The companions hurried to keep pace with Caridin as he led them through twisting tunnels, everyone lost in their own thoughts. They followed him down vast corridors untouched by the taint, he and his golems striding unafraid through the dim light. They added five more golems to their group, but it was not enough to appease the Commander who glared at Aeronwen with such hatred it was beginning to alarm everyone apart from Aeronwen who was doing her best to ignore his ill humour.

The group remained uneasy; the conflict over the Anvil had caused them all to consider which side they would have come down on if Duncan had not backed down. Seeing the golems in action made an army of them seem like a Maker send; but the reality was not something that sat easily with any of them, the price was just too high. Even Morrigan who understood necessity more than most was not sure she would have backed Duncan.

They moved through a large archway Aeronwen startled by the feeling of heat radiating out from the rune Oghren had given her that she had tucked into her armour. She ran her thumb over the smooth quartz startled by the shimmering glow of the lyrium. She fell back to walk alongside the dwarf. "Oghren, where did Branka get this?"

Oghren's eyebrow arched at the glow. "It was an heirloom Princess; passed down through the generations of her family. She gave it to me before the battle of Ostagar, told me it would keep me safe. She should have kept it." He coughed to clear his throat. "Ain't never seen it do that before."

As Caridin led them down a corridor Aeronwen realised the crystal was becoming fainter. "Caridin stop!" She raced to the golem and showed him the crystal. "Please wait for me; I need to check this out." She ran back the way she had come to the surprise of her companions and took the other fork. She hesitated as the scent of bell lilies teased her nostrils before smiling and moving on.

Duncan rolled his eyes and settled back on a rock to wait. Sten moved after her; Oghren, Niyra, Zevran and Alistair following.

Aeronwen followed the increasing glow for the first time unafraid as she walked the tunnels lit only with the moss clinging to the stone and the thin veins of lyrium. In less than ten minutes she reached a huge set of stone doors; a griffon carved in its centre, the wings spanning the full length of the door. Aeronwen felt her heart pound with excitement, licking her lower lip before pushing against the doors; startled when they swung open without resistance, the flare of runestones burst into life along the walls.

"By all the Paragons!" Oghren breathed catching up to her.

"Well shit me a nug!" Niyra muttered almost walking into Oghren in her surprise.

Aeronwen; Alistair, Zevran and Sten simply stared. The room was the size of the great hall at the Peak and around the walls stood mighty golems. At a quick count there were forty, each with a griffon carved on their chest, crystals enhancing their already substantial armoured bodies. "If we can wake them Duncan will have his army." Aeronwen whispered.

"Yeh, but last time we woke golems they attacked us." Niyra pointed out stopping Aeronwen from entering the room. "I don't think we could survive an attack from this lot. Maybe we should go get the Paragon."

xXx

Caridin stared at the golems before turning to Aeronwen, the others gazing into the room in awe. "They will not wake for me, only a Guardian can wake a Guardian."

Aeronwen paled. "Are you telling me that each one of these golems was once a Guardian?"

Caridin lowered his head. "There were those who were dying who chose to be reformed so they could continue to fight. There were others who made this choice to honour their fallen Warden, so that they could continue to fight passed their natural lifespan. I did not realise they had stayed."

Aeronwen stared at the golems. "Did they know what you would do to them?"

"They did."

Aeronwen shuddered; before forcing herself to move forward, one slow step after another. "Guardians, once more a Blight is upon us. Once more we are called upon to fight. Once more must we battle so others do not have to sacrifice their lives. I ask you to join me, to drive back the Darkspawn as you once did." The room remained silent.

Caridin's lyrium flickered. "Perhaps it has been too long."

Aeronwen stood straight, she was a Guardian and she would not fail. "You sacrificed much to be what you are; the silence and darkness may be preferable, but the very reason you sacrificed your lives was to stop the Blight. Would you stand now and allow that sacrifice to mean nothing? Would you allow all that is good in this world to be destroyed because you chose to remain silent and still? We are gathering an army and we need your help. We have destroyed the Anvil so no more will sacrifice themselves the way you have; so I ask you, stand with us." Aeronwen's eyes locked on carved image on the far wall of a griffon. In each wing was a rune similar to the one that had shown her the way to the chamber, with a hole at the throat meant for a third. Aeronwen glanced to the golems standing silently around the walls. "Hear me now. I am Aeronwen a Guardian of Melchrest as those of my line before me. Stand with me now as you stood with my kin." Aeronwen moved forward and pressed the rune into the slot. "Raeyr!" She stepped back and transformed; her cry echoing around the room, the crystal flaring to life, the vein of lyrium within its centre seemed to flood the crystal, the two crystals at either side gleaming brightly. Veins of lyrium ignited within the walls flowing behind each golem, the lyrium within the suits of stone beginning to glow.

The chamber remained silent for a few more moments before a low rumble began, followed by creaking and the grinding of stone and metal as one by one the golems stepped forward.

Aeronwen changed back swallowing as the golems halted; one moving towards her, the entire body seeming to shine with quartz and lyrium.

"Guardian Aeronwen, I am Guardian Leonar. We will join you and you shall tell me of what has befallen the land while we slept."

xXx

The journey back to Dead Trenches was relatively uneventful in terms of having to fight. Caridin knew passages even the Darkspawn did not tread and the golems were more than a match for any stray Darkspawn groups they did meet. With Caridin's knowledge of the tunnels, they moved quickly reaching the Dead Trenches and the Legion of the Dead stationed there in half the time it had taken them to reach Caridin himself.

Aeronwen spent much of the journey with her fellow Guardians, particularly Leonar who was their Commander. She recognised some of the names of the Guardians, speaking to each one answering what questions she could of their families and Melchrest. When she had a few moments to herself she would gaze at the three rune stones she had brought with her, remembering the dream of her mother and praying each night that she would dream of her again.

Kardol and his men stared in awe as the small army of golems marched passed them and took positions on both sides of the bridge allowing them to rest and share a meal with the Wardens and their companions. He spoke briefly with Duncan pledging the support of the Legion of the Dead to the fight. Anyone who could come back from beyond the Dead Trenches with a golem army was worthy of consideration.

xXx

Leonar moved over to Aeronwen after the meal and requested to speak to her. He only spoke again when he had led her some distance away from the others. "Why are you the only Guardian here Aeronwen? Are there others on the surface?" He listened as Aeronwen explained what had happened. "Surely others will have heard the Call. They would not have ignored it."

Aeronwen gave a deep sigh. "Our Order is not what it was. With our ties broken with Thedas; people began to believe we would not need the numbers we once had. People were not so willing to accept the intensive training. I was the only one not currently on assignment."

Leonar placed a great stone hand to her chest. "Why was your bond with your Kalsren broken?"

Aeronwen swallowed with difficulty. "How do you know?"

"I was a High Priest before becoming a Guardian. I sense the pain within you that still lingers despite your measures to deal with it."

Aeronwen lowered her eyes. "Nimue said I had made my choice and had to live with the consequences."

"That makes no sense. No Kalsren would abandon those they protect and certainly not for performing your duty." Leonar looked to her, lyrium eyes gleaming. "You were exiled by one of Thedas not Melchrest, Morgan was nothing more than a foreign witch of the wilds seeking support in my time. That she would gain enough power to exile you disturbs me greatly."

"I have no answers for you Leonar, I wish I did." Aeronwen shifted slightly. "May I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"What made you offer yourself to the Anvil?"

Leonar sighed. "The bond between a Guardian and a Warden as you know can have unforeseen difficulties. The bond in intense; you cannot walk another's mind; have that level of intimacy without in many cases other feelings developing. Romantic entanglements were of course frowned upon."

Aeronwen glanced at the Guardian uneasily. "After the fourth blight such relationships were expressly forbidden."

Leonar chuckled. "Well aren't you the rule breaker. As if the heart can be denied! My Warden was one of the elven. Her hair shimmered sunset gold, I spent my waking moments trying to hide from her that I wanted to spend any time we had together running my fingers through it." He shook his head. "She of course knew what I was thinking without having to hear my thoughts." He gave a deep sigh. "The Darkspawn captured her, did terrible things. I … I took her life myself so she could die as herself and not the monstrosity she would have become. I gave myself to the Anvil to keep on fighting; to kill as many of the bastards as I could, but it was also my way of punishing myself for failing her." Leonar glanced to the lava. "Love is a strange and terrible thing, be careful where it takes you."

xXx

They made excellent time to Ortan Thaig, the golems destroying anything in their path. They set up camp the golems stationing themselves at every bridge and tunnel entrance.

Niyra yawned and stretched leaning back against the stone; she had always known what lurked in the dark, but nothing had quite prepared her for her experiences so far. She wondered what Rica and Leske were doing. She even cast a thought to her mother. Niyra sighed, brooding was not helping. She rose to her feet and approached the fire. "Alistair, by all the hair on Oghren's arse what are you doing with those nugs?"

Alistair glanced up startled. "Um … cooking them, or at least I'm going to." He gave her a cocky grin. "Since when have you been looking at Oghren's bare arse?"

Niyra raised an eyebrow. "It was a figure of speech Ali! Can I make a suggestion?"

"Sure."

"I've been cooking nug since I was knee high; well Oghren's knee high, not yours."

Alistair grinned. "So many Oghren references." He dodged the blow of her fist holding his hands up in surrender. "So … um … I'm preparing it wrong?"

Niyra nudged him over. "Nug can either taste like the Void; or it can be a delicacy fit for royalty, which would you rather eat tonight?"

"Oh, let me think … umm … well I love the taste of old leather."

Niyra chuckled. "Smart arse. Now pay attention. If you stew the meat to death it will end up tasting of old leather and that may be your preference, but it's not mine. So you marinate it in a little whisky and secret spice while you prepare the veg."

"We have veg?"

"Mushrooms." Niyra grinned as Alistair pulled a face. "Trust me Ali, you'll love it." Niyra hummed softly to herself as she prepared the meat; tenderising and marinating it, before cutting it up.

Alistair chopped mushrooms and an onion they managed to rustle up from Oghren's pack. "It was brave of you … to fight in the Provings I mean."

"Ali there was nothing brave about it. I was fixing Provings and it was a case of impersonate that fighter, or die."

"That's quite the choice."

"Yeh well my boss at the time he … well he isn't known for his sensitive, caring side. He expects results and I had no intention of ending up at the wrong end of his sword. Survival Alistair; that's all life is about, in whatever form that takes." The meat sizzled in the pan. "I'm not good and I'm not brave, I'm just a thug from Dust Town."

Alistair settled on his knees and fixed Niyra with a piercing stare. "Niy enough with the bullshit. I've seen enough to know you are a very good person whether you want to admit it or not."

Niyra smirked. "Damn you found me out, I didn't realise you were so perceptive. What do you know a nice Casteless, will wonders never cease."

Grinning Alistair gave her a shove. "Now who's being an arse!"

xXx

Duncan glanced up as Aeronwen entered what had once been Ruck's cave carrying two bowls of whatever Niyra and Alistair had been concocting. He had retreated to the cave wishing to be alone with the thoughts that tortured him. "What is it?" He snapped.

Aeronwen took a calming breath and sat down opposite him. "Nug I think."

Duncan took the bowl, chewing the contents angrily.

Aeronwen felt the rush of jealousy he was experiencing and placed her spoon back into the bowl giving Duncan a look of frustration. "Duncan you have nothing to be jealous of."

Duncan met her look with a glare. "How freely you wander my thoughts."

Aeronwen paled. "Duncan …"

"If it isn't the Archdemon in my mind it is you."

"Duncan you know I only seek to protect you from him."

"Then you are failing. I want you out of my head!"

Aeronwen stared at him startled, her tone becoming cold. "I have taught you to block your thoughts I suggest you employ the technique and I will do the same. I advise lifting it during battle, but I will leave that up to you."

Duncan shuddered as the Archdemon whispered in his mind. "You are a cruel trick." He hissed. "You will stay away from Alistair; I will not be made a fool of!"

Aeronwen swallowed the angry retort. He had already told her to stay away from Sten; which had led to hours of arguing and Sten intervening, which did not go down well with Duncan. She had not stayed away from Sten and she was not going to stay away from Alistair. "No." She stated simply.

"Did you ever love me?" He hissed. The Archdemon prodded mercilessly at his insecurities. Why after all would Aeronwen desire him? Why would she love him? It made no sense and it was tearing him apart.

"It is only my love of you that keeps me by your side when your behaviour is so intolerable." Aeronwen muttered. "Duncan I know the Archdemon tortures you, but you have the unique advantage that you can access my thoughts if you choose to. You know I love you, you know there is nothing but friendship between Alistair and I. Do not let this creature twist your thoughts."

Duncan turned from her, his mind consumed with jealousy and bitterness. "Leave me Aeronwen, I am not fit company."

Aeronwen rose trying to shrug off the weariness that pulled at her heart. "As you wish."

xXx

Aeronwen slowly walked through the ruins feeling exhausted, her bond with Duncan was like a chain around her and she was sinking. She turned sharply as Alistair moved to her side, not bothering to hide the smile of relief.

"You shouldn't stray too far by yourself." He stated softly. "Even with an army of golems protecting us."

"I needed a few moments by myself."

"Then I will leave you to it."

"No!" Aeronwen flushed. "I mean ... it would be nice to have some company."

Alistair felt his heart flutter and moved to her side as they stared down at the lava. "The Deep Roads have been worse than anything I ever imagined."

Aeronwen nodded. "They have certainly exceeded my expectations of horror."

Alistair shifted nervously. "Aeronwen if Duncan hadn't backed down, would you have fought him?"

Aeronwen kept her eyes locked on the lava. "I am a Guardian Alistair; my duty extends beyond the Wardens, beyond my own feelings. The Anvil was an abomination, so yes I would have fought him had it become necessary." She sighed deeply. "So much is kept in secret and shadow by necessities decree. We all pay a price to become what we are, but …" She glanced up to him. "Duncan is falling to the darkness and I should be enough to shield him but I am not. Gawain should never have saved me; he would have been strong enough to see Duncan through this. He should be the one here, not me."

Alistair shook his head. "Listen to me Aeronwen I have never known anyone fight as hard as you." He gently cupped her cheek longing to kiss her. "Never doubt yourself."

Aeronwen couldn't help herself and leaned into the hand pressed to her cheek, aching for the tenderness of touch that did not involve fighting back the darkness. "I remember wanting to offer you the bond at Redcliffe Castle, when we sat by the lake." She murmured almost wistfully.

Alistair swallowed painfully; gently brushing her cheek with the backs of his fingers, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "You did?"

Aeronwen nodded and looked to him, shaking her head in confusion. "I feel as though it was always meant to be yours." She flushed deeply and pulled away. "Forgive me, I do not mean to ramble."

"Aeronwen wait." Alistair gently gripped her arm, his body so close to hers he could barely cope with the torture of it. "I know I've been distant, but I won't ever be again."

Heart pounding Aeronwen gazed into hazel eyes and felt herself come undone. She collapsed against him. "I am lost in the dark Alistair."

"I won't ever leave you Aeronwen." He glanced up and saw Duncan glaring at them. "I swear it."

xXx

Aedan yawned loudly; rolling back his shoulders to relieve the ache, they had been walking for hours and everyone was in need of a break. He glanced to the Commander who was walking at his side, his dark eyes were troubled. "It can't be much longer."

"We should reach Aeducan Thaig in less than an hour." Duncan stated sounding as exhausted as Aedan felt. "One last stop before we push on to Orzammar."

Aedan rubbed his neck and nodded. "Rest would be good. It feels like we've been walking down here forever." He glanced to the Commander, wanting to somehow ease the burden he carried. He felt guilty that he had not stood up for the Commander with the Anvil, but he had not wanted that monstrosity leaving the chamber any more than Caridin or Aeronwen did. He worried that Duncan felt betrayed by them, though his anger remained directed at Aeronwen. "I know you think we should have kept the Anvil; but I think it would have done more harm than good and we got lucky, we have golems without the need to sacrifice lives."

Duncan scowled. "Lucky! This is a fraction of the army we could have had. We are Wardens, we do what we must and that includes the sacrifice of life if necessary."

"Duncan if we had of used that Anvil it would have made us monsters."

Duncan glared at him. "We are the monsters created to protect those with conscience from the decisions that need to be made. We stand on the brink of the Void and keep back the evil trying to escape by any and all means necessary. You are a Warden Aedan, when you drank that Joining potion you gave up the luxury of a conscience."

"Without my conscience I am no better than the Darkspawn!"

Duncan shook his head. "Console yourself that what we do saves many thousands of lives."

Aedan looked to him. "If that is true and we do what we must, why are we here without the Anvil?"

Duncan let out a deep sigh. "No matter how much at times I want to; I knew I wouldn't be able to bring myself to kill her and that's what it would have taken." He gave a bitter snort. "I don't think she would have had the same reservation."

Aedan glanced at him uneasily. "Duncan I don't mean to interfere …"

"Then don't!" Duncan snapped cutting him off.

Aedan felt his stomach churn as Duncan strode ahead realising he had fallen back alongside Niyra. "The sooner we get out of here the better."

Niyra glanced at him in concern. "Aedan are you okay?"

Aedan let out a deep sigh. "No offence Niyra, but I hate the Deep Roads." He glanced to the dwarf startled as she chuckled.

"You get no argument from me. It's bloody awful down here and I lived in Dust Town!"

Aedan smiled feeling great affection for her. "How do you do it, stay so positive?"

"Ah that's a Castless secret; I've already shown Ali how to cook nug, can't give away too much."

Aedan grinned. "I have to commend you; Alistair's cooking has improved under your tutelage."

"He's a fast learner."

Aedan rolled back his shoulders. "Don't ever change Niyra; you're the sunlight in the dark."

Niyra glanced at him startled, feeling the flush burn her cheeks. She smiled to herself; fate had been kind and had brought her a family of a sort. It was odd and certainly dysfunctional; but they treated her as an equal, as a friend and that was all she had ever wanted.