Author's Note: I'm pretty stoked because the next chapter I get to move past the game and character intro into MY actual story ideas. Thanks for sticking with me this far :D

~Shifting Sands~

The main hall of the Vigil should have been warm and muggy that day with all the extra people, but yet the air was somehow still crisp. Unlike when entertaining the noble families following the Fealty Oaths, no extra adornments were decorating the hall. Even bare of frivolous embellishments, the room felt rich and respectable with a clear message - it was a day of business. Many matters for court had piled up while Drea was away and she had no choice but to dedicate a day to resolving them. Along with the usual guards and recruits, the room was filled with people wishing to witness the proceedings.

Listening to Ser Derren and Lady Liza Packton explain why they believed a particular bridge belonged to them, Drea was just relieved the day was almost over. Sitting tall in her chair, she forced herself to listen to them both speak, although her mind was already made up. When introducing the case, Seneschal Varel let her know that it was Rendon Howe who promised Lady Liza, an avid Howe supporter, the bridge from Ser Derren's family. His name was all she needed to hear to know right from wrong but had to let them present their arguments anyhow. Ready to make her ruling, she drew herself up to her full height and in a clear voice stated, "Let me begin by saying that it will never be my intention to punish those who supported Rendon Howe. He was your Arl, so supporting him is an expectation. That being said however, because of his actions, Rendon has officially been deemed a traitor to Ferelden by the King. I will continue to judge on any case brought before me, but I do not make a habit of honouring the promises of a traitor. Ser Derren, the bridge will remain as part of your family's property." Instantly, the anger was visible on Lady Liza'sface as she glared up at the Arlessa. Before she could say anything, the guards quickly removed her from the main hall, needing to keep the proceedings moving.

Bringing an exhausted, bedraggled looking man forward, the final case began. Seneschal Varel explained how the man was caught stealing from one of her caravans. He pleaded for mercy as his family was starving, but even so, his actions were considered treasonous against the entire arling. For a long moment, Drea silently stared hard at the distraught man. He nervously wrung his hands as his gaze moved between Drea and a solemn woman among the observers, who was trying to comfort the child clinging to her. Finally, Drea rose to her feet, looking poised as ever. "It is no secret that the Arling of Amaranthine has been faced with many destructive challenges as of late. While I am overcoming these, it will take some time for the relief to be felt. It is during this time of suffering that we must give to the arling, not take from it. The more we give, the more it can provide to us all in return."

Drea paused as she clasped her hands behind her back. With Akron rigidly standing beside the throne, her dark hair pulled into a severe bun, and her vivid noble robes, she was an intimidating sight. The woman with the child, presumably the man's wife, watched Drea with pleading eyes but Drea ignored her. Eventually, she continued, "This situation is particularly unfortunate. Had you stolen from anyone else, you would escape with a lashing. But I am not just anyone. And therefore your life is forfeit." The woman clutched the child for support as she almost fainted while the man helplessly watched. Quickly, Drea raised her hand to quiet the gasps in the hall so she could continue. "And with your forfeited life, you shall serve under Captain Garavel, earning a salary for your family."

The room fell into a surprised silence, and hesitantly the man looked up at Drea, unsure he heard correctly. In a stern voice, she finished, "To better protect our food producing farms, we are in need of more soldiers. It better serves the arling to add to those numbers rather than hang a capable man."

Before the guards could usher him away, the man gratefully fell to his knees."Thank you! Thank you, I promise to make you proud." Drea nodded to him as she lowered herself back into her chair. As the guards directed him from the room, Seneschal Varel gestured to Ashlyn to close the court.

Drea had not been surprised when Ashlyn asked if she could stay even after the road to Denerim was clear. While Anders believed it was because of him, Drea became more suspicious of the woman even though her reasons sounded plausible. "I know I said I would leave once I could get to Denerim," she had started hesitantly, "But…well I'm a minstrel and that's not exactly an honourable profession. Most people think we are more akin to thieves and scoundrels than respectable artists. But," she had taken a deep breath and forced her fidgeting hands to stop before she finished, "Being able to say I'm a Court Minstrel for the Commander of the Grey…the Arlessa of Amaranthine…there's honour in that. I think even my father could have been proud…"

Glancing at Anders, Drea caught him staring at Ashlyn adoringly - her warnings of the bard already ignored. When Ashlyn struck the first cord on her lute, Drea couldn't help but look over at her too. Even in her simple dress, she was a remarkably beautiful woman with a smile both on her lips and in her eyes. As much as she didn't want to admit it, even through her increasing suspicions, Drea was reluctant to turn the woman away for many of her own selfish reasons. Her voice was raspier than Leliana's but when Drea looked away she could almost imagine she was in the room…

Nate happened to catch a glimpse of the subdued smile Drea allowed herself as she slowly closed her eyes. For a moment, as the minstrel's soothing music took over the emptying hall, he could believe she had a softer side. Her beauty had not been lost on him before but even as she wept upon returning from Pilgrim's Path, she retained a distinct hardness. Nate found himself captivated with her subtle dreamy look - a little hint of something more beneath the cold exterior. Realizing he was staring, he suddenly cleared his throat and forced his attention elsewhere, hoping no one noticed.

Evening seemed to come quickly, and it was in no time that Drea found herself facing the door of the large dining hall. The lavish private dining room meant for the Vigil's noble family had always gone unused by her and the only food she ate was what got brought to her study. However, since the trip to Pilgrim's Path, she found herself compelled to spend more time with her recruits. To her surprise, they witnessed a shameful moment of weakness but yet never flinched with their respect for her. She hesitated to try and bond with them as she had her companions during the Blight, but in the very least they had earned her time.

Still feeling awkward, Drea glanced down at her faithful mabari, deeply grateful he was at her side. Somehow knowing she was looking at him, he gazed up at her with his loving eyes. "No more of this nonsense." Drea had said to him when he was well enough to leave the kennels. "We are to die together. In battle. Gloriously!" Happily, Arkon had barked in agreement. Taking a deep breath, she quietly asked, "Are you ready Ark?" As when leaving the kennels, he again barked happily in agreement.

With a quick scan over the room, she spotted a cozy looking Anders and Ashlyn chatting together as they sat alone at a table. The room was filled with guards on their breaks, but they sat at other tables which lined the hall. Although they all worked closely together, there was still a noticeable distinction between her recruits and Captain Garavel's men.

Ashlyn happened to look up as the Commander stepped into the room, holding her plate of food. Hastily, she dropped her hand from its resting spot on Anders' arm as she waved Drea over with a wide smile. As they approached, Arkon acknowledged Anders with a gentle head butt to his leg. Anders, appreciating that far more than the dead rabbit left in his room, patted the large dog on his way past to lie next to Drea's chair.

No sooner had she sat down when Nate, Sigrun, and Oghren made their way into the hall as Nara trailed after them. No one was surprised that Velanna was not in attendance. Although she had survived the Joining, she preferred to keep to herself…possibly still uncomfortable being surrounded by so many humans. Plunking himself into a chair, Oghren loudly asked, "Kind of public for a love fest isn't it?"

"If we need privacy, we'll find it," Anders snapped without thinking while Ashlyn nervously looked away.

"Between the sheets is pretty sodding private," Oghren agreed as he laughed crudely and even Drea was stunned by his boldness.

"Oh shut up, Oghren," Sigrun jumped to their defense before Anders could reply. "Don't you remember what it was like to be in love?"

Ashlyn's cheeks flushed slightly and Anders' eyes widened at the word love, but neither of them spoke. Oghren, turning his attention to Sigrun, missed the subtle awkwardness. "Ha! Sure I do. Branka and I were like a pair of rutting brontos. Didn't matter who was around."

"And there's a nice thought while I'm trying to eat," Nate muttered under his breath as he tried to focus on mixing his gravy into his potatoes. Nara softly sighed as she flopped down beside Nate, drawing a small smile from him.

"Well when I was in love, we didn't much appreciate people prying into our business," Sigrun retorted. Oghren's eyebrows rose and Sigrun abruptly looked down to her plate.

Before Oghren could jump on it, Anders spoke up, "Do tell Sigrun. Seriously, give us reason to believe not all dwarves are as gross as Oghren."

Finally Sigrun laughed as she looked back up at the group. "There's not much to tell," she admitted with a smile, "We were young and naive, but it felt real. He was casteless, like me, so life wasn't easy. But none of that mattered when he was around…he was the only good part of my days. We had nothing to be happy about, but he still made me laugh like never before…or since." Slowly her smile faded as she added, "But he got mixed up with the Carta and…" she shrugged, not finishing her sentence.

"I had your caste system explained to me once," Ashlyn started slowly, gently changing the topic, "It's far more rigid than our classes up here, but similar idea. That's what destroyed my first love. He was a Bann's son and I was…well nothing really. Our relationship was completely unacceptable, so we kept it a secret. We were young and I suppose foolish to think it could work but we loved each other deeply. He had decided the only way we could be together was to run away and start a life where no one knew who he was. So we had planned to meet by the Chantry and leave under the cover of night. But he never came. Turns out we had not been as discrete as we thought and his father knew of our plan. Looking back, I believe I am lucky his father only convinced him to stay and didn't send a guard out for my head…" Ashlyn paused when she realized her story didn't help lighten the mood. "Well, one of us must have a happy story…Nathaniel?"

"I don't have a story," he shrugged as he looked up from his food.

"What, no story?" Oghren asked, surprised. Of all the things Nate's demeanor conveyed, inexperience was not one of them. Not interested in being polite, Oghren continued, "At all? You mean you've never…wrangled a nug…mined for lyrium…rode the bucking bronto?"

Clicking his tongue in disgust, Nate replied, "Uh, none of those things. I have had sex with a woman though, thank you. But the ladies were looking for a story of love and I don't have one of those. I was never in love with any of the women I've been with." He paused for a moment, before adding, "Nor they with me. It's just…there are certain expectations. So I'm afraid I'm not nearly as interesting as say…Anders?"

Shaking his head, Anders replied, "I'm not much more interesting. I mean I've got lots of stories filled with, what was it…lyrium mining? I was a mage at the Circle Tower soo…" he let that hang in the air, knowing it suggested promiscuity, "But actual love stories? Not exactly."

Slowly Drea's mind wandered as the group spoke of love. For a moment, she could picture herself being back at camp as her companions finished their chores and started to rest for the evening. It was almost too easy to see Leliana watching her from across the campfire as the flickering flames lit up her face with a warm, inviting glow. Drea had longed to reach for her, but instead hugged her knees to her chest. Continuing to watch her, Leliana had smiled tenderly as she spoke, "Drea, the Maker has big plans for you, you know." With her smile turning wry, she added, "So do you think you could stop being so sour for once?"

Even as she sat in the dining hall, Leliana's teasing made Drea smile. Still only half paying attention to the conversation, she managed to hear Ashlyn softly ask, "What about you Commander? Do you have a story of love?"

As the memory faded, her heart ached for something that never truly was. Briefly, she had to wonder what dirt the shrewd bard was digging for this time but forced a sincere looking smile on her face. She was sure to choose her words carefully as she lightly replied, "And here I thought everyone had already heard my story." Her comment was greeted with a few nervous chuckles, knowing she was referring to the rumours about her and Alistair. Moving on, she added, "But I do have a story, just not about the one everyone is thinking of. It's true that I did love him, but there's only been one person who made me feel the way this one did. There was this trust between us, this…comfort. I shared things I've never expected to share with another and was still accepted. And it wasn't just the unconditional love that captured me - there was a spark. All it took was one look to steal the breath from my lungs, leaving me helpless against the enchantment. I don't know…maybe it's a red-head thing but there was an unmistakable passion in the smallest of gestures…"

She fell quiet for a moment, focusing on tearing at her piece of bread as she wondered why she shared that. Everyone always told her that getting things off her chest helped, but it she just felt awkward, and her heart still dully ached. While the others exchanged surprised looks at her rather poetic comments, Oghren's face turned to a look of confusion. Finally, he piped up, "Red hair? Do you…do you mean Leliana?"

Drea felt her stomach knot painfully as she realized she said too much. Desperate to deflect the question, she casually glanced at Oghren. Finally laughing, she ripped a small piece off her bread, and threw it at him, "Well if you think it was that recent, why wouldn't I mean you, you big stud?"

Grabbing the bread that landed on the table after bouncing off his shoulder, he popped it into his mouth with a grin. Leaning back in his chair he laced his fingers behind his head and sighed, "True! There's a reason the ladies call me Oghren. Ahhhh…grin."

The recruits at the table couldn't help but laugh at the dwarf's comment, and even Drea pressed her fingers to her mouth, hiding her chuckle. It was an innocent moment, and Drea was relieved her cover was successful. Looking over, Anders exclaimed, "As I live and breathe! Is the Commander actually laughing?"

Glaring at him, she drew her lips together, trying to suppress the smile. Speaking up, Nate replied, "Well maybe, until you ruined it Anders. Nice job."

Puffing out his chest, Anders started to defend himself when a breathless guard suddenly burst into the hall drawing the attention of those near the door. Slowly, a hush fell over the room, and finally they could hear his shouts.

Food, stories, and laughter were quickly forgotten as everyone scrambled to their feet once his words rang clearly through the room, "Commander! We're under attack! The city is under attack!"