It seemed like she had slept for weeks. Leigh's arms and legs felt like they were weighted down by stone blocks. She tried in vain to to shift herself so she could sit up and shake her dreams off. The memories of Leo ripped open a wound she had thought long healed since she had been with Anders. The brush of fingers on her cheek made her open her eyes. Cold gray met warm amber brown and she couldn't help but smile. In this moment she could see the ghost of the man she loves staring back at her. It made her forget what they were doing, where they were going. It made her forget the pain that every loss she had endured in her life. Here she was safe, in his arms the world went away. She knew he felt the same way just by the light in his eyes when he looked at her.

"Morning."

"Morning. Are the others up yet?" He rolled his head to look over his shoulder, then back to her.

"No, looks like other than Varric the rest look like they are still sleeping."

"It feels like I have been sleeping for a month."

"Hmm, sorry love not that long. Only half a day at best. Are you feeling alright. I will tell them you need more time..."

"No, I'm alright. I want this over and after that I...I want to go home."

"I'm sure Bohdan, Sandal and Orana have kept the home fires burning and hopefully Aveline has come to take Tovis out to the barracks so we don't return to a wrecked room."

"No Anders I want to go home...to Ferelden. I'm tired of fighting everything here. I don't have it in me anymore. I want to just live without having to fight the next idiot who wants a shot at the title Champion of Kirkwall. I want you and I to just...be."

"Leigh I..."

"Please, just let it go. This war against the Templars is killing you and us. I'm tired of my life being shredded piece by piece til there is nothing left but scattered tatters left behind."

"Al...alright we'll leave. We will take the ship with Bethany and Cullen. If this is what you truly want."

"It is. I want to grow old with you and not have to keep fighting. I fear one day there will be a fight that I can't win and..." Guilt slowly started to build in his stomach. He still had yet to tell her he would never grow old. He would be dead long before that due to the taint in his blood.

"You lose your life or worse someone you love."

"Exactly." From behind his back Anders heard the others stir. He closed his eyes and sighed knowing they would be on the move again soon. He opened his mouth to say something, but the loud sound of armor clanking stopped him. Leigh sat up and saw the warrior hastily throwing on his armor before anyone see him out of it. She heard him curse loudly when the breast plate hit the ground and his helmet rolled in her direction. The warrior froze with his back turned to Anders and Leigh. It was still quite dark out with sunrise at least at hour away so all Leigh could see was a large shadow. Anders on the other hand could see the side of the man's face. The warrior had a nasty scar running down his cheek and neck. His arm was also pretty scarred. Anders remembered Orianne telling him her husband had been hurt by an ogre while running from Ostagar.

"Could one of you roll my helmet back over here please?" Leigh rolled off the bed roll to pick up helmet only to have Anders beat her to it.

"I got it love, rest a while longer." The warrior stiffened when he realized Anders was standing next to him handing him the helmet. "Here you go."

"Uh, thanks. I'm normally not this clumsy."

"Lack of sleep will do that to you. Your lucky you know, most people don't survive an ogre attack."/

"The ogre fared much worse than I did. At least that is what I was told. I was in no shape to see it at the time."

"I've only known a hand full of people who can kill a ogre by themselves. The Warden Commander being one of them."

"I saw her fight in the battle for Denerim. I was up on Fort Drakon fighting with the Arl's men. She is either crazy or Maker blessed."

"A little of both. I hope you know how lucky you are to have Ori. She is an amazing woman."

"Your not telling me anything I don't know magey."

"Why do people insist on calling mages that?"

"Isn't that what you are?"

"I'm a mage not a magey."

"Your lucky I don't call you worse than that. I am here to make sure the Champion makes it back to Kirkwall in one piece. I'm not here to coddle apostates."

"And here I thought we were getting along so well. Your a hypocrite, married to a mage, but hate her people."

"I don't hate her people I just don't like you. Your trouble."

"And how in the name of the Void do you know that?"

"The funny thing about being a big dumb fighter is people tend to talk around you when they think you aren't listening. I heard what you did in Ferelden and I'll tell you this, if I think you are a danger I will put you down."

"You should have been a Templar." Justice did not take kindly to the warrior's threat. He pushed forward in Anders' mind and the blue glow started to show in his eyes. "You would do best not threaten me boy." The warrior back away a step or two and went to reach for his sword. That was all Justice had to see to completely take over. In a flash the quiet camp turned into chaos. Bethany and Cullen grabbed Ori and ran for cover. Varric got between the two men and leveled Bianca at Anders.

"Alright Blondie play time is over. We are all friends here so Justice can get put away."

'By the Void what is he?"

"Enough!" Everyone turned to see Leigh with her hands wreathed in flames. The red cracks on her skin paled only to the red burning glow of her eyes. She stalked forward and grabbed Anders by the arm. "Your anger is not helping."

"I..."

"Varric you can put Bianca down. Justice will not be doing anything."

"Uh...if you say so...Junior if I were you I would get your armor on and go for a walk for a few minutes til she can calm him down."

"Holy Maker, Anders what is...did you make a deal with a demon?"

"Shit, wrong choice of words, everyone take cover." Varric pushed them all to the other side of the stone wall that lined the road,while Leigh or more properly Pash stayed out to deal with Justice. "I had to make friends with possessed mages didn't I?"

"Your not the one related to one of them Varric, So I don't want to hear it."

"Sorry Sunshine, look on the bright side at least your sister's plus one is more stable than Anders."

"Is that suppose to make me feel better?"

"No, I guess not." All sets of eyes peered over the wall to watch the two spirits.

"He threatened us." Pash sighed and rubbed the bridge of Leigh's nose.

"I heard what he said and it was a warning nothing more. The warrior will do what he has to to protect his wife Justice."

"He is no better than the Templars."

"You are letting Anders fears and anger cloud your judgment, brother."

"My judgment is not clouded!"

"You are losing yourself to vengeance. This is not the spirit I know, the one who has stood beside me in the Fade for more time than can be counted. The one I trust above all others. Justice please, I do not want to have to make you sleep again."

"You treat me like a child." His anger had cooled enough that his voice was not booming. "How are you not corrupted by your host?"

"She did not have the life yours has. She never learned the evils of mortals the way Anders has. His life has not been easy brother, I know that, but he is safe now as are you. Attacking your allies is not the way. You are proving to these mortals that all spirits of the Fade can be swayed. You are better than this." Pash took a few steps forward and took his hands. "I do not want you to become like the others who have fallen from grace. I care for you too much to see that happen."

"I am sorry sister, I...we never wanted this."

"Neither did Leigh and I, but what is, is. All we can do is stay true to who we are and help when we can. You do him not justice by ruling his life."

"I...yes sister." The blue glow ceased immediately letting Anders take back control. His body tipped forward into Pash and when he looked up at her she gave him a sad smile.

"It is getting harder to stop him. Maker, I can't keep doing this."

"We will not let you fall to Vengeance, Anders."

"How? It seems that everything that is said to me sets him off. He does not recognize who is friend and who is foe anymore."

"He had pushed you too hard and has unknowingly broken your will, making it easier to take control. You are a strong man Anders, but the path you walk is taking it's toll."

"I have to help my fellow mages."

"We will help them, together. You cannot shut her out of this fight anymore. She was destined for this."

"She can't."

"You have to let her decide that. She would walk through fire for you and with you. You are not alone in this anymore. You have help."

"It will get her killed."

"Her choice, she is a protector, a leader, but even she needs a safe harbor. You are that for her and always have been. What she will face soon could break her. She needs you."

"I need her too." Pash looked over his shoulder and saw the others watching from behind the wall. She turned to them and gave a warm smile.

"Thank you Varric for your quick thinking."

"Lady I am just glad you can control Mr. Grumpy when he comes out. How can you do that by the way?"

"As I told you before Mercy stays the hand of Justice. He is an older spirit, but I am stronger in some ways." Bethany slowly climbed over the wall never taking her eyes off Pash. The red glow from her was warm even her eyes were soft despite the red glow. "Hello Bethany."

"Your the spirit of compassion that my sister spoke of." Pash nodded and took Bethany's hand. "I...you saved her life. I can never thank you enough for that."

"You don't have to. Your sister is very special to me."

"She is pretty special to all of us too."

"I know. I can feel it from all of you."

"You okay Blondie?"

"Been better."

"Hey look at it this way Broody and Chantry boy could be here."

"Maker Varric!"

"What?"

"Do you want to see a blood bath that badly?"

"No, just said it could be worse." Orianna and her husband finally came over the wall, but kept their distance. "You two alright?"

"We will be as long as that thing stays away from us." The warrior put his now armored body between Anders and his wife. He turned to Cullen seething.

"Your a bloody Templar do your duty and put that thing out of it's misery." Pash placed herself between Anders and the angry man.

"And what of me? I am not different than him. Will you put me out of my misery too?"

"Your nothing like him. He is dangerous." The bell like laughter that escaped Pash's mouth sent shivers down everyone's spine.

"I am far more dangerous than he will ever be." Orianne stepped around her husband lightning in her hand. Her husband grabbed her arm trying to pull her back. Pash held up her hand. "Peace dear woman. I mean no one here any harm, but I will also allow no harm to fall on those I hold dear to me."

"Anders why?"

"He was trapped outside the Fade in a body that was decaying around him. He was a friend during my time with the Wardens. Ori I...he was suffering I couldn't let..."

"So you are like Wynne?"

"Yes, but my anger has changed him. He thought he could temper it, but we were both wrong, so very wrong." Anders could not look at any of them and turned his back. Orianne broke the warrior's grasp and ran to her friend.

"Your such a stupid shit do you know that?"

"I've been called worse."

"What in the name of the Maker am I going to do with you Anders?"

"What?"

"I understand why you did it you ass. I wish you hadn't, but I can see you were trying to do something noble. Could it be the selfish prig I knew has grown up?"

"Never, but I did grow a conscience and most of the time he is not as violent as you just saw."

"I thought Hawke was your conscience Blondie."

"Your not helping Varric."

"I never do. Well the sun looks like it is ready to rise. If we are done with the light show and inquisition we should get on the road."

"How do we know he won't attack us again?"

"I never truly attacked you."

"You...shit let's just get going then so I can get back to Ferelden where it is normal. I swear if you glow again I will..."

"Love, it is better if you don't threaten him again. We don't need the spirit coming out to play again."

"Fine, I'll just be waiting over there trying not to make the mage angry." With the argument resolved Pash let herself sink back into Leigh's mind.

"Welcome back Hawke."

"Thanks Varric. Sorry everyone."

"Nothing to apologize for Hawke, most of us are use to it by now." Leigh smiled and shook her head at her friend. Varric always had a way of making you feel better even when things were going bad. They packed up the rest of the camp in silence and started down the trade road again. Most of the party gave Anders a wide berth after what had almost happened. Only Leigh and Ori walked beside him. The two women busied themselves exchanging stories about Anders and Ferelden. The Carta had not lied about it taking only a day to reach their destination, but no one was prepared for what lie within.

OoO

"Varric I swear your the only dwarf I am ever going to like." The old mining tunnel was crawling with Carta that only had one thing on their mind. Get the blood of the Hawke. Leigh had lost track of how many she had killed so far, but she knew it had to be over twenty and that was just her head count. Her limbs were screaming at her to rest, but their enemies just kept coming. "Maker did they clear out Orzammar to get them all here?"

"Carta are like roaches Hawke. You kill one and ten more take it's place."

"Not inspiring confidence Varric." She sliced the throat of one stupid enough to get close to her and scanned the area. These dwarves had no idea she was a mage since they had killed the one who were to bring her here in the first place. Leigh took a deep breath and ran out into the open. "Hey you stupid nug humpers I right here come and get me!" She signaled to her friend to stay were they were so they did not get caught in the blast she was about to use. "Come one get a little bit closer, that's right I'm a poor defenseless girl just waiting for you to come and steal my blood." "You have never been defenseless." "I have to make it look that way Pash or they won't come in close enough for me to shock their worthless hides to oblivion." "Good point." "I thought so."

Anders hands began to twitch watching Leigh stand there alone and surrounded. He hated having to stand on the sidelines while she put her life at risk again. Even though he knew she could take care of herself, it still did not calm his nerves. "Just blast them already Leigh, this is not a game. Their bloody well close enough for a firestorm." He felt the hair on the back of his neck stand straight up and the air filled with the smell of ozone. He grabbed Varric and threw him back around the corner of the wall they were hiding behind. It was not a moment too sooneither as the air filled with a blinding light and dying screams.

"Andraste's flaming ass what did she do?" Orianne cast a shield around herself and peeked around the wall.

"She fried them like bacon. Maker's breath there had to be at least twenty men around her. I've never seen anything like it before." Anders had followed suit and joined Orianne to see what Leigh had done.

"Hmm, she's branching out, her normal thing is fire."

"This is normal?"

"For Leigh, yes for the rest of us mere mortals not so much."

"Anders, stop being well Anders and tell me how in the name of the Maker she is that strong? Is it the spirit that makes her that strong?"

"No that my dear Ori is all her. She is a Somniari."

"They are just myths."

"That's what the Chantry wants us to believe. They are rare, but they do exist." Orianne's gaze went back to were Leigh was standing. Some of the bodies were still twitching while she walked by them to get back to the others. Anders was the only one who went out to meet her half way. "Lightning huh?"

"Just trying it on for size. I thought Justice would like it, it is his favorite attack."

"He is very impressed and the others, well they..."

"Say no more, I get it. They think I am a freak. I guess I should get use to it, even among mages I am different." Anders did not know what to say to her. Nothing he thought of would have quelled her hurt. Leigh sighed and went to the task of searching the bodies for anything useful. She found a staff on the fallen Coterie mage that was with the Carta. "Masterwork, anyone need a new staff or a back up?"

"Don't you use one?" Orianne's eyebrow raised at Leigh.

"Don't need one. I prefer my daggers to fight. I use magic as a last resort." The look on the elven mage's face told Leigh she better explain at least a little bit. "I was trained as a rogue and to use that skill first. Magic was to serve the best in me, not what is base. I think of myself as a rogue who just happens to have magic."

"I just have never seen a mage able to fight without magic. We were never allowed to learn anything other than spells and some defense with our staffs."

"That is the beauty of living free. No one can tell you, you can't learn another way. I even think if my brother had been born a mage he still would have taken up a greatsword and been a warrior. Our father taught us to play to our strengths always. I was the quiet sneaky one, Carver was the strong aggressive one, and Bethany was the kind nurturing one, hence why she is a healer and potions master."

"If mages were taught that way..." Anders clapped his hand on Orianne's shoulder and finished her train of thought for her.

"The Templars would not stand a chance if we decide to fight back." Cullen's eyes met Bethany's and she could tell he was very uncomfortable with the topic of conversation.

"Leigh can we change the subject please for now?" Leigh turned her head and nodded to Cullen. She gave him a understanding smile.

"Not all Templars are cruel. I have known at least three who aren't."

"Who love?"

"Cullen for one. I have known him for most of my life and you will not find a better man. Ser Thrask was also a very kind man and Keran."

"I forgot about him." Varric had taken the initiative to scout while the rest were talking. He found a gate up the stairs from where they were. He kept to the shadows and peered through it. On the other side he saw another group of Carta being barked at by a dwarf in ornate armor. They were setting a trap for them and it looked nasty. Varric grimaced and headed back to the others.

"We have a problem Hawke."

"Other than crazy dwarves out for my blood?"

"They are setting a trap for us. I counted at least another ten men and the leader doesn't look like a push over. Plus they have a battle bronto in there with them."

"Wonderful. Show me." He led her to the gate. The room was two tiered. The lower part had a blade trap, that much Leigh could see. The second tier had Carta armed with crossbows and a few with swords. She could see the leader unpacking a large bundle from the bronto. She could feel magic emanating from what ever it was and her body involuntary shivered. It felt foreign yet familiar. "We need a plan, but first I have to disable those traps."

"Traps are my specialty Hawke. Go get the others ready." She heard his knuckles crack before he disappeared. She and the others stormed into the room taking the Carta by surprise. The warrior and Cullen stood toe to toe with their leader. The rogues and mages took out the rest. "Well that was easier than expected."

"Thanks to you disarming the blade trap." Leigh's eyes fell on the bundle that leader had been handling before and she started to unwrap it. Inside the burlap that it was wrapped in was a sword, a staff and a dagger. Leigh's fingers brushed gently across the dagger and she felt an echo in her head. It was calling to her to pick it up. Without thinking her hand wrapped around the hilt and a pulse of magic surged through her. She did not notice she had cried out til she felt Anders try to pry the dagger out of her hand.

"Leigh let go of it!" The pulse passed along an understanding that it was made for her.

"It's alright love, This...this was...it belonged to my father." Bethany saw the other two weapons and gasped.

"How...how did he know what we would be?"

"I have no idea, but the staff is yours and the sword..." She could not help the tears in her eyes, but she brushed them away quickly. "It might not work for you much Malcolm, but it's yours if you want it."

"It is a well made sword, if nothing else once we are out of here I can sell the damn thing or give it to you for your wall..."

"It's yours to do with what you want as payment for putting up with us and all this."

"Uh thanks." The warrior waited til Bethany picked up her staff to pick up the great sword. He felt the surge of magic run through his body as it had to the sisters. He hoped no one had noticed him grind his teeth to bit back a scream. It did not hurt by any means, but it was disorienting. When he opened his eyes her saw his wife staring at him, as well as Anders. "Figures magey would see that. Sooner or later I am going to have to come clean, but for now they don't need to know. Even if I was to tell them would they believe it's me or would Leelee decide to blast me?" "What are you staring at mage?"

"Nothing, just wondering what you are over compensating for with a sword that big?"

"Anders leave my husband alone or I will let him beat the stuffing out of you." Varric sighed and went to stand by Cullen.

"So Templar you have been very quiet? Everything alright?"

"Just wonderful. Fighting tainted Carta, seeing Anders turn into an abomination, and then lets not forget seeing Leigh do the same, yes dwarf I am just fine."

"You forgot to mention the fact that we are trying to find this Corypheus who may or not be a demon. This is a normal day for us."

"Sweet blood of Andraste, why did I agree to this ?"

"Sunshine asked nicely."

"Girl is lucky I love her a much as I do."

"I think it is the other way around there my friend." Cullen shook his head and laughed at Varric knowing he was right. Out if the corner of his eye Varric spied two more Carta running down the dark tunnel away from them. "Hawke over there!"

"Shit, we need to get them before they get a chance to warn anyone else. Come on." Leigh ran toward the tunnel at full speed, but skidded to a stop when she found she could not see much past twenty feet in. "Beth we need light." Bethany stepped up beside her sister and cast a look back at Anders who was staring at the floor.

"He looks scared." Leigh remembered that look from him, she had seen it years ago. It was the look he got before they were about to enter the Deep Roads.

"Love are you alright?"

"I...I can't go down there."

"I can leave Ori and Cullen here with you." He shook his head and gripped her shoulders tightly. "I have to end this Anders or they will keep coming. Even if we leave Kirkwall they might hurt one of our friends to get us to come back. I know you hate going down dark scary tunnels so stay here with your friend and Cullen."

"No, I won't let you go alone."

"Are you sure?"

"You need me, as much as I don't want to. I will be damned if you go face darkspawn by yourself."

"Well at least we know where the dwarves got the taint. Maker this is getting better and better. If it gets to be too much we will come back up alright?"

"I'm sorry love."

"For what not wanting to go down there where there are monsters? You have nothing to apologize for. Now that I know that there is darkspawn down there..."

"Makes you not want to go either."

"Well the last time we went down there we got locked in a place with demons and rock wraiths. I almost lost you and the others. Maker knows what would have happened if I had taken Bethany with us. I'm not sure she should go with us now. This adds a new element to all this."

"We'd better get this over with before I change my mind and run away screaming."

"Everyone are we ready for this?" All gave a solemn nod before plunging into the darkness.

OoO

Leigh wanted to scream when the magic barrier sealed them. She felt it just a bare second before it was to late to turn back. Now the only way out was through at least that was their hope. Anders leaned against rail and looked out at over the chasm. He saw hurlocks moving around, snarling as they went. The buzzing in his head was louder than it had been in years. The last time he had felt it like this was when they fought the Mother. Thinking about that made him want to retch over the railing. The buzzing got louder for a second and turned to a whisper. He could hear Justice trying to yell over the whisper as it got louder. The feeling of arms encircling his waist was the only thing to keep him from throwing himself into the chasm. He turned in those arms and found Leigh staring at him with concern in her eyes.

"Pash said she could feel your unease. It's worse isn't it from the last time?"

"More darkspawn. I can hear them buzzing in my head, making it hard to think straight. Once we get moving I should be alright."

"Stay close to me. I'll help in anyway I can."

"Thank you love." Varric came over to were they were standing and looked over the rail.

"And people wonder why I prefer the surface. Hawke let's make a deal that we never, ever go in the Deep Roads again."

"Deal and I am pretty sure Anders likes that deal too."

"You have no idea. I wish Raven had come with us. I guess I should do the standard warning again for those who were not with us the last time."

"That would be a good idea. I really don't want anyone getting tainted."

"Lucky me I'm already that way." Leigh frowned at Anders, but said nothing more as he turned to the others. "Do not touch the walls or try to eat or drink anything that is down here. If you are injured do not wait to tell us. Ori, Bethany and I can heal. Leigh can too in a pinch, but it is not her strong suit. You don't want any of the darkspawn blood mixing with your own. It is a sure fire way to end up with the Blight and were we are there is no way to get to the Wardens to help."

"What could the Wardens do about it if we did get the Blight?" Bethany's voice came out a bit higher pitched than normal as she clutched Cullen's hand for support.

"There is a slim chance if you contract the Blight becoming a Warden will save your life, but...it is a last resort and I would prefer not to see any of you have to go through it."

"Go through what?"

"I can't tell you that. Wardens have many secrets and that is one of them. Just don't be careless and we should be fine. We stay together no matter what. If you run off it is likely we won't find you before the darkspawn do."

"I saw the horde at Ostagar. You pray for a quick death if they catch you."

"Indeed, so now that I have given my lecture shall we go and find a way out of this blighted hole?"

"Lead the way Blondie." Anders rolled his eyes at Varric and took the lead with Leigh right by his side. The first room they came to was filled with genlocks feasting on the corpses of the Carta that led the group down here in the first place. Leigh remembered fighting them out in the Wilds when she joined the king's army. They had chased her up a tree and if not for the Wardens she would have met her end right there. The sounds of battle were deafening between the snarls and the clang of metal.

"Cullen move back!" The Templar jumped just as one of the genlocks leaped for him. He saw it crash to the ground frozen. With one quick movement Cullen slammed his sword down on the iced creature and shattered it. He nodded at Anders who had cried the warning and who had frozen the beast beofre it could make contact with the Templar. "Ori, can you shield the others?"

"Yes, what in the Makers name are you planning?"

"You don't want to know." Anders grabbed the back of Leigh's armor spinning her back to the others. Once he knew she was safe he let Justice out to finish the rest of the genlocks off. Leigh and Varric were the only two that had ever seen Justice out for a fight. The others of their group watching in fascination and horror as the spirit used both magic and brute strength to fight.

"Maker's mercy." Leigh could only give Ori a understanding look before turning her attention back to the fight. "I knew Anders had a anger streak, but that...what did they do to him?"

"They caged him when he wanted nothing more than freedom."

"It did not help that they took him away from the only person he ever loved." Leigh turned her head sharply and stared at Orianne. "Well at least until he found you."

"He said he had never been in love before...before me."

"He was, though he would never admit it. He fell for a girl when he was out on one of his escapes. When they dragged him back Anders spent a month in solitary confinement. He came out better than he had the last time they had done that too him, but he was also never the same. He never admitted it to us, but that girl left a mark on his soul that never healed."

"How long have you known him?"

"A very long time. He was one of the first people I met when I was brought to the Tower. Most mages hate the sight of Templars, I on the other hand was grateful to them for saving me from becoming a slave. I was to be sold to a Tevinter lord."

"So they saved your life."

"Yes, but I know they ruin just as many lives if not more then they save. I have seen the best and worst they have to offer, but you know that already. You and your brother saved me from Addler the night before Ostagar fell."

"I didn't think you recognized me."

"Your eyes make it hard not to. I have never met anyone with eyes like yours before or since. Your brother's eyes are blue, warm too."

"They were blue...He died Ori. When we were trying to flee Lothering." Orianne just nodded and bit her lip. "Looks like he is done. Stay here and let me make sure it is safe to go near him."

"It has been a long time since I have fought darkspawn. It feels strange not having the other Wardens here with us."

"You are a sight to watch Justice."

"I thought I could have been rusty as you mortals say. This is not a place to tread lightly."

"So I have seen."

"We will do our best to protect all of you. Anders will not forgive himself if something happens to any of you."

"Then we are in good hands with both of you protecting us."

"The others, they fear me."

"They just don't understand what we are. I know your a benevolent spirit Justice. The others will come around as long as you don't try to attack them again."

"I do apologize for that. I thought the threat was..."

"I know, you are his guardian, just as Pash is mine."

"It would have been better the other way around. You have not been treated as he has, abandoned, told he was evil and worthless. Your anger is not as burning or as deep."

"He is no longer abandoned and if I have anything to say about it he never will again. I'm trying to help him heal Justice, to show him just how much he is loved and wanted. You are also loved and wanted Justice. Your a part of him so I love you also."

"Hawke...thank you. I am fond of you as well. You have turned from a distraction to a true friend."

"I'm glad." Leigh smiled as the blue glow faded, returning Anders to her. "Who ever said mages can't fight never saw you in action."

"I had help, you my dear are the real fighter."

"Flatterer." Taking the corner of her cloak Leigh wiped the tainted blood from her lovers face so she could kiss him. Ori and the others made their way to the two so they could move on.

"Leigh come take a look at this." Bethany was standing in front of a magic barrier that housed a shade. "Why would the this be here?" Leigh grabbed her sister and pushed her back behind her when she saw a glowing orb appear beside her. The voice that boomed from the orb shocked both sisters.

"That voice it sounded like..."

"Father! He bound these demons? Why?" Leigh closed her eyes, shaking her head. She did not want to believe her father would ever have anything to do with a demon. He had always preached to both her and Bethany the evils of blood magic.

"I refuse to believe he would consort with demons. Maybe he just refortified the wards to hold them here." Bethany stayed silent and stared at the demon. "Pash is the demon secure?" "The wards are weakening and will not hold for much longer. Your father did not call this demon here of that I am sure." "I am glad to hear that. I think I will feel safer just to send that thing back to the Void now." "This demon is old Leigh, be careful. It will be a challenge." "What isn't these days?" Leigh felt where the wards were and she quickly broke them down.

"Sister what are you doing? Are you mad?"

"I will not wait for it to come and sneak up behind us. I plan on getting rid of it now." Bethany tried to stop her sister from breaking the last ward, but wasn't fast of strong enough to do so. Leigh pushed her back out of the way and took on the shade by herself. A loud curse from the bad of the room told Leigh the shade had called friends.

"Nice work Champion are you trying to get us all killed!" Leigh froze. Something in the warrior's voice sounded so familiar. With her mind in shock Leigh did not see the shade coming til it hit her. The scream that came from her lips was blood curdling as she felt the blood running down her back. The last thing she saw was the warrior slamming into the main shade making it disappear into a cloud of smoke. "Ori!"

"Bethany I need you. This is far beyond my scope to heal. Her back is shredded." Bethany got to her sister first and stifled a scream. Long ragged marks ran down Leigh's back. Leigh opened her eyes and moaned. "Just hold still Hawke." Anders and Cullen were too busy fighting the remaining shades. "Bethany help me she is losing a lot of blood."

"Just had to let that thing out didn't you?" Through gritted teeth Leigh tried to smile at her sister.

"You know I have never done anything in my life that made sense why start now." Bethany just shook her head as she healed her sister. Orianne placed her hand on Leigh's lower back and paused when her healing magic passed through her. The elf's eyes went wide and grabbed Bethany's placing it over the place she had been healing.

"Ori what in the name of the Maker..." Bethany felt what the elf had and covered her mouth before she screamed. "Oh Leigh, why didn't you tell us?"

"Tell you what?" Leigh turned her head to see the worried look on Bethany's face. "Beth what is it and I dying, what?"

"Your pregnant." Leigh sighed and buried her head in her arms. She had felt different, but thought it was just the stress of everything. More over she thought it had to do with her guilt over her transgression with Sebastian. "We need to get you out of here and I have to tell Anders."

"So he can be even more distracted than he is now. Beth I can see it, he is barely holding it together as it is."

"He has a right to know Leigh."

"You think I don't know that? I will tell him, but not right now. We need to get out of here and we need all of us on our game to do it. I let something distract me and I got hurt. Anders will try to protect me and end up getting himself killed. I won't let that happen. I can't lose him too Beth, I won't survive it."

"Fine, but if it gets worse down here I am telling him, with or without your permission." Leigh rolled off her belly to look back at her sister and smiled.

"Carver would be proud of you right now."

"Why?"

"How would he put it, oh yeah, you finally grew a pair." Bethany barked a laugh and pushed her sister back to the stomach so she could finish healing her.

"He would be proud of both of us. So would Mama and Papa. I just wish..."

"Me too. I miss them so much."

"It looks like they finished off all the shades. Your wound will be tender for a while, but it is healed. Just in time too, here comes Anders."

"Is she alright?"

"Nothing Ori and I could not handle. It will be sore for a while, but she is alright." Anders put his hand on the angry red welts on Leigh's upper back and sent a final wave of healing magic through her. He heard her content sigh before helping her off the ground.

"What made you think dismantling those wards was a good idea?"

"Pash said the wards were breaking down. I would much rather not have that thing sneak up on us so I broke the wards."

"A little bit of warning next time alright? This place has me jumpy enough without you running off and causing more problems." Leigh shot her sister a look and Bethany gave a curt nod of understanding. Leigh melted into Anders arms trying to find a little bit of comfort before they had to move out again. Finding out she was pregnant made her want to sing from the rooftops of Kirkwall, but it also scared the hell out of her. She had no idea how he would react. Would he be happy or would this send him over the edge? They had never really spoken about having children before. Leigh knew she wanted to be a mother, but her life had been to violent and complicated to do anything about it. It seemed the Maker or Fate had decided now was her time. That is if they ever found their way out of this tower. What lay ahead would truly test all of them to the breaking point and well beyond. Some things that are buried should stay buried.

Sorry this one took so long to get out. Life has been a little hectic for me this past week. I am hoping the next one does not take as long to write. Thanks again for reading. To my reviewers again you have my heart felt gratitude. I still have a ways to go and I hope you stay with me on this.

Raven