Loud melodious chimes rung from the chantry and vibrated through the air, breaking the morning silence while the ringing blanketed the city of Amaranthine along with the morning dew. A limp frame hung from the highest of rooms of Lady Esmerelle's manor, strung by a tightly woven Antivan rope that hung snuggly across the woman's neck, her head twisted in a ghastly manner, her thin slender neck snapped the moment she exerted her weight and flung her body from the highest room of her manse.

Rowan couldn't help but snort in distaste at the honor given to the traitor and conspirator whose body swayed with the morning breeze. The Warden Commander blinked away his exhaustion, agitated that he was woken for such an unimportant manner when there was more pressing matters. Licking his lips he could taste the Orlesian summer wine on his lips from his late night drinking with Oghren, Nathaniel and a few other recruits.

Pushing the deep hood away, the male stood tall, dressed in a simple blue tunic and black trousers with tan traveling boots, a deep blue satin cloak bearing a griffon insignia shielded him from the chill, blond hair trimmed close to his skull to prevent others from grasping his locks in retaliation, with Starfang strapped securely to his belt, the male felt naked without his shield that he had forgotten in his rush to the estate.

Watching exhausted figures stumble of their home then charge with unbidden rage towards him, the warden stood his ground while sniffing in an uninterested huff. Members of the Silver Order moved to intercept the grieving family members immediately, their warnings muffled by the still beating bells, while Esmerelle's family crashed into the soldiers and shouted curses and spat at the warden commander from over the guard's shoulders, his expression remaining plain to the grieving family.

"You monster!" Lady Esmerelle's daughter screamed, the girl's face twisted in agony with a likeness of her mother, horrible sobs wracked her body while she struggled to escape the grasp of one of his men.


He had to narrow his eyes to see in the bleak dungeon, the faintest of glows escaped the torches held by the sconces on the stonewalls, a moist air hung in the air, making his clothing cling tightly around his frame and condensation form on his Dragonbone armor, his fingers gripped the pommel of Asturian's Might tightly, a snarl of anger escaped Rowan when he lifted his warden tower shield to block the blades that came bearing down on him; sparks flew when steel hit the shield, exerting his strength his arm pushed back his attack forcibly launching the attacker onto the hard stone ground.

Moving to take the advantage, Rowan's teeth clenched while swigging his blade down on the man, cursing loudly when Rendon Howe rolled away and sprinted further into the cells. Without a second thought, the warden moved to give chase his anger boiling in his belly, sweet satisfying revenge just a small distance away.

"Howe!" The grey warden shouted the muscles in his leg clenched when he propelled himself forward, leaving his party behind with Arl Howe's men, barely registering the shout of warning that Zevran called out when Rowan charged further into the dungeon.

"Maker spit on you!" Howe snarled in the shadows out of Rowan's sight, the warden inhaled sharply and adjusted his stance with a growl erupting from his throat, green orbs darting around the room, his eyes adjusting to the dark.

Rowan ignored the man's continued complaints, and instead focused on finding the man, when Rendon Howe charged at him from the shadows his blades posed for another attack, the warden swung his arm on instinct when Howe closed the distance; the muscles on his arm tightened when he brought the blade into Howe's side and collapsed the older male.

Howe fell to his knees and dropped his weapons, his hands desperately clutching at his side, his fingers getting soaked and his face contorting in pain while a desperate cough shook his body and gagged the Arl. Rowan straightened his stance and strode towards the dying man in a calm grace, kicking his blades away from his grasp before towering over Howe.

"Fitting you would die on your knees you traitorous bastard." Rowan said, while walking round the man, his eyes aflame with hate that he could longer hold inside. The anger he had bore on his shoulders for so long finally escaped its cage. "I've brought down darkspawn stronger then you. For all your talk, I expected more."

Thrusting his foot back and striking Rendon's shoulder a blood curdling snap resonated from the man's arm, Rowan stilled and observed when the Arl collapsed torn from applying pressure on his would or tending to his broken arm. A small sick sense of satisfaction growing inside of him,

Rowan reeled back in surprise when a wet roar of laughter escaped Rendon Howe and echoed in the dungeons walls. "Your parents would lament at the monster I helped create." The Arl coughed, a pleased smile coming to lips, watching the young man with an ease that made the warden freeze and grit his teeth to keep himself from uttering out something foolish.

"Damn your family," Rendon Howe breathed while falling limp on the cold stone floor, a pool of blood forming around his frame, his strength finally leaving him. "I deserved more…"

Rowan had no more words to say to the man who had slain his family, instead he held his blade over his blade and let his desire of revenge take control of his actions, applying his full strength to his swing, he drove the blade into Rendon Howe's chest. In that instant, the warden became more aware of the crunch he felt under his fingers when the sword parted through bone, aware of the short gurgle of air that escaped the Arl, while the man's hand outstretched and gripped the Silverite steel in one hand while the other settled into Rowan's pauldron.

Howe's breathing became more labored, his hand desperately lifted to rest on the young Cousland's neck, his thumb resting and pressing meekly, a final attempt of finishing what he started. With one final lurch of life, Rendon Howe's eyes bore into Rowan's, his teeth gritting with contempt before a final shudder escaped him and his hands fell limp on the stone floor.

Of all the lives he's taken, none felt more personal to the grey warden, his stomach lurched, his dinner threatening to escape him. Hot tears began to spill from the warden's eyes making the young man feel like a damned fool for crying for his family's murderer. He had finally received the retribution he had desired, but it wasn't as satisfying as he wished. Howe lay dead and his family was still gone.

Wiping away his tears, the warden realized that he had fallen to his knees and lifted himself with a grunt, a sudden spell of exhaustion washing over his body and weighed down his bones.

"Rowan?"

The man sniffed and glanced over his shoulder, finding the apostates silhouette standing a few feet away. Sheathing his blade, he took slow strides towards the witch and closed the distance between the two. "Morrigan." He croaked, his hand lifted to run a thumb over scratch the women had received in the battle he abandoned for his own selfish goal.

"You fool," Morrigan sighed, golden eyes bore into green orbs, her fingers lifted to brush away the hot tears that still stained the man's cheeks. The warden's eyes widened in surprise at the gentle gesture, earning Morrigan a crooked smile; the witch clicked her tongue and suppressed a smile when the male's hand fell over hers and moved to bury his face into her palm, breathing in her scent to calm him.

"Are you well?" She asked when the male regained his composure. Rowan paused and glanced at Howe's broken corpse. His stomach churned at the sight and the color drained from his face; but in a small hidden part of his mind, a growing depraved voice told him that it wasn't enough and to relish the death of his families former friend.

Taking in a breath and shaking away his dread, Rowan nodded and gave the raven-haired witch a small nod. "I'm fine, we should go. The others are probably worried." He finally said while leading the way out of the hall, meeting the waiting crow, the redheaded berserker, and his faithful mabari.


The fire cracked and popped in the fireplace breaking the silence in the Denerim palace's room accompanied by the small creak of a wood polished Ferelden rocking chair that currently held the exhausted Cousland whom sat covered in fur lined quilts, his feet warmed by a Ferelden bear skinned rug and by a large tan colored mabari that lay at his masters feet.

Rowan grimaced his skin feeling raw after the rough scrubbing he had fallen victim to when he had returned from Fort Drakon, bruised, bloodied, and worst of all clinging to a stench that made Wynne set to his cleaning immediately. His stomach felt ready to burst from plates of food he had cleaned the moment Leliana had snuck into his room with the hot bowls of stew. Lifting a calloused hand to run it through his short trimmed hair, the small locks tickled his palm, thankful that Alistair had cut and fixed his hair after his guards in Drakon ripped the hair out on areas of the man's aching scalp.

Green orbs rested on his hand, studying the rosewood ring on his forth finger, his brows furrowing in concentration attempting to pull at the link he shared with the apostate. When he could get none, he broke his focus with a breath and wiped the sweat that had formed on his brow. He couldn't understand how the simple ring could show his location and he hadn't dared to ask her how or what she felt coming from the ring.

The warden glanced over his shoulder to rest his eyes on the mattress, watching the apostate turn on her side on the bed exposing her slender pale back to him, having fallen asleep and leaving the brooding male to his own devices. Rowan smiled and examined her long black hair and the way blanketed her body while she held the sheets fiercely into her lithe frame. He knew she would not be one to fret over him on his return, but her company and the careful way she had rubbed salves on his wounds, or even the way her eyes lit in relief when she found him by using the ring was her own way to show that she cared.

Letting his eyes fall on the flames once more, the man could still feel his anger burning in his veins. Rowan scolded himself mentally for weeping after he had slain Rendon Howe. The man wouldn't shed a tear for him, so why had he? The only semblance of emotion the man felt now for his father's former friend was regret. Regret that he had not dragged out the man's death and made him feel the pain and suffering of the lives he took.

Rowan knew the man was a monster but he didn't know the extent of the man's evil until he was dragged into Fort Drakon gagged and bound. His stomach churned at the thought, remembering the broken cold body of Mother Mallol, tossed aside like a doll in her cell, her glossy eyes boring into the ceiling, while the stiffness of death and the smell of rotting clung to the once vibrant woman.

Ser Gilmore, stalwart and brave, with a quick smile and always with a story to tell, tied to the rack, arms and legs dislocated and separated from their proper place. His body so emancipated that he no longer bore resemblance to the man he used to be except for small patches of his ginger hair or the strong jaw that wooed the women of Highever

Howe's life amounted to nothing compared to the fate that his people had suffered in the man's treachery. But there were still those who conspired with him and they still awaited justice and he would gladly take the role of judge, jury, and executioner to set their lives to rest.


"Thank the Maker you decided to show mercy." Fergus sighed in relief while stepping to his brother's side and clapping the man on the shoulder.

"I bore hate for her mother not for the her. I gave her a small fright by threatening to conscript her to the wardens, but she is free. I'm not some monster that slays innocents." Rowan sighed while gripping the railing of his patio and leaning his body over it, his eyes shutting and enjoying the evening breeze. He had already gotten his earful for his deplorable behavior on scaring the wits out of the young lady from the Seneschal and Mistress Woolsey, he had not expected to hear anything on the matter from his brother.

"How are things in Highever?" Rowan asked with a small sniff in a weak attempt to change the topic.

"Stressful, but well. You should visit soon, brother. It doesn't feel like home without you." Fergus said while squeezing his younger brother into his side.

Rowan chuckled while glancing back into his room and waving his brother inside. Stepping to a small dining table that was set in his office, the man grabbed and uncorked a bottle of wine pouring a glass of summer wine for Fergus and himself. Grabbing the glass carefully between his fingers, Rowan waved for his brother to take a glass while he took a small sip and rolled the wine on his tongue.

"I'll be sure to visit soon, brother." Rowan nodded while nursing the glass, observing Fergus carefully while the man took a sip himself. It was now or never, Rowan thought with a frown, swallowing down his nerves and clearing his throat to receive his brother's attention. "Fergus, after my visit, I'll be taking my leave in search for Morrigan."

Fergus choked on his drink, his coughs filled the room while the dark haired man beat at his chest to calm his small fit. Wiping his lips with the back of his hand, the Teyrn of Highever eyes bore into his younger brother. "You can't be serious, Rowan." Fergus said in disbelief.

"I am very serious." Rowan replied with a frown, his eyes lifting to meet his brother, daring the older man to challenge his decision. "I have nothing left for me here, the Blight is over, Amaranthine is safe and so is Vigil's keep.

Fergus' chest puffed in anger and straightened his posture, ready to challenge his brother. "Nothing? You have nothing, Rowan? What of me? What of the Grey Wardens? Or Alistair and the friends you'll leave behind? You seriously cannot be so selfish and leave it all behind for a woman who left you!"

Rowan only clenched his jaw and shook his head at his brother's words. He wanted to keep things civil with his brother and did not wish to let his anger out on his only living relative. "I love her, Fergus." The man sighed, his eyes falling on the rosewood ring feeling the strange pull and tingle that he felt radiate off the ring every time he focused on it. He could swear he was learning to use it, he could feel strange thoughts that weren't his own flow into his mind when he truly focused on the ring.

"If she loved you she would've stayed, Rowan. Have you forgotten the grief that overtook you when she disappeared? I certainly haven't, it took hours to calm you." Fergus informed slowly, as if he was appealing to a child.

"She saved my life and she is with my child!" Rowan countered with a growl, his hand moving to twist the ring on his finger anxiously when the room stilled at his announcement. "I can't just pretend and I can't forget, Fergus. I know what I felt and I know it was real."

The two men stood together awkwardly, both tipping their glasses against their lips and averting their gaze, the sweet wine filling their bellies. Fergus could only set his cup aside and comb his hair back to work through his nerves while pacing around the room anxiously. Rowan watched his brother with pleading eyes, hoping the older man would understand. "What will you do when you find her?"

Rowan's stomach churned and his eyes fell to ground. "I'm not sure, Fergus…" He trailed off, his heart and mind set on his decision; he knew he had to find her. Studying the ring again, he could feel his hand trembling when he remembered the chilly evening, having spent it drinking himself under the table with Oghren. The night had been filled with the cheers and japes of his newest recruits, songs and tales of valor chanted in the pub. Rowan had forgotten his sorrows and lost himself in the mirth, his voice flowing among the others. When a sudden sobering feeling washed over him, regret and sorrow that wasn't his own washed over him, sending him stumbling out the door and following the pull of the ring before it disappeared.

"I understand." Fergus interrupted Rowan's thoughts, while lifting his thumb to brush away tears from the corner of his eyes. "You've supported me in every decision I've made. I'll do the same for you." The man nodded, a surge of joy building in the Warden's stomach after hearing the words.

Charging towards his older brother, Rowan threw his arms tightly around his brother and crushed him in a tight embrace while he pushed his lips and planted a rough kiss on the man's temple. "I love you, Fergus."

"I love you too, Rowan." The man chuckled while returning the embrace and pressing a kiss on his young brother's forehead. "Maker's breath, I'm going to miss you."


Rowan eyes remained on the witch, his heart surging in excitement and beat rhythmically in his chest. Rhino barked wildly besides him. The mabari panted in excitement, his stubby tail wagging and shaking the canine's body while looking at his master for permission before he charged ahead, and pounced around the apostate. The woman bent down and ran her fingers into the dog's thick coat. Rhino responded by resting his weight on her legs for more attention, his large tongue dangling out of his mouth in joy.

Rowan grinned knowing that his search had finally brought him to where his heart lies.


Thanks for all the faves and follows guys! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter; it's a bit of a long one.