This is the final chapter of Crossing Over. The story of Teagan and Neria will conclude with "Homecoming" which has been completed and Cadsuane has Beta Read it so updates will continue as normal. I hope you will be here for the final chapter in the story! More to come! Thanks for following my story up to now and all the lovely reviews!

Chapter Eleven

They met on the road from Denerim and Amaranthine, almost at the perfect halfway mark between the two cities.

Teagan grinned to see she still rode Eilir and she seemed much more at ease in the saddle than she had when she left Denerim. With a stab of jealousy, he frowned at the approaching riders, noting the young man who rode by her side. What was he to her?

A thousand thoughts ran through his head. How would he explain what had happened? Was she angry? Sad? Happy to see him? Her expression was inscrutable and he had no clue what lay beneath it. He wanted to tell her everything, make it right between them again and tell her how he felt. Would she listen? Or had she already moved on?

He approached her, hopeful, expectant and anxious. She looked so beautiful to him, long red hair in glorious disarray across her shoulders, a look of what he hoped was pleasure at seeing him. Dressed all in gleaming silver chain mail, she looked like some warrior goddess from the bards' tales.

Oh, Maker, please let her understand, he silently prayed.

She paused and said something and the young man with her responded.

When she saw the entourage ahead, Neria thought nothing of it until it got closer and she realized it was Teagan with a company of men bearing unfamiliar colors. There was a woman riding at his side with long, dark hair and rich clothing. She was acutely conscious of how she looked, all dusty and wearing a suit of silverite mail Wade had fashioned especially for her smaller frame. No fine Orlesian silks cloaked her body.

"Maker's breath, it's her, isn't it?" she said. "She's gorgeous. Oh, Nathaniel I can't do this!"

Nathaniel looked at the approaching company and saw the object of Neria's concern.

"Are you kidding? I bet she can't even shoot lightning bolts out of her eyes. Just go talk to him. Let him explain."

"You'll stay with me, right?"

"I'll always have your back, Commander."

Her eyes drank in the sight of him as she walked toward him. Maker's breath, he was so handsome and there was that look of desire in his eyes when he gazed at her that pulled her to him. She wanted to run and throw herself in his arms but was afraid. All her old fears and doubts rose up again.

Her eyes flickered to the woman with him, perfect hair, flawless skin and rich attire, and again, keenly, she felt the disappointment of comparing herself to this woman.

And then they were standing before each other.

He seemed to want to say something, but then frowned. Started and stopped himself again. She felt trepidation rise, fearful that this was it. She clenched her hands into fists trying not to give in to her riotous emotions.

"Just say it, Teagan," she managed to choke past the lump in her throat.

Maker's breath, she wasn't going to cry this time. She would curse them all to the Black City, but she wouldn't give them the satisfaction of crying.

Wordlessly he dug into his pocket and removed a carefully preserved fragment of paper.

She frowned at the burnt piece of paper, and then recognition lit her face.

"Isolde and Eamon burned our letters," he said. "I received none from you. I'm assuming none of mine reached you?"

She shook her head, a bewildering rush of hurt, betrayal, loneliness and sadness raced across her features.

"Maker's breath!" he sighed. "What you must have thought of me. Oh, Neria, I'm so sorry. More than words can express, I am sorry. I wrote you every week, even if there was nothing going on, I still wrote you and I missed you. Please forgive me—I never forgot you and I never stopped wanting you with me."

Her head was reeling with his revelations, and she was fighting tears. He hadn't forgotten her? He still wanted her? And Andraste's tears, he wanted her forgiveness? With a sob, she threw herself into his arms and then began to cry with joy as his arms enfolded her and held her to him.

"Teagan, there's nothing to forgive. I love you so much! I was so afraid you were going to tell me it was over."

He kissed her throat, her cheeks, and her lips. He was so relieved and so happy to have her close again.

"Don't cry, darling," he whispered. "Please don't cry. I won't let you go. Not ever. Please don't cry."

"I'm just so happy I can't help it," she sobbed.

He bent close to her delicately tapering ear and whispered in it.

"I love you, Neria." She pulled back to look at him, hope brimming her eyes and he smiled. "I love you my funny, freckled, silly and wise little mage. I love your courage and your strength and your glorious heart."

"Oh, Teagan, I love you. I love you so much!"

Nearby Regina and Nathaniel stood watching the lovers' reunion and she smiled pensively.

"I thought my competition was little 'Arlessa Mouse.'" She scoffed. "All along, neither of us stood a chance. His heart always belonged to the Hero of Ferelden. What woman can compete with that?"

"She is a tough act to follow," Nathaniel grinned.

Teagan kissed Neria again, not caring who saw, and claimed her for his own.