Here I am, bringing you the Long awaited chapter of Hope and Destruction. This one honestly focuses more on Kairi and Leliana. I suspect the next couple might possibly follow suit, but again, not too sure. I hope you enjoy it guys. Tell me your thoughts. Also, uh, feel free to send in characters. I'll use anyone I get at some point in the story. So, there it is, hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Age. Wishes are a thing.
"A Wedding? Here?" Josephine asked, Leliana nodded, and smiled at her. Kairi was telling Varric about some of her stories. Ellie was still out of commission, and Sera had taken to watching over her constantly, and letting no one else in the room.
"Yes. Kairi wants to get married, and have the ceremony here. I expect you can help with this?" Leliana asked, Josephine looked through her papers.
"Well, I don't see why not. I have no major events planned. When would it be?" Josephine asked, grabbing her quill.
"Kairi wants to have it within the week." Leliana said, holding a paper of instructions that Kairi and her drafted up. "These are what we want the decorations to be." Leliana said, handing Josephine the list. She looked it over.
"Ice Statues of Dalish Creators... Andraste's Grace bouquets... Leliana those two things are going to be hard to find within the week."
"I knew we should have removed those two. I'll go tell Kairi, she's going to be so disappointed though." Leliana muttered, with a sigh. She hated to see her Kairi upset. Josephine gave her a sad look, Kairi was like a little sister to her.
"Don't do that. I'll... I'll find a way, tell her that we are able to have the ceremony. Just not tomorrow or the next day." Josephine told her, Leliana squealed in delight.
"Thank you Josie! I knew you could do it! Now, I must go tell Kairi the good news." Leliana mused with happiness, before striding out of the room. She saw Kairi and Varric laughing.
"I would expect Merrill to do that. She was always fond of frolicking." Kairi laughed, Varric smiled.
"Seems like it. Its a funny story now, but back then she could have been caught and taken to the Gallows. Luckily I had Aveline warn her guardsmen." Varric said, Kairi nodded.
"Good. I'd probably use Mother's Rosario on you if you didn't." Kairi told him, he hummed.
"What's that?" Varric asked her, she laughed.
"Right, You don't know. Well, I learned it from a Swordswoman named Yuuki. Though she told me that it originates a long time ago. A skill passed from mother to daughter. Yuuki couldn't have kids however, so she passed it on to me. Whenever I adopt kids with Leliana I'll pass it along to my daughter. Or daughters." Kairi told him, he hummed.
"Kairi, how are you?" Leliana asked, placing her hand on Kairi's shoulder.
"I'm okay. Better Now. Hey, when are we going to adopt?" Kairi asked, Leliana hummed.
"Hmm, could be any time after this week."
"Why not this we- Oh, the Wedding! Josie can do it? Yay!" Kairi exclaimed jumping up, and hugging Leliana. She kissed her. Leliana smiled and gently eased her off of her lips.
"She can. Varric, do you think that the Champion will be back anytime soon, with Merrill?" Leliana asked, Varric shrugged.
"Knowing Hawke, she found trouble. I'm sure she'll be fine though." Varric assured them, and Re-assured himself.
-Hope-&-Destruction-
"Fucking demons!" Violet yelled, she was hiding behind a wall, Merrill next to her. They were waiting for their magic to recover. And demons were firing things at them every few seconds.
"That didn't go as planned." Merrill said, looking up at Violet, who grit her teeth.
"No, it didn't. Damnit." Violet muttered, clenching her hands around her staff. She peeked her head out and fired an ice bolt at a demon. It ended up hitting it in the face, and freezing it solid. Merrill fired a stone fist at it, and shattered it.
"We got one." Merrill said brightly, Violet smiled at her.
"Now we just need to kill three more." Violet added on with enthusiasm, it was fake, but Merrill still smiled to see more of her old personality shine.
"Champion!" They heard a cold voice call out above the sounds of battle, the Demons stood idle, as Violet poked her head from behind the wall. She saw man with snow white hair. He was pale, and muscular. Dressed in black plate armor, with a sword in his hand. The metal was black with golden engravings in it. He gazed at her with his blood red irises. Violet could feel the absolute hatred radiate from him.
"Who is that?" Merrill asked, looking up at her lover. Violet clenched her jaw and smiled at the Elf.
"Probably the person behind this. Most likely a demon loving blood mage. Good, I was beginning to get worried. This is familiar territory." Violet told her, Merrill shrugged.
"Come on out. I know you're there. And I don't want to fight." The man called in an exasperated tone, Violet didn't trust him at all, but if this could get Merrill safe she'd at least listen. Violet wrapped arm around Merrill's slim form and walked out from behind the wall, ready to turn and run at a moments notice.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" Violet asked, the man smiled. Though he still looked relatively angry.
"I merely want you to be a messenger. For the time being at least. You see, I am working on something big here. Nothing that concerns you, in fact, I'd rather not see you hurt. So you can leave, if you agree to relay a message." He told her. His voice, though cold, and hostile, held a strange sincerity to it. He was being completely honest.
"What sort of message? A demony one?" Violet asked, He smirked at her.
"No. This involves an Elf. The Elf. You know of the Hero of Ferelden, Kairi Mahariel. This is a message for her." He said, holding out a letter, expecting Violet to take it. She stepped forward and did so. "Now, you may leave. Thank you Champion. And I will explain everything in time, just know that I never wanted to hurt you." He said, before waving her off.
Violet knew she shouldn't just leave him here unchecked, He was obviously up to no good, but he could kill her, or Merrill. And she wouldn't let that happen. So, she made the selfish decision of leaving him. She knew this could be another situation like Corypheus where she failed to stop him, but she didn't care. She would deal with that when it came up. Right now she just had to look out for what mattered most.
"Where is the Hero of Ferleden?" Violet asked the man, who smiled, and looked around before answering her.
"She's at Skyhold. With the Inquisition. Now, off you go." He said, waving her off. She nodded, and tightened her grip on Merrill, turned and got out of there as soon as possible. There were demons watching her. They were all just standing there. Was this man truly controlling all of them? She knew that whatever happened next would not be good, She needed to get to the Inquisition, and fast.
-Hope-&-Destruction-
"So, are you okay?" Sera asked, worry evident in her expression. She was just staring at Ellie with a tired look. They were both stark naked, Sera's doing. She made sure that at any moment she could prove how much she loved Ellie.
"I'm fine. It was just a bump on the head." Ellie stressed to her. She hadn't remembered exactly what happened, but Sera explained some things to her.
"You get hurt a lot. I don't like it, stop it." Sera said, hardening her expression, Ellie smiled at her. She leaned up and kissed the elf.
"I'll try my best. Stop hurting me though." Ellie ordered with a glint of mischief in her eyes. Sera frowned and pouted.
"I said I was sorry." She muttered, Ellie cupped her cheek with a smile. She made Sera look at her.
"I was kidding. I love you." Ellie said, Sera smiled widely at her and kissed her.
"Me too, in fact, let me show you how much..." Sera muttered, getting on top of Ellie.
Meanwhile Leliana was giving Kairi a tour of Skyhold. The Elf looked around excitedly. She and Leliana were walking to the tavern at the moment.
"This place is so amazing Leliana. And I just have to say, it's awesome what you did. Stand up for what you believed in despite the adversity you faced. You're my Hero." Kairi admired her former bard lover. Leliana smiled at her, and threw her arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer.
"You're my Hero Kairi, and it wasn't just me. It was everyone here, we made this possible."
"Would you do anything differently, if you could?" Kairi asked randomly as they entered the Tavern, Leliana thought for a moment.
"I would have left Lothering sooner, and set out to find you on the road before you even arrived, that way I could spend even more time with you. I'd find you again, and fall in love with you all over again." Leliana told her, Kairi blushed a bit. Leliana still did that to her sometimes. Leliana noticed the blush and giggled.
"I should be over all these butterflies, but when you look at me, I feel... So happy." Kairi explained, Leliana smiled.
"Who's this?" The Iron Bull asked as he walked past. Leliana smiled at him. As did Kairi.
"This is Kairi Mahariel. The Hero of Ferelden. Kairi, this is Iron Bull." Leliana explained. Iron Bull nodded.
"Nice to meet you Iron Bull." Kairi said politely, holding out her hand, he took it in his own large one and shook it.
"Its The Iron Bull technically. And I'm not going to lie, when I touched your hand, got a half chub." Leliana hardened her gaze as Kairi blushed, and looked to Leliana, almost like she was scared. For whom was the question.
"She is also My Love." Leliana told him, he raised his eyebrows. Then laughed loudly.
"You're Shitting me! That's awesome, sorry about that Leliana. Thought she was single. Why is it that most redheads are gay? First the Inquisitor, now you and Kairi here. Missing out." Iron Bull told them, Leliana nodded. Kairi let out a breath, she was sure Leliana would have driven a knife into his throat if she hadn't been there. She was feircly protective of her. She almost killed Zevran once because He hit on her.
Kairi was very self conscious, she didn't want anyone besides Leliana to think of her intimately. Leliana knew this and made it her personal mission to ensure that never happened. Mostly because of Kairi's past. Back in Denerim Kairi was taken, and nearly raped by a few men. Luckily Leliana and Kairi's Mabari track them down, and save her before it happened. Leliana swore she would never let anyone hurt her.
"Please don't hit on her again Bull. I would hate for something terrible to happen to you." Leliana told him sweetly, but behind that was a deadly threat. Iron Bull nodded.
"You sure can be scary sometimes. Like when you do that, you sound nice, but I know you'd stab me, if you could. Don't worry, I respect you both enough to not do it again" He said, before looking around. "I gotta go. Training with Krem. See you around Hero." He said with a wave. He walked out of the tavern. Kairi turned to Leliana.
"He's nothing like Sten." She commented, Leliana nodded.
"I agree. Sten was more... Serious about things. But come on, there is more for you to see." Leliana said, leading Kairi around the tavern, introducing her to various people. After that Leliana led her to the tower which Cullen had his office in.
"Ah, Leliana. Josephine tells me that you have resigned as Spymaster." He said when she walked in. She nodded. He thought he had seen the elf before but couldn't place where.
"I have. It is what was best. I am sorry. I am still staying here though. Anyway, this is Kairi Mahariel, you've met before." Leliana gestured to Cullen, who nodded, and shook Kairi's hand.
"I have. You're the Hero of Ferleden. I thought I recognized you. I don't know if I ever said it before, but thank you for saving me from those demons all those years ago." Cullen said, Kairi smiled.
"I'm always happy to help those in need. So, you left the Templars I take it?" Kairi asked, Cullen nodded.
"Yes, that is correct. I was in Kirkwall for a time, then Knight-Commander Meredith went crazy. Next thing I know Cassandra is asking me if I want to join the Inquisition." He told her, she nodded.
"I wish I would have been there to help. Maybe I could have changed things. Saved more people." Kairi said as Varric walked inside, he smirked. Just like Hawke he thought.
"You're not perfect, even though it may seem that way. Hawke blamed herself for everything that happened too, even for what happened to the Inquisitor. I learned that sometimes there's just nothing you can do." Varric told her, Kairi nodded.
"I was perfect to Merrill. She always called me her sister, I could do no wrong in her eyes. I miss her." Kairi muttered, Varric smirked.
"Oh, I'm sure she's fine. I just have this feeling in my gut, you'll see her again." Varric said.
"Isn't Merrill that Elf who the Champion was involved with." Cullen said, Varric nodded.
"Apparently all things are connected." Varric said with a smile. Leliana nodded.
"Oh, I haven't introduced you to Blackwall yet. Come on Kairi." Leliana said, Kairi nodded and followed her, as Varric began trying to convince Cullen to play cards again. He had been trying this for weeks now.
"Who is Blackwall?" Kairi asked, Leliana frowned.
"I would say he is a Warden, but that is a half truth. He took on the identity Of the real Blackwall, who was a Warden. You might like him." Leliana said, Kairi nodded and followed her down the ramparts, down the stairs and to the stables where Blackwall resigned.
"Who is this Leliana? A new recruit? She doesn't look that impressive." Blackwall said, Kairi narrowed her gaze, as did Leliana.
"I wish I had my sword right now. Can I go get it Leli?" Kairi asked, Leliana giggled, and nodded. Kairi squealed, hugged her and ran off to get her sword. Leliana watched her leave with a small smile, before turning to glare at Blackwall.
"Don't be so quick to judge Blackwall, appearances can be deceiving." She told him, he nodded.
"I agree, but she doesn't look like she could even wield a sword efficiently. Too dainty, and fragile looking." He said, Leliana laughed out loud at him.
"Keep talking like that, and I'll hurt you." Leliana threatened him, he raised his eyebrows.
"I apologise if I have offended." He said quickly, Leliana shrugged, and they waited for Kairi to get back.
A few minutes passed before Kairi came bounding back to them, sword on her belt. She smirked at Blackwall.
"Leliana tells me you're a Warden. Come on, let's have a sparring match." Kairi said, Blackwall nodded and grabbed his great sword. They walked out of the stables, and into the clearing. The merchants watched, as did most of Skyhold. While passing Varric Kairi had told him what she was planning, he yelled and told everyone.
"This is surprising. I did not expect so many people..." Blackwall said, Kairi nodded, she placed a hand on her hip with a cocky smile.
"People adore me. Now, let's go. Love you Leliana." Kairi said, kissing Leliana, before the Spymaster walked off to stand by Josephine, and Cassandra. Kairi turned to a surprised Blackwall, and drew her sword. He readied his own weapon.
"If you get killed I won't be responsible, where's your shield?" Blackwall asked, Kairi smiled at him, and swung her sword, getting into a fighting stance.
"Don't worry. You won't even hurt me. And I don't use a shield because it's too cumbersome." She told him, He nodded. Settling in, readying himself for battle. She smirked at him.
Time seemed to slow down for them, everyone watching held their breath. Like they would miss something if they blinked. Kairi inhaled deeply, looking to the sidelines where Leliana and the rest of the Inner Circle stood. In fact the only people not watching was the Inquisitor and Sera.
Kairi looked back to Blackwall and exhaled. She rushed forward, swinging her sword skillfully at his head, he had a few seconds to act before she killed him. He did not expect this, he brought his sword up, just as she nearly stabbed him. Her blade slid along his, sending her past him. He blinked and turned around to see her in a fighting stance once again. She recovered faster than anyone he'd ever seen. Even The Iron Bull was impressed.
"How the fuck did you-" Blackwall is cut off by Kairi charging at him again, he placed his sword up to block. She saw this and placed her weight on her toes, spinning around, and changing the direction of her sword. She brought it up, and knocked his large sword above his head. She jumped up and spun midair, kicking him in the head. He fell on his ass, and she smiled at him. He just stared up at her.
"Who are you?" He asked, having an idea, but He still wasn't sure. Kairi smiled at him triumphantly.
"I'm Kairi Mahariel. Or better known as the Hero of Ferelden, or Former Warden-Commander of Ferelden." Kairi explained, he just stared at her. Iron Bull walked up.
"That was Fucking great! You think I could fight you Hero?" Iron Bull asked, Kairi nodded, and got herself ready. Iron Bull pulled a large axe off of his back as Blackwall scrambled off, just staring at Kairi.
"You're the biggest Qunari I've ever seen." Kairi told him, he smirked.
"That's what they all say." He said, before looking to Leliana, who had a deadly glare. "Sorry." He said, Kairi smirked, and shrugged.
"You will be. But it's no big deal." Kairi said, before running fast, Iron Bull smiled and placed his axe in front of him for defense, Kairi smirked. She jumped up and placed her feet on the flat of the Axe blade, bounding off of it, she flipped over Bull, cutting him in the cheek as she did so. She landed nimbly on her feet, and spun around to see Bull charging at her.
Kairi smiled, and spun around him as he came close enough, feeling the wind rush by her. That would have hurt her, she cut his leg, but he didn't flinch. Kairi backflipped away from him, as he turned to her, a smile evident on his face.
"This is Fucking awesome! Haven't had a good fight in a long time!" He yelled, Krem shook his head.
"I see how it is!" Krem called, Bull laughed loudly.
"Sorry Krem, she's just better than you, killing Archdemons on the reg, right Kairi?" Bull called, Kairi laughed.
"Not quite, actually, you're my best fight as of late. Sorry Blackwall, he's just better than you!" Kairi repeated Iron Bull's words, he laughed loudly.
They ran at each other, Bull preparing to hit her, he jumped in the air, and prepared to cleave her in two, she saw this and rolled forward, under Iron Bull. He landed and his axe drove itself into the ground, he struggled to pull it out as Kairi spun around on her heel, and got close to the ground. She pulled her sword back, and prepared to strike.
Kairi took a deep breath, normally this would kill someone, but Iron Bull had thick skin, he could take it. She lunged forward, at the same time trusting her sword forward and backward over and over, each time hitting Iron Bull in the back. It was fast, so fast that most couldn't see how many times she hit. She knew though, it was fifteen times.
When it was over she looked at him and smiled. He was bleeding from each wound, and Kairi sheathed her sword. Iron Bull stood up and smiled at her.
"Damn, you really are as good as they say. It was an honor fighting you Kairi." Bull said, with a smile. He walked back over to Krem and explained that, that's a true warrior. Leliana smiled proudly, and walked up to her. In a pulse of emotion she pulled Kairi towards her, causing the Elf to spin and fall into Leliana's arms. Once there Leliana smiled down, at her and kissed her. It was clear to everyone that she was the dominating force in the relationship, well everyone except Josephine, who knew who really controlled the relationship.
"I love you." Kairi told her lover fondly, cupping her cheek. Leliana smiled at her, and pulled her up, slipping a hand around her waist. She led them out of the center of the group, who had begun to disperse, as Cullen ordered the soldiers back to work. Josephine and Blackwall stood and waited for the two.
"I can't believe I said all those things about the Hero of Ferelden, I couldn't have been more wrong... I apologise, I hope you forgive my ignorance." He said, with a respectful bow, Leliana smirked at him.
"I can. And I will, I'm always up for a friendly sparring match if you ever want to try again." Kairi told him, he shook his head with a smile and walked away.
"I am going to have to try and quell the rumors that the Hero of Ferelden is submissive to her lover." Josephine told them fondly, they smiled at her. Leliana also blushed, and Kairi smirked.
"Submissive?" Kairi asked, Leliana smiled at her, Kairi just shook her head. "We all know who runs this thing." Kairi said, Leliana nodded.
"I complimented your hair first." She argued, Kairi rolled her eyes.
"After I told you that you could come with me. I think I fell in love the moment I saw you, just didn't realize it until later." Kairi said, Leliana nodded, and kissed her.
"Me too. So, you've seen all of Skyhold now, what are your thoughts?" Leliana asked, Kairi hummed.
"Well I think it's a great fortress, and stronghold. The Inquisition is filled with wonderful people, and I'm glad were staying. We need to go and pick out kids though, I want girls." Kairi demanded, Leliana laughed at her.
"I told you after the Wedding honey." Leliana reminded her, Kairi nodded, then thought for a moment.
"Well, I'm sure Josie will take some time setting up, in the mean time we could go and look at kids, please?" Kairi pleaded, Leliana sighed, as the Elf leaned up and kissed her, making a point of shoving her tongue in her mouth. When she pulled away, Leliana just stood there.
"Damn You Kairi... Fine, we can go. Do you want to leave now?" Leliana asked, Kairi squealed and nodded, throwing her arms around Leliana's neck. Leliana smiled at her, then looked to Josephine.
"I'll get to work straight away. Don't worry, go, have fun." Josephine said, Kairi smiled and kissed Leliana on the cheek.
"We will Josie! Love you!" Kairi yelledbefore bounding off, dragging Leliana with her, Josephine chuckled at the two, and headed back inside the main building of Skyhold.