Hey guys, I'm back. I'm sorry about the long delay. I got pregnant and spent the first three months of this year so sick that I could barely sit up, much less do any writing. By the time I got to feeling better, my coaching season had started. Hopefully, I can get some writing in before this little one is born. I hope you all enjoy this, if any of you are still with me.

~~~0~~~

Shing...shing...shing...

Amid the early morning clashing of swords and the zipping of arrows hurling toward straw targets, one sound seemed to ring out among the rest, the sound of Ogren's massive ax as it slid rhythmically over a whetstone. The practice yard was full of recruits, wardens, and guards going through their morning training regimens. There was, however, one person missing from the normal morning maelstrom, and her absence seemed to scream out to Ogren over the normal din of the morning's activities. It wasn't Eriana's absence, per-say, that irked him; Maker knows she deserved a late morning from time to time. In fact, under normal circumstances, Ogren would have been pleased that she had skipped her normal morning regimen. She had been trying her best to run herself ragged since she returned from the one-year celebration. Before now, seeing her missing from her normal training routine would have settled his mind somewhat, but he knew that her absence wasn't about resting or cutting back. It was about that blighted assassin who was, at this moment, shacked up in her room...just like he had been four times already in the past two weeks.

Three months had passed since his commander and friend apparently completely lost her mind and took the unknown Antivan back to her room in the inn. Since then, not a week had passed in which the dark-haired elf hadn't made his presence amongst the Wardens known. At first it was an occasional rendezvous whenever the Wardens or Eriana had business in Amaranthine; then it progressed to his visits to the keep. Though the entire thing irked the dwarf to no end, Oghren kept his mouth closed; well, for the most part anyway. The assassin was always gone in a few hours, and the Commander always saw him out, assuring all that she was in one piece. Not that anyone besides him seemed concerned anymore; most of the residents of the keep didn't even bat an eye at his presence anymore. For the past few nights, though, Eriana had been letting the assassin spend the night in her room, in her bed; it as all a bit too much for the dwarf.

"You know, if you keep scowling like that, you're going to scare off the recruits, maybe even a few of the veterans, too," Nathaniel joked light-heartedly, sitting down beside Oghren and pulling him from his angry musing. "I think Ulfric may even be a bit wary of you at the moment."

Oghren huffed, looking at the newest addition to the Fereldan Wardens, a 20-year veteran from the Free Marches who had transferred recently to the south to offer his expertise to the young order. The seasoned warrior was currently putting a group of exhausted recruits through their paces, fighting as many as three of them at a time without breaking a sweat. "Ulfric is none of my concern at present."

"I know what your concern is, and you're not alone in that," Nathaniel said with a sigh. "We're all concerned about her, you know, and we all want what is best for her. She's been pushing herself far too hard for the last year and a half, something you can see better than any of us because you've known her longer than any of us. I don't know why you refuse to see it, but he's good for her." Oghren huffed and turned his attention back to his already deadly blade. "If it makes you feel any better, if he had any intention of killing her, I'm pretty sure he would have made his move already."

"Yeah, thanks, that really takes a huge load off my shoulders. I'm so glad we could have his talk, Howe. We should take that approach with every stranger who shows up on our doorstep; just let them into her room at night, and as long as they don't make an attempt on her, they're safe." The dwarf turned and glared at him. "Are you sure you're not still trying to kill her?"

Nathaniel laughed, shaking his head. "I doubt Zander can hardly be classified as a stranger any more. Not to Eriana anyway." The look Oghren shot the young noble was nearly as deadly as his ax edge. "Oh, come on now, even you have to admit Eriana looks healthier today than I have ever seen her, and if anyone has a good sense about who to trust and who not to trust, it's her. Why can't you trust her on this?"

Oghren sighed. Regardless of his feelings toward and distrust of the assassin, his Eriana had started looking and acting more like the woman he'd known during the blight. Now she was laughing at meals, cracking jokes during scouting runs, and eating like a starved mabari again. Her skin had a new, healthier glow, and the sparkle had returned to her eyes for the first time since her father died. And Howe was right about her instincts. After all, Zevran, Loghain, even Howe himself had all started out trying to kill her only to end up defending her after she showed them mercy. Loathe as he was to admit it, Howe did have a point. "I still don't like him."

"No, I'm sure you wouldn't, but you do like the commander. She needs this, even if she doesn't exactly realize it as of yet."

~~~~0~~~~

Zander was awake well before the first rays of sun crept in through the windows of Vigil's Keep. In fact, he had been up most of the night, his mind far too restless to allow him any true sleep. Pressed against his side, her legs entwining with his, lay Eriana, her blonde hair cascading across his chest and over her pillow in golden waves as she slept, her face, the picture of tranquility and relaxation. The last three months had rattled him more than he believed he could have been rattled. After all, wasn't he supposed to be a heartless murder who was incapable of developing any affectionate feelings? That's what he was trained to be, what his life had molded him into. How was it that he was actually beginning to develop what was increasingly becoming true feelings for this woman? Sighing quietly to himself and being careful not to move lest he disturb the sleeping goddess beside him, Zander let his mind wander back to that night nearly a year ago when he left Antiva bound for Ferelden.

When Zevran first approached him to explain his plan to overthrow the Crows, Zander thought he was crazy. When he explained that he was doing it for a woman, Zander knew he was completely insane. It was so against Zevran's nature to do something so rash and reckless for a woman. Zander thought that surely the incident with Rinna would have taught him not to let his heart get the better of him, but apparently that wasn't the case. Zander remembered the night his brother in everything but blood had come to him with his plan.

Zander had been in Rialto carrying out his latest contract from the Crows when he returned to his rented room to find Zev waiting for him, sprawled out on Zander's bed, flipping through several papers as he nursed a bottle of wine that sat on the nightstand. Zander didn't bother to ask how Zev had found him; he just sighed and poured himself a glass of wine and sat down on the bed beside his brother. Normally, he'd be more cautious, even around those who he knew, but Zevran was the only person in the world that Zander trusted implicitly. The two had been purchased from the same brothel and had gone through their training together. They had never gone out on jobs together for fear that their extremely close relationship would compromise the mission. And though they considered each other brothers, they rarely ever spent time together, especially in the open, sagely choosing to keep the details of their friendship private so that it could never be used against them.

"So," Zander said, taking a long drink of the wine, "the prodigal son returns. Rumors of your exploits in Ferelden have been fascinating, but I thought you'd all but resolved yourself to live out the rest of your life in the land of the dog lords. What brings you back to our fair shores, fratello?"

What the blonde elf said next nearly made Zander spit out the drink he had just taken. "It's quite simple really; I plan to take over the Crows."

Staring dumbly at his best friend, it took Zander a few moments to realize that he hadn't been joking. Shaking his head, the raven-headed elf motioned for Zev to continue and then spent the next two hours listening as the blonde went through his rather simple, yet strangely elaborate plans.

"So what is it that you want from me? It sounds to me as though most of these plans should only require your talents."

"This is true; however, it does require me to be here, and while I am here, there is no one looking after my interests back in Ferelden. That is where you come in."

"Your interests; you mean the girl," Zander said.

"Precisely," Zev said, leaning back and taking a long drink. "I have no doubt that she and the Wardens she surrounds herself with can take care of her person for the most part. They are quite capable, I'm sure; however, since coming here, I have learned that there are several interested parties attempting to take out contracts on my Warden."

"They will not be accepted," Zander pointed out. "The leadership of the Crows does not wish to embarrass themselves further by continuing to attempt to eliminate her and anger the Grey Wardens. Besides, they have made an agreement with her. These requests are nothing to worry about."

"From the Crows, that is true. I doubt even competent rogue agents would be foolish enough to attempt to take an independent contract, and if they did, she would no doubt take care of them. I'm not even worried that much about them going to other guilds. If she can handle Crows, she can handle the Red Sons or other such groups. But I would prefer to eliminate the problem at the source."

"You want me to go to Ferelden and eliminate those who are trying to take out a hit on her?"

"Among other things, yes."

"Other things?"

At this, Zevran took a deep breath and a troubled look crossed his face. "I need you close to her. I didn't exactly inform her of my plans before I left, and I'm afraid that she feel betrayed even hurt by my departure. If the rumors I'm hearing are true, she has not handled it well." Zev looked up at his best friend. "Help her; whatever it takes, help her, heal her."

Zander shook his head, confused. "I'm sorry, but I need to be clear about what you are asking here. Are you saying you want me to…"

Zevran cursed and downed his drink. "I am not telling you to do anything. In fact the thought of you doing anything with her makes me want to slice your throat, but I know that may be what she needs. I know her, Zander," his friend said, the pain evident behind his amber eyes, "she was only just beginning to believe in herself. That back-woods, uneducated group of heathens she calls her countrymen had all but destroyed her. I am afraid my leaving may have undone all her progress. Yet, I could not warn her or explain my intentions because she would have insisted on coming with me, and that I could not allow. It is too dangerous to bring her here right now."

Zander looked intently at his brother, seeing the obvious pain on his face. A revelation struck him. "You truly care for this woman, don't you Zev? I mean, you really care for her."

"She is my only reason for drawing breath, Alexander. I thought that the Crows had killed any part of me that was capable of feeling anything besides lust and hate, but she has opened my life up to a whole new world of possibilities. I would walk to the edge of Thedas for her, and being away from her is physically painful, but I have to, Zander, to keep her safe."

"Maybe the safest thing for her, then, would be to give her up completely. You know that even as the head of the Crows, you could never completely ensure her safety. "

"That is something that I cannot do, Zander. If I must be away from her for a few years to ensure our future, then I will willingly make that sacrifice. I just need to know that someone I trust is looking out for her. Please, can you do this for me, my friend?"

Now, looking down at the woman whose body was intertwined with his, Zander was beginning to understand what Zevran had been telling him. There was something about this woman that was completely intoxicating, and it wasn't just her physical appearance. True, physically he had met very few women who could compare to her, but her allure somehow went far beyond that. After just three months in her company, Zander was beginning to understand why Zevran would risk losing all to be with her.

In a few weeks, his true mission would be over; if all went according to plan, whoever was behind these attacks would be taken care of, leaving him free to return to Antiva. Eriana seemed to be doing better, and Zander was sure she'd be fine with his leaving. However, he was beginning to imagine what it would be like if he stayed at her side here in Amaranthine. His work with the Crows may suffer a bit as Ferelden was a country at peace so there was very little demand for assassins at the moment, but that was beginning to be less significant as the prospect of remaining with this Warden was becoming more and more desirable. In the back of his mind, he knew the day would come when Zevran would return for his Warden, but there was a chance Zev would be killed in his attempt to overthrow the Crows. He was, after all attempting to assassinate some of the most celebrated assassins in Antiva; there was no guarantee of success. Perhaps that was why Zev had left Eriana out of his plans. Better to begin to move on than to cling to a hope that may never come. True, he risked losing her either way, but perhaps this was the kinder course.

Beside him, the blonde elf began to stir, her pert, warm body rubbing sensually against his as she snuggled deeper into his embrace. Zander's body immediately responded as he tightened his hold on her. No, leaving her would not be an easy thing to do, but regardless, he was going to enjoy what time they had left. All questions as to whether this was what Zevran had in mind when he had told his best friend to see to all her needs fled from Zander's mind as he shifted their bodies so that he was above her, nestled between her perfect legs. She groaned as he playfully thrust against her, wrapping her arms around his neck and drawing him in for a kiss.

It would be well into mid morning before the pair of elves emerged.

~~~~0~~~~

"I believe the time has come to put our plan into action," Zander said to the Wardens assembled in Warden Commander's office. "I've been contacted by the emissaries who initially came to me to discuss abducting Eriana, and they have given me a location where I am supposed to bring her."

Eriana sighed and glanced over at Nathaniel. "So what's the plan?"

Nathaniel leaned forward on the couch, resting his elbows on his knees. "Zander escapes with you during the night, but it will need to be convincing just incase there's someone watching the keep and following you."

"Which there likely is," Zander pointed out.

"So I'll be tied up, bound, the whole nine yards?"

Nathaniel nodded. "Zander will then steal one of our horses and take you to the drop. We will find your room empty and ransacked the next morning and raise an alarm; then we follow after. Zander will stay with you, leaving a trail for us to follow."

"Ramoth will be helpful with making that look convincing," Eriana pointed out. "He's really in tuned to my scent, so he should be able to lead you. Besides, you have been a Warden long enough to sense me if I'm relatively close."

"Perhaps you should bring along that Warden from the Free Marches as well; he has been a Warden far longer than the rest of you so his senses would be sharper," Zander suggested.

"Not a bad thought," Eriana said. "Oghren would want to come as well."

"That's putting it mildly isn't it," Nathaniel said. "I don't think there's anything in this world that could keep Oghren from coming with us; if for no other reason than to get a chance to prove that he was right. I also think we should bring some mages, Niko at least; his shifting abilities and offensive spells would come in handy if we get into a fight. He's not the strongest healer we've got, but hopefully we won't be needing healing, not if everything goes according to plan."

"Sounds like a plan," Zander said, collecting his things. "I'll make contact and let them know when I plan to make the drop. Hopefully, we'll be able to ferret out whoever is truly behind this. I'll see you in a few days, and we can finalize the plans."

"Sounds good," Eriana said as the other elf made his way out of the office. "I'll see you soon."

Once he was gone, the elf plopped down on the couch next to Nathaniel, leaning into her fellow rogue as he wrapped an arm around her. "So, you want to talk about what's bothering you, or should I just guess."

Eriana grinned, "You know me too well, Nate. Don't worry, I'll be fine. I guess that it just hit me that once this is done, there's no reason for Zander to stick around. He'll probably head back to Antiva once this is all over."

"Perhaps," Nathaniel conceded, wrapping his arm around the elf. "But there is a branch of the Crows here in Ferelden; he may decide to stay." He glanced down at the elf beside him. "Would that be something that you would want, for him to stay?"

Eriana sighed softly. "I don't know, maybe; I mean it's been, what, nearly two years since Zevran left. Maybe it's time I started to move on."

"And you think Zander is the right choice for you?"

Sighing, Eriana gave a small shrug. "I honestly don't know. Spending these past few weeks with him has been wonderful, but, Nathaniel, he is so like Zevran in so many ways: his voice, his accent, the way he touches me. If I'm not careful, I can just forget that it's not him. I can close my eyes, and it's almost like he never left."

"Do you?"

A blush crept up Eriana's cheeks. "Not as much as I used to. Sometimes, Nate, I just can't help it. It's so easy to pretend, and in the moment, it's so perfect. I feel so at ease and safe in the moment, but it's only temporary because the illusion is lost the instant that I open my eyes. Then it hurts all over again."

"Then why let yourself do it, imagine that you're with Zev? I mean, if you know it's going to hurt, why allow yourself the illusion in the first place?"

"Because the illusion is so sweet," Eriana said with a sigh. "Also, it was keeping me from getting too attached to Zander himself."

"Why would you want to do that? I mean, it seems that the last few weeks have been good for you; Zander has been good for you. Why purposefully distance yourself from that?"

"In all honesty, I have been afraid of letting him get too close, of letting him in because I knew that this was only temporary. Once we found out who was behind this, he was gone. So I focused on the benefits of this temporary relationship, and tried to keep myself as distant as possible."

"Has it worked?"

"In a way, yes. I know you can see it; I'm starting to feel normal for the first time in ages." A smile crept over her face. "I'm starting to feel like myself again instead of just feeling numb all the time, and Zander has helped me see that. I just don't want to fall back into my old habits once he leaves."

Nathaniel wrapped his arms around her, planting a quick kiss on her forehead. "You are a strong woman, Eriana. The things you've been through over the past few years are enough to overwhelm anyone. There are times when I look at you and I'm amazed that anyone could still standing after all that. If being with Zander helps you in dealing with everything, I say do whatever it takes." He stroked the hair back off her hair a bit as she thought about what he was saying.

"I don't know if it's just Zander himself or if it's just feeling validated again. I do like Zander, and it's not just because he reminds me of Zevran. Maybe it's because he makes me feel special once again. Perhaps once all this is over, I can start to figure all this out, but for now, we need to focus on everything that's going on. Talk to Garen about tracking methods. We will need a back up method just in case they don't let Zander come along."

"Don't worry, everything will be fine."

If he had only known.

~~~0~~~

Two weeks later, Eriana found herself blindfolded and bound on the back of a horse leaning back against Zander's chest. "I know the blindfold was necessary, but did I really need to be in a night shirt?"

"I couldn't very well let you wear your armor, now could I? You have so many gadgets built into that thing that there was no way I could subdue you for very long. Plus, if I had given you time to change, they would have known something was up. Besides, this way I get to feel your smooth legs any time I want."

"That may be, but it's rather cold."

"Don't worry, love; I'll warm you up once this is all over," Zander hissed in her ear. "Now, hush; we're approaching the drop point and you are supposed to be a captive, not a willing participant."

"Whatever you say."

An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of Eriana's stomach as Zander slowed the horse. She could tell that they had entered a clearing already filled with what sounded like ten to fifteen men. Behind her, Zander tensed a bit as well, but the calm, easy sound of his voice betrayed no discomfort. "One Warden commander, alive and kicking as promised," he said as he dismounted, leaving her alone on the horse.

Large, strong hands grabbed her arms and pulled her roughly from the horse before dumping her to the ground. She landed with a dull thud as all the air was knocked from her lungs. "And well done, too," said the all too familiar voice of Hayden Temmerly. "It looks like she gave you minimal problems."

"Once you have her trust, she is all too easy to control," Zander said cooly.

"Bastard," Eriana hissed up at Zander. "I trusted you."

"Well, I won't be needing your trust to make you submit," Temmerly said, pulling the hood off her head. Eriana blinked at the sudden bright light as she looked up at the sadistically grinning nobleman. "Bet you're wishing you'd had me executed, now, don't, ya, you knife-eared slut."

"So, you've been behind this all along?" Eriana sneered. "It seems above your creative ability."

"Nope, I just get to reap the rewards and be there to see you draw your last breath."

"Ah, there are few things in life more satisfying than watching one who has caused you such trouble finally get what is coming to them. And watching one as fair as this draw her last breath, there is nothing like it. I assume our deal is still in place," Zander asked, turning to the nobleman. "I deliver the girl, and I get to meet your accomplice as well as see her death throes. I'm sure they won't compare to seeing her in the throes of passion, but it will come close. Besides, the Crows would like to know that the job is done, good for business, you know."

"Yes, well about that," Temmerly said with a wave of his hand as two bolts from a crossbow embedded into the elf's chest, piercing the leather armor he was wearing and carrying him to the ground. A shout erupted from Eriana's throat as Zander began to bleed out, his blue eyes fixed on her.

"I'm afraid I've had to alter our arrangement. No offense, but it seems that screwing this one seems to screw with your better judgment." Temmerly cast a lecherous look in her direction. "Not that that should be a problem with me mind you, as I intend to take full benefit of her incapacitated state."

Eriana began to struggle in earnest against her bindings, but Zander had secured her too tightly. Temmerly glanced down at her and laughed. "Strip her and make sure her scent is distributed among those three carriages to confuse that mutt of hers.

Before she could move to protest, the thin shift had been pulled off her along with every other stitch of clothing she was wearing. A few of the men had hit her, spearing her blood on the carriages. Once they finished, Temmerly secured a gag in her mouth before throwing her into a large canvas bag. "Don't worry, Commander," he hissed into the bag. "I don't plan to kill you just yet. We're going to have some fun before we do that."

With that, Temmerly tied off the top of the bag, enveloping Eriana in darkness as the bag was hoisted up and tossed into a chest. The world around her began to shift as the wagon she was in began to move. Around her, the sounds of three other wagons going in all directions faded into the distance. With Zander gone, now she could only hope that Nathaniel could track her down before Temmerly could finish with her or before his accomplice could show up.