A few days later, Marissa was well enough to sit in the dining area at the compound. She had finally met Paul and Giselle, two fellow Gray Wardens from Orlais. They were both rogues and looked about ten years older than her. Marissa was in complete awe to be in the presence of another female Gray Warden. Giselle was a striking and jovial woman, and she noted Marissa's surprise.

"Yes we are but few and far between." She said. "But for us, it's not about quantity but about quality."

Seeing the bond and kinship all the wardens held for each other touched her. Marissa was also shocked by the revelation that Paul and Giselle were also husband and wife.

"I know not the ways of Fereldan, but in Orlais we just don't go back to hibernate once the battle is over. There will always be darkspawn to contend with but there are other battles to be fought as well and there is no doctrine stating how we should live our lives."

"A legend should evolve." Paul stated emphatically. "Our deeds should not be put in a book and handed down from generation to generation."

"And what about when it's time to die?" Marissa asked.

"Yes we will all die; its inevitable, it is the sacrifice we pay to be who we are, but our research in herbology has lead some of us to extend our lives a bit beyond the thirty year range."

"The last Gray Warden in our group was in his thirty seventh year before experiencing the calling." Giselle said.

"Somebody once told me it's now how you die, it's how you live." Marissa said, hearing Alistair's voice in her mind.

"And no truer words have ever been spoken." Paul said.

"So do you mind me asking, how did you…end up together?"

"Not at all." Giselle smiled. "You see, I had already survived my joining before Paul's arrival, it was about 9 months later and I was present during his."

"There were four of us." Paul continued. "I was the only survivor. Afterwards I was adamant in giving the fellow recruits a proper burial. They deserved that considering all we went through."

"He had my heart, the moment I witnessed that compassion." Giselle continued. "But of course there was a bit of a pursuit."

" Oh I fought it." Paul laughed "But then there was this moment, I realized I could not live without her." He clutched her hand.

"Not all Gray Wardens share our philosophy. Some go it alone." Giselle added. "But our surviving the joining does not mean we take a vow of chastity."

"And when it is our time, we intend to go to the Deep Roads together." Paul said.

"And now may we ask a question?" Giselle asked.

"This Alistair fellow, you loved him didn't you?"

"We only ask, because you cried out his name many times while you slept." Paul said.

Marissa got up from the chair. "It's in the past. The decision I made that night to spare Loghain destroyed what we had."

"I thought what I was doing was right." She sighed.

"And it was right." Paul said.

Giselle placed her hands on Marissa shoulders. "You were simply thinking like a Gray Warden."

"We are sworn to protect the land no matter what cost." Paul said

"There is no honor in the decisions or choices we make." Giselle explained.

"He should have never left. I needed him there." Marissa said.

"I have no doubt he regrets his actions." Paul said. "He left Duncan's shield behind did he not?"

"And we were at that village." Giselle said. "We saw the remains of those ogres."

"It was the work of man possessed by a great deal of rage." Paul said. "Or grief."

"How long are you staying?" Marissa wanted to change the subject.

"We're staying as long as it takes to deal with these raids that are going on. The bulk of the horde has been dealt with, but I suspect it's going to be awhile until these attacks subside."

"They are simply not going to go away quietly in the night." Giselle said.

"And of course we will help you rebuild here."

"I wish I could go out and help now." Marissa said as she clutched her chest with her arm. "But these blasted ribs are taking forever to heal."

" Be patient and enjoy your rest for many tasks await you soon." Paul said. "Now if you excuse us, we have to consult with some of the leaders of your armies."

"We're assigning some of the other wardens to help patrol the roads with a unit. Hopefully that will make it safer." Giselle said.

"I'm sure it will. Take care and may the Maker watch over you." She watched them as they headed out the room.

Suddenly feeling tired, Marissa slowly trudged back to her room.

-----------

Marissa found it oddly comforting that her room used to be Duncan's. Though she hadn't known him long, she will never forget how he helped deal with her grief as they made the trek to Ostager. There was one thing she never understood and that was being his first choice to join the Gray Wardens. Perhaps he watched some tournament she participated in, or maybe some unnamed soul recommended her to him. Looking back to her earliest dealings with him, he seemed to have so much faith her after having only met.

"I guess that's one question which will never be answered."

She slowly lay down on the bed and shut her eyes.

---------

Alistair let out a burp from the ale. He was at Warden's Keep. He had saved Levi Dryden's family from a band of darkspawn earlier in the day. Levi was so grateful, that he welcomed him to stay with them. Alistair readily accepted the offer as he needed time to think. It also didn't help his confusion because he had encountered a scouting unit the previous day and had expected to be arrested on sight for desertion but the leader merely warned him of the dangers of being on the road alone and the group went on their way.

"Alistair."

He turned to see Levi holding a tray. "The wife told me I can't come down until this tray is empty. So please eat."

Alistair took the tray.

"What happened to Lady Marissa and your friends?" Levi asked. "Did something happen to them?"

"I do not know." Alistair said.

"Did you get separated during the battle?"

"That's putting it mildly." Alistair said between bites. "What news have you heard?"

"I'm afraid not very much due to the continue danger on the roads. One passerby a few days ago said the archdemon was dead and Loghain was killed."

"But what about the Gray Wardens?"

"I'm sorry Alistair; I wish I had more news for you. I promise if I hear anything, I will let you know. "

"Thank you Levi." Alistair said as he handed back the tray. "And don't forget the promise you made."

"No worries Alistair." Levi said. "It's the least we could do considering how you saved my family. I promise, if anyone one happens to come by and makes any inquiries, I will say I haven't seen you."

"Thank you."

Sensing Alistair was not revealing everything that had transpired, Levi said goodnight and left him alone. Considering his own family history, Levi was not one to judge and it was obvious by the haunted look in Alistair's eyes that something had broken him.

"Dear Maker." Levi said after shutting the door. "Please shine your light on Alistair. He is a good man. Help him find his way again."

-----------------

It was a few weeks later as Marissa and Fergus stood stoically near the mass grave where the bodies of their parents were put along with Oriana and Oren. One of the elves who managed to escape was hiding in nearby brush and had witnessed Howe's man dump them there.

Leliana was standing behind them and proceeded to sing. Her beautiful voice sang of peace and how all of them would eventually being reunited in the Maker's embrace. Marissa felt Fergus's hand tighten his grasp on hers. He was now the Teyrn of Highever and had the task of not only rebuilding his troops but of the castle. Fortunately it had not been reduced to rubble but there was still a great amount of work to be done before it become habitable.

"You should plant a tree here." Lelianna said. "It should be something to stand as a living memorial to them."

"That is an excellent idea." Marissa agreed.

"Yes." Fergus nodded. "I know they would like that."

"And when the castle is rebuilt, the family sword shall hang in the main hall as a memorial to the justice Howe received."

Marissa flashed back to the final blow she dealt Howe.

"So little sister, I was wondering if Gray Wardens lose their title or can you still be referred to as Lady Cousland?"

"Brother, while I have a duty to uphold as a Gray Warden, I will never forget where I came from. I fully expect to be addressed properly when I visit."

"It does my heart proud to hear you say that." He smiled.

"Don't forget that favor I asked of you."

"I already have some men already doing some research. But you've only given me a name, so I'm afraid it will not be an easy task."

"Just do the best you can." Marissa said. "Now I hate to cut this short, but I need to head back to the compound."

"Before you go, I found some of Mother's belongings that survived." He said. "I know she would want you to have them." Fergus handed her a folded sack.

"Thank you," She hugged him tightly.

She turned to Lelianna and embraced her. "Thank you for helping my brother. When I was little, I would pray to the Maker for a sister. I realize now he gave me you."

"Well the Maker was never known for his promptness." Lelianna teased.

"There is sadness in her eyes. She hides it well but I see it." Fergus remarked as they watched Marissa ride off. "She must have really loved him."

"I don't think she will ever stop loving him Fergus." Lelianna said. "I traveled with them. I saw their love from its very beginnings to when it grew into something you only hear about in legends. Just seeing them, the way they completed each other, they were a beacon of hope amidst everything we endured."

"Then what happened before the battle to make him leave the way he did?"

"She made a decision that only a Gray Warden could make. Alistair's sense of honor and vengeance blinded him from seeing that truth."

"Do you think they will ever find each other again?" Fergus asked.

"Fergus, I have prayed everyday to the Maker for Marissa and Alistair.

"It is in his hands."