Chapter Text
Chapter 10: Just You and Me
Year 8
Later that evening, after a lovely dinner in a quaint cafe, they returned with Kalani to the Pavus house.
Kalani embraced Scarlet, kissing her on the cheek. “Take care of him for me, da’len.”
“I will, Mother,” Hawke told her, hugging the woman one more time.
She hugged Fenris then, holding him until he relaxed into her embrace. “Ma vhenan. You’ve come back to me, and I am grateful. I know not when I will see you again, but my heart sings. If there is a ceremony I will be there. Please, write me, won’t you?”
“Of course,” Fenris answered her. “Though tensions in the South are high. It is not likely to be any time soon.”
“It is of no hurry. I can clearly see that you have already promised your lives to each other. It will merely be a formality. But, mothers do love weddings,” she said, stroking Fenris’ cheek.
“We will invite you and Dorian both,” Hawke assured her. “We are in his debt for introducing us to you.”
“Did I hear my name mentioned in a sentence regarding a wedding? Don’t let my Mother hear. I don’t want her to think it’s my own!” Dorian entered the foyer wearing royal blue silk brocade robes. Even in his nightclothes his hair was perfectly coiffed, his moustache curled on the ends, his stark grey eyes kohl rimmed.
Kalani turned to him. “They got engaged, in the drawing room this afternoon. Isn’t that wonderful?”
“Quite! Of course, I’ll secure passage for us both to attend. Do let us know,” Dorian said, excitedly.
Hawke embraced Dorian, who let the look of shock pass from his face quickly, embracing her in return.
“Thank you, Dorian. If there is ever anything we can do to repay this kindness, please do not hesitate to ask,” Hawke offered.
“Please, do not feel beholden to me. Your happiness and appreciation is payment enough. However, beautiful Champion, I will count yours amongst my few treasured friendships,” Dorian told her running his hands down the length of her long hair one more time, in admiration.
“Dorian, I look forward to the day when our paths cross again, truly,” Hawke told him.
Dorian glanced over Hawke to Fenris. “Good luck taking care of her, Fenris, my dear. I think she’s going to be a handful.”
“I will. And you can count on it,” Fenris said.
Both Hawke and Fenris felt that they were needed back in Kirkwall, thus the journey back was harried. Luckily, they made excellent time crossing Tevinter with the pair of Imperial Warmbloods that Dorian insisted they take.
“A couple of older geldings,” he told them, “. . . retired from pulling the carriage. Mother will be more than happy that they have one more purpose to serve. She’ll consider them an appropriate gift for the return of Kalani’s long-lost son, who we’ve heard so much about. Also, when she hears that they went to the Champion of Kirkwall she’ll have something to boast about during her weekly game of Minchiate.”
The stable master insisted that the fact that the horses were retired didn’t mean they weren’t still in the prime of their lives. He assured them that by interchanging a good marching walk with a swift run now and then would keep the lively team suitably appeased.
Hawke’s father had taught her, Bethany, and Carver to ride when they were children in Lothering. The farming village had no shortage of old plow horses who always welcomed a sack full of apples and a kind word in exchange for riding lessons.
Fenris had learned to ride during his time since he first left Danarius. “I didn’t walk every mile between Kirkwall and Tevinter, Scarlet,” he said with narrowed eyes.
They arrived back in Kirkwall just in time to take part in the war that had been bubbling under the surface between Meredith, the Templar Knight-Commander, and Orsino, the Circle’s First Enchanter. They stabled the horses at the last stop outside of town, Kirkwall being every bit of impossible to get a horse into because of terrain. They paid the livery owner a month of board for the pair, and would discuss what to do with the horses at a later date. Hawke had a niggling feeling that they might be needed again soon.
As Hawke and Fenris made their way through the overflowing streets of Kirkwall they knew that something was amiss. Templars filled the streets, ransacking homes looking for mages. Fathers and mothers ushered children to safety, often heading towards Darktown, of all places.
What did they know? Hawke wondered.
They made their way through the bloody streets towards the Gallows on instinct. Their instinct was right.
Aveline, Anders, Varric, Merrill, Isabela, Carver, Knight-Captain Cullen, and Knight-Commander Meredith gathered in the Gallows courtyard along with Sebastian Vale, the Prince of Starkhaven. Tempers were high, and weapons were brandished and bloodied.
“Hawke!” Aveline exclaimed, spotting her first. “Thank the Maker.”
“Finally, the Champion returns, her pup in tow,” the Knight-Commander sneered.
Hawke drew her staff. “Watch your mouth, Knight-Commander, or I’m like to remove it permanently if you can’t choose your words more carefully.”
“That’s not helping, Hawke,” Aveline stated.
“What’s going on here?” Fenris asked.
Varric spoke up. “We killed Orsino. He turned to blood magic, attacked some Templars right out here in front of everyone. We had no choice. Now, the Knight-Commander thinks we need to invoke the Rite of Annulment on the entire Circle. Our Courageous Guard-Captain has been trying to talk her out of it. I’m sure glad you showed up in time.”
“The First Enchanter turned to blood magic, and the Rite of Annulment?” Hawke was flustered. “What have I missed?”
“A lot, Hawke. You were gone a long time. I hope he’s worth it,” Anders said looking at her pointedly.
“Meredith, the Rite of Annulment isn’t necessary. Without a First Enchanter to lead and unify them, the mages will be fighting amongst themselves. I’m sure we can convince them to turn over any lingering blood mages,” Hawke attempted to reason.
“Fine, Champion. I’ll let you go in there with your rag tag group of bandits and take care of it yourself, sans Templars,” Meredith presented to her.
“No. They will need a Templar if they are to head into a Circle full of maleficarum. I will accompany them,” Cullen offered.
“Of course I’m going with you,” Carver insisted. “That’s my sister after all.”
“You both go unsanctioned,” Meredith spat.
“Thank you gentlemen. I’m sure your assistance will be invaluable,” Hawke accepted.
Anders’ eyes glowed brilliantly blue, the invisible fissures of his skin split to reveal the light of Justice below.
A rumble began just then as everyone ducked and looked skyward for an ill-timed dragon. No dragon was seen, but a brilliant red light emanated from the Chantry which could be seen in the distance. Then, a column of light shot through the roof of the Chantry as it exploded, raining down shards of stained glass, stone, and concrete.
“Anders, what have you done?” Hawke screamed over the din of destruction.
The rumbling voice of Justice rang out. “There can be no middle ground, no compromise when it comes to her. She will destroy us all.”
“He’s right,” Meredith yelled. “I hereby invoke the Rite of Annulment!”
“The Circle didn’t even do this, Commander!” Cullen proclaimed.
“This abomination is responsible for the destruction of our Chantry and the death of Grand Cleric Elthina. I want his head on a pike, Knight-Captain!” Meredith ordered. It seemed as if a red fog began to grow around her.
Cullen drew his sword and turned to Anders.
Hawke lowered her staff at him and dropped to a fighting stance. “Over my dead body.”
Fenris leapt in front of her, his sword in his hands, en garde.
Isabela’s daggers were drawn. Varric shouldered Bianca. Merrill called up on the power of nature; a green mist surrounded her.
Carver stepped in front of Cullen, his weapon sheathed, and placed a hand upon his captain’s breastplate. “I won’t let you hurt my sister. I do not want to fight you. You are a noble man, messere.”
“Kill them! Kill them all! Every mage in Kirkwall will die!” The high pitched screech emanating from Meredith was otherworldly. Her eyes glowed a sickly, familiar smoky red.
Carver looked at her, then back at Cullen.
Cullen looked at the Knight-Commander. “She’s been tainted with red lyrium! Meredith, I hereby revoke you of any authority you have within the Order.”
“That makes you Knight-Commander, Cullen,” Carver declared.
“So be it,” Cullen stated with a nod.
“Nooooooo!” Meredith’s scream pierced the air. Her face began to contort into grotesque amorphous blobs. Her body followed as glowing red rock-like chunks sprouted from her shoulders, her arms, piercing her armor. Her body swelled as a glowing red haze enveloped her.
She drew her sword and raised it above her head. It too glowed with the energy of the red lyrium. Her gaze centered on Hawke, and Meredith headed straight for her.
Carver was closest to her and attacked first. She swatted him away like a fly. Cullen’s hand hesitated over the pommel of his sword.
Fenris was ready. Aglow in a mist of red and blue vapor he struck out at Meredith who caught the blow, deflecting it with her sword, which was every bit as big as the one Fenris wielded.
Hawke realized that since Fenris was also infused with red lyrium now he was likely the only one strong enough to take Meredith in combat. She fired off several spells of ice and fire at Meredith. Nothing seemed to work. She concentrated her magic on imbuing Fenris with strength and speed as he continued to hold Meredith at bay.
Varric tugged at Hawke’s elbow. “Come on, Boss. Let’s get you, Daisy, and Blondie out of here.”
“No, Varric. I won’t leave him. And I won’t leave them either,” she said glancing at the entrance to Kirkwall’s Circle.
“Damn, you’re stubborn as a nug! Fine let’s get to the Circle, then” he said.
Hawke didn’t turn from Fenris, her magic focused. “Aveline, Isabela, Carver! Guard the path to the Circle’s entrance. We go there next. But, we stick together. I won’t leave him!”
Meredith kept Fenris moving, attacking faster as Fenris began to slow.
The team stood their ground near the entrance to the Circle, keeping the Templars in the Gallows courtyard. The fact that Carver stood with them, kept the rest of the Templars standing neutral with their weapons sheathed, including Cullen. Though he did intently watch what was happening between Meredith and Fenris.
Anders stood at Hawke’s side, whispering into her ear. “Draw on his lyrium, the blue. Ignore the song of the red as it goads you. Don’t pull it from him though, add your mana to it first. Then, use the combined power to fuel your magic. Never taking, always giving. Open yourself. Let it flow into you. Don’t use the lyrium, Scarlet. Let it use you, become a part of you. He’s a part of you. You are a part of him. Feel it. That’s where the power dwells. Leave it there. Go to it.”
Fenris quickened. His blade seemed lighter. The blue glow took over, the red disappeared. His body turned to blue mist and he moved almost invisibly across the battlefield, striking at her from every possible angle.
She continued to parry or dodge every blow. But, now Fenris had her on the move. It seemed that Meredith would never tire. As Fenris began to visibly tire again Anders added his magic to Hawke’s to restore balance to the fight. When Fenris again slowed Merrill added her powers.
Now and then, as the two warriors crossed in front of the newly appointed Knight-Commander Cullen, Hawke would see him flinch as he held in his desire to turn the tide of the fight. Evey time he moved a muscle her eyes darted to him in preparation to bring him down should he attack Fenris. As Meredith and Fenris passed in front of Varric, she saw that Bianca was in his hands, and that his eyes were trained on Cullen. She watched Varric bring Bianca to his shoulder and her vision flashed back to Fenris.
Meredith had just dealt a battle-turning blow. Fenris faltered as she brought her great sword around to cut at his unguarded mid-section.
Hawke watched the scene before her play out tortuously slow.
His eyes went wide in the moment he realized her blade was about to connect with his unarmored abdomen. He dropped the slow, heavy sword in his grip, reaching for the base of her sword blade with his hands.
In that moment Cullen’s blade rent through Meredith’s right shoulder where her armor had separated as her body swelled, leaving her vulnerable.
Fenris caught the blade and ripped it from her hands, sending it skittering across the cobblestones.
A haunting howl bellowed from Meredith’s throat as her the eerie red glow that came from within her intensified. Dancing flames of red smoke surrounded her, growing skyward. She fell to her knees and threw back her head as her scream rent the air. The hair burned off of her head, embers floating away on the breeze of the red smoke. Her skin began to glow from within, turning her body as well as her armor, to luminous bright red stone as it spread throughout.
Cullen sheathed his blade, then reached a hand to Fenris, helping the elf to his feet.
“Thank you, Cullen,” Fenris said. “I owe you one.”
Cullen nodded. “You can take care of that sword. I think you may be the only one who can safely touch it without being corrupted. I’m not sure what you have going on there, but I hope it doesn’t do to you what it did to her.”
“I will see that it is destroyed,” Fenris said, inspecting his battered hands.
Hawke ran to him, wrapped her arms around his middle, and buried her face in his chest.
Bracing for impact, his arms enveloped her as he pressed a kiss to her hair before tucking her head under his chin.
“I didn’t go all the way to Tevinter to get you just to bring you back to Kirkwall to watch you die,” she said holding him at arms’ length. “Promise me you won’t do that again any time soon.”
“I’ll make that promise if you will. I expected you to throw yourself into danger the moment we returned, you know,” he said to her with a raised eyebrow.
“I can’t lose you, Fenris. Not now,” Hawke said with a sigh.
“I feel the same way,” he said pulling her back into his arms, running his hands down the length of her hair where it cascaded down her back.
Cullen cleared his throat.
Hawke jumped, as if she hadn’t realized there was anyone else there to witness the tender scene. Fenris laughed low in his throat.
“Hawke, I will let you deal with the mage who started all of this as you see fit. However, it would be in everyone’s best interest if he left my sight immediately,” Cullen said, his sword hand resting on his pommel.
“No!” Sebastian, the Prince of Starkhaven, cried. “This abomination murdered our sweet Mother. He must pay for his crimes!”
“You, Sebastian Vale, are not judge and jury. And you are greatly outnumbered,” Hawke pointed out.
“I won’t stand for it, Hawke,” Sebastian said unshouldering his bow.
Fenris shoved him, hard, his tattoos glowing faintly red, then blue. “Do you think you’ll get to her through me, Chantry boy?”
Sebastian stumbled backwards. “You can’t let that mage live! You hate mages!”
“If Scarlet says he lives, he lives,” Fenris seethed into Sebastian’s face. “And I do not hate all mages. Right now though . . . I do hate you.”
“I will bring all of Starkhaven down upon him, and then I will come for her,” Sebastian promised.
Fenris’ markings grew brighter blue, then red again. He pulled back his hand and it disappeared into a cloud of red and blue vapor which crept up his arm.
Hawke laid her hand upon his shoulder. “Fenris, please don’t,” she said, a shining example of calm.
The glow left immediately, and his arm rematerialized. “I spare your life only because she asked. You would do well to spare hers. The next time I see you, she will not be there to save you.” He shoved Sebastian again, knocking him to the ground.
Sebastian stood, gathered his bow, and stomped away.
Anders stood straight and proud, surveying his work. Justice was nowhere to be seen now.
Hawke approached him. “Anders, why?”
“The war has been inevitable. We’ve quietly been fighting it for years. I could sit idly by no longer. Just as I could no longer let the Chantry abuse the mages in Kirkwall. Today, we take our lives into our own hands,” he said meeting her eyes.
Hawke laid a hand upon his cheek. “Always so full of passion. That’s what drew me to you in the first place, you know.”
“No, I didn’t know that,” he said letting his eyes close for a moment, reveling in her touch once again.
She wrapped her arms around his neck.
His went around her waist, one last time. “Thank you, Scarlet.”
She whispered in his ear. “There are two Imperial Warmbloods stabled just North of town at the livery. Take the shorter one. He’s faster, and sure-footed. Run Anders.” Then, she kissed him on the cheek.
He pulled away from the embrace, cupped her cheeks in the palms of his hands and kissed her on the mouth one last time. “I will always love you.”
“I know, Anders. Thank you, for everything. I will always cherish our time together. Be safe. Now, go.”
He turned to Fenris and extended a hand to him.
Fenris clasped it, forearm-to-forearm, a warrior’s handshake.
“Take care of her, Elf. I won’t be able to do it again. She’s all yours.”
“I will, Mage. I can not say that I am sad to see you go. But, I will miss you the next time she is knocking on Death’s door, probably later tonight.”
Anders laughed, and put his hand on Fenris’ shoulder. They were both awash in blue mist. “Use the markings, Fenris. Practice with her to teach her to use them too. I told you this years ago! You don’t need me.”
“That—is good to hear,” Fenris said, grasping Anders’ shoulder.
Anders turned to leave. Isabela and Merrill surrounded him in a hug. When they released him Varric handed him a coin purse. “Don’t get dead, Blondie.”
“Thanks, V,” Anders said, tying the purse to his belt as he jogged away from the Gallows.
Hawke turned back to the new Knight-Commander. “I take it that there will be no Rite of Annulment then, Knight-Commander Cullen.”
“No. There won’t. I do not know what will come next though. But, I will take my Templars into the Circle, find any blood mages that I can and eliminate them. After that, the Circle will have a respite from us,” Cullen told her.
“Very well. I wash my hands of it. I’m putting my trust in you. You’re a good man,” she said extending her hand to him.
He grasped it forearm-to-forearm. “Thank you, messere,” he said, and strode away.
“Carver, a moment?” she beckoned to her brother. “Everyone, gather ‘round, please.”
Varric, Isabela, Merrill, Aveline, Carver, Fenris and Hawke stood shoulder to shoulder in a circle in the Gallows courtyard.
“These past eight years I have grown to love all of you as my family. You have each been there for me when I needed you. And I hope I have returned that favor. But, our journey together ends here,” she declared smiling at Fenris.
“What are you saying, Hawke?” Merrill asked.
“You can’t leave now. Just when it looks like we’ll be putting Kirkwall back together,” Aveline gasped.
“Am I getting a ship?” asked Isabela.
“You two are getting hitched, aren’t ya?” Varric asked, looking at Hawke’s newly adorned finger.
Hawke smiled at Varric then. “Yes. We are. And we’re going to start a new life together . . . not in Kirkwall.”
“We want to get away from all of this. Be free . . . together,” Fenris said putting his arm around her, drawing her near to his side.
“You’re getting married? I thought I still had a chance at getting him in the sack,” Isabela mused.
“That ship sailed a long time ago, Pirate,” Fenris laughed.
Hawke held the ring out for Carver to see.
“The Amell family crest? Where in the Maker’s name did you get that?” Carver asked.
“Mother,” Hawke answered.
“She gave it to you all those years ago and you’re just telling me?” he asked, incredulously.
“No, she gave it to Fenris to give to me when the time was right,” Hawke told her brother.
“She gave it to you all those years ago and you never told me? Or asked my permission to propose to my sister? All those games of Chaser we played together!” Carver exclaimed. “All those pitchers of Varric’s ale!”
Fenris playfully punched Carver in the shoulder. “You wouldn’t have said ‘yes’ to a mage-hating elf anyhow.”
“No. I wouldn’t have. You’re right. But, I’m happy it’s you, for the record,” Carver said punching back. “And not that other one.”
“Carver, I know you’re a Templar, but the house is yours. Bodahn and Sandal are welcome to continue living there. Which I will also tell them. Fenris and I will stop by and pack a few belongings,” Hawke said, turning to him.
“I’ll make sure it has the proper upkeep. Perhaps Aveline and Donnic would like to move in to it?” Carver suggested.
“Won’t you be coming back, Hawke?” Aveline asked.
“Eventually, I suppose, for at least a visit. I don’t know exactly what our future holds, or where we’ll be going, or where we’ll end up. But, I’d like the house to stay in the family name. And I would love for you and Donnic to live in it, and raise your family there if that’s what you decide to do some day. If and when we do return, we’ll cross that bridge,” Hawke told her.
“Very well. I’ll think on it and discuss it with Donnic. Carver, I’ll be in touch,” Aveline said, looking sad.
Hawke embraced Merrill. “I hope you find whatever it is that you’re looking for, ma falon.”
“Dareth shiral to you both,” Merrill said hugging Hawke tightly, pulling in Fenris.
“Varric, would you walk back with us?” Hawke asked him.
“No need for a long goodbye, Boss. Just give me a hug and be gone with you,” he waved dismissively.
Hawke’s eyes welled up. Fenris could feel the lump in her throat. “Walk with us, Dwarf,” he requested.
“Fine, Elf,” Varric conceded.
“So, this is it. You two are really leaving. And you’re going to go get married without any of us around to witness it?” Varric scoffed.
“We wouldn’t deny the chance to see you cry at our wedding, Dwarf,” Fenris assured him.
“We’ll invite you all when the day comes. For now we just want to get out of Kirkwall, and away from the madness. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together in Tevinter, and the solitude of life on the road, just the two of us. We decided that that’s what we both wanted. Just to be together, without any of this shit in Kirkwall to fuck it up, you know?” Hawke said kicking at a pebble on the ground in front of her. “My commitment to this place has run its course. I’m tired of it, Varric. Tired of mages versus Templars. Tired of being on someone’s hit list. Tired of solving the problems of an entire city-state. I just want to be with him, without any distractions.”
Fenris scooped a hand around her waist and pulled her to him. “You take my breath away, Scarlet,” he admitted, kissing her.
Varric wiped a finger under one eye. “You two. Finally. Eight sodding years later.”
“Thanks to you,” she said kneeling in front of him, hugging him to her chest.
“Damn you, woman,” Varric said clutching her to him. “Gah, you’re my best friend, Hawke. Best friend I ever had.”
“You’re my best friend too, Varric. Don’t die, okay?”
“You too, buddy,” he said, his voice cracking. “You take care of that elf. He needs it.”
“I will,” she said releasing her dearest friend in the world and standing back up, wiping her cheeks.
“We’re going to Ferelden. We don’t want everyone to know, just in case someone out there tries to track us down. But, we wanted to tell you. I’m going to put your name on all of my accounts, also just in case. I trust you with the Amell fortune. Carver has full access to it as well, but he’s never touched a copper. He lives off of his Templar stipend.
Would you be willing to talk to Isabela, and see if she is interested in splitting the cost of a ship three ways? She can use it to take us to Ferelden. Then, she can do what she likes with it. I’d like it to be a gift, but if she insists on buying out our shares one day I’ll let you handle that.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. She deserves it. And you know that she’ll keep your secret,” he said smiling fondly.
“If we buy her a ship she’ll take it to her watery grave!” Hawke laughed. Looking down at Varric she grew more somber. “I’ll write often. I don’t want you to worry about me, about us. We’re just going to go be happy, Varric,” she said looking up at Fenris with nothing but love in her eyes.
“Just you and me,” Fenris said reaching for her hand, squeezing it in his grip.
“Just you and me,” she said squeezing back.