I make no promises, but I have been re-inspired to continue writing this. I thank all for the reviews, as those played the largest part in my desire to continue. I'm hoping I can crank this out in its entirety soon. To start with, edits to the current chapters.

Denerim Estate

The Grey Warden Theodus Cousland had only just arrived in Denerim and was already being requested for assistance. While asking for help from a Grey Warden came often, this time the person in need was none other than the Queen of Ferelden, widow of King Cailan. Theodus would often assist local folk in his journeys. He had a good heart, and always tried to do the right thing, though once in a while could be a bit of a smart ass.

After arriving in Denerim from Castle Redcliff, Theodus and party headed for Arl Eamons Denerim estate. Theodus and Alistair headed up to Eamon's room after arriving at the estate. They need to discuss preparations for the Landsmeet. Eamon was speaking with a young elvish woman when the two appeared in the doorway. It was explained by the woman, Erlina they eventually learned was her name, that Queen Anora was being held captive in Arl Howes' estate and wished for the Grey Wardens to rescue her.

Moving quickly, Theodus, Alistair, Wynne and Leliana made their way to Howes' estate. Upon their arrival, Erlina gave them the armor common to the guards in an effort to blend in. A quiet in and out was the best they could hope for. However, fate had other ideas.

Upon their arrival at the guest room imprisoning Anora, they were met with a magical shield which made escape impossible without finding the mage responsible. Anora said that the mage in question would most likely be at Howes side. Hearing this, Theodus grinned at the prospect of meeting his family's betrayer.

The Maker smiled upon Theodus this day and granted him the vengeance he swore to his parents. Theodus blade pierced the heart of the evil little man and watched as his minions were cut down by the superiority of Theodus closest friends.

After much sidetracking, including releasing some prisoners and gaining votes against Loghain in the Landsmeet, Theodus, Alistair, Wynne and Leliana, found themselves again standing outside the door of the room where the Queen was being held captive.

"Well go on open it," Erlina demanded. Theodus nodded and unlocked the door, Anora however opened it. Theodus raised an eyebrow as he took in the figure that stood before him. It was odd to see the Queen of Ferelden in guard armor. Anora sensing his surprise spoke up.

"Do not presume that I wear this simply because I think it comfortable or fashionable for it is neither. A disguise is our best bet at getting out of here without notice." Anora statement held much pride as though the idea was pure genius.

"No no, it uh looks great on you," Alistair chimed in trying in vain to hold back a smile. Anora turned to him with a cold glare.

"Come on, let's go before we are discovered," Theodus interrupted.

With that they set off. However, as with all good plans, something must go wrong. Upon exiting the hallway, the group was met with heavy resistance. Half a platoon of men, with Ser Cauthrien in the lead, stood between them and their exit.

"Warden, I hereby place you under arrest for the murder of Renden Howe. Put down your weapons and come peacefully," Cauthrien demanded. Theodus gauged the situation slowly. Odds were in their favor of coming out on top. Most of these soldiers were greener than Kocari grass. Yet there were a few that belonged to Loghain's elite group Maric's Shield in company.

"All right, you win," Theodus said as he threw down his arms.

"Take the Wardens," Cauthrien commanded. "The rest of them are free to leave."

"What the hell are you doing? We can take them," Alistair whispered.

"Yeah, we probably could. But if Anora gets injured or worse claims we are kidnapping her right now, we don't go to jail we go to the noose. This way she can run." Theodus explaination rang unpleasantly in Alistairs ears.

"Eamon said be wary of her, this way she can slip out unnoticed and neither of us will have an increased desire to do her in." Alistair stood pensive for a second before tossing his sword onto the stone floor.

"Damn, I heard prison food is downright terrible," Alistair groaned.

Fort Drakon

Theodus woke up slowly, his head was pounding, and he was cold. He was lying face down on a solid brick floor, his head a foot or two from the door of his cell.

"Was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to wake up," Alistair commented from the opposite end of the cell. "I may be the bastard son of King Maric, and the only true threat to the throne, but boy they really must hate you." Alistair spoke as made his way over to help Theodus up.

"If your skull isn't cracked after the blow Cauthrien gave you I'll be surprised."

"Didn't they knock you out?" Theodus inquired.

"No, they must not see me as a threat. It's kind of insulting really." Alistair assisted Theodus up to his feet and held him steady a moment before finally releasing him.

"You on the other hand have done quite well in upsetting the masses behind Loghain," Alistair stated simply. "Not to mention without you most of this never would have come to fruition. I can see why Cauthrien saw fit to incapacitate you."

"She's blinded by her loyalty to Loghain," Theodus explained as he rubbed the bump on his head. "That is why I didn't want to fight her. No need in unnecessary bloodshed."

"Oh is that all it is?" Alistair commented dryly.

"Well, let's get the hell out of here huh?" Theodus said nodding to Alistair.

"I'm guessing you have a plan then?" Alistair asked.

"Yup, and I would suggest ducking," Theodus said as he took a swing toward his Warden friend.

"Wha-," was all Alistair got out before Theodus's right cross struck him in the face. "Hey, that hurt," Alistair exclaimed as he went to massage the left side of his jaw with his right hand, only to be met with a left from Theodus to his abdomen. Theodus was not putting all he had into these swings, but this needed to look real. Alistair doubled over a little from the gut shot but used both forearms to block the knee from Theodus. He then dodged a right hook from Theodus and countered with his own right cross to Theodus's left temple causing him to stagger back slightly. Theodus heard the guard scream something and then the noise of keys jingling. Theodus charged Alistair, picked him up and dropped him to the ground and began to pretend to choke him. Alistair went along with it making gagging noises and trying weakly to pry Theodus's hands off his kneck. The door made an audible unlocking noise and the guard rushed in. He grabbed at Theodus's shoulder to pry him off Alistair. Theodus, with the guards help, twisted left and with his right grabbed the guard's dagger from its sheath and plunged it into the side of the guard's neck. Alistair stood up and looked down at the guard.

"I have to admit, you can think on your feet," Alistair said as he rubbed his jaw.

"Sorry about that," Theodus apologized honestly.

"No, it's quite all right," Alistair defended. "It needed to look real. And let's just call it even for all my witty banter you've had to put up with."

"Hey, it's amusing…most of the time," Theodus smiled.

"Right, well anyway, I saw them stash our equipment in the chest by the exit." Alistair stated as he nodded in the direction of it as they left their cell. Theodus made a hand gesture signaling Alistair to lead the way. "I don't suppose you know how to pick locks?" Alistair asked upon his approach to the large rectangular case.

"No, but I do know how to break locks," Theodus said as he smashed the flimsy lock off the chest with the butt of the dagger. The two wardens re-dawned their armor and weapons before making their way out of the prison room.

"You do realize, locks simply keep honest people honest?"

Arl Eamon's Estate

Anora, Erlina, Lelinna and Wynne exited the Arl of Denerim's estate and made their way quietly and slowly toward Eamon's estate, taking any and all back roads. The last thing they needed was to be captured after the Wardens sacrificed their freedom to allow Anora to escape. Well, it was the new Warden who made the call. Alistair was more than willing to fight off Ser Cathrien, but this other one, he seemed intelligent, calculating, Anora thought. He took in everything before making a decision. This somewhat impressed her, since truth be told she would have done whatever it took to make sure she got out of there without being recaptured. Then there was the fact that the new Warden also seemed very familiar, but she couldn't place it. It was almost as if from another life. That mattered little at this point though. He and Alistair were captured, and if she was going to stop her father's madness, they needed to get the new Warden out of Fort Drakon. Well, maybe Alistair too. The four of them finally arrived at Eamon's estate, but were accosted upon entrance.

"Halt who goes there?" demanded the guard.

"The Queen of Ferelden you idiot," Erlina shot back.

"Erlina, please," Anora said trying to calm her attack maid. "My apologies," Anora said to the guard as she took off her helmet. "It is however as she says," this became obvious to the guard once the helmet was removed. "I urgently need to speak with Arl Eamon," Anora demanded.

"Yes of course your Highness, please," the flustered guard responded and gestured for her to head for Eamons room. The Queen quickly removed the armor she wore over her dress and headed for Eamon's sitting room.

"Eamon, we have a problem," Anora said as she came to a halt in front of the surprised Arl.

"Anora, it is good to see you safe, but where are Alistair and Theodus?" Eamon asked looking worried.

"Theodus?" Anora aksed looking confused.

"Yes, the other Warden who came to rescue you. Did he not participate in your rescue from Arl Howes residence?" Eamon questioned.

"No, no he did, it's just that name…" Anora appeared to drift off for a moment before speaking.

"I'm sorry," Anora began, shaking her head. "They have been captured by Ser Cauthrien and brought to Fort Draken."

"That is dire news indeed, how long ago were they taken?" Eamon scratched his beard looking pensive.

"About an hour," Anora guessed. Eamon donned a look of concern, as he continued to scratch his beard.

"The Landsmeet will not side with me alone, or with you Anora," Eamon made sure to emphasize that latter point. "We will need to see what we can do about breaking them out."

"Breaking them out? Doesn't that seem a bit risky?" Anora voiced her concern. "I understand we need them, but-" Anora was cut off as Shale and Lelianna entered the room.

"I think it's time I crushed some heads," the rocky giant boomed.

"What Shale means to say is that we have a plan." Lelianna flashed a control rod after speaking. "We head to Fort Draken, I, dressed as a guard, and Shale as the controllable Golem."

"Wait," Anora began." You mean to tell me that this Golem-"

"I have a name you squishy sack of flesh," Shale shot out causing Anora to glare hard at him.

"You mean to tell me Shale lives of its own free will?" Anora asked slightly agitated.

"Yes, I do. But the fleshy sacks in the prison do not know this," Shale explained.

"Well then, I think this is a good option, seeing as we don't exactly have a lot of time to come up with a better one," Arl Eamon interjected. "It takes about forty minutes to get to Fort Draken from here on foot, I suggest you get going.

"All right then," Lelianna began. "Shall we head out Shale?"

"Yes, there are silly little heads to be crushing," Shale voiced enthusiastically.

Outside Fort Draken

Alistair and Theodus exited the fort in formation with two other guards to go on patrol. Or so that was what the captain of the guard assumed they were doing. Theodus had to admit, these people were pretty gullible. Theodus and crew headed down the stairs onto the gravel entryway then made their way for the door. What Theodus saw just outside the doors surprised him a little. Lelianna, in guard armor wielding a control rod and Shale obviously attempting a rescue, which was all fine and well, but would they all be able to walk away now.

"So you see, I'm simply following orders," Theodus overhead Lelianna say to the guard.

"So you were told that Loghain wanted this Golem detained here at Fort Draken?" the guard questioned obviously uncertain.

"This is the Golem that is traveling with the Grey Wardens," Lelinna again explained. Then her eye caught the four men walking toward the exit and noticed two of them were Theodus and Alistair. Theodus seeing an opportunity inserted himself into the conversation.

"Lady you must have gotten your facts crossed," Theodus started in. "Teryn Loghain said that the Grey Wardens, who have already been captured, were to be sent to Fort Draken. The Golem, which traveled with them, he requested be delivered to him at the Palace."

"Oh, so sorry, my mistake," Lelianna smiled innocently.

"Damn green guards," The guard uttered.

"Come on, we'll escort you to the Palace," Theodus nodded to the three others that followed him.

"Sounds like a plan. Get moving Golem," Lelianna gestured with the rod. Shale groaned, obviously disappointed at the prospect of not getting to pop any skulls.

"Yes master," Shale muttered unconvincingly. The six of them headed out and away from Fort Drakon a little ways before ducking into an alley.

"What are we doing, I thought we were going to the Palace," one of the real guards questioned.

"Well, it would seem you have been hoodwinked," Theodus said as he re-equipped his personal armor he carried in a bag over his shoulder.

"No way, you're they Grey Wardens they locked up," the other guard spoke up and drew his sword, his ally did the same.

"That would be unwise," Alistair said truthfully.

"Oh and why is that, you may be Grey Wardens, but that doesn't mean that you're immortal," one of the guards exclaimed trying to sound brave.

"Yes, but I did not get to crush any heads, and yours look truly very inviting," Shale threatened.

"We never saw you," the two said in unison and began to back away slowly out of the ally before turning and running full bore as far as their legs would carry them.

"Pigeon crap! I really wanted to squish their tiny little skulls," Shale exclaimed sounding disappointed.

"Don't worry Shale, there will be plenty more heads to crush soon. Once the Landsmeet is over, you'll have all the darkspawn heads you can imagine to crush," Theodus said trying to point out the bright side to the golem.

"There better be," responded demandingly.

Arl Eamon's Estate

Arl Eamon was nervous and scared. Not only did they need Theodus to help sway the Landsmeet, but they needed Alistair to put on the throne. Anything less than both of them returning safely did not bode well for the future of Ferelden. Anora on the other hand stood still looking pensive.

"Eamon calm down, I'm sure everything will be fine," Anora said trying to sooth the aged Arl.

"I certainly hope that you are right Anora," Eamon said as he made for the nearest chair and fell into it. Anora analyzed the bearded man for a moment before posing a question.

"You intend to put Alistair on the throne if you are successful in the Landsmeet don't you?" Anora asked sounding affronted.

"Anora, it is nothing against you," Eamon began. "But to lose the Theirin bloodline after one generation is simply outrageous. We did not fight for so long to lose the bloodline so soon."

"Is blood really everything?" Anora posed the question. "You know full well Cailan did not run this Land for the last five years. He was a good, honest man, but he was spoiled by his father and knew not how to lead." Anora stared hard at Eamon, asserting herself thoroughly. How could he truly believe that Alistair was a capable ruler? In all actuality, the other Warden had far more promise to successfully lead a nation. Deciding to try and prove a point, Anora began.

"Maric knew how to lead a country, but I have heard that even his wife ruled more than he. I loved my husband, but again he was delusional in his thoughts of running a kingdom. So what makes you think that Alistair could successfully lead this nation? At least Cailan had some experience from watching his mother and father." Anora paused a moment a took a deep breath before continuing.

"My father taught me many things about how to lead and do what's best for everyone and it has served me well thus far. It goes without saying that Alistair may know how to lead troops, but leading a country is vastly different."

"Alistair, with assistance behind him, could learn to be a successful King," Eamon declared. Anora's forwardness was quickly wearing thin.

"Were Cailan forced to learn, he would also have been a better admired King but you were stronger than him and it only made sense that you do what need be done. I will not deny that the public loves you, commoner and noble alike, but you are the daughter of a teyrn,-"

"Daughter of a very popular teryn and general of great renown," Anora corrected. "And even though he may be mad at this point, his accomplishments will not be easily forgotten.

"Are you so sure," Eamon shot back. "He did sign your husband's death warrant as well as all but two of the Wardens in Ostegar. We prove he's a traitor, it will be unlikely people will view him in his former glory, least he find some manner to redeem himself.

"And now you believe in redemption Eamon?" Anora shot back angrily.

"I'm sorry Anora, I know this must be difficult for you," Eamon said solemnly.

"No, I…you're right. I understand your desire to keep blood on the throne, but blood alone does not make a good ruler. I can lead us through this blight as a nation, and the new Warden can lead the armies. It would seem all whom he has come to know would follow him to the edge of the world and back without question. I…"Anora paused. "Who is he anyway?"

"Theodus Cousland, second son of Teyrn Bryce and Teyrness Eleanor Cousland," Eamon began, but stopped when he saw Anora's eyes widen in surprise. Clearing his throat, Eamon continued.

"Howe attacked their home in the middle of the night while their eldest son led the armies to Ostegar. As I understand it, Duncan was there to recruit for the Wardens. He honored Bryce's last wish to help his son escape and Bryce agreed to have Theodus become a Grey Warden. Duncan, Theodus and his Mabari War Hound, were the only ones to escape Howes treachery. It would seem ironic that both of you have personally seen the lengths that Howe will go to, to gain and keep power." Anora took in the information Eamon had just given her, and after a moment spoke.

"I knew I recognized that name when you first said it," Anora said looking glass eyed. I guess I should have recognized his face, but it has been twelve years.

"What do you mean," Eamon asked.

"I visited the Couslands on many occasions but only met Theodus once when he was fifteen," Anora explained. "He made quite the impression," Anora said letting loose a small smile. "But I made many trips there for conferences with Eleanor after I became Queen, yet I never did see him again. I assumed he was either absent at the time, or busy about the estate."

"So how did you meet him?" Eamon asked curiously.

"A story best for another time Eamon," Anora said sternly. "Though my mother told me shortly before she died that she would have liked to arrange a marriage for me to the boy who saved our lives," Anora chuckled slightly making it sound as though she thought it silly.

"Your mother was a great woman, her passing was hard on all those who knew her," Eamon said honestly. Eamon's next thought was cut short by the arrival of the Grey Wardens.

"Makers breath, thank goodness you're safe," relief was radiating from Eamon's voice.

"Yes, we were praying for your safe return Warden, and you as well Alistair," Anora said sounding truthful.

"Oh come on, you were hoping only he'd return, I can see it," Alistair joked. Anora glared hard at his jest.

"Alistair, now is not the time for jokes," Eamon berated him.

"Sorry Arl Eamon," Alistair said quickly.

"Now that you're both here, we can discuss what we need to do for the Landsmeet," Anora began. "My father has enormous support, you will need ammunition to help sway them.

"I've already got a few of the nobles in support of our cause," Theodus cut in. "One's son was at the mercy of Howe, and the templar that was chasing the blood mage Jowan was also imprisoned there. His sister is seeing to his aid and she will speak out against Loghain."

"That is good, but even with all that, you need a stronger candidate for the throne, you need me," Anora said proudly.

"Can I just say I think she's right on that one," Alistair interjected.

"Alistair after a few months on the throne you would be a fine King," Eamon stated. "You know how to lead your troops-"

"No I don't. He does though," Alistair said nodding in Theodus' direction. "I haven't so much as lead a troop to the chamber pots."

"Alistair I said you know how," Eamon reiterated. "If you are willing to let yourself, you would be a fine leader."

"Even if I don't want to be?" Alistair asked.

"Eamon, why force him onto the throne when he doesn't even want it?" Anora questioned the old Arl.

"Maric once said that a leader doesn't always get to do what he wants, or what is right for him, but what is right for his people," Eamon said defiantly.

"Exactly," Alistair shouted looking hard into Eamon's eyes. "A leader doesn't always get to do what he wants," and with that stormed out. Eamon made to go after him, but Theodus put up a hand signaling to stop.

"Let him calm down, do you really want another fight between you two? You are the only father figure he has left now." Theodus comment made Eamon think hard for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"I think I will retire to my room," Anora announced slowly. "Warden, Theodus, if you have a moment I wish to speak to you in private." With that Anora left the room.

"Be wary of her Warden, she aims to keep her power, and will do anything to do so," Eamon warned.

"That may be the case, but it may also be what's best for Ferelden," Theodus shot back.

Theodus made his way out of the Arl's sitting room and into the hallway. Then proceed down and right to the last door on the left. He knocked lightly and was welcomed in.

"What can I do for you your Highness?" Theodus walked from the doorway and met her in her sitting area.

"You really don't remember me do you?" Anora asked in return as she nervously wrung her hands. Theodus paused for a moment, thinking on what she said.

"You have me at a disadvantage," Theodus began looking quizzically at her. "I thought that we only first met a few hours ago."

"I was the girl you rescued from the bandit attack in the Highever forest. I was with my mother traveling to the Cousland Estate. That was the first time I met your mother, but I had many more meetings with her after I became Queen, yet I never saw you again." Theodus thought hard and traveled into the deep recesses of his mind to pull forward that memory.

"Holy pigeon crap."