Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon age 2 this belongs to bioware. This is only a Fan fiction.
Please enjoy and review.
Chapter 3: Emotions rage.
Zola sprinted through Lowtown following the trail of blood the young boy had pointed out. Zola's heart was pounding in her head as her eyes followed the red stains on the ground. Zola had found Anders moments before and told him through her sobs what had happened; Anders pulled her to the Hanged Man where Fenris and Varric were waiting. They got the information they needed but Zola felt her dread filling her and she felt herself slipping away letting her magic take over. Fear was deadly to a mage but fear was now starting to rule her heart.
"I've got to find her" Zola's thoughts screamed in her head as she used a spell to make her speed greater than the others. Fenris, Anders and Varric watched her zoom off through Lowtown, all exhausted and breathing hard trying to keep up.
"Why…her mother?" Varric panted as he started to run again as fast as his little legs could carry him. It was only yesterday that he told Zola that her mother would be safe and now she was running to save her from the clutches of the 'Lily killer'.
"I don't know…but we need to catch up to Hawke before she gets hurt" Anders panted as he saw in the distance that Zola had entered a building. Fenris didn't say anything he only ran to catch up with Zola, his lyrium markings pulsed as he sensed magic close by. They burst through the door leading to the foundry as they saw Zola waiting for them, she seemed distant to them but she seemed more like a leader.
"Come" Zola said with eyes almost cold as ice. Her hands were twitching with power as Fenris's markings pulsed as he moved towards Zola.
"Hawke we'll find her" Fenris placed a hand on Zola's arm but she was too deep in her own mind to hear him. Zola opened the trap door as her eyes flared with anger. Zola broke off into a run again as Varric groaned in displeasure. They ran through the foundry fighting off corpses and shades and the odd rage demon. Though Zola had blasted most of the away with spirit spells and freezing ice storms. All the men were scared of getting in her way and Anders was constantly putting up a shield round Varric and Fenris as her spells nearly hit them. It was only until they reached a room that they saw a portrait that looked like Zola's mother.
"That's not my mother" Zola glared at the painting.
"But it sure looks like her" Anders saw anger flashing through Zola's eyes. Varric searched through the books and messages that were scattered round.
"Well this guy might have been getting help on his research most of these books are from the Circle" Varric picked up a book about the Fade. Zola turned round not wanting to look at the painting any more. She turned her attention to one of the notes that were left, it didn't give much information but it was mainly about this guys research being fascinating, Zola gripped the notes as she grit her teeth.
"We're wasting time" Zola stormed off. The others followed but she as she turned a corner she was gone. Fenris could only watch as Zola seemed to spiral out of control, losing herself to her anger. Next they heard a crash as they rushed to see what had happened to find Zola standing in front of another mage. The other joined her, Fenris noticed behind the man was a woman dressed in what looked like to be an old wedding dress that had seen better days. The man looked haggard himself but his eyes told a different story.
"Where's my mother?" Zola asked calmly as the man only smiled.
"Lyeandra said you would come" the man walked round and looked gently at the women sat in the chair.
"Where…is…my…mother" Zola felt her anger getting to her, but the man only smiled.
"Do you know what the most powerful force on earth is?" The man spoke as his eyes seemed to grow crazier.
"Its love…I have done the impossible…I have touched the face of the Maker…and lived" A smile grew across the man's lips as Zola glared at him as her hand reached round for her staff.
"It's took me ages find her hand, her skin, her delicate features…but after all this time I have found her beautiful face" The man walked round as the woman stood, she seemed unsteady on her feet. Zola looked at the woman's ankles and saw that the skin tone didn't match slightly and it looked as if they had been sown together. The woman turned round slowly as her grey hair fell in front of her face, her body wobbled as she lifted her head to look up at Zola and Zola felt her stomach tighten. Her eyes grew wide, her skin paled, her anger raged.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY MOTHER?" Zola screamed as flames started to lick at her body, she felt a voice call to her. Power started to over whelm her as tears fell down her face. Zola could only look at the dead eyes of her mother. Her mother had been taken away from her and was used to fulfil a sick man's wish. Fenris rushed into the room and looked at Zola, his heart stopped as he saw her being taken in by the flames but this was not the man spell or trap, her own magic was turning against her. Anders and Varric rushed in but were over whelmed by demons and shades. Fenris dashed at Zola.
Zola could feel the voice calling to her, she knew what it was but she wanted to kill this man in front of her so badly. Next thing she knew she was flying to the ground as Fenris pinned her. Her eyes were still filled with rage but she saw Fenris on top of her though she couldn't make out what he was saying.
"Hawke don't do this…Don't let the demon take over" Fenris pleaded with her to come back, he wasn't going to let Zola become an abomination, he wasn't going to loose her. Zola shook her head as she struggled underneath him.
"My…mother…" The flames started to lick them both. Fenris's marking repelled the flames as much as possible but he made Zola look into his eyes. Zola stopped struggling and stared into his forest green eyes. His eyes were so beautiful her mind started to calm the voice started to fade away but the fire still licked at her skin.
"Don't let this demon take over…you're a better mage than this Haw…Zola" Fenris spoke softly and when Zola heard him say her name she flushed. She heard her father's voice sound in her head.
"Emotions like anger and pride lure the demons to you Zola, you must never let these over whelm you or you'll be taken over" her father's words sounded true as Zola thought about them.
"Then father…being made tranquil is a good thing…because then the demons can't get you" Zola was only a child and couldn't understand what her father was trying to tell her.
"No my dear…because the tranquil do not feel the best emotions you can have, like love and happiness" her father picked her up and smiled as Zola still didn't understand his words.
But now his words resonated in her mind filling her soul as she felt her magic calm within her. Her happiness was being taken over and her love for her mother was being shrouded in anger and rage. But it was her love for Fenris that brought her back as she stared into his eyes.
"Don't let this demon take you…I won't let it take you" Fenris didn't know if she could hear him but her eyes were drifting in and out. The fire stopped and her smile appeared on her lips.
"Thank you Fenris" she crocked as Fenris picked her up and held her close. He had saved her from becoming what she feared. Zola blinked and wrapped her arms round his slender waist, and buried her head into his neck.
"Not to break up the love scene…but we do need help over here" Varric shouted as he aimed an arrow into a demon's head. Zola blushed and pushed away from Fenris and ran to help Anders and Varric.
The battle raged on, spells from Anders, Zola and the crazy man flew across the room while Varric and Fenris cut their way through shades and demons. It ended when Zola hit the crazed man with one of her ice spells and his body felt to the floor in a frozen lump. Zola's mind felt hazy as she started to stumble, Anders grabbed her shoulders and poured from lyrium down her throat so that her magic was restored. Zola smiled and nodded in thanks as Anders went to check on the others. Zola looked round the dead bodies then remembered her mother; she rushed over to her mother who fell in her arms.
"Mother…I'm so sorry" Zola's eyes stung with tears as she looked upon the lifeless eyes of her mother. Her colour had faded from her cheek and her hair had lost its lustre. But her mother still held her smile as she looked up at Zola.
"Don't cry darling, I'll be fine…I'll be with Carver and Bethany and your father…but you'll be alone" Zola closed her eyes as she spoke as she gripped the body closer.
"I failed you…I should have watched you more closely" Zola choked on her words as her tears flew down her face.
"My little girl has grown to be so strong…I love you darling…you made me so proud…" Her mother's voice faded as her life slipped away. Zola cried and screamed as she held her mother's head close to her chest and cried into her hair.
"Please come back…I don't want to be alone" Zola's words never reached her and her screams were in vain. Fenris watched Zola as he walked over to her and stood next to her, Zola looked up at him as her tears ran down her face and her eyes welled. Fenris ran his fingers through her hair as Zola choked and breathed holding her mother close to her.
"We'd better tell Avaline" Varric said quietly as he pushed back his tears and Anders started to walk out of the room giving them time.
_)_)_
It had been several days since the death of Lyeandra and it seemed everyone had been affected. Avaline couldn't stop apologising to everyone saying that she should have caught the killer sooner. But everyone knew that it was mainly Gamlen who blamed Avaline for not doing her job, everyone else didn't blame her they each blamed themselves. But no one had seen Zola since the funeral at the Chantry.
The funeral was short and Zola didn't speak. The Grand Cleric held the sermon and Mother Patrice sang the hymens, no one was happy that she was part of the funeral and Zola had asked for her to be no where near her on the day. After that a meal was held and most of the people her mother knew and most nobles were there but no one saw Zola. Later it was learnt that Zola had never gone to the meal and had gone straight home, Bodahn said that she had been in her room for the last few days.
Everyone, except for Fenris, had gone round to see Zola only to receive silence from behind the door. Anders had had enough; he couldn't do anything for Lyeandra since he couldn't heal the dead. But he felt useless when he couldn't do anything for Zola, she was in her room and he actually heard her throwing something at the door as it smashed against the wooden panel. He knew that there was only one person who could calm her down and get her back on the right path.
"Blondie, what are you up to?" Varric walked along side him, Anders merely glared on ahead.
"I'm going to get Fenris" Anders growled as he stormed up the steps leading towards Fenris's mansion.
"Are you sure that's wise?" Varric asked as he watched Anders blast down the door. He had his answer…he didn't care.
"Get out here you damn elf" Anders shouted as he walked in the mansion. Fenris walked out with his weapon drawn. Anders glared as Fenris pulsed with lyrium.
"What are you doing?" Fenris muttered.
"I'm going to drag you to Hawke's house so that you can say something to her so that she'll come out of her room" Anders flickered with the light of justice as Fenris glared.
"Don't preach to me demon" Fenris walked down the stairs as Varric leaned against the door well.
"Do you not see that she's slipping…she needs someone who cares for her" Anders spoke but Varric slapped his forehead knowing that Anders possibly had a good speech but under Fenris's glare even the best speech would become stupid blabber.
"Then why don't you comfort her demon" Fenris snarled as his hand twitched against the hilt of his sword.
"I would if she'd let me in…I'd comfort her in so many ways…"Anders had done it Fenris charged at him and used the pommel of the handle and struck it at Anders's jaw. Anders staggered back as the pain shot through his head. Fenris growled as he charged again only to be hit by an arcane bolt sending him flying back across the room. Anders adjusted his clothing as Fenris charged again and swung his sword as the flat of the blade crashed against Anders's face sending a ringing through his head.
"Alright guys that's enough…none of you are helping Hawke this way" Varric spoke before Anders sent another spell flying. Fenris huffed and stormed out of the door heading in the general direction of Zola's house.
"You could have jumped in sooner" Anders stood as he shook his head.
"What can I say…I love a good fight" Varric smirked and shrugged his shoulders.
_)_)_
Fenris climbed Zola's house that lead to her window that was slightly open. Zola was one for having the window open at night so that she could hear the night sounds, saying it helped her sleep. Fenris couldn't be bothered using the door if Zola wasn't going to let anyone in her room so he decided to sneak in. Zola clambered over the edge and silently opened the window; Zola was on her bed lying on her side. The fire place was bellowing fire and the room felt oddly too warm, Fenris walked over and knelt down on to the floor seeing Zola's face. Zola was sleeping her face look pained and her cheeks were damp letting her hair stick to her cheeks and eyes. Fenris took off his gauntlet slowly making sure that the metal clicking didn't rouse Zola. Zola's breathing was slow and steady as her lips were parted, she was covered by her bedding but Fenris could tell that she wasn't really wearing much. Fenris placed his gauntlet on the floor and moved the strands of hair that stunk to Zola's face behind her ear, Zola didn't move, Fenris ran his finger from Zola's ear down her jaw line and his thumb rubbed Zola's bottom lip. Fenris wondered so many things about Zola, she was a mage yet she acted like normal woman.
"Fen…ris…" Zola murmured as she shuffled under her sheet lifting her arms above her head as she stretched pulling the sheets down her chest till they were just above her nipples. Fenris blushed as he pulled the sheet back up her body. He didn't know what she was dreaming about but the fact that she mentioned his name meant little to him.
Zola began to stir when she felt the fabric cover her again, her heavy eyes opened, her vision was hard to make out against the bright fire light and her head hurt from all the crying she had done earlier. Someone came into view as she rubbed her eyes, she sat up letting the fabric fall down her body, she looked at the shape she saw before and saw Fenris looking away from her, and it took her a while to figure out that it wasn't a dream. Zola looked at Fenris then looked at herself after realising what she looked like she blushed heavily and covered herself back up.
"Fenris…What are you doing…in my room" Zola glared at him as Fenris looked at her.
"I was worried about you" Fenris started to argue but Zola's golden eyes look more full of happiness that anger.
"I…I'm fine" Zola looked away as she felt her heart pounding against her chest.
"No your not Hawke" Fenris forced himself not to touch her, fearing that he would cause her pain as well as himself.
Tears formed in Zola's eyes as she felt his gaze upon her. She must have looked so small and weak because that's how she felt. Zola looked up at him as she glided off her bed and stood in front of him. Fenris started to back up to give her some room but Zola fell against him and wrapped her arm round him, her sobs were quiet but her breath brushed against his neck. Fenris resisted screaming from the pain that his marking were causing him but he was happy that she was holding him.
"I'm…sorry…Fenris" Zola managed to say through her silent sobs as she clung to him tighter. Fenris wrapped one arm round her waist while his free hand rested on the back of her head stroking her hair.
"Why are you sorry?" Fenris was confused at this sudden action until Zola pushed herself away.
"I was so stupid…I know the risks of being a mage…I should have kept my emotions in control…I nearly…" Zola stopped as she grabbed her sides and fell to the ground sobbing. Fenris gripped her shoulders and made her look at him.
"But you didn't…you didn't become an abomination" Zola clutched her sides more digging her nails into her sides, Fenris watched her clawing at her side and saw that her skin had broken in some places, she had been clawing at her sides for some time.
"But I nearly did…I was so scared…so angry…so full of rage I nearly became one" Zola tears dripped to the ground as Fenris pulled her close to him and spoke softly in Tervinter. Words she didn't understand seemed to calm her down as they lulled her back to sleep. Fenris picked her up and placed her back on her bed. As he was about to leave he felt a tug at his clothing. Zola gripped his clothing as her heavy eyes looked at him begging him not to leave. Fenris sat on the edge of the bed. Zola frowned at the position and sat up.
"Sit here" Zola pointed as Fenris did as he was told letting his slave nature take over for a moment. Zola placed her head in his lap and wrapped the sheets round her, her hand placed carefully on his knee as her finger made lazy circles. Soon Zola was asleep and Fenris started to doze, he ran his fingers through Zola brown hair watching her sleep in his lap. Fenris sighed and looked into the fire; this was one night that his emotions were at peace.
