I didn't want to wake up, I decided even as my body slowly awoke. I had never felt more comfortable, warm, and safe. I let out a soft groan before slowly opening my eyes.. To see Alistair's peacefully sleeping face next to me, his warm breath fanning my face.

Obviously I was still dreaming. Sure, Alistair had been in my tent when I'd managed to get real sleep, but sleeping next to me after I fall asleep is the oldest cliché in the world! And extremely cute.

My dream couldn't be more realistic either as I slowly reached out a hand to gently trace his features with my finger. Maybe this was my subconscious's way of telling me that this would be better than being wrapped up in my bedroll. One of his hands were wrapped around my waist, keeping me secured closely to him, while the other had itself under my head, fingers curled into my hair. I could feel his heat rolling off of him in waves and smell the subtle scent of a rose.

Dream or no, I was going to take advantage of this. I inched closer, nestling my head under his chin as I threw a leg over his hip. His arms tightened around me and I slowly let my eyes close, content to sleep the day away if allowed.

Which wouldn't happen, despite my best attempt.

No, Adrien had to shove his big head into my tent, letting out the loudest gasp I'd ever heard from him at seeing his best friend wrapped around his favorite sister.

Guess it was real.

"Alistair!" he hissed from the opening. Seemed he was going to try to get his attention without waking me.

I made an effort to breathe deeply as if I was still asleep, eyes closed and face pressed against Alistair's very impressive chest. A rumble came from it as he woke and I felt movement as he lifted his head to look over at Adrien. I had expected fumbling, a few muttered curses as he tried to untangle himself from me. I was pleasantly surprised when his arm tightened around me, fingers pressing against my hip in a way that nearly burnt me.

"She's sleeping," he whispered quietly, his voice taking a sharp edge.

"I can see that! What are you doing next to her!?"

"Moral support."

I could almost see Adrien's face, turning blue as he opened and closed his mouth repeatedly.

"Her dreams are worse than ours, Adrien."

That seemed to still the tension in my little tent, Adrien's voice still quiet but less shrill. "You don't even like her."

Oh. The pain that hit me almost made me forget my deep breathing, a chill sliding down my back. There was no question in his voice, no hesitation. Adrien knew for a fact that Alistair didn't care for me. There was a hint of confusion, as if he couldn't figure out why he would want to comfort me.

And now, I couldn't either. I had seen the way the two interact, how they work together. I had sometimes wondered who really were siblings—Adrien and I or he and Alistair. That just drove it home. I continued breathing deeply as I tried to roll with the punches. At least... It made everything easier. If I didn't become involved with Alistair, I wouldn't worry about leaving him behind like I would eventually have to.

Rationalizing it didn't lessen the pain as my heart tried to displace my stomach.

I felt Alistair shrug, could feel every movement his body made. The soft tapping of his finger on my hip, the fingers in my hair, the rumble of his chest.

Instead of distilling heat in me like it had a few moments ago, it left me cold.

"Let her sleep a bit more. She looked like she was on death's doorstep earlier."

I could hear as Adrien gripped the flap and then the sound of movement.

"Out, Alistair," he commanded.

A sigh blew my hair back before Alistair slowly detached himself from me. He rolled out from under my leg, quietly creeping out of my tent.

It left me feeling empty.

I felt Adrien's glance on me for a moment longer before he slipped away, no doubt moving around the camp to get everyone to start moving. I slowly pulled myself up after a few moments of hearing the flap of my tent close, arms wrapping around my chilled limbs.

The pain hurt, but I couldn't show it on my face. As soon as I walked out there, I would have to move quickly and with a cheerful look on my face as if I hadn't just been sucker punched in the gut. I couldn't let my bruised ego be shown.

I looked over, seeing my diary laying in the corner. I smoothed my fingers over the familiar leather longingly even though I knew I wasn't going to be able to read any of it yet. I wasn't sure what would await me inside, my memories fuzzy and faint.

Besides, I didn't need to see what I thought might be inside.

Didn't need to see Alistair's disdain for me through cold memories. My hands quickly smoothed over my arms as I tried to combat the goose flesh that had risen there. The warmth I had enjoyed only minutes ago was now gone and I supposed I would need to get over it. Alistair was the only one here with the ability to tempt my heart—it was a blessing in disguise that he wasn't interested.

Again, rationalizing didn't help the pain. But it did help me move to get ready for the day as I reached for my armor.

.

The Tower was a magnificent sight from across the lake. Surrounded with water and the full moon as a backdrop, it was.. pretty as a painting. I scowled, looking over at Alistair. The man had me forget the words my brother said with a glance, made me feel unwelcomed things with a few words and a well placed joke.

I'd explained to them the dangers we were walking into, no one questioning my words. Morrigan had started to train me at my behest, and I moved my tent to her corner of the camp. Morrigan was good for conversation and distraction as she taught me with a patience I hadn't known she possessed. It didn't hurt she kept Alistair away, though he'd started giving me long glances that I wasn't sure if I cared for in the end.

Especially when he had the power to hurt me.

I clapped my hands loudly, pulling myself from my thoughts and startling my companions. "We'll get some rest at the inn before making the trek across the lake," I announced.

Adrien gave me a dubious look. "And how, dearest sister, are we going to afford a stay in an inn?"

I gave him a calculating look. "Do you really want to know?" I waggled my brows at him, forcing the good humor into my eyes.

He seemed to second guess his inquiry, lips twisting. He no doubt thought the worst and paled a little.

"I thought not," I smiled happily, turning on my heel and leaving them outside to settle things with the innkeeper. I patted my boot, feeling the weight of the coin purse pressing against my calf. That morning I'd been greeted by my angel, the robed man sitting next to me elegantly. He'd given me the purse of sovereigns with the instructions to use the money well. He'd explained that I would need all the aid he could offer if I was to survive this world and seemed extremely upset this was my first trial. As if he blamed himself. He offered me one more piece of sage advice as he seemed to slowly fade from sight, his voice quiet and wise.

"He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign."

It had given me something to ponder over, remembering the King who had thrown himself into harm's way for glory that would throw all of his country into a civil war. He was indeed foolish. Were as my band of companions and I would ultimately save this country—without any help from the King or King Regent Loghain had proclaimed himself to be.

I quickly paid for a night at the in for two rooms- one for the females and one for the men. I returned outside, offering Adrien his key. "You, Alistair, and Sten will be in this room while the ladies and I take the other. Your descriptions have been given to the innkeeper and dinner has been ordered. Fill your bellies," I gave Adrien and Alistair a long look, "and get as much sleep as you can. The ordeal tomorrow will put you through your paces."

They nodded at me slowly before I quickly gathered up the ladies and made our way inside. Leliana stayed in the tavern entertaining with her lovely voice while Morrigan and I took our meal in our room as I tried to understand everything I could before the battles tomorrow.

"The art of taking on another creature's form requires you to study that creature. Learn how it thinks, how it feels," Morrigan explained around a piece of bread.

I nodded, listening to her lecture as I practiced holding the frost magic in my fingers. She eyed me curiously, brows slanting.

"Your talent is quite raw."

"Thanks," I replied dryly.

"'Tis not an insult. You weave a spell that is steady and powerful. There is a lack of control the larger it becomes, however."

We'd learned that one the hard way when I'd channeled the magic, fed it the energy to enlarge it. It was extremely tiring and had quickly gotten away from me, thrashing under my fingers to escape. I might have ended up with a partially singed eyebrow.

"Indeed, I am rather impressed by how quickly you learn."

"Morrigan, if I didn't know better I'd think you were paying me a compliment." It was harder to multitask—talk to her while I held my magic in a concentrated orb.

"Oh, yes, 'tis quite a surprise. Work to earn my praise, Rosalind."

I laughed quietly, enjoying her humor. She and Alistair were like complete opposites. I was somewhat surprised that they did not attract but seemed to shove the other as far away as possible.

She eyed me carefully, watching my delicate control. "..There is something else I could begin instructing you on."

I looked up at her, brow raising and head tilting as was my fashion to do.

She continued, "'Tis a skill I believe every woman should know the basics of. One would assume you knew of such things unless they spent the time we have with your chatter and prattling on."

I snorted at her, eyes rolling. "Are you saying I mindlessly speak to fill the silence?"

"When it suits you. Or when that fool Alistair comes too close."

I cursed inwardly, damning her golden eyes and they way they saw right through me.

"Allow me to ask you something. As a Grey Warden, do you not believe that to indulge in love is to indulge in delusion?"

I raised a brow at her question. "Why 'as a Grey Warden'? Why label me a such?"

"I merely mean for your duty. Is a Grey Warden's role not about sacrifice?"

I nod slowly, thinking over her words. It did make sense, even though I knew she would most likely change her mind on that point eventually.

"Morrigan, if there was ever a situation where one of us must die in order to end the Blight.. I would not allow an attachment to stop me from doing my duty—if that is what you mean."

She nods, accepting my answer. "I am glad to see you continue to be so practical. 'Tis a fine thing though I find myself full of unease at the thought of you succumbing in order to end the Blight."

She looked as if she was confused by the feeling.

We spent the rest of the evening with her explaining how I was to use my femininely wiles to ensnare a man and to get my way should I need. She had explained that her mother had taught her these things—and the truth of men. After watching me fumble around Alistair and Sten, she'd taken it upon herself to see to my proper education should I ever find myself in a situation I did not have control of.

It was the oddest thing I have ever heard Morrigan utter. Ever.

And I had heard her, through the game, ask to have sex with my lover. (To save the world, but seriously. Part of me would rather die then let her conceive a child with the man I loved. )

..Not that I currently loved someone that didn't care for me. I was not that desperate.

A thought occurred to me as we were finally getting to bed. I was taking the floor while Morrigan and Leli shared the bed.

"Are you still awake, Morrigan?" I asked softly, waiting. There was a rustling of fabric before her annoyed response sounded.

"It's not as if I could sleep with you asking me pointless questions, yes?"

I took that as a yes. "I just wanted to tell you that I'll try to find it."

A pause. "Find what?"

"That grimoire you want from the Tower."

There was another long pause and I had almost thought she'd fallen asleep when she replied, sounding incredulous, "Rosalind, you are likely more of a witch than I... Thank you."

.

We set out for the Tower early the next morning after ensuring everyone got adequate rest. It was going to take all of us to clear the tower to reach the man at the top—the only one that would be able to end this madness and ensure all of the mages were not executed.

Good thing Anders is somewhere in the basement, just hanging out and away from all the blood mages.

I had half of mind to smack the templar guarding the boat to the tower out of the way and just take it, but I knew that Adrien and Alistair certainly wouldn't approve. Adrien would probably laugh his arse off while Alistair stood there, arms folding with that disappointed look on his face that would just make me.. Sick.

So I was civil.

"Oh, yeah? I have papers that say I'm the queen of Antiva! What do you say to that?"

"Queens are supposed to be women," Alistair helpfully supplied behind me.

"Don't question royalty!" the templar shouted.

I closed my eyes, his voice grating at my nerves. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself before glaring him down from my considerably shorter height.

I strange feeling came over me when I spoke, as if a part of me was seeping out of my skin. "Your superiors will not take kindly to you delaying us, templar."

His eyes grew just a bit wide and glassy before he quickly blinked, nodding his head repeatedly. "My superiors would not take kindly to me delaying you, Grey Warden. A thousand apologies. Come along, then."

It was a complete change in comparison to his earlier behavior, the snarky and pissy-ness nowhere to be seen. Almost like.. I jedi-mind controlled him.

I glanced behind me as I moved towards the boat, eyes finding Morrigan. Her's were narrowed at me, expression pinched. I swallowed before my hand placed itself in someone else's without a thought to who it belonged to. It helped me into the boat, hands steadying me as I knocked into them, out of it at what I thought I just did.

"Easy, Rose."

My body went rigid when I realized I was in Alistair's arms, eyes flickering up to him for the first time since he'd eased my nightmare-induced fears.

There were dark circles under his eyes.

"Sorry," I mumbled, quickly sliding away from him and into a seat as everyone found themselves in the boat as well.

I absently slid my fingers into the top of the water before remembering something about the mages dumping potions into the water's surface. I quickly pulled them out, looking over the tips to ensure nothing had happened to them.

I had worried for nothing, droplets sliding down my fingers innocently.

.

The Tower was more hectic than I thought it would be. Templars ran behind us as the man I recognized as Greagoir issued orders to one of his men. He looked haggard, stressed, as if the abominations had only just began trying to force everyone to join him in his use of blood magic. It was strange that this happened now and not sooner. I supposed it would stick true to the game as well as it could. It only seemed right.

"The door is barred," Alistair noticed, speaking quietly. "Are they keeping people out or in?"

The templar before Greagoir ran to fulfill his duty, the older man's eyes falling on me. "And now we wait," he said looking more defeated than hopeful.

"Ser Greagoir," I greeted him. "I am the Grey Warden Rosalind. I have come to call upon the Circle to honor an ancient treaty to end the Blight that threatens our world." I have to hold up my hand to still the rejection on the tip of his tongue. I supposed it was something about my superiority that had him pausing to listen to me until I was finished. "I am aware of that which ails the Circle." I took a deep breath, allowing myself to feel the darkness that had crept into a place that was meant to be secure, safe. It was almost seductive, the song it sang for me to join the others. "I can feel the power of the blood mages. Open the doors to allow us to cleanse it of the taint as is our right. I will bring First Enchanter Irving to you. Once he is made known to be alive and well, you shall call off the right to annulment you await. Do you accept?"

He looked utterly flabbergasted. I had known everything about the ongoings of the Circle, understood what I was walking into and who I needed to return with that would allow him to feel the tower was once more safe.

"..Yes. May the Maker watch over you.. I hope you know what you are doing."

"May the Maker watch over us all," Adrien responded.

I keep my face expressionless at the mention of a God I don't believe in. "I will gather supplies from your quartermaster before we continue on. It will not be but a few moments."

He nodded at me, eyes still watching me carefully before looking over at my companions as if they could explain what I just did.

"The Maker showed her in a dream."

There was Leliana, making me out to be a herald of the Maker.

"Maker's breath," Greagoir breathed.

I swear they were going to make me out to be some kind of oracle. Which wasn't a bad thing to be called at all... 'Oracle'...

.

Wynne was just as kind as I remembered her being from the one talk I had with her in Ostagar. She had told me of the Black City and I'd just let her keep talking. Somehow, her voice was calming. She'd always been like a mother-figure when I played this game and now... I had the stupidest wish to lay my head on her lap and let her pet my hair like I really was her daughter.

"Greagoir will not invoke the right of annulment so long as we return to him with the First Enchanter," I explained, looking over at the barrier she erected. "You will not allow me to go without you, I know. Come with me so that we can end this quickly and save the Tower, Wynne. Time is not on our side."

She had the same strange look on her face that Greagoir had worn, eyes flickering to my party. "Does she always know exactly what to say?"

I could feel them all nodding behind me.

"She's our spoiled princess," Adrien explained happily, smile firmly intact even as I elbowed him in the gut.

I rolled my eyes. "Come, we must be swift. Please release the barrier, I know it makes you weary. Please stay to the back and focus on healing, if you would."

She pursed her lips at me—obviously a little displeased about me: a young girl giving orders—before she quickly moves to the archway and releases the arcane magic that kept everything out.

I had thought I was prepared, but I was very much fooling myself.

I could feel it. I could feel the energy, the temptation of blood magic, wrapping around me and trying to get under my skin. It was begging me to use it, begging me.

I had to close my eyes and focus on my breathing as I pushed that side of myself away. I could not lose control—I did not know what effects blood magic could leave me with. Thoughts blazed through my mind, seeing the different evil mages I had ever come in contact with in my video game experiences across Thedas. Horrible, ugly things that bulged disgustingly.

It helped me gain control of myself, forcing a smile to Wynne who was watching me closely. "Alistair, take point. Titan—" he barked, "protect Wynne. Leliana, stay to the back with Morrigan and Wynne and provide cover. Adrien, Sten and I will flank. Let us travel into the belly of the beast, shall we?"

"I think we're going to it's brain, actually, sister."

"Adrien."

"Because you said we need to go to the top floor."

"Adrien."

"That would be the brain if the Tower was a creature, is all I'm saying."

I groaned.

Author's Note: Nearly four thousand words! (Love me.) Hope you enjoyed the read! I'll hammer out more soon. Sorry if there are any errors, I'm sure I'll find them later.

JaneSwan.