A/N This is it, readers. The final chapter of Jowan's new life. Thanks for those who's been following my story. I truly appreciated it.

Dragon Age: Origins

Levyn

Chapter Twenty – Gwaren, L'amant.

The cave was filled with sounds of waves splashing against the shore, of seagulls shrieking and people yelling at the docks in the distance. The salty wind gently tousled her hair. Feet soaking in the cooling water below her, Gladys half-closed her eyes and enjoyed the early morning breeze, as it brushed comforting against her face. The corner of her lips curled up slightly. The last time she enjoyed something as simple as this felt like a lifetime ago.

It had been just over a week since the final battle against the sinister darkspawn beneath the old city. Life in Gwaren slowly went back to normal. The Dalish clan stayed for a few days, left after helping out the villagers rebuild their houses and restock their supplies. When they bid their goodbye at the city gate, Lanaya gave the Chasind girl an ironbark hair ornament, saying it would protect her from the elements in the forest should she venture therein. Gladys was close to tears as she grasped the hair comb her hands. Athras pressed a bow and arrow set into her hands as the clan began to depart. The stoic archer patted her shoulder gently before wishing her well. According to the others, it was beautifully carved and well balanced.

Zac had returned to his workshop. Rebuilding the city had kept him very busy. He and the others managed to destroy the Lyrium Wells and the small chamber before they managed to leave that cursed city's ruins. The gate to old Gwaren was once again sealed, until the next Keykeeper unlocked it. Tainjin came to the surface with them. He had been summoned to Denerium to meet King Alistair, to explain the whole situation and be examined by the Grey Wardens there about his condition. He and Ser Ciaren had departed a few nights ago.

Daraga recovered pretty quickly. The dwarven guard had now returned to her post. She often dropped by Jethro's from time to time, asking for his ale. According to her, the Chasind logger's home brew made Ophee's "taste like nug piss." Mihi led a few other mages and some guards to Waverlys' abandoned farm. They managed to clear out that area and caste darkspawn repelling spells. Since Gladys was the only surviving member of the Waverlys, the farm became rightfully hers. Suddenly, the Chasind girl went from a penniless nomad to someone with decent assets.

As for Flemeth, the infamous Witch of the Wilds vanished without a trace. When relating what had happened inside the force bubble during that crucial moment, everyone was in awe. It was like she knew that moment would come, and prepared the entire city before that. Why would a legendary witch wanted to help a city like Gwaren still remained a mystery to them.

A series of quiet footsteps echoed behind her. "There you are."

"Hi." Gladys half turned her head and grinned.

"Jethro told me I could find you here." Levyn came to her side and sat down.

"He did?" The Chasind girl's smile deepened. "Guess my secret hidey-hole is no longer a secret, aye?"

"Isn't that a bit strange that your favourite place out of the entire city is this underground quay?" The maleficar sounded amused. "How did you manage to get down here, anyway?"

"It's quite peaceful, actually." Gladys shrugged. "And it's not as difficult as you thought. Even Boo was down here a couple of times."

"Watch it." Levyn chuckled. "Tabi is going to scream if she knows this."

"Nay, she knew." The Chasind girl giggled. "It's the safest place in Gwaren, in her opinion!"

Straight after they killed off the Scholar and his wicked conjoined twin, Levyn had told her everything about his past. Like his name was originally Jowan; how he had been sent to the Tower at very young age; how he met his dear friend, the current Teyrna of Gwaren; how he had secretly practiced the forbidden Blood Magic without anyone knowing; how he had met the Chantry sister Lily, Wolf's younger sibling and fell in love; how he had betrayed everybody when he escaped the Tower; and how he ended up deep in the Brecilian Forest. It was a long and sad tale, and it ached Gladys's heart to know how a person could endure all that without telling a soul. Now she knew where his sadness and uncertain tone came from, and why he spoke of guilt from time to time.

She reached out her hand and found Levyn's face. Her fingers tentatively traced his stubbled chin, his nose, and his lips. The mage quickly grabbed them and pressed them against his face. The Chasind girl felt herself blush, and a tremor rippled down her back.

Heart in throat, Gladys heard herself ask, "What are you planning to do, now that everything was over?"

"I think… I will stay here for a while," The blood mage replied slowly, as though he was weighing his options. "Not busy running away from my past for a change. Gwen said there is this little boat at the docks. It is no longer in use, but she could get someone to covert it into some kind of houseboat for me to live in."

"A houseboat? Wow." She grinned. "Every child's wildest dream!"

"Exactly." Levyn laughed slightly. " I could see those children all gather outside of my house everyday, just to look at it."

Gladys laughed. The apostate reached out the other hand and tentatively touched her face, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. She could feel his breath as he breathed onto her face. She swore her heart almost stopped.

"What about you?" asked Levyn. His fingers lingered around her chin for a moment before extracting away.

"Me?" Gladys arched her eyebrow, ignoring the pang of slight disappointment that surged within her heart and trying her best to hide it.

"What are you planning to do, now that everything is over?" asked the Blood Mage.

"I don't know." The Chasind girl shook her head. "Jethro and Tabi have expressed their desire for me to stay with them. But…"

"But?"

"I've been trespassing on their hospitality for far too long." She sighed. "I like Gwaren. I'd like to stay here. But I am not sure where else I could stay."

"What about that farm?" the apostate suggested.

The image of dead bodies scattered all over the place flickered through her mind. Gladys instinctively shook her head. Her face must have looked really pale, too, because Levyn's hand quickly tightened around hers.

"I am sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned it," she heard the mage apologize frantically. "I should have thought…."

"No, it's okay." The Chasind girl tried to give the blood mage an assuring smile: "I…I know it happened a while ago, and Mihi had promised me there won't be darkspawn of any kind that will go anywhere near that place. But…I am sorry. I…I think I still can't face that place just yet."

"It's understandable," the apostate said slowly. "Perhaps, when you are ready, I can come with you?".

"I'd like that." Gladys relaxed a little.

Levyn once again reached out his hand and touched her face. She felt his fingers trail along her face and downward, finally stopping at her lips. His thumb pressed gently against her lower lips. The apostate murmured her name as she felt his breath against her face.

Then he kissed her.

It was just like how she remembered; the kiss was gentle and smelled of the mixture of poultice and elfroot. Gladys felt her whole heart quiver, and her head swooned. She slipped her free hand up, pressed against the mage's cheek and delighted in the sensation of his stubble against her fingertips. She inhaled deeply and kissed him back. Sensing her response, the mage moaned, and then his kiss changed. It became more demanding, passionate and clumsy. Levyn released her hand, cupped her face with both of his and deepened his kiss. The Chasind girl's hands moved and paused at his chest. She opened her mouth, allowing the mage's tongue to slip in further and dance with hers.

Both of their breaths were now short and ragged. Gladys' hands climbed up and wrapped around his neck, while the apostate's fingers found strands of her hair and knotted in-between them. At one stage, he gathered her up and sat her on his lap. His mouth moved from her lips to her earlobe, and then to the exposed skin above her collar on her neck. The Chasind girl sighed toward each and every one of his kisses, and when his shaking hands fumbled the button on her shirt, she found she was not surprised at all.

Nor was she afraid.

Why would she? He was the safest person who could ever be with in Thedas. With him, she was absolutely safe.

"Levyn," she gasped his name as he pushed the shirt off her shoulders. Her heart was in her throat when his hands reached for the laces of her small clothes. When she was completely topless, the mage paused. He pulled himself away slightly. For a while, his hands rested on her arms, and all she heard was the Levyn's heavy breathing.

"What are you doing?" she reached out, trying to search him.

"Nothing." His fingers threaded with hers. "You're…. Gladys…you're beautiful."

"You jest."

"I do not." The apostate gathered her back to his arms.

She shuddered as his teeth and tongue touched the bareness of her skin for the first time. They teased and nibbled their way down her throat, her breast, the concaveness of her abdomen, and returned to her lips again. Gladys thought she was on fire. Her body was enflamed and her skin burned wherever he touched.

Frantically, she began to tug his robe away. He groaned and shivered as her fingers brushed past his naked body. He whispered her name, and something that was not quite audible. His mouth once again found hers and captured them hungrily. His hands caressed her shoulders, her back, and gently kneaded her breast. She moaned, and cried out when his fingers rubbed her nipples playfully. Levyn pushed her gently, slowly lowered her until she was lying on the top of their clothes. His hands ventured upward, slowly leaving her skirt up until they reached the wetness between her thighs. The Chasind girl gasped and arched her back, as his fingers slipped inside her nether region.

She thought she had died a thousand times.

The mage removed the remains of his clothes and lowered himself over her. His lips claimed hers again as she felt hardness on his abdominal area. His hands roamed and stroked her body, sending her wave after wave of strong sensations.

She hissed as Levyn entered her. Her hands tightened into fists. The mage froze, and his voice was in shock.

"Maker's breath!" He could not believe it: "Gladys…you're…you …"

"Yes." Gladys barely found enough strength to twitch the corner of her mouth.

"Sweet Andraste, I am so sorry. You should have told me." Suddenly the familiar guilty tone returned to his voice. "I could…oh, Gladys..."

"Don't be." The Chasind girl's hand reached up and touched his face. "I wanted to do this, Levyn. I want you."

"Are you certain?" He kissed her again, tentatively.

"Yes." Gladys returned his kiss. She slipped her tongue into his mouth, feeling his breath became uneven once again.

"Gladys….my Gladys," he murmured as his tongue twined with hers. "I will never hurt you. This, I swear…"

His mouth wandered across her lips, the soft skin behind her ears, her collarbone and her breasts, until she was relaxed and began to enjoy the feeling of him inside her. The Chasind girl threw her head backward as he moved in and out of her. She began to cry his name as he plunged deeper.

He sighed her name and thrust harder into her. The mage buried his face in her hair and clenched her fingers with his. They climaxed simultaneously. Gladys swore she saw stars shooting out in her eyes.

As the world around them slowly swirled back to normal, the Chasind girl found their bodies still entwined, and were both covered with sweat.

Not that it wasn't pleasant, not at all. If they could, she wished they could stay like this forever.

Her fingers found his hair, and curled it between them. She felt his hands move across her face, gently brushed away her hair. She smiled as Levyn's lips brushed against hers.

"Gladys?"

"Yes?" She reached up, found his face and ran her fingers through his cheek absent-mindedly.

"I noticed you still calling me Levyn," said the mage.

"I am." Gladys replied.

"Why, may I ask?" The apostate caught her hands and pressed them against his lips.

"Because that's what I know of you, that's who you are." The Chasind girl tried to explain. "Jowan is your past, a very crucial past that sculpted who you are now. But that is no longer you. Something changed you since your travels in Ferelden. You have become so much more….my apology, my language skill is very limited in times like this. I do hope you understand what I am trying to say."

"I know." His mouth sought hers. "Don't worry, I understand."

Gladys responded as his hands wandered across her naked body once again, and her thoughts went wild. The time and space around them once again stopped.

"You know," she sighed after a while. "This is one of the moments I wish I wasn't blind."

"How so?" asked the mage.

"I wish to see your face, I mean for real, when you…you…" She suddenly felt herself blush.

The apostate propped himself up to his side, suddenly grabbed her hand, and placed it on his chest. "Feel that?"

"Yes?" Gladys frowned, slightly unsure where he was heading.

"That's where my heart is," Levyn said earnestly. "And it has been beating through all these times. You can feel me by putting your hand here. You don't have to see my face for that."

"Levyn…." The Chasind girl found she was speechless.

"Gladys." She heard him took a deep breath. "Gladys, I love you."

She shook, and could not believe what she had just heard. She jerked her head toward Levyn's direction and listened to his heavy breathing for a moment or so.

"You did not mean that." Gladys blurt out, in an almost inaudible tone.

"I mean every word." The mage kissed the corner of her mouth, his thumb touched her lower lip.

"You…. but I am…I am," the Chasind girl suddenly found herself stuttering.

"Not by your choice." The apostate kissed her eyelids. "You brought peace into my otherwise troubled mind. Your presence soothed the guilt that was a constant presence in my head. I am at my happiest when I am with you, Gladys. To me, you are the most beautiful woman I've every met. I love you, with my heart and my soul."

"What about Lily?" Gladys felt her throat tighten. "And…Teyrna Neph…."

"I loved them both, for a time," Levyn sighed. His voice sounded distancy and slightly in pain as he replied to her question thoughtfully. "I must say, as my mind was clouded with other matters, their presence was…it provided temporary refuge, which I mistook then as love. It was not fair to them, and I remain feeling sorry for that until today. I do hope I have the chance to right the wrong I made one day, Gladys. I sincerely hope so."

"You already did." The Chasind smiled.

"Excuse me?"

"You already did, Levyn." Gladys traced her fingers up his cheek and found his lips again. "You saved Gwaren, you got rid of the darkspawn beneath us, and you saved me. If that wasn't some kind of redemption, then I am not sure what else is."

The mage pulled her back to his arms and buried his face in her hair again. He inhaled, and murmured her name as the sound of waves echoed throughout the vast rock cave.

"Say that again," Gladys asked after a while.

"What?" Levyn puzzled

"What you just said a few moments ago."

"About Lily and Neph?" A hint of playfulness rose in his tone.

"No." She punched the mage's chest jokingly. "I am pretty sure you know what I mean."

"I don't?"

"Oi!"

"Alright, alright, I jest." Levyn laughed. " I love you, Gladys."

The Chasind girl held her breath: "Again."

"I love you." No more joking, the mage repeated the words wholeheartedly.

Gladys sighed, and felt herself blush. She reached out her hand, found Levyn's and curled her fingers with his.

"I love you, too." The Chasind girl heard herself said.

Levyn reached out his other hand, cupped her face and gave her the softest kiss.