A/N: *******PLEASE READ THIS WARNING BEFORE CONTINUING ON WITH THE CHAPTER!*******

Hello! It's finally time for Ana's Joining! However, before that happens, I feel like I should put out a disclaimer. Within this chapter, there is a slightly descriptive scene that might be triggering to some. It's a little graphic. Due to this, I will signal that the graphic parts are about to happen by putting **** before and after the scene for those who wish to skip that part. I will totally understand if people skip reading the gory details. You won't miss much since Ana is told what happened later on, only without all the gross details. Other than that, Enjoy! :)

A chill wind whipped and whistled through the crumbling pavillion making the torches flicker ominously. It felt odd to stand in the same place that Rory had died. Ana could still see the blood that now looked brown on the cobblestones near where Jory's blood pooled around his body after collapsing. She feels the bile rise in her throat and closes her eyes.

Duncan stood only feet away beside the stone pedestal where he stood silently like a statue, watching Ana for signs that she's preparing to flee.

"For what it's worth, I'm proud of you, Ana." He says. "You're doing the right thing."

As her gaze swivels to look at him, she glowers at him. "I'm not doing this for you." She spits. "I'm doing this for my father, Rory and my country because, unlike you, they've never murdered people in cold blood nor betrayed my trust."

Duncan purses his lips. Where is that damned lad with the chalice?

As Ana turns away from him, she places a hand on her stomach. Regardless of taking the potion to help with nausea earlier, now her stomach was in knots and the thought of drinking from the chalice made her want to throw up.

Before long, Alistair jogs up the steps with the chalice in hand. He breathlessly hands it to Duncan who thanks him and sets it on the pedestal.

Alistair breathlessly takes his place to the side and his gaze falls on the pale looking Ana nearby. Despite her rude comments toward him, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of sympathy.

"Ana." Duncan says. "It's time."

As she hears this, she feels the overwhelming urge to cry but manages to hold it in as she turns to face him. I'm not going to let this bastard see me cry. She Steps forward and reaches out toward the chalice. "Let's get this over with."

Duncan shakes his head. "You may be just one person but we still must speak first. It's tradition."

Ana rolls her eyes but motions dismissively for them to continue.

Just as he did with Roderick and Jory's Joining, Alistair steps forward and recites the prayer. Once he's finished, he nods to Duncan to continue.

Steeling himself, Duncan removes the chalice and stands before Ana. "Now, Ana," He begins. "As we have all done before you, you are called upon to submit yourself to the taint for the greater good."

Ana stares down into the dark liquid as the chalice is handed to her. She curses inwardly as her hands begin to shake as her heart pounds loudly in her chest. This is it. Swallowing, she looks up at Duncan.

"Please tell my brother I love him." She says. Duncan stiffly nods and he and Alistair wait as she slowly raises the chalice to her lips.

The smell of the blood is revolting and she pauses as a wave of nausea washes over her. She can hear Duncan urging her on but waits a moment for it to pass before taking a drink.

The taste is foul in her mouth as it snakes its way down her throat. She hands the chalice back and waits as she feels the taint spreading throughout her body. Then it happens.

The pain starts at the bottom of her stomach and radiates outwards. Her face contorts as she grips her stomach moments before a scream tears from her throat.

"Ana!"

Both Wardens turn and watch as Fergus Cousland sprints up the steps toward them. Alistair's eyes widen as his hand quickly goes to his sword, unsure of what the young Lord will do. Waving him off, Duncan quickly steps between Fergus and a writhing Ana as she sinks to her knees, her screams piercing the night.

"Ana!" Fergus calls again as Duncan, who is surprisingly strong for his age, holds him at bay despite his struggle. "Let me go! What are you doing to her?"

"Stop!" Duncan hisses. "This is what needs to be done. Joinings are closed to all except Wardens and their recruits."

Fergus's struggling begins to cease as he watches in horror, clinging to Duncan for fear of collapsing. T his is it. There's no way that she can survive such agonizing pain.

Ana's eyes are squeezed shut as she holds her head. The pain was so intense and seemed to be coming from all directions at once that all she could do was scream as flashes of dark and terrifying images filled her head. She could see them all. Legions upon legions of horrifying creatures with crude weapons and armor of all different shapes and sizes marching through what looked like a large hallway of sorts with dwarven markings. Their blank eyes and jagged teeth coupled with their mottled grey skin a terror to behold. A sharp pain lanced through Ana's head and images of a large, wicked looking spiked creature screeched into the vast cavern, calling its brethren to it. Ana could feel the pull of her own senses and she tried to resist.

As her vision clears of the terrifying images, blinding , agonizing pain rips through her abdomen. Curling up, she hugs her knees to herself as tears spill down her cheeks.

"What's happening?" Fergus asks, his eyes never leaving his sister's crumbled form. Alistair was the first to spot the blood. He shoots Duncan an anxious look. Fergus takes notice and his gaze flicks between them. "What?"

"Something's wrong." Duncan mutters darkly. Fergus struggles against him once more and Duncan motions for Alistair to check on Ana.

Both men watch as the younger Warden kneels beside her. He didn't dare touch her in case she decided to lash out. It was apparent that she had survived but, unlike the others, instead of passing out from the pain of the taint, she was wake, still in agonizing pain and bleeding through her trousers and tunic. The lad looks up at his mentor, shrugging helplessly.

Seeing no other option, Duncan releases Fergus and the two of them come to her side.

"Ana!" Fergus says, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Ana, it's me. It's Fergus."

Duncan and Alistair wait for her to respond only to be met with another pained cry. Her brother turns his hardened gaze on Duncan. "What did you do to my sister? What's happening? Is she dying?"

Duncan's mouth is set in a line as he shakes his head. "I have no idea. This has never happened before." He turns to Alistair. "Go fetch the Senior Enchanter. She should be tending to those in the infirmary."

Alistair nods and takes off down the stairs.

The sharp pain that lanced through Ana's abdomen woke Ana from her drugged sleep. Blinking away the blurriness, it was obvious that she was not in Duncan or Fergus's tents. Panic gripped at her. The canvas above her was backlit but did little to illuminate any defining features to help her determine where she was.

She attempts to sit up and lets out a pained cry before slumping back as the sharp pains attack her back and stomach. She whimpers.

She hears the flap open nearby and tries to look around her but her efforts are in vain. Within moments, a figure appears beside her and kneels to sit on the edge of her cot. She flinches as a warm hand touches her forehead while she blinks in an effort to clear her vision enough to make out who it is.

"Relax, dear." She hears a mature yet kind voice say. "Try not to stress yourself."

Blinking some more, her vision clears enough for her to make out fine lines of the woman's face. Her white hair is pulled back into a braided bun and she seems to be wearing enchanter robes. As her pale blue eyes meet her gaze, the woman smiles.

"Wha-" Ana begins, pausing as she gathers her rapidly depleting energy. "What happened?" She mutters. "Where am I?"

"Shhh." The woman says, gently tugging some strands of Ana's short hair behind her ear. "You're in the infirmary tent at Ostagar."

Ana's brows knit together. "Infirmary?"

The woman nods. Her smiles falls slightly. "What do you last remember?"

Ana's brain feels sluggish as she tries to recall her last memory. "I… I was going through the Joining for the Wardens…" She squeezes her eyes shut as though that'll help summon her memories. "I just remember…. Pain. Excruciating pain."

The woman nods and gently touches Ana's hand. "While I was able to stop the bleeding and help you, I regret to inform you that I was unable to save the baby."

Ana blinks up at her, uncomprehending. "Baby? What baby?"

The woman sits back slightly, bringing her hand to her lips. "Maker… You didn't know."

"Know what?" Ana exclaims.

"I see that I upset you. I apologize."

Ana shakes her head. "What are you talking about?"

The woman sighs. "You were pregnant; I'd say about three and a half to four months along."

"That can't be. I haven't-" She begins to say before the realization hits here like a sack of bricks. Her throat constricts and she suddenly can't breath.

She feels a hand on her arm as the woman instructs her to breathe but she barely hears her before her attention is diverted by the sound of the tent flap opening. The woman turns to look.

"How is she?" Fergus asks, his eyes flicking toward his bedridden sister. From where he stood, he couldn't see her face and assumed that she was still sleeping. Rising from her perch, the woman shoots Ana a sympathetic glance before striding over to Fergus. She lowers her voice.

"She's awake now but…" She pauses. "She may need a moment before seeing anybody. She needs time to process everything."

Shifting his gaze over her shoulder to Ana, Fergus frowns.

"I take it she knows?"

She nods. "Yes. Had I known she was unaware of her condition…" Her voice trails off.

"I should see her." He steps forward and the woman holds out an arm, shaking her head. "Perhaps later on tonight. For now, she needs to process everything." Placing a hand on the young Cousland lord's shoulder, she gives him a half smile. "Go eat and get some rest. I know you've been up worrying about her since you brought her here but she is in very capable hands."

Fergus once more looks at Ana's still form before sighing. He runs a hand over his hair with a reluctant nod.

"You're right. Thank you, Wynne. I appreciate all you've done."

She bows her head. "Of course. Now, go on. I'll keep an eye on her."