Elaine had a lot of time to think during the journey to Vigil's Keep. Her traveling companion, a woman named Mhairi, seemed a bit shy and timid, and Elaine was thankful for the quiet to process all she had been through in the last year. A new beginning she thought, as Grey Warden Commander, in a land she was unfamiliar with. Which meant they were as unfamiliar with her as she was of them, and she could begin anew in any way she chose.

A break from fighting and death knocking at her door. Oversee the rebuilding and restructuring of the Keep while awaiting new recruits sent from Alistair in Denerim. It sounded like a peaceful beginning of her new life, and Elaine was looking forward to moving on.

As they approached Vigil's Keep, however, the familiar burn in her stomach caused her to tense up, and when there was no one to welcome them on the road, she knew something bad was about to happen.

"Darkspawn," she warned Mhairi, seconds before the beasts were upon them. Just when she'd thought it'd be a peaceful new beginning, the smell of tainted blood filled her nose once again. Mhairi sliced into several darkspawn and Elaine directed her spells toward others. Wave after wave hit them, all running from the Keep, and Elaine felt a saddening realization within: they were running from the Keep, which means they had already taken it over.

They fought their way through the front gates and into the Keep, where there were a few guards hiding or running for their lives, but no signs of the other Grey Wardens that should've been there. "Where are all the Wardens?" Elaine wondered out loud. "How did they not sense the darkspawn?"

Mhairi remained silent, fear in her eyes, although she kept her composure while fighting. Once they had made short work of the darkspawn in the main hall, the sounds of battle caught their attention from one of the upper levels. They ran in the direction of the muffled moans and shrieks, and immediately came upon darkspawn and Templar corpses laying at their feet. In the middle of them stood a man with a sheepish grin.

"Commander," Mhairi spoke, "this man is Anders, a wanted apostate. The Templars had brought him here just before I left. I thought they'd be gone by now."

"Yes well it seems those plans didn't turn out so well," Anders said, ignoring Mhairi and staring at Elaine. She was stunned, unable to move or speak as she locked eyes with Anders. "The Maker moves in mysterious ways," he continued when Elaine remained silent.

"The Templars were taking him back to the Tower," Mhairi continued explaining to Elaine. "And now they're all….dead."

"Well, tell you what," Anders said. "I'll help you now, and we can discuss what comes later…later, once all these bastards are properly put down, yes?"

The screams of someone in distress snapped Elaine out of her shocked trance and she turned to run as more darkspawn were upon them. They fell much easier with Anders' assistance, and with methodical searching they cleared out all darkspawn she could sense on the main level of the Keep. They continued on to the upper levels, fighting darkspawn and helping those that had been in hiding.

When the Keep was clear, Elaine, Mhairi, and Anders returned to the exterior courtyard where the survivors had all gathered. Elaine was met by Seneschal Varel, who explained that the darkspawn had come from beneath the Keep itself, surprising and killing every Grey Warden that had been in the Keep.

Her first day as Commander, and already it seemed too much to process. Elaine slipped into her role easily though, ordering guards to collect bodies and servants to begin cleaning up what they could. Varel offered apologies for the condition of the Keep, and Elaine shrugged, realizing her life was never going to be as easy as she had hoped only a few hours ago.

And then there was Anders. Here of all places. Her brain was in overdrive and didn't even want to comprehend all that was going on around her. As she gave out the rest of the orders to the remaining staff of the Keep, she asked Varel to show her to her room so she could clean up a bit. He did so quietly, seeming a bit embarrassed that she had walked into such chaos under his charge, but Elaine couldn't think about stroking his ego right now. She was filthy. She was exhausted. And she was afraid.

Elaine wasn't sure how long she'd been asleep, but when she woke the sun was beginning to set. She sat up and stretched forward to release the tension in her back. A voice in the darkness startled her. "Well, this is more pleasant than sitting in a Templar cell," he said from the chair near her desk.

"Hello Anders," she managed after she caught her breath.

"'Hello Anders'? That's all you've got after all this time? And after ignoring me earlier, as if you didn't know me? I'm terribly hurt, you know."

Elaine got out of bed and reached for her bag to start the unpacking she had delayed in favor of sleep. "I didn't ignore you," she said, avoiding eye contact with him. "I just didn't acknowledge that I knew you."

"I fail to see how the two are different," Anders said, watching her pretend to be busy. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs. "So, fancy Warden Commander now, I see."

Elaine nodded, "Seems that way. Which means I probably have to decide what to do with you."

Anders snickered, "I can think of a few things I'd like you to do to me."

She felt her face blush at the thought, but quickly brushed it aside. She wasn't the same curious child she had been when they'd first met. She now had responsibility, a reputation and Grey Warden obligations. She was no longer carefree, and was now painfully aware that her actions had consequences. He was an apostate, and those at the Keep knew it.

"You're thinking too much," Anders said after a few moments of silence. "I see those brows of yours all scrunched up. Is it because I'm supposed to be your prisoner?"

Elaine couldn't help but laugh. Anders' sense of humor was like no other, and it brought her back to that night they shared. For a moment she allowed the smile on her face to remain as she shook her head. She sat on the bed and really looked at him for the first time. He still had a twinkle in his eyes, and the smug, yet adorable, mouth and chin. He looked a bit older and somewhat tired, but very little had changed in his appearance. She sighed, letting down some of her defenses and looked at him from across the room. "How did you get caught this time?" she asked trying to regain neutral ground.

"Oh, you don't want to hear my boring stories," Anders said leaving his position at her desk and moving closer to her. "I want to hear about the powerful Grey Warden mage that killed an Archdemon!"

Elaine giggled softly, shaking her head at him. "It was nothing, really. Me and about 30 people, no problem."

Anders moved next to her on the bed, and she shifted a bit uncomfortably to turn and face him. "So no juicy tales from the road," he said softly to her, inches away.

"N-no," she said breathlessly from the closeness of him. She looked into his eyes, which seemed to pierce right through her, and felt an overwhelming desire to kiss him, as she remembered the taste of his lips from their last night together.

"That's too bad," he said leaning in closer, his mouth almost on top of hers.

A knock at the door startled them both, and Elaine jumped out of bed and onto her feet. She gestured for Anders to be silent with a finger to her lips, and motioned for him to hide in the closet. He shook his head, but did as she asked, and Elaine waited until he closed the door before she opened hers.

Varel stood at her door and gave her a warm smile. "I hope I didn't disturb you Commander."

"No Varel, not at all," she responded a bit flustered. "Is everything alright?"

"Scouts report the Queen on the road, headed toward the Keep. I thought it best we meet her at the gates since the Keep is still in a bit of disarray."

"A wise decision. Thank you Varel. I shall be down shortly."

"Yes Commander," he said, bowing as he retreated.

Elaine closed the door and placed her back on it, sighing from relief that he hadn't spotted Anders.

When Anders heard the door close he came out of hiding and moved quickly towards Elaine. He grabbed her hands and held them over her head, pressed his body against hers and kissed her, hard and filled with need. She was startled at first, but soon returned his passionate kiss, desire and need passing between them. It was perhaps the most heated kiss she had ever experienced, and she was easily lost in it for a time as his tongue rediscovered her mouth and his teeth nibbled on her lips.

She moved away from him the instant reality intruded upon her brain, and moved quickly toward her clothes. "The Queen will be here at any moment," she said as an excuse for pulling away from him.

"Mhmm, I heard. Amazing how not sound proof a closet can be," he said sarcastically.

Elaine shook her head but laughed as she began to make herself presentable. "You should go freshen up. You're coming with me."

"Me," he said surprised. "Meet the Queen? Oh you do like to live on the edge don't you."

"Why not?" Elaine asked. "You helped save the Keep; it's only right you stand beside me."

"Uhm hello? Apostate, remember?"

"All the more reason," Elaine said running a brush through her hair before tying it up in a ponytail. "Besides, who's going to tell her you're a wanted mage?"

"You don't think the Seneschal will let it slip, or that beauty of a warrior we fought with?"

"I don't think anyone is going to risk further embarrassment to the Keep right now. It's bad enough they were overrun by darkspawn, the very thing they are supposed to fight against." Elaine forced Anders to turn around as she changed her robes. "It's a quick meet and greet, and she'll be on her way. She's headed back to Denerim from Amaranthine, and I'm sure just checking in to see if I made it here safely."

Anders shook his head but refrained from further arguing. "Point the way fearless leader."

When Queen Anora and her traveling party marched up to the gates of Vigils Keep, Elaine did everything in her power to hide her fear when she noticed the dozen Templars accompanying her. She had expected Anora to travel with her own castle guards, not Denerim's entire Templar population. Anders shifted uncomfortably next to her, muttering under his breath. "No worries, simple greetings," and she managed to kick his leg as she dropped to one knee to bow before the Queen. Her companions quickly followed her lead.

"It seems we arrived too late to be of assistance," Anora said, as Elaine and the others stood. "My apologies."

Mhairi seemed a bit in awe as she whispered "Queen Anora!"

"I had intended to provide the Wardens a formal welcome," Anora continued. "This is unexpected, to say the least. What is the situation?" she asked.

Varel responded to the Queen's question. "What darkspawn remained have fled, your Majesty. The Grey Wardens who arrived from Orlais appear to be either dead or…missing."

"Missing?" Anora shook her head. "As in taken by the darkspawn? Do these creatures take prisoners?"

"I do not know, your Majesty," Varel continued. "I know only that we cannot account for all the Wardens."

"Unfortunate," Anora sighed, not wanting to think about the political repercussions of such an event. She turned to Elaine. "I trust you are well, Warden Commander?"

"I am, your Majesty, thank you. I'm sorry we can't offer you more hospitable arrangements at this time, but we're still sorting through the Keep after the attack."

"I'm sure," Anora replied. "You have quite the task ahead of you. I will offer what aid I can, but it seems you will be largely on your own."

"Hey! What am I? Chopped nug livers?" From behind Anora stepped Oghren, a dwarf and traveling companion of Elaine's that she'd met in Orzammar.

"Oghren!" Elaine exclaimed as she greeted the dwarf. "I didn't know you were traveling with the Queen."

"I came here to join the Grey Wardens, and from the looks of it, you could use the extra hands! Where's the giant cup? I'll gargle and spit!"

Elaine shook her head at her old friend. "You're not allowed to spit Oghren."

"Heh," he replied. "That's what I always say."

Mhairi looked a bit uneasy at the thought of the dwarf becoming a Warden. "I…suppose all are welcome, in this dire time."

A Templar stepped forward from the group behind the Queen, interrupting their jovial banter. With urgency in her voice, she exclaimed "Queen Anora! Your Majesty, beware! This man is a dangerous criminal!"

"I beg your pardon?" Anora questioned, confused by the Templar's sudden outburst. "He's traveled with us for weeks."

"She means me," Anders said solemnly, as he hung his head.

The Templar explained. "This man is an apostate, who we were bringing back to the Circle to face justice! I can only assume that he stands here means my fellow Templars were killed!"

"Oh please," Anders said in disgust. "The things you people know about justice would fit into a thimble. I'll just escape again, anyhow."

Elaine shook her head and looked towards the ground, silently berating herself for suggesting Anders come meet the Queen. What a mess.

The Templar stared at Anders malevolently. "Never! I will see you hanged for what you've done here, murderer!"

"Murderer?" Anders couldn't believe what he was hearing. "But those Templars were… Oh what's the use, you won't believe me."

"Anders did not murder anyone," Elaine said, speaking in his defense. "He helped us to fight the darkspawn, and saved several innocent people along the way."

"Thank you," Anders said to her. "But it's no use. They'll always believe what they want."

"Commander," Anora addressed Elaine. "It seems this man is in your charge, but I can not allow an apostate to go free for obvious reasons. Unless you have some other suggestion, I will have to allow the Templars to take him into custody."

Elaine panicked. This was her fault, his recapture would be her fault. She looked towards Varel, who only looked at her in anticipation, but offered little help. Oghren belched beside her, and she wondered briefly how much he'd had to drink on the road. The image of him drinking during the Joining flashed in her mind, and Elaine almost smiled when she thought Oghren's burping had given her a solution to the problem. "Queen Anora. I wish to conscript this mage into the Grey Wardens."

The Templar immediately protested. "What? Never!"

But Anora backed up Elaine. "I believe the Grey Wardens still retain the Right of Conscription, no? I will allow it."

Elaine smiled triumphantly at the Templar as the woman squirmed under her orders. "If…if your Majesty feels it is best," she said as she turned her back on the Queen and walked away.

Oghren laughed, "Ha! Way to go kid! Welcome aboard!"

Anders turned to look at Elaine. "Me? A Grey Warden?" She nodded nervously, wondering if he was upset with her for making such a decision without talking to him first. But her nerves went away when he shrugged and stated, "I guess that will work."

Mhairi bowed to him. "Congratulations, ser mage. I look forward to fighting at your side."

Anora looked towards the group. "Well Commander, if you have everything under control here, I need to take my leave."

Varel nodded to the Queen. "I believe the estate has been secured, yes. We have suffered great losses, but the darkspawn are gone, and there are survivors who need attention."

Anora nodded at his report and looked to Elaine once more. "It will be up to you to deal with the vestiges of the Blight before the situation grows out of control. No easy task, but I'm confident you are up to it."

Elaine again knelt before the Queen. "Thank you, your Majesty. I will not let you down."

"Prepare to clear out," she ordered the army behind her. "Is there any message you'd have me deliver to Alistair upon my return?" she asked Elaine.

Elaine nodded. "Please, tell him to wait until he hears from me before sending new recruits. I must make sure the Keep is secure before risking further lives."

"Consider it done. Good luck Commander," Anora said, and she turned and left with her army.

Anders lay down on the ground in relief, and gazed up at the sky. "Did that just happen? Am I still here and alive?"

Mhairi laughed at him and Oghren chuckled as well. "Where's the ale? It's time to celebrate!"

Elaine looked at Varel and sighed as he smiled at her.

"I have a feeling things won't be dull around here," he remarked to her. She smiled at his warmth, realizing the course she had just set for herself and her new companions. "May I suggest we rest up this evening and prepare for the Joining tomorrow Commander? We should see to that as soon as possible."

"I agree," Elaine said. "Thank you, Varel."

He bowed to her and spoke to the new recruits. "I will show you both to your rooms," he said as he extended a hand to help Anders off the ground.

Anders and Oghren both followed Varel with Mhairi, leaving Elaine alone in the courtyard. She looked to the sky as Anders had, and fear replaced relief when she realized she may have just signed Anders' death sentence after all.

Elaine returned to her room some time later, only to discover Anders laying down on his back in her bed. "Are you lost?" she asked him as she closed the door behind her.

He smiled at her and propped himself up on his elbows. "You are brilliant, I had to tell you myself. The way you handled that Templar," he was clearly excited. "Did you see the look on her face when she realized she couldn't arrest me?"

Elaine didn't hide the frown as she pushed his legs over to sit on the bed beside him. "Anders, there's something you need to know," she began.

"Uh oh, I don't like the sound of that," he said, sitting up as he noticed the dark expression on her face.

"Normally it's forbidden to speak of, but I feel I owe it to you."

He leaned forward. "Alright, out with it."

She cleared her throat before speaking. "This ritual tomorrow, the Joining? It's going to change you forever. You should know what you're getting into before you do it."

Anders looked at her curiously. "Are you sharing Grey Warden secrets with me already? Isn't that frowned upon?"

Elaine nodded. "Since I'm the only Grey Warden here at the moment, I'll discipline myself later," she said trying to relieve some tension.

"I'd like to see that," Anders said seductively.

Elaine allowed a smile, but returned to the seriousness of the situation. "There's a chance you may not survive," she said bluntly, knowing no other way to tell him.

What surprised her was his reaction. "So instead of dying at the Templars hands I could die by drinking some blood? Ooohh, scary."

"I'm serious Anders," she insisted. "I witnessed it during my Joining; it happens with no warning. One minute you're alive, the next you're dead. There's no way of knowing who will survive and who won't."

"So you're telling me this because…."

"If you want to run, I'll understand. Go tonight, go now, while the guards are still in a weak rotation. I'll even help you."

"No," he said interrupting her. "I'm tired of running. And if there's a chance I'll get through this and be free from the Templars forever? I'll do it."

"Anders please," she pleaded with him. "There's also a chance you will die, and it would be my fault for forcing this upon you."

"Sweetheart," he said pressing a hand to her cheek. "You couldn't force me to do anything I didn't want to do. I appreciate your concern, but I'm okay with this."

She leaned into him and closed her eyes, fear still stirring within. While she hadn't been with him in a long time, Elaine always imagined a time when she and Anders would be reunited. He was the first man to ever make her feel truly alive, and she had spent their time apart searching for that feeling she'd only experienced when they were together. How one man affected her so strongly, from one night together, she didn't understand, but having him here now was almost unbearable. To think she could lose him again tomorrow…

"You're scrunching your brows again," Anders stated, observing the way she was lost in her thoughts. He pulled away from her and stood up. "I guess you should get some sleep, big day tomorrow."

Elaine almost panicked when he pulled away from her. She thought for certain he would stay the night, after their kiss earlier and the warning of his potential death. She turned to watch him move to the door, and her eyes did the pleading for her.

He smiled at her mischievously, and secured the lock. "You didn't really think I was leaving, did you?"

An overwhelming feeling of excitement ran through her body and into her core as she jumped up and ran to him. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a much needed kiss. He put his arms around her as well, and returned her passion, biting her lower lip as he lifted her and carried her to the bed. "Someone's become a bit more frisky," he said, raising an eyebrow at her as he sat with her on the bed.

Elaine wasted no time as she pulled her robe off and removed her underclothes. She practically tore Anders out of his, and he was a little taken aback by her abruptness. "You have no idea," she purred at him as his clothes fell to the floor and she pressed her naked body against his.

He leaned in to kiss her again, hands tunneling deep into her thick, silky hair. Her mouth opened for him, responding with hot passion. He took his time, savoring her taste and the feel of her. She leaned back onto the bed as she brought him down on top of her, lips meeting once more in heated pleasure. Their tongues entwined in an old familiar dance, and she could feel he was immediately aroused by her forcefulness. He allowed her a few moments of dominance as she held his head to hers, frantically kissing him as if her life depended on it. She moved to wrap her legs around his waist, but he pulled away.

"I think you've forgotten how our game is played," he said more darkly, pulling her to sit up. "You've been a bad girl while I've been away, haven't you?" he whispered in her ear, and she shuddered at his warm breath on her skin.

"Mhmmm," she moaned, as his strong hand moved from her throat to her stomach and back, yet avoiding her breasts, even though she pushed herself towards him.

He grabbed her hair and pulled her in close for more kisses as he continued to explore her skin with his other hand, avoiding all the sweet spots he knew would please her. Her tongue became wild against him, needing and taking what it could as the delicious taste of him brought back a flood of memories. She reached down between his legs and grabbed him, wanting so badly to stroke his hardness.

"I think I like this new you," he whispered as he allowed her to touch him. He tilted his head back, enjoying the feel of her hand between his legs, as she kissed down his neck and his chest. She moved toward him as if to take him into her mouth, and he immediately pulled her head back by the hair. "But I think that's enough of you being in control," he said, and he pulled her off of him completely. He pushed her down to the bed on her back, and gathered the belts from their robes. "This bed is much better for us, I think," Anders said as he began tying her wrists together above her head. She didn't realize what he was referring to until he began tying her ankles to the posts at the foot of the bed, leaving her legs spread open.

She turned her head to look at him, excitement running through her blood. Elaine had no idea what would happen next, and it thrilled her. He secured her wrists above her head to one of the poles on the headboard, leaving her completely helpless and vulnerable.

"Anders," she whispered desperately as he ran a finger down her chest, where he discovered several new scars since the last time they'd seen each other.

He smiled at her and brought his hand back up to her face where he held her chin in his grip."You'd be amazed at what a mage can do in the bedroom with no Templars around," he said as he released her and moved back down her chest. She looked at him curiously before realizing what he was about to do.

She felt the magic build within him as electricity escaped his fingertips and shot through her body. The tingling sensation that was sent through her felt like a static charge dancing along her skin. He moved to sit on top of her as both hands caressed her chest, energy flowing through them. He finally moved towards her breasts, and he increased the charge of magic to her nipples. They immediately became erect from the sensation, and Elaine closed her eyes and moaned as the vibrations snaked through her entire body.

"Do you like that?" he asked as she arched her back from pure pleasure.

She couldn't speak, only nodded in response as he continued to hover over her breasts, electrical sparks dancing from his fingertips. She squirmed beneath him, wanting to cry out at the new feelings she was experiencing.

"Just imagine what this feels like elsewhere," he said as he teased her skin, moving his hands further down her stomach. She lifted her hips toward him, her body begging for more. He withdrew his magic and slipped a hand her between her thighs, searching for the dampness that would reveal her pleasure. He was met with heat and liquid desire, and he smiled at her as he leaned down to kiss her nose. He began to gently rub her most sensitive place as she moved frantically against her restraints. Suddenly his mouth was on hers, while at the same time he released a charge of electricity directed onto the entrance of her core.

Anders felt the vibration of her moans against his tongue as he captured her sounds with his mouth, increasing the magic as her body reacted. He controlled the power of the spell as he combined it with slipping a finger deep inside her, and he immediately felt her orgasm shatter her. Her breathing had become erratic as her kisses became even more passionate, and he softened his touch as he rode out her orgasm with his magic.

He pulled away briefly, allowing her to catch her breath, and smiled at the helpless woman below him. It took her a few moments before she could open her eyes, but when she finally did so it was a look of both wonderment and amazement that she gave him. "Where in the Maker's name did you learn that?" she asked breathlessly.

He laughed softly as he got off the bed and moved toward her clothes.

She lifted her head to try and see what he was doing. "Anders?"

"I need something to cover your mouth," he said simply, pulling another rope from one of her robes. "I'm afraid the next one may be a little harder on you."

Elaine's eyes widened. "Uhm, what?"

Anders laughed at her. "You didn't think we were done, did you?" He returned to her and gently tied the rope around her mouth to muffle any moans and screams. "If this is my last night alive sweetheart, you and I are not going to sleep any time soon." Her eyes followed him as he moved to the foot of the bed, ogling her legs that were tied spread open. "Did you know that besides electricity, both cold and heat can be just as pleasurable if applied to the right...locations?"