Stirring the bowl of whatever was passing for evening meal Rathnal gave up and glanced over the camp. Morrigan and Serris had managed to come up with a spell to block the Archdemon's influence and all of the Wardens were feeling more rational and calmer, though they had no idea how the spell would hold up to a direct or sustained attack. The tension however had remained between himself and Jayden, this was not something that could be fixed by a spell and as a consequence they had stayed as far from each other as keeping the group safely together had allowed, most of the time Rathnal leading and Jayden bringing up the rear. They hadn't spoken a word to each other despite the best efforts of Rinna and Delilah. He wanted to resolve things between them, but he had no idea what to say and he now feared making things worse if that was possible. The tension wasn't doing anyone any good however and even Delilah who had clearly been trying to be optimistic had fallen silent as the day went on, withdrawing from everyone, even Jayden. Perhaps she was simply tired of this place as they all were and she would be feeling better after resting. He shuddered suddenly realising that if he survived the Blight, the Deep Roads would be where he would be expected to end his days. He found that thought was almost more chilling than facing the Archdemon again.

xXx

Curling miserably under her blanket Delilah tried not to draw attention to herself; she had known she might face this issue while in Orzammar, but she hadn't imagined her bleed would be quite so painful, it never had been before. She had kept her distance from Jayden all day feeling agitated and sore and not wanting to explain why. She glanced up as he sat next to her passing a herbal tea. She could smell raspberry leaves and glanced at him startled, a flush moving across her cheeks.

"It might help."

Easing up she took the cup sipping the warm liquid. "Thank you."

Jayden passed her a small pouch of various herbs. "In case you need them."

Delilah felt the lump swell in her throat at his tender tone.

"Would you prefer I left you alone?"

"No! I …" Flushing she pulled her hand back having been about to grab his arm, startled when he settled next to her wrapping his arm gently around her. She glanced to Leliana, but the Sister apparently understood and with a slight smile chose not to interfere. They sat in silence as she continued to sip the tea, the pain easing. She was barely aware when he took the cup from her, her eyelids heavy.

"Get some sleep." Jayden murmured. "I'll be here when you wake."

xXx

Waking little over an hour later feeling surprisingly rested, Delilah found herself curled against her betrothed. "I did not expect you to understand." She stated softly.

"I've learned a lot about herbs over the years and Sister Theohild dealt with any discomfort I might have felt about discussing such things when I helped her on her rounds. I was even present for several births. Mainly for someone the lady giving birth could yell at, but whatever works and there are several female soldiers. Besides I don't like seeing anyone in pain." He pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. "I don't like seeing you in pain."

"Were you there for the female soldiers to yell at too?" She murmured smiling as she snuggled closer to him.

"Sometimes." He chuckled softly. "Tess is ferocious during her bleed, but you didn't hear that from me."

"I have never really had pain before, not like this."

"It's been a very difficult time for you Delilah and down here things have been … well more intense."

"For us all."

He pressed another kiss to the top of her head. "I will get you another tea."

xXx

"Tis a mystery to me why you pander to her so."

Jayden glanced up from the water he had put on to boil into Morrigan's scornful look. "If you were in pain, I'd make the tea for you too."

Morrigan snorted disparagingly. "I would not make a fuss."

"Neither is Delilah; in fact, she is taking great care not to make a fuss."

Morrigan narrowed her eyes. "You enjoy it!" She hissed accusingly.

"Making tea is one of my favourite things." He murmured.

"Tis not what I meant!" Morrigan snapped. "You enjoy pandering to her!"

Slowly standing Jayden fixed her with a piercing look. "Enough Morrigan!" He growled. "What happens between Delilah and I, has nothing to do with you now back off!" Ignoring her look of shock, he took the tea to Delilah.

Thanking him Delilah took a sip glancing to Morrigan who was still staring at Jayden. "Problems?"

Glancing back Jayden watched as Morrigan span on her heel and strode to the other side of the camp. "I had, had enough of her sniping." He shook his head slightly. "I shouldn't have lost my temper. In her own way she is just looking out for me."

"You can soothe things with her later, come sit with me."

xXx

The following day Morrigan was subdued, but despite her attempt to maintain an icy exterior it pained her when she and Jayden were at odds. Usually it was she who had been prickly, to feel the sting herself was disconcerting. As they rested for a moment and Delilah moved off to speak to Leliana she approached him, relaxing slightly when Jayden gestured for her to sit down.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you."

"T'was nothing, I have not thought of it."

Smiling slightly Jayden nodded. "Even so I'm sorry. I can usually keep a hold on my temper, down here … well it seems more difficult."

"Tis difficult for us all." Pursing her lips Morrigan sighed softly. "If I seem sharp, 'tis only because I … I care about you."

"I know Morrigan and I appreciate it. Just maybe don't harass me about Delilah, at least not down here."

"As you wish. I will be glad when we return to the surface. I miss the Wilds, a fresh breeze, sunlight." She glanced to Jayden as he reached over and gently squeezed her hand, allowing herself to feel the comfort he was offering for a moment before she stood, even now such contact troubling to her.

xXx

Seeing Morrigan move off Leliana took the opportunity smiling reassuringly at Delilah and moved over to Jayden setting next to him. "How are you?"

"Fine."

"Your sleep seems to be more restful of late."

Jayden met her gaze and nodded. "It is, but what you really want to talk about is Rathal and I resolving things between us." He glanced to Delilah who flushed and looked at her hands sighing softly. "I suppose Delilah is tired of trying to get me to talk to him and thought you might have more luck."

"Something like that. You have to admit this tension between you is difficult for everyone."

"And how do you propose we resolve things?"

"That is for you to decide, but I will tell you I lost a dear friend, we were at odds with each other and it ended badly. I'd give anything for the opportunity to resolve things between us. I know you are hurt, but regret is more painful, he is your friend."

"This dear friend, was it Sketch?"

Leliana stared at him startled before remembering the Guardian had mentioned his name prior to the Gauntlet. "Yes, and my actions caused him to be taken to … to be imprisoned in a way. I never meant that for him, never meant for Tug to die." Swallowing down the pain and blinking back tears Leliana sighed softly. "Talk to him Will, for both of your sakes."

xXx

Rubbing his eyes, deciding Delilah and Leliana were right and he had to do something, Jayden forced himself to get up and move to where Rathnal was sitting alone. "I'd like to talk."

Glancing at him startled Rathnal gestured for him to take a seat beside him, anxiety gripping his heart.

Rubbing his nose in agitation Jayden stared at his hands not sure how to start. Letting out a low breath he met Rathnal's gaze. "Everything you said was true." He held up his hand to stop Rathnal's protest. "It was. I didn't think about anything other than seeing something that would lead me to whoever ordered my mom murdered and even when Flemeth warned me that magic has its own rules and might not show me what I wanted I still had her do it. I didn't imagine the magic would show me what it did and if I could go back knowing what I know now I wouldn't do it, but I can't change it." He took a shuddering breath. "But I do believe the Blight was coming, we would have had to face it and it wouldn't have been much later because of the ages of the people I recognised. I'm not defending what I did, just stating a fact. Sharing what I saw did change some things, but not enough and I know for the Wardens especially it made things much worse. I never meant that. I spent every moment from seeing that future to lying dying at Ostagar trying to change what happened. I … I didn't know the Archdemon could see our plans through Duncan." Rubbing his neck, he tried to ease the tension. "I don't want to be the cause of further conflict, we just can't afford that, everyone needs to be focused on the fight ahead. I suggest once we get back to the surface, we go our separate ways."

Swallowing the lump swelling in his throat Rathnal couldn't keep the desperation from his tone. "We don't have to part ways. I … what I mean is I don't want to part ways. Listen I was angry and scared mainly at Duncan for not telling us the damn Archdemon could see into our minds. I wanted to blame him but he's gone; I'm sorry I turned on you. We had more Wardens because of what you saw true and so there were more Wardens who died, but it was Yantra and Duncan who planned the expedition to look for the Archdemon where many of them died. As for what I said about you asking for that magic, I think if someone I loved had been murdered and I had been in your position with Flemeth, I would have asked her the same. There was no way you could know what the magic would show you, or know its consequences. You were young and I'm sorry I said you were selfish. If you were, I think every one of us would have been too." Rathnal sighed softly. "The truth is I was never meant to be Commander, I have no idea what I'm doing half the time, but you have been trained to be a leader your whole life, were born to be one! I know my recent behaviour doesn't back this up, but knowing you have my back, it … well it makes all this mess easier to handle."

"You call this easier?"

"Not the horrible things I said and not this tension and not talking, but before that …" He sighed softly. "None of us were prepared for the Archdemon. I realise now how little Duncan actually told us. I don't want to be that kind of Commander, but I have so little information myself; but at least now we know some of the things it can do other than controlling the horde and being a dragon and that has to help us in the fight ahead. I know you might not believe me, but I really am sorry for what I said and I didn't mean it and I know I can't make you believe me, but I swear I don't blame you for any of this."

"It still rests with me. You were right, if Duncan hadn't seen my glimpse the Archdemon would never have seen victory, would never have seen what we planned and so knew how to counteract it. It doesn't matter what way you put it; my actions brought us here."

Sighing deeply Rathnal ran his fingers through his hair. "Putting all of that mess to one side, you're one of my best friends, when you were forced to leave it left a void, we have spent so much time apart and I don't want that to happen again. Besides, if the worst happens and I don't make it, I don't want to die at odds with you."

Sighing softly Jayden stared at his hands. "I don't want that either."

"Then maybe you would consider giving me a second chance."

Jayden met Rathnal's hopeful gaze. "We once swore a blood oath we would always be friends." He forced a small smile. "Don't really think we need a curse on top of everything else."

Shaking his head Rathnal smiled, things weren't right between them, not yet, but at least now he knew there was hope.

xXx

"We are getting close." Sereda stated in excitement seeing various markings in the stone, the first they had seen in some time.

"No kidding." Faren muttered. "The warriors watching us could have told you that."

Sereda looked up startled almost crying with relief. Taking off her helmet she ignored their startled looks. "Take us to Paragon Branka."

Nodding the warriors signalled for them to follow moments later leading them through a tunnel that opened out into a vast cavern the dwarves had made their own.

Sereda stared around in astonishment. There was a smith and armourer, warriors training, what looked like a field of deep mushrooms and nugs in pens along with several bronto. She worried at her lip, guessing there was less than half of Branka's house present. She heard a commotion smiling as she saw Branka hurrying over to them, Oghren a step behind her.

"What are you doing here Princess?" Branka demanded eyeing the group curiously.

"That is a long story."

"Well come, I will have a meal prepared it seems we both have stories to tell."

xXx

Branka settled at the large stone table that duelled for meals and planning, gesturing for the visitors to sit as bowls and plates were placed on the table along with steaming mugs of a liquid that smelt earthy, but was surprisingly sweet. She listened as Sereda explained everything that had happened from her exile to their arrival. "The world continues to go mad. Our story has its trials too. Getting here was in the scheme of things relatively easy though took time and patience. Once here it became very obvious that Paragon Caradin wanted no-one to reach the Anvil of the Void, the traps he created are testament to that fact. We have been here for a little over a year now and can get no further. In the chamber beyond this cavern there are golems and poisonous gas. I have lost more people trying to get beyond that chamber than in getting here. The deaths of my people were not completely in vain, we have managed to map the chamber, there are specific traps that activate the golems of which there are four. We have been trying for months to create an antidote to the poison gas, but we have failed every time. Unless you can help with that, then you have come a long way for nothing."

"What do you know of this poison?" Sereda asked, glancing over the parchment Branka handed to her. She glanced to Serris and Ayanna passing them the information. "You're both good with potions."

Frowning Serris glanced over the detailed information along with everything they had tried. "I think I know something that might work, but we would need Prophets Laurel, Dragonthorn and Royal Elfroot." She glanced to Jayden. "Might you have any of them in that pack of yours?"

Jayden nodded. "I believe so."

Rathnal worried at his lip. "Assuming you can make a potion to antidote the gas we will need the fastest and most dexterous of us if we are to have any chance of getting through that room. That's Faren and Will."

"No!" Delilah snarled glaring at Rathnal, unable to maintain her composure. "After everything you said you expect him to follow your orders. He is not one of your Wardens!"

Flushing Rathnal shifted beneath her furious gaze.

"Delilah …" Jayden stated gently in an attempt to soothe her. "If we are to have any chance, we need that Anvil."

"I agree, but you do not need to be the one going in there! You do not need to prove anything to anyone!"

"I know." Jayden stated gently. "But Faren and I have the skills that give us the best chance of surviving this." He moved closer gently cupping her cheek not caring what anyone thought anymore. "I need you to have faith in me."

Lip quivering Delilah refused to cry. "I do."

"It will be fine I promise." He turned at Airyl's soft whimper, hunkering down and rubbing his head against hers. "Promise." He whispered.

xXx

Several hours later Serris placed two vials on the table. "There was only enough of the dragonthorn for two doses, so we only get one shot at this."

Faren met Sereda's anxious gaze before turning to look at the vial. "So just drink this and what, wait a while?"

"No." Ayanna stated sharply. "Drink it and go, Maker knows how long it will last."

Faren glanced to Jayden. "You ready?"

"To go into a room of poison and golems, sure."

Rathnal worried at his lip. "Be swift and careful and come back alive."

"No problem boss." Faren grinned. "Back before you miss us." He drank the bitter liquid, grimacing. "Couldn't have made it taste better could you." He gave Sereda a cheeky grin and ran, Jayden on his heels.

Sereda watched after them anxiously, if the potion failed, they would die. Her stomach churned as they shut the door behind them so the gas wouldn't escape and harm them. She met Branka's gaze clenching her trembling hands.

"Now we wait." Branka stated heading back to the table.

Sereda remained at the door glancing to Delilah, Morrigan and all the Wardens who remained with her. "They will be fine." She stated for Delilah's benefit as much as her own.

Delilah stared at the door feeling Airyl press tightly against her leg, willing them to return swiftly.

xXx

Faren quickly counted the flagstones, Branka having drilled into them both the layout of the chamber and exactly where traps lay in wait. Warriors had perished in activating them and no-one wanted the golems on the move. Trying to stay calm, but having no idea how long the potion would keep him safe from the poison he found the first of the four sources of the poisonous gas, disengaging the mechanism easily thanks to Branka's detailed notes. He tried not to think of the lives lost in obtaining the information. He glanced over to Jayden who signalled he too had been successful. Both eased passed the golems seeing bodies further ahead of dwarven men and women, some crushed, some having fallen victim to the gas. Faren felt sick, if Caradin was willing to sacrifice so many to keep people away from it, maybe the Anvil should be left alone. He reached the second mechanism on his side of the room disabling it as easily as the first, crossing the room avoiding the traps. "Problem?"

"The damn thing is stuck!" Jayden muttered.

"Here let me try." Faren struggled for several minutes without success. "Bloody thing."

"It's going to take the both of us to free that lever."

"Come on then, hurry." They wrestled with the mechanism, the lever only giving an inch. "Turn off damn you." Faren snarled driving his boot into the mechanism, paling as the gas poured out. They grabbed the lever pushing and pulling knowing this was their only chance. Faren snarled in pain as he caught his hand, hissing at the blood spilling over his palm. Hissing a curse, he drove his boot against the mechanism again grinning as the gas stopped. "Ha, take that you Bronto licking nug." Turning he glanced to Jayden realising how pale he looked seeing the sweat breaking out on his forehead. "Will you don't look so good."

Jayden gave a wheezing breath. "Think it's wearing off. You aren't looking so great yourself."

Faren clutched his stomach as it cramped. "If I die, I am going to be so pissed."

xXx

Branka glanced up startled as the door burst open, in truth she had not expected them to survive and perhaps they still wouldn't as both Faren and Jayden staggered through falling to their knees coughing violently.

"Out of the way!" Serris snapped as the anxious group moved to them, kneeling beside Faren as she summoned her healing magic, Morrigan moving to Jayden.

Struggling for breath Faren blinked rapidly, his guts cramping painfully, bile burning his throat before the pain slowly eased realising Sereda was gripping his hand so tightly it hurt. "Well damn!" He muttered, smiling as Sereda hugged him fiercely when Serris pronounced him out of danger though in need of rest. "This is nicer than fighting." He murmured.

"I thought I was going to lose you." Sereda whispered her voice catching.

"Nah, it will take more than an Archdemon and a room of golems and gas to do that." Smiling into their kiss he sighed happily, thinking it had been totally worth it. He glanced over relieved for once Morrigan and Delilah did not appear to be at odds as they tended to their patient.

"Are you sure you are alright?" Delilah asked Jayden nervously.

"I'm fine. I just need to catch my breath and the sick feeling is gone thanks to some excellent healing magic." He gave Morrigan a grateful smile, grinning as Airyl nuzzled his face.

Rathnal slumped against the wall giving a silent prayer to the Maker for their survival. "The both of you get some rest." He glanced over to Branka who had already assembled a team to see what lay beyond.

"Join us Warden Commander." Branka stated as Oghren took the lead.

Nodding Rathnal signalled for Sereda, Rinna, Alistair and Serris to join him, making their way through the room, staring in alarm at what lay beyond.

xXx

Branka stared at the passage way ahead several golems on both sides glancing to Oghren. "I guess it's time to see if this works."

Frowning Rathnal watched as Branka held out what he believed to be a control rod having seen the one the dwarves had used to activate the golems in Gwaren. Runes seemed to glow in every inch of the device and he swallowed uneasily as she began to move slowly forward, the runes carved into metal and stone on the golems glowing as she approached.

Pushing aside her momentary fear Branka concentrated her faith in the control rod she had crafted, raising a hand as her men drew their swords as the golem next to her moved. It stopped at her command moving back to where it had been. She glanced to Oghren who had moved to her side his axe ready.

"Right then, the rod thing works, let's get moving."

Despite no golem moving they remained cautious and alert as they followed the passage way opening the door into a large chamber beyond staring in awe.

"What the bronto licking nug is that!" Oghren snapped having had more than enough of Caradin's traps to last him a lifetime.

Up on a platform was a huge device made up of four faces. In front of each face was an anvil. Frowning Branka shook her head. "What is this?"

"Well we better figure it out." Oghren muttered moving back to her side from having checked out a door that appeared to be the exit. "That door is locked, and staying locked until we deal with it I think."

Slowly Branka approached, hesitating as the structure of faces moved, the sound of stone grinding echoing in the chamber before it stopped, the eyes of the faces glowing. She glanced about uneasily.

"I wonder if those faces do anything apart from the creepy eye glow?" Rathnal shivered as at that moment a crackle of energy was discharged from the eyes, a spirit now guarding each anvil. "Damn I had to ask."

"He really didn't want anyone getting to this did he?" Alistair murmured.

Branka shifted slightly. "The spirits haven't attacked us and each one appears to be guarding the anvil, perhaps those are our targets." She turned to one of the dwarves near her. "Brogan head back and get the remaining warriors, we will need four teams."

xXx

Gritting his teeth Rathnal lunged at the spirit, Serris hitting it with a form of magic that appeared to damage it and enabled them to make contact. Sereda, Rinna and Alistair rained down blows once the spirit was material, the dwarves doing the same with the aid of Serris's magic until all of the spirits vanished.

With the spirits gone Branka turned to the anvils that had begun to glow. She drove an axe against the one nearest to her startled as it sent out a burst of energy that hit the face opposite it, the device and the room shuddering, before it turned and more spirits appeared.

"You have got to be kidding." Oghren muttered raising his axe.

"Is that blood coming from its eyes?" Alistair demanded horrified.

"Don't think about it Ali." Rathnal stated trying to keep a hold on his own alarm. "Let's just get this done."

The groups formed a rhythm of hitting all four anvils the moment the spirits were defeated, avoiding whatever substance the faces spewed out at them, until finally it shook violently, the blood stopped and the eyes closed.

"It's over." Branka stated shakily. "I want to push on, but I suggest we rest, who knows what is beyond that door. Stationing two guards the groups headed back to the main chamber, relaying all that had happened to those waiting for them.

"How did he get spirits to defend it?" Faren demanded feeling much better after having slept off the remaining effects of the gas.

"I have no idea." Branka stated shaking her head. "But I believe the next chamber will lead to our goal. I have no idea if there will be further traps, but I suspect more golems. Now we know the rod works however we should be safe enough, but we must still be cautious, I have no idea how many the rod will work on. I suggest we all get some rest; tomorrow we take the Anvil."

xXx

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