Author's Note: HELLO EVERYONE! I am still here! Just had to get this story out from my head as it was still buzzing around. I apologize again for the long wait between chapters, but this setup part is killing me. I just want to get to meeting the other companions and watch the banter bounce between them! I can't wait for Claire to meet Leli and Morrigan. And Sten! and Zev! That is coming soon and it's gonna be fun! I hope this small chapter helps with some progression. I write a lot about grief in this part because everyone is losing everything. So sorry about that.

Special thanks to all of you who liked and followed. It always makes me smile I'll talk to you more at the end of this chapter!

The morning and mornings after were difficult. Aedan became more and more withdrawn as he contemplated his new life. Leaving behind his titles, home, and Howe cut him deep. As the group made their way to Ostagar he grew silent, speaking only when spoken to and often snapping when Claire or Orianna tried to get him to talk. He was polite to Oren, but not like the kind, joking uncle that he grew up with. He refused to engage with Duncan at all. Ignoring him at best, snarling at him at worst.

After 3 days Claire was at the end of her patience. She wanted to give Aedan time to grieve, but he was being impossible. So on the third night since Howe's attack on Highever, she approached him again.

"Walk with me Aedan." Nothing more than a soft voice, but it was clearly not a request.

The two of them moved away from the fire and tent. Just out of the firelight, Claire turned to Aedan and spoke in a quiet voice.

"You are hurting your family."

Aedan's look said it all. Shocked raised eyebrows, followed by glaring at the ground. Claire crossed her arms and leaned against a nearby tree. She struggled with how to deal with Aedan. Her own uncles and friends were kind when she was going through his circumstances. She wanted to give Aedan time to work through his loss, but there simply wasn't time. They had encountered Howe's men hunting them down once. The three warriors of the group had fought them off and left no survivors. But if the rest of the hunters were smart, they could find them by looking in the area their attackers were supposed to search. Ostagar was only two days away, and Claire hoped to reach safety soon, but Aedan was being uncooperative and their group was still in danger.

"You are hurting." Claire started again.

Silence followed her statement. Apparently, Aedan was not in the talking mood.

"Aedan, please listen to me" Claire pushed off the tree and put a gentle hand on Aedan's arm. "I know what you are going through. I know what it's like to lose family. To hurt so much that you feel nothing at all. To be numb and feel alone. But you have to open your eyes. There is something you're not seeing."

"And what would that be?" snarled Aedan. "Please tell me, tell me exactly what it's like, since you know so much. Since you know so much more that I do."

Claire let her arm fall away, but she knew better than to feel hurt or slighted by his words.

"You are hurting. And that's ok. That's good. You're not feeling nothing anymore. But you also have to see that you aren't the only one. You aren't the only one suffering, or feeling loss. Orianna and Oren are too. Your family needs you, and you keep them at a distance. You've barely spoken to Orianna and Oren misses his uncle."

Turning away from Claire, Aedan began to pace back and forth, becoming more agitated with each pass.

"I can't help them Claire. I couldn't even protect my home. I'm useless, worthless. My parents died because I couldn't help them. Because. Of. Me. I'll get them to the safety of Ostagar, to Fergus, but Orianna and Oren are better off without me."

"You don't believe that." Claire quickly countered.

"Yes I do!"

"Nugshit, you don't." The sudden curse had Aedan spinning around to look at Claire. What he found was a soft and understanding look. No pity, just acceptance and sadness. "You don't truly believe that."

Aedan glared at the ground again, "Yes I do."

"No, you don't. Think for a moment what will happen if you left forever. If you died and left your family behind. Don't you think they would miss you? Don't you think that one more person taken from their lives would hurt them just as much as it hurts you now? What would they do without you? And that last one was not a rhetorical question. What would they do without you? Think about it."

Aedan's jaw clenched and unclenched while Claire's words sunk in. What would they do without me? And as quick as he asked the question to himself, his mind answered: They would be alone. Have to find a way to Fergus by themselves, and Maker knows if they even make it. If they did, I would be one more loss to mourn. If I left I would hurt them even more than they are now.

"They would hurt more without me." Sighing Aedan ran his hand through his hair. "I need to talk to them."

Claire smiled a sad smile at that. Aedan had learned more quickly than she had. They are not the only ones affected by the death of their loved ones. Snapping at the family they had left didn't help. A lesson she had learned all too well.

Aedan looked up again at Claire, "You always seem to know what to say. How to make it better."

Claire chuckled darkly, resuming her spot leaning against the tree. "I'm just a little further along than you remember? My uncle Edmond was the one to help me through my own grief and despair. I was much worse than you. I screamed at him, blaming him, me, the men who attacked us, everything. I was raging at the world and hating myself. I barely ate or slept at the time, which worried uncle. He let me throw my tantrum. Let me work it all out. Until one way I realized something. Uncle Edmond just lost his brother. My dad was dead and he lost his brother. I was immediately ashamed of what I had done. I ignored his own grief and hurt. Thinking I was the only one that could feel this pain. I went to him that night and apologised, he and I spent the rest of the evening remembering them. There were a lot of tears shed that night, but I felt better after it. I wasn't alone in my loss. And neither are you."

"I'm sorry."

Claire looked Aedan in the eyes, her own expression was complicated. "Don't be. I was where you are just a month ago. I had my family to help me through it. I'm just repaying the favor they did me."

Pushing herself away from the tree again Claire took Aedan by the shoulders, spun him around and nudged him back towards the fire. "Go on. They miss you. Don't make them wait."

Aedan hesitated slightly before turning his head slightly, "Thank you Claire."

Claire gave him a small smile and smacked him on the ass. "Go."

Blushing slightly and smirking Aedan chuckled and made his way back to the fire. Orianna looked up from where she was making dinner. Aedan walked up to her and wordlessly pulled her into a hug. From behind Aedan's shoulder Orianna looked to Claire and mouthed "Thank You."

Claire inclined her head and turned her attention to Duncan who was returning from his patrol of the area. They had not spoken much. The two of them regarded each other with a mutual respect, but there was not much for the two of them to talk about. They were essentially strangers. It was time to change that.

"Duncan, may I have a word?"

Duncan stopped and moved towards Claire.

"Of course my Lady. How can I help you?"

"Nothing like that. I just thought we could get to know each other more. We fought together, but we hardly know anything about each other. Where are you from?"

"Hm. I was born in Highever, though I spent my younger years in Val Royeaux, stealing to survive. I was recruited into the Grey Wardens when I was a lad, and have served ever since. I am the Warden Commander of the Ferelden Grey Wardens. Such as they are."

Claire stood straighter when she heard that he was the Warden Commander. Wardens are highly regarded everywhere, especially in Orlais. She had not suspected that he was such a high ranking Warden. But not everything was revealed. Claire was an accomplished player of The Game, and she heard what wasn't being said. How had Duncan been recruited so young? Wardens are often conscripted on pain of death. Surely his parents would have objected. Unless they were not around.

"Warden Commander. Is there a Blight? The Wardens typically do not conscript from noble houses unless there is great need."

"As you say Lady Callier, we don't conscript from nobles 'less there is great need. No Archdemon has made itself known. But I fear the worst. The darkspawn have not gathered like this in a long time. And it typically signals the a start of a Blight."

"Would you be willing to talk to Aedan? He hates you, for what you did to him."

Duncan looked down at Claire. His eyes weary and knowing. He suspected that she made a guess as to why he became a Warden. And thinking back to his younger years he admitted that he was much the same as Aedan. Hating the Wardens and his commander Genevieve. But in time he came to accept what had happened to him with help from his fellow Wardens.

"Perhaps my Lady. I would like to speak to Aedan. But I am afraid it must wait until we are safe. In any case he would not want to speak with me at the moment. He still blames me. When we reach Ostagar, when his family is safe, perhaps we can talk."

Duncan started to move back to the camp. "Until then, I will bear the ire of our young Lord."

Claire watched him walk away before turning her eyes to the moon above. We are all alike. She thought.

The party arrived safely at Ostagar. Being greeted by the King was nerve wracking for all of them, but the news of Fergus's disappearance was yet another blow to a crippled family. Orianna had burst into tears, while Oren hugged his mother, burying his face into her dress. Aedan kept a stoic mask on while thanking the King for his promised support in bringing Hower to justice. Duncan excused himself to see to his Wardens, bidding Aedan to join him after he saw to his family. King Cailan bade farewell to the Commander then turned to the Couslands again.

"Ostagar is a war camp. Not the safest place to bring a wife and child. You should rest for tonight. Then my private carriage is at your disposal. My driver will take you wherever you need. to go."

Aedan bowed at the king's generosity. "Thank you again your Majesty. We are eternally grateful for your help."

"Oh think nothing of it." Cailan waved. "You can repay me by introducing me to your lovely friend here."

At this Claire stepped forward and Aedan turned to present her.

"Your Majesty may I present Lady Claire Callier of Orlais. She saved my family and protected us on the way here. We owe her much."

"My lady you are a remarkable woman to have helped those who needed you most in their time of need." Cailan kissed her hand.

"You flatter me your Majesty."

"I try." Cailan responded with a roguish grin.

Claire hid a wince and disentangled herself from the king. Thinking to herself that even the Ferelden nobility had no concept of subtlety.

"Well! This has been an entertaining moment, but I'm afraid I must excuse myself. The war room calls and this battle won't be won by just standing around." with that Cailan marched off to meet with his advisors. "Join us later, when you are more settled." He called over his shoulder.

Sighing Claire turned to Aedan and Orianna.

"Perhaps we should see about somewhere to stay. Tomorrow we can arrange a carriage for Orianna and Oren."

The others nodded numbly and they all made their way to the quartermaster who assigned them a large noble's tent and had a courier bring them food and fresh clothes as well as draw a bath for them. Orianna and Oren soon fell asleep, but Aedan and Claire set out to find Duncan. The family would soon be parted again, Orianna was taking her son back to Antiva. Her family was wealthy and would care for them. Aedan, however would remain in Ferelden, as he was now a Grey Warden. Claire had not thought far enough to know what to do. Before the attack on Highever her only concern was to end Howe. But, now that she was with another person who was hurting like herself, she could not in good conscience leave him alone again. It wasn't fair to him. Cailan was not as much help as they had hoped. The King promised to bring Howe to trial, but that would have to wait until after the battle. Fergus was missing. Aedan's world was spinning out of control again. She decided to stay. At least until Aedan was alright again. Then she would go looking for Howe again.

The two of them wandered around the camp, though Claire insisted upon helping everyone they met from the starving man locked in his cage, to the kennel master with the sick mabari. Aedan numbly followed in her wake, becoming bitter once again about his situation. They eventually found their way to the Warden camp and Aedan approached to speak with Duncan. Claire chose to hang back as she sensed that there was to be a confrontation and the two of them needed to work through their issues.

She walked a small distance away when she overheard two men arguing. She walked over to possibly help soothe the situation, but one man, the mage judging from the staff on his back, turned and marched away saying, "Enough, I will speak with the woman if I must. Get out of the way, fool."

The other man noticing her gave her a smirk, "You know, one good thing about the Blight is how it brings people together."

Claire stared for a moment before giggling, "You are a very strange man."

"You're not the first woman to tell me that. Wait… we haven't met have we? I don't suppose you happen to be another mage?"

Claire quieted her giggles at the silly man and replied. "No, we haven't. I am Claire."

"And I am Alistair. You are Duncan's new recruit I suppose. Glad to meet you. As the junior member of the Order I'll be accompanying you when you prepare for the Joining. You know… it just occurred to me that there have never been many women in the Grey Wardens. I wonder why that is?"

"You want more women in the Grey Wardens, do you?" Claire asked cocking her eyebrow.

"Would that be so terrible? Not that I'm some drooling lecher or something. Please stop looking at me like that."

"I think we're too smart for you."

"True.. but if you're here what does that make you?"

Laughing again Claire replied. "Too smart for you. I am not the new recruit. He is speaking with Duncan."

"Ah! You.. you just… oh, you are devious. Letting me talk myself in circles like that. It's not nice you know, I get dizzy very easily."

"Alistair I don't think you can make yourself dizzy by talking in circles."

"Ah you never know. I knew a revered mother once who could put you to sleep in three words. 'Let us pray'. Like magic you know. Or... was that just me?"

Claire was having a grand time bantering with Alistair. Though they had just met, the two of them were able to banter back and forth like old friends. She missed having that connection. Her siblings used to poke and quip back and forth with her all the time.

"Well. I suppose I had better find that new recruit. If you'll excuse me my lady." Alistair swept into a flourishing bow.

"By all means good sir." Claire responding with an extravagant curtsy of her own.

Alistair began walking away, but slowed when Claire walked right along side him back to the Warden camp.

"Ehmmm. Not that I don't enjoy your company my lady, but why are you following me?"

"Following you? Alistair you are following me. I travelled here with Aedan. And I was closer to the camp when we started back."

"Ah, but I was at the camp first! So that means you are following me!"

Laughing again at his childish reasoning Claire conceded. "Very well Alistair, you caught me. I was following you back to the Warden Camp. Why are you so surprised? This can't have been the first time you brought a lovely lady back with you."

"Oh! Well… I would never presume… errr…" Alistair blushed to the top of his ears. Leading to another laugh of delight from Claire. He was so easy to tease! This was going to be fun.

Claire spent the rest of the short walk throwing winks and innuendos at Alistair and watching him blush to his roots. Giggling at the red faced man they entered the camp to find Aedan sitting quietly at the fire.

He stood to greet them as they approached, introducing himself to Alistair and speaking about the Joining. Alistair seemed to avoid and dodge any direct answers, causing warning flags to wave in Claire's mind. She walked closer to Aedan and put a hand on his arm.

"Are you going to be ok?"

"I'm fine." Aedan replied. Putting a hand on hers. His words caused Claire to scoff.

"My Uncle had a saying that when anyone told you they were fine they truly meant that they were 'freaked out, insecure, neurotic, and emotional'."(*)

"We'll then I am not fine." smirked Aedan.

Claire smiled a little at his little act of defiance. But before she could reply, Alistair who was watching the exchange with a cocked eyebrow and a smile suddenly stood at attention. Duncan walked out of his tent and addressed the group.

"Good, you two have met. I would like you to mee Ser Jory and Daveth." The two men nodded accordingly. "Before we begin I would ask that Lady Claire retire to her tent. This is Warden business from now on."

Claire's expression darkened when Duncan simply dismissed her, but a look from both Alistair and Aedan convinced her to simply nod and turn to walk away to the main camp.

Duncan turned back to the men, "Now that we are ready to begin…."

Claire made her way back to the tent where she found Oren and Orianna still sleeping, exhausted by their journey. She whistled softly to wake Skyler, who was sleeping at the foot of the bed.

"Hey girl, do you want to come with me to the wilds? I need to find a particular flower."

Skyler chuffed at her and flopped back down to sleep. Miffed, Claire entered the tent and started to remove her weapons and armor.

"Fine, I didn't want to go trekking through the mud and dirt anyway."

AN: Aaaaahhhh I bet you thought Claire was gonna get a mabari of her own! Sorry to say she is still Orlesian through and through. They don't seem to care as much as Fereldens do. Still it would have been fun to watch her struggle with bonding and learning to care for one. Claire is dealing with her own loss and helping Aedan is helping her. Sometimes her old self comes through. She was much more playful and flirty which now only seems to come out when she is being guarded and masked off. She still desires to help most people, but doesn't always see the benefit.

Aedan is proving to be a problem. The man is difficult to define while he is hurting. I want him to move forward, but not so quickly that it is unbelievable. Who just bounces back from their family being attacked and killed in cold blood? The first part of this series is gonna be a lot of healing, on all parties. (spoilers)

(*) Italian Job. Great movie and a great quote. I loved the interplay between the members of the heist team. I hope my characters have that kind of relationship, and I hope that I can write it out. You can expect small doses of my favorite movies to end up in this fanfic. I just love sharing them with everyone. I'm trying to figure out a way to include "wibbly wobbly timey wimey" into the dialogue somewhere, but Shockingly it's not working so well.

Special thanks to:

Writer Of This Story, esp, Winona W, Arkin, Luke M, JamesWalter6230, and Stacy63 for commenting! They made me so happy. Keep talking to me guys!

Thanks to:

Caro1404, Edward Cullen's Girl, James Felix Carnmal, Wildcat717, ashield013, , Nightingale909, and RoachTr19o5 for following me!