After Kirkwall

by Hawkewind

Continues the story of female Hawke and Fenris after the end of DA2. Follow on from 'He left me'.

4. Chapter 4

"After Kirkwall" – 4

As soon as Hawke steps on the deck of the ship Merrill and Isabella grab her and put her back in the cabin, despite her protests,

"On come on! There are a lot of people out there I want to see! I don't need to stay hidden now do I? Please! I want some air!" She stands with her hands spread out in supplication,

"Calm down Hawke, you'll get to see them later," Isabella chides, "You need to get yourself ready, as do I."

"You? What do you need to get ready for?" genuinely puzzled at Isabella's tone,

"This is a wedding is it not?"

"So? A good wash and you'll be fine!"

Isabella steps forward, poking her finger into her chest, "And where do you think we are going to get a Revered Mother to do the ceremony? The nearest one is Kirkwall, but oh dear, she can't do it because she's DEAD!" Hawke blinks at her for a moment, thoughts turning in her head before a flickering of insight begins to take shape,

Hawke looks at Isabella incredulously, "You don't mean...? "

"Yes I do. As a ship's Captain, it is one of the perks of the job. In moments of crisis I can perform the dirty deed." She folds her arms thrusting her already ample chest out even more.

Hawke laughs out loud, "Oh Isabella, you are possibly the furthest thing you could get from a Revered Mother and a walking anathema to marriage."

"Hey! I was married once!"

"But you didn't marry him through choice and you hated him!"

Merrill watches the two of them intently as they continue their argument, Hawke struggling to contain her laughter and Isabella becoming more indignant at her response, before she timidly interjects, "You know, there is another way."

Both turn to look at her and Merrill blushes and dips her head, suddenly awkward at being under their scrutiny,

"As the First to the Marathari, I was trained in joining ceremonies..." she pauses, the red in her cheeks rising further, "I know the words and the order things need to be done in."

Hawke and Isabella look at each other and then back at Merrill,

"Did you ever do any?" Isabella asks.

Merrill blinks, "No, but I stood by and assisted Marathari often."

"Could you do it on your own?" asks Hawke.

"I...I think so."

Isabella turns back to Hawke, "It's a good idea, who would know if she got anything wrong?"

Merrill can't hide the look of hurt on her face, "I would know, but I won't get anything wrong!"

Hawke shrugs her shoulders, ignoring Merrill's outrage and continues to face Isabella, her arms folded,"Neither of us is particularly devoted to the Chantry."

"Neither of you are particularly devoted to anything apart from each other!"

"And you are such a good example of how to express devotion!" Hawke declares, the sarcasm clear to hear in her voice.

Isabella puts her hand to her heart, evoking mock hurt, "Oh how could you Hawke? I've stuck with you!"

"That's not quite the same as being prepared to stand in front of friends and family and declare undying love! I've only ever heard you grudgingly admit you like me." Hawke cocks her head to the side, "Not sure I want the rest of the stuff from you though, no offence Isabella."

"None taken and I'm sure Merrill would at least take it more seriously than me. I'm not sure I won't vomit halfway through when I think I will be responsible for trapping you into an institution I never want to see the backside of ever again!" Isabella points out.

"Ew, I don't think the sound of your retching would add the right air of sombreness to the proceedings." Hawke screws up her nose.

"Very true, and another thing, I don't have any clothes which don't show off my rack Hawke, not that I would wear them anyway; at least Merrill would look more like a Revered Mother."

Merrill looks at her in shock, "I look nothing like a Revered Mother! And I wouldn't want to; although I'm sure they are all very nice ladies."

"Great joining ceremony it will be with Fenris and me holding hands over the shelf of your tits! At least yours wouldn't get in the way Merrill. What about Fenris," Hawke frowns, "He might be an elf, but he's never shown any interest in his heritage and, sorry Merrill, he doesn't like that you dabble in blood magic."

Isabella shrugs, "I'll talk to him. Merrill's got to be better than me at doing this." She turns to glare narrow eyed at Merrill," You are doing this, get ready." She scratches at her head as she turns to leave the cabin,"I can't believe I almost got caught in this, I hope you appreciate that I almost did Hawke." As she reaches the door, she turns back, "I'll get the boys to bring in the bath tub, could you do your finger twiddling thing to heat up the water?"

"We both can." Says Merrill clapping her hands, smiling at Hawke.

"Great! Don't undress before they come in. They might get confused and think it's 'alone time'!"

Hawke and Merrill both turn pale as she leaves the cabin.

Isabella makes her way towards Fenris who is standing at the rail watching the Kirkwall fade into the distance,

"Fenris, I need to ask you something." He turns towards Isabella, his face unreadable. She looks at him, suddenly feeling very awkward under his direct gaze. "I could do the officiating as ship's Captain and you can imagine how that would go," Isabella shudders before going on, "Merrill has the skills to ...officiate as a Keeper might. I strongly suggest you accept her offer." Blurting it out quickly.

Fenris frowns, obviously not happy with either choice, and continues to stare at her, unsure of how to respond. Varania moves towards him, laying a hand on his forearm. Hesitating a moment before speaking, "I couldn't help overhearing, but would it help if I told you our mother was Dalish?" Her words are said quietly as she looks up at her brother's face, unsure if she should have interrupted.

"I don't remember that." He states.

"Why would you, she didn't tell me until after we were free... I think she would have liked her son to do this."

"Would she like me to marry a human?"

Varania smiles, "Maybe not, but she never thought you would be free to do this anyway. For you to return to something she had been taken away from would make her very happy indeed."

Fenris looks out over the water, thinking for a moment of this new information, the first thing he has learnt about his mother. Merrill is not what he wants, but to be able to reconnect with a part of his past, to feel he can do something that his mother might think on him well if she were alive, makes him think having the witch do this might be a small price to pay, "Fine then. Do this."

Isabella heaves a sigh of relief, "Thank the sea gods, I swear never to wish their manhood's turn green and fall off...at least for the rest of today." and heads off to arrange the bath tub.

Varania looks up at Fenris, "Shouldn't we talk." Fenris looks back at her, the girl with the same green eyes as his own. He has brought her here because she was his sister, because he felt he should, but he is not sure if he is ready to fully forgive her for betraying him yet. That memory is still raw. He remembers that she helped him out earlier today. Maybe they could talk a little. He looks at his feet,

"Why did you stay in Kirkwall?"

Varania is silent for a few moments before answering, "When you killed Danarius, you killed my dream of becoming a Magister. When you sent me from the tavern I knew I could not return to Tevinter, no one would offer to train me again." The disappointment of having lost this dream she does not hide, "I knew Danarius only offered it because of you, not because I was much good. I had no option but to stay in Kirkwall. I had no coin to travel anywhere, so I went to the Alienage. At least there, I knew I could fit in. It was there that the chance came to work with the tailor came up. I had done it before and Jean Luc was impressed with my sample work. He was a good employer, he paid me well, treated me well, much better than anyone in Tevinter had ever done, so that even when I had enough to leave Kirkwall, I found I was content to stay and work for him."

Fenris nods, revealing nothing of his thoughts on what she has told him, "What about your magic? You should have joined the Circle here and trained with them."

Varania is silent again before answering. She knows if she says the wrong thing, this man could turn on her. Her brother was lost to her for so long, she does not want to risk scaring him away. This day has been a wonder to her, opening up her life to new possibilities she never thought would open for her. Her brother came looking for her, asking her to be here with him, offering her the opportunity to have family again. If she wants to achieve her new hopes she knows she will have to be careful. She has wronged him too much already.
"I thought about it. I wanted to find out more before I made any decision. I have learnt enough about what it means to be free not to want to cast it aside easily, but the thought of going into something where I would learn how to use my magic appealed even if it was like a prison. For a long time I thought it might be no worse that being a slave to Danarius. I would no longer have to work, worry about if I would be able to clothe or feed myself. No longer be responsible for my own life. Working for Jean Luc changed those thoughts. I learnt that I could feed and clothe myself. I learnt what freedom can mean, that it can be something wonderful and precious. In Tevinter I had no idea. I still had not decided when you came today. That is why I have not used any magic since coming to Kirkwall. I did not want the Templars to come and take me before I had made up my own mind."

Fenris nods again. "Why did you say you thought I had got the better end of the bargain?"

"Because I thought you did. After you won the contest, Mother and I were thrown out of Denarius' estate that day. We had no home, no coin, no work, and no food. Denarius put us out with nothing apart from the papers to say we were free elves. To be free in Minrathous is to live a life devoid of the smallest comforts offered the lowliest slave. We slept in the streets for weeks before I managed to get work. Mother started getting unwell before that. I managed to rent a hovel for us to live in, but although Mother was no longer sleeping in dust and muck, her illness had progressed too far that she was unable to get better. I did not earn enough to pay a magister to heal her, so she got worse and then she died. I had too little magic of my own and no idea what to do with it. My employer was not good. I worked long hours for little money and he beat me and raped me often, to deny him would be to lose the job. I could get no other work, so I had to put up with it. By the time Hadriana tracked me down, I was very bitter. I blamed you for all that happened, I would have betrayed you simply for the offer of any other job. Still, the offer of training made it that much easier to agree to. That you sent the coin for me to travel to Kirkwall, told me you did not want for means. That you did not ask about our mother, told me you cared nothing for her. When I saw you in the tavern, I saw someone who had friends who were ready to help him out, you were clean and not starving and I was led to believe you were abusing the gift that Danarius had given you. At the tavern that appeared to be so. You fought and killed the man I thought had given you everything."

Vanaria finishes her tale and Fenris finds he is moved even though his sister has shown no emotion in its telling.

He turns his head to look at her face, "Do you still blame me?"

Varania gives a small smile, "No I do not. Living in Kirkwall gave me a new perspective. In amongst the bad, there are a lot of good people. I came to realise that a young boy had done what he did because he loved his family and thought he was giving them a great gift. It was not his fault he was not aware of the ways of the world and how much suffering that 'gift' would bring."

Fenris hangs his head, "I did not ask about my mother as Hadriana had only mentioned you. You mentioned she was Dalish. What more can you tell me?"

A frown passes over Varania's forehead, what can she say about her mother's lifetime of love in a few sentences. Her grief is still strong despite the many years she has been gone and her brother is telling her he doesn't remember anything of her. How can she give him back a mother he never knew? She reaches into her pocket and pulls out the small box she had brought with her from her home. Holding it in both her hands she looks at it reverently, tears filling her eyes at this where she could show no emotion before. Reluctantly she hands it to him, somehow irrationally afraid that handing it to him will make it disappear. Fenris looks at the box curiously before taking it from his sister's hands, watching her nod at him, unable to say the words to give him the permission he is looking for to open it. Inside are two lengths of braided baby hair, one white, and one auburn. He does not need Varania to tell him what these are. In the life of a slave, there are no possessions they can call their own. His mother had done what little she could to have something of her children with her always. How his mother had managed to keep these two braids hidden from the eyes of her keepers could never be known. He feels along the length of his own white hair, as he knows his mother must have done, thinking of how long it must have taken her to gather the tufts and weave them together.

Varania's voice wavers as she manages to speak at last, "She was clutching them in her hands when she died. It's all I have left of her. While I might have raged at what you did, know that not once did she ever say a word against you. Your mother loved you. What more do you need to know?" He closes the box and hands it back to her.

Fenris breathes heavily and looks out over the water, letting his thoughts of his mother wash over him, "I understand now. You were right; it has been good for us to talk. 'Leto' is long gone; I have only some of his memories. Those I have I think are due to the woman you will see me wed today. I am not the same brother you had long ago, but I am glad you no longer think badly of the one you have now."

Varania takes a deep breath, "I have something to ask you...Fenris. I have heard the tales of the Champion. I also heard the tales of those who were her friends. It was some time before I knew for sure that it was my brother among them. I did not believe most of these tales, but after today, I think more of them may be true. I would like to get to know my brother for myself and not through the tales of others. I would like to come with you wherever you are going, if you will have me."

"Are you aware of what you are asking?" says Fenris, "The plan for now is for us to become pirates! Are you sure you want that? You would be exchanging sewing fancy suits for sewing up nets and wounds and possibly some eye patches."

"Is that your plan?" Varania chuckles, "Well, it will be a very different life for me, I'm not sure how good a pirate I will be, but it does sound exciting. I should be honest with you though," her voice becomes more serious again,"It is not only the chance to get to know you again that I want. I would like to train with your lady. I no longer wish to be a magister, but I want to see what I could become. Her magic is different from any that I have seen, yet she does not use blood or demons. I would like to know more about it."

Fenris runs his fingers through his hair, "I will be honest too Varania, Hawke is the first and only mage I have come to trust. I would like that you could have that from me also. You should discuss this with her, but if she does not agree to this, do not make me choose, you will lose."

"That is fair brother. Now, can I ask you to introduce me to these others I only know from tales?"

Fenris nods and takes her by the arm to meet them.

Gamlen was found hiding behind Edwina, who was clutching a carving knife, when Varric went to check on her after returning to the ship.

"Oh Gamlen, you get more and more pathetic each time I see you man! Edwina, is this man bothering you?"

"He is now Varric, this place is small enough without him taking up space."

"Come on man! Get out of here, there are no more bogey men to get you. This might be a good time to give your box to your niece."

Gamlen stands up and follows Varric out of the galley trying desperately to recover some of his pride. There is some uncomfortable squishing at the narrow stairs when on their way up they meet Orana coming down.

"Master Varric," Orana says." Is this the right way to the kitchen? I met Mistress Merrill who asked if I can make cake and she sent me this way when I said I could."

"Yes Orana, this is the correct way to the 'kitchen'. Edwina is there already, I'm sure she will be happy to help."

As they reach the top Varric spies Merrill.

"Hey Daisy! Is now a good time for Gamlen here to speak to Hawke? He has something I think she's going to be very happy with."

Merrill's face lights up when she sees Varric, "Varric did you see? Orana is here, she is going to make cake! Isn't that amazing? What did you say? Hawke's uncle wants to see her? But he never... Oh Gamlen, I didn't see you there. Now would be a very good time, she's just about to have a good scrubbing. I'm hoping to get one myself, you should get one too. None of us have had a decent wash since yesterday, and we are all getting a little fragrant."

"Thank you for that Daisy, now can Gamlen see Hawke?"

Gamlen calls for Charade and together they make their way down to Isabella's cabin with the box. Charade knocks on the door and walks through when they hear Hawke's voice. The cabin is large with windows looking out onto the open sea. Hawke sits beside a narrow metal tub with a finger dipped in the water, glowing a little as she uses her magic to heat the water.

"That's a really good trick." Says Charade.

"Maybe not one of my most flamboyant, but certainly very useful. Hello uncle, how have you been?"

"Much better since this girl came into my life." The usually grumpy man's voice mellows as he looks at his daughter, Hawke can see he is genuinely fond of her and smiles a small smile as he pats Charade's hand.

"And you Charade? I got your letter, I'm surprised you listened to all those silly stories, I hope you didn't believe any of them?"

Charade blushes,"You mean to tell me they are not true? How disappointing."

Hawke laughs back at her, "Varric puts about these stories for fun, I'm sorry, I should have written back to you before now."

"It would have helped; I got really embarrassed when I met Aveline."

"Oh Maker, I'd forgotten about that one." The two giggle at each other remembering the story.

"Enough you two," says Gamlen showing his more grumpy side again for a moment," We're not here to talk about your shenanigans." The girls exchange a look and Hawke mouths "Shenanigans?" Charade stifles a giggle as Gamlen brings forward the box.

"I was saving this for Charade, but she persuaded me I should bring it to you today. It's one of the few things I have left from the old days when the Amells were part of the nobility in Kirkwall. It's been in this box a long time. I hope you appreciate it."

He hands the box to Hawke. It opens to reveal layers and layers of expensive paper. Hawke puts her hands through the paper and feels the texture of lace and silk, she gasps as she lifts out the most beautiful dress she has ever seen, the sleeves are made of the finest lace and attached to the silk bodice, then flows into a full length skirt, all in cream. Silk ribbons tie the bodice at the rear.

"It was your grandmother's wedding dress." Explains Gamlen. "I'm not sure my mother would be happy to see you wear to marry an elf, she would want you to match up with a rich noble fellow. Have you restore the family name. Still, I suppose it's better than running off with a mage like your mother. I'm not sure she would be too pleased with you either."

Hawke sighs, remembering her mother commenting on her relationship with Fenris, worrying about her daughter, asking if she knew what she was doing, but her mother had never told her to leave him or forget about him. Mother understood. Her uncle would never understand.

"It's beautiful uncle. Thank you." Hawke pauses before going on, thinking of how her mother would have worn this dress had she not ran away with her father. How she wishes her mother could be here to see her wear it.

"I have a present for you too, uncle. I'll be leaving Kirkwall after the wedding. I don't think I'll be back. I want you to have the mansion in Hightown. I won't need it any more. I've asked Varric to sort out the papers. All I ask is that you don't sell it again to pay off your gambling debts."

"Well, thank you." Gamlen blusters,"I will look after it this time, I promise. Come on girl, time to go and let this young lady get ready."

They say their goodbyes and leave Hawke to enjoy her bath.

The ship becomes a flurry of activity. Carver drags Fenris away from his sister to direct him to a small cabin where the new suit has been hung up and there is a wooden bucket, filled with hot water and a bar of soap,

"Isabella says you've to clean up and I've to help you before I can get cleaned up myself. Something about us both being dirty bastards! She also said you should get used to this cabin; this is where you and my sister are bunking. Can't say that's a thought I want to dwell on." Fenris shakes his head and strips off to his underclothes to start splashing water and scrubbing soap over his face and body. Carver hands him a towel to dry off and Fenris catches him staring at him curiously, "It's the tattoos isn't it? You always wondered what they look like underneath the armour."

Carver shakes his head vigorously as he stands against the wall, his arms folded, "No! No it wasn't that, although they are...interesting. No, I was just wondering why you would want to do this with my sister. She's not exactly the type that will stay home and cook and clean for you is she?"

"Is that what you look for in a wife Carver?"

He shrugs his shoulders, "Well yes, that and the sex, that would be nice. But you'll walk in her shadow, just like I did for years. Why would you want that? Besides I thought you hated mages."

Fenris quietly answers while reaching for his suit, "You never walked in her shadow Carver, and you just had trouble seeing the sun for the clouds over your eyes. Something like myself I suppose. I realised I don't hate mages. I just hate what some mages do with the magic they have. Your sister has never asked me to walk in her shadow; she showed me how to get out of my own. Wanting to be with her is something I've wished to do for a long time. That she wants to be with me is the part I still have trouble with. Perhaps you should ask her these questions." He starts tying the laces of his shirt and looks at Carver who is gazing at a spot on the bunk, clearly letting what Fenris has said filter into the deeper parts of his brain where he actually thinks. Fenris leaves him for a while to ponder while he puts on his trousers,

"Isn't this the time you're supposed to tell me that if I ever harm your sister, there is nowhere on Thedas that you won't go to find me and beat the living daylights out of me?"

Carver comes out of his reverie to look at the tall elf in front of him, "Shit no! From what Isabella tells me you did that already. I suspect if you ever do anything like that again my sister is more than capable of kicking the crap out of you herself. Don't get me wrong elf, I love my sister, but I'm a Grey Warden now, I won't be around much to help her if she needs it. I suppose I'm glad that you'll be there for her. You are a good man Fenris. I think my mother and father would be happy she chose you."

Fenris looks at him raising his eyebrow questioningly.

"Hey! My parents eloped and ran around Ferelden for years avoiding Templars with three kids in tow. An escaped elven slave taking my sister off to be a pirate would be small potatoes to them! At least you're marrying her before the babies start coming. You are going to have them aren't you? Being a Grey Warden apparently puts a stop to continuing family lines." Carver states sadly, "On the plus side it means I don't need to worry about girls turning up looking for part of my pitiful pay, but it would be nice to have some nieces and nephews to spend it on."

Fenris coughs, wondering if there are no personal questions this boy will dare to ask, "I'll see what I can do." He finishes putting on his jacket, wondering what assistance Isabella thought Carver was supposed to give him. "Time to change the water, it's your turn now. I'll see what awkward questions I can think of to ask you."

Merrill flits about the deck arranging her flowers, commandeering Aveline and Donnic to help her. She sends out wisps of magic to the flowers, rejuvenating those that are beginning to wilt and by the time she is finished the deck looks more like a garden in the middle of the ocean.

Orana finishes her cake and is then swiftly directed to go and help Hawke finish getting ready.

Orana knocks on the door and enters to find Hawke wrapped in a sheet and looking bemused at the array of bottles, potions, make-up and hair accessories. Orana smiles and directs her to sit down; she will sort it all out. Orana brushes her hair, putting curls in and pinning it,

"Mistress, I have wanted to speak with you for some time now, but it has been difficult as you have been at your home so seldom."

"What is it Orana? " Hawke can feel herself relaxing under Orana's administrations to her hair.

"I was hoping to introduce you to Hamahakis; he is the man that has the similar markings to Master Fenris. He also used to be a slave to Master Danarius, but I knew him before I came to work for you. When Master Danarius died he also ran away, but he came to your house to look for me. He told me my Poppa was not dead."

Hawke turns round to face Orana, "Go on Orana, tell me the whole story."

Orana places the brush on her lap and keeping her head down continues her tale.

"Poppa and me had been sent to Mistress Hadriana, just before we came here, so I did not know what she did with the slaves sent to her. Hamahakis told me that Master Danarius had been very clear that she was not to kill them for the blood. Hamahakis says that Master Danarius was not willing to pay for extra slaves for Mistress Hadriana, so she was to be careful with the ones she had. She had been taught how to take as much blood as she could but they did not die. They were sent to a resting place where they could recover until they could be used again. Hamahakis said it was an easy mistake to think my Poppa had died, but that Poppa had been sent back to Master Danarius. I was happy to hear that my Poppa was not dead, but sad that I could not be with him. Hamahakis said that Master Lucarius would be Poppa's master now. I wanted to ask you if you could buy Poppa from him and bring Poppa to Kirkwall to work for you too."

Hawke takes hold of Orana's hands, "How did Hamahakis know to find you?"

"He said one of the slaves used for the blood saw you and Master Fenris when you came to the caves. He heard what you did for me and told Hamahakis when he got back. Hamahakis was a special slave to Master Danarius. Master Danarius had told him he could be bonded to any slave he chose. Hamahakis said he was going to choose me," Hawke notices the pink flush that rises in Orana's cheeks, before she sighs and continues the tale, "But then I was sent to Mistress Hadriana before he told Master Danarius. I hope you don't mind Mistress, I said Hamahakis could stay in your cellar until I could talk to you. Master Bhodan did not know until yesterday that he was there. When the big explosion happened, Hamahakis said he did not want to hide anymore and he would make sure me and Master Bhodan and Master Sandal would be all right. The lady who came with Master Fenris today said she knew Hamahakis too."

Hawke lowered her head; she was beginning to have quite a collection of Danarius' ex-slaves at her wedding. Her head came back up,

"Orana, I will not be going back to Kirkwall, but I will speak with Isabella. If you would like, you could come with us. I promise we will try to find your Poppa."

"Oh mistress! That would be wonderful!"

Aveline came through the door and stated with some disgust in her voice, "Isabella gave me an order, me Hawke! Can you believe her? I didn't know she could be this bossy! This is another reason why I don't think you should go with her. I'm to tell you we are nearing the Wounded Coast again and you had better be ready by then!"

Hawke turns to Orana, "I suppose we better get a move on then!"

It is early evening when they reach the Wounded Coast. The crew roll up the sails and put down the anchor. The ship still, but for a gentle rocking.

Merrill stands in front of the ship's wheel, her eyes closed, and quietly muttering words in elven. Hawke and Fenris walk up the stairs on either side, Carver at the back of Fenris and Orana at Hawke's back. As each reaches the top of the stairs they see all of their friends, smiles on their faces, ready to see these two joined together at last. Even Anders smiles, a resigned look on his face, but willing to be a part of witnessing the joining and wishing them well.

It is only as they turn to come and stand in front of Merrill that they catch sight of each other.

Fenris catches his breath, he had always been captivated by her, but he has never seen her look as radiant as she does today. He can barely believe she is in front of him now, ready to join with him. He had thought to push her away, feeling himself unworthy of her, but she just kept coming back, patient with him, giving him the time to come to terms with his freedom. She has such unwavering faith in him, a part of him still feels unworthy, but he can never leave her again. That she wants to be with him is a wish he thought would never be granted, yet here she is, smiling back at him, letting him know with her eyes, there is nowhere else she wants to be.

When Hawke catches sight of him all the others disappear, he looks so different out of his armour. She could never call him just handsome, to her he was beautiful. The fascination she had for him right at the start had only increased over time. She loved this beautiful man with all her heart, for a long time she had thought her love was too much for him, that he would never look for her to be anything more than a friend. She had been ready to accept that if it was all he had to give, but when his heart unlocked and the door had opened, he had given her everything she had dreamed of. No doubts now that he would ever leave her.

He catches her hands and as Merrill begins, they look into each other's eyes and are lost. They hear little of what Merrill is saying. As they look at each other, they make their own promises.

I will love you always

You are mine

I am yours

Here is my heart

Here is home

Here is where I stay

Merrill coughs and nods her head at Fenris. It is moment before he understands what she wants him to do. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the box with the rings. He looks for a moment at Sandal who smiles and nods back at him, and then he takes the rings out of the box. He hands one to Hawke and then together they put them on each other's fingers. As the rings slip on their hands come together and for a moment Hawke would always swear that they became one ring. She feels a tingle in her hand and sees the small white glow of magic before it fades and their hands part.

Merrill says a few words in elven then coughs again and gives Fenris a hard stare while jerking her head to the side. He gets it quickly this time and pulls Hawke's head into his own and they kiss.

Loud cheers and clapping come from the audience and the celebrations begin as the sun sets over the sea.

Tables are brought up from below deck and Edwina directs everyone in helping to bring the food she has prepared up from the galley. Lanterns gently sway with the ship's motion and light up the scene as Hawke looks round at all her friends. She feels a moment of sadness when she thinks of the people who are not here today. Bethany would have enjoyed this so much, she still misses her sister mage. Sebastian, who she knows Fenris will miss also, she doubts he will ever forgive her for sparing Anders. And Mother, how she wishes her mother could be here, she would be so happy seeing her daughter married at last, but if Mother was here she would not be leaving Kirkwall. Hawke smiles for a moment as she thinks of how much Mother would also be shocked and berate her roundly for even thinking of running away with Isabella to become a pirate. No worse than running off to marry an apostate mage though. Her eyes catch Carver and she knows he is thinking of Mother too. He raises his glass to her in silent salute.

Once everyone has had their fill, the tables are cleared to Merrill's cries, "Don't take away the cake!" Orana pulls out her lute and begins to play.

Fenris takes Hawke's hand, "Come, speak with my sister, she has something she wants to ask you."

"What? No dancing?" She asks him, deliberately teasing him. He leans in to whisper in her ear,

"Only for you and when we are alone."

Varania is talking with Merrill as they near her, Merrill explaining Dalish customs to her between mouthfuls of cake.

"Fenris, you are such a fraud," Merrill states, "You give me such a hard time for wanting to find out more about our history and here your sister tells me your mother was Dalish!"

Fenris scowls back at her,"I didn't know, besides, you should be more careful about what you do with what you find out!"

"Your brother is so...prickly!" Merrill observes to Varania, "But you can see I was right about his 'puppy eyes'! I'll talk with you later if you want to know more." And skips off to find more cake.

Varania turns to Fenris laughing, "You are too harsh with her brother, she is delightful!" Fenris frowns, but decides not to argue over how 'delightful' Merrill is.

"It's good to meet you properly at last Hawke. Things were very different the last time. " Varania drops her eyes as she speaks, becoming serious as she faces the woman who stopped her brother from ending her life.

"And you," Hawke replies, "But troublesome brothers I doubt are the only thing we have in common. We should talk of that later when neither of them is about." Hawke glances at Fenris as he coughs, warning her not to take this teasing too far. She turns back to Varania, "Fenris tells me you want to ask me something."

"Yes." Varania bows her head, "I have seen a little of your magic, it is strange and different from what I have seen anywhere else. I have had no training, Danarius told me he would teach me nothing until my brother was returned to him, but I have seen much of what the Magisters do. Theirs is a powerful and dangerous magic, little of which they use to help anyone but themselves. The Circle mages in Kirkwall I have spoken with talk of their magic only in terms of bitterness and resentment as do the apostate mages I spoke to who managed to get to Minrathous. You are none of those things. I have been afraid to use my own talent, afraid my own bitterness would lead me down paths I could never return from. People in Kirkwall talked of a mage who helped them, helped them so much they made her their Champion. Today I saw why they did that. I would wish to learn from you."

Hawke looks at Fenris, who just looks at her and shrugs, leaving her to make the decision, letting her know that although this is his sister, he claims no obligation for her to grant her request. "I was never trained as the mages in the Circle were trained Varania. My father is the only one who taught me what he knew. I'm not sure how good a teacher I would be."

"You taught me to read. Your teaching skills are good." Fenris reminds her.

"That was different," Hawke laughs, "It wasn't just teaching that I had in mind with you!" Fenris flushes at Hawke's not so subtle innuendo thinking that she has more in common with her brother than he thought. Turning to Varania, her laugh disappears as she looks curiously at her. "You saw what happened with Sandal today?" Varania nods, "That was something different for me too. I would like to explore that more. You might not have trained with the Magisters, but you have watched them and your knowledge could be valuable. I would like to learn more of them. What would you say that instead of me teaching you, we study together and see what we both could learn?"

Varania finds she is unable to talk. In a few words this woman has treated her with more dignity and respect than she has received in her whole life. She knows herself as an ex-slave and an elf and this woman has swept those prejudices aside and asked her to be her equal. Varania feels tears racing to her eyes, tears she has not cried in a long time. She looks at her brother, understanding fully now why he loves this woman so much. The last traces of any bitterness she might feel towards him evaporate.

"I would like that very much."

"You do know that we're about to learn how to be pirates as well?" Hawke asks, instantly defusing the emotional situation.

"Yes Hawke, my brother has warned me." Varania manages to say, struggling to believe that her hopes have been surpassed with a few words and feeling overwhelmed by it.

They talk for a while longer before Hawke excuses them to go and speak with Hamahakis. Hamahakis sits with Orana, a protective arm at her back listening to her play. Hawke finds herself intrigued by this man who has followed a path similar to Fenris, but has come through it so differently. While she has promised to help Orana find her Poppa, she has not promised to help this man. His skills when helping out this afternoon were impressive, but she does not know him at all and is unsure if she wants him to come with them. He stands up and gives a small bow as they approach and Orana stops playing to introduce them.

"Mistress Hawke. Master Fenris. This is Hamahakis." Fenris winces at the use of the honorific.

"Hamahakis, Orana has told me a little about you. I would hear more about the man who has been hiding in my cellars for the last few months." Hawke looks at him as he stands to attention like one of Aveline's guards. He is small for a human, and although thin, she can see his muscles are well toned under the light leather armour he wears. The armour is made of the same spirit hide that Fenris wears, where do they get that stuff? Standing closer to him she can see the webbing of tattoos, they are like spider silk running all over his body even under the short black hair of his scalp. She feels herself becoming more and more disgusted with Danarius, how could he have done this to people? How many more 'experiments' has he carried out?

Hamahakis blanches as he stands in front of Hawke, "I...I did not mean to hide, Orana said you were a good mistress and did not think you would punish her for it. She said she had trouble getting your attention to tell you about me."

Fenris growls at him, "You could have hid somewhere else." Angry at the thought that someone had managed to hide in the mansion cellars of Hawke's estate for so long without anyone noticing, without him noticing.

"Don't give him too hard a time Fenris," Hawke says, "He wouldn't have had to hide for so long, if I had gone home more. I spent any free time at your dusty mansion. The only times I went back were to have Sandal enchant stuff and get a proper bath. I barely even checked to make sure Orana was all right, she didn't get the chance to tell me about Hamahakis. Besides, can't you see he likes her? You must have some empathy for his situation. He kept Orana safe when I wasn't about to do it. Orana was right; you know I have a thing for helping out runaway slaves." She gives Fenris a sideways glance and he lets out a groan his hand rising to rub his forehead. Hawke turns back to Hamahakis,

"Did you have to compete, like Fenris, to get your tattoos?"

"No mistress, I was caught by Danarius after breaking into his estate in Antiva City. I thought he was going to kill me, but he claimed me as his slave and took me to Tevinter and did this."

"You broke into his estate?" Hawke ask incredulously.

"My friends dared me. We did not know a magister was staying in the place. I was an orphan and I ran with a gang of other orphan kids. We would steal to eat. I was best at it. We thought the estate was empty at the time, I never saw any of them again."

Fenris looks at Hamahakis with suspicion, "How did you get away when I killed Danarius at the tavern? "

"When I saw how it was going, I cloaked myself and left. I had been waiting for a chance to run away since he caught me. That was the best one that had come up. I saw you and your friends fight the Master. I've seen enough fights to know how that was going to go."

"You didn't lose your memories after he experimented on you"

Hamahakis gave a small grin, "No, but Danarius thought I had. He took great pleasure in telling me beforehand that I would forget everything. I just didn't let him know. I'd been a street orphan, I know how to survive."

"What did you plan to do once Orana had spoken with me?" Hawke asks finding herself warming to the small man.

Hamahakis' scrunches his face up, "I was going to ask if I could work for you too, just until I earned enough to pay you back for her Poppa. After that? No plans. I find it hard to think about plans after being with Danarius so long. I just planned to escape and find Orana. I've done that now. Orana says you'll take us both to find her Poppa. Can I plan to do that?"

Orana speaks up after having spent the entire interaction just watching the exchange,"Please Mistress Hawke, let him come."

Hawke looks at Fenris, "What do you think? He was good earlier today."

Fenris rolls his eyes and raises his hands in submission, "Fine, fine! Just...just stop calling me Master!"

Orana reaches to take hold of Hamahakis' hand.

Hawke looks at the two of them for a moment; she can see Orana smiling which she has never seen her do before. The sadness which always seemed to surround Orana like a thin cloak has gone.

"We'll have to speak to Isabella first."

"Thank you." They both say in unison.

However, before they can speak with Isabella, Hawke spots Bhodan and Sandal,

"Oh, I am going to miss you two so much. Thank you so much for today Sandal." She bends down and hugs him; Sandal just smiles and hugs her back.

"We will miss you too, Messere Hawke," says Bhodan, "I'm glad we got to see you before you left, and we will be leaving also."

"Are you still going to Orlais?"

"We think so, Messere. Messere? We brought your storage chest; I thought you might require it."

"Bhodan, you think of everything, Thank you. If you ever need my help, just let me know. You know how to get me Sandal, don't you?"

"Yes Hawke Lady." Sandal stares at her, adoration written all over his face.

"Before you go messere..." Bhodan reaches into his jerkin and pulls out a book, "I did not think you would want this left lying about for anyone to find."

Hawke gives a cry as she recognises her journal, "Bhodan, what am I going to do without you? Thank you so much."

"It has been an honour messere. My thoughts will be with you wherever you go."

Hawke passes her hand over the cover of the book. She remembers her father giving it to her long ago, telling her that writing would help her reflect on all her experiences, help her make sense of them to help her make the right decisions. He had said it would be her best friend, listen when no one else would and always understand without saying a word. It was almost full. Almost at the end. The last few days would have filled the last pages if she had been able to write in it.

They move towards Isabella who is issuing orders to the four crew men, "Once you've finished, open up the big barrel, help yourselves boys." She tells them.

Hawke quickly explains the story of Orana and Hamahakis, Fenris explains about Varania. Isabella listens intently.

"I didn't think you would want to go anywhere near Minrathous Fenris, but it's a good place to trade. It wouldn't be a problem to head there. Might be fun to explore a Magister's estate. Orana and Hamahakis look as if they are used to hard work. Orana would be good for ship's cook; I know her cooking is better than anything the rest of us could come up with. Hamahakis will be fine, enough muscle on that boy and I need more crew to get this beauty going. Are you sure your sister is up for this Fenris?"

"She's tougher than she looks Isabella. She and Hawke are going to work together on some magic tricks, which may be more useful than any amount of muscle."

"True. All right, they'll be welcome, but you have another one to think about. Your cousin cornered me with a multitude of questions before stating she wanted to come as well. I won't deny it Hawke, I could use her, she's pretty good with those blades of hers, although she says she's even better with a bow, and she's nimble enough to get up top, but I told her I'd run it past you first."

"Charade wants to come? Oh Maker! Gamlen will hate this... but if she wants to do this and you could use her, why not? You're the Captain, it's your ship, and you don't need to run these decisions by me first."

"Fine, I'll tell her. OK you two, time for you to go. Argo will take you ashore, there's a small cove the boys have got ready for you. Enjoy tonight and we'll pick you up in the morning when we drop everyone else off."

"Wait. There's something I have to do first." Hawke states before walking from them both to go to stand with Varric as he leans over the rail watching the water as it laps against the ship.

"Ah Hawke. He says, turning towards her, "I knew you wouldn't last with him that long, the pull of your irresistible dwarf calls you back to me. Don't worry, I will love you forever and provide you with dwarfy babies to look after and fill your time while I'm out in the world telling tales of my good lady back home."

"Dwarfy babies?"

"Sure Hawke, they'll have your looks and my brains...perfect." he grins up at her, "It's the chest hair, isn't it?"

Hawke shakes her head and laughs, "If it was the chest hair I would never have married an elf! Besides, I thought all dwarfy babies were born with beards, which would tickle too much."

"Hawke, would you stop putting these terrible images in my head, they ruin the tale!"

"Keep your tales Varric, make them as fanciful as you wish," She hands him her journal, "I thought about selling my memoires once, but you tell far better stories than me. Take this, no matter how crazy and fanciful they get, you will have my version of the truth. The ending isn't written, but you were there, you know how this tale ends."

"Are you sure about this? Isn't it just full of endless prose of your lust for the broody one?"

"There might be a little, but you can skip to the good parts. My story was always in your hands, this is fitting. Maybe I'll write to you about future instalments."

"I'd like that my friend." Varric looks over where Isabella and Fenris wait for her, "Looks like you better go. Have fun not getting tickled."

Argo rows them in the skiff and heads back as soon as he drops them off. The cove is secluded, enclosed on three sides by rock wall. No one will disturb them here. A fire is lit already and there is a large rug spread on the sand, blankets rolled up at the side. A wooden bucket sits with wine bottles in and the basket beside it has a note, 'for the morning' pinned on it.

They stand on the rug facing each other, Fenris brings his hand to the back of her neck, his fingers stroking the soft skin he finds there and pulls her face gently towards him to kiss her, long and slow, the fingers of his other hand tracing the contours of her face. Tongues explore tasting each other. Fenris' reaches round to start untying the bows at the back of the bodice of her dress as Hawke unties the laces on his trousers. She pulls out his shirt tails and runs her hands slowly up his body underneath the linen. She can feel the slight rises in his skin where his tattoos run and the hardness of his muscles as her hands move up his back. He can't help the small moan of pleasure that escapes him. He moves his hand to her shoulder and moves his fingers under the lace as he starts to remove the sleeves. Her skin is soft and smooth; he moves his lips to her neck and kisses from her ears down to her shoulder before nuzzling at her neck. She smells of summer flowers, fresh and sweet. Her hands move up to his shoulders and lifts his shirt over his head to take it off. Her lips move to his chest her tongue chasing the patterns of his tattoos. He loosens the silk ribbons at her back, the bodice loosens and the dress slips off falling on the rug...

Fenris lifts his head and smiles at her; kissing her once again before he lifts himself up and goes to unfold one of the blankets. Hawke sits up and he returns to seat himself at her back pulling the blanket round them both as they sit by the fire.

He nuzzles into her neck and she tilts her head back into his shoulder. They gaze at the flames in silence, each content that the other is there.

"Please tell me about the rings," Hawke holds out her hand to look at the ring on her finger, "I felt magic when we put them on. It reminded me of the feel of Sandal's magic this afternoon."

"Do you remember when we killed the dragon at the Bone Pit?"

"Maker, Yes! Tough old bugger that one!"

"Anders said he remembered the Hero of Ferelden talking about how she had armour made out of dragon scale for King Alistair. I took some scales from the dragon before we left. I wondered... if they could be used to make armour, could they be used to make something else? "

"Rings?"

"I had been thinking about rings for a while. The smith was amused at the idea, but he made them anyway. No one else has rings made from dragon scale. I wanted them to be something special. I had intended to see if Sandal could enchant them, but when I asked him today, he did something quite different. He called it 'not enchantment'; Varania said he was doing magic. He told me, "Once on, never take off. Bring good life, good health, good little ones." I can guess what that means, but it felt right. Like you, I felt something when we put them on."

Hawke places her ring hand on top of his ring hand bringing the rings together again. There is no glow as there was when they first put them on but as they come together, they can feel a slight resonance. Hawke reaches out with her new found magic sense and explores the weft and weave of the magic she can feel surrounding them.

"Fenris, these rings are very special," she says quietly once she open her eyes again, "Sandal has woven magic into them that is very complex, it is difficult to know what they do. How has a dwarf managed to do this? I don't sense anything bad, I don't think Sandal would intentionally weave magic into these that was, but they feel...perfect." Hawke stops for a moment and tries to take the ring off her finger and finds it won't budge, not even sliding up her finger a little, "You try." She directs Fenris who struggles also, but the ring won't come off. "Well that answers that. That 'never take off' he mentioned wasn't a warning." She looks at the rings her eyes narrowing, she knows there is more, but how can she test it? She catches sight of the small knife lying on top of the breakfast basket and reaches out for it. As she moves the blade to her finger, Fenris stops her, "What are you doing?"

"Testing the ring, watch." Fenris winces as he watches her cut her finger and the for a brief moment blood drips before stopping and they both watch as the skin knits together again and after a few seconds the wound is closed, not even the trace of a scar is left behind. "The ring did that. I haven't used any of my own healing skills for that one. Do you want to test it?" she says offering him the knife.

"No thank you, I'll just trust that the same thing would happen with my skin."

"Coward!" she teases,

"Reminds me too much of blood magic, cutting yourself deliberately."

"Well, at least now we know that they heal us. I would guess that becoming ill is not something we'll experience much of now. There is more, but I have no way to find out. I suppose we'll find out when we need to. You once asked what magic has touched that it doesn't spoil. I think you might have found it."

Fenris tightens his arms around her, "I think I've put it on the only other thing I've found."