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Blood Bond	By : Hikari86 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4278 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
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Betrayal

A loud bang ran through the castle. Zelda fluttered her eyes open, but it was not the bang that had woke her. Rupee was at the door, growling and pawing as if she was trying to get through. She barked when she noticed Zelda was awake.

Sitting up, Zelda rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “What is with you?” she said sleepy. “Why did you wake me?” But Zelda wasn’t sure if it had really been Rupee who had woken her. The horrible dream was still fresh in her mind.

In her dream, Rory had become a Grey Warden and had gone with her father and brother to Ostagar to fight the darkspawn. She watched as the battle raged and darkspawn poured out from all corners of the earth. There were so many that the army was completely overrun. She saw as her father and brother were cut down by the darkspawn, imbedded with swords and arrows, their blood running everywhere. Then a creature that Zelda could only assume was the archdemon, a creature of immense size and girth, crawled out from a crack in the earth. She couldn’t see it clearly, but it was so huge the archdemon was able to swallow several men at once completely whole. Somehow she had entered the battle herself, and when the archdemon began to move toward her, she become frozen. Rory ran to her, trying to defend, but it was no use. Zelda watched in horror as the archdemon ripped Rory to pieces and swallowed, then opened its mouth and swallowed her next, down its gullet into darkness. It was then when she heard the loud bang, but she had thought it was part of her dream. Hearing the sounds of a battle still taking place in the archdemon’s belly.

Zelda sat in her bed, seeing all that had occurred in her dream and hoping that's all it was. But then another loud bang went through the castle. Zelda perked from her position and listened carefully to what she had just heard. Rupee was still at the door, growling and barking.

“What’s wrong, girl? Is someone out there?” Zelda was unsure, but she thought she could hear the distinct sound of sword fighting in the distance. Quickly, she got up and put on a robe and went over to the door. Before she could open it, the door flung open and a servant ran frantic into her room.

“My lady!” he screamed. “Help me! The castle is under attack!”

“What? Hold on, calm down. What are you talking about?”

“Ho--” But before he could say another word, several arrows shot through the servant's chest. He fell to the ground dead. Zelda screamed and saw two armed men run into her room. She did not recognize any of them. They both stared at her and raised their weapons. One had a short bow with several arrows ready to fire. Zelda dove behind the bed in time as the man released them. The arrows embedding themselves in her sheets.

Underneath her bed, Zelda reached for her chest. In it was were she kept her armor, sharpened sword and shield. She could hear as one of the men was taken down by Rupee. He screamed with pain as the hound tore into his throat.

Zelda quickly opened the chest and pulled out her shield as the archer came round her bed and shot another arrow at her. It bounced off her shield, and with one strong push, Zelda lifted herself and knocked the archer down on the floor. She grabbed her sword and planted it in the man’s heart.

Zelda's own heart was beating loudly in her chest as she stood and surveyed the scene. Rupee was at the door growling and barking, but not leaving the room. The man she had taken down was without a throat and his sword arm.

As soon as Zelda was able to get her bearings, she began putting on her armor. She thanked herself for not listening to everyone about how they criticized her for wearing hardened leather. It was easier and faster to put on than plated armor was, and lighter.

When she finally had everything on, Zelda made her way over to Rupee. “Is there any more out there, girl?”

Rupee looked up at her and whined.

“What is going on?” Zelda slowly made her way out, paying close attention and watching for any soldiers.

“Darling!” Zelda turned to see her mother running over to her. She had come from her own room and was dressed in leather armor as well with a bow in her hand. “I heard fighting outside and I feared the worst! Are you hurt?”

“Mother? I was about to ask you that!”

“They never got through the door after I shot them. I awoke from a loud noise. When I went to check it out, I saw men fighting in the hall so I barred the door. Did you see their shields? Those are Howe’s men! Why would they attack us?”

“I don’t know, Mother, but we need to get out of here.”

“Have you seen your father? He never came to bed!”

“No, I haven’t. I was in my room.”

“We must find him! Who knows what Howe might've done.”

“Can you still handle a weapon, Mother?” Zelda knew her mother had been a shieldmaiden when she was younger, but in her lifetime, she had not once ever see her mother fight.

“I'm no Orlesian wallflower—give me a weapon and I’ll use it! Now let’s go!”

Zelda looked over to the other side of the hall and saw that Oriana’s door was open slightly. “We should check on Oriana and Oren.”

“Andraste’s mercy!” Eleanor cried when she saw their door. “Do you think the soldiers went into your brother’s room first? Quickly, we need to see if they're all right! We can look for Bryce downstairs afterwards.”

Zelda and her mother ran to the door and opened it to find a grisly sight. Oriana and Oren laid on the floor, slain. Their blood soaking and staining the carpet.

“No!” Eleanor ran to the lifeless form of the little boy and took him in her arms. “My little Oren! What manner of fiend slaughters innocents?”

Zelda walked in and looked down at Oriana. She bent down and closed her eyes. An anger began boiling inside her. “Why would they do this?”

“Howe is not even taking hostages. He means to kill all of us. Oh, poor Fergus...” Eleanor stood with tears in her eyes, reluctantly leaving the little boy next to his mother. “Let’s go. I don’t want to see this!” Zelda nodded and together they left the room. They would have to mourn their passing at another time.

***

Zelda, her mother, and Rupee made their way to the guest's rooms, near where the family slept. “We need to see about Landra and Dairren,” said Eleanor. “Oh, I do hope they got out.”

When they came to their door, it being open and the smell of blood told a different story. Just as with Oriana and Oren, Lady Landra and Dairren were dead, lying in a pool of their own blood.

“Dear Landra!” Eleanor sobbed. “I’m... I’m so sorry. If she hadn’t come to me... If she hadn’t been here...”

Zelda felt sorry for how she had treated Dairren at dinner. She hadn’t even been able to apologize to him or make up for what happened. “Come on, Mother. We need to go.” It was the only thing they could do at the moment. Taking care of the dead would have to wait, if it would even be possible.

Going out into the walkway, smoke could be seen rising in the sky. Bodies of servants and soldiers alike littered the halls. Blood was smeared on the walls and the sound of fighting echoed in the darkness.

“Can you hear the fighting?” Eleanor asked as she looked to the sky. “Howe’s men must be everywhere. They must already have control of the castle.”

“How can we get out of the castle?” said Zelda. “They probably have all the main entrances barred.”

Eleanor thought for a moment. “The servants’ passage leads out from the larder,” she said. “But we must find your father, first. The front gates! That’s where your father must be.”

Zelda took a look around. The smoke made everything distorted and only allowed her to see a few feet in front of her. Making it to the front gate was going to be difficult. “This is insane!” she said. “Is there nothing else we can do?”

“There is something else we should do. I have my treasury key. We could go there first and take the Cousland sword from the vault. If anything is worth fighting to keep out of Howe’s hands, it’s that sword. But it may be a dangerous path.”

“Then let’s go to the treasury. It’s on the way to the front gates.”

“Afterwards, we must find your father and use the servants’ entry in the larder to escape. Do you hear me?”

“I hear you.”

“Then let us be swift.”

They headed straight into the smoke, not knowing what they would run into. Rupee went ahead of them, sniffing the ground. All along the way, they found more and more bodies of their servants and soldiers. Zelda was becoming more and more angry as they went on.

“I think we’re getting close to the treasury,” Eleanor said as they rounded a corner. When they came to the treasury they found a few of Howe’s soldiers trying to break the lock. “Quick, we must stop them! If they get in they’ll take the sword!”

“Leave them to me, Mother.”

Zelda drew her sword and held her shield in her left hand. She screamed as she ran out of the smoke, taking the soldiers by surprise. There were three of them. Zelda pressed her shield against the closest one, knocking him to the ground. The others staggered from her attack and drew their own swords. Zelda lifted her shield to deflect their attacks, then swung her sword, cutting at their legs. Rupee leaped out of the smoke, looking like a nightmare, bearing her teeth. She grabbed on to the arm of the soldier closest to Zelda and dragged him down. The remaining soldier swung at Zelda again, but it was deflected by her shield once more. She then lifted her sword and drove it into the soldiers abdomen. He coughed up blood and fell as she pulled her sword out. Looking behind her, Zelda saw the soldier Rupee had taken down choking on his own blood, while the first soldier was being dispatched by her mother.

Eleanor looked up at her daughter and then at the door that lead to the treasury. “The Cousland family blade lies inside,” she said. “Use this key. The blade cannot fall into Howe’s hands. It should be used to sever his treacherous head!”

“Right.” Zelda took her mother’s key and opened the door to the treasury.

“Hurry, dear. I’ll wait outside, you get Silverbrand. It’s in the chest on the back wall.”

Zelda made her way in and looked around the room. Their treasury was bearer than the last time she had seen it. Many of the weapons locked in here were gone, being used by the soldiers Fergus already took to Ostagar, but the chest her mother had mentioned was still there. Going over to it, Zelda opened the chest and peered in.

Silverbrand was a longsword that had been in her family for many generations. It had been wielded in the service of King Calenhad, who was known as the Silver Knight, in the Exalted Age. The blade was made of fine silverite, and was sturdy and sharp. It was light, and Zelda marveled at its balance. She replaced it with her current sword, then she saw there was still more in the chest.

There was also a shield, made of the same material as Silverbrand. It was marked with the family crest of two branches crossing one another. Zelda recognized it as the shield of Highever, and took it as well. It was much larger than her other shield, and heavier, but Zelda wasn’t going to just leave it. She didn’t know what the night would bring, but something told her that the shield with her family’s crest would be important.

The treasury was right across from one of the doors that lead to the main gate. Crossing over the walkway, Zelda and her mother came to the main entrance to find a few of their soldiers working to keep the gate closed. Rory leading their efforts.

“Go! Man the gate!” he cried. “Keep those bastards out as long as you can!” Rory turned to see the two women running into the room. “Your ladyship! My lady! You’re both alive! I was certain Howe’s men had gotten through!”

“They did get through!” said Zelda. “Mother and I had to fight our way here.”

“They killed Oriana and Oren...” said Eleanor. “I can’t believe–” She was about to cry, but then regained her composure and looked to Rory. “Are you injured?”

“Don’t worry about me, your ladyship,” he said. “Thank the Maker you two are unharmed. When I realized what was happening, it was all I could do to shut the gates. But they won’t keep Howe’s men out long. If you’ve another way out of the castle, use it quickly!”

Zelda looked around. She didn’t see her father in the room anywhere. “Where is my father? We need to find him!”

“When I last saw the teyrn, he’d been badly wounded. I urged him not to go, but he was determined to find you. He went towards the kitchen. I believe he thought to find you at the servants’ exit in the larder.”

“Bless you, Ser Gilmore,” Eleanor sighed. “Maker watch over you!”

“Maker watch over us all.” Rory turned to leave, but Zelda stopped him.

“You’re not coming with us?”

He looked into her eyes. “I can’t. I need to stay here and help keep the gates closed.”

“No,” she protested. “You need to come with us.”

“My lady...” Rory seemed to be at a loss for words. “I... If I don’t help keep the gates closed, then Howe’s men will get through and you won’t be able to escape.”

“I don’t care!” cried Zelda. “You need to come with me. That’s an order!”

Rory sighed and closed the distance between them. He could see there were tears in her eyes and a fear he had not seen before. It was all he could do to keep from crying himself. “I must stay here. If not--”

“Is this because I made you wait?” Zelda interrupted. “Fine, I choose you! I do! Now you have to come with me!”

Rory took her head in his hands. He gently lifted it and peered into her soft blue eyes. The tears ran down her face. All he wanted to do was go with her, but he knew he couldn’t. “I love you, Zelda Cousland. And that is why I must stay back in order to make sure you live!”

“But I--” Before she could finish, Rory kissed her, bringing her face to his. He kissed her deep and lovingly, just as she always thought he would. Tender, sweet, but rushed. He removed his hands from her face and moved them down to encircle her body bringing her closer to him. When they parted, Rory placed his forehead on hers where he stayed for a few seconds before pushing away from her, not looking back.

“Come on men, bar that gate! Put your backs into it!”

It was Zelda who was now at a loss for words. “Rory--” she whispered, but he ignored her.

“Come on, darling.” She felt her mother’s hand on her shoulder, edging her to leave. Slowly, Zelda turned and followed her mother to the door. Before exiting, she looked back and saw Rory pressing himself on the gate. He was staring at her, a determined look on his face. She knew he was not going to let anything get to her easy.

Quietly she whispered, “I love you,” to him and left the room.

***

The way to the kitchen was blocked. Rubble and fire laid in the walkway, keeping the path to most of the castle closed. Zelda and her mother had to stop and rethink their path almost at every turn. They also ran into more of Howe’s soldiers. Zelda fought with her new weapons, but found she was at a disadvantage. Silverbrand was longer than her original sword, and the shield of Highever was heavier. This made her off balance and more tired than she usually was. But along side her mother and Rupee, they were still able to fight their way through the soldiers, and find a path to the kitchen.

When they reached the kitchen, the bodies of Nan and the elven servants were piled on the stove. Eleanor cried out at the sight and looked around to see if Bryce’s body was with theirs. Not seeing him, she then saw that the larder door was open and they ran to it and saw that he was inside, bleeding all over the floor.

“There... you both are,” he said weak. He held his side, trying to crawl to them.

“Bryce!” Eleanor cried as she ran to him.

“I was... wondering when you’d get here.”

“Maker’s blood, what’s happening? You’re bleeding!” Eleanor gently placed her hands on him. She was nervous about hurting him, but needed to know how bad he was.

“Howe’s men... found me first. Almost... did me in right here.”

Zelda made her way into the larder and knelt down beside her father. His suffering put Zelda over the edge. She had never seen him like this, and didn’t like seeing it. “I’ll kill Howe for what he’s done.”

“He can’t... get away with this. The king will...” Bryce groaned and clenched his teeth. Eleanor placed her hand on his shoulder and tried to comfort him.

“Bryce! We must get you out of here,” Eleanor cried.

“I... I won’t survive the standing, I think.”

“Then we will stay and defend you,” said Zelda. “I’m starting to get used to Silverbrand.”

Eleanor looked at her daughter, a look of despair was in her eyes. “Once Howe’s men break through the gate, they will find us. We must go! There’s no way we’ll be able to fight them all.”

Bryce coughed, spitting up blood. “Someone... must reach Fergus... tell him what has happened.”

Zelda nodded. “You can tell him yourself, Father.”

“I... wish I could.”

“Bryce, no!” Eleanor cried again. “The servants’ passage is right here. We can flee together, find you healing magic!”

“The castle is surrounded... I cannot make it.”

“I’m afraid the teyrn is correct.” Zelda and her mother turned to see Duncan standing in the larder doorway. He was covered in blood and replaced his swords in their scabbards. “Howe’s men have not yet discovered this exit, but they surround the castle. Getting past will be difficult.”

“Duncan?” Eleanor said surprised. “I wasn’t sure what happened to you. Did you stay up with Bryce as well?”

“Yes, your ladyship. I was there when the soldiers attacked. The teyrn and I tried to reach you sooner, but then he became injured and I brought him here. I did manage to get to your rooms, but found them empty. I feared the worst.”

“No, my daughter helped me get here, Maker be praised.”

“I am not surprised,” said Duncan as he knelt beside Zelda.

“Thank you for saving my father,” Zelda nodded, grateful for the Grey Warden's help.

“I fear your thanks are premature. I doubt I have saved him.”

Eleanor cradled Bryce in her arms. He clung to her like a child. His face in a grimace as he tried to fight the pain. “Whatever is to be done now, it must be quick. They are coming!” said Eleanor.

“Duncan...” Bryce whispered. “I beg you... take my wife and daughter to safety!”

“I will, your lordship. But... I fear I must ask for something in return.”

“Anything!”

“What is happening here pales in comparison to the evil now loose in this world. I came to your castle seeking a recruit. The darkspawn threat demands that I leave with one.”

Bryce nodded his head. “ I... I understand.”

Zelda was confused. What was Duncan talking about? “What about Ser Gilmore?”

“Truthfully,” said Duncan. “You were always my first choice. I will take the teyrna and your daughter to Ostagar,” he said to Bryce. “To tell Fergus and the king what happened. Then your daughter joins the Grey Wardens.”

“So long as justice comes to Howe... I agree,” Bryce said closing his eyes.

“Bryce, are you sure?” Eleanor asked.

“Our daughter will not die of Howe’s treachery. She will live, and make her mark on the world.”

Duncan turned his attention to Zelda and she saw for the first time a look of determination in him. “Then I offer you a place within the Grey Wardens. Fight with us.”

Her whole world had been turned up-side-down. She was being offered the chance of a life time. Her dream. But at the same time her home was being invaded, her father mortally wounded, and she may even have lost the love of her life. She did not know what to do.

Zelda shook her head. She couldn’t just abandon the only home she had ever known. “My duty is to take vengeance on Arl Howe!”

“We will inform the king and he will punish Howe,” said Duncan. “I am sorry, but a Grey Warden’s duties take precedence even over vengeance.”

“Howe thinks he’ll use the chaos to... advance himself,” Bryce sighed. “Make him wrong, pup. See that justice is done! Our family... always does our duty first. The darkspawn must be defeated. You must go. For your own sake, and for Ferelden’s.”

It was a plea and Zelda could see that there was no other way. She was going to lose everything. What she wanted no longer mattered. Her plans for the future gone. It was either stay and die, or become a Grey Warden and live to see revenge on Howe.

“Please, darling,” pleaded her mother. “Don’t let Ser Gilmore’s sacrifice go for nothing.”

“Mother, please don’t...”

“I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t realize you two were so close. How he felt about you. How you felt about him. But this is what he would have wanted for you. You know that.”

Tears welded up in Zelda’s eyes, but she held them back. She had to be strong. For her parents, for Rory, for everyone who had or would die this night. “Then I will. Father, Mother, for you.”

“We must leave quickly, then,” said Duncan.

“Darling, go with Duncan,” said her mother. “You will have a better chance to escape without me.”

“Eleanor...” moaned Bryce.

“Hush, Bryce. I’ll kill every bastard that comes through that door to buy them time. But I won’t abandon you.”

“No Mother! I’m not leaving you too!” Zelda pleaded.

“My place is with your father. At his side, to death and beyond.”

Zelda held back a scream. This was almost too much to bear. Then standing, she went and hugged both her parents together. “I love you both, so much.”

“Then live, darling,” said Eleanor. “Become a Grey Warden, and do what is right.”

Duncan stood back in the doorway, watching and listening for any sounds of approaching soldiers. Zelda went to him, Rupee whining by her side. “I don’t have to leave Rupee behind, do I?”

Duncan looked at her then at the hound. “She may come, if she can keep up. I don’t think she would stay even if you told her to.”

“Thank you.”

Bryce groaned and Zelda could barely look back at her father. “I’m... so sorry it’s come to this, my love...”

“We had a good life and did all we could. It’s up to our children, now,” said her mother.

“Then... go, pup,” he said to Zelda. “Warn your brother. And know that we love you both. You do us proud.”

Zelda nodded. “And I am proud to be your daughter.”

A loud crack, the sound of breaking wood, followed by the screams of dying men rippled through the castle. Zelda even thought she heard Rory scream. A sound that sent a shiver done her spine.

“They’ve broken through the gates,” said Duncan. “We must go now.”

“Goodbye, darling,” said Eleanor.

Duncan grabbed Zelda by the hand, pulling her with him. The last she saw of her parents was her father in her mother’s arms, looking at her, tears in their eyes.

***

They ran. Zelda did not know how long they ran, but it seemed like an eternity. They had followed the servants’ passage out of the castle and made their way into the thick forest that inhabited the east part of the castle grounds. Through it they went, running as fast as their legs could carry them. Zelda’s lungs burned and her legs ached, but she kept up with Duncan as he was determined to get as far away from the castle as possible. It soon came to a point when Zelda could no longer take it. The feelings inside of her were overwhelming. They were going to explode if she did not let them out.

“Stop!” she screamed. Zelda fell to the ground and pounded it with her fists. She yelled, tears streaming down her face. She held her sides as she tried to breathe. Her anguish enveloped her. All she could think was to cry. All she wanted to do was to sit where she was and die. Her whole life. Her family, friends... All gone.

Duncan stood next to her. He did not disturb her, only let her cry while he watched for any one that might have followed them. Rupee licked Zelda’s arm. She tried to cuddle next to her, but Zelda pushed her off.

“I know you need to mourn,” said Duncan after a while. His voice was calm and compassionate. “But we need to keep moving. They will be looking for you when they do not find your body amongst the dead.”

Collecting herself, Zelda stood and wiped her eyes. She felt horrible for letting Duncan see her like that. This is not how a Grey Warden acts, she thought. I must remain strong. For my parents. For Rory. She nodded. “I’m ready.”

“Good,” said Duncan. “Then we must be swift. We need to try and avoid the main roads for awhile. Then once we reach Denerim--”

“Wait, I thought we were heading to Ostagar?”

“We are, but I need to stop at Denerim first. I planned on going there anyway. I just hope that everything I have prepared there will be ready as I am arriving a head of schedule.”

“Yes, you didn’t plan on leaving for a few days, didn't you?”

“Things change, and we need to learn how to adapt to them. Now, we must be on our way. These woods will be flooded with soldiers before dawn, in which we will be long gone by then.”

“I'm right behind you, Duncan. And... thank you. I know you risked a lot to help me. To help my father. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn't been there.”

“Do not think of it.”

Zelda understood and followed him as he began making his way through the forest. Rupee walked beside her, tail wagging and nose in the air. It was not going to be an easy trip to Denerim, nor would it be easy from here on out.

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age: Origins
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Blood Bond