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The Last of the Couslands	By : MistressofMagic Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4395 -:- 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
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Chapter 24
Goldanna
The following morning, Bridget and the others bid farewell to the elves after thanking them for all of their help. Lanaya promised that she and the other elves would gladly give their aid against the Blight and thanked Bridget once more for all of her help. Bridget led the others out of the Brecilian Forest and back onto the main dirt road. Bridget pulled her cloak out of her pack and threw it around her shoulders, pulling up it's hood. She turned and looked at her other party members to see them do the same.
"We have a lot of ground to cover today, Denerim is quite the journey. Let's not stop until we simply cannot go anymore, the sooner we get there, the sooner we can move on."
The others nodded as Bridget turned and led them down the dirt road. What she wouldn't give for a horse right about now. The air was cold, and it was terribly windy. Bridget looked up into the sky and frowned. Dark clouds filled the sky, blocking out the sun completely. They looked like they were about to burst too and dump all of their contents on Bridget and the others. They walked for hours. No body really said anything to anyone else as everyone just tried to keep their cloaks from blowing away. A familiar foul stench filled the air, causing Bridget to draw her blade. The others withdrew their weapons as well. Once they approached the source of the smell, Bridget slowly lowered her blade and sighed. Five bodies lay strewn out along the road, each having been killed in some horrible way. Bridget bent down to inspect one of the bodies. She carefully withdrew the arrow that was sticking out of the man's side and examined it.
"This is not a Darkspawn arrow." She stated after a moment.
She looked at the others to see Zevran sighing and shaking his head.
"No…I know these arrows, this is the work of the Crows."
Bridget raised an eyebrow as she threw the arrow on the ground and stood. Zevran paced back and forth and said,
"They are after me, you know this…I fear we may run into Taliesen sooner than I anticipated…"
Bridget walked over to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"If we do run into him Zevran, we have nothing to fear. I already defeated one Antivan Crow…what's another one?"
Zevran grinned and chuckled.
"This is true…but Taliesen is far more skilled than I…"
Bridget shrugged.
"I like a challenge. Come now, we must keep moving."
They continued on for hours again until it became too dark to see the road. Bridget and the others retreated into the nearby forest and began to set up camp. Everyone was exhausted, but knew that they had wasted a considerable amount of time since they stayed for the celebration with the Dalish. Once Bridget set up her tent she sat by the fire and removed her boots. She whimpered slightly as she rubbed her feet. Leliana did her best with the few ingredients they had and was able to whip up something that was at least edible. Bridget stood and removed her armor and then helped Alistair with his. They rejoined the others and ate the soup that Leliana had prepared. Bridget savored what little taste it had. Once they reached Denerim they would have to get some more supplies, as they were running low. As they ate, Leliana and Zevran quietly played a game of cards, whilst Wynne and Morrigan spoke in hushed tones about runes and the Arcane Arts. Zeus laid his head in Bridget's lap and she petted him. Bridget smiled tiredly at Alistair as he retook his seat next to her. She rested her head against his shoulder and sighed.
"We've got about three more days before we get there." She said softly.
Alistair nodded.
"I hope Brother Genitivi will be able to help…"
Bridget looked at him.
"With our luck he's probably been kidnapped by some crazed cultist group or something."
Alistair laughed.
"You know, you're probably right. I really hope not though, for our sake."
Bridget chuckled as well as she rested her head against his shoulder once more. Alistair looked down at her and smiled warmly. He slowly wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. It was when he did so that he noticed a silver chain around her neck.
"What's that you're wearing?" he asked.
Bridget pulled back slightly and furrowed her brow before she realized what Alistair was referring to. She pulled the necklace with Andraste's symbol on it out for him to see. Alistair's eyes widened.
"Where'd you get that?" he asked.
Bridget looked at him.
"I found it when we were at Arl Eamon's estate…" she said slowly.
Alistair looked at her and shook his head.
"I'm sorry, you're probably wondering why I'm so interested in it. This was actually my mother's…the only thing I had of hers, really. I thought I had lost it to my own stupidity though as I had thrown it against a wall when I found out I was being sent to the Chantry…"
Bridget tipped her head to the side.
"Perhaps Eamon wished to return it to you."
Alistair looked into his lap and nodded slowly.
"He did come by several times to see me…but me and my stubborn self wouldn't go out to see him…"
Bridget went to remove the necklace from her neck before Alistair caught her hands in his. She gave him a questioning look as he shook his head.
"I want you to have it…it suits you more than it would me anyhow."
Bridget smiled and gently placed a kiss to his lips.
"Thank you, Alistair…I shall cherish it forever."
He grinned and pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. Bridget looked into his eyes and noticed that they didn't have their usual spark.
"Is something wrong?" she asked.
Alistair lifted his gaze to her eyes and sighed.
"I was wondering…when we go to meet my sister…can it just be us? I would prefer the others not be present…"
Bridget nodded.
"Of course…are you sure you want me to come with you?"
Alistair chuckled softly.
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
He leaned in and kissed her slowly. Bridget returned the kiss and after a moment they broke apart. She stood and stretched.
"I'm off to bed, goodnight, Alistair."
Zevran watched the two closely as he drew from the deck of cards. He smirked when he noticed the familiar look of longing held in Alistair's gaze.
"Goodnight." He replied softly.
Alistair then went into his own tent. Zevran chuckled softly and shook his head.
"Won't be long now before the snake buries itself in the grass…"
Leliana looked at him.
"Pardon?" she asked.
Zevran threw his head back and chuckled.
"Oh nothing by dear Leliana, just talking with myself…"
The following morning, the group packed up camp and continued heading north to Denerim. Luckily the trip was a quiet one and they ran into no highwaymen or Darkspawn. It was two more days until they were finally on the outskirts of the great city. Bridget stared up at the large walls, in the distance, her eyes glazed over in a memory. Alistair noticed this and asked,
"Have you ever been here before?"
It took a moment before Bridget replied.
"Yes…though it has been a while. I was just wondering if Howe was here…that's all."
Alistair furrowed his brow as Bridget turned to address the others.
"Okay, everyone else will remain here to set up camp while Alistair and I go and retrieve some supplies."
They stared at her blankly. Bridget crossed her arms.
"What?" she asked.
Zevran sighed.
"Can we not stay in an inn within the city? I would love to sleep in a bed for once."
Bridget sighed. Once again she did not know how much money they actually had. Although a nice bed after all this traveling would be most welcomed. Bridget looked at Wynne. The elderly mage looked very worn and completely exhausted. Bridget smiled.
"You know Zevran, I think you have made an excellent suggestion. Hopefully it won't be, hey!"
Bridget didn't get to finish her sentence as everyone picked up their pace and headed into the city. Everyone except for Zeus, of course. She turned to Alistair, who shrugged and said,
"Guess he really wanted that bed."
They walked through the large gates of the city together and, after asking where the nearest tavern was, headed toward the Gnawed Noble. Before they got their, Bridget had to pry Zeus away from a little boy he had found and wanted to play with. Bridget approached the man behind the bar and cleared her throat. He turned and raised his eyebrows.
"You looking a room too? I just had a strange bunch walk in, two mages, some elf and a red head. They took all the rooms I had…except for one!"
Bridget raised an eyebrow and looked at Alistair.
"Wouldn't that just figure?" she asked.
Alistair blushed slightly and cleared his throat. Bridget placed some silver pieces on the counter as the barman handed her a room key. She thanked him and climbed the wooden staircase, Zeus trotting behind her followed by Alistair.
"You know, I'm starting to think what Zevran said about fate is true…" he mumbled.
Bridget chuckled and found the door to their room. She turned the lock and stepped in. Alistair moved to follow before the door next to theirs opened and revealed Zevran. Alistair narrowed his eyes.
"You did this on purpose." He whispered.
Zevran shrugged.
"You may thank me later!" he said merrily before shutting his door once more.
Alistair shook his head as he followed Zeus into the room, shutting the door behind him. He turned to see Bridget standing in the middle of the room with her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised.
"You feeling the déjà vu too?" she asked.
Before Alistair asked what she meant, he looked around the room and noticed it looked very similar to the room they shared at the Spoiled Princess. There was only one bed, of course but luckily the washroom was attached as a whole different room. Alistair watched as Bridget reached into her pack and pulled out her coin purse and began counting. This was going to be difficult. Yes they had shared a bed before…but their relationship was quite different back then compared to now. His thoughts didn't last very long before Bridget walked up to him.
"Do you want to go and see your sister now?" she asked.
Alistair looked at her and felt a knot form in his stomach.
"Yes…let's go now while the others are…busy."
Bridget nodded as she slipped the room key back in her pack, ordered Zeus to stay in the room and then exited the room with Alistair. Since they were alone, Bridget slipped her hand in Alistair's and gave it a light squeeze. She could see the nervousness in his eyes and hoped to the Maker that this sister of his would accept him.
No such luck, of course.
Alistair led the way once they were outside again. Bridget pulled her cloak around her, pulling up the hood. She didn't know if any of Howe's men walked the streets at night, and certainly didn't want the chance of any of them recognizing her.
"Here, I believe this is her house." He stated.
Bridget looked up at him and smiled.
"You sure you want me to go inside with you?" she asked.
Alistair nodded and turned his gaze on her.
"I can't do this without you." He whispered.
Bridget squeezed his hand again as Alistair knocked on the door and opened it.
"H-Hello?"
A haggard looking woman with red hair emerged from another room. She wore a dirty apron and an orange hued beat up looking dress.
"You need washing done? You've come to the right place, I'm a lot cheaper than that Natalia woman."
Alistair cleared his throat and shook his head.
"Um no…I'm not here to have any wash done…you are Goldanna, yes? If so…then, well…I'm your brother, Alistair."
Goldanna drew her brows together in confusion.
"I am Goldanna yes…what kind of tomfoolery are you people up to?"
Bridget looked at Alistair as he swallowed.
"Well…our mother was a serving girl in the king's castle…a very long time ago and,"
Goldanna's eyes widened then turned into narrow slits, like a snake's.
"You! I knew it! They told me you was dead, gave me a coin to shut my mouth and sent me on my way but I knew they was lying!"
Alistair furrowed his brow.
"Who told you that?"
Goldanna scoffed.
"Thems at the castle of course, they didn't want that slipping out now did they!"
Alistair swallowed again.
"I…I'm sorry, I didn't know that…but I didn't die…I'm here, I'm your brother."
Goldanna rolled her eyes.
"And what good is that to me? You killed mother you did, and now I'm left with five mouths to feed! That coin didn't last very long, and when I went back they ran me off!"
Bridget shook her head.
"Goldanna, Alistair came here hoping to find his family." She stated.
Goldanna turned her cold eyes to Bridget and raised an eyebrow.
"And who in the Maker's name are you hmm? Some whore of his following him around after his riches?"
Bridget narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to retort and tell this woman exactly what she could go do to herself, but Alistair cut her off by saying.
"Hey, don't speak to her like that, she's my friend and a Grey Warden as well, like me!"
Bridget turned and looked at him. That was the first time she heard true anger in his voice. Goldanna raised her eyebrows in mock surprise.
"Ooh a prince and a Grey Warden too, well who am I to compare to someone so high and mighty as that?" she spat.
Bridget narrowed her eyes.
"You're a real bitch, you know that?" she quipped.
Alistair sighed.
"Let's just go…" he said sadly.
Goldanna waved them off with her hand.
"I don't know you boy and I don't care to, get out of my house!"
She slammed the door behind them and Bridget heard it click as well. Alistair was staring at his feet. Bridget placed her hand on his arm.
"Are you alright, Alistair?" she asked softly.
He sighed and looked at her.
"I just can't believe that shrew is my sister…I was a fool to think that she would accept me. I'm sorry we even came."
Bridget placed a hand on the side of his face and lifted his head so he would look at her.
"Most people are just out for themselves sweetheart, it's a sad reality…but it's one we live in."
Alistair nodded.
"I suppose you're right…I guess I should start sticking up for myself more often…"
Bridget wrapped her arms around Alistair's waist and pulled him into a tight hug. Alistair buried his face in her soft hair and hugged her back. After a few minutes they pulled apart and Alistair stared into Bridget's eyes. While staring into her sparkling sapphire orbs he found that he saw himself…that he knew himself. It was at that moment that Alistair realized he didn't want Bridget.
He needed her.
A/N: As I promised, next chapter there will be lots of fluff/sweet smut, if you can make it sweet, which I intend to! (Or at least try, anyhow).
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The Last of the Couslands