Do not own Dragon Age

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20 Pluitanis, 9:31 Dragon, Denerim

The companions pass through the gates of Denerim at mid-day, it takes another hour to reach the city market. Bodahn finds a spot, parking his cart. The oxen is taken to a nearby stable, to enjoy a much needed break. The companions grab their packs, Shale carrying a heavy chest. They find rooms at an inn called the Shire. It is a little fancier place then the Gnawed Noble Tavern, but it is also in a safer part of the market. Although, they are saving a little with some of the party sharing rooms. Darrian and Lyna have not parted since the attack on the camp, although they are not being physically intimate, they are sharing greater details about and with each other.

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Solona gives everyone leave to go enjoy the market, but stay close to each other. Wynne decides to stay at the inn, a little weary from their travels. Alim, Solona and Zevran peruse the stalls, they see Darrian and Lyna walk around a corner, leaving the market. Solona keeps an eye out, making sure they come back all right. Alistair looks around, but not at the stalls, Elissa asks what he is searching for, he turns to her and tells her he has a half sister. He is trying to find her address. He knows it's in the market, she has a laundry business. He wants to find it so he can meet her, although he's a bit nervous about it. Elissa tells him to wait till tomorrow, that way all of their friends can be their to support him.

Darrian and Lyna come back around after ten minutes, they go straight to Alim, Solona, and Zevran. Darrian tells them to come on, they want to take them to the shop run by the Circle. Away from the bustle of the market, the five enter the Wonders of Thedas. Alim and Solona, browse the wares. Darrian and Lyna excuse themselves, telling them to not be in the shop all day.

Faren, Oghren, Sereda, and Sten are meandering about, having just left a messenger service, when Sereda hears a voice she recognizes. Weaving through the crowd, she is surprised to see an old friend.

"Dwarven crafts. Fine dwarven crafts, direct from Orzammar. Every piece is st...Sereda?" the dwarven male queries.

Sereda runs up and hugs the man.

"I thought you were dead. By the Ancestors, what are you doing here?" the man asks, shocked.

"I found Duncan in the Deep Roads. He recruited me, we stopped and picked up a bunch more people and I became a Grey Warden. What are you doing here? Being a merchant.?" Sereda questions, surprised.

"I got married to a woman who is the daughter of a member of Dwarven Merchants Guild. She's a good woman. We have a little on the way, due any day now." the man informs her.

"What? That's wonderful. Damn. I'm really happy for you, Gorim." Sereda expresses.

"I recognize Oghren, but who are the other two. Wait, aren't you the casteless who won the Proving?" Gorim inquires.

"I am, names Faren. The tall fellow is Sten, a Qunari. He's helping us to gather allies to drive back the darkspawn. I'm a Grey Warden as well. Oghren is just a tag-along." he replies, smirking.

"I'm going to shove my axe up your ass." Oghren quips back, grinning.

"It's good to meet you. Hey, I'll give you and the Wardens a 20% discount, the father in law won't be happy, but that ain't nothing new." Gorim says, smirking.

"That's father in laws everywhere." Oghren comments, chuckling.

/

Leliana, Morrigan and Shale are not too far behind Alistair and Elissa, Leliana sees a deep red set of clothes, pulling Morrigan over to the ensemble.

"I think this would look wonderful on you, really highlight your exotic features." Leliana comments.

"My what?" Morrigan questions, not sure she heard the red head correctly.

"Your features. Your eyes are not common, and your hair, being as dark as it is, you look exotic. Which is good, it can draw men in, some woman even. We should accentuate that." Leliana explains.

"I am not a doll for you to play with." Morrigan retorts.

"I didn't say that you were. I am just trying to help. You are a beautiful woman Morrigan. Sometimes it is nice to dress up." Leliana tells her, unfazed.

"I suppose in this, you are correct." Morrigan concurs, relaxing.

The two women playing off each other, bonding over an appreciation of finer things. Shale sighs, wishing she would have gone with Alim.

/

Dinner is relaxed and joyful, with everyone laughing and chatting. Darrian is a tad disappointed, the Alienage has been closed off, because of some illness. He was unable to go visit his family. Elissa tells the group about Alistair wanting to meet with his half-sister, most everyone will go with him, to offer support. Morrigan will stay behind at the inn with Shale, Sten, and Wynne. Faren and Sereda get some oh's and ah's as they disappear into the same room that night. Sereda just tells them to shut up, with a grin on her face.

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21 Pluitanis, 9:31 Dragon, Denerim

Solona walks with the group in a new, dark blue set of mage robes. The color being a compliment to her hair and eyes. Many men and some woman in the Market, follow her with their eyes, enchanted. The companions do not notice other eyes upon them, from three different sources.

Alistair finds the laundry shop, Elissa, Darrian and Solona will accompany him inside, the others will wait just outside. Twenty minutes later, Alistair emerges dejected, Darrian and Solona angry, Elissa is spitting nails. She turns to go back inside, Faren and Sereda intervene, holding her back. Elissa turns again, going to Alistair, grabbing his hand.

"Well that was bracing." Alistair remarks, disquieted.

"No kidding." Elissa adds, still upset.

"I guess I excepted her to just accept me. But she just turned out to be a bitter shrew." Alistair comments, disappointed.

"Some people are only out for themselves Alistair. We have to harden ourselves to see past their deceits." Solona advises, her tone soothing.

"Yeah, I think your right. I just wanted to find my family is all." Alistair says, crestfallen.

"You did find your family, Alistair. Right here." Elissa says, pointing at herself, hopeful.

"And here." Solona adds smiling, motioning to the grinning fools behind her.

Elissa hugs him, Alistair wraps his arms around her, "I love you." Elissa tells him.

"I love you, too." Alistair returns, happy.

Alistair feels arms wrap around his waist, "I love you three, just not like Elissa does. That would be gross." Sereda adds.

Everyone in the group all hug him together, each murmur a soft I love you, cementing themselves as a family.

"If you fart in my mouth, I will stab you in the ass." Sereda remarks, causing everyone to giggle.

"I thought that was what brother's did to their sisters." Alistair retorts, grinning.

"You asshole." Sereda fires back, chuckling.

They all pull apart, not as friends or Wardens, but as brothers and sisters.

/

The group is walking around together, when a boy runs up to them and hands Elissa a note. Opening the missive, it asks the group to meet at the Gnawed Noble Tavern. Curious about the mystery, the group heads over to the establishment. It is relatively quiet inside, the group splits, Alim, Faren, Sereda, Solona, her mabari, and Zevran, go to the room indicated in the letter. The others find a table, and order a round of drinks.

Solona saunters back fifteen minutes later, the others right behind her. She takes a sip of Leliana's wine, then tells everyone to finish up, they have a job lined up.

/

Out in the market the group is instructed to look for a poster about the Grey Wardens. The companions split a little to search, Solona is walking with her mabari, Loki, when a soldier asks her for a moment of her time. He introduces himself as Sergeant Kylon, he asks her not to be alarmed, he wishes her no ill will. He recognized her from a likeness that was draw of her, as a possible Grey Warden. He assures her, that he does not believe what Loghain has said about the Wardens. He actually wants to ask a favor. The sergeant is undermanned, but a request has come to him from a business, needing a group of mercenaries removed from a place, called The Pearl, but not to kill them, just convince them to leave peacefully. Solona smiles and accepts the job, telling the sergeant not to worry. Darrian spots Solona, waiting for her to finish talking to the soldier, before telling her he found the poster.

/

Darrian laughs when Solona explains about the mission from Kylon. When prompted to explain, he tells the party that 'The Pearl' is a brothel. Zevran perks up, asking if they can partake while at the business. Alim chuckles, Solona sighs.

/

The brothel is near the docks, the owner asks if she can get them anything. Solona tells her that they are there on behalf of Sergeant Kylon. The owner points to a group, drinking and laughing. Solona tells the others to wait, then smiles making her way to the men. They are mad at being interrupted, but Solona has them eating out of her hands in a few minutes, convincing them to leave for another establishment. The owner was listening as Solona talked, impressed with her skill. There is a commotion on the opposite end of the common area, drawing attention.

A man and woman get into a knife fight, the woman easily handles the male, forcing him to retreat, leaving the business. Zevran walks over to her, kissing her on the cheek. Alim joins him a moment later, the three chat for a few moments. Solona moves to them, eyebrow raised as she hears the tail end of the conversation. She just asks for them to wait till the party has concluded its mission, then they are free to continue. The woman, Isabela, grins and nods her head.

/

Ten minutes later the companions sit down for a drink, both missions complete. Alim, Isabela, and Zevran disappear back into the private rooms, they do not emerge for a couple hours, all three look thoroughly satisfied.

"I am still tingling from that thing you did with the lightning." Isabela remarks, causing Darrian to spit out his drink.

/

Traveling back to the Market district, Solona finds Kylon, informing him of the success of the task. He asks if they could do the same for a different mercenary band in the Gnawed Noble Tavern, but this time the companions can use force if necessary. Solona agrees, the party is heading there anyway. The party splits again, the others waiting for Solona's group, before confronting the sell swords.

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Faren leaves the messenger service, returning to his friends, nodding to Solona. Everyone returns to the inn, ready for a good meal. Alistair secures a separate room for the night, waiting till after dinner before talking to Elissa in private. He shows her to the room, shutting the door, locking it behind him. Elissa raises an eyebrow, before smirking. The two meet, kissing each other passionately. Alistair pulls back just enough to talk to her.

"I want you. Tonight. Here, where we can do this properly. I want to make love to you, Elissa. I want to show you how much you mean to me." Alistair tells her, kissing his way down her neck.

"Yes. Oh please. I want you too. I..." Elissa agrees, cut off with lips crashed into hers.

The two make love throughout the night, sweet words and declarations shared tenderly and meaningfully.

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22 Pluitanis, 9:31 Dragon, Denerim

The companions find Brother Genitivi's house, inside they discover the scholars apprentice, Solona immediately suspects something is off about him. After catching a couple of slip ups, Solona presses him, while giving a hand signal. Faren fades from sight, while Solona gets him to reveal the truth. Leliana shoots the man in the chest, killing him instantly. Faren calls the party over, showing them the body of the the real apprentice. Darrian grabs some notes on a desk, talking about a village in the Frostback Mountains called Haven. According to the brother's research, that is where Genitivi was heading.

They meet up with Bodahn, telling him that the party will be leaving tonight. Bodahn nods, understanding. Everyone makes one last run through the market, gathering supplies. They will not be back for some time.

/

It is late evening as Bodahn sets up a tent for Sandal and himself. Solona informs him that the companions will be going south, once they meet with the Imperial Highway. They can leave Morrigan with him for protection, if he desires, but the companions will be going to Ostagar. Some important documents were accidentally left behind, and the Grey Wardens need them to ease their task of gathering allies. Morrigan nods, understanding. Bodahn is reluctant, but affirms he understands. Solona asks him to wait for the party in Redcliff. They should arrive a week behind him, and it will give him a chance to sell his wares and trade with any travelers coming back into the village.

The rest of the tents are set further apart, giving some of the individuals some privacy. Solona tends to take watch over by Shale, as does Sten, when he takes over for Solona, not really wanting to hear some of the noises. Leliana will take over for Sten, Oghren will take over for her.

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4 Nubulis, 9:31 Dragon, Imperial Highway

The companions parted ways with Bodahn, Morrigan and Sandal the day before. They do not sense any darkspawn yet, but the it is still four more days till they reach the Korcari wilds proper. It is not until night fall that Wynne mentions that the group is moving a little west of Ostagar. Solona explains that they need to check on something in the Korcari Wilds that they left behind. Wynne nods, accepting that.

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8 Nubulis, 9:31 Dragon, Korcari Wilds

Solona takes Alim, Alistair, Darrian, Lyna, and Zevran, only. Even the hounds are left with Elissa and the others, about an hours walk back from Flemeth's hut. It is late afternoon, the small encourage approaches openly, seeing the woman standing outside by a fire. Solona smiles brightly, walking right up to the Witch of the Wilds, who raises her arms up and out. Solona melts into the embrace. The others are a tad shocked, but not overly surprised.

"I have missed you as well, dear child." Flemeth murmurs quietly.

"You have fared well?" Solona asks softly.

"Very well, thank you." Flemeth replies, pulling away from the hug, holding Solona at arms length.

"Why have you returned?" Flemeth inquires, "Let me guess, Morrigan wishes my grimoire? My death? Maybe both?" she finishes, smirking.

"Yes. Yes. And Yes." Solona confirms, chuckling.

"Where did I go wrong with her. If only I could have had you for a daughter." Flemeth laments, discouraged.

"I'm open for adoption." Solona suggests cheekily.

Flemeth laughs heartily, "You are a fresh breeze on a hot day."

"Are you sure Alistair didn't fart?" Solona quips, grinning.

"Hey!" Alistair chimes, put out.

Flemeth laughs again, oh how she adores this mage.

"So what are we to do?" Zevran queries, confused.

"We are going to 'imply'. If Flemeth agrees to it?" Solona leads, "We take the real grimoire to Morrigan and 'tell' her that Flemeth is gone." she finishes, looking at the woman.

The Witch of the Wilds smiles deviously, "Oh, you are precious, dear child. I think I will adopt you now." Flemeth turns, walking toward the hut, "Come, I will give you the book. I think I will surprise Morrigan one day, just to see the look on her face. I believe it will be worth it." she rambles, Solona following her.

The others start walking forward, but Flemeth stops them.

"Just her. No one else." the woman says, giving them a look.

Solona smirks before disappearing inside the hut.

/

The two women are inside for over half an hour. Solona is smiling gently, Flemeth is laughing at something Solona said. Walking to rejoin the others, Flemeth asks the group to be safe, and to keep an eye on her newest daughter.

"Will you be alright?" Solona questions, a gentle concern to her tone.

"I will be fine. I will find you again, someday." Flemeth says cryptically.

Solona nods, then ushers the others to move out, heading back the way they came. She does not hear Flemeth recite an Elven Prayer for safe journeys.

/

It is early evening when they regroup with the companions, before going towards Ostagar. They walk for another hour and a half before stopping for the night, and setting a watch.

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Notes: There are no gratuitous sex scenes in this fiction. It is rated M, because of the cursing. The story would have been even longer if I had. If my readers need the sexy time, I could write them as separate one shots.