It was fortuitous that the weather the next morning was bright and sunny though the air still slightly chilly. The merchants helped the Wardens pack with Loghain making certain that their supplies for their travel back to Vigil's Keep would last. Not long after, the Warden-Commander emerged from the fortress and made her way down the stairs that led to the courtyard. She looked a bit pale, and both Loghain and Nathaniel were hesitant to let her travel; nonetheless, she insisted and after Anders checked her, the healer assured the two other Wardens that she was well.

Later in the afternoon, when they finally reached the main road to Amaranthine, the group decided to find a place to camp for the clouds had thickened and turned gray. They found a clearing near the streams and made camp there. Anders, Loghain and Oghren set up the tents while Elisa, Nathaniel and Sigrun searched the forest for some firewood. Well, for the Commander, it was either that or let her stay and help in preparing dinner. Maker, have mercy on them if that ever happens.

Nathaniel went ahead of the two women since both were caught up with their conversation about the trees and flowers – mostly Elisa explained while Sigrun stared at the plants in awe. He wanted to go alone with his Commander but her Second insisted that they take Sigrun in case they encounter any trouble in the woods. Begrudgingly, he admitted that the older Warden had a point. There may not be any darkspawn in this part of the Coastlands, but there were still the occasional bandits and wolves.

When the two Wardens behind him stopped, he turned around and raised a brow. "What…"

Elisa hushed him. "Can you hear that?" They listened to their surroundings, and heard from the distance the faint sound of metals clashing against one another and shouts of men. Darkspawns? She mused but dismissed the thought when she can't sense any of them. "Bandits probably," she muttered with a deep scowl. They could be attacking merchants heading to Amaranthine which would be more troublesome to the arling if she stayed indifferent about it. "This way," she told her companions before following where the sound was coming from.

As they crept cautiously between the trees and bushes, the sounds of battle grew louder. Her theory was right that bandits were attacking, but not entirely so when what she saw was that they were fighting heavily armed soldiers. The latter was relatively few in number which most likely made the former bold enough to ambush. She glanced over to Nathaniel when he unslung his bow. "Look at their shield's heraldry," he told her and she did which made her eyes widened. Immediately, she drew her bow as well.

The two archers began aiming their arrows at the bandits, causing the latter to panic at the sudden reinforcements. More so, when throwing knives from the dwarf had struck their men from out of nowhere. They searched frantically but the three Wardens were well hidden between the trees and the thick bushes. The soldiers were surprised by the reinforcements as well but welcomed out nonetheless.

When the last of the bandits were dispatched, that was only when Elisa stepped out of where she was hiding. "Rather a small entourage, don't you think?"

The soldiers' eyes widened as they immediately bowed down out of custom. "My Lady Cousland!"

"Please, don't." She tried dissuading the soldiers but they seemed intent on showing her such respect. Glancing over to the man behind the soldiers, she smiled affectionately. "Good to see that the Teryn of Highever is looking well."

Fergus chuckled as he approached his sister and hugged her tightly. "Well, I'm grateful that the Arlessa of Amaranthine had saved my skin just in time."

"Brother, I can't breathe!" She gasped but let out a small laugh.

Once Fergus let his sister go, he asked, "what in the Maker's name are you doing out here, and alone, if may add?"

"I wasn't alone. I'm with the other Wardens actually. We just came from Soldier's Peak," she replied while her hand gestured for Sigrun to come out from where they were hiding earlier. She had hoped Nathaniel understood the gravity of the situation if her brother saw him. However, the archer apparently stepped out as well, with an expression on his face that she could tell he knew what showing himself to Fergus will cause. You fool!

"Good I haven't left sooner then. I was actually on my way to-," he abruptly paused when he saw Nathaniel behind the female dwarf approaching his sister. There was a sudden flash of anger in his eyes and before any of the female Wardens could stop him, he rushed forward and pinned him down roughly on the ground. "You son of a bitch!" He snarled. "You've got some nerve showing your face here!"

"Fergus! Stop!" Elisa shouted as she pulled her brother away but not before the latter could slam the archer's head on the ground. "Sigrun, get the others!" she ordered to the dwarf while holding her brother away from Nathaniel.

Just as Sigrun ran off, Fergus freed himself from his sister. However, she quickly moved between her brother and the archer who sat up and wiped the blood from his forehead. "Fergus, listen to me! Nathaniel had nothing to do with his father's betrayal."

"You're defending him!?" Fergus gritted his teeth. "Elisa, you're allowing your emotions to blind you."

"Andraste's knickers! I can't believe you're bringing that up. It's been almost a decade!" She threw her hands in the air. As she stepped forward, her glared at her brother as she met his furious gaze. "Nathaniel here is a Warden, and I will not allow anyone to harm any member of our Order."

Lightning flashed in the sky followed by the sound of thunder. The tension grew between the Cousland siblings as neither one was inclined to step aside despite the raindrops that began to fall. Some of the soldiers watched nervously, while the others eyed the archer while having a hand on their blades. No doubt, they had been itching for a piece of revenge on any Howe for the heinous crimes the late Arl Howe did to their families and friends.

"Do what you will, Fergus," Nathaniel suddenly spoke as he stood up. Blood trickled down from the open wound on his forehead but he didn't care. He had no inclination of hiding for he was no coward, and doing so would only serve as proof that he may have indeed took part of his father's treachery.

"Then I will make this quick." Fergus pushed his sister aside before he unsheathed his blade.

As he moved closer, however, Elisa moved between him and Nathaniel. "You would kill a man who had just saved your life?" Sapphire eyes looked sternly at each and every soldier that stood there. "The man who had just saved everyone's lives here?! Were it not for him, you'd all be dead by now. He was the one who heard the fighting and insisted we help you. When he saw the Cousland heraldry on your shields, he did not cower away. And this is how you repay his bravery?" Her gaze landed on Fergus. "Were I in your position, I would at least allow this man to live so he would be given the chance to redeem the honor of his family's name which was tarnished by his father – and only his father – in the first place."

Silence fell as the rain poured heavily. The soldiers were slowly being swayed but Fergus seemed to stand firm with his intention to pierce his blade through the Howe's gut. Elisa knew his brother well enough that she could tell what he was craving. Stepping closer, she held his gaze. "Listen to me brother. Killing Nathaniel will not bring Oren or Oriana back."

"Then I'll settle for justice." He tried to move past his sister but she held his shoulders firmly.

"Don't do this Fergus, for your own sake," she whispered, almost pleadingly. "That craving for vengeance will only leave you empty inside. And before you know it, you've become like the monster you swore to hunt down from the start."

Fergus' hand that held his blade shook but his anger was waning. Minutes passed, until finally he sheathed his blade. "I will let him live only because he is not worth it." He glared at the archer sharply. "However, should he betray you like what his traitorous father had done I swear to the Maker, I will hunt him down." Turning around, he ordered his men to leave.

The other Wardens had just arrived as her brother and his entourage left. Anders quickly went over to Nathaniel when his Commander's hand gestured for him to see to the archer's injuries. "Let's head back to camp," he told the others after using his healing magic to close the wound. It would be much easier to examine the injury if the archer was lying down.

Once the group returned to their camp, each went inside their tents to dry themselves off except for Anders who entered Nathaniel's tent and placed the archer on his bedroll so he could finish healing his wound. "That's some nasty wound there," he commented as his hand hovered just above the forehead while emitting a bluish glow. He chuckled softly. "Got one just like that during my fourth escape attempt. I tripped on my robes and fell face first on the ground while trying to run away from the templars. Luckily I lasted for more than a month before they caught me. My best record, up until recently."

"Do you always wear robes?" Nathaniel asked as his body relaxed at the spell's soothing effect.

Anders grinned. "Not when I'm naked I don't."

Nathaniel sighed as his hand reached up to massage his forehead. The mage may have healed his wound but Maker, he was giving him a headache. "I mean when you run from the Circle. Robes would make you easy to spot."

"So does the 'I'm a mage!' sign around my neck," Anders replied as his hands gestured at his chest, "I like to make it easy for the templars. Otherwise, the chase would be so boring."

"You're impossible to talk to." Nathaniel glanced over to the entrance of his tent as his cloaked Commander lowered her soaked hood while she quickly marched towards him. Just as he sat up, her fist punched his cheek. He swore to Andraste, he nearly fell back down flat on the bedroll if not for his elbow propping him up just in time. Even the mage felt the force of her punch as he suddenly stepped back with his eyes wide.

"By the Maker Nathaniel Howe, what were you thinking!?" Elisa yelled as her fist clenched tightly. "Did you expect my brother to simply forget what your father did!?"

Nathaniel's jaw clicked as his hand massaged the area where she hit him. "I had no illusions of such Commander."

"Then you're more of a fool than I thought!" She breathed heavily through gritted teeth.

"Hiding would accomplish nothing but prove my guilt as a conspirator!" He yelled back as he sat upright. "He'll know sooner or later that you've taken a traitor's son as a Warden-"

"He wouldn't have if-"

He scoffed. "Oh, so I'm… what, your dirty little secret?"

A forced cough interrupted the two and made them look at the blonde mage. "Um… standing right here so... just wanted to let you know that in case your argument goes somewhere more private." He shifted awkwardly on where he stood as he added, "or I could just go. Yeah, maybe I'll do that." Side-stepping briskly, he left the tent.

Two pairs of eyes watched Anders go before they stared at each other. The air inside the tent became too awkward. After a few moments of deafening silence, Elisa finally spoke as her thumb and forefinger pinched the bridge of her nose. "Your little stunt just cost me Fergus."

"If you're so worried about that, then why didn't you side with him instead?" Nathaniel noticed that she suddenly stilled and assumed that his question might have hit a mark. But whatever it was, he didn't have time to question as Elisa face was in front of him with her sharp gaze meeting his eyes.

"Because we need you alive," she whispered before she moved away and turned to leave. Before she exited she turned her head to the side. She wanted to add something, anything that could truly answer why she had defended him from Fergus despite knowing that it would damage her relationship with the latter. He's a skilled archer. We need him against the darkspawns, her mind kept telling her but she was still unconvinced. It couldn't be her past infatuation. She was over it. Besides, such feelings would only complicate matters, especially with duties involved. Look what had happened between her and Alistair.

She snapped out of her thoughts when she realized that she was just standing right there. Her gaze focused back on the archer who stared at her and waited or probably even hoped for her to speak. Shaking her head, she continued to walk out of the tent. Outside, the rain had finally stopped. She glanced around but only saw her Second a bit far from the archer's tent preparing their dinner next to the bonfire. "Where are the others?"

Loghain paused from his own task and glanced up. "They left to avoid overhearing to your very loud private conversation."

She crossed her arms as her brow arched up. "And you stayed to eavesdrop?"

He snorted. "I stayed to guard the camp. Besides, it's hardly eavesdropping when you two are having your lover's quarrel inside a tent made of leather."

Her brows furrowed. "It was hardly a lover's quarrel Loghain. Private, perhaps but not-"

"Surely you are not as dense as what you appear to be Commander." He resumed preparing the meal as he allowed her time to absorb his words before he continued. "I'm still not certain about the boy's sincerity but he is clearly trying to win over your affection."

She raised a hand to cut in before he adds anything further. "Stop right there. I don't know what you heard from the staffs of the Keep or Anders and Sigrun's wild speculations but I assure you that whatever `Nathaniel and I had years ago had long been dead and buried. I no longer have any feelings whatsoever towards him."

"Yet, you put no effort to discourage him despite that knowledge."

"That's not-"

Loghain suddenly stood up with his large imposing figure towering over her. "You're putting him above your safety. You know damn well if the nobles in Amaranthine get wind of the rift between you and your brother, they will use it to their advantage. The nobles of both Amaranthine and Gwaren are already working against you. If Highever involves itself, I doubt the Crown would still be able to protect you."

Despite her Second's intimidating position, Elisa refused to concede. "So what do you suggest Loghain? I should have let my brother have his revenge just to secure an alliance? If you were in Nathaniel's position, would you rather have me throw you to your death?"

His intense blue eyes narrowed as he replied without the slightest hesitation, "I'll even do it myself."

"We're back." Both the Commander and her Second turned towards Anders and Sigrun who were carrying branches for their fire. The mage paused as he stared at the two. "Or, we'll just come back later when the air is… less tense."

"It's fine. Just discussing about tonight's meal," Elisa replied evenly. "Anders, help Loghain with dinner." She was about to move past Loghain but the latter grabbed her arm.

"Do yourself and the lad a favor," he whispered as his sharp gaze held her sapphire eyes, "and tell him you're not interested." He received no reply other than a deep scowl before she pulled her arm away from his grasp and left to check on the horses.

"Are humans this prickly when it comes to meals or is it just them?" Sigrun whispered to the mage once their Commander was out of earshot.

"Mostly just them," Anders whispered before telling Loghain, "how about Sigrun and I cook tonight? You know, make sure that the food wouldn't have so much bitterness." He stiffened as the older Warden glared at him. Damn, he should have held his tongue. His shoulder relaxed though when Loghain said nothing and returned to his tent.

The rest of the trip back to Vigil's Keep was filled with awkward tension among Elisa, Nathaniel and Loghain. Anders did the best he could to lighten the mood to the point that he already ran out of jokes. This is why we mages keep love out of the picture, he thought as he shook his head while watching those three ride their horses ahead of his, Sigrun's and Oghren's. Thus, the mage was thankful when the Keep finally came to view.

Captain Garavel and a few guards were waiting for them at the gates when they arrived. Elisa rode ahead of their group and stopped her horse beside him. "Has the Teryn Cousland and his men arrived Captain?"

"The Teryn?" Garavel blinked for a moment. "I heard reports of the Teryn and his men on the road to Amaranthine but the soldiers said that they heading towards Bann Esmerelle's estate. Varel sent an invitation to Teryn Cousland but he declined stating that he had already accepted the Bann's invitation."

"This is exactly what I was warning you," Loghain muttered as he moved his horse beside his Commander. It earned him a sharp glare from her but he didn't flinch and merely shifted his sharp gaze towards the archer who stopped his horse just behind hers.

Elisa focused her attention back to the Captain. "Where's Varel?"

"In his office Commander," Garavel replied as the Keep's servants gathered and began to remove the packs from their horses.

She nodded and got off her horse before barking orders. "Loghain, come with me. Sigrun, wait for us in the throne room. The rest of you can either return to your quarters or watch Sigrun's Joining." She didn't wait for their replies – or protest if there were any – as she hastily made her way to her Seneschal's office.

Varel glanced up from his paperwork when he heard a quick knock on his door before it opened. "Commander, welcome back," he greeted as he set his quill down and stood up. His Arlessa nodded and as she approached his table, he searched for the letters for her delivered during the days she was away. She took them from him and scanned a few, one of them coming from Fergus, no doubt informing her about his arrival. "Soldiers report that Teryn Cousland had arrived in Amaranthine hours before your arrival," her seneschal stated.

Elisa nodded. "Yes, Garavel has mentioned that." She noticed her seneschal raise a brow. This made her sigh heavily then turned her head to her Second.

"Due to recent events, the Teryn decided to distance himself from the Commander," Loghain replied with his hands on his back while returning his Commander's gaze and ignoring her deep frown.

Elisa returned her focus back on her seneschal as she added, "Fergus and I had a disagreement with regard to Nathaniel." She noticed that despite his neutral expression, he didn't like the turn of events. Neither did she but in spite of all the consequences, she still believes that she did the right thing.

And somehow, Varel seemed to at least understand the predicament she had been in as he did not say anything else and just changed the subject. "In any event, you've also received a letter from the Crown. I am unsure of its contents but from what the soldiers reported that the nobles are preparing to leave for Denerim, mostly by ship due to the trouble in the Wending Woods."

Elisa searched the letter from the Crown and when she saw the Therin seal, she opened it and read its contents. When her eyes suddenly widened, her Second leaned forward to stare at the letter. "What is it?"

"There's going to be a Landsmeet," she announced as her brows furrowed. It made perfect sense now why Fergus was in Amaranthine. Hopefully he takes a ship. However, if he does, Bann Esmerelle would no doubt accompany him and who knows what that harpy might tell her brother about her. "Has Lord Eddelbrek left yet?" she suddenly asked while deep in thought.

"Not yet," Varel replied, "though, with the darkspawns attacking his farmhold, I doubt he would leave."

"I see…" She rubbed her chin as she contemplated for a moment. "Send more soldiers to patrol on that area." She looked over to her Second who gave her a curious look. "I need him on that boat to Denerim."

"I'll inform the ship's captain about-"

Elisa suddenly interrupted him. "No, we're passing through the Wending Woods; investigate the trouble there before we head to Denerim." As she turned around and strode towards the door, she added, "I'll prepare Sigrun's Joining. Loghain will report you what Levi informed him."

And hope this one survives.

End of Chapter 14

A/N: Sorry if I took a while to update. Law school and my family got me really busy. I'll try to update as often as I can. Also, I'm looking for beta readers. I think have those but not sure how it works.