Note: Hope you all enjoy this one!

37 Grey Days

"She's gone!" Leliana quickly brushed passed a surprised Alistair patting the Mabari war hound before him.

"What do you mean she's gone?" Hurriedly his steps followed the bard back to the inn. "Leliana?"

The bard glanced back at him. He thought he saw her eyes glistening. "She ran Alistair. I need to find Morrigan. She's the only one fast enough who can catch up with Amara." Leliana turned away from him, stepping around patrons and tables as she made her way up the stairs to Morrigan's room.

"Surely she'll be back soon. Maybe she just needs some time to herself?" Alistair followed Leliana closely, his concern growing with each step he took.

"Morrigan?" Leliana waited a moment before she knocked on the door again. "Morrigan?" She called out a little louder but received no answer back. Hesitantly she placed a hand on the door handle. She bit her bottom lip and twisted it. The door swung open slowly. Bright sunlight streamed from the window on the far wall. The cot on the ground held the Warden's plates and her pack but was otherwise unused. Leliana's heart hammered as she scanned the rest of the room. A tray of dishes were on the table in the corner of the room. A large bed met her eyes. The sheets were rumpled and left unmade. Pillows were awry on top of each other. Guilt gnawed at her once more. She really, really didn't need that kiss! She berated herself inwardly.

"She's not here Alistair. We have to find her." Leliana closed the door leaving the empty room behind.

"But I'm sure Amara will be back, why do we need to go after her? And why Morrigan?" Alistair was looking panicked despite the words he uttered.

"You weren't there Alistair. You didn't see her eyes." Leliana looked ahead as she made her way back down the steps. You didn't see the hurt and pain there. Or the added confusion thanks to me. Oh, why did I have to kiss her?! She rebuked herself once more. "And why Morrigan? Well…" Leliana's mind contemplated telling the Warden what she witnessed then resolutely pushed the notion aside. "We both know the witch can shape shift to a wolf. She'll be able to track Amara down and quickly."

Alistair nodded at her words. "Ok. Then you check the bath house and I'll check the tree line by the lake." Leliana agreed. They parted ways outside the inn doors.

Heartbeats were loud and fast in her ears. Her well-muscled strides carried her strong and fast but the longing in her heart called for more effort. Trees and the scrubland around be became a grey blur passing her sight. Gracefully she dodged boulders and fallen logs, paying no mind to the pain when her sides clipped the sharp edges of the wilds around her. She could feel the quick breaths in her chest as her running devoured mile after mile before her.

I can protect them better if I'm with them. She thought. I will die trying. Determined she followed her heart north, her amber eyes scanning the horizon in front of her. She continued to run till the aching in her chest and haunches forced her to a trot. She slunk her way through the cover of trees appreciating the coolness of their shade. Now that her body had slowed, her mind had started racing again. Her companions sprung up in her head with Morrigan taking up much of her thoughts. She felt guilt in rise from the pit of her stomach remembering every promise she had made to them. She sighed deeply.

Her unforgiving sense of duty made her think of the oath she took as her father lay bloodied and dying on the cold stone floor of her home. The Blight is as real as the ground beneath her feet and it had already claimed many lives. As one of the last Grey Wardens left, she had the power to stop the Blight and end the suffering that went on around her. She could be sure that Elise would be safe and that she stayed that way if she succeeded in her task. Her trotting slowed considerably as her heart ached with sudden doubt. Coming to Elise now would mean abandoning that task. The Blight will spread and destroy all life it touched. Her father made her promise Duncan that she would take up the duty and responsibilities of a Grey Warden. Amara swallowed hard and panted. They died, both of them… gone. She shook her great wolf head to clear her mind of their ghostly memories. "Elise is alive. What about my promise to her?" She howled her despair into the changing sky above her. Her doubt and anger fanned her defiance. She ran once more, determinedly her heart took her further north.

"Morrigan?" Leliana burst into the bath house, her voice echoing on the stone walls around her. She heard sudden splashing of water at the far end of it. Quickly she walked towards it. Water streaming down the witch's pale smooth back met her eyes. Strands of her black locks had come undone from their restraint and trailed alluring down the nape of her neck. The witch looked at her with cold golden eyes. She had been disturbed. Despite her nakedness she slowly stepped out of the bath and turned around meeting the bard's stunned eyes.

"Yes?" Her tone was impatient and unimpressed. Leliana tore her eyes away from her wet body and looked at the Warden's armour she had been clutching the whole time.

"It's Amara." Leliana forced herself to meet the witch's fierce stare. "She received some news from… home… and she ran." Morrigan's eyes blinked then recognised the black leather in the bard's arms. She crossed the room to the bard in three strides, her hands grasping at the armour.

"What? Why? Damnation! When did this happen?" Morrigan's mind raced.

"Half an hour ago now. We've been looking for you." Leliana relinquished the armour to the witch. "She was… very upset." Despite wanting to look strong before the witch, the bard took a shuddering breath. "Morrigan, you need to find her. She's unarmed. Vulnerable."

Morrigan looked at the bard. She understood the worry behind those blue eyes. "Let me dress then I'll take flight. Take this back to my room." She handed the armour back to the bard. "Pray to your Maker I have enough ingredients to enchant these." She watched the bard turn around and walk out. She took a steadying breath and quickly found her clothes.

Out in the sunlight she quickly shape shifted into a raven. She cast large circular search patterns up in the air covering miles in all direction before she came back down. The sun was slowly but surely making its way to the horizon. Light was fast running out. Morrigan made her way back to the inn.

Amara lapped at the cool water thirstily. She was so tired now but her longing to see Elise forced her onwards. Doggedly she trotted along the river bank. There would be no camp tonight. No comfort of a fire for her. Guilt and responsibility haunted her every step. She continued trotting till her aching muscles forced her to stop and rest. Just for a moment. I can make up for it when I have enough strength to run once more. She reasoned with herself. She found a small shrub and crawled deep under it. Curling nose to tail she willed her body to rest while her mind was besieged by her decision. Elise… A furrowed line formed between her wolf eyes. Morrigan…. Amara's wolf heaved a great sigh. Maker, what am I doing? She shook her head. A small corner of her mind even whispered Leliana's name. Frustrated and annoyed she closed her eyes wanting to think of nothing. She was unsuccessful.

Leliana beckoned Morrigan to the corner table they sat at. "Did you find anything?" She asked as the witch sat down. Morrigan shook her head.

"It would help if I knew where she was running to." Morrigan took a long draw of the ale before her. When she put the tankard down her gold eyes pierced Alistair. "You've known her longer than all of us. Where does she come from?" Alistair visibly gulped as three women and a Qunari stared at him.

"Well… Duncan recruited her from Highever. North of here." He met Morrigan's eyes squarely. "She's the last of the Couslands." Leliana's eyes shot to her drink as she remembered the letter. "The Teyrna to be exact." Morrigan and Leliana visibly drew a breath. "Though, I don't know if that title will still apply now that she's a Grey Warden." Alistair looked at scratches on the table before him. Morrigan stood up suddenly. She turned to the bard next to her.

"Did you place her armour in my room?" Leliana nodded. The witch walked away from them then up the stairs. She could feel their eyes following her. She closed the door behind her and looked about. She sat heavily on the bed and closed her eyes. "Blasted damnation, Amara!" She called out into the empty room. She drew a shuddering breath refusing to allow herself the comfort of the bed that held their scent. She stood up and rummaged through her pack for supplies. She laid it out before her. There was only enough for one article of clothing. She chose the cloak.

Within a few moments the witch came back down. The Warden's cloak was secured around her shoulders. "I'm leaving to find her now. Give us till tomorrow then proceed to Redcliffe without us."

Alistair shot Morrigan a querying look. "Surely you can both get back here in time for us to travel together?" Morrigan looked at Leliana as realization dawned on her. The bard hadn't told them. She found a fragment of respect for the red head before her.

Leliana caught her look. "She's fast my friend. And she was in a hurry." Leliana patted the Warden in front of her.

"What's the matter Warden? Afraid to take up the reins of leadership while your sister is away?" Morrigan's narrowed at the mewling Warden before her. Decisively she turned and walked out of the inn.

Alistair shook his head. "Why is she such a bitch whenever Amara is away?"

Leliana patted his arm once more. "Amara's never been away Alistair."

"I know. I know. I'm worried and I feel like I'm not understanding everything here." Alistair stared at the drink before him. Leliana stayed silent.

Morrigan took flight and followed a northern path. She stopped every couple of miles shifting into a wolf as she reached the ground. Carefully she looked for and picked up the Warden's scent then taking flight once more in that general direction. As the last light faded Morrigan shape shifted into a wolf again, trusting her snout in the gathering dark instead of her raven eyes. You can't be far now Warden. She thought to herself as she followed Amara's trail. She wished she knew the reason why the Warden had decided to leave suddenly. Belatedly she thought she should have spoken to the bard more thoroughly. She shook her head to herself as quartered the ground before her.

Amara woke with the setting of the sun around her. Quietly she shook herself and drank more water from the river. Purposefully she headed toward Highever once more. The rest had rejuvenated her body allowing her to run again. Alistair was a Grey Warden too. It wasn't just up to her to stop the Blight; she thought to herself still trying to convince her conscience she was doing the right thing. The terrain around her was changing, becoming steeper with small hills. She picked her way through the flattest route she could find, often finding herself in damp boggy valleys. By the moon's rise she found herself nearing the old fortress. Her hackles rose as the watch towers loomed over her path. As silent as a shadow she made her way past them, her heart racing whenever the wind moaned through the decrepit buildings around her. She didn't stop moving until she left the unsettling ruins far behind.

Leliana had bought a bottle of wine from bar and had taken it up to her chambers. The minstrel had left her a package by her door. She bent down and picked it up feeling the wooden shape of the lute beneath the soft cotton wrapping that covered it. She sighed. She had promised the young woman time with her this afternoon but her worry for the Warden had taken up much of her attention. Dejectedly she uncorked the bottle with her teeth, took her lute and crawled out of her window with both in hand. The flat roof of the inn provided a perfect view of the lake and the surrounding woods. It was almost a full moon on a cloudless night. Despite the beauty around her she couldn't help the nagging feeling in the back of her mind - something wasn't right. It had only been a few days since she had joined the Warden's company and already she had become central to her. She pined for Amara. She shook her head and let out a long breath. She was all out of sorts with worry. She took a long steady swig from the bottle placed the bottle next to her. She stretched out then shook her fingers tentatively to loosen them up. Gently she took up the lute and softly played a melancholy love song. She closed her eyes as she listened to the refrain. How appropriate. She thought to herself, I'm getting drunk and I'm playing a really sad song. A self-depreciating smile crossed her lips. A loud thump had her turning her head to the right. Blonde jagged hair pop out of the window as Alistair heaved himself outside his room.

"Wow you play good." Slowly the Warden approached her looking nervously at the tiles beneath his feet. He sat himself down next to her. "I couldn't sleep. Mind if I join you?" Leliana gave him small smile and shook her head. She continued plucking the strings.

"I couldn't sleep either." She stared ahead at the lake in front of them. "The Teyrna… Amara… Did you know she had someone special back home?" Leliana's voice caught in her throat as she remembered the words on the parchment.

Alistair shook his head. "I know her whole family was murdered, the day Duncan recruited her." Alistair helped himself to the wine between them. "I didn't know she had someone else."

"Maker!" Her eyes widened in shock. Leliana's hands stopped playing, her fingers reflexively going to her mouth. Tears stood in her eyes suddenly.

"Leliana, I'm sorry! I forget that we've all just come together recently." Alistair offered the bottle to the bard, his eyes cast down. "It's just, we've all travelled together for some time now and I forget that there are still some things we are learning about each other." He gently touched her hand. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

Leliana took a long drink from the bottle once more. She took a steadying breath. "I didn't understand what she was going through." Leliana drew her knees to her chest and hugged herself. She buried her head in her arms. "This is my fault." She mumbled as her throat tightened.

"What do you mean?" Alistair looked at her curiously.

"I kissed her. I really shouldn't have." She let out a long jagged breath. Alistair looked at her in shock. She looked away from his stare.

"You like her?" His face was a picture.

"I know… I think I really do. But what chance do I have against Morrigan right?" Leliana hugged herself some more. "Those two have had something since they met. I can tell."

"Hmm. Did she kiss you back?" Alistair blushed while looking at his boots.

"Yes." Leliana cleared her throat. "Right before she hurriedly backed away then ran off." She took up the lute once more. This time her fingers found an angrier rhythm.

Amara ran through the night. The sky was lightening around her as she found the familiar scent of home all around. This was her forest. She had walked through these trees, hunted and ran as wolf beneath them before. Her heart hammered in her chest as she warily slunk her way further into Dalish lands. Quietly she circled wide of watchers. A few cast her a curious glance but no more than deserved for a dark wolf prowling their midst.

Her steps found her way deep in the trees overlooking the Keeper's home. Her heart ached as a small whine erupted from her throat. She paced about restlessly till she saw a light kindled inside. Amara held her wolf breath as long as she could. She lay low on the ground the shrubs around her hiding her well. She watched as the Keeper stepped out of her home. Her long hair was bound in numerous plaits on her head. Her soft dresses now replaced with supple leather as she was wont to do whenever the tribe's general outlook was on edge. Amara ached. Her lover so close she could almost feel the touch of her once more. She heard herself sob. Her hand went to her mouth. Her human form had returned to her unbeknownst to herself. She crouched naked on the forest floor. Elise set a small fire outside her home and warmed some water against it. Amara waited and watched a life she was no longer a part of. Not till she was finished with her task.

Her heart hammered as she watched the Keeper retreat back into the aravel. She waited still twisted with the decision she was coming to. Her eyes widened in wonder as Elise came back out. She held the babe in her arms. She looked motherly, naturally comfortable with the task before her as she bathe the babe with a damp cloth. Tears flowed down Amara's cheeks as she saw Elise's smile break forth. Seeing this continue in safety was worth all the pain she felt. Amara continued to watch. Her body not making any move to approach.

She stayed sitting for two hours, at times crying, other times smiling as she watched Elise care for the little one in her arms. Her resolve almost broke as she listened to Elise sing him a lullaby. She felt a familiar swell in her heart as a grey wolf slowly approached her. She closed her eyes as tears flowed down from them. Gentle arms encircled her in silence. She leant against the witch sobbing as quietly as she could, her breathing ragged in her chest.

"I knew you would find me." Her voice cracked in a whisper. She tasted salt in her mouth as her tears ran freely.

"Help me understand." Morrigan's voice was gentle. Softly she caressed the Warden's shoulders as she held her in her arms. It was a while before she spoke.

"This is the price I pay for their safety. My life to stop the Blight so they can live." Amara held the witch closer as her throat tightened once more. "Their safety is what I risk by coming here."

"Will you go to them?" Morrigan's heart hammered in her chest dreading the Warden's answer.

"No. My task is not finished." Amara looked at Morrigan for the first time, her eyes pleaded. "Please… Lead me away. If I go to them I don't think I can make myself leave again… and I've not done my duty yet." Amara closed her eyes tightly against the pain in her heart.

"You are sure Warden?" Morrigan's voice trembled a little. Amara nodded quickly. "Then come away with me." Amara felt the witch's warm arms surround her waist as she gently lead her deeper into the woods.