AN- This fic is taking on an AU point of view; it's not strictly canon, if you're looking for that, you have been warned that this is not it. It was inspired by a specific scene in a favorite movie of mine, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. So, now, on with the fic; don't let the nugs take over, yes?

Chapter 1

Alistair stood back to back with his friend, as he watched the door, alongside with the Circle Mage that helped clear out the tower of Ishal to make way for them to light the beacon for Loghain to help the King, and the battle going on outside. "I'm sensing more darkspawn coming this way, Fergus!" Alistair called out.

Fergus finally had gotten the beacon lit, watching the fire burst outwards towards the outside of the tower. "Done!" He told Alistair, as he stood, turning.

Their attention went towards the doorway, as it burst open, and Alistair felt Fergus shove him to the side, just in time to hear the arrow fly past him. He looked up, seeing Fergus on the ground unconscious, with an arrow in his shoulder. Alistair looked up towards their attackers, seeing the butt of a sword come towards his head, before blacking out.

Eleanor lifted her skirts, running down the stairs as she saw three guards with Highever's shields approach the gates to the Loren estate. Her heart panicked; she silently cursed her husband for talking her into agreeing with allowing him to ride off to the battle at Ostagar, their only son to join the Grey Wardens, and to allow their daughter to stay at Highever Castle to take her courtly duties alone. She couldn't fathom what the message the messengers were bringing. Lady Landra had met her at the gates, as the Soldiers walked through. Eleanor attempted to catch her breath as the Soldiers bowed to her in respect, "My Lady, I bring a message from the Teyrn."

The lead messenger handed her a parchment, and her breath hitched as she saw the seal of the Couslands on the letter. "Thank you," She told him.

She hurriedly opened it, reading the message. Her hand shot up to cover her mouth as tears burned her eyes. "Eleanor?" Landra asked cautiously, as she placed a hand on her friend's shoulder in comfort.

Eleanor's grey eyes looked at her friend, as tears flowed freely down her cheeks, "It's Fergus!" She sobbed.

"Oh, my dear," Landra's heart sank at the sight of her friend's despair, as Eleanor handed her the letter. Landra read over the letter, as Eleanor's face fell into her hands.

My dearest Eleanor,

Nothing hurts more than the pain of not being there to comfort you with the bringing of this news. The battle at Ostagar had been a disaster. I had yet to leave Redcliffe with Arl Eamon and his men to join the King's forces, but news had come quickly that all had perished at the battle, to include the Grey Wardens. With the Darkspawn pressing towards the Wilds, and no news from Fergus or Duncan, I can only assume our son had perished amongst them. The King had perished as well, and Teyrn Loghain had called for a Landsmeet in Denerim. I can only imagine what is to come of this. My dear, please, I beg you, to return to Highever. I have also sent word to Kathryn, however I feel she will need you now more than ever. Already, I have heard nasty rumors of Loghain accusing the Grey Wardens of murdering the King. I only hope that word has not reached the ears of other Nobility that Fergus was amongst them. I will attend the Landsmeet, and come home to Highever as soon as I am able. I love you, my darling Eleanor, and promise to return to you soon.

All my love,

Bryce.

Landra looked at her friend, as she hugged her tightly, "My dear, come. Let's get you back home to your daughter," Landra told Eleanor, as she waved over a few servants.

Fergus' eyes opened, as his vision blurred to a focus, taking in his surroundings. He could not place on where he was; he could feel he was on a bed, however the room around him was not of a dungeon, as he had thought he would end up in. He saw a figure at a bookshelf on the other side of the room, placing a book back into its place. "Ah, your eyes open!" He heard the sultry voice that he recognized.

The figure turned, facing him fully as she walked towards him. His eyes took in the sight; she was scantily clad in violet and black Chasind robes, her black hair pinned back with a few loose strands framing her small face. Her haunting golden eyes bore into him, searching for a response. "M-" He licked his suddenly dry mouth, "Morrigan, is it?" He asked.

"Yes, you are correct." She slightly smirked, pleased he remembered her.

"What happened to me?" He sat up, and rubbed the sudden throbbing pain on the back of his head.

"You were injured, and mother rescued you." She rose an eyebrow slightly, "Do you not remember? The man you were to signal had quit the field. Those he abandoned were massacred." She explained.

Suddenly, Fergus remembered, "Wait. The King, the Grey Wardens-they're gone?" She nodded at his question, and he remembered his friend, "And Alistair. What of him?"

"The suspicious dimwitted one you were with earlier? He is outside by the fire. Mother asked to see you when you awoke." She sighed.

He threw his blanket over his body as he realized he had been naked. He looked up at Morrigan, "Where are my clothes?" He asked her, his voice cracking with embarrassment.

Morrigan had rolled her eyes, "It's not as though you have something I've never seen before, Grey Warden." She turned, grabbing a folded pile of clothes that sat on a set of armor. She turned and threw them at him, "Here. Best not to keep mother waiting." She told him.

Alistair stared out towards the marsh, as the sun had begun setting. His mind warped around the events in the past few days. He had first been shocked to see Fergus' face; one he had recognized from childhood while growing up in Redcliffe under the care of Arl Eamon. He remembered how he and Fergus would get into trouble, causing havoc on Fergus' younger sister, whose name had escaped his memory. He hadn't seen for almost ten years, before Alistair had been shipped to the Chantry shortly after Maric had left for a voyage at sea that was the cause of his father's demise. Cailan was the heir, and Alistair was the spare; who was shipped to the Chantry to avoid any threat to Cailan's rule. Now in the Grey Wardens, Alistair had given up any rights to the throne the minute he tainted his blood to serve humanity against the Darkspawn. He was shocked to see his old friend, who was from a family second in power only to the King, join the Order, therefore giving up his rights and title.

Now, Alistair was petrified that his friend was now lost. He and Fergus were the only witnesses to Loghain's treachery after Flemeth had explained what had transpired after the beacon had been lit. Alistair had caught a glimpse of the battle as they escaped; but it was all he needed to fuel his need for justice. Within a few days, he went from being a part of an honorable order of warriors, to now an accused murderer of his own brother, the King. His thoughts were interrupted as the door to the hut had closed behind him.

"Thank the maker," Alistair sighed with a relief as he saw Fergus walk out of the hut, fully armored again.

"I have a headache the size of the Deep Roads, but thanks to Morrigan's mother, we're alive." Fergus sighed, rubbing his head thoughtfully.

Alistair shook his head slightly, "Duncan, and the King-" He began.

Fergus held up his hand, looking to the ground, "I already know, my friend." He placed his hand on his old friend's shoulder, squeezing it gently, "I'm sorry." He looked at Flemeth, "I suppose we should thank you." He told her.

"If you know what's good for you, you should." Flemeth retorted.

As Flemeth argued with Alistair slightly of how exactly to stop the Blight, Fergus' mind couldn't help but drift towards the fates of his family. With Loghain abandoning the King, his panic thought to his family, considering they were now the most powerful people in all of Ferelden. His father would not stand for the news of the death of the King, and civil war would break out between the nobles swaying between the Teyrn of Highever, and the now widowed Queen and her treacherous father. "We need to bring Loghain to justice, Fergus!" Alistair demanded of his friend.

Fergus snapped out of it, looking up at the two standing in front of him. "You're right. But, we're the only two survivors from Ostagar, it seems." He told Alistair. "And, there still is the Blight."

"We could go to Arl Eamon. He wasn't at Ostagar, and so he still has all of his men." Alistair suggested. "And, there are the treaties to demand the aide of Elves, Dwarves and the Mages."

"My father could possibly help as well. Though I'm almost certain they had probably marched back to Highever after receiving news of Ostagar." Fergus rubbed his chin in thought, "With Arl Eamon and my father knowing what happened, I'm sure they'll be able to stop Loghain."

"So, can we do this?" Alistair asked him.

Fergus looked up at his friend. He was almost shocked at the fact that Alistair, the senior Warden in Ferelden now, was looking to him for guidance. Fergus shrugged, "Why not?"

"Now, before you go, let me offer you something in return," Flemeth had began.

The three had turned their heads as they heard Morrigan walking towards them, "The stew is bubbling mother, shall we have two guests for the eve, or none?" She asked.

"The Grey Wardens are leaving, Morrigan. And you will go with them." Flemeth ordered her daughter.

As if expecting her own answer, she looked at the two Wardens with feign disappointment, "Such a shame-" She stopped as her eyes widened in surprise, realizing what her mother had just told her, "What!"

Fergus slightly smirked at the young mage. "I think that's a wonderful idea." He grinned.

Alistair rolled his eyes, thinking of the trouble he could already see Morrigan bringing were she to travel alongside them. Fergus had talked reason to Alistair, stating they needed all the help they could get; which made sense to Alistair now that Fergus had put it the way he did. They waited for the temperamental mage to come out with a pack strapped to her back, and watched her cover her body in a cloak. She slammed her staff into the ground next to her, using it for support, "I am at your disposal Grey Wardens. I suggest heading north towards a village not far from here. You can resupply there, and find out any useful information under the disguise of refugees. Or, I can simply be your silent guide. The choice is yours," She stopped waiting for a response from the two men she was to travel with.

Fergus smiled suddenly at his friend's discomfort of Morrigan coming along with them, "I have no problem, if Alistair doesn't." He teased.

Morrigan's eyes narrowed to slits as she glared at Alistair, "From the way he glares, I can see the answer is clear!" She hissed.

Fergus let out a slight laugh at Alistair's scoff. This was to be an interesting journey indeed.

AN - This is something I just couldn't ignore. I thought, what IF Fergus was to be the one who joined the Wardens; and possibly the Couslands did what they could to aid the Wardens, and THAT was what found them to be committing "treason" to the crown. Again, this is a complete AU POV, and I just couldn't get this out of my head...I had to write it down. Please read and review :) Thank you!