Hi all I hope you enjoy my Dragon Age Origins fan fic, of course I don't own anything its all bioware's

Please review

Alyiria Amell had done it. Against all odds she brought the civil war to an end defeated the blight and saved Ferelden from its end, not bad for a mage. She stood atop Fort Drakon as the cold crisp air engrossed her body in goose bumps, the battle still fresh on her mind as she strolled through the now abandon, blood stained Fort. Her waist length midnight black hair blew gently against the wind as her light sky blue eyes scanned the area around her.

So much death…

She had killed so many on her travels and no matter how much she tried to justify it; she couldn't help the guilt that racked her very core. She walked to the edge of the large stone building and swiftly pulled her-self up onto one of the half broken stone pillar, the harsh winter wind blew against her as she looked out over the large city of Denerim. She stood right on the edge of the pillar and closed her eyes; she took a deep breath in letting everything go.

"Ally?" The voice startled her as she lost her balance and stumbled over herself. "Ally!" He lunged forward in a flash grabbing a hold of her arm just before falling to her certain death.

"By the maker why would you scare me like that Alistair?" She hissed from her dangling position, holding onto his strong firm arm tightly.

In a simple movement he hoisted her up over the wall and back onto a stable surface sliding his arms around her waist and pulling her into him. "What were you doing up there?" He spoke into her ear causing a shiver to run through her entire body.

Her lips were inches from him and there was nothing more she wanted then him right at this moment, his smell, his eyes, his smile, they lured her to him. "Thinking." She whispered closing her eyes.

Alistair let out a deep sigh; he pulled her closer to his chest getting resistance from her in return but with one final pull she crashed into his chest as the tears finally escaped her eyes and rolled down her pale cheeks one after the other. "I love you more then anything Ally…"

Alyiria couldn't help but scoff at that remark. "Not more then your pride." She spat bitterly pushing herself out of his arms. "Would you have dumped me if I was a noble?"

"Ally, don't start this please… you knew this would happen when…"

"No don't you start Alistair! I promised Eamon I would put you on the throne, but I thought we promised to always stay together no matter what." She had told herself she wouldn't yell, she told herself that she would let this go, she closed her eyes once more and took a deep breath. "I'm going back to the circle with Wynne tomorrow, I promised Eamon I'd help look after Conner and I promised I'd help clean up the circle."

"Ally please just-"

"Tell me it wouldn't have been the same if I was a Noble." Alyiria pressed on feeling her heart pound against her ribs. "Tell me it wouldn't have been different if I wasn't mage."

Alistair stayed silent and that was enough, her stomach clenched as her facial expression must have shown him exactly how she felt. "Ally, I…"

"No Alistair…" The tears built up as she stood across from the man she loved she felt pathetic, was she really being like this just for a man? No he wasn't just any man, he was Alistair… Her Alistair. "I promised Leliana I would meet her for dinner with the others… Excuse me your highness." The words were laced in poison but she bowed her head to him before turning around and walking away.

Her mind was blank. She felt numb all over. What kind of person could do this to her? Make her feel this way. She was shivering from the cold as she made her way back to Eamon's temporary estate, wet salty tears steamed down her face, regardless of her attempts to wipe them away. The Archdemon had been dead for no more then three days and the rebuilding had already began soon things would be back to normal and the Grey Wardens' for the time being, weren't needed.

She pushed open the large wooden door to the estate and slowly made her way inside, she was sore and tired, and rest wasn't something she had come by too often on her travels; her vision blurred when the tears over-flooded her eyes in their attempt to escape. She pressed her back against the cool stone wall, sliding down it until she was collapsed on the floor, she couldn't quite understand why this was hurting her this badly, she had defeated the blight yet this man reduced her to nothing.

"Alyiria?" Teagan's voice filled the air as he quickened his pace over towards the 'hero of Ferelden'. "Ally my dear, are you alright?" He's tone was a worried one as he bent down and heaved her up onto his lap.

Alyiria covered her face with her small soft hands as her chest rose and fell unevenly. "I'm… just tired Teagan." She tried to cover up any evidence that she was crying but even as the words came out of her mouth she had realised it was far too obvious.

"I see you spoke to the king." He sighed gently brushing off the strands of hair that had attached themselves too her face.

"The sooner I leave with Connor tomorrow the better." She murmured through the gaps between her fingers.

Teagan hoisted her up in his arms in a swift movement and began carrying her off, she went to protest but he stoped her. "You're companions are waiting for you and I think you could use them."

"I can walk Teagan." She huffed stubbornly wiping away the last few tears that escaped.

"You said it yourself dear girl, you are tired." He smiled down at her sweetly to which he got a very clear 'humph' but she let a small smile escape to which he caught.

Teagan placed her onto her feet just outside the room where her friends had been waiting for her. "Thank you for agreeing to help Connor, he is quite taken with you."

Alyiria gave him a small smile. "I don't have a problem at all, of course the circle still needs some work on, but I am only too happy to help in any way I can."

Teagan pulled her into a hug wrapping his strong arms around her tiny body; she had lost quite a lot of weight on her quest that it was almost scary. "Alistair is a fool my lady, good luck at the circle." He gave her one last squeeze before releasing his grip on her and bowing his head in his exit.

Alyiria watched him leave with wide eyes her straight black as black hair sat messily around her as some of it clung to her face, her puffy red eyes and matching nose must have made her a site. The door swung open startling her. "There you are Ally." Leliana's angelic voice cooed out to her. "Is something the matter?"

Alyiria turned around to face Leliana with a smile on her face. "No I am okay." She spoke quietly but the smile remained on her face. Timber bounded towards her happily wagging his short tail barking excitedly. "Hi Timber." She smiled as she bent down to pat the top of his large head.

"Come in Ally, we have gotten together a nice dinner-"

"And some Ale!" Oghren's grunt came from inside the room as Alyiria giggled. "Lots of Ale!"

"Good Ale at that too." Wynne's wise voice chimed in.

"Yes come in my dear, we shall celebrate our successes before you depart!" Zevran took a hold of her hand before bringing it up to his lips and kissing it softly. "You shall be missed here."

Alyiria smiled as she allowed Zevran to lead her into the room where all her companions were, she had become so close to them all that she almost wished the blight had not of ended. Oghren had already started drinking and Wynne had a glass in hand, Sten and Shayle were talking to each other in the corner trying to understand the way the others acted and why; Leliana and Zevran held either side of her and led her over towards the table. "Here is to the hero of Ferelden." Leliana grinned at her friend before raising a glass, too which the others cheered too. "To the hero!"

Alyiria groaned as her eyes slowly open, her head ached as she slowly managed to push herself up into a sitting position, she was on her bed that much she was aware off, it took her a moment to realise she wasn't alone, Leliana, Zevran, Wynne and Oghren had found their way onto her bed as well. "Finally one of you wakes." Shayle's distinctive voice filled the air.

"Owe, Shayle?" Alyiria groaned rubbing either side of her temples. "What happened?" But as she looked over at Shayle she burst into giggles.

Shayle sighed. "It seems you have all been taking lessons off Oghren and I must say he is not the best dwarf to learn from. I was just glad you all passed out before I had to squish one of your heads like a grape."

Alyiria let out another laugh. "I guess we went a little over board with the celebration didn't we?" She slowly climbed over the sleeping elf who had found his resting place just next to her. "I am still clothed right?" She asked sarcastically quickly feeling all over her body but once her hands touched the material of her silky dress she let out a sigh of relief before stumbling to stay on her feet.

"I must say though Ally…" Alyiria's head shot up to look at Shayle in an instant; did she just call her by her name? Let alone her nickname. "I have never met a woman who can command so many other flesh creatures to them."

She gave her an odd look. "Pardon?"

"Indeed the painted-elf and the sister are in love with you, the king also has feelings for you." Shayle studied her for a minute. "And I must say they have 'good tastes.' You are by far the most advanced breed of the flesh creatures… And I... will miss you"

"I will miss you too." Alyiria humbly smiled at her, she moved towards the large once intimidating stone golem and threw her arms around her. Shayle's skin was cold and hard but Alyiria didn't mind. "Sten is all yours though."

"I do not know what it is talking about."

"Oh it now is it? Must of hit a never." Alyiria teased lightly as Shayle frowned at her as best as a golem could. "I… Oh maker." She covered her mouth with her hands as she stood still; Shayle gave her an odd look. "I think I'm going to be sick…"

"Not too many lessons from Oghren, I see."

Teagan, Eamon and Alistair stood waiting in the front hall with Connor by his fathers' side. Eamon looked at Alistair. "I hope there isn't anything wrong?"

Alistair turned to look at him. "I don't know."

"I doubt it Eamon, I dropped her off with her friends last night." Teagan shot Alistair a look before continuing. "They wanted to celebrate." A loud crash from down the hallway rang through the estate then two seconds later a group of giggles. "Seems like they are here."

Alyiria walked into the room with the others following closely behind her, Connor ran up and threw his arms around her for a hug. "Ally! You're here!"

"Hi Brat." She grinned at him rustling his hair. "Excited about the tower?" She mused before giggling and picking up the young boy.

"Alyiria how much did you drink last night?" Eamon sighed as the smell of ale filled his nose.

She lowered her eye lids at him and sighed. "I may have had a little too much last night but I do believe I am entitled to a drink, would you say so you're highness?"

Alistair looked hurt by this but quickly shrugged it off. "The Templars will be here to pick you up any minute."

"Templars?" Alyiria pulled a face of both confusion and disgust. "I thought we were freed from the Chantry as my boon?"

"Irving has requested to keep Templars on but they will be under his order." Alistair replied shifting uncomfortably in his king robes, this didn't feel right to him. "I suspect you should say you're goodbyes now."

Alyiria spun on her heels to look at the people who had become the family she never had, her heart hurt to leave them, but it was already broken. "Don't forget to come and visit every now and then, okay?" She cuddled each of them one by one, if there was a down side to the blight ending, it was that she couldn't spend every day with the people she had grown so close too. "Especially you Zev, I don't know what I'd do without you brightening my mood…"

Zevran let out a chuckle as he pulled her into a large hug. "I will try my dear, perhaps I can show you that massage..."

"Nice try." She sighed giving him one last squeeze. "Look after yourself…" Her voice was barely above a whisper as she slowly pulled away from him.

Teagan smiled at her and held out his arms to which she goofily crashed into them. "I will see you when we come to visit Connor, my dear." After a moment he pulled away and took her soft small hand into his and brought it too his lips. "Thank you for everything you have done here Ally." He kissed her hand sweetly as she smiled in return; he passed her hand along to Eamon who was waiting for his turn.

"Where do I start with you, Ally?" His laugh was muffled with old age as he looked at the young witch in front of him. "You saved my wife and son from death, then you find the Urn to save me from death; you did what I asked no matter what would happen as a consequence and you saved Ferelden. Not only that but now you are taking on the responsibility of training Connor." His face wrinkled as it was pulled into a humble smile. "Thank you for everything Alyiria."

Alyiria smiled as she hugged him, she wanted to be mad at him for making her put Alistair on the throne, but in her heart she knew Alistair was meant to be king. Three Templar's walked into the room as their heavy armour clanged with each step they took sending shivers through her body, she had forgotten how intimidating they had been. "You alright there Ally? You seem to have declined in colour." Wynne's wise old voice piped up as she made her way next to her 'adopted daughter'.

Alyiria took the elder mages' hand. "Yes… Just a little over Templars…" She didn't even glance back at Alistair, her heart couldn't take it. "Shall we head off then?"

Alistair attempted to say good bye but she wouldn't look at him while she said a final goodbye to her friends and then headed on their way; the Templars hardly spoke on the journey and Alyiria shape shifted into a bear to give Wynne and Connor a ride so they didn't have to keep walking as soon as they had left the castle, which made the journey tenser. They had finally reached the docks of Lake Calenhad as the tower stood proudly in the misty distance, surrounded by deep freezing cold water, Connor gasped at the site as he sat atop Alyiria's back, she nudged Wynne gently with her large brown snout and nodded towards the tower. "I agree dear, we are home."

"I'm sorry Miss Amell; you will need to return to human form." The largest of the three Templars stepped in front of her before she could board the boat, she gave him a low growl in return. "Please?"

She grunted but complied with the Templars' wish, she sat down so Connor could slide off easily then in a flash she was back into her human form, her cheeks were red from exhaustion as her hair laid wildly around her, her tight thigh length dress clung to her hour glass body as her stockings made her legs look like silk, the three Templers cleared their throats simultaneously and tried not to stare; the mages at the tower didn't ware anything like what Alyiria wore and being men of the maker who shouldn't, couldn't help but stare. Wynne sighed and shook her head; she grabbed a hold of her arm and pulled her onto the boat. "What have I told you about the way you dress?"

Alyiria took a look down at her clothes. "Morrigan and I designed it ourselves… what's wrong with it?" Wynne simply sighed in reply and turned to find somewhere to rest.

The three Templars boarded along with Connor and pulled the boat out of the dock and off towards the tower. Alyiria slouched over the railings around the boat and watched the water ripple around the edges of the boat, the patterns were hypnotising as she let her pain dig deeper into her heart. "Miss Amell?"

Alyiria turned her head to the right to see the youngest of the Templars standing in front of her, nervously shifting on his feet. "Call me Ally." She replied standing up straight to look at the man. "Is there something wrong?"

"N…no I ju…just wanted to thank you… for ending the blight." He answered nervously. "I wish I could have been in the fight."

She looked the boy up and down. "What's your name?"

"Marcus."

"And how old are you?"

"Nineteen Miss just passed my Templar training."

"Don't call me Miss, it seems I am younger then you."

"Younger?" Marcus was caught off guard, the thought of Ferelden's hero being in her 'teens' never crossed his mind. "How old are you mi- Ally…?"

She gave a small laugh. "I am eighteen, conscripted by the Grey Wardens at sixteen." She turned to face him. "But you were thanking me weren't you? I was just doing my job, so no need to thank me… But thank you."

"Who knew that the hero of Ferelden was just sixteen when her journey began?"

"Marcus… I have something I want to ask…"

He raised an eyebrow at her. "What is it?"

"A Templar… He survived the take over… Is he still in the tower?" She kept her eyes on the boat's wooden floor, she knew of his feelings for her even before the blood mages took over the tower.

"Cullen?" Her heart skipped a beat. "He's been very distant but he still lives at the tower, he hasn't quite been the same… Or so I hear…"

"He was the Templar picked to slay me had I failed my Harrowing." She sent him a small smile. "I also found him when the tower got taken… He was a mess…"

"He doesn't really speak to anyone but Irving decided to keep him at the tower." Marcus turned to look up at the tower, they had almost docked at the tower; Irving was standing on the docks waiting for their boat too arrive. "Irving has been talking about you coming home non-stop." He smiled at her before making his way over towards the other two Templars.

Alyiria grinned from ear to ear when she saw the now head of the circle, she ran up to the edge of the boat as it slowly made its way to the dock. "Irving!" She waved excitedly at the man who sent her on her path; he was the closest thing she had, had to a father.

"Hello my dear girl." Irving chuckled as his eyes set on his favorite pupil, she ran and jumped off the boat and onto the old wooden dock hearing a creak as she did so, but that didn't stop her from running into Irving's hug. "I am so proud of you; Eamon tells me he'll be bringing your dog to the tower later on today when he comes to see Connor."

Alyiria glanced back too see Connor nervously getting off the boat clearly overwhelmed. "I will take Connor to his room if you like." She held out her hand for Connor to which he quickly grabbed it. "This is Irving, Connor. He is in charge around here."

"Mother said that the Templars are in charge." He peeped up form his hiding slightly behind her leg; the Templars were after all scary.

"They use to be, but we will talk about that when our lessons start." She smiled sweetly at him and placed her arm around his shoulder. "Come on squirt I'll show you around… if that's okay with Irving?"

"Yes, yes child you are free to go, I will talk to you once he is settled in." Alyiria grinned at Connor and grabbed his hand to begin running. "No Shape Shifting Alyiria." She let out a loud sigh in disapproval but pulled Connor along anyway.

Alyiria walked into the large grand tower, a shiver ran through her body as she felt the presence of all that had been murdered here, it wasn't its old self but it was slowly getting there; she tried her hardest to forget Alistair and pretend to be happy at least for Connor's sake, but it was getting harder and harder to ignore the want to just feel sad. "You alright Ally?" Connor questioned giving a tug on her hand. "You look sad."

"No I'm alright." Alyiria replied giving him the best smile she could. "Come I'll show you where my favorite place in the tower was."

She took him by hand around the corridors and up the large stone stairs that led to the second floor. "I only had one friend here, Jowan… I'm sure you remember him as the one that poisoned your father… but he was a good man confused by … never mind, anyway I'm going of track; he and I use to always sneak off to there too read anything and everything we could get our hands on! Mind you Cullen –always- caught us there. But during the day he'd let me sit by the large window and read."

"Who's Cullen?" Connor questioned as he held tightly onto Alyiria's hand.

"He was a Templar here but he was also a friend." Alyiria answered leading him up another set of large stone stairs, normally the Templars would be stopping her from going any further but they were so busy organizing the tower the two slipped up another set of stairs unnoticed. "Just so you know, we aren't allowed up here."

Large heavy footsteps came from the corridor as Alyiria slipped through one of the many large wooden doors that filled the fourth floor, Connor clung to her arm in silence, she wasn't allowed to be up here, it was the Templar quarters but she had to take Connor to her favorite place in the whole tower. "How much further?" Connor whispered as quietly as humanly possible for a young boy.

"It's just through this door." She answered as she placed her hand on the large golden door handle; she smiled to herself as she held onto the door handle for a moment.

The door took a hefty push but it swung open and sunlight engulfed her skin, she closed her eyes and felt the suns rays on her skin; Connor looked around the room in amazement, large wooden bookshelves covered the entire left wall of the room as paintings and statues decorated the rest of the room. A large glass window stood on the back wall but it was so large it almost took up the whole area of the wall; the ledge that stuck out from the window was where she would sit and read books. She strolled over towards the ledge feeling a smile creep onto her face, oh the hours she spent here reading. "What are you doing in here?" A voice came from the door way.

"I'm sorry I was just showing Connor around." Alyiria spun around and felt her heart beat jump. "Cullen?"

Cullen stared at her, the sunlight streaming through the window behind her made her look angelic. "Ally-…. Miss Amell." His voice was strained as he said her name aloud. "You know this room is off limits to all mages."

"Of course, Cullen, I apologize." She moved over towards Connor and took his hand back into her own. "I had to show him my favorite place in the tower…"

"Make sure you don't do it again." Cullen's voice was sharp and distant, Alyiria let out a small sigh as she looked at him.

"Of course." She titled her head in respect before pulling Conner out of the elegant room.

"I thought you said Cullen was you're friend?" Connor asked loudly causing Alyiria to pull a face at him. "What?"

"Nothing, come on I'll show you you're room…"

Alyiria spent the rest of the afternoon showing Connor all the areas of the tower and gave him a list of dos and don'ts, Eamon showed up later that evening with Timber, who was overly excited to be reunited with Alyiria. He stayed for dinner with Connor before he made his leave; Irving showed her to her room once Connor was in bed and told her he would speak to her in the morning. The room was sure large enough with a large bed in the middle and decorated nicely, she was alone now, and there was no need to put on a mask. She collapsed onto the large bed surprised at how soft it was but that didn't stop the tears that streamed down her face as soon as they could, she curled herself into a ball as Timber whined lightly before resting his large head on her hip.

"Ah Cullen, Marcus come in." Irving's wise old voice filled the room as the two Templars made their way into Irving's office. "I am sorry to call you in so late, Eamon stayed later then I thought he would."

"It's alright Sir." Cullen cleared his throat uncomfortable at the word Sir for a mage. "Is there something you need us to do?"

"Yes in fact there is, I would like you two to keep a very close watch on Miss Amell." He glanced up at the two Templars from the large book that lay open on his desk.

"What? Why?" Cullen questioned in a slightly hostile tone. "You want me to baby sit a mage?"

"She is the hero of Ferelden, Cullen and you are my second in command, when I can't be here you will lead the tower and I need Alyiria's safety a top priority."

"Is she in danger?" Marcus asked.

"Eamon has expressed to me his concern over her, which was passed to him by Arl Teagan." Irving answered slowly closing his large book with a thud. "She is an important girl and I'm appointing you two in charge of her safety."

"Irving I don't see why there is the need for two of us when the tower is in this stat-"

"Enough Cullen my word is finally." He let out a deep sigh rubbing his bread with his thumb and index finger. "Also, powerful demons have a tendency to hunt powerful mages. She is thee most powerful mage in Ferelden. This will be your chance to mentor Marcus, Cullen."