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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.

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Chapter 43
Caridin's Choice
Bridget led the others through the opening slowly, her blade drawn and her grip on it's hilt tight. A dozen or so golems stood across from one another, all of them turning their gaze on Bridget and her friends as they progressed into the cave. Bridget looked over them warily but pressed forward before she turned her head and nearly stopped in her tracks. Standing just a few feet ahead of her was another golem, she assumed but this one was fairly different than the others. This golem was not made of stone, but instead he was made of metal. He looked as if he were wearing some type of armor, he was very ornate compared to the other golems. An electrical current wavered about his large body. Bridget swallowed nervously, but so far she detected no hostility from the large golem. She stopped about three feet in front of him and lowered her defenses. The overgrown golem looked down at her.
"My name is Caridin. Once, long ago I was a Paragon to the dwarves of Orzammar."
He stated in a deep, rumbling voice that echoed throughout the large cave.
"If the Anvil is what you seek, then you must listen to my story or be forced to carry the same fate…"
Oghren stepped forward and asked,
"You're the Caridin? From Caridin's Cross?" he asked.
Caridin, Bridget supposed nodded and continued to explain the misfortune that befell himself and the other dwarves because of the Anvil going on to say what Bridget had feared the most: that the Anvil took the lives of the dwarves to turn them into golems. This was the thing that Branka was after, wanted so desperately so much so that she betrayed her lover and her entire house. Bridget sighed as Caridin continued, asking for Bridget's help to destroy the thing.
This isn't going to end well…she thought.
As if on cue, Branka ran in at that moment with her own army of golems backing her up.
"No! The Anvil is mine! Don't listen to him! He's been down here for years with nothing but his own madness to occupy his thoughts!" she hissed.
Bridget looked over her shoulder at Branka and shook her head.
"I'm doing what's right here, and that means destroying the Anvil so that no more innocent lives are taken!" she shouted.
Bridget turned back to Caridin and nodded.
"I'll help you, but I need your voice to support the new king of Orzammar. The Assembly will not choose unless a Paragon has chosen first."
Caridin nodded.
"I will do anything to repay you for helping me with this." He replied.
Oghren shook his head.
"Can't you see what this search has done to you, Branka? You've gone completely blind with want that you don't care who you hurt to get it!" he shouted.
Branka flared her nostrils.
"The Anvil will restore the glory our people once carried with them! You will not destroy it, not while I live!"
Oghren swallowed.
"Don't throw away your life for this!" he yelled.
Even Bridget could hear the begging in his voice. She shook her head, turning around to face her.
"Branka we have to destroy the anvil! I cannot allow you to gain hold of it!"
Oghren snapped his head up to look at her.
"Just give her the damn thing, she's confused…she'll talk once she's calmed down…"
Bridget looked down at Oghren and sighed, as he did the same. They both knew that his statement lacked the conviction it needed for Bridget to even consider the option of betraying Caridin. And so a large, very difficult battle ensued, golem attacking golem, Caridin attacking Branka, and Bridget and the others helping in anyway they could. Soon enough, Branka lay dead as did the majority of her golem army. Caridin crafted a crown for Harrowmont and Bridget destroyed the Anvil, as agreed. They all watched as Caridin bid his farewell in a final thanks before plunging off of the side of the cliff and sinking into the lava below. Bridget turned to Oghren and sighed.
"Oghren I, I'm so sorry…"
He shook his head.
"I don't need any apology, Warden. She was always a bit soft in the head…firebrand between the sheets but just so dumb the rest of the time…"
Alistair raised his eyebrows.
"Well…you're certainly taking this well…" he stated.
Oghren shrugged.
"She was already gone for two years before…and I had a ugh, friend during that time so…"
Zevran grinned and slapped Oghren on the back.
"You see, we are even more alike than I originally thought!" he cackled.
Bridget raised her eyebrows and then turned on her heel leading the others out of the Dead Trenches. She was so ready to leave this entire place she felt like she could perform a series of cartwheels and difficult acrobatic flips just to express her joy! They made it back to the Commons in no time at all and hurried on to the Diamond Quarter. Upon entering the Assembly, supporters for both Bhelen and Harrowmont were arguing back and forth. The Assembly Master quieted everyone down once Bridget and the others stepped into the center of the room and addressed her immediately. Bridget stepped forward brandishing the crown that Caridin had crafted and stated,
"The Paragon Caridin chose Harrowmont!"
Cheers from Harrowmont's supporters erupted through the room. They died out fairly quickly however when Bhelen and his lackeys decided to attack everyone. Wanting to spend no more time than necessary in Orzammar any more than she had to, Bridget used every bit of energy she had left into taking Bhelen down. When he fell, the Assembly Master crowned Harrowmont as king and at last all of Orzammar's problems were solved. Harrowmont offered for Bridget and the rest of the party to stay for the celebration feast he would hold later that evening, but she politely declined, much to the disappointment of Alistair's stomach.
"How come you don't want to stay?" he asked her as she quickly hurried towards Harrowmont's estate to round up the others and grab her things. She stopped long enough to give him an exasperated look before replying,
"We have the chance to get out now, so I am taking this opportunity before somebody else approaches me and asks me to do something!" she replied.
Alistair chuckled.
"You know, you do make a good point."
Bridget nodded and soon they were all heading back through the Halls of Heroes and up to the surface. Once stepping through the gates, Oghren stated that he needed a minute, and quite frankly so did Bridget. They walked away from the gates of the city and set up camp as far away as they could get. Leliana brought out her lute at Bridget's request and Bridget danced a victory/happy dance for finally getting out of Orzammar. Zevran sat down next to Alistair as Bridget had finally calmed down and was allowing Leliana to braid her hair. Oghren sat down nearby Alistair as well and shook his head as he took a sip from his flask.
"Damn, that woman has got about as much energy in her as a nug trying to keep away from a catcher!" he exclaimed as Bridget had begun to dance just a bit more while antagonizing Zeus with a mabari crunch treat.
Alistair chuckled. Oghren looked up at him and smirked.
"Bet you're never gonna get the 'I'm too tired' excuse."
Zevran nearly fell of off the log they were sitting on from his laughter as Alistair buried his face in his hands at Oghren's snickers.
"Maker it was bad enough with just Zevran, now you too? Ugh…"
Oghren downed the rest of his 'special' ale and took a special interest into staring at Bridget's bottom, which Alistair noticed as well. Oghren shook his head.
"They don't make 'em like that in Orzammar…"
Alistair stood.
"Okay I think part of that may be the alcohol talking but either way I think I'm going to go over there now…"
Oghren laughed.
"Oh sit back down will you. I'm just saying well, you're lucky to have her, you know. At least she won't run off with another woman…though I wouldn't mind seeing her and the red head,"
Alistair stood again as he had heard quite enough and bumped into Bridget. She smiled up at him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"You know, you still owe me a massage." She stated.
Alistair grinned.
"I do, don't I? I had almost forgotten…"
Bridget gave him a look that completely said 'sure you did' and went off to their tent, Alistair following gleefully behind. Morrigan actually kept her tent rather close to everyone else and sat on a log in front of the fire making a disgusted face.
"Those two are going to make me ill…" she grumbled.
Oghren raised his eyebrows and scooted a bit closer to her.
"Aye you said it."
Morrigan looked over at him briefly before turning her attention back to the stew that was bubbling over the fire. Oghren swept his eyes over her and said,
"That's an interesting robe you're wearing there…"
Morrigan once again looked up from her stew and turned to him.
"Is there something particular you wished to ask me, dwarf? I do not care for idle chat." She replied.
Oghren smirked.
"Direct, to the point. I like that in a woman. Alright I'll cut to the chase."
Morrigan raised an eyebrow.
"Which is?"
Oghren rested his head in his hands and leaned over towards her.
"Ever wonder what it's like to be with a dwarf?"
Morrigan frowned, stood, pulled up her tent, and walked far away from everyone else to set it up once more, like usual. Zevran chuckled.
"Ah my tiny friend you were so close."
Oghren narrowed his eyes.
"Don't call me that, elf." He stated.
Zevran shrugged.
"As you wish."
They were quiet a moment before Oghren raised his eyebrows at a giggle that the breeze carried away from Bridget's tent. He looked at Zevran.
"This happen often?" he ask motioning towards her tent.
Zevran nodded.
"Very much so, in fact, you may want to place your tent somewhere away from theirs so you may get a decent rest."
Oghren snorted.
"Please, elf. I'm no light sleeper! Nothing can keep me awake!"
Zevran stood and chuckled.
"Whatever you say…" he said as he walked off to his own tent.
Oghren stood and stumbled just a bit and walked into his own tent. He laid down on his bedroll and closed his eyes. Sleep would definitely be easy to obtain because one, he was drunk, and two, he was tired as all hell. What Oghren didn't know was the fact that Grey Wardens possessed substantial amounts of stamina and when you happen to perch your tent right next to a pair of two Wardens who happen to be quite in love with each other…well…
Let's just say Oghren didn't get any sleep that night.
A/N: WE'RE OUT OF ORZAMMAR YAY! And yes, I did a happy dance too! So I ended this chapter light and airy because things are going to get a bit on the serious side from here on out. Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter! Only 2 more days of class for me and then expect a LOT of updates here, it's going to get good guys, trust me! ;)
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The Last of the Couslands