Hey guys :) I know the last chapter was quite appalling and I hope I haven't put you off the story! All will be explained in future chapters, promise. :)
I have a few chapters that I have written in advance and I'll just slot them in when I get there so, enjoy for now.
Review and all that jazz please. :3
Denerim, it was the jewel of Fereldan. After two weeks of travelling by boat, being ordered by Isabella, Fenris' brooding and fish pie, Hawke was glad to be to back in Fereldan. The cold air hit her face, the smell of rich earth filled the air as they boarded the docks. Hawke breathed in through her nose.
She was finally home.
But this brought on memories that she had kept within her. Lothering. They must avoid there at all costs, and not just because of the Blight-infected land, but because the memories would be too painful to bear. Her father lying on his death bed, Mother crying as the twins said their goodbyes; Hawke only remembered what Father had said to her before he passed away:
"Love is the most powerful force in all of Thedas, you will lead this family to honour. Lead this family, you are a Hawke. Never forget..."
Hawke closed her eyes tightly shut to prevent any tears before Carver broke the silence.
"Ahh, its good to be home."
"It smells like dirt and wet dog," Varric grimaced.
"The dirt and brown gives it character!" Merrill stated innocently, causing the dwarf to chuckle.
"Well, let's see what trouble we can stir up," Hawke smiled eagerly.
She strolled across the gangplank to dry land, all the other Fereldans seemed to be in celebration over something. She knew that King Alistair was on the throne, but there was definitely a festive feeling in the air. Her group joined her on shore and suddenly, there was a chorus of trumpets, cheers filled the air and several horses, mounted by guards were parading through the square towards the castle.
"Come on!" Hawke beamed with excitement as she sprinted to join the crowd, her companions struggling to keep up with her.
On closer inspection, she noticed the guards were wearing the same armour as Carver. They were Grey Wardens! Apart from the marching guards and horses, one horse was white as snow and upon it sat the most beautiful woman Hawke had ever seen. She was in Warden armour, but it was much grander than the others. Her mousy brown hair was tied up in two braids that were turned into circles, which was extremely common for nobles. Her deep violet eyes were gleaming with both victory and compassion, but the woman was too busy focusing in front, seeming to be searching for someone before Carver gasped:
"That's Elissa!"
"The Warden Commander and-"
Before Carver could continue, the palace gates flew open and Elissa dismounted her horse with the hugest smile Hawke had ever seen. Stood at the palace gates was King Alistair, his sandy blonde hair shimmered in the sun and his regal armour shone like a million stars, Hawke was almost captivated by the King's handsome looks, but before she knew it, he was sprinting towards Elissa, and she was sprinting towards him.
They embraced each other and Alistair picked up Elissa and kissed her fully on the lips, the crowd cheered in approval and Hawke smiled to herself as the King spun his bride around, making her squeal in delight as they stared deeply into each other's eyes before waving to their adoring subjects.
Now that is love.
"The King and Queen of Fereldan!" Cheered the crowds and King Alistair lifted Elissa back onto her horse, getting on with her and they rode off into the castle with the rest of the Wardens.
"Hey Junior!" shouted a red-haired dwarf from the cart carrying supplies, he waved at Carver.
"Oghren! Nice to see you!"
Oghren laughed heartily before going joining the rest of the Wardens in the palace. The gates closed and the crowd slowly dispersed.
"Well, that was not the welcome I was expecting," Hawke chuckled, turning to her companions.
"Where shall we stay? There's the Gnawed Noble and then there's the Peal." Carver informed her.
"Hawke can we stay in the Pearl? Pretty please," Isabella whined, with a smile.
Hawke crossed her arms, "Its a whore house, isn't it?"
"Yep!"
"The Gnawed Noble it is then."
"So, the Lay Warden has returned to Denerim then?" Isabella purred to Anders, making him blush. Hawke had never seen the mage blush before.
"So he has, but please in Maker don't mention-"
"The electricity thing? That was nice," the Pirate Queen giggled as Anders' cheeks went crimson with embarrassment.
"Oh Maker this is going to be an interesting trip," Hawke sighed.
After bartering with the owner, Hawke had managed to book them three rooms: One room for Sebastian, Fenris and Carver, another for Varric and Anders (since Varric insisted that Bianca had a bed of her own), the last for Merrill, Isabella and Hawke. She gave the owner a bag of coin, telling him that neither her or her companions should be disturbed. He nodded, counting the money behind the bar.
Her pack was sitting at a table in the corner as nobles looked on at them, whispering to themselves. Some of the men stared at Hawke and Isabella, making Fenris snarl when he saw them gawking at Hawke.
Hawke ordered a round of the finest ale to be had and joined them, setting her staff beside her.
"So, where to next Carver?" She laughed as Varric and Isabella were betting on which noble would come and try and have their way with Isabella first, 50 silvers.
Carver was too distracted talking to Merrill about his time in the Wardens;
"Where there many elves in the Wardens, Carver?" Merrill asked curiously.
"There were a few that came from an alienage in this city. And also a couple of Dahlish from a clan. Their Keeper was Zathrian I believe."
Merrill's eyes widened with shock.
"Zathrian? Keeper Merethari was close friends with him when they were very little, but an argument drove them apart and the Keeper formed her own clan, taking many of the elves with her."
"Well at least she took you along with her," Carver smiled, his arm was resting on the back of the bench behind Merrill. The elf was blushing from ear to ear, making Carver chuckle.
Hawke coughed, "Brother, where are we off to next?" she repeated, a little louder so he could hear her. Carver groaned before turning to his sister.
"We need to gather supplies and I thought we could spend a couple of days in Denerim. The Fereldan Flower Festival is tomorrow," He smiled as he saw his sister's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Ooo I love flowers!" Merrill chirped.
"We know you do, Kitten," Isabella purred, making Merrill blush yet again.
Hawke had always had a soft spot for flowers. Especially Fereldan roses. Tomorrow's festival was her absolute favourite that Fereldan offered, but this would be much bigger than the festival that they had in Lothering. The streets of Lothering used to be smothered with flowers and petals, the many different scents and colours of the simple flowers always made her think of home, think of her father and mother.
Hawke swallowed a lump that was forming in her throat before she looked at Fenris; he was staring at her intently before looking away, muttering to himself in Arcanum. She still could not forgive herself for binding him, the fool as she is, she thought he might have enjoyed it. Oh Maker was she wrong. She hated herself for doing it.
"Hawke? Day dreaming about tomorrow are we?" Anders smiled, snapping Hawke back into reality. She smiled at her friend.
"Indeed I am," she lied, but she got away with it as Merrill started babbling about how pretty Hawke and Isabella would look with flowers braided into their hair.
Varric turned to the broody elf beside him, who was well, brooding.
"What's wrong Broody? Flowers not your thing?"
"It is none of your business dwarf," He growled, taking a swig of his ale.
"Oh but you would look so darling with a crown of forget-me-nots and white daisies in your hair!" The dwarf teased, causing Sebastian beside Fenris to chuckle at the image of the broody elf sitting there with his usual expression, but adorned with pretty flowers.
Fenris scowled and went back to brooding, stealing a swig of Sebastian's mug since all of his ale had gone.
"Woah Fenris! Slow down," Sebastian warned Fenris, with every good intention to make sure his friend was taking it easy. But Fenris was having none of it, he rose from his seat, causing everyone to look at him before he stormed off to his room.
"What did you do this time, Varric?" asked Hawke with a sigh, knew that the dwarf loved to tease the lyrium-covered elf.
"I said he would look pretty as a peach with a crown of forget-me-nots and white daisies in his hair," Varric chuckled, that same image Sebastian had thought of earlier popped into Hawke's mind and it made her burst with laughter.
She would have to get him that crown, just to see the expression on his face, and as an apology.
