AN: So have I mentioned that these chapters aren't really in any order? I haven't? Okay, well I'm letting yall know now ;) This chapter is dedicated to the lovely Emantsal who's reviews always make me smile. :D
Imoen hated mornings…she hated the lack of proper sunlight, the overly cheery people who never seemed to get that not everyone was a morning person, most of all…she hated the birds.
They were there…flitting about atop the roofs of the lower houses in Old City Slums. Their chirping causing her to cringe and wish that she could fireball the lot of them…smile at their charred little corpses…damn them.
It was early…far too early for her liking but they had a long way to travel. Sundermount was waiting for them…
She entered the Hanged Man, where everyone had agreed to meet. She felt lonely…missing Fenris who had left before she woke up for reasons he had neglected to tell her.
Isabela, Varric, and Anders were already there…Isabela trying in vain to start a card game with the others.
"Maker's breath woman, do you think I'm made of coin?" Anders groaned. Isabela pouted.
"Well I know Varric is…so what's your excuse?" She turned her amber eyes towards the dwarf.
"I'm too tired to come up with a good excuse…" The dwarf seemed about as much of a morning person as Imoen.
"You're no fun anymore…Maker what happened to you two?" She looked up as Imoen approached, the young mage situating herself in the pirate's lap.
"And how is my other little kitten doing this fine morning?" Isabela sang, wrapping her arms around the mage.
"Mmmrg" Imoen groaned, "Too early…shut up."
She loved Isabela's laugh, it was loud and obnoxious, the sound only made better by the fact that the woman didn't give a damn about it.
"Aw, my sweet little kitten didn't get enough beauty sleep!" Her hand combed through Imoen's short black hair before trailing down her spine in the most pleasant of massages.
Imoen felt the sounds of her companions' conversation slowly begin to fade as she began to fall asleep…dozing in and out until Isabela nuzzled her shoulder, "Wakey wakey my dear, your wolf has finally arrived…"
Imoen's eyes snapped open, practically falling out of the pirate's lap and looking towards the entrance of the tavern. Sure enough, the shock of white hair and markings unmistakable at the door.
She ran…picking up the skirts of her robes as she neared him, leaping into his arms.
He let out a startled yelp before catching her, twirling her slightly to hide his momentary lack of balance.
"I was only gone for a few hours…" He said, sounding somewhat amused.
"A few hours too long" She murmured into his neck, shivering slightly as his clawed gauntlets trailed down her back, his teeth nipping at her ear lobe.
Fenris backed up into a corner near the entrance so they were out of the way, smiling as he felt her lips travel down his neck, following one of the markings before she came back up to kiss him fully.
"If this is what I get on return, I may leave more often…" He chuckled against her lips.
Imoen pulled away slightly, her silver eyes wide, "I just…was worried…that-" He kissed her roughly before she could finish, nipping her bottom lip and tugging ever so gently.
"I already promised you…never again." He pulled her to him, tucking her head under his chin, "I swear to you I will never leave you again, I will have to either die or be dragged away."
Her arms slid up his back, "That's good to know…" She whispered; the smile on her face beautiful beyond words, "The same can be said for me."
He pressed his forehead to hers, sighing happily.
"I love you Fenris."
"And I you"
"Hey lovebirds!" Anders catcalled, "Aren't we supposed to be off questing and whatnot?"
Fenris growled, after three years of looking but not being able to touch he HATED getting interrupted with Imoen.
"Please let me kill him."
Imoen giggled stealing another kiss, this one soft and sweet, before stepping back and heading towards the group.
. . .
"So…I'm a bit confused…" Varric mumbled as they entered the cave, "Isn't the whole point of hiding supposed to be your enemies NOT getting your location? Why would the assassin have the Dalish tell us where he is?"
Imoen shuddered as she moved down a passage, remembering the last time she came through here with Merrill. She felt cold steel against the bare skin of her wrist and looked up into warm jade eyes…Fenris giving her a comforting smile as if he knew what bothered her. She returned it, before addressing her dwarven companion, "He certainly doesn't sound like a cruel murderer to me…I'm beginning to think Nuncio lied to us…"
Isabela cackled, "Beginning to think? My dear, Antivans are NEVER that honest, I knew he was lying almost from the first sentence!"
"And you withheld that little bit of insight until now, why?"
Isabela shrugged, as if it was nothing, "Figured we were all on the same page…"
Imoen groaned, her grip on her staff tightening.
Things were going well and relatively violence free until Imoen felt the ground begin to tremble…flashes of her time here with Merrill again invading her thoughts.
"Maker no…" She whimpered. Fenris tensed beside her, instantly drawing his blade and pushing her behind him.
"I thought we killed it." He growled.
The Varterall moved forward, causing the ground to shudder under them. Imoen stumbled, almost losing her staff before Fenris caught her.
Isabela's daggers sang as she whipped them out of their sheaths, "Obviously it had a spare, now let's move little wolf!" She cried before running towards the monster.
"Come back to me in one piece." Imoen murmured; voice so low only Fenris could hear. He turned to her, lowering his blade as his mouth met hers.
"Always" He breathed before following Isabela.
Anders exchanged a glance with her, "Offense or defense?"
Imoen smiled at her friend, "What do you think?" her skin shimmered with electricity.
"Alright then, shout out if you need healing!"
"Will do!" She called, moving closer to the monster while Anders backed way off.
Varric and Bianca danced around the creature, Imoen releasing lightning and spirit bolts in equal amounts. Fenris swiped at the legs while Isabela leapt and twirled atop the thing's body, stabbing at just the right points to cripple its movement.
"Isabela, move!" Imoen cried. The pirate jumped away from the creature, tumbling across the ground as she landed.
She gathered her energy, feeling her limbs go numb and her heart momentarily stop as Cone of Cold took effect, freezing the monster's limbs in place long enough for Fenris to chop off its head.
Imoen shuddered as the magic drained from her extended arms, Anders supporting her briefly until she regained her strength.
"Please tell me…" She panted, "that we killed it…and killed it DEAD."
Anders chuckled as Fenris rushed over, "What happened?" He snapped, tilting her chin up and examining her face. Imoen saw Anders smirk and inwardly groaned.
"Well Fenris you see there's this thing called 'mana' and we mages often feel drained after we fire huge spells like Cone of Cold which costs quite a bit of 'mana' actua-"
"Shut it abomination I was not speaking to you." Fenris snarled, his markings flaring to life.
"Hey…" Imoen grabbed his chin and jerked his face towards hers, "be nice please."
Fenris sighed heavily, scowling, "Fine." He said, though she felt his grip around her waist tighten.
"Wow…" Anders said, his eyes wide in mock surprise, "she really has you whipped doesn't she?" He jerked backwards, avoiding Fenris's gauntlet by mere centimeters.
Imoen moved to tease Anders about his lack of a love life when a low and throaty laugh echoed against the cave walls, the young mage realizing the laugh didn't come from any of her companions.
"Ah, it is fun to be whipped yes? With chains especially…Why take such offense my glowing friend?" An extraordinarily attractive elf appeared. He had light blonde hair, shoulder length, and dark skin that complimented his amber eyes well. A black tattoo curled down the left side of his face, somehow accentuating his handsome features. Imoen tried real hard not to notice how well the leather of his armor clung to his perfect figure.
"Well I'll be damned…Zevran?" Isabela stepped forward.
The elf's eyes widened, "Truly? Oh my dear sweet Isabela it has been far too long!" He let out another throaty laugh as they briefly embraced.
"You two know each other?" Imoen asked, exchanging curious glances with both Anders and Fenris. Varric seated himself on a nearby rock, beginning to clean Bianca. He didn't seem surprised, though with Isabela it was hard to find people she DIDN'T know.
"Oh yes, quite well." Isabela purred, the elf named Zevran stretching his neck out as she caressed his face. He then abruptly stepped away, and Imoen had to hold back laughter at the pirate's look of disappointment.
"I am sorry my dear, but I must abstain from temptation." He turned back to the rest of them, "So! You have made it all this way Champion, what now?"
"You know I'm the Champion?"
"But of course! Tales of your skill and beauty run rampant throughout Kirkwall." His eyes twinkled and a wicked smirk quirked his full lips as he winked at her.
Fenris saw the blush on her skin beginning and instantly wondered what the painted elf would look like with TWO smiles. That was HIS blush.
Imoen straightened at his side, her tone becoming businesslike, "I was informed by a man named Nuncio that you are a dangerous murderer."
Zevran threw his head back and laughed, "Ah beloved, the same can be said of all of us I think, but did the fair and just Nuncio also mention that I am an escaped Crow and they want me back?"
Imoen was silent for a few moments, "I assume you aren't talking about the bird?"
Zevran's mouth fell open as he clutched at his chest in mock horror, "Maker have mercy, do not tell me you've never heard of the Crows?"
"You know your former organization is not as well known as you think Zev" Isabela chuckled, beginning to sharpen one of her blades.
"Perish the thought dear lady…" Zevran shook his head sadly, "I am undone…truly." He straightened and answered her question, "The Crows are a guild of assassins based in Antiva, though we take jobs all over. I used to be one of them before I met the Warden…unfortunately the Crows are masters of grudges and haven't stopped trying to kill me."
"That's it!" Anders cried, "I KNEW your name was familiar! She spoke of you…said she was hunting you though…did she ever catch you?" Imoen always forgot that Anders was a warden and had actually traveled with the Hero of Ferelden.
Imoen watched Zevran's expression soften…and a tiny, almost nonexistent smile appear, "Yes…many times…" He shook his head as if to clear it, "Anyway, Nuncio is just the most recent in a long line of assassins to try and bring me back."
"I don't understand," Imoen said, "All you did was leave them, why would they want to kill you for that?"
"My dear woman, leaving the Crows is offense enough to them." He stepped towards her, "So now that we have established who I am and what I've done…the decision remains to be made. Will you take me or leave me? You could even manhandle me if you like!" He winked at her again.
Fenris felt his blood begin to boil as yet another blush crept across her face. If Zevran continued to act this way he'd be lucky to even survive the trip back to Nuncio.
"You mean you would come with me willingly? Not even try to fight?"
"Speaking from experience here, I KNOW when I am outmatched…you are not the warden, but you certainly have the manpower to strike me down without a moment's thought! I wouldn't dream of fighting, and besides," He reached out and cupped her cheek, "Why would I want to harm such a beautiful face?"
There was a sharp clack of metal as Fenris's gauntlet gripped Zevran's wrist, throwing the elf's hand away from her face. He snarled before Imoen's hand pressed against his chest, "Fenris…" She whispered.
"Oh ho ho!" Zevran laughed, "Oh yes this is priceless! Ah…jealousy…" He pretended to swoon.
Imoen looked into Fenris's eyes, concerned…but secretly LOVING it all, "Hey…calm down love." She murmured. Fenris seemed to get even tenser before heaving a tremendous sigh and relaxing.
"So what are we going to do with him?" Varric asked.
Imoen turned to Zevran, "I'm not going to take you back to someone who lied to me…and you don't sound like the vicious killer they described."
Zevran chuckled, "Oh I am quite vicious dear maiden, though usually in more intimate settings."
Oh that was it…the elf was going to die. Once again Imoen blocked him, a small smile gracing her perfect lips before looking over her shoulder, "Then you are free to go Zevran, Andraste guide you."
The elf bowed, "I feel I should warn you fair Champion…the Crows do not tolerate failure…Nuncio will most likely try to kill you for letting me go."
"We are prepared, don't worry." She called as her group moved away.
"Many thanks Champion, I hope to return the favor some day!" Imoen turned to respond but found Zevran had vanished.
"He's sneaky like that…" Isabela whispered in her ear before moving forward.
As they exited the cave, the group split in two. Anders, Isabela, and Varric joking amongst themselves while Imoen and Fenris fell behind a few paces.
"Why did you get so upset?" Imoen asked softly.
Fenris looked down at her, "What?"
That small smile reappeared and Fenris was trying to decide whether it was a good or bad thing when she spoke again, "When Zevran flirted with me…why did you get so upset?"
Fenris smiled, "Oh…that." She yelped as he jerked her into an alcove, shoving her up against the rock wall. She moved to make a snarky remark when Fenris crushed her mouth to his. The kiss was hungry, possessive…her hands snaked into his hair as his arms wrapped around her, a hand skimming down her thigh to hook behind her knee and hitch her leg up around his hip. She moaned into his mouth, whimpering slightly as he pulled away. "Because you are MINE." He growled, and then walked away.
Imoen fell against the wall, waiting for her breathing to return to normal and the room to cool down before following. He was waiting for her, his smile wicked as sin.
. . .
They neared the camp, Fenris quickly calculating their chances, prepared to shove Imoen behind him and cut them all down the instant things turned hostile.
"Nuncio." Imoen called, the taller of the men turning towards her.
"Greetings Champion!" He called; a look of confusion crossed his face, "Where is the assassin? I do not see him with you…"
Imoen examined her staff, fingering the crystals at the top, "You know Nuncio, I don't like being lied to…" Her voice had gone low…deadly almost and Fenris felt his skin flush with heat. Now was not the time though…
Nuncio moved to speak but was soon faced with the dagger-like end of Imoen's staff, "I know what you are…I know of the Crows."
"Ah so Zevran spoke with you eh? Weaved his little sob story…"
"No" Imoen snarled, "He was actually refreshingly honest, which is more than I can say for your lot. I do not like being used for someone else's dirty work Nuncio."
The man sighed, shaking his head, "Such a shame…but it matters not, you will die for your failure!"
Fenris watched as lightning rippled around Imoen before jumping to Nuncio, the man jerking in pain before crumpling to the ground.
Violence erupted in the small camp, Imoen barely able to control where her magic landed. There was a yelp and a sickening crack behind her. She spun, coming face to face with Zevran.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, stunned.
He winked at her, "Returning the favor dear lady."
She smiled, nodding gratefully at him before going back to shooting lightning at fools. The battle raged on.
Soon Fenris was outnumbered, finding there were more men than he thought. He hazarded a glance Imoen's way to find her pinned with Anders, hopelessly trying to heal her and fight off the assassins at the same time.
Varric and Isabela weren't doing so well either, the pirate's leg sliced open above the knee and Varric bleeding from his wrist.
The elf Zevran received a stunning blow to the head before collapsing.
Imoen was exhausted…she'd been drained of all her mana. Anders was doing his best but it was only a matter of time before they lost. Was this it then? She honestly hadn't expected to go out like this…
There was a cry from above, a dark figure slipping from the shadows. Imoen's eyes widened as she saw who it was…
As a young girl she'd heard tales of the Dalish, legends of the ferocity with which their hunters fought…their skills with a bow unmatched by any other. This woman proved all those stories true.
She was tall for an elven lady, her frame lithe and muscular. She leaped from a rocky outcropping, drawing three arrows as she fell and firing them all at once…Each found their mark…right between the eyes of their respective assassins.
With her help the battle finished quickly. Anders making his rounds until all were healed.
Imoen stared at the woman…for she was hard not to look at. The Dalish elf holstered her bow, adjusting her quiver. Both were intricately carved…the designs depicting halla and other forest creatures. Sebastian would have been drooling…
Her skin was pale, but rosy…her eyes large, and glowing a soft silver color that marked her as a warden. Long, thick auburn hair framed her face and curled down her back in a loose braid. She had long, delicate pointed ears that held silver hoops, though one side held a small golden stud. She wore soft green plate armor, the chainmail possessing an intricate pattern of vines and leaves. It looked like she'd taken it straight from the ancient tombs of Arlathan. Imoen then noticed the webbing of finely detailed tattoos that stretched across her face, mainly around her eyes and mouth though Imoen could see they spread below the collar of her armor. This was the Hero of Ferelden…
Her gaze locked with Imoen's for only a moment before she turned towards Zevran.
"Ma Vhenan…" She purred; her voice rich and sultry. Imoen ached for her to continue speaking, "Must I always fight your battles?"
Zevran looked shocked before a huge smile spread across his face, "I've missed you" He murmured. Imoen didn't know him very well…but she could definitely tell the sudden change in personality. He looked at the Dalish woman with reverence…as if he worshiped her.
The Dalish woman stepped forward, jumping into Zevran's arms and kissing him. Imoen blushed as the woman wrapped her legs around his waist, the kiss seeming far too intimate for where they were.
Anders cleared his throat loudly, the Dalish woman's face jerking towards his direction. Her look of utter fury melted as she regarded Anders, slipping out of Zevran's grip before leaping into Anders's.
"Anders!" She cried, wrapping her arms around his neck. She even giggled as he spun her around.
"Eirene…it's good to see you alive and well." Imoen liked the smile on Anders's face, it was a true one.
The Dalish woman named Eirene turned back to Zevran, once reaching his side her arm snaked around his waist possessively. His wrapped around her shoulders and he leaned in to nibble her ear.
"Now who are your companions Lethallin?" She asked Anders, glancing about the group. Zevran introduced everyone, finally coming to Fenris and Imoen.
"Anderan A'tishan Champion." Eirene said, moving extremely close. Imoen felt the elf was staring straight into her soul…and seeing everything. Eirene smiled, stepping back, "It is rare I find Shem so pure…you remind me of Alistair."
"I met him…during the Qunari invasion…" Eirene's smile widened.
"Yes…I had learned he traveled by Kirkwall then. Sadly that was the last I heard of his whereabouts." Her piercing gaze moved to Fenris.
"Elgar'nan, and who might you be?" Imoen didn't like how she looked at him…her eyes raking his form…her smile had become…predatory.
"I am Fenris." He said, seeming oblivious to her obvious desire.
She stepped close to him, then paced around him…examining the elf from every angle.
"Mmmmm, why couldn't you have been in Ferelden during the blight?" She purred.
Imoen and Zevran both growled softly. Eirene and Fenris looked at their lovers with amusement.
"Peace Zevran…you know it is only you in my heart." Imoen could not get over Eirene's voice…
Zevran practically purred as she returned to his side, gripping her tightly to him. "Ah, it is good that I caught you again Ma Vhenan, I was beginning to tire…"
"Wait…caught him…again?" Imoen asked.
A wicked smile stretched Zevran's lips, mirrored by Eirene, "Yes…see Zevran and I play a little game, don't we?" She nipped his ear, her hands sliding up his torso.
"It's my favorite" Zevran purred.
"I hunt Zevran you see…" Eirene laughed, "sometimes for a week…sometimes for a year…"
"But…why?" Imoen could see the two were in love…Zevran's expression one of a chantry priest looking at a statue of Andraste whenever he looked at the Dalish woman.
"I love the thrill of the hunt and Zevran hates commitment." Came her simple reply.
"I don't understand…" Imoen said.
"Zevran and I were together for a year, fighting the blight and travelling all over Ferelden to gain support against the darkspawn and Loghain." Imoen noticed how her voice became bitter at the mention of Loghain… "After the final battle…once my wounds from the archdemon had healed, we quickly found out domestic life wasn't for us." Her eyes became sad, only returning to normal when Zevran leaned in and kissed her temple.
"So I left…but we soon found each other again…and the reunion…" She bit her lower lip, face flushing with color, "Well, I think the phrase 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' seems appropriate…and so the hunt began."
"Oh…" Imoen wasn't really sure how to respond to that. She decided to change the subject, "I feel I must thank you for saving us…I'm sure we would have perished without your aid."
"You are most welcome Champion," She stepped forward again, cupping Imoen's face. The young mage's eyes widened at the gesture.
Eirene smiled warmly, the friendly expression strange coming from a Dalish, "You would've made an excellent Warden Da'len…truly magnificent."
"Eirene" Anders snapped; his eyes intense.
"Peace, Lethallin…there is no blight and I am not in a conscripting mood. Besides," Eirene's expression became hard, "I have to deal with my former clan…I don't have time to orchestrate a Joining."
"What's wrong with your clan?" Imoen was unsettled at the rage in Eirene's eyes.
"Have you not spoken with them? Flat ears…the lot of them. They are not Dalish and do not deserve the name…" She hissed. "My people are too proud…we scream for equality but shut out all possibility with our harsh prejudice at the same time. My clan has become too closed minded and I grow sick of the hatred…of the… the ignorance!" She kicked at the dirt. "Fools all! Even…" Her eyes became sad, "Even Marethari…I've watched them for a time now, have not spoken…only seen and what I have witnessed makes me sick!" Her silver eyes seemed to glow brighter as she voiced her fury.
"Peace, my warden…" Zevran crooned, pulling her close. Her eyes slid shut for the briefest moment.
"They are lost…my people are lost and shall never be found. Not while they act like children…they are worse than any Shemlen."
"There's Merrill!" Imoen offered, "She doesn't seem to be prejudiced…"
"Merrill is with you?" Imoen nodded and soon found Eirene in her face, "How is she? Why did she leave the clan? What is she doing?"
Anders pulled her back, Imoen laughing at how tiny Eirene appeared next to the tall mage, "I'm sorry Eirene…Merrill's turned to blood magic, she's trying to fix that mirror you and Tamlen found."
Eirene froze…her face a mask of horror before she slapped Anders's hands away, pacing and swearing in rapid Dalish. Zevran moved to soothe her but she rushed towards Imoen, "How long?" She asked fiercely, "How long has she been working on it?"
"Several years now…"
"By the dread wolf is she insane?" The elf howled. She quickly moved towards Zevran, "Do you need any supplies Ma Vhenan? Or are you ready to travel?"
"I carry only what I need." He responded. She kissed him, this time tenderly and with enough passion to make Imoen ache for Fenris, "Then let us go…I need to speak with the Keeper." She turned towards Imoen, "You should leave Champion, I assume since these imbeciles lie dead that you no longer need my Zevran?"
Imoen laughed, "No, he's free to go."
"I shall see you in Kirkwall then…though I cannot say exactly when, do you know of a place we may meet?"
"A tavern in Lowtown…it's called the Hanged Man." The elf nodded, before taking Zevran's hand and melting into the forest.
"Well that was…interesting." Varric mused.
"I'm actually amazed you didn't pester her with questions Varric…" Imoen mused as Fenris's hands slid around her waist. The elf rested his chin on her shoulder and she felt herself melt.
"All in good time Hawke…it didn't seem like the appropriate time to bother her…"
"What of you Isabela?" She asked; stifling a gasp as Fenris bit her shoulder, nipping up her neck and nibbling her ear lobe.
"Been there…done that, don't much care for her to be perfectly honest." Isabela snapped as she sharpened her dagger.
"Now this I have to hear…" Varric crowed.
"She's a prude…and far worse than you my darling kitten, when I met her at the pearl she had almost NO sense of humor, and was so far gone to Dalish prejudice it was hard to get a word in edgewise…"
"What about Zevran?"
"Oh they weren't together yet…he's loosened her up quite nicely. Honestly all she needed was to get laid I think…"
"And on that note let's be off…I want to get back to the city before nightfall." Fenris placed a tender kiss against her jugular before stepping away.
Imoen watched him, sighing and thinking they couldn't get back to Kirkwall fast enough.
. . .
"Maker look at that sunset…" Imoen breathed as she heard Fenris approach. They were taking a short break, having just cleared the woods.
"Mmm" He hummed, pulling her against him.
"What do you think of Eirene?"
"Jealous?" He teased.
"No, you know I'd set you on fire if you left me again…seriously, what do you think? Is she trouble?"
"No…" He said, "I think Merrill's in trouble."
"Hmm, good point…should I warn her?"
Fenris rested his chin on her shoulder again, arms wrapped around her waist as they stared out towards the sun, "No…let the Dalish handle it."
"You just don't want me near blood magic…"
"Correct." He growled.
Imoen knew what direction the conversation was going…it was a road they'd been down before and she was tired of bickering. She and Fenris would never see eye to eye on magic, and it was time to accept that and move on.
They stared at the sun for a long time…Imoen finally breaking the silence.
"Honestly have you ever seen anything more beautiful?" She asked.
Fenris looked down at her, his smile warm, "Yes."
She smiled against his lips, feeling more in love with him in that moment than she ever had before.
Whatever issues arose from Merrill and Eirene, they would handle it. Imoen just wanted to enjoy this moment with her elf…she'd cross that bridge when she came to it.
AN2: It's probably pretty obvious that we will be hearing more of Eirene in future chapters...anywho, hope yall like my warden :)