Thank you too everyone who reviewed and faved/alerted, I appreciate it! Now this chapter is just setting up for the story so I apologize if it's a tad boring! Please review I love hearing what you think.

The three of them looked back at the young girl standing still quite nervously, Cailan gave her a charming smile before speaking up first. "Elissa my dear you will do amazingly, after all Duncan and I are dead, remember?" He joked casually.

Elissa smiled lightly looking at the handsome king feeling her cheeks growing hot; she spun around to turn away from him. "Thank you… Ser." She spoke timidly once more.

"You can't honestly do this mother! Do I not get a say?" Morrigan's voice was heard off in the distance as she practically yelled at her mother.

Her mothers' chuckle rang through their ears as they both made their way back to the group of survivors. "Child they will fail without you." Was all she said before they reached the group…

Morrigan stood next to her mother clearly not amused as she looked at the three men, the female and the dog. "Well mother tis' time to say farewell." She gave a long drawn out sigh to show once more how much she didn't like this idea.

Elissa stared at the old woman for a moment, she looked like she had lived for many years . "Excuse me, what is your name? I would like to know the woman who saved my life." She spoke up suddenly causing all eyes to land on her.

"Name's are pretty but useless." She let out another husky chuckle before thinking for a moment. "I suppose they call me Flemeth, you can do the same."

"So you are the witch of the wilds, thee' Flemeth from the legends." Alistair wrinkled up his nose at this thought. "Perish the thought!"

Flemeth just stared at him for a moment which made him uncomfortable but then she turned her gaze onto Elissa. "Good luck child, it is up to you, for if you fail we shall all fail."

Elissa slowly nodded her head feeling a great amount of pressure just pushed on her. "Thank you, Flemeth." She smiled sweetly at the old woman who nodded her head at her in reply.

"I suggest the village just north, or if you prefer I just simply be a silent guide…"

"No, no I prefer you speak your mind." Elissa interrupted her. "I would like it if you would feel like you're in this group." She added still nervous but yet her words sounded strong still.

Morrigan let out a small laugh as she looked at the young beauty. "I then."

They said their goodbye to Flemeth and then made their way up to Lothering, Elissa walked ahead of the rest of them but with Timber firmly at her side as her long, silky locks swayed swiftly with each step. Cailan made his way next to her swiftly reaching her and matching her steps, Elissa turned too look at the king with a raised eye brow. "Yes Ser?" She questioned curiously.

"Cailan my dear." He corrected sending her a sweet smile, one which caused her to smile in return. "I just wanted to thank you once again for saving me, I'm just sorry I didn't notice the Darkspawn before it hit you… You are very enchanting you know." He flirted carelessly causing her to blush once more.

"It's alright… Cailan, I would have done anything to…" Elissa stopped in her tracks, as did Duncan and Alistair; they could feel them about; Elissa took her right hand and placed it on her left sword handle and her left hand on her right sword handle crisscrossing her hands. She pulled out her blades as a beautiful noise was made as they left their protection. "Darkspawn…"

The others pulled out their weapons at the ready, Alistair held his hefty shield in one hand and his sword in the other as he made his way next to Elissa, Timber let out a low defensive growl into the distance which was covered heavily with trees and bushes.

An arrow whizzed out of the bushes at Elissa as she instantly spun gracefully to the left causing the arrow to whoosh passed her and clang into the tree just behind her, then one jumped out of the trees with his large axe in his hand, he swung at Alistair who quickly defended himself with his shield before they knew it there was seven surrounding them charging for the attack.

Duncan connected one attack with the next remarkably as he killed the one that was charging at him, Timber tackled the one that struck Alistair's shield taking him to the ground growling and ferociously biting it; Morrigan threw her staff forward causing the tip to taint a light blue, a cold chill filled the area before the two Darkspawn in front of her froze in their place, Cailan noticed this then smashed through both with his sword causing a loud clash to ring through out the wilds as their bodies shattered. Elissa was so graceful with her swords; she knew every weak spot on the body and would slice them all within four seconds killing the three surrounding her in one graceful motion. "Blood." She pulled a face as she looked down at her self covered in it.

Duncan placed his swords back into their place on his 'belt' before sending a smile at the girl. "You will have to get use to it my dear."

Elissa nodded but stayed silent, it was more the fact it reminded her of what happened at the castle and her family. "Let's keep going."

They had finally staggered out of the Korcari wilds and Lothering stood barely visible by the fog in the distance, Elissa stepped onto the large stone bridge that lead down to Lotherings' entrance and in an instant she was surrounded by a group of male thugs, three of them stood in front of the rest of the group facing them, arms folded while the other five and their leader laughed and surrounded Elissa.

"Oh look at this pretty thing." The seeming leader snickered stepping just in front of Elissa smirking at her. "Prettiest thing we've seen in a long time wouldn't you say boys?"

There were snickers and grunts in reply as Elissa rolled her eyes, Timber growled at them ready to attack. "It's okay Timber." Elissa called out to him causing him to relax a little.

The leader let out a laugh standing right in front of her now. "Ten silvers and I guess you can go."

"Are you kidding?" She scoffed folding her arms in front of herself. "I don't really think you want to face a Grey Warden now do you?" She questioned staying strong.

"Them Grey Wardens killed the king." The larger man standing next to the leader spoke up causing Elissa to turn her eyes onto him.

"What?" She asked sounding a little more surprised then she wanted too. "What do you mean we killed the king?"

The leader let out a laugh. "Loghain has quite a large bounty on any Grey Wardens still alive, they betrayed the king and let him die in Ostagar. Maybe you're head would be worth more then the ten silvers we are charging…It's a shame really, such a pretty girl." He went to put his hand onto his weapon as the rest of the group went to move.

In an instant Elissa had spun around him around to his back, whipping out both her swords and holding them crisscrossed against his throat. "One strike and I can take you're head off." She spoke into his ear as the other thugs didn't know how to react.

"Okay, okay! I'm sorry!" The leader panicked as sweat beads appeared on his forehead, Elissa slowly took the swords away from his throat. "Let us go please!"

"First give me everything you've stolen." Elissa replied folding her arms against her chest. "Then get out, if I see you again I wont hesitate to kill you."

The leader shoved some silvers into Elissa's hand before pushing passed her and running off with the others not far behind him, she spun around to face the group who were dumb-struck staring back at her. "So that's what Loghain has done." She sighed sitting herself down onto a wooden box close by.

"It's weird hearing people talk about me like I'm dead." Cailan said suddenly making his way over too Elissa. "You're incredibly skilled with your swords and your movement; I can understand why Duncan recruited you."

"Years of having an older brother, and I think it was more cause I'd die if I didn't go with him." Elissa replied staring up towards the other three companions.

Duncan let out a chuckle. "I have been after you for a long time Elissa; you're father just refused me every time." He spoke through his helmet but Elissa could tell her was smiling.

Elissa smiled back at him before she stood up and looked around the mess the bandits had left behind. "Grab what you can, hopefully we can return some of it."

"Is this how it's going to be? Rescuing kittens from trees and reuniting the separated?" Morrigan groaned a little standing her ground with her arms folded.

"Maybe." Elissa replied simply, she spotted a tiny lamb tied up to a box and gently picked it up once untying it. "Should change kittens to lambs."

"Tis so funny." Morrigan scoffed with a roll of her eyes, Elissa shook her head in replied and stared off down the steps.

"We find information about what Loghain is up too, and then we shall head to Redcliff to see the Arl." Elissa explained as she held the little lamb tightly patting it as she did so.

"The Arl? My uncle?" Cailan asked curiously from just behind Elissa. "Do I have to not allow him to know I'm alive?"

Elissa glanced back at him for a moment. "I don't know… we'll see." She answered feeling sick in her stomach for ordering a King around. Her and her family was second only too the King and not showing that respect really got to her.

An eleven family sat in a group looking defeated and upset, Elissa knew Morrigan wouldn't be pleased if she helped someone else but she couldn't help it she made her way over to them. "Is everything okay?" She asked politely causing them too look up at her.

"My pet lamb!" The little girl cried happily jumping to her feet; Elissa passed the lamb to her. "Thank you, thank you!"

"If you have killed those bandits our luck has just improved." The father said getting to his feet and shaking Elissa's hand. "Are they dead?"

"Gone." Elissa replied sending them a small smile, their faces showed how grateful they were. "Go through the things up there and retrieve your things."

Elissa spoke well with people, this was due to her upbringing and having to be the Teryn of Highever's one and only daughter. The elves thanked her before they left to collect their things which allowed Elissa to continue on her path, not that she really knew where to go.

"Hey… You!" A man called out from next to the tavern. "You're the Grey Warden the guards are looking for! Blond, pretty human with a dog and a male."

"Ha Alistair you are mentioned only after the dog." Morrigan laughed as she teased him watching him pull a face at her.

"What did they want?" Elissa questioned ignoring Alistair's and Morrigan's little squabble. "Can you tell me what has happened?"

"Of course! Loghain said he retreated all of his men for their safety and that King Cailan was betrayed by the Grey Wardens and all were slaughtered. Queen Anora gave Loghain the throne for now and doesn't seem that torn up her husband's dead." The man answered her questions; Elissa felt the need too look back at Cailan just for a moment before turning back to the man.

Elissa smiled at him sweetly. "Thank you." She said swiftly passing him a sovereign before bowing her head at him, he bowed back twice over in thanks.

They had spent some time in Lothering doing odds and ends for some people in order to get more information, they had come across a Qunari called Sten locked up in a cage for murdering a family, he was looking for redemption so Elissa told him she would grant it. They also crossed a sister from the Chantry names Leliana, she told them the maker brought her too them, which Elissa let her come along. They decided it was best to not stay any longer and too sleep at a camp, soon enough night had fallen upon them and they had set up their camp for the night. Alistair made his way over to Elissa who was sitting in front of the fire cozily. "Can I join you?" He asked as casually as he could without making himself sick.

"Of course." Elissa answered patting the patch of dirt just next to her. "Anything wrong?" She mused turning too look at him.

Alistair laughed out nervously causing her to raise an eye brow at the boy. "Ahem… no nothings wrong, just thought I'd join you." He turned slightly too look at her, her eyes were already on him and for that their eyes locked. "Doesn't the bottom of your hair get dirty?" He said suddenly.

Elissa looked down at her hair which touched the floor because of the length; she let out a small laugh before looking back up at Alastair. "I suppose but I don't want to cut it." She answered smiling at him.

"Ah… I see… well… then that's good." He spluttered out clearing his throat uncomfortably, getting another giggle from her in return. "You're hair I mean… its good… suits you…"

"Why thank you Alistair, I'm so glad you like it." She teased lightly looking at the handsome man. "Alistair I don't know what to do." She sighed out turning her gaze back to the fire.

"With this whole looming blight thing?" Alistair always seemed to have to make things funny and Elissa couldn't help but smile at him. "Well we are using the treaties aren't we?" He questioned receiving a nod from her in reply. "Well then we go to each place get them to help, then go to Loghain and say surprise and shove Cailan in their faces."

Elissa let out a small laugh before turning to look at him once more. "I don't know if it's going to go quite like that, but it's a start." She said getting a grin from him. "Thank you Alistair."

Alistair couldn't help but stare at her, maker she really was something else, he opened his mouth to say something but quickly shut it when Cailan made his way over to Elissa. "May I have a moment with her?" He questioned Alistair with an odd tone to his voice; Alistair just nodded and got up off the ground where he was sitting.

Cailan sat down next to her as Alistair walked off mumbling something to himself; Elissa turned to face the man. "Are you okay? Hearing you're wife isn't too torn up about you're death must be a little hard…"

Cailan thought for a moment staring off into the distance. "Anora has been telling me what to do since we were little, so its no surprise that I was made to marry her."

"You didn't have a choice?" Elissa questioned bringing her legs up to her chest and resting her chin on her knees.

"No it was pretty much decided that I would marry Anora from the day I met her." Cailan replied. "She was fine enough I suppose but I don't really think either of us loved each other."

Elissa looked at him; he really did look a lot like Alistair. "I couldn't imagine marrying someone I didn't love, my fat…" Elissa still couldn't bring herself to mention them; she stared wide eyed at the ground clearly uneasy.

Cailan placed his arm around her and brought her closer to him. "I am sorry to hear about your family; Bryce was a good friend to my father, if only good enough to make you my bride instead of Anora!" He tried to make her happy and in hearing a small laugh he smiled.

"I don't think I ever met you when we were little, si… Cailan." Elissa spoke feeling strangely at ease in his arms, suddenly there was a growl to their left, Timber was growling at Cailan angrily letting a bark out every now and then. Cailan let go off Elissa and showed both hands to which Timber moved in between them and sat down, panting happily. "He's a bit protective." She laughed embarrassedly sitting forward a bit too see over the large hound.

Cailan frowned at the dog but Timber ignored him sitting happily between them. "We did, meet." He said turning his gaze towards the camp fire since seeing over Timber would be a struggle.

"We did?" She questioned a little surprised. "When?"

"I believe you were sixteen, I watched you fight but when my father and I went over to talk to you, you were more interested in this thing." He pointed to Timber. "Your father gave him to you after you won."

Elissa let out another embarrassed laugh. "I didn't know, I apologize I cant believe I was so rude."

Cailan laughed humbly. "You weren't rude; you looked rather cute playing with the puppy and hugging your father over and over again."

Elissa looked around the camp, Duncan was sitting by his tent, Morrigan had made her little tent far away from everyone else, the new sister Leliana stood next to her tent looking into the fire humming, the Qunari Sten was standing serious faced with arms folded and then she looked to Alistair, his gaze was already on her so she sent him a small smile to which he blushed and quickly looked away.

"Well my fearless leader, we should be getting rest for the journey to Redcliff." Cailan spoke up which caused her to turn her attention back to him. "Goodnight Elissa."

"Goodnight Cailan." Elissa replied sweetly as he pulled himself up off the ground and wonder towards his tent. Timber used his large black snout to nudge her gently causing her to smile and pat his head. "Let's go to bed Mr.…" She spoke to Timber before grabbing his large snout and giving him a kiss on his nose.

He barked in reply before helping her up off the floor with his body, she said her goodnights to everyone getting goodnights back and a grunt from Morrigan… even less from Sten. She climbed into bed with Timber cuddled up next to her and let her mind wonder, what has she gotten herself into?

The sun rose slowly tinting the sky in a beautiful yellow, orange and pinkish colour; Elissa got dressed into her armor before pulling herself out of the tent, it was quiet and beautiful at this time off morning as birds soared across the sky.

"Good morning Elissa." Duncan's voice called from behind her, causing her to jump in surprise before spinning around to see Duncan. "I did not mean to scare you."

"Oh Duncan, it's okay." She replied sending him a smile. "Are you ready to get going soon?"

"Elissa… there is something I need to tell you." Duncan's persona was uneasy and Elissa could tell.

"What is it Duncan?" She mused making her way towards him slowly. "Are you okay?"

Duncan gave her a smile; she was such a caring character. "I am afraid that is not so." He paused for a moment to see the confusion on her face. "You know how we drink the blood of Darkspawn to become tainted?"

"Yes of course."

"Well eventually the taint destroys us and we go into the deep roads to live our final moments killing Darkspawn." He eyed her carefully. "I'm afraid when we go to Orzammar I will not be leaving with you."

This caught her off guard completely she didn't know how to react so instead she just stood there for a moment. "Nothing can …. Nothing can change that?"

Duncan let out a small chuckle. "I have lived a long life my dear girl and as much as I'd like to see the end of this Blight I'm afraid my body will not will it."

"Does Alistair know?"

"I have mentioned it too him once or twice but he doesn't know when, I do not wish him to know until we are there." Duncan answered seeing her face fall. "You will do wonderfully Elissa I know you will." He pulled her into a hug to which she hugged him back. "Do not tell him yet Elissa, we still have Redcliff to go to first."

"Okay." Her voice was small and uneven; she didn't know Duncan that well but he was already classed as family and loosing another family member just suck.

Duncan let go off her and patted either side of her shoulders reassuringly, he then turned around and walked back to his tent to pack up the things he needed. Elissa stood still for a moment more until everyone else began to stir awake she packed up the things she needed then waiting for everyone else before they set off on their way.

The journey to Redcliff was long and filled with Morrigan and Alistair's bickering and also Leliana would tell Duncan stories she had heard on her journey in which he was interested in, Elissa stayed silent as she followed the long dirt road that led to the village just below the castle.

"Elissa, there is something I think we should tell you." Alistair called out to her as the village started to become visible, causing Elissa to stop walking and turn to look at him.

Cailan scoffed back at him. "I don't think it is all that important."

Alistair stared at him for a moment. "Of course it is." He sighed before adding "You are suppose to be dead after all, it's going to come up."

Cailan snorted while folding his arms across his chest. "It wont come up."

"What is it?" Elissa snapped become increasingly annoyed by the boys squabbling. "Just tell me."

The two boys stared at her uncomfortably; Alistair finally decided to speak up. "You know how I told you my mother was a servant girl? Well my father was King Maric."

Elissa looked between the two of them for a moment. "Explains the likeness." Was the first thing she could string together into a sentence.

Cailan snorted once more. "There is no likeness between us." He turned his gaze to Alistair.

"Thank you Alistair for letting me know… Means I will be less caught off guard when its brought up." Elissa stated ignoring Cailan's comment, more drama to deal with, her mind was else where and although this was new its wasn't like Cailan was dead, otherwise this would have been huge news. "So you're half brothers?"

Cailan and Alistair exchanged glances between each other clearly not liking the sound of it. "I suppose." Cailan said suddenly wrinkling his nose.

"I too would have your tune if I had someone like Alistair as my brother." Morrigan spoke up since no one else seemed to.

Elissa rolled her bright blue eyes before spinning around on her heels to continue walking. "Alistair come here." She called behind her but continued to walk.

Alistair quickly made his way to her side. "Yes?"

"I don't know why you didn't mention this that night at Flemeth's but I wish you had of." Elissa spoke turning her head slightly too look at him. "Did you not trust me?"

"No, no it's nothing like…." Alistair paused as he saw great big clouds of smoke coming up from the village. "Now that's not normal."

Elissa turned to see what he was looking at, then the screaming began. "Help!" A voice screamed from inside the village. "Someone Help!!"