The next day, Oghren stood beside me, cracking his neck, "Well, that pretty much beat the sod out of how I imagined it. You ready to head back yet and share the news?"
"Let's go, while a new king can still be of use to us." I turned on my heel and headed back to the dwarven kingdom, my companions falling in line behind me.
"Eh. Those deshyrs have been trying to destroy the city for years. Haven't managed yet." I knew he was trying to be funny, but I wasn't in the mood.
All I could think about was Caridin.
...
Aside from a few scuffles with darkspawn and some spiders, the trip back was relatively uneventful. Even meeting the Legion of the Dead again wasn't exciting in any way. I hadn't told them about making them a house again, choosing instead to let one of their own break the news.
"Lords of the Assembly. I call for order! This argument gets us nowhere!" Someone was shouting when we entered the meeting room.
Duran and Natia had been waiting for us, just outside the gates to the Deep Roads. I nodded at the ex-noble and gestured for him and Oghren to come with me, leaving Zevran and Natia to tell the others we were back.
"Then why these delaying tactics? I call for a vote right now. My father has one living child to assume the Aeducan throne. Who would deny him that?" Bhelen's words were coated with sugar.
"Your father made me swear on his deathbed you would not succeed him." Harrowmont countered.
"I apologize for the interruption, Lord Steward, but the Grey Warden has returned." The man who'd said he had to announce us broke in to the debate.
Our trio moved through the room, causing the deshyrs to exchange looks, until we got as close to the opponents as we could.
"We should let the Warden speak. What news do you bring?" Harrowmont offered, unsuspecting of the ruling we would give.
I stepped forward as I held the tribute out, "We bring a crown forged by Caridin on the Anvil of the Void."
"Caridin was trapped in the body of a golem." Oghren explained, "This Warden granted him the mercy he sought, releasing him and destroying the Anvil of the Void. Before he died, Caridin forged a crown for Orzammar's next king, chosen by the ancestors themselves!" He was really selling it.
Harrowmont shook his head, "I would like to believe Oghren's word, but it's well-known the Grey Warden is Bhelen's hireling!"
"Silence!" The Lord Steward swiped his arms through the air, coming to examine the crown, "This crown is of Paragon make and bears House Ortan's ancient seal. Tell us, Warden: whom did Caridin choose?"
"He wished us to give it to whomever we chose." I raised my chin high.
"Why would a Paragon trust someone who knows nothing of us with such a decision? This is preposterous!" Harrowmont argued vehemently.
The steward sighed, seeming to age in front of my eyes, "We've argued in these chambers for too long. The will of the Paragon is that the Grey Warden decide."
I gave the crown to Duran, the irony of ironies. The beloved son, crowning the murderous one. He gave me a nod and slowly crossed the remaining distance to Bhelen.
"I grant the crown to Bhelen." The younger Aeducan's voice rang out clearly.
Shock registered on the chosen's face for just an instant before he schooled his expression, "At last. This farce is ended, and I can take my rightful place on my father's throne."
The ceremony of crowning wasn't obnoxious at all, actually. I was mildly surprised. Bhelen walked to the center of the room, where the Lord Steward waited with the crown. The prince took a knee, and the other man placed the symbol on his head.
"Let the Memories find you worthy, first amidst the lords of the houses, the king of Orzammar."
It was over.
"Do you acknowledge me as king?" he sneered at the lord.
"I... cannot defy a Paragon. The throne is yours... King Bhelen." the man's shoulders slumped in defeat.
That was when he ordered Harrowmont's death.
"Then as my first act as king, I call for this man's execution! Guards, seize him!"
I then noticed my comrades filing in to the room, standing off to the side.
"Harrowmont was an honorable rival." I tried reasoning with him, "Let him retire in peace."
"Orzammar cannot afford to be divided. Anyone undermining my reign is serving only the darkspawn. I will return to my palace to gather my generals and prepare our forces for the surface. I will see you there, Wardens. You have my gratitude for all you have done for me." That last part, he directed toward his brother.
After all the deshyrs had left, we followed the new king to his palace.
"You have proven yourself and more, Wardens. Without your aid, I would not have taken this throne so smoothly or so soon."
"I would not let my sister down." Natia spoke softly.
"Nor I. She and young Endrin will stand beside me at my inauguration."
I looked back and forth between the both of them. Her sister and Bhelen...? Wow. Okay. A baby? I wondered if he was softer behind closed doors. With less edges.
"My generals are already preparing for a mission to the surface. When you have need of us, you shall have every able-bodied dwarf in Orzammar. Since you did more than I expected, I offer a personal reward, as well. This is an ancient mace of House Aeducan. It's said to be enchanted against darkspawn. I think you need it more than I do. Now, I have much to do. If there is nothing else..."
"We will return to the surface. Thank you for your aid." I said formally.
"Good luck, Wardens. May we both crush our enemies."
We next went to the Shaperate, turning in the Golem Registry tracing and the Insignia of the Dead Caste. Then, I found Orta, who was watching my every movement from behind a bookcase.
"Orta." I greeted.
"I-I started to worry. I didn't know if you were ever coming back. Did you find any records? Any sign of the old Ortan Thaig?"
I let my pack slip off my shoulder and carefully pulled out the sheaf of papers, holding them out to her, "I have the records right here."
"You... you found them?! Let me see..." she took them from me, a hopeful gleam in her eyes, "That's my great-grandmother's name! And her husband! Oh, great ancestors! It's them! It's me! I am an Ortan! Oh, thank you!" She hugged them to her chest, "I have to take these to the Assembly right away! Find me there. Once these are acknowledged, I'll give you any reward!"
I didn't think we would need her support to crown Bhelen, so I hadn't felt any urgency of getting her the records as soon as we got back. If we had, I would have marched in with her to get them seen.
"Where to next?" Natia asked.
I hesitated, straightening my shoulders, "I have to see a woman, but first, let's go see if we can help speed along the process for Orta. I'm dreading the conversation I must have later."
We found her just leaving the Assembly Hall.
"My name's Orta. After the old Ortan House." The young woman reintroduced herself proudly, "They gave our seat back, and the records show which houses still owe House Ortan money. One day, I will be able to properly thank you for all you've done for me."
"Your happiness is all that matters." We smiled at each other.
"I don't know what treasure is left, but whatever I get, you can have as much as you want. I'll have to find someone willing to look, maybe a whole expedition. If the thaig is still there, it must have something! House Ortan will not forget this kindness." She assured me, my protests falling on deaf ears. I let it go; she was a determined bugger. She giggled, and the effect was ruined. "Oooh. Didn't that sound official?"
Before I knew it, there was nothing to do to prevent talking to Filda. Biting my lip, I went to the lava fountain she'd been praying at, those many days ago.
And there she was, saying her prayers again.
She stood at the sound of my approach, "You've returned!" She exclaimed, then became very subdued, "With all the excitement over the new king, I never expected you to remember my poor son. Did you learn anything about my Ruck?"
I kept eye contact, knowing if I looked away, it would hurt both of us, "I'm sorry. Ruck's dead."
"Oh, my poor boy. I-I guess I knew, but... I just wish I could have seen him one last time." Tears gathered in her eyes, threatening to spill over, "Here. This is my husband's masterwork, the first shield he smithed. I... I don't have anyone to save it for, anymore."
I took the beautiful piece of armor from her, feeling the weight of it in my heart.
"I'd like you to have it... for what you risked to bring me this news." With those parting words, she knelt and went back to praying. Now, though, the wish was for him to find peace in death.
I choked on my tears, furiously wiping at the water as it fell down my cheeks. My own personal waterfall.
Alistair stood in front of the doors that lead to the hall that held the Paragon statues, waiting for me. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me to him when he saw I was crying. In that moment, it didn't matter that I'd left him and everyone else behind. He'd heard from Zevran what had happened while we were gone, and he knew that I needed comfort. He would give me a mouthful later, I was sure, but that could wait.
Sniffling, I let him pull me through the doors, and we joined the others. They all gave me varying looks of concern. Even Stenly. That cheered me a bit, and a giggle escaped me. I shook my head at Alistair's questioning glance.
Together, the thirteen of us walked quietly through the hall, until we had gone beyond the large double doors that opened out on to Ferelden.
"Give me a moment." Oghren muttered, sighing.
"Sure, take your time." I offered, wondering what was wrong.
"By the Stone, I feel like I'm about to fall off the world with all that sky up there."
"Is it that strange to you?" Leliana asked, curiosity clear in her tone.
"Strange? Ha. Strange is your wife turning out to prefer the ladies. Not living in a world without a bleeding ceiling." I snorted a laugh at that, "Well, let's get moving. We're losing... whatcha call it? Daylight."
The snort came again, but it exploded in to full on laughter. The others joined in after bemused expressions were exchanged.
That night, at camp, Oghren hailed me, "There you are. Wanted to talk to you."
"Go ahead."
"Aye. Here we go. You and I, we've... You know how sometimes, you spend time with... people, and things... Hm." I raised an eyebrow, unsure if he should continue or not.
"Take your time. What is it?" I asked when he didn't.
"I was thinking, I do know some people out here on the surface. A person, actually. Girl I knew in Orzammar. Before I left, obviously."
I breathed out a sigh of relief, but now I was dying of curiosity, "A girl you knew, or a girl you knew?"
"What? You mean, were we rutting? Oh, aye. After Branka left for the Deep Roads. Name's Felsi, and she was a fiery one."
Felsi. Why did that name sound familiar?
"I'm sure she's forgiven me by now. Thought maybe I'd track her down. See how she's been living."
"What is she doing on the surface?"
"What? Why are you asking me? I didn't do anything." he was instantly defensive, and I blinked rapidly, "I looked her up, and she's at Lake Calenhad. The messenger told me she wasn't there when he asked for her. At home with her sick mother, they said. I figured it was just the ancestors telling me something... but I keep thinking about her."
"We can go talk to her." I gave a small smile.
"Well and a good friend you are, Warden. I'll think about you if we ever... No, actually, that would be gross." We both made faces at the idea.
"Warden, a moment of your time." Morrigan called out, her usual icy glare even colder than normal.
"I should go see what she wants. And then go have my ass handed to me by Alistair, if he's ready to yell at me."
"I hope you don't die. That'd be a sodding shame."
I mock glared at the dwarf as I walked backward toward the witch.
"I want you to travel."
"What?" I craned my neck, unsure I heard her right.
"I want you to travel through time to kill Flemeth. It would be easier, would it not? Rather than having to go all the way back to the Korcari Wilds."
"I..." I frowned at the logic, "I can't argue that."
"You said yourself that you willed the travel to happen, to save the Couslands. Perhaps you can utilize that. You're slowly learning how to control it, when it does happen."
I tapped my chin, "Again, you're not wrong. I'll see what I can do. But you do understand that you're sending me there, alone. I won't have anyone to back me up."
"You can take any number of our traveling companions."
"No, I can't." I shook my head, "One, I don't know how I bring people with me, and two, I don't know how that would affect things in the future. I don't want to force anything that could possibly hurt the present." A light went on in my head, "Oh!"
I raced to my tent and rummaged around for my flask of water. Pouring it in to the bowl I used to meals, I leaned over it, clearing my mind of any distractions. Focused on Flemeth.
"Show me Flemeth." I murmured.
Nothing happened.
I closed my eyes and repeated myself, "Show me Flemeth."
A ripple ran across the surface of the water, followed by another. And another. And another. Until, eventually, the scene changed. I was no longer staring at my warped reflection. Instead, the image was of a grave. My eyes widened when I realized what that meant.
"Are you all right, mi amigo?" Zevran asked from outside the tent.
"I'm fine!" I darted from the enclosure, flying to Morrigan's campfire, "Morri!"
Her eyebrows raised, she gave me a once-over, "Warden?"
"I'll do it." I panted, "Tonight."
"There is blood, coming from your nose." she pointed out.
I wiped it away, "It's nothing. I forced something, that's all. I'm going to go get ready to do it. I hope it won't take too long. But I'll bring back what I need."
She nodded, dismissing me.
"Zev, I need to talk to you." I ducked in to the tent again with a tag-along.
"Yes?"
"I'm going to kill Flemeth. Tonight. I need you to keep me safe, while I sleep."
His nostrils flared, and he growled at me, "What? You're not serious."
"We can't afford to waste the time going all the way back to the Wilds. We all know it. But the problem is, we need Morrigan. We need her to help us in the coming battles."
"A vision?" he spat the word.
"A feeling." I could feel my expression crumbling, hurt by his attitude.
He heaved a great sigh, seeming to fight for control of himself, "Anastasia, you go to fight the Witch of the Wilds by yourself."
I nodded silently.
"You're a fool, but I suppose I'm a bigger one for letting you go through with this."
I reached out and grabbed his hand, "I'm sorry. If I thought we were safe from attacks, I wouldn't even ask. I know that's not much of a consolation, because then there would be no warning when I didn't wake up on time in the morning, but still."
"I do understand, Ana. Just... be careful." He squeezed my hand to let me know he wasn't angry, just worried, before leaving me to my own devices. Keeping watch outside.
I laid down on my bedroll, staring at the ceiling of the tent and wondered if I could pull it off. After my fifth yawn, I started dozing off. It didn't take much longer for me to fall asleep.