First of all I want to thank Sporksoma for editing this chapter. You were a great help!

Enjoy!

Wintersend part 18

Guardedly Cullen looked from the elf to the Grey Warden mage and back, his uneasiness growing alarmingly high. If looks could kill... If there was truth in clichés, here was the ultimate proof of it. He felt the tension swiftly rise until it almost literally crackled like an electrical charge between the two males. In a determined attempt to prevent a lethal outburst he stepped forward, one hand cautiously on the hilt of his sword, the other one held up in a pacifying gesture. It wouldn't help the already tight situation if these two sworn enemies would flow at each other's throats. He had once had to separate an angry mob consisting of mages and ex-Templars and though Fenris represented nothing even close to a Templar, the circumstances were eerily similar, if not more fiery.

'I thought I had encountered all of my demons already,' Fenris growled, glowering darkly, 'apparently I was wrong.' His voice still didn´t operate properly; he sounded low and rough and therefore even more ominous.

In contrast Anders's voice rang out unnaturally shrill. 'Since Justice, or Vengeance if you will, has taken his leave, I think it's hardly fair to speak of demons,' he reacted in a bad attempt at humour. To his defence, it must be said he was as taut as a bowstring; any moment now he expected blue lightning flashing through him. And he was fairly positive no-one would rush to his aid should that happen.

'I suggest we keep it civilised, gentlemen,' Cullen said before either men could make a rash move. His concern was justified; the only reason Fenris hadn't leapt into action was because his head felt as if it was filled with silk bandages. His voice wasn't the only part of his body that didn't function properly as yet. Anders on his part looked edgy, and very much willing to defend his skin, and preferably most of his vital organs, at any cost. Despite Cullen's efforts the tension only appeared to rise and so he was grateful Hawke stepped in. Moments later, however, it looked like her interference would backfire.

Tentatively, she touched the elf's hand. 'Fenris,' she said softly, 'I know how you feel. I wanted to kill him myself, believe me. But don't you think it's better to cooperate than to slaughter each other? For the time being at least? We will need all our combined forces to get out of this place.'

The elf spun around and a dangerous light flared up in his eyes while he hissed, 'You knew he was here!' He swatted her hand away and to everyone's dismay the blue shimmer was back in a blink. They all looked nervously at him except for Hawke who parried his fuming glare with a calm one of her own. 'Yes, I did,' she replied unperturbed. 'But before you're going to shout the obvious, bear in mind I've had not much of an opportunity to tell you.' For a few stressed moments her words only seemed to make things worse; Fenris's face contorted in a nasty sneer, his fingers twitched and overall he looked like he was about to explode but then he relaxed. He breathed deeply and said, 'You are right. As usual.' He added, wryly. Silently, he had to confess she was the only one who could rein him in when he was about to blunder against or, worse, burst through, the boundaries of self-control. Especially when mages or magic were involved. In fact, she was the only one he allowed to control him like this. The only one who was worth listening to. And she was a mage. Oh the irony. But she had proven herself on more than one occasion and he trusted her. He loved her for it. He deflated some more and turned to Anders. 'I will tolerate your presence – for now. But be sure to keep away from me,' he warned menacingly, because he wasn't willing to give up his grudge just like that. This was Anders after all. And Anders personified everything he loathed. Starting from magic and, worse, being possessed by that dangerous demon, going along belittling him, and ending with trying to steal his woman away. Or the other way around; the order didn't matter. And to crown it all he had blown up the Kirkwall Chantry and started a bloody war. 'I won't take responsibility for what happens if you don't.'

There was a collective sigh of relief, like a sudden cool breeze on a stifling hot day. Fenris realised everyone had followed his every move with more than tense interest which wasn't that strange after what had happened. The insight had the effect of a sobering cold shower. His clenched hands unfolded and he sought Hawke's fingers that hovered not far away to answer her light touch. He could feel her warm smile through her fingertips.

'We have a truce then?' said Cullen to be on the safe side.

'As far as I'm concerned, we have,' Fenris retorted reluctantly. Marian's hand squeezed his and he returned the silent smile. In another life, he would have considered it some kind of collaring but after knowing her for almost thirteen years, and loving her for the most of it, he knew better. He had freed himself once and freed himself again, but he could never have been able to establish that last occurrence without her. Not just because she had stood beside him, but because she had taught him the values of freedom. Of free choice. And he had chosen her. No collar, no slavery, but love. And yes, the compromises that came with it. Valuable lessons indeed.

The Commander looked at Anders who smiled meekly back. 'Do I have a choice?'

'No,' Cullen stated determinedly, 'I just want to be certain you won't give us more problems than we already have. An understanding can only go that far.'

Evelyn cocked her head. 'Why do I get the feeling you also met him earlier?' she said tartly. The suspicion she was missing some important information rose high and she felt left out. She didn't like it.

'Because I did. We more or less bumped into each other. Literally.' Cullen waved impatiently. 'It doesn't matter right now, we have other issues to cope with. We can decide what to do with Anders once we're back into safety.'

'Relative safety,' Dorian muttered under his breath but shot the Commander his most captivating smile when he sensed his frown.

'Well, Blondie,' Varric said casually, 'apparently you get the chance to score points for good behaviour. I'd do my utmost to reach the high score if I were you.'

A low threatening rumble began and the atmosphere actually vibrated as with tense, almost tangible anticipation. Not a moment later the Nightmare stirred again to fulfil the anxious foreboding. 'I am the veiled Hand of Corypheus himself,' he announced pompously, oozing superior self-righteousness.

The Iron Bull was the first one to react and he reacted heatedly in his annoyance. 'Oh cut the crap!' he shouted irritably, putting all his Qunari aggressiveness in those four words and jutting out his massive chin to underline his anger. 'Save your yapping for someone more gullible.'

'I'll grow fat on your fears,' the voice boomed, a little louder now as if he had to shout down some uncertainty. Undoubtedly it hadn't expected this kind of down-to-earth reply.

'Then you'll go hungry today!' Bull triumphantly bellowed his response. 'You don't frighten us with your blather mouth!' (Fenris grimaced self-conscientiously behind the Qunari's back with a painful scowl on his face. Bull acted he didn't notice.)

The Nightmare roared frustrated and after that abruptly fell silent. And stayed silent, though its quiet angry brooding was so palpable it nearly claimed its own existence.

'Well done, Bull,' Dorian said appreciatively, 'you scared it off quite adroitly.'

'Hmm yes,' Evelyn ruminated, 'the Bull has that kind of effect on people – and entities obviously.' She became alert. 'Speaking of entities ... where is Cole?' She looked around but the boy was nowhere to be seen.

Varric shrugged. 'He may have become more human but he still wields his spirit tricks. He comes and goes as he pleases and though he complains he can't make himself invisible anymore, I don't see much difference with the old Cole to be honest.' He smirked. 'Leliana still doesn't know who puts honey in her wine.'

'I think he has retreated to mourn over his companion,' Anders timidly piped up, 'she didn't survive her last exertion. I suppose it moved him more than he let show.'

'She's – dead?' said Hawke hesitantly. She wasn't certain what "being dead" or "die" meant to spirits. Regretfully she shook her head. 'I can't say I'm surprised, she was very weak already, but I'm sorry to hear it.'

Evelyn worried her lower lip and thought of something considerate to say. She came no further than a rather lame, 'her sacrifice won't be forgotten,' and nearly cringed at the cheap words. To make it worse Anders said, 'He named her Hope.' It gave the spirit, who at the cost of her own existence, had brought back her memories and had convinced her of their importance, a face and a personality, especially with that kind of positive and encouraging name. But at the same moment she realised this was neither the time nor the place to ponder such philosophies. She straightened her shoulders and looked around the circle of companions. 'Perhaps we can have some kind of ceremony when we're back in Skyhold to honour her but right now we have no other choice than to move on.' That said, she turned around and determinedly started to walk towards the beckoning rift that was their portal to Adamant Fortress.

Cole, in the meantime, was roaming the Fade, urgently searching for one specific spirit. With the ability he still possessed from the long time he had been a spirit himself, he had easily adapted to this till now unknown part of the dream realm and thus he knew what danger lay ahead. His friends required all the help they could get. He couldn't bring about an army – spirits weren't that easily united and demons, of course, were out of the question – but he could at least try to call upon Justice's long lasted connection with Anders.

He had left Hope on the boulder where her existence had come to a halt. He had folded her frail hands over her chest and arranged her hair like a halo around her head. He had softly kissed her brow and had noticed a near imperceptible smile still lingered around her cold lips. He recognised his actions were as human as they could get which was more evidence of his growth. Right now he didn't know if that was a good development. He knew, of course, that Hope would vanish between what would count for about an hour or so in the living world and he would never see her again, not in the way she had been. It saddened him greatly but he sunk his teeth into the task he had imposed on himself. He could show his worth and was resolute to do so.

'No no no no! Not fair! Not fair!' yammered Sera. 'That thing was napping! I hate friggin demons!'

'Lose the hysterics, Sera,' Leliana spoke, sternly. She stood next to the springy elf and shot her arrows into the throng of demons that tumbled through the rift. Because, as she had already feared, the bloody thing had gone from dormant into very much awake before the night had been over.

'Where's Miss Shiny Hand when you need her?!' Sera whinged.

'Stop bellyaching and just use your bow!' the Spymaster snapped. From the corner of her eye she saw Cassandra furiously ramming her shield home as if she was personally affronted by the rage demon she was manhandling. Despite everything she smiled inwardly. Cassandra was always so fanatical with everything she undertook. She even approached writing reports as a battle and the quills suffered under it. Blackwall was methodically slicing through the ungodly creatures, using his shield to ward off attacks instead of breaking bones while higher on the battlements Vivienne and Solas were wielding their staffs, emitting wave after wave of strong concentrated magic. The elven man had showed up not long before, stoic as ever, but Leliana couldn't shake off the impression something was bothering him. Something that made him angry rather than concerned. She couldn't spot Cole but that didn't mean he wasn't here somewhere. The ghost-boy's tracks were still difficult to follow. The Inquisition soldiers and the Grey Wardens were fighting side by side and up till now they were successful in deflecting the swarm of demons, no matter how much Sera was griping. But this couldn't go on forever. There was a limit to their stamina and the demons kept on emerging in a never-ending stream of filth and malice. If the Inquisitor didn't come to their rescue very soon, they would get the worst of it. In that ghastly scenario there wouldn't be a living soul left to give witness of what had happened at Adamant Fortress.

'Fasta vass,' Dorian muttered despondently, partly in fear and partly in awe, 'that's a big – whatever it is.' He very much wanted to keep up the appearance of the cool and collected and – above all, steadfast – man with that irresistible, slightly rebellious, touch of humour but it was hard with that gruesome beast as a particularly revolting spoiler of the view.

'It certainly looks like a nightmare,' Evelyn reacted, 'I wouldn't like to encounter something like that in my dreams.' An involuntary shiver shot down her spine. They loitered between some pillars to assess the situation and stared gloomily at the monstrosity that stood between them and the rift to freedom.

'You wished this were a dream,' the Bull grouched sulkily. 'That ugly bulk over there looks real enough to me. And what do we do now? We need an army to get pass it.'

'Or a diversion,' Cullen said, wistfully.

'Great plan!'Varric mocked. 'Why don't we throw some stones in the opposite corner and hope the creep will go after them so we can sneak behind its back into the real world?'

'No,' Cullen said pensively, 'someone has to catch its attention by attacking it.' His voice sounded distant.

Evelyn whipped her head around to face him. With a sharp insight that cut like a knife through her innards she guessed his intention. 'Oh no,' she breathed hoarsely, 'don't you dare. Don't you dare to even utter that insane proposition. You're not going to forfeit your life.'

Cullen avoided looking at her when he said, 'I am the Commander. It is my duty to keep my men safe.'

'It is your duty to lead them!' Evelyn cried out heatedly. 'And you cannot lead them when you're dead! The Inquisition needs you! What's got into you?!'

Cullen closed his eyes and considered his decision. Was he really ready to die? To give his life to provide the others with the chance to survive this ordeal? Long ago, during the revolt instigated by Uldred, he had been convinced he would perish in that awful magical prison. After that influential incident there had been many occasions in which he could have lost his life. It wouldn't have bothered him very much, not back then. But now his life had changed and the woman responsible for that stood right next to him with wide pleading eyes. He had found love, he had found a purpose and even had found peace of mind. He had drastically cut off his life as a Templar, had faced the errors of his bigotry and even made amends with that part. He finally truly lived. Lived! But now fate demanded he had to give up all those unexpected wonderful gifts to allow the world to keep on existing. Or perhaps it was the Maker. He had never been zealous but had always embraced his faith as a comfort, something to rely on when doubt threatened to overwhelm him. Like now. He felt Evelyn's hand clasping around his arm.

'You can't do this!' she whispered desperately.

Could he leave her behind? Of course not. But what choice did he have? He was responsible for the wellbeing of his friends. He was the Commander, his first and most essential task was to keep them safe. You will break her heart. He winced. Personal is not the same as important. 'I left my men in an irresponsible impulse,' he murmured, 'and now I can rectify that mistake by rescuing you.' He put his hand over hers. 'I love you,' he said. 'Remember that.'

'No! You can't do this!' She let go of him and clenched her jaw. She was angry and confused and acted on a whim. 'I'll distract that monster.'

His heart froze in an instant. 'What?! Are you mad? You're the Inquisitor!'

'Exactly,' Evelyn said coolly. 'So it falls on me to take the responsibility.'

Cullen stared in horror. 'You're the only one who can close the rifts! The only one who can beat Corypheus! You can't leave the world –' He got abruptly interrupted.

'I will go.'

Everyone turned to gaze at Anders. He had been fidgeting nervously with his fingers during the discussion between the Inquisitor and the Commander but from the start it had been clear to him. 'I will do it.'

'Anders...' Hawke said cautiously.

But the mage heaved his head high and firmly gripped his staff. 'I may not have started the trouble in Thedas but I've done enough harm as it is. I want to redeem myself.'

After only a short hesitation Fenris stepped forward and extended his hand. 'I have despised you for as long as I've known you but with this act you have won my admiration and respect. I will not forget this.'

More than a little startled Anders accepted the elf's offered hand and smiled wanly. 'Thank you. That means a lot to me. Take care of Hawke.' He waved off the others. 'Please, no goodbyes.' He took a gulp of air and started to walk to the living Nightmare. The thing came into motion and slowly unfolded to its real impressive size. It was like watching a mountain standing up. Anders swallowed but kept on going, holding his staff in front of him. The Nightmare roared with a deep devastating sound and lashed out with its tentacles –

– At that very moment a figure sprinted into the scene. 'Oh no you don't!' With a mighty crash Justice ran Anders over and immediately after swirled to the monster. 'You deal with me and no-one else, you fucking bastard!' he hollered. The Nightmare shifted its attention to the unleashed spirit and seemed to falter for a few precious moments. Evidently, this came as much as a surprise to him as to the others.

From his place on the floor Anders blinked in utter bewilderment and he hadn't even the presence of mind to scramble onto his feet. 'You never cursed before,' he mumbled, dazed. 'Must be my bad influence. Again.' Someone grabbed his arm and without further ado dragged him to the rift that presented their safe haven. 'Take your chances where you see them,' the Bull grumbled, 'today is a good day. A day you don't have to die.'

... And we made it out of the Fade. Finally!

Thank you for reading!