Anders' Gift

by Elven-in-name

The fate of starcrossed lovers told through a symbol. A ficlet that represents Hawke and Anders' relationship , because I needed to let go of that emotional burden. Note: 'betrayal' is in quotes in the story because my Hawke never felt betrayed, in this version of events.

Anders' Gift

The Onyx Chantry amulet was somehow warm, as if it had been kept close to someone's heart, the entire time...

It shone dimly in the candlelight, as Hawke remembered when he had given this gift to his lover, Anders.

It was three years earlier, after that trip to kill Danarius' apprentice, with Fenris.

Hawke had come to Anders' Clinic and brought this small item with him.

Strange, as it seemed at first, Hawke knew Anders would love it and he had been right.

After expressing his doubt about wearing such an item, Anders agreed. He took the small, shiny object and turned it into his symbol for freedom. But even more, he had turned it into his symbol for Hawke's love and care.

After that, when Anders came to aid Hawke in defeating the Qunari invasion, he kept it close, under his robes. Close to heart and his spirit.

Then, when the last 'peaceful' year began in Kirkwall, Anders was there, helping Hawke and supporting him even as the Champion himself sided with the mages' cause. When Orsino yelled at Meredith in front of Hightown's nobility, he was there to back Hawke up, he was there wearing the amulet.

And later, when he decided to 'betray' Hawke, to lie to him and use him to build the bomb that would destroy the Chantry and that smug Elthina, he was still wearing the amulet, as a reminder of a time when Hawke stood by him and Anders stood by Hawke.

And now, Anders was dead. The amulet in Hawke's hand was a symbol of redemption , now. For Anders in his death, for Hawke in his exile, for both of them in the love they once shared.

Now, the Onyx Chantry amulet wasn't warm anymore. But as Hawke put the amulet under his Champion Robes, close to his heart, it would get warm once more.