The meeting was brief. Isabella's contact seemed reliable and could provide a place to stay until something more suitable came along. While Alistair and Solana were free to join the Viscountess, they decided it would be better if they went their separate ways. Alistair's family had property all over Ferelden, including hiding places former kings would steal away with their mistresses. They could easily go to one of those until they figured out exactly what their next action should be. Isabella, Anders, Merrill and Evelyn would have to rely on Varric to find his way to them on his own.
Everyone finished packing and departed at the same time, the fabricated excuse being that the Divine wanted to discuss the state of affairs with them so they would meet her in Val Royeaux. After they were well out of sight of the castle, they all changed out of their fancy garb into more common outfits and proceeded on their separate ways. Evelyn's group would travel northward, while her cousin was headed southwest.
They departed from Highever, on a hired vessel, and made their way along the coast. They, disembarked at Ayesleigh in Rivain, trudged up through the country, then found the house they were to stay in for awhile. It was fairly remote, though the closest town was a decent walk away, and seemed safe enough. It certainly wasn't an estate, but it was comfortable, being larger than many of the houses in Lowtown even.
They unpacked and settled in. It had taken several weeks to make the journey, and by now, even with looser clothes, Evelyn was definitely showing. She still had a little more than three months to go, though, and thankfully, the travel didn't make her too terribly uncomfortable. Part of it was that Anders was extremely attentive to her and provided any assistance she needed.
One day while they were eating supper, Merrill was bright and cheery, as usual, "This is so wonderful. It's so good to have most of the group back together. It's almost like before the war that Anders started!"
Evelyn chuckled at that while Isabella laughed. Anders just furrowed his brow and wanted to find something to hide under. Evelyn patted him on the back for comfort and shrugged. He grabbed her hand and kissed it, showing his appreciation. She blushed, remembering all the times Cullen had done the same.
Isabella nudged Merrill when she saw them, then whispered, "Well, that's new...or old, I suppose...depends on your point of view." Merrill just giggled.
Later that evening, Evelyn was laying on the couch under a blanket, reading a book when Isabella came in and sat down next to her, holding a glass of wine. She sighed heavily and sat next to Evelyn.
Evelyn glanced up, "What's got you so down?"
Isabella grinned at her, "Nothing, it's just that sometimes I wish I had someone to fawn all over me while my husband, if I had one, was away, that's all."
Evelyn rolled her eyes, "He's not fawning, he's just a very good friend."
"Right...I saw you blushing at supper. You should be ashamed of yourself." She was teasing Evelyn, of course.
The Viscountess put the book down, "Cullen used to kiss my hand like that when we were dating, if you will recall. It was the memory that made me blush, nothing more."
Isabella nodded, "I see." She took a sip, then continued, "If I recall correctly, your husband did so in order to make his feelings toward you more apparent..."
Evelyn furrowed her brow, considering it, "Anders wouldn't..."
Isabella shook her head, "No, he wouldn't, not on purpose. It's just that, you and he have been awfully comfortable lately. Haven't you wondered why?"
Evelyn chuckled, "Well, in case you haven't noticed, I am six months pregnant and he is my doctor. And the boat ride, and the hiking..." Then she sighed, "I didn't think anything of it when it happened, so I'm sure it's fine." She went back to reading her book.
Isabella studied her for a second, "How do you feel about him?"
Evelyn slowly lowered the book, glaring at Izzy, "What?!"
The pirate didn't back down, "You heard me, how do you feel about him?"
Evelyn dismissed the question, then shrugged and went back to reading, "None of your business. Like I said, he's a good friend. Leave it at that."
Isabella smirked at her, "For now..." then got up, leaving Evelyn alone.