Hello and welcome back. this is the contuation of "Childhood Friends and What Not." the orgional can be found at .net/s/5716684/1/Childhood_Friends_and_what_not

please read, review respond.

also, bioware owns all.

Holy shit, Ferelden really did smell like wet dog. Theresa always thought it was a rude thing that foreigners said to make themselves feel better about their home land. But after a year and a half in Antivia, where the wind smelled of baking bread in the fall and grass in the spring, she was beginning to miss Antiva City after only a few hours of being home. Ah, Antiva, a land fertile by the many rivers, loved by the earth, and cradled by the sky. And then there's Ferelden. Mostly, Amerathine. Next to the ocean so it rains every three days and is humid during the spring through fall, and with no mountains to block the path of wind, it snows all winter.

Only a few hours and she was beginning to miss Antiva. No wonder Zevran showed such desire to get back to it after a few months in Highever. "Thess, you should come with me. I swear this to you, if you do not fall in love with the people, the scenery, or the food of Antiva, you will stay for the wine, women, and music." He was right. Everything was different from Ferelden.

But no, here we are, in Amerinthe, where it was raining like the maker was showing his disappointment and pissing on the land. It was sunny when she was on the docks of Antiva City three weeks ago. Zevran gave her one last good bye hug/caress, and she could feel the letter from the First Warden in the breast pocket of her shadow armor. The letter said that the last two foreign Grey Warden Commanders were assonated because Fereldens do not feel comfortable with anyone else in a position of power. Which meant her or Alistair, and seeing as how he was busy being king, the process of elimination was quick. Plus, she was on vacation for two years after the arch Demon died and it was time for her to return to work, because she didn't deliver the final blow. Another reason to regret letting Logain live and die for a cause that he was only a part of for five days.

Theresa took another deep breath and sighed. It's going to take some getting used to again. How long did it take Zev? Or Lili? Theresa shook her head in shame. She was disappointed in her own lack of patriotism but again, it was also well warranted. She was the Hero of Ferelden after all and here she is, thinking all the bad things that others say to be rude. She sighed at herself again. The female knight she was walking with that lead her from the Amaranthine docks to the…Vigil was it?...was quite. She didn't speak much but to start small conversation. Theresa tried to be polite but found it difficult to care right now.

Theresa looked up at the position of the sun. Lets see, its Thursday at about three in the afternoon. Her and Zev would be playing rouge hide and seek where they blend into the crowd, pick pockets, and mock assonate each other. Ah the good times.

Theresa stopped dead in her tracks. The annoying buzz in the back of her head warned her that there were dark spawn ahead. And from the amount of pressure, a great deal. "How far is the fortress?"

The knight turned to look at her with a confused look on her face. "The gates are right there, Commander, why?"

Theresa kept her eyes on the gates. Some were coming her way. "Where are the other Grey Wardens? Something's not right." Theresa looked about herself. A scream turned her attention to two men running toward her. And after them was three hurlocks. Theresa quickly drew her blades and ran into battle head first. Theresa dispatched two in the time it took the knight to kill one. The woman gave an exasperated "makers breath" before putting her shield behind her.

Theresa walked to the freighted men as asked what was going on. They were scared of course but she assured them that she was the new Warden Commander and that seemed to calm them down a little. According to the 'soldier' people started screaming and dying and he ran away from it only to run into trouble. "Get yourself to safety." Because you would run on me anyway Theresa thought.

"Thank you m'lady." The man said as they ran in the opposite direction of the battle.

"We don't have much time, Commander." The knight said.

What! We can't stop for tea? This is bull shit! I demand tea. In a fancy cup. "Let's move, and try to save all survivors."

The two women moved out and kept their wits about them. "This isn't a blight." The knight said. "How are they moving in unison?"

"How did they pull a sneak attack? On wardens no less." Theresa felt the presence of more dark spawn. "Something has got to be leading them."

"This isn't a blight, commander, what could it be?"

Theresa's mind quickly went to the memory of the infected Duncan, leading the dark spawn during the siege of Demeriem. His chains were still in the pocket of her leathers. The pressure increased in the back of her head. She shook it off quickly. "You seem to know a better deal of dark spawn that the average knight are you, what's your story?"

The knight blushed. "Sorry, Commander, I was informed that proper introductions would be done at the keep."

Theresa smiled. "And here we are." She waved her hand at the fortress that was in front of them.

The knight gave a small titter. "Yes, my name is Marine. I was a knight in the Kings employ until a month ago when I was recruited into the Grey Wardens. I haven't taken my joining yet. The sensechel sent me to escort you here." Marine looked at the keep in worry. "I was not expecting this."

Theresa smiled again. "I'm sure the rest of the wardens weren't either." Marine looked down quickly and then tried to give an informative response but came up with nothing. "So how is the king?"

"Oh no."

"What?"

"The king is supposed to be here to welcome you back to Ferelden, Commander."

Theresa remained quiet. Somehow saying a sarcastic 'Wahoo' seemed out of place for one of his knights.

A roar of a glenlock turned Theresa to look at a hovel to the west where two dark spawn were. Theresa looked at Marine who pointed her blade another group not too far from the others. They ran in that direction, Theresa removed four stilettos from her dragon bone thigh holsters and threw them into the dark spawns neck. They instantly stopped and grabbed for their necks. Theresa withdrew her blades and gave a quick hurricane to the two and killed them quickly. She picked up and replaced her stilettos quickly and turned to help Marine. By the time she arrived, Theresa decapitated a glenlock from behind quickly and ended the battle. Marine gave an appereactive head nod. "Check the bodies, take everything." Theresa commanded. Marine seemed discouraged to not only touch a dead body, but to loot it as well.

Theresa felt the presence of two more behind them. Rouges, shrouded. "I'll take the one on the left, you take the right." Theresa said. Marine looked around her and was confused. Theresa turned and threw her dagger in the general direction of the dark spawn. They un-shrouded and the candle light came on for Marine.

Marine wanted to ask how the commander knew where they were, but they continued on to fight, kill, and steal from the dark spawn.

XxXxXx

"I don't believe it. The keep has been overrun."

Theresa looked around. The keep was either overrun or she needed to fire the cleaning staff. Mostly because the hay WAS on fire. "How many wardens were here?"

"A dozen, but they brought soldiers with them."

A dozen wardens and soldiers but they've only come across a few, "we need to keep moving." Maine moved to head up the stairs but three shrieks appeared. Theresa quickly tried to stun them but only succeeded in one. Marine quickly dispatched it and moved on to another. Theresa turned to the other but the shriek scratched through her leather and dragon scale armor and rendered her left arm useless. Theresa cried out in pain but continued to attack the shriek with all her strength in her right. The dark spawn soon fell.

Theresa investigated the wound. It wasn't deep enough to cut ligaments, but was bleeding a great deal. She patched herself up and headed up the stairs.

Marine busted open the door and Theresa ran in first, but stopped at what she saw. Someone was playing with fire. Oh, a mage. Don't see too many of those outside the circle. Theresa could smell the burning flesh of the dark spawn as it took a few steps back. The mage turned to see his new visitors. He placed his hands on his hips but turned to check on the dark spawn as it hit the floor.

The male looked the two over quickly and then looked behind him again. "Uhh, I didn't do it."

All Theresa could do was blink and breathe. She chuckled. "You're a horrible liar. I just…oh." Her face grew serious as she saw the two fallen templar's.

"Uh, yea. Biff there…"

"Don't care" Theresa interrupted. "Are you a healer?"

The mage's brow furrowed for a moment. "Yes?"

"Good." Theresa walked toward him and held her wounded arm out to him. " Please."

The mage looked at her quisiquely for a moment before reaching out for her arm. A faint blue light flowed from his hands and Theresa could feel the warmth from the healing. Theresa looked at his hands and wrist carefully. He had a few scars, but none self inflected. Then again, he was a healer. He could be a blood mage either way. Shame, he was kind of cute. He kind of reminded her of

"All done." Theresa looked at her arm and flexed it quickly. Wow, he was good. Almost as good as Wynne.

"Good job." She looked at his face. They could be brothers. "What's your name?"

"Ah, I am Anders. Mage and wanted apostate, at your service." He gave a slight bow.

Theresa smiled "Like the country?"

"Funny," his smile grew ten fold. "Like I haven't that before." He dropped his smile and crossed his arms over his chest. "Xander Yearling, actually."

"An apostate, here, at the keep." Theresa couldn't help but notice that Marine's voice held a small amount of contempt and worry.

Anders looked past Theresa and saw the other female. "Ah, you weren't here when we arrived. I'm sure I would have remembered such a …lovely woman such as yourself." His eyes slowly dragged across her body and his smile grew lecherous. Theresa smiled, more like Zev actually. "We were just stopping here on our way back to the tower. Just a short rest, I was told. And now they're dead." Anders turned to look at the templar's. "Such a shame." Wow, tell us how you really feel. Anders turned back to the females with a smile.

Theresa looked him over. Blonde, rebellious earring, teventer robes. "Blood mage?"

His face grew serious. "Not all of us mages are evil, you know."

"Just checking. Help me get rid of the dark spawn, and I'll get you a cake position in Highever as a healer. Deal?"

Anders blinked twice and forgot how to breathe. "Uhh…"

Theresa took a step toward him. "Help me, and this," she jutted her chin in the direction of the templars, "disappears. Deal?"

The mage smiled at her. "Right, let's get going then." He clasped his hands and started walking toward the door.

"You have leryium on you mage?"

"Nope."

Theresa shook her head and made a note to get some.

XxXxXx

Marine was the only one who knew her way around the keep so she lead the way. So far, Theresa's favorite part of her welcome home party was a dwarf that created a huge explosion. Classic. What made it better was the mage clasping at his ears Marine clawing at her helm to protect her ears. Theresa smiled because it should've echoed in her helm.

The main chamber was stressful to say the least. Theresa could sense them but nothing could have prepared them for the onslaught.

After a wonderful healing spell from the mage, Theresa picked door number one and was disappointed. Door number two, however ,Theresa could feel the dark spawn ahead and ran in only to stop in her tracks again. A dwarf was wielding a huge axe and swearing in a memorable tone. "Oghren?"

He turned and saw Theresa. He stopped killing the dark spawn and waved. WAVED in the middle of battle. Theresa smiled at her foolish old friend before running into the room and killing everything that moved.

Oghren ran to the railing and looked at Thess. He gave a laugh "Thar you are."

"Here I am, Oghren." Theresa sheathed her weapons and looked up at him with a smile. "What are you doing here?"

He gave another laugh. "I told those damn dark spawn 'you wait 'til the new commander arrives, and you'll be spittin your teeth our through your arses.'" He gave another laugh.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were in the army?"

He snorted. "Disbelieving your eyes huh? I get like that after my fifth bottle. But I came here thinkin I'd try my hand at bein a grey warden."

Disgust ran over Marine's face. "Ugh, he was here when I left. I'm surprised that the other Wardens didn't kick him out already."

Oghren came down the lower level and leaded against the stair well. "Well, if it isn't the recruit with the great rack." Theresa shook her head while he snorted.

"A true prize for the wardens, I'm sure."

"Hey, whose the mage? Boyfriend? Lover?" He slowly turned to look at Theresa. "They kind of do look alike , don't they Boss." Theresa arched a warning brow at him. Oghren tucked his thumbs into his belt. "Should I leave you two alone?"

"Look, a rude dwarf that smells like a brewery. You don't see that anywhere." At least Anders can keep his own.

Oghren cocked his head to the side. "A mage and a comedian, thought those normally died young."

Theresa smiled. "How's your wife, Oghren?" The other two looked at Theresa like a second head was on her shoulders.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Ehh, the elf?"

"Alive, last I checked. Heard you had a kid. Little girl."

"Yea. Acts like her mom though. She screams when I get in late." He gave another laugh.

Theresa joined him. "Pack your shit, you're not going to be a warden." Theresa walked past him to get out the door and proceed.

Oghren stood in her way. "What was that boss?"

"You are not going to be a warden, Oghren. Pack up and go home."

"Hey, I got every right…"

"Here, let me get to your level so you can better understand me." Theresa got down on a knee and looked at Oghren, "You're doing better than the first time I met you. Go home, enjoy it."

"An where am I supposed to go, back to Orzommar?"

"Demeriem, drunken idot."

"King fuckin thunder humper."

Theresa grew silent. Oghren was as stubborn as they come and refused to move. Theresa clinched her jaw and popped her neck. "After the Vigil is cleared, you're going home."

"The wardens aren't allowed to say no, commander. You probably missed that when you ran away with the elf and giant."

Theresa took a deep breath. "You have too much to lose."

"I'll be the final judge."

There was a silent moment between the two. An awkward silence for the other two. The dark spawn pressure was growing. "Fine." Theresa stood up and walked out the door. "Let's go."

XxXxXx

The trumpets sounded as the gates came into view. Theresa looked up from the gore that was on the roof. The kings banners were waving as the escort party was quickly upon the Keep. "Oh yea, the king. Almost forgot about that. I don't want to deal with this." Theresa sighed and made her way down to greet the king. Oghren stayed close to her as they approached the king.

Alistair looked more…regal? Royal? Even though he looked the same, it seemed odd. Maybe it was just the armor.

Theresa stopped. The old man she saved dropped to a knee and honored the king. Alistair looked at Theresa and raised a brow. "I'm covered in blood and guts, I just got off a ship two hours ago, walked here, and battled countless dark spawn. Forgive me if I don't kneel."

"You should." A female voice behind Alistair said. She walked up beside him. She was well dressed, her dark hair was perfectly placed. Her hair and eyes were dark, her nose small and her lips were large. In every aspect, she was small, delicate. But she looked familiar to Theresa. She couldn't place it. "He is your king."

"Alice." Alistair tried to calm her "Its alright."

"She should show you the same respect as every other Arl in your kingdom, love."

Theresa spoke to her plainly. "The great thing about wearing many hats, I get to choose which one I want to wear. Besides, who are you?"

Alice gave a small smile and cocked her head. "You wound me cousin, Its me, Alice Waverly. And future queen of Ferleden."

Alice. Theresa's third cousin, Alice. Wow. Theresa looked at Alistair with a raised brow. His face was neutral. Theresa looked back at Alice. Alice. Wow, that hurt. He didn't get out of her gene pool. "Well, if you like, I can give you an axe and you can chop up the ogres and help set them on fire so you can better understand my lack of respect." Alice's smile disappeared.

Alistair, however, gave a small smile. "You always were a bitch after a battle. Sorry I'm late. I did rather miss the whole dark spawn killing thing."

Theresa nodded. "So, to what do we owe this honor your majesty?"

"Came to give you a formal welcome home. But I was not expecting this." He turned to the old man. "What's the situation?"

"The remaining dark spawn have fled. All the Grey Wardens from Orlais have either died, or are missing."

Alistair recoiled slightly. "Missing? Like taken by dark spawn? Can they even do that?"

"Yes they do." Theresa's statement was grim to her, but she never did tell him about Duncan.

"Well, you do have quite the task ahead of you. You'll be all alone in this."

"What am I, chopped nug liver?" Oghren's arms were wide in disappointment.

Anders laughed. "From the smell of it, I'd say that not a bad guess."

Theresa and Alistair smiled at their old friend. "Hey" Oghren continued "I came here to join the Grey Wardens, and from the looks of it, you could use the extra hands. Give me the cup. I'll gargle and spit."

Theresa looked at Alistair. "Please take him back into the army."

"What, and miss this? Never." Alistair's smile increased as Theresa dropped her head.

"So" Anders said, "the dwarf is going to be a warden, well, good luck with that."

The other woman behind Alistair snapped her fingers at Anders as if she just remembered something. She was a templar and looked pissed off at the mage. "Your majesty, this man is a dangerous criminal."

"The dwarf? Well, he can be an ass but…"

"She means me." Anders confessed. Theresa turned to look at him. His head was low like he was about to be scolded.

The templar continued. "This is an apostate that we were in the process of capturing to bring him to justice."

"Oh, please. What you people know of justice could fit into a thimble. Besides, I'll just escape again."

"Again?" That caught Theresa's attention. "You escaped the circle?"

Anders turned to her with a smile on his face. "Seven times actually."

"Amazing." Theresa smiled at him.

"You won't escape again because I will see you hung for what you have done murder." The templar frowned at him.

Anders shot back to the templar. "Murder? I didn't"

"I did." Everyone looked at Theresa. Andres looked shocked at Theresa's lie. "They wouldn't let him out of his cell so that he could get to safety. So I killed them. Is that a problem , templar?"

"You did…" Alice's eyes were wide with fear.

"What I would like to know is how you know without ever setting foot in my Vigil." The templar remained silent.

"How could you, they were men of the maker." Alice stated.

Theresa directed her attention back to the girl. "As a Grey warden, I'm allowed to do what is necessary to protect people from dark spawn." Theresa leaned in closer to her cousin and whispered "Again, it's about the hats."

Alistair's voice was hinting at anger. "Watch it, Commander."

"In doing so," Theresa went back to the Templar, "He is to be my personal healer."

The templars voice hit a shrieking note, "You can't do that."

Theresa looked over at Anders. His eyes showed he was worried. He already knew that there was only so much that Theresa could do to protect him. "I conscript Xander into the Grey Wardens."

Three people asked "what" but Alistair just smiled.

"Your majesty, she can't do this."

"Actually," Theresa said "I can. And I don't need Alistairs approval."

"That's KING Alistair." Alice quickly corrected.

"En serio?" Theresa asked. Everyone looked at her like she was crazy. "This is getting annoying. Is there anything else I can do for you…all?"

"Looks like you have everything under control." Alistair said. "We'll be going then." He looked at Theresa's arm and flexed his own. His eyes grew slightly worried, whether it was for himself or her she couldn't tell. "Be careful." Theresa nodded. "Come Alice, let's head home."

"No." Alice was watching Theresa was increased interest. "If we leave now, we will arrive back in Deneriem after dark. Arl Theresa," Theresa raised a brow in mocking question, "May we stay in your Keep for the night?"

Theresa was silent for a moment. Saying no is rude, saying yes is annoying. "If you don't mind the smell of the dead, then yes, you can stay. If you will excuse me, I need a bath." Theresa crossed her arms over her chest in a salute to Alistair and headed back to the keep.

Someone was running up behind her. The mage was there with a smile on his face. "So, me a Grey Warden."

"It's not that magical." Theresa was silent for a moment and looked at Anders out of the corner of her eye, "sorry."

He laughed. "Yes well, its better than the alternative."

"Yea. Find wounded soldiers and heal them." Theresa turned to look behind her. The templar was a good distance away. "Keep Marine near you."

Anders raised a brow. "Don't trust the templars either huh?"

"Not that one." He gave a small scoff. "Sorry I couldn't get you that cake job in Highever."

"Eh, being a Grey Warden means doing more than healing boo boos of a royal pain in the ass."

Theresa looked up and licked her lips. "That pain in the ass is my brother."

His brows shot up and his hands went wild. "Well, what I meant was, you know, that umm, government officials tend to be, you know, umm…" Theresa was enjoying this and had little to no intention of ending it. "overly, uhh… meticulous when it comes to their health."

"You done?"

"You enjoyed that didn't you?"

"Very much so. Now grab Marine and find survivors and soldiers and give them aide."

His smile grew "Thanks Commander." He ran back and did what he was told. Yeaa someone who can follow orders.