Chapter 37. At Last…

Loghain interrupted. "Now that you are awake," he stated, reining in the horse, "let's reorganize."

After he dismounted, he helped Val down. "How do you feel?"

"Physically, a bit stiff, but fine. What happened?"

"When we realized how closely you were guarded I knew that rescuing you would cause a problem for Cullen. I got word to one of Cullen's agents and we…faked your death."

"You what? How?"

"Once the caravan was attacked we overwhelmed the guards near your tent and killed them. We stripped the armor off several of them to look like bandits. We dressed one of them in your armor and Gracina set fire to the area, especially to your double. As far as Masurian knows, you bravely fought to protect those around you and prevent the bandits from getting to him and Cullen, but regretfully you did not survive the battle."

"How many did I take out?"

Gracina laughed. "About twelve. Your legend continues."

"If rumor of this spreads then perhaps whoever is responsible for Cumberland will stay off my back." She turned to Gracina. "So what did you think I would do that would be 'stupid'?"

~oOOo~

The Lord High Inquisitor was clearly enraged. It was visible in the set of his jaw, the hardness in his eyes, and the tightness of his lips. He barely spoke and when he did it was to give an order and even then he used as few words as possible.

It was his tone of voice that worried Cullen. His voice sounds hollow, empty.

The dead bandits were to be buried in a mass grave. As for Val's pyre, Masurian looked at Cullen. "I want her to remain in her armor to honor her…and her valor." He turned from Cullen and disappeared into his new tent.

He was not seen until it was time for Val's pyre. Now both his voice and his expression were empty.

~oOOo~

Andraste was restless, angry, and worried. "I never thought about the Black City and Fen'Harel being related. To know that his life force is tied to it…I was arrogant to think that he knew less about the Fade than I. Fen'Harel will be dealt with after the Veil is mended. The question is who could do it?"

Andraste pushed thoughts of that out of her mind, and began reviewing everything she knew about Val. Who would hate her so much that they would see her burned at the stake like… I was.

At that thought, she sat down and put her head in her hands. All I remember is indescribable, excruciating pain. The legends that claim I never showed the agony are utter nonsense. Why would Hessarian want to end my suffering if I wasn't suffering in the first place? Hessarian's blade was a blessed relief! I thought I would finally be with the Maker. The emotional pain when I discovered Fen'Harel had made my whole life a lie was the equal of being burned alive. Archon Hessarian…the first Andrastian.

Andraste suddenly sat up, her voice full of anger. "It has to be a Magister! No other mage in Thedas has that kind of power and money. Clearly it is a Magister who felt personally betrayed by Val's actions at Kirkwall. Denarius is dead. Who else does she know in Tevin…ter. No! Not him, he would never do that. But who else would?"

Andraste began to pace, eventually she stopped and became utterly still.

~oOOo~

The garden was the largest and most beautiful Auryn had ever seen. Among the many flowers in bloom were terraced beds of Andraste's Grace, golden daffodils, and pink gillyflowers. Auryn saw roses in colors she'd never before seen. The outside wall of the palace was lined in trellises of Arbor Blessing, and Blue Dawn flowers. Part of the garden included a small forest of white willow trees. The floral scents were complemented by the woodsy scents of rosemary, and sage.

Still holding hands they walked along the stone pathway that wound around the entire garden.

"Maker's Breath, Sebastian, this is beyond words."

"My mother loved flowers, and my father happily indulged her. She designed this garden while I was still a small child. I always found peace here. This was the one place that never saw any of my …overindulgences. I never came here drunk or even hung over."

"Did you ever bring a woman here?"

Sebastian stopped and looked into Auryn's eyes. "Not until today."

Auryn's cheeks became slightly pink. "I'm honored, Sebastian. This is truly a treat for the senses."

"I noticed your front yard. You seem to enjoy flowers as well. Do you garden?"

"I love growing things, flowers, fruits, herbs, vegetables...Lainie loves to sit with me in what she calls the "yummy garden."

"Yummy garden?" Sebastian chuckled.

"It's in the back of the house. I grow vegetables, berries, fruits, and the like. Lainie gets to snack and help dig in the dirt. I always loved helping my mother that way, too. I just never grew out of wanting to dig in the dirt. My mother was a patient soul. I was a real scamp; I played in the mud, and I hated wearing dresses…and shoes. I really hated shoes. Mother and I finally reached an agreement that I would wear shoes when we had company and when we went to the Chantry."

Sebastian thought of Leliana and her indecision over the two pairs of blue shoes. "Do you think better about shoes now?"

Auryn laughed. "No! And as you can tell from our first meeting, I don't always wear dresses either. In fact, I only wear dresses for services and…special occasions."

"You looked as lovely then as you do now."

Auryn blushed. "Maker Sebastian, I haven't blushed this hard since…I can't remember when."

Sebastian grinned. "Shall we sit?"

They sat on a bench under the willows. Auryn looked at Sebastian, her expression serious. "I know that we have only had tea, but I have to tell you, being with me will not be something the nobles will cheer about."

"The nobles can stick it in their ear. I will not live my life according to their whims."

"Sebastian, their disapproval of me is hardly a whim."

Sebastian's expression was serious. "Auryn, your work with the Revered Mother is helping to make Starkhaven a place for everyone, regardless of their means. That is true nobility."

~oOOo~

Caen removed some of his armor so Val could ride with him. Gracina continued to ride with Loghain.

At their first stop Val had a heated discussion with Gracina. Caen was out of earshot, tending to the horses.

"We are not stopping so I can take the potion. I will wait until we get to the Reach."

"If you don't take it and we run into trouble…"

"If we only stop to rest the horses, we will have less chance of getting into trouble."

Loghain, who had overheard the argument, decided to step in.

"Gracina does Val need to have this potion if all we are going to do is ride?"

"That depends, how do you all feel about Val throwing up while we ride? I'm sure Caen would love that mess."

"Damn it, Gracina, I can hold my gourd if I need to!"

Loghain exhaled sharply, trying to contain his irritation. "Could someone please explain to me why Val needs this potion in the first place?"

Val hung her head and sighed. After a few moments she looked up at Loghain, "I can't tell you. Not yet."

Loghain looked into Val's eyes. He put the pieces together and whispered to her. "How long have you known?"

Val looked stunned. "Damn it, Loghain, you are too smart for your own good. Since Kinloch Hold. Please don't say anything to anyone."

Loghain nodded. "If you can hold on, then I say lets only stop to rest the horses."

"I can hold on"

They made it to Churneau in two days. According to the original plan Val and her company were supposed to stop at Churneau's only tavern - The Hunter's Horn and signal the Reach.

"Let me go into the tavern, I am supposed to talk to Solange, she runs the place. I will give her the code phrase and she will get word to the Reach."

Loghain looked at Val. "You aren't going in there alone. I am not leaving your side until we get safely to the Reach."

That Val didn't even argue spoke volumes to Loghain. She is emotionally and physically exhausted…small wonder.

Val,followed by Loghain, went into the tavern. The woman behind the counter looked at them, then smiled.

Val approached, "Solange?"

"Yes, your escorts are at the next table."

Val looked at Solange and arched an eyebrow. "Je ai un shippment du repos de Raven. I have a shipment for Raven's Rest."

Solange nodded. "I know. The two at the next table are here to take the shipment."

As soon as Solange had mentioned the people at the next table, Loghain looked at them, both wore hooded cloaks.

As she nodded to Solange and moved towards the table, Loghain inserted himself between her and the pair at the table.

Val looked the two people. Recognition lit her face as she whispered, "Lily?"

Lily lowered her hood and motioned to the man next to her. "This is Ser Owen, one of the templars from the Reach."

The templar lowered his hood. "Praise the Maker for you safe return."

Val practically fell into the chair next to her. Loghain sat in the other chair.

The mage smiled. "Commander, Warden Loghain. It is such a relief to see you both. Are Gracina and Caen with you?"

Val nodded. "When can we leave?"

Lily and Owen stood. "On your command."

Val slowly stood up. "Let's go."

Once outside Gracina and Lily hugged, then Lily hugged a surprised Caen.

Ser Owen came out with his horse, mounted and helped Lily up.

Val looked at the three men who were each sharing a saddle with a woman. She looked at Loghain, "How about I ride and you share the saddle?"

Loghain laughed. "Far be it from me to deny you anything between now and when we get to the Reach."

Once everyone was collected, Ser Owen smiled. "We are about an hour away."

~oOOo~

Since he'd received word from Varric, Maric had taken to sleeping at the guard station in the tower. He wanted to be there in case they arrived at night. He was about to set out his bedroll when the watch captain called to the guards outside, "Six on three fours approach."

Maric stood up. Six people on three horses? When he looked out and saw the riders, his eyes found her. He told the captain, "It's my wife and her companions. Call the all clear."

The watch captain smiled and called, "Friendlies all." He turned to Maric only to see empty space.

Val and her group heard the call and and steered the horses towards the outer guards. Everyone dismounted, and Val began to walk towards the tower. Loghain held everyone else back. "Let her go alone."

Maric exited the tower and saw only one person approach. It was a silhouette he would know anywhere and he ran to her.

Val saw Maric. Tears clouded her eyes and she stopped to wipe them. In that time Maric closed the distance. She looked up and all she could see were the blues eyes of the man who was the other half of her soul.

Maric took her into his arms and held her tight. Val leaned into him and they both began to cry tears of relief and of joy.

Loghain, Gracina, Lily, and Caen followed Ser Owen into the tower.

Maric and Val never noticed.

~oOOo~

AN:

…my love has come along
My lonely days are over and life is like a song,
At last the skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up clover the night I looked at you
I found a dream that I can speak to
A dream that I could call my own
I found a thrill to press my cheek to
A thrill I've never known, oh yeah
You smiled, you smiled oh and then the spell was cast
And here we are in Heaven
For you are mine at last

~ At Last. Sung by Etta James. Songwriters Harry Warren and Mack Gordon

I thought of this song while I wrote the last part of this chapter.

Thank you to all my readers. To ElyssaCousland, EasternViolet, and Melysande thank you for your reviews. To Shakespira, my beta and reviewer, thank you for all that you do.