A/N: Happy anniversary to Stormbreaker! I first started this beast four years ago today, four years. Hard to believe it has been going on this long, hoping to finish it in 2017. Hope you all have enjoyed the ride. Of course, Alim's world will continue with Coming Storm: Rise of the Champion, as well as a future Inquisition project. Thanks everyone for supporting a too short elf with two big ears!

DG

Chapter 141: Another Aftermath

"Stop fidgeting Carver."

Carver Hawke stifled a gasp as healing magic washed over him. Wynne did not simply work on his open wound, but the various bruises and scrapes he had received as well.

He was no stranger to magical healing of course, he had often been tended to be either Moira or Bethany. Next to Wynne however, his sisters' attempts at healing spells was almost laughable.

Wynne's magic reminded him more than a bit like father's. The speed and strength of the power that washed over him was almost breath taking.

The warrior winced as Wynne tended to a wound on his arm, poking and prodding it a bit, before returning to healing magic. The group had only just returned from liberating the elves from Caladrius' slave cages. Most of the former prisoners still could not believe they had escaped the late slaver's clutches, and expected Alim and his heavily armed allies to put them in some other dire straits. Kally, having come from this Alienage, did her best to convince them not only of their freedom, but that the elven mage meant them no harm.

Not an easy challenge, considering that it had been a mage who had locked them up in the first place.

Elves filled the square as Alim led the freed prisoners back home, family members crowded the streets hoping to catch a glimpse of the loved ones they feared were lost.

For some, a happy reunion awaited, for others, only confirmation that their son, daughter, spouse, or parent had disappeared with the slavers, likely to never return.

As often happened in such hard times, the elves of the Alienage pulled together, supporting those who feared that all hope was lost. Their neighbors came forward, offering comfort to those who would likely never see their family or friends again.

Carver watched the reunions as Wynne dealt with the wounded. Their group had been lucky having suffered only minor injuries. Fergus and Sten had suffered the most of their party, the two warriors having engaged both Tevinter guard and mage in close quarters combat. Alim and Wynne did what they could for them, even Morrigan had offered up healing herbs to ease any discomfort they might be in.

Carver had not approached the mages about his injuries, seeing the burns on the Qunari and the noble were enough to convince him that a cut on the arm was just a scratch by comparison. Wynne, however, would not let it slide when she saw the bloody bandage the young soldier had patched himself up with.

"I'm fine," Carver said trying to shrug her off.

The elder mage frowned at him.

"Now perhaps," she said, "But I would not put it past a Tevinter slaver to use poisoned blades."

She gave him a motherly look.

"It is better safe than sorry, young man."

Carver snorted, but sat down, and allowed the mage to do her work.

She had a point after all.

Better to be safe than sorry.

As he watched the elves welcoming back their loved ones, and comforting those who had lost. He could not help but feel a pang of sadness and regret.

His whole life he had wanted to get away from his sisters, to get away from magic, and make a name for himself. Now, after almost a year on his own, he found himself missing his family…

He had first joined the royal army to accomplish that. When they had been defeated at Ostagar, the first thing he had done was run back the family farm, to try to save his sisters and mother.

He shook his head.

He still did not know if they were alive or dead.

Once again he felt the desire to leave Ferelden, to find the first ship going to Kirkwall, and begin the search for his family.

That thought died quickly as he felt the witch's spell once again start to curl around his heart.

He braced himself awaiting the crack of his mistress' whip, but luckily, this time, the pain subsided.

The spell had done its work.

He would not be going anywhere.

Wynne followed where he was looking with her eyes. She noticed the elves embracing their returned family members.

The elder mage gave him a reassuring look.

"You will see your family again, Carver," she said, "Try to have faith."

He chuckled morosely.

"If we survive that long," he reminded her, "We still have the Regent, and the darkspawn to deal with. If Loghain or the Archdemon doesn't kill me, this blighted spell the witch cast on me will."

He shook his head.

"Not that anyone would care," he grumbled.

"No one misses a dead man."

Wynne placed a hand on his shoulder he glanced up, seeing eyes both wise and kind.

She managed a weak smile.

"If you should fall, you will be missed young man, never doubt that, but at the same time you should not give up all hope. Morrigan may yet discover a way to free you from what her mother did."

Carver snorted but said nothing more.

Wynne patted him on the shoulder and left to see who else she could aid.

The warrior's brow furrowed in thought.

Wynne had a point, though he could let himself completely trust Morrigan, not after what her mother had done.

He took a deep breath, trying to push back any thoughts of his family, and of dying from the witch's spell.

He could do nothing about the spell, but the Regent's men, and darkspawn, that was something he could deal with. They were a threat that could fall to his blade.

He looked down on the sword, the warden steel he had taken from the armory.

It was a fine blade, a weapon forged for war.

He smiled grimly.

It would be a shame to let it go to waste.

IOI

"Our fearless leader seems happy, no?"

Seri watched from where she stood next to Zevran, the two of them observing the warden. Alim was standing close to Kally and Fergus while they and Shianni did their best to help the former elven slaves re-enter their lives in the Alienage. More than a few had been left alone by the Tevinters. One man's wife and children had been shipped off weeks ago, and the poor man looked like he was ready to collapse with grief.

The poor man, she thought, but at least he was free.

She doubted that his loved ones would have wished him to suffer as well.

Alim left the matter of dealing with the man to Shianni and Kally, having come from this Alienage he would likely respond better to their compassion than he would an outsider.

And besides, it was clear to any who could see that the warden was feeling triumphant, even in the face of loss.

According to Leliana, the wardens at last had some evidence that they could confront this Loghain with at the Landsmeet.

Seri smiled slightly.

If there was one thing that a dwarf understood, it was the pleasure of having one's enemy by the throat.

"Should he not be happy?" she asked her lover, "He now has the means to destroy the Regent politically."

She gave the elf a shark-like smile.

"Most Deshyrs spend their whole lives hoping for that opportunity, and that dead slaver practically dropped into Alim's lap."

Why should he not be pleased?"

Zevran snorted with amusement.

"Destroying someone politically is all well and good I suppose," he agreed, "Personally, I prefer assassination, it is quick, clean, and if you do it right, there is no one left to see you answer for the deed later."

Seri frowned slightly.

"Assassination does not always work out as you hope," she said with a bit of sorrow in her voice, "Trian and I… he thought the city would be better off without me in it, and I thought the same about him."

She shook her head.

"Well, we learned the truth the hard way, thanks to my sweet little brother. Trian is dead, and I might as well be. Bhelen would have me killed if I ever tried to return to my home for good, he probably still hopes that some darkspawn will do him a favor and end my life."

She sighed heavily.

"If Trian had killed me, he likely would have ended up here, if the darkspawn had not devoured him first."

Zevran, perhaps recognizing her moroseness chuckled.

"From what I heard of your brother, he would not have been the greatest of kings. Really the only thing I can see that you did wrong was not let a professional handle the matter. Oh well, you live and you learn."

Seri gave him an arched look. For a brief moment it looked like she as ready to slap him.

The assassin grinned at her.

"Of course, things have not been all bad have they? You are here. You are fighting, and you have gotten to share my wonderful company."

His grin widened.

"What more could a fierce and beautiful woman such as yourself want?"

Seri snorted and turned away with a slightly amused smile.

"You certainly think highly of yourself Zev."

"But of course, you have certainly not had any reason to complain, have you not?"

Seri gave him a sly look.

"Well," she said, "Now that you mention it…"

Zev's ears lowered slightly at her barbed comment.

The dwarf chuckled.

"You will just have to double your efforts tonight," she said, "I'm sure you can…rise to the occasion."

The assassin chuckled.

"You savage little minx," he purred, "I will…"

They paused when Kally suddenly embraced a graying elven man who had finally made his way up to their party. Shianni also threw her arms around him, and Alim stepped up to shake his hand.

Fergus looked understandably nervous upon the man's arrival, the noble took a step back, as if to try and vanish into the shadows.

"Who is that," Zevran asked.

Seri chuckled again.

"That is Cyrion Tabris," she said, "Kally's father."

"Ooh," Zevran smirked, "I bet that is going to be an interesting conversation. The Teyrn and girl from the alienage, oh the scandal, what will her father say."

Both elf and dwarf cackled with amusement.

Whatever happened between the girl's father and the Teyrn would be interesting to say the least, neither had any desire to get involved. They would simply sit back…and enjoy the show.

IOI

Alim watched as Kally slowly drew Fergus forward. The noble was understandably nervous, considering his new relationship with Kally.

"My lord," the elder elf said with a slight bow, "It…it is an honor to meet you."

Alim did his best not to smirk. For the moment Cyrion did not realize that Kally was not simply another travelling companion of Fergus, that the two of them were…much closer than that.

Things would likely get interesting when that knowledge reached the old elf's ears.

Alim, not wishing to interfere in what might yet turn into an awkward situation slipped away from the three of them with Shianni at his side. The red haired elven girl had been a steadying force in the Alienage since they had met her.

Alim was hoping she would stay that course.

Shianni frowned.

"The Hahren was not among the people you rescued," she said shaking her head, "without Valendrian, things will start to fall apart quickly around here."

Alim gave her a stern look.

"Don't let it happen," he said, "You have done well here in your leader's absence. People listen to you, and after what we just helped you with, I think that even a few may have come to respect you."

Shianni blinked.

"I'm no Hahren warden," she said, "Surely the other elders will choose someone far better than I".

Alim gave her a slight smile.

"Maybe," he said, "But for now, your people are going to look to you, you the one who brought the warden and his allies in to help the Alienage in its time of need."

Alim took a step back and bowed deeply to Shianni taking off his hat, and lowering it to the ground in respect.

"Should the Alienage need our help again," he said loud enough for all to hear.

"Do not hesitate to ask."

Shianni blushed, from her cheeks to the tips of her tapered ears turned a bright pink. Half the Alienage was looking at her and the other half would no doubt hear about this before the day was out.

The wardens had pledged themselves to her and the service of the Alienage.

None of her people would likely forget that.

Alim rose and stepped in close, so only the girl could hear.

"Loghain may try to retaliate against you and yours. We will do our best to keep him distracted, but in the meantime your people will need your guidance."

He smiled at her.

"You are strong. The elves need that right now."

His expression turned more serious.

"Are you up this?"

Shianni swallowed hard, she no doubt understood what was being asked of her. Alim however still believed that she could do what was needed.

Kally had told him what had happened at her wedding. If Shianni could endure that, she could endure anything.

The elves would need her strength in the coming days.

"I can do it," she said nodding. Then with a little more fire, and a bit of steel in her spine, she repeated those words.

"I can do it."

Alim nodded.

"Good," he said, "then your people are in good hands."

The warden turned away, his loyal warhound falling in step beside him.

"What will you do now warden?" Shianni asked.

Alim turned with a hint of a smile on his face.

"Now we go to the Landsmeet," he said.

Above them thunder rumbled, not in anger but in anticipation.

"It is time that the grey wardens dealt with the Regent."

"The bastard has a lot to answer for."