The Last of The Grey Wardens

'Vanguard, the King's body is mostly intact. Spoil it. Show these mortals true despair.'

Epona froze. She whirled round, searching for the voice. The three behind her instantly took to her back, searching the forest.

"What is it, Epona? What do you see?" Narascha whispered, axe clutched tight.

"Did you not hear that voice?"

"Voice?" Torph raised a brow.

"It spoke of a Vanguard."

Narascha blanched. "A Vanguard only takes orders from the Archdemon. Is that what the Joining does to us? Lets us hear the Archdemon?"

"Perhaps?" Epona grimaced, her stomach churning. "Does that mean it can listen to us too?"

"Hopefully not," Torph groaned. "And if it is then fuck you Archdemon! Go choke on a rock!"

"Yeah, eat shit!" Faren yelled.

Epona shivered but continued on walking, keeping her bow out and arrow drawn. "If what it says is true then... Then that means the Shem-King is dead."

Narascha cursed. "He should have listened to Loghain... Dammit Cailan..."

"Poor Cobian..." Faren whispered.

"So, we just gonna hide out in this forest then?" Torph grumbled.

"We can't just let the Archdemon win," Narascha said. "We have to reunite with the others, come up with a better battle plan."

"Hopefully Duncan got out with some of the other Wardens," Torph mused. "Those senior fuckers were standing their ground though. Kept butchering their way through the darkspawn even as folk ran."

"I'm trying to circle us round," Epona said. "We have to get out of here before the darkspawn swarm the forest otherwise we'll never leave it."

"It's growing so quiet." Narascha winced. "I hope most of the men managed to flee in time."

"There were a lot of bodies," Epona admitted, regretfully.

All those people, despite being shelmens, had fought bravely and died to protect their home. She could respect that at the very least.

"And there will be more still to come." A voice purred.

Epona flinched, aiming her bow at the woman before lowering it instantly, her heart hammered in her chest but Epona managed to hastily bow her head.

"Asha'bellanar," she gasped.

Epona saw green out of the corner of her eye, right on her hand. She startled, but the moment she focused on it the green was gone, replaced by her brown leather glove.

Narascha blinked. "You're Morrigan's mother! Cobian called you Flemeth? How are you not swarmed in darkspawn?"

Epona blanched. "You've met?"

"After you both left with Daveth and that soldier we went deeper into the wilds. We met Morrigan and her mother who had the scrolls," Narascha explained.

"Yeah, we didn't get turned into frogs, or put in pots." Faren smiled, but it was a weak smile. "Good times."

"Ah yes, such a lovely visit that was," Asha'bellanar mused. "And now you're due in for another."

"I don't think I want to go with her. She seems a bit unstable," Torph whispered.

"Don't speak so disrespectfully!" Epona hissed.

"If you don't want to come with me then I suppose I can leave you here to be eaten by darkspawn." Asha'bellanar smirked.

Narascha nodded. "We'll go with you. Thank you."

"Ah, manners. How much I enjoy people with manners," Asha'bellanar laughed, turning on her heel and striding off.

"Just be wary," Epona murmured to them, trying especially to warn Torph. "Treat her with great respect."

"She is offering help, Epona. Of course we shall," Narascha whispered back, frowning heavily.

"But don't trust her either," Epona warned them, turning to follow when Asha'bellanar called out to them to hurry up.

She didn't like to be kept waiting.

Epona swore she heard a wolf's howl, but shook it off. There would be no wolves within these forests, at least not corrupted ones. No, any healthy wolf would have long left the Kocari Wilds in fear of the darkspawn.

She swore Asha'bellanar stared at her, but when she looked up the elderly woman looked straight ahead.

.::.

The hut was as quiet and calm as it had been the last time Narascha had been here. Alistair stood out alone before the lake, staring almost lifelessly into the distance. Torph sat down on a log, yanking off a boot and shaking a few stones out of it, but even that didn't bring Alistair out of his intense focus, or mourning. She wasn't sure which one it was. Only that he needed to get it together.

"Alistair," Narascha called.

He jerked and whirled round, his eyes lowering to meet hers as she approached, ignoring the older witch for now. It might not be the best idea, but if the old lady wanted to kill them, she probably would have done it by now. Honestly, she could have just left them to get eaten by darkspawn, that would have done the job.

"You're alive!" Alistair gaped. "But you were in the battlefield-"

"Yeah, a retreat was called for," Torph grunted.

He turned back to examine his shoulder, but the wound stretched too far back for him to see. Narascha joined him and grimaced, it was short but wide open enough to cause some issues.

"It needs stitched," she said.

"Dammit."

"Duncan wasn't with you?" Alistair frowned.

"He ordered Epona to go get us out. We tried to get to him when he and the King got attacked by a mage, but a Vanguard tossed Faren at us."

Alistair paused. "Wait, tossed Faren at you?"

"Yeah," Faren sighed, slumping on a log. "He charged me. I don't know why, but he spotted me, and he charged me. I'm a rogue, I'm not meant to be charged. I ran!"

Narascha winced.

"Then he caught me, dislocated my shoulder when I stabbed him, maybe broke my knee? I'm not sure, all I feel is pain right now. And he bet the crap outta me. I'm in so much pain," Faren complained. "And then he threw me at you, and the bastard kept laughing. I swear he was tormenting me!"

"Well, you lived, that's something, kid." Torph ruffled his hair.

"I've never been thrown at someone in my life!" Faren sounded so offended.

Narascha cackled.

Alistair did look a bit amused, but he straightened back up again, his face hardened. "Duncan got attacked by a mage?"

"A Vanguard mage. Somebody stepped in to defend him, but after Faren got launched at me, I didn't have time to keep track of Duncan's situation." Narascha crossed her arms. "The King's dead though."

Alistair paled. "You saw-"

"No, Epona can hear the Archdemon now," Narascha groaned.

"What?" Alistair screeched. "She's here? And hears the Archdemon"?

"As usual your observational skills are impressive." Epona approached from behind Alistair who yelped, nearly falling into the lake. Epona scowled and shook her head.

"I have searched the surrounding area. Asha'bellanar was right. There are no darkspawn here for now," Epona announced. "But they are further out, heading North."

"They're going to spread their corruption." Narascha scowled. "We need to regroup with the others and make a new plan."

"Never mind that," Alistair cut in. "I'm more concerned about you, Epona. You said you can hear the Archdemon?"

"Yes." Epona raised a brow.

"And understand it?"

Epona scowl only deepened. "Yes."

"Only the oldest of the Grey Wardens can understand them, when it is time for their Calling."

"I don't know what that is."

"Ah, right, yes, we still have a lot to tell you about Grey Warden stuff, but basically you shouldn't be able to understand the Archdemon."

Epona scowled. "Are you saying I'm weird?"

Alistair stammered. "N-No!"

"He doesn't want to get stabbed by ya, elf!" Torph laughed.

"Anyway, basic plan of action," Narascha cut in. "We treat our injures and then get ready to head off."

"To head where?" Torph frowned.

"To reunite with the army and get ready to face the darkspawn once more," Narascha said, stretching out her back with a wince, hearing the loud cracks popping through it.

During fights blood and pain increased her thrill for a fight. It made her stronger and angrier, willing to tear through darkspawn in return for each hit they gave her. It felt like the more of them she killed the more energy it gave her. Unfortunately, after each battle her entire body would ache.

But the song in her blood was beautiful, and kind. It gave Narascha the strength to fight on and enjoy it.

Flemeth smirked. "Ah, getting ready to do battle again are we, Grey Warden?"

"We're Grey Wardens." Narascha nodded. "All of us. We have a duty to fight the darkspawn and deal with the Blights. What else is there?"

"Bringing Loghain to justice," Alistair hissed.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Narascha asked, baffled.

"What do you think I mean, Narascha?" Alistair frowned. "He abandoned us! Abandoned his King!"

"The outcome would have been worse if he had charged. There were far too many darkspawn for his strategy to succeed," Narascha said, glancing down at Torph's wound. "Anyone know how to stitch a wound?"

"I'll take care of that." Flemeth ushered her away. "Although I believe your wounds need tending to first. Have you not noticed the wounds on your back? They've turned yellow."

Narascha cursed. "That's where a genlock got me. Shit."

"A rogue genlock? Their poison can be deadly, Princess." Torph frowned.

"I know, duster," Narascha groaned.

A powerful energy flared through her back, making her gasp. The woman's hand glowed as she knelt behind Narascha, frowning. Narascha yanked off her gauntlets and tossed them aside as the healing magic ran its course. She was surprised that the magic was working on her though, considering a dwarf's resistance to it, but for once she didn't care enough to ask why.

Epona sat down across from her and began to treat her own wounds, there were hardly any, only a couple of cuts and bruises. She had obviously kept out of range during the battle, which was a good thing considering she was an archer. Torph's worst wound seemed to be the tear at his shoulder. Narascha was glad that neither of them seemed too badly hurt.

Faren looked the worst out them all, but that was expected when he got jumped by a Vanguard. He was already treating himself though, shoving his shoulder back in place with the assistance of a tree. Flemeth scowled.

"You couldn't just wait for me?" she sighed

Faren paused. "Uh, I didn't think about it?"

Narascha froze. Shit, she hadn't thought about that. How bad had that human been to him if Faren treated his own wounds so carelessly?

"Fool boy, give me a moment and I'll tend to your wounds properly."

"Alistair, how are you faring? Have you recovered?" Narascha asked.

"Yeah, Morrigan's mother healed my wounds." Alistair nodded.

Said mother snorted. "Don't talk about me as if I'm not present boy."

Alistair flinched, cheeks growing red. "Ah, sorry but I don't know what to call you by... You never gave us your name..."

"Names are pretty, but useless. The Chasind call me Flemeth. I suppose that will do."

"Flemeth!" Alistair choked.

Torph threw her a shrug when their eyes met before wincing. Epona approached his side, roughly grabbing his shoulder, earning a few protests. Epona only hushed him and began treating it.

Flemeth chortled but glanced out into the forest. "Now where is that girl? She's taking forever finding those other three."

"Other three?" Alistair asked.

"The rogue who never came with you, little Cousland, and Amell," Flemeth offered.

Alistair beamed. "Ciara's alive?"

Torph laughed. "Damn, you really do like her don't ya? Don't even care one bit about the kid and the noble."

Alistair flushed. "Of course, I'm happy they're alive!" He then straightened his back, trying to look more serious. "It's good to have three more Grey Wardens joining us. That means there is a good chance the others escaped too."

Narascha saw Flemeth's heavy frown and winced. That expression said it all. There were no more Grey Wardens in Ferelden left. It was just them.

Alistair winced. "But Cobian is going to kill me! Calenhad ran off."

"He went to go find Little Cousland," Flemeth said. "I told him not to wander too far, since his master will be here soon."

"Wait, didn't the King order Cobian to go with you to the tower?" Faren blinked.

Alistair grumbled. "He disobeyed and joined the battlefield."

Torph chuckled. "The bookworm has a wicked streak, eh?"

Narascha's thought raced. They had Cobian, that was good. He was important, he's a Cousland who seems to have close ties with his fellow nobility. Lawrien was also good, she had been slaughtering through the darkspawn during the battle with Ciara. They worked well together. They could work with that. All they needed to do was reunite with the army and perhaps find more allies. They needed a bigger army but where would they get that from-

The Treaties. The Treaties that Duncan forgot to take from Alistair. They were still on him, in his pouch. Narascha tried to pull away from Flemeth's hands but the elderly woman yanked her back, smirking in amusement.

"Now, now. You can work on your plans soon, Narascha. Give your body the chance to heal first though."

Torph snorted. "Thinking already, Princess?"

"What's wrong with that?"

"You're relentless. You got poisoned and stabbed several times because of that crappy armour of yours and now you're trying to think of battle plans?"

Narascha smirked. "Well, duster, I like to think ahead sometimes. I know that might be a bit more difficult for you, so I understand why you're having trouble."

"Trouble? Me?" Torph rolled his eyes. "I bet all those plans of yours are getting jumbled up from your poison addled brain."

Narascha saw Torph's grin brighten when both Alistair and Epona groaned. Flemeth seemed amused though because she was smirking still as they continued to insult one another. It was nice. Narascha knew Torph didn't mean it, not as far as she was aware at any rate. There was also no power struggle here as a Grey Warden. There was nothing for her and Torph to back stab each other over. They were here to fight darkspawn and that was it.

It felt nice. Freeing even.

She was happy to be a Grey Warden, despite what just happened.

"Faren passed out," Epona said. "I think his shoulder went in wrong."

Faren was out cold on the ground, right next to the tree. Narascha winced, even as Flemeth sighed and stared at Alistair.

"Get him inside and put him on the bed. I told him to stop trying to treat his wounds, foolish boy." Flemeth shook her head, and scowled at Alistair. "Did you not hear me? Wash your ears out, boy!"

Alistair winced, then rushed over to Faren's side.

"And be gentle!"

Alistair carefully picked Faren up and took him inside.

.::.

Lawrien felt cold, damp arms slip around her the moment her knees gave out. Ciara was at her side, worrying, shocked and confused, but relieved. Lawrien buried her head into Ciara's shoulder, gasping. It felt so empty, everybody was gone, everybody but Ciara and Cobian. Lawrien reached out to him, laying her free hand on his head, his dark, hair wavy damp with blood, sweat and rain.

"Duncan, Yegrettie, everyone... They're all gone..."

"We're still here," Ciara said firmly. "I'm here. You're not alone."

Lawrien sobbed softly. "Thanks... Thanks for being here..."

"I do my best," Ciara murmured. "But we have a problem. If the Vanguards alone can do this much damage, we should be worried about what happens if we ever reach the Archdemon."

Lawrien bit her lip. "We need to get stronger, Ciara. I like Ferelden. I don't want it to die."

"That would be pretty bad, especially considering they only just got over a war with Orlais."

They remained in silence for a time. Only wind and rain as their company, and Cobian's heavy breathing. Lawrien shivered, while Ciara sighed, staring out into the distance.

"What are we going to do now, Lawrien? All the Senior Wardens are dead. You felt them..." Ciara grimaced, looking away. "Who knows if any of the others survived... The recruits... Alistair..."

That fondness in Ciara wavered, the gentle spark of warmth she felt for Alistair and it made Lawrien shiver even more. She wrapped an arm around Ciara, tugging her close so she could hold on to something that was alive. That felt real.

There should be more feelings surrounding her.

Ciara loosened her grip which nearly made Lawrien flinch, but thankfully her sister merely transferred it to her arm. Lawrien clung to it tightly, the other hand gripping her staff.

"I guess we just have to move. Find the army?" Lawrien offered but then tensed, she could feel something else, a flicker of annoyance and fear.

Ciara drew a dagger the moment Lawrien froze, her eyes sharp and focused.

"Where?" Ciara asked softly.

"In front." Lawrien tilted her head.

That annoyance felt vaguely familiar. The magic within her too, the strong, fierce, wild magic that brushed over Lawrien and made a pleasant shiver run down her spine.

"Wait! I know that magic." Lawrien perked up.

A dog came into view, slipping cautiously out of the bushes, much to both their surprise. Ciara threw her a few looks but Lawrien only watched as the dog finally turned into a person. Morrigan looked almost anxious, but approached them anyway, glancing about.

"Mother told me I'd find you both wandering about. I'm relieved I didn't run into any darkspawn."

Ciara frowned. "You're the woman from earlier who led the recruits back to Ostagar."

"Yep. Morrigan's mother had the scrolls." Lawrien grinned.

"Yes, and now she's sent me on another errand. An errand to fetch you three," Morrigan complained. "So hurry up. The darkspawn are spreading out now that the battle is over."

"Why haven't you been effected by them being so deep within the forest?" Ciara asked.

"My mother's magic is powerful enough to keep them away."

Ciara frowned. "Lawrien did say something about that."

Lawrien tugged on her arm. "Let's go, Ciara."

"Lawrien, we don't know anything about them. It might be better for us just to try find the army and join up with them."

"No, but they mean no harm. At least Morrigan doesn't. She just wants to get back to her home where there aren't any darkspawn. I can't blame her either," Lawrien said. "Besides, I can't even feel the army now, they're too far away. We're also not doing so well right now... At least I'm not... You're hurt as well... And Cobian's out cold..."

They both looked at Cobian, and Ciara winced.

"True," she said.

"So pleased to have your approval." Morrigan smirked.

She was still annoyed though. Lawrien tilted her head. Maybe that was just what she was like all the time.

.::.

Ciara and Lawrien had dragged Cobian up and put his arms over their shoulders. He was heavy with his armour and weapons, but together they just managed to drag him along, Morrigan carrying his sword and shield distastefully. It took them about two hours to arrive at Morrigan's home, and by then Ciara wanted to drop Cobian and be done with him. Not his fault he was out cold though. The mage hurlock had gotten him across the head with a stone fist. He rightfully should have passed out then and there.

By the time they arrived the night was pitch black, only the hut had any light to it. Epona sat before the campfire, speaking quietly to the elderly mage Lawrien had mentioned earlier. The one who annoyed her. Torph sat across from them, staring up at the night sky with a sickly green look to his cheeks. He looked a bit dizzy actually.

Alistair stood before a lake, staring blankly into the distance. He was actually alive. By the Maker, he was actually alive. She hadn't dared hoped. A bark startled Ciara into almost jumping, and bounding out the forest revealed Calenhad, who went straight to Cobian and nuzzled his hand.

Cobian didn't even stir.

Calenhad whined.

"Sorry, Calenhad," Lawrien said softly. "He passed out."

Calenhad wagged his tail.

Ciara snorted. "Is that meant to be a good thing?"

"I don't know." Lawrien shook her head. "I think he's just glad Cobian's back."

"Ah, you've finally arrived." The elderly woman approached them, and tutted, cupping Cobian's head, examining the bloody wound. "And you were knocked out, little Cousland? That will hurt when you wake up."

Ciara bowed her head. "Thank you for sending your daughter out to collect us, my lady."

The woman's lips curled into a small, amused smile. "My, more manners. Such a sweet bunch your group is. Call me Flemeth girl, just like your friends do."

Flemeth's eyes trailed away to Lawrien who was stared out into the forest. Her eyes soon met Flemeth's, but they were still watery, puffy and red and it made Ciara grimace.

"Don't pity me," Lawrien snapped. "I'll kick you!"

Flemeth raised a brow. "Who would not feel pity when an Amell is sent out to the battlefield? Not when your people are meant for so much more."

"I don't care what 'my people' are meant for, Flemeth. I'm a Grey Warden, and that means dealing with these things and moving on." Lawrien's eyes hardened. "Feeling their lives go out one by one hurts. It'll hurt for a long time, but you and I both know what to do with that pain."

Flemeth nodded, her eyes softening a touch. "That is fair. Now, let's get the little Cousland inside."

"Help me carry him," Lawrien said. "Ciara needs to do something."

"Let me." Epona approached, rolling her eyes. "Ah, shemlen nobles, such damsels in distress." She slipped beneath Cobian's arm, and together she and Lawrien dragged Cobian to Flemeth's hut.

"He got whacked in the head by a stone fist," Lawrien said brightly.

Epona choked. "How did he survive that?"

"He dodged most of it, but it did clip the side of his head. He even got back up and kept fighting with us. It was amazing!"

Lawrien didn't really need her at the moment. No, not right now. Right now, someone needed her more, for at least the truth, rather than comfort. Alistair looked nervous, nervous but hopeful and it hurt that she was going to be the one to tear that hope away.

"Alistair, we should talk," Ciara said, strolling past to the clearing, further away from the others.

"I'm so happy you're alive," Alistair said as he followed. "But..." He straightened himself out, taking a deep breath. "Ciara, you were at the main battle. Narascha said she, Torph, Faren and Epona got away, but didn't see what happened to Duncan. Do you know if he's alright?"

"The scouts got their numbers wrong. Completely wrong." Ciara decided to start with that. "We were overwhelmed and even if Loghain's army charged it would have been a slaughter-"

Alistair scowled but Ciara dismissed it.

"The retreat was called, and we all tried to escape. A emissary cut off our escape, and Duncan told Epona to get Torph and Narascha out. They headed for the forest, and we were going to follow, but it was like the darkspawn knew we had the two most important people in Ferelden in our group. They chased us, slowed us down long enough for the Vanguard mage to catch up."

Alistair paled.

"It took us by surprise. Murdered the King's guard with a fireball before Lawrien and I could reach them again. Duncan and King Cailan were thrown off their feet, but the King took a bad wound, the fireball damaged his armour and some of it pierced his side. He bled out, but not before Cobian arrived."

Alistair laughed shakily. "I thought that's where he ran of to."

"He bought Lawrien and I enough time to reach their side, and we gave Cobian time to say goodbye to the King." Ciara frowned. "Then the four of us took down the Vanguard mage, and by that point we were all spent."

"By the Maker... All of you? It took all of you to bring it down?"

"That was when the Vanguard hurlock showed up. It tossed Yegrettie at Lawrien, and Duncan charged it, trying to buy us time."

"Duncan... He's..." Alistair choked out.

"Yegrettie sent us away, threw us away into the forest with her magic," Ciara said. "And Lawrien felt Duncan die. Felt all the Grey Warden's mourning him until they all began to cut out. One by one."

"Then we're..." Alistair wavered.

"I'm sorry, Alistair. I'm so sorry," Ciara whispered.

A sob tore out of Alistair's throat, and he fell to his knees. Ciara steadied herself, pulled back her own fear and distress, even as Alistair started slamming his fists off the ground, cursing and crying and begging for all this to just be a nightmare.

Finally, Alistair buried his face into his hands and Ciara knelt by his side, resting her hand on his back. If he was anything like Lawrien then he would want to feel someone's touch. To know that there were still people around him. If not, then Alistair would bat her hand away. Ciara however remained calm. That was one thing she knew how to control, how her emotions impacted situations. They could be used to stress her empathic sisters out further if she felt as distressed as everybody else did.

Her emotions could also be used to hurt Ciara further. To give someone an excuse to hit her, to teach her 'her place'. So, she didn't bother acting up about it. She just allowed herself to keep cool and collected.