~*Vigil's Keep, Amaranthine Arling *~

The Keep was bustling as trade came in, free from the worries that plagued them in the past several months. Few waited for the Arlessa, or the dour news from when she left. As they learned, no news was just as well.

Others awaited Anders and Justice's return from the city. Nathaniel awaited both. Having to oversee the events of both trade and his close fellow Wardens, he felt something was amiss.

His Arlessa, he would not know of her and the others' return, but of Anders and Justice, the trip would have been a simple one. The ill feeling that something was wrong, the horses had returned without their riders.

Stopping them with gentle pats, as he looked them over; they stomped, jerked and whinny.

That was most unusual Nathaniel summoned for his horse. "I'll see if I can find them." Nathaniel said as he handed the reins to the stable boy when Varel approached.

The older man warned. "Take a few with you."

With a nod and signal, Nathaniel mounted his steed, and with the others were leaving in haste out of the gates.

Tracking the hoof prints, trampled grass, disturbed upturned earth, burning wood, something foul, along with a plume of smoke that clung like a morning fog.

"Keep your eyes open; there should be no fires in this part of the wood." Nathaniel called out.

"Aye." came from behind him in agreement.

The smell of wood fire mingled with blood, fresh blood. Nathaniel urged his horse on; a patch of scorched earth in one spot. The sun shafts illuminated the space that showed the beheaded body within the large contained area signs of melted metal, singed trees and grasses. Small flames lapped up the air.

"What in the Maker's name…" Nathaniel looked around; beneath him, he looked through the wood as he examined the area. Up, down, his left and right, it was like a sphere; he could not find the starting point.
"Put out the flames and embers, we need it not to spread." He nudged his horse out from the burnt wood to investigate from a different angle. The sound of rustled leaves, feet hitting the ground hurriedly. Nathaniel saw a short way away, someone running from a spot just feet away from where he sat.

He trotted over to the spot that the figure once stood. Seeing a body lay, sadly, he knew the armor, the necklace around his neck. "Justice?" Snapping his head in the direction the figure took off, he knew the fleeing figure, "Anders!"

Nathaniel darted to the men, informing them to gather Kristoff's body, then he sped through the woods to catch up with the blond mage.

"Anders, wait!"

~*The outskirts of the Village of Sellersome*~

Piling into the large covered aravel, after gathering a few extra supplies from the village, the Swiftleaf siblings, Merrill and the Hawke brothers, traveled along the path that led back to Kirkwall, some days after they found Olett. Eager to get back home to inform their mother and younger brother, with Hawke, his mother and sister.

The way they came down the cliff side of Sundermount Lineatus implores that they travel as to not jostle the Hero of Ferelden. It really was the speed with which they traveled down the mountainside without a care in the world that had the man cautiously driving the aravel back to Kirkwall.

The words of Keeper Marethari weighed; his duty is to see the people entrusted to him safe. The House of Swiftleaf children, he is indebted to. Ser Kal'an, Lady Swiftleaf, Lord Okhor, their help to keep his family safe, on the promise to his father. Lineatus urged the horses on, as the city was just in sight.

The thought suddenly dawned on Lineatus. They each had a place to go back to, even if his uncle's home was unwelcoming and cramped. "Merrill?" He looked back at Merrill, who was looking over the scenery.

"Y-yes?" Her thoughts pulled from the sight of the sun and sprawling lands to the man who called her.

"Do you have lodgings? You brought little with you, too." He asked over his shoulder, then back to the road ahead, nodding to a passerby.

Merrill sat quietly. She thought anyone wouldn't bother to ask. Nor did she hold an answer; she had heard of elves living in the city, saw some coming and going on her trips for trade. Never once had she lived outside of her clan. The woods and mountains were her home.

Hawke understood with a nod. A look over in the back of the decorated aravel, the twins held their sister in their arms, Carver nodding off, and again Merrill took to viewing the landscape once again.

~*Lowtown*~

They came to a stop at the docks across the river, continuing on into Lowtown with little difficulty. Children running by giggling, adults selling wares at dotted stalls along the streets.

Carver carried the unconscious sister, cloaked from the eyes of the Marchers, and Ferelden alike.

"We can take her home. Can you meet with us later?" A small spell levitated the elven woman Carver held.
Hawke was insisting it would be no trouble for them to continue ensuring their safety. The twins shook their heads, shooing them away, but to remember to inform them if anything arises.
"Merrill, we shall see you another time. It has been a pleasure meeting you." The twins waved, heading towards Hightown.

Merrill nodded; her wide emerald eyes curiously examined her surroundings and gave a small wave of goodbye. She swallowed, tugging her hood further down. She had once thought the girl named Itarelle would keep her company. Now she felt alone; she sighed then jumped with a hand on her shoulder pulled her from her grief.

"Let's be off." Hawke said, leading her to the elven part of the city.

~*The Elven Alienage, Kirkwall, Month 8 - August*~

The dirt covered streets were busy like the Lowtown streets. The walk from one area to the other took a discernment, a large tree. A tree in the middle of the square, elves like, and not like, herself. They sat chatting, going about their businesses, buying, selling, living.

"Elgar'nan. Is this… is this really where the elves live?" Merrill questioned hesitantly.

The ground was bare; she flinched when she stepped on a pebble. She looked around at Hawke, Carver and a dwarf who met them along the way. Her eyes could hardly believe it. She clutched her satchel, almost afraid to move.

Varric cleared his throat. Nodding as he, too, looked over the area. "Not the prettiest part of Kirkwall, but it doesn't have the view of the giant chains."

Merrill whipped around, eyes wide. "Giant… chains?" had she made a mistake coming here? No, she was doing the right thing. Looking at Hawke realized the dwarf was just being what she found with Hawke, sarcastic. She nodded, looking around, taking tentative steps forward. "I didn't think it would be so… so… I have never seen so many people in one place before." Her eyebrows knitted; she swallowed again. "It seems so lonely." Yes, she felt lonely; her thoughts months ago would have never felt the sudden part of her vanished. Her clan has ostracized her, but she had Keeper Marethari and Itarelle behind her. Now with both gone…

Hawke could see she was trembling, gripping the strap of her satchel to keep her grounded. "You aren't alone. You already know me. Carver, the twins. You'll make other friends soon enough." Hawke offered a smile.

Varric nodded, as well as Carver.

Merrill looked at the human who brought her from the mountains. He considered her a friend. Her mouth opened and closed, then with a wavered sigh, agreed. "Thank you... for everything." Thinking of her purpose in leaving her clan. "For all your help." She smiled; has friends again; that put a light in her heart. She smiled genuinely at Hawke. "You will come visit me? N-not now, of course. But maybe later? Friend?"

Hawke felt at ease. "Of course! Because this is the first smile you have had since we've met."

A laugh erupted from the elf, making her cover her mouth. "Thank you… Oh! I'm thanking you too much, aren't I?" She closed her eyes, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I mean it though." With another smile she let out a breath, turning she looked for a place for her.

Hawke watched as she went into a building, then he, his brother and Varric headed to Hightown.

The three walked, the Hawke's, speaking of the amazing adventure they had outside of the city. Varric laughed, as it sounded too wondrous even for him to retell.

"The twins went to their home; we are heading there now." Carver offered, equally disbelieving he had run on air down a mountainside.

A Templar came towards them, from what Hawke could see, stopped to speak to an elven lady. His fears kicked in; years of having to protect Bethany, he glanced behind him now for the elven girl he just dropped off.

"Please, Ser Thrask! He won't go to the Circle willingly, but it's the only place…"

The Templar looked down; he seemed to struggle between duty and civility. "Mistress, I am sorry. But I can only offer your son mercy if he turns himself in."

"I am trying to find him…" she pleaded.

"The templars do not tolerate apostates."

Hawke was caught staring at the pair. "Oh! I… didn't… heh... Umm." scratching the back of his head.

The elven woman sobbed when the Templar walked away. It was only then Carver and Varric noticed Lineatus was not with them.

Hawke realized his eavesdropping was unwanted. "Forgive me, I meant no offense. Can I offer you a pair of eyes?" Hawke could see the distress in her eyes; he could see if it was his mother missing Bethany.

The sudden realization that there is someone willing to help; she could hardly believe it. "After hearing everything, you would be still willing to help find my son? An apostate? My name is Arianni, my boy is Feynriel… he is all I have, my only family." She sniffed, telling of how her son showed signs of magical abilities.

Lineatus remembered vividly when he and Bethany showed signs. Hawke took the elven mother's hands, giving them a squeeze.

"He has a strong connection to the Fade… it gives him nightmares, dreams of demons speaking to him. I… would rather lose him to the Circle than himself." She wiped a tear away.

Hawke could see she looked exhausted. He rubbed her knuckles and nodded; he knew what it was like hiding a mage.

"The Templars say that leaving a boy like my son untrained endangers the whole city."

"Of course. I'll bring him back to safety. I promise." But she knew that templar; he asked about him and if he was unwilling to assist her.

She smiled through wet tears. "Thank you! I don't know where Feynriel has gone, but there are two places you could search." She stated that Ser Thrask has been helping her look for her boy. "He is stationed in the Gallows. He could tell you what ground he had covered. Then the other place…" she paused, seeming to not want to speak.

"Tell me, you have me curious now." Hawke smiled, tugging lightly on her hand to make her look at him.

With a thin smile she told of the boy's father, how Feynriel may have sought him out. "Vincento had returned recently from Antiva; he is a merchant in Lowtown."

"I will be back soon."

"Brother?" Carver inquired, hearing the last bits of their conversation.

"Go visit Mother. Tell her I'll be home later." Lineatus patted Carver on the shoulder, going back from where they came to the market.

"Huh?" Carver stood confused as he watched his older brother leave.

"I'll keep my eyes on him." Varric added, trotting off after.

Carver threw his hands out, utterly confused. Shaking his head, he went to his uncle's home.