The magic was coursing through his body. He could feel it everywhere; the pain intense, his lyrium markings glowing. He could - he would - endure this. He could do no less for the woman he loved, laying in his arms so close death. He could not lose her now, not after all that happened. While Anders worked, Fenris closed his eyes and reflected on what transpired. Was it only last night that he finally worked up the courage to tell Hawke how he really felt?
If there is a future to be had, I will walk into it gladly at your side. He felt such relief in finally mustering his courage, taking charge after being on the run for so long, and having to run no more. Both Hadrianna and Danarius were dead; he was finally free to make a life, and to share that life with the woman who meant so much to him, if she would have him. He and his Hawke talked long into the night, both with their voices and with their bodies.
Hawke was to meet her brother, Carver, early at her estate the next morning on a matter of some urgency, so they finally dressed. They left his "estate" to walk the short distance to her home. He should have been paying more attention, but was too intoxicated with the heady rush of the evening's events to notice the three men barring their path until he and Hawke were practically on top of them.
"Be on your way, knife-ears. We want to have a nice chat with this lovely lady," the leader said, looking leeringly at Hawke.
Hawke rolled her eyes. "Now I would expect this out of Lowtown, but not in Hightown. I will have to talk with Aveline about the patrols around here," she chuckled. "Be on your way gentleman - you do not want to involve yourself with us."
"Oh, but we do...we do. Now!" All of a sudden Hawke fell to the ground, and short second later Fenris feels a prick on his neck as his legs give out underneath him and darkness descended all around.
As he slowly regained consciousness, Fenris takes in the sights and smells around him, trying to determine where he is and what has happened. His hands are shackled above him and pinned to the wall. This place looks disturbingly familiar to him, and then it hits him: it is the cellar where they found Hawke's mother. And then his heart leaps into his throat as he finally sees Hawke pinned naked and spread-eagle on a blood-stained rock table. Old stains; from what he can see she appears unhurt, just unconscious, thank the Maker.
He tried to wrestle out of his shackles but has no strength. "Forget about it, knife-ears," the leader from before says. "The little dart was tipped with Soldier's Bane, an' a good deal more was poured down yer throat. Yer not goin' anywhere."
Fenris appraises his captor, who has the look of a Templar, or former Templar, about him. "Why does a Templar need to capture a mage and hold her down in a cellar? Why not take her back to the Gallows?" Fenris asks.
"We're sanctioned ta be givin' a message ta all the filthy spell-casters. Too much talk goin' on an' not enough action. We're gonna be providin' incentive for them ta be turnin' theirselfs in, we are. Ser Alrik said ta use whatever means necessary, and gave us a target ta start with. He even told of us this nice place here. Said it was real quiet; a lot of screamin' could be goin' on and no one would know," the leader said wickedly.
"Oh…" Hawke said groggily. "What's going on? Why can't I feel my magic?"
"Ser Alrik also provided us with a nice dollop of Magebane," the leader winked to Fenris. "Alrighty, boys...looks like it's time fer our fun ta begin," he shouts out, as about nine other men converge around the table where Hawke is bound.
"Who gets to go first, Ardon?" one of the pack calls out to the leader. "Who do ya think?" Ardon replies. "Faran, come over here quick-like and take this dagger."
Ardon then goes over to Hawke. "This is how it's going to play out, witch. Yer goin' ta like everything we do ta ya, and yer going ta keep asking fer more an' more -"
"You delusional bastard," Hawke interrupts. "I'm going to rip your guts out, you filthy scum."
Ardon hauls back and hits Hawke on her cheek bone, crushing it. "And as I was sayin', if you don't tell me how much you're likin' it Faran over there is going to give yer elf friend a new place to smile," as he mimics a knife going across his throat. Hawke's eyes dart over to Fenris and he can see the fear in them - not for what's about to happen to her, but what could happen to him if she doesn't comply.
"Hawke, no - " Fenris starts. "And you, knife-ears, yer goin' to watch how much she enjoys it or it will go much, much worse for her," Ardon says.
Fenris can see Hawke trying to brace for what was about to happen. He tries to pour everything he is feeling into his eyes, a place for her to take refuge while the unthinkable happens. His strength shatters at her first scream. He yanks at the shackles trying to free himself, but they are too secure; himself, too weak.
Ardon pulls himself off of her, "Next!" and another miscreant, Ajus, continues where Ardon left off. Hawke is able to free one leg, though, and knees him; he screams out in pain. "You bitch!" and kicks her in her knee-cap, shattering it, and then thrusting himself violently inside her all in one motion. Plainly, this rabble has done this sort of thing before.
"Faran, yer next," Ardon pronounced as Ajus finishes. "Turn 'er over, will ya?" said Faran, "I like doin' this from behind."
On and on it goes. Fenris looks on in helpless despair, his senses fogged. Hawke tries to fight bravely, but every time she is beaten worse. All of a sudden the rogues all rush off and Anders is next to him, and with an intake of breath said, "Maker have mercy, what happened?"
Fenris looks at Anders, "Mage, unshackle me now. I have a score to settle." Anders quickly gets Fenris free. Fenris looks around and sees Aveline, Varric, and Carver all in heated battle. All sense leaves him as adrenaline kicks in and dissipates the remaining Soldier's Bane. He rushes forward, a whirlwind of might and steel.
After a time - hours, minutes, days, he knows not how long - Fenris feels a hand on his arm and Aveline saying, "Fenris, it's over." Fenris looks around and sees that she is correct - body parts are flung everywhere. He rushes back to Hawke; Anders is there giving her what aid he can.
"By the Maker," Carver whispers when he sees his sister. "We have to get her out of here and back to her home. I have done what I can to stabilize her, but she needs much, much more," Anders says. "I'll carry her," Carver offers as he reaches for Hawke. All of a sudden she whimpers and tries to struggle, to get away. "I will carry her," Fenris announces. Hawke calms down almost immediately and buries her head in his chest as he holds her. "Let us depart this vile place."
Once back at the estate, Anders directs Fenris upstairs to Hawke's chamber. He turns to Fenris, "She is very bad off. She has many broken bones and massive internal bleeding. She is very close to death. Normally I would not be strong enough to even try and save someone in this condition. However, with enough lyrium I may be able to do so."
"You mean my markings, mage?"
"Yes. I believe that I can use you as a conduit to increase the strength I need to heal her. But the pain for you will be intense - "
"Do it," Fenris interrupts. "Do whatever you need to do to save her. Any pain that I may experience is miniscule compared to what has been inflicted upon her. What do you need from me?"
"I need you to bear as much skin as possible, and then let me position you on the bed."
Fenris strips to his small clothes and climbs on the bed. Anders props pillows behind him, putting him in a seated position. Then he gently places Hawke between Fenris' legs, with her back on his chest. Fenris protectively puts his arms around her and then Anders begins. Fenris feels the magic coursing through his body...