A/n: Happy quarantine y'all.

2) Important and Urgent

Rumours began. The problem, Sigrun mused later, was that Evelien was important enough to warrant servants cleaning her office: she had eventually fallen asleep against Sigrun, so the dwarf had gone to sleep as well. Unfortunately, they were found by a maid with a duster. She'd tried to explain that it wasn't what it looked like, and the maid had murmured, of course, of course but by midday, everyone in the Keep knew that Sigrun and Evelien had been found together; and by evening, the reference to 'sleeping together' had been taken entirely out of context.

At separate points, Nathaniel, Oghren, Justice and Velanna each confronted her in their own ways. Justice was the easiest – he was just curious and took her explanation at face value. Oghren, weirdly, was also easy because he found the idea erotic – she just rolled her eyes and told him he would never, in a million years, see them together, which seemed to be the response he was expecting anyway. Velanna and Nathaniel were clearly less certain.

Evelien did not comment on the rumours but she became more distant. She gave orders, made sure things were running, but didn't walk around the Keep to chat to everyone. She didn't come down for dinner. She didn't discuss new ideas she'd had. She just … maintained everything. When Sigrun tried to speak to her, she was politely professional, but that was it. Even Velanna seemed spooked.

"Must be nice for you though," Oghren said.

"Why?"

He shrugged. "Commander's always got you running around fixing everything. Nothing needs doing now."

Her mind immediately went to the bags near her bed. But then she thought of Evelien, sobbing at her desk.

"Oghren," she said, "maybe one evening this week, you could speak to Evelien."

"About what?"

"Anything."

He shrugged. "Alright." He belched. "I reckon a good spear polishing will help her feel better, if you're not doing it."

"…Anything except that."

She made the same request of Nathaniel, who also agreed. That evening, she went to Evelien's office herself. As always, the elf sat behind her desk and regarded Sigrun calmly.

"How can I help?"

"People don't mind, you know," she blurted out.

"What?"

Now, Sigrun blushed. "I've told people we're just friends and we fell asleep. Some people don't believe me and say it's favouritism or something but a lot say it would be nice, for you to have someone." She hesitated. "Not me. I'm not saying that. But locking yourself away in here just makes everyone worry. They think I've dumped you."

Evelien sighed, fingers playing with her one earring. She wasn't the vulnerable woman Sigrun had seen the other evening, but she wasn't the stoic commander either. "Sigrun, I cannot have relations with my Wardens. Especially not as the Orlesian elf commander here on sufferance of the Ferelden king."

"Good thing you're not having relations with me then," Sigrun said. "We fell asleep at a desk. I don't even know if you favour women and you … know about me." She stepped closer. "I know it all seems bad but I meant what I said. You're doing a good job." Then, more softly, "Please. I'm worried about you. We all are."

"Thank you," Evelien said. "But there is no need. I'm just behind on work and … lax in my professionalism." She hesitated. "But can I check: you are not intending to seek out the Deep Roads, as you always say?"

"I have something important and urgent to do here," Sigrun said, looking pointedly at the elf.

Evelien's eyes widened. A faint tinge of pink rose in her tattooed cheeks. "Sigrun…"

"Also, I've set Oghren on you. Sorry."

A laugh escaped Evelien's lips. "He definitely thinks I favour men."

"He thinks every woman favours men. Maybe be glad it wasn't him you fell asleep with."

"Sigrun," Evelien said. Something in her face softened. "Thank you. You … are a true friend."

Sigrun blushed fiercely.

She went back the following evening, carrying a mug of tea and some food she had stolen from the kitchen. Evelien looked up when she came in.

"Sigrun?"

Sigrun thrust the tea at her albeit slowly. She'd tripped over one of the many Keep cats on the way and some of it had spilled on her. "It tastes like apple," she said. "Velanna says elves like all fruit."

Evelien sniffed the tea. "I think she's extrapolating but I do like apples. Thanks, Sigrun." She saw the plate of food. "What's that?"

"Your dinner. Cook said you haven't eaten anything. It's not healthy. If you're going to stay tall, you need to eat."

She could see the laughter she loved so much in Evelien's eyes. "That is very true. I try not to skip meals. It's a bad habit."

Sigrun shrugged as Evelien reached for the plate. "That was one thing I liked about the Legion. They fed us loads. Three times a day. Made a change from having to steal or lie on my back for it."

Evelien froze, bread halfway to her mouth. "I thought you said you were never a noble hunter."

"Huh? Oh. I wasn't. Girls like me don't make good noble hunters. But when you need a bit of coin, a lot of non-noble people don't care what their whore looks or acts like, as long as she pretends to be enthusiastic." She shrugged. "I didn't do it that often, just when I needed to." Evelien didn't say anything. "I … was never much into … that … even before I lay on my back for coin. You know, when it was just meant to be for fun. I don't hate it, I just don't … feel like there's anything great about it."

The bread still hadn't made it to the Commander's mouth but her other hand reached out to touch Sigrun's. "I didn't know," she said softly.

"Why would you? It's not like I go around telling everyone I used to be a whore, as well as a thief and a murderer. Besides, it's not embarrassing, in Dust Town. Loads of people there have whored themselves out at least once. Men and women."

Evelien kept watching her. "I wish I had your resilience."

"You do, don't you?"

"I don't think so. You have a love for life that I can only envy, given the life you've led."

"There's no point moping," Sigrun said, feeling somewhere between flattered and guilty and awkward. "Things don't get better if you think about how bad they are."

"No," Evelien said. She finally bit into the bread and then smiled at Sigrun. "What's the best meal you've had on the surface?"

"Lamb stew," Sigrun said instantly. "Except I didn't like Nathaniel showing me what lambs looked like. They look so fluffy and cute. But they taste really good. Though most things taste good compared to nugs, I guess. Do they have lamb stew in Orlais?"

Evelien told her about Orlesian cuisine, now eating her own dinner with gusto. It took Sigrun a while to realise that Evelien's hand was still on top of hers.

The combined efforts of Sigrun, Oghren and Nathaniel seemed to have a positive effect on Evelien. Even Velanna and Justice got in on the act, as did a few of the other Wardens. Sigrun never found out what Oghren and Nathaniel said to Evelien in their evening chats, but Evelien's normal personality started to return. She spent less time in her office. She ate dinner with them all again. She tackled the problem of rebuilding Amaranthine with renewed vigour.

One evening, she handed Sigrun a book. She'd done that sort of thing often over the years, but it was the first gift she'd seen Evelien give since Anders had left.

The dwarf inspected the cover. "Dragons and Damsels. Sounds interesting." She flicked through the pages to see that it contained tales of, unsurprisingly, dragons. "It'd be nice to see a dragon. Are they really as big as mountains? Can we catch one, like we did with the cats?"

Evelien smiled. "Funny you should say that. I've heard rumours of a dragon attacking farms and I very much need someone to go. I'm sorry to ask you but…"

Sigrun grinned back. "I'll just have to hurl myself extra hard at the dragon. Unless we can keep it?"

"Do you want to cross-breed the dragon with a cat?"

"Can we? Oh, but I suppose a cat-dragon with claws that can breathe fire might be a bad idea."

Evelien laughed, and everything was back to normal.

When Anders returned, two months after he'd left, everyone was sat in the main hall. He looked a little sheepish as he said that actually, lots of men and women thought grey was a very fetching colour on him, and he wouldn't mind re-joining, if his job was still available. Everyone was silent as they looked between the mage and the Commander.

Evelien stood, walked over to him and hugged him tightly.

"Welcome home," she said, and the room burst into cheers.

"You see," Sigrun said later, curled up on Evelien's sofa. "Anders never hated you."

Evelien was next to her, almost touching. Over the past couple of months, they'd gotten into the habit of spending some evenings chatting on the sofa. "Are you going to gloat?" she said.

"A little. But then I'm going to box his ears."

"Please don't injure my Wardens."

"He's got magic. He can defend himself."

"You resist magic."

Sigrun just grinned.

Over the next couple of years, life seemed to return to normal. The Keep had become almost a city in itself, with the nearby settlements growing and merchants setting up shop. The human army was becoming infamous, while the Wardens had sent scholars to study the battle of Vigil's Keep. Amaranthine was starting to resemble something though nobody much liked going there, and despite the public's general low opinion of the Wardens, they managed to find a few new recruits.

(It had been years but she still looked for a sign of Mischa. Just in case.)

She still thought about her Calling. In some of her quiet moments – though those were few and far between – she remembered Varlan and her other companions in Kal'Hirol, the traditions of her ancestors, and wondered why she was still on the surface and away from the Stone. Her job wasn't to save these surfacers – it was to fight the darkspawn in the Deep Roads until she succumbed. She'd heard that the Legion of the Dead was being rebuilt and part of her whispered that she should be there with them.

It was while she was thinking this that Evelien came to her and said, "I have something I need you to do, but it's going to take a while, I'm afraid."

"OK," said Sigrun. "What is it?"

"I need to send a delegation to attend the court in Denerim for the anniversary. Oghren is going so he can stop near Lake Calenhad and see his daughter. I want you to go with him."

"Why? Nathaniel is better at these things." She paused. "So are you."

"Yes, well, Nathaniel is banned from all interactions with the King and the Ferelden nobles."

Sigrun frowned. "Is this because of the whole owning land thing?"

Evelien sighed, frustrated. "The Wardens having land is dicey enough. Do you know how many nobles I've had to placate? I know Cousland is grateful but couldn't he have just kept his land?"

Sigrun grinned. Teryn Cousland had gifted land to Nathaniel after Nathaniel had saved him from bandits. Nathaniel, to his credit, had eventually gifted it to his sister and nephew, but that hadn't stopped people thinking the Wardens were trying to win more land. The arguments between Evelien and Nathaniel about the land had been heard all over the Keep for a week.

"But you've told them, and he doesn't have the land anymore. So, why-"

"Maybe Cousland is happy to let bygones be bygones but I don't think the King is. He hates Nathaniel's father. Ask Oghren what he did when he was offered the chance to extend mercy to Loghain Mac Tir."

"Who?"

"Never mind. He's banned, and I am sick of explaining the whole thing to nobles. They hate me anyway and seeing me only reminds them that I am inferior to Natia Brosca. And…" She hesitated. "Orzammar has invited us to their memorial and it would make sense for you two to continue the trip. Especially as you're both dwarves."

"I see." She nodded. "I can do that. Bhelen is apparently a dictator so it will be like facing darkspawn."

"That's the spirit." Evelien looked Sigrun up and down, then, to her surprise, placed her hands on her shoulders. "Sigrun," she said quietly. "Come back. Please."

She swallowed. "I … of course." She looked at Evelien. That was perhaps the biggest change over the past two years. Ever since Anders leaving and returning, Evelien had started to discuss more of her problems and everyday life with Sigrun. They could often be found sitting together in the evenings, sharing a drink and talking about the Keep, and books, and strange customs of Orlais and Orzammar, and what they'd both found odd about Ferelden. Evelien never talked about her life prior to joining the Wardens or at the start of her time there, and Sigrun tended to shy away from her life in the Carta, but it didn't matter. Evelien seemed to enjoy introducing Sigrun to delights on the surface that she might not have experienced previously, and Sigrun liked embarking on new hobbies with Evelien. The fact that Evelien also spent some evenings with Nathaniel, Oghren and Anders, and occasionally with Justice and Velanna did not, however, prevent the rumours that there was something going on between them. "I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye."

She put a hand on her shoulder, over one of Evelien's hands, and squeezed slightly. Evelien smiled and let go.

The trip to Denerim and Lake Calenhad was uneventful. They got through the ceremony with minimal fuss, and less booing than the previous year. Afterwards, they updated the King on Amaranthine. It helped that Oghren was friends with him, because it meant Sigrun could stay quiet. She did have to assure Felsi that she was not sleeping with Oghren, and step in multiple times to prevent Felsi throwing things at Oghren, but she'd been prepared for that. Weirdly, Felsi's behaviour seemed to be attractive to Oghren, and eventually she left them alone. At least he was unlikely to father another child.

Similarly, the ceremony in Orzammar passed peacefully enough. It was strange, being back in the city after so long – Evelien had taken steps to prevent Sigrun from returning and being so close to things that might remind her of the Legion of the Dead. Much of it had changed – more warriors patrolled the streets; more brands carried weapons and respect; nobles were less revered. Dwarves seemed unnerved by her in a way they were not by Oghren – she assumed because of her facial tattoos. She was surprised that less dwarves insulted her than before, though she still got noticeably less respect than Oghren.

(Kal'Hirol had been reclaimed. She didn't know how she felt about that. She should have been there. She should have died.)

They were only there for a few days. After the pomp and formality – she let Oghren do the talking because what was she supposed to say to nobles? – she went to Dust Town. Even there, things had changed: the air was less cloying; the streets were cleaner; a few proper shops had sprung up. She found herself walking first to her mother's old shack, and then to her uncle's. As she stood outside his door, she hesitated. As far as her uncle and cousins were concerned, she was dead. What would she say to them? That she'd forsaken her duty? That she'd followed Natia Brosca's footsteps, fought the Architect and the Mother, and was one of the most senior Wardens in Ferelden? That she'd let a whole city burn? That she had a home and friends but no Stone sense? Her uncle had made it clear that she was trouble and no longer part of his family. Would he believe she had changed? Would he want a dwarf too cowardly to die to come back?

She left the coins and the scribbled Sorry she'd prepared under the door, then turned and walked away.

It took everything she had not to keep going to the Deep Roads.

(She tried to find Varlan's family too, but they were nobles and she never did find out why he'd joined the Legion. She didn't know what she would say to them either. He had died when he joined the Legion, same as she had. And when they looked at her, they wouldn't see his best friend. They would see a coward, who fled her duty. They would see a duster whore and probably think their relationship was something it wasn't. They would see a brand pickpocket.

That time, she got as far as the entrance of the Deep Roads, fingers twisting Varlan's ring compulsively, before she made herself turn around.)

On the final day, as she walked around the Diamond Quarter, simply because she could, she saw Oghren and Rica Brosca at the steps of the palace. He clasped her shoulder then walked away. Curious, Sigrun fell into step beside him.

"Do you know Rica Brosca?"

Oghren looked a little sheepish. "I thought Natia would want me to check on the little one. Little ones: they've popped out another one. Named after her." He didn't look at her. "She loved the little nug. Only got to meet him once. And we don't know if Leliana … she's been here recently apparently, but we don't hear from her much."

"Leliana who wrote The Ballad of Brosca?"

"Aye. Well. They were lovers. Very loud in camp sometimes." He grinned lecherously and Sigrun sighed. But then he sobered. "I don't know all the details but she claimed Alistair could have saved Natia's life, if he'd agreed to something dangerous. She's never forgiven him. Not sure he's forgiven himself, to be honest. Rica lets her come down, see the little ones. But doesn't hurt, right? Two of us checking."

"No," Sigrun said softly. "It doesn't." She paused. "Isn't your daughter also called Natia?"

He shrugged. "Girl was a damn hero. Found my Branka for me. Helped me with Felsi, gave me a purpose. Reckon lots of little dwarven girls will be called Natia for a while but … it was the least…" He sighed. "She was a good friend, even if she wasn't the best person."

She looked at him curiously. He'd told her a lot of stories about Natia Brosca – tales of heroism, pranks, and sacrifice. He'd mentioned a few of her morally dubious qualities but those were few and far between. Nobody spoke badly of Natia Brosca.

He shrugged again and took a swig from the canteen at his belt. "Been doing her a disservice really. We all agreed, we'd be honest about her. But then you look at that statue and…" He glanced to the right. "I need a drink."

They went to the nearest tavern, and as they got drunker and drunker, Oghren told her about Natia Brosca. Everyone knew about the dwarf's determination, her heroism, her taking command of the armies of Ferelden, even her compassion. But Oghren told her of a young woman who had bickered with her companions, played pranks on people, and gotten involved in assassinations, break-ins and thefts. She'd fought a demon, knowing to do so would cause the death of a child. She'd disregarded feelings when chasing after what she thought needed to be done. She'd been stupidly reckless sometimes, and often fought her way out of situations. She'd made the King a king against his will. Her best friend had betrayed her in Dust Town and she'd killed him. She was terrible at talking about her own feelings, but she'd gone out of her way to help every single one of her friends.

"And," Oghren said quietly, "the way she looked at Leliana. If it weren't for that archdemon, probably be married with fifteen kids by now."

"Must be nice, to have that kind of love."

"Aye," Oghren said. "But you love too much, you end up like her – dragon feed." He sighed. "I told the Commander, stop trying to be Natia Brosca. World doesn't need heroes who die like that. Can't do much for the world once you're dead, can you?"

"Yeah," Sigrun said. "I think she cares too much too."

"Ah, maybe it's what makes the really great Wardens great. But I reckon, they shine so bright, everyone else ends up lost in darkness." He clapped her shoulder. "Whatever you and the boss got going on, you remember that."

"We're not-"

"All I'm saying is, I saw Natia with everyone. And I saw us all afterwards, and I saw Leliana. Don't want it happening to you too."

Despite herself, despite everything she'd ever said to him, she hugged him. He seemed taken aback, and then patted her back a few times before letting go. Then they bought another round.

When they returned, they found an air of sadness cast over Vigil's Keep.

"Justice has gone," Nathaniel explained quietly. "He got a letter from Aura saying she couldn't keep doing this and he … left. Kristoff's body's been buried."

"Ah well. He had a decent life," Oghren said. "Seeing how he was already dead."

"How's Evelien?" Sigrun asked, trying to ignore the pang in her chest.

"As you'd expect," Nathaniel said in his serious way. "Saying she's fine, and she's glad Justice had been so happy before he left but…" Nathaniel looked around. "I've spent some evenings with her but I think it would be helpful if you would attend her. She … talks to you. More than to us."

"I will," she said. She tried not to think of Justice just … leaving. She knew he didn't regard things the same way the living did. She knew he'd tried to live the life he'd thought Kristoff would have lived, while curing as many injustices as he could. He'd told her of death, and of the Fade. He'd chastised her for stealing but saved her life on countless occasions. He'd been fascinated by human things, and they'd indulged curiosities in surfacer things together.

Nathaniel clapped her shoulder as she set off in search of Evelien. As she passed through the corridors, she saw Anders and Velanna, both of whom came over to talk about Justice, and about her trip to Denerim and Orzammar.

"Did they treat you correctly?" asked Velanna. "Those idiot dwarves in Orzammar, I mean."

"Kind of," Sigrun said. Velanna's eyes flashed, and warmth flooded her. "They were better than I expected. I'll catch you up later. Have you seen Evelien?"

The pair traded knowing looks. Anders said she had headed towards the crypt, which was a weird location but then, Evelien went to weird places sometimes. So, Sigrun turned around and headed back outside, into the crypt.

As Anders had said, Evelien was there, clothes dusty as though she'd been checking the Deep Roads entrances. When she saw Sigrun, she froze. It occurred to Sigrun that Evelien might misconstrue why the dwarf had come down here.

But then the elf was in front of her, arms wrapped tightly around her. Sigrun let herself hug back. When they parted, she looked up at Evelien, and was startled to see a mixture of relief and terror in her eyes.

Stupidly, she said, "You didn't think I was coming back, did you?"

For seconds, Evelien said nothing.

Then.

"I thought you would. But. I was not sure. I should have trusted you. I'm sorry."

Sigrun swallowed. "I never had someone want me to come back before. Other than my mother and Varlan. It's nice actually." She smiled slightly, fingertips touching on Varlan's ring. "I nearly went but who would have gotten Oghren away from all the beautiful women?"

Evelien laughed. "I suspect you probably got into many drunken incidents together."

"Only three." She hesitated. "Evelien, I'm sorry about … Nathaniel told me, about Justice. I'm sorry."

"Yes, well. I suppose it was only a matter of time. You cannot keep a corpse going forever."

"He was a good … spirit, I suppose." She thought of what Oghren had told her, about how Natia Brosca's friends had made a pact to talk about the dwarf, good and bad. "Remember when we investigated that fight in that village and he started trying to sort out all the adulterers?"

She smiled. "I thought his eyes might pop out of his head when we realised one was a bigamist."

"He couldn't work out which wife was treated more unjustly. He kept me up all night, talking about it." She sat, despite the dust on the floor. "I told him there were worse things than sleeping around with people, and he made me list them. It was quite interesting actually. We thought murder was less bad than rape but it was a narrow one."

Evelien sat as well. "He liked to set the world to order, didn't he? Whenever we passed a Chantry, he made them tell him about how to cleanse sins. He seemed put out that their version didn't involve executions."

"I think it still annoyed him that Velanna wasn't arrested for the Wending Wood. Velanna liked winding him up about it. Even Nathaniel thought it was pretty funny."

Evelien smiled again. "He thought I was trying to reform you all. He came in one day to debate whether reform works with me. And do you remember when we dealt with those raids, but he took the thieves' side? I ended up making him explain to the nobles why we were arresting the landowner. I thought they would have a fit." She paused. "And I wonder why they do not like me."

Sigrun laughed and settled down as Evelien thought of another amusing anecdote about Justice. She had a feeling they might be there a while.

Later, much later, as they'd drifted into general conversation Sigrun said, "I tried to see my uncle."

"And? How did it go?"

"It didn't. Same with Varlan's family. I'm still a coward."

"You're not."

"I am. It was just going back. You'd think, after everything I've done, it would be easy." She twisted the ring on her finger. "I was even scared someone from House Vollney would see the ring and accuse me of stealing it." She sighed. "I thought it might be nice to go back but…"

"I will not send you again," Evelien said softly. They were leaning against a wall, shoulder to shoulder. "I did not think about how different it would be for you than for Oghren. I'm sorry."

"It had to be done." She sighed. "I wish I could be more like you. I bet you've never fled from anything in your life."

Evelien was quiet for a long time. "If I don't flee it … is not always for healthy reasons."

Sigrun peeked at her face. "Evelien?"

"Forget I said anything. I … recently, I feel I am scared more and more. Not of death. I haven't feared death for years. But other things … they scare me. But I think it is perhaps a good thing." A smile glimmered on her face. "Fear tells me I have things worth losing." She turned her head to look at Sigrun. "I think you were scared of being told you're worthless. But if they think you're worthless, it's only because they do not recognise true wealth when they have it."

The dwarf blushed. "Thanks, Evelien."

"Justice thought you had an admirable character." Her voice cracked slightly. "He was good at seeing people's true values."

"He did stick with you."

Beneath the tattoos, Sigrun could see the elf's cheeks tinge pink. Evelien looked over at her. "Sigrun?"

"Yeah?"

"I … I am glad you're home."

Sigrun thought of what Oghren had said, about how caring too much just made you dead. How Natia Brosca could have been saved if she'd cared a little less about everyone else.

And she looked at Evelien, who had saved her life, who'd introduced the surface world to her, who had found Mischa for her, who cared so much about doing the right thing, who always…

Hesitantly, she leaned her head against Evelien's shoulder and was rewarded with an arm curling around her shoulders. This kind of touching had become more common between them in the past year, and Sigrun found she quite liked it.

"Yeah," Sigrun said as slim fingers tucked stray hair behind her ears. "Me too."

After two more years, Nathaniel and Velanna finally decided to marry. Velanna seemed aghast at herself for agreeing, sure she was shaming her clan, her ancestors, everyone. Never mind that she clearly loved him. Nathaniel's cool head worked with Velanna's passionate response to everything. He liked to hear her stories; she was curious about his making practical things. They both had serious discussions, and he was good at knocking her off balance in their conversations.

In the run up to the wedding, Sigrun found herself being asked to do all sorts of wedding-related errands. Locating an officiator who wouldn't annoy Velanna. Organising the army of cleaners for the Keep. Finding entertainment that wouldn't annoy Nathaniel. Helping with food tasting. Trying to work out what to do with the Keep's many cats. Decorating the chapel.

"You realise," she said to Evelien as she strung up bunting, trying to dissuade a nearby cat from clawing it down again, "that this isn't exactly a Warden's job?"

Evelien shrugged. "It is important and urgent. Nobody wants to hear Velanna in a bad mood. Besides, you are enjoying yourself." She shot Sigrun a smile, and Sigrun smiled back.

Anders looked over at them. "I'm glad someone is," he said. "This isn't what the Circle trained me for."

"You shouldn't have kept escaping then, should you?" said Evelien.

"Just do what I do, lad," Oghren advised.

"What's that? Drink?"

"No. When nobody's looking, draw lots of pictures of d-"

"Oghren," said Evelien, finally seeing what Oghren was doing. Sigrun and Anders sniggered.

"You know," Sigrun said as she tied a knot in the string, "I like these decorations. We never had anything like this in Dust Town. It's all very dark down there."

Anders grinned and shot some colourful sparkles from his fingers. "We're all about the colour. In fact, people shout very colourful things at me."

"Aren't those curses?" Sigrun paused. "The one we heard the other day. Can humans really do all those things?"

"Not all at once," Evelien told her. Anders pouted.

"Don't look so glum," Oghren said. "She never said they were impossible."

"That's true," Anders said, perking up. "Maybe I'll try them tonight. I just need two jars of fish oil."

"What for?" asked Sigrun curiously. Anders opened his mouth and Evelien leaped on him, putting a hand over it. He laughed. "What?" asked Sigrun.

Evelien laughed as Anders made a muffled protest. "I will find you a book later."

"OK," said Sigrun. "But I'm holding you to that."

("Oh. Oh."

"Yes."

"I think that must be a human thing."

"Hmm."

"…You're not saying you've-"

"That is a personal question."

"I did not need that image in my head."

"I imagine if you asked Oghren-"

"I did not need that image either. You don't think Nathaniel and Velanna…"

"You're not to ask them."

"I'm not going to. Huh. Maybe I should-"

"I … doubt you'd enjoy it, from what you've told me."

"But is it a common thing? I mean-"

("You know," Anders commented to Oghren, as they watched with amusement, "I had no idea the Commander could be so evil. Do you think we should tell Sigrun it's impossible?"

"Later," Oghren said. He chuckled. "This is good material."

Anders looked at him and sighed. "I don't want to know."))

The Wardens made Velanna and Nathaniel have parties on the night before their weddings. To Sigrun's surprise, Evelien was invited to Velanna's. Despite the years, the fact that Seranni had never been found had remained a constant source of friction between them. Even here, Velanna was somewhat abrasive towards Evelien, who left relatively early.

Later, when most people had gone to bed, Velanna looked at her mug and said, "I'm sorry. About the Commander."

"Really?"

"You sound surprised."

"You don't apologise often."

Velanna snorted. "Well. I am." She still didn't look at Sigrun. "I miss my sister. She should have been here."

"I know. But it wasn't-"

"The Architect had her. She … I will never give up on her. I will find her."

"We're looking too," Sigrun said, though it was only partially true. She knew most Wardens thought Seranni was likely dead. "She must be looking for you too." Another partial lie, Sigrun suspected.

"Do you think she would be proud?"

Velanna might have become a Warden to find her sister, but she'd never shirked her duty. She'd never fully trusted humans – despite being about to marry one – but she'd always run into combat, ready to fight the darkspawn. She'd taught the elves their histories, and the mages their magic. Whatever doubts they'd all had when they first met her, they'd mostly been eliminated. If a Blight were to occur tomorrow…

"Yes," Sigrun said. "Definitely."

(Evelien, for her part, had been her normal calm and understanding self. But Sigrun knew better. She went to Evelien's room, and was unsurprised to find her still awake, eyes red and fists clenching and unclenching. Wordlessly, she sat next to her and put an arm around her, breathing in her familiar smell as the elf moved so her head was on Sigrun's shoulder, her arms at her waist for balance.

"I've taken away Velanna's life," she whispered. "She joined to find her sister. And I got her killed."

She was sort of used to Evelien's amazing ability to feel guilt. "They both made their choices," she said, letting fingers on her spare hand stroke through Evelien's hair, knowing that sometimes calmed her. "And Seranni might not be dead."

"I wish I could believe that."

It was a long night with no easy answers, but Sigrun didn't regret it, despite the headache she had the next day.

At least they both looked happy during the wedding itself.)

A couple of years later, Rica Brosca came on behalf of Orzammar to the Grey Wardens. They all stood in rows as Rica made a presentation to Evelien, and discussed the treaties and expeditions to the Deep Roads. There were plenty of dwarven guards there, and also a boy, maybe eleven or twelve, with Rica's red hair. The boy kept peering curiously at her – presumably, he'd never seen a Legionnaire before.

Once the ceremony was over, the boy came up to her. He still seemed fascinated by her tattoos.

"Your Highness, I take it?" Sigrun said.

The boy jerked, then bowed. "I'm Prince Endrin Aeducan," he said. He glanced behind him but his mother was talking to Oghren now. "Are you really Sigrun?"

"What?"

He blushed. "Are you … everyone says there's a duster Warden who saved everyone."

"I think you're mixing me up with your aunt."

He shook his head. "Not Aunt Natia. I know about her. Everyone says there's another one, a Legionnaire. You fought a monster broodmother. Mother says, because of you, loads of duster girls join the army." He grinned conspiratorially. "Father lets me train with them when Mother isn't watching. Says we can learn a lot from each other. Nika said she saw you a few years ago in Orzammar. She says when she's old enough, she'll join the Wardens too."

Sigrun stared at him. "They … talk about me?"

He nodded. "You're a hero, just like my aunt."

"Endrin. Don't bother the Wardens."

Endrin sobered. He turned and bowed to his mother. "I'm sorry, Mother." He hesitated. "But it's Sigrun."

"Your Majesty. I … he knows I fled at Kal'Hirol?"

"According to Oghren, it was a tactical retreat," the Queen said, smiling. When Sigrun opened her mouth, she said, "You don't think you've redeemed yourself? I understand you've saved countless people."

"Majesty, you know our customs. Legally, I'm dead. Nothing I've done since-"

"So, it's a long death." Rica shook her head. "When I met you, I told you to be an example. My sister … she was a Paragon. A hero. But a light that shines that brightly – how do you follow it without being blinded? You have shown everyone that she wasn't a one-off. Any of us can be a hero. Any of us are as worthy as Bhelen and I have always said. My son – my noble son – makes friends with dusters and thinks caste is stupid. Because of Natia and Oghren and you." She put a hand on Sigrun's shoulder. "You fled your duty once. You have faced it a hundred times over. I only wish you could have met Natia. Between the two of you, the world wouldn't know what hit it."

"I … Majesty. I. Thanks. Thank you."

"Mother?" They both jumped and looked at Endrin, who had a look of endless patience on his face. "Can I get Sigrun's autograph now?"

The Queen covered a smile. "If that's OK with Sigrun."

"S-Sure."

Afterwards, Nathaniel said, "Did I see you giving out autographs?"

Sigrun blushed. "I think Rica Brosca has been telling her son about me."

"And you didn't think to point out the very handsome and heroic mage nearby?" Anders said.

"Velanna wasn't in sight."

Velanna smirked as Anders clutched a hand to his chest, staggering as though wounded.

Evelien came over with Oghren. She raised an eyebrow. "Should I ask?"

"We're just discussing Sigrun's celebrity," Nathaniel said.

Evelien raised her eyebrow again. "Oh, yes?"

Sigrun blushed even more. "Rica Brosca's son thinks I'm a hero and wanted my autograph. I'm not sure how he knew I could even write."

She couldn't miss the pleased spark in Evelien's eyes, the one that always made Sigrun feel warmly happy. "I see."

"Well, that's the last time I get the little nug a present," Oghren muttered. "I don't see anyone lining up for my autograph."

"He's known you for much of his life," Evelien said. "That's better than an autograph."

"Aye. You're right." Oghren puffed his chest out. "And he got a present from the famous Oghren."

Evelien placed a hand on her shoulder, and squeezed. "You should be proud of yourself. Rica was telling me about the various reforms in Orzammar. She said you joining the Wardens so soon after Natia has inspired a lot of people from Dust Town. And apparently there's talk of reforming the Legion of the Dead so people have an option to seek out the Wardens instead. Because of you."

"I … I don't know. I think-"

"You can be proud of yourself," Velanna said. "Just accept the honour your people are bestowing on you."

She thought of the bags by her bed, of Varlan and Jukka and all those she'd abandoned, of Mischa in Denerim.

And then she thought of Endrin Aeducan, telling her that duster girls were joining the army because of her. That Bhelen Aeducan used her as an example.

Evelien's arm slipped around her shoulders in a rare display of open affection. "Be proud of yourself, Sigrun," she said quietly. "We are."

Everyone nodded. Sigrun couldn't help herself. She turned and buried her head in Evelien's chest as tears slipped down her cheeks. Evelien's arms slipped around her, and soon, others joined her, and she remembered, for the first time in a long time, what it felt like to have a family.