Disclaimer: I do NOT own Dragon Age or anything related to it.
"She wanted to return to her dream. Perhaps it was still somewhere there behind her closed eyelids. Perhaps a little of its happiness still clung like gold dust to her lashes. Don't dreams in fairy tales sometimes leave a token behind?"
― Cornelia Funke, Inkheart
Chapter 20:Just A Dream
Inside of a large bedroom located within a breathtaking and humungous estate, all was quiet. The door was wooden, decorated with the finest of patterns painted on the wood and the doorknob made of only the most expensive and exquisite jewels to have ever existed. Solid gold sparkled off the walls bright enough for one to see their reflection in the wall instead of the mirror that stood beside a gigantic bed so long that it nearly reached the center of the room. Light orange and yellow curtains covered both sides of the bed, slightly concealing the occupant of the bed as they slept silently and peacefully.
Chestnut-colored hair was free of it's usual loose ponytail and instead lay in a pool on the pillow and around the occupant of the bed's head. No sound interrupted the quietude of the room except for the almost inaudible sound of the soft breathing of the bed's slumbering occupant. For what seemed like forever, everything was completely quiet. That was until the door abruptly swung open and the very loud sound of a few pairs of tiny feet tapping against the wooden floor caused the occupant's grey eyes to snap open as she sat up, now wide awake, just a second before two childish squeals pierced her ears followed by what the curtains near her bed being moved aside and two very little yet rather heavy bodies literally jumping right on top of her.
"Agh!" She yelped in surprise, grunting as her two 'assailants' both giggled and squealed loudly when she tried to gently push them off her.
"Good morning, big sister!" Two adorable voices said in unison as they both threw their arms around her neck and continued to giggle.
Natasha gasped, grey eyes widening once more and complexion turning whiter than a sheet. She felt as if she had seen a ghost, and maybe she really had."R-Rosie?" She choked out, her voice hoarse and almost inaudible due to the shock she was currently feeling."S-Samuel?" She wondered if the two people embracing were really her long lost little siblings or if she had simply lost her mind and was imagining things.
The two small children pulled away from her, confused frowns on their face, and Natasha could only gape at them. Right in front of her sat Rosie, dark brown eyes sparkling in that adorable way they always did whenever she smiled or tried to make someone else smile while her long blonde hair was tied up in it's usual pigtails and a few bangs rested on her forehead. As for Samuel, his black hair was neatly combed and light green eyes as bright and endearing as ever. For awhile, all Natasha could do was stare silently at her two youngest little siblings and wonder if they were actually real. She had thought them dead, but for the life of her, Natasha could not fathom just why she would ever think such an awful thing.
Had it all just been a dream? Had she merely dreamt that Rosie and Samuel, along with Daylen and Solona, were all dead? Of course she had! There was no way that Samuel would turn to blood magic and allow a demon to posses him, nor would Daylen or Rosie ever kill themselves, and Solona would most certainly never sacrifice herself to save the life of a Templar, especially the wretched Knight-Commander of all people.
"Are you alright, big sister?" Rosie asked, concern written across her features.
Samuel tilted his head to the side, looking equally concerned and confused."Did you have a bad dream?"
Natasha blinked away the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes and with a cry of joy, reached out to grab both Rosie and Samuel and pull them to her in a tight embrace that caused the two of them to squeal loudly in surprise before they laughed gleefully in unison and returned her embrace just as tightly. After another moment, she released them, not even bothering to protest as they dragged her out of bed while explaining to her that their mother had sent them to wake her up so she wouldn't sleep all day and risk falling into a coma as a result. That had produced an amused half-snort out of Natasha, who could very easily picture her mother saying something like that.
There was an abrupt knock at the door, though the person on the other side of it did not even bother to wait and instead swung it open without hesitation. Two more visitors entered the room, their appearance causing Natasha's heart to skip a beat in pleasant surprise.
"Glad to see someone is finally awake from her very long slumber." Daylen drawled, his brown hair messy and blue eyes filled with amusement like always.
Solona tittered in agreement, running her fingers through the ponytail that her orange hair was tied up in."For once I agree with Daylen; Mother was worried sick that if we didn't wake you up ourselves soon you'd drift into a coma!"
"So I've heard." Natasha replied, flicking her head at both Rosie and Samuel."Better not keep her waiting than." She sighed softly.
After washing up and getting changed very quickly, Natasha allowed her younger siblings to drag her downstairs, through the hallway, and into the kitchen where she could recognize the smell of pancakes and orange juice a mile away. Daylen gracefully stepped forward, pushed the door open, and jokingly bowed deeply like a proper knight to Natasha before motioning for her to step inside the kitchen.
"Enter please, milady." He said, putting on a bad Orlesian accent that made Solona wrinkle her nose at him in annoyance while Rosie and Samuel both tittered behind their hands. Natasha just rolled her eyes fondly at him in response before making her way into the kitchen and happily running into the open arms of her mother, Revka.
"Good morning, my child." Revka said warmly as they pulled away."I trust you slept well?"
"We think big sister had a bad dream, mommy." Rosie said shyly, studying her feet.
"A bad dream, you say?" Revka frowned, looking at her eldest in concern."Are you feeling well now, my dear?"
Natasha smiled to reassure her mother."I'm fine, Mother, a little bit shaken but perfectly fine now. Don't worry about me."
"Oh come now, dear." Revka replied with a chuckle."If I didn't worry about you and your brothers and sisters then I wouldn't exactly be a good mother now, would I?"
"We would all still love you anyway, mommy." Samuel said.
Revka smiled warmly."Yes, I know you would, my little boy, just as I will always love you all as well."
"Even Daylen?" Solona quipped, jabbing a thumb toward her older brother.
"Hey!" Daylen yelled indignantly.
"Yes, my dear Solona, even Daylen." Revka said, rolling her eyes at her children's usual antics. Her smile quickly returned as she turned back to her eldest and reached out to gently grasp Natasha's hands in her own."Now then, my dear, I suggest that you eat your breakfast swiftly and quickly make yourself presentable before your fiancé arrives to see you."
Natasha looked up, a frown of perplexity spreading across her face."Fiancé?"
Revka laughed, stroking Natasha's hair fondly."Oh my dearest little girl, it seems as though that unpleasant dream you had last night has left you a little bit shaken and confused, but don't you worry. Once your beloved future husband gets here, I'm sure that-"
"Too late, Mother." Daylen interjected with a smirk as the door to kitchen swung open and one of the servants walked inside, bowing respectfully at Revka.
"My apologies for interrupting your treasured time with your children, Mistress Revka, but your eldest daughter's soon-to-be husband has arrived early this morning and is very eager to see his future bride today." The servant opened the door and held it open for the family's new guest to come inside before bowing again and quickly exiting the room.
Natasha gasped, putting a hand over her mouth as she gaped at the man standing in front of her."C-Cullen?" She stammered, more shocked than ever to see him of all people here.
"Good morning, my love." He said warmly, a wide smile on his handsome face as walked over to Natasha and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead."I know I am a bit early, but I was in a bit of a rush and I simply could not wait to see you again."
Natasha took a step back, suddenly wanting to get as far away as possible from these people who claimed to be her family and this man who looked, sounded, and smelled so much like the real Cullen, but he did not act very much like the Cullen she knew. This man who had just kissed her forehead and called her his love was too brave and confident to be real; the Cullen that she had known for so many years was shy, sweet, friendly, respectful, and would never refer to her as his love, nor would he ever kiss her without her permission, even if they were betrothed to one another.
Besides, he was a Templar and she a mage. By law, they could never be together. It all suddenly came flooding back to her; she was a Grey Warden and had been at the Circle Tower when they'd encountered a Sloth demon that...
"No." Natasha whispered, shaking her head vehemently as her voie slowly grew louder and she started backing away from these imposters."No!" She exclaimed, slapping away the fake Cullen's hand when he tried to reach out for her with a worried frown on his face.
"Is something wrong, my love?" He asked. She did not respond and instead continued to back away from him until her back hit the wall and she shoved him away from her with all of her strength, causing him to crash into a nearby table.
"Get away from me!" She screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Natasha Amell, what has gotten into you, young lady?!" Revka demanded."How dare you shove your fiancé like that? Show some respect and love, you foolish girl!"
"Maybe big sister is sick." Rosie suggested, gently taking Natasha's hand in an attempt to drag her out of the room."She should get back into bed and rest until she feels better."
"Don't touch me!" Natasha shouted, yanking her hand out of this fake Rosie's grasp as if it were on fire."You're not real! None of you are! My little siblings are all dead and I'm a Grey Warden! And so is Cullen! Heck, the real Cullen used to be a Templar before we were conscripted!"
"A Templar?" Cullen tilted his head to the side in confusion."What are you talking about, my love? And what in the Maker's name is a Grey Warden? I've never heard of such a thing."
"No!" She cried."I won't fall for your lies anymore, demons! You cannot fool me! I am a Grey Warden and I will not allow you to use me as your toy! Get away from me or I swear by Andraste that I will kill you!"
The fake Revka snarled, all signs of the motherly warmth that she'd once shown only minutes ago vanishing in the blink of an eye and being replaced by pure rage and a desire to kill."Foolish child! We offer you peace, love, safety, and joy with your loved ones, but if death, war, and destruction is what you prefer, then we shall give it to you!"
The demon that pretended to be Cullen smirked in a way that sent chills down Natasha's spine."Prepare to die, you ungrateful mortal!"
The faces of Natasha's loved one were gone in an instant, replaced by the hideous and frightening appearances of their true demon forms. A burning hatred started to boil within Natasha, her heart beating rapidly and breath coming in gasps as she fought to control the ire she felt toward these changelings for daring to impersonate those who she cared about. Before she could stop herself, the mage let out a scream of pure hatred and rage, a staff suddenly appearing in her hands as a flame began to form in her palm and her attire changed from an elegant noblewoman's dress to the mage robes she'd grown accustomed to wearing during her years in the Circle Tower before Duncan freed her by conscripting her to join his order.
With a loud roar, the demon that once impersonated Revka lunged at her. Natasha ducked, backing away from the demon and bringing up her leg to kick the demon in the chest. She struck the demon upside the head with her staff before it could recover and started to summon a fire spell when the demon suddenly shrieked loudly and grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off the ground as if she weighed nothing.
The fake Cullen laughed chillingly as he approached, one hand lightly stroking Natasha's cheek while the other moved to grope her side. Natasha gasped desperately for air, struggling to free herself from the demon's grasp as it pressed her against a wall and tightened it's hold on her throat.
"Given up yet, big sister?" The fake Rosie asked sweetly, mocking her on purpose."All you have to do if you want to be happy is just relax and let us take care of you. That's all you have to do."
The fake Solona giggled, and not in an endearing way."It's true. The real world is full of nothing but death and sadness, but the Fade is a place where all of your dreams can come true." She giggled again."Literally."
"Changed your mind yet, my love?" The fake Cullen asked in amusement, chuckling as Natasha's staff fell to the floor and she fought hard to pry the fake Revka's fingers away from her throat.
"N-Never!" She choked out."I will never sumbit myself to a demon! I'd rather die!"
Before any of the demons could respond, a fireball suddenly erupted from Natasha's palm and struck the fake Revka in the face, her screams echoing through the room as she released her hold on Natasha and burned to death. Natasha coughed violently and gasped for air, looking up to glare at the fake Cullen just as he tried to pin her down with his foot. She rolled aside, grabbing her staff as she did so, and using it to strike the demon in the chest. She raised her hand as lightning erupted from her palm and electrocuted the fake Cullen until he was no longer in existence. She then turned her attention to the changelings that had taken the forms of her younger siblings.
"Big sister, no!" The fake Samuel cried, tears running down his cheeks."Don't leave us again! Please! You let that Templar Greagior kill me, let me turn to blood magic and become an abomination! Don't let that happen again! Please stay with us, big sister!"
Natasha started shaking, tears threatening to spill from her eyes."I-I cant." She stammered, the very words tearing her heart apart."I wish I could stay, but I can't. I'm so sorry. It's my fault that you all died. If I had just been a better big sister, protected you all better, none of this would have happened." She choked on sob and shook her head firmly."But I failed and now all of you are dead, because of me." Lightning started to form in her palm and she looked away from them so wouldn't have to look at those faces before she killed them. Even if they weren't her real little siblings, what she was about to do still hurt more than any physical wound ever could.
"I'm so sorry." She choked out, and then lightning erupted from her palm.
Light green eyes slowly fluttered open, bloodshot and dry due to all of the tears that they had shed. Shaky hands came up to wipe the fatigue out of her eyes and she winced at the slight pain that moving her bruised hands caused her. Her body shook uncontrollably in both pain and fear as the only source of light in her cold, tiny, and dark cell was a small window that the now setting sun shined through. But even when the sun was up, it rarely helped her see anything other than the dirty pillow and torn up sheet she used as her bed at night.
Red hair was a mess, loosely hanging over her face and around her shoulders and it's smell so repulsive that she cringed every time the unpleasant odor assaulted her nose and mouth. The elven girl hugged her knees to her chest and rested her chin on her knees, letting out an inaudible sigh as she tried to keep warm since the short black dress she wore was completely torn up and clung to her body like rags. She had no shoes on either, making it easy for anyone to see the scrapes, bruises, and scars on her legs. Her body was not in a healthy state, having been obviously underfed and tortured for years.
The sound of a door being swung open caused her head to snap up with a frightened gasp that became a whimper when she heard footsteps tapping against the floor and slowly making their way toward her cell where she could see their shadows growing larger on the wall as they got closer to her cell. She crawled away from the bars of her cell, curling up into a protective ball against the wall and suddenly feeling tears prick at her eyes even though she thought she had already cried away most of the remaining water in her system a long time ago.
Three figures came to a slow halt in front of her cell, two of them guards while the one in the center of the group was a middle-aged male human dressed in resplendent robes and a very elaborate staff in his hand as he looked at the elven girl through the bars of her cell as if he was sizing up a cow for a slaughter. With an ominous chuckle, the robed man made a hand gesture at one of his guards and whispered something to him that she couldn't hear. The two guards both nodded silently and exited the hallway, slamming the door behind them and leaving the terrified elven girl alone with the robed man.
"Avanna, carissima." He purred, the sound of his voice sending chills down her spine. A chuckle came from his lips as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a large key, eyes never leaving hers as he put the key in the lock and as if in slow motion, opened the door to her cell. He placed the key back into his pocket and sauntered over to her, eyes glinting with sadistic amusement and lips twisted into a smirk. He stopped in front of her, kneeling so he could make eye contact with his prisoner and gently reached out to push her red bangs away from her eyes, his smirk widening slightly when he saw pure fear written across her face and noticed the way her body trembled uncontrollably.
"Did you sleep well, Regina?" He asked softly, knowing full well what the answer was already.
The elf bit her lip to stifle a whimper, shaking her head quickly in response.
"Oh?" He cocked his head to the side, feigning surprise."And why not? Is little Regina in pain again? Well then, let me help you, my pet. Just let me take care of everything." He reached out to touch her.
"No!" Her eyes were wide as she slapped his hand away and scrambled toward the door, kicking him right in the face hard enough to break his nose as she did so.
"Venhedis!" He growled, twisting around rapidly and throwing a fireball that struck Regina in the leg. She screamed in both surprise and pain, hitting the ground like a rock and whimpering at the pain that her new wound caused her.
With a simple spell, the now livid Magister healed his broken nose and rose to his feet, sauntering over to a completely terrified Regina.
"You little fool." He said through gritted teeth, kneeling down beside her and grabbing her roughly by the hair. She whimpered in pain, which only caused him to yank her hair harder and slam her face hard against the floor."This despicable behavior shall not be tolerated. You will be punished and when your punishment is over, you will learn some respect."
"I-I'm sorry, Master." She stammered, tears running her cheeks as she shook like a leaf."Please forgive me."
He smirked."Now that is much better, carissima. But truly, you should remember to refer to me in the right way."
"Y-Yes, Grandfather." She murmured, though her voice was slightly muffled due to the hand she'd brought up to wipe the blood off her lip.
"Get the hell away from her, you demon!" A voice suddenly shouted. Both Regina and her so-called grandfather's heads snapped up at the voice just in time for an arcane bolt to strike the Magister in the chest, knocking him across the floor.
"Regina!" Natasha cried, hurrying over to the elven girl and gently grasping her shoulders."Do you know who I am?"
Regina found herself nodding weakly as she suddenly started to remember where she really was. She glanced over her shoulder to look at the Magister, who was now slowly rising to his feet with a growl as he glared darkly at both girls. She swiftly turned back to Natasha."This is a dream, isn't it? None of this is real."
Natasha smiled in relief, nodding in confirmation."That's not Danarius. It's just a demon trying to trick you."
"D-Did the demons try to trick you too?" Regina asked weakly.
Natasha bit her lip and nodded."They pretended to be my family and I barely managed to escape them."
"The others." Regina said."We have to help them."
"We will." Natasha assured her.
That was when the fake Danarius suddenly let out a scream of pure and charged at them. Natasha swiftly pushed Regina out of the way just as grease erupted from her hands all over the floor. The fake Magister yelped in surprise as he slipped on the grease and hit the ground like a rock. Not giving him a chance to recover, Natasha threw a fireball at the grease and in an instant, the grease-covered parts of the floor were on fire, the demon screaming in agony as he burned to death in the flames.
Ignoring the scene behind her, Natasha went over to Regina and offered her a hand up."Let's get out of here and free the others."
Regina stared at the hand being offered to her for a moment before nodding her head in agreement and accepting it.
"Let's go." She whispered.
And I have finally updated this story once again after nearly two months! Please forgive the long delay and I hope this chapter was worth the wait. Oh, and for those of you who are most likely surprised and confused right now, the answer is yes, you did read the name 'Danarius' right as well as the part where Regina called him 'Grandfather'. Unfortunately, you are all going to have to be patient. In the meantime, please remember to review, leave constructive criticism, but no flames!
Tevene Translations:
Avanna - Hello
Carissima - My dear (Latin)
Venhedis - A swear word
Next up: Chapter 21:In Waking Dreams