A/N: Will she? Won't she? As if we didn't all know already. It's amazing she held out as long as she did! (Plus, well, the ratings change... NSFW below!)

As always, I love reviews!

I handed Varel all the evidence of the conspiracy as soon as we returned to the Keep late that evening. His eyes widened, and he passed the list on to a guard with instructions to arrest them all. "This arrived from Denerim while you were gone," he said, passing me a piece of paper. It was still sealed. Good. Some guard in the palace had the job of inspecting private correspondence for "safety reasons," I'd nearly had to set him on fire when he opened a letter from Weisshaupt to me. Fortunately it didn't contain anything secret, but if it had it would have been disastrous. Alistair didn't know, of course, and put a stop to it when I complained. Another holdover from the Mac Tir days.

I pounded the stairs to my room, falling onto my bed before I slid a fingernail under the wax seal. Scanning the letter quickly, I nearly dropped the second page.

Maggie-

I've had dreams of talking darkspawn. Very creepy. Please let me know if that makes any sense to you, or if I've just lost my mind. I know I'm not actively a Warden, but try to keep me updated whenever you can- it may impact the safety of Ferelden as well.

Rumors of a conspiracy against the Wardens has been floating around. I don't have details, but if I get any I'll let you know. Leliana's due back from Haven soon, I may see if she can put her talents to use there. In any case, I've declared it treason to interfere with the Grey Wardens in the course of their duties, just to plan for the worst. Don't need more power hungry nobles nearly letting a blight go unchecked- again. Don't let it go to your head. (Not that it would). A copy of the decree is attached. For what it may be worth, Eamon says crack down hard and send a message, or people will start to walk all over you. For once I'm inclined to agree.

The crow sent me a letter, asking about you. I didn't respond yet, thought I should check with you first. I still say forget him, you're better off without. What about that mage you conscripted while I was there? Even I could see how you two were eyeing each other. Don't play innocent- I've known you too long for that. And I've heard too many your stories from the tower. Speaking of shameless, Bann Teagan sends his regards. I don't even want to know what that was about from the look on his face. My step-uncle, Maggie? Really?

Hope all is well in Amarantine. Once you're settled in let me know if you plan to travel in your search for recruits, I can have the Crown (Maker, I still find that strange) donate some wagons and horses.

The palace is boring without you to cause trouble.

-A

A quick glance at the second page revealed it was a copy of the royal decree, complete with wax seal and Alistair's neat signature at the bottom. I swear, the Maker gave that man the gift of good timing.

If Alistair was having nightmares of the talking darkspawn other Wardens might be as well. Distance wise we weren't much further from their Warden headquarters in the Free Marches just across the sea than we were from Denerim. I hoped this didn't mean they were making another move on the capital, though. The city still wasn't rebuilt from the battle against the archdemon, and I didn't have anywhere near enough Wardens to defend it.

I could only console myself with the idea that, if darkspawn were about, he himself would be able to sense them as well as I could.

Dropping the letter beside me I grabbed a book from my nightstand. I was intentionally trying to ignore the other information in his letter. But, if Zevran did write him, it would at least be safe to assume he wasn't related to the Crows who attacked us. That was good. His asking about me, however, was curious, for lack of a better term. Not bad exactly. I'd honestly prefer I left some sort of impression. Knowing he could up and leave without a second thought had shattered whatever ego I possessed. Finding out that wasn't the case was comforting, in an undoubtedly unhealthy way. It wasn't exactly a good thing, though. He was part of my past, a part I hoped was behind me.

I tried to focus on my book. After spending far too long on the same page I realized I had reread a single paragraph at least four times. I must have spent too many months sleeping in at the palace. Getting used to traveling and fighting all day once more was exhausting. Not to mention how distracted I found myself at the fingertips kept drifting up to my lips, a smile plastered across my face as I remembered the feeling of stubble scratching my cheeks and the heat of Anders' mouth. I thought I heard footsteps at one point but found I was just too tired to care. If someone wanted to kill me in my bed, well, that would just mean another lucky person got to deal with the trade route attacks tomorrow.

The sunlight was pouring through my window when I woke up. I must have forgotten to close the drapes last night since I never actually planned to fall asleep. Glancing at the wool blanket now covering me I smiled, realizing who the footsteps last night must have belonged to. My grin faded quickly. Andraste's blood, I thought to myself. I hadn't planned on falling asleep in my book last night. The plan was to read for a little while, just until any thoughts of conspiracies, talking darkspawn, and Maker-damn-him-Zevran were out of my mind. After that, I was going to look for Anders and… what? Talk? Well, whatever I had planned, it didn't happen.

I found Varel in the throne room. Vaguely I wondered if he just stood there all day, waiting for me to have a question or job for him. Tossing my pack and bedroll by the wall, I handed him Alistair's royal proclamation. "We're headed back out today, but I thought you would enjoy reading this. Perhaps post a copy in the dungeon for our future prisoners?" I laughed as Varel scanned the page, watching his eyes widen and a grin form.

"Should we execute them immediately?"

After thinking about it for a moment I shook my head. "I want them to understand why it's treason. If they're going to die there's no fear of anyone sharing secrets. I'll tell them myself what would happen without the Grey Wardens." I shrugged. "I want them to know it isn't about politics."

"As you wish," Varel said with a smile. I nodded to him and headed off to breakfast.

For once, I was the first one awake. Well, other than after their Joinings, but I hardly think that should count. I was making headway on the book I started the night before when I felt hands on my shoulders. "If that's the one you fell asleep over last night maybe it isn't the best way to start your morning."

Setting the book aside I turned to smile as Anders slid into the chair next to mine. "Thanks again for the blanket," I told him. "I didn't intend to fall asleep face down in a book last night." That sounded better in my head, I thought briefly. "Er, I mean I was planning to look for you." Not an improvement, Maggie. "To talk," I finished lamely. His smile, which seemed to grow the entire time I spoke, crashed on the final two words. Fail, Maggie. Epic fail.

After a pause while I resisted the urge to smack myself in the head Anders spoke up. "I suppose I should apologize for yesterday morning." He looked miserable.

"No you shouldn't."

"No, I understand, I was out of line, I-"

His jaw clicked shut, cutting short the apology when I jumped from my chair. Anders regarded me warily. Maker's breath, Maggie, you've practically got a royal approval. What more do you need? I thought, forcing myself to step between him and the table. Without letting myself think anything else I leaned over to where he sat and met his lips with my own. With a rumbling noise in from his chest I would almost have called a growl he gripped me by the waist, pulling me from my feet and onto his legs.

We kissed hungrily, arms clamped around each other. Anders reached up, tangling a hand into my hair. With a harsh yank he pulled my head back, making me groan as his mouth descended on my throat, teasing me with his lips and teeth. Eyes closed, I was barely aware of my panting breath or hips grinding into his lap.

A cough issued from across the room. I froze, the hand gripping my hair dropped like it was on fire, the mouth at my throat retreated. Forcing my eyes to open I turned my head slowly towards the noise. Nathaniel, red faced and carefully examining the fastenings of his own boots, stood in the doorway. Next to him was Sigrun, eyes bright with humor, a hand over her mouth as she fought back laughter. Of course, I thought.

"Um…," I said, searching for an explanation. Well, an explanation less embarrassing than the perfectly obvious one each of us knew to be the truth. "We were just…" my voice trailed off, unable to find a way to complete that sentence.

"discussing magic!" Anders finished for me.

"Of course," Nathaniel answered, sounding less than believing. Realizing I was still straddling the mage, my robes hitched up to my thighs, I moved to stand and recover whatever shreds of dignity I might be able to salvage from the situation. Anders grabbed my hip when he realized what I was doing; casting me a pleading glance before darting his eyes downward briefly, even more color rushing to his cheeks. Damn, I thought, as Sigrun momentarily lost her fight against the giggles before clamping her other hand on top of the first. I gave Anders what I hoped was an understanding look before I removed his hand, carefully climbing down to stand between him and our audience.

Hastily smoothing the skirt of my robe I offered them a sheepish smile. I could feel Anders stand up behind me, holding me by the shoulders like a human shield. "We're going to head out after lunch so, um, be ready," I said to them as I was dragged backwards from the room.

As the door to the dining hall closed behind, well, in front of me since I was still being pulled by Anders I heard Sigrun lose her battle with laughter. After a moment Nathaniel joined in.

"Makers breath," he said, continuing our reverse march down the hall. "That was more embarrassing than being caught by the templars."

"Quit pulling me," I protested, yanking my shoulder free and turning to face him. "I'm not walking backwards up the stairs!"

"What? Oh… sorry," he replied. A split second later it was followed by "So, upstairs then?" Anders was grinning, any trace of embarrassment erased from his features.

"Andraste's blood, yes," I answered, returning his grin with one that was, perhaps, even more lecherous. "Unless you'd rather we just plant ourselves where Justice and Oghren can walk by, too."

"No, nooo, nooo" he said, pulling me by the hand towards the main hall. At least now I'm facing the right direction, I thought, as Anders led me through the Keep. "Upstairs is fine. Upstairs is good."

We thundered through the main hall, our pace nearly at a run. Varel called to me but I only managed to shout "mage business!" over my shoulder. Anders kept my hand in a death grip and I fought to keep up with his longer strides. Finally reaching the stairwell, Anders pushed me into a dark corner behind a tapestry, kissing me roughly. He began to shove the skirt of my robes up towards my hips. I pulled my mouth away after a moment. "Upstairs," I reminded him.

"Right," he said. "Old habits, sorry." He grabbed me by the waist, throwing me across his shoulder. "Upstairs!"

"Andraste's ass!" I shouted, as he climbed the stairs, my legs kicking. "What are you doing?!"

"Going… upstairs," he huffed. He might have been unusually muscular for a mage, but I spent my days either walking or killing things, usually both. There was no way I was an easy burden.

"I can walk!" This dramatic gesture of his wouldn't be worth much if he collapsed before we reached the second floor. I didn't know how long my nerve would last, but I was currently anxious to see just how muscular he was under those robes and I wouldn't if he was unconscious.

He paused at a landing, dropping me unceremoniously to my feet. "Sorry," Anders panted. "Heavier than you look."

"Wow, thanks," I told him. "Just what every girl wants to hear." He started to stammer an apology before I pulled him into another quick kiss. "up. stairs."

"Right," Anders agreed laughing, grabbing my hand again. We nearly collided with Justice and Oghren as we cleared the final step. They darted aside as we passed, Oghren shouting at us to have fun. Well, that's everyone, I thought with wince as I could hear Justice asking Oghren why we were running the wrong way.

He stopped after reaching the hall where our rooms were, sending me crashing into him. "Ooof," I muttered, rubbing my nose.

Anders cast a quick healing spell. "It's fine. You're fine. Right?"

"Right," I agreed. "so…. Why did you stop?"

"Oh," Anders said, looking at me. "I was trying to decide which room." I glanced into the open door of his room. The unmade bed would only be large enough for two adults if they were both elves, and even that was a stretch.

"Mine." He nodded, heading through my office. I followed him, pausing to lock the hall door, and then the bedroom. Not that I expected anyone to burst in but, after the morning so far, I wouldn't have been surprised.

And, at this point, nerves decided to catch up to both of us. We froze, staring at the bed. "Are you sure…" he began.

"…Yes," I answered, nodding slowly.

"Because if you're not…" Anders cast me a doubtful glance.

I sat on the edge of the bed and smiled up at him. After more than a month of fighting with my worries about duty it seemed both funny and completely appropriate that he was the one suddenly struck with cold feet. "Anders, I'm sure. Totally, completely, absolutely sure." I moved over on the bed, turning so I was facing the right way, to punctuate this statement.

He relaxed and grinned, climbing to join me on the bed. I noticed him setting the bracers I had given him on the nightstand while I yanked at my own gloves. A hand pushed me back against the mattress gently as our lips met. Running his hands across my body, he gasped as I pressed against him, grinding my hips. Shifting his weight, Anders rolled onto me eliciting a small moan he cut short with another kiss. I responded by wrapping my legs around his while reaching up to untie his ponytail. The leather tie was unceremoniously tossed to the floor quickly, one of my hands already wound through his long hair. Teeth returned to my neck as his hands became more directed. The casual exploration was replaced by his pointed attention to the various buckles of my robes. I followed suit, and seconds later two fur-trimmed shoulder capes were tossed aside.

Anders shuddered as I ran my tongue along the exposed muscles of his upper arms, my hands working on his belt. "Maker's breath," I muttered. "Doesn't anyone in Tevinter ever worry about getting these things off?" He laughed and pulled away from me, rising up to kneel on the bed. Undoing the buckles himself, he unwound the belt from his hips. Seeing how many times the thing was designed to wrap over itself and how much of the robe was actually just part of the elaborate belt I decided that, no, in fact, no one in the whole of the Tevinter Imperium had a single thought about getting their robes off. How could there be any other explanation? I shrugged and removed my own, far less elaborate, belt.

Running his hands slowly from my ankle up my leg Anders paused with a smile, hands at my thigh, watching me squirm beneath him trying to urge him to keep going. Hands retracing their path downward I realized what the goal had been as a stocking sailed over his shoulder. Knowing this, I didn't groan in frustration any less when he his fingers never traced higher than my thigh on the opposite leg. Anders reached down, running a hand between my breasts towards my navel, then back again, confusion on his face. "Buttons?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Laces. In back."

"Andraste's knickerweasels," he muttered, pulling me into a sitting position. "Mine buttons." Taking that as an invitation I quickly set to work on the long row of tiny buttons on his robe while he reached behind me, his hands quickly untying the bow and loosening the cord. "This," he said more to himself than me, "is the down side of the robes." I was inclined to agree.

Buttons defeated, he shrugged out of his robe and kicked it aside. I barely had a moment to admire just how very well muscled his chest was before my own robes were yanked up and over my head. "Finally," he whispered in my ear, pushing me to my back again as he settled between my legs.

He kissed me hungrily, mouth hot and tasting faintly of lyrium, while I ran my hands over his chest and back. Pushing his hips into mine Anders smiled as I moaned, arching my back. He ran a hand across my chest, teasing me through the cloth. I reached back and untied the thin fabric, tossing it aside. Seconds later teeth grazed one nipple, a hand at the other. My entire body shuddered as a small spark leapt from his fingertip. "Not… fair," I gasped.

"Is too," he slid up, muttering into my neck, hands busy trying to pull the last of my undergarments over my hips. I focused my attention for a moment and smiled, running an ice-covered finger across his chest, from one nipple to the other. Anders sagged above me, gasping. "You… evil," he panted, climbing off me to finally remove the last of my, and then his own, clothing.

I leaned over, running my tongue along his length before wrapping my lips around him. Anders gasped, hands in my hair, moaning my name. Darting my eyes upward I saw his head back, eyes half closed. As if sensing my gaze he looked down and pushed me away. Hands on my shoulders, he guided my back to the mattress before settling between my legs again. Lips and teeth grazed my thighs, alternating sides as they moved upwards. I was groaning and squirming, realizing his intention.

After what felt like an eternity of Anders teasing my thighs and stomach he finally slid two fingers into me, moaning what sounded like my name again, before leaning down. I screamed his name the moment his tongue touched me, my hands grabbing him by the hair. He laid an arm across my stomach, holding my hips down, as my back arched. Releasing his hair, I grabbed the headboard above me, howling incoherently as a shudder ran through my body.

Collapsing back against the pillows I panted, eyes closed. Damp lips met my own, I growled and ran my tongue over them. "Now," I whispered, reaching down to wrap my hand around him. "Please." He groaned as he shifted his hips slightly, allowing me to guide him with my fingertips. I sighed as Anders slid into me, leaning up to kiss him again. He broke off the kiss as my hand retreated, taking it in his own.

"No," he whispered, a devious glint in his eye. Guiding my fingers so I was touching myself he whispered "leave your hand there." I nodded with a grin, holding him close with my other arm. I could feel Anders moving inside me as my own hand slid back and forth, matching his pace. We were both gasping. Hearing how he whispered my name into my ear, breath hot, caused me to moan.

I shifted my hips, wrapping my legs around him while moaning. "Harder," I pleaded. Anders complied, biting down where my neck and shoulder met. I screamed his name again as another powerful shudder ripped through my body.

His grip on me tightened, fingers squeezing my hips tightly as his movement sped up. Our eyes met and I moved my hand across his shoulders, resting it on his cheek. Calling my name he pounded into me a final time before tensing and collapsing.

"Maker's breath," I gasped, wrapping my arms around his back. Anders muttered something incoherent into my neck. We both struggled to catch our breath. After a moment Anders propped himself up on his arms again, leaning over for another kiss before rolling to lie next to me. I curled against him as he pulled the blanket over our bodies. Neither of us spoke at first, his hands playing with my hair while I ran my fingers across his back. Anders finally broke the silence.

"That," he said still panting, "was worth the wait."

A/N: Longest, filthiest chapter to date! Go me! I am totally unsure about myself when it comes to writing anything even remotely smutty. I'd honestly appreciate any feedback with regards to that.