Fenris

Fenris was a free elf. After all those years of living as a slave, he had craved for this freedom. Then, if he wanted to hate mages who were the main source of his suffering and express these feelings, he was free to do so. Nobody could force him to believe otherwise. Even Hawke himself. Yet he still didn't hesitate to try his patience by saying those cursed words;

"Not all mages are evil Fenris."

"You don't know what you're speaking of," he said while taking another sip from his vine.

"I grew up with two mages; my father and my sister. Both of them are the strongest persons in my life. I expect nothing but good from them. How can you make me believe otherwise?"

And here, they were there again. Whenever this argument started at how he could choose an abomination and a blood mage as a companion, it ended in here. His family. Fenris tried a different approach this time,

"You are not a mage. How can you be sure of that? What if it is a daily challenge for them to not to fall for a demon's words? What if your father had another reason to escape from the Circle? What if Bethany is not that strong? How can you take this risk when she and your mother sleep in the same room?"

Hawke was furious now. He could see it. Fenris was waiting for a fist to come when he talked:

"I can't guarantee the actions of Anders and Merrill who became my companions because of my instincts. And, I can't say anything about father who is now long gone. But hear me when I say this, Bethany will not fall for a demon or use her magic for power. She is not weak as you implied. You don't know her and you can't claim to know her as your whole conversations end in less than ten seconds!"

With this, Hawke left. Even though Fenris still preserved the same thoughts, he had to admit that Hawke had a point. He did not know this girl, Bethany. He actually did not even care to know her as they had been fighting together on daily basis for almost six months. She was Hawke's shy little sister who always has this fragile appearance. And, he had to keep an eye on the abomination and the blood mage, so he didn't have a time left for her. Yet, these reasons shouldn't be excuse for the danger she was exposing. Then, he decided. From now on, he would keep an eye on her too.

He started to watch her in the battles first. Her moves. Her expressions. He looked for some sign of corruption, yet she didn't show any. Instead, he found other things. She was smart for instance. Her battle strategies were quite unique for a mage. At first he thought, her father taught her well, but in every battle she used different way to defeat her enemy. She was deadly. That's for certain. But every time she killed somebody or something, there was this pained expression on her face even she wasn't injured. He still couldn't understand why. She was tough. In the most dire circumstances, she always went on. Even if she was the last one standing and used all of her mana, she wouldn't waive. He gave her credit for that. Maybe, she wasn't just a simple girl he thought her to be.

Then, when he was sure no one was looking, he watched her in streets. She was charitable. A child in need would not pass Bethany without her notice. She would do anything in her power to ease the child's pain. Although she could not cast any type of healing magic, she was spending most of her free time in the abomination's "clinic" to help. She was spirited. Varric had a point to call her "Sunshine". In the darkest times, she could see the light. The sight of her would cause people to smile. Yet, she was shy. Interestingly shy. Whenever they were in streets of Darktown, Lowtown or Hightown, all men's eyes were prying on her, asuming that Isabella wasn't present of course. Yet they weren't reacting her the way they react Isabella. Instead of whistling and dissing, they became silent near her. In face of every simple act of their affection, she was getting a different shade of red on her cheeks, which was amusing to watch.

And, she was avoiding him. It was strange for him to notice this after all this time. Probably, it was because he did not care before. She could not look him in the eye for more than two seconds. Only conversations they had were in battle and out of necessity. When they walked, she was being extra careful to not to cross his way. This caution was especially for him. She was truly relaxed with the other companions. In fact, one may say she was the darling of the group while he was just a beast, the intimidator. This should not be bothering him yet it did. There was this urge to talk to her which became harder to resist every single day. Why would he want to talk to a mage? Then, he did what every self-opinionated man would do. He reasoned.

She must be hiding something. She is avoiding me because she knows that I am the only one who can show her up.

That was the best reasoning he came up with, which was too paranoid even for him. Well…venhedis.

Market in Hightown must be in its best days since the Blight. Although most doesn't have money to spend, every citizen of Kirkwall was here in this sunny day. With Varric and Bethany, Fenris was waiting for Hawke to return from trading. This must be his chance. He turned to her and cleared his voice.

"Bethany?"

Slowly, she turned to him. Seem shocked. Her mouth was slightly open while her brows were raised.

"Well, look at that. He actually called you by your name, Sunshine."

Of course, Varric had to interfere. Fenris snorted and ignored his comment. Yet, when he focused on Bethany again, he was not ready for the intensity of her eyes. Two hazel orbs were fixed on him. Probably expecting him to make his point. He was going to. At some point. If he could remember the subject.

"I feel a story is coming," he heard Varric said.

Returning to the subject. What was the damn subject? It must have to do with her being a mage. He was sure he could not come up with a better one. He could feel sweat drops appearing on his forehead. This awkward silence did not seem breakable. And, her intense gaze was not helping either.

"The grumpy elf was trying to find the right words while being lost in the fair maiden's honey eyes. But would the words be enough for him to escape this sweet prison? Or had he ever wanted to escape at all?"

He was going to kill the dwarf. That was the only accurate thought in his head at that moment.

"The crowd fell into silence. Most people made a bet that he could not even form a sentence which makes sense."

Bethany's lips pressed together. Trembling. She must be enjoying this charade. He closed his eyes. His hand on his brow.

"Varric, shut it."

"Said the Grumpy."

With that, he turned to Varric and closed their distance with two big steps. He pulled him up from the lapel of his coat, carried him to the nearest barrel and put him in it. When he returned, Bethany was dumbfounded. She turned her eyes from the barrel to him. Her amusement was apparent.

Then, they both started to laugh. Even it was strange for him to hear himself laugh, he could not stop himself. She, on the other hand, was radiating while laughing. Her cheeks became a lighter shade of red while a dimple he never seen formed in her cheek.

"What the void happened here?"

Garret Hawke approached. A dangerous look on his face. New maul he found on his back. Fenris could hear skulls cracking with only one look of it. Hawke was beside him before he breathed again. He could see he was in danger. He felt Bethany was tensed too.

Then, of course, even from the barrel, Varric interfered again.

"Well, Hawke, it's a long story involving ugly brother of mine, three little nugs and Arishok in a pink dress. I feel you are excited, but first things first get me out of here."

Hawke laughed and went to pull Varric out of barrel. Without waiting, Varric started his story as a way of thanking.

Thanks to Varric, both were going far.

With a sigh of relief, he turned to Bethany who now carrying a smile on her face.

She did not look at him again that day.

He, on the other hand, was trying to figure out what was that strange feeling he felt in his belly when she smiled at him.

A/N Well this is new for me. And even whole story is written on my mind, it will be hard for me to finish this with all the working and more working. So, for a little incentive to write, it would be great to hear from you whether it is good or bad.

And I do not own Fenris, Bethany or anything related to Dragon Age universe. Yet they own my mind.