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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
- 71
- 72
- 73
Confessions

They hurried through the apartments, Arawin flustered as she opened every door to see if her father was in one of them. There was no such luck. Every room was empty with evidence that the occupants had been taken by force. Arawin knew where she was going, knew where the slavers had taken everyone. This was the same route she and Shianni used to take when they went to see the docks. When they were very young, before either of their mothers had died, they liked to run through the apartments, wanting to see the big boats and maybe even one day dream of being on one. Those times seemed forever ago, and now the path that used to bring her joy was only making her worse as no signs of her father emerged.
The others were right behind her, barely able to keep up. The only one not having trouble was Kunjo as he stuck by her side, sniffing the ground and barking every time he got a scent. Zevran was right behind her, keeping his distance as her anger grew every time she opened another empty room. He wanted to say something to her, that the chances of finding her father in one of the apartments was slim, but he knew better.
They only found one elf in the entire building. He was scavenging and cowered in the corner when he saw them approach. Arawin tried to get answers out of him, but his fear of her kept him from giving a straight answer, which didn't help with Arawin's mood. Eventually she gave up and stormed away. Zevran could start to see flames peaking out of Fang's sheath, as well as the leather beginning to glow.
“Arawin, you need to calm down,” said Morrigan.
“Calm down?” Arawin said stopping. She turned and stared daggers at them. “Calm down? They have my father! I'm not calming down until I know he's safe, because if I find out they took him to Tevinter, then the Blight be damned! I'm going after him.”
“But... Ara...” Zevran tried to say but was cut short when she waved him off and turned back around. There was obviously no getting through to her.
Arawin soon made her way to the end of the building and burst the door open with her foot. An unsuspecting guard who was leaning against the door was thrown into the grass. “What the bleeding... Who the sod are you?” he said after recovering.
Arawin wasted no time, grabbing Fang she ran up to the guard and twisted his arm behind his back before he could react. Fang found its way to his throat and the guard screamed as the already hot flames scorched his flesh.
“Where are they?” Arawin screamed in his ear.
“Wh-who?” he whimpered.
“The elves taken from the alienage. Where are they? Tell me!” When he didn't respond, she twisted his arm more and a loud crack sounded making him scream.
“I would tell her, my friend.” Zevran made his way to the guard's front. “She's not one to mess around.”
“She's a lunatic!” the guard yelled. “I don't have to tell you anything, knife-ear! We were told no authorities would get involved.”
“That was the wrong thing to say!” Arawin took Fang and sliced it across his throat and let his body fall to the ground.
“You know I don't think I've ever seen this side of you before,” said Oghren.
“I don't like it when people mess with my family. Especially when I'm not here.”
They found themselves in a courtyard, the entrance to the warehouse just on the other side. The doors soon opened as the commotion they caused caught the attention of more guards. Arawin wasted no time, going straight for them without losing a step. She collided with the first, sending Fang straight into his gut. She turned, pulling out Dar'Misaan and slicing the blade across another guard's throat. The others soon joined her, making their way to the warehouse. An arrow soared through the air, going straight toward Arawin. She saw it and moved out of the way, but it still hit, scratching across her cheek. She stopped and stared at the elf in the doorway, holding a longbow and aiming another arrow straight at her head.
“I command you to cease this at once!” the elf yelled across the courtyard.
“Except you don't command me!” Arawin yelled back. She held up Fang and pointed it at the elf. “I am no slave, traitor!”
“No. You look like an elf with more curiosity than sense.” The elf kept her bow tight. Behind her in the warehouse were several more guards who readied themselves to strike when given the order. Arawin felt her companions form behind her, readying themselves as well. “You will regret this, you know. Believe it or not, we have been given dispensation to do our business here. The humans talk a great deal about how wrong slavery is, but isn’t it funny how quickly the smell of gold overcomes such ideals?”
“I guess gold even corrupts elves, too. You take your own kind into slavery. How can you be apart of this?”
This made the elf laugh. “So this makes us kin? Don’t be a fool. I am Tevinter first and a servant of the Minrathous Circle second, those are the things that matter. But enough. I am here to halt your slaughter, nothing more.”
Arawin took a step forward. “I've had enough of this. Either get out of my way and leave this place right now, or become my next victim!”
The elf hesitated a little. Her eyes flickered from Arawin's face to the flames on Fang and back before she finally lowered her bow. “I'm no fool, I know who you are, Warden, and I know what you're capable of. So be it. I will let Caladrius deal with you.” Backing away, the guards followed her lead as they disappeared into the warehouse.
Again Arawin wasted no time as she replaced her blades and went into the warehouse. The others followed her through the large building before they came to a docking area. Arawin stopped and looked down from the balcony. On the sides were large cages packed with elves. She tried to look for her father and Valora within but was distracted from her search when a guard cried their arrival. Down below, in the center of the area stood several guards along with a bald mage. He had been talking with what looked like a ship captain before turning around and looking up at Arawin and her friends.
“Well, well,” he said slowly. “Greetings, my dear.”
“Greetings?” Arawin growled. “Who are you?”
“Me? I am Caladrius, and you must be the elven Grey Warden I've heard so much about.”
“And I'm sure you would love to get your hands on me, wouldn't you? How much would I be worth in Minrathous?”
“That would depend,” Caladrius said considering. “As a normal slave, you would be worthless since your attitude suggests you would do nothing but disobey and fight. You would be a flight risk. But you may be worth several sovereigns if I could find a buyer who would put you in the fighting ring. You would definitely be a spectacle to see. Course, your master would have to look past the fact you are a Grey Warden and thus worthless when it came to breeding.”
Arawin narrowed her eyes. “I want you out of here. Right. Now.”
Caladrius chuckled. “Do not think you frighten me, Grey Warden. But I do know when I am bested. So I hope you can be... civil.”
“I'll show you civil by bashing your head in, how about that?”
“Now, now, my dear, I think we can come up with some type of compromise. I have heard that you are trying to erode Loghain’s support. It must be a difficult task, yes? Like washing away a mountain. Perhaps you could use some help.”
Arawin crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. “Oh, this should be good.”
“Again you demonstrate more reasons why you would be worthless. Are you trying to test me? Because I do love a challenge. But as for my proposal, it was clear we wouldn't be able to operate here for very long. We’ve paid for many of Loghain’s troops, but once the Landsmeet is done we become... inconvenient. So here is my offer: one hundred sovereigns from you for a letter with the seal of the Teyrn of Gwaren upon it, implicating him in all of this. Then we leave a few days earlier than planned, with our profits and remaining slaves, unharmed.”
“‘Tis a reasonable enough starting offer,” Morrigan mused.
Arawin looked back in the cages, still trying to find her father and Valora. Something then caught her eye: light brown hair covering a mousy face. Valora stared up at her, completely shocked at what she was seeing. Her hands then moved to a body lying at her feet. They shook it and it stirred, face turning to reveal that of her father. He looked up at Arawin with just as much shock. He climbed up the bars to get a better look.
“You aren't really considering it, are you?” Zevran asked next to her.
She stared at him. “Don't insult me.” Arawin turned back to Caladruis. “I have a counter-offer.”
“Really?” The mage sounded interested but stayed cautious. “And what might that be?”
“You leave everything: slaves, money, documents, and I let you leave with your heads still attached to your necks.”
“That's not much of a deal,” he said annoyed. “Although I do count my life as high, it still wouldn't be high enough to leave the slaves behind. The trip wouldn't be profitable without them.”
“You're not taking them.”
“Then I guess there's no other choice is there, Warden?” Caladrius's eyes flashed and his magic filled the air. Blood magic.
Everyone moved at that point. Sten and Kunjo went right while Morrigan and Zevran went left. Arawin went straight, jumping down from the railing and making a line right for the the blood mage. The dark magic swirled around him, she could feel it, even see it. Fang's fire flared while Dar'Misaan's lightning jumped in high arches. Caladrius saw this and made the first move.
His staff held high, the icy spell formed at the tip then shot forth. It hit Fang, coating the blade with ice and putting out the flames, but it didn't last long. They soon exploded through the ice, shattering it. Arawin ran up on him, swinging Dar'Misaan. The bolts connected with his staff, forcing him to bring it down. It left him open, but Arawin knew better when it came to mages. She brought Fang up, slicing the blade across his robes. The flames ignited them, but he put them out with a quick spell. Caladrius backed away from her, using his staff for defense as she torn at him. She nearly had him, but he moved fast for a mage, blocking even her fakes. He then pressed forward, swinging his staff, causing her to step back. Caladrius used the opportunity and aimed a spell at her. Arawin felt it before it even hit her body.
The intense pain started quickly as her blood boiled in her veins. She screamed but it wasn't from pain but rage as she raced to him despite the sizzle under her skin. Fang ripped into his chest, scorching flesh and splitting bone. Caladrius cried out, dropping his staff and falling to the floor. Arawin fell with him, the pain in her starting to become too much.
“Arawin, hang on!” Morrigan came right by her side. She cast ice over Arawin's body, cooling it down as she worked to remove the blood magic in her veins. Once Morrigan was done, Arawin stood, shaking and covered in a cold sweat, but determined to finish the job. Caladrius was still alive.
“You,” she said grabbing him by the collar. “You're not worth my sodding time!”
“Wait,” he said seeming scared. “It appears that your reputation is true. I should have known better than to fight you. Here, take the papers, just please... let me go.”
“Are you daft? Do you really think I'm going to let a slaver go? What's going to stop you from coming back? What's going to stop you from taking more lives away? This ends now!”
“No, it doesn't.” A blast pushed Arawin away from him. She skidded across the floor, slamming into Sten's feet. The Qunari never moved. Caladrius stood and ran over to the slaves, to the cage that her father and Valora were contained in. Arawin quickly forced her way up, seeing what he was about ready to do. He was going straight for her father, his hands stretched out, dark magic forming at the end. Already her father was beginning to show signs that his life was being drained away.
“NO! DON'T YOU DARE!” Arawin screamed as she raced after him.
Caladrius was nearly there when a dagger suddenly made its way into his skull. The mage stopped and stumbled for a bit before falling dead to the floor. Zevran walked over to the mage and ripped his Crow dagger from Caladrus's skull. Arawin ran past him, straight for the cages. She unlocked the door, allowing all the elves to run past her before she went in and right to Valora's side. Valora held Cyrion's head in her lap. When Arawin made it to her side, Valora looked up at her with gratitude but was still shocked to see her there.
“Arawin? You're... you're alive.”
“Yes, I am, but what about my father?” Arawin touched his face and he stirred. Slowly Cyrion's eyes opened and he peered into his daughter's.
“Adaia? No... Arawin. Is this... the Fade? Am I...?”
“No, Daddy,” Arawin said. “You're not dead, and neither am I.”
“My little girl...” he said cupping Arawin's face, tears beginning to fill his eyes. “I didn’t think I’d see you again. When they said all the Grey Wardens died at Ostagar, I prayed they were wrong. Are you all right? What are you doing here?”
“I wasn't about ready to let anyone hurt my family. Are you okay? Can you stand?”
“Yeah, it's just been... draining.”
Both Arawin and Valora helped Cyrion stand and walked him out of the cage. Morrigan waited until they were out before she began to heal him. This gave Arawin an opportunity to fully see her father. It hadn't even been a year since she had left, yet to her he looked older than he really was. Worry and the stress of thinking he had lost his family had taken it's toll on him. Arawin felt bad for not having come sooner as well as from not writing, telling everyone she loved that she was still alive. She was also able to get a good look at Valora. She looked older too, wiser and hardier. There was also a small bump at her belly which made Arawin a tab envious, which surprised her.
When Morrigan was finished, Cyrion once again stared at his daughter, but was no longer shocked, but happy. “Arawin... I can't believe it,” he said hugging her. “This has to be a miracle.”
“No miracle,” said Arawin. “Just my stubbornness not allowing me to die.”
“For once I will thank the Maker for that.” Cyrion reluctantly let her go and then looked at her companions. “Some interesting company you acquired in your travels, and... Zevran?”
“Yes, it is I, my friend, in the flesh,” Zevran said.
“Wow, I can't believe you brought my daughter back to me. Thank you, young man. I don't know if I'll ever be able to repay you.”
“There is no need, especially since... uh...”
“Perhaps we could talk about it later, Daddy?” said Arawin. “I would really like to get out of this place. You don't want to make Shianni worry, you know.”
“That is very true. She's become as bad as you.”
“So I've heard... and felt.”
They checked to make sure all the slavers were dead first and freed any remaining elves before making their way back to the alienage. When they arrived, Shianni yelled with joy when she saw them.
“Uncle Cyrion, Valora! Arawin, you did it!”
“Did you really have any doubt I wouldn't?” Arawin smirked at her.
“Cousin, you’re amazing. Which I shouldn’t say to your face, because it’ll go to your head. But it’s true.”
“I would have to agree,” said Zevran. “Very amazing.”
Arawin glanced over at him and smiled, happy to hear it from him. “Thanks you two, but I don't need you guys to tell me that. I already know.”
“That's exactly what I was talking about,” Shianni said socking Arawin in the arm. “But I guess you deserve it, right? Anyway, are you sticking around for a while? You’re staying for dinner, aren’t you? You’d better. I’ll weasel a bottle of wine from Alarith and we can catch up.”
“You better make it two bottles. There's a lot we need to catch up on.”
“Definitely, and I'll also make my Denerim Rabbit Stew.”
“Oh that would be marvelous,” said Zevran. “I've missed that stew, actually. Arawin made it on our travels, but it's not as good as yours, Bonita.”
“Seriously, he likes it that much?” Shianni said cocking an eyebrow at Arawin.
“He still doesn't know what the meat is.”
“That makes sense. How about we keep him ignorant, shall we?”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Wait,” Zevran said looking from one to the other. “Stop doing this and just tell me.”
“It's made of rats,” said Morrigan. “Not that big of a mystery.”
“Even I knew that,” said Oghren.
“Rats?” Zevran said looking repulsed. “But... I've had rat before. It didn't taste a thing like them.”
“Like I said,” Arawin smiled. “It's special Denerim Rabbit. You won't find anything better.” This caused both her and Shianni to laugh, leaving the others wondering.
***
Arawin was reluctant to leave the alienage, but she knew she would be returning soon. She and her friends made it back to the arl's estate, finding Zelda and the others had already returned.
“Everything good?” Zelda asked.
“There were slavers in the alienage,” Arawin said showing her the papers. “And Loghain was allowing it to happen.”
Zelda looked them over. “This must be the evidence Anora was talking about. It's definitely going to help since slavery is the one thing all nobles in Ferelden can agree on.”
“They nearly took my father to Tevinter. I got there just in time to stop them.”
“I'm sorry to hear you almost lost him, but glad you were able to stop them. He's fine, yes? And so is the rest of your family?”
“Very much so,” Arawin said. “They were very happy to see me, if a little mad at first I didn't inform them sooner I was alive. But I intend to make up for that. When is the Landsmeet going to start?”
“Tomorrow morning, and since I took care of the nobles, you're basically free until then. I assume you have plans?”
Arawin smiled wickedly. “You know I do. I can't just come home and not have a drink or two with my cousin. There's a lot of catching up we need to do.”
“Right,” Zelda laughed. “Just don't get too drunk, please. Remember, Morrigan isn't going to help you in the morning, and I'm going to need you to be clear headed. The Landsmeet isn't going to be easy.”
“We'll be able to do it,” Arawin said becoming serious. “I have confidence in you, and so does everyone else. We have all the support we need, right?”
Zelda didn't say anything for a moment, staring at the ground. She finally looked at Arawin. “I don't know, to tell the truth. Many of the nobles at the tavern weren't impressed with Alistair. I know we have some who will support us, but there are many who are still on the fence. Hopefully the slavery papers, Eamon's poisoning, Howe torturing people, and Anora on our side will be enough. Loghain is a very powerful man, and will not be taken down without a fight.”
“Then we'll give him the toughest fight he's ever been in. Eventually everyone falls, and I think it's Loghain's time.”
Zelda nodded in agreement. “Alright, I suggest you go now and do what you want. Get some rest, have some fun. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.”
“Make sure you have some fun, too. If you want, come to the alienage. I'm sure with the slavers now gone there's going to be a big party! And don't worry that you're human, I'll vouch for you.”
“I know you would, but I'll pass for now. Thank you anyway.”
“You're such a sick-in-the-mud. Oh well, suit yourself. I'm outta here!”
Before making her way out of the estate, Arawin made sure to find her friends. Oghren was of course in the kitchens, already getting drunk and stuffing his face. When Arawin told him what she was planning on doing, he didn't hesitate to leave, going straight there, even without her. Zevran was next, as she found him in the hallway fidgeting with something small in his hand. When she came to him, he quickly put it away.
“Come on, Zev, let's go and have some fun.”
“Uh... you go on ahead, I'll be fine. I know how much you've wanted to see your family.”
“Oh no you don't!” Arawin said grabbing his hand. “You're coming with me. They were just as excited to see you as they were me. So you're coming.” She dragged him down the hall, although he didn't fight her. When they exited into the market, something then came to Arawin and she stopped and looked around.
“What are you doing?” he asked her.
“Um, how about you go ahead of me?” Arawin smiled at him. “I promise I'll catch up.”
“Well, I do love seeing your cousin, Ara, but I would prefer-”
“Will you go already!” Arawin said as she shoved him in the direction of the alienage. “I'll be right there, okay!”
“Alright,” Zevran sighed. He began to walk slowly to the alienage, occasionally looking back at her. Arawin stood where she was until she saw him disappear behind the gates. Once he was in, she made her move, going straight to the bazaar she was looking for.
The same woman from last time they were in Denerim was still there, and so were the boots. Arawin went right up to them and began to examine them. Zevran was right, they were very fine leather, perfect craftsmanship, inscribed, and smelled spectacular.
“Can I help you?” asked the woman once she noticed Arawin.
“Uh, yes,” she said putting the boots down. “I wanted to know about the type of footwear you had.”
“You do? Are you sure you can afford it? We only sell the finest leathers from all parts of Thedas. It's not really something a simple... elf could afford, I'm afraid.”
“Look lady,” Arawin said folding her arms. “Just show me what you have.”
“As you wish.” The woman, acting annoyed, turned around and bent over to open one of her chests. This gave Arawin the perfect opportunity to snatch one of the small pouches hanging from her belt.
“Let's see,” the woman said as she came back up. “We have these very decorative shoes from Orlais. They're very popular right now, even amongst the servants. Then we have these from Antiva-”
“Oh, I'm sorry,” Arawin interrupted her. “I should've explained it better. I'm actually looking for boots. Men's boots, like these.” She picked up the leather boots again to show the woman.
“Men's boots?” The woman looked at her strange. “So are you shopping for your husband or something?”
“Just a... friend,” Arawin frowned. “In fact I think these are just what I was looking for. How much are they?”
“You should know these are genuine Antivan leather, straight from Antiva City. They are inscribed, perfect-”
“Yes, yes, I can see that. So how much?”
The woman took the boots from her before answering. “Twenty-five sovereigns.”
So the price went up? Oh well. “That seems like a lot for just boots.”
“Like I said, they are-”
“You don't need to repeat yourself.” Arawin sighed. “Alright, he's worth it, I guess.” Arawin took the pouch and counted out twenty-five sovereigns and handed them to the woman. “Here you go.”
The woman stared at the sovereigns before counting them out herself. She then bit a few to test if they were real. “Well,” she finally said after being convinced. “Would you like them gift wrapped? It's free of charge.”
“No thank you,” Arawin said as she took the boots back at the same time inconspicuously throwing the pouch on the bazaar floor. “But I do very much appreciate your offer.” Arawin placed the boots under her arm and began walking toward the alienage. It wasn't until she reached the gate did she start to hear the woman screaming she had just been robbed. Arawin snickered as she entered the alienage, wondering how long it would take the woman before she realized who did it.
***
The alienage was louder than Arawin had ever known it to be. Elves where in the streets, dancing and drinking, singing and parading about that the stupid mages were finally gone and so was the plague. Arawin walked proudly down the streets as she got hails from elves who recognized her, yelling “Arawin lives!” and “Arawin, queen of the alienage!” This made her smile very broadly and realized Shianni was right. It was going to her head.
But the real party was at the pavilion. Many elves had encircled around the Vhenadahl. They played drinking games, and Arawin noticed several five finger fillets had been started, the type of five fingers she knew, where the winner was the one with the fewest injuries. As much as she wished to join in, she needed to find her family first, as well as Zevran.
She found Oghren first, engaged in a drinking game with several elves. Arawin couldn't really tell if he was winning or losing, nor could she tell what they were playing. All she knew was that whenever something happened, Oghren and the elves would cheer, then they all would take a drink, or it would just be Oghren. When she reached the pavilion did she finally find her family. Soris came racing down the stairs, embracing her in a tight hug and swinging her around.
“Arawin! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“Okay Soris, you're welcome. Now put me down, please.”
“Yes, Cousin. It's just that... I'm so happy! You got Valora back!” He went to hug her again but Arawin pushed him away. When she looked up at the pavilion she saw everyone else, including Zevran. Before following Soris up the stairs, she hide the boots underneath. She would give them to Zevran later.
On the pavilion she embraced all her family, happy to finally be able to have a moment with them. It was more than she could ask for as they told her about the troubles they had been through after she left. Zevran even pitched in, telling about the short time he had spent with them. Soon questions of her own adventures began to surface and with Zevran's help, she told them the whole story, from Ostagar and meeting the Dalish, where she explained her tattoo, to finding the Urn of Sacred Ashes and even seeing the dwarven city of Orzammar. Her stories soon attracted the attention of other elves, and by the time she reached the Deep Roads, half the alienage was listening to her. When asked how it was Arawin and Zevran had met, they were both scant on the details. Even though they hadn't discussed it before hand, both of them knew it was best to wait when it came to the finer details. Arawin wasn't quite sure how her family would take Zevran really being an assassin and he had been sent to kill her, not help her with the Blight, which was what they lead them to assume.
When Arawin was done with her tale, the entire alienage cheered, and more ale was brought out along with food which included Shianni's famous stew. Even though Zevran now knew what the mystery meat was, he still ate it, not really caring. It was way too good.
When they were full and before Arawin could really get drunk, she saw her chance. More than anything she wanted to get drunk with her cousins one more time, but there was something more important that she needed to deal with.
“Hey Zev, do you mind if we talk... privately?”
“Sure, my dear.” He drank down the last of his ale before accompanying her. Arawin went to a secluded spot next her house. There she had stashed the boots after telling her stories.
“So, I have something...
“...to give you.” They both stopped and stared at each other awkwardly. “You first, Ara,” said Zevran.
“Alright, here. I think you'll like these.” She tossed him the boots and immediately Zevran's eyes lit up.
“Are these...? By the Maker they are! I can smell that they are.” He took a big whiff and nearly swooned. “Antivan leather! But... how did you get them? I know how much they cost.” As much as she could tell he loved the boots, Arawin remembered he didn't want her to steal them for him. In a way she hadn't.
“They're paid for.” Arawin said innocently. “Honest.”
“Uh huh.” His eyes looked her over, unrelenting.
“Well, I guess I did pay for them with the merchants own money... but I did pay for them!”
Zevran shook his head but chuckled anyway. “Oh Ara, what am I going to do with you?” Taking the boots, Zevran found a seat on a crate and began putting them on. “They actually fit too. Thank you, Arawin, this is really nice.”
“Yeah, well... it was, uh... nothing.”
“So I guess it's an appropriate moment to give you this.” Zevran stood and handed her a small little trinket. When Arawin took it, she saw it was an earring, looped, made of gold and encrusted with tiny gems.
“You don't have to give me anything,” she said unable to take her eyes off it.
“I may not need to, but I want to. I acquired it on my very first job for the Crows. A Rivaini merchant prince, and he was wearing a single, jeweled earring when I killed him. In fact, that’s about all he was wearing. I thought it was beautiful and took it to mark the occasion. I’ve kept it since... and I’d like you to have it.”
Arawin's eyes left the earring and met his. She was confused. “So what are you trying to say?”
“Nothing, well... not nothing, but don't get the wrong idea about it.” He looked away from her. “You helped me kill Taliesan, which means I am now free from the Crows, or at least for the moment. I know eventually they'll come after me again when they learn I didn't die with him. I thought to give you the earring just to say thank you. Feel free to sell it, or wear it... or whatever you’d like. It makes no difference to me.”
Arawin grasped the earring. She was getting tired of the constant back and forth. It was now or never. “So it's not a token of affection, then?”
“I...” He looked at her only briefly. “Look, just... just take it. It’s meant a lot to me, but so have... so has what you’ve done. Please, take it.”
“No.” She handed it back to him. “I don't want it unless it means something.”
“Do you know how frustrating you are?” he said taking the earring back. “If you don't want it... fine, don't take it.”
“I'm sick of this, Zevran. I'm sick of us skirting around.” Zevran had been ready to walk away, but then stopped and stared at her. “This is so stupid,” Arawin said staring at the ground. “Why can't we just confess anything to each other?” She sighed heavily. “Fine then, I'll do it. You wanted to know about what happened to me before I became a Grey Warden? Then I'll tell you, but not here.”
Zevran raised an eyebrow. “Where then?”
Arawin's smile slowly crept across her face. “Let's test those new boots of yours, shall we?” She lead him out of the area and across the court to the Vhenadahl to the worn-in steps and began making her accent.
“Ara?” Zevran questioned. “You don't actually expect me to climb, do you?”
“Don't tell me you've never climbed a tree before?”
“There weren't really any trees in the city in grew up in.”
“There aren't really any trees here either, but do you think I would let that stop me? Come on, just follow my lead and I promise I won't let you fall.”
Zevran hesitated but Arawin kept going up. Soon he began following her up the tree, careful to make sure he stepped and grabbed every branch she did. She was fast going up the tree, occasionally having to stop and wait for him to catch up. Soon they reached the spot Arawin was wanting to see, wanting to show him. She sat down on the large branch that served as a bench and hung her arms over the smaller one that served as railing and stared out at the scene before her. Zevran joined her, sitting close but instead, looked down at how high they were.
“Don't look down,” she told him. “Look straight. Is it not the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?”
Zevran looked at her then out at the setting sun as it cast out its rays across the seas. “It is beautiful,” he said softly. “But... I wouldn't call it the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.”
“This is where I sat before it all happened. I wanted to ask my mother what she thought before I got married. You see, this is the spot me and Shianni would always go to when we were little. Well, we still come here. It's a place to think, to dream, to talk. Here is where I would talk to my mother after she died. Sometimes she would answer, sometimes she wouldn't. That day she answered me, telling me I should go ahead with the wedding, but to this day, I'm still not sure if her telling me that was because she wanted me to get married, or because it meant my life was going to change. It did change, obviously.” Arawin kept her eyes on the sea and Zevran sat quietly and listened.
“I didn't want to get married, I hated the thought. Getting married meant I could no longer have fun. It meant the adventures Shianni and I had dreamed and talked about in this spot would never come true. I would be forced to grow up, to get a job, and to lead a boring, uneventful life. My mother had taught me all the skills I know. She wanted me to learn how to defend myself. I've even been told I have her adventurous spirit, her fiery nature, that she was just as much a trouble maker with her sister as Shianni and I were. She calmed down, of course after having me, and even though she loved her life with my father, I could tell she craved something more. That's why I was so upset my father was forcing me to get married. I wanted to go out and live the adventures my mother never could. Getting married meant that could never happen.”
“That's not entirely true,” said Zevran. “I've known married couples who have adventured together, even assassinated together. In fact during one of my earlier assignments, I ran into some competition. Two bards, married and very happy. The woman would use her sexuality to get the attention of the target then the man would strike. Sometimes the other way around. It all depended on the target. Anyway, it seemed to work for them because they always ended up having sex in the targets' bed after every successful kill. When I asked why, the husband told me there was nothing more sexy than watching his wife seduce another man. They uh... let me join them one time, and I may have to agree.”
Arawin chuckled. “I was waiting for that little bit of information. But maybe that's how me and Nelaros could have been. Apparently he was just as much of a scrapper as I was. He even made the weapons I used to kill Vaughan. But now I'll never know, right? I'll never know anything about him.
“It all started before I came up here to talk with my mother. Everyone was excited about the wedding except me. Soris and Valora were getting married as well. It was a double wedding since me and Soris share the same birthday. Shianni is two years younger than us, if you wanted to know. Anyway, as Soris and I were talking, Vaughan came into the alienage and began harassing Shianni. I went to go and confront him, ready to teach him a lesson right there, but Shianni beat me to it. With his back turned to her, she hit him in the head with a bottle. I was never more proud of her at that point, but now I wish she hadn't've done it.
“When the ceremony started, Vaughan came back, and he came back with guards. I wasn't able to stop him as he and his friends began taking bridesmaids, Shianni included. Vaughen then turned his attention on me and Valora. I would have fought him, but someone flanked me and knocked me out cold. When I awoke, I found myself with everyone in a storage room. The room we entered in from the courtyards at the Denerim estate. There one of the bridesmaids was killed and everyone was taken to Vaughan except me. The guards left behind were suppose to tame me because I was the feisty one. Ha! Vaughan supposedly loves a fight but not if he can't win it.
“I was prepared to fight the guards off with just my fists, but luckily that's when Soris came. He appeared in the kitchens behind the guards and tossed me two swords. It was easy work after that. Once the guards were dealt with, Soris then told me the swords were Nelaros's, and that he was the one who decided to come and save us. Soris came because he didn't want Nelaros to go alone. When I asked where he was, he said Nelaros was watching the halls. It was too late when we got to him. I watched as Nelaros was cut down by the captain.”
“He was a fool,” said Zevran. Arawin looked over at him and saw he was staring at her with a protective look.
“What do you mean?” She almost felt insulted by it.
“He was a fool to not go and make sure you were safe himself. If it was me, I would have gone with your cousin to see you. I wouldn't have let anything stop me to get to you.”
Arawin stayed silent for a moment as she stared at him. The look on his face never relenting. “You say that now,” she said looking back out to the sea. “But what about when we first met? I had just met him that day, barely knew him a few hours, but... He did make a promise to me before the ceremony. He said he would do whatever it took to make me happy every day. That probably included protecting me, which I'm sure he was hating himself for. I'm not sure what happened after I was knocked out. I never asked.”
“Then he was even more of a fool than I thought.” Arawin stared at him again, but saw he was staring at the sea now. “Nothing would've stopped me,” he said in a small voice.
“I'm sure you can guess what happened next,” Arawin said still staring at him.
“You fought your way to Vaughan's room, and discovered you were too late.”
“Yeah.” Arawin now looked down at the ground, her hands tightened on the branch and the ring around her finger started to burn. This caused her to look at her hands, finding it odd that only now was the ring burning, or at least she was just now noticing it. She took it off and looked at it. It was no longer beautiful, no longer lustrous. It was just a plain gold ring now. Even the engraving on the inside of the band had worn down, almost becoming unreadable.
“I kept this because I never wanted to forget that day. I never wanted to forget Nelaros or what Vaughan did to Shianni. I never wanted to forget the day my life fell apart.” Arawin grasped the ring in her fist and fought hard as tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
“Why would you want to remember something so horrible?” Zevran said sympathetic.
“Because... I never want it to happen again.”
“And it won't, but you don't need a constant reminder. Shianni has obviously gotten over it and moved on. Perhaps that means you should too.”
“That's what she said in the Gauntlet. Shianni told me to get rid of the ring, that it was a burden I didn't need to carry. I couldn't do it then, and I don't know if I can do it now. So please, Zevran... here.” She handed him the ring without looking. Arawin kept her head down and her hands went back to the branch, clenching it tightly as a single tear escaped her eye.
Zevran took the ring and examined it himself. When he had first looked at it, he could tell it was a fairly decent ring and it could have fetched a nice price in the market, but the ring was tainted. Not with the darkspawn taint, but with bad memories. He knew there was really only one way of getting rid of it.
Zevran threw it out to sea. He knew it probably hadn't made it, but it was gone now, which meant Arawin was finally free.
“You don't need to be ashamed,” he said turning to her. “If you want to cry, you can. I won't tell anybody. I'm sure you need it, since I don't think I've ever seen you cry before.”
“Crying's for wimps.”
“Then I guess both of us are wimps, huh?” Zevran scooted closer to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, forcing her head on his. He then wiped away the tears that were slowly falling down her face and just held her. Arawin settled into his embrace, comfortable and not wanting to ever leave. She let the tears stream down.
“Would you like to hear what happened to me?” he said focusing back to the sea.
“You mean what happened to you in the Gauntlet?”
“Yes. It's what I went through before I decided to come to Ferelden. Before I decided to take your contract. Before I decided I wanted to die.”
***
“So, you wanted to... die?” Arawin said breaking the silence. Zevran had become still for a moment. She had waited patiently for him to begin, but when he didn't, she said something, hoping it wouldn't anger him. This was something she had wanted to hear for a very long time.
“I did,” he said. “When I saw the contract was killing three Grey Wardens I knew it was my death sentence, and I wanted it. At that point in my life, I was confused, hurt. I didn't know what I wanted, really. I wasn't sure how to stop the pain. The contract seemed to show the answer.”
“You were in pain?” Arawin kept her head on his chest. “Does it have to do with that woman... Rinna?”
She felt him tremble slightly from the name, but he didn't push her away or move too much. Instead he seemed to bring her closer. “Yes. You must realize, Ara, that before I came to Ferelden I believed I was the best Crow there was. All my missions had been successes with very little casualties. I was cocky and arrogant, and believed I could do no wrong.”
“What's changed, then?”
This made Zevran chuckle, lightening his mood a little, but it didn't last. “Indeed. I was often told I was insufferable... right before I ended up in bed with someone. Such is how it was. One day the Crow masters grew tired of my boasting. My bid for an incredibly difficult mark was accepted, much to my surprise: A wealthy merchant with many guards who were completely silent. Taliesen agreed to be part of my team, as well as an elven lass named Rinna. She was... a marvel. Tough, smooth, wicked. Eyes that gleamed like justice, yellow and dazzling. Everything I thought I desired.”
“You fell in love, didn't you?”
“I don't actually know. How does one know such a thing when one has never felt it before? I grew up with no mother, no father. I knew no love from the Crows since they taught me that it was weak and I needed to harden my heart, close it off. It made the final kill much easier and made it more difficult for my targets to beg me for mercy. Rinna, however, was special. I thought I had closed off my heart, but she touched something within me. It frightened me. Eventually making me do something horrible.” Zevran became quiet again, but Arawin said nothing, only waited patiently for him to continue.
“During the mission,” he finally went on. “We found out that the merchant was aware of our plan. Taliesen then revealed to me that it was Rinna who had tipped him off, accepting a bribe. I grew angry at her for betraying us and decided that we needed to be rid of her. Together Taliesen and I confronted her. She denied it, of course, but I didn't believe her. She cried to me, begged me to believe her. She told me that she loved me, and hadn't betrayed us. I laughed in her face and said that even if it were true, I didn’t care. I let Taliesen cut her throat and watched as she bleed into the ground.”
“But you did care, didn't you?” Arawin raised herself up using the branch-rail. She stared at him and saw his own eyes glowing from tears.
“I convinced myself I didn't, but no matter how hard I tried, I regretted it immediately. I wanted to take it back, but it was too late. I spat on her for betraying the Crows. When Taliesen and I finally assassinated the merchant we found the true source of his information. Rinna had not betrayed us after all.”
“I'm sorry,” Arawin said looking out to sea. The sun was nearly all the way set, only a sliver of light left on the horizon.
“Don't be, it's not like anything can be done about it now. For the longest time I was unable to say her name, even think it. The memories hurt too much. I knew I needed to get out of Antiva. There were just too many things there that reminded me of her. So I put in a request to be placed at another post in another country. I was approved for Ferelden, which I found ironic since that's where she was born.”
“She was born here?”
“Yes, Denerim was what she told me. She and her parents moved to Antiva when the noble they worked for also moved there. Soon after moving, her parents died from disease, leaving her an orphan. That's when the Crows recruited her.”
“So... you thought dying would take away the pain? You thought since you would be going after Grey Wardens, dying would be easy?”
“Yes, I never thought this would happen,” he said smiling at her. “I never thought I'd meet you and instead of killing me, you would instead save me. Not just from the Crows, but also from myself.”
Arawin blushed seeing that smile of his again. “Well, you helped me too, you know. But it makes sense now. I remember fighting you that first time, it was like you were holding back, like you were waiting for me to make that final blow. I was mad at you for that, thinking I wasn't worth your full effort. But after seeing you fight later on, when you joined me, I realized that if you hadn't held back, you probably would have been able to kill me.”
“I know,” Zevran chuckled. “You are skilled, my dear, but at that point you weren't the best. Now, however, would be a different story.”
“I know,” Arawin chuckled with him. She then became serious again. “But... do you still want to die?”
Zevran's gaze never left hers. “No. What I want now is to begin again. Whatever it was I sought by leaving Antiva, I think I have found, and I have you to thank for that.”
“Zevran... I...” Arawin had to look away from him, her stomach all a flutter. “I need to say something, tell you... I... uh...” She swallowed hard. Why is this so hard? “Zevran, I-”
“I love you, Arawin,” he said first. “You have no idea how hard it is for me to say that.”
“Wait, what?” Arawin said turning on him. “No, no! How dare you say it before me! I was suppose to say it first!”
Zevran smiled at her. “And that's the exact reason why.”
“I... Why you little-” But she was cut short when he kissed her, coming in close and completely taking her in his mouth. She missed this, his touch, his taste. She could tell he missed it too.
Zevran pushed her up against the tree trunk, their kiss intensifying as his hands began to explore her body. Arawin grabbed onto the branch-rail to keep steady. Her other hand found the back of his head and gathered his hair.
“Wait,” she said when he left her mouth and began attacking her neck. “We shouldn't here.” He stopped and she felt his eyelashes flutter on her skin as he looked down.
“You're right. This might be too dangerous, even for me.”
“Me as well. I like excitement, but I've fallen from this tree before, and would prefer to not do it again.”
“I would prefer not to start,” Zevran said as he rubbed his face on Arawin's soft neck. “Where to, then?”
Arawin went to start her decent when something fluttered past her head. She looked and saw in the shadow of the tree branches the shape of a sparrow. It twittered and fluttered it's wings, bobbing it's head up and down as it's little bird eye stared at her. Arawin smiled at it and when it flew off, she found it left her a gift. Two Elvhen Numin were where the sparrow had stood. Arawin took them and twirled the tiny blue flowers in her fingertips.
“So that's what you meant,” she said softly. “Thank you, I understand now.”
“Hm?” Zevran looked up from her neck and saw the flowers in her hand. “Understand what?”
“What my mother wanted me to do that day. She approved, just as she approves now.” Arawin placed the flowers in her hair before taking Zevran's face and kissing him again. She then slipped off the branch, catching the one underneath it and gracefully landing on another one. She looked up to see Zevran's stunned face and smiled. “Are you coming?”
“Yeah... I think.”
“If you want me, Zev, you have to catch me first.” She gave him another wicked smile before dropping down to the next branch.
“That sounds like a challenge, my dear.” Zevran began making his way down after her, but not as fast.
“It is, so don't fall. That would be cheating.”
“And you're not?”
“Just get down here before I change my mind. If you can't even get down from a tree, you may not be man enough for me.”
Zevran laughed and leaped down to the branch she was currently standing on. “Sometimes I would have to agree with you on that. You're a lot of woman to handle at times.”
“Well if you want, you have years to figure it out.”
“I do, do I?” He went to snatch her, but she slipped away from him.
“You do, but first you have to catch me. Come on, assassin. Show me what you can do.”
***
They fumbled to her house, forcing their way in and kicking the door to her room open. It had been a very long time for the both of them, and they weren't going to let anything be in their way. This time it was different, though. This time they went slow, wanting it to last. They had finally accepted one another, finally confessed, finally opened their hearts. They found it to be a completely new experience, one that sent them to new heights, new feelings.
Zevran found he didn't really need to keep his control anymore. For a long while he had developed it so he could last as long as he wanted. Letting go of the control meant it was over and it would be a few hours before he could go again. But now, with Arawin, he found he could keep going, to release again and again and to still be able to continue.
The fire in their veins burned constantly, never seeming to stop. It brought them close, their bodies connected and feeling as if their souls were as one.
Zevran let go one last time before he had to stop. Arawin's body, completely wrapped around his, tightened then released letting him fall to her side. Their bodies covered in a thick layer of sweat and the bed barely big enough to hold both of them, but neither of them complained when they looked in each others eyes and smiled.
“So... what now?” Arawin asked breathlessly. “Who lost?”
Zevran chuckled. “Are we still playing that game? I don't think anyone lost. I think we both won.” He sat up and stretched down and pulled something out of his trousers on the floor. “Do you think I could try this again?” he asked presenting Arawin the earring.
She sat up next to him and gazed at the earring before speaking. “That depends on what it means.”
“It means a lot to me. It was from my first mission, after all, so I'm not going to give it to just anybody.” He placed a lock of hair behind her ear and gently began to rub her earlobe. “I could put it on you now, if you'd like.”
Arawin savored his touch. “You could, but why are you giving it to me again?” She gave him a cocky smile which he gave right back.
“You just won't stop, will you, woman? Alright, it is a token of affection. As much as I tried to deny it to myself, that's what it even was before. It was hard for me to accept how I felt about you. But now that it's out, I'm glad.”
“So am I, Zevran.” Arawin took her long hair and tied it back. “Go ahead. I will gladly accept your gift.”
Kissing her, Zevran went about the process of placing the earring in her left ear. When he was done, Arawin went to her looking-glass and peered at it, seeing it dangle and glitter.
“It's really pretty,” she said. “Thank you, Zev. I-” She turned around, hoping to see him smiling at her, but instead found him frowning. “Please don't tell me you're regretting this already.”
“Hm? Oh no, it's just... it looks good on you but there's been something... I've wanted to ask you.”
“What?”
“It's uh... I couldn't help but to overhear... Is it true... how you have to become a Grey Warden?”
Arawin frowned from his question, then went and sat down on the bed. “I figured you wouldn't be able to resist hearing our secrets.”
“Sorry, but you did send me in that room. It wasn't exactly sound proof.”
“But yes, it's true. We drink darkspawn blood in order to become what we are. Not everyone survives, and those that do are forever changed. I'm tainted, Zevran, and I will be for the rest of my life. It's the taint inside me that allows me to feel the darkspawn, know where they are, and it probably even allows me to defeat them better.”
Zevran inched closer to her. “And you and Zelda's bond?”
“Through the taint. It's... hard to explain. Me and Zelda don't really understand it all that much, but it happened because we drank from the same blood. An accident during our Joining, otherwise we would both be just a couple of regular Grey Wardens. Why do you ask?”
“Just a little... curious, I guess, and... a little afraid. What will this mean for you later on?”
Arawin looked toward the ground and swallowed hard. “It means I'll die, Zevran. Eventually the taint will become too much for me. Twenty or thirty years from now, I'll be heading into the Deep Roads to kill as many darkspawn before they kill me.”
They both went silent.
“So have you changed your mind yet?” Arawin asked. “Are you still wanting to be with a Grey Warden? If you even can.”
“If I'm not with you, then who else?”
“I'm sure there's plenty of women out there that could satisfy you.”
“Not nearly as well as you do, Amora.” He leaned in and took her mouth to his. “Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. Not even when you face the Deep Roads.”
“You shouldn't...”
“Do you think I'm not at risk of getting tainted traveling with you? It could have happened when we were in the Deep Roads, or it could happen when we face the horde. It doesn't matter to me, I'll risk anything as long as it's by your side.”
“You still shouldn't...”
“But I will. You're stuck with me now, Amora. If you didn't want that, then you should have killed me in the Brecilian Forest.”
“I'm stuck with you now?” Arawin said glaring at him. “You make it sound oh so enjoyable. Maybe you should've tried harder to kill me.”
“Uh, yeah,” Zevran laughed nervously. “Let's not bring that up, shall we?”
“Wait a sec. Are you saying you did try to kill me after I spared your life?”
“Um... yes, but can you blame me? Grey Warden, major contract... I lied to you about, uh, the Crows coming after me because I didn't kill you the first attempt.”
Arawin laughed. “You know this doesn't really surprise me. I kind of figured you would try again. So how many times before you gave up?”
“Three. I tried cooking once, to place poisons in your food. Morrigan stopped me there, which is probably the real reason why she insisted on cooking all the time. Not just because I could poison the food, but because I might have been able to slip something in if you were cooking. Both Morrigan and Sten were very watchful when it came to their food.
“Second time was when you were on that rock in the clearing, about ready to fall asleep. I really was going to come behind you and slit your throat, but your dog stopped me.”
“No wonder he didn't like you. And the third time?”
“Our first night. I really was going to kill you... afterwards, but you surprised me. The way you handled it, the way you just completely gave yourself to me and trusted me even though I tried to kill you before. You were interesting, so I decided to keep you around for awhile. After that, we found the Dalish, and well... Lisha got involved.”
“Ah, I see. So you were planning on trying again but then your aunt became suspicious, right? Or she at least just got in the way?”
“It wasn't until after I learned who she really was that I stopped trying all together. She turned my world up-side-down, so that's all I could think about at that point.”
“I can imagine,” said Arawin. “So how do you feel about it now?”
“I still don't know,” he said. “It still feels weird to think I have family out there, and I just happened to find them with you. Coming here has just changed everything.”
“For the better I hope.”
“Of course,” Zevran smirked.
“Good, because tonight isn't done yet. The party's still going on out there. So come on, I'm sure everyone is wondering where we are. Besides, I still need to get drunk.”
Zevran laughed hard. “Of course, Amora, no one's going to deny you that privilege.”
“Exactly. Now come on, get your clothes on. I need to see if I can beat Shianni for once. She's always beaten me at Bits as well as a few other games. I plan on winning something tonight, besides you.”

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age: Origins
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Blood Bond