Authors notes: Finally, I am back! For those who have not read the first story, Two's Company, Three's a Crowd, it's not necessary (although I would love it if you did). I am grateful that Shinkshinkshink is my beta once again. And look at the BEAUTIFUL cover art. Done by the insanely talented GIVEthemHORNS on deviantart (thanks a million for the permission). She has amazing DA2 art.
There will be a soundtrack to each chapter. The song for this one is "I have to let you go" by Nightwish on YT: /watch?v=S1Yw-l9C2TE
Retribution: a proportional response intended to communicate a message: "This is how wrong your actions were".
The slaves cried out from their cage, the one attached to the cart of their slaver's fallen horse. It was not an uncommon sight on the outskirts of Starkhaven. Slavers were always high in numbers, capturing weak elves whenever they saw an opportunity. They were usually sold to magisters in Tevinter at a fine price. Two of the slavers lay dead, one with an arrow through his head, another had his heart crushed through his chest. Three remained.
"I will repeat myself once more," Sebastian said slowly. "Release those elves, and you are free to go."
"I aint afraid of you!" One slaver yelled, and Fenris shook his head.
"A most unwise decision, to go against the Prince of Starkhaven."
"P-prince?" Another stuttered.
"Clearly you aren't from around here, fiend." The white haired elf said coldly.
"I don't give a rat's arse who he is. These slaves belong to me!" A man with long jet black hair yelled, and before him, he cast a spell, summoning two rage demons.
"Ah, another mage. The perfect opportunity for us to test out our new toy, wouldn't you agree Fenris?"
"I do, friend."
Sebastian released a hail of arrows, and they scattered across the ground, crashing into their enemies. One took his great sword, and slashed against the offending weapons that fell from the sky. Fenris charged forward, wielding his sword, hacking through one of the demons that had been summoned. Its fiery presence burned his flesh and he howled out, his strikes becoming more determined and valiant. He moved back and forth, his footwork quick and choreographed like a dance he had performed many times before. It was not long before both demons were dead, as well as the two swordsmen. All the was left was the mage. He glared with piercing brown eyes at Fenris.
"Fenris, now!" Sebastian yelled. Fenris withdrew a collar from his coat, casting it forward. The metal collar locked around the mages neck, and when he tried to call upon his magic, crying out as searing pain shot through his veins, and he fell to the ground. He gasped for air, as smoke emanated from his body.
"What...what in the bloody Void have you done to me? Get this thing off of me!"
Fenris chuckled and Sebastian strolled over. "That, my unfortunate mage, is my royal inventor's newest creation. I'm surprised you haven't heard of it yet. It's the latest technology that the Chantry has been using to quiet mages instead of making them tranquil. Has earned me a small fortune." He smirked and the man's eyes went wide.
"No, please! I can't go back to the circle. I won't!"
"Then may I suggest you start running now, before I change my mind." The prince said in a cold voice, and the mage scrambled to his feet, tripping over them as he ran away.
"You let him go?" Fenris asked.
"Well he won't be getting out of that collar, not unless he stops by the castle and Elwin takes it off of him. Without his vices, he'll be harmless."
"True enough." Fenris replied, now turning his attention to the caged slaves.
"Please, let us out of here!" A young girl cried. There were five of them in total. Sebastian approached the cage, and held the lock in his hands.
"One of them had the key." An elder male said.
"No need." Sebastian popped open the lock with ease, a handy attribute to being a skilled rogue, and the elves climbed down. One of them no older than eighteen years old, stared at both Fenris and Sebastian, wide eyed and mouth agape.
"You...you're the prince and the lyrium elf! An ex slave."
"Aye. You are correct, lad."
"Does this mean we've free?"
Sebastian nodded. "My friend Fenris here has helped me free many slaves such as yourself over the past five years or so. He's trained many of them to be fine soldiers for my army. You all are welcome to return to Starkhaven with us."
"No, I'm not falling for another trap!" one yelled.
"It's not a trap." The young boy assured his elder, but he would have none of it.
"No, I'm leaving!"
"Well, then I have to let you go. You are a free man." Sebastian said. The elf looked completely baffled, but then took off running.
"He won't last a day." Fenris said, shaking his head.
"It was his choice to make." Sebastian said. He turned to the other elves. "Anyone else wish to leave?" They all shook their heads. "Let's be on our way then."
On the way back to Starkhaven, Fenris discovered the teenager's name was Amiel. His family was slain by a group of bandits that had raided his village. He was one of the lone survivors. A week later, he was captured by the slavers. He had no family, and nowhere to go. A feeling Fenris was familiar with. He promised Amiel that he would have no trouble fitting in with the rest of the elves. Just a few minutes from the castle was their rehabilitation hall. Over the years, Sebastian and Fenris saved hundreds of slaves. They even sometimes travelled to Tevinter to "bid" on the poor souls.
The first time Fenris returned to Tevinter, it was dreadful. The weeks prior, he had terrible nightmares. He would wake up in a cold sweat, thinking he was still a slave to Danarius. When the time finally came, he was physically ill and shaking like a leaf, but he swallowed his fear and went with Sebastian and a few of the castle guards, for good measure. With that one trip alone, they rescued twelve slaves. Fenris felt as if everything he had experienced in his life - all of the pain, suffering, and torment was all worth it. This was his purpose, his one true calling in life.
As they reached to rehabilitation hall, Fenris showed the newcomers to their rooms. There were twenty elves already staying there, and the new recruits made twenty four.
"Will I be seeing you again?" Amiel asked.
"That depends. Do you intend on staying here?"
"I don't see why not. Certainly beats being captured by the slavers!"
"Then you will see me around, if you so choose to join the prince's army. I am in charge of training the new soldiers."
"Me? A soldier in a royal army? That would be a real honor!"
"Well, we'll see if you have what it takes. There is much more involved than a fancy title."
"Oh, I'll do anything. I won't let you down! I promise." Fenris nodded and gave the boy a half smile. He turned to leave when Amiel called out.
"Hey, lyrium elf?"
"Call me Fenris."
"Fenris...I've uh, well.."
"I will not bite. What is it?"
"Well, you used to be a companion of the Champion's. That Hawke lady. Is it true what they all say about her - that she ran off with that crazed lunatic who blew up the Chantry?"
Fenris sighed. It was all too often he was asked about Hawke when he took in new recruits. "It's true."
"Wow. That must have been some battle. Do you know what happened to her?"
"No." Fenris replied. "Her and I have not spoken since."
"Can I ask one more thing, Fenris?"
"If you must."
"Did you really have a love affair with her?" That he was not expecting to hear. Sure, there were many different rumours about his involvement with Hawke. Most of them could be pinned on Varric, no doubt. But it had been a long time since someone had asked him that. Years in fact. He let out a deep sigh.
"Get yourself some rest." With that he left the hall and headed back to the castle, where he had private quarters of his own.
When Fenris entered his bedroom, he sheathed his sword on the weapon rack. He was about to go to the bathing chambers to wash off the grime from the days fight, when he saw a stack of mail set on his desk. He eagerly searched through, finding one from Varric, another from Isabela, and there it was. He always recognised the handwriting. Hawke''s. Or Amira's, her new name. He sat down on his chair, and grabbed the knife from his desk, cutting the envelope open.
Fenris,
How are you? I'm sorry it's taken me so long to write back. Life has been crazy on the farm. Little Gavin just turned four last week, and what a day that was. I am positive I still have icing stuck up on my ceiling somewhere! Other than that, life has been good. I am expecting a visit from my brother and his lovely new wife, you know the one, our friend who takes everything so literally. I was sad that I had to miss the wedding, but you know how things are. I am just glad that we have our health and a nice roof over our head, that's all I've ever needed.
Andrew has been taking in refugees again. Sometimes I worry. We can never be too careful. But so far, we've not had any issues since that one drunk who almost lit the barn on fire. I am not kidding you, even our dwarf friend could not make these things up!
Anyway, I hope you are well. I do hope we can have another visit soon. Once in five years is not nearly long enough. I miss you, you know. You always were a good friend. I hope this letter finds you safely. Please write soon.
All my love,
Amira
A smile came across his face. He heard from Hawke every month since they departed. It had to all be very secretive. Sebastian, while he was a good man and had done many great acts of kindness since reclaiming the throne, was a different person once inside the castle walls. He was obsessed with finding Anders. Each year, he grew more frantic. Lately he had been going on drinking binges, to suppress his devastation that the mage had not been found. Fenris felt as if he were betraying the prince, who had given him this life of luxury and purpose, but Hawke was the woman he once loved, the woman who helped him defeat Danarius and discover that he was more than just an ex slave.
That was why he was only able to see her once. Once in five years. It was three years after the battle at Kirkwall. Fenris told Sebastian he was going to Rivain to visit Isabela, which was half true. Hawke and Anders lived on a small farm on the outskirts of Afsaana. He remembered it as if it were yesterday.
Fenris followed the dirt road, the one that was marked off on the map Hawke sent him. It was intolerably hot, and beads of sweat dripped down from the long walk. It was three long years since he saw her face, and it felt as if an entire lifetime had passed. He was no longer a runaway slave, and he even resided in a castle. He felt a little nervous to see her again. Their goodbye was bittersweet. He had only a month prior confessed his love to her, but it was too late for them. She had long since given her heart away to Anders. Watching the ship pull away from him, Marian looking back on him with tears in her eyes had been the most painful thing he ever had to endure. He worried about her for two whole months until he received that first letter.
A farm was coming into sight finally, and when Fenris entered the gate, there she was. Not in noble's clothing and fine robes, but a simple shirt and dirt covered trousers. She wiped her forehead, smearing mud on herself, and that's when she saw him. A huge grin spread across her face and she dropped her rake, running as quick as she could to him. Her arms swung around his neck, and he returned her hug. She smelled just as she always did. Fenris exulted inside, just being in her presence again. He had long recovered from the heartbreak and accepted that she belonged to another, but it didn't mean that he missed her any less. This was Hawke, after all.
"I can't believe you're here!" She exclaimed.
"I told you I would come."
"Mama!" a little voice called from behind her. A small blonde boy tugged at her pants, and Fenris looked down to see a mop of familiar blonde hair.
"The mage...has spawned."
Hawke burst out laughing and hoisted her child into her arms. "I told you about Gavin."
"Mama who dis?" Her two year old son asked, pointing at Fenris.
"This is my friend, Fenris. He will be staying with us for a few days."
"Fenwis?" The little boy repeated.
Hawke laughed. "Close enough."
"He has your eyes, Hawke. Everything else belongs to -"
"Well, look at what the cat dragged in!" Anders came out the front door just in time, joining them in the yard. Fenris nodded his head in his direction.
"I take it you had no trouble finding the place?"
"I am here, am I not?"
"Obviously not by my invitation." Anders said under his breath.
"This was not a good idea." he said to Hawke. "I can stay at an inn. I have the coin for it."
"Nonsense." She said, glaring at Anders. "We have an extra room, and I've already set it up. It won't be a bother. Come, let me show you around." Hawke handed Gavin over to Anders, and Fenris noticed the mage whispering something quietly into the little boy's ear. As he walked with Hawke he heard Gavin yell "Boo!"
Hawke served a roast with garden vegetables for dinner. Fenris ate in silence while a mini version of Anders stared him down.
"So Fenris," Anders began. "How is life in that castle?"
"You wiv in a casuw?" Gavin gaped.
"That's right Gavin." Hawke smiled, patting her son on the back. Fenris gave a half grin, seeing her so attentive.
"I have no complaints."
"And Sebastian. How is our old friend?" The last words had a hint of venom.
"It is wise that you have changed your names and stay away from towns, mage."
Gavin gasped. "Daddy he said the 'M' word!" Gavin exclaimed, his face turning red.
"We try not to say that. We don't need strangers finding out about us." Anders interjected. "Gavin, it's okay. We can trust Fenris. But nobody else. Is that understood?"
"Okay, Daddy."
A few more moments of silence passed.
"Fenris, would you like some salt?" Hawke inquired.
"Please."
"Gavin, will you be a good boy and pass Fenris the salt?" She asked sweetly. Fenris watched as his father handed the small child the silver shaker, but not before whispering something in his ear. The little boy giggled, grabbing the salt from him. As he went to hand it to Fenris, he uncorked the top and dumped the entire contents all over his plate.
"Gavin!" Hawke yelled. The little boy jumped down from the table and ran away. "You get back here right now and apologize!"
"No!" he shouted from the other room.
"I'll handle it, love." Anders got up and Hawke grabbed Fenris' plate and emptied its contents out.
"I am so sorry, Fenris. Here, you can finish mine."
"It's alright, Hawke. It would not be the first time someone in this family didn't take a liking to me."
"Oh don't take it personally. He's two. You should see how he torments the cats."
"My first night here, and I am already being compared to barn animals." He said dryly, and Hawke chuckled. It seemed as if no time had passed. Just two old friends catching up as always.
Later that evening, Fenris sat with Hawke, the two of them enjoying a bottle of wine just like old times. He could see from the corner of the eye that Anders was whispering something to Gavin again. Gavin simply nodded, and strut over to where Fenris was sitting.
"Fenwis?" Fenris looked down at the toddler. He couldn't deny it, the child, despite his likeness to Anders, was rather adorable when he said his name like that.
"Yes?" Fenris asked, leaning forward.
"What's dese for?" The child asked, and poked him hard in the arm, where one of his markings lay. "Dey wook funny!" He laughed, poking him three more times, and Fenris sighed, pulling his arm away. So much for adorable.
"Gavin," Hawke said sternly. "How about you get your father to read you a bedtime story?"
"Okay, Mama! Good night, Mama, goodnight, Fenwis!" The child exclaimed, clearly excited to be read to. Again, Fenris witnessed from the corner of his eye as Gavin approached his father, and he saw the mage reach into his pocket, taking out a bonbon, and giving it to his son. Fenris groaned.
"I'm sorry, Fenris. I'll speak to Anders later." Clearly Hawke hadn't been fooled. "I have no idea why he's being like this."
"Are you really so surprised? Nothing's changed."
Hawke laughed. "No, I guess some things stay the same. Not always a bad thing." She said, giving him a tender smile.
"Motherhood suits you Hawke. I always knew it would."
"Do you still think about him, the baby?" She asked.
"Often. And you of course. I am glad you have this child, Hawke, as annoying as he may be."
"Maybe you'll have one of your own someday, Fenris."
"I somehow doubt that."
"Oh, come on now. You in that big castle. I'm sure there are ladies lining out the door. You're telling me none have won you over?"
Fenris laughed. "There have been a few." He admitted.
"Ooh, now we're getting somewhere. And none of these lucky ladies have laid claim to your heart?"
"None yet. You're a tough act to follow, Marian."
Hawke blushed at this. "Always were a flatterer. I'm sure some day, you will find the right girl. I just want you to be happy."
"I am happy. I just worry about you. Are you certain no one in town knows who you are?"
"Positive. We only go in for supplies now and then, and we always wear hooded cloaks when we do.'"
"Not suspicious at all."
"It works."
Fenris reached in his pocket, and grabbed a small pouch. "This is for you." he said, and handed it to her. She opened it, and her eyes went wide.
"That's a lot of coin. Oh Fenris, I can't accept this."
"Take it, Hawke. Gold is not an issue where I am. For years you took care of me, let me return the favour."
She smiled and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. "Thank you. For everything."
Fenris smiled, replaying the memory in his head. It was hard to believe that it had been two years already since his visit. He placed the letter with the others in his drawer, locking it as he did so. He stood up and stretched, letting a loud yawn escape his lips. He felt familiar arms wrap around his waist suddenly, and he felt her breath on his neck. He hadn't even heard her enter their room.
"I've missed you today." she whispered in his ear.
"I missed you as well." Fenris said, turning around to face his lover. Her eyes sparkled back at him, and she brought her lips forward to claim his own. When she joined the rehabilitation program for former slaves, Fenris never imagined it would lead to a relationship. He had known her for years, and not once did he ever consider the option of courtship with the elf, but time had changed them both, and despite their age difference, he grew to adore everything about her. Her blonde hair, the way she said his name, her gentle manner.
Fenris pulled her in his embrace, and softly whispered in her ear. "Orana."