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[DreGregoire]

Chapter Five
Part Four

Aonghas sat with Majestic day after day at the campsite to ensure that no person would enter Ostagar, but no one traveled the road and Aonghas found himself drifting into contemplation. His mind slipped into the past.

Aonghas and Alistair faced off after another argument about where Aonghas belonged in a battle. “Look, I love you and I love being with you, but I will not keep my opinions to myself just because you happen to share my bedroll.”

“I’m not asking you to not share your opinions! I’m just tired of you contradicting me in front of all of the others. If you want to take over leadership just tell me and I’ll go find something else to do.”

“Seriously, Aonghas, what kind of ultimatum is that? I have just as much stake in what we do as you do. You do not give the others these disparaging looks whenever they voice an opinion or disagree with you publicly. I am not asking you to step aside. I am just asking you to give me the courtesy you give the others.”

“Yes well nobody else shares your bedroll do they,” questioned Aonghas in his snide tone? His tone became nastier the more he spoke but even though he could hear the tone he seemed unable to stop it from continuing to get worse. “Maybe we need to make some changes. It seems to me like you are trying to use our relationship to make yourself feel superior. You are always trying to force me to bend to your will! If you had your way I would be the one stuck in camp while everybody else fights!”

“Why you! Look here, Aonghas, I am not going to tolerate this kind of behavior from you. At first I thought it was my imagination that you were using our relationship as a power play, but now it’s clear that you are.” Alistair’s tone became harsher with each word and his face reddened in his anger.

“I would never do that,” Aonghas exclaimed as his heart began to beat heavily in his chest and he began to feel panic as he saw Alistair begin trembling in rage at his denial.

“Do not add your lies to this conversation. Stand up and admit to the games you are playing with me.” Aonghas shook his head and began backing away from Alistair. How had it come to this? How had Alistair finally figured out what Aonghas had been trying to do? Before Aonghas could speak Alistair continued. “This is the way I see it. I’m older, I’m bigger, I’m stronger, and my rank is higher. You have no more power than I choose to give you. Deal with the fact that you have lost this power struggle and stop making our personal relationship suffer for it!”

Aonghas stood shaking his head in disbelief. Could he admit defeat and submit to another’s will? His bid to control the situation through an intimate relationship with his fellow grey warden had worked for a time, but somewhere he had lost the battle for dominance. Even as his mind realized it his fighting spirit reared its head and he flung himself at Alistair, his hand coming around without warning and slapping the larger and older man sharply across the mouth. As Alistair stood in shock Aonghas took the opportunity to leave the room but not before sending a barb over his shoulder, “I’ll never share your bedroll again and don’t you dare come closer than two feet of me ever again!”

Aonghas came back to the present as the memories of later that day came to him. Alistair had saved Aonghas from bleeding to death by invading the space he had been ordered not to enter. This later part of the memory was hazy as Aonghas had passed in and out of consciousness for the rest of the day. The result that stood out most was that he didn’t object when two nights later Alistair climbed into the tent with him and pulled them tightly together to share one of their deeply passionate kisses. As Aonghas sat he began to understand that it was those events that first caused him to lose what little sway he had over Alistair. Alistair’s power increased from that day forth so that when the day came that he was made King he was no longer the same fragile boy who had been hurt by the events of his life, but instead he was a man who had no equal in power and strength. This was the man who Aonghas knew had stolen his heart even as he lamented the loss of the more easily swayed Alistair who had fallen in love with him.

Aonghas hugged Majestic tightly as the thoughts of love and loss consumed him and although he had had no intention of breaking his promise to his cousin he found himself standing and moving towards Ostagar. He could hear Majestic barking urgently trying to waken him but he could feel that he had become enthralled by the magic and found he was unable to stop his body from moving towards the place where many had died.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 07 janvier 2011 - 12:18 .

[DreGregoire]

Chapter Five
Part Five

Step by step Aonghas was drawn closer to the source of the disturbance in Ostagar and he struggled to move as he sensed darkspawn approaching, but he was unable to break free of the force that held him enthralled. As he crossed into Ostagar the same way he and Duncan had entered he found the shadowy figure of King Cailan and the two solders who had greeted them. The shadowy form of Duncan appeared beside him and grasped arms with King Cailan. Aonghas could feel the force of magic pushing him into the same role he had held back then. No words left his lips but the shadowy figures reacted as if he had spoken. As the King left him and Duncan alone he felt himself moving in the same steps he had walked then. Duncan’s shadowy figure faded away and Aonghas felt himself slowly dragged away from the familiar past into a new path.

Aonghas could hear Majestic barking and whimpering at his side as he arrived at the battlefield where so many had fallen. Suddenly the field filled with the shadowy figures of the soldiers, hounds, and wardens that had graced it back then. Aonghas’ gaze was drawn to the stage where he could see King Cailan and Duncan approaching the forefront. Cailan ordered the archers and then the hounds to attack and then suddenly the shadowy figures let loose battle cries and surged past Aonghas to battle the darkspawn hoard. Aonghas felt himself suddenly released from that which enthralled him, but still the battle raged around him. Aonghas could see that the soldiers were doing well in the beginning and then as they began to falter against the darkspawn hoard he saw the signal go up for him and Alistair. Aonghas shivered and stared up at the tower as the battle surged around him. It was a good while before the fire atop the tower blazed in the night sky, but as Aonghas turned to look he could see that the king’s army was getting desperate and that they needed Loghain’s troops immediately.

Aonghas waited with baited breath for Loghain’s troops even though he knew they would never come. The hoard slowly overwhelmed the king’s troops as the field behind the darkspawn remained empty. Not wanting to witness the massacre Aonghas began to walk away from the fighting. The force that had gripped him before returned and forced him to turn and witness the death of King Cailan. Aonghas felt triumph at Duncan’s revenge against the Ogre that had killed the king. The force continued to make him watch Duncan’s anguished reaction to Cailan’s death. Then as Duncan looked up and saw the beacon lit he knew Loghain had quit the field and he watched patiently as the darkspawn overwhelmed him. Suddenly Aonghas found himself released and he fell to his knees as the shadowy figures disappeared from the field. As Aonghas knelt trembling in reaction he heard a howl of pain in the distance from Majestic and Aonghas lurched to his feet and began to run further into the field.

By the time Aonghas made it within view of his hound he found a group of about twenty darkspawn surrounding Majestic. His hound was down on his side and a gaping wound in his belly exposed his innards. Aonghas roared out the words to a stun spell as he pulled on his shield and drew his sword. He cast a spell of chain lightning as the darkspawn stood stunned and then hurled himself shield first, in a perfect imitation of Alistair the defender, at the darkspawn closest to him. Aonghas fought wildly in his rage unaware of the wounds the darkspawn inflicted upon him. He had seriously wounded about four darkspawn when a brief glance at Majestic showed the hound had passed on. Aonghas felt his rage begin to heat up and sizzle inside him and he screamed in grief and then agony as relentless waves of lightning shot from within him in all directions knocking back and killing all the darkspawn.

Aonghas fell upon Majestic to rest his face against the hound’s jowl; trying to sense the hound but the hound’s essence had already departed. Aonghas shouted in anguish and began to cast a healing on his hound but the action caused a burning agony to go off in his head and he collapsed atop Majestic as he fought the darkness that tried to take him. Suddenly he felt hands on him pulling him away from Majestic and Aonghas, unable to see, began to struggle. “Easy, lad, it is just Ryley and I.”

Aonghas lashed out at them both with his fists, “You bastards where were you,” he screamed as he blindly threw punches in all directions? He was satisfied to feel a few blows land and then he felt Ryley’s heavier hands on his shoulders and his head snapped back at the harsh shake his cousin gave him. Aonghas stilled and when he felt himself released he spoke, “I can’t see,” and then raised his hands to his eyes, but somebody grabbed them preventing him.

“Easy, Aonghas, it looks like your eyes are alright but your eyelids are swollen and an angry red.”

Aonghas felt himself yanked into the past.

Aonghas stared at Alistair sleeping in the chair beside his bed and then moaned as he tried to move setting off painful throbbing in his scull. Alistair was instantly awake hovering over Aonghas. Aonghas wondered why Alistair looked different until he realized he was only seeing him out of one eye. Aonghas raised a hand to touch his left eye but found his hand stopped by a firm grip from Alistair. “Don’t touch it, Aonghas. Your eye and surrounding face is swollen beyond recognition, but before the swelling got so bad the healer said your eye was fine.”

Aonghas could feel himself staring at Alistair in confusion “What happened? How did I get here?”

“You’ve been unconscious for three days, Aonghas.” Aonghas watched as Alistair stood and began pacing. “You know just how to push me over the edge. I don’t know why I keep falling for your tricks, but this is my fault. It’s my fault that I lost my temper and hit you like I did.”

Aonghas interrupted Alistair hoping to stall whatever Alistair was getting worked up over, “I think I remember us arguing and me going after you but I don’t remember getting hit. It is not the first time we’ve come to blows Alistair. I’m sure everything will be fine.”

Alistair had stopped and was staring at Aonghas like he had turned into a darkspawn or had grown a second head and the horror in Alistair’s voice sent fear through Aonghas’ gut. “Everything will not be alright. I have scarred you for life. I am the King of Ferelden, if I can not govern my own temper what good am I to my people?”

Aonghas fought the urge to touch his face and he could hear his own voice tremble, “Scarred me for life? Alistair how bad is it?”

Alistair’s face had paled considerably and he settled on the bed next to Aonghas and looked down at him in heavy remorse. “You will have a scar. Before the swelling your skin along your cheekbone heading up in a curve toward your temple was split open and the swelling is making things worse. If I had only taken off my gauntlets after sword practice it wouldn’t be this bad. I am so utterly stupid.”

Aonghas fought his own emotions in the face of Alistair’s anguish, “I’ve plenty of scars from battle. What’s one more?” Alistair again gave him that look that made him feel as if he had sprouted a second head. “I’m not feeling very well. Is my brother around?”

Alistair jumped up quickly and rushed out the door, “Of course I’ll get him right away!”


Aonghas could hear harsh gut wrenching sobbing breath as he came back to the present and he could feel his back resting against the chest of a body as large as his own. He knew it to be his cousin when large arms wrapped around him holding him more firmly and Ryley spoke. “Please, Aonghas, try to calm down. You need to slow down your breathing. Zev, please get some blankets to cover him.” Aonghas gazed around in a daze trying to see his surroundings but was unable to. He knew there was something he should be looking for. Majestic! “Slow down your breathing, Aonghas.” Aonghas began struggling against his cousin’s grip but the older man just held him tighter and spoke softly, “I’m sorry, baby cousin, he’s beyond help.” Aonghas heard a wailing as he began struggling more and then he felt his labored breath causing his chest to hurt and his lungs to burn and it was then that he realized the pitiful noises he had heard were his own. He felt his anguish intensify and then he felt himself swirl into a deeper darkness.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 07 janvier 2011 - 04:42 .

[DreGregoire]

Chapter Five
Part Six


Ryley sighed in relief when Aonghas collapsed back against him in a faint. “It’s about time. Quickly get a tent up around us. Zev, could you please get my herb bag.”

Zevran finished tucking blankets around the two men and was about to stand when he saw a gush of blood stream down from the healed cut below Aonghas left eye. Zevran began to frantically pull away the blankets while muttering in alarm, “no… no… no not this again.” As he pulled the bottom blanket away he could see it was soaked in blood and Zevran exclaimed in despair, “Not here, please, Aonghas, not here. There is no healer for days.”

Zevran looked up at Ryley and they both froze for a moment and then Ryley began shouting. “Forget the tent men. Make a stretcher and we will head to Lothering. Ryley moved backwards and laid out Aonghas and stared down at his cousin. “We have to wrap as many wounds as possible. Get his robes from his pack and cut them up.” Zevran moved quickly and as he slashed the clothing to shreds he looked towards Aonghas and Ryley to see Ryley fiercely cutting away the leather armor Aonghas wore while tears streamed down his face. “Baby cousin, you have to stop doing this to us.”

Zevran brought the cloth from Aonghas’ robes over and the two men began working quickly to bind Aonghas’ bleeding wounds tightly, “I thought we were done with this.”

Ryley swore softly under his breath before speaking as well. “I never even considered the impact of the loss of Majestic on him. I’m not sure he will recover so easy from this loss. That is if we can manage to keep him alive until help can come. Do we contact Alistair or Fergus?”

“We have to contact Fergus, I have promised him this. We may need Alistair to bring Aonghas back.” Zevran could feel himself trembling in reaction as they finished binding the last of the wounds. Ryley grabbed him then and pulled him roughly into a tight embrace. Zevran slipped his arms around Ryley and held them tight together against the trembling that racked both their bodies. “We need to find out how to prevent this from happening.”

“One wish from him to die and his body and mind seem to want to make it so,” Ryley whispered in frustration against Zevran’s hair. “How do we fight this?”

A clearing of a throat started them both, “My Lord, the stretcher is complete and the men are ready to leave.

---------------------------------
King Alistair and Lady Ryonah sat playing a game of chess in between court appearances when Alistair suddenly felt as if something was extremely wrong. Alistair sprang to his feet and immediately began pacing. He felt agitated, afraid, and desperate. His pacing was brought up short when he noticed Ryonah sat quietly with her face drained of color. Alistair rushed to her and dropped on a knee beside her chair and gripped her hands. “You sense something to? Tell me what you sense.”

Ryonah shook her head from side to side trying to separate herself from the sensations she was receiving from Ryley. “I don’t know exactly. I only pick up feelings from Ryley but something devastating has happened. What did the messenger tell us? That they were going into Ostagar? Ryley isn’t injured which means it has to be somebody else he cares about.”

Alistair knew then why the feeling felt familiar. It was the same feeling and sensations he had felt when Aonghas was injured and in the fade the last two times. Could he tell the woman he was to marry in a few short months that he still held a connection to Aonghas? How could he hurt her like that? Alistair had done everything in his power to make sure she knew he considered her before all others. How could he possibly say the unthinkable to her? He could just picture the hurt on her face as he uttered the words, ‘I’m still in love with your baby cousin; let me go to him and save his life and then I will come back to you.’

Ryonah settled the problem for him with her next words, “We will leave for Ostagar immediately. There is no time to waste.” Ryonah rushed to the door and flung it open and spoke sharply, “Prepare the swiftest two horses for the king and I.”

An hour later found Alistair and Ryonah nearly flying out of Denerim with a company of soldiers streaming out behind them on horses. Arl Eamon hadn’t asked many questions as the frantic couple threw themselves and their packs together for the trip. He had gladly sent a messenger to Fergus who they knew was already on his way to Denerim. A shout from the road coming in from the north caused the couple to pause in surprise. Fergus cantered up on his horse. “I’m coming,” he shouted and then gestured to them both as he took off down the south road. Alistair and Ryonah set heels to their horses and the three drove their horses relentlessly in an effort to arrive in Lothering in six days.

-----------------------------
“Alistair.” Ryley and Zevran both jerked awake and stared down at the younger man lying between them. Aonghas looked like death warmed over and was obviously still unconscious but his arm stretched out across Zevran towards the front of the Inn. Zevran slid out from under the outstretched arm as Ryley rose from the bed. The two dressed quickly and Ryley slipped out the door into the Lothering Inn common room. He could hear horses’ hooves thundering pass the side of the Inn and then he heard the voices shouting. Ryley was just moving to the door when it burst open admitting King Alistair and Teyrn Fergus Cousland. Ryonah followed them at a much calmer pace. Ryley nearly collapsed in relief, even as he wondered how they had managed to get here so quickly.

Zevran moved aside as Ryley led the way into the room. The three weary travelers looked exhausted but they all went right to Aonghas and crowded around. Alistair looked stricken as he sat on the edge of the bed and gently brushed aside Aonghas’ hair so they could all see the lad more easily. Fergus spoke then, “Tell us what happened.”

Ryley looked at Zevran for a moment and after receiving a brief nod he turned to speak to the others, “Majestic died defending Aonghas from darkspawn. How things led to that we are unsure because we were not there when it happened. When we arrived it was to see a massive charge of multiple lightning bolts that instantly killed the darkspawn surrounding Aonghas. The charge blinded Aonghas and it wasn’t long before he passed out from the stress of it all. He was fine at first and then just as we were getting him settled all his wounds reappeared. That’s all I know and that was six days ago, we’ve only been here for a day and a half. He knows Alistair is here.”

Alistair nodded and spoke firmly, “Aonghas Cousland, how dare you lay here dying when there are people who need you! You better heal yourself this instant or I will never speak to you again!”

“What are you doing?” Fergus looked a bit shocked as did the others, but before Alistair could defend himself Aonghas began to glow. Everyone watched in awe until the glow grew too bright, but when it faded they could see the visible wounds had all healed. Nobody moved for a time and then Fergus spoke, “I have never seen anything like that. What did the Circle of Magi do to my little brother?”

“They didn’t teach him this. This is just who he is. Who else could have carried us to victory against the archdemon? And now we need him to defeat the darkspawn that roam the country as well. His responsibilities in this world are not over. I will not tolerate him shirking his duty.” Alistair was panting and trembling slightly in rage and reaction.

“Easy, Alistair, we support your feelings and determination in this.” Alistair met Fergus gaze and then looked to Ryley and Zevran who both nodded in encouragement and last he turned to Ryonah and she smiled at him and gave him an encouraging nod.

“How do you think we should handle this, my love?” Alistair stared at her in relief that she was still calling him her love. It was a new expression from her, one that was barely a month old and he had feared to never hear it again.

“First off I want to know if you all realize how easily Aonghas has manipulated us. Whether he does it intentionally or not I do not know. I do know; however, if we don’t put a stop to it now. He will continue to think he can manipulate the world to suit himself.”

“Example,” questioned Ryonah?

“Of how he manipulates us,” Alistair asked? Ryonah nodded and Alistair took a deep breath before beginning. “He made his most recent departure from Denerim in such an elaborate manner that to me it was obvious he meant to get all of our attention. He even manipulated me into not telling everyone that I knew he was gone. Leaving Majestic behind made it obvious that he expected to be followed. If his plan was intentional or not; here we all are hovering over him and giving him our full attention. We all put everything aside to be here for him.”

“So you are saying we are spoiling him by jumping to his aid? I was just thinking to myself that he has once more managed to have us revolve around him.”

“Exactly, Fergus, and this is the last time I come running to save his life. I have duties of my own to fulfill and Aonghas is just going to have to learn that he needs to take care of himself.”

“So you will just leave it to Zevran and me to try to keep him alive,” questioned Ryley his voice shaking?

Alistair dropped his eyes from Ryley’s and tried to think of the best way to answer the man’s anger, but once more his soon to be wife stepped up. “You can choose to go off on your own as well. It would probably be best if we all left him to himself. I agree with Alistair and Fergus, we all spoil him. How is he supposed to grow up and be his own man if we continue to baby him?”

“How can you say that? He doesn’t even have Majestic anymore!” Ryley sounded furious.

Fergus interrupted any further argument. “Enough; let us retire somewhere else to discuss this so we don’t wake up Aonghas.”

Modifié par DreGregoire, 29 janvier 2011 - 05:41 .

[DreGregoire]

Chapter Five: Standing Alone
Complete


Aonghas cracked his eyes open as he heard the door close and he carefully looked around to make sure everyone had left before sitting up. He pushed his recently grown long hair out of his face and scooted to the edge of the bed and placed his bare feet on the wooden floor. He impatiently tossed his hair back as it blocked his view of the room and then he reached for his belt knife that had been left on the bedside table. Carefully he began cutting away bandages, he moved as quickly as he could and it wasn’t long before he was able to stand unencumbered. He staggered to the side board that held a pitcher of water and a basin. He shakily filled the basin with water and then leaned over it; staring down until the water settled enough for him to see his reflection. “I guess I’ll have to settle for just cutting the hair that is in my eyes this time. Obviously there is nobody willing to cut it for me.” Aonghas gathered the hair at his forehead and lifted his knife to it and cut himself some bangs that just barely brushed over his eyes. With a huge sigh Aonghas set the length of hair aside and grabbed a cloth to clean the dried blood from his body. “I wonder how much time I cut off of my life this time by healing myself,” he muttered out loud as he washed away the evidence of his recent brush with death. He figured that it was about a years worth of hair growth he had sprouted which was more than any of the other times. “They are right; I’ve got to stop doing this to myself. Damn them!”

A much cleaner Aonghas found a comb and combed through his hair quickly while looking for clothes. He was angry to find none of his own because it meant he would have to take Ryley’s clothes. He sorted through Ryley’s pack finding the most worn clothes he could find and then quickly dressed before gathering the rest of his gear and packing. “You all want me to do things on my own? I can do that.” He slung his pack over his shoulder and opened the window in the room and after looking around outside; he dropped his gear out and then slipped out the window himself. “Lucky for me we got the room on the first floor.”

Aonghas froze as he saw his hound decked out on a pyre and Aonghas whispered a word and a magical flame struck the pyre lighting it. “Goodbye, my soul mate and brother,” Aonghas whispered before moving quickly to the horses as their alarmed guards went to see how the pyre had started burning. He looked over the horses quickly and found his brother’s horse. He was relieved to see the horse had not been unsaddled or maybe had been re-saddled he wasn’t sure which but he loaded his pack on the animal and swung onto it just as the tavern door burst open and Fergus and the others poured out. Aonghas caused the horse to rear to get their attention and with a wave he shouted, “I’ll be sure to write,” before forcing the horse into a tight spin and thundering off over the bridge.

He could hear the shouts go up but then he heard his brother’s voice over the others. “Let him go; he is doing what we want!” Aonghas nearly turned back to give them all a piece of his mind when Fergus called out loudly to him. “Know that we all love you and wish you the best! And you better write!” Aonghas kicked his heels to his horse’s sides and fled before he could change his mind about leaving them all behind.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 30 janvier 2011 - 04:03 .

[DreGregoire]

Chapter Six: Alone
Part One: A New Day Begins
17th Day, Solace (July), 9:32

Aonghas slowed his horse to a walk once Lothering was out of sight and a growling in his stomach made him second guess his hasty departure. He groaned as he realized he hadn’t packed any food. He walked the horse for a good hour or so when the thundering of a lone horse could be heard coming down the road from behind him. Aonghas swung his horse around as a small part of his heart made a wish, but it was one of Alistair’s guards that approached. The guard dismounted and held a letter out to Aonghas.

“Pardon my interruption, my lord. King Alistair and the Teyrn of Highever wanted me to give you this letter and these packs.” Aonghas swung down from his horse and accepted the letter the guard held out to him. Aonghas watched the guard load the three packs onto his horse and then the guard turned back to him and bowed. “I will take my leave if it pleases you, my lord.” Aonghas nodded and the guard smiled before swinging onto his horse and thundering down the road back to Lothering.

Aonghas stared at the letter as if it were something evil before shaking himself and then with a grunt of annoyance he stuffed it into one of the side pockets of one of the new saddle bags. The size of the larger saddle bag caught and held his attention; he had noticed the guard struggling with it but hadn’t thought much of it at the time. Quickly Aonghas lead his horse off the road and behind a stand of trees before opening the saddle bag and finding the gleam of anticipated metal that shouted armor. Aonghas hauled the heavy armor out piece by piece; placing it all carefully out on a patch of moss. At the bottom of the saddle bag Aonghas found three sets of under armor clothing; two plain and the third fancy. Kneeling beside the armor Aonghas ran his hands over the flashy armor. The chain mail was tinted the color of blue steel with heavy gold accents and the rest of the heavy armor glowed in gold tones with the occasional blue tone thrown in. Aonghas was amazed to see even the straps had golden buckles and accents. Aonghas stared in awe at the armor before standing and opening the second pack to find a matching warden griffon helm sitting right on top. Aonghas didn’t fight the urge to don the helm and he shuddered as he felt an odd sensation permeate into his mind from the helm. Quickly Aonghas removed the helm and placed it on the ground with the rest of the armor. He ran a hand lightly over the top of the armor and he could feel the enchantments radiating off of the armor. Aonghas went back to the horse and opened the second pack and removed a set of leather armor with two sets of underclothes; followed by two mage robes, one fancy and one plain; and then two sets of clothes one fancy and one plain. Aonghas shook his head at his new wealth of clothing while wondering who would have taken the time to pick out the clothing. Shrugging he removed his weapons and stripped before pulling on the set of underclothes for the leather armor. He was astonished to find the clothing fit him comfortably making him realize that it had been tailored made for him; but what surprised him the most was that the clothing had room to grow in just the right places. At nineteen Aonghas still had some growing to do and whoever had the clothing made had taken it into account. The leather armor fit moderately well, but after Aonghas had tightened straps and buckles the armor became a perfect fit. Aonghas sighed in contentment as he gazed at the armor resting in the moss and then he moved quickly to repack it all.

Aonghas had to give Fergus and Alistair credit for making sure he had everything he would need; however, that little part of him that was still so much of a child complained. “Nice armor and gear, but where is the gold you took from me? It was enough to outfit an entire army.” Aonghas groaned as the memory of that ill fated evening filled his mind.

At a desk in a chamber within the Cousland’s small estate in Denerim the Hero of Ferelden sat stacking and counting his wealth of coin. He had accumulated much more than he had thought during the long campaign against the darkspawn horde. Aonghas had been careful not to let the others notice exactly how much he had accumulated. He had only recently sent for his store of valuables from various places around Ferelden where he had stashed it. With it all gathered and the gear sold for coin Aonghas was thrilled to find that he was more wealthy than he had ever anticipated; maybe more wealthy than any single man in all of Ferelden; maybe in Thedas.

Aonghas was just settling back after counting the last of the coins when a sharp knock came to his door and his brother entered followed by King Alistair. Aonghas’ eyes opened wide in surprise as the two men moved to loom over him gazing at the coins gathered on the desk in front of the nineteen year old defeater of the archdemon. “Makers breath,” Alistair breathed his face set in a look of awe.

Fergus sighed and then placing a hand on Aonghas’ left shoulder he looked at him sternly, “I’m not even going to guess where the majority of this wealth came from. Surely you do not think it all belongs to you?” Aonghas stared at Fergus with his mouth agape. “I mean this didn’t all come from darkspawn, right? A good portion had to have come from Ferelden citizens.”

Alistair chuckled and grabbed a handful of coins, “Surely some of this wealth belongs to those who helped you defeat the blight.” Aonghas turned his head quickly to grace Alistair with a fierce glare, but the king was too busy playing with gold coins to notice. “Ferelden could use this to restore some of what was lost while we took our time defeating the archdemon.”

Aonghas heaved a huge sigh of exasperation and then spoke with a note of distaste in his voice. “How about you leave off touching my hoard and go about your own business.”

Fergus tightened his grip on Aonghas’ shoulder making his brother gasp and squirm in discomfort. “Little brother, this hoard is my business, because last I checked I am still the head of the Cousland household. You didn’t turn twenty-five when I wasn’t looking. Did you? No? I mean I know in Ferelden there are times when a man of twenty-one is considered able to handle his own finances but never anyone younger than that and definitely not any one as young as you who has somebody in the position to make the choices for him. I know it really sucks having people older than you running your life, but that’s the way it is. Let’s pack this lot up, King Alistair. I know the Restoration of Ferelden Fund is in dire need of donations.”

Aonghas watched with furrowed brow as his brother and his king packed up the coin he had just spent hours counting. He wasn’t sure his brother was being honest with him about the whole age thing and he wanted to say something to stop them from taking his hoard; but he reluctantly acknowledged to himself that the instant they had entered his room and saw his wealth he had lost it to them. He felt helpless as he watched them lug the coin chest out of his room leaving him nothing.

Aonghas had noticed the lack of food in the main compartments of new packs and as his stomach growled he began searching the third and smaller pack and was relieved to find a selection of packages that contained rations of food. Aonghas opened one and he quickly stuffed himself with the cheese and bread it contained. Aonghas began searching side pockets of the saddle bags as he chewed and he found a variety of useful items. When he came across the letter again he just shoved it back into the bottom of the pocket and placed the healing herbs back in the pocket on top of it. He then found his old journal scroll that Oren had given him and his journal book of knowledge. He had left them in Denerim so he knew they had been placed there by Alistair and in the same pocket he found a small coin pouch. Aonghas opened it and pulled out the small note on top. He recognized Alistair’s writing immediately and read it aloud. “Here’s a pittance of what we appropriated from you. If Fergus catches you with this; I will deny giving it to you. You know who he will believe, right? Destroy this note instantly. Alistair.” Aonghas chuckled and then he tossed the note in the air and waved his fingers at it as he uttered the word “fire” and then he watched it burn to ash in midair.

Aonghas shook the coins out of the pouch into his hand with a smirk of pleasure on his face.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 03 mars 2011 - 04:36 .

[DreGregoire]

ooops this section is too soon.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 03 février 2011 - 05:24 .

[DreGregoire]

Here's a photo I made for Aonghas with his hair all long and wild!

Thanks to the maker of Beautiful People Hair REN. I love having choices in hair style.




Here's Aonghas with his hair up which only happens after a certain event in Awakenings (It is an event made up by me and unfortunately to read about it you have to wait (: )

Thanks DJmacpher for the awesome scar downloads I spent hours fiddling with them to get just he right scar!

[DreGregoire]

Author Comments: I am putting this part back in because I finally figured out the timeline for this and for origins and realized Aonghas better get his backside to where he is suppose to be. LOL.

--------------------------------
Part Two: The Grey Warden Commander of Ferelden
21st Day, August, 9:32
 
Aonghas roared as he and the local villagers bore down upon the darkspawn that had been attacking the nearby village. He hadn’t used magic in ages to defeat the darkspawn and he always encouraged the people to fight with him. He knew he shouldn’t be placing the villagers in danger of becoming tainted; even so, he knew the darkspawn would go for him first because they would sense that he is the true threat. He knew in his heart that the Ferelden people needed to have their faith in themselves restored and he believed that the chance of the accidental tainting of an individual was worth the proud look on the villager’s faces when they had joined him in successfully beating the darkspawn. This time was no different than any of the other of times that he had saved people from darkspawn; he slashed away at darkspawn with only minimal help from the villagers.
 
Aonghas stopped fighting as the last genlock fell to his blade and he panted even as he grinned as the fighters cheered at their success. Like all times before he did not allow the villagers to help him gather the darkspawn for the communal burning of them. He sent the villagers away and then with a gesture he set the beasts aflame and watched the taint burn to nothing.
 
The villagers thanked him an annoying amount of times as he packed his pack horse. He smiled to them all and thanked them for their hospitality before swinging onto his horse. He attached the lead of his pack horse onto his saddle horn before riding away.
 
Five weeks had passed since he had left Lothering and in all that time Aonghas hadn’t been able to decide if being off on his own was better than having help. Aonghas shook his head and let loose a sigh as he remembered how many times he almost went crawling back to his friends and family.
 
Aonghas swung his horse around as he heard hoof beats approaching from the road behind him. Aonghas stood patiently as the soldier wearing the King of Ferelden’s colors galloped up to him. “Commander Aonghas. I bring an urgent message from King Alistair.” Aonghas stared for a moment wondering about the whole commander address but after a moment he gestured at the soldier to continue. The soldier cleared his throat and then repeated the verbal message. “Warden-Commander Aonghas, you’re immediate presence is requested in Amaranthine at Vigil’s Keep.” The guard held out a package of letters. “The written request is in these letters and King Alistair asked me to tell you that the reading of the top three letters is to be done in my presence before I return with your answer.”
 
Aonghas took the letters from the messenger and moved to the side of the road to dismount. He opened the top letter to find the expected official request. Aonghas was astounded to learn that a ceremony appointing him the warden-commander of Ferelden had happened without him being there. The second letter was a correspondence from Weisshaupt appointing him Warden-Commander of Ferelden. The letter informed him of the wardens being sent to work with him at Vigil’s keep. The third letter was from Fergus and Aonghas could feel his face burn at the scathing tone of the whole letter. The following five he couldn’t bare to open yet but they were from Alistair, Ryonah, Ryley, Zevran, and Jowan.
 
Aonghas turned to the silently watching messenger. “I will leave immediately for Amaranthine.”
 
“I will deliver the message immediately. Do you need directions, My Lord?”
 
“No, I know how to get to the area. I’m sure I will be fine.”
 
“If it pleases you I will take my leave.”

 “Yes. Thank you.” Aonghas watched until the messenger disappeared before going to his saddle bags and putting the letters away. He then hastily searched for the letter he had not read six weeks ago. Aonghas started cursing as he finished reading the letter and he knew he would never hear the end of his irresponsible behavior from Fergus. Trembling he read the other letters and although they weren’t as harsh as Fergus’ letter that had turned his cheeks red in shame they all seemed a bit displeased with his lack of contact. He had missed two essential events. His appointment to Warden-Commander was the one he could care less about, but missing the wedding of Jowan and Bella upset him greatly. Jowan hadn’t even seemed angry in his most recent letter; just disappointed.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 03 mars 2011 - 04:52 .

[DreGregoire]

Part Three: Vigil’s Keep
1st Day, Kingsway (September), 9:32 
 
Aonghas had changed into his heavy scale armor that had sat in his pack unused until that moment and placed his griffon helm on his head before leaving his horses and gear at the inn stable with the request that the things be brought to the keep in a few days. Aonghas moved quickly to meet up with the messenger who would lead him to Vigil’s Keep. The messenger handed him a shield saying that she had been asked to give it to him and Aonghas examined it closely, noticing that it bore the crest of the warden-commander and matched the colors of his armor perfectly. He quickly left his old shield with his gear before rejoining the woman to head to Vigil’s Keep. The woman was quiet and Aonghas didn’t bother conversing as he was too busy thinking about the events of the last couple of years. They arrived at Vigil’s Keep to find it overrun with darkspawn.
 
Mhairi and Aonghas had fought their way through darkspawn and into the keep; they had managed to rescue soldiers along the way, but there had been no sign of any grey wardens. Upon entering the keep Aonghas was angry to have to deal with shrieks and he had forgotten how tricky the maker forsaken beasts could be, but even so he and Mhairi prevailed. Aonghas found himself in need of his mage ability stun, for the first time since before the archdemon’s defeat. His irritation was still in full evidence when he slammed his way through the next doorway at a run, determined to destroy every tainted being beyond it; however, he had to stop quickly when he saw and felt the heat of the burst of fire directed away from him at a darkspawn. Aonghas shuddered at the feeling of familiarity the mage awoke in him, even as he felt a sense of awe at the raw power behind the mages fire magic. Aonghas knew his own ability in fire power paled in comparison and even as he thought about it he felt a surge of jealously consume him.
 
The mage turned shaking his hands as if the heat had singed them and looked startled for a moment to see Aonghas before the darkspawn behind him caught his attention again and he turned back to make sure the beast had fallen. Aonghas recognized the other mage immediately; despite not having seen him since before Aonghas had left the tower. The older mage turned back to face Aonghas and Mhairi and shrugged as he declared his innocence, “Er… I didn’t do it.”
 
“Didn’t do what?” Aonghas looked pointedly at the dead men in templar armor mixed in with the darkspawn before turning his gaze back on his fellow mage.
 
“Hey, you’re Aonghas, I recognize you from the Circle. You’ve grown up and look as changed as I had heard. You still look like you despite the color change. You’re the Hero of Ferelden, lucky you.” Aonghas couldn’t tell if Anders was mocking him or not but he felt a surge of animosity towards the older mage. “I know what they’ve been saying about me, but this? Not my doing.” Aonghas barely heard Anders words as he fought his irrational feelings that made him feel like getting physically violent with the man. “Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’m not broken up about them dying, to be perfectly honest. Biff there made the funniest gurgle when he went down.”
 
Aonghas looked up in alarm when the room grew silent and then quickly asked, “So you killed these darkspawn all on your own?”
 
“Of course.” Aonghas frowned at Anders’ bravado. “Well, they helped. A little. Before they tragically died.”
 
Aonghas interrupted, “Why are you here, Anders?”
 
“I am a wanted apostate.”
 
“An apostate? At Vigil’s Keep?” Mhairi’s voice was scornful but Aonghas barely registered it as he continued to fight his instinct to attack.
 
“You weren’t here when we arrived.” Aonghas felt a surge of adrenaline as Anders moved closer. “I’m sure I would have remembered such a lovely woman as yourself.”
 
Aonghas fought an urge to pounce on his fellow mage when the man turned his back to them to look at the dead templars. “We were just stopping here on our way back to the tower. Just a short rest, they said, and now they’re dead. Such a shame.”
 
“Those men were templars?” Aonghas cursed himself mentally as soon as the words were out of his mouth because he knew it made him sound stupid.
 
“So they kept saying—although, come to think of it, there’s no real way to know for sure, is there?” Aonghas felt a shock of something akin to lightning run through him when the older man looked over his shoulder at him with a coy look. “The templars captured me and were taking me back. And then, you know, darkspawn attacked. Could be a sign, yes?”
 
Aonghas didn’t answer right away as he fought against the adrenaline and mixed emotions running through him, but he knew one thing; he didn’t have time for an apostate mage to interfere with his ability to retake the keep. “Then you should not waste this opportunity to escape. You should leave while you still have the chance. Get going.”
 
“I’ll just slip out the way you came. Good luck to you, then. Have fun slaughtering the darkspawn. Maker knows they could use it.”
 
Aonghas and Mhairi watched him go before looking at each other and shaking there heads, “He’s a strange one,” professed Mhairi.
 
“Definitely. Let’s get going.”

“Right. We’ll teach these evil bastards not to attack Vigil’s Keep.”

Modifié par DreGregoire, 04 mars 2011 - 03:40 .

[DreGregoire]

All new BSN releases will be found here:

http://social.biowar...scussion/14367/


Edit 8/29: You can still find this at the above but I'll be putting it here as well.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 29 août 2011 - 11:16 .

[DreGregoire]

Part Four: Oghren and Talking Darkspawn
 
Bursting through another doorway found Aonghas staring in shock at the sight of the red-bearded cocky dwarf who Aonghas had last seen sitting and cuddling a red-headed infant while throwing back droughts of ale. At the time Aonghas hadn’t know what would possess the man to take his child to a tavern with him, but the dwarf had done so. A pause in fighting gave Oghren a chance to wave, but Aonghas didn’t have time to wave back before he found himself engaged with darkspawn as well. Having Oghren at his side battling darkspawn as they had once before made Aonghas’ heart almost sing and the beasts didn’t stand a chance against the three of them.
 
They fought their way through the keep only pausing as they came upon the wounded man who Mhairi had a connection with; this man too had come to join the wardens. Aonghas felt a surge of rage that these people had come to be wardens and obviously had not yet taken the joining. Just who did those in charge of the keep think was performing this joining? Aonghas knew that the people in charge would be shocked when he refused to be involved with the travesty of grey warden joining. He didn’t have a chance to further speculate as the three of them burst out into the open air on the exterior fortification walls of the upper keep.
 
Aonghas fought a growl and his urge to attack as he spotted the mage Anders. The man stood flattened to the side of the keep, peeking around the corner at what lay beyond. Aonghas moved forward and the older mage turned his head and regarded Aonghas for a long intense moment before replacing the intense look with a concerned one. “So, just a thought: you might want to be careful out there.” Aonghas frowned and was about to speak when the mage continued. “I think the big darkspawn who led the attack is out there. At least he was earlier.”
 
“I’m sure he is; that’s why I told you to leave,” Aonghas whispered in exasperation. Aonghas controlled his urge to raise his voice as he asked, “Why are you still here?”
 
“I was already on the road and I thought… well, I couldn’t just leave. Not yet. So I came to help. And kill darkspawn. They kind of go together, I hear.”
 
“I can’t guarantee your safety now or make any promises for the future.”
 
“What? No pony for little Anders?” Aonghas felt a strange twist of emotion at the older man’s woebegone tone. Aonghas had always known Anders was a little odd but for the life of him he couldn’t figure out how the man got to that statement from what Aonghas had said. Fortunately Oghren saved him from having to ask by recognizing it as an attempt at humor.
 
“Huh. Comedian mage. That’s a useful specialty, I bet.” Aonghas barely managed to keep a straight face at Oghren’s comment.
 
“About as useful as smelling like whiskey vomit, I imagine,” mocked an angry toned Anders.
 
Aonghas shift uncomfortably unsure of what to say but before he could speak Oghren spoke again. “Oh, he’s a keeper! Let’s make him dance!”
 
“Perhaps we should deal with the darkspawn first, yes?” Aonghas glanced at Mhairi briefly before moving to the edge of the building in time to witness a darkspawn knocking a soldier from the top of the wall before drawing Aonghas’ attention to a grey haired warrior that was in the grasp of another darkspawn.
 
“It has ended just as he foretold. Be taking this one, gently. We are wishing no more death than is necessary,” intoned the talking darkspawn.
 
“Necessary? As if your kind has ever done anything else!” Aonghas shuddered as the old man taunted the darkspawn and he motioned the others forward in hopes of saving the brazen old man.
 
“You are thinking you know of our kind, human? It is understandable. But that will soon be changed.”
 
Aonghas moved forward with the others as the old man spoke again. “Others will come, creature! They will stop you!”
 
“There it is!” Aonghas almost groaned allowed as Mhairi announced their arrival.
 
“It seems your words be true, more than you are guessing.” Aonghas met the gaze of the darkspawn and knew instantly the creature recognized what and who he is.
 
“It is talking,” Anders announced in amazement!
 
“Well, let’s shut it up already,” demanded Oghren!
 
“Commander!” The captured man’s relieved tone flamed Aonghas' ego, but Aonghas couldn’t help but wonder how the man could possibly know who he is.
 
“Capture the Grey Warden.” Aonghas rushed forward with the others as the talking darkspawn continued speaking. “These others, they may be killed.”
 
The battle with the talking darkspawn was fierce and Aonghas was forced to call upon his magic in order to petrify the beast after Anders’ casting of petrify had worn off. This darkspawn had to be the most powerful that Aonghas had ever fought; however, with him and Anders spelling each other with mage attacks and occasional burst of healing, while Oghren, Mhairi, and Aonghas attacked the beast furiously with their melee weapons; they were at last successful in defeating their foe. The four of them had barely recovered when the man they had saved noticed troops approaching. Aonghas couldn’t make out who the men were but he could sense a familiar grey warden in their midst. Reluctantly Aonghas followed the older man out of the Keep to meet the complement of soldiers escorting the King of Ferelden in through the main gate of the keep.

Modifié par DreGregoire, 29 août 2011 - 11:24 .