A/N: Ok, I fixed it. Yay!

I felt the strength of someone's arms wrapped around me, my head bobbing slightly with every step they took. I wiggled faintly in my liberators grasp only to bite my lip in pain and subdue a scream. My leg felt as if it was on fire. Pain radiated up and down my leg sending white light of agony up my spine. My eyes fluttered open as I dug my fingers into my companion's flesh, trying hard not to cry in anguish.

The arms around me shifted slightly, their grip tightening as I began to wriggle. I felt so painfully uncomfortable. Wave after wave of tormenting pain ran up and down my leg, chasing any thoughts I may have had previously completely and utterly from my mind.

I grit my teeth as I felt my rescuer come to an abrupt halt. I was panting now, my body breaking into a cold sweat. My chest began to constrict and tighten as my breathing became shallow. I slid my hand into the pocket of my skirt to find my inhaler was missing. I started to panic, my hands frantically tearing at my person.

'Where is it?' I started thrashing in the arms of my rescuer, fear creeping past the pain. I started gasping for air as I felt the tightness take hold of my throat, the burning sensation burrowing in my chest.

"Serah! What's wrong?"

The arms holding me gently placed me down on a hard unexpectedly cold surface. My vision was blinded slightly by the light of the sun making it hard for me to decipher who exactly stood over me.

I heard someone calling for me, asking me questions, then hands reaching out and pressing on my leg. I gave a shriek of protest as foreign hands probed my wounds, sending flares of radiating torment coursing through my body. All other senses faded into the background as I started pushing them away from my injured leg, tears now spilling down my cheeks.

Those green eyes loomed over me again, this time I could make out the small oval face they belonged to. A long slender nose set above small dainty lips, a look of apprehension gracing her tantalizing features. She had several facial tattoos that covered her entire face, a look that well suited her as it framed her giant green eyes well. It made her look transcendent in a way. Her hand reached out and began to stroke my forehead, her fingers ice cold against my flesh.

"She's burning up!"

I gave a soft whimper as I looked into her face, pleading with my eyes. She seemed to understand, her touch becoming tender and soft against my cheek. She began to purr softly as she moved her hands to my tangled hair, gently running them through the strands.

"Thank you Merrill, keep her calm." The voice was deep and different from that of the one humming above me. As he spoke warmth engulfed my leg, the pain slowly ebbing away leaving in its wake a tender soft feeling of relief. Soft light swayed above me as warmth circled my foot, sending tingles of delight coursing through my body. I gave a sigh of content as my breathing became regular and my hearts beating relaxed. The soft glow of light began to travel upward, over my abdomen and breasts, heat spreading its grasp over my skin and sinking deep within me. I closed my eyes, enjoying the delightful feeling consuming my entire body. The pain in my leg dissipated and left in its wake a feeling of pure bliss.

My eyes grew heavy as the heat delved into my flesh, a small smile turning the corner of my lips. Merrill's hands withdrew from my face as she stepped aside for my healer. I could barely distinguish his face as a rush of exhaustion set over me. Soft brown eyes stared down at me as his hand cupped my cheek.

"Thank you." I mumbled the recognition as I fought to keep my eyes open. He smiled in reply then stepped back, turning away momentarily. He returned with a decent size blanket and proceeded to throw it over my figure. He pressed his hand one more time against my temple then gave a grunt of satisfaction.

"You should sleep. You'll feel better in the morning."

I couldn't object even if I wanted to. My eyes shut as I gave a sigh of satisfaction. I was warm and at ease, nothing could possibly distress me now.

I woke to the sound of a crackling fire, the wood popping under the burning flames. I pushed myself into a sitting position as I gave a deep yawn. I rubbed the sleep from my face as I dropped my legs over the side of the stone bench. My bare feet touched the softness of dirt and I looked down puzzled.

"Sorry, it's not the best accommodations I'm sure you're used to."

I glanced over to the side of the room, where a man sat perched against the wall, a piece of parchment in one hand and an inked pen in another. He regarded me with an easy smile then placed his belongings down beside him. He was next to me in moments tilting his head sideways, his gentle eyes analyzing my expression.

"Do you feel well?"

I glimpsed down at my leg, his question bringing me back to reality. I positioned my leg back onto the stone surface, brushing my fingers up and down its length. I glanced over my shoulder at him, a look of sure amazement crossing my features.

"But… How? I was sure it was broken!" I turned back to my limb and began to probe it with my fingers. Nothing. My skin felt smooth and unscathed beneath my fingertips.

"It's like magic!" I gave a slight sigh of bewilderment as I continued to investigate my body. My blue plaited uniform had been torn and covered in dirt as well as my own blood. A large gash of fabric had been torn from the upper half of my torso exposing soft bare skin. One of the straps of the uniform dress was completely torn, and the red tie dangling around my neck had been halved. The white blouse underneath the dress was several shades of black, the fabric far beyond bleaching. The pleated skirt of the dress was tattered and covered in sand, the condition a sure sign that I had undeniably been in a mishap. I reached for my neck and sighed with relief as I touched my gold necklace, the charm pendant pressed against my skin protectively. I glanced back at him, a small smile of cheerful optimism turning the corners of my mouth.

"Thank you. You did a lot for me. I don't know how I can ever repay you."

He gave a slight chuckle beside me, crossing his chest with his arms as he leaned against the stone wall behind him.

"Just don't tell the Templars. I have a feeling they wouldn't show the same admiration as you do." His heavy accent nabbed my ears attention. My eyes began to take him in, his dusty blonde hair pulled back into a small band at the nape of his neck. His brown eyes were set above a dominate nose, sharp and defined. His face was covered in blonde stubble giving him the appealing rugged look. He was handsome, and his accent only add to the sex appeal.

His clothing puzzled me however, fur lined the top of his ensemble, large gold rings and leather straps fashioning the tan and gray garb. His clothing was definitely a sight to behold, strange and unique. Under his peculiar attire I could tell he was athletically fit.

I leaned back to investigate his appearance more when he gave a slight cough.

"Do I have something on my face? Or am I just that attractive?" He gave a boyish grin as I felt my face flare in heat. I hadn't realized I was staring at him so attentively.

"I'm sorry! I mean…I wasn't…I wouldn't…" I shut my mouth in defeat. It was too late I had already embarrassed myself. He laughed gently, a small smile brightening his features. I smiled in response as I realized this must be his way of making jests at me. I brushed a strand of my hair behind my ear then reached my hand out to him.

"My name is Mira, Mira Taite." His fingers grasped mine and I gave a slight shiver at the feel of his warm calloused hand against my own. His hand engulfed mine, its size large and dominating, making me feel small and inferior.

"Anders is what they call me. Maker only knows if I have a last name. Probably not. The circle doesn't really give you a chance to find out if you have one."

I shook my head unfamiliar with his terminology, and then viewed him with a critical stare. "I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you're talking about. What on God's earth is a Templar? And a circle?"

He stumbled backwards as he gave a soft whistle.

"Ouch, I think I hear the chantry crying in the distance."

I bit my lower lip in silence as I shook my head again.

"You're not joking are you? … You really don't know what a Templar is? Or the circle of Magi? Were you raised in a cave by chance?"

He began to stare at me analytically, his eyes searching my face.

"How were you injured." His voice held a serious undertone, the merriment fleeing his features.

I leaned back against the stone bench, the cold slab touching the back of my thighs. I closed my eyes briefly as I replayed the events back in my head. My memories seemed to play in slow motion as I silently relived them. Parts of those moments seemed to be missing, shrouded in darkness. I remember falling into the mirror but all else seemed to be gone.

"I got into an accident… And, there was this mirror. The Eluvian?"

A glint of emotion flashed across Anders brown eyes as he stepped closer to me. I could feel the warmth of his breath against my cheek as I fell backwards onto the stone bench. My heart began to race as fear welled inside me. Was this it then?

"Are you an apostate? Maleficar? Did Merrill do this? That stupid idiot and her blood magic. How do I know you're not some demon?"

I sucked in my breath as I violently shook my head in disagreement.

"Listen! I don't know how I got here, but I'm no demon…Or Maleficar. I was having a pretty normal life until that mirror showed up."

He continued to stare at me, his gaze burning into my own. I had to look away his eyes were so deep and intimidating. I was definitely ranking this day as number one for crappiest day in my life. He gave a heavy sigh as he backed away from the bench. He ran a hand over his blonde stubble as he tried to find his thoughts.

"Merrill will be back in the morning. Hopefully she'll have something decent for you to wear. I'd offer you something but I'm afraid rebel apostate is the only fashion sense I know. We'll discuss the Eluvian in the morning. Now, you must be hungry. I can at least be of some service in that department. What shall it be? Bread and cheese? Or cheese and bread?" He gave a weak smile as he turned away from me, my stomach still turning with uneasiness. Something about him seemed strange and put off. I watched him as set a plate full of the promised meal, my appetite diminished after his livid acquisitions. I glimpsed out the window to the right of me and gave a heavy exhale. What had I gotten into this time?

"Ah! You're awake!"

Merrill came bounding into the clinic, a bundle of cloth draped over her open arms. I gave an unsure smile as she ran straight for me. My eyes burned from lack of sleep and my stomach was heavy with a case of uneasiness. Sometime in the night patients of Anders began knocking on his door.

Without hesitation he began taking each in, helping with stab wounds, broken limbs, and minor cases of fever. I had watched him from the corner of the room, his abilities beyond anything I had ever seen before. I had been right about the magic part. He had referred to himself as an apostate, and from what I witnessed I took that to mean a warlock of some sort. His hands were implements of healing, radiating light of comfort and strength. I watched as he would place his palms on the wound of a patient and how soft light would emit from deep within, instantly healing the patron. Is that the sensation I had experienced when he cured me?

The expression that shadowed his face when he cared for a patient was that of pure determination. I could tell he relished in what he did, and that he was completely devoted. His powers should have scared me, but they didn't. They pulled me toward him in a way, like a magnate attracting metal. I watched him patch up a small girl suffering from a broken arm, his touch becoming tender and soft as he inspected and treated her. Had he responded the same way with me? All memories of his healing touch had seemed to fade away, the warmth long gone. I started to respect him as I watched him care patient after patient. Especially knowing I myself had been one.

There was so much energy going on around me that I found it hard to sleep, no matter how many times Anders kept insisting I do so. He made it very clear that I was still his patient and until he was convinced I was 100% cured he was not letting me leave.

And where would I go if I left? Apparently I was no longer in Rome, NY, let alone America. When I asked him if I could use the restroom he had shamelessly implied I find a bush, since his chamber pot was "males only". There was no running water, no electricity, and of course no toilets. The dust covering the floor started irritating my skin, filling my nose and clinging to my legs. Everything was outlandishly different. I had to be dreaming. This only happens in dreams…right? I was in dire need of a shower and some feminine toiletries and apparently those didn't exist in this dimension.

Merrill dragged me out of my thoughts as she pressed the bulky ashen colored material into my hands.

"I brought you some clothes Messer. I'm sorry if they don't fit properly. I got them from a merchant in low town…and I couldn't quite remember your size."

I tilted my head as I then realized her ears were shaped peculiarly. My eyes widened in shock as I investigated further.

"Dear Lord…You're an Elf!" My mouth dropped in shock, my mind not believing what my eyes depicted.

"Oh? Have you never seen one before? I see one every day. Especially since I live in the alienage."

She gazed up at me with those large green eyes and I had to swallow back my retort. Magic and elves? What, had I fallen into Lord of the Rings?

"Merrill, how did you find me? Where am I?"

She gave me a gentle smile as she began to sway from side to side.

"Well, I was sitting in my hut reading a scroll or two when I heard a loud thump come from the other room. I went to investigate and there you were, bleeding all over my clean floor. It's ok, I don't mind cleaning it again."

She was torturing me with her placid expressions. It was like talking to a child. Before I could ask her more questions Anders stepped into the conversation.

"Merrill, about that bloody mirror of yours… What magic have you used this time?" He scowled down at her, anger lacing his words as he accosted her. My eyes fell on her as she began to defend herself.

"I've done no magic as of recently. I'm hiding from Templar's, remember?"

"What I remember is you playing with blood magic in order to get that stupid Dalish relic to work!"

"It is my people's history! You would never understand, you have no heritage or history to relish in."

He scoffed at that statement as he leaned back to glare at her.

"You're people's past has done very little for your future, if you even have one."

Merrill placed her hands on her hips in defense as she glared up at him angrily.

"len'alas lath'din! You're a fool Anders. The Dalish will love me once I have finished the Eluvian."

He gave a sarcastic laugh, disgust etched in his expression.

"I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong." Merrill's face grew with color as she advanced toward him, her fists balled at her sides. I could feel the tension rising between them, invisible sparks shooting into the air.

I cleared my throat then, slowly drawing myself between them, gently placing a hand on each of their arms. This wasn't helping me in the least. What had started as an inquisition of sorts had turned into the battle of right and wrong. I barely knew what was being argued over, but I did know that the mirror played a large factor, which ultimately cropped me into the picture. They both turned their stares to me as I stepped between them.

"Merrill, do you have any idea how I got here? Please. I would like to go back home."

The anger from her face slowly dissipated as she considered my question. Her eyes lit up as a smile touched her pixie lips.

"If I fix it you can fall right through it again!"

Anders shook his head in disbelief, tossing his arms into the wind.

"I don't know what makes you so dumb but it really works."

I didn't know if the statement was directed at me or Merrill, either way I felt a twinge of hurt pierce my gut. Before I could say another word he stormed out of the clinic, muttering random insults under his breath. I dropped my hand from Merrill's shoulder and continued to stare after him until he disappeared from my view. For some reason, his words still rang in my head, the look of revulsion sprawled over his handsome face burned into my mind.

"It's ok Mir-"

I didn't let her finish. I took off running in the opposite direction he had turned. I was not going to play these games. None of this made sense, and I was not going to play dummy for some rogue mage and a little fairytale elf. I had no clue as to where I was heading, all I knew was that it got me far enough away from all the bullshit smothering me.