A/N: Still here, just working weekends at the moment to cover for an idiot who got fired. (Fade illusion will be posted to the side-story, if you're curious)

Honnleath

Slumped against the base of the tower, Aedan watched as the villagers gathered by the gate. "They'll be coming with us?"

Cailan shook his head, "No – once they have their wagons prepared, they'll ride ahead. I'll leave most of the soldiers to travel with them." Watching the other companions talking with Wynne, he rubbed his chin. "I think she's giving them the short version…"

"How much did she tell you?"

"It showed you your family – and the rest of us were there."

"I could almost hear you, and the vision tried weaving you in to explain that… you arrived at Highever, with Alistair as your acknowledged brother and Prince. I think the illusion was meant to show everyone in a happier world."

"Up until you had to…" trailing off, Cailan pursed his lip. "… We could kind of hear you mentioning us, at points – I'm guessing that's when we appeared."

"I didn't say anything stupid, did I?"

"Something about me acting like a brat to get what I wanted." With a forced smile, he asked "That sound about right?"

"… Oh right – we were talking about when you harassed the band at Fergus' wedding, to make them play some Fereldan music."

The King shrugged. "In my defence, I didn't realise they were an Antivan band hired by her parents… we both never lived that night down."

"… I've a pretty good idea what I said to the others – I doubt Kallian will take it as well as you."

"No… looks like she's coming over, too. I'll go try the control rod again."

Kneeling down next to him, Kallian sighed before continuing. "So…"

"So… I probably said something that came off incredibly awful in the real world."

"Well… it all depends on what you meant by it, but yeah."

"I could hear you guys, and the illusion created versions of you to distract me – since it was in Highever, you and Nelaros appeared. I said something about the wedding, right?"

"You wished you had been at the 'after-party', because it was fun…"

"Yeah, I was afraid of that… the illusion seemed to be 'what should have been', so your wedding had gone ahead normally."

"Look… we'll talk about it later. Wynne said its better you don't get into it right now."

"Alright – just, know I didn't mean it."

Seeing Alistair watching them, she nodded and patted his shoulder. "Yeah, I know… don't worry about me at the moment."

"I hope he apologised, at least…" Alistair said when she approached.

"He tried – I think Wynne's right, we shouldn't push him."

"Even after what he said to you? You still just take his side?"

"His side? Are you really mad I'm not venting anger at someone who had his mind used for a toy?"

"I can see how seeing his heart's desire was a bad thing…"

"So now Wynne's a liar? You're not making much sense, whatever your problem is."

"… I'm still not sure how to put it, but I asked Leliana and she's noticed as well, so I…"

Glaring darkly, she stepped closer. "Noticed what, exactly?"

Backing away, he paled at her expression. "Well… I'm wondering about him. It seems the two of you have become quite… friendly." Staring down, he caught a glimpse of teeth as her upper lip curled in response.

"What?"

"I…. with how easily you let go of what he said, and what she was telling me, I just thought…"

"Did you think? It's quite pathetic, actually; after that show the three of you made in Redcliffe about meeting again, a Demon plays games with his head and I'm the only one who bothered to actually hear him out! I'm hurt, sure – so is he, and that's when friends stand by each other… which is more than can be said for you or her." Shoving past him, Kallian stormed over to where Cailan was staring at the Golem.

Stepping over the fence, she watched as Cailan spoke with the woken Golem. "It... does have the rod in its hand, doesn't it? I am awake, so it must…" Nodding, the King held it up.

"I see it, but I don't feel anything… go on, order me to do something."

Shooting a glare over her shoulder, Kallian momentarily grabbed the control rod. "Fine – attack Alistair."

Panicking, his hand went to his sword. "Hey!"

"And… nothing? I feel nothing. I suppose this means the rod is… broken?"

"… Maybe I shouldn't have beaten it against the fence" Cailan muttered, looking it over for damage.

"So… what?" Alistair asked in caution. "You're not going to try to kill me, I hope."

"Don't be ridiculous… well, I wouldn't mind killing the birds – those evil birds and their foul droppings! I could crush them all!" Pausing, it looked around. "Hmm… I suppose, if I can't be commanded, this means… I have free will, yes? I find myself at a bit of a loss... what about it? It must have awoken me for some reason – what did it intend to do with me?"

Scratching his head, Cailan replied "Our first reason for coming here was to find your master… but, well… you killed him."

"Did I? I have no memory of it… I hope I did kill him. Perhaps the last order he barked was 'Golem! Stop crushing my head!'" A rough laugh rumbled as they all looked at each other nervously. "I suppose I have two options, do I not? Go with it, or… go elsewhere? I… do not even know what lies beyond this village."

Kallian shrugged, "How about this? You travel with us until you decide what you want."

Lowering his voice, Alistair stepped over. "Are… you certain you want to bring that thing with us? It could be dangerous. And large."

"Just like a battering ram… think of it like that."

"Good point. Better it than me, anyway."

"Keep it pointed at the Darkspawn, and you'll be safe enough." Shooting another glare over her shoulder, she walked away. "I'd say 'Trust me', but that's apparently asking too much."

The Anvil of the Void

"We're not really going to trust this lunatic, are we?" Varric asked, looking over at Branka as she sneered with impatience.

"Just let her try, Warden" Oghren fired back.

Brosca sighed, looking to and fro between the opposing Paragons, and his group. Turning to Aveline, he paused. "What do you think?"

"I… I'm not sure she doesn't have a point."

Frowning in thought, Sten shook his head. "Perhaps, but she has already shown she lacks the clarity to be allowed such power. Remember what she led her followers into, just from the rumour of this place."

"Even if she wasn't barking mad" Varric offered, "you really think those squabbling morons in the Assembly won't start making private armies, to unleash the next time somebody blocks their proposal?"

Snorting, Oghren grabbed the Warden's shoulder. "That's cloud-headed garbage! Even if there isn't some huge list of restrictions in the Shaperate, no Lord would throw away his guards for things that can't fit inside an Estate."

"No… they'd just force the Casteless into it instead" Brosca muttered, turning pale. "Forget it, lady. I'm with the big guy" he called, pointing at Carindin.

"You'd really squander such an advantage?" she spat, raising a control rod. "These constructs will fulfil your death wish, and I will save Orzammar!"

Staring at the nearest Golem as it began shakily activating, Aveline backed away. Dropping Asala, Sten rushed past her and gave it a forceful shove. Letting her own sword fall, she slammed her shield into the construct as he tried again. Once it fell backwards, they silently nodded and grabbed their weapons as the remaining Golems charged each other.

Lothering

Reaching the farm well, Carver tipped the bucket over his head. 'Let's hope we don't have to do anything like that again.' Hearing a bird screech in warning, he turned as it landed and shifted back into Neria.

"There's a pack of Templars, on the northern outskirts of town" she announced, before changing into a tannish Mabari.

Sighing, Theron walked over to Anders. "Let's just keep going –if they notice us, we'll get it over with quickly. After today, I don't care to sneak about the woods."

"Fair enough – whatever brought them here, it can't be my fault. One question, though – whose dog is she going to be?"

Giving a passable impression of Garahel's head-tilt, she padded over and stared up at Carver with a whine as he chewed on a strip of meat. "Not bad, but you have to be pushier than that" he smirked between bites. With a quick shove to one leg, she knocked him to the ground and snatched her prize from his hand. Standing again in a huff, he shot a foul look at the others as they laughed. "… Yeah, yeah."

With a look of mock sympathy, Zevran shrugged. "It could be worse, no? She could have starting sniffing at you…" While they laughed again at her display of exaggerated gagging, Carver stormed off towards the Highway. Reaching the tree-line, he stopped and gave a short, shrill whistle.

Looking over, they noticed the Templars approaching. Both groups quickly met in the clearing, facing each other carefully. Nodding curtly, Theron spoke first. "We didn't expect anyone else to be this far South."

"Neither did we…" one replied, muffled by their helmet. "I heard the town had been abandoned to the Darkspawn – what brings you here?"

"Grey Warden business" Theron stiffly answered. "It's concluded, so we'll leave you to whatever you're up to."

The apparent leader glanced them over, pausing on the two Mabari. "We only noticed one set of paw-prints leading this way – are these both yours?"

Pointing at Neria, Carver shook his head. "No, the bitch was roaming about the farmhouse when we arrived and it started begging for scraps."

Another Templar suddenly drew their sword. "Ser, I bet that one had something to do with this!"

Sighing in recognition, Anders waved. "Good afternoon to you too, Rylock."

"Anders…" the leader groaned. "And here I hoped you were the Wardens' problem now." Removing his helmet, he motioned Rylock to back off.

"Ah, Ser Hadley. It's been a while."

"Not long enough… have any of you seen another Templar in your travels?"

"Not since the Tower, no" Anders replied while the others merely shrugged.

"Ah… he was last seen near this town, but we've found no trace of him. Perhaps Irminric did proceed to Denerim, for some reason."

"Ser, I think we should still detain him for questioning – given his record…"

"Stand down, Rylock."

"But-"

"Stand. Down" he repeated, before eying the well.

"It's clean" Theron nodded.

"Everyone, refill if you need. Thank you for your time, Wardens" Hadley offered with a brief salute.

In transit

Sitting by the small creek, Merrill absently dangled a water-skin in the water. "I wonder if people ever catch fish, this way. Do you know?"

"Not that I've heard" Duncan replied, tying his own bag to his belt. "Especially from a mountain stream. You'd have better luck down in a river."

"Oh, I see. I suppose it wouldn't make much sense for fish to be up so high. Do you think we're getting near this cliff town?"

"It'll be at least another four days before we reach Redcliffe." Standing up quickly, he slid a finger to his lips before crouching down amongst the scrub. "Over here, and stay low" he whispered, as the sounds of a large procession grew near.

Slipping next to him silently, she peered out at the nearby road. Several men appeared from over a rise, unkempt and stained with mud. As more followed, their clothing ranged from tattered rags and furs to nothing at all. Gawking as more nude humans passed by, Merrill blushed uncontrollably. "Mythal…" she whispered as the group disappeared down the road.

Rising back up, Duncan rubbed his chin in utter bafflement. "… I have no idea who or why, but I expect they're bound for Redcliffe as well. Whatever their situation, perhaps we should camp here. Crossing their path would only embarrass them" he reasoned, rather than admit he would rather not get involved in whatever their circumstances were.

Taking a large gulp of water, Merrill nodded. "Why… is that some ritual, to show they aren't bearing weapons? That can't be normal, surely" she stammered, looking up and down the empty road. "… Do we have to do that, when we arrive?"

Yeah, the Werewolf pack magically have clothes in-game if the curse is lifted... but where's the fun in that? Sticking with that reasoning - I don't really know if Golems can get back off their back or not, but it's too pragmatic for Sten not to try it as a tactic.

And more cameos... because the Templars must have sent someone looking for Irminric, at some point.