by Milton Garby
"It is good to see that you are unharmed, Lord Cousland." Riordan addressed, saluting. "And you as well, Alistair, or should I say your majesty?"
"Uh, no. No, not yet." Alistair abstained nervously.
"The darkspawn that attacked Redcliffe were relatively few in number, I'm afraid." Riordan informed seriously.
"Yes." Aedan agreed. "This fight outside the castles doors seemed too easy."
"We've just received word." Teagan interjected. "There is a very large army marching towards Denerim. The death toll will be catastrophic!"
"What!?" Aedan seethed, aggravated. They had just left Denerim and now the darkspawn were attacking as soon as they left.
"There's more dire news. The Archedemon has been sighted. The dragon is at the head of the horde."
Everyone in the room had the same look of horror and disbelief on their faces. Finally, after four hundred years an Archedemon had come to the surface at last. "Maker, save us." Eamon gasped.
"What you fought outside was just a diversion, the Archedemon sent them here to distract us from noticing its true destination, the heart of this country." Riordan continued to explain. "Should Denerim fall, it will have access to destroy what's left of Ferelden." The horror on everyone's face just got worse.
"Are you sure, Riordan?" Alistair asked.
"I ventured close enough to 'listen' in, as it were." The Senior Warden confirmed. "Yes I'm certain."
Aedan still couldn't believe that the darkspawn managed to pull off a military maneuver. "How…how can they be able to know such divide and conquer methods?"
"Put aside everything you think you know about dragons." Riordan informed gravely. "An Archdemon is a sentient being all its own, capable of thought and reason. Darkspawn are empty vessels, without souls, the Archdemon is able to pierce the veil and fill them with purpose. This is probably the reason why the ancient Tevinters worshiped them as gods."
All of this made sense but they had no time to think about religions of the past, they needed to do something now. Eamon had just that idea. "Whatever the Archdemon is, dragon or no dragon, we must begin a forced march to capital immediately."
"I'll send word to all of our allies." Alistair joined in. "I'll inform them to bring their armies to Denerim, I will not let all of those people die without giving them a chance."
"When can the armies begin marching?" Aedan asked.
"By daybreak." Eamon confirmed. "I suggest we all get some rest while we can."
"So, tomorrow we decide the fate of our country." Aedan said ominously. "Let's get to it."
"Then before the two of turn in for the night, I'm afraid there is Warden business we must discuss." Riordan said. "Meet me upstairs soon."
As Riordan and Alistair left to take care of their duties Aedan went over to the Guerrin brothers to talk for a moment. "I suggest you go get some sleep while you can, we all about to face an enemy the like of which we have never encountered before." Eamon offered.
Aedan would get his rest after he has settled a few things. "Is it truly a good idea to let Alistair fight on the front lines?"
"He insists, how can I say no?" Eamon pointed out. "Alistair will do his do duty, whether he acknowledges it or not, he is Maric's son."
That much was true. Aedan went over to the window and saw what was going on outside. He saw Alistair giving out orders to their army's generals. Aedan could tell that this country was going to enter a new era; standing together were all of the races native to Thedas, the Dalish Elves, Orzammar Dwarves, the different tribes and cultures of Humans, and they were proudly accepting their tasks from a human king. Hopefully when this war ends, perhaps their respective races can have a peaceable and fruitful relationship.
After giving out orders to the armies Alistair went upstairs to see what it was Riordan had to talk him and Aedan about alone. Secret talks amongst Wardens was never a comfortable thing, they always led to further reasons why their order had so many secrets. Just as he was walking up to Riordan's room he noticed that Morrigan was in Aedan's. At first he wanted to ask the witch what she was doing in there but decided against it, he could guess what she was doing in there. Before he spoke with the Senior Warden Alistair decided to wait until his brother was with him so they can both face what this horrid secret probably was which gave him a moment to think, something he wasn't very good at.
So, he was going to be a king, that was probably the last thing he'd ever thought he'd become but he has. This was something about himself that he had always avoided but know that he was recognized and chosen as such, perhaps there was some good he could do as king. When all of the generals were looking to him for instructions he was nervous at first but he managed to find the voice in himself to command respect and everyone listened to him. Still, he couldn't let this power go to his head like it did Loghain if he was going to be a good king. If he was going to be a great king he needed the right advisors, good honest men who tell him the truth and the right course of action to take, no matter how hard a pill it may be to swallow. He was glad that he asked Aedan to be there for him should he live to take the throne, after all, Aedan was the reason why he became king and he would need Eamon's help as well with his years of experience and uncommon humility. Before he could think any further on the subject Aedan had finally arrived. "There you are." Alistair addressed. "Come on, let's see what Riordan has to say."
"You're both here. Good" Riordan started. "You are both new to the Grey Wardens, so I need to know: did Duncan ever told how it is exactly we end the Blight?"
"You mean there's more to it than say, chopping its head off?" Alistair asked.
"So it's true." Riordan confirmed sadly. "I had hoped….Tell me, have you not at all wondered why it must be a Grey Warden that slays the Archdemon?"
Alistair and Aedan looked at each other for a moment. "I assume it has something to do with the taint in our bodies?" Aedan asked giving an educated guess.
"That is exactly the reason why." Riordan verified. "When an Archedemon is slain its fractured soul seeks out another tainted vessel and is reborn in that body. The dragon is thus all but immortal."
Both Aedan and Alistair were growing very nervous at this new revelation but Riordan continued. "This is why Grey Wardens are necessary and why we alone are the ones who must end the Archdemon. When the dragon is struck down its essence instead flows into the Grey Warden ending its cycle of rebirth permanently."
Now the two brothers-at-arms were really nervous. Aedan knew what would happen to the Grey Warden that killed the Archdemon but asked anyway. "And…what happens to the Grey Warden that kill the beast?"
Riordan looked at them both seriously and with sadness. "A darkspawn is an empty soulless fiend, a Grey Warden is not, when the soul of the Archdemon enters the body a sentient vessel it essence is destroyed…along with the Grey Warden."
"So, the Warden that kill the Archedemon…dies?" Alistair asked aghast.
"Yes." Riordan confirmed. "This is why there have never been slayers of Archdemons who have lived to tell the tale. This is why we must keep it a secret from the masses or else no one would volunteer into our Order."
So this was the true burden of being a Grey Warden. You either die trying to be accepted into the Order by drinking darkspawn blood, or you die killing the Archdemon and not reaping the benefits of such glory. And even if there is no Blight you stand vigilant of the current darkspawn menace and eventually go to the deep roads to die, tainted, unmourned, and forgotten. The world can no longer ignore the hardship that all of the brave souls of the order must endure.
"So it's up to all three of us to kill this thing?" Aedan said after taking all of this information in.
"Maker willing it won't come to that." Riordan pointed out. "In Blights past the eldest of the Order would convene to decide who to would make the final strike. If possible the task should be left to me, I am the eldest and the taint will not spare me much longer, but if I should fall without reaching the Archdemon the task falls to you two
."
All three of them stood in silence for a moment and Riordan decided to break the ice. "It's time to get as much rest as we can, tomorrow we march to save Denerim."
"So I guess this is it then." Said Alistair. "One way or another this ends."
"That it does, my friend. That it does." Riordan complied.
Aedan made his way to his room, his mind plagued with the prospect that he may very well meet his doom tomorrow. He had spent his whole life preparing for this moment. Every bit of pain and horror he had suffered, every life he had taken has led him here. To die facing down the apex of evil in the name and for the salvation of his country. There was no greater honor, no son of House Cousland could do any less. His only regret was…he was the last son of his honored house, and after his death they would fall into obscurity. If his house was to end, he would leave such an ending that all of Thedas would forever venerate their legacy.
Aedan entered his room and was surprised to find Morrigan standing there, waiting for him. "Do not be alarmed. 'Tis only I." She bade.
"Morrigan…I am happy to see you."
"Alas, I did not come here to speak of…sentimental things." Morrigan's tone was almost sad. "I came here to speak with you. I have a plan, you see. A way out. The loop in your hole." The very air around Morrigan became dark and foreboding. As if a black storm was conjuring. "I know what happens when the Archdemon dies. I know that a Grey Warden must be sacrificed. And I know that you will throw yourself at death to defend your homeland. But this does not need to be. I can save you."
How? How could she know such things? No one guards their secrets better than the Grey Wardens. Did she learn from Flemeth? "How can you possibly know such things, Morrigan?"
"How I know is inconsequential. But what I know is paramount. I offer a way out. A way out for all the Grey Wardens, that there need be no sacrifice. A…ritual. Performed on the eve of battle, in the dark of night."
Aedan did not like secrets, and he didn't like how Morrigan knew of the sacrifice long before he did. "You knew? You knew of the price I would have to pay, and you never told me? Why?"
"Would you have believed me? I didn't want to plague your mind and distract you from accomplishing your goal." Morrigan's answer sounded more like an excuse to Aedan. "Please, all I ask is that you hear me out."
This wasn't good enough. "What kind of magic is this? Why all this secrecy?"
"It is old magic. From a time before the Circle of Magi." Morrigan answered coldly. "Some would call this bloodmagic. But I doubt such labels truly matter."
"And where did you learn such magic?"
"From Flemeth, of course. There are many such spells that exist that the Chantry has tried to stamp out. But you and I both know that there are those who've mastered such arcane secrets."
"But no such magic ever comes without a price."
"Yes. But that price need not be unbearable." Morrigan strode over to the bed and sat herself down. "Please, Aedan. All I ask is that you hear me out. Nothing more."
Aedan couldn't shake the feeling that he was heading straight for torment, but finally conceded. "Very well, Morrigan. I will hear you out, but I promise nothing."
"What I propose is this: lay with me. Here, tonight. And from our joining, a child will be conceived. The child will bear the taint, and when the Archdemon is slain, its essence will seek out the child like a beacon." How could she speak so calmly about such an act? "At this early stage, the child can absorb the Arch Demon's essence without dying. The Archdemon is destroyed and no Grey Warden needs to die. When it is over, you allow me to walk away…and you do not follow. Ever. The child will be mine to raise as I wish."
Aedan's eyes were a torrent of horror. His greatest dream come true was instantly made into his worst nightmare. How could she ask such a thing? "This….This is why your mother rescued Alistair and me from the Tower of Ishal. This is why she sent you with us."
"Does that truly surprise you? Did you not wonder why she rescued you? Yes, this is why."
"Even after what she planned to do you, even when she's dead by your will, you still wish to fulfill her desires?"
"No." Morrigan insisted. "This…this has nothing to do with her. I merely believe this to be too important an opportunity to just let slip by."
"An opportunity." The word was as bitter and painful as a hot coal in Aedan's mouth. "Is that all I was? Everything that was between us, was that all just another ploy so that you could achieve your goal?"
As much as she tried to hide it, Aedan's words stung Morrigan. "Caring for you as I have come to? Loving you as I have come to? No. No, that was never part of the plan. But you of all people know that what one feels must never interfere with what one must do. The fact that it may save your life makes me all the more determined to see it done."
"Before I even consider giving you an answer, I must know more about this child." Aedan insisted fervently. "Will this…ritual harm the child?"
"Ignoring that after but one night it can barely be called a child, no it will not be harmed. It will simply be changed."
"You intend to pollute a child, our child, with the putrid soul of an Archdemon? And create what? An abomination?"
"No!" Morrigan denied. "The child will possess the soul of the Old God that it once was. But it will not be possessed by the dark forces the have corrupted it. Some things in this world are worth preserving. Make of that what you will."
Aedan didn't accept that. "What will you do with the child?"
"I do not wish to tell you."
Aedan's anger began to rise. For all her explanations and excuses, she told him nothing. "That isn't enough, Morrigan."
"The child will represent freedom for an ancient power, a chance to be reborn apart from the taint. Is that not reason enough? I will raise the child apart from society and teach it to respect the power that it came from. Beyond that you need know nothing else."
Aedan couldn't understand. Why did she need to do this? Why didn't she trust him enough to tell him? "This…this will be my child. Will I ever see it? Will I ever see you again?"
"After the Archdemon is slain? No. No, you will never see me again. And you will never see the child. This is all I ask for freeing from the burden The Grey Wardens have placed on you."
Aedan didn't think it was possible, but he could actually feel the pain of his heart breaking. "What's the point of living past tomorrow if I can't have a life with you?"
"I…nothing would make me happier than to have that, but I told you we would come to regret what we feel for one another. I AM sorry, but this is…simply how it must be." Morrigan could see the betrayed look in Aedan's eyes, the pain that consumed them. The pain she was feeling herself was almost unbearable. "Please. Aedan, if you feel anything for me, then accept that what we must do will…make things easier."
Aedan tried to ignore his own breaking heart and maintain his character. "Morrigan, in all the time that you've known me, did I ever once give you the impression that I'm scared to die? I am a son of Highever. And there is no greater honor than to die for my country."
He could not seriously be thinking of denying her? Could he? "Think of what I offer you! The glory of being the only Grey Warden to face an Archdemon and live, there has never been anyone to perform such a feat! Will you truly deny yourself the tomorrows and all the greatness afterward simply for your pride? Do you truly believe that when you're gone your country will still be safe? It will be even weaker than before! Would you really leave your country in such a state?"
She had him there. It was always after a Blight that countries and nations were annexed and conquered. He could not allow that to happen, nor would he be strong armed by Morrigan. No matter how much he loved her. "We both have something we desperately want it seems. But I have some conditions of my own, Morrigan. And you will hear them."
Morrigan had no choice. Aedan was not a man to be so easily pushed. Anyone who wanted something from him had to lean his way. It was one of the things she loved about
him. "Speak then, but I promise nothing."
"If this is to be my child you are raising, then you cannot raise the child the same way Flemeth raised you." Aedan's eyes and tone were a grim as a graveyard. "You have to raise the child as though I were there. You must raise the child with love and care, not as an instrument for what goals you may have. You must be a mother to our child. If you can tell me you can do that, I will agree. But if I don't believe you, then everything you've done to reach this point and everything I have ever felt for you will have been for nothing."
Morrigan felt her own heart twinge at such a request. Could she fulfill such a role? All she ever knew of motherhood was what Flemeth had taught her, and she taught Morrigan that love is only a weakness. But then she met Aedan, and he showed her what love is truly like. She….She could do it. "Yes." Morrigan almost wept. "I promise, I will show our child the same love you showed me."
Aedan looked into her golden eyes and could see his answer. He gently cupped her face in his hand. "I believe you, Morrigan."
Morrigan smiled that beautiful smile of hers, full of genuine joy. "Then come, my love. Put the thoughts of the ritual aside, and let us make this last night together one to remember." Morrigan wrapped her arms around Aedan neck and hungrily pressed her lips against his as he took her into his arms. Aedan skilled hands explored her delicate flesh, her slender back, and her perfect breasts as their tongues danced and wrestled with one another for oral dominance. He had almost forgotten what her sweetness tasted like.