Elisa Cousland, the Hero of Ferelden — or so the people of Ferelden called her nowadays, stood outside the throne room of the royal palace in Denerim, her arms crossed over her chest while sporting a small frown.

Upon arriving the west border with a handful of Ferelden's elite soldiers, a waiting courier handed her a parchment from the Crown. After the trip from the dreary Weisshaupt to speak to dour warriors, she at least deserved a week's vacation; but the letter emphasized the urgency of the meeting. Thus, she skipped visiting Highever and traveled straight to the capital.

If this is so urgent, I wouldn't be just standing here now, would I? She glared at the large oak double doors. What's taking so long? Banns squabbling over a piece of land? Such scenes were too familiar. Her father dealt with it on a weekly basis until...

Her chest tightened as the memory of flames engulfing her home flooded her mind, the screams of soldiers and servants dying in the hands of Howe's men. She shook her head. No, now's not the time. I need to focus.

Caena, her mabari, nudged her leg with her snout.

Shoving the unpleasant thoughts aside, Elisa glanced down. "What's wrong?"

The mabari yawned.

Elisa smiled. "I know how you feel."

Caena rolled over her back, muscled legs stuck up in the air.

She arched her brow. "Right now?"

Caena barked as she wagged her stubby tail.

Elisa bit her lip as she stifled her smile. "Begging won't work."

The mabari whimpered.

She laughed. "Oh very well." With her left foot, she nudged her hound along its ribs. "You are a very spoiled dog, you know that?"

Caena barked and panted as she continued to wag her tail.

Elisa bent down and rubbed her dog's tummy with her hand now. She laughed as Caena held her limbs higher.

Someone cleared their throat. "Lady Cousland?"

Elisa's hand paused as she glanced up to the chamberlain. "Oh." Her dog whined.

"I apologize for interrupting..." The chamberlain opened the door behind him. "But His Majesty's ready to see you."

His Majesty...?

Elisa stood. "Of course— Caena!"

Her mabari jumped on her feet, rushed past the chamberlain and entered the throne room.

Elisa followed suit after muttering a quick apology to the chamberlain.

Laughter echoed inside the large room as Caena tackled Alistair and licked his face.

"I missed you too." Alistair grinned.

The mabari sniffed around his person and nudged at his left pocket.

"No, I don't have a secret stash of cheese in there."

Caena barked and stuck her nose inside the pocket.

Alistair chuckled. "All right. You got me. I'll give you a piece." He leaned closer and whispered, "just don't tell anyone all right?"

Caena barked and wagged her tail.

Alistair grinned and patted the top of her head. "Good girl."

"Your Majesty." Elisa stepped forward and bowed.

The smile on Alistair's lips disappeared as soon as his gaze settled on hers. "Warden-Commander."

The cold tone in his voice wounded her far deeper than any injury; but Elisa could not blame him. Allowing Loghain to join the Wardens was understandably beyond forgiveness after all he had put them through.

However, Alistair ought to understand the necessity of the situation. There were only three Wardens, and one was to be crowned king and married to the current queen. Anora was, admittedly a better ruler, but the nobles would revolt if a commoner officially ruled Ferelden. The nation was already devastated by the Blight, it didn't need to weaken itself further by going through another civil war.

Elisa exhaled and stepped forward but maintained a respectable distance between them. "The message said it was urgent, though..." She scanned the room, searching for a hint of blonde hair. "I was expecting Queen Anora."

"Disappointing, I know." Alistair looked over to the large window as though the chirping birds were far more interesting than his current company. "But we can't get what we want all the time now can we?"

Was he.. goading her? Elisa held her urge to snort. Typical. "If His Majesty prefers to be somewhere else, I shall take my leave then." She added a bit of flair in her curtsy.

Alistair crossed his arms over his chest."Really Elisa?"

Her heart raced, and for a moment, she held her breath. It had been so long since he spoke her name... so long since they had spoken to each other, bitter the parting words may be.

No, she shouldn't think of her feelings, not right now — not when he stood just few feet away where she could reach him, embrace him, kiss him — Maker! She missed his lips.

She exhaled heavily. "Why did you call me here?" That's it. Just keep it neutral, completely professional. He's no longer yours, remember that.

The knife in her heart twisted at the evident pained look in Alistair's features. Maker's breath! Why is he so open!? "Alistair—"

He averted his gaze but kept his brows furrowed. "Soldiers reported groups of darkspawn terrorizing the countryside."

Relief should've washed over Elisa that Alistair changed the topic, but instead, she was met with disappointment. Nonetheless, she forced it down and her cool demeanor resurfaced. The darkspawn threat was something she can focus on without complicated feelings getting in the way.

"Stragglers?"

Alistair shook his head. "Doubt it. They roam in large groups. I've already sent the reports to the Orlesian Wardens in Amaranthine. They'll fill you in on the details."

Elisa raised a brow. "They've arrived?"

Alistair nodded. "Three weeks ago."

That was quick, though she supposed it had been a long time coming. They had been itching to enter the borders since the late King Cailan invited them. Without Loghain to slam the front door shut, they would find little to no resistance when crossing the border. Was this a good thing or a bad thing? She couldn't say just yet.

"I see. Is there anything more, your Highness?"

Brief silence answered her query. Alistair gazed at her with his mouth parted but no words came out. He shut it and waved his hand. "That's all. You may leave."

Elisa curtsied and left with Caena in tow. As the doors shut behind her, she sighed heavily. Thank the Maker she avoided any sensitive issues that could've led to an argument. The servants needn't hear unnecessary shouting from the Warden-Commander and their King.

Caena's snout nudged her hand.

Elisa patted the top of her mabari's head. "I'm all right." She forced a small smile. "Let's go to the compound."

Caena barked and followed her master out.

Dealing with the darkspawns would be the easier part. The Orlesian Wardens however... Elisa was uncertain. It wasn't because she doubted their sense of duty; after all, joining the Wardens had always been a death sentence so desertion was futile. However, commitment to fighting darkspawn would not technically conflict with spying on Ferelden, and she wouldn't put it past Empress Celene.

She needed a better insight on the Orlesians.

Nearing at the Warden Compound in Denerim, Elisa noticed a man in Chevalier armor about to enter the gates. She grinned.

Perfect. Just the man I need.

~oOo~

"Loghain."

Loghain turned around and his eyes narrowed upon spotting two figures approaching him. An auburn-haired woman in leather armor waved her hand, grinning, and accompanied by a mabari. Who—

Then their eyes met and his brows shot up. "Commander?"

Caena rushed ahead of her master. She jumped around and barked, shifting the older Warden's attention.

"I'm afraid I have no treats today,"

Caena whined.

Loghain bent down and scratched her ears. "Perhaps next time."He glanced up as Elisa stopped in front of him. "You look... different."

Her brow arched up. "Do I? It's only been, what, half a year or so?"

"You make t sound like it's only been two weeks."

The corners of her lips twitched up. "Nothing's changed."

"Perhaps not as much." He studied her briefly. Her long hair — oftentimes styled into a loose bun — had now been shortened just above her shoulders; meanwhile, her cheeks lost its gauntness. "Though I see you've gained weight."

"Been having proper meals." She stared down at her body. "In all honestly, I should've lost some weight while at Weisshaupt."

"How so?"

Her lips formed a small smile. "Have you ever tried eating ham that tastes of despair?"

He mimicked her expression. "Like your stew?"

Elisa huffed. "Thank your armor good ser. I would've smacked your arm otherwise."

"Is violence always your answer to an honest comment?"

"No, just to rude remarks." Despite her lips forming a thin line, the mirth in her eyes was difficult to hide.

Warden-Commander Cousland. A strange woman he found himself to be allied with. He never met her before the Blight. Bryce only brought his oldest son, Fergus, to the Landsmeet. It was understandable, considering stories of her spoke of a wild child — either training with soldiers or out in the woods hunting. "The She-Wolf of Highever", the nobles called her. Eleanor probably had her hands full finding her daughter a suitable husband. Nonetheless, he preferred her as this formidable warrior than sitting in some fancy chair in a Bann's estate, knitting socks for her fifth child.

Those keen eyes and sharp mind served a far better purpose in the battlefield.

"So what brought you to Denerim?" Elisa said as she and Loghain entered the compound. "Weren't you looking for recruits?"

"I was." He said. "I only dropped by for some spare supplies before heading to Soldier's Peak."

"Not Amaranthine?"

He snorted. "I'd face the Archdemon again than mingle with Orlesian fops."

"Oh…" She leaned sideways and batted her lashes. "What if I asked nicely?"

He scowled. "You jest."

Silence. Loghain thought that was the end of that ridiculous request.

Then she spoke. "And if I order you instead?"

Maker preserve me. Loghain rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Commander, I'd rather avoid any... unpleasant incidents with the Orlesians. I've promised Anora that much." Her daughter already had so much on her plate; he'd rather not add to her burdens.

"Believe me, the last thing I want is to put you in the same room as them. Just imagine the political nightmare."

"Then why insist on this absurd request? Clearly it'll do more harm than good."

"Cause I need your help." Elisa paused and scanned the vicinity. Her hand gestured at the building within the compound.

Loghain's brows furrowed but followed her inside with Caena in tow.

The two Wardens walked side-by-side in the hallway, passing by storage rooms and the dining area.Elisa remained silent, her features stoic, until she stopped outside the Warden Commander's office. "How good are you at weeding out spies?"

Loghain halted in his tracks just behind her, eyes narrowing. "You think the Orlesian Wardens have spies?"

"There is a possibility one of them at least. Empress Celene might be interested in Ferelden's current state. It wouldn't be impossible for her to have connections with the Wardens within her empire."

"I was right to keep them outside our borders." He muttered and crossed his arms over his chest, "and here I was condemned for my paranoia."

She shook her head."Not quite. We still need them. Darkspawn still roam the countryside. Even if their numbers have lessened, it's still far too much for two Wardens. And the Joining isn't exactly... reliable."

She turned around but refrained from meeting Loghain's piercing gaze. Why was she taking a sudden interest"on Orlais' political affairs? Unless… "You know something." You wouldn't be this cautious otherwise.

"How..." Elisa paused, biting her lower lip as her brows furrowed. "How well have you monitored King Cailan's activities?"

His jaws clenched. Cailan? What's that boy have to do with anything? "Enough to know he hasn't produced a bastard from some random whore."

"An illegitimate heir is the least of your problems. At least, they would've been Ferelden."

Now she piqued his interest. "What?"

Elisa jerked her head to the side as she opened the door to her office. It was a fairly large room surrounded by bookshelves and a desk at the center.

She pulled out some documents from the drawer. "Before the Landsmeet, we took a detour to Ostagar… and found these letters."

Loghain read the documents, his hands clenching tighter at the parchment with each line. "That cheating bastard!" He tossed the letter to the desk lest he ripped them to shreds.

Rumors of Cailan setting his daughter aside reached his ears at some point, but forming an alliance with the Empress of Orlais, of all people! And Eamon — that conniving bastard — this was his doing for certain!

Elisa placed a hand on his arm. "Loghain, calm yourself."

He glared at her. "Commander, my son-in-law would've replaced Anora with that Orlesian bitch. What the Fereldens fought for decades in a bloody war would be lost by a single vow. With all these, do you truly expect me to remain calm?"

"I'm well aware of that. But this is all moot and academic. Cailan's dead and the throne is secured. Our concern should be Celene's next move."

"Ban them from the throne room. Keep them as far from the Crown as possible. Better yet, send them back to Orlais."

Elisa sighed. "Wish it were easy. But we have no legitimate reason to eject them."

Loghain scowled. He hated to admit it, but she had a point. The Crown opened Ferelden's borders to them. There was no easy way to remove them without escalating tension. Ferelden was far from prepared to deal with another war right now. Neither could he see a sure way to hide Amaranthine's daily political affairs when those Orlesians roamed the Keep. "What would you have me do?" He said through gritted teeth. "Poison them?"

"Poison/" She scoffed. "That would be a waste. We can't bait darkspawn with corpses."

"Spoken like a Qunari." Despite this, her comment brought a small upturn to the corners of his mouth.

She shrugged. "A bit of Sten rubbed off on me. Besides, you should be thankful for that mentality. You wouldn't be alive otherwise."

He shook his head. "Your method of recruiting perplexes me."

She grinned slightly. "It works so I see no reason to change it. In any case, I prefer avoiding questionable deaths."

His brow arched. "Then would you have me, what, toss them to a group of Hurlocks?"

"Why does it need to result in death?"

"Unless your plan involves me stabbing them in the gut, I'm afraid I would be of no help. I am far from a diplomat nor am I an assassin."

"I'm not asking you to do either." Her lips formed a thin line. "I need someone I can trust, and someone who has experience in keeping soldiers in line."

"You've commanded an army, and did well enough for your first time. What's there to be concerned of?"

"I commanded Ferelden's army, not Orlesians. Most of their lot still sees us as uncultured swines simply for not staying in fashion."

"And what makes you think they'll listen to me? I have little care for their ridiculous outfits nor their opinions."

Elisa grinned. "You're the Hero of River Dane. Only a fool would dare cross a man who defeated a Chevalier."

"Compared to the woman who slayed the Archdemon?"

"If i recall correctly..." Her forefinger tapped her chin. "I only delivered the killing blow. You took most of the beating."

"A killing blow which ought to have killed you." He crossed his arms over his chest. "And yet, here you are."

Elisa pushed her hair back. "I don't know what happened to be honest. Even the Wardens at Weisshaupt are just as baffled."

To be frank, this also intrigued Loghain. If neither of them had died, then what happened to the soul of the Old God? Should they expect another Blight?

He leaned closer, his voice low. "Is possible the Archdemon's..."

"Of course it's dead, We'd still be sensing him otherwise."

"And what did the Marsh Witch say about this?"

"Morrigan?" Elisa's brows furrowed. "What would she know about this?"

"She's the daughter of the Witch of the Wilds, isn't she?" He shrugged. "Strange magic seems to be her expertise."

She paced around the room. "I... haven't spoken to her after the Landsmeet. Everything had gotten hectic. And after the battle... she just disappeared. Could she have..." She sighed. "Whatever she did, what matters for now is The Archdemon's no longer destroying Ferelden."

"So you'll leave it as it is?"

Elisa shook her head. "No, I'll find her, but first, I need to focus on Amaranthine."

She made a point. Morrigan could wait. The Orlesian Wardens were the immediate potential threat they needed to control. Loghain sighed. "Very well. When do we leave?"

She blinked for a moment then a small smile slowly formed on her lips. "Tomorrow, before dawn."

End of Chapter 1