Part Three

Nathaniel woke cold in his cell, numb from the frozen stones of Amaranthine. He had fully expected to die. The one who had killed his father would not be any kinder than he, Nathaniel expected. They would not show mercy on someone who had slain their way through the castle for a few trinkets and answers.

It had been a harsh three years. He had dared not return to Ferelden at first, but when news of his father's death reached him, he immediately left for the country. He had searched for Anders in the Circle, but heard of the attacks by the blood mages. There were so many bodies, it was hard to tell whose belonged to who. He dreamt that Anders might have escaped as he often had. If anyone could survive the destruction of the Circle, he could.

But that mattered not now, waiting for death beneath his childhood home. He had never thought he would see it again. Perhaps there was a mercy at least in that.

He coughed, his lungs shaking from the cold and the sickness growing inside them. The guard backed away slightly from the cell, obviously trying to not be infected.

Nathaniel's cough blocked out the sound of the Warden-Commander coming down the stairs. He looked up to see the guard saluting and stepping to the side as the elf coming to unlock his prison door.

"You're the one who slayed my father?" He laughed and coughed again, "I heard you were ten feet tall and breathed fire."

"Slight exaggeration," she smiled, leading him out by the hand, "But word travels fast, if inaccurately."

She wrapped a cloak around his shoulders as he shivered.

"I do not know what I did to expect kindness from you," Nathaniel said softly, "Do you not worry I have come to kill you and avenge my father?"

"I have reason to suspect you cared very little for the man," she said, bringing him out into the candlelight, "You seem ill, but I will have our healer attend to you. I wish to recruit you into the Grey Wardens, Howe. I have no wish to kill you and I find myself in need of skilled men and women. Consider it…repentance for what crimes your father has committed."

"You would have me join your ranks so easily?" Nathaniel questioned.

"It was a compromise," she said gently, "You will still have to earn my trust yet, but I could not find it in me to judge you too harshly."

She led him out of the dungeon, blinking in the bright winter sky. He shivered and she drew the cloak closer around him.

"I have clothes and provisions for you in the Keep," she said, "Just come into the main hall with me. We won't do the joining until you have rested."

"I still have not agreed to do so," Nathaniel reminded.

But then he saw him, pacing by the entrance of the Keep with a small orange kitten playing by his feet. He turned to him and raced through the snow, his robes trailing behind him as the kitten chased him.

Anders held Nathaniel in his arms and kissed his lips hard. Nathaniel dropped the cloak, pulling Anders around him in the kiss.

They pulled apart, their hands holding the other's face as the Warden smiled slightly beside them. She picked up the cat and brought the creature into the Keep with her.

"I thought you were dead," Nathaniel murmured, "I searched for you…they told me about what happened at the Circle. I thought…"

"I thought she was going to kill you," Anders whispered, "She wanted to make an example, but when I realized who it was, I threatened, I begged, I pleaded. This was the best I could do for you, love. It will be a hard life and a short one."

"They have already made you one of them?" Nathaniel asked.

Anders nodded, "It was the only way to be freed from the Templars."

Nathaniel smiled softly, the snow coming down around them, "My father is dead and no Templar will ever touch you again. I told you once we could live together here. You thought it was just a dream."

They kissed again until Nathaniel began to shiver again.

Anders took his hand as he led him to the Keep. He looked at his lover and smiled.

"Welcome home, Nate."