"Where in the Void? Anders found himself in the Fade. It had been years since he had been awake in the Fade. Normally Justice was in charge whenever they were here and he slept. He forgot how strange and disorienting it was. Everything around him shifted and he felt like his stomach had dropped to the floor. Once he got his bearings again he looked up and saw a young boy run by him followed by a group of demons. Anders tried to move and help the boy, but his body would not move. He heard the child scream as the demons surrounded him, laughing wickedly.
"There is nowhere to run little mage. Just give in." The boy coward in fear as they closed in around him. Anders screamed in frustration. His body still would not move, he would have to stand here and watch this poor young mage being devoured by demons.
"Stay away from me!" The boy curled himself into a ball and began to sob.
"Step away from the mortal demon, now." The flat voice of Justice sounded from Anders' left. He watched the spirit walk in a purposeful stride, sword drawn and ready to slay the demons. He looked like he had when Anders first met him, covered in heavy armor, a helmet covering his face.
"You have no business here brother, this tasty morsel is ours."
"I will not warn you again, back away from the boy." The rage demon rounded on Justice only to feel his blade in kind. The other demons decided to take care of the threat before returning to the boy. Justice made short work on the demons, but missed the pride demon sneaking up behind the boy. The boy yelled for help and it came in the form of a flaming sword slicing through the demon. Once the creature's two halves fell away the boy's savior was reveled.
"Are you alright?" The spirit was a woman holding her hand out to the frightened boy to help him off the ground. "I will not hurt you, my friend and I are spirits, not demons."
"What is this place? Why am I here?"
"You are in the Fade. The land of the Maker and the reason you are here is you are a mage."
"I am not! My Da says mages are cursed and evil. I don't want to be that."
"Mages can be evil if they so chose to be, but they can also be heroes." The boy looked at the spirit like she was daft. His eyes flicked back to the armored man standing not far behind him and fear began to creep into his face again. "He will not hurt you."
"I want to go home."
"I know you do little mage. Here let me help you to your feet." Her hands gently took the boys' and she smiled. "Ah, healer. That is what you will become. A great healer."
"A healer." He wrinkled his nose and made a disgusted face. "Healers are old batty mages in the stories my Ma tells me. They never get the princess and end up dying."
"Sometimes that is true, but I can see a strength in you. You will not be one of those old batty mages, you will be hero."
"Really?"
"Sister?" Justice shifted his weight uncomfortably. "We need to move on."
"I will follow once I know this young man is safe and understands."
"I will wait for you at the gate then." The woman spirit turned back to the boy her smile was warm putting the boy at ease.
"Walk with me child. There is much to talk about." Anders eyes went wide as he started to remember this. That boy was him. It was his first time in the Fade. He had almost forgotten it. He could not for the life of him wonder why he was thinking about this now.
"Why is this happening to me?"
"You are chosen."
"What if I don't wanna be chosen?"
"I am sorry to say that it can not be undone. You are a mage, with that comes a tough road to walk. I will not lie to you, you will be feared and hated by most. Your gift is both a blessing and a curse."
"Will those things follow me around again?" The boy jerked his head toward the demon corpses.
"Yes, demons want to gain access to your world. They try to join with you here in the Fade, take over your soul and hold you inside your own body to use your power."
"That...that does not sound good."
"It is not." His face fell with worry. The spirit put her hand on the side of his face. Anders remembered her touch was warm and soothing. "I can however make it so none of them will even be able to touch you."
"How?" Her finger traced a symbol on his forehead. It felt tingly and a shot of heat went through him. "What did you do?"
"The mark I have put on you will protect you from any demon no matter how strong. They will never be able to possess you."
"How will a mark help me?"
"It is the mark of the Maker. It marks you as one chosen by him. It will protect you here in the Fade and in years to come out in the waking world."
"Are you the Maker?" The spirit laughed and it sounded like the tinkling of bells going off.
"No I am just one of his children. Just as you are. Never fear the Fade, for as long as I and my brother are here you are safe." The boy gave her a quizzical look, but the spirit just pat him on the head. "It is time for you to go back to your own world. No matter how dark it gets remember there is always hope." Anders watched his younger self fade away. He sank to his knees and shook his head.
"There is no hope, not for me, not anymore."
"Are you so sure? The voice made him jump up to his feet staff at the ready. Before him stood another spirit, much different from the one who marked him years ago. Her features were much less ethereal. Her face was kind and beautiful, her body was clad in a dress that looked like liquid silver. Aside from Leigh this woman was the most captivating creature he had ever seen. "There is always hope."
"I...I don't believe that anymore."
"Why?"
"Nothing ever changes. No matter how hard I fight they always win. At first I just made a game of running away, playing the rebellious child. Then I joined the Wardens and relished the fact the damn Templars could not touch me without starting a war. After Ash left I had no shield from them again. I don't blame her, not in the slightest. She had her own family to start and Ferelden to help rule. I thought joining with Justice was the answer. I help my friend and he in turn helps me fight for the plight of mages. I ruined him and myself for what? I can't even see the goal anymore. I can't discern justice from vengeance anymore."
"You are agonizing over what you have to do."
"Yes, and I don't know if I have the strength to do it. If I go through with this, I will end up doing something I never thought I would do. I am a healer not a murderer, but I can't see any other way to get them to stand up and take notice. That mages will not be pinned under the Chantry's thumb anymore. We will not suffer their abuses anymore."
"Sometimes there must be lose for people to take notice. How many innocent mages have lost their lives to the law of the Chantry? How many innocent families have been torn apart? Innocents die everyday, it is not right, but it happens. You always have a choice on how you want to fight this war."
"I see no other way."
"Then you must do what you think is right." Anders sighed and buried his head in his hands. A buzzing started to sound somewhere deep in his head and steadily grew. He looked up at the woman standing next to him.
"Why am I hearing the sound of darkspawn? I am not...I was at home at my desk." The woman just smiled as his dream began to fade. The buzzing was now almost deafening in his head. "Wait!" The woman vanished as did the Fade around him. The sensation of something tickling his face was the last thing he felt before he woke up.
Anders' eyes flew open. He could still hear the buzzing hum in his head, but his vision was blocked. What appeared to be a feather was blocking his view. He bolted up from his slumped position at his desk. A cloaked woman sat at the edge of the desk kicking her legs back and forth in a lazy motion.
"I did not mean to startle you Anders. Bodahn let me in."
"Ash? What in the name of the Maker are you doing back here?"
"I have some Warden business here in the city, but wanted to stop and check on you."
"You mean see if I am going looney right?"
"Too late for that I'm afraid my friend. You were looney when I met you seven years ago and from what Wynne has told me you have never been sane."
"Thanks a lot Commander."
"You look tired my friend and it looks like you need to eat. Please tell me you are not trying to waste yourself away and what is with the all black clothing?"
"I'm not really. It's just I have so much to do and so little time to get it done. I sometimes go days without eating or sleeping. And the clothing, well I...it was time for a change."
"You look like a mad old crow."
"So now I am looney and mad, wonderful. Merrill use to say my old coat reminded her of a crow in anteing."
"That is one way of putting it, so now you are done anteing. I thought we all agreed that the dark and brooding one was Nate and you were the sarcastic funny one. When the hell did you two switch bodies?"
"I'm not the same person you knew Ash, I have seen too much and done too much. That Anders doesn't exist anymore." More than anything she wanted to slap him silly, but decided to take the more loving approach.
"You know I could give you something to help you sleep. It was something Leliana would give me when I was having trouble right after the Blight ended."
"It's fine. I need to get this done Ash. I don't care if I lose sleep or thin out a bit."
"A bit? Maker's breath Anders, I have seen darkspawn emissaries that look healthier than you do right now!" The concern in her eyes made him wince. No one before Ashlyn had ever held his total respect and only a few after her hold it now. He knew this woman had walk through fire with him after he was conscripted. She had no way of knowing he would be valuable to the Wardens, let alone survive everything they went through. Looking into her eyes all he could see was her concern and love for him. It made him feel like a total ass.
"Ash..." Her hand went up to stop his speech before he could even begin.
"Anders, take it from someone who almost royally screwed up her life. This is not who you are, this cause will kill you and those around you." He opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off again. "Let me finish, I know Justice has pushed you to go to the extremes you have. He does not understand that change does not come swiftly. Even if you go through with you plan today, it could take months, years and possibly decades before anything changes. If your lucky it does and if your not it could become worse for your fellow mages. Then oh look, your gone, dead and they are left trying to pick up the pieces you left in your wake."
"So you are trying to talk me out of this again. Don't you think I haven't thought of that? Don't you think I haven't agonized over what could happen especially to the people I love. I could be leaving a world were Leigh is either a hero or a monster for what she is. I am doing this for her, for Shy and Velanna and all other mages. You have no one to blame but yourself for what I have become."
"Oh this should be interesting. How am I to blame for you becoming a complete and utter prig?"
"You told me to fight for what I believe in, to stand up and not take it anymore. So Commander I say it again this is your fault. I was quite happy being a selfish bastard til you planted the seed in my brain and now...if I turn back what will you think of me?" Tears streamed down his face and his shoulders shook hard. Ashlyn jumped off the desk and pulled him from his chair, embracing him. His head rested on her shoulder while her hand smoothed out his hair.
"Anders I would never think less of you no matter what you have done or will do. Why would you ever think I would?"
"Everyone eventually thinks I am not worth the trouble. My father surely thought that when he called the Templars to come take me away. You were the first person who ever put their faith in me and it would hurt both Justice and I to lose that."
"I still have faith in you and always will. Your father was foolish to throw away such a wonderful person out of fear. Too many people fear what they don't understand and what they covet. You have mages who want nothing more than to be normal and you have normal people wanting to be mages just so they can abuse the gift they have been given."
"I know. Look at Leigh. Most of her family are mages, herself included, but she had to be bound to protect her from the ignorance of the Chantry. I want her to be safe Ash, I need her to be safe. She is the most important thing in my life. She woke something in me I thought was dead after I fused with Justice. Even when I pushed her away again and again, she never gave up on me. Even now she still comes back no matter how much I am breaking her heart."
"She is a strong woman who loves you very deeply."
"I know, but I also know I am hurting her and there is only so much a person can take. She deserves better. Leigh deserves someone like Sebastian Vael, he can give her a better life."
"Do you really think that? Maker's blood Anders, Sebastian is a brother in the Chantry and if he knew what she was, don't you think he would turn her in. He would be honor bound to do so. I could see he was watching her that day in the Keep. His eyes betrayed him, he loves her, but love can only take one so far. What I saw between you and Hawke was much more than that. Very few people even find their soulmate Anders. I found mine, Nate found his and Maker help you, you found yours."
"I never really believed in soulmates and destiny til..., but that was a long time ago and a lot has changed."
"Til what?"
"Nothing." Ashlyn raised her eyebrow and stared him down. He cringed remembering full well what that look meant. Her painted face made it all the more potent. "Alright, alright just stop looking at me that way. I swear they should put you in the Chantry as the Divine. You could scare a confession out of anyone just with that bloody look."
"I inherited it from my mother. Fergus and I never got away with anything when she was around. That look alone made you confess to things you haven't even done yet." Anders chuckled along with Ashlyn for a moment, but he stopped and sighed.
"It was my fifth attempt at escape from the Tower. It was also my longest time staying out in the world before I joined the Wardens. I had six Templars hot on my heals when I ran through this little town in the south. I have no idea what it was called I just know it wasn't far from the Wilds. They cornered me, beat me and proceeded to try to rape me, but I was saved by an apostate. She had more power than any mage I have ever met before or since. She took me to her home and her family let me stay the night, even packed a bag for me with food and potions. Her father and sister were also..."
"Also what Anders? Why do you look like you have seen a ghost?"
"Ash what towns are near the Wilds?"
"The only one I knew of was Lothering, but it was destroyed in the Blight. It was right outside the Wilds. Most people steered clear of anything to do with the Wilds because of the legends of the witches." Anders jumped up from his seat and went to find Leigh's book on Ferelden she had found recently. He thumbed through the pages and stopped on the page that held the map. It was a newer book and did not have Lothering's location.
"Do you remember where is was this book doesn't show it." Ashlyn leaned over his shoulder and ran her finger over the page.
"Here is Ostagar. And up here would have been Lothering. It is south of the Bannorn and west of the Brecilian Forest." Anders felt his heart skip a beat and he placed the book back on the shelf slowly. "Anders, for the love of the Maker what is it?"
"How did I not see it? Am I that blind?" Ashlyn took his shoulders and shook him a bit to get his mind to snap back. "I need to go." He grabbed his staff and bolted out the door of the estate. Ashlyn fast on his heels.
"What the hell? Anders?" "Maker, he is faster than I ever thought possible. This is what I get for making him run with the rest of us all over Amaranthine. Where is he headed?"Anders did not slow his pace til he got to Hanged Man. Ashlyn followed him in and wrinkled her nose at the smell. It reminded her of the Pearl just dirtier. The men in the place stared lecherously at her and she was thankful she was not some shrinking flower. One of the drunken men tried to catch her wrist and caught a fist right in the face. Ashlyn looked up, smiling at the person who had laid the man out flat. "Hello Isabela."
"Hello yourself, what is Feathers all ruffled about?"
"Damned if I know. I was talking to him and all of a sudden he took off like a demon out of the Void. Where the hell is he going now?" Ashlyn saw Anders ascend the stairs and disappear. "I guess we should follow him."
"He must being going to see Varric, he has a permanent room here. After you Queenie." Ashlyn scrunched her face at the rogue who just laughed and pushed her along. Half way up the stairs they could hear Anders raised voice and both woman picked up their pace.
"What do you mean you don't know where she is?"
"Just what I said Blondie, I don't know where she is. She stopped by here early this morning and told me she had something she had to go do. Hawke told me she would see us all later when it was done."
"Did she say what she was doing?" Varric opened his mouth then snapped it shut. "Varric please where is she?"
"She got a letter from the Knight Commander requesting her presence." Anders blood ran cold at the thought of Leigh going to the Gallows.
"Why did you let her go alone?"
"She wasn't alone Blondie. She took Red and Choir Boy with her. She did not want to ask anyone else just in case Meredith decided to be nasty. She worried it might be a trap, but with the two she took she thought Meredith would think twice before trying anything."
"Maker's mercy how can she be so reckless. She just walked into the bloody wolf's den."
"It is not like she is a mage Anders there is nothing the Templars can do to her, just Bethany." Both Anders and Varric shared a look at Isabela's words. "What was that look for? Alright boys spit it out." Ashlyn put a hand on Isabela's shoulder and whispered in her ear. "Your fucking shitting me, there is no way she is a..." Three hands covered the pirate's mouth before she screamed out the Leigh was a mage.
"Keep your voice down Isabela. We don't need the entire world knowing what she is." Anders glared at Ashlyn, but the Warden held his gaze.
"She is her friend and deserves to know the truth."
"Isabela is not known for keeping secrets Ash." The pirate rolled her eyes and shook them all off her. She stood in front of Anders and jabbed her finger in his chest.
"I never told anyone about you and her being together in the beginning. Who the fuck did you think helped her get ready for you that night, hmm, yeah that would have been me. She trusts me enough for something like that then you can trust me not to tell anyone about what she is!"
"I...I'm sorry Isabela. I'm just worried, as strong as Leigh is she has no idea what Templars are capable of. They won't take her to the Gallows if they find out. They will kill her, she is too strong to be controlled."
"Wouldn't they just try to...make her Tranquil?" Isabela's voice dropped off and filled with dread.
"That would be worse than death. She would stop being who she is."
"I know and if that were to ever happen I would kill her myself just to put her out of her misery." He was not expecting to hear that from Isabela. She was always such a selfish woman. He knew she was Leigh's friend, but he never thought Isabela felt the same way. "Oh don't give me that look, the girl almost bloody died when she fought the Arishok because of me. Then she risked herself again to save me from Castillion when he came for me last month."
"Isabela might be a selfish bitch most of the time Anders, but she is loyal to those who have shown her friendship. Alistair and I trust her completely."
"Thanks Ashlyn."
"Your welcome. I will see what I can find out about what the Templar wanted with Hawke. Stay here and wait for me to return and that is an order Anders."
"Yes Commander." He sank into one of Varric's chairs staring at the floor. Ashlyn motioned for the two rogues to follow her for a moment.
"Keep him here and distracted please. I will be back as fast as I can." With a whirl of her cloak she was gone leaving Varric and Isabela with a very agitated Anders.
"I know she is his old Warden Commander, but I didn't know you knew her too."
"Oh she and I go way back. I taught her how to be a duelist. You will never find a finer rogue Varric. She puts the two of us to shame and that man of hers, I get gooseflesh just thinking about him."
"Wait you and he...what the hell did she think about that?"
"Oh Varric, don't tell me you have never had a threesome." The dwarf's eyes went wide and he shook his head.
"I guess I should not be surprised at all. So what do yo suggest we do to keep him here?"
"Not sure but we will think of something."
OoO
Ashlyn stayed in the shadows near the entrance of the Gallows. This place made Kinloch Hold look welcoming. From where she was she could see everything. The abundance of Tranquil made her stomach turn. She was happy it was not like this in Ferelden anymore. The decision both her and Alistair made to open the Tower, letting families visit with their loved ones was frowned upon by the Divine. She had sent missive after missive ordering them to put things back the way they were or face harsh action. Ashlyn was never one to back down from a fight especially one she knew was utterly stupid. It wasn't like they had freed the mages, though she would be all for it if they could. It was their ultimate goal in the long run to see mages living free, without fear of being dragged off again, but these things take time and patience. The sight of a dark haired man exiting the Gallows made her move from her hiding place. She waited til he had cleared the gate heading to the water to talk to him.
"I will have to say Nate, Templar armor does not suit you."
"How in the Maker's name do they wear this damn suit? It is heavier than Ogrhen and I feel like I am baking in it."
"I never did understand how Alistair was able to walk around in that let alone fight, but you and I wear light armor, so I guess we are just not use to it. What did you find out?"
"Hawke was asked by Meredith to find some runaway mages. She found three, two were blood mages and attacked her the third the Knight Commander is convinced Hawke aided his escape, but she can't prove it. Now she is looking into something for the First Enchanter."
"Did you give Ser Cullen the letter for him and Bethany Hawke?"
"Yes and he was very pleased to be getting out of here. He was even more pleased to see so was Bethany. At least they will be out of harms way when this place goes to the Void."
"Yes, now we put the other part of our plan in motion. I brought you a change of clothes so you can move around better. Sigrun is waiting for you in the tunnels under the Chantry. I have to tell Anders that Hawke is safe so he doesn't proceed with his plan before we get our end done."
"I knew the first day I met him Anders would be trouble, but he is one of us and for better or worse I am proud to call him friend. He saved my son and my wife I can never truly repay him for that."
"This will be a start then. Just be careful that sniveling shit Addler is still hanging around the city trying to find him, but with out his phylactery he hasn't got a prayer."
"What did happen to Anders' phylactery I wonder?" A wicked grin broke out on Ashlyn's face making Nathaniel chuckle.
"It's good to be the Queen."
"And to have sticky fingers I see."
"I wasn't about to let the Templars try to find him if he was still alive. They would have killed him and told us about it later."
"You knew didn't you, about what he did?"
"Yes, and I covered his trail. He was so ashamed of what he did to Rolen and the others. He felt he couldn't face us, but you know me I have many spies around Ferelden. It did not take me long to find him. I helped him find passage on a ship and let him go."
"He really is one lucky son of a bitch I hope he knows that. I will see you at the rendezvous point in two days Commander. And thanks for the change of clothes. There was no way I was going to be able to move quickly and quietly in this."
"Your welcome see you in a few days." Ashlyn headed back to the Hanged Man. She was so deep in thought that she did not see the group coming toward her when she rounded the corner. She slammed right into a well armored body and barely was able to keep on her feet. Her arms pinwheeled to catch her balance, the sound of armor crashing to the ground followed by a soft curse. "I am so sorry, I was not looking were I was going."
"It is fine neither was I." The soft accent greeted her ears. She looked down to see Sebastian sitting on the ground. Three others helped pull him up to a standing position. "This is not a good place to be lost in thought I am afraid. The pickpockets will steal you deaf, dumb and blind if you are not careful."
"I am normally much more careful than this. Again I am sorry serah." Leigh who had been standing behind Sebastian stepped out with her dagger drawn.
"Make sure you still have your coin purse Sebastian, she might have lifted it when she bumped into you."
"I am no thief thank you, Serah Hawke. Wardens don't stoup that low." Leigh's eyes widened and she put her dagger away.
"What are you doing back in Kirkwall?" Ashlyn could hear and see the fear running through the woman and she knew she would have to put her mind at ease.
"I am on Warden business. I was heading back from the coast and stopped by to see Anders for a moment. Just making sure he is alright."
"Your not here to take him back are you?" Leigh's voice was tight and her eyes pleaded with the Warden.
"No, his life is his own now. If I was to take him back certain people would want to hurt him and I will not allow that to happen."
"Thank you, I was afraid...I can't lose him."
"I know how you feel Hawke. I would not want anyone to take the man I love away from me either."
"Hawke I need to get back to the Chantry for vespers."
"I understand. I appreciate your help today Sebastian." From the look on his face Ashlyn could see that Sebastian was hopelessly in love with Leigh and it hurt him to hear her talk about Anders. He stole on last look at Leigh before he left. "Are the Wardens still trying to find things in the Deep Roads Commander?"
"Commander?"
"I am the Commander of the Grey in Ferelden. Or I should say I was, now Nathaniel is the Commander. And no there is nothing to find in the Deep Roads. Whatever drew them there seems to have been moved, the ones we fought were stragglers."
"Large group for being just stragglers."
"You saw Ostagar. Darkspawn like overkill, you either run into a horde or a small group. There is no rhyme or reason to them, they just are. The reason why I am here in Kirkwall was to drop off a letter to the Gallows."
"About?"
"Your sister is to be moved to Ferelden in two weeks, as is Knight Captain Cullen." Leigh could not help herself, she embraced the Warden tightly. Once she realized what she was doing she quickly let go.
"Sorry, I am just so happy they both will be out of that horrible place."
"Both will be sent to the palace in Denerim. Bethany will study under Senior Enchanter Wynne and hopefully will take over for her as the royal mage when the time comes. Cullen will be there to appease the Chantry, but his role will be that of companion not guard. The Knight Commander here was not thrilled about it to say the least, but the Grand Cleric approved it on both sides."
"When you see the King and Queen please tell them they have my undying gratitude. Marker's mercy two more weeks and my sister is free. I...I have to go and find Anders, he will be happy as well."
"Then I suggest you turn around and head back to the Hanged Man. He is there with Varric and Isabela."
"That's strange, normally the only way he leaves the house is to..." Ashlyn cut her off when she saw the other two companion's eyes perk up in interest. She knew Aveline was the Captain of the guard here and the sour faced elf she had gathered hated mages for some reason. Anders never did go into detail about why and Ashlyn did not push about it either.
"He wanted to talk to you, at least that is what I could gather. He is not acting like himself, he is less and less the man I remember."
"I...I know. He is always writing that damned manifesto or out Maker knows where, doing Maker knows what." Ashlyn put a comforting hand on Leigh's shoulder, giving the woman a sympathetic look.
"I know this is not easy for you Hawke, but he does love you more than any other thing in all of Thedas. You did what none of us thought possible, you tamed his heart. The man I knew was ...well let's just say he was never one to settle down. Anders loved his freedom, but with you...I see in his eyes your the love of his life."
"Thank you, you know I always heard Wardens were these stoic, uncaring people, but the ones I have met aren't. Your all different from the ones I met at Ostagar when I was in the encampment with the king's men."
"Most of us are rough around the edges, but we are family. I can't speak for other Grey Wardens in Thedas, they might have their reasons for being cold towards other people. Ours is not an easy life, but why be standoffish about it. It makes life very lonely."
"What is Anders to you then, a friend or something more?" Aveline was playing the protective older sister card again and Leigh knew it. Her gaze bounced between the two women and caught a amused expression on the Warden's face.
"Anders is as much a brother to me as my own flesh and blood. We are bonded by blood in a way that only another Warden can fathom. But if you want a label for it, yes he is my friend and no not that sort of friend. I am a happily married woman."
"I did not mean to offend you Warden, I am just look out for Hawke."
"No harm done, she is lucky to have people who care enough to have her best interests at heart. Now shall we go and collect your man so you can give him the good news?"
"Yes." It was all Leigh could do to stop herself from skipping to the Hanged Man. Ashlyn could not help but grin. She was happy she could help this woman and her family. Once at the tavern Leigh scanned the main room and spotted Anders' blonde head. She yelled his name, he stood up and barely had enough time to brace himself as Leigh launched herself at him wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. His brain went fuzzy as her lips crushed his. He almost forgot they were in public til Aveline coughed loudly. He broke the kiss and leaned back on the table with Leigh still wrapped around him.
"What did I do to deserve that kind of greeting?"
"Your Commander just told me that Bethany and Cullen are being moved to royal palace in Ferelden to serve the crown." Shock then a wry smile crossed over his face. He mouthed thank you to Ashlyn and she nodded to him. "My sister is getting out of that horrible place, she is going to be safe."
"It is wonderful news love. She will be well cared for in Ferelden. King Alistair is a good man and will make sure she is safe."
"Wynne will also be there to mentor her for the time being."
"Senior Enchanter Wynne is an accomplished mage and is very kind. Bethany will be the perfect student for her." Leigh beamed at him and nuzzled his neck. Her fingers began to play with the feathers on his coat, she pushed back on him slightly and looked down at his new coat.
"New coat?"
"Uh, yes. Makes it harder for them to see me when I am sneaking around. Don't you like it?"
"You could be in a dress and I would still think you are the most handsome man I have ever known. You are taking that whole sexy tortured look to a new level."
"You love it and you know it." She brought her lips to his ear.
"Yes I do." All the others left the two love birds to talk. Isabela bought Ashlyn a drink and the two settled down in a secluded corner of the tavern. They had their heads together talking feverishly. Anders took Leigh up to Varric's room to talk to her about why she went to the Gallows.
"So what did the bitch want with you?"
"Who? Oh Meredith. She wanted me to hunt down mages for her and before you go all blue on me I told her no at first."
"At first?"
"She would not let it go and threatened you and Merrill, so I told her I would look into it. I wanted to help get the mages away from Kirkwall and make Meredith think they were dead. It did not go as planned, two of the mages turned to blood magic. They gave me no choice I had to fight and kill them. The last one had been in the Gallows since he was six and had no idea how to handle the outside world. I was able to get him out of Kirkwall safely."
"Why didn't you ask for my help?"
"You have been holed up in the study and every time I go in there you are hunched over writing feverishly or sleeping. I know what you are doing is important so I don't bother you." Her eyes betrayed her true feelings. He closed his eyes and made a sour face. "I'm losing her." "I am sorry my friend, but our cause must be fought." "If I lose her what do I have to live for Justice?" "The cause." "You know this one track mind thing is getting on my nerves. I do have the right to have a life and if she is who I think she is then I owe her so much more than what she has done for me the last six years." "And just who do you think she is?" "My soulmate." "Your what?" "Nothing, never mind." "I will never understand mortals." The feel of her hand on his cheek snapped him out of his conversation with Justice. "Are you alright love?"
"Yes, and I am all yours if you need me for the next few days." "What?" "I am not going to keep neglecting her, so deal with it!" "Whatever you need or want me to do I will do."
"I could think of a few things, but first I have a task Orsino wants me to look into tonight."
"And what does the First Enchanter want you to do?"
"He needs me to check on some meeting in Hightown, he thinks some of his mages might be doing things that will bring Meredith down harder on them, more than she already is. I agreed to help just in case..."
"Just in case I was part of it. Ever my protector."
"Someone has to be." Her easy smile melted his heart. He wanted to ask her so many questions about her past, but not here, not now. If she was who he thought he had to make sure above anything else she stayed safe. The witch's words still echoed in his mind from all those years ago. "She will be the champion of our kind. No Templar can stand against her, nor any mage. Demons will bend to her will if she commands it and spirits will fight for her if she asks. She must survive or we are lost."
"You know it is alright if someone protects you too." Leigh blinked back tears then buried her head in his coat. It didn't smell like his old one. The old one smelled more like him and less like the dye that was used to stain it so black. She wanted to tell him she hated it, even though it made him look even more handsome to her. It wasn't him, this wasn't her Anders, this man in front of her was a stranger. She saw flashes of her Anders, but they were becoming more and more scarce. "Hey now no tears, remember Bethany is going to be free very soon. This is a happy day." His smirk eased the vice grip on her heart, letting her relax in his arms. A loud thumping came from the door and Varric's raised voice floated into the room.
"You two better not be doing what I think you are doing it there. And if you are it better not be in my bed, I have to sleep in it you know." Leigh opened the door to find Varric holding his sides from laughter. Isabela and Ashlyn where both giggling around the corner.
"You three are evil."
"Oh Kitten, we were just having a little bit of fun." Leigh glared and stuck her tongue out at the pirate who returned the gesture in kind.
"Just for that both of you have to come with Anders and I tonight."
"Do you need a extra set of blades Hawke? I find myself with time to kill before my ship arrives."
"When is your ship coming?"
"It about two weeks. The king bid me to stay here and wait. I am to make sure your sister makes it too Denerim safely. If I sit around resting on my laurels I will go mad with boredom."
"You are more than welcome to join us Warden. I owe you much more than keeping your sanity intact though."
"Just give me a few thugs to fight now and then the next few weeks and I will be fine."
"Do you need a place to stay. I have plenty of extra rooms at my estate for you to bunk in."
"That sounds good to me."
"Anders and I will get you settled in then we will go see about this meeting. You two meet me in front of the chantry in two hours."
"We will be there." After the three left for Leigh's home Varric pulled Isabela aside. "What were you and the Warden chatting about?"
"She asked for a favor."
"And?"
"And what? It is between her and I Varric."
"You are no fun Rivani."
"Oh but I am Varric, I am."