Okay, I'm sorry but I refuse to believe that Zevran, Nathaniel, Deliah, Leliana, AND Alistair are all there in the same time frame and the wonderous Warden is not. I refuse. This is the story of what if she was.

Okay back story: Logain killed archdemon, thus ending romance with Alistair. Travled then returned to be commander. Fell for Anders good heart, humor, and lecherous ways. Anders went back to the circle, and as far as she knew, died. So F! Cousland-Anders.

There's also some awkward love…pentagon... Merrill-M Hawke-Fenris-Isabella-Merrill.

Oh, bioware owns all names and likeness of all characters. Excpet mine.

The vartenell took a deep breath and lowered its head to roar. That's when Seth raised his sword, piercing the soft flesh under the jaw and penetrating the skull. The beast gave a moan and flopped over onto its side. The blood pooled at Seth's feet as Isabella sheathed her twin daggers.

"Well," She said out of breath. "That was fun. But let's not do that again, shall we?"

Seth smirked as he sheathed his sword and shield. Anders and Sebastian took a few steps forward investigating the beast. Seth took a deep breath and ran his hand through his short hair, leaving it in spikes as he raked his hand back.

"What kind of assassin uses a dalish monster to hide himself?" Sebastian asked.

"The clever kind, I'd imagine." Seth said as he investigated the room. His hazle eyes taking everything in and expecting it all to move.

Sebastian heard foot steps and quickly notched an arrow and pointed it at the elf that was running their direction. He stopped and looked at the group in front of him. "Well, I was not expecting you, Champion."

Seth arched a brow at the elf. "You know who I am?"

The elf chuckled. "Who does not? Hawke who battled the deep roads and came out richer than any dwarf alive. The man who killed the Arishock in a duel for a beautiful woman. It would seem that your actions make my warden seem small an insignificant in comparison." The elf said with a smile.

Hawke raised a brow. "Your warden?"

"He fought with Thes-the hero during the blight." Anders said. Swallowing his words.

Seth crossed his arms. "neglecting the face that she raised an army, killed an archdemon, and is still doing great things for Ferelden. Yes, I must seem larger than life."

The elf raised a mocking brow but it was Isabella who gave the introductions for them. "Zevran Arriani. I thought I smelled antivan leather. My my, you haven't changed a bit since Demerium."

The elf gave a lecherous grin at the pirate with an outstretched hand. "Isabella, Well if it isn't my favorite pirate wench. And you Captain, it would seem that as time ticks by, you grow younger and younger. If I did not know any better, id say it was magic that your" he raked his eyes over her more than displayed body, "face is still as beautiful than the day I saved you from that shell of a man in Ravain."

She playfully swatted his chest and smiled. "You flatter you."

Zevran smiled and kissed her cheek lightly. "Do not think I don't see you Anders." Anders swallowed loudly.

"Did she send you here?"

Zevran laughed coyly as he played with Isabellas hair. "No." He left her side and walked to Anders. He looked the mage over slowly with a killers eyes and a matching smile. "Tell me why I shouldn't kill you now?" Anders didn't respond but gripped his staff tighter, watching his old friend. Zevran pursed his lips then gave a malicious smile. "As you wish." Zevran turned and smiled at the champion, "Forgive me, my name is Zevran Arrani. Explorer and occasional assassin."

Seth gave a confused brow to Anders and watched the elf again.

"Are they dead yet?" a female voice called from further on in the cave.

Zevran shifted his gaze back to Anders with a smile. "No." he called back to her.

"Do you really need my help?" she sounded annoyed.

Seth watched as Anders eyes grew wide and swallowed his fear again. "Yes please."

The woman groaned. Her foot steps grew louder with each thumping of Anders heart. "What kind of half decent assassin can't even take care of a few assassins that are tired and exhausted from…" and arrow shot past her and Theresa ducked to the ground. Her eyes wide, she relearned how to breathe. It came out in fits of laughter. "Oh mighty maker." She smiled as she covered her face with her hands. "My whole life just flashed before my eyes. That was so scary." She paused at the realization. "I've done a lot stupid shit."Theresa placed her hand over her heart and looked at the small group down on the landing. "Who shot that?" The only one with the bow duh. With piercing blue eyes. Mmm.

Theresa shook away the fear and took the arrow from the wall behind her as she climbed down the stairs and passed it back to the archer. Seth watched the woman closely. She looked like Bethany but with darker blue eyes, smaller nose, and slightly shorter. She had a scar on her left brow and over the curve of her cheek and another on her chin. Her black hair was pulled back in a lazy bun. Her black leather armor adored every curve of her body and the numerous daggers that littered her skin proved that she was never without weapon. Her twin daggers were strapped to her back and a long sword on her hip with a heraldry that he didn't recognize. But her belt buckle, like Sebastian's, was large and had the duel head of the griffon. She was the Commander of the Grey, and if Anders knew her, she was the Hero.

Zevran took Isabella by the hand and sat her down on a rock with a smile on his face. She gave him a confused look. "The show is about to start." He said and pointed at Anders. Isabella sat and watched the mage with amused interest.

Theresa raised a brow at Zevran and looked to where he was pointing. Theresa's smile faded as she looked at the mage. His eyes were sad and solemn as he looked at her.

"Commander." Was all he said.

Theresa took a staggering step toward him. The report said he was dead. That he was mauled by animals. Theresa searched his eyes again. He was alive. She took another step. All the memories of him at her side, healing her, laughing with and at her. He was alive. With a shaking hand, she reached out and touched the fur of his robe. She could feel his warmth on the pads of her fingers. She dared to get closer. She could feel his heart beat under the robes. She knew this was wrong but didn't care. Some demon had come and replaced this but she didn't care. He was alive, and in front of her. She didn't have to be alone anymore. Her heart swelled at the happiness of it all. She let the smile rip across her face. He was alive. He was alive, here…

In Kirckwall. Her smiled faded. Depression soon took the place of happiness. He ran from her. He hid from her. Theresa took her hand back and held herself tightly. He didn't want her. He left her after he said…he left her.

Anders clinched his jaw. "Thess, I…" Theresa firmed her lower lip and waved off whatever he was about to say. He pleadingly held his arms wide. "It's complicated." His face contorted to a look of pure anguish.

Theresa breathed through the pain of rejection again and resorted to anger. "You're not exactly an enigma, Anders." She turned to the other four souls watching her. "Where are my manners, Theresa Cousland."

Seth watched her closely. "Seth Hawke." He said slowly, trying to understand what just happened between the two.

Theresa lowered her brows. "Why does that sound familiar?" she said to herself.

Seth opened his mouth to answer but Zevran smiled and did it for him. "I'm sure it will come to you."

The rouge turned to the elf, "It's right on the tip of my tongue."

Zevran smiled. "Give it time."

"Anyways," Seth said "You're the Hero of Ferelden?" he asked with a smile.

"Yes. Well, kind of. Well, one of."

Seth crossed his arms and looked at her. "What are you doing here?"

She smiled. "Well, I'm allowed three months vacation a year and thought I'd come here." Her smile huge and obviously fake.

"So of all Thedas," Isabella said, "You decided to come to the Free Marches?"

"Well, Anders seems to like it." Theresa said dead pan. "And it doesn't help that Zevran is really convincing."

"What did he say?" Seth had to ask. "Let's go see the Green dales?" Then laughed.

"More like," Theresa coughed and figured out his accent, "my love, ze guild mazter iz in ze free Marches. If we zay, skip over za ze we could kill 'im before zhey know it.' "

"I'm not Orlisian." Zevran said from his rock when Isabella hit him in the arm for Theresa's great impersonation while the other three laughed.

Seth raised a brow. "What Guild master?"

"Of the crows." Theresa said and tucked her thumbs into her belt.

Seth's confused look never faltered. Zevran jumped off the rock with amazed look. "Do not tell me you have never heard of the Antivan Crows?" Theresa sighed, rolled her eyes.

"I take it you're not talking about the birds?" Seth asked with a raised brow.

"No, my friend. We are the finest guild of assassins in all of Thedas." Theresa noticed the archer grip his bow tighter. "Well, they are, I was. With the help of my fair warden," Zev pointed behind him at Theresa who waved slightly, "I have seen fit to leave the crows."

Theresa stood by her friend. "Zev's sources said that the guild master was here in the city and his new target was the new vicearoy…vicecount…vice president…"

"Vicount?" Hawke helped.

Theresa shrugged. "sure. Anyways, we came and killed him before the master could take out his target."

Sebastian' s curiosity peaked. "Who was it?"

Theresa looked at the archer with an interested brow and a lecherous smile. Hawke watched in confusion as the commander, elf, and pirate spoke in antivan. Theresa kept pointing at her throat and smiling like a wolf in the hunt, her eyes never leaving Sebastian. Poor man.

He noticed that Anders crossed his arms and looked scorned. "Wouldn't be the first man she's made question his vows."

The commanders demeanor dropped as she turned her angered look to the mage. "You don't have much room to be bitter, Anders."

"I'm just saying." He said it like a random remark about an artwork.

Theresa scoffed and licked her lips. "And there are so many things I could 'just say' in your general directing as well." She said through clinched teeth.

"Anyways," Seth said, trying to avoid conflict with the woman who single handly killed the arch demon, "you were saying."

"Right." Theresa returned her attention back to Hawke and the archer. "What was the question?"

"Who was it?"

Theresa smiled at the sound of the archer's voice. "Who was what?"

He rolled his eyes and his 'r's. "Who was the one who ordered the kill?"

Theresa shrugged but Zevran answered, "Usually, we only speak to the one who sent us. Seeing as how we didn't care who ordered the kill, we didn't ask. We only found out who his target was after the fact."

"Then who was the target?" Sebastian asked, Hawke was intrigued.

Zevran smiled and looked down while Theresa looked in thought. "I remember making fun of it. It was like Eagle, Falcon, Vulture…"

"Hawke…" Seth asked with a smile.

Theresa snapped and smiled. "Yes and…" she looked away with a sheepish look. "This. Is. Embarrassing."

Hawke laughed but tried to comfort her between fits. "It's not that bad."

Theresa hid her face in her hands and laughed to herself. "You knew the whole time, didn't you, Zev?"

"Not the whole time, no." he said stifling his laughter into Isabella's shoulder.

"Anyways," Theresa tried to change the subject but the blush and smile was still on her face.

Hawke raised a brow and looked at Theresa. "The way that Anders spoke of you, I'd thought you'd be ten feet tall and could shoot lightning through your eyes."

Theresa shrugged. "On good days."

Seth smiled again and looked at the assassin. "The way the man described you, I'd thought you'd be taller as well."

"Ahh" Zevran said in a sing song tone. "Let me guess. A man named Neucio sent you here to capture me, yes? What did he say this time?" Zev anger became apparent in his voice. "That I butchered his parents, killed my wife, sold my children into slavery?"

Theresa chuckled. "You can't get them to clean their room. Can you imagine how much of a fuss they would put up if forced to scrub a floor." Theresa sighed and saw the smirk on Zevran's face. "Heathens you have."

Zevran smiled and looked Hawke over again. He scoffed. "Or did he say that he was a law man from Antiva charged with apprehending a ridiculously handsome fugitive? Hmm?" Zevran crossed his arms and waited for Seth to respond.

Seth matched him. "So it's all a lie then?" He asked skeptical. "I suppose you're not a murder at all?"

Zevran chuckled. "Oh indeed I am. But I suppose we can all claim to that title, yes?" he opened his arms to invite everyone to claim that said title. Theresa just smirked at her friend as if to say she accepted it a long time ago. "So, take me to Neucio if you'd like, but I must warn you, he will surly kill you. The Crows do not like loose ends. Unlike myself." He nodded his head behind him at Theresa who only smiled.

Theresa looked the group over quickly. "They seem like they can handle themselves."

Zevran smirked. "Yes, why worry." He took a step forward toward the leader. "So, what will it be. Will you tie me up with rope, gag me, manhandle me…or take me to Nuceio. Which will you choose I wonder?"

Theresa stood up behind her friend and kept her eyes on Anders and Isabella.

Anders saw the death in her eyes that was hidden behind amusement. Zevran waved her to back off and she did so with a nod, releasing the dagger that were strapped to the back of her arms. Anders took a few steps toward Hawke. "Zevran is a good man. Let him go."

"He is an assassin." Sebastian barked. "You can't just let him go."

Hawke thought about it for a moment. The two rouges were interesting enough, and he didn't want harm to the dalish. Seth looked at Isabella. "You know him best, what do you think?"

Isabella shrugged. "I've had better."

Hawke face palmed himself, Zevran dropped his jaw, and Theresa snorted. "I mean about letting him go or not."

"Oh, right." Isabella looked at Zevran and shrugged again. "Let him go."

"Well, then, its decided." Seth said with a smile. "You're free to go. I'm not about to turn you into someone who lied to me."

"He could be lying to you now!" Sebastian bellowed. "What if he doesn't have children or a wife?"

Zevran pointed toward the exit. "They are in the dalish camp if you'd like to meet them." Theresa nodded in confirmation. The archer seemed to physically let it go. "So," Zevran looked at Seth, "As a suggestion, you might want to deal with Nucio. If not, he will only come after you." Seth nodded and watched the two Fereldens, well Hero and an assassin, bow to him. "Its been more than a pleasure, Champion. Fare you well."

"Wait." Theresa said and looked at Seth with a smile. "You're the Champion?" He nodded again. Theresa snorted again and shook her head in shame. "It's been a pleasure, seriah. Or is it mes-say-er." Theresa shrugged. "Either way, I do not wish to be you when the Quinari invade Thedas again." She bowed again and followed the elf up the ladder well into their camp site.

Seth turned to leave and noticed that Anders was watching his commander climb the stairs. At the top, she turned and looked at him with a sad look. Anders turned away first and seemed more than eager to leave the cave as soon as possible. Seth looked at the woman on the landing. She watched him leave her again. She subconsciously held her hand over her chest before looking at Seth in the eyes. Her eyes were piercing and he dropped his gaze first. When Seth looked again, she was gone.

"Hawwwke" Isabella sang. "Let's go. I need sunshine."

"That's not the only thing you need." Seth said as he made his way to his group.

The group left the cave and back out to the camp. "So," Hawke said to Anders who was walking beside him, "You and the Commander huh?"

"I don't want to talk about it." His voice was distant in his remark.

"Sometimes you need to." Seth treaded carefully. Anders didn't speak much of his past, especially his time as a Grey Warden. If he did, it was to trade stories with Varric. He was never open with Seth.

"How does it make you feel knowing that Fenris is fucking Isabella? You want to talk about that?" Anders snapped but thankfully kept his voice low so that the pirate queen couldn't hear him.

Seth mocked pain as he put his hand over his heart. "Ouch. Someones catty."

"Drop it, Hawke."

"Fine." Hawke put his hands behind his head and walked through the dalish camp.

XxXxXxXxXx

"You didn't tell me the assassin you wanted me to capture was once one of your own." Seth announced as he came down the hill.

The crows turned to the man with amusement as Nucieo looked at Hawke, his long beard looking like it was just combed. "Ah, Zevran told you did he? Well, it doesn't matter. His Warden isn't here to protect him." Is it irony or poetic justice that the two crows on the mountain suddenly looked surprised as 'the warden' slit their throat and slinked down the mountain to assassinate the other crows. Seth kept his eyes on the Antivan in front of him. "I am thoroughly disappointed. No one fails the crows and lives."

The sound of a falling body drew the attention of the groups to the elf as he let the body drop. He cleaned his dagger on the jerkin of the assassin and walked around him. "Ah, poor, stupid Nucieo. The crows do like that saying, but" Zevran turned to face his former brother, "I am living proof that it is a lie." Zevran looked at Seth with a smile. "Why they insist they can kill people like you or Theresa I will never understand."

Seth looked around quickly. "Psst. Why are you here? I told you to run." He whispered loudly.

Zevran arched a brow at the champion. "To see the Champion of Kirckwall in action? You couldn't keep me away."

Seth watched Theresa fell two more Crows behind Nucio as he spoke. "Zevran, you are nothing but a traitor and a coward. You'll die here."

Zevran didn't miss the smirk that appeared on his face. Silent footsteps approached him from behind. With trained precision, Zevran threw a dagger at his assailant. The dagger flew true and hit hard into the soft tissue of the assassins eye.

Seth watched as Nuceio did a face palm. Hawke couldn't help the smile that appeared.

"Yes, well," Zevran said, turning back to Nuceio with a smirk, "We'll see about that."

As the others drew their weapons, Theresa took advantage of the group and attacked the three that surrounded Nuceio. Quick stabs to the throat and weak points of armor and the three went down quickly. Isabella gave a laceration wound on Nucieos chest. In a matter of moments, the assassin fell to his knees in a pool of his own blood. Seth raised his sword to decapitate him only to have Zevran step in front. The elf smiled as he ran his fingers into the crows hair. With a quick motion, he severed the spinal column. Zevran cleaned his blade with assassins hair and let the body fall where it may. "You probably want to loot the camp." Zev said to the Champion. "Speak to me when you're done." Zevran stepped over the body and to the warden who gave him a fist bump as they sat down on a crate.

Seth looted the corpses but couldn't help but over hear the conversation with the hero. "Zevran Arraini, You are officially free of the crows, what are you going to do next?" Theresa asked with a smile.

Zevran leaned back on the crate and gave a great show of trying to think of something. "Kiss my wife and sleep with your brother until he howls my name at the moon." Theresa blushed and hid her face in one hand. "I love to see you act so prudish. Look, you're blushing." Zevran pointed at her and she swatted his hand away. Theresa rested her head on a hand and looked away.

Seth noticed that she snuck a glance at Anders and sighed despite herself. Zevran spoke in Antvan to which she responded in Antivan.

"Todiva lo amo?" he asked.

Theresa unabashed looked at Anders again. Her voice was distant and sad. "Es el o un recurdo que me gusta?"

Zevran smiled and put a hand on her head. He said something else in Antivan that made her give a sad smile. Theresa took a deep breath and plastered on a fake smile for the group as they approached.

Zevran stood and spoke to the group. He gave Seth a dagger, that Theresa bought him last feast day festival, as a token of thanks.

"What? That's it? What about sex?"

Zevran laughed. "Ah, Isabella, still as blunt as a dwarven hammer I see." He chucked again. "But I will speak to my wife. I'm sure that she is…more than willing." He said with a smile.

Isabella smiled. "You're married, Zevran? The maker must have a sense of humor."

"I hope you mean that the kindest way possible?"

"I do. Congratulations."

Zevran nodded at his old friend. "Oh, Champion." Seth raised a brow at the elf. "I don't suppose you have a map of his area do you?"

Seth gave a confused look. "If you don't have a map, how did you get here?"

Theresa scoffed. "Our guide lead us where we needed to go but ditched us when we got to the mountain. Then I tracked you here. We need to head back there then to Kirckwall."

"Sounds like a horrible guide."

Theresa smirked. "He is."

Seth looked at Anders who seemed like he wanted to run as quickly as he could. "Why don't we guide you?"

Theresa's eyes widened. "That's not necessary. Just a map would suffice."

"Nonsense. I'll hear none of it. Come on." He said as he waved an arm to follow him. Theresa gave a worried look to Zevran who only smiled and followed Isabella closely. Theresa sighed and walked behind the group, keeping her distance from the mage.

XxXxXxXx

The small group was working on getting back to the city walking on a road that on one side had a forty foot drop and a forest on the other side. Just ahead was the gallows that awaited them and welcomed them back to the city.

Egano ran up and pulled on Theresa's hand. Theresa looked down at the blonde elven girl and picked her up. "Did you enjoy your time with the dalish Nono."

She nodded quickly, her twin braids bouncing with each nod. "Mamae taught us about the delicate balance between Adruill and the Dalish. She also taught me the three ways of the trees."

"Do you remember what they are?" Theresa shot a glance at the archer that was walking next to her.

"The way of the bow, the arrow, and the forest."

"And what are the lessons?"

Egano bit her lip trying to remember. De'lanna cleared her throat, obviously listening to the conversation. Theresa smiled and tried to help. "The way of the arrow is to…" Egano looked at her "Fly straight and never…"

"waver!" She exclaimed.

"That's right. The way of the bow is to…"

"Bend but never break."

"Wonderful, and the forest?"

"Strength in numbers?"

Theresa turned to look at De'lanna who only shrugged and adjusted Amio. "Close enough."

Egano turned in Theresa's arms and looked at Sebastian. "Are you a hunter?"

"Yes. Well," the prince thought about it for a moment. "Yes."

"Where's your valishen?"

Theresa hid her smile while the man only gave a confused look. "My what?"

"Your valishen. Mamae said that it shows who is a true hunter and who is still an appetence."

Sebastian scratched his head. "I'm not dalish, child."

"Neither is papa and he still has one."

Theresa snorted and decided to help. "Nono, he's like Nathaniel."

Egano hid her face in Theresa's shoulder. "mean and scary." She said quietly.

Theresa laughed and patted the child's head. "No, love, he's an archer. But because he's human, he doesn't get the privilege of having a valishen."

Theresa put Egano down and she protested. "I cant carry you like a sack of potatoes all day. I'm not Hawke."

Who, at the sound of their name, turned and responded, "Who said potatoes."

Theresa patted Egano on the rear to tell her to go make friends. Seth lifted the elven child onto his shoulders and told to keep an eye out ahead like a scout.

Theresa looked at the prince with a sheepish smile. "Sorry, she's five."

He held a hand up at her. "It's okay. Merrill is more…well, I'm used to worse." He smiled at her and Theresa almost tripped over her feet.

Theresa looked out over the mountain side. The vast forest below with the setting sun was a beautiful sight. "You have a beautiful country here."

Sebastian gave her a side glance. "Thank you. I've never been to Ferelden. Is it different?"

Theresa chuckled. "Slightly. It always rains in Amaranthine. Highever though…" Theresa paused. Even speaking of her homeland was difficult. "It smelled of the Ocean even though we only had the sea. So close to Orlias, we would grow figs in the summer and during the harvest, the smell would be abundant." Theresa smiled at the memory.

Sebastian smiled. "I thought the heraldry looked familiar." Theresa looked down at the blade on her hip. "I heard that the hero was a noble from Highever but I didn't realize that you were one of THE Couslands." Theresa gave a slow nod. "The refugees who come to the Chantry say that your father took out three generals during the Orleasian occupancy."

"Can we please change the subject?" Theresa asked quickly. Anders, who was walking ahead next to Hawke, turned his head slightly at the sound of discomfort in her voice. He hardened himself quickly and looked forward again.

"I'm sorry I"

"Forgive me," Theresa said, "I shouldn't have said anything." Theresa went back to overlooking the mountain range that was to the west.

"So," Isabella tried to cut in behind the two rouges, "De'lanna, how did you meet Zevran?"

The blonde elf with dark brown eyes looked to Zevran for an answer. De'lanna smiled at him and he returned it with mirth.

"Well, Isabella," Zevran started, "Myself and our fair warden were with the Dalish to learn some history when I met De'lanna. Through much trial," De'lanna shot a look at Zevran, "and annoyance, I was able to woo my lovely hunter here."Zevran kissed De'lanna's temple and took Amio, his two year old daughter, from her mother.

"You don't speak much, do you De'lanna?" Isabella asked innocently.

Theresa cleared her throat and fought the smile. De'lanna smiled politely and gently tapped her throat. Isabella raised a curious brow. Zevran helped. "She's mute."

Isabella's eyes went wide. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I mean. I'm soo sorry De'lanna."

The blonde elf waved it off and smiled. De'lanna took a few large steps forward and tapped Seth on the shoulder. He looked down at the woman and gave a smile. She spun her hand but Seth didn't understand.

"She wants you to turn around." Theresa said.

Seth gave a confused look but did as she asked. De'lanna turned to Zevran, who smiled as turned so that his daughter couldn't see what was ahead.

De'lanna walked in front of the group and drew her long bow. Sebastian looked ahead and didn't see anything. She notched an arrow and looked into the forest. She fired off into the forest. A man groaned and fell. She pulled another arrow and notched it. De'lanna looked out at the forest again and waited. She gave a loud whistle that egged the men on.

One drew out of the forest and tried to distract them. Sebastian drew his bow and waited for the man to get closer. De'lanna quickly pushed Sebastian down and shot an arrow into the forest beside him, causing man number two to fall. Without hesitation, she fired a third arrow and shot it strait into the rampaging man's forehead. The force of the arrow caused the man to do a rag doll flip backwards, using his face as a landing post and causing the arrow to go through. De'lanna looked at the forest again. She quickly inspected it and closed her eyes. Moments passed when the whole group watched her. De'lanna turned and looked at Theresa and jutted her head forward. Theresa walked beside her dalish friend and helped her to throw the bodies off the side of the cliff. On the way back, De'lanna used hand gestures and Theresa followed closely. They stopped in front of Seth.

"You can turn around now." Theresa said.

Egano started to whine. "How come we never get to see mamae do archery?"

De'lanna gave a sad smile as she reached for her child. Seth bowed and helped to put the child down. De'lanna lead the small girl back to her father and smiled at him.

"De'lanna thinks that their camp can't be too far from here. She suggested that we use it for the night."

"If we keep going, we can be there before midnight." Seth countered.

Theresa nodded. "true, but we also have two small girls to think about. We can rest tonight, stock up, and be back in the city before tomorrow afternoon. Unless, you have to get there tonight. I don't want to impose."

Seth raised a brow. Doesn't want to impose but suggest that we rest.

"She's right." Sebastian said, wiping off the dirt from his immaculate armor. "The girls need their rest."

"I know I do." Isabella said from the rear.

Seth rolled his eyes and smiled. "Okay, okay. Where's the camp?"

XxXxXxXx

Proving to be the better archer, De'lanna went off into the forest to hunt for the party. Isabella was teaching the girls a not so childish pirate song, to her credit, she did try to clean it up, while Zevran fancied a tent for them. Anders was making salves while Seth sharpened his weapon, watching Theresa cut up herbs and spices for the meal.

He watched the two with great amusement. It was obvious that they both still wanted each other or at least some conversation. Is self denial a Grey Warden thing or what?

"Excuse me, commander." Sebastian crouched in front of her.

"Theresa Cousland." She said without looking up.

"Excuse me?"

She looked up and met his eyes with a sly smile. "My name is Theresa Cousland. It's good to know. You'll be screaming it later tonight." Her smile turned lecherous and Seth and Anders stopped what they were doing, slowly lifted their heads, and watched the two.

Seth smiled and shot a quick glance at Anders. His knuckles were white against his pestial and mortar.

Sebastian dropped his jaw and forgot how to breathe. He would stuttered a few 'uhh' but for the most part, Theresa enjoyed watching his discomfort and his Adams apple bob up and down. He looked away and regained control over himself. "Oh boy." He rubbed his neck and stood up. He turned and quickly walked away.

Theresa called after him "Where are you going?" Innocent though her tone was, her smile was not.

"To pray." He called over his shoulder as he continued to walk.

Theresa watched him walk away. "I pray he finds me when he needs his cold bath."

"What do you see in him?" Anders asked, making his powder with more force than necessary.

She raised an amused brow. "Do you want the obvious answer or the sarcastic one?"

Seth raised his hand. "Sarcastic please."

Theresa looked at him and smiled. "Its more like 'what of him can I see in me?'" Seth gave a guffaw and returned to cleaning his weapon.

"And the obvious?" Anders asked.

"He's wearing silk."

Anders paused and waited for her to finish the sentence. "That's it? He's wearing silk."

She turned to the mage with a dumbfounded look. "Do you know what silk means?"

"Fancy fabric I'd assume." He said deadpan.

"Means royalty. Anyone less than is hung for even being in the possession of. The fact that he wears it, in public, means royalty."

"So."

Theresa sighed in fond memories. "daddy always wanted a little princess."

Anders scoffed. "Well, if you wouldn't have blown it with our own king."

Her smiled dropped to instant scowl. Theresa took a calming breath and went back to chopping.

Seth wanted to smack Anders. "What are you even doing here anyways?"

Her tone was sharp enough to cut."I'm on sectioned vacation. What are you doing here?"

"I was trying to avoid you."

Seth wanted to slink away from this conversation as quickly as possible.

"Then why don't you run away. You're good at that." She turned and met his angered glare.

"I like it here. Less darkspawn."

Theresa shook her head. "Spoken like a coward."

"At least I have my self respect."

"I guess it's easy to believe in yourself when you have someone hold your hand and feed it to you like an infant."

"At least I don't need to bathe in blood of my enemies to feel good about myself."

"I like it. Makes me look younger."

"Yea, blood magic will do that to you."

Ouch. Wait, what?

"At least I've embraced what I am instead of running away from it. Or trying to at least."

"That's not what I meant but what did you mean?"

"It means you're a coward, and a failure at that. You think you can ever escape what you really are? You're mine, Anders, you're one of us."

"Sorry if I have this little thing about living."

"You have a big thing about fear and how your scared of a few dark spawn. Oh, you're willing to take on a few Antivan crows, master assassins, but the moment its you against a few mindless soldiers, you piss your robes and suck your thumb. Why did I even bother to save your ass? You're nothing but a disappointment and shame upon my soul. You've betrayed me and the entire order." She looked away and clinched her jaw. "I should've let Rylock have you when I had the chance." She shook her head and refused to look at him.

True anger was bubbling to the surface. "You would've let that bitch drag me to Aneor?" Anders took a deep breath. Justice was starting to come to the surface.

"I should've." She said to herself. "But that's the beauty of hindsight. You don't realize" Theresa stood suddenly and walked away from the argument.

Seth watched her walk away. Her hands in fists at her sides as she calmly left the camp site. Anders stood and walked in the opposite direction. He smiled. So much heated passion. Anders is obviously possessive, pun intended. How could he make this work in his favor. Seth smiled to himself as he worked on his blade.

It wasn't long until De'lanna came back with three hares and started to make dinner. Zevran was done with the tent and tried to get his girls to forget the song that Isabella just taught them. Sebastian returned with a no longer blushed face and was able to contruibe to the conversations.

Theresa returned with a cool and level head and smiled at what she saw. Egano was sitting in Hawkes lap while Amio was in Zevrans, both clapping to a song Isabella was singing. Sebastian was blushing at the vulgar things while Hawke and Zevran smiled.

Theresa decided to join them and sat down between De'lanna and Hawke. De'lanna passed her a bowl and she took it. With a sniff, Theresa concluded that it was blood pudding and took a swig, knowing that Zevran would want the rest. De'lanna gave her a sympatric look. Theresa knew that she knew more than she let on. That was the thing with the silent types, they were very receptive. Theresa smiled politely and enjoyed the company of the others.

Anders slinked back into camp after the food finished cooking. He sat down between Hawke and Isabella. He ate in silence and didn't look up from his plate.

"Theresa," Zevran said, Theresa looked up at him, careful to avoid seeing Anders a whole one person away. Zevran spoke in Antivan to her to which she responded with a sigh. Isabella popped in with a few words and Theresa looked at De'lanna who only nodded. Theresa rolled her eyes and said a few more to be responded by Zevran and Isabella "Grasis."

She waved them off and went back to her plate. When dinner was complete, the team went back to doing what they were doing before dinner. Only Zevran and De'lanna wrestled their children into taking a bath and getting ready for bed.

"All yours." Zevran said to Theresa. She put her whet stone and daggers away and went into the tent while daddy, mommy, and pirate queen played war on the open seas or whatever they did.

Theresa opened the curtain to the tent and found that the girls were whispering 'I hate yous.'

"Now now, that's no way to speak to your sister. Stop that, both of you."

"She started it." Egano said.

Theresa raised her brow and couldn't believe she was about to say what her mother said to her as a child. "I'm finishing it."

Amio crossed her arms and pouted. "I hate her, she's so mean."

Theresa calmed her voice. "You should never hate someone."

Egano asked angrily, "Why not?"

She gave a knowing smile. "Have I ever told you the story of the Dalish werewolves?" Both girls shook their heads. "Get under the furs and I'll tell you the story." Engano did as she was told, sleeping on the opposite side of the tent though. "Long before you two were born, me and Papa went into the forest to find the Dalish to help us with the blight. We searched and we searched and we couldn't find them. One day, your father clinched his fist and screamed at the heavens, "AAARG, well hidden those Dalish are."

The girls giggled. "No he didn't." They said.

Theresa smiled. "We're you there?" They shook their heads. "Okay then, my story. Anyways, we find them and inform them that we are the Wardens, and we need their aide to save the world. However, their clan was plagued by werewolves. Mindless beasts with claws for hands and dagger sharp teeth and poisonous breath and beady black eyes and…"

"Aunt Thess…" they sang.

"Sorry. So off we went in search of their leader, Witherfang. Deeper and deeper into the Bracilian forest we saw many things, fiddle playing frog," the girls shook their heads, "okay, how about a singing cat?" they giggled and said no in unison. "But we did see a rhyming tree."

"No you didn't." Amio said.

"Yes we did." Theresa lowered her voice and moved her arms like the braches. "I am the Grand Oak Tree. And even though we just met, might I ask a boone of thee." They giggled again at her voice. "It's true I swear." They said no and Theresa let it go. "Anyways, Papa and I finally find Witherfang. She calls herself Lady of the Forest. She is a beautiful woman, neglecting the fact that she has tree branches for arms and legs. But, she tells me and Papa, that the werewolves are humans, trapped in the shapes of wolves. If the Keeper Zatherian would let go of his hatred for humans, they could revert back, and the elves would be safe. When we heard this, me and Papa ran back to Zatherian and told him the news. So corrupted in his hatred, Zatherian refused to forgive or forget. So he fought us. And we lost."

The girls laughed. "No you didn't."

Theresa smiled. "You're right. It'd be kind of hard to tell the story if I was dead huh? Zatherian fought us, and we won. Zatherian collapsed to the ground. 'you won Zevran' he said 'I submit. I will relinquish my hatred of the humans and save my clan.' And so he did. The wolves turned back into humans and the clan was saved. Do you know the moral of this story?" the girls shook their heads. "Zatherians hate was to strong that it took physical form. It was so powerful that it killed the people he loved most. Hate is very powerful. if all we see is our hatred for someone, it paints our world that color. We can lash out and hurt people, and…say things we don't mean." Theresa paused. Way to re-teach yourself a lesson. "Hate is associated to anger and vengeance. Neither get anything nor anywhere. There is no justice found in hatred. Only loneliness because only you carry the hate. Do you understand?"

The girls gave a slow nod. No they did not. Apparently, the lesson was more for her than for them. Theresa sighed to herself. She stretched out and laid between them. "Alright, time for sleep." The girls cuddled up next to her and put their heads on her arms. Theresa kissed their heads and fell asleep.

Sebastian looked at Anders with a sly smile.

"What?"

"It's like she's talking to you."

"Shut up."