AN: A PRE-STORY NOTE...WHAT IS THIS? Well, just want to say - hi. Welcome to my story. If you haven't played and finished both Dragon Age: Origins, and Dragon Age 2, then you're going to be confused and highly spoiled within this fanfic. Yep. A few things to help you get into the mood of the story:

-Hawke is female and the super-duper default - meaning with the red mark across her face and the dark short hair.

-She is a rogue.

That is all you needed to know, really. The rest is revealed/explained. Enjoy!

Evil Unknown.

Chapter One: Hidden & Found

Years ago, I lost my brother to an Ogre, as we fled Lothering from the Blight.

A few years later, my mother was a victim of some of the most disturbing blood magic I have ever seen.

Only a few months ago, my uncle Gamlen fell sick with fever, and passed on in his sleep.

Now, as I sit on this unwashed and rather stiff cot, I hold a letter in my hands.

I don't know how they found me after the incident in Kirkwall.

It is addressed from the Grey Wardens - but not specifically from my little sister.

Why would they be sending me a letter?

Hawke slid her nimble fingers under the edges of the paper and popped up the official seal of the Wardens. Tucking a lock of her short hair behind her ear, her eyes slid over each word carefully.

"To Lady Taeryn Hawke,

I regret to inform you that your sister, Bethany Hawke, has joined the Maker. I am truly sorry for your loss. Bethany was one of the strongest mages I have ever met, and her presence will be missed within the Grey Wardens and by the lands she helped defend.

You were hard to find, but knowing Bethany...she would have wanted you to know. I have also heard of your actions, Lady Hawke, and if you have any interest in investigating the death of your sister, I'll be staying at the Inn. Just ask the nice lady in the front for 'the Grey Warden'. Again, I'm sorry for your loss. Bethany will be missed by all.

-Alistair"

Closing her eyes, the paper crumpled under her fingers. For a moment, she was still as she let the information wash over her.

With one quick action, she grabbed her small bag from the foot of the cot and threw the letter into the fire within the small room. Quickly moving down the stairs, Hawke waved at the tavern's owner.

"Off already?"

"Looks like it," Hawke nodded, reaching into her pocket. Pulling out several gold pieces, she discreetly handed them to the bartender, "Thank you. I won't forget this."

"It was no trouble," the older man smiled, as he pushed his graying hair out of his face, "You kept my pub safe, and helped me out in more ways than I can count. You'll be missed, Hawke."

"Please don't use that name," she whispered, quickly glancing around the pub.

"You're not in Kirkwall anymore. Here, you're just the Champion."

"Goodbye, Lincoln. Thank you again."

"Hey! Hey you! Lady Hawke!"

As she quietly walked down the dirt road with her hood pulled over her features, a man called after her. She slowed her pace as she heard the footsteps grow in volume. Holding perfectly still until the last moment, Hawke quickly turned around and grabbed the man who had been following her. Pulling him into the dark between two buildings, she pinned him to the wall. A small dagger that had been hidden in her cloak, now gently rested against the man's neck.

"Uhg...I...good morning, Lady Hawke," the man spouted, as the look of surprise settled within his light eyes.

"Stop calling me that," she hissed, "Who do you think you are?"

"Alistair of the Grey Wardens. We met once, remember? You were killing a bunch of those giant horny grey things."

"Qunari?"

"Yeah. It..." his voice dropped, "...was the first time you saw Bethany since she became a Warden."

Hawke leaned away from the wall, releasing the man.

"Right. Now that I'm not pinned to a wall...would you like to sit and talk somewhere?"

Exiting the dark space between the two buildings, she glanced over her shoulder at the Warden, "How did you find me?"

"Anders. He was a Grey-"

"How did you find him?"

"I knew him quite well before he ran for Kirkwall."

"He was able to see past your Templar past?"

"Ha," Alistair pointed at Hawke as he followed her, "You do remember me."

"Didn't answer my question."

"I don't hate mages. My Templar past wasn't my choice," his voice growing a bit aggressive, "Hell, I was never even a full Templar."

Hawke paused in her steps and glanced over her shoulder with a light smile upon her features.

"What? What is that look for?" Alistair asked, lowering his eyebrows in confusion.

"Excitable, aren't we?"

"Oh shut up."

AN: Oh god two author's notes in one chapter? Weird. Anyway, I'm finally getting away from Mass Effect for a bit. Sorry it took me awhile to start writing another one. Semester ended in college and I had to move to a temporary place for a week, then now I'm finally in my new home...which lasts all of two months. Yay.

It will get quite a bit more M rated. The plot I have worked out for this fanfic is actually quite disturbing and mature. So you will get: sex, violence, language, mature themes, and stuff like that. I'll just keep the disclaimer at the bottom.

Rated M for: Future language, future sexual situations, violence, and so I can have freedom without fear of scarring a teen for life.

Oh – and I don't own anything ever.