A/N: I would like to thank all you wonderful people out there for following or favoriting Stormbreaker. I'm glad you are all enjoying Alim's journey and I wanted to let you know I appreciate it. Well without further interruptions, may I present Chapter 44.

Chapter 44: The Return to Orzammar

The return to Orzammar was far easier from the journey from it, a fact that Alim was extremely grateful for. Weeks of fighting the darkspawn had everyone rattled.

It would be nice to have an easy trip back.

They spent the night in Caradin's fortress, or at least what they considered a night, with the Anvil of the Void destroyed, and the traps reactivated. This was the first time in weeks that the group had had a chance to actually get a good night's rest. The darkspawn were unable to get in, though Shale still insisted on keeping watch.

It was apparently better to watch for darkspawn then watch the others sleep.

Leliana had been asleep as soon as she had lain down. No longer haunted by her visions of Branka or the Anvil, for the first time in weeks the sister slept well.

Alim watched over her, just to make sure. He…he liked watching her sleep, only then did she seem truly at peace. Her body relaxed, her pouty lips turned up into almost a smile.

In these quiet moments, the elf found himself wondering what it would be like to touch her hair, to smell her skin, and…and…

…To taste those lips.

He shook his head, trying to clear it of such flights of fancy. He had nothing to offer Leliana. They were friends, and yes he had come to consider her a friend, that was likely all they would ever be. She had helped him in many ways, Belle's death, the rescue of that little girl in Honnleath, and now the deep roads.

It was not surprising he felt attracted to her after all that.

The next day they searched Branka's campsite, even managed to find their way up to the ledge that she had taunted them from. The mad smith had supplied herself very well; she had enough food stores to last another year down here at least.

It was among her notes that Alim made an interesting discovery.

When she wasn't feeding members of her house to the darkspawn, Branka had been very busy. She had been exploring the deep roads for months, studying the tunnels, making note of darkspawn nests. She had even mapped out a safe way back to Orzammar. Alim only counted two darkspawn nests along this path, and Branka's last entry suggested that they had been abandoned, likely because of the Blight.

The elf smiled, it seemed that they might be able to make the deadline he had made with Alistair after all. He suspected that at least one month had passed down here. If Branka was to be believed they could make the journey back in two weeks…maybe less.

Alim readied his friends for the journey.

It was time to get out of here.

IOI

Nothing to report today human," the mine's commander sounded frustrated, it was not surprising of course, Gus and Zevran had checked in with him quite often during the last month. The two routinely stopped by for updates on what the dwarven military units returning from the deep roads had seen or heard.

So far they had heard nothing of Alim and the rest of their companions.

A month and a half had passed since Alim and the others had journeyed into the deep roads. The deadline that Alim had set for them to move on with quickly approaching, if they heard nothing in the next two weeks, it would be time to move on.

Gus did not like it. The dwarves should never have made this request of their leader. After two years, what was the chance of finding this Branka woman?

"Such a shame that our fellows left us behind isn't it Gus," Zevran said conversationally, "We might have been able to do more than the simply sit on our hands."

"We aren't just sitting on our hands," Fergus reminded him, "Alim gave us orders and we are obeying them."

"True enough," the assassin agreed, "But do you think Alistair and the lovely Morrigan lead us to victory during this Blight?"

Fergus was not sure about that, he trusted Alistair sure, and would advise him the best he could, but…

…it would likely work out better if he wasn't sleeping with the witch.

Fergus frowned, he did not trust her. Morrigan had her own agenda; you did not need to be a Templar to see that. Alistair was a brave and skilled warrior, but he lacked the experience of dealing with a woman.

Morrigan was not above using that to her advantage.

The knight shook his head.

They really needed Alim to make it back.

"We should return to the diamond quarter my friend," Zevran suggested, "Alistair will want to hear the news, no?"

Or lack thereof Fergus thought.

They were just turning to leave when a scout came running up to the mines commander, the man was out of breath and grinning. The commander offered him water and a chance to catch to rest.

Fergus paused to listen. A large group had been spotted moving towards the old Aeducan Thaig; at first the scout had thought them simply a legion of the dead unit returning to report their losses, but apparently they had surfacers with them. The scout had spotted a dog and a golem as well.

Fergus smiled.

"It seems we shall have good news for our warden friend today," Zevran smirked.

It seemed that they would.

Alim and the others had returned.

IOI

They had come across Kardol and his men about halfway through their journey. It did not surprise Alim that the Legion of the Dead had discovered this route. The dwarven commander had been extremely interested in the tale of their adventure in the dead trenches and beyond.

"We did not find endless lyrium," Alim said dryly, "but we did manage to find two paragons and the Anvil of the Void, two out of three isn't bad."

The legionnaire chuckled.

"You're stone forged warden," he said, "Never thought I would see the like."

The two had spoken often during the journey back to Orzammar. Alim had been hoping that the Legion would come with them to the surface. They knew more about fighting darkspawn then any others in Orzammar. They would be useful in the war.

"You'll have us…indirectly," Kardol promised, "I will send word to the other units, we will follow the horde. When you have broken the Blight on the surface, we will make sure they have nowhere to retreat. It is more a promise then we would give most surfacers."

Alim nodded. The elf was no tactical genius, but he understood what happened to an army pinned between two others.

The darkspawn would not know what hit them.

The taint lessened considerably the closer they drew to Orzammar. Signs of dwarven military could be seen everywhere. Kardol informed Alim that they had moved passed the front lines and were now coming into the area of the deep roads still under dwarven control.

The elf sighed with relief.

They had done it.

They were back.

IOI

A huge crowd greeted Alim and the others on their return, news of Alim's mission had spread over the last few weeks.

Everyone wanted to know what had happened.

Had they found the paragon?

Was she alive?

Had she given her endorsement for the throne?

The legionnaires helped keep the crowd back; otherwise they would likely have been mobbed by the curious. Bandit growled, forcing many to back up. Alim knew that he would not bite unless ordered to, but the dwarves did not know that.

Sereda said nothing; she had likely thought that she would never see Orzammar again. She was still considered a criminal here, so she wore a full helmet to hide her features.

Alim saw Gus and Zevran in the back of the crowd; he used his staff to maneuver through the crowd.

"Welcome back warden," Zevran said with a warm smile, "We have all been…"

"What is the situation?" Alim asked.

"So official are leader, isn't he Gus?" the assassin laughed.

The warden mage's ears lowered slightly.

"I could crush the crow if you want?" Shale offered.

"Tempting," he admitted, "But not necessary."

He turned to Gus.

"What has happened since we have been gone?"

"The Assembly is still deadlocked," Gus informed him, "Harrowmont and Bhelen both are there right now, pleading their case to the Assembly. There has been some fighting too; supporters from both sides are starting to draw battle lines."

Alim nodded.

"Then there is not a moment to waste," the elf said. He turned to the mines commander.

"I need escort to the Assembly, now."

"Of course warden," the soldier said bowing, "But to what purpose, were you able to find the paragon?"

"I have the blessing of a paragon," Alim said, "And the means to crown the next king of this city."

The commander said nothing more; he escorted Alim and the others straight to the Assembly.

It was time to end all the fighting and backstabbing here in Orzammar.

It was time to crown a king.

IOI

That evening saw a night of jubilant celebration in the city of Orzammar. Dwarves flooded the commons and diamond quarter, celebrating the crowning of their new king.

The coronation was not set until next week, but at least now the Assembly had decided.

The Grey Warden had finally ended the stalemate.

All Hail King Bhelen Aeducan!

The decision shocked many in Orzammar; they had assumed that Harrowmont had had the warden in his pocket.

Bhelen's ascension had proven otherwise.

Following his crowning, Bhelen had ordered Harrowmont's arrest and ordered his execution.

That had not please Alim, but he said nothing. He could not say for sure if Harrowmont would not have done the same if he had been crowned king.

The new king remained true to his word. He promised to aid the wardens with every able bodied dwarf in Orzammar, and through the connections of his wife's brother Feron, he extended his offer to include any casteless who were willing to fight for their home.

That pleased the elf. The casteless would increase the strength of Orzammar's military might greatly, and it would give the poor a chance to earn honor for themselves in their society.

Bhelen might not have been the most honorable of choices, but at least he was willing to give his people hope.

IOI

The wardens met with Bhelen in the palace. The new king was quite pleased with how everything was going.

It was only then that Sereda took off her helmet and revealed herself to him.

The King's eyes widened in shock, he could not believe it!

Sereda was here!

Bhelen almost called for his guards, but his sister stopped him. She removed her weapons and asked to speak with him…alone. She swore on the paragons that she would not try to harm him.

The King seemed a little nervous, but granted his sister's request.

Alim and the others waited outside the King's chambers for the two dwarves to finish. Twenty minutes later, Sereda emerged, a smile on her face.

Bhelen emerged a few moments later, the king did not seem as happy as he was a few moments ago.

Sereda asked Alim if she could formerly join his quest to stop the Blight. The elf had no objections and permitted her to accompany them.

She gave Bhelen one last look.

"Good luck little brother," she said smiling, "You will need it."

The King said nothing.

Leliana walked beside the dwarven woman.

"What did you say to him?" the bard asked.

The blonde haired woman grinned.

"Nothing much," she shrugged, "I simply took my revenge on him. Not all revenge has to involve blood and death, Bhelen and Trian forgot that part. I forgot it myself for a while. Now Bhelen knows what that means. May the Ancestors have mercy on his soul."

The bard smiled wolfishly at their newest companion.

"I think I'm going to like travelling with you Seri," she said.

The former princess said nothing.

She was too busy basking in the glow of her victory.

Revenge was hers.

IOI

Alim gave them all leave to attend the celebrations if they so wished. His companions, especially the ones who had journeyed into the deep roads deserved a break.

As for the elf himself, he decided to skip the revelry. He instead journeyed up to the surface. He wanted to feel the crisp breeze on his face, and the wind in his hair.

He wanted to be out under the sky once again.

The gates of Orzammar were a changed place; merchants flowed into the city even though it was getting late. A light blanket of snow had been falling all day covering everything in a thick coat of white. Large fluffy flakes fell gently from the sky.

It was a beautiful sight, a natural sight, a sight free of rock and taint.

The elf could not ask for more.

He stood on the steps with Bandit at his side; he idly stroked the dog's course fur with one hand. Bandit panted happily. He noticed a rabbit hiding near one of the trade stalls. He looked up at his master, asking for permission to pursue.

Alim nodded, the dog bounded off.

The elf gave a contented sigh. It was nice to be above ground again.

"Alim?"

Leliana's voice drew his attention. The bard must have stopped and gotten cleaned up before following him. She was all bathed and perfumed now, the scent was slightly intoxicating. She wore simple black leggings and a light blue blouse under her cloak.

Even dressed so simply, she could fire a man's passions, he tried to ignore his body's response to her.

She smiled warmly at him.

"Hello," she purred.

"Um…ah…Hi, "he said shyly. He hoped that she would not notice how nervous he sounded.

"May I join you?" she asked.

He nodded and she joined him on the steps.

The bards eyes lit up at the wintery night around them, the peace of it inspired her imagination.

Beautiful," she said staring at the world around them.

He nodded in agreement

It was beautiful, so very beautiful, he thought. Though he could no longer say he was talking about the view or Leliana.

The former was truth, the latter was trouble.

They stood together watching the snow fall. It was nice to be standing here, not having to worry about the taint and the darkness.

A brief respite, but nothing more, he realized.

They would need to be moving on soon.

"If you see any of the others tonight," he said to her, "inform them that we will be staying in Orzammar through tomorrow. Let's give everyone a chance to rest and recover. Then we have to be moving on."

The bard nodded. It seemed that there would be no rest for the wicked or those trying to stop them.

"Where do we go from here?" she asked.

His ears drooped slightly, he had been avoiding this treaty, but now…he no longer had anything left to stop him, he was all out of excuses.

He needed to return home.

"To Lake Calenhad," he informed her, "We still need the support of the circle."

"That should be an easy task should it not?" she asked, "You trained in the circle after all."

He gave her a sad smile.

"I'm afraid my time in the circle won't help us much," he shrugged.

"But why?" she asked.

He sighed.

"I will tell you, but…but not tonight. Try to enjoying your evening Leliana; I'll see you in the morning."

Alim slapped his hand against his leg, summoning Bandit. The dog came quickly to his master's side, a plump hare dangling in his mouth.

Leliana watched them leave. Her eyes wandered to the south east; somewhere down there the tower of magi was waiting.

What had happened that made Alim so nervous about returning there?

And why did his pain make her want to comfort him so?

The first question made her curious.

The second scared her.

She…she could not be having these feelings…they were dangerous, and yet…there they were…

Andraste save her.

A/N: If anyone is curious what was said between Bhelen and his sister, let me know. It could make it into a one shot if anyone is interested. For now thanks for all the reviews.

DG