Summary-His heart torn between Anders and Fenris Garrett Hawke seeks a distraction and finds it when Warden-Commander Theron Mahariel arrives in Kirkwall looking for a stolen magical relic.
While Anders struggles with controlling Justice and his own growing feelings for Hawke the arrival of Theron threatens to expose his secrets and lies. Suspicious of the Warden's arrival Fenris begins to question his feelings about mages when Hawke becomes affected by the relic's power.
Pairings-Hawke/Anders, Mahariel/Anders, Fenris/Hawke
Notes-Because I've been getting feedback about my Warden Mahariel I've decided to post this story that was sitting in my laptop for weeks. Once it was confirmed that Anders was a male romance option I couldn't help but think that if he was an option in Awakenings my Warden would've jumped his bones. Chapter 12 of my other story is already finished and will be up tomarrow.
I hope you like this one :)
I'm Not Calling You A Liar
Chapter One
Destiny's Children
Kirkwall wasn't what he had expected.
During his time across Ferelden and beneath the earth in the Deep Roads the red haired elf had seen a lot of unique and unusual places. He was a Dalish elf and during his time growing up in the camp he had seen more than his own fair share of relics and long forgotten temples. Theron Mahariel whistled as his eyes took in the sight of the infamous Twins and the chain that made up the entrance into the ancient city long ago built by the Tevinter Imperium.
Theron walked around the small ship he had brought passage n and leaned against the wooden railing of the ship. He liked travelling by sea. Wine eyes long since aged with experience, pain and hardship remained fixed on the port he was being taken to. The faint sea air was soothing to the former Warden and he smiled faintly as the ship rocked against the waves.
Theron intended to enjoy his time here while he could. Alistair was with Nathaniel in the Free Marches seeking new recruits while Theron had offered to make the trip to Kirkwall to meet the Knight-Commander and the First Enchanter. Aside from seeking new recruits Theron was here to find a magic relic stolen from the Circle Tower last month. This was the first time he had ever seen out of Ferelden but he refused to allow his uneasiness to show.
If there was one thing Theron had mastered over the years as a Warden it was how to shield his emotions. He had always been the neutral party in arguments until the time came when he had to take action and pick a side. The elf pushed away from the railing and waited for the ship to dock at the port. The initial journey here had been difficult with the weather turning foul but other than that it had been a quiet sailing across the Waking Sea.
Theron nodded at the captain when the plank was lowered and he could walk onto the stone pathway leading into the Gallows. Before departing Ferelden the Warden had gone over books and other information he could find about Kirkwall. The last thing he wanted to do was stick out in the crowd. It would be bad enough with his telltale tattoos giving away his heritage but Theron had stopped caring what humans thought about him long ago.
He respected only a handful of humans but for the moment he was in a foreign land and he needed to blend in for his duration here. He felt safer with Starfang pressed against his back along with the daggers Alistair had gotten him for his birthday last year. They were beautiful silver blades shaped into a single deadly blade with two others attached to either side of the hilt. The shape reminded Theron of a fork.
Alistair had also bought him the blades to celebrate his commission as the Commander of the Grey in the Free Marches. Theron had left Amaranthine soon after the incident with the Mother and the Architect. Nathaniel and Varel were skilled and good men who could take care of the place now that he was gone. Being the Arl only gave Theron headaches he could do without. Sigrun and Valenna would survive without him too.
While he was a skilled duellist and rarely used swords he carried Starfang with him everywhere. The blue sword had been the weapon he had used to destroy the archdemon and end the Blight. The sword reminded him constantly of that night and what he had achieved over that year. Dressed in his leather drakeskin armour and carrying a shining blue sword wasn't exactly being discreet but Theron held his head up and walked along the port and into the Gallows Courtyard.
The first thing he was aware of was the people lying against the walls with their hands held out for coin or food. It reminded him of Denerim especially the alienage. Templars and city guards were locked in conversation with one another while market stalls had been set up.
Theron didn't look at anyone too long as he made his way towards the Templar Headquarters at the end of the Gallows. The Knight-Commander was aware of his arrival in the city and he was curious to meet her. The elf found his way into the courtyard and the templars stared openly at the red haired elf who was striding into their compound.
He could hear the whispers and see them pointing at him but he ignored them. He never did care what humans thought about him anyway. The Warden had been told about the Templar Headquarters before leaving Ferelden and he found the door into the building easily enough.
"Who are you?" a voice questioned him.
"My name's Theron Mahariel." He replied with the diplomatic tone he had mastered over the years. "Knight-Commander Meredith is expecting me."
"She's expecting an elf?" the guard sounded amused. "I don't think so."
"I don't have time for this." Theron rolled his eyes. "Let me pass. I have things to do."
"How dare you speak to me like that knife ear." The man snarled. "Piss off back to the alienage where you belong."
"Are you deaf?" Theron could feel his temper boiling. Alistair had often joked that his temper was his most unattractive quality. "I have to begin recruiting Grey Wardens."
"Do you wish to be locked in the Gallows?" the guard crossed his arms while the other men and women began taking notice of the spectacle. "Get out before I drag you into the dungeons."
"Hmm..." Theron hummed. Before the guard could do anything Theron lashed forward, grabbed his wrist and pulled the man down to his knees. Taking out one of his silver daggers Theron pressed the thin blade to his throat.
"You obviously need a lesson in hearing. My name is Theron Mahariel. I killed the archdemon and was named Warden Commander." Theron smirked with satisfaction when he heard the man whimper. "Now either you let me through or I take an ear and walk in there myself."
"There will be no need for that."
Theron turned his head when the woman's voice spoke out. She was a tall female human with blond hair and wearing impressive battle armour. A greatsword hilt could be seen behind her head and she was flanked by two guards. She stopped and watched as Theron withdrew his dagger and tossed the man away.
"Your guards need to work on their manners." The elf sheathed his blade. "Knight-Commander Meredith I presume?"
"And you must be the legendary Grey Warden from Ferelden." The woman's cold blue eyes glinted. "You are not what I expected in a Warden."
"I get that a lot." Theron stepped into the hallway after Meredith. "This is only a formal visit."
"You wish to look for recruits." Meredith replied heavily. "But I need all the men and women I can find. Kirkwall is unstable at the moment."
"Because of the Ferelden refugees and the Qunari?" Theron asked her.
"Compared to the mages they are the least of our problems." The blond snarled out. Theron frowned at the look on her face. He had seen that look too often whenever he entered a town or village during the Blight.
"Look, I won't be here long but I wanted you to know that there's a patrol of Wardens near the Deep Roads outside Kirkwall." Theron stopped outside her office. "We got reports of darkspawn attacking caravans not far from the city."
"Then I should thank you for stepping in." Meredith sniffed. She glanced over the small elf before entering her office. "If you're looking for recruits you could try asking Garrett Hawke."
"Anyone I should know?" Theron cocked an eyebrow.
"He came from Ferelden and has made a name for himself here over the past few years." Meredith picked up some papers. "He seems to have quite the influence in Hightown."
"Thanks for the suggestion." Theron muttered as he turned from the room. "I won't be here long Commander. Have a good day."
Theron left the compound quickly and once more stood in the Gallows Courtyard. Being around that woman gave him chills and not the good kind. Despite that unpleasant little encounter Theron found his way out of the Gallows and down the street into Hightown.
Hawke Estate
His head was pounding and Garrett Hawke wanted nothing more than to have an ogre trample on him. His mouth had a foul taste in it and he had the urge to never ask Varric and Isabela what he did last night during the party. Somehow Varric had learned that it was Hawke's birthday and the dwarf had arranged a party at the Hanged Man. The mage had to admit that he was touched by the gesture when he saw all his friends there having a good time.
Groaning he ran a shaky hand through his ash blond hair Hawke blinked his eyes to clear his vision as best he could before even attempting to sit up. His stomach instantly lurched and he fought down a wave of nausea that threatened to send him running to the nearest chamber pot.
Maker's breath he had survived battles with darkspawn, dragons, bandits and the Deep Roads and he would gladly repeat the whole thing if it meant he never had to drink with Varric ever again. The mage finally managed to get up without being sick and he stumbled towards the fireplace to gain his bearings.
Hawke had somehow gotten washed and dressed while nursing a pounding headache. He wasn't a healer and he didn't want to explain to Anders about his hangover. In fact if he could he wanted to avoid the handsome mage as much as possible. During the party last night Anders and Fenris were there too and as usual the Frostback Mountains seemed like the tropics compared to how those two treated one another.
Fenris had warmed up to Hawke over the years but he refused to even acknowledge Anders as something more than an abomination. Hawke really wanted them to get along but he'd have better luck convincing a darkspawn to take up ballet lessons. Hawke wouldn't have bothered any other time but he liked both of them too much to have them fight all the time.
Over the last three years Hawke had gotten to know them both better and they trusted him to talk about their private matters. Anders was a sweet man who had a funny side when he allowed it. Justice was still a problem but he said that Hawke was helping to keep him grounded. Fenris was always alert and suspicious of the people around him thanks to that bastard ex-master of his but he relaxed whenever Hawke came by.
It wasn't doing him any good thinking about it right now. He had a meeting to attend today with the Viscount concerning the Qunari and he wanted to at least be on time for it. Grabbing his staff he left the bedroom and waved to Sandal before leaving the estate behind.
"Hawke?" the mage had bumped into someone the moment he opened the door.
"Anders!" aquamarine eyes widened and a blush painted his cheeks when Hawke caught sight of those handsome features. "I'm sorry. I'm late for a meeting with the Viscount."
"It's alright." He smiled in response. "I just wanted to see if Sandal could enchant my staff."
"He's inside." Hawke replied as he shuffled his feet. Being around Anders made him feel like butterflies had taken flight in his belly. "I wanted to thank you for the party last night."
"It was all Varric's idea but you deserved it." Anders ran a hand through his hair. "After everything you've gone through you needed to have a good time."
"I appreciate it Anders." Hawke smiled openly. Honey eyes brightened slightly but Anders quickly looked away. Hawke gulped a little when the silence settled between them. "Listen, I know this might seem a little out of the blue but I..."
"What is it?" Anders asked when Hawke stopped speaking and looked even more nervous now.
"Well I was wondering if maybe...ah, if you'd like to..." Hawke groaned loudly. "Maker's balls I'm mucking this up badly."
"You can talk to me." The mage said gently. "You're so good at listening to everyone else's problems. I just want you to know I'm here if you ever need to talk."
"Really?" Hawke mentally kicked himself at the way he sounded just now. Andraste's knickers he wasn't a maiden mooning over her prince charming!
"Garrett!" the blond man could have yelled but the pain in his head prevented that. Anders turned around to see Leandra running up the steps.
"Mother?" he approached her. "What is it?"
"The Viscount needs to see you immediately. He says that a Grey Warden has arrived in the city today." Leandra explained. She looked a little red in the face from running but she was faring better now that she lived in the estate.
"Then I better get moving. Do you want to come Anders? I'd like the company." Hawke offered the man beside him.
"I...I don't think that's a good idea." He muttered but regretted it at the crestfallen look on Hawke's face. "It's just that I didn't leave the Wardens on the best of terms."
"If they say anything about you I'll just have to defend your honour." Hawke grinned at the appalled look on Anders' face.
"I think my pride has been wounded."
Hawke shook his head but his heart began beating wildly when Anders followed him all the same. Hightown was bustling with activity as usual today especially now that a new shipment of goods had arrived the night before. Hawke browsed through the wares whenever he had the money to spare. The mages could pass through the town without worrying about the guards these days.
After their adventure into the Deep Roads Hawke and his friends were becoming legends around the city. The Viscount's Keep was just ahead before Hawke realised it. He cursed at once again letting the chance to ask Ander's out slipped away from him.
He liked the mage at first sight thanks to the tortured sexy aura he possessed but after spending time with him Hawke began to really like the man. He had tried for weeks now to ask him out on a proper date but the words never passed his lips. He knew Anders had been with men after the incident with Karl so worrying about his sexual preferences wasn't a problem.
Hawke had been with men before back in Lothering but he had never met someone who set his nerves on fire like Anders did. Sighing he entered the Keep and walked up the carpeted steps to the Viscount's chamber. He had to admit that he was curious about who the Grey Warden was.
Upon entering the chamber Hawke's attention was immediately drawn to a small elf leaning against the wall. His arms were crossed and a frown marred his handsome features. Red hair as bright as a sunrise framed a face with an intricate tattoo etched onto his forehead and nose bridge. He was wearing leather amour and two silver daggers gleamed at his sides.
Bright reddish gold eyes turned upwards to stare at Hawke but the elf said nothing by way of greeting. Instead his eyes widened when Anders walked into the room.
"Hawke..." the Viscount greeted him. "I'd like you to meet Warden-Commander Mahariel from Ferelden."
"It's a pleasure." Hawke held out his hand to the small red haired elf carrying a very impressive blue sword. But the elf didn't seem to hear him and Hawke was now aware of Ander's own silence. When he turned to look at him the mage had gone deathly pale.
"C-Commander!" Anders gasped out. Hawke stared at the man. Did Anders know this elf?
"I've been waiting for this..." Mahariel crossed the room in two strides and firmly smashed his fist into Ander's face.