Three days before the royal wedding, Zevran made his way into the palace. He snorted in contempt at the finery, the faces of all the people so happy. Had everyone forgotten Natalia's sacrifice so soon? He shook his head and went into the royal quarters, not knocking on the door just simply walking into Alistair's room. The king started then saw Zevran. "Ah, we were hoping you would come home Zev. We weren't sure how to reach you, but surely you've heard of the wedding between Shianni and myself?"

Zevran smirked. "I have indeed," he let the light glint off the silver ring he still wore.

Alistair noticed the ring and lost his smile. "Zev, I'm sorry."

Sorry? Zevran could feel his ears reddening as he was filled with rage. "You think sorry will take the pain away? Well something took the pain away from you, it seems." He heard footsteps behind him and sneered as Laird came in with a limp Shianni. She was just beginning to wake up.

Alistair's eyes widened and he stood quickly, earning him the glint of daggers from three other Crows who'd come into the room. Zevran sneered. "There are more, believe me."

"Maker's breath, Zevran...what happened to you?" Alistair looked at the blond elf he'd once traveled with.

Zevran glared at him. "I died, Alistair. And it was your hand that dealt the killing blow. You see, when you love someone you will do anything to protect them. Did you not claim as much for her? And yet here you are," he raised his hand, showing his ring, "and here she is."

Alistair shook his head slowly. "You've been in Antiva this whole time, planning on how to kill me?"

Zevran laughed. "You shall die as I have, Alistair. With your heart crushed. However, I cannot be certain you even have a heart to be crushed, therefore your dear cousin is, shall we say, visiting one of my friends."

Alistair's eyes widened and he trembled with rage. "You soulless bastard."

"On the contrary, I have kept a memory of the only one of us who ever had a soul alive."

Shianni opened her eyes, seeing Zevran. She couldn't believe it at first, but then realized what was happening. "Z-Zevran? It was you?"

Laird stepped over and kicked the red headed elf in the middle. Alistair stood. "By Andraste's fire, Zevran! If you want to kill me then do it, but why kill Shianni? Did you not swear to protect her? She's still Natalia's cousin!"

Laird looked over at Zevran, awaiting his order. Zevran hesitated, remembering how he had indeed made that oath. Shianni caught her breath. "Nattie wouldn't want you to live like this. She saved you from this life. She loved you."

Zevran looked at his ring, knowing that Shianni spoke the truth. His eyes were filled with sadness. "Sadly, my dear, Nattie is dead. And the man you love let her die." He glared at Alistair. "He will pay."

Alistair narrowed his eyes. "I do not beg for my life, but I will not die without you knowing the truth." Zevran raised a hand to the other Crows, allowing the king to speak. "You remember Natalia was poisoned. Wynne did not heal her, Zevran. She couldn't do anything more than take the pain away."

Zevran narrowed his eyes. "Do not defile Wynne in this."

Alistair shook his head. "You must have known. You're the one who made the poison and coated her blades in it. You remember what it was, don't you?" He closed his eyes. "Natalia knew she would die soon anyway. That's why she-"

Zevran stepped to him swiftly and backhanded him. "Twas no worthy sacrifice! You let her run to that damned dragon, let her deal the final blow. You KNEW it would kill her!" He grabbed the collar of Alistair's shirt, pulling him to his face. "You watched as that corrupt soul took her life. You watched her suffer a fate worse than death, and you dare call it a 'worthy sacrifice'?!"

Shianni looked at him, desperation in her eyes. "Revenge won't bring her back, Zevran! And killing him won't make you feel better."

Laird kicked her in the middle again and she cried out. Zevran shoved Alistair away and closed his eyes. Everything seemed so distant, as though nothing was real anymore. Reality was beginning to dawn on him. He opened his eyes and drew his blades, turning on Laird. He put the point of one to the man's throat. "Touch her again, and you shall be nothing but a stain on the floor." Laird's eyes widened in shock and anger. Zevran turned to the others, his heart racing as he felt exhilarated for the first time in what seemed forever.

Shianni sighed with relief as Alistair rushed to her, drawing his sword.

The battle was quick, the Crows mostly too shocked to react. At the end, Laird and Zevran faced off, the air crackling. Laird smirked. "Once a traitor always a traitor." He launched an attack, which Zevran easily dodged. The blond elf plunged his blades into Laird's back, twisting them. Unexpectedly, Laird turned and ran his blade through Zevran's middle before he fell. Zevran looked down and touched where the sword and his skin met. He smirked. "Fate is such a tricky whore." He fell to his knees.

Natalia knelt before him, telling him to hold on. Zevran smiled and closed his eyes, slumping to his side. "Let us begin anew, my love." Shianni raised an eyebrow as she checked his pulse. "He's...I think he saw Nattie before he..."

Alistair closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. "Being king is way overrated."

The wedding was postoponed in lieu of the funeral. The alienage was in attendance, but few others. Zevran's ashes were scattered in the same place Natalia's were, a silent memory sealed. The wedding had the whole of Ferelden in attendance, as well as some scattered nobles from other lands. The viscountess of Kirkwall was present, as well as the empress of Orlais. Alistair was shocked to see Leliana with the company escorting the empress, but found it pleasant to speak with her nonetheless. He also saw that Isabella had accompanied the viscountess, not surprised at all. After the wedding Isabella and Leliana went together to the coastline, paying their respects to Zevran in the only way they knew how.

They say the Maker shows Himself in the most unexpected ways
A single rose from thorns, the night turned into day
But the way He's shown the best
Is in love that none contest

The End