Hey, everyone. First off I would like to apologize for not updating the story with a new chapter in over three months. But sadly, after nine-and-a-half years of service, my Dell Vostro laptop finally decided to permanently cease functioning so I had to save up enough money to order a new one: an iBUYPOWER Gaming PC which costed me about $950.00 and even that took almost a month for it to arrive. Also I'd like to take note that college final exams demanded most of my time.

Lately, I've been trying to brainstorm about what I could possibly add to make the next chapters a bit more exciting – yet I'm starting to run out of ideas so I figure that with the next, oh I don't know, two or three chapters, this story will come to an end. Like I said, I'm starting to run out of ideas. Other than that, I've been reading the feedback and I must say that I'm quite grateful to have you guys inform me what you all think of the fanfiction, and it really helps a lot to want to continue writing such stories.

Again, I apologize for not updating in so long. And now… let's begin!

In War, Victory.

In Peace, Vigilance.

In Death, Sacrifice.

##########

To deal with the passage of time, many take up various hobbies. For some, it only seemed like yesterday when the threat of the Fifth Blight would consume all life in the Kingdom of Ferelden. Others, however, dealt with things a little differently. It is now approximately the thirty-second year of the Dragon Age, one year after the fall of the tainted Old God of Beauty Urthemiel and the darkspawn horde. A new time of peace had arrived, and the nation still had a lot of recovering to do. With the Blight gone, new life was allowed to flourish. In the capital city of Denerim, there is one person in particular who appears to be adjusting to his new role.

Aedan Cousland—Commander of Ferelden's Grey Wardens, Lord High Chancellor of the Realm and Arl of Amaranthine—is seen walking past the city's Market District with his wife Leliana and their now one-year-old son, Adrian. The boy was growing fast, having spent most of his time on his mother's waist as she carried him around—whether at home or in public. Adrian had grown, having recently grown in his second pair of molars and the red in his hair becoming more and more apparent. And when he said his first words, "Papa" and "Mama", Leliana practically squealed in excitement and praised her child with as much love as she could muster. He has also been well-behaved for a child his age… or at least that's what most people thought. At home, he's been incredibly playful—at times pulling on Leliana's hair or leading both his parents on an epic foot chase around the estate. Indeed, the boy has been quite clever now at his age.

As for the Hero of Ferelden and his Orlesian wife, some things never change. Their marriage remains just as strong as they were when they first entered into a romantic relationship. Aedan spoils his wife and son greatly, buying Leliana fine Orlesian clothes and shoes as well as spending more time playing with Adrian whenever he got the time. They both enjoyed the level of attention and affection Aedan gives them. They always had a smile on their face whenever he came home. Indeed, both Leliana and Aedan got what they had always wanted: a loving family of their own.

Aedan stood by as he watched Leliana trading banter with a merchant about imported clothes. His face was one of amusement when he watched his wife playfully calling the selection of clothes a "crime of fashion", much to the merchant's chagrin. Little Adrian, of course, clueless of what the grown-ups were talking about, laughed at the situation. It was a nice of change from another day at the royal court and the Wardens. Last he heard, repairs to Amaranthine City was complete while the Vigil's Keep fortress had another four years left to be rebuilt—even with all the necessary upgrades installed. The farmlands were protected, trade was flowing, Amaranthine's economy was brought back from the brink of collapse and experienced a surplus and eventually the Silver Order was founded from the elite soldiers of Vigil's Keep and soon thereafter became one of Ferelden's most revered military forces—an organization said to be on equal footing with the Orlesian chevaliers. Varel was wounded during the assault on the Keep and stepped down as seneschal, with Captain Garevel succeeding him. And while a lot of dignitaries demanded much of his attention, Aedan left the arling in the care of Garevel and his top-lieutenant Nathaniel Howe in his absence—adamant that he at least tend to his family first.

"Still in deep thought I see, Arl Cousland," a voice said that broke Aedan's attention.

Aedan blinked as he was startled back into reality, turning around to see his brother Fergus walking towards him. The Cousland brothers exchanged curtseys before the elder pulled the younger in for a bear hug, laughing at his public embarrassment.

"Some things never change do they?" asked Fergus.

"I suppose such rare occurrences only happen during times of peace, Teyrn Cousland," Aedan groaned in response, his ribs now sore from being almost crushed by his brother. "But I could be mistaken."

"Since when has that ever been the case, little brother?"

"A few times when we were children."

Fergus rolled his eyes and released his brother from his grip. The two then stepped towards the nearest stand to grab some ale to drink before sitting down, the younger Cousland occasionally making quick glances towards Leliana and Adrian. Fergus seemed to notice the look in Aedan's eyes and was reminded of the time of both courting Oriana and Oren's birth.

'I once told you that when there was a woman in your life, you'd understand, brother…' he thought.

"It seems that you finally understand."

Aedan redirected his attention towards Fergus, noticing how solemn the tone of his voice sounded.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Before Ostagar," Fergus answered, "if I remember right, I seem to recall telling you that once there was a woman in your life, you'd understand. It seems that you finally do know what it's like."

Aedan said nothing as he studied Fergus' facial features. He could tell that seeing him with Leliana and Adrian somehow reminded his brother of Oriana and Oren, both of whom were killed when Rendon Howe betrayed the Couslands and launched an unexpected surprise attack on their ancestral home in Highever. Fergus wasn't there to witness the massacre while Aedan on the other hand was. The incident of what happened that day was still fresh in both their minds.

'Accept your failings, but do not let them govern your life,' Aedan remembered Wynne advising him that at the Temple of Sacred Ashes.

"I miss them too, Fergus," Aedan said calmly.

"It seems that neither of us have forgotten what happened," Fergus replied. "I'm trying not to think too much about them, but… Maker's breath, it's just so hard."

"I know. Some wounds just take time to heal, so long as you be the best that you can be. And understand that the best of them will continue to live on in us. Even if we can't see them anymore," Aedan said introspectively. "The path to self-healing is never easy, but I can tell you're trying."

Fergus sighed. "Nothing's ever been so simple as that, wasn't it?"

Aedan shook his head in response. "Start thinking that way and nothing has been gained."

"Tell me about it."

"You're my brother, Fergus. It's a responsibility for members of the family to come to the aid of another, yes?"

Fergus looked up at Aedan, knowing that he sees their father in him.

"You're not alone. I'm here for you. Whenever you need me."

Fergus nodded. "I appreciate that, little brother. I do. But don't worry yourself about me. I'll be alright."

Aedan smiled as Fergus regained a bit of his cheerful expression. Just at that moment, the brotherly moment was interrupted when Aedan was hit in the face with something sticky. With one eye closed and the other open, he glanced back to see Adrian giggling at his father's shocked/surprised expression. His own offspring—his firstborn son—just threw a confection of spun sugar at him and stuck to his face! Leliana fought back some giggles while Fergus just burst out laughing.

'Really?' he thought.

As Aedan removed the sweet substance from his face, he turned back to Fergus who spent a couple of minutes catching his breath.

"Tell me something, Fergus," he begun. "Was Oren like this with you and Oriana?"

"When the lad was Adrian's age? Ohhh, yes! He definitely was!" Fergus answered before his laughing fit resumed.

Aedan grumbled before smiling at having one of these special moments with his family. Sure, fatherhood was still new to him and he still didn't like Fergus pestering him, but him, Leliana and Adrian are his. The festivities continued for what appeared to be hours before the Market District began to close its doors as the sun began to set. Fergus bid his brother and sister-in-law farewell and left to return to Highever.

"Well, that was productive," Aedan yawned.

"It's very nice. Having some time to ourselves," Leliana agreed. "So, what did you two talk about before the babe spoiled the fun?"

"You know. Things."

Leliana knew that Aedan was leaving more than he let on. She spent years as a bard and knew when someone was hiding something from her, but chose not to press it out of respect for her husband and brother-in-law's privacy.

"The same as always, huh?" she feigned.

"Same as always," he said as they both began their walk home. As little Adrian was soon falling asleep in his mother's arms, Aedan placed his arm around Leliana's waist and held her close.

Leliana looked down at her waist and glanced at her husband, smiling.

"I love you," she said as she rested her head against Aedan's shoulder.

"I know."

##########

Once the Couslands returned home to the estate, the servants welcomed his Lord and her Ladyship and offered to take young Adrian to bed—a request they agreed to. It was nightfall, and the time has come to turn in for the night to begin preparations for tomorrow. Needless to say, as Aedan took off his shirt and Leliana putting on her nightgown, a knock on their bedroom door caught their attention.

"My lord, my lady, can I come in? It's urgent," said one of Leliana's maids.

"Of course," Leliana consented.

The door soon swung open as the elf fidgeted what appears to be a piece of parchment in her hand.

"Message for you, my lord," she said as she handed the letter to him. "It arrived a few hours ago."

"Did you know who sent it?" Aedan asked.

"No, my lord. Only that it has the griffon sigil on it, and that it arrived by carrier bird."

'Weisshaupt?' both Aedan and Leliana thought. They looked at the young woman and the way she broke eye contact meant that something was up.

"Very well. You may take your leave."

The maid bowed and left the room. Aedan unfolded the letter as Leliana looked over his shoulders, her arms wrapped around him. As they began reading, slowly but surely, Aedan's eyes went wide. Leliana glanced at her husband, wondering what's got him spooked.

"What is it, love?" she asked concerned.

"Morrigan…"