A quick bit of understanding to be established before you begin… as I hope you will.

Although it is near impossible to have a fanfiction that gives nothing of its subject away, I feel that it is not altogether necessary to follow dialogue or plot verbatim. That being said, I am not likely to have conversations match those that take place in the game word for word; the gist of what was being said or what occurred is the foundation before my artistic license comes into play… that is the fun of writing with established characters and plot lines; 'what ifs' and 'if onlys' can be fleshed out for the sake of knowing. As well as for the entertainment value.

::Disclaimer:: I do not own the rights to the Characters, Plot, Locations, etc. from Dragon Age. I do, however own the game (and expansions) and ask for clemency for the way my mind plays with the aforementioned characters, plots, locations, etc. Sometimes (not always) I cannot help it. (The other times I just don't feel like stopping it.)

Enjoy

Breaks, which were once denoted by an extra space, will now be separated with ::AtW::.

Edited to the best of my ability on 8/16/12

::AtW::

Twin Age, Chapter One.

Ariella Surana narrowed her eyes in concentration, bending and shaping the flame with her will. Her skin tingled as the mana flowed through her, fueling the spell she manipulated so thoroughly.

"Are you about done? I should think you have proved your prowess the last time. You know, with the fire taking shape as a dancing couple and waltzing around the room?"

She sighed and vanished the flame as she shifted her gaze to her twin, her other half. "I would not have done so if you had not made your own resemble a hala and prance about so daintily."

Allia smiled and tilted her head. "Well, we would not wish to disappoint our instructor… and what is a little competition between siblings?"

Ariella's smile matched that of her sister while she reveled in the moment. Allia was only completely herself when they were alone or while using magic; her shyness had the tendency of crippling her in most other situations. The only other people Allia was comfortable speaking with were First Enchanter Irving and Cullen, a Templar.

They were identical, the only obvious difference in their hair color; Allia's the lightest blonde-near white- and Ariella's as dark as hair could be although their eyes were different, if one were to take the time, and chance being close enough, to notice. They had shared everything from the moment they were to become two separate beings; in the womb the mana had flowed freely between the two of them and their minds had established a connection that even the trauma of birth could not sever.

They shared still; they were in each other's minds nearly at all times. They were practically the same person, as they should have been really.

It was through this link that Ariella knew of Allia's blooming feelings for Cullen.

There were no secrets between the sisters.

Allia was aware of the concerns Ariella would never voice. She understood and had the same simple despair; a relationship with a Templar, a relationship that reflected her feelings, was impossible. Allia steeled herself against the gentile lap of sadness, refusing to subject her twin to it as well. They could feel everything the other did; although they could block physical sensations, mostly, emotions flowed along the mental link much stronger.

Come, we should sleep soon.

Yes.

::AtW::

They awoke abruptly from a hand on each of their arms.

"The time has come for your Harrowing."

They nodded their understanding and were led up the many flights of stairs to the Harrowing Chamber.

"This is highly irregular Irving. Never have we conducted two Harrowings simultaneously."

"Well Greagoir, never have we had identical twin mages. I feel it would be in the best interests of maintaining the secrecy involved if they undergo the trial at the same time." Irving turned his attention to the female mages for a moment. "There is much we do not know of twins who both have power."

Greagoir sighed and turned to acknowledge the apprentices, "They would have to be elven, wouldn't they." He muttered under his breath.

Allia and Ariella's eyes connected with the two men, the link between their minds widening as the readied themselves for the task ahead. Neither listened as Greagoir instructed them in the dangers of demons, nor did they pay Irving any mind as he told them that their will was all they needed in the Fade. They approached the pedestal and, as one mind, placed their hands in the shimmering liquid.

At once they were in the Fade.

"It is time Irving, call a demon into their minds."

Light emanated from the First Enchanter's hands as a design glowed into existence under the twins. A red mist enveloped the women before dissipating completely. Greagoir's eyes widened. "What?"

Irving began the spell anew, changing a single syllable which would summon a stronger entity. Again the mist dissipated. He lowered his hands. "This is most odd." He said, his tone laced with curiosity.

"Try again." Greagoir ordered, his gaze never wavering from the young mages.

Irving shifted his attention to the Knight-Commander. "That was the strongest demon that has ever been called in a Harrowing and it could not infiltrate their minds. Only twice before has that type of demon been called for this purpose; when the lesser demon was too weak to infiltrate the apprentice's mind. Both mages later become First Enchanter."

"I understand this Irving, however, it is possible that the demon was not strong enough, the spell was not working, or that it not working was a fluke." The First Enchanter shrugged and repeated the spell. Nothing happened.

"Can you summon a stronger demon?"

Irving's gaze sharpened as it cut to the Templars' leader. "There is only one other demon that is within my power to summon. The last time this particular type took over a mage, the abomination it became decimated three villages."

Greagoir's face hardened. "That event occurred when the mage had left the tower and was not subject to the might of the Templars. Such a thing could not happen in this setting."

Irving shook his head and began the spell. The floor beneath the sisters glowed red, the design melted into the floor as a black mist encircled them softly before spinning madly and dissipating completely.

Shock was apparent on the faces the First Enchanter and the Knight-Commander.

"This cannot be." Greagoir whispered. "They cannot be possessed."

Irving closed his eyes before opening then slowly. "I told you there is much we do not know about twin mages. These two in particular shared the same umbilical cord and healed everyone in the birthing room. They were never placed in their mother's arms, as they began the journey here as soon as the cord was cut." He turned to face Greagoir fully. "I have always expected great things from them. Do not worry Greagoir, they will still be undergoing a trial; if not the one originally planned."

::AtW::

Lyrium Vein.

I am there.

One stood beside a glowing section of land, waiting and healing the other while the lyrium seeping to the surface replenished itself. Mana flowed between the two, letting one use the other's supply when their own became too low. They had not made it any further that the Spirit of Valor before being assaulted by demons.

The first had been relatively easy to dispatch; only requiring one spell from each. The next two, however, had forced them to use near all of their mana to destroy. Nothing in all their learning had prepared them for the last demon; an Alpha Sloth Demon.

Every time it seemed as though they had beaten it, it would transform into something so much stronger. It had taken a bit of trial and error before they realized it would be best for one of them to fuel and heal while the other used any and all offensive spells to damage and distract the terror that seemed determined to tear their souls to shreds.

It is weakening.

Let us hope this will be the last form.

Do not fret, if it is not, we will still prevail.

A flash of cold froze the demon in place before the area in between was filled with lightening. They watched wearily as it collapsed to the ground once more; it did not rise again.

Finally.

The Fade changed to that of the dreaming; confirming to the twins that the trial had ended. They let their conscious separate to its normal state and welcomed the oblivion of sleep.

It seemed only minutes later that Ariella became aware of her fellow apprentices speaking. She and Allia had not gotten on well with the other apprentices their age; in reality, there was only one other mage in their age range who bothered to socialize with them.

"Are you finally awake then?" Think of the devil.

She opened her eyes and blinked owlishly. "Jowan?"

"It seems you passed your Harrowing. I know I shouldn't ask but… what was it?" He asked as she sat up and tested her legs before standing.

"It was… Harrowing." She said at length, knowing that any detail was forbidden and really, everyone in the dorm was listening in.

She tuned him out and made general comments as she did a quick assessment of herself. It would not do for any damage to have followed her from the Fade.

He really is such an ass. Do you hear him prattling on about the tranquil and whining about when he will have his own Harrowing. I mean, honestly.

Ariella tsked her sister. He really is not all bad, if more than a little self-centered. Allia conveyed a sense of noncommittal as she gained her feet.

"…and First Enchanter Irving wants to see you both." Jowan finished.

"I must go then. We can speak more later." She said as they made their way to the tower's second floor.

There is something going on with him you know.

Well, he had talked about having met a girl right? It could have something to do with that.

Again, Allia sent a feeling of noncommittal. I always had the feeling that he was referring to you when he would go on about all of that. I mean, have you seen him with anyone else? It is not as though the tower is full of other options.

Now I think you are just being mean.

Allia shrugged a mischievous light in her green eyes. Maybe, but that does not mean I do not make a valid point.

I am sure we will find out soon enough if there is something going on with him. He cannot seem to keep his own confidences.

They met with the First Enchanter, interrupting a heated discussion between him and the Knight-Commander Greagoir about the war. They were introduced to Duncan, a Grey Warden, whom Allia had Ariella ask many questions of; filling in the missing gaps of information they had acquired from their collective reading of every book the library had to offer. They had never been outside the tower and Allia, in particular, thirsted for any news she could get from the outside world.

They were informed that they had been moved from the apprentice dorm to the mages' quarters and that they should enjoy the day; after they escorted the Grey Warden to the guest chambers.

It was just after they left Duncan's company that Jowan made his presence known once more.

"Ariella, could we speak for a moment?" He asked, looking at Allia pointedly, "In private." Ariella nodded, amusement alight in both of their eyes. If only he knew.

Allia shook her head as she watched Jowan lead her sister away. She sighed as she heard him talking about how it was a very important matter that he trusted Ariella not to speak to anyone about; especially Allia.

It is only because he believes you do not like him.

I do not like him.

I know.

Allia smiled and wandered in the general direction of the mages' quarters that they were to be residing in. Her smile warmed and widened when she saw her Cullen stationed outside the door of the room she was sure would be theirs.

He flushed as she approached. "I…I… I am glad your Harrowing went well."

"Hello, Cullen." She flushed a bit and looked into his eyes. Part of what she loved about him was the way he would stutter when he was embarrassed.

"I… I was the knight chosen to take you out if you became an abomination."

Her smile lost a little of its warmth.

"Would you have?" She asked. "Struck me down?"

"I would have felt terrible about it… but I would have to do my duty." Regret tinged his words; she knew he meant it. How cruel, she thought, that he would have been the one to save her soul and end her life.

"I knew I would pass my Harrowing." She whispered, not taking her eyes off his face.

"I knew you would too… It's just… I have heard of Harrowings going badly and I…" His face flushed again.

She nodded as she finally looked away. "I should stop distracting you from your duties."

"I… I… You're not a distraction. Well, you are, but…" He stuttered. Allia's eyes searched his lovely brown eyes once more. "You can come and talk to me whenever you want."

Her smile bloomed into life again and he flushed for what, she suspected, was a whole other reason.

She walked into her new room and lied back slowly on her bed. She listened with idle interest that became vapid curiosity as to what Jowan was saying to Ariella. She shot up to sitting position. There was a girl, and an initiate no less. The same possibility lay with them as with herself and Cullen.

You must agree to help him. We have to.

What about the possibility that he is a blood mage? If he is, think of what he will be doing.

He already told you he was not; people would be much more likely to suspect a mage of blood magic than to suspect an initiate of any wrong doing. You are the one who said that Jowan cannot keep his own confidences and he had proven so time and again. If he is a blood mage, either you or this Lily should know it. I personally do not believe he has the talent or potential required; that is me and I have been wrong before.

I think we should go to the First Enchanter about this. Yes, his story may be true but…

Do what you must and I will do the same.

It became a race of who could complete the necessary precautions first. Ariella won, though only due to the time it took Allia to clear out the spider infestation in the caverns. The ending would have been the same, they were both aware. When she took the rod of fire and met Jowan and Lily, Ariella felt a slight pang of guilt; the irony that it was she whom they trusted when it was Allia who selflessly worked to help them did not escape either sister.

Jowan and Lily looked at Ariella accusingly when Allia met them at the door to the lower floor. She just shrugged as they continued on their quest. Allia felt a moment of relief when Jowan's phylactery broke on the stone floor. She knew what would happen, as Ariella had told Irving, but her conscious was clear; she had done her best to help the impossible become possible.

The group froze as they were met with the approach of the First Enchanter and Knight-Commander upon leaving the basement. Sadness washed over the sisters.

We knew this would happen. Either way.

It does not make it any easier.

"I see you were not lying, Irving, an initiate helping a blood mage. She seems to be of her own mind, no blood magic at work here." He looked into Lily's eyes and rejoined his group of Templars. "Death to the blood mage. As for the initiate who broke her vows, Aeonar for her."

Lily's hand flew to her mouth, "The mages' prison… oh no, I could not possibly…"

"No!" Jowan yelled as he brandished a dagger. "You will not touch her!" He stabbed his hand and knocked all of the Templars, along with the First Enchanter, to the ground.

"Blood magic… but you said…" Lily began, shock and disbelief coloring her tone and evidenced on her face.

"I admit I… dabbled, but it was only a little. I was hoping it would make me a better mage."

"Blood magic is evil Jowan; it changes people. I… I don't even know you. Just leave! Get out of my sight! I never want to see you again!" She yelled, tears trailing down her face.

The twins helped Irving and Greagoir to their feet as they watched Jowan flee the scene. The First Enchanter defended them to the Knight-Commander, who wanted the twins punished for assisting a blood mage. Lily accepted whatever punishment the Commander saw fit, even the mages' prison.

Duncan intervened and conscripted them both, much to the displeasure of Irving and Greagoir.

What will become of us now?

Well, I am sure it will begin with our becoming Grey Wardens.

But what of… The thought went unfinished. Ariella looked at Allie with understanding.

The tower is not going anywhere. Maybe we can return one day.

Allia closed her eyes. Maybe.

::AtW::

The Knight-Commander paced Irving's study.

"We have lost the only incorruptible mages to have ever existed, for what?"

"I myself much prefer to have them in the Grey Wardens than to see you have them killed for assisting a blood mage; especially when it was by my command."

"I was not going to kill them. I was going to make an example of them; maybe make one of them tranquil."

The First Enchanter shook his head and returned his attention to his journal. "It probably would not have worked, the Rite of Tranquility, any more than the Harrowing. Those two have a bond with magic that I do not believe can be tampered with."

"Maybe I should have killed them rather than let something so powerful live."

Irving sighed. "You are being very short sighted about this; or possibly willfully ignorant of all it entails."

Greagoir glared at him. "And just what is that supposed to mean?"

Irving set his quill down as he sat back in his chair. "It means that you and your men would have had to have killed them when they were much younger for you to have been able to kill them at all.

Besides, those two do not have an evil bone in their body. Such pure spirits are rarely seen on this side of the veil. You would not have wanted to be the Templar that killed the Maker's angels or messengers? Would you?"

Greagoir searched the First Enchanter's face. "You truly believe that of them?"

Irving smiled. "It is the only explanation I can find that makes any sense at all."

::AtW::

It was decided; they would leave in the morning. Ariella lied in her bed and stared languidly at the ceiling far overhead. She had already eaten her fill of dinner, said her goodbyes, and packed her belongings; she had even packed Allia's as it did not seem that she would be up to the task any time soon. As though she could change what lie ahead by pretending that none of it had happened. If only.

You should go to him. We have already spoken with any other we cared for; if you do not you will regret it.

You just do not want to feel my regret.

There is that. A smile graced Ariella's lips. We both know it is what you want.

Allia sighed. It was; she would only plague herself with the 'what if's and 'if only's, with nothing to come of it. What was done was done; the consequences were ordained. Maker knows what she had thought would come of it. Neither of them had thought their actions would go unnoticed, or that their involvement would be a secret.

Ariella closed her eyes as Allia's footsteps whispered by and out the door. She stretched her consciousness as far away from her sister's as possible; this was the one thing they could do to attempt to offer the other privacy. Still, she sent as much support or confidence as she could while still maintaining the distance.

Allia argued with herself as she made her way to Cullen. He was not stationed far, luckily, and so she did not have enough time to have one side win over the other. She could not look him in the eye.

"Hello Cullen." She whispered.

"I heard a strange rumor that you and your sister are leaving the tower." There was a strain in his words that she had not heard before; as though he were fighting the urge to panic. She looked up into his eyes.

It was there, barely controlled panic.

"We were given no choice, not really." Her voice broke under the pressure of so much emotion. "We are to be Grey Wardens." She tried to calm herself, breathing steadily; still, she could not stop the tears. "I do not want to leave…" She began and ended in a whisper, "you."

She had looked away from him the moment the tears came, having no want for him to see them. She did not see the tender look in his eyes, nor the grief that lay behind it. Her surprise was notable when his armored finger slipped under her chin and turned her face back to his.

"Is there anyone nearby?" He asked.

Confusion swam in her gaze but she searched their surrounding with her senses, with her magic. "The closest person is Ariella; most everyone else is a floor above or below us."

She flushed as his other hand settled on her waist and he pulled her close. He tilted her head back to see her better; meeting her gaze and her blush with his own. "I have never felt… the way I feel for you… for anyone. And… I know it is against everything that I stand for." He paused, trying to fit his thoughts into words. "Maker help me, but I do not care."

Allia blinked away the new tears and her heart swelled. Thinking that you know how someone feels about you and having them actually say it are two very different things. She gently placed her hands on either side of his face, tracing his features softly. "I love you, Cullen."

He pulled her against him gently, his hand sliding to the back of her head. He lowered his head slowly, eyes flickering from her own to her lips and back. "I love you too." He said just as his mouth descended onto hers.

Ariella's brow furrowed. Things she had never before experienced came through her connection with Allia. The flood of emotions and slight physical sensations assaulted her mind. After a moment of processing, realization dawned; Alllia had received her first kiss. Her smiled could have lit up the entire tower with its brilliance.

She extended her awareness, feeling along with her magic; she found them at Cullen's post, which was as she expected. She felt further, making a sweep of the surrounding area. Uh oh.

Irving is heading your way. He will be there within a minute. She felt the acknowledgement and the reluctance. Ariella sighed as she got out of bed; the things she would do for her sister.