Hello~ my faithful readers. I'm soo sorry for the long wait. College has been hunting me down. I have 4-5 weeks left and I have two projects to complete. They are both halfway sso, deciding to take a break, I uploaded the next chapter :)
So, here is chapter 7 and I hope you all like it :)
Also, my friend Jemma has an account here now. Her name is TaintedPieces and she is currently writing a Fenris fanfiction. I would love it if you went and read it since it's her first fanfiction.
Hope you like it. R&R
Shout out to my Fenris buddy and Beta, Jemma! Love you hunny :p
Reviews
Silvergrace; Aww, thank you. I have to tell you, that when I read you review, I had the biggest smile on my face. :) Maths is getting better for me, but it will be a long time before I don't need to carry a calculator around with me.
FindSarah; Glad you liked it :)
Aya001; You always give me the longest reviews and I LOVE IT~ :D. Yeah, I also thought that Hawke - male or female - dealt with situations to simple. Sure Bioware made them talk and have facial expressions, but I always thought that the emotion in their voices lacked a little. Hope you like this chapter, :)
Alaskantiger; I'm glad that you are liking my fanfic and heres the next chapter :)
Sarkule; It's a slight mix of both, but I don't want to go into further detail as it will spoil the plot, :p.
Shout Outs
Alaskantiger,
rebelgoddess19,
Aya001,
Silvergrace,
Sarkule,
HellenKHC,
sgwriter,
phyreblade,
Vixen of Shadows,
KittyHakubi,
KenzieMak,
Vayne Aurelius,
T. Karasu,
Burinku,
Br0wnie,
IronMaidenLeigh,
Chibi Angels,
tamashii kage,
passingwhisper,
NativeWolfy.
FenrisxFem!Hawke.
Default Fem!Hawke without the blood smear.
Rogue. Assassin. Duelist.
VII. Third Glance
It had been nearly a week since Bethany and Alyx arrived back in Kirkwall, and so far not a lot of people knew they were here, and she was glad for it. But she was finding it harder and harder to stay hidden.
She was currently sitting at the dining table, enjoying her breakfast which consisted of a mix of fresh berries and a couple of slices of bread which she drank down with a glass of rosy wine. She was planning to meet the Viscount today, so she decided to have an early breakfast while Orana filled up the bath in her room. She rubbed her left arm; which was covered in bandages. Even though she broke it a week ago, Bethany wasn't that skilled at healing due to the fact she spent her time learning offensive and defensive attacks, rather than healing spells, so she only manage to reduce the healing time to a week.
Just as she finished the last of her serving, Orana walked into the room. She smiled at the elf-girl.
"Good morning, Orana"
Orana smiled at her, giving her slight curtsy.
"Good morning, Lady Hawke. Your bath has been filled. I hope you are well?" she asked, a smiled on her face and her eyes glowing.
Alyx chuckled. "How many times must I tell you to call me Alyx, or at least Lady Alyx. You know how I hate all that formal stuff"
Orana nodded at her. "Yes, Lady H- I mean, Lady Alyx"
Alyx chuckled at the elf before standing up. "Have you had breakfast this morning, Orana?"
The small elf shook her head, "Not yet. Lady Alyx. I've been busy at the market this morning"
"Any trouble?"
"No, it was actually very quiet. Not a lot of people were out"
Alyx hummed, before smiling at the elf. "Well, it's probably due to fact that the Viscount is back and all the Nobles are queuing up to hear the gossip he has for them"
Orana chuckled and Alyx joined her.
"Well, I best be getting ready to meet him, help yourself to anything on the table, Orana"
Alyx walked towards the door, but was stopped by Orana calling out to her.
"Wait! My Lady! I can't-"
"Nonsense Orana, your part of the family now"
Orana let out a small sob before letting a giant smile beam on her face.
"Thank you...Alyx"
Alyx smiled at her before heading to her bedroom. As she stepped in the room, she saw an expensive dress laid out on her bed. A golden under-dress that had delicate golden leaves sewn on it; a shade or two darker than the rest of the fabric. Beside it, lay a crushed, green velvet overdress that had a corset style in the front, with a hood and golden sash with a triangular shaped broach, emerald green in colour.
Alyx snorted at the dress. 'As if I am wearing that' she walked over to her wardrobe and opened it to find it completely empty.
She blinked before heading over to her drawers, which was also empty, save for a clean pair of undergarments.
Looking around, she searched for her clothing but she couldn't find any. She ran out her room and went for Bethany's door, only to be thrown back a couple of feet.
'S-she put a barrier on the door!'
Alyx blinked before stomping back into her room, locking the door behind her. She stripped off her long, red robe and her undergarments, hanging them over her desk chair.
She walked over to her tub and climbed in, the hot water soothing her muscles. She submerged herself in the water, only keeping her head above the water. 'I can't believe that she put my clothes in her room and put a barrier on the door...'
She grabbed the soap and cleaned herself before using rose scented oil on her hair, massaging it in and cleaning the dirt out of her hair. She rinsed her hair before applying a final application of the oil on her hair. She climbed out of the tub, wrapping a towel around herself. She dried herself before putting her undergarments. She grabbed the oil and massaged it into her skin until it was soft to the touch.
She grabbed the golden under-dress and slipped it on. Her hands went through the long sleeves; making sure not to hurt her arm as she did. The top part of the cuff went into a triangular point with a loop of ribbon to put her index finger through. The dress had a square neckline which was cut quite low, showing off the swell of her breast, much to her displeasure. The dress cinched slightly beneath her breast and on her hips; the fabric caressing her curves while the skirt fell around her ankles and pooled on the floor. The breast portion was slightly ruffled.
She called for Orana, who came a quick as she could. With her help, she was able to tie the back of the dress. Orana smiled at her, saying that she should wear a dress more often. Alyx groaned and playfully shooed her out of her room; Orana giggled as she left.
She then grabbed the overdress, slipping it on over the under-dress. She smoothed her fingers over the soft, velvety fabric, her fingertips tingling at the sensation. The sleeves were in a poet style but had a slit on the front that went up to elbow before it met a bunched piece of the fabric, preventing it from going any further. The fabric on the inside of the over-dress matched the under-dress. She tied the corset in front of the dress, making sure it was tight and secure. Grabbing the sash, she wrapped it around her hips, so it slightly dipped in the front before tying it a simple not at clipping the leaf broach to the front. She also attacked her coin purse and a pouch to hold some items.
Looking around, she smirked. Walking over to her desk, she places her right foot on the cushion and hitched her skirt up to her thigh. She grabbed a leather sheath, about the size of her hand-span, and placed it on her outer-thigh. Grabbing the brown, leather straps, she looped them through the buckles before securing them. Grabbing her elven styled blade, she put it in her sheath before putting her leg down and fixing her skirt.
Looking in the hand mirror that was conveniently placed on her desk, and she noted; despite herself and how much she was groaning about it, that her hairstyle didn't match the dress. So, she grabbed the rose oil once more, pouring slightly more than she did previously, her applied it to her hair, before slicking it back, leaving some stands of hair in front of her ears. Smiling, she applied her usual make-up, before looking back in the mirror and snorted.
"I look like a girl..."
She put the mirror down before her eyes fell on a dark, chestnut wooden box, no bigger than a jewellery box, on her desk with intricate gold and red patterns. She gave a sad smile, remembering the day that her mother gave her this box. She said that her great-great-grandmother gave it to her great-grandmother, before giving it to her mother who then passed it to her. She then explained that this box used to hold her most prised possessions and it was a reminder of where she came from and how she got them.
She stroked the wood lovingly, before opening the lid and looking at the contents inside. It was mostly filled with trinkets she had picked up from Lothering and Kirkwall, but one item stood out most of all. She picked up a golden amulet in the shape of an oval, nearly the size of her palm. The middle was solid gold but at the edge was an intricate pattern weaved around to create a border with eight rubies placed on at certain points. In the middle was a beautiful black cameo gemstone that had the Amell crest carved onto it in a crimson red. All-in-all, the amulet was beautiful and symmetrical, and she would never part with it.
She slipped the long, golden chain over her neck, letting the amulet settle just at the top of the valley between her breasts. She put on her green heels that had lace trims; luckily they only had a slight heel and made her way down from her room. Calling to Orana, she told her she was going to see the Viscount. Before leaving, she grabbed the letter the Viscount had sent her in Ferelden, putting it her pouch and then she pulled her hood up, casting a shadow over her face and walking outside.
Orana was right. Hightown was quiet; only a few Nobles and their servants were seen. It looked liked her guess was also correct; that nearly all the Nobles had gone to see the new Viscount.
She was thankful but at the same time, she didn't mind. She was already at the conclusion that everyone knew she was here. Whether it was sightings of her in Darktown and Lowtown, or people seeing her coming and going from her own house in Hightown.
Walking up the stairs, she could feel her feet aching and maybe the start of a blister forming. She hissed, annoyed at the pain. 'I can kill a guy in a heartbeat, but when it comes to wearing heels and a dress, I'm the biggest sissy you will ever meet' she gave a sigh, before pausing on the stairs. She leaned against the railed, her feet pounding in pain.
Willing herself, she continued up the stairs. Reaching top, she gave a victory smile before seeing the long corridor and another flight of stairs to reach the door to the Keep.
She looked up to the sky. 'Oh, Maker! Your just loving this, aren't you!' She growled, before powering onwards. When she finally reached the large, double doors that were decorated in the most beautiful patterns, she leaned against them, cursing her shoes into the Black City.
She took a breath before straightening herself. She pushed open one of the doors, and walked into the Viscount Keep.
Walking up the stairs to the Viscount's office, she heard and saw the people around pointing and whispering. Even though she had her hood up, she had a sneaking suspicion that people knew who she was.
She climbed up the last flight of stairs and was greeted by the sight of Seneschal Bran, who was standing perfectly upright with a look of boredom upon his - rather handsome - face. Walking towards him, she could see his face changed from its looks of boredom to an 'I-cannot-be-bothered-with-this' look.
She put on her best smile as he walked towards her. He coughed into his hand, before speaking to her. "I'm sorry, my Lady. But the Viscount is very busy and has requested that he must not be disturbed"
Alyx laughed. "Still sucking up to the Viscount, Bran? Thought your position was sorted by now" His golden, brown eyes widen as he looked at her.
"Serah Hawke?" he bowed. "I'm sorry, my Lady. I didn't recognize you in your attire."
Alyx gave a snort. "Yes...well, you can blame that on my sister dearest. She decided that I should look my best while visiting our new Viscount, and apparently my armour wasn't going to cut it"
Seneschal Bran nodded, "Remind me to thank her when I next see her" Alyx glared at him before handing him the letter from her pouch. He took the letter out of the envelope, unfolded it and skimmed it with his eyes. With a quick not and a grunt he put the letter back in the envelope before handing it back to her.
"Seems like he is expecting you. Wait here while I go and announce your arrival" and with that, he left her there.
Viscount Avery Bancroft[1] sat in his office. Expensive and beautiful paintings decorated the grey, stone wall that was smooth to the touch. Windows littered the wall behind him as he sat at his desk. He ran his hand over the polished wood before sorting the various parchments into a pile and scrolls into another.
Crimson red curtains decorated the railings around the room, the colour matching the red rug under his desk. He stood from his chair and leaned against his desk, looking up at the shields that stood proud on the walls. Each shield had a family crest on the front. They represented each family that had been with Kirkwall from the beginning. His murky green eyes gazed at one shield in particular; the Amell shield.
He had sent a letter to Ferelden over a month ago, hoping that someone there could point his messenger in the right direction or to her last know whereabouts. Even though the messenger did indeed return, he has no news to whether it was delivered to the Champion. All he said was that he was pointed in the direction of a house and gave the letter to a woman with golden brown eyes and long black-ish brown hair who he has asked to make sure the Champion got the letter.
Taking off the Viscount Crown, he ran his tanned hands through his long black tresses, the ends flicking back and forth over his neck with a few stray strands brushing over his right eye. Running his hand over the stubble that decorated his cheeks, chin and upper lip; he gave a sigh before placing the crown back on his head, the cool metal calming his sweating brow.
He dusted off his robes, giving another deep sigh. The only downfall of being the Viscount was that he had to wear the robes, rain or shine, and right now, the sun was sending a nearly unbearably heat through his windows making him wish that the Maker would crumble the robe to dust.
A knock echoed. He turned to face the door.
"Come in"
Seneschal Bran entered the room, bowing at him. He watched as he stood at his full height before speaking.
"Viscount, you have a guest"
Avery groaned. "As much as I thank you for telling me, I have already informed you that I wish to be left alone"
"I understand that, Viscount. But, your guest?" Avery looked at him, a black eyebrow raised. "It is Messere Hawke...The Champion of Kirkwall"
Avery eyes nearly flew out of their sockets. "Really?" He paced back and forth before turning to the Seneschal. "Send her in, Bran"
He left and Avery sat in his chair, his mind running wild. He had never met the Champion. Yes, he has heard of her, but never seen her. He was from Kirkwall, but he had left for Ferelden to take his father's place alongside the many nobles wishing to aid Ferelden in the Blight.
He had heard rumours. A graceful fighter. A friend to all. A vicious enemy. But none of this could quell the butterflies in his stomach. What if she disliked him? Told him she wasn't going to aid him is his problems? He groaned as his head fell to the desk before it lifted at the sound of the door opening. He watched a figure in a green and gold dress entered, the door closing behind her. Her hands reached up and lifted the hood from the top of her head and his eyes grew as his mouth fell open.
Of all the rumours and stories he had heard of this woman, no one ever spoke of her beauty. Pale, milky skin with cheeks flushed in pale rose. Lips that has a slight pout smiled at him with the colour of perfectly aged red wine. Crystal blue eyes glowed against black kohl and reddish brown eyelid tint. Her short ebony black hair was slicked back as he watched as she raised her black eyebrows at him.
He couldn't breathe, or even speak. He was captivated but he let his mind rest. Beneath this beauty was a woman who had seen horrors others could only imagine. She was a fighter trapped within a beautiful mask which she could not remove.
"Viscount?"
Avery shook his head before speaking. "I must say Champion, from all of the stories I have heard about you, seeing you in my office, wearing a dress does seem slightly...odd?"
He watched as she gave a sigh, rolling her eyes. "Again with this blasted thing? Oh. Away with it. I pray that the Maker may burn this dreadful item"
"Oh, the Maker is great, Messere Hawke, but I do not think he is willing to burn your dress, especially with you wearing it. Think of the gossip. The Champion wearing a dress to visit the Viscount, only to leave as bare as the day she was born. The scandal we will create"
She laughed at him. The sound made his heart flutter.
"Ah, you may be true. We mustn't create a scandal like that so early, we have only just met." They both chuckled, before he coughed into his hand.
The atmosphere became serious as he sat at his desk; he waved his hand at the plush armchair across from him, signalling for her to take a seat.
Watching her sit, he shuffled through the scrolls and letters, looking for the selected documents he wanted to show her.
Grabbing the letters - the papers shaded in various yellowing shades - and put them in front of her.
"These are all the reports from the guards on the Qunari sightings"
He watched as her blue eyes fluttered across the pages, skimming for key words. She bit her bottom lip, and contorted her face into a look of confusion and concern.
His eyes danced over her face, mainly staying on her lips before travelling up the eyes. He gave his head a quick shake to get rid of his...impure...thoughts.
"It seems you were right" his head snapped up, murky green meeting crystal blue. "Either these are left over Qunari from 4 years ago, or they are new Qunari. The first option seems unlikely and if the second option is correct, we best get prepared"
He nodded taking the letters off her hands, his fingertips barely brushing her palm, but it still sent a tingle up his spine.
Coughing again, he spoke. "Well, Champion-" he saw her face tighten before relaxing "-what do you suggest we do?"
She tapped her chin with her right index finger, a pondering look upon her face.
"Well, you should enforce a curfew from today onwards. This will help ensure that everyone will be in there houses in case the Qunari attack. This will also prevent a lot of casualties if they do attack"
Avery nodded his head, running various scenarios through his mind. Grabbing a spare piece of parchment and his eagle feathered quill; he dipped the nib into his ink well and wrote on the parchment, 'enforce curfew'.
Time flew by quickly as Hawke and the Viscount discussed tactics to better protect the people of Kirkwall. She looked out one of the windows to see the sun gently setting over the horizon, casting a blend of reds, oranges and pinks over the sky and making the clouds seem more heavenly than before. Lamps where lit signalling the return of busy nobles and families returning to their homes.
Lightly coughing into her hand, she watched as the Viscount looked up. She had to admit to herself, he was quite striking with his long hair, tanned skin and murky green eyes.
'...Green eyes...Forest green eyes...Tan skin...White hai-'
'NO! No more...'
She spoke up. "As much as I was enjoying our time together, I must get going. It's quite late and my sister will be tearing the estate, and possibly Kirkwall apart, and I fear that her wrath is much more terrifying and deadly than that of a Qunari"
The Viscount chuckled at her. "Alas, it is true. I did not mean to keep you here so long, but I must admit, it was very enjoyable being able to talk to the woman behind the title"
Hawke let out a laugh, before replying. "I must say, you are the first to say that. Most people wish to talk to the Champion, rather than Alyx Hawke"
"Aha!"
Alyx blinked, a confused look dazed in her eyes and she looked at the Viscount.
"It seems that I have learned your name, and here is me, waiting for the moment to ask you for it. Thank you for the trouble"
Raising an eyebrow, she spoke, sarcasm etched in her tone. "Oh Maker! And here is me, hoping to leave here with leaving naught but a memory for you to pine for and hope to see, but alas, you have foiled my plans, Viscount, and I humbly bow to you in a gesture of surrender"
And she did bow, or more so, curtsied. The Viscount let out a deep laugh, which almost sounded like a purr to her.
"As eventful as this is, I must take my leave. Do inform me of when you wish next to speak" with another curtsy and a nod from the Viscount, she turned for the door.
"Avery"
She stopped, and turned to face him.
"My name is Avery Bancroft, my lady. And I hope you do not think me as too bold, but I was hoping to ask if you would like to accompany me to a dinner I am hosting tomorrow evening. It will just be a few close friends and some high-up nobles"
His face was aflame with a deep red blush, as he rubbed the back of his neck, eyes closed in the rejection that was coming.
"I would love to"
His eyes popped open before looking at her, a grin on his face. "Ah! I mean" he coughed. "Thank you, though I must inform you, it is a formal occasion, and so you must wear a dress I'm afraid"
She gave a sigh. "Well, I'm sure I can survive another night in a dress. Good night...Avery"
"Good night, Alyx"
And with that, she left, not noticing the soft grin on the Viscount face that also spoke volumes through his eyes.
Walking down the steps of the Viscount Keep, Alyx played the last few hours through her head before chuckling at the jokes and smiles that were shared.
Cursing her feet and shoes to the Void, she continued on her way.
"Hawke...?"
She froze; her mind registering the Starkhaven accent in a heartbeat.
"Hawke! Is that you?"
She woke up, and powered down the steps, not risking a look back. Her breath was laboured, whether it was in anger or pain, or maybe both, she didn't know.
"Hawke! Wait! Talk to me!"
She heard sound of something – or someone – crashing into a group of people. The streets had gotten busier with people returning home. Lifting her hood up, she blended in and stealthily – and cautiously – walked home.
[1] When I was coming up with the character, Avery Bancroft, I was watching X-Men Origins and my mind focused on Hugh Jackman. So, I based Avery's looks off him, in case you wish to understand how I see him when I wrote this :).
