Two days in the back of that wagon. They had hardly had anything to eat or drink. To make matters worse Lea had been crying from hunger and fear almost nonstop. What Isabela wouldn't have given for Anders to have been there to make her fall asleep? How she missed having mages around. She missed Anders and Merill of course, but she never realised how important their abilities had been until after they joined the rebellion. The rebellion had been profitable for her to say the least. She had been smuggling mages between countries more times that she could count. But fortune helped her little now. What would Hawke have said if she knew that they had let her only child been captured by Sebastian? She probably would have forgiven them. That was Hawke, merciful. They were dragged in chains into the throne room. There was Sebastian. He looked at them with concern rather than gloating and even seemed a little distressed by it. Lea hid behind Fenris holding his leg. Isabela could understand why Sebastian wanted Anders, but she had never thought him capable of harming a child. Isabela was furious.
"What do you want from us, you backstabbing little shit?"
"Please. I know how this looks. I don't wish to harm you... any of you."
"No, of course not. Having your men threatening our lives and keeps us looked in chains for two days was just an act of hospitality." Varric snarled sarcastically.
"I should never have come here! You are no better than Danarius!" Fenris growled.
Sebastian did seem truly hurt by this and then looked at the chains. Of course they would think so after what he had just done to them. He told one of his guards to unlock the chains. Quite a gamble considering Fenris could rip his heart out before any of his guards could stop him. Fenris even considered it, but what then? Sebastian's guards would try to kill them and they had no weapons. Even worse Lea could get hurt. Fenris had been part of her life since Varric took her in. She was like family. Because of his high regard for Marian and in honour of their friendship, he had promised himself to protect Lea no matter the cost. And he would not stop now. He took her hand in his and gently stroked it with his thumb hoping it would give her some comfort. Sebastian then looked at them with a generally look of remorse.
"I promise, the only one I wish to harm is Anders. If my guards have made any threats on your lives they will not come to pass."
"And what about Lea?" Isabela spat.
"I would never harm a child. Unlike Anders I will not kill an innocent to achieve an end."
"No, you just use them."
"I know this is hard to believe, but I take no pleasure in this."
At the mention of her father's name Lea stepped forward. Sebastian's eyes filled with tears. She was so beautiful, just like her mother. He had feared that she would look like her father and that would cause him to relay the anger he felt for him on to her. Except for the pale skin both her parents had, she looked nothing like him. But her dark hair, her little round face and those green eyes like those that had haunted his sleep for years, made him convinced that she was the most beautiful little girl he had ever seen. Sebastian had never had any intentions of harming the child, but now he was determined to spoil her. He wanted revenge for what Anders did and he was certain that eventually Anders would come for her. He wanted to execute Anders, but now he had another punishment for him. He would make his daughter love himself as a father instead of Anders. Anders had been the obstacle Sebastian's love for Marian and now he would become that obstacle between Anders and his daughter. He kneeled in front of the little girl.
"My name is Sebastian. It is a pleasure to meet you. What is your name?"
"Lea... please don't hurt Varric, Bella and Fenris." She sobbed.
"I promise I won't. You must be hungry, would you like something to eat?"
She nodded. Varric was still tense, but he honestly began to believe that Sebastian wouldn't harm her. Sebastian asked one of the servants to get something for her to eat and then asked the guards to escort Isabela, Varric and Fenris away.
"To the dungeons, your grace?"
"No... I have had some rooms prepared for them and placed some guards outside it. I am sorry, my friends, but I hope you understand why I must this. I will have some food brought up for you. I will have Lea stay here with me for an hour and then I promise I will return her to you."
"You better choir boy!" Varric snapped.
Fenris didn't object. He knew the poison that revenge carried around in once bloodstream all too well. How many had he killed to get to Danarius? If he had been in Sebastian's shoes at the time would he have been as merciful? He doubted it and it scared him. What terrible things he had been capable of. It was only after he met Hawke that she had helped him regain some peace. Thankfully, Sebastian was a man of mercy and honour. Varric kissed Lea's hair before they were escorted out of the room and Lea looked very nervous. She pressed herself up against a pillar and tried to hide in the shadow.
"That is very good, Lea. You will be a very good rogue some day."
She didn't respond. Sebastain went to her while giving her a kind smile and kneeled in front of her.
"You know I was trained as rogue to. I could teach you a lot of things if you like."
She still didn't answer. He looked at her. He had never thought he would ever see those eyes again. Eyes that reflected kindness and innocents even as they were scared.
"Why do you look at me like that?" Lea finally asked.
"I am sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. You just look so much like your mother."
"You knew my mother?" Her eyes lit up with curiosity.
"Yes, she was a very kind woman. She was very dear to me. I could tell you about her if you like?"
Lea smiled and nodded. The food arrived and Sebastian sat down next to her at the table. While they ate he told her about her mother. Of her kindness and generosity. All the things that had made him fall in love with Marian. Almost an hour later he had Lea escorted to the rooms were her companions were staying. He then sent for a tailor that would come first thing in the morning. She should look like a little princess and would never in want of anything. That was the least he could do for Marian.
-OOO-
Leaving the ruins Susanna watched Marian and Anders carefully. It was like they were two whole different people than the once they had been travelling with. Anders was still funny, but there was a serious to him that she hadn't noticed before. His eyes were constantly on Marian and he was aware of everything she did. Constantly making sure she wasn't harmed and he was almost fussing over her. She wondered how they had ever survived any fighting if he was so concentrated on her that he couldn't focus. On their way out of the ruins however they ran into a small dragon. And seeing them fight was something else entirely. Anders was focused as was Marian and they worked together in complete harmony. The rumours about their capabilities weren't exaggerated. It was only after the battle that Anders started to fuss over Marian again. Marian merely smiled at him and told him she was fine. Susanna had never seen anyone that much in love. Though it did remind her a little of herself and Phillip. Phillip was cheerful and she suspected it was because Anders' attentions were now placed on someone else than her. When they reached Oran, Phillip told him about The Tranquil's true identity and Oran was baffled. For the first few miles down the mountains he asked a whole line of questions and Marian answered them all with a patience that Susanna had not come to expect from her. After that Oran started to grumble over the fact that he hadn't been there and how much he had missed. When they made camp that evening Marian started to tell them about how her and Anders had been captured. How they had tried to perform the rite on him, how they had removed Justice and how they had left her in the dungeon for dead. Marian told them that they hadn't bothered to lock the door and when she snuck out she saw cells with bodies still in them. That was the reason why the templars believed her to be dead. They were so sure of themselves and didn't bother with removing the bodies in the dungeon. Because of this they probably haven't given her a second thought once they placed her there. When she had found out that they had succeeded in making Anders tranquil, she wanted to die. Instead she concealed herself as The Tranquil to honour and fight for those who had been made tranquil. It was only a year after that Marian got the information that the rite could be reversed and she had been trying to find a way to save him ever since. She told them nothing about Justice however and Anders was wise enough not to ask. When the others went to sleep in the tent Anders crawled down in the bedroll next to Marian. She still smelled like vanilla. Days ago he had thought it was his mind playing tricks on him. It had never occurred to him that the scent was real.
"So where do we go from here, love? Where is Lea?"
"Lea is in Kirkwall with Varric. When we were in Nevarra some of the mages in the mage underground was taking care of her. We had given them instructions what to do if something should happen to us. Do you remember Varric?"
"I am beginning to. He was a dwarf with no beard, right? And he had a crossbow named... Bianca?"
"Yes, that's Varric. He is a trusted friend and there was no doubt in my mind that he would take her in."
"We owe him a lot don't we?"
"That we do..."
He kissed her softly.
"I am guessing one of the pouches of ashes is for Lea?"
"Yes. We didn't think we could get children by normal means, but of course, when it was the least convenient I became pregnant." She gave a little giggle and Anders smiled at her.
"What about the other pouches?"
"Well, the big one is for warden-commander Amell at Soldiers peak. She wants to find a cure for the taint and these ashes might help her. When she gave me the location of the ashes, I promised to bring some for her."
"I see and the last one?"
"That's for our son, Carver."
"We have a son? When did we have a son?" Anders' eyes grew wide. How could he not remember?
"Well, you never did do anything without going all the way... They were twins, sweetheart."
"Why didn't I remember?" He said with annoyance.
"Patience, love. It will come back to you I'm sure."
"Where is Carver?"
"He is with a friend here in Ferelden. We decided to split them up in the case something should happen to us. That way should one of them have their identities revealed it wouldn't harm the other."
"Clever."
"Well, it was your idea."
"Carver... he was named for your brother right?"
"Yes... I miss them both. I wonder what they are like."
"What they are like? You haven't seen them all this time?"
"I have seen Carver a few times, but not Lea... After I lost you the most important thing was keeping them safe. The best way to do that was by staying away. I told you I hid behind that mask to make sure my family was safe. And thanks to Justice I could use his voice to sound like a man."
"So... what now?"
"Well, Alyssa said that when we returned she would help us to get a life in safety. So I guess we collect our children and start over?"
"I would like that more than anything else, love."
Anders wrapped his arms around her taking in her scent. How he had missed her. The more time he spent with her the more memories returned and the more he loved her. How he could be so lucky he would never know. Perhaps, the maker did favour the cause of mages after all? She cuddled up against him and he knew that he made her feel safe. This brave woman would come to him for safety and comfort. He didn't believe that she needed him, but when she was in his arms like that he did feel needed. How she could master the strength to go through all what she had been through in these past four years was beyond him. He then remembered that she referred to Justice as her companion and Justice had used a phrase of love and compassion that Anders had once used. He felt a sting of jealousy.
"Justice loves you, doesn't he?"
"I guess so... In his own way. But I think it is your love for me that he is feeling more than his own. After he helped me escape the templars he started to feel strong feelings of remorse. Most of all he regretted what had happened to you. I think he believed the only way he could bring you justice was by protecting the one thing that mattered most to you. So he started to feel very protective of me."
" I saw the way he looked at you and how he spoke to you... I'm sorry I have no right to be jealous."
"It's sweet... I was heartbroken when I lost you and Justice didn't know how to comfort me. I guess he used your memories to find a way to do that. I appreciated it. It was like having a part of you with me. He was after all a part of you as long as I had known you. Having him with me and fighting for the rights of mages... It was like I was caring on your legacy. I wanted to make sure that all your sacrifices hadn't been in vain. Besides after the way you flirted with Susanna I think I am entitled to make you feel jealous as well."
She teased and he blushed slightly. That was definitely not a proud moment for him and he was sure that she would keep on teasing him with this for years. It was ridiculous for him to be jealous of Justice. His friend had after all just protected his love and he should be grateful for it. As for the phrase he used, it would only make sense for Justice to use it. The experiences he had while being merged with Anders were the only ones he could use in order to comfort her. Besides it wasn't as if she could have a relationship with a spirit.
"Yes... I'm sorry for that. I promise if I ever lose my memories again I will keep the flirting to a minimum."
"You better! You know, for a while you had me wondering if it was Justice and not you that I lived with in Kirkwall." She teased.
Anders laughed nervously and kissed her.