Authors Notes: Bit of a gap between chapters time wise. Just couldnt find anything interesting to fill those 9 months.

What I'd do for love

Bryce mounted his horse, waiting for Fergus to join him. It was time for them to confront Howe over his treachery. They had planned carefully over the past few months, even pretending to exonerate Howe in order to lull him into a false sense of security. The route into the castle had been carefully planned, choosing to only take a few soldier with them as they knew Highever would be open to attack if they left it under defended.

Fergus joined his father, fully armoured and ready to go, "Let's go father," Bryce nodded to his before signalling the other soldiers, "What will do will him once we have him, father?"

"We will drag his treacherous arse back here. Then I'm going to look him up, then I'll torture him, then I'll kill him," He said bitterly.

"Sounds like a good planned," Fergus drolly replied.

"I knew he was a power hungry bastard, but to stoop to such a level. That is low even for him."

"Father, why are you going to such lengths? You don't even like Loghain."

"He's Evie's husband and the girl's father. I know we have never seen eye to eye, but he loves her and makes her happy."

"And he confessed to all this mess just to get her out of prison."

"Exactly. One thing we agree on is your sister and nieces. So for them, I'll do anything."

The continue the ride in silence until the stopped for some rest. Both father and son sat together while the soldiers slept, "Father, did you ever doubt Loghain's innocence?"

"Never," He replied with conviction, "He would never do anything to endanger your sister. I've never told any this, but not long after Ellie was born, I was wake one night, so I went for a walk around the castle. I heard Loghain in the sitting room, he was in front of the fire, Ellie snuggled up in arms. He was talking to her about Evie, tell her how amazing she was and how much he loved them both. That's why I'll never believe them over him."

Fergus hummed in thought, letting out a small yawn, "He's a good man. Couldn't ask better for Evie."

"No I Couldn't. If she's happy, I'm happy. Right now, she isn't happy, my duty to change that."

"We should sleep. It'll be dawn soon," Both of the them settled to sleep for a few hours before they continued to Amaranthine. They finally reached the Howe estate. Thanks to Anora, they knew how to manoeuvre past the guards to the dungeon entrance.

In the dim light of one torch, they moved through the dungeon, heading up stairs to the family tract of the castle. They knew Howe would likely be asleep and their best opportunity to get him. Bryce and Fergus headed off alone, leaving the soldiers to deal with the guards. Both men made it unseen to the bedroom, sneaking in, shook to over them when they saw who was in bed side Howe. His own daughter!

Delilah sat up, pulling the furs around herself, "Teyrn Cousland?"

"Shhhh. Are you ok?"

"Not really. don't worry, he's been sedated. Why are you here?"

Fergus picked up her clothes, handing them to her, "We've come for him," They turned to give her some privacy to get dressed.

"Is this about Teyrn Loghain?"

"Yes. Your father framed him."

"I know. Are you going to kill him?"

"Yes, but not yet."

"Meet me outside the dungeon entrance," She left them room in a hurry, leaving both men confused.

They grabbed the sedated How, dragging him naked, back the way they came in. Outside, Delilah was waiting for them.

"Teyrn Cousland. I want you to know, my brothers and I had no part in this plot. My father is a vile man, don't make use suffer because of him."

"My lady, whatever happens, I will make sure you are unaffected," He placed his hands on her shoulders in a fatherly manner that he often did to Evie and Fergus, "How long has he been doing that to you?"

"Since I was 14. Make him suffer," She shoved a pile of letters at Fergus, "Take these. It'll contain all the proof you need," With a venomous glare at her unconscious father, she fled back into the castle.

Bryce shoved Howe into the carriage before the set off back to Highever, revenge on their minds.

Evie stood at the window, baby Mariana in her arms, as she watched her father and brother leave for Amaranthine. In a few days, they would be back with Howe and they would torture a confession from him, but Evie just Couldn't wait for that, she had to act now. All she needed, was Anora's help.

Her step daughter walked into the room, holding a chatty Ellie in her arms, "Are you ok?" She asked softly.

"Maybe," She turned to face her, then looked down at Mari, "I need your help, Anora."

"With what?"

"Can you get me into the palace, unseen?"

"Yes I could. What are you planning?"

Evie put Mari in her cot before sitting down on the bed, "I want to confront Maric. Make him release your father."

"Evie, what if he just dumps you down in the dungeons again. What about the girls?"

"Anora, I cant wait any longer. He's been down there for 9 months. He might even be dead, but I have to do something."

"Ok, if we do this, we do it quietly. I'll get you into the palace some how. I can deal with Cailan, you go to Maric. You know where his room is?"

"I do. I need to tell mother. The girls will stay here."

"When shall we go?"

"Now. It's time to get my husband back," Within the hour, they set off for Denerim, after Evie paid a tearful farewell to her daughters, promising them she would bring papa home again.

After a tiring journey, they finally reached the palace after midnight with most of the palace sleeping. They stopped before the gate, Anora getting out some shackles, "Evie, lets get these on you."

"Why?" She asked, unimpressed.

"It's the easy way of getting you past those guards."

She sighed, turning around so Anora could put them on, "Alright, fine."

Anora put the shackles on her stepmother before walking her to the guards at the gate, "Guards, I've captured Teyrna Mac Tir. Let me through."

Both men stood to attention, "Yes, your majesty," They stuttered, bowing to her.

They got into the castle, Anora taking the shackles off of Evie, "This way. Have you got a weapon?"

"Yeah, I plan to threaten Maric with it," Evie followed Anora upstairs to the bedrooms, "This is where we part. Will you be ok?"

"I'll be fine. Cailan wont hurt me. Just get my father and go," The women embraced before heading in opposite directions.

Evie slipped into Maric's bedroom without making a sound. The room was dark, the full moon offering just enough light to aid Evie to see. She moved to bed, pulling out her dagger from it's sheath. She sighed, hesitating before she pressed the cold steel against his throat.

Maric woke up, a sensation of something pressed into his neck, a shadow hovering above him. He stayed calm, choosing not to move, "Who are you?" He strained his eyes to try and make out the persons face, he could tell it was a women, judging by her shapely form

"The woman whose life has been destroyed by you," She said coldly, pressing the knife further into his neck.

Maric recognised that voice, it was a voice that was normally light and full of laughter, now bitter and cold, "Evie? What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to work out if I could actually kill you. Is he still alive?"

"He is. He refuses to speak to any one."

"Release him and I wont slit your throat."

"Evie. He confessed."

"Yes, to save me. I had another baby. A girl that he doesn't even know about," She pressed even harder, the tip ripping into the skin, "Release him."

"And if I don't?" Maric Couldn't see her eyes but he just knew they held the look of a scorned woman.

Evie hissed, moving the dagger against his skin. Maric could feel the blood trickle out his neck, "It'll be something like that, only more painful and it will last longer," She threw a hankie at him, "Release him now. Have him brought outside the gates."

In an instance, Evie had left the room. Maric got up, lighting a candle, moving to the mirror to check his neck. He had a small cut, bleeding but not life threatening. He sighed heavily as he pulled on a robe, heading down the dungeons. He saw the guards sitting around playing card, "Guards, release the prisoner and take him outside of the gates," Maric left as quickly as he entered, shame building up inside of him.

Loghain laid in his cell, staring up into the darkness, Evie and Ellie on his mind. The thought of them were the only things that kept him going in the last nine months. The feel of Evie's soft hands on his skin, the scent of Ellie's hair. He knew Ellie would be a lot bigger, walking, trying to talk and if she was anything like her mother, which she was, causing a lot of mischief. She probably wouldnt remember him at all if he saw her again. He thought Evie would have probably moved on, she was young and beautiful, she didn't need a bitter old man holding her back. If he got out at all and she had moved on, he wouldnt hold it against her and he'd happily fade out of existence.

The door to the dungeons opened, several booted footsteps echoing on the stone floor. They approached his cell, unlocking the door, "Get up!" One of them hissed.

He got up, walking over to them, this was it, he thought, he would die. They grabbed him, dragging him out of the dungeons. Loghain let them take him, if he was going to die, he'd make them work for it. He watched in confusion as they headed towards the gates. Two guards at the entrance opened the large iron gates, Loghain being dragged through. Before he knew it, he was dumped on the wet ground, the guards walking away, leaving him there. He sat up on his news, staring out in the darkness, only the moonlight illuminating the deserted streets of Denerim.

"Loghain!" He looked around urgently, instantly recognising the call of his beloved wife. She came into view, running towards him, falling to her knees, throwing her arms around him,tears falling down her cheeks "Loghain. What have they done to you?"

He stood up carefully, taking Evie up with him. Look down at her, admiring her face. She was more beautiful than he remember, a truly breathtaking sight. He kissed her urgently, his lips crushing to hers. The touch of her delicate lips soothing his aching body "Evie, what are you doing here?"

"Rescuing you. Sorry I'm late," She joked slightly.

"Yeah, what took so long?" He jested, kissing her forehead.

She looked into his eyes, tears forming in front of her blue orbs, "I had another baby."

The air escaped from lungs, his knees buckling, "What?"

"Yeah. I was pregnant when we were arrested. She's nearly 3 months old now."

"She? What did you name her?"

Evie moved to his side, her arm around his waist, walking them away from the palace, "I called her Mariana. You said you liked that name. She looks just like Ellie. Like butter wouldnt melt."

"Just like you then," They laughed together as they walked, Loghain didn't know where, "Where are we going?"

"I've got a big room at the tavern. I've ordered food and a bath."

"You know how to please me don't you?"

"That I do," They got into the room, Evie going to test the bath water, satisfied it was just right for Loghain. She helped him get undress and into the bath, "Right, you lie back and I will take care of you."

Loghain hummed with pleasure as the hot water eased the tension in his aching muscles, Evie's hands washing his skin. He was content to lie there, letting his wife do what she wanted. Right now, that was to wash the last nine months off of his skin, "Tell me about Mari."

Evie smiled, lifting up a jug of water, pouring on his head, before setting about washing his hair, "She has dark hair, dark blue eyes and she's a very calm baby. Much like you, she can hold herself well."

"How did Ellie take to her?"

"She was a little jealous at first. But one day, Ellie was peering into Mari's cot. Ellie touched Mari's hand making her smile for the first time. After that, I had to moved Ellie's cot into my room so she could sleep next to her sister. Those two are going to be trouble."

"I wonder if Ellie will remember me," He closed his eyes as Evie washed the soap from his hair.

"I think she will. She likes to wrap up in your robe. She wont accept anyone else's so I think she does remember you. Every now and again, she'll look around to see if she can find you."

Loghain sniffed, a flood of emotion rushing to the surface, "I've missed you both so much."

Evie pulled him into her arms, her head resting on top of his, "We've missed you too," She helped him get out of the bath, wrapping a warm towel around his waist. Together, they sat down to eat supper, Loghain savouring every bite he took, "I'm pleased to see that nine months of imprisonment hasn't changed my wonderful, devilishly handsome husband," She smirked at him, crossing her arms over her chest.

He looked at her, knowing exactly what she was doing. The seductive Evie was about to make an overdue appearance and how he did want her so very badly. He motioned for her to sit on his lap, "Are you trying to seduce me?"

She removed her boots and her overcoat before she slipped on to his lap, the towel coming apart, almost revealing his manhood. She leaned into his chest, her lips close to his ear, "Is it working?" She asked, playfully nipping at his ear lobe.

He stood up with ease, lifting her up, moving her legs tight around his hips. As he moved towards the bed, the towel slipped down to the floor, leaving him naked, "It might be," He teased, throwing her down on the bed.

She watched him as he stood before her, naked and still slightly wet. He was skinnier than he had been but he still had some muscle to give him a bit of bulk that another man wouldnt have had in the same position, "Is there a problem, dear?" He said nothing, just watched. She was about to speak when he pulled her by the ankles towards him, making her squeal in shock and delight. In an instant, her breeches and underwear had been yanked down her legs and discarded on the floor somewhere. She sat up to remove her upper clothes, throwing them across the room, "My dear, are you going to do something or just stare? I know I'm worth looking at but I'd rather something a bit more energetic than this."

He gazed down at her, admiring her body. Despite having two children and only 3 months post birth, she had worked hard to keep herself in shape. It was something that he never asked of her, just something she did for herself. He would love her the same, any way that she came and knew she would feel the same about him. He got down it his knees, parting her legs, opening her up to him. He kissed her calf, savouring the taste of her soft skin, the scent of flowers engulfing his senses. He had missed her, missed how she allowed him access to her most intimate parts, how she moaned when he discovered all the places to touch her. He had mapped her entire body, every sensitive spot etched into his memory forever. It was indescribable, how it felt to him when he touched her. Little bolts of lightening moved through her body into his, sealing their bond, a bond no one could break. He laid kisses from her calf up to her thigh, stopping to take in the smell of her arousal. He placed a kiss on her sex, eliciting a soft moan from her. Gripping into her hips, he gently explored her with his tongue, determined to take his time. After months of separation, he just wanted to enjoy having her back in his arms.

Evie pawed at the soft furs beneath her as her husband worked his magic on her. She loved it when he took his time, building her up slowly, letting her experience all the levels of pleasure she could, before he made her cry out his name between short ragged breaths. Her blood started to heat up, leaving an almost unbearable feeling inside of her. She could feel his tongue buried deep within her, his hands keeping her anchored to the bed. When he pleasured her orally, he never used is hands, they only served to keep her where he wanted her, choosing to use just his mouth to take her to brink and back again. She arched her back, gasping out when he begun his relentless campaign on her clit, suckling at the little pearl, never stopping even for a second. She fisted the furs in her clenched hands, as it felt like all of her blood was pooling in groin, reaching a breaking point, where she felt she could explode. She screamed out his name in a hoarse voice, whimpering and erratically breathing as she came down from her orgasm high.

Loghain moved on to the bed, kissing her stomach and the space between her breasts. He watched her as she slowly came back round to reality, her shaky laugh making him smile. He pushed the sweaty hair from her face, kissing her tenderly, "Have you had enough?" He asked, already knowing the answer.

"Of you?" She asked, undulating her hips against his, causing him to groan, "Never!"

He kissed her gently as he entered her, slowly and gently. He had almost forgotten just how could it felt to be inside of her, so warm and inviting. Pushing her arms around her head, his fingers twined with her, his face buried into her neck as he moved out her, entering her slightly more urgently. Together, they found a rhythm, not slow but not so fast it would be over before they wanted it to be. He released her arms, so she could wrapped them around his shoulders, holding him tight to her, her hot breath against his ear as she whispered her demands to him. He was never one to deny her what she wanted, she never asked more than what he was willing to give her, but he'd give her anything. He sped up slightly, the need for release turning more frantic with every move. He growled after she whispered in his ear again. Pinning her down on the bed, he moved quickly and desperately, spurred on by his wife's increasing demands. Her walls clenched around his length as she came hard once more, the pulsing of her sex, bringing him closer to completion. With a few more hard, desperate thrusts, he growled her name, spilling inside of her. She leant up to kiss him, as he rocked shallow and slow. He collapsed down her, exhausted and spent, breathing fast. He kissed her again, pulling himself out her and moving next to her, "Love?"

"Mmmm," She hummed sleepily.

"I love you."

She laughed, her eyes closed as sleep tightened his grip on her, "I love you," She moved closer to him, pulling his arm around her. He moved her underneath the furs and slipped in beside her, cocooning her within his arms. For the first time in months, he might be able to sleep, knowing she'd be there next to him in the morning.