A/N: This is the first in a collection of short stories that will feature the love triangle of Anders, Fenris, and Marian Hawke. This story is written from Anders' perspective.

Disclaimer: Bioware owns Fenris, Anders, and Hawke. If I owned them, I probably wouldn't share.

Turning to the Enemy

I bent down, and brushed a gentle kiss across her lips. She stirred slightly, and I whispered, "I'll be back in a little bit, love. I need to take a stroll and clear my mind."

She fell quickly back asleep, and I tiptoed out of our room. It was late, and no one was in the living area. I quietly slipped out the front door, closing it gently behind me. Luckily, I did not have far to walk, as the cool night air nipped at my skin, causing me to pull my robes closer around me. Within a few moments, I stood in the shadows on an empty street in Hightown, starring at the entrance to my destination on the other side of the road. I was having second thoughts about my decision to come here, and rightfully so. "What kind of man considers asking his adversary for a favor?" I thought to myself. The answer—a desperate one—a man who has come to terms with his decision, and now wants nothing more than to see his plan through.

My plan, if you could call it that, was radical at best and insane at worst. But, I felt that the current situation was no better. Everyone—the nobility, the Chantry, the Viscount—was content to let the Templars terrorize mages. For years, the Templars had committed countless cowardly acts, and none of them did anything to stop it. I had watched helplessly as the their behavior had gone from bad to worse, and now, I had to do something. If I had to be the spark that would ignite change, than so be it.

I was surprised at how easily I came to my decision, but after years of stagnation, and with Vengeance propelling me forward, I knew it was the only option. For the briefest of moments, I felt some peace within myself, and then the guilt came crashing in. I knew that my actions were going to cause her a great deal of pain, but I saw no way around it, and still, I hated myself for it.

Our relationship was the only thing that had kept me from doing something this drastic several years ago. I had selfishly wanted to find some way to advance the plight of mages while keeping some semblance of a normal life with her. Unfortunately, things were deteriorating, and now I had to choose between them. It saddened me greatly, because our love was the single ray of light in my life, and now I had to turn away from it. Marian Hawke was an amazing woman, and the only person in all of Thedas that I did not want to disappoint. Her compassion and lack of prejudice drew me to her; she considered each person individually based on their own merit. Sadly, that also meant that eventually she would judge me—not as a mage, but based on my own actions. If my fate had to be decided by anyone, I wanted it to be her.

I walked across the street, approaching the dilapidated door. I stopped in front of it, and raised my fist to knock. Before my hand could hit the wood, the door swung open revealing the man I needed to speak to. He stood in front of me, tense, his eyes scanning me and the surroundings.

"What do you want, mage?"

"I need to speak with you, Fenris."

"Do it at a more appropriate time," he moved to close the door.

I put my hand out to block it. "Look, elf. I am here because I need to talk to you about something that can not wait—a subject that you will definitely want to discuss. So, you can let me in, or I can make my own entrance through your living room wall."

"You have five minutes," he said as he stepped back, giving me room to enter. "If you so much as twitch a finger, I will relish smashing it beyond recognition."

I brushed past him, and he closed the door. "I am listening, demon. Your five minutes is dwindling."

I sighed before beginning, "I need to ask a boon of you."

Fenris cackled devilishly before stating, "I let you in the door—that is all that you will get out of me. If that is all that you needed to discuss, I suggest you leave."

"It is about Marian," I offer. I saw his face flash with emotion when I said her name. I knew that Fenris disapproved greatly of me and my continued existence, but he flat out detested me and Marian's relationship, and it was often a point of contention between her and the elf. I suspected that his hatred of our love was equal parts concern for his friend and jealousy that she chose me. But, as I watched his face that night, I realized that I may have underestimated just how envious he felt.

"What about her, mage?"

"I need a promise from you—that you will protect and help her over the coming days. I feel a storm brewing, and I am not sure…" my voice cracked, "I am not sure I will be able to be there for her."

The elf sneered at him, "What are you up to, fool? What trouble are you stirring up?"

"That is none of your business," I bite back, "the only thing that I asked you to worry about is the well-being of my woman." It was childish of me to emphasize who Hawke bedded every night, but I could not resist rubbing it in his face while I still could.

He balled his fists in anger, as he gritted through his teeth, "Why should her condition concern me? As far as I know, and for reasons I will never fathom, she appears to be content with you. Unless you plan to do something that will harm her, in which case, I will enjoy ripping your demonic heart right out of your chest."

I shook my head in disdain, "Whatever, Fenris. I must have misjudged you. I knew you were a bitter, warped, twisted little coward; but I thought that you might have cared for the woman who helped free your sorry ass. Clearly, I was mistaken…"

He lunged at me then, and we collided backwards into a wall. He braced his forearm against my throat, as I struggled to pull his arm away.

"Do not dare to tell me how to feel, demon. I will crush your windpipe and rid Kirkwall of your filth," he fumed.

I grinned manically at him and choked out, "You won't do it—for the same reason I haven't fireballed your wretched lyrium-laced hide into oblivion. It would hurt her."

For a moment, it looked like he was still considering my demise, but he released me and walked away. "You have my word, mage. I will do what I can for her. However, on second thought, I do not even want to know what you may or may not be considering. That way, when the time comes, I can honestly tell her that I had no idea."

"Thank you, Fenris."

"Do not thank me. I am only agreeing to do it out of concern for Hawke," the elf grumbled.

He leered at me, as I laughed outwardly at his statement. "Just concern? Don't delude yourself, Fenris. I know you think that you are better than me, but you really aren't. You are just as two-faced as me, but you attempt to hide yours. I make no secret of the fact that I am conflicted. You, on the other hand, pretend that 'concern' is your motivation when it comes to Hawke. She may buy that garbage, but I know better."

"Then, why come to me?" Fenris growled, "If you think I have ulterior motives, why not go to Varric or Isabela? Why do you not ask one of them to look after her?"

I sighed and stated, "Your ulterior motives are the reason I have come to you. While it sickens me to my very core to admit this, I suspect that what you and I feel for Hawke is not so different. Her friends care about her, but I need someone who would do anything for her. For all of our many differences, Fenris, we share one thing in common, and I think you know what that is."

I began to leave by walking over to the door and opening it, having achieved my goal.

"Anders," he called out.

I stopped in the open doorway. He began, "I will never understand nor accept your convictions on magic. I do not know what you are about to do, but if it drove you here, it must be serious. I hope it gives you some peace to know that I will do everything in my power to protect Marian, even if it means my life."

"I know you will, because I would too." I pulled the door shut behind me. Now, I just wanted to go home and wrap my arms around the woman I loved, for one last night.