Chapter 1: The Hawke

It had just been Abel's luck. That for all the places to land after that time travel spell to be flung right into the Kocari Wilds. It had been a few days now, maybe just over a week. Truth was he had stopped counting properly after the fourth day. Wandering Fereldan alone through Darkspawn infested lands. It would have been suicidal if attempted by anyone else, although no less foolish on Abel's part. Situation permitting he would not have chosen to brave these lands alone, even given his unique menagerie of abilities.

As he continued is solitary march to he spotted them. A group of darkspawn by the open road, lead by a hurlock alpha towering over his six smaller brothers that were currently in the midst of scavenging a dead group of soldiers. Their colours so smudged and discoloured that Abel was unable to tell what house they served. They were heavily armoured, and as far as darkspawn went far better equipped than your typical encounters. This was going to be easy.

Taking a brief moment to surmise his strategy, Abel quickly lept into action. Magical energy carrying him forward as a wisp, right into the middle of the darkspawn pack. Before they could so much as react abel slammed his palm to the ground. Spires of earth violently gorring the darkspawn from bellow like horns of a bull. Instantly killing them all, save one.

The alpha roared defiantly at Abel, surviving by virtue of being the one farthest away from the spell and sloppiness on Abel's part. The days of constant travel and the trip through the portal had exhausted him and placed his abilities in flux, but even so he wasn't one to make excuses. Taking a mental note to practice his earth magic at the earliest available instance. Not that it would come anytime soon.

The large hurlock was far from unscathed however. It was limping, pierced on multiple points on it's left side. It's left arm all but useless and it's left leg unable to meaningfully help it walk. It feebly griped the sword that moments ago had been scavenged from the dead guardsman. Abel frowned at it as the Alpha limped forward towards him, it's new sword acting as a makeshift cane. Not knowing weather the display of tenacity was pitiable or admirable. Not taking the time to dwell on the thought as he set all of the bodies around him ablaze, human and darkspawn alike. The darkspawn purely out of practicality, but the humans out of whatever mercy he could provide them. No man deserved to have his eyes plucked out by blighted birds and his flesh feasted on by these things.

Shortly following his little pyre, he felt a low rumble in the earth followed by screaming from the other side of the hill. Other survivors? Dashing to towards the sound of battle he saw it's source. A group of survivors surrounded by darkspawn corpses, the older woman in the group letting lose a fearful shriek as an ogre stampeded towards her and a young mage.

Abel's eyes went wide and in a moment of pure instinct darted forward like a wisp once more. This time drawing on more power as he flew around the ogre, producing burning trails around it. Searing it's flesh long after Abel had rematerialized by the old woman and the mage girl. The trail of fire continuing to burn for a few moments more as he told them to flee. As the flame trail dissipated the ogre roared a primal cry, clearly wounded from the surprise assault. It's stride heavier and clumsier than before.

Some of the other survivors formed around Abel, the mage girl returning with two men, both appearing to be related to her. The older of the two wielding a staff like her and the younger one around the mage girl's age wielding a greatsword. With them a fiery haired woman who wielded her sword in tandem with a Templar shield.

The other mage turned to Abel, his expresion stern from fatigue but soft enough in places for Abel to spot relief.
"I don't know who you are, but you saved my sister. We are in your debt."

"If it's all the same to you, let's save the pleasantries until after this thing is dead," Abel replied. Taking the initiative and blinding the ogre by enveloping it in a small ice storm. The spell obscuring not only it's view but cutting into its flesh. Shortly thereafter exploding in a magically charged burst, weighing the beast down with heavy formations of dense ice all over its body. The younger brother and the fiery haired woman both charged forward. Slashing at the ogre's hamstrings while the two mages flung bolts of magic from theri staves. However it wasn't enough.

The ogre was getting worn down, but it still had plenty of fight left. It had to be put down, preferably before the icy bindings that was slowing it wore out. It was easier said than done, present circumstances in mind. Abel sensing that his powers were still in a peculiar state of flux after his trip back through time. He had to focus, realign himself as best he could. A single deep breath and as he exhaled, a pillar of lighting cracked the sky as it sprang to life. Enveloping the ogre in a shroud of energy before vanishing as fast as it came, the creature falling down. Defeated.

For a moment there was silence. All present standing in awe, but before any questions could be asked more came. The darkspawn flocking towards them in a never ending swarm. Abel tried to focus, but he fell to one knee. The older woman helping him to his feet. There were too many of them, and he doubted he had what it took to focus his powers again. Not in his present condition. He scanned the battlefield. There had to be an out, some answer to the problem. A solution of some kind. But before he could ponder further his train of thought was interrupted. A loud roar echoing from a nearby hill. It's source, a dragon. It flew around them, the air around the party filling with the roaring of fire and darkspawn screams.

As the dragon landed a light surrounded it, the creature turning smaller until a woman stepped out. She wore armoured mage robes and wore her white hair like dragon horns, wreathed in a metal crown. Her eyes like lost treasure, golden and mystifyingly beautiful. She swaggered towards the party, walking with a stride that commanded respect. Her presence imposing.

"Well, well, what have we here?" The dragon woman spoke. Her curious gaze dancing over them like a predator toying with it's meal.

"It used to be we never got visitors to the Wilds, but now it seems the arrive in hordes!"

The older sibling stepped forward and as he did so it dawned on Abel just who he was. Who they were that traveled with him now that he got the chance to take a good long look at them all. It was the champion of Kirkwall, Garrett Hawke. The older woman his mother Leandra, the twins his younger siblings Bethany and Carver, the woman and the templar Aveline and Ser Wesley. The dragon woman Asha'bellanar, no that was wrong. They called her Flemeth. Abel quickly realizing the repercussions of his actions. Bethany according to what he was taught having never reached the Free Marches, dying during the blight as the Hawke family escaped Ferelden.

Not even a month and I'm already altering history. Yay me, He thought silently to himself. Abel quietly reflecting just how deep he had gotten into the events that would shape years of history to come.

"Impressive," Hawke spoke. His voice proudly bearing that humor he was so famous for even in the stories. "Where'd you learn hot to turn into a dragon?"

"Perhaps I am a dragon," Flemeth spoke. Her voice betraying no form of intent. Abel sensed something about her, something unseen that made him warry. Powerful yet somehow familiar. "If so, count yourself lucky. The smell of burning darkspawn does nothing for the appetite. If you wish to flee the darkspawn, you should know you are headed in the wrong direction."

"So you are just going to leave us here?" Carver interjected, stepping forward to his brother's side.

"And why not?," Flemeth spoke simply. "I spotted a most curious sight: a mighty ogre, vanquished! Who could perform such a feat? But now my curiosity is sated, and you are safe… for the moment. Is that not enough?"

"You could show me that trick of yours. That looks useful," Hawke only half jesteed at the Witch of the Wilds.

Flemeth laughed.
"If only a clever tongue was all one needed! Tell me clever child: how do you intend to outright the blight?"

"We need to get to Kirkwall-in the Free Marches," Bethany replied, joining her brothers.

"Kirkwall? My, but that is quite the voyage you plan," Flemeth spoke. "So far… simply to flee the darkspawn."

"Any better suggestions? I hear the Deep Roads are vacant now," Hawke fired back. Playful, yet with weight to his words,"

This got the witch to laugh again
"Oh, you I like!" She said amused, however her demeanor quickly changed. Intrigue taking the place of amusement. "Hurtled into the chaos, you fight… and the world will shake before you. Is it fate or chance? I can never decide," Flemeth said wistfully. Pondering briefly before turning her full attention back to Hawke. "It appears fortune smiles upon us both today. I may be able to help you yet."

Hawke raised an eyebrow.
"There must be a catch."

Once again amused, Flemeth cackled.

"There is always a catch. Life is a catch! I suggest you catch it while you can!"

This made the twins uneasy, both turning to Hawke for a word.
"Maybe we shouldn't trust her, brother," Bethany said with Carver in agreement
"I'm with Bethany," Carver said "We don't even know what se is!"

"I know what she is," Aveline interjected, speaking as she cradled Wesley's weak frame. "The Witch of the Wilds."

"Some call me that. Also Felmeth. Asha'bellanar. "An old hag who talks too much!"" She said, chuckling to herself at the last part. "Does it matter? I offer you this: I will get your group past the horde in exchange for a simple delivery to a place not far out of your way. Would you do this for a "Witch of the Wilds?""

"Roast a few more darkspawn, I'll do anything you want!" Hawke jested, only barely masking how seriously he meant it with his normally jovial demeanor

"Sadly, my charity is at an end," Flemeth's good natured mood for humour seemingly having run its course "There is a clan of Dalish elves near the city of Kirkwall. Deliver this amulet to their Keeper, Marethari. Do as she asks with it and any debt between us is paid in full. Before I take you anywhere, however, there is another matter..." She said, her gaze turning to Wesley as he lay on the ground by Aveline.

He coughed blood, skin pale, veins purple. Telltale signs of the blight, Aveline quickly alarmed as everyone gather around him.

"No!" She cried, standing between him and the rest of the party. "Leave him alone!"

"What has been done to your man is within his blood already," Flemeth said to Aveline. Her condolences genuine.

"You lie!" Aveline lashed out.

"She's right, Aveline," Wesley spoke weakley "I can feel the corruption inside me."

"This corruption is the permanent sort, I take it?" Hawke said, his quip robed of any comedic timing with how grim he sounded.

"The only cure I knew of is to become a Grey Warden," Flemeth replied

Aveline jaw tightened before going lax with defeat
"And they all died at Ostagar."

"Not all," Flemeth began "but the last are now beyond your reach."

Wesley coughed feebly. His Condition visibly worsening by the second as his veins turned dark and skin lost all colour.
"Aveline, listen to me," he weakly pleaded.

"You can't ask me this!" She lashed out "I won't!"

"Please. The corruption is a slow death. I can't…" He trailed off.

"He's your husband, Aveline. I can't decide his fate," Hawke said as he kneeled down next to her.

With a shaky hand and a heavy heart, Aveline clasped Wesley's hands as they gripped the dagger and with one decisive push, plunged it into his heart. Wesley cried out in distress, Aveline flinching. Even as those final moments of peace washed over him she trembled in silent grief. Closing his eyes one last time.

Abel stepped forward, helping Aveline up. He silently cast a spell, all present curious as to what manner of magic it was. Listening intently. Before anyone could ask they all bore witness as Wesley's remains turned into a soft ember, the winds carrying his remains off like a thousand fireflies riding a breeze.

"Ashes we were, and ashes we become. Maker, give your faithful servant a place at your side. Let us take comfort in the peace he has found in eternity." Abel prayed before turning to Aveline.
"I know it perhaps it wasn't my place but..."

"No, it's alright. It was, fitting," AVeline replied. As she gazed upon the ashes as they vanished over the horizon. Still shaken.

"Without an end, there can be no peace," Flemeth spoke, solemn yet somehow equally enigmatic to any intent she might have. "It gets no easier, your struggles have just begun"

I don't plan on leaving too many author's notes but I will leave this here just in case you might be confused as to why I chose to start at DA2 instead of DAO. Simply put DA2 and DAI tie together a bit better due to the events of DA2 leading very directly into DAI with the Chantry incident in Kirwall leading to the Templar-Mage civil war, a different telling of DAI being the overall final goal as changes to history become more and more noticeable as time goes on. This doesn't mean that I will be completely neglecting the Warden, however his state of being will be somewhat if not significantly more akin to one of his potentially canonical version than say Hawke or the Inqusitor.