Lyra glanced down as Oghren moved to her side; before her gaze returned to Anders who was sitting in the Keeps garden, Ser Pounce A Lot curled up on his knees. Even from their distance they could hear the cats deep purring that for once was doing little to alleviate the sadness in the mages eyes.

"Ain't like Sparkle Fingers to be so down." Oghren grunted. "What do we do?"

Sighing and rubbing her forehead Lyra shook her head. "Damned if I know. I've doubled the soldiers guarding the Keep. Anders hasn't objected to Fenris staying here, though he is doing a good job of avoiding him."

"And the elf?"

"Fenris is desperate for answers; but is keeping his distance, it's a damn mess." She sighed deeply. "We head out tomorrow, hopefully when we get back they can at least talk again and we can figure this out."

"Maybe that ain't what's best." Oghren scuffed his foot in the soil, his eyes remaining on Anders. "Sometime the past is no place to revisit."

"What do you expect me to do Oghren, turn Fenris out?"

"No. I'm no more a fan of slavers that you, but this … argh I don't know."

Lyra gently patted his shoulder. "We'll figure it out Oghren, one way or another."

xXx

Fenris gripped Lyra's arm as the group of Wardens headed to the main gate, the sun having barely risen. "Let me come with you."

"Fenris I have already said no. Darkspawn ridden Deep Roads are no place for anyone, least of all a none Warden."

"I am a skilled warrior."

"I don't doubt it, but you are not a Warden and therefore not immune to the taint. You will remain here and when we get back we will talk." She watched his panicked gaze turn to Anders. "Don't worry I'll bring him back."

Fenris restlessly paced the battlements long after the small group of Warden's had departed. He worried at his lip; Anders would come back, he had to. He eventually moved down to the training yard taking out his frustration, alarmed by the growing ache within him. He wanted answers from Anders that was true; he was desperate to find out about his family, but even they were becoming secondary to the growing need within him that left him feeling bereft when not in the mages presence. He drove his sword against the practice dummy desperate to drive away his increasing confusion.

xXx

Oghren nudged Anders as they headed into the mine entrance in the Wending Woods. "Stay alert Sparkle Fingers." He muttered gruffly.

Anders nodded and forced himself to focus, he had been distracted their entire journey and he could not afford that here. They eased down the wooden staircase that creaked and groaned beneath each foot fall, but miraculously held. The air was stale and Anders felt the prickle of something he couldn't place. He glanced down; Lyra had reached the bottom first, Nathaniel by her side. He hurried passed Oghren and Sigrun and grabbed Lyra's arm yanking her back as a glyph flared. It wasn't enough, the magic now activated spread throughout the chamber and one by one they collapsed.

xXx

Lyra groaned as she returned to consciousness alarmed to find herself in a cell; but relieved everyone was with her, though disturbingly their armour and weapons were gone and in their place were peasant clothing. "So, I'm not sure whether to be more worried that someone took my things, or that a Darkspawn undressed me and then dressed me."

Nathaniel shuddered. "We were trying very hard not to think about that."

"I bet." Lyra glanced around the cell. "So Nate, can you do anything with the lock?"

"It's magically sealed. We were waiting for you to wake before we tried anything."

"Well I'm awake now; let's get this damn thing open."

Getting out of the cell was easy enough, getting their armour and weapons back proved something of a greater task. They fought Darkspawn in the oppressive darkness of the tunnels lit only by the occasional torch. They found themselves jumping at shadows that would suddenly peel from the walls revealing ghouls, vacant faces turned to them before they ran or lunged for them.

Anders glared as what appeared to be a ghoul ran into a tunnel ahead. "Hey that's my stuff!" He yelled taking off after it, the only one of the group yet to retrieve his belongings.

"Makers breath." Nathaniel muttered running after him.

Anders lashed out with his magic, the ghoul shrieking in terror as lightening coursed through its body followed by a vicious blow to its head from his staff. Anders hit the ghoul a second and third time until the crunch of its cracked skull made him stop. He retrieved his items angrily kicking the corpse to one side when he was dressed. He felt Nathaniel move closer to him and forced himself to calm down. "I'm just sick of losing things I care about." He muttered. "I know it's just a staff and robes, but they are mine."

Nathaniel watched him uneasily. "Anders."

"I'm good, let's just get back to the others."

Nathaniel followed after him; he had never seen Anders so disturbed, nor had he seen him kill any Darkspawn so brutally and he feared they were losing him to the darkness of a past that haunted him.

xXx

Lyra snarled in frustration as the Architect escaped them once more. "That thing has got to die." She snarled stomping through the tunnels until they reached daylight. She kept them going at a hard pace back to the Keep needing to work out her anger.

They were less than half a day's travel to the Keep when the Darkspawn attacked. Enraged Lyra tore through their ranks with fire and lightning; Oghren ploughing into those her magic missed, his axe slicing through tainted flesh with astonishing ease. Sigrun darted around them her blades dealing death swiftly, the occasional smoke bomb obscuring her from their enemy. Nathaniel fired burning arrows into the Darkspawn furthest away while Anders concentrated on repulsion glyphs and healing. They didn't notice the Darkspawn moving behind them until it was too late, Anders span and sent lightning into the small group of hurlocks, his eyes widening as one lived just long enough to thrust its blade into his chest. The staff fell from his hand, a choked cry leaving his lips as he collapsed to his knees. He felt Nathaniel grip him and Lyra screaming something before the world around him began to dim. He felt the shift of metal against his flesh and muscle and Lyra's cry of panic as somehow the blade shattered. He felt hands pressing against him to stem the blood.

Lyra stared at the blood on her hands knowing what little she knew of healing magic would be of no use until the shard of blade was removed. "We have to get him to the Keep, we can't help him here."

Nathaniel gently pulled Anders into his arms and they took off at a desperate run.

Lyra cast Haste until her mana ran out and she had consumed the last of the lyrium potions they had brought with them, but finally they saw the Keep in the distance.

Anders gasped in pain, crying out as Nathaniel shifted his weight in his hold. "Nate ... stop … please."

"We can't Anders. We stop you die."

"Move it." Lyra yelled her panic audible.

Sigrun was bringing up the rear trying not to see the trail of blood they were leaving.

Oghren kept casting the mage worried looks; for all their teasing and differences he was deeply fond of the mage and he knew in his heart that Anders was unlikely to survive the removal of the blade, magic or no.

They burst into the Keep, Lyra rushing them into the Great Hall shoving the maps from the table as Nathaniel laid the injured mage on it. She gripped Anders hand. "Stay awake, you hear me."

Shuddering painfully Anders coughed violently, blood speckling his lips.

Lyra stared at the shard of blade embedded in his chest; her hands shaking knowing if they removed it he would die and if they didn't he faced the same fate. "Get Velanna." She hissed; startled when Fenris pushed her to one side his arms glowing.

Fenris gently cupped Anders cheek tilting his head until their eyes met. "Trust me."

For a moment Anders saw Leto staring at him and he gave a slight nod.

Fenris phased and pushed his hand through Anders chest gripping the blade and pulling it free without causing any further damage.

Lyra's eyes widened. "Makers breath."

"Heal him." Fenris hissed as he stepped backwards.

"You're going to have to teach me some of your tricks Anders." Lyra gasped feeling what little mana she had drain too quickly.

Velanna rushed into the hall; Sigrun just behind her and moved to the Commanders side helping to repair the damage. She caught Lyra's appreciative look and scowled. "I do this only because you seem to like him so much; Creators know why, he is insufferable."

Anders gave a choked breath. "Thanks Velanna. Nice to know ... even when I'm dying … you still … can't be pleasant."

She was about to retort when his eyes closed, startled by her feeling of relief when Lyra confirmed he was only unconscious.

xXx

Anders woke up startled to see Fenris of all people anxiously watching over him, he wanted answers of course so he had reason enough to want him to live. With a groan of discomfort Anders clutched his chest as he slowly sat up.

Fenris passed him water, pleased to see Anders take it without hesitation.

Taking small sips Anders watched Fenris who was perched on a chair near the bed. "How long have you been there?"

"Since you were brought here."

"And how long is that?"

"Since yesterday."

Anders took another sip and set the water on the small bedside cabinet. "Thank you, for helping to save me."

Fenris nodded slightly, pushing aside the confusion of feelings. "I need answers only you can give." He almost winced at the lie, his removing the blade shard from Anders chest had nothing to do with answers and everything to do with the gut wrenching terror that he had just found the mage and now he was going to lose him.

A sad smile tugged his lips as Anders shifted slightly. "Of course, but thank you anyway." He took a painful breath clutching his chest using the little mana he had to ease his own breathing. "So what answers can I give you?"

Fenris shifted uneasily, moving from the chair to the window and back again.

Anders remained silent watching him pace trying not to see Leto; forcing himself to see only Fenris, the man who had hunted him.

"You said we were friends. How do a slave and a mage become friends?"

"Over time; lots of time. You were a difficult person to get to know."

Fenris swallowed uneasily. "I heard you talking to the other Warden. You said I allowed this to bring freedom to my family."

"Your mother and sister."

Fenris realised he was trembling. "Do you know where they are?"

"I know where we parted company but it has been many years. They likely moved on. It is better I don't know where they are, I can't betray them." The silence seemed endless as Anders unspoken words hung between them that Fenris was a threat to them.

Sighing Fenris looked at his hands; while Anders was hiding his fear of him, he could still feel it. "Thank you, for helping them."

Anders nodded struggling to keep open his eyes. He lay back down wincing at the effort and heard Fenris leave wondering if that would be enough.

xXx

Fenris wandered the garden glancing to Lyra as she joined him, she still looked pale and in slight shock from the events of the previous day.

Lyra settled next to the warrior meeting his gaze. "Thank you Fenris. Anders means a great deal to me, to all of us." She swallowed painfully. "Without you he would have died. Makers breath he is the only mage who would have stood a chance of healing such a wound. I thought … I thought I had lost him."

Fenris concentrated his gaze on the stone pathway. "He cannot give me answers if he is dead."

Raising an eyebrow Lyra folded her arms. "I am not easily fooled Fenris. You were terrified for him and that went beyond getting a few answers."

Fenris glanced to her uneasily. "I cannot tell you what I do not understand myself. It is a confusing mess, feelings and sensations that have no tangible memory to link to."

"I know this is difficult, but I will do all I can to help."

"Why would you help me?"

"Whatever you are now, you were once someone Anders held dear to him. For that alone I offer you what help I can. I also abhor slavery. Ferelden does not tolerate it and neither do I. The Magister you escaped from is bad business. I have posted extra guards, should the slavers seek you here they will not survive."

"Thank you."

"While you are here you should meet with Wade, your armour and sword need some attention and possible upgrade."

"I have no coin left."

"Let me worry about that."

"I … thank you." Fenris sighed. "I wish I could remember."

"Perhaps it is best not to, some things are too terrible."

"But to block out one experience I lost all others. It is not a fair trade."

Lyra smiled sadly. "No, it is not."

xXx

Fenris visited Anders again that evening; hesitating at the door before knocking and entering, startled to see Anders sitting on the bed a small cat curled up on his knees. His fingers were softly stroking the fur; the animal's deep purr of contentment striking at something within Fenris, a need within him to be loved and treasured. The tabby gazed up at him with green eyes before stretching and walking towards him sitting at the end of the bed watching him.

"The incorrigible kitty is Ser Pounce A lot." Anders gave a smile that lit his eyes. "He is one of my best friends."

"A cat is a friend?" He raised an eyebrow as Pounce moved a little closer to him and looked up waiting. Their eyes remained locked before Fenris ran a finger across Pounce's ear. The cat regarded him calmly before rubbing himself against Fenris's leg purring loudly before curling up once more on Anders.

"Well Pounce approves of you, all that remains to be seen is do you approve of him?"

"He is a cat."

Anders sighed and smiled as Pounce nestled into him, a deeper rumbling purr doing much to soothe him. "Yes he is. Did you want something?"

"Seeing you with a cat seems … familiar."

Anders continued to stroke Pounce. "Rascal was with me in Tevinter; a mischievous black cat with gold eyes."

Fenris growled in frustration. "It is intolerable that I cannot remember. I have sensations left to me by dreams, but no memories to give me insight." He swallowed painfully, consumed by conflict. He clenched his hands at the ache, the desperation to be shielded from the pain and humiliation the Magister would inflict on him when he was finally caught almost choking him. He was under no illusion that he would be caught; he was simply stalling the inevitable, but the tiny kernel of determination that had fuelled his escape refused to be extinguished and rose within him. He needed answers and then he would flee once more and leave the mage in peace.

Anders saw the conflict within him and eased himself into a more comfortable position, making sure not to disturb Pounce. "Tell me how you came to Ferelden Fenris, how did you escape Danarius?"

Fenris hesitated and then sat next to the bed. "I was with my Master in Seheron. There was a battle between the Qunari and the Tevinter Magisters." He gave a smile of pure pleasure unable to help himself. "The Magisters were driven back. I was wounded and left much to my Masters dismay and fury." He noticed Anders questioning glance. "Several vessels had been destroyed; there was not enough room for a slave on the ship, no matter my enhancements. I was taken in by Fog Warriors; they cared for me, tended to my injuries. I …" He hesitated not sure whether to admit it to a mage, but he found himself speaking once more under Anders encouraging gaze. "I began to feel like a free man, but Danarius returned. I … he ordered me to … I killed them. The very people who had helped me and I slaughtered them because he commanded it." He stared at his hands not daring to meet Anders gaze. "I fled. I think I travelled the entirety of Thedas in my attempt to escape them."

Anders swallowed painfully; part of him wanted to scream at him, that he had warned him, but they could not change the past and despite everything Anders did not want to hurt him. "I wish I could have saved you from him."

Fenris felt his heart flutter as he finally looked up; held in the gaze of stunning hazel eyes, the mages features softened by the firelight, strands of silken hair gleaming like gold. "I think you did." Fenris whispered. "The magic within the brands; your magic, it is at times all that kept me from sinking into madness."

Anders turned away feeling his heart ache in a way he could not afford. "Could we continue this another time Fenris? I feel exhausted."

"Of course, forgive me." Fenris swiftly left the room without a backward glance; he did not wish to distress the mage with the longing he knew would be seen in his expression.

Anders bowed his head, struggling to breathe as tears filled his eyes. You are not Leto. Andraste's knickers I need to remember that. He smiled as Pounce stood and rubbed his head against his chin. "Don't go getting attached to him Pounce, the sooner he's gone the better." Pounce gave him that look and Anders sighed."I won't get attached either." He murmured, burying his face into soft fur.

xXx

Author Note: Thank you to everyone reading and I hope you enjoyed.