A/N So in a review a Guest pointed out that Alistair does have a sister-in-law and so that particular passage doesn't quite work. I'd like to thank Cathy (the Guest) for pointing out my mistake and say that I rewrote that passage so Flemeth says "[Alistair's] wife's sister" instead of sister-in-law. Not a big change but it's there and again I'd like to point out that I appreciate any and all constructive criticism and will do my best to act on it.

Both the camp and the tower where completely overwhelmed by darkspawn.

It became apparent that somehow the darkspawn had managed to slip behind the camp's fortifications and overwhelm any defenders left there or at the tower. Upon discovering this the group paused briefly and said a prayer to their respective gods for Alice and Alistair, who were almost certainly slain by such numbers. Neira found her thoughts straying to Elisa, the poor woman had found her sister against all odds only to lose her a day later.

Still concealed within the forest the group began to move north, out of the wilds, hoping to warn Ferelden about the threat they faced. If she had survived Elisa should be able to guess what they had done and catch up.

"Leaving so soon?" a voice from shadows of the trees asked "and without your fellow wardens? There are so few of you that one would think that you would not abandon the three that remain." The witch, Morrigan stepped out from behind the trees.

"Three wardens are still alive?" Neira and Kallian asked simultaneously

"Yes, my mother rescued the two that were on the tower and there is a third that seems to be retrieving something from the camp; normally I'd have given her up for dead but she seems not to know the meaning of the word, however effectively she imparts it on the darkspawn."

The group was overjoyed; Alistair, Alice and one other were alive! "Can you describe the one in camp?" Neira asked hopefully

"She is a young blond woman with pale skin and short hair she keeps in a small ponytail, she is wearing medium armor and carries two swords on her back and is using some staff-like weapon to eliminate the darkspawn quite effectively. If I had to choose I would definitely try to rescue her; she is far more valuable a soldier than the other two, or any of you."

Frowning at the blunt, albeit correct assessment Theron asked "is there any way we could signal her?"

"Indeed, I believe she spotted me when I flew above her a few minutes ago, if I could draw her attention I could easily get her here."

"One second," Neira placed a magical sigil on Morrigan's inner forearm "Being an apostate born into one of the most powerful families in Ferelden had made Elisa very suspicious by nature, she might not follow you if you attempt to lead her anywhere; hopefully she'll recognize the mark as mine and be more amendable to accepting a strange shapeshifter as a guide"

"That would most likely make this easier, stay here I will be right back" Morrigan took the form of a crow and flew off to where Elisa was fighting for her life.

A few minutes later Morrigan leads a woman that is so covered in blood that she is completely unrecognizable save for the distinct shape of the blood coated weapon in her hand. Relief at seeing her friend causes Neira to giggle; Blood covered in blood, the situation causes her to find it uncontrollably funny and soon the wardens all share her mirth. Things may be bad but they are alive and the horde is not here.

Morrigan shook her head at the display "Mother said grey wardens can be a bit odd" she said to herself, having shifted back to human form. "If you are all done attempting to lure the darkspawn here with your laughter then follow me; I will lead you to Mother and the other two wardens"

oOo

Alice and Alistair lay side by side in Morrigan's Mother's hut, laid out on the two beds that sat within. Morrigan's Mother – Flemeth, she revealed her name to be – worked tirelessly to bring the two back from the edge of oblivion. Once they arrived Neira, Solona, Elisa and Morrigan all aided how they could. While it was stressful and exhausting work they fared far better than the others, who were forced to wait idly for news, tortured by the fact that there was nothing they could do for two of the few comrades they had left.

The group was pleasantly surprised when Alice's dog, George, Kallian reminded them, walked into camp two days later. While not as good as one of their friends awakening, George's survival brought hope to the group. One day later Alistair awoke from his sleep; while his injuries were mostly healed he was still weakened and Morrigan forced him to spend most of his time resting in order to speed recovery. Thanks to the work of the five mages Alice would be all but recovered when she awoke and if Alistair did not overextend himself they would be able to leave shortly after she opened her eyes.

About mid-morning the next day Alice finally awoke, much to the relief of the group who not only worried for her but also had to deal with Alistair and Kallian reaching the point of insanity with worry for her. The only reason Elisa was not with them in that state was that she spent every waking moment helping heal her sister, even going so far as to learn the basics of spirit healing from Neira in the process.

Once Alice dressed in her armor, thoroughly repaired during her unconsciousness the group made to leave; having made plans for gathering the army Duncan had ordered during the long hours they spent waiting for Alistair and Alice to awake. As they turned to leave Elisa turned to Flemeth and said "Thank you for everything" bowing low.

The old witch brushed of her thanks and asked for them to wait a moment before departing. Morrigan approached them "The stew is on the pot Mother, will we have nine guests for dinner or none?"

"The grey wardens are leaving my dear" Flemeth informed her "and you shall be going with them"

"Such a shame –" Morrigan began before the second part of what her mother had said registered "What?"

The suggestion drew a look of dismay from Alistair and a look of interest from Theron, before either of them could say anything however Elisa spoke up "Thank you, but if Morrigan doesn't want to come with us…"

Flemeth clearly had an annoying habit of brushing of the concerns of other people "You need her to help you avoid the horde and the dangers of the wilds" she stated in a tone of voice that brokered no argument "and her magic will be useful against what you will face."

Elisa nodded; clearly the witch wasn't telling them everything but she doubted that they would be able to safely leave the wilds with Morrigan's help, if at all. Since the witches had proved trustworthy so far she wouldn't argue and risk alienating Morrigan.

Morrigan collected her things and suggested that they head for Lothering to get supplies. Elisa accepted her suggestion and told the group of the change of plans. After reminding Alistair that grey wardens accepted help where ever it came from the group set off; heading out to stop the blight and save their country, or die trying.

A/N Quite the short chapter it seems but it ended well and if I continue on I'm afraid I'll wind up with another 4000 word chapter, or longer since I intend to cover all of Lothering and have everyone lay out who's going where in a single chapter. That means that I'll be introducing Sten, Leliana and Bodhan and Sandal in the next chapter as well as going through the first camp scene, which will wind up being far longer than the one in the game since the new additions plus Alistair's suggestions will mean that they will need to revisit the plans they did make and rethink them, which may take a while.

Anyways, thanks for reading and please review!