Loghain glanced to his son as they finally left Teagan's estate. Jayden had managed to persuade him to stay two extra days, the boys firmly cementing their friendship in mud and mischief. He was almost relieved he was not the only one Jayden seemed capable of wrapping around his little finger. His son had successfully extracted a promise from Teagan that he would bring Alistair to visit in a month or two.

As they headed to The North Road; Jayden spied the spire of Kinloch Hold in the distance to the West. "Dad is that the Circle of Magi?"

"It is."

Jayden's eyes lit up as he thought of Morrigan. "Dad can I be a mage when I grow up?"

Loghain almost choked. "Maker I hope not!"

Jayden pulled a face. "But dad; imagine being able to make fire without flint and tinder! Imagine being able to heal people! Enchanter Tyris just put his hand on my chest and there was a blue glow and it didn't hurt anymore! He was amazing!"

"Mages have extraordinary gifts, but I would not wish a life in the Circle for you."

Jayden glanced to the tower and frowned. "Not every mage lives in the Circle. Besides it's not really a prison is it dad?"

"Many mages would disagree with that I think. Enchanter Tyris is one of the few to have a life outside of the Circle, but he is still supervised by Templars and if Maric no longer needed his service he would return to the Tower."

"But I thought it was just blood mages who were bad and they can't all be blood mages!"

"Thankfully blood mages are the minority and there is a special prison for them."

"So if they aren't blood mages why do they have to stay in there?"

"They have to be trained with Templar supervision to ensure our safety and theirs. Their life is a dangerous one; the threat of demons is always present."

"But I thought mages were trained to deal with demons, so when they finish their training why don't all mages leave the Circle?"

"Not every mage has the ability to resist demonic influence and those that do may lose that ability for a variety of reasons."

"So they lock them all up just in case?"

Loghain sighed. "In the majority of cases yes."

"Dad that's really stupid!"

"Why do you say that?"

"Well if you were imprisoned somewhere and you knew you would be there your whole life and you hadn't done anything wrong, wouldn't you try to escape?" He gazed up at his father. "I would."

"It does not excuse the use of blood magic Jayden."

"I know, but it's like the occupation. You did whatever you had to do for freedom. I know you did some awful things. How can the Templars lock up mages and expect them just to accept it?"

Loghain glanced at his son an almost sad look in his eyes. "Sometimes you are so much older than your years."

"I just don't understand it dad. I think we should have a mage healer in Gwaren like Enchanter Tyris."

"You do, do you?"

"Once people realise mages are just people maybe they won't be afraid and then they won't have to be locked up."

Loghain sighed. "Perhaps if you saw the destruction a blood mage was capable of you would not be so eager for such change."

Jayden frowned slightly. "Don't you have mages in the army?"

Loghain shook his head. "When there is specific conflict the Circle can be called on to contribute mages."

"But dad …"

"I know Jayden. With both healing and offensive and defensive abilities any army would be enhanced by mages in the ranks."

"So why don't you have them?"

"Because the Chantry won't allow it."

"Dad we need to find the Maker so he can sort out the Chantry!"

Loghain chuckled. "I'll make it a priority."

xXx

Eloen shivered hunkering down in the foliage, her sharp hearing picking up the sounds of voices and horses up ahead. She crept cautiously forward wanting to see what she was up against relieved that it was not Templars. Men who appeared to be soldiers were setting up camp. Eloen worried at her lip, she needed supplies if she was to make it any further. She disliked the idea of stealing, but she liked the idea of returning to the Circle less. However the camp seemed well guarded and as night fell several of the soldiers took watch and she was forced to take shelter further away. She sat huddled in the roots of an old tree finally giving in to her tears. It had gone so smoothly, they had reached the main road to Denerim and then Templars had appeared ahead of them as though waiting for them. Both she and Anders knew they had been betrayed. Anders had squeezed her hand and then run north drawing their attention. She had remained hidden and then moved east heading for Denerim, they had agreed to meet there if they could before they would head south to her clans usual hunting grounds. She shivered; terrified that Anders had been caught, praying that he would escape them. Her hand moved to her mouth to muffle the cry of alarm as a shadow moved across the forest floor towards her. She looked up startled at the young boy watching her.

Jayden inched closer excitement building in him, realising the young elf was wearing robes. He knelt down beside her. "Are you a mage?" He whispered.

"No of course not." Eloen snapped.

"Oh." Jayden gave a disappointed sigh. "Why are you wearing robes then?"

"A disguise." She supplied quickly.

Jayden frowned slightly. "Aren't you scared the Templars will think you are a real mage? They would take you to the Circle." He lowered his voice. "It's a prison for most mages you know. They say it isn't, but it is."

Eloen looked at the boy curiously. "What makes you say that?"

"Well what else would you call a place they put people in and don't let them out?" He muttered sounding a little cross.

Eloen couldn't help the slight smile. "You might have a point."

"So why are you in disguise?"

"I was separated from my clan and …"

"You're Dalish!?" Jayden gave an excited squeak.

Eloen looked at the boy startled. "I am."

"This is awesome! Do you want to join us at camp? You look tired and hungry and cold."

Eloen shook her head. "I don't trust humans I do not know."

Jayden worried at his lip, before a smile lit his eyes. "I will prove you can trust me." He slipped away before she could protest.

Glancing at her surroundings Eloen quickly moved to higher ground, startled when she saw the boy return with a bundle in his arms.

Jayden glanced around and followed the tracks finding the alarmed mage quickly. "I wasn't going to tell where you were."

Eloen swallowed, startled by how guilty she felt. "I apologise, I …"

Jayden smiled. "I understand. You really should cover your tracks though; they were really easy to follow." He gave a cheeky smile. "Are you really Dalish?"

Eloen flushed. "I am. It has been a while since I used such skills."

"Why?"

Eloen looked at him warily. "How old are you?"

"Seven."

"Can you keep a secret?"

Jayden's eyes sparkled. "Yes."

"I am a mage. The Templars kidnapped me from my clan when I was your age and took me to the Circle."

Jayden's eyes widened. "They take children?" He whispered looking utterly horrified.

Eloen nodded. "I wandered too far from my Clan and the Templars found me."

"But … but what about your mom and dad? Didn't the Templars say anything to them?"

"They just took me."

"Why? I don't understand."

Eloen winced at the alarm in the boy's voice. "Templars fear all magic." She knelt down and showed Jayden a patch of wilting flowers. "With just a little help they can bloom again." She smiled at his sharp intake of breath as a soft green energy left her fingertips and curled around the flowers sinking into the soil, the flowers blooming once more.

Jayden carefully reached out to touch the petals giving her a delighted smile. "Can all mages do that, or just Dalish mages?"

"It is a type of magic I learned from my Keeper."

Jayden tugged his lower lip with his teeth. "So you were going to be your Clan's First?"

Eloen looked at the boy in surprise. "Perhaps, or if another clan had need of a mage I would have gone to them. How do you know that?"

"Haren Alok and Tolman in Gwaren told me what they knew of the Dalish and grandpa has lots of books. Which clan are you from?"

"Temerian Clan."

Jayden's eyes widened. "That's the clan Tolman was with for a short time. I think he said the Keepers name is Zathrian."

Eloen stared at him in bewilderment. "Who is this Tolman?"

"He helps my grandpa and used to take me to the Alienage to see my friends."

"You are friends with elves?"

"Yes. Is it true Keeper Zathrian has lived for a long time?"

Eloen hesitated almost struggling to keep up with the conversation. "Yes, he is very powerful."

"How long have you been in the Circle?"

"Eight years."

"Didn't your parents try to get you out?"

An aching sigh left her lips. "Mages don't leave the Circle; my clan would have accepted my loss."

"Do you miss them?"

"Very much."

Jayden chewed on his lip and handed her the bundle.

"Won't you get wrong for giving this away?" She whispered.

"Dad always keeps spare clothes and food in case we meet people who are in need of help."

"I'm not sure your dad meant they were for mages."

"You need help, that's what these supplies are for." Jayden folded his arms at her hesitation. "Do you want them or not?"

Eloen suppressed the smile. "Yes, thank you."

He glanced up the bank narrowing his eyes and inched closer to her. "You should probably tell your friend that he will never be able to hide in robes with bright yellow material."

Eloen glanced behind her, eyes widening with joy as she spied Anders.

"I'll go now so I don't see what direction you go in so even if Templars torture me I won't be able to tell them anything."

Eloen gripped his shoulder, keeping a solemn face. "You are very brave."

Jayden grinned. "Not really, I bet my dad would beat up any Templar who tried." He slipped down the bank pausing and glanced back waving before he vanished into the shadows.

Eloen hurried from her hiding place racing to Anders wrapping her arms around his neck as he hugged her. "Creators I can't believe you are here! How did you find me?"

Anders grinned. "I thought you had more faith in me." He chuckled at her stern expression. "I managed to get close enough to the Templars who had your phylactery to find out your general direction. We need to keep going they are too close for comfort."

"What if my clan won't accept us?" She whispered. "Without their protection they will take us back to the Circle. I … I couldn't bear it."

Anders draped an arm over her shoulder. "How could they turn you away, you're one of them and I'm too charming for them to turf out."

Eloen giggled. "I hope you're right."

"Of course I'm right. Who was the boy?"

"I have no idea. A blessing from the Creators." They carefully opened the bundle which was made of two sets of clothing clearly male and female and two waterproof cloaks. In the middle was a pack of food rations and two water flasks. Eloen glanced back down to the camp. "He must have seen you when he went to get these. Creators the boy has a hunters senses."

"Well let's hope he never becomes a Templar. Do you think he will tell anyone about us?"

Eloen grinned. "Not even under torture."

xXx

Loghain smiled as Jayden settled onto his bed roll yawning sleepily. "So young man, would you mind telling me who you took those supplies to?"

"A Dalish girl and her friend. She was separated from her clan. She doesn't trust humans she doesn't know so she wouldn't come into camp." He yawned loudly. "I hope she finds her clan."

Pressing a soft kiss to his son's forehead, Loghain gently smoothed strands of hair from his face. "You have a generous heart." He murmured.

Jayden glanced at his father and smiled; nestling against him, falling quickly into dreams.

"I'm proud to call you my son." Loghain murmured.

xXx

Anders and Eloen veered south east when they saw Denerim in the distance, heading towards the Brecilian Forest. Dressed in the clothing the boy had given them they had not drawn attention to themselves as they traded for food in the villages they passed. Eloen's excitement increased as they reached the outskirts of the forest. She took a deep breath, her fingers gently resting on the bark of a tree. "Home." She whispered. She span as she heard footsteps seeing a flash of metal. Her heart lurched and she grabbed Anders hand dragging him deeper into the forest. She gave a cry as her legs gave out beneath her, Anders sprawling into the dirt beside her as the force of a Smite invaded their bodies. Sobbing painfully Eloen crawled on; dragging herself through the dirt, hearing Anders just behind her, before she was hauled to her feet and her hands were bound. She glanced up, her sharp eyes seeing two elves watching from under cover. "I am Eloen Surana!" She screamed. "Don't let them take me again, please!" Her body slumped as a blow connected with her head, tears slipping down her cheeks as the elves remained hidden as she was dragged away. She managed to look to Anders startled that he could remain so defiant. His eyes begged her not to give up.

Anders glared at the Templars as they tightened their hold, whispering their usual vile threats. He ignored them, willing Eloen to cling to hope as he did. He steeled himself for what was to come; for the punishment their bid for freedom would bring them. Anders faced the dangerous truth; if they were ever to be free they needed to destroy their damn phylacteries.

xXx

Author Note: Thank you to everyone reading; following, favouriting and reviewing. I hope you enjoyed.