IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I've got some bad news.

I might not finish this story.

I'm struggling with a lot right now, trying to get off my depression and anxiety meds because of how expensive they are, trying to make ends meet. I'm so busy, and it's really wearing me down.

My muse has been so difficult and slow, I don't know if I'll be able to make it through this one.

Honestly, I only got back in gear when I saw I had 35 favorites and 60 followers.

Thank you guys so much!

If I can, I swear I'll try my hardest to finish this. If you want me to, leave me a review. It helps me so much.

ALSO: let me know what ending you guys want! If you don't tell me, I'll have to choose myself, and I don't really trust myself to choose what you guys would like.

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. It might be a while before you get another.

Let me know if you enjoyed the chapter, and what you'd like to see in the future! I might just add it into the story!

Daylen

Only very few guards will be able to move around the estate undetected. For this reason, Alistair, Morrigan, Wynne, Shale, and Leliana stay behind. They take Zevran, Sten, and Griffon only; keeping the group as light as possible.

But they run into an unexpected roadblock in the back alleys.

A lone man stands between them and the only way to the estate.

He's young, with dark hair and the beginning of a beard on his tanned face. His armor is of fine make, so different from the common thugs they usually run into.

He takes a few steps forward, smiling. "And so here is the mighty Grey Warden at long last. The Crows send their greetings once again."

Ah, shit.

Zevran's eyes narrow. "So they sent you, Taliesen? Or did you volunteer for the job?"

Taliesen's easy smile never leaves his face. "I volunteered, of course. When I heard that the great Zevran had gone rogue, I simply had to see it for myself."

Zevran lifts his chin. "Is that so? Well, here I am, in the flesh."

Taliesen takes another step forward. "You can return with me, Zevran. I know why you did this, and I don't blame you. It's not too late. Come back and we'll make up a story. Anyone can make a mistake."

Avina's gaze snaps to Zevran, her expression terrified. "Zevran?"

Zevran's fists tighten in his Dalish gloves as he flashes Avina a confident smile. "Do not worry. I am not about to return to the loving arms of the Crows, believe me." Then he turns his attention to Taliesen. "I'm sorry, my old friend. But the answer is no. I'm not coming back... and you should have stayed in Antiva."

The five manage to make it to the estate without a scratch.

It's not difficult to sneak around to the servant's entrance. The riot in the front has distracted most of the guards, and the few that are left pose no problem.

Erlina has the disguises waiting for them when they reach the garden, and it doesn't take them long to change.

Avina's armor ends up being a bit large, while Sten's is a bit small.

"Are you prepared?" Erlina asks. "I will go distract the guards."

Daylen nods. "Let's go."

"I will lure them into the courtyard. Wait in the bushes."

The five of them duck behind the wall while Daylen carefully watches around the corner.

As he watches, Erlina rushes up to the two guards at the door, looking panicked. She says something to them, gesturing to the courtyard.

After a few moments of deliberation, the guards nod to her, and she hurriedly leads them away.

"It's clear," he tells the others. "Let's move."

Daylen can't help but grind his teeth in frustration.

Of course, getting the queen and getting out wouldn't be simple.

Both he and Avina struggle with the barrier keeping the door shut; neither of them manage to crack it open.

Avina is no happier. "Bastard," she mumbles after her last try.

"We'll have to kill the mage who cast it," Daylen explains to Sten.

"He'll most likely be by Howe's side!" Anora calls through the door.

Avina's eyes narrow. "This could be a trap."

"We don't have a choice," Daylen hisses under his breath. "And you wanted to see him anyway, yes?"

Her face cracks into a smirk. "I suppose..."

"Thank you, Wardens," the queen tells them. "My prayers go with you."

Avina

Freeing Riordan and Oswyn are the higher points of her day.

Trying to calm the insane survivor from Ostagar is one of the lower.

No matter how she tries to calm him, he won't look at her, keeps seeing and hearing things that aren't there.

He's so deranged, he thinks that she, an elf, is his mother.

All they can do is open the door and hope he gets to safety.

The next cage they open holds a handsome young elf with reddish brown hair.

"What month is it?" He begs her. "Are you some enemy of Arl Urien's? Please... I feel like I've spent half my life down here."

Avina steps closer to the bars. "Why were you imprisoned here?"

His head drops a little. "The arl's son... he abducted my bride on our wedding day. When I tried to rescue her... I... I don't remember. She was screaming, and he was laughing, and I charged at him... and woke up here. I don't know if she's even still alive."

"Urien is dead," Daylen informs him. "He died months ago."

"Dead?" The elven man seems genuinely confused. "Then who's ruling? His son Vaughan... he struck me down, and I woke up here. People were so angry. They were thinking of petitioning the king..."

"The king died, as well," Avina says sadly, and opens the door for him.

"Then there have been... many changes since they caught me. I... I need to find out what happened. I - I need to get home. Or... or flee the city. I... I thank you for your aid, stranger. I wish I had more than gratitude to offer."

Avina steps aside to let him pass. "Hurry," she urges. "If you're quick, you can get out of the castle before the guards realize the prison is empty."

He runs off, and doesn't look back.

Alistair

He waits until she's been gone for over an hour to speak to Eamon about Avina's absence.

Only to have the queen of Ferelden run in, followed by Sten, Zevran, and Griffon. Soon, the rest of the companions are coming in as well, likely curious about royalty running around the estate.

"Eamon, I may have done a terrible thing!" Anora cries.

Zevran crosses his arms. "What's this? She throws her savior to the wolves, and now she has second thoughts?"

Sten looks as if he might cut of her head. "No honor, no gratitude, slight grasp of the obvious... fine ruler you have here."

Shale stomps into the room. "Nothing a good head-crushing won't solve."

Oh, Alistair does not like the sound of this. "What?" He demands. "What is it you might have done, exactly?"

"What in Andraste's name has happened?" Eamon asks. "Are you all right?"

"The Wardens have been captured," she tells them.

"And this may have been your fault?" Alistair snarls. "Maybe? Perhaps?"

Morrigan gives a 'hmph'. "Barely met, and already she betrays us. She and my mother would get along famously."

"I'm still waiting for a reason not to slit her throat and toss her in the river," Zevran murmurs, shrugging. "I haven't heard it yet."

"Your language is fascinating. There is no way in the qunari tongue to use words and yet say nothing," Sten adds.

"What?" Eamon explodes. "How could this happen?"

"Never mind that," Anora says dismissively. "The question is how to free them. Cauthrien will take them to Fort Drakon. Getting in will be no small feat."

Avina

"C'mon... Wake up, Avina. We've got a problem."

Avina slowly comes to consciousness, and struggles for a moment to remember how to open her eyes.

Then she's looking up at Daylen's face from the hard stone floor she's laying on, the side of her skull aching from where Cauthrien hit her with the hilt of her sword.

"Oh, good," Daylen says. "I was almost worried for a second. My healing skills are still not the best. Sorry."

She manages to sit up... and she realizes where they are.

Both of them are trapped in a cell in only their smallclothes.

"Oh," she says, pretending to be chipper. "I've never seen a prison from this side before. Very scenic."

Daylen nods in agreement. "Very. We could bring some of the lovely decor back to Eamon's estate; a few bones, splashes of blood, maybe some screaming prisoners..."

Avina smiles. "I'm going to strangle Anora when we get out."

Daylen smiles back. "Do you mind if I stab her first? Maybe light her hair on fire?"

Avina waves her hand. "Go right ahead."

"We've got to get out of here," Daylen sighs.

"I don't know if that's going to work," Avina mutters.

"Oh, don't be like that. Look, there's a guard. Maybe you can seduce him and steal his key."

Avina's eyes narrow dangerously.

"Or maybe not."

Alistair

"State your business."

Morrigan straightens. "We have a delivery for your fort from the Weaver Crafthall."

One of the soldiers beside the door looks skeptical. "I wasn't told about anything being shipped in today."

"Look," Alistair says. "We've got four more deliveries to make today. Can you get whoever's in charge?"

The other soldier sighs. "Fine, wait over there. I'll get the captain."

Tel'abelas.

Next Chapter: The Landsmeet Part 3