Revolution

by rikkustrife

This is from a roleplay a friend and I have written together. It's placed in the aftermath of Anders destruction of the Chantry in Kirkwall and Leliana comes across him, and they begin their adventure together which in turns brings them closer together. Chapter 5 is the first sexual themed chapter for those uncertain if they want to read that part or not.

35. Chapter 35

It had been a hellish two weeks for Anders, but it was hardly anything he wasn't use to enduring before; the snide glances the accusing sneers, and the whispers loud enough to burn his ears but not quite enough for him to figure out the words. He had worn shackles many times before, but none nearly as heavy as this. Perhaps it was just the thought that for once, Anders had shown a moment of weakness. He willingly gave himself up to the unknown care and judgment, for the stilled promise of his family to remain peacefully where they were. The tyranny had to be stopped somewhere, and at the time, this had seemed like the best option.

All the same, it was still remarkable even to himself of how far he was willing to go. To be locked and chained down in the dungeon of the Orlais Cathedral, among the very mother-hen of all White Spire chickens who hated him, was probably the most extreme decision Anders had ever surrendered himself into. He didn't want to believe that he was beginning to get too proud of escaping from anything-for his own good. Rather instead, Anders was contemplating on what he was actually planning to do with this place and to the Holy Mother. Of all times to have such thoughts in his head; when being stripped of his renegade coat and shirt, and to have been chained against the wall.

"You are a sad sight." The Knight Commander spoke once he walked into the dungeon and down the steps. The guards at the door closed upon his entrance and stood back at their attention, behind him. "Though your devotion to your cause is strong, it has lead you to this situation."

"Of such, I'm not surprised." Anders replied though barely keeping his head lifted. His blonde hair fell around him in a ruffled mass of golden locks strained from the loosened band he once had held tight.

"Would it also surprise you if you were to be given a death sentence for your crimes as well?" The Knight Commander retorted and curled the whip into his hands. His teeth were gritting, but he held a smirk. Once he came close enough, he tilted the whip underneath Anders's chin and lifted him so that he would be forced to have looked at him. "You know, your Tevinter Commander was whipped in these very halls too once. I suppose it's only fitting to have you finally pay visit, don't you think?"

"Funny… I was told he died in Asariel." Anders replied as his eyebrows started to slightly knit firmly together. "By child-murdering-Templars…"

"It's no secret Starkhaven has more than a thorn in their side against you, Serrah. Whom you choose to have killed be whom you choose to keep close; you should know that better than anyone." The Knight Commander scoffed and finally lowered his whip down. "Val Royeaux holds no responsibility over the political actions of an angered King. Besides, ever since 2:80, the Glory Year, Starkhaven and Tevinter have been holding grudges against each other."

"A predictable response coming from the Knight Commander of Orlais. Still, you would gloat about what historical progress you haven't accomplished on your own. I would expect no less…" Anders nodded some and then remained silent for a moment, as though to have left a pause in his words on purpose. "Answer me truly then… When Alexander was brought to this room, was he a man or a boy?"

"In what way do you ask?" The Knight Commander laughed abruptly and started to step back. He folded his arms and continued to replay.

"…The truth then… This was many, many years ago, Serrah. I was one of the Knight Captain's first recruits at the time. He came here as a boy, but he bled as a man. However, it was not the Orlesian people who controlled the whip. It was his own... Best you keep that mind during our …negotiations…"

Anders turned his head to one side, as far away as he could after hearing this. He knew of the Tevinter people being cruel, but to have been so to even their own children was still somewhat of an eye-opener for him. In the end, it had only brought more lingering questions to him, but none that the Knight Commander of Orlais could answer. In fact, to this pompous oaf, Anders was supposed to have been the one answering questions at the moment. For the past week, they have been having these "negotiations" back and forth that Anders was luckily able to transform into witty banter from time to time in order to save his own skin from anymore beatings.

"Frankly, I don't care why you even blew up the Chantry." The Knight Commander spoke abruptly, with the intention of pulling Anders from his current thoughts. As if that hadn't been enough by then, he snapped the whip between his hands; making a loud snap that echoed into the grey brick dungeon below. "All I want from you is a confession and the location of where you've hidden the Black Divine members."

Anders closed his eyes, seeing that even in his mind, the fires of the bottom room being lit and reflecting the perimeters of the room could have been seen. He sighed after a while, hearing only his voice beginning to fill the emptiness.

"Alright. I confess…" He started to say, carrying a wicked smile, but otherwise peaceful expression. "I am a mage, and therefore related through bloodlines of magic to the very Tevinters who defiled the Golden City in the recorded year -395; the defilement of the Maker's glorious home was due to me."

The Knight Commander looked at him puzzeled at first and shook his head. "…What?"

"I confess to harbor the human corruption of mortal men. I confess to the pestilence and the disease of the Darkspawn that have spread over Thedas for hundreds of years." Anders continued as though he wasn't interrupted.

"The death of Emperor Drakon, the rise of Zazikel, The Navarran Accord, the drive for the Exalted March, the Trail of the Anderfelds, the execution of Andraste, the Glory Year, and the Age of Rebuilding all were my inspiration and I am the born result."

"How dare you make a mockery in the Divine's Holy Sanctum!" The Knight Commander demanded and pulled back his whip. He cracked it against Anders's skin, causing the mage to jump a little, but otherwise hadn't flinched. "If you're going to continue to ask for what punishment a mage such as you deserves, then you shall have it!"

He began to crack the whip almost relentlessly against Anders's chest. He tore at the skin with every mark, but the only bright side to this was that the man was angered enough not to wait between lashings. So, the pain was dulled and eventually numb to Anders after a while. Taunting the Knight Commander's impatience this way was the only way he could sometimes endure the whippings.

"The Unclean! The Unworthy! Unholy!" The Knight Commander chanted with each blistering sting he gave. "Defiled! Filthy! Be purified! Be cleansed! Know that the pain you feel is blessed by the gracious hand of the Maker! Embrace His love and know His wrath!"

Anders hardly couldn't even open his eyes anymore. The whip sliced across his cheek once and then against his shoulder before crashing a few times back against his chest. Most of the strikes against his body he could take; just so long as the man wasn't sadistic enough to hit for anything below the belt. He had to bite the inside of his cheek in order to keep from crying out.

"Knight Commander!" The abrupt harsh female voice came from outside of the dungeon.

Anders was too drained to have lifted his head to see who it was, but due to his dizziness and quick loss of blood, he had almost thought he was hearing Naomi. Then the stinging reminder to himself of being dead; even worse, that she died by his own hands, was returned to him. So, this female, whoever she was, sounded just as harsh and cruel as her...yet similarly carried the same righteous tone in her voice as well. He heard the door being swung open, and frantic guards mumbling to each other. The heavy footsteps of heavy chainmail marching closer and closer to them…

He opened his eyes just in time to have seen the Knight Commander being backhanded across the face, and the force sending the man straight to the floor. Followed by a rain of blood, but Anders wasn't sure of whose that it was.

"Imbecile! The Maker did not call for you to carry his hands!" Cassandra scowled bitterly at him. "I suggest that you prioritize and reevaluate your duties as Knight Commander lest you wish to be stripped of your responsibility."

The Knight Commander spat out the blood from his mouth and crawled back to his feet. Glaring back at Cassandra at first, the male started to step back and glanced towards Ghaleon who remained behind her heels. "You may be a Seeker, but a Templar does carry the will of the Chantry on his shoulders. Don't ever overstep your boundaries like that again without proper clearance, or I'll have you stand alongside him."

"Yet another naughty Templar with his head in the gutter...!" Ghaleon mentioned and raised a slight eyebrow at him. "This man you're bludgeoning to death is a Grey Warden, like it or not. You think any mage or Grey Warden will ever willingly aid our lands against another Blight if they hear of this?"

The Knight Commander carried his glare towards Ghaleon, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he bolted for a last minute retreat just so that he wasn't caught arguing with very two Seekers who seemed to have stayed in the Holy Mother's right pocket. Rightly so ; though, for Cassandra was the Champion of Orlais ever since she had saved Justina VI from an evil group of bloodmages and their pet dragons.

"The more templars I see following his path the more I lose hope for the Circle." Ghaleon shook his head and then looked back towards Anders who was still bleeding at the time. He rolled up his sleeves and made his way towards him, while his hands started to glow.

"There is no hope for the Circle. Mages like you have just been too slow to figure that out." Anders grumbled and rolled his eyes some at the thought.

"Yes, well a mage like me still willingly seeks to heal a mage like you so spare me a bit of your criticism in something." Ghaleon offered with a bright smile.

"You are so whipped you don't even realize it." Anders laughed and looked back at him. "Are you sure you're not tranquil?"

However, Anders quickly winced after feeling Ghaleon's hands slightly tighten and squeezed at opened wound in response to the joke Anders had given in poor taste. Tranquility was something no mage ever should have joked about, but in retrospect, Ghaleon did seem to have taken it lighter than most mages probably would have.

"Hm… Nope, I guess not. Tranquils don't make mistakes like that in healing others. Sorry." Ghaleon responded quickly and then continued to heal him.

"Your hands are a bit rough…" Anders continued to banter with the other mage. "I think I'd rather have your girlfriend over there kiss my injuries instead."

Cassandra's attention from the door quickly jerked back towards Anders. Within a few crushing footsteps, Ghaleon quickly leaped into the air and spun around to gently coax her back. His brown eyes looked wide with worry, glancing back towards Anders and giving a nervous laugh.

"He's just, just messing with you, Cassandra. Pay him no mind." Ghaleon reassured and waited until the Navarran woman shifted her stance back and folded her arms. She might not have struck him, but her eyes still remained glaring at Anders. However, Ghaleon looked back towards Anders and leaned in with a slight whisper. "In all seriousness, Serrah, please don't push her. Miss Cassandra has a high temper and a violent streak you wouldn't want to challenge."

"Oh, believe me, I know whose wearing the pants in this room." Anders grinned after glancing back at him and then towards her once more. "Women like her become only what bards and prison guards sing about… But if I was to push too far, you and probably all of Orlais would have known of it."

Cassandra 'hmphed' a bit and turned away from the two mages, allowing Ghaleon time to finish healing him in what privacy she could offer. Tapping her foot against the cobblestones underneath, her eyes returned back towards the door for the moment in order to keep watch.

"I do think… an apology over this matter is in order." Anders spoke up again, more-so in his attempts to grasp Cassandra's attention still.

"Okay, that would be nice, but if you can't make it quick, it will have to wait." Ghaleon responded for her in a witty remark once he had finished healing him and reached for a damp cloth to wipe away the excess blood from Anders's chest and face.

"I didn't mean-" Anders began and after a glance towards Ghaleon just before the cloth wiped against his cheek, he sighed in defeat.

"The Nightingale has come to see you, and she will be escorted down here shortly." Ghaleon continued to explain. "While we cannot express any remorse for what current treatment you have went under by being imprisoned down here, we certainly can at least attempt with keeping your stay a little more pleasant."

"Well, I wasn't going to say anything at first, but I'd love to have a few of those mint chocolates near my stone-pillow." Anders answered back with sarcasm and then pressed his head back against the rock-wall behind him.

Upon reaching the walls of Orlais Leliana had pushed about everyone out of the carriage besides her son who was beginning to form his own facial features some of most the reminded her of Anders that she had crossed her arms and shifted her head to the side. "Don't look at me like that… Everything will turn out for the best. Just you wait and see." She spoke in more reassuring her mind than her sons since he clearly didn't understand a thing which was going on and by his facial expression changing quickly to a cooing smile brought her enough joy to make her reflect it. "Yeah now you smile." She teased as she began to strip off her clothes and exchange it for her very old and possibly outdated Seeker armor. If the people of Orlais were to let them in, it would be easier to look the part even if it was a little white lie.

"Hey Leliana you done yet?" Alistair had called out as he began to impatiently tap his foot upon the ground. "Women… They always take the longest. Especially when you're already ready." He commented to one of Soldiers that stood near. He began to nod in agreement but from the opening of the carriage door he straightened on contact and looked straight forward.

"Sorry for making you wait your highness." She teased as she had come at last stepping out the carriage with Baelfire in her arms.

Alistair had flinched at first by not only her words but by her attire. Clearly he knew of it but why she was wearing it was all a different question that he stuck out his pointer finger to her. "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that and why are you in that?"

Leliana had glanced down to her armor and faintly grinned before looking back up while shrugging her shoulders. "About that. It will just be easier. And give us less stress… Let's get in the city, from there we'll get a room and then find Anders. Which I already have a good guess where he's at."

"Good plan but don't think I'm doing this to get your lover out of his shackles, we're here for other reasons." Alistair confirmed as he had picked up his pace and stalked towards the entrance. Since he was so use to Denerim being freely to let just about anyone in he had almost walked past the guards standing at the entrance. That he could of swore he felt the spered blades slice across the bridge of his nose and if it wasn't for his guard pulling him back just that would have happened as Leliana handed over Baelfire to the servant she had brought along so she could rush up and safely get in between the burly man and Alistair.

"So sorry… We're here to visit, as you see I'm Orlesian, and this is my home." She confessed as cheerfully as she while biting her tongue. In all her years she had never considered this place her home since her mother retreated to Ferelden years before. "And this man over here is just my accompanier."

The guard had looked to Alistair arching a curious brow to his features then back to Leliana. He couldn't argue with Leliana from being of these lands, her accent was proof enough. But this man… He had to admit he had seen him before. "Who—"

Before the guard could get a word in Leliana spouted out once more looking to the second guard who had slowly already pulled back his weapon. "You two might remember me. I'm Leliana, the Nightingale is my most popular title."

"The Nightngale huh?" Commented back the guard in the forefront as he switched his blade towards Leliana this time as the second guard followed. It was a relief for Alistair for a moment until he opened his eyes and looked to Leliana with shock.

"Looks like they don't like you." Alistair had confirmed as he slacked back a few paces but closer to Leliana's side just in case if these men did try anything further.

"You think I can't see that!—" She spat back as a forced gulp had made its way down her swanned neck.

The Soldiers had looked at each other then back to Leliana before the one obviously in charge began speaking once more. "You think we haven't heard of you Nightingale, how you freed our now prisoner and was with him in his 'revolution' for the mages and most of all we can't forget that you fornicated with the man. If you were that close with him what makes you think we would trust you to allow you into our city?"

"Ha… Fornicated." Alistair had boasted out in almost an uncontroable laughter.

If Leliana had any leeway she would have taken the chance to stomp on the males foot so he could come back to reality. "You know you're not helpinggggg." She groaned back as she could see from what little sight the men had given her that Alistair was wiping away the few tears of laughter away. "Ugh… Looks like he's going to be of no help." She mumbled as her attention shifted back to her front. "Look I came here to make amends with the Divine, with everyone. I was stupid and I should have never freed that mage, nor should I have stayed by his side when he killed many innocents. He was a problem from the start."

With a short pause and by the tone and sincerity of Leliana's voice each guard had glanced to one another before lowering their weapons and taking a few steps to the side. "If we hear you have done anything different than what was said here know we will be searching for you."

Leliana had at last smiled warmly and nodded her head once before stepping through and into the city at last. Thankfully due to her years of training with Marjolaine she was given the skills of making people to believe what they wanted to hear. It was possibly the only good thing that woman had given her.

Just being back in this city brought Leliana's stomach to twist and turn as she could recall so many memory's from when she had once lived here, and traveled here. Mostly her gaze was taken to the ground as she didn't want to be reminded of such memories. They were far too harsh or painful to remember at this moment.

"Over there… How about we book a room there?" Alistair had called out as he pointed out with his index towards a bright and seemingly cheerful inn.

Leliana had shook her head and pointed more forward. "No… That's a brothel. Or it has always been since I could remember. It's better if we go higher up in the city to find a place that safe. Epsically since Baelfire is with us."

Alistair had to hold back the fiery blush that had come to his features upon hearing what the place was. He heard of Orlais' having a wide variety of things but he never believed people when they told him the stories… Well mostly Leliana's stories when they were traveling Ferelden with Aragorn.

Once they had finally settled on an Inn Leliana made quick work in getting Baelfire's things in order for the lady which was to watch him on her leave. She wasn't sure how long she was to be gone but she tried to do as much as she could before taking her leave. Until at last going to Baelfire privately and hovering over the sleeping boy as he laid upon the bed. "I want you to be good… I'll be back soon I promise." She whispered as she had leaned in laying a single kiss to the boys brow and retreated quickly before she changed her mind. After all it was her first time being away from Baelfire and she couldn't help but think the worst of what could happen.

"Don't worry miss he'll be fine in my care… We'll be waiting for your quick return." The servant had said in hopes to ease Leliana's fears.

"I know… Just…" She began to state as she looked down to the floor board and up again. "If something horrific happens just take him and Alistair and leave here…"

"Miss?" Questioned the lady though she wasn't given a full response as Leliana had quickly left the small room and closed the door quickly behind her.

"So, what's taking them?" Anders asked from his shackles while Ghaleon had finished mending Anders's shirt. "You told me she would have been here by now."

"The templars may be giving them a bit of trouble…" Cassandra mentioned and leaned against one of the posts. She propped her right foot up and pressed against the post about thigh-high.

"You think?" Anders retorted practically in a venomous drop of sarcasm.

This had only brought Cassandra's head to slightly turn back over her shoulder and glance at him when she spoke again. "Hey, I tried to have things run smoother than this. There is only so much we can say around Orlesian guards-"

"—And even other Seekers." Ghaleon added quickly. "The important thing is, you are finally going to have your audience with the Holy Mother. We are trusting that you can perhaps state your peace. Perhaps even a pardon later—"

"But you are forbidden to harm her Eminency." Cassandra spoke firmly though keeping her eyes towards the gates of the dungeon. "Understood? You raise your sword against her, then you may as well raise your sword against the entire regent."

"Isn't that what I've been doing this entire time?" Anders questioned to keep her nerves running hot. Perhaps it was his own nostalgia for these types of arguments, but when Anders felt that he was in the right of something, he wasn't about to back down.

Cassandra felt her leg nearly move of its own accord and pushed herself up from the beam. She turned and at last faced Anders; which allowed him his small victory in something – which was petty and juvenile. She raised her hand up almost as if she was going to have struck him, but her metal gloved hand stilled in the air. Shaking from the annoyance of how blind and stubborn Anders was in his decisions, only caused her to fist her hand and soon drop it back to her side. Cassandra wanted to hit him, which was fairly obvious, but she wasn't going to for some reason.

"What you've been doing is bringing Tevinter's and Starkhaven's war across all of Thedas. The only thing you're accomplishing is handing the High Archon every regent south of him on a blighted silver platter!" Cassandra blurted out and pointed at him accusingly instead. "You dumb asshole!"

"How often do you use that term, Seeker?" Anders responded with a proud grin still. After all, this had been his mini-victory of the evening.

Ghaleon's mouth dropped some as he looked at how red Cassandra's face began to turn. "Easy, my lady. You're starting to look as red as you did when I caught you in your small clothes."

"This woman actually has small clothes? For a man or a woman?" Anders questioned and carried his grin back towards Ghaleon instead.

Cassandra took in a deep breath and turned away from them both. She couldn't handle being around them when they were together. It was like mage-wit in stereo, and Anders didn't seem to take his charges nearly as seriously as he should have. So, Cassandra was done with reasoning. Her arms moved swiftly at her side, and she carried her pride back towards the exit of the dungeon. "Keep him under surveillance, Ghaleon. I'm going to return to the Holy Mother for some peace and quiet…"

After Leliana had exited the Inn she had inhaled a small breath through her nostrils as she closed her eyes. This place was so unlike Ferelden. The smells were practically erotic. The sights were what mostly brought attention to Leliana's mind but clearly that wasn't why she was here. As she exhaled her breath she reopened her eyes and turned to the clicking of the door closing from someone behind her. It was no other than Alistair following her. Whom she had greeted with a smile before speaking to him. "I think we should go at separate times… Possibly."

Alistair had quirked his brow and propped up his hand on his hip before questioning the rouge who he was so hesitant on to help and now she was pushing away his help. "Don't tell me you brought me here just to babysit." He joked. "Because if that's so—"

"No-no… Sorry I just think it might get dangerous is all… And to have the King of Denerim hurt or something worst on my shoulders is the least I want nor need." She admitted sheepishly with a half smile.

"Are you forgetting I have and can fight for my own self? I'm certainly not going to let a few Orlaisian's come to harm of me due to where we stand." He responded as he walked past the rouge to end the conversation to go to the most notable building that he believed was the Grand Cathedral where most likely the Divine resided.

Reaching such a place of high stature had brought Leliana's stomach to turn into knots since she hadn't left on the best of terms. Even if she didn't do anything horrid to this place, she still felt badly for the Mother and never giving word of what had happened to her. It must have worried all of them to lose one of their own… But at the time it had to be done.

"You ready?" Interrupted Alistair as he walked up to Leliana resting a hand upon her shoulder.

"Oh yeah…" She responded. "As ready as I can be…" She finished as she walked past the Warden and up the staircase until she had reached the door. At least some of the Soldiers inside of the Orlais had respected her still. Some still even bowed to her but some had whispered behind her back wondering if that was truly the Nightingale. Many would have never believed to see her face in these parts ever again. Which she believed that as well. Since there were many reasons to not wanting to come back here.

As the doors had opened Leliana had casually made her way through feeling her racing heart pulsate through her chest. She was certain if she stopped she would possibly faint due to the adrenaline rush. As for Alistair he cautiously followed behind, not for where they were but more so on watch of Leliana. He usually cared less for the rouge that was shown when they were traveling all those years ago when he would accuse her of being crazy. But with age and possibly losing his friend and Warden Commander brought him to appreciate those he called a friend. That's probably why he hadn't let her go in alone. Even if she were to be safe here.

"Forgive me, Your Eminence. My anger just boils when I stay near him too long. It is unprofessional. I will try to do better." Cassandra's voice spoke from the center of the throne room.

Across from her and high upon the steps were rows of individuals standing at their highest attention. Some were the city guards, some represented the Seekers, some represented the templars, and some represented the Archmages of the Circle. There were multiple thrones, each that were pulling down the line by an order of rank. From inside, there was also Malachi and his two Tevinter Templars, who were both accompanying Anna and Fenris near the right of the room. On the left, had been the opposition that Cassandra certainly didn't want to have deal with.

"We all have a burning hole in our hearts, Child. It takes a greater strength to find forgiveness in what we see." Justina VI said and tried to offer a reassuring smile.

"Yes, Your Eminence. I only wish I could find it more quickly." Cassandra sighed and stood back up. Her eyes glanced towards the Knight Commander and the Grey Wardens who were standing alongside him.

Though after she had moved and took her stance alongside the fellow members to the right, all eyes within the room had turned slightly towards Leliana and Alistair entering the main hall. There hadn't been a proper announcement simply because even seeing them in person under these circumstances was completely surprising.

"Lady Nightingale." Justina VI smiled warmly and attempted to break the silence as well to have entered some form of introduction to them. "My dear, it has been too long. I see you are accompanying the King of Ferelden; King Alistair, yes?"

"On behalf of Val Royeaux, the people of Orlais welcomes you both with opened arms." The Empress added after glancing back towards Justina VI proudly. "Let it be known then, throughout the land. Our guests have arrived and are to be treated with the greatest of care."

When the two had finally made their entrance before the Divine and just about everyone else Leliana had stalled momentarily to just take the second to glance around to see who was all there. To see if she recognized the same guards and such that would be here from when she was here last. But to her surprise seeing Anna aside the two most highest people all over Theda's had almost brought her jaw to drop. How did she even get here before her? She thought she was going home, not here of all places. This would defiantly make things more difficult.

Though when Justina VI had finally spoken to her Leliana had retraced her sights back on the woman with the same welcoming smile before kneeling to one knee with her left hand pressed to her armored chest as she spoke loudly enough to hear due to her bowed head. "It has been far too long forgive me for what has happened as I hope to be put things in the right."

Alistair had glanced down to Leliana he would have knelled down as well but instead he shortened it to a quick bow that mimicked Leliana's in a standing position. As he straightened he slowly closed in on Justina VI and greeted her with the up most respect before turning his attention to the Empress. "I hope me being here won't bring any trouble." Alistair had spoke truthfully. "When you have the chance Empress I would hope we can speak privately about our standings with our lands."

Leliana had glanced up arching a brow usually she wasn't one to stand up until being released to do so but with time brought her to change, dramatically. "I don't understand… Why is Anna, Fenris and Malachi here? I wouldn't think they would be so nit and close with you… Well besides Anna, I already know how deeply she praises Andraste… But why the other two. Don't tell me Fenris wouldn't leave Anna's side again?" She teased lightly with her last spoken sentence, not meaning to sound cruel but she was certainly bewildered by it. "And as Alistair wishes to speak with the Empress I hope to have my own privacy as well but with you both so you can either take my offer or do with me as you so please. As I believe conversing this here wouldn't be the right place for it."

"I would like nothing more, Your Excellency." Empress Celene smiled warmly to Alistair's invitation and then bowed her head in a small but proper manner in return. "Perhaps we can discuss our matters over tea then...?"

Though in the background, hearing their names being called out individually, Malachi and Fenris especially had almost seemed to take a slightly more protective stance around Anna in their attempts at nudging her behind them for the moment. Though it seemed to have only brought the attention of the nobles and varied party members of the other organizations towards them still. The last thing the court really needed to know about was that the court had currently at least two bloodmages among them. Having Fenris and Malachi was bad enough, but their reasons were highly different and yet the identical for being there even before them. It just wouldn't have been in their best interests—or rather anyone's—if certain rumors began to have went wild.

Though to the light teasing that Leliana had seem to have done to the one known as Fenris, the Empress did emit a small but polite giggle. It had clearly been a sign of affection; something that she missed in others and was openly willing to express a small delight.

"My Child, their reasons of being here are on a personal matter. One of which we may discuss later." Justina VI answered in a soft tone.

"Then we should not keep this waiting for much longer… Please, excuse me for earlier, Nightingale. Though, I fear the Court will grow just as restless, Your Eminence." Empress Celene said after glancing back to the Holy Mother once again.

"As well as I..." Justina VI smiled and nodded in agreement. She braced her hands against the armrests of her chair and started to stand up. "In the meantime, I am sure you would wish to see the Icon of Kirkwall."

"You should be prepared though; he is being held in custody at the moment." Cassandra said from the side near Fenris and Malachi at the moment.

"Champion, escort our Nightingale if she wishes to see him, if you please…" Justina gently asked and then reached for Empress Celene's hand in order to help her stand as well.

"With precision, Your Eminence." Cassandra said and bowed her head and saluted in the proper manner.

"Ladies and Gentleman of the Court, as of this moment, there shall be a recess among you. Please report back for our next meeting tomorrow at sunrise." Empress Celene said and began to stand to her feet afterwards. "I can promise you, we will have your answers and will attempt to have matters of Orlais resolved by that time. Have a pleasant evening and a safe journey to your homes."

It was in unison that the court had bowed their heads and saluted to the two -well at this time actually three- highest figures in all of Thedas. Empress Celene had made a silent gesture with a nod of her head for Alistair to have followed her and Justina VI, if he cared to, and then turned away in a slight tease.

While the crowd had started to disperse, Anna had rushed towards Leliana and tackled her into a hug. She squeezed her as if she would have never seen her again. "There you are! We started to wonder about you."

"Lady Hamilton, please." Malachi flustered after her and attempted with pulling Anna off from Leliana just so that she wouldn't have made a spectacle of herself. "People are still looking."

"Do you want us all thrown in the gallows?" Fenris started to ask rather accusingly once he came within earshot.

"I think she does. I think she wants us all thrown in the gallows." Malachi repeated and finally pried Anna off from Leliana.

With Alistair's departure Leliana had reached up pressing her first two digits against one another. At the time she was contemplating on seeing Anders as Justina had said. Sure she wanted to see Anders, that was the whole point of coming here was to save his mage booty but she couldn't help but think there was something the behind this allowing her to see Anders so quickly and practically freely. Since they so carely ordered a measly escort to take her which she could easily bring down if she wanted to defy the Divine and everyone else so soon.

When she had looked up and dropped her arms to the side she saw Anna making a rush for her. At first she was defensive that her eyes squinted in waiting for the impact of their bodies colliding. She couldn't hold back the air that forced its way out of her lips. Once she regain her composure she slowly opened her eyes more so to fully regained her sight as she retracted her arms around Anna's center as well in a tight hold in return. When she had heard Fenris and Malachi's voice she couldn't help but pull back from the mage as her hands had formed to her sides as she looked to the two men.

"Are you two worried I would say something to hurt you?" She teased as she had made sure beforehand to look around to see if the room was cleared out to speak to them. "Don't worry I won't mention anything that can hurt any of you... And you! Fenris! Should know most of all that I wouldn't do something so cruel. And here I wanted to make you Baelfire's Godfather when he was born to us. Idiotic to think seeing as how much you fight with Anders when you're in the same room together." She replied before looking back to Anna who she had smiled to brightly. It was clear that the only person Leliana was going to be kind to, at least right now was Anna. "I missed you, how have these mongrels been treating you?" She joked with a nod towards the two men beside them.

After her separation from Anna, Leliana couldn't help but arch a brow to Malachi and his forceful nature. "So mean. Don't even give us girls us time." She muttered as her hues had shifted down to the flooring below them. "So…" She started with a pause. "I bet you haven't heard anything on Anders right? How long have you've guys been here anyways? And why are you here!? Since no one is telling me anything around here."

"We're here because Anders is here. -He is here, isn't he?" Anna started to answer and then turned abruptly back towards Fenris who only folded his arms for the moment.

"We've been here since this morning; listening to the mage and elven issues Orlais has to deal with. Same old story in every regent, only here the populous is high, they've got to have the leaders of every group meet within the same room." Fenris explained eventually after shifting his eyes around the room.

"Just by being here is probably one of the most dangerous places either three of us could be." Anna spoke quickly again, only her tone had seemed slightly hushed. She braced her fingers against the opposite end of her palm in a nervous manner as she continued. "I sort of … insisted on going… I've never met the Holy Mother before, and Malachi actually has to be here as Alexander's representative… since…."

"Well, since our Icon has been locked away like a common criminal." Malachi finished for her without really taking knowledge to the dodging mention of Alexander's being dead. He then motioned for Leliana to have leaned closer towards him and gestured slightly with his eyes to the group of Grey Wardens across from them. "See that man with the mustache that looks like a dead squirrel? That's Warden Commander Stroud. He announced to have been the Icon's commander and therefore responsibility of his previous actions in Kirkwall."

"A dead squirrel?" Cassandra questioned him with a slight icy glare at him before walking past the group. "You are in the courtroom of some of the most powerful leaders in all of Thedas, Ser Ramstein. Show a bit more respect."

Malachi leaned back and suck his tongue out at Cassandra's backside once she continued on her march.

"Anders has turned himself in to the mercy of the Orlesian Court, or so what was rumored." Anna continued as they were being guided down the hallways and towards the bottom stairs of the dungeons below. "The people of the Chantry are prosecuting him, and while there are members among the Orlesian Court who would take his defense, they are unable to openly. So, we came here as extra support."

"Well it would have been nice of you guys to have told me you were coming here too." She teased with a fold of her arms. "You guys are just trying to surprise me at each turn now aren't you?"

Leliana wasn't surprised by the issues with the mages and elves, or the hatred with humans and elves for that matter since it seemed everywhere all over Theda's there was a debate about how and what they should do with the rising population of elves and how they could mandate magic. Leliana on the other side had never seen them as a threat like so many around her. Maybe it was one reason upon many why she had joined the Chantry as they weren't really allowed to 'take sides' or so many were encouraged to do. For the safety of their people no matter what race they were or what they were born as. Maybe that was also why when Leliana had come across Anders she couldn't bring him down even though she had every right to do so for what he had done.

With Malachi leaning in Leliana hesitantly leaned back until he started speaking of this Stroud person being Anders Warden Commander. Just the descriptive nature of the mans mustache had brought Leliana to perk up a brow in curiosity while her eyes had narrowed in on the man and his 'dead squirrel' features. "Heh… He does look like he has something dead on his face if its not him already." She snickered alongside Malachi but quickly due to Cassandra's appearance Leliana had straightened up and her humorous features changed to a serious one. So she wouldn't give the woman anymore to slack to use to rip them a new one for picking on Stroud. "Well hello Cassandra I hope your treating Anders well?" She teased but from her harsh tone it was uncertain if it was an actual joke or not. "Will you be the escort?" She asked softly as her hues had shifted downward to the cobblestone as she slowly followed behind the others to be reunited with Anders.

"Why do you support the enemy? You know what's going to happen eventually don't you?" Anders asked Ghaleon in the midst of their continued banter back and forth. He was finding himself in the same constant argument he had been in against other Circle Mages like this before him.

"The Maker will rip the sky apart and beasts of burden will rain down with fiery breath and sharp mandibles to tear at our flesh, I suppose." Ghaleon sighed and folded Anders's mended shirt for moment.

"Exactly—"

"Already happened."

"What?"

"It's already happened." Ghaleon continued and glanced back at the doorway. "And after all that went on in the last ten years Val Royeaux still stands, the Holy Mother still lives, and the Civil War in Orlais is still in a deadlock. Nothing's really changed, Anders."

"Nothing will change if mages like you continue to side with the Templars." Anders rolled his eyes and looked away.

"Actually, mages like me sided with the Circle. Honestly. Do you think the Templars would have given me these styling cool threads?" Ghaleon smirked and lifted his arms towards his ensemble.

Anders glanced back at him and eventually sighed. "…They do look pretty warm…"

About that time the door opened to the dungeon and Cassandra lead in the group inside. Ghaleon had stood up and readied his hands into a defensive stance; almost as if he was preparing himself to have protected Anders. Though after seeing that it was the Seeker and the small group of guests she was leading downstairs, he quickly retracted his stance. He tugged slightly at the collar of his tan mage robes and cleared his throat some.

"It appears she's here…" He announced, more-so for Anders to have looked in their direction.

"What? Leliana-" Anders started to say and after seeing Leliana and the others from behind Cassandra; who at the time had started to step out of the way. His body had jerked forward, only to have had the shackles quickly pull him back against the wall. He grunted some and his eyes danced over the attire that Leliana had chosen to wear. "Where's Baelfire? Is he safe?"

Anna gasped, pulling her fingers slightly more towards covering her mouth. She could see the sweat and previous strain Anders had been through, but there wasn't any wounds on him currently. Whatever traces of blood had mostly been wiped off, but there was no method used to hide what questionable struggle he had been put through before this. Her eyes closed momentarily and she looked towards Cassandra.

"Are we…allowed to hug him?" She requested cautiously.

"For safety reasons, he cannot be released… but you are free to hug him if you wish." Cassandra answered firmly and glanced towards Ghaleon at that time.

The moment they had reached the door Leliana stalled. She could have sworn she felt her heart in her throat with that same throat clenching in a gasping breath. But she had to fight it, she had to see him even if it would tear her apart to see such a sight. When the door finally opened and she had stepped through her first instinct was to look away but she hadn't and as she had forced herself to look; her heart had fallen. Just to see him alive was a relief for herself. Every moment spent away from him she couldn't help but think the worst. At least part of her countless prayers to the maker for Anders were heard, she just hoped the rest of what she wished for would come true for them and their futures.

A part of her wanted to hide behind Anna, Fenris, Malachi or anyone when he had looked to her choice of armor. She hated to be wearing this symbol again but to help, on her part it had to be done. When he had finally spoken is when she had lost all strength inside her to hold back that her body had taken its own control without her knowledge, pushing aside anyone who stood in her way until she had finally came into contact with the mage. She hadn't even waited for a yes or a no from Cassandra they could have done whatever they seemed fit if it displeased them so.

"He's safe." She replied back as she had to fight every second from her emotions taking over and her becoming and emotional wreck of tears and wails as she felt their bodies meld together. Her arms had tenderly wrapped around him and as before when he was leaving she hadn't cared if he had the power to return the embrace as what she needed was to just to have at least a moment with him. "He's actually nearby… I didn't think it was safe to bring him here."

Once she had believed she didn't look like a total mess she had shifted her head up to look up to Anders and faintly smile the puffiness of her eyes and glistening of tears still filling her eyes and the faint streams of tears staining her cheeks as she had reached up and tucked a strand of his golden locks behind his ear. "You look terrible… " She teased in a soft chuckle before continuing her broke sentence. "… I'm so sorry." She finished all while leaning in a slow pursuit to gently mend their lips together in a warm and loving touch. When she had pulled away she hadn't wanted to she wanted to believe this to be all a bad dream but she knew better as she slowly stepped aside at last to allow Anna her given time as well with Anders.

"It's alright, love… I've been in worse scrapes than this." Anders tried to reassure her though his eyes remained cautiously glancing between Cassandra and Ghaleon at the moment. He then attempted to joke a little to ease away the tension. "The last time I was captured like this, they wouldn't let me keep my trousers. Now, I have a personal tailor and an exercise coach."

Though he couldn't continue after Leliana had rushed to kiss him, and all too quickly he had found that this was probably the worse torture of it all. To not be able to lower his arms or to hold her back; to not have been able to return what affection he received and more, was what really became the worse strain on him. Anders realized that he would have rather been whipped even a hundred times more than to have been restrained from Leliana's side at that time; or to have seen her in that armor.

The farther she began to walk away the more he wanted to have followed after her, but he didn't make any motions forward this time. After giving Leliana her moment with Anders, the rest of the group had began to step forward. Anna felt her tears beginning to stream down her face as she stumbled forward and rushed to hold him next.

"Oh, Anders! Why didn't you run?" She started to cry freely and buried her head more into his chest.

"Are you kidding? This is exactly what I've wanted; an audience with the Holy Mother… Easy, now, you'll turn me into a tissue at that rate." Anders forced a light chuckle to try and keep Anna from bubbling over in her usual wails. His eyes then shifted towards Fenris who had seemed to look at him just as empty. "And don't you say a word."

Fenris blinked some and started to fold his arms. "Me? I wasn't going to say anything."

"You were thinking it and that would have been just as bad." Anders retorted back; feeling oddly comfortable in being able to still banter back and forth with the elf—even under these conditions.

"Just because I was thinking it doesn't mean that I would say it. That would just make me a worse person for doing it, wouldn't it?" Fenris replied with a roll of his eyes and looked away.

"This is outrageous! The Icon being chained down here like a dog! A sexy dog, but a dog nonetheless!" Malachi announced though he had seemed to take his accusations quickly back to Cassandra—who by now knew clearly that he didn't like her.

Anders looked at Malachi with a slight worry and inched against the wall in fear. "He sounds like an eager Tevinter... Who is he?"

As Leliana had stalked away her small hands curled into fists. She wanted nothing more than to take out all her anger on Cassandra. Yes Cassandra. Possibly the wrong person at the time but for one she knew she could take it and two she believed she could have just 'walked away 'and left them be, no matter how irrational that may have been, even if Anders was in the wrong for so many thing he had done she still loved the man deeply and nothing could ever change that. But no matter how much hurt she wanted to put on the woman, her previous friend, she would hold back as she didn't want any kind of word getting out that she had and having more trouble brew for Anders sake.

When the expected bantering between Fenris and Anders began Leliana couldn't help but smile at least to the few comments they had made. At least Anders spirit wasn't broken, and he could still find the times even in the darkest of times to poke the elf in the right places to make him squeal.

Seeing as how Anna was preoccupying Anders Leliana had shifted her attention elsewhere and had trailed over to Cassandra's side. There she had laced an arm across the woman's shoulders to speak to her more closely but somehow she kept no eye contact as it was still directed to Anders and his time with the others. "I'm glad you allowed me to come down here. Even if it was by the Divines lips. He hasn't been tortured to much has he?" Stupid, stupid question she thought as she released her arm from the Seeker and let it dangle back to her side. "Actually don't answer that… How do you think his trail will be?" She asked curiously as she had leaned on the one foot and crossed the other one over by her ankles.

She wasn't given much time with Cassandra not that she wanted to be around her in the least since the questioning on Malachi was brought to light and seeing as how no one had piped up with word of the wonderful man she had stepped forward. She didn't want to give much information on him than what was needed since it was more than just them in this small room. "He's a little flamboyant man… Kind of odd but a good laugh when needed. He came to Kirkwall after you were… Taken…. And he found Anna and demanded she had to go back to home as she needed to hold the place together from falling apart or something like that. It was a crazy mess. Everyone showed up, even Alistair."

From the moment of when Leliana was seeking Cassandra's information, the other woman had seemed almost nostalgic for a few minutes. However, it was clear from her tone of voice and actions that she truly had no wish to return with the Seekers. This was pulled from what she believed as a necessity to keep things simple and smooth.

"It won't be easy for him. The Empress has been stretched to her wits in resources and time with this matter. The people cry for justice on both sides as well." She answered her; with every intention not to sugar-coat any answers. Especially at this time, despite of what Leliana had thought of Cassandra or the Seekers anymore, she at least deserved the truth in its honest form. "From what we were told, he would be promised to voice his troubles to the Her Eminence. Afterwards there will be a vote of some kind."

She pulled away, and Cassandra leaned more against the pillar at last. She returned her eyes back towards the dungeons doorways. Keeping watch had seemed to be the best thing for her to do at the moment anyway. She could still hear them talking, and was able to conclude that nothing hostile would occur. Besides, it would have been an even bigger chore in trying to avoid the Tevinter Magister who seemed to wish in arguing with her further.

"Alistair? The Cheese-Man has come for me? I feel so special!" Anders cheered in a light tone of surprise while Fenris had helped in guiding Anna off from him at the time.

"Right—" Malachi started to say and pushed past Ghaleon to reach them. "—He was one of the people I wanted to clarify with you. King Alistair can't truly be an ally of yours can he? A man that's stayed in the Chantry, obviously must known a templar's skills—"

Anders laughed and shook his head. It may have taken him a while, but Anders was beginning to understand what Cassandra had been warning him about from before this moment. "I wouldn't doubt it… But truth be told, I think I'd rather take my chances with him than some of the mugs around here."

"You can't be serious. The man's just as dangerous to our cause." Malachi insisted.

"Either way, I don't think this would be the best time to be talking about such things so openly, if I were you… just a suggestion." Fenris remarked from the corner and coddled Anna close to his side.

Leliana had watched for a moment as Cassandra had taken her leave. A part of her hated being cruel to someone she once was so close with but they were on the other side of the playing field now. She could only hope she understood why she had acted and felt the way she had. To have someone so close to you be ripped away without a proper farewell even a moment of time with his family of course she was going to be cold from that. Anyone would be.

From hearing Cassandra's words she had felt her stomach twist some on the word of the voting part. She could only imagine how that would go, and she guessed horribly. Hopefully many people that were against Anders would forget the trail date and unexpectedly not make it. If they had they would have to hope their word would be good enough along with whom Leliana had brought with her to help in the process.

"Yes the cheese man. He came to check on me since he was certain I was a wreck since Aragorn died. It sure took him a long time. The jerk." She joked lightly meaning no harm by her words as a small smile had creped to her lips. Even if it was short lived due to Malachi's interruption she couldn't help but wonder what his problem was still with Alistair. After all he had told them he was never actually a Templar, even if he believed in some of their ways and had a dislike to some mages. "I wouldn't have brought him here if he wasn't of any help to us." She added with a cross of her arms over her oddly restricting armor that she still needed to get accustomed to wearing. "For once the elf is right anyways… This isn't the place nor time to speak of this… We should leave it be and wait to see who side he takes."

"If he makes you that nervous, threaten to zap him into a frog." Anders grinned a bit but quickly flinched a little after hearing Anna's sharp gasp.

"Anders!" She called, and was about to reprimand him but Anders started to chuckle in order to keep her from taking him so seriously.

"But don't really do it…" Anders reassured and then looked back towards Leliana for the moment. "I really didn't want any of you to have seen me like this. You should take Baelfire and head back home."

"No, we can't leave you." Anna started to argue quickly again.

"Absolutely, out of the question, Icon. Serah Hamilton wished to have stayed at your side until your aspirations were fulfilled and so shall I." Malachi stated firmly and folded his arms.

"Oh…. I get it now…" Anders beamed. "Who you are, I mean—"

"Anders. You must be aware of the people willing to vote for you and those that will be against you." Ghaleon spoke up, quickly just to keep Anders from blabbing off too much. He pointed a finger up towards the ceiling above them and looked back at the other mage, to make sure that he was listening. "They have your Warden Commander preparing to speak with the Empress even now."

Anders blinked, looking above themselves and started to groan at the thought.

"That sounds like another negative vote against him…" Cassandra frowned some and then turned back around to face all of them at last. "All of you should prepare upstairs as well. It wouldn't be good to have Commander Stroud speaking with Her Eminence and the Empress alone."

"H-hey now no Frog spells otherwise we'll have to have Anna kiss the Frog to change him back." She joked along with a cross of her arms as she arched a brow. "He'll be a good vote I promise."

With Anders glance falling down upon her Leliana had shifted her attention to Anders and smiled faintly from his words. She knew he was just being concerned and protective of their safety but so was she. That all she could do at the moment was shake her head before parting her lips. "I came here to help and I'm not leaving until I've done just that… I'll be fine and so will Baelfire. After all mommy can show him all the places where I had ran around as a child… If I can remember any of it."

Cassandra was right though they needed to head up the stairs again before Stroud had filled everyone heads with every vile thing he could possibly come up with. She hated to leave Anders side, but it was for the best. "We should go. Gotta go defend our favorite mage." Leliana had said cheerfully as she walked up to Anders once more and cupped along his jawline. "I saw when you looked at this." She started with a point to her chested armor before leaning in to whisper into his ear so the other Seekers couldn't hear. "Don't worry it was just so I can get on better terms with the people here." As she leaned back she gave a single wink of her eye and a wide promising grin. "I promise we'll get you outta here if it's the last thing I do… And don't argue with me on it mister as you know I'll win it." She teased at last with a playful waver of her finger.

In turning her shoulder Leliana had sighed shifting her optics to the ground. "Well let's put this lovely Stroud in his place shall we? Maybe we can revive that squirrel on his face, maybe it will make him a more cheerful and caring human being." She groaned as she stepped up to the door and paused momentarily to look over her shoulder and back to Anders before making her way out the door to leave from him for Maker's sake knew how long. "I'll give Baelfire your love. We love you."

Anders sighed some as Leliana had started to coach the others onward. Of course Anna and Malachi were both cheering to the thought of putting Stroud in his place. The only thing Anders wondered on was what did a squirrel have anything to do with it. Even Ghaleon had seemed to laugh a little at the terminology; only to have received a slight warning glare from Cassandra in the process. So, the circle mage had quickly started to quiet back down once more.

Cassandra lead them back upstairs where they were able to get refreshed for the time being. Fenris had requested to speak with Anders alone on his own. It wasn't something she wanted to allow and quickly had refused. So, the elf was just going to have visit him on his own terms later.

Taking them to the meeting room, Cassandra had waited until the Empress and the King of Ferelden were finally done with their meeting. Since Leliana had requested to speak with her and Her Eminence alone, Cassandra did wish to respect that as much as she could. It was in between this time that Fenris had slipped away from the others and Cassandra guided Leliana into the next room.

As they had walked back into the main hall Leliana quickly made herself comfortable on the nearest seat she could find. While she sat there she began to think of Baelfire and wonder how his little self was, if he was wondering where she was, did he need her? She sighed at the thought and averted her eyes to another section of the room. She wished she could have brought him along so not only she could be holding him right now and tending to his every need but also because she wanted Anders to see him. She knew it would have put his mind at ease seeing him when she first walked though that door and given him one less worry that he needed. But she couldn't bring him here, as she didn't want to give these people another leverage upon her or Anders for that matter as they did when they took Anders away.

Upon looking to the door where Alistair and the Empress had retreated to she began to see the doorknob begin to turn. Immediately this had brought the rouge to attend to her feet in haste and excitement to hear hopefully some good news.

"I'm glad we could work out a deal…" Alistair spoke as he had looked back upon the Empress with a charming smile. "But I hope where I stand with my friend." He started with a pause to look upon Leliana and smile briefly before turning his attention back to Celene. "Won't hinder our alliance."

Just hearing those words of certainty had brought a wider smile upon her face. She wanted nothing more than to tackle the glute and hug him until his head had popped off. "Nice to see you two back." She chimed cheerfully and possibly as cheerful as she had sounded in the whole time she came here. "Can I have a word with you Empress and the Divine as well now? Since Alistair is done talking your ear off?"

"Hey!" Alistair whined. "I don't do such a thing I thought that was a short visit after all I want to make this visit as quick as possible since I do have to tend to my own problems back at Denermin, but at least we can to an agreement. That's all that matters right now." He responded in looking back to Celene for reassurance before turning to ask the dying question to Leliana. "Did you get to see Anders?"

Leliana nodded her head some and smiled as well as she could on the fact of how his circumstances were. "Yes… Thank you Empress for allowing me to see him so quickly."

The Empress smiled and nodded quietly to Alistair's passing question and then later once more to Leliana's gratitude. However, before she could really begin to speak her eyes shifted towards Cassandra, who had seemed to have been the only one still bowing and awaiting permission to rise. She lifted her hand up from the table and began to speak towards her. "Rise, Champion. You've done more than enough to relax around me."

"Yes, Empress…" Cassandra spoke proudly and soon stood back to her feet. She looked back towards the chairs around the table and held her hand out towards the seating area. "Please, have a seat, Nightingale. The Empress and Her Eminency is waiting for you."

Justina VI equally smiled as she looked towards Leliana. She was quick in her greeting and soon to follow with her up-coming question. "We hope that the symbol of wearing your original armor is one stating to return to us, Leliana. The Chantry still needs your talents and your perception for many years to come. But we can talk of your possible return at a later time, if you wish…"

Leliana had shifted her attention to the outstretched arm guiding to the seats which she had nodded gently to and quickly taken her seat as her arms rested lazily upon the arm rest of her seat. When the Divine had come to her seat Leliana had shifted her attention up to the woman and greeted her with the same warm smile. She hated to lie to such a holy person. But to be closer to Anders side, it would be worth it. "I was hoping I could return. I know you and most of Orlais have nothing against me for what I did. But I hope to redeem myself to neighboring Lands through coming back. I promise not to disappoint again." She spoke with a soft tone as she felt a tinge of pain shoot through her core as she had tried to keep a straight face through the whole process.

In hearing the offer of speaking of her joining being a later time she had nodded her head some to the Divines words and responded back. "I would like to speak of it a later time, it would be better with the upcoming trail and all… But…" She had started to confess as she looked down to her ever fidgeting hands. "In this voting system for Anders trail, you wouldn't put it against me either if I had voted for his freedom right? You have to realize what we have been though these years I found him and I can't easily just switch off feelings for him."

"Dear Child, that is not why you took on the task as a Seeker, remember?" Justina VI questioned though still presented her warm smile that met with the Empress in return. "The Seekers are our special key in this particular war. Of course your truest opinion and your vote matters. The Divine could never hold your own feelings against you for any reason."

"Your Eminence—" Cassandra quickly started to say as she moved towards the table and then quickly stepped back. She lowered her head as she continued to speak afterwards. "If I may… Not to discredit the Nightingale's vote in any way, but to please keep in mind of what happened to the Champion of Kirkwall. As hers were, I fear maybe—perhaps—the Nightingale's feelings are strewn in this particular case."

"It will not go unforeseen." The Empress spoke gently for the Holy Mother; though her eyes had still remained over Leliana. "However, in retrospect, this is the very reason why we are calling for this vote rather than to have the man executed for his crimes. Nevertheless, to find that he has such followers in his believe proves he deserves a fair trial."

"As it shall be, Empress. Your word is Law…" Cassandra nodded politely and then took a few more steps back.

Leliana had nodded some to Justina VI and her question to her. It was true, that's why she hadn't joined the Seekers. There were far deeper things that went with why she had joined. "I remember quite well." She admitted with a short pause to take a breath. "It might have been years ago but I can recall it very well. I was honored to be among the Seekers as I am now." She said proudly with a grin that had forced its way onto her face, just to hide the lie she was keeping further buried.

With Cassanadra's entrance Leliana had glanced over to her side and arched a curious brow. She had expected her to come out with what she believed Leliana as playing it off as how she wanted to re-join the rest of them all. It was clear that she knew after all, Cassandra was one of the few people that could always read her better than most. But when she had heard otherwise of her worries, felt a weight lifted off her shoulders but as well as wondering why she thought she was so… Clueless. "Don't think I don't know what all happened in Kirkwall… After Naomi's fall was right after the Warden Commanders demise and through my despair I could see Anders hurt and pain he was going through as well. I knew what he had done, and what was conspiring the whole time." She spoke back in her defense as her attention turned back to the Divine and Empress.

"I don't want to keep you any further…" Leliana stated as she slowly began to stand from her seat in a bow of her head. "I wish to see Anna and the others before this trail starts if that's alright?"

"If it's important, but please do hurry." Justina VI nodded with her warm smile still in-tact. "We would like to have this one ruling done quickly to set the minds of the people at ease."

"Cassandra, if you would, please, escort her back to her fellow companions." Empress Celene said and slid her hand to one side in her offering.

The Seeker bowed her head quietly and moved towards the entrance, from where she held the door open. Upon waiting for Leliana to take the lead in front of her, Cassandra had watched and waited until there was a time for her to walk behind her. For a brief moment down the hallway, there had been a growing silence. It was one that was building its patience against Cassandra for quite some time. She finally had stopped a few paces at the end of the hallway before it reached the threshold of the throne room. Her eyes still remained fixed onto the armor Leliana was wearing.

"If you don't truly wish to return to the Seekers, you don't have to, but you should not lead the Holy Mother into believing you would wish otherwise. She loves you…just as I-" Cassandra spoke rather sternly, and almost hesitated before crossing over the threshold to approach her.

"—The only thing I ask is for you to prove to me your eyes are opened. Yes, I know you have seen what he sees and I know you believe it in your heart of how he feels his cause is justified. But he killed someone he loved to get what he wanted. Doesn't that say anything at all to you? I don't want you die; not at his hands—or any other's."

After leaving the room Leliana hadn't really wanted to speak a word to Cassandra. As most of her disappointment was directed to her. Even if they were orders from someone else's lips. So this silent game they were playing with one another hadn't bothered her in the least. She actually liked it this way better, at least she didn't need to be defending Anders every moment to her and having to repeat herself like a broken record. Which alone was exhausting enough for one person. What she didn't like was also the feeling of holes being burned into her body. She knew Cassandra was looking straight through her, who else could?

Though when she had heard the footsteps behind her halt Leliana's reaction couldn't help but be the same. As she turned to look over her shoulder to see Cassandra standing their still as a rock. At first a sly smirk had made it's way to her lips as she propped an arm upon her hip to turn around fully when she had started accusing her of such things one wouldn't dare to do to the Divine no less the Empress. From her words spoken to her brought a flinch back, she could have gone without the sappy I love you part… All she could do in return was sigh and shake her head in response before turning her shoulder again to the woman.

"If she can't see it than that is her own fault." She responded as she took a few steps only to stop again and turn around once more while shrugging her shoulders. "I don't enjoy hurting you, or anyone else in the process. But I have to be here. It's the only way I know Anders to still be alive until a decision has been made."

Due to her second outburst Leliana couldn't help but chuckle lightly as she had reached up to pinch the bridge of her nose and massage a bit of the tension out while giving a shake of her head. "This all sounds too familiar… Aragorn was worried also Anders would hurt me too, who else…. Oh yeah Fenris. Now you." She responded with a paused as she looked up from her hand to Cassandra. "Look I know you don't trust him, but I do… And as I told the other two, Naomi and him were on different pages of the mages. Sure that didn't give him the right to kill her. But he did. You just need to trust me when I say he won't hurt me. I can handle my own life and the battles that come with it. Please don't be one."

After receiving her answer, Cassandra closed her eyes and gave rough sigh. It seemed that this was going to be Leliana's final and true answer; one that was not going to go unwavering or hinged. She paused for the moment before beginning to speak.

"Very well. I have said my peace… I will not speak of it again." She said as she opened her eyes once more. She then moved past her and began to take the lead once more. "But, please, do not bring Her Eminency's hopes up for your return if it is not your intention do to so. Your choices do not alter our respect for you, and it is an insult to the Chantry and to me, I would wish avoided."

Granted, despite how endearing Leliana was and how greatly Cassandra respected her, the Navarran woman far too intense of a person and too serious in nature. It was because she too had been framed for some of the worst crimes against Orlais and its people. She had just reacted differently to her circumstances than Leliana may have seemed to.

"Well you've at least made amends with her, that's the important thing." Anders continued his conversation with Fenris at the moment.

"Yes, and it wasn't a total loss… We ended up cuddling." Fenris said and shrugged his shoulders some.

Anders looked at him briefly for the moment and raised a slight eyebrow to him. He then started to question him sarcastically. "Oh, you cuddled? How many times?"

"Shut up, it was nine." Fenris spoke quickly and looked back towards the door to make certain that Ghaleon was still gone at the moment. "….I just don't know what else I can do at this point."

"Here's an idea. Tell her!" Anders rolled his eyes to the old-aged problem.

It wasn't as though he was instantly routing for the elf; but on the other hand he did wait until the mage was in chains before making it clear of how he felt about his little supposed-adopted-sister. After the few hyperventilation(s) that passed, there was nothing else Anders could have done but to eventually give in to the idea. This was because, -after all-, he did believe that Anna needed to find happiness where she could… and clearly Alexander was not that.

"She doesn't take me seriously. Not even when we're in bed—" Fenris started to explain but Anders quickly shut his eyes tightly and shook his head.

"Ah-ah! No. Let's not go there. I don't want to actually picture anything so don't you dare force me or I swear to the Maker, Fenris, I will barbeque you for it." Anders ranted and shook his head from side to side. He then paused for a moment; staring at the opposite end of the wall. Afterwards, he looked back towards Fenris once more. "….Have you tried dirty talk?"

"What?—No!" Fenris retracted away a few steps in a cautious fear. Not only from the question but for the unknown reasons why it even popped into the mage's head.

"What's the big deal? It's just talk. All you do is say the stuff you want to do her…or what you'd want her to do to you." Anders rolled his head from side and shrugged he could from his shoulders at the moment.

"Considering your instant fit earlier, I'm surprised that even formed in your head." Fenris scoffed and leaned back against the far pillar that was behind him.

"It's fine as long as I don't have to actually picture specific people." Anders excused himself and looked back towards the elf. "Watch. Just try something on me."

Fenris paused a moment, looking back at Anders and started to frown at him. "…Don't even joke."

"I'm trying to help you." Anders urged and started to groan a little. "Look just… close your eyes and tell me what you'd want to be doing right now."

"Alright…" Fenris said and closed his eyes, just to humor the mage for a few seconds so that he'd drop the subject. "I'm in a room… and…this is not happening."

"You're not even trying!" Anders laughed at him.

"Because I'm not doing it, and we're not having this conversation." Fenris answered and quickly straightened his back, pushing himself up and off from the pillar.

"Oh, grow a pair and come here." Anders scoffed and rolled his eyes. "You just got to close your eyes-"

"No!" Fenris scowled at him.

"Fenris. Has anything else gotten you anywhere?" Anders questioned him and watched as the elf started to visibly groan in response. "I didn't think so. You want to get your message across to her?"

"Yes, but-"

"But, nothing." Anders quickly argued back at him. "If you want this to work then you had better get over here and tell me that you want to caress my butt!"

Fenris paused a moment and folded his arms. He clearly didn't like the thought of this idea at all, but the mage was not going to leave him alone about it unless he made some sort of an attempt. Fenris could have left him completely, but he felt that he would have been tormented with guilt or something worse if he did. So, there he was—stuck in this most awkward of situations.

"…Okay, fine. Close your eyes." The elf finally said and after receiving a slight curious glance from Anders in the process, the elf rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders upon his approach. "It'll help me relax."

Anders huffed a sigh and closed his eyes upon Fenris's approach. The elf paused, closing his eyes in the process and facing the wall so that he couldn't see the entrance.

"Alright… I… I want to… feel your hot, soft skin… against my lips." Fenris began hesitantly.

About that time, Ghaleon had returned with the keys to the jail cell's handcuffs. He walked towards the door, seeing that Cassandra and Leliana had returned as well. He would have continued walking inside, but after hearing Fenris's words from the other side, the tanned mage halted in his tracks. He merely continued to stare at the barred doorway and continued to listen in on them.

Anders nodded while trying to keep an open mind to judging of what words Fenris was using. "…A good start. Keep going, come on."

"I want to…" Fenris hesitantly paused and clenched his hands around his forearms at the time. "…to take my tongue and… and…"

"Say it…" Anders tried to urge him on as his eyes narrowed a little when he got no response. "Say it!"

"…Uh…. Run it all over you body till.." Fenris continued onward, "till you're quivering… with…"

Leliana was happy to hear at least Cassandra would respect her enough to actually stop before she had gone too far. Leliana was so tired of hearing from a third party how Anders would only hurt her, kill her, or do something that would end up horrific. "Thank you Cassandra, I'll further think on what you said… And go to them at a later time. I promise. As I said before I don't want to hurt anyone." She responded as she had picked up her pace and quickly went towards where the dungeon had laid to hopefully drag the Elf out of there.

When they had silently came in Leliana had walked in seeing Anders eyes shut. At first she had thought he was asleep, but how she didn't know since that was not the most comfortable position but one would have to get used to it. She then looked beside him to see Fenris and wonder why he was still here if Anders was resting? Looking back to Cassandra for reassurance Leliana had shrugged her shoulders in her confusement. She took a step only to halt in mid process to hear Fenris words being spoken out towards Anders. At first a questionable brow had perked up at such words that she thought the elf was going crazy talking to himself, but when Anders had chimed in with his reply her mouth had almost dropped to the floor in surprise. After all she was use to these two fighting it out 24/7 not telling each other sexy things they wanted to do with one another.

A part of her wanted to reach up and plug her ears, but her intrigue-ness had overpowered her as she had tipped toed further in to get a better reach of hearing the two. From Fenris's broken sentences would leave anyone at the edge of her seat. That when Ghaleon had come in she had shifted her head to the side to look to look at the specktical and snicker quietly before sneaking to the door where the rouge had opened it just to slam it at last to give away that they were there.

"I hope we're not interrupting anything boys." She teased with a fold of her arms as her eyes fell to Anders with a suspicious brow. "You know love if you wanted someone to talk dirty to you I could have stayed. Unless your switching for the other team now with the very person you fight with constantly no less. Though it would seem you two get along in a private setting. How long has this bro-mance been going on?"

Fenris and Anders both had jumped and opened their eyes to the sound of the gate closing. The elf had to turn around to face who was coming inside. Despite their best hopes, instead it was a few of their worst fears entering the dungeon cells at the worst opportune time. Their eyes were both wide in shock at the time, and at first there wasn't much either one of them could think in order to speak.

"N-No! There is no bro-mance. It never happened." Fenris quickly shook his head and held out his hands in a waving and negative manner.

"Absolutely not. The elf's just desperate. Crazy and desperate." Anders added and turned his eyes towards Fenris after nudging his head more into a more accusing manner at Fenris. Then he looked back towards Lelina almost with a silent plea in his expression. "And I was only thinking of you."

"You ass!" Fenris glanced over his shoulder towards Anders with a glare.

"That may go down as the quickest break-up in history." Ghaleon snickered and started to fold his arms upon his approach.

"Tell me, mage. What's your favorite organ?" Fenris requested and fixed his glare upon Ghaleon.

"My favorite organ?" He repeated and blinked for a moment before glancing up in thought. "Huh… I suppose that would be my liver."

"Perfect." Fenris smirked a little and cracked his knuckles against the opposite palm of his hand. "If you want to keep it, you'll be wise to stop talking while you're ahead."

Ghaleon took a large side-step towards Cassandra who rolled her eyes at the moment before reaching for the keys in the tanned mage's hands. Anders glanced towards Cassandra as she started to approach closer. His back straightened and his chin appeared to have stuck out a bit firmer; as if to have seem more prepared than he was at the moment—for whatever she had planned.

"What is it?" He started to question, but seeing a small glint of light reflecting against a silver piece, Anders had never felt more relaxed.

"I'm letting you stretch a bit and moving you to a holding cell for the night." Cassandra informed him and began to loosen the chains that was holding his hand-cuffs into place. "If you try anything, I'll kill you myself."

"What falls under that category per-say?" Anders questioned in a light joke.

"Testing my patience with you." Cassandra repeated rather stiffly and then moved to the next cuff while Anders gratefully started to flex and bend the first arm that was free.

Leliana's suspicious expression hadn't left her features as she slowly propped each hand on a hip. "You might say its no bro-mance but its what it looked like." She future teased. She knew there was something behind this, if one of them would just spit it out it would make it all that simpler. But they were men, there was nothing simple about men by far. After hearing Anders excuse for this mess the rouge couldn't help but shake her head and chuckle at the thought. "Well I would love to know how you were thinking of me with such a husky voice speaking to you like that."

"I won't hold it against you this time though boys… We all deserve our flings once in a while right? After all you two would make a beautiful couple." She joked as she had walked up alongside Cassandra and stopped where Fenris was to look to the elf. "What exactly was that about anyways… I have a guess, but I wouldn't want to see you blush your little face off."

In hearing the chains loosen from Anders Leliana had shifted her attention over to the noise and faintly smiled. She didn't know why Cassandra was being so kind as she believed they would keep him in such a position until they came to a decision for his fate. A large part of her had wanted to go up and hug Anders as before. Just so she could finally feel his arms around her as she had dreamed about countless times in his absence. But seeing as how Cassandra said when they first came here that it was too dangerous she would do otherwise and at least respect Cassandra's sanity.

"So we originally came down here to get you Fenris…" She started with a pause as her attention had shifted to the elf. "We're going to start the voting process finally. I hope your vote will be a good one since you two are so close knit buddies now?"

"Hey, I tried my best to think of you. It takes of lot of imagination when it's coming from him." Anders shrugged a little.

"I'm never taking your advice in anything ever again…" The elf growled under his breath back at him and looked towards Leliana as she started to approach him in return.

"I didn't force you. I'm the one chained up. Remember?" Anders teased and looked towards Cassandra as she began to unlock the second settings of chains.

Fenris groaned and hid his face into his hands after Leliana began to question him about what was going on earlier. "Please, let's just not get into it. There was no bro-mance going on. You've just… caught us at a bad time is all—"

He paused after hearing the last of the chains unlock and looked back towards Anders, seeing the mage begin his third stretch for the moment. Fenris still looked towards Cassandra who had started to move Anders to one of the holding cells and bound his wrists back together for time being. He paused slightly after hearing Leliana's reassurance to him over what he would vote on; though the tease she had given quickly caused him turn back with a slight snarl.

"We're not knit buddies and we'll never be." Fenris quickly retorted.

Anders walked towards the edge of the bared cell and pressed his cuffed hands back up to his chest. He rolled his eyes and responded back to him in a sarcastic tone still. "Oh, you're breaking my heart."

"Just rot in there; for all I care." Fenris scowled and turned back to march up to the entrance of the dungeon.

Anders laughed some and then looked back towards Leliana with a bright smile. "Well, at best, I'm looking at a life in prison…Which if that's Fenris's vote, I can tolerate it. All I have to do is make sure he and Anna actually become the type of couple he's thinking about."

"Remind me Anders if you get free out of this mess to chain you up just so I can take advantage of your service of dirty words too to coach me along." She teased as she had stuck out her tongue at him.

As she listened to Fenris and his confession of them catching them at a bad time it hadn't lightened the devious grin smearing across her lips as she walked to the nearest pillar to lean against. Her eyes had followed Cassandra as she had led him towards the cell. It was then that the rouge pushed off the hard wall and went up to Anders at last before looking back to Cassandra. "So he isn't even allowed to his own voting?" She asked curiously before hearing Anders words of Fenris and Anna, with him trying to play some kind of matchmaker. It had slowly all started to make sense why the two were saying what they were to one another. That her wonderment from before slowly decreased.

"I thought Fenny here and Anna were already shacking up between the sheets?" She asked with a glancing eyes towards Fenris. "Though if he needs coaching I understand. Sometimes someone needs a small push." She teased before rushing up to Fenris giving him a little shove on the shoulder. "You know Anna and I are close you could have asked me questions. Not that I would let you talk dirty to me, because that would just be inappropriate and odd."

"Anders will be allowed to the hearing, but not the voting." Cassandra replied and checked the cell for a second time to make certain that it was locked. "Don't worry. He will have his chance to speak with Her Eminency during the hearing."

Anders listened to Leliana's pondering and his menacing grinned returned. "Not exactly. We've known he was a pleasured escort, but to want her heart is a different matter. Despite their 'relations' she is still a married woman. That's just a typical Tevinter marriage for you. I'd almost say he currently has the better of the two worlds, but I can see where he wouldn't want to be whipped by a jealous Magister—"

"Hey!" Fenris started to say, but Leliana had moved towards him and distracted his next group of flown insults. His eyes glanced back towards the rogue and he shook his head. "No, I don't need coaching. She just doesn't believe me when I tell her how I feel… That I'd want more than just what I have with her… But that whole stupid talk thing was your boyfriend's idea, not mine!"

"Right. The mage clad in magic resistant shackles, and locked in a cage, somehow forced you." Anders rolled his eyes and turned away to walk towards the cot.

"Precisely!" Fenris said and pointed back at him.

"Well, mages are persuasive; I won't deny that." Ghaleon shrugged with a light grin.

"We should go. The sooner we get the voting over with the sooner we can come to a decision to the fate of Anders." Cassandra announced and turned away, taking the lead for them to follow.

Leliana was amazed at how far Fenris had come along. For him going from a raging hating mage machine to loving one, a blood mage no less was enough to put a smile upon anyone's face at his change even if he had fought with Anders still she could still see the slow adjustment of him opening up to Anders. She didn't understand why he was so nervous though since it was just as if was obvious that Anna's feelings for the Elf were there as well. After all he was the only one she allowed to touch her after her traumatic event. That alone showed how much the two had bonded thanks to Alexander's help.

"Well…" She whispered with a paused. "If it counts any I think you and Anna make a pretty little couple I would enjoy seeing you two together forever. Though we have to break that shell of yours somehow Fenris… A woman doesn't wait forever ya'know for a man to confess his feelings. Eventually someone comes by and swoops them away if you're not too careful."

In hearing Ghaleon's words Leliana couldn't help but giggle as she had looked to Anders momentarily before shifting her eyes away as she replied to the sentence with. "Oh yes they are… But it's a good thing also so one can use it to their advantage."

When the mentioning of them leaving was made Leliana nodded her head some as she walked towards the entrance but before she was out of eye sight she had looked over her shoulder to Anders and blew a kiss his way before quickly stepping out the dungeon to follow Cassandra's lead back to where the Divine and Empress had been waiting for them.

After they had quietly made in back into the hall Leliana had smiled to anyone who attention they had grasped from their entrance as she slowly made her way to her previous seat to sit down more formally than before. "Well Fenris is here now… Sorry that took longer than expected. We got lost in speaking to one another." She admitted somewhat apologetically as she reached back to caresses the back of her neck while an innocent grin smeared across her features.