A/N: The note referred to at the end this chapter, written by Fergus, appeared in chapter 14 of my other story "Choices." Thanks.

A/N 2: Chapter 4 of my story "Forgiveness" occurs just before the events of this chapter. If you're following, or are interested in following, between stories, this is where they link together. Thanks!

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"I can't believe that there weren't any suitable recruits at the Circle," Anders complained as they walked. "I know the Circle is rebuilding its numbers, but there should have been at least one person who would have made a decent Warden."

"I know." Elissa sighed for the fourth time that hour. "But out of everyone there, I couldn't take their only competent healer! I was tempted, believe me."

"What about Godwin? I worked with him a little. Well, between escape attempts." Elissa could hear the grin in Anders' voice. Nathaniel and Eric snorted simultaneously and Erna shook her head in amusement, having been filled in on Anders' story. "He's a competent spellcaster and he's good with enchantments."

"Godwin? You're kidding, right?" Elissa laughed. "Do you know what he was doing during Uldred's revolt?"

"No, what?"

"Hiding in a wardrobe on the second floor." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Nathaniel's lips twitch. Oghren snickered. Elissa stopped walking then, and turned around to speak directly to Anders. "Even after I informed him that the path down to the entrance of the tower was clear, he insisted on going back into the wardrobe to hide."

Anders laughed. "Never mind, then," he said, shaking his head. "Somehow I doubt that recruiting for new Wardens would be any easier if one of our number screamed like a little girl and jumped up on a chair whenever he saw a rat."

Elissa chuckled. "Exactly. But, Irving said that he has some harrowings coming up soon, and depending on the results of those, we might be able to recruit one or two people afterward. He said one in particular was very good. He's the brother of another mage who used to live there, who died during the attack on Denerim. I think the last name was … Amell?"

Anders whistled low. "If it's the Amell I'm thinking of, we'll definitely want to meet that man. His sister Solona was really good. Everyone called her Irving's star pupil because she could do no wrong in the eyes of the senior enchanters. What happened to her?"

"Irving said that she died after taking out two ogres and a powerful emmissary." Even Oghren's eyes widened at that remark and Anders whistled again.

"That would be her. If her brother has half the talent she did, then you really want him." Elissa nodded in agreement. Before she got a chance to continue, Nathaniel pointed ahead on the road.

"We have company. There's a group approaching on horseback." Nathaniel indicated the spot on the horizon he saw as Elissa turned around.

"At least it's probably not bandits this time," Elissa said, squinting against the afternoon sun. "But let's split up on the sides of the road to be ready for anything." She took the left side with Erna, Ragnar and Anders, and Nathaniel took the right side with the others. Then they waited to see whether the horsemen would pass through or stop.

As they approached, Elissa made out four riders. They were galloping at full speed, the horses' hooves thundering on the roadbed as they approached. The lead rider was wearing light armor, complete with a helm, that looked like it was of Dalish make since the arms and legs were bare. The rider had a slim build as well. The others were also wearing light or medium armors, but they looked larger on their horses. As they grew closer, the riders noted the party on the sides of the road and slowed down. When the horses came within ten feet, the lead pulled his horse to a halt and slid off while putting a hand up, presumably to warn his comrades to stay put. He stepped away from his horse and bowed before he spoke, the long-familiar voice saying, "My lovely Warden, it is good to see you again. And in one piece! Truly, this is a good day."

"Zev!" Elissa smiled. "This is a surprise." She walked straight up to the elf as he removed his helm and grinned at him before giving him a friendly hug. "How are you?"

"I am well, my dear friend," Zevran said, looking her over. "But we have a great deal to discuss." He dropped a sealed note in her hand; she glanced at it and noticed the Cousland seal. She started to break it open and Zev put his hand on hers, shaking his head. "Look at it later, when you have some free time," he said quietly, his face uncharacteristically serious. "I can take an answer back in the morning."

After a brief introduction, during which Zevran flirted with Erna, then Ragnar threatened Zevran, then Zevran flirted with Ragnar, then Ragnar got flustered and Erna calmed him down, the group decided to make camp early. Elissa and Zevran walked away from the campsite, choosing to sit on the shore of the lake to talk while they fished for dinner.

"I saw your other note," Elisa said quietly. "You have people stationed nearly everywhere, from the looks of it?"

Zevran nodded his head. "Yes. We have people in estates acting as servants where we can, and still others who are keeping their eyes and ears open in the cities."

"How is Erlina? Where is she now?"

"She is helping to manage information in the arling, by watching events around the city of Amaranthine." Zevran turned to look directly at Elissa. "She is also in charge of the men guarding Delilah and her family." Elissa smiled.

"Thank you for thinking of that. I know it makes a big difference for Nathaniel." Elissa smiled.

Zevran shrugged as if it was no consequence. "It was a weak point and needed to be covered. Oh, by the way, Delilah probably has sent a note to Nathaniel thanking him for his baby present of a live-in maid and nanny." This made Elissa chuckle.

"Clever. I like it." They sat for a minute, thinking to themselves, before Elissa spoke again. "What is the political situation?"

"It is … uneasy." Zevran was unusually hesitant. "As you know from my note, Bann Loren is dead, poisoned by someone as yet unknown. He left no heirs, so his bannorn will be absorbed into its neighbors. This leaves, of course, many who would benefit from his death even if you do not include his political leanings."

"Which, of course, were dependent on public opinion," Elissa murmured.

"Just so. Gwaren does not have a new Teyrn yet, but there are rumors that Alistair will assign the teyrnir at the next Landsmeet. And Rainesfere has no new bann at present, but it may yet be assigned one. There are rumors that Arl Teagan may promote Ser Perth to bann status." Zevran sighed. "Those are the territories we know are definitely not against us."

Elissa's eyes widened. "It's really that bad?" she asked incredulously.

"Perhaps not so bad as that. After all, many of these people do not know the depth of your involvement yet. But every bann and arl has a low opinion of either you or Nathaniel, for various reasons."

Elissa groaned and put her head in her hands. "Well, let's hear what we're up against."

"West Hill is for you at present. Arl Wulff is a staunch supporter of the Wardens because they ended the blight. However, he is becoming quite old and has no heirs at present. They died from darkspawn attacks. You have Redcliffe, of course; Teagan is a sensible and intelligent man, and he has much influence. Also, you may yet have Dragon's Peak. The bann, Sighard was his name? Yes. That was it. He sings your praises still for rescuing his son from Rendon's dungeons. He hates the Howes, but so far has only blamed the father." Elissa nodded. "Oh, and Shianni from the Denerim Alienage will support you, of course. She remembers all that you did to stop the slavers and darkspawn from razing that part of the city."

Elissa smiled briefly at the mention of Shianni, but grew serious again. "Now for the definite bad news, I take it." Zevran nodded.

"I am afraid so, my dear. Bryland of South Reach is absolutely against the Howe family. As he does not seem a particularly logical man, I would not place money on him when asking him to consider that Nathaniel is not his father's son." Elissa nodded. "As a side note, his daughter is a lovely girl and quite the minx. Bann Ceorlic was a staunch supporter of Loghain, blaming the Howes for everything that could have been attributed to both men, and you for his death. And, of course, there's Vaughan, who is a nasty son of a bitch all around and loves nobody but himself." He chuckled darkly. "He is angry with both you and Nathaniel, and has taken an extreme dislike to the king."

"Really? Alistair? Why?" Elissa couldn't imagine what Alistair would have done directly to Vaughan. "Did he raise taxes in Denerim or something?"

"No, worse in Vaughan's eyes. He made Shianni a Bann and gave the elves rights."

Elissa winced. "Right. Coming from his perspective that would have been adding insult to injury."

"Just so. And since the king supports you ..." Zevran shrugged. "I think you see the total picture there."

Elissa grimaced. "Well, I hope the king still supports me," she said slowly.

"Ah? What is this? This should be good," Zevran said, looking at Elissa calculatingly.

"Well, we sort of got into a … a discussion. He found out about Nathaniel, and that was about as good as could be expected." Zevran nodded in understanding. "He acted jealous and moody ever since he found out on the road and during our entire time in Orzammar. Finally, as we were leaving Orzammar he and I talked and ..."

"And?"

" … and I might have let slip my misgivings about how we handled Loghain." Elissa winced again.

"My dear, I told you that would be a bad idea," Zevran sighed. "So now he is angry, yes?"

Elissa frowned. "I don't know. That's the problem. He's disappointed and probably angry at me as a person. I don't know if he will let that carry over into politics or not." She sighed. "Speaking of anger translating into politics, you spoke with Fergus?"

"Yes." Zevran looked at Elissa again, this time out of the corner of his eye, before looking back to the lake. He kept his tone quiet and conversational. "He was pleasant enough to me, but he seems to still be quite angry about your last meeting." He paused, and Elissa sighed sadly. "You may wish to allow him more time to calm down before speaking with him again."

"Thank you, Zev. I'll wait then." She pulled the note from her belt. "Should I open this now?" Zevran hesitated, then nodded. Elissa turned the note over and broke the seal, opening it slowly. She closed her eyes and took another deep breath, then started to read.

Warden-Commander,

Since our last meeting I have had time to consider what we discussed. I remember distinctly that you said that Grey Wardens do not directly hold land or political titles. Would you be so kind, then, as to return the remaining Cousland signet ring? I may have need of it in the future. In addition, if you could kindly inquire of your associates as to the location of the Cousland sword and shield, I would be most grateful. Those items have gone missing from my family treasury, and I would like to see my family's heirlooms restored to their home. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Teyrn Fergus Cousland

Elissa closed her eyes and handed the note to Zev, who read through it with his eyebrows raised. "This looks like bad news, my friend."

"Yes. I'm apparently being disowned." Elissa drew a shaky breath, trying to keep from losing her self-control. Despite her efforts, a single tear left her eye and trailed down to her chin and her voice cracked. "He wouldn't ask for Mother's signet ring back otherwise." She hurriedly wiped the offending wetness from her face, then took several deep breaths, willing herself to calm before continuing. When she did, her voice was almost back to normal. "I don't have the sword and shield. I ended up selling them in Denerim when we needed money for food."

Zevran hissed through his teeth. "That was what you were asking that dwarven merchant about after the blight ended, was it not?"

Elissa nodded after a moment. "Yes. He had sold them. I guess they're hanging on someone's wall now. Maybe they've been melted down to make new weapons. We'll probably … we'll probably never find them." Suddenly, she felt the need to be completely alone. "Zev, can you keep fishing?" He looked at her and nodded sympathetically. "Thanks. I'll write the reply to Fer- to Teyrn Cousland after dinner." She got up and went to the campsite, going immediately into her tent and closing the flaps.

She didn't know how long she lay there, barely registering the murmur of conversation by the fire outside her tent, but after some time the flap opened and Nathaniel came in. He lay down facing her, propping his head up with his arm.

"Dinner's ready," he said quietly. "Hungry?" Elissa looked at him and shook her head. He stroked her hair. "Want to talk about it?" She showed him the note without speaking a word. He took it from her and read it, folding it carefully and setting it aside after he was done. He sighed and tucked her hair behind her ear. "You still have me and the other Wardens, and Delilah," he murmured as he drew her into his arms.

She was surprised that she didn't cry. Instead, she listened to his heartbeat and felt his breath and hands tangling through her hair and just let his presence occupy her. She didn't remember being tired, but when she awoke it was the next morning. Nathaniel was still holding her.

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Teyrn Cousland,

As you requested, I have sent the remaining Cousland signet ring with this message. The Cousland family sword and shield were lost during the blight; I kept them as long as possible, but I eventually had to sell them out of necessity to feed my people. I was not able to recover them when I had made enough money to buy them back. You have my most sincere apologies in this matter.

I would rather have told you this in person, Your Grace, but I understand that the current circumstances will not permit an in-person meeting. I wanted to apologize for my behavior at our last meeting. To lose control of myself and act in anger was unforgivable.

Also, please find enclosed a letter you wrote to one of my wardens a few months ago, regarding a bandit attack that you and he had been involved in. He requested that I send this to you so that you could destroy it if you wish. Neither of us wanted you to be embarrassed by its contents. He also wanted me to inform you that he returns all rights and privileges associated with the property mentioned in the letter to you, its rightful owner. He will ensure that his family is apprised of the change in circumstances.

Sincerely,

Elissa,

Warden-Commander in Ferelden