A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews. They caught me by surprise, because I didn't expect to hear anything from anyone. Thanks so so much. It inspired me to move my butt, and get another chapter out as soon as possible.

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Chapter 20

Ferelden

Tessa was in bed, curled up next to her husband. She ran her fingers through Dyson's hair as he was sleeping. Clearly he was in the fade, and she couldn't wake him. She sat with him silently holding vigil until he woke up. She didn't have to wait too long as he stirred in the bed and opened his eyes.

"Gud Mornin, Luv. How was the fade? It sounded like ye were quite busy in there." Tessa said.

"Good Morning Tessi. Yes, I was summoned by Flemeth." he said, as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

"Flemeth? Witch of the wilds, psycho crazy lady, Flemeth?" Tessa expressed.

Dyson laughed. "One and the same, love."

"What did she want?" she asked.

"She wants us to help Alistair with anything he asks of us today. She said that she had found a way to get Frankie here very soon. If Frankie makes the leap, of course. But Alistair must not know about it. He must go and make preparations elsewhere first, for everything to fall into place. And if he knew that she would be here soon, he would not go anywhere… safe to say, if Frankie doesn't take the leap, or dies in the attempt, Alistair will be crushed, and Ferelden will be doomed." Dyson explained.

"Andraste's holy arse! That's a bugger a situation we are getting stuck in." Tessa remarked.

"There's more. Frankie is pregnant with Alistair's child, and by doing the ritual to send him back, she is also a Grey Warden due to a part of the taint transferring to her when Alistair was transported back here." Dyson said.

"Balls! Tha' lassie is in for a rough ride, tha's for sure! Why are we caught up in this again, I forget?" Tessa teased.

"Because we're good people, love...and that's what good people do." He smiled and continued. "You need to go to the area where you found Alistair every now and again, once we get back from helping him. If Frankie comes through, you know she'll need some help getting here."

They went through all the details that Flemeth had shared with Dyson. Tessa didn't trust the witch, and advised caution. Dyson agreed, but also knew that Flemeth would not do anything just because, the mood struck her. She always had reasons for doing the things that she did. The couple rolled out of bed, got dressed and went to look for Alistair.

xxXxx

Alistair was surprised by the fact that not much had changed in Ferelden. Nothing earth shatteringly bad. He couldn't understand why he had to be back there. Why was it so important for him to be king?

From the first week he was back in Ferelden, Alistair knew he had to find as many of his blight companions as possible. Firstly, he would need to set things right with them. He knew that he had left under the worst circumstances, and he needed to apologize to all of them, beg their forgiveness. He needed to get more information on what's happening in Ferelden, and he knew that they would be in key positions to help him.

He felt guilty for the way he reacted. How he handled the Landsmeet and that Abby died because of a decision he made. He loved Abby once, but at the same time he felt that those feelings weren't really his. If he truly loved Abby, he wouldn't have gotten over her as quickly as he did. The whole Ferelden and New York situation was really doing a number on him. All he knew for certain was that he loved Frankie. No one maneuvered him into it. It was his own true feelings. His love for Frankie was real, and he was torn because he felt bad about Abby, but he also knew that if he hadn't done what he did, he would never have met Frankie. The thought of never having her by his side was something Alistair could not accept.

He let out a long sigh, got out of bed, took a bath in the nearby pond, and chopped some firewood. He was so deep in thought that he hadn't even heard Dyson and Tessa approaching.

"You're up early. Insomnia due to your thoughts running in a million different directions again?" Dyson asked as Alistair put the axe down next to the log.

"Yep, and as always, I end up with more questions than answers." He smiled and shrugged. "Good morning Tessa."

"Gud mornin there, Mud." Tessa beamed.

"Luckily, I have come up with some answers too, but I'll need your help to do what needs to be done." Alistair admitted.

"Oh, and what might ye be needin our help wi' exactly?" Tessa asked curiously.

"I need to find a few people. The companions that I traveled with during the blight." Alistair said as the group walked back to the cottage. "I have very limited ideas about where they would be."

"Okay, let's start from the top, and see how far we can go. I can't promise that we would be able to find all of them, but we can try at least." Dyson replied.

"Thank you so much. I appreciate it." Alistair said. They entered the cottage and sat down at the table.

"What are ye being thankful for, Mud? We haven't found them yet." Tessa grinned. "So spit it out. Give us the whole long list of who all you need tracked down."

"Well there's Zevran. As far as I recall he was heading back to Antiva to deal with the crows. Leliana was going to help with Chantry matters, although I don't know if she's in Orlais or in Ferelden at the moment. Wynne would be back at the circle tower. Oghren would also be close to the tower at The Spoiled Princess Inn near lake Callenhad docks." Alistair counted them off with his fingers.

"Dyson an' I will get tae Denerim tae see about Leliana an' Zevran. Can try tae send 'em a message, an' git some supplies. Yer on yer own wi' the tower. Ah won't risk Dyson bein' taken by them templars." Tessa stated.

"I can understand that. I wouldn't ask you to risk it either." Alistair admitted.

"You'll need to ask Wynne to send me a few books from the tower. I will return them as soon as I have what I need. There is one book in particular. It may contain the information we will need to get Frankie here. I will write a note for Wynne, and explain everything." Dyson pointed out.

"I need to go to Soldier's Peak upon my return. I know there are lots of books there that may help too." Alistair said.

"Ye want tae go all the way tae Soldier's peak, just to get books? That can't be yer only reason. Besides, nobody knows how tae get there, Mud. The road tae the fortress has been blocked fur ages." Tessa questioned.

"No, it's not the only reason. I would like to go see Levi and Mikhael Dryden. I need new armor, weapons and a shield. The Peak is well hidden, and very few know how to reach it. Levi wanted to open the road to the Peak, but it would take years to clear all the rubble. I'll draw you a map that will lead you through the secret tunnels. If I have not returned by the time you get back." Alistair explained.

"Ye want us tae just leave our home behind?" Tessa asked.

"No, of course not. I just thought if you knew how to get there, you'd have somewhere safe to go, if the Templars ever came knocking. I wouldn't expect you to just leave everything behind for me." he replied.

"I suppose you're looking for Avernus as well?" Dyson pointed out.

"Yes, most of all, I'm looking for that bastard! I want answers, and then I want his head." Alistair nodded.

"Well alright then. It seems we have a lot to do." Dyson said.

"You'll need tae get tae the circle fast, Mud. We won't take that long in Denerim, but you'll have tae move quickly if ye want tae get tae Soldier's Peak as well. Take me horse. You'll get there and back twice as fast." Tessa stated.

"Thank you so much. I know I'm asking a lot of you, and I appreciate your help in all this." Alistair smiled.

They packed and prepared for their separate journeys. Alistair was very grateful for Tessa's horse. The stallion made the trip a lot easier for him. Alistair kept making mental notes of everything he needed to do, as well as everything he would like to have in place by the time Frankie got there.

As he approached Lake Callenhad docks, Alistair's stomach started to rumble. He wanted to go see Wynne first, but it was late, and he needed something to eat, and a place to sleep. He shook his head and sighed as he led the stallion into the stable. Who would have thought that Oghren would be the first companion on the 'I'm terribly sorry for being an asshole' tour…

Alistair entered the establishment, he took a seat at a table. Much to his surprise, Felsi came over to take his order. "Good evening Felsi. Long time no see."

"By the ancestors hairy asses! Alistair, is it really you? What are you doing here? I figured you'd be drunker than Oghren by now." Felsi said in shock and amazement.

Alistair laughed. "It's a very long story, but speaking of the drunken dwarf… Where is he?"

"Passed out behind the bar, with his pants still on...thankfully." Felsi admitted, shaking her head.

"That's very good to hear. It give me an idea actually." Alistair smiled. "I'd like to order some food, a mug of ale and a bucket of water, please, Felsi."

"I like the way you think. I'll be right back, and I'll make sure to hide his axe while I'm at it." Felsi said as she laughed and walked off.

A few minutes later, Felsi returned with a bucket of water and informed Alistair that his food and ale would be at his table soon. Alistair thanked her, picked up the bucket of water and walked to the edge of the bar. He leaned over and saw Oghren snoring and drooling. Stepped closer to the dwarf and angled the bucket over Oghren's head. He tipped the content out onto the dwarf and took a quick step back as Oghren jumped up. "What in the ancestors saggy tits! Who's balls need kicking in?" Oghren shouted as he tried to focus.

"Nice to see you too, Oghren." Alistair chuckled.

"Pike Twirler? You're a dead man!" Oghren said as he charged at Alistair, tripped over his own feet and landed face first on the floor once more.

"Come on, you grumpy bugger. Let me help you up." Alistair said as he extended his hand to the dwarf.

Oghren got up and swayed on his feet. "That's not fair. The floor attacked me. Where's my sodding axe?"

"Leave the axe. You know you'll just have to pay for the floor if you break it..and then the floor would really laugh at you." Alistair grinned.

"Aye, you have a point." Oghren said.

"Come have a pint of ale with me. I need to talk to you." Alistair motioned to his table.

"A pint? You better make it a keg, lad." Oghren stated.

They sat down together have a few mugs of ale, and ate some dinner. Alistair apologized for his actions, and asked for Oghren's forgiveness. He was surprised that Oghren wasn't too pissed off at him and had to admit that he missed the drunken conversation that the dwarf always had on call. Oghren told Alistair that he was planning on staying with Felsi for a while, she was pregnant, and he needed to get himself straightened out before the child was born.

After what felt like two kegs of ale, Alistair went up to his room. He laid on the bed, and felt an emptiness inside that he just couldn't shake off. He missed Frankie so much. He rolled around in that bed for hours, before sleep finally took hold.

The following morning, Alistair went downstairs, and had some breakfast. He knew he needed to hurry up, but he was somewhat hesitant at the thought of seeing Wynne. She would definitely be furious with him, and it would take a lot for her to forgive him. He knew he had no other choice, so he got up, and headed to the tower.

It was good seeing Knight Commander Gregoir again. He was just as stern and serious as he had always been. Gregoir accompanied Alistair up the tower to Wynne's office. Gregoir walked into Wynne's office while Alistair waited outside in the hallway.

"Wynne, there is someone here to see you." Gregoir staded. The enchanter was sitting at her desk doing paperwork. She looked up and nodded at Gregoir.

"If it's another scholar wanting to know about the Blight. Tell them I've died and am no longer available to regale them with the story." Wynne said.

Alistair stuck his head in the doorway. "I wouldn't need to know much. I was there for most of it." he smiled.

"Alistair!?" she asked in shock.

"Hi Wynne. How have you been?" Alistair asked hesitantly.

"Feels like I've been through the black city and back, but never mind that." Wynne looked at him sternly. "Where have you been… Do you have any idea how much damage you've caused? And now you just come strolling in here as if nothing happened." she said angrily.

"I know I've made huge mistakes. I realize that, but I was hoping I could apologize for my reckless actions, and tell you that I really am sorry for the way I left." Alistair admitted.

"Some things can't just be forgiven in the blink of an eye Alistair. I will hear what you have to say, and we can discuss everything else afterwards...that's if I don't decide to turn you into a toad first." Wynne said.

"It's no excuse, I know. I acted like a child and there is not a day that goes by without me realizing my mistakes and what an idiot I was. I will tell you everything that happened after the Landsmeet. I doubt you will believe me, but I need you to trust that I have learned a lot in the time I was away." Alistair admitted

"You do look very different, Alistair. Not only in appearance, but in the way you carry yourself too. I can sense some wisdom in the way you are speaking as well. Tell me what happened." Wynne replied.

They discussed everything that happened after Alistair abandoned them at the Landsmeet. Alistair apologized several times over for what he had done. Wynne was really disappointed in him for the way he acted and he just abandoned everyone because he couldn't get his way. He sat and explained everything in detail. He knew that Wynne always felt like a mother to him, and he never wanted to hurt or disappoint her. He did, he knew he did, and he would have to find a way to make it up to her.

After telling her the amazing tale of his travel to New York, he gave her the note from Dyson, which peaked Wynne's curiosity as to why Dyson would want those particular books. Alistair told Wynne all about Frankie and the fact that they were trying to find a way to get her to Ferelden. Wynne found his story very hard to believe, but she said she would help as best she could, and give Alistair a chance to prove what he had told her.

There wasn't much time to play catch up, due to Wynne's busy schedule at the tower. He was just happy that he had the opportunity to see her. Alistair received the books, and left the tower the next day. He had one more stop to make before heading to the cottage.

As he traveled along the main trade route that would take him back, Alistair turned off in the direction of Soldier's peak. If there was a chance he could find that bastard bloodmage, he might be able to get some clarity on what Avernus did to send him back to Ferelden and what he did to Frankie. He was going to get answers, and then deal with Avernus once and for all.

Alistair navigated through the tunnels, and reached the peak. He could see that the Drydens had already started clearing a path to the main road. As he entered the courtyard, he got off his horse, led it to the stable and looked around for Levi or Mikhael. Unfortunately he was unable to locate them. They probably went hunting or something because they never left the peak alone for long. He would see them later on, he thought as he grabbed a sword and shield from Abby's storage chest, and climbed the steps heading to Avernus's tower. Alistair had no doubt that Avernus would be there and it was time for him to face some justice.

He drew his sword, and held his shield in place as he kicked the door open. Walked in slowly and as he approached Avernus's working area, Alistair was immediately locked inside a prison spell. He couldn't move and had no way of draining the mage's mana while caught in the spell.

"I knew you would be foolish enough to come back here. Now you've played right into my hands." Avernus said with underlying evil in his voice.

Alistair's body was screaming in pain. "Let me go, you bastard! What have you done..Where is Frankie?"

"The girl is no longer your concern. If I were you, I'd worry more about what would happen to you, from here on out." Avernus remarked and continued. "I have been waiting a long time to get my hands on you. Your blood is almost as special as hers. But seeing as I only have you, I'll have to make due with every drop I can get. I have lots of experiments that need finishing, and you are my own personal Grey Warden blood donor."

"I'm gonna kill you slowly when I get out of here, you son of a bitch!" Alistair spat out through the burst of pain.

"That's right. Keep telling yourself that. You're not going anywhere." The mage replied.

The next thing Alistair saw was a jolt of lightning. He was shot back into a cage. The door slammed shut, and a magic barrier covered it. He looked at Avernus for a split second, as everything went black.

xxXxx

New York

Frankie was sitting in the lounge with Bella and Louise. The girls were just having a lazy day. They talked, ate some snacks and drank coffee. Frankie treasured moments like those. It made her appreciate life so much more. She knew that without her friends, she wouldn't have had the strength to get through everything that happened. They were discussing the new season of Game of Thrones, and each of the girls had a different ruler as their favorite.

"Mark my words. Daenerys is gonna kick all their asses. She might look weak now, but that girl has a fire in her eyes, and three dragons. Three dragons would come in handy when she takes back the Iron Throne." Frankie beamed.

"Yeah, of course you would pick her as your favorite. See a little Daenerys staring back at you when you look in the mirror, perhaps?" Louise questioned with a giggle.

Frankie just stuck her tongue out at Louise as Bella remarked. "You know… I wouldn't mind seeing a bit of Daenerys and Jon Snow action. They would make a very passionate couple. Not to mention have hot steamy sex."

"Yeah, right! Like that will ever happen." Louise replied.

The girls joked back and forth with each other while Frankie just sat there smiling at them. She rested her hand over her stomach and wondered if she would look as good as the dragon queen when she's nine months pregnant. She wasn't showing at all yet, and knew it was too soon to start swelling, but smiled at the weird musings that seemed to flood her brain at the strangest of times.

Just as Frankie was getting up to go to the bathroom, a bright flash of light shot into the lounge, and Flemeth appeared before them.

"It's time, girl. Are you ready?" Flemeth said as they were all speechless and dumbstruck by her sudden appearance.

"Dammit! I almost pissed myself. Where the hell did you come from? You've never just pitched up for afternoon tea before. What's the occasion?" Frankie blurted out in confusion.

"I have no time to sit and exchange witty retorts with you. How I got here is not important. The time has come for you to make a choice, Francesca." Flemeth stated in haste.

"So you found a way to send me to Ferelden?" Frankie asked.

"I have indeed. But whether you agree to it or not, still remains to be seen." she replied.

"Why do I get the feeling there is a huge catch attached to this?" Frankie remarked.

"Would you like me to send you to Ferelden as a toad?" Flemeth asked, and continued before Frankie could open her mouth to answer. "If not, then do me a favor and shut up! I will explain, and you will listen. When I'm done, you can make your choice. Is that clear enough for you, girl?"

Frankie nodded.

"All magic comes at a cost, to oneself or to others. I cannot bear this cost alone so I ask it of your friends. Do they love you enough to pay the price?" Flemeth asked.

"What price? I'm not sacrificing them. So if that's what you're planning, then you can forget it." Frankie responded quickly.

"I would need is a year of their lives." Flemeth pointed out.

"Hell no! I can't and won't take a year from them. Not even a day. There is no way. How could you even think that I would agree to that?" Frankie refused adamantly.

"Don't be over dramatic girl, it won't be taken from them, it will merely drain them and take that long to recover." Flemeth turned to Bella and Louise. "What say you? Is a year of feeling tired worth your friend's happiness?"

Bella and Louise turned and looked at each other and then over to Frankie, clearly still in shock by everything that had unfolded before them. Frankie looked at them and shook her head, not wanting them to go through another ordeal just for her.

"No, There is no way I…" Frankie started to say when Bella cut her off.

"Yes. I would give my life for her, if it was needed."

"And you?" Flemeth looked at Louise while Frankie still tried to protest.

"I would, yes." Louise answered.

"Good. It's settled then." Flemeth said, as Frankie interrupted.

"I am not going to let you guys do that. You have been through enough for me. There has to be another way."

"There isn't, Francesca. Make your choice. Either accept it, or stay here. Agree, or say goodbye to your Templar." Flemeth stated.

Bella hugged Frankie, trying to get her to agree. "Cesca, we won't die, or be bedridden for a year. You have your whole life to think about. You need to do this, not only for yourself or for Alistair, but for your child as well. Let us do this for you, please?"

"You've done so much for me already." Frankie said.

"And we will do so much more if it were needed. You have to accept the offer and go, Frankie." Louise responded.

"Okay. As much as I hate this plan, I'll do it. But I need your word that they will be okay. I don't want any harm to come to them." Frankie stepped back and shot Flemeth a death stare.

"They will be safe." Flemeth replied. "You all need to be at the Brooklyn Bridge at eleven thirty tonight. Francesca, you will need your motorcycle. Make sure you're there and on time. I will not wait for you. You need to go through the portal at exactly midnight, or else it won't work, and you will all die a horrible death."

"Oh, that's reassuring. You're really starting to scare me now!" Frankie said as she took a deep breath. "Do I need to pack anything?"

"No, because there is only one thing you will be able to take with you, and I will hand it over to you as soon as you're ready to go. I will see you there!" Flemeth said as she disappeared into the flash of light once more.

Frankie didn't know what to say or feel. It felt like a war was raging in her mind. She was about to go meet Flemeth to do lord knows what, in order to get her to Ferelden, and her friends needed to give a year of their life-force in order to get her through some magical portal to Ferelden. This was completely and utterly unimaginable and insane.

"I realize that this must be the most out of place question to ask but, why do you need to take your bike?" Louise asked.

"I don't know, but I guess we'll find out soon enough." Frankie replied.

The girls spent the rest of the day trying to figure out what Frankie would need to do, and how they would probably be living off of Dragon energy drinks for a year. They would have gone with Red Bull, but Dragon energy drinks could kick a bull's ass before he could even think of growing wings.

They sat there and spent as much time with each other as they possibly could before it was time to head out. As the departure time grew closer, Frankie took one last stroll through the house. Remembering the life she spent there, willing her mind to take in every detail. She turned and looked at her friends, as the opened the door and headed out to meet Flemeth on the Brooklyn Bridge.

There was a bit of traffic on the bridge, but thanks to the construction taking place, they were able to park on the side without causing any disturbances. Flemeth stepped out of a dark corner and beckoned them to her.

"You're all here. Good. Firstly, Take these." Flemeth said as she handed each of them a shard of a mirror. "The pieces form part of an Eluvian."

"Thank you, Flemeth, but why exactly are you giving it to us?" Louise asked.

"Since the three of you are joined at the hip, I had no doubt that I would need to grant you a way to talk to each other, otherwise this whole plan to save the universe would be destroyed by the fact that Francesca would refuse to go, due to her constant care for your well-being and vice versa. It really is quite irritating!"

"Oh, well in that case. Thank you. I honestly didn't expect you to have a heart." Bella admitted.

"I don't. So don't read so much into it. You will only be able to use the Eluvian on a yearly cycle, starting on the day Francesca gives birth to her first child." Flemeth replied.

"Okay, that helps a lot. Thank you so much. I could just hug you right now, but I can't imagine the thought of being turned into a toad. So what's the plan? What do we need to do here exactly?" Frankie asked.

"You need get on your motorcycle and drive to the start of the bridge, wait there until I give you a signal, and then you need to ride as fast as you can in order to hit this ramp at full speed. I will open the portal for you to go through. If you miss, you die. If you hesitate, you die. Is that clear enough for you?" Flemeth explained.

"WHAT? Are you totally fucking insane? You want me to take a dive into the east river?" Frankie exclaimed.

"It is a leap of faith. Did you think it would be easy? If you do it properly, you won't miss, Francesca. Shake your fear, and take the leap." Flemeth replied. "The time has come. Make your choice. Do it, or go home!"

"Go Cesca. You can do it. I know you can. You will make the jump." Bella said encouragingly.

"Go be with Alistair. It's your destiny. You will make it." Louise added.

"I love you both so much. If I don't make it, I just wanted to make sure you knew that." Frankie sighed as she hugged them both fiercely. She looked at Flemeth. "I'm ready. Let's do this!"

Frankie got onto her bike and drove to the start of the bridge. She lined her bike up with the ramp as Flemeth used magic to clear the road for her. She couldn't see Bella or Louise, and she was about to call the whole thing off when she saw a red spark shoot up over the ramp. That was the signal.

She dropped the clutch and raced towards the ramp, her heart was beating wildly in her chest and her nerves were on end. As she got closer, a portal of bright white light opened up. She hit the ramp at full speed, as the corner of her eye focused on Bella and Louise laying on the ground in front of Flemeth. They're bodies were shaking vigorously. Frankie screamed "No!" as she jumped off her Ducati and the portal enveloped her.

-Naturally I can't end any chapter without saying thank you to my friends, Isabella Monroe, Random Wittering and Lilacgirl.