UESP Forums

Brennis leaned on his staff, and smiled weakly at Sertin.
----------
Roanor was still walking around, shield and weapon in hand, looking for something else to kill. When she realized the ghosts were gone, her shoulders slumped a little--she seemed disappointed.

Porkspawn was still hiding in Airmed's pack. "I hope we're almost there." said Airmed.

"Agreed." Hali panted, sheathing her sword. " don't know how many more fights we can get luck-"

The still unfamiliar memory of Gideon disappearing into the earth silenced her.

Arathir panted and dug his sword in the ground angrily. "I've had just about enough of the damn place. Let's keep going and hope that the next all-consuming evil is a little easier to kill and a little more tangible."

Alistair and Erik had already began walking to the next room, when they were pushed aside by Oghren. The dwarf ran forward to a cavern opening, a joyful laugh escaping him. "Branka?" he shouted. "By the stone, I barely recognized ya!"

Hali grumbled as the little stone-man almost pushed her off her feet, before looking around the cavern curiously.

Landon simply dusted himself off and followed the others. After all that had transpired, he was finally at a loss for words. Many of the party were undoubtedly happy.

"Oghren." said a female dwarf standing on a ledge away from the party, obviously Branka. "And such a large company with you. When I left you in Orzammar and took everyone else, I figured that would be hint enough to you."

Arathir crossed his arms. "My, that's a lovely shade of [&@%!] you're wearing. Care to explain what's going on?"

Branka lifted her eyebrow. "I'm closer than ever to the Anvil of the Void. The real question is; why are you all here? Who are you?"

"I'm Hali, hi!" The Southron warden said with a quick wave.

"We're grey wardens." said Airmed. She looked at the ragtag group that followed the wardens around. "And associates."

Sertin couldn't say who she is, being mute and all, so she wrote it down, showing it to Branka. I'm Sertin, and these are my slaves. she was joking about the last part. Or was she?

"Grey Wardens then. It's a little far for you to come to hunt Darkspawn." Branka mused. "Hired by Oghren then? Endrin is dead, is that it?"

Alistair stepped forward. "That's exactly it, actually. You're needed for the election of a new king in his stead. The assembly is locked in a stalemate. It's getting pretty stale."

Branka scoffed. "What do I care about what monkey sits in the throne? Down here I can accomplish something that matters; something that can return our race to its' former glory!" she said, looking down at the group of wardens. "Help me get to the anvil and I will put whatever fool on the throne you wish."

Oghren groaned. "By the stone, what's happened to you? I remember a girl who you could talk to for a minute and see her brilliance!"

"I am your Paragon." responded Branka as she turned away, motioning for the wardens to proceed through the dangerous looking passage ahead, littered with dwarf and darkspawn corpses alike.

"Could we just help you get the Void Anvil thing and then you come back with us?" Hali called in return. "I mean... We've made it this far."

Andias silently listened to the conversation. He was glad that Branka wasn't dead, but wasn't excited about having to spend any extra time in the Deep Roads.

"I won't abandon the Anvil right after finding it." Branka replied. "I will fashion a token of some sorts for whoever you want to seat the throne."

"I say we help her," Landon said, "And since we are helping the next king, why not make a crown? A crown from a Paragon could mean nothing but a wish for the next ruler."

"Okay, sounds like a plan!" Hali said enthusiastically, rubbing her mailed hands together restlessly as she started forward toward Branka.

"A crown, a coin, a golden lump of waste. The assembly would fall at my feet if I told them to eat dirt." Branka responded.

Arathir shrugged. "I see no other alternative. I don't like her, but it's the only option we've got at this point."

As the group proceeded through the maze, they could see many sprung traps, with the number of dwarven corpses growing larger. Ahead of them was a massive door that seemed to open up to a large cavern; the group couldn't see all of what was inside yet.

"Andraste's Arse, you couldn't have sent some Nugs ahead?" Hali wondered aloud, stepping over a mostly-rotted corpse.

The next few months passed like a blur to the Forgotten Wardens and their partner group, led by Erik Cousland, who had become widely known as the Warden. After uncountable trials and the loss of both Faathur and Gideon to the Darkspawn of the Deep Roads, the group finally had a chance to relax in the now-healthy Arl Eamon's estate in Denerim.

Arathir looked back on the events of the past few months. Electing Bhelen to the throne with Cairidin's help, persuading Zathrian to part with his life to end the curse of the werewolves in the Brecilian forest, and taking down a dangerous dragon cult in the far-off mountains where they encountered the very ashes of Andraste.

He wished that it could have been simpler. He missed Gideon.

The recent events further incriminated Teryn Loghain Mac Tir; much to the shock of any supporters of Gwaren in the group; and it was now time for the Landsmeet. The bid for Alistair to become King and to wed Queen Anora was backable enough, and surely Loghain would not stand up to his daughter.

Then again, everyone thought that he would surely fulfill his role at Ostagar. Thinking about that awful night made Arathir's blood boil. All he wanted now was Loghain's head on a plate, so that they could get back to ending the true threat; the Blight.

Finally, near the end of the year, the group stood before the gates of the Royal Palace in Denerim. Alongside the Forgotten Wardens were Erik and soon-to-be-king Alistair, as well as others that some people in the Forgotten Warden group might have not recognized; Oghren, the dwarven warrior; Morrigan, the mysterious witch of the wilds; Zevran, the assassin who had failed to kill the Forgotten Wardens and had since switched to Erik's team due to his friendship with the Warden; Leliana, the Orlesian Bard-turned-cloister sister-and-now-Bard once more; Wynne, the elderly enchanter from the Circle of Magi; Sten, the tall and imposing Qunari warrior; Shale, the reawakened golem with a free will and hatred of birds of all kinds; and of course, Erik's beloved dog, Bec.

It was quite the motley crew; of course, Arathir knew he could say the same about his own gang of ragtag Wardens and non Wardens. It was that kind of group that would be needed to face the trials ahead.

They stood before the Royal Palace gates. This was it; the Landsmeet, at long last.