Fen'harel did not know he still had the capacity for frustration. After another two weeks he still had no leads on his next possible location. He usually did everything to be the figure of calm and managed to be extraordinarily poised. Right now however...

"I don't think I can do this anymore," the elvhen whispered into the morning air. It was bright and clear. His fingers curled around a teacup, the warmth and soft scent starting to wake him. He took a tentative sip, the drink pulling him out a bit more. "This is ridiculous."

Cole was nearby, laying on a log. "A bright light. A cold mirror. Why brother, why?" The blonde looked over at his companion. "Your path has not yet finished."

"Maybe it should be."

How many times had he, as Solas, considered this very plan? How often had he thought about abandoning this duty to his former brothers to stay with Fen'vhenan? How many times had he wished, almost desperately, that he had the chance to be normal - just for one lifetime?

"If you asked she would say no." Compassion was very direct. Normally that would be a benefit, but tonight it just received a grumble. "What? It may not be what you want to hear but the truth is more helpful than a lie. Duty before love."

Duty before love. Fen'harel laughed at the thought, realizing he's been the one to suggest it even without meaning to do so. News from the north was bad. Riots in the smaller towns, slaves being killed rather than recaptured- or, so the rumor went, used for a darker purpose. Yet the one that grated more than all was something so simple he should be able to ignore it: the Inquisitor was marrying a Tevinter mage. That would be a disaster, if he knew anything about disasters; having created more than his fair share he believed he quite had the expertise in this case. This was an annoying morning, after a mostly sleepless night where he had tried and failed to find Vhenan and talk with her in the Fade.

The day proceeded slowly. It was as the duo was breaking camp that he heard the snap of twigs alerting him that someone was nearby. He pulled his bow, turning and aiming at the intruder in the same instant.

"I mean no harm to you."

The new arrival was a dwarf, not as stocky as some but definitely built for the same strength of her underground kin. Her hands were raised in surrender, though he could see the sword and shield on her back indicating she would likely be a worthwhile opponent should she choose to be, though more interesting was the small weathered pike that fell to the ground as she startled. Fen'harel lowered his bow, considering. "What brings you here, child of stone?" He was surprised by her wide, almost laughing smile in response.

"I had a sudden inescapable desire to go visiting friends, tree-touched," she noted teasingly. "Someone I care about is in trouble northwards. I was planning to see to their safety."

"I am on a similar errand," the elf admitted, extending a hand in friendship. "You can call me Nadas, if it pleases you."

"Nadas. I thank you for your name. Call me... call me Alistra."

Cole was behind the dwarven woman in an instant. "The name should not poke a hurt. Choose another."

To her credit, Alistra did not remain startled. She pivoted quickly to meet the spirit and catch his eyes. "I cannot pull a different name out of thin air, spirit. This one may hurt- but it will remain mine." She even chuckled a bit, bending to grab the small pike and twirl it in her hands. She then sighed and set the obviously old weapon in place ara her back with the others. "I have traveled on my own far too long of late and hoped we might be able to combine our efforts for a night or so. Safety and companionship in an unwelcome land and the like."

~Trust no one.~ the thought was prevalent, but so was the discomfort and loneliness. "For a time then, Miss Alistra."

"Ma'sarennas," the dwarf answered cautiously. When the elf stalled in surprise she explained, "I traveled with one of the people before for a time. And not one of the nicer ones. I picked up a few words- for survival's sake."

"She sounds impossible."

"She was."

Something about this dwarf seemed very strange. Fen'harel shrugged it off; everyone had their secrets after all and he was not one to to speak. Yet something about her sparked a memory- something no from the Fade e couldn't quite put his finger on. It was when she turned away and he saw the griffon on her shield that the realization hit him.

~What brings the Warden Commander and Hero of Fereldan this far from home?~ he would keep her secret, once he found out what it was.

- * + o

When nighttime fell, Fen'harel approached the dwarf as she finished making a stew from some wild nugs that had been running about. He passed a cup with some fresh water. "Spring nearby," he explained as she accepted gratefully. "Where are you from? I do not rightly recognize your accent." Outright lie. She had a mostly Fereldan taint to her voice, only a few choice words held a trace of the dwarven city.

"I'm Fereldan," she said in confusion. "I just happen to hail from Orzammar."

"Orzammar? I thought dwarves born below stayed there." Hopefully she would be able to ignore his false uncertainty.

Instead she sighed. "It's the shield isn't it? I've considered using another, but... I can't without thinking I've soiled something." She had a very sad smile as she filled two bowls with the meal and turned. "You don't cook, do you? Your eyes gave away the bit of thankfulness when I offered."

"One of my former companions was a better cook than I ever hope to be," the elf admitted. "And to be honest it was the sadness that gave you away. The shield just confirmed it." He shrugged. "If you don't want to talk about it..."

"My friend Hawke is being detained at Weisshaupt," the revealed Hero of Fereldan explained. "Her sister went ahead, but I had to finish something before I joined them. It may be completely unnecessary by the time I get there but if she needs me I will be there."

"I was unaware the Champion of Kirkwall knew you well."

"We spent a while traveling together. We did become close during that time, admittedly. It's hard not to like her you know."

That much the elf did remember. The warrior had been an easy person to speak with, even if she had a bit of sadness just behind the well-timed and well-aimed jokes. Yes, even he had not disliked Aeris Hawke, and had enjoyed the few times he'd spoken with her. "I do understand that." Then, lowering his head, he noted, "It's Kasha then, yes? Kasha Aeducan?"

"It is."

"Then why Alistra?"

The dwarf didn't answer, quite suddenly finding the stew very interesting. It was Cole that spoke next...

"Fire. Pain. Why did he do it? It wasn't his choice." The spirit in the form of a boy was suddenly right in the middle, looking at Kasha. "It is a familiar pain then."

"I've lived with it over a decade," she whispered, reaching to her neck and pulling at the chain there. It was strange, the petals of a single rose formed into beads surrounding a single small phial. "Some things never dull however. I can tell you this, tree-touched. Love is painful, but wherever you manage to find it... don't let it go. And don't let what you think has to be done interfere. I made two promises in my life that I am forever bound to, and only when it was too late that I realize one did not preclude the other."

- 000 - and A/N -

That was harder to write than I thought. In case the context wasn't apparent, the Warden here is a female Aeducan who romanced Alistair before making him King. She refused the ritual and planned on taking the final blow but brought Alistair with and he refused to let her and died. Yes, this is a possibility. Yes this actually did happen to me. Completely changed my view of Alistair when that happened.