Disclaimer: I don't own DA:O, Awakenings, or any of its characters.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait between updates! I promise that the next one won't take nearly as long. ;D

A Little Cue and Eh

"Andraste's tits and arse, what are you doing here?" Anders asks, his voice full of…well shock, obviously.

I sigh and pull my fingers through my hair. "I could ask you the same thing." I glance over at Alistair nervously before continuing. "I'm here in an official capacity. As Teyrna of Highever."

Anders blinked several times. "You…took over your teyrnir? I thought you hated politics."

"I do…but it was my brother's last request. It's a long story…wait a second, you still haven't told me what you're doing here." I frown and fold my arms over my chest, trying my best to hide the anxiety I feel at having my former lover meet my current one.

"Funny story, actually. I'm a Grey Warden now," he grins slyly and leans in toward me. "Bet you never thought you'd get to bed a Warden, eh? Well, now's your chance!" He spreads his arms out toward me, ignoring the scowl that I shoot in his direction. Same old Anders. I'm about to offer him one of my signature scathing remarks when…Oh Maker, the shit hits the fan.

"I have an even funnier story, mage," Alistair hisses. "The Teyrna is already spoken for, by another Grey Warden, no less. So you'd best hold your tongue." He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me against him possessively. Ugh, I hate when men act like this.

"Is that so?" Anders arches an eyebrow. "Last I checked, the lovely lady can speak for herself."

I roll my eyes. "Both of you are acting like children." Not that they'll listen.

"I'm not sure how you know Elissa, but make no mistake, whatever role you used to play in her life is over," Alistair practically growls.

Anders doesn't seem impressed. "I've a question, if you'll indulge me your Majesty," he leans in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Does she still taste like raspberry pie? Tangy, with that hint of sweetness?"

A sickening crack reverberates through the room. It's the sound of Alistair's fist connecting with Anders' face. The mage is smart enough not to strike back, instead opting to heal himself while the king shakes out his hand. "Stop it, both of you!" I snap. "I'm not some bone for you two mutts to slobber over." I turn to Alistair, who's glaring at Anders. "We'll talk later, I promise. For now, we need to deal with…" I suddenly remember why I'd stormed into the throne room in the first place. I whirl around, my eyes narrowing into slits. I see Nathaniel Howe standing next to the seneschal. "Seneschal Varel, what the fuck is Nathaniel Howe doing with the Wardens?"

"I can answer that," comes a voice from over my shoulder. Blood of the Maker, aren't there enough people in the room? I spin around again (all of this twirling will eventually make me ill, I'm sure) and am face to face with…a man I've never met before. Better than an ex-flame or the son of my family's murderer I suppose. "Allow me to introduce myself. Gerod Caron, Warden-Commander of Ferelden." His voice his heavily accented. He bows first to Alistair and then to me. "I conscripted Nathaniel Howe. He was caught breaking into the Keep, and it took four Wardens to bring him down. I thought it impressive and decided that he'd make an excellent addition to the Order."

I clench my fists, my fingernails digging crescent shapes into the palms of my hands. "That…worm's father slaughtered my entire family, excluding my brothers, of course. Fergus killed himself over the grief of losing his wife and son." The venom is spewing from my lips. "And perhaps you remember my twin brother, Aedan…the one responsible for ending the Blight? He would be disgusted that a Howe was within the Wardens' ranks."

"My lady," the Commander inclines his head slightly. "I am deeply sorry for your loss-"

"Spare me your tired platitudes," I spit out. "I should demand blood rights."

Alistair gently places his hand on my forearm. "Elissa…the Wardens are not subject to blood rights…once someone is conscripted, they are free of any past crime. Otherwise everyone would come knocking at their door demanding that someone be killed for one thing or another. It's…unfair, but it's a fact. They seek help from where ever they can."

"I would grant her wish, nevertheless." We all turn at the proclamation. Nathaniel fixes me with his unwavering gaze. "She lost her entire family, and it was all because of my father. I don't blame her for wanting me dead."

I'm tempted to take him up on his offer. I would love nothing more than to see his blood spill on the throne room's floor. "Just stay out of my sight." I hiss. I gesture to Alistair. "The king has more pressing matters to attend to."

"Yes…Commander, perhaps we could speak in your chambers? There is something I wish to discuss with you," Alistair says.

The Commander nods once. "Of course. Is this a political matter, or Warden business?"

"It may be both," Alistair replies.

"Very well. Will the Teyrna be joining us?"

Alistair raises an eyebrow at me questioningly. I sigh and shake my head. "I don't think I'm in the right frame of mind to be diplomatic, truth be told. Is there any way I can just…rest?"

"Of course. The seneschal will show you to your rooms," the Commander says easily. "Varel, if you will?"

"Yes ser," Varel responds automatically. He strides over to me. "This way, your Grace." I follow the seneschal to what will be my chambers for the next…who knows how long. The fact that I need to be in the same vicinity as Nathaniel Howe makes me want to vomit. I pass by Anders, who reaches out to grasp my arm.

"Ellie…we should talk soon," he says softly.

"Later," I mumble. For the time being I want as little drama as possible. This kind of shit never happened when I was staying at the Pearl.

I toss and turn in my bed. I can't seem to get comfortable. I let out a huff of exasperation and toss my covers aside. Too many thoughts are spiralling through my head at once. Alistair, Anders, Nathaniel, Bann Esmerelle…This entire trip has turned into one gigantic cluster fuck. I'm almost happy to hear a knock at my doors, though I doubt it will be a welcome distraction. I pull a linen shift over my head (I can't be answering the door in my smallclothes after all) and answer the knock. Anders stands on the other side of the door.

"Hi," he says.

"Hello," comes my reply. My, aren't we paragons of fantastic conversation? "What are you doing here?"

Anders shrugs a shoulder. "I told you we needed to talk…so, can we talk?"

"I suppose," I step aside and allow him entry. I leave the door open…don't want anyone getting the wrong idea. He takes a seat at the table that's been set up in my room. I sit opposite him, my eyebrows raised. "So…talk."

Anders heaves a sigh. "I wanted you to know that…I'm sorry I didn't try to find you once I'd escaped the Tower again. After everything we'd been through, I should have at least…I don't know, made an attempt."

"Anders…I thought you were dead," my voice catches and I look away. If I make eye contact with him, I know I'll lose control of my emotions. "I wasn't sure if those bastard Templars killed you, or arrested you…or…" I shake my head. "I woke up and you were just…gone."

"They took me back to the Circle. They couldn't prove that I was a maleficar, so they settled on carting me back to that prettied up prison. I managed to escape again, though…and was caught again. The Templars stopped here on our way back, and that's when the Keep was attacked by darkspawn. I helped the Commander restore order, and in turn, he conscripted me when the Templars tried to arrest me again," Anders takes a deep breath. "I'd be dead right now if it wasn't for him."

I let out a bark of laughter. "So, what, he just conscripts everyone he sees?" I stiffen when Anders leans forward, resting his hand over mine.

"I know how difficult it must be for you to see Nathaniel after everything you've been through," he says soothingly.

I frown and pull my hand away. "No, you can't possibly know how difficult it is, but that's beside the point…" I glance back up at him, my gaze locking on his tawny eyes. The memories of our time together comes flooding back to me…the nights at camp with his arms wrapped around me, how his lips felt against my skin…

He reaches up and traces a finger down my ear. "You kept it…" he whispers. I bite my lip and nod. "I've missed you so much." He cups my cheek and begins to draw my face closer to his. My eyes fall shut as I give in to the old feelings…no.

I pull back. "No. Anders, we can't just…do this. I'm not the same person I was before."

"I don't care," he replies stubbornly. "I'll just have to fall in love with you all over again. Trust me, it won't be hard."

I purse my lips and shake my head. "Alistair was telling the truth earlier when he said that I was spoken for…though I hate his choice of words."

"I won't give up so easily," Anders insists. "We had something special together, Ellie. I'll make you mine again, I swear it."

"Not if I can help it." I turn and see Alistair standing in the doorway. His arms are folded over his chest, and he's staring daggers at Anders. If looks could kill...