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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
Disclaimer: Bioware owns everything Dragon Age. I claim no ownership and make no money/profit.

Chapter List
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- 66
The Golem, the Paragon, and the Anvil

“You love her, don't you?”
“I don't know who or what you're talking about.”
“Don't lie to me, Zev. You know exactly what I'm talking about.” She stood before him in a room familiar and warm, but somehow felt cold to him. It was not the same feeling he usually had whenever he was in it before.
“Zevran. Look at me.” He couldn't really force himself to look at her fully as it was painful just seeing her there. The elven lass stared at him, arms crossed with her raven hair hanging below her shoulders and long pointed ears poking through. She usually wore her hair up, but in this room, with the neatly made bed in the corner, a bed he was very familiar with, she had it down. She also wore the short, white silk night dress that if she stood in front of candle light, became see through. It was his favorite outfit on her, even more so than when she wore nothing at all.
“Zevran?” Her voice was more stern and he forced himself to look in her eyes. They were still yellow, bright like the sun and enticing to look into, but there was something wrong with them now. No longer were they as bright as they used to be, now being dulled, masked even by a pair of green ones.
He only stared for a brief second before looking away.
“Why can't you look at me, Zevran?” she asked. “Is it because you feel guilt for what happened to me? Or is it something else?”
“You know I feel guilty for that,” he said only being able to bring his eyes to her mouth. Her lips soft and pink, but they no longer beckoned for him to kiss them. “I feel guilty for that everyday!”
“Of course,” she huffed. “You feel guilty for it now, but not when it was happening. When you could've done something to stop it. Instead, you let me die. You let Taliesen cut my throat and did nothing but watch as my blood seeped into the ground. At what point did you start feeling guilty?”
“Immediately afterwards,” he said looking down at the floor. “I regret not believing you.”
“I'm not even sure I believe you,” she said. “You still can't even look me in the eyes. Zevran,” her voice was now beginning to fill with anger. “Why can't you admit what you feel about me?”
Zevran's own anger was beginning to boil. “Feel what? You were a close friend, nothing more.”
“You're right, we were close, closer than you want to admit, and I'm trying to figure out why. What was going through your mind when I was confessing to you? Saying how much I loved you! Why didn't you say anything? Why did you do nothing but laugh?”
“Because I never loved you!” he blurted out, finally being able to look her in the eyes fully. “I never loved you like that, at least.”
“I find that hard to believe,” she said in a cold voice. “You're still denying yourself, but maybe it's because she's clouding your mind. All you can think of is her now, just as I used to be on your mind all the time.”
“Again, I don't know who you're talking about.”
“If that's the case, then say my name.”
Zevran looked away from her again, wanting to get out of there, wanting to get away.
“Why can't you say my name, Zevran? Why can't you even tolerate thinking it? Shouldn't that tell you how you really feel?”
“I already told you I feel guilty, that's why.”
“No, it's because you love me, or at least you did. Not until she came into the picture. That ignorant Grey Warden. I can see why you like her. You always had a thing for redheads, which is why I was so surprised when you showed interest in me. Then there's the fact she's cocky and wild, dangerous and exciting, all things that pique your interest, and all the same things that brought you to me.
“Just admit it, Zevran, if you aren't now, then you're at least falling in love with that half-cracked elf. You know if I had been there, I wouldn't have had a problem taking her down. She's a moronic-”
“Leave Arawin out of this!” Zevran yelled, his anger coming to a peak.
“Ah yes, you can say her name, but you can't say mine.”
“Why do I need to say your name?” he asked glaring at her. “Is it not enough I'm sorry, that I feel horrible?”
“No, it's not!” she yelled back. “But you need to say my name so you can move on out of this place and back to her. I know that's what you're wanting. So in order to get back to your precious Grey Warden, you need to say my name!”
That's it? That's all he had to do in order to get out of this nightmare? It was easy, yet he found he had a hard time with it. Her name was just on the tip of his tongue, a simple little word that just needed to be formed in his mouth and released with his next exhale. Yet, it wasn't coming.
“Seriously, you can't say my name?”
“I'm sorry, but... I can't.”
“Because you love me.”
“I did love you, just not the way you wanted me to love you. The way you loved me. I'm sorry. If I could take it all back, then I would, but I can't.”
She came closer to him, and Zevran looked into her bright yellow eyes and wondered why they no longer did anything for him. “At least you admit you used to love me,” she said softly. “That's all I wanted.” She leaned in and her lips found his, bringing him closer to her with her hands as they combed through his hair. He remembered her touch, her taste, and leaned in as well, taking in the kiss and loving it.
“Rinna,” he whispered when their lips parted. “I'm so sorry. Please forgive me.”
She backed away from him, an expression of remorse on her face. “I know you're sorry, but I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive you. It was just too painful, Zevran. Too painful...”
“Rinna, please.”
She shook her head. “No. And now that you've said my name, go to her. Be with her, and know that I will always love you no matter what.”
Zevran watched as she began to shimmer and drift away along with the room and bed. It all disappeared in front of him, fading, never to be seen again.
***
Crackling fire slowly drifted into his ears as his eyes slitted open. Zevran felt groggy as he woke, along with a deep soreness and stiffness all over his body. When he opened his eyes fully, he found himself laying on his stomach, his black cloak as well as someone else's covering him. The fire he heard danced in front of him, nearly making him what to go back to sleep. But he couldn't sleep. Not with that dream still lingering in his mind. It was what had happened to him in the Gauntlet. The thing he thought he had forgotten, but for some reason had been brought back to him.
Zevran looked around and saw there wasn't anybody there, just the fire. He went to lift his head, but pain made it spin. The headache was the worst he had ever had. Even worse than a hangover.
“Hold on there, Zev, you're not good just yet.” Arawin came into his view and her gentle hands pushed him back down. He didn't fight her as he didn't have much strength anyway.
“Arawin?” he breathed. “What... what happened?”
“Do you not remember? We fought the broodmother and Zelda collided with you, sending you into the wall. You were hurt pretty badly.”
He was beginning to remember, fighting that retched creature and then Zelda flying toward him, no time to move, no time to react until it was too late. He didn't remember much after that, except Arawin coming to him. Zevran remembered she seemed to glow, a light surrounded her that made her radiant.
“Yes, I remember now,” he said trying to sit up again. He's head felt like it would split open and other pains started making their presence known as he moved. Was he really hurt that bad? He had felt no pain at all when it had occurred.
“Be careful, Zev,” Arawin said as she helped him. “Morrigan wasn't able to heal you all the way. Between you and Zelda, she exhausted herself just fixing your major wounds. She wasn't even able to heal your minor ones, or ours.”
Zevran looked up at her surprised. Was she hurt and not healed? “You weren't healed?”
“Don't worry about me. I only had a few cuts and bruises, nothing too horrible. Everyone else is fine too. Leliana had a gash on her forehead, but we were able to patch it up. Zelda and you were the worst ones, but Zelda is better, able to walk at least. When the two of you hit the wall, you got the worst of it, which is why Morrigan attended to you more. But she wasn't able to do everything fully. There are some wounds on your back that she and I dressed.”
That would explain why he had no armor on, which he noticed once he sat up. He was in nothing but his smallclothes, something he wouldn't have minded, but for some reason now he did. “Where is everyone?”
“They went off in separate directions to see if they could find anything. After the broodmother was killed and Morrigan healed everyone the best she could, we went down a tunnel and found this spot. There are many other tunnels leading off, and unfortunately Hespith killed herself before she could tell us which one lead to Branka. I decided to stay behind to take care of you since you still hadn't woken yet. But now that you are, would you like something to eat? I made stew.”
Zevran looked over at the fire to see a pot next to it. He was unsure.
“Don't worry,” Arawin said seeing his face. “I didn't use anything from the Deep Roads. All the ingredients are either from mine, Morrigan, or Leliana's packs. Surprisingly enough, though, I was able to find everything I needed to make my cousin's famous Denerim Rabbit Stew.” This made her chuckle.
“Denerim Rabbit Stew?” Zevran questioned.
“Yeah, try some.” Arawin handed him a bowl and he tasted it.
“Oh yes, I remember this,” he said taking another spoonful. “I had some of Shianni's when I stayed with your father. It was delicious, and so is this.”
“I'm sure what you had in Denerim is better than this. Shianni's the master chef, not me.”
“But you're not bad. Why is it you never cooked for us before we met up with the others?”
Arawin grabbed her own bowl and ate with him. “I know how to cook, but it's not really something I enjoy. I was forced into learning after my mother died since, I'm sure you found out, my father can't even boil water. And I didn't cook for us because it seemed like Morrigan always beat me to it. I didn't mind and neither did she. In fact, Morrigan even insisted upon her doing all the cooking after Sten made those link things. Bleh. I still get nauseous thinking about them.” Arawin had to put her still half full bowl down after mentioning the links.
“Well I vote you do it more,” Zevran smiled at her. “Morrigan and Leliana's cooking is good, and then Alistair's just tastes the same, while yours is I think better than any of theirs.”
“Stop, I'm not that good.”
“I beg to differ, but I do have a question. I've had rabbit before, and just as in Denerim, I taste no rabbit in this. What is the meat you used?”
“What are you talking about? It's special Denerim Rabbit. What more do you need to know?”
“I saw no rabbits in Denerim.”
“Of course you wouldn't. They are very good hiders.”
Zevran finished his bowl, knowing that just like with Shianni, he wasn't going to get the real answer out of Arawin. It might have been for the best anyway.
Once Arawin was done, she took their bowls and placed them next to the fire. “So how are you feeling?” she asked him.
“Better, but I'm sore and a little stiff.” His headache was gone but pain in his back was still there.
“Well lay down and I'll make you feel better.”
He stiffened at her saying this, on more ways than one, but instead of being intrigued by it, he was worried. “Arawin... I don't think I could... I would prefer not to.”
“Huh?” Arawin said confused. “Oh no, I'm not talking about that. I know you're not up to it. I don't think I would be either if I was thrown against a wall and cracked my skull open. I'm talking about doing what you do for me sometimes. I haven't given a whole lot of massages in my life, but I could try. Plus I need to check on your dressings and maybe even change them.”
“Oh, that should be... fine.” Zevran still felt himself harden. The thought of her hands all over him made him want her. He could have had sex with her if he really wanted, cracked skull or no. And the fact they were alone made it even more enticing. But the desire to be with her was fighting a desire to get away. The dream washed over him again and it made him unsure of anything anymore.
“Lay on your stomach, please.” Zevran did so, glad he was able to hide his desire for her. He knew he would be able to control it, even though it was beginning to become painful. But the more he thought about the dream, the more he knew what Rinna had said was a lie. What he had said was a lie. He never loved her, and he also didn't love Arawin. He was an assassin. There was no room in his heart for such a thing because it had to remain cold in order for him to do his job. Yet he still couldn't help but to wonder...
Would Rinna be doing this if this had happened when I was with her? Would she have taken care of me or left me to die as any other Crow would have done?
His thoughts became interrupted when he felt Arawin's soft hands on his back. They were gentle but also firm as they went about his muscles, kneading and loosening their tightness. He also felt her peel back the dressings, and apply a wet rag to them, cleaning the wounds. It was both painful but also enjoyable. He hardened even more, it even starting to burn as his wanting of her grew. They always ended up having sex whenever he massaged her, and he knew if he didn't control himself, that's how it would end now.
But why was he denying himself this? The feeling of her hands, the basic need and desire of her body wrapped around his. Both their hearts pounding together as one as their connection sent fire through their veins. It was a connection he had had with probably more women, and a few men, than he could count. But why did this connection with Arawin feel different? Or at least why was it beginning to feel different? It scared him, and he knew he didn't want it.
Arawin's hands found a particularly sore spot and Zevran moaned from her touch. Hearing him, she pushed herself into it, straddling her body over his and working the best she could to knead the area. It was working too well and the feel of her whole body over him made Zevran go over the edge. He had to have her.
Twisting onto his back underneath her, he grabbed her shoulders and brought her down to a hot kiss that made his passion blaze. He forced upward and they sat up, her own lips melting with his as they continued to kiss. He noticed she wasn't fighting him, which was beginning to make him angry. She should have fought, knowing what kind of condition he was in and that he needed his rest instead of engaging in such exhausting activity. But yet she kept the kiss going, even working her hands down his stomach brushing against his hardened length.
Zevran couldn't take it anymore. He didn't like this feeling and with all his will power and strength, he pushed Arawin away and stood. Grabbing his cloak, he wrapped it around himself and stormed off, not really caring which way he was going as he went down one of the tunnels that surrounded them.
“Zevran, wait!” Arawin shouted behind him. “Hang on, what's wrong?” He wished she hadn't have followed.
“Just leave me alone,” he said stopping and not looking at her.
“What? Zevran! What is going on? You kiss me then throw me on the ground and walk off? What the sod! And look, you've gone and opened the wounds on your back. Here, let me-”
“I said, leave me alone!” he yelled turning to her. Arawin looked at him horrified.
“I... uh... Well, fine then if that's how you're going to be!” she said throwing up her arms. “I was only trying to help you and not start anything, but you were the one that grabbed me. So if you don't want my help, then here.” She threw the wet rag at him. It slapped onto his belly as he grabbed it. “Take care of your own damn self. I'll be at camp if you decide to be civil again.” She turned and walked back the other way.
Zevran could see that she was steaming, mad at him for how he had treated her, but it was for her own good, for his own good as well because it had been a close call. Seeing her angry like that nearly made him want to have her again, but he couldn't. The way he felt, the reason why he wanted her so much. It was something he couldn't have. Something he needed to shield himself from because it would only lead to worse things. And despite how painful it was going to be for him, he needed to break it off with her, one way or another.
***
Arawin stalked off back to the camp. She fumed as she thought about what just happened between her and Zevran. That bastard. How could he treat me like that after all I did for him?
Trouble in paradise?
Arawin stopped short before walking into the fire. Her annoyance clearing showing on her face as Zelda brushed her being. Please tell me you weren't listening in.
Not intentionally. It's hard to ignore when you're practically screaming it at me. Especially the part before.
Sorry, but... I don't know what happened.
It's probably what I told you about before. Maybe he's realizing something, and it's scaring him.
If that's the case then he needs to get over it quick because I'm not taking this bullshit.
Zelda sighed.
So where are you guys anyway?
On our way back. We found something, but I'll tell you about it when we get back to camp. The others should be joining shortly as well.
Before they left, they all had agreed to come back at a certain time no matter if they found something or not. If neither of them found anything, then they would just go down the best tunnel, otherwise they had no idea where to go from there.
They had gone in pairs, Alistair with Zelda, Morrigan with Rylen, and Oghren with Leliana. Arawin took her and Zevran's bowls and washed them so everyone could have some of her stew when they returned. She would occasionally look up at the tunnel entrances that she knew they went down to see if anyone was coming. She would also look back at the tunnel Zevran had run down, hoping to see him coming back. Arawin couldn't help but to worry about him, as his newly opened wounds could easily get infected in the Deep Roads. She hoped he would return soon and not go deeper into the tunnel. Her worries, however, were dashed when she finally saw him standing in the entrance, slowly making his way back to the camp.
Arawin stared at him but then went back to her work. She kept herself busy until he came right next to her.
“I'm... sorry,” he said softly.
“I would hope you were,” she said still not looking at him. “That's usually not how someone reacts to those trying to help him.”
“It's something I wouldn't expect you to understand.”
“No, but telling me about it might.” Arawin stood and stared at him. She noticed he looked sad and distant. “But I guess you're not going to do that.”
Zevran said nothing.
“But of course, that's just us, isn't it?” Arawin shook her head. “Neither of us will tell each other anything, but I guess that's just how it's going to be, right? Look,” Arawin said fully facing him. “If you don't want to tell me, fine. If you don't want to be with me anymore, then fine as well. In fact, if you don't want to be traveling with us anymore, then go. You don't need to stay with us because of your vow anymore. I release you from it.”
“Arawin, that's not what I want.”
“Which one don't you want? To be with me or to be traveling with us?”
“I made a vow, and I will travel with you until the Blight is taken care of, no matter what. But us... I'm...”
Arawin felt her heart stop. Was he really doing this? Was he really about to end what they had? She didn't want it to end like this. “Don't say anything more,” she said softer than she thought she could. “If that's what you want.”
“It's... hard to-”
“And don't try and explain it either. I don't really want to know. Maybe you've finally realized that I'm a Grey Warden and anything between us could never last. Or maybe you just got tired of me.” Zevran tried to protest, but Arawin stopped him. “No, it's okay, if those aren't the reasons, then I won't think them.” She sighed deeply and looked him square in the face. “I just hope, as long as you stay with us, that we can remain friends.”
Zevran half smiled, although it looked forced. “Of course we'll remain friends. Even when we no longer travel together, I will still consider you such, because you are my first true friend, and I hate doing this.”
“Thanks, I guess. And please know, that as your friend, you can always come to me and talk. So whenever you're ready, I'll be here.” Zevran nodded and looked down at the ground.
It'll be all right, Arawin. He'll come to his senses.
Will he? Or maybe I'm just meant to be alone. Arawin looked toward the tunnel that Zelda and Alistair had gone down and saw the two warriors standing there. Zelda's bright blue eyes shined at her and she could feel her sympathy making its way through their connection.
“What in the sodding fade...? Zevern!” Arawin looked back to see Zevran freeze in place as Morrigan and Rylen came out of their tunnel. Morrigan glared at his back as she stocked forward, anger radiating from all over her.
Zevran's eyes darted toward Arawin's and his mouth formed the words: Help me.
Arawin chuckled and mouthed the word: No.
“Zevran, I swear!” Morrigan said getting right in his face. “How in the world did you open your wounds?” She shot a glare at Arawin.
“It wasn't me, I swear!” Arawin said putting up her hands.
“Then how did it happen?”
“I stood up too fast,” Zevran said timid.
Morrigan growled as she stared back at him. “Do you think I have lyrium stuffed in my veins? Do you think I can heal any old thing just like that? Huh?”
Zevran backed away, seeming more afraid of her than any foe they had faced so far. “I don't think that at all, my dear. It's just-”
“Oh can it! I don't want to hear any of your stupid excuses. Just get on the ground and lay still.”
Zevran nodded and laid flat on his stomach as fast as he could. Arawin laughed even harder.
Morrigan then knelt beside him and began reclosing his wounds. “I swear, Zevran, by my mother, if you open these wounds again, I will not close them. Instead I'll just cut your throat and get it over with.”
“It appears Morrigan is angry,” said Leliana. “What happened?”
“Zevran stood up too fast and reopened his wounds,” Arawin explained.
“Ah, yes. I'll remember to be careful and not reopen my own.”
Once Morrigan took care of Zevran again, they all sat around the fire and ate while Zelda and Alistair explained what they had found. “I'm not sure, but I think we might've actually found a golem,” Zelda explained.
“Really?” Rylen said excited. “If it is a golem, then maybe that means we're close.”
“Well, it's hard to tell if it's actually a golem or not. It might just be a statue, but it's not standing on a base or anything, nor does it look like it's welded to the ground.”
“It also looks like it's made in parts instead of just one solid piece of stone,” Alistair added.
“If that's the case, then we need to get packed and find it again,” said Oghren. “Me and Rylen should be able to tell if it's a real golem or not. We just gotta see it.”
Once everyone was done they did just that and followed Alistair and Zelda down their tunnel. Once they reached it, Zelda pointed it out and Rylen and Oghren went straight for it, amazement on their faces.
“It's a golem all right,” said Rylen as he walked around the large stone man. “And in perfect condition.”
The golem was made of gray stone, several different pieces stacked on top of one another to create the form of a man. It was huge and bulky, rising over Alistair's head and everyone was sure it would also tower over Sten as well. Where eyes should have been were sunken holes, black from shadows and eerie to look into.
“Is it dead?” Arawin asked.
“I don't know,” said Rylen. “If you can even say that about a golem. We don't know how Caridin made them or how he brought them to life. All his notes disappeared when he and the Anvil did.”
“Branka was sure she figured it out,” said Oghren. “All she needed was to find the Anvil and she could start making golems of her own in no time.”
“I have no doubt that she could.” Rylen walked around the golem, examining it everywhere. “I just wish we could activate this one. Think of how wonderful it would be if we returned to Orzammar with a golem!”
“It would be even better if we returned with a Paragon,” Oghren said crossing his arms.
“That too.”
“Can you guys see anything that might lead us to Branka?” said Zelda.
“Hmm, maybe.” Oghren got closer to the golem. “I think I might see one of her marks.”
“Really? Let me see.” Arawin went to where Oghren stood, and in a second was down on the ground, Zevran having pushed her out of the way just as a giant stone fist came crashing down on the spot she just occupied.
Everyone jumped at the sudden impact and then saw the eyes of the golem starting to glow yellow. Oghren had leaped in between the golem's legs, nearly having his feet taken off. “What in the bleeding Stone!”
The golem turned around and went to lift up it's fists, ready to bring them down on Oghren's head. No one knew what to do as their weapons would be ineffective against such a creature. It was made of stone and their blades would not be able to hurt it. Morrigan wasn't even sure if her magic would be effective, and using blood magic was out of the question. Rylen was the only one reacting, grabbing his maul and smashing it down on the golem's back. It didn't seem to hurt the golem, but the impact got it's attention and the golem instead turned around and slammed it's fists down where Rylen was. Oghren stood and took his axe and swung it, hitting the golem in the side, but his weapon only vibrated roughly in his hands, doing no harm to the golem. The golem made an interesting screeching sound, like stone rubbing stone, before smashing both fists into the ground several times, making everyone fall as they tried to get away.
“Stop!” The golem stopped and stood still. It's eyes still glowing, however as it looked off into the distance.
Everyone looked toward the new voice, seeing a small figure standing on a boulder above them. She was a dwarf, a large round shield and sword on her back and her hair messy and wild looking. Her skin didn't seem blotched, but in tact, and neither of the Grey Wardens could sense her in the taint, which told them she was not tainted.
“Let me be blunt with you,” she said staring down at them. “After all this time, my tolerance for social graces is fairly limited. That doesn’t bother you, I hope.”
Oghren stared up at her, blinking several times. “Branka? Is that really you?”
“Stone's Mercy, maybe I shouldn't've stopped the golem after all,” she said rubbing her face.
“Well shave my back and call me an elf!” Oghren shouted as he stood. “Branka! It's great to see you. I can't believe we were able to track you down.”
“Wonders never cease,” Branka said crossing her arms. “It figures out of all the dwarves, you'd be the one to find your way down here. And you were even able to talk others into joining you. Tell me, strangers, were you the only ones that could stand Oghren's ale-breath, or is there actually a real reason for why you followed this moron?”
“There's a real reason,” said Zelda. “We were hired by both Prince Bhelen and Lord Harrowmont to find you and bring you back to Orzammar. You see, they need you to-”
“You don't need to even explain it to me,” Branka interrupted her. “Let me guess, Endrin is dead and those are the only two choices? I assume the reason why they want me is because the Assembly can't decide between the two, right?”
“Exactly,” said Arawin.
“And why would surfacers care about dwarven politics enough to come into the Deep Roads? I'm sure you all are touched in the head.”
“Be respectful, woman!” Oghren shouted. “You're talking to Grey Wardens.”
“Ah, important errand boys, then. That makes more sense.”
“Look, the only reason why we're here is because there is a Blight on the surface,” Arawin said getting right up to the boulder. “We have treaties that say the dwarves have to send us troops, but only their king can do it, and right now they don't have a king. So you're coming with us if you like it or not and deciding who that king is going to be.”
“Do you think I really care about that?” Branka jumped down from the boulder and stared at her. “I don’t care if the Assembly puts a drunken monkey on the throne. Because our protector, our great invention, the thing that once made our armies the envy of the world, is lost to the very darkspawn it should be fighting. The Anvil of the Void! The means by which the ancients forged their army of golems and held off the first archdemon ever to rise. It’s here. So close I can taste it.” She then held up what looked like a large ruby. “You see this? It's a control rod, what is used to control and activate golems. This one belongs to the golem that attacked you. I set him up to warn me of any danger coming that way. When I knew you weren't darkspawn, I stopped him because as long as I have his control rod, he will listen only to me.”
“That's not all that different from men, really,” said Morrigan.
“So what are you saying?” asked Zelda. “Have you found the Anvil?”
“I have, but I can't get to it. Caridin hid it behind traps which he designed himself. My people and I have given body and soul to unlocking its secrets. This is what’s important. This has lasting meaning. If I succeed, the dwarven people benefit. Kings, politics... all that is transitory. I’ve given up everything and would sacrifice anything to get the Anvil of the Void.”
“That includes your own people?”
“We found Hespith,” said Arawin. “And Layrn. They're both dead now, no thanks to you.”
“Enough! I don't need any of you telling me what it right and wrong. The Anvil is the only thing that matters! They knew that and knew what must be done when they decided to come with me. So now let's see if you know what must be done. I've heard about your order, it's suppose to be known not only for it's brawn, but also for it's wits. I wonder if you could make it through the traps where the darkspawn failed. If you wish me to get involved with this imbecilic election, I must first have the Anvil. There is only one way out, Wardens. Forward. Through Caridin’s maze and out to where the Anvil waits.” Branka pointed forward. “There's only one left. Can you do it?”
“What do you mean the darkspawn failed?” said Zelda. “I thought it was your people who were helping you.”
Branka began walking, keeping her back to them. “I needed people to test Caridin's traps. There is no way to break through except by trial and error. I first sent in the men. At first they were unwilling, fighting with me even. But they were mine, all mine, pledged to be my house, and they had to do what I said. They needed to understand that when you reach for greatness, there are sacrifices. As many sacrifices as are needed!”
“Are you mad!” Zelda nearly shrieked as she ran after Branka with the others. “Those were your people! They trusted you to keep them safe, not to feed them to the darkspawn like some type of experiment!”
“Most of them were dying of the taint already,” Branka waved off. “And I didn't feed them to the darkspawn, they came on their own, taking any they could get their hands on. I was loosing my house and my supple of people to test the traps. Then I noticed some of the women they took were beginning to transform. I knew what they would become, and I knew there would soon be an endless supply. Fresh darkspawn to test the traps. They could still serve me, let me find the Anvil. It was the only way.”
“No, I refuse to believe that! How could you let that happen? How could you let darkspawn multiple?” Zelda fumed and she was beginning to hate having decided to come and find the Paragon. She was obviously insane.
“You have no idea how they carried on, holding my hand and begging to die!” Branka continued. “They had pledged me their loyalty! They had no right to fight me! Even in this other form they still needed to serve me and they did. I don't need you telling me how wrong I was, because allowing it to happen has gotten me closer to the Anvil. It's just beyond this last trap, so close I can taste it! And once I'm through, or once you're through, then it will be mine!”
“What is that suppose to mean?” said Arawin.
Branka stopped in front of a large door with a herald that looked like a skull carved across the two halves. “You killed Laryn,” Branka said turning to them. “And you let Hespith kill herself, which means my supple of darkspawn is gone. I think you owe me by going in and taking care of the last trap. The Anvil is just on the other side. Do this, and I will give you whatever you need.”
“Why should we help a mad woman like you?” Zelda spat.
“Because I can help you with the Blight. Not just with the whole king business, but also with supplying you with golems. A whole army of golems that will be able to destroy thousands of darkspawn with little effort.”
“If this is how you get it, then I don't want it!”
Hold on there, Zelda, she may be on to something.
What? Zelda stared at Arawin, horrified. All those lives. It's not worth it.
But what about all the lives that we could be saving? Let's just help her and we'll decide what we'll do later.
Zelda wasn't so sure, but this time she could understand Arawin's side. She looked back at Branka and nodded. “What do we need to do?”
“Figure it out,” the dwarf said opening the doors. “Oh, and to not get killed in the process.”
“Branka, is there anything I can do to make you reconsider?” Oghren asked.
“You can continue helping them, although I give you no promises.” Branka shut the door in his face before he could say more.
***
The room they stood in was bright due to the blue veins in the stone that hovered above their heads. The veins of lyrium stretched all the way across and through the other door on the opposite side. They made their way through the room into the next and then to the next. Scattered about the rooms were corpses of dwarves and darkspawn, and the farther they went, the less dwarves they saw.
“This is horrible,” muttered Zelda. “They trusted her to protect them, and this is what she makes them do?”
“She was never like this,” said Oghren. “The Branka I knew would never send her friends and family in to die. But I guess the Anvil changed her for the worse.”
“Sorry to hear it, Oghren,” Rylen said patting him on the back. “I know you still love her.”
“Ha, what good is love? She obviously didn't love me or else I would probably be one of these corpses.”
“There's nothing stopping you from still becoming one,” said Morrigan. “In fact I encourage you too.”
It wasn't long before they came to a closed door. All the corpses around them now were darkspawn. Zelda and Arawin stared at the door, wondering what was beyond it.
“Is Branka really sure this is the last trap before the Anvil?” said Zelda.
“She's cracked, but I think she knows what she's talking about.” Arawin went up to the door and pushed it open.
“Careful, Arawin,” Zelda warned.
“Relax, Zelda. I think I've had more experience opening doors to unknown rooms than you have.” Arawin pushed the door then took a few steps back while also holding her hands to her mouth and nose. The door creaked then finally stopped and revealed to them a large round room.
There were darkspawn corpses in here as well but not as many, and just as with all the other rooms, at the other end was another door, but this time it was closed. Slowly making their way in, they saw in the center of the room four anvils that were in a circle. They were on some type of platform and when everyone stepped onto it, the anvils began to glow.
Seeing this, they all stopped in the middle of the circle and watched. From the anvils a sort of mist began to form in front of them. It swirled and collected, soon taking on the form of a dwarf. Each anvil soon had a glowing white dwarf in front of it. Their bodies cloudy as the mist swirled within. They held weapons in their hands, just as cloudy but the mist seemed thicker in them than the dwarves. Everyone stared at them before one of the glowing dwarves lunged forward and struck down with his blade on Leliana. She moved quick enough to evade the blow and blocked it with her dagger. The other glowing dwarves followed and began attacking the others. Zelda hit Silverbrand on one of the glowing shields, then parried a blade. She swept her shield in front of her, hitting the dwarf's sword, knocking him back. Taking the opening, Zelda thrusted forward and Silverbrand went through the dwarf. Mist swirled around the blade as it went across, but once the blade was gone, it reformed, leaving the dwarf unharmed. Zelda was stunned as she saw this, realizing that her weapons could do nothing against them.
The white blade went across Zelda's hand, and she yelped from the sudden pain it caused, nearly making her drop Silverbrand. She struck at him again, hitting the blade which pushed her back and off the platform. Zelda went to charge but noticed that the glowing dwarf was still on the platform, standing and staring at her. The others had been pushed off the platform as well, back at the entrance and unable to go forward.
“What are they?” Zelda asked.
“I... I think they're memories,” said Rylen. “But I'm not sure. They say the memories are in the stone, but I never thought it was literal. And especially to have them come out and attack us like that! What is being used, magic?”
“'Tis no magic I have ever seen before,” said Morrigan. “Nor can I even sense any magic. I'm not sure what this is. I thought dwarves were immune to magic?”
“We are, but whatever this is... I couldn't say.”
“Who cares what they are!” Arawin yelled. “We need to know how to defeat them.”
“Knowing what they are could help us to do just that,” said Morrigan. “But I guess we don't have time for that. But I would like to know what they are doing now. Are they unable to pass the anvils or do they choose not to? Because if they cannot pass the anvils then we might have a chance if we can get to the other side of the platform.”
“Maybe, but something tells me it's not going to be as simple as that,” said Zelda. “Otherwise the darkspawn would've already done it. In every room we went through, I noticed that something needed to be done in order to unlock the door on the other side. That door is probably locked like the others were, so we just need to find the key.”
“So we defeat these guys, then?” Arawin asked eager. “That sounds like the key to me.”
“But how do we defeat something we can't harm?” said Leliana.
Rylen looked over at Oghren, but neither dwarf looked like they had an answer.
“Wait!” said Oghren, his face lighting up. “The anvils, that's got to be it. We need to destroy the anvils!”
“Destroy anvils?” Alistair cried. “Are you serious? My blade is made for cutting, not banging.”
“No, but I do have acid that could destroy them,” said Zevran. He pulled out a few flasks from his pack. “This is very corrosive, it should have no problem eating through them.”
“That's wonderful, Zevran,” said Leliana. “I've seen you use that stuff. It seems very potent.”
“Yeah, it should work,” said Rylen. “The only problem is the memories. I don't think they're just going to let us pour it on their anvils, so let me see... There are eight of us, and four anvils. I say two to an anvil with one pouring on the acid while the other fights the memory. That way it can all be done at once. And when the second person is done, joins in the fighting until the acid can do it's work. Hopefully the anvils don't have to be completely destroyed for this to work.”
“I have enough flasks for two each,” Zevran said as he counted the ones in his pack. “No more after that.”
“Okay, then let's get into groups and get ready.”
Zevran took all his flasks and handed them to Leliana, Morrigan, and Zelda. He then gave two to Arawin, but she pushed them back in his hand.
“What do you think you're doing?” she asked.
“You can pour on the acid while I fight the memory,” he said not really wanting to fight with her. If he had a choice, he would have rather partnered with someone else, but Leliana and Morrigan had already been claimed.
“I don't think so,” Arawin said forced. “You're still not in the best condition, so just stay back and let me do all the work.”
Zevran wanted to protest but she turned her back on him and he couldn't help but to smile a little. She was still as stubborn as ever, and it was this trait that still made him attracted to her. He hated what he had done, but he knew it was for the best. Not just for him, but for her as well. He just wondered if staying friends with her was a good idea.
“Okay, everyone ready?” Rylen asked as he and Leliana made their way over to the far left. They planned on attacking the furthest anvil. Morrigan and Oghren stayed in the center while Zelda and Alistair went to the far right. “Alright, on three. One, two, three!”
Everyone jumped on the platform at once, running to their assigned anvil. Immediately the memory dwarves began to attack. Oghren, Rylen, Alistair, and Arawin took charge of them, letting the others get past to the anvils. Once there, they opened a flask and poured the acid on. The sound of sizzling and popping filled the air along with the acrid smell of burning metal.
“It's working!” cried Leliana. “The acid is eating away at the metal.”
“Yeah, but these memories aren't getting any weaker,” Rylen heaved as he blocked a blow from the one he was fighting. He pounded down on it with his maul, the memory completely dissolved but then reformed and attacked anew.
“Pour on the other one, then,” shouted Zevran. “It may take awhile, but it will work.”
“Awhile might be too long,” Zelda said as she poured on her second flask. “Ouch! This stuff hurts.”
“Zelda, be careful!” Arawin shouted from across the platform. You're not suppose to touch it.
A little droplet splashed on me, but I'm fine now. How does this stuff not eat through the glass it's contained in?
I don't know, special glass? But don't worry about it and go help Alistair!
Arawin blocked a sweep then kicked the memory dwarf's sword to push him back as the only solid thing to hit was their weapons. She grunted with the effort, beginning to feel frustrated not only with their current situation, but with also what had occurred before.
Zevran soon joined her side, but she got in front of him and pushed him back. “Stay back!” she shouted.
“Arawin!” he growled. “Quit being protective, I can handle myself.”
“You're still hurt and...” she stabbed the memory in the head and nothing happened, but Arawin could tell it was beginning to weaken. “Try and find something else. It's beginning to work but not fast enough!”
But he didn't have anything else, just his poisons which would be useless on metal. He looked back at the anvil and saw there was now a large hole where he had poured the acid. It looked as if it was hit hard, it might break in half, but he had nothing that could hit it that hard.
“Rylen!” he shouted at the dwarf. “Can you smash the anvils, break them apart?”
“I'll try,” he said after he dissolved the memory once more. Before it could reform, which was starting to become slower now, Rylen ran over to his anvil and brought his maul fully down upon it. For a second, nothing happened, but then a large crack went down the center from where the acid hole was and the anvil split apart. Instantly the memory dwarf vanished before it could strike down on Leliana. Seeing this, Rylen ran over to the next anvil and did the same thing. The memory dwarf disappeared once the anvil split and Oghren and Morrigan were relieved.
Seeing that it was working and Rylen was making his way around, Zevran went out to join Arawin again. She didn't push him back this time, too enraged at the memory before her to notice anything around. He went to strike, but his blade still went straight through, doing nothing to the dwarf. The dwarf then spotted him and lifted it's shield to block Arawin and it's sword toward Zevran. Seeing this, Arawin yet again forced herself in front of him, blocking the blow of the sword as it hit her in the abdomen, right in her exposed midsection. She felt the blade puncture her skin just as Rylen cracked the anvil and the memory vanished.
“Shit,” Arawin moaned as she crumpled over, holding her stomach. Zevran came instantly by her side.
“Crazy woman,” he breathed. “What got into you?”
“Better you than me,” she said looking at the wound and the blood on her hand. She was too used to the enchantment of the armor that she didn't think something like this could happen. But if dwarves could resist magic, then they were probably also capable of breaking through elven enchantments, especially those types of dwarves.
“No, not better you than me,” he said taking a look at her wound. “I hate it when you do this.”
So he did still care. Arawin saw it on his face and even heard it in his voice. It made her confused, as his touch was not that of a concerned friend, but of a concerned lover. He was sending her mixed signals, and it was making her even more frustrated than she already was.
“Stop fussing over me, I'm fine.”
Zevran stared down at her stomach before standing. “Yeah, you are.”
Again with the mixed signals. Arawin wasn't sure what he was trying to do or show. She wanted to know what had happened after the broodmother fight. Had the crack in his skull moved things around in his head?
After Morrigan healed her, Rylen excitedly pointed out that the door on the other side was now unlocked and opened. They had been right to destroy the anvils, and soon made their way through the door to a new area, where there were no more traps but interesting nonetheless.
The chamber was nothing but a natural precipice that reached up over a large river of magma that sent up both its heat and light. At the peak of the precipice was a giant anvil that glowed from the many veins of blue light that ran through its metal surface.
“I... I can't believe it,” Rylen said softly as he stared at it. “We actually found the Anvil of the Void! This... this is incredible!”
“Yeah, incredible,” said Oghren who looked less than happy.
They all made their way into the chamber, going down a line of golems that stood on both sides looking in like guards. At the end of the line was a single golem, larger than the others and looked to be made of steel instead of stone. They stopped before it and stared as it blocked them from reaching the Anvil. When Rylen went to pass it, the golem then started to vibrate and it's eyes shined. Everyone grabbed their weapons, ready to fight but the golem made no move to do so.
“Greetings seekers. Please, lower your weapons, I mean you no harm.” It's voice was low and vibrated as if it were a hum. “My name is Caridin. Once, longer ago than I care to think, I was a Paragon to the dwarves of Orzammar. And if you are here, then that means you must be seeking the Anvil I created.”
“Wow, wait,” said Rylen as he lowered his maul. “Did you say your name was Caridin? As in the Caridin?”
“I am, and the anvil behind me is really the Anvil of the Void.”
Rylen could barely breathe. “Everyone thought you were dead, lost to the Deep Roads like so many dwarves. No one knew you were a golem, but wait... I don't understand. How are you a golem?”
“That is the story I would like to tell you so you can understand why it is I disappeared with the Anvil. I wished to destroy it, because it has lead to nothing but sorrow, misery, and pain.”

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age: Origins
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Blood Bond