Disclaimer: Aw snap! I don't own Dragon Age. Does that surprise you?
Stuck dumb, young Melaina Hawke took in the sight of her home, set aflame by those who were once friends of her family, turned angered mob by a single accusation. The shadows of the trees made her and her family blend into night, nameless inhabitants of the Korcari Wilds. A tear slid down her cheek as the roof, thatched by the hands of her father, fell in on itself. The horse and sheep in the barn were making ungodly noises as that, too, went up in flames. This was the first home she could recall. They had moved from location to location when she and the twins were young, but this farm hold on the edges of a little blot of a town near the Wilds held many memories.
A calloused hand rested on her shoulder, in an attempt to comfort but young Hawke angrily shrugged it off. She glared into the face of her father, and for once, she was glad the darkness hid his countenance for she could not bear the sight of him.
"We cannot stop here." Malcolm warned bluntly. Safety was first and foremost in his mind; he would deal with his eldest's wrath once she and the entire family were out of harm's way. It was a several day trek to the ruins of Ostagar by road, and about a week longer if by route of the forest. He only hoped that the forest's reputation would keep the townsfolk out of their way. With luck, by the time competent templars got wind of the incident, their trail would be cold.
"No, but I can." Melaina replied defiantly, wiping stubbornly at her tears. Her mother's gentle touch on her arm was accepted by the young mage.
"Darling," Leandra began quietly, sympathetically, her hand trapping Melaina's hand to her cheek, "There is nothing left back there for you or any of us."
The gesture somewhat sated the would-be Champion's anger but not before she got one more shot in. "This didn't have to happen." Melaina shook her head bitterly, "Father's actions cost us this."
"Yes, we lost everything because it was Father who dallied with that local boy." Carver interjected. His eye roll could not be seen for the shadows but it was certainly noted in his tone.
His thirteen year old twin bristled at these words. She had stayed close to her mother's skirts as they fled the farm hold. When they had stopped, Bethany had breathlessly slumped against an obliging tree, clinging to the small bundle of salvaged family keepsakes and other supplies as if they were her lifeline. "You were the one goading her…" She pointed out, hugging the bundle tighter.
"Enough!" Malcolm snapped irritably to cease his children's bickering. He then turned to his eldest and took her chin in his hands to get her full attention. Melaina tried to wriggle out of her father's grasp, but he held firm. "If it pleased you and only you, Melaina Hawke, you could stop here. But it doesn't. And believe me, if it were ever my intention to be caught by templars, then I'd hand us over on a silver platter… But seeing as how we are fresh out of needless, frilly, flatware, we are moving on to Ostagar even if I have to drag you every step of the way and push you through the fortress' threshold!"
The former circle mage let go of his daughter and without a single word began to lead the way further into the forest and away from the ashes of their home. Leandra followed behind her husband, her backwards glance at another place that was almost home did not go unnoticed. Carver fell in next, his reproachful glare at his big sister met with a challenging one.
Bethany slid beside her Melaina and placed a comforting arm around her sister as she slid the pack on her shoulder in the same gesture. Quietly she led Hawke along behind the rest of their family. At length, when the shouts of the mob and crackling of their old home could not be heard anymore Bethany spoke.
"Sometimes heartache is a blessing. Not many Witches of the Wilds have beaus." Bethany offered.
Hawke gave a halfhearted smile at the mention of her childhood ambition. She was ten when she had announced that she intended to become a Witch of the Wilds and spirit off small children. Melaina had told her parents with the conviction of a child that she would specialize in taking annoying little brothers and would be considered in turn, a patron to long suffering big sisters everywhere. That was two years before they had relocated to the small town near the Wilds. How far off that time felt….
Melaina gave a half-hearted smile in return and pulling her cloak closer to her, walked ahead. Bethany was too sweet to say what she was thinking but Melaina's baby sister was right. Mages were not meant to be loved… Much like oil and water, love and the gift of magic didn't mix.
A/N: I hope you liked chapter 1! I will try to update as often as I can. Young Hawke and Malcolm especially have caught my imagination from the very beginning. In game, I loved how people were connected. So I've taken these thoughts and am running with them. Next chapter will flash back several months before and we will see a particular connection that will (hopefully) make fangirls happy. Any support given is greatly appreciated and I am always open for ideas and thoughts on the story.