"Duncan?" Alistair says as he enters his mentor's tent. The old Warden rises from writing desk and turns to look behind him at Alistair. "Good Evening, Alistair. I'm glad to see you've returned. How did the recruits do? Were you successful in your tasks?"

"We were." He nods, reaching into his pack to retrieve the documents. He holds them out to him. " Here."

Duncan takes them and looks them over with an affirming nod. "Good. Well done."

"There were a few incidents that happened though." Alistair frowns.

Duncan looks up, raising a brow. "Incidents?"

The lad nods. "Daveth is dead. He was infected when the taint entered his wound. We were unable to help him."

Duncan sighs as he runs a hand over his beard. "Poor lad. What of the others?"

"Ser Gilmore proved to be a skilled fighter and showed bravery in the face of trouble." Alistair replies, envy seeping into his words. "Ser Jory did okay as well." He pauses. "However, the documents weren't where we expected."

"What do you mean?"

"There was a woman in the tower. Apparently the seals wore off a long time ago so her mother had taken them and protected them. They were both very... odd." Alistair says.

"I see…" Duncan nods. "Were they Wilder folk? Some do reside in the Wilds."

He thinks for a moment before shaking his head. "I don't think so. I think they might have been apostates; mages hiding from the Chantry."

Duncan sighs and leans back against the table. "I know you were once a Templar, Alistair, but Chantry business is not ours. We have the scrolls; Let's be content with that for now. Soon we will need to start preparing for the Joining. Speaking of...were you able to collect some darkspawn blood for Ana?"

Alistair nods and hands him the vial from his pack.

"Good. What of the other two?" Duncan asks, examining the vial.

"I have their vials as well. I was unable to retrieve Daveth's."

"That's fine." Duncan sets the vial on table along with the treaties.

"While were were in the Chamberlain's room, I did find something else." Alistair says, stepping forward. Duncan looks up as he reaches into his pack and holds up the large vials he found in the chest. "Archdemon blood." Alistair states. "They had quite a bit in the chest at the foot of the bed. I figured we could hold onto it for future Joinings."

"There won't be anymore Joinings."

Alistair's brows furrow. "What do you mean?"

Duncan leans against the table. "There have been whispers that signs of corruption have been spotted close to camp. If this is true, the battle may soon be upon us." He frowns. "Even if that is untrue, I am unable to leave Ostagar to look for new recruits. I need to be here to look after Ana, especially if Ser Gilmore is to perish during his Joining."

Alistair frowns. "But what if Ana dies? You would be free to go then. Or I can go?"

Duncan allows himself to crack a smile. "I commend your dedication to our order Alistair but you are only a junior Warden; Only a Commander or higher can recruit. Besides," he shrugs. "I need to begin training those that we already have. If the darkspawn truly are close, we need to use what little time we have left to prepare." He pauses. "When you arrived, did you see Ana?"

Alistair's brows knit together. "No. I'm sure Gilmore went to look for her. Why?"

"I need you to look for her and tell her that I wish to speak with her. It's important."

Fergus rises from the table and grabs his bowl. "As nice as this all was to catch up, I should be heading back." He says. "I still need to set up camp and check up on my men." His eyes shift from his sister to Ser Gilmore. "Watch after her for me."

Roderick bows his head. "I will, my lord. You have my word."

Ana watches as her brother leaves and frowns. Even though he was still going to be close by, seeing him leave her was painful.

"Care to walk with me, my lady?" Roderick says, offering a smile. She turns to look at him and returns his smile with a nod.

Together, they leave the tent and he reaches for her hand. Together, they follow the path leading around camp. They remain silent for a while before Roderick finally sighs. He stops and Ana raises a brow. "Ana, my love."

"Yes?"

He frowns. "I've tried to wait but I can't take it anymore. When I touched you, you winced. Why?"

She shrugs. "I'm just a bit sore, that's all. You just happened to touch where I was sore." She tries to continue walking but is anchored by her lover.

"Sweetheart, what happened while I was gone? I also noticed that Much isn't with you." Roderick says softly.

Ana avoids his gaze and she tries to carefully choose her words. "He's with the kennel master."

Pulling her aside, he cups her jaw and looks into her eyes. "Ana, please. I know something is wrong." He frowns. "Please tell me."

Tears threaten to fall and her bottom lip trembles. "I…" She begins. She stops to take a breath to calm the emotions bubbling up inside her. "I was attacked."

His eyes widen. "What? By whom? When?"

"A couple of Grey Wardens. They were hitting on me and when I wasn't receptive…" she pauses as she takes a moment to calm herself. Roderick patiently waits. "They attacked me and they…." She covers her mouth with her hand as she replays the incident in her mind.

"They what?" Roderick urges.

"They kicked Much… hard." She says. Tears begin spilling down her cheeks and her pulls her close, stroking her hair as he tries to calm her.

"You're all right now, my love." He whispers into her hair. "Tell me all that happened."

Walking over to a half-collapsed wall, they take a seat beside one another.

"When I refused to do what they wanted, they grabbed me and Much snapped at them. They… they didn't like that so one of them kicked Much so hard he flew back and hit the wall." She cries harder. "I tried to go to him but they grabbed me and one of them forcefully kissed me. I bit him and he…. hit me...and then took my mother's dagger…" She collapses into his shoulder and begins to sob uncontrollably. He holds her as her shoulders shake.

"Maker's breath…" He mutters. "I'm so sorry Ana."

Sniffing, she pulls away and wipes some of the tears away with her hand before continuing. "I reached for my dagger again but he kicked my side...and….kicked me some more. After that…" She stops to take a shallow breath. "I'm not entirely sure what happened….I blacked out." She leans once more into him,placing her hand on his chest. "Oh, Rory, it was horrible."

"Those bastards!" He growls. "I'm so sorry, my Love. This is my fault. I'm supposed to protect you and yet this time…"

She pulls away, shaking her head violently. "No, no. It's not your fault, Rory. You had no choice about going out into the Wilds." She touches his cheek but his guilt was writ all over his face.

"I should've fought harder to stay. I should've asked to wait with you for Fergus." He rants. "I should've-"

She cuts him off by pulling him into a kiss. It was salty from Ana's tears and she winced as he held her but she kept him close. "Shh, my love." She says between kisses. "It wasn't because of you. I love you so much."

"I love you too." He mutters before managing to pull away. "We must inform Duncan immediately. He needs to know so that he can punish the bastards."

"I'll tell him… but first, I want to check up on Much." She says, clinging to him. "Hawke found me and healed most of my injuries as well as Much's but he's with the kennel master to rest. I want to see with my own eyes that he's alright."

Nodding, he leans forward for one final peck on the lips. "Very well. But after, we need to see Duncan."

"Maker's breath…" Ana mutters, running over to the pen where Much is sleeping. From where she stood, she could still see a couple lines of dried blood near his neck.

"May I help you, Miss?" The kennel master asks, walking up.

"This is her hound." Roderick replies, motioning to Much. It took every ounce of her being not to open the gate and hold him. She could feel the tears stinging her eyes as they threatened to fall. She looks over at the Kennel master. "His name is Much. How is he doing? My friend's brother was the one who brought him here to you."

The man crosses his arms over his chest. "He's going to be alright. His injuries were minor and Hawke was able to help. However, as I'm sure Hawke told you, your hound requires rest. I'll keep him safe and take care of him in the meantime. You have my word."

"Thank you for looking after him." Ana frowns, her lips trembling. "I'm grateful to you."

Roderick thanks the man as well and slowly leads Ana away. As she opens her mouth to speak, she sees Alistair up head and scowls.

"Great." She mutters, rolling her eyes.

Alistair ignores her and greets Roderick. "Glad to see you two found each other."

Roderick tightens his grip around her shoulders slightly. "As am I. Any news on the Joining?"

Alistair's eyes flick to Ana then back. "Not yet… But Duncan needs to speak with you, Ana."

"About?" She asks, not budging.

He shrugs. "He didn't say. I'm assuming that means it's important and private." He says, pointedly. "I was only sent to give you the message."

"Fine." She mutters as she shoots him a glare. "Let's go, Rory."

Taking his hand, she leads him away and he shoots the lad a rueful look.

"You wanted to see me?" Ana asks as she enters the tent while Roderick stays just outside. He straightens from where he was bent over the map rolled out on the table. He nods. "I did." Walking around the table, she watches the neutral look on his face as he comes to stand before her. "I imagine you're relieved to see Ser Gilmore back. Alistair informed me that he was valiant in the field and showed great courage."

"I'm not surprised. My father and brother often spoke of his skill with a weapon." Ana says, the pride evident in her voice. She eyes him for a moment. "But I'm assuming you didn't call me here to discuss Ser Gilmore."

"No." He pauses. Reaching up, he gently tilts her chin up and to the side to see the slight bruising starting to form. "This looks recent. What's happened?"

She shies away. "It's nothing. What is it you wished to speak with me about?"

He crosses his arms over his chest. "Ana. I promised your father that I would look after you. I cannot protect you if I have no idea what happens when you're out and about. Now tell me; The truth this time."

Sighing, she looks up at him. She purses her lips. "I just had a minor run-in with a couple Wardens, that's all. For being warriors renown for fighting for the weak, you guys certainly are an unfriendly bunch." She watches his expression to see how the barb effects him but he remains neutral.

He looks once more at the side of her face. "Grey Wardens did this to you?" As his eyes meet hers, she's slightly taken back by the intensity. "Do you know their names? Or at the very least recall what they looked like?" Ana remains quiet and he sighs. "I won't deny that we tend to recruit former offenders who have been in trouble with the law for one thing or another but regardless of their lives before the Joining, this type of behavior is not tolerated."

"And yet it happened." She retorts. "Not that it'll help much but from what I can recall, their names are Daniel and Roy. Daniel is slim with light blonde hair and Roy is a bit fat with dark hair and skin."

"I will look into it. For now, I suggest sticking close to the main encampment and not wandering around alone." He glances around. "Speaking of, where's your hound?"

Now it's Ana's turn to cross her arms over her chest. "With the kennel master since those two thugs hurt him when he tried to protect me."

Sighing, he closes his eyes and rub his temples. "I apologize, Ana. I will find the men responsible and make sure that they are punished."

"Good."

Turning on her heel, she begins to start back toward the flaps when Duncan calls to her. She rolls her eyes before turning. "Yes?"

He feels his irritation growing at her attitude but he takes note to talk to her about it later. "I have good news for you."

She raises a brow. "Which is?"

"Your brother and his army has been spotted by some of our scouts and are on their way here."

"I know." She says. "Was that it?"

His brows raise. "You know?"

Ana nods. "I was on my way back to tell you about the men who attacked me when I saw him coming out of Loghain's tent. We were able to talk together and I had the grave misfortune of telling him about our family and his wife and child."

Duncan frowns. "I imagine that was very difficult. I'm very sorry."

"Not as sorry as I am." She frowns. Her lower lip quivers. "I was dreading his reaction and it was more heartbreaking than I could have anticipated."

He nods and a silence fall between them. After a moment, Duncan continues. "With your brother now at Ostagar, it seems that we can carry on with the Joining."

"So soon?" Ana frowns, her superior attitude dropped. He could see the flicker of fear in her eyes. Had she heard something?

He nods. "I'm afraid so, My Lady. The sooner we do it, the sooner you can begin training with the other Wardens. Since we have no idea when the darkspawn will strike, it's essential that we recruit as many as possible and try to train them before it's too late."

She absorbs this and slowly nods before meeting his gaze. "In that case, I have a request."

Unsurprised, he motions to her. "Go ahead."

"I know you said that I need to stay in your tent until after the Joining but, with Much resting and recuperating with the other hounds, I request to spend the night with Ser Gilmore in his tent." She blushes slightly. "As I'm sure you can imagine, regardless of our relationship, we were never able to spend the night together. Before our new lives as Grey Wardens begin, I want us to be together one last time as we are now; A lady and her knight."

Despite everything, a smile forms n Duncan's face. "Very well. " He says. He feels a pang of jealousy mingled with a warmth as she smiles. "However, I need you to check in first thing tomorrow morning. I have no doubts that Ser Gilmore will protect you but, given your attack, it would put my mind at ease and help me keep tabs on you until the Joining. Understand?"

She eagerly nods. "I understand." Without hesitation, she hugs him. It takes a moment for Duncan to register it but she pulls away before he can respond."Thank you, Duncan " She grins. "I will see you bright and early tomorrow."

Taking her leave, Ana rushes out of the tent and immediately jumps up to hug Roderick, her legs wrapping around him as she kisses him. The guards watch enviously.

"I take it you heard good news?" Roderick asks with a chuckle.

"Yes! Duncan says that we…" She begins to tell him before noticing the guards watching. She removes herself from him and takes his hand, before leading him away. Once far enough away, she spins to face him. "With Much out recuperating, Duncan has given me permission to spend the night with you!" She beams.

"Oh, my love! That's wonderful!" He exclaims. Pulling her into an embrace, he kisses her.

"It is!" She exclaims, a tear falling down her cheek. She reaches up to cup his cheek. "Finally, I'm able to wake up in your arms as I've always wanted. Maker be praised!"

"While I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, what made him agree to it?" Roderick asks. "I know you mentioned Much's condition but-"

She shrugs. "Since Fergus has arrived, the Joining will be taking place tomorrow night. Because of this, I wanted to spend the night with you before our lives changed." Excitement and nervousness rushed through her. "And Rory... "

"What, my love?" He asks.

She bites her lip. "I don't want to wait. Let's get married right now and make tonight our wedding night." She leans forward, rubbing her nose against his. "Just you and I. Once this damn war is over, we'll have a real ceremony but for now, let's just elope."

He touches her cheek. "Are you sure? What about Fergus?"

Her smile falls as she shrugs. "He just found out about Oren and Oriana. Having him there to witness my wedding would feel like I'm rubbing my happiness in his face." She frowns. "I can't do that to him." She shakes her head. "No. Let's just elope and… and we'll have an actual ceremony later. What do you say?"

He smiles. "I say that I don't want to wait any longer either. Let's do it."