AS THE CROWS FLY…

"Commander…" Nathaniel Howe winced as he tried to raise himself from the bed in the Palace infirmary.

"Easy, my friend." Bronwen laid a restraining hand on his shoulder and smiled. "The healer says you should be up and about in a few days. I just came to see you before I, well…before I left actually."

"Ah. I had heard." Nathaniel nodded knowingly and rubbed at his shoulder. "There were…rumours."

"Oh?" She feigned a look of ignorance as she alighted on the end of his bed. "What kind of rumours?"

"The kind where the Queen of Ferelden and her son are to be exiled." Nathaniel looked at her from beneath a raised brow. "And yet, you sit here looking remarkably calm and possibly even a little excited by the prospect?"

"I didn't realise it showed." She answered, smiling warmly and then took his hand in hers. "Nathaniel, I told Alistair the truth and as a result…well, later this afternoon I will be leaving with Zevran and our son bound for Antiva."

"I see." Howe shifted uncomfortably and frowned as his cool grey eyes locked onto hers. "I hope you know what you're doing, Commander. The attack in the alley, surely you know those assassins were not there by chance."

"No, but I don't think for one second that Zev was behind it." She suddenly found herself unable to meet his gaze and chewed her lip thoughtfully.

"He may not have instigated it, but he is the Guild Master of the Crows." Nathaniel said quietly, concern adding warmth to his tones. "He must know something."

"Of that I have no doubt." She agreed reluctantly. "But I know Zev. He'd never let anything happen to me or his son. If he does know who tried to have me killed, I expect they've already signed their own death warrant, and if Zev doesn't find them…I will."

"Forgive me, Commander." Nathaniel said as he reached over to push a strand of raven hair from her face. "I suppose I just don't want you to go into this blindly. I've spent some time in Antiva and I know what a nest of vipers that place can be."

"I appreciate the sentiment Nathaniel, but I'm no fool. Anyway, there was something I wanted to say to you before we got side-tracked by Antivan politics." Bronwen sighed as she took his hands in her own. "During that attack, the fact that you were willing to sacrifice yourself for me and my son and that you still care what happens to me means more to me than…well, more than I can ever express in words."

"Please, Commander." It was Nathaniel's time to look away as his skin turned a deep pink. "I have only done my duty by you, as befitting your status as my Queen and my Commanding Officer."

"Really?" She met his awkward gaze and smiled knowingly. "All that running to and fro between Zevran and I…risking your life even though you believed what I was doing was wrong…that was all for duty was it?"

"Maybe not." The Howe rogue admitted, offering up his rare smile. "If I may be so bold…?"

"You may…"

"It is a strange feeling to want to kill somebody for so long, only to end up holding them in your heart as one of your truest friends." He chuckled softly. "Life has a funny way of working out contrary to your expectations, doesn't it Commander?"

"Certainly seems that way." Bronwen suddenly leaned forward and placed a kiss upon his stubbled cheek. "Thank you, for everything."

She slowly rose to her feet and then walked to the foot of his bed.

"Oh incidentally, I'm stepping down as the Warden Commander with immediate effect. I have already sent my resignation to the Senior Members of the Order at Weisshaupt and I have asked them to consider you as my replacement, should you wish to assume the role."

"What?" For the first time during their entire conversation, Howe looked positively shocked. "Why are you standing aside? Surely the King hasn't asked you to do that?"

"He has not." Bronwen confirmed sadly. "But as Commander of the Grey in Ferelden, it would be one of my duties to liaise with him when and where necessary. I have wounded him too deeply, Nathaniel and to keep dropping in after everything we've gone through…it would just be cruel. I will always be a Grey Warden though, and who knows…maybe Antiva is ripe with potential candidates who just need a nudge in the right direction."

"Commander I…I don't know what to say." Nathaniel murmured, looking honoured and embarrassed in equal measure.

"Say nothing until you have thought it through, for it is not a decision to be taken lightly." She pulled a letter from her breastplate. "If you do decide to accept, then this letter contains the details of your outstanding service to the Order and carries my own personal recommendation."

She deposited it on the nearby dresser and then finally moved to the door.

"If you choose another path then I say be well and enjoy your life Nathaniel Howe, for either way I doubt we shall meet again."

"Comm…Bronwen!" He called to her as she moved to step outside the door. "It has been my honour and my privilege to know you. Be happy my Lady, and know that you will be forever in my heart."

"Goodbye Nathaniel Howe. Maker watch over you."

As she closed the door, a single tear slid from her eyes.

Of all the things she was leaving behind in Ferelden, friends it seemed were the hardest to let go.

Yet again, I find myself waiting eagerly at a tradesman's entrance!

Zevran smiled to himself as he perched atop one of the sturdy tables in the lower storerooms of the royal palace. Every now and then one of the servants would bustle through with a crate of foodstuffs on their way to the kitchens and give him such a look…

Ah well, he did always cut such a dashing figure in his armour, after all what was not to like?

Once the drama of the throne room was over, he had been given an hour to collect his belongings from what Alistair had unfairly described as 'whatever dingy tavern had put him up for the night' and to return to the palace to collect the lady.

The Broken Sword was a lot of things but it could never be described as dingy…a little rough around the edges maybe but Aldous had always kept the place clean. He would have been hurt to hear the King's cutting remarks.

No, really!

Anyway, Zevran had been told to wait down here until Bronwen was ready to leave with Alejandro. It seemed that Alistair preferred to have them depart discreetly, an understandable reaction he supposed, after all it would not do to know that the king of Ferelden was a cuckold.

Through his contacts, he had already arranged for a fine carriage to meet them just beyond the palace gates and then they were booked onto an expensive merchant ship that would pick them up at Amaranthine and take them to Antiva in luxury and comfort.

Hmmm…the thought of the Warden rolling around naked beneath him as the ship was rocked by the sea sent shivers of pleasure running up and down his spine. The journey would certainly be a pleasant one and he very much looked forward to the pitch and roll.

Certainly she would have no problems in climbing his mast…

Stimulated by the thought of a long voyage with nothing to do but take in the sea air and enjoy the warm wetness of Bronwen's body as she writhed beneath him, Zevran shifted slightly adjusting his growing erection and then frowned as his hand bumped against the silken hilt of Vigilance.

Ah.

She was most certainly going to ask just how he came to have her sword in his possession…

Braska!

Zevran sighed as he realised he was going to have to tell her about the contract. He had nothing to hide of course, but he wasn't sure how she was going to react when he told her of his little visit to Anora. He would have liked to have spared her this trouble on top of everything she had endured lately but then again, Cesare had arranged the assassination without his knowledge and certainly he would have to deal with him when they returned to the Guild.

There were definitely going to be repercussions and if there was to be another power struggle, then he would rather have her fighting at his side than kept in the dark as a possible target for his enemies or a weapon to be used against him. Cesare had played upon his feelings when it came to Bronwen, used him to get her into the open and into danger and then it had nearly cost her life and the life of their son.

Never again.

Cesare had gone too far and he would pay the price.

At his side, Vigilance began to pulse with energy as if sensing his thirst for vengeance and Zevran looked down curiously at the exquisite dragonbone blade. The storeroom door opened again and he groaned inwardly as whoever had entered paused and seemed unwilling to pass by him.

"Do not mind me, my friend." He muttered, annoyed suddenly by the servant's presence. "I am just waiting for someone."

"You and I should talk."

Zevran's head snapped up quickly as Alistair Theirin closed the door behind him.

"Of course." He replied quickly, uncharacteristically shaken by the presence of the boy king. "I…had expected to see you sooner."

"Matters to attend to." Alistair answered bluntly. "There is a lot to sort out when someone comes along and destroys your life."

Zevran said nothing and merely looked at the former Templar with a carefully neutral expression on his face.

"Nothing to say? That's a first for you." Alistair scowled darkly as he began to pace around the small room. "You don't want to gloat? Don't want to crow about your marvellous sexual prowess with my wife and how you satisfy her in ways I can never imagine?"

"What goes on between the lady and myself is no longer a concern of yours, Alistair." Zevran answered calmly, his amber eyes glinting dangerously as the former Templar flexed his powerful shoulders. "And as you are no doubt aware, I never intended to come between you two."

"Oh please." Alistair sneered. "All those smutty comments at camp, the lingering looks and the blatant flirting. You were trying to get into her bed from the moment she spared your miserable life. I knew I should have killed you when I had the chance."

"Then how fortunate I am that it was her who made the decisions back then and not you."

"And I suppose you protested most sincerely when she made the decision to screw your brains out the moment my back was turned?" Alistair snapped. "You must have really struggled with that one for all of ten seconds."

"Why do you ask?" Zevran answered, gliding to his feet with all the grace of a cat. "Do you have a guilty conscience perhaps? Coupling with the witch was possibly more enjoyable than you thought so now you wallow in self-pity and seek to offload your own unhappiness onto me? Sorry Alistair, my only mistake was in not pursuing the lady ardently enough to spare her this charade of a marriage…"

Alistair was fast.

Zevran could have dodged the blow easily, but instead he took it squarely on the chin and felt his teeth rattling in his jaw as he staggered back against the wall.

"I loved her you bastard!" Alistair yelled, his face turning red. "What I did, I did for love of her, but you…you just wanted a quick fuck to pass the time! I have done nothing but love her since the day we met, but how many have shared your bed since then, huh?"

"It matters not with whom I have shared my bed." Zevran growled, as he reached up to touch the tender flesh of his jaw. "The fact is that on that night we shared a lot more than just our desires…we created a child. What's more, when I felt myself within her I knew I would forever leave a part of my heart in her keeping. Doubt me if you will Alistair. Frankly, I care not…but do not doubt that I love her as much I am capable of loving anyone and I will never ever hurt her."

He suddenly stepped up to the taller man and locked his blazing eyes onto Alistair's accusatory stare.

"And I also promise you this. Anyone that even thinks to harm either my son or my beloved Bronwen in any way will soon find themselves with a blade between their ribs…This I swear."

"Which brings me another point." Alistair stated flatly, unwilling to flinch from Zevran's burning gaze. "It seems that Anora Theirin passed away today. You wouldn't know anything about it I suppose…"

"I was in my room, under guard." Zevran answered with a smile growing across his face. "Then of course, I decided to join you in the throne room. I would have had no reason to visit the old king's widow…unless she had done something to threaten the safety of my family or even that of your Majesty. Then I would be compelled to act in ah, defence of the realm shall we say?"

"I see." Alistair finally looked away and took a deep breath. "The thing is, she seems to have been poisoned, or so the physicians tell me, yet no one recalls seeing anyone suspicious either going into or coming out of her cell. You're telling me that you really have no idea what could have happened to her?"

"Correct me if I'm wrong Alistair, but with Anora's death surely the remnants of Loghain's supporters have finally lost the symbolic figurehead for their opposition to your reign, no?" Zevran shrugged, a wry smile creeping across his face. "Maybe you should be asking your staunchest advisor if he knows anything about the matter. After all, there are those around you who have toiled ceaselessly to secure your throne."

"Are you suggesting that Eamon may have had something to do with her murder?"

"I am suggesting nothing…not least that she was murdered. Tsk tsk tsk."

"Why do I feel like I can no longer trust anybody?" Alistair's eyes narrowed as he slammed a fist into the solid wall behind him.

"Spoken like a true king…" Zevran turned as the door opened and Bronwen stepped into the room cradling his son in her arms. "Ah, my heart. Alistair and I were just…talking."

"I'll bet." She answered shortly, flicking her eyes toward the former Templar. "We are just about ready to leave if you are?"

"Of course, amora. I take it the servants are taking your things to the carriage?"

She nodded stiffly by way of return and he could see the pain in her eyes. Whatever had happened between them, she still had feelings for her husband and this was going to be hard for them both.

"Then I will meet you outside." He offered her a reassuring smile and hoped she saw the love in his eyes before making his way to the exit.

"Goodbye Your Majesty." He called to Alistair as he opened the door to the outside world. "And do not worry, I will look after them."

He didn't hear a reply as the door closed behind him but then again, he had never expected to.

"You're really going aren't you?" Alistair sighed as Bronwen tugged the warm blanket tighter around Alejandro's body.

"Yes…" She answered softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Then there was an awkward silence, that seemed to stretch into an eternity as they sadly contemplated one another.

"I…I've already petitioned the Chantry for the annulment." Alistair blurted suddenly, trying to appear casual. "The formal declaration should reach the Ferelden ambassador in Antiva in a few days then you'll be free to…to marry Zevran, if that's what you're planning."

"I think we may wait a while." She answered, feeling decidedly uncomfortable discussing it with him. "Let things settle a bit."

"I see, I see…" Alistair chewed his lip and then sighed heavily. "What will happen with the baby?"

"He will take his father's name." She felt a sense of pride as she looked into small beautiful face and smiled despite her mood. "Alejandro Duncan Arainai."

"You're keeping his middle name then?" Alistair nodded stiffly. "Good. That's…good. Duncan would be…pleased."

She could have felt his unease from across the other side of the palace and reached out to touch him.

"Alistair, I'm sorry…"

"No." He held up his hand and turned his face from her. "Don't say any more. I think we've said it all by now don't you?"

"I will always care for you." She murmured, her eyes filling with tears. "You mean so much to me, despite everything."

"You know I'd like to think that someday, in another life maybe, we'll meet again." He took a step forward and held her shaking hand in his. "Maybe I won't be a king or even a Grey Warden, but just a man and I'll find you and love you and maybe you'll even love me."

"In another life Alistair, loving you will be so very easy." She gently cupped his stubbled cheek as a single tear escape from his hazel eyes. "I just wish…I just wish…"

"Shhh."

He suddenly pulled her close and wrapped his strong arms around her and the baby as he clutched hem to his chest for the last time. They wept together openly, for all the pain and for everything they had lost and surrendered to the moment as the sands of their lives as man and wife finally ran out.

"I have to go." She whispered, pulling back from him almost reluctantly.

"I know." He replied and then kissed her forehead. "I love you Bronwen Cousland. Whatever happens, know that deep in my heart, I will always love you and the boy who was almost my son. Goodbye, my love."

"Farewell, Alistair Theirin. I will miss you."

As her hand caught upon the door latch, she turned to look at him for one last time before stepping out into the courtyard.

Even as the door closed behind her, Bronwen Cousland knew she would never forget the look that had been on his face…

Or the love that was forever in his heart.

The carriage rocked gently as it made its way along the road to Amaranthine and Bronwen pulled the warm furs inside over her body to shield herself and her baby against the chill that was certain to follow as night fell over the land.

Looking out of the window, she could see that the Ferelden countryside looked beautiful in the snow. Rolling hills of white dotted with farmhouses seemed to stretch on as far as the eye could see and the sky was turning a rich shade of pink as twilight claimed the heavens.

"I will miss this, you know." She sighed, relaxing in the embrace of the Antivan at her side. "But at the same time, there is nowhere else I would rather be than in your arms."

"Oh my heart, such things you say." Zevran's moist lips alighted on hers and she gladly surrendered to his kiss with a passion that warmed her to her core before resting her head on his shoulder.

"You know, I never expected to find love with an elven assassin." She grinned up at him and rolled her eyes. "I knew you were going to be trouble the moment I spared our life."

"You knew I was going to be trouble!" Zevran raised his perfect brows and laughed. "Oh my dear Warden. My life was so much simpler when all I had to worry about was the next kill and in whose bed I was going to sleep that night, but now you have presented me with an entirely new set of dilemmas."

"Such as?" She joked, poking him sharply in the ribs.

"Well, now." He began, clasping his arms about her waist and sliding down into the deep cushions of the carriage seat. "Now I have to be a most excellent father to Alejandro and worry about him growing up, chasing girls or boys, getting into fights and duels of honour…that sort of thing! I also have to make sure that you have everything you could ever desire to make you happy and well, of course I will need to be certain that every night you are as satisfied sexually as a woman can be and this will require a serious amount of dedication on my part. I fear I shall be exhausted before the year is out!"

"Oh, you will tire so quickly?" She smirked, feigning disappointment. "What shall we do then?"

"Then I shall devise lots of new ways to keep you happy, mi amora." Zevran laughed. "It is a terrible task to be certain, but I shall endeavour to keep my end up, as they say!"

He leaned down to place another kiss upon her lips and she sighed deeply as his tongue pushed its way into her mouth. Her body reacted all too well to his attention and Bronwen struggled to keep her mind focused on a question that had been burning in her brain since they had first climbed into the carriage together.

"Zev…" She breathed as he began to kiss the sweep of her jawline and nibble her ears. "I do need to know one thing."

"Yes, my heart…" He practically purred as his tongue made short work of the sensitive skin at her throat.

"Zev, that's…Oh Maker…that's…wait, wait!" She swallowed hard as she felt her will coming undone. "Zev, my love…just how did you get hold of Vigilance?"

The effect was like pouring ice water over the Antivan.

"Ah…err, yes well…" He sat upright and looked at her with his most sincere expression. "That does require some explanation."

Bronwen failed to hide the amusement from her eyes as she watched him squirm under her scrutiny, although it was at this point that Alejandro began to cry insistently in her arms.

"Well done my son!" Zevran exhaled loudly. "Already you learn the techniques of distracting a lady!"

Bronwen rolled her eyes as she lifted a plump breast from beneath her soft dragon hide armour and presented it to the hungry babe. With a smile she recognised from the handsome face of his father, he latched onto her nipple and began to drink as Zevran looked on proudly.

"He is most certainly his father's boy!" The elf grinned, stroking Alejandro's soft black hair. "Though I am feeling a little peckish myself. If I could just place my lips on your other breast…"

"No you may not!" Bronwen exclaimed, mock horror on her face as she playfully slapped his hand away. "Besides, you were about to tell me how you came to be in possession of my sword."

"My heart, it is a long story and maybe not a pleasant one in the telling."

"We have plenty of time, Zev. The rest of our lives actually…but for now, just start at the beginning."

"Well, it began with a meeting of the Guild…"