Thank you to everyone who replied, it really makes my day! I hope you enjoy this chapter :) Please let me know if you do! ta

Changed rating to M for later chapers.

Chapter 3

I gently lifted her up into my arms trying not to wake her, she was a heavy sleeper just like she used to be, maker I missed her more then I could have ever imagined, how could I have left her all those years ago when she begged me not too.

"What are you doing?" A small voice spoke from under me; I looked down to see her bright blues staring back up at me.

"You feel asleep." I answered in a mumble as I continued towards her tent. "Just like you used too when you were little, sleep just as heavily too."

She shifted uncomfortably in my arms but I tried to act like I didn't notice, I reached her tent before gently placing her onto her feet. "Thank you Nathaniel." She spoke quietly, unsure of how to act.

I looked at her for a moment, strains of her light brown hair dangled in front of her face and her lovely eyes looked towards me but not exactly at me "Goodnight Ari…" I said bowing my head slightly at her.

"Goodnight Nathaniel."

I had made my way back into my tent and back onto a horrid piece of blanket on a cold rocky floor, the joys of being a Warden I suppose.

"Ari, I have something for you!" I called out through the large castle that housed her and her family, it was her sixteenth birthday and there was a large party thrown in her honor, I knew that it was a party for all the nobles to come meet her so she could begin to look for a husband, which made me incredibly jealous.

She bounded out of her room with Nan yelling behind her, "Maker…" I breathed as she stood in front of me grinning; her hair was curled into ringlets and it was pinned up into a bun loosely letting strains fall lose and in perfect curls. She was in a light blue strapless dress which clung to her upper body before loosely puffing out and falling down to her feet, she had matching colored gloves. "N teddy!" She squealed happily before bounding towards me and crashing me into a hug.

"You look beautiful today, my lady." I teased her lightly hugging her back tightly.

She let out a snort at the 'my lady' bit before pulling away and hitting me lightly. "No 'my lady' crap from you Mr."

I chuckled lightly in return taking a step back to look at her. "You're father would beg to differ, he didn't even really want me here." I sent her a smirk before adding. "Thinks you'd be too distracted with me here."

She let out a very 'attractive' snot. "Of course he'd say that Nathaniel Howe, the big distracter." She looked up at me with her bright blues and smiled. "I don't even want to go to this party; do you remember how mean half of them were to me?"


I smiled humbly at her before swiftly taking a hold of her left hand into my right, entangling our fingers together. "I'll be there with you so don't worry too much okay? I have a surprise for you."

Her face lit up even brighter to which I didn't think was possible; I led her down the hallway and towards the entrance of the castle, she was squeezing my hand continuously with excitement. I stopped walking and pulled back on her hand too which she stopped instantly. "Remember how I took you too that breeder because I said I needed a Mabari for when I finish my training?"

She looked at me for a moment. "Yes."

I placed both of my pinkies into my mouth and blew causing a whistle to escape my lips, not two seconds a small Mabari puppy came bounding towards her wagging his tail. I looked at Arianna as her eyes were wide and a large smile plastered itself on her face. "Is it mine?" She squealed bending down to pick up the small dog.

"It is the one that imprinted on you as soon as it saw you." I smiled at the reaction I had received from her; she looked like a child receiving candy for the first time. "Happy Birthday Ari."

"Thank you so much Nathaniel!" She squealed happily patting the dog whose tail wouldn't stop wagging. "I love him! I shall call him Zodiac!"

I awoke as the sun was rising which caused light to fill the small tent that housed me, I grumbled pushing myself up into a sitting position, I couldn't sleep once light was involved. I got dressed back into my armor and made my way out of the tent, Anders was already up and eating breakfast with his silly cat; I made my way over towards him. "Morning." I grunted pulling out some bread to eat.

"Hello there Howe, how was you're night with the commander?" He mused over to me with a smirk on his face. "I saw the two of you."

"Oh little mage don't let your mind wonder so much, we've been friends all of our lives." I snapped back but on hearing his chuckle I rolled my eyes. "Don't think I haven't seen you check her out." I scoffed making my way towards the edge of our little 'camp'

"I am only human." He answered over his shoulder towards me while still playing with Sir pounce-a-lot, what a stupid name for a cat.

I ignored him after that as I looked across the open spaces around us; the only thing that showed that man had ever crossed this area was the small dirt road that crossed straight through the middle of it. "Enjoying the nice view?" Her voice whispered into my ear before she appeared in a puff just next to me; I never knew she could stealth.

"Cute trick." I muttered taking a glance to my left to see her step next to me. "Sleep well?"

"Good morning Commander!" Anders called out to her from where he was eating breakfast, causing me to roll my eyes automatically.

"Morning Anders." She greeted back turning to face the mage. "We are off to the crater the two men informed us on in ten minutes." She informed sending him a sweet smile, she spun back around too talk to me and I saw Anders' mushy look towards her.

"I had a dream about you actually." She said suddenly keeping her gaze out onto the valley we had set up camp in. "To answer your question…It was better then my normal dreams"

"It wouldn't have happened to be you're sixteenth birthday would it?" I questioned joining her gaze out into the valley that surrounded us. "What I was, before I woke up."

"Sun get into you're tent?" She turned to look at me and smiled. "We need to get a move on." She said sweetly taking my left hand into both of hers and giving it a squeeze.

"More walking." I groaned pulling a face which caused her to giggle. "Haven't you ever heard of a horse?"

She flashed me a grin over her shoulder as she made her way towards her tent. "Horses are fine and all but with the constant fighting and going in places one really shouldn't they would be more trouble then their worth."

I watched her hips sway as she walked away from me just like they used too, I sighed at myself before rubbing my face with both hands. "Get a hold of yourself Nathaniel…" I grumbled to myself pathetically.

Once the dwarf was ready we were on our way to the apparent Darkspawn ground, Knotwood Hills. The journey was long but we moved much faster then yesterday, Oghren and Anders squabbled and occasionally they would ask me things to which I answered, mostly. We came to a giant crater were a large wooden bridge stood over it looking worse for wear, Arianna moved up to the bridge and placed her hand onto the piece of tired old rope that held the bridge up. "Come on then."

Oghren snorted just by looking at the bridge. "You really think it's gonna' hold up when I'm there?"

Arianna rolled her eyes before taking the first step onto the bridge. "It's not that far of a fall Oghren, at worse it'll just make you a little shorter." She shot him a smile and got a grunt in return.

It must have been a pretty pathetic sight too see that three males were waiting too see if the one female could get across the rickety old bridge before any of them attempted it. We eyed her careful as she slowly stepped across the bridge there was a loud snap as we all jumped a little, we watched a piece of wood crashed to the ground below, smashing into little pieces and by the time we looked up Arianna was already on the other side. "Come on." She called over.

The other two swapped glances so I decided to go next, she was the lightest of us all so I could understand why the others were edgy, I stepped onto the bridge as it creaked loudly making me a little uneasy but feeling it support me just fine I walked across it with easy.
Anders let out a sigh of relief once I was across. "Thank the maker, if you can make it I sure can!" and with that he walked across the bridge with ease.

"You'll be fine Oghren." Arianna called over to the dwarf standing on the other side with a scowl on his face. "But if you don't get over here right now I'm going to tell everyone you got scared of a bridge."

Oghren let out an all mighty snort. "Thunderhumper!" To which Arianna scoffed in reply. "Then get over here!"

He mumbled as he walked up to the bridge, the amount of heavy armor and that giant axe he fought with, I too had my doubts; he stepped on it and waited a moment, he took another step, then another and then after a couple more minutes he was over our side.

"Took you're time." Arianna teased already making her way down the steep pathway that led down the creator. "Darkspawn aren't going to kill themselves boys."

"Would be easier if they did." Anders sighed before setting off after her.

I followed after her with Oghren not far behind me, mumbling the whole way down with a lot of 'nugs' mentioned. It wasn't the most inviting place; the dead, gnarled trees dominated the landscape along with the rocky walls and the odd fog that covered the floor as we reached the bottom of the crater. "No!" A voice screamed suddenly. "Let me go!"

In an instant Arianna was running towards the screaming, pulling out her two blades swiftly into both hands, then she disappeared in a puff. I ran after her with the other two not far behind, I stumbled around the corner to see Darkspawn dragging a female dwarf into the entrance of a cave. "No!!" She screamed trying desperately to dig her hands into the dusty floor to stop herself from moving.

Arianna appeared behind the Darkspawn dragging the female, she rapidly whirled her swords up to meet together before slicing its head swiftly off in one swipe, I loaded up my bow with three arrows and quickly lined up my shot and took it, they whooshed through the air before landing in a perfect line into one lifting its weapon to strike at Arianna causing it to scream and stumble to the floor. Oghren charged at the remaining one letting out a hefty grunt before smashing his large double headed axe into the last ones chest.

Arianna held out her hand to the female dwarf to offer help. "You okay?" she asked kindly.

The female took a hold of her hand before being lifted to her feet. "Thank you so much… I thought… I thought they were going to make me one of them." She shuttered at the thought. "My name is Sigrun."

"I am Arianna; this is Anders, Oghren and Nathaniel." Arianna pointed to each of us as she said our name. "We are Grey Wardens."

"I am from the Legion of the Dead." She bowed her head at Arianna in respect. "The rest of my team was slaughtered and I know for a fact they are breeding an army down there."

Arianna eyed her slowly. "How come you were the only one that escaped?"

Sigrun looked down towards the ground. "Once they started going down… I ran…" She looked both angry and upset, the rest of us stayed silent besides Oghren who scoffed.

Arianna shot him a look before looking back down at her. "You're alive, there was no way you could have saved them, at least with you alive you can help us, help you."

"Then take me with you down there! I want to kill those bastards." Sigrun grunted pulling out her daggers. "Please take me with you."

"Sure." Arianna nodded before pointing towards the entrance of the cave thing. "Lead the way."

We had made our way through the large tunnel which turned out to be part of the deep roads, Darkspawn filled each inch of it but the odd thing was they battled each other before noticing us. We had found our way into a large opening, a Darkspawn stood in the middle of the large circled opening, he wore a hood and long robes with a wooden staff in his hand, his face was mutilated, eyes deep and red; next to him was a large, ugly Golem causing a gasp to escape my lips, and I wasn't the only one though.

"I am The Lost… Ah… Mother told us… he would send you." The 'Last' spoke… since when did they speak? "You will not stop… mother"

"Watch me."

She ran towards him swiftly with her swords at the ready, and then she disappeared in front of our eyes, the Lost grunted angrily before using his staff to make the golem move with a loud roar, it whacked Oghren back as he lifted into the air before landing on the ground with a thud. "Nug-licker!" He grunted pulling himself up and grabbing a hold of his axe, I pulled out my bow and lined up my shot before swiftly shooting and in an instant I was reloaded and ready to go, like one flawless movement. Sigrun ran at the Golem with her daggers then grunted before she jumped up onto its back, climbing its way towards it head. In the corner of my eye I saw The Lost and Arianna doing a dance like combat, he would aim at her using his magic and she would dodge them marvelously she would strike at him and he would use an ice barrier to block her. Anders would heal minor wounds remarkably from the side as Oghren distracted the Golem while Sigrun climbed up onto his shoulders; as soon as she started hacking away the stone that made the golem a golem it let out a roar swinging its arms around violently next thing I knew there was a sharp pain in my stomach as I was thrown backwards by the Golem; I crashed into the wall behind me but it hurt more then I thought, I let out a yell of pain and looked down to notice a piece of sharp rock that was sticking out of the wall like a sore thumb, pierced through my leather armor and through to my front.

"Nathaniel!" I hear Arianna yell as I turned my gaze towards her, she was staring at me with so much worry in her eyes; The Lost took this to his advantage as he cast a fire spell at her knocking her backwards, burning her arm greatly. "Heal Nathaniel, Anders!" I heard her cry out…


I stared at Arianna with the dog in her arms giggling and patting it, the smile on her face was priceless. "I think you have a party to attend too." I called out to her causing her to frown.

"I don't want to go…-"

"Well too bad pup, they are all waiting for you." Her father's voice interrupted her causing her to spin around in surprise. "Pup you are late."

She pulled a face at him. "Father, I don't want to look for a husband." She sighed as she gently placed Zodiac onto the floor. "Why must I do this now?"

Her father walked towards her then placed his arm around her shoulders. "You are that age now pup, it's time you start looking."

"I'll go with you Arianna, help you pick." I strained at the words but I knew this was the only way I could get her to go along with it. "It'll be fun."

She stared blankly at me for a moment, and then sighed in defeat. "Alright, I'll go."

I held my hand out for her as she linked her arm around it, her father walked on the other side as we lead her into the large hall that was done up just for her; Zodiac followed behind her promptly. As her father pushed open the wooden double doors loud clapping filled my ears, everyone was here. "Do you think he missed anyone?" She grunted over to me attempting to keep a smile on her face for everyone.

"Just me." I replied nudging her gently. "Looks like I'm castle crashing."

She laughed as I lead her in, all eyes were on her and it made both of us uncomfortable although I hadn't told her yet I was deeply in love with her and I hated having to give her to all these males just so they can get their hands on her title.

Bryce stepped in front of everyone and held his hand out to signal them to stop clapping now. "Thank you all for coming and celebrating my beautiful daughter's birthday." He took a hold of her hand and pulled her softly towards him, she reluctantly let her arm slip out of mine. "We hope you will all have a lovely time."

I sighed while I watched her father lead her over to a group of noble males to show her off like a prize, one of them stepped forward and held his hand out for her, she placed her hand on top of his arm then he lead her to the dance floor. I watched her dance with a number of noble sons becoming more and more annoyed with Zodiac by my side, one of her dancers came up to me with a smirk. "Here I thought you'd be the perfect choice for Ari-Fairy." Ari-Fairy was the name they teased her with constantly because one time in combat training when she was ten they had ambushed her then tied her to a ledge that suck out in the battle ground using rope to let her dangle there before placing a tutu on her and telling her she doesn't belong with them, she took out five of them before they got her though and they were all my age.

"I have a duty elsewhere that makes me unable to marry her." I gritted through my teeth towards Jacob. "But call her that again and I will have to teach you some manners." I threatened in a low voice.

He scoffed smugly at me. "Careful Nath… People might start to catch on that you're in love with her."

I grabbed the scruff of his shirt and brought him roughly closer to me. "I wouldn't push me if I was you Jacob."

"Is there a problem here?" Her voice called pleasantly causing me to let go of him roughly. "Nathaniel?"

"Nope, no problem…Right Jacob?" I asked glaring over towards him fixing up his shirt, he shook his head before turning around and walking off, I turned towards Arianna who was now standing in front of me. "I don't know about you but I'm bored."

She let out a small laugh before stepping closer to me. "Nathaniel… would you…like the dance with me?" She mused nervously looking up at me.

I smiled back at her. "Of course, my lady." She hit me for saying that causing me to laugh.

I led her out onto the dance floor were soft music played, I spun her around to face me as I carefully placed my hands around her waist, in return she placed her hands on my shoulders and she began to move with me as we danced. We moved together so well like we were meant to be, I saw her father looking at us both but I didn't care; she rested her head onto my chest and it made me feel like there was nothing else I ever needed. "Ari-Berry…I …there is something I need to tell you…"

She tilted her head enough to look at me. "What is it Nathaniel...?"

"Nathaniel…"

"Nathaniel…"

"Nathaniel Please get up!" I groaned hearing her voice filled with panic and sadness, almost like she was trying not to cry… "Nathaniel?"

"Yes I'm here." I growled hissing a little at any moment. "What happened?"

"Thank the maker." She sighed out with relief smiling weakly at me. "Good work Anders…"

"I aim to please my lady." Anders' voice called back towards her as my vision still blurred a little. "He's not full healed up just yet I thought I'd give your wound a whirl."

"No, just focus on Nathaniel, I'm okay. Sigrun, Oghren and I finished off the brood mothers remember? Just focus on him…" She insisted still kneeling down next to me, she glanced down at me and smiled. "Don't ever do that again."

"Had us all a bit worried, Howe?" Anders chuckled before going back to patching me up. "Luckily I have practiced patching up holes from all my escapes from the tower."

"Nug-humper needs to learn to move faster." Oghren chuckled hoarsely; I looked over towards him to see him leaning on his axe while waiting for me to heal up. "Or be less destructible like me."

Arianna shot him a look. "It would be great if us rogues could use armor like you're, my good friend." She turned to look at Sigrun who was just standing there uncomfortably. "Sigrun I was wondering if you would like to become a Grey Warden?"

"Me? A Gray Warden?" She sounded shocked to say the least. "Can I do that? Be a Grey Warden and a member of the Legion?"

"Well you're mostly going to die to Darkspawn being a Grey Warden, so I guess?" She replied staring at fellow female in front of herself. "It would be our honor to have you." She added.

"Then I." She grinned hitting her armor. "A Grey Warden."

"That is the best I can do for now Commander, we will have to get him back to Vigil's keep before I can further heal him." Anders spoke up taking his hands off from being hovered over me. "Only problem is carrying him there."

"Well I can carry him out of here; I used to do it all the time." I wish she was lying. "Don't give me that look Oghren." She hissed looking at the dwarf.

He chuckled before heaving his giant axe over his shoulder. "Let's get going then, I need a drink!"

Arianna rolled her eyes as did Anders to which I couldn't help laughing, she walked up to me and gently hoisted me up over her shoulders, I sighed out in embarrassment as I saw Anders and Oghren snicker to each other. "I wouldn't laugh too much Oghren I did this to you once too."

"What?" He bellowed loudly. "When did this happen?!"

Arianna laughed as she began to leave the crater carrying the useless me. "Yeah it was right after you asked me 'where can I get some sauce for that rump roast?' amused I answered 'Right here you big dwarven stallion.' Then you passed out after telling me to meet you in your tent. Then I had to carry you back to your tent."

Oghren snorted loudly. "Sounds like something I'd do."

"Oh yes Oghren the stories I could tell purely about you being drunk, we've never get to the end of this Darkspawn threat, in fact I'm surprised we even ended the blight." Arianna laughed sending Oghren another smile. "I even took you up there with me, what was I thinking?"

It was dark by the time we had reached the keep, my body hurt and there wasn't much I could do to stop that; Arianna placed me down onto the bed in my quarters and Anders went straight back to healing. "Its going to leave a nice scar." He grinned looking up at me. "I'm sure you have plenty don't you Commander."

She let out a laugh before nodding her head. "My whole body is pretty much covered in scars; I should be dead already, thank the Maker for Wynne." She smiled humbly.

Anders stopped healing me for a moment and took Arianna's arm into his hand, she flinched at this, not expecting it; that was when I saw her badly burnt arm, it looked painful. "I need to heal this."

She pulled her arm away. "I do not want you to take care of me; you are to heal Nathaniel only… I will get it healed later."

Anders sighed in defeat taking a glance at Nathaniel. "I will be able to fully heal him in the morning Commander." He said turning his gaze back to her. "I just want to find a nice house and settle down with a pretty woman or two."

"Go have a drink with Oghren and Sigrun, you deserve it." She said in amusement having her arms folded and watching him leave the room. "Thank you for doing that."

"Anything for you Commander." He stopped in front of her for a moment or two before nodding his head and exiting the room with a 'see you later, Howe' mumbled somewhere in there.

She stood at the end of the bed with her arms folded; I couldn't help but smile at her. "This is not funny, Nathaniel Howe, where was your head?" she hissed. "You aren't that slow I know you're not."

"I just didn't see it is all, Comman-"

"Arianna." She hissed angrily interrupting me. "You scared me out there, I thought I was going to loose you again."

I sat up in bed letting out a groan of pain in doing so. "I'm fine Ari, so stop worrying." I stared at her as she stared right back, she was still upset and I could tell that. "Ari really, I'm fine."

She moved towards me and pulled me into a hug, I wrapped my arms around her in return feeling her against me once more. "I can't loose you Nathaniel, so be smart out there."

"Please…"