A Haven in Haven

22 Firstfall
9:40

I stopped at the farm on my way to Haven. Dennet told me that Marnie been there killing demons which were just pouring out of nowhere, all over the area. According to Dennet, Marnie was accompanied by "a beardless dwarf, a bald elf, and 'that Seeker.'" I don't know who the bald elf is, although it sounds as if my Marnie has another cast of characters at her side; thankfully one of them is Varric.

Dennet said that Marnie is having Inquisition troops build watch towers. Once they are up, he is going to Haven to supply horses.

Elaina took me aside and gave me a note that Marnie was hoping to send the Palace. Elaina believes Marnie's ability has to have come from Andraste.

I spent the night at the farm. It was hard to sleep in what was, until a month ago, our bedroom.

Marnie's note was short

My love,

Dennet told me you'd gone to Denerim. I'm glad you are all safe.

All my love,

Marnie

~oOOo~

26 Firstfall
9:40

I get to Haven and Marnie isn't even here. Thank the Maker that Cullen is. He told me that Marnie is at the Storm Coast meeting with a Merc company call Bull's Chargers. They are offering their services to the Inquisition.

I asked Cullen what in the Maker happened, and why she's with that Seeker.

He motioned me into the main courtyard and into a cottage that was clearly Marnie's. I looked around and spotted her journal which was tucked just under her pillow as it had always been at home.

I sat on her bed, Cullen sat on the only chair in the room. He told me about the explosion. "Alistair," he said. "Marnie walked out of the Fade. A woman helped her. Some say it was Andraste, some say it was Justinia. Marnie doesn't remember all that happened. The Divine was dead as was everyone else at the conclave."

Cullen started rubbing the back of his neck, something he usually does when ill at ease. I called him on it and asked what he wasn't telling me.

"It was chaos," he said, "she collapsed after leaving the Fade. An elven hedge-mage arrived and helped keep an eye on her."

Then he told me that the mage kept an eye on her while she was in the dungeon.

Yes, the dungeon! I didn't take it very well when Cullen told me. Apparently, there were those who thought she'd killed the Divine as well as everyone else at the conclave. I asked him who in their right mind would have thought Marnie could or would have done such a thing.

The villagers, Chancellor Roderick…and Seeker Cassandra.

I was furious! I said, "Give me one reason why I shouldn't run the Seeker through!"

Cullen quickly tried to reassure me that Cassandra changed her mind, as did the villagers. When Marnie stabilized the rift at the Temple, they heard an echo of what had happened just prior to the explosion left by the rift. The Divine called to Marnie for help.

I thought about it and said that the Seeker's change of heart was awfully convenient. It would be kind of difficult to keep my wife in prison if she is the only one who can close these rifts.

Cullen assured me that wasn't the case, that Cassandra can be "aggressive and sometimes acts on impulse. Especially where the Divine was concerned." But he assured me that she has really become an ally for Marnie, and Marnie appears to have forgiven her.

I thought about it and said to Cullen, "She acts first and thinks later. I take it her mind finally caught up with her mouth?"

Cullen chuckled and nodded. I warned Cullen that I hoped he was right and if I caught Seeker Pentaghast dealing out any more guilt to my wife, then I would wipe the floor with her, or anyone else for that matter.

Cullen's eyes widened at my threat, but did not say anything further about it. What he did say was that everyone at Haven cares about Marnie, and it isn't only because she can close rifts, or that she is called the Herald of Andraste. She does more than close rifts. "She stays and helps people put their lives back together. She gives of her time and her heart. They care about her because she cares about them. Like she did in Kirkwall."

I reminded Cullen that Kirkwall nearly killed Marnie.

Cullen, rather vehemently, told me that unlike Kirkwall she has official support, a growing army, spies, scouts, logistics, supplies, and planning. That with me there we can work together to make sure this isn't another Kirkwall.

Then he said, well growled really, "I will not let what happened in to her in Kirkwall happen here!"

I had to admit the ferocity in Cullen's voice was both comforting and a bit disturbing.

After that, I promised not to kill Cassandra.

Cullen said, "Feel free to give her a piece of your mind, though."

I told him I would.

Assuming Marnie doesn't kill me, first.

27 Firstfall
9:40

It's been a busy couple of days. Cullen wants me to be his second in command. Rylen, who I remember from Kirkwall, is going to be the commander in the field, but Cullen could use someone to back him up here in Haven.

I told Cullen that I was also in Haven as 'Alistair, Prince of Ferelden' and gave him the scroll from King Fergus. I told him that I have been given leave to see and speak for the Crown. So, if Marnie has any problems with the Chantry, whether in Haven or anywhere else in Ferelden, and Orlais, it becomes a concern of the Crown.

Cullen was surprised. He hadn't thought of that but was glad that King Fergus had.

I told him that, while I didn't need this to be made public, I did want Marnie's inner circle to know.

Inner Circle? Yes, Marnie has an "Inner Circle." Cullen explained that including him there was:

Leliana, their spy-master,

Ambassador and chief diplomat Lady Josephine Montilyet,

Varric (and Bianca of course!),

Cassandra,

Solas, a "hedge mage" (who I confirmed is the "bald elf" Dennet mentioned), and

Warden Blackwall. I was surprised to hear that name, it was someone Duncan spoke of. I was eager to meet him.

29 Firstfall
9:40

The Mercenary company and Cassandra arrived today. Marnie should be in Haven tomorrow; she was traveling with the head of Bull's Chargers and there was a stop she needed to make in Redcliffe.

Disappointed that Marnie wasn't among the group, I didn't notice that Cassandra had turned towards me. Suddenly, she was too close for me to pretend I didn't see her. So, I stood there, arms crossed, and waited.

"Lord Theirin, I apologize; if I had known–"

I stopped her right there and told her to spare me the 'if I had only known, I never would have asked' shite. I was rather direct and said, "If you knew the Divine was in danger you would have tried twice as hard to get Marnie to join you."

She had the sense not to lie. "Perhaps. But not like this. If I had known her life would be in mortal danger I would never have asked. You must believe that!"

I could only sigh and nod. I even thanked her (Marnie will be so proud of me!). Cullen arrived shortly after and steered me in the direction of the Tavern.

Tomorrow, I get to see my wife. Thank the Maker.

29 Firstfall
9:40

Cullen decided to meet in the Chantry today to review the training schedule. We were about finished when I heard the chantry doors open and even though I couldn't see anyone, I heard Marnie's voice. I admit it, I just froze.

Cullen smiled and told me, "She's less likely to kill you here in the chantry."

I turned toward the door as it opened and stood face to face with Marnie.

~oOOo~

"When you I saw you at Haven, I didn't know whether to hit you or hug you."

"As I recall, you did both. At the same time."

Marnie chucked. "Ah yes, I pummeled your chest, didn't I? When all was said and done, I was glad you were there."

~oOOo~

30 Firstfall, 9:40 Dragon

We had to bring in another bed so Ali and I can stay in my cabin – well, our cabin, now. There are no large beds available, so we pushed two beds together. After I saw him in Cullen's office we went to the cabin and talked. I cannot very well send the Prince of Ferelden back, and truth to tell, having him here allowed me to get the first good night of sleep I've had since Leliana and Cassandra arrived in Redcliffe.

30 Firstfall
9:40

Marnie slept until noon. I didn't have the heart to wake her up so I slipped out to get breakfast, and check in with Cullen. We set up training teams and started them on formation fighting. I went back to the cabin around lunchtime and Marnie had just opened her eyes. She sat up and looked around, when she saw me her whole body relaxed.

We didn't leave the cabin until dinner.

Marnie introduced me to the inner circle. Warden Blackwall looks younger than I expected. I mentioned Duncan speaking of him. Blackwall said he was a fairly new Warden, and Duncan was being too kind. He seemed kind of evasive, but then again, I don't carry the taint, so maybe he is suspicious of me. I have to think on that one.

When I met Solas, I took him aside and thanked him. He looked a bit surprised, but then he said, "I did little, save watch over her and make sure she wasn't arrested."

Then there is The Iron Bull, a Qunari with a metal eyepatch and a ready smile. Kind of the opposite of Sten-now-the-Arishok. Mind you, I am quite sure that when he's mad he's scary. But he smart, intuitive, and tough. Like Marnie…well except for him being male and Qunari. He did seem impressed that I knew the Arishok when he was a Sten. I promised that I would tell him about Sten over drinks at the tavern.

I felt an instant connection with Bull, much like I did when I first met Varric. He clearly respects Marnie, who he already refers to as Boss. In fact, all of them, even Cassandra and certainly Cullen and Leli, were amazed at what Marnie had accomplished in such a short time, and clearly were happy she was the leader.

Of course, as in Kirkwall, no one thought about what that would mean for Marnie. I see it when she thinks no one is looking, and if you do look, you have to know what to look for. I do, and I am now positive I've done the right thing coming here. Later, we decided I would stay in Haven with Cullen, but I could see she already feels calmer and less burdened because I am here.

3 Haring
9:40

Marnie went to Val Royeaux and returned with the Enchanter to the Imperial Court - a strikingly handsome woman named Vivienne. Despite, as Marnie told me, being Marcher-born, Vivienne is as Orlesian as they come: she lives and breathes the Grand Game.

Along with Vivienne, Marnie brought a high-ranking member of the Red Jenny, Sera. Whose whole interest is in getting the world back to normal, a sentiment I share.

While Marnie was in Val Royeaux she met Fiona, who asked her to speak with the mages in Redcliffe. She said they could help Marnie seal the breach by augmenting her power. As Cullen and I understand it we need either the Templars or mages to help Marnie with the breach. Given that Cullen and Ser Bryant are the only templars she has ever really liked (she told me a long time ago that 'almost-templars' like me don't count) Marnie is in favor of working with the mages.

20 Haring, 9:40 Dragon.

The situation for the mages in Redcliffe was dire. They had been conscripted by a Venatori Magister, Gerion Alexius, who stole the castle from Teagan and Kaitlyn. He had been experimenting with time travel. It seems that this Elder One wanted to turn back time so he could complete his ritual without my interference, which would mean going back in time and killing me.

The time travel attempts made the veil in the castle very unstable, and suddenly his former apprentice Dorian Pavus and I were tossed into the future, the kind of future the Elder One had in mind.

I really can't write about it except to say it was soul-crushing, and will fuel nightmares for some time to come. Thank the Maker for Dorian (more on him later) who was able to reverse what Alexius had done and bring us back the exact time we had left. It was then I learned why Alexius had even started to work on time-travel - he was doing it to save his son's life by preventing him from contracting the Blight sickness. When I learned that, I no longer saw an archenemy, I saw a heart-broken father who had realized he would never succeed in saving his son's life.

I allied the mages with the Inquisition. Some of my companions thought I should conscript them. I made it very clear the we will not be slavers. I prefer allies, especially in fighting the Elder One, and I told them that if anyone had a problem with that, then the door was right behind them. We took Alexius and Felix with us to Haven in hopes that maybe Blackwall would know if we could make Felix a warden.

The silver lining in all this is that Teagan can return to Redcliffe and Fiona can come to Haven and meet her son.

Now…Dorian Pavus, who has formally joined the Inquisition. His is an Altus (step below magister) from Tevinter who wants to reform his homeland, make it a place where people can be free. He only likes the "company" of men, is an avid reader, strikingly handsome, and gloriously vain. He has a marvelous sense of style, a wicked sense of humor and he and I are well on the way to becoming great friends.

~oOOo~

"I'm glad that Bull and Dorian got together," Alistair said as he closed the journal.

"Oh? Relieved to no longer be the target of Dorian's flirtations?"

"No…I mean yes, but…"

"But what?"

"Well, his attention was kind of flattering."

Marnie looked genuinely surprised. "Oh! I had no idea you felt that way. Were you ever…curious?"

"No. Not even a little."

"Good, because that would have been kind of awkward if you wanted me to share you with Dorian. I mean what would I do? It's not like we could have shared Dorian."

"Awkward? You're talking about me having sex with someone who isn't you, while you watch…and the worst you can call it is 'awkward'?"

"I seem to remember you intimating that the only reason we weren't going to the Pearl was because Lily was with us."

Alistair saw the twinkle in Marnie's eyes and put his arms around her. "You are all I could ever want."

"Well then, perhaps after Lily goes to bed tonight, I can flatter you properly. In the meantime, let's see what's in that crate labeled "Stuff stacked under the writing desk."

~oOOo~

24 Haring
9:40

It's not every day you get to meet your mother. I suppose you do when you're born, but well, it's not like you really know who is who when you're born. So, I suppose no one ever really meets their mother…

Anyway.

When Marnie returned with the mages, I was so concerned with the dark circles under her eyes that I refused to leave her side until she told me what happened. She said she really couldn't talk about and handed me her journal. Then she brought me over to meet my mother. Well, she didn't really introduce us, as much as she brought me over to a petite dark-haired elven woman. When she turned around I saw eyes similar to mine, at least in shape, look up at me.

I know I look a lot like my father, but not in the eyes. My eyes, as I saw then, are those of my mother.

We both stood there staring at each other. Neither of us spoke, we just watched. Then she hesitantly brushed her hand across my cheek, I saw tears well up in her eyes, as she said, "My beautiful boy. I never thought I would see you again. Forgive me for ever leaving you."

Having understood why she left me with my father and why my father had sent me to Eamon, I took her hand in mine and told her "There is nothing to forgive," then I hugged her. She hugged me back and we both stood there in the middle of the Haven chantry hugging and crying.

They were very, very, happy tears.

~oOo~

AN: Sorry for the delay, updates will be more regular. Thanks to ElyssaCousland for her beta skills and suggestions and to those who have reviewed and are following along.