It had been three months since Evelyn arrived in Denerim. Fortunately, after the first month, her morning sickness had all but vanished. Though she enjoyed spending as much time with her family as she could, she was starting to get a little worried. Soon, it would be obvious as to her "condition" and there was still no word from Cullen.

One day, Solana came in with Anders. Evelyn was sitting at the window in the front room. She was quietly reading a book on the history of the Tevinter Imperium she had found in the castle's library. It had been years since she'd actually picked up anything written in the old language. Her dad had taught her what he knew and living with Anders and going over all of his books, it had helped to refresh her memory from time to time, but she was still so rusty, she decided she wanted to plunge into it. She was in the middle of trying to distinguish exactly what verb form a particular passage was using when she was interrupted.

Solana walked to the desk sat down opposite her. Evelyn hadn't noticed. Solana cleared her throat. Evelyn looked up startled, "Oh! I'm sorry...I was just...," she waved her hand, ink staining her fingers from the quill. "Doesn't matter. Did you need something?" She smiled at her cousin.

Solana grabbed her hand, "Sweetie, we need to talk."

Evelyn could tell from her tone that this was not going to be a pleasant conversation, "Did I do something wrong?"

"Why would you think that?"

"Because you bear a striking resemblance to my mother right now, right after I've gotten caught doing something bad."

Solana chuckled slightly, "No, it's not that."

"Thank goodness. Then this isn't about the ham and cheese I took from the pantry as a midnight snack."

Anders shook his head and pointed at Evelyn accusingly, "So, you're the food thief. I should've known!"

"First, I don't eat enough for you, now I'm eating too much, make up your mind, please! I just get so hungry between supper and breakfast...I am eating for two now, as you said." She folded her arms over her ever-growing chest and pouted slightly.

Anders rolled his eyes and smiled, "Ok, fair enough. You're forgiven. Just keep in mind that the rest of us are wardens with an almost as insatiable appetite...Oh, and welcome to our world."

Just then, he noticed what she had been doing. He slipped his hand under her arm and pulled out the book she was reading, then looked at the notes she had been writing. He smiled at her, "You know, if you need help, you can just ask."

Evelyn shrugged, "I know, but I wanted to do it myself. I wanted the practice." Completely forgetting the reason for the conversation in the first place, Anders's smile broadened. It was just like her to start to challenge herself (he figured she'd finally gotten bored with exploring the grounds) and then to stubbornly refuse help. It was one of the things he loved about her so much.

She didn't know what he and Isabella had discussed, but one morning, Izzy had come in saying that the two of them had a nice little conversation and Anders would no longer be a problem. Since then, there was a genuineness about him that she hadn't seen in a long time and he was very attentive of her. He seemed to be back to the Anders she remembered when they first met.

Solana took a deep breath and continued, "Anyway, we need to talk to you. Anders has received a letter from Cullen."

Evelyn's eyes grew wide, "Oh, lovely! When will he be here?"

Solana and Anders exchanged glances, then she spoke up while squeezing Evelyn's hand, "I'm afraid that he won't be joining us anytime soon, my dear."

Evelyn's face dropped and she furrowed her brow, "What? Why? Does he say? Can I read the letter myself?"

Anders looked at Solana and shrugged. Solana made a gesture indicating that he should give her the letter. He reached into his robes and pulled it out of a chest pocket then handed it to Evelyn. She read:

Anders,

As much as it pains me to write this, I will not be joining Evelyn and the rest of you in Denerim. My number one priority has always been to ensure her safety and now, that of our child. With you watching over her, I'm more than confident that her physical welfare is in good hands. I feel that I can better serve her by accepting a position in the field so that I can ascertain exactly what the Templars are plotting. As you are aware, there is a small group of us who are still loyal to the Divine. I can accomplish more by keeping my eyes and ears open here than by sitting in a castle, even if it is with her, waiting for them to strike.

Please give my regards to Evelyn. She must understand that this is what needs to be done to ensure the safety of the two of them. I'll write as soon as I have any news.

C.

Evelyn gave the letter back to Anders. He stooped down on the side of her and put a hand on her shoulder, "Do you understand? He's doing what he thinks is best for his family. You must see that?"

Evelyn nodded, "I understand." She felt her eyes fill with tears, but none fell to her cheeks. She took a breath, and looked at him, "Will you please get Isabella? I think it's time that we departed here."

Anders nodded. Evelyn stood, "I'll be in my room packing, should anyone need me." She left them standing there.

Solana looked at Anders, who had stood when Evelyn did, "Well, that went better than I'd thought."

Anders shook his head, "She wants to be alone. I've seen her like this before. Anyway, I need to attend to Her Grace's request. We'll meet back here in an hour?"

Solana nodded, "One hour."

Anders turned around and went to look for the rogue.