Ardyn's Good Deeds and New Found Purpose
Ardyn and Elsa traveled over the peaks of Serpentia, heading to a small village that had been devastated. All along the way they practiced – Elsa teaching her young student ancient techniques that she had been using so long they were like breathing to her.
She taught her a simple technique called [Air Riding] where you learn to walk on air currents and sound vibrations.
When Ardyn first tried it, Elsa let her fall several hundred feet before she caught her. The wind tore past Ardyn's ears, and her vision swam as the ground rushed up at her, forcing her to instinctively grab the invisible air currents. Elsa had shrugged and looked at her innocently, stating – "I had to give you a real chance to actually do it."
Ardyn had looked at her incredulously, but she understood that it was not that her teacher was upset or vindictive – it was her caring that caused her to sometimes be a bit scary.
Elsa also taught her techniques to use with her song magic. Before they got to Harvest Glen, Ardyn could put small holes in solid rock and capture the tiniest things and pull them to her – both with her song magic.
Harvest Glen is a tiny village that had been practically leveled. When the two arrived, the villagers were hard at work rebuilding the wall. Ardyn looked at the devastation and her heart twisted in her chest.
She began by helping with the wall – leaving introductions for later – and then giving all she owned to the villagers themselves, to do with as they pleased.
The people of Harvest Glen looked at her with suspicion and surprise. Elsa laughed and helped the villagers as well.
In the end they helped the villagers rebuild their entire village and helped to improve their fields. When it was time to leave, Ardyn made them a promise.
"I, Ardyn Stronghood, promise to protect and care for the village of Harvest Glen – In the mighty name of Serpentia and the Great Serpent Lord – for as long as I live."
The people were stunned, and it took some time for them to actually react, but when they did their joy filled Ardyn in a way that made her soul song spike and begin to evolve.
Elsa watched her as they walked on. "Now that you are truly a pauper, how do you feel?"
"How do I feel?" Ardyn frowned. "I guess I never really thought about it. I feel unburdened – it was freeing." She nodded as if this verified her resolve and confirmed her truth.
Elsa nodded slowly. "Let's go to our allies - The Bear Clan – there is much for you to gain with them."
Before Ardyn responded, they both felt the ripple and Varric's presence. Ardyn both stiffened – with apprehension – and felt her heart begin to pound hard in her chest.
Varric was in front of her in the next breath. His soft black scales shimmering in the sun, the silver veining in the scales seeming to flow like deep calming waters along his form.
He stepped to her – his arms open – and drew her into a tight embrace.
Ardyn melted into the familiar comfort and security and closed her eyes. They breathed each other in for a long moment. Elsa smiled and sat down, with a slight shake of her head. She allowed them some time before she began speaking.
"Did you come here just for a hug?"
Varric spoke into Ardyn's hair – not wanting to let her go.
"No. I wanted to tell you that the Stronghoods are trying to get Esmeralda to find Ardyn for them."
Ardyn stiffened, but Elsa laughed.
"They truly are fools. If anyone can see our marks on them, she can. She will have their souls for ritual ingredients before things are over." She laughed again. "You work to save them, Little One, and they work toward their own self-destruction."
Ardyn said nothing. She stiffened, and both Varric and Elsa felt the sharp, sudden stab of hurtful regret—that her family only wanted to destroy her and the world she was trying to protect.
Varric tightened his embrace, she felt his love radiating from him as he pressed closer to her. "Your promise is safe, my love. But they drive their own fate and if they are a danger to you they are a danger to Serpentia."
His voice rumbled through her as it became more intense. Varric's love welled as he whispered.
"You will always be protected, you will always be safe."