5/14)

Leliana had not understood Alistair when he confided the level of relief he had felt seeing Marian after the battle with the archdemon to her. It had seemed an odd concept at the time- she understood being glad to see someone, and being pleased they had survived, but his description had been that it was one of the top three moments in his life- just after Keiran's birth and Morrigan saying she loved him.

Now, though, it made sense. It was how she felt when she saw Bethany come through the snow and into the camp. It was Leliana who had hurriedly rushed the minute her spies had mentioned seeing a figure approaching. The Maker had protected his Bride's Herald. Thankfulness resounded in her, and the blessed relief that she now comprehended. Yet it was replaced swiftly by guilt. The situation should have been avoided, should never had occurred.

"I'm sorry."

Bethany let her shock flow as she watched the spymaster deflate with her apology. There was nothing Leliana could have done to mitigate the disaster that was Haven. Bethany shivered in memory of the trek after that destruction, after standing against Corypheus. Again.

"So am I," Bethany responded quietly. "Corypheus was my family's responsibility."

Leliana blinked, handing over a sheet of paper. Too long. "The names of those we lost," the woman clarified, heading to the window. "You did all you could. Blame me for this."

Bethany paused, watching the graceful woman carefully. The thoughts from their last conversations would not go away. Neither would the horrific images from the future she had seen with Dorian. That adventure had sealed it. Bethany knew without a doubt she had done a dumb thing.

She had fallen for a Chantry sister.

Clearing the thought, Bethany made herself react normally. "We all saw who attacked us," she reminded Leliana. "We know exactly who to blame. My father sealed him. My siblings and I... we killed him. Our responsibility. If your men had stayed they would have died and we most likely would have still lost Haven." Bethany shrugged. "I don't trust that avalanche did anything but upset him. He was already cold." She leaned at the window beside Leliana, looking out at Skyhold. It was taking precious time to build, but when it was ready the fortress was sure to be magnificent.

"If Corypheus is cold I must be colder. I forgot the lesson I learned ten years ago: war demands sacrifices of us all."

Bethany acted on instinct. Her hands darted, snatching up her companion's in turn. They were soft, but a few half-disguised callouses showed the woman still shot a bow consistently enough. There was a gentleness in them Bethany was desperate to draw out. The mage almost raised it to her cheek or lip, wanting to feel it against her, but resisted. There was hesitation in the other woman, and Bethy was loathe to hurt her.

"Don't you know the elements, Sister Nightingale? If Corypheus is cold, being cold will feed his strength. We must generate heat to chip away and finally melt him away. There are enough sacrifices. Do not let your heart be another."

Bethany stood and walked out, sparing a glance where the spymaster was unmoving at the window. As the youngest Hawke left this friend, she didn't see the smile that crept onto the woman's face, or how she rubbed her wrist in happy shock at the contact that had just occurred.

Leliana would not have admitted it, but in their travels she had become smitten with Marian Hawke all those years ago. It never could have amounted to anything; as caring as Marian was, she was also very particular to men. With a smirk, Leliana mentally added that the attraction seemed particular for men that tried to kill her, but everyone has their quirks. It was an unrequited interest Leliana had harbored. Bethany was quite different. Her complexion may be darker, but her nature was pure light. Leliana was drawn to the woman in spite of herself. Bethany also seemed open to the idea...

Leliana shut her thoughts down expertly. It was a mirage, something she wanted to see. The mage couldn't be flirting.

Back to work.

- 0 In the Courtyard 0 -

Bethany inspected the new arrival, this Cole, for only a minute before realization struck her. "You're... a spirit." It was a whisper, a shock, though before Solas could say anything about how it made the boy no less useful Bethany had already bounded up and given the small blonde form a hug. "You have deserved that for a long time, Compassion."

"A long time?" Varric asked. "So you know him?"

Bethany opened her mouth, but it was Cole who spoke. "A friend before friends went away, the good part of magic all in one." Then, turning to the dwarf, Cole continued. "I helped her."

"Yes, you did. Many times." Bethany smiled. "Compassion- Cole- where have you been?"

He told her little, vagueness in every word, but Bethany didn't mind. She understood he had given a part of himself to bring compassion to someone. Compassion has always been quiet in its ways, and she wasn't going to demand answers of him. Instead she offered him a place here, thankful for the help. And now, she thought, the Inquisition could be tempered with compassion.

- 0 - 0 - 0 -/p

Bethany was relieved after her hurried discussion with Varric. She ran up the rampart steps and threw herself into Carver's waiting arms with an excited squeak. Her brother laughed, lifting her into the air and spinning her around. When he set her down, Carver met his twin sister's eyes and let his smile fade.

"You were reckless, Bethy."

"It was me or hundreds, brother," Bethany noted, poking his stomach. "You'd have done the same. So would Mari."

"She's right." From the shadow, a second- and much more unexpected- figure appeared. "We've both done it before."

Bethany almost screamed in excitement. She ran up to her sister and wrapped her arms around the older sister's neck. Marian patted her sister's back and returned the affection. She pulled away, looking at her lost sister...

The changes were subtle. Tightened muscles all around, several wrinkles. She seemed much paler, though that only made sense. She had cut her hair shorter than Bethany had ever seen before, tying it back as well to keep the strands completely free. The starkest change was in the eyes. Harsher, colder. And a deep, slate grey.

"Marian?"

"I found it," the Warden confirmed. "I had planned to get back home but it seems the Orlesians are concerned about Vigil's Keep. Mind a little extra company sister?"

"Bethany smiled in return. "Nate? Lee?"

"On their way. But Carver tells me there is work to be done." Marian frowned, deeply. "Corypheus is using the same trick he did on me against all our Wardens. I can stem the tide in Fereldan, but Orlais will be a stretch."

"Then you will join us?" Bethany asked, excited.

"I can't Bethy," Marian apologized. "I have a lot to do. You said my people are welcome to join you, and we will. The Wardens of Fereldan are with you. As their Commander it is my duty to ensure their safety." Marian looked over the rampart into the square. "I'll set up an office here, and once the... cure is distributed I can help more directly."

Bethany considered the position. Marian was right about sending a tool to the Wardens; it had been her work for over two years and with Corypheus' apparent power over Wardens it made sense to fix that mess first. "So Carver an I are alone to talk with a bunch of Wardens?" she asked, wavering.

"Maker no! I left an agent in Crestwood. He's already been been provided with the solution, and is very well practiced with his magic." Marian looked up, smiling wide at Bethany's confused expression. "Anders. Anders is in Crestwood."

Bethany stalled, stunned. "Anders?"

Carver just laughed at the response. "He's finished with the little pet project, yes. Which reminds me." The male Hawke reached into a pocket and handed a small vial to Bethany. "Give that to Cullen. If he doesn't know where exactly it came from he may even take it."

Bethany peered at the strange purple liquid. "What in the world..."

"It's the secret to lyrium addiction," Carver explained off-handedly. "I feel I owe him for watching out for you so long in Kirkwall."

Bethany stood, dumb for a moment until both of her siblings caught her up in another hug. Bethany sighed happily and squeezed back. "Well then. Warden Commander Howe, Champion Hawke- welcome to Skyhold."