Forbidden Love (A Dragon Age Story)

Chapter 8

They arrived back at camp later during the day. The sun showing its orange and yellow through the sky as it slowly disappeared.  Duncan had been swift when collecting the Darkspawn blood from them. "I will take these to the mages to prepare. Alistair take the new recruits to the altar and ready them for the Joining." Alistair nodded, then led the group as instructed.
***
Jess had been pacing at the alter, slightly nervous for what was to come next. "Are you sure about this? It doesn't seem safe" Jess used her hands as she spoke, showing the fear within her. Alistair looked at her then snorted. "Safe? No, it be safer to put on a dress and dance the remigold in front of the Darkspawn Horde." Fen glared at Alistair, then smiled reassuringly back at Jess. "I have faced danger before and I'll not let you face this one alone." Just as his words faded Duncan spoke from behind them startling the group. "There is no turning back. Once the joining begins you will either walk away as a warden or not at all." Jess took a deep breath with a GULP then sighed ever so softly to calm herself. "I-I am ready" She stepped up with her head held high. Duncan nodded to Jess and handed her the chalice that would make her a Grey Warden. As the ceremony began Alistair could be heard chanting the Grey Warden litany.

“Join us brothers and sisters. Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that cannot be forsworn. And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten and that one day we shall join you.”

Jess took in yet another deep breath. Eyes staring at the chalice full of red liquid with nervousness. Relaxing with an small exhale, she brought the thing to her lips, sipping the thick dark ceremonial drink. Her eyes flashed white before her within seconds, feeling as though she had been choking upon air  just before she passed out, collapsing to the floor motionless. Fen caught her as she fell, once he was certain she was unharmed he stepped forward to accept the poisoned chalice. He wrinkled his nose in distaste at the smell. Hoping not to taste the revolting liquid he quickly downed the cup in one swift swallow. Gagging on the taste, the pain that followed and the blinding white light was all that he remembered before passing out himself.
***
Jess slowly awoke, raising her hand to her head with a groan of pain. Not quite sure what happened but Alistair and Duncan stood over her. "That was unexpected" Alistair leaned over her, then held out his hand to help her to her feet. "Two of you have survived the others did not." He handed her the amulet that held the Darkspawn blood. "A momento for your joining." Jess accepted and placed it around her neck as soon as he placed it within her hand. "Thank you Alistair." Jess bowed and brought her head up slowly to meet his eyes. He blushed and looked quickly away. "Your friend has not awakened yet. Duncan had him taken to his tent some time ago." "Is he alright?" Jess’s whole body tensed up at his words. Alistair shrugged. "He is running a high fever with chills. The joining is not so easily handled for some of us. I'm told he should pull through."
Jess sighed in relief that he is alive at least. "That's good as long as he is alive that is all that matters. Alistair I do however have a question. I've noticed you act differently around him. Is this because he's an elf?" Jess stepped closer with curiosity. Alistair chuckled uncomfortably and rubbed the back of his neck. "Elf? No hadn't noticed. I suppose the ears should have given it away though." "That didn't answer my question Alistair. Is it true?” Jess crossed her arms over her chest. Alistair winced at her response. "Ok, I get it he's an elf. No it doesn't bother me... He just seems a bit overprotective of you. I mean that is um...You're human and well, the elves I've met just don't seem to like us all that well." "This is true. I do not know why I am different from the others." Jess smiled  as the thought ran circles in her mind.

Why does Fen'revas protect me? I am human yet ever since we met he has worried for my safety.

Alistair grunted non commentantly. "I will just, um. I think I need to speak with the quartermaster. When you and your friend are ready Duncan would like to see you." He quickly retreated to avoid any more awkwardness on his part. "I...okay. Sorry. About this" Jess sighed and walked to Fen's tent to check up on him.

Fen could be heard thrashing within his tent, his bronze complexion pale as he fought off the Darkspawn taint. Jess walked in carefully and sat beside him on the cot. Lightly placing a hand upon his sweating cheek. She worried about him, fearing she would lose him. "Please pull through Fen, I already almost lost you once. I won't lose you again." Fen spoke in heavily accented elvish as his thrashing began to ease. Trying to bolt out of his cot he shouted "Jess!" Jess quickly grabbed a hold of him, tightly wrapping her arms around him in a bear hug. It took him a moment to realize he was in his cot and Jess was alive. He hugged her tightly in his embrace. "Ma serannas, you are well?" Jess loosened her grip around him as she made her hues meet his. "Yes I am well. As are you now. " He smiled in relief and leaned back against his cot. Jess sat with him once more, only this time more relaxed. "Once you are ready Duncan needs to see us." Fen arched a brow and chuckled weakly. "Just awake and already it's off to work." He reached for the cold damp cloth in the water basin beside him to wipe the sweat from his brow. Jess took the cloth from him and sighed. "Allow me" placing the cloth upon his face she gently patted the sweat away. "I'll go alone...you are still not well." Once done, Jess stood up and placed the cloth back in the basin. Fen's eyes twinkle and he gave her a wide grin. "I am well enough to join you." He moved to follow her a little unstable on his feet but mobile. "Are you sure? You are still weak" Jess stood close to help support him. He smiled and waived away his momentary weakness, then placed his arm around her shoulder. "Where is it that we are to go?" "A meeting I do believe" Jess helped him stand straight. Fen nodded curiously, "Lead the way lethallan." Jess led Fen slowly to Duncan and the King.
***
Several men were gathered around the table. Duncan, an older man with black hair and a perpetual sneer, in contrast a tall fellow wearing gold armor and a broad smile. The man in gold looked up as they approached the tables. "Ah excellent, you must be the new Wardens? You don't know how lucky you are to be part of that noble order." Ignoring the scowling man behind him he came around the table and vigorously shook Fen's hand. "You're Dalish? I've heard your people's skill is unmatched in battle." He looked over at the older man, "Loghain, wasn't the Warden in the fourth blight Dalish? " He turned back to Jess and Fen before Loghain could answer. He kissed the back of Jess' hand. "And you my lady it is an honor. Tell me when will your father be arriving with his troops?"
Jess exhaled softly, turning her gaze. Attempts to not tear up were useless. "I'm sorry… my parents are not coming...they were murdered..." Jess looked down to the ground not able to fight it anymore she broke down into tears. Her hair immediately dropped to her face and hands clenched into fists. "Howe ordered his men to murder them... and then me and Fergus." The King's brow shot up in consternation. "Duncan, what do you know of this." Duncan nodded. "Yes your majesty, Arl Howe attacked Highever. We were lucky to escape and make our way here." Cailan frowned. "No, this will never do. He can't have thought he would get away with such treachery" He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Once we have this battle won. I will personally insure that Howe is brought to justice before the Landsmeet." He turned back to the group motioning the others to join while Loghain outlined the battle plan and the King ordered for the new recruits plus Alistair to head to the Tower of Ishal to light the beacon.
Before leaving Jess arched herself in a bow. "Thank you Cailan..." Jess helped Fen and began heading to Alistair to explain the plan. Wiping her eyes with her free hand.

***

Alistair began pacing angrily once they told him of the plan. "No, absolutely not. I should be down on the battlefield with my brothers, with Duncan! Let someone else do it." He groused. "Alistair...I'm not happy about it either but it's the king's orders" Jess tried to calm him down, still on edge herself and shaking from explaining the horrid memory. Alistair sighed in exasperation, running his fingers through his hair. "Yes, yes. You're right, of course you're right." He pointed at her. "Just so you know once we light that beacon I'm joining the rest of the order." He started toward the tower then spoke over his shoulder. "Well come on. The beacon won't light itself. " He chuckled to himself. "That would be a sight wouldn't it." Jess gave a faint smile. Fen watched the two, shook his head then followed.