Sorry this took so long, guys! I had quite a bit of trouble trying to decide how long this chapter was going to be.

I'm not very happy with it, but here it is. I hope you enjoy and leave me a review.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed, favorited, and followed the first chapter!

Avina

On the roof of the Keep, they come up to find the seneshal on his knees, a darkspawn with a blade at his neck behind him.

One of the other darkspawn... there is something strange about it. Something different. It steps before another soldier who stands on the edge.

Avina doesn't like it.

"It has ended just as he foretold." It lifts a foot, and kicks the man onto the wooden spikes below, before turning back. "Be taking this one, gently. We are wishing no more death than is necessary."

The seneshal huffs. "Necessary? As if your kind has ever done anything else!"

The darkspawn shakes it's head. "You are thinking you know of our kind, human. It is understandable, but that will soon be changed."

"Others will come, creature! They will stop you!"

"There it is," Mhairi tells them as they approach, pointing towards the creature.

"It seems your words be true. More than you are guessing," the darkspawn says.

Anders looks at the creature in wonder. "It is talking!"

"Well?" Oghren rumbles. "Let's shut it up already!"

"Commander," the seneshal says quietly.

The talking darkspawn looks the group up and down. "Capture the Grey Wardens. These others... they may be killed."

The seneshal is lucky enough to survive the attack.

He carefully regains his feet, rubbing his neck. "Commander, I owe you my life."

Avina smiles slightly. Just the Commander, huh? Not the rest of them?

The seneshal's head turns toward the roads, something catching his attention. "Hmm," he muses. "Soldiers on the road. It seems we have more company. Hopefully they're more hospitable than our previous guests."

Avina takes a look down the road as well, and her breath catches in her throat.

A glint of gold catches her eye.

Alistair's armor.

"I'll go see to the wounded," she says quickly, before they head down, and she hurries towards the door back into the Keep.

Daylen

King Alistair Theirin of Ferelden marches down the road with his troops behind him, looking every bit the leader he was born to be.

Daylen gives him an exaggerated bow, while Mhairi goes down on one knee.

"It looks like I arrived a it late. Too bad. I rather missed the whole darkspawn killing thing," he says as soon as he meets them, and Daylen almost laughs. It's just so like him.

"King Alistair," Mhairi gasps, stunned.

"I'd wanted to come and give the Wardens a formal welcome," Alistair continues. Daylen smiles to himself. He knows that isn't the only reason the king is here. "I certainly wasn't expecting this. What's the situation?"

"What darkspawn remained have fled, your Majesty," the Seneshal reports. "The Grey Wardens who had arrived from Orlais appear to be either dead or... missing."

Alistair blanches. "Missing? As in taken by the darkspawn? Do they even do that?"

The seneshal shakes his head. "I do not know, your Majesty. I only know that we cannot account for all the Wardens."

Alistair nods. "I see. At least the hero of Ferelden is still here, and alive. That's something, right?"

Daylen gives him an offended look. "Hey, try not to look so disappointed," he jokes.

At least it gets him to smile. "I'll get over it, I'm sure. You have quite the task ahead of you. Really, I'd like to help you fight darkspawn, but you're on your own for the moment."

Oghren grunts. "Hey, what am I? Chopped nug livers?"

"From the smell, that's not a bad guess," Anders mutters.

Oghren crosses his arms. "I came here to join the Grey Wardens, and from the looks of it, you could use the extra hands! Where's the giant cup? I'll gargle and spit!"

Daylen chuckles. "You're not allowed to spit."

"Heh. That's what I always say."

Mhairi looks disgusted, but seems to quell her objections. "I... suppose all are welcome, in this dire time."

"Joining the Wardens, hey?" Anders pipes in. "Well, good luck with that."

One of the templar knights behind the king steps forward, her eyes wild.

Daylen immediately dislikes her.

"King Alistair," she says urgently. "Your Majesty, beware, this man is a dangerous criminal."

Alistair just shrugs. "Oh, the dwarf is a bit of an arse, but I wouldn't go that-"

Anders bows his head. "She means me."

"This is an apostate who we were in the process of bringing back to the Circle to face justice!"

Anders scoffs. "Oh, please. The things you people know about justice would fit into a thimble. I'll just escape again anyhow."

"Never!" The templar snaps. "I will see you hanged for what you've done here, murderer!"

"Murderer?" Anders asks, shocked. "But those templars were- oh, what's the use? You won't believe me anyhow."

"It seems there isn't much to say. Unless... you have something to add, Commander?"

Oh, yes, he does.

"I conscript this mage into the Grey Wardens," Daylen tells them.

And the look on that woman's face when she realizes what he's doing absolutely makes his day.

Avina

When the king leaves, all goes quiet again. The servants clean up the throne room, and the recruits that survived the Joining set up there for cleanliness's sake.

But, then again, Mhairi is the only one who didn't make it.

It's good that Oghren is here, though. It's nice to see a familiar face.

"You've gotten a bit bigger than the last time I saw ya."

Slightly offended, Avina places a hand on her stomach. "It's not my fault," she says defensively. "I'm... not just me anymore."

Oghren's eyes narrow in confusion at her large belly for a moment. "Eh, I see. You're carrying the pike twirler's little blighter?" He doesn't wait for her to answer. "Huh."

She glares, but she can't really stay mad at him. He's always been a treasured friend.

"Is that why you're hiding from him?" A new voice asks.

Avina turns to face Daylen. "Partially," she admits. "I highly doubt I would have stayed in Denerim even if I wasn't."

"He asks about you. All the time," he tells her.

She shuts her eyes. "I suppose I foolishly hoped he would let me go."

"He's really surprised me with how stubborn he can be."

Oghren has gone back to drinking, completely ignoring them.

Avina steps slightly closer. "How is he?"

Daylen sighs. "He's... not doing as well as I'd hoped."

Avina bows her head. "I see. I thought perhaps he would forget me."

Daylen gives her a look. "Are you kidding?"

"Oh, hush," she says, blushing slightly. "Let's go talk to the prisoner, then get some dinner."

She doesn't know what exactly she expected, but it wasn't... this.

The dark haired human, somewhat familiar in his appearance and demeanor, is sullen and hostile towards them from the first words that leaves his mouth.

"If it isn't the great hero, conqueror of the Blight and vanquisher of all evil," he says mockingly. "Aren't you supposed to be ten feet tall? With lightning bolts shooting out of your eyes?"

Daylen only smirks. "The darkspawn probably think so."

The prisoner sighs. "Somehow I just thought that my father's muderer would be... more impressive."

Avina and Daylen exchange a look of confusion.

"I am Nathaniel Howe," he reveals. "My family owned these lands until you showed up. Do you even remember my father?"

Avina remembers him. Rendon Howe, the greedy right hand of Loghain.

Daylen raises an eyebrow at him. "Really? So you came here for revenge, then?"

Nathaniel huffs. "I came here... I thought I was going to try to kill you. To lay a trap for you. But then I realized I just wanted to reclaim some of my family's things. It's all I have left."

Once again, Avina and Daylen share a meaningful glance.

"Your family has belongings still here?" she asks, stepping forward.

Nathaniel nods. "We used to live here, once upon a time. Father didn't take everything with him to Denerim." He turns his attention back to Daylen. "Look, I know you're a hero. You fought a war and you won, and to the victor go the spoils, right? Whatever my father did, however, shouldn't harm my whole family. The Howes are pariahs now, those of us left. It's all thanks to you. And now you get to decide my fate. Ironic, isn't it?"

"Do you really hate me so much?" Daylen drawls, almost uncaringly.

"The darkspawn are a menace. If it weren't for the Blight, maybe my father would never have... done what he did. But I can't do anything about them, can I? There's just you and the Grey Wardens, here in my home."

"All right," Daylen allows. "I've decided what to do with you."

"Already? Good."

The cell guard returns quickly with the seneshal.

Avina can tell that Daylen is thinking of recruiting him, but she doesn't fancy having Wardens who hate them.

Besides, this man is an orphan, ousted from his home for something he didn't do.

"Give him his family's things," she orders. "And let him go."

The guard, Nathaniel, and Varel all look from her to Daylen.

Daylen sighs. "You heard her."

Nathaniel's eyes widen. "You're doing what?"

Varel sputters in confusion. "Commander, that's... I must object! You want to let a thief keep what he stole?"

Avina crosses her arms. "Those things belong to him," she argues. "At worst, he was trespassing."

"Do as she says," Daylen says dismissively.

Varel sighs. "Yes, Commander."

The cell guard opens the cell. "You heard the verdict. Come with me, so you can... collect your things."

They leave the room, and Varel turns to Daylen, saluting. "I hope you know what you're doing, Commander," he tells him.

Daylen

Morrigan,

I made it to the Keep. Avina is here with me. Did you two plan this? We've run into a bit of a darkspawn problem, but it's nothing I can't handle. Sapient darkspawn, though, is a new one. I'll probably be seeing more of this.

Avina frightens me somewhat. You should see her eat; remember how you used to complain about how much I would eat? Imagine that. Doubled. She's also cranky, which is odd. I've never seen her in such a foul mood.

No problems with her health so far. She feels sick sometimes, but she assures me this is normal.

Any luck? Are the Dalish cooperating?

Let me know if anything comes up.

And if anything happens with the little one.

Alistair is hunting for you, you know. And before you feel special, it's not just you he's looking for. So I'd stay away from any big cities if I were you, just in case. Avina is safe for the time being; no one will be kidnapping her on my watch.

The knock on his door startles him, and he sets his quill down just as it opens.

"Commander," Varel says. "The lords of Amaranthine have come to swear fealty to you and the Grey Wardens."

Daylen sighs, standing up from his desk. "Alright, Varel. I'll be there in a moment."

Varel bows, and shuts the door behind him.

Glancing back at his letter, he picks up his quill again.

I'm sorry to cut my letter short, but duty calls.

I love you.

Daylen