Leliana had smiled momentarily as she shifted her cranium back to look over to Anders. Her body slowly followed in her turn as she shifted her posture to face the mage. "Don't worry about me." She responded with a wide grin and wink of her eye. "I'm a big girl, I'm alright." She concluded with a nod of her head.
Clearly Leliana was putting on a front for Anders. Either to show she wasn't hurting inside or to just stop herself from breaking down in front of him. Neither of which she wanted to show at a time like this.
Though by Anders reaction to her words had brought to raise a arched brow in question. Since she highly doubted Naomi was nothing to him now. But she wasn't about to fight him on the matter, as it wasn't her place to excuse him of feelings he did or did not have. "Well I just hope you don't regret any of this later... ...Lets go."
As they left to return back to Aragorn's body, Leliana was surprised not to see it any longer on its pedestal. Right off the worst idea had come to her mind. And that was Templars having more a of a game-day with his lifeless body. Seeing as how not all Templars were all sweet as so many made them out to be. On top of how many followed along with Sebastian's orders, she wouldn't put it past any of them to further their task. Whatever that may be.
Her emerald hues scanned the area and after a moment her optics caught onto the sight of familiar stature, which was Aragorn's. Immediately this brought Leliana's eyes to light up to see it was of Tevinters carrying his body and not Templars, that she regained her pace and followed quickly behind.
After they had made it back below ground Leliana allowed the few people who were carrying Aragorn's body to put it in a safe area until she had at least went to him. Firstly though she trailed up to Anders, reaching out to grasp onto his hands with her own as she gave a slight tug as their bodies made a soft collision against one another. "Can I go with you? Someone needs to watch your back up there. And I'm sure the excise would be good for me... It might help clear my head. I'm sure by the time you've readied the troops, I'll be done with Aragorn."
"No. Alexander is doing all of work for this first half. He is watching my back. I want you to remain here." Anders spoke quickly and shook his head to the thought. He turned away and started to pace some back and forth in his thoughts. "Actually, I need you to remain here. There is too much going on. You could get lost in the fray, captured, or hurt. I cannot risk that. I cannot put you in anymore danger and Aragorn's passing deserves better."
He wasn't certain how long he'd have against Naomi's forces, but he knew Alexander wasn't giving her side much of a fair chance. Not that she needed one. The Champion of Kirkwall needed to fall at any cost! Regardless of how many innocents were to die and children abandoned in this confusing demolition, the mages had a right to pull their freedoms forward. Anders was going to see to it, but the faster through this chaos the better.
Leliana figured she'd get a no right away from Anders the moment she asked if she could come along; seeing as how it wasn't the safest place for her. Still to think that Alexander was to watch his back was a bit disheartening, even if they were allies, she trusted practically no body in a war zone. Well besides those close to her, but it seemed like those were thinning out rather quickly; which made her worry even further for Anders sake.
"Fineee." She responded back in an aspirated tone of voice as she took a hand from his and gave a little push to his shoulder. "Just one tiny little thing." She began to practically order with a wag of her finger to him as she closed one eye, making it seem like she was trying to get a better sight on the mage. "Don't be going and getting yourself killed out there… Okay?" Leliana pleaded as she reached up, placing a hand on each side of his cheeks and leaned up and in, as her lips collided against his for a passing few seconds.
As she pulled back, her thumb which neared his lips gently caressed his pout before dropping her hands back down to her waist. "I should go… Let those guys know what Aragorn wished of his body if anything were to happen to him." She explained with a point of her thumb over her shoulder before turning in the direction and pace fourth. But after taking her first few steps away, she halted to glace over her shoulder and smile warmly to the mage, but instead of speaking any farewells she scanned over the male before lastly meeting his orbs, as her eyes seemed to speak her silent words.
It had almost felt like a bad dream. Anders had stirred from the bed he was in and awoke from a quickened start. He slowly relaxed back down into the mattress as memories started to fill his head again. The sounds of arrows being released into the air. Men and women were dying, Templars were even at each other's throats due to their nationalities, children were being burned alive and their loved ones pleading for mercy between so much devastation. The city was flattened. It festered over the death that encircled it so much that a tear in the Veil had broken loose. Spirits and demons were even fighting each other at that point.
Aveline and Donnic eventually died protecting the city as best as they could anyway. The blow came from mages and Tevinters alike once the Gallows had opened up and the Circle mages were set free. There was no sign of Varric at the time; which left Anders to wonder if he left before the fight or if he was gone. Anders did end up killing Cullen though. He remembered that death well; the man was fighting at Naomi's side and for some reason it left a harsh jealous streak to still flow through the mage.
Even after Anders had eventually killed turned his attacks to Naomi, he could feel the twinging of pain and regret for it happening. Though it never really sunk in until after one of the Tevinters had turned her into stone. She wasn't 'dead' technically, but she certainly wasn't breathing. It was after her fall that both the Starkhaven templars and Kirkwall's very own had succumbed to the mages. With their leaders stripped from them, there wasn't anyone else to turn to. Anders took the position while Alexander took his departure for Tevinter. Though even with so much that was done, there was still so much to do.
After Anders took his leave from the area Leliana had taken no time at all to be sure to have dealt with Aragorn's body before the war had really begun and they would possibly need the extra hand of helping the wounded. But first things were first, and that was cleaning and making Aragorn's body was presentable. She didn't see any point in burying him here, on top of so many reasons, one this being a underground sanctuary, and also Aragorn wished for his remains to be put elsewhere. One thing Leliana hadn't forgotten was what he asked, knowing he would pass before her, he asked to be placed in Highever with his family if his remains were to ever be in possession, and thankfully they were here and not in the deep roads. Though clearly a part of her wished it was the other way around, so maybe he would still be around. After all she knew he was joking as he was dieing before her, that he was going to the deep roads after this. It was one thing good about Aragorn, and what would be missed. Was how he was always looking out for others before himself, no matter how much he teased.
Once Aragorn was statured up, and dressed, mostly covering his fresh and old wounds she had asked at least two messengers to be sent away with Aragorn's body to Denerim. To be delivered to the King himself, before this she sent a letter briefing him of the Warden's death, so he wouldn't be shocked to have a casket with Aragorn in it on his doorstep. Most likely he would think it was some kind of cruel joke. With his body, another letter was sent, just in case if the other went missing. She gave specific instructions on what and where Aragorn wished to do from there, besides the ceremony of his death.
As the battle above them was on going, it seemed never ending; at least to Leliana seeing as how Anders was up there, fighting. Even if he wasn't alone, she couldn't help but worry for his safety, seeing that the mages and Tevinters had come back to regroup or to tend to their wounds. Not once did she see Anders, that all she could do to preoccupy her mind from worrying was help whenever and where ever it was needed.
After the battle was won, Leliana could rest at least somewhat peacefully. It seemed as if the death of Aragorn was slowly becoming more of a reality to her and at least hadn't affected her as much that she could sleep at least through the night without terrors as constant. Though from Anders sudden unexpected movements of rustling in the bed beside her had brought the rouge to pop open her eyes immediately and glance up to the mage as her body slowly rose up to a sitting position behind.
"Anders?" She whispered with an outstretched arm, as her hand cupped along his spine and traveled upward to the nape of his neck then next to the side of his features where she tucked a few strands of his golden locks behind his ear. "Are you okay love?"
Anders turned some in the bed towards Leliana and reached out for her quietly. His arms wrapped around her and tightened a little. The only thing that continued to replay in his mind was the moment that Naomi had been turned to stone from that horrid Tevinter magic. Anders couldn't help but to wonder if all Tevinter magic was like that. He knew the arts were ancient; especially to those such as himself who didn't know anything about the Black Spire.
It was a frightening for anyone to see happen to someone that they knew or cared for; despite how much they have argued against each other before. Anders wouldn't admit—couldn't admit—to it, but even after realizing that she was gone he still wept in quiet tears of regret. Of course it could have just been Justice's reaction, but Anders doubted it. He felt strong similar emotions of 'passion' for the woman just as Justice had. He just didn't know how to label them, and since she did declare herself the enemy against him on many occasions, then it was mislabeled as anger.
But she was gone now, and Leliana was mourning just the same as he. In fact she probably needed Anders closer to her than he should have in return. Anders knew that he loved Leliana and certainly now he didn't need that reassurance of himself. He only continued to fear that she may have thought otherwise at any moment about him instead.
The quietness filled the room, and Anders merely snuggled against for the time being and closed his eyes. "It was just a bad dream. I feared that you weren't with me…"
Leliana had tried to look over her shoulder to Anders as he situated himself around her more firmly and closer than before. It wasn't uncomfortable, but more so of made her believe he was hiding something from her that he wished for her not to see. Since she couldn't see his face any longer she could no longer read his emotions, and instead she had to guess and read his vibes as he held her; which wasn't all too difficult for her. Seeing as how so many things had happened in a small amount of time frame and she believed the War with the Templars had a large effect on how he felt at the moment. All she could do was listen if he wished to speak of it to her. Though she doubted he would want to talk right away with what happened on the surface, it was far too early for that.
Her body shifted against his, adjusting to where her body formed even more closely than before. Her arm reached slightly behind her as he hand cupped at the start of his elbow and then slowly rubbed down his forearm, her fingertips making a massaging motion on her way down. "You know." She began to speak with her eyes closed. "You'll never lose me." She responded with a smile pulling at her lips. Once her hand reached his, her fingers wrapped around his hand and she gave a small tug to his limb, which allowed her as a helping tool to begin to turn around and face the mage. Her eyes came to a fluttering open, while her hand from before cupped along his jawline, and her legs intertwined with his.
A part of her wished to stay in bed all day with him, as moments like this had put her racing mind to sleep and she actually didn't worry about the world around her or what had or has happened. But the rouge wasn't sure if what he felt was the same as her. And she wanted to preoccupy his mind at all costs, for his sake.
"What would you like to do today?" She asked curiously as she leaned in and gave a gentle brush of her nose against his. But instead of pulling away she rested her brow to his and allowed their gaze to be met. "Whatever you wish to do I'm up for it. After all, you need some kind of fun after all that work you've been doing."
He looked towards her and offered as strong-willed of a smile as he could. "I think… I'll have to think on it…"
He started to move then, shifting out of the covers once he felt confident to have risen on his own. Anders was still frightened, of course, but he couldn't keep those kinds of feelings constantly etched on the surface either. Such feelings lead to losing himself. The last thing he wanted at that moment was for Justice to have taken over.
Speaking of which; oddly enough—Justice really hasn't seemed too needy as of lately anyway. It was as if a cloud had fallen over him; leaving Anders to constantly feel hazy but lulled into a form of comfort. Justice upset… no… Depressed, was more likely the word to have used. However, it wasn't anything that Anders could have focused on for now. All he wanted was to have had this movement over with, and for the city to heal. Perhaps within time, he and Leliana both could heal as well.
He moved some and reached for his clothes on the floor once he was walking around. Glancing over towards Leliana, Anders offered another bright smile. "How would you feel about some pancakes this morning? I'm as hungry as a horse."
"Fine, fine… Don't take me up on my offer. And here you could of gotten away with asking with whatever you wanted too." She teased with a slight sticking of her tongue out at the mage.
Her body had shifted some as Anders had begun his raise up from the sheets. Her hands clenched at the fabric, pulling it closer to her firm plump chest as her legs curled up, as far as they could until her protruding belly had blocked her from raising her legs any closer to her figure. Her emerald hues followed the mage as he began stalking through the room gathering his clothes, and re-dressing himself for the day. She smiled warmly as she propped her head onto the palm of her hand.
"Getting dressed already?" She teased in a slight whine. "Here I was hoping to distract you with my pretty face, seeing as how your little child is making me look like house." She joked, Leliana was just trying to distract Anders train of thought other than where it was. She hated to see him in such a dire state, and when she could do nothing to help. Just made her feel even more useless…
Eventually Leliana tossed the covers aside and swung her legs to dangle off the edge of the bed. She sat there a moment wiggling her toes and listening to Anders and his suggestion of getting food. Right away the rouges gaze shot up from the ground and fixated on the mage as she gave a single nod of her head. "Alright." She responded after a brief moment of thought and rose from the bed and began to get dressed for the day. "Food may do us both some good… After wards then we can see about doing something besides being cooped up in this area, alone. We wouldn't want that now would we…?" She teased with a wink of her right eye as she pulled her last piece of clothing over her head and smoothed the creases down along her curvaceous figure.
"Oh, but I can only do so much on an empty stomach." Anders beamed as he watched her smoothing away any wrinkles from her outfit.
He walked towards her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling Leliana's frame gently into his hold. He kissed her lips with a lingering passion and then guided his right hand more towards her belly that greeted him. It had been close to six months now, which left even more things for Anders to have been nervous about. Anders didn't want Leliana to have been stressed or strained for any reason at this stage of her pregnancy.
He pulled back gently and reached for her hand to take into his for the time being. "Let's go see if we can get someone around here to cook for us."
Anders guided themselves out of the bedchamber and down the hall towards the grand mess hall; where there had been plenty of the other mages and those willing to still fight for the rights of mages. The Special Zone had finally spread throughout all of Kirkwall now; though, ironically the force was now empowered by the one building that the mages had always feared. This was actually comfortable for Anders; to be surrounded by people who were willing to give aid to his cause, or those he could express his pity to.
He smiled to those he had passed by, and gave a greeting to those who acknowledged him as the Icon. The title was being branded deeper into him more than his chosen name for himself. He tried to ignore it though. The only focus for the moment was to get pancakes. He walked towards the kitchen staff and flagged down one of the Chefs to come to his attention.
"Hey, Sev. Can I get twelve pancakes? Two stacks of six? Orange juice –Oh—" He paused a moment and shielded his mouth away from Leliana's direction as he spoke softer for her not to hear. "—And strong few shots of whiskey to my milk."
Leliana had smiled warmly to Anders statement and cocked her head to the side. She was almost tempted to tease him on what kind of things he could or couldn't do with an empty stomach. But from his walk towards her and next the sudden grasp around her waist, pulling her towards him had brought her to widen her eyes and emit a playful sound from her lips. Her arms had reached out in their small gap due to her protruding stomach colliding against his while her hands clasped behind his neck. It seemed as if her smile brightened due to their closeness as her neck swanned up to greet the mage in a tender meet of their lips. Once the kiss had been broken and from his touch against her rounded belly brought the rouge to glance down momentarily, and reach out for Anders hand as her hand cupped along the length of his as her fingers wrapped around the base of his to give a small tug as they began their way to get some form of food.
Leliana followed closely by as they had made their way to the kitchen. It was nice actually to no longer be under ground even if it was in the Gallows, it was some new sights for her to take in. On top of this place not having stagnant air as below ground had. She tried not to think to much on the War still going on. As she knew Anders didn't want her to worry, and thinking of him still being even in a slight danger worried her. All she just wanted was for all of it to be done and over with. Which she figured wouldn't be long from now seeing as how well the troops were doing.
Once they had made it to the kitchen, Leliana scanned the area quickly before fixating her eyes to the chef that greeted them. The rouge smiled briefly, until she heard Anders orders of how many pancakes he wished for the chef to make. That it had almost brought her to drop open her mouth in surprise. "You trying to make me fat?" She joked with a light chuckle passing from her lips. As she rose a hand with three fingers pointing up as the two others were curled under. "Just three for me, I have no clue whats going through this mans mind." She said with a smile as her hand retracted back to her side.
After the chef had begun to take his leave Leliana trailed to the nearest table, taking a seat as she rested her chin in the palms of her hands while her emerald hues gazed towards the mage. She began to wave Anders over, patting the empty seat next to her. As her arm was extended up, she suddenly flinched and dropped her arm back down but wrapped her arm around her stomach. It wasn't a feeling of pain but shock as she still hadn't gotten use to the fact of moving being inside her. And that's what just happened, was either the movement of the child turning around or kicking, she couldn't quite make it out since it was so sudden and unexpected. Usually she got a fair warning before such a fierce movement.
After she regained her composure, and seeing as how Anders would have made his way over by now, she would reach out to the mage. Taking his hand and standing up if need be as she cupped his palm along the lower region of her stomach. It wasn't often that she had gotten the chance for Anders to feel the movement of their child. And seeing as how he seemed upset this morning, she figured it would do him some good, and maybe lift his spirits.
"Do you feel-" She started to ask curiously, but paused as the same odd feeling came over her. And this she could distinguish as a kick against the males hand. She smiled warmly as her hand tightened over the top of his before gazing back up to meet his eyes. "I think the baby's gonna take after you." She teased. "Very feisty"
The sound of plates being set down caused Leliana to glance over her shoulder and see the chef set down their two stacks of pancakes. Eventually the rouges hand started to fall from the mages as she turned her attention back to Anders for a moment. "Better eat before this kiddo decides to kick its way out."
"It could be a secret mission of mine." Anders grinned some and teased in response a little towards Leliana's worry of gaining weight. HIs arms remained wrapped around her shoulders as he held her to one side in his look of amusement towards the ceiling. "There's nothing more gorgeous than a pleasantly plump redhead, I always say."
He followed her towards the table and after she had sat down, again he had followed in pursuit. He wrapped his arms once again, seeing Leliana slightly wobble previously had been leaning more over Anders's worries for the moment. He reached out stimlountansouly when she had moved to grasp for him and regain her balance. The important thing remained by keeping her from falling out of the chair.
He had looked as though he would have mentioned something right then but his initiative was countered when Leliana had reached for his hand and moved it so that he could feel the baby lightly kick from inside her stomach. Anders smiled in surprise, and for a brief moment the nervousness and worry was side-tracked.
After all, from what he was feeling was his child; his and Leliana's child. For a Grey Warden to have even had a child was a miracle in itself. The moment demanded attention with awe and clarity. He laughed a little from her mentioning of their child possibly taking more behaviors after him. This had only caused his memories to trace back to his time in the Circle when he was much younger. Though, back then, the times had seemed simpler.
"Let's hope not too much..." He mentioned with a broadened grin to the thought. "I was quite the trouble maker back in my youth."
Of course he was always rebellious, and not just from the habit of escaping the Circle Tower either. Nearly every two weeks out of each month, it seemed that he used to have been sent to the kitchen to peel potatoes or wash dishes as punishment for his past acts of lewd conduct, pranks on the Senior Enchanters, or peeking in the ladies dressing rooms from time to time. He usually spent his punishment along with another classmate named Will; another mage who Anders never saw again after his last and successful escape.
As the memories remained vivid in his mind, he looked towards his plate and glass of milk once his and Leliana's was placed to the table. Anders did his best to avoid the slight glance of concern from the chef since it wasn't really 'common' for anyone to drink so early in the morning, and much less mix hard liquor with milk. He hadn't said anything though, and returned back to his duties, leaving them to their meal.
After hearing Leliana's last comment really had caused Anders to make a quickly nervous reach for his milk and begin to drink. He gave a slight mumble of agreement to her words, but did seem more focused at the sudden moment of drinking down nearly half of his liquor-traced milk. His memories of his past were quickly pushed away with the "scary" thought of poor Leliana going into labor; and it certainly was an entire other pasture for him to dwell on momentarily.
This once Leliana allowed the mage to get away with his comment of admiring plump little red heads, she knew he was truly joking with her. And truthfully with every pregnancy it was said one would gain weight, and possibly never be to rid of it, but most of it would go away. So she wasn't completely worried of this, especially of what stimulus activities the two participated in would help as well.
Leliana had found comfort in feelings Anders touch against her small protruding belly. It felt like it had been such a long time since she had actually felt joy and felt that in her own smile. Maybe it was because of this war, she never enjoy fighting and never liked killing nor the thought of killing others even if they were against her. This was why she never had Marjolaine killed, no matter what she put her through, to end her life would give her a burden unlike any other. Then the thought of Aragorn had swept across her mind briefly, she tried desperately not to think of him. Not to think what Sebastian had put him, and everyone who cared for him through. It wasn't necessary, and being reminded of him reopened the invisible missing gash inside her heart. After all he was her first one she loved and she was his.
"You a trouble maker?" She mused lightly with a curious arched brow. Leliana could believe such an explanation of himself in his younger days. After all Aragorn had spoken of the mage once to her before; of his travels in Amaranthine. Rebuilding his guild of Wardens was a delight to him, something he knew Duncan would be proud of if he were able to see from above himself.
"Aragorn had told me about you, before he left on his latest quest that brought me to find you." She admitted lightly with a nod of her head as she dropped her hands from her stomach and began to turn, to raise her arms up allowing her elbows to be placed on the table while her hands rested her chin. "He said you were a lively, jokester kind of guy. Someone he enjoyed to be around." She reminisced as her eyes were closed recalling his voice being replayed within her memory banks. She had paused then, almost seeming uneasy as she sighed. But then she quickly perked up with a smile, and turned with open eyes to look upon the mage. "I wish I was there." She admitted in a whisper as the setting of the plates had almost muffled her words.
"If I could have gotten the chance I probably would have joined the Wardens then." There were many times Leliana wished to join the Wardens, one reason being as Warden's life span was cut short. She didn't, at the time, want to be left alone when Aragorn had left to the deep roads. And now she was in the same predicament, at least this time, she had a reason to live. For their unborn child and for the rest of the time Anders had with them.
"Not to mention… It would have been nice to see the younger wilder side of you." She teased as she turned to her dish to begin her meal.
"Hey, my old age hasn't slowed me down." Anders gave a small pout in the attempts to have kept her cheered up.
He returned back to his meal soon and the chatter from the breakfast hall had started to quiet down. The day started to move along easily, though lazily after that. The main peak of the day was when a soldier had rushed in from the commons. He addressed Anders with a tense salute just as Anders had started to walk by with a small group of Circle mages and Leliana next to him.
"Icon, Sir! Private Breton reporting. Sergeant Klause asked me to deliver a message to you. Sir!" He announced a little loudly and distraught.
Anders paused a moment from his previous conversation, turned and gave a light chuckle at how up-tight the other man was. "You can relax, Breton, I'm not the Grand Cleric."
"Yes Sir." Breton announced, still slightly up-tight but nearly as bad as before. He relaxed a little and allowed his shoulders to have slouched a bit.
"Now, what's this about?" Anders started to question as he folded his arms.
"It would seem as though one of our strongest warriors, General Hamilton, has passed away, Sir." Breton said, this time in a more gentle tone.
Anders just stared at him for a moment; as if he wasn't certain if he had heard the news correctly. It was true that Alexander was probably one of their strongest knights in the war. He was the whole reason—in fact—that Anders had even gotten his foothold in Tevinter, before Aragorn's pushing for him to return to Kirkwall.
Anders tilted his head some and attempted to have cracked an easy-off smile. "A-Are you sure you heard correctly?"
"Yes, Sir. Sergeant Klause said that his death was an honorable one, Sir." Breton answered.
"I see…" Anders said and lowered his head in defeat to the news. "How did he die?"
Breton looked towards the others and then back to Anders hesitantly. "Can we…? Talk? Somewhere, Sir? The information's not exactly ready for the public."
Anders's eyes narrowed in slight curiosity, but he didn't say anything. He tilted his head towards the hallway a bit farther and started to lead them to a different room where himself, Leliana, and the private could finish the conversation alone.
Leliana had reached up quickly as she had heard Anders sentence spoken to her and shook her hands in a frantic manner, almost seeming to be apologetic seeing as how his words had seemed to have a hint of hurt in them. "That's not what I meant…" She explained with a slumped head. "I—" With a pause she glanced up towards the mage seeing his actions were not meant to be taken as he was offended but more so to cheer her gloomy state. This had quickly brought a glimmer of hope to come to light, and a smile to appear across her lips. "Anders…" She whispered with a shake of her head while turning to her food in attempt to hide her red tint which she felt warming her cheekbones. "I love you."
As their meal was finished and Leliana was at her fullest, so to speak she had reached for Anders, finding herself leaning slightly against his shoulder as her left arm interlocked with his right and her fingers wrapped tightly around the palm of his hand. "You know I can stay like this for a while longer—" She began to whisper towards the mage, as she arched her neck back to glance up at the male but from the incoming foot-steps and figure of a solider coming forth brought Leliana to stand erect when greeted. She tried to show Anders the rightful respect he needed when out and around his fellow mages and followers. As she also didn't want to seem too clingy as well, but from all the after effects of the War and losing many ones, it was almost impossible for her to just conceal every emotion inside her. So she did as best with what she could handle to do.
From the news that was given brought Leliana to flinch unexpectedly, yes she had a hatred for the man but that didn't mean she wished him to die… Even if once she held a knife to his throat that was a different story. Kind of. She had to worry about Anna, and how she would be dealing with such news. Even if a man was so cold hearted, she had to think that she did love him.
She was just as curious as Anders of what happened and knew it wasn't her place to ask such questions from this solider. As she hadn't no place in the War and it's constant fighting. So when she was allowed to come and follow the two she had quickly picked up her pace and hurried after Anders and the other.
Once they had reached the room, the private waited until the door was closed before continuing to answer Anders's question. He had still seemed a little hesitant as he started to speak; as if a little afraid of his voice still possibly carrying to other people.
"Serah Hamilton's death has turned into an event of traumatic proportions. It may affect the morale of the people here. That's why I was told not to continue the discussion of his death too publically." He said after some slight fidgeting and bowed his head a little. "I apologize for this…"
"No need... Just, please, continue." Anders spoke quickly; still seeming a bit urgent to have heard what had happened. The longer these pauses were taking, the more nervous the mage was beginning to get.
"Starkhaven templars breeched Tevinter's territorial grounds and traveled to Asariel. They were going to kidnap his son while he was away and in battle." The private continued to explain. "By the time that Alexander was warned and arrived to find them, his son was already dying."
Anders found himself reaching towards Leliana's hand and searched to hold it for the moment. This was not the type of news he was expecting. It left him in more concern for his own woman and child, and it also left a bit of confusion from the explanation that was given.
"But the templars were planning to kidnap the boy, not kill him." He repeated the previous statement, as to make sure that he heard correctly.
"That changed after the boy attacked one of the templars. Their blades punctured the boy's lungs before his father could reach him…" Breton said after lowering his head briefly. "It was reported that in the frenzy of being hunted and desperate to save his son, Hamilton made a deal with a demon and has fused the boy, the demon, and himself into one being."
"And that was when he died." Anders confirmed as his eyes glanced away.
"Not exactly, but that's what will be in the records of his passing." Private Breton mumbled and rubbed the back of his neck some.
"Maker… There's more?" Anders winced. He was starting to feel dizzy from so much bad information at once. It caused him to wobble to a chair in order to sit down.
"Well…. There's been a report of an unlicensed demon terrorizing Minrathous, Serah." Private Breton hurried to explain, in hopes that he wasn't dragging the news out too much. On the other hand, he also knew this was a type of report that needed to have been taken in with stride. "He's said to be a Greed demon. The Council believe it's the ending result of our General and his son. That's why this report was insisted to have been kept confidential."
Once they had entered the room Leliana had looked to the solider, with the same concern and question held in her eyes. She wasn't sure what to expect to hear what had happened. But she had a guess… Templars… After all the man was a blood mage, a Tevinter, and it was crazy being out of Tevinter lands it was practically asking for a death wish. She was just so tired of death and dismay, and by the looks of the Solider it had seemed the news wouldn't be easy to take.
A sigh had expressed its way out of her lips as she had trailed up to Anders side, and went out to reach for his hand. Her fingers binding with his to await the story of what had happened.
It was the moment he mention Starkhaven that Leliana heartbeat skipped a beat. Just hearing the name had brought back such memories which she wished she could just wash away like dirt on skin. With her emerald hues shifting down to the panels below her feet she closed her eyes and shook her head is dismay. There wasn't much to be said on her part but to listen further on how he had gone down.
When Anders hand reached out for hers was when she had been slightly brought back and glanced over to the mage with a comforting smile smearing across her lips as her thumb caressed along the base of his hand. When Anders had asked his question regarding Alexander's son and the Templars, it had brought her vision to shift, and question the solider with her inquisitive eyes.
Leliana felt horrible for Alex, to come and recuse your child only to find that child almost at the Makers side. She understood, to a point why he would make a deal with a demon. To save his only son would have been a good reason, but to give his life in the process was what shocked her the most out of it all. Seeing as how she had always seen the man as so cold and heartless.
All this talk of Templar business had brought Leliana to feel her own worry on behalf of their child. She had no idea what she would do the Templars had come knocking at their door. Though she knew what she was getting in from the start, it was still a scary disheartening thought that her arm had draped over her small bulge of a stomach and pace to the nearest seat and she listened further.
"Let me guess." Leliana had started to whisper over to the Solider and Anders as his last spoken words had been passed. "Anders has to leave next, to do is Icon duties?" She didn't want to think of the thought of Anders going out in danger, but this was his movement to change the lands and make it a better place for mages, she knew she couldn't stop him but she couldn't help but worry for their sake.
"These are actually the duties of the Council. The Black Divine hold the responsibility to police other mages when abominations in Tevinter become a problem." Breton nodded some towards Leliana's answer. He then looked towards Anders with a slight worry in his eyes. "Our Icon won't be required to attend the Council's decision on the matter, but the Council did feel that he should be aware of the current situation."
"…Of all the spine-less, cowardly, despicable -blighted-" Anders buckled his fingers together and found his brow narrowing tight in thought of the ill-deed. It was obvious he was growing angry and still rather upset from the news. His eyes lifted towards the private and started to flash in their bright blue color of "Justice" in his attempt to have surfaced. "Starkhaven had no business crossing over the boarder for such an attack! They dare to breech Tevinter's treaty to kill a child?"
"Starkhaven claims that treaties with Tevinter have been 'botched' since Tevinter's attack in Kirkwall, Serah." Breton bowed his head some; hoping that he wouldn't get the damaging blow of Anders's stewing anger.
"Are they dead?" Anders asked quickly.
"Who, Sir?"
"The templars!" Anders snapped quickly before catching himself and slumped back into his chair once more. "The templars who caused all this."
"Um… Yes, Sir… Without question…" Breton nodded stiffly and then straightened his back. "But as I said, the current threat is the abomination that's loose in Minrathous. The Council request for you to stay in Kirkwall until the matter has been dealt with. 's staff have been excommunicated and-"
Anders's eyes widened some and he began to pull himself up from his chair. "That's enough… I'm going, whether the Council wants me to or not."
Leliana smiled some if for a brief second when the solider had confirmed that Anders wouldn't have to leave after all. At least some of her worries were pushed aside for the moment. Bringing her to glace over to the mage from her sitting down form and reach out to brush her hand across his forearm. "Thank goodness. I was worried that they would want him to come and fix this whole mess." She responded as a quick sigh of relief passed her lips, which seemed rather cut short once Anders reaction came out to their attention.
Very rarely Leliana had gotten the chance to see Anders in such an angered state. That her hand had slowly shifted away from the mage in his fit of rage and formed back to her side. "Anders…" She whispered in a concerned tone of voice as her once relived expression changed rather quickly to a distraught, concerned one. She hated to see him in such a wreck of emotions, especially of anger. Since there was little one could do now that the child was no more, and the Templars had probably thought now that they had more power over the mages then ever since they succeeded in ridding of Alexander.
In hearing though that the Templars were disposed of did bring a reassuring smile to come across her rosy lips, and with a turn of her head she glanced to Anders once more and parted her lips. "At least something is going right then. A few less Templars to deal with." In a million years she never thought she would say those words, but with time life had changed for her, greatly. It almost seemed to her as if she were closer to the mages than she had ever been before; she had to think though the friends of hers that were mages in the past. She wished they were with her now, instead of where ever they may have been. Her guess would have been killed by Templars.
A flinch came over Leliana as she was taken out of though process as Anders words filled her ears. Not only was it sudden but dangerous, and outright… Dumb. Though she wouldn't dare tell him the dumb part. After all, since the Templars brought down Alex what would stop them from hunting down Anders next, seeing as how highly the mages thought of him? She couldn't fathom the thought if they were to accomplish such a task. "But…" She questioned, as she pushed herself off the chair and walk up next to Anders side where she had attempted to perform a stance of authority (which she most likey failed at) as she had stared down to the mage. "You can't go… It's dangerous out there… Are you trying to get killed?"
"Well, it's not a first choice…" Anders responded with a raised eyebrow to Leliana's question, and it was only minutes later he had realized of how serious she was in her worry for him. He shook his head to the notion started to fold his arms. "…Leliana, I can't just sit by and wait for news while an abomination breathes through lips of a dead man I had once called a friend."
He then glanced back towards the soldier, who at the moment had seemed a little uncomfortable, still listening in to their conversation. "Plus, I have to think about Anna. She's lost both her husband and son to this force of evil once; maybe even twice. I cannot have her witness any further blasphemous insult that demon would do, and neither would Justice."
"She is actually being held captive by the creature, Serah." The provate said and bowed his head quickly; knowing that by then he had just delivered the worst possible news. "The Court is currently undergoing negotiations—"
"There will be no negotiations for abominations—that's ludicrous!" Anders snapped back at him and felt his hands tightening into fists before he unfolded his arms. He took a moment and closed his eyes; attempting to calm himself with a breath before speaking again. "Return to the Court. Tell them to keep the creature alive, for when I get there… I want to… handle… the matter myself."
The provate fumbled some after witnessing Anders's last outburst. He fell forward in a slight bow and then quickly turned to escape out of the room. Anders waited until the man had left before he too started to take a leave towards his own and Leliana's quarters. There was so much to have thought about, and so much to have worried over. Though for right then, his only focuse—he believed—should have been about getting back into Minrathous and into Tevinter territory.
Though Leliana's worry did not go without it's merit. If the templars truly were backing out of their treaties, then ideally there would have not been a safe place for any mage any more. After all these years Andraste's initial "conquering" through her religious teachings were finally going to reach the northern lands. Anders could not have that. No; he'd rather revoke his faith as an Andrastian at this point, if it meant he could have lived free as any other man.
Leliana couldn't help but sigh as Anders words were spoken to her. Sure she understood greatly why he was doing this, who liked abominations anyways? And they had to be dealt with. She just wished it hadn't been Anders who had to put his neck out there. "I suppose your right." She muttered lightly under her breath, as she turned a shoulder and shifted her gaze further down to the flooring below. For now all she could do was attempt to try and put out a good front, for herself and Anders as well.
She couldn't help but feel as she wanted to go with Anders. Though she knew he would disagree with her pleas, seeing as how she was nearly to the end of carrying their child. It would have been risky, and one other reason for Anders to worry with her by his side. But knowing Anna was out there, alone now had given her a sense of worry for the woman she grew to care for the short time she was able to spend with her.
"What if-" She began to question; tempted to ask to go with Anders. But from the soldiers unexpected new news had brought silence to her quickly as she stumbled back and next braced herself against a nearby chair. Just as Anders, she was as well angered by this but which mostly showed was her distraught state as she shifted her posture more into the chair to sit down in a sulked state.
The rouge had hardly heard further into Anders argument towards the solider as the explanation was told to them of the dealings made with the demon. Even Leliana knew this was crazy. The thing would possibly kill Anna afterwards, even if they were to make a deal with it. It was known for years that such things would occur. What were they possibly thinking!?
It wasn't until the solider had taken his leave that Leliana had shifted her cranium slightly up to gaze beyond and to where Anders stood. As he stood there she was unsure of what to say. What could she say? She clearly didn't want to anger him further by saying the wrong thing, if there was a wrong thing to say. That it had caused her to silent, which was so unlike herself at such times. Though the moment she saw his movement being made to the door, Leliana quickly picked herself up off the chair and quickly followed behind.
In silence she followed Anders back to their chambers. She had to admit it was an awkward moment seeing as how his last outburst towards the solider was abrupt, as Anders had usually didn't react like such with her near. Though she knew of his "temper" as he knew of hers to some extent, it was just truly a waiting game when such emotions were shown as she knew then Justice's presence could possibly be shown at any time.
"Anders?" She uttered out softly as she was unsure if her words had even reached the mage. Seeing as the creaking of the door closing behind her was louder than her calling out towards him. "I know this may be a silly question. But there's no way I can go with you… Is there?" She asked biting down on her lower lip, expecting the answer she knew all too well that would come her way. But she couldn't help but ask it. Even if it was a no, at least then she wouldn't regret not asking. "You know I hate seeing you going off on your own. We started out on our journey together, so it should stay that way… Right?"
When the door had closed behind them and Anders could hear Leliana's words, he couldn't help but feel his thoughts of defecting his nation's beliefs lingering in the back of his mind. They shifted there to remain and grow for later pondering. His shoulders slumped some in his thoughts and he sighed after a moment's pause.
"It would be too dangerous for you to go with me... But similarly, if the treaties are truly broken between the Black Divine and White Spire, then there wouldn't be a safe place for you here either." Anders said as he started to turn towards her; taking a few steps near her direction. "It is of the growing many views Justice and I have come to agree on; … that I don't want to lose you or our child. You're the only remaining family I have."
He reached up and held her into an smuggling embrace. Anders rested his cheek towards the top of her head, and was doing his best to maintain his temper over the passing matter. He didn't want Justice to break from him and into the current setting just yet. He wanted to remain in control of the most important choices so far. As an end result, his skin was emitting a slightly darkened aura from his bitterness, and his eyes reflected a glitter of light blue.
"For the first time in this war, I am not sure of what to do. I fear my purpose may be a lost cause and my soul will be swallowed." He mentioned and spoke a bit softer. "Justice senses my resolve slipping too… and he is just as uncertain as I am."
"Does that mean I can come with you then?" She asked a bit curiously, but still the hesitation in her voice was clear as a sunny day. Thus bringing her to bite her lower lip in the process as she tilted her cranium to the side and began to gaze up from their embrace which the rouge had welcomed with open arms, returning his with her share of concern and love. It was then that his aura, so to speak caught her eye and had brought Leliana to retract her arms away from his waist where they were wound and re-wrap themselves around the mages neck.
His words had brought a genuine smile to come to her lips as her short stature shifted up to her tippy toes since Anders clearly was somewhat taller than her, which she blamed on her origins. "You need to stop worrying so much." She whispered within inches from his lips. "As long as I'm here I won't let nothing slip to far away." After a flashy grin, Leliana closed in the last few inches between the two, molding their lips into one, which she held for a few moments, much longer than the usual peck on the lips she would give him out in public or around others.
As she pulled back slightly, she reached up after a moment, but still suddenly placing a single digit between their lips, as the edge of her index glided gently across Anders lips. Once their moment had passed, and Leliana had pried herself off the temptation of continuing. Knowing he or they needed to leave at least very soon. "Now I should leave you alone before I decide to keep you from leaving."
Anders only laughed since he didn't want to disprove nor quite agree to Leliana's statement. Truly, there was just too much on his mind. So the time began for them to pack and set a journey back to Tevinter. The trip was long, but it went smoother since Anders had taken the Imperial Highway while carrying nearly half an army of mages to guard the carriage.
When they got to Anna's mansion, they could see a thick black cloud looming over it. There was also a strong spiritual barrier that was being held up by the Black Divine's Council at the moment. They were outside in the yard, doing all they could just by keeping the barrier up so that there wouldn't be any more tears from the Veil threatening to burst open.
Anders stepped out of the carriage and looked up at the sky before looking back to the men who had their hands up and emitting a bright golden aura to battle against the clouds that wanted to continue forming.
"Is the demon still inside?" He started to ask him.
"Yes, but—" One of the mages started to answer and then looked back at Anders almost in a double take. The look of worry and fear started to spread on his face as he started to speak. "A-Anders? What are you doing out here? You're supposed to be in Kirkwall!"
"It was getting dull." Anders offered a slight apologetic smile and turned back to the barrier that was being formed. Without much else of a word, he walked inside. Though behind him the whispers of the Council to the Black Divine continued to raise in question.