/

"What in the name of the Maker was she thinking?" Anders mood had not improved the further they got from Kirkwall. Cullen was having a hard time tracking Leigh through her blood, but had no idea why.

"Look Blondie, Hawke did this so none of us would get hurt."

"And what if she gets hurt or worse? What the fuck am I...how do I live without her?" Varric went silent, not wanting to think about Leigh being gone. Bethany walked beside Anders trying to be supportive, but her own dread was making it hard. She knew full well her sister was capable of taking care of herself, but not knowing where she was or what those dwarves wanted made it hard to think straight. Orianne and her husband brought up the rear of the group. The warrior had been strangely quiet since he found out who they were tracking. His thoughts were racing.

"How much farther Templar?" Cullen rubbed his temples to ease the pain his intense concentration had caused. His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep and worry.

"I have never had a trail go this...I guess cold would be the best word for it. It is like she doesn't exist. Anders what is she?"

"What do you mean by that?" The mage stopped walking and rounded on Cullen.

"I mean, I know a little of what she told me she is, but there has to be more to it. I spent so much time with her when we were younger and never felt magic from her. It is like she is a blind spot. Even on the coast when she was using her powers I couldn't really feel she was there. Tracking her has been difficult."

"And you call yourself a Templar, I thought they can track any mage as long as they have their phylactery." Everyone turned and stared at the warrior, who up til now had been very quiet. "She went that way."

"And how do you know this? And who said she was a mage." Anders narrowed his eyes at the warrior.

"Easy she left you a trail. See these rocks, it is an old Chastind way to mark trails and let others know what trails are safe or not." Everyone continued to stare at the warrior. "What? I grew up near the wilds, you learn things. I assumed she was a mage since you have her phylactery and the Templar here is tracking her. I thought Templars couldn't track anyone who wasn't a mage."

"They can't normally, but she has a lot of magic behind her."

"Yeah so I have heard. This trail is our best bet to find her."

"Love are you sure?" Orianne knew her husband was smarter than most would give him credit for, but even she doubted this.

"If you want follow Ser Cullen, I will go this way and we will see who gets there first." The warrior headed the way of the trail sign, followed by Anders and Varric. "Try to keep up magey I won't stop if you fall behind."

"I'm a Grey Warden. I won't fall behind."

"We'll see. You all coming or what?" Cullen sighed and nodded to Bethany to follow the warrior.

"We are running out of options and daylight. Let's hope this Champion of yours is smart enough to either escape or impede their progress."

"Knowing Hawke she has them pulling out their hair and sitting in the corner rocking. Lead on Tin Man."

"Very funny dwarf, did you think of that all on your own or did you have help."

"Watch it, Junior!"

OoO

Leigh trudged slowly trying desperately to slow her captors down. She was thankful that their legs were short and the terrain was difficult even for her to traverse. Another thing she was thankful for was they did not bind her hands. She was able to use her magic to mark their trail just in case Cullen could not track her. She hoped Bethany would recognize it.

"So why is it you want me, other than for my blood?"

"We were just told to bring the Hawke we do not question why."

"Who is it that wants me anyway?"

"We are not worthy to speak his name. He is the one who calls to us." Leigh rolled her eyes and went back to walking in silence.

"I should just put all of these men out of their misery." "You really think that would be a good idea?" "Yes Pash I do, their tainted. How is letting them live a kindness?" "You have a point, but we must find out who is behind this or they will keep coming after you and Bethany." "Your right, but...I'm afraid what I will find. With my track record it will be something evil and horrific." "Don't be a pessimist Leigh."

"Night is falling we will camp."

"Wonderful how much farther is it to wherever it is your taking me?"

"Rest human."

"Sure, I will get right on that." "If you bastards think I am going to make this easy on you, you are dead wrong." "Wait til dark Leigh." "Planning on it. I really hope Bethany saw the trail I left them. I do not relish having to walk back to Kirkwall alone." "You are not alone. You never will be again." "Pash as much as I enjoy your company it is nice to have a physical being here to watch my back. No offense." "None taken, I do understand. They will come Leigh. Your friends value you highly. They will not sit by and let you be out here alone." Leigh let out a sigh and propped herself up against a large rock. Her captors busied themselves making camp and starting a fire. It had rained the night before so whatever wood they found out here was soaked. Making a fire would be nearly impossible. Part of her wanted to help and light the fire. The other part of her knew if she was to escape she would need it dark as possible.

OoO

The warrior held up his hand, before realizing it was too dark for any of them to see it. In a unanimous vote the group wanted to press on through the night to catch up the Carta. Cullen nearly crashed into the warrior, but Anders stopped him.

"How the bloody hell can you see it is black as pitch out here?" Cullen hissed.

"One of the good benefits of being a Warden. Darkspawn can see somewhat in the dark. Mostly black and white, but I can make things out quite well."

"You really are full of surprises Blondie. What do you see?"

"I see an encampment. No fire though."

"Rained last night. They might not have been able to light one."

"Well they look like dwarves, but I don't see Leigh anywhere. They might just be merchants." A bright flash caught the groups eyes followed by screams. Anders began to run toward the camp followed closely by the warrior and Varric. The men stopped dead when they saw a fire storm surrounding the dwarves preventing them from running away. The source of the storm was nowhere to be seen. "Holy Maker!"

"Blondie?"

"I...what you think I'm doing this?"

"Well, yeah."

"I'm not this strong Varric and fire is not my thing. I'm lucky I can make fire balls to throw. Cullen?"

"This is impossible. I can't feel the mage that is doing this. I can feel the magic that brought it here, but not the source." Anders felt a hand on his shoulder making him wheel around.

"Whoa, it's me love."

"Leigh!" Before she could talk he crushed her to him. "I swear woman you need to stop doing this to me."

"I know, but I had no choice. They wanted to kill the rest of you."

I...you will be the death of me. I guess that storm would be yours." Leigh blushed a bit and looked back to her fire trap. The Carta dwarves huddled together staring at the group.

"They were talking about just...taking my blood and not in a friendly way. I guess they thought I was asleep." Anders glared at the men and growled. Leigh lifted her hands sending roots and vines to entwine her captors. Her other hand waved and the fire storm disappeared. "That should hold them for now."

"Hawke, I take it back, Aveline doesn't scare me shit-less anymore, you now claim that honor." Leigh grinned at Varric and winked. "So what now?"

"Now I find out where they were taking me and we head there."

"Sister, your safe now, we should just go back to Kirkwall."

Sorry Beth, these assholes screwed with my family and I want to find out why. It has to stop."

"It was worth a shot to talk you out of it."

"You and Cullen should go back to Kirkwall."

"Right, like that'll happen. I'm a Hawke too Leigh. This is as much my fight as it is yours."

"It was worth a try." Both sisters smiled and gave a low chuckle. "All that's missing is Carver telling us to get the lead out and it would feel like old times." The warrior let out a huff and stalked over to one of the Carta.

"Where were you taking them?" He slammed his metal covered fist into the man's face. Orianne ran and wrapped her arm around his large arm to try to stop him from doing it again. He held hit second hit for her sake.

"To the master, he needs the blood." The dwarf's clouded eyes were wide with fear.

"Then he will just have to take it from you because their blood is staying where it is."

"The master needs the blood, we serve the master."

"Bloody wonderful. Their minds are scrambled eggs. Anyone of you have any bright ideas on how to make them talk." Leigh grimaced for a moment and let out a long breath.

"Varric please take Bethany, Cullen, and Ori up over the hill."

" Leigh what are you going to do?"

"Something you do not need to see Beth. Please trust me."

"I do, but..."

"Varric please take them."

"Come on kids up the hill we go." Bethany took one final look back at her sister and followed Varric.

"Anders you might not want to be here either. What I am going to to do might border on dark magic."

"Then I'm staying just in case." Leigh smiled and squeezed his hand. "Why are you letting him stay?" Anders cocked his head in the direction of the warrior.

"He doesn't look squeamish about much. Plus do you want to try to get him to leave?"

"No, he looks like he could snap me in two if he wanted to."

"Most likely. Alright stand behind me both of you. It has been a very long time since I did this, here is hoping I am not too rusty or it will be bad for them." Leigh rolled her shoulders and tried to relax. Her eyes closed and she focused her energy into her hands. Anders could feel her magic build til it shot out of her finger tips. Red tendrils of power hit the vine entwined men in the chest. Their screams of fear were deafening.

"Leigh?" She ignored him and continued to focus on on the dwarves. Her hand lifted and another power surge pulsed through the tendrils.

"You will tell me where your master is hiding."

"Our master will have the blood, he will be free." Leigh snarled and clenched her fist. Terror turned to pain. Within seconds she released her hands, the pain ease, but the tendrils stayed in place.

"I don't want to hurt you, but I will, now answer my question."

"Our master is a days travel to the east. It is a old fort off unused trade route." Leigh ended her spell and wobbled a bit. Anders steadied her.

"Maker I hate doing that. Last time I did it I was much gentler."

"Last time?"

"It was about eleven years ago. Templars were chasing a apostate through Lothering. I...I use it on them to save him, then I hung them from trees naked." "It is her. Maker's breath, how did I not see it before?" "She has changed as have you Anders. You said it yourself her eyes lacked the innocence of the girl you knew." "What happened to her to make her lose that innocence?" "Lose of family and home perhaps." "I have to tell her, but I'm afraid to." "Why is that?" "I don't know, maybe the fact I am planing to murder a whole bunch of people. I am not the same man she meet years ago. Maker I don't even remember who he was anymore." "Anders?"

"Sorry love, I would have loved to see that. So what happened to the apostate?"

"He...they found him. He gave himself up for me, so I would not be taken to the Circle." The haunted look in her eyes made him pull her close. Leigh quickly wiped the tears that had started to slide down her cheeks away and nuzzled his neck. "I vowed that I would never let the Templars take another person I cared about again. Guess I screwed that up with Beth."

"That wasn't your fault in either case."

"I hate to break up your make out session, but we should gather the others and get going to find this master of theirs. First things first though, what do you want to do with them?" The warrior had stayed surprisingly silent through it all. Now he stood with his great sword drawn, ready for her to tell him he can have at them.

"Their tainted so it will be kinder to put them out of their misery."

"Then go get the others, just give me a few minutes to put them down. I will make it quick and clean." Leigh nodded, but her face showed sorrow. She hated to see lives wasted. The warrior put his hand on her shoulder and for the first time she could see his eyes hidden behind the helmet. "Their blood is on the hands of the one who did this to him not yours. Protecting your family and friends comes first always."

"I know and thank you Ser...? The warrior flinched slightly before answering.

"Malcolm and your welcome Champion. Get her out of here magey, I'll be along soon."

"Watch their blood, don't get it on you if you can."

"I served at Ostagar magey, I know the drill." Anders led her up the hill to meet back up with Varric and the others. Leigh was thankful Varric was entertaining them with a tale, keeping them from seeing what she did. Bethany rose from the ground and wrapped her arm around her sister.

"You okay, you look like you've seen a ghost?"

"Just thinking about the past."

"What part? Lothering or here?"

"Lothering mostly and Carver. The warrior that the Warden sent with you reminds me so much of him, it is scary. He even called Anders magey."

"Most people do that. Caver wasn't unique in that aspect. He just filled it with disdain and malice." Leigh giggled a bit remembering how Carver had acted when she brought the runaway apostate home with her. Even months later he was still complaining about it. "So did you get what you needed out of the Carta?"

"A days travel to the east following this trade route. I still want you and Cullen to go back."

"Not a chance in the Void Leigh. We are in this together."

"Alright all done. That group of dwarves won't be coming back to haunt you."

"I should go and burn their bodies so they don't taint anything else."

"That fire storm of yours set their gear aflame so I just threw them on top of it. As I said all taken care of. We need to rest so we can head out in the morning. I'll take first watch." The group set up camp and turned in for the night. As much as she tried to Leigh could not sleep. Slowly she eased herself out of Anders' arms and got off their bed roll. The warrior watched her from his perch on the stone wall that lined the road. Leigh went and sat near him, but her gaze was off to the rising moon. "You should get some sleep."

"Can't." Inside his helmet the warrior frowned, though Leigh could not see it.

"Get your magey to cast a sleep spell on you and you'll be fine."

"I would prefer you didn't call him that. He has a name, please us it."

"And that would be?"

"Anders."

"You mean like the people?" Leigh nodded and the warrior barked a laugh. "Do you even know his real name?"

"I don't need to thank you very much. I love him and he loves me." The warrior began to laugh harder and almost fell off the wall. "What's so damned funny?"

"I don't know, you would think a person would want to know who it is that shares their bed every night." Leigh glared at the man and stalked away quickly before she decided to set him on fire. "Wait. I'm sorry. I have a habit of speaking before I think. I...I have no right to say anything since I'm married to a mage as well."

"How did you pull that off? It is forbidden in any land under the Chantry for mages to wed."

"We had to go to Tervinter. There they don't care who you marry. It is not acknowledged in Ferelden, but since I have a high rank in the King's army Ori is protected."

"The King and Queen do seem to be more on the side of mages than most. It is refreshing to be honest." Leigh sat back down her ire quelled for the moment. Pash stirred in the back of her head. Waves a calming washed over her. Leigh knew she was getting dangerously close to her breaking point. With everything that had happened the last few months her emotions were all over the place. One slip could cost her dearly or anyone near her for that matter. Thinking about the past was not helping matters either. She still had a hole in her heart from losing her brother and as much as she has tried she never truly got over losing her first love. Thinking of her runaway apostate made her heart ache, though not as much as what she did to hurt Anders when she slept with Sebastian.

"Is your sister the only family you have here?"

"I have a cousin and an uncle here. My mother...she died a few years back. I...had a brother too, till the darkspawn took him from us."

"I'm...sorry, if I might ask how...how did you mother die? Was she sick?" Leigh took in a ragged breath and shook her head.

"She was murdered." The warrior's breath caught in his throat.

"The murderer, did you find them?"

"He died for his crimes by my hand."

"Good."

"Since you asked me, how about you Malcolm do you have any family?"

"I did once and I took them for granted, now...I would give anything just to have them back."

"I know how you feel. I would give almost anything to have my father, brother and mother back."

"The Maker has his plan as they say and we have to go along with it whether we want to or not."

"Yes so they say. I wish his plan did not involve taking almost my entire family from me. It makes it hard to want to follow his word."

"Life is never easy, you just have to do the best with what you have."

"My father use to say that all the time. Mostly when my brother and I screamed something was not fair."

"You want fair live under a rock or you take what ever life throws at you and let it roll off. It took me years to understand that."

"Then you are ahead of the game Malcolm. You know that was my father's name?"

"Really?"

"Yes."

"It is a more common Ferelden name. Kinda like Tomas or Maric." Leigh sighed and nodded. Her eye lids felt heavy and fatigue finally caught up with her. "You look beat, get some sleep. I have a feeling the next few days are going to be rough."

"Story of my life I'm sorry to say. It get's no easier."

"Then I am glad once this is done I am heading back to good old quiet Ferelden. All this excitement is too much for me."

"Good night Malcolm." The warrior nodded waiting til she was out of ear shot to whisper.

"Good night Leelee."

OoO

Dawn broke over the mountains, but the group had no desire to rush breaking camp. It was decided they would stay another night there just so that they would all be rested. Leigh and Varric went to hunt for food while the rest stayed at the camp. Anders paced the camp trying to figure out a way to tell Leigh it had been him all those years ago she had saved. That she had kept her promise to him even after all these years. Justice seethed at him for making it harder to cut ties with her. Over the past three years the spirit had grown quite fond of Leigh. Her complete acceptance of him gave Justice hope. Anders knew Pash factored into to it too since she was Justice's companion for lack of a better term.

"Anders what's wrong?" He stopped pacing and met Orianne's gaze evenly.

"Remember the girl I told you about? The one who saved my hide from the Templars on my fifth escape attempt."

"Yes, why are you thinking about her now?"

"I have been sharing her bed for the past three years and did not recognize her. Maker how did I not know?"

"Are you sure it is her?"

"Now more than ever. She...it seems I have changed enough she didn't recognize me either."

"I can see why. Your much thinner than you ever were back in the Tower and you sure as shit don't act like you did back then. Your not trying to hide your feelings behind sarcasm. The mischievous light in your eyes is gone. I don't know what happened to you to make you the man I see in front of me today, but you aren't the man I knew."

"People change Ori. Your not the same either, you know. After Ostagar you were so jumpy and that was even before what happened at the Tower. So you have no right to judge me." Anders did not see her hand fly to smack him across the face. For a small person Orianne packed quite a hit. "Nice Ori."

"I have no right to judge you, you sodding bastard. Do you know what happened to me at Ostagar? Do you know what Addler did to me or tried to do? You have no idea what it is like being both a mage and an elf. At least your human!" Orianne slumped down against the wall and covered her face. Anders gingerly sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her.

"Ori...I..."

"It's fine Anders. I remember what a selfish prig you could be." She lifted her hands from her face and stuck her tongue out at him.

"Real mature Ori."

"I hate seeing you like this. I still remember the mostly carefree boy I grew up with. The one who helped me play all those pranks on the Templars. The one who stayed up all night with me, Jowan, Mira Amell, and Finn talking about what we were going to do if we ever got out of there. Well not Finn he loved being at the Circle. I think the Templars left him alone because he would have nagged their ears off if they didn't. Maker, Anders I am one of the few people who know your real name."

"I was hoping you had forgotten that."

"Never. Aside from Jowan you were my best friend." Anders smiled before kissing Orianne on the temple.

"I have been meaning to ask you about your...how do I put this without you hurting me...brute of a husband?" Orianne sighed and playfully smacked his arm.

"We found him almost dead when we ran from Ostagar. Wynne and I healed him as much as we could before we moved him. The man we found next to him was dead already and his body looked like the Blight had taken him. My husband was lucky in that respect, but his injuries were horrific."

"What happened to him?"

"An ogre bashed him into the ground a few times, at least that is what he thought. That was the last thing he remembered before waking up at the Tower. It took me months to heal him fully and his left cheek still has a nasty scar on it that will never go away."

"How in the name of the Maker did you two fall for each other?"

"He was one of the ones who saved me from Addler. Him and his sister, Maker rest her soul. After the Hero of Ferelden saved the Tower I was sent to help train Conner, Arl Eamon's son til the Blight was over. Addler tried to...hurt me again and he stopped him. Beat the shit out of him and Rolen."

"Maker I would have loved to have seen that."

"Bad thing was after that they sent those two to the Wardens. I...heard the rumors. Did you kill Rolen?"

"Yes, but he tried to kill me first."

"Then the prig got what he deserved. He had it out for you for years. Ever since..."

"Ever since Leigh hung him and his five friends from a tree naked. Funny thing was he begged her not to kill him and promised to never hurt another mage again if she spared him. Guess he forgot that part."

"You have to tell her Anders."

"It is not that simple Ori."

"And why is that?"

"It just isn't." Before she could question him further Anders humped to his feet and stormed away. Orianne felt her husband's hand on her shoulder and she leaned back into his chest.

"You alright?"

"Fine love, just worried about my friend."

"Magey better watch himself is all I have to say."

"Love, he is hurting and deserves sympathy."

"Your such a bleeding heart Ori. I guess that's why your with my surly arse."

"I am with you because I love you and you treat me like a queen."

"You are a queen to me." She spun in his embrace resting her head on his chest. His hand came up and gently stroked her dark brown hair.

"Something is bothering you I can tell. What's wrong my love?"

"Just thinking about home and how much I miss it."

"Don't lie to me, what is going on?"

"I..." The warrior caught sight of Varric out of the corner of his eye watching them intently. He and Leigh had just returned from their hunting trip with a handful of rabbits. "Let's go for a little walk away from nosy dwarves. I have some good news and...some that I wish I had never heard."

OoO

"Has anyone got a working dagger? Those damn dwarves took mine." Leigh's mood had not improved since she had woke this morning. Her dreams were nightmarish at best. At least twice Anders had to wake her up when she started thrashing in her sleep. After the second time she decided to stay awake. The rest of her companions stayed on the other side of the camp away from her temper. Varric who normally did not let anything ruffle him was not eager to be near her. While they had been out hunting he made a comment to her and she had nearly bitten his head off.

"Love, let me do that." Leigh glared up at Anders and bared her teeth.

"I can do it just give me a blasted dagger!" He crouched down to her level taking her hands in his.

"Love, you need to rest."

"Pot how black thou areth."

"Funny, I know you were having nightmares, but you have to try Leigh. I can help if you'd like."

"Every time I close my eyes I see death after a while it starts to wear on you."

"Whose death?"

"Yours, my family's, take your pick. Sometimes I am watching it happen, others I'm the one causing it."

"They are only dreams Leigh. We all know you would never hurt us. You would rather rip out your own heart than hurt any of us."

"To quote you what if I can't control my powers? What if I lose myself to it all?"

"You won't. Leigh your so much stronger than I am. You weren't tainted by hate like I was. Your father raised you to treat people with respect and dignity. And you have Pash to keep you on the straight and narrow." The corners of Leigh's mouth pulled up a little.

"I know, but I have given into it and killed those Templars with my magic. It scared the hell out of me to see what I am capable of."

"They hurt your father and you were young. I have watched you over the past three years learn to use and control it. You have unshakable focus."

"Your bias as my teacher you know."

"And as your lover."

"You know you are more than that to me."

"I do Mo Anam Cara."

"What!" Her heart skipped a beat hearing those words again after all these years. Her first love had called her that right before he turned himself in to the Templars to keep her safe. He never got a chance to tell her what it meant.

"Mo Anam Cara means my soul mate. That's what you are to me Leigh."

"What language is that?" Her voice sounded strained, but she forced her face to remain placid.

"It is from my home land,the Anderfels. I don't remember as much of it as I would like, but I do remember some of it. I'm surprised you never asked why I was call Anders."

"Because you are from the Anderfels. I knew that. Your looks kinda gave it away. Though I thought most men from the Anderfels were thick and burly."

"I use to be, but through my Warden training and my less than luxurious life as a possessed apostate has thinned me down quite a bit."

"You would think with my cooking you would put on some more weight."

"First I would have to be home enough to eat it. Leigh I wish everything was different. That I could be the man that could give you the world on a silver platter, but I can't..." Her hands rest on both sides of his face making him look her in the eyes.

"If you say I deserve better I swear I will stonefist you back to Kirkwall."

"Varric was right you can be scarier than Aveline." Leigh blinked a few times and began giggling. The giggles soon turned into a full blow laughing fit. She laughed until her sides hurt and she couldn't breathe. "There is woman I know and love. I knew she was in there somewhere."

"I can't help it you bring the best out in me."

"I think that is the other way around love. You are the better half in this relationship, always have been." Leigh opened her mouth to rebut his comment, but yawned instead. Her eyes felt heavy and it took her a second to realize he had laid her down on the bed rolls. "Now try to get some sleep."

"But the sun is still up in the sky." He sighed at her and threw her cloak over her head.

"There that should block out the light." Her fingers twisted into his coat and anchored him next to her.

"Stay."

"I wasn't going anywhere. Now sleep, I fear we have a long fight awaiting us tomorrow."

"As long...as I...have you, we...will win." Anders smiled as she fell asleep curled up against him. Varric walked toward them to say that the food was almost ready, but Anders put his finger to his lips and the dwarf stopped.

"Just save some for us later. She needs this." He whispered loud enough for Varric to hear him, but not enough to wake Leigh.

"Yes she does Blondie. I'll have Sunshine freeze a few for you both til your ready to eat. You should try to get some rest too while your stuck there."

"I'm not stuck Varric. I'm right where I want to be." The dwarf snickered and walked away. "None of them would understand would they Dove? They have no idea what we have been through together. That witch was right about some things at least. She was wrong about me though. I will never let them hurt you. I would die first." Anders let the heavy feeling of sleep seep into his muscles. Leigh shifted a bit in his arms allowing him to rest his chin on the top of her head. Before sleep claimed him he could have sworn he heard her murmur his real name. His thoughts drifted back to his fifth escape from the Tower and his adventures as he tried to stay ahead of the Templars. Little did he know Leigh was dreaming the same dream.

I am going back in time for a little bit so please don't adjust your screens. The next few chapters I had actually written to go as a separate story I had written after I started this one. I always pictured Anders and Leigh meeting each other on one of his escape attempts. I want to add them in now so people aren't going huh when I refer back to something that happened in the past. Mo Anam Cara is Celtic for my soul mate. I have mostly a Celtic background so it fit for me. Again thank you all for sticking with me. I am really enjoying writing this. It helps to know others are enjoying reading it.

Raven