A/N Yeah, one shot. Riiiiiiight. I'm going to be away for a few days, so don't be alarmed. I already have plans in place for finally Climbing. The. Damned. Mountain! and giving Anders his gift already ...
Chapter 8
It was already deep twilight when they passed the two sentinels at the edge of the camp, pausing to reassure themselves that the Keeper was expecting visitors. The sun had dropped beneath the highest slopes of Sundermount, and while the western sky was still alight with blazing orange clouds, the eastern sky was already a rich blue deepening to indigo on the horizon.
As they approached the central fire where the Keeper stood warming her hands, the elven woman greeted them graciously, as always. "Andaran atish'an, Hawke, Anders," she said, inclining her head in a brief nod.
Anders raised an eyebrow, surprised that she even knew his name. "Keeper Marethari, it's good to see you again. I'd like to offer my services, if anyone has need of them."
She smiled warmly and raised her voice, querying the clan. Almost immediately, a few of the hunters came forward, some limping, others with rough bandages applied to various small wounds. "A service for a service. It is appreciated, young man."
Hawke watched Anders walk over to one of the aravels, which he quickly adapted to provide a turn as a diagnostic table and healing platform. She turned back to the Keeper with a small frown on her face.
"I didn't intend for your hunters to be harmed, Keeper," she said apologetically. "I'm sorry for any trouble my request has caused."
"Give it no further thought, child," the older woman said, raising one hand in a graceful gesture. "You have done the clan a great service as well, and this small task provided a distraction for some of the younger hunters who grow impatient with waiting.
"But you seem to have been delayed in the journey. We expected you nearer mid-day. Did you encounter any difficulties?" The Keeper noted how Hawke's gaze kept straying to the aravel where Anders worked, and nodded quietly to herself.
"Hmmmm? Oh, no - no real problems along the way - your hunters did an admirable job," Hawke replied quickly, glossing over the emotional stresses of the day. "We were delayed in Kirkwall because Anders had a difficult healing to finish, and then he needed to rest. Or rather, he collapsed and I made him rest," she amended.
Marethari observed the color in the young woman's face and decided to tease her, just a little. "The fire is a little warm right now, isn't it? Would you like to go see how your young man is doing?"
"Thank you, no, Keeper. I can see him just fine from here." Still blushing, Hawke tilted a knowing grin at the woman and continued, "but if you'd like to keep calling him 'young' man to his face, I'd appreciate it."
Marethari actually smiled. "The love of a worthy man is a wonderful gift, indeed, Hawke. It gladdens me to see that you have found it."
"That's all settled, then," Anders' cheery voice reached them, and he joined them at the fire, moving to stand close beside Hawke. "Maker, but I could wish the refugees in Darktown were half as healthy as your people, Keeper. It would make healing them so much easier without the complications of malnutrition and living right on top of the sewers." With only the slightest hesitation, he wrapped an arm around Hawke's shoulder, pulling her tight.
Marethari smiled again. "Indeed, young man. But it seems you have found an able First. I will see that some room is made in one of the aravels for your rest tonight." She bowed slightly, and went to speak with the hunters.
"So, this service for a service she spoke of," he said, looking at Hawke with a slight smile. "Should I assume that is why we didn't have any run-ins on our way here?"
"Yes, Anders. I sent Marethari a message requesting her help when I found that entry in my father's journal. I knew we had to come out here, but I knew I didn't want to bring anyone else either. Not that I don't I trust them - well, most of them, at any rate," she corrected, when he gave a quiet snort. "But this is for Bethany, and I just couldn't risk the wrong ears picking up even a hint of what I'm hoping to do.
"And as wonderful as you are in a fight, and as madly skilled as I am, I still didn't want the added problems of running battles as soon as we left the city. Besides," she continued in a softer voice, pitched for his ears alone, "I would never want to share what has happened between us today."
The fire crackled quietly, casting half of her face in deepest shadow as she leaned her head back against his shoulder. He lowered his face so he could brush his lips against hers in silent agreement.
