Chapter 3: The Beginning

Hawke and her companions have just left Fenris at Denarius's mansion. He begins searching for any clues as to where Denarius has gone, as well as any supplies that may be of some use. The mansion is in shambles. Obviously Denarius was more focused on finding Fenris than finding a suitable place to live.

Fenris goes through each room thoroughly. There is little to be found. By the time he gets through the first floor he has found a whopping three silver and a dead rat. He pockets the silvers and goes up the stairs to the second floor. The center room is large with a nice fireplace and some furniture. There are several books scattered about as well.

As he goes through the room he locates a few matches and decides to light a fire. He stands for a moment, looking down at the flames as they engulf the old logs. He imagines Denarius sitting on the bench nearby, drawing out his plans for locating him.

Before he can let his anger build up too much, he steps away from the fire and makes his way to the remaining second story rooms. They are just as disappointing as the first floor. He notices how it looks like Denarius and the other hunters left in a rush and with little to no supplies. He heads back down the stairs and into the cellar.

The cold Kirkwall nights have made the cellar an icebox. He again searches for anything of use. Ah-ha! Right there on a rack were six bottles of Agreggio. He recalls how Denarius would command him to serve it to his guests. He pushes the memory away and takes one of the bottles.

He heads all the way back up to the second floor. By this time the fire has grown very large and has warmed the whole room. He sits down on the bench and removes the cork from the Agreggio. Agreggio. Hmph. He came all the way from Tevinter and the only thing he brought was wine. I will never understand.

As he drinks, his thoughts begin to meander elsewhere. He begins to think of the beautiful rogue he met nearly an hour ago. Hawke. He thinks to himself. I asked a stranger for help and they obliged. That has never happened before. He thinks back on the remark she had made to him. "Seems like a waste of a perfectly handsome elf." He replays it again and again in his mind. Was she…flirting with me? No. We had just met. I'm looking into this too much. He takes another swig of the Agreggio.

xxxxx

Hawke and company are on their way home from Denarius's mansion. No one says a word until they begin to go their separate ways for the evening. Aveline waves at her friends as she turns and heads toward the keep. Varric, Bethany, and Hawke continue to walk in silence.

"So, that elf was something else." Varric says suddenly.

"Yes he was." Says Hawke.

"Have you ever thing anything like it?" Varric continues.

"I didn't like him." Says Bethany. "He didn't seem to like me either."

Hawke continues to say nothing. As her companions converse, she keeps thinking about what happened. The markings were strange, but intriguing. Who would want lyrium burned into their skin? She remarks to herself.

"Oh, come on, Sunshine. Just because he commented about mages – "

"He was looking right at me!" Bethany snapped.

I've never seen anyone like that before. His eyes…his skin. I want to know more about him. He was…attractive in a mysterious way. I can't believe I said I thought he was handsome aloud. Suddenly Hawke realizes Varric is talking about her.

"Someone thought he was attractive, right Hawke?"

"He was interesting." She says, trying not to blush.

"He creeped me out." Mumbles Bethany.

Varric makes a slight bow as he heads off to The Hanged Man. Bethany and Hawke continue to make their way toward their Uncle Gamlen's hole-in-the-wall. Hawke can see that Bethany is uncomfortable.

"What's wrong?" she says, looking at Bethany.

"He didn't bother you?" she says, referring to Fenris.

"No. Should he?"

"Lyrium is magic, you know. How can you use lyrium when you're neither a templar, nor a mage? It doesn't make sense."

"Well, if he stays long enough, perhaps he'll elaborate."

Bethany scoffs as if disgusted. "I hope not. He might do that heart trick on me."

xxxxx

12 Hours after fleeing Kirkwall

The group has woken up from their first night on the run. Aveline has decided to maintain he captain-like position and is giving out tasks to everyone.

"Varric, could you do some reconnaissance? We need to know what we are up against."

"Bianca and I don't mind a bit. Do we, Bianca?" Varric says as he strokes his cross bow.

"I'm going to scout for supplies and resources. Fenris? Hawke? Perhaps you could locate some food?"

Hawke smiles and nods her head at Aveline. Varric shakes his head, realizing that Aveline did not see what he saw last night. If she had, maybe she would have separated them.

"So, back here in an hour? Yell if you encounter trouble. Stay within yelling distance if at all possible." Says Aveline.

Everyone nods and heads off in opposite directions. Varric loads an arrow into Bianca and heads off to the North, looking over his shoulder at Hawke and Fenris.

Aveline picks up her sword and shield and makes her way to the North East to scout for anything that may be of use to them.

Hawke and Fenris turn and head South.

Hawke and Fenris don't say anything to each other. They merely look at each other out of the corner of their eyes so as not to be caught looking. They continue that way for a few minutes. Occasionally, Hawke sees some bunches of berries and puts them into her satchel. There isn't much to be found in this particular area.

They move on, stepping over fallen trees and large stones. Once she feels they are far enough from the rest of the group, Hawke makes her move.

As they are making their way around a large old tree, Hawke grabs Fenris and backs him up against it. She drops her bag full of berries as she wraps her arms around him, his armor clanking against the bark as she pushes him. He drops his sword and puts his hands on her waist, the familiar feeling of his markings burning envelops him as they kiss. Hawke pauses as if to say something but Fenris pulls her back in.

Fenris shifts places and turns them around, pinning Hawke to the tree. She slips off one of his gauntlets and grabs onto his waist, pulling him right up against her. Fenris takes his now bare hand and slips it up the back of her tunic. He feels her whole body quiver as he touches her. He knows the warmth of the lyrium turns her on, so he continues clawing at her back slowly.

She pushes him down to the ground softly. He gives out a slight chuckle. They continue making out, and he flips her over, putting himself on top of her. Fenris goes to nibble at her ear. "I am glad," he whispered. "That you did not die." He whispers again before he moves to kiss her neck. She slightly sighs in content. "Me too." She whispers, almost inaudibly. Fenris goes to remove her shirt when –

"Hawke?" yells Varric in the distance. They both pause for a moment. "Hawke? Fenris? It's been an hour! Are you ok?" Varric yells again. They both sigh.

They look at each other and Fenris smiles. He stands up slowly and picks up his gauntlet. Hawke continues to lie on the ground, giggling. He reaches down to help her up. She takes his hand and gets back up on her feet quickly. As she stands he pulls her close. "The first chance I get," Fenris whispers. "You're mine." He smiles and kisses her. He then turns quickly and playfully runs back toward camp. "Hey!" Hawke calls as she grabs her belt and chases after him.