The City Elf Origin - Part 3

"My, my. What have we here?" He heard Vaughan croon as Faren stepped into the familiar room. "You've gotten yourself into quite the situation, Faren."

"You're the one that made it." Faren scoffed. "But I don't care. I'm here for my cousin."

Vaughan pulled himself off the floor, off the limp figure. Faren blanked that out. He couldn't resister that now. He was already close to losing his cool.

"The bitch that bottled me?" Vaughan sneered, his face falling as he stood up, fastening his trousers.

Faren forced his voice to turn icy and cold. "Her name is Shianni. The blacksmith's daughter name was Amelia. All the people you've hurt had names, and lives, until you got your grubby hands on them."

"You dare-" Jonaley snarled.

"I'd be less offended on your Lord's behalf and more worried about the carpets," Uncle Kerth said dryly, wiping his bloodied boots of them. "This is gonna take a while to clean off."

"Faren, my sweet." Vaughan's voice oozed with false sweetness, and it made Faren grimace. "When this is all over, I'm going to have my guards hold you down to that bed-" He gestured to his own bed. "And I'm going to fuck the life out of you."

Uncle Kerth bristled.

Faren smirked, but it felt strained. "Shame I killed your guards already. Can't have me held down now, can you, Vaughan?"

"Shemlens," Epona spat. "Disgusting pieces of filth-"

"Ha! Is this who you're listening to?" Vaughan sneered at Epona. "A Dalish savage? Aw, Faren, sweetheart, do you think she's going to led some kind of revolution against humans like me? Face it, we're your superiors. We have been for years."

"We're servants, not slaves." Faren tilted his head. "But you don't seem to know the difference."

"As if there is any!" Vaughan scoffed.

"He could do whatever he wanted." Lawrien frowned heavily. "He used to beat the serving boys, he would make them scream and nobody would come to help. He could throw a plate at the cook, and the cook would bow and apologise for failing to prepare the meal to his liking."

Faren grimaced. "Yeah."

"Then he grew older, and nobody would say anything when he touched them. They just took it. You were his first fight, Faren." Lawrien stared at him, but he saw a fire flickering off her shoulders. "He loves taming the wild ones."

"I know." Faren thought off a shiver. He had known that for years.

"F-Faren-" A sudden sob tore through the room. That sob broke his heart. "Please... Please just get me out of here... I want to go home..."

He finally looked down. Braden held a dagger to Shianni's throat, his other hand pinning her wrist down. Her dress was torn and shoved up, but he refused to register anymore. He focused on her face. Her eyes were full of tears, face twisted with fear and pain and his chest pulled.

"Shut up!" Braden sneered. "I told you to quit squirming and yelling otherwise I'd slice your throat-"

"Think for a minute, Faren." Vaughan crooned, earning his gaze once more. "Kill me and you ruin more lives than just your own. By dawn this city will run red with elven blood. Think about it. You know how this ends. We can easily talk this through instead, now that you have my undivided attention."

"You want to talk? Talk." Faren swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Here's our situation. You are skilled, Faren, something I've never known about." He shook his head and chuckled, seemingly amused. "You still manage to hide such things from me even after all these years."

"Can I shoot yet?" Faren heard Epona hiss.

"No." Ciara hissed back.

"So, we fight here," Vaughan continued on, his voice now velvet. "And you might just kill us, but we both know my father won't let that go. Your pigsty of an Alienage will be burned to the ground, or you turn and walk away. Forty sovereigns added to your purses."

"A good amount of money," Uncle Kerth mused.

"You will return to work tomorrow morning of course. Your friends however will leave Denerim tonight. No repercussions and they can go wherever they want."

"And you'll let the women go?" Faren asked, already knowing the answer.

"The woman stay. They'll go home tomorrow, slightly worse for wear, and you'll return to work." His soft, smooth tone turned hard. "That's the deal. Now take it. You're not that much of an idiot."

Faren picked up the Dark Wolf mask and studied it. He knew his mum would never have accepted the deal. She would have fought, even if it killed her. And Faren was his mum's son. He was always her son first.

He placed the mask upon his face, and ignored the gasps.

"I guess I'm more of an idiot than you thought, Lord Vaughan. I will deal with you here, and then I will tell the guards what I have done to spare the Alienage and the Grey Wardens any repercussions."

Uncle Kerth scoffed. "Like fuck. I'm taking credit for this."

Lawrien nodded. "And we're here to help Faren."

"Why are Grey Wardens even here?" Vaughan snarled. "Why are you all getting in my way? Braden-"

But Braden slumped to the floor, dagger in the back of his head. Lord Vaughan and Lord Jonaley swirled round, startled by the thud, but Faren had noticed Ciara sneaking about. He had even noticed Epona's arrow notched and aimed at Braden, which she now changed to shoot Jonaley down. The arrow pierced his throat instantly.

He went with a choked, bloody cry, just as Ciara dragged Shianni behind the bed for cover. He ignored Shianni's cry and stepped into Vaughan's space, pressing his dagger to Vaughan's throat.

"You're unarmed and under no protection," Faren said coldly. "You should have stopped while you had the chance."

"Faren-"

Faren slashed his throat.

A cool numbness dulled his thoughts completely. He just watched Vaughan choke on the carpet, right until his uncle's arms wrapped around him, warm and gentle.

"He doesn't deserve to be mourned, Faren."

"I'm not mourning," Faren admitted. "In fact... I don't feel anything..."

He could hear Vaughan's choked gasps. But Faren turned on his heel and went straight to Shianni's side. Ciara was already shoving her clothes back on, whispering in her ear, and Shianni was sobbing.

"Do you understand?" Ciara insisted.

Shianni sniffed. "Y-Yeah."

"Good. Now here's Faren."

Shianni threw herself into his arms. "Faren!"

He hugged her tight. "I'm here."

.::.

Valendrian, Duncan and two dwarfs waited for them as they slipped through the gates, hidden beneath servant cloaks. Shianni clung to his hand, her nails digging into his skin, and oddly enough Ciara remained at her other side, face carefully blank. Faren glanced at his Uncle, then met Valendrian's eyes. Duncan frowned at his Grey Wardens, but none of them seem fazed.

"What happened?" Valendrian asked urgently. "Is everyone alright?"

Faren grimaced. No. Shianni wasn't alright, how could she be after what Vaughan did to her? Him and his goons? They had hurt her so badly and she was completely shaken by the experience.

Of course she would be.

"The rapists are dead," Lawrien said coldly.

Valendrian paled. He quickly switched back to the girls. "You all look exhausted, please, escort Shianni home and rest."

Shianni's grip tightened on him, but Faren rubbed her arm, smiling reassuringly. "It's alright. Go home, Shianni."

Shianni shivered, but relinquished her grasp. "A-Alright..."

"Lawrien, you were not meant to be involved-" Duncan began once the girls were gone.

"We did not willingly," Ciara cut in smoothly. "But Epona was attacked by the guards as well. You must have not seen it in all the commotion during the wedding, but they tried to take her too. Lawrien and I stepped in to ensure her safety."

"As if I need shemlen to defend me," Epona huffed.

"Needed them to carry you back to your camp..." Ciara murmured, smiling sweetly.

Epona twitched.

"And is that the official response?" Duncan raised an eyebrow.

"Indeed it is, Commander." Ciara nodded.

Duncan sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose. "When your sister told me you two get into trouble a lot I did not expect all of this..." He grumbled to himself before glancing over to Faren. "Anyway you have little time, lad. The garrison could already be on their way."

"Perhaps we should leave Denerim for a time? Come back when things have calmed down?" Faren suggested softly.

"The guards are here!" Someone yelled hysterically as they hurried past.

"Don't panic," Valendrian urged even as Faren tried to calm his racing heart. "Let's see what comes of this."

The Denerim guard Captain approached, voice cold. "I seek Valendrian, elder and administrator of the Alienage!"

"Here, Captain," Valendrian called out calmly. "I take it you have come in response to today's disruption?"

"Don't play ignorant with me, Elder. You will not prevent justice from being done. The Arl's son lies in a river of blood that runs through the entire estate! The Dark Wolf was named among them, and we all know it's an elf. I need a name and I need it now!"

Nobody offered up one. Epona only grumbled about shemlen's and ignoring the real crimes. Duncan elbowed her side, smiling grimly.

"Is there any real evidence that they are an elf?" Valendrian implored. "They would have to be someone highly trained-"

"Elder, I have permission to burn down the entire Alienage and all it's people," the Guard Captain said coldly.

"What?" Valendrian startled.

Uncle Kerth frowned sharply. "And who exactly said that?"

"That isn't any of your business-"

"I'm the Dark Wolf!" A voice said cheerily.

As one they turned to face Lawrien, who grinned wickedly back at them, with no shame on her face whatsoever. Faren choked on something that was between a gasp and a laugh.

"No, it's obviously me." Ciara shook her head, huffing.

The Guard Captain glowered. "You're humans."

Ciara huffed. "My ears aren't pointy enough for you, shemlen?"

"Yeah, shemlen!" Lawrien agreed.

Duncan groaned. He could see Epona fighting back a pleased smile.

"Yeah, I'm just as elfy," Torph said, grinning just as wickedly as Lawrien was. "I'm most definitely the Dark Wolf."

The Guard Captain glowered. "I'm not playing around here. Men, bring the torches-"

Uncle Kerth stepped forward, and Faren knew that look. He'd take all the responsibility because it was the easier route to go, or because he felt like he needed to- But no. This was Faren's business, and Faren refused to let anyone else pay for his failures anymore.

"It was me!" Faren said quickly.

Uncle Kerth flinched, then yanked him back. "You don't know what you're saying-"

Faren jerked his arm free and pushed back his cloak, freeing his bloody leathers. "I think I do."

"You, boy?" The Guard Captain said lowly. "By yourself? How?"

"We're not all entirely helpless..." Valendrian said softly, throwing Faren a pained look.

His eyes trailed over to Duncan immediately, and the pair shared a look. Faren however ignored them in favour of the guards. Fighting here would be bad. Too many witnesses. He needed a tighter space too, easier to throw off the guards by getting right in their faces and tearing out their throats with his daggers- Kylon wouldn't forgive him. He'd hate Faren. But that wasn't the point-

The Captain frowned at him curiously. "You save many by coming forward. While I don't envy your fate I applaud you for your courage. This elf will wait in the dungeon until the Arl returns! The rest of you, back to your houses!"

There was a dangerous look in Uncle Kerth's eyes, but before Faren could even try dissuade him Lawrien and Ciara blocked the guards' way by moving right in front of him. Ciara's hand resting on the dagger at the small of her back, all while smiling charmingly.

"A moment of your time, Captain," Duncan interrupted, eyes warmth with amusement and almost as if he was remembering something.

"What is it, Warden? As you can see the situation is well under control." The Captain glanced over Lawrien and Ciara. "As soon as your Wardens move of course."

"Be that as it may, I hereby invoke the Grey Warden's Right of Conscription. I remove this young man into my custody."

"I-Huh? What?" Faren stammered, astonished.

"Ha! Can't touch the kid, huh?" Torph chortled.

"I thought I was 'kid'?" Lawrien asked.

"Eh, you're both kids?"

Faren ignored that in favour at staring at Duncan who squeezed his shoulder reassuringly.

"Son of a tied down..." the guard grumbled. "Very well then, Grey Warden. I cannot challenge your rights, but I will ask one thing. Get this elf out of the city. Today."

"Agreed."

"Now I need to get my men out on the streets before the news hits. Move out!" the Captain ordered, the group of guards storming off.

They all startled when Uncle Kerth slammed Duncan into a wall, sword pressed against his neck. Duncan's dagger rested against his stomach, Duncan's face grim. Valendrian cried out, but Uncle Kerth told him to 'shut up'.

"Duncan!" Ciara startled, gritting her teeth.

"My nephew better survive your Joining, Duncan. Otherwise, I'm going after everything you love. I know you don't have much left, but there is Fiona, and Alistair-"

Ciara darted in, swinging her dagger, and it should have sliced Uncle Kerth's throat open, but there was a reason Uncle Kerth was called 'The Ghost'.

All attacks went straight through him.

As far as Faren knew, no blade could kill him.

"Surprise attacks don't work either, girly." Uncle Kerth smirked. "But nice try."

Ciara scowled. "Worth an attempt."

"I don't control the outcome of the Joining," Duncan said, through gritted teeth. "And why would a thief know about such things?"

"You really think the leader of the Thieves' Guild wouldn't know?" Uncle Kerth scoffed. "You're smart, so don't ask such stupid questions. Now, you've taken two of my thieves now, and it's starting to piss me off."

Faren paused. Two?

"It saved both their lives." Duncan scowled.

"I was about to just start killing all the guards." Uncle Kerth smiled eerily, but finally withdrew the blade from Duncan, giving him some space. "But I suppose you've saved me some bloodshed, for now. But know this." Uncle Kerth's voice hardened. "I don't care if you can't control the outcome. My nephew returns home alive, or I find every single Grey Warden and I kill them, Blight or not."

"Not going to lose him too." Lawrien tilted her head. "My kid. My family. Mine. Mine. Mine. I'm greedy." Lawrien grinned. "Yeah, you really are greedy! But I'm fully confident that Faren will be good. So is Duncan!"

Uncle Kerth snorted. "That's reassuring, Amell."

Duncan grimaced. "Alright, Faren, I suggest you go say your farewells. You're with us now."

Faren grasped his mask that sat beneath his cloak. He'd have to let her go. Let go of one of the last pieces of had of his mum. A big piece of her. The thought made his heart race, but a hand on his shoulder startled him out his despair.

"It's yours, Faren." Uncle Kerth smiled. "Just make sure you come back home."

Faren wrapped his arms tight around his uncle, hugging him close. Uncle Kerth's arms automatically held him, drawing him just as close. They shared that embrace for a long time, Faren soaking in what might be his last hug from his uncle.

"Can you tell the others I said goodbye?" Faren asked.

"I will. I'll even tell Adaia, even if she'll throw a fit."

Faren would miss little Adaia, but it was much better to miss her than getting murdered by the guards, or having the Thieves Guild and guards go to war. Adaia was his cousin, Uncle Kerth's one and only 'little princess', and obviously named after Faren's mother. By the Maker, it was going to hurt never seeing her again.

"I love you, Uncle," Faren said, pulling away reluctantly.

"Love you, kid." Uncle Kerth smoothed out his hair. "Go say goodbye to the Elder, then your family, alright?"

"What will happen to Nesiara?" Faren paused, turning to the Elder. "I... She came such a long way..."

"Her family should be able to use the dowry money to return her to Highever," Valendrian reassured. "Don't worry about her. She'll be fine. You can take care of yourself, alright?"

"I'll be fine." Faren hugged the Elder. "Thanks."

Valendrian clutched him tightly. "I wish this wasn't happening right now. I dreamed of the three of you little terrors marrying and having kids and-" Valendrian sobbed, but Faren brushed back the tears.

"Shianni and Soris still have all that ahead of them if they want that," Faren reminded. "And I can do a lot to help people as a Grey Warden."

"They die so young..." Valendrian shivered. "I wanted you to... I thought you could be the next Elder of the Alienage. I wanted you to live to my age-"

"You've told me before how the Maker has plans." Faren grinned. "Guess this is what he wants from me."

But he didn't feel as confident as he sounded. No, pretending was easy, but inside he wanted to cling to someone safe and never let go. But he had to be fine. If he wasn't it would get someone killed again and he refused-

Faren pulled away gently. "I need to see everyone else."

Valendrian pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Go with our blessings, child. We will all pray for your safety."

"You stay safe too. I'll try see you someday soon," Faren tried to reassure him.

Then turned and walked away back to his house. Dad was standing at the door, and it broke Faren's heart to break the news to him.

"You're going to be a Grey Warden?" Dad whispered, then buried his head in his hands. "Why did you two have to be so wild? Why did you have to take after Adaia so much?"

"I have bits of you too." Faren hugged him tight. "And this doesn't have to be forever. I can visit-"

"But it's not the same!" Dad protested. "I-I had imagined family gatherings, you safe and happy, grandchildren-" Dad hugged him tight. "Grey Wardens dies so young, Faren. Y-You might not even reach my age..."

"You can't think that way." Faren shook his head. "Just trust me, okay? I'll be fine."

"You always put too much on your shoulders..." Dad pulled back to cradle his face. "I wish you would share some of those burdens with me again."

"I'm an adult, Dad. You can't protect me forever."

"I've hardly protected you before!" Dad protested. "I failed you-"

"Never!" Faren scowled, grabbing his hands. "Without you I would have been alone. I probably would have starved in a gutter. You've given me everything I love and cherish, Dad. So promise me you'll look after yourself and wait for my return."

Dad smiled, a watery smile, but a smile nevertheless. "I promise. And you promise me to come home, safe and healthy."

"I promise."

But it wasn't a promise Faren was sure he could keep.

.::.

Faren found Shianni sitting on his bed. She was clean and dressed, but he knew she wouldn't feel that way. Not for a long time.

"You took all the responsibility for what happened." Shianni looked up at him, a frail smile on her face. "You're amazing, you know that?"

"I don't know about that." Faren leaned against the wall, and met Shianni's eyes. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm... I'm alright. As far as the others know Vaughan just roughed me up a bit. I didn't want them treating me like some fragile doll," Shianni sighed, meeting his eyes. "How long, Faren?"

Faren debated about lying. He didn't. "I was fourteen the first time his guards dragged me to his bed."

Shianni flinched. "Why didn't you tell us?"

Faren raised a brow. "Why would I? I was a scared kid, Shianni. I was terrified that a high ranking noble would order all of you killed if I blabbed, and when I realised he wouldn't get into trouble anyway, there was no point-"

"You could have asked Kerth-"

"So he'd snap and kill a Lord?" Faren rolled his eyes. "The consequences for this have been little, because I took responsibility for all this, and because the Grey Wardens have taken an interest in me. But if Uncle Kerth had killed Vaughan? It would have caused a war in Denerim between the guards and thieves, and it would have gotten hundreds killed. I decided the best course was to handle it myself. So I did."

"It's horrible-"

"It was. But I was lucky. I was alive. None of the others he has raped lived." Faren frowned. "He's been doing this for years, Shianni. Nobody has ever tried to stop him until now."

"All those cuts and bruises... They weren't just from running with the Guild. Were they?" Shianni stared hard at him. It wasn't a question.

"You're right. It wasn't." Faren nodded. "And you're the only one who I've ever confirmed this with."

"It'll stay between us," Shianni said softly.

"Thank you," Faren whispered, kneeling beside her. "How are you going to hold up?"

"This won't beat me." Shianni shook her head. "I won't let that bastard beat me."

"That's my girl." Faren pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Try and stay safe, alright?"

Shianni scoffed. "We'll see how well that works out." She did soften though. "You try to stay safe too. I love you, Faren. Make us proud out there."

"I love you too, Shianni," Faren said and hugged back when she lunged herself into his arms, burying her head into his neck.

Hopefully he'd get to see them all again someday.