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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 54
The Broken Promise
To say that Bridget was hurt would be the understatement of the century. In fact, she couldn't remember feeling this much emotional pain since the death of her parents, and even still she felt worse now than she did that terrible night. Alistair, the man she loved, the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, had just taken her heart into his hands and crushed it. It was so broken…Bridget wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to put back the pieces. She felt empty, betrayed, alone…for she was alone now. All she had was Zeus, and her friends, but if they all did manage to survive the Blight, they would eventually have to leave her too and get back to their own lives. Bridget closed her eyes and let out a shaky breath. If she could, she just wanted to fade from existence in this very moment. She felt like she could be sick again, but knew she would only heave air for there was nothing left in her stomach at all. Her lip trembled as tears fell from her eyes again. Bridget noticed Teagan tightened his arms around her as she let out a shaky sob. Bridget took comfort in his embrace for she desperately needed a hug. Soon enough, Teagan walked through the large oak doors and entered the foyer of Eamon's estate. As soon as Teagan stepped through the doors, Bridget wanted to go right back outside again. She couldn't stand being in this place anymore and wanted nothing more than to leave. Hell, she didn't even care that she'd have to go back to sleeping in her tent on the cold forest ground; she embraced the idea of it since anything would be better than staying in this hellhole.
"Can you stand, milady?" Teagan asked softly.
Bridget didn't answer him right away, for she wasn't really sure. Her mind was in a haze, and she felt like she was caught somewhere between reality and the Fade. Her head nodded of its own accord, and Teagan gently lowered Bridget to her feet. She didn't remain standing for long as she dropped to her hands and knees as a loud wail escaped her lips. At that moment, Wynne, Morrigan, Zeus, and Oghren rushed into the foyer. Wynne gasped as she scanned the room. Zevran, Riordan, and Leliana entered, but she noticed that Alistair was absent. Wynne looked from Bridget to the group and covered her mouth.
"Oh no…is Alistair…?"
Zevran shook his head.
"No. But he's going to wish he was." He replied darkly.
Teagan bent down to help Bridget stand, but she brushed him off and stood on her own before taking off and running up the stairs. Zeus bounded after her, barking loudly, wanting to know what was wrong with his mistress.
"I don't get it. What happened?" Oghren asked.
Leliana sighed and rubbed her eyes.
"Something very, very bad."
XxX
Bridget bounded into her room and ran towards the window. She threw it open and stuck her head out of it and took gasping breaths of fresh air…and yet she still couldn't breathe. Bridget felt like a large iron hand was wrapping itself around her and squeezing her tight, trying to crush her lungs. She immediately tore off all her armor and it clanged to the floor loudly. Once she stood in her simple cotton shirt and leggings, she felt a little better, but not much. Bridget clenched her fists and turned to the nearby desk. She knocked off everything that was resting atop it, books, quills, and her journal. Bridget paused as she noticed something red sticking out of her turned over journal. She slowly eased herself to the floor, amidst all the papers and pins and broken glass from the ink bottles and gently lifted her journal. Underneath where her journal laid moments ago was the rose Alistair had given her. Bridget swallowed as she picked up the flower between her pointer finger and thumb. Because of Wynne's enchantment, it was still as fresh as it was the day Alistair had given it to her. Bridget wanted to rip the thing to shreds…but she just couldn't find it in herself to do it. The tears flowed freely down her face now as she lowered herself to the floor and brought her knees up to her chest, holding the flower against her heart. All those men who underestimated her before would laugh at her expense now, knowing they were right all along, for what brave warrior curls up into a fetal position and cries? Bridget closed her eyes as another sob shook through her body. She wanted nothing more than her father's embrace, for him to hold her and tell her that everything was going to be alright. But of course that wouldn't happen. He was in a much better place…why would he even think of returning to the mortal world where there was so much heartache and despair?
Zeus pushed the slightly open door open a little more with his snout and stuck his head in the room. His ears went down as he made his way over towards his mistress. Their eyes locked for a brief moment and Zeus bent his head and licked the side of her face. Bridget didn't budge but just shook again with another sob. Zeus trotted in a small circle before lying down next to Bridget. He wasn't going to let anyone bother her now.
XxX
Alistair stared blankly at all the faces in the room. He wasn't even paying attention to anything anyone said. All he could think about was Bridget, and the look on her face when he told her she couldn't be his queen. Her eyes were so distant…unseeing…unfocused. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen that look on her face, or if he had ever seen it before. She looked so…so hurt so betrayed…Alistair didn't know what to do when he saw her again. He would have to try and explain, but something told him she wouldn't listen to anything he had to say. He was relieved when the nobles left and he and Eamon left the palace and made their way back to the estate. When he entered the foyer though, seven pairs of angry eyes glared at him, and no one looked none too pleased to be in the presence of the future king of Fereldan. Zevran and Oghren, who had been sharpening their daggers and axe respectively by the fire, stood and held their weapons in their hands so that the light in the room would reflect just how sharp they were. Eamon narrowed his eyes.
"Really? You would risk being thrown into Fort Drakon just for that girl?"
Oghren narrowed his eyes.
"She's not just 'that girl' to us you filthy nug humper!"
Alistair's eyes locked with Zevran's and he felt himself shrink underneath the scrutiny of his malicious gaze.
"You have five seconds to get to Bridget's room and give her a damn good explanation as to why you cut out her heart and fed it to a pack of mabaris before I relieve you of your head." He stated.
Eamon's eyes widened.
"How dare you speak to the,"
But the rest of his sentence was lost as Alistair was already at the top of the stairs. He slowly made his way down the dark hallway, as the candles had not yet been lit. Soon, he stood outside Bridget's already partially opened door. He pushed it open the rest of the way and his eyes widened. Glass, ink, quills, books, and papers were scattered across the floor. The window was open and a chill was present in the room as there was no fire blazing in the fire place. The room was dark, the only bit of light coming in through the window courtesy of the setting sun. Bridget sat on the edge of her bed, her back facing him. Zeus lifted his head and immediately jumped off of the bed, a deep growl resonating through his body and his teeth showing. Alistair took a step back as Zeus took one forward. Surely Bridget would call him off…wouldn't she?
Alistair found himself out in the hallway again before Bridget whistled for Zeus to return to her. The mabari did so…but he was very reluctant to listen to his mistress. Alistair entered the room again, this time stepping inside and closing the door behind him. Bridget remained sitting on the bed, gently petting Zeus's head. Alistair licked his lips and sighed.
"I can explain." He whispered.
Bridget still didn't turn to face him, but raised her eyebrows.
"Can you, now? Can you really? Or are you just going to make something up to make me feel better?" she asked in a dangerously calm voice.
Alistair hung his head.
"Trust me, my love this,"
Bridget stiffened at the term of endearment and Alistair stopped.
"My love? 'My love'? You do not have the right to call me that anymore." She hissed.
Alistair drew his brows together.
"But I still love you, I,"
Bridget through her head back and laughed.
"Oh you still love me? Really? That's funny because I don't call breaking someone's heart and embarrassing them in front of a handful of the most powerful people in the country 'love'." She snapped.
Alistair narrowed his eyes.
"Bridget listen to me, please! You have to understand that this wasn't an easy decision to make! I've been at war with myself over this issue ever since we got here! There's nothing I can do!"
At this Bridget stood and whipped around to look at him. Alistair's eyes widened and he actually took a step back. Bridget looked very…off. Her hair was curled and frizzy, matted almost and her eyes were so bloodshot, Alistair thought she must've popped a few blood vessels in each one. She was also very pale, almost sickly.
"Nothing you can do'?" she repeated softly.
Alistair swallowed as she repeated it again, only louder. Bridget narrowed her eyes.
"The hell there isn't something you can do! You can grow a damn back bone and strengthen your resolve! Tell Eamon that you'll make me your queen, regardless of what he says! Stop listening to him and make your own decisions for once, Alistair!" she shouted.
Alistair sighed and squeezed the bridge of his nose.
"It's not that simple, Bridget. If you and I can't have children…"
Bridget shook her head.
"Riordan says that it is possible for two Grey Wardens to have a child, it's just very difficult. But if we got a mage to make potions for me or both of us to drink, then we might have a shot!"
Alistair shook his head.
"It's too risky, taking potions is no guarantee that,"
"Dammit Alistair stop doing this to me!" Bridget shrieked.
Alistair looked at her to see tears rolling down her face. He felt worse than a pile of dragon dung…no, lower than that, lower than the most terrible and ugliest thing in Thedas.
"I'm sorry." He whispered.
Bridget sniffled and set her gaze on him. She shook his head.
"What good are your apologies when you can't even keep your promises?"
Alistair looked at her but didn't say anything, so Bridget refreshed his memory for him.
"The lake after Flemeth nearly killed you; you promised nothing would keep us apart. At the hot spring after we made love, you promised the very same thing. And here you have broken both of those promises. You shouldn't promise something that you don't mean." She stated hurtfully.
Alistair sighed and was quiet for a few minutes.
"I did mean them, Bridget. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I love you. If things were different, I would make you my queen…but I can't. But…there is one way we can still be together…" he said quietly.
Bridget didn't reply. She didn't even look at him, so Alistair continued.
"I could always take you as my mistress and,"
Bridget sucked in a breath and looked up at him. Her face got so red in that moment that Alistair thought her head might explode. Bridget clenched her fists and sputtered,
"Your mistress? Oh I see…I'm not good enough to be your queen, but I'm good enough to be your whore is that it?" she hissed.
Alistair shook his head.
"Of course not, I would never suggest that you,"
Bridget shook her head.
"But you just did." She said softly.
They were quiet for a minute, nothing but the sounds of Bridget's sobs and the wind filling the room. After a few minutes, Bridget said,
"Alistair…you are all I have left in this world. Please…please don't toss me aside. Have hope that we can have children, hope is a very powerful thing…and we might just be able to if you would believe in that…"
Alistair looked down at her as Bridget looked up at him.
"Please…don't make me beg…" she whispered.
Alistair felt a lump in the back of his throat. He hung his head and sighed.
"I'm sorry…"
He moved his hands and lifted his head back to look at her. He reached for her hand and placed the ribbon that she had given him in her palm.
"I can't." he whispered, choking on his own sobs now.
Bridget drew her brows together as she broke their gaze and stared down at the ribbon in her hand. Her lip trembled as she gasped.
"You cowardice bastard…." She choked.
Bridget looked back up at him and tore his mother's amulet from her neck and shoved it at him. She then slapped him so hard across the face, her hand print was left and his skin tingled.
"You fucking piece of shit!" she shouted.
Bridget ran past him and threw open the door. Everyone that was standing outside of it immediately parted and tried to look like they weren't just listening in. Bridget ran down the hall, her cries echoing off of the stone. Zeus growled at Alistair once more before bounding down the hall to catch up with her. Alistair stepped outside of the room to catch Leliana and Morrigan running after her. He looked around at the faces of all of his friends and felt ashamed. Zevran shook his head and made a disgusted face.
"I can't even stand to look at you." He spat before turning on his heel and storming down the hallway.
Oghren gave him the stink eye and shook his head.
"Always knew there was something wrong with you. Never thought it was just plain stupid, but that's what it is and that's you are. Just. Plain. Stupid." He grumbled before following Zevran.
Alistair blinked and looked at Riordan.
"Could there be a chance, if we got mages to help us?"
Before Riordan could answer, Eamon said,
"We don't need mages to possibly infect the child with magic through the use of potions. It would be terrible if your child, the heir to the throne was born a mage."
"This coming from a man whose own child is a mage." Wynne said disapprovingly.
Before she could leave, Alistair grabbed her hand. She turned and looked at him.
"Is there anything you can do for her?" he asked softly.
Wynne snatched her hand back and narrowed her eyes.
"I can mend many things Alistair…but a broken heart is not one of them." She said coldly before walking off down the hall.
Teagan narrowed his eyes at Eamon.
"I cannot believe you did this. You do realize you sound exactly like the nobles who did not want you to marry Isolde so soon after the war because she was Orlesian?"
"This is nothing like that." Eamon replied.
Teagan scoffed.
"This is exactly like that. You are discriminating against Bridget just because she is a Grey Warden. You have heard that it is possible that she and Alistair may conceive a child, and yet you are still against it. You, you…"
Teagan sighed and shook his head.
"Rowan would be ashamed of you." He spat.
Alistair saw a flash of something in Eamon's eyes, but could not discern what it was. Teagan shook his head and stalked off down the hall as well. Riordan then took his leave, saying something about booking a room at the Gnawed Noble, leaving Alistair and Eamon alone. Eamon swallowed and blinked for a moment before clearing his throat and clenching his jaw.
"Excuse me, Alistair." He said as he turned and went up the stairs to his office.
Alistair stared after him. Was that the ghost of tears he saw in Eamon's eyes? Or were the tears in his own eyes just making him see things? Alistair turned and slowly walked down the hall. He entered his own room and shut the door behind him. Alistair pulled off his bloody armor and sat on the bed. He leaned back against the covers and rolled over. Alistair took a deep breath. The servants must not have washed the bedclothes today, because the pillow next to his head still had Bridget's scent on it: lavender, with just a hint of cinnamon. Alistair closed his eyes as his own tears escaped him. He had just thrown away the best thing that had ever happened to him…and he was sure that no matter if something magically happened and he and Bridget could have children that she wouldn't want him back…not after what he did to her…
xXx
"Where could she have gotten to?" Leliana asked.
She and Morrigan stood in the foyer, trying to figure out exactly where Bridget went. Zevran emerged from the library.
"She's not in there either." He said worriedly.
Oghren trudged out of the dining hall with a cup of ale.
"Didn't see her in the kitchen." He said.
Morrigan sighed.
"That fool Alistair…I swear if he wasn't going to be king I would turn him into a toad and squash him." she said darkly.
Leliana drew her brows together.
"And since Bridget took Zeus, we can't have him sniff out her scent!"
Zevran eyed Oghren's cup of ale and snapped his fingers. The other three turned to look at him.
"I believe I know where our Bridget has gone, come on my tiny friend, if anyone can handle a drunken person, it's you."
Zevran dragged Oghren outside and the two of them headed towards the Gnawed Noble. Leliana and Morrigan said that they would check around the market place for her, just in case she wasn't in the tavern. The elf and dwarf entered the tavern and immediately set out to looking for Bridget. Oghren elbowed Zevran in his knee and tipped his head to the side.
"Found her."
Zevran followed his gaze to find Bridget sitting at the very end of the bar with her head lying down on the counter. Two empty mugs sat around her and she clasped her third one in her hand. She then lifted her head and downed the rest of the ale in her cup before slamming it down on the counter and asking for another one. Zevran and Oghren looked at each other before moving forward and sitting at the bar next to her. Bridget closed her eyes as they sat next to her.
"Don't judge me." She said softly.
Oghren shook his head.
"Please, you're talking to a dwarf. We answer everything with a cup of ale!" he chuckled.
Zevran placed his hand atop Bridget's as Oghren happily ordered himself a cup of mead. Bridget turned and looked at him, her eyes welling up with tears again. She squeezed Zevran's hand before she buried her face in his chest and cried. Zevran wrapped his arms around her and gently stroked her hair.
"Shh…everything will be alright, my Warden." He whispered softly.
Oghren took a swig of his mead and patted Bridget on her back.
"Come on now, dry those eyes. Men are ten a copper piece. What you need to do is find yourself a gold piece!"
Zevran raised his eyebrows as Bridget pulled herself out of his hug and wiped her eyes.
"And please elaborate on what a gold piece is." Zevran stated.
Oghren shrugged.
"I'd say I'm a gold piece, but I don't want to look conceited. Ah hell who cares, I'm a gold piece!"
Bridget chuckled softly and Zevran smiled.
"How many cups ale did you have while we were away, I wonder?" she asked.
Oghren thought a moment and shook his head and swirled his mead around a bit.
"Bah, I can't count that high."
Zevran chuckled.
"Your liver must be made of steel, my tiny friend." He noted.
Bridget smiled and giggled softly. Zevran grinned. Her cheeks were rosy again, but he had a feeling that was from the alcohol…
"By the ancestors, we need a song!" Oghren shouted.
Bridget grabbed her mug of ale and downed the rest of the contents.
"Do you know one?" she asked.
Oghren shook his head.
"Nah, only part…but I don't think it's fit for a lady's ears anyway."
Zevran noticed a fiddle player begin to play a song nearby and slid off his stool. He put his arm around Bridget's waist and smiled.
"How about instead of singing, we dance instead?"
Bridget nodded and Zevran helped her walk to the middle of the floor where they began to dance. Oghren clapped his hands and noticed Teagan enter the tavern. As soon as he laid eyes on the dwarf, he hurried over to him.
"Please tell me you were able to find her?" he asked anxiously, worry present deep in his eyes.
Oghren nodded.
"No need to get yer knickers in a knot, she's out over there dancing with the elf."
Teagan turned and as soon as his eyes landed on Bridget, he relaxed considerably. Although he was quite sure the ale that she drank played a part in putting such a smile on her face, he was glad to see her happy again. He smiled as he watched Zevran lift her and twirl in place before setting her feet back on the ground. He really didn't notice before…but Bridget's hair was not just one shade of gold, but many different shades. Her eyes held a beautiful sparkle in them, and her smile just seemed to light up the room. She and Zevran hooked their arms together and spun in place. Bridget threw her head back and laughed. As she looked back up, Teagan caught her gaze. Their eyes locked briefly, and she smiled and nodded towards him, causing Teagan to feel a fluttering in his stomach. Oghren nudged him and Teagan turned back around to look at him.
"Careful now, don't want yer eyes to fall out of yer face, now do you?" he asked.
Teagan cleared his throat uncomfortably and pulled down on his vest. To be honest, he didn't even realize that he was staring. He avoided the dwarf's gaze as he said,
"I-I'm very glad that she is safe I um…I'm going back to the estate now."
Oghren laughed as Teagan fled the tavern. When Bridget and Zevran returned back to the bar, both of them were red in the face.
"It's no surprise that our lovely Bridget dances with the grace of the Dalish!" he exclaimed.
Bridget grinned and took Oghren's mug out of his hands and finished the rest of his mead (which was about half of the glass). Zevran looked at Oghren.
"She is going to have the hangover of the century tomorrow morning."
Oghren chuckled.
"Nah, not if she puts it to good use!" he exclaimed.
Bridget furrowed her brow.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, her speech just slightly slurred.
Oghren looked at her and shrugged.
"Usually, I fight better when I'm drunk. That's when I can focus on something that makes me really angry, and channel that anger through the swings of my axe."
Bridget raised her eyebrows.
"Well, I certainly have a lot of anger right now…can you teach me how to be a berserker, Oghren?"
Oghren grinned.
"Thought you'd never ask, Warden! Come on, let's go!"
Bridget placed some money on the counter and hurried out. Zevran counted the money and made sure that it was the right amount while Oghren said,
"I think clown pants has got something for Bridget."
Zevran looked over at Oghren and chuckled.
"What? Who is this 'clown pants'?" he laughed.
Oghren looked up at him and shrugged.
"What's his name's brother, guy with the copper colored hair and goatee."
Zevran immediately stopped chuckling and looked at him.
"Wait, wait, wait. Teagan? You are talking about Teagan…Eamon's brother, right?"
Oghren nodded.
"Yep, that one."
Zevran followed him out of the tavern, trying to figure out why Oghren called him 'clown pants'. Must've been because of the stripes on them, he guessed. Zevran shook his head.
"Well don't stop there, how do you know he even feels this way?" he pressed.
Oghren stopped and looked up at him.
"What's that broad's name that you all worship, the one who has all those statues of herself?"
Zevran blinked.
"You mean Andraste? The Maker's bride?"
Oghren nodded.
"Yeah, her. Clown pants looked like she just appeared before him when he was staring at Bridget back in the tavern."
Zevran's eyes widened as he stared off after Oghren trying to catch up with Bridget. If what he said was true…which given Oghren's word wasn't very reliable, especially after so many cups of ale…but if he was telling the truth…
Zevran crossed his arms as a sly grin spread across his face.
"Hmm…perhaps if Alistair realized that someone such as Teagan was to begin to develop feelings for Bridget…he may begin to realize that he made a terrible mistake…" he purred softly as he hurried to catch up with Oghren and Bridget.
A/N: Whew, I tell you what guys, this chapter was not easy to write so I hope all of you enjoyed it! I really tried my best to balance out the sad with some humor. Thanks again for reading and reviewing! Next chapter should be up soon, I hope! :)
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The Last of the Couslands