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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
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Chapter 50
Puddles of Memories
Alistair did not know what time it was, but knew that it must've been very early in the morning by the time he and Zevran made it back to Eamon's estate. Bridget was holding onto Alistair with what little strength she had, slipping in and out of consciousness along the way back. They soon stood in front of Eamon's estate and walked through the double doors quickly. As soon as they entered, all of their friends rushed forward, including Eamon and Anora. Alistair looked into Bridget's face to see her eyes flutter open. He could tell by looking at them that they were unfocused. She turned her head and looked at her friends.
And then her eyes landed on her.
"You bitch!"
Alistair was nearly thrown to the floor as Bridget somehow acquired strength from Maker knows where and slid out of his arms. He quickly grabbed her before she could attack Anora, which he believed were her intentions. He looked at Zevran with wide eyes as many swears flew out of her mouth. If the circumstances were different and Bridget wasn't so hurt, Alistair would find this scenario rather comical, but knew he had to calm her down.
"They killed him! I watched as they brutally murdered my best friend! The only other survivor from my castle! If you had been grateful and not betrayed me, I would've been spared to witness those guards tearing into Gilmore's flesh! Witnessing Gilmore's death delivered far more injury to me than any of these!" Bridget shouted as she tore the cloak away from herself.
Wynne and Leliana both gasped and covered their mouths. Anora looked completely petrified as she stared at all of the deep cuts and gashes that embellished Bridget's body.
"I hope the Maker sends you to…to…"
Alistair quickly caught Bridget in his arms as she lost consciousness again. He lifted her as Wynne and Leliana hurried up to Bridget's room. Alistair followed them up the staircases, with Zeus at his heels. The poor dog was whining loudly, knowing that something was wrong with his owner. The small group soon entered Bridget's room where Alistair laid her gently on the towels that Leliana had placed on her bed. Morrigan entered the room as well.
"I may not know a lot of healing magic, but what I do know may be of some use."
Wynne smiled.
"Thank you, Morrigan. We are certainly going to need all the help we can get. Alistair, please take Zeus and wait downstairs with the others. We're going to be here for a while." The elder mage stated.
Alistair drew his brows together and glanced once more at Bridget's beaten body before nodding and walking out of the room. He closed the door behind him and turned towards the staircase. Alistair looked over his shoulder to see Zeus lay down outside of Bridget's door. There was no way he was leaving his master. Alistair walked back down the staircase and entered the sitting room that was nearby, where Zevran and Oghren sat talking quietly. The only light in the room was that of the flickering flames in the fireplace. Outside, the winds howled as snow fell once again. Alistair sighed as he slumped into a nearby chair.
"What those guards did to Bridget's friend…it's unspeakable. Even the Crows aren't that bad and they have quite a reputation." Zevran stated quietly.
Oghren looked into his mug of ale and shook his head.
"It's a good thing you two got there when you did or else it could've been,"
Alistair lifted his head and looked at the dwarf across from him.
"Please don't say it." He whispered softly.
Oghren looked at him and nodded slowly.
"Aye, what matters is that she's here now an' safe." He stated before downing the rest of his ale in one gulp.
Alistair stood and exited the room. He needed to get out of his armor and wash up before he could get comfortable. He did just that, removing his armor and dropping it to the floor with a loud clanging noise. Alistair walked over to the wash bowl and splashed some water on his face. He wet his hand and rubbed it down his face and over the back of his neck before sighing tiredly. Alistair turned at the sound of his door opening to find Eamon standing in the doorway.
"I am sorry for what has happened to Bridget, Alistair. Perhaps now you see why we simply cannot leave Anora the throne. Look at how quick she was to betray Bridget and your friends. Would you feel comfortable leaving her on the throne knowing that she can change her tune without a moment's thought?"
Alistair narrowed his eyes at Eamon.
"I do not want to discuss this now, not until I know that Bridget is safe." He stated.
Eamon frowned.
"Alistair, I've already told you the circumstances of you becoming king. You may as well begin to distance yourself from her now so that it will not hurt as much later on,"
"Who said I had even decided that I wanted to be king? Perhaps Anora had a reason for betraying Bridget at the last moment. As much as I hate her for it, it's a possibility that she did this for a reason."
Eamon gaped at Alistair before shaking his head and turning around.
"Alistair…don't be a fool. Anora hurt the woman that you love. For that sake alone, isn't that enough to make you want to take your responsibility seriously and lock her in a tower somewhere?"
Alistair looked back at Eamon as the older man exited the room, shaking his head disapprovingly. Alistair took a deep breath before walking out of his room and back towards the sitting room. He slumped down in the chair he previously occupied and stared at the flames in the fireplace. He was tired of Eamon badgering him…how could he possibly think that Alistair could choose between being king and losing Bridget? Alistair buried his face in his hands. He was torn; he didn't know what to do. Zevran and Oghren looked over at Alistair, then at each other. Oghren nodded and grabbed another mug and filled it up with ale. He then offered it to Alistair.
"Here, drink this; it'll help you keep your mind off of things." He stated.
Alistair shook his head.
"I'm not much of a drinker." He replied softly.
Oghren shrugged and decided to take the ale for himself. Every minute that passed by felt like an hour to Alistair. Why hadn't someone come down yet to tell him that Bridget was alright? Exactly how many wounds did she have…both internal and external? Soon Oghren passed out and Zevran fell asleep in his chair, but not Alistair. He wouldn't get any sleep, not a wink of it, not until he knew Bridget was alright.
xXx
All Bridget saw behind her eyelids was Gilmore being beat with the mace over and over again. She couldn't help him, she was helpless…and then his screams stopped in one final, horrible screech. His body slumped forward, blood spilled out of all the gaping wounds, and the guards stood over him, laughing and spitting on his body before turning to Bridget and smirking.
Bridget's eyes flew open as she sat up quickly, groaning in pain as she did so. Leliana jumped awake from her chair and rubbed her eyes.
"Oh you've finally come to, thank the Maker. I was getting worried." She said softly.
Bridget looked at her. Her entire body ached terribly, especially her face. She looked down to see her arms bandaged and her left one in a sling. Bridget lifted the blankets to find more bandages wrapped around her torso. She sighed and laid back against the pillows. Leliana stood and reached over Bridget to get a cloth. She lifted it from where it had fell from her eyes and dipped it in a nearby bowl full of warm water. Leliana squeezed out the excess water and placed the cloth back over Bridget's eyes.
"There, that should help with the rest of the swelling." She said.
Bridget licked her lips and sighed.
"Where's Alistair?" she whispered.
Leliana walked over by the door.
"He's downstairs, I'll go and get him now."
Bridget heard the door open and Leliana's footsteps as she exited the room. Next thing she knew she felt something jump up on the bed and lick her face. Bridget smiled slightly.
"Zeus, oh boy I missed you!" she exclaimed.
Zeus barked happily in delight. Bridget patted the top of his head and he curled up next to her. Bridget heard more footsteps and removed the cloth from her eyes. Despite how painful it was, she opened them again to find herself staring at Alistair's relieved face. He closed the door behind him and sighed before walking over towards the side of her bed and climbing atop it. Zeus whined as Alistair shooed him towards the end of the bed but curled up at Bridget's feet instead. Alistair caressed the side of Bridget's face. He noticed that the swelling had gone down some, but not much as both of her eyes were still black. He bent forward and gently placed a kiss to her forehead. Bridget closed her eyes and sighed.
"I'm so glad you're alright." Alistair whispered.
Bridget placed her hand atop his and shook her head.
"I don't feel alright though…I shouldn't even be here."
Alistair looked at her.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
Bridget slowly opened her eyes again and looked at him. Tears brimmed her eyes and threatened to fall down her face.
"Those guards were supposed to…to…"
Alistair took Bridget in her arms as she sobbed and explained everything that happened her. Not only did she have to witness Gilmore being beat to death by the guards, they threw her on the stretcher and laughed as her arms and legs were stretched out, the muscles and tendons begging to be snapped. Alistair cringed as Bridget went on to say how they whipped her and watched her squirm, all with smiles on their faces.
"But the worst of it all was watching them kill Gilmore…I…I don't know if I'll ever be able to get those images to leave me…"
Alistair stroked Bridget's hair as she began to calm herself down just a bit.
"I hate that you were put through such torture, you and him both…but it is admirable that even then after all he had been through he was still willing to uphold his promise to your father…that he would let nothing harm you." He stated.
Bridget swallowed and took a deep breath.
"That's not the only reason he sacrificed himself for me…" she whispered.
Alistair looked down at Bridget to find her staring up at him. She sighed.
"Gilmore and I…we have a past…" Bridget said slowly.
Alistair raised his eyebrows. He wasn't angry or surprised really, he had a feeling that Bridget wasn't a virgin when they first committed to each other…but he never asked and she never brought it up. Alistair supposed now he would get his answer. Bridget continued.
"I was fourteen when Gilmore and the rest of the men in his squad arrived at the castle for training. He was sixteen at the time. I remember how shy he was when we first met…his face was just as red as his hair." She stated with a small chuckle.
Alistair smiled down at her. It was good to hear her laugh again.
"He, as well as the other young men were surprised to learn that I would be training along with them, but unlike the others, Gilmore actually gave me a chance. The others would snicker and laugh at me because they thought it silly that a girl would want to learn the ways of a sword, and some even downright refused to spar with me. But Gilmore never did, he always gave me a chance, he even taught me a few of the skills I have now. Over the course of the years, we developed a really good friendship…and soon enough I was sixteen and he was eighteen. I had had feelings for him at this point for quite some time…but I was no fool, I knew anything between us was forbidden and I didn't want to risk Gilmore losing his position…so I didn't say anything."
Alistair continued to listen as Bridget went on.
"One night though, it all changed. My father was throwing a party for some of the other Teyrns to attend, so I had to dress up for the occasion. Gilmore was on duty that night as well, I remember him standing by the door. I'll never forget the look on his face when he saw me, all prettied up for a change. Later that night, I had stepped out to get some fresh air, and Gilmore happened to be on a break at that time and when he saw me…he couldn't hold back his feelings anymore, and neither could I. That was when we had our first kiss."
Alistair drew his brows together as Bridget's expression changed. She sighed and continued.
"Skip ahead a few years and I'm eighteen. Gilmore and I had been sneaking around, stealing kisses, but nothing more than that. One day though…we were caught by my mother no less. She was furious and went straight to my father. I was so upset, not for the fact that I was in trouble, but I had probably just cost Gilmore his job. I remember pleading with my father not to do anything to Gilmore, that it was all my fault. My father thank the Maker was such a kind man and did nothing to Gilmore, only asked that we stop sneaking around and not see each other as much. It crushed the both of us…but we agreed. That night Gilmore came to my room and we…we made love. After that, we were just friends, despite how hard it was and how much we both wanted to be with one another. We knew we'd always have that night though…and we did."
Alistair looked down at her.
"That's quite a story." He stated.
Bridget looked up at him.
"I'm sorry I didn't mention anything before about it…I don't really like to talk about it."
Alistair smiled at her.
"Please don't apologize, there's no reason to."
Bridget moved slightly and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.
"I love you, Alistair."
Alistair kissed her back.
"I love you too." He whispered.
Bridget gave him a small smile before becoming serious again.
"What did Eamon wish to discuss, if you don't mind my asking?" she asked while stifling a yawn.
Alistair's smile faded as he turned his head.
"Me becoming king…" he replied softly.
Bridget drew her brows together.
"Alistair…I know that we decided to leave Anora on the throne but…after what she's done…I'm not so sure I feel comfortable leaving her in that position. However, don't let me nor anyone else persuade you to be king, sweetheart. Ultimately, it's up to you. You have to decide, don't let anyone persuade you on what you should do. It's your life, you should live it how you want, regardless of what anyone says." She stated.
Alistair ran a hand through his hair and sighed.
"Eamon made a lot of valid points though, and now after what Anora's done to you…I wouldn't want her to be queen either. That's not even the worst part though…Eamon said if I become king I can't,"
Alistair turned back to Bridget to find her sound asleep. He smiled slightly and kissed her forehead once again before laying back against the pillows himself. Alistair decided to not worry over the politics of everything now…not yet. For now, he would allow himself to sleep and relax next to his love because something told him that soon enough…he wouldn't have that privilege anymore…
A/N: Whew sorry for the delayed update here guys, I've had a really, really bad case of writer's block. Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, it was tricky to write. I'll see if I can get the next one up a little bit faster. Until next time, thanks for reading and reviewing as always! :)
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The Last of the Couslands