A/N: I am grateful and truly amazed at the response Leonie's story has generated. I thank all of you who favorite, review, alert and lurk. It is humbling to know that you care about Leonie's story.

In the Absence of Strife

Arguments rose and fell in Leonie's mind like the rise and fall of the ocean's tides. Finally, she just shrugged them away. It would do little good to have Loghain confess his fear of losing her only to have her complain when he wanted to protect her. But as she watched the guard nail the boards over what was left of her window, she could not help but feel she was becoming a prisoner in her own home.

After Anders had examined the small cuts that she and Loghain had suffered from the shattering window and left, after Varel and Garavel had departed to send out guards to search the grounds, and after the guard who nailed the boards had gone back to his post, Leonie let out a long, slow breath.

Leaning against the closed door, she watched Loghain pace the room like a caged lion. That observation brought a smile to her face. Loghain eyed her with a raised brow.

"I can't imagine what you would find humorous about the situation, but I'm hardly surprised. You have a very under-developed sense of self preservation," Loghain remarked, no small amount of ire in his voice.

Leonie laughed as she made her way to his side and pulled him gently to a stop. "You will wear out the carpet and the wood beneath, Loghain," she complained with another smile.

"Have I not agreed to have my windows boarded up, to live like a prisoner within my own walls? Do not frown so," she continued, reaching up to tenderly smooth the furrow between his brows.

"I might be persuaded that you're serious if you'll agree not to go with the soldiers to retrieve Kristoff's body," he replied, his voice losing some of its ire. He lowered his lips to hers and folded her into his arms. The kiss was all teeth and tongues and need, filled with a heat that pooled in her stomach and began to spread along her veins. When he let go of his ice and anger he was a very passionate man, Leonie thought breathlessly as he finally pulled away.

"An interesting persuasion technique, Loghain," she whispered, her voice husky with desire. She rested her head against his chest as his arms seemed content to hold her and she was equally content to stay there. She could hear the unsteady beating of his heart and knew her own was just as unsteady.

"If I thought it would work, I would use it more often," he replied dryly, resting his chin on the crown of her head.

"Perhaps if you used it more often, it would work," she countered and raised her lips to his just as the guard pounded on the door.

The guard was followed by a maid, carrying a laden tray. It contained cutlery and plates and enough food for two. There were two goblets of wine as well. Leonie's smile was wry.

"Gossip and wildfires spread with the same speed, it would seem," she remarked as the maid and guard retreated.

They continued their argument as they ate. Finally Leonie shrugged, sipping her wine. "I shall make an offer, Loghain."

Brows knitted together, he set his fork down. "What is this offer?" he asked suspiciously.

"I will not go with the soldiers tomorrow but only if you do not go either," she stated simply. She smiled serenely at him.

He growled, staring at her, his brows no longer knitted but one raised precariously high. "Madam, I don't consider that an offer. It may be in Orlais, but here in Ferelden it is considered blackmail."

She smiled. "In Orlais it is considered common sense," she replied smugly. Arms folded, she waited for his answer.

He hid a quirked smile behind his wine goblet. "They'll probably make a hash of it if one of us doesn't go," he predicted.

"Not if they understand the consequences of such a thing," replied Leonie with a slight frown.

"You could just order me to stay behind," he remarked seriously and he stilled, waiting for her response.

"Well yes, I suppose that is true. Of course it would be a happier turn of events should you merely agree with my very sensible offer."

"Happier for you perhaps," he rejoined gruffly and Leonie laughed lightly.

"Absolutely happier for me," Leonie agreed with equanimity. "And perhaps you will find it happier for you as well," she added with a saucy grin.

"I suppose I could spend the time shoring up the defenses with Voldrik and Garavel," he mused, taking another sip of his wine.

"A fine idea, Loghain," she agreed and did not bother to hide the relieved smile that lit her face.

They sat in surprisingly companionable silence as they finished their meal. Leonie's thoughts were on the attack and she suspected Loghain's were as well. She was reluctant to begin a discussion on the subject. They were both relaxed and for the first time since knowing him, she saw him at ease with himself. She did not want to destroy the fragile peace he seemed to have found within him.

When the tray had been cleared away, he stood and moved to the door. "Where are you going, Loghain?" she asked, surprised and disappointed to see him leaving.

"To discuss the change in your orders, Commander. Garavel needs to inform the soldiers assigned to the detail."

"Oh," she said, trying to keep the discontent out of her voice. She did not meet with success. She moved to stand beside him. "If you have a mind to, you are welcome to return," she offered, feeling oddly shy at the invitation.

Loghain gave her a quick, firm kiss. "If I've a mind," he agreed with a smug smile and left, closing the door behind him. There were times when Leonie wanted to box his ears. Now was just such a time.

As she prepared for bed, her mind turned once again to the events of the night. Someone was stalking her and the attacks were getting more and more brazen. Was it someone who worked in the keep? A soldier? A servant? One of the many families who lived on the grounds? Someone closer? Someone she trusted? That thought tumbled into her brain and then refused to remove itself.

She could not imagine it could be one of her Wardens. A whispered reminder pushed into her thoughts, a man who blamed her for his father's death and had threatened to kill her to avenge him. But as quickly as the thought arose, it faded into nothingness. She trusted Nathaniel with her life and would continue to do so. He had proven himself a friend and ally. She berated herself for even allowing the thought, no matter how fleeting, to creep in, ashamed of herself.

There were legions of people in Ferelden who still harbored hatred for Orlesians. Many, she would think, still resided within her own arling. Her sigh was the only sound in her room. Someone hated her enough to terrorize her and that meant they also hated her enough to kill her. An undercurrent of fear ran along her skin, chasing the anger. She had enough to worry about without a crazy person stalking her. The last one who had done so had met with a very unhappy end. She didn't want that experience again.

She slipped her dagger under her pillow and wearily climbed into bed. Soft green light from the glowstone gave her some measure of peace and sleep finally stole her thoughts and replaced them with dreams.

A floorboard creaked and Leonie's eyes flew open as her heart slammed into her ribcage, screaming to get out. Her fingers crept under her pillow and wrapped around the pommel of her dagger. She tried to stay as still as she could but it was proving difficult as she wanted to crawl out of bed and hide underneath it. Another creak, a shift in shadows and light, a change in the air around her that reminded her, with painful detail, of the night at Ser Tamra's when Temmerly the Ox had nearly killed Loghain.

"I have a dagger and will not hesitate to use it," she finally mustered up the courage to say. Her voice was raspy with sleep and fear.

"Hardly the welcome I was expecting from someone who invited me to return. Or did I mistake that?" Loghain asked, amusement wrapped around his words.

Gusting breath, released in a rush of relief, was her reply until her voice righted itself. She struggled to sit up, still breathing with difficulty. He was standing at the end of her bed, fingers on the laces of his shirt.

"You did not mistake it but I hardly expected you to skulk into my room in the middle of the night like some sneaky rogue," she responded, rising from the bed and coming to help him unlace his shirt.

"I was hardly skulking, madam. Perhaps you couldn't hear me over your snoring?" Loghain smirked at her.

"Ah there is that silver tongue of yours, dripping with honeyed compliments," she retorted. "And I do not snore," she added, slapping lightly at his arm.

"Indeed? Then you have a bear hidden under your bed, do you?"

Leonie's laughter bubbled up as she pulled his shirt over his head. "You are a most cruel and hurtful man," she said, catching his lower lip between her teeth, before running teeth and tongue along his neck.

"Ah, so that is one of those famous Orlesian silver tongued, honeyed compliments," he replied, throwing her words back at her with a chuckle. He tilted his head back to allow her lips easier access to his neck but she was already moving along his chest and lower as she slowly sank to her knees.

Loghain's breath hitched in a sharp intake, his hands moving to tangle in her hair as she teased his skin, her tongue flicking along his hardened length with feline grace. "No, this is," she finally replied just before she took him into her mouth. His low rumbling groan ignited her blood and when he urged her to stand up several moments later, she found herself pulled to the bed as his long, callused fingers unlaced her nightdress.

His tongue was hot and rough against her skin, moving with urgent swirls, teeth and lips nipping and kissing. He rose above her, his smile feral, eyes heavy lidded with need. She wrapped her legs around his waist, a moan escaping her as his teeth teased her taut nipple. As he entered her, their eyes met and held.

"I love you," she whispered, pulling him in, pulling him closer and blowing softly at his fevered skin. "I love you, Loghain." His growl was response enough, deep and primal, as he began to thrust into her. Their mouth met, swallowing the cries of the other as they kissed.

Later, as she curled up against him, drowsy and content, he asked her about the glowstone. Her fingers, drifting through the silken strands of his dark hair, stilled. "I do not like to admit such a thing, especially to a great and respected hero, but I am afraid of the dark," she finally said.

"The mighty Lion of Orlais? That seems hard to believe," he said quietly, drawing her closer. "Why?" he asked a moment later.

"It was Montran," she began and her voice trembled and fell silent while she gathered her emotions. "I was trapped in the dark with Montran on top of me and I could not move, could not breathe. I think – I think I lost my mind for a time. Now, when I am in the dark, I have that same feeling, like I am suffocating, that I will die alone in the dark," Leonie paused again and gave an unhappy huff of laughter. "As a Grey Warden it is supremely ironic to know that will be my exact fate when my Calling strikes."

Loghain dropped a kiss on the top of her head, his arms warm and comforting around her. "Yet you didn't need it when you slept in my room. Nor at the inn when you came to me," he said thoughtfully.

Leonie considered that. Tentatively, she reached across the broad expanse of Loghain's chest and felt the familiar runes, pressing them. The room became dark. She took several deep breaths as the panic tried to surface, tried to claw at her throat. His arms, soothing and warm around her, tightened. She felt herself relaxing into them as the panic slithered into the darkness. Several moments later she fell asleep.

Slanted beams from the morning sun broke into her dreams and Leonie slowly opened her eyes, blinking. Loghain was still beside her, sleeping on his back, one arm around her and the other flung back across his forehead. His legs were still tangled in hers. She tried to quietly, carefully disentangle herself but he stirred, murmuring drowsily. She dropped a kiss on the tip of his nose and moved silently to pick up her discarded nightdress.

"You slept well?" Loghain asked, sitting up in bed and stretching. She watched the lithe grace of his muscles rippling and wanted to fall back into bed with him. Instead she gave him a grin.

"Quite well, thank you. It appears that you are every bit as magical as my glowstone."

Loghain preened a bit at that and Leonie bit back a laugh. He was rumpled and relaxed and appeared almost content as he swung his long legs out of bed and reached for his trousers.

"I've a meeting with Garavel this morning. I'll see you at breakfast," he said, moving to the door. In three strides he was back at her side and he dropped a kiss on her lips. He seemed about to speak but instead, turned and made his way out of her room.

The Wardens, along with Tamra, were gathered in the dining hall when Leonie entered and there were cheerful greetings from all save Nathaniel, who gave her only a quick nod. He was nervous, a sure sign that Tamra had decided to take her Joining. She gave him a reassuring smile. Tamra was strong willed and brave, two very important attributes in helping to survive the Joining. She was also physically fit and not prone to romantic foolishness about what a Grey Warden was. There was every reason to believe she would survive her Joining.

Before leaving the dining hall, she dropped a light hand on Nathaniel's shoulder and squeezed it in reassurance. "Do not worry so, Nathaniel. She is strong," Leonie whispered and he nodded once, before standing and walking to her office, Tamra at his side. Leonie instructed him to stay outside and there was a brief flare of rebellion in his eyes, a tightening around them, but he nodded.

"You have decided, Ser Tamra?" she asked at the young blonde woman who sat stiffly across from her.

"Yes, Warden Commander. I want to become a Grey Warden," Tamra said quietly, her voice strong and confident.

"Even knowing the risks and the burdens that such a course entails?" Leonie continued.

"Yes, Warden Commander. I have talked to Nate. He's told me everything. I'm not afraid of it," the woman replied and then gave a Leonie an apologetic smile. "Well I am nervous about it, and a bit afraid, but it's truly what I want to do."

Leonie sighed. "It is a greater burden for women than it is for men, Ser Tamra. Not only can we not bear the children of another Grey Warden, we are at greater risk of being captured by the darkspawn and turned into Broodmothers. They are hideous creatures, huge and monstrous, able to produce hundreds of darkspawn in a year, thousands during the course of their lifetime," Leonie explained carefully, watching as Tamra's face paled and her eyes widened.

"I asked Nathaniel to come up with a fast acting, lethal poison and he did. Sigrun and I carry a vial of it on us at all times in the field. Believe me, should you survive the Joining, you will be grateful for such a thing. Warden Loghain also has strict orders to kill either of us should we not be able to get to the poison. Are you still confidant you have made the right decision?" she finished, her voice softer.

Tamra looked down at her hands, folded in her lap, chewing at her lower lip thoughtfully. "I am, Warden Commander. I am not some foolish, romantic girl. I witnessed the Blight and what those creatures can do. I would have asked to join whether Nathaniel was a Grey Warden or not," the young woman said firmly, with great conviction.

Leonie smiled. Tamra reminded her of another young woman who was determined to slay the monsters of the world. "Very well, I shall arrange your Joining. Be ready in two hours, in the throne room, yes?"

"Thank you, Warden Commander! I will survive," Tamra said, a confident smile curving her lips.

Leonie watched as Tamra, back straight, left her office. Her only surprise when Nathaniel entered was that it had taken him several minutes.

"Nathaniel, she is a strong woman. I have seen others with less strength and determination survive the Joining. I have no reason to believe she will not. But you must prepare yourself for such a thing, yes? Spend this next two hours with her, lend her your strength and courage, let her know that you care for her," Leonie instructed and gave him a brief hug. He returned it, his grip almost painfully tight.

After she informed Varel and instructed him to gather the necessary ingredients and prepare the Joining ritual, she went up to check on Aura.

"Aura, I have a rather large favor to ask of you. You need not give me an answer today but I would ask that you consider the request carefully," Leonie began softly, coming to sit beside the young widow.

"You know that, as the widow of a Grey Warden, you will always have a home among us. I would ask that you consider this your new home. Kristoff often boasted of your skills, how smoothly and efficiently you ran your household. I find myself in need of a housekeeper and would like to offer you that position here."

Aura, unexpectedly, began to sob, her face in her hands. Leonie held her, rocking her, unsure what to do to comfort the young woman. "I am sorry, perhaps it is too painful for you to stay. I should have thought this through," she apologized, feeling heartless for even suggesting something so soon after Aura's grief.

"No, Lion, it isn't that," Aura finally said, wiping at her tear stained face and sniffing. "It's that I'm pregnant. I wanted it to be a surprise for Kristoff. I came here to tell him. And now I have nowhere to go, nobody wants a pregnant woman to be a housekeeper," she wailed as fresh sobs assailed her.

"Aura," Leonie said sternly, "you do have somewhere. Stay here, with us. Turn this monstrosity of a keep into a home for all of us, including your child," she finished as she continued to rock the young woman in her arms.

"You would do that Lion? Take my child in as well?" Aura asked, her voice still trembling with her recent tears.

"Why would I not do that?" Leonie asked, genuinely surprised by the woman's question. "As a point of fact, Aura, I am quite delighted by the news. I have not had much chance to be near babies and young children. I find I am quite looking forward to it," Leonie finished softly. She put her own sudden vision of herself carrying Loghain's child away, down into the darkness where her other girlish dreams lay hidden.

"I have written to Astrid to join us here and she will make an excellent assistant to the housekeeper, yes?" she continued, her voice brightening once again.

Aura nodded and a few minutes later, Leonie went in search of Anders. He was lounging indolently in the library, Ser Pounce nibbling at his fingers. "Anders, I have something I need you to do," she began and he looked up with a grin.

"Name it and its yours, oh fiercest of lions," he said with a grin.

"You would be a very happy man among the Orlesian women. They absolutely adore such flattery."

Anders raised his eyebrows. "You seem immune to it," he replied with another grin.

"I am only part Orlesian. The other part is Fereldan. I think I must have inherited my mother's immunity to such things," Leonie advised him with as serious a face as she could muster. Which was not much of one, her smile spreading across her face despite her best efforts to contain it. He chuckled as he moved Ser Pounce off his lap.

"So, what is this 'something' you need done, Lion?" he asked, sitting up. His face took on a surprisingly serious expression.

"Ser Tamra is to her have her Joining in a little less than two hours. I am concerned about Nathaniel's fear for her. I am afraid he might do something noble and foolish to protect her from drinking the blood. I want you to watch his reaction. If he moves to take the chalice or prevent her from drinking, I ask that you paralyze him. I do not wish to have to hurt him," she finished and Anders' face drained of color.

"Hurt him?" he gulped, his hazel eyes wide. "Isn't that a bit drastic?"

Leonie sighed and nodded. "Which is why I ask this of you, yes?"

"And if she dies?"

"Put him to sleep. We can deal with his grief when he wakes up. I have been at Joinings where spouses Joined at the same time and one did not survive. At one such Joining, the wife died and the husband attacked my father and nearly killed him before he was, himself, killed. I do not wish such a thing to occur here."

"And I complain about templars," Anders muttered rather darkly and then added, "Of course they're still worse, mind you, but still."

"Please do this for me, Anders."

"Of course, Lion," he assured and then asked after Aura.

"She is pregnant," Leonie said. "I would ask that you keep that to yourself until she is ready to tell others."

"I thought she might be. She's a very strong woman. Are all Orlesians like that?" Anders asked, his curiosity genuine.

"I do not suspect so. Aura is only part Orlesian. Her father was from the Anderfels."

"Are any Orlesians actually pure Orlesian?" he asked with a grin.

"I am sure. They are the thin, painted ones who delight in empty flattery and flashy jewels," Leonie responded over her shoulder as she made her way out to the courtyard in search of Loghain.

"I am sorry to interrupt, but we have a Joining ceremony in a little over an hour, Loghain. I would ask that you attend in the throne room."

Loghain, who was talking to Garavel, turned and gave her a nod. "Yes, Commander. I will be by your side," he acknowledged and Leonie was once again off, in search of Sigrun.

Sigrun was sitting in the stable, playing with a box full of puppies. "They're so soft and cuddly," Sigrun enthused, holding two of the wriggling pups against her. "I want one!" she added with a bright smile.

Leonie laughed. "I think we will need to discuss that with the owner of the puppies at a later date. They are too young to leave their mother at the moment."

But Leonie knelt down in the straw and cuddled a puppy as well. It was remarkably soothing and as the Joining neared, she found she was relaxed and much calmer than she had thought she would be.

They gathered in the throne room. Varel held the chalice in his large hands. Leonie surveyed the room, her heart swelling with pride and a deep sense of happiness as she took the measure of each of her Wardens. And Tamra, her splintmail newly polished, was standing straight and tall beside Nathaniel. Leonie beckoned the young woman forward. Tamra gave Nathaniel's hand a reassuring squeeze, which, Leonie was happy to note, he returned. Then the young knight came face to face with Leonie, her smile never wavering.

The ancient oath, spoken with reverence by both Varel and Leonie, reverberated softly off the walls of the throne room as the other Wardens stood watchful. Without hesitation, Tamra took the chalice from Leonie's hands and carefully tilted it to her lips. The young woman's eyes widened and she gasped and choked as Leonie took the chalice from her nerveless fingers and she handed it to Varel. When the young woman fell back, it was into Nathaniel's arms and he gently lowered her to the ground, his face white against the darkness of his leathers.

"She lives," he breathed on a sigh of relief.