Author Note: There are some scenes of violence some readers may find disturbing. Thank you as always for reading.

xXx

Duncan felt Aeronwen's panic as the companions raced through tunnels to reach them before he halted, frozen where he stood, heart pounding. He still felt her, but it was diminished and he knew wherever she was she was unconscious.

"Duncan?" Aedan looked to him in agitation.

Duncan tried to concentrate but the taint seemed to swallow him and he couldn't focus. "I can't tell which way." He muttered.

"Then we split up." Alistair stated. "Two tunnels, two groups."

Duncan nodded trying to see through the taint, knowing if he gave into it Aeronwen would be lost.

Niyra took out her dagger and marked the stone. "We meet back here if the tunnels don't converge." She stated with authority. She glanced to Oghren. "Mark your path."

Oghren grinned. "Now you're getting it kid."

Alistair moved off down the right tunnel with Merrok; Zevran, Niyra, Aedan and Flax, praying the wolf or mabari would catch the women's scents.

Duncan headed into the left fork with Sten; Oghren, Garrett and Jowan, focusing on his connection to Aeronwen, struggling against the taint that sought to block him.

xXx

Leliana was aware of cold stone beneath her feet; a sticky substance she never wanted identified squelching between her toes. Her body was icy, armour and weapons Maker knew where. Her breath hitched at the low growl and finally she forced open her eyes once more, knowing this was no dream. She stared into the eyes of the beast they hunted and saw her own mortality, saw how pitiful her life was in comparison to the being before her.

"Such hatred, such rage." The voice coiled through her mind like a summer breeze, the blade of winter hidden within its depths. "I find it … intoxicating."

She shuddered as a claw pressed to her body; a faint whimper leaving her lips, the flutter at her throat deepening as her anxiety increased. Leliana clung to her hatred, her mind seething with rage. Alistair and Zevran had let her be taken; they had let her be swallowed by the darkness.

"I can give you power, I can give you the revenge you seek."

Leliana's eyes opened wide, staring at the Archdemon in astonishment. She still had no words but that seemed to matter little as his voice sifted through her mind, soothing her fear and coaxing her hatred.

"Join me. There are so few who truly understand hatred and death."

The soft puff of air from flared nostrils brushed against Leliana sending a shiver through her body. "What … what do you ask of me?" She felt his laughter and shrank against the stone before his words wrapped around her, soothing her jagged nerves once more.

"Dine with me."

Leliana gagged at the piles of flesh laid out on the raised stone as though some barbaric sacrifice.

"It is only the first bite that is distasteful, that final letting go of all that holds you back. Join me my Leliana let me give you the world, what is one pitiful throne in comparison to that?"

His voice threaded through her thoughts commanding and compelling. Leliana let out a whimper as fingertips reached out to the hacked flesh. "I cannot." She wept.

"Ask what you will of me." He whispered, smirking at how eagerly she turned.

There was no way out for her she knew that now, but if she was going to the Void she wasn't going alone. "I want Aeronwen to suffer." She would have her vengeance on Alistair and Zevran even as she lost her soul.

"Then eat and it shall be so." His laughter echoed around the cavern as Leliana grabbed the flesh forcing it into her mouth.

xXx

Aeronwen slowly opened her eyes shivering at the pain firing through every nerve of her body, recoiling from the rancid odour that surrounded her. She pulled her right arm against her body, wincing as her fingers brushed against a sticky substance. Her mouth was dry, her heart pounding so fiercely she was afraid she would be heard. The light was dim, but it was enough to show Aeronwen her horrific surroundings. She glanced to where her hand had trailed seeing her own finger marks in the pool of blood. Aeronwen clamped her hand to her mouth as her eyes adjusted to the light, broken bodies and rotting flesh surrounding her. She let out a shuddering breath trying to reach out for Duncan, but she was alone. She froze as a scraping noise reached her ears, the flicker of flame casting shadows along the walls. Aeronwen was no longer a Guardian; no longer a fierce warrior, she was the child trapped in that dark awful cave, unable to move praying to the Ancestors to save her. She watched the shadows play out the scene she could only hear; someone struggling held by two Darkspawn, thrust to the ground and pinned down. Aeronwen heard the scream before it was abruptly cut short. There was a gagging noise, the struggling continued before a pitiful sob. 'Aeronwen move! Damn you move!' No matter how much she raged her limbs would not obey.

The cavern had fallen silent, the tension mounting in every muscle. She thought she heard a sobbed plead for mercy, a woman's voice before the scream was all that existed. That terrible cry of defeat and torment and pain. Something in Aeronwen shifted, she knew what Darkspawn did to women and she was lying there letting it happen. She forced her unwilling body to move; channelling her fear into hatred until she managed to get to her feet, the scream surrounding her, forcing her into action. She gripped the dagger from her boot having no idea where her other weapons were. She inched forward, tears flooding her eyes at the terrible sight. She gave a roar of fury and hurled herself at the Darkspawn ignoring the sharp bursts of pain exploding throughout her body. She drove her dagger into the throat of the Darkspawn assaulting the woman spinning and kicking the Genlock eager to take his turn, across the room. She drove the dagger into its heart again and again, screaming her horror until the thing was a bloody pulp. She heard a pained whimper and slowly turned to the woman, forcing herself to move sinking by her side. Aeronwen trembled as Morrigan gazed at her from one eye, the other swollen shut. Her lips swollen and bleeding still covered in the taint of the flesh they had forced passed her lips.

Morrigan grasped her wrist, pulling Aeronwen towards her. "Kill me." She pleaded.

Aeronwen cupped her cheek, tears falling unheeded. "Morrigan I … I am so sorry."

Morrigan didn't reply, shuddering violently as blood welled over her lips.

Aeronwen held her as she spasmed before she lay still. She gave a choked cry pressing her forehead to Morrigan's, her body trembling. She felt a shift beneath her and sat up sharply watching in horror as Morrigan's body began to change, tainted eyes flew open and gazed at her with hatred. Aeronwen gripped her dagger and without hesitation drove it deep into Morrigan's heart; holding her as her body arched, as tainted eyes stared at her in shock, this time she remained still. Aeronwen gently laid her on the ground trying to choke back the agonised wail building in her throat, blinking back tears that blurred her vision. Slowly she backed away; her blade still deep within the tainted flesh, hands trembling covered in Morrigan's blood, her breaths harsh gasps as her lungs protested. She reached out for Duncan again, but there was only silence.

A scraping noise pulled her from the grief she was sinking in to, the noise joined by footfalls. Aeronwen glanced around but there was only one way out and that was about to be blocked. She stumbled towards the cave entrance only to see the shadows darken and the monsters arrive. There were too many and there was no escape. Aeronwen closed her eyes and stretched out her arms. There was a moment of stillness, an eternity for Aeronwen to acknowledge the regrets and mistakes and take solace in the moments of friendship and love. She opened her eyes; pawed the ground, tail flicking in sharp movements, wings unfolding. She leapt forward driving into the Darkspawn, talons tearing flesh from bone. Pain pierced her; left ignored as bloodlust thundered through her driving her on until there was only blood and flesh, pain and death. She gave a terrible shriek as she was dragged beneath the weight of those who grabbed her; blades driving through her, tainted fingers reaching for her. Aeronwen struggled until she had nothing left and then there was only silence; the beat of her heart and the song that coaxed her to stop struggling, to accept.

xXx

Morrigan sucked in a painful breath as she watched Aeronwen thrash about wildly in torment. The Archdemon was standing over her and whatever was happening within her dream state was horrific if her screams were anything to go by. Morrigan clutched her side painfully feeling the tacky sensation of drying blood. She shifted onto her side; freezing as Aeronwen gave a scream of terror, her eyes finally open. Morrigan felt her throat constrict as the Archdemon brought its head down, sharp teeth gleaming.

Aeronwen could no more stop the scream then she could breathe without air. She tried to scramble backwards a terrified sob leaving her lips as a claw pinned her to the floor, the beast watching her intently. Her mind was a chaos of emotions; a kaleidoscope of memories tugging at her, flashes only before they sank once more beneath the surface of her terror. Her mind fragmented, stilling beneath the gaze of her enemy. She felt him move through her mind; struggling once more as he picked out her most painful memories, Gawain dying in her arms, the Kalsren breaking their bond with her. She screamed in pain, past and present merging feeling everything as though it was happening.

"Give in to your hatred." The soft voice coaxed. "Give in to your true nature, you are a killer."

Aeronwen shuddered in pain squeezing shut her eyes in an attempt to block out the memories.

Gawain's blood covered the soft material of the wedding dress now discarded on the floor in favour of black armour. Aeronwen acted on instinct; her devastated mind walled up until his murderers were slain, days and nights of tracking before she found them. She took her time, stilling the sobs within her as vengeance guided her. She relished their screams, ignored their pleading. When it was over Aeronwen stared at the broken bodies and felt nothing. She turned and walked from the caves only turning to throw in an explosive flask, flames rushing out from the stone as it extinguished any trace of what she had done.

"I know what you are. You were tainted even before Duncan's touch. That is why your people exiled you; why your Kalsren broke with you and why Alistair looks at you with such anger."

Aeronwen opened her eyes, blue swallowed by black. Her body arched; the air around her shimmering as the Archdemon was driven backwards by the force of her transformation. Aeronwen leapt upwards; dragging her claws down the Archdemon's face, digging into scale, ripping through the left eye and dragging it from its socket. The roar seemed to vibrate through her body as claws gripped her sides tearing into fur and flesh.

Morrigan forced her body to move at the terrible shriek as the Archdemon closed powerful jaws on a wing; becoming a huge spider she spat venom, attacking its back before being thrown through the air, her body shuddering to her human form as a shard of rock jutting from the ground pierced her leg. Morrigan gasped in pain, tried to blink passed the flashes of light bursting in her vision crying out as Aeronwen was flung to the floor a bloody torn mess. The Archdemon turned and flew lazily upwards. Morrigan screamed in pain and rage as she gripped her leg and inch by excruciating inch forced her leg upwards until the stone no longer held her prisoner. Sobbing painfully Morrigan lay still her blood seeping across the stone. Move you fool or you will both die down here! Gritting her teeth she forced herself to sit up and tore some of the material of her skirt to wrap around the wound. Shaking violently she dragged herself across the floor, trembling as dull black eyes watched her draw closer. Her shaking fingers sank into fur and feather. She had no mana, no potions and they had both lost too much blood. Morrigan laid her cheek against Aeronwen's feathered throat and closed her eyes. "Forgive me." She whispered, shivering as she felt a soft ripple and fingers moved soothingly through her hair. Morrigan was undone as she sank into those blue eyes that held only compassion and warmth.

"Morrigan." Aeronwen whispered her voice faint with exhaustion. "You are alive, I thought … I thought …" She fell silent closing her eyes as a shuddering breath shook her body.

Morrigan brushed her palm across her eyes to clear her vision of tears. "Aeronwen talk to me, you must not sleep."

Aeronwen forced her eyes to open, her tongue trying in vain to moisten parched lips. "I misjudged you when first we met." Aeronwen gave a hiss of pain; closing her eyes and swallowing with difficulty, a shuddering gasp tumbling from her lips. She forced her eyes to open once more, a blood covered hand reaching out to cup Morrigan's cheek, frowning at the witch's tortured expression. "I am sorry."

Morrigan closed her eyes, tears spilling heedless of her attempts to stop it. "I … I may not show it, but I have come to value you."

Aeronwen smiled warmly. "And I you."

Morrigan gave a sob; her guilt choking her, terror and pain leaving her without the benefit of her usual defences. "Aeronwen you have to understand all I have had is my mother. She taught me friendships and love were for fools but … I have come to believe that is not always the case." She gave another choked sob, shivering painfully.

Aeronwen smiled. "Is that why you have encouraged Duncan and me?"

Morrigan lowered her eyes. "I …"

Aeronwen gently clasped her wrists. "You do not need to say anything Morrigan. We have helped each other and you have shown me kindness where I expected none, it has been appreciated. Perhaps friendship between us is not inconceivable?"

Morrigan gave a shuddering breath. "I do not deserve your friendship."

Aeronwen struggled for breath enough to speak. "Morrigan, I would be honoured ... to call … you friend." She gave a gasp of pain before an icy numbness began to slowly crawl its way up her legs making her shiver painfully. "Morrigan I … it is so cold."

Morrigan inched forward so she could press against the full length of Aeronwen's body. She heard a scraping noise her heart pounding violently, an involuntary whimper escaping her lips. She gently stroked Aeronwen's hair forcing the tremble from her voice. "Keep your eyes closed Aeronwen. T'is but a bad dream and it will pass." She shivered as the scraping noise grew louder. "We are back at camp, it is warm and comfortable on these blankets is it not?"

Aeronwen nodded sleepily, giving a soft huffing noise as she curled against Morrigan.

"Sleep my friend, sleep and dream of warmth and comfort." She took the dagger Aeronwen had given her from her boot and held it between them. She glanced in the direction of the scraping noise, taking a calming breath as she placed the tip of the blade to Aeronwen's chest. "They will not take us, this I swear."

xXx

The Archdemon rose slowly to the level where Leliana had watched; he was in a foul mood, his movements masking the fierce anger beating in his chest. He glared at her through his remaining eye, silently calling to his generals.

Leliana backed away from him torn between glee and fear. Not daring to look at him and yet drawn to the terrible tear down his face and the missing eye. Leliana cried out as hands gripped her arms and she was dragged backwards. "What are you doing?" She screamed.

The Archdemon glanced to his generals. "Take her she has already eaten."

Leliana stared at him in horror as rasping growls emanated from the Darkspawn holding her. She struggled violently as she was dragged screaming from the room.

The Archdemon curled up on the stone his laughter tormenting her mind. "Welcome to my army Leliana. Such is the price of vengeance." Leliana's screams lulling him to sleep.

xXx

Alistair led them through tunnels that seemed to twist back on themselves before Marrok suddenly surged ahead, the others breaking into a run to keep up with him. He had caught Aeronwen's scent and led them into the dark, stopping suddenly as the tunnel opened out into a vast cavern. They stared in horror at the two women lying in an ever growing pool of blood.

Aedan's eyes locked with Morrigan who gave a gasping sob, the dagger falling from her hand. Stumbling over rotting flesh he sank to his knees pulling her into his arms as she wept, Alistair and Zevran moving around them to tend to Aeronwen. Aedan uncorked a health potion and fed it gently passed her lips, all the while whispering encouragement and words to soothe them both. He trembled violently as Morrigan's golden eyes drank him in. He had never seen such a smile grace her lips before; completely unmasked, naked of the barriers she had to build around her to survive her mother. He gently stroked her cheek; trembling as she leaned into his touch, her fingers linking with his. He kissed her gently, feeling her tremble; her arms wrapping around his neck as she clung to him, painful sobs tearing at her chest. He held her tight to him, his fingers running through the matted locks of her hair. "I'm here Morrigan; I will always be here for you."

Morrigan continued to weep, everything she was unravelled and laid before her. She clung to the warmth Aedan extended to her; buried herself against him and swore to herself that she would be more than she was, more than her mother had trained her to be. She didn't even mind when Flax pressed against her licking her face, or when Niyra carefully removed her hasty bandage to see to her wound. She glanced to Aeronwen silently swearing she would make herself worthy of her friendship.

Alistair had no idea where to start, there was so much blood. He poured a healing potion passed Aeronwen's lips, Zevran helping him to remove armour and tearing off already shredded clothing to bandage the worst wounds.

Marrok nudged Aeronwen's head with his nose whining softly.

Alistair turned sharply as he heard his name whispered.

Aeronwen shuddered and gasped painfully as Alistair gently pulled her into his arms. She closed her eyes soaking up his warmth and strength. A part of her was revelling in how right this felt; to be held by him, to be in Alistair's arms. Slowly she opened her eyes; gazing into hazel and she saw his love for her, it was like a beacon calling her home. Her hand was trembling as she raised it to his cheek; staring startled at the golden energy curling around her hand.

Alistair felt the energy ripple across his skin and gently took her hand into his, pressing a kiss to her fingertips. He didn't dare speak; instead he gently cradled her to him, his head lowering their eyes locked.

Aeronwen felt an ache she couldn't bear, a need so deep within her it screamed for release. She stared at her hand in confusion; tears silently slipping down her cheeks. "Alistair?"

Alistair gently nuzzled her nose with his, his breath ghosting over her lips. "I love you Aeronwen." He carefully held up their clasped hands so she could see the energy weaving around their fingers. It spoke to her more eloquently and honestly than any words could have. "And whether you remember it or not, you love me."

Zevran moved back slightly; his heart pounding painfully, Marrok pushed against him startling Zevran when he licked his face. "I am well." He muttered, but he did not push Marrok away.

Aeronwen gave a choked sob, muffled beneath the sweet caress of Alistair's lips pressed against her own. Fire erupted through her body as the potion sought to reassert itself. Her body arched, a painful gasp leaving her lips. Her own energy now ignited burned against the love potion driving it back; ripping apart the illusion it had created, the memories forced into darkness surfacing in full, terrifying clarity. She squeezed her eyes shut; her love of Alistair making a cruel mockery of the feelings she thought she had held for Duncan, feelings that were as insubstantial as mist, vanishing beneath the warmth of Alistair's love. Aeronwen shuddered against him; his beautiful eyes darkened with worry, his hand clasping her cheek. "Alistair … I … I do not understand." She wept then, her throat constricting painfully. "Please forgive me." She gasped; her heart breaking for Alistair, Duncan and herself.

"Aeronwen none of this was your fault, it was a potion."

"I betrayed you." She wept.

"No." He pressed his lips to hers feeling her calm beneath his touch. "You never betrayed me love, you fought harder than I ever thought was possible. Maker I'm just glad I have you back."

Aeronwen felt the world fall away; the pain fading to a distant ache, there was only Alistair and the certainty that this was right, that they belonged together. She clung to him; had strength to do little else, but she didn't need strength, Alistair had enough for them both. Lips pressed softly to her forehead, words of love whispered for her and her alone. She drank it all in; clung to every sensation, memorising every touch and word. She felt a heaviness rest within her limbs; heard his frantic cry, felt the cold stone beneath her back, felt the liquid and bitter taste of a health potion rush passed her lips and then there were only the soft folds of darkness and the diminishing beat of her heart.

xXx

Eluren's form shimmered in Aeronwen's vision; fingertips gently caressing her cheek before stroking the strands of ebony hair, eyes filled with sorrow and tenderness. "My dear brave child. That this burden should be mine is cruel indeed." She lowered her eyes pressing her hand to Aeronwen's heart. "Know that what I do now must be done. If Duncan loses your love he will fall and with him Ferelden. Thedas will not survive. It is your love that now sustains him in the darkness."

Aeronwen gripped her wrist, her hands trembling. "I love Alistair."

Eluren cupped her cheek. "Yes my darling child you do." She gently removed Aeronwen's hands pressing soft kisses against her cheeks. "But for now you must forget. For now your heart must be silent to Alistair. For now you must be Duncan's and his alone. This is your duty; your sacrifice, the necessity that must be met, the price that must be paid."

Aeronwen mustered the limited strength she had left within her glaring at Eluren. "I will not forget my love for him! I will not betray him a second time!"

Eluren gave a soft sigh. "Forgive me child, but you must."