Evelyn stayed in her room for most of the day. She finished unpacking, read a little, and generally made herself to home. She reasoned that it would be awhile before her friends made it to Denerim and longer still until she was "forced" to leave, so she'd spend the time with her family while she could. Also, even though Cullen had the means to find her anywhere, he knew for certain that she was at the castle, making her want to remain there as long as possible. This was all assuming that the Templars didn't track her down first.

Later in the afternoon, as she was considering going downstairs to get something in her stomach, there was a knock at the door.

"Just a second," she called.

When she opened the door, she saw Anders standing there with a tray of food, "I won't be a second..."

She stepped aside and let him in the room.

He set the tray down on the dresser and pointed to several of the items, "Remedy. Soup. Sandwich. I think you can handle something more solid now, and you need the nourishment." He hesitated a moment, then went to walk out the door.

As he passed her, Evelyn grabbed his arm, "Wait...please."

He stopped but didn't say anything.

Evelyn looked up at him, and took a deep breath, "I'm sorry. I probably could have handled our earlier incident a bit better."

Anders's shoulders relaxed and he smirked, "It didn't take you long to fall back into our usual routine." After a pause, he added, "Well, the arguing part, not so much the making up part. I suspect your husband wouldn't like that very much." He gave a chuckle, "Though, I can't say that I'd mind, entirely." He winked at her. She rolled her eyes, and shook her head. More seriously, he sighed, then continued, "I should've realized how delicate that subject was to you. I won't bring it up again."

Evelyn nodded, "Thank you." She found herself staring into his amber eyes. She cleared her throat and took a step back, "Well, then, I'm starved! Thank you, again, for the meal."

Anders smiled at her, "Of course. I promised your husband I'd see to your welfare and that includes making sure you eat properly."

Evelyn thought about the letter she had read. Anders had written that if Cullen could get her to Denerim, he would personally ensure her safety and that of the Queen. She supposed there was an implicit promise there.

She nodded, "Well, thanks, at any rate."

Anders smiled slightly, "Of course." He bowed his head in departing and went through the doorway as Evelyn closed the door behind him.

The following month was quiet. The group had settled into their own individual routines. Solana's and Alistair's didn't change much. Evelyn would walk the grounds during the day, read from the wonderful library she now had access to, and spend time with her family. Merrill would explore everything in the castle, from the largest gargoyles to the smallest hidey-holes. Anders pretty much just kept to himself. He still exhibited a nonchalant attitude and casual enough demeanor, but often he'd disappear for a little while after dinner, then come back later and go straight to bed. It had become one of his quirks that everyone accepted and didn't question.

One day, Evelyn was outside admiring the garden when a messenger came for her.

"There's...a lady," the messenger said it as if he thought he was being generous with the term, "at the door for you, Your Grace."

Evelyn grinned, "Thank you, Baldric. I'll see to her immediately." She made her way to the courtyard. As soon as she saw who it was, her suspicions were confirmed, "Izzy!" She waved to her.

Isabella turned and walked towards Evelyn. They hugged. Isabella noticed that the Viscountess had put on a little bit of weight since they last saw each other...mostly in her chest.

"You're looking well, Your Grace. Denerim seems better for you than Kirkwall ever was."

Evelyn smiled, "Well, there are other reasons besides the climate, but we need to discuss those later. It's wonderful to see you again!"

"You too. So, where is that mage, anyway? The letter he sent didn't arrive by the normal post and I almost needed a decoder ring to figure it out."

"Well, that may be my fault, I told him that he could be discrete."

"There's a difference between discrete and cryptic, my dear." In a hushed tone, she asked, "How are you and he getting along these days, anyway?"

Evelyn shrugged, "Fairly well, as long as we avoid each other, it seems. To be honest, I guess I hadn't realized how much of an ass he was. Every once in awhile, he seems so conceited, and, of course, he feels more sorry for himself than ever. So, I just keep away from him and he stays away from me and it keeps the peace."

Isabella furrowed her brow, "Well, you know, now that I'm here, maybe things will lighten up." She smiled.

"You certainly do seem to have that effect on people."

They walked into the castle, arm in arm, and were soon joined by Alistair, "Isabella! So nice to see you again. Allow me to welcome you into our humble home."

Isabella smirked, looking around she said, "Obviously we have differing definitions of 'humble', Your Majesty." Alistair winked and smiled at her.

Solana had heard voices downstairs and made her way to the room, "Izzy! How lovely to see you again after so much time! I was sad to hear that I'd missed you when my husband went to Kirkwall a few years ago. How have you been?"

"Oh, you know, up to my same old tricks. How about yourself?"

"Same old thing...running a country here, helping the wardens out there..."

Merrill and Anders wandered into the room at almost the same time. Merrill hugged Isabella tightly. When Isabella saw Anders, she did a double-take; she circled him like a vulture eyeing prey, "My, oh my, look at you." She licked her lips slightly.

Anders chuckled, "It's good to see you too, Isabella." After a slight pause, "How's the elf? You two still together?"

Isabella shrugged, "By mutual consent, for now..."

Anders rolled his eyes, "Well, by all means, don't let me stand in the way of a healthy romance..."

Alistair, Solana and Evelyn were grinning at each other and trying not to laugh. Evelyn cleared her throat, "If you two are done, we have to catch Izzy up on everything."

Anders looked at her, "Right. To the kitchen?"

Evelyn nodded, "The kitchen."

They all went there and told Isabella about the pregnancy and the help she would need from Isabella's contacts. When asked about Varric, Isabella told them that he was detained in Kirkwall, but should be along shortly. At any rate, she'd spent enough time in Denerim to have contacts here. They would probably have to be paid, but once a deal was made, they should keep quiet.

Anders spoke up, "Until the next person offers them twice as much?"

Isabella waved a hand, "No, some of them owe me favors. Besides, who can pay more than a king?"

Anders hesitated to point out that the chantry had wealth stretching back generations, but if Isabella said her contacts were trustworthy, then they had to have faith in her, "I do want to accompany you when you meet with them, however. Someone will have to serve as a delegate for the Viscountess, after all."

Evelyn shrugged, then nodded, "Sounds reasonable. Izzy?"

Isabella looked at him and shrugged, "We'll have to find something decent for you to wear."

Anders furrowed his brow, "I'd think knowing that the seekers were working with the Viscountess would be a good thing."

"Sure...And it's not like they ever attract any unwanted attention wherever they go. What with their hardly recognizable uniforms, and all."

"Point taken. I'll make sure to be more discrete."

"If you're as discrete as that letter you sent, you'll never be spotted."