So, another cop out chapter. Heh...I'll pre-warn and let you know that this entire chapter is the lead up to entering Redcliffe Castle. I could have just skipped it, but I really wanted to get Evie's opinion of Isolde out there. She's never been fond of the woman and that scene is the perfect place to get it all out in the open. I've taken a few creative liberties with some of the lines...I hope that doesn't bother anyone...but I did try to keep it as close as possible. Anyhow, enjoy!

Bioware owns everything!

"So we will enter the castle from the cellars and seek out my brother...and pray that he still lives." The Bann finished.

Evelyn did not like the plan. First of all they had no idea what dangers lay within those walls and they had no way of finding out. Secondly, she didn't want him anywhere near that castle. She was just about to protest when Alistair spoke.

"Andraste's knickers!" He exclaimed pointing up the hill. "Would you look at that!"

Evelyn turned to see Lady Isolde and a guard rushing down the incline toward their party. When they made it she all but threw herself at the Bann. The rogue felt her spine stiffen as the woman began talking.

"Teagan! Thank the Maker you yet live!"

It took everything within her power not to sneer at the woman. All of her life the Arlessa had rubbed her the wrong way, and now as she fawned over 'TeeegHaan' Evie wanted nothing more than to backhand the Orlesian harpy. Jealousy squirmed like a snake in her belly. She knew it was absolutely ridiculous but she couldn't stop it. Who in the hell does she think she is anyway...married to the Arl but attempting at every turn to get the attention of his younger brother. Shameful wench.

She realized that she was grinding her teeth and quickly schooled her features into a mask of neutrality before flicking her gaze to Alistair. How he must have suffered at her whims in his childhood. He was staring back at her, his golden eyebrow raised as if to relay a silent question. Evie shook her head at the warrior and he shrugged.

"I need you to return with me, Teagan. Alone." She put particular emphasis on the last word setting Evie's teeth even more on edge.

The rogue snorted, unable to keep quiet any longer. "Yeah, I don't think so," she spat out voice brooking no argument, "Why don't we all go to the castle."

The harpy whirled on her with a look of utter disgust, her lip curled up like she smelled something foul. This was one of the many reasons Evie had avoided her whenever she had been forced to go to Redcliffe.

"What?" She snapped eyeing the rogue, "Who is this woman, Teagan?"

Evie cut her eyes to the Bann...his eyebrow was quirked dangerously high and the set of his jaw told her that he was trying very hard to remain the gentleman.

"Oh yes, Teagan. Do tell..." The rogue said with a roll of her emerald eyes. Any noble with half a brain could tell who she was just by looking at her...it would figure that this woman's cold glare wouldn't conjure up a picture of Eleanor Cousland.

Before he could reply Alistair cut in with an annoyed sigh. "Lady Isolde, you remember me, yes?" His voice was even but held a very thinly veiled tinge of contempt. Evie resisted the urge to give him a brotherly thump on the shoulder. Good for him. She knew that she was being silly, but the woman grated on her last nerve.

At the sight of the young warrior her sneer became even more pronounced. She looked at him like he was a particularly nasty insect and Evie's hands clenched at her sides. She wanted to slap that look right off of the noblewoman's face. Duncan's words came flooding into her mind at that moment as the woman talked down to her companion, staying her itching hand. Remember, you are both Grey Wardens. I expect you to be worthy of that title.

Without missing a beat the Bann stepped in. "They are Grey Wardens, Isolde. I owe them my life...and that is Bryce Cousland's daughter. You would do well to check your tone when you address her."

Evelyn didn't miss the flash in his sapphire eyes as they bored into the other woman. She had never been one to use the weight of her family name for leverage. In this case, however, it gave her a sense of smug satisfaction. No matter how childish.

The Orlesian's posture went ramrod straight as she turned to face the warden. Evelyn half expected her to curtsey after the tone Teagan had used on her. She giggled inwardly at the thought.

"Pardon me, M' lady...I would exchange pleasantries, but considering the circumstances..." She began in a quiet voice but was interrupted by Alistair.

"We had no idea that anyone was even alive within the castle walls. You need to give us some answers." He said sternly and completely ignoring her station.

She turned her back on him and once again approached the Bann. Apparently she hadn't missed the slight.

"I know that you want an explanation, but I do not know what is safe to tell." She reached out to touch Teagan's arm but he turned slightly to avoid the contact. "There is evil in the castle...the dead wake and hunt the living. We have imprisoned the mage responsible, but it still continues! And I think...Connor is going mad. He has..." She paused and shot a glance at Evelyn, "seen so much death."

The look the Arlessa had slipped her set off too many internal alarms. I smell bullshit.

"You are his uncle, you have to help him Teagan! You could reason with him!" Her voice was shrill and desperate.

Evie narrowed her eyes. "Does the Arl still live?" Her tone was a little more crisp than she had intended.

"He is...he's being kept alive so far. Thank the Maker..." Came the reply.

"What do you mean, kept alive?" Teagan questioned, his concern for his brother's situation beginning to show through, "By what?"

The Arlessa's flat brown eyes cut back to the warden again before she answered. So far Evelyn didn't like any of the answers that they were being given.

"She's lying," she whispered to Alistair as the woman talked, "I don't trust her. She isn't telling us everything."

Alistair nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I'm not buying it. Something is...off."

Evie turned her attention back to the Orlesian. "So this evil, you think it's some kind of demon?"

Her shock at the question was clearly staged and Evelyn didn't have to be a bard to figure that one out. Isolde was a terrible actress. The rogue's features remained neutral as she nodded but her mind was letting the woman have a severe tongue lashing.

"And this mage?"

"He claims that he is an agent of Teryn Loghain and that he was sent to poison Eamon. He could be lying however, I cannot say." She replied quickly. Evelyn watched the shock spread over Teagan's face at the news and felt her muscles tense at the mention of the traitorous bastard. She grimaced...it was working. The harpy was luring him in.

"So what is it that you haven't been telling us? You are obviously leaving out parts of this story." She asked the Arlessa bluntly.

A venomous look crossed her face as she eyed the rogue. Apparently courtly niceties were out the window again. "I beg your pardon? That's a rather impertinent accusation!"

Evie didn't bother trying to contain the harsh laughter that bubbled out of her throat. "Not if it's true."

The Arlessa began wringing her hands as tears sprang into her eyes. "An evil I cannot fathom holds my family hostage! I came for help! What more do you want from me?"

There would be no stopping Teagan now and Evie knew it. He was far too noble to not take the damsel in distress bait. There was no use putting off the inevitable.

"Enough," She said wearily, "Let us just decide what to do."

Teagan's eyes were full of resolve when they met hers. "The king is dead, and we need my brother more than ever. I will return to the castle with you, Isolde."

Evelyn shrugged with a nonchalance she didn't feel as the woman thanked him repeatedly in a sickly sweet tone. "At any rate, it seems like you have little choice." She said stiffly.

"I have no illusions of dealing with this evil alone, Evie," he assured her quietly, "you have proven that you are quite formidable...as have your companions." He waved the Arlessa away. "Isolde, I would like to confer with the Teryna in private before I go...If you would."

She nodded and shot the rogue one last look before taking her leave. Evelyn could have sworn she saw the wench smiling smugly as she started up the hill with her guard.

When she approached he pressed his signet ring into her hand then cupped it with his own while he told her of the plan he had formed. It was surprisingly good. She remained quiet until he suggested that Eamon was to be her priority and that he and the rest of the family were expendable.

"You forget who you are talking to, Teagan Guerrin. I will do whatever it takes to keep you all safe. I won't leave anyone to die. Do not doubt that."

"Brave as well as beautiful," he smiled as he brought her knuckles to his lips, "the Maker smiled on me indeed when he sent you back to Redcliffe...and back to me. I only wish that the circumstances were better. You deserve that and much more."

He leaned in and kissed her soundly much to the surprise of her companions. She almost laughed at Alistair and Wynne's shocked murmurs. Pulling away, he gave her a roguish grin. "Good luck, M' lady."

When he started up the hillside after Isolde, Evelyn finally turned to face her friends. Alistair's eyes were still wide and his mouth agape, Sten...ever stoic and Wynne was giving her a knowing smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"What in the Maker's name was that?" The warrior finally managed to sputter out as she started toward the windmill.

"That's for me to know and for you to mind your own business. Pull it together man, we have work to do." She said with a smirk as she slid the signet onto her finger.