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The Last of the Couslands	By : MistressofMagic Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4401 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Bioware and EA own everything associated with the Dragon Age universe. I am making no money off of this fan fiction.

Chapter List
- 18
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Chapter 18
The Dalish Elves
Bridget slowly opened her eyes and stared at the top of her tent. She sighed and sat up slowly, popping her back as she did so. Oh what she wouldn't give for a nice warm bed and thick blankets. Bridget shuddered at the thought of when they would have to travel through the Frost Back Mountains to get to Orzammar. She ran a brush through her knotted hair, wincing as she pulled through the knots. After pulling her hair back into her usual bun, she threw her leather armor on and climbed out of her tent. No one else was awake except for Zevran who was shining one of his daggers by what remained of the fire. Bridget stared up into the clouds as she stood, sighing unhappily. Those clouds were either full with rain or snow…or a mixture. Bridget walked over to the fire and sat down, pulling out a piece of bread from the food pack as she did so. Zevran smiled up at her as she sat across from him.
"And how are you this fine morning my beautiful temptress?" he asked.
Bridget shrugged.
"Alright I suppose." She replied.
Zevran tipped his head to the side.
"Just alright? Surely I thought your private conversation with Alistair last night would've gotten you in better spirits…"
Bridget raised her eyebrows.
"What are you talking about?"
Zevran chuckled.
"No need to be shy my dear…we all have our natural instincts and urges,"
Bridget almost choked on her bread.
"What? You think Alistair and I…no!"
Zevran raised his eyebrows and cast a glance at Alistair's tent. He was about to climb out but Zevran made a notion to his friend to remain still.
"But I-I thought,"
Bridget shook her head.
"No, nothing like that happened, and don't get your hopes up for it ever to happen." She stated in a hurt tone.
Zevran glanced at Alistair and then back to Bridget.
"He didn't even kiss you?"
Bridget's face flushed.
"I don't really think that's any of your concern." She spat.
Zevran nodded.
"Well yes, you are right. I just thought you might want someone to talk to." He said.
Bridget looked up from her lap and sighed.
"Oh alright if you must know yes he did kiss me, but it was barely a minute long and it was a kiss one would give to their grandmother."
Zevran's eyes widened as he turned his head to look at Alistair's that was poking out of his tent.
"I see…"
Bridget sighed and stood.
"I didn't want to push him into anything, and now I've made him uncomfortable…I guess it just shouldn't have happened in the first place."
With that she stormed off back to her tent to begin to pack. Alistair slowly climbed out of his tent only to be rounded on by Zevran.
"I am beginning to think that Morrigan is right, you really are the dumbest one here, aren't you?" he hissed.
Alistair sighed.
"Look, I got nervous okay…"
Zevran shook his head.
"That is no excuse to why you pushed her away so quickly. Oh Alistair…you will never bed her if you keep this streak going on."
Alistair blushed furiously.
"Well what do you suppose I should do?"
Zevran looked up at him.
"Clearly you should take her away from here and kiss her properly! Show her you care for her! Woo her!"
"You two are making quite the fuss."
Alistair and Zevran turned to see Morrigan walking past them. Bridget emerged from her tent again and slung her pack over her shoulder.
"We need to make it to the Dalish today…I fear we are running a bit behind." She said as she took to lead the group.
And so the long (and rather awkward) trek to the Dalish began. Alistair was completely embarrassed when Wynne brought his staring at Bridget's "swaying hips" to everyone's attention…although he thought he saw a faint smile on Bridget's lips as he tried and failed to explain himself. He knew he would have to talk to her…to apologize for brushing her away. Alistair just hoped that she would be able to understand. Of course the party was ambushed before entering the outskirts Brecilian Forest (by giant man eating spiders no less) thus being their first obstacle. Many hours later after killing some more giant spiders and walking through countless number of cobwebs, the group found themselves standing on the outskirts of a Dalish camp. Three elves guarded the entrance to the camp, and did not look pleased to see Bridget and the others.
"We do not host guests, what is your business here, shem?" the female elf said.
Bridget stepped forward.
"I'm a Grey Warden and I need the assistance of your people."
The elf's eyes widened.
"Very well…I will take you to Keeper Zathrian."
Bridget and the others followed the elf into the encampment. All the elves seemed to stop what they were doing to stare at them. Bridget nodded to some and was surprised to see them nod back. Bridget looked around and noted the worried faces on many of the elves. Upon reaching the Keeper, she would come to find out what was causing such worry.
"Keeper Zathrian, I have with me a Grey Warden."
The elf turned. Bridget did not know much about Dalish customs, but she knew enough to know that the Keeper was a very powerful mage and well respected amongst his people. Being polite, she bowed as she stared up at him. Zathrian had intricate tattoos on the sides of his face and piercing green eyes. Eyes that held pain…and the slightest hint of fear. Fear of what, Bridget did not know…not at the moment at least.
"Thank you, Mithra. You may return back to your post."
Mithra bowed.
"Ma nu'venan, Keeper." She replied.
Zathrian turned to Bridget and sighed.
"I suspect that you are here to seek our aide with the Blight?" he asked.
Bridget nodded and handed him the ancient treaty. Zathrian looked at her.
"I am sorry…we cannot uphold what our ancestors promised."
Bridget crossed her arms.
"Let me guess, you've got your own troubles, right?"
Zathrian sighed and led her around a hut. Wooden stretchers were lined everywhere and about a dozen or so elves lay stretched out on them, bleeding and writhing in pain.
"I do not wish for outsiders to see us at our weakest…but this is why we cannot help you."
Alistair furrowed his brow.
"What happened to these elves?"
Zathrian turned to him and stated,
"They were apart of a hunting expedition into the Brecilian Forest. They were attacked by werewolves…and now the curse runs through their veins, enveloping them and turning them into the beasts."
Bridget shook her head.
"Is there no hope for your people?"
Zathrian led them away from the bitten elves and back to his hut.
"The only thing that can save them is if the heart of Witherfang is destroyed. Only then can the curse lift."
Bridget furrowed her brow.
"Witherfang?"
Zathrian nodded.
"Witherfang is the beasts' leader. If he dies, they die and those that have not yet turned will come back to us."
Bridget shook her head.
"Can you not come to an understanding with the wolves?"
Zathrian looked at her as if she were mad.
"Do you think those beasts will listen to reason?" he shouted.
She shrugged.
"They may…you never know. They may be just as tormented by the curse as your people are."
Zathrian scoffed.
"This is why we choose not to associate with you humans, all of you are completely out of a good state of mind!"
Bridget narrowed her eyes.
"Look, I will try and help you, but I will not if you go about questioning mine and my friends' sanity."
Zathrian sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"You are right…I am sorry. I should not turn away help when it is offered."
Bridget nodded. Zathrian pointed towards the other end of the camp and said,
"You will want to leave through there but I must warn you…other things lurk in the forest besides the werewolves."
Bridget sighed.
"I expected so. Is there anywhere I may get supplies before I go?"
Zathrian nodded.
"Yes, Varathorn should be able to provide you with some supplies. I thank you, Grey Warden. No human has ever tried to help us before."
With that, Zathrian walked away. Bridget sighed and turned to the others.
"Helping out defenseless again I see…" Morrigan stated.
Alistair shrugged.
"We should know by now before we receive aid in the Blight we must do some difficult task to get it."
Bridget nodded and walked over to where Zathrian had stated they could receive some supplies. Master Varathorn was kind, and also promised to make an interesting weapon for Bridget if she could find some Ironbark in the woods. Bridget agreed to look, but had her doubts about finding any. While purchasing some health poultices, Bridget noticed a blond elf pacing back and forth and running his fingers through his hair. She looked to the others to see that they were busy purchasing their own goods and decided to go and talk to him.
"Hello…is something wrong?" she asked.
The elf jumped at the sound of her voice and cleared his throat.
"Um…you must be the Grey Warden, it is an honor to meet you, I am Cammen."
Bridget smiled.
"A pleasure to meet you, Cammen. You look rather nervous, is there something I can help with?"
Cammen sighed and began to pace again.
"I don't expect you to help or understand my situation…"
Bridget laughed and crossed her arms.
"Try me, you might be surprised."
Cammen sighed and leaned up against a tree, staring out across the camp, a look of longing and love held in his eyes.
"I am but a hunter's apprentice…and not a true hunter. Gheyna, my heart's desire…will not bond with me. I have asked her several times, but she vehemently refuses to bond with an apprentice. I do not know what to do."
"Girl troubles, I take it?"
Bridget turned to see Alistair standing next to her. Cammen sighed and nodded. Bridget turned her attention back to Cammen and said,
"Have you spent any time with her at all?"
He nodded.
"Many nights we have watched the stars together…but still as long as I am a mere apprentice, she refuses."
"This might be a bit blunt of me, but have you bedded her?"
Bridget turned to see Zevran standing next to her. She nudged him in the arm.
"Honestly, Zevran!"
Cammen's face turned a bright pink and he shook his head.
"Of course not! That would be inappropriate before marriage! Are you not Dalish?"
Zevran chuckled.
"Only half I'm afraid. I just do not see how you could not want to be with such a beautiful woman! Let's put it this way, have you at least tried to bed her?"
Bridget rolled her eyes and cleared her throat.
"Don't listen to him, Cammen. Would you like me to talk to Gheyna for you?"
Cammen (who had his face buried in his hands) looked up at her.
"You would do that for me?" he asked.
Bridget nodded.
"Why not?"
Cammen smiled.
"Thank you very much. She is over there, by the fire."
Bridget nodded and turned towards where he pointed. Zevran opted to stay behind with Cammen as Alistair and Bridget walked over to Gheyna.
"You are Gheyna, yes?" Bridget asked.
An elf with fiery red hair and blazing green eyes stood and nodded.
"Yes, I am Gheyna. Can I help you with something?"
Bridget smiled.
"Cammen told me about you."
Gheyna placed her hands on her hips and sighed.
"Look…I don't expect an outsider such as yourself to understand our customs but I simply cannot bond with an apprentice. It looks bad for your family if they are anything less than a hunter, and he's been one for so long…"
Bridget crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
"Why must everything depend on Cammen? Surely you could help him become a hunter?"
Gheyna's eyes widened.
"You are right! Oh I've been such a fool!"
Bridget and Alistair followed her back to a rather pale looking Cammen.
"Cammen, I have been a fool!"
He raised his eyebrows.
"Gheyna?"
Gheyna smiled.
"I am sure you will become a fine hunter one day and make me and our children proud!"
Cammen's eyes widened.
"Does this mean you accept my proposal?"
Gheyna blushed slightly and nodded her head. She lightly kissed him on his cheek.
"Yes, I accept."
Cammen grinned and turned to Bridget.
"Thank you for helping me! Please take this as a token of my gratitude. It has been in my family for generations. I hope it will be of some use to you!"
With that the happy couple walked off, hand in hand. Alistair smiled.
"What a nice warm fuzzy feeling that brings, helping two young lovers."
Zevran chuckled and patted Alistair on his shoulder.
"And now if you could only help yourself."
Alistair and Bridget both blushed at his comment. An awkward silence followed before Bridget broke it by asking,
"Why was he so pale when we returned?"
Zevran threw his head back and laughed.
"Oh that would be my fault. I was just explaining to him how to go about the "bonding" process."
Bridget rolled her eyes.
"Only you, Zevran. Only you."
Alistair looked at her and then at Zevran. As Bridget turned away, Zevran whispered,
"You need to talk to her about that pathetic excuse for a kiss, and soon. If you make no move Alistair…I will."
Alistair's eyes widened as Zevran merrily pounced off in Bridget's wake. Once all the supplies were bought, Bridget approached the others to see who was willing to go with them into the forest. Wynne stated she needed to rest and wished to remain with the Dalish at the camp. Morrigan was still busy deciphering the Grimoire that Bridget had found and opted to stay behind. Alistair of course decided to go (and to his dislike so did Zevran.) Leliana actually decided to go as well. Once everyone was ready, Bridget took the lead and entered the Brecilian Forest.
- 18
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- 20
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The Last of the Couslands