Hello everyone! Here's the next one =] Enjoy!
Disclaimer- I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS! THEY BELONG TO BIOWARE!
After that night Fenris and Addy became sorta close, but not enough to continue in any personal conversation. Fenris learned a lot about how a noble usually thinks and what their roles are, especially a woman. She also answered questions regarding the Grey Wardens, but as much as she would like to disclose any information, she respectfully declined and told him that was a secret and can only disclosed it if he wished to be a Grey Warden.
Three days past as he also told her a few things about his past but not much. Though he felt that he didn't need to as she did not respond in shock like Hawke did when he first told her about his past. At first he was apprehensive and a bit hostile when she asked a few questions. Though she knew the answer, she apologized if it made him feel uncomfortable and he shook his head, knowing that perhaps if he let someone in again and as a friend, he would open up more.
The more he got to know her, the more he wished to stay by her side. Although she was a capable woman, she looked hurt and vulnerable. He could see why Zevran took so much care to her since she came to the villa. Isabella silently fumed as all her attention was being directing to Adeline. Though he considered her a friend, he couldn't quite call her Addy. Or even Adeline but Lady Cousland as a show of respect and admiration he had towards her.
Currently she was practicing with Zevran as she raised her shield and tried to unarmed Zevran. She was in medium Scale armor. It was silver with blue so he known the material was silverite. It shone beautifully with her pale snowy skin and dark raven hair. Her shield was strong but had a glow to it as did her sword but the hilt of the sword had her Grey Warden insignia and her shield had her family's crest. She did a battle cry as she finally unarmed Zevran and had him on the floor with her sword towards his neck.
"Well done mi Estrella!" He praised.
Addy giggled and plopped herself on the stone ground of the backyard breathing heavily. She grabbed her leather skin and took a long pull of water. Raising her arm to wiped the sweat that was dripping down to her eyes, stinging them a bit.
"I missed you calling me that." She said softly as she handed him her leather skin so he can drink water as well. He was sweaty as she was.
Fenris watched as Zevran had a soft smile. He had never seen that smile as they traveled together. It was an interesting sight.
"I can keep calling you that, if you let me." He whispered as he moved to be close to her.
"Zev." She whispered back in a warning.
To any other person passing by, it would look like two lovers about to embrace each other, but to a keen observer like Fenris, he saw her tense. Her shoulders drew back and her posture was frozen, as if cold water had been splashed on her. He decided to intervene and help Lady Cousland with Zevran's persistent annoyance.
After Addy walked away from the kitchen, Zevran waited for her by her bedroom door. She stopped shortly after spotting him. He approached her swiftly and pinned her to the wall and molded his body to hers. He wasn't wearing a shirt so his heat seeped into her body. She tensed as his hands pinned her by her wrists and seeing no way out. Her eyes met his in challenge. He raised to it as he kissed her roughly on her soft supple lips. He felt her tense more and she wrenched her hands from his grasped and pushed him with all her might. She walked to her room hurriedly and closed and locked her door as he recovered from being pushed to the wall as he hit it and groaned by the pain that suddenly went to his head.
He sighed and walked down the hall and into his room. Isabella was laying on her side in his bed with nothing but a sheet covering her bottom, her legs and upper back was shown to him as he entered. He frowned and a small fog of rage blinded him. He took off his trousers and his small clothes and went to Isabella. She was semi asleep as he positioned her with her bottom up and her face still down on her pillow. He buried himself to the hilt without letting her adjust and pulled her hair a little hard and too rough and plunged into her a bit harder than she would have liked. The whole time he pictured Adeline beneath him withering and saying his same. He never heard Isabella whimpers of pain or small pleas for him to stop.
Fenris approached them and cleared his throat. Zevran, although he had a smile on his tanned face, his eyes shown annoyance.
"Sorry to interrupt." He smirked slightly. "But I was wondering, where did you learn to use a shield as a weapon?"
Addy got up and grinned at him. Her eyes conveying thanks and relief spread throughout her body.
"Alistair taught me. I also never seen anything like it. I used to always use a shield, well… to shield myself." She giggled at her response. "But after seeing the way he uses it as not only to bash his opponents but how he uses it as a weapon, I asked him to show me. And traveling with him, gave many opportunities to put to the test what he had shown me." She smiled at the memory of when he trained her. "Though over time, I put my own flare to the use and make it my own." She finished as she bent to grab her shield and sword.
"I'm going to take a bath, mi Estrella. I will see you later?" Zevran said as he began to walk away and into the villa.
Addy did not respond as she adjusted her shield and sword.
"Fenris, care to bout with me?" Her voice became deadly cold and serious.
Fenris' eyes widen and swallowed. "Um, as much as I would like to, I would rather not hurt you."
She snorted and he raised an eyebrow. "I had a Qunari friend who told me the same, though not in that manner. His name was Sten of the Beresaad and thanks to him, that's why the way I swing my swords is way better than what it used to be."
"You met someone of the Qun!" His eyes full of amazement.
She nodded. "He kept calling me 'Kadan' though I had to search what that meant while we traveled as Ferelden doesn't have Qunari people. I grew to trust him with my life and when he and I spared, trust me when I say he never held back with his sword Asala." She grinned at Fenris' slack jaw.
"So, do you accept my challenge or not?" She mimicked Leliana's voice. Oh how she missed her Bard sister.
He unsheathe his greatsword. His lyrium veins glowing along with the sword. Her eyes widen in amazement as it glowed and as he glowed as well.
"You are so beautiful." She whispered as she stared at the sword.
"Thank you." He smirked.
"Not you! The sword!" She snorted and giggled.
He laid the sword in front of her as his lyrium veins glowed as he used his hand to show her how it worked.
"Its a replica, not the original. These are handed down to champions in the Tevinter Imperium." He stated as he put the sword in front of him again and spread his legs to get ready to attack her.
"I imagine, someone dear to you, gave this to you." She stated as she too held her shield and got in her stance to prepare to bash him.
He nodded. "Lets wager, if I win, you tell me your mission."
She nodded. "Sounds fair, and if I win, you start calling me Addy." She smirked at his tense state.
He nodded and gave a battle cry along with hers. They parried many times than they cared to count. He was impressed at how she used the edge of her shield to cut him instead to bash him but he surprised her at how fast and nibble he was despite having a greatsword. Not even Sten could match him. They swung and swords clashing could be heard inside the house. Grunts and pants were heard as they tried to unbalance the other until Addy made a mistake. For where she should have bashed, she side stepped, losing her balance. That gave Fenris the opportunity to use the hilt of his sword and bash it onto the shield. She lost her sword and fell with a grunt. The end of his glowing sword met her neck.
They panted roughly as they tried to gulp as much air they could get. Feeling as though the air was being sucked out of them no matter how hard they tried to breathe.
"I win. You tell me your mission, Lady Cousland." He said her name sharply but his eyes danced with mirth.
She nodded and he stepped away sheathing his sword back and helped her up to sit. She took out her water skin and drank in small sips, breathing through her nose. She gave some to Fenris as she regained her breathing to a normal level.
"I have to tell Zev and Bella anyway. I plan to leave tomorrow morning." She stated as she got up, and grabbed a towel near by to wipe the sweat that was coating her face and making her bob hair stick to her head.
He nodded as well and got up to accompany her inside.
"I'm going to take a bath. At dinner, I will explain a bit but please understand, if I don't give you full details...this mission is a bit personal." She pleaded without looking at him and walked down the hall and turned the corner on her right.
It baffled him as he watched her retreating form. She had been open wit him so far, so why was this any different? His curiosity was simmering and he wanted to know, but he tamped it down and had to wait until dinner to find out what it was. Even if it wasn't in full detail.
After his bath he walked into the dining room ready for dinner and he was appalled by the banquet that stared at him. Isabella was sitting next to Zevran whispering. He sat across from them and waited for Adeline to join them.
She did a few moments later with a huge platter of Ham. They all watered at the sight of it. She sat down next to Fenris, much to Zevran's disappointment.
"I made this for you guys for your wonderful hospitality. Especially for you Bella. You have been wonderful." Addy smiled at the duelist.
Isabella flushed slightly and a look of guilt crossed her features but as fast as it appeared it was gone that none caught it.
"I leave tomorrow. My mission is almost at its fruition and I need to be back in Amaranthine. I had gather people whom I know and most are Grey Wardens. I was wondering if maybe you guys would like to be a part of it?" her voice strong and serious. It was more of a command than a question.
"I volunteer to go." Fenris said as he grabbed bread and a small platter of butter.
"Mi Estrella, you need not ask. I will always be by your side." Zevran grinned at her.
"I don't know kitten. I have a ship to commandeer and I wouldn't want to be away from Kirkwall." Isabella sent a scathing look to Fenris.
Fenris tensed as he was reminded of Hawke.
"Then would you kindly take me back to the shores of Amaranthine. Which I should advise, The Waking Sea, has been a bit treacherous lately. Caution when you sail her waters." Warned Addy her eyes soft and pleading.
"Sure. I always like a challenge to tame the sea." Smirked Isabella.
Addy grinned. "Well, lets dig in!"
And they all did, enjoying and moaning as they ate everything Addy had made.
"So, whats the mission?" Asked Fenris as he sipped on beef stew.
"As I said before, it involves a smart darkspawn, who calls himself The Architect. He... Stole something from me..." She whispered the last part. Her eyes turned glassy as if she would cry.
"What did he take from you?" Asked Zevran in a dangerous tone.
Addy shook her head. "Please Zev. I cannot and will not say. Its- its a delicate matter..." She said softly as she looked at Zevran with pleading eyes.
They all nodded.
"Well, not to worry. I will be by your side when you need me." Zevran grinned, though inside he was confused and a bit worried with the lack of details.
Addy got up and stretched. "Thank you, but I must retire."
"Don't worry, I will help clean the table." Offered Zevran with a warm smile.
Addy nodded and walked away and around the corner.
"I wonder what this is about... Her posture, her eyes... They conveyed a lot of... Pain?" Thought Zevran as he stared where she sat.
"Not just that. Its like something has been ripped from her soul... I can't quite explain it." Added Isabella as she had a far away look. Then she blinked and glared at Fenris.
"What?" He asked stiffly.
"You are just going to abandon Hawke?" She said coldly. "Must I remind you-"
"You don't need to!" He hissed. He got up abruptly and hastily left the dining room.
"Was is wrong with him going with us to help Addy?" Zevran raised a brow.
Isabella looked at him and got up. "Lets clean the table and I will explain." She stated as she grabbed the utensils and set about to clean the table as Zevran piled the plates in neat piles.
The next morning they were in Isabella's ship setting sail to Amaranthine. The sun had barely kissed the sky as the anchor was raised and the wind was blowing softly on the sails to take her ship into the depth of the sea.
Addy was sitting on a chair in her small cabin looking out the circular window. Her leg bouncing uncontrollably. Tight spaces made her uncomfortable. She felt like a caged animal without no where to go. She got up and started to pace in her small room. She felt like she was trapped in Fort Dragon again. How her and Alistair were trying to figure out how to get out. She sighed.
Alistair.
That man always seemed to get into her mind at every turn. After so many years apart, her heart singed just to even think about him, but also cried for the irreparable damage he had caused.
She chose her champion. She owed it to Alistair. Duncan was a father figure to him and for him to be left to rot at Ostagar... Well... Lets just say its a fair deal.
She killed her family's murderer but she felt... Empty... Perhaps if she gave him a chance-
'No!' Her mind screamed. 'He murdered them! Little Ore was so sweet and innocent, barely about to live life and it was taken from him as he was butchered like an animal and left there to rot! No, Howe deserved to DIE!'
Her mind screamed at her for even thinking such a thing as to spare him. She sighed as she watched with apprehension, hoping beyond hope that Alistair would see that he gained nothing by actually killing Ferelden's hero. Even if he did many wrongs.
Loghain yielded.
"I underestimated you. There is some of Maric in you after all." Loghain wheezed as he tried to compose his breathing.
"Fuck Maric." Seethe Alistair. "This is for Duncan." He made sure to emphasize his name.
He raised his longsword and it took a fraction of a second for Addy to see he really meant to kill him. She looked at Anora as her eyes widen. Her eyes turning slightly red with unshed tears.
"Alistair." She said softly as his blade was at the ready.
"Alistair." She tried again a bit louder but he wasn't listening.
Her heart constricted and ran at top speed "ALISTAIR!" She yelled as she stood in front of him with her arms spread open. Her crystal orbs defiant as his blade stop slightly at her neck. It pierced her skin and blood oozed from the small cut. Her eyes never wavering from the cut and her eyes boring into his eyes.
The Landsmeet gasped.
"Wait!" Said a voice. Everyone turned to look except for Alistair and Addy.
"He could be of use to us. Don't kill him." Said Riordan as he came up next to Alistair.
"What!" Yelled Alistair. "Riordan, This man, abandoned our brothers and blamed us-"He looked at Addy with a glare. "For the deed! He hunted us down like animals! HE TORTURED YOU!" He bellowed at the end. "How can we simply forget that?!" His eyes snapped back at the senior Grey Warden.
"Alistair, see reason. He is a General and there is only three of us. Let him go through the joining." Riordan tried to reason.
"I second that idea." Quipped Anora as she stepped up. Addy was relaxing and stepped to the side as Wynne used her healing to seal the small cut in her throat leaving Loghain looking confused.
"If he survives, you gain a General. If he doesn't... You get your revenge." She said softly. Her eyes pleading.
"Absolutely NOT!" Alistair bellowed and turned to Loghain. "He will pay for his crimes! The landsmeet declares me King! And I will see to it that justice is done!" He raised his sword and did a battle cry and ran to Loghain as he was a few meters away from everyone talking.
He wasn't making a retreat he just needed to sit down. But turned when he heard Alistair's battle cry. What came next shocked the whole Landsmeet. A shield bashed Alistair and he fell, his sword clattered, away from him. He grunted from the impact. He opened his eyes and glared at the one who dared get in his way.
"Enough." Her voice held authority and demanded respect. It was loud and calm.
"Addy. Move." He whispered darkly.
Addy didn't waver. "Riordan, take Loghain and go through with the joining."
"I won't-" Alistair began.
"SILENCE!" She yelled and glared at him. This glared had his mouth shut. She only gave that look to her enemies.
"As you wish my Lady." Bowed Riordan as he beckoned Loghain to follow him and out of the courtroom.
"Lords and Ladies of the court. You have appointed Alistair to be your King. Arl Eamon will be his regent while we go to battle the blight that should have been our main concern-"
"And when we come back, I will marry Anora as she is already Queen." Finished Alistair as he got up.
The Landsmeet gasped. Even their companions sucked in a breath. Their eyes wide.
Everything around her stopped. Even Anora was wide eyed. She didn't even get to see the court end and see that only their companions and Alistair were alone still in the courtroom. Addy blinked as she realized she was still inside the courtroom and a hateful glare burning into her.
"Addy-" but Leliana was cut off as Addy ran out of the courtroom.
Shouts were heard behind her. Zevran was about to run after her but was stopped by Shale. Even she knew when a woman needed space.
Addy stopped in the central of the market district looking around frantically. People stopped to look at her strangely and she felt like she was suffocating. She ran to the gates and kept running as fast as her long, shaped legs could carry her. She ran through the forest nearby. The sun was setting as she grabbed a tree branch and hauled herself up and used the momentum to leaped high into the tree branches.
She finally got to the top. The moon shining ever eternal, serene over the sparking jewel that was Denerim. And she let a heart breaking scream that even the Maker probably heard. All of her companions heard her scream even if she was far from the city. It made Wynne and Leliana cry. Morrigan turned to a wolf and followed the scream with purpose. Even Shale was clearly upset.
She screamed again. Her scream ripped the very heavens as the stars twinkled. From far away it looked like the sky was crying. The second scream made Oghren stop drinking as he too began to sob, finally letting go of his grief along with Addy. Zevran shut his eyes as his heart broke to hear her. He swore, many heard her scream. Sten clenched and unclenched his fists. He wanted to kill anything to make her screams go away.
Alistair heard her screams, as he was crying angry tears. He was a high dragon, destroying everything in his path. If she thought she was in pain, his was worst! He was betrayed by the one woman he loved! His first in everything regarding his intimate life! Yet she wouldn't let him have this ONE thing! Avenge Duncan! Duncan was a father to him! More so than Eamon.
Addy sobbed and cried loud. Not caring who or what heard her. She looked up to the sky and yelled.
"WHY! Why must I have a heart to DO the right thing!?" She yelled at the sky for answers. But none came.
After she stopped crying her eyes puffy, her body numb, she descended down the tree. Her feet landed silently as she crouched at her landing. She walked all the night to reach the gates of Denerim. She silently went to her room. She locked the door and fell, armor and all to her bed and fell asleep.
The room that she was in, reminded her of that night. Her muscles tensed as she sought to leave the confines of her room when a knock came. Relief washed over her for the small distraction.
"Come in." She beckoned.
The door opened and Addy smiled at the stark white hair head that popped through her door. It looked comical.
"Lady Cousland. Dinner is ready. I came to see if you were hungry? I remember you stated that you have a pit of a stomach?" He stated amused.
Addy giggled and nodded. "Thank you Ser Fenris. I'm quite starved." She beamed at him and walked towards the door.
"Its strange to hear someone call me 'Ser'. I am no one to earn such a title." Fenris voice went deep into thought.
"For a man who screams that he is free, your heart remains chained."
Fenris stopped. His eyes wide. Addy looked at him defiant.
"A man who is truly free, does not fear what might become of him and doesn't hide from the truth. You state you don't want pity, but that's what you portray. This is the change you desire, then embrace it and face it with will, not fear."
Addy turned and walked down the corridor and up the stairs to the deck. Fenris was left slack jawed. She saw right through him and practically slap him across his face with the cold truth. He unconsciously put a hand on his cheek as if she had slapped him and walked down the corridor to eat with the rest.
Throughout the entire voyage, Fenris and Zevran grew tense around each other. Silent glares came to be and Isabella was having headaches by the many tense moments they all had. Addy of course didn't feel it as she was only concentrated on her mission. She hoped that her letters to those she reached out for help would come to her aid for one last mission.
She fingered her necklace constantly. There wasn't a moment where her hand wouldn't lay on her necklace and twirl it around. She remembered when Alistair gave her the medallion.
Darkness consumed her. She felt a burning sensation in her veins. Footsteps could be heard. Voices, near her.
'What are-'
Her train of thought was cut off as she fluttered her eyes open by a nudge to the head. She groaned.
"Ah! You're awake, good! I was afraid I had to dance in some dark ritual to get you to wake up." Alistair grinned.
A chuckle was heard as Addy turned her head. Duncan was amused by the whole scenario.
"Trust me when I say, I can't dance." Whispered Alistair.
Addy giggled and her giggled turned into a coughing fit. She groaned.
"What happened?"
"You don't remember?" Asked Duncan as he placed a plate in Alistair's hands.
"I-" She thought for a second and the previous night, or so she thought, came to her in a rush.
"I can't believe you killed Ser Jory!" Exclaimed Addy as she glared at Duncan.
Duncan looked down upset. "It had to be done. When I recruited him, I told him his life would change and there was a possibility he might not ever see his wife again." He looked deep in thought. "His reaction, although understandable, he knew the consequences and had a change of heart. There is no going back once you are recruited, as is with the army. Its desertion."
"You don't regret it?" Addy asked softly as she turned to look at where the joining took place.
"No. It had to be done." Duncan said with finality.
"How are you feeling?" Asked Alistair as he kept the plate close to the fire to keep the plate warm.
"Like I hit a wall with full force." Addy grabbed her head to help her stop spinning.
"Here." Alistair gave her the plate.
Addy nodded her thanks and she raised an eyebrow at the medallion in the middle of the plate. Two sunny side eggs and five bacon strips made into a huge smile and in the center was a medallion.
Duncan frowned. Alistair smiled cheekily.
"I uh, arranged the plate but the medallion is something we give to those who survive the joining. We put a bit of the blood inside a small bottle to remind us of those who did not make it and our promise as Grey Wardens." Explained Alistair.
Addy grabbed the medallion. It twirled as she held it up.
"What's it called?"
"Warden's Oath."
"What's the oath?"
"In War, Victory. In Peace, Vigilance. In Death, Sacrifice." Recited Alistair as he looked at the fire.
The soft orange glow of the fire made his features look dark in a handsome unique way.
Addy smirked. "Five sovereigns says I make it to the highest rank before you." She waged as she put the medallion on with purpose.
Alistair's eyes became slightly wide and he smirked. "You're ON!" He declared and even Duncan laughed along with Alistair and Addy.
Soon they became fast friends… that was until… Ostagar.
'Oh Alistair. Do you still remember the moments we shared together?' Her mind wondered. 'Do–-Do you still thinking about... Us?'
She looked up at the sunset. The sky was set with orange and pink hues making the clouds look like cotton candy. She sighed as she walked away from the deck where she was standing to look out the horizon and descended down the stairs to retreat for the night. Golden eyes watched her from far above where a lookout was suppose to be. He was currently knocked out. The figure who owned the Golden gaze looked out through the horizon and narrowed its eyes.
