Carver. Carver, Carver, Carver. This ended up with a happy ending, so I celebrated. I can write happy endings. So there. Hahaha, I knew I could! Also, thanks to my wonderful fans. All two of you. I appreciate your dedication more than I can say. Double update, that's how much I appreciate you guys.

BioWare designed, built and sold the pond, I am olny a fish wishing half the characters were real.

Care to Explain?

Carver

"Marian!" Carver pushed his way through the crowded ship to his sister. "We need to talk."

She turned to face him. Her eyes were red-rimmed from crying. Blood still clung to her hair and light armour. "What is it?" she asked flatly.

"Care to explain?" Carver demanded. He glared at her, annoyance flickering underneath his grief. "How could you let that ogre kill Beth?"

Marian reeled back as though Carver had backhanded her. "That was my fault? Sorry, I thought I was supposed to have her killed," she fell back on sarcasm, not knowing what to say.

"Fu-nee," Carver spat. "Why couldn't you have done something?"

"Like what? Couldn't you have done something? Why does this have to be of my doing?" Marian's voice rose in anger.

Carver shifted nervously, he could see other passengers looking over at them. That woman from Lothering, Aveline, was watching very closely. He knew he couldn't back done while that large an audience was looking on.

"Because she was looking out for you and Mother when it took her," Carver said. He swallowed hard against the lump in his throat.

"And if I threw myself into her, knocked her out of the way? What then? I'd be dead instead. Would you be having this conversation with Beth?" Marian shouted, her blue eyes like chips of ice.

Carver snorted. He turned and began walking away. He didn't want his older sister to see his tears.

"Don't go away angry, just go away!" Marian yelled cuttingly.

Carver spun around, wanting to say something to shut her up, to hurt her. He opened and closed his mouth several times, trying to make a sound but only sobs came out.

Marian's face softened immediately. "Oh, Carver." She pulled him into her arms like she used to when he woke her in the middle of the night after a this time, she had to stretch to stroke his head. "I am so sorry, brother," she whispered. "I wish Beth was with us. I wish I did something to save her."

He mumbled something back.

Marian noticed hot tears running down her face. "I really am sorry."

"I miss her," wailed Carver.

"I do too, brother. I do, too," sniffed Marian. "But you know what? We still have each other, Mother and we're going home."

"No we aren't sister," Carver said stubbornly, "Lothering is gone now."

"Kirkwall is our home now. Know why?"

He shook his head.

"It's our home because that's where Mother and I will be for you." Marian stepped back to gaze fiercely at her younger sibling. "Beth is at home too. At the Maker's side."

Carver smiled weakly. "Thank you Mare. Thank you for getting us out of Lothering. And thanks for talking sense into me."

Marian laughed. "I don't think sense is my strong suit. We'll get through this, I know we will."

"I'm with you sister," Carver said.

~ Carver Hawke