A/N: Icey-Cold, Gene Dark and I co-wrote a story recently for the Bioware Bang. It's the story of the founding of the Grey Wardens entitled The Grey Tales. You can find a link to it in my profile or search for Genespira Cold on ff. We hope you check it out!
Thank you, Lisa, for the awesome beta'ing.
Thank you to all those reading and those reviewing.

Fade Runner
Or
Do Mages Dream of Templar Sheep?

Joss watched as the last grape went spinning through the air, seemingly in slow motion, in all its purple glory. With a soft ping it bounced off Teagan's nose and hit the ground where it rolled to a menacing stop near the toe of his left boot. Beware the purple grape, she thought as another burst of laughter shook her.

Once she'd stifled her laughter, and it was no easy task, she stepped closer to Teagan. With her hands folded in front of her, she wondered what, in the name of the Maker's shiny ass, she was supposed to say. He was betrothed. To a noble. A good looking noble at that, from the sound of it. And wealthy. And well placed. And not a mage. In other words, everything Joss was not. It figured. And sadly, she wasn't all that angry. And not all that surprised. But hurt? Oh, that was entirely different. Hurt she had in abundance. She'd be damned if he would ever know.

Teagan took a tentative step toward her and she held up a panicked hand but it was too late. The grape met a cruel and messy death under the heel of his well-made brown leather boot. She snickered. He paused. They both looked down at the dead grape. Joss bowed her head.

"Am I to be the toad today? If so, get it over with," Teagan commanded, his voice equal parts apprehension and resignation.

As tempting as that was, Joss ignored his command. "It occurs to me, and I know I'm not really up to speed on Chantry canonical law regarding the matter, that being married to two different women at the same time might, in point of fact, violate at least one of those laws. Although, given that the Bride of the Maker was married to Maferath at the same time, there appears to be some wiggle room in the law."

Quite pleased with her perfectly reasonable observation, Joss preened a bit, rocking up on the balls of her feet and back on the heels again. Nice, calm, steady. No trace of the little girl in her who was rocking in a corner, sucking her thumb and twirling her hair, wondering why she was all alone in the big bad world. She smiled at Teagan and was rewarded with a wary smile in reply.

"Josslyn, there was nothing officially announced. I –" Teagan began but Joss waved an airy hand.

"Official or not, you're an honorable man. Your duty is clear."

"Maker's breath, Josslyn! Did I not just say I love you and won't let you go?" he demanded, his good grace and humor going the way of the grape.

Joss blinked. He had. But when had nobles ever kept their word? Still, she wasn't completely unreasonable. And she hadn't been completely honest with him either so it wasn't as if she should be casting stones. Or grapes, come to think of it. She waited silently for him to say more.

"I love you, dear lady. It's you I want to marry. Fergus and Elissa will just have to accept that whatever arrangements were made before the Blight are no longer valid."

"Yes, because all nobles are reasonable and understanding. Besides, everyone knows Blights beat betrothals."

Teagan's blue eyes widened and he chuckled. "Exactly so, my love."

Well if that wasn't the most unfair tactic ever devised by a man, she didn't know what was. Love words in a deep and husky voice that did all kinds of wicked things to her insides. Very softly, leaning very close to Teagan, she said, "Just answer one question and I'll consider the matter over."

Teagan's breath fanned against her cheeks. "What question would that be, milady?"

"Are you going to forget you're betrothed to me?"

He moved his lips across her cheek and up to her ear. "As much as you try to push me away, Josslyn, I am yours. You need to accept that."

"But she's well connected."

"Yes, but she isn't you."

"She's a noble and probably has the people skills everyone loves to remind me that I don't have."

"Yes, but she isn't you."

Joss sighed and tried again. "She's wealthy."

Maddeningly, he replied, "Yes, but she isn't you."

Stubbornly, she refused to concede the argument. "She's young and innocent."

Just as stubbornly, Teagan replied, "Yes, but she isn't you."

"She's beautiful and virginal and would look gorgeous on your arm."

"Well you have a point there, my dear."

Joss's lower lip trembled at that and she began to laugh again, relieved that the edge of hysteria was no longer present. "I hate how much I love you. It's impossible to stay mad at you."

Teagan swept her into his arms and bent her backwards, lavishing kisses along her neck and up to her jaw, across to her lips. She let a hand slide down the length of his chest, unlacing the leather ties of his shirt before feathering a hand along his well-toned chest and down, down. His breathing became ragged. She curled her fingers around the prize she sought and he growled.

"Are you hungry?" she whispered, voice low and throaty.

"Always, milady."

"Good, here's a grape," she responded briskly, straightening and holding out the prize she had found clinging desperately to the material of his shirt where it was tucked into his waistband.

Without missing a beat, Teagan's lips and teeth took the outstretched grape and then he proceeded to show her what he was truly hungry for. Joss found she didn't mind. At. All.

Two hours later, having rescued any and all grapes worth saving, Joss made her way downstairs. All but Shale and Wynne were gathered in the taproom, most of them whispering amongst themselves. As soon as Joss stepped into the room, they all fell silent, turning apprehensive stares her way. Except Zevran, who continued playing with his daggers.

Finally, Alistair asked in a timorous voice, "Is – is Teagan…" he trailed off.

Joss lowered her head and shook it gravely. "May he rest in peace."

"Holy Maker," Sister Leliana of the Perpetual Fog whispered, blue eyes wide.

A babble rose then as everyone spoke at once. Joss held a hand up and said as sternly as she could manage, "I mean it. He's to rest. The poor man is exhausted."

Without giving them time to groan or grumble or ask for details, or for Alistair to blush when he finally caught the meaning, Joss spoke again.

"We'll be leaving early tomorrow morning. In the meantime, I want to make sure the town has adequate defenses. Zevran, please take the Wardens and secure the perimeter. Find as many of the remaining villagers as you can. Show them how to protect themselves. Work with them. Closely, but not so closely that there will be outraged fathers running us out of town on rails or at the end of pitchforks."

"As you desire, my dear Warden," Zev agreed and Joss tried not to puff her chest out at the approval in his voice.

"And stop staring at me like I've grown a second head. Oh dear Maker, I haven't, have I?" she asked, snickering as they all dropped their eyes and shuffled their feet. What? She couldn't have a sensible idea once in a while?

"Oh, and Alistair, I want a word with you before you go."

Alistair's expression registered shock and trepidation. Poor dear. Joss felt a brief flare of pity. She went to him and slipped her arm around his waist. "Nothing to fear, Second."

"Oh, right. Second in Command. That's me. I know so much about being a leader of men," he said with a bite of sarcasm thrown into his voice.

Joss chuckled, squeezing his waist before moving to a table and settling herself. Alistair, looking as vulnerable and anxious as an orphaned puppy, sat down across from her.

"It isn't as if I know anything about being a commander, Alistair. We're doing alright. Or at least not terrible. Can't ask for better than that."

"You can ask, it just won't do any good," Alistair agreed more cheerfully.

"I am going into the Fade tonight. You know what that means. If the worst happens, you'll be in charge."

"What? No! No, no, no. I can barely manage being the Second!"

"You're doing fine as the Second. Well, except for your odd notions of s – e – x. But otherwise you're a natural. It's probably something in your blood. I'm really proud of you."

"It's alright, Joss, you don't have to stroke my ego…rub my head…" he trailed off, blushing so profusely Joss wondered if he would spontaneously combust.

"If the worst happens," she began again, trying her best to curtail her impulse to tease him and finally succeeding, "I want you to continue on to Haven, find that damned urn and send it back to Redcliffe with Teagan. Tell him to expect the armies to begin gathering at the castle.

"From there go to Orzammar and use the treaty. Send Zev and Sister Half-Baked to Jader in search of other Wardens. Duncan's notes said that was the closest Warden base to Ferelden. Zev and Lay Sister Loopy should be able to cross the border into Orlais without arousing any suspicion. Send a note with them with a few drops of your blood on it so the Orlesian Wardens know it came from a real Warden. Or use Jowan's blood. He's a blood mage and shouldn't mind donating for the cause.

"Once the armies are gathered, listen to Teagan, not Arl Eamon. Teagan has the trust of the Bannorn, as well as the Couslands, and will know what to do about the civil war and the Ice Queen. Don't let anyone talk you into anything you don't want to do."

Alistair stared at her and she reached across the table and gently closed his mouth for him. "I know, I know. Who's this person and what have you done with Joss?" she asked, mimicking his voice very badly.

A boyish grin lit up his face. "My thoughts exactly, but I like this new Joss. I mean, if you can be serious and make such sound decisions, there's hope even for me." His grin faltered but Joss merely rolled her eyes.

"You sure know your way around a compliment. Way around it, like on the other side of the road from it," she remarked dryly.

"It's a gift, really."

Joss stood to leave but Alistair, looking only slightly apologetic asked, "Can I ask a question, Joss?"

"Sure, as long as it isn't about s – e – x."

"I hate you."

"That's not a question, Alistair."

"What do mages dream about when they're in the Fade? I mean, we heard rumors in the monastery and I just wondered if they were true."

"Rumors? In a monastery? How extraordinary. Was there something specific you wanted to know about my dreams? Something based on these rumors?"

Alistair's glance slid to the top of the table to study his hands, which were folded neatly. "Is it true that mages dream of templar sheep?"

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you," Joss deadpanned. She was still grinning as she went in search of The Rock. Shale was standing under the eaves of the inn, still as a statue.

"Well, fancy meeting you here," she said cheerfully.

"It speaks. How fortunate for me." Was it possible for a pile of rock to roll their agate eyes? Seemed so. And she'd never heard a voice dripping with such sarcasm before. She liked it.

"Good morning, Shale. Still determined not to let anything get under your skin?"

"Its sense of humor is largely undeveloped."

"I'm just trying to tickle your funny bone."

"It has a long way to go."

"Fine, fine. I actually came to warn you that Morrigan is a shapeshifter and she can turn into a bird. As she's our scout, I ask that you not treat her like you did that poor farmer's chickens."

"Morrigan? Is It the swamp witch with the immovable fleshy bits?"

Joss snickered. "That's the one. So, if you suddenly see a raven flying around us, please leave it alone."

"If It insists."

"It most certainly does, at least for now."

Joss stared at the large pile of talking rock in front of her and noticed, for the first time, that there were a number of indentations in the golem's arms and neck. "Stay right there, don't move a muscle…erm…pebble," she instructed and went back into the inn but not before Shale commented on her lack of humor.

"It should not give up Its day job."

Teagan was gone when she got to the room and she hoped he was in with the Couslands having a heart to heart. Digging around in her overstuffed pack, she pulled out the oddly-shaped, glowing crystals she'd found inside Wilhelm's laboratory. She could feel the magical power in them but hadn't known what they were for. Returning to Shale, she held one up.

"Does this go in one of those holes?" she asked, moving to insert one in Shale's arm. Shale made a low sound of disapproval that made the hair on the back of Josslyn's neck jump up and stand at attention.

"How would It like to have things inserted into Its cavities?"

Joss chuckled. "That would depend on what 'thing' it was and which cavity it was being inserted into."

Shale actually sighed. "It realizes It is a fragile creature? Squissssssh."

Nothing frightening about that sound, Joss thought with a shudder. "Oh, point taken. Here, you shove these into your holes then."

Shale held out a rather large stone hand and Joss dropped the glowing green crystals into it. She watched with interest as the golem inserted the various crystals into its arms and neck. The once-grey stone now glowed an eerie emerald green and the crystals began to hum pleasantly.

"These are augmentation crystals. It can't possibly have known what they were, of course, so I won't thank It for Its foresight."

Joss huffed at that. "I may be squishy, oh great Stone One, but I'm a mage who can turn you into a frog or better yet, a pigeon!"

"It hopes to frighten me?"

"It hopes you realize you're not indestructible. Tweet, tweet! That's all It has to say." Joss retorted. In truth, she didn't know if she could use a transmogrifying spell on a heap of rock, but Shale didn't need to know that.

"Its point is made. Now, stop wagging Its tongue."

Joss grinned. She really did like Old Stony.

The rest of the day was spent speaking with each of her companions, with the notable exception of Morrigan, who was off flying around the countryside, and Wynne, who was avoiding her. No surprise there. Joss did not visit the Couslands. She didn't have any wish to see the paragon of noble goodness that was Elissa.

After dinner, she went up to prepare for her trip to the Fade. Her preparation included taking a bath and slipping into her nightdress. Just as she climbed onto the feather bed, Zev arrived with a bottle of wine and two glasses.

"Oh great, the two of you get hammered while I'm in the Fade risking my life?"

"My dear, I merely wish to help Teagan relax."

Joss raised a brow at that. "So you can take advantage of him?"

Zev laughed. "The great Zevran Arainai does not need to ply people with wine for them to become his lovers, sweet Josslyn."

"You can ply all you want, Zevran. It won't do any good," Teagan assured him firmly.

"Ah, now you have issued a challenge I may be forced to accept."

Joss watched the two men with a fond smile. "Just don't get so caught up in the moment that the two of you forget where I am."

"There isn't going to be a moment," Teagan interjected calmly.

Joss rested her head on the pillow and closed her eyes. She tossed. She turned. She sighed. Sleep laughed at her and darted away. She might have known she wouldn't be able to sleep with both men watching her as if she was pheasant under glass.

"Zev, please find Jowan and ask him to come put me to sleep."

As soon as Zev had left the room, Teagan lay down beside her and wrapped his arms around her. "Just relax against me," he urged softly and she found that was exactly what she did.

~~~oOo~~~

The Fade's browns and greys wavered around her as she set off for her destination, following the thin wisp of blue from her spell. She passed a demon lurking outside a portal, playing with her nipple clamps and smiling at Joss.

"Anything you desire is yours," the desire demon purred, stroking her breasts. As if. Joss grinned.

"Anything?" she asked, opening her eyes wide.

"You have only to name it and it shall be yours. For a price, of course."

"You know, I've seen ladies of the night with more finesse and brains."

"Ladies of the night?"

"Sweet cream ladies? Candy coated gals? Women of ill-repute?"

The demon's eyes narrowed. "Can they do this?" the demon asked angrily, conjuring up a rage demon.

"No, nor can they do this," Josslyn replied, chanting softly, her hands busy creating a small blizzard. The demon and its fiery friend froze. Joss, hands glowing with magical energy, hurled lightning at the two figures. With a pop and a wheeze, they disappeared. There was nothing more satisfying than ridding the Fade of a demon. Joss blinked and thought of Teagan, realizing while that may have held true at one time, it no longer did.

Continuing on, she found the Fadescape she was searching for and entered, hoping she hadn't caught Petra in a compromising dream. Her friend was sitting on her bed, wrapped in a blanket with a bottle of rotgut in her hand. She raised it to Joss with one hand and patted the bed with the other.

"I figured you'd be popping in sooner or later so I've been trying to dream clean dreams," Petra explained with a grin.

Joss took a pull from the bottle and shuddered, grimacing. Gwaren Gin. It smelled like paint thinner and if disgust had a taste that taste would be Gwaren Gin. "You couldn't have picked up a nice Rivaini moscato?"

"For old times," Petra replied. Many a night they had sat on her bed, wrapped in blankets, drinking rotgut and exchanging gossip.

Being First Enchanter obviously agreed with Petra. She looked relaxed and happy. For a minute the longing for her old life in the tower was so strong Joss couldn't speak. It seemed like she'd been gone forever. And she knew she'd never be able to return to her old life. Nothing depressing about that thought. The dream around her began to shimmer and fade. Joss scrambled to clear her mind before she woke up. Remembering Teagan and her new friends settled her mind and the fog that had been creeping into the dream receded.

"How's everything in Kinloch?" she asked once the dream was stable again. She was an idiot. Negative thoughts in the Fade led to really bad dreams and worse.

"Better each day. Greagoir is thinking of retiring but I made him promise not to until things are more in order. Mages from Orlais and Nevarra are on the way to help build up the Circle. Cullen is…" Petra hesitated. A blush slapped her cheeks.

Joss watched the woman's face redden and she snorted on her gin. "Andraste's flaming tits! Does that horrible shade of red in your cheeks mean Cullen the Timid has made a move?"

"He's in line to take over for Greagoir so naturally we have to work together."

Joss laughed. "Well, well. I'm guessing that means Cullen's healing, if you know what I mean?"

Again Petra blushed. "I'm assisting in his treatment."

"Oh, I'll bet you are. Good for you."

Joss enjoyed catching up on the gossip, who was doing what and who was doing who. An hour passed and finally she sighed. "I've got another dream to pop in on. I want to make sure Niall is okay. I guess I better explain what I need you to do and get a move on."

She explained about Flemeth, the grimoire, the leafless tree, the amulet and its contents. "I need you to have someone research what the leafless tree means, what the amulet and its contents mean and anything at all about Flemeth that isn't superstitious hogwash."

Petra nodded. "Only you would mess with the infamous Witch of the Wilds."

"You mean I'm the only one foolish enough to"

"Exactly! Crazy bitch."

"Hag."

"Say, you look disgustingly happy. Don't tell me the rumors about you and the Bann of Rainesfere are true?"

"Okay, I won't. I'll be by in a week or so for any information you manage to find when you aren't too busy treating Cullen."

With that, she hugged Petra and stepped out of the dream. Once again the wavering browns and greys of the raw Fade surrounded her. Off in the distance she heard a howl. It was as mournful a sound as she had ever heard. It was not the sort of sound one wanted to hear in the Fade. At. All.

Niall was sitting on top of a very tall mountain. Joss actually felt winded by the time she made her way up to the top of it but the view was worth the climb. It was comforting to know that some things never changed. Niall always had been an isolationist and it appeared he still was. There wasn't a soul around. He looked relaxed and his cheeks had filled out. He almost looked happy.

"Hey Red," she greeted fondly and Niall chuckled.

"I hate that name, but I think you already know that."

She sat beside him, shoulder to shoulder. "I know. You look really good, Niall. Do you really, or is that just part of the illusion?"

"I look that good. Too bad you didn't notice that when we were apprentices together."

"I know. I already told Petra I'm an idiot. How many times in one night do I have to say it?"

Niall chuckled again. "More than once, I can tell you that."

Joss was delighted to see how much better Niall was doing. He was the old Niall, the one who was really shy and morose until you dug a little deeper and found the warmth and wit beneath.

"How is Arl Eamon?" she asked, neatly sidestepping his remark.

"Hanging on for now but he's starting to lose ground again. If the arlessa is correct and you there really is an urn out there you need to find it quickly."

Joss explained where they had been and what they had been doing. He was fascinated by the encounter with the werewolves and Dalish and even more by Shale. "You mentioned before that you had several treaties you needed to use in order to pull your army together. If one of them is for the dwarves of Orzammar you should go and visit the Shaperate and talk to the Shaper while you're there."

"Oh, of course. I mean, why wouldn't I want to go and visit the Shaperate and talk to a Shaper? Uh, what exactly is the Shaperate?"

"All those hours in the library and you never read about the keeper of dwarven memories?"

"Dwarves don't have memories? Someone keeps them? Wow, that must clear up a lot of wasted space in the brain."

Laughing, Niall nudged her shoulder with his. "The Shaper records all the events that take place among the dwarves. These 'memories' are housed in the Shaperate. You should be able to go there and find out information on the golem."

"Yes, okay, I knew that. Sort of. Maybe. Or you know, not at all. Shaperate. Shaper. Got it."

They sat in silence for a minute before Joss asked, "How's Bran?"

"Still lost but I have him helping in the chantry for now and he's slowly coming around. He'll always mourn Stoker. I feel bad for the man. He misses his old life in the tower."

"Who doesn't?"

"Me. I don't miss it at all."

"You always were odd," Joss said fondly.

"I'd dispute that but I suspect you don't have much more time."

"How's Connor?"

"Smart and talented. Arlessa Isolde is a pain but I envy how much she loves her son. It makes me miss my mother."

"Write to your mother. Tell her to come for a visit. If the arlessa won't put your mum up, there's a tavern and inn in the village. There's no reason not to."

"I'll think about it. How much longer are you going to be?"

"Hopefully Teagan will be in Redcliffe within the week but you aren't going anywhere until the Blight is over and the Circle is in better shape so you've got plenty of time."

They sat in companionable silence for a few more minutes. Finally Joss stood. "Time for me to head back. I'll come haunt your dreams when we find the urn."

Niall stood and put an arm around her shoulders. "I'd tell you not to get into trouble but that's like telling a bird not to fly."

"Bastard."

"Bitch."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

She stepped off the mountaintop and stood for a minute, getting her bearings, before casting a spell. As long as she was in the Fade she decided she might as well try and see what Loghain was up to. Maybe she could plant a suggestion or two in his head so he'd stop the ridiculous civil war and remove the bounty from her head. She was partial to her head and thought it looked just right sitting on her shoulders.

She followed the faint blue light of her spell for what seemed like hours before she came to a portal. The blue light entered the portal and she followed…right into a land of mist-shrouded trees and eerie echoes.

"Well, this isn't good," she muttered around a suddenly thick tongue. Maker's moldy ass, what was she doing in the Korcari Wilds? What was Loghain doing in the Wilds for that matter?

"Of all the dreams in all the dreamscapes in all the Fade, she had to step into mine."

Joss had never before gotten goose-bumps in the Fade but they were marching up her arms like a conquering army at the moment.

"Well, well, my favorite mystery lady. Hello, Flemeth. What brings you to my little corner of the Fade?"

"Who is to say you aren't in my corner of the Fade?"

"I wouldn't think something like you would dream or that I'd be able to find the dream if you did."

"Ah. It seems you know your limitations. That is reassuring."

Joss was inching slowly back the way she'd come, without quite knowing why. Niall's dream had already vanished. What she really needed to do was wake up. Soon. As in now. Flemeth's words stopped her dead in her tracks. A poor choice of words, she chided herself with a shiver.

"You went to a great deal of trouble to find this dream. It's a shame you want to leave so soon."

"As much as I hate admitting mistakes, this isn't the dream I was searching for. At. All."

"Perhaps I wanted to talk to you."

"Or kill me in the Fade? Make me tranquil?"

Joss took several steps backward. The disembodied voice of Flemeth was coming from in front of her, so back seemed the logical choice. She gathered up her courage, which seemed to have fallen to the ground, and then bravely turned and ran like her ass was on fire. The mist made it impossible to find her way. She stumbled to a stop, listening to Flemeth's unsettling laughter. The psychotic witch. Joss struggled to move her leaden feet.

"Joss, here," a voice whispered and she felt a hand tugging at her. Without hesitation she grabbed the hand and let herself be pulled, her feet pounding along the path now visible as the mist drifted away.

"What are you doing here?" she managed to gasp out as she ran.

"Saving you, of course. It's the least I can do. I'm very proud of you, Josslyn. Don't let Flemeth keep you from following your path. She'll try.

"Now step out and wake yourself up. Quickly. Please don't worry about the baby. He's with me," Brin said.

"What? What baby? Brin, wait! What ba…" she began but he pushed her through the portal, effectively ejecting her from the Fade.

Her eyes opened and she gasped. She was back in her room at the inn. Teagan and Zevran were watching her with matching expressions that fell somewhere between confused and wary. Had she talked out loud while she was in the Fade? That wouldn't be a good thing. Her stomach jumped.

There was nothing worse that leaving the Fade too quickly, Joss thought as her stomach began to roll and pitch. Fade Walkers referred to it as premature ejection. She sighed and closed her eyes, wondering if she could just go back to sleep and pretend her stomach wasn't rebelling.

"What baby?" Teagan asked quietly.

So much for that idea.