It had been over two years since Sebastian had met Kali and now he did not know what he would have done without her. She had been a driving force behind his fight for his throne. Her father was also a Maker send with his spells and potions. He never thought he would ever trust a mage again after what Anders had done, but Colm had changed his mind. The man was no monster. He was just a man trying to live and see his daughter grow up. It was something Sebastian had taken for granted all those years he spent in the Chantry. He thought that mages were tools nothing more even when he befriended Hawke he did not understand. Now he saw things in a new light. He saw how wrong he had been. It did not mean he forgave Anders by any means, but he understood why the man did what he did. All the fighting and the battles to get to where he was standing now taught him a great lesson. In war innocence dies.

"Sebastian?"

"In here." He smiled seeing Kali dressed in noble attire. He knew she preferred her armor, but this made her look soft and radiant.

"What are you doing in here?"

"Just thinking. I still can't believe I am finally here, that all this is mine." She smiled and sat beside him on one of the benches that lined the throne room to his childhood home. Sebastian took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Do you regret it?"

"No, just the loss of life that it took to get here. It will take a long time to rebuild what was destroyed."

"At least we have a good man on the throne to help us get there."

"I could not have done this without you Kali."

"I think you could have, but I am happy that I helped. I guess I should find a place for my father and I to live after your coronation. It would be improper for us to live here when your prince."

"What if I don't want you to leave?"

"It is not like I am leaving Starkhaven. I will get a home nearby if I can."

"Kali..." He surprised even himself with his boldness as he kissed her. It was short and sweet, but left them both blushing. "Forgive me...I..."

"You have to be with a noble Sebastian. I am a lowly Templar with a mage father to boot. I will only cause you trouble."

"Your father is from a noble house. I could give your title back to you. You more than earned it fighting along side me for these past few years."

"I'm not cut out to be a noble. I don't know the first thing about what fork to use for this or that. I would be an embarrassment to you."

"Never. I finally realized that I want you by my side and no one else Kali. After all we have been through it has been you that has kept me strong and held my council. You who calmed my fears and gave me hope. Who else should I have at my side if not you?"

"What about my father? I can't leave him out there alone the Chantry..."

"He will be my court mage and live here. I swear I will not let them take him away or hurt him Kali." She looked him in the eyes and sighed.

"Your asking for it you know. I will make a fool of myself and you in front of some fat snobby noble and we will be the laughing stock of Thedas."

"Who cares what they think. I love you Kali. That is all that matters."

"I love you too." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek afraid to do anything else. They were both adorably awkward, having both been raised more or less. Sebastian had much more experience when it came to anything physical, but he was just as lost as Kali was when it came to love. Even his love for Hawke was not like this one. Kali had won his heart with her spirit and loyalty. "I should go tell my father the good news. I will see you at dinner?"

"Aye." He watched her walk out of the room. It seemed to him the room seemed dimmer without her there. He looked up at the statue of Andraste and he smiled. "I get it now. Revenge makes me no better than Anders and if I had been bitter towards Colm I would not have Kali by my side. I have to find a way to see Hawke and...apologize." The sound of heavy boots made Sebastian turn around and greet one of his generals.

"I am sorry to just barge in here My Prince, but we have word from Orlais and the Divine. She requests our help in invading Ferelden."

"Why?"

"Ferelden is harboring most of the mages that have escaped from the Circles around Thedas. We tried not to tell you much during our own war, but the mages leader embarrassed the Divine and her Templars by sneaking most of the mages out of the Orleasian Circles."

"So Anders is in Ferelden?"

"I have not heard that name spoken much. The leader's name is Hawke as far as I have been told."

"Hawke?"

"That is the rumor the people are spreading. The Champion of Kirkwall is now the leader of the mage rebellion. It is said she is the only one they listen to. For one woman to have that power...reminds one of Andraste."

"Yes it does, just the positions are reversed. Still my answer is no. Our people need peace and a chance to rebuild. This war has taken enough from them. Starkhaven is staying out of the Chantry's war on the mages."

"As you wish Your Majesty. I will have the Senechal write the letter for you."

"I can write it myself thank you. Please send Asha in I would like to speak to her." The general bowed and left the room. Shortly after the man left a woman dressed in black leather armor walked in.

"You wanted to see me My Prince?"

"I do indeed. I need a favor of you and I need it kept quiet."

"As you wish. What do you need of me?"

"I know Queen Ashlyn sent you and a few others to aide my cause and I would like to send a letter of thanks."

"Ferelden is a difficult place to enter nowadays. Unless you are a mage or a countryman with proof you are Ferelden it is impossible."

"I would not ask if it wasn't important. I need to warn Ashlyn about the Divine and Orlais." He explained to the rogue what his general had asked him and she shook her head in disbelief.

"The Divine asked Starkhaven to march against Ferelden so soon after you ended your own war?"

"I will not do that to my people or to a friend who aided me in getting my throne back. I asked for help from Orlais and the Chantry both told me that they had better things to do with their armies. Now looking back it was for the best. Ashlyn did not publicly help me because of the war going on in Thedas."

"She thought it best to help in secret lest the Divine send aide to your cousin instead. She did not want you to face that."

"She was always one step ahead of things as a child, I guess it has not changed. Will you take this letter for me?"

"Of course and if I might make a suggestion?"

"Yes?"

"Contact the Captain of the Guard in Kirkwall, if the Divine is unhappy with your refusal to help she might think you are siding with Ferelden even though you are not. If Starkhaven and Kirkwall stand together she might think twice."

"Has Kirkwall recovered?"

"Under Aveline it has. She is running the place til the nobles get their act together. I know I wouldn't cross her."

"I don't think Aveline will want to help me. She and Hawke were great friends. After what I said..."

"I know Leigh Hawke better than most Your Majesty, she only holds grudges if you act on your threat. Then I would suggest you hide and never come back, because she will find you and you will die."

"You know Hawke?"

"I trained her."

"You...Maker."

"I did not want yo tell you back then because of your anger towards her and her lover. It was partly Ashlyn asking me to come here, but what clinched it was Leigh asking me to make sure you were safe. She cares for you much more than you know."

"If you see her...tell her thank you and to not worry. I will not...Anders is safe from me."

"I am sure she will be very grateful as will the Grand Cleric."

"Ferelden's Grand Cleric? Why would she be grateful?"

"Not Ferelden's, Kirkwalls, Elthina is alive and living in Ferelden."

"Then she wasn't lying to me...I...I will have the letters for you by tonight to take." Asha nodded and took her leave. "Asha."

"Yes."

"Thank you."

"It has been my pleasure to serve you Prince Vael. Leigh was right when she told me you were a honorable man."

"She always did see the best in all of us, even when we couldn't."

"It is one of her many talents."

"Yes, yes it is."

OoO

Leigh Hawke flopped into a chair at Soldier's Peak. The journey through the Deep Roads with the Orlesian Mages was a grueling one. It was the only way they knew that the Templars would not follow. She was thankful to the Wardens who went with her on this mission. She was even more thankful to have Anders by her side through it all. They had saved most of the mages in Olais. Something that was thought impossible, but thanks to maps give to her by Sigrun she was able to make a plan. It took over two years to execute, but it had worked and now Ferelden stood as the country with most mages by far of any other in Thedas.

"It went well I take it?" Leigh looked up bleary eyed and saw Ashlyn stand in against the wall of her room.

"Better than I hoped, but we lost some to the darkspawn and will lose more to the Blight."

"Is that were Anders is?"

"Yes, he is trying to make them as comfortable as possible before..."

"It is something we Wardens know well I am sorry to say. I really thought one of these days you would scream at me for making him a Warden."

"You saved him from the Templars and gave him freedom. I can't blame you for helping him. He and I have three wonderful children who will help me cope when his time comes. I wish I could go with him..."

"He will not be alone when his Calling happens. There are plenty of us that will be right there with him."

"I know, It is just..."

"Alistair and I are the same way. It is the whole soulmate thing. One can not live without the other."

"Very true. If not for Karl, Meghan and Drea I don't think I could survive losing him in that way."

"I wanted to give this to you. Asha said Starkhaven is now under the rule of it's rightful prince." Ashlyn handed Leigh a letter and she took it cautiously. She read the first few lines and her hand went to her mouth. Tear welled up in her eyes and she quickly wiped them away.

"He has forgiven me and Anders. Maker how...?"

"He wrote to me as well thanking me for my help even as sparse as it was. He is to be married in a few weeks to a woman that lead his army. Her father is a mage and she a Templar."

"How can he marry her is she is not..."

"She is of noble blood and even if she wasn't I don't think his people would begrudge him if he married her. She is well loved by the people."

"I am happy for him. He deserves happiness."

"Yes he does and he also wanted to warn me that the Divine asked for him to send his army to march against us."

"What did he say?"

"He told her no, that his people did not need to jump into another war when they had just finished fighting one. He also does not want to betray a country that help him when no other would."

"Thank the Maker."

"My thoughts exactly. Have you seen your little ones yet.?"

"No, not yet. I wanted to clean up first and wait for Anders. He has missed them so much." The sound of little feet running down the hall made Leigh smile. "I guess they heard I was home." The first one through the door was Karl. He looked like is father in every way, same hair, same eyes and the same face. Leigh smiled and held up her hands for him to stop before he could hug her. "Mummy is covered in icky stuff baby I don't want you to get sick." Ashlyn picked him up and held him til Leigh could get herself clean and new clothes on. "Alright, all clean. Come here my little man." Karl giggled and hugged his mother tight. Arden had entered the room and was holding the youngest Hawke, Drea. Drea was a perfect mix of her mother and father. She had blonde hair and her eyes were liquid silver like her mother's. "Where's Meghan?"

"She wanted Da." Leigh felt her heart jump up into her throat.

"Did she go down to the infirmary?"

"Yes Mummy." Leigh put Karl down and started running toward the stairs to the lower levels of the keep.

"Arden keep them up here!" Arden turned to Ashlyn her face confused.

"What's wrong?"

"They had to bring the mages back through the Deep Roads. Some of them contracted the Blight."

"Holy Maker..."

"I am going to go help her stay here and keep the children away from the infirmary." Ashlyn ran after Leigh. The infirmary was in the lowest part of the castle. Normally they had no use for it, but with at least a dozen mages inflicted with the Blight it was now in use. Anders and Velanna were working tirelessly to make the people comfortable before the end. Some of them were worse off than others, but the healer in him did not want to give up even when he knew it was going to end in death.

"Vel can you hand me the black bottle?" The elf gave him a sad look and handed him the bottle of potent poison. It would put the person to sleep then stop their lungs. It was the most humane way to do it.

"I hate this."

"I am not happy about it either, but it is better than having to end them with a sword. I will start over there with the worst cases. Maker forgive me for this."

"You are doing the right thing Anders." He nodded and started pouring the liquid into small cups. His hand shook as he did it, more out of frustration than fear. He was so focused on his work he did not notice Meghan walk in the room or see her head over to one of the worse off mages. The man was curled up in pain and thrashed around as the Blight ate away at what was human about him. Meghan cocked her head to the side and looked the man over. His skin was gray and rough, his face was already starting to change into malicious mask that all darkspawn had. The man's breathing was ragged and his hands twisted into misshapen clawed digits.

"Meghan get away from him!" Her mother's voice made the little girl jump. Anders wheeled around from his work and looked on in horror as the mage Meghen was standing by rose from his cot. The change was done and now what ever he was before was gone. In his place was a darkspawn emissary. Leigh hit the creature with a push spell to knock him back away from her daughter. "Meghan, baby come to Mummy." Anders started to glow and Justice pushed his way forward. The emissary growled and threw a fire spell at his attacker as he crept closer to the little girl.

"Meghan go to your mother now!" Justice's voice was full of fear and anger. Leigh moved to get closer to Anders in attempts to grab her daughter away from the darkspawn. She held out her hands, but Meghan did not budge. She turned around to the emissary and tilted her head as he snarled at her. The monster reached for the girl and the room filled with the screams of her family. None of them was close enough to get to the girl in time to stop the darkspawn from hurting her. Leigh lunged forward and was pushed back by a blinding white light. The room filled with the light then it faded. Anders had taken back control and raced over to where Meghan was standing. He gathered her up in his arms and checked her over. Leigh got up and stumbled over to her family.

"Is she...?"

"I don't thing it touched her." Anders continued to look the girl over and found nothing out of place. No scratches or marks from a spell she was perfectly fine. "Sweetheart did he touch you?"

"No Da. I helped."

"I know you wanted to help him, but he was very sick little one. He is beyond healing."

"He had black inside him. I made it better." Anders looked at his daughter with a confused look on his face. "Look." Meghan pointed over his shoulder and he turned around to see where the darkspawn fell.

"Maker's breath! How...?" The mage groaned and sat up from the floor. All the corruption was gone from his skin. He was human again. "You did that?"

"Light." Meghan held up her hand and it pulsed with pure white light. Leigh gasped at the sight of her three year old using magic. "I help." Pash answered Leigh's question before she could ask it.

"She is Somniari like you, but her power is healing like Anders. She has purity on her side to be able to destroy the taint without killing the host of it." "Purity?" '"It is the rarest of spirits, because to find a truly pure soul is almost impossible." "So my daughter is possessed like me and Anders?" "No I don't think she is possessed, I think she is a spirit of purity."

"Leigh?"

"Pash thinks she is the embodiment of a spirit of purity."

"A what?" He looked into Meghan's eyes as she smiled back at him. She had no fear of what she had just faced. "Have you done this before sweetheart?" She shrugged and leaned into her father putting her head on his shoulder. "Maker is no one in this family normal?" Anders handed Meghan off to Leigh and went to check on the man who until just a few minutes ago was destined for death. His magic rolled through the mage and it found not hint of the Blight anywhere. "His blood is clean."

"So is this one." Velanna had started checking all the mages in the room and found all of the taint was gone. "Gods she did it. She cured them all!" Ashlyn stepped forward and shared a look with her fellow Wardens.

"If it took the taint from them, then what did it do to us?"

"I..." Anders thought back to the day the twins were born. The white light that pulsed from Meghan to him when she grasped his finger. With all they had been doing with the war he had not really noticed his nightmares were all but gone. It hit him then she had cleaned the taint from him. "She...cured me the day she was born. I really haven't had the darkspawn nightmares since then, but I didn't realize it til now. I can still feel them, but it is not the same. It is almost like she took away the bad parts about being a Warden and left only the useful bits."

"What does that mean?" Anders smiled at his wife and wrapped his arms around her and Meghan.

"I means no Calling and no becoming a darkspawn. It means I don't have to leave and neither do the rest if Meghan heals them." Meghan lifted her head from her mother's shoulder and nodded.

"I help?" She looked sleepy, like the spell had taken a lot out of her.

"If you want to sweetheart, but right now I think it is bed time. We can figure this out tomorrow. I want to see your brother and sister after I make sure all these people are alright."

"I want a story."

"I will be up to read you one soon." Leigh took Meghan back up to their rooms while Ashlyn and Velanna stayed with Anders.

"I'm almost afraid to hope. Could she really stop us from having to go to our Calling? Stop us from becoming what we fight?"

"I think so, but it seems the magic drains her so I want to be careful with this. She's just a baby."

'She's your baby and I understand. I am going to check with Avernus and see what he has to say, but I will leave out the part about Meghan."

"Thank you, because if that bastard comes near her I will let Justice have some fun."

"Hence why I am not going to tell him who did it, if it actually worked on us like it did on them. If it did..."

"If it did I want you to send word to Alistair and get him here. It seems she wants to rid us of it, to help us."

"Go and be with your family Anders. Vel and I can make sure the mages are alright."

"If your sure?"

"You promised to read your little one a story I think it would be good if you did it before she fell asleep." He nodded and left the infirmary. Velanna stood next to Ashlyn and shrugged her shoulders.

"Do you think it could be true?"

"One way to find out. After we finish here do you want to join me in talking to the creep ancient mage in the tower?"

"Well when you put it that way, no, but I won't let you deal with him alone. So let's finish up and go see the old bat."

OoO

Anders stared down at his sleeping twins and could not help but smile. It did not take long into the story he was reading for them both to drift off to sleep. He quietly shut their door and went into his and Leigh's room. Leigh was bathing Drea before putting her down for the night. She was lost in thought it seemed when he put his arm around her waist.

"Sorry love, I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's alright, just...we came so close to losing her Anders. It scared me to death and now to find out she is like me. I don't know if I can handle this, the war and everything else."

"Love, she has two mage parents that can help her and our extra baggage upstairs to boot. We will get through this."

"I know, but..."

"Leigh, no buts. We will face this together."

"Like always."

"Yes. Let's put Drea to bed before she prunes."

"Maker's breath she already is pruned." Anders chuckled and handed her a towel.

"It's not that bad. Love your shaking, go sit down I will put her to bed." Leigh nodded and sat on their bed waiting for him to finish. "Leigh?"

"I'm fine, just tired and overwhelmed."

"Something else is bothering you."

"You know I hate you can read me so well now. I was thinking about what you said about Meghan. If she really did take the taint out of your blood two years ago, is that the reason we have Drea?"

"Could be. Maker knows I don't miss the nightmares."

"I can imagine. I hated seeing you go through them. I felt helpless and even more so when I found out about the Calling. To even have the glimmer of hope you don't have to go away is enough for me."

"I will go see Avernus tomorrow to see if it is true. I am not fond of the man at all, but he knows what he is doing." Leigh leaned against his shoulder and sighed. "We both need sleep love."

"I don't know if I can."

"I'm sure I can help you with that."

"You know full well sleeping spells don't work on me."

"I wasn't thinking any spells." He gave her a lecherous grin and she laughed.

"Hmm, I guess that could help."

"If you don't want to..." Leigh cupped his chin and kissed him deeply.

"You talk to much love." Anders leaned over and blew out the candle casting the room into shadow. Tonight was for them and their victory in getting the mages away from the Divine. Tomorrow they would worry about Meghan's powers and Anders mortality.

Yay for writer's block being gone finally. Thank you all for your patience with me. Having three stories going at once is rough, but I am getting better at juggling my three ladies. Thank you all again for your support. It means the world to me.

Raven