Sitting on her bed Marina looked around her, the decorations were simple yet dignified. Purple, gold and silver were the main colours, lifting the dreariness of the brown walls and floors. Once having been a mage trapped in the circle and then forced on the road to defeat the Blight she had never known true privacy. She remembered how so many times she had yearned for just a simple snippet of time to call her own. Now she had it and she decided she didn't like it much. Sighing she shifted and rose to pace slowly around her room. She remembered the people who had come into her life. People she had come to care about, some to love, people that she had willingly risked her life for time and again and then they had all left. Now here she was at Vigils Keep, the Blight defeated, the Architect dead, Amaranthine and the Keep saved, with more privacy than she knew what to do with. She pulled out her journal and opened it to the page where she kept the rose Alistair had given her. A tear slipped unnoticed down her cheek as she stroked the flower that was now as lifeless as him. Casting her mind back as she so often did remembering how she had tried to take the final blow on the Archdemon, but he had kissed her one last time, swore his eternal love and then pushed her aside. Placing the book back in her desk she turned back the covers of her bed and prepared for another early night.
After a haunted night of broken sleep she wandered downstairs to oversee the running of the Keep. She knew that there would be issues for her to sort through as Amaranthine rebuilt, they had saved the city but not without cost. Trailing her hand down the bannister she looked younger than her years but had the walk and demeanour of someone much older, someone who had had too much responsibility thrust on her too quickly. Her rich brown hair glinted with undertones of chestnut and her deep brown eyes gave her a wise yet vulnerable quality. Her frame which had once been curvy was now slight. Many men had been drawn to her but she had pushed them away, still grieving for her lost love and the knowledge that even on the off chance that she fell in love again she could never lead a normal life or provide a child. Eventually the men had stopped coming and she knew there were whispers that she was unnatural to not want male companionship but she shrugged them off. Long gone were the days when she cared what other people thought.
She went into her office and pulled out the sheaf of paperwork that always seemed to be piled there no matter how much she got through the day before. Mostly they were pleas for aid from the people trying to rebuild their lives. Sighing she tried to sort through the most urgent ones, their resources were low and due to the complexity of trying to run the Arling of Amaranthine and rebuild the Grey Wardens she had to tread very carefully. Her mind drifted and she started imagining just running away, leaving it all to her second in command Jameson, and just living somewhere where no-one knew her. These fantasies came to her often lately and she knew that they were pointless but she allowed herself to indulge in them as she had not many pleasures left.
Her reverie was broken by a soft knock on the door. "Come in" she called out and smiled as Seneschal Varel entered.
"Warden Commander you have a visitor" he said looking somewhat perplexed. She raised an eyebrow questioningly, waiting patiently for him to continue. "A man, about your age, he says you were once close, but he refuses to give his name."
Marina frowned slightly "well that is strange. You better show him in then." Varel nodded and walked out to show the mysterious visitor in. A young man with black hair and wide earnest brown eyes walked in and Marina drew a sharp breath as she recognised him.
"Jowan" she rose and extended her hands welcomingly "it is good to see you alive."
She surprised herself with the fact that she was genuinely happy to see him. When she had encountered him in the dungeons at Redcliffe she had told him to flee and that she never wanted to see him again. He had hurt her, namely because she had tried to help him escape and not only had he lied to her but before he had fled he had pleaded with Lily to come with him. When she had refused he had ran without as much as a backward glance. She was glad to see that she had not held the bitterness within her. He looked just as surprised that she was glad to see him and stood uncertainly before coming forward and grasping her hands in his. She looked him over critically and was saddened but not shocked at the state of him. His robes were torn and dirty, his hair matted and he looked like he had not eaten or slept in many days.
"Maker Jowan you look terrible" she said.
"I was not expecting you to welcome me, in fact I had prepared myself for you to turn me away" he murmured.
She smiled at him "perhaps not too long ago I would have, but things have changed. Come, let us get you looking more human and then you can tell me what led for you to be in such a state." She felt that she already knew, although she had given him his freedom, it would have been limited being on the run.
She called for Varel and arranged a clean change of clothes, a warm bath and a hot meal. She left him in Varel's care and returned to her paperwork as she waited for him to finish. She smiled happily for the first time in many months, feeling her solitude lift away. She had had no idea how much she had missed him. A soft tap on her door signalled his return and he came in without waiting for her to bid him entry. He looked much better, the warm bath and a hearty meal had brought colour to his cheeks.
She rose from her chair again "you look much better, and the clothes seem a decent fit" she took in the simple black shirt and brown trousers and nodded approvingly.
"Thank you Marina, you have no idea how much better I feel" he grinned at her, shades of the old Jowan she had known emerging, instead of the haunted man she had found at Redcliffe.
"You're welcome my friend" she answered "would you like to have the tour? Or perhaps you would like to have a nap?" she asked.
"A tour sounds lovely, I feel much more energised and I have never been a fan of sleeping during the day" he replied.
They strolled around the Keep and he listened as she pointed out the various rooms and buildings, telling him of the battle and the strange talking darkspawn. He listened interjecting with questions or comments of surprise, especially about the Architect.
"Unbelievable" he muttered "you have led an exciting and strange life since I last saw you" he said.
"So tell me Jowan, what has been happening with you? Nothing good from the looks of it" she stated.
He sighed deeply "when you set me free, at first I was grateful and determined to not let you down again. I wanted to do something good with my life, atone, you know?" She nodded waiting for him to continue. "I ended up at a little village and helped to defend them from the blight monsters. There were no darkspawn but the taint had mutated the wood animals turning them into fearsome evil creatures. I even managed to learn some healing spells and I honestly felt that I was finally being worthy of freedom." He stopped deep in thought.
"But this changed?" she prodded gently.
He nodded "unfortunately yes. Word spread of a mage who was living free of the circle and soon the Templars came. The villagers defended me but many died and I felt that all the good work I had done was for naught. I had brought this on them and once again I fled." She nodded, his expression of grief touching her. "Then I just ran and hid, and I must admit I started hating you for cursing me with freedom." She started to speak but he shook his head asking for her silence. "Then one night I was hiding in an abandoned farm house when I thought back to our years in the circle and I felt so damn guilty, guilty for the lies, for leaving you there to face the consequences for helping me, for so many things and that was when I knew I had to find you."
She peered at him "for what?"
He grabbed her shoulder "to apologise. You didn't give me freedom because you wanted to hurt me you gave it to me because that is what I had craved, thank you Marina, thank you for being the friend to me that I never was to you." He released her and stepped away looking like a huge weight had been removed from him.
She smiled "no need to apologise and no need to thank me. We should be free and it's ridiculous that so many have to go to the lengths they go to be free. You are not the first mage to turn to blood magic and you won't be the last. Not while the circles still exist anyway." He shook his head, again surprised at her forgiveness. They continued the tour and wound up back where they started.
The next few weeks were spent like that, ambling around the grounds talking, exchanging stories of what had happened to them since they had last met. Both of them were happier than they had been for a long time. Jowan soon proved himself useful, training young mages that had joined the order, helping to rebuild the parts of the Keep that were still damaged after the attack and helping her slog through the mountains of paperwork. Marina soon got used to him being around and looked forward to his company every morning when she woke.
"Remember when I introduced you to Lily and you called her a fat cow?" he asked during one of their nightly conversations.
She nodded laughter gurgling from her as she thought of his reaction. "Then I asked why we had never gotten together. I thought your head was going to explode."
He laughed "and then on the way to the basement you teased that Templar Cullen until he ran away." They both roared with laughter as they remembered. "Maker I thought his head was going to explode" Jowan chortled. "Life was so much simpler then wasn't it?"
She nodded "yes but I don't miss being trapped there."
He shook his head "me neither, they were going to make me tranquil remember?"
They shivered at the thought "thank the Maker that I had passed my Harrowing or they may have done it to me after all that" she instantly regretted her words as a look of guilt crossed his features. "Don't feel guilty Jowan, it didn't happen and what is done is done. The only point in looking back is to learn from our mistakes."
He looked at her intently "wise as well as beautiful." He stood stretching "well I am off to bed, good night" he dropped his hand on her head as he passed.
They were in the practise yard using the training dummies to keep their skills sharpened. Marina watched impressed as Jowan froze one and then shattered it using rock fist.
"Your magic has much improved" she commented. "It's a pity things turned out the way they did, we could have used you during the Blight."
He flexed his hand "I wouldn't have been much use then. I was too busy whining and feeling sorry for myself."
She punched him lightly on the shoulder "that is very true. You were always having some sort of personal crisis. Maker Marina that Templar is looking at me, my hair looks funny, my robes have shrunk" she snorted with laughter.
"I wasn't that bad… alright yes I was, but there is no need to rub it in" he was laughing as he said it though and she marvelled at how much he had grown. Once upon a time had she said that it would have set off another bout of whining.
"It's good to have you back, I was very lonely" she admitted slowly.
"What happened to your friends? I did hear bits and pieces of your travels and I was under the impression that you were never alone" he brushed a stray piece of hair from his eyes.
"I wasn't but when it was over everyone moved on. Some later than others but in the end they left" she said sadly.
He draped his arm around her shoulders "well, their loss then." She poked him in the ribs and then ran when he gave chase, both of them laughing playfully as they used to when they were children.
Jowan walked into her office later to see her contemplating what looked like a strange shoe. "What is that?" he asked.
"It's a cake server that looks like a shoe" she said looking at it dubiously.
"You don't like it?" "I don't know there is something distasteful about serving food from something that looks like a dirty foot has been in it."
He laughed "I know right? Ooh perhaps you might get a pitcher in the shape of a chamber pot next" he snickered. "Maker Jowan that's disgusting, but you know I wouldn't be surprised if that's the next useless thing I have sent to me." They both giggled. "Where did you get it anyway?"
She shrugged "one of the Noble's sent it to me, apparently they are the new novelty at Orlesian dinner parties." They both shook their heads in wonder at the strangeness of the Orlesians.
Varel watched them come from her office and make their way outside. He smiled at seeing how she had turned from a sombre young woman into someone who was now cheerful. He was fiercely loyal to the Commander as she had saved his life on more than one occasion and seeing her so lonely had made him hurt for her. He thought of her new companion and hoped that for her sake he would not leave in a hurry. But he had seen the way Jowan looked at her and didn't think that he would be going anywhere anytime soon. Besides he had discreetly looked into his past as he had wondered why Jowan always stayed behind when she travelled to Amaranthine and knew that he had nowhere else to go. At first he had been worried that Jowan was merely using her but seeing the easy affection between them had cast the thoughts aside and decided to just be glad that she was much happier.
The two were sitting under a tree playing a game of cards when Varel hurried up to them a look of worry creasing his face. "Commander there are some Templars here to see you. They wouldn't tell me what their business is."She had a suspicion of why they were here and after telling Jowan to stay put she brushed the dirt and leaves from her clothes and went to see them.
"How many are there?" she asked almost idly. Varel wasn't fooled by the even tone as he knew her calm voice masked her worry.
"There are six of them Commander, led by Knight Captain Dawson. She nodded exhaling slowly to calm her nerves.
"Good afternoon Knight Captain Dawson, what a pleasant surprise" she greeted him cordially, hiding her revulsion. His close cropped red hair shone in the sun almost giving him an evil looking red halo. Blue piggy eyes, a hawk nose and thin cruel lips made him a very unattractive man.
"We are here on important business Warden Commander. We have heard reports that you are harbouring a known blood mage and murderer" he exclaimed self-importantly.
"Have you now? Tell me, where did you hear such nonsense?" her tone was still quiet. Dawson looked around him furtively, unable to look her in the eye. His glances gave him away though as they kept returning to their newest recruit. A look of understanding crossed her face "ah a spy. I always knew there was something Templarish about her" Marina was almost whispering.
"It does not matter. Hand him over and we will be on our way" Dawson demanded.
Marina snorted derisively "I will do no such thing. Now be a good boy and go home" she sounded like she was addressing an errant child.
Dawson wasn't listening to her however, his eyes were fixed on something behind her and she heard Jowan's voice "there is no need to hide me Marina. I will go with them" he had a look of resignation on his face.
"You will not" she was having none of it. "When was the last time you practiced blood magic Jowan?" she asked, she had not seen him use it and hadn't detected the taint of a demon within him.
"The night I told you about, the one when I knew I had to come and find you. Before I came I entered the fade and I confronted the demon I had made the deal with. I fought him and pushed him from my mind and body. I am no longer a blood mage" he said proudly.
"How convenient" Dawson sneered "I do not believe a word of it."
"What you believe is irrelevant" Marina snapped. "So he is no longer a blood mage, who did he supposedly murder?"
Dawson's face was having convulsions with rage at being dismissed so off-handedly. "Templars who were sent to find him, plus a slew of villagers that took him in and trusted him."
Jowan moved forward angrily "I may have killed the Templars, in self-defence mind you, but I did not harm one of those villagers. They were your precious Templars who took their lives. So intent on getting me they didn't care how many innocents were slaughtered" he was breathing heavily.
Dawson 's voice rang out "how dare you accuse…." Marina stepped forward putting herself between them. "No? You deny that your Templars are above such abuses?" all pretence of calm was gone, her eyes were almost black with rage and her face was turning a deep red.
She waved over a young mage recruit that was watching "you, Miller come here." He moved over reluctantly, he would willingly face down darkspawn but facing the Templars was another thing. "Tell the Knight Captain here why you escaped the circle and sought us out."
He nodded and gathered his courage to him "that one there" he pointed directly at the Templar standing behind Dawson "he would wake me every morning with his sword to my throat. He would say, is today the day you die mage?" Miller's face was contorted at the memory.
Another mage stepped forward "another Templar, one who is not here, he would order me to his rooms and beat me every day, telling me that it was the Maker's will that I be punished for the curse of magic." More of the mages came forward telling their own horror stories of abuses at the hands of those who were sworn to protect them.
"These mages came to me one by one, risking their lives to become part of the order. They would rather face down darkspawn than spend one more day being tortured." Marina was now standing nose to nose with Dawson stabbing him in the chest with her finger. Dawson's hand went to his sword only to hear the sound of many swords being unsheathed in response.
"As you can see I have many men and women at my command, willing to strike down anyone who threatens us. Now leave before I allow them to." Dawson stepped back knowing he was defeated and he signalled to the spy to follow him.
"Oh no" Marina waved her hand at him "she stays here." Dawson opened his mouth to argue but seeing soldiers and wardens step forward menacingly changed his mind and stalked away.
She turned to Varel "send word to the gate. No Templars are to be given entry." He nodded his understanding hurrying away. She turned to the spy who was now unarmed and being held by two guards "take her to the dungeons while I decide what to do with her" they started dragging the struggling woman away.
"Please Commander" she started pleading wildly "please I did not wish…." Her words were ended by the sound of Marina's hand coming hard across her face.
"Shut your dirty mouth you traitorous bitch" she yelled. "Take her away." The spy's frantic pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears and were soon cut off by the loud bang of the dungeon door slamming behind her. "Everyone back to normal duties but be alert. I wouldn't put it past those bastards to try something. They will not give up easily, but neither will we if such a thing should occur." Her people scurried away to do as they were bid not daring to look at her. Most had never seen her in such a rage, but most of them had not been around for the Blight or the darkspawn incursion that had come after. The ones that had been there remembered that it was her fury that had saved them.
Marina stomped into her office throwing herself on her chair. The anger drained out of her leaving her feeling tired but exhilarated. She had not realised how bored she had become. Jowan followed her in hesitantly and sat on the chair facing her.
"Are you alright?" he queried worriedly, half expecting her to send him away.
She nodded "yes, it will take more than those lackwits to hold me down."
He chuckled "mmm I can see that. I am sorry to have brought this on you though." He pinched the bridge of his nose "I should leave and let you be in peace."
She stood abruptly her eyes darkening again "you can't keep running Jowan. You need to decide, are you a victim or a survivor?" He stood to face her and stared intensely into her eyes
"I am a survivor. Once I was a victim yes and I blamed everyone else for my problems. Once I realised that I was my biggest problem things changed… I changed."
She leaned against her desk "good so you're not going anywhere and we may have the pleasure of ending a few Templars lives before we die. Things are looking up." He grinned at her and impulsively threw his arms around her. She returned his embrace before gently pushing him away.
"Have you decided what to with the spy?" he asked quietly, feeling somewhat rejected by her pushing him away.
"Well, I could send a guard in every day to wake her with a sword to her throat or I could have her beaten for her stupidity in becoming a tool of the Chantry or finally I could have her food served with this" she picked up the ridiculous shoe cake server. They both started howling with laughter, the tension draining away from them. Varel walked up to the door and stopped at the sound emanating from her office. He had never heard the Commander laugh like that and was slightly worried that the stress of the last few years had finally taken its toll on her mind.
He walked in and waited for the laughter to stop before speaking "have you decided what to do with the spy Commander" he echoed Jowan's query. Marina was still holding the cake server in her hand and the question sent them both off into another round of boisterous laughter.
Gaining control of herself she sat back in her chair "what do you suggest Seneschal Varel?" she honestly had no idea what to do with the woman.
He placed his hands behind his back "what she has done is treason. You have the right to execute her."
She shook her head worry clouding her eyes "do I though? Chantry law supersedes all else even the Crown. I do not wish to needlessly endanger the lives of those that trust me."
He nodded understandingly "I see your point, but with everything you have done I doubt anyone would back the Chantry in this matter."
She laced her fingers together thinking on what he said. "I don't know, leave it with me it will not hurt if she is left to stew." He bowed and left them.
Everyone stayed on alert but nothing happened for the next few days and things started to return to normal. Until a message came from the front gates
"The Revered Mother is here to see you Commander" she grimaced at Varel.
"Ugh send her in I suppose" not looking forward to the meeting.
Jowan was sitting at the desk she had provided for him in her office and made no move to leave. She was glad not really wanting to face the woman on her own. She sat behind her desk and waited. Varel showed the Revered Mother in and she entered with that strange undulating walk they all seemed to have. Her grey hair was pulled back into a severe bun and her piercing green eyes made her look shrewish. Marina stood "welcome Revered Mother Alira" her voice anything but welcoming. Jowan stood and dragged his chair over for her to sit on before going to stand behind Marina. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the window frame waiting for whatever was to come. Revered Mother Alira sat and stared not saying a word, a trick that she used often to get people to bend to her will. Marina was not susceptible to it though and unwaveringly held her gaze. Neither woman spoke for some time and Jowan shifted uncomfortably wishing one of them would break the stalemate.
Revered Mother Alira caved first making Jowan feel more confident of Marina's success. "Warden Commander I think you know why I am here" her gaze fell on Jowan, when Marina didn't speak she continued "we wish for you to turn over the blood mage and murderer."
Marina snorted "I thought I made myself clear to Dawson." She sat back in her chair her brown eyes raking over the Revered Mother's face. "Jowan is no longer a blood mage and he only killed in self-defence" she explained patiently as if sick of the whole subject. Her cavalier attitude put the Revered Mother was used to people just doing what she wished and didn't appreciate the Warden's approach.
"Regardless of his claims that he is no longer practicing blood magic you know there is no self-defence when a Templar comes for an illegal mage. His actions were murder and I demand that you hand him over" her calm façade had cracked and her voice shook with anger.
"No" Marina said simply.
"No? No? You dare to deny me my right as Revered Mother?" she was yelling now.
"Yes" Marina had decided to stick to monosyllabic replies fearing that anything further would erode her control.
They again sat in silence for some time "how do you propose we overcome this impasse?" Revered Mother Alira asked finally realising that this woman in front of her was not easily intimidated. Marina pursed her lips as she was wont to do when she was thinking.
"I propose a deal. We give you your Templar spy back and you leave us alone."
The Revered Mother shook her head "that is not acceptable as the spy is of little consequence."
Marina laughed dryly "your own people are of little consequence? No wonder mages are treated so abominably."
"We have turned a blind eye to you accepting apostates into your order but this cannot stand" she stood and swept out of the room.
"Well that was awkward" Jowan remarked "how long do you think we have before they come back?"
She stood and stretched trying to ease the tension that had crept into her shoulders "I don't know we will just have to wait it out and see what comes next." She sat back down and he started rubbing her neck, she resisted the urge to lean back into him and lifted his hands away from her ignoring the hurt look on his face.
The rest of the day passed uneventfully, she had informed Varel of the conversation and he had reaffirmed his position that they would all fight to the death on her command. She shuddered not wanting it to come to that but didn't see how else it could possibly end. Jowan had returned to his room and she had left him alone knowing that he was feeling guilty about the events. She didn't hold him responsible for as far as she was concerned he had had no choice in killing the Templars. They could spout their rubbish about it never being self-defence but push someone into a corner and they would either fight or flee. She was proud of him for fighting, not only against the Templars but also the demon who had sought to hold him. Disregarding her earlier decision to not bother him she went to find him to tell him. Opening his door she saw that he wasn't there, her shoulders sagged knowing that he had probably ran.
Returning to her room she blinked trying to adjust her eyes to the dim light of sunset. She was surprised that the candles hadn't been lit yet as the servants were usually more efficient than this. She didn't really care as she was quite happy to remain in the dark.
His voice took her by surprise and turning she made him out sitting on the day bed. "I have thought about running, but I cannot leave you to face this alone. I am not sure if my staying is the right thing to do though."
She walked over and sat next to him "what do you want to do Jowan?"
He let out a troubled sigh "I want to stay but not at the cost of people's lives."
She took his hands in hers "I… I don't want you to go."
This time he pushed her away "why? I know you are happy to have me here but you are different now. So hard to get close to, I have tried but you just keep holding me away." He peered through the encroaching darkness trying to read her expression. He sighed seeing that it was closed as usual. "I have come to love you Marina. I cannot stay having you so close but yet so far" his voice had taken on that almost whining, earnest tone she remembered from the circle.
"It… it is complicated" her voice was barely audible.
"Well explain it to me then. I have to know, if there can never be anything between us I will accept it but please can you at least tell me why?" He sat back with his hands lying in his lap waiting.
A nervous sound came from her as she had always been terrible at revealing her emotions. The last time she had let her defences down had been to Alistair. He had sworn to never leave her but had turned his back to her twice, the first time when he was to become King. She remembered his telling her how he could not marry her because she was a mage and the Bannorn would not accept her as Queen. The second time was when he had sacrificed himself to save her, leaving her to watch him die. She had closed a part of her heart and mind swearing to never allow it to open again. Jowan hadn't moved watching her inward struggle closely.
"I am not good at this type of thing. After Alistair died and everyone left I swore to never become attached to anyone again" she stopped trying to organise her thoughts. "But it seems that I have. You have gotten closer than you think but I can never marry you or have any type of relationship other than friendship" the words hurt her more than she thought they could.
"Why not? Is it because of what happened at the circle? Because of this trouble I have brought upon you here?"
She shook her head "no, nothing like that."
He sighed exasperated "then what?" "When one joins the Wardens there is a ritual you have to go through. I had to drink a potion that contained darkspawn blood." She stopped searching his face in the fading daylight for the disgust that she was sure was there, finding nothing but concern she continued "my life span has been considerably shortened and one day I will hear the calling and go to the deep roads fighting darkspawn until I die."
He stood pacing angrily "this is what they did to you? Maker what I did to you…" he hung his head shame overwhelming him.
"I am not going to apportion blame Jowan. It is done and there is no way to undo it, I have accepted it but… that is not all" she patted the spot that he had left next to her wordlessly asking him sit down. He sat their bodies close but not touching. "Even after the joining it is inadvisable to have a child but I could have still tried and possibly been able to" she stopped again choking back tears. Taking a deep breath she continued "but during the battle at Denerim we were fighting one of the Archdemon's generals who was a caster and he sent a spell that paralysed me for a time. Wynne pulled me back out of it but it was a hurried fix and not all of me was released from the spell. My womb remained frozen and soon it started to die and fester inside of me. It had to be removed and so even if I had wanted to try and have a child I cannot. These are the reasons why I have to remain alone" she finished the tears that she had been holding back for so long finally came.
He sat for a while taking in what she had said, hope sprouting in his chest "but it is not because you do not love me?" he asked urgently.
"I love you… there I said it" she laughed shakily through her tears.
He stroked a loose hair that had fallen across her face "I don't care that you cannot have a child. I never wanted children anyway. The thought of bringing a child into this world for it to have a life of running and fear, or for us to be ripped apart and imprisoned in a circle seems wrong and irresponsible. And as for the taint if I only have a few more months with you but having you love me then I will gladly take it and cherish every moment." He brought her into his arms.
"Now I feel like my head is going to explode" she giggled feeling very young.
"Don't do that it would take ages to get your brains out of my shirt" he was chuckling into her hair. He cupped her chin and gently lowered his lips to hers. He had meant for the kiss to be gentle but she responded with an unleashed passion. Lifting her easily into his arms he laid her on her bed gently tugging her clothes away.
They awoke the next morning at first surprised and then gleeful to still be in each other's arms. "So what now?" he asked kissing the tip of her nose.
"I have a plan. No-one is going to like it but it is the only way I see for this to end without bloodshed."
He raised an eyebrow "how is that going to work?" She shrugged her brown hair falling gently across her shoulders "I don't know but we shall soon find out. Come on get up I fear we don't have much time."
He groaned "I want to stay here all day" but he was up searching for where she had flung his clothes. Dressed and glowing she set her plan in motion and then assembled the people of Vigils Keep.
"As you know we are possibly about to be under attack by people claiming to have the will of the Maker. I do not believe that the Maker would wish for us all to lay our lives down meaninglessly so I have devised a plan. If it works there will be no violence and the Chantry should be somewhat appeased." She knew they wouldn't be as the only way to appease them would be to hand Jowan over and she wasn't about to do that. The soldiers and Wardens waited expectantly.
"The Wardens will be leaving" she raised her hands to stop the murmurs of dissent "they are going to Soldier's Peak and will be leaving under the cover of nightfall. The reasons for this are twofold, one they will believe that Jowan and I have gone with them and two it will make the running of the Arling and raising money easier if it is not connected to the order." She stopped and surveyed them gravely "the guard of Amaranthine will of course be staying and I will be leaving the running of the Arling to Seneschal Varel." She nodded in his direction but being unable to read his expression she continued "I have prepared a message to go to the Chantry tomorrow explaining that we are leaving and that any attack on here would merely be an attack on the Guard of Amaranthine." She stopped again allowing them to take it all in.
"Will you be coming with us Commander?" one of the Wardens yelled out. She shook her head "no, I have business to attend to elsewhere. I will be leaving you in the hands of my second in command" she waved her hand at Warden Jameson. "Go and prepare and may the Maker watch over you."
Heading back upstairs to her room she started packing some of her things. A backpack for what she was going to take and the things she couldn't in chests for what was to be stored. She stopped as she took out her journal with Alistair's rose in it and gently placed it in one of the chests. She wanted all traces of her removed knowing that if the Templars found any sign of her presence they would use it as an excuse to attack. Jowan was doing the same thing although he had no things to store. Time passed quickly and soon night began to fall. She went downstairs to see off the Wardens and give last minute instructions to Varel and the Captain of the Guard. "Do with the spy what you will. You know I had completely forgotten all about her" she was astonished as these things did not usually fall from her attention. Satisfied that everything was done she strapped her pack to her back and hugged Varel goodbye. He returned her embrace choking back tears. He had come to care for her in the time they had shared responsibility of the Keep and would miss her dearly. Jowan hung back and as she moved forward to say last farewells to the Wardens he found himself up against a wall surrounded by Varel, Captain Wills and Warden Jameson. He cleared his throat nervously not liking the look in their eyes.
"If you hurt her" Varel started
"we will hunt you down" Wills chimed in
"and cut your balls off" Jameson finished.
They all turned as one leaving him white faced and trying to regain the strength that fled from his legs. They watched the last of the Wardens disappear into the cellars that led to the tunnels they would be using to mask their departure. Jowan and Marina waited a good ten minutes before following them.
Once out of the tunnels they headed in the opposite direction of the other wardens. Marina looked up at the night sky thrilled to be back on the road again. She had started to feel trapped staying in the Keep and looked forward to wherever life would take them. Her happiness was short lived however as a familiar voice washed over her.
"Well well if it isn't two apostates. We know what to do with them don't we boys?" She whirled to face the blue piggy eyes that were regarding her. They found themselves surrounded by a group of roughly ten Templars, they were moving in with their swords already out. She clutched Jowan's hand thinking quickly trying to find a way out.
Not seeing one she tried to keep him talking hoping that one would present itself "how did you know we were coming through here?"
He shrugged dismissively "I didn't we just happened to be on our way back from elsewhere and saw a very curious sight" he stopped trying to gauge her reaction, not seeing one he continued "a large group of Wardens marching away. I thought to myself, now if the Wardens are leaving then their fearless leader wouldn't be far behind" he emphasised the word fearless, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
She nodded "I see" she wasn't sure why she was so afraid of this man, she had faced worse before. He moved closer to her running his gauntleted hand down her cheek "you know it is a shame you spurned me, we could have had something" he whispered. She swallowed her revulsion but this was too much for Jowan. Sick of letting her handle everything he slapped the man's hand away.
"You thought you had a chance with her?" he made a sound that was somewhere between a snort and a sneer. "Trying to punch above your weight there" he had drawn Marina protectively towards him.
"And you're not?' Dawson's tone was just as contemptuous.
Jowan shrugged "not as much as you ginger." Marina's heart was beating rapidly as she saw Dawson's sword come dangerously close. But then the opportunity for escape she was waiting for came.
"Good evening Arlessa" she recognised the voice as belonging to one of her guards "is there a problem here?" Her legs almost gave out from beneath her in relief and it was only Jowan's steadying hand that stopped her from falling to the ground.
"Yes guard, these men are menacing us" she said trying to keep her voice even. The Templars had backed off and were looking uncertainly at Dawson.
"Stand aside guard this is Templar business and we are about to return these two apostates to the circle. I think you will look good as a tranquil" he directed this at Jowan.
"Over my dead body" Marina yelled pulling her staff from behind her back. Jowan did the same and the guards unsheathed their swords.
"You cannot interfere in Templar business" Dawson snarled at the guards.
"Yes we can" the patrol leader answered mildly "look here we are interfering in Templar business." He looked around him at his men and they nodded in agreement.
Dawson glared at them his temper beginning to reign over his good sense. "Chantry law supersedes all else in this matter. She has handed over the Arling and…"
The guard stepped forward twirling his sword idly "she is still the Commander of the Grey" he stated matter of factly "and therefore you cannot take her to any circle."
Dawson's voice was becoming a guttural growl "but he is not" he gestured to Jowan "and you cannot stop me from taking him."
"No but I can" Marina warned.
"How?" Dawson was disbelieving.
"By killing you of course" her voice was calm but dangerous.
"That would make you a murderess" he was growling but had started backing off.
Jowan spoke "if anyone kills this snivelling worm it will be me."
The guard was trying not to laugh "look we can stand here all night arguing about who gets the pleasure of ending his life but it's really not getting us anywhere."
Dawson looked at them "attack" he yelled, getting no response he yelled again "attack." He was disconcerted to see them all doubling over with laughter.
"Your men… have… gone… they fled…" Marina was having trouble getting the words out. He whirled and saw to his dismay that his men had indeed ran for their lives. He started to run too their laughter trailing after him. She turned to the guards "convenient that you showed up when you did" it was a half question.
"Captain Wills directed us here, just in case" the patrol leader said.
"Well tell him thank you, he has my eternal gratitude." He nodded "will do Commander. Take care" and with that the patrol moved away.
"Are you sure this is what you want?" Jowan asked "a life on the run?"
She stopped and pulled him close to her "we won't be running forever, I know a place we can go where Templars will not follow and we will be welcomed with open arms."
He looked at her suspiciously "and where would this utopia be?"
She laughed "oh it will be no utopia, in fact it will be a hard life in some ways but we will be safe and free to live together."
He waited but when she didn't explain he burst out "where is this place then?"
"We are going to the Chasind." Seeing his look of confusion she explained "I once travelled with a witch named Morrigan. Her mother is Flemeth, the one from the tales. Well, Morrigan wished her mother dead and sent me to do it. After we had slain her some wilder folk appeared and were very grateful as they were terrified of her. Anyway to cut a long story short they told me had I ever the need of sanctuary they would give it."
He nodded "alright then off to the wilds it is."
They made their way quickly across Ferelden, both having had to live off the land before made things a lot easier. Once arriving at the wilds she found to her relief that she was remembered and they were welcomed, especially once they realised that they were both mages. Their healer had only recently succumbed to old age leaving them with no-one to tend to their tribe. Jowan and Marina took over the healing and soon settled into a happy routine. As Jowan was going through his weekly habit of mixing potions he saw Marina walking to him a piece of crumpled parchment in her hand. It was a letter from Seneschal Varel telling them of what had happened in their absence.
The Chantry had not attacked as word had spread to the nobility and they had petitioned the Revered Mother into submission. The people of the city were disgusted that they would even consider doing such a thing seeing that so many of the guard had risked their lives to save them while the Templars had hid in the Chantry during the darkspawn battle. They had pledged their swords to Seneschal Varel and in the face of such opposition the Chantry had backed down, their power over the province considerably weakened. Knight Captain Dawson had been relieved of his position as the Revered Mother had needed a scapegoat for the poor handling of the situation. The wardens had settled in at Soldier's Peak and things were a lot better now that the order had been completely separated from the Arling. Seneschal Varel had eventually sent the Templar spy with some guards to Soldier's Peak with instructions for them to mete out a punishment. He hadn't said what her fate was and they were glad to not know.
Marina came back from gathering herbs to find the Chasind and Jowan waiting for her, at first she had worried that something had gone wrong but as she got closer saw their smiles and relaxed.
Jowan went to her and dropped to his knees in front of her "when I first came to look for you, I sought merely an old friend. I had no idea that I would fall so heavily in love, I know that everyone who you have ever cared about has left so I am making a vow." He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out what looked like pieces of very green twigs entwined together shaped into a ring. He slipped it on her finger and she was amazed to see that it moved and adjusted itself to her.
"I found an old book, one that had nature spells. I came across one in particular, one that allowed me to make this ring. It is an old Chasind tradition, an incantation spoken from the heart that would curl the greenest pieces of tree around the finger of your true love. Our lives have been entwined since we were very young and this ring signifies that our lives will be entwined until we die. Will you accept my vow?" he finished looking very nervous.
She dropped to her knees facing him "Maker yes Jowan. I never want us to be apart" she kissed him fervently.
He pulled two more pieces of the greenery "for it to be complete you need to craft one for me."
She took them and the book and read aloud "of thy greenest tree from thy nature's heart, I form a circle that shall never part." She looked in wonder as the twigs started to curve around each other in her palm.
"Wherever thou may ever be, my love will guide thyself to thee." The two twigs fully formed into a circle and she placed it on Jowan's finger.
"I am yours forever" she said simply overwhelmed.
"You understand what the incantation truly meant?" he asked.
She nodded "I think so, if we ever are apart somehow we will know where the other is?" she looked at him enquiringly.
He nodded happily "they are now half of a whole and as long as we wear them they will be drawn to each other."
"They won't rot away?" she asked fearfully.
"No, as long as they stay on our fingers the magic will keep them this way forever." The Chasind folk started cheering and music swelled the air as the happy couple and their new family celebrated their long awaited union.