19/6/2012: Changed the summary, and made Hawke a male as it suited the story better, and I have plans~

30/5/2012: Minor grammatical and spelling edits. I apologize for the long, undisputed absence. Where to explain? 2011 was a very difficult year for me it was harsh, it was emotional and one of the toughest years I ever had...I lost a couple of friends after being betrayed by a few and so much more. This probably won't excuse me, if you readers don't really forgive me then I understand I just want you all to know. Harsh circumstances were forced unto me, and I had a couple of depression episodes but I'm okay now. Currently, I'm back to working on my stories here gradually, but yes I'm working on them. If possible, chapter 2 will be out by early next week if not earlier or a bit later. Thank you.

Full Summary: It's been a year after the Blight, and six months after the events at Amaranthine. All was at peace, that was, until news of a certain city named Kirkwall in a letter arrives at the Warden-Commander's doorstep in Vigil's Keep, Amaranthine bearing the royal seal… DA:O/DA:II fusion, Post-Blight, Post-Awakening, F!Tabris, M!Hawke. Pairings in decision.

Disclaimer: Dragon Age belongs to Bioware and David Gaider.

Warden-Commander,

I apologize for bothering you at this time.

However, it has come to my attention that the City of Kirkwall, otherwise known as the City of Chains, has a contingent of refugees from our beloved nation. It appears that they fled after the darkspawn attacks a year ago.

Kirkwall is a coastal city and a major population center located in the Free Marshes. It is on the southern edge of the Vimmark Mountains, east of the Planasene Forest and north across the Waking Sea from Ferelden. It is governed by a viscount instead of a king. The city is wealthy from its position but there are still many decrepit areas. Much of the destruction was caused when the Empire fell, and has never and can never be repaired. Although the Chantry and the Keep are visible from most of the city it is easy to get lost in the maze of dwarven courtyards and prowling groups of outlaws prey on those who travel through without a reliable guide or map.

I have discussed this thoroughly with my advisors and have decided to entrust you with this mission. Your mission is to assist the refugees in any ways as well as return them to Ferelden. I encourage you to keep an eye on the city as well, as there have been some disturbing rumours about Kirkwall. Also, you are to clear the decrepit areas. The mission's time limit will vary due to circumstances, however, I require monthly reports and you may be summoned from time to time. You are allowed to bring a maximum of two companions with you to Kirkwall. Leliana the Bard will be meeting you in one of their inns by the name of 'The Hanged Man'. Hence, she will be the fourth companion in your party.

Inside the envelope you will find two separate vellum, one for the Guard Captain and another for the Viscount as well as a map among other essentials.

All the best, Warden-Commander.

Signed,

King Alistair

The Warden-Commander's lips twitched in amusement at the formality of the letter in her hand. It was hard to believe that it was written by Alistair, of all people. 'Anora must have had a hand in it', she thought with a small smirk.

Alistair and Anora had gotten married as the result of the Landsmeet. At first, Anora wanted to rule whereas Alistair would only play the fool. But Alistair had not stand for that and put his foot down, firmly stating that he would not let her bear the entire weight of Ferelden on her shoulders and seeing that he was king, he might as well do his part and help. Anora had been slightly surprised at that but had agreed. The results of that one discussion was surprising, to say the least. Suggestions, advice and tips were given as well as traded, used and put into action. Suffice to say, Ferelden was in very, very good hands. Anora had requested to talk with her once and admitted that she was slowly falling for Alistair. Unbeknownst to Anora, Alistair had also admitted to her that he was slowly falling for Anora as well, despite their inconvenient meeting during the Blight under a set of difficult circumstances.

A small frown then crossed her face as she returned her focus to the letter in her hand. Alistair wouldn't have assigned this to her if it wasn't important, that she knew well. But what was just so important about this mission that he'd assign it to her? Judging from the tone of the letter, the situation was dire, but how dire was it? And what kind of circumstances and rumours was he talking about? Political schemes, kidnappings, assassinations or government corruption? And the time limit varying, it was not unusual, that she knew, but something was off. As for the refugees, how many were there? How large was the contingent of refugees? Why hadn't they return to Ferelden? All the countries had already heard of the ending of the Blight a few days right after the Archdemon's defeat, including the Orlesians. Unless…

Unless they couldn't return to Ferelden.

But how? And why?

Aeria Tabris sighed as she put the parchment down on her desk and massaged her temples, trying to ease the headache that had nicely decided it was time to visit.

'And here I thought it was going to be a good day…' Aeria thought wryly as she stood from her chair and walked to the window and stared at the bustling scenery of the outside of Vigil's Keep. Aeria stared at the scene before her, deep in thought. It was hard to believe that it was only a year ago since she and her companions had ended the Blight and saved Amaranthine as well as Vigil's Keep, and gained the titles Hero of Ferelden and Warden-Commander.

Getting out of the Alienage after rescuing Shianni and killing an arl, being conscripted by Duncan, the battle at Ostagar…so many things had occurred in a year. Time had flown by as swift as the wind, as quick as lightning.

The recruits were performing their usual training regimen under the watchful eyes of Sigrun and Mhairi. The training regimen consisted of two hundred push-ups, one hundred and fifty sit-ups and fifty laps around the Keep. After that, those who possessed magical skill would train under Velanna with the assistance of two Circle mages and those who preferred daggers and bows would be under Sigrun and Nathaniel. Others who preferred the ways of the blade would be taught by Mhairi. And as for those who preferred heavy weapons, Aeria had managed to gain the assistance of a couple of heavy weaponry experts, courtesy of Bodahn and his network of contacts as well as Anora and Alistair's help. Shopkeepers' assistants rushed back and forth, performing errands for their employers. Several new buildings had been erected. For example, a chantry, an inn, a bookshop, a couple of boutiques, an accessories shop and even a café.

A sudden image of Anders appeared flashed in her mind. Anders… Aeria frowned. He had mysteriously disappeared a few months ago while she and Zevran were visiting Alistair. Ser Pounce-A-Lot was gone as well. She had investigated the mater as discretely as she could, but she had found nothing. The mysterious disappearance of one of her closest friends had hurt immensely. She still had hope that he was out there safe from the templars though.

'I wonder what is he doing now… Idiot, why did you leave? You should have - ' Aeria was jolted out of her thoughts as she felt a pair of familiar lean arms wrapping around her slender waist.

"Welcome back." She murmured, breathing in his unique scent of leather and oil, mixed with a scent of rain and musk as she buried her face in the crook of his arm and let all her stress and anxiety drain from her.

"I am surprised that you did not sense me, my dear Warden. That was quite careless of you." The leader of the Crows chastised.

Aeria shifted her face slightly to look at Zevran. He was her lover, best friend and confidante all rolled into one. He had been by her side through everything during the events of the Blight and also Amaranthine. He knew everything about her as she knew everything about him, and they kept each other's secrets. However, it was quite amusing that he was leader of the Antivan Crows even though he had cut ties with them. Apparently, the Maker had a sense of humour and had decided to drop a quest involving Antiva and the result was that Zevran ended up being the leader of the Crows a couple of months ago. The leader of the Crows together with the Grey Warden, someone who he had tried to assassinate in the past as one of their lackeys…

Her lips quirked up in amusement at the thought. It was also entertaining seeing him reform the Crows and the reactions that the reformation had garnered and was still garnering. So far the renewal of the Crows organization was going well, with support and help from Alistair and Anora as well as the influence they held.

He still looked the same as ever, with devastatingly handsome features consisting of a strong jaw, sharp aristocratic cheekbones, dark eyes and blonde hair in its usual fashion. Coupled with his tanned lean build which was emphasized by his customized drake skin armour and face tattoos, he exuded an aura of danger and sensuality.

"I got a letter from Alistair bearing the royal seal. He has a mission for us, well, me actually. But I figured you'd want to come." said Aeria, relaxing in her lover's embrace.

"Oh? Does it involve whips and chains?"

A bemused smile crossed her face as she hit him lightly on the arm, "Maker Zev, you're impossible."

"Ah, you wound me, my Warden."

Aeria reluctantly got out of his embrace to cross over to her desk and take the parchment and the envelope. She started filtering out the contents.

"Call the others and tell them to meet me in the meeting room in half an hour. As for the recruits, tell them to take the day off."

Private Meeting Room

Vigil's Keep

Aeria's eyes swept across the room, making sure that every single one of them was there. Nate, Mhairi, Sigrun, Velanna and Shale… Shale had decided to stay with them ever since the Blight ended as she had nowhere to go. As for Sten, he had left to report back to his leader. Wynne had remained in Denerim as she had been appointed chancellor, and Leliana was on a mission given to her by Alistair. As for Oghren, well, he was still with Felsi the last time she heard from him. And Morrigan had disappeared after the Blight as she said she would. Zevran was leaning against the wall behind her.

She cleared her throat and began speaking, "I called all of you here today because something has come up."

"I have just recently received a letter bearing the royal seal and I have been assigned a mission in Kirkwall," She paused, seeing their reactions she knew that they have heard of the City of Chains, "I don't know how long it will take and therefore I don't know when I will be back. I have chosen Zev and Nate to accompany me, and I will leave the rest of you in charge. Alistair will come to check on all of you monthly to make sure that you won't slack off. Is that understood?"

Velanna spoke up, concern evident in her voice for her friend, "Are you sure that you do not need me? My Keeper abilities would help you greatly."

Aeria shook her head, "There's no need for that Velanna. Anyway, you're the only one who I can truly trust to take care of the mage recruits. As much as I trust the assistants, there's no telling what they would be up to if left alone. Sigrun, I know you want to come but I need you to keep the rogue recruits in check. Plus, you can teach them how to fight your dwarven kin and not to underestimate any enemy, no matter what race they are. Shale will assist you in this as well. And Mhairi, since you're the only warrior we have and one that I can truly trust other than Alistair who is now king and no longer a Grey Warden, I am leaving the warrior recruits in your capable hands."

They were silent as they digested what their commander had just said. They knew it to be true. As much as they wanted to go with her, there was no telling what would happen with the recruits if they went with their commander and left them with the assistants. Vigil's Keep would most probably fall into a chaotic state if they did so. They needed to be here to keep Amaranthine and the Keep in a composed state.

Letting out a reluctant sigh, Mhairi spoke up on their behalf, "Fine. But on one condition."

Aeria looked at Mhairi questioningly.

"You have to write us. Every single month." Mhairi emphasized the last three words. The others nodded.

"Done." Aeria nodded in assent with a small smile. She knew they were just looking out for her, and it was a nice sentiment, a refreshing change from the life she had led in the Alienage. The bloodshed, Vaughn, Nelaros, Shianni… She shook her head from the dark thoughts. "Right, all of you are dismissed. Zev and Nate, stay. I need to brief both of you on the mission."

She waited until only Zevran and Nathaniel remained as the others exited the meeting room.

"Right, so this is what we have to do…"

The next day arrived, as dawn broke and an abyss of colour splashed across the skies greeted the residents of Vigil's Keep as a light veil of mist embraced the Keep as a mother cradles her newborn. The flowers planted by some residents bloomed vibrantly in the evergreen grass, a wonderful spectrum of colours on evergreen. Flowering petals enchanted the ground with a subtle glow of sunlight. More plantlife decorated the sides of recently-made cobblestone paths and light dirt lanes, such examples being rose and azalea bushes, pine and apple trees as well as forest green hedges, some which were uniquely shaped due to the hired skilled gardeners. A soft breeze blew past and fallen leaves and petals rode and flew on the track of the wind joyfully in roller-coaster loops while the leaves rustled gently.

Several figures stood at the gates together in silence for one final time before three of their numbers set off on another journey and wouldn't be back till Maker knows when.

Aeria gave each of them a hug as she talked quietly with them, giving them some words of encouragement as Zevran and Nathaniel watched.

And with a final goodbye, they set off to Kirkwall, the City of Chains.

In Kirkwall…

A man by the name of Hawke felt the prickling of unease as he and his companions browsed the market wares in High Town to resupply their inventory.

In Dark Town, a blonde pony-tailed man healing a refugee stiffened slightly.

'Why do I get a feeling that everything's about to get out of hand?'

CHAPTER ONE END.

oooooooooooooooooooooo

Brief Author's Note:

*Just to clarify, the time frame is:

1 year after the Blight and 6 months after Awakening meaning that during the fourth of the sixth months post-Blight, the events at Awakening occurred and ended at the sixth month. And another six months passed since the Awakening events. Hence, it has only been a year.

Questions, reviews and criticism are welcomed~ Please tell me what you think of this story and if you want it continued.

-Destiny921