A/N:Okay. Ever have one of those scenes that you just dreaded writing? This one was jut one of those. You'll know which one.

Also, all errors are mine, just wanted to remind ya'll of that. I'm not trying to quote the game and it is my version of the universe, of course. But I just didn't want ya'll fussing about the mistakes.

Disclaimer:I wish I owned Dragon Age, or better yet BioWare. Can ya'll imagine? O_o That's a whole new rating ain't it? LOL

Chapter 36

Gordon Blackwall stood on the hill overlooking the Templar stronghold of Therinfal Redoubt and frowned with concern. He and Bronwynn had spent a lot of time talking about the new things he could do, but he had a feeling that what he was sensing couldn't be right.

"Wynn," he said softly as she stopped beside him, she turned those amazing green eyes to him. The man he used to be would have figured out how to take what he wanted from her; but she knew who that was and still looked at him with respect. Whatever Blackwall had seen in him, she had decided to see it too. For all that he wanted her to want more from him; he was grateful for what he did have.

"You feel it, too?" she asked him quietly. He nodded and turned his worried gaze back to the fortress.

"That is a lot of Darkspawn if we're right," he said. She sighed and nodded her agreement.

"I don't think it is Darkspawn, though," she admitted, and sounded no less worried than that thought made him feel.

"What could it be, if not Darkspawn?" he asked her.

"That," she said with a dry laugh. "Is what we need to find out." She then moved forward again after patting him on the shoulder. He grumbled about hating surprises and followed her.

"Herald of Andraste!" she turned to the noble who had called out to her. Blackwall watched the interaction and wondered how she could be so calm when talking with the nobles. She managed to give the impression she was one of them without actually behaving like an aristocrat. He wasn't sure why that amused him, but it did, seeing these autocratic asses bending over to gain the favor of a woman that a few weeks ago they wouldn't have pissed on to put out if she had been on fire.

"These arse biscuits would have done better to pay attention before there was a hole in the sky," Sera said from behind him, echoing his thoughts.

"Aye, that they would have," he agreed.

"Why do you call her Wynn?" the elf asked him suddenly and he smiled as if remembering something special.

"Because it suits her," he replied however. He watched her eyes narrow as if she sensed some sort of great secret. He just smiled and moved on, he knew she'd figure it out eventually.

Like the others he stopped when they reached the beginning of the bridge over the moat. The conversation was muted and he tuned it out as he concentrated on the sensation of the blight he was feeling.

"It's getting stronger, and I have to admit that has never happened to me," he heard his fellow Warden say. He simply nodded.

"Wait, Sister," he cautioned her. "We can't be sure," and she snorted but nodded her agreement.

The party shook their heads in general amusement as they passed the various nobles who were posturing for the Templars. Men and women who were unused to dealing with anyone other than clerics or mages were finding themselves overwhelmed with it all.

Bronwynn rolled her eyes as someone announced the Templar who was waiting for them in the crowded courtyard. She approved of his cutting Abernache off, the man was truly an overblown prick.

"I wasn't expecting such … lofty company," the Rivaini man said with trepidation.

"We needed the Lord Seeker to take us seriously," Bronwynn replied.

"This need for recognition has gone beyond all sense," Barris told the Herald with concern.

"If he is holding you back from your duty, then come with us to Haven," she pleaded. "We don't need him to approve."

"We do," the Templar Knight sighed and shook his head.

"Barris, is there an entrance to the Deep Roads here?" Bronwynn asked him; and those who heard her were confused.

"No, not that I have ever heard," he answered and she looked back at Blackwall who nodded.

"Abernache," she said quietly but with authority. He stepped closer to her. "I and my fellow Warden sense the Blight here," she told him. He gasped but kept his facade calm.

"Good, you understand, get the civilians out of here; quickly," she commanded. He nodded and began to round up his fellow nobles.

"Knight-Lieutenant, I need to know if anyone who came to this fortress was blighted," she asked him. He frowned and shook his head and she let out a breath with concern.

"What do you mean you sense the Blight?" he asked her, deeper concern overlaying his own voice.

"Knight-Lieutenant, we Wardens can sense the blight, and I don't know how that is if there are no Darkspawn or infected people in this fortress," she watched as his eyes closed and he shuddered.

"The new lyrium," he said almost too softly for her to hear.

"What new lyrium," Cassandra asked before Bronwynn could get the question out.

"The Lord Seeker started giving red lyrium to the commanders," he answered. "It is the only thing that is new," he explained and Varric muttered some very colorful curses.

"Did no one pay attention to what happened in Kirkwall?" he demanded, and Sera placed a calming hand on his shoulder.

"Okay, so we need to find out what's going on and we need to do it quietly and quickly," Bronwynn went on as if Varric hadn't spoken.

"I'll take you in," Barris said and turned to lead the way. The group adjusted their armor and weapons as they followed the Templar into the Templar stronghold.

Barris opened the door into what appeared to be a makeshift meeting hall. Well lit with candles it was warm and inviting, but both Bronwynn and Blackwall could feel their skin itching from the nearness of the blight.

There was a commotion from the other end of the room when a man wearing the armor of the Knight Captain entered followed by several others. Bronwynn opened her Sight and gasped. These men were riddled with the Blight; but not in any way she had ever seen it before.

"Knight-Captain!" Barris shouted, when the man turned to face the Templar. Even through his helmet they could see he wasn't well. Bronwynn shook her head in shock.

"He's blighted," she said aloud, and the shock on her face was echoed in her voice. "They all are! How in the Abyss can they be blighted?" she demanded of no one.

Barris had turned to face her, confusion clear on his face when the other Templar's attacked.

Iron Bull, Blackwall and Cassandra seemed to flow to the front of the line with Barris; the three shield holders forming in solid wall in front of the ranged fighters. Bronwynn and Vivienne stood behind the fighters with shields and used the cover for themselves as well; the two Circle trained mages throwing fire and ice in quick succession to stop the enemies in their tracks. Bronwynn could hear Solas behind them trying to keep up and part of her wanted to laugh at his lack of discipline. What he lacked in discipline; however, he made up for in power and creativity.

Varric and Sera put two arrows into the last guy at the same time, leaving everyone panting from the exertion. Bronwynn walked over to the still breathing Knight-Captain and shook her head as she bent down to check him.

"If we give him a healing potion he'll hold on long enough to be questioned," Barris said and Bronwynn agreed. "Let us go find the Lord Seeker," the Knight-Lieutenant said, and the anger in his voice would have chilled a flame.

The group split up to search the fortress, hoping to find and save as many Templars as they could. All were disheartened by the number of officers that had been blighted that they had to fight. Bronwynn shivered at the thought of these men and women taking anything that would corrupt them so.

Both halves of her party met at the foot of the stairs leading into the cathedral. She could hear someone calling to her; but she wasn't sure if it was human or not, or if the sound was in her ears or head. Her spirit companions were both telling her something was very wrong, they both felt the presence of a powerful demon; and when she reached the top of the stairs she found it.

"Lord Seeker?" she asked hopefully. The creature; although wearing the Lord Seekers face, laughed at her as it grabbed her and attacked.

Bronwynn shook her head to try and clear it. She could hear Cassandra and Blackwall shouting as if from very far away and knew that had to be wrong. When she looked around she could see why; this was a nightmare realm and she didn't belong here.

Tell me what I want to know she heard the sibilant hissing of the demon demanding from her; but she knew she was in her head and so it was her domain and she was in control.

'Good, you figured it out' she heard another voice say. It wasn't one of her spirit companions, but she knew it was a spirit.

"Who are you?" she asked as she built shields around her mind to block out the demon.

'My name is Cole, I wanted to help. Envy wants to be you.' She said 'ahh' now that she had a name for the demon that was attacking her.

"Envy, hmm. Well at least I know what to do even if I've never had to do it," she said to the new spirit. She turned her head to face the way forward and wondered how she hadn't taken complete control of the terrain. Suddenly there was a young man before her; she'd seen him somewhere before but couldn't place where.

'It wants to be you, it will make you hurt to get what it wants, keep going up and it will get weaker,' he told her. She nodded at the young white haired man and moved forward.

The demon tried to distract her, to draw her into conversation or debate. Had it not been for her own spirits of compassion and knowledge holding strong against the onslaught she may have given in.

'Ideas are loud here, make them louder and keep going up, you're making Envy angry; but that's okay. So are you.' Cole also urged her forward, helping her stay the course when she would have faltered and reacted.

Bronwynn reached the foot of the stairs to the cathedral in her head and sighed with frustration. She wanted this over. She went to open the door and the demon grabbed her from behind and spun her around.

Unfair! Unfair! That thing kept you whole, kept me from taking your face! it hissed as it lifted her against the door. The spirit calling itself Cole distracted it long enough for her to attack it; causing it to leave her mind and flee into the cathedral.

"Lord Seeker!" Barris shouted in dismay. Bronwynn cleared her throat and shook her head.

"No, an imposter. An Envy demon wearing his face," she told him with regret.

"So the Lord Seeker…" Cassandra said then trailed off; not wanting to say what she was thinking.

"Is either dead or caged," Barris finished for her. "It was the red lyrium, wasn't it Your Worship?" he asked her. Shen shrugged.

"I'm not sure, Knight-Lieutenant. What I do know is we have a chance to stop this now. I want to kill that demon," she said with vehemence.

Barris called on the Templars who were in the Cathedral to tell him about Envy, and Bronwynn knew it was more to make sure they all knew what they were up against.

"Get me the veterans, if there are any left, Herald; and the untainted lyrium and I'll give you Envy," he told her. She nodded and turned to her group of fighters.

"Vivienne, Blackwall, Sera, and Solas; stay here in the hall. Help the Templars fend off any attacks," she ordered before heading out to the west courtyard to find who she could.

The attack by the corrupted and twisted Templars was fast and disturbing. Bronwynn was still having trouble wrapping her head around the soldiers being so riddled with the blight. Especially as these men and women were now partly crystal; not just blighted.

After dispatching the last of the Horrors they followed Knight-Lieutenant duBois into the Great Hall and quickly dispatched the Red Templars who were attacking.

They all took a moment to catch their breaths and Bronwynn checked on the Templars, making sure they were all unharmed. She led Varric, Bull and Cassandra out the other side to grab the lyrium stores and any other veterans they could find.

They moved quickly to find a single veteran; Knight-Lieutenant Primmer. After helping him they headed back down to find the lyrium stores; and in the process found a room with plans for the assassination of Empress Celine. Cole appeared to the group to say he hates her, but wasn't clear on who 'he' was. Bronwynn grabbed what she could that looked important to the plot and the group headed back to the Great Hall.

Another group of Templar Horrors had come in and she threw out a blast of icy wind to slow the creatures down. The others made quick work of the creatures and once more Bronwynn checked on the Templars. When she was sure they were fine she turned to Barris expectantly.

"Keep them off us while we break this beast!" he called as he and the other veterans began their ritual.

"Sera, Varric, Solas, Vivienne get up high and hit them hard!" she called out. "Bull, you watch the right, Blackwall with him. Cassandra, with me on the left!"

There was no desperation in this fight; all of them felt anger and frustration that their enemy had somehow managed to corrupt one of the most trusted Orders in all of Thedas.

The eight of them held off the waves of corrupted Templars as they came pouring through the barriers the demon had erected. The Iron Bull could be heard shouting as he plowed through the creatures as they swarmed him and Blackwall. Any that made it past the Qunari had to face Blackwall's shield and sword. They were both aggressive fighters and kept their opponents off center.

Cassandra proved to be an immovable wall, although she was constantly on the move. She kept a six foot line in front of her clear at all times, protecting the mage behind her as best she could. Bronwynn made sure to keep protective shielding on the Seeker at all times, tossing freezing winds and boiling flames where she could to slow the enemy. The few crystallized Templars who did make it past the Seeker met Bronwynn's enchantments.

Solas and Vivienne played to their strengths; Solas using his magic to enhance the ground fighters while Vivienne concentrated her attacks on the creatures that were coming through the barrier. Varric and Sera seemed to be having a contest on who could kill the most horrors.

Cassandra was breathing heavily after striking down a particularly nasty brute when suddenly the barriers were gone. All eight fighters sagged in exhaustion when they realized there were no more monsters to fight.

"There, finish it!" Ser Barris shouted as he and the others collapsed to the ground; their own exhaustion clear. Everyone took a deep breath and found their second wind.

"Come on my friends," Bronwynn said with a steely determination. "We're not letting this monster harm another," she moved quickly up the stairs behind the dias; leading the way.

The envy demon put up a true fight, and the group had to fight harder for their already exhausted state. It focused it's attacks on Bronwynn, still attempting to find a way to make itself in her image. It's frustration as it failed time and again gave them their only openings to defeat it.

Bronwynn hit her knees when Bull took the killing blow after Solas had turned it to ice one final time. She, like the others, was shaking from the exhaustion the fighting had caused.

Vivienne walked unsteadily over to the Herald and held out a bottle of lyrium.

"No, thank you dear," Bronwynn gasped as she found the energy to stand.

"You need this," the dark skinned Enchanter snapped, evoking a wry smile from her fellow mage.

"No, I need time to breath, Vivienne," she replied simply. Vivienne frowned in confusion at the woman who ignored the look and squared her shoulders before heading back into the cathedral.

She looked at the assembled Templars, she could see the defeat on their faces, and also the pride. These men and women had wanted more than anything to serve; to protect. She could take away that pride by leashing them, or she could let them keep that pride by allying with them.

The part of her that had been hurt by Templars wanted to take revenge on them for that pain; but Bronwynn knew that these men and women weren't guilty of the torture. Ser Barris stepped up and asked what they should do and she laughed at the irony.

"We need to seal this breach," she said as she looked once more at the faces of these devout men and women. "While we have been bickering over rights and wrongs; over mage or Templar innocent lives have been lost to the demons the breach forces from the veil," she sighed and looked at Barris; and he could see the sorrow in her eyes.

"I could demand you cease to be the Templar Order and follow the Inquisition," she said to him; although all could hear her. He nodded, with reluctance.

"I could also simply say you're not worth the trouble and leave you to figure it out on your own," there were a chorus of gasps around her when she said that.

"What?" Barris asked, his confusion clear.

"I am one of those mages that suffered at the hands of Templars," she said candidly. Every Templar there cringed and she nodded.

"I know that you all want to serve; to protect. Will you help the Inquisition, Templar Order, to seal the breach and protect the innocents from the demons?" she asked them. Her heart was in her voice, and there was a pleading in her eyes that touched them all.

"Will we join the Inquisition?" Ser Barris asked his fellows. The resounding cheer echoed throughout the building. He turned to her and told her they had to gather what officers they had left; but they would meet them at Haven within the week. Bronwynn nodded and she and the others made their way out of the Redoubt.

"Red lyrium is blighted?" Varric asked dubiously.

"I don't know, Varric. Once that lyrium shard you had left gets to us I'll know more," she answered with her own trepidation. "I just know that I felt the blight from those corrupted by the lyrium," she shivered in reaction.

"That's really not good," Varric said softly.

"No, it really isn't," Blackwall said as an echo.

Haven

Bronwynn found herself leaning against a post in the cathedral in Haven a few days later after the War Council session. Her lover stood before her with his arms akimbo on his hips and scowling at her as she laughed. She couldn't help it, the look on his face when the spirit boy appeared on the table.

"You were startled as well," he groused at her when she finally started to wind down.

"Yes, but I didn't take a full three seconds to draw my sword," she replied; and he had to admit that had been true. She had readied an ice spell before the smoke had cleared from his sudden appearance.

"He's a demon," the ex-Templar started to say when she shook her head. "Then what is he?"

"He's a spirit, as far as I can tell; and no he's not possessing a body," she assured him. He frowned.

"You're certain?" he demanded and she nodded.

"Compassion, I believe," she shrugged. "I will have to talk to him more to be sure, but that is what he feels like to me," she reached out and caressed his cheek. He sighed and kissed her briefly.

"I will want to hear more on the Envy demon, Herald," he said quickly. "It will have to wait, however. There are preparations that are needed for the Templars," he kissed her once more and left the building. She sighed and turned to see Vivienne waiting to speak with her.

"Yes, First Enchanter?" She asked pleasantly. Vivienne's frown was formidable and had Bronwynn been anyone else she most likely would have flinched under the look.

"You shouldn't be so affectionate in public, dear. It looks bad," she was told with haughty concern. Bronwynn linked her arm through Vivienne's and smiled.

"For the first three years of our relationship we kept it behind closed doors," she told the slightly older woman.

"After that?" Vivienne asked with reluctant curiosity.

"We were in Kirkwall; and somehow with all the chaos that was happening, it was never noted by the other Templars or mages that we were together. We didn't flaunt it, Vivienne; yet neither did we hide it," she shrugged and the two women sat before one of the fireplaces in the hall.

"He is the Inquisition's Commander. You are the Herald of Andraste, it could be misconstrued," the Rivaini woman scolded.

"There are those who would say the same of your relationship with Duke Bastien," Bronwynn said kindly.

"How?"

"You have the authority to make decisions for him, for his lands. You advise him; you have power over hundreds, if not thousands of lives."

Vivienne looked horrified at the implication.

"Comparing me to Andraste; as people will, would cause enough problems. Cullen and I being open about our relationship actually mitigates the harm," she held out her hand to forestall the next question on Vivienne's lips.

"Because he is a Templar, and a fine warrior. Those who follow him do so because of his honor, his commitment to Andraste and his faith. The people will see this man and think If he loves her she must be like unto Andraste herself. They will believe that I truly am chosen by Andraste herself to lead the world into peace," she shrugged and smiled at the older woman.

"I have not said that I am the chosen of Andraste, I have not said that I was saved by Andraste. I do not believe it to be true," she looked at the doors to the Cathedral as they opened to let in a group of nobles intent on speaking with Josephine.

"Yet you know what you say matters not," Vivienne said with understanding.

"Exactly." Bronwynn's green eyes met the leader of the Loyalist mages own and she gave a small smile. "The Game is played the same, no matter what. What people see is what they want to see; and the people want me to be Andraste's Chosen. I want to be able to show that I love this man; if letting people see something else is what it takes, then so be it," she said. Vivienne nodded her understanding. This is what she felt for her Bastien.

"Now, you wanted something else, I'm sure," Bronwynn said wearily, relaxing into the heavily cushioned seat by the fire.

"Yes, we have finally received word that the last of the mages are coming from Redcliffe; Alexius and his son will be among the group. That Parvus fellow has already arrived," she informed the Herald who sighed then laughed.

"And Leliana didn't tell me because she was hoping to spring it on me later," Vivienne smiled, showing her even white teeth.

"One must never underestimate the Nightingale," Vivienne said softly. Bronwynn turned her head and narrowed her eyes at the hovering red haired bard with humor.

"No, one must not," she leaned forward and bussed Vivienne's right cheek before standing and heading out the door. Cullen had to deal with accommodations for the Templars, she would have to do so for the mages.

And they would not be happy with the accommodations.

Bronwynn stood like a bright flame against the ash of destruction at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. She felt her spirit companions quail at frailty of the veil and wondered herself how it had not been rent completely asunder by the violence and bloodshed. It had only been a few months since the explosion and yet already felt as if a lifetime had passed.

Cullen stood with the Templars, Vivienne with the Mages and Cassandra stood next to the mage with the green fire in her left hand. Getting to this point had been more than trying, and now Bronwynn prayed that she had the fortitude to use the power the mages and Templars were going to share with her.

"Mages, Templars!" Cassandra shouted and Bronwynn took a deep breath.

"Focus your energy past the Herald, let her will draw from you!" Solas instructed and after a long moment there was the sound of metal meeting stone and a deafening shout from those assembled. For one shining moment Bronwynn could feel the power hovering, indecisive on it's target before she wrapped her will around it.

Bronwynn Amell; Circle Mage, Warden and Herald of Andraste raised her marked left had to the seething energy that was the Breach so far above them. There was a searing fire of green energy that burst from her hand and arm as she concentrated on closing the hole in the sky that was torturing so many innocents.

She never heard the scream that was wrenched from her throat, she didn't know she had fallen. She knew, however, when the Breach was sealed, she could feel the calmness in the veil. Not perfectly closed; but sealed.

Cassandra reached out a hand to help the Herald up from the ground, a look of relief on her face. Bronwynn smiled at her friend, weary from the exertion but happy. Before she could do more, strong arms turned her around and wrapped her in their safety. She sighed and allowed him to pick her up, she was very tired.

Night had fallen on the celebration at Haven, the stars were obscured by the light of the many fires within the valley; yet she they were calling saviour stared pensively out over the celebrants and worried.

Alexius had kept his word and brought the Southern Rebel mages to Haven without his ex-masters being the wiser. Ser Barris had ensured that the remainder of the Templar order had arrived in a timely and orderly manner. There had been some grumbling from both sides when they realized that the Inquisition wasn't going to choose a side; that it truly meant to close the breach and that was it. Yet, when faced with the sight of the marred sky so close to them; most had chosen to forego the arguments and discord.

Those that hadn't had found themselves ostracised but not allowed to leave. Cullen, Leliana and Josephine made it clear that the safety of those at Haven was paramount and they would tolerate no deserters. Which Bronwynn found amusing coming from the Ambassador, yet she managed to make those who wanted to keep fighting stop.

Cassandra appeared beside her and confirmed that Solas said the sky was healed. Bronwynn kept her own counsel about that. They conversed for a short time, and Bronwynn was getting ready to leave the party when the horns sounded and Cullen could be heard shouting To the gates above them.

"One watchguard reporting, a large force coming over the mountain," He replied to Cassandra's query.

"Under what banner?" Josephine demanded.

"None," was the answer. Everyone looked at him with surprise at that answer.

"Herald, what are you doing?" he demanded when she began barking orders at her circle.

"Going to meet them, Commander. Get the civilians to safety. Mages, Templars on me!" she shouted. "Let's show these bastards what we're capable of when we fight together!" There was a deafening roar as the two groups immediately began to split themselves to follow her party. The Bull's Chargers took command of five mages and five Templars and followed Bull's orders to help Cullen get the civilians to the chantry and to guard it with their lives. Vivienne pulled the most powerful of the Loyalist and Rebel mages to her; gaining a dozen Templars to help guard them as they fought.

Cassandra took command of another group of Templars and mages while Leliana got a dozen mages to higher ground for better defense.

The rest followed what orders Bronwynn or Blackwall or Varric shouted as they ran to the trebuchets to guard them until they could fire.

Bronwynn and Blackwall could see, barely, a tall creature on a rise. Standing next to him was a woman in mage robes and a man in Templar armor.

"Darkspawn Emissary!" Blackwall shouted and Bronwynn groaned but nodded to show she had heard. They took no more time to speak or speculate, the fight was fierce and prolonged. Templars corrupted by red lyrium and mages shouting about the Elder one.

Bronwynn caught a fireball to her left side and was temporarily blinded although unhurt. Her shields held solid; and then she heard two voices shouting the same word. Before she could turn to face what she thought was a new threat she felt a soothing wetness slough over her shields, putting out the fire; then she caught the tail end of an ethereal deluge as it swallowed several enemy mages and drowned them. When she turned to see who had cast it, there was Gereon Alexius and Dorian Parvus side by side.

From her right came Felix Alexius and another twenty mages.

"Go, Herald, we'll protect this trebuchet; the other one isn't firing!" he shouted at her. She nodded and took off, followed by Blackwall, Sera, Varric and Bull.

It took them longer than she would have liked to get the trebuchet ligned up and fired; they stayed under attack and only Bull was strong enough to turn it quickly. Bronwynn almost choked on her breath when the red crystal behemoth staggered close, followed by one of the rebel mages who hadn't wanted to come to Haven. However, as Solas and Cole came running in, followed by more Templars and Mages the fight was over quickly.

The sight of the avalanche pouring down on the enemy soldiers was heartening to everyone. How that they had so many numbers was frightening to contemplate.

Bronwynn and Blackwall looked up to the sky seconds before the sickened roar of the dragon was heard. Both swallowed in fear when their first instinct was to shout Archdemon. It destroyed the trebuchet in a single lyrium fire strafe and everyone ran.

They made it back to the town, managed to close the gate as the dragon made another strafing run, just missing them.

"Get to the Chantry," Cullen ordered sullenly. "At this point just make them work for it."

There was fighting inside the walls, and they didn't have much time but everyone of her circle took time to meditate for just a moment. Bronwynn pulled on the fighting around her, the emotions and turmoil. She felt the power as it filled her and she moved determinedly forward, followed by the ten others. They made short work of the mages and red Templars inside the walls, getting whomever was left to the Chantry.

Once inside Bronwynn took a look around and felt the fear that pervaded the space. Cole was helping Chancellor Roderick while Dorian argued with Cullen over the next step. Bronwynn heard a roaring in her ears and forced herself to calm down and listen to the spirits that were clamouring for her attention.

"Chancellor, let me help," she insisted after a moment.

"Why?" he demanded and she shook her head at him.

"Because I'm a healer and I have to try," she gently told him. Cole was right though, he was going to die. She did what she could to ease the pain and give him strength to last a little while longer.

"We could turn the trebuchets on the mountain behind us," she heard Cullen say and her head snapped to him.

"We're not killing ourselves to stop that thing," she said with finality. "There has to be another way."

Silence filled the space between them until Cole said that Chancellor Roderick wanted to say something before he died. He mentioned a path up the mountain, hidden but traversable; even in the snow. Bronwynn nodded.

"Get them out, all of them," she ordered before turning to her lover. "He wants me," she said quietly. "He doesn't care about anything else," her eyes filled with tears as she said it; knowing she was about to hurt him.

"I will distract him," she told the blond man; who was suddenly holding himself very still. Bronwynn took a slow deep breath to finish speaking.

"I can get the last trebuchet turned," she went on, keeping her tears from falling by sheer dint of will. He was shaking his head in denial. "I can stop him," she finished.

Bronwynn and Cullen both saw the men that ran from the cathedral to prime the trebuchet; they saw as those in Bronwynn's circle followed behind to keep them safe. Emerald green eyes never left glacier blue; she didn't let the tears fall.

For them the world stopped turning, stopped breathing. She knew that he was dying; and she was dying with him. He knew he couldn't stop her; that she had to do this thing.

"What about you?" he asked her, and then her tears fell. His voice didn't crack, but there was a wealth of pain in the question. She didn't attempt an answer, not even to shake her head. She had never lied to him, and she wouldn't start now - nor would she make a promise she couldn't keep.

Cullen jerked off his gauntlets and grabbed the woman he loved by her shoulders and pulled her to him. The kiss was both brutal and gentle at the same time. A desperate mix of hope and despair; of promise and regret that seemed to last an eternity.

She choked back a sob when he released her and took her face in his hands.

"I love you," he said to her. "Perhaps you can surprise him," he said with hope as he reluctantly let her go.

Bronwynn closed her tear filled eyes and took a deep shuddering breath. When she opened her eyes again they were deep jade with her despair; but they were dry. She called for Cole, asked him to help the Chancellor and turned to leave the building. She could feel Cullen's gaze on her with each step, but she didn't look back.

Bronwynn followed the path of destruction her people had made as they headed for the last trebuchet. Part of her wanted to run back inside the Chantry and hide. Keep her and Cullen safe, let the rest burn; but she kept moving forward. She knew she hadn't told him she loved him and she prayed she'd have the chance to say it again. She couldn't tell him goodbye when she wasn't done.

Bronwynn reached the machine just as the loaders finished getting it turned. She and the others protected them while they primed the spring. She heard felt the dragon coming and sent the others back, to get on the trail and to safety before it roared. They were gone by the time the fire exploded in front of her, sending her flying head over heels to land on her back; the wind knocked from her.

She made it to her feet as it landed and screeched at her, clearly hungry. Now she knew, it wasn't an Archdemon, merely a corrupted dragon. Not much comfort under the circumstances; but she felt better knowing there was no Blight coming.

She heard the cracked, ruined voice shout enough and turned to face the speaker.

The Emissary.

"I am Corypheus," it said and she frowned.

"Whatever you were, you're a Darkspawn now," she spat. It didn't take a mage to see this creature was more powerful than any Darkspawn Emissary she had ever taken on; and she'd taken on Omega Emissaries.

"You have no idea what I am," it responded, and she thought she heard it trying to infuse the statement with some sort of emotion; but it fell short. "I have walked the Golden City, and I will do so again."

Bronwynn found herself laughing at the grandiose, bad play clichéd speech. When it pulled out an elvan orb she stopped laughing and narrowed her eyes at it.

"You are a thief; a mistake that will be corrected now," it made a motion and she felt the mark on her hand light up with fire and pain. She almost crumpled from the shock of it; yet she knew this creature wanted more than her pain.

"You will kneel," he commanded; and she let out a laugh once more.

"I kneel before no mere Darkspawn," she spat; clenching her left hand into a fist as the pain intensified.

"I will remove the Anchor, you do not deserve it. Undoing my work with your bumbling about; like a babe in the wood," it sneered; but she could see a desperation forming about what was left of it's mouth.

"I don't think so, Darkspawn," she said with defiance as the pain suddenly left. It reached out and grabbed her by her left hand and lifted her from the ground. She felt the muscles in her arm creak in protest as her weight drug on them.

"I will be the God the world deserves. Pray that I succeed for I have seen the throne of the gods and found it empty; your maker is false," he spat before throwing her against the still loaded trebuchet. She groaned as she hit the support and lifted her eyes in time to see the flare raise above the tree line. Cullen was safe; it was time.

"The Anchor is permanent, you have spoilt it with your fumbling. No matter, I will begin anew," it said, turning to face her just as she kicked the release of the trebuchet and dove off the machine. She went from a roll onto her feet and teleported as far as she dared with her reserves so low. She fell into an open hole in the ground as the roar of the avalanche sounded behind her.