Standing by the window Anora adjusted the material of her dress, as though to smooth out the agitation and tension of her body. It was late afternoon and she felt exhausted by the events unfolding around her. She straightened at the knock, turning as a servant entered announcing Arl Howe.

"You sent for me your Majesty."

"I did, thank you for coming so swiftly."

"Of course."

"I would prefer my father to be present, but I feel this matter could not wait."

"I will help in any way I can, of course."

"Tell me of the Alienage."

"Your Majesty gave the order to lockdown the Alienage to prevent the spread of the blight sickness. What else do you wish to know?"

"I would know who the Tevinter healers are and how they so fortuitously came to be here." She noticed the flicker of his eyes, but he kept a neutral expression. "I know that Arl Vaughan met them from the ship and took them to the estate. I have heard they have set up a hospice to apparently treat the sickness, despite the lockdown. I am curious as to why I was not informed."

"Perhaps your Majesty, Arl Vaughan would be better placed to answer your questions. After all, Denerim is his responsibility and as you noted yourself, he met them from the ship."

"Perhaps he would be here in your place, but for one other matter."

Howe glanced at the letter she was holding in her hands. "Might I ask what that is, your Majesty."

"This Rendon, is apparently a letter from my father giving permission for slavers to remove the elves."

Frowning Rendon met her piercing gaze. "How did you come to have that?"

"I hardly think that is the important part of this. So, I will ask you once and I suggest for your own sake you answer truthfully. What do you know about this?"

Rendon met her gaze and realised the Queen was a liability he could ill afford, but he needed to stall any action she might take until the matter could be dealt with as planned. "In truth your Majesty, your father wanted you kept out of this."

"My father would never be involved in slavery."

"He had reason."

"What possible reason …"

"The location of Maric."

Anora stared at him in shock. "Explain yourself!"

Rendon sighed deeply. "I warned Loghain it was foolish to keep this from you. When he returned from searching for Maric the coffers were depleted, but I had contacts in the Free Marches and they have contacts throughout Thedas. I traded some favours and leveraged a little good will and finally a line of investigation bore fruit. A Tevinter Magister knows Maric's whereabouts, but in return for the information he did not want coin, land or other forms of trade we could offer him other than this. It is distasteful I know, but given the condition in the Alienage's and with the blight, the elves traded for Maric's location will have a better life in Tevinter."

Anora shook her head. "They will be slaves."

"And yet they will have a better quality of life."

"You cannot know that! So where is Maric?"

"The information will be given at the final transaction."

Anora stared at him. "You traded people and you do not even have the location yet? How do you know they will give it, what proof do you have that this is even real?"

"I trust my contacts."

"Are you asking me to believe my father agreed to this out of hope that the location would be given once enough elves were traded?" Her father was desperate to have Maric found, but she could not believe he would be part of this.

"Anora." Rendon stated gently. "I have known your father for a very long time. We know what it is to do terrible things for the good of the country. Cailan is gone and while you are a skilled Queen, your position would be secured if you have Maric's support. Your father and I both know this and we want our friend back. Think what you will of me, but do not think badly of your father, Maric's loss affected him deeper than most."

Anora straightened slightly, realising with relief that her father had had no part in it. He knew Cailan was alive and she doubted Rendon had mentioned anything of Maric to him, this was a fall-back plan if the slavers were discovered. The letter seemed to feel heavier in her hands. "We cannot condone slavery Arl Howe, not even for Maric."

"I believe this is why your father kept you out of it. You have too sensitive a nature for such things."

"It is not my sensitive nature, but my moral code that is offended by this. A moral code instilled into me by my parents! You participated in slavery Rendon! Maker, how could you think that was right in any circumstances. After everything our people went through in the occupation to gain our freedom, I never imagined any citizen of Ferelden would resort to this."

"Maric is out there somewhere and it is our duty to do everything we can to bring him home, no matter how distasteful the method."

"Arl Howe, understand me, I will never believe my father was a part of this. He has always fought for freedom, he has always carried out his duty to his people and he would not set that down, not even for Maric!"

"And where has it got him?" Rendon snapped. "His parents slaughtered, his wife murdered, Maric lost, Cailan dead and his own son, your brother, almost butchered by the Darkspawn. Not to mention the Orlesian army on our doorstep waiting for us to run to them for rescue, or take over when there is not enough of us left to put up a fight."

Anora stared at him, grief gripping her heart. "It is because of all of them that I know my father would never be a part of this. I cannot shield you from this, you will have to answer for what you set in motion here. No matter your motivation, Rendon, this was not right."

"Then you also condemn your father, your Majesty." He saw her eyes flit to the letter. "It is no forgery and destroying it would solve nothing. You may not be willing to trade the elves for Maric, but would you save them and condemn your father? Think on it, your Majesty, I would hate to see your father destroyed due to your sensitivities."

Anora watched him leave, frustration and fury almost choking her; turning to Erlina as she slipped from her hiding place. "I cannot believe he would create such a lie!"

"It is a believable one, people would accept your father would do anything to have Maric returned."

"How could he betray father in this way, they are friends!"

"Arl Howe is playing many games, perhaps he is not master of them all."

Worrying at her lip Anora nodded. "I pray my father returns by evening. Maker, how am I to tell him that one of his oldest friends is using him as a shield in such a scheme?" She met Erlina's gaze and sighed. "You were right, I should have waited for him to return."

"I suspect he would have had another version of the story ready if it was your father who had confronted him. We must keep the letter safe; he might send someone to attempt to retrieve it before your father returns."

xXx

Heading out of the Palace, Rendon clenched into fists his trembling hands. He had bought some time he was sure, in reminding her it would be her father who would pay if she revealed what was happening. He would however have to put his plan in motion earlier than expected. He moved swiftly back to Vaughan's estate, hurrying down to the dungeons.

Eloen turned sharply as the door burst open, stepping away from the young man now unconscious in the seat, her experiments were proving most informative. "My Lord, Oswyn is not yet ready."

Rendon glanced in contempt at Bann Sighard's son. "I care nothing for him. It is time, the Queen must be dealt with before Loghain's return. In fact, it must be done tonight."

Eloen nodded. "As you wish, my Lord."

xXx

Stifling a yawn, Loghain shivered as a gust of icy wind tugged at his hair and cloak, they were still several hours from Denerim and it was already starting to get dark. He thought of the comforts of his own bed and smiled slightly, shaking his head. "Maker, I'm getting old." He grumbled, glancing at Cauthrien wondering how she always managed to look so alert when he felt so tired. Her youth of course, but even after a hard fight she looked as though she could go immediately into another. "We will go straight to the palace, I wish to see my daughter."

Nodding Cauthrien was careful to conceal her frown. They had found no trace of Darkspawn and perhaps more disturbingly none of the scouts who had apparently sent word of the sightings. The villagers closest to the area that had been identified were mystified having seen neither. A bad feeling had been gnawing at her gut since they had left and she had been as eager to return as the General. They had left soldiers to continue to comb the area, but they had all agreed with no sign of the blight or Darkspawn, the General was needed in Denerim. "I am sure she will be glad to see you." She chuckled at his snort. They continued on at a steady pace the horses already tired from the fast pace they had set to get this far.

xXx

Leaning against the wall, Erik subtly watched the Champion, anger souring his gut. Before William had come to the city everything had been fine, elves knew their place and those who didn't, well they were dealt with. He hated elves, would like to run them all out of the city, but Kara had a soft spot for them. He had worked hard to prove himself to join her Company, had learned to hold his tongue and keep his face neutral when she went on about the elves as though they were real people. She had no idea he was Vaughan's eyes and ears, now there was a man who knew how to deal with elves and the coin he received from Vaughan sweetened the deal. Of course, he wouldn't let any harm come to Kara, she had some disappointing views on the elves, but in her own way she was good to him. The Champion however was another matter. He had changed everything, trained the elves to fight, put weapons in their hands. He was a danger to decent folks' way of life and he had to be stopped. Gawain seemed to be a bodyguard of sorts, never far from him, but surely Harris and the others could subdue two men. He had overheard he was meeting with a representative of the Mages Collective and had ensured he was outside when he left the meeting. They were both wearing cloaks, the hoods pulled up and he knew he had to be quick, he didn't have the skill to track them. He forced his expression to reflect concern and hurried over, identifying himself as he approached seeing their cautious looks. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but I thought you should know, I heard Harris and that thug Jerad he hangs around with, talking about going to cause trouble with Moria tonight. I know from hearing Kara talk about her that you're a friend of hers."

Jayden felt fury rise in him, acknowledging the risk, but knowing he could not leave Moria at the hands of Harris and his current associate.

"I was on my way to tell Kara, given Moria lives on our patch, but I knew you would be here and I could get here faster. I thought you might want to deal with them yourself."

Jayden nodded to Gawain, making a mental note to find out just how many of Kara's people knew about his movements. "Thank you, Erik."

"Of course, I would have tried to stop them myself but Harris is … well and three against two are better odds."

"I know him all too well, you did the right thing."

They moved quickly through the streets, speed essential, but having to ensure no-one saw them. Jayden's heart was pounding with anxiety by the time they reached Moria's house. He frowned, it was quiet and no-one was hanging around outside. Moving to the house he listened at the door before knocking sharply. He knocked again when there was no answer. Hearing the faint noise of bolts being drawn back, Jayden stepped back to avoid the sweep of Moria's stick as the door suddenly opened.

"What business do you have knocking on my door at this time of night?" Moria stopped when she realised who it was. "William!" She moved forward hugging him tightly. "Come in, your friends too."

"I will keep a lookout." Erik stated, moving to a secluded spot, Gawain doing the same.

"Trouble?"

"Maybe." Jayden stated, following her inside. "Erik overheard Harris saying he was going to cause you some trouble tonight. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

"I'm fine lad. Sit down, tell me how you are." Putting on the kettle to boil she looked him over. "Reckon you have had some rough times."

"We are in a blight Moria."

"Aye well there is that of course." She settled in her chair next to him. "What about that young lady you are supposed to marry?" She raised an eyebrow at the scowl that crossed his face. "Well I reckon that about says it all."

"I will never marry into that family." Jayden growled.

Leaning forward Moria met his gaze unwavering as he gained command of the hate he couldn't hide. "So, it's bigger than just your lost love and a woman you don't want to marry then."

"Yes." Jayden muttered.

"But you don't want to talk about it."

"I can't and that's the truth, at least not yet."

Nodding Moria rose and made them some tea, easing back into her chair and watching him. "So, I keep my ear to the ground for news of you and I didn't even know you were in the city."

"And you can't tell anyone Moria. You wouldn't have known I was here if I hadn't thought you might be in danger."

"Well, I appreciate it, but I'm fine and a few of the neighbours, well they aren't so bad and we look out for each other. It's your doing with your trading and badgering people." She smiled at his soft chuckle. "So, whose way are you keeping out of that you have to pretend you aren't here?" She sighed at his look. "Well, aren't you being tight lipped."

"It's necessary."

"I imagine it is." She took a sip of her tea sighing in contentment. "I reckon I'm safe enough and I know you aren't foolish enough to suggest I leave my own home because of that thug." She gestured to the new bolts on the door. "Ingram's son fitted them. Nice lad, brought me some firewood too. Reckon he's aiming to take your place being helpful around here."

Jayden smiled slightly. "I will keep an eye out for a while, but hopefully Harris won't show."

"If he does, I will give that fool a sound thrashing." Moria thumped her stick for emphasis.

Grinning, Jayden stood and gently hugged her. "I will see you again when I can."

"You watch yourself." She gently patted his cheek, clearing her throat. "I can't imagine there are much worse things than dealing with Darkspawn, but just watch your back, you know as well as I, Denerim has a mean side."

"I'll be careful." Stepping out Jayden waited until he heard the bolts pushed into place and glanced around. It was still quiet. He climbed onto a spot on a roof nearby to wait, but an hour later there was still no movement. He only headed to ground level when Erik moved from his post.

"Sorry Will, it must have just been drunk talk."

"No problem, better safe than sorry. Where was Harris when you overheard him?"

"They were hanging outside of the Gnawed Noble Tavern. I couldn't say if they were going in or out, I just assumed they were coming here. Listen, I need to check in with Kara soon …"

"Of course, we will wait a little longer and then if they don't show we will head up to the tavern, maybe cut off trouble before it gets here. I would be grateful if you would let Kara know where we are."

"Of course." Erik headed in the direction of the base congratulating himself, it had been easier than he had anticipated. Making sure he wasn't being followed he took a quick detour finding Harris waiting for him.

"Where have you been? It's bloody freezing."

"I had to make it believable, we've been watching Moria's place for the last hour or so, they are still there."

"Right." He frowned as Erik caught his arm.

"Then they are heading up to the Gnawed Noble Tavern, that's where I said I heard you. It's closer to Vaughan's and will reduce the time you might be seen with him."

Harris smirked slightly. "Me and the lads will be waiting."

Erik smiled to himself as he headed back to base. "About time you got what's coming to you."

xXx

Easing off her shoes, Anora gave a soft sigh, vowing never to put them on again. They had been comfortable enough at the start of the day, but she could feel a blister threatening on her heel, smiling as Erlina tucked them out of sight. "Perhaps tomorrow I will contact my brother, arrange another meeting with him."

"Is that wise?"

"No of course not, but after everything I have a real chance of making things right with him. Besides I am worried about him, he is too thin, too tired and he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders." She sighed deeply. "Why didn't I just believe him all those years ago Erlina, or why didn't I at least attempt to support him?"

"You believed the Witch of the Wilds was using him for her own ends, who is to say she was not."

Sinking down in front of the mirror on the dressing table she gazed at her reflection. "I need to be a better sister, a better wife, a better Queen." She turned as the door opened startled to see an elven woman enter, clearly a servant by her clothing, but certainly one she had never seen before. Getting to her feet she realised in shock she couldn't move. She saw Erlina out of the corner of her eye, dagger in hand, but just as frozen.

Shutting the door Eloen took a step towards them. "I would introduce myself, but I suspect there is no need. Unless you are a fool you will know Arl Howe sent me, you have become far too troublesome for him. It was foolish of you to confront him about the slavers. This might not have happened so soon had you held your tongue, but it truth it would always have been necessary." She smirked knowing neither woman could speak, seeing the rage and frustration in their eyes. "Did you think all my magical ability was in altering the mind?" Eloen chuckled softly. "I was a good student; I learnt many forms of magic before my mentor showed me the power inherent in blood. Shame you didn't think about that when you wore those pretty necklaces, not that they can help you now. I had them changed for nothing more than trinkets a little while ago." She moved to Anora. "Now, I will allow you your voice, but if you scream, if you shout, I will make sure Erlina pays the price, do you understand?" Smiling, she released the spell preventing Anora from speaking.

"You condone slavery of your own kind?"

"My kind are mages! What do I care for those of you without magic, you hate me without even knowing me. This whole country could be enslaved and I would care nothing of it. My kind have been enslaved for centuries! My kind are tortured and abused by those said to protect us. You let mages suffer, you are Queen and you gave no thought to us. You do not deserve to be Queen. I have heard you believe yourself a great player of the Game. How does it feel to be taken down by someone you see as less than nothing?"

"What is it that you want?"

"What I want is a Kingdom interested in the fate of its mages, rulers who protect us from the Templars. What I want is freedom for my people. To never have a child forced from his or her family just because they have magic."

"And what does the Arl want?"

"Power, isn't that what everyone wants?"

"And what power is it exactly he thinks I can give him?"

"I am afraid you are not part of his plan."

"Then why are you here if not to interfere with my mind?"

"I am here to ensure you cannot interfere with his plans. It is Arl Howe's intention to put Andraste's Champion on the throne." She smiled at Anora's astonishment.

"What could that possibly gain him?" She sucked in a sharp breath in realisation. "His daughter would be Queen."

"Indeed." Eloen leaned closer to her ear, feeling the Queen shiver at their proximity. "Shall I tell you my own plans?" She smirked, invoking the spell once more to keep Anora silent. "As Andraste's Champion and King of Ferelden, your dear brother will have access to every noble and Royal house, or at least enough to enable me to ensure I have access to the rest and even the Divine herself. He will be my puppet. With my magic I will pull his strings in whichever direction I please. There is nothing you can do for him, your Majesty, I just wanted you to know his life will never be his own, he will do my bidding every day of his life. I will control him utterly." Eloen saw the Queen's grief and felt only fury, tormented by the deaths of those she loved, being ripped from her clan as a child, all she had suffered at the hands of the Templars. She wanted to hurt Anora as much as she was hurting. "You know the threat against your brother was never real." She smirked at Anora's shock and horror. "Arl Howe simply needed a way to convince your father to agree to a marriage between his son and Delilah. So much time lost, time you will never get back and now you will never see him again. If you had given any thought to mages, if you had even for one moment tried to protect us from the abuse we suffer at the hands of Templars I would have fought for your life, but you are nothing and with you gone mages will stand a real chance at freedom." She turned sharply as Zarina entered the room, Anora's supper on a tray in her hands, the Crow's eyes widening, a strangled cry leaving her lips as she stood, unable to move, though through compulsion and not a paralysis spell. "Ah my dear Zarina, close the door please." She turned to Anora. "Zarina has been so helpful, replacing your amulets, not that she was in control of what she was doing of course." She smiled at Anora's fury before turning to Erlina. "I have been informed that you are not quite as you seem to be, that you are in fact the Queen's protector, that you would ensure she lives even if that meant dying yourself. I am afraid today you fail in that mission. Of course, the General will assume this was an Orlesian plot all along, and if he does not, he will be encouraged to believe it, he would never imagine his dear friend would have anything to do with the death of his daughter." Eloen took her atheme and drew it across her palm drawing on the power in her blood. "Now first of all Erlina, bring me the letter regarding slavery, I am sure you know where it is."

Anora watched in despair as Erlina moved to the where the letter was hidden, retrieving it and handing it to the mage. She saw the agony in her eyes and felt tears burn, this was her fault. If she had waited until her father had returned, or acted sooner and contracted the Crows to assassinate the mage and even the Arl, the consequences to those events would have been easier to accept.

Smiling Eloen tucked the letter into a pocket and met Erlina's furious gaze, smirking at the weapon in her hand that she could see all too clearly, she was desperate to use. "Now, when I tell you to Erlina, you will take that dagger of yours and kill the Queen. You will then open the window and jump out. Zarina shall witness your terrible betrayal and call the guards, too late for either of you of course. Now do you understand the power I wield your Majesty; how pathetic you are next to me? You thought you had power; this is true power!"

Anora felt fear and grief surge through her body, knew there would be no help and this was truly her end and Erlina's. Regret flared, all the games, the hurt and manipulation meant nothing. She wished only that she could speak one last time to Cailan, tell him that she loved him and that she could save her brother from the fate Arl Howe had in mind for him. 'Holy Andraste, if my brother is truly your Champion, I beg you to protect him from Howe's treachery'.

Erlina continued to struggle against the magic Eloen had ensnared her with, but the amulet was false and she could no more fight it now than she had before. All of this time and the enemy had been disguised as a family friend. She had failed and it was a cold pit of despair in her stomach. She prayed the General would know in his heart that she would never betray them and that Mother Dorothea would also know the truth. She swallowed painfully, she had accepted long ago her death may come at any moment, but it being used to further Howe's plans and create more anger towards Orlais was a torment.

Eloen met Anora's gaze noting with satisfaction her fear, hesitating for a moment at the rush of power it gave her. Seeing herself in the mirror she was startled by the look on her own face; one she had seen on Templars moments before they carried out their terrible abuse. She clenched her fists. This was necessary, this was for Jowan and Anders, for every mage who had suffered or died just because of their magic. She steeled herself, if she had been this strong in the Circle, Jowan and Anders might still be alive and she would not falter. Jayden as King meant freedom for mages, no matter Howe's plans and for that Anora had to die. She paled as the images of Anders and Jowan appeared beside her in the mirror, their eyes filled with sorrow. She heard their whispers pleading with her to stop before the woman they had known and loved was truly lost. "I am doing this for you." She whimpered, her chest feeling in agony as she struggled to breathe.

Erlina caught Anora's gaze, the pair struggling against the magic hoping with the mage distracted by Maker knew what inner demons, they had a chance to gain their freedom.

"I have to do this." Eloen muttered. "It is the only way." She swallowed painfully as the images faded from the mirror along with their distressed whispers. She turned to Erlina seeing the pleading in her eyes. "Kill her as quickly and painlessly as you are able." It was the only compromise she could bring herself to make.

Unable to fight the magic, Erlina's gaze locked with Anora's as she walked towards her, each desperately trying to see in the other a way out.

Anora took a steadying breath and gave the air of confidence that had seen her through on days when she feared she would crumble. If this was her death then she would not cower. She felt Erlina's hand on her arm and then the brief pain as steel drove into flesh, praying in death she would be reunited with her mother.

Erlina inwardly screamed in agony, her hands shaking as she gently laid Anora back onto the bed, her vision blurred by tears. Quick and as painless as possible was no consolation to the terrible act she had been forced to commit and the betrayal of her oath. She had to somehow escape the magic, Loghain had to be told the truth and warned of the danger to his son, but her body was again moving, commanded by a will that was not her own. She watched in horror as her own fingers released the latch before she was standing on the window seat. She clung to the stone trying to stop herself from moving feeling the magic tighten around her. She glanced back at Anora, tears slipping down her face. 'Forgive me'. She looked at Zarina who was staring at her in horror before she stepped off the ledge. The air rushed around her before the all too quick plummet was over.

Eloen turned to Zarina. "In a moment you will start to scream, oh and Zarina, I was never here." She slipped quickly out of the room just another elven servant in the palace, silent and unseen as the panicked cries of servants and guards began.

xXx

Author Note: Thank you for reading, it is always appreciated.