(A/N) To avoid any major spoilers, I'm going to skip the Saar-qamek retrieval, and move straight on to the next part of my story.

Also! I'm writing a companion piece to this, about Leliana's visit to Orlais. Haven't decided on a name for it yet, but it'll be up at some point this week. It will feature Solona's long lost brother, Justin too.

And! To those that have requested that I write a full DA:O Fanfic, my answer is hell yes! After I'm done with this current story, I'll start with it.

Lyra looked over Zevran's most recent report. She cursed under her breath. Finding family was one thing, finding out you have family is another. She knew that Solona would be different when she came back, and it probably fell to her to inform Alistair, so he could be prepared.

As this thought went through her head, Alistair himself walked into her office.

"You know, Vigil's keep is nearby finished with rebuilding. They'll expect you back. They even planted an orchard for you." He said, leaning against the doorframe. Lyra looked at him, and smiled lightly.

"You haven't shaved."

"And you didn't go to bed last night."

Lyra held the letter out. "You should read this."

Alistair took the letter, and scanned it. "Gah! I thought you said Zevran wouldn't flirt with her!"

Lyra sighed. "…You've picked the wrong thing out, Al."

Alistair chuckled. "I know…I saw. You think Solona will need help coping with this news?"

"No."

Alistair raised an eyebrow. "No?"

"I think Justin will need more help realising that the Queen is his little sister."

Solona had to admit, she had missed this.

The thrill of exploring, the rush of battle, and the feeling she had when she ended the threat the Saar-qamek posed. She had little doubt that Alistair would agree, but sadly his crown…no, scratch that, our crown, doesn't like it when we actively put ourselves in danger.

The Ariqun gave them her thanks, and decided that, while she may not be of the Qun, Sten was right to trust her.

That felt good.

Solona snapped out of her daze to see a curious look on her cousins face.

"Oh, sorry Beth, did you want me for something?"

"I asked you how much longer you think you'll be staying for." Bethany reminded Solona of a young apprentice she grew up with, she ashamedly admitted that her name had escaped her.

"A few more days. Alistair will be going mad, and Eamon will probably try and set him up with someone that isn't a Grey Warden….again."

"He's done that?" Bethany asked, shocked.

Solona laughed. "No Beth. Eamon likes me too much."

Bethany lightly slapped Solona on the shoulder. "You are horrible." She said, laughing. It was good to see the girl laugh, instead of acting like a damn servant, Solona thought.

Bethany walked away, and the person that took her place was known to Solona.

Anders.

She knew Lyra was hunting him down. He had 'quit' the Wardens, even after Lyra had saved his life by forcefully conscripting him into the Wardens. Solona also knew that Lyra had placed in at number one of her top ten people she was hunting, and Lyra being Lyra, there was a reason for everything.

Then Anders started to talk to her. "You know, you could do a lot for our peoples plight, more so than you already have."

"What plight?"

"The plight of Mages! We deserve freedom, and you have help show Thedas what a Mage is capable of! Please! Help us! Give us your royal support!" Anders really got into it, Solona had to admit.

My royal support.

"Anders. You know full well I can't do that." Solona decided that it was a good idea to stay out of both the Templars, and Lyras, way. The Templars were an annoyance, Lyra on the other hand….

Solona shook her head. No, don't get involved. It's for the best.

"But why not?! You're the Queen! The first mage to sit on the throne of Fereldan! Why do you abandon your own people?!"

Solona slapped Anders. "Enough. My people are those of Fereldan and the Grey Wardens. The mages have a degree of independence, it was as much as Alistair could grant. I'm not going to push for full independence, or rebellion, or whatever it is you are trying to drag me into! And don't even think about dragging Hawke into this."

Anders looked angry, and he stalked out of the inn. Hawke walked over now, and grabbed Solona's mug and took a swig.

"So, what did Anders want?"

"Hazard a guess."

"He tried to recruit you for his mission?"

"Yep"

"And you refused?"

"Yep"

"You told him to keep me out of it, right?"

"Of course."

"Thank you. Some of his requests are fine, rescue this mage, stop this evil Templar plot. Blah blah blah… but when it's 'hand this out' or 'fund that', it gets repetitive."

Bethany wandered over now.

"Solona…I…I've made my mind up on your offer. I…want to take it." She stammered.

Hawke looked between Solona and Bethany. "What offer?"

Solona took a sip from her mug.

"I offered to bring her back with me to Denerim." She explained.

"Have you taken this up with mother yet?"

"N..no?" Bethany mumbled. Her face fell.

"Beth, I think going to Denerim would be good for you, but ask Mother first. What with Carver in the Templars and me a Mage, you're the only 'normal' one in our family. She'd hate to lose you."

Bethany nodded, seeing the logic.

"And besides, it'll keep you away from Anders. Given the way he looks at you, I'd prefer you far away from him."

Bethany's jaw dropped. "Given the way he…Oh…kick him for me please."

Hawke grinned, and lightly saluted her sister. "Will do sis."

Meanwhile, in the Gallows.

"Why don't we just arrest her? She's an apostate and we know it!" Carver asked Meredith, who looked at him with mild distain.

"Because, despite my views on Mages, she is well liked, she spent a year making an army to combat the blight, and she was brave enough to stand up against her friends. How many people do you think owe that woman their lives?"

Carver muttered something, and Meredith glared at him.

"Make no mistake, when she slips up, we'll arrest her. But she is Greagior's responsibility, not ours."

"I still say we should take her out."

"Enough Ser Carver! Assassinating people is not what the Templars stand for! You are already cleaning the stables for two weeks, one more slip up, and I'll expel you from the order! Now go.."

Carver left the room, and Meredith sighed.

"Amelia…forgive me. I do what I must."

In my first draft of this, I had Carver barge in and arrest Solona, but I decided that was a little too OOC for Carver. So I changed it.

Two more chapters left!