A/N: Long chapters are notorious of me for putting too much that's in my head out so I can concentrate on other things, so let's do this. I like to thank my lovely new beta Aristeia de Luca for her much needed editing as we finally begin a certain somebody's story.

I do not own any properties of Bioware just playing in the sandbox.

The story so far: Marian Hawke, born out of wedlock to Malcolm and Leandra, was adopted by Cyrion Tabris and his wife and named Durga. Leandra went on to marry De Launcet and have Carver and Bethany, while Durga became big sister to Kali, who would go on to become the Hero of Fereldan.
Separated from her sister at Lothering, Durga met Malcolm, but their unknowing reunion was brief as together with Aveline and Wesley, they fled for their lives, Both Malcolm and Wesley died. the women winding up in Kirkwall. Meanwhile, Kali Tabris went on to fulfill her destiny, finding first false love with Alistair and true love with Zevran.

The air wasn't usually so rank inside the Chantry that the burning incense was needed to mask the foul odor. It smelled and felt like death in the house of the Maker today, making everyone suspicious for their lives. The thought of going back to being proud nobles, that they were still alive, by celebrating a good fuck with their loved ones would make anyone feel alive at the moment. Yet, no matter how one would spin it, funerals brought out the mortality in everyone no matter their status. Then again, Gamlen was sure he felt that every day. Mourning his own niece's passing was a good break from the misery of just being him. Gamlen thought this sordid attendance was a good change in his routine, as horrible as that sounded. But he would have lied if he said he wasn't a selfish man.

Looking toward the front he gazed on at Leandra: stone-faced, grim, and not shedding a tear as her Grace gave the sermon. She looked the role for a real bitch of an ice queen from Gamlen's personal experience, but she was by no means one herself. She just looked emotionally drained and numb knowing her darling girl was gone. Carver sat next to her, sullen and red eyed, probably from crying that morning as he held his mother's hand for solace. What was even more odd was Guillaume, sitting next to them to show support. Everyone knew of the divorce, since it was finalized last month, but this tragedy was going to be the talk of the town. Oh, the price of notoriety can be heard clearly in the hushed whispers of such gossipy hens.

"Can you believe it? Poor dear wasn't even past her 18th Name day."

"I heard she was murdered and found in an alley. Taken advantage of and left like Darktown trash." The woman clicked her tongue as if the imagery was offensive.

"Well the little tart had it coming and I wouldn't be surprised if the men paid her before it got out of control." The tone in this woman's voice could curdle a Bronto out of death.

"What? That's just awful, Gertrude. I mean, just because she was seeing all those suitors of hers, and then some, doesn't mean she was some local tart working at The Rose."

"I meant the little slut was doing everyone's son after she broke my poor sweet Jory's heart. I should know since I consoled him after spying on her with Girard's boy."

"Well your son is a bit of a softie when it comes to girls."

"Maybe if he didn't have such a meandering mother he could learn to grow a set and keep a woman to his side."

The three women turned to location of the new speaker who was standing directly behind them. Not seeing anyone there, they were a bit confused.
"Ladies I'm down here, but don't stray too far down now."

Varric was looking up with an amused look on his face, eyeing the ladies with untold payment for their banter. Gamlen could only chuckle at the three since they were more or less the nicer gossipers milling about today, but it wouldn't save them from a silver tongue lashing from the dwarf.

"Now ladies, it would be most unbecoming to talk of such insanely intriguing stories, and at a funeral no less, unless you were to give up a story about yourselves?"

Gertrude only huffed fanning herself with a grim look. "I have no idea what you are implying Dwarf."

"It's Varric, milady."

"Whatever, we were merely discussing how tragic Bethany's death will have on the community for losing such a beautiful girl." Pulling the fan closer to her mouth she mumbled a bit. "Since she was such a well-hidden little whore among us."

Varric slit his eyes with a darken mood hidden behind his friendly smile that only got bigger just as the sermon was concluded.

"Well it should take one to know one when you're trying to see if they're trying to steal your wallet.

Then again, I always confused that with vicious squirrels fighting over a measly nut."

The look on Gertrude's face was enough to make Varric smile, knowing he was not struck for being a heathen. Gamlen decided it was best to walk over and intervene before things became ugly.

"Varric there you are! Blast it man, we were supposed to meet up with Leandra for the Mourning party."

Varric only smiled at him as the gossipy hens scurried off without proper goodbyes. He walked forward to Leandra, followed by Gamlen, towards the exit.

"They're not worth it." Gamlen muttered under a smile.

Varric snorted, running his hand through his hair. "Worth it to besmirch Sunshine's name for four minutes of gossip, or worth it to humiliate them with a rousing story of Jory's latest escapades over at the Blue Lagoon?"

"Funny how I'm being told this, but they weren't."

"That's because, my dear man, I would've went into the most ludicrous details of a story that included oils, wine, running chickens and a rash caused by a wallop mallet."

Gamlen could only shake his head, hearing the name of the brothel where anything goes. It was not as good as the Blooming Rose, but he did not want to hear about Athenril's business after what happened last month concerning a certain refugee. "Yes, the boy was rather curious as a cat."

"I would have gone with a snake since he was evil-looking and just as scaly as one. Not to mention the whole unhinging of the jaw and swallowing-big-things aspect." Gamlen looked down at the Dwarf with an unamused look on his face.

"What? I'm just saying it makes a better story if you focus on that. Especially if I'm not the one in charge of the pen."

"Right. You can tell me later. I plan to drink as much free wine as I can before I can steal a bottle or two."

" I can't fathom how you can see the appeal of those dingy things when the Hanged Man has everything a man needs."

"Good then. That just means I get your drinks as well."

The two walked up to Leandra, who was having a hushed argument with Guillaume near the chantry board. Whatever the conversation was about, Carver stood in front of his mother with fists trembling in rage.

"If you ever call my mother or my sister that again, I will forget we ever shared the same blood, old man!" Carver seethed standing nose to nose with Guillaume.

"Is that any way to talk back to your father, you worthless whelp?! Give respect where its due, boy, or else you'll find more than just some missing teeth." Leandra coughed, gaining their attention as she closed her eyes.

"Please, we can fight another time- just, please not today."

Carver straightened himself out by smoothing out his outer coat before looking at his father with cold contempt. Guillaume, not feeling threatened at all, puffed out his chest to walk back to his new manor, where he was holding his own private wake. Carver couldn't stand the man after the divorce for humiliating his mother, and today was no exception. Guillaume had the gall to degrade his daughter, who just met a gruesome death.

Now feeling the hand smooth out his cheek, Carver looked down to see his mother smiling sadly.

"My baby boy, all grown up into a man and saving me from dragons."

Carver smiled inwardly at that thought but put up the front of being mad.

"It's okay darling. I know you're hurting, but it is not wise to lash out at everyone you meet. Come now, you go with the others in my place for the wake and I'll head home to rest."

"Mother, I shouldn't leave you by yourself in this state. Maybe if you were to talk with uncle Gamlen about your day…?

"No, it's alright; I have double security and changed the locks to the cellars. Also, the city guard is on the case. Orana and Alden will give me company while I make dinner. So be a good boy and don't give your Uncle too much trouble, alright?"

"I will." He planted a gentle kiss on his mother's cheek before heading towards the Lowtown stairs where Varric and Gamlen were waiting.

Leandra gazed at them with a warm smile as Carver greeted Varric, yet as soon as their backs turned she looked straight at Gamlen with an emotionless expression. Gamlen, for one, was good at reading his sister, but lately it was getting harder to separate the kind woman from the 'leader' persona that Leandra presented lately.

Shaking off the feeling, he rushed down the stairs, catching up to hear the end of Varric's punch line.

"And the next thing he screams is 'she's driving me nuts!"

Carver laughed up a storm at the tasteless joke, ignoring his uncle's mood. Wiping a tear away from his eye, he jumped the bottom two steps without breaking his neck.

"Well as much as I'm not the best in stories, unlike you my stout friend, I do have a hot piece of information that cheered me up and might even help you boys out."

"What's this? Junior, with info I haven't heard before?" Varric put his hands up to his face in mock surprise, ignoring the chosen sign language shown to him. "Well, do go on. I could use some fresh info."

"Yeah well, you know that new fighter up in the brawls sponsored over at the Blue Lagoon?"

"The big dark guy with the perfect set of tits, who scares everyone; yet has the refugees fawning over him like Dwarves to backstabbing? What's he called...the Predator or something?"

"Close enough on the name, but she is a hell ringer from Fereldan, hence all the love from the refugees and their stringy coin." Carver slowed his pace as they entered the low town market. "I also heard she's going to fight for the title from the Coterie's ringer and something big is going to be planned should either one win."

"Really now, is that a fact?" Varric rubbed his chin as the little wheels spun in his head. "Normally Junior, when fights go anything can happen from now and tomorrow that can guarantee a screw-up. A month is like a god-send if these were legal sanctions. Who told you this lovely lie?"

"One of Athenril's boys who train with the mystery woman said it to me over a couple of pints after my last winnings. He said, 'our lucky fighter, that she is, has a lot to give back to her supporters after the special bout. I mean, granted the way that she fights is just full on...beautiful. It's like watching a tiger fight a Wyvern. Both are deadly and it's pretty much a one-sided fight, but the tiger manages to win, making sure the wyvern dies with it.'"

"Whoa now Junior, you're coming off with a case of Hero worship if the woman is that good, or -" A hard slap on the back threw Carver's balance off quickly. "Could it be love at first broken teeth?"

"Wouldn't you like to know, Dwarf? I am sure you would find it more fun getting the answer out of me drunker than a skunk?"

" I'm sure more than a barrel will get it out of you after I'M done."

"Well, guess what? I'm fueled by rage and melancholy, so better bring out three kegs before I tell you."

Gamlen kept quiet throughout the chatter as he listened in and started panicking. He knew they were talking about that Hawke girl in Athenril's service and was somewhat glad she was doing alright, even if it meant losing some teeth. However, his gut instinct was going off knowing that a prizefight with an afterparty taking place at the Blue Lagoon of all places never meant anything good.

He didn't want to think on the matter anymore. The girl was out of his hands and he didn't want to find out how she knew Malcolm, or about anything linking Hawke to him .He just hoped Leandra never found out.

Maker help him, if she might.

The moon was full and round outside, shining through the hole in the roof right into Gamlen's face. He swore things were always shitty just before he could catch a break and the pounding headache from all the drinking earlier wasn't helping him. He moved his head to the side, getting the light out of his closed eyes but felt a strange tugging sensation. Choosing to sleep on his side he shifted only to find himself sitting upright. Confusion set in Gamlen's head as he swore he was lying down in his bed.

Opening his eyes he found himself strapped to a chair in his living room and surrounded by hooded men. Armored hooded men accompanied by a well-dressed shadowed figure. Gamlen could only hope that. His hair was standing up, his stomach was churning from fear and ale and he knew tonight was whatever bullshit coming back to bite him in the ass. He just hoped it did not leave bloodstains soaking into the floor.

"You know Gamlen, I'm well-aware that we haven't been friendly in the last couple months ever since that incident with Guillaume, but you didn't need to avoid me."

Fuck. Andraste's flying brassier. He didn't think this would happen to him so soon. He cringed, feeling her hands rub out the tension in his shoulders.

"I mean, the last month was hard on all of us, what with my darling Bethany being taken away...in such a cruel manner." Gamlen winced as the rubs were becoming harder by the second. "Thankfully, Meeran was there to help me mourn properly during the process. But you know what I find funny? Recently he picked up some interesting gossip that a certain person was in the gallows a couple weeks back. Visiting a certain refugee with a job offer because she happened to know a man we both know so well…but I will get to the point seeing as your about to piss yourself."

Walking around to Gamlen's left side, Leandra nodded her head to one of the armored figures, who handed her a small ball pin hammer. The sweat poured off Gamlen's forehead, making him wish he was having a fevered alcohol dream in the fade that would soon be broken up by a parade of rabbits.

"I'll cut straight to the point then...is Malcolm dead?" She matched her icy eyes in tone.

"Yes. She told me and presented your locket. I gave them some money for it, seeing how it was priceless to you, and went along my merry way for the good deal!"

Gamlen felt the first blow on his left hand as Leandra hit, avoiding the joints.

"If I wanted an outright lie, I would have paid Varric or asked Meeran on a bad day. I came here to hear from your mouth. Although the current atmosphere isn't helpful, what with timing being an issue with the funeral." Leandra tested the weight of the hammer blocking out Gamlen's obscenities under his breath.

"Who gave you his locket?"

"I swear, it was some random woman he met while fleeing from the Blight who nursed him on the ship from a dark spawn wound!" Gamlen was tearing up trying to reach out for sympathy at the woman who wasn't his sister. "He was really sick and dying because they couldn't help him. They had to toss him overboard so the others couldn't catch the blight, but not before some woman promised to bring his keepsakes to you. She stayed in the gallows with the other refugees until she contacted me, bringing the locket."

Leandra turned her back to him, eying the cracks in the roof. "He died over the seas then?"

"Yes, he did...look, I'm sorry for whatever closure you're looking for, but he's dead Leandra! He was just lucky someone was insanely concerned enough to hunt me down and let you have his last memento!"

The hammer fell again on his ring finger, not breaking the bone but fracturing it for a slow rate heal. Gamlen looked up with contained red fury at Leandra, who exhibited cool indifference.

"Thing is, I believe you. But you left out a very important detail in that story."

Gamlen did not answer only to contain his curses.

"You see Gamlen, that locket of mine actually looks like a pendant with our family crest atop it, and the only way you would have to know about the inside contents was if you opened it. So, how did you manage to open it, Gamlen dear?"

"Look I... I..." It was what he feared most would happen and Leandra wasn't backing down.

"You couldn't open it, could you? That's something only three certain people can do without getting shocked." Gamlen could feel the sweat gathering forth on his forehead as the room was beginning to sway. "One of the three is dead, leaving me and our mystery woman...but we can cut the bullshit. How much did Athenril pay you?"

"I have no idea.-"

"How much did she pay you to sell out my daughter?"

"She didn't pay me shit, she just threat-fuck!" The hammer came down on his wrist breaking the bone at an odd angle. "She threatened to kill me and kill the girl if I told you! I swear I didn't think it through, but it was the only way I found answers about Mara! I'm not sorry for even doing it!"

Leandra stood back, taking in a deep breath before exhaling to calm her muscles into a relaxed pose. She looked at Gamlen, who was breathing heavily from the pain and mostly likely now hated her with renewed passion.

"'Sorry isn't good enough when you put family into indentured servitude for personal reasons...however, I am willing to let this go with a warning since you told me the truth. I'll have a doctor come see you in the morning."

Before Gamlen could blink, Leandra twirled the hammer around hitting him with the handle, knocking him out. Once slouched over, the armored men began unbuckling him from the chair and tending to his wounds. Leandra walked outside his hovel, down the small flight of stairs, and back to her estate. Rounding the corner, she met with Meeran, whose arms were crossed, with a bored look on his face.

"So, was he telling the truth like my sources told me?"

"Yes, but we have more pressing matters to attend to." Leandra walked ahead, followed closely by Meeran.

"Something that requires you to put our current search on hold for something more urgent." His tones were hushed for any usual spies.

"Something that pertains to both, seeing as they are connected to another." Leandra gestured.

"Leandra, I haven't seen you this close to being rattled, so I take it we're going to strike two targets with one stone, concerning the girl?"

"No, we only have a month's time to wrap up all current loose ends. Besides," She brushed her hair back as a wicked smile slowly crept into her face. "I plan to throw a wasp's nest into a hornet's nest."

"Usually woman, it's the latter being thrown at with a firebomb. I don't suppose you're crazy enough to plan such thing, unless you got time on your hands?" Meeran scratched his head. His gut told him something big was about to happen.

Leandra tittered as she neared the stairwell leading at the Chantry. "You can say it's going to take a year in the making."

A/N: Ok when I wrote this, this was during about…chapter 7 or 8 with Tabris and I had intended to let this be the epilogue chapter. Then I went through a massive rewrite and decided this is how we break things off. If anyone is still interested, you know the usual. Read and review.