"I think there is something wrong with me." Delilah muttered, pacing Thomas's room.

"What do you mean?" He asked anxiously. "Are you ill?"

"No, that is not what I mean. I love J … William, being apart from him is a torment and yet barely were we reunited and I am accusing him of betraying me with other women. I know in my heart he would not do such a thing and yet when I am with him … I cannot explain it, it is as though I am deliberately trying to drive us apart."

"Perhaps you are."

Delilah looked at him startled. "Why would I do that? When we are apart, I ache for him, it is like a physical pain, I think of little else but him." She gazed at her brother helplessly. "He has given me no reason to doubt him and yet I goad him." She sank onto a seat, tears in her eyes. "I make him miserable. I see it in his eyes; the hurt every time I accuse him and yet I still do it."

"I have a theory if you are willing to hear it?" He smiled at her nod. "I think you are pushing him away because you are feeling guilty. What is twisting inside you is what our father did to him and his family. You are pushing him away because despite your feelings for him, you fear that once he knows the truth whatever he feels for you will turn to ash. It is time De; we need to tell him. It tears me up inside too, gets me so knotted at times I want to run when I see him. The kinder he is to me the more I shrivel inside and I think perhaps the same is true for you."

Paling Delilah shook her head. "I agree." She said quickly at Thomas's disapproving expression. "But not before Ostagar. He almost died there once, if he is not fully focused on his task then he may very well meet the fate the Darkspawn intended for him the first time."

Sighing Thomas bowed his head slightly. "You are right of course. When he returns, I will tell him the truth, for better or worse he needs to know and we both need to be free of this damn secret. I am sorry I told you … so sorry I brought you into this."

"I am glad you told me, truly." Leaning against him she sighed softly. "Our father has much to answer for."

"And he will. I promise you he will."

xXx

Agitated with his conflict with Delilah and troubled by the revelation that the mage working for Arl Howe was a mage he himself had helped as a child and someone Anders thought of as family, Jayden called an urgent meeting. An hour later he was sitting at a table in a private room, the gazes of Fergus, Cailan, Teagan, Ellowyn, Aedan and Rathnal fixed on him. "Some information has come to my attention that we need to discuss." He shifted slightly glancing to Airyl as she whined softly at his agitation. "What if I was to tell you that the mage in service to Arl Howe has nothing to do with Orlais or Tevinter. What if I was to tell you that she is a Circle mage, pushed so far by grief, tricked by Senior Enchanter Uldred into believing that blood magic was her only course of action and then forced to continue down this path because she fears for the life of the man she loves."

Cailan frowned. "How could you know that?"

"Because I've met the man she loves and he wants our help to get her away from Howe. She could testify against him. She may know his plans."

Fergus stared at Jayden trying to hold on to his rising anger. "Let me get this straight, are you proposing we save the blood mage who is in part responsible for my parents death, the assassination attempts on myself and my wife, son and brother, the same mage who attempted to enthral Ellowyn?"

Jayden rubbed his forehead. "I know what I am suggesting is not a great plan, but assuming Jowan is telling the truth, Eloen is a puppet and we want the Master. Jowan is convinced that once she knows he is free of Arl Howe, there will no longer be any threat over her and she will go against him."

Fergus folded his arms. "Your sister is playing a game with that damn mage and if she had just got the Templars involved my parents might still be alive. Maker knows what this Jowan could do. He is a blood mage and he must be handed over to the Templars."

"Or he could be conscripted into the Wardens." Jayden stated glancing to Rathnal, shifting uncomfortably at his startled expression. "If we hand Jowan over to the Templars, we will have no chance of getting Eloen on our side."

"He is right." Ellowyn stated softly, meeting her brother's startled look and gently squeezed his hand. "I know better than any of you what that woman is capable of and while I do not like it, we stand a better chance of bringing Howe to justice if she is on our side. Besides, you know being made a Warden is not truly freedom."

Fergus stared at his hands knowing a little something of the fate that awaited his brother. "How can we possibly trust him? How could we trust her?"

Jayden shifted slightly. "I might have a solution to that. All those years ago Flemeth gave me a second potion, a truth potion. She said that I would need it in the days ahead. I thought she meant using it to obtain the truth from the woman who killed my mother, but Flemeth plays a much longer game and now I think she meant this. We can ensure they are speaking the truth. This very same potion can also be used to ensure Arl Howe speaks only the truth at a Landsmeet, assuming we can find a way to get it into him. By his own tongue he will be condemned for his crimes. I hid the potion to keep it safe; it's in Gwaren. I'll get it when we go to find the Dalish clan." He sighed at the silence. "He says he loves Eloen and I believe him. If her love for him is even half as strong she will turn against the Arl once she knows Jowan is out of Howe's reach. I know this isn't easy, all I am asking is that you consider they were abused by Templars, the very people supposed to protect them. They were informed that a fellow mage had been murdered by the Templars after suffering years of abuse himself. They were angry and grieving and their mentor, a man they trusted, offered them a way to change things, a terrible option, but people do things they would not normally do when desperate and grieving." He turned to Rathnal. "You told us about the corruption in the Circle orchestrated by Uldred, men and women that even the Knight Commander was shocked had turned. How do we know he did not enthral them? He may have enthralled her."

Rathnal sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I suppose their recruitment could be arranged."

Teagan leaned forward slightly, his gaze locking on Jayden. "You seem to trust this Jowan very easily, forgive me, but I admit I am surprised by that."

Wondering how much to share Jayden unconsciously ran his fingers through his hair. "The mage who they were told had died, that caused such grief they were manipulated into believing blood magic was the way forward, I knew him. We travelled together for a time when I fled Vigil's Keep. He told me about Jowan and Eloen, so much so that I felt as though I knew them too. I know what they did was wrong and in Eloen's case unforgivable, but if there is a chance, we can get her away from Howe and have her reveal all he has done, is that not a chance worth taking?"

Fergus shifted uncomfortably, turning to Rathnal. "Are you sure about taking them on Commander? This Eloen is clearly dangerous, she could enthral you and your Wardens, is that a risk you can take?"

"I'm not thrilled about it, but the Wardens accept anyone and we are going to have to face an Archdemon. If they are prepared to risk their lives to stop the blight, I will take them. Besides they won't be the first blood mages in the order and I'm betting Warden Serris can help us to ensure any risks are minimised."

"We will have to make sure he is watched at all times." Aedan stated, not at all happy with the plan, but knowing one way or another they needed to get the mage away from Howe.

"Very well, but if she does not give us what we need …"

Jayden nodded knowing Aeonar and death would be what awaited her.

xXx

Swallowing painfully beneath Rathnal's fierce gaze, Jowan began to think he had made a huge mistake and should have tried to reach Eloen on his own.

Arms folded Rathnal looked over the clearly uncomfortable mage grateful that he had both mages and a former Templar in his Wardens. "Will has explained your circumstances and I am prepared to accept both you and Eloen into the Wardens. However, you will not use magic unless expressly ordered to. If I get even a hint that you are using blood magic, I will take you to the Templars myself."

"I understand Warden Commander."

"You had better, we face a Blight and I need my Wardens focused on ending the Archdemon, not babysitting some errant blood mages." He sighed deeply, taking a step closer to Jowan. "If I find out that you fed Will a story, that you managed to hook into his desire to help mages and are manipulating him I will end you."

"I swear every word I spoke to him was the truth."

"We will find that out soon enough. You will not be initiated into the Order until Eloen has joined you, but you are a recruit and as such you will follow my orders. Is that understood?"

"Yes Commander."

"Now so we are clear and there are no misunderstandings, Warden Daniel was a former Templar." He sighed as Jowan paled. "He is a Warden, note I said former Templar, but he remains skilled at dealing with magic aimed at harming us."

Jowan glanced at the former Templar, startled to see the mage at his side, sensing they were far closer than just comrades.

"Prove yourself loyal to the Wardens and we will have no issues Jowan." Daniel stated firmly.

Jumping as a hand rested on his shoulder, Jowan stared at the woman realising he was shaking beneath her piercing gaze. He felt a little calmer as she smiled.

"This is Warden Serris." Rathnal stated. "I advise you to pay attention to her and answer any questions honestly, she can tell a lie a mile away."

Grinning, Serris patted Jowan's shoulder. "Come on, let's get you settled."

Alistair worried at his lip as he watched them head towards the stairs of the house Fergus had arranged for them, having point blank refused to have the mage in the Castle. "This is a mistake." He glanced at Aedan who he knew agreed with him. "I get we need him to get to this mage and having her could give us all the leverage we need against Howe, but everything in me tells me we are going to regret this."

Rathnal let out a huff of breath. "I feel it too Ali, we will just have to remain on guard with him and as for Eloen, well her own actions will determine her future."

xXx

Deep in thought Alistair made his way down to the beach, having Jowan with them could be a gift, but he couldn't shake the feeling that getting involved with Eloen would be a mistake they would be lucky to live to regret. Shaking his head, he sat on a flat surfaced chunk of rock half buried in the sand and gazed out at the water. All he wanted was to get to Gwaren and see Bethany, but there was always something else to do before that was possible. He knew he should be grateful that Rathnal was allowing them to go there, even knowing he had his own personal reasons, but now they were going to Ostagar he had to come to terms with the fact that he would never get there in time for the birth of his child. He swallowed painfully; the reality was she could already have given birth. The thought of seeing his child when they reached Gwaren made him want to get there all the faster and despite knowing the terrible magic that was growing within Cailan, he just wanted to be with his wife. He had been experiencing such anxiety about her, he knew seeing her was the only way to soothe him. He gave a startled smile as Airyl suddenly appeared putting her head on his knee, feeling his ache for Kolby almost become intolerable. "I'm alright girl, just thinking is all."

"Can I join you?" Smiling at Alistair's nod, Jayden settled next to him on the sand.

"I love the sea." Alistair stated softly. "Since my first glimpse of it in Gwaren." He shook his head. "I maybe didn't have the best start, but at least there weren't any monsters then and I'd never heard of blight magic. I know losing his memories has been hard on him, but I thank the Maker for it, because if he hadn't, we would never have found out that, that beast would have taken his mind. We can't let that happen to him, I can't … I can't lose my brother." He tailed off into a whisper.

"You won't. We will find and kill this Emissary and he will be free."

Nodding Alistair struggled against the lump in his throat. "I need to go to Gwaren, I need to see Bethany, I need to make sure she is alright. I keep having these awful dreams of her crying, it feels like her heart is breaking and when I wake my heart is so sore, I can barely breathe. What if something is wrong, with her or with the baby?"

"You're forgetting something, she is with her whole family who would die rather than let harm come to her and she has Anders. She and the baby will be getting the best care possible."

Shaking his head, Alistair smiled. "Even now with what we face you can still make me feel better. Did you have a nice reunion with Delilah? I didn't have a chance to ask you earlier."

"No, we had a blazing argument. She wants to come to Ostagar and whether it's my place or not, I told her she wasn't going. She is in no way ready or skilled enough to go there and I made that clear."

"Surely she understands that."

"I think so, but then of course she brought up Leliana, Morrigan and Serris going and that started the next part of our argument about how she doesn't trust me with other women, so I lost my temper told her a few home truths and told her when I get back things have to be different because I am not living my life pandering to her paranoia."

Whistling softly Alistair smiled slightly. "I can't imagine she was thrilled with that."

"I didn't stay to find out, I couldn't listen to any more of her suspicions. I have never given her cause to think I would betray her. She says she loves me, but what you and Bethany have is love, what I had with Lyra for a short time was love, but this … I don't know what this is but I want no part of it." He sighed deeply. "All I have ever wanted was a loving marriage and a family, is that really so much to hope for."

"No and if anyone deserves it, it's you. Maybe … maybe because of this mess with the Howe's and Couslands you might get out of the betrothal."

"I doubt it Ali, it's more likely our marriage will be used to soothe and unite our country after all that has happened and besides, I do care for Delilah, Maker more than I want to at the moment. I just … I'm just tired and there is no end in sight and every time I think we get ahead there are just more problems to deal with." He sighed deeply. A ship would sail for Ostwick the following morning taking Rosslyn, Gawain, Edward and his men home. He couldn't imagine how painful it must be for Cailan to be sending his son away, but given the circumstances perhaps it was for the best. Once the ship had left, they would be setting out once again themselves, no one wanted to delay despite everyone's reluctance to return. He was almost regretting mentioning the Gateway in the ruins in the Wilds fearing he would walk them right into the Darkspawn given it was deep in enemy territory, but they needed the speed the Gateways would give to their journey and he had to trust that the Guardian had spoken truly and most of the Darkspawn were occupied elsewhere. He had been surprised when Rathnal, after his initial shock, now seemed eager to return to Ostagar, explaining it would give him the chance to retrieve items from the Tower of Ishal that would help the Wardens. He had asked no more knowing Rathnal wouldn't or couldn't tell him, but it did make him feel a little better that the Wardens would be going with them. Morrigan and Enchanters Dylan, Reece and Robert were already making preparations to ensure they were masked from the Darkspawn as much as they could be. His hand involuntarily moved to his stomach, despite there being no trace of the mortal wound he had sustained and for a moment he felt an echo of the pain.

"I don't want to go back either." Alistair stated softly. "I know it's not quite the same for me, I wasn't in the thick of it, but …"

"You were there Ali; you saw and were as touched by the death as any of us who survived. I never imagined going back during the blight and what if we go through the Gateway and walk right into a group of them …" He shook his head. "That way gives us the time we need, but …"

"We have to trust the Guardian." Alistair stated softly. "Surely as someone with the link to Holy Andraste as he has, he would not steer us wrong."

"Let us hope not."

xXx

Staring at the embroidery in her hand that she had hoped would help her to focus, Delilah thought over her brother's words, but it was Jayden's words playing through her mind almost taunting her, that she was accusing him of what she herself had planned to do. She felt her cheeks turn crimson again, things had been different then, but she was ashamed of herself. Glancing up she stared at the door sighing softly. She knew Jayden cared deeply for her, she might even have thought it was becoming love, but she had no doubt she had halted that in its tracks. Yet despite what he had overheard her saying to Albert that day, he had never been distrustful of her. Worrying about it would do her no good and things might be forever changed once Thomas told him the truth of who had created the threat that had changed his life. She shuddered feeling tears slip down her cheeks. Thomas was right, she believed any feelings for her would turn to ash and thinking that he was the one at fault was to keep back the pain as twisted as that was. She trembled imagining such a marriage, the material dropped to the floor and she buried her face in her hands and wept for them both.

xXx

The dawn brought with it warm sunlight and a cloudless blue sky. Two hours later a small group stood on the dock as a ship was loaded with supplies.

Holding his son, Cailan kissed his forehead, smiling as Gawain caught his hair and giggled. "I am going to miss you so much, but when all this is over you will come home and I swear I will never send you away again." Kissing him again he handed him to Rosslyn, the lump in his throat feeling as though it was choking him.

"Be safe." Rosslyn stated softly, clasping his hand and squeezing gently. They had said their private goodbyes, neither risking a more public display of their affections. No-one appeared to recognise him, but in time all would know who he was and neither were interested in rubbing the Queen's nose in their relationship.

"You too." He whispered; his voice choked.

"I will await word from you."

Nodding he kissed his son again, pressing a soft kiss to Rosslyn's cheek unable to help himself.

Edward watched them subtly before signalling his men to board and turned to Fergus. "Thank you for your hospitality, your Lordship."

"You are most welcome, but that title has yet to be confirmed." Fergus stated, with a slight smile.

"A formality surely. I will return as soon as my sister and Gawain are safely with my parents."

"We look forward to your return." He saw Edward's glance towards Ellowyn and despite the natural rise in anxiety he made his excuses and moved towards Cailan as Rosslyn boarded.

Edward gently took Ellowyn's hand and pressed a soft kiss to her fingers. "Perhaps upon my return we can spend more time together."

Feeling the heat of her cheeks, Ellowyn tried desperately to ignore it and smiled. "I hope so, I have missed our conversations."

His smile widening, Edward gently released her hand and took a step back and bowed. "Until I return then."

Smiling Ellowyn nodded, startled by the frantic beat of her heart. He was handsome true and she had enjoyed their conversations both with Rosslyn and Lorretta and those while they had taken a turn around the garden in Rainesfere, but his lingering gaze had mirrored her own and she found herself hoping he would return swiftly. She felt a spasm of guilt towards Rory, but that part of her life was over and even though she did not expect anything to happen with Edward, the fact that she was feeling something gave her hope that one day perhaps she might free herself of the terrible weight of grief and guilt that she battled each day. She glanced to her side as Edward bowed again, seeing Jayden return the gesture and smiled slightly. She knew of Edward's pledge of support and unlike Jayden who feared that support would be withdrawn when Edward knew the truth about him, she believed the bonds of that pledge would instead grow stronger. She watched Edward as he boarded the ship, her heart seeming to flip as he glanced back knowing that smile was for her. She couldn't have contained her smile if she had wanted to, or the flush that accompanied it.

Jayden remained silent but smiled slightly, it didn't take a genius to see the attraction between the pair and he hoped that they would have the chance to see if it could become something more. They stood in companionable silence as they watched the ship depart.

"You are avoiding Delilah." Ellowyn stated softly as she turned to him.

"I don't deny it, I am apparently a complete coward."

Chuckling softly Ellowyn linked his arm and steered them back in the direction of the castle. "Never that, but I do think you need to clear the air before you leave or it will only fester and you need to be focused." She sighed softly, her mood shifting. "I do not envy you where you are going. How are you … feeling about it? Honestly."

"I'm terrified, not just because we have to find and confront the Emissary and we have no idea how much time before the spell completes itself, but because I am taking us to a Gateway that could lead us right into a Darkspawn camp." He forced a smile as she squeezed his arm.

"Trust the Guardian."

"Ali said much the same thing, but Ell he didn't say use the Gateways."

"He did not say not to."

"True." His smile though slight, at least was genuine. "Listen Ell, if anything happens to us, if we don't make it …"

"You will."

"Ell listen please, this is important."

Remaining silent, Ellowyn listened as Jayden told her exactly where he had hidden the truth potion.

"If we don't make it you need to get it and use it on Arl Howe."

"Do you really think Flemeth meant the potion for now?"

"Regardless of if she did or didn't, we have it and we should use it."

Hugging him tightly Ellowyn realised she was trembling. "You better make it back; you all better make it back."

Jayden hugged her but remained silent, this was war, so many had already died and more would before the end, with all the hope in the world he knew it would be madness to think all of them would survive what was to come. He felt the ache in his heart praying he would live long enough to see his father again and Maker willing his sister.

xXx

Anora stared at the report from Leliana in shock; Erlina had decoded it as usual, but she wished she had done it herself given some of the content. She didn't know what was more shocking, that Fergus had retaken Highever, the Ashes were no longer available because of the Chantry's greed, that Cailan was returning to Ostagar to try and end a spell cast on him by an Emissary that could leave him a puppet to the Archdemon, or that he had a son. She trembled slightly, grateful for the brandy Erlina handed to her, feeling the warmth of the alcohol cut through the numbing shock. She wondered if Leliana had ordered her report in such a way so Cailan's son seemed the least shocking. She closed her eyes taking deep breaths. That Highever had been retaken seemed astonishing because they had heard nothing, by design of course, yet she found it unbelievable that they had managed to keep it quiet. It would be made public soon enough, which meant she needed to get proof the letters were forged or Fergus might find himself in a very difficult position. Leliana had not given the specifics other than Howe's own children had aided Fergus. A shiver swept through her, imagining the Arl's rage, but it was certainly in Fergus's favour that Rendon's own children were clearly on his side. "Please send for my father."

Nodding Erlina left the room.

The Chantry had made such a fuss about the Ashes and now they were denied them. Any emphasis would need to be more on the temple itself and she dreaded what other countries would make of their claim, including the Champion, likely a publicity stunt with only hearsay to back it up. She would speak to the Grand Cleric herself about the Ashes, but that could wait, there was nothing she could do about it, only accept the consequences. They could salvage it, but it painted the Chantry in a very poor light if the truth were to get out. On the other hand, it might give her a certain amount of leverage with the Grand Cleric and place them back on a more even footing once more if she were to ensure it were not made public knowledge. She had disliked the way the Grand Cleric acted as though she had power over her. That was assuming she could ensure that those that did know, would remain silent.

Forcing her thoughts to turn to Cailan and his return to Ostagar, she felt a ripple of panic, it was madness and yet necessary if the Guardian spoke truly. They had to succeed, because the alternative was too horrifying; Cailan enslaved to the Archdemon, along with whoever the spell wormed its way into. She shuddered offering up a silent prayer for their safety and success. She didn't want to think about the child, but her thoughts took her there anyway; a son, she imagined he was thrilled. The child he had desperately wanted with her, the one thing she had refused to give him. Leaning her head back on the chair, Anora closed her eyes trying to ignore the pain of her heart. She had not wanted a child, still did not, but that he had a child with another woman felt as though it was breaking her heart. All the pain they had caused each other and this was the result, her punishment and his joy. Forcing her eyes to open as she heard the door, she nodded to her father as he sat beside her. "Did Erlina give you a summary?"

Loghain shook his head. "She said the information was too sensitive to discuss outside of this room."

Watching his expressions as he read the report she handed to him, Anora saw disbelief, anger, horror and then shock, much as she had felt and still felt.

Loghain met his daughter's gaze, forcing back his own need to vent. "Talk to me." He said softly.

"I do not even know where to start." She took a calming breath. "Going back to Ostagar, right into the enemy's camp is insanity, but the alternative …" She shuddered. "If they had not gone back to Haven, we would never have known. He would not have lost just his memories, but who he is. We could have all been enslaved to the Archdemon."

"But they do know." Loghain stated, gently squeezing her hand. "And as dangerous as this mission is, what other course could they take?"

"If they fail …" She let the thought tail off, unable to speak it.

"Then Maker help us." Loghain whispered.

"Perhaps he has." Anora stated softly. "My brother was always so determined to find a cure for the blight. Without his perseverance, determination and ensuring Cailan took it, that spell would have taken hold of Cailan months ago and if he had not been present at Haven, would the Guardian even have spoken to Cailan? I was so angry with him for not coming back to Denerim when I ordered it, but perhaps the belief he had to find Cailan and then stay with him was driven by something more." She sighed softly. "I still see my brother as a child, if I am honest with myself, that terrified child that returned to us from that damn ship. I have never given him credit for all he has done and the young man he has become. Maker he was healed by the spirit of Holy Andraste herself, has been an emissary of her will. He faced a dragon without armour or weapon for Her and instead of seeing the courage and faith that must have taken, I just saw it as him getting into more trouble. I have been a fool, I pushed him away because I was angry that I could not protect him, pushing him into more and more dangerous situations while blaming him. I doubt he will ever forgive me."

"I think you will be surprised; all he has ever wanted is your love and support. Perhaps you can tell him this yourself when he does come to Denerim."

Anora stared at her hands. "I doubt my brother wants to hear anything I have to say." She glanced up as her father squeezed her hand again.

"Whatever his reaction Anora, I think you need to say it and he needs to hear it."

Meeting his gaze, she gave a weak smile. "If he can face a dragon, I suppose I can face him." Sighing softly, she shook her head. "I suspect facing my brother will be far easier than facing the nobility once Cailan's son is made public. A child, Maker I never imagined …"

"A bastard child Anora. True he will have responsibilities to care for the boy, that is only right and proper. However, when Cailan returns you will stop this nonsense with the herbs and give him the heir Ferelden needs!"

"That is the price to remain Queen I suppose."

"You have made mistakes in your personal life Anora, but as Queen you have kept us on an even keel when the majority of coin and ships were used in the search for Maric. You supported Cailan in his grief while bearing your own. You enhanced a spy network to support Ferelden and you have kept Celine at bay while keeping trade flowing and soothing the nobility. You have been bombarded by personal tragedy and you still stay strong. Your mother would be proud of you, as I am."

Anora swallowed painfully. "No father, I have made such terrible mistakes, but perhaps one worse than in my personal relationship with Cailan." She told him then about Erlina being compelled by blood magic that they knew it was Howe's mage, that she had kept it secret and employed the Crows to try and get the evidence to prove what Howe was doing fearing the Templars might kill her as well. "But deep down it was to get proof to stop Howe revealing my own indiscretion, albeit prior to my marriage."

Loghain slumped into a seat feeling suddenly very old. "Then I am also to blame. The mage sent to Redcliffe to tutor Connor was from Howe. I never questioned it, I believed the mage was from the Circle and I wanted to know what was happening in Redcliffe more than I wanted to know how Rendon came to have the mage in Amaranthine. I only saw one mage, but it seems clear now he had two. Maker, did I send a blood mage to Connor?"

"So many mistakes." Anora whispered. "If I had just told the Templars, Bryce and Eleanor might still be alive."

"You cannot torture yourself with that. We do the best we can and sometimes our actions have terrible consequences that we could never have foreseen. Why didn't you come to me sooner?"

"I did not want to burden you. You have enough to contend with trying to rebuild the army and ensure our defences. I thought … I thought I could deal with it, but every move takes me deeper into quicksand."

"If the Templars didn't find her then it suggests she is well hidden so with luck Kara's man will be able to expose her. What we need to know is if Rendon is enthralled by the mage, it would explain much given these letters are forgeries, though I find it infuriating that we still cannot prove it."

"I suspect he must keep the parchment with the wax on his person, given our attempts to find it have fallen short."

"Then we need to find another way and quickly." He gently squeezed her hand. "We need to work together Anora, now more than ever." As she gently squeezed his hand back Loghain relaxed slightly, everything was a damn mess, but it wasn't the first time everything had gone wrong around him and likely would not be the last, at least if he and Anora were on the same page finally they stood a chance.

xXx

Anora lay in bed staring at the ceiling, the pale moonlight having moved from her pillow to the bottom of the bed as she simply stared. Most of her musings had concerned Cailan or rather his son. She wondered what the child was like, if he looked like Cailan and what temperament he had inherited. Erlina had once suggested this to her as a solution. She had been furious at the very idea and yet now it was a reality. Turning over she rested her cheek on her palm and sighed. Would he expect to have the woman and her … their son living in the palace, or would he at least try for some semblance of discretion. She would certainly not be sharing a bed with her husband while he was spending time with another woman. Turning over she glared at the wall, imagining the humiliation. He would no doubt acknowledge his son's existence, but the nobility would be up in arms if he announced his bastard as heir. There would be pressure on her from every quarter to have a child, or perhaps they would turn to the Marcher who had already provided a child and was nobility as a candidate for a new Queen. She imagined Eamon would take great delight in such an alliance given his ties to the Free Marches. Surely Cailan would realise that any attempt to set her aside would cause political unrest. He may have Eamon and Teagan on his side, but she would have her father and those loyal to him. She was sure Bann Alfstanna would stand with her. Once she would have believed Fergus would stand with her, but now he might stand with Cailan out of spite. As for the rest of the nobility they might well stand with Cailan simply because he was a Theron. Getting up she moved to the window opening it to feel the cool breeze on her flushed cheeks. None of this mattered at the moment, because if the spell claimed him then any chance at reconciliation would be forever lost to them.

Sighing deeply, she moved to the dressing table, sitting down and opening the top drawer taking out the small portrait within considering another reconciliation that needed to be attempted. It had been her mothers and was of herself and Jayden; he was five and grinning up at her. She smiled, he had barely been able to sit still and had asked the artist so many questions they had to bribe him with going to the beach in the afternoon to silence him. It was clear to see how much they had loved each other. Her fingers drifted to the necklace her mother had given her, feeling a tingle of warmth from the sapphire. "I am sorry Jayden, I never wanted to admit it, but I have been so jealous of you. You just seemed to make friends so easily and people just accepted you as nobility. You weren't born a commoner and raised to nobility, you never knew how that felt and I was always grateful for that. I am not sure when I became angry with you about it. You have endured hardships that I think would have broken me and I am so sorry I have made things more difficult for you. I suppose I hoped you wouldn't change, that we would find out who had threatened you and then you would come home and everything could go back to normal, but that was never going to happen was it? The more you grew up the more I felt our family was lost. I was still trying to protect the boy you were instead of supporting the man you have become." Anora placed the small portrait so it was standing up against her jewellery box. "I will steer a new course and I will make things right between us brother, I promise."

xXx

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