I'd braced myself for a fight. I was woefully unprepared for the two men to be relieved that I was alright. To not bring up the fact that I'd gone against Alistair's orders. He had been the senior member amongst us, and I'd blatantly ignored and challenged him.

"Are you alright?" Alistair looked me over.

"I'm fine. I wasn't seen by any darkspawn." I said, "Oh, and here."

I rummaged around in my bag, pulling out the three vials and the documents.

"You remembered? Oh, thank the Maker." Alistair breathed, "I was not looking forward to a repeat trip.

"Neither was I, trust me." My eyes fell, "I'm sorry I acted out like that, though. It wasn't right, and I'm very sorry."

"It is in the past. Put it behind you." Duncan assured me, "Sometimes, one needs to go against the majority to get the job done. That is what Grey Wardens do. They get the job done, no matter the cost."

I opened my mouth to object, but thought better of it, "Anyway, I ran into two apostates-"

"You did?! Are you sure you're okay?!" Alistair freaked out.

"Um. I'm fine. I swear. It was only two. And it was a good thing I did, actually. Flemeth had the documents. The spell on the chest faded a long time ago, and she was keeping it safe, waiting for the Grey Wardens to come get them. She handed them over easily enough. I only had to ask."

Duncan looked at me, appraising, "It seems you had quite the adventure."

"I did. It was worth it, though. I think."

"It was worth it." He nodded, Alistair following suit, "Although, with Jory being seen to by the healers, the joining has been put off until tomorrow. They said he should be mostly healed by noon."

I smiled, "That's good."

"Indeed it is. For now, I'll leave you. Until tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow, Duncan!" Alistair and I both said to his back as he walked away.

"Well."

"I am sorry, though."

"Eh, it's fine. Everything worked out, in the end. And he was right, you know. Grey Wardens make sure things get done. No matter what the cost. Just be careful when you go against people, alright?"

"Of course. And thanks for not being too mad at me." I smiled.

He smiled back, "I'm off to bed too. See you in the morning."

"Bye!" I waved.

He waved back, leaving.

Later, in my tent, I pulled out the notebook I'd bought the day before my fateful encounter with Duncan. Taking a deep breath, I wrote about the day and everything that had happened since buying said notebook. The last thing I wrote was about tomorrow. I fell asleep mid word, curled up on my side, in the wee hours of the morning.

A strange noise woke me some time later. I tried to fall back asleep, but it was persistent. Whatever it was, was going to get hell. It turned out to be a who, not a what.

I pulled the tent flap back, and Alistair stood there, his hand raised as if to knock.

"Yes?"

"I, uh, just wanted to make sure you were up."

"Oh, shoot. What time is it? Did I oversleep?" I quickly tied my hair up, throwing the flap back down and getting dressed.

"No, I just wanted to make sure, that's all. You've still got an hour, I think."

It was eleven, then. I sighed, leaving my tiny house.

"Did I wake you?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah." I rubbed my face.

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay. I just went to bed too late this morning, that's all."

"This morning? Couldn't sleep?"

"I was writing. I'm not even sure if I finished what I was doing, actually." I sighed again.

"Ah."

We came upon Duncan and Daveth, on their way to see Jory. I decided to join them. Why not? The four of us made our way to the infirmary.

Jory stood with one of the healers, talking. His face relaxed when he saw us.

"I'm ready now."

"You are not fully healed."

"There's time for that later."

The woman huffed, crossing her arms.

"Will he be up to the joining, ma'am?" I asked, laying on my childlike innocence as thick as I could.

Her whole demeanor changed at my tone, relaxing. Becoming almost friendly, "He will, yes. I'm just worried about his arm. If it doesn't heal right, he'll have to move to a one handed sword."

I glanced at Jory, "Will you be able to make do with a one handed sword?"

He didn't hesitate, "Of course."

I tilted my head, "Are you sure?"

"Yes." He sounded a bit frustrated.

"Duncan?"

"When everyone is ready, we'll get started." The older man spoke finally.

"I'm ready." All three of us said.

Alistair and Duncan looked bemused.

"Then let us go. We'll begin now."

The three of us trailed after the two Wardens.

Duncan led us to a hidden alcove of the Ostagar ruins, picking up a goblet that had been sitting on the stone table.

"The three vials you collected yesterday, are in this cup. Along with the blood of an Archdemon."

"That's what we have to do? Drink darkspawn blood?" Daveth looked as horrified as he sounded.

"Yes."

"I-I…. I don't know about this." Jory said, taking a step back.

I frowned, "We got this far, surely you can't be serious about not following through?"

Jory turned to me, "That's easy for you to say-you're a child. You don't have a wife and children to think about."

"Wouldn't you do anything to protect your pretty wife?" Daveth chimed in.

"I would." The warrior nodded resolutely, "But this…. I just don't know how to deal with an enemy I cannot engage in combat."

"Well, this will be a new experience." Daveth eyed the liquid with interest, "I'm in."

"Alistair, will you say the words that have been spoken since the first joining?"

"Join us, brothers and sisters. Join us in the shadows, where we stand vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that cannot be forsworn. And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten. And that one day, we shall join you." Alistair's voice rang out clearly in the small space.

Duncan handed Daveth the goblet. The rogue took one swallow of it, handing it back. A look of distaste on his face. Not for long, though, as it was quickly replaced by agony. He fell to his knees, clutching his throat. Duncan and Alistair had matching solemn expressions. Daveth took a final breath and collapsed. Dead.

Jory backed up in panic, unsheathing his sword and holding it out in front of him, "St-stay away from me."

"You cannot go back now." Duncan stepped toward him.

"No. I refuse. I didn't know there was a chance I might not even become a Grey Warden. You can't make me."

"You are right. And I am sorry, Jory." The older Warden was lightning quick, pulling out a small dagger and stabbing the warrior.

Jory fell with a soft surprised sound, dead before he hit the ground.

I stared, wide eyed, as Duncan turned and slowly approached me.

Reflexively, I held out my hands and accepted the weight of the cup. Swirled the liquid around, watching detachedly.

I raised it to my lips and swallowed twice. Three times. Then, I thrust it away from me. Large hands grasped it, took it from me.

My eyes rolled back, and I lost consciousness.

...

A few hours later found me lying on my back, tucked into my sleeping bag in my tent. I'd survived the joining. I was officially a Grey Warden.

Sitting up cautiously, I glanced around. My eyes widened. What the- The words 'Happy Birthday' stared back at me. I crawled forward, picking up the small parcel. It was a box, barely big enough to hold anything, wrapped in parchment. I slowly tore at the paper, opening the box.

A folded note rested on top of a necklace.

It's not much of a birthday present, since every Grey Warden receives one upon completing the joining, but I went through all the trouble of wrapping it. That counts, right?

-Alistair

Oh, and the only reason I knew it was your birthday was because you left your notebook open, and I happened to see it. You'd written "Happy birthday to me, I guess. Hope it's a better year than the last." Though I can't say if it will be, what with the Blight going on and all, we'll make the most of it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I didn't forget to write that. I didn't.

I rolled my eyes, lifted the necklace free and examined it. The stone that hung as a pendent had a red hue to it. Was that blood? Was the necklace darkspawn blood? Creepy. I undid the clasp, reaching around to tie it behind my neck. It settled heavily on my chest. A reminder of being the only-wait…. I groaned. The nightmare from two nights ago made so much sense now. I'd woken up with the knowledge of being the only one left alive.

Pushing to my feet, I shuffled from my tent. Alistair and Duncan were talking a little way away, almost out of earshot.

"-think she'll be alright?" Alistair sounded worried.

Duncan frowned, looking as if he'd aged since I'd seen him last, "I don't know. She watched as one man died outright and as another was murdered in front of her. She'll at least have questions."

I yawned and stretched, walking over to them, "Hi."

They turned to me.

"How are you feeling?" Duncan asked.

I smiled tiredly, "I'll be fine."

"Did you have any strange dreams? I had strange dreams after my joining." Alistair chimed in.

I thought about it, "Strange dreams…. Yes, I know what you mean."

I couldn't remember what I'd dreamed, but I knew it wasn't pleasant.

Duncan was called away by a soldier, something about the king and a man named Loghain needing him.

I glanced sideways at Alistair, "So. You forgot to actually write the happy birthday bit?"

He groaned and rubbed his face, "I was hoping you wouldn't catch that."

"I wouldn't have," I giggled, "if you hadn't written that you hadn't. Twice."

"Nothing gets passed you, eh?" he grinned.

"Nope. I'm just too good for that. I'm too awesome." I said loftily.

He rolled his eyes, chuckling, "Of course. I apologize for not realizing that sooner."

"So, what now?" As I asked, Duncan walked up to us.

"I would like you to come with me, Anastasia."

My stomach fell, "Alright. I'll see you, Alistair."

I trailed after Duncan like a puppy, wondering where we were going. Before long, we came upon a group of men all wearing armor.

"We're meeting with King Cailan and Teyrn Loghain. They wish to discuss the battle plan for tomorrow." Duncan spoke softly.

I blinked, "Oh. Okay."

King Cailan paused and smiled widely. Truthfully, he reminded me of a slightly blonder version of Alistair. I instantly liked him.

"Ah, you're the new Grey Warden, yes?"

I nodded mutely.

"I remember you. You were unconscious when you arrived, but you seem fine now. How are you faring?"

"Oh, I'm doing well. Yourself?" I asked.

He chuckled good naturedly, "I'm doing well, also. This battle will be over before we know it. To be honest, I'm not even sure it's a real Blight."

I nodded again, "It doesn't seem like it, does it? How many darkspawn are there?"

"For the battle tomorrow? Tens of thousands. Pathetic, really. If it were a true Blight, wouldn't there be more? We'll win." he sounded very….

"You sound very confident." I noted.

"Over confident, some might say. Isn't that right, Duncan?" He jokingly said.

Duncan hesitated a moment, "Arl Eamon says reinforcements could be here within the week."

"My uncle only wants in on the glory." King Cailan declared, sounding for all the world the Kingly man he was.

I kept my thoughts to myself, standing in silence during his and Duncan's exchange.

"Enough of this. Cailan, we must go over the battle plan." An older man broke in, extremely put out.

"Ah, right you are, Loghain." The king winked at me, "There's important business to discuss."

Loghain sighed, "Yes. Can we get on with it, already?"

"Of course."

The talk didn't interest me, so I tuned them out. It didn't help that I didn't understand most of what was said.

"Then we should send our best. Send Alistair and the new Grey Warden to make sure it's done." King Cailan looked over at me.

"I'll do my best, your Majesty."

"You rely on these Grey Wardens too much. Is that truly wise?" Loghain cut in.

"Enough of your conspiracy theories, Loghain. Grey Wardens battle the Blight, no matter where they're from." The younger man's tone was sharp, reminding the other where his place was.

The two of them debated with Loghain about the possible appearance of an Archdemon, as terrifying as that sounded. A giant dragon? Count me out. I loved the fire-breathing balls of untamed beauty. A Chantry Mother scolded a mage, both of them joining the argument.

"Enough! This plan will suffice. The Grey Wardens will light the beacon."

"Thank you, Loghain. I cannot wait for that glorious moment! The Grey Wardens battle beside the king of Ferelden to stem the tide of evil!"

"Yes, Cailan. A glorious moment for us all."

A shiver creeped over me, his words a worrying me.