(A/N: I feel obligated to point out here that this is rated M for a reason. Suggestively, and somewhat more actively, sexy below. But not too bad.)

Dragon Age: Destiny's Rise

Trading Docks, Amaranthine

Day 463 (Dragon Age 9:31, Month 4, Day 13)

It was obvious for anyone who had ever been to Ferelden that the vast majority of the small country's importance has always been contained within the walls of its largest city, the capital, Denerim.

But just over a century ago, Orlesian occupiers had seen fit to build a rather large set of trading docks in the small port city of Amaranthine for supply purposes. The roads leading into Ferelden from the Empire were never safe. The docks were. And Orlais ruled the seas.

Amaranthine, the first city to fall to the invaders, was long a base of operations. The city only grew from there.

Today it was the third most populous city in Ferelden, even outranking the Teyrnir of Gwaren by a small number. It dwarfed the Arling of Redcliffe, though not in importance, thanks to location. Situated between Highever and Denerim, it had only ever been an Arling, despite its size.

But for trading purposes it now rivaled Denerim, depending on the destination of goods and peoples.

Aedan had been to the city numerous times, it falling inside his father's, and now brother's domains. Well, for now.

Alistair had in fact decided to grant the city, and all it's surrounding lands, though more importantly its fortress, Vigil's Keep, to the Grey Wardens.

And Aedan was to be Warden Commander of Ferelden. A Warden Commander might now also carry the title Arl of Amaranthine, though this was still being argued over.

He was not exactly looking forward to it.

He had already told Anora to lay groundwork for an eventual return to the more normal structure. Grey Wardens were not supposed to be Arl's. Nor rule over the third largest population area in the country. It was only by a twist of fate a warden was also king. Alistair would be the only one.

She had agreed, but told him it could take at least a year or two. And Alistair would have to be convinced.

Until then he was likely trapped. But not yet.

There were no wardens. Until then, the Arling remained under Highever.

He had left yesterday morning. Sten, Wynne, Shale, and Oghren in tow. Leliana and Zevran had already said their goodbyes. The elf had his first, official task. Leliana was lending some of her considerable expertise to his. Aedan had no idea what for. Neither would speak of it.

Anora was quite pleased to have the both of them living in the palace. Zevran was officially a part of the court now. Though his position was unnamed and was not to be spoken of. Some had blanched at this of course, him being an elf, not to mention a known former assassin. Though none had the stones to argue against it.

Leliana was not officially working for anyone. But she had made it known that some things she would not mind assisting with.

Now, standing alone out on the docks, watching the ships and waves role in, he had what in reality was his first moment to himself in what had to be months.

He loved the sea. So peaceful, so deadly. It commanded respect.

There were times, as a boy, he wished he cold have been a sailor.

But those dreams had passed, and now, after having been on a few trips in rather nasty weather while out to sea, he had to admit he rather liked having his feet on solid ground.

He'd had a discussion with the ship captain his friends were to leave on. A quick trading stop in Rialto was their first destination, followed by a trek through the Northern Passage, stopping in Kont-Arr where Sten would depart, heading for Par Vollen from there. Wynne and Shale would continue on to Minrathous, the capital of the Tevinter Imperium.

It was a five week journey to Minrathous. A very long time to be on a ship. But it beat walking. A journey on foot could take three months. And only then without difficulties.

By ship was also the safest way. And Aedan had let it be known to the captain that his friends were to be treated as royalty.

He would be waiting for word to reach him. If it did not...

Aedan smiled to himself. There was some good at least that had come from his new found fame. Everyone knew who he was, which was awful, but they were also both awed and terrified of him as well. Depending on circumstance.

Few wished to argue with a slayer of gods and dragons.

The captain had sworn up and down that his friends would be well cared for.

Aedan had given the man fifty extra sovereigns anyway, on top of the regular payment. He could nearly buy a small sized ship for that.

Truthfully he was not worried about it. Sten and Shale together were a fearsome sight. And many had mistaken Wynne for a kindly old woman.

She was. But she was also mean as hell if need be.

Speaking of the devil...

Wynne was approaching him. She was alone as well.

"Aedan...don't you ever sleep?"

He shook his head. "Not well...no."

Wynne recalled Aedan had always slept far less than Alistair had. His dreams had been more intense.

She frowned. "The dreams should have stopped by now..."

Aedan nodded. "They have. It's just a general unease. I've always been a poor sleeper."

She shook her head. "You should have said something. I could have made some potions."

"It isn't a big deal. I get enough."

She nodded and looked at the ship. "I said I would like to travel...but this is not what I had in mind."

"You get seasick?"

"Yes...though it has been a rather long time. Perhaps it has passed? Maker, I'm going to find out."

"Minrathous." He frowned. "You sure about this?"

"Oh yes! I've longed to see the great capital of the Imperium. Such history! I wish the circumstances were different but..."

Aedan narrowed his eyes. "How so?"

Wynne sighed. "I was not supposed to say..." She looked at the ship, then back to him. "She won't come back. Not from this."

"Shale? You mean she'll die?"

"It would be safe to say she's been dead for over a thousand years Aedan. Only trapped. It's possible she could be saved, it's been done many times I know, but not to who she once was. She may not even remember anything."

"Then why go through with it?"

"Aedan, she's been a golem since the first Blight, but she can remember hardly anything. Why just the other day we were discussing some of the events that occurred right after she joined us. The poor thing could not remember them all. Her memory, as a golem, is very finite, almost as if she can only recall recent events, perhaps some monumental ones for longer periods. But nothing else. So much is lost..."

Wynne sighed and sat on a crate near him.

"It's so sad really."

Aedan had never thought of it that way. "She's a prisoner."

Wynne nodded. "Very much so."

Aedan sat next to the old mage. Both stared out to sea for a time.

Sten and Shale, led by Oghren could be heard making their way towards the ship.

Aedan stood, as did Wynne. She whispered to him.

"Don't speak to her of it Aedan. She doesn't wish anyone to know."

Aedan nodded.

"By the stone! Look at all of it!"

Aedan realized Oghren had yet to see open ocean. The dwarf turned to him.

"Where does it end?"

Aedan pointed north. "Brandel's Reach is actually just over the horizon. It a group of islands. On very clear days you can just make them out. The Free Marches lay beyond, maybe a day's sail. Not too far really."

Sten jumped in. "East lay the great ocean. Your people call it something ridiculous no doubt. Qunari have sailed it for weeks to the east. It never ends."

"The Amaranthine Ocean. We named it after this city actually."

Sten looked around at the city. "Why?"

Aedan followed his gaze. "That's really a good question actually."

Wynne pointed to the ship. "The captain is waving. It's time to go."

Sten looked at Aedan. "Kadan..."

Aedan offered his hand. Sten gripped it.

"A strange custom. But apt. Be well. May we never meet again."

Aedan shook his head and smiled. "Watch out for yourself Sten if we do."

The Qunari actually smiled. "Indeed." He looked at the others then back to Aedan. "My people will come. In time. Be ready."

Aedan nodded. "I hope you're wrong Sten. But I can tell you now we won't be."

"Hmmph. Perhaps. Doubtful. May we both have passed by then."

Aedan released his hand and smiled. "Agreed. Sten...you have my thanks. And you always have a place here. Always."

Sten nodded. "My place is with my people Kadan. But thank you."

He nodded to Oghren and walked up the plank to the ship.

Shale lumbered up to him, smacking Oghren out of the way.

"Damn rock!"

Aedan smiled at her. Her? It still seems strange...

"Have we not already done this?"

Aedan laughed. "I guess we have but I seemed to have lived."

"Yes. It is rather resilient isn't it."

He stood in front of her for a few seconds. She seemed ready to walk up to the ship.

"You sure?"

"Yes."

Aedan nodded. "Well. I hate goodbyes. So I'll see you soon enough I'm sure."

Shale actually laughed. "Knowing what I know of it, it is probably correct no doubt."

Aedan smiled, a little sadly. "Goodbye Shale."

The golem hesitated for a second then walked up the plank to the ship.

Wynne stopped in front of him.

"I shall be back within the year but I cannot be certain."

"You're going for other reasons as well, aren't you?"

"Yes Aedan."

He looked at the old mage. She had always known much more than she'd spoken of. He could only wonder now how much.

He would not ask.

He smiled to her, shaking his head.

She gave him a hug. "Take care of Alistair for me please. And watch Leliana. She's...she's..."

"I know."

She looked up at him and gave him a peck on the cheek. She nodded and walked up the plank of the ship, talking to herself.

"I swear, they're like my children..."

Aedan watched as the captain of the ship came on deck and nodded to him. Aedan gave him a stare to enhance what they had spoken of before.

His men untied the lines and began to push the vessel with long poles away from the docks.

A man kicked the plank away and the ship slowly moved towards the open sea.

"You look like you need a drink warden."

Aedan looked down at Oghren.

"Truer words were never spoken."

"Come on then. I'm buying..."

Royal Palace, Denerim

Day 465

Aedan rolled over in the bed and found nothing.

He sat up and looked around. It was not exactly early, judging by the angle of the sun coming in through the window.

When he and Oghren had finally got back last night, very late actually, after literally drinking the entire day before in Amaranthine, he had found no one around either. Not surprising really given the time, but he had expected Leliana to be there, asleep, and she wasn't.

So the dwarf had convinced him to keep drinking.

They'd raided the kitchens late last night.

Looking around the room, he could tell she had not come back last night at all.

He got up and moved to the wash basin, cleaning off quickly and doing something about his gods awful breath which reeked of stale ale and pickled food.

He felt like vomiting just thinking about it. Oghren had convinced him to first eat, then drink pickled anything they could find. It was disgusting, but after seeing off three of his closest friends, two most likely for good, the day before, he was suddenly up for anything. And quite drunk by the time they'd started.

A loud knock on the door interrupted him.

"Come in!"

Alistair opened the door and walked in.

"Maker's breath what is that smell?"

Aedan smelled his armpits, then his hands as he breathed into them.

"Not me? Anymore at least."

Alistair walked over towards the bed and the smell. He knelt down and picked up Aedan's dirty shirt. He dropped it quickly and backed away.

"Oh!..." He wiped his hands on his shirt then looked at his shirt and sighed. "Dammit..."

Aedan laughed at him. "Pickle juice?"

Alistair nodded. "Yes. Disgusting. Let me guess, Oghren?"

Aedan nodded. "We got carried away."

"Be glad Leliana is not here then."

"Where is she actually?"

"Gwaren, with Anora and Zevran. They should be back next week."

Aedan looked curious. "What for?"

Alistair sat on the bed. "Anora wanted to settle her father's affairs, the house, farms and such since no one will be likely going back now. Zevran heard some things so he insisted on going with the regular detachment. Leliana was honestly just bored I think so she went with them."

Aedan raised an eyebrow. "Zevran heard what?"

"Nothing major. Some Banns are still upset she "switched sides" as they call it."

"Are they a threat?"

Alistair shook his head. "I doubt it. Zev's probably overreacting."

Aedan walked to the armoire. "Zevran only overreacts with women."

"Mmm. Maybe. Still...Eamon doesn't think much of it either. Anora seemed to dismiss it as well. I'm inclined to believe them. Sour grapes I suppose."

Aedan nodded as he started to dress. The elf could handle it he knew. Still, it made him a little uneasy, if only just. They were supposed to be past this.

Alistair stood up and walked to the armor stand, inspecting Aedan's favored armor. Diligence. He'd always found it odd Aedan had held onto the set when they'd come across so many other sets more fitting. More powerful.

But Aedan had preferred the light weight and maneuverability over sheer protection. And he'd always insisted it looked really good on him. And that was what was really important.

Alistair could never really argue with the results.

He turned as Aedan was finishing getting dressed.

"I thought you should know, I received word yesterday. From Orlais."

"Orlais?"

"From the Warden Commander there. Word has spread."

Aedan sighed and looked up at the ceiling. He knew this would come.

"About me then?"

Alistair nodded. "He informed me word had already been sent to Weisshaupt concerning our great victory, and, that by a stroke of what could only be divine providence, the Grey Warden who struck the blow still lives." Alistair frowned. "It was all very sarcastic to be honest."

"You send anything back?"

"Only a general thank you for noticing us way down here and all. It would have been nice if you'd have been here kind of thing." Alistair frowned. "They'll be sending word a little later. Instructions perhaps. It wasn't clear. Probably intentionally."

Aedan smirked for a second. Alistair was still a little bitter over the others. Duncan especially.

"Don't bait them. Just...let me answer them. You don't know anything, understood...besides, you're the king now Alistair. You can probably tell them to sod off if you want."

"I'm still a Grey Warden Aedan."

"Yes...and you always will be. But the fighting and day to day stuff. Alistair...that's over for now buddy. I'm sorry. No more."

"Dammit! I'm the king, if I want to fight or go running after some darkspawn I will!"

"Then I suggest you marry Anora pronto and bend her over the bedpost every chance you get because you'll need an heir, and we both know kids aren't part of the package... usually. Until then...you go off and get killed and we're right back where we started...minus the dammed dragon."

"Ugh! I haven't even told her about the whole shooting empty bolts thing either..."

Aedan had a sudden recollection. "Remember when we went back to Ostagar and found the correspondence Cailan was sending Empress Celene?"

Alistair's eyes opened wider. "I forgot! She may not be able to have children!"

Aedan looked thoughtful. "Maybe. It could have been Cailan. I suggest you ask Leliana when she gets back to dig up some dirt on your late half brother. Find out how many mistresses he may have had. That kind of thing."

"I doubt he was like that."

Aedan gave him a crazy look. "He's royalty man, they're all like that. Your dad must have been, at least a little, because here you are."

"Mmm. Point taken."

"And then we'll have to find a way around the taint..." Aedan started pacing. Thinking.

He turned to Alistair. "Morrigan told me once that the longer the taint lingered in the body the more difficult it would be to conceive, even magically, so maybe you shouldn't wait much longer. You are coming up on two years here soon. We'll have to find some help, maybe Irving, or Wynne when she gets back..."

Aedan actually had another thought that may be more in line for what they needed but kept it to himself.

"Um..."

Aedan looked up. Alistair looked very uncomfortable. "What?"

"Nothing...it's just..."

"What, the virgin thing?"

"Well...I am a little..."

"Holy shit Alistair! Once you do it you won't want to do anything else, trust me. And Anora's incredibly beautiful so there cannot be a problem there. You want to go to the Pearl, maybe get some practice?"

"What? No!"

"Then don't be a pussy. Anora won't like that. She's commanding and bossy in and of herself, a little older and certainly more experienced than you. Be bold with her. Women like her enjoy that. They're used to being in charge and deferred to, even pampered. Take that away from her at first and she'll be all over you." Aedan made a mental note to have Leliana talk to him about women...

"I have no idea what you just said...wait!" Alistair looked suddenly accusatory.

Aedan saw the look on his face. "No. I didn't. Maker's breath give me some credit man."

"Well. It isn't like you were full of restraint before..."

"Alistair...There was only two of them."

"And what about that girl near the trader in Ostagar, and that one with the traps in Lothering, and that one mage girl worried about Wynne. Then that one whose brother was missing...Oh!...and the barmaid Bella...Maker she was sexy though..."

"Gods yes she was..." Aedan shook his head clear after staring into space. "I never slept with any of them."

"And that one elven girl that little boy was smitten with, and that pirate lady from the pearl..."

Aedan coughed and looked away. "Enough! I get it." He looked back at Alistair and raised his right hand. "I swear to the Maker I never slept with your wife to be. Happy?"

Alistair nodded. "I didn't really think so anyway..."

"Yes you did."

"Okay, maybe I did. Just a little."

Royal Palace, Denerim

Day 475

It was rather late and Aedan was lying in bed.

Writhing under the beautiful torture being done upon him by the recently returned Leliana.

She had returned from Gwaren, with Anora and Zevran, including the regular guards as well of course, about four hours ago, just after dark. A late dinner with all was had, followed by long conversations where events having recently passed were discussed.

Aedan did not really listen to any of it.

He'd been a little surprised after a few days at how much he'd missed the bard.

Laying back now, watching her eyes as they beamed up to his while her lips and mouth were currently occupied, he knew she had actually missed him just as much.

Both had realized, after dinner on the way back to the room, that since returning from the Brecilian Forest and heading back to Redcliffe, over a hundred days ago, that they had not been apart for more than a few hours since before their little separate trips this past two weeks.

Both had also avoided discussing the topic. Until a few minutes ago.

"Come here." He motioned for her to come up closer to him.

She moved up his body slowly, dragging her breasts across his chest, and kissing him all over as she moved, lips lingering on his for some time before stopping. She pulled back after and smiled.

"No...I think not. Not yet."

Aedan looked at her like she was crazy but his train of thought was quickly derailed as she turned around, putting her back to him. She quickly slid farther up, her knees on either side of his head, she then pushed herself up and looked down at him from above.

Aedan had a wonderful view.

She lowered herself just a little. Aedan took the hint.

Rising a few minutes later she again looked down at him. Smiling.

She leaned over, laying on top of him, positioning herself so he could return the favor while she tended to him. She looked back at him and smirked, then turned again and began to use her talented mouth in ways that Aedan could simply not resist.

"Holy shit!"

She stopped and looked back again, staring. Aedan stared back and wondered why she'd stopped.

She slid back a little and opened her eyes a little wider. It took a second for him to catch on.

Leliana closed her eyes as he again tasted her, then looked back at him, watching. He was good but...she made a mental note to get him some proper lessons.

She laughed aloud to herself at the thought, which caused Aedan to stop briefly in hurt confusion, she ignored his gaze and went back to the object of her attention...

They had stayed such for some time, drawing it out, until Aedan, hands pressing her bottom down to him, tapped on her a few times and grunted a little.

"Um...Oh gods...Leli,..."

She ignored him and continued. Faster.

He stopped what he was doing and grabbed the bed sheets, ripping them up off the bed, arching his back as she latched onto him with her mouth as if life depended on it.

It did not take long.

Satisfied, and with Aedan spent, she slowly rose and turned, sitting on top of him.

He was breathing heavily and staring up at her. She smiled back and moved beside him, curling up next to him.

"I am a Grey Warden now?"

He looked at her. "What?"

"You drink of the taint to become a Grey Warden yes?" She giggled as she said it.

Aedan laughed. "Not exactly the same. Where did you hear that?"

"Morrigan told me."

Aedan could barely tell, but he thought he detected just a hint of anger directed at herself after she'd said it.

"Ah...I see. What else did she tell you?"

Leliana moved her hand across his stomach, then further south until she had him in her hand again. She slowly began to stroke him.

"Don't change the subject...or...maybe...hold that thought?" Aedan was trying to concentrate.

She looked up at him, eyes innocent. "You want me to stop?"

"Uh...no...but...I..."

She climbed on top of him again and continued using her hand on him. Leaning over she kissed his chest, all while keeping her hand moving.

"Dammit woman..."

She rose quickly and smiled down at him. "We can stop." She lifted herself slightly, moved forward quickly and slid him into her in one smooth motion. "Or not." She began to grind her hips on him.

"You're going to kill me one day, aren't you?"

She smiled again. "Maybe."

She leaned over and kissed him, picking up speed as she did so.

In control, she drew it out as long as possible, stopping, starting, picking up speed. She really was a master. Aedan was completely at her whim.

Finally she allowed him to finish, after her, and she lay atop him, head on his chest.

Sighing, she looked up, rising slightly. She propped herself up and rested her chin in her hand while still laying on him.

"What do you want to know?"

Aedan looked at her. "About what?"

"Maker Aedan! If you are to be killed one day I know how it will happen at least!"

"What does that mean?"

"It means as bright and deadly as you are, a pair of breasts can defeat you by simply making an appearance. Maker knows what might become of you if more were involved..." She still noticed he was not following yet. She sighed.

"Morrigan, Aedan. We have to speak of this at some point. What do you want to know?"

"Oh!...Well...Where to start?...What happened? What did she tell you?"

Leliana lay her head back on his chest and sighed. She carefully composed her thoughts.

"In the forest she came to me and told me that she knew I loved you. That she had watched me watching you the whole time. And that she knew my reasons for being with the Chantry had caused me to hesitate towards you, despite me clearly being drawn to you earlier, that I was afraid, unsure of myself. She...she said she took advantage of that. That she needed you herself so she moved aggressively with you. Later...later she admitted she grew to have very powerful feelings herself..."

"Do you love me?"

She looked up quickly. "Of course I do! What kind of question is that?"

"Well, we've never really discussed it."

"Why should we? Look at our lives Aedan. I'm here now, so are you. We are together. One day you, or I, will be gone and we will not be together. I think...no I hope and pray actually, that we will always find a way back to one another and that those times are few..."

"You don't want more?"

She looked at him seriously. "Do you? Can we even have more? You are a Grey Warden, and soon to be a Warden Commander. I may be a year older than you, but, Maker and who knows what else willing, I'm likely to outlive you by decades. If what Morrigan said is true... Besides..."

She looked off. Sadly.

Aedan turned her head and kissed her gently. "Besides what?"

"Grey Wardens don't have children...normally. Aside from that, right now, at this moment, I have everything else I want already."

"You want children?"

"That won't happen."

"I'm sure they're are ways. I hope so, for Alistair's sake."

"No. Not you. I can't have children Aedan. I was...hurt once. Badly."

Aedan narrowed his eyes as she looked away. She looked...embarrassed. "Marjolaine?"

She shook her head no. "Related...but not her."

"Then..."

She turned quickly on him. "No more."

Aedan noticed the look on her face. It was final. He put a hand on her face and gently brought her to him again. He kissed her for quite some time.

She lay back down on him, wrapping her arms around him a little tighter. Aedan had thoughts but quickly pushed them aside. As she did.

The past will catch up to us both one day I fear...

"So what else did Morrigan tell you?"

She closed her eyes for a second, gathering her thoughts again.

"She told me that you would die. That the wardens exist to die. She likened it to a curse, an unnecessary one in her opinion. And she told me you had no idea. Alistair did not know either. She had carefully questioned you both over months and neither of you had any clue as to what you were actually supposed to do."

She rose again and looked him in the eyes.

"She also said there were ancient ways, magic long since thought gone, that could save you. She explained it to me, much like she did to you. I did not really agree at first either, like you, but...well...she was persuasive. And she used my feelings against me. She used hers as well... And the more I thought about it, the more what she said actually began to make sense..."

She sat up quickly. "I worry though. What if we made a mistake...Aedan...what if she made a mistake?"

"With the child?"

Leliana shook her head yes. "Aedan...Morrigan says it will be a child, but I think...I think she really does not know. She was sure it would look like a child, act like a child even, but later..." She paused, then shook her head. "...She was supposed to go back to the Wilds, to her mother. Flemeth knew all that was to follow. Morrigan...she did not. She would not admit it, but it scared her. Not knowing... But her mother...that changed."

Aedan sat up too, eyes wide in thought. "We all rather burned that bridge..."

She nodded to him. "That's why she withdrew. She was searching. Trying to find...something. She never did. I think. Ultimately...and this is rather ironic...she said it was to be a leap of faith. That she believed it was the right thing to do." She laughed a little. "That is what convinced me really. Morrigan...believing in something. Of course it would also save you..." She looked down.

Aedan watched her.

She did not have to explain. He understood.

His thoughts on the subject were probably much more clear than either Morrigan or Leliana's were.

It was selfishness. Pure and simple. The fear of losing something loved. Even as confusing as it had become.

On all their parts.

Aedan rose from the bed and put on his pants. He started walking in front of the bed, pacing. Deep in thought.

Morrigan had doubts...

Leliana continued. "So she convinced me to get you to leave her. It was not difficult really. She knew I wanted you. She actually told me to use that, to seduce you even, though I disagreed with her there. As much as I wanted it, after what she'd told me... I actually never intended for us to...well...this... But she was so insistent. She had to be separated from you. Physically. It was crucial in some way. She never would say why. I still wonder at that..."

"Because it was easier for her to leave."

Leliana nodded but looked away, somewhat ashamed it seemed to Aedan, as she spoke. "I know that now of course. Then...she did not tell me that."

She turned back to him and found him watching her. She looked down again. Then slowly back up.

"Most of this you know as well, or guessed. She did not tell me much of what she planned to do after. I know she was to head for the Wilds, but that she would not stay long. After that...only that she would have to walk due to the pregnancy. Changing shape would be dangerous after only a week or so."

Aedan went and sat down on the bed again beside her. She moved behind him and draped her arms around his neck, pressing her naked body into his. She rested her forehead against the back of his head.

She'd dreaded asking this since he'd woken up. But she had to.

She whispered in his ear. "What do you want to do?"

Aedan turned to look at her. He could see she was apprehensive about this. She was unsure of him in some ways, of his relationship and connection with Morrigan. But mostly it was because of the child. Even he had misgivings on Morrigan raising the child on her own. Especially now.

He looked down at his hands. At the ring the witch had given him.

He'd kept it.

A link to her. Though he could not feel anything from it. He wondered if Morrigan could. If she knew what he was doing. What he was feeling.

He looked at Leliana again. She was looking at the ring as well.

Aedan knew, after being captured by Cauthrien and sent to Fort Drakon, that Leliana understood what the ring was for as well.

He gave her a smile and a kiss.

"What can we do? You cannot find that which does not wish to be found."

He moved to pull the ring from his finger but she stopped him.

"No...never." She looked right into his eyes. "Sometimes, some weights must be carried. And remembered. Always."

She pushed the ring back up on his finger and closed her hand around it.

"No more for now." She looked into his eyes and smiled, a little weakly.

They were both quiet for a while. Words were not necessary.

Finally, Aedan rose and put on the rest of his clothes. "I'm hungry. You want anything?"

She smiled but it was still a far away smile. She shook her head. "I'm just going to clean up."

He moved closer to her and grabbed her hand, pulling her from the bed and standing her up next to him. He put his arms around her waist and pressed her naked body into his. He ran a hand through her hair.

"Don't get too clean. I like you dirty."

She lightened up immediately and grabbed the back of his head, kissing him fiercely while moving her other hand down his chest to his waist, then inside of his pants.

"Get your food." She gripped him firmly and smirked at him. "But hurry back yes."

He smiled and raised an eyebrow to her as she released him and sat on the bed. Aedan moved towards the door.

She stopped him right before he opened it.

"Because when you get back, I'm going to show you how dirty I can be."

A/N: Effectively the end of part one. Moving witchward next and through Awakenings. Sadly, I'm incredibly busy right now so spacing between chapters could be delayed a little.