With everything that had happened, the next two months were spent in a rush. The first thing that needed to happen was for the betrothal between Faren and I to be formally recognized by Father. Papers needed to be drawn up and agreements made between my family and Faren's. However, this particular detail was rather pointless since Faren's family was already a part of mine by right of me taking them in when I became a Paragon. Essentially, nothing would really change. Normally, the lesser family would offer a dowry and services to the higher ranked family, but with Rica's business already giving me a substantial percentage from her earnings, this was essentially hand-waived.

Father insisted that we have a formal dinner to welcome them all into the family. He even had formal outfits made for Kalah, Rica, and Faren as a welcoming gift for them to wear to the dinner. Kalah was, of course, ecstatic that Faren had won my hand and wore the outfit proudly to the dinner. It wasn't the first time we'd all been in the same room for dinner, but it was the first time Faren, Rica, and Kalah were allowed to sit with us. Everything went wonderfully as the families finally got the opportunity to truly engage in fellowship. We shared stories, jokes, memories, and hopes for the future.

Serena, Trianna, and Aelfric all returned to their respective domains. Allen, however, asked for my assistance in checking on his family. He understood that I couldn't exactly go too far, so he agreed to cross the ocean and head to Kirkwall while I agreed to go to Lothering to check on his uncle, aunt, and cousin. This was the option I wanted anyway. It would allow me to get back just in time for my birthday.

Because we would be heading in that direction, we prepared Bhelen to move to Gwaren. Over the past few weeks, we had been checking with nobles from Orzammar and the other thaigs to see which would be the best to bring with him. Bhelen also had the idea to pick families from the Surface Caste to help with trade and manufacturing. By the time we were ready to leave, Bhelen had a retinue of warriors, nobles, and craftsmen enough to make up a small noble house and a small community of traders. These darves, along with the ones already operating in Gwaren because of the port, would make for a formidable start for the fledgling thaig.

The trip went quickly and smoothly. A decent portion of the road built out from Orzammar was finished down to the foot of the mountain. I spent the majority of the trip concentrating on creating more road every moment we were traveling. While I understood that I was actively moving stone and manipulating the geography so that the stone would appear above the ground and form into the road, leveling it out and molding it so that any rain water would drain deep into the ground, the others simply saw the road appearing before us several yards ahead. I may not have seemed like I was working diligently, but the focus it required to search the area for proper stone, move it to where it was needed while simultaneously making sure the soil filled in around it so that sinkholes wouldn't occur took quite the toll on me mentally. Especially when I was concentrating for nearly twelve hours a day for nearly a month.

We stopped in Redcliffe, bringing the load along with us. There was an entire night of congratulatory celebration with the dwarves in Redcliffe. They wanted to celebrate Faren's victory over Corypheus and our engagement. Arl Eamon joined in the festivities and ensured that he would have shipments from Redcliffe leave through Gwaren for the foreseeable future to bolster the thaig's revenue as a favor to me. Amaranthine might be closer, but he had a suspicion that we would be able to turn Gwaren into a more efficient port.

Ostagar was, unfortunately, too far out of our way to visit, but Trianna and Aelfric visited up at the main road where a small town was slowly establishing itself as something of a trading town between Redcliffe and Ostagar. I was surprised to see that the road from Ostagar was already built up to this point. Apparently the Ostagar dwarves had been quite industrious and understood the value of a dedicated stone road that led to the city.

We continued on till we came to Gwaren. The path to Gwaren was narrow and didn't make for the most convenient for trading caravans. So, while I created the road, I also molded the mountain path to be wider and more inviting. We held a small ceremony, dedicating the city and the thaig that would be created beneath it to the dwarven kingdom and naming Bhelen the official lord of the thaig. One of the larger buildings had been set aside for him until the thaig could be properly excavated and his permanent estate could be created. I remained there for a week, helping Bhelen establish a council he could rely on for advice while he gets used to ruling the thaig.

The largest loss was Dagna. She had decided to go with Bhelen and work to make Gwaren into the city it had the potential to be. This would diminish House Orodum's overall arcane research and craftsmanship, but it would be a net boon to dwarves as a whole. Luckily, scholars and craftsmen interested in the lyrium technology we had spearheaded had learned well from Dagna and there was a large number of them I could rely on for new innovations.

After a week, Faren and I left Gwaren, wishing Bhelen luck and bidding him to write as often as possible. If he needed any advice, I would be happy to give it. We turned north and made our way to Lothering.

It wasn't difficult to find the Amell house. After all, Malcolm had not been shy about giving me directions in the few letters we'd traded since I agreed to start a correspondence. When we arrived, a servant in the front yard seemed startled and rushed into the house to announce that we were coming.

Faren dismounted from his bronto then helped me down from mine. I didn't need the help, but he'd started doing it as a public show of affection. The warriors that were escorting us brought their mounts to the side of the road and began setting up camp.

"He's going to fawn all over you, Merida," Faren chuckled. "Try to be patient with him."

I huffed and looked up at Faren, "When am I ever not nice? People fawn over me every day and I've never been rude about it."

"This is true…" Faren seemed amused, "but those are your people. This is a fan. And he's never met you before."

"Fair enough," I conceded as I removed my riding gloves. I folded the gloves and tucked them into my belt. "But I'm sure it won't be as bad as you might be-"

"Come on Leandra! Come on! We can't keep her waiting a moment longer!" a man's voice shouted from the house.

I looked at where the commotion was coming from and saw a man and woman somewhere in the fifties leaving the house surrounded by an uncoordinated handful of maids. I recognized the woman immediately as Leandra Hawke, the mother of the main character from Dragon Age 2. If she were following the man, that would have to make him Malcolm; her husband. Typically he would be dead from illness by now if Allen hadn't intervened in that regard. The group scurried quickly across the front yard and stopped just at the fence, making an amusing show of trying to gather into a proper greeting formation.

Malcolm and Leandra stepped forward and the group of maids followed along in a gaggle. Malcolm seemed like he was about to burst with excitement while Leandra looked like she was pleased, but understood she was about to be embarrassed.

They stopped only a few feet away. Malcolm dipped into a low bow as Leandra and the maids curtsied, "Princess Merida Orodum! I am Malcolm Hawke, and this is my wife Leandra Hawke. It is the greatest honor of my life to be able to meet you in person. What brings you to our home?"

I did an excellent job of keeping my composure and not laughing at the exuberant display. I lowered myself into a curtsy, "Sir Malcolm! It's wonderful to finally meet you. Your ideas and theories that you've shared in our correspondence have been truly fascinating to go over. They've made for excellent evening reading as my betrothed can attest to. I've been doing a great many comparisons to known magical theories with them."

"You flatter me, Princess," Malcolm beamed. He was trying to sound humble but it was more like a child meeting their hero for the first time. More awe than simply auspicious.

"Indeed she does," Leandra said calmly. "Don't let it go to her head, dear."

I chuckled and pat the air, "I'm actually here to check on you as a favor to Allen." I arched my brows as I looked around, growing slowly concerned. "May I ask where your son Carver is? Isn't he supposed to be here?"

Malcolm and Leandra shared a look and Leandra answered, "He left a few months ago to check on our relatives in Kirkwall. We were going to go but Malcolm's health isn't the best and travel doesn't really suit him. So Carver volunteered. Why do you ask?"

I turned and looked back at Faren and gave him a concerned expression. His face mirrored mine and he gave me a nod. Turning back, I motioned to the house, "I think we should speak somewhere more private."

The pair looked curious and Malcolm cleared his throat, "Ah. Yes, of course, Princess. If you'll please follow us, we can speak in the study." He turned and waved his hands at the maids, "Go get food and drink for our guests. Quickly!"

The maids seemed to panic for a moment before they ran back inside to complete the command as Malcolm and Leandra led us into their home. We were brought into one of the warmest decorated rooms I'd ever seen. The wood was stained a beautiful cherry, the leather furniture a deep brown, and the lamps gave off a soothing orange-red glow. The books that lined the walls gave the room a wonderfully tangy, savory scent that only aged parchment and leather could give off.

Leandra sat on a sofa while Malcolm insisted I take the largest chair which had some clear loving wear on it. It was obviously his personal chair. This was a clear sign of deference and I couldn't help but be flattered by it. I understood the significance of the man of the house offering up his seat to another. Faren sat on a loveseat while Malcolm joined Leandra on the sofa.

"Now," Malcolm offered, "may I ask what you needed to speak to us about, Princess? It clearly concerns our family."

I nodded, "Your mind is as quick as ever, Malcolm. I'm sure you've heard by now that my betrothed defeated a powerful sorcerer recently in order to win my hand, yes?"

Malcolm seemed understandably confused but nodded all the same, "Word has reached us of the tale, Princess, yes. Why do you mention this? And what does it have to do with our family?"

"Everything," Faren said, his tone dead serious.

"The sorcerer Faren defeated was the fallen Tevinter Magister, Corypheus," I said.

"What?!" Malcolm shouted. He shook his head fiercely. "No. I don't know how you know that name, but that's impossible. You could not have met Corypheus, let alone defeated him. He is not a normal creature, and he has been sealed away-"

"Inside a Grey Warden prison in the Vinmark Mountains," I finished for him. "Sealed away by a blood magic spell of your own design, and only able to be broken by using the blood of someone from your family line."

Malcolm sputtered as I issued the information, "H-how do you know all of that?"

"Did your nephew not explain what he, Faren, and I are?" I asked. "We call ourselves Fated; individuals born with great knowledge of Thedas' past and future. It's how we have all been able to grow in stature and power, and how we were able to plan for and defeat the Blight. We've all known about you and your past since the day we were born."

"But… how?" Leandra asked, clearly amazed and skeptical at the same time.

"We don't know," Faren answered honestly. "We just were. We were able to find each other using that knowledge. So we've been working together to try and make the world better."

"We do know, however, who and what Corypheus is," I affirmed. "We all knew who he was when he appeared. We all looked to Allen wondering how he could have been there since we knew the conditions that were required for him to be freed."

"...and you actually defeated him?" Malcolm asked with awe.

I shook my head, "I didn't. Faren did. But before he could finish Corypheus off, another fated; one who was born as a darkspawn, appeared and bit the magister's throat out and absorbed his soul. He didn't transform into Corypheus before making his escape."

"He didn't…" Malcolm mused. He shook his head, "No, that cannot be. Corypheus is akin to an archdemon. If he's killed, he takes the closest darkspawn and reforms himself."

"Well, he couldn't reform himself," I assured him. "There seemed to be some sort of conflict within the darkspawn, but in the end it seemed he won the contest of wills."

"If this is true, then he may now have access to all of Corypheus' power," Malcolm shuddered.

"That is what we're afraid of," I sighed and lowered my head. "In order to determine how Corypheus was freed, Allen and I agreed to check on his family. I can't afford to take the time to go to Kirkwall, nor have I ever spoken or corresponded with any of them. So Allen has gone to check on your family there while I agreed to check on you here in Lothering. Right now, the only person unaccounted for is Carver…"

"Oh no…" Leandra gasped and covered her mouth. "You don't think something has happened to him, do you?"

I could only shrug as Faren leaned forward to answer, "We can't be sure just yet. We expected to find him here, but if he left to check on your family in Kirkwall, he may be there or anywhere between traveling. When we speak with Allen again, we'll see if Carver made it safely to Kirkwall and send word to you about what we discover."

"As Faren said," I agreed. "We still need to find out the method, or who the darkspawn used to awaken Corypheus. What is certain, though, is that the magister is dead. He is no threat to Thedas anymore, but Seven, the darkspawn who absorbed his soul, will no doubt prove to be an even greater threat."

Malcolm shook his head in distress, "I cannot imagine a greater threat to the world. However, if my seal was broken, it means I failed in my attempt to keep him locked away. That also means that I have a duty to help however I can. Is there anything you can think of that I can do?"

I took several moments to consider his question, "If I'm being honest, I don't think you're in any more danger at this point. Seven already freed Corypheus, so he has no more use for your family. If you want to help, I would appreciate it if you could research two things for me."

"Name them, Princess," Malcolm bowed his head. "I will devote myself to their study."

"I need help researching the elven Pantheon," I admitted. "Specifically Fen'haral, the Dread Wolf. I know who he is specifically. And I know of some of his abilities. However, there's gaps in my knowledge. His weaknesses. His failings. His limits. Anything you can find, regardless of how miniscule in nature it may be, would be invaluable."

"Of course, Princess," Malcolm nodded, his eyes darting around his library as if already considering which tomes to begin with. "And what might the other be?"

"Soul capturing or destroying," I stated seriously. "I know there is at least one method that the elves used to capture a living soul so that they were able to communicate with it. With this knowledge, defeating Seven and Fen'Haral might be made easier."

"I understand, Princess," Malcolm crossed his arms and nodded. "I will send you regular reports as I discover more. I will also endeavor to send you anything I find that might be useful in general."

I bowed my head in thanks, "I will be grateful for any information you can provide."

The maids came soon after with food and drinks. We talked at length about possible solutions and ideas that Malcolm already had. I also went in depth about my titan abilities to sate Malcom's curiosity. We stayed the night at Malcolm's request and Leandra's insistence. It was comfortable enough and they were fine hosts, though Malcolm did continually pry about my magical nature, capabilities, and potential.

We left the next day, taking the northern road home that would lead us past Denerim and Amaranthine. I continued to conjure the stone road the entire time. King Maric hosted us in Denerim and had a laugh at how he wouldn't be receiving much in the way of payments for Gwaren as he realized I was supplementing the road construction with my abilities. Still, he didn't seem to mind since it meant that the roads would be finished far sooner than he expected, which meant that travel would become faster and safer for his people.

Serena and Alistair were happy to hear us. Serena, in particular, was excited to hear that we had begun settling into Gwaren and to hear our plans for it. I could tell that she was chalking that up as a success for her aspirations, but I wasn't going to bother telling her that she had no way to extort me for support. Still, I could appreciate her effort. She had some good ideas, in any case. I would consider her proposal when it eventually came.

It was a little over two months since I'd left Orzammar by the time we returned. Winter was creeping in and I was rather surprised that the city was still bustling just as much as it had been during the tournament. Faren and I couldn't discern the reason why, but I suspected it was because I had said it made me happy to see the city so busy again. I couldn't have been more wrong.