A/N: I feel absolutely terrible for my neglect of this story and my readers. I was thinking about the story a lot and now I am finally at the leisure to type it. Also as an apology I plan on typing up shout outs and responses at the end of my story to the people who reviewed. Also expect to see at least 3-4 chapters coming up. We have a lot to catch up on and I want my story to be the best it can be! So, once again, happy reading my friends. –STTH

Maeve's Guardian

The wardens pushed through the camp gates and trudged back to Duncan, exhausted and bloodied. Maeve was keeping a firm rein on her desire to shoot a lightning bolt at the two recruits who insisted on barking at each other like children. She pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head silently. Her body was screaming for rest. Alistair shifted his arm so she would lean on him for support and she gladly took it, her lips turned into a weary smile.

"How is it that you have the energy to be such a gentleman?" She asked him sweetly as she turned her face in his direction.

"It comes quite naturally. It was one of the easier lessons I learned when I went to the Chantry." He replied with a smirk.

"One of the easier lessons? I doubt that you aren't of a smart mind so I'm only left to assume that you were a troublesome youth." She remarked with a laugh.

"You're telling me, I was sent to scour the pots more times than I could count." He laughed with her.

He appreciated her talent to bring happiness into an otherwise dark event. Her pale eyes would light up whenever she made a clever remark that she knew would make Alistair smile. It was something just the two of them shared.
By the smell she could sense they were passing the mabari kennels. A man called out to the group.

"Excuse me." He called.

Maeve turned with Alistair still at her side. "Is there something I can do for you, ser?" She responded earnestly, doing her best to hide the exhaustion in her voice.

"Are you by chance coming back from the Wilds?" Maeve nodded, "Did you happen to come across a white flower with a red center? One of my finest mabari licked some darkspawn blood off his master who unfortunately passed during the last battle."

"I saw some not far away from the camp's entrance." Alistair replied.

"The dog doesn't have that much time however, I'm not sure he will survive that long." The kennel master said sadly while looking back at the mabari.

"I'm sure I can stop the flow of the poison while Alistair grabs the flower." Maeve responded unhooking herself from Alistair as she approached the gate of the mabari's kennel.

"That would be fantastic." The man responded hopefully as he opened up the gate for Maeve.

"Daveth, Jory, you both can head back to Duncan's fire and rest. I'm not sure how long this will take." She said, knowing that they probably felt about the same as she did.

Alistair began to jog to the camp entrance and Maeve rolled up her baggy shirt's sleeves and stepped closer to the mabari, putting a hand up as a signal of peace to the dog. Her mind became overwhelmed with a voice, one that sounded feral but domestic. "What do you intend to do human?"

She replied not saying a word aloud. "I intend to stop the spread of death while my friend brings you a cure."

She imagined that the dog's head tilted curiously as she knelt down in front of the mabari. "I have heard of humans who understand the mabari tongue, but I never thought that I would meet one. Tell me, what manner of skill allows you to do this."

She summoned her magic and moved her hands softly through the mabari's fur, "It's a talent that I have always possessed. I grew up in a Chasind clan."

"Yes I have heard this talent is usually connected to those of Chasind blood, you are a lucky human indeed. Were you their shaman?" The mabari's voice asked.

"I was stolen away from my clan by bandits who destroyed my village when I was very young. I was trained to one day be the village shaman but I was too young at the time. But I did retain the magic that they taught me."

"You have this dog's sympathies, I've seen too many of your people suffer in my short years. Though most of the Chasind folk who live in cities are thieves or bandits, it is good to see that there are still some that uphold the real Chasind traditions. I've been told by dogs older than I that the Chasind are the greatest and most caring of masters."

"Thank you, your words are very kind." Maeve smiled and rubbed the mabari's ears. Her smile broadened when she heard the quiet thumps of the dog's stubby tail.

She heard Alistair's quick footsteps as he approached the kennel. Maeve held an open hand and felt the velvety petals touch her skin. The kennel master gave her a mortar and pestle to grind the herb. Once she was finished she put the bowl in front of the dog.

"This powder will cure the poison, take a couple licks and it should counteract the darkspawn blood."

The dog got on his shaky legs and took several licks from the bowl.

"It's as if the Maker himself cured him." Maeve thought to herself as the mabari started to lick the mage's face who just laughed in response. And the only thing the onlookers could do was smile and laugh along with Maeve.

"Well it seems that the dog imprinted on you. I thought it would be much more difficult, but I am not going to complain. And that plant should make him more immune to darkspawn blood, so if he should swallow some again it won't be as life threatening. Poor fool would probably sleep it off for a day or so."

Maeve itched behind the dog's ears and he started to kick his legs in pleasure.

"All he needs is a name now." Alistair said as he knelt down next to Maeve.

"Garin, in Orlais it means guardian. I think that would do." Maeve replied.

Alistair placed a hand on her shoulder, "We better get moving, Duncan is getting a bit antsy and we shouldn't delay the Joining anymore than we should."

Given those SHOUT OUTS!

To those who have reviewed:

Draygonne61, Sacred Bob, Guest, DarkDevon13, KS45, Judy- All of you thank you so much for the feedback on my story and support. Hearing that so many of you guys like it really makes my insides get all warm and fuzzy. THANK YOU!

And to everyone else who favorite and are now following my story THANK YOU seeing any type of notification just really makes my day and you guys are the ones that really inspire me to do better. Love you all -STTH