Part 10

A kiss, so much consequenses, oh dear, I'm afraid I lost trek. Well, just read on.

'Do you really think this is a good idea?' Fenris asked hesitantly. He wasn't happy at all with Hawke's suggestion. Well, suggestion – it sounded more like an irreversible decision. They had been discussing the subject for what seemed long exhausting hours. With an almost unsettling ferocity Hawke had come up with the most appalling ideas about what to do to Bianca or Varric's chest hair to slake her hunger for revenge. Somehow she had managed to change the elf's cautious efforts to steer her away from the tiresome topic into a kind of encouragement. He was certain she did it deliberately. And despite those careful and tentative efforts he hadn't succeeded in calming her down; she was still as wound up as a spring. Even more so, he thought wistfully.

'You are right, fiddling with his crossbow or wrecking his physical pride is far too obvious,' she had said vigorously, 'he will see that coming from miles away. Besides, it's not original.' And then, to his dismay, she had come up with this one.

It wasn't so much the idea he disapproved of but to be honest he had enough of the whole business; it was turning into a never-ending cycle of revenge. As far as he was concerned the affair had been closed with Varric's latest practical joke but the problem was Hawke was involved as well and she was definitively not willing to bury the hatchet. Besides that, this time he had been the stupid one to bring up the idea of a counter-attack and now he couldn't think of a way to talk it out of her head. The foul gossiping noblewomen in the Chantry square had awoken the worst in her and she seemed to be unstoppable in her urge to get back at the dwarf. As if she could punish the aristocracy by doing just that. With his silvery green eyes he warily followed her pace restlessly through the room. He appreciated she still was on edge due to the unjust but nevertheless painful accusations which was the reason he didn't vent his opinion that strongly. Not only because he wanted to treat her with care but he also held his own wellbeing and that of the whole mansion close in mind. He wasn't certain what she would do if he took up the courage to waylay her but he suspected it would be something devastating. He had seen her killing demons, Tal Vashoths and all sorts of human scum in such a straightforward and determined way it made him think twice. She may look like a slender woman with a friendly smile for even a stranger but he knew better. In that slender body she harboured vicious speed and lethal accuracy and behind that friendly smile lurked a deadly determination and thus certain death for anyone who betrayed her or the ones she cared about. He wasn't afraid she would suddenly pick up the urge to kill him or their friends but he didn't look forward to a nasty squabble. By now he knew what she sounded like when she got really annoyed. It already had laid his soul open. Almost surgically. She had been right back then but he still cringed at the memory. Yes, nice. Pick that one word out off the jumble. Great. He abruptly turned his attention back to her.

Hawke stuck out her chin with harsh determination. 'The dwarf wants a happy married couple, the dwarf will get a happy married couple.' She caught his anxious expression and translated it wrongly. 'You do know it's just make believe, don't you? Some sort of, er, sham.' She flashed him a short grim smile. 'I would never drag you into a marriage against your will. You've shown your roaring enthusiasm about the blasted matter already the other night. And you bloody well know I agree with you.'

He made an impatient gesture. 'Yes I know, but I don't see why you think Varric will -'

She interrupted him before he could finish the sentence. 'He will be livid when he finds out we got married, so-called married, without him present, trust me.' She made another tour around the room, representing a classic example of pure tension.

He didn't bear warm feelings for her plan but since Marian had got really hurt by the references to the deaths of her mother and sister he was willing to humour her. He grimaced inwardly. As if he could have been able to stop her. At least, he thought with weary resignation, she didn't want to demolish something. Although deep in his heart he, just as Aveline, started to fear the whole affair could only end with a big bang. An all-destroying one.

'And, if I may ask, how do you think to trick the dwarf?' He was clutching at straws; he knew it all too well but nonetheless hoped fervently she hadn't thought that one through and that it would buy him some time to change her mind as yet.

Hawke stopped in mid-pace and beamed at him with bright wickedness, shattering his meagre hopes. With an edgy motion she wiped the bangs that had fallen into her eyes out of her face. 'I just thought of a solution to that particular problem but I need you to be on the lookout. We have to go to the Keep.' Her eyes at this moment were so bright they could outshine the sun. 'Come on, let's go now. It's way after the evening bells and night has fallen. If we're careful no-one will notice us.' She turned abruptly and with brisk strides hurried to the stairs.

'What?' He feared she would cause a catastrophe. 'What are you scheming?!'

'You'll see!' he heard her merry voice call out somewhere in the hallway. Groaning inwardly he followed her. He seemed to have no other option.

To his dismay though with reluctant admiration Fenris nervously witnessed not half an hour later how Marian nimble as a chipmunk climbed up the wall of the Keep and broke in through a window on the first floor. As she had observed earlier night had fallen, although he had been too tense to notice back then, and it was pitch-dark but for the few burning lampposts that cast circles of sickly yellow light. The streets had emptied out but even so Fenris glanced attentively around in case some unexpected passerby would get aware of his lover's illegal antics. He had still no idea what she was doing except taking a huge risk of being thrown into the Keep's prison by Aveline herself. To his dread he saw a patrol of two guardsmen draw near to the place where he stood and he shrank further back into the shadows. Luckily the patrol strolled leisurely by, deep in conversation and thankfully not paying attention to the higher regions of the building whatsoever. He let out a slow sigh of relief when they had passed and let his hand that hovered over the hilt of his sword relax and drop down. He looked up, hoping Hawke would reappear within short time. 'You'll be the death of me,' he grumbled under his breath. Time went by tormenting slow but finally Hawke's vague silhouette showed up at the window-pane and soon after she clattered back down.

'Tsk,' she commented disapprovingly when she reached him, 'a Keep full of guardsmen and not one is watching the windows. I should bring this to Aveline's attention.'

He didn't bother with reacting to her snarky remark. 'And now?' he said curtly, feeling at the end of his tether. Especially those two at random passing Guardsmen had worked on his nerves. Not to mention he still had no inkling about whatsoever she was aiming at.

'Now we're going to my place. We need an accomplice.' If she noticed his disquiet she didn't show it. She just strode along with determined strides.

She called out the name of her steward while she crossed the threshold of her estate and walked over to her desk. In the meantime she produced an important looking piece of parchment and waved with it at Fenris. 'This,' she said with a dazzling smile, 'is an official marriage contract. As you can see it has the seal of the Viscount and all and his signature, skilfully forged if I may say so myself. Took some time, sorry about that. Seneschal Bran will not be pleased when in the morning he finds his stationery cupboard broken open but a fat lot I care.'

Fenris shook his head but, despite himself and although he made a great effort at looking as stern as possible, he had to smile as well. She was irresistible in her smug enthusiasm and he simply couldn't help himself. He took a deep breath and somehow he recuperated although he hadn't been aware he had been that tense. Thank all the gods she didn't kill anybody ...

'Messere!' Bodahn skittered into the parlour. He got overtaken by Hawke's marbari Tempest who did his name credit by charging into the parlour like a thunderstorm, be it a very bright and happy one. Hawke braced herself but nevertheless he almost knocked his mistress off her feet while he jumped her with unleashed enthusiasm. 'Yes yes I love you too you insufferable lovable idiot and I missed you and will you just back down you silly dog good there you go. Now shush.'

With amused bewilderment Fenris surveyed the scene and could only admire the hound for the unquestionable love he radiated rather brawny and not to forget the way Hawke curbed him with a gentle hand and those in a low and composed voice spoken words. It calmed Tempest down somewhat but didn't stop him from circling her with frisky zest.

'Ah, Bodahn, you're here,' Marian continued slightly out of breath after she had succeeded in fencing off Tempest. She put the parchment that had stayed miraculously undamaged under the marbari's fierce expressions of affection on the desk. 'I need you to sign this paper as a witness to our wedding.' She turned to pick up a quill and dip it into the ink-well.

The dwarf's eyes flew wide and fluttered to the elf's unperturbed expression. 'Er, wedding..?' he said hesitantly. Fenris just shrugged.

Hawke waved her free hand nonchalantly in the direction of her confused steward. 'Don't worry Bodahn, it's not for real; I would have warned you up forehand if that were the case. I mean, with the flower arrangements and such. Or the purchasing of casks of bubble-wine... and cake I suppose...' A short pause indicated she was pondering the prospect. Pondering probably all the prospects springing into mind at this puzzling moment. Both elf and dwarf stared mesmerised at her. She shook her head to clear her mind and went on, 'But Varric needs to be taught a lesson.' With determination she returned to the task at hand. She offered the quill to Fenris. 'To you the first honour,' she said sweetly.

Fenris raised one dark eyebrow. 'The honour of taking part in a charade?' he retorted fairly sarcastic but nevertheless he signed the fake contract. To Marian's surprise, after she and a rather stunned Bodahn had signed as well, the elf drew her in a tight embrace and kissed her. 'If we have to play a game we can as well make it as real as possible and get the most out of it,' he explained with a lopsided grin, 'and besides that I believe I was the one who said we could at least practice.'

Marian burst out laughing and Tempest added to the general joy with bouncing around them and yapping excitedly until Hawke ordered him to his usual spot before the hearth.

'And how long do you want to hide in here this time?' Fenris informed after the peace had returned.

'I don't plan on hiding here at all. You recommended a holiday somewhere far far away as
I remember quite well, and since it's custom for newlyweds to go on a honeymoon I suggest we do just that.'

Fenris let go of her warm body and looked pensively. 'I'm not sure I want to go somewhere too far – he smiled roguishly – far away while Varric may be up to Maker knows what after this.'

'Hmm, you have a valid point,' Marian had to admit, leaning back and resting a hand on the surface of her desk to keep her equilibrium since her lover had retrieved his arms and had taken a step back, 'but I really don't feel the appeal of being cooped up in here. Especially not with this nice weather.' Her face lighted up when an idea hit her. 'What about we go camping for a few days on Sundermount?' She got a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. 'You know, traipsing through dirt, frolicking in the woods, or not in the woods because apparently trees get jealous, that kind of things so you can get in touch with your true elven nature.'

Fenris looked aghast. 'You're not serious I hope?'

She shot him a brilliant smile. 'As a matter of fact I am. Think about it! We can go fishing and swimming, sit by a romantic campfire at night ...' her eyes became dreamily, 'make love under the stars ... it will be great!'

'Being attacked by wild animals, pounced upon by demons, getting soaking wet in sudden rain showers ...' Fenris grunted in response, 'yes I can see all the wonderful attractions of camping in the hills of Sundermount.' He got uninvited nasty visions of cold wet nights full of creaky and eerie growling noises he had heard and underwent while being forced to spend his time outdoors when he was on the run. Certainly they had camped before when they were trekking along the hills and the Wounded Coast on some mission and every time he had had difficulties with getting asleep or with sleeping at all. Sleeping over all had been an issue until he had surrendered to her and her warm assuring body had become a part of his nights. Sleep had been rare as diamonds. Until she had started to share his nights and his bed. And his existence. He took a deep breath.

From his cosy spot Tempest huffed resentfully as if to make clear he definitively saw the attractions of camping. All of them. Even of the pouring rain.

Marian tilted her head and tried to melt her lover with her most pleading look. It was a very powerful and successful attempt and Fenris knew at the very moment he would give in. 'Please? I promise that if you don't like it we will return to the estate and hide in the cellar between the spiders. Just give it a chance.'

Forcefully Fenris shook off the awful visions and raised both his hands in capitulation. Spending warm summer nights in the open with her would be completely different from the fearsome ones he had gone through on his own. In the same way he, to his own amazement, suddenly was able to sleep like a log as long as he held her in his arms, it could well be he, or rather she, would hold the frightening feelings at bay. He contemplated she knew little to nothing about those past nights and perhaps somewhere in these new nights he would feel comfortable to tell her about all the things that haunted him. All those things he hadn't tell her yet though she had a right to know. According to the way she had handled his inner fears and disturbances up till now she would understand him and even better would put him at ease. You're being the coward again, ready to recoil. Only this time you're afraid for her reaction, even though you know that is clear nonsense. He understood the feeling and irritably dismissed it at the same time. Not now. Hestared at her pleading face, disregarded the last residue of his revulsion for the whole outdoors affair and said, 'Alright, you win.' He warded off her happy reaction, 'for now. I'm not going to guarantee we won't end up with the spiders in the cellar.' His lopsided smile said otherwise. 'But we still have to come up with an imaginary destination for our imaginary honeymoon to fool Varric.'

Now Bodahn, a little recovered from the strange happenings, put in a word. 'What about Val Royeaux? I hear it is very popular among newly married couples.'

Fenris rapped his fingers on the desk close to Marian's hip. 'Indeed it is and therefore I fear that's exactly the reason why the dwarf won't believe it. Besides that he knows damn well we're not the Val Royeaux-kind of people. It would ruin the ruse up forehand.' Inadvertently his gaze wandered from Marian to Tempest and back and a thought bubbled up. 'What about Denerim?'

Hawke's face lighted up. 'Oh, that's clever!' she cried out overjoyed, 'he will absolutely fall for that! What better place to go on a honeymoon than my home country.' She added with a malicious smirk, 'I would like to see them take ship to Denerim this time.' But in the meantime Fenris knew her well enough to detect the sliver of melancholy behind her cheerful words. He was certain that if they really got married or were planning to, there would be a silent shedding of tears for the ones she had lost. And by now he comprehended so much more about such sentiments. Without thinking he took her hand and squeezed lightly. She gave him a warm smile in return. The comprehension was mutual.

With a hardly noticeable sigh she turned to Bodahn who was not so much present as hovering around to see to her needs and wishes, perfectly playing the adopted role of the devoted servant. (Little he knew it ever so often got on Hawke's nerves though she never mentioned it because she appreciated he meant well). 'Leave this document on my desk, will you? Or perhaps you should nail it to the wall. I bet (her face contorted at the word as if at something particularly evil smelling) Varric will come running here the moment he finds out we're gone and I want him to see it first thing he comes in.' She smirked nastily. 'It's a pity I won't be able to see his expression. And now we better go prepare for our camping expedition. I believe there's a tent lying about somewhere in the attic, I have my bedroll and a spare one in my bedroom and we have to pack food and wine.'

Panicking Fenris grasped her wrist. 'Don't tell me you want to go to Sundermount at this very moment? It's almost night!'

Hawke reassuringly patted his hand. 'Of course not love, but I intend to leave at daybreak and I don't want to run around the place in the early morning, frantically searching for all the items we have to take with us.' She grinned apologetically. 'You know I'm not at my best at early mornings.'

He shot her cheeky smile in return. 'Really? I remember certain occasions –' he cut off his words abruptly, at once realizing Bodahn's presence. Marian burst out laughing and made use of his embarrassment to drag him to the attic.

As Hawke already had predicted Varric came bustling into the estate the next day way before the bells of noon though he tried to look as neutral as possible.

'Hawke not here?' he informed innocently while he passed Bodahn who had opened the door and ambled into the parlour with the demeanour of someone who accidently happened to pass by.

'I'm afraid not,' Bodahn answered rather stiffly. He had to admit he was a little nervous. It was all and well the mistress of the house had instructed him to beat the other dwarf around the bush and to fool him as much as he could but it wasn't as simple as it seemed. Of course the steward knew what was going on; for several weeks if not one and a half month by now – strange things had happened. After all Messere Fenris had hidden here before and he had been at touch with all what had happened in the betting- and revenge department. He had laughed as much as his mistress and her lover when they had send the whole bunch to Ostwick. But Varric had a way with people insofar he could pry their deepest secrets out off them.

And now it became even worse. He saw the Story Teller's face fold into a nasty smile. 'I know you know,' he whispered.

Bodahn swallowed. 'I know nothing,' he wheezed; he had a hard time not to piss himself under the other dwarf's scrutinizing look but he held strong. He had promised Messere Hawke he wouldn't give in. He straightened his shoulders. 'Messere Hawke and Messere Fenris have gone to Denerim,' he declared proudly. He snatched the document from the desk and presented it to Varric. 'As you can see,' he added haughtily, 'they have married and I happen to know they want to spend their honeymoon in Ferelden.' He felt some kind of a hero after his declaration. It had been no small feat to not falter under Varric's examining glare.

In the meantime Varric paid the nervous dwarf no heed whatsoever anymore. There were more important issues to intend to. As an example he found in the margin of the marriage document Hawke's viciously scribbled, 'Hahaha, beat you to it, you stupid betting baboon!'

Varric glared at the writing as if it had bitten him. He looked up to Bodahn with an expression that lingered between hurt and smugness. 'Right. I hope they know what friends do with the houses of newlywed,' he mumbled.

Without further comment he marched out of the door. He had to find Rivaini. Between the annoyance and anger a twirl of mirth found its way. Varric smiled. Nastily.

Bodahn stared after him, not exactly knowing to be concerned or relieved.

He would soon find out.

Hope you liked this one. Seriously, I really I hope you liked this one!

Thank you so much for reading