Hello Everyone!

I am terribly sorry about the wait! Ugh! Never meant to make you readers wait forever! BUUUUUUTTTT, to make it up to you I will post two chapters and then there is the finale. I had thought it would go to only 5 chapters but I was wrong. I did a lot of writing =D.

I would like to thank all my readers! Thank you for taking the time to read my story!

Please read, rate and review!

ENJOY!


"Are you sure Alistair?"

He kissed her softly on her lips. "I am. We don't know when the right moment will be, and if there is, how would we know? No, I want this… I want you." He whispered as he kissed her eyelids.

She made a contented sigh and melted into the kisses he was offering.

"I'm all yours My King." She murmured on his lips.

Addy bolted awake. Sweat running down her neck. She bit back a sob as it threatened to overwhelm her. Blasted dreams! Dammed it all to oblivion! One week and two days and there was five more days until they reach the thaig and all she could think about was Alistair. She took slow breaths to calm her racing heart. Then she groaned as she rubbed her face with her hands.

'I know why I am dreaming of him… I know, Maker forgive me, I KNOW!' Her mind shouted as she looked at the ceiling of her tent with her hands covering her mouth and chin.

She got up and got dressed. She grabbed her sword and shield and left her tent. Everyone was asleep except for those who were on watch. They were in the deep roads and even if they drove the blight and they had the Architects words, you never knew what could be lurking or if all the darkspawn actually left with the Architect.

She sat by the fire and someone came and sat next to her. She didn't need to turn to see who it was. His smell alone of lyrium could be identified. The past few days her and Fenris have been quite close friends. For the first time in a long time, she confided bits and pieces to Fenris about her past. Her childhood and how she grew up and he was the first to know about how her parents actually died. She told him how she did avenge her parents but she felt empty. She even began to cry and Fenris held her. She actually was allowing him to see her vulnerable side as much as she loath herself to admitted, but it felt nice to let go. He whispered encouraging words and told her that it wasn't her fault. And that she was only doing one last wish for her father as he stated before he died.

Fenris of course wasn't one to comfort someone else. If when Cassie's mother died, he couldn't do anything. He never learned.

Fenris' heart clenched at the sight before him. Even Anders sucked in a breath. Cassie sobbing uncontrollably by what looked to be her mother. But she looked like a corpse or a lovely ghost.

"Mother! Don't go! Please! Don't LEAVE ME!" She yelled as she shook her mother to wake up.

Fenris was frozen. He didn't know what to do as the love of his life was breaking in front of him. He never had a family, not as he can remember. So what should he do? Sebastian answered that call.

"Serah Hawke. Let her go." He said softly as Anders was next to her as well. "She's by the Maker side." He softly pried her hands off of her mother and laid her away from Cassie.

"Blessed be the souls of the Maker. To be sent to your right hand-" He prayed.

"What am I going to tell Bethany!" Cassie sobbed as Anders turned her towards his embrace. Shushing her as she wept.

It took a few moments later and word was sent to Aveline to retrieve the body and get it ready to be cremated as was her mother's wish. He appeared at her door of her room. It was wide open and there she was slumped forward with her usual robes that had her house's insignia. She stared at the fire. He looked to the side, deep in thought. He sighed as he stepped forward.

"I don't know what to say, but I am here." He said softly. Still trying to figure out how to approach the situation.

"Am I to blame for not saving her?" She whispered. Still looking at the fire.

"I could say no, but would that help?" He was starting to get annoyed. He wasn't good for petty emotions. "You are looking for forgiveness, but I'm not the one who can give it to you."

"What about your mother? Is she still alive?" She finally turned to him. Her eyes had dark circles adding a foreboding feature to her lovely round shaped face. Her emerald eyes red and puffy from crying.

"I don't know. I have no memory of her." He looked to the side, then started to approach her slowly. "At least you knew your mother." He looked at the floor as he sat next to her. "I cannot imagine what it must be like to lose your family. Anything I could say would be insufficient. I'm sorry."

"Just say something. Anything." She lightly snapped as she got up, crossed her arms over her chest and began to slowly pace in front of her fireplace.

"They say death is only a journey. Does that help?" He swallowed. He really hoped he was doing a good job at this.

"I suppose they say you go back to The Maker when you die." She said softly as she stopped her pacing to look at him.

"I've heard that, too." He reached for her. She allowed it as their hands intertwined. He pulled her onto his lap and cradled her like a child. "To be honest, I see no point in filling these moments with empty talk." He whispered in her hair as he kissed the top of her head and rocked her as he would a child. Setting his courage to comfort the woman he loved.

"Can I help you Fenris?" Addy looked at him as she pulled a jerky from the fire.

"Just seeing as you woke up and its not your time to watch." He raised a confused brow.

Addy sighed. "I have… come to appreciate your friendship. But I don't wish to tell you my troubles all the time Fenris." She lightly snapped.

"You don't have to tell me anything. I am here if you need of me." He said softly as he got up. "My shift is over. I have to wake up Zevran. Excuse me." He proceeded to leave.

"Wait." Addy looked at him as he stopped in his tracks and turned around. "I did have a bad dream. But… Maker help me. I'm not good at venting my frustrations." She said softly at the end. She sighed as she closed her eyes. She felt him sitting next to her.

"Any way I could help?"

Addy shook her head. "I'm afraid things like this is beyond anyone's ability to help."

Addy turned to look at him but froze at the proximity they were in. They stared at each other. Crystal clashed with Mossy Green as he too seemed frozen. Their walls blown away by the intense stare they had with each other. Addy and Fenris unconsciously leaned forward towards each other. Their eyes slightly closing, until…

A throat was cleared.

They pulled apart fast looking the other way. Both blushing crimson.

"Am I interrupting something." Alistair raised an eyebrow.

"No. no." Addy cleared her throat. "Thank you Fenris. You may wake Zevran up for his watch."

Fenris got up quickly and went to get Zevran. Addy took slow, deep breaths to compose herself. What in the Makers name compelled her to even THINK or DO such a thing! Even if they didn't do ANYTHING, but… MAKER! Didn't she JUST have a DREAM of Alistair? About their first night together? She groaned. Then she remembered Alistair was next to her, occupying the seat Fenris left.

"I see you are very busy." He mused. Though inside he was boiling with hot white anger.

"What do you need?"

"You."

Addy looked at him with wide eyes.

"What?"

"You." His eyes soften. Pleading.

"No." She intended to get up but Alistair stopped her by dragging her down.

"Why?"

"You KNOW Why!" She snapped.

Alistair couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't take the fact that, that elf was becoming very close to the one woman he treasured above all else! He LOATHED his marriage with Anora and for many years he has dreamt that it was her beneath him, withering with passion he provided for her, like those many nights during their travels to stop the blight. He was a fool and so he poured all his need and loneliness without her into the kiss that he initiated as he claimed her lips. But most of all he poured all his love that he had for her into it.

Addy pulled away as her treacherous heart sang with his searing kiss. She got up and slapped him. Hard enough to make his face turn to the side. He grabbed his cheek and glared at her.

"So, you would rather let an ELF kiss you, but not what your heart desires?" He mocked.

"How the hell would you KNOW of MY desires! You know NOTHING!" She raised her voice slightly.

"I know enough. Enough that you would open to any I suppose." He replied harshly.

If it wasn't for Fenris, Zevran and Leliana who were near by and hear the conversation to come and stop her. Alistair, King or no, would be dead right there.

"You are going to regret this Alistair. Mark my words." Wynne said as she healed his bruised cheek.

As she walked away, Alistair kept repeating her words as if they held more meaning in the way she said it.


"Was it that bad?" She turned to look at him.

"I'm sorry. It- It was fine."

"Fine?" She scuffed.

"That is insufficient." He looked to the side and smiled. "That was the better than anything I could have dreamed."

She looked at him. Analyzed him. She got up to approached him but he took a step back.

"Its your markings, isn't it?" Her voice soft. "Are you hurt?"

"Its..not that…" He turned away from her, he left like he was suffocating. "I- I began to remember my life before. Just flashes." Suddenly he felt anger. "This is too much, this is too fast. I-I cannot do this." He didn't even turn to look at her. Anger filled him.

"Y – Your life before? What do you mean? Fenris talk to me. Don't shut me out!" She pleaded on the brink of tears.

Fenris sighed. "I never remembered anything from before the ritual." He rubbed his face with his hands. "There were faces, words…" He sounded haunted. "For just a moment I could recall all of it. But then it slipped away." He balled his hands into fists. He wanted to punch anything that would get rid of this pain.

"Isn't that good Fenris? Don't you want to get your memories back?" Her face broke into a grin.

Fenris sighed frustrated. "Perhaps you don't know how upsetting this is!" He slightly raised his voice. He started to pace. "I have never remembered anything!"

Cassie's face fell into anger.

"And to have it all come back to me in a rush only to lose it…" His tantrum faded. Sadness creased his face. Mossy green eyes turned slightly red with unshed tears. "I – I cant."

She approached him. Tried to reach for him but he stepped back again.

"We can work through this Fenris…" She pleaded again.

"I'msorry… I feel like such a fool." He nearly let out a sob. He had to bite down on his tongue from almost choking. "All I wanted was to be happy… Just for a little while."

"So you're going to end it?" She choked.

"Forgive me." He walked away.

"Fenris. FENRIS! DONT WALK AWAY! COME BACK!"

He wouldn't listen. He just kept walking.

"Dammit Fenris." She whispered harshly as tears streamed down her face. She looked down ashamed. "And you were my first…" She sobbed as her knees buckled and she fell on the floor crying, naked.

That was the day she steeled her heart and just pretended as if he did not exist. She waited so many years and have done him so many favors but she grew tired. Why couldn't he see this? Just agree to be with her… All she wanted was him by her side. Was that so much to ask for?

Cassie was in deep thought as her and her companions, minus Aveline, Varric, Bethany and Anders, were traveling towards the deep roads entrance where all of this had started.

"Are you sure he would be in here? The thaig is a week away." Cassie asked Isabella as they neared the entrance.

"I'm sure. Addy mentioned they were heading towards the thaig that you were part of. They are locating the Architect. Fenris decided to go with her." Isabella related the information as she could remember to Cassie from the night before she had to sail to Amaranthine.

"Why would he just GO with her? He hasn't ventured into the deep roads before." She chewed on her finger nail. A bad habit she has been trying to kick.

"Maybe to get away from you. You did demand a lot…" Isabella's voice was soft.

"That doesn't excuse his abandonment!" She snapped.

Isabella raised her hands in surrender.

"Love, why are you looking for him? You have a city to run and I have to return to Starkhaven. There is nothing for you with him."

Sebastian.

Cassie did care and love him but she was not IN love with him. She accepted to marry him out of political appearances but her heart still craved for Fenris. She never told him that she still ache for Fenris and she never will. She liked the idea of being queen to two cities and possibly all of the Free Marches.

"He is a friend. I must find him."

"Sure." Merrill crisply added.

Sebastian shot her a look but didn't say anything. Cassie glared at her. Merrill wasn't looking and didn't care to look. The only reason why she came along was to get away from the templars. Because of her decision, Kirkwall is slowly tearing apart. They never gotten along but if Cassie can make sure she is safe from the Templar's, then she will do as Cassie pleases.

"Alright. Here we are." She turned to Bodahn and Sandal who decided to accompany her and left Orana in charge of the house. Of course she was ecstatic to do so. "Are you sure we have a week worth of supplies?"

"Yes Missiere. Don't you worry. Remember, I did accompany the Hero Of Ferelden. We had months of traveling together." Bodahn grinned.

"Enchantment!" Sandal was excited to hear about Addy again. Sandal loved the woman as she was often nice and gave him anything he asked for and more even if he couldn't express it properly.

"Sandal seems very, um, excited to see her again." Cassie raised an eyebrow. She was a bit jealous.

"Ah, yes he is. You see, while traveling she was like a mother to him. Always bringing him gifts and taking him to eat when we were in town or playing with him anything he wanted to play or do, she would always indulge in it and the King as well." He smiled at the fond memory.

"If it wasn't for her dangerous life, I would love to leave him with her as I'm growing old. But alas it cannot happen." He sighed sadly.

"You could leave him with me." They were inside the entrance. The door closed with a huge bang, and into the deep roads.

"As I stated before, I don't want to leave my boy with someone who is always busy. You are a very busy woman and have a lot to do. Sandal would just get in your way."

Cassie nodded. She never met the woman, only heard tales and she was not only curious and hopes to see her face to face but also a bit jealous. People in Kirkwall who were in Ferelden made her seem like a goddess. Despite the fact that she is nobility and could have taken the throne with the now King Alistair, it sounded as if she didn't want the role, and hence made her worthy of respect and reverence. She hoped, that when she met her, if she met her, she wasn't all she was suppose to be.

'Fenris… I hope you still think of me...' Her mind whispered as her heart had a sinking feeling.


They finally reached the thaig. Addy sighed in relief as she looked at her map of the deep roads and indeed this part of the deep roads were not indicated on the map. She made sure, along with Oghren to trace the map the way they hoped would make sense to get this far. Addy, Fenris, Alistair and Zevran were all on edge. Addy had noticed the increase in security from Fenris towards her. The three men were giving each other glares and Loghain as well, due to the fact that it was clear in Alistair what he wanted. Many times she had to play the mediator to Alistair and Loghain as Anora only added fuel to the fire. She was beyond frustrated and she had to make sure everyone had everything they needed and supplies were still good.

'How I wish Bodahn was here with his goods.' Her mind raced as she gritted her teeth with the incoming headache she hasn't been able to kick.

Wynne had been using healing to make her headaches now turned migraines go away, but with all that is going on, she didn't want Wynne to overexert herself. Leliana, bless her heart, has also been playing the mediator and Nathaniel has also helped with inventory to keep stress out. Zevran and Fenris made sure that everyone had a watch. Oghren and Sigrun traced and payed attention to the history of their people to find the thaig. To help them and answer any questions was Bethany. Velanna and Wynne had made sure to make as many potions from health to lyrium to help with the battles they had to do to get through the deep roads. Shale was a huge welcome distraction, as she was having a blast just tearing deep stalkers and a few darkspawn apart.

"Ok lets set up camp. Bethany, Nathaniel, Oghren and Sigrun come and see me. Leliana, Wynne and Velanna please count our supplies, Alistair, Loghain and Shale please scout ahead and take the three wardens with you. Anora, I would like you to come with me to our meeting so you may take down notes as you have done so and Zevran along with Fenris, gather what you can around the camp and set up traps." She commanded. "Make sure you get every angle. We are wide open for many attacks if we let down our guard and we make a mistake." She warned.

Everyone nodded and activity bustled as her command was headed.

"Ok, as we can see there are three entrances. Bethany, which one did you go through?"

"The one on the east. I don't know where the other two lead to. I remember because in that junction-" She pointed behind Addy where light was illuminating a curve deeper in. "That's where I met Stroud."

Addy nodded. "Nathaniel, where did you meet the Champion?"

Nathaniel pointed to the one on the west. "I misread the map and directions a dwarf named Bertrand gave to me. His brother, Varric I think it was-"

"Yes that was his name." Bethany interjected.

"Right. I got lost and took the west one. To be honest, I don't know how the Champion found me without any maps or directions to where I was located." He was in deep thought suddenly.

"Then that leaves the north. If your reports are correct then-" Addy trailed off as a familiar sensation came to her in waves. Nathaniel, Oghren, Bethany and Sigrun felt sick but knew the feeling as well. They bolted up and every warden was at the ready with their weapons drawn. Addy ran to the rest of the camp.

"Where is the king!?" She demanded, but before anyone could answer her, they heard a roar vibrating throughout the cave.

"Ogres… Get ready!" Addy commanded.

Then, Loghain, Alistair and Shale, along with the three wardens, were seen trying to block their path on the west side entrance. Everyone except Anora went to help.

"Shale! Loghain! Protect the queen! Fenris! Zevran Assist the King! Wardens to me! The rest of you, you know what to do!" She yelled before they engaged the four ogres that came running at them.

Addy and Oghren blocked and tried to be a distraction as Sigrun kept to the shadows and cut the ogre's Achilles heel as Bethany from afar was throwing fire.

Wynne was healing as best she could along with Velanna. Alistair battle cried and parried the punches the ogre threw at him while Zevran tried to find a way around the armor.

"Since when do they have armor!" Zevran yelled to no one in particular.

Nathaniel and Leliana worked together to keep the ogre at bay with their bows as Fenris engaged it as he ghosted as fast as he could and see if he could use his lyrium abilities to find a weak spot and tear its heart out.

A scream made Alistair and Addy falter as they turned to find the last Ogre going to Shale and Loghain and the three wardens.

"Shit!"

"Commander, stand back!" Bethany called.

Without much thought Addy ran away to assist Anora.

"Andraste, guide my hand." She whispered as she banged her staff and raised it. Her hands glowed red, and suddenly the cave started to shake. Everyone looked up as did the Ogres when fireballs rained down.

"Everyone RUN!" Wynne shouted as her hands glowed green and the ground trembled.

Everyone ran to the camp as the Ogres tried to run with them but they got crushed under the rubble and a foul stench came from their deaths. Another scream gotten their attention as Alistair and Addy ran as fast as they could. Loghain was barely holding as Shale tried to gain its attention. The Ogre was getting irritated by Anora's screams. It bashed on Loghain shield and threw him and kicked Shale. Loghain flew and hit the floor with a sickening crack, Shale was pushed back but she felt slightly dizzy. The Ogre grabbed Anora as she took a dagger from near by and stabbed its hand.

"NO!" Addy screamed.

Before the Ogre could crush her, Addy used the momentum to stab it with her shield in its back as she jump and impaled it on the central spine. The Ogre dropped Anora as Fenris caught her and ran. Addy stabbed the Ogre as it tried to grab her from its back. He shook and she misstep. The Ogre finally had her in his hands as she glared defiantly at it.

Screams and spells were heard as suddenly her back bone snapped. Her world went dark. She was falling in darkness.


An explosion was heard. Cassie and her companions ran ahead and saw legs sticking out. Huge legs.

"Ogre's." She examined the armor and the length of the bottom half.

"Wonder what is going on?" Sebastian added as he walked back towards Bodahn and Sandal.

"Hello? Is someone there?"

Cassie unsheathed her sword and shield. She heard Isabella and Merrill do the same.

"Who's there?" She called out. Her eyes frantically moving about.

"Don't be alarmed child." An older woman stepped out of the shadows with a man she recognized all too well.

"Nathaniel? What are you doing back here? Delilah hasn't mentioned you being gone." Cassie was clearly confused. Isabella and Merrill put away their weapons.

"Champion. Thank the Maker! We got separated." Nathaniel shook her hand. "This is Wynne and we have an injured at the moment."

"A pleasure. I have heard a great deal about you." Wynne shook her hand.

"Good, I hope." Cassie smiled and her expression changed one to concern.

"Who is injured. We brought-"

"Wynne?"

"Ah, dear Bodahn. I thought I smelled lyrium for enchantment." Wynne smiled as she saw Bodahn and Sandal.

"Enchantment!" Sandal beamed at her.

"Hello Sandal." She smiled warmly at the boy.

Everyone heard a grunt and Wynne turned to go to the small cave they were able to find. Everyone followed her.

"Don't move Sigrun. Velanna, pass me another lyrium potion."

"I should take it from here Wynne. You are going to overexert yourself."

"Velanna?"

"Andaran atish'an Merrill." Velanna greeted crisply without looking at her.

"Oh, we shouldn't be in bad terms with each other. We are sis-"

"No, we are not. You killed your clan for your stupidity."

"Didn't you do the same?"

Velanna glared at her. "I was looking for my sister and my Keeper died!"

"I was looking for Tamlen and our sister! How is THAT any different?" Merrill retorted.

"Enough. We can talk about this another time. We need to find a way around." Wynne said as she sat by Sigrun and her hands glowed.

"Mages. Well, that could be handy. Why are you here?" Cassie asked as she looked back at the entrance.

"Yes, you mentioned you got separated?" Sebastian cut in.

"We are part of the expedition with the Grey Wardens." Wynne explained as she guided Velanna through finding and mending Sigrun's injuries.

"Commander of the Grey Adeline Cousland is the head of this expedition." Velanna added as she wiped away sweat from her forehead.

"Four Ogre's came and Bethany along with Wynne used area of effect spells, in which there was a cave in, but we weren't fast enough." Nathaniel finished.

"Well, I see no way around. Not that I could remember."

Cassie turned at the new voice and a grin appeared on her face.

"Oh. Hello sister. Nice seeing you again." Bethany grinned as she ran to her to embrace her.

"Oh Bethany! I'm so glad to see you! Let me look at you." Cassie held her at arms length and admired the beautiful, strong woman Bethany came to be.

"You look amazing, sister. I miss you very much." Cassie softly confined and embraced her sister again. Bethany laughed enjoying in the warmth of her only family left.

"Oh sod it! I cant even move this damned boulder!" A grunt was heard.

"Don't mind Oghren. He is very upset at the moment." Nathaniel whispered.

"Never seen a dwarf very upset before." Cassie tried to think of Varric upset but she couldn't recall if he ever was. Not even with his whole brother business, he was still happy.

"Trust me, you never want to." Nathaniel sighed.

"I hope Addy is alright. I fear for her. Something just… Its not right." Velanna related out loud.

"What do you mean?" Isabella showed concern and that made Cassie even more jealous.

'Who IS THIS WOMAN!' Her mind yelled.

"An ogre grabbed the queen and the king along with Adeline Cousland went to rescue her. That's when the boulders fell and all we heard was shouts. We don't know what is going on and we don't know our way around."

"I do hope they are alright… she is a fantastic person. Such a big heart." Nathaniel whispered and let out a sigh.

Bethany opened the vellum where her and Oghren were taking notes.

"According to our findings, we are at the west side of the entrance. The north and east entrances are still wide open. Adeline wanted to check out the north entrance but also split up." She looked at her notes intently.

Bethany looked at Cassie. "Which entrance did you come in from?"

"Bethany, I'm not sure… Its the same entrance from the very first time we came."

"Then only the only exit and to reunite with everyone else would be the east entrance. I remember seeing where I fell ill. They are on the other side." She rolled her vellum.

"According to the map, we would be three days away from them. If they moved ahead, we would be four days behind, adding the fact that if they moved without us, we would be a day behind." Added Oghren.

"So almost a week then?" Sebastian was interested in the rescue.

"More or less. If we move now, we can reach them in less than two days making it three if they have left." Velanna added as she gave a lyrium potion to Wynne.

"We need to find something stable for Sigrun not to move." Wynne looked exhausted.

"You can ride in the back of my caravan as always Wynne." Bodahn smiled. "I also have any ingredients and potions you might need. I came prepared."

"As always, very helpful Bodahn. Thank you."

The men carried Sigrun to the back of his caravan and Velanna helped Wynne to the back of the caravan along with Sigrun. Sandal stayed with Wynne offering silent support. They had a long walk ahead of them.