A Change of the Script

Chapter 4

The conversation kept up until they reached the Fort. By this time they had planned something more like a banquet instead of a picnic. Alistair had already decided how he was going to slip away from his advisers so he could join them.

As they arrived at the Fort, Lyna came to the realization that they had not come across many Emissaries or Alphas for a while. They had mainly faced Genlocks, Hurlocks and a few Ogres. Must be keeping some of the big hitters to protect the Archdemon. she thought as they entered the Fort proper. To say it was a mess was an understatement. Furniture and ornaments had been moved to create crude barricades, Other ornaments and tapestries had been ruined and strewn around the halls and rooms. Dead bodies were left to rot where they had fallen and others had been dragged into side rooms and piled up. The darkspawn were only at critical areas such as the stair wells or main rooms which the small group would have to pass through. There were some areas of the Fort where they could walk through without any problems. Much of the trek through the Fort brought up memories which Lyna wished she could forget. Glancing at Alistair ahead of her she could tell that he was remembering too and, not for the first time, wished that she had insisted he'd stayed back when they had gone to save Anora.

They were two floors from the top of the Fort when they entered a room and stopped short. Shock and confusion filled the Elven Warden as she looked around. The room was filled with darkspawn corpses. There were corpses of Genlocks, Hurlocks, an Alpha and even an Ogre. It looked as though they had all just fallen down dead as there were no wounds made from blades. It could have been magic but she couldn't say for certain. What surprised and confused her more was the fact that, stood in the middle of the carnage, was Sandal, Bodhan's boy. The simple minded young Dwarf stood there with a large grin on his face as if he had been waiting for them.

"Enchantment?" he asked happily as they entered the room.

"Well, that explains why we saw no Darkspawn in the last few rooms." Zevran's surprised voice came from Lyna's right.

"It certainly does." Wynn concurred as she approached Sandal curiously. "Are you hurt?"

"Enchantment?" he asked again cheerily, keeping his eyes on Lyna.

Drawing out a long two handed blade from a makeshift sheath on Alistair's back she approached the strange Dwarf. They had found it as they battled through the Fort. Knowing they would need something more than their current weapons against the Archdemon, they had agreed that they would take it. It was well made and should hopefully do the job but a little enchantment might help. "Could you enchant this for me please?"

"Enchantment!" Sandal cried out happily, taking the massive sword.

As the Dwarf set about enchanting the sword the others took in the destruction the oblivious Dwarf had created.

Deciding it best not to ask how he had managed to kill so many darkspawn they waited for him to finish his work. They also decided to leave much of the stuff they had collected on the way as they didn't want to be weighed down in the final battle. After a short while, Sandal handed the finished blade to Lyna, who secured it on Alistair's back again. The Sheath was no more that a few straps of leather designed to release the blade quickly. She knew she wouldn't be able to carry it into battle as it was just too heavy for her to carry for a prolonged time and would hinder her fighting style. She would need to be quick to get it from the warrior when the time came. Once secured, they continued on their way after encouraging Sandal to stay safe.

The final two floors seemed almost deserted. It was obvious that the Archdemon was keeping the stronger forces close for the final battle. They ran into little resistance as they made their way to the roof.  Zevran tried to lighten the heavy mood that was settling on the small group to little effect.  Just before they arrived at the door that would lead them to their hardest battle yet, Lyna insisted that they make sure they were prepared.

O-o-o-o-o-o

Zevran checked his blades whilst watching their small group. Wynn was checking her pouches to make sure she had enough potions, herbs and bandages. The two Wardens were checking their weapons but the sly assassin was not as blind as the star crossed lovers seemed to be. He could see how they kept sneaking glances at each other, the worry clear on their faces. The assassin remembered back to when he had first met both Wardens. Even then it had been obvious how much the young human had cared for the wild Dalish Elf. The fumbling attempts to charm and woo her had certainly been entertaining for Zev to watch. Especially as she had seemed confused and unsure about the whole thing. It was as if she was trying to figure out what the human wanted. Zev wouldn't deny that he had felt a certain attraction to the rogue himself and had intended to pursue her.  He realized fairly quickly that, although she was comfortable around him, she did not see him in a romantic way. It was more as a bestfriend or brother, which confused him greatly as he had never had that kind of friendship before. This did not stop him from harmlessly and shamelessly flirting with her though, much to the Human warriors frustration. He had even flirted with the ex Templar on occasion for fun.

When they had finally admitted their feelings for one another, Zev had been happy for them. But now... Secretly he wished that circumstances were different as the Wardens were good for each other. He knew that they loved each other and that each would give their own life for the other to live if necessary. He also knew that if the young soon to be King could have his way Lyna would be his Queen. But alas, he knew as well as they that it could not be. Both Elves and Humans would not see two people in love. Humans would see it as an insult and unholy if a Dalish Elf were made Queen. They would say the Elves were trying to pollute the Royal line and had cast some unholy spell over the King.

Elves would see it as an insult too but would say that she had been forced into the marriage by the 'Shems' as a way to lay claim overall Elves and destroy their way of life. It could spark a war much more devastating and widespread than the Exhalted March.

The assassin could feel the tension surrounding them both and swore to himself that he would always be there for them. He was about to approach them when, surprised, he saw Alistair move towards Lyna.

O-o-o-o-o-o

Alistair didn't know what he wanted to say to Lyna but he didn't want to go into this battle without making sure she was alright. As he neared her she looked up from strapping a dagger securely to her boot. Smiling slightly he tried to convey with his presence what he couldn't with words. That he was there no matter what.   For sometime now words had not been necessary between them. They seemed to know what the other was thinking or feeling just by a small glance or movement. He saw that his message was received when she gave him a small smile in return. Both knew this wasn't going to be easy but also that it was what they had both worked so hard towards. Although Lyna had been at the forefront of it all she had insisted on him helping to make the decisions and had relied on his knowledge of the 'Human world' as she had put it.

"Ready?" she asked him softly.

Knowing that she wasn't just asking about his weapons he nodded carefully. "Ready." he responded, hoping that neither of them were going to their death. Gently he reached out and took her hand. Giving it a soft and reassuring squeeze he tried to convey all of his love it that one gesture. She returned the loving gesture then after a moment she turned to face the others.

"It's time to finish this." she said, sounding every bit like the commanding Grey Warden that she had become.

"The sooner this dragon it dead the better, I say." Zevran said, determination making his voice uncharacteristically hard.

With all resolved to destroy the Archdemon and end the Blight they made their way onto the roof and to the final battle.

  The first thing the group saw as they passed through the door was the Archdemon, stood in the center of the roof. The second was the horde of Darkspawn surrounding the dragon like some sick twisted honour guard. Everything seemed to stop for a fraction of a second before all hell broke loose.