Author`s Note: I actually had about 90% of this chapter written, but forgot to refresh the document so it ended up getting deleted. Which ended up for the better, I like this version a lot better. Hoping to become a lot for active with this series, so hopefully an update will be much, much sooner than how long this took.

THE WARDEN-CONSTABLE

Training—and rather loudly—had already began outside as Nathaniel Howe rouse from sleep. To his right was the bare back and curves of his companion, still sleeping soundly at an arm's length. The Warden-Constable inhaled the crisp morning air, listening to the clatter and clashing of blades and tools just beyond his open window. He instantly knew the Commander had returned. Stretching only the faintest, Nathaniel ran his finger tips along the spine of the beauty in his bed. She moaned sluggishly awake and turned on her side to face him, smiling. "My lady," the warden whispered as her face was illuminated by the morning sun, her vallaslin faint across her palid skin.

"Ma vhenan," she cooed back quietly and tucked herself against his side.

He kissed her forehead to keep her awake, but only encouraged other means of arousal. In a moment she had forced his lips against hers. Nathaniel willingly obliged, encircling her waist and drawing her naked body nearer. He covered her body with his and brushed strands of flaxen hair behind her pointed ear. His lover eagerly ran her fingers delicately along his back and tilted her head back as his mouth touched her throat.

Nathaniel was more than willing to indulge in a long morning of carnal behavior, but a heavy knock at the couple's door swiftly brought the moment to an end. His lover managed to tangle herself in the quilt just as Strode paraded into the room, completely oblivious to the naked elf at first. "Good morning Howe—" he froze and averted his gaze politely to the floor, "And a good morning to you too Lady Velanna." She scoffed in elvish and leaned over to kiss Nathaniel one last time, whispering naughtily into his ear before slipping past Strode in nothing but the quilt wrapped around herself.

"This better have been good," Nathaniel warned, reaching at the stone floor for his pants.

"It concerns the Commander ser," Strode responded in his Orlesian accent, mindful of his wording.

The Warden-Constable fastened his belt and stood to make proper conversation with his fellow warden. "That explains the commotion outside. I assume she is back?" He watched as Strode nodded. "Alright, what's the fuss then?"

Strode smirked knowingly, which annoyed Nathaniel. He stepped away from the door and allowed one of the servants to enter the room with a small cart. The wardens met each others gaze. The cart was swarmed with empty vessels once filled to the brim of wine or mead, now bone dry. Nathaniel sat back down on the edge of his bed and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. There was no need for further explanation. The Commander was weak to a drink every now and then, like most people, but would guzzle it down when she was troubled and avoiding something inevitable. "When did she get back?"

"Late last night, Draco had gone to check on her, but I don't think he got that far," Stroud answered, leaning against the nearest wall, allowing passage for the servant to retreat back to the kitchen.

"It looks like she's trying to avoid a trip to the capital," Nathaniel surmised with an exaggerated sigh, "How long has it been?"

"Too long," Stroud answered.

The Warden-Constable dressed quickly into his proper attire and sought out the Commander, almost sure where he might find her. He walked through Vigil's Keep, workers and solders alike busy carrying on repairs. It would be a long time before his former holding would return to its full glory, but the help of Amaranthine's people was bringing them closer. Nathaniel stopped by the mess hall on his way to the courtyard, where he found Velanna and Myrah laughing over some morning mead. He quickly give her a kiss to the forehead and tucked the pieces of her clothing she had left behind in his room. She held his hand as he walked away, until their fingers barely clung to one another.

Outside was where all the noise of this morning had come from. Voldrik had just acquired a new quarry and men were returning with new slabs of granite, others were breaking it apart with their hammers and chisels. The dwarf saw Nathaniel and made a gesture over his shoulder with his thumb. The warden followed his direction to a secluded part of the courtyard that was rather quiet and vacant, save for a group of men watching anxiously from the sidelines of the archery range. Draco was there too, sitting behind the current archer on a fallen tree they had turned into a bench long ago. He sat observant, sharpening his sword with a whetstone. The familiar thunk of arrow sinking into its target met Nathaniel's ears as he approached his fellow warden.

"How long has she been out here?" he inquired, taking notice to all the broken arrows piled beside Draco.

The other man looked up from his work, glancing up at the sun, "I think she's been at it all night. I don't think she's had a wink of sleep since coming back from the Wilds."

Nathaniel passed Draco and approached the Commander.

She was stringing her next arrow—a dozen already embedded into the red circle of her target—drawing her arm back with a gracefulness taught from birth to those of noble blood. He had always admired her determination to master new battle arms, and he jumped at the chance to help his Commander perfect the art of archery. Little did he know she only needed about a week—he later learn her mother was quite skilled with a bow herself. As she learned more tactics, the Commander expected no less from her wardens and often trained them to the bones.

"Commander—" he cautiously approached, catching her off-guard. The Commander's grip twitched and the arrow was sent sailing way beyond its intended target. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

Vesper turned to her trusted companion, dark circles under her eyes. "We are not discussing that," she spoke harshly and stepped over to the table she had aligned arrows on.

"Fair enough," he answered, knowing that was how she would respond. "Then let us talk about something else."

"And what is that?" the dark haired warden called back to him, refocusing on her target.

"I think its overdue for a trip to Denerim, don't you?"

Another arrow went sailing over the the target.

"We are not having that conversation either."

"If I may?" Draco decided to formally join the conversation.

Nathaniel had anticipated the warden's intervention—he had a way in swaying the Commander when others failed. He still did not know much about Draco, just that he hails from Starkhaven and was associated with the royal family there, but at some point had come across the sea seeking out the wardens. There was some unknown familiarity and understanding between the foreigner and Vesper, a history that went back several years before she was even recruited. A history Nathaniel kept clear of. Draco embodied what the wardens expected from their men and women, but his loyalty was to Vesper and Vesper alone—he only braved the Joining so he could serve at her side.

Draco casually placed his sword and whetstone aside, towering over his fellow wardens as he walked up to them. "My lady," he said, voice heavy with admiration for the woman. "It has been nearly two moons since you last saw your husband. Perhaps the Warden-Constable is fair in saying it has been a time since you returned to the capital." Nathaniel watched curiously for the flicker of change in her face. "The King must miss the affections of his queen," Draco went on to say, catching their Commander off guard.

Vesper did not respond at first. She stood silent and pensive as she looked in the direction of Denerim. What would she say to him? The Commander handed her bow to her second and glanced between the two men. "While I appreciate your intentions Nathaniel, I decide when my presence is needed in Denerim and there is still too much to be done here." She sauntered off, still deep in thought as she distanced herself from her subordinates.

"Don't worry Ser," Draco addressed his better, "she will listen to you."

"What makes you so sure?" Nathaniel asked surprised, sure he had been defeated.

The knight smiled knowingly and began to gather his effects to follow her back into Vigil's Keep. "I have known Lady Cousland for many years—her diligence has not changed. Encourage her some more and you can persuade her. She is still upset from her travels at the moment, but I think she will be leaving soon for Denerim."

Nathaniel remained where he was and asked Draco what had long been on his mind. "What really made you seek out the Grey Wardens?"

Draco's chivalrous charm vacated from his face, recognizing the suspicion in Nathaniel's tenor. "A debt," he answered forwardly, trying to bring an end to the conversation.

"A debt?" the Warden-Constable doubted.

The Starkhaven native smiled sadly, "A debt to my lady Cousland that can never be repaid." He properly replaced his sword into the leather scabbard at his hip and glanced in the direction Vesper had left in. "If we are done—" Draco started, hesitating for any lingering words his superior might have. Nathaniel reluctantly nodded, his confidence in the knight still teetering. "I will be in the keep should you need me," he finished and eagerly followed the steps of the commander.

Draco's answer did little to sway Nathaniel's distrust in him and the warden began to ponder on this debt. When exactly did a knight from Starkhaven become associated to a young noble woman in Highever? He decided not to bother feeding his suspicion. Trust was very important to the Commander, and she had allowed Draco stay play squire at her side as soon as he survived the Joining. If she was willing to put so much faith in this man, Nathaniel needed to let his qualms pass. He distracted himself from the situation by giving orders to the wardens that had been standing by gawking at the Commander. Telling them to reset the range and fetch the two stray arrows.

He ended up spending most of his day on the range, training the wardens and taking a few shots for himself. It wasn't until the sky had become dusky that he sent them to the keep for supper, staying behind to clean up before heading to the mess hall himself. Upon entering the room—already rowdy and loud—Nathaniel was surprised to see Vesper knocking flagons with Oghren. She was smiling and cheering with the dwarf, a contrast to how she was carrying herself earlier in the day. It was a relief really. He made his way towards her intending to speak with her privately again, but she saw him coming and had beat him to it.

"Finally," she exasperated and stood eagerly, "Nathaniel, a word please?"

"Of course," he answered relieved. Vesper smiled and lead him from the hall where they could speak without shouting. They ended up walking outside.

She inhaled the night air, turning to her companion. "Perhaps you are right," Vesper admitted with a sigh, "I've been away for too long." The Commander looked to the sky, "I'm leaving you in charge while I'm gone—shouldn't be too long. I've asked Stroud to stick around a little longer before he returns to Orlais, help him with the new warden."

"New warden? I wasn't aware—"

"Neither was I until he just showed up with him," she laughed to herself, "I think Oghren has already gone and filled the kid's head with stories, so I would appreciate it if you'll keep an eye on him until I return."

Nathaniel nodded. "Vesper," he called to her, formalities gone. "You found her didn't you, this friend of yours?" She didn't have to answer, the weary grin on her face was guilty enough. "I know you don't want to talk about it, but if you ever did, I'll lend you my ears," he went on to say, touching her shoulder.

"You are a true friend Nate, perhaps I will take you up on that offer when I return," Vesper thanked, "but now I must head for Denerim, if I don't go now, I probably won't go at all."

"What changed your mind?" Nathaniel asked curiously.

Vesper froze and smiled, "Strode mentioned walking in on you and Velanna this morning. Made me realize just how much I miss my husband and I want nothing more than to wake up in his arm tomorrow."