Beautiful Misunderstandings: Dragon Age II

Author's Note:

Hello everyone,

Thank you to all readers for checking this story. I have honestly have not sat down and wrote for years and definitely even longer since a fan fiction! I could not resist picking up writing again for Dragon Age II. After skimming through some fanfictions to feed my craving I didn't have much luck, so I have started my own. I want to follow the plot and game as closely as possible and portraying it in my own style and telling. That's what a fanction is right? For you lovely fan girls and boys this will be without a doubt a Fenris x Hawk writing. However, I cherish stories that can develop on all levels: plot, characters, etc. This story will slowly work into the Fenris romance..

Once again, I have not written in years. Let me stress this, the only books I have been able to read are school books. Yay college. I hope to improve and find my passion for writing again through this story. So please critics and encouragers needed! If this fanfiction turns out to be a dud, I will stop writing. If some of you love it, I will love to keep writing.

*I do not own Dragon Age II or any of its characters etc. etc. *

P.S.: Sorry for any typos or weird grammatical errors. I have a test to study for and wanted to go ahead and post.

Prologue: Arrival to Kirkwall

Darkspawn, dragons, and death were all that filled Savannah Hawk's mind as they arrived to Kirkwall. People rushed passed her, the crowd causing her to lose the faces she found familiar. Her mother, her brother, and Aveline were all that she had now. She looked at her hands, still crusty with Bethany's blood or was it the darkspawn's blood? Her clothes were stained with efforts of battle and the passing of the dead. Bethany was no more. Savannah could still hear her mother's echoing cries.

"How could you let her charge in like that?..."

She gripped her hands tightly around her staff, her head throbbing from all the mind blasts she had to cast during their escape from the darkspawn. Her hands burned from her spells, her knees felt weak and the muscles in her arms were shivering. She stared blankly. All these people around her had lost everything, desperately fleeing from a horde of creatures that only brought death.

How could she protect her family if she couldn't even save her sister?

A firm hand grabbed her shoulder; Savannah quickly looked up frightened that a Templar had noticed her. Did she cast a spell during her musings? Were her hands or staff glowing? Her panicked heart quieted to see it was only Aveline, her own being coated in blood and the dirt of battle. The look in Aveline's eyes stung but she realized she wasn't the only one that had lost.

She had to be strong for mother and strong for Carter, even though he would fight her to her dying days that he didn't need any of her help.

Savannah nodded and continued past the gates.

"They're not letting anyone through," Aveline said, her voice unusually strong despite the recent events.

"This cannot be," her mother sighed, her voice on the edge of breaking. Savannah looked over worriedly at her but Carter was already consoling her. Savannah looked back at the gates. So many desperate people were trying to get past. How in the hell did they stand a chance? Perhaps she could act like an abomination? Maybe it would scare the crowd enough to cause frenzy?

Savannah sighed, she be no good to her mother that way. The Templars would lock her up for sure. A nice killing spree in the prison of other mages overcome by abominations would be nice. A good outlet for all this pent up anger was needed. She clenched her hands tighter around her staff. Hell's teeth. She needed to get herself together.

She caught the last words of Aveline, "and they would throw us all to the wolves. Unbelievable."

"We are getting in one way or another," Savannah spoke up.

"We need to find Gamlen. Our family has always been highly regarded in Kirkwall," their mother looked worried at the crowd at the gates. "He can do something. I am sure of it!"

"Let's hope Gamlen got your letter," Carter looked at their mother, her face both a mixture and hope and worry.

Aveline started to lead, her eyes set on a man standing behind the guards, with each scream, plead, and sob some of the guards glanced back to be received by a firm frown. He had to be in charge. "The guards seem to be reporting to that man. Perhaps we can speak to him."

Savannah followed her gesture and nodded. "Let us get some answers then."

Carter took place by Savannah's side, the more they traveled into the mob the sounds of screaming and shouting increased with intensity. Carter protectively took hold of Savannah's arm. She wanted to protest but it was not a place to make a scene.

"Do you have a ship then? Anything to take us out of here!" Screamed one man, the guards pushing him back.

"My babies need food and water! Please let us in!"

"I cannot go back! I just can't!"

"Help us! Help us please!"

Savannah looked back at Aveline, her sight was firm set on the guard, though her disgust could not be hidden.

"So this is where mother is from. Charming place isn't it," Carter joked, a pathetic attempt to drown out the screaming and crying.

"I know," Savannah pointed above them. "I especially love the anorexic statues that look like their clawing their eyes out. Brings an artist charm don't you think?"

Carter lightly laughed and Savannah smiled. She suddenly cringed. "Ow Carter my arm!"

"Sorry," Carter lessened his grip.

"Get back to the crowd you lot!" the guard growled, "Bullying yourself through won't get you anywhere but in trouble! We have enough refugees!"

"Surely you will let us in" Aveline pleaded, her weakness was starting to break through. Savannah drew herself from her brother, standing firm in front of the guard.

"Why aren't we being allowed in the city?"

The guard dragged his hand across his face, wiping the sweat from his brow. "If it was up to me I bar the gates and send everyone else somewhere to beg."

His eyes looked over Savannah, his eyes lingered too long for Savannah's liking. "But unfortunately it is not up to me. Some of you actually have business in the city," he sighed, "So Knight Commander Meredith want to sort you all out." He looked at the large crowd, his irritation could not be any more apparent. "Most of you will be shipped. Right. Back. Out."

The guard glanced at Savannah, "A shame for you though."

Savannah shifted, the screams were to loud for Carter to pick up on his pass. She gave the guard a squinted eye smile. "Yeah. Sure, it is. The blood and cuts of darkspawn must really make me glow."

"This Meredith…she sounds like a Templar. Why are Templars controlling the guard?" Savannah kept her squinting up, daring the guard to make anymore offhanded remarks.

"She doesn't rule the guard, she is the power here in Kirkwall."

Great. Savannah could hear her brother's sigh even if it was miles away. She was a mage. Big power here in Kirkwall was a Templar. How the fuck was she going to make this work?

"Who we can talk to then? We need to get into the city" Aveline spoke up.

"Yes, yes. Same old story," the guard glanced around, gritting his teeth together. "Talk to Captain Ewald."

Before Savannah could open her mouth he sharply added, his eyes set on a ruckus in the crowd. "I am through talking. Good day." He stormed off leaving Savannah and her company to be rushed over by the crowd.

"We need to find Captain Ewald!" she screamed at Aveline and Carter, they both desperately fighting for their own private space in the mob.

Savannah pushed forward, half attempted to cast a spell. With a templar leading the guard though she resorted to just pushing her way through.

"Why don't they open the bloody gates!" She heard Carter yell.

Her head was pounding. She was ready for a hot bath, she didn't care if the tub was filled with the shitty sea water outside. All she wanted was a hot bath and a bed. They had to get into this city. There had to be a way through her Uncle.

She stormed ahead leaving Carter and Aveline in her shadow. She could hear them talking in the corridors.

"Tell me, how did your family escape Lothering? Almost everyone who hadn't fled ..." Aveline was cut off abruptly by Carter.

"My sister. If she wasn't with us, I don't think we'd be here." Carter said in a rushed tone, his breathe labored by climbing the stairs. Savannah quickened her pace, as much as it strained her already weak body she didn't want to be a part of Carter's conversation and what he said next only confirmed it.

"But you seem quite skilled as well." Aveline spoke softly, "You really helped-"

"I am not my sister." Carter spat, almost growled out of hate.

Savannah sighed. He was just ill. A long boat ride. Who was she kidding? Carter would never get over his jealousy. She "sucked up everything in mother's womb" Carter liked to say. All the skill, talent, and looks. Sometimes she even wondered if he was bitter because she was a mage. That being a mage to Carter was getting all the attention. He just didn't know how hard things were for her. She was alone and hated by the rest of the world. Maybe one day Carter would see that, but she didn't hope for that to be soon.

She feigned a smile when they reached the top of the steps, mostly for Aveline's sake she would be nice. "I think Captain Ewald is here in the courtyard," Savannah paused, she heard shouting. "There is something wrong, be ready."

Carter and Aveline put their hand on the hilts of their swords as Savannah approached. An angry man was in Captain Ewald's face. The desperation in his face and voice revealed nothing but anger.

"Let us through you piece of shit! I am not staying here anymore! I paid good gold to be in here!" the man spat. Ewald stood his ground.

"You and half of Ferelden! The city is already full, we are not taking anymore refugees." The guard was firm and calm and it infuriated the other man even more.

Savannah wiggled her way past the other man's group despite Carter's objections.

"Surely you are letting some in?" Savannah looked at Ewald, trying her softest voice yet since the arrival to Kirkwall. All she wanted was to blow some things up, the anger and frustration inside her stirring the magic in her. Her fingertips tingled. If the man behind her even made the wrong move…..

"You wouldn't be out here if you didn't let anyone enter."

"That's right! You've been letting all sorts of people in!" growled the man behind her.

"As I have said, the city is full," the guard sighed. "Do you think you have any more gold than this man here," he gestured towards to man with a reddening face.

"But we have family here," Carter injected.

"Yes, a story we have heard a thousand times, " Ewald said. " We will find some ships to take you all back to Ferelden eventually. Until now you stay here."

Savannah's patience was worn thin. Stay here? "Fuck that," she shook her head, " Our Uncle Gamlen is here! Surely he knows we are coming!"

"Gamlen?" Ewald scratched his head. "That name sounds familiar."

"He owns an estate here in Kirkwall," Carter's voice was light, some happiness and hope was starting to show through.

"Heh," Ewald shook his head. "The Gamlen I know is a weasel, can't even rub to coppers together, but I will see what I can do-"

"What?" shouted the man behind Savannah.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Let's fight, she thought.

"We have been here for FOUR DAYS," the man behind her threw down everything he was holding and unsheathed his sword. "I am tired of this shit! I will get into Kirkwall if I have to kill you all!"

"Carter! Aveline!" Savannah shouted and they quickly engaged into battle with the other men. Savannah blew the angry man back with a mind blast, causing him to scramble backwards knocking into other members of his crew.

Aveline drew her shield up bashing it across a man's face, blood and the snapping sound of his neck drawing the start of their combat.

Savannah drew her staff; her fingers were on fire with anticipation. The crowd was perfectly surrounded. "Back up!" she shouted and sent the fire on her hands into the crowd, the fireball she conjured exploded blasting several men and some limbs across the courtyard.

"Get the mage!" the leader screamed, charging towards her. She blocked his sword with her staff, her leg wobbled but she held his strength pushing him back and swiped her arm out, a cone of cold following freezing the leader in place. She spun the staff, its jagged edge pointed at his chest. He didn't have time to scream as her staff plunged into his chest.

She withdrew, a line of blood following and a limb body slumped at her feet still covered in melting ice. She quickly glanced around to see Aveline knocking down an opponent, her sword slashing across his throat for a quick end. Carter was wiping off his face, his skin pale from seeing still burning bodies on the courtyard. Savannah groaned; he was going to hate her even more now. Those were human remains surrounding him, not darkspawn.

She had to end it quickly. She had to. But all Carter would see in her is mage bloodlust. Her head pounded, things were going white, the sound of Ewald's sword striking against a fleeing man's sword made her head spin.

"Carter, your shoulder please," she sighed in relief as her brother rushed to her side, his half second look of worry gone. "Oh so I get to hold you up after you show off and blow these men to fucking smithereens?"

"No Carter," Savannah sighed. "I just want to get somewhere, anywhere, as fast as we can and they were in the way."

"Unbelievable" Ewald said, shaking his head looking at Savannah. "Thank you for the help, no thanks to you" he said offhandly to a guard. "I can try and get you into the city but no guaranties. Take care of your selves until then." Ewald turned his back walking up the stairs, barking orders to clean the mess below.

"Oh I see showing off the captain Ewald too huh," Carter said as he helped the limping Savannah away.

"By the Maker," Savannah sighed, "Why do you think I am after every man we meet?"

"Lets just get back to the others and tell them the news," Aveline said, trying to hold back her laughter as Carter picked up Savannah, mumbling.

Three days had passed and Gamlen had finally showed his face, however, the meeting did not go as exactly as Savannah had hoped. There was mourning over Bethany and discussions about getting into the city. Apparently her dream of finally finding a place inside the city was in her grasp but with a catch. A lovely catch at that. She and Carter would have to work off their debt into getting into the city. Aveline, a woman she was growing fond of as a friend, would be there too.

A year.

A year of her life gone to this miserable, creepy statue, stinky city named Kirkwall.

But what else could she do. Carter was going to hate her but a deal was made with Meeran, the leader of the Red Iron. She would be a mercenary. Thus her year working for him begun, full of bloody, shady errands. That was the year Savannah Hawk could only dream and drink her nights away to numb the pain.

She was so alone but she had her brother, mother, now a sorry uncle, and Aveline to fight for. After the year was over she was going to live again.

She swore it.