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Sanity Check - Chapter 21

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Chapter 21: Weisshaupt
The ancient fortress of Weisshaupt were nothing like she had imagined. It was battered, yet it radiated a strange sense of solemnity. As the group had approached the building had Elena felt it as if her heart had made a permanent home in her throat. This was it. This was the end of her journey.

They had entered the fortress and when the Wardens stationed there had realized that Aedan was the Hero of Fereldan and that he was carrying the package, had they been shown to the First Warden.

As they entered the office of the First Warden, Elana realized that there were three persons in there. In the middle sat a grizzled man with a thick beard, to his right sat a woman with short blonde hair and to his left sat another man, younger than him, with brown hair and cheeks that were clean shaved.

"First Warden." Aedan said and bowed respectfully, "It's an honor."

"Warden Commander." the man said, but did no effort to stand. "You have amassed quite the following during your journey."

Aedan smiled wryly, "I have stubborn friends," he said. "they didn't take no for an answer."

"Even a child?" the woman asked in disbelief.

"My son is quite capable." Morrigan replied harshly as she stared at the woman, whom in turn turned her gaze to Elena.

"Is that the one?" she asked then, her eyes seemingly lighting up.

"Yes," Aedan replied and Elena instinctively grabbed Alistair's hand, "this is Elena."

The First Warden finally stood and walked around his desk, approaching her slowly. "It is a pleasure meeting you, my lady." he said as he shook her hand.

"The pleasure is mine." she replied and smiled softly, "Although I suspect I didn't have much choice."

She could feel Alistair stiffen, but the man just chuckled. "I had heard rumors you were fierce."

"Oh, you have no idea.." Zevran mumbled in the background, earning a well-placed elbow in his ribs.

"You have had a long journey," the man said, "and you must be tired. I'll have Warden Cousland show you to your rooms."

Elana could feel Alistair stiffen again, and this time it wasn't in a good way. And she could feel her own hear skip a beat, would he fall for Natalia all over again?

Her thoughts were interupted by the door opening and a woman entered. She was tall and slender, a long, thick, black braid hung over her left shoulder and her icey blue eyes looked searchingly at them.

"Aedan?" the woman exclaimed and Elana immediately realized that this was the Natalia.

"Nat!" Aedan replied as she threw herself around his neck, "You look good."

"You too, brother." she said and studied him closely when they broke apart. "Maker, how long has it been?"

"Five years." Aedan replies and Elena can clearly hear the bitterness in his voice. "I understand you'll show us to our rooms?" he said then, clearly avoiding the subject.

Natalia nods and looks around at the group, visibly flinching when she sees Alistair, but to Elena's surprise is he standing tall and it is clear that he will not let her affect him.

"Alistair.." the woman said quietly as she turned towards him, "didn't expect to find you here."

"Didn't expect to find myself here either." he replied firmly as he crossed his arms.

"It's good to see you." Natalia smiled softly, but somehow it didn't reach her eyes.

"Unfortunately I can't say the same." he muttered and looked away from her.

Natalia was about to say something when Elena stepped forward, "This is not the place for reminicing." she said and glanced at Alistair, "We'd all appriciate it if you could show us to our rooms."

The Warden looked at her for a moment, then she nodded slowly. "Of course."

They bid the First Warden good bye for now and followed Natalia through the fortress until they reached three small bedrooms and she stopped, looking at them plainly.

"Here we are." she said, "You'll have to share any way you want. Dinner will be served in an hour."

Jowan looked nervously between them, "So.. who shall share with whom?"

Zevran shrugged, "The more the merrier."

Aedan sighed, but nodded slowly. "Morrigan and Bran can take one room, Alistair and Elena can take one and you can share with me and Zevran. If you want."

Jowan nodded slowly, "That'll do.."

"Maybe Elena would be more comfortable sharing room with Morrigan?" Alistair suggested and rubbed the back of his neck, "I mean.. both of them being women and -"

"It'll be fine, Alistair." Elena said and smiled encouragingly, "And I really look forward to freshen up. And sleep in a proper bed." Her smile then widened as she opened a door and entered one of the bedrooms, "I'll see you guys at dinner."

Even though freshening up had made Elena feel better, the dinner had been boring and more drawn out than she had liked. She had finally been able to bid the First Warden good night and was now making her way back to the bedroom, she really looked forward to sleep in a proper bed.

As she neared a corner she heard raised voices. At first she couldn't make out what they were saying, but as she came closer she realized that it was Alistair and Natalia and neither of them sounded overly happy.

"How dare you say that?" Alistair growled, "You were the one who left the night of the battle!"

"I had to." Natalia replied calmly, despite Alistair's outburst. "You have no idea how painful it was to leave you, and Aedan."

"You didn't even let me know." he snapped, "You left without a word."

"I know Ferelden were in safe hands!" she shrugged, "I know you'd lead it to safety."

"I loved you!" Alistair suddenly exclaimed, "And you left me!"

Elena had sneaked closer to the corner so that she could see what was happening, and she could see how Natlia neared him, placing a hand on his chest.

"Then why not start over?" she asked and leaned in, trying to place a kiss on his lips.

"No." Alistair replied firmly and determindedly pushed her away, "I said I loved you, but not anymore. I have found the one for me."

Natalia was quiet for a moment, then she nodded slowly. "Elena." she said coldly, "It's Elena, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is." Alistair nodded, "And I would do anything for her." he then turned on his heels and walked away. Elena waited for a moment, hoping that Natalia would have disappeared when she rounded the corner, but when she did she realized that Natalia was still there, staring at her with crossed arms.

"So," she said coldly, "the famous Elena." a wicked smile spread across her lips and she crossed her arms defiantly. "You're not nearly as pretty as everyone makes you out to be."

Elena could feel the resentment that eminated from her, but she remained calm. "Well, you can't please everyone." she said plainly and tried to walk past her, but Natalia stepped in her way.

"I don't know who you are," she hissed, "but Alistair will never love you the way he love me."

Elena arched an eyebrow, but only smiles softly. "Oh, I know that." she said with a honeyed tone, "He loves me more."

She then passed her and made her way towards her room when Natalia called after her, "You're a dead woman, Elena."

Elena stopped and turned towards her, "No," she said calmly and snapped her fingers, letting a flame dance in her palm. "I'm a survivor, and you'll learn that the hard way." She then let the flame die out and walked back to the room she'd share with Alistair.

Alistair was already in the room, casually sitting on the bed with a book. He looked up when she entered and he put away the book when he noticed her worried expression.

"What's the matter?" he asked and wrapped his arms around her when she sat down next to him.

"Natalia threatened me." she replied and glanced at him, "Or maybe I threatened her? I don't know."

Alistair swallowed but rested his chin on her shoulder, "Natalia is dramatic," he said, "don't listen to her."

"Are you sure?" she asked and leaned her head against his.

"Yeah," he replied and smiled wryly, "I wouldn't allow anything to happen to you."

"Thank you." she smiled and pulled him with her as she laid down, yawning quietly. "Don't leave me."

"I won't." he kissed her on her temple and settled down next to her with his arm wrapped around her. As they fell asleep, neither of them knew about the troubles that were on a collision course with them.
Elena finally meet the mysterious Natalia Cousland.




Dragon Age versum (c) Bioware
Elena (c) me
© 2015 - 2024 Sca3a
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ClassyNerd16's avatar
"No," she said calmly and snapped her fingers, letting a flame dance in her palm. "I'm a survivor, and you'll learn that the hard way."

I LOVED that line! :D Can't wait to see what happens next!