The Missing Chapter

By Varric Tethras

Part 6

Mmm. Chapter sex! Er, SIX! SIX! No sex here (yet) but a LOT of innuendo and heavy petting. Varric and Kye are getting dangerously close to that point of sensual no return. Also, I would like to thank Aimo for inspiring Varric's naughty "bodice-buster" novel, "Iron Enchantress". She has a series of book covers on her Deviant Art site that humorously reflect these scandalous writings of his. I would also like to thank Bioware for loaning Varric to me and all my Varric fan-girls (and boys) for your continued devotion to this story.

The Hero of Ferelden

With the bath done, we dried off and I stepped out into the bedroom with her. She smiled and nodded sideways, glistening curls bouncing, at the bed in an obvious invitation. I suddenly felt very small and shy as I stood there staring at the enormous bed. It was an invitation to lay with her, make love to her, and make all my dreams come true. But I was hesitating. What was I afraid of? Rejection? Surely not! Like all dwarves, what we lack in height we back up for in muscle, the size of our heads, the size of our feet, the size of hands and pretty much everything else is proportionate to that; all of it bigger than on a human, with ego to boot.

So it wasn't rejection I feared but rather the loss of innocence in our years-long relationship. Transition is always hard, especially when you are in love with your best friend. She then held out her hand to me and smiled sweetly. "Don't worry, Varric. I won't abuse you…yet. But your lips look like they need…moistening a bit and since you're already naked, I see no sense in dressing just to cuddle like we were doing in the bath tub. So, join me?"

Ah, but Hawk saw right through me every time. She knew I was nervous and she knew why I was nervous. That I was nervous made me, well, nervous. Beautiful women and I had never had a problem merging bodies in the past but suddenly I get next to this beautiful woman and I become a kid about to cop his first feel. I guess that's what love does to you. It's pointless, senseless and wonderful all at the same time. I drew courage from it and hauled myself onto the bed with her where she gently rolled me onto my back and proceeded to kiss me gently. Her hands tentatively explored me even as mine, clumsy and unsure at first, teased their way into exciting new places.

There was no rush to make love. We had time. We had a lot of time. Dinner would be served in due time and when it was ready, we would be ready and whether we'd given into our lust by then or not was not an issue. Soon, I had her on her back. I lifted myself above her, my chest gently pressed against hers but my weight carried by my arms as I lowered myself to embrace her lips with mine in a hot dance of tongue and mouth. For a moment, we were almost carried away by the pleasure we experienced during that kiss until a knock alerted us to the arrival of our new clothes. Reluctantly, we parted bodies and I rolled off of the bed to answer the door. After donning a towel to give myself some modesty, I peered out into the hall to see who was there. As a matter of fact, nobody was there but there was a neat pile of clothing on the floor, which I whisked away inside very quickly. Kye laughed as my "modest covering" fell to the floor, briefly exposing everything I had to anyone roaming the hall at that moment. I closed the door and red-faced, I flattened my back against it.

She was lying on her stomach, her chin perched upon her open palms and those mesmerizing amethyst eyes dancing merrily at me. If she hadn't been so damned gorgeous, I'd have made an obscene gesture at her. Then she pushed herself up and threw her long legs over the edge of the bed, giving me a fine view of her. Moments later, she was by my side and rifling through the clothing. The scent of her was an intoxicating blend of sex, lavender and sweet honey. I found myself unable to ignore the desire I felt and turned to her. "Remind me why we didn't do this before?"

"We're idiots. Thank Andraste we wised up, eh?" she laughed with a playful kiss to my nose.

I turned back to the items before us. Whoever had gone shopping must have watched us or studied us or somehow otherwise figured us out because the clothes they left behind were exactly perfect for both us and the evening. My attire could not have been more spot-on if they had viewed what I liked to wear on a regular basis. Comfort and style was my usual and they got the comfort down with an upgrade in style. I especially liked the gold-threading around the sleeves and hem of the shirt, which sported a low neckline that could be made lower by tugging a few of the laces that started about three-quarters down the front. In rich blue satin trimmed in brilliant, scarlet brocade and embroidered with fine, gold threading, I felt every bit the "Merchant Prince" I'd become with Bartrand's unfortunate demise. The coat they gave me was a heavy sued that was as soft and flexible as it was thick. The boots appeared to be a matched set with the coat. I grinned at myself in the mirror, suitably impressed by the handsome visage I saw. I tied back my hair and turned to ask Kye's opinion but my tongue got caught somewhere between my throat and my stomach.

She stood before me in a long, loose flowing gown of silver-threaded silk. It consisted of multiple layers of gossamer fabric that swirled like a dark-blue flow of shallow sea water. It matched my shirt almost perfectly and sparkled like the sky at dusk and was cut low to just above her waist, flowing over the twin mounds of up-turned flesh that whispered sweetly to me of things yet to come. From behind the thin veil of fabric, the dragon teased as it wrapped around her right breast. I licked my lips and I forced my eyes to meet her laughing gaze; those wonderful violet eyes dazzling me from the dark kohl that lined them in mysterious shades of black and sparkling sapphire. Above her dark brows, she had her black hair studded with tiny jewels that glittered like stars from amid her abundant curls. Wrist cuffs in silver and faux jewels lined her arms and wrists, making her look every bit a princess from some exotic place. Indeed, it seemed that whoever had garbed us, intended us to look like royalty.

She leaned forward until our mouths met and entwined in a luscious kiss that was moist with our desire. I felt her hand caress my chest, her fingers running through the soft hair that covered it. "Mmm… Ladies just can't resist the chest hair," I murmured with a contented smirk. She giggled and allowed me to lay her arm along mine and escort her from our room and down the corridor to where a servant bowed respectfully at his waist.

"My Lord, My Lady, if you will but come with me, I will see you to the Gather where Bann Franderel awaits you along with his guests. We have a wonderful feast planned and a wine-tasting that will tempt the most discriminate palate," the man said with enthusiasm. We followed him and listened to him as he accidentally revealed the true motive behind the Bann's insistence that we join him this eve. It turns out that there was some political wrangling going on.

We had arrived on a most auspicious evening; an evening in which gathered nobles were dining with him and could help him fund a new keep, one less haunted and more welcoming to his people. As it was, merchants avoided the place as if it were plagued. We were…how shall I put it? The surprise "creature-feature". He fully intended to show us off and brag about the Champion of Kirkwall being in attendance at his dinner and that it must fate predestined by the maker yadda-yadda etcetera. I almost wanted to grab Hawk's hand and drag her back up to our room. But we were going to meet Ferelden's Hero-Queen so… We continued to follow.

When we arrived, we were instantly greeted by our host who ushered us in; he was practically glowing with pride. It reminded me too much of dinners with my extended family, who, because of my natural talent for keeping our assets and our profile afloat, swelled with inflated importance. I tended to speak to those most important to me and leave after grabbing a few bites. I doubted I would be afforded that luxury now.

Hawk radiated serenity and grace far above her station and nodded politely as people stopped her to ask questions or compliment her. She smiled to everyone and bowed at her waist to a few even as she expressed her own sense of well-deserved self-importance. She was the Champion. She had saved an entire city not once but twice. She wanted these people to understand that though a lady now, she was supremely suited to leaving a swath of writhing (or previously writing) bodies in her wake. Competence and nobility were her strong suits but along with those, she was possessed of great compassion. It was that that had endeared her to Sebastian…and to me.

She could sense my desire to leave this rabble of stuffed-shirts and squeezed my hand. Empowered, I looked up and smiled at her as I mouthed, "I love you," to her. She winked at me slyly and then leaned in close to whisper something deliciously scandalous into my ear. I blushed and smiled broadly. Maybe tonight wasn't going to be so bad after all, I decided.

At this point in the dinner, everyone was drinking wine, eating hors d'oeuvres and chatting softly. It was a staging area; a place and time for the nobles to greet one another and make necessary connections and reconnections. I'm certain at least one bride-offer was made and several underhanded deals struck. I overheard one of those deals and leaned in, whispered something suggestive to the man about to get the short end of the deal. His eyes widened and he quickly countered his business associate with my suggestion. Satisfied, I decided that my good deed for the day was done and I could relax now. Except that I couldn't relax. Standing before me was perhaps the most striking woman I had ever seen.

Hawk was carelessly beautiful. Isabella was exotic. The red-headed beauty with her dazzling blue-green eyes that danced above a sly grin was art. Her hair was shoulder-length and unpretentious as the rest of her in its simple, swept-back style. The gown Ferelden's Queen wore was elegant, off the shoulders and in layered velvet and satin in shades of gold and green. Her jewelry was austere and she wore no crown or anything to signify her standing in the land. "My friends, I would like to introduce you to Elissa, Grey Warden Commander of Ferelden and her que-" our host began proudly as he bowed deeply to her.

"Not tonight, my lord. Tonight, I am merely Elissa: Grey Warden and sister to Teyrn Fergus Cousland. Now, I believe we can make our own acquaintances, if you don't mind." She waved her hand at the Bann in a kind "shoo" gesture that made me grin. I liked this woman immediately. As interesting as King Alistair had been, I understood now whom the people loved the most and why he was so infinitely popular among the common folk; simply, the man had excellent taste in women. It helped also that he was as simple and unpretentious himself, just like his beautiful wife.

I took her hand and kissed her fingers softly. "My Lady…" I said as I looked up at her with my most charming smile.

"Ahh. You must be Varric Tethras, writer and poet extraordinaire. I'd heard you were constantly by the Champion's side and I am pleased to find the rumor true. And lovers too, it would seem! You match perfectly together, if I may be so bold to say."

Lovers? How could she tell we were lovers without having snuck into our bedroom? Had she? The thought was a bit uncomfortable so I brushed it aside as I practically gushed. A fan! Intrigued, I leaned in close to her and asked, "So, you've heard of me? Even all the way over here in Ferelden?" If I didn't know myself better, I'd swear I was basking in the light of her attention. Okay, I admit it; I was basking. Hey, it's mightily flattering to have a queen, much less the hero who saved us all from the Blight, as a fan.

She laughed and laid her hand on my shoulder. Judging from Hawk's amused expression, I must have looked like a love-sick ass as I preened under Elissa Thierin's admiring smile. "Heard of you? Half the educated folk in Ferelden have read at least one of your works! Indeed, when Alistair and I built the Denerim Library, which is public for anyone who has a yen for books of all kinds and no stifling Chantry control, we had to grant you your own section and multiple copies of your most popular tales. I must confess that I especially loved 'Iron Enchantress'. I was reading it before bed every night for more than two weeks! Oh, but you do know how to detail a woman's pleasure!" I could see her eyes narrow as she recalled the sordid "bodice buster" I'd written about five years back. I hoped she wouldn't give away the plot. "…Dwarf and a lovely human mage with violet eyes and black hair. The sex scenes were positively delicious!" she was telling Kye in hungry tones. Damn! Too late. Hawk looked down at me; her amusement was now an expression of bemusement.

"Ahh… I…" I started to explain. I failed.

"Black hair? Violet eyes? A mage? Really, Varric? And in the Deep Roads, no less? And why did I never read it?" she asked, a grin tugging at her lips. Elissa seemed on the verge of exploding with laughter. By now, my flushed face and whatever expression I wore had both women fighting for control of their yearning to explode hysterically at my expense. I tried to say something and then my eyes caught sight of a young serving girl bearing a tray of appetizers.

I pounced on her, exclaiming, "Oh look! They have cheese!" as I escaped the dancing eyes of the two lovely ladies who'd been taking great pleasure at my inability to communicate my inability to explain why I never showed her the book. It was personal, actually. A fantasy I never thought in a million years would ever come true. So I made her a Grey Warden and myself a regular Dwarf (no beard, of course) and, well, add whatever torrid sex scenes you can imagine and turn up the heat starting with a scene where I (the Smith Caste Dwarf, I mean) shoved her up against an iron vein and nailed her. It wasn't just a sex romp; there was genuine love and affection but I'd left out nothing. I do mean nothing. It was erotica and it had sold like nothing I'd ever written. Keeping it out of Hawk's hands had been a monumental challenge that had succeeded until now. Judging from the smiles I kept getting as I stuffed my face with bacon-rolled bits of sharp cheddar, Elissa must have been explaining it in great detail.

Maker's breath but I loved that woman and I was certain that I was doomed to not to survive the night. Well, I amend that. I would physically survive but my dignity was destined to die in a burst of flames. At least it would be spectacular, I told myself with another piece of cheese. Being tongue-tied was not something I was used to. So far, Hawk and now Elissa, had made me utterly dumb-struck several times during this trip and I had a feeling the worst was yet to come.

Both ladies approached me, knowing smiles on their faces. I was taken arm in arm between them as dinner was announced. Daintily, the nobles filed into the fine dining room with noses lifted in an expectation of the wonders they were about to be served. Elissa had explained excitedly the cook here in West Hill was an amazing woman who could coax the most wonderful flavors out of the blandest foods. Here, fish was abundant but not much else so the people ate a lot of fish. It helped to know just how it should be served and with what. Evidently, it was a gift this woman was quite proud of. I was greatly curious as to just how one could improve on one of my least favorite foods. I tended to prefer good, solid red meat, after all. If they could get me to enjoy fish, well, I would have to make up something suitable to bet upon but my luck was poor at the moment so I held back.

"Please join me by my side, both of you?" the Queen said earnestly.

"Oh, My Lady, we would never wish to assume the seat of a…" Kye began, her head shaking.

"Nonsense. I may not be sprouting nobility from my ass right now but all these folk know who is Queen and what the Queen wants, the Queen gets. I am not above reinstating my own airs to bolster my position and achieve my goals. Watch…" She turned to the man and his wife who were about to seat themselves and apologized with a sweet smile. "Lord Toth, would you mind terribly if Kirkwall's Champion and her partner took these seats to my left? Oh, you are too kind! Thank you so much. That road you needed repaved is as good as done. I'll send out workers as soon as I return to Denerim." She smirked back at us and said, "See? Now go ahead and sit. We have so much to discuss." I looked across the table at Fergus, the Queen's brother and smiled helplessly at him.

"Come sit by me, Varric. This way, the ladies can discuss Darkspawn entrails while we happily chat about other things. Trust me… Darkspawn entrails and fish really do not mesh well together," he said with a chuckle.

So I sat on the other side of Highever's Teyrn with both himself and Elissa between Hawk and I. I wanted to be by her side but I decided that having her so near would be too much of a distraction. Besides, I found Fergus to be an interesting man. He was older than Elissa by almost ten years but he acted with much less seriousness that I would have expected. His son and first wife had been among Arl Howe's first victims, slaughtered with impunity as they lay sleeping. It was heart-rending to hear about but Fergus had moved on and now had a new wife and two small children.

As we ate our salad and bread, we talked about happier subjects. He asked me all kinds of questions about so many things, I felt my head spinning. He wanted to know about Kirkwall, the city-states, the nobility about the Free Marches in general and he wanted to know about Hawk. "Ask Hawk," I replied smugly.

"'Ask Hawk' what, Varric?" the subject of our discourse asked with eyebrows raised and her fork poised just in front of her mouth. That lovely, luscious mouth with those full lips and that sweet pink tongue… I licked my lips as I fantasized kissing that mouth.

After shaking my head clear of that delicious day-dream, I leaned back behind Fergus and winked at her from across the distance that separated us. "Teyrn Cousland is being nosy. I told him to ask you about you."

"Oh! What do you want to know, My Lord?" she said politely as I cleaned up the last of my salad. Within moments, Fergus was asking her questions about everything from her childhood in Lothering to her abilities as a fighter. Specifically, he wanted to know how she had become Kirkwall's Champion. With the main course (an amazingly spiced fish that was stuffed with crab and scallops then baked in oil) served, Hawk and I began a kind of joint tale where I started and she continued then I picked up where she left off. We did this without missing a beat; our ability to complete one another's statements was spot on and so perfect it startled me. Between the two of us, we managed to tell the entire tale during our meal. It was no surprise that many of the other notable guests at the table were listening and asked questions of their own.

"So, you are an apostate?" one nosy ass asked her.

"Technically, I suppose, but I have been given, shall I say, a 'pass' by the Templar Leadership in Kirkwall and the Knight Commander for leading the fight against the chaos that almost destroyed the city," she explained truthfully and diplomatically. The same lord who initially asked the question wasn't satisfied, however.

"I hear that the Blight was caused by Malificarum. If you allow one mage to function outside the circle, does this not imply that all should be free from oversight? How is it you were not captured long before?" I was getting pissed by this self-righteous bastard pointing fingers at my Champion. I opened my mouth to answer him with piss and vinegar but Elissa spoke first, much to my relief.

"Lord Frellin, is it? Allow me. As the one responsible for ending the blight and having spoken to the one who awoke the Arch Demon which started the Fifth Blight, I am happy to report that no Malificarum were involved whatsoever. Wherever you heard that, it's rubbish. But simply being a mage who is untrained by the circle does not instantly brand one a malificar. I have known plenty who simply avoided notice by surviving on their wits or living in remote places. Some eventually turn to the Circle while others avoid it still. Blood Mages happen because bad people happen but not every mage has the potential or the desire to use blood magic or to even simply be a bad person. I can say from experience that most mages who dwell outside the Circle are good people who wouldn't hurt anyone unless they deserved it." The queen smiled darkly at him with an expression that stated very clearly that she was finished with him.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty-" he began, his damnable determination swiftly wearing us thin.

"-which you are clearly insincere about giving but please, continue…" she interrupted sweetly.

"…mages cannot be expected to do the right thing, always. They wield terrible power, which must be controlled at all costs. This mage, hero or not, should not be above any other mage who must be trained properly and her blood drawn in case she should go rogue. That she is yet allowed unfettered freedom…" I was about to drive my fist through that shit-head's face. I'd had enough. I rose to my feet and made a move in his direction when Fergus stayed my arm. Elissa was standing again and this time she was frowning, the smile gone from her face and all pretense of respect wiped away. This was Ferelden's famous Warden Commander and her queen and she was about to demonstrate just how she'd led entire armies in the fight against the Blight. I sat back down, hungry for her words…

To Be Continued…