"This is much wetter than I remember the Deep Roads. Maker's breath what did the Wardens do?" Anders looked around at what they surmised was the bottom of this prison. It was filled with dwarven ruins and green glowing water, at least he thought it could be water. The place smelled foul and the taint was heavy here. He could feel the hum of the darkspwan loud and clear down here, on top of the now deafening voice of Corypheus. It was getting harder for him to stay focused. They had already ran into a group of deep stalkers and he was completely useless in that fight. He almost hit Varric with a spell instead of the creature. If Leigh had not jumped in front of it and batted it away Varric could have been hurt very badly. The dwarf to his credit did not seem to be angry with Anders, just concern.
"How many times have you trekked through the Deep Roads Blondie?"
"More times than any one ever should, but less than my fellow Wardens. There are things down here far worse than just darkspawn, like their mothers."
"Darkspawn have mothers? Wait you know what I don't want to know. I'll never sleep again."
"Good choice I know I did not sleep for weeks after seeing one." Anders shivered and rubbed his arms to fight the cold chill that he could not shake. "Remind me why we are doing this again?"
"Isn't it obvious Blondie. I love trouble and you think Hawke is cute." Anders looked up at Leigh who was trying to catch up with her brother after all these years. He smiled, even covered in dirt and grime she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
"She is pretty cute." It was just then the voice stared up again louder than ever. "I can make this endless fighting stop, just give me what I want. Free me brother, we are not so different you and I. Both wanting freedom, both wanting a world that does not vilify us. Bring me the girl, and you can have whatever you want." Anders winced, it was getting harder for him to ignore the voice and it's promises. Justice was quiet which worried him. He couldn't take it anymore as the voice persisted. "Shut up, I am not listening to you!"
"Jeez Blondie I did not know I was that annoying."
"Sorry Varric, it's not you it's this damned voice in my head."
"Justice wants out so he can make out with his spirit lady love?"
"No, just...it's nothing never mind."
"Whatever you say Blondie. So how are you feeling about Junior over there?"
"He is their brother Varric, I'm extremely happy for them. They both have lost so much, it good to see them get something back. Plus Ori loves him and she deserves to be happy after all the abuse she has taken."
"So you and her...?"
"No, Ori was a friend, nothing more. Funny thing is she swore she would never willingly be with a human. Guess we all break our own rules from time to time."
"What rule did you break Blondie?"
"I swore to never let the Templars keep a hold on me and to never fall in love. Well the Templars kept catching me and Maker help me I fell in love not once, but twice."
"Ah so there was someone before our Lady Hawke, so spill."
"Not much to tell really, she was another apostate who tried to help me get away."
"Come on Anders there is more to it than that."
"That is private Varric. Let's just say she was a lot like Leigh and leave it at that."
"You are absolutely no fun."
"I am lots of fun. Not my fault you want to know about a woman that I prefer not to talk about." Varric huffed and sped up his pace leaving Anders to bring up the rear of the group. They fought a few more pockets of darkspawn before the path started to head back up. "If you will not bring them to me of your own free will, I will force you to do it." A blinding pain shot through his head making him double over. His gasps caught everyone's attention. He felt hands on his back trying to soothe him, but the pain and the voice got more intense. "For all you have fought me you will be punished. I want her blood now. Bring your lover to me!" Anders shrank away from Leigh's touch and began to thrash about.
"Love what is it, what's wrong?" Every time she took a step toward him he stepped back.
"I...there is too much taint in my blood, I can't shut him out..."
"Who out?"
"Cory...ahhhh, help me love...I...won't be...controlled!" Carver cursed and drew his sword. Cullen followed suit and stepped in front of Bethany to protect her. Varric aimed Bianca and prayed he would not have to put a bolt into his friend. Leigh stood still with her hands up. Anders was glowing as he normally did when Justice took over, but this felt different. This was not Justice that stood before her it felt dark and cold. Glowing blue black eyes stared at her, appraising the group.
"I can't take you anywhere can I?" "Pash can you calm him down?" "It is not Justice who is in control Leigh...I...I'm not sure who it is." "Wonderful, why did I pick a man who had multiple personalities?" "He is your other half, that is why you are with him." "Maker help me your right. I just hope I can get through to him without having to hurt him." Leigh stepped forward and Anders pulled his staff to defend himself. "Love I'm not going to hurt you, just calm down. The others are going to put away their weapons too, right?"
"Sod that sister, he's gone bloody barking mad."
"Carver please your not helping, lower your sword now!" Leigh turned her full attention back to Anders. Taking another step forward she heard him growl and she stopped dead. He slammed the staff into the ground and Leigh stared in horror as two shades appeared. "Anders don't do this." He sneered at her and waved the demons forward. Leigh held up her hand halting them. Her voice echoed through the deep just like it had on the Wounded Coast when she controlled the other demons set after her. "You will obey me and leave this plane now!" The shades vanished leaving the two mages to square off against each other again.
"You are stronger than I thought."
"Whoever you are, you'd better let go of him now or so help me when I find you I will rip you apart with my bare hands."
"I doubt that." Leigh side stepped the fire ball he threw. "He seems to have a very high opinion of your abilities. He will find his faith in you was misplaced."
"You have no idea what I can do, now let him go!"
"He disobeyed me. I offered him his freedom in exchange for the blood of that girl. He could have realized his dream, now he will know what happens to those that defy me." Lightning arched out of his fingers and slammed into Leigh hard. Pash had only enough time to shield a part of Leigh from the blast. The rest of her violently spasmed as she hit the ground. Inside his head both Anders and Justice raged. "You shield part of your body with nothing vital, but leave the rest to be attacked. He was wrong about you." Leigh gritted her teeth and rose to her feet swaying, but standing.
"You said nothing vital there huh, I think what is there is pretty fucking vital. Let him go!" Another bolt hit her chest straight on. Her heart sputtered, but kept beating weakly. Her vision clouded, but she stayed on her feet. "You want to play then try this on for size." Her hand flew out in front of her and she attacked him sending a much more potent bolt of energy through him.
"She is strong, but foolish." "She'll kill me to keep you from getting free." "Not if I kill her first. She is not defending herself, only shielding a small portion of her body." Anders concentrated enough and took control back over his magic sense for a moment. It was long enough for him to see where she was shielded. If he had control over his body his heart would have stopped. "No! Leigh, Maker help me. Justice we have to...Justice please!" He could feel the spirit with him, but Justice felt far away. "We are going to lose them both if we don't work together to shake his hold. Dammit Justice help me!"
"He's fighting you isn't he?"
"He is not strong enough. I will be free and this world will remember the power I wield." Leigh let out a harsh laugh. Her body screamed for her to rest, but she was not about to lay down and let this creature take the one thing that made her life worth living. She had not wanted to use the extent of her power, since she still was not sure how strong she was. She could kill him if she let her magic go to full strength. It was not something she wanted to chance.
OoO
"What is she doing? Why doesn't she just drop him already?" Carver growled.
"She loves the man Junior, now just stay out of it." Varric dug in his pocket for a blunt tipped arrow. It would hurt like hell when it hit Anders, but do no permanent damage. Varric watched Leigh's hands waiting for the signal to fire. The two rogues had come up with a sign language the last six years that only they understood. She had signaled him to be ready and to stop Anders not kill him. "Your sister knows what she is doing."
"Maker I hope so or I am going to skin that mage alive her loving him or not."
"Carver listen to him, don't get involved." Carver saw the worried look on his wife's face was not helping his mood. "Anders is a very strong mage."
"He is a bloody healer, not exactly a scary Ori. Other than his passenger who I thought was in love with the one Leigh has, I have not seen anything spectacular from him."
"Healers no more ways to kill a person than a elemental mage ever could. They can make your organs stop working just a they can heal them. A healer mage turned blood mage can be the most fearsome foe anyone could face."
"Your not helping me love, so he could kill my sister then with a flick of his wrist?"
"Yes." Orianne voice came out a bare whisper. Varric kept his eyes on Leigh as she and Anders traded blows. He knew she was holding back, not wanting to hurt Anders if she could help it.
"Come on Hawke, stop playing cat and mouse and let me take the shot." The sight of red tendrils bursting from the ground and wrapping around the blonde man was all he needed. He unslung Bianca off his back and loaded the blunt arrow. Holding his breath he took the shot and heard the grunt of pain and a crack as it hit Anders. Leigh swayed on her feet, but remained standing. Her back was still turned toward the others, having her sole attention on the man in front of her. The tendrils tightened and a unearthly growl sounded from the blonde mage.
"That does not sound like either Anders or Justice. What is in the name of the Maker is going on?" Bethany stepped forward and stopped next to Varric who was lining up another shot with his blunt tipped bolt.
"I don't know Sunshine, but he'd better snap out of it soon or I'm with your brother on what to do about it."
"I thought you two were friends?"
"We are, but if he hurts your sister he won't be able to live with himself. I'd be doing him a favor, trust me, he and I have spoken at length about it."
"That is not good Varric."
"No, no it's not." Varric squeezed the trigger and let his next shot fly. This one struck Anders in the gut causing a low hiss to escape his lips.
"You will pay for that dwarf!"
"Yeah defiantly not Blondie's voice. Great is he double possessed. Andraste's tits!"
OoO
"You think you can stop me from becoming free girl!" Leigh twisted her hand and the tendrils tightened even more causing a moan of pain to escape her lover's lips. Seeing him like this was killing her, even though she knew it wasn't him in control at the moment. She had to concentrate even harder now that she had him in a death grip. One slip and she could crush the very life out of him. Her body was shaking from the strain of the hits she had taken as well as the focus she had to keep.
"I think when I see your sorry ass I will make you pay for this. Now let him go!"
"No." Leigh growled and blinked back tears. "You have to get Anders to fight him harder." "Tell me how, I'm trying everything I know Pash." "Pretend to be more injured than you are." Leigh thought about it for a second and knew she could fain something, but it would be dangerous if it went wrong. "Pash if I use the nightshade dart I have can you stop it's effects on the baby?" "I can, yes. You are going to make him think your heart is failing?" "That's the plan. It skipped a few beats from that first bolt he hit me with. Good thing it wasn't Justice doing it. Anders is not as strong with electricity as Justice is." Use the elfroot dart you have first to help ward off the lasting effects. You will be sleepy and your heart will slow, but the other damage will it could cause will be averted. I will protect the child." "Pash I have I told you lately that you are the best." "No, but thank you." Leigh pulled the two darts out of her leather wrist guard. She had made them easy to access without anyone knowing what she was doing til it was to late. Most people would be dead or at least paralyzed before they realized she had something in her hand. She closed her hand around elfroot dart first and felt her body get a boost. Then she let the nightshade one prick her flesh on the other hand.
"I wil...will make...you …..." Leigh's eyes rolled back up into her head and she fell forward. Her heart started to slow almost to the point of stopping. Her father had called this little concoction False Death. This trick was a gamble since now her spell that was holding Anders was not being sustained any longer. She hoped none of the others hurt Anders or worse. Once the spell broke the mage got to his feet and sneered.
"Weakling." Carver roared and unsheathed his weapon readying to charge. He froze when Anders grabbed his head and started screaming.
"We will not be controlled anymore!" Seeing Leigh drop woke Justice from what ever stupor he had been in. The combined will of both man and spirit started to unravel the emissary's hold over their body. "It is about bloody time you woke up to help!" "Now is not the time for this Anders, just fight him." "You will pay for this." "For all the pain you caused her I swear I will visit that on you ten fold, now get the fuck out of my head!" Corypheus' control shattered and Anders pitched forward. The pain from Leigh's spells made him curl into a ball since she had hit him quite a few times. Couple with the fact Varric had broken his collar bone and cracked at least one rib with his bolts Anders felt like he had been run over by a herb of brontos. He heard Bethany and Ori shouting as they worked on Leigh to heal her. Carver and Cullen just glared at Anders while Varric was checking on him.
"I...I couldn't fight him."
"I know Blondie, just stay still. The girls have got Hawke you just rest." Varric helped him drink a potion to help him heal and stayed with him. Anders didn't know if it was because he was trying to comfort him or to keep Cullen and Carver from killing him. "She'll be alright, don't you worry. Hawke is a strong woman."
"She never should have tried to fight him. Maker what was she thinking?"
"You know Hawke when it comes to you all her sense seems to fly right out the window."
"I don't know why she bothers. I am not worth her life. Ouch what was that for?" Varric smacked Anders upside the head quite hard and gave him a exacerbated look.
"You really are an idiot you know that right? She loves you to the point of insanity sometimes, but who am I to judge." Anders just sighed and closed his eyes to keep the dwarf from seeing the tears that were threatening to flow. The potion was taking effect and he felt the pain start to recede, but he dared not move from the spot he was sitting. If he did he knew one of the heavily armored men would flay him like a fish. He just listened to the women as they healed Leigh and prayed.
OoO
"I don't understand why her heart is beating so slow, we fixed the damage that was done to her. Maker what did he do to her?" Ori sat back exhausted from healing. She was perplexed.
"She should have awakened by now. Did we miss something?" Bethany ran her hand over her sister to check if there were any other injuries. She found none.
"I don't think so. I'm no where near as good a healer as Anders is, but I'm not sure letting him near her is a good idea right now."
"Me either. Carver is barely holding back that he wants to kill him. Cullen as well." Bethany took Leigh's hand and felt something hard on her palm. "What the...?" She plucked the dart out of her sisters hand and held it up to the light.
"What is that?"
"A dart of somekind, but what in the Void did she have on it?" Ori turned over her other hand and found another one imbedded in her palm this one looked dark red in color. After taking it out she handed it to Bethany. "This one smells like...shit she used nightshade."
"Nightshade why? It's a poison." Bethany shook her head and tried to figure out why her sister would want to poison herself. "Bethany I can't heal this."
"Neither can I. Leigh was the one of the family that knew how to make potions and poisons." Bethany glanced at Anders who's eyes were still closed. She stood up and pushed passed her brother and Cullen. "Anders?" His eyes opened and Bethany could have sworn he aged twenty years since they had been down here. "We...she...oh just get over here." He got to his feet quickly and headed with Bethany toward Leigh. Cullen and Carver blocked the way both with swords drawn. "Look boys, if he doesn't help her we might just lose her and it will by both your faults, now sodding move." The men parted shaked by the normally soft spoken Bethany's outburst. "It looks like she used nightshade, but I can't figure out why, unless she was going to use it on you and hit herself instead."
"Beth it still doesn't explain the other dart. It smells like elfroot. Could she have been trying to counter act the poison?" Anders ran his hand over Leigh's palm that had the nightshade dart in it. His other hand went to her stomach and he sent a small pulse of magic into her. He was sure the baby would be dead from the poison. He let out a short gasp and tears stared to flow again.
"The...baby."
"Oh Anders, I'm..." Ori placed her hand on his shoulder for comfort.
"No Ori the baby is fine. How..." He felt the strong presence of magic surrounding the child and he smiled. "Pash protected it. Wait..." He shifted his hand just slightly and felt another tiny heart. "There are two."
"She is going to have twins?" Bethany looked up at her brother and saw his face soften into a smile. Anders closed his eyes and focused on Leigh's blood and the amount of poison in it.
"Did she ever use this before?"
"Not that any of us know of. Our father was the herbalist of the family. I only learned how to make health and elfroot potions. Leigh might have learned this from her rogue trainer."
"She had a trainer? I just thought it was something people were born with. The sneaky side I mean, the other stuff yeah you need someone to teach you." Varric found this a interesting piece for his stories, that is if they ever got out of here alive.
"Yes a woman our father saved years ago. In return she taught Leigh how to be a rogue. Leigh was a quick study. Dagger play, poisons, acrobatics, you name it she could do it."
"Dad didn't call her Little Scoundrel for nothing. I still can't figure out how she can disappear into thin air when there is nowhere to hide."
"She was never fun to play hide and seek with. She always found us and we could never find her." Bethany looked down at her sister's placid face and brushed her bangs out of her eyes. "She was always right there when you needed her though. Even when you didn't want her to be."
"We will have to make camp til the poison wears off. I was able to dilute it enough so her heart is beating normal again. She needs to rest." Anders stood up and started to walk away.
"Where are you going?"
"I...I'm going to keep watch over there."
"She'll want to know your alright when she wakes up, don't you want to stay with her? One of us could keep watch."
"You can tell her I am fine Beth, I need to clear my head. If I sleep Corypheus might try to control me again and I will not put any of you in danger like that again." Without another word Anders vanished into the dark. The rest of them set up a makeshift camp. Bethany and Ori stayed close to Leigh while Carver and Cullen took positions at either end of the camp.
"Varric where are you going?"
"To find our wayward Warden and get him to come back here so Hawke can see him when she wakes up."
"That sounds like a good idea. We don't need her running out there trying to find him in the dark."
"My thoughts exactly Sunshine. I'll be back even if I have to drag him back here by his ear. Don't worry I will have him back before our lovely leader wakes up."
"Thank you Varric."
OoO
Anders stared out as his mind raced. Twins? He had never though he would have one child let alone two. Mages were not allowed to dream of having a family. His emotions were doing battle between a soaring sense of joy and a feeling of pure horror. He did not heard Varric come up behind him.
"How ya doing Blondie?"
"Go back to camp Varric. I'm not in the mood to talk."
"Then just listen. Your acting like an ass. It wasn't your fault what happened and Hawke will be fine. Every time things get hard you seem to run away. Being a father scare you that much?"
"It's not that Varric and you know it. I could have killed her today, as well as all of you. I'm not sure I am strong enough to fight both Justice and Corypheus off at the same time. Leigh risked not only her life, but the lives of our unborn children as well. If it hadn't been for the spirit she is fused with, our..."
"I know Blondie, but they are fine."
"And what happens when we finally reach the end of this and have to fight that darkspawn. You know full well she won't just stand there and let us fight him alone, not after what he did and the threats he made. Leigh is stubborn and fiercely protective of all of us."
"She is also not stupid."
"Really you call poisoning yourself not a foolish move?"
"When you put it that way...but you have done some pretty stupid things too."
"I know, and I will probably do more before this day is through."
"Let me tell you a story, but you must swear to me you will never tell another soul what I am about to convey to you."
"Alright, I swear."
"I knew this girl back in my days running with the Carta, she was much like our dear Lady Hawke. Caring, stubborn, and the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on. You've heard of Dusters I suppose?" Anders nodded and Varric continued his tale. "Bartrand forbid me from making nice with anyone below my station, not that a surface dwarf has one mind you. He was still very dwarven pride minded, while I just wanted to make a name for myself and tell stories. This girl and I got into all sorts of trouble and had a fun time getting out if it too. She always thought she wasn't worth my time or my affection. We got into a fight over her worth. She telling me she was nothing and me trying to convince her she was. Sound familiar?"
"All too much."
"Well then maybe this will help you stop wasting the time you have with her by running away. Now where was I, right the fight. She had heard rumors one of the Coterie wanted my head on a pike because of a deal gone wrong. She wanted to help and went to meet them in my place..." Anders had never seen Varric choke up about anything. It took the dwarf a few minutes to continue. "I found out too late that she was down there, when I got there she was almost gone. I got to at least tell her goodbye and that I loved her. Something I had never admitted before to anyone, not even myself."
"Varric I..."
"You know even after all these years I can still hear her humming that stupid drinking song we use to sing. Blondie I don't want either of you to end up like me. If she thinks you are worth it than dammit man act that way. Don't run away every time you think you will hurt her. Hawke is tough she can take it."
"That woman was her name..."
"Yeah, she helped that nug humper Gerav make my baby. Gerav finished her the same night Bianca died. I found it fitting to remember her this way and to make those bastards that hurt her pay. So that is the story on how Bianca got her name. I have never told anyone this. Bartrand and Gerav were the only other people who knew what happened. I like you Blondie and I love Hawke like sister so don't keep breaking her heart. Or Bianca and I will have to break your head."
"Having just been on the receiving end of some of Bianca's bolts, I really don't want to do that again."
"Well Bianca doesn't want to have to hurt you again, so let's get back to camp and be there when your lady love wakes up, what do you say?"
"I say thank you Varric, you have been a very good friend to both of us. Your going to be an uncle, you know that right? Telling them all the great stories of their mother's adventures."
"And their father's, yeah I think I am looking forward to it." Carver eyed both men as they came into view, but said nothing when Anders went to sit next to Leigh. Varric went to his bed roll to try to get some sleep before his watch. Anders sat there for a few minutes next to Leigh. He felt her body shift and her head rested on his chest. He looked down at her and saw her crystal gray eyes staring back into his amber ones.
"Your mad at me aren't you?"
"A little yes."
"I couldn't figure out any other way to get you free of him Anders."
"So you poison yourself."
"I wasn't in any danger and neither was the baby. Pash made sure of it."
"So when were you going to tell me about you being pregnant?" Leigh winced and worried her lower lip before answering him.
"I found out from Bethany and Ori healed me after that shade raked my back. I didn't want you to find out down here. I was afraid you would stop me from fighting and get yourself killed."
"Do you have so little faith in me?"
"Maker's mercy love, I have all the faith in the world in you. I just know you too well. I know you will try to protect me and get yourself killed doing that. I'm not fragile Anders, I can still fight."
"Well you are in a delicate condition now love." Leigh groaned and buried her head into the feathers of his jacket.
"Are you alright with this...I mean...
"You mean did I want to be a father? I never dreamed I could be, but yes love. I want this Leigh. I want to have the life I've heard of when you talk about your family. I want to be there for all of it."
"I was so worried you wouldn't, not with everything going on in Kirkwall and how distant we have been these last few months..."
"That has been my fault Leigh not yours. Once we are out of here we are going back to Ferelden. I have much to make up for and I will start by doing what I asked you when we were in Orlais." Leigh's head snapped up quickly and all she could do was stare wide at at Anders.
"You asked me a lot of things in Orlais love, which one do you mean?"
"You know quite well what I said."
"Oh you mean that thing you blurted out when we were in the nice inn before we got to Chateau Haine." She gave him a devilish smile and nipped at his chin. "I thought that was just said in the throws of passion."
"It was at the time, but seeing Ori with your brother and they are married why not us?"
"Because it is against Chantry law, and I'm not sure Tevinter would be a good place for us to go."
'Who said anything about Tevinter I was thinking once we get to Ferelden finding a small Chantry to get married in." Leigh sighed and lay back down on his shoulder.
"They test your blood love to make sure your not a mage before they will marry you."
"Your parents were married right? How did they do it?"
"My father had to drink down a large vial of magebane. He barely made it through the ceremony without passing out. The Revered Mother thought it was nerves since my mother was very pregnant with me."
"Following in her footsteps I see."
'Anders don't be an ass, magebane is not pleasant."
"Neither is nightshade love. I've had to drink a magebane potion before, nasty stuff, but I survived and I would down a whole barrel if that meant being able to declare my love for you in front of the Maker and all who claim to serve him."
"Did you drink it on a dare?"
"No to save my sorry skin. It helped hide me from the Templars if only for a little bit. I swear it took days for the taste to finally go away. I could barely eat the good meals..."
"The good meals what?"
"The good meals the person who was hiding me cooked. I didn't use to be this skinny you know, I once was quite meaty."
"Hmm, I can't picture that. Since I've known you I have only been able to put a little bit of meat back on your bones and Justice keeps undoing my good work."
"He knows, and he is sorry. Right now he is sorry for a lot of things like not helping me break free of Corypheus sooner. I could feel him there with me, but it was like he was chained."
"Pash and I have a theory and it isn't good. We think he might have been at one time a Somniari."
"Shit, that's not good Leigh."
"I know, that's how he was able to get to you. Dreamers can drive people mad, mage or not. We can alter the Fade and the waking world. I have no desire to do so, so my power went into fueling my spells. Pash told me that Dreamers can control others through dreams or in your case I think it was through the Taint. We can make people do what we want as long as their will is weaker than ours."
"Your not making me feel better about this Leigh. If he is that strong then we need to find a way to keep him sealed."
"My thoughts exactly, I don't fancy facing someone like that."
"Can Pash gauge how strong he is?"
"Not without having him right in front of her no, but from what I could gather he is pretty strong to do what he did to you love. Your not weak willed."
"It did take him til we got to this place to finally break me down. He was whispering to me since we set foot into the darkness. I...I should have told you."
"Yes, you should have, I would have tried to shield you from him. Dreamers can ward off other Dreamers, just for future reference."
"Alright I get it, next time I will tell you I am hearing whispers from a very old darkspawn emissary. Now that we have gotten off track for what I was asking before, not that this place is the most romantic of settings for this, but...I'd better ask it now or lose my nerve completely. Leigh Hawke will you be my wife?"
"Aren't you suppose to be down on one knee or something like that?"
"Maker woman, you really are a pain in the ass. Do you want to bloody marry me or not?" Anders hadn't figured his voice would carry so well to the others, who were not staring at the couple waiting for her answer.
"Of course I do. So yes, yes I will marry you." Leigh heard Bethany let out a joyful whoop. "There goes keeping it a secret."
"If we weren't underground I would be shouting it from the roof tops. Though I know one person who will not like this news." Leigh grimaced and shook her head,
"He has no say in it and if he tries anything so help me I will make sure he really is the last of his line."
"If he cares anything for you love, he will want you to be happy."
"I am happy, or at least I will be very happy once we can get out of this horrid place. Well since we are all awake let's get going and finish this."
"Not so fast there love, you might still have the poison in your body." Leigh arched into his touch as his hands passed over her, sending small pangs of magic as they went. He let his hands linger for a moment at her stomach. The echo of the two tiny heartbeats brought a smile to his face. Once he was sure she was fine Anders helped her up off the ground. "I don't feel anymore darkspawn about. We should be safe for now."
"It looks like this trail is heading up. Let's hope it leads to fresh air and sunshine."
"One can only hope Varric. Okay next time any of us has the bright idea of going into the Deep Roads, we all knock them senseless." Anders let out a wicked laugh and hugged Leigh from behind.
"Last three times we've come down love was following you, so you are giving us permission to knock you senseless."
"Oh right scratch that then, just stop me okay. I am now really understanding why you hate the Deep Roads so much."
"And you thought it was because I hated being in enclosed places filled with things that want to kill me."
OoO
"You know I am starting to think all Grey Wardens are quite mad sister."
"Why is that dear brother?"
"Oh I don't know, we are following one who looks like he is mostly darkspawn himself and chasing ones who want us to free this ancient emissary so he can stop the Blights." Leigh gave her brother a sideways glance and he just chuckled darkly, shaking his head. "This is all in a days work for you isn't it?'
"You have no idea." Leigh skidded to a halt when she saw the Warden Janeka stand against the wall of the room they had just entered.
"Look at you, barely able to string two thoughts together. You only made it this far because of Hawke."
"At least I did not go back on my oath and try to free him."
"Really you should listen to him Janeka, Corypheus will destroy every thing in this world if you free him. I'm surprised the Wardens were able to trap him at all."
"What would you know of darkspawn Hawke you are no Warden, even the one you have with you knows nothing."
"Hey now there is no need to be rude, I know you are playing with fire Janeka. I've faced someone like Corypheus before, just he was not as powerful. They want to taint the world make everyone like them. You can't let that happen." Anders hoped his words would make Janeka think things over, but when she spit out a spell and called a revenant and arcane horrors to finish them off, he knew it had fallen on deaf ears. "Kill the horrors first they are fueling the revenant!"
"Carver, Cullen, Larius take him down while we handle the horrors!" The two warriors charged at the armored undead creature. The four mages began casting hitting the horrors with everything they had. Varric kept an eye out just in case Janeka and her fellow Wardens tried to hit them while they were battling. "Bethany hit that one with ice!" The younger Hawke sister froze the horror and watched it shatter when Leigh sent a stone fist into it. Anders and Ori stood back to back striking at their opponents. Anders put a shield up around them while Ori hurled fire balls.
"We need to drop the last two quickly!" Anders saw the two warriors struggling to take down the revenant. Even with only two horrors healing, it was enough to keep the monster on it's feet. "Leigh ensnare them." The ground shook as thick roots broke through the ground entrapping the horrors. Leigh's hands slowly curled into fists causing the roots to start crushing them.
"Burn them!" Ori and Bethany hit both horrors with fire storms. The air filled with dying shrieks as the flames consumed them. "Anders hit that bastard with a glyph of paralysis." She saw the green energy surround revenant, but not before it hit Cullen with bone jarring hit. She heard Bethany scream as his body hit the ground. Carver let out a roar and charged full force. The high pitched whine of metal scrapping metal echoed in the room.
"Just die already, you...ugly...fucking...bastard." Each hit Carver made punctuated his words. The last hit he made had the revenant's head fly off and it's body fell heavily to the ground. "Void take you!" For good measure he spit at the creature. Bethany ran to Cullen's still form and turned him over. His breast plate had a long deep gash through it.
"Anders!" Seeing the amount of dark red blood that was pooling around the Templar did not make Anders hopeful on his survival.
"Shit, we have to get the breast plate off so I can see what I am doing. Ori I'm going to need your help. Varric get the potions and bandages out of my pack now!" The dwarf tipped the pack over dumping the contents onto the ground. Leigh and Carver worked quickly to dislodge Cullen from his armor with out moving him much. Once it was off Anders saw just how bad the injury was. "Leigh get Bethany away now!" Leigh grabbed hold of her sister before she could see the extent of the damage done to her lover.
"Why won't he let me see?"
"He needs to concentrate Beth. Cullen will be fine. Anders is the best healer in all of Thedas."
"But there is so much blood, Leigh if he dies..."
"He won't. He loves you to much to leave you behind." Bethany bit back a sob and nodded.
"Leigh go help them, I'll stay here with her."
"Thank you Carver." Leigh tried not to gasp when she saw just how badly Cullen was hurt. The long tear down his chest to his stomach was wide open. What was even more disturbing was he was awake now and his eyes found hers. They pleaded for her to stop the pain any way she could. Anders and Ori were working as fast as they could to stop the bleeding and close the wound. Leigh wasn't sure it would be enough.
"Leave him we must stop Janeka." Leigh rounded on Larius faster than he expected.
"We will not leave him you bloody bastard. I came down here with seven people I am leaving with that many to go home. Janeka can't break the seal without my blood so she can't do a thing to free Corypheus. Now unless you want that death you were so hoping for when you originally came down here, you will shut your fucking mouth and let us help him." The old Warden growled at her, but kept his mouth shut. "Will he make it Pash?" "His light is fading." "Can we help him?" "Only as a last resort. Mercy's Touch is very draining, if I help him now I might not be able to help you against Corypheus." "I can handle him and I'm not alone, the others can help me make sure he never reaches the outside world." "He will not be easy to stop. If he is like you, it might be difficult to kill him." "I have ever faith in my ability Pash and I have a few tricks up my sleeves he doesn't." "Then take us over to Cullen and I will heal him." "Thank you." "How is he?"
"Leigh we...there is too much damage. We can't fix it fast enough. I'm so sorry." Both Anders and Ori were shaking from exhaustion and Cullen was still bleeding badly.
"Let me try."
"Love your healing skills aren't strong enough. Ori and I have exhausted everything we had. There is no hope."
"There is always hope." Leigh knelt down next to Cullen and took his hand. Anders caught the red glow in her eyes and the voice was not just hers it was Pash's as well.
"I...I'm going...to die...aren't I?"
"Not today Cullen, not down here." Her skin cracked and glowed giving the room a warm light. She heard the murmurs of the others, but did not pay them any mind. The warm pulse of magic flowed through her to Cullen's broken body.
"Holy Maker, how...?"
"Mercy's Touch, the spirit that resides in her is a powerful healer Ori. I forgot she can do this since she is not a healer herself."
"I've never seen anything like it. His wound is...it's closing so quickly."
"She did the same for me when I was trampled by two ogres. As long as there is still a spark of life in the body she can heal it. It is a gift from the Maker himself. Pash is unlike any spirit I have ever encountered."
"Your spirit seems to hold her in high regard."
"He loves her. That is the highest regard anyone can get." The glow faded in the room and Leigh sat back trying to catch her breath. The power needed to heal Cullen had drained both her and Pash. Bethany took a few tentative steps forward when she saw Cullen sit up on his own.
"Sweet blood of Andraste how did you do that?"
"It wasn't me, thank Pash."
"Why would she heal me? Aren't I the enemy, being a Templar?"
"Cullen you have never been the enemy. She actually liked you when you and I were younger. She said there was a light of purity in you, a true sense of the Maker. She protects those she deems worthy of mercy and grace. You my dear friend fit that to a T."
"I am extremely grateful."
"She says you are very welcome. Just don't go charging into anymore swords til we can get you a better breast plate. I don't think she or I have it in us to do that trick again anytime soon."
"This coming from the woman who got impaled by a Qunari blade."
"You know it is not nice to piss off the person who just wove your guts back together."
"Technically you didn't remember."
"Why is ever man in my life a smart ass?" Anders wrapped his arms around her and laughed in her ear.
"Because you are my love."
"You know you are the worst of them right?"
"Yes, love I know, but you were the one who wanted me in your life so you only have yourself to blame."
"No one ever stated I was sane and when I get my hands on that bitch Janeka she'll have wished she'd never been born." Anders knew that look in her eyes, he had seen it only a few times before, but he knew she meant those words. Janeka had hurt someone Leigh cared about and that was unforgivable in her eyes. He wondered if she had that same look the night she took her vengeance on the Templars that hurt her father. He tightened his grip around her waist a little placing his hands over her still firm belly. Anders was never one for praying, but now he found himself pleading with the Maker to see them all out of this safely. Fate had given him a reason to keep living if only to see the faces of his children and share a life with their mother. At this point he did not care if he was able to free the mages of Thedas, as long as he was free it was all that mattered.
Sorry this one took so long the new DLC sucked me in and would not let go. As always I thank you all for reading. I am far from done with this story so I hope you all stay with me and continue to enjoy.
Raven