Just something I thought about and put into writing. ^_^

I don't own anything related to Dragon Age or Dragon Age 2. Enjoy.

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Knife Eared. That's what they called him. Dirty, a stain on their city. That was fine with him. He himself felt unclean from the markings etched into his flesh. But she was different. She was beautiful. A beautiful woman with a strong name, Hawke. And he; a mere elf whose name was given by the man who gave him his markings. His name was for a pet. Yet when she called him, it sounded much more pleasant. Her voice using his name made it feel more fitting. A little wolf, he had been called. Well, he supposed it was what Denarius saw him as. A prized animal, meant for shows to his disciples and slaves. A slave was what he had been raised by the Magisters to be. But she had broken him free. She had washed away years of anguish and fear with the simple words anyone could say. When he felt he was alone, with no one, not even his own blood sister caring for him, she had been there.

"I'm here, Fenris."

And she had stayed. Even when he pushed her away, she didn't fight him. She had remained a friend to him and had protected him. How could he ever repay this beautiful, powerful woman? Hawke was the first mage he had ever trusted. She was the first person he had ever lain with. And she was the first person he had ever met in his life who could bring down a High Dragon, the Arishok, Knight Commander Meredith and the insane First Enchanter Orsino. She could kill these things, and even stay sane through the death of her mother, and he knew she had no physical breaking point. Not to say she's perfect, however.

She was snarky. And sometimes she was too forceful. She didn't have a breaking point with magic, but her temper was indeed short. She killed a Dwarf simply because he annoyed her. True, the dwarf had been a greedy arrogant bastard and would likely sell them all out for a shiny silver piece, but still. He was amazed by her. She could be as gentle as the wind or as hard as the stone this city was made from.

Yet he was amazed at these people even more.

"You unclean filth!" The nobility surrounded him. He could kill them all with ease, but Hawke would disapprove if all of her suitors suddenly went missing. One man even hurled a stone, missing his head by mere inches.

"Knife Eared bastard!"

"Dog!"

He chuckled under his breath and allowed the rocks to beat him. Only crushed some in mid air should he think it was a serious danger. He could endure this. This was nothing compared to Hawke pain. He could take this and not harm a single one of them. He could match Hawke's patience, or lack thereof. The training he had received as a slave proved useful.

A wall of ice blocked the stones in mid air and he looked up. He had been waiting for Hawke at her Estate, like she had asked of him. She was the Viscount now, on top of being the Champion. No doubt used to crowds at her door, she carried herself with ease. Each step she took made her head look like she held it higher. The noble people all took a step back and bowed their heads, some even hiding the rocks behind their backs. She stood by him and offered a hand to help him up. He took it with grace and nodded in thanks. The heated glares he received from her suitors made him smirk. She ushered him inside and shut the door behind her, facing the mob of people alone.

"Is there a reason for you all to be here?" She spoke with reason, calming every heart in the crowd.

"Champion, you must understand how wrong it is for you to be paired with an elf of no heritage. No title, no ties to nobility. My son Chase is a much better choice!" A large fellow with a bright red and gold suit hollered, making a debate about whose sons where better fit for the Viscount of Kirkwall.

Hawke rubbed the bridge of her nose and waited for them to die down on their own.

"People of Kirkwall, allow me to speak," She held out her arms and they glowed a faint white, hushing the mob instantly. "I am unmarried, and my choice of people is of no concern. Be it a dwarf, elf, Qunari, or human; The choice will be mine alone to make. I have granted suitors a night to impress me. If this cannot be done, leave my personal life be. Is that acceptable?" The hundreds of people nodded, eager for any chance they had. "Very well." She smiled. "See me in my office tomorrow for details." With that, she turned and left the horde to scurry off to find the most lavish of fabrics to wear.

The door to her Estate opened for her, Fenris holding it wide. As she stepped in, he gently shut it.

"What are you planning, Hawke?" He followed her into her library, where they each took a seat on the armchairs. She had yet to explain why she called him. But he was more concerned with the hope she just gave every man in and around Kirkwall.

"A party. A party at the Keep. But," She smiled like a cat. "Isabela gave me this idea, so you know it won't be boring…." She unfurled a sheet of paper from her robe sleeve. "Or fair."

"What kind of party?" he asked.

She unrolled the scroll and turned it so he could see. On it was a picture of her, Isabela, Avaline, and Merrill. He raised an eyebrow. Each of the women was wearing a similar dress and a mask covering her face. The dress was drawn very lavish. It was a lilac color with silver lining. It came with a pure black wig, probably to cover the other's hair. And Merrill's ears. The masks were different, but all covering just enough. Merrill's was like a butterfly, with the wings curling at her cheeks. Hiding her tattoos. It was colored a light green to compliment her eyes. Isabela's was a cat's face. Fitting, considering her personality. He imagined it would be a golden, to match her snake necklace. Avaline's was a simple traditional mask. He guessed she didn't want to draw much attention. Donnic must have objected to this at least a little bit. It matched the dress, a light purple with silver lining.

Hawke herself had the same dress, but her mask… he would have guessed it a bird but she knew it would be too obvious if Hawke had a Hawk's face. It was a black laced traditional mask, with a lavender rose on the side. He stared longer at her picture than he should have, before handing it back to her.

" It's a Masquerade!" She laughed. Seeing his confused face, she took a breath and explained. "How can any of the Nobles claim to court me if they don't even know which is me? All those people were the parents; I've never actually met the suitors."

"And if you take a liking to them?" He fought the dread he was feeling. He had been a fool to leave Hawke, and it was killing him to see so many interested in her hand. "And I am still confused as to why you called me here…"

"If I do then I do, and I was hoping you boys could help me too… Isabela, Avaline, and Merrill are going to dress and impersonate me, like Isabela suggested. I was hoping you, Varric, Anders, and Sebastian could act as Body guards for each of us. No doubt to find me they'll look for whoever is protecting me, and your faces are known." She gave him a warm smile. He had to admit, the plan was clever. But that doesn't mean he'd like it.

"Will we be allowed to dress?" He gave her a blank stare. A look of horror crossed her face, she didn't realize she may have offended him. Being an ex slave, he had been made to be a body guard at parties.

"Of course! Wear whatever you like, I want you to enjoy yourselves." She relied hastily. Fenris chuckled, amused by her awkward smile.

"Very well. Perhaps you won't be able to find me," He laughed. "Now, who has who?"

As they sat and arranged each of their group in pairs, Fenris secretly hoped he would have the pleasure of watching over Hawke. Isabela would have Sebastian, just to protect Hawke's reputation at least a little bit. Varric would be with Merrill so she wouldn't get too distracted. Then came the tricky part for Hawke. Fenris and Anders were her own personal options. She left it for him to decide.

"The mage should be with Avaline." He stated flatly. "If there is an issue with him, she can handle it."

"And I can't?" Hawke glared at him. He matched her eyes.

"No, you can't. The fact he is still with us proves that."

"He's a good friend and he's controlling it better!"

"He pines for you, surely you see that. Don't give him this false hope you chose him for any other purpose."

"False hope? What are you-" She stopped her angry rant before it started and stared. Smiling, she leaned forward as if giving a secret. "You're jealous. You think I'll fall for Anders!" She howled with laughter and he felt his shoulders sink. She wasn't far off the mark.

"He'd try something Hawke, I know it." He tried to misdirect her statement, to no avail.

"Alright then, Anders with Avaline and you with me." She winked, but he could tell she was still pained from him leaving her. It had been stupid to do, for that night was the best in his life. That he remembered, anyway.

"As you wish."

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First chapter is done. Reviews please? They make me happy :3 I swear for every "story alert" or "favorite story" with no REVIEW I will wait a day before posting. I know I wind up posting anyway but this time I mean it! I think…. I'm kinda excited to write Isabela at a party pretending to be Hawke… that'd be hysterical. XD