I want to thank Warrose and Jinx1983 for their awesome reviews! :D Made my day! Also thanks to all those who have added me to their alerts. I'm glad you are enjoying this fic and following it closely.

This chapter is sort of all Zevran, and I hope I did a good job in writing him! If not, my sincere apologies, please don't kill me! LOL

Bioware owns!

Enjoy, and by the way, I love reviews! *hint, hint*

Chapter 28 - Plans

"Zevran!" Leliana cried out, as she gave the assassin a quick hug. "Please tell us what you have discovered."

"Zev, have you found her?" Alistair asked quickly, drawing in some air. He ignored the pain in his jaw for the moment which he knew was not broken.

"Yes, I knew where she was. Alas, she is probably not there any longer. The ship left while I hurried back here. She was on board." Zevran said.

"Ship? Maker's breath! Where are they taking her?" Alistair said on the verge of tears. The thought of her on a ship being taken far away, where he couldn't reach out to protect her filled his heart with fear and desperation that he never thought he would experience. Panic took hold of him.

"They are taking her to Val Royeaux, and there was nothing we could have done to make it there in time before the ship set out to sea. It was heavily guarded as well. I needed to get back here as quickly as possible because I have another lead to follow here. From what I've learned, Anora is the one behind this. I just need to find the one who is supplying the money to pay for this operation, her partner in crime as it were." Zevran said as he looked at Alistair, who was now leaning against the wall.

Nobody spoke for a while, all eyes were fixed on Alistair. Tears suddenly started streaming down his cheeks quietly, and everyone looked away to give him a private moment. Fergus shifted uncomfortably. He was the first to speak.

"Alistair, I see you love her very much. I'm sorry I reacted the way I did. I was being a hypocrite, as Aedan so adeptly put it. I simply have adored Azure ever since she was a baby, and swore to always protect her. Please forgive my outburst," he mumbled sadly.

"It's fine, there is nothing to forgive," Alistair's voice was thick with emotion. He brushed his tears away impatiently. "Teagan..."

"What is it, Alistair?"

"You must fill in as my regent while I am gone and take care of Anora's hearing if we don't make it back in time," he spoke quietly but there was a note of determination in his voice that made it sound steely and surprised the others.

"Alistair, we need you here. You know that you are the only thing that is keeping all the nobles together. It is too risky for you to-" Alistair interrupted Teagan, his eyes dark with fear.

"Teagan, that's my future wife out there, and the mother of my unborn child. Screw the crown. If I cannot get her back and anything should happen to her I-" He could not bear to finish the sentence, and sat on the bed, at a loss for words.

"Might I offer you a bit of advice, my good friend Alistair?" Zevran spoke up. Alistair jerked his head up and nodded.

"I think it is time we gave the conspirators a false sense of security, yes?" He flashed a grin at them before proceeding. "We will make them believe that they have won, when in fact, they have not. The only thing we need now is evidence that cannot be denied or put aside. Evidence to procure in a Landsmeet. I could get that evidence, but I need to work here at the palace. I have a plan, and I strongly suspect it will work," he flashed Alistair a grin, and he smiled back weakly.

"What is your plan, Zevran?" Alistair asked.

"You should leave to follow her trail immediately, taking some of us with you. I will pretend to go along, but slip away without being noticed and remain behind. Teagan should remain here as your regent. Obviously, whoever is behind this knows you well, and knows that you would panic and follow the trail, seeking her out. This is why this was planned, and this is why I believe she will not be harmed. They need her and are using her as bait. I am confident I will find and secure the proof we need while you are gone, and we will be able to get the necessary evidence to turn events around in our favor."

"Aedan, Leliana and Fergus, would you come with me?" Alistair asked.

"There is no need to ask, we are already with you, my brother," Aedan said warmly as he patted Alistair's shoulder.

"Teagan, if they are planning a coup to place Anora on the throne, they will do this on the day of her hearing," Alistair told him. "You should let them carry out their plans, and allow this to happen. When we return with Azure, we will hopefully have enough evidence to put an end to this."

"That is very wisely said, Alistair. It seems that some of me has rubbed off on you, no?" Zevran smirked.

"Don't push your luck, Zevran," Alistair retorted feigning anger at his words.

But the elven assassin was not to be fooled, and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, and the looks exchanged between the two said it all.

...

Azure stared up at the door, and knew that she could probably pick the lock successfully, if given a chance. She did know by the sounds surrounding her that it would be extremely foolish, as the ship was at sea and she still had ropes tied around her hands and ankles.

A man had come in a short while ago, telling her he would release her so she could have something to eat and drink, but should refrain from trying to get away. She smiled wryly at his comment because she knew that she could not get away. There was simply nowhere to run and she was not a good swimmer either.

Her thoughts turned to Alistair, as they had done ever since she had come to. She envisioned his face before her, and bit her lower lip, biting down the tears that threatened to come. He would have discovered her by now. She knew he was suffering from insomnia lately and would have probably gone into her room, only to find her gone.

She would not give in to tears, because she didn't want the emotion she was feeling to hurt her unborn child in any way. She thanked the Maker that she was already ending her third month, and did not feel the regular morning sickness that she had felt only a week ago. That ordeal would not have been bearable in her present situation.

The lock on the door signaled the arrival of one of her captors, who carried a tray of food in his hands, which he placed on the floor. The man eyed her torn nightgown, and his eyes roamed over her body. She knew immediately what he wanted and prayed inwardly for him not to succumb to his desire. He made a move to cut the ropes that tied her hands, and stepped away.

"You are a pretty little thing," he murmured.

She eyed him with disgust and fear, and he gave a bark of a laugh.

"Don't worry, little one. We were given strict orders not to touch you. You are a very valuable package to us and until we receive word that everything has gone according to plan, we will not harm you in any way. Not that I believe that my touch would harm you," he caressed her cheek and she moved away, turning her face away from his.

He laughed out loud then, and she struggled to keep her fear in check and turned to eye him defiantly.

"Ah, but you are a fiery little one. Eat. I will return later for the dishes."

She watched him leave and the scent of the food overpowered her as soon as it reached her nostrils and made her feel weak. Using the spoon she had been given, she quickly devoured her food and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand when she was done. The fact that she was being fed lightened her mood considerably.

She flexed her wrists, rubbing them slightly as she pondered on the course of action she would take as soon as the ship docked. She poured some of the water that was in a pitcher on the tray and drank as she formulated a plan. When she was satisfied, she leaned back against the wall, her eyes fixed on the opposite wall in front of her, a smile playing on the corners of her lips.

...

The four of them ran into Wynne who was just arriving from a visit to the Circle Tower. When she saw them packed to go somewhere, she stopped and waited for Alistair to catch up with her.

"Wynne, they have kidnapped Azure. We are on our way to try to catch up with her and her captors," Alistair said breathlessly, while he gave her a hug. "I'm so glad that you are here."

"Kidnapped?" Wynne managed to get out.

"There is no time to explain. I know you must be tired, but-"

"Say no more, Alistair. I shall accompany you and give you all the help I am able to," Wynne said immediately without waiting for him to ask.

He squeezed her hand in gratitude and they continued their march through the city of Denerim towards the docks. From there they would take one of the Royal ships to Val Royeaux.

Two men jumped out of the shadows and Alistair turned instinctively and hit one of them without thinking. He immediately drew out his sword and shield and his body fell into a defensive stance.

"Wait one second there!" A voice called from the ground. Alistair recognized the voice and put away his sword and shield again, but made no move to help the man to his feet.

"Just where do you think you are going in the dead of night?" Senior Warden Pernin demanded, getting up and dusting off his cloak as he did so. His companion stood nearby silently watching Alistair and the rest. "We had an agreement, if I recall!"

"Get out of my way, you fool! We have no time for delays!" Alistair snarled at him and Aedan had to stop him from whipping his weapon out again.

"I'm afraid that if you break your promise I will be forced to-" Pernin began and Aedan cut him off.

"Look! My sister has been kidnapped and we are on our way to rescue her. Now if you want to come along you are welcome to, but we cannot afford to waste our time here," Aedan finished off.

"I'm not going to agree to that!" Alistair growled. "I probably won't be able to contain myself and may hurt him. Badly."

Pernin stepped back and eyed Alistair, who was beside himself with anger. He realized that they were telling the truth immediately.

"Fine! But I'll be here waiting for you when you return," he snarled.

"Of that, I have no doubt," Aedan said dryly as he took Alistair's arm and led him away.

They reached the docks without further interruptions and Alistair barked a few orders to the men on board that had been waiting for them. Zevran slipped away among the bustle and activity without being noticed. He blended into the shadows and ran off silently, his feet taking him closer to the palace with each step he took. He would have no problem slipping back into the palace. He had done it without any problems before and knew the palace layout and the lack of security in certain areas.

He would have to talk to Alistair about that once this was all over.

Once inside, he caught sight of a male figure that was trying to creep and blend into the shadows, making his way to Fort Drakon. He smiled at the man's stupid attempts to sneak and followed closely, his grin deepening when he found himself in the area where Anora was kept prisoner. He leaned against one of the walls, waiting.

"It is done, my Queen," the man said in a low voice. "They are gone, and the usurper has reacted the way you predicted. They are leaving for Val Royeaux as we speak."

"Excellent, Barlein. She will not be harmed, I hope? I need her to set in motion the second part of our plan."

"No, Your Majesty. If anyone should touch a hair on her head, that person would be killed on the spot, and the people on board are keeping tabs on each other."

"You will receive a part of your payment immediately. Set out for the point of rendezvous. She will be waiting for you with a bag of sovereigns that you will distribute to the men here. Make haste."

Zevran had heard enough, he slid into the shadows further down the corridor as he waited for the man to leave. Then, he fell behind him and followed him out of the Fort.

He would finally find out who this female partner was tonight or die in the attempt.