DISCLAIMER: I base my stories on Intellectual Property (IP) owned by BioWare™ and EA™. I pretend to live in their world.

SPOILERS: I refer to information from the games, the novels and the comics. If you have not played or read, please beware.

A SONG IN THE STILLNESS

Chapter 5: Moving On

9:31 Dragon, Harvestmere === Kirkwall

Arriving on the early morning tide, the Chained Maiden left two chests and an oddly shaped crate on the Kirkwall dock for delivery to one Varric Tethras at the Hanged Man. As the workers lifted the large crate, they tilted it to fit onto the cart, causing the contents to shift. H, the men looked at each other, had it groaned?

"Let's get this on the cart and get it out of here," the lead worker grumbled. "Don't look like one a those Nevarran dead boxes, but who knows what these dwarves ship to each other. Do they put their dead in a box?"

"I don't know, but I do know that the dead don't groan," another said. "Could be a mage. Should we call the templars?"

"This Tethras guy's a dwarf. Dwarves don't fool with magic," the leader said. "Just get it off the dock." He waved to the carter and his boy, both standing ready to lead the mule north, up the hill to Lowtown. "Got it tied on and secure, mate?" When the carter nodded, he swept his arm towards the path. "Take it away."

The cart moved slowly, up the cobbled streets and into Lowtown, giving the occupant of the crate a few more bruises when the wheels hit loose cobbles or pot holes. Upon arrival at the Hanged Man, Corff, the bartender, told the carter to leave the chests and crate in an apartment next to Varric's.

"Serah Tethras is out," he explained to the carter. "He left this for you," he added, holding up a pouch. For a few coppers, two almost sober patrons helped carry the load up the stairs to the living quarters. When he returned, Corff, tossed the carter the coin pouch and the man left. When Varric returned Corff let him know the goods had arrived.

"Stuff's in the apartment, but no one's come to claim it or move in." Nodding towards the half-empty room, he added, "I'd have seen someone come through."

"No? Odd," Varric said and went to investigate. He had half expected Ser Alun himself to turn up, based on nothing more than a hunch. The two had only exchanged a few letters, limited to goods orders, before the strange request for the Satinalia Eve shipment. Ser Alun was not part of Varric's information network and he wouldn't know the knight if he tripped over him, so for all he knew he had passed him in the common room below. What he did know was that Ser Alun had made two requests in his last letter. Pick up a shipment at the clandestine dock on the Waking Sea coast of Ferelden on Satinalia Eve, for delivery to the Hanged Man and, second, rent a room for an unnamed person in Kirkwall. Once that was done, Ser Alun had written, the unnamed person would retrieve the shipment and take it to the rented rooms. The request had puzzled him, but he saw no harm in it and welcomed the coin. As it happened, the apartment next to his own rooms was empty, so he could comply with the requests and satisfy his own curiosity.

The two small chests had been placed just inside the door, while the larger, heavier crate had been carried into the alcove containing the bed. He checked the smaller chests, but found them locked. Tempting, he thought to himself, but I'll leave them for-.

"-just looking or do you plan to sell off my belongings?"

Varric froze. Slowly he straightened up and looked for the source of the voice. A tall man, shirtless, his short, reddish-blond hair tousled, faced him, feet apart, in the entrance to the alcove, sword in one hand and scabbard in the other. His reddish beard showed several days growth, but did not hide a scar which ran from his temple down along his jawbone. Hazel eyes stared at Varric, waiting for him to react.

"Ser Alun, I presume?" Varric asked, bowing his head. "Varric Tethras. Good to meet you."

The man nodded and relaxed his grip on the sword.

"Making sure the delivery arrived and that there's nothing…dangerous here." Varric gestured towards the chests with his open palm. "I see the delivery arrived, but I'm not sure about the danger part." He moved closed to the canvas and wood crate and shook his head as he realized how Ser Alun had arrived in the room. "Man, what were you thinking? You spent the whole voyage in that crate?"

"Best way to hide my passage. The canvas let in air, but hid me. It locked from inside, so I could get out whenever I wanted. Holds may be nasty places, but that crate proved better than spending a voyage curled up in a box," Ser Alun said softly. "No one saw me. Only you know I'm here."

Varric chuckled. "So, I should feel nervous?" He stepped back towards the open door, wishing he had Bianca.

"No. No, I'm no threat to you, but I do want to keep my whereabouts quiet. Now that I'm here, I'm guessing you can help me or," he raised the sword again, "my blade, find work. Guarding caravans. People. That sort of thing. I know you're a merchant. You have contacts." Alistair looked around the room. "Is this temporary storage or can I stay here?" He sheathed his sword and laid the scabbard on the crate.

"I don't own the Hanged Man, but I have some influence. I rented the room for you. If you have the coin, the room's yours for as long as you want it." Varric leaned against the door frame. "I might find you work." Staring at Ser Alun, he rubbed his chin and then stepped back into the room and closed the door. "Look, a renegade Grey Warden might be noticed eventually-"

"-I'm not a warden, Serah Tethras. I just worked for them. My reasons for leaving Ferelden secretly – well, they're my own. Personal, not criminal. I'm not a mage. As you may note, I wrote to you as Ser Alun from Ferelden and I'm Ser Alun here."

"That's convincing," Varric said, snorting. "Look, I have friends who may need an extra sword and no questions asked. Are you good with that blade?"

Ser Alun shrugged. "I'm told I am. I beat most of my sparring partners."

"You fought during the Blight?" Varric decided not to ask for whom or where, exactly. He had heard enough to know the civil war could still cause disagreements. If the man could fight, he could work.

"I did."

"And you can travel?" He saw the man frown. "With a merchant caravan."

"Ah…yes, as long as I return here. I'd like to keep a base."

"Home?"

"I wouldn't go that far, but, somewhere to store my things, such as they are." He gestured towards to the two chests.

"Let me talk with my friends. If they agree, I'll introduce you tomorrow."

Alistair smiled. "I think I owe you this?" He tossed Varric a pouch. "And who do I pay for the room?"

"For now, me. Took it in my name for three months." He hefted the pouch. "I suspect this might cover it. Do you always overpay, Ser Alun?"

"No. I'm trusting in your honesty," Ser Alun said. "It's a trial. Trust someone and see what happens."

Varric laughed. "Well, I hope that works for you." He saluted him with a nod and left, wondering just who he had helped flee Ferelden. He frowned as he returned to his own apartment. He had not heard of any noble fugitives lately, but he would have to enquire about both nobles and wardens. With the Blight over, the flow of refugees had diminished to a trickle. This one seemed to have money, which made him even more curious. In the meantime, he would try to find him employment. The larger caravans hired mercenary companies, but a few smaller merchants hired freelancers like this Ser Alun. If he worked out, he would have work for the winter in the Marches.

9:31 Dragon, FirstFall === Valance, Orlais and Western Ferelden near Haven

Leliana put the scented soap in her pack and tied the flap closed. She would miss the comforts of the small monastery in Valance and, even more, her conversations with Mother Dorothea, but the Chantry had given her a mission. Return to Haven, Mother Dorothea had told her, explore further, and establish a Pilgrimage site for the faithful. She sighed, taking one last look around her sparsely furnished, but warm and dry quarters. Now she would face more camping and more fighting, for she had no doubts that rogue darkspawn and perhaps a few Haven zealots, not to mention bandits, would attack her group. Fortunately, Brother Genitivi would join her in Havenmouth with brothers and sisters, priests, and templars, and a contingent of Fereldan soldiers to guard them and set up an outpost in the village of Haven. She realized the Fereldans would patrol for Orlesian infiltrators as well as protect the Chantry workers, but that did not bother her. She wanted no Orlesian interference either. Not from the Empress, not from Grand Duke Gaspard and not from the Divine - well, the Divine's spokespeople. The Divine's health fails, Mother Dorothea had told her, but I agree with those surrounding her. We must explore Haven further and make it a site for pilgrimage. Leliana shouldered her pack, her jaw set, determined to succeed. Her orders had come from Mother Dorothea and she would follow no others.

Two weeks later she fingered the leather pouch hanging around her neck on a thong. Ashes. Leliana had told Mother Dorothea about the pinch each member of Alistair's group had received and Mel's rationale. With Mel and Alistair both dead, she had decided revealing Mel's actions hardly mattered. Dorothea had surprised her, saying Mel had done the right thing under the circumstances. Had the ashes not saved the Warden-Commander from death when he fought the Haven dragon? For such a small group against such large odds, she believed Andraste would consider Mel's actions sensible. Andraste had, after all, led an army. Her songs might be prophesy, but she dealt in practicalities as she raised her family and then led her people.

Leliana had added that she suspected Mel had taken more than a pinch for each companion. Leliana knew she also gave pinches to her brother Fergus, to Nathaniel, and to Arlessa Philippa. But why not, Mother Dorothea had asked. Did they not fight too? Are they not rebuilding Ferelden now? I think Lady Cousland did her duty and served our Lady. Dorothea had returned the pouch to Leliana, unopened. Now you will serve her again and may need these ashes. Keep them safe.

From the courtyard below her window in Havenmouth, she heard footsteps thumping and hooves clattering on the cobbles. Not only had Genitivi arrived with Fereldan troops, he had brought two wardens, ones she did not know, to keep watch for darkspawn and warn of any attacks. She had not asked for them, but the Warden-Commander had heard of the mission and contacted Genitivi. Liam had also sent a note and a package.

Sister Leliana, he had begun, At least I believe that is the correct title now? She had chuckled at that, recalling the many times she had insisted he call her only Leliana. In the package, she had found a pouch of Blight pills. Use them sparingly, Liam had written, as I don't have an endless supply. These should keep your people safe for some time. The soldiers have their own supply from Lord Fergus.

Liam had gone on to say he thought she might wonder what had happened to their other companions, since she had been the first to leave after the Battle. He noted that Morrigan had left to pursue some interests of her own, but would return. Zevran had gone off on his own to places unknown. Probably back to Antiva to settle with his House, Leliana thought. Oghren had gone to Vigil's Keep and insisted on becoming a warden. He had survived his Joining, Liam said, and remained in Amaranthine with Taina, Daveth, Jowan and Anders to battle the darkspawn incursion there. Wynne remained at the palace for the moment, but spoke of returning to the Circle. Fiona had returned to Cumberland not long after Leliana had left.

To everyone's surprise, Mel and Alistair's deaths had affected Sten deeply. He had, she remembered, called Alistair kadan after the sparring match Alistair had won just outside of Haven. He had sometimes sat with Mel and her mabari, quietly talking. After the battle, Sten had taken Shep into his quarters and nursed the mabari back to health. The two had made their own search of Denerim, but Shep had found no scent indicating his mistress lived. The Qunari had also left, Liam said, soon after Leliana, carrying only a small pack, the answer to his Arishok's question, his pouch of ashes and Blight pills, and a recipe for cookies. He had taken Shep with him. To everyone's surprise, Shep had gone willingly, leaving her brothers Jadyn and Happenstance behind with Fergus and Loghain. Perhaps, Liam had written, mabari can also join the Qun? Leliana had chuckled. She missed the Warden-Commander's dry wit.

Liam had added more news about Denerim, Fereldan's rebuilding, the Regents, Teyrna Eleanor and others. You probably know most of what I've related, he wrote in closing, but, in case your contacts missed something, I thought I'd fill you in. Keep in touch, Sister. We may yet be of service to each other. Your companion and friend, Warden-Commander Liam Amell. She laughed. Liam's letter convinced her, as, she suspected, he had intended, that he would make a good contact. She would write back and welcome his wardens. She gathered her pack and went to join the others in the courtyard. Haven and a new shrine to Andraste awaited.

9:31 Dragon, FirstFall === Denerim

"I hate winter. I blink and the sun disappears." Anora pushed the shutter closed and pulled the heavy curtain over the window to keep out the worst of the cold. Behind her, four braziers burned, one in each corner of the room, while a high settle stood before the room's fireplace, where a great log crackled and flamed. High backed chairs bracketed the hearth. The square formed by the high backs of the settle and chairs captured heat from the fire.

Loghain sat in one of the chairs; Fergus, facing him, sat in the other. Teyrna Eleanor sat at one end of the settle, near Loghain, embroidering. They're so awkward with each other and with me. Once Elin goes to bed, they go quiet. She looked at the three people closest to her and decided the time had come to speak. Nodding to Erlina to retire to the bedroom, she took a deep breath and stepped toward the fire.

"We all lost people last year," Anora said, seating herself in center of the settle. "Some of us made mistakes. Horrible mistakes. We're all angry and sad and alone. We sit here, but we're each alone. I'm tired of it.

"Father, your fears made you vulnerable to horrible influences, but blood magic made you sign those orders. You would never have enslaved elves, or let Howe kidnap me or attack the Couslands. Rendon Howe did all that." She looked at Eleanor. "All of it.

"Fergus, you and Eleanor lost more than anyone should have to bear. I can't imagine how deeply it hurts, but your Mum didn't let it happen. She lost as much as you. Lys didn't let it happen. If they could have stopped it, they would have. You can't blame them for surviving. Rendon Howe killed your father, Oriana, Oren and all the others. Howe. Not your Mum and not Lys. They lost their family too. A father, a husband, a grandchild, a good-sister…you're not alone in your suffering.

"I can't imagine your loss, Eleanor, or Fergus'. I do know my father didn't condone, approve, or incite anything Howe did in Highever, any more than he deserted Cailan at Ostagar. Father allowed terrible things to happen under the influence of Howe's mages. I allowed terrible things to happen by not standing up to Cailan and my father."

"No," Fergus said, through clenched teeth. "He held you here, a prisoner."

"Who?" Anora asked softly.

Eleanor looked up. "Howe. Cauthrien told me that Howe gave the guards their orders, not," she glanced at Loghain, "not your father." Eleanor took a deep breath. "You're right. I've had difficulty recalling the man I once knew. A man I called friend." She looked at Loghain. "Truce? I'll try to remember my friend, if you'll stop hunching your shoulders and creeping away from me."

"Creep! I've never crept in my life!" Loghain objected, but a hint of smile ghosted across his lips.

Eleanor chuckled, softly. "Bad choice of word, perhaps? Slink? Skulk? Sneak?"

A smile did ghost across Loghain's face when Eleanor finished.

"Eleanor's right, Father, you do try to disappear in to the shadows."

"That, I will concede, but I do not creep…or slink, sneak, skulk." One side of his mouth quirked up into a lopsided grin. "Truce. It's just…Bryce was my friend. I haven't had that many. I mourn him too. I should have seen-"

"-we all should have seen, Loghain," Eleanor said, staring at the flames. "I keep thinking others should have, but I should have too. We all failed to see what was right in front of us." She looked at Loghain. "I do blame you for one thing. I blame you for leaving Anora and Cailan alone to go search for Maric. That was a mistake, but the rest…the rest was Howe's doing. Your mistake may have eased the way for Howe, but others made mistakes too. Bryce…he trusted too easily. Gave evil the benefit of the doubt."

While they spoke, Fergus stood up and turned towards the fire, one forearm resting on the mantel. When Anora said his name, he leaned his forehead on his hand. She walked over to stand beside him, putting a hand on his arm. "He was six years old," Fergus whispered. "Six. I should have been there. I should have kept them safe. I should have sent them to her parents. I should…I should have died, too." His shoulders shook as he cried. Anora put an arm around his back, whispering his name.

Eleanor looked on, unsure whether to go to her son or let Anora comfort him. Loghain nodded his head towards Fergus, giving her the impetus she need to get up. She squeezed Loghain's hand as she went past. Wrapping her arms around Fergus she pulled him into an embrace and held him until his crying subsided. Anora took a seat on the settle near her father, reaching across the gap to take his hand. Finally, Fergus took a deep ragged breath and pulled back from his mother's embrace. "I'm sorry Mum. I thought I'd adjusted, but after Lys…it all crashed in again. Maybe if we knew what happened, but she just disappeared. As if she never existed. Just like Oriana and Oren. And Da. They all disappeared."

Eleanor pulled him to the settle and sat down beside him. "I hadn't thought about it quite that way, Fergus," she said. "I thought it better that you didn't see, but…after losing Lys, I understand. You keep thinking there must have been something you could have done. Or that maybe…."

"There never is," Loghain said. "No matter how many times you revisit it, even if you saw how a person died, you think maybe…but there's never anything you could have done. Unless it's die, yourself, along with them and they wouldn't want that. Maric taught me that, even if I was slow to learn. He ran when his mother told him to run. He always said, if there's one thing he did that made her proud, it was that. I can hear him. I ran. I lived. And we won. Living is the best revenge. It's what they would want of us."

Anora, Eleanor and Fergus stared at Loghain.

"That was-"

"-lovely," Eleanor said. "If unexpected."

"What, I can't be eloquent? I had years listening to Maric's chatter to learn. Had to pick up something."

Anora and Eleanor looked at each other, as each began to laugh and cry at the same time. Loghain sighed and rubbed his temple, while Fergus, still sniffing, cracked a smile. "I think we passed some milestone tonight," he said quietly, holding a hand out to his mother.

Loghain stood. "Let's get it over with," he muttered, holding out his arms. "I spent enough time with your daughter to know when hugs are inevitable. Let's remember them, happily, not with so many regrets."

Anora stood and let her father envelop her in a hug, while Fergus hugged his mum. Loghain reached out with one arm, pulling Fergus and Eleanor into his embrace. The four stood, arms around each other for some time. Finally, Loghain released his hold. He returned to his seat, while Fergus sat on the settle with his arm around his Mum. Anora nodded to Erlina, who sat within sight in the next room, mending. The elf brought more wine and ale for Anora to serve.

"Let's each tell a story to remember our lost friends, family and loves," Anora said. "We'll start with Lys." She raised her glass. "To my good friend. Fergus, you must have a tale."

9:31 Dragon, Harvestmere === Cumberland

Swathed in gowns, wimples, veils and voluminous mantels, which hid their faces and figures as they billowed in the winter wind, three women made their way from the shallop, which had ferried them to shore from the Wyvern, to the Haris Compound on the quay. A day earlier, Captain Estrid had visited the Compound, with a note she insisted on hand-delivering to Lys' cousin Samuel Haris. Hearing that a Fereldan sea captain, a woman, wanted to meet him, Sam Haris had agreed, on the off chance she had some message from Eleanor. Lys had banked on that reaction, enclosing her silver laurel leaf necklace with the note to convince her cousin she was, indeed, Lys, alive and needing his help. Quickly agreeing, he suggested she and her friends arrive early, just before sunrise, and go to the rooms she had occupied as Layne Haris a few years before. For now, awaiting more definite plans, Maric remained on board the Wyvern with Estrid.

Entering Lys' old rooms, the three women removed mantels and veils and congregated around the hearth where a fire burned brightly. On a table nearby, cheese, slices of ham, and fresh bread lay on a tray, inviting them to break their fast. On a brazier, a pot steamed with warm water. The table also held cups and a pot with crushed herbs for tea.

"You go sit," Kai said, touching Lys' shoulder. "Reina and I will get the tea."

Lys nodded, settling her bulk into a chair near the hearth. Her examination, a week earlier in Areth, had put her pregnancy at 34 weeks and her due date some time, using the Thedosian calendar, in late Firstfall. Since leaving Highever she felt larger each day. She had always been too warm in the Orphanage's keep in Fereldan, but since they left Higheverport she had not been able to get warm. The dampness of the ship had seeped into her bones. Now, entering her eighth month, she felt ungainly, chilled and always tired. A rejuvenation spell enveloped her and she smiled her thanks to Reina. It helped a little.

"I needed that this morning." She took the cup Kai offered.

"Bread?" Kai asked.

"And some cheese, maybe. It's a soft cheese, isn't it?"

Kai place a few slices of bread and cheese on a plate and set it on a small table by Lys' chair. "You…nothing's happening with the babe?"

"No," Lys said. "He's there, kicking, but no contractions or water. I've got six weeks or more to go, Kai. We're here now, so it's all good. I'm just tired. Six months or more of no exercise save climbing a flight of stairs a few times a day, has left me out of shape. Once the babe's born, I need to start training again." The small room in the keep had not allowed her to perform her forms. Since Thomas objected to them, performing them on the roof, in full sight, was also impossible.

"We're not much more fit," Reina conceded. "We'll all be better now that we're here."

Before they had finished their tea, someone knocked on the door. Kai opened it a crack to find Sam Haris outside.

"Come in, Sieur Haris," Kai invited, opening the door wide. As Sam followed her, she introduced Reina and then offered him a seat across from Lys.

"Sorry, if I don't rise, Sam, but," she looked down and rubbed her hands over her rounded belly, "as you can see I'm carrying a bit of extra weight."

"And you're not dead," Sam said, eyebrow raised.

"No, I'm not. Kidnapped, held prisoner, escaped, and here I…well, we are. No one else knows, Sam, and I'll explain everything, but I need time to think, to plan, and then I can decide who to tell besides you. Will you keep my secret until then?"

Sam nodded. "What do you need Lys?"

"First, a room for Reina," she nodded towards the mage. "Kai and I can stay here, but she should have her own space. I'll need another room for the other prisoner who escaped with us. A man. Again, he needs his own space. I know Satinalia approaches, but I hope you can help us."

"Being winter, there's no fair or market during Satinalia, so fewer merchants seeking rooms. You can use the rooms on either side of this apartment." He looked at Kai. "You know where the privy and baths are, Kai."

"I'll take Reina now and show her around."

"Thanks, Kai," Lys said. "I would-"

"-stay and talk with Sieur Haris, Lys. It's fine. I'll take Reina to her room and then go back to the ship for our friend and some luggage."

When the two elves had gone, Lys turned to Sam and told him her story, ending with a request that he hire Estrid to sail for House Haris.

"Maker Protect Us," Sam said when Lys finished. "That's…I'm not sure a bard could concoct a tale like that."

"You don't believe me?" Lys sat up straight.

Sam held up his hands. "I do, Lys. Anyone else I might question, but, you," he chuckled softly, "you I do believe. I'll help. We'll set up accounts, one from which I'll return the money to Ferelden, another for you to use here, and one in Areth so you have sufficient money there, in addition to your allowance from the Travelers Council. Accounts for Kai, Reina and Estrid too, and I'll see she has contracts." He frowned. "You're sure they'll let Kai in?"

"No, not sure, but I think so. I'll need to go and find out once we settle in. If I need to ask Aunt Liv for help I will."

"Does Kai understand they'll interview her?"

"Yes, well, she knows. I'm not sure she understands completely, but I stipulated Liv had to be involved and they agreed." She grinned. "I do have an ace up my sleeve, you see. The baby's grandmother is a mage. I listed her as well as Maric and Kai. That intrigued them, and, as a relation, they must let her in. If they want to interview her, they need to ask."

"A mage!"

"An elven mage. She's here in Cumberland. I think you know her. Senior Enchanter Fiona?"

"She's your Alistair's mother? Did he know?"

Lys smiled, lips pressed together. "He knew and he met her."

"Well, I understand, now, how interesting the Travelers Council will find your request. An elven mage, who used to be a Grey Warden; an elf, who grew up in an Alienage, but lived with the Dalish; a former king who led a successful Rebellion; a Grey Warden father who slew an Archdemon; and you and your baby." He laughed. "Only you Lys." He grew serious again. "I understand not telling Fergus - the whole Regent responsibility and his anger. He's taken your death hard. From what Eleanor writes he's all grim duty and nothing else, but…well, I recommend you tell your Mum. Or tell Liv and have her invite your Mum to Areth so you can tell her there."

"I'll think about it, Sam. I need to think about a lot."

They heard voices in the passage outside and both rose. Kai entered with Maric behind her carrying his pack and Lys'. Kai had her own. Lys made introductions and Sam took Maric to his room and on a tour of the residential wing of the compound. Kai and Lys sat down in front of the hearth.

"Are we really here?" Kai asked.

"Pinch me. I'm not sure either," Lys whispered. "There's a portal in the basement. I need to go and check on everything. It won't take long."

"Explain 'it won't take long,'" Kai said.

Lys laughed. "It won't. I can't explain the mechanics of the portal - I'm not a scientist. The portal moves what it transports through time and space. I can return fifteen minutes after I leave in Thedas time. It doesn't matter how long I stay on Areth - one turn of the glass or years - I can return in fifteen or twenty minutes.

"But-" she held up her hand to stop Kai from speaking, 'but, I will age while I'm here or there. If I stay on in Areth for ten years, I'll be ten years older when I return here." She grinned. "You'd probably notice. So, we manage our trips to account for aging. Today I will return in quickly, because I'll only be in Areth for a few days at most."

"What's a minute?" Kai asked.

"Oh, right - a brief period of time as it's measured on Areth – fifteen minutes are about a quarter turn of the glass."

"That explains things I noticed in Highever," Kai said. "Your hair would change, just slightly, but it would change. Once you had color on your nails."

"Yeah, hair's hard. I'd try to remember to have it pulled back before I left. That was easiest to duplicate." She smiled. "I remember the nails. We all had them done and I just forgot to remove the polish before we left. Fortunately, we kept a few emergency supplies by the portal. I had to run back down and take the polish off."

"It almost makes sense."

"Good, almost is good for the first try." She reached across and took Kai's hand. "When you arrive, they have a class to introduce Areth to newcomers. Ease you into it. It's very different." She hesitated for a moment. "You don't have to do this."

"No, I want to. You've always done right for me. Hiring me. Taking me to the Dalish. Taking me with you as a friend when we traveled. I trust you, Lys. You're the one person in Thedas I do trust." She saw the slight frown. "Zev has his own problems. I trust him to keep me safe, but he can't stand by me unless the Crows leave him alone. It's different." She stared at the coals in the hearth. "We love each other, but not the same way you and Alistair do…did." She looked up at Lys. "I could move on, if I never saw Zev again. Or not, but not because he's gone." She could tell Lys had begun preparing a rebuttal. "We're different Lys. We had fewer expectations. Our love is different. Not better or worse, but I think I hurt less. For one, I know he's alive."

Lys opened her mouth, but did not speak, just nodded. "Let me go and make arrangements then. I can shower there, and nap and get clean clothes, as well as talk to the Council. I may go see Aunt Liv. I'll decide after I sleep. While I'm gone, tell Reina and Maric that I'm sleeping. Worse case, if they see me when I come back, I'll say I just had a bath."

"In the meantime, shall I work with Sieur Samuel and Estrid and get the treasure transferred to the vaults here?"

"Would you?"

Kai wrinkled her nose. "Of course."

"Yes, please. Then we can plan better."

"Off you go then," Kai said. "Fly through the stars."

Lys reached out and hugged her, something she had not done since before the Battle, and Kai, surprised, hugged back.

"You are feeling better," Kai said.

"I'm feeling hopeful for the first time in a very long time, Kai." She rubbed her belly. "I wish with all my heart his Papa was here, but I have you and Maric and Fiona and my Mum, if I want her to know. We'll be safe. I never expected to feel safe again." She kissed Kai on the cheek and went out the door.

A/N: Thank you for reading and to those of you who reviewed, favorited or gave kudos. Thanks to my wonderful betas Kira Tamarion and Elyssa Cousland whose efforts make this a better story. Any errors are mine. I hope you continue to read and enjoy.