I apologise for the lack of Anders and Cullen in this chapter, but I'm stuck on something concerning the plot at the moment and wanted to get a chapter out as I haven't updated for a while. They will return in the next chapter!

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to review! It really means a lot to me!

And thank you as always to my awesome Beta Reader Jen! Another great job!

x~~~~~~~~~~~x

Shortly after beginning their journey to Lothering, Morrigan and the three Wardens halted. All of them, due to their own inherent abilities, could sense the use of magic further ahead on their path. Alistair, having been a Grey Warden for 6 months, could also sense darkspawn. The mages readied their staves, and Alistair, his sword and shield.

A huge lumbering beast rounded a corner and hurtled towards them. Morrigan gave a startled cry and pointed her staff toward it. Blythe pushed Morrigan's arm aside. "It's a Mabari, not a darkspawn!" Blythe protested.

"So?" replied Morrigan. "'Tis a filthy, repulsive beast all the same. It matters not what label you care to put on it."

The Mabari ran to Allis and span around in circles, barking, before rolling onto its back. Allis crouched down and rubbed the hound's chest. "I think this is the dog we helped at Ostagar, Blythe!" he said excitedly. Daveth had informed Allis that the Mabari Master wanted a particular flower, only found growing in the Korcari Wilds, to help treat a sick dog. Allis had found the flower, taken it to the Mabari Master, and turned down the reward.

"He's chosen you," said Alistair, also crouching down and scratching behind the dog's ears. "The Mabari are like that. It's called imprinting."

Allis laughed delightedly as the Mabari swatted his hand with its paw. "I've always wanted a dog like this. Maybe it was meant to be! Do you want to stay with us, boy?"

The Mabari leapt to its feet and barked several times in excitement. "Excellent!" trilled Allis. "Now, what shall we call you…"

The Mabari stopped barking and span round, its hackles raised and its ears plastered against its head as it growled menacingly.

"Oh, yes…the darkspawn! Forgot about them!" Allis said sheepishly, regaining his focus.

From around the corner, a group of approximately a dozen darkspawn appeared. The most heavily armoured one, presumably their leader, walked to the front of the group and taunted the travellers with an uncouth gesture.

"He's mine!" yelled Alistair, charging ahead, closely followed by the Mabari.

Allis sent a Fireball well ahead of Alistair and the Mabari, knocking the darkspawn off their feet and setting them ablaze. He and Morrigan then let loose Lightning and Arcane Bolts while Blythe cast Heroic Defence and Heroic Offence on the two front-line fighters. The Mabari leapt into the air and went straight for the throat of the nearest darkspawn. Alistair looked behind him to ensure that the mages were out of range, then sent the group's leader and several others flying into the air, unconscious, with his devastating Holy Smite.

Alistair and the Mabari made short work of the unconscious darkspawn as Blythe cast Mass Rejuvenation on the party and Regeneration on Alistair, who appeared to be tiring. The remaining darkspawn were bombarded by Lightning Bolts, Arcane Bolts and Winter's Grasp spells from the three mages. Allis shouted for Alistair and the Mabari to move aside as he incinerated the remaining darkspawn with a Flame Blast. Blythe cast Group Heal, and the three mages took out lyrium potions and drank.

"Whoooooo!" yelled Allis. "Nobody can defeat the mighty Mage and Templar army!"

Alistair walked up to the mages, laughing. The Mabari ran to and growled at Allis.

"Oh! Pardon me!" he said, embarrassed. "The mighty Mabari, Mage and Templar army!" The Mabari barked happily, wagging his tail.

Alistair shook hands with Blythe and Allis, and offered his hand to Morrigan, who promptly folded her arms and snorted.

"Now, where were we before those rude darkspawn interrupted us? Yes, that's right, we were looking for a proper name for you, weren't we, my friend?" asked Allis, crouching down to shake the Mabari's paw. "I know!" he said, snapping his fingers. "I'll call you Reaper! After the famous apostate who gave the Templars the slip for so many years!" Allis cast a sidelong glance at Alistair, and winked at him. "What do you think, Blythe?"

She laughed. "I think that's an excellent name! What do you think, fella?"

Reaper barked in approval.

"Alistair?" asked Allis slyly. "Do you approve?"

Alistair tried his best to look disapproving but couldn't help a good-natured smirk from appearing on his face. "I think that's the perfect name for a mage's hound," he laughed.

"So what would a Templar name his hound, then?" asked Allis grinning.

"Gregoir!" laughed Alistair. Allis shuddered melodramatically.

"You know," said Blythe to Alistair. "Reaper sensed the darkspawn as you did. The Mabari Master told us he'd swallowed darkspawn blood. Does that mean he's a Grey Warden too?"

Alistair looked doubtful. "Well, I suspect he 'sensed' the darkspawn because he passed them on the way here," he replied. Then, seeing the disappointed look on Blythe and Allis' faces, smiled. "But I suppose we could make him an honorary Grey Warden."

"Yes!" the two mages cried, and shook Reaper's paw, welcoming him to the Grey Wardens, then made Alistair do the same. They didn't bother to ask Morrigan.

x~~~~~~~~~~~x

The 'Mabari, Mage and Templar Army' made camp halfway to Lothering as night fell. Blythe volunteered to cook in exchange for someone putting up her tent. Alistair agreed and set to work.

They had plenty of dried meat rations remaining from Ostagar, but Blythe looked around and found a few herbs, root vegetables and mushrooms that didn't appear to be lethal, so she chanced them, throwing the rations into the pot to rehydrate them. A stew of sorts resulted, which was actually rather nice, and well received by the men. Blythe left a bowl on the side for Morrigan and called her over. Morrigan took the proffered bowl, grunted her thanks and retreated to her tent. She had previously pitched it far away from the others, and had made her own fire.

"Stuff you, then," muttered Blythe as she sat down to eat with Allis, Alistair and Reaper.

Morrigan sat down with her bowl of stew and sighed deeply, looking over at the others. They seem like decent people, she thought to herself, but I can't allow myself to get close to them. I have something to do, and I must see it through to the end. If they dislike me it will make things easier. This doesn't need to be complicated by friendship.

She looked over at the others again as they laughed and ate. She swallowed hard, pushing down a nagging doubt, and began to eat her stew.

x~~~~~~~~~~~x

Alistair and Allis took first watch that night as Blythe and Morrigan slept. Allis made some of Blythe's herb tea. He watched Alistair sitting next to the fire, lost in thought. Reaper snoozed at his feet. Alistair had been very quiet since they made camp. Allis took the tea over and offered a mug to Alistair.

"Oh…thank you," said Alistair, snapping out of his reverie. Allis sat next to him and warmed his hands by the fire. The two men were silent for a while. Alistair resumed staring moodily into the fire. Allis remained quietly at his side, watching him from the corner of his eye.

"Would you like to talk about Duncan?" Allis asked softly after a while.

Alistair looked at him, a little surprised. "It's alright. You don't have to do that."

"I just thought it might help to talk," said Allis.

Alistair cast his eyes down and sighed. "I shouldn't have lost it like that. Not with the darkspawn threat, and the Blight and everything…I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologise, Alistair," replied Allis. "He was like a father to you. I understand."

Alistair gazed deeper into the fire, his eyes wide and unblinking. "He was. I never knew my real father, you see. Duncan was the closest thing I ever had to one. I can't believe he's…" Alistair tutted and turned away from Allis as a tear rolled down his face.

Allis wanted to put his arm around Alistair's shoulder and offer comfort, but refrained, unsure of how the gesture would be received.

Alistair composed himself and turned to Allis. "Have…you ever lost anyone close to you? Not that I'm prying or anything."

Allis shrugged. "Well, my family, I suppose, but I can barely remember them. Blythe has suffered more loss than I. She does remember her family, and she left someone behind at the Circle Tower. That was why she wasn't very friendly when you first met her. She was really upset. She didn't mean anything she said."

"Someone?" asked Alistair. "You mean…"

Allis nodded. "Yes, she was romantically involved," then he sighed. "It's probably for the best, though, that they were parted. She may not see it like that now, but the two of them could have got into a lot of trouble. Especially him."

Alistair's brow creased. "Why would he get into a lot of trouble? I know that relationships between mages aren't encouraged in the Circle Tower, but surely they wouldn't have gotten more than a slap on the wrist?"

"Well," Allis whispered. "He wasn't exactly a mage."

Alistair looked even more confused. "What, was he a Senior Enchanter or something? Don't tell me it was Irving! I'm sure she can do a lot better than him!" They both laughed at that.

"No, Alistair," Allis chuckled. "He wasn't a mage at all."

"Was he a civilian then? A kitchen worker? A messenger?" Alistair grinned and snapped his fingers. "No, wait! Kester! It must be him!"

Allis burst out laughing. "You really are an Archdemon short of a Blight, aren't you, Alistair?"

Alistair giggled, tears still in his eyes from only a few minutes ago. "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me!" he joked. "Alright, I give up. Who was he?"

Allis leaned forward conspiratorially and whispered. "A Templar."

Alistair's smile disappeared and he looked straight at Allis. "You're having me on, surely?"

Allis shook his head. "Honestly, I'm not."

Alistair thought for a moment before speaking. "I know that sometimes things go on in the Tower…you know, dalliances…"

Allis shook his head. "No, it wasn't like that. I think they were in love."

"Really?" Alistair said sadly. "No wonder she was so upset. Do you know why she was conscripted? Was it anything to do with that?"

Allis grimaced a little. "Well, maybe she'll tell you herself sometime. Suffice to say, she got into trouble over something that wasn't her fault. I probably shouldn't have told you about the Templar, actually. I can be a bit of a blabbermouth."

"Oh, I won't say anything," Alistair promised. "What about you? Was there anyone special to you at the Tower?"

Allis smiled wryly. "There were a couple of, erm…people, but I don't know if I'd call them special. No, not really. How about you?"

Alistair grinned, his face flushing pink. "I was raised in the Chantry. There wasn't much opportunity for that sort of thing. And since I left, I've been busy with the Grey Wardens, so no, not really."

"So does that mean you've never…?" asked Allis with a cheeky grin on his face.

"Never what?" asked Alistair obtusely. "Never had a good pair of shoes? Never seen a basilisk? Never eaten jellied ham? Have I never licked a lamppost in winter?"

Allis burst out laughing. "Now you're taking the piss!"

"Take the piss out of you, my dear fellow? Perish the thought! Well, tell me. Have you ever licked a lamppost in winter?"

"Why, yes! I've licked a lamppost in winter!" Allis laughed, realising the analogy was not far from the truth.

Alistair giggled. "Just the one? And you didn't lose half of your tongue in the process? I'm impressed! I, myself, have never had the pleasure. Not that I haven't thought about it. But, you know…I've never had the opportunity."

"That's a shame!" said Allis brightly. "Handsome man like you, missing out on all those lovely women in Ferelden! Never fear, Alistair. The woman of your dreams is out there somewhere."

"Woman?" asked Alistair, taken aback, then composing himself. "I, er…no, I suppose I haven't met the person of my dreams yet."

Person? Thought Allis, furrowing his brow.

"Would you like some more tea?" asked Alistair, standing up. His face was bright red.

Allis drained his cup and handed it to Alistair. "Yes, please."

x~~~~~~~~~~~x

Blythe sat cross-legged in her tent and unpacked her belongings. She had been allowed to quickly take a few things from her room when she left the Circle Tower. Bloody good job too, she thought, as she took out Cullen's sash. I wouldn't want them to have found this.

She unfolded it and ran her fingers along its length. She brought it up to her face and inhaled deeply. It smelled of sandalwood and spices, just like he did. She closed her eyes, imagined his voice in her mind, and pictured his face.

She wrapped the sash around her neck and settled down on her bedroll. She hugged her pillow, pretending it was him. She felt her gut lurch as tears spilled from her eyes. She missed Cullen and Anders desperately, and although she'd resigned herself to the fact she would never see them again, she knew it would be a long time before the pain would begin to abate.

x~~~~~~~~~~~x

Blythe was awoken by Allis in the middle of the night. Poor Alistair had lost the coin toss and was forced to wake Morrigan.

"Sorry, sleepy-head. It's your turn to take watch," Allis whispered into her tent, noticing a flash of Templar burgundy out of the corner of his eye as Blythe concealed the sash.

She groaned and threw a few clothes on then emerged. Allis noticed how puffy her eyes were. His heart sank. "So," he said as cheerfully as he could, "are you looking forward to your shift with Miss Happy-Knickers?"

"I'd be happier if I could cast Fireballs," she grinned, as they walked over to the firepit.

"I'll teach you when we get a chance," he replied. "You can cast Flame Weapons, so you have some command of the elements. I'm sure you could master it eventually."

"Really?" she smiled.

"Of course! If you teach me to heal in return."

"Deal!" she replied. They shook hands. "Can you teach me now? Might come in handy later on if she gets on my nerves."

"Sorry, I need my beauty sleep. We can start tomorrow, if you like. As soon as we get a bit of spare time." Allis was distracted by the sight of Alistair walking away from Morrigan's tent with a sour look on his face.

"So, have you got round to proposing to Alistair, yet?" Blythe asked cheekily.

"Hmmm?" he replied.

"Maker! You really are smitten, aren't you?" she teased.

Allis looked thoughtful. "No, it's not that. Just something he said earlier…made me wonder."

"Wonder what?"

"Oh, nothing," replied Allis. "Probably wishful thinking on my part, anyway. Good luck with Morrigan. Goodnight." He kissed Blythe on the cheek and headed towards his tent.

"Goodnight!" she called back.

Blythe walked over to Reaper, who bounded over to greet her. "Oh, I'm happy to see you, boy!" she laughed, scratching his head. She looked over at Morrigan, who had sat next to her own firepit. Blythe shook her head. "Come on, Reaper!" she called. "See if you can find a nice big stick, and we can have a game!"

Reaper barked happily.

"Shhh! No barking!" she whispered. "They're sleeping."

In reality, neither Allis not Alistair slept well that night, both confused and troubled by the conversation they had shared in front of the campfire.