Varric was yelling, but Leigh had her attention on Janeka. Her blood boiled with rage at the Warden mage. A small part of her knew the woman was enthralled by Corypheus, but it did not stop her from wanting the Warden dead. No one hurt her family and got away with it. Cullen listened to Leigh's orders and hung back out of the fight since his armor was all but useless from the Revenant's blow. Bethany stood behind him casting heal spells. Ori and Carver worked together to defeat their foes. She would freeze them and he would shatter them. Anders stayed close to Leigh making sure no one touched her. She was still not at full strength from the nightshade she had used on herself. Her movements were slowed considerably. Larius was being covered by Varric while he fought his fellows. Leigh had chosen to stand with him even after hearing what he had done to her father. Making sure Corypheus stayed bound was more important than taking any kind of action against the man who threatened her mother's life years ago.

"I just need your blood Hawke I don't care how I get it."

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I like my blood where it is." Leigh threw out her hands and hit Janeka with a spirit bolt. The older woman screamed and fell to her knees. "Not nice to be on the receiving end is it?"

"Your a fool. He could stop the Blights, bring peace to Thedas."

"Darkspawn don't want peace they want to corrupt the world. Make us all like them. I prefer to not be made into a monster." Janeka tried to get to her feet, but Leigh rushed at her and sliced her throat clean to the bone. "I will not let him get free." Her body shook from fatigue and anger as she watched the life's blood drain from the woman. The sounds of battle died away, leaving a eerie quiet. The binding spells were still up, but only just.

"Everyone still in one piece?"

"I think so Varric." Leigh turned to Larius who was staring at seal in the middle of the room. He sighed and looked up at Leigh.

"You have to break the binding spells."

"If I do that he will get free. I thought you wanted him to stay put?"

"I do, but to get you here you have to break the binding seals to get out of here. You will have to fight him." Anders stepped forward and snarled at the Warden.

"Why, can't you just re-bind the seals?"

"They have never been broken before only reenforced. He could free himself before we could get them made again. You said you faced one like him before, you know how dangerous they are."

"I do, but we are in no condition to fight him. Most of us are exhausted!"

"And he is not at full strength, you can beat him."

"No! I will not risk it!" Leigh placed a hand on Anders' arm to calm him seeing Justice trying to take control. The blue glow just got brighter and Larius backed up.

"Love, please stop. We don't have a choice. He can't be unleashed on the world. Both you and Justice know this."

"We will not let you fight him." Justice took Leigh's hand and stared into her eyes. His expression was pained. "We can not lose you."

"I know, but this is bigger than me or Pash, Justice. He has to be dealt with now before he destroys all we hold dear."

"He is too dangerous for you to fight not when your..." Leigh's finger silenced the spirit.

"If we don't stop him now there won't be a safe place to raise them."

"Then we will stand with you and protect you."

"I would not have it any other way." Blue eyes shifted back to amber brown. Anders leaned his forehead against hers and sighed.

"Maker your stubborn."

"I'm not going to change love." He nodded and kissed her brow. "Larius how do we break the binding spells?"

"Each statue has a chalice with a rune ward on it. Dispel the ward and it will break the binding. Then you have to use your blood to free him."

"Leigh, you and Bethany break the wards, I will be the one to give my blood. I'm not mage so it won't effect me like it would you two." Carver stepped forward with a look of determination.

"Go stand near the seal then, but don't do anything before I tell you to. I want to be right up on this bastard when he comes out. If we are lucky we can finish him off quickly."

"Whatever you say sister just hurry it up. I would like to go home sometime soon, like in the next decade."

"You know I really missed my sarcastic little brother so much."

"You did and you know it."

"More than you will even know Carver. Just be ready." He nodded and stepped over to the seal. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears. He watched his sisters as they worked their magic to undo the wards. It was strange to see how much they had changed, yet stayed the same. Bethany was much stronger than she had been since he had last seen her, but she was still just as caring. Leigh if possible was much more a protector of her friends and family. A small sense of pride ran through him at this though. As much as he and Leigh butted heads when they were younger he knew his sister would prevail against anything thrown her way. Their father would have been proud of all of them. He felt the last ward drop and the turned to see Leigh standing right next to him. She still could sneak up on him. "Ready?"

"No, but let's get this over with."

"I'm right here behind you." He nodded and smiled before stepping up to the seal. He took out his work dagger and brought it to his forearm. He paused for a second and looked back at his older sister. She nodded at him telling him it would be alright. He took a deep breath and let the dagger drag across his skin. His face twisted into a grimace, but he dug the dagger deeper to bring forth his blood. The stream of crimson ran down the side of his arm and hit the seal. A bright light formed in the middle of the seal and Carver could have sworn he heard someone whisper for him to put the sword into the light. His hands shook as he took the sword off his back and placed it in the stream of light. At first nothing happened, but then he felt his body get knocked back and fly through the air. He barely missed crashing into his sister who was coming up to his side. He landed over ten feet away with a loud clang, his sword landed just with in his reach. When he looked up at the seal his blood ran cold. Rising from the seal came a form more monster than man. He scrambled to his feet and pushed his sister behind him.

"Be these dwarven lands, why their roads seem so empty?" Leigh shared a look with Anders who shrugged his shoulders. "You there are you in the service of Dumat? If so take me to the first acolyte, I wish to speak with him."

"He seems a bit confused."

"He has slept this whole time. He does not know how much time has passed."

"Then how did he know to control Anders and how does he know about us?"

"He can hear things through the Taint, but it is a surface knowledge nothing more. He does not know names or places."

"Wonderful." Leigh stepped around her brother to confront the emissary. Corypheus stared at her with black hateful eyes. He could feel the power rolling off her as she could feel his.

"Are you a magister?"

"No."

"Yet you have followers. Tell me this why have you come here?"

"I came to stop you."

"You have no chance. I am a high priest to Dumat. He promised us the light. We went and sot it out, but it has been nothing but darkness and corruption even since."

"The light?"

"He promised us power and the golden light. We marched on the city, but were turned back. Cursed to the darkness ever since."

"He is referring to the attack on the Maker's Golden City. He and his fellow mages marched to dethrone the Maker at Dumat's behest. They were stop just shy of the gates by the spirits. Dozens of spirits lost their lives. In the end only eight of us remained and most of us were gravely injured. The Maker took pity on us and banished him and his followers. Cursing them for their pride and lust for power. Thus the darkspawn were born. A reminder of what too much power can do. Corypheus was like you gifted, but he lacked the patients or the control you have."

"You are what held me here, I can smell the blood in you."

"And I can see you have not changed since you decided to march on the Maker's city."

"The city was ours. The Maker had turned his back on us. Dumat gave us hope and purpose."

"You were duped." A vicious snarl came from the ancient mage. "Don't growl at me, I didn't make you choose to waste you life. You chose to do that. I'm just here to make sure you don't go any further than this."

"You are weak and know nothing of true power."

"I don't want power. I am nothing like you."

"Oh but you are."

"I will never do what you did."

"If you will not help me leave this place, I will go through you to leave."

"You can try." Leigh backed up motioning to the others to do the same. She felt Anders hand on her back keeping to his and Justice's word that he would stay right beside her. "Scatter!"

"I will brook no rival mortal." He rose up higher in the air and blasted them all with a spirit bolt. Anders jumped in front of Leigh taking the hit meant for her. He fell to his knees and tried to heal himself. "You, you are the one who fail me. You will be the first to die." The emissary pointed his long boney finger at the blonde mage and sent a strong spell toward him. Leigh rushed forward and batted away the spell.

"Leave him alone! I will rip you apart if you do that again!" Corypheus just laughed and set his sights on one of her other companions. With his focus on someone else Leigh hit him hard with a stonefist knocking him to the ground. "You fight me bastard! Carver get Anders and the others under cover now!" Her brother ran forward and hauled Anders to his feet, pulling him back to one of the griffon statues that marked the four corners of the room.

"Sister run!" Leigh shook her head and kept her eyes on the darkspawn. She was not about to back down now.

"You would stand alone against me? You have no chance to win." Leigh unsheathed her daggers and twirled them in her fingers.

"You will find I am full of surprises. Now shut up and fight!" She ran at him stopping just short of meeting him face to face. She vanished in a puff of smoke leaving Corypheus confused.

"You run like frightened mouse. Coward!" He did not hear her behind him, but felt the strike of her blades in his sides. He hissed and swatted at her. Leigh back flipped just out of his reach. "Tricky are we?"

"You'll find out." She disappeared again this time she joined her friends to make sure they were alright. "Love?"

"I'm fine, he blocked the way out we're trapped."

"Shit, where is Larius?"

"He got caught outside of the barrier."

"Just fucking great."

"I'll draw his attention from you so you can get him."

"I don't think so. He'll make mince meat out of you. I'm not willing to let that happen."

"You can't fight him alone. I will not lose you or our children."

"Hide all you like mortal, I will find you!" Leigh peered around the wall and saw Corypheus raise his hands toward the sky. "Dumat grant me your power!" A beam of fire jumped from one of the griffon statues and was absorbed through his hands. "Let the fire consume you!"

"Son of a bitch..." A jet of flame shot from either hand as he spun in place. It reached the far wall of the room and moved along. One jet was dangerously close to where they were hiding. Leigh jumped up and threw a shield spell over her companions. "Stay in the orb!" With that she ran out of hiding just ahead of the fire. She skirted into one of the other alcoves and saw the statue pulsing. She touched where the wards had been and she felt the power of rock and earth surge through her. "Use the power to combat him." "I need ice for that to work." "It is back were your companions are hiding." "Figures." She waited for the next jet of fire to pass to run to the next alcove. Each time she touched the power fount it weakened his fire. She did this two more times to get to the ice fount. "Alright new plan everyone touch the statue and gain the power of ice. We will hit him all together." Anders jumped to his feet and took her hand. They touched it together drawing the power it possessed. The others did the same.

"Bianca is not sure she likes being covered in ice."

"Well it is that or being burned to a crisp Varric."

"Point taken, Hawke you and Blondie break one way we will go the other."

'Just watch the flames." She timed it and yelled. "GO!" Leigh and her companions scattered. Cullen used his shield to cover Bethany from the flames. Varric let off a hail of arrows at the darkspawn. Carver tried to find an opening to strike while his wife cast ice spells at the creature. Leigh and Anders ran hand in hand to the far side of the room. "He is weakening."

"We have to take him down now." Leigh nodded and let her magic mingle with that of her love's. Anders gasped at the feeling. He felt like the power was going to cause him to burst.

"Don't fight it, let it strengthen your magic." He closed his eyes and concentrated once he was sure he could handle the power he nodded. "Ready?"

"Yes." He held out the hand that was not entwined with her and let loose a ball of ice that hit the darkspawn square in the face. "Take that you bastard!" Leigh smiled and threw her own spell catching Corypheus in the shoulder.

"Perhaps a little something more." The darkspawn blinked out of sight and appeared right behind the lovers.

"Watch out!" Anders pushed Leigh out of the way before she was hit from behind. "Leave her alone you son of a bitch!" Justice fueled Anders spells now that he was not longer in touching contact with Leigh. He snarled at the twisted mage and charged. His staff cracked against his foes face sending him reeling to the ground. Before he could hit again Corypheus again the monster vanished only to reappear back in the middle of the room his hands raised to the sky again. "He's at it again!"

"I'm really getting tired of this." The ground under their feet began to shake. Suddenly rocks started jutting up from the ground creating a maze around the room.

"Oh, that's not nice." Varric and the others had made their way back to Leigh's side. "If he pulls a dragon out of his ass I'm leaving."

"How do we get through that?" Again Corypheus began to spin, fire still coming from his hands. Carver cursed loudly. "Bloody hell, how...we can't win this!"

"Yes we can!"

"How Leigh? He keeps drawing power from those statues."

"So can we, now stay here under cover and I will be back. Be ready." Leigh vanished again through the maze of rock.

"Maker I really hate when she does that." Bethany put her hand on her brother's arm. Her face was a mask of worry. "I guess she hasn't changed at all, huh?"

"No if anything she has gotten worse." Carver sighed.

"Can anyone see where she is?" They all shook their heads to Cullen's question. They could only tell where she had been by the flashes in the alcoves. "I see her!" Leigh had jumped up on one of the rock formations so she could face the darkspawn again.

"She's a bloody sitting duck out there. What is she thinking?" Varric turned around to see if Anders was hyperventilating and found he was missing.

"We have another problem. Blondie's gone."

"Balls! Leave it to my sister to pick a man with no sense in his head."

"Blondie has sense, just isn't very stealthy. He is trying to get ugly's attention off your sister so she can kick his ass." A strong bolt of lightning hit the darkspawn square in the chest. It came from the opposite direction Leigh was standing. Corypheus turned to face his attacker only to be pummeled by stonefist after stonefist from Leigh. With his attention divided Ori and Bethany took the opportunity to throw their own spells at the creature. Varric leveled Bianca and took a few shots as well. "Andraste's tits when is he going to drop!"

"Keep shooting he can't take hits like this forever."

"Easy for you to say Junior your just sitting here watching us do all the work."

"If I could get the to bastard I would cut his bloody head off, but it is hard, since he floats." Varric gave a chuckle and kept shooting.

"I will crush you all!" Leigh could hear the fear in Corypheus' voice.

"Not if we crush you first!" Again he vanished and set himself behind Anders.

"She will hear your dying screams." He loomed over the blonde mage who had nowhere to go. Anders readied himself for a hit that never came. The clang of metal hitting off the darkspawn's back as Cullen slammed him with his shield. The Templar followed it with his sword leaving a nasty gash on the emissary's chest. With a hiss Corypheus floated back to the seal in the center of the room.

"Thanks."

"Not all Templars are prigs Anders."

"I never said they were, just most of them." Cullen sighed and pushed Anders forward with his shield. The group could only watch as he sucked power out of the last two statues. "Maker this is not going to be good.

"You are strong, but not strong enough. This ends now!" The wind outside of the howled and a storm kicked up. "What in the Void is he doing?" Leigh felt the power surge before all hell broke loose. She had just enough time to put a barrier up between her friends and the onslaught that Corypheus unleashed. The rock maze became a death trap. Electricity arched through the rock making it nearly impossible to get through. Ice shards fell from the sky trying to impale anyone they fell on and the fire he had shooting from fingers became larger and longer. The storm that surrounded the tower was what was worrying Leigh.

"Shit, shit, shit, shit! He is trying to shatter part of the Veil!"

"That's impossible!"

"No really it's not, just bloody hard to do. If we don't stop him we are all going to get sucked into the Fade."

"So what we battle him there and come back to our bodies when we win." Leigh shot Varric a look and shook her head.

"If that happens Varric we will be dead. Justice and Pash might survive it, but we won't. I have to stop him. Once the Veil shatters there will be no stopping demons from taking over Thedas. The hole will get larger and larger til there is nothing left." This is one of the only few times Leigh has ever seen her dwarven friend speechless. It did not do much for her confidence.

"Going out there is suicide love, I won't..."

"Can you close tears in the Veil?" Anders shook his head and looked down at the ground. "Keep hitting him, distract him. I have to call in a favor."

"Wait, what?" Leigh kept the barrier up to protect them, but ran out of it into the maze. She found a quiet corner in which to do what she had to do. She found a small rip in the fabric of reality already forming, threatening to break wide open.

"Alright Pash this is your game, you call them." "Be ready." "I really don't have much choice, do I?" "No, we don't" Leigh raised her hands to the tear and sent out a pulse of pure light into it. "Maker let this work."

OoO

"Do you feel that?"

"Feel what Blondie?"

"It feels like..." Anders pitched forward to his knees. He let out a ear piercing scream and fell limp to the ground. Ori fell to the ground and flipped him over checking to see if he was breathing.

"Anders! Anders, wake up. You have to wake up!" Carver caught a glint out of the corner of his eye and wheeled around sword at the ready.

"Holy Maker what are you?"

"I am Justice." Standing in front of them was a silvery well armored spirit. His eyes glowed blue just like Anders' did when Justice took over. "He will be alright once the Veil is closed. Guard him."

"I thought you were one person?"

"We are Varric. It is the call of others I must heed and his body will not survive if it goes out there."

"Others, what others?" Justice pointed out into the room. It was hard to see with all the lightning and the ice, but the silver forms were unmistakable. "Holy Shit!"

"This is a battle we have fought before, but this time we have help." Justice turned and walked toward the center seal. Four other spirits fell in step with him. Two were well armored and the other two were in robes. "We are to keep the Veil from tearing apart. Compassion and Hawke will deal with the magister."

"Hope protect the mortals." The young looking spirit nodded her head and went to stand next to Leigh's friends. She weaved a spell through her hands and set a barrier far stronger than the one that Leigh put in place.

"Stay in the bubble, you will be safe." Her voice was light and airy, that of a adolescent, not a woman.

'What about my sister? She can't survive out there." Hope gave Bethany a reassuring smile and patted her arm. Bethany could feel the spark of energy in that touch.

"She is well protected." A groan from behind them told that Anders was waking up.

"Maker, what happened, my head feels like Carver split it in two?" He stood up and saw the spirit standing next to Bethany. "Who...?"

"I am called Hope." Anders called out to Justice in his mind and found he was not answering. "He is not there to answer you."

"What do you mean he is not there?" Hope pointed out into the room and Anders gaze followed her finger to a figure he remembered from years ago. The spirit's helmet was missing, but he knew it was Justice. "How? We were joined, there is no undoing that."

"It is not undone. The tears in the Veil has made this place equal part Fade and reality. Here he and you can be separate."

"Where is Leigh?"

"She is out there with the others, they will protect her. Though I doubt she needs to be. She is strong." Anders tried to push passed the spirit to get out into the room, but her firm hand held him back. "You will not be helping if you go out there. Justice and Compassion are with her, she will be fine."

"Did she bring you all here?"

"Yes and no, we heeded the call of our sister. This battle is one we know well."

"I don't understand?"

"We have faced him before."

"This I have to hear." Varric stepped up next to Anders and the spirit, curious about the story.

"He marched on the home of our father. We were the only thing stand between them and the gate. Dozens of us...did not survive. In the end eight of us were left standing, but...our sister was gravely injured. She succumb to her injuries shortly after they were banished from the Fade. Compassion took it the worst of us."

"They were friends?"

"Sisters, mortal born turned spirits. Twins to be exact, at least that is what we were told."

"So both were spirits of Compassion?"

"No the other sister was a spirit of Courage." Realization hit Anders from what he had read on those old scrolls Ashlyn had given him. One sister a mage, the other a Templar. Both warriors in their own rights, but on different sides til one talked sense into the other.

"Pash was the mage sibling and her sister the Templar."

"Yes, I am surprised she told you what she is, she is not one to talk about it."

"She didn't a friend of mine found the account of their tale and had it translated back into common. She found them in the Temple of Andraste."

"The last resting place, I see. Your friend must have been worthy indeed to find that place and survive it."

"She is one of a kind." Anders felt a low buzzing in his head and threw up mental wall to keep the darkspawn out. He would not be controlled again. "I will make sure she is safe Anders." "Justice?" "Yes, my friend. We are still connected." "You sound different." "I am free of your anger and fear if only for a little while. Even if it isn't always present I can feel it." "I..." "We will have to work on controlling it."

"He is talking to you, yes?"

"Yes."

"You are worried."

"Of course I am worried, the woman I love is out there fighting that thing. It is bad enough her own life is in jeopardy, but also the lives of our unborn children too."

"She would not be out there if it was not important to stop him. His mind has become twisted with sin and pride. He thinks himself a god, a ruler of man. Hawke is more than a match for him."

"I hope your right."

OoO

"Courage, Leigh he can not harm you." Corypheus tried unsuccessfully again and again to break pass the barrier wall the spirits had put around Leigh, Justice and Pash. The three stood shoulder to shoulder waiting for him to tire enough to finish him off. Leigh flinched with ever bombardment on the glowing shield.

"He looks pissed."

"He is afraid."

"Oh good it's not just me then." Pash chuckled darkly and Justice shook his head.

"You can defeat him."

"What are the others doing?"

"Sealing the tears save one so they can return home. Justice and I will go back into you and Anders when it is done."

"Guess there is not way to change spirits is there?"

"You mean I go with Anders and Justice with you?" Leigh nodded, but never took her eyes off the livid magister in front of them. "I wish it were so, but it must stay the way it is."

"Just wanted to check, though having a man's voice inside my head would take getting use to. No offense Justice."

"None taken." Seeing his face was strange to Leigh. She had only ever seen him with a helmet on or with Anders' face. He was not what she was expecting. "Ah he is tiring finally. We should get ready."

"Leigh when the barrier drops hit him with your best shot. He will be expecting magic, use your daggers. He is not immortal." "Got it."

"NOW!" Justice and Pash dropped the shield around them. Leigh felt the absence of reality when it fell and had to take a second to get her barrings. Corypheus threw a fire ball at her and she back flipped over it. She heard Anders scream for her to watch out as the darkspawn tried casting again. With the grace of a master duelist Leigh spun in the air and struck her opponent across the chest with both daggers. Corypheus fell to his knees and watched his blood wash over his hands.

"Time for you to die." He snarled at Leigh and lunged for her. She was ready for him and imbedded her dagger in his skull. The blood that arched from the wound was deflected by Justice's shield.

"Best not to let it touch you."

"No arguments here." With his death the room returned to normal. The rock formations crumbled to dust and the storm left as quickly as it came. All that remained were the spirits that had been called by Pash. Leigh saw only one tear left in the Veil where the others were gathering. She willed her feet to move so she could join her friends. All her adrenaline was gone, leaving her shaky and exhausted. She felt Pash and Justice take her arms and put them over their shoulders to help her along. She saw Hope standing next to Anders smiling back at her. She gave a weak smile and let her eyes close for a moment. The feeling of a warm embrace made her eyes open.

"Love are you alright, are you hurt anywhere?"

"No just bloody tired." She nuzzled his neck and wanted nothing more than to fall asleep right there.

"You have to close this behind us before you rest Hawke." Leigh groaned at the spirit of Fortitude. "You are the only one that can."

"Alright, alright no rest for the weary I get it. Maker I don't remember you all being so pushy."

"You were not normally this exhausted when we would see you in the Fade and you were a lot younger."

"Is it bad for a spirit to call you old?"

"You are not old Hawke, just older than the last time we saw you."

"Hmm..." Anders had to hold her up so she could stand.

"She needs rest."

"We are leaving soon." Hope turned to Pash and Justice and embraced them both. "It is good to see you both again."

"And you."

"Hope we must leave the air here is thinning. Our time is up."

"Maker guide you both."

"Maker guide us all." The four spirits went through the tear and Leigh waved her hand to close it. Pash and Justice faded back into their hosts.

"Well that went smoothly."

"Varric I am way too tired to smack you right now."

"It is never boring around you Hawke, you can smack me later."

"Count on it."

OoO

The journey back to Kirkwall was uneventful much to everyone's relief. The Hawke siblings spent the time catching up and hearing stories of the others exploits. Leigh was happy to see that time had tempered her hotheaded younger brother. She wished her mother was alive to see him walk through the door of the estate, but she wasn't. At least Aveline would be surprised. When the gates of the city came into view Leigh stopped dead in the road. Bethany noticed and went back to her sister.

"Sister what's wrong?"

"It's nothing Beth, just...how can it look so peaceful from here, yet be so...oppressive within."

"Everything looks quiet from far away."

"I guess I am a little scared to leave it. I'm stalling, part of me wants to stay , but I can't. There is so much pain here, so much violence."

"You have helped so many people being here. It would have been much worse without you."

"But do I want to raise a family here?"

"You kinda already did." Leigh raised a eyebrow at the younger woman. "All of your friends are your family. You have helped all of them grow beyond what they were when we met them."

"Your right. I would not be where I am without them."

"And them where they are without you. I might have been taken to the Circle, but I learned so much and found Cullen. I was meant to be there."

"I just wish it hadn't been..."

"It is what it is Leigh. I am heading back home and will be mostly free. I have you to thank for that."

"What are big sisters for?"

"Come on last one to the gates buys."

"That's not fair I can't drink remember."

"You can have cider or are you scared I will beat you?"

"Your on little sister. One, two, three, GO!" Both women blurred passed the rest of the group trying to beat the other to the gate. Bethany had a strong lead, but could not keep up the pace. "Come on Beth, I know you can do better than that!"

"I'm a mage dammit we don't run!"

"Your the one who challenged me so pick it up and mages do run just ask Anders."

"He doesn't count." Leigh slowed her pace to that of her sister's and they both reached the gates at the same time. "You could have just beat me you know."

"It was much more fun running along side of you. Last time we did any sort of running together was with the Red Iron."

"Your right, Maker that seems like a life time ago. Now look at us, you are a noble, and me going to be a court mage. Not bad for two girls from Lothering." Once the group reached Hightown Varric bid his goodbyes for the day and went back to Lowtown to sleep. Leigh invited the rest to come stay with her and Anders at least for the night.

"My Lady, it is good to have you home."

"It is good to be home Bohdan. Please have Orana make up the two guest rooms. My sister and my brother will be staying the night, as well as their significant others."

"Of course messere, tell them to leave their soiled clothes outside the door, we will get them washed."

"It would be better to burn them. This is darkspawn blood. Bethany and Ori can borough some of my clothes, but Carver and Cullen...we will have to buy something for them."

"I will go out right away and do that for you. Ah, before I forget there is someone waiting for you in your study."

"Thanks, I will go see them. Take what ever coin you need from the desk." The dwarf bowed and went on his way. Leigh did not want visitors, but this person was already in her home, it would be rude to kick them out. She was not prepared for who she saw sitting at the desk. Queen Ashlyn Therin in all her regal glory. It surprised Leigh she did not see guards surrounding this woman.

"Your Majesty, what brings you back to Kirkwall?" Ashlyn gave Leigh an amused smile before answering.

"When the young mage and her Templar guard did not arrive at the palace I was worried Meredith went back on her word. I came to make sure she did not."

"I am sorry for making you come all the way our her Your Majesty. We had a complication. My sister was kidnapped..."

"I was informed by Warden Commander Raven what happened. I am glad to see you are all alive and well."

"Thank you."

"Ser Hawke, you are welcome to stay on the royal ship tonight if you wish."

"If I may Your Majesty I would like to stay here. My sisters and I have much catching up to do."

"Your sisters...ah, then you may stay here. The ship you came on will be ready to leave in three days. I will let you all rest."

"Queen Therin?"

"Yes,...Andrew is it?"

"Anders, Your Majesty. I was hoping to talk to you about a matter in private."

"Can it keep til morning?"

"Yes, my lady it can."

"I will meet you at the Lothering Rose then to talk in the morning." Leigh saw something she had never seen before, Anders giving a correct and honorable bow to an authoritative figure. Carver went and escorted the Queen out to where she was staying the night. He returned and hour later to new clothes and a nice steamy bath.

OoO

"The one bad thing about baths is they get cold too fast." She heard Anders give an amused sound from behind her as the both soaked their aches away in the tub.

"I could warm it up if you want?"

"Maker yes, please do." She felt the warmth flow from his hands into the water and steam started roiling off the surface. "Have to teach me that trick."

"Sure then you can go on and have baths without me."

"Never love, I enjoy having you scrub my back too much."

"And here I thought you just enjoyed my company." Leigh turned in his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck her expression was one of pure love.

"I have always enjoyed you company, and hope to enjoy it for many years to come. We have a lot to do in the next eight months to ready for these little ones."

"I still can't believe it. It is nearly impossible for Wardens to have children."

"Nathaniel and his wife had one, so did King Alistair and his wife. He was a Warden am I right?"

"Yes, I guess I just was never planning on having a family. It is odd...good, but odd."

"Are you happy?"

"I am as long as I have you." His hands slipped down her sides to her stomach and rested there. "And them. You gave me something to live for and they give me something to look forward to."

"You do know I am going to be as big as a house by the end of this right?"

"Just more of you to love." Leigh went to smack his arm, but Anders caught her hand. "Hey none of that." She leaned into closer and kissed him sweetly, pulling his lower lip out slowly between her teeth. Anders could not help the groan that escaped him.

"How bout some of this?"

"I can always go for that." He looked down at his hands and sighed. "Well we are quite pruned love. I think it is time to get out of the water."

"Your right, I just want to sink under the covers and sleep for a week." Leigh threw on her house robe and Anders dressed in a light weight shirt and cut off trousers. As they settled into bed a question came to Leigh's mind. "What did you want to talk to the Queen for?"

"I need to talk to her and Raven about me coming back to Ferelden. I still wanted for murder by the Templars there, remember?"

"So if we go back...?

"If I am caught I might just be hung. We might have to hide within the Warden ranks for a while."

"If she says you can't we will go somewhere else. It is not worth going back if they will be hunting you."

"We don't have to think about it now love, sleep. I will go talk to them in the morning, it will be alright." Leigh cuddled close to him before falling fast asleep. Anders pressed his lips to her temple and joined her in the Fade to dream.

OoO

The next morning Leigh woke to a loud commotion coming from downstairs. She reached over to wake Anders and found he was not in bed. Quickly she threw on some clothes and headed toward the noise. She could hear Tovis barking viciously at who ever was down there. Taking her daggers with her she crept to the railing of the stairs. The scene in front of her would have been comical is not for the fact her brother had Sebastian up against a wall by his neck. She saw Anders run in and tackle Fenris to stop him from hurting Carver.

"Fenris, stop!" Anders then turned to his future brother in law and yelled. "Carver for Maker's sake put him down now!"

"Why? He was sneaking in here like a thief." Leigh took this opportunity to show herself and talk down her brother.

"Carver put him down this instant!"

"Friend of yours?"

"Yes he is my friend please put him down." Carver lowered Sebastian so his feet could touch the ground, but he did not let him move away from the wall.

"Why was he sneaking in here then?"

"I wasn't sneaking, I knocked and no one answered. I found the door unlocked so I wanted to check to see if Bohdan and the others were alright."

"A likely story." Leigh rolled her eyes at her brother before pulling him away from Sebastian. She forgot just how strong her little brother could be. Sebastian had a nasty looking hand shaped red mark on his neck, but was otherwise unharmed. Leigh caught sight of Bethany and Cullen holding on to Tovis's collar to stop him from entering the fray. The hound was still straining to get at the Chantry brother and growling the whole time.

"Tovis upstairs now!" Leigh pointed and the hound slinked up the stairs with his head hung. "Maker's breath!" Orana walked in the door followed by Sandal and his father.

"Mistress is everything alright?"

"It is fine Orana. Can you please make breakfast for all of us? I am sure the rest of the crew will be showing up sooner or later."

"Yes, mistress right away." Leigh turned her attention back to her friends and her brother.

"Carver this is Sebastian Vael, formally Brother Vael of the Kirkwall Chantry and heir to Starkhaven's throne." She heard her brother curse softly under his breath and she could not help but give a small chuckle. "Sebastian this is Carver Hawke, Captain of the army in Highever and my younger brother."

"Your brother?"

"It seems his rather thick head saved him from being pummeled by an ogre."

"Thanks, Leelee, love you too."

"He was found by a few mages that survive Ostagar and nursed back to health."

"The Maker smiled on him that day."

Yes he did and on me and Bethany. I just wish..." Carver wrapped and arm around Leigh and gave her a light squeeze.

"I told you it was not your fault, I'm here now and that is all that matters. As for mother not being here, you could not have controlled that either. You take too much on your shoulders."

"Who are you and what have you done with my sour, surly brother?"

"I grew up sister. Plus I have a wife who would kick my ass if I stayed bitter." Ori just nodded and grinned.

"He's right I would."

"Well breakfast should almost be ready, shall we?" The group ushered into the dining room while Leigh went upstairs to dress in one of her better sets of clothes. Tovis was still sulking by the foot of the bed when she entered her room. She gave him a pat before dressing and going back down stairs. She saw that the rest of her companions had arrived and were all seated at the large table in the dining room. Leigh took her place next to Anders at the head of the table and waited for Orana to serve out their plates. When hers was put down in front of her she felt her stomach give a lurch. The sight of the eggs and breakfast ham made her visibly ill. Leigh jumped up from the table and ran for the door out to the courtyard. Orana stopped serving and watched her employer run out the door.

"Is she alright?" Aveline went to get up and go after Leigh, but stopped when she heard her wretch.

"Last time I saw her that green Red, she had just finished helping that boy who went to the Dalish. She eat something that didn't agree with her Blondie?"

"Not that I know of." Anders got up and went to the cupboard where he had most of his healing herbs. He pulled out some mint and a few other things to help settle her stomach. Orana looked horrified and wrung her hands in front of her. "It's alright Orana, it was nothing you did or cooked. I think she just has a upset stomach." The elf sighed with relief and finished doling out the rest of the plates. "I'll be right back."

"She's alright just trying to stop the nausea." Raven stood behind Leigh holding her hair out of the way and rubbing her back trying to be comforting.

"Raven, what...?"

"Go get her some water Anders. I'll stay with her." Leigh body shook with another bout of wretching, by now it was just mostly dry heaves. "Morning sickness is a bitch, but is does go away."

"How...how did you know?" Leigh wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as Raven helped her to a bench to sit down.

"The proud papa could not help himself. He told the Queen and I this morning."

"That's why he wasn't in bed."

"He has been granted pardon to come back home to Ferelden when ever the two of you are ready."

"The Queen is alright with letting him come back even after what he did?"

"She believes he was attacked first so he was just defending himself. He left out the part he was host to a Fade spirit, thank the Maker. He will have to hide for a while til I can take care of Addler, but it should not be for long. The Wardens will be able to do that for you."

"Til you can take care of him?"

"I...I will have to end him. It is not something I like to do, but he threatens one of my own. My Wardens are like family, we watch out for each other, protect each other. Addler joined for the wrong reasons as did Rolan. They wanted to make Anders' life miserable. Being a Warden is much more than being a warrior, rogue or mage. It is a calling, a deep seated commitment to protect Thedas."

"Your willing to kill him?"

"Yes, for more reasons than just him wanting to kill Anders. He is scum, rotten to the core."

"So I have seen and heard. I'd kill him myself, but..."

"Better I do it. Wardens can kill other Wardens under some circumstances. Being a Commander does grant me some power, if only a little." Anders had stood in the door way listening to the women talk. A grateful smile graced his lips.

"Here you go love, drink it slowly."

"Did you bring mint leaves too?" He handed them to her and she threw some in her mouth and chewed slowly. "So this happens a lot when your pregnant?"

"Mine lasted the first three months then went way till the last month. I think in that last month is was more he was taking up too much room and I was eating too much at one sitting. Wardens have a hardy appetite."

"I know I live with one. Poor Orana had a hard time keeping the larder stocked."

"You know I am standing right here, love."

"I know, just ribbing you a bit my dear. Please tell me you did not tell anyone else why I am out here wrenching?"

"Not a one and Varric is keeping his mouth shut too. I have to say I really like your brother Leigh, he stopped Sebastian in his tracks when he tried to come out and check on you."

"I told you he was protective."

"I'm waiting for him to turn on me."

"Give it time love, he is still a little bit freaked out about the fact you glow when your pissed off."

"Kettle how black thou areth."

"I think I am going to go back inside and rest. I feel awful. Raven you are more than welcome to have my plate if you want it or Orana could make you up some fresh. I...food is just not my friend today."

"Thank you, I think I will have some breakfast. Go rest Hawke, you have a long way to go yet." Anders and Leigh both grimaced and spoke in unison.

"Maker help me." All Raven could do was laugh and head inside the estate. "I'll have Orana make you some clear broth and some bread, love. I'll bring it up later."

"I just hope it stays down. I really hate throwing up."

"It will pass, I promise."

"If it doesn't I can always blame you for it."

"Yes, yes it is my fault, but it does take two love."

"I hate it when you use logic on me." Anders just laughed and helped her up to their room so she could rest. She hoped for dreamless sleep, but it was not to be.

Thank the Maker and any other deity listening. This chapter gave me one heck of a time as did my computer. It decided it wanted to delete half of it after I spent a few hours writing it. I hope it turned out alright. There are parts I had a hard time rewriting. As always thanks for reading and a big thanks to my reviewers for letting me know you like this so far.

Raven