Chapter 4: Fighting

Authors Note: Thank you to the people that give me encouragement, it really helps the writer's block. I'm trying to keep chapters coming out on a regular basis, try and work with me. Two stories at once are proving to be a little difficult .

"Sacrificing your happiness for the happiness of the one you love is by far, the truest type of love." – Unknown

"You are the healer Anora sent from the palace? What are you doing here? What happened after the final battle, I would've thought you would go back to the tower?" There were so many questions going through his head, he really didn't know where to start. They seemed to come out in a jumbled mess.

She smiled warmly at him, "How about first we take a look at the young lady over here, then I promise we will talk. There are a few things that I have been meaning to tell you as well." Alistair had the good grace to flush at her words.

Wynne went to examine Evaine and after a few minutes she smiled and shook her head in mock disappointment. "She just had too much to drink. I don't know what would ever make her do such a thing; she has always been so responsible. I'll give her something that will help how she feels in the morning, but there is nothing to worry about. The best we can do now, is let her sleep." She quietly ushered Alistair out of the room and in to the hall where they could continue their discussion without bothering Evaine.

"To answer your questions, after the battle I decided to stay in the city as the palace healer. There was really nothing left for me at the tower, and I wanted to feel like I was doing something good with what time remained. I begged Evaine to stay near town, but duty took her to Highever. She wanted me to come with her, But I did not want to become a bother and in the way as she rebuilt her life. So I stayed here. I have heard stories, she commands great men, and each of them loves her, they would all die for her. She has become a great leader." She paused for a moment and looked at Alistair with those soul piercing eyes, "What about you young man, where have you been? It had been assumed that you had died when there was no word of you after the first year."

Alistair decided to tell her everything that had happened to him, there was no use in leaving things out, she had a way of getting your deepest, darkest secrets out anyway.

"So now you are back, playing the gallant to her once again. Interesting." She paused again seeming to contemplate what he had said. "Young man, I hope your intentions are to stay now that you are here. I do not think that she would be able to survive a second time. If it is not your intent, then please, Alistair, leave her in peace." Her eyes were pleading with him.

He was quiet for a moment, not really knowing how to answer her. "I have no intention of leaving her again. It was too painful being without her. It's better to suffer in hell with her, than to live in peace without her. Without her, I know no peace. Until she sends me from her side, I will remain."

He had new resolve in his eyes. He could not leave her. It would be like going underground again and never seeing the sun. Now that he had it back, there was no way he could live without it.

"All right, so tell me sir, what are we doing about this new threat?"

Alistair's eye brows perked up in a questioning fashion, "We?"

"Do you honestly think that I am going to sit her in the palace knitting booties while you are all off having an adventure? Come now, you don't know me at all. Plus, you will need a healer, and there is no one in Ferelden better than me!" He was glad to see that she still had life in her. She was ready to seek out her next adventure.

"Well, currently, we are waiting on some more Grey Wardens from Orlais. I am not sure when they will arrive; the missive was sent out today." They discussed strategy and battle plans for the better part of the night, they almost didn't realize when Evaine appeared in the doorway. The click of the lock jarred them from their conversation, and there was Evaine in the door way. She looked quite confused at seeing Wynne, almost as if she didn't believe her own eye sight.

"Wynne? Is that really you? What happened, my head feels like it on fire." She took a step in her direction but her legs crumbled beneath her. Alistair reached out to catch her, but
Soren was there, rounding the corner and got to her first. He glared at Alistair.

"You were at one of the parties at the palace last night, you were drinking too much. Do you really not remember anything from last night?" Alistair looked confused.

"No, the last thing I remember was being introduced to every premier noble, and talking to Soren." She rubbed her head. Soren carried her back to her bed with Wynne and Alistair following in his wake. Alistair has a slightly perturbed and hurt look in his eyes, but washed it away and replaced it with a stone mask once again. Evaine was so confused.

"Here, drink some of this, it won't help you remember, but it will help your head." She smiled warmly at the younger girl. It was so nice to see her again. If possible, she looked even more beautiful than three years ago, when she saw her last.

After recovering for most of the day Anora came to her with news of Orlais. "They will not send anyone until we have confirmed Alistair's finding. We are on our own for right now."

Evaine had a feeling that this would be their reaction. Alistair was a deserter; they wouldn't listen to anything that he said. They would be on their own, which means they would have to assemble their own team, and she knew exactly who she would want with her.

"Ok, so then I will gather a party and go into the deep roads for conformation. They will not be able to deny my findings!"

"Should you really be joining them? What if this is what that thing wants?"

"Anora, this is the only way to get the help that we need. I will go and lead them and return with proof! We will save Ferelden again. You have my word! I can waste no more time, I will leave this evening for the chantry in search of Leliana."

Evaine shot out of bed and proceeded to throw on her armor and boots. She was barely able to say her good byes.

IT felt like old times, on the road looking for allies who would join them in the fight against the Blight. Alistair on her right and Wynne on her left, headed straight for the chantry.

They were welcomed by a new recruit who looked up anxiously, "May we help you?"

It had been a while since Evaine had been called anything but My Lady. It felt good to be unknown for once. "We are looking for a woman that goes by the name of Leliana. May you know where to find her?"

The girl's eyes opened wide, "Yes! Oh my, you must be the Grey Lady! Tyrna Cousland! Leliana said to expect you. Fallow me, I know where she is." They fallowed her through the courtyard to a meadow full of white daisies. There Leliana was sitting, eyes closed with a smile on her face.

"I knew you would come." Was all she said.

"The Maker, Leliana? Did he tell you I was coming?" A mile spread across Evian's lips. She missed her friend greatly, she had forgotten how much until this moment.

"Of course! The maker watches you most of all. Of course you know that I am coming. Allow me to say my good bye and I will meet you in the entrance hall." No more words were needed to be said, but when their eyes met, there was a moment of recognition.

It only took Leliana a few moments to explain and change out of her chantry robes, and back into her leather armor that she thought would never be brought out of storage again. They wasted no time in heading out to their next destination. The Frost Back Mountains, Hopefully there they would find the next party member.

Since it was already late in the day when they set off again they decided to take camp in the Bricilian Forest. Leliana took this chance to re-acquaint herself with her long lost friend.

"So he has come stumbling back into your life, has he? I knew he wasn't going to be able to stay away for too long. The pull between you two is like magnets. It was beautiful to see."

"It isn't that way anymore and hasn't been in many years. You know what happened when he left; he no longer has any rights here. He is here for his Intel and that is where it ends. I am his commanding officer. I know better this time." There was something there in her eyes that Leliana couldn't quite catch, but she knew she wasn't being told everything. She let it go for the moment.

"You've missed this, I can tell. The open road is where you belong, not a castle governing people or giving commands."

"I wouldn't have been, had my brother survived, or even his son. But as it is, I am the only one. IT does not bother me. I know my place. These are my people and I owe them." She went still for a moment, as if trying to hear something in the distance.

It took but a few moments and both Soren and Alistair were at her side. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"SHHHHH…" They were all listening. There seemed to be a rustling in the far off distance. They put the fire out and went to investigate.

As they got closer to the sound they could see the soft glow of a camp fire, and hear the faint murmuring of conversation. Evaine decided to get a closer look. She hid behind bushes, it sounded like Elfish.

She saw something that made her eyes go very wide. She maneuvered herself into a tree to get a better look. There she saw the face of someone she thought never to see again. The word came from her lips of their own accord, Zeveran.

Someone in the camp looked around. She took the moment of surprised and jumped from her perch to the center of the camp. Taking everyone by surprise she was immediately surrounded weapons coming at her from all angles.

"Wait!" Yelled a voice from the back. "Put down your weapons, you do not know who it is you attack!" The crowd parted, and from the mass of elves, walking right up to her was Zeveran.

"How did you find us? We were just coming to find you. We got word that There was a lot of Darkspawn Action starting up again in Ferelden, I came to see if we may be of assistance."

She could not believe her luck. Here Evaine thought Zeveran would be the hardest to find since he does not stay in more than one place for too long and he was camping just a few miles from where they were. The rest of her group came from their hiding places to shake hands with their lost friend. Zeveran's eyes strayed to Alistair, "Could not stay away from the light for too long could you? I am glad you are among the land of the living once again." He shook his hand.

If anyone would understand the pain he felt, it would be Zeveran.

Evaine's voice broke the silence, "Let us camp the night and explain in the morning, we have a long day ahead of us." She walked back towards her camp and disappeared in the darkness.