"For the love of… By all the…" Elissa Cousland sat back in the chair behind her desk and heaved an exaggerated sigh. "Dammit Anders. When I said I would help you I didn't expect the Divine herself would send an army of Templars after your sorry backside." The mage couldn't help but grin at that. He knew Elissa held no love for the Circle or the Templars. Well, with one exception…
That exception was standing in the corner, an unparalleled smirk present on his face. "Come now Darling I think all the chaos is rather exciting! About time someone one stuck it to the Chantry."
"You aren't helping!" The Warden Commander sighed sincerely this time as her eyes softened. "I'm sorry Anders. I can't imagine what you have been through in these past few months." The woman put her head in her hands. "And I meant what I said. You're a Grey Warden, whether you wish to be or not. That also means you're family. And we don't abandon our own." Elissa rose from her chair and began pacing slowly, all the while picking at her fingernails. "But it cannot be known that we're helping you. Anora has little love for me and if she found out we were harboring the fugitive who started all this…"
"I understand Commander."
"Good. We will set you up with lodging here in the keep. Given your personal…circumstances… you will not be expected to venture far from the Vigil until your girl is a little older. But if you're going to stay I need you to earn your place. You were always a damn good healer. If you will take over the infirmary I think that would be more than sufficient. We have many people who come to us for help, and not just Wardens. They could benefit from your abilities."
Anders felt the iron grip of fear loosen as his body sagged in relief. Kylee was safe, she had a home. It didn't matter if the Chantry came for him because she would be here, protected by the Wardens. He rose from his seat. "Thank you Elissa. I can never repay you for this." He held out his hand but she pulled him into an embrace instead.
"Dammit Anders you're family. No more running."
He nodded and returned the hug, grateful for the feeling of belonging he had thought was lost to him forever. "Alright. No more running."
As he exited Elyssa's office Anders was met with a blow to the face. Thankfully this fist was unarmored and he didn't feel any bones out of place. When the mage looked up he was not surprised to see Carver Hawke standing over him. Though Carver had returned to the Wardens weeks before Marian learned she was with child she had sent him and Aveline both letters after the birth, knowing that they would each be heartbroken to be left unaware. Aveline had sent a response congratulating the apostate couple but they'd heard nothing from Carver. And it was only a few short months ago that Anders had sent word of Marian's death.
"You bastard, you've got a lot of nerve showing your face here."
"Carver!" Elissa and Alistair exited the office just as Nathanial Howe caught up with his younger brother in arms. "What are you doing?"
"This blighter got my sister killed!" The young man bent over and pulled Anders to his feet. Slamming the mage to the wall he growled, "Where's my niece?"
"An inn in Amaranthine with Varric and the rest."
Carver knocked Anders against the wall a second time. "Which Inn?"
Elissa's voice broke through the chaos, "Hawke! That's enough!" Anders wasn't sure which was more unsettling: the unexpected sting in his heart as someone else was addressed by the name Hawke or the pain that colored Carver's face when he had the same thought. Slowly the younger man released the mage.
"I'm sorry Commander." Without a word he turned and left the hall, shoulders sagging heavily beneath the weight of his grief.
Nathaniel listened solemnly as Anders busied himself in his new quarters, all the while recounting tales of his journey since leaving Kirkwall. The warden couldn't help but notice the way his friend's eyes would soften at the mention of his daughter and the sorrow that passed when speaking of her mother. When he finished his tale Anders sat next to his friend at the table, making sure to face the blanket on the floor where the babe lay. She giggled and cooed, all the while chewing on one of the toys Merrill had fashioned for her.
"Maker's breath Anders, I'm so sorry." The mage smiled halfheartedly but otherwise didn't respond. "So… What happened today with Carver…"
"I knew he would be angry. But I never imagined he would be so adamant about seeing her."
"And why wouldn't I?" Carver's voice caused Anders to spring to his feet and reach for his staff, ready to defend himself from another assault if needed. But the younger man said nothing; his gaze had fixed on Kylee. After a moment his voice came out as a whisper, "Maker… you didn't tell me… She looks just like my sister." Anders, realizing he was not about to be thrashed, slowly leaned his staff against the wall. He watched as Carver knelt on the floor and smiled through tears at the child who was studying him intently. "Is she a mage?" he asked quietly as tiny fingers grasped his larger ones.
"I do not know. I could be days or years before any signs-"
"Oh she will be. I'd bet my last copper on it." When the child began to fuss Carver stood back quickly. "What's wrong? What did I do?"
Anders couldn't help but smile at man's discomfort. "You did nothing. She's just tired. The journey has been a long one." He pulled Kylee into his arms and gently rocked her in place. I wasn't long before the girl was fast asleep, her face burrowed deeply in the feathers of her father's coat.
Carver watched the two of them for a time before seating himself next to Nathaniel. When Anders had placed Kylee in her crib and retaken his seat the young warden sighed heavily. "Look, I'm sorry about what I said earlier, about Marian. I was wrong. I know no one loved her like you did. You were there for her when I… wasn't. You would've saved her if you could."
"Thank you Carver."
A moment of silence passed between the three wardens. "So," Nathaniel cleared his throat, "are you staying then?"
Anders smiled, the first sincere smile Nate had seen out of him since he'd arrived, and nodded. "For as long as the Commander will have me. Kylee will be safe here."
"Good. It sounds like you need help keeping out of trouble."
"By the Maker I could use a decade or two without trouble."