A/N Apologies again for the delay! There are little excuses available this time... except for maybe my graduation (yes I did it :D though I'm back for post-grad work in September so I'm still a laybout student. No real world quite yet!) and the acquisition of a puppy (who is sleeping at my feet as I type).

The annoying thing is that the chapters are all planned right up to Chapter 15 lol! It's just a case of writing them heh.

Unfortunately this chapter is again more chatter and little action or excitement. Soon, I promise, soon there will be adventure and romance and other fun things.

Please review! I know I'm rubbish with updating regularly but reviews really do help get the motivation and determination going :D As well as the ever important inspiration, of course.

Chapter Seven: Highever (II)

It was a little after midday in Highever – the sun was shining, the breeze was warm and the Teyrn of Highever had had enough of paperwork.

Fergus was just escaping the confines of the castle through one of the small gates on the east wall when a noise made him pause. There was a holler from the guards at the front gates – a group of horsemen were approaching the castle. Knowing full well who it probably was arriving today, Fergus quickly turned about and hurried through the corridors and down the steps of the castle, arriving at the front gates just as the carriage pulled up.

"Teagan!" Fergus grinned and extended his arm as Teagan dismounted from his horse. The two men gripped each other's forearms and Fergus patted the older gentleman's shoulder heartily. "You're just in time. I was just heading down to the beach house."

Teagan smirked at the young Teyrn. "Finished early, have we?"

Fergus shrugged. "There's nothing on my desk that is urgent. And the weather is too nice to ignore!"

Teagan followed Fergus through the castle corridors. "The weather is Highever is often too nice to ignore."

"Well compared to Rainesfere it would be!" Fergus said with a laugh.

Fergus led the way out of the castle through the vineyards on the eastern slope and down the pebbled pathway to the cove at the foot of the cliffs that supported the castle. Several figures were milling around the beach house, waving – Teagan could recognise Leliana, Roland Gilmore and the Antivan, Zevran.

"Teyrn Cousland! Bann Teagan!" Leliana called out as they approached. She curtseyed as much as her bright beaded sarong would allow and smiled warmly. "How nice of you to join us!"

"Maker's breath, Leliana, I swear you just do it to tease me," Fergus said, running a hand down his face exasperatedly. "Formalities on a bloody beach... whatever next..."

"I believe it is all in the name of practice," Zevran drawled smoothly. He was stretched out on a lounger, his golden and tattooed skin catching as much of the sun as it could. "You've got to work on your poker face – as pretty and expressive as your face is, it has this awful habit of betraying every thought that crosses your mind."

Leliana grinned. "It's true! Everytime someone addresses you with your title, your brow furrows just so," Leliana said, mimicking the gesture, "and your mouth twists into a tiny grimace like so." The mini-scowl vanished into a smile as Leliana continued. "Not much, but enough for most versed in politics to read."

Fergus looked to Teagan for help but the Bann shrugged. "Don't look at me. I'm low enough on the political food chain to avoid these sorts of games."

"A-ha!" Leliana said. "But you are aware of the game, no? Your charm and manners are enough to divert the attention of any ladies in the vicinity – and the jealousy you inspire in their respective partners is just enough to distract them but not so much that they openly and aggressively react. You may not participate in the game, monsieur, but you are aware of some of the tactics."

"I... hadn't realised that was my intention," the Bann admitted humbly.

Rory chose that moment to limp over from the beach house and save the two bemused Fereldens from their Orlesian bard's theories. "My lords, I've a recent vintage of white on ice or a selection of reds on the rack. Or, if you prefer, there is a brandy open..."

"Andraste's ass, Rory," Fergus said with a laugh. "It's your day off! Let me manage the hosting – you sit back and relax."

"Which brandy is open?" Teagan inquired innocently, but unable to keep the wistful tone from his voice. Zevran chuckled, and raised his glass.

"An Antivan vintage," he declared proudly. "A Gran Reserva from Seleny Heights brewers – at least twelve years old by my guess." He raised the bottle and brandished it enticingly at the Bann. "Pull up a chair, Teagan, and settle down. I believe the show is about to start."

"Ooh!" Leliana said excitedly. "Are they there?"

"Show?" Teagan enquired. Fergus shrugged at first, then followed the rogues' lines of sight towards the tall headland at the opposite side of the cove.

"Ah," he said, spotting figures on the clifftop. "I think I know what this is."

"Shh!" Leliana said. "I think I hear them..."

The wind was carrying the voices from the headland and were just about discernable over the lapping waves.

"...aste's knickers this is high. Are you sure about this?"

"Sure? Of course I'm sure! I've done this dive hundreds of times. This headland is a traditional rite of passage for boys in the region to prove they were men. That and the usual first kill in a hunt and all that."

"So you proved you're a man?" A laugh echoed around the cove.

"I proved I was equal to a man," the female voice declared proudly. "My mother was so angry when she found out though."

"I bet she was. How many rocks are there again?"

"Don't think about the rocks. As long as you jump clear from the cliff's edge you've got no problem."

"You're insane, you know that?"

"You have to be in this job."

"Fine... you go first then, if you're so good at it."

One of the figures – the woman - proceeded to walk to the cliff's edge. She sprung into the air and tumbled gracefully to the ocean below, spinning twice around with her legs held straight against her before unfurling to dive head first into the water.

Some moments later she resurfaced and called up to her companion. "In your own time Darrian!"

The figure left on the headland hesitated at the cliff's edge, turned about and took a few steps back.

"He's not going to do it," Leliana commented.

"He will," Zevran said.

"Oh? And how are you so sure?"

Zevran smirked. "How are you not? You're supposed to be better at reading people than I am. He's determined. He'll want to prove himself and he will – if not as gracefully as his commander."

True to Zevran's word, the second figure completed the jump, running to the cliff's edge and hurtling off it, crashing into the water with his legs tucked to his chest.

Laughter rang around the cove and the two divers swam to the shore. Teagan didn't recognise the elf, and at first he didn't recognise the woman... but then he looked again...

Elissa stepped out of the water, her dark hair bound in two long braids that tumbled down her back. She was wearing a long sleeved cotton shirt and trousers, both of which would probably hang quite loose when dry but currently clung to every curve from being soaked with water. Teagan swallowed the lump in his throat and quickly washed away the dryness with his brandy. Remembering that her brother was sat nearby and would not take kindly to inappropriate action against his sister was a well timed sobering thought.

The two Wardens walked onto the beach to a round of applause from the shore party and Darrian grinned and gave an elaborate bow.

"I don't know what you're bowing for," Zevran commented, smirking. "That bomb into the water was hardly inspiring, following Elissa's elegant dive."

"No?" Darrian purred with a cheeky smile, accepting a towled from Fergus and hooking it over his neck. "Perhaps Master Arainai would care to demonstrate how to do it properly?"

The Ferelden elf sauntered up to his Antivan counterpart, the muscles of his lightly tanned torso rippling with each step. Zevran laughed and reached over to the side-table, refilling his glass while discreetly admiring the view.

"I have no need to perform such stunts in order to attract attention – as you well know."

Darrian opened his mouth to reply but was stopped by Elissa's hand. "Enough banter, you two, before the conversation descends into the gutter. We've got company."

Darrian wrested his chin from Elissa's hold and leered at her over his shoulder. "But Elissa you know conversation with me never rises above the gutter."

"Precisely why I've stopped you now before Zevran brings out the worst in you."

"Or best," Zevran said with a smirk. "Depending on your perspective."

Elissa rolled her eyes and stepped past Darrian to take both of Teagan's hands in hers. "Bann Teagan!" she said happily. "It's so good to see you! I'd hug you but... well, I'm a little drenched in sea water, as you can see."

Teagan laughed. "My lady, words cannot describe how good it is to see you. I take it your adventures across Thedas went well?"

"They were certainly enlightening, Bann Teagan, but it is very good to be home. And – well sod it," she said, closing the distance between them and putting her arms around his neck. "You're not wearing silk and you'll dry off soon enough in the sunshine." She pressed her face into the crook of his neck and sighed. "It is so very good to see you."

Teagan, not at all bothered by the damp seeping through his shirt, put his arms about her waist and hugged back. "You had us all worried," he said quietly into her ear. "How are you faring?"

Elissa patted Teagan's shoulder and pulled away from the embrace. "Well enough, Teagan, well enough. Zev!" she declared suddenly, turning back to the others outside the beach house. "Where's that brandy? You better not have drunk it all."

Zevran chuckled and handed Elissa a treasured glass of the amber liquid. "After you carried it all the way across Thedas? I would never be so selfish!"

x.x.x

"Darrian?"

"Yes, Elissa?"

"Are we getting lazy?"

"Hmm..." The elf paused and stretched, considering the question. Leliana and Rory had vanished some hours earlier to enjoy the rest of their day off privately, and the rest had retired to the castle study as the sun set. "Possibly. But we worked hard all winter and were travelling for a year – and you another year before that. So. I think we've earned the break."

"But the whole point of me travelling was to get a break." Elissa sighed. "What do you think, Teagan?"

The Bann sighed. "I think we're all heading to Denerim in a few days for the first Landsmeet of the year where everything is going to go to the Black City in a handcart as nobles squabble and bicker over everything – so any chance to get a break should be taken without question."

Darrian grinned. "Well said, that man."

"Hear, hear," added Fergus.

"Seriously though," Darrian said, poking Elissa gently in the ribs. "If you think we need to go and do something, we could always clear off the Chanter's board. Or there's that Merchant's Guild that's sprung up, I bet they have some do-gooding that we could do."

"You just want to try out your new blade skills on a real bandit, not a straw one."

"Well, I would be lying if I said no to the practice..."

Elissa pondered the suggestion. "Hm. Maybe after the Landsmeet. We'll see what Denerim brings."

Comfortable silence fell upon the room until Elissa broke it. "If you don't mind my asking, Teagan," she said, "why are you here? Not that I'm complaining about your presence," she hastily added, "on the contrary. I'm just curious as to why you detoured to Highever before the Landsmeet – you usually accompany Arl Eamon, no?"

Teagan sighed and scratched the back of his head. "Honestly? Eamon and I are... disagreeing more and more lately. Maybe it's just stress on his part that Connor is at the Tower, and there's a chance that their little girl will also be a mage – or that he is fussing over my lack of wife and family." Teagan snorted. "Probably both. Oh, and that I'm not playing by his rules in the Landsmeet."

Elissa looked at Teagan expectantly and the Bann sighed. "Eamon has been publicly pressuring Anora to marry – he's not alone in that respect, but I felt that his words were a little harsh and unnecessary at one particular Meet. Going on about Anora's age and so on. So I pointed out that Isolde – who was pregnant at the time – is older than Anora and seemed quite comfortable in her pregnancy, so there was no need to waste Landsmeet time on such a topic. I only meant to try and push the Landsmeet into looking at other – more pressing – issues."

Elissa nodded. "As was your right. On top of which, I think such speeches are left to private audiences. It was wrong of Eamon to bring such personal things up at a Landsmeet."

Fergus also nodded. "My thoughts exactly. So I seconded Teagan's motion to move to the next item on the agenda. A motion which was passed with a substantial majority."

"Mostly due to your input I would wager," Teagan said, "you have quite the following in the Landsmeet." Fergus waved him off.

"You were only saying what a lot of them were thinking. It is a shame Eamon took it so personally."

Teagan sighed and answered Elissa's questioning look. "Eamon felt that my public 'display' was me trying to undermine him. He's got it into his head that because I'm speaking out more at Landsmeets that I've developed a taste for politics and I would desire the arling to further my goals." Teagan shook his head. "He ought to know better. I've only been speaking up because the more support the Queen has for the changes she wishes to work the better. Plus, after the troubles with Connor and the attacks of Redcliffe, I've learnt that relying on my brother to manage my political duties is folly. Anything could happen."

"Did he say that to you? About the arling?" Elissa asked.

Teagan grimaced. "More or less. After that Landsmeet I returned to his estate where he was fuming. He told me that my loyalties should lie with him, his brother, and that I shouldn't ever perform such a stunt again. I countered by saying that we are not at war, and he shouldn't pick fights with Anora just because he was bitter about Alistair." Teagan sighed. "I have no doubt you guessed that Eamon was intending to... 'mentor' Alistair when he became King."

Elissa smirked. "Mentor is a very diplomatic way to word it, Teagan, but yes, I had my suspicions that Eamon was intending to use Alistair's inexperience to his advantage. And as much as Alistair was... not as naive as before," she said, recalling their discussion after their disastrous meeting with Goldanna, "I wasn't about to give Eamon the chance to try and use him. I didn't just say I would rule beside him because of that selfish thing called love. That aside," Elissa hastily changed the subject, "I can't imagine Eamon took your comments well."

"That he did not. I was escorted off his estate -,"

"What?"

"- and spent the night in the Gnawed Noble. I wager I would have spent the rest of the week there had I not been spotted by one of the Queen's maids."

"Her name wouldn't have been Erlina by any chance? Dark-haired elf, Orlesian...?"

"That was her," Teagan affirmed. "You've met her then?"

"Once or twice," Elissa admitted with a shrug.

"Well, she had heard from one of the servants on Eamon's estate about our disagreement, and had informed the Queen of my... well, eviction, for want of a better word. The Queen then summoned me to her study that day and thanked me for my support, and apologised that it had caused a rift between me and my brother. I told her that such an argument was long overdue, and frankly Eamon's opinions had been bothering me for months. Anora is still, and always will be in my eyes, a niece by marriage. A fact which Eamon is quick to forget."

"Anora, for obvious reasons, couldn't put Teagan up in the palace," Fergus said, apparently picking up the story. "Can't be seen to show favour during a Landsmeet and all that political malarkey – especially when family ties are involved. On top of that, it was in everyone's interests that such a disagreement between Bann and Arl was not publicised."

Teagan snorted. "Though of course everyone already knew through the servants anyway."

"Well... quite. Still, since we seemed to be agreeing on almost every point so far, Anora asked that I "rescue" Teagan from the Gnawed Noble. So I invited him hunting with me the next day and discreetly informed him that I knew of his situation and offered him to stay at my estate. And I tell you what, it's been a refreshing change to have a bann with a brain to talk to."

"Apart from Alfstanna," Elissa interjected with a grin. Fergus flushed.

"Well yes, obviously. Anyway that was, what, nearly a year ago? Since then anytime Teagan's been in Denerim he's stayed at the Highever estate."

"I can barely remember the estate," Elissa remarked, leaning back in her chair. "It's been years since I stayed there."

"Truly?" Teagan asked.

"Mmm. I must have been... fifteen when we last went to Denerim as a family? The last time we visited Denerim was a few months after Anora and Cailan's wedding. Father went to Landsmeets by himself after that and Mother used to visit Lady Landra on occasion..."

"I remember," Fergus said. "I commented on it once, when I actually left Oren long enough to go to a Landsmeet with him," he added with a rueful smile. "He said he had had enough of the politics game and wanted to spend more of his time at the teyrnir and with the family."

Elissa looked at Fergus thoughtfully. "Well you've read his journals," she said with a shrug. "Was he telling the truth?"

"...in part," Fergus admitted, reaching over to the pile of leather bound books on the side table, riffling through until he found the right one. "I remember reading the particular entry and meaning to show it to you... ah, here it is," he said, thumbing through the pages until he found the entry he was looking for.

"Your father left his journals for you?" Teagan asked the two siblings.

"Well, they survived the attack on the castle," Elissa said. "I've yet to read a whole one cover-to-cover – just the odd entry or two. It's nice to read some of them," she admitted, "It's like having a part of him still here. Especially with the way he writes and the advice he gives."

"And the stories he tells," Fergus added with a grin. Elissa laughed.

"That too." She skimmed the passages before her, her mouth dropping open slightly in realisation.

"Oh..."

"What?" Teagan said, the warm alcohol buzz in his veins dulling his sense of proprietary and demanding that curiosity be sated. "What does it say?"

"I... well..." Elissa swallowed. "It would appear that shortly after their marriage and Anora's ascension to Queen, she took it upon herself to arrange the marriages of the most available daughters and sons to Orlesian nobility – to strengthen political ties and the peace effort."

"Oh she didn't..."

"Mhmm. I was on top of that list – the prime candidate for some Orlesian dukedom heir."

"Ouch," Darrian sympathised.

"Apparently my father's rejection of the idea did not go down well..." Elissa said, reading down the page. She then visibly winced. "Oh dear... then my mother may have got Loghain involved with it all... caused some issues between father and daughter. Whoops. No wonder I was saved from going to Denerim every Landsmeet – I was a sore subject." Elissa laughed.

"You know I think our father would have let you marry whoever you wanted if you asked," Fergus said. "Of course, Mother would have taken some persuading. I think he would have let you run the teyrnir too if he thought he could get away with it."

"What?" Elissa laughed again. "Fergus don't be daft: it was always you. Highever loves you – you're a brilliant Teyrn."

"For the freeholders yes," Fergus said. "But I lack your political savvy when dealing with our 'peers'" he said, making speech-mark signs in the air, "and your tactical skills on the field."

"I assure you, both those skills were hastily learnt out of necessity during the Blight. And anyway, that's what wives and captains are for, no?"

Fergus snorted. "Maybe – if the wife in question is someone like our mother."

"Or Alfstanna," Elissa amended with a grin and cheeky waggle of her eyebrows. Fergus flushed.

"Honestly, would you stop already?"

"Did I stop when you were getting married to Oriana?"

"You were thirteen. It was unbearable then, but excusable. Now it's not. Especially when we're trying to be discreet!"

Elissa and Darrian laughed. "Oh brother dear, in case you haven't noticed, you've got it bad for each other – discretion is a little tricky when you blush like that every time I mention her."

Fergus looked to Teagan for help and the Bann chuckled good-naturedly. "I'm afraid to say it's true... you're lucky that most of the gossip has been about more obvious things like Anora's suitors or Lady Beatrice of Oswin's new er..." Teagan cleared his throat. "Manservant."

Elissa and Darrian dissolved into racous laughter again. "Oh Teagan! You don't listen to that sort of gossip, surely?"

"When Isolde is nearby there's rarely any other type of discussion." Teagan shuddered. "That woman, as much as she cares for my brother, is almost insufferable. She's taken it into her head she needs to patch things up between Eamon and I, and visits Rainesfere at any available opportunity. Needless to say, her methods aren't quite working – and the gossip is the only way to distract her from her preaching."

Elissa's grin was wicked. "Oh Teagaaan," she simpered in her best impression of the Arlessa. "Won't you please speak to your brother? He did not mean what he said, Teagaaaaaaan."

"Maker's mercy, don't," Teagan pleaded, laughing. "I'll have nightmares."

x.x.x

The next day, after nursing a small hangover through breakfast, Elissa decided she would go down to the markets for some shopping.

"Dresses?" Leliana inquired innocently. Elissa grimaced.

"I was hoping I could get away with jerkins and breeches. And a nice pair of boots."

"But we're going to a ball, Elissa!" the Orlesian declared. "You must have a dress for the ball."

"Worry not, Leliana," Fergus interjected smoothly as he was passing through the Great Hall, Teagan at his shoulder. "I've got that taken care of. The dressmaker will be at the estate when we arrive in Denerim to take your measurements and will have it ready for you on the day."

Elissa spotted the stack of papers tucked firmly under Fergus' arm. "More work?"

"Unfortunately. But I'm not alone with this pile," he added. Teagan nodded.

"New trade agreements between Highever and a port in Orlais. I've dealt with this particular Duke before – and can read his handwriting," he added with a laugh.

"Is he honourable?"

"As much as an Orlesian can be, I expect," Teagan admitted.

Peals of laughter from the courtyard cut across the conversation as the front door swung open and Zevran and Darrian entered. They were wearing their leathers and had their blades strapped on their backs.

"Elissa!" Zevran called, reaching up putting an arm around Darrian's shoulders (since the Ferelden was around half a head taller than the Antivan). "I thought you said this one needed to practice his sword work."

"I said he could be better. Not that he needed to practice." Elissa smirked at the pair. "I take it he met your expectations then?"

"Ah, amica, 'tis true, he has a lot of potential – but you could have warned me he had trained some with our pirate-friend Isabela first."

Elissa laughed. "I didn't know he had but somehow it doesn't surprise me. Tell me, Master Tabris, did you play her little game of cards? Or did you use some of your other... charms to earn some lessons from her?"

Darrian grinned. "Which do you think it was? I'm assuming from the look on your face you also partook of the latter option?" Darrian stretched and his grin widened. "I would have never pegged you the type if I'm honest."

"I'm not even going to ask," Fergus said, shaking his head. Elissa shook her head and sighed.

"Come on," she said, walking up to the two rogues, Leliana close behind her. "Let's get down to the markets before it gets too busy."

"Shopping?" Darrian said with a snort, following his commander out of the castle. "You're an awful shopper – always too scared to spend money, just in case you find something better or come across it by accident while trawling through a cave."

"Which is why I'm taking you with me. I need clothes for Denerim – I can't go around in armour all day. Make sure I buy something."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Zev, make sure he doesn't steal anything."

"Hey!"

"Only saving you from yourself, dear."

Zevran chuckled. "Consider it done, my dear Warden."

"And Leli, make sure they both keep flirting to a minimum."

"Now that is a cruel request," Zev remarked. Darrian grumbled in agreement.

The markets were quiet, as Elissa had hoped, allowing her to browse and shop without being hassled by too many well-wishers or fans. She may have used her status to her advantage when negotiating deals on the clothes she bought, but not (in her opinion) excessively so. She was just looking around a cobbler's shop for some decent but not military issue boots, something she could walk in without feeling like she would break the floor. Leliana, however, had other ideas.

"Oh Elissa look at these!" She gasped and her hands hovered reverently over the rows of dainty and colourful shoes, picking up each shoe one by one and turning it gently in her hands.

Zevran looked at one pair of high-heeled shoes and pulled a face. "Assuming one could master walking in them, they would be quite the weapon."

"Hmm," Darrian pondered quietly, picking up one of the less dramatic shoes and looking it over. "These are nice, Elissa. Pretty, but not impractical."

"I'd trash them and you know it. Best that such shoes are left to true connoisseurs like Leliana."

Leliana was nearly dancing with joy. "They're beautiful – I've never seen such shoes in Ferelden before! Where did you get them?"

The woman behind the counter chuckled. "Well, they're Ferelden made – though Orlesian inspired. My brother used to travel to Orlais regularly and brought back a pair of shoes each time. I met my husband in Denerim when I was trying to get a cobbler to fix a pair – he was just a servant at the shop but said he would try and fix them for me after the master cobbler declared such a task folly and a waste of time. A week later my shoes were returned – the week after a new pair arrived on my doorstep, handmade." The woman smiled fondly and stepped out from behind the counter to show them off.

"Awww," Leliana said. "What a beautiful story!"

"You're not telling the customers the story about how we met again, are you love?" a voice drifted out from the back room.

"Of course I am dear," she said fondly. "I like to make it known how proud I am of you after all."

The cobbler emerged from the doorway and hugged his wife, kissing her on the cheek. "And then I have to make it known that you are my saviour. I would have been stuck a servant all my life if I hadn't met you."

Darrian dropped the shoe he was holding in shock (though Zevran deftly caught it before it hit the floor and reset it on its stand.) "Soris!" he exclaimed.

The cobbler – a familiar looking redhaired elf – let go of his wife abruptly, his arms going lax by his side. "Cousin?"

"Andraste's tits!" Darrian said loudly with an exalted laugh. "It is you! Well I suppose your luck had to turn around one day... cousin?"

The redhead had gone deathly pale and leant heavily on the counter, still staring in disbelief at Darrian.

"Soris?" his wife said worriedly. "Honey, are you okay?"

"Maker's breath," Soris managed to get out, coupled with a bubble of suppressed and near-on hysterical laughter. "I'm going insane. I've gone insane and I'm seeing ghosts."

"Soris..." Darrian started carefully. "I'm no ghost. I can promise you that."

Tears started to well in Soris' eyes and he ducked his head, his knuckles white as he gripped the table top. "They said they killed you!" he blurted out suddenly. He took a heaving and shaky breath and ploughed on. "The Arl's guards. Said you didn't deserve a trial and weren't worth a public hanging so they just killed you."

Zevran's eyes flicked to Darrian, curious, but the Warden just shook his head. Later, he mouthed to the Antivan. He took a careful step towards Soris behind the counter, like he would to approach a spooked horse, not wanting to startle him. "Soris," he said gently again. "They didn't kill me. They sold me to some slavers and I was packed off to Tevinter."

Darrian reached out to gently touch Soris' shoulder and the redhead's reaction was swift, throwing his arms around Darrian's neck. Darrian hugged him back and closed his eyes, holding his cousin – who was in all respects more like a brother – tightly.

"I'll go make some tea," Soris' wife said gently, stepping around the counter to hastily shut the door to the shop and turning the door sign to show "closed."

Soris took a deep breath and stepped away from his cousin, wiping his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose to try and regain some composure. "Maker's breath," he said again. "I can't quite believe it. What happened? How did you get here?"

"One question at a time, eh?" Darrian said with a weak chuckle. "I'll tell you everything in a minute... I just need to ask something first. When I was caged up in Tevinter, I was with a bunch of the others from the Alienage – Elodie, Viv, Tobias, Marko – about a dozen all told. We sent them home on a ship to Denerim – did they make it back?"

"You were with them?" Soris said, a note of hysteria creeping into his voice again. "They got back fine! Why didn't they say anything to us? More importantly," he snapped, giving Darrian a shove, "why didn't you come back with them?"

"Soris," Darrian said gently again. "Think about it. I was a criminal – my enslavement was a punishment. I wasn't stolen from the streets like the others – I couldn't just waltz back home."

"But you can waltz back now?"

"Well yeah," Darrian said sheepishly. "I'm a Grey Warden now."

Soris opened his mouth and closed it once, twice, then three times. He shook his head violently from side to side and pinched his nose again. "This just gets weirder by the minute."

"I need a drink," Darrian muttered.

"You and me both!" Soris replied. "You need to get home, Darrian. Uncle Cyrion, Shianni... they need to know you're alive."

"Darrian," Elissa said quickly. "Catch-up with your cousin then meet us back at the castle. We'll pack the basics and have my brother bring the rest with him next week. We leave for Denerim this evening."

"What?" Darrian spluttered. "Elissa, don't be daft – we've barely been here a week! You can't just leave your family so I can see mine. We're going at the end of next week – it can wait til then."

"No," Elissa said, shaking her head. "The city will be in chaos then for the Landsmeet and Memorial Day. It will be better if you can go when it's quieter."

"Especially when Shianni will be at the Landsmeet as Bann of the Alienage," Soris said.

"What?" Darrian exclaimed again. "Ack – you know what, that story can wait a second."

"Look," Elissa interjected. "I know what it's like to have a family member you think is dead. It's not pleasant. The sooner you go, the better it will be for all of you."

"Then I'll go with him," Zevran said smoothly. "It will be better I head to Denerim before you and your brother anyway, to keep an ear out for the gossip." Zevran patted Elissa's shoulder. "I'll keep an eye on your protégé, I promise."

"Fine," Elissa said with a sigh. "I'll go and pack your things – you meet Zevran at the gates when you're done. And take Madoc with you," she added grimly. "You never know what's on the roads these days."

Darrian straightened his posture and gave Elissa a cheeky grin and lazy salute. "Yes ma'am!"

x.x.x.x.x

Sleepy phoenix is sleepy.

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xxx