Chapter 1- Just You and I
"You are my love and my life, you are my inspiration, just you and me, simple and free.
Baby you're everything, I've ever dreamed of, yea, yea.
Give me your own special smile, promise you'll never leave me.
Just you and me, simple and free, life is so easy, when you're beside me, oh girl"
Just You and Me by Chicago
Anders clung to the bloody, battered and broken body of the woman that he had been in love with for as long as he could remember. Ever since the fall of the Chantry they had been on the run, barely escaping Kirkwall with their lives. For two months Anders, Hawke, Isabela and Varric had been dodging templar hunters and Starkhaven knights as they headed for the Tevinter Imperium. Their luck had run out in a forest just outside the walls of Minrathous, when Sebastian and his men had finally caught up with them. It had been a bloody battle and when it was over, the Prince of Starkhaven lay dying in a pool of his own blood at the hands of Katelyn Hawke. Once the Prince had been killed, his knights quickly fled, leaving the majority of their party critically injured. Anders had healed them all, but his beautiful Kat had received the brunt of the Prince's wrath. He had done all that he could for her, and now whether she lived or died was up to the Maker.
Anders wiped the dried blood from her face as he recalled the first time he had ever seen her. She had been eleven and he had been twelve the first time that Malcolm Hawke had brought him home like a stray puppy and he probably had more fleas than one too. It had been his second escape from the Circle and he had been hiding in the barn of farmer in a village just outside Rainesfere when Malcolm had discovered him stealing fruit and vegetables to eat. Malcolm had sensed the magic in him just as Anders had sensed the magic in Malcolm and immediately trusted him. Malcolm had convinced the farmer, a family friend, to relinquish Anders into his custody instead of turning him over to the authorities. The farmer agreed and Malcolm brought him home.
When Anders had walked into the small three bedroom cottage, seated at the table were three small children. All of the children had raven black hair, but only the oldest had these piercing blue eyes that froze you in place and made you never want to move. However, it was her roguish grin that made him like her immediately. Her black hair was short and instead of a dress she wore trousers and boots. This was not some frail, doll playing little girl. He could tell that she was mischief, playfulness and trouble all rolled into one. He grinned back at her and his first thought was that he couldn't wait to misbehave with her.
She pinned her stare on him, "You aren't going to turn out to be sissy with a blade like my brother, are you?"
"Shut up," a scrawny boy a few years her junior jeered as he punched her in the arm. The young girl waved her hand at him as if he were a fly bothering her.
"As far as I know, you can be a sissy without a blade too. But no, I don't have a sissy bone in my body, I am sissy-less. How about you? You look pretty much like a sissy to me," Anders retorted.
She grinned at him, "Imagine that boy that isn't afraid to get his arse kicked by a girl… see Carver that's what a real boy looks like," the young rogue chuckled as she nudged her younger brother.
"Katelyn Hawke, I will not have you speak like that, young lady," said a tall raven haired woman who was obviously their mother said.
"Oh, Mom, don't be such a stick in the mud. You never let me have any fun."
Anders sat down beside the tomboy and grinned. "Something tells me that she has reason for keeping you on a short leash."
"Short leash! I'm not a dog, you flea bitten mongrel."
"Mal, I see you brought home another stray," the woman said with a sigh. She walked up behind him and quickly examined him. "Well, you aren't too far off Kate, he has lice. Mal take him out to shed and clean him up while I fix him a hot meal and a bed in Carver's room."
Malcolm walked over and wrapped his arms around his wife's waist. "Have I told you lately how much I love you, that there isn't anyone I would ever place above you?"
She leaned in and kissed his cheek, "No, but if you keep bringing me home strays, you better have more than kind words to offer me."
Malcolm waved his hand and the most beautiful bouquet of wild flowers appeared. "Will this do until I can conjure up a diamond ring?"
She kissed her husband again, "You're forgiven."
Anders had only a few memories of his parents, but none of them were like the couple in front of him. Malcolm and Leandra Hawke were the first example he had ever seen of true love.
"Maker's breath, you're grossing me out. There are small children in the room," Kate huffed.
Malcolm laughed as he ruffled his daughter's hair, "Trust me one day, hopefully not too soon, all you will think about is kissing boys."
"Only mommies and daddies are supposed to kiss," said the youngest Hawke daughter.
"Yes, that's true. So no kissing boys until you are married, okay?" Leandra stated.
"Nothing wrong with a little practice before," Malcolm said with a grin and a wink at his wife returned the gesture with a frown.
"Just a little...very little," Malcolm joked as he patted Anders on the shoulder, "Follow me, son."
By the time Anders had returned, cleaned and changed the Hawke children were sitting by the fire as Kate read the Adventures of the Black Fox. Anders sat down to eat and listened to her read. It was obvious that Malcolm had seen to it that his children received a good education. There were only a few big words that she had trouble sounding out.
When she had finished the chapter, Malcolm said, "By tomorrow morning, I want the first two paragraphs of that chapter written out in Antivan."
"Aaaah, come on Dad, you have to be kidding! I'm sooo tired," Kate whined.
"Well, than I guess we will have to shorten the amount of time you spend in the training ring," Malcolm replied.
"You do realize, Dad, that we live in Ferelden not Antiva."
"I could make you translate it into Orlasian too, but I'm not."
Kate grumbled under her breath as she got up, grabbed a quill and parchment and stomped off to her room. Anders was only twelve, but even he could see the wisdom of an apostate learning other languages.
Over the next week, when not helping on the farm or studying academic pursuits, Anders practiced spells with Malcolm while Kate practiced dual weapons in the back field with the son of one of the knights from Rainesfere. She was young, but even Anders could tell that she was talented. With more training and practice, she would be a force to be reckoned with and Anders was pretty sure that is what Malcolm had in mind. Hiding a family with two apostates in it could be dangerous; training his children to defend themselves was wise.
On Saturday, Anders got up and started to get ready to work on the farm when Carver rolled over and glared at him. "Can't you see I'm trying to sleep here?"
"Don't you need to get up and start on your chores?" Anders asked.
"It's Saturday, we don't do chores on Saturday. Mom and Dad give us the day off."
"Really? That's… awesome," Anders said as he stripped back out of his clothes. He slid back into bed and slept until sun was high in sky. He had been exhausted and obviously his body needed the rest. Never in his life unless he had been sick had he been allowed to sleep in. It was the most wonderful experience of his life. He looked over and saw Carver's empty bed, Anders got up and finally made his way little dining area, Mrs. Hawke was rolling out dough for what looked like the beginnings of a pie.
She smiled up at him when he entered, "Well, hello there, sleepy head. I was just about to come and check on you to make sure you were still breathing."
"Sorry for sleeping so late," Anders muttered.
She wiped her hands on a towel, "It's fine. You obviously needed the rest. I saved you some lunch…"
"Lunch? How late is it?"
She grinned as she set a sandwich and a glass of milk in front of him. "It's almost two o'clock."
"Maker's breath," Anders mumbled.
"Well, I'm sure after you finish eating you will be able to find the kids playing in the nearby woods."
"Thank you, Mrs…"
"Excuse me, young man, but what have I told you to call me," Mrs. Hawke said sternly.
Anders cringed slightly, "Leandra, ma'am."
"Mrs. Hawke was my mother-in-law and she has been dead for years, so no more of that. Understand?"
"Yes, ma'am," Anders replied.
She patted his arm, "Good."
Anders quickly finished the sandwich and then headed for the woods. He didn't have to go far when he heard the sound of voices arguing.
"Why do you always get to be the black fox?" Carver demanded.
"Because I'm older than you," Kate replied.
"You really should let him be the Black Fox at least once. Mom always says we need to take turns," Bethany said trying to play peacekeeper.
"Carver, couldn't lead us out of the barn, let alone out here in the woods. He would probably lead us off a cliff," Kate retorted.
Anders walked into the clearing. "I should be the black fox," he declared.
"You!" Kate exclaimed. "Have you gone mad? What makes you think that you would make a good black fox?"
"Well, for one, everyone knows that the black fox is a man…"
"That is a common misconception, I've heard rumors that the black fox was actually a woman."
"That is the craziest thing I have ever heard. What man in their right mind would run around the country, following the lead of a woman?" Anders chuckled purposely trying to get her fiery temper to rise. "Besides the black fox was very charming and witty, which I am the perfect example of. So I'll be the best black fox!"
"You're as charming as a horse's arse and about as good looking as one too. You'd probably do worse than Carver and lead us into the black city with all of your manly ego," Kate retorted.
"Oh, admit it. You like me. You like me so much that you can't wait to wake up each morning and see me in all my glory, before you even have breakfast," Anders snickered.
"Yes, because seeing you after I ate would make me vomit," Kate countered.
"Just try not to do it over my shoes. They are my favorite pair."
"They're your only pair."
"You're just afraid that Anders might be able to be a better black fox than you. That's why you won't let him play him," Carver accused.
"I just think he'll make a better bandit. That would also make it so much better when I show him how a female black fox can out fox him and kick his charming arse while I'm at it; besides everyone knows that the black fox wasn't a mage."
"Just like your female theory, you can't prove that HE wasn't a mage."
"Fine Anders, since you are the newest member of the family, just once, I will let you choose, on one condition, whoever wins has bragging rights for a week and the next time we play, the winner gets to be the black fox for as long as they want."
Anders was stunned that she had called him a member of the family and for a moment was speechless.
She impatiently looked at him, "Well!"
"O-okay, I agree."
She gave him a roguish grin. "Okay good, do you want to be the scoundrelous and charming head bandit or the witty and pretty black fox?"
"I'll be the black fox this round and you can be the black fox in the next one. Does that sound fair to you?"
"Fine, but you're going to have to work at the pretty part of that description."
"I'm plenty pretty, it comes naturally to me."
"You'll need to work on your evil-genius to even have the chance to out fox the charming new black fox," Anders cooed.
"Please, I'll have you on the ground and begging for mercy in no time. Since you are the black fox, I get Bethany."
"I have to warn you, Anders, she plays dirty," Bethany cautioned.
"Beth! You're warning the enemy. Whose side are you on?"
"I'm just trying to give him fair warning, you can't blame me for that," Beth said defensively.
"He'll need more than a warning. May the Maker have mercy on him, because I know you won't" Carver sneered.
"I like a good challenge," Anders said with a grin. "Now, Carver and I will give you ten minutes to set your trap or does your diabolical mind require more time?"
"In ten minutes I'll be able to set more than one trap," Carver gloated.
"I'll be able to disarm them before they are even set," Kate retorted.
Carver stuck out his tongue at her, Kate rolled her eyes, grabbed Bethany and said, "Let's go."
"Yes run, run away quickly. Prepare to be beaten by the magnificence that is The Black Fox," Anders chuckled.
Kate ignored him as the two of them headed into the woods. Over the next several hours, the four of them played the adventure game and the two teams were evenly matched. Anders had to smile at the fact that he found his equal in Kate when it came to mischief. She was clever and a quick thinker, but he was counting on her ego to be her downfall. As the sun began to sink low in the sky, they were playing their final round before heading home. They had played four times and so far they were tied. Anders quietly stalked her, following the trail that she had left. If he could win this round, he would beat her and have bragging rights for a week.
Anders followed the trail of broken branches and crushed flowers.
"This is too easy. She is never this careless," Carver said.
"I already know it's a trap, so be alert," Anders whispered back. Anders glanced down at the path and continued to follow her trail, he saw blood on a broken log. His heart began to pound in his chest. Anders followed the blood trail until the tracks split into two different directions; the blood heading one way and the crushed leaves and branches going another way.
"Why would they split up?" Carver said.
"I don't know…maybe one went for help…it's very strange. I'll follow the blood and you follow the other one," Anders instructed.
"That person that is hurt is one of my sisters, I want to follow that path," Carver argued.
Anders raised an eyebrow, "Oh have you suddenly developed the ability to heal?"
"You're no great healer. My father is better," Carver countered.
"Well, Malcolm isn't here. I am and right now, I'm better than nothing," Anders retorted.
"Fine!" The boy said as began to follow the other path.
Anders knew he was right, if either one of them were seriously injured he wouldn't be able to do anything for them. He followed the path into a clearing and stopped dead in his tracks. Lying in the middle of the field was Bethany. He rushed over to her and saw blood on her forehead. He sunk to his knees. He checked for a pulse and felt her heart beating rapidly. He raised his hands and examined her…there was nothing. He felt nothing. He had to have missed something so he raised his hands again, checked for the source of the blood. Again there were no injuries; he reached forward to touch her blood forehead when he felt a hand slid under his chin and a warm breath whisper, "You're dead."
"What the hell?" Anders exclaimed as he spun around and saw Kate.
Bethany chuckled behind him, "I warned you. She plays dirty."
"Marker's arse, you cut yourself to win a game!" Anders exclaimed.
Kate rolled her eyes, "Of course not, I fell over a log that was obscured in the shadows and cut my hand and leg, so I improvised to prove that I am smarter, wilier, wittier and prettier than you, my dear mage."
Anders smiled and shook his head. "You win, I surrender."
"And?"
Anders grimaced, "You're the best Black Fox ever."
"Thank you for admitting that."
"Will I ever live that down?"
"Nope."
"That's true she has a memory like a steal trap," Bethany said.
"Where's Carver?" Anders asked.
"I lead him back to house," Kate explained.
Anders laughed, "Oh, I'm sure we will hear all about that tonight at dinner."
Anders noticed the blood smeared across her shirt and some seeping through her pant leg. He patted the ground beside him, "Come here, let me look at those wounds."
She sat down and examined the cut on her hand. Then he gently ran his fingers across her palm as he sent healing magic into her hand and watched as a radiant smile spread across her face.
"What?"
"I love the warm, comforting feeling I get with healing magic. It makes me feel loved," she said.
"Has anyone other than your father ever healed you?"
"No, just him."
"If you want to wait to get home for him to heal your leg we can," Anders stated.
She smiled at him, pulled up her pant leg for him to see. Anders began to heal her leg. "You're doing a great job, Anders. Thank you."
He looked up at her; those beautiful sapphire eyes were shimmering as she watched his hand glide across her calf, healing her wound and Anders felt a strange stirring in his heart. Something he had never felt before, but something that felt good and soothing.
Over the next two years, Anders had become a part of the Hawke family and they were such an integrated part of his life. He knew that even if he left tomorrow that the impact they had on him would remain with him for a life time. He had come to love each of them and he was terrified of losing them. Malcolm had become like a father to him and Anders had learned more from him about healing magic then he had the three years that he had been at the Circle.
Leandra had become like a mother; always taking care of him, cleaning up after him, fixing his favorite meals, teaching him how to cook; something Kate had no desire to learn and Bethany was too young to learn. He enjoyed those times that it was just the two of them in the kitchen preparing a meal together. He had some of the best talks with her then.
Bethany and Carver were like the pesky little brother and sister he never had. They drove you crazy most of the time, but then they would do something sweet and kind that kept you from killing them.
Then there was Kate…Kate who he had grossly underestimated in her ability to find trouble and bring him into it. She was like an angel and a little devil all wrapped up in bright red bow. Leading you down the garden path probably right to the Dark City, but you went willingly with a smile on your face. When they weren't working, studying or practicing their fighting styles, they were always together. He had the best time with her and even when they were getting in trouble she still made him laugh. Spending time with her was the best part of his day which was why he was racking his brain, trying to think of a gift for her. Her birthday was tomorrow, he wanted to give her something but he had very little money. When Leandra asked him to go to the market to purchase the ingredients for her to make Kate's birthday cake, he willing went. He had hoped that he might be able find something there that was inexpensive, but also conveyed how much she meant to him. He spent half the day searching each stall, but he found nothing. As the sun was beginning to set he gave up, quickly purchased the ingredients for the cake and headed home. As he was on his way out of the village, a young girl was standing beside a box that had a sign that said, FREE KITTENS TO A GOOD HOME.
Anders walked over and peered into the box. There was only one kitten left. Anders looked up at the young girl, "Is this the only one left?"
"Yes, and if I bring it home my Pa said he would drown it."
"What? Why?"
"Because we already have plenty of cats on the farm and he doesn't want anymore," the girl explained.
Anders looked down at the cute little face of the black and white kitten and he smiled when he pictured Kate holding and petting it. "I'll take him."
"Oh great, but he is actually a she."
"Even better," Anders said as he scooped the kitten up.
The following day after dinner, the presentation of the cake and everyone gave her their gifts Anders handed her his backpack. She raised an eyebrow and grinned, "You're giving me your bag? Just what I always wanted, a used backpack."
"No dummy, look in the bag," Anders said.
She pulled the bag open and her face light up. She grinned as she pulled the kitten out of the bag. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him. "Oooh, Anders she is prefect!"
"What are you going to name him?" Bethany asked.
Kate scratched the kitten's belly as the she rolled over and reached to play with Kate's fingers, "Hmm, I think I will name her Miss Kitty Fantastico."
Anders burst out laughing, "That is the silliest name I have ever heard."
"Cats are noble beasts that live up to their names. If you give them a serious name, they will be serious, a feisty name then that is what they will be. I want my cat to be silly so it needs a silly name."
"Well, then Miss Kitty Fantastico it is," Malcolm said.
Miss Kitty became a part of their daily adventures and the mischief they would get into. Although Kate had an aptitude for finding trouble all on her own. He thought about the time that she switched Bethany's healing book for a fire spell book and instead of healing the bouquet of flowers sitting near the kitchen widow, she set them on fire, causing the nearby curtains to catch fire and almost burning the cottage to the ground.
Leandra had been livid and when she asked Kate what made her do such a thing, Kate calmly stated, "I didn't do it, my evil twin did."
"You don't have a twin."
"Yes I do and she is responsible for all the bad things I get blamed for, but you might actually like her better Mom, because she wears dresses and plays with dolls."
"Katelyn, go to your room, you will have no supper this evening and you are not to come out until your father comes home tomorrow evening."
"Mother, please, it was an accident. How was I to know she was going to try to heal flowers by the window? Who does that? Besides she's not very good at healing, and she has mentioned that she wants to learn how to defend herself, so I just gave her a little nudge in that direction."
Leandra let out a sigh of frustration, pointed to Kate's room and ordered, "Room now! Don't come out."
"What if I have to pee, should I just do that in the corner?"
Anders could see that Leandra had reached her breaking point. He leapt to his feet and rushed Kate towards her room. "You really need to learn when to shut the hell up," he whispered.
"It was an accident," she hissed back.
"So the books just magically switched themselves," Anders retorted.
"It could happen," Kate said with a pout.
"Be a good little girl and I'll sneak you some dinner," Anders said as he pushed her into her room and closed the door.
That night he had second and third helpings of food at dinner. He hid it in a napkin and then when he went out to the barn to feed the horses, he went to her window and gave her the food. She smiled warmly at him and kissed his cheek. Anders knew then, he would do anything for her; anything to help her and keep her safe. She was his best friend, partner in crime, his counterpart and he loved and cherished her most of all.
It was for these reasons that Anders worried about the templars catching up with him. He had stayed in one place too long. It was only a matter of time before his phylactery led them to him and more importantly led the templars to Malcolm and Bethany. So several nights later, when Anders thought everyone was asleep, he slipped out of bed, got dressed, packed a small bag and then quietly headed for the front door.
From the shadow of the living room, a voice said, "Were you really going to leave without saying good-bye, Anders?"
Anders spun to face Malcolm as he stepped into the light. The face of the only man he could remember as a father, looked sad. "I-I'm sorry. I thought it would be easier this way. I knew you and Leandra would try to stop me, but I've been here too long. My presence places all of you in danger."
"Do you think I don't know that? I have been an apostate a lot longer than you have, my dear boy."
"I meant no disrespect…"
"None is taken, Anders," Malcolm said as he drape his arm around Anders shoulders and led him over to the kitchen table. Spread out before them was a map of Ferelden, there were tiny red, yellow and green dots spread throughout the map.
"What do the dots mean?
"The red dots are locations that have a heavy Chantry influence and a large number of templars. The yellow dots are locations that we have already lived and the green dots are places that would be good areas to move to. When I was gone earlier this week, I was scouting a village near the foothills of Dragon's Peak. I believe it will be good place to live for the next several years…"
"But you have a life here, you are safe here, your family…"
"This is your family too, Anders, and families stick together, no matter what. So we will be leaving here in the next five days. I will need your help selling as much as we can and packing everything that will fit into the wagon."
Anders was overwhelmed that someone would risk everything to protect him and without thinking, he threw his arms around Malcolm's neck. In a voice that was barely audible he said, "Thank you."
Over the next week, the family worked together to get ready to leave. On their last day, Malcolm and Leandra gave the kids some time off for good behavior, while they finished up the last of the packing. Anders, Kate and the twins headed to the open field behind the house. With wooden swords, Carver and Kate were sparing together, while he and Bethany practiced defensive spells. Anders had just cast a huge fireball when three templars stepped out of the woods, swords drawn, "Halt apostate."
Anders shoved Bethany behind him and he heard Kate yell for their father. Both Leandra and Malcolm came rushing into the field just as the senior templar grabbed Anders while the other reached Bethany.
"It wasn't her," Anders cried out. "Leave her alone. It was me. I'm the one you want."
"I felt multiple spells being cast," the lead templar said.
"It was only me. I was casting numerous spells to see how long it took to drain my mana. These people are innocent. Please leave them be," Anders begged.
"They are far from innocent. They were harboring an apostate. That makes them accomplices," the templar declared.
"Please I will cooperate and leave peacefully. Just leave this innocent family alone," Anders pleaded again.
"Anders, no," Kate cried out as she started for him. Anders shot her a look of disapproval just as Malcolm grabbed her arm.
The templar stared at them then gave a curt nod, "Fine they are free to go as long as you don't fight us."
Anders nodded as the two templars roughly grabbed his arms and tied his hands together.
"Please, is that really necessary? He has agreed to cooperate," Malcolm said.
The templar turned and glared at him, "Stay out of our business." Just to prove his point, the templar punched Anders in the jaw. He staggered back, but the two men holding his arms kept him on his feet for the lead templar to deliver another blow. This time Anders heard the bone in his nose crack.
Anders heard a blood curdling cry and watched in horror as Kate broke free from her father. She rushed toward them. The templars drew their swords, ready to attack her. Without hesitation, Anders cast a mindblast spell knocking the men back, causing them lose their footing and stumble away from Kate as she rushed toward him. She launched herself at Anders, wrapping her arms around his neck as her tears mixed with his own blood and tears. "Please, please don't take him," she pleaded.
"Kate, stop. This is the only way," Anders said desperately wanting to hold her, to comfort her.
"No, no, no, no," she said over and over again.
The templars had started to pull her off of him when he leaned into her ear and whispered, "I will find you. I promise." As they pulled her away, she kissed the side of his cheek then they grabbed his arms again and hauled him back to the circle.
A/N – Miss Kitty Fantastico is a shout out to one of my favorite shows; extra Double Mint Oreo cookies to anyone who can tell me which show.
*Big thanks, hugs and kisses to the betalicous Jinx1983 for making it seem as if I have mastered commas, colons, semicolons and spellchecker. The fact that I haven't is our little secret. You're the best! Thanks!