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The Last of the Couslands	By : MistressofMagic Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4401 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Bioware and EA own everything associated with the Dragon Age universe. I am making no money off of this fan fiction.

Chapter List
- 8
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Chapter 8
The Village of Redcliffe
Terrible dreams plagued Bridget's mind as she slept. They were not of the Arch Demon, however…they were of something far worse. Bridget relieved the last day at the castle over and over again, she saw Oriana's and Orhen's bodies swimming in their blood, she saw her father, beaten and bruised, barely clinging onto life…
Bridget's eyes flew open as she awoke with a start. She sat up and took deep gulps of air and looked around. Camp…she was at camp just as she had been when she first went to sleep.
"Having the dreams again? I had terrible dreams after my Joining."
Bridget turned to see Alistair sitting by the fire. She shook her head.
"No…my dream wasn't of the Arch Demon…" she replied softly.
Alistair looked at her. She looked scared and frightened, he could see it in her eyes. What could be worse than seeing the Arch Demon in your sleep? If Darkspawn did not frighten her…than what did? Bridget sat with her legs pulled up to her chest and her arms around them.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Alistair asked slowly.
Bridget looked at him. The flickering fire light made his hair glow in a bronze color. His face looked warm and kind…and the way the light danced in his eyes…it made Bridget feel relaxed, comfortable. Alistair looked at Bridget and noted how beautiful her hair was. It seemed to gleam like glow in the firelight…but she still had it pulled back in a bun! He wondered what she looked like with her hair down. No doubt it was to her waist…Alistair shook his head and brought himself back to reality. Bridget gave him a small smile.
"I guess I can…if you really want to hear it." She replied.
Alistair nodded.
"If it will help you to talk about it, then I will gladly listen."
Bridget sighed and explained everything to him. She started with how frustrated she was at being able to fight but not being able to participate, and how her father's men always laughed at her when she challenged them in a sparring match. She elaborated on the events of her final, peaceful day at her castle…on how Orhen had had hopes of being a warrior just like his father…
Bridget covered her face in her hands.
"They were my responsibility…and I failed them! I failed all of them! If Fergus is alive…I don't know how he will stand to look at me knowing that I did not protect his wife and child!"
Alistair looked at her. She had moved to sit next to him and get close to the fire. He felt compelled to do something…he couldn't bear to sit there with her crying next to him. Alistair slowly reached his arm out and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"I'm so sorry…Bridget. You have been through so much…I-I feel bad for complaining…"
Bridget sniffled and shook her head. She turned to look at him. Alistair stared into her eyes…it was like staring into twin sapphire orbs…
"No Alistair…you have every right to mourn Duncan's loss…he was your family."
Alistair broke away from her gaze and stared into the fire.
I need to tell her the truth…but…won't she treat me different? Just like the others?
Bridget wiped her eyes and swallowed.
"Thank you, Alistair. I suppose all I needed was a friend to talk to."
Alistair turned back to her and returned the smile.
"I'll always be here to listen." He replied.
Bridget nodded. It wasn't until now that Alistair realized that his hand was still atop her shoulder. He removed it quickly and stared into the fire again.
"You should get some sleep, Alistair. I'll take watch for now."
Alistair nodded and stood.
"Right…um…do you think you could help…with my armor? I can't really see the straps to unhook my breastplate." He said bashfully.
Bridget looked up at him and stood as well. She unhooked the three straps on each of his sides and removed his armor. Alistair smiled.
"Thanks for that, you have no idea how frustrating it is to try and get out of it sometimes."
Bridget chuckled and handed his armor to him.
"Goodnight, Alistair." She said as she retook her seat by the flickering flames.
Alistair walked off to his tent and looked over his shoulder at her.
"Goodnight." He replied in a whisper.
Morning came and at dawn everyone packed up camp and began the journey to Redcliffe. Bridget was looking forward to seeing the Arl again. The last time she had seen him she had been just a girl! The group came to the entrance of the village at around mid-day. Bridget had been chatting merrily with Alistair, but stopped talking when she noticed a villager standing on the other side of the bridge into the village.
"Not another toll collector…you think?" Alistair whispered.
Bridget and the others walked up to the man. When he noticed them, he hurried towards them.
"Help, help us please!" he screamed.
"Woah, calm down…what's wrong?" Bridget asked.
The villager was visibly shaking he looked…he looked as if he had seen the dead walk among the living. Not a good sign.
"The creatures, they…they attacked us! They were skeletons…it was awful! Please you must help us!"
Morrigan shook her head.
"Let them help themselves. We have important business elsewhere, do we not?"
Alistair rolled his eyes.
"We can't just leave them here. If we lose Redcliffe…"
Bridget looked at the villager.
"Of course we'll help you." She stated.
The villager actually bowed to her.
"Thank you so much, come I will take you to Bann Teagan."
The group followed the villager into Redcliffe's Chantry, ignoring Morrigan's grumbling. Upon entering, they saw many refugees seeking shelter. They came up to a tall man with red tinted hair.
"Bann Teagan, I have found help at last!"
The concentrated look Teagan had on his face changed into one of relief.
"Thank you Tomas. I'm Bann Teagan, I am currently running things here in Redcliffe as my brother the Arl has fallen ill."
Alistair's eyes widened.
"Followed ill?" he asked suddenly.
Teagan turned and his expression turned into one of surprise.
"Alistair! Well I should have known you would come! It is good to see you again although I do wish it were under different circumstances."
Alistair nodded.
"The same to you, what is wrong with Arl Eamon?" he asked.
Teagan sighed.
"He has been gravely ill for weeks now. We cannot heal him…we have tried everything. We even called for the help of the strongest mages…but nothing is helping him. We haven't had contact with the castle for days so I do not even know if he lives!"
"Tomas mentioned something about creatures?" Bridget piped up.
Teagan turned to her.
"Oh my dear I am sorry…I completely over looked you. We…wait…my lady Cousland, is that you?"
Bridget nodded. Teagan sighed.
"We heard what happened in Highever…we thought you dead what with the fire…"
Bridget held up her hand.
"Please…don't. I take it Howe set my castle on fire then?"
Teagan raised an eyebrow.
"What?" he asked.
Bridget explained once again the story of that dreadful night. Teagan shook his head.
"My lady, forgive me. I am so sorry to hear what befell your family. I promise you if you help us and Eamon is somehow cured…we will aid you against the Blight."
"Is there any hope for him?" Alistair asked quietly.
Teagan sighed.
"We have but one hope…the Urn of Sacred Ashes."
Leliana's eyes widened.
"You believe the Urn exists too?" she asked.
Teagan nodded.
"We certainly are hoping it does. The Urn is the only hope my brother has now."
Bridget looked at him.
"I will help you find this Urn, but first we must deal with the undead army. When will they arrive next?"
"Nightfall tonight. You will need to speak to the mayor, Murdock. Thank you for all of your help my lady Cousland."
Bridget shook her head.
"Just Bridget now, Teagan." She replied.
They turned and exited the Chantry. Alistair smiled at Bridget.
"Thank you for agreeing to help. I grew up in this Chantry…being here certainly brings back memories."
Morrigan rolled her eyes.
"I think we're just wasting our time. This Arl Eamon is probably already dead!"
Alistair ignored her comment.
"I hope he's alright. He was Calain's uncle you know…which means he'll be our new king. I just hope he is alright…"
Bridget spotted a man in the distance and walked over to him.
"Excuse me sir, I'm looking for the mayor." She stated.
He turned and looked at her.
"Well you've found him. There's not much I can offer…what do you need?" he asked.
Bridget looked at him.
"Actually I was going to ask you the same thing. My friends and I are going to aid you in battle tonight."
Murdock crossed his arms.
"Thank the Maker…maybe there will not be many deaths tonight then. If you could help me with the blacksmith, that would be a great starter. He's locked himself in his shop and refuses to supply my men with armor and equipment. We won't last five minutes without his help. Thank you for all your help."
Bridget nodded.
"Speak with the Blacksmith, got it." She replied.
Murdock pointed to his shop and turned back around to speak with one of his soldiers. Bridget walked towards the shop and banged on the door.
"I've already told you, I'm not wasting my time against those things! We're all going to die…it's pointless."
Bridget looked at Alistair. Morrigan stated,
"Why not just have me burn down the door, I'm sure with a little…persuasion he will make armor for these men."
Bridget turned back to the door and said,
"I just want to talk sir…perhaps I can help you with your troubles?"
Morrigan groaned.
"Again with all these side quests? Why do you feel compelled to help all these people who should learn how to fend for themselves?"
"Why do you always have to complain about everything, Morrigan. Bridget helps these people because they need it, and we need them. Perhaps you should have stayed at the camp!" Leliana stated.
Morrigan, surprised to have been answered by the quiet Sister did not say anything in return. She instead crossed her arms and glared at everyone else. When Bridget turned back to the door, it was opened and an older gentleman stood inside.
"Alright…come in." he said.
Bridget and the others entered.
"The name's Owen. If you're here for the mayor then beat it. I've already told him I'm not making any more equipment, he should look elsewhere."
"Do you want the deaths of all those men on your conscious? It will be your fault if they die because they have nothing to defend themselves with!" Bridget shouted.
Alistair raised his eyebrows. This was the first time he had actually seen her raise her voice before at something other than a Darkspawn. He had a feeling though she knew there would be no other way to get her point across to this man if she didn't guilt him into it. Owen sighed.
"Look…I'll make the equipment, but you have to promise me something."
Bridget crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows.
"And what would that be?"
Owen sighed and turned his back on her and the others.
"My daughter, Valena…she's a maid to the Arlessa and I haven't heard from her in days. If you could promise to find her and bring her back to me…I'll provide my services to Murdock."
Bridget sighed. There was a good chance that Owen's daughter was already dead. Still, the stubborn look in his eye would not go away and she knew he would not agree unless she did so.
"Very well, I will find your daughter."
Owen nodded.
"Alright. Tell Murdock he'll have his weapons."
He turned to his work station and began to compile his tools together. Bridget and the others left the blacksmith and returned to Murdock reporting what had happened.
"Good, good. Thank you."
"Let's kill these creatures…together." Bridget stated.
Murdock nodded.
"With your help as well as your friends…I believe that we will be successful."
As he walked off Bridget stared after him.
"I sure hope so…" she whispered to herself.
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The Last of the Couslands