Chapter 20 – Secret Wars

Carver

I stayed with Alistair and Elissa, if only to keep myself from thinking about Hales and the potential dangers she was walking into. I couldn't fathom why she refused company and help – I couldn't fathom why I hadn't volunteered myself. Perhaps it was because I knew she would deny my requests. I understood that she was a Princess, that she had duties, responsibilities and even obligations that I couldn't even begin to truly understand but we needed to come to a compromise. Even if I couldn't help her, I needed to be there for her and more importantly, with her.

The audience with Desmarais had been short and sweet, my head too distracted with thoughts of Hales to actually listen. Alistair handed over a duplicated key and the letter to the sleazebag and sent him to a guest room so that he would be constantly followed before the trip to Anora's estate the following day. My eyes narrowed at the old noble's back as no less than four guards followed him out. Alistair had taken Hales' magical mirror and he conversed with Sebastian for a short time, if only to let the Prince know what was coming and to prepare for a double assault against Kirkwall.

Then I began to pace, my metal armour clanking as I strode from one end of the throne room to another. Elissa interrupted my thoughts, "You hate waiting for her like this, don't you?"

Alistair was suddenly beside me, an arm thrown over my shoulder, "Of course he does," he said with sympathy in his voice, "It isn't anything you and I haven't gone through." I nearly shrugged his arm off out of pure surliness.

"I know she's the Princess but –" I began and got cut off by Elissa, who sighed out, "But she's there on her own and you want to protect her."

"Yes! Exactly!" I nearly shouted, thankful that someone finally understood. "I just don't see her giving way with this." It was true. Hales was nothing if not independent. I shrugged, "I don't understand why she needs to do everything alone. I'm here for a reason."

Elissa answered, her tone knowing and wise, "She hasn't always had yo-"

"I'm here now!" I exclaimed, knowing her argument. I ran a frustrated hand through my hair.

She tutted me, "She hasn't always had you. You're here now but you can't expect her to adjust and adapt at a moment's notice. She's had to learn to do things on her own a lot, having to depend and rely on you means putting trust in someone else. And though I know you won't leave her," she said this part gently, wanting to assuage my temper, "There'll always be a part of her that fears what will happen if you leave or if you die or if you get taken from her."

I looked towards Alistair who shrugged beside me, "I don't really get women either so don't ask me. It took a while for Elissa to understand as well but I suppose, it took a while to make me realize just how independent Elissa could be, even after everything we'd gone through."

I pursed my lip, "But Elissa killed an archdemon."

Elissa laughed, "And Hales killed an Arishok. Do you honestly think being a mage and sorceress makes her invincible?"

"Bloody hell! Of course not! That's the problem! I know she trusts Mikhail but you saw how he was! One wrong word and he would have attacked us all if he could. She isn't physically invulnerable!" I knew better than anyone how difficult it had been for Hales to control her magic, the problems that had happened and how physically vulnerable she could be.

She smiled patiently, "Mikhail is her trusted friend and she got through that battle with the Arishok despite her physical weaknesses. Give her a little more credit. She's fine!"

Alistair rebuked gently, "Perhaps, but that doesn't incorporate Carver into my little sister's life any better and sometimes, the way she goes and charges headfirst into things..." he shook his head, "Carver's a good balance, good for protecting her when she goes off and forgets that she can be easily wounded or killed."

Elissa argued, "She's done fine so far."

"No one is denying that, love," replied Alistair in placating tones, "but you similarly cannot deny that she tends to push herself over healthy limits to get a job done. You heard about the Deep Roads thing, the expedition and then Corypheus. She's always been reluctant to depend on Carver and that independence has gone completely overboard. That over-independence worries me. Everyone needs someone else to keep them grounded."

I listened as Elissa sniped, "That's why we taught her other skills, so she could rely upon herself and not push herself over healthy limits!"

Alistair shook his head, "We won't be here for long. You know that. Thirty years from the day of our Joining and how many have gone by already? Hales needs someone to protect her. Sometimes, from herself." He smiled at me, "You're good for that. We need Hales to learn and be capable of relying on others. I don't want her to one day go too far. I don't mean this quite the way it sounds but the damage Hales could do on the world, both as mage and sorceress, is immense. I never want her to have to get to that point."

Elissa snapped, "And what if something happens to Carver? Every woman needs to learn to be independent. We can't just rely on our husbands!"

I intervened before the argument could degenerate, "And why not? Do husbands not rely on their wives? Do I not take from Hales, only give? Don't be crazy! Besides, it isn't about whether Hales relies on me. It's her general lack of reliance on people unless it's necessary. You saw how reluctant she was to take Anders along."

Alistair said soberly, "She's going to be Queen one day. If I could, I would save her from that fate but Ferelden needs her. I don't want Hales burning out to be the price to pay."

"That problem is easily solved," came a saucy voice, "get Carver to seduce the Princess into agreeing. That always works."

I smirked, "Isabela? What are you doing here?"

She posed in the main hall, tossing her hair over one shoulder, "Heard about Desmarais, thought you might need a hand," she offered lightly, "though by the looks of things, everything's handled and my royal duty is simply to offer suggestions to Carver on how best to tease his lover into submission. Guess Princess ran off with limited help again, huh?"

Elissa and I burst out laughing much to Alistair's slight chagrin. He made a face, "I really rather not think about Hales'... and... urgh."

Isabela grinned at him, eyeing me up and down, "What? It's always angst-filled tensions for one reason or another between Carver and that girl. I mean, come on, you'd think she'd learn to appreciate a man in uniform and just stop worrying so much!"

I couldn't help my reply, "More often than not, she likes to appreciate me out of uniform."

Alistair groaned into his hands, before bumping his head against his wife's shoulder. Isabela threw her head back for a long giggle before recovering enough to say, "I knew that girl was smart but seriously, just talk to her about it. And if she doesn't say yes immediately then just remember: lovers hold a lot of influence over their partners, use it wisely."

Alistair let off a hesitant snicker and the rest of us lost ourselves in laughter though Isabela's idea was firmly implanted in my mind.

With Isabela around to lighten the mood, it didn't seem long before Anders came through flushed with success, followed by Mikhail whose eyes glinted maniacally. Not seeing my own lover, I blurted out hastily, "Where is Hales?"

Anders rolled his eyes, "She's giving the mold to the smithy and then to bed." He turned to Alistair, "She said she'd see you in the morning."

Alistair asked, "That's fine. What happened?"

Mikhail shrugged, "She went in alone. From the balcony, I saw her wake Anora from her bed. Anora had no time to get the key and the two of them left. I had time to find the key, make a mold of it, hide it and get back to the carriage. She was with Anora for a good half hour. Whatever she said, it must have worked because Anora saw her out looking thoroughly delighted, exclaiming to the world how well she'd sleep at night or something."

"Right," I concluded, "So it went great. I'm heading up. We've got a conversation to finish."

Alistair tilted his head towards the stairs, "Don't yell at her. Be gentle and she'll listen." Isabela and I snorted at the implication and he scowled, "No, no, no! I meant, be lenient when you talk about the whole reliance thing. Ugh."

I chuckled all the way up to our suite.

Hales was dressing into a light, cotton robe when I arrived, the material sliding up from her lower back towards her shoulders. I almost forgot what I needed to talk to her about and quipped, "Looks like I missed the best part."

She giggled, her voice girlish but still nervous from adrenaline, eyeing me over her shoulder with a wink. Eventually, she said, "I'm home… no hair out of her place, either." Hales closed the front of her robes, tying the sash to keep it from opening up. "You worried over nothing," she told me lightly, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Really?" I asked her, the levity of Isabela's jokes flying out of my mind, "Is that really what you think? I worried over nothing only if everything turned out fine." I gestured to her, the sombre fear of Hales being hurt returning, "Let's be honest, things didn't have to turn out fine."

Hales shrugged flippantly, "I wasn't actually alone, Carver…"

My temper flared but I tried to acquiesce with her point, "You had Mikhail and Anders. And I know that they would never intentionally let anything happen to you but Anders is only a mage. With enough warriors surrounding him, just a few guards or Templars, he couldn't help you." I went to sit beside her, "As for Mikhail, I know he loves you but not enough. He wouldn't put you above his need for revenge, Hales."

That much had become patently clear as the night wore on. At the first instance where Mikhail began to realize that Anora's execution would not be happening right away, he had rebelled. If the argument hadn't stemmed fast enough, if Hales' thoughts had been just a little more scattered, who knew where we would have been by now? To my surprise, Hales did not disagree, "I know that but I couldn't have you there. I needed to appear alone, detached. I needed to seem like I had gotten away from 'the helmet'. She knows you report to Meredith, I'm sure. She might have suspected if you–"

I covered her hands with my own, twisting and linking our fingers together, "I know," I interrupted, "But I could have stayed in the carriage with Anders. When things turned south, I could be a part of that rescue party."

She nodded, "I guess things happened so quickly that I hadn't thought about that." Then a smile tugged at her lips, innocent and lovely, "Do you want to rescue me, Carver?" she asked teasingly.

I brought her face closer to my own, gently kissing her, "Well, I'd prefer not having to do that if it meant you'd stay out of trouble but yes, I suppose I want to be there. I know," I told her with conviction, "that it hasn't always been easy for you. You've had to be independent a lot of the time but I'm here now and I want to take that proactive role beside you for as long as I can. Let me be there for you." Mentally, I thanked Elissa for the words.

"You know I'm powerful, right?" she murmured gently, "You have nothing to worry about."

"Don't I?" I replied, "You always run off into things. I need to be there with you, every step of the way. I won't stop you from doing what you need to do but you aren't alone. It isn't right that you run off to Anora without our entire entourage. Isabela came to help tonight and even she thought it was a bit crazy that you were almost alone. You're powerful, I'll give you that but you're still a mage. I don't want to see you take risks like going up against the Arishok or Corypheus ever again."

"All of us went against Corypheus. I wasn't alone and we didn't even know how big the threat was until too late."

"And I don't want anything to ever take us by surprise like that. Once, sure. Twice, fine. But three times? No. Anora might not be a demon or an old god or a Qunari but she wields politics which is just as bad. Promise me you won't go running off doing something so dangerous again. What if she had a whole army at her home?"

Hales smiled, fingers tracing my jaw, "I guess I've always been a little headstrong about doing things on my own."

"Just a little, huh?" I teased.

"Alright Carver, you've made your point. I'll " she said before sliding her legs into bed, shimmying the robe off and rolling onto her side of the bed. Alright? That was it? This didn't seem like her at all. I asked suspiciously, "Just like that? No more arguments? Huh. And to think, I didn't even need to use Isabela's seduction idea."

She stretched her naked body out over the sheets, which I resolutely ignored and rolled her eyes, "We're not in Lothering anymore, Carver. I'm not about to snipe with you when you've got a good point. Although," she added, "you do realize that sooner or later, your proactive role was going to come, right? I mean, whether anyone wants to admit it or not, we are at war. You will have your own men to lead."

The implications of that sank in, "So…" I trailed a little, "I'm leading men to attack Kirkwall?"

She sat up, her eyes sombre whilst nodding, "I'm hoping it won't be anything too strenuous. After all, if Sebastian is helping us, Kirkwall might surrender fairly easily. Aveline –" she sighed, "Aveline isn't about to sacrifice lives. If we tell her that her surrender means no lives being lost, she will do it. Kirkwall's surrender is assured but…" she trailed off.

I finished for her, "You're worried about Meredith and the Templars," before undressing as well, pulling off the light armour I had own, readying myself for bed.

Hales made a non-committal noise, her voice throaty, "I don't want to talk about politics and war anymore." Despite the long night she must have had, her eyes roamed hungrily over me and traitorously, my body reacted, already hardening from being on display.

"One more question and then I'm done," I told her, hooking my shirt with my index finger and slinging it over my shoulder, "You do realize that we have to be up early tomorrow morning to stage an act with Desmarais, correct? So, we have no time for what you've got in mind?" I wasn't intentionally displaying myself to tease her like Isabela had implied, I told myself, and the question was mostly relevant.

She rose onto her hands and knees and crawled to the edge of the bed. I will stay calm, I told myself, but I knew it was a losing cause. The swells of her creamy breasts were before me, nipples already taut. I could see how her hair was sliding sensually all over her naked back, her bottom curved into the air. I wanted to nibble on it, to sink my teeth onto the supple curves of flesh. "Doesn't look like you want to sleep," she chuckled, her voice smoky and deliberately lowered to entice me, her eyes staring at the bulge hiding behind my breeches.

I shivered from the sound of her voice. My body ached relentlessly and I tried to scold though it came out weak, "And to think, Isabela told me to use my position as your lover to influence your views. First, you agree far too easily and then you try to seduce me."

Her fingers touched my chest, sliding along my stomach. Nails found my flesh, lightly scratching. I caught her fingers casually and continued, "You really should sleep. Once the adrenaline wears off, you'll be exhausted." Her only response was smoky laughter and I groaned, "You really are not helping."

"Oh?" She asked, "What should I do to help you, then?"

The air slammed out of my chest as I hissed, "You should... Maker... sleep." She continued to smile, wicked and wanton, blatantly seducing me, "But I'm not tired. I've got all this energy. I couldn't go to sleep. So... I ask again, what should I do to help you?" I wasn't sure if I was exasperated or turned on by the prospect of her seduction. I tried to tell myself I was exasperated. What bullshit. I wanted her and I was torn between allowing her seduction or taking Isabela's suggestion of teasing her for hours to heart.

But when her mouth touched my stomach, her tongue gliding along the ridges of my muscles, I jumped, almost burnt from her touch and forgot my thoughts. She muttered, mockingly absent-minded, "What can I do to help you? Going to bed and sleeping doesn't seem much use…" Her hand grazed the front of my breeches and I grit my teeth. "Maybe I should undo these breeches… maybe you'll be more comfortable." Her fingers pulled, deft and quick, at the drawers that tied them up, too quickly, before I could even think to stop her.

"Fuck, Hales," I swore, partially groaning the words out as I felt myself burst free from restraints.

One of her palms carved the contours of my buttocks, before pressing her hand flat against my flesh, bringing me closer and closer to her. She cupped me, stroked and caressed my shaft, every movement sending shudders of pleasure rippled through my body. Flames swallowed me whole, my teeth clenching at her slow pace, "Woman, you are trying to drive me insane."

"Really?" she laughed, her voice kept innocent and light, "Am I truly?" Her hands glided over my shaft, teasing and gentle until I was beginning to entertain thoughts of begging. I wanted to swear some more at her but looking down, I wasn't sure I had seen anything so beautiful. In candlelight, her hair was dark and mysterious, her eyes deep and fathomless, her eyelashes long and tempting, her face flawless. I could smell her scent, jasmine and night orchids and magic all swirling about me.

Then I forgot everything. Her breath knocked out any conscious thought I could ever have. Her lips were so soft and her mouth… moist and heated, her touches were like hot silk. I forgot how to breathe, my mind liquefied, body trembling from keeping myself from urging forward. I could only watch helplessly, ensnared by each of her motions, crying out as her lips sank deeper down my length. I watched her lips cover me, moving over me with deliberate and sexy suckles, her eyes wicked.

"Fucking Maker!" I called out, "Fuck… Fuck!" as she laughed around me, taunting me, the vibrations consuming me with a need for her that I could barely grasp upon. I caught a fistful of her dark hair, my hips thrusting forward unintentionally, rubbing at her scalp until she hummed and moaned all around me. The grooves of her mouth pressed against my flesh and I groaned out, my head thrown back before pushing her away, not wanting to spend myself so soon.

I took her from the bed, hands spanning her waist and lifted her, pushing her against the closet. "Put your legs around my waist, Hales." I told her, biting at her nipples, my teeth almost harsh but my tongue soothing out any aches. Her arms wrapped tightly around my neck, settled herself over me, her legs around my waist.

I pushed into her, aggressive and forceful, spearing her completely until she called out my name. I pressed her body against the wood, taking her weight as I stood, rocking my hips up into her. The fire burned, consumed and leapt inside me and she was a fiery heat gripping, holding and drawing me deep. My mouth found hers, brutal and avid, ardent and passionate before I whispered against her neck, "Give me your magic, open up to me."

Hales could deny me nothing. Her sorcery was flushed and warm as it washed over me. I continued to surge into her body as everything became different again. I felt my own pleasure but also hers, intense and shattering her mind. I wanted to feel her fulfilment, wanted to feel it around me and within me with her magic. I wanted everything, her love, her soul, her heart, her goodness and I wanted to keep her safe forever, to protect and please.

As she keened, I laughed in triumph, the obscurity of her magic washing erotically over me. Friction pulled at us both and I could feel her hunger doubling my own. I took her mouth again as I repeatedly took her body, each thrust harder than the last, stronger than the last, more eager, wild and crazy, completely uninhibited.

Then she began to clutch me tightly, her entire body like a string drawn so forcefully she was barely moving. Her moans turned loud and I felt her body clench, felt her body explode like stars, felt her pleasure pulse in me, heard the strained singing of mana release and reach deep into my lyrium. I wanted to curl up and shout, I wanted to thrust into her harder. I wasn't even sure. There was something boiling up inside me, searing me completely, the pleasure running to the very tips of my fingers, to the pads of my toes. I saw lights stringing behind my eyes, my body clenching down, a strange pleasure jolting through me. I could feel it, her climax, I realized but I was feeling it inside me. It was spreading right through my body, through my bones and floating up. I felt all warm and dizzy, watched her keen with her climax, felt the spirals of her orgasm tickling all over me. I was coming… but I wasn't. My body felt it but it wasn't mine. I growled roughly, torn between whimpering and loud moans.

I needed to feel my own climax, to be consumed utterly by it. I was still so hard, so ready. I whimpered, still high from her release that had echoed into my body, still needing more pleasure. My breath panted, my lower body trembling with arousal and fury, pumping myself into her at a pace that I could barely control.

I wanted to feel it again, I realized, her pleasure, her climax echoing into me. I wanted to feel her orgasm crashing into her body, pushing my body, her body, further towards the extremes of orgasm.

Carver... I... I need... I can feel... You... then me... I...

Shh... it's alright. I'm here.

I angled my thrusts, rubbing myself over that hidden part of her that would make her almost wail out in pleasure. Nails bit into my back, teeth at my shoulder. She panted into my neck, hot puffs of breath, chest pressing tight against me as she shuddered into another climax, her entire body strung up and tight. I could feel it, a hot tug right behind my navel. The blood pounding in my head and ears, the beat of her release surging over me like a wave. I felt the heat and saw the colours of her peaking.

I love you, Carver.

It was her admission that made me wonder whether I could die from the pleasure that wracked my body. We paused for a moment to catch our breaths, allowing the tendrils of the afterglows of climax to reach into us though for me, all that burned was fiery arousal. My belly twitched from the effort of stopping and Hales leaned her head back, out of breath and panting, fingers slowly relaxing against my shoulder blades one by one. But I was still ready, eager and needy. My erection was heavier than I had ever felt and there was a burn in my loins to come. To release.

Whatever brief moment of pure completion I had been allowed had mutated back to lust and savagely, I took her body again. I growled in her ear, "You magic is a bloody cocktease," and her out of breath giggle served only to fuel my arousals, "and now I'm going to fuck you until your mind goes numb."

I knew I was close, knew I wouldn't be able to keep it up for long. It was too much, she was too much. Hales squeezed me, the walls tightening around me as I pounded out the last few furious strokes before I heard a hoarse cry, realizing a disconnected second later that it was my own voice calling out in pleasure, as my body soared from pleasure, a volcano erupting inside me.

Eruption. The word never seemed more applicable.

I could feel every single fibre of my being, taut and thrumming, my seed spurting into her depths as I surged again and again until all I could see was endless colours, glorious pleasures and her never ending beauty.

Lacking the strength to continually hold her up against the closet that I had completely forgotten about, the two of us collapsed into bed with her body atop mine, each of us still catching our breaths. My hands idly caressed her hair, smoothing my fingers deep into her curls and stroking continuously. The experience had been unlike anything we had previously shared. I was nonplussed and whimpered pathetically. She nuzzled my chest, sighing deeply.

Are you alright?

I wasn't even entirely sure how to answer that question so I just nodded. I had felt her magic before, of course, felt how it slithered into my soul and gave me pleasure as though more hands were caressing my body but it hadn't been like this, an explosion of her own pleasure fed into my own body like my own climax. I was beyond weak from it.

Her voice was soft but tinged with worry, "I felt yours… and mine. That doesn't even make sense."

I smiled down to her, "Really? You're going to worry about giving a guy more pleasure?"

She kissed me gently, "We connected even more than we ever had before."

I reminded her, "You can connect with Anders and Fenris. It isn't surprising that you're mana reached out to my lyrium. Reach into me, Hales. I need you, always need you."

Whatever mental guard I had around my mind, I pushed down, letting her search my mind as she pleased.

Slow purples and blues whirled around us as the sweet press of mana, now sated and warm, pushed into my body. It fused into my lyrium, wrapped around my heart and then I felt it, her boundless love for me, her need to be with me, her aching wants… it crashed into me so powerfully that I was overwhelmed.

I wanted to show her the same but didn't know how to being so lost and distracted in the feeling. I resorted to verbal words, "I love you…"

"I know…" she whispered, "when you open up to me, I can feel it."

Then she kissed me and it was like a revelation. Like a new world. My world. She was my world. Love that came endless from both her body and magic, from both mind and soul. I was lost in her arms, drowning and I didn't ever want to come back up for air.

When the flows of her magic slowly ceased and she broke the kiss, I told her with wonderment, "We're as close as two humans can be. You don't need to worry."

She smiled easily, closed her eyes without another word and I listened as her breath evened out.

It wasn't just physical pleasures. She was so much a part of me now that I couldn't wash her away no matter how hard I tried but then again, I never could. Not even back in Kirkwall. When she was around, the emotions we felt was neither entirely hers nor mine so much as it was ours. We could never be one without the other.

If I had any doubts about whether she still kept a part of herself away from me, all of them fell away. There wasn't anything in her anymore that didn't belong to me, that hadn't been touched and known by me. Just as there was nothing within me that wasn't hers, too.

When morning came, our exchanged smiles were silent and secretive. In the carriage, Desmarais was nervous, Anders was preparing himself for what mental merge and spell he was about to cast and Hales had her head on my shoulder, relaxed and content, not a care in the world. The nobleman stepped out of the carriage when we arrived on Anora's doorstep, Anders casting a spell of invisibility over himself whilst we waited.

Her eyes were closed, focused, a stream of muttered words sounding from her lips, one of her hands lazily drawing symbols in the air that glowed purple for a moment before fading away. Then her eyes became deep purple, sometimes violet, sometimes plum, swirls of colour where there used to be brown irises and whites of her eyes. "I'm in his mind, seeing through his eyes," she began, her voice was fading and then growing louder, like she wasn't entirely sure how speak in proper volume. Her hands searched for me, flailing for my hands. I caught them in mine, instantly realizing that she couldn't see me. She sighed in relief, "I can't see anything but what Anders sees… this is disconcerting."

"I'm right here," I comforted, "Tell me what you see."

"He's following Desmarais. He's fidgeting. Desmarais, I mean. The servant, the old one, she's asking him to wait in the main foyer."

The pause seemed to linger and Hales clutched my hands tightly, suddenly standing up to quickly, she hit her head on the roof of the carriage. "Ow!" she exclaimed loudly and I smiled, quickly readjusted our positions, leaning her against my body so she could feel safe.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"Yes, I just. Anders is standing and I feel like I should be standing also. Anora is here. She's wearing a bright yellow dress... it clashes a bit with her hair and she's blonde," she commented, "She's holding a book."

"How does she seem? Happy?" I questioned, wanting to get a sense of what Anders was really seeing.

"She's calm, very relaxed and happy. I've never seen her smile like that before."

Her legs began moving, as though she was trying to walk and I rubbed my hands upon her arms to keep her grounded. If the situation hadn't been so serious, it would have been amusing. She shook her head, "Desmarais is handing her the letter. She's ripping it open… reading… reading… Maker, why is she such a slow reader?" Hales cursed impatiently and I tried not to laugh at her tone.

"She's muttering, 'that blasted Princess actually knew!' Of course I knew, stupid bint, I read the bloody letter!" She exclaimed loudly.

"Shhh..." I hushed her, "You need to stop shouting, Hales. Justice thinks all will be well, Anders says that Anora won't think to attack today."

I cautioned, "We should wait until Anders is safe before cutting the connection."

She blinked and made a noncommittal noise, plum wisps beginning to cover her face and body. Her arms began to move, swinging in a motion that Anders habitually followed whenever he walked. I tried to press her arms down towards her body and she murmured, "Anora's gone into her office, she's got a quill in her hand. She's tickling her chin with it… Writing… writing… Wonder what she's writing?"

"You'll find out soon."

We did. Anders soon notified Hales to reverse the spell and I watched the purple plumes fade from her eyes. She shook her head disoriented and told me, "I'd rather not repeat that experience."

Desmarais was in the carriage a few moments later with a strict instruction that he was to send the letter as soon as possible. The letter read:

"Meredith,

I will be Queen soon. It seems your hatred for the Princess is mostly unfounded. She promises to support me to my throne. There will be no war between Ferelden and Kirkwall. Once I am Queen, I will support you. What you want to do with the Princess after that is up to you.

Anora"

Hales chuckled, dark and anticipatory, as she gave the letter back to Desmarais, "Send it immediately."

Anders was instantly worried, "She's planning on killing you and all you want to do is laugh?" I agreed with Anders but shielded my thoughts from Hales.

"What did you expect, Anders?" she asked, her eyes cynical, "Anora isn't about to let anyone have leverage over her for long. Of course she'd try to kill me. But… we have the upper hand. As long as we don't waste it, we'll be fine."

I hoped she was right. All the preparation certainly seemed to go swiftly and smoothly.

The letter was sent and armies were prepared to move. Alistair spent many hours conversing with Sebastian over strategies and placement. Two days later, small groups of men began to march away to Kirkwall. A small army would be sent to march from Starkhaven or sailed from Ferelden towards Kirkwall every day for a week, trying to avoid suspicion. The men would hide outside Kirkwall, keeping a low profile and ensuring no guards cottoned on. They would stay in specific points in the wilderness until Alistair and I made it to Kirkwall whilst Hales and Elissa would focus upon bringing Anora to ruin. Both Hales and Elissa fought tooth and nail upon the subject, hating that they would be left behind but someone was needed to deal with Anora and because this was ultimately Hales' plan, Elissa had no choice but to stay. After all, Hales needed help to prepare the political arena.

It made the night before leaving all the more strained. I made love to Hales, sweetly, slowly, passionately but fearfully. Maker, I was so afraid to leave her behind, so afraid to keep her with me. I wouldn't be able to protect her. I could sense her similar worries, her eyes scared and loving at the same time. Her sorcery had almost blown me to pieces. It overwhelmed me and I could feel each fibre of her being tingling with alarm and trepidation, the dread pooling within her at the thought of losing me.

When I left her the following morning, her expression was haunted, too similar to the one she had when I had left for Ostagar so many years ago. I watched her form from aboard the ship, watching her becoming smaller and smaller, feeling like I was ripping a part of myself off from the rest of my body.

But it was only a matter of time before I could make it back to her.

And the job was supposed to be easy, wasn't it?

Hales

When Alistair and Carver took ship towards Kirkwall, launching a surprise attack upon the foreign city, my heart sank. I couldn't help that strange feeling from welling up, anticipatory uneasiness crawling through my veins. Sebastian was out in the fray, leading his own men and even Anders and Fenris had joined in. All the important men of my life were out there, fighting for their lives. Even if the battle was supposed to be easily won, I could feel it in my bones – a sense of foreboding that I couldn't shake away. Something that made my sorcery slither into something darker.

Elissa and I spent every waking moment together, if only just to keep each other sane. She had much the same feeling I did and perhaps, it was due to her similar feeling that made me think that maybe, just maybe, it was paranoia rather than some prophetic emotion that had overwhelmed me. She had commented after our respective partners had left, her eyes knowing and significant as they roamed over my face, "He made love to you last night, didn't he?"

I knew what she was asking, what she wasn't asking and nodded, "Yes. He was… well, not rough but urgent. I thought I was going to go crazy… I don't even know why. You and Alistair?" I prompted.

She nodded, "Every time we part, it gets that way." Elissa touched my shoulder, trying to offer me comfort, "When I left him to battle the Architect, he only kissed my cheek in public and then snuck into my room that night." She tried to smile, "It's just nerves and adrenaline."

"I tell myself that too," I replied, watching the ship becoming smaller with every passing second, "but I can't shake off that bad feeling." I shook my head, "I suppose I should be glad that I have Anora to keep me busy for a while."

Elissa chuckled, "You have that luxury."

The implication worried me, "What? You aren't helping me?"

"I will be there but this is your game to play," she said with confidence in her voice, "and both Alistair and I want to give you this experience."

"Thank you, sister."

Two nights before the fateful court day, Elissa, Mikhail and I were prepared. Armed with the two vault keys, we rode to Anora's estate. As per the previous time, I played the distracting party whilst the others snuck in through the tunnels to steal whatever documents were in the vault. Anora and I spent a few hours in her library, discussing future life, the past, Anora's many lovers and I had to wonder if this was what nobles discussed – who each had tasted. The idea was rather nauseating. I, of course, told her that she would have to be present in court the following day as I was planning on ruining Alistair there. She was beyond thrilled. During those many hours the dowager Queen and I spent together, Elissa and Mikhail must have made multiple trips between the vault and the carriage for when I finally returned, there were three sackfuls of letters, incriminating documents amongst other blackmail materials. The trip back to the castle was rather cramped.

The next day came for the Princess of Ferelden to hold court, I was pacing in my room. I had to make sure this worked. This had to be pulled off flawlessly. I fiddled with my sleeve as I surveyed myself in the mirror. The dress was truly a work of art. It was a creation of velvet bodice and skirt, the sleeves a navy lace, the colours a gradual gradient of darker blue hues fading to black. Carver's amulet lay proudly above my collar and I fingered it, wondering if he was alright. A knock broke through my thoughts as Elissa poked her head through the gap, "Hales?"

I welcomed her into my room and she nodded approvingly, "That is a good choice but for dramatic flair…" she trailed off as she opened the box, revealing a delicate tiara, "A crown for the Princess is required."

It had been the first time I had worn the crown and it was really lovely. It was a combination of beautiful trinity knots, delicate silvers wired and worked, curled into intricate circles and white moonstones decorated the base of each peak of the crown. It was elegant, graceful and simple. Elissa smiled as she pressed it into my hair, pulling errant curls beneath the silver weight. "There," she said, "Now you are ready for court."

She walked me towards the main throne room where the nobles awaited and said to the guards, "The Princess will have a double door entrance with a proper announce." Then turned to me, "I will watch from the wings above where no one shall see me."

I swallowed, bile rising up my throat at the thought of handling court alone. Her hands were tight on my shoulder, "You will do fine," she pronounced each word clearly before leaving me.

I heard my cue from behind the closed doors, "Announcing the Princess Hales Theirin of Ferelden!" I heard the shuffles of feet as the nobles rose before the doors swung wide open. I strode through with my head held high, nodding my head with grace at some of the more familiar nobles and smiled at Mikhail, who was hooded and hidden behind a pillar, a mere shadow in the courtroom.

Anora was already seated as well, her hair tied up in a bun, readied for the crown. She curtsied as I passed her and I shot her a brief smile to keep up with appearances. I sat upon Alistair's throne, the very middle of the three royal thrones and gestured with a wave of my hand for the nobles to seat themselves.

I leaned back against the hard surface and smiled, smug and haughty, "I am sure that everyone is quite amazed that the Princess, rather than the King, has summoned court. So, let us waste no time with pleasantries and begin on point. I know that many of the nobility have," I gestured whilst searching for words, "made their displeasures of Alistair's ruling quite publicly known and I wonder if the nobles of this court have actually considered the alternative."

There was some awkward shifting amongst them and looked to the shadows on my left, crooking my index finger towards the servants in the shadows. One stepped forward holding a plate with Anora's incriminating letters to Meredith stacked high upon the silver. I told her, "Please distribute these amongst the nobles, if you will," then lowered my voice, "Ensure that Anora does not receive one."

As she stepped towards the wings of the court, handing any letter to one family at a time, I continued to say, "Please, I ask that each of you quell your words and opinions and simply open these letters and read them. I ask that as you read these letters, you stay calm and ask yourselves whether you could rightfully support someone of such traitorous quality to the throne."

There were hushed murmurings; gasps of shock, curses of outrage, pointed stares to Anora which she believed were supportive looks rather than disbelieving glares. She turned to me and nodded with respect, smiling almost brightly. I almost smirked at her naivety.

When the nobles began to quieten down, I stood from the throne and asked, "It is a simple question that demands a simple answer. Will you support such a person?"

The shouts were not of coherent words but rather just shouts and ramblings of negatory responses. I cried out, "What will be their punishment?"

This time, the responses were clearer, "Death!" "Execution!" "Imprisonment!" and such were thrown about. "Wonderful," I said whilst signalling to the guards, "If you'll please clap the irons upon the Dowager Queen Anora."

They came towards her as her jaw slackened from disbelief. When they held her arms behind her back, she began to shout affronted abuse at me, lowering herself to the ground in the effort of keeping the guards from dragging her away, "What is this? You bitch! You said you would –"

I interrupted her, cold anger shining through my eyes and voice, "Did you really think that I would support you when you were allied with Meredith, a woman who would see me dead in an instant?" I hissed through clenched teeth, towering above her whilst she was upon her knees, "Did you think that I wouldn't attempt to go through your vault, take your evidence and blackmail materials and use them against you?"

I laughed, "Did you think that you were the only one who was using Desmarais?"

She glared at the court, "You will all regret this! This, here, is your Princess! You claim me capable of treachery! Hear what she says! She would use the same methods as I and will be no better! This bitch promised to betray her brother and now, she betrays me!"

I myself until my face was inches from hers, "Were you really so naïve as to think that I would betray my brother for you?"

Anora laughed, her voice edged with poison, "You will never be able to protect Ferelden. I have insurance. Already, I have someone who will send a letter to Meredith. She will burn you to the ground, witch!"

I smiled at her, almost chilling, "Of course you do. Isn't that why Starkhaven and Ferelden's men have been marching towards Kirkwall the last two weeks?"

Anora was finally silent. The nobles were completely quiet, all of them shocked by both the passion and ice in my voice. They were expecting someone who would be much more indifferent as I had behaved. I waved Mikhail from the shadows and I asked Anora, "Do you recognize Mikhail de Silva, Anora? I do believe that whilst you killed your lover and the rest of his family, you failed to kill the de Silva son!"

Anora's face blanched white, her stutters finally quietened completely. Her lips mouthed the name and comprehension dawned upon her. Fear echoed in her blue eyes. I motioned to Mikhail and his mouth curled into a cruel smile, his daggers lifted into the air. There was a loud swish, a blurry movement of his hand and everyone watched as Anora slumped to the floor, watching her choke upon her own blood, her death long and drawn out. Mikhail absorbed each moment, watching her suffocate and cough, her hands struggling against the guards to grapple at her throat.

And though Anora deserved her death, I felt a tinge of sadness. Mikhail had changed but then… so had we all, in the face of adversity.

The nobles made sickened noises, some of them clutching at their own throats to stem the bile that probably rose in each of them. As Anora finally gave up on her breath, her body shivering to a halt and slumping limp upon the floor, I motioned with a tilt of my head for the guards to take the body away and Mikhail melted back to the sides of the room. Though I spoke quietly, the nobles heard each of my words with poignant clarity, "The Crown of Ferelden does not tolerate treason."

Each of them nodded, all too fearful for their lives to continue. I gestured to the other servants who came forward, a sackful of other documents poured out onto the throne floor. I pointed to the papers, "I am certain that Anora had much to hold against each and every one of you. We are all human and we make mistakes. That I am certain. However, in the end, I want only what is best for Ferelden. As I see it, each of you has two options. Those not in support of King Alistair will leave Ferelden and those willing to swear loyalty to King Alistair, we start on a clean slate."

One of the Barons stepped forward, "Princess, many of us are in support of the King and made sounds of displeasure only because we were forced to do so."

I nodded, "That is fair. I ask those not in support to leave now and I will not pursue them. This is your only chance." Unsurprisingly, no one stood. No one left. I smiled, "Very well," and threw a fireball at the letters, watching the pile of parchment burn away until nothing remained.

A noble asked, "Are we really at war?"

Elissa answered from above, her voice reaching out as I began to tire, "Yes, we are but rest assured it will be a mostly simple victory. We are prepared and Kirkwall is not. If there are no more questions, you are all dismissed."

The nobles understood the hidden message. Leave, with or without your questions answered. When the throne room emptied, I slumped against the throne. Elissa sat beside me and held my hand in hers, "You did well."

I nodded, "Now we wait."

Alistair

The winds were in our favour and what was originally estimated as a two week journey on board a ship was only one and a few days. Something like that, time aboard a ship makes your perception funny. Most of the time was spent strategizing, after all.

Fenris was surprisingly talented considering his seemingly brutal nature. I picked him as the sort of fellow to throw strategy to the wind and just kill blindly but he had some pretty good ideas about leading an army of men. Anders' talent was much easier to pick. After all, he was a mage on the run and combined with the fighting experiences with Elissa, I was certain he could hold his own amongst a group of men. Carver was a different beast altogether. He was better at working alone, leading a small group of people rather than a large army. Perhaps, it was the shared Templar experiences that made us closer, or perhaps it was due to my sister but I knew that he and I would fight back to back against the rest of them, if that was even necessary considering our surprise attack.

In our spare time though, I noticed how surly Carver could be. He sulked whilst leaning against the banisters of the ship, brows furrowed and glaring out at the open ocean. I joked, "Come on Carver, the water isn't about to dry up no matter how long you spend scowling at it."

He barely spared me a glance and I thought to myself that Carver was a real counterpart to Hales' generally non-surly nature. It was then that it dawned upon me. My sister was the reason for his churlish mood. First time apart since becoming lovers and all that. I remembered when Elissa had to leave to deal with more darkspawn, with the Architect, with the Mother. The fear I felt was... suffocating!

Carver snarled, "I don't even know what is wrong with me. I know she's fine. Hales is good with everything she does. Her plan is almost foolproof. Anora doesn't stand a chance. She's got more to worry about me than I do about her. I could tell she feels that worry from the way we - " He fisted hands into his hair as I stood about awkwardly, really not wanting to know about my sister's performance, as Elissa had once put it to Leliana, in bed. I patted his shoulder awkwardly, "Right. Awkward. Unlike the women, I just -," I fidgeted with my gauntlet, "The point is maybe you shouldn't worry. She's fine. This will all turn out great."

Carver turned to face me, his eyes narrowed with indecision though his tone was brusque, "I'm not all too interested in talking to my lover's brother about how I keep his sister satisfied in the bedroom," I winced and grimaced until he said, "Fortunately, that wasn't really what I was referring. It's related but not what I was referring to."

Curiosity got the better of me, "I have no idea what you are talking about so just, spit it out."

"I was talking about her magic. It goes a little out of control when we –" he broke off and gestured meaningfully, "It's like we're connected."

Both of us winced at the choice of words as he groaned out, "No! I mean, magically speaking."

"You're not a mage, Carver," I thought to remind him.

"I know that!" He scowled at me, "but her magic runs through her and into me. I can feel her emotions through her sorcery. I know how upset she felt. I can hear her thoughts. We talk without speaking."

I forgot the awkwardness of the subject, "So it isn't just as simple as pining away for her? You can feel her emotions and wait, what? You can talk to her?" I gestured significantly.

He nodded, "Her emotions double mine," and turned back to the waters, "If I feel scared, her fear doubles mine. If she misses me, it settles into me and my own feelings become even more volatile. It isn't just that though. She and I can talk in our minds. We can connect our mana and lyrium and we can speak directly without verbal words. Being without her, being unable to connect with her, I feel like –" he couldn't word it.

I finished for him, "Like you are missing your sword arm." I was astounded! Hales had never mentioned how deep her connection with Carver went. Though I had heard stories from Isabela and the others that Carver's Templar abilities did not affect Hales in the way they were supposed to, I had never suspected that her powers allowed speech and communication.

Carver shrugged, "When she's around, there's nothing to deal with but now that we're apart…"

"So, you know what she's feeling right now?" I asked, genuinely intrigued.

"No," he explained, "I can't feel her if we're not close together or in the same room but when we are, her emotions double mine. Even afterwards, my emotions are more extreme in degree, a little more volatile but I haven't had any reason to feel anything negative until now."

It wasn't as bad as I had previously assumed but I knew that it couldn't be easy. He continued, "It's a double-edged sword. Her powers, I mean. Being able to affirm her love and trust is wonderful but I hadn't thought about how I'd feel without her beside me. I'd be scared to have her beside me but I'm scared not having her here with me."

I comforted, "It'll be over really soon."

When we arrived along the borders of Kirkwall, Anders sent bright flares into the sky. Every few meters as he walked, bright colours would fly into the sky and explode into a mirage of rainbow. The men would know to march. Sebastian greeted us along the wilderness, "Alistair. Carver. I have men surrounding the Keep and barracks, ready whenever you are."

We briefly discussed our strategies, keeping the Gallows and the Keep firmly enclosed by men such that Kirkwall's defences would be utterly encompassed. Sebastian also offered, "I have spoken with Aveline as well, making her aware of the situation. The guard will not attack and will join us against the Templars. There is no doubt in my mind that the city will surrender."

With that, we marched into the city like it was ours for the taking. It was our first political war and I was determined to see us succeed. Outside the Gallows, Meredith stepped out with her army of Templars. Something about the woman made me want to shudder. Creepy.

She shouted, "What is the meaning of this? King Alistair, you would bring war to our city?"

I shouted, equally as loud, "Do not play me for a fool, Knight-Commander. Anora has allied herself with you and we know of your plans to attack Ferelden. Anora has been properly dealt with and now, it is your turn. We will harm no one of this city. We ask only that you surrender and step down!"

Her eyes trained upon Carver, "You!" She sneered, "You betrayed me! You were supposed to report this to me and yet, you chose otherwise."

Carver was calm, "I was never on your side. Did you truly think I would betray my own lover for you?"

"I will see you pay for your transgressions! You, your King and your precious Champion will die by my hand!"

Carver stated, "If you care for Kirkwall the way you have often described, step down, Meredith and surrender yourself for your city." It was a smart line really.

Meredith snarled, "Never!" With her sword wavering in the air, she ordered her men, "Attack!"

"No! Stand down!" A Templar stepped forward, a familiar man with light brown hair and brown eyes moving towards Meredith. Colin? Was that his name? I remembered him from the mage tower in Ferelden… No, Cullen. That was it. Cullen. The Templars did not move a muscle.

"Knight-Captain, how dare you disobey my specific command?" Meredith snarled, her voice more and more grating as she realized her imminent defeat.

Cullen told her, "The guards have already stood down, they support and fight with King Alistair. Kirkwall has been defeated before a war has begun. If all that is required is that you step down, I agree with Ser Carver, you must surrender yourself for this city!"

Her face was an expression of scorn and hatred, screwed up with disdain, "I will never stand down!"

Cullen's sword was at her throat in an instant, "Then you force my hand, Meredith. I strip you of your title, finding you unfit and improper to rule over Kirkwall. The Templars will now obey me and I order them to stand down and for you to surrender yourself for actively attempting to assist another in committing treason."

Meredith's eyes were a blaze of red and her body pulsed with something I knew was magical. With her sword in hand, the point was directed at me and she screamed, "Never!" as she charged towards me like she was practically flying.

It was so quick. I was knocked over and watched as Carver took the blow, his sword deflecting hers as both struggled against one another. A pulse of what appeared to be red mana issued from her and all of us fell back. Fenris, Carver and I attacked her, three to one, uneven and unfair but necessary at the time. Clangs of metal, hisses and grunts of pain as sharp metal sliced through flesh, she moved so quickly, like she knew our next moves. She could deflect in an instant and though many Templars joined in the fight, we were outmatched. We needed something more than swords and armour. Nothing we hit her with damaged her even slightly.

Fenris shouted, "Anders! The lyrium idol on her sword hilt!"

Though I couldn't be sure, I knew the implication. Her powers came from the strange trinket around her sword hilt. I looked towards Carver and both of us charged at her, keeping her sword locked between the two of ours, letting her struggle against the both of us at the same time. Sebastian's arrows whistled through the air just as she broke free, sending us off balance three paces backwards.

There was a soft thump as a large piece of the idol broke off and fell to the ground, a piercing scream of defeat and anger, a clang of metal as I was shoved aside from Carver yet again and then silence as a red trail streaked across the sky. Suddenly, all was quiet.

Anders shocked cry made ice settle in my gut, "Where's Carver?"

I looked to my right and Carver was gone. She had taken him. That was the only conclusion. Had she meant to take me? Or perhaps both of us. Suddenly, it was too clear what was happening. Meredith meant to lure us to her, lure Hales.

It was a trap, one I couldn't ask Hales to enter and yet, I knew she was the only one who could defeat her.

Hadn't I just told Carver that it would be all over soon?

I couldn't have been more wrong.

A/N: Sorry this took so long! As always, please R&R!

Love, Ann