CHAPTER 7

It took another couple of weeks for the Wardens to gather the remaining items that had not been destroyed and to help the last survivors without families find places to stay until permanent housing could be found. They recovered what armor and weapons they could and stowed them in the basement of the keep, planning to use some of Dworkin's remaining explosives to seal the entrance until a time that they could come back and recover them. With a single cart filled with the things that could simply not be left behind, and with notes sent to Denerim, Highever and Weisshaupt explaining that the Wardens would operate out of the city of Amaranthine for the time being, it was finally time to say goodbye to Vigil's Keep.

"Wade, Herren – thank you for staying. I know this was hard for you and I appreciate that you helped us to store the wonderful armor and weapons you made for the men," Elissa told the smith and his partner as they finished packing their things to leave for Denerim. "Alec, Garevel, try to keep them – and yourselves – safe and come back to us at the Crown and Lion as soon as you can?"

"It's the least I could do, Commander. You allowed me to make my masterpiece, the weapon that validates my very existence! You take care of it and do me proud!" Wade started gushing on about Vigilance as Oghren grinned and patted the pommel of the two-handed blade currently strapped to his back.

Herren just shrugged and Alec and Garevel saluted one last time. Garevel said, "Give me a moment. I just want to look around the grounds one last time to make sure I didn't miss anything."

Elissa nodded and looked at Nathaniel, Anders and Oghren. "Does anyone else want to take a last look around, make sure they have everything? Now's the time."

Nathaniel nodded. "I would like to. I won't be long." She nodded in understanding, and Nathaniel went to take one last walk around the grounds of his childhood home.

Even when it's devastated, it's still an impressive place. One day I will return and start to rebuild it. I will miss being here. There's a lot of history here and it should be remembered.

Nathaniel walked around the courtyard slowly, taking everything in one last time. He then went into the main gate and the inner courtyard, picturing in his mind the keep's beauty during the time that he lived in it as a child. Playing with his brother and sister, the stories his father would tell them about all the places he had seen, and all the people he had known and who had been extended family but who were gone – Adria, Samuel, and everyone else.

Then he remembered more recent times, and he was surprised at the number of fond memories that he had collected since his return from the Free Marches. He remembered watching Anders and Oghren drink together and tell bawdy stories, quiet conversations with Elissa about family histories and life in general, and how much fun he had been having as a Warden.

At least we'll be able to make new memories, good ones. The keep is an important place to me, but my new family is much, much more important.

He turned to leave after saying one last goodbye in his mind, and went to rejoin the others at the main gates.

The plan had been for everyone to walk to the main road and say final goodbyes there, the group going to Denerim separating from the Wardens at that point, so once Nathaniel and Garevel were back, everyone started off. But they didn't get far.

Elissa saw them first. "Is there someone coming up the road?"

Nathaniel pulled out his bow and Anders and Oghren got out their weapons as well. Garevel and Alec immediately stepped in front of Wade and Herren, pushing them unceremoniously behind the cart and placing them as far out of harm's way as they could.

"Wait, I don't think it's hostile," Elissa said. "They're in formation and...is it? Can it be?" Elissa became visibly excited and started running. "FERGUS!"

"She sure can run fast when she's got a mind to," Anders noted amusedly. "Fergus is her brother, yes? So we probably don't have to worry?"

As everyone was putting their weapons away, they watched one of the front soldiers of the group detach from the rest and run toward Elissa much as she was running headlong toward him. They met and the man picked up Elissa in a bear hug and swung her around, laughing and shouting. "Little Sister!"

Nathaniel was nervous. He was very glad that Elissa was thrilled to see her brother after what must have been a long time, but he also didn't know how to act around the Teyrn. After all, he was still Rendon Howe's son, and he was sure that most people would still see him as 'the traitor's son' before they would even think of him as his own person. For this man, whose family had been viciously tortured and murdered by Nathaniel's own father, would acceptance even be an option?

The Wardens and the Teyrn's men met where Fergus and Elissa were talking excitedly to each other. Elissa was beaming for the first time since Nathaniel had met her. She should smile more. It definitely suits her. "I never expected this! How did you manage to get away from Highever? What are you doing here in the middle of nowhere? Are you on your way to Denerim?"

Teyrn Cousland laughed. "One question at a time, little sister. I got your note." He sobered up a bit at that. "And then the news came about how you and a small group of your men managed to single-handedly save most of Amaranthine, with everyone amazed at your sacrifice of the Keep to save thousands of civilians. Everyone who hears the story of both the city's incredible rescue and the defense of the Keep when it was overrun by thousands of darkspawn is, frankly, amazed." He smiled gently at his sister. "Mother and Father would be proud of you, and you might as well officially change your name to 'The Hero of Ferelden' because you've just set that particular title in stone between that and the blight."

Elissa looked shocked. "What? But the arling is a mess! It's only going to get worse, and a lot more so." She looked down at the ground. "I really messed up on this one, Fergus. These people are going to be hurting for a long time."

Fergus then smiled again. "I do believe you are wrong, Elissa. You see, I'm not the only one who is making his way here. And we bring gifts. After all, heroes should be rewarded sometimes, don't you think?"

Elissa looked up slowly. "What do you mean?" she barely whispered.

Fergus looked at her. "I would have sent a note but I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to see my favorite sister," his eyes twinkled at this, "and I found during the rebuilding of Cousland castle that our treasury was actually in decent shape, and that our people were so glad to have a Cousland back in the castle that they practically threw recruits at me. So I, my dear sister, have come up with help that you can really use."

Elissa's eyes shone. "Really?"

"Really really. These men behind me? They have brought enough provisions and camping gear for a week. At the end of that week, more will come to take their place, and so on.. They will serve to help monitor the North Road and Pilgrim's Path between the keep and Amaranthine. In addition, I have a donation for your coffers, as I'm sure you could use the funds to help rebuild."

Elissa blinked. And blinked again. Then she threw her arms around her brother. "Thank you! Oh, by the Maker, thank you!"

Fergus laughed. "It is my pleasure, Elissa. You deserve it after everything you've done for both our family's name and for our country. I only wish I could spare more." He then looked up and saw their audience. "These must be your men. I recognize Oghren; who are the others?"

Nathaniel kept his face impassive, but he felt like he might vomit at any time. This is it. Better now than later, if things get ugly.

Elissa introduced each of their group in turn, saying something about each of them. "Oghren has become a Grey Warden, and has been invaluable to us." Oghren grinned and, in usual form, said something completely inappropriate. "Anders here is a mage and a consummate healer, also a Grey Warden. Garevel was Captain of our guard and a formidable force on the battlefield himself. Alec has only recently joined us but has shown tremendous heart and bravery, and is learning fighting skills very quickly. Wade there is an amazing weapons- and armorsmith, quite frankly the best I've seen this side of Orzammar, and Herren is his business partner." Fergus whistled at that one. "And last, but certainly not least, this is my second in command. Big brother, meet Nathaniel Howe."

Fergus' eyes widened and several of his men whispered among themselves or stared. Nathaniel grew distinctly uncomfortable. Here it comes...

Nathaniel bowed deeply to the Teyrn. "Your Grace, a pleasure to meet you." He willed himself to remain calm as he rose to meet the Teyrn's gaze. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Elissa standing proud, as if nothing was amiss. Wait, second in command?

Fergus appraised Nathaniel for a moment, then turned to all the Wardens. "It is an honor to meet you all." He then looked directly at Nathaniel with an expression that said we will talk later and then looked back at his sister. "Elissa, you always travel with the most fascinating people. Where is the elf with the sharp looking daggers and the willingness to bed anyone who will let him?"

Elissa laughed and a little of Nathaniel's tension eased. "Ah, Zev needed to go traveling for a while to clear up some unfinished business. I hope to see him again soon, if he can get back." She then put her arm around her brother's waist and, turning around, started walking him back to the keep to see what they could arrange for Fergus' men.