"Holy Maker what are those things?" Leliana's voice was nearly drowned out by the growls of the undead running at them. Ashlyn had decided to wear heavier armor to protect herself. She also opted to use her father's sword and shield. Seeing the monsters she was glad she had. Alistair stood by her side even though she wished he was safe in the Chantry with the townsfolk who could not fight. Knowing he was Maric's heir made her want to protect him even more.

"Hold your ground! They do not get past us!" She knew her friends were ready for the battle that was coming having just fought like this down in the Deep Roads. It had taken a few months, but they fought well together. Wynne stood back ready to heal, Morrigan was next to her ready to unleash what Ashlyn called magic death. Sten and Ogrhen stood behind Raven and Alistair guarding the groups flanks. Zevran and Leliana both had their bows ready to pick the walking dead off from afar. Jaq was back in the Chantry guarding the people holed up waiting for the nightmare to be over.

Ashlyn raised her hand to signal the archer farther behind them to light the barrels of oil that stood in front of the charging undead. She had to time it just right so that most of them would be caught in the flames. Her hand twitched out of fear and adrenaline, but she held her ground till the last possible moment. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Alistair rocking on his heels waiting to charge. For as awkward as he was around people, he was quite the opposite when it came to fighting. She had never seen a more capable warrior. He might have hated being a Templar, but there was no denying it made him the beast he was on the battlefield.

"Now!" Her hand swung down and the archer took his shot and the barrels exploded just as the creatures reached them. The smell of burnt, rotten flesh filled the air. The burning undead still kept coming even as their flesh turned to ash. Ashlyn ran forward and slammed two with her shield while she slashed at a third. Alistair was right behind her taking out one who tried to rake her exposed back. She could not help the small smile that crept up on her lips as they stood back to back. Wave after wave of the creatures made Ashlyn's arms feel like lead. Using a sword and shield instead of her daggers was something she was not use to doing anymore. Even the armor felt like it weighed her down.

"Maker were are they all coming from?"

"We will find that out later. Just keep swinging." She gave a half hearted swing at her foe and growled when it failed to drop the thing. Alistair pivoted on his heels and decapitated the rotting man. It seems like that was the last of them, for the moment at least.

"I'm not the one who looks like their arm is going to fall off Raven."

"I haven't had to fight like this since I was a child and even that was just sparring. I feel like I am stuck in tree sap in this armor." Alistair smiled at her and shook his head.

"Then why wear it?"

"You saw the bodies of those poor people down on the docks. I don't fancy being ripped apart like that. Besides then you would have to do this all on your own." She gave him a devilish smile which he returned. She heard the clank of armor and saw a man running toward them.

"Their coming from the lake now toward the village! We need your help!" Ashlyn did not stop to t think about it she just ran after the man down the hill. She heard the growls of the creatures get louder the closer she got to the village center. She also heard the terrified screams of the men defending the Chantry and her mind snapped back to her home. The smell of blood and smoke made her freeze. If it had not been for Sten pushing her gently from behind she would have stayed in her stupor. Shaking her head violently she charged into the thick of the crowd. She pretended the undead were Arl Howes' men and her anger fueled her swings. Every hit she landed did large amounts of damage to her foes. She caught out of the corner of her eye some of the undead had gotten passed the fighter and were now ripping the doors off the Chantry.

"Alistair they are going into the Chantry!" She saw him try to cut a path through the creatures, but more and more kept coming from the lake. Ashlyn was the closest and her foes were all but dead around her. She spun on her heels and ran for the building pulling her splintmail cuirass off as she ran. She had kept her leather vest and linen shirt on under the armor just in case she needed to move more freely. She also dropped her sword and shield knowing that the close quarters would make them useless. She pulled her daggers and flew into the main room of the Chantry. The sight in front of her made her blood run cold. She heard the children screaming and trying to run, but found there was no were to go. Bann Teagan was the only thing standing between the helpless and the monsters. She threw one of her daggers and the closest one dropped to the ground dead. She growled the word to have the dagger fly back to her hand before running at the other undead.

"Get the people back as far as you can!" She did not wait to see if Teagan moved before tumbling passed the monsters putting herself between them and the villagers. She readied herself for the push and did not have to wait long. She lashed out with her left dagger at one and stabbed upward with the right. Ashlyn fought like a woman possessed stabbing, slashing, and kicking at her foes. She had already dropped three of her foes, but there was at least that many of them left and she was tiring.

OoO

Alistair felt dread hit him hard the longer it took to fight the undead outside the Chantry. Raven had disappeared through the doors in what seemed like hours ago, but in reality it had only been minutes. The longer it took for her to come back the worse his dread got. Sten and Oghren closed in front of him to cover his back so he could go and help their leader.

"Go and get her, we will hold them off!" Alistair wasted no time and ran for the Chantry. He could hear the sounds of fighting as soon as he entered. Raven was engaged in fighting off three more of the rotting men, but he saw her struggling. His own limbs felt like they weighed a ton, but he saw one of the creatures land a blow to her side. Her scream of pain gave him new strength to fight. He charged the one that hit his fellow Warden, slamming his shield into it's back. The other two attackers turned their attention on him giving Raven an opening to take out one despite the pain she was in. She was bleeding from the claw marks on her back and side. Only one of the undead remained and it growled at them before running right at them. Alistair swung high and Ashlyn aimed low taking out the creatures knees. As soon as the thing dropped to the ground unmoving Ashlyn sank to the floor as well.

"Raven!" She felt her body rise off the ground and warm arms carry her out into the night air. Healing magic soon flooded her body and she let herself fall away into darkness. "Wynne?"

"She's exhausted Alistair and she lost a lot of blood. She'll be fine, just let her sleep. I have to go see who else needs healing." Alistair's strength was all but gone and he flopped down next to Raven's sleeping form. His back rested against the side of the Chantry and he sighed. His eyes slid closed and he tried to ignore the smell of death mixing with the smell of fish in the air. He jumped when he felt a light touch on his leg. His eyes snapped open and he saw Raven staring up at him.

"Did we win?"

"I think so. You should be resting." He helped her sit up and let her rest her self against his chest.

"So should you."

"I was till you woke me up. Murdock said everyone survived."

"The first good news I have heard all night."

"Sleep."

"As you wish my..." His finger silenced her and she looked up into his eyes.

"Don't you dare." If it had not been for the smile on his lips she would have thought Alistair was upset with her. "I let you get away with it the last time. I will not be ascending to the throne in this life time."

"Alistair...I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I just am not cut out to be a leader Raven."

"I'm too tired to argue with you right now."

"Thank the Maker for small miracles."

"Your in trouble after I get some sleep."

"My lady I was in trouble the very day I met you, but I was also very blessed."

"Alistair that was the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me."

"Good now sleep." Ashlyn settled herself back against him and let sleep take hold of her. The last thing she remembered feeling was his arms wrapping around her.

OoO

The sound of a rooster crowing woke both of the Wardens from their slumber. Ashlyn stretched and yawned. Her body felt refreshed even though she knew she had not slept long. She realized she had not had the normal nightmares. She turned her head and saw Alistair watching her with a amused look on his face.

"Sleep well?"

"I should sleep in your arms more often. It was the best night of sleep I've had in ages."

"That can be arranged my lady." She giggled as his lips sought out hers. Neither of them noticed all the eyes watching them, nor would they have cared if they did. Teagan pulled Wynne aside from the others to talked to her about the masked Warden.

"Who is she?"

"We just know her as Raven my lord."

"She said she was a survivor of the massacre at Highever, but she is too skilled to be just a commoner. Also the mask she wears, is she hiding a scar?"

"I am not sure. None of us have ever seen her face. Alistair might have since he has been with her the longest."

"How did they meet?"

"They met at Ostagar. Why?"

"No reason, just curious about the woman who saved us." Wynne nodded, but narrowed her eyes suspiciously. She knew there was more to the Bann's questions, but she knew he would not elaborate on them. "I need to go talk to Murdock. Please gather your companions and bring them to the Chantry. I want to thank everyone for what they have done." Wynne left his side and went to gather up the rest of her group. The last two she rounded up were the Wardens who were still wrapped in each others arms. She smiled at the display of young love. It warmed her heart to see both of them happy and smiling at least for a little while. Being a Circle mage she knew all too well everything could be taken away so easily. She hoped neither of them would ever have to make the choice between love and duty. Somewhere deep down she could feel if either of them lost the other, it would be the end one left behind.