Anders has been in Krikwall for almost two years, when his past with the Wardens catches up to him. This is a story I have dabbled with and just wanted to see if there was any interrest in it. Let me know what you think.

- OOO - Author's note - OOO -

It had been three months since the deeproads expedition and Varric had been busy selling all of the treasure they found down there. He had help from Hawke of course, but since Carver joined the wardens Hawke had not been himself. Thank the ancestors that they had brought Anders with them. The warden sure had his uses, in addition to a humour that Varric appreciated. It was just a shame he seemed so troubled all the time, but Varric guessed that a spirit of Justice would do that to you. Hawke had finally gotten his estate and both he and Varric had donated money to Anders' clinic. Varric and Hawke was sitting in his suite in The Hanged Man, going through some of the next items they were going to sell when one of the serving girls entered.

"Varric, there is a lady here to see you."

"Show her in."

In came a woman with pale skin, dark brown hair and was carrying a girl, about two years old on her arm. She smiled at him, but she seemed to have a sadness about her. Varric didn't know why, but he had an instant desire to help her. Hawke gave her a smile. Always the flirt even if the woman was a mother.

"Hello lovely woman and what is your name?"

She immediately started to cry and Hawk helped her to a chair. Hawke and Varric looked at each other completely at a loss about what to do. She sniffled and dried her eyes.

"My name is Varric Tethras, is there something we can do for you?"

"I'm sorry, it's just been a long journey. My husband is missing you see and I was told that you might know, where I can find him. Last I heard he was here in Krikwall meeting an old friend named Anders."

Varric and Hawke looked at each other with concern. How did someone know where Anders was? He had clearly gone to great lengths not to be discovered.

"What makes you think we know an Anders?" Varric asked.

"I was told you knew everything and everyone in this city. The last I heard about my husband was that he was seen in Kirkwall and when I heard about a healer treating the sick I hoped it might be his friend... but I guess I was wrong." She started to cry again and neither Hawke nor Varric could take it. What kind of sick bastard leaves his wife and child behind?

"I know where he is. Just follow us and we will show you to him. I promise we will help you find your husband." Hawke answered eagerly. Never could he turn down a beautiful woman.

"Thank you so much." Her eyes lit up and both men instantly felt a lot better.

Walking through Darktown they would have expected the woman to react more strongly, but she seemed to barely notice to the smell. She did however give money to a lot of the children that they passed on their way. Varric couldn't figure it out. There was definitely something odd about this woman, but Hawke insisted on helping her. "Always a sucker for a pretty face" Varric just hoped it wouldn't hurt Anders in the end. She could after all be a templar in disguise. They reached the clinic and Hawke looked at the woman.

"This is it."

"Alright... You two might want to cover your ears. And please hold her." The woman said and handed her child to Varric. Gone was the crying woman and a strong one had taken her place. There was something of about her. This was only confirmed, when they entered they clinic and Anders turned around.

"Hawke, Varric, what are you... Oh shit!" Anders eyes widened, but instead of reacting in an aggressive manner, as Varric expected, he lifted his hands making himself seem as harmless as possible. The woman had taken off her cloak and was now walking towards him with determined steps and fury raging in her eyes.

"You Maker forsaken bastard!" She roared.

"Look, I know I owe you an explanation." Anders tried.

"An explanation?! Really?! You think?! You sodding nughumping idiot!" She spat sarcastically, before picking up a potion from the table and raised her hand.

"Don't you dare!" Anders warned, but she threw it at him and he only just dodged.

"For Makers sake Ellie!" He replied as he backed around his clinic with the angry woman following him around. The patients were scattering out of the clinic.

"Don't you dare Ellie me! What in the void were you thinking, running off like that?" She growled.

She threw a pot at him this time that almost hit him. He picked up a stool to try and fend of the things she was throwing at him. Anders then looked at Varric and Hawke with a pleading look, but they were just enjoying the spectacle of the rebel mage being bullied by a small woman.

"A little help here guys?" He asked desperately.

"No way! This is much to entertaining to watch!" Hawke chuckled as another pot came flying through the air.

"Varric?!" Anders tried again with a pleading look. Varric thought it strange that Justice hadn't manifested himself yet. He usually did that when his host was threatened. Then again Anders didn't do much to defend himself.

"There is no way I'm getting between that woman and her prey. I have seen darkspawn less terrifying than her." Varric chuckled.

A knife then came through the air right passed Anders' shoulder cutting a few of his feathers before hitting the wall behind him. Anders looked concerned, but not surprised.

"Love, please listen to me." He tried. Hawke and Varric's yaw dropped and another knife went passed Anders' head.

"Love? Maker Anders did you do another man's wife?" Hawke chuckled. What he wouldn't give to have met the Anders before Justice. Anders gave him a serious and remorseful look.

"She is my wife." He sighed and Hawke and Varric looked even more baffled.

"Oh is that what I am? Funny, since you ran away without word! You let me believe you were dead you bastard." She sighed deeply and lowered the next knife.

"Why did you run Anders? I thought you were tired of running. Maker knows you ran from the circle enough times..." She sighed again and sat down on a cot.

"I'm sorry, I..." Anders tried finally lowering the stool and taking a few steps towards her.

"No, it's my own fault. I knew what you were like. I thought you loved me. I thought you had changed, but that's what I get from marrying a flirting apostate. I'm so stupid!" She burrowed her face in her hands and Anders went towards her kneeling before her.

"I am sorry love, but after what I did I just couldn't face you. I have changed, but I do love you. For all my shortcomings at least believe that I love you." He pleaded. She lifted her head and looked down at him.

"Then why did you leave?" Her voice sounded almost pleading.

"I made a terrible mistake, Ellie. Last time you left, Kristoff's body was in so decayed that Justice could barely function in it anymore. I... I wanted to help him and... after what you told my about Wynne I..." Anders looked away from her with shame in his eyes. Ellie's on the other hand finally seemed to understand the words Anders had yet to tell her.

"You merged with Justice."

"Yes..." Anders didn't look at her, but she put a hand under his chin and lifted his head.

"Of course you did... My noble, kind-hearted mage, but that doesn't explain why you ran. You must have known that I would understand." Her eyes were kind, but Anders got up and walked around running his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"No, you don't understand. I changed him! My anger changed him! You must have heard what I did to those templars and wardens. That is who I am. I'm no longer the man you married, I'm a monster!" His eyes were tearing. Hawke and Varric looked at each other. They had never seen him like this. Not even when he had to kill Karl. She walked up to Anders and placed her hands on his face.

"I refuse to believe you or Justice is a monster. You couldn't have known what would happen. I heard about Rolan's betrayal. Under no circumstances was he allowed to involve the templars in warden business. Damned Orlisian warden! I shouldn't have left, when I did. I should have..." She didn't finish because Anders crushed his lips to hers while holding her face in his hands. She wrapped her arms around his waist and silent tears streamed down her face. Hawke and Varric should probably have felt uncomfortable and left, but they were both at awe over this development. The rebel, warden, apostate living in the sewers was married? Anders let go of her mouth and rested his head on her forehead.

"You always try to not make it my fault. I'm dangerous love. It's not safe to be around me." He sighed heavily. She looked at him and crooked an eyebrow. Unspoken words were exchanged between them and Anders smiled.

"As if you would be the most dangerous thing I have ever faced." She chuckled.

Anders kissed her nose and looked at the little girl Varric was holding. For a moment his expression became hesitant.

"Is... Is she mine?"

"Of course she's yours, you ass!" She slapped him across his shoulder and he pulled her in for another kiss before she could argue. When he released her lips once more he gave her a serious look.

"Can you forgive me?"

"I already did." She smiled up at him and kissed him lightly. Hawke finally found his voice.

"What in the name of Andraste's undergarments is going on?"

Anders turned towards his friends, took his wife's hand and went towards them.

"This is Hawke and the dwarf is Varric. They are friends of mine. This is my wife, Elissa Cousland."

"The hero of Ferelden?! You must be joking, blondie." Varric chuckled with disbelief.

"No he isn't. I am the hero of Ferelden, I am married to Anders and please just call me Elissa." Elissa smiled and picked up her daughter.

"Okay, there is a story behind this and I have to hear it." Varric smiled.

"Yes, but I don't think this is the place." Anders agreed.

"The Hanged Man, because I need a drink!" Hawke said and his threw up his hands and went out the door with Varric right behind him. Anders gently placed an arm around Elissa's waist and let her out of the clinic.