AN- OMFG. Life has been hectic for me, and I apologize for the long update! I seriously want to thank my beta xseikax for the patience she has with me! I hope everyone has a safe holiday season, and a safe New Years; Thanks to those for the kind words, and I can't stress enough; I have NO...absolutely NO time for flames (stupid retarded reviews that have nothing but literal poo that has come out of the bastardo's mouth), so please, don't bother if you're just going to spout crap because you were pissed off at a fanfiction that YOU read. I didn't make you read this. If you don't like it and want to spout out a flame, do yourself a favor and save your pathetic three minutes of your pathetic life, and don't bother. It's retarded, and is a waste of space. (Now that my rant is out) I would love to thank the readers who have enjoyed this fic and those who have given me constructive critiscm. You are awesome, and thanks for the encouragement!

This will be a short updated chapter but I hope you enjoy it! *I wonder how the parents will react to the fact that Fergus is still alive?* Hmm? Thank you everyone!

Disclaimer: Bioware owns all, I just choose to write about it!

Chapter 6

Morrigan followed the laughter that echoed through the long hallway to the larder. A light had shone through the door that was slightly cracked open. She pressed her hand to the door, opening it to reveal a drunken party. Fergus, Alistair, Kathryn, and a few other men that Morrigan did not recognize sat around a table with mugs of ale in front of them. They had been playing a game of cards, while Kathryn's mabari hound Breean lied in front of the fire asleep. Fergus looked up from his game, and waved her to the table. "Ah! Morrigan! Come and have a sample of Brother Aldous' famous Maker's Brew!"

Morrigan wrinkled her nose at the stench in the air and she crossed her arms across her chest. "Is rest not needed for the trip tomorrow to the fort?"

Alistair rolled his eyes as he let out a heavy sigh. "Maker's breath." He placed his lips to the rim of the mug that sat on the table in front of him.

His mouth dropped too hard onto the rim of his mug, and the mug gave way under his chin spilling ale and causing his chin to land onto the table. Kathryn and Roland laughed out loud as Alistair quickly tried to recover. Brother Aldous laughed as he refilled Alistair's mug. Morrigan noticed Alistair's hair color change. "What happened with that?" She pointed a finger at him.

Alistair ran his hand nervously through his newly dyed dark brown hair. "Do I look different?"

"You still look like an idiot." Morrigan quipped.

"Morrigan, please, come join our game. It's obvious you cannot sleep either." Kathryn pleaded with the mage.

Morrigan shook her head and held up her hand. She held Fergus' gaze for a few moments before turning to leave. "I will turn in for the evening, and I suggest you all do the same."

As Morrigan left the larder, Fergus stared at the doorway as he placed the mug to his lips. He had made the decision of taking her with him to accompany him while he gathered allies for the Blight. Her copper colored eyes had haunted him from the minute he met her in the Wilds, but she was hard to crack open and get to know. Fergus had tried on numerous occasions as they made their way to Highever, asking her questions that she responded with one worded answers. She insulted Alistair every chance she could get, and avoided Leliana to no end. The only one of their party she seemed to even look comfortable around was Sten. Fergus enjoyed pushing Morrigan's buttons, enjoying her outbursts of irritation every time Fergus played twenty questions. He smiled at the thought as he drank his ale.

"Ah, my boy it seems you have more than just your quest on your mind?" Aldous smiled at the eldest Cousland.

Fergus shrugged in reply. The question did just bring much to his mind; he was taking his companions to the old Highever Fortress to use as a makeshift base of operations; he had to gather an army to save the country with his small band of companions. He looked up at the others that sat at the table with him. "Have you ever felt the weight of the whole world suddenly dropping onto your shoulders?"

Alistair let out a scoff, holding up his mug. "I'll drink to that one, friend!"

Brother Aldous frowned as he watched Fergus stare blankly at the mug in his hands. The laughter died, along with the cheerful mood in the air, bringing an awkward silence between them all. "My Lord Cousland, there is a reason you and Alistair were the only Wardens to survive the battle at Ostagar. If it is true that Grey Wardens are the only ones who can stop a Blight, then there truly is a higher calling for the both of you." Aldous smiled as they all looked up at him. "The Teryn was right; you are meant to make your mark on the world."

Aldous then looked at Alistair. "You, my Lord, were meant to do something greater for this country than to rule it. Please don't think of this quest as a burden, but think of it as a step towards who you were meant to be."

Alistair and Fergus stared at the Brother, letting his words sink into their minds. Kathryn smiled at the two Wardens. "I can't say how proud I am of you, brother."

Fergus looked at his younger sister, placing his hand onto her's, squeezing gently. "And I can't say how proud I am of you, sister."

The siblings smiled at each other, and the moment was broken at Roland's sudden outburst. "Breean!" He waved his hand in front of his nose as he stared at the sleeping mabari hound in front of the fireplace.

Soon, the others were able to smell what Roland had cried out about. "Oh my!" Aldous stood up, bowing slightly at the others who were busy trying to get away from the invisible flatulent cloud the mabari had blessed them all with. "I shall see you all in the morning!"

"You're sleeping in the Kennels tonight, my friend!" Kathryn lifted her lip in disgust.

Her hound only stretched in his sleep in response. "Good night!" Roland escaped the larder with haste.

"Come on, boy, wake up!" Kathryn patted her leg, and whistled to her mabari. "Good night, gentlemen. I will see you both in the morning."

The mabari slowly woke, stretching with a loud yawn. He sluggishly stood, and followed his mistress out. Alistair scratched his head and turned to Fergus. "So do you think we can do this?"

Fergus looked at him, and smiled confidently to hide his own doubts he had in himself. "Alistair I know we can. We just go about with the plan we had talked about earlier, and we should be able to accomplish this with the help of Highever and soon, Redcliffe."

Alistair yawned loudly from on top of his horse as he followed his companions on the road to the old fortress. He shook his head quickly, and slapped his face to wake himself up. The low comfort he received from riding his horse helped keep his drowsiness at bay, and he had hoped they would be able to at least get a few hours more of sleep once they reached the fort. Alistair looked at his side and saw Leliana staring at him. Her eyes moved up to his hair, which caused him to immediately throw the hood of his cloak over his head to cover it. "It's different." Leliana slightly smiled at him.

Alistair rolled his eyes turning his attention back to the scenery in front of him. "So I've been told."

He allowed his thoughts to drift as Leliana began to tease Sten of being soft after seeing the Qunari play with a kitten back at Highever. Alistair could hear Morrigan and Fergus talking quietly, their horses walking side by side. He couldn't tell if the two were planning their next movements, or if Fergus actually had gotten under the mage's thick skin. He watched the two and was almost shocked into a heart attack at what he thought was a laugh from Morrigan. Alistair could tell that Fergus enjoyed the company of Morrigan. He on the other hand couldn't trust the mage, even if she were to tell him the sky actually was blue. Alistair constantly had an uneasy feeling about her, that Fergus quickly dismissed as Alistair's "ex-templar" feelings.

Alistair was at least relieved that Fergus had chose to split the party and was taking the mage and a few of Highever's men to the Circle Tower. He was to go to Redcliffe, with Sten and Leliana. At least the bard didn't insult him constantly throughout the day, and Sten was tolerable company. "Ah, finally!" He heard Fergus call out.

The fortress stood along the Cliffside overlooking Ameranthine Ocean. The stone walls had stood throughout the years, showing that the Couslands had ensured the up keep of the fortress. Alistair guided his horse, following after Fergus through the main gates. They pulled to a halt in the empty courtyard. Smaller buildings stood within the walls of the fortress that Alistair had guessed were used as barracks at one point. Fergus walked his horse to a wooden stable, and tied his horse's reins. He looked at his friend as he walked towards the gates to give orders to the rest of the party. "It'll do for right now, right?"

Alistair heard Fergus giving orders for the soldiers to march in and begin settling into the fortress. Soon, Fergus stood at his side, and began looking around the courtyard at the empty buildings and the guard points along the walls. "We're going to have a lot of work ahead of us, my friend." Fergus told him.

The horns blew throughout the towers of Highever, announcing the returning Teyrn and Teyrna. Bryce had stopped at Bann Loren's estate to gather Eleanor and her things on the way back to Highever. The Teyrn rode at the head of the party, guiding it back to the castle for the formal arrival. The people of Highever had gathered to greet their Teyrn and Teyrna, and the soldiers of Highever. Bryce smiled as he lifted his hand to greet the citizens. Eleanor rode in the carriage that followed Bryce and waved to the people. Bryce had insisted that she ride behind him, for her own protection.

Bryce's smile brightened more at the sight of his daughter, who had waited near the gates of the castle. She was flanked by Ser Gilmore and Gilmore's second in command. The castle's staff had lined up, waiting to greet the Teyrn and Teyrna. The party finally stopped at the entrance to the castle. Bryce slid off of his horse, and Eleanor was helped out of her carriage by one of the servants of the castle. Kathryn smiled as she rushed into her father's arms, hugging onto him tightly. "Father."

Bryce placed a hand onto his daughter's head, and rubbed her back in comfort. Eleanor reached her husband and daughter, careful not to run to them. Kathryn looked at her mother from within her father's embrace. The tears that built up in her mother's eyes broke Kathryn's heart. Kathryn pulled away from her father and embraced her mother. Eleanor kissed her daughter's face and hugged onto her again. "My dear daughter."

Kathryn sighed and pulled away and looked at her parents. She slid her hand into her mother's, urging her parents to follow her into the castle. "Come, we need to talk."