A/N: From the Reddit prompt: "Wait. Waaait." … "Who did you steal this from?"... "Never mind! PUT IT BACK! PUT IT BACK RIGHT NOW!"

For one important enough to stay in such an estate, Sera could not help but think that this elven Warden was surprisingly poor. Sure there were weapons that could be valuable, but she didn't need them like the Wardens probably did. This Warden apparently had no skill for archery; instead there were a shocking number of daggers and short blades strewn about the room. She did briefly examine one, tempted to take it simply because it was so strange. The blade was wavy, the metal tinged oddly pink. Nellie would probably like it, but it was far too unique to risk taking.

Tugging a bundle from under the bed, she grinned at the sound of another sort of metal. She grabbed a pair of gloves from the side table, trying to use them to muffle the sound of the coins. Beneath the coins she found that there were full bars of silver and gold. Her eyes widened at what was probably the most wealth she would ever see before eagerly shoving some of the bars into her bag as well. They were unfortunately heavy and she could only manage a few before she knew it would become too much to carry on her way out, but this risk was well worth the reward after all.

Shoving the remainder of the wealth back under the bed, she started toward the window, pausing at the dressing table. A few rings sat out, just begging to be stolen. She snatched them up, starting to put them on for easy carrying. A shiver shot up her arm, her hand tingling and she immediately tore the rings back off.

Magic. The rings were magic.

She considered leaving them behind, but as much as she hated the notion of carrying around magic, surely they would fetch a hefty price with the right buyer. People bought all sorts of stupid things, and it would be a shame to waste such an opportunity. She dropped the rings into one of those leather gloves instead before shoving the pair into her pocket.

The good thing about being an elf was that she had enough warning to get out. She dashed to the window and slipped out just before the door to the bedroom creaked open. She stood on the ledge, not daring to move for the noise the coins would make. A human probably would not notice, but an elf surely would.

It seemed oddly quiet, with nothing but shuffling feet and breathy sighs for a minute. Then someone moaned and Sera grimaced as she realized that the men inside were snogging.

"Don't you have a meeting?" one of the men said suddenly. He was clearly from Antiva, given the accent. "Mi corazón!" he protested a moment later, his voice muffled. "Darrian, this is important."

"So are you," the other replied breathlessly. "Let Alistair meet with Riordan."

The first one chuckled. "We have tonight. I promise, it will be worth the wait," the Antivan added in an undertone.

Sera stuck out her tongue.

One of them, Darrian probably, sighed heavily. "Have it your way for now, my little bird," the elf said mockingly. The Antivan growled, but his response was cut off and Sera hated that it was so obvious that they were kissing again. "And I'll have mine later."

The door creaked again. Sera knew the Antivan was still there, but the moment she heard him start sharpening his blades she took the chance to make her escape. She kept a close watch to ensure that she was not followed, and was pleased when she made it with not even a suspicious glance.

She did forget to announce herself, though, which led to a blade at her throat.

"Sera!" Nellie released her with a gasp. "I'm so sorry, I didn't realize it was you," she said as she gave her a hug. "Where have you been? It's been hours!"

Sera chuckled as she dropped the bag to the ground, letting it make as much noise as possible now. "It's going to be a good year."

Nellie tugged it open, eyes widening so much they could have popped straight out of her head. "Sera, what — how —?"

Sera chuckled, dropping into the rickety chair and putting her feet up on the table. "Told you!"

Nellie did not appear nearly as pleased as Sera felt. She tossed an auburn braid over her shoulder as she looked up at Sera with evident fear. "Sera, whoever you took this from will certainly notice their fortune is gone."

Sera shrugged. "You want to leave Denerim, right? This could manage that."

Shaking her head, Nellie tied the bag closed again. "At least none of it could be traced I suppose," she muttered.

"Exactly!"

But Nellie still frowned as she pointed at Sera's waist. "And what is that in your pocket?"

Sera tugged the gloves out, leaning forward to dump the rings on the table. "I wouldn't touch those," she warned as Nellie went to pick one up. "They're enchanted, I think," Sera added. "But some like that shite and'll pay a fortune."

Nellie's jaw dropped. "Enchanted?" She delicately poked at one of them. "Wait. Who did you steal all this from?"

Sera shrugged, averting her eyes. "Some guest of a posh Arl."

"Sera," Nellie said sternly.

"What? He can afford it."

"'Some guest'? Like…the Wardens staying with the Arl of Redcliffe?"

Sera pouted. "Maybe."

Nellie put a hand over her eyes. "You stole from possibly the most dangerous people in Ferelden?" she asked with disbelief.

"Not that dangerous," Sera countered. "Too much in each others' pants to be," she added under her breath.

Nellie shook her head. "You're impossible! Have you heard none of the stories?"

"What, they they killed the king?" Sera scoffed, more than a little miffed that Nellie was not delighted by the haul. "We're not kings, so nothing to worry about."

"Maker's breath," Nellie breathed. She looked back to the rings, delicately picking one up. She shuddered, evidently feeling the magic as well. "How can we sell these if we don't know what they do?"

"Just say they've got a healing charm or something. It's not like anyone will feel more than a tingle." Sera got up, grabbing the glove to gather them again. "I'll go sell them now, if you like. I don't particularly want to keep magic around either."

"No," Nellie said sharply. "No, never mind — just put it back."

Sera gaped at her, surely misunderstanding. "What?"

"Put them back!" Nellie shouted, and Nellie never shouted. "You don't steal from Wardens, Sera!"

"No, Wardens steal from all of us!" Sera put the gloves back into her pocket. "They take whatever they want, just like all the others who think they can punch down. Well, I'm punching back."

"I advise against punching Darrian. If he did not kill you for the slight, I certainly would."

Nellie screamed and Sera reached for her bow, but the weapon was regretfully now in the hands of the man who had silently appeared in their hovel as if by magic. Sera stood her ground anyway, putting a hand behind her back with the hope that Nellie would pass her a dagger.

The Antivan slung the bow over his shoulder, his smile as sharp as the blade he withdrew from one of the sheaths at his back. "I believe you have something of mine."

"I'm sure you've taken enough," Sera said far more bravely than she felt. Nellie was standing just behind her but apparently missed the motions encouraging her to give Sera a weapon.

The man stepped forward, his steps shockingly silent. "I have taken quite a lot. Lives, mostly."

Sera gulped as the man moved a little closer. "And you're used to people taking it lying down?" Tired of waiting for Nellie, Sera quickly swiped the dagger from her belt and aimed to lodge it in the man's heart before he could react.

But Sera was little use with blades, and the Antivan was not taken by surprise at all. He easily batted the dagger from her hand with his own blade, his other hand grasping her throat and pinning her to the wall.

"Some took it that way, yes," the man replied with a smirk.

"Run, Nel!" Sera managed as she struggled, batting at the hands that fumbled with her clothing. She was too weak and small to fight him off. Horror rose in Sera's throat, but she managed to spit in the man's face. "Bastard!"

"Leave her alone!" Nellie jumped onto the man's back, an arm around his throat in an attempt to choke him. The Antivan sighed, easily tugging her off and shoving her against the far wall. Nellie got back to her feet, her eyes flashing. She had the man's other blade in hand, stolen while she had been on his back.

The Antivan tutted at her. "Careful, I'm trying to be on my best behavior," he warned with a smirk.

Nellie fearfully glanced from him to Sera, her hand clearly trembling. Sera was still unable to break free of him, her fists managing to land a few punches but none of them were enough to disturb his grip.

The man laughed softly, rolling his eyes as he withdrew the gloves from her pocket. "I'll take these back, thank you," he said coolly, abruptly releasing Sera and moving away. His smile was shockingly tender as he tugged on the gloves. "You could have simply asked for the coin. Darrian has a weak spot for those in need," he added as he tossed Sera her bow.

Sera was too surprised to move aside from catching her weapon. She had been expecting…well, far worse. "You just…wanted the gloves?"

"They were a gift from someone precious to me." He held out his hand expectantly to Nellie. "You can keep the bars too, if you like. Consider it payment for my blade," he added.

Nellie met Sera's gaze with bewilderment. Sera cautiously moved to grab an arrow and aim it at the Antivan's back before Nellie handed the weapon over.

The man briefly arched an eyebrow at Sera, but did not appear concerned by the threat. He instead eyed the rings on the table, his eyes twinkling as he chuckled. "I'll be wanting this back, too." He picked up one of them, biting back a grin as he looked between Sera and Nellie. "It's…not something either of you need."

He approached the door, pausing as he put a hand to it. "You two should leave."

"This is our home," Sera replied quickly.

The man shook his head. "You should get out of Denerim. Tonight. You can always come back, but only if you are alive."

"You still making threats?" Sera with a scowl, aiming the arrow at his face.

The man was unmoved. "It's not a threat. Use that money and get somewhere safe." And with a nod, the man left, vanishing before the door had even shut behind him.

Sera lowered her bow just in time for Nellie to embrace her, arms wrapped so tightly it hurt. "We're all right, Nellie. He has a point. You did say you wanted to leave."

Nellie backed away with a scoff. "You've learned nothing. Do you have any idea how lucky we are?"

"We could have taken him," Sera lied.

Nellie sighed heavily and began packing their meager belongings. "You have no idea who that man was, do you?" she asked finally.

"Why would I?"

"You would if you listened. I don't tell you what I hear in the palace's kitchens for nothing." Nellie crossed her arms over her chest. "That man — he's an assassin. One hired to murder the Warden."

Oh. "He's not a very good one," Sera replied with a nervous grin. "I mean, unless he's trying to suffocate him with his tongue," she added with a shudder. She picked up the remaining rings with a wince, but was surprised to find that the magic she had sensed was gone. "Oh. Only that one was magic."

"No wonder he wanted it. I wonder what it does," Nellie commented, smiling slightly as Sera helped pack their things.

"I don't."

"I know," Nellie replied with a chuckle.

"You kept me waiting."

Zevran grinned, finding Darrian's eyes in the low light of the bedroom. "Forgive me, mi corazón. I had to retrieve something."

"Hmm." Darrian shifted off the bed. "This have anything to do with our young thief?"

"Indeed." Zevran tugged off the soft gloves and set them delicately on the dresser before working on his leather cuirass.

"Zev?" Darrian prompted.

"She is alive," Zevran replied. "And I think she will stay that way, now." He held up the ring. "She had no idea what she had taken."

Darrian blushed and it was a beautiful thing. "Please say you didn't tell her."

"I did not sully the child's mind with what the Tingler is for, no," Zevran replied coolly. "Now stop asking about that girl and get back on the bed. Now."

Settling back onto the bed with a smirk, Darrian purred, "As you wish, my little bird."

Shoving Darrian onto his back, Zevran brought a blade to his lover's throat. "I will kill you one day."

Darrian smiled warmly up at him. "I know."