand actually. What do you need from me?"

Wynne looked at Alistair, still speaking and gesturing excitedly to Fergus. Leliana was laughing at him as he spoke.

"The king has been informed that several of the dwarven guilds wish to study her. Alistair told them to go...well..."

Shale broke in. "Pleasure themselves I believe."

Aedan laughed. "I'll bet. You want an escort?" The dwarves would likely try something if they could. Working golems were simply too rare these days.

Wynne nodded. "Only to Amaranthine. We'll catch a ship from there. I'm too old to be walking a thousand miles."

Aedan nodded back. "Okay. Day after tomorrow good enough? Sten's leaving tomorrow after the ceremony. It would be too late to make the trip until the next day. Maybe he can travel with you for a ways. We can all head there together. I'll see if he'll alter his plans."

Wynne smiled. "Perfect actually. He did not tell me that though. I'll have a word with him." She looked back at Alistair and Fergus again. "It's good to see your brother. He looks so much like your father."

She looked a little sad, staring at Fergus.

Aedan knew Wynne and his father had been acquainted. How so she had never said. He knew it was before he or Fergus had been born, near the end of, then immediately after the occupation. She had admitted that much. Before his father had married in fact. Both would have been in their twenties at the time then.

He assumed it had something to do with the wars to free Ferelden from Orlais. A young Bryce had raided Orlesian troop centers near the tower for years. Aedan had always wondered if a young Wynne, even though a mage, had perhaps broken ranks and assisted the rebels.

Even now, decades later, it would be unwise for her to speak of it though. The Chantry and Templars took a dim view on such things. Even from one so accomplished as her. A warrior would be praised. A mage condemned.

Aedan shook his head at the absurdity of it. He planned to perhaps use of little of his new found influence in that regard.

Morrigan had been right about some things.

The old mage brought him back. "We'll speak of it tomorrow then."

He nodded and she patted his arm as she walked by. Shale followed her. Mumbling something about the ridiculous people all milling about for no apparent purpose.

Aedan walked up behind Leliana, listening to Alistair retell the events of the Landsmeet.

The bard felt his presence and leaned back into him. Fergus noticed, giving his brother an eyebrow raise.

Aedan shrugged his shoulders. Listening to Alistair move through the events in Redcliffe, leaving out the obvious, and moving towards the final battle.

Anora caught his eye and motioned him aside. He followed her to the other end of the room, away from everyone.

"Your majesty?"

"Much like your friend, the king, when we are alone warden, please dispense with the formalities..."

Aedan was a little surprised. Anora had been rather civil with him over the last week. Almost as if she had either forgiven him for killing her father, or simply decided it no longer mattered.

"Fine Anora. What do you need?"

"Alistair has decided that Amaranthine is to be given to the Grey Wardens, as an arling no less, after the ceremonies."

Aedan opened his eyes a little wider. "That's...not good."

"I agree warden. Can you convince him otherwise. I am very much in favor of establishing some base of operations for the wardens in Ferelden, but an arling? That may be going too far."

Aedan nodded. "He wants me to run it doesn't he?"

"Yes."

Aedan sighed. "Damn it." He looked over towards Alistair. This was something that was likely to be ironclad in his mind. At least for the moment.

Turning to Anora he was suddenly wishing he hadn't pushed Alistair quite as much to be his own man. It was going to bite him in the ass it seemed.

"I don't think it's something we can change for now. Regarding the wardens Anora, his mind is likely made up. It may be the only thing you won't be able to change his mind on. Me either I'm afraid."

"I was afraid you'd say that. I thought he was to be bored with this? He's not bored Aedan."

"Huh. I've seen that. I'm surprised too. But maybe that's not a bad thing."

She folded her arms, moved beside him and looked back at her husband to be.

"Perhaps. This is not a good start however." She looked up at him. "Will you accept the appointment as Arl and Warden Commander?"

"Not at first. There are no wardens. I'm sure some will come. Then..." He looked down at her. "Then I will. But I won't do it forever."

"You have other plans?"

"Maybe. It's not up to me."

Fergus and Aedan had spent the rest of that night talking out in the common room near the guest chambers. They had sat in front of the fire and drank. Excessively.

Only Oghren had interrupted. And then it was only for a drink.

He was a welcome diversion, and Fergus seemed to genuinely like the dwarf.

But talk eventually headed where neither brother really wanted it to go.

Both were harsh, but only on themselves. Typical really.

Fergus learned of the attack, minus the details of what happened to Oren and Oriana. Aedan did not see the point in telling his brother his son had been run through and left to bleed to death on the floor while his wife, fighting back no doubt, was beaten to a pulp. She was found beside the boy, her throat cut.

He did tell him of their parents, and Duncan and Gilmore. How their mother had fought beside him until finding their father. Bryce was barely alive and would not have lived regardless, but Aedan still felt horrible for not taking his mother with them.

Fergus had understood. But he also was well aware of their mothers tendencies. She would never have left. He told Aedan that. But the young warden just could not really forgive himself.

Fergus had similar feelings. He felt he never should have left early for what amounted to a three hour head start.

So Aedan told him of Howe.

How the man was found in the Arl of Denerim's estate as he, Zevran, Morrigan and Leliana were trying to rescue Anora.

Aedan admitted he allowed the old bastard to goad him into losing his cool. The mages with him took advantage and placed him in a crushing prison. He would have died if he were alone.

But he was not alone. Far from it.

He told his brother of how Morrigan had sidestepped him and completely annihilated the two mages present. She had actually turned them to dust. Nothing was left.

Zevran and Leliana had entered behind her and took out the rest of the guards with ease. Howe had gotten close to him for the killing blow, while he was still immobile, but Leliana had sidestepped his attack and tumbled behind him low.

She cut both his ankle tendons, severing them completely. He fell like a stone, unable to stand.

Leliana and Zevran then dispatched the others still present while Morrigan, checking Aedan briefly, seeing that he would be fine in a moment, walked up calmly to Howe as he was on his hands and knees.

She smiled sweetly to the broken man, laughing lightly as she approached with a seductive sway to her gait.. Lighting cackled from her fingertips and her yellow eyes shown brighter the nearer she got to him.

Aedan was certain Howe shit himself.

But she did not use magic. Instead she swung her staff and smacked him right in the mouth, knocking out all of his teeth. By then Leliana had returned and she drove the hilt of her dagger into the back of his neck, temporarily paralyzing him.

Aedan could move by then. And Howe could talk, barely, having spit out his teeth..

He spewed some vile talk of revenge but Aedan, furious, pushed his boot into his face. He went flailing onto his back.

Aedan stood over him, as he had imagined for over a year. The things he had thought of. No one would have thought ill of him if he had done them.

And he was tempted.

But a noise outside caused Zevran, then Leliana to go back into the hall.

Fighting could clearly be heard and Morrigan went after them.

Aedan just looked down at the broken man, murderer of his family. He placed his boot on his neck and twisted.

Howe's neck snapped like a twig. He died right away.

Morrigan returned first, mess cleaned up outside, and looked down at him, dead on the floor. She poked him with her staff and looked to Aedan. She had been distant up until then for some time, but the old feelings had come out for a moment.

It had only been a glance. But it spoke volumes.

More noise from the hall caused both of them to leave, revenge, not exactly sweet, it never really is, satisfied.

Fergus had listened to the tale. Then he rose and got two more bottles.

The men drank some more until it all went away.

Both passed out in the chairs by the fire.

The following day had been awful.

Hangovers and lack of sleep aside, Alistair's crowning, though the ceremony itself went according to plan, lasted for over three hours.

Then, as if that were not enough, the ceremony proclaiming Aedan Hero of Ferelden had taken another two. All the events had been recounted, cleaned up of course, all the places they had been, the people helped and the battles fought.

They were all regaled.

Aedan felt sick after.

The only good to come of it had been Leliana no longer calling him the Hero of Ferelden. With others now speaking it to him, it was no longer funny.

But the ceremony had been over now for a few hours, and the tour through the city had just been concluded.

All were again gathered in the main palace hall, awaiting the evenings dinner, now an hour off. Mingling and such was expected but Aedan, seeing a few familiar faces he had not expected, suddenly remembered a promise.

One he intended to keep.

He saw four elves, looking very out of place, standing near the large doors, away from everyone else. Most barely noticed them, others looked uncomfortable that they were even here.

Two were older. Aedan recognized the oldest, Valendrian, the Alieanage's elder. The other he could not place, though he too was rather old. With them were two younger elves. Aedan recognized the male, he had been in the Arl's dungeon. Aedan had let him go. Standing beside him, nearly hiding, was Shianni.

Valendrian saw Aedan approaching. He smiled politely to the warden, offering a slight bow.

"I forgot just how tall you were Grey Warden. We are pleased to be here."

Aedan smiled and looked at Shianni briefly. Her eyes had just stopped roiling.

"Bullshit. No one is. At least no one who is sane." He turned back to Valendrian and shook his hand, the old man was trying not to smile. "But I am glad you are here."

The young man spoke. "Thank you again for letting me out of that cell warden."

Aedan turned to him, shaking his hand as well. "I'm sorry. I remember you, but not your name."

"Soris." He nodded towards the other man. "This is my sister, you remember I'm sure, Shianni, and our uncle Cyrion."

Aedan nodded to the older man, offering his hand. The elf shook it, hesitatingly. It was not lost on Aedan but he did not ask.

Shianni frowned at him, as was customary.

"Charmed my lady." Aedan bowed to her, taking her hand gently. He laughed a little as he let it go at her perplexed facial expression.

"Ass." She looked irritated but managed a little bit of a smile.

Aedan knew he was perhaps the only human in Thedas who might be able to try such a thing without getting brained, due to his previous visits to the Alienage. Perhaps Alistair as well, maybe. With good reason.

He had also put two and two together from what he'd been told by first Iona, then Soris and Valendrian. He knew what had happened. He'd gutted Vaughan for it. Painfully. He'd stolen his money too.

Shianni did not know of this yet.

Valendrian shook his head. "Shianni! You must try harder." He turned to Aedan. "Apologies warden. It appears this old man has not taught the younger generation manners, though I suspect, like Duncan before you, it doesn't matter as much to you."

Aedan laughed. "No, not really. But watch some of these bastards in here. The king won't stand for it himself, but for some, old habits die hard."

The old man, Cyrion, finally spoke. Bitterly. "And you think this new king will change things do you?"

"Forgive him warden. He still mourns the death of his daughter." Valendrian frowned.

Aedan looked at him. He suddenly knew who he was.

"He will. Though it may take a little time. The Dalish are to be given lands in the Brecilian and west to Ostagar, to come and go from as they please., The Alienages, starting tomorrow, are to be unsealed and unguarded, save for regular crime. Autonomy in internal affairs will be expanded, and most likely an elven representative will be asked to sit in at court." He looked at Valendrian who was a little shocked. "And that's just the start."

All four were surprised, but skepticism was still present. Understandably.

Aedan turned back to Cyrion. "You have my sympathies for your daughter. I am led to believe she was to be a potential recruit for the Grey Wardens. Her death is mourned by the wardens. We are sorely in need of such quality people now."

The old man nodded but did not speak. Soris did.

"Warden..." He looked at his uncle and sister. "I...I believe I would like to apply if possible."

All three elves with him opened their eyes in shock but Valendrian's eyes also held knowledge. He may not be aware of Grey Wardens secrets, but he was certainly aware of the dangers involved. Duncan had likely seen to that.

Aedan looked the young elf over. He was fit, most likely agile.

But at present, without Riordan, or even the knowledge of how the joining was conducted, it was not possible. And Aedan had doubts...

"At the moment we cannot accept you Soris. However." He put a hand on the young man's shoulder. "There is an elf here working for the king by the name of Zevran. He is a former Antivan Crow actually..." Eyes opened wider at hearing this. "...Talk to him at some point over the next month or so, and once the wardens have become reestablished...we can revisit this if you wish."

The young man smiled and nodded. He looked to his sister. She was not smiling.

But she was curious. "A crow? That one was an Antivan Crow?"

Aedan laughed. It would stand to reason she would remember Zevran. Especially since he had asked her, during the siege of the Alienage as the darkspawn were attacking no less, if it would be possible to perhaps have a kiss. For luck of course.

She'd smacked him.

"Indeed he is my dear. In fact he was sent here to kill me originally."

Shianni was somehow not shocked.

Valendrian shook his head. "You are very much like Duncan young man. Very much. You would be welcome to recruit in the Alienage once things have settled. Though...I'd ask..."

Aedan nodded. "No conscriptions. I won't promise of course, you know I cannot, but I see no need for it at present. Besides, in truth, we are likely months away from even looking." He looked again at Soris. "So if you are sure, practice. Only the very best will be accepted. And this is not an easy life. Remember that."

The young elf nodded.

Valendrian spoke again. "We should not keep you warden. It has been a pleasure. And thank you, again."

Aedan nodded to the men but motioned for Shianni to stop. "May I have a moment?"

She looked at him, then the others. Valendrian and Soris nodded for her to follow Aedan. Cyrion was suspicious but noticed Valendrian's reaction and let it go.

She nodded and Aedan walked her away from the others.

She was about to speak, probably nothing good, but Aedan held up a hand and stopped her.

"I'll be quick. Two things." He looked around so no one could hear him. "I need to bring something to you later. It's yours. I can't explain here, and you would not want me to. I just want to make you aware of it. I have to leave for Amaranthine in the morning for a few days so later this week I will drop by the Alienage. Would this be acceptable?"

She had no idea what he was talking about. So Aedan just continued.

"And more importantly." He sighed, suddenly looking sad. "There is a little girl...Her name is Amethyne..."

"How do you know her!"

Aedan walked up closer. "Shianni..."

The elf calmed a little, but barely. Aedan continued. "I knew her mother. She was in Highever, with me...and...and she was killed in the attack there, with the rest of my family..."

Shianni had been told of the attack, she knew Iona well, and she had never returned. She figured she had been killed, or worse, by the humans there. No one had ever been able to confirm it. A lowly elven servant had not warranted anyone even looking.

"Your family? I don't understand..."

"The humans Iona worked for were vassals of my father..."

"Wait?" She looked up at him. "You're a noble?"

Aedan nodded. "I was. Grey Wardens cannot keep their titles. My father was Teryn of Highever."

She looked around at all the other nobles and then back to him. Her experiences with humans were usually bad enough. Nobles had been much, much worse. And now, the only human she would even contemplate speaking with because she might actually want to had just told her he was a noble too.

She started to speak, angry, but stopped. She looked at him again.

She remembered him barging into the Alienage, approaching her as she argued with the Tevinters maintaining the Quarantine. He had asked her what was happening.

Only Soris' description of the human who had freed him, clearly this man, had stopped her acerbic response. So she had taken a chance and told him what she knew.

She recalled a chill going up her spine when she'd asked him then how he intended to talk his way past the quarantine, past the Tevinter Mages.

He had only smirked and said he wasn't going to ask. She'd told everyone to move away then. It had been a wise move. He had torn through them not thirty seconds later and freed everyone inside. Then he had found Valendrian and stopped the slavers.

Later, he'd driven away the darkspawn in the Alienage during the attack. She'd thought him a friend since then. Without question. Even if she could not really admit it.

But he'd earned it.

She looked at Aedan again. "Iona was killed? You know this?"

Aedan nodded.

Shianni wanted to ask more but she suddenly felt sorry for him. He looked so sad.

She sighed and moved towards a bench, sitting. Aedan sat next to her.

"She is staying with me actually. She is a bright girl. She misses her mother though."

Aedan took a deep breath. "I promised her mother the girl would have whatever she needs."

The elven girl looked at him. "She needs her mother."

Aedan leaned over, putting his hand to his face. "I was not fast enough. I was not good enough. I could not save her. Not her, not my parents, not my brothers wife and child. Not countless others..."

Shianni knelt over with him, whispering. "This was before you became a Grey Warden?"

"It was when I became a Grey Warden. That night." He leaned back, looking out over the crowd of people, most of whom he either did not know, or did not care about. He turned back to her. "The one Valendrian mentioned, Duncan..."

"I remember him."

Aedan nodded. "He saved me that night. But only me..."

Shianni saw two others, one that damn elf, beginning to approach.

"She has what she needs. But...but it would be acceptable if you wished to...perhaps...visit her, or talk to her, maybe. I would ask you to be..."

"I understand." Aedan saw Zevran and Leliana approaching now as well. "We'll speak of it later then?"

She nodded to him as Zevran opened his mouth.

"Do you not owe me a kiss my dear?"

Aedan stood up and grabbed Zevran by the neck and pulled him away. He squirmed but laughed as Leliana sat next to Shianni and began talking to her.

Aedan let Zevran go and talked quietly to him. The elf's eyes opened a little wider then he nodded, mouthing to Aedan that he did not know.

Aedan smiled and put an arm around him, walking him back towards Shianni and Leliana, who were somehow already deep in discussion.

Aedan marveled a how easily the bard seemed to make friends and put people at ease.

He looked around the huge room at all the people.

Alistair was sitting on his throne, clear across the main hall. Aedan could see, even at this distance, his abject boredom written all over his face.

Others were deep in discussions, arguing and gesticulating wildly about this piece of land, or that new title that had opened up...

Politics.

I hate politics...

Aedan turned to Zevran, who was looking at Leliana, still speaking to Shianni. He had a different look on his face. Aedan got his attention.

"You still want to kill me? Because I'm okay with it now..."

A/N: ... I got nothing...

The next two or three could be shorter, and thus hopefully, quicker.