Five Years After

Set after Witch Hunt. Sari and Alistair lead Ferelden, but a Warden's job is never done.

"My Lady," There was a knock at the door. "This arrived for you." A guard handed her a small box.

"Thank you." She took it carefully and closed the door. Sitting on the bed she pulled off the top.

"There is one last thing I must tell you, if you will allow me. I left you a gift. The Dalish book is there. And something you will find of great interest."

She still didn't know what Morrigan had left her. She was sure it had a function, everything concerning Morrigan usually did. Perhaps it's function was simply beauty, but she didn't think that would be so. After all, that wouldn't interest her a great deal. It had stayed on the shelf for long enough; she'd never discover its purpose without at least taking it with her. To that end she pulled the chain she'd had the gift mounted upon around her neck. It had been made long enough so that she could hide it in her dress, she didn't feel something Morrigan had given her should be too widely displayed.

Now a pendant on the necklace the gift was a marvel. Tracing the strange lines she smiled. She loved to examine the jumble of silver fibres, interwoven and intertwining with one purpose, to hold up the central bead of white light. Well, that was how it seemed to her.

"Jeji is arguing with Kedsh about strategies." Alistair watched her from the doorway.

She stood and span round; he'd surprised her. Letting the necklace drop into her dress she walked towards him. "Good. Jeji knows what he's talking about."

"It's strange, sometimes when he was speaking I felt like I was listening to you."

"That sounds worrying."

"No. You know what you're talking about. That's what you've given to him." He reassured her.

She smirked. How was it that he always seemed to know what to say?

There was a pause as he moved a little further into the room.

"You're going to go to Orzammar." He told her, it wasn't a question.

Nodding slowly she stared at the floor. "I just wanted to hear you say it."

"I'd never have stopped you going." He pulled her chin up so that she looked him in the eyes.

"Come with me."

"Oh, so tempting. You know I can't. Teagan would have a head fit if I left to fight Darkspawn!"

"I could sneak you out. I'm good at that sort of thing."

"Now that sounds promising." He ran his hand over her shoulder and down her arm, "But if you were going to sneak me out is the first place you'd want to go the deep roads?"

"Good point. There are much more interesting places for us to go, I'm sure." She leant in towards him and clasped her hands round the back of his neck.

"Really? You wouldn't happen to have any in mind would you?"

She laughed, he'd caught her out. Their vague conversation had fallen apart, she had nowhere to suggest at all. "Perhaps the deep roads would be a viable option."

"Ah, I see what you did, a quick U-turn there. It would be just like old times."

And then she decided, that could only be a good thing. After all, she knew how those time ended. They ended with the Blight being over and her marrying Alistair. This time was too uncertain, too many variables and too many things to consider. Just like it had felt then.

She sighed and ran her hands through her hair, "I need to get ready." She went to move past him then stopped, "You'll have to get someone to carry out my duties whilst I'm gone."

"I'm sure Teagan can handle most of them."

"He already does enough. I'll make a list of people I think are suitable, shall I?"

"That would be helpful."

She folded her arms, "Unfortunately there's one duty no one can do for me."

"Oh?"

"Attending to your every need."

"Every need?" Alistair raised one eyebrow.

She reached out for him, pulling him closer. She was going to miss him so much. What would she do without him? "Well, I have to say, it's clearly my favourite duty."

"Not sure I like being referred to as a duty."

"Very well. Let me say it this way: Perhaps you'd like to help me get ready? Starting with getting undressed?"

"What can I say?" He smiled, his hands knowing exactly where to go, "Your wish is my command."

.

Sari pulled her gloves on. How strange it felt so normal to be fully armoured even now. Her helmet still lay on the side, there was no need to be wearing that just yet. She began strapping on her weapons. Two long swords on her back, each with a strange glow indicating certain runes had been enchanted into them. Next a simple daggers hidden on her upper legs. Finally one that she would find more difficult to place-

Footsteps behind her. Quieter and less familiar than Alistair's.

"Most people would know better than to attempt to sneak up on a woman in a room full of weapons."

"Ah, that is true. Especially when a woman is so beautiful and deadly."

She turned round, the dagger still in her hand, "I didn't expect you back Zevran. I thought this time you'd gone for good."

She'd asked him to stay in Denerim but it had never suited him. He'd disappear for months at a time and come back with the wildest of tales.

"And not see you? " He tutted, "Don't even think such terrible thoughts."

She rolled her eyes.

"You're not glad to see me?"

"Now you're putting words in my mouth. I didn't say that."

"Hmm. I see." He studied her closely. Her black hair had grown longer so it reached her shoulders but she still had that piece which looked as though it didn't want to be joined with the rest of her hair. Her blue eyes still seemed so light as though they were made of ice that might shatter at any moment. She was an incredible looking woman.

"Zevran, my eyes are up here." She pulled his attention away from other parts of her anatomy.

"So they are, and what magnificent eyes they are."

Shaking her head she sheathed the dagger she held. She tried to place the dagger between the chest piece of her armour and the lower part, so that the dagger would rest against her skin. That way the armour itself would hold it in place. It would be difficult to retrieve but it wasn't meant to be easy to find. This dagger had its own purpose, it was specifically for if she was captured so she would still have a weapon. Another one of her good ideas.

"Would you like some help?" Zevran asked.

"I'm not sure that's-"

"I promise, I will keep my hands under control."

Reluctantly she handed him the dagger. He slid the blade with ease into the place she desire it to be and stepped away from her, true to his word.

"Thank you."

"So, now that you're dressed may I ask where you intend to go?" He paused, "Unless you already know?"

"Know what? I'm going to Orzammar."

"The deep roads?"

She nodded, "Why? That wasn't what you expected?"

"No, it makes sense my Warden friend. Perhaps this will change your mind." He pulled a scroll from his belt, "I came across it by chance, and it came into my possession soon after, for quite a sizable sum I might add. Someone obviously knew what it would be worth to you through me."

Taking the scroll Sari unfurled it. A gasp escaped her lips. She'd expected this, of course she had. She'd expected it sooner and that made it coming now all the more surprising. "I," She look to Zevran, "I can't go. Not with this."

"Don't rush to any conclusions, the contract hasn't been accepted by the Crows yet. Though for that price, I wouldn't be surprised if at least one person doesn't take it."

"Tell me everything you know about this contract."

Thanks for reading! Next part in a few days.

Please review!