Two days later, shortly after the sun had risen over the horizon, the two travellers arrived at the holy town of small town was bursting from its seams with templars and mages alike, the two groups eying each other with unhidden contempt and distrust. No one really paid the two newcomers any attention and that was just the way the young Warden preferred it. She didn't really like the fame and glory that came with her position and the things that had happened during the last Blight. She was a capable leader and her noble upbringing had come with some skills that were quite useful for a figure in the public eye - still, that didn't mean she enjoyed it.

Helen thought how her brother was pretty much the polar opposite of herself. Fergus had always been loud, boisterous. He'd enjoyed the attention while his sister had preferred to stick to the shadows. Fergus. A sad smile appeared on her face as she thought of him.

He'd survived but Howe and the Blight had turned him into a different man. Helen admired how after everything he remained unbroken, scarred and bitter but still hopeful for a better world. Rebuilding Highever and following in their father's footsteps had kept him going. Earning a seat on king Alistair's council had given him back his ideals and dreams.

"Did you really fight a dragon in the caverns of Haven during the Blight?"

Helen let go of her thoughts for now, quite thankful Bevin had given her something else to think about. Thinking of Fergus always led to thinking of their parents, Oriana and little Oren and... She shook her head, willing herself to focus on the here and now.

"We did," she replied with a wistful smile. "Barely escaped with our lives that day."

"I wish I could see a dragon one day," Bevin said with awe.

Helen chuckled. "That is a very bold wish to make. Foolish even. Better hope you do not."

The Grey Warden noticed a stable in between the other buildings - Haven really had grown from the recluse occultist village to a lively, small town during the past years - and tossed Bevin a sovereign. "Take our horses to the stable, get them fed and watered," she handed him her own horse's reins. "And go buy yourself a good breakfast at the tavern after that. I'll be back before the Conclave starts."


Helen was getting more and more nervous with every further step she took towards Haven's church. She remembered the cultists attacking them from every corner, she remembered finding Brother Genitivi. But most of all, most of all she remembered how touched Leliana had been when they'd finally found the ashes of Andraste, the way her eyes turned watery and how the stare of disbelief on her face turned into a wide smile as she realized that they'd done it. They'd found what most of Ferelden and the world believed to be a myth. She wondered how the years in Justinia's service had shaped Leliana. Was it too much, too naive to hope to find the bubbly redhead unchanged?

"Halt!" a guard of the Divine's forces stepped into her way as Helen was about to enter the church, his sword pointed at her.

"I'm here to see the Divine's left hand, Leliana," Helen told him, her voice somewhat impatient.

"She is not to be disturbed," the guard answered, looking rather stern. "The Divine and her council are in a meeting and getting ready for the Conclave. Come back later."

"But I -" the young Warden broke off as a loud trumpet signalled the near beginning of the Conclave. Was it really that late already?

"Nevermind," she said to the guard, walking off. It seemed like she'd have to find Leliana after the Conclave. She would've liked to hear the redhead's stance on things but now that had to wait.

Grey Wardens usually didn't dabble in politics but Helen's hand felt forced this time around. She couldn't ignore a war brewing on the horizon. The country was still too weakened from the last Blight. They couldn't sacrifice all their able-bodied young men and women to a senseless war when the order of the Grey Wardens still desperately needed to rebuild. If a new Blight broke out amidst or soon after what looked to turn into a civil war, Maker help them. Of course, the last Blight was only seven years ago and a new one so soon was very unlikely... Still - Helen didn't want her home country to be unprepared.

And she didn't want to leave behind an Order that was so low in numbers that it was still not guaranteed survival. If she truly already faced the Calling, things had to be sorted before she went into the Deep Roads to die.

And, she thought bitterly, she needed to see Leliana again and say her final goodbyes.


AN: I know it's been ages but guess what - I'm back!