Anders fought internally with Justice as they took the boat ride across Lake Calenhad. Justice disagreed greatly with Anders decision to walk straight into the lion's den, but Anders knew it was the best place to start for the answers he sought. While it concerned Anders to enter this place with the renewed anger inside him thanks to Justice, he felt he had little choice if he were to ever consider being with Elaine again.

"I never thought I'd see you back here again," Knight-Commander Greagoir said to Anders as he walked through the large entrance doors of the Circle. "I thought you would've joined the Qunari by now."

Anders stood proud in front of the Templar who had tormented him for most of his life. "Instead I joined the Grey Wardens," Anders retorted smugly. "So whatever plans you have for assigning me a comfortable cell for the next year, you can forget it. I am here on official Grey Warden business."

Greagoir stood with his arms crossed, eyeing the former apostate who had escaped the Circle several times. "The Grey Wardens took you in? Why? The Blight is over, there would be no need."

Anders walked freely around the room, pretending to look at the reconstruction that was taking place. "When Rylock tried to have me arrested in Amaranthine, the Hero of Ferelden intervened on my behalf, invoking the Right of Conscription. In front of the Queen too, no less." He returned to standing in front of Greagoir, crossing his own arms as well. "The title 'apostate' no longer applies to me."

Greagoir eyed him suspiciously. "How interesting you'd mention Rylock, someone who hasn't been heard from since her trip with the Queen to Amaranthine. I don't suppose you'd know of her whereabouts?" he asked accusingly.

Anders shrugged. "Not my job to watch your Templars," he said with a smile. "I have need of the Circle's library for some research," Anders explained changing the subject. "I would appreciate your cooperation, as would the Wardens."

Greagoir shook his head in disbelief, never having imagined Anders would return and be free to walk the halls once more. "I will not deny a Warden access to the library, but that doesn't mean you will be free to roam as you please. You will be escorted to and from, and I suggest you don't plan on staying overnight."

"Such hospitality," Anders stated dryly. "I assure you I have no desire to remain longer than I need to."

Greagoir said nothing further to Anders, instead calling for his second in command, Cullen, to escort Anders to the library. Anders moaned slightly at Greagoir's choice to accompany him, knowing Cullen far too well as being someone who despised mages, given his recent torture.

To his surprise however, as they made their way through the Tower to the library, Cullen began asking Anders about Elaine. "Did I hear correctly that the Hero of Ferelden herself recruited you?"

Anders nodded and spoke proudly. "She did indeed. Amazing woman, do you remember her?"

Cullen's expression changed drastically as he remembered Elaine and their brief relationship. Anders read his face immediately and couldn't help poking fun at the Templar. "Ah, so you're the one."

Cullen's cheeks blushed instantly and his nervousness began to show, looking over his shoulder for anyone who may have been listening. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said quickly and unconvincingly. "Of course I remember her, she freed me from the mages prison."

Anders laughed triumphantly at making the Templar squirm. He nodded in understanding at the unspoken truth as they reached the library. "Must be my mistake," he said, still teasing Cullen. "I thought it was more than that. I could've sworn she said when she was in the Circle she was involved with a…"

Cullen cut him off. "Correct, you are mistaken. Conduct your business and be on your way." He left Anders and skulked to the corner of the library, face still red from embarrassment.

Justice let his disapproval of Anders' behavior be known and Anders ignored him, trying to make sure he stayed in control of the spirit while within the Tower walls. He browsed the library's index for books on spirit and demon possession, and found a good place to begin his research. He grabbed several books from the shelves and sat at one of the large tables in the back of the library.

His reading was interrupted briefly by a young high-pitched voice. "Please be careful! You're bending the book too much! It'll crack the spine and cause the pages to fall out!"

Anders looked up from his book and smiled at the mage in front of him. "Why am I not surprised to see you here Finn?"

The redheaded mage grinned from ear to ear. "Anders? Is it really you? Back here?"

Anders pointed at the chair in front of him offering Finn a seat. "Just passing through," Anders explained as he slid the books closer to himself, hiding the titles from view. "Nice to see a familiar face that isn't a Templar."

Finn bounced with excitement at seeing his old friend. "You too! How did they capture you this time? And when's your escape planned? I'll have to start the betting pool again."

Anders chuckled at the enthusiasm from the younger mage. "No need anymore friend, today I have the privilege to walk out the doors a free man. I've joined the Wardens."

"The Wardens!" Finn's face lit up. "I wouldn't have believed it coming from anyone other than you! Or maybe Karl, since you and he were so close."

Anders blinked at the name, scolding himself for not even thinking to find Karl while he was here. "Can you tell him to come down here? I can't leave the library, and I have company," he said nodding towards Cullen, who was leaning against the wall in the corner.

Finn shook his head. "I'm sorry Anders, but Karl is no longer here."

"What?" Anders was alarmed. "Where is he?"

"He was transferred to Kirkwall," Finn explained. "You just missed him too, wasn't more than a week or so ago. Rumor is there's some trouble within the Circle there, and they sent a bunch of mages to try and help out. Cullen's going too in a few days."

Anders was distraught over not being able to see his oldest and closest friend. "Maybe that'll be my next stop," Anders thought out loud. "I could really use his help."

"Well I can help you," Finn said excitedly. "Watcha need?"

Anders chuckled and shook his head. "No offense Finn, but it's not something I would ever talk about within these walls. Thanks for the offer though."

Finn seemed offended, and stood to end their conversation. "Well then, good luck with your secrecy…secret stuff."

As Finn walked away from him, Anders went back to reading and planning in his head the trip to Kirkwall. Besides Elaine, Karl was the only person in Ferelden he trusted, and was sure he'd be able to help him figure out what to do about Justice.

"Commander, I am honored that you would leave me in charge," Nathaniel said bowing to Elaine. "That you would bestow your faith upon me after the way I acted when we first met…"

"Nathaniel," Elaine interrupted him. "You have come so far since that day. I am honored to have you move up within the ranks of the Grey Wardens, and I daresay you are making the name Howe honorable once more." She crossed her arms and bowed to him in return. "These were, after all your lands, this was your home, it seems only right that you take charge of her."

Nathaniel managed a small proud smile. "I wish you safe travels," he said and turned to Alistair as well. "Take care of our Commander."

Alistair nodded to the younger Warden. "Of course." He then asked Elaine. "Are you ready?"

Elaine nodded and said her goodbyes to her remaining friends. She requested one last stop at the Keep's cemetery and gave a silent goodbye to those who had already moved on from this world.

The road to Denerim was different than the last time they had traveled together. With no darkspawn at their heels and no other companions to talk to, Elaine found the journey quite calming. After the night she fell asleep crying in Alistair's arms, she had gathered all the strength that remained within her and channelled it into preparing the Keep for her departure. Alistair had asked her a few times if she was alright, and she insisted she was, even though he knew better. But he also knew what a strong and proud woman she was, and had no doubts that she was countering her depression by overworking herself.

They spent their nights around the campfire reminiscing about "the old days" which weren't that far behind them. Alistair had opened up a bit more about his thoughts on his child and Morrigan, and Elaine continued to feel guilty about keeping secrets from him. She reasoned with herself that she had promises to keep and now owed Morrigan even more, so she remained silent and comforted Alistair as best as she could.

When they arrived in Denerim Elaine couldn't believe how much it had changed since the last time she was there. It was obvious Queen Anora had spent a considerable effort in rebuilding the city as quickly as possible. It was difficult to imagine the battle that had taken place there; the blood that stained the dirt streets, the ash that hung in the air, the charred remains of buildings and corpses. No evidence could be found of any of it.

The Alienage seemed to be renewed with some new buildings, but it was still considerably the worst area of Denerim. As Alistair and Elaine walked through it surveying the remaining damage, it was clear Anora hadn't focused much of her energy on the plight of the elves. Elaine made a mental note to speak with Alistair about perhaps having a few Wardens come in and see what help they could offer them.

The final stop on Alistair's tour of the city was Fort Drakon. Elaine had felt uncertain when she had reached for Alistair's hand during the climb up the stairs to the rooftops, but she was grateful for the comfort as she remembered their final ascent through the fortress. She thought of Morrigan and Zevran, who'd fought at their side, plowing their way through the army of darkspawn. Her spirit was renewed that day when she found First Enchanter Irving battling the darkspawn when they'd arrived. Although surely one of the scariest days in her life, it was also the most overwhelming - everyone of different classes and races coming together for a common goal. She battled the tears that threatened to form at the pride she felt from being a part of such an event.

"Close your eyes," Alistair said before the opened the door to the rooftop.

Elaine gave him a curious smile but obeyed, shutting her eyes tightly and allowing him to take her other hand as well. He leaned on the door and opened it, light from the sun invading her closed lids. They walked a few paces until Elaine guessed they were in the center of the tower and Alistair released her hands. He moved behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders and whispered in her ear. "Open your eyes."

Elaine did so slowly, allowing her eyes to adjust to the bright light reflecting off the tower's stone floor. Her hands immediately went to her mouth as she gasped at what she saw. A large stone monument of a dragon had been erected in the middle of the tower. It laid on its stomach, an obvious gash through its wing, and its head lay chin down in front of it.

Depicted above the mock Archdemon was an indistinguishable Grey Warden, also made of stone. A real sword made of the finest steel Elaine had ever seen was in the hands of the stone Warden and impaled into the dragons head. The griffon symbol of the Wardens was on the chest plate of the statue, and a plaque with writing leaned against the base of it all.

Elaine wiped the tears that fell freely as she pulled away from Alistair and knelt down to read the plaque's inscription: The Defeat of the Archdemon, The Fifth Blight, 9:30 Dragon Age. Dedicated to all the Grey Wardens lost during this dark time. Below that was a list of names; the two dozen Elaine remembered from Ostagar, as well as Daveth, Jory, Duncan, and Riordan. Below the names was a single line from the Joining ritual: Know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

This time when Alistair knelt beside her and asked her if she was alright, she shook her head to let him know she wasn't. He put his arm around her as he stared at Duncan's name, and watched her trace the letters with her fingers. It was the first time they had cried together for their fallen brothers, and no other words were spoken as the sun went down around them.

"So you came to Kirkwall just to escape the Wardens?" A weighted question if he ever heard one. Anders had been in Kirkwall for a short amount of time, but his reputation placed him there far longer. He had settled into opening a clinic in the city's underground, offering healing to Ferelden refugees still struggling from the effects of the Blight. Word spread fast that he was a Warden, which he never truly denied, in the hopes that the city Templars would leave him alone.

"You say that like it's a small thing," he replied to the stranger that stormed into his clinic, demanding information on the Deep Roads. "Yes, I'm here because there's no Warden outposts, no darkspawn, and a whole host of refugees to blend in with." He barely admitted to himself the truth that he had run away yet again. "And some reasons of my own."

The woman seemed determined to get whatever it was she was looking for. "I need to know how to get into the Deep Roads," she demanded. "You can tell me willingly or not."

"Don't threaten me little girl," Anders spat back. "You can't imagine what I've come through to get here." But as he looked at the strong woman and her entourage of obvious fighters, he realized this might be the opportunity he was looking for. He had been exchanging letters with Karl through a servant in the Gallows of Kirkwall, their version of the Circle Tower, but the correspondence had ended abruptly while plans were being made to free Karl from the prison. He would need backup, and he couldn't squander this opportunity.

Kyra Hawke had agreed to help him that evening, which turned into one of the worst nights of Anders' life. A longtime friend dead, by Anders own hands. Another loss of control over Justice. A late night return to the clinic found Hawke demanding answers that even Anders wasn't sure he could give. After such an emotional evening, drained from energy and will, Anders filled Hawke in on his joining with Justice. He longed for someone to talk to about it; having left his only confidant behind in Maker knows what condition.

And he found that in Hawke. Her strength and wit, as well as her compassion, reminded him of Elaine.

Once they had finally established somewhat of a friendship, Hawke began flirting with Anders. It started with Hawke telling him Justice should not complain about his looks, and Anders ended it just as quickly.

"No, don't go there," he said to her. "That's not going to end well." Images flashed in his mind of his hands around Elaine's throat, and he forced himself to push them aside. "I don't want to hurt you."

"Hurt me, I might like it," Hawke said boldly, and Anders immediately pictured Elaine having that same type of response. Carefree, daring, open and honest. He swore these two women must've been related, given their strong and bold attitudes.

"No," he insisted once more to her. "You saw what I did in the Chantry. That's who I am. I can not trust myself to control Justice." He turned his back on her, voice softened as if he'd break at any moment. "The true reason I fled to Kirkwall was because of a woman. Justice had taken control and was crushing her throat in his hands, her life fading out of existence. The last words I remember her speaking were to Justice within me, begging him to let me go. She was more concerned about Justice's hold on me than her own life." Anders heard Hawke move closer to him to offer some sort of comfort. "I will never put someone through that again."

"You loved her," Hawke had asked.

"I love her still," came his immediate response.

His pain was obvious to anyone who came in contact with him, but after some time things shifted. His pain, anguish and despair merged with his combined need with Justice to begin working on their plan to free mages. Whenever he thought about Elaine, or Karl, Justice was there to remind him of the bigger picture. Hawke began taking advantage of his healing skills and requested he join her on several missions, and soon he found himself surrounded by a new group of people he dared to call friends.

During her years in Denerim, Elaine had made several attempts to contact Morrigan. Either she was being ignored or something was wrong with the witch, and Elaine grew more concerned with each passing month. She had sent word to some contacts in Lothering to head out to Flemeth's old hut and see if Morrigan was staying in her old home, and word returned that the witch was indeed spotted there only a few weeks ago. By this time Morrigan would've already given birth to her child, and Elaine wondered what could possibly bring her back to the home she'd shared with her mother. Reports were very specific stating Morrigan was alone.

Alistair was preparing to leave Denerim to take care of some Warden business in Kirkwall. He had tried to convince Elaine to come with him, but Elaine wanted to use this time apart to travel to the Kocari Wilds. She told Alistair she would go to Lothering to check on the progress of the rebuilt town on behalf of the Wardens, and to send word to her there if he needed her. As much as he protested, Alistair couldn't change her mind, and the two finally parted ways.

Years of being away from the Wilds and yet they were still so familiar they were to her. Elaine navigated through the trees with ease, battling the occasional wild animal, taking in the beauty of the land no longer littered with darkspawn. When she approached the hut of Morrigan and Flemeth, she was startled to hear movement inside. It seemed Morrigan had returned, and had already begun causing trouble for the local Dalish. She had stolen an important, ancient book from them, and one of the Dalish was in the hut going through Morrigan's things in an attempt to find her. It was clear the witch was long gone, but Elaine agreed to help the Dalish woman, Ariane, attempt to find her lost artifact.

A visit to the Circle to study what was in this book Morrigan stole proved to be more difficult for Elaine than she had thought. Her and Ariane ended up bringing another mage along in their quest. Finn was his name, excitable to say the least, but it wasn't until one night at camp that Elaine regretted letting him tag along.

Anders. She thought about him every day, and still allowed the tears to come at night before drifting off to sleep. Yes it had been years, but the feelings remained, regardless. And when Finn made mention that he had seen Anders shortly after he left her, the emotions nearly overwhelmed her. She had heard nothing from him, had no news about him, but now the opportunity to begin searching presented itself. Though it was quite some time ago, Finn told Elaine that Anders was considering going to Kirkwall in search of an old friend.

Elaine tortured herself with this news. Alistair had wanted her to go to Kirkwall with him and she hadn't. She could already be reunited with Anders if only…

Foolish thoughts. Anders knew how to find her if he really had the desire to. Any number of Grey Warden outposts could get a message to her. He didn't want to be found. And he didn't want to find her. It was a fact she couldn't let herself ignore.

She made a plan to find Morrigan and make sure she was alright, and then left for Kirkwall immediately afterward. Before they set off to continue their hunt, Elaine sent word to Alistair to wait for her at the outpost in the Planasene Forest, just outside of Kirkwall.

Alistair could not believe the city was under attack, and that Qunari suddenly surrounded him and his fellow Grey Wardens. What was supposed to be a quick trip into the city's Lowtown to meet with a Carta informant turned into outright chaos. There was nowhere for them to go without engaging in battle, which Alistair had avoided as much as he could. The Qunari left him little choice though, and before he knew it the fighting began.

Dozens of Qunari flooded into the corner of Lowtown where he'd gather with his men, and there seemed to be no end to them. Alistair's only goal was to escape the city without getting involved in whatever problem these men had with the citizens of Kirkwall, but the Qunari were not making it easy for him. He was able to deflect many of the attacks, having learned a lot by traveling with Sten and learning how to defend against a member of the Qun. Yet the battle was going poorly, as they were heavily outnumbered.

Suddenly fireballs and ice rained down through the square, and Alistair noticed a group of four making their way through the mess. He and his men refocused on the fight when it appeared this group was there to help them, and their combined efforts led to a bloody end for the Qunari in this section of the city.

Alistair took a moment to thank the group for their help. "On the list of things I thought might happen today, a Qunari attack would have been near the bottom!" The only woman in the group smiled, introduced herself as Hawke, and he gave her a proper bow. "Thank you for your help. I don't think we've met. My name is Alistair."

"Alistair?"

He heard a familiar voice as he began walking away and turned, nearly falling over at the sight of the mage. "Anders. Maker's breath man, what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question," Anders said folding his arms across his chest. "Come to bring me back?"

"Uhm, no," Alistair surprised him. "We didn't even know you were here."

"We?" Anders took a moment to look at the Wardens with Alistair but didn't see who he was looking for. "Is she here with you? Is she alright?"

Alistair narrowed his eyes at Anders, and surprised everyone watching the interaction when he punched Anders hard across the jaw. Hawke made a move toward Alistair but Anders put out his arm to hold her back, as the other Wardens now moved in front of Alistair. The oddly tattooed elf behind Anders had a wide grin on his face.

"She's fine," Alistair said as he turned his back on the group again. "I'd like nothing better than to stay and help, catch up on old times and all that, but unfortunately, the mission we're on can't be delayed."

The woman, Hawke, spoke again. "There's something more important than an invasion? We could use your help defending the city. Reinforcements would come in handy if we fail."

Alistair nodded, looking from Anders to the rogue before him. A striking resemblance to Elaine, Alistair realized, but stopped himself from getting distracted. "Grey Wardens mustn't involve themselves in wars like this, I apologize." As his fellow Wardens walked ahead of him, Alistair gave them one more glance. His eyes softened a bit toward Anders, not apologizing for hitting him, but feeling pity for the man. "Maker watch over you my friend. And over us all."

Elaine sat in her room at Dane's Refuge in Lothering staring at the ceiling. She was exhausted from her travels to the Brecilian Forest, then the Deep Roads, and finally the Dragonbone Wastes. Morrigan was indeed there, waiting for her, and the two were able to converse privately. Elaine replayed the conversation with Morrigan in her mind for the hundredth time since her return, and still couldn't figure out the hidden meaning behind it all.

"The child is an innocent. He is safe, and beyond your reach. He knows nothing of the destiny that lies before him. My plan is to leave and prepare the child for what is to come. Such preparation requires time and power. I must have both if I am to be successful. More than this, I dare not say, even to you.

"Change is coming to the world. Many fear change, and will fight it with every fiber of their being. But sometimes, change is what they need most. Sometimes, change is what sets them free. I know tis not the answer you seek, but tis all I have to give. I am sorry. For everything."

And then she was gone. Through the portal she had created to a time or place Elaine dare not follow. She had left Elaine a gift she said, and when Elaine discovered it was Flemeth's real grimoire, she assumed all the answers she needed would be within. Unfortunately Elaine could barely begin to understand it, as Flemeth had written the book in an ancient tongue Elaine was unfamiliar with. Whatever secrets it held would have to wait.

And then word that Anders was indeed alive and in Kirkwall had come from Alistair. The letter was short so it was impossible to know if he was okay, or how Alistair even came to gain this information. But his simple "Justice in Kirkwall" message spoke volumes. The nosy innkeeper had asked why someone would bother to send a note like this when everyone already knew the Champion of Kirkwall had slain the Arishok. Elaine didn't know or care about the war in the foreign city. She only cared that the note meant her love was still alive.

She would rest for the evening and then begin the journey to Kirkwall.