A/N - Still going, horrific fortnights notwithstanding. Prequel story going up as well

Finally allowed inside, Hawke led Cailan to the small dining room and gestured to the table. "Please, take any seat you wish."

Opting for a corner chair, he looked around. "Please, tell your mother not to worry. I'd rather not impose so much."

Carver took an end seat and shook his head. "Her side of the family are a big deal in Kirkwall; you probably just give her an excuse to act like it again."

Entering the room, Leandra gave both sons a withering stare while placing a bowl of fruit down. "I must apologise for the state of my home, Your Majesty… and for my children."

"It's quite fine, I apologise for being an unannounced burden. As for your sons, they're surely just weary after the battle and driving off those bandits they mentioned."

"Thankfully, it went well. They had barely returned home before they went off again to deal with those thugs, which didn't help my worry… and they dragged two of our guests along with them, without so much as a proper greeting."

"You have others here? I hope I'm not taking a seat from one of them."

"There's room enough, if they return. My daughter, Bethany went to town for groceries and you should have met two of them when you encountered my sons."

"There was a young man, but he seemed rather withdrawn?"

Hawke nodded, taking a plum. "One of the King's companions needed to find the guard-house, so 'Junior' offered to show her." Turning to Cailan, he added "We still haven't heard his real name, but his Dwarf friend, Varric, calls him Junior so we're just going with it."

"I don't remember seeing one of the stout folk earlier."

Shooting Carver another stare as he mouthed "Stout folk?" to himself, Leandra answered. "He returned earlier to let me know the bandits had been dealt with. He said he needed to send some mail and hear the latest rumours, so I assume he's at the tavern… I almost forgot. Kallian, there's no need to eat in the kitchen, please join us."

Slowly walking out, Tabris nervously took the furthest seat from Cailan. "I… perhaps I should stay back there, I don't want to take up someone's spot."

"You're fine here" Carver said, looking out the window. "The Wardens look satisfied under the trees… except for Garrett's dog begging from them."

"Doesn't he get enough from Junior?" Hawke stood and went to the window, whistling for his Mabari. Sitting back down, he turned to the fidgeting Elf. "Mother's hardly going to turn you out, don't worry so much. I guess you also don't have a lot of nobles suddenly dropping into your house, even back in Denerim."

Blanching at his joke, Kallian grabbed the water-jug and shakily poured a drink. "Just the one" she whispered before downing the cup.

Before anyone could respond, Varric entered through the side-door. "Looks like some more visitors, in the orchard. It's getting busier than Hightown, almost." Sitting down, he finally noticed Cailan. "Greetings, serah. Lovely town you've got here."

"It's hardly my town, but greetings to you too."

Taking a second look, Varric shrugged. "Sorry, you just look like the local mayor… judging by the painting in the tavern, that is."

Laughing, Cailan leant forward. "Oh yes, my infamous portraits! I'm told at least one dedicated critic has been buying them to destroy them… apparently; it's a rarity to still see one hanging up unless they know I'm coming. If I hadn't been so busy with the ceremonies, I'd have found a better artist."

Putting her cup down again, Kallian tapped the dwarf's shoulder. "Good news, you found the King."

"No – rumour says he's dead…. wait, you?"

"I'm not as dead as you might have heard… and the armour's not as big a give-away as you thought either." Cailan laughed, turning to Carver. Shrugging, the younger Hawke grabbed another apple.

Varric shoved his chair away from the table and stood. "Does Junior know he's here? Where is he?"

"He's in town somewhere, maybe the guard-house" Hawke said, before watching the Dwarf rush out the door.

"Maybe the cloak did fool someone, if Junior was meant to share that reaction to you" Carver said, taking a bite.

"So it would seem… I wonder what's so important."

Finally looking at the King, Kallian took a second to find her voice. "They only came this far south in the hope of finding you. He didn't say much, but Aedan made it sound important."

"Huh… he's got a name after all. Why did he tell you and not me? We were talking plenty before" Carver muttered.

"I get the impression he relates better to women… and don't talk while you're chewing" Leandra responded, frowning at his table manners.

"My cousin, Soris, is the same – probably from being raised by women. As for telling me, last night I asked why he kept being insistent I not go to Highever. He got that weird look again, and just said it wasn't a good idea. Then he wanted to know if I knew anyone named Iona or Amethyne in Denerim, but they don't sound familiar. He didn't say much else, but I think he was overwhelmed after listening to everything I had to say… he said he met Nelaros' family a few times, so he agreed to post anything I want to write to them."

"Just before we skipped the army, a rumour was spreading that there might be civil war in the north… maybe he got caught up in it."

"Perhaps… why would he be so committed to find the King? Your Majesty, do you know Aedan from somewhere?"

Scratching his head, Cailan searched his memory. "Bryce's youngest, perhaps? If he came from Highever, it's probably him. Last I heard, he was still abroad… and none of their forces made it to Ostagar. Perhaps there's something to that civil war rumour, after all."

Kallian shivered "I hope not – I want to tell Nelaros' family in person. Maybe Nessa would have helped shelter me, too."

Cailan looked at her carefully. "I've often heard the Highever alienage is better than most, but I haven't been able to inspect the truth of that. How are things in the Denerim alienage?"

"…. Your Majesty, do you want to know?"

"Please, yes. I'm never sure how glossed over my reports are, so speak freely."

Sighing, Kallian poured another drink. "Very well…. I think what I have to tell you should provide an example of Alienage life."

"When the guards came back for me, I wasn't sure if they would cut me down like Nola or drag me out by force. Soris arrived out of nowhere, and slid a weapon over to me… I cut them down like dogs. He and Nelaros had managed to get onto the grounds, and managed to knock out two guards by tripping them up on the soaked pavement. I only noticed the heavy rain once I found a window in one of the rooms, but it had also provided them enough cover to get into the estate. We got to Nelaros, just after some guards found him." She raised her hand, displaying the ring.

"I took this, and said a prayer for him. We finally got to Vaughn, and had him begging after we made short work of his two friends. Before I could do the same for him, another guard entered. He was followed by some other noble and his own guards. Knowing I only had seconds either way, I rushed Vaughn and slashed his face with a dagger before he had time to jump back. A guard knocked me out as I went for a second strike to make sure. I woke up, freezing, in a ditch outside of the city walls. Next to me was a bag, containing stale food and a note. It must have been from this other noble, whoever he was.

My congratulations on a spectacular show, and making it much easier to dispose of Vaughn. To make my own story stick, however, I must make it known you caused his death. The city guard are aware of you, but I have somehow neglected to pass any news of you to other towns, if you were to disappear. Your poor friends were released without further harm, apart from your cousin. Rather than Fort Drakon, I shall decide his punishment myself. Should you return, though, both of you will suffer the full sentence dictated by the death of so many men. Happy travels.

I've been on the road ever since, initially hoping to take the Calenhad road north to Highever…. now, I'm not sure where to go. I used the note for kindling early on, so there's no chance of you recognising the writing." Looking around at the stunned room, she bitterly asked "Does that not match with the reports you've heard, Majesty?"

Spluttering, Cailan drained his own cup. "I…. see. Yet another thing that's no credit to my rule." Gathering his breath, he took a moment before speaking again. "I cannot speak for the courts, but I hope you find somewhere better. I will try to see about your cousin, when I return to Denerim."

Hearing something outside, Carver glanced back at the window. 'When did the Wardens leave?'

The door crashed open, as Varric and Aedan rushed in. Panting for air, they gestured in the direction of the town. "Bethany…. Templars got her!"