Oren had stuck to his uncle's side chatting nonstop as they went to his room, sitting on the bed as Aedan dumped his pack and began removing his armour; Rascal and Hunter settling after their boisterous greeting. Finally unable to contain his excitement Oren began bouncing where he was sitting. "Uncle Dan, do you want to hear something?"

"Always." Curious he leaned closer to his nephew at his gesture; smiling as Oren cupped his hands around his ear.

"Captain William faced a dragon all by himself, but it's a secret!" Oren whispered, bringing his finger to his lips to emphasise his point.

"Then how do you know?"

"I heard Aunty Ell and Lady Delilah talking about it." Oren grinned excitedly. "It was a really big dragon! He said so when I asked him."

Aedan shook his head but smiled. "I wouldn't expect it to be anything less where Will is concerned." He turned at the knock, grinning as Ellowyn hurried into the room hugging him fiercely, Fleta jumping up at him before darting over to Hunter, tail wagging furiously. Fergus and Oriana following a moment later, Aedan couldn't help laughing at their hugs, feeling intense relief that none had been harmed in his absence. Then he noticed something in the way Fergus was looking at himself and Ellowyn and although it wasn't anger precisely he knew his brother wasn't happy about something. He felt his stomach twist slightly as Oriana hustled a reluctant Oren and Rascal out of the room leaving the siblings to talk.

"What's on your mind Ferg?" Ellowyn demanded. "You look as though you have just eaten something unpleasant."

"How could you not tell me about Jayden?" He hissed, keeping his voice a whisper.

"What about him?" Aedan asked cautiously glancing to Ellowyn.

"Well perhaps the fact his life was threatened! Or maybe that he is a bloody Captain in the army! Or maybe even that he has been training my son for weeks now!"

Ellowyn shifted uncomfortably. "We were not supposed to know and he made us promise not to tell anyone else."

"How do you know?" Aedan demanded.

"Anora told me, she wants him to go to Denerim." He was startled as Ellowyn gripped his arm so tightly it hurt.

"You cannot let him go; that would be just what Howe wants."

"For the moment apparently Howe remains under the impression that he was killed at Ostagar."

"And Anora wants him to just go to Denerim? That is madness!"

"Maybe she's going to hand him over to Howe." Aedan stated through clenched teeth. "I would not put it past her."

"Aedan!" Fergus snapped. "Anora is our Queen you will show her respect."

Scowling Aedan sat down on the edge of the bed. "I do not trust her. Besides how do we know she has not been enthralled by Howe's mage?"

"Jayden seems to think that is very unlikely given he and his father are apparently immune to blood magic to control the mind."

Ellowyn paled. "You definitely cannot let him go; he might decide with his immunity he might be able to get close enough to her to take her down."

"I doubt that has even crossed his mind." Fergus soothed.

"Did you tell him what happened to me?"

"No, but I did tell him that Howe is blaming our father for the threat to his life. That came from Anora so I had no need to reveal your … experience."

Nipping her lip Ellowyn let out a shuddering breath. "What did he say?"

"He said he would never believe our father would threaten his life." He almost smiled at the visible relief of the twins.

"Does Anora believe Howe?" Ellowyn asked cautiously.

"No and she is trying to get proof. I … I did not want to say anything, but given the circumstances I think you should know she knew Howe had a blood mage before you were at the Keep."

"She knew!" Aedan exploded jumping to his feet, glancing sharply to his sister as she brought her hand to her chest and sank onto the edge of the bed. "Ell." He gasped moving to her side.

"She knew?" Ellowyn whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks; sniffing as Fleta was immediately at her side, patting her gently as she whined.

"She said she is trying to get proof that Howe is working with a blood mage."

Ellowyn shuddered. "She could have stopped all of this. I would never have been trapped in the Keep, the attack might never have happened, Oren would never have been poisoned." She met her brother's concerned gazes her vision blurring with tears. "How could she betray us like that? It's not even as if she has the excuse of being enthralled like those other poor souls."

Swallowing painfully Fergus sat next to her gently taking her hand. "I was angry with her too, but I do not think she ever imagined Howe would do what he did. It is possible that Howe himself is enthralled."

"Maker this is madness!" Aedan snarled. "So what do we do?"

"We stay away from Denerim until we have an army and Maker willing by then Cailan will have his memories back."

Aedan glanced to the Cousland blade his brother wore at all times, as though he couldn't bear to be parted with it for even a moment. He realised Fergus was watching him and turned away trying to calm the rage in his heart. He bit his lip as he felt Fergus grip his shoulder.

"We will have justice Dan, I promise."

"I only need one promise Ferg; that no matter what happens at the end of it, enthralled or not that man is dead." He sighed as Ellowyn hugged him hearing her soft whisper that no matter what happened, Howe and the mage would be sent to the Void. He glanced to Fergus knowing he would have heard, wondering which one of them would get to Howe first.

Sighing Fergus stood. "I need to meet with Cailan and the Warden Commander, we can talk again later."

Nodding Ellowyn wiped her cheeks and offered him a smile, relieved he relaxed slightly as he left the room before she turned to Aedan. "Whatever Anora was and is doing she cost us our parents, our home." She shuddered thinking of all the days she had been forced to listen to the mage, feeling the magic trying to compel her. "She is as much to blame as Howe; she played the Game and we are suffering for it." She sighed as Aedan pulled her gently into his arms.

"What do you want to do about it?"

"Perhaps she will not be in a position to play with people's lives when the rest of the nobility and the Chantry finds out she knew about a blood mage and did not inform the Templars." She felt Aedan tense. "Do we let her get away with it because she is Queen?"

"No and I do not care about Anora, but if we go against her we risk losing Jay."

"Then we do it in such a way that she reveals herself."

"How?"

"I do not know, but she will face consequences for her part in this, I swear it!"

xXx

Settling at the table Rathnal took a calming breath, he was not yet used to addressing nobility and certainly not the King.

"What happened at the Circle?" Cailan asked gently realising how nervous he was.

Rubbing the back of his neck Rathnal explained the events from reaching the Circle, his decision to find the First Enchanter and their fight with Uldred.

"This is all deeply disturbing." Cailan muttered. "That this could happen means that something was very wrong in the Circle. When this Blight is over I will need to speak to the Grand Cleric, blood magic cannot be tolerated."

Teagan cleared his throat struggling to take in the horror of such betrayal. "Do the Templars have everything in hand now?"

"I doubt things will be sorted for some time, but in terms of the demons and abominations they have all been vanquished. The Knight Commander said the remaining mages would be tested, but what that involves I have no idea. He also sent a Templar to the nearest watchtower for a message to be sent to Denrim to revoke the request for the Rite of Annulment."

Cailan shook his head. "What else must our country contend with?"

"We also have another issue as Wardens as you are aware." Rathnal rubbed his forehead. "I suspect if we were to go to Denerim as the General has demanded we would not be leaving again in a hurry; so my intention is to obtain the support agreed upon in the remaining two treaties before I step foot in the city."

Fergus nodded. "I agree, any of us going to Denerim now would be a mistake. Though I will let you know the Queen is not happy that we will not be going immediately."

Rolling back his shoulders to relieve the ache Rathnal shifted slightly. "Well let us hope her Majesty does not become more forceful in wanting us there. In any case hopefully Orzammar will be less problematic and more generous with their support then the Circle."

"You still intend to travel there next?"

"It would seem logical in terms of location."

"When will you leave?" Fergus asked.

"We will need to resupply and let our horses rest, no more than two days, the Archdemon will not be resting."

"I can help with that." Teagan stated. "If you give me a list of what you need, I will ensure you have it."

"That is very generous of you, but surely the markets in Rainesfere will have what we need and we have some coin."

"Yes which you will no doubt need. It is in everyone's interests that you succeed. Let me help in this small way."

"Thank you, it is appreciated."

"Excellent." Cailan stated. "Assuming you have no objections William will be accompanying you. We cannot give up communication with yourself; therefore he will speak to a contact of Brother Genitivi, a Shaper Selac in the hopes the dwarves can help with our communication needs."

Rathnal could barely hide his delight that his friend would be accompanying them. "I have no objections. Along with Orzammar I was thinking about leaving some of my Wardens here to scout south. We need to know how far the Darkspawn are advancing and get as much information on their movements as we can; if you are agreeable to them using Rainesfere as a base of course. Assuming there are no objections I will also leave the Dalish treaty with Constable Ayanna, should my group not return for some reason they will have instructions to find the Dalish. After what happened at the Circle I am taking no chances."

"I have no objections." Teagan stated. "And would value any information they could give us."

Nodding Rathnal shifted in his seat. "If we are done I should speak to my Wardens we have planning to do."

"Of course." Cailan stated getting to his feet. "Whatever you need Warden Commander let us know." He watched Rathnal head out. "Well if that is all I think I will go and spend some time with my son."

Fergus smiled slightly planning the same, needing some light to keep the darkness at bay.

xXx

Knowing they needed a place to speak in private when he received Rathnal's summons for a meeting, Alistair had offered his cottage as their meeting place. It was strange returning to his home without Bethany, so much joy had been experienced here, so many dreams imagined and now it was host to the Warden's war council. He glanced to Aedan who gripped his shoulder in support, managing to get everyone relatively comfortable before they started.

After bringing Rory, Peter and Perrin up to date on events at the Circle Rathnal took a moment to order his thoughts. "If going to the Circle has taught me anything it is to prepare for the unexpected. To that end I intend to split us again. Myself and half of our number will go to Orzammar and see if the dwarves will be more helpful than the Circle. Should something happen and we not return the other half will have the Dalish treaty and will need to seek them out."

Perrin shifted restlessly. "Why wait? The second group can seek out the Dalish right away."

"With no means of communication and with such a vast area to cover I am loath to split us up at either end of the country. I intend for us all to go to the Brecilian Forest, we will have to split up while we are there of course, but at least we will not be so far apart."

"So what is the second group going to do?" Rory asked curiously.

Rathnal glanced over the map laid out on the table. "With Rainesfere as a base the second group will scout to the south, I have already secured Bann Teagan's support with this. The Darkspawn will not be content to remain in the Wilds and I want to know if they are on the move and where they are going, but the group is not to engage unless absolutely necessary. We still have our broaches so they shouldn't sense us."

"So who is going where?" Alistair asked trying to hide his eagerness. "I'd like to go with you to Orzammar if I may."

Rathnal smiled slightly; despite the dire situation he knew his friend had always wanted to visit the last dwarven city. "Ayanna as Warden Constable you will lead the scouting party. I would prefer an equal sharing of skills between the groups, but I will listen if anyone has a particular preference, however Faren and Sereda you must accompany me, you both understand the ways of Orzammar and I will need your knowledge and guidance."

Sereda winced. "I understand your reasoning, but I am not sure we will be helpful. We were exiled after all."

"You are both Wardens now; King Trian can do nothing to either of you."

Sereda gave a bitter laugh. "I really do need to educate you in the dwarven way of life. We will have a target on us the moment we enter Orzammar make no mistake, but if you think it will help I will not protest." She returned his smile.

Perrin shivered. "I'd rather not go underground again unless absolutely necessary." He flushed at Rathnl's searching gaze. "But I will do whatever you order of course."

Rathnal rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Alright, Sereda, Faren, Alistair and Rinna you're with me. Will is going to be joining us so I suspect Morrigan will and possibly Sten. If Morrigan declines, Perrin I will need you with me, I like having at least one mage in the company. The rest of you will be under Ayanna's command. You will share whatever information you gather with Bann Teagan so he can prepare his defences and aid in evacuation where appropriate. I would imagine there will be refugees heading north if they are not already. We are supposed to be neutral, but this is a Blight and we need support, so if you see opportunities to gain support grab them.

xXx

As soon as the meeting was over Alistair headed back to the estate to seek out Teagan and his brother needing to touch base with his family. He grinned in delight as Ratcatcher suddenly appeared, winding around his legs and rubbing against him. Scooping him up Alistair's grin broadened at the loud purrs, laughing as Ratcatcher rubbed his head against his chin, stroking him around the ears and under his chin just the way he liked it. "I've missed you."

Ratcatcher snuggled against him the feeling mutual.

Still carrying the cat Alistair moved through the corridors to Teagan's private solar, finding his family, Ratcatcher jumping onto a bookshelf cleaning his paws as Alistair was fiercely hugged by Teagan and his brother. Alistair hugged them just as fiercely; after the horror of the Circle he needed their love and support. He declined to talk about what had happened, pointing out they had already heard what had happened from Rathnal and frankly he would be happy to never speak of it. He was glad that both men seemed to understand he needed distraction; so much death and horror made his ache for Bethany all the stronger.

"I have something I need to tell you." Cailan stated gently. "And I wish to ask your permission for something."

"Alright." Alistair stated cautiously.

Cailan let out a low breath glancing to Teagan who nodded. "Brother I … I …" He rubbed his face not sure how to tell him glancing up as Alistair gripped his arm.

"You can tell me anything Cailan."

"I have a son, Gawain." He realised he was holding his breath as he met Alistair's shocked gaze.

"I … I had no idea Anora was pregnant."

"She was not."

Raising an eyebrow Alistair leaned closer. "Cailan what's going on?" He listened as Cailan blurted out his evening with Rosslyn and the son he had only recently found out about. Alistair listened quietly waiting until Cailan fell silent. He swallowed painfully his voice tight with anxiety. "Will you acknowledge him?"

"Yes of course. Ali I love Gawain, he is my son." Cailan paled, realising the significance to his brother. "Ali this is different … our father …"

"This isn't about me this is about Gawain." Alistair interrupted firmly. "I just needed to know he would know his father, that he will be loved."

Swallowing painfully Cailan rubbed his forehead. "I am not sure what truly happened between Anora and myself to lead to this outcome, but my son will know me and know how much he is loved."

"And Rosslyn? She is a good woman Cailan and deserves to be respected!"

"She does. We are trying to work out what to do, but I have feelings for her, I remembered her name."

"And Anora, do you remember anything of her?"

"Nothing."

Alistair nodded thoughtfully. "May I see him?"

"Of course and that brings me to the permission part. I would like to tell Rosslyn who you are, Loretta too."

Alistair hesitated for a moment and then smiled. "I have no objection."

Smiling broadly Cailan glanced to Teagan who squeezed Alistair's shoulder as he left the room.

"I can't believe you have a son."

"It was a surprise to me too, believe me."

"Did you know about Rosslyn's pregnancy before your head injury?"

"She says not, she did not want to tell me until the baby was born. She has asked nothing of me only expressed the hope I would wish to know our son." He smiled unconsciously. "He is wonderful." He turned as the door opened, his smile broadened as Rosslyn entered the room holding a sleeping Gawain, Loretta following, Teagan closing the door behind them.

Alistair's gaze locked on the baby feeling a rush of love and protectiveness he hadn't expected. He was barely aware of Cailan explaining to Rosslyn and Loretta who he truly was, so focused on Gawain he was startled when Loretta hugged him. He gave her a shy smile glancing to Rosslyn who he realised was looking at himself and Cailan noting their similarities. He realised he was holding his breath as Gawain woke.

Smiling Rosslyn moved over to Alistair. "Gawain this is your uncle."

Alistair gave her a startled look as she gently placed the baby in his arms, terrified by how fragile he seemed.

Smiling Rosslyn guided him to a seat. "Babies are more robust than we expect."

Grinning as Gawain grabbed his finger Alistair gazed at his nephew feeling more determined than ever that he would find a way back to Bethany and his own child. "He's beautiful."

Gazing at Alistair and her son Rosslyn knew without a doubt he would be accepted and loved by the people that mattered. Returning Alistair's smile she leaned back into her chair, his reaction had renewed her faith and in her heart she believed Gawain would be loved and accepted by her own family, no matter the circumstances of his conception.

xXx

Sitting on the edge of the bed Simon finally allowed himself to relax. The debrief had not gone as he had expected not only because Reece had backed him up even his actions at Ostagar, but because William had not raged at him. Instead he had listened attentively, his questions were surprisingly sensitive and he had found himself opening up about what had happened without feeling further traumatised by the re-telling. Reece had felt the same, both leaving the debrief feeling somehow lighter in the burden they carried, though the sadness and horror of what had happened would always be with them. He glanced up as Matthew joined him.

"How did it go?"

"He didn't shout, didn't blame me for anything, there was no judgement, he just listened and I told him everything." He shook his head. "I didn't intend to, but he is so damn easy to talk to."

"That's good isn't it?"

Simon stared at his hands. "He actually apologized to me about Ostagar; said he should have asked if we were given any specific orders for the battle. Not that he expected it to come from us, but he has asked for the future that we relay any orders that we are given to him so we are not in a situation of conflicting orders again." He flushed slightly. "He did say no Smiting the mages in the group."

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "And Maker forbid we have a situation where that would be necessary such as blood magic?"

"In those circumstances he will not interfere."

"Thank the Maker for that, I don't want to have to go up against him."

"You have nothing to be worried about you are friends."

"Yes we are and I would rather not lose that friendship thank you."

"I can understand that. I … I really didn't expect him to go easy on me."

"He's not a fool and you've been through a lot."

"Still … I think he is going to speak to you about keeping an eye on me." He sighed softly. "He's probably worried I will go crazy or attack the mages."

"Or he could just be acknowledging that you have been through a traumatic experience and you might benefit from the support of someone you know who is also a Templar."

"Probably."

"Did you tell him you didn't want to return to Kinloch Hold?"

"I did."

"And?"

"He was honest with me that he cannot say what will happen after the Blight, but he said should we all survive he will be actively working to keep us as a permanent part of the army."

"See, I told you."

"He seems genuinely concerned about us, all of us."

"Why does that surprise you?"

"I … well I knew he would be concerned about Reece, but after Ostagar …"

"Will can be harsh at times, but only if it's necessary."

"You don't think I deserved it?"

"After what you've been through, no."

"What happened at the Circle played no part in my actions at Ostagar."

"True, but you had your orders and Will understands that."

"You had the same orders and you stayed."

"I was deeper in the fight."

"You would still have stayed."

Matthew sighed. "Maybe."

Flexing his hands Simon clenched them trying to ignore their tremble.

"Do you need more healing?" Matthew asked cautiously.

"No, I just need some sleep, but every time I close my eyes …" He shuddered painfully.

"I'll be right here." Matthew soothed.

Sighing Simon lay on the bed, letting the tiredness sink through him, his eyelids closing on their own praying that for one night he would not be plagued with nightmares.

xXx

Suppressing a yawn, Ellowyn smiled as Jayden finally joined them, Aedan, Alistair and Rathnal already almost finished their third drinks. "Is everything alright?"

"I was just finishing the debrief with Reece and Simon." He glanced to Rathnal. "It sounds like the Circle was worse than I imagined."

"It was." Rathnal muttered. "But you've had adventures of your own I hear; a dragon no less."

Jayden glanced to Ellowyn who held up her hands.

"Do not blame me."

"Oren could barely contain his excitement." Aedan muttered. "I think you are his hero."

Jayden almost choked on the whiskey Alistair had passed him. "I doubt that."

"A dragon." Rathnal muttered. "Are you at least going to tell us what happened?" His eyes widened as Jayden explained the Gauntlet and Andraste's request of him. "Wait so you took a dragon egg to a dragon and you had no armour or weapons!"

"Can you not look at me like that? I'm not a child."

Shaking his head Aedan moved to the window and sat on the seat. "You are still the youngest of us."

Rolling his eyes Jayden leaned back into the chair taking another sip of his drink.

"What is it with you and trouble?" Rathnal muttered.

"You're a fine one to talk given you just had to deal with abominations and demons! Anyway, what would you have done?" Jayden demanded.

"Said thanks, but no thanks." Aedan muttered.

"Holy Andraste had just healed me!" Jayden protested. "It seemed only fair I do as She asked."

"But a dragon!" Alistair shook his head. "A dragon!"

"Maybe Andraste was protecting you." Rathnal stated thoughtfully.

Jayden nodded. "Sure let's go with that if it gets you off my back."

"We only care about you." Ellowyn soothed.

"Then tell them to stop looking at me like I have two heads!" He glanced up as Aedan suddenly stood and leaned over him, his hands gripping the arms of the chair effectively hemming him in.

"A dragon!" Aedan growled. "You told Ferg you had never fought a dragon before."

"And I haven't. He didn't ask me if I'd gone near one, just if I'd fought one."

"You are maddening."

A slow smile spread across Jayden's face. "Jealous?"

Aedan stared at him startled and then laughed. "Maybe a little." He moved back shaking his head.

"Come on, I was healed can't we just be happy about that and forget about the rest?"

Grinning Rathnal poured out more whisky. "I'll drink to that."

xXx

A few hours later after the others had given their excuses and left, Jayden poured another whisky for himself and Rathnal. "So what happened in the Circle? The parts you aren't saying."

"Abominations, enthralled Templars, terrified mages and crazy ass blood mages aren't enough?"

"If you don't want to talk about it that's fine, but I'm here if you do."

Rathnal worried at his lip. "Did you know Uldred?"

"He was the one that gave me the First Enchanters diary. I was never sure why and now I suppose I never will. The man always gave me the creeps though, there was just something not right about him."

"Well I'd say with good reason. Oh and I hate the bloody Fade!"

Jayden listened in awe as Rathnal recounted his journey to rescue himself and the others. "How did you manage to do all that when you aren't a mage?"

"No idea and only Ayanna and you now know about the whole changing form thing so keep it to yourself. I don't fancy the Templars after me."

Jayden nodded thoughtfully. "Still it does seem amazing that you could do all of that without magic. What was it like changing your form?"

"Bloody strange; the golem was great I admit that; I've never felt so powerful, but being a mouse is no fun and that damn burning body and spirit …" He shuddered. "I never want to go through that again." Worrying at his lip he took another sip of his drink. "I know those things were demons but I ..." He glanced up as Jayden's hand rested lightly on his wrist.

"It wasn't Duncan or any of the others." He hesitated as Rathnal looked away a guilty look on his face. "You didn't mention Simon's Fade dream."

"I … um … would rather forget that one, I'd rather forget them all."

"But there's something more with that one."

Rathnal sighed and rubbed his neck. "It … well …" He sighed. "Did he tell you?"

"He mentioned his experience and what you had to do."

"I … it was awful."

Jayden leaned back in his chair. "It wasn't me Rath."

"Doesn't make it any easier."

"I suppose not, but I'm here, I'm alive and I'm coming with you."

Finishing the glass Rathnal smiled. "So I should expect trouble then." He grinned as he darted out of the chair to avoid Jayden's playful punch. "Well one good thing, I don't suppose we will come across any dragons in Orzammar."

xXx

Author Note: Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed.