My first fanfic! YAY...anyways Bioware owns Dragon Age and all its characters etc... except Beau who came out of my beautiful mind!

Her vision blurred as she fell to the ground. After all she had been through, she was going to fall to a small group of slavers? She felt the warmth of her blood melting the snow around her. She could still hear the slavers around her roaring in victory. Perhaps her time had come. She had escaped death so many times during her adventures, maybe it had finally caught up with her. She would finally be able to see her family again. Darkness began to consume her, and for a moment she actually felt at peace until she heard someone shouting her name. That shout was so familiar, but she failed to connect with who the voice belonged to. As his voice faded in the background, a memory flashed clear in her mind. "Promise me you won't die. I can't bear the thought of living without you." She couldn't die. She needed to be strong for him. She made a promise and she planned to keep it. Her magic swelled into something she had never felt before and before she knew it everything went black.

Since Beau was a little girl, she had loved sneaking away from the village to roam the forest that bordered it. She had fond memories of her father taking her down the same path she walked now, as a child. A gentle breeze danced through the tree tops, her black hair brushed across her face. Beau smiled to herself, engulfed in the happiness that she felt. She felt truly free when she walked the winding path of the forest. Beau could see the sun through trees slowly rising over the village. Soon she would have to go back to the real world. She gave a long sigh and leaned against a tree taking a final moment to take in the forest. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath taking in the scent of the pine trees. She mentally prepared herself to walk back down the path that would lead her back to the village. After a couple of minutes she pushed herself off of the tree and began down that path. It wasn't long before she ran into one of the "dangers" of the forest. In front of her, blocking the path was the local pack of wolves. Most people would have run the other way, but Beau wasn't most people. She stared at the wolves holding her ground.

"Well it looks like you lot have had a busy night." She commented. "Off to bed are you?"

The wolves responded by giving a little howl in return, their tails now wagging.

"Can I get a good night kiss?" she asked, smiling at the wolves. She was quickly engulfed by the pack that was licking her face, their tails still wagging. Beau had always had a way with wolves. When she was little, Beau had gotten lost in the forest. Beau had been too young to remember the details of that night, but her father had told her how he found her curled up with the wolves near their den. Apparently, her father had a difficult time getting the wolves to give her back, but both parties made it out of the situation unharmed. Throughout her teenage years, Beau would walk to the forest to visit the wolves. They were her oldest friends and they seemed to understand Beau, as Beau was able to understand them. Since her father died, she wasn't able to visit as often as she would like. Every time that Beau and the pack crossed paths, it was a glorious reunion. Beau wrestled with them for a while until she heard the rooster's crowing from the village.

"Bugger it all!" she swore, jumping up from the ground. "Mother is going to kill me!"

The wolves looked at her, confused about why she had jumped up.

"Sorry guys, but I have to go and look after my own pack. I will hopefully see you tomorrow."

The wolves gave out a little whine but let her leave. Beau began to run back to the village hoping that her family would still be in bed by the time she got home. Beau ran across the village only slowing down while passing the Chantry, making sure no templar caught a glimpse of her. As she got to the far side of the village, she could see her family's little home in the distance. She made it to the porch putting her hand on the banister for support as she tried to get her breath.

This must be my lucky day. Usually Mother is out doing the laundry by now. Hopefully my little morning trip will remain a secret after all.

When Beau caught her breath, she made her way through the main door of the house and entered the family's living area. The house was still quiet. Their house wasn't the biggest house, but it suited their family's need. The kitchen and living area was one big space. There were two rooms off the main living area. One of them was Bethany's and Beau's shared bedroom, and the other one was Carver's room. In the corner of the main living area was a small staircase that led to the loft area that served as her mother's bedroom.

Better start breakfast before Carver gets up. Maker knows he cannot wait two minutes while I cook.

Beau moved towards the little fireplace in the corner of the room. She took some kindling from the pile of wood beside the fireplace. She reached for the flint and tinder, but stopped midway.

It will take me forever to start a fire with this! I never can get the hang of it. Well, no one is around and I am sure they would be happier if they didn't have to wait for me to start this fire.

Beau looked around once more just to make sure all the doors were closed and there was no one outside. As soon as she was sure it was safe, she snapped her fingers. A nice sized fire magically appeared in the fireplace. Beau grinned as she leaned back on the dining room table. Sometimes it was good to be a mage.

"LEANDRA BEAU MARIE HAWKE!"

Beau turned around to see her mother's silhouette in the doorway, her hand situated on her hips, a frown on her face.

Maker I hate it when she uses my full name.

"Did I just see you use magic to light that fire?" her mother asked as she stomped into the room, dropping a basket of eggs on the table.

"Be careful mother, you will break the eggs." Beau gave her mother a childish grin, her golden eyes gleaming.

"Answer my question young lady!" her mother was not amused by Beau's smart comment.

"Yes mother. I did use a little magic this morning, but I wanted to get breakfast made before you and the twins woke up." Beau sighed.

"The three of us has been up just a long as you have!" her mother stated. "You didn't think I wouldn't notice your early morning jaunt into the forest did you? What would have happened if you ran into bandits, or worse Templars?"

Bugger it all.

"Oh mother it was just a quick trip and back, no harm done." Beau said shrugging off her mother's concern. "I was on this side of town before the bells chimed for Morning Prayer. I avoided the Templars completely and besides if I did run into bandits, I am confident I could take them. Have you forgotten I have friends in the forest?"

"What if that pack of wolves wasn't there to help you? Oh Beau what am I ever going to do with you." Her mother said shaking her head. "Are you still so restless that you cannot be content with your life in Lothering?"

"Mother, your making me sound like a depressed little girl that runs away from home all the time. I have been going to the forest since I was five years old! It is a place of peace for me." Beau explained. "I always come back don't I?"

Her mother scoffed. "You are such a free spirit, just like your father. I know you will always come back, but I just worry about you."

Beau held her mother's hands and squeezed them. "I will always be here to protect our family. I may be a free spirit, but this free spirit knows where she belongs and that is with you."

"I know that love." Her mother said, tears in her eye. "It has been hard without your father here, but you have done a good job keeping this family safe. I am proud of you."

Beau gave her mother a smile. "Come on mother, we should make breakfast and then go to the market. Those are today's plans are correct?"

"Actually dear we have already had breakfast." Her mother stated. "Carver is training somewhere and Bethany went to collect herbs. She took Rohan with her as well."

"It is alright mother, I can go without breakfast." Beau remarked, her stomach growling in protest. "I can help with some of the other chores before the market opens."

"Well there is still laundry hanging outside. You could take those down for me."

"Consider it done." Beau was about to go out the door when she felt her mother's hand on her shoulder.

"You should change your clothes before you touch the laundry love." Her mother smiled. "You don't want to get the linens dirty."

Beau looked down to see her trousers were covered in muddy paw prints. There was a couple on her shirt as well.

"Some things never change." Her mother laughed. "23 years old and you still come home covered in mud."

Beau just shrugged and gave her mother another smile. "It's just a talent I have."