Change is coming to the world.

Many fear change and will fight it with every fiber of their being.

But sometimes, change is what they need most.

Sometimes, change is what sets them free.

"This is getting us nowhere," Orsino sighed, shaking his head at yet another verbal squabble with Knight Commander Meredith. Once again she was claiming blood mages had infiltrated the mage's ranks. And once again, her claims were false. His frustration at the constant accusations was building, and even calling the Champion to intervene had done little to end the dispute. "Grand Cleric Elthina will put a stop to this."

He felt Meredith's grasp on his arm, her own anger surfacing. "You will not bring Her Grace into this!"

Anders stepped forward, revealing himself from where he had stood in the shadows watching the argument. "The Grand Cleric cannot help you!"

Meredith released Orsino and walked toward Anders, her eyes narrowing on the apostate. "Explain yourself, mage."

Anders, fueled with anger at finally being able to confront the woman responsible for the suffering of so many of Kirkwall's mages, stood his ground as he replied to her. "I will not stand by and watch you treat all mages like criminals," he spat at Meredith, and then turned his attention toward Orsino, "while those who would lead us bow to their Templar jailers."

Orsino now stepped forward. "How dare you speak to me…"

But Anders cut him off. Justice stirred within him as the moment had finally come. Everything they had sacrificed, every painful thing they had been forced to endure, it was all coming to a head in this moment. "The Circle has failed us Orsino! Even you should be able to see that!" A glimmer of Justice appeared, vengeance showing itself on the surface of Anders' flesh. "The time has come to act. There can be no half measures."

In that moment, Hawke was terrified. She had known Anders was reaching his breaking point. Since he had walked out on Elaine that night at the Hanged Man, he had secluded himself, withdrawn from everyone and everything. He had abandoned his clinic and rumor was he had been spending most of his time assisting the mages escaping the Gallows. She hadn't seen him in over a week - until now. The change in his behavior was... frightening. "Anders, what have you done?"

His back was to her, and what he had to say Anders said to Hawke as much as to himself. "There can be no turning back."

The ground began to shake under their feet. Anders never turned, never looked to find out what was going on, and it was then that Hawke realized he was responsible for whatever was happening. All those who had gathered in the square below the Chantry steps could do nothing but watch in horror as an eerie, red glow consumed the Chantry. A darkness enveloped the sky, as beams of light shot upward into a spiraling black cloud. In an instant, an explosion rocked the entire city from its core; the Chantry destroyed.

Dust, ash, and debris fell from above as they searched the skyline for a building that no longer existed, and an echo of Meredith's statement could be felt by all. "Maker have mercy."

Anders finally turned his gaze toward the stairs that now led to nowhere. Justice withdrew, the deed was done, and Anders closed his eyes and hung his head. "There can be no peace."

A few weeks earlier...

Alistair studied her face as she read the parchment the messenger had left for her a few moments earlier. He wasn't certain what it had meant; it wasn't sealed, he had read it. But as he watched her, it was clear there was a deeper message.

Elaine looked up at him minutes later, face flushed and seemingly distracted. "This was delivered today? Or was it held?"

"The messenger is still down the road if you need me to fetch him," Alistair offered.

Elaine shook her head and sat at her desk. "No, no need," she said, oblivious to Alistair's glare. Her gaze was directed at nothing, but Alistair knew by the scrunch of her brows that her mind was racing. He sat in the opposite chair and waited for an explanation.

Elaine turned her eyes on him and the knot in her stomach grew as she anticipated their pending conversation. He made no sound or gesture as he watched her, and she almost wished he hadn't remained. "Was there something else you needed?" she asked, hoping to get rid of him.

His soft, kind-hearted laugh revealed small lines near his eyes as he grinned at her. "You can't be serious," he began. "There's some code to that message and I'm dying to know what it means."

Elaine sighed. "You're worse than a woman when it comes to gossip."

"I am not!" he protested.

"Really," Elaine tilted her head. "Tell me Elaine, what do you think of our traveling companions" she mocked one of their first discussions together, when they'd been in the Wilds during the Blight. "Elaine, Varric told me all about Hawke and Fenris, do you want to hear?"

Alistair cut her off. "Okay you win. So I'm nosy. You still haven't answered my question."

Elaine giggled. "You didn't ask me anything, you just glared at me."

"That's a question," Alistair tried to convince her. "Fine, I'll ask. What does it mean? And why is he writing you?"

She sighed at the questions, although she'd known he would ask them. Considering everything her future held, she was certain this may be the most difficult moment to get through. "I will miss our banter," Elaine said, suddenly very serious. "I will miss you."

"Why do I not like the sound of that," Alistair replied matching her solemn tone. "You obviously were waiting for this message to come," he pieced together. "So now you're what, leaving?"

Elaine smiled at him. "You deduced all that from a three word message?"

"How else should I decipher 'It is time.' And from Zevran of all people." Alistair leaned back in his chair. "So what, this is it for good then?"

Elaine shrugged. "Our paths may cross again, you never know. I just can't do this anymore Alistair; you know that. I have been miserable, I've made everyone here miserable. I can't think straight. I need some time. Maybe a lot of time."

"And Zevran will tolerate you more than I have," Alistair said, slightly hurt.

Elaine stood and walked over to him, settling on his lap. She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him as he embraced her in return. "I'm sure your fiancé will be happy to get you back," Elaine whispered in his ear and then kissed his cheek. "It is time Alistair. Time for both of us. We need to do something with our futures."

She untangled herself from him and started cleaning up her desk. "So, to answer your original question. Yes, I am leaving. Tonight." The words hit her as she said them and she immediately slumped back down into her chair. She watched him, watching her, the familiar presence that had always been a source of comfort, and now the thought of leaving him was tearing her insides apart. Would she ever see him again? Had they tested fate too many times with their friendship? Elaine loved Alistair, more than an ex-lover or a brother Warden. He was as much a part of her as any limb, and she was leaving him behind.

Alistair stood and went to her as the tears leaked from her eyes, and she stood to embrace him once more. The soft movements of his shoulders made her painfully aware that he was crying as well. They shared the comfort of each other for a long time, neither willing to part with the other, as the years of their time together was coming to an end. Elaine didn't bother to worry about her nose running, or how her hysterics might have been embarrassing. Her heart was breaking for the second time as she said goodbye to her best friend.

Alistair was the stronger one, able to pull away first, just enough to look into her eyes. He wiped the tears from her face with the sleeve of his shirt as her lip quivered and her breath wavered. Without thought he leaned into her and pressed his mouth to hers, tasting the salty tears on her lips.

Elaine didn't reject him; she welcomed his tongue into her mouth, soft caring strokes moving together as they once had so long ago. Memories flooded both their minds of a time before; when they had been a couple, when they'd thought they were in love, and had need of each other's affections. Alistair poured his goodbye into that kiss; saying farewell to his first love, his first lover, his first everything. Elaine returned his tenderness with her own; parting from the man who was always so gentle with her, so caring and supportive, and who was willing to do anything for her.

He forced himself to break contact, leaving one last soft kiss on her forehead as his hands left her face. "May the Maker watch over you, Elaine," he whispered as the sound of his voice revealed everything he was feeling. "I will always be here for you."

And she watched him go, his exit his last gift to her. He would let her leave; he would deal with the consequences, and face the Wardens when news of her departure became known. He would make it possible for her to attempt to find peace once more.

It was a gift she wouldn't take lightly, and she vowed to do something with the future that he had so graciously helped her to create.

"I can not believe you managed to pull this together," Elaine said, astonished as she surveyed the holding cave. "I could live here for a month if necessary."

"That was the plan, no?" Zevran had prepared the location at her request, bringing food, clothing, and several containers of water so she would not have to worry. Traps were strategically set in places that he had pointed out to her. Torches lit the cave in a soft glow, and Elaine sighed at the thought of living on the road again.

"Are the other preparations in place?"

Zevran nodded. "Say the word and it is done," he informed her. "Though I do not like knowing you will be out here alone."

Elaine smiled at his worry as she began unpacking the few things she'd brought with her. "I'll be alright," she insisted. "We've lived in worse places than this; I have a roof and everything!"

Zevran couldn't help but laugh at her eternal optimism. "It is refreshing to be near you again, dear Warden," he said, leaning against the wall. "And in much better spirits than the last time I saw you."

Elaine nodded, taking a moment to recall their last visit. It was Zevran that had come to her room the evening Anders had left her at the Hanged Man. He had spent the entire night with her as she cried in his arms, and it was days before he could convince her to do something as simple as bathe. Elaine wasn't aware of the war between Alistair and Zevran during that time; Alistair had demanded he see her and Zevran had kept him away. They may have been friends and had been through the worst together, but Zevran felt the need to protect her dignity as Grey Warden Commander. Alistair knew he could never take Zevran in a fight, but he had tried, and their own friendship remained strained because of it.

Now Zevran took in the sight of his former lover; refreshed, ready, and a light that had been extinguished in her eyes had returned. Elaine caught him staring at her and gave him a curious glance, but he just smiled his mischievous grin at her. "I can stay the night if you wish," he told her.

Elaine shrugged as she sent a flame to the wood that was gathered in the center of the room. The cave was growing cold around them, as darkness settled over the land. "I could never say no to you Zevran," she said making herself comfortable next to the growing fire.

He sat with her as she prepared some food, and the two old friends spent the rest of the night talking and enjoying wine. Elaine listened as Zevran caught her up on the goings on in Kirkwall, and his own struggles of the heart. She could only hope he would someday be happy again, as he had also wished for her during those dark nights not so long ago.

"Cousin!" Hawke exclaimed embracing the woman in her foyer. "It's so good to see you again," she said pulling back to take a look at Elaine.

Elaine smiled at her as they made their way toward the living room. "You as well Kyra. I'm sorry I couldn't warn you of my arrival, but I am avoiding a certain someone."

Hawke gave her an understanding nod. "I was so upset to hear what happened last time. And then you left before I got a chance to see you." Hawke sat in a large chair facing the fireplace as Elaine took a seat next to her. "I hope time has healed some wounds?"

"Some," Elaine managed a smile as they jumped into the still sensitive topic. "I hear you're better than the last time I was in Kirkwall."

Hawke couldn't help the large grin that spread across her face. "Fenris and I are… perfect," she said with a faraway look in her eye.

Elaine was genuinely happy for her cousin. "That's great news," she responded. "Love is a precious and rare gift; hold on to it with your life, and never let go."

Kyra turned to her cousin, her eyes filled with concern. "If I may Elaine, you look terribly thin. And exhausted. Stay here with me, let me help you if I can."

Elaine appreciated the sentiment. "I'm alright, really. In fact I'm here in an attempt to make things better for myself." She turned her eyes back toward the fire, losing her thoughts in the dancing flames. "I know things have been difficult for the city lately, with the mages and Templars."

The atmosphere shifted with the change in topic, the weight of the subject bringing a thickness to the air. "It's an impossible war," Hawke began shaking her head. "The Knight Commander has gone mad, the First Enchanter is at his wits end, and we're a city without a Viscount. The Chantry remains silent, and they all look to me for a solution I just can't find."

In that moment, Elaine understood her cousin's ordeal. So many decisions had been left to her in her years as a Warden; impossible decisions requiring impossible solutions. She felt such a strong kinship in that moment as she looked toward Hawke. "All you can do is what you feel is right in your heart," Elaine offered the Champion. "It is beyond any of our control what the outcome will be, but if it's a decision you know you'd make again and again, then it's the right one."

Hawke accepted her advice above all others. She'd heard many stories about the Hero of Ferelden and the decisions she'd had to make. "Does it get easier?" Hawke asked.

Elaine laughed and shook her head. "Not so far, but if it does I'll let you know." She smiled warmly and reached out for Hawke's hand in support. "Look at all you've accomplished so far in your life, Kyra. From humble Lothering to the Champion of Kirkwall. Do not doubt yourself."

Hawke squeezed her hand in acceptance, then stood to stir the fire. "I suppose your side would be with the mages?" she asked.

"It has to be," Elaine said. "I have been on the receiving end of Templar brutality. I have witnessed first hand what they are capable of doing to innocent mages. I've been too silent in this brewing war, and there comes a time when you have to take a stand."

Hawke chuckled softly. "You sound like Anders," she commented without thinking. She turned to Elaine. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring him up…"

Elaine waved off the apology. "It's alright. I think I finally understand what he and Justice had been trying to explain to me so many years ago." She stood from her chair. "But I won't burden you or attempt to sway your decision in either direction. It's yours to make without my influence."

Hawke nodded, "Thank you. If only others felt the same."

Elaine grinned, "If only." She moved toward the foyer again as Hawke followed. "I wish I could stay longer but I'm afraid I have one more appointment before I leave the city. I just wanted to see how you were, and offer what little support I could. The next few days are going to be difficult I predict, and I wanted to make sure you were ready."

Hawke's eyes widened at the revelation. "What do you know?" she wondered out loud.

"Nothing I could share that would make a difference at this point," Elaine replied honestly. "But I do have two favors to ask of you, if you will permit me."

Hawke nodded. "If it's within my power, certainly."

Elaine allowed her vulnerability to show for the first time since entering the estate. "Keep him safe for me," she said near tears. "I fear for him, for his life, and it would destroy me to know he is gone."

Hawke rested a hand on her shoulder. "I promise you cousin, no harm will come to him if I can prevent it."

The relief that washed over her face was obvious, and Elaine let out a long breath. "Thank you. I know you won't let me down." Hawke nodded. "My second favor is simple. Anders can not know I was here."

"You won't even try to see him before you leave?" Hawke asked, unsure if she'd have the same strength if the situation was reversed.

"He isn't ready to see me right now," Elaine admitted. "Maybe another time." She embraced her cousin a little firmer than before, fear lingering inside that this may be the last time she would ever see her. "May the Maker protect and watch over you," she said as she pulled away. "He may just make the hard decisions for you."

"I hope so," Hawke said laughing as she opened the door for Elaine. "Be well, cousin. I hope to see you again."

"Me too," Elaine said honestly as she exited the estate.

Zevran came out from the shadows as the door closed and Elaine scolded him for lurking. "You could've come inside with me Zevran, spoken to her as well."

He shook his head. "Another time," he said as he began walking through the sunlit streets. "Let us get you out of here before someone sees you. I have made arrangements for your last appointment outside of the city."

"Thank you again for doing this Zevran. I can't imagine this was an easy task."

"No," Zevran admitted. "But I do love a challenge."

Elaine was never as nervous as she was at that moment. All of her planning with Zevran months ago had come down to this meeting. If it went wrong, if it couldn't be prevented, the future she had been working toward would crumble around her. She bit her nails as she began to pace, waiting for the familiar footsteps to come into the clearing.

Moments later she stopped moving when she heard the sound of Zevran approaching, and her heart raced as she knew he was not alone. Elaine saw her first, her expression warm and inviting as the first day they'd met, and her eyes stung from the tears that threatened to fall at the sight of her old friend.

"Elaine? It is you! I can hardly believe it!" The redhead embraced Elaine with the strength of a hundred men, nearly knocking her over in her excitement.

Elaine wrapped her arms around her friend in return, smiling into the familiar scent of her hair. "Leliana," she whispered her name in her ear. "Oh how I've missed you."

Leliana pulled away just enough to see Elaine's face, and her eyes glistened with tears of her own. "Zevran refused to tell me it was you, but I had hoped." She hugged her former companion again and squeezed, and Elaine thought a rib would certainly crack at any moment.

"I will leave you two alone," Zevran said, interrupting them and getting down to business. "You have limited time before we must leave."

Leliana and Elaine giggled as they were scolded, just like old times. "I can not believe you are really here," Leliana repeated again. "Years it has been."

Elaine sighed, rubbing her eyes free of the unshed tears. She sat on a log and gestured for Leliana to do the same. "Zevran's right, we don't have a lot of time. I hate to jump right into business but there is an urgent matter I must discuss with you."

Leliana sat next to Elaine and patted her knee. "I am all ears Elaine, you know this."

Elaine felt her nerves return as she began to speak. "I know why you're here in Kirkwall, and I have information that is important to your mission." When Leliana tried to speak, Elaine hushed her gently. "Please, let me just get it all out before you say anything."

When Leliana conceded and remained silent, Elaine laid it all out for her. "I am aware that the Divine is contemplating an Exalted March on Kirkwall to end the threat of the mage-Templar war in Kirkwall. I am also aware you approached the Champion, asking for her to secure the safety of Grand Cleric Elthina. I am willing to offer you information, in exchange for your recommendation to the Divine that she stay her hand and allow the war to run its course."

Leliana listened intently to Elaine's plea without interrupting, and allowed a moment of silence before she responded. "You give me too much credit when it comes to the Divine. If Justinia sees that intervention is necessary, she will do it whether I agree or not."

Elaine protested further. "I remember you telling me of your relationship with Justinia. How she assisted in your escape after Marjolaine had framed you. I think you're more influential than you realize."

Leliana thought on her words. "I may be able to convince the Divine of a delay, depending on how far things escalate. But I am uncertain if I can convince her to stay her hand entirely."

"Trust in the Champion," Elaine offered. "Let her see to this pending war. I believe she will see it through to its conclusion without need of the Divine's intervention."

Leliana wasn't fooled by her words. "You have more at stake in this than you're letting on."

Elaine grinned. "You know me too well," she admitted softly. "As a friend speaking to a friend, of course I do. I'm a mage, in case you forgot," she laughed. "I have a vested interest in seeing where this leads. As a Warden, you know I can not directly interfere, and for this battle I will be watching from the sidelines with the rest of Thedas. But should it turn into something bigger, my side is clear and I will remove myself from the Wardens to stand with the mages."

Leliana shook her head at the words, fearing for the future of her friend as well as the land they lived. "I once thought we'd never get involved in politics as we battled darkspawn together," she said reminiscing. "Now it seems you and I are at the very center of it."

"Not yet," Elaine offered, "but perhaps soon. Please Lel, I swear to the Maker I will never ask for a favor such as this again."

Leliana thought for a few minutes, replaying the conversation in her head. "I still think there is something more at stake for you than you are letting on, but tell me what you can and I will see what I can do."

Elaine stood and looked over the cliff at the water below, and then at Kirkwall in the distance. The towering construction of the Chantry could be seen even here on the coast, and Elaine closed her eyes, gathering her strength. It was no easy task, betraying Anders, even if for the first and only time. "You were right to suspect Elthina is in danger," she informed Leliana. "The Champion tried to convince her to leave, but she won't." Elaine opened her eyes and looked back at her friend. "You must get Elthina out of the Chantry, and soon. Hide her, protect her, never let it be known she is alive."

Leliana stood and walked toward her friend. "What do you know?" she asked again, wanting more details.

Elaine shook her head. "I can only tell you that she will die if you do not get her out of the Chantry tonight. Zevran is willing to help you, but it must be done this evening. Tomorrow the battle within the city begins, and she will be its first victim."

"You are certain of this?" Leliana asked for confirmation.

"Yes," Elaine stood firm. "I offer you Elthina's life in exchange for those in Kirkwall. Prevent the Divine from moving her forces to Kirkwall, or Maker help me I shall find and kill Elthina myself."

Leliana gasped at her statement, taking a step back. "Elaine, you can't be serious threatening the Grand Cleric to me."

Elaine's expression softened as she moved closer to Leliana. "I warn you as a friend; the decision is yours. But the Chantry will fall tomorrow. Mages and Templars will start a war within Kirkwall. Even if you wished to prevent it, you're too late. Take this offering and return to the Divine," Elaine said defiantly. "And you may warn her this is just the beginning."

"Why?" Orsino begged of him for any explanation. "Why would you do such a thing?"

Anders informed him with a sentiment he had once shared with another. "I removed the chance of compromise, because there is no compromise." The weight of his actions began to take hold of him, but he remained strong in the faces of those responsible. "The Circle is an injustice, in many places beyond Kirkwall. The world needs to see."

Orsino shook his head. "You fool," he whispered solemnly. "You've doomed us all."

Anders took a moment to try and plead his case. "We were already doomed. A quick death now or a slow one later… I'd rather die fighting." He made his way to a nearby bench, his legs threatening to fail him. Anders didn't hear the words Meredith spoke afterward, or what Orsino had to say in response, or even the ranting of Sebastian beside Hawke. He found himself longing for Elaine in that moment, knowing death was about to come, and he wanted his final thoughts to be of her.

He heard Hawke approach behind him, regretting that she would be the one to kill him, but knew it was something they all had demanded of her. Anders needed for her to understand before he died; had to convince her to at least try to see things his way. "There's nothing you can say that I haven't already said to myself. I took a spirit into my soul and changed myself forever to achieve this," he repeated the words he had spoken to Elaine the last time he saw her. "This is the justice all mages have awaited."

He felt Hawke shift behind him. "I might have understood, if you'd only told me."

"I wanted to tell you," Anders admitted. "But what if you stopped me? Or worse, what if you wanted to help me? I couldn't let you do that. The world needs to see this. Then we can all stop pretending the Circle is a solution." He closed his eyes and pictured his Elaine, the softness of her smile, the love in her eyes. "And if I pay for that with my life," he repeated to Hawke as he had told Elaine, "…then I pay."

He felt the familiar twinge of taint as if Elaine were near, but Anders knew he was just being delusional in his final moments. He wanted her so badly to be beside him; to feel her arms around him and hear her assurances that everything would be okay. And as he heard Hawke move closer toward him, he wanted to make it easier for her. "For what it's worth, I'm glad it's you Hawke. It was nice to be happy… for a little while."

Hawke leaned down toward his back, and he held his breath as he waited for her blade to slice into him. But instead of pain and then a welcomed darkness, he felt her breath brush his ear. "Run from here," Hawke whispered.

He wasn't sure he heard her correctly. "You're letting me go?"

Hawke placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm fulfilling a promise I made to my cousin, to keep you safe," she informed him. "Now go before someone else takes this option from you."

Anders didn't know what to say. He hadn't expected to be spared. No thought or plan was made for this unexpected outcome. And it had come because of Elaine. "When did you speak to her?" he asked out of curiosity, daring to hope it was recently. "What did she say?"

"Before she left," Hawke lied. "She came to me and warned me that you may be in danger and asked me to protect you."

Anders sighed as his mind began to process Elaine and Hawke's final gift to him. "Thank you for my life," he said to Hawke as he stood. "I'll try not to make such a mess of it this time."

There was no time for goodbyes as fighting began within the streets of Kirkwall between the Templars and the mages. Anders fought the urge to assist his fellow mages one last time, refusing to lose the future Hawke and Elaine had given him. This was a battle for Kirkwall to handle, but the war was just beginning. Now that he had his freedom, he knew he would be able to help mages even more throughout Thedas and not just in Kirkwall. Change was coming because of his actions, and now that he had his life, he desperately wanted to continue to be a part of that change.

The surrounding chaos of the fighting provided a perfect distraction for Anders' escape. He made his way out of the city with a crowd of fleeing townsfolk who had no stake in the fighting either way. The last group barely made it out mere seconds before the gates were shut behind them, sealing the conflict within to resolve itself.

The shock of it all could be felt in the people surrounding him. Anders heard a few of them crying, others confused and not understanding what was happening. They had simply followed their instinct to flee, and now wandered outside the gates with no real plan.

Anders felt himself wondering the same thing, until he felt a hand on his arm. He spun around, prepared to fight, until her soft eyes were upon him. For a moment he thought he was dreaming, the chaos of the day playing tricks on his mind. But that familiar feeling of their shared taint continued to stir within him, and he dared to bring a hand to her face.

Elaine smiled at him, leaning into the softness of his touch as she shut her eyes. She brought her own hand to his and held it against her, afraid he may pull away. As the seconds passed and she released the breath she'd held, Elaine suddenly felt his lips upon hers. He brought his other hand to her face, holding her there as if she'd run, and claimed her with the heated passion of his kiss. She brought her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, devouring him as he did her, with a need she could never understand. Elaine didn't even realize that he had lifted her off the ground, holding her by the waist, almost crushing her.

When he did finally set her down and released her, pulling his mouth away from hers, Elaine opened her eyes and smiled at him. Anders soaked it all in - the way the sun lit her face and the light that had returned to her eyes since the last time he had seen her. "What are you doing here?" he finally managed to ask after moments of being lost in her presence.

Elaine took his hand and laced her fingers through his, escorting him away from the crowd. "Rescuing you," she said teasingly as they made their way toward the coast. "I'm almost willing to bet you have no plan right now, do you?"

Anders laughed at her, at the situation, the way she still knew him far better than he knew himself. "Not really," he admitted. "I half expected to be crow food by now."

Elaine squeezed his hand gently. "Like I'd let that happen," she said seriously. "I've set up a temporary hideout in one of the caves along the coast," she explained. "There's food, clothing, decent shelter for a few days until we figure out where to go from here."

Anders stopped walking and pulled her into him. "Elaine, I can not allow you to remain with me. You'll be hunted, as I will be. This is why I sent you away in the first place." He didn't want to send her away again, didn't have the strength to do so, but panic began to take hold at the thought of losing her.

Elaine continued to smile at him as the lines of worry formed on his face. "I've left the Wardens," she informed him. "My place is here, with you." Anders stepped back, not believing the words he was hearing. Elaine placed her hands on his chest and looked up at him. "How can you fight for our freedom alone? Our freedom is our future, together, and there's nowhere else I'd rather be."

She rested her head on his chest as she let the words sink in. Anders tangled one hand within her long hair as the other moved up and down her back. He dared to imagine there was truth in her words, a possible future that they could face together. "You're really with me, love?" he questioned in an apprehensive whisper.

Elaine tilted her head up and brushed her lips against his. "I am with you. Forever. Though that hardly seems long enough, it'll do for now."

Anders could control himself no longer, and claimed her once more, his mouth fierce upon hers. Forever wasn't long enough, he agreed, but there was no better start to their future than today.

Their future. He liked the sound of that.