Chapter I

Coming home

Darkspawn. For Ferelden these creatures had always straddled the line between menace and myth. Nannies and wet-nurses the kingdom over clucked that it was the darkspawn who snatched unruly children from their beds at night and disappeared into the bowels of the earth- never to be seen again. Now and then, however, in a dingy, ale-soaked tavern you might hear of a caravan that had been raided by such creatures, or of a farmer who had been woken by the sound of his cattle being devoured by something monstrous. But these small bands of darkspawn were mindless beasts, bearing crude arms and usually starving- even the most mead-addled, pot-bellied garrison in the kingdom could dispatch of them. But the threat was over, and by the Maker everyone hoped it would be for centuries to come.

After a week of traveling Ariane, Finn, Buster, Morrigan, our son Jason and I were exhausted and our rations were low. I had eaten less than everyone else and gave most of my rations to my son and soon to be wife. She came walking out of our tent wearing her robes and wrapped in a cloak she came up behind me and she wrapped her arms around my chest as she kissed my collarbone. I smiled and let out a sigh as I looked over my shoulder into her beautiful golden eyes.

"Come to bed, my love, you cannot spend the whole of the night keeping watch. 'Tis something, I believe Buster can do quite well on his own." Buster walks over wagging his short little tail as he barked happily. I looked back out into the pitch black forest. "I'm fine I haven't been hungry lately."

She sighed as she unwrapped her arms and walked around me to stand in the way of my gaze. "You can't protect us if you don't eat and rest."

I look into her eyes once again as she looks at me into my soul with such warmth and compassion. I finally give in as I lean in and kiss her softly on the lips and I take a hold of her hand. "Alright let's go love… Buster you're on guard duty." Buster barked happily as he spun around before he planted his butt on the ground and stared into the forest.

The next morning I woke up to find Morrigan propped up on one arm as she looked at Jason smiling. I smile as I propped myself up on my elbows as I lean over and kiss her on the lips. "Good morning, my love."

She nodded as she looked at me then back at Jason. "Good morning, he looks just like you…"

I gently grabbed Jason's hand as I kissed his forehead. "That he does." Moments later we got out of the tent to see everything has been picked up except for our tent.

Finn walked over with a grin as he waved his hand over our tent and it vanished. "Morning you love birds."

"Shut up you queer man. I believe you have some tevinter scrolls to excite yourself over." I nodded to Finn and chuckled as I walk over to Buster who looked like a statue while I adjusted the leather straps on my armor. "Alright boy guard duty is over. Time we head home." Buster immediately jumped to his feet as he gave a cheery bark and went to Morrigan's side.

It had only taken a day's travel to reach Vigils Keep and by that time I could tell we were all famished from the growling of our stomachs. As we approached the gates they slowly opened and Anders, Oghren, Nathaniel, and Mhairi were the thereto greet us. Once the short reunion was over we went to the throne room where Seneschal Varel was speaking to Captain Garavel, both had survived the attack on Vigils Keep while I defended the city of Amaranthine.

When I approached them both crossed their arms over their chests and bowed. "Welcome home Commander and who are these four you have with you?"

I smiled as I wrapped my arm around Morrigan while she held our son. "This is my soon to be wife and this is my son Jason."

For a moment Varel looked at Garavel with a confused look but Garavel just shrugged "Excuse me Commander but I have some matters to attend to in the barracks."

I looked at Garavel and nodded. "Alright do what you must. Varel in case if you're wondering Morrigan was with me during the Blight and that's where it all began." Varel nodded like he understood as he clapped his hands together and three servants came over.

Morrigan looked at the servants with spite "I do not need them to do anything for me and none of them are touching my son with their grubby little hands." The Seneschal looked at the servants and waved them off.

"Don't worry Varel I just need you to make preparations for the wedding. Oghren can help her out."

Oghren looked at me with wide eyes. "Awe sodding nug nuggets! You can't be serious Brenden?"

Morrigan looked at him and crinkled her nose. "You smell like tavern sewage. Just show me to his room and quickly. I do not wish to smell you longer than necessary."

I shook my head and crossed my arms as they walked off with Buster following close behind.

Varel spoke up "I'll get the preparations ready Commander. And she is a wild card from the look of her, be careful Commander. Oh one more thing Teyrn of Highever is here to see you."

I stepped closer to him as I looked him sternly in the eyes. "I know what Morrigan is capable of. Varel I would suggest watching your tongue considering she will soon be your Arlesa."

While I waited for Fergus to arrive I turned to Anders and smiled. "So how have you been since I've been gone? I see the Keep is back to normal."

Anders had his mischievous looking grin as he held Sir-Pounce-a-Lot in his arms as he petted the cat. "Oh you know me I've been healing the wounded and torturing Templar's whenever I can. As for the Keep, I suppose if by normal you mean quiet with darkspawn beneath our feet and Wade whining like a school girl, then yes."

I could not hold in my laughter as I shook Anders hand. I saw Nathaniel who stood before his mother's portrait. I walked over to see a sad look on his face "Do you think you could do me a favor and get rid of this. Just send it to my personal manor and I'll deal with it."

I nodded as I patted him on the shoulder. "Sure thing Nathaniel; I'll see what I can do."

He smiled at me "Thank you…"

My attention went to Mhairi as she walked over to me. "Commander welcome back and I have a report but I'll tell you later."

Just as she walked away Fergus walked in. I immediately went to him and we embraced. Once we stopped squeezing the air out of each other we finally talked.

Fergus smiled "So how has my little brother been fairing?"

I let out a sigh, but with a small smile. "I'm hardly you're little brother anymore Fergus. I've been well and I finally found Morrigan and my son."

He looked at me with wide eyes and a big grin as he punched me in the arm. "Good for you Brenden! I'm happy for you and I can't wait to meet them. Sadly I might not be able to today I have to head back to Highever. Why don't you take a trip to Highever, perhaps you can leave next week?"

I smiled as I hug him once more. "I would like to Fergus."

I apologize for the short chapter, but I promise in the future to all you viewers that they will be longer and better and I update it every week!