Disclaimer: Dragon Age 2 and it's characters belongs to Bioware. Chapter title's are song titles from various artists because they fit - and because I was too lazy to make up my own. :p
A/N - I am fairly new at writing fanfiction and this is the first story I have decided to post for others to read. Reviews and constructive criticism are welcome. I hope you all enjoy.
There's somethin' wrong with the world today
I don't know what it is
Something's wrong with our eyes
We're seein' things in a different way
And God knows it ain't his
It sure ain't no surprise
~*~ Livin' On The Edge - Aerosmith
Summary: This story begins just after the end of Act I in the Dragon Age 2 plot. Hawke visits the Chantry after her return from the Deep Roads expedition. During her visit she fortuitously encounters an intriguing resident of Kirkwall that quickly turns into more than just an acquaintance. Rated M for future chapters.
Hawke paces the floor of her bedroom waiting for her mother to return home. She finds herself somewhat dismayed at how eager she has been all week waiting for Orsino's next letter. He has been on her mind more and more the last few days and she is not entirely sure what to make of her growing feelings for the elven mage. She longs to find a way to see him again, but she is not quite desperate enough to risk walking into the mages prison for just a few stolen moments of his time.
Hearing footsteps on the stairs Hawke turns and sees her mother standing in the doorway, a letter in her outstretched hand. Hawke grins and closes the distance between them, taking the letter into her hand and placing a kiss on her mother's cheek.
"How was your visit with Carver, Mama?"
"It was a nice visit. The Knight-Captain says he is doing well with his training, and he looks so happy there. I wish you would have gone with me to see him today."
"I want to, Mama, I just don't think it is a good idea. It's too dangerous for me to go to the Gallows any more than I have to. It is also a risk to Carver, it is his duty to turn me in. I won't risk causing trouble for him if I can avoid it."
"I know darling, that is why I made different arrangements for our next visit. Carver will be coming here for lunch next week."
"That's great Mama, I look forward to seeing him... and thank you for the letter as well."
"You're welcome. Your dear mother may be getting old, but I still have my eyesight. I saw how anxious you were this morning when I left", Leandra said with a knowing smile.
Hawke grins at her mother and settles herself on her bed before peeling back the wax seal of the First Enchanter to reveal Orsino's elegant handwriting.
Hawke,
It was such a delight receiving your letter today. It was obvious to me that your friend thinks very highly of you (and is very protective of you as well). I am so very happy to know that you have such trustworthy friends watching out for you, I even told her as much. I was actually quite surprised to hear from you so soon. I had thought that you would wait and send a letter with your mother next week, but it appears you are rather resourceful.
Your brother seems to be an honorable young man and I also believe he will serve well as a templar. Most here do not view the mages in such a way, the Knight-Commander being the worst among them and she has many devoted followers. It brings me comfort knowing that there are people like you and your brother in the city. It makes me feel as though there is hope for some changes to come in our future. It is very late and this old man needs some rest, I will write some more before your mother's visit next week.
I apologize for my handwriting being a little shaky tonight, it has been a very trying day. Meredith had the templar's bring in one of my apprentice mages for questioning. He was accused of using blood magic and even though Meredith had no evidence supporting this claim, still she demanded that the unfortunate apprentice undergo his Harrowing immediately or suffer being made Tranquil. I tried to reassure the poor lad, but he was terrified... he should not have had to take his Harrowing so soon. In the end I watched the boy fail the trial and fall to a templar's blade.
The rest of my day was spent listening to Meredith go on about how she knew he was a blood mage and that failing his Harrowing was proof. It did not matter to her that the boy had not yet completed his training. This is the first time she has pulled such a stunt and it worries me that things will only continue to get worse. I must rest, my dear. I will write more tomorrow.
Today was a quiet day, thank the Maker. I was surprised to learn that you are a spirit healer, even more so that your friend is one as well. Spirit healers are somewhat rare - it is a school that very few can comprehend, let alone master. I am even man enough to admit that your healing abilities probably well outshine mine. My strength is in the Elemental arts... fire specifically. As for your statement about receiving my advice, I believe we could probably both learn much from each other. I would be delighted to discuss the various schools of magic with you at any time.
It lightens my heart to know that you did not think my words to you were too brazen. In all of my years I have never been so enraptured by another as I am with you. I can not decide what it is about you that entices me so... I suppose I can only continue to hope that eventually I will be provided the opportunity to discover the true nature of these feelings.
I find that writing to you brings me a bit of peace in the evenings, a way to relax after the annoyances of my day. I do so wish that I could see you again soon, emm'asha. Perhaps soon I will be able to devise a way for us to meet safely. Until then, I look forward to your future letters.
Sincerely Yours,
Orsino
Hawke sighs as the folds the letter and walks the distance from her bed to her keepsake chest. This letter just makes me long to see him even more, she thinks as she places the letter in the chest with the previous one. She exits her room and descends the stairs to find her mother sitting in front of the fire. She takes the seat next to her and tries to think of a way of meeting with Orsino without endangering anyone.
"Did the First Enchanter have anything interesting to say, dear?" Leandra asks with a knowing smile.
"Yes," she replies with a grin before creasing her brow in concern, "he worried me a bit, though, with some news of the Knight-Commander's recent actions against one of the mage apprentices. She accused the boy of using blood magic and forced him to take his Harrowing too soon, and it ended with the boy failing and being slain. Orsino is worried that things are only going to get worse." Hawke sighs again before continuing on, "on a brighter note... he also said that if we can ever find a way to meet regularly, that we could learn a lot from each other. He would like me to help him improve his healing skills and he offered to help me improve in the elemental arts. I think I would enjoy that. I am trying to think of a way for us to meet safely, but so far nothing has occurred to me."
Hawke sighs once more and then raises an eyebrow at the contemplating look on her mother's face, "What is it, Mama?"
"I do not know how you will arrange future meetings, but I may be able to help you get a little time to speak to him."
Leandra smiles at the hopeful and curious look on her daughter's face, "I will send a letter to the First Enchanter with an official invitation to join us for lunch when Carver comes next week. I'll also send one to Carver letting him know that I sent the invitation. They should allow it since he will be accompanied by a templar, even if he is just an initiate, the First Enchanter position is usually trusted more than the other mages in the Circle."
"I would like that very much Mama, but are you sure you're okay with having him here? I know you've had your reservations about the First Enchanter."
"I believe if he intended to turn you in, he would have already done so. I also recognize the look in your eyes whenever he is in your thoughts. It is obvious that you are interested in him and I would like to give you the opportunity to see how much so. I don't particularly encourage you to follow in my footsteps, but I know first hand that it is nearly impossible to deny what your heart wants."
"I'm not sure if that's what this is really. I am curious, yes, perhaps even intrigued, but I have only had the luxury of spending a few moments with him. Plus, he is bound to be nearly twice my age if not more... not that you would know it by looking at him - elves age very well after all", Hawke muses. "Oh who am I kidding... each day I find that he is on my thoughts more and more. He has admitted that he thinks of me often as well, and in this letter he wrote a word that I assume is probably elven. I should to go see Merrill and find out what it means."
Leandra laughs lightly at her daughter's rambling, "I may not fully approve of your attraction, but I must admit I have never seen you like this before. You do so much for everyone else, but you rarely ever do anything for yourself. You deserve to be happy, dear, and if he makes you so, I will support you."
"Thank you, Mama, that really means a lot to me. Growing up as we did I never allowed anyone outside of the family to get close. Over the last year I have made a few friends that I have come to trust and rely on, but Orsino is the only person I have ever had these feelings for... I think I will go visit Merrill and then write another letter to Orsino. Let me know when you receive word of whether he will be able to come or not. I will greatly enjoy seeing them both next week," Hawke said with a grin.
"I will, dear, and please be careful visiting Merrill. She is a very sweet girl, but she is dangerous."
Hawke frowns at her mother, "I'm guessing you have overheard me and Anders speaking about her... she would never hurt anyone intentionally, but I have yet to convince her that the road she is traveling is going to cause someone she cares about to get hurt one day. Anyway, I will be careful. I'll be back in a few hours."
Hawke stands, leans over to kiss her mother's cheek and heads out into the city towards Lowtown.
"Hawke! What a pleasant surprise! Do you need me for something, or did you just come by to visit? I haven't seen you since before you left for the Deep Roads and I wasn't sure if you would come by or if should come see you - but I heard that you moved and I would probably get lost in Hightown trying to find you and... I'm rambling again, sorry."
Hawke chuckles as she replies, "It's okay Merrill, I came by to see how you are doing and I was also wondering if you would perhaps teach me a few words in the elven language."
"Of course, Hawke, I'd love to. Is there anything in particular you would like to learn?"
"Well first, can you tell me what emm'asha means? I'm not even sure if I pronounced it right..."
"You pronounced it perfectly, and it means 'my girl'." Noticing the grin on Hawke's face Merrill asks, "May I ask why you wish to learn the language of my people?"
"I think I am being... courted, by an elven man. That word was written in a letter he sent me and I wanted to know what it meant. I also thought that I might surprise him by learning a few words without having to ask him to translate for me."
"Oh! Is he Dalish?"
"No, but he obviously knows at least some elvish."
"I see. What would you like me to teach you?"
"I suppose, for now, just a few terms of endearment... I'm not sure how serious he is about me, but I realized today that I am interested in seeing where this will lead. I would even go as far as to say that I care for him, but Merrill, I beg of you not to mention this to anyone else. I would prefer to tell people myself when I am ready."
"Of course, Hawke, though I am rather curious as to who this mysterious man is."
"It is no one you know, Merrill. I'll tell you what though, if things progress to anything serious you will be the first I tell."
"Okay Hawke, "Merrill says with a grin, "let's get started."
