Aedan Of Highever

by Milton Garby

  As they entered this new part of the temple they noticed that the interior was untouched by time, it looked like it had just been built yesterday. Aedan noticed that Oghren had a bewildered look on his face. "Is something wrong, Oghren?"

  "No, it's just…this whole place kind of feels strange. Like…like the whole place is made up of lyrium." The dwarf answered.

  "Yes, I feel it as well." Wynne concurred. "This temple, no, the whole mountain seems like it's infused with magic."

  That's interesting, but Aedan didn't have time to give it full thought, he had to find this Guardian and the Ashes. As they continued to walk down a long and wide hall and they could all see, as if waiting for them at the end in front of a large hall was a man dressed in bright silverite armor, wielding a large warhammer that's head was as wide as Oghren! Was this the Guardian of the Urn of Sacred Ashes?

  "I bid you welcome, pilgrims." The Guardian greeted with a mystical, soothing voice that seemed to carry itself across the temple and radiate years of wisdom and knowledge.

  "Are…are you the Guardian?" Wynne asked.

  "Yes. I am the Guardian of the Urn of Sacred Ashes." The mysterious warrior confirmed. "I have waited years for this."

  "How is it you've survived all these years?" Alistair marveled.

  "It has been my duty, my life to protect the Urn and prepare the way for the faithful who have come here to revere Andraste. For years uncounting have I been here and shall remain until my task is complete and the Tevinter Imperium falls in to the sea."

  "What can you tell us about the Ashes?" Leliana asked excitedly.

  "You already know that they once belonged to the Prophetess, the rest you must discover on you own."

  "Hmm, is it lyrium?" Oghren interjected. "Can't mistake that tingle. It's so strong here I can just about taste it. Makes you wonder what's really magical here; the Urn or the mountain. What is exactly is keeping you alive Guardian?"

  "I do not know and I do not ask." The Guardian answered.

  "That is no answer spirit!" Sten called out suspiciously. "How is it you haven't died of natural causes as the natural order dictates?"

  "So long as the Ashes exist then so do I." the Guardian responded simply

  "Just who are you exactly?" Aedan asked.

  "I am all that remains of the original Disciples of Andraste."

  Leliana's excitement spiked again. "Wait. Does that mean you actually met Andraste? You knew her?"

  "Did anyone know Her except for her Maker?" This Guardian seemed really good at dodging questions rather than answering them.

  "Well, did you know her?" Aedan inquired.

  The Guardian paused for a moment. "I…cannot express words to describe my love for Andraste."

  "Then who are you truly?" said Morrigan. Even she was fascinated by how this Guardian remained alive after all these centuries.

  "When my brethren and I brought Andraste here from the Tevinter Imperium I swore a vow to guard over her while my brothers vowed to remember her teachings and watch over her resting place. For centuries generations of my brethren took on the mantle of their forebears joyful and unwavering in their task."

  "So…I take it that big, disgusting fire-bird was not the Andraste then?" Shale inquired.

  "No. Our Andraste has returned to the Makers side. She will not return. They no longer remember their task and have strayed far from our Lady's teachings." The Guardian lamented.

  "Then why is it that those jerks back there believe in a resurrected Andraste?" Alistair asked.

  "It began with an ancestor of the one called Kolgrim who began to preach about rebirth and in time his beliefs spread to the other Disciples and those that disagreed with him he put to sword and flame." The Guardian had a mournful look on his face. "I heard their cries and could do naught but pray for them. The Dragon is a fearsome creature and they must see it as a replacement for the ever silent Maker and His Andraste."

  "Well…in a sense they haven't forgotten her." Zevran half joked.

  "They have forgotten that Andraste was just a messenger and have forgotten the Maker and replaced Him with their false Lady, an even greater sin. True believers do not need displays of power to inspire faith." The Guardian seemed depressed as he informed them of his brethren's fate.

  Aedan couldn't help but contemplate the hilarious irony of the fact these Andraste's original followers brought Her remains from a land that worshiped dragons only for their descendants to abandon Andraste and worship the very gods of those that killed her. He would've laughed but it was all still a terrible shame, giving up your values and beliefs because of what some asshole preaches.

  "Enough questions." Aedan announced. "How do I get to the Ashes?"

  "The Gauntlet will show you the way." The Guardian answered.

  "What's the Gauntlet?"

  "The Gauntlet is what can tell the true believers from the false. If you are found worthy you will be lead to the Ashes, if not then you will not reach them."

  "But we need the Ashes to cure a noble man." Alistair insisted.

  "Still…you must prove yourself. If you are found worthy you will see the Urn and be allowed to take a small pinch of the Ashes for yourself. If not…"

  Aedan didn't like the sound of this. He made it a universal fact that he didn't believe in anything that had to do with Andraste or Her god. Would this mean the Ashes would be denied him just because he didn't believe? "I do not believe in the teaching of Andraste or the Maker. Will the Gauntlet judge me unworthy because of that?"

  The Guardian seemed unfazed "Many who followed Andraste did not believe in the Maker and She guided them regardless. The Gauntlet was established to test your faith and worth to be in the presence of the Urn, not your beliefs."

  "Is it dangerous?"

  "Perhaps."

  Aedan was getting tired of half-answers. "Just answer me, damn it! What is the Gauntlet? What does it do?"

  The Guardian didn't seem to care for Aedan's frustration. "The only way you'll know is if you enter and find out for yourself."

  Aedan could see he had no other choice but to go through this…Gauntlet. "Very well. I'll accept the trials of the Gauntlet."

  "Before you go I see the path that lead you here was not an easy one. There is…suffering in your past. Your suffering and the suffering of others." Aedan glared at the guardian with anger burning in his eyes. "You were the son of a mighty house, descended from the line of teyrns. You swore an oath to protect your house and family. Fergus left his wife and son in your care, but they were slain before you could even reach them. Oren's life was ended before it even began. And then you abandoned your parents knowing the fate that awaited them at the hands of Arl Howe. And when you reached Ostagar you didn't even search for Fergus. Tell me: Do you believe you failed your family?" Aedan felt the rage and heartbreak of all that he lost well up inside him as this Gaurdian somehow recited what Aedan held close to his heart.

  "How…how do you know my past?" Aedan demanded.

  "Your past is laid out before me like the scars on your face and the lines on your heart. It is allowed to me. Now tell me: Do you believe you failed your family?"

  Tears of sorrow and anger hatefully welled up in Aedan's eyes as the answer to Guardian's damned question burned in his throat. "YES! I was supposed fight to the death to keep them safe! I should have been the one to die, not them! Instead I abandoned them and all who served my house to suffer! And now I'm the only Cousland left! My failure shames all that came before me!" Aedan practically sobbed with painful tears trailing down his face.

  Alistair felt for Aedan, he too had lost everything. This war had truly made them brothers if not by the order then by their shared loss. "You shouldn't blame yourself for what happened, there was nothing you could've done."

  Leliana now understood why Aedan felt so much rage and anger, and was heartbroken for him. "Despite what you feel about what happened, you have done so much good since then. No matter what, I think your family would be proud of you."<
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  Wow, and Oghren thought what happened to him was a bitch. "We've all made mistakes, Warden. You need to have a drink and move forward, otherwise you'll end up alone and washed up. Just like me."

  Sten understood the necessity of survival and also knew you do not suffer an unjust injury without reprisal. "It is the past. Acknowledge your mistake, learn from it and move on."

  "The victories of your enemies are not your failures. You have continued to uphold the honor and duty of your house. None have fought more bravely and sacrificed so much as you. Now your allies and friends are many. You have much to be proud of." Wynne said consolingly.

  Zevran knew that being helpful wasn't exactly one of his strong suits, but Aedan had spared and protected him when all others would have just killed him. He had to say something. "Trust me, guilt and I are well acquainted, there is nothing that feels worse. But…we all need to accept our loss and try to be…better people because of it."

  Morrigan never truly knew how her love was suffering and felt guilty for saying that the things he cherished were a weakness. She felt even more ashamed for trying to avoid him to escape her own feelings, leaving the man she loved to feel alone in his pain and guilt. "You are many things, my love. You are brave, selfless and loyal. Also ruthless brutal, proud even a little foolish…but…a failure? You are not." She told him as she gently placed her hand on his shoulder.

  "Thank you." The Gaurdian spoke. "That is all I wished to know. The way is open, pilgrim. I wish you luck."

  The Gaurdian disappeared like smoke in the wind and the doors behind him creaked open. The first test was being asked riddles from the apparitions of those who were involved with Andraste's victories and downfall. The second one they fought mirror images of themselves, but still they prevailed. The third one, however, made Aedan heart sink. Past the third set of carved stone doors stood a figure Aedan would never forget: Teyrn Bryce Cousland, his father. "My dearest child." The apparition addressed.

  "Aaargh! Why do you torment me this way!?" Aedan cried as he placed his hand over his teary eyes.

  "No torment of our devicing can match that which you place on yourself." The ghostly teyrn explained. "You must acknowledge your guilt, your pain and let it go."

  "No! Never!" Aedan refused angrily. "You are not my father! You have no right to tell me to let go. I can't let go of my pain! I need my pain! It's the only thing that keeps me going, my reason for living! I will never know peace as long as those who betrayed my family are still alive."

  The apparition of Bryce Cousland looked on Aedan with sad, mournful eyes. "You are right. I am your father, and I am not your father. I am the memory in which you keep in your own heart, my son. You have such a long road ahead of you, but I know you will do us proud. Walk your path well and with the strength of House Cousland, pup. And know that you have my love and my forgiveness." Bryce placed his hand on Aedan's face, and for the briefest of moments felt all his sorrow and anger leave him as he felt the warmth of his father's hand. "Good-bye, my son."

  And then he was gone like was never even there, but for the first time since Aedan could remember he actually felt joy well up inside him. "Good-bye, father." He whispered as tears once more freely flowed down his face.

  They passed over the spirit-bridge and through the wall of flame untouched, and there was the Urn of Sacred Ashes waiting for them. "You have been through the trials of the Gauntlet. You have walked the path of Andraste and, like Her, have found yourselves cleansed. You have earned the right to approach the Ashes. Walk well, Pilgrim." The ghostly Gaurdian called to them from the other side of the wall of flames and gave them his blessing to approach this most holy relic.

  As the others stated their awe or disinterest in such an amazing discovery, Aedan respectfully approached the Urn. Aedan held no love for Chantry or the Maker and he certainly did not worship Andraste. But that did not mean he did not hold the utmost respect for Her, for she was the greatest war-leader in Fereldan history. Aedan respectfully bowed his head before the Urn and took a single pinch of Her ashes and left the temple behind them.

  Aedan came to this mountain full of anger and bloodlust, but he left the mountain with the joy he thought he lost with his family's death. Brother Genetivi was happy beyond all measurement that his and Weylon's work had come to fruition. They lefty the mountain with the Ashes and the dragon's treasure and made their way back to Redcliffe to heal Arl Eamon. But despite the joy Aedan had found, he had not lost the anger and vengeance that still resided in his soul. And everyone, even the Maker and His bride now knew, for it had been sworn on ground most holy: Aedan would never know peace until he had vengeance.

  Dealings in Denerim

  XoXoXo

  With the newfound spring in their step brought in by the discovery of the Urn of Sacred Ashes and the prospect of miraculously curing Arl Eamon their journey back to Redcliffe was even quicker than any of them could have anticipated. At last they were back in Redcliffe Castle. After Aedan had informed Teagan that they had Andraste's Ashes the two of them along with Lady Isolde went upstairs to put the Ashes reputation to the test. Aedan insisted that the rest of them stay down stairs and rest while they can. As they spread the Ashes over the sleeping Arl Mother Hannah began reciting the Canticles of Andraste hoping that praying to the Maker will add to the effectiveness of Andraste's remains. Then about two minutes after spreading the Ashes Arl Eamon had finally awoken!

  "Hmm, what…what has happened?" Eamon asked bewildered.

  "Be calm, brother you have been poisoned, and deathly ill for a long time." Teagan answered.

  "Poisoned? What? Where is Isolde?" Eamon continued asking.

  "I am here, my husband." Isolde comforted gently squeezing her husband's hand.

  "And Connor? Where's Connor? Where is our boy?" The arl asked urgently.

  "He is safe." Isode answered with both happiness and sadness.

  Teagan didn't want to interrupt this sweet reunion between his brother and his spouse but there were more pressing matters at hand. "Eamon, many people are dead and we need your help."

  "Dead? What do you mean?" The arl could scarecley believe his ears.

  "Much has happened that you need to know." Teagan sadly told his brother.

  "Then tell me. I wish to know everything." The Arl said with resolve returning to his eyes.

  They were all surprised by how easily Eamon rose from his bed, as if a year of being in a coma had no effect on him. Must've been the Ashes that cured any form of atrophy in his body. What surprised Eamon, however, was this tattooed stranger standing in his bedchamber. "And pray tell, who are you?" Eamon asked politely.

  "Ah, yes, forgive me, your grace. I am Aedan Cousland." Aedan introduced.

  "Aedan? Bryce's boy? Is your father here?"

  Aedan's face went to stone again at the mention of his father, but before he could explain Teagan stepped in. "This is the man that saved not only your life, but the life of Connor and all the people of Redcliffe."

  "Then I owe you much, Lord Cousland." Eamon thanked with heart felt gratitude.

  "Let's save that until you know what has happened first." Aedan responded

  As the walked down into the main hall all the knights and servants were surprised and overjoyed that their lord was alive and well. Amongst the most relieved was Alistair, of course. "My lord, you're awake!" Alistair marveled.

  "Alistair? You're here as well?" Eamon said returning the surprise. "Why are you here?"

  Right. He and Eamon hadn't been in contact sense he sent him away to the Chantry. "I am a Grey Warden now, my lord, just like Aedan."

  The surprises seemed non-stop. "My lord, you are a Grey Warden?" he asked Aedan.

  "That's not important, Arl Eamon." Aedan said. "You may want to sit down, what we are going to tell you isn't pleasant."

  "No, I think better standing." Eamon replied.

  Aedan and Teagan then spent the next three hours in the main hall explaining to Eamon what he had missed in the passed year.
The murder of the Couslands. The Betrayal at Ostagar which resulted in the death of his nephew and king, Cailan. That Teryn Loghain had Eamon poisoned by Jowan to prevent him from interfering with his bid to take the throne and that his sweet boy was a mage. All the damage that had been done to his lands and his people because of Connor making a deal with a demon. Loghain and all the damage he had done to their country by instigating a civil war and trying to usurp the Fereldan people's freedoms and traditions. Worse yet, how far the darkspawn threat had spread and are thus far unopposed because of the civil war.

  "This is most troubling." Eamon let out. Aedan was surprised by the Arl's composure, if it had been him that woke up to this nightmare he would've gone of the deep end. Instead he maintained his calm composure and could see that his mind was already at work contemplating their next step.

  "And it's going to get worse." Aedan remarked.

  "There is much to be done that is true. But I should first be thankful to those who have done so much." Eamon said looking over to Aedan and his companions. "Aedan, you have not only saved my life but have kept my family safe as well. I am in your debt. Will you permit me to offer you a reward for your service?"

  "Just give me your support against Loghain and the Blight and we'll call it even." Aedan abstinated.

  "I understand, but regardless of your reasoning I still you and your companions much." Eamon insisted.

  Aedan wasn't going to insult the Arl be denying him when he insisted on offering them a boon. "Very well, if that's what you want to do."

  "Then allow me to declare you and the traveling with you Champions of Redcliffe. You will always be a welcome guest within these halls."

  A slight grin reached Aedan lips. "You are too kind, your grace."

  Teagan thought now was probably the best time to get back on track with the war. "We should speak of Loghain, brother. There's no telling what he may do once he learns of your recovery."