Revolution

by rikkustrife

This is from a roleplay a friend and I have written together. It's placed in the aftermath of Anders destruction of the Chantry in Kirkwall and Leliana comes across him, and they begin their adventure together which in turns brings them closer together. Chapter 5 is the first sexual themed chapter for those uncertain if they want to read that part or not.

36. Chapter 36

Justina nodded some and looked towards the others that were there sitting at the table around them. To the left and then going to the right of the table, there had sat Warden Commander Stroud, the Knight Captain of Orlais, the Captain of the City Guard, King Alistair, Leliana, Fenris, Anna, Malachi, the two templars that were accompanying Malachi at the time, Ghaleon, the First Enchanter, and lastly Cassandra. Justina and the Empress had waited until everyone had sat down.

"Fellow Council Members of the Court, thank you for staying with us this evening. Today we welcome strong leaders, nobles, and even old friends from far off lands." The Empress announced and looked across those seated alongside her with a smile. "It gives me great pleasure to sit among you as a friend and yet my heart will sadden at the revealed conflicts among us. …For, this meeting will decide the fate of Anders of the Anderfels. Under the Maker's Eye, we are to carry forth the heavy Shield of Consideration and the sharp Blade of Judgment."

Justina VI looked back down at the papers in front of her, and began to read out loud the life of Anders of the Anderfels, and of what information they had on him. There were records of him from when he stayed in the Circle in Ferelden, the countless times he escaped, his time with Wardens and how he was assigned to them, then his separation from them to his stay in Kirkwall, and until at last the conclusion of when Anders managed to establish a city of his own through force.

As she sat there as patiently as she could manage she sighed as her arms had propped up by the elbows to the edge of the table as her laced fingers had been used as a leaning platform for her chin. Her bright eyes had shifted to the one person that she knew was against Anders the most, Stroud. He looked like an angry man that just seemed to want to make everyone else feel as miserable as him. Looking away she dropped her eyes next to Malachi and Anna then lastly Fenris before peaking her curiosity to the Divine and her papers she drew near.

When the notes we're read, Leliana's attention shifted over to Justina VI just to hear if they had intrepid something wrong in the grape vine of words of what people could mistake or purposely say wrong just to make Anders to look worse than he did. She would have fought for as his defense till dawn if it came to that. But upon hearing no untrue thing said about Anders, besides what he had done Leliana had sighed some in a sense of relief. Her eyes looked to Alistair once the crimes of what Anders had done were put on the table.

Alistair had looked to Leliana as well as her eyes had already begun to drill holes in him as he coughed some to get at least a little attention to himself before he spoke in the process of standing from his chair. "What Anders has done is absolutely crazy, when I had even first met the mage, in Amaranthine I thought Aragorn had lost a few marbles in wanting to allow him to join the Wardens. But he always had a good sense of character when choosing who to fight alongside with and I have to admit Anders was of help to us, when he was there. That much is true. I got a few report letters regarding Anders highly, since I still liked to feel like I was a part of the Wardens when I was in Denerim after all… If you wish to read them I do have them with me." He spoke as he started to reach into his pouch/pocket and pull out several letters signed with the Warden Commanders name 'Aragorn Cousland'. " So on behalf of Aragorn who is no longer with us, and from what I just heard... I vote for the mage than against him." He said proudly with a genuine smile had smeared across his lips as he looked to Leliana before sitting back down to his seat.

Leliana had smiled brightly as she had almost clasped her hands together in a rapid clap, but of course had halted herself in such an action as she didn't want to come off to excited. After Alistair had taken his seat Leliana had slowly stood to her feet at last, glancing to the Divine and the Empress giving off the warmest of smiles. "My judgment isn't clouded when I say this, as I believe in letting him be free from his charges… I don't want to sound like a broken string on a lute but as I said before Anders was doing all this as he believed it to be the right thing, but he didn't enjoy hurting others in the process I just know it… I knew if I were a mage I'd be trying to find a way to get redemption for myself and my people, to be accepted, its all we want in this world after all. But all they have, is each other. Well with the few who accept them that is. But we all know how rare that is." She stated as she looked to the two highly standing ladies before slowly taking her seat once more.

The Empress listened to King Alistair first and waited patiently for what letters he had with him. All at the council listened to what was written and looked more towards Justina VI who had reached for her feathered pen.

"Thank you, King Alistair. Your vote clearly counts as one to release the mage." The Empress smiled and then looked back towards Justina VI who had just gotten finished making the documentation on her legislature. "Unfortunately, we cannot count for the Grey Warden Aragorn due to his unfortunate demise; though he clearly has influenced you and the Court shall respect that—"

"Actually, we could." Fenris spoke up as he started to sit up from his chair, grasping the attention of the others since the elf did in-fact, speak out of turn. "At least by the natural order of Civil Trials, if it clearly is Serah Cousland's letters then deceased or not, his vote should still count by default."

Cassandra tilted her head towards him and narrowed her eyes at the suggestion. "You dare to second guess her Excellency? If you're going to start counting the dead, you may as well start with the Grand Cleric of Kirkwall or Hawke!"

"An excellent suggestion." The Empress smiled brightly to the thought.

Then Justina VI lifted her head and looked towards the Empress with a sad smile. "We shouldn't call upon the deceased thoughts of Her Grace over this matter, though. May the Maker guide her, to the very end she stuck true to her neutral path."

"Then what better one to add to this vote then Serah Hawke?" The Empress asked and then looked towards the others. "Do we have anyone here that can speak for her? I would very much like to know how she felt."

"Well…" Fenris began as he started to stand up. He bowed towards the Empress and to Justina VI in any attempt of regaining some dignity. "I…have known Serah Hawke longer than anyone here. I can speak for her; as long as Serah Aragorn's vote is credited as well."

Empress Celene only smiled and held her hand out to him gracefully in her invitation. "Please do, Ser Fenris. The floor is yours."

Fenris nodded and rested his hands behind his back. "Hawke fought alongside Anders for years during their stay in Kirkwall. He was her lover, but they fought tooth-and-nail on almost any topic that involved mages. For reasons I'll leave out, regardless of her origin, she stood up for the abused templars and the victims who had fallen to demons. This cause escalated to the point that Anders had killed her, and he did so with very little remorse. I can speak for Hawke's conclusion of a disagreement to Aragorn's perception. She would say that his character is flawed and should no doubt be put to death."

The others merely paused in that moment of silence until Empress Celene chose to speak once more. "And… of this, you're sure?"

Fenris bowed his head some and then confirmed his answer. "Naomi fought against him with her dying breath. Despite of whatever emotions they may have had during their final battle against one another, it was clear Naomi would not stop until Anders paid for his crimes, and therefore, Anders would not stop until he was completely rid of Naomi. The only reason I am pushing for Serah Aragorn's and Serah Hawke's names to be heard in this hearing is because they—among one other person here—are also of the most important people in the mage's history."

"Very well… It shall be taken into the vote. That's one against." Justina VI spoke up and returned back to her legislature to mark down the vote.

Afterwards, they paused to hear of Leliana's given decision to the matter. Again they had listened with patience and respect. Some of them had to because she was the one woman to represent the Seekers in this vote. Normally, it would have been Cassandra; however, Leliana had accompanied Anders far longer in comparison to Cassandra who had only been hearing tales of him. The Holy Mother had wished to put her faith in Leliana's vote over Cassandra's mainly due to the fact of who had spent the longest time around the mage terrorist.

"Three for support…" Justina VI remarked in a gentle tone and continued to write down the next mark.

Afterwards, Empress Celene's eyes had looked back towards Fenris, who had just about sat down for the moment. Her smile had clearly been shown that she was not about to give Fenris a break. She raised her hand briefly to him once more and began to speak.

"Oh, please do rise once more, Serah. You may as well give your vote next." She urged on as sweetly as she could; for mainly two reasons.

One, it was because Fenris was the only elf in the Court, and she needed to keep her reputation of carefully listening to the elves as a strong trait - and two, because she felt that the Court may as well have gotten Fenris's vote over with to hopefully avoid anymore possible interruptions from him.

"…Okay…" Fenris started say and rose back to his feet. He folded his arms and stared back down at the table in thought. "…Anders is a Mage. Speaking from an ex-slaver's perspective, and one who has spent a great deal of his life running from a Tevinter Magister—magic is dangerous. I vote…to keep him in prison."

Empress Celene only blinked at him a couple of times, as if awaiting a punch-line to a joke. Though when there was none, Justina VI spoke up in return.

"I'm sorry, Serah… The only choices presentable are life and death." Justina VI said and lifted her eyes back up from her paper.

Fenris raised a slight eyebrow to the options. "You mean… That's it? That's all I have to choose from?"

The two women nodded and the elf sighed, feeling his knees grow weak, and wanting to sit back into the chair.

"You know… if this were … six—well, really even three years ago, I would have said to kill him. I would have killed him myself. A mage who kills numbers of countless innocents -that really had nothing to do with his cause in the first place-yes, I would have risen my blade for blood." Fenris began as he started to sit down. "But… It's been… too, …too long to hold this grudge. I know that also seems rather petty, but if there is some way his grudge against the Chantry could be let go, then I would be more at peace with letting go my own grudge against him."

"Well, spoken…" Empress Celene smiled.

"And so, your vote? If you please…" Justina requested and looked back up towards him.

"I… " Fenris started to mumble once his head was down.

"I'm sorry. What was that?" Justina asked and cupped her ear to hear him better.

Fenris groaned and raised his head back up; making a quick swinging motion to look right at the ceiling. "I said I want the stupid mage to live."

"Alright… That's four votes for Anders to live." Justina VI announced as she continued to write down on her piece of paper. "Depending on this outcome of this first vote, perhaps later we will discuss what further options may be available to us on that matter though, Serah. Thank you for your vote."

As Leliana had sat their helplessly in hearing Fenris's words of wanting Naomi's vote in with the rest; as she did deserve to be a part of this as much as any other person. But still she had to wonder if he was really going to decide for her. If Anders had gotten two death sentence votes that would bring it at a tie and just bring more stress to her body. As she listened she felt her lower lid twitching at every word the Elf had spoken. No matter how hard she tried to close her eyes to block it out, she could still hear him. A part of her wanted to reach across the table and strangle the man to death before they got a yes or no out of him. But she had to hold her composer. Which had lasted as long as he had said the words of Naomi wishing to see him dead. Leliana felt her nimble hands clenching into tight fists as she slowly opened her eyes at last to look to the Elf with disappointment.

But since no one had interrupted her, she decided on the matter to be just as kind and allow Fenris to further speak on his vote that he wanted to give. She couldn't even look to the Elf as her stare had taken her to the farthest end of the room as her eyes fell upon a fixture to where it had stayed until she had heard the Elf's broken speech towards the Empress. Leliana hadn't turned her cranium but more so shifted her optics so she could glance to the Elf in a more cautious kind of manner.

After Fenris had finally spit out the words of wishing Anders to live Leliana whipped her cranium around so she could at last fully look to the Elf and make sure it was the same Fenris she had always knew. Either he was sick, or that moment with Anders had really worked on him to an extreme to help Anders in the dire time of need. Still she couldn't believe what her ears were hearing.

Shaking the shock Leliana rested her back against the chair slowly feeling her body unwind as her vision had shifted over to Anna and Malachi. Which she knew were to be good votes. They were the only two she was relying on at first, besides Alistair. Upon thinking of all the possible good votes for Anders it had put Leliana's mind at ease if for a short time.

The Knight Commander stood up and looked across the table towards the people who had voted for Anders to live and continued to frown. "I may not be Knight Commander Meredith, nor her replacement in Kirkwall, but I am to this Court—no—to every innocent human life, including those who do not appreciate it—I am protection. My shield represents the vengeance of every abused individual who could not defend themselves against magic when it clashed upon them. Every mother who weeps for a babe torn from their womb, every man and elf burned alive for some dark ritual or some 'accident' due to magic… I say to this day, there is no justice in this world if this man lives."

Empress Celene nodded and bowed her head some towards the Knight Commander's words. Though, she did wait until he sank back down in his chair before looking to Justina VI , who in turn was writing down the next vote onto her legislature.

"Well…!" Malachi quickly began to stand up in a huff after the Knight Commander had started to sit down. He smoothed out the ruffles in his collar and continued to speak. "Since we are representing those who are deceased, and having other people to represent their votes, I can clearly speak Serah Hamilton."

"Who?" The Knight Commander asked and lifted a slight brown in question to him.

"The Tevinter Commander who worked our beloved Icon." Malachi stated and closed his eyes as though trying to shoo away a fly in the room. "At first, I didn't believe I would be able to truly take part in this, considering of my background. So, I will just begin with what I know. Alexander have made any contract with another mage unless he knew for certain the man's intentions were pure and just—"

"Says a bloody Magister!" The Knight Commander quickly interrupted.

Malachi gasped at the accusation. Regardless if it was true, the last thing he nor Anna would have needed was for their origins of being bloodmages, to have been brought out into the open. They would have been killed on the spot. So of course, Anna's eyes had started to widen and she shrank back into her chair a little farther. Though Malachi was the one to glare and shout quickly back at him.

"You dare accuse me of bloodmagic?" Malachi scoffed quickly.

"I can smell it on your." The Knight Commander snarled.

"Gentlemen, please." Empress Celene lifted her arms and outward to calm them.

"You've had your turn, Knight Commander. Let him say his peace." Cassandra warned the man across from her and folded her arms. Which had only caused the man to shrink grumpily back down into his chair.

"As I was saying…. Serah Hamilton would have voted in favor of allowing Anders to live." Malachi spoke quickly and then moved to sitting back down.

While Justina VI wrote down the next mark, the Guard Captain stood up and bowed his head in respect to Empress Celene.

"While the Knight Commander does speak for his men, and even the common man, I too speak for the average citizen. I speak for those whose loved have no voice of their own, or choice of their own. I speak for the average coin and every public piece of property that crumbles due to heinous acts. It is this very thing that-I feel—leads a kingdom to paranoia, fear, and poverty. Such as what happened in Kirkwall. It has turned into a slow dying city and there is no apology great enough to restore it to its proper glory. Anders of the Anderfels must die for his crimes against not only those of his own belief, but those who could not/would not defend themelves."

"I see…" The Empress glanced away, as though she were taking his words more to heart for the moment and then bowed her head to have had him dismissed.

Stroud moved to his feet and bowed his head next. "King Alistair is a Warden, and so is Serah Aragorn Cousland. Therefore, I certainly cannot speak solely for the Wardens on Anders's behalf. Instead, Your Grace, I come to you as a reprehensive like the few before me. I come to you as the voted result of Anders's own past comrades from in between Aranthine to his supposedly new Unit from Cumberland. It was apparent that Anders had allowed a spirit to possess him and to become a part him in between the time of our Unit's exchange. This was after the battle in Amaranthine. While, we cannot and will not question Serah Aragorn's judgment over Anders before the time this possession had occurred; however, we do question Anders's decision in allowing this spirit to become a part of him. As a whole, Anders's Unit has decided—and with a heavy heart—that his actions are based on the possession inside of him. This is not to discredit the spirit, for he too was a Grey Warden, dubbed by Serah Aragorn as well – and again—we cannot and will not judge Serah Aragorn's decisions. However due to this possession, it became apparent that Anders had …changed… and so, due to his recent events, Anders's own fellow comrades have chosen for Anders to face his crimes. At the very least, to have the spirit exorcised out of him."

"That cannot be done. He is possessed and therefore an abomination. He needs to die." The Knight Commander said quickly and turned his head to glare towards Commander Stroud.

Stroud sighed some and reached up to scratch his mustache before speaking again. "Well… if there is no other way, then there is no other way. We must take full responsibility for our given actions, and so must Anders."

"Then that's… another for the death count…?" Justina VI asked and looked towards him after receiving a nod. She turned back to her paper and started to mark it down next.

As the Knight Commander had started to stand Leliana had propped her elbows on the table as she leaned in and gently massaged her temples in a soothing circling motion. She couldn't help but groan and whisper in-coherent things under her breath as this one spoke though. She could tell right when he had opened his mouth that he wouldn't shut up once he had finally gotten a word in. If the Empress or the Divine weren't in the room Leliana would have otherwise dealt with this pest.

With Malachi rising to stand Leliana had glanced up, hoping to hear some good vote within this stressful situation. The rouge leaned back some as a sigh pushed through her lips in a single huff as her arms crossed over her chest. No matter how much she had despised Alexander, at least he was being to some help now since he was partly to blame for all this madness going around. Or so Leliana liked to say so she could partly point the finger at the Magister.

As the accusations had arose Leliana had softly bit her lip, glancing to Anna. The least she had wanted was Anna and Malachi to be brought down just for trying to help a fellow Anders, who to them were like a brother like figure no less and an important person looked highly upon. Her eyes turned to the Knight Commander as a glare had held deep within her orbs as she was inches away from standing to her feet and defending the two. But thankfully to Malachi he had everything amazingly under control. For now.

When Stroud had stood at last it had brought mostly Alistair's attention to heed in a curious manner. He had heard of great, good things of Stroud. It was unlikely to hear anything bad about a Warden for that matter. That it made him wonder what his judgment would be on Anders. When the mentioning of Anders spirit was made the King's attention shifted from Stroud and to Leliana who had tried to avoid eye contact at that moment with the man as she had forgot to give that tiny detail… It wouldn't change his vote. It's just he was amazed she left such a large part out.

Leliana was to attentive on listening to everyone's words, or she would have given Alistair a reassuring glance, as she figured she could explain things later to him and all would be fine. Her most concern laid with this Knight Commander that was slowly starting to make her blood boil. As she sat there in the muck of it all she had tried to calm herself down to a level given she wouldn't explode. Though that had lasted until the Knight Commander had commanded Anders had died for his mistakes. It seemed as if this man was acting in charge of such a decision without taking their votes into consideration, or so it seem. That the rouge had quickly stood as the palm of her hands slammed to the solid-ness of the wooden table before them. "I suggest you shut up and sit down. Unless you want me to do both of those things for you." She spat in a venomous tone as she had kept her stance against him until he had finally stood down, to take her seat once more.

"I have already warned one Seeker not to speak out of turn against me. Must I start bringing a backhand to my words as well?" The Knight Commander huffed in the challenge.

"I think you're forgetting you are in a room filled with people who either are completely against you or must stand by out of the respect of remaining a neutral party." Ghaleon warned the man in a slightly small voice; but with a bright smile.

"You dare to threaten another Seeker, and I'll be happy to override you and your stupid chain of command." Cassandra warned and started to pull herself up from her chair.

"I'd be happy for you to over-ride me too." The Knight Commander blurted out without thinking.

"Oh my goodness…" The Empress gasped and started to turn red as she turned her head away from both of them. For the Knight Commander had just made a dirty comment right in front of the Holy Mother's and her own presence.

"That's enough!" Justina VI warned and held up her pen quickly. Her eyes continued to glance all around in equally glances of warning towards the Knight Commander, Cassandra, and even Leliana. "We have not called this meeting to cause anymore issues than we are already trying to solve."

"Yes, well he's starting it—" Cassandra quickly began to say until she saw Justina's palm raise in the air towards her in order to silence her. So, the dark haired Seeker braced her hands back to her hips and huffed a little before turning away to walk towards the wall behind her.

"Can we please…? Let's just continue." Justina VI said as she returned her arm back down gently to the table. "Anyone who would wish to speak on the current 'issue' and is qualified to do so, please speak now."

"What most of what I am hearing of this table is the same argument I hear among our very own Mage Fraternities… And we are actually forgetting one thing that is very, very important." The First Enchanter began to say as he stood to his feet. He looked around the room before bringing his hands gently down onto the table's surface.

"This is not about the oppression or abuse of mages. This is not about the restrictions or abuse of the templars…. I dare say, this is not even about the suffering of a possessed man! This is about an act of terrorism. Were those men and women in that Chantry templars? No. Were they bloodmages, apostates, or Circle Mages? No. That was a building filled with people who served our Maker and his Bride. It was a building that all of us here, on one level or another, hold symbolism and worshiped dearly. In fact, that is the very reason why Anders destroyed it! Regardless of what he claims to stand for, or what his ambitions are, he has made it very clear to everyone that he is a mage willing to destroy and kill anything or anyone who stands in his way. We have in this dungeon a terrorist, Ladies and Gentleman, a terrorist willing to eradicate our own beliefs and our own faith. This is such a thing that not even the Circle of Magi can support. In fact, the Resolutionsists are being removed from our fraternities due this monstrosity. The Circle of Magi cannot and will not support a terrorist who announces war against our very own beliefs. He must face his crimes as any terrorist should."

Justina VI looked back at her parchment and continued to write down the next vote that was clearly in the death circle. The Knight Commander had even looked towards the First Enchanter curiously at that time as the man started to sit down.

The Empress lifted her head from watching the First Enchanter's descent and then looked towards the others within the room. Her previous had smile had faded; almost as if some serious epiphany had struck her among the many speeches she was listening to all at once. After a few moments, she started to speak in order to break the silence.

"…Is there…anyone else? Anyone else who is qualified to cast their vote and hasn't done so yet?" Empress Celene asked carefully. "If you haven't spoken yet, please speak now."

"I-I…." Anna fearfully mumbled as she started to stand to her feet. She kept her head down, since she was still very scared at the moment. After all, there were previous accusations of "bloodmages" being thrown about, but she had to say her peace as well for the council; for Anders. Shaking and afraid that she would soon be accused as well, Anna raked her teeth across her bottom lip and continued.

"I have… known Anders most of my childhood years. I was born a F-Ferelden… Circle Mage…and married t-to S-Serah Hamilton. So, m-my ties to Anders h-have always b-been close. I-I am not a First Enchanter… nor am I a—a G-Grand M-Magister… But I do b-believe if there is e-enough study in this… this sp-spirit-p-possession … one day we m-mages can find a cure. Th-That may be all A-Anders needs… a-a cure… Even if he's—he's so much…I can't see… m-my big brother doing it. I-I can't re—really see even the sp-spirit doing it. P-Please don't kill him for—for his c-clouded ambitions. I-I truly believe he—he has n-no wish for any of—of what's e-even been done. He-He just needs…a cure… him and his G-Grey Warden spirit-both…and the C-Circle should be entitled t-to find one. Th-That's why th-the Circle of Magi e-even exists…or-or F-First Enchanter…I-Irving has al-always said."

"Married to a Magister, huh?" The Knight Commander questioned and had risen an eyebrow questionably towards Anna next.

Anna's breathing quickened and she quietly sank back down into the chair. She wouldn't give him an answer, but merely kept her eyes still staring down at the table. Though Cassandra, on the other hand walked over towards the Knight Commander and began to crack her knuckles from inside of her gauntlets which would have been difficult for even an average man to have done.

"Permission to throw him out, Your Eminence." She started to growl up on each step that she took.

"There will be no need." Justina VI said after writing the final tallies down onto the paper. "This meeting is over. You all can come back tomorrow at sunrise. We will present this Council's Verdict and of what charges may follow."

"Until then, we wish a pleasant evening, and a good night's rest. May everyone leave these doors in high spirits and in peace among each other." The Empress added in the following dismissal speech.

Though quickly afterwards both the Holy Mother and Empress Celene stood up from their chairs. They both turned to see themselves out first; leaving the rest to remain at the table and on their own from that moment onward. Anna shrank back into her chair; nearly on the verge of tears from being so scared. She moved slightly towards Fenris to hide behind while Malachi had seemed to glare the Knight Commander down.

As the first half of trail had slowly dwindled down to an end Leliana had watched from her seat as the Divine and Empress had taken their leave from the room to stand up at last. The quietness around them was so tense that Leliana sneakily managed to creep over to Fenris and grab the elven man by the tip of his ear. "What were you thinking you idiot!?" She hissed as she had pinched just a bit harder onto the tip of his ear. "If Naomi wanted Anders killed you know she would have done it the second she pulled that blade on him when we first went to Kirkwall. Or have you so easily forgotten that!?"

Not letting go Leliana dragged Fenris until she had stood before the Knight Commander. Even though his size was 3x larger than her own and there was little she could do with holding Fenris still she still risked in her fit of a rage to reach up and grasp the Commander by the collar of his armor, pulling him down to her level. "You know I told you to shut up. And you just keep running your little mouth. Even when a woman is talking for Makers sake. Do you have and respect or did your mommy beat you and now you have mommy issues so you make up for that by fighting with us ladies."

In the background Alistair had watched stunned as he had hesitantly, and slightly frightened stepped a few paces back until he was aside Malachi. The one person that had despised him the most in this room. He really hadn't noticed the Magister beside him as he was shocked by Leliana's boldness to take on two men at one time no less. "I hope I don't have to jump in and save her ass." He groaned as he folded his arms over his chest.

"I heard that! Don't think you won't be next!" She sneered as fixation of her eyes had never left the Knight Commander.

"What did I do!?" Alistair whined in a response as he had walked up a few steps towards the rouge.

"For saying that just now… That's what." She stated with a pause before turning her conversation back to the man before her. "You're lucky I don't cut your tongue out right here… So instead…" Leliana said allowing her words to drift, to allow the man to wonder what she would come up with instead. Though she hadn't given much time as she drew back her fisted gauntleted hand and planted square on the Knight Commanders cheek. "I'll do that." She spoke in a proud voice before looking to Fenris who had either gotten away from her by now or hadn't as she gave a sudden release to his ear so the palm of her hand could shove the Elf away if he was still near since she had gotten her frustration out on someone else.

Fenris quickly flinched as he was being tugged along with Leliana forcefully being the guide. Of course he was starting to announce of his pain in a monotone voice. "Ow… Ears do not—aow-bend—ow—that way—ow…"

He was given little choice but to have listened to Leliana chew him out. While he could clearly see her reasoning for being so rash towards him, Fenris still didn't believe he was in the wrong of his judgment. He remained quiet—well aside from his announcement of pain—before responding during his dull wince.

"Even if that were true, do you really think anyone in the Court would believe it? Hawke had done nothing but preach for his death and to dance on his grave since that dreadful eve… and it was no secret." He stated while finally sliding his ear away from her deathly pinched-grip.

Though it seemed she was done with him as she had pushed him away, and Fenris took that opportunity to scramble back towards Anna for the time being. Of course to see that she was going to start attacking the Knight Commander next, more looks of concern began to follow after her. Some had even looked towards Cassandra, who had proven many times before to have been the referee among such arguments.

However, the dark-haired Navarran merely seemed to stand on the sidelines along with the others almost a little too long. Just from seeing the man getting struck sparkled a small twinkle to her eye and an even darker smirk. She would have been more inclined to pinning the Knight Commander down for her, if it were any circumstances where she would have been free to do so—at least for this one time. It was sad to her that protocol demanded more of her; even if she bent the rules to it a little.

The Knight Commander rubbed his jaw some against the soreness. This had been the second time he was struck by an armored glove within one day. Though, it didn't damage any gums or bust the inside of his lip like Cassandra's previous punch had done from before, it still reopened wounds that were once in the processing of healing. Either way, the man still tasted blood in his mouth. He glared back at her, almost as if preparing to have spit at her in response.

Though this was certainly not going to happen; not on Cassandra's watch. The woman bolted towards the heavy and tall man before pulling him away. She pinned his arm behind his back while the Guard Captain maneuvered next to the man's other side to take his free arm.

"Alright, I think it's time for a little peace and quite at the confessional booth." Cassandra announced as she tightened her hold onto the man's arm, lifting his body weight up higher and slightly more against himself.

"Blasted Seekers…!" The Knight Commander started to shout as he was being hauled away.

Once some of the peace had started to return and a few other members of the court had began to disperse, Fenris lowered his head while rubbing his ears still. He began to grumble under his breath. "…Well, I'm glad that it's finally over…"

"Did we win?" Anna asked him from her chair and attempted to see what damage Leliana had done to the poor elf's ears.

"Of course we did." Malachi scoffed and flipped his silvery hair over his shoulder some before glancing towards Alistair and seeing how close he stood near him before taking a few steps back and turning away. It was clearly an ostracized move on his part, but he wasn't about to trust him even within an arm's length—and he dare certainly didn't want Anna near the man either. Though trying to keep his thoughts from it, he tried to instead to have boasted their spirits up. "We've got the strongest argument and the whole Divine knows it."

"The wasn't judging it on arguments, you Oaf. The Divine was making tally-marks." Fenris rolled his eyes.

"Ooh…" Malachi paused and then turned slightly to slap the top of Fenris's head. "Well then-yeah!—Why did you have Hawke's vote be against our goal?"

"Ah! If one more person damages me, I'm going to start giving damage back!" Fenris announced and rubbed the top of his head. "Look, I already explained that so leave me alone about it."

With the Knight Commander finally began to be led away Leliana had slowly loosened to her usual state. Though her intense eyes hadn't left the man until he was out of the room and out of sight. "Damn ass of a man." She muttered as she turned a shoulder and looked to Fenris once more. She hadn't answered his previous answer to her and seeing as how their votes were already tallied, there was no point in speaking of a pointing yes no voting battle. "Your still and idiot Fenris."

With the excitement coming down, Alistair had shifted his attention to his right to see Malachi. Immediately the Warden had grinned like the cat who ate the canary, as he gave a wave of his hand. Though it seemed pointless the second he walked away. It wasn't as if Alistair wanted to make friends with these Magisters, but still for someone not to trust him so much brought him to grit his teeth and shift his sights else where when the man had walked away.

Leliana sighed some as her walk had made her way to Alistair as she had listened to Anna and her questions of the voting. Leliana as well was trying to add it all up, of how many votes were against Anders and for him, but then there was also the Divine and Empress's ruling and what they would want to do with him. Their thoughts too counted on this since Anders had destroyed a piece of them when demolishing the Chantry. "I just hope he gets out of this mess for everyone, including myself and Bael—" She had started to say which had ended in a panic. Her eyes had widened some as she frantically pushed her back off the wall from which she was leaning on to raise her arms up and two index's. "Crap.. I have to run, I've been away far too long from Baelfire." She admitted in a disappointed tone in herself as she clearly hadn't kept track of time.

"I was wondering when you would realize your son would need you." Alistair had chimed with a laughter slipping past his lips.

"Shutttt up Alistair. Why didn't you remind me if you're the bright one with the memory and everything else?" She groaned as she began to quickly walk in the direction of the doors the led to the exit.

"Because I like to see you run around like a chicken with its head cut off." He responded as he watched Leliana rush out the doors to return to Baelfire's side. "I guess that's my cue to leave as well… I suppose I shall see you all in the morning to hear the final decision on your friend right?" Alistair hadn't waited for a reply from either of the trio, instead he slowly followed in Leliana's lead as his stay was with her in the same Inn. Though as he walked carelessly away he had raised a farewell hand until they had met at a later time.

"Um—" Anna hesitated some before standing up from her chair.

Her attention had lead towards where Alistair had began to take his departure. She could sense the ostracized nature from Malachi's reaction that she believed had been a little too harsh, considering the circumstances. Anna was a Ferelden Circle Mage, so even when she stayed in the tower only to be shipped to Tevinter, she was well aware of the feeling to be shunned due to all sorts of reasons—whether to have them true or false.

However, she was still in a mild fear of Alistair, and certainly couldn't see herself in the same league to have been able to really speak to the man directly either. So, her approach was cautious and shy, but still a bit stubborn to have at least walked until she was a few steps from behind him. Fenris had turned his head to watch her, as Malachi had done but neither one had started to walk towards her at that point in time. Anna had just moved too quickly for them.

"S-Serah Alistair? Please, wait…" She started to say and quickly bowed her head. Though, the action was more to have kept her appearance unnoticed by the other guards, than to have been as humble. "Thank you… for your support. Our efforts c-could not have gotten as far without you…"

"What are you doing?" Malachi quickly questioned her and moved towards her side. He reached up, placing his hands towards her shoulders as the two Black Divine Templars had followed after him at that moment.

"Oh, let her be. She can thank the man if she wants to." Fenris rolled his eyes as he started to move towards her other side. He took her hand and lightly tugged Anna away from the Tevinter-Posse so that hopefully he and Anna could leave the building safely. "And it wouldn't kill you to bend a bit of pride too."

Annna glanced glanced towards Malachi and then towards Alistair without saying a word. She merely recoiled in her still very-timid state; clutching to Fenris's arm and allowing him to guide her out of the room. Though once the group had started initially disperse, Anna looked back up towards Fenris for the moment.

"We should check on Anders and tell him as much as we can about how the trial went." She insisted, earning a slight grown from Fenris, who really wanted nothing more than to have left the building, but he wasn't about to restrict Anna from seeing him again.

Alistair had paused for a moment in his leave to look over his shoulder when he was called out to. When he saw Anna coming up to him he had ever growing questions filling his mind, but the smile on his face had hid all such curiosity. "Yes milady?" He had asked as he finally turned around once more so he could fully look upon Anna as she spoke to him. He couldn't help but arch a sculpted brow in wonderment. But when he had finally heard what she was trying to get at he nodded his head some to the mage and returned the smile from before. "It's the least I can do. After what Leliana has told me and what I believe, I couldn't send a man to be sentenced to death. Unlike other Kings, I have sympathy. Plus I owe it to Leliana, kind of a debt to be paid." He admitted sheepishly as he rose his hand once more for a shorter wave than before as he continued his leave.

When Leliana had returned to the Inn she wasn't even to the door of her room before she could hear Baelfire's wails for her. Quickly the rouge had bursted through the door, rushing up to the younger servant as she took her son into her arms. "Shh, shh its okay now." She soothed in a soft bounce as she had shifted to walk over to the bed and rest there to being her start in feeding the little boy. "How was he?" Leliana asked as she had set Baelfire down to peal off her armor to revel herself partly to Baelfire so he could get the required nourishment.

The servant had sighed a sigh of relief as she dropped her eyes to Leliana and smiled. "He was good… For the most part. But when he started to miss you and wanted his feeding is when his urgency had inclined." She admitted with a soft smile. "How did it go? Will the Icon finally get out of his chains?"

"I hope so… We'll see in the morning when the Divine and Empress have come to a decision. But the voting alone was very close. I just hope it works in our favor." She replied as her arms cradled Baelfire while her hand reached up as her soft rounded digits worked the little boys golden hair.

When Leliana had finished with Baelfire's feeding, she had eventually found herself laying next to him as it had been such a long and tiring day and the next would just be as the same. Plus her son had needed her now, Anders would understand as to why she couldn't see him after the voting. Or so she hoped as she slowly drifted off to sleep in a curled position on her side beside Baelfire.

When the morning had come Leliana had made sure to get at the crack of dawn and begin getting ready. She wouldn't leave though until she had known the trail would begin, as she didn't want to be wait in those halls, pacing a rut into the marble flooring. As the hours passed and Alistair had come to her door Leliana had taken over Baelfire, after all Leliana had wanted to give Anders the chance to see his son after all. Since the mage had not even a day with his son and just in case if the trail had went badly. Even though their voting had seemed to be in Anders favor.

"Let's go." Alistair ordered as he held out an arm towards the open door.

The rouge had looked to it sighing softly as she turned around and quickly made her way through and back to the place of meeting.

After talking with Anders and describing how the trail went, it seemed that the only thing Anders had really requested of them was to enjoy the rest of that evening. He saw how distraught that Anna was, and he always knew his sister-figure had always been quick to cry. It hurt him to have seen her like that; and he could have only imagined of how Leliana was holding up since her duties had called her elsewhere. Anders didn't hold anything against anyone at that time; well all except for the Holy Mother. So, he told them all to celebrate for him and to drink in his honor.

So after they group had left, they went back to the Inn that Leliana and Alistair had retreated to. At first the group was going to invite them to the party below, but it had seemed they had already went to bed. It was a real shame to see, but Fenris had argued with them that the King of Ferelden and the Icon's Wife had enough stress to deal with on their own. Having a tribute in Anders's name at that time may would have been too much for those two to handle.

So, the tribute had continued without them. There was Malachi and his guardians—of course to be nearby, Ghaleon, Fenris, and Anna. Cassandra had stayed behind to keep Anders company for the evening—which had been a little ironic, but she believed that if someone should have been the one to remain guarding the mage, it may as well had been her.

Downstairs of the Inn, there was music and singing. Malachi had bought the house drinks for the entire evening, which had loosened up many of the peasants who came to the Inn that evening. It wasn't as perfect or as proper as a noble's party, but at least didn't have the paranoia of a Magister's party either. For that brief moment, everyone who had been at the bottom floor that evening was a friend among friends.

Malachi had gotten drunk enough to begin arm wrestling with the two templars under his command as a friendly competition. Anna had danced to the drums of the music and performed a few tricks in the middle of her dance. One had involved a piece of rope that she used to bind herself with, followed by the 'helicopter' swing; and the other was a bottle, that when she spun and placed to the floor, Anna had twisted and turned in slow swaying motions.

Such dances had nearly all of the audience watching; at least those that weren't betting on who would win the next arm wrestle or any insecure women who tugged on their boyfriends' ears. Of course it didn't help much when Anna had turned from the crowd and rolled her body downward in provocative ways; making it look as though the wine bottle had been a pole to dance around—and on—until it seemed to have disappeared.

Only later to reveal it and lick the edges of the cork—yes, Ghaleon and Fenris both had been staring almost slack-jawed and turning their heads sideways as they watched this part. Among most of the male crowd there, they would have agreed for whatever price to have been paid later—just to have seen the dance had been worth it. After many toasts made to Anders from those that drank with them, the word of the Icon having his final debut would have spread like wildfire into the morning.

When it was morning, there were many hangovers that everyone had seemed to have. Those that were called to the meeting were still a tad tired from last night. Malachi had been sleeping on one of his templar's shoulders, Ghaleon was mildly complaining to Cassandra about something insignificant at the time, and Fenris and Anna had both were leaning in arm and arm at the time. It had seemed that everyone had either been with someone else from last night or they were so wasted they couldn't even see straight the next morning.

When Leliana had come to the grand hall with Baelfire in her arms she had been somewhat heistant to bring the baby boy. But that was all common sense why she hadn't wanted to bring him. Even if a part of her knew it was for the best, for Anders to see his son again even if it was from afar she knew it would bring a smile to his face and to see that would bring her the upmost joy for him. After all it wasn't like she didn't have protection, she had Alistair. Alistair who had been sticking through this with her thick and thin, and she truly believed if something had brought conflict than he wouldn't think twice in keeping Baelfire safe from harm. As it was one other thing she was certain to ask of the King.

"Looks like we're early." Alistair spoke as he leaned in towards Leliana who immediately brought a finger to her lips to hush him since Baelfire was still resting as it was. The blonde warden had winched some, and then averted his eyes as he looked further into the hall to see Anna, Fenris and Malachi. A warm smile had appeared on his features as he pointed towards them to show Leliana where to walk.

The rouge had nodded her head some to the point and picked up her pace to a small jog-walk until she stood in front of the trio. At first her attention shifted to one person to the next. Until she lastly looked at Anna again. "What happened to you guys?" She asked almost hesitantly as her thin brow had arched up. "You guys look like you had either a rough night or morning…" Looking to Cassandra Leliana had hesitantly stepped forward and even if she had a desire to not like what she had done on orders she still had wanted to give her the friendly chance to see her son since once long ago they were friends. "It only seems right you get to see him since in Kirkwall you… Well you know." She whispered as she pulled back the delicate blanket to show the Seeker Baelfire face. "His name is Baelfire."

Alistair had watched Leliana in her walk towards Cassandra cautiously as he folded his arms once he came to a stop before the others. "It was a pain to get the kid in here. Though the people couldn't say no to my suave nature."

"What suave?" Leliana teased with a smirk coming to her lips as she hadn't looked to the Warden but still had her eyes laid to Baelfire.

"H-Hey I have lots of it and you know it, it's where Aragorn got it after all. I'm a good teacher, yes?" He gleamed nodding his head some.

Leliana rolled her eyes, dropping them to Cassandra who she gave a questionable look to before asking. "So when's this thing starting…? Did the Divine or Empresses ever come out with a decision yet, or are we truly early?" She was asking as a big part of her was afraid she would hear bad news, and she clearly couldn't take that. She could hardly take losing Anders when she did, but to lose him completely would have shattered her. In an attempt to shake her head of negative thoughts, she looked down to Baelfire to see the small boy begin to stir in his usual way of a strech to wake up. Amazingly enough he was even a quiet one when he awoke, unlike so many baby's. So in times like this it was a good thing, in morning not so much. But to see those orbs reflecting her own when he had opened his eyes she felt a warm smile pulling to her lips as she reached for the boys hand with her first two digits as she whispered gently. "Perfecting timing."

Cassandra raised a slight eyebrow towards Leliana's choice of words. Granted in some sense, she could have seen why the Nightingale held a grudge against her, and she didn't expect forgiveness. Though on the whole, Cassandra wasn't going to be asking for it either, since she was carrying the will of the Divine. It was something Leliana had seemed to have forgotten, but to Cassandra's amazement, she did seem happy and for the moment, even endearing.

So, she made the attempt and looked back at the boy. She had seen him before, but she hadn't truly took the consideration nor time to acknowledge him of his honest birthright. There was a resemblance from both parents, which only lead her to wonder about how having a child could have occurred. After all, from what she was told, Grey Wardens couldn't have children. Though mentioning such would have probably been like another broken record to the Nightingale.

"He looks more like his mother, but there's clearly a bit of his father in him." Cassandra complimented and ignored the careful stares over her as if she would have done anything to a child. Looking back up towards Leliana once more, she attempted what peaceful smile she could. "I didn't get the chance to congratulate you properly the last time… But still, I'm amazed."

"I don't see why. It's a common thing to happen when a man is deeply in love with a woman." Ghaleon shrugged his shoulders with a prideful smirk and looked back towards the entrance while the rest of the people had came into the throne room. "If you'd take to the 'Flower' than to the 'Sword' a bit more often—"

"You had better think your choice of words carefully." Cassandra quickly remarked and stepped away from Leliana just so that she could loom her intimidation over Ghaleon.

The tanned mage merely smiled real big and held up a finger in emphasizing his point. "The stork might fly right to your house."

Cassandra huffed and folded her arms, still glaring at the man although not nearly as coldly as she normally did.

"Stork-burgers…" Malachi snored in his sleep and turned some against the Black Divine Templar he was resting against.

Fenris winced some from this out-loud sleep mumbling and turned away slightly to mumble towards Anna. "Can't we just …drop him off at a Chantry somewhere and leave him?"

"No." Anna yawned and covered her mouth politely in between before finally looking towards Leliana and Alistair. Lack of sleep had seemed to keep her nerves more at ease this time, so she was able to speak with a bit more confidence—or rather less care of what self-impression she had at the time. "You were already asleep by the time we went to the Inn. Fenris said it was best not to wake you."

Around that time the Empress and Justina VI had returned to their thrones. The soldiers had called for everyone to direct their attention towards their approach and to wait until they had sat down before relaxing again. The process of roll call and reviewing yesterday's events was next. This had been just another formality to make certain that everyone had, in-fact, returned. Even the Knight Commander was there, but due to his previously shameful conduct in the first meeting, the man was reprimanded his sword and shield had been removed for this.

Lastly, Anders announcement had came and he was escorted to the floor by two prison guards. His eyes had been staring back down at his cuffed hands at the time; lured by the thick metal chain that one of the guards had been carrying. After the first few steps, he looked up and searched to find the people he recognized. Spotting Leliana and his son had been one of his first confirmations. The half-hearted smile he gave had appeared even doubtful from himself.

He really didn't want to have seen her there with his son-or more correctly-he didn't want to have them see him in that moment wearing cuffs yet again. All the same, he still was happy to have seen her. Though he wasn't certain if he was allowed to have said anything or not, so instead he merely kept his arms down and gave a timid wave in their direction.

When Cassandra had taken her glance to Baelfire Leliana's smile had widened even to a more extreme happiness. As it was a small step for her coming out of that shell of hers and being who she knew she could be. "You think so?" She questioned back with a glance down to the baby once she had commented on his looks. "I think he looks more like his daddy than any of me; which is no compliant. I guess I just can't see it since I'm me and its harder to find yourself in something you've created, I guess."

Leliana had shifted her head some to the side not in a curious manner but more so of a thankful one as her gratitude hadn't left her features. She was use to people getting confused on the matter of 'Children not being born by Grey Wardens' that she figured that's where the amazed part had come from, or possibly she was amazed Leliana had settled down… Who knew, all Leliana knew was that she was happy with what she was given in her arms. "Thank you Cassandra, it means a lot to me to hear your congratulations. It was surprising to us even when we had found out I was carrying him."

Looking to Ghaleon Leliana had chuckled some at his choice of words. He and her certainly did make a cute but odd couple, just as some would say the same as her and Anders. "Now I don't think Cassandra will be too quick to pop out a few kids yet, but I would love to see it when it happens that's for sure." She admitted as she walked back towards Alistair before she had gotten reprimanded for her choice of words as well.

"That was brave." Alistair whispered as he looked to Leliana and then Malachi in his sleep talking moment. Causing the man to arch a brow and shake his head.

"Cassandra still cares for me… I can't keep it awkward the whole time I'm here, others will notice… So some small talk is okay." She responded as her attention shifted from the Warden and went to the announcer who spoke out of the Divine and Empress to come out, at last. Leliana slowly took a breath in, pushing it out her lips as she tried to calm her nerves as she just watched them to their seats since she couldn't properly bow with Baelfire in her arms.

When Anders name was called her heart sank as she drifted her hues to the door of the where he was led out and walked before them. As he stared to the shackles a part of her was whispering to herself in her head to look up, look this way. That when he had she smiled some even if it was a faint one, before smiling even brighter to try and lift his spirits. She hated not being able to console him as he had that look of defeat on his face. A look which she had rarely come by and seen on him.

She knew this moment she had to be the rock for him, instead of the emotional wreck she had been these past few weeks. So in hopes of her bright smiles and reassuring glances to him she could only hope it helped with his worries. Seeing his hand given a wave Leliana had risen hers once she shifted Baelfire to one side as she returned the wave back.

Anders's smile had brightened some upon seeing Leliana to have responded back to him. Afterwards his eyes shifted towards Alistair next; whom he wasn't certain whether he'd receive nearly as worm of a welcome at this time despite of the vote he was told that Alistair had given. Anders could help but to have his expression of self guilt form even more. His shoulders shrugged a little and his neck shank just a tad against the renegade coat he wore.

He looked towards the others, seeing Fenris who hadn't given him any eye-contact at all, but even from his posture and his empty gaze towards the Empress, Anders was certain that elf could feel his eyes glancing towards him. Then to Anna who was tugging lightly at Fenris's sleeve and trying to get him to look in Anders's direction. This cycle was not going to win, but it was still a warm reminder to the mage. He glanced onward as the Black Divine Templars were in the process of helping Malachi wake up.

Though when he did, the silver haired man almost blurted out an outrage for his odd dreams to be disrupted. Though quickly the templars had pointed towards the Empress in order to help Malachi to quickly quiet down so that he wouldn't disrupt the court. Nearly about everyone else who was there didn't seem to really look to friendly to Anders. Either it was that or they were another neutral party. Anders could almost already count down the decision of his life that was going to be given.

"Order to the court!" One of the soldiers had requested which in turn aided in directed even Anders's attention back to the thrown.

The Empress studied Anders from the few steps beneath her, of where he stood. The shunned mage, the terrorist, the family man, and the hero. There was so much about this man, that despite how much that she and Justina VI could have studied, Empress Celene had known that there had to have still been even more.

Her jaw unhinged a little from its previous locked place in the moment to speak. "If we are to remove your shackles, Serah Anders, can you give us our word you will remain civil and in peace with the rest this court throughout this hearing?"

"Does the brothel open during Andraste's Mass?" Anders asked and smirked a little at his own joke.

Though from the very serious expression Empress Celene had returned to him with, only forced a dry chuckle from Anders. He lowered his head at the joke made in poor taste and cleared his throat a little. Anna had frowned at this while Fenris seemed to have hid his face behind his armored hands at the moment.

"Yes, Your Excellency. You have my oath of peace." Anders finally agreed to, though he still felt the bile in his mouth wanting to form.

"I am delighted to hear." Empress Celene responded gently and looked towards the guard who was standing next to Anders. "Please. Release his bindings. He deserves this much."

The soldier bowed to the order and turned to unlock the chains Anders wore. Now with him free, only the tension began to build within the room slightly; at least from different angles. The only thing Anders could think on at the moment though was how much more comfortable his wrists were feeling.

When Anders eyes fell to Alistair he had just stared at the mage in a blank motionless state. At least that was until Leliana elbowed him to stop being so serious. Since for one she knew he didn't like to be serious, and it was just plain scary when he was. He rasped some at the rouge, shooting his optics to her wanting to nudge back in a game that would just begin a war of nudges like two children siblings. Sighing though he turned, looking back to Anders as he at last broke his serious nature and faintly smiled.

Leliana rolled her eyes on behalf of Alistair's attitude and turned her attention to Malachi who she shook her head at. She truly wondered what they did at that tavern to get themselves so tired, it couldn't have all been drinking unless they stayed up all night. She would of thought they would be safe after all with the trail today and wanting to hear the fate of Anders and what they were to do to him as they voted in his favor.

Looking to the Empress Leliana had stiffened some when she approached Anders. She was uncertain as to what she was going to do. That when she had requested of his civil-ness, Leliana was shocked. She knew the Empress was fair and kind. But still as some would say it in this court, why risk it since Anders had done terrible things what wouldn't stop him this time? Nether the less Leliana was happy she had offered. But upon hearing Anders reply, Leliana sighed, sluking her head at the mage in disbelief. It was like he was taunting her. Even if it was funny, it was still pushing the line.

Alistair couldn't help but smack his forehead and leave his palm there while he shook his head. "Is your boyfriend always that dim witted?" He whispered towards Leliana.

Leliana had just smiled in return as she wanted to answer but she also didn't want to get yelled at by the guard conducting the court. So she had to hope her answer was good enough for him for now as she turned her attention back to the Empress and Anders to begin to see Anders shackles being pulled away. A mid smile appeared on her lips as she looked to his wrist for any bruising or scratches among them but being the distance she was from them all she couldn't recall and slowly drifted her eyes back to the Empress awaiting her decision.

"This court has waited many months to declare this hearing. So we shall skip the formal procedures of trial this time due to the high demand." Empress Celene announced, more-so for the court to have heard than Anders directly. Though afterwards, she turned her attention back down to him. "We were told you had requested an audience with the Holy Mother, Serah Anders. Her ears are listening to your concerns…"

She gestured with her hand more towards the slightly shorter and much older woman sitting beside her throne. When Anders had lain eyes her –and acknowledged the woman to have been the Holy Mother-an instant spike of hatred coursed through him. He was grinding his teeth and feeling his hands wanting to tremble into fists. Though Anders had to struggle against this; and to fight down the feeling of Justice quickly wishing to emerge and force this old batted-woman's head on a pike. In fact, he could have already seen it, even when his eyes were closed.

"Dear Child of the wind and sky, your soul has been troubled for too long." Justina VI addressed him from her chair and offered a kind and patient smile to him. "I can sense the hate in your heart towards me even now. Please speak of your concerns, as you requested to do."

"You make it sound… as if I recently had asked for you to hear my words, when in actuality my manifestoes to you have been rejected and returned to me countless of times." Anders began after taking in a light sigh before opening his eyes once more.

"For years—upon years! And it hasn't just been my concerns. Other mages throughout Thedas with my similar viewpoints have been trying to reach you, and all were rejected and returned. Mages who are slaves to the Chantry. Mages who are abused and ignored help from the very Maker they pray to! The Circle is not a solution and it will never be.

'Yes, Andraste suffered at the hands of Magisters; thus she feared the influence of magic. But if the Maker blamed magic for the Magister's actions in the Black City, why would he willingly gift us with it? The oppression of mages stems from the fears of men. Not the will of the Maker.'

This is what I have been trying to write to you for all these years. I am no less a person than you. I should not be ripped from my home and become this mindless tool for your soldiers—your—your bloody Army to abuse how it sees fit. The only way you, or anyone else would listen to me was if I took measures into my own hands…. And, yes, they turned drastic. However, I will not apologize! I stand for the oppressed souls this faith has brought and I will not bow—I will not even bend to it anymore."

The silence filled the room, once more and nearly in-turn became as heavy as the tension that was already there. The Holy Mother closed her eyes momentarily, but still kept her smile at the time. After a short while later, she opened her eyes once more and started to speak. "Thank you, Serah."

Anders blinked some and tilted his head to the odd statement. "'Thank you?'"

"My Child, I have read ever manifesto sent to me." The Holy Mother continued. "Your words ring true and your argument is something this court cannot deny."

"I am not your child." Anders warned her and his hands fisted towards his sides.

"Have you not learned any magic during your time in the Circle? Has the skills of other mages not carried with you this far?" She questioned him, though the questioning had only seemed to cause Ander to growl even more.

"I've learned more of what crooked Templars are willing to do behind the locked doors of a tower!" He argued back.

"I see…" Justina VI sighed and lowered her head.

Anders shook his head some in disbelief of her actions. He had even slightly took a step back. "And…what? Is that it? That's all you can give me in response?"

"It's all I can give." Justina VI frowned in return. "Nothing is perfect in this world, Child of the wind and sky. Everything has its flaws—even the Chantry; because as you say—We are all the same in this world, but even so, we try our best to fight and to stand for what we believe is right."

Leliana had looked to Justina VI as Anders had done so. She tried to keep and watchful eye on Anders and slowly she could see his stature changing. No matter how hard he tried to fight it or hide it was still visible to the eye of the few people in the room. When she spoke to him her words had somewhat made Leliana flinch. She never understood how these people could be so calm and collected with the widest range of people and still act like they cared.

Leliana could see now how Anders felt in seeing this neutral feeling was maddening to her. It truly could rile just about anyone to the core. Though there was no room for her to speak as she started to listen to Anders next. Her action was to bite on her lower lip in a frenzy as her eyes had shifted back to Justina VI to see if she had reacted any differently than she had. Though when she hadn't Leliana dropped her eyes from the woman in disbelief of how this was to turn out.

Alistair had glanced to Leliana for some kind of reassurance as he listened to Anders spat towards the Mother. Though she hadn't looked at him, he had slowly drifted his eyes away to look back to Anders. He wasn't a big fan of mages, but he had always thought it to be cruel to take children away at such a young age as he could relate with that on some terms in losing his mother at his first cry. But to know ones parents or ones children were still out there, or in the Circle and they we're kept away from them, that would be far worse than what he had to go through. "Can we just get to the bottom of this, some of us do have Kingdoms to run." He mused in a joking tone in attempt to lighten the mood in the area.

Leliana glared over towards Alistair as she again shifted Baelfire to one arm and smacked the Warden in the gut. Resulting him to hunch over, as his arms had wrapped over his stomach in a defense gester. "Shh." She hushed with a single finger pushed to her lips. "She'll throw you in the dungeon next if you're not quiet." She warned but it was far from a warning and more on the joking side, as being around the goof of two men cracking jokes; Alistair and Anders. Leliana couldn't help but find herself in putting a few out there as well.

Anders had looked towards Alistair rather quickly from hearing his joke; though the expression he had to his face hardly found it amusing at all. However, it was Empress Celene's light attempt from clearing her throat a little that brought back the mage's attention before he could have gotten the chance to have mentioned anything towards the Ferelden King.

"Serah Anders of the Anderfels, your actions against the Chantry have been weighed in this court under a heavy struggle. Each voted argument counted to its full measure and the decision was made clear through one vote. Neither I nor the Chantry have given a word in this vote because, as it was stated before, both arguments are equally compelling." Empress Celene began once the mage had turned to look back up towards her.

This had been it. This was the judgment Anders awaited for his change to have reached the Holy Mother thus far. Even though he knew it was coming all along, he still couldn't help but to have held his breath among the many of others who had done the same around him.

"The total count of this court that demands of your execution - …Five Counts…" Empress Celene announced and paused a moment to have glanced towards the Knight Commander within that time before speaking again. "The total count of this court that demands you to be spared - …Six… Six Counts."

The lump of bile that seemed to remain stuck in Anders's throat finally began to lift a little. He almost toppled over from the overwhelming feeling of relief. The air he was holding burst past his lips and he slightly lowered his head. "Six…. Oh, Maker, do I love that number! Six, six, six…!"

"Though the Holy Mother and I have not chosen a side in this vote of judgment, we have decided on the specific sentence. This decision weighed on whether or not to have you imprisoned." Empress Celene continued and straightened her back a little.

"Despite other available option… It is clear that through shedding the blood of your foes and holding a faith strong enough to gather a populous underneath you, Serah Anders, that you have established a city of your very own. The people of Orlais are to now recognize you as the new Viscount of Kirkwall, and –most importantly- that you have segregated your community apart from all kingdoms of Thedas. Therefore, in response to your establishment of wishing to break all ties from the Word of Andraste, couriers of Val Royaeux shall be sending letters to other Kingdoms throughout Thedas to have all of Kirkwall's trading ties removed."

Anders was barely listening at the moment. He hardly could since his joy and relief had been the only thing to consume him at the moment. He could hear the few others in the crowd who have either sighed with relief or grumbled in disgust of the outcome. Though it was the Empress's many words to him that barely began to pull him back to her attention.

"Wa-wait—what?" He started to question and looked back up at her.

"You are the ruler of a city that has established itself as its own kingdom, Serah. More-over, you have announced a desire to remove all ties from other lands. So, it is only natural for your kingdom to start anew. This was your wish, and it shall be carried out, but it will be done-so for a price. Like all rulers, you must accept the responsibility of one if you chose to claim its throne. You must recognize not only those with magic who pray for your salvation, but also those who either: are not as gifted in magic …or those who are now unable pray in your kingdom." The Empress repeated and held her hand out towards him gently.

"In light of this, Orlais extends her hand in an offer of peace with your inner turmoil. She does not wish to see your outward cry to consume the innocents among you. Orlais will be willing to share of what resources Ferelden has agreed to lend us from our previous bargains, in an effort to aid Kirkwall's plight of stability. All on the condition that in return, Kirkwall recompenses in a city's tax, to the Grand Cathedral, the total sum of the Chantry that which was destroyed in your first revolutionary take-over."

"No! That's unfair!" Anders scowled and practically shook his head violently to one side to have denied the offer completely. He hesitated; realizing of what they were asking for him to do and the boiling annoyance of it all stirred in turmoil within him. He could hardly even breathe to concentrate over it. "That's-! That's unfair!"

"What ruler claims the term 'unfair' to a charge?" The Guard Captain demanded from his chair and then looked towards Empress Celene as he began to bolt up from his seat. "It was 'unfair' for you to murder any who were neutral to your plight! 'Unfair' is a child's word! Your Excellency, you cannot suggest-!"

"The Templars of Val Royeaux are not to invade Kirkwall under any declarations of war. While I cannot speak for Starkhaven, Tevinter, Ferelden, or any other kingdoms in between…I can speak for Orlais." The Empress continued, almost as to have spoken over the City Guard's outburst. "We press that we do not wish War with you or Kirkwall. We are striving to remove this sorrow and struggle from which Thedas has flourished. If that means for the Chantry to bend, then may Andraste guide us with her fair hand."

"A plague to Andraste!" Anders spat in a retort and took a step towards them. "You're asking me to help replenish the one cause I despise!"

"I am asking you to not turn your back against those who are not blessed with magic." Empress Celene responded almost as quickly, but her eyes had closed –keeping a significantly calmer exterior than Anders clearly maintained.

"You claim it a blessing but you treat it as a curse…! F-For me to pay any tax to the Chantry—would be no better than bending the very cause I stand for, in return. It's blackmail-that's what it is!" Anders snapped back too quickly and a little too forcefully. "Maker's Breath-! I may as well kiss Andraste's ass!"

"Anders, think of what you're saying." Ghaleon began as he started to stand up; soon to follow with him a few of the other council members.

"Kill me first! Kill me!" Anders demanded despite the warning. When two of the soldiers had came close to him and reached to hold his arms behind his back, he continued to struggle against them and shout. "I would rather be a corpse-hanged and fed to the wolves—I-! I would rather be crucified!"

"Anders!" Fenris demanded as he jumped from his chair; soon to have been followed by Malachi from the opposite end of the room.

"Yes! Mages shall never bow to Andraste or the White Spire!" Malachi demanded and slammed his fist to the table before standing up.

"A Tevinter Mage has no purpose to speak for all mages!" The First Enchanter demanded after standing to his feet and pointing back towards Malachi angrily.

However, Malachi ignored him and proudly pointed towards the Empress and the Holy Mother. "We declare War to Orlais whether she wishes to accept it or not! If Orlais does not fight, it will make all the butchery more beautiful!"

The Knight Commander stepped more towards the First Enchanter just as Cassandra had moved towards Malachi. While the Knight Commander was not equipped with this sword or shield due to his previous actions in the last meeting—and considered almost defenseless—he did at least manage to press his hand against the First Enchanter's shoulder, as to remind him of who were all still within the meeting.

"Do not force me, First Enchanter, this isn't the place." The Knight Commander warned and almost instantly the First Enchanter's shoulders relaxed.

"Right…" The First Enchanter responded.

Cassandra, though, was not as civil to Malachi. She took her force out on him, elbowing him quickly in the back before the bloodmage could summon a charged up spell to be used against the Empress. It was one of the few times that the First Enchanter, the Commander of the Seekers, and the Knight Commander had all reacted within the same time towards the same goal.

"Tevinter pig!" Cassandra remarked and pressed her weight against Malachi while scrambling to reach for his wrists to pin behind him.

Though as quickly as it was occurring, this had been the distraction Anders had needed. Even with his child and lover within the same room that could have crumbled, he wasted no time in opening his hands towards the guards who were at the moment attempting to place the magical restraints over his wrists. His skin coated over in bright speckles of light; and looking back at the Holy Mother and the Empress, whose attentions were not even on him at the current moment certainly was not helping his anger.

Justice was emerged, and the two soldiers who were holding Anders back were soon ignited into flames. The men cried in agony as they fell away. The flames were consuming them and burning them alive. Stroud stood up and reached for his sword in the process. Since he wasn't a man with any templar skills, he couldn't in particularly aid with the men who were falling. He started to leap up onto the table in his towards Anders instead.

Surprised from the actions caused, Ghaleon also chased after the soldiers who were still lit a-flame. His hands began to glow with the golden aura of healing magic. "Hold on!"

Neither Justina VI or the Empress had been paying much attention towards Justice at the time either, since their worry was on wondering of what Malachi was prepared to have done.

Anna moved quickly from her chair next; looking towards those that were falling and then to Justice who seemed to have been charging some other kind of spell. He looked to have been aiming towards the Holy Mother and the fear chilled through her spine. However, Anna's body reacted hardly even without thinking and nearly as if it were a reflex, she moved in unison towards what was occurring. She bit down onto the side of her finger; striking blood and stepping onto the table only to leap down in her rush towards the scene.

Fenris had tried to reach for her, but Anna had already slipped from his grasp. "Don't-!"

Just as Justice released his spell, Stroud had came down over him with his boot and kicked him down. He could have chosen just to cut off his head; even at that time—but he respected the judgment given for him by forcing Justice to the floor. He slammed his sword downward in a direction that was inches before Justice's face to keep his struggling to a halt.

Though from what Justice had seen to occur next, his body quickly relaxed and ceased in its fight so suddenly.

Anna purposely had charged in front of the spell Justice had released. She turned so that her side was aiming towards the blow, in a spell of her own to try and cancel out Justice's energy. However, the bolt of energy was way stronger than Anna was able to handle, and instead, the solid form of energy sunk into her stomach. This had left a huge gaping hole; melting the fabric of her Circle Mage robes into her flesh. Her eyes had widened momentarily, and she tilted her head back upon her graceful crumble downward.

Though it had happened rather quickly, to Fenris, it was all a scene in slow motion. It was a horrible nightmare from which he could not seem to awaken. He called her name again and leaped over the table, only to have rushed at her side and fell to his knees.

"…Anna! Why?" Justice called to her but his body wouldn't move from the floor. This had only given Stroud enough time to have tossed down his shield and began to bind the magical restraints back over Anders's wrists.

Empress Celene jumped from her chair at the sight of the bloodmagic pulsing and spilling its aura over the fallen bloodmage. She would have screamed from the fright of her, but there was too much confusion within that moment. Reaching towards Justina in that moment for protection while the Guard Captain had stood up quickly and drawn his sword to keep both women behind him. Though it seemed that the actual danger had passed; or so he was hoping but one could never be too sure when a revealed bloodmage was involved.

Anna's body was covered in the crimson aura that pulsed with bloodmagic; which had been a clear give away by now. Her mouth had smiled some at seeing that Holy Mother and the Empress were unharmed. The tears that started to swell from the pain in her stomach seemed to have began to stream down her face and mix with the swollen pool of blood forming into her mouth. Anna turned her head slowly from them to look towards Justice and stretched to reach her arm out towards him; however, from where she fell, she had landed too far away.

" We… We are not tools… of the Chantry… or anyone else." Anna struggled to speak and stretched as to try and continue to reach for him. "We… h-have choice…and pride… and love…"

"Don't talk." Fenris told her and reached to hold her in his arms. He looked up to see Ghaleon how had his hands full at the time with healing the soldiers where by now almost burnt into their muscles—but the mage was making a slow progress. The elf then looked towards the First Enchanter. "Well don't just gawk at her—Do something!"

The First Enchanter nodded almost within the moment that Fenris had even called for help. He nudged the Knight Commander's hand away from him and quickly moved towards Fenris and Anna. His hands glowed with a healing spell as he attempted to have charged it through her. However, no matter much he tried to focus his healing powers into her body; re-stitching wounds—the gashes only managed to burst open and bled even more.

"…No matter what…we choose to be…who we are…" Anna winced in her sobs, attempting to hold back the pain that the stretch of being healed only to have been more damaged continued. "Y-You can still…choose that—You can still love again—if you try… Please… please love again. I know you still can… if I can…"

"It's not working…! Heal her! Why isn't it working?" Fenris demanded the First Enchanter and reached out towards the other man's collar. "Mage-!"

"I can't heal her because of her triggered source of magic. Only she can trigger it back, and she can't because she's too damaged to concentrate on it. I'm sorry, …sustaining her this way is only going to bleed her out." The First Enchanter explained the best way he could while finally ending his healing spell. He could see that this wouldn't work, but he didn't want to blatantly announce that Anna was bloodmage—in order to keep it from falsely sounding as if it was an accusation against her.

"Anna? Anna, you need to listen to me for a minute. I need you to focus—" Fenris said and looked towards Anna. He tilted her head so that she would look up at him.

Anna took in a ragged breath and pushed out the blood spilling from the corners of her mouth. She smiled up at Fenris and with what strength she had left Anna shook her head a little. Her eyes closed and her stretch towards Justice eventually had stopped. The blood that filled the room began to pour faster and stain a wider range around the carpet. Her words whispered within her final exhale. "I'm proud to serve Andraste… But I should have loved you more… I love you, Fenris…"

"Don't-No.-Don't close your eyes… Anna?" Fenris buckled over into sobs and hid his face more into her hair. Clutching her body tight and possessive, the elf's shoulders were trembling from his uncontrolled sob.

The stillness had returned to the room, with only the sounds of Fenris's quiet sobs, Justice's shock, and Malachi's slight struggling had been heard. Not even the Knight Commander had dared to really even speak out of turn this time, but he did walk towards the First Enchanter's side after a while. He had looked towards the old man in the Circle Mage robes with confusion of what had transpired still, but he was hesitant to really voice anything. He then looked towards Cassandra who had seemed just as puzzled, but not stunned enough to have kept Malachi eventually cuffed down and resting back into a chair.

Justina VI stretched out her hand towards Fenris's and Anna's direction and bowed her head in prayer. "Blessed be the souls of the faithful that they ascend to Your right hand…"

As much as some of the people had wanted to oppose of it, they had dared not to test or speak against Justina VI's decision to pray for any reason. Rather instead, when her prayer had ended and Empress Celene began to speak, the doors started to open. The guards from outside began to rush into the room; racing to a halt, only to look around at what passing destruction had occurred. He checked to make certain that the Empress and the Holy Mother were safe before bowing his head.

"You Excellency—You're Holiness, there's been a breech here in the Keep's Inner Sanctum." He announced to them.

"Is it the elves?" The City Guard began to ask as he started to sheath his sword once more.

"Nay. Bloodmages. Bloodmages and Magisters." The guard answered and finally raised his head back up.

"I knew it. The sodding Icon did have reinforcements camped around the city." The Knight Commander quickly began to raise his voice when knowing that his previous accusations against Anders was correct.

"We don't know that for certain." Cassandra started to say.

"You're having to restrain a bloody Magister as we speak, woman!-How blind can you be?" The Knight Commander quickly argued back and pointed down towards Malachi who rolled his eyes at the time.

"This is no time to start arguing again; your Keep is being sacked." Stroud announced to them and then took a step back to look down at Justice. Though he wasn't certain how to address him. "Anders? Can you still hear me? This is your last chance. Do you understand?"

Justice hadn't said anything. He was still staring towards Anna and his fist had started to clench.

Stroud frowned some and looked back up towards Empress Celene and Justina VI to speak to them next. "Your Excellence, Your Eminence, you two cannot remain here. You must leave at once."

The two women looked towards each other and frowned before looking back at the Grey Warden sadly. It had seemed almost as though they had this decision made a long time ago; but were still hesitant to face it when it came.

"We thank you, Warden Commander… But we cannot abandon these people." The Empress said and clasped the Holy Mother's hand more firmly for reassurance. "Their souls will be heartbroken and lost if we were to leave their side now."

"All of Thedas will be lost if you stay here. I implore you to leave while your chances are still good." Stroud insisted and reached back for his sword to pluck from the floor and put it back into his sheath. He then walked to where his shield was thrown—finding that doing such turned out almost as a wasted endeavor to begin with, and knelt to pick it up. "That goes for you too, King Alistair. I need you and the City Guard to lead the women and child to safety."

Leliana had found somewhat of a refugee beside and slightly behind Alistair when she had begun to hear the tallies of the votes. Her eyes began to seal in a gentle close as she intensely listened to the Empress and what they had come up with. She couldn't help but flinch when she heard the number five at first, since that was such a large number, her mind began to wander trying to recount all who had voted for Anders until at last she heard the number six. Immediately Leliana's eyes popped open at the shock of it and just when she thought she had heard wrong the Empress had repeated herself to clarify as so many had possibly thought they had heard wrong even if they were for or against Anders.

She could quickly felt the wide smile pulling to her lips as she looked down to Baelfire with bright eyes and whispered a little notion to him of his father possibly being a free man; at least as free as they allowed him to be. Her attention had went to Anders to finally see the weight lifted off his shoulders at last, bringing her to at least know she wouldn't have see him go though more despair, or be hanged for his crimes.

Bringing her eyes to the Empress upon her words spoken caused Leliana to shift her head some in confusement. She understood why Orlaisis would have not wanted to go in another war, but still to still almost freely let him go with so little punishment was a shock. She was grateful, but she couldn't help but think there was a catch to it. To get some kind of reassurance she had looked to Alistair and almost in unison the two had shrugged their shoulders before looking back when Anders confusion had been heard.

Leliana couldn't help but bite her lip, expecting to hear some kind of large debt to be paid to the Empress and the Divine. Hesitantly she had closed her eyes as her own form of comfort as she began listening intently to her words. When they filled her ears, she couldn't stop from peaking out one eye then the other as a suspicious brow had perked on her features. She was almost about to comment and thank the woman upon her kindness, but from Anders sudden outburst Leliana's parted lips had stalled her words as her breath was caught between her teeth in a clenching hold.

She couldn't believe what she was hearing coming out of his lips. Had he forgotten who still stood by his side, who needed him after all this time, especially her? She could feel the twisting of her stomach with each word as he had demanded them to kill him. Reflectively her arms had tightened around Baelfire's small body, in a soft clench of some security as she had dropped her head only to hide the few crystalline tears forming in the corner of her sockets.

Alistair had looked over to Leliana, seeing her pain and with that he felt as if a stake was being struck through his chest. Even if she was only a friend he had hated to see such pain, epically if she was receiving it from someone she supposedly loved. Upon hearing the others words of attempting to calm down in enraged mage, Alistair had stepped forward in his try on the matter. "Be thankful it's just that! Go home and be happy with your family why don't you!? Are you that selfish!?"

Leliana had glanced up upon hearing Alistair's words and no longer seeing him near her side brought the rouge to attempt to run up to the Warden and pull him back to their previous position. "What are you doing!" She scolded with a small groan pushing through her lips as she had tried with all her strength to pull back the man.

"He's hurting you." He confirmed before looking at the mage. "Why don't you look at your woman while you say those things, could you say them then mage!" He spat not meaning it to be a question as he knew if this man had truly loved Leliana than he would clearly know better and shut his lips and be grateful for the terms they had bestowed upon him.

Leliana shook her had some in a frustrated manner as she reached up to the Warden and smacked him upside the head to try and clear his head since he usually wasn't the arguing type. Though she felt blessed to have someone as high as he looking out for her even after all this time.

When the tension rose in the room Alistair had quickly pushed Leliana and Baelfire into the corner no matter how much she had fought it and pleaded to get through. He could tell by her frantic nature that she would do something drastic if she had gotten the chance and with the commotion rising in the room Baelfire's soft whimpers for protection began to fill the room. He needed to protect them both, even if he we're King and he should have been relying on others to protect him he still wasn't going to sit around and do nothing.

Sheathing his sword, Alistair held it to his side upon seeing Justice's coming out. Leliana had tried to calm down the nerves of the Warden and almost once Templar by resting a hand on his forearm but still he held strong seeing as the mage had no care in the world that was proof enough for him when he saw the blazing soldiers scurrying about the room. The screams alone were enough to grab anyone's attention, as his eyes had fixated on them for the time being. Leliana's had looked to Anders or more-so Justices stalk towards the two highest people in the room. As she slowly started to feel her legs quiver, and her heart begin to race as she tried to push through Alistair's blocking wall form only to bounce back.

"Anders! Don't do this!" She pleaded as her next attempt was the reach out for him even if their distance was so extreme. "Please!—" She attempted to call out as her last hope, and even though he couldn't see them the tears had multiplied in a down pour. She had tried to look away but her fear for Anders, Justina VI and the Empress was too great to have done so. Instead she had shielded her son from any noise he could hear in his wake or see somehow from behind Alistair.

In a flash she had seen Anna's movements, Leliana wasn't even given a second to think before her actions were carried out. Leliana had frozen on sight of seeing such an act of bravery performed that her heart had dropped as the gaping hole was apparent to any eye looking her way. This time Alistair hadn't been able to keep Leliana back. Maybe due to the shock of what had just happened or because she and Anna had a friendship and he wanted to at least give Leliana what time left she had with her.

Leliana had come to a skidding stop and even after a short spurt of distance she could still feel her breathing was heightened but more so due to what she was seeing. If it was at all possibly Leliana's emotions could no longer be held back as the tears swelled into her eyes at the fullest and erupted into an explosion never seen by the rouge before. All she could do was crumble the few feet away from her that she was.

Alistair had watched in the background for a few moments in shock along with everyone else before blinking a few times, regaining himself and then finally stepping forward until he stood behind Leliana's kneeling frame and looked down in remorse as he kneeled to one knee so he could try and comfort the rouge as the best to his ability with a gentle hand cupped to her shoulder.

Leliana jumped a little in her sobs for the blood mage before looking back seeing Alistair there. Her expression was nothing but sadness as she tried to reach up and wipe away the few tears streaming down her stained cheeks. Upon hearing Fenris's words, she turned, to see Anna still struggling to the last moments she had. Even if she was still feet away to give them their space she could still hear through all the gurgled speech of Anna's confession to him. Leliana felt her throat tighten only to hear Anna's last breath been breathed as she turned to hide in the depths of Alistair's chest.

With the crimson blood reaching her knees Leliana had staggered up to her feet, with the help of Alistair thankfully as she had taken a few steps back with him. They looked at each other before Alistair had gently forced her to turn her back to Anna so she could no longer see such a sight as he led her away. All Leliana could hear, and fimalize with was Justina VI prayer said which alone had brought a faint smile to her lips as she had tried to regain her compurse walking past the rest.

Though when the doors had swung open to their fullest Alistair hadn't stalled in guarding Leliana and Baelfire, after such a traumatic event it was only reflexes to do such. But when the words were heard he nodded his head some, dropping his weapon. "Yes yes only Bloodmages and Magisters- Wait—Magisters and Bloodmages!? What are they doing here!?" He asked in shock, as his attention shot towards Anders.

Leliana's curiosity peaked as she was slowly but surely pulled herself together, her eyes had also fallen to Anders. But unlike everyone else she hadn't said anything and more-so put her attention to Baelfire and his slowly dwindling cries the filled the large open area.

Alistair looked to Leliana and Baelfire, even if she was Anders lover and he was the leader of these Tevinters, he believed that wouldn't stop them in hurting every woman and child. He could only go by what he heard, of them not caring for women but for them to bare a child for their linage, and that they had preferred mage blood more than any other class. He groaned some at the thought before turning his eyes up to the incoming of Stroud. Though Alistair's expression was blank he had nodded his head some to his words. "All women and children… That's going to take a while." He replied before looking to Leliana. "I guess your first. I have to get you to safety before they get here if the Divine and Empress aren't going to budge."

"B-But… What about Anders?" She questioned almost franticly as she put her one arm in front of her.

"You're still worried about him? After all what he said, not caring if he died and then killing one of your friends, his friends no less?" He asked harshly with an accusing pointing finger towards the mage.

Leliana had bit down onto her lower lip as her hues had shot down to the marble flooring before shifting across and up to Anders. "I can't leave, not yet."

"If you're going to go, you'll have to leave now." The guard who had came in through doors previously urged them.

The Guard Captain nodded and turned to lead him to where the secret back entrance was, but it required the man's help in removing a large bookcase. "This way. Give me a hand, and we'll be out of here shortly…"

"Two-thirds of the most important figureheads of Thedas making a last stand in the Keep of Val Royeaux. How more intense can it get?" The Knight Commander scoffed and walked towards Stroud's left side.

"I'm staying too." Cassandra informed Stroud in between the conversation that the Knight Commander seemed to try and strike up.

"—I had to ask…" The Knight Commander quickly glanced back over his shoulder in annoyance at her.

"Cassandra, you're really not helping the Warden Commander's intentions on this whole 'Women and Child of the Keep to Leave' sort of thing." Ghaleon said once he had finished healing the singed soldiers as best that he could. He finally stood up from his crouched position and walked over towards her. "Or are you denying that you're a woman?"

Cassandra frowned at him and narrowed her eyes before reaching up and smacking him across the face with her hard ironed gauntlet hand. Of course Ghaleon's face quickly jerked away as he reached up and rubbed his jaw. Almost too quickly Malachi started to laugh, but it was from the previous comment and shortly afterwards, Cassandra had smacked him too.

"…I deserved that…" Ghaleon mumbled to himself and offered what nervous smile that he could.

"It's like three stooges…" The Knight Commander grumbled, followed by hearing the First Enchanter's slight audible groan afterwards.

Though Stroud had ignored the comments given because in truth, having another short-fuse on Val Royeaux's fighting side was just what Her Majesty would have needed. Though normally the Grey Wardens were not suppose to involve themselves in politics like this; it was the Tevinters who imposed themselves in trying to nurture and release one of the Grey Warden's own people. Either way this was something that Stroud had to personally interfere with, even though he really hated doing so.

"Well, I'm not going to be the one to stand by and refuse Orlais's Champion." He announced and then bent down to drag Justice up by his forearm. "As for you, I don't expect you to defend this place, but I will not have you participate in burning it to the ground."

Justice growled some but he didn't struggle much while being brought back to his feet. His eyes remained staring back at the crimson stain on the floor. He felt Leliana stepping closer towards him and almost gradually his bright blowing hues had glanced up towards her. His face had was stained from previous tears and confusion still clouding his features. Though there was a sense of clarity sparkling in the far corner of his eyes.

"I told you I would hurt you, I just didn't know how to what cost." He said as the mixed tones of his voice and Anders had seemed to almost blend in that moment. His head lowered quickly and he stared back down towards the blood beneath him. "But there's nothing else left in me… I don't know if I can do what these people ask."

"You can't betray the very people who carried you this far!" Malachi shouted towards him.

"Hatred only breeds more hatred. Surely both sides to this conflict have suffered enough." Empress Celene remarked back.

"Got it-!" The soldier remarked after helping the Guard Captain to shift the bookcase to one side. While in the meantime, the Guard Captain had started to lift the trap door.

"You Eminence, You're Excellence, please!" The Guard Captain remarked and brushed the light sweat from his forehead. "The Keep will only stumble if they must worry about you within it. Besides, this should not be where your last stand needs is; there are many other conflicts requesting your attention aside from this one."

Empress Celene glanced around the room and then back towards Justina VI who had seemed to look at the door with a steady halting glance. After a while she turned back to look towards him once again. "Very well… But we will be the last to leave women to leave, not the first… And Lady Cassandra, see to it that Serah Malachi is imprisoned for a trail of his own later."

Practically demanding the impossible, because in truth Cassandra would have rather killed the male on defense charges, the Seeker Commander withheld her thoughts and suggestions. Instead, she merely gave the Empress her grand salute.

"Then if that's the case, -Nightingale, you need to leave and now." The Guard Captain ordered and pointed back down towards the trap door that lead to the outside.

"Go, woman. Show respect, for the protection of our child—I know I'm in no position to do that right now." Justice said and made it a point to have shifted his eyes more towards the trap door for her to travel down.

Leliana flinched some to Anders/Justice's words of knowing he would hurt her one day. But it was more so the mages features that had brought her to stagger back. She had never seen Anders cry and especially Justice, the one she knew him to be the tougher one, the rock at times when Anders was at his weakest of emotional states. To see his look so distraught brought Leliana's heart swell with sorrow and pain. "Just hush. I know what I was getting myself into. Its not your fault." She admitted with a half smile she had forced to her lips. She wished he could see if he just went along with the Divine that things would be better for them. That they could leave this place alive and together. Why couldn't he see that?

Sighing she pushed through the few people between them until she stood before him, her one and only free hand from Baelfire reached for his chest to rest to his left side. In the background could be heard the fear and hesitation leaving Alistair's lips as he stepped forward a few steps only to stop. "Please think on it… You can come home, where you belong. With me and Baelfire. Think on what Anna would want. But better yet don't listen to the voices around you do what you think is right. Because I don't want you to do it for me, but for yourself."

Growling at the guards Leliana looked to the few that we're rushing her and rolled her eyes. Ever since she had gotten here she wasn't even given a peaceful minute with Anders. And now here she was talking to both of his halves, odd as it was seeing as how she and Justice hadn't talked much during the times he did take over Anders. But it felt as if Anders was right there too within this moment. She wasn't going to leave without a proper farewell.

"Leliana…"Alistair pleaded in an order. "We have to go now… As Anders said its best for you and Baelfire. You wanted my protection when coming here… Now don't make me use it. Please."

Leliana looked over her shoulder to Alistair nodding her head some before turning back to Anders/Justice. There she had faintly smiled to Anders last words of their son and looking down some to him brought her to glance back up as she extended to her tippy toes as one of her hands cupped along one side of his jawline while she leaned in to place a soft kiss on his unshaven scruffy cheek. "I love you." She whispered as she slowly pulled away.

From there Alistair had quickly stepped in taking Leliana by the arm and yanking her away, and eventually withdrawing her hold from Anders. She had continued to look to Anders as she dragged her feet to the exit, until she could no longer see him in sight.

"You're an idiot at times Leliana." Alistair mumbled some under his breath, more-so muttering the word idiot than most. "He tears your heart out, crushes it. Yet you still say you love him. What's up with that?"

Walking in the tunnel Leliana had fixated her hues onto the tile below sighing. At first she hadn't heard a word the Warden had said but then she turned to blink a few times and ask questionably. "You say something?"

Alistair stared blankly, still leading Leliana down the pathway and hopefully to a safer place than they had been. "Nothing lets just get going."

Justice had only blinked some in the confusion that he had when Leliana had kissed him. His head had turned towards her after she was being dragged away. He paused though, feeling Stroud come up to his right side and spoke to him.

"Now if that isn't a reason to fight for the right cause in mind, I don't know what is. Let's go." The Grey Warden Commander said and turned the remaining soldiers and few mages capable to fight.