I owe my readers a HUGE apology for my absense! It has been a difficult couple of months, and I let my writing slide while dealing with everything else.

Now I am back with a vengeance, and can't wait to share my chapters with you! All the stories will hopefully be updated in the next week!

I owe a tremendous thank you to all those who read and favorited this story! You brought such happiness to a dark time!

To my reviewers - voltagelisa, zevgirl, minshe, naomis8329, Liso66 and wildcat717 - I could not love you guys more! Your kind words made me want to continue!

Lisa, you have been my rock and salvation during a very difficult time. Never have I had a friend like you! Thank you for having faith in me when I had none in myself! Je t'aime beaucoup, ma soeur!

We pick up where we left off so long ago... with Anna on the ground, poisoned...

"Holy Andraste!" Aveline cried, turning quickly to the man who was rushing to her side. "Donnic, get Merrill!" she exclaimed. Nodding quickly, the soldier dashed from the hall; several of his men in tow.

Aveline turned her attention back to Nate, and he could clearly see the tears glistening in her eyes. "It will take them awhile to get back with the only mage I trust to care for Anna," she said, her voice filled with distress. "Is there anything we can do to keep the poison at bay until she arrives?"

Nate stared down at Anna's pale face; his heart racing in his chest. He pulled open her eyes and saw the small broken blood vessels that surrounded the emerald irises. Suffocation! he thought, quickly pulling open her lips to examine the pale gums beneath them.

"Damn it all!" he exclaimed, once more gazing up at the panicked Guard Captain. "It's Quiet Death! We may not have time for your mage to arrive. I am such a fool! I should never have come without my herb pouch!"

"There is a complete collection of medicinal herbs in the Viscountess' private study." Nate recognized the voice as belonging to the elf from Anna's mansion and gazed up into Fenris' dark eyes. "I have kept it fully stocked since Anna took control of the city. I knew something like this would eventually happen."

Nodding quickly, Nate pulled Anna into his arms and stood, cradling her head against his shoulder. Even in the midst of the crisis at hand, his stomach flipped at the feel of her warm body against his own. "Take me there immediately!" he ordered. "We have no time to spare!"

He followed Fenris through a labyrinth of hallways and into an ornate study; filled to the ceiling with oaken bookcases and storage cabinets. Placing Anna gently on a nearby settee, he motioned for Aveline to come to her side. "Keep her warm," he instructed, gesturing at her exposed arms. "We have to keep her blood circulating. Rub her limbs vigorously while I get the antidote prepared. It shouldn't take me long if you have the stock I need." Aveline dropped to her knees at Anna's side and began massaging her biceps; her tears falling silently on her friend's ornate gown.

Fenris led him to the potion cabinet and pulled open the enormous doors. Nate was astonished by the sheer volume of herbs and prepared tonics that were stored within. Fenris hadn't been exaggerating when he said he had planned for this event. There was enough inventory available to save an entire army from attack.

Glancing over the shelves, Nate grabbed several bags of herbs and a few vials of viscous liquid. He rushed to a nearby table and began mixing the ingredients in an empty bowl. As he worked, he called over his shoulder to Aveline, "How is she?"

"I don't know!" Aveline cried, still furiously rubbing her hands over the Viscountess' torso. "She feels colder than when we entered the room and her lips are really turning blue!"

A few seconds more and Nate rushed to Anna's side; the bowl filled with a sickly brown liquid. "Tilt her head back and open her mouth!" he ordered, and Aveline quickly complied. He slowly poured the fluid into her mouth while gently massaging her neck; ensuring that she swallowed every drop.

Nate took Anna's head in his hands and stared down at her pallid cheeks, looking for any sign that the antidote was working. As he waited he prayed. Maker, please don't let her die. Kirkwall needs her. And though he knew he could never admit it, a second thought came unbidden to his mind. I need her…

"Aveline?" Nate glanced at the study doorway as a small, pale elven woman raced into the room; the Guard Captain's husband in tow. He quickly moved out of her way as the mage reached Anna's side. Her hands glowed brightly as she ran them over Anna's chest; her eyes closed tightly in concentration.

The room was silent, except for the sound of the elf's chanting. The minutes felt like years as the companions waited for any sign of recovery from the unconscious woman on the settee. Finally, with a bright flash of white light, the elven song stopped. A low moan escaped Anna's lips, and Nate released the breath he didn't even realize he'd been holding. He slowly moved toward the settee and kneeled at Anna's side; gently taking her hand in his.

Behind him, Merrill and Aveline exchanged pointed glances and smiled. Donnic had given Merrill the gossip about Nate and Anna on their way to the manor and she was anxious to get to know the new ambassador better. Now, having seen the way he seemed to care for her closest friend, the mage couldn't help but wonder if the prayers of Annabella's companions were finally being answered.

Anna groaned as though in immense pain and her eyes slowly opened. As the room around her came into focus, her eyes met Nate's and she half-heartedly smiled. The small gesture struck him like a knife in the heart.

"I… what… Nate…" she choked, swallowing painfully in an attempt to rehydrate her mouth. Nate placed his fingers on her lips to quiet her and looked over his shoulder at the broadly smiling elven mage.

"She needs water," he said quietly. Before Merrill could move, Fenris was at the ambassador's side; a tall glass of water in his hand. Nate reached for the glass, but the elf shook his head; a deadly look in his eyes. Without comment, the Warden backed away; allowing Fenris to take his place at Anna's side.

Fenris placed his arm under Anna's back and gently pulled her into his lap. He held the glass to her mouth and poured a small amount of water between her parted lips. "Slowly, Anna," he whispered softly as he pulled the glass from her face. "I almost lost you and I have no intention of allowing it to happen again; especially not to your own overzealousness with a glass of water." A gentle smile formed on her lips as she gazed up at the elf, and Nate felt the first stirrings of jealousy enter his heart.

I have no right, he chastised himself. The directive, however well intentioned, didn't change the gnawing pain in his gut.

A sudden commotion drew all attention to the hallway. "If you don't let me in that room right now, I will spill your insides all over this fancy, gold-trimmed hallway!" an angry voice called from beyond the door.

"Varric," Merrill explained, looking over at Nate. "I will handle this." The elven mage approached the door and opened it, stepping into the hallway. Her voice, though quiet, could be easily heard by the remaining occupants of the room.

"I don't think violence is necessary, Varric," she scolded the unseen arrival. "These nice men are just doing their jobs. Now come inside before you get yourself arrested!"

The door opened and Nate gazed down at the flustered dwarf that preceded Merrill into the room. He quickly scanned the space; his gaze coming to rest on Fenris and the recovering woman he still held in his arms. "Anna!" Varric cried as he moved to her side and knelt down; briefly running his fingers through her hair. His eyes flashed to Fenris questioningly and the elf slowly nodded. Releasing a deep sigh of relief, Varric sat back on his heels and smiled.

"I hope you realize how very angry I am with you," he said, his voice slightly shaking. "You throw the most exciting social event of the season, from everything I have been told, and you don't invite me? I may have to rethink my devotion to you, you know."

Anna sat up, with help from Fenris, and smiled at Varric. When she spoke, Nate noted that her voice had regained some of its strength. "Well, far be it from me to put a stain on your social status," she began wryly. "I will have to make sure you receive a front row seat to the next attempt on my life." She fell back against Fenris, as if the very act of speaking drained what little energy she'd regained.

Fenris rose from the floor, Anna still in his arms, and placed her back on the settee. "I will get you something to eat," he said, his hand lingering on her arm. "Do not move from this spot. Have I made myself clear?"

"Crystal," she replied, winking at him. As he turned to leave, she reached up and grabbed his elbow. "Thank you, Fenris." The briefest of smiles curved his lips as he nodded and walked from the room. As the door shut behind him, Merrill moved back to Anna and ran her hands over the Viscountess' torso, nodding slowly as she did so.

"You'll be fine," she said softly, the smile once more brightening her eyes. "Though you will need to rest for a few days to regain your strength."

"Thank you, Merrill," Anna said. "How lucky I am to have such a wonderful healer at my disposal."

Merrill laughed, glancing back at Nate. "While I would love to take credit for your recovery, your thanks should be directed to the new ambassador from Ferelden. It was his quick wit and knowledge of herbs that saved your life."

Before Anna could reply, Varric moved to Nate and clapped him solidly on the shoulder. "Well, it appears that there is at least one Warden who isn't deserving of a slow, painful death," he said. The look in his eyes told Nate that the dwarf would take great pleasure in providing that death to Anders.

"Varric..." Merrill began, her eyes darting quickly to Anna.

"It's alright, Merrill," Anna said quietly as Fenris returned to the room; carrying a tray of assorted meats and cheeses. "Varric has never hidden his feelings about Anders and he has every right to his opinion; no matter how violent or inappropriate."

"Here," Fenris said, placing the tray of food in Anna's lap. "Eat." Turning away, he motioned for Varric to follow him from the room.

"We need to speak," he said quietly, and his tone left no room for debate.

"We're coming, as well," Aveline said, pulling Merrill along behind her. Bran followed the women, but not before stopping at the settee and bending down to kiss Anna on the forehead. He whispered something in her ear that made her blush, gently caressed her cheek and headed for the corridor; giving Nate a final glance before quietly shutting the door behind him.

The room fell into silence as the remaining duo gazed at each other. With a soft sigh, Anna spoke.

"Please come and join me," she said, motioning toward the chair at her side. "Fenris left me enough food for an entire army, and I have no doubt that he expects me to clean the tray. I would be forever in your debt if you would help."

Nate chuckled and approached the settee, grabbing two mugs of water on the way. He passed one to Anna before taking a seat in the soft leather chair. The couple ate their meal in silence, both trying to decide where to begin their conversation.

"So, was your first night in Kirkwall everything you imagined it would be?" Anna asked as she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth nervously. "Life is never dull here, you know."

"I must admit," Nate replied, "I was flattered to have such a beautiful woman fall at my feet. However, I would prefer that fall to be from my immeasurable charms and not as a reaction to a deadly poison."

Nate's eyes widened when Anna reached over and took his hand in her own. "Nate," she began, a slight blush creeping into her cheeks, "I don't know how to even begin to tell you how grateful I am for your actions this evening. 'Thank you' seems so inadequate."

Nate gently squeezed her hand. "Anna, you don't need to thank me," he replied. "I am so glad I was able to aid you when you needed it. Besides, it was the meticulous planning by your elven protector that made it all possible. His collection of medicinal herbs is nothing short of amazing."

"Fenris is nothing if not thorough," she said, chuckling softly. "Normally I would say he was being overprotective. However, in light of the events of this evening…"

"They will try again, you know," Nate interrupted and Anna felt the shudder of rage that passed through him. "Whoever made this attempt on your life will not stop simply because we foiled this plan. We need to increase your security and keep you away from the general public until the responsible party can be apprehended."

Anna shook her head and pulled her hand back. "No," she said defiantly. "I will not be kept in isolation while others put themselves in danger on my behalf."

"That is exactly what you will do!" Nate argued. "Do you have any idea what the attack tonight did to your friends? To your supporters? Do you want to put them through that again?" He didn't add the affect her near-death had on him. He'd been sent in part to protect her, and on his first night he was almost too late to save her.

For the first time in many months, Annabella Hawke was speechless. She stared at the furious ambassador, shocked at the passionate way in which he spoke of the attack on her life. This can't be happening, she thought. Nate had only been in Kirkwall for one day, and she was already wondering what it would be like to feel his arms around her; his lips slowly tracing the curve of her neck...

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she gazed down at her hands. "I know it must have been horrible for them," she began softly, "and I am sorry that they were forced to endure it. Maker, I wish I hadn't had to endure it, either. However, I have never had the ability to stand aside and let others handle my problems. I face them head on, regardless of the outcome. I can't change who I am now, Nate. Not for anyone."

The smile that spread across his face was the last thing Anna expected to see. Once again, the Fereldan ambassador had taken her completely by surprise. "Fine," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. "We will do this your way. However, I want to make one thing perfectly clear. From this moment on, until such time as your Guard Captain apprehends the people responsible for this attack, you and I are inseparable. Do we understand each other?"

"You're serious, aren't you?" Anna asked, her eyes wide. "You're telling me that you intend to stay with me, day and night, until we capture the attacker? Don't you have some important ambassadorial business that your king expects you to attend to?"

"You are my ambassadorial business, Viscountess Hawke," he replied wryly. "King Alistair Theirin has charged me with making sure that the relationship between Kirkwall and Ferelden is maintained to the benefit of both countries. I think he would be sorely disappointed in me if I allowed the Viscountess of Kirkwall to fall to assassins right under my nose. Wouldn't you agree?"

Despite her best attempts, she couldn't hold back the smile that curved her lips. "I suppose you are correct, Ambassador Howe," she agreed. "I would certainly hate to be the cause of strife between you and your monarch." She fell silent for a moment, tapping her index finger on her top lip. "I agree to your terms. You may stay in my home with me until such time as we have captured the assassins."

Sitting up, she leaned closer to Nate; her voice dropping to a near whisper. "I have to warn you, Nate," she purred. "Spending time with me can get extremely dangerous. I hope you're up for it."

"My dear Anna," he replied, closing the distance between them and staring deep into her eyes, "if that's a challenge, I accept."

As she gazed into his stormy gray eyes, Anna knew her life had just changed forever…

o~~~~~~~~o

"Well, the list of suspects is long on this one," Varric said as the group stepped into Aveline's office. "We can start the count with anyone who was witness to the attack on the Chantry by that obsessed, blood-thirsty mage. After adding Qunari supporters, disenchanted templars and greedy, power-hungry nobles, the suspect pool grows to the hundreds; if not thousands."

"That would be the case, had I not already begun an extensive list of those people most likely to plan such an elaborate attack," Fenris said as he leaned back against Aveline's desk and crossed his arms over his chest. "I knew this would happen eventually. Months ago I hired my own investigator to look into the situation. I contacted him as soon as the attack occurred tonight and he should be here at any moment."

"And you were going to share this information with the rest of us when?" Aveline asked, taking a seat at her desk and tapping her index finger on the wooden surface. "I thought we'd all agreed to work together to make sure Anna was kept safe."

Fenris' only reaction to her accusation was a slight raise of his eyebrow. "I'm telling you now," he stated bluntly. "My decision was perfectly rational. The fewer people who knew about the additional security I had placed around Anna, the better. Secrecy is my highest priority; and, despite your assurances to the contrary, I believe there are those in the guard who wish Anna harm."

"My guard?" Aveline exclaimed as she rose from her chair and slammed her hands on the desktop hard enough to knock several books onto the floor. "I have spent the last two years combing through the men and women under my command in order to remove those who are unworthy to carry the shield! I trust each and every one of them with my life; and have done so on numerous occasions. How can you suggest that the soldiers you have trained yourself would turn on Anna like this?"

Merrill involuntarily flinched when Fenris' lyrium tattoos began to glow. "You may trust them with your life," he began, his voice chillingly calm, "but we aren't talking about your life, are we? We are talking about Anna; and I will not trust her continued safety to anyone's misguided sense of knightly loyalty to their comrades."

"Why you smug, arrogant..." Aveline began as she moved slowly around her desk; her hand traveling to the hilt of her sword.

"Now, now, my friends," a voice called from behind the Guard Captain. "Can't we all just get along?" Aveline spun around, staring in disbelief at the hooded figure that stepped from behind her bookcase. The intruder pulled down his hood, unfazed by the sword that was now pointed at his chest.

"I apologize for my rather unconventional entrance," the tanned elf said, holding his hands before him in mock supplication. "I thought it best that no one outside of this room know of my arrival. And, judging by the conversation I overheard from inside the secret passageway under your office, my decision was a wise one."

"You!" Varric said, stepping forward to get a better look at the new arrival. "Fenris, is this the one you hired to watch over Anna? If so, I have to wonder about your taste in bodyguards." The dwarf had been with the Champion and her companions when they first met the unconventional guardian, and he'd not been impressed with the elf. Whether it was due to his occupation as an assassin, or the way he leered at Anna as they spoke, Varric could never decide.

Zevran Arainai bowed gracefully, his hands sweeping the air before him. "I confess," he said, his thick Antivan accent filled with pride, "I am the man of which you speak. I have been watching over your Viscountess for several months now, and I have to say – it has been a true pleasure."

Aveline ignored the implications of the assassin's statement. Her thoughts were still focused on his unknown method of entrance into her office. "You say there are secret passageways under this building?" she asked, brushing past him to look behind her bookcase. It was as the elf stated. In the corner of the office, nearly imperceptible to the naked eye, was a small trap door that opened into the floor.

"Damn!" she growled as she turned back to her husband. "Donnic, get two of your most trusted men and bring them back here. I want to know exactly where this passage comes out, and how many other areas of the manor are accessible from it!"

"Of course, Guard Captain," Donnic replied, saluting her before exiting the room. As the door closed behind him, Aveline's focus returned to Arainai.

"Might I ask how you knew about these passages?" she asked warily, her sword once more pointing at the elf.

Zevran chuckled softly, taking off his cloak and laying it across one of the office chairs. "It's quite simple, my dear Guard Captain," he replied. "The Crows are no strangers to Kirkwall. The previous Viscount made use of our services on many occasions for both espionage and some assassinations. It wouldn't have been prudent for us to stroll through the main hall, so he gave us access to his underground tunnels. We could come and go as we pleased, without anyone being the wiser."

"That is absurd," Bran said, his eyes filled with distrust and anger. "If the Viscount conducted business with the Antivan Crows, I would have known about it."

"While I hate to damage your obviously swollen pride," Zevran replied calmly, "I have to disagree with you, Seneschal. The former Viscount held many secrets, and his association with the Crows was among the darkest of them. There was also his fascination with young boys…. but I think I shall spare you the details of that one," he concluded, a wicked gleam in his eye.

"Please do," Fenris said as he gestured for Zevran to take a seat in a nearby chair. "We are not interested in the moral degradation of the upper class, unless it affects the matter at hand. I'd hoped we would have more time before we had to deal with an attack on Anna, but it seems as though her enemies have finally decided to act. Though I am fairly sure I know the answer to this question, I still have to ask. Have the Crows accepted a contract on her life?"

"Alas, no," Zevran said, shaking his head sadly. "I wish it were that simple. If the Crows were involved, I would know who to retaliate against and where they were located by now. The information I have recently received leads me to believe that the attackers are far closer to your shores than Antiva."

The room fell into silence as Donnic entered with two of his soldiers. The men stepped behind the bookcases and entered the passageway, carrying several pieces of parchment to map the area beneath the city. Aveline waited until she heard the trap door close before addressing the assassin.

"So you know who is behind this?" she said, her eyes glittering dangerously. "Tell me who they are and I will make sure they are dealt with immediately."

"I said I have information on who might be planning these attacks," Zevran corrected her. "My contacts have given me the name of the man who may have orchestrated the assassination attempt, but not the names of the people who are carrying out his orders. It may take several more days before I can say for certain whose door you need to break down."

Sighing irritably, Aveline motioned for the elf to continue. "Fine, fine. Just tell me what you do know and I will take it from there."

"I don't think it will be as easy as you imagine, Guard Captain," Zevran replied. "You see, if my information is correct, the attempt on your Viscountess' life was just the first step in a plan to destroy all of Kirkwall."

"Destroy Kirkwall?" Merrill asked, her eyes filled with confusion. "I don't understand. Who would want to destroy the entire city? I know the Chantry is unhappy with the way things turned out, but surely there isn't an Exalted March planned. Anna was assured by Sister Nightingale that the city was safe."

"The Chantry is not involved," Zevran said, shaking his head. "I have learned that the attack will come from a neighboring kingdom, and I believe you know its leader."

Turning to Fenris, Zevran frowned. "You once told me of the threat made by exiled Prince Sebastian Vael of Starkhaven to destroy the kingdom in search of the renegade mage Anders," he said, his amber eyes darkening with each word he spoke. "My sources tell me he has retaken the throne and is amassing a small army within the capital city."

"I am sorry to be the one to tell you," Zevran declared, "but Sebastian Vael is coming to attack Kirkwall. And it appears as though his first victim is to be Viscountess Annabella Hawke."