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The Last of the Couslands	By : MistressofMagic Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4403 -:- 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 36
Meeting Dulin
Unfortunately for Bridget and the others, the helpful captain was right, they were refused entry into the Assembly, as another dwarf had stated that they were currently deadlocked and could not tolerate, or except for that matter, any outside influence. Bridget led the others back outside into the stuffy air and pushed some of her hair that had fallen out of her bun behind her ears.
"Great…now what do we do?" Alistair asked.
Bridget looked at them and sighed.
"Well, I guess we should go and see this Dulin that the captain mentioned. It seems like we'll have to help Harrowmont gain the throne if we want the dwarves to help us with the Blight." She stated.
Alistair rubbed the back of his neck.
"So much for being an optimist…" he mumbled.
After asking for some more directions, Bridget led her friends to Lord Harrowmont's estate. They walked up to the large stone doorway and were stopped by some more guards.
"State your business, surfacer." One of them ordered.
Bridget looked down at him and replied,
"I wish to speak to Dulin, to help Lord Harrowmont."
The two guards exchanged glances with each other, and Bridget saw flickers of hope in their eyes. Apparently, things for Harrowmont were not going very smoothly. They removed their axes barricading the doors and stepped to the side.
"Very well, you may enter."
Bridget led the way and stepped into Harrowmont's estate. The foyer was quite large, a fire was alive in the nearby fireplace, keeping the room nice and toasty. A few servants were scattered about here and there, scrubbing the floors and polishing the silver and golden knickknacks that decorated the walls. An older dwarf approached them.
"Can I help you, serah?" he asked politely.
Bridget smiled and nodded.
"Yes, I'd like to speak to Dulin, if I may. I wish to help Lord Harrowmont in the Assembly."
The butler raised his eyebrows.
"Very well, I shall get him at once."
Bridget nodded and watched as he turned and walked off down the hallway. Alistair walked up next to her and sighed.
"So, what do you think we'll have to do this time?" he mumbled.
She shrugged.
"There is no telling. Ugh…I can't imagine it'll be anything easy, it never is."
Alistair chuckled.
"Quite true, quite true."
Bridget turned her gaze from him and eyed Zevran who was discreetly slipping a silver bar into his pack. Bridget gaped at him.
"What are you doing?" she hissed.
Zevran looked at her and shrugged.
"What? This man is obviously going to be king if you have anything to say about it, he will have more riches come his way, I'm sure he won't even notice this lovely little piece of silver missing."
Alistair shook his head.
"You're impossible, you know that?" he asked.
Zevran grinned.
"Indeed I do."
Bridget coughed lightly to bring their attention back to the task at hand as the butler emerged from a side room, with who Bridget assumed was Dulin. He walked up to them and smiled.
"Greetings, I had caught wind that there was a Grey Warden amongst us. My name is Dulin, Lord Harrowmont's right hand, if you would. It is an honor to meet you."
Bridget nodded.
"And you as well, Dulin. I have been made aware of Orzammar's condition, and with what I witnessed back in the Commons, I believe your lord Harrowmont is more suited to run this kingdom." She said as formally as she could muster.
Dulin brightened.
"I am pleased to hear you say that, Grey Warden. If you would follow me so that we may confer in private."
Bridget and the others followed Dulin out of the foyer and into the accompanying library. He sat them down at a long table and folded his hands in front of his face.
"As you can see, Orzammar is in dire straits at the moment. I am glad that you agree that Lord Harrowmont is the rightful king, it is as Endrin wished. However, he cannot meet with you…yet."
Bridget raised an eyebrow.
"Why is that?" she asked.
Dulin looked around and lowered his voice.
"Lord Harrowmont is not willing to give his trust out so easily. Many have already betrayed him. He is skeptical that you will fully commit to helping him, that is why you must prove yourself, in a sense." He stated.
Bridget looked at the others uneasily.
"I'm not going to be sent on some wild nug chase, am I?" she asked slowly.
Dulin chuckled and shook his head.
"Well, I cannot say what Lord Harrowmont may ask of you once you have proven yourself, but what I am about to tell you is not a wild nug chase, I assure you." He replied.
Alistair let out a sigh of relief.
"Well, that's good." He said.
Zeus thought so too as he barked happily and wagged his tail. Bridget nodded.
"Alright then, what must I do to meet with Harrowmont?"
Dulin stood and walked towards the back of the room, and withdrew a book from the nearby shelf. He returned to them not a moment later and placed the book on the table.
"Back in ancient times, dwarves proved themselves worthy by competing in the Proving, a test of strength, cunning, and willpower." Dulin began.
He opened the large book which Bridget guessed was a detailed history of Orzammar and paused once he reached his desired page. He turned the book around for the others to view, and on it was an illustration of two dwarves in a large arena, preparing to battle each other to gain an audience with a higher official.
"This is how Harrowmont will know that your allegiance lies with him. You must go to the Proving Grounds and fight in his name, against Bhelen's men. Do this, and Lord Harrowmont will accept an audience with you."
Bridget raised her eyebrows as she scanned over the illustrations on the page. After a moment, she nodded her head and sat back in her chair.
"Very well, I will do this." She stated.
Dulin smiled warmly.
"I hear confidence in your voice, I have no doubt that you will succeed."
Alistair leaned forward and asked,
"Did Harrowmont have no other champions?"
Dulin's smile faded and he looked at his feet.
"He did, but they dropped out of the Proving."
Zevran raised an eyebrow.
"Why? Men should always feel the need to raise their swords to protect the name of their master."
Dulin looked up and replied,
"I suspect Bhelen had something to do with it, blackmail or who knows what else. They may still be at the Proving; perhaps you can persuade them to take up their arms once more?"
Bridget stood.
"I will try, if I see them. What are their names?"
"Baizyl and Gwiddon were Harrowmont's former champions. Once you gain Lord Harrowmont's trust, I have no doubt that he will allow you and your friends shelter here, in his home."
Alistair brightened.
"If we've got nice comfy beds waiting for us, let's get a move on!" he exclaimed.
Bridget chuckled.
"Thank you for all you help Dulin, I will return as soon as I have completed the trials at the Proving. Do you have any idea who I will be fighting against?" she asked.
Dulin shook his head.
"I'm afraid not…you should be able to ask the Proving Master, however. He will have all the answers. I wish you luck, friend. I will tell Lord Harrowmont of your quest. Once finished, meet me at Tapster's, the tavern in the Commons. From their, I will lead you back here to meet Harrowmont."
Bridget nodded.
"Sounds like a plan."
They bid farewell to Dulin and headed back towards the Commons. Zevran shook his head.
"I wonder why this Harrowmont does not fight his own battles. It's rather cowardly if you ask me."
Alistair raised an eyebrow.
"Weren't you just saying to Dulin how Harrowmont's men should 'take up their arms'?"
Zevran opened his mouth to reply, but chuckled instead.
"That is true, though I only said that as to not upset him. I just find it odd that he will not fight for his own name."
Bridget shrugged.
"He is rather old…maybe he doesn't have the strength anymore." She offered.
Zevran waved his hand.
"That could be true, ah but let's get to this Proving shall we? I feel like letting off some steam on some unsuspecting foes."
Bridget smirked.
"Don't go in underestimating them now, Zevran. You know that got you into trouble last time."
Zevran cackled and looked at her.
"That is very true, but I would say that it was good trouble, wouldn't you?"
Bridget grinned and looped her arm between Zevran's and Alistair's.
"Indeed. Let's go and become champions!"
Though, of course the Proving would be far more difficult than any of them could have imagined.
A/N: I'm sorry for the short chapter guys! The next one will be much longer! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! :)
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The Last of the Couslands