Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon age 2 this belongs to Bioware. This is only a Fan Fiction.
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Chapter 4: A past rises.

Zola stirred as the morning sun encroached in her room. The fire had died down and her room felt cold, she could hear the faint sounds of people shouting and carts rolling by her window. She moved her head slowly as she began to wake. She began to realise that her pillow felt hard yet warm and a faint smell of wine covered the fabric. But as she moved her head back something poked the back of her neck, it felt hard and warm but this wasn't her pillow.

"Hawke…don't move so much" Fenris's voice sounded in her ears as Zola's eyes snapped open and sit up making the covers fly off her.

"Fenris!" Zola looked at him fully clothed on her bed but then looked down at herself seeing her naked form. Zola blushed bright red as she jumped off the bed and ran into her bathroom leaving Fenris bewildered on her bed. Zola slammed the door and hugged her sides.

"What in the Maker's name did I do last night?" Zola tried to remember what happened but her memories were hazy and she couldn't focus, all she could remember was seeing Fenris's muscled arms and legs that her head was resting on. But when she remembered that she was on his legs a look of dread as she remembered him speaking Tervinter to her and then she ordered him to stay. Zola shook her head and bit her lip.

"Now he's really going to hate me" Zola thought as she looked round for her bathrobe. She opened the door as she tied the robe round her tightly and seeing that Fenris was standing by the burnt out fire she flung herself to the ground bowing lower than she needed to.

"Fenris I'm sorry" Zola cried as Fenris looked at her shocked and bewildered.

"I didn't mean to order you about…I'm sorry…I'll understand if you want to tear out my heart now" Zola prepared herself to have his hand stuffed through her chest. She sat up only to see Fenris shocked.

"Hawke…why do you think I would do that?" Fenris didn't know whether to be angry with Zola or kiss her for understanding.

"Because I…ordered you last night…granted I can't remember much of last night but I know I ordered you about…" Zola quietened herself when Fenris pushed a finger to her lips kneeling down in front of her. Zola looked into his eyes and started to relax, she realised that she had been a fool and that she didn't need to jump to weird conclusions.

Fenris stared into her eyes, her golden eyes that held so much fear and kindness at the same time. He moved his finger from her pink lips and ran his fingers through her burnt brown hair. She looked like a normal woman to him; all thoughts of her being a mage were slowly disappearing. Silence held between them as they sat on the floor staring at each other as Fenris ran his fingers through her hair. Zola wanted to touch him but she knew that his markings caused him pain, but her hand had a mind of its own as she slowly started to trace the lyrium markings on his chin and neck. She thought they were so beautiful how they glowed against his skin, how they highlighted every perfection in his body. A hiss drew her back as she saw Fenris closing his eyes and gripping his teeth.

"I'm sorry" she began to draw back her hand until Fenris gripped her fingers.

"Will you stop saying sorry" Fenris looked at her as Zola looked at him; she felt her heart pound against her chest as her ears tinged pink. Fenris looked at her lips, they were parted and begging for his, his heart pounding as the lyrium markings pulsed. They began to lean into each other; Zola felt his breath on her lips as he felt hers on his lips. They were inches apart as they closed their eyes a knock sounded at the door with a click of the lock opening. They quickly snapped back from each other with Zola blushing and Fenris looking like he had just been beaten.

"Zola…Are you alright" Bodahn spoke from the other side of the door as Fenris quietly cursed in Tervinter and snuck behind the door so that Bodahn wouldn't notice him. Zola stood and looked into the fire place hiding her face with her hair.

"Y…Yes Bodahn I'm fine" Zola managed to answer.

"Do you want your breakfast in your room again, or are you not hungry" Bodahn asked. Zola was hungry for something but it wasn't food.

"I'm fine Bodahn…I'll be down shortly" Zola gave him a smile as she turned to him. Bodahn smiled and gently closed the door reliving a rather squashed Fenris. Zola giggled at his look as Fenris smirked.

"That was close" Zola spoke as she walked closer making sure that he was alright.

"I suppose I'd better go or else Bodahn will worry" Fenris placed his hand on Zola's cheek as she looked into his eyes.

"Part of me doesn't want you to leave but I do understand your reason" Zola smiled and touched his arm. Fenris nodded and walked towards her window.

"Hawke…maybe next time." Fenris smiled as he saw Zola blushing again.

"If I give you a next time" Zola pouted as she watched him climb out of her window and out of sight.

_)_)_

Zola was back to her old self, she found the others waiting in the Hanged man and was greeted with praise and cheers. Avaline constantly apologised to her about her mother and how she should have caught the killer sooner. Zola only smiled and said that it was alright, Isabella treated them to a round of drinks (that Zola would have to pay for). Merrill had sat next to Zola and was constantly hugging her arm not willing to let her go until she told Zola was she needed. Anders, with a fresh bruise across his jaw line smiled at Zola and talked to her about how he was sorry that he could save her mother. Zola said that none of them were to blame and that she forgave them all.

Varric told her want had been happening while she was locked away and Zola decided to take care of the Qunari poison problem first, Merrill seemed displeased by the idea of her issue about her mirror begin put last but Zola promised her that she would be quick. Zola didn't mind the Arishok and thought that most of the ideas were compelling but something seemed to be on edge and something like the poison needed to be looked at.

Fenris just watched her from the corner, clearly not happy about how Merrill was clinging to her like a lost puppy but Zola gave him an awkward smile trying to conceal it from Isabella and Varric who were also trying to get information about what happened from last night.

"Was there any sweeping involved?" Varric asked leaning over the table.

"What?" Zola questioned.

"Did he sweep you off your feet or did you sweep him off his?" Varric grinned but Zola only reminded blank faced.

"I have no idea what you talking about" Zola commented as she sipped her ale, Zola had no idea what Varric and Isabella were saying most of the time since she was a virgin and didn't get why it was so good to talk about. Zola head hurt when she tried to decipher what innuendo they talked about but later decided to ignore them.

_)_)_

Dealing with the Qunari issue went smoothly and quicker than Zola had thought. After taking a quick, ice cold, bath to get rid of any traces of the poison. Zola headed to the Keep to report on the issue at hand. Bumping into Merrill along the way she decided that she would go to the Dalish to get what Merrill needed straight after the Viscount.

The meeting went smoothly and the Viscount had promised Zola to keep her updated on any Qunari affairs. Zola arranged for Merrill to pick up Anders and Fenris to take to the Dalish and they were soon on their way.

The path heading for Sundermount was bright and airy. The birds flew over head and the trees rocked in the wind. The smell of the wet woodland invaded the area and the only sound that disturbed the animals was the arguing between Anders and Fenris about the Plight of mages.

"But mages are not the problem"

"They need to be controlled"

"Not by being turned Tranquil"

"You say this to Hawke…she knows what it's like to have someone torn away from her with magic"

"Boys…Enough" Zola swung her staff between Fenris and Anders before they had round two of their fight at the mansion. Zola held a faint smile at the both of them while she suppressed a chuckle at the argument. Merrill was always darting her wide eyes between Zola and Fenris and silently chuckled when she looked at the male elf.

"What are you giggling about?"

"Nothing"

"Then why are you laughing?"

"You're in love"

"I am not"

"Yes you are"

"I am not"

"Whenever Hawke isn't looking at you, you look at her with puppy eyes"

"I assure you there are no puppy eyes" Fenris growled at the young mage as Merrill giggled more and looked at Zola who was blushing like a love struck puppy. Merrill couldn't help but smile at the Zola who hid her face more. Zola felt the knot in her stomach when they talked and wished she could just drag Fenris off into the woods and not come out for a very long time.

But suddenly the area grew to quiet and Zola's magic sense kicked in. From a young age Zola could tell when magic was near her, her father said she was more sensitive to the fade and could feel the pulse of magic within others. Zola stopped and told the others to stay back, her eyes darted round the area as on the cliff above her men appeared.

"Hunters" she her Fenris say behind her as her grip on her staff tightened.

"Stop right there. You are in possession of stolen property" one of the men said as Zola grits her teeth and glared at the man.

"Back away from the slave now and you'll be spared" The man pointed to Fenris and Zola felt her anger bubbling over. Fenris touched her hand and looked at her, his eyes calmed her as she nodded and breathed out.

"Fenris is a free man" Zola shouted back. Fenris smiled but the slavers looked disgusted.

"Back away from the slave!" The slavers shouted again as Zola's hand grew cold.

"I am not your slave" Fenris's lyrium vein pumped and glowed as he went to take the first swing, only to be beaten by Zola summoning her ice storm. More slavers came but Zola pushed them back using her Force mage power.

"No one is going to take Fenris from me" Zola growled as the others sprang into action blasting and cutting down the others that came from behind. Zola froze and blew up most of the slavers that came near; she felt her power coursing through her body and was surprised she didn't need any lyrium to help her.

The fight was quickly done as Zola flicked her staff on to her back. Fenris searched round as Zola pointed to one of the slavers that they didn't kill. Fenris rushed over and pulled on the man's hair.

"Where is he?"

"Please don't kill me"

"Tell me!"

"I don't know! I don't know I swear" Fenris was growing impatient as he heard Zola walk up behind him.

"Hadriana, she brought us here, she's at the holding caves north of the city…I can show you the way" The man made a last bid for his life and Zola could see the fear in the man's eyes but she didn't care.

"No need I know which ones you speak of"

"Then let me go…I beg you…" The man looked at Fenris and Zola, his eyes pleaded to her to make him stop.

"You chose the wrong master" with that Fenris broke the man's neck as his head fell with a thud. Zola looked back at Anders and Merrill.

"Both of you head back to Kirkwall, I don't want this to get messy" Zola spoke quietly, Merrill started to protest but Anders dragged her away.

"Will you know what your doing" Anders asked as his eyes held more than just concern.

"I'll be fine Anders…I just think this might need a bit of…well less noise." Zola didn't know how to put it but Anders smiled and gripped her shoulder.

"Be safe" Zola nodded as she watched Merrill and Anders disappear.

"Hadriana…I was fool to think I was free, they'll never let me be" Fenris spoke with anger and Zola turned to look at him. She cupped his face and pressed her forehead against his.

"Calm down Fenris…we'll get her" Zola knew that somehow this Hadriana had something to do with his old master but decided not to press the issue further. His touch made her eyes flicker open as she looked into his eyes.

"Let's go and find these caves" Zola smiled as she looked at him.

"He said they would be at the old holding caves to the north…we could make it before nightfall" Fenris walked on ahead.

"When why are we walking…come on" Zola gripped his hand and started to run, Fenris didn't understand her at times but he slightly understood why Zola sent Merrill and Anders away, she wanted to be alone with him. Zola ran still holding Fenris's hand as they headed towards the caves, she wasn't going to loose another person she held close.

_)_)_

They slaughtered their way through the countless slavers as they made their way through the holding caves. They had stopped to rest while Zola healed some of Fenris's wounds. Sitting on the cold stone floor didn't help for comfort, but they weren't expecting golden throw pillows in the caves. Fenris watched the lava run down the walls as he felt Zola's healing magic round his arm; she was the only one he would allow to use magic on him. Her magic felt warm and safe and she wasn't harbouring any demons or weird spirits.

"You don't need to do this Hawke" Fenris watched her as he saw that the healing was taking its toll on her magic. Zola managed a smile as the warm healing magic bathed the wounds in a blue soft light. She felt her magic waning but she knew she had time.

"If you're like this when you go up against Hadriana…who knows what kind of blood magic she'll use…I'm not letting that happen" Zola closed the wounds, feeling exhausted she fell against his arm. Fenris rummaged through her pack and gave her the lyrium she needed to restore her magic.

"And if you're like this when we fight Hadriana…you won't last a minute" Fenris smirked as Zola giggled.

"Alert the Chantry…your actually joking" Zola giggled and she leant against his arm. Zola drank the lyrium and felt it burn down her throat, the taste was awful and she wished for some of Bodahn's special brew to wash away the taste. But slowly she felt her magic restore her body as her scenes heightened again.

"What do you feel?" Fenris asked her.

"Evil magic…blood magic…been used recently" Zola could hear the demons calling out to the blood magic user, the screams of those who were made sacrifices and she could feel the cold edge of the magic through the air.

"That is the legacy of the Magisters" Fenris said grimly. Zola bit her lip and hoped that he never saw her that way.

"We'd better keep moving before Hadriana has a chance to flee" Zola nodded as the both stood and began to run through the corridors again.

_)_)_

They reached the room where Hadriana lay, both making sure that wounds were closed and they weren't covered in blood, they didn't waste time. Hadriana summoned corpses and shades but while Zola used her spirit magic to blast them away, Fenris had his eyes on Hadriana. Their battle seemed like it was never going to end, with more shades and corpses rising, Zola didn't know if she could carry one but she had to. She summoned her Force mage power and used it all to keep shades and corpses against the wall; she knew that if Hadriana was taken down they would disappear. Zola looked over her shoulder as the sweat clung at her skin, seeing Fenris and Hadriana battle.

Fenris swung at Hadriana as her magic blocked each attack, he wished Zola would dispel her magic but when he looked at her he saw what she was already doing. He felt the power of her force magic wash over him like the tide washing against the coast line. Hadriana struck at him but he blocked with the flat of his blade, this wasn't as easy as he had hoped. Fenris swung at her again and hit her across the chest; Hadriana fell to the floor as he felt her magic dissipate.

Zola saw Hadriana fall and when she looked at the shades and corpses that she had pinned to the wall, they started to disappear. Zola let her magic go and wobbled through the exhaustion; Fenris grabbed her arm and helped her stand. Zola smiled at him but over his shoulder she glared at Hadriana.

Fenris made sure that Zola was steady before he stepped in front of Hadriana and lifted his weapon ready to strike at her head.

"Stop! You do not want me dead!" Hadriana pleaded for her life as the other mage did.

"There is only one person I want dead more" Fenris growled ad he stood over the cowering mage.

"I have information elf, and I will trade it in return for my life" Hadriana summoned the strength against her wound as Zola watched over Fenris's shoulder.

"The location of Danarius? What good will that do me? I'd rather he loose his pet pupil" Fenris gripped on his sword ready to strike.

"You have a sister. She is alive" Hadriana smirked as Fenris lowered his weapon. Zola bit the inside of her cheek, knowing that Fenris knew nothing of his life before the markings, having a sister would mean the world to him.

"You wish to reclaim your life? Let me go and I will tell you where she is" Hadriana lifted herself to her knees smiling, Zola had had enough.

"How do we know your not lying" Zola spoke.

"You don't but I know Fenris" Hadriana spat glaring at Zola as if she hated that another mage had her hands wrapped round Fenris. Zola looked at Fenris who was still looking shocked.

"This is your call" Zola backed off as she rested against the wall, her lack of magic draining her.

"So I have your word, I tell you and you let me go" Hadriana spoke as Fenris lowered himself his glare hardening as she spoke.

"Yes. You have my word"

"Her name is Varania. She is in Querius serving a magister by the name of Ahriman" Hadriana spoke quickly. Zola heard and though it was a bit rehearsed but it was information about his family.

"A servant, not a slave"

"She's not a slave"

"I believe you" Fenris began to glow as a look of horror passed across Hadriana's face. Fenris plunged his hand into Hadriana's chest and tore out her heart. Hadriana gasped and fell to the ground; Zola looked away as she saw the blood pool round her feet.

"We are done here" Fenris walked away as Zola used her staff to support herself.

"Do you…want to talk about it" Zola slapped herself mentally for asking such a stupid question.

"No! I don't want to talk about it" Fenris barked at making Zola press her back against the wall.

"This could be a trap, Danarius could have sent Hadriana to tell me about this 'sister'" Fenris barked more as Zola stood quiet.

"But that doesn't matter, what matters is I got to finally crush that bitch's heart" Fenris growled as he looked at Hadriana's dead body.

"May she rot and all the other mages with her" Fenris growled more as he turned away, Zola felt her stomach tighten as he spoke. She felt like he talked about her when he said that, he didn't think of her as a woman but nothing more than a blood thirsty mage. Zola hung her head low and swallowed the lump in her throat. She walked over to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Maybe we should get out of here" Zola's eyes stung.

"Don't comfort me" Fenris shrugged her off and turned towards her.

"Even if we found my sister, who knows what the magisters have done to her…what has magic touch that it doesn't spoil" Fenris glared as Zola stiffened, she looked at him as he started to realise what he had said. Zola's eyes welled as she shook her head; she found strength enough in her legs as she bolted for the door.

"Hawke!" She heard Fenris's voice call after her but she ran further and further out of the cave. She felt her feet crush the sun rich earth as she stepped outside. The sky wash a rainbow of colours as night began to sink in. Dark blue sky started to encroach on the soft pinks and yellows of the sky.

"I knew it" Zola grasped her head with her heads as tears flew down her face; she was just another mage to him, spoiled by magic. The last few sun rays touched her body as she felt the arch of her broken heart; it felt like Fenris really did tear out her heart like he did with Hadriana. Zola heard his footfalls coming out of the cave as she quickly dived behind a boulder hiding her from view.

"Hawke…Hawke" Fenris cried as he broke out of the cave, his eyes darting round the area. All he saw where the dead bodies of those who they killed earlier, the woodland seemed deserted and all he could here were the faint bird calls from above. He felt like a fool for taking his anger out on Zola but the look she held when he said what he thought of magic scared him deeper than any wound. He ran off thinking she headed back to Kirkwall hoping that he would catch up with her.

Zola watched him leave as her chest tightens, how she wanted to hold him again, but his words spun in her head. 'What does magic touch that it doesn't spoil?' He was right, she looked at her hands as she saw the blood of hundreds she had killed, her hands drenched in ruby red blood. As she closed her eyes she saw the faces of everyone who she had taken life from, Carver in the deep roads smiling up at her as she wept telling him she couldn't kill her own brother.

"Carver I can't" Zola nearly fell to the floor against Carver's chest.

"Sister be strong…you can do this" Carver pulled her up and with his glazed eyes he smiled as she hugged him close. They stood hugging each other for several minutes as Zola wept, Carver tried his best to keep his tears steady but he had never seen this side of Zola before and it was tearing him apart. Zola back off and looked at Carver.

"I shouldn't have let you come…I should have listened to mother" Zola cupped his face as her thumb ran along his bottom lip. Carver brushed Zola's hair back as he smiled.

"Then we would have been at each other's throats again." Carver breathed heavily as he felt the corruption flow through him.

"Maybe we can find a Grey Warden…you can become one…you'll live" Zola started to look round as she turned her back to pick up her staff but Carver grasped her from behind as he buried his head into her neck. Zola held his arms as she leant against him.

"Zola…you know we can't…I might not last that long" Carver held her tighter as a moan escaped her mouth, Zola felt ashamed when she did but the way he held her she couldn't help it.

"Carver I can't let you die…and I can't kill you" Zola turned in his arms as Carver gave her a stern look which made Zola freeze.

"You have to" Carver ran his fingers along her jaw line as she coughed the lump that was in her throat and took out her knife. She didn't want to use magic on her brother except for healing. They both looked at each other as she held he knife to his chest; the knife blade was the only thing that separated them. Carver took a step as he felt the knife go into his chest, a hiss of pain escaped his mouth as he looked at Zola's face. Zola could barely move as she saw the blade sink into Carver's body, she looked at her brother's smiling face as he leaned closer to her and placed his lips on her cheek. The cried as she held him close feeling the life escape his body.

It was then when Zola burnt his body so that scavengers wouldn't pick at his remains.

Zola shed a single tear when she remembered that, the tears ran along the place where his lips touched her cheek as she looked into the sky. It was velvet blue and stars shone in the sky, Zola decided it was time to head back to Kirkwall as she stood up. Her robes wrinkled and spattered with blood, she walked down the hill as her scenes were on high alert for any dangers that might jump out at her as she walked back.