It'll Have To Wait

Alistair was in the stables helping the stable master clean up the tack when they both heard a commotion from outside. There were scattered cheers and more than a little weeping. Alistair felt a knot in his gut, could it really be? He dropped the bridle he had been oiling and ran from the stable, the stable master right on his heels.

Alistair felt something tear free inside of him at the sight that greeted him. Four filthy and disheveled figures were slowly making their way to the Keep doors. Alistair dashed across the courtyard and kissed Sareyna quick before he grabbed both Anders and Zevran in a bear hug. He felt the tears on his cheeks and didn't care, Anders and Zevran were alive.

"Tesoro, you are choking me."

Alistair let them go, looking at them sheepishly. "I'm sorry, I didn't…h…how?"

Sareyna grabbed Alistair's arm and pulled him back a bit. "Let's get them inside, fed and bathed, then we'll pepper them with questions."

Alistair turned his gaze to hers, a pained look on his face, "I should have listened to you."

Sareyna shrugged, "They're here and they are fine and that's all that matters now."

The five of them entered the Keep, Alistair heading off to have baths drawn and Sareyna heading for the kitchens.

Shannon ran into her before she reached them. She grabbed Sareyna, her voice was tremulous, "Is it true, please, are those boys alright?"

Sareyna smiled and hugged Shannon, "They are."

Shannon bit her lip and a look of determination came over her face. "Then we shall have a feast." She turned towards the kitchens. "I'll send out some food, but you keep everyone out of my kitchens."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Don't sass me."

Sareyna chuckled and moved to the refectory, which was already filling up with Wardens and soldiers coming to see Anders and Zevran. The refectory was quickly filled with raucous voices and laughter, but Anders and Zevran looked decidedly uncomfortable.

Sareyna felt as tired as the boys and honestly just wanted to grab a bite to eat then slip into a tub for a month or so. "Alright, everyone clear out. You can all see them later. Tonight there shall be a feast and I expect you all to be here."

The murmurs rose briefly in volume before everyone started filtering from the room. She moved across the room and sat down next to Zevran. "Do you two need anything?"

Zevran smiled, he gestured behind them to two huge platters coming from the kitchens. "I believe we have everything we need, and then some."

Maric and Sareyna tucked into the food with Anders and Zevran. Alistair returned and settled behind Sareyna. He stroked her back and watched the four of them with a smile.

Anders popped a piece of cheese in his mouth and gave Alistair a little smile as he swallowed, "You're awfully quiet." He gestured to the cheese, "And not scarfing all the cheese, you feeling alright?"

"I'm just glad to have my family all back together."

Sareyna nodded in agreement, it was nice to have them all back under one roof and safe.

Morrigan had been in her room when the commotion started. She had been reading through all of Anders' notes in preparation of going to see The Architect in a couple of weeks. Sighing, she set them aside and decided to see what the commotion was all about.

As she neared the door she found Ser Pounce-a-Lot sitting on the floor nosing the door. She picked him up and set him on the bed. "Wait here, I want to make sure it's safe before I let you out."

Pounce meowed loudly at her, but stayed where he was. She slipped out the door and headed for the stairs. Once she reached the bottom she saw what the commotion was all about. Biting her lip she jogged back up the stairs. Ser Pounce-a-Lot would never forgive her if she didn't bring him down right away.

Inside of her room she leaned against the door and took several calming breaths. She would not cry, she could be grateful and still be dignified; there was no reason for tears. They threatened all the same though. Pounce left the bed and rubbed against her leg, meowing loudly again before purring.

Morrigan picked him up and snuggled him. "You already know, don't you?" She stroked his back, "You probably knew all along." She sighed, and feeling fairly composed she left the room, carrying Pounce to make sure no one stepped on him in all the commotion.

When she reached the refectory everyone was gone. Only the four that had returned and Alistair remained. She watched them for a minute, these people who had been strangers less than two years ago, and who she now couldn't imagine her life without.

Morrigan had resented being sent with Alistair and Sareyna at first. Flemeth had taught her to live alone, had taught her that the only strength she really needed was herself. Morrigan had been annoyed and a bit frightened at times when she realized she was forming a real friendship with Sareyna.

Flemeth had been almost cold and often cruel, but part of Morrigan was thankful to her. If Flemeth had never sent her away, she would not have come to find the…peace she now experienced, here with these people.

She felt Nathaniel come up behind her, his voice low in her ear. "Stop staring and go be with them."

She hesitated, feeling unsure, intimate moments were still foreign and strange to her. But the choice was taken out of her hands when Ser Pounce-a-lot, finally losing his patience, meowed and jumped down. He took off like a shot and jumped up on Anders, purring so loudly, Morrigan was sure they could hear him clear across the Keep.

Morrigan smiled as Anders buried his nose in Pounce's fur and started murmuring to him. Sareyna waived her and Nathaniel over.

"Come on, we were just wondering where you two were."

Nathaniel grasped Morrigan's elbow gently and guided her into the room. "I was meeting with a few potential soldiers."

"Ah, any luck?"

"Yes, three are staying; I sent the last one back home. He was a bit," he paused thoughtfully, "over-enthusiastic."

Sareyna nodded and Morrigan settled down across from her. "What about you, Morri?"

Alistair smiled, "Probably doing the same thing she has been doing, taking care of Pounce."

Anders looked up, clearly surprised. "You took care of my cat?"

"Well someone had to."

"Thank you." Anders looked a bit overwhelmed.

"Come see me later, I'll get you his things." She tried not to give too much away from her face, but she was dying to speak to him about Pounce. "And I wanted to speak with you about some of your notes."

Anders raised a brow, "Got into my things already? Wow, Morrigan, that was fast, even for you."

Morrigan tried not to look offended, "We thought…I am meeting the Architect in a few weeks and I needed information about Sareyna's dreams."

"The Architect?" Anders knit his brows.

Sareyna scowled, "Finish eating and we'll talk about everything when you're done."

Anders didn't seem to mind, he went back to eating and cuddling with Ser Pounce-a-lot. Zevran studied Sareyna for a moment before shrugging and popping another piece of bread into his mouth. Maric was watching everyone intently but kept silent after a glare from Alistair.

Morrigan knew that Sareyna was right they had all had an especially trying few days and it was best if everyone ate and rested up. It didn't change the fact that she was dying to speak with Anders about Pounce.

She watched him interacting with the cat, speaking with him as if he understood what Anders was saying, even if he was speaking quietly. Morrigan was sure Anders knew something was different about Pounce, how could he not? But it would have to be a question for another time.