//------------------------------// // Fond Farewells // Story: Ponies and Grey Wardens: The Equestrian Age // by Icecane //------------------------------// With a mighty crash, the Warden-Commander struck his back against a solid surface. Twilight was held against his chest, her hooves locked around him with an iron strength. Books rained down on them, thudding against the floor repeatedly. One of them landed atop the human's head, eliciting a pained groan from him. Oddly enough, it felt rather nostalgic. When the storm of literature finally subsided, as the world around them was no longer spinning, after everything was silent, they slowly opened their eyes to see their new surroundings. Twilight's eyes widened as she broke away from the human's body, just as her jaw dropped. The place was so easily recognizable, as she had been there many times before. From the white marble to the violet wood, the towering shelves and the immense size, it was all familiar. Though what was most abundant about the chamber was what made the unicorn most certain as to where they were, the many books and tomes that dotted the walls. It took her only a moment to know that they were in the royal library. “We... we're still in Equestria...” Twilight breathed, barely able to form a voice through her surprise. When they had been consumed by the blinding white light, the chamber filled with their friends and companions being taken from them, the mare had expected to be thrust into the same journey that their bipedal visitors had gone on. Now, she could only question why. “How... how are we still here?” Unlike the unicorn, the Warden did not rise where he landed. Barely able to move, he remained with his back pressed against the bookcase they had crashed into. As a weak chuckle escaped him, Twilight's gaze quickly turned to him. “I've... I've learned a few... new tricks... a-as of late...” he said through heavy breaths, his knuckles aching as his hand still clutched tightly around the pendent he wore around his neck. The commander's amusement was stunted however, cut off too quickly as his body convulsed terribly. A single, hacking cough erupted from him, spewing out a near-mouthful of blood. Again, Twilight was forced to stare in shock at what she saw, nearly tripping over herself as she ran to the human's side. Even as his body trembled, wracked by inner pain that none could imagine, his strength flickering like a candle's flame in a ruthless gale, nothing could prevent the twitching smile on the battered warrior's face as he saw Twilight still with him. “I-I guess... I pushed myself... a-a little t-t-too hard...” he said, his voice weak and growing quieter by the second. “Too much for... a dead man... any.... anyway...” Tears formed quickly and fell just as fast across Twilight's face, her lips quivering as she watched the human dying in front of her. “Just... just don't move,” she said quickly, turning toward the exit. “We're still in the castle! I can find Anders! He'll be able to help!” “No,” the commander said, using much of his limited strength to say that one word as suddenly as he could. “Please... Twilight... don't go. I... I can't leave you... without saying goodbye... not this time...” A shuddering sob escaped the mare as she remained where she was, looking at the Warden as his life slowly left him. “N-no...” she whispered, nuzzling her tear-stained face against him, “please... I-I can't... I can't lose you again.” Still smiling, the commander brought a shaking hand to the scholar's cheek, comfortingly whispering, “Shh... It's alright.” Another weak chuckle escaped him. “There's... not much that I-I can say... that I've done right... But... I'm just glad that you're... that you're safe...” Though she was still crying, even Twilight managed a small smile as she remained close to the Grey Warden. “I think I've saved you a few times too,” she replied. “Y-yeah... I guess you did,” the commander murmured, his lips parting just a little bit more. “You know... after so long, after so many mistakes and loses... I never would have thought... my life would turn out like this...” His hand reached a little further, running his fingers through her mane. “Never would have thought... that... I'd find love again. That... it'd be an entire world away...” “And I found it too,” Twilight said, leaning down to kiss the commander's cheek. “But... but you can't die... Please, not like this.” It was then, as the two silently remained together, an amused huff fell into the room. Both the commander and Twilight were surprised, feeling another presence within the room. It was made even more obvious as they heard a voice, the voice of a woman. “Oh, such melodrama. I'd probably feel nauseous had I not once tasted it myself.” Twilight turned, and she and the commander had surprise etched onto their faces as they saw a somewhat familiar mare standing near the doorway. Her violet coat and black mane were her most obvious traits, as well as the expression of cold indifference she held as she approached them. But the surprises did not simply end there. The young scholar's jaw nearly dislocated itself, her eyes nearly popping out from her skull as the mare's body began to shift unnaturally as she walked. Her hooves extended outward as she stood up on her back legs, her coat fading to a fleshy color as a set of robes appeared over her body, and her short muzzle shrank into a flat, human face. When it was all done, the lavender-coated unicorn found herself staring at a human woman, still approaching them without a change in her demeanor whatsoever. Eyes narrowing, horn beginning to spark with magical power, Twilight took a combative stance as she stood between the strange, shape shifting creature and the Warden. “I'm warning you, stay back!” she demanded. The mare was just about to attack the creature, but she stopped, the commander's voice breaking into her protective readiness. “Twilight... don't...” he said, his voice sounding even weaker than it was before. Looking back to the injured Warden with confusion and hesitation, Twilight stepped aside as the woman knelt down before him. “Well, I hope you've learned something about gallivanting off like a fool,” the woman said, her tone outlandishly condescending. “Maybe next time, you'll think twice before running off after you've just been brought back from the edge of death. There's only so much the body can handle. And I do grow tired of having to come to your aide. I can hardly fathom how you've managed without me.” Twilight's confused and curious eyes drifted between the two humans. The air of familiarity between them was easy enough for her to see, the gears in her head slowly turning. She even felt the woman's gaze drifting toward her occasionally. The commander himself didn't notice however, only making what sounded like a stuttering gasp, both of the females realizing it was meant to be a chuckle. “But, Morrigan... you saving my life... seems to be the only way we bond...” the Warden responded, eyes never looking away. Twilight gasped at the name though, recognizing it immediately and looking upon the woman in a new light. There was a new feeling jabbing into her chest as she stared at the black-haired woman. Like a sickening feeling of contempt toward her, her thoughts tracing back to what the woman did to him. Such thoughts were swept away from the unicorn's mind as the witch's hands glowed with a light green aura. Placing them on his chest, a sudden gasp and pained groan came from the Warden-Commander before his body once again relaxed into its weakened state. Morrigan's face softened noticeably as she worked her magic into the commander's body, her soft hands pressing against him with a tender touch. A sigh escaped her as she looked him in the eyes, the contact lasting only a moment before she drifted down to where her hands were. “I suppose... you did do us all a favor by disposing of that... creature,” she said. “Even if it was your doing for it being here. Especially after what it seemed to be after... Well, let no one say you wouldn't make a protective father...” An awkward silence quickly built up in the room, Twilight not saying a word, while the commander could barely form one. “Surprises seem to come more and more though,” Morrigan murmured. “Especially toward how you got here and... what you've been doing.” She glanced toward Twilight for a moment, making the scholar squirm slightly in place. The commander turned his own gaze toward said mare, his lips twitching into another smile. “She... she's...” he tried saying. But the Warden didn't get the chance to finish. His voice died as all of his strength finally left him, unable to even keep his eyes open. It was only a matter of seconds before his body went limp, his mind being overtaken by darkness as the world around him disappeared. Through the darkness, a voice could be heard. It was unintelligible, echoing across a vast distance, as though the speaker was at the far end of a long hall. But the Warden followed that very voice, sounding so familiar, filled with care and worry. Groaning with discomfort, the darkness collapsed around him as the commander's eyes opened, seeing several faces looking over him. “Hey, he's awake!” Alistair exclaimed, joyously jumping into the air. “It's about time,” Oghren chimed in, arms folded as he held a cheery smile. “You don't look half bad for a dead man either” The commander merely groaned again, rubbing his throbbing head while the rest of his body ached. It was a blessing to him however, no longer feeling the cold grip of death on him. It was even more comforting as he felt a pair of hooves wrap around him, Twilight's lavender face buried into his side in a warm embrace. A laugh escaped Anders as he patted the Warden on the shoulder. “Those Chantry fools should start worshiping you,” he said heartily. “Only guy I've ever met who's immortal.” “Too bad Gods can feel pain apparently,” the commander murmured, stretching his stiffened back as he looked around the small room he was in, lacking in any form of furniture or decoration save for the bed he was in. “Just be glad we were able to find you,” Alistair responded. “I figured the two of you would have been sent away, or vaporized like we did that Magister.” A huff escaped Anders as his smile quickly drooped to a frown. “We don't know if it was an actual Magister,” he said in mild indignation. “My money's still on it being a spirit.” Alistair merely rolled his eyes as he looked back to the commander, ignoring the mage. “Anyway,” he started, “I'm just happy to see that you're alright. I mean, you dieing the first time was bad enough, we didn't need to lose you again. Though, I do wonder... How did you survive something like that?” At that question, the commander's eyes widened as, in his moment of peaceful thought, the answer struck him. “It was... Morrigan...” he murmured, sounding stunned by it himself. “What?” the Warden-King questioned, raising an eyebrow questioningly toward his friend. The king was suddenly surprised, as the commander grabbed him by his collar, shaking him rapidly. “She... they were here, in Equestria!” he said hysterically. “I couldn't believe it, but there they were!” “What are you talking about?” asked a confused Alistair, only being shook by the distraught commander once again. “They were... hiding away... in the mountains...” the commander murmured. Then, his eyes widened as once again, a sudden realization dawned on him. “The shack... she must still be there. They must still be there!” Not another word could be uttered as the commander sprang to his feet and ran off, already out of the door by the time anyone realized what had happened. Alistair looked to Twilight for answers, but the mare looked confused as well, if only slightly so. Turning to his fellows who were also in the room, he signaled for them to stay put before taking off after the Warden. No longer hindered by a dying body, the Warden's speed toppled that he had when he made the trip before, running across the precarious mountainside, the journey from the castle to Morrigan's humble shack burned into his mind. Even though his end had nearly come not too long ago, he had an invigoration that he had not felt in a long while. He wasn't sure if it was from what the witch had done to him or not, at that moment though, he didn't pay it any mind. Lagging behind a long ways, Alistair and Twilight were on his tail. Though the scholar wouldn't normally be able to match the physical prowess of two warriors, there was a determination brewing in her heart that propelled her forward at speeds she had never attained before. Never letting the speeding Warden out of their sights, the two continued to try and break the large gap set between them. Their quick pace only slowed once, surprised as their eyes laid on the small shack that was nestled on the small piece of flatland. It barely looked habitable from where they could see. Despite its meager appearance however, the last they saw of the Warden-Commander was him disappearing inside without a moment of hesitation. Entering the shack, the Warden's beaming face, excited eyes and overjoyed smile looked into the single-room abode to see the lovely witch there. But, his expression shrank, dread and confusion draping over him like a heavy cape as he looked into an empty room. Everything was gone, from the fire pit and the cauldron hanging above it, to the bed where he had been healed. Even inhabitants were gone, no trace of Morrigan or the young child anywhere. Disbelief showed clearly on the commander's face, sadness weighing down heavily. As he looked at the emptiness around him, he felt as though a small part of he had already known what would happen, even if he would never admit to it. Only two things were left within the shack, the pile of abandoned armor that the commander had left behind in his haste, and a small box lying next to it. Picking the box up, the he noticed a piece of paper placed upon it. Unfolding it, revealing what was written inside, he realized that it was a letter. Though it had no name as to the writer or intended recipient, he already knew who it was for, as well as who it was from. Now that the troubles you've caused are gone, it would seem that our time together has come to an end once again. Despite what you may want, to visit, say goodbyes, or something else, such things are impossible between us. Though this place was peaceful enough to suit my needs, we have overstayed our welcome long enough. As I've told you before, do not follow me. You may have many questions, many of which I am certain I am unable to answer. But know this, what I do is for reasons that I can not explain. You've told me you understood that once before. Now, I trust that you won't attempt to defy me. From what I've seen however, I may not be what interests you any longer. So, if seeking me is for your only other reason to do so, I must tell you that things have not changed. Just as before, you can not see him. He is out of your reach, as am I. And yes, I am able to see what there is to see, where your eye now wanders. What few words spared between us have been interesting. To that, I will say that I approve. I am in no way resentful for what you have done, nor should you hold any regret. It is clear to me as it should be to anyone that you care for this creature, just as she seems to care for you. It reminds me of before, the same care you showed me. You once said that love is no weakness, and all I've seen is that you've become stronger. I would say that we would never meet again. But, this being our second encounter since then, it would seem fate is determined to prove me a liar. So instead, I leave you with a gift, a symbol of what we once had and a show of thanks for helping to protect him, as you've protected her. A weary sigh escaped the commander as he finished reading the letter. It was just like before, her need to leave, even if it seemed like she didn't want to. This time however, such goodbyes were given to him in the form of paper. Perhaps it was to make it easier on him, maybe it was to make it easier on herself, he didn't really know. Looking away from the paper, the Warden noticed the lavender-coated mare standing beside him. Though Twilight hadn't read the letter, she was smart enough to know what it meant. Frowning sadly herself, the unicorn's eyes showed sympathy as she looked into the human's. “I'm sorry,” she said, thinking on what he must be going through. Still eying the mare, seeing her trying to console him, it brought a smile to his face. Kneeling down before her, the Warden-Commander wrapped his arms around her, holding her close in a comforting hug. “Don't be,” he responded, feeling the wonderful warmth of their embrace, “because I'm not.” After a few moments, the commander eventually broke away from the mare, his gaze falling on the box that he still had. It was pure white, with a simple lid placed over it, slightly larger than his entire hand. Seeing that it as well, Alistair strode into the shack, wanting to see what was inside for himself. Opening the box, surprise showed clearly on the commander's face as he held up the object that was inside. It was a hand mirror, beautifully crafted with a golden frame. On the back, a beautiful setting was decorated with depictions of deer and fluttering birds. It was well preserved, looking exactly the way it had when the Warden had first laid hands on it. But one detail was different, something that he noticed straightaway and was what shocked him most of all. The flawless glass surface of the mirror was no more. Instead, all that was there was a an endless abyss of swirling purple. It looked as though the commander could reach right through it, disappearing within the portable void. Alistair and Twilight both developed their own expressions of stunned silence, figuring out what it all meant. With the chamber that once housed the Eluvian having been decimated, everyone gathered to the banquet hall. The table was moved to the far end of the wall, giving ample room for everyone to stand together as they saw one another for the final time. Anders was beyond stunned at the small mirror that the commander had brought. The magic placed into it was unlike anything he had ever seen, beyond anything learned at the tower or anywhere else he had been. Though it was small, the mage was certain that it would be a suitable means to return them home. Now, all that was need to be done was say final goodbyes to those who they had touched on their journey to the strange land. Standing together, Alistair uneasily rubbed the back of his neck as Celestia held a fond smile toward him. “I, uh... I really should thank you,” the Warden-King said. “You've been so kind to my friends... to me. And after all the trouble we have caused...” “It's perfectly fine,” Celestia said, holding no trace of ill will for all that had occurred during the stay of the otherworldly guests. “What has happened was not your fault. My heart goes out to those who were lost, just as I am grateful that such evil has been stopped.” “Sorry about your castle too...” Alistair reminded her, thinking on the chamber they had left in ruins. A melodious giggle escaped the ruler as her smile seemed to widen. “It wouldn't be the first time repairs have had to be made,” she responded, still holding a look of amusement at the notion. Then, to the Grey Warden's surprise, the equine princess rested her head on his shoulder and nuzzled against him affectionately. “Your company will surely be missed.” Wrapping an arm around her neck to return the gesture, Alistair chuckle lightly as he nodded and said, “Yeah, the feeling's most certainly mutual.” Breaking away from one another, both royal figures held joyful smiles. As it was his last time to see it, the king looked about the chamber, taking in the beautiful scenery around him. “After all I've seen here... it will certainly be a change to return home. But, I'll take everything I've learned to heart. Hopefully, I will be able to make Ferelden a much more prosperous land, using your own as an example.” Celestia nodded happily, simply saying, “That's all I can hope for. Farewell, King Alistair.” A chuckle escaped his grinning face as Alistair bowed slightly in respect. “So long... Princess Celestia,” he returned. With that being said, the Warden-King left the princess' side to stand beside Shale and Oghren, waiting for everyone to finish what they needed to say as they lacked such need for it themselves. Eying Alistair, a smirk twitched onto the corner of Oghren's mouth as he offhandedly murmured, “So, you and the princess establish any... trade agreements?” “Excuse me?” Alistair asked, looking at the dwarf questioningly. “You know,” Oghren continued, holding a coy demeanor about him, “write a treaty with the blunted pen and white ink?” Again, Alistair looked at the drunkard as though he had just gone mad. “I... don't known... what you're...” “You... invade her territory?” the dwarven Warden stressed, slightly gyrating his hips for added emphasis. Alistair's face showed his reaction well. Expression blanking entirely except for his hanging jaw and unblinking eyes. It lasted only a second however, his face developing a reddened tint as he looked away abashedly. “I- J-just... no! Sh-shut up...” he responded, sounding none too convincing. All it made Oghren do was laugh hysterically, his own face turning red to match the color of his facial hair. Like Alistair, Anders was busy speaking his own goodbyes, on his knees before Fluttershy as she looked at him sadly. “I'm really going to miss you,” the mage said to the yellow pegasus. A soft meow sounded nearby, their eyes falling on the white-furred cat as he stuck his head out of Anders' bag. “Heh... I'm sure Ser Pounce-a-lot will miss you too.” Fluttershy nodded as she nuzzled lovingly against the cat, who purred happily in response. Then, the mare turned to the human and did the same, with an added amount of affection. “I've... I've really enjoyed you being here...” she said quietly. “I have too,” Anders replied. “I wish... I wish things didn't have to turn out like this, but it has to. You've been a wonderful friend, more than I would have ever thought possible.” With a small huff of amusement, the mage developed a reassuring smile and looked the mare in the eyes. “No worries though. I'm one of the best mages that the Grey Wardens have. Though I've never been given much reason to push myself, except for learning a few spells I can use to entertain myself, you've given me enough reason to try and see what I'm capable of. If there's a way for me to stay, I won't hesitate to find it.” Wrapping her forelegs around him, Fluttershy held the mage close in a warm hug, saying, “Goodbye, Anders.” “Goodbye to you too,” Anders returned, breaking away from their hold as he smiled and winked at her, “for now, anyway.” Standing up, the mage turned to approach the others, waiting for everything to be finished. Just like the others, the Warden had his own farewells to make. As he knelt down, Twilight looked up at him with moisture forming in her eyes. “I still don't want you to go,” she said. The commander nodded solemnly, replying, “I know... but, I have to. I hope you understand that.” There was a trace of cruel irony to it all, something that was not lost to him. Never before had he thought the tables would be turned in such a way. “I do,” Twilight said, “that still doesn't make it any better.” A melancholy sigh escaped her as her gaze fell to the ground. They remained silent for a few moments, unsure of what to say. Then, the scholar developed a weak smile and murmured, “Do you remember when you first came here?” A small chuckle came from the commander. “Yeah,” he nodded, “where I didn't even think you were real at first...” Reaching out, he lightly poked the mare's nose, causing her to smile as she did the same to him. Both of them laughed together, once again remembering all of the wonderful time they had spent together. As they finished, the commander wrapped his arms around her, Twilight doing the same with her forelegs, and they hugged one another. They held each other tightly for some time before they broke away. The commander's face became serious at that moment, looking at the mare as he had something important that needed to be said. “Twilight,” he said, “even after I leave, I want you to try and find whatever happiness you can. Don't let your life halt just because I've left.” Though the unicorn looked as though she was going to say something, to speak against such a notion, he stopped her. “No matter what, I'll try my hardest to find a way to return here, where I'm not endangering you or anyone else. But... I'll be content with whatever might happen. So if I return, I can come back as an old friend,” he leaned in close to her, kissing her deeply and not caring who could see, “or maybe something more.” “I'll always cherish our time together,” Twilight whispered, hugging the human as tightly as she could. Simply smiling, the Warden nodded as he said, “As will I. And don't worry, no matter what happens after this, no matter what I do...” raising his hand up for he to see, he showed Twilight the pendent she had made, still wrapped around his neck, “I'll always have a little piece of Equestria with me.” They hugged one last time, each feeling the need to stay like that forever, never wanting to let go. But it was inevitable that they did. Begrudgingly parting, the commander stood up, never letting his smile lower into anything less. Turning to his patient friends to join them, his small trek toward them was stopped as Celestia walked into his path. “Oh, Princess,” he said, his tone holding the utmost respect. “I... I guess I never gave proper thanks for all that you have done for us.” A cheerful smile came from the princess as she said, “I think I should be the one thanking you.” The remark earned a confused expression from the human, bringing the royal mare to explain, her voice hushed so only he heard it. “As Twilight's teacher, it brings me great joy to see her learn new lessons and excel at them, whether it be about magic... or life itself. But, there are many lessons that I can not help her with. For that, I thank you for all that you've done,” her smile deepened as she knowingly winked at him, “in that regard...” The Warden-Commander chuckled weakly as an uneasy smile was brought to his lips, his cheeks changing in color to a mild red. Turning away from the princess, the human nearly ran to his fellows as they all stood together. “You know,” Anders said to the commander, somewhat crossly, “your old girlfriend could have at least told us how she managed to live here.” A light shrug was the Warden's response as he smirked at the mage. “I figured you'd want to figure it out for yourself, prove how talented you are.” To that, Anders merely scoffed subtly before turning his attention to the task at hand. After seeing that everyone was ready to begin, Anders held up the golden mirror, clutching the lyrium ring tightly in his other hand. “At least those templars have been good for something,” the spiteful mage said under his breath. “Okay... Everyone, stay close, I'm not very sure how well this will work for us.” Taking a deep breath, Anders' gaze focused on the mirror as the hand holding it ignited in a blue aura. The magic rippled around his hand and moved up the handle of the mirror, going further and further until it covered it entirely. Even the non-magical ones around the mage could feel the power emanating from the small object, feeling it building up until its impending release. As the magic began to reach its peak, everyone took one more look toward their equine hosts. Celestia, Twilight and Fluttershy all held wonderful smiles as they waved their hooves goodbye. Alistair, the commander, and Oghren did the same, having free hands to do it, unlike Anders. But then, surface of the golden mirror changed, the purple abyss that was once inside was replaced by a white light. Brighter than the sun itself, everyone had to look away and close their eyes, still feeling its rays piercing through their eyelids. The light grew and expanded outward, until everything in its path was consumed utterly. Just as the light began to fade, the sound of cracking glass reverberated through the hall. As the three ponies looked, they saw no one there. Their otherworldly guests had vanished, disappearing just as the white light had. But, a small trace of them remained. The golden mirror, having been spared journey that the others undertook, had fallen to the ground, its glass surface cracked and beyond repair. It once again showed the reflection of what was before it, if only a distorted perception of it. It felt as if they had been thrown, the next thing the Grey Wardens realizing was the sudden feeling of weightlessness before their bodies struck the ground painfully. Groans of agony left the Grey Wardens as they writhed on the ground in agony, feeling as though a few bones might have been broken. Their eyes burned and were blinded, unable to see where they were. After some time however, sight returned to them. Picking themselves up, everyone looked out to their surroundings, seeing a dock standing just above the surface of a large lake. They realized they were at Lake Calenhad. Nearby, the Spoiled Princess Inn stood proudly, the place where Oghren had met his wife. Far off in the distance, sitting on a small island, the imposing structure that was the tower of the Ferelden Circle of Magi stood tall. On the small and rickety dock itself, the templar ferryman stood in shock, gaping at the sight of the Grey Wardens and looking as though he might have wet himself. There was no doubt in their mind that they were home, a bittersweet reality if there ever was one. Taking in the familiar sights, sounds and scents around them, they realized how different everything was to the colorful land that they had encountered. Suddenly, everyone turned their gazes to Alistair, who was doubled over in a coughing fit. “By the Maker,” he cried, unable to stop himself from hacking madly, “Ferelden really does smell like wet dog!”