Nightmares Should Really Stay in the Fade RE-WRITE

Chapter One

By Of Quirky Excellence

A/N: I've decided to see how much I have improved as a writer, and write a new and improved, and darker version of my Fenris/Hawke story. Feedback is and always will be appreciated! :)

Fenris tossed and turned back and forth in the guest bedroom at the Hawkes' estate. Sweat covered his furrowed brow and tan forehead, and he groaned as he finally awoke from a sleep plagued with nightmares. Annabelle Hawke's sea-blue eyes shot open with fright, as they searched for the source of the sound. She found Fenris's glistening emerald eyes quickly, and they told her everything.

Letting the Lyrium-marked elf stay at her house had been the least she could do after he'd been wounded in battle with a High Dragon and he'd also taken a blow to the head. A blow that had been meant for her. She grimaced as she straightened her posture in the armchair she'd been sleeping in.

Fenris caught his breath after a moment. "Hawke..." he looked ashamed for waking her up, but his expression softened as he spoke to her.

He'd grown fond of her, and she genuinely cared for him in return. It had been three years since that night they'd spent together and things were just beginning to patch up. At first, for a while, Annabelle had avoided him and took her other companions on the various and often exciting errands she'd had to do. But after a while her feelings for the Lyrium-scarred elf had eventually began to return. The topic of that night had never come up again, however.

Gradually, the trust between them, especially in battle had improved tremendously, and the elven warrior and the beautiful human rogue always had each others' backs.

Fenris still had Annabelle's scarlet sash, and even if it wasn't tied to the wrist of his sword arm, he wore it always, somehow. He also kept a small shield with her family crest that she'd given to him strapped to the belt of his armor.

"Are you alright, Fenris? You don't look so good right now." she asked with concern in her voice.

"I...have slept better. Trust me." he struggled to find words to express how he felt.

"I see." she mused. "Bad dreams? Anything you want to talk about?"

"No." he said, more abruptly than he'd intended. "I mean, you shouldn't trouble yourself about me, Hawke."

"It is no trouble. What is it, Fenris? What's on your mind?" she asked, her soft gaze reaching his troubled face.

He sighed. "It's just...I have never allowed anyone to get so close. I was always afraid it would only end with them getting hurt, and that would be the death of me." He paused, looking deep in thought. "And so I remain alone."

Hawke looked hurt, but she brushed that aside quickly, knowing he meant no ill-will by it. "I'm here Fenris." she reached over and stroked his hand gently. He winced at her touch, but then he relaxed when she didn't pull away. The elf looked puzzled, but then he grasped her hand and held it.

He let out an even deeper sigh, and said, "It is comforting to know that, but if you ever got hurt-"

She cut him off. "I know you wouldn't hurt me, Fenris."

He shook his head. "I could never harm you...but I admit it, I'm fearful most of the time. Danarius is still out there, hunting for his 'lost property' and haunting my sleep." Fenris sounded bitter and even more troubled at the mention of his former master.

"I will not let him take you!" Annabelle promised. And she meant it, with all her heart.

"That is why I fear the day we have to face him. It is inevitable, however. He will come for me eventually." Fenris frowned at the last statement.

Hawke squeezed his hand. "And don't worry, when he does, we'll be ready."

"Thank you, but-"

"Shhh." she hushed softly."Try to go back to sleep, Fenris, you have to rest. Anders said if you don't, your body will be too exhausted to heal."

"Curse that mage." Fenris said with a half-smirk as he lightened up a bit. But then he yawned.

"But he's right, isn't he?" Annabelle asked with a warm smile.

"I suppose so." Fenris said with a roll of his eyes. After a while, thy both drifted off to sleep, their hands still clasping one another and their fingers intertwined.