To Serrah Carver Hawke, Champion of Kirkwall:

Sincere congratulations on your appointment as the Champion. While it was a disappointment to miss you at the wedding, your absence is understandable in light of the complications in your city it is understood. Thank you for ensuring the presence of a member of your family on the ceremonial day.

Vigil's Keep is always open to you.

- Warden Commander Marian Howe

- attached letter, sent via Anders -

Maker's breath Carver!

Anders gave me a full report when he arrived with Bethany in tow (thank you for arranging that by the way). I'm proud of you. I never found the need to truly stand alone and pray I never must.

I am sorry about the Rivaini woman. She seemed good for you at the time I was there. Should I see her I will send her to you forthwith complete with chains. And maybe whipped cream.

I missed you brother but understand your heart was breaking. Hopefully time has already started to mend you and the elf-girl.

The ceremony was lovely. Mother would have loved it. Alistair was a dear and performed the rite himself, proving the Chantry training really did rub off on him. Bethy and Anders stood by us of course, though she chose not to dance with him. Said she has someone back home?

There was music, drinking, dancing. Very much a Marcher wedding. Nate was well pleased.

There is one last thing. I...need Anders back for a year or so. And before you go on about how horrible it will be to lose your healer, I need to explain. You see Morrigan gave us something unique for our wedding. She gave Nate and I a child. Well, the chance at one. I refuse to squander it, and my newly minted husband agrees. Agreed.

Send the Mage back quickly?

-Mari

- return letter -

My sister, a mother? Well THAT will be amusing.

I'm sure you've noticed I acquiesced to your request of sending Anders back. Midwives are all well and good but someone with magic at their grasp would be better at your side. With everything I learned about him there is nobody I trust more with your care.

I miss Bella. But Merrill is...she's more than I ever expected. Yet both of us are undone, incomplete without Bella. Maybe we will see her again. Maybe we will only ever have each other. But if you see her, don't hold her. She is too wild for me to agree with taming her.

Give Nate and the little Howeling love for me.

-Carver

00 & -

Marian sighed as she put the crumpled letter back into place with the dozen others from her family. She kept them close at hand, sitting on a dressing stand in her bedroom, for times just like these. she had read each of them hundreds of times, but none more than the response Anders had returned with from his brief trip back to Kirkwall. It seemed to hold more of Carver than before, a turning point. Whether it was Merrill, Bella, or being named Champion of Kirkwall, it agreed with his temperament. She also had a feeling his Isabella would be back sometime.

As Marian set down the letters from another quick read, she heard a knock on her door followed by a loud cry and a "Maker's breath! Really?"

"Come in, Anders," she said with a laugh. The door opened, and her blonde companion entered with baby in his arms. The girl was crying, loudly, until Marian took her from his hold. Almost immediately the baby stopped whining and cooed lightly.

"I guess that's one girl who doesn't flock to me," Anders admitted.

"Good to know my little Lee has high standards. Does she also have a clean bill of health?"

Anders rolled his eyes, patting the baby girl on her head. "Very much so, though I am hoping to say the same about her mother as well."

Marian batted the mage's hand before he moved it to her forehead. "I'm fine Anders. Really."

"You do realize that would be more convincing if you let me check."

Marian grumbled but acquiesced to her friend's request. The warmth of his magic flooded through, and she saw the slight frown that appeared on his face. "Anders, really..." Before she could even try to say anything more he shook his head disapprovingly.

"If I let you get back to a little training will you promise to actually take time to rest?"

Shocked, Marian glanced up in surprise. "Changing your mind then?" It had been a sore point for the past two months, when Marian had given birth. Leandra, her daughter, had been perfectly fine but there had been complications. Neither Anders nor Nate really said, but from the coddling- not to mention her own perception of her body's limitations- Marian was certain said complications were worse than stated. The mage especially had been quite specific she needed to recuperate for a time, even when she reminded him what normal day looked like for her.

"It has been brought to my attention," Anders explained lightly, "that you won't be getting better just sitting around at this point. Not to mention pretty soon you will stop listening to me anyway."

Marian sighed as she continued to rub Leandra's back lightly. His logic was not at all faulty, though she felt a bit embarrassed for being called on the behaviors. "So how are we proceeding then?"

Anders found it his turn to give a conspiratorial grin. "Oh that really isn't my decision. See, I simply sent a letter to your bestest friend in the whole wide Thedas and let HIM decide what to do."

Mari cringed. "You got Alistair involved?"

"He was happy to pull a string or two, actually. Not sure you'll appreciate the results."

"What did you do brother?"

The answer didn't come from the mage, but a heavily accented and familiar voice at the door. "He simply wrote me."

Marian was more than a little surprised by Leliana's presence. She almost asked if the woman didn't have better things to do, then thought better of the comment. Her friends' loyalty was not something to be taken lightly. "Good to see you, Leliana." Smirking, she the corrected, "Or is that Sister Nightingale?"

Leliana leaned against the doorway, obviously amused. "For this trip, Hawk." The bars paused, lingering on the code name. Marian rolled her eyes at the reminder. "For this trip I am a bit of both. Just like old times, yes?"

Marian nodded. "Old times indeed." Leliana knew her well, and better than almost anyone knew what Marian was capable of. It was a good option to bring her in now. Apparently, the people around her paid closer attention than she anticipated.

Then Leliana said the words that would make Marian groan: "Since you have some time, I think this is the perfect opportunity for you to master the bow. After all, you never know when you'll be alone and need the accuracy."