"Finally," Amelia muttered. It had taken two weeks to get her to where she had been near Tevinter, and two weeks to get back, but she was finally back in Kirkwall, the city of Chains.
She was tired, and her body ached, from hiking for the fourteen days and from the ritual the magister had done to her.
The markings on her skin burned as she moved, sending spikes of pain through her body.
The city buzzed and hummed with noise like always and she made her way slowly towards her estate. The door opened easily.
"Messere...Hawke?" Bodanh asked, startled by her hair and markings.
"Yes, Bodanh, it's me." she confirmed. "Long story. Where's Fenris?"
"The library, messere." the dwarf said and Amelia headed that way.
The elf was sitting next to the fire, book in hand. He looked up when he heard her enter.
"Hawke..." he greeted, trailing off when seeing the white markings on her face. "What the hell?"
"I neared Tevinter," she sighed. "Magister knocked me out, caged me, bound me with blood magic and put me through the ritual."
"What?" he was confused by her words, but his moss-green eyes flooded with concern.
"Yeah, I ended up being able to lock my memories, and so I have them. But maker, I...I still hurt." she paused. "I killed the magister, though. I managed to stand and crush his heart after ripping it out."
"You managed to stand?" he asked. "I didn't stand for a three days."
"It hurt like hell, but yes, I did." she responded. "At first, I had no idea what I was doing, but then, images flashed in my eyes, of the things you did, crushing peoples' hearts and all, suddenly, I knew how to and I just...did."
It was silent for a few moments.
"Fenris?" she finally said.
"Hm?" he asked.
"You'll help me, right?" she questioned. "Help me get through it, since you have. I...I hurt with touch, and I hurt to even walk. They burn under my skin."
"Of course, I'll help." he murmured, close to her ear. The rogue smiled.
"Thank you," she whispered, blinking back tears. Goose bumps rippled across her skin when he kissed her. Somehow, the simple touch didn't hurt.
The two pulled away from each other and she smiled.
"I know something that will help with the pain," he told her. "Have any elf root around?"
"Yes, I believe so." she said.
"Let me get it and you head to your room." he explained. She nodded.
"It should be in a box next to the writing desk," she directed and headed out of the library.
-x-x-x-
His hands were warm on her back, the elf root potion had been rubbed all over her back. Fenris' touch didn't hurt, it was strange.
She had fought slavers and raiders by herself, been touched in battle on her way back to Kirkwall, and each touch burned her, left a mark of agony, yet, his did not.
The lyrium itched under her flesh and she sighed.
"Thank you, Fenris," she said. "This helps."
"I told you it would, did I not? I have used it before when the pain was intense." he replied. Amelia tried to smile but it came out as a grimace.
"I trust you." she assured. "And, I'm glad you'll help me and going to stay." she added.
"The lyrium doesn't change you, Amy, your still you." the elf spoke softly as her spread the potion down her branded arms.
"I just...I feel different and I feel like I have to say thanks." she explained, bitting her bottom lip. "I never really expected the pain of it, I took your word for it, but I never really understood. Now, I do, more so, at least."
She shivered.
"Are you all right?" he asked her.
"Yes, fine." she assured. It was silent for a few moments.
"There, that should help." he concluded.
"Right, thanks." she responded, turning to sit and face him. "I've been thinking, what if this kills me?"
"You survived the ritual, the markings cannot kill you." Fenris told her.
"But, all the cases of lyrium poisoning, have you never wondered or even thought that the markings could poison you?" Amelia questioned, putting a shirt on.
"I have, but I am not dead yet." he pointed out.
"I see your point, I guess I'm just sorta paranoid." she sighed. "I...I should find Bethany."
"I believe she said she'd come over today." he said.
"Sister, Bodanh said you had returned. It's nice to see you." Bethany's voice rang from behind her. Amelia turned and Bethany gaped at her. "What happened? Is that lyrium?"
