Anders
I looked up stunned as Hawke followed closely by the ever watchful Fenris entered the clinic. It had been two months since I had seen her. Sebastian's continuing to say she didn't want to see me had finally gotten through. Maybe she really didn't want to see me. If she was going to marry that Chantry raised prince, it would stand to reason our friendship was over.
"Hawke?" I asked puzzled as she moved as graceful as ever despite her rather large stomach.
"Don't sound so happy to see me." She pouted and sat down on one of the cots.
"I'm always happy to see you. I just thought…" I trailed off as Fenris shook his head slightly.
"Just thought what?" She asked frowning at me.
"That you didn't want me around anymore. I mean you're marrying the Chantry." Fenris narrowed his eyes at me, but I didn't care about his opinion.
Hawke looked at me sadly and shook her head. "First I'm not marrying anything, let alone the Chantry. I'm betting that's illegal anyway. And a little strange. I mean where would we live? And would it only be to this Chantry, or to all of them? And whose name would we take? Sorry, my mind is full of weird things lately. I had a point. What was I…oh, right! And second, I love you, Anders. You're one of my best friends. I always want you around. Third, you are supposed to be one of the male influences in little one's life. That requires you be around. Finally, you are supposed to be my healer for all this. You told me I wouldn't be alone. So come and check on me and little one, please."
I looked at Fenris puzzled by this. Sebastian had said she was using Erin. "What about that sister healer?" I asked looking back at Hawke. She turned and looked at Fenris.
"Are you two having a conversation over my head?" She demanded.
"I've not said a word." Fenris answered.
She crossed her arms and sighed. "I don't want Erin. I want you. I trust you. If you don't want to do it say so."
"It's not that, Hawke. You know I'll always be here for you." I assured her.
"Then come and check on us, please."
I moved to her and checked hers and the baby's health. Both were doing good. At least Sebastian was making sure they were healthy. "You still feeling nauseous?" I asked watching her.
"Sometimes. Not nearly like I was the last time I saw you. I'm out of that mint stuff you had for me."
"It wasn't mint, honey. It was ginger. Let me go and make you a batch. Fenris, can you help me move some boxes in the back?" I asked. His lips narrowed slightly, but I didn't care if I did make him mad. Someone was going to explain to me what was going on.
"Don't you two start fighting. Little one makes it difficult to break up fights." Hawke frowned at us.
"I will behave." I promised her with a smile and motioned Fenris to follow me to the back room.
He sighed and turned to her. "I will be right through there if you need me."
"I'll be fine. Stop worrying so much. Might take a nap." She said her eyes already closing. I smiled at the sight of her. I had missed this crazy woman so much.
I pushed the door almost closed and turned to him. "What is going on? Sebastian said she hadn't wanted to see me. She thinks I'm avoiding her. What's the deal?"
Fenris sighed. "I don't know. It could just be a pregnancy thing. Sebastian said that moods shift rapidly when a woman is pregnant." He shrugged.
"That's true, but not to the extent of her not remembering ordering me away."
"I don't know what to tell you."
"Is he hurting her?" I demanded.
Fenris looked at me angrily. "Do you honestly believe I would allow it to continue if I thought he was hurting her? They have been fighting recently. Maybe she's just wanting to reach back out now. Sebastian is a good man, Anders. He wants to take care of her and the baby. How many men can claim the same?"
"I would gladly." I answered.
"I said take care of, not endanger." Fenris narrowed his eyes at me. I knew he liked her as well. We had both been fighting over her before Sebastian came along and swept her off her feet.
I decided to not rise to his bait. He was trying to avoid the problem. And Hawke had asked me not to fight with him. "Why is he keeping her isolated?"
"He isn't. I come and see her daily. And we go for walks in the gardens nearly daily."
"No one else has seen her, Fenris. We thought she wanted us to stay gone. We thought she needed time. But it sounds more like it's him." I pressed. Fenris' eyes flicked away.
"He is just trying to protect her. She has been through a rough few years. He wants to take care of her."
"And cutting her off from her friends is helping her?"
"You would have to ask him."
"Have you noticed something else weird?" I asked.
"You will have to clarify weird, Anders. We are speaking of Lila. Weirdness is normal for her on a good day." He said with a hint of a smirk.
I laughed then. "That's true. But I meant about her interactions with him. I've noticed it a few times when I was around her. They would disagree, but then he would give her this look and say something in a patronizing tone. Then she was suddenly agreeing with him and would look confused for a moment."
Fenris scoffed. "And what, you think he's using blood magic to enthrall her?"
"Maybe."
"He was a brother of the Chantry. He would never resort to something so vile. He wouldn't do anything to hurt her. He loves her and plans on marrying her."
"So she is going to marry him?" I asked resignedly.
"She had agreed, but apparently they had a fight. She says she's not going to, but he still says they are. I don't know, but it is a private matter. We shouldn't be discussing them. The main thing is Lila and the baby. Are they alright?"
"Fine. Both in great health." I still thought something odd was going on, but I would just have to keep a closer eye on Hawke. I was so relieved she still wanted me in her life that I was willing to put up with Sebastian if it meant having her near.
