A/N: Outside of the Ages, I made up the calendaring system. Each season has three months measured between full moons and counted by days. Simple and to the point.

Duty's Choice: The Bastards of Ferelden - Chapter 15

On the Road Again

Excepts from the journal of Warden Commander Elinora Cousland

9:35 Dragon – Summer 1, 23rd day

Gwaren

What a dreary teryning! Mother would be appalled (you can take the noblewoman out of the castle…).

Teryn Alden has been very gracious, for all that he was a born and bred soldier. Highever and Gwaren are supposed to be military holds, but I never felt that growing-up. But it explains why father was so pushy for Fergus to distinguish himself. Gwaren, of course, was Loghain's. Alistair granted it to General Alden after the dust settled. Suitable, considering the man is a decorated officer. He has a pretty young wife and a second baby on the way. I'm trying not to be envious.

We've picked up two new recruits, one in East Watch and one on the road, alone. Now all I need are some Darkspawn.

9:35 Dragon – Summer 2, 10th day

Dalish Encampment

Being back here brings back memories, for Alistair too. He can't keep his hands off of me, just like last time. At least now we're not terrified.

Cailin loves it here. A big green forest to run around in and the elves have been giving him shooting and hunting lessons. I'll have to continue them on the road. Maker knows, father taught me at that age. He may have been teaching Fergus at the time, but I paid attention.

Alistair has been spending time with Cailin as well. They chase each other around the camp, playing tag or some such. He mentioned to me, far too casually, that it was Maricen's birthday. He's so conflicted about that boy. He's sent Maricen a Dalish bow, the one that young elves receive and start training with; the same one that Cailin is learning on.

Layana has offered Alistair and I a gift; matching tattoos. Apparently its tradition among the newlyweds of the clan. I mentioned that we were not married, and she just smiled and recommended a particular symbol, one for fertility, in fact. A swirling thing that minds me of a compass, vines, thorns, a circle and a square all at once*. Layana said that was the point.

Not sure if I can talk Alistair into this one. He looks at the dragon on my arm rather strangely sometimes.

For the record, still not pregnant.

We gained another recruit from the Dalish, a young male who wants to get out and see the world. Let's hope we can do that for him.

(*A/N: Yes, that's the graphic on the loading screen on the 360 version of the game.)

9:35 Dragon – Summer 2, 22nd day

Lothering

Yet another trip down memory lane.

Truth be told, there isn't much of the Lothering we knew here. It was destroyed during the Blight. Rebuilding is happening, but slowly. There's a chantry and an inn already though, The Warden's Rest. I swear that night wasn't that interesting.

Alistair recognized the new Bann with some proper pomp and circumstance. It was very dull. I also caught him telling Cailin about finding and picking that rose for me. I'll have to show it to him some time.

Tomorrow we head for the Circle Tower. I need to figure out what I should tell them about Morrigan, the Archdemon, Warden children, etc. Do I give them everything to work with, or skip some details and hope they come up with something? Aldo has been avoiding me on the issue.

I'd forgotten how much new tattoos itch.

Also, still not pregnant.

9:35 Dragon – Summer 3, 1st day

Between Lothering and the Tower

Ran into a small group of Darkspawn. Joining held, one more Warden. Two more dead.

Also, Cailin felled a Hurlock with either a very good or very lucky shot. He was very proud of himself, as I was of him.

Weisshaupt – about the same time

Bittan stared at the grim fortress he had called home for many years and sighed. He was surprised how little he missed it. Amaranthine, with all its flaws, had been something new, something to work for. Weisshaupt was always Weisshaupt, marshal and cold.

He pulled on the bell chain hard, just like it most annoyed the gatekeepers. He heard the swearing first, then the drag of the gate opening. "What?" demanded the Warden who answered.

"I leave for just a few months and everyone forgets their bloody manners. I would have expected better from you, Onfroi."

"Bittan!" The Wardens embraced each other with the warmth that only come from fighting side by side. "I thought you were following the girl in Ferelden."

Bittan smiled. "I was, but she sent me here with a message for the First."

Onfroi ushered Bittan in and closed the gate. "Well, you'll have to make do with the second. Rainer's still traipsing about Thedas inspecting the garrisons."

"Still?" Bittan asked with a frown. "I would have thought he'd been back by now."

Onfroi shrugged as he pushed open the doors to the Great Hall. "Apparently there was quite a party in Antiva."

"Wouldn't want to miss that." As the Wardens walked into the Hall, a flurry of shouted greetings assaulted Bittan. He shook hands, slapped backs and made promises to drink together later, once his mission was complete. Onfroi led him up to the Second's office.

The office was much neater and austere than it had been when Rainer had been Second. Wagner was a man who liked things uncluttered and in order. The shaven-headed mage sat behind his desk, making a list of supplies for the coming winter. Bittan had only met Wagner briefly and was not keen to make further acquaintance. Aldo spoke highly of his skills as a mage and administrator, but the man was about as warm as the northern tower on a winter night.

Wagner looked up at their entrance. "Warden Bittan, is it? Recently assigned to Ferelden and Commander Elinora. What does she want?"

Bittan saluted. "Commander El wants this delivered to First Warden Rainer. She said its important." Bittan produced the wrapped message and offered it to Wagner, who practically snatched it out of his hands.

Wagner removed the protective oiled leather and looked at the seal on the parchment: a griffin with a stylized 'F' for Ferelden. He set it aside. "I'll see to it. Warden Bittan, I received a request from the First Warden some time ago for some men to aid in the establishment of a garrison in Orzammar."

"Yes, Commander," Bittan replied. "El wants something like the Crag set up."

"I take it you wish to return to your assignment."

"In Ferelden? Yes, Commander."

Wagner folded his hands and rested his chin on them. "Why?"

Bittan's brow furrowed, but he answered anyway. "Weather's nice, ale's good and there's a lot of work that needs doing. Even have a few Darkspawn pop up every now and again, leftovers from the Blight."

"And your Commander?"

Bittan met the mage's dark eyes. "Excellent. Has us on fine training drills in Amaranthine, mixed tactics, runs the estate like she was born to it, which, I suppose she was. Now that its all squared away, she's accompanying the king on a progress through Ferelden in order to recruit. We had two new Wardens when I left."

Wagner frowned. He could find nothing wrong in Bittan's report. "And is everyone as smitten with her as the First Warden and, I daresay, you are?"

Bittan stiffened and gave Wagner a look that could have gotten thrown into the brig for insubordination. "Smitten? I can speak only for myself, Commander, but I am not smitten with Warden Commander El. She does her job well and I'd follow her orders from one end of the Deep Roads to the other, but it has nothing to do with being smitten. Besides, the only one she has eyes for is his majesty, King Alistair."

"Ah, the Grey Warden king." Wagner focused on the missive on his desk, now doubly curious what was in it. "Warden Bittan, you will return to Ferelden via Orzammar. Find three more to accompany you. Dismissed."

With a salute, Onfroi and Bittan left the office, closing the door behind them.

Wagner picked up the sealed letter and spun it in his hands for a moment. With a flick of his thumb, he opened it.

With a thump, Bittan put down his tankard. "Life under Wagner must be fun."

Onfroi rolled his eyes and took a long pull of his beer, emptying the mug. He slid it to Bittan, saying, "Get me another and I may tell tales out of school."

Bittan chuckled and took both their tankards to the keg at the back of the Hall. While Ferelden's ale was good, it didn't quite have the bite of beers of the Anderfels. Bittan intended to get as much as he could be starting for Orzammar.

He'd just topped off the second mug when he saw her.

A tall woman, dark hair twisted up on the back of her head, and amber eyes. She was beautiful, but in a way that minded him more of a queen than a real woman. Behind her walked a large, burly Warden with a small child on his shoulders. A little girl with honey hair and eyes like her mother's.

No. Not like her mother's. The girl's were gold.

A shiver ran up Bittan's spine. He took a swig of his beer, hoping it would steady him as he moved through the room back to Onfroi.

"Who is that and what is she doing here?"