Sorry about the updating lapse. Been a bit busy. Here we go, already three-quarters finished. I know, I know, you're saying, "But Tuneless, we're only on 14 of 26. That's only half. Trust me, with writing them out first, which I only just finished, we are three-quarters done. Try and wrap your head around that concept. I'm even a bit confused.

Anyways... Thanks for the reviews, you keep me going when it's like writing through cement.

BioWare sold, designed and built the pond. I am only an elephant living in said pond.

Niceties

Nathaniel

"It's the Howe pariah."

I heard the whispers. But the way the Wardens fell into position around me, blocking the icy, hard stares, felt caring.

We shuffled through the courtyard I know so well toward the Keep. A very undignified way to enter one's childhood home after so long. The other Grey Wardens – the blond mage and heavily-plated dwarf were dismissed. They scattered across the hall.

Seneschal Varel and Guard Captain Garavel stood in deep conversation at the far side of the grand room. The Warden Commander popped up in front of me. She was slim, blue-eyed and brown-haired.

"Nathaniel Howe, right?" she asked.

"At your service," I acknowledged sourly.

"Good to see we'll be getting along," she replied smoothly. "Especially while you'll be under my command."

I was shocked.

"You see, Nathaniel, you killed four Wardens breaking into the Keep. Counting Oghren and Anders, there are only four Wardens left in Ferelden," the Commander said, gesturing to the dwarf and mage respectively. "So, as you might imagine, our numbers need bolstering. As I said in the dungeon, I don't want to kill you, but there's a chance the Joining ritual might."

I nodded, wondering if she spoke like this every time she opened her mouth: stiff and long-winded.

N

"Nice kill, Nathaniel!" the Commander called, leaning against her staff.

I felt a grin spread across my face. "I'm sure 'Nate' will be less arduous."

She laughed. I was struck by how comfortable she looked, Hero of Ferelden and Commander of Ferelden's Wardens and standing in a field of darkspawn corpses, wearing drakeskin armour, next to Anders - a childhood friend.

Oghren belched loudly, jolting me back to the part about the corpse-ridden field of darkspawn."Hey, Howe, look!" yelled the dwarf. He made a lewd gesture.

"Oghren!" barked the Commander. "I don't remember you being this bad, honestly."

That's right, on top of it all, Oghren the drunk dwarf was in Denerim with the Hero when she killed the archdemon. I'm the odd man out. Even if the others don't act that way.

N

"Nate, check this out!" I turned to see the Commander jogging easily toward me, despite the heat, weight of her gear and pack. She pulled up next to me. A bow was held in her hands that looked startlingly familiar. "Here," she gave it to me, "recognize this?"

I did instantly. My grandfather's bow. I told her about it and thanked her for bringing it to me.

N

In the Deep Roads, slogging through water hip deep was when the Commander told us about what happened in Denerim. There was a lot of of gory detail and she choked about half of it through clenched teeth. My thoughts wandered all through it. From imagining the fighting to wondering if I'd ever stop smelling like a Childer grub.

N

"Nate, I really like you, but I'm truly sorry. I can't." No, of course not. You probably have a hundred men chasing after you, I think.

She must have read my expression because she added, "I'm not just saying that to make you feel like this. I don't want to hurt you later. I want to continue being a good friend of yours though."

I can hear the unspoken part hanging like mist between us. Not after Alistair. Not after how he treated me.

"Thank you for being honest," I said, words strangled.

N

We – Andres, Oghren, Velanna, Sigrun, Justice and I – stood next to Seneschal Varel and various others. Darkspawn were marching on Amaranthine as we spoke. The Commander was leading a group to the city to protect it.

"Anders, Sigrun and Justice: you're with me," she called.

The three she named snapped straight. The rest drooped visibly, me included. As I watched Anders take his usual spot at her side, I couldn't help but envy the idiot. Or Sigrun, taking my place.

"Oghren," the Commander went on, "I want you in charge, you know what to do."

For once, the dwarf didn't answer with a large burp. Instead, he nodded gravely.

"Velanna, do your thing. There are plenty of darkspawn for everyone." The elf grinned and bowed to our leader.

"Nate, keep the Vigil standing," she smiled, knowing I didn't need to be told twice.

"I will," I answered her. "Be careful."

All four of them nodded to my surprise.

The Commander moved forward, embracing Oghren, then Velanna. She reached me. I pulled her close, squeezing her as I wanted to from the moment I met her.

"Leave a light on for us, Nate. We will come back," she breathed into my ear.

"Don't let the city burn. Don't worry about the Keep; she'll still stand when you get back," I replied. "Maker watch over you." I breathed in deeply, holding her scent of leather and wildflowers in my chest as she and her entourage exited the Keep.

N

A week of bloodshed later, she returned. We exchanged our news. She told me the Mother, Architect and their followers were dead. Amaranthine City still stood.

I reported Velanna's disappearance after the fighting. I told her about battling night and day for three days. I added Oghren's and my last charge the fourth and final day."So that's it Commander. Work begins tomorrow," I finished stiffly.

"Oh, spare the niceties, Nate," she laughed.

I only had a moment to be confused before I felt her lips on mine.

~Nathaniel