Anders paced in the hall trying not to think about what was going to happen in less than an hour. It wasn't that he wasn't ready for it quite the contrary he wanted this. It was the waiting that was killing him. His male friends were all gathered out in the hall with him waiting just like he was. All of them dressed in fine clothes for the occasion.
"Andraste's knicker weasels how long does it take for a woman to get ready?" Nathaniel just shook his head and gave a heavy sigh.
"As long as they want my friend. Are you afraid?"
"Petrified. I just want to get over with." Varric sauntered up to the mage and laughed.
"What are you afraid of Blondie, she already said yes to marrying you? All this is just for show."
"I guess it is just the last part of me that was the old Anders fighting to stay free. I swore I would never be tied down, never give my heart to anyone. And here I am waiting to bind my life with Leigh's. It's just...I'm afraid I will wake up and this will have all been a dream." Anders closed his eyes and sighed. His fingers pinched the bridge of his nose trying to avert the dull ache that was starting in his head. A sudden sharp pinch on his arm made him yelp. "Ow, what was that for?"
"To prove to you that your not dreaming. Look do you love her?"
"With all my heart."
"Then stop worrying. Enjoy the day. Your lucky you know."
"Why?"
"Well with you both sharing a Name Day and now having that same day as your wedding anniversary, you will never get in trouble for forgetting either." Anders could not help but chuckle. Varric always had a way of looking of the bright side.
"Very true. I just want to see her. The girls whisked her away from me last night and I haven't laid eyes on her since. Who knows what ideas they are putting in her head."
"Be afraid Anders, be very afraid."
"Your not helping Nate."
"Never said I was."
OoO
Leigh sat as still as she could while Isabela worked on her makeup. Merrill wove silk ribbons in her hair since they did not have flowers. Ori and Bethany were waiting to put the finishing touches on her dress. Aveline stood guard at the door making sure Anders did not peek.
"You sure you want to do this kitten?"
"Never been more sure about anything in my life."
"Just checking. At least your not showing too much or we would have had to wrap you in bed sheets." Leigh placed her hand on the small bump that was forming along her belly and smiled.
"Would not have mattered to me, as long as I am getting married to Anders. I would go naked if needs be." The pirate laughed and continued to paint her friend's face.
"Hawke we heard you call Anders, Leo last night before we took you away. Why did you call him that?" Leigh smiled at Merrill, she had not told any of them Anders' real name.
"That's his name."
"Really?"
"Yes Merrill really. Remember that apostate I told you about when you were helping me with my magic?"
"Yes? You said he was taken back to the Circle."
"He was. Then he escaped again, joined the Wardens, joined with Justice and moved to Kirkwall."
"Wait, what?"
"Anders was the man I helped all those years ago. We just didn't recognize each other."
"Hawke that's...completely romantic."
"What are you two going on about?"
"Hawke and Anders met each other long before we knew them."
"Really?" Leigh brought her hand up and sent small sparks out.
"Who do think taught him that electricity trick?" Isabela's eyes went wide and a slow lusty grin came to her face.
"Now your making me jealous kitten. If you two ever want to spice it up and have a threesome I am always game. Just ask Ashlyn and Alistair, they enjoyed themselves." Everyone's eyes went to Ashlyn and she had a pink blush creeping up her neck.
"Izzy you promised..."
"Sorry kitten, but you know I don't keep secrets well."
"Maker help me."
"Aren't you and Fenris together?"
"He and I enjoy each others company, but I am not one to be tied down. Neither is he I think."
"Just don't hurt him okay?"
"Not unless he wants me to?" Leigh groaned and closed her eyes. "Almost done Hawke. There all finished. He won't be able to keep his hands off you."
"He just have to keep them off for a little while. I'm not sure the Grand Cleric will take it well if he ravages me right in front of her."
"It would be a good show for me though."
"Isabela!"
"Relax kitten I was just joking. Go look at yourself in the looking glass and tell me what you think." Leigh smiled at the reflection of herself. She thought it would be hard for the pirate to out do herself from the last time she had helped Leigh, but she did. "Don't start crying please."
"I won't, thank you Isabela. Alright Ori and Bethany I am all yours."
"We will make this quick. Don't worry sister you will be his wife soon enough. Alright lets do the wedding list. The dress is borrowed, you have mother's necklace which is blue, hmmm, now we need something old and something new."
"I hate to even ask this, this late in the day, but do you two have rings?" Leigh shook her head sadly.
"No we don't, other than the enchanted ones we always wear."
"I think I can help with that." Ashlyn left the room and returned a short time later with a small box in hand. "These rings belonged to two Wardens that served here hundreds of years ago. I'd like to see them get used instead of collecting dust." Leigh could feel the magic coming off the rings and ran her hand over them. "They are enchanted this one is called Fade and the other is Void."
"Fade feels like it is meant for helping with healing."
"It also has a thin band of refined lyrium in it."
"Justice will love that. Void is made for destruction magic."
"That fits you sister."
'Thanks Beth."
"It's true, you are scary with your magic, but in a good way." All the women laughed and started the finishing touches to Leigh and her dress. It would not be long now before she walked down the isle to join her life with Anders'. "Now for the something new. Anyone got any ideas?"
"The ribbons are new."
"I guess that will have to do. Are you ready?"
"Absolutely."
OoO
"You pace any more Sparkle Fingers and you will wear a hole in the floor."
"Where are they?"
"They'll be there Anders calm down."
"You can't tell me you weren't nervous when you married Shyira, Nate?"
"I was, but I also had an entire Dalish clan giving me death looks. The only one here doing that to you is Fenris and I'm pretty sure that is just for show."
"No he means it."
"I do not, I just like watching mages squirm uncomfortably." Anders rolled his eyes at the ex slave. "I want Hawke happy and if you make her such then I will put aside my dislike of your magic."
"Fenris...I think that is the nicest thing I have ever heard you say to me."
"Don't get use to it. You hurt her and I swear I will rip your heart out."
'Now there is the Fenris I have come to know." Bethany entered the hall and giggled ay how nervous Anders looked.
"Carver, Varric and Fenris if you three will follow me."
"Wait, where are you three going?"
"Carver is giving the bride away, but Hawke wanted Broody and I involved to so Fenris will walk her down part of the isle, then me and finally Junior. Nathaniel and Oghren are here to make sure you don't run away. See you inside Blondie."
"Breathe Anders."
"Maker save me."
"Oh before I forget here is the ring your giving my sister. She has yours."
'Where did you get these?"
"Queen Ashlyn gave them to Leigh."
"Your welcome Anders." He turned to see his Commander dressed in a fine gown with Alistair on her arm. He too was dressed in noble clothing instead of armor. "You do clean up nice though." Anders blushed a bit and stared at his reflection in the window. He did look nicer than he had in a long time. "Are you ready for this?"
"Yes, Thank you both for this."
"You are welcome. I never thought I would see this day."
"Neither did I. Ash if you hadn't..."
"No bad thoughts today. It is your Name Day and your wedding day. Enjoy it."
"Is that an order Commander?" He raised and eyebrow and smirked.
"Yes. Now go and take your place so we can get this party started." Anders hugged Ashlyn then went to take his place near the alter. Nathaniel and Oghren stood beside him both grinning like fools. The doors opened and the guests started to take their seats. A soft hand landed on his arm and he saw the Grand Cleric smiling at him. Once he was healed and got some of his strength back Anders went and begged for her forgiveness.
"Your Grace."
"Nervous?"
"A little."
"You are meant to be together. There is nothing to be nervous about my boy."
"I never thought this would be possible. I was always told that mages were never allowed to have this."
"We will have to work to change that."
"Thank you for this and...everything. I do not deserve..." The older woman held up her hand to silence him.
"You are a honorable man."
"Honorable men do not try to blow up innocent people."
"To start change sometimes violence is necessary. I wish it wasn't so, but it is. After talking with Leigh's spirit I understand now. It was never meant to be this way. I want to help set it right even if it is only a little bit. Joining your lives will be a small step forward." Nathaniel cleared his throat and nodded toward the door to the chapel.
"The girls are here. It's time."
"Breathe young man. I don't need you passing out before you say your vows."
"Thank you, Your Grace." Orana played her lute to start the ceremony. Aveline lead the women down the aisle. Carver followed close behind as did Varric. Carver stopped at the end of the rows of pews while Varric stopped half way down and waited. Elthina had taken her place at the alter. The guests were mostly Wardens, servants, and Hawke's friends. Some of the members of the Kirkwall Chantry were also in attendance. Orana glanced over at door waiting for the signal from Fenris to start playing the wedding march. The music changed and Anders breath caught in his throat. His eyes lifted up from the ground and he felt his knees jerk. The sight of Leigh walking toward him made him weak. The dress she had on was white, but it was mostly peasant style. Her smile brightened up the room and he had to stop himself from running to her. Fenris made it to the half way point and handed her off to Varric. It seemed like it took an eternity for them to reach Carver.
"You look beautiful Leigh."
"Thanks Carver."
"Poor magey looks like he is going to pass out."
"And he didn't even have to drink a magebane potion."
"He got off easy." Leigh just smiled. Carver stopped just shy of the alter. Elthina raised her hands and bid every one sit.
"Who gives this young woman to this man to be bound in marriage?" Carver handed Leigh off to Anders.
"I do Your Grace."
"Then we shall begin." Elthina raised her hands up and began the ceremony. "The Maker made us to seek out the comfort of others, whether in friendship or in love. For those who can find that one person who complements them completely, they are surely blessed. We join here today to to see two such souls take the vows that will bind them together in the sight of the Maker. We will hear their vows to each other before the words of the Chant are spoken to complete this ceremony." Alistair leaned over and whispered into his wife's ear.
"This does not sound like the ceremony we had."
"It's not, Elthina has been working with Anders and Leigh to make this their own. We did not get to make our own vows love. We had a royal wedding."
"I like this one better."
"So do I." Anders' voice made Ashlyn turn her attention back to the alter though her fingers entwined with her husband.
"If you had told me I would be standing here fifteen years ago I would have told you that you were crazy. I was raised to find love as taboo. Then a chance meeting on one of my many escape attempts changed everything. I was saved by this fiery, courageous young woman. She could have chosen to let the men chasing me take me away, but she saved my sorry hide and has kept saving me even when we were apart. Her love kept me sane when I was imprisoned even though she never knew it. I found in Leigh my heart, my other half, and I will spend the rest of my days showing her just how much her love and support means to me. She is my Mo Aman Cara, my soulmate. I know the Maker made her for me and put her back in my life when I needed her the most. I love you Leigh with all my heart and soul and nothing will take me from you again. I am blessed beyond measure to have you as my wife and partner in this life." Leigh felt tears form in her eyes while she listened to him speak. This was real, she was marrying the man she wanted since she was sixteen. The only person to except her for who and what she was long before anyone else knew about her power.
"Leigh it is your turn to speak your vows to Leo." Leigh nodded and took a deep breath. She felt more than heard someone talking to her. She knew the voice was her mother's. "We are so proud of you Leigh. We are here watching." Her eyes wandered around the room and she could see a faint shimmer in the distant corner behind her friends. It took her a second to find her voice to say her vows.
"I remember the morning I came to visit you after losing Karl. I think that was the day I started to fall for you. I saw in you a caring, selfless man who was trying to change the world. Despite the dangers you healed the sick and took care of the poor in Darktown. You always told me I was the bright light in Kirkwall and I always thought you were. Little did I know you were the same man I fell in love with when I was younger. My wayward apostate who despite not knowing how to survive out in the world was not about to be locked up away from it. You found a way to be free. I plan to make sure that you stay that way for the rest of your life. My mother always called me a protector, a defender of my family, my friends, but sometimes the protector needs to find solace in their lives. You have been mine. I love you more than I can say for all you have done. Whether I stand with you against the Templars, bandits or darkspawn I will always be yours. My Leo, my Anders, you are my safe harbor. I am honored to become your wife and to call you husband."
"If there is anyone here who feels these to should not be joined in marriage please speak now or forever hold your peace." Leigh had a fleeting feeling Sebastian was about to jump out from behind one of the statues in the chapel. When silence met the Grand Cleric's words she breathed a sigh of relief. "Then we shall proceed. Leo please repeat after me, With the blessings the Maker has given unto me I bind my life to yours." Anders took Leigh's hand and repeated the words while putting the ring on her finger. "Leigh repeat after me please. With the blessings the Maker has given to me, I bind my life to yours." Leigh placed her ring on Anders' finger with confident hands. "In the sight of the Maker and our gathered guests I now pronounce you husband and wife." Before Elthina could say anything else Anders closed the small distance between himself and Leigh. He kissed his new bride deeply. All the anxiety he had felt before the wedding was gone. He could hear the chuckles from his friends, but he did not care. He had what he always wanted right there in his arms. Once they finally broke apart both turn to face their friends. "May the Maker bless and strengthen this union."
OoO
Anders kicked the door to their room open and carried Leigh across the threshold. He gently set her down on the bed and went back to close the door. He made sure the door was locked and the fire was set for the night before returning to their bed. He heard her talking and wondered who could be here now of all times. It was their wedding night and that meant it was suppose to just the two of them and their bed. He stormed into the room that held their bed and stopped in his tracks. There on the bed was Leigh with a orange ball of fluff on her lap. She looked up and smiled at him while her hands scratched behind the cat's ears.
"You got me a cat?"
"No love he just sort of wandered in here." Anders went and sat on the bed next to Leigh and the cat jumped from her lap to his. The sandstone colored eyes stared up into amber ones and Anders let out a small cry. "Anders?"
"How did you get here?" The cat just meowed and headbutted his hands.
"Love?"
"Leigh I would like you to meet Ser Pounce a Lot."
"This is Ser Pounce a Lot? He is so...cute." The tabby turned his head and gave a quick meow before returning his attention to Anders.
"I never thought I would see him again. Who could have brought him here?"
"One of the Wardens maybe. We did make land in Ameranthine. Isn't that were you said you had to leave him when the Wardens made you give him up?"
"Yes, but why haven't I seen him til now?" A soft knock came at the door and Leigh got up to answer it.
"Anders someone is here to see you." Leigh came back into the room followed by a man Anders had not seen in years.
'Finn?"
"Sorry to interrupt your wedding night, but I wanted to make sure Pounce got back to you. Ah and there he is."
'How did you get him? I left him with Nate's sister."
"Pounce did not get along with her son so when I sprung from the Circle the Warden Commander asked if I would take care of him for her til you returned or forever. Which ever came first and now your here so he's all yours."
"Thanks. How long have you been out of the Circle?"
"Four years now. I can safely say I am not fond of the outside world."
"How can you say that?" Anders voice was a mix of his own and Justice. Leigh could see the start of the blue glow starting in his eyes. Her hand squeezed his hoping to keep him from losing control.
"I'm not like you or Jowan. I liked being in the Circle. I felt safe there."
"Safe? Safe, it was not safe Finn. You know what they did to Ori, to Miranda."
"I...I..." The blue glow was starting to show and Leigh stood up blocking Finn's view of Anders.
"Love, please calm down. This is not helping." He looked at her and sighed. Justice fell back and Anders shook his head. Once she was sure he was in control Leigh turned back to Finn hoping he had not seen anything. "You were one of the lucky ones that the Templars left alone."
"Yes, I wasn't worth their time. I always had my nose in a book or they had bigger concerns than little old me. Anders was their main target most of the time. He was trying to get them to leave Ori and Mira alone."
"Ori I have met. Who is Miranda?"
"Miranda Amell, she well...no it is not my place to say."
"Mira had a thing for me Leigh to put a fine point on it. I think she thought she loved me, but we were...each others comfort nothing more." Leigh just nodded, not wanting to think of him with someone else not tonight of all nights. "Love it was before I met you and it stopped after I was returned to the Circle. Please..."
"Finn, is my cousin still there?"
"Cousin?"
"My mother was an Amell and Miranda is my second cousin I think."
"Yes, she is still there. I am returning there in a few days. Knight Captain Cullen wants to accompany me to talk to Ser Greagoir about the Circle." Anders shot a look at his wife and she smiled.
"Cullen is going to try to see it they can dissolve the Circle so there is no violence. He told me the Knight Commander there is much more reasonable than Meredith."
"No he's not. That man will never let mages free, not after what happened there. He is the one who sentenced me to a year in solitary, he is not a kind man Leigh."
"Maker, Anders you are still not that dense are you?" Anders glared at Finn and took a step toward the man. "He could have made you Tranquil the first time you escaped and every time after that. The only reason your not is his daughter kept you safe."
"Who?"
"Ser Greagoir has a daughter that is a mage. She is the reason you were never killed or made Tranquil after all your escapes. She tried to protect all of us, but she couldn't."
"Who Finn?"
"Ori."
"Ori is an elf."
"She is one of the rare half elves that looks elvish."
"Why didn't she ever tell me this?"
"She knew how you felt about the Templars and she did not want to lose you as a friend I guess."
"How could her own father let Addler and Rolen hurt her like they did?"
"If he let it slip he was her father she would have been taken to another Circle." Anders growled and hit the wall with his fist. "She told me once that if they were hurting her, then they weren't hurting anyone else."
"Is that the reason Greagoir came to find me for that one escape?"
"I think so."
"That stupid, brave little girl. I..."
"You were like a brother to her Anders. She loves you."
"I know, when you go back I want to go with you. I want to see if I can help dissolve the Circle."
"Your not going without me love."
"Leigh it is not safe for you to go. I want you to stay here."
"It is not safe for you to go either. You are barely healed and I am not going to let you go alone." Finn stood up and backed away from the two toward the door.
"I think I am going to let you two fight this out without me here. I'm leaving in two days so you have plenty of time to discus this. I'll...just take Pounce with me for the night." With that Finn picked up the cat and ran from the room.
'You scared him away."
"Very funny Leigh. You not coming!"
"We will see about that."
'Maker you are so stubborn. You have no idea what it is like there. I will not lose you or our children to the blighted Templars."
"You won't. I don't plan on letting them get that close." Anders rolled his eyes and stormed away from her to the other room. She could hear him pacing and mumbling to himself. Leigh let out a sigh and flopped on the bed backwards. This was not how she wanted to spend her wedding night. "Go out there and get him." "Why so we can argue some more? I don't have the strength." "Then don't fight." "It's like we are back in Kirkwall all over again." "It is not that Leigh. He is afraid of you seeing what that place does to him. He does not want that to touch you." "Maker I feel like and ass now." "Go get him."
Anders paced trying to stop the bile from coming up his throat. The last place he ever wanted Leigh to go to was Kinloch Hold. He did not want them to touch her. He also did not want her to see the fear in his eyes when he walked into the place he fought so hard to escape. He did not hear her sneak up behind him. Her arms wrapped around his waist and her head rested on his back. All his anger melted away from her touch. He twisted in her arms so they were facing each other. His chin rested on his head and she sighed.
"This is not how I wanted to spend tonight Leigh. I hate fighting with you."
"And I hate fighting with you. I just don't want you to have to face that place alone. Your not alone anymore."
"I know, I just don't want you to think less of me."
"Why would I?"
"That place..."
"Hush love, no more bad thoughts. Tonight is ours. Forget everything else. Come with me." Leigh took his hands and led him back to their bed. She had lain out a gift on his side of the bed.
"What's this?"
"It is our Name Day you know. This is your gift?"
"I...Leigh I don't have anything for you." Her hands patted her belly and she smiled.
"You already gave me what I wanted love. Go on open it." He unwrapped the fabric around the gift and chuckled.
"This was your father's staff."
"Meredith broke the one I gave you so I know you need a replacement."
"Shouldn't you or Beth use it?"
"I don't need it and Beth has the one I gave her. My father would have liked to seen it used by a fellow healer."
"The naked woman on the top isn't bad either."
"Your impossible, but I love you for it." Anders placed the staff up against the wall and left the room. "Where are you going?"
"To lock the door. I don't want to be interrupted at all tonight." He made sure the door was nice a tightly locked before heading back into the bedroom. "I still don't want you to go to Kinloch Hold Leigh." He felt something soft hit his head and he looked over to the bed.
'Anders just shut up and take your clothes off." He realized she had thrown her smallclothes at him and he gave her a rakish grin.
"My, my bossy aren't we? What if I say no?"
"I will have to use my magic and enthrall you." It had been a long time since she had seen him strip that fast. She giggled as he crawled on to the bed with her.
"You enthralled me the first day I met you and everyday since." His lips met hers softly and his fingers tangled in her hair. Leigh let out a soft moan and pressed herself closer. The covers were the only barrier between them, but he was going to take his time. It had been too long since they were like this, alone and full of passion. "This is a first."
"What?"
"Making love to a married woman."
"Hmm, less talk more kissing." He threw back his head and laughed giving her an opening to nibble on his neck. Her fingers danced down his chest sending small sparks off as they went. She smiled against his neck when he started to moan and squirm under her touches. She pushed his shoulder back so that he was laying on his back. Her hands wandered lower down his stomach to his hips. "It has been a while hasn't it?"
'For this or the electricity trick?"
"Both, but more the sparks."
"Why didn't you ever do this to me when we lived together?"
"It's silly." He brushed the hair out of her eyes and gave her a loving smile. "I wanted to be something I had only done with...well you, but...oh Maker my brain is not working." Anders just shook his head and pulled the covers over himself so he could feel her skin against his. Her finger ran over his scar from where Meredith had run him through. A shiver ran down her spine on how close she came to losing him.
"Now you know how I felt when you battled the Arishok. We have matching scars now."
"Let's make a deal never to jump in front of large swords again."
"Sounds good to me Dove." He pulled her up against him and sank into her warmth. They kept their bodies side by side as they moved as one. Leigh was in pure ecstasy under his touch. It did not take long to feel her release. Anders quickly followed. "I love you."
"I love you too. I'm still going with you." He gave a dark chuckle and buried his head in her neck.
"I know better than to argue with you. I never win."
"It is not about winning love. I just don't want you doing this alone anymore. The last time I let you out of my sight you blew up the bloody Chantry."
"At least no one got hurt."
"Thanks to Justice and the Wardens."
"I know, I should have trusted you. I just thought I was protecting you. That it would be on my head and my head only."
"You wanted to..." His hands cupped her face and his rested head against hers.
"I did, but now I see that was selfish of me. I am so sorry Leigh. I won't leave you like that again."
"Until your Calling."
"We have many years before that. We need to think about today not the future right now. I hate to even think this, but I might try talking to Avernus. He has lived for over two hundred years maybe he can help me and the others to live longer lives before the Taint takes us."
"I thought you hated the man?"
"I don't like blood mages true, but he is a brilliant mage. It is worth it to spend extra years with you and these little ones."
"I think we would all like that very much." She let out a small yawn and she nuzzled his neck trying to get comfortable.
"Sleep love, we will start planning our trip in the morning."
'You not going to try yo leave me behind are you."
"No, I need to face that place and I know I can't do it without you there to help me."
"They can't hurt you anymore. Your safe with me."
"I have never been safer. Good night Dove."
"Good night Leo."
OoO
"Thank you for coming with us Ori."
"Your very welcome Leigh. I doubt Carver would have let you go in the Circle alone anyway. How is Anders holding up?"
"He has been very quiet the closer we get. I just hope they will listen to us."
"I'm sure Ser Greagoir will listen."
"I'm sure he will with you there." Ori blushed and wrung her hands in front of her while they walked.
"You know?"
"Blame Finn. He told us."
"Maker Anders knows?"
"He understands."
"I always thought he would hate me."
"I don't think he could ever hate you Ori. I owe you much for protecting him all those years."
"He was the first person I met when I was put out with the other mages. He was kind to me and made sure the others did not make my life miserable. He is my friend."
"That sounds like something he would do. It is one of the reasons I love him so much." The sight of the Tower rose over the horizon and she saw Anders stop walking. His face was blank, but his eyes looked haunted. Leigh stood behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She could feel him shaking under her embrace.
"Love?"
"I don't know if I can do this."
"Then don't. I will go with them to talk to the Knight Commander here. Cullen will not let anything happen to me."
"I...alright, I will go with you as far as the main door."
"Carver will stay outside with you. Wynne, Ori, Finn and I will go in with Cullen."
"Just...be careful. I can't lose you to that place."
"You won't. Come now it is nearly nightfall." The ferryman was still at his post when they arrived at the lake. It was a long ride over to the Tower and Anders spent most of it staring off into space. Leigh could not imagine how he felt. She never had a place that terrified her in the way Kinloch terrified him. All she could do was hold his hand for support.
"You know I swam across this lake on my sixth escape attempt."
"That wasn't the one you met me on was it?"
"No that was my fifth. I was trying to get back to you on the sixth one, but I was so tired from my swim I did not get very far before they caught me."
"You were coming back for me?"
"That was my plan. I thought if I found you again I would be safe. We could live as we were meant to, free and happy."
"We are doing that now."
"I know, but the punishment I was given for that escape...no one should ever endure that."
"What did they do?"
"I was locked in solitary for a year. The Templars who came to feed me never once said a word. I was alone with only my thoughts to keep me company." Leigh frowned and her eyes narrowed at the tower in front of them. Now she understood why he was afraid. This place nearly drove him mad just to teach him a lesson. It made her want to tear the place down just on that principle alone.
"Never again love. I won't ever let them hurt you again."
"The worse they can do to me is take you."
"Well since I am not using my name I should be fine. Cullen told me to say I am Bethany who is court mage to the King. They have no right to me."
"That eases my mind. I'm sorry I am not stronger." She leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"You are strong or that would have broken you years ago." The ferry docked under the tower and they made their way to the main doors. Pash recoiled as they got closer. She could feel the despair and evil that was there. "Pash does not like this place at all."
"She can feel it?"
"Yes, despair and evil, but it is an echo to her." Wynne nodded as she stepped beside the two.
"It is what is left over from Uldred. He tore the Veil here and brought demons into the Tower. Many people died here in that short time. If it had not been for Raven the Circle would have been lost. They were waiting to hear if they could enact the Right of Annulment."
"They were waiting?"
"To hear from the Chantry here is Ferelden. They can't act unless the Grand Cleric calls for it."
"I guess Meredith forgot that." A dark shadow passed over Anders' face. Leigh took his hand and brought it up to her lips.
"She thought Elthina was dead love."
"True."
"Carver can you wait out here with Anders for me?"
"Sure, I not not really keen going back into that place anyway. Ori how long do you think you will be?"
"Not sure my love. It might be a bit."
"Tell the old man I say hello."
"I will, wish us luck."
"Good luck." Ori stood on her toes to give her husband a kiss. Anders clung on to Leigh and did not want to let go. He finally let her go and watched her walk through the door. He barely felt Carver's hand on his shoulder. The sight of the woman he loves walking into his nightmare made him numb. Leigh cast one last look back at him and gave him a reassuring smile before disappearing through the large doors. "She'll be fine."
"I never wanted to see her here."
"She is here to set mages free Anders and for you."
"It does not make it any easier."
"The joke will be on them if they try to hold her here. She'll tear the place down and they won't be able to stop her. You have to trust her."
"I do trust her. It's them I don't trust." Carver sighed and sat down to wait. He was not fond of being Anders' babysitter, but he knew it was important to Leigh, so he did not complain. He just hoped they came back soon or he would be forced to knock Anders unconscious. He did not think his sister would be happy with that.