Disclaimer: Dragon Age 2 and it's characters belongs to Bioware. Chapter title's are song titles from various artists because they fit - and because I was too lazy to make up my own. :p
A/N: I have plans for the next couple of chapters, and then there is going to be a significant time jump in order to reach the games Act II time frame. This chapter is a little heavy on dialogue, as I am trying to build up to events in future chapters. Thanks again to those of you that have been following this story, and for leaving reviews. Hope you all enjoy the new chapter, and chapter 11 should be up next weekend, if not sooner.
Added Note: Quotes written purely in italics, is the telepathic communication between Orsino and Hawke.
You are the strength, that keeps me walking.
You are the hope, that keeps me trusting.
You are the light to my soul.
You are my purpose...you're everything.
You calm the storms, and you give me rest.
You hold me in your hands, you won't let me fall.
You steal my heart, and you take my breath away.
Would you take me in... take me deeper now.
Cause you're all I want, you're all I need.
You're everything, everything.
~*~ Everything - Lifehouse ~*~
"I'm afraid that you are mistaken," Hawke replied doubtfully. Moira shook her head, and presented a piece of parchment. "I'm not mistaken, Serah. You sent Ser Emeric this message a half hour ago." Hawke glanced down at the letter, and then returned her worried gaze to the templar. "I did not send this."
"You didn't? Strange. Well, I don't know. Emeric's been acting strange for months. It's probably just a misunderstanding." Hawke gave Fenris a wary look, and she could tell that he was thinking the same thing she was. "We need to get to this alley, and quickly. I have a bad feeling about this." Fenris nodded in silent agreement.
Hawke had a sudden thought, and scanned the courtyard. Spotting her intended target, she focused her thoughts.
"Orsino?"
"Yes, my dear?"
"Are you available to come to the courtyard?"
"I'm on my way. Are you in trouble?"
"No, but I believe Ser Emeric's life is in danger, and time is not on our side. Fenris and I can handle a lot on our own, but I would like to ask the Knight-Captain to allow your assistance, if you are willing."
"You know that I am."
When Orsino came into view, Hawke headed across the courtyard. She knew that Cullen would not let Orsino go with her easily, but she felt the need to try. She was still frustrated by the events of the previous evening, and Orsino always had a way of making her feel more calm and collected. She knew that it was selfish of her, but she needed him at her side today.
Orsino reached the Knight-Captain at the same time Hawke and Fenris did, and she spoke up immediately. "Knight-Captain, First Enchanter, my apologies for interrupting, but this is a matter of urgency. I have reason to believe that a templar, Ser Emeric, is in grave danger. Fenris and I are going to look for him, but I don't have time to gather any of my other companions in case we run into trouble."
Hawke hesitated briefly, in an effort to make it appear that she was uncomfortable asking her next question. "First Enchanter, if the Knight-Captain would allow it, would you be willing to go with us? Ser Cullen, your blade would be most welcomed as well, of course, if you are able to leave your post."
Cullen was slightly surprised by her request, but he could see the sincere distress in Hawke's face, and after a moment he shook his head. "I'm sorry Hawke, I can not leave my post at this time, but I will allow you to take the First Enchanter if he is willing to help."
"I am," Orsino answered earnestly with a nod.
Fenris grumbled something unintelligible -something about working with another mage, Hawke had no doubt-, which drew the attention of the templar, and the First Enchanter. "Fenris, if I recall from our last meeting," Cullen asked the elf. "Yes, that is correct," Fenris answered shortly.
Cullen glanced at Hawke and Orsino with what Hawke took as an apologetic expression, before returning his attention to the ex-slave. "May I speak with you in private for just a moment? I will not delay your task any longer." Fenris gave Cullen a curious look, but nodded in compliance.
Hawke raised an eyebrow, but did not question the Knight-Captain's motives. No matter what he said to Fenris, he was her friend, and she trusted him explicitly. "We will wait for you at the boat, Fenris," she called out behind her as they headed to the Gallows dock.
"The designated meeting place is around this next corner," Fenris said quietly, as he drew his broadsword. He put his back to the wall of a nearby building, and slid to the end to peer around the corner. Hawke and Orsino readied their staves, and stepped carefully up behind him.
When Hawke heard a low growl from the warrior, she knew they were in for some bad news. "What is it, Fenris," she whispered.
"Several shades, and at least one demon," he growled viciously, "and from the looks of things, we are too late to help the templar."
Hawke frowned, and sighed softly. "Despite Emeric's fate, those wretched creatures can not be allowed to roam the streets." Fenris nodded in agreement, and they both looked to Orsino, who gestured for them to lead the way.
Fenris stepped around the corner, his lyrium tattoos glowing brightly, and charged at the nearest enemy. Hawke summoned a healing aura, and followed a few feet behind, staying well within healing range, but out of the path of his blade.
Orsino launched several precisely aimed fireballs amongst the enemies that were surrounding Hawke and Fenris, and then turned his attention to the stragglers outside of the fray. Orsino watched the two in awe, as they fought side by side. It looked almost like a choreographed dance, the powerful, graceful swings of Fenris' two-handed sword, the smooth oscillations of Hawke's bladed staff as she alternated between melee attacks, and casting spells. Enemies that ventured too close to Hawke were knocked away by a telekinetic burst, or struck down by Fenris within seconds.
A shade appeared next to Orsino, and he engulfed it in flames before it even had a chance to move. Seeing that the battle was nearly over, he began to move closer to the pair. Hawke looked up as he approached, and she smiled at him before it suddenly turned into a grimace. "Orsino duck!"
He did as she commanded, and glanced behind him to witness the shade freeze solid, and then shatter to tiny pieces a second later.
Orsino smiled at the sight, but it faded as soon as he turned back find his lover frowning, and kneeling over the dead templar.
"Some mage sent those things here to kill him," Ser Moire asked as she approached from a nearby alley. "Why would anyone... Oh Maker, the murders. Emeric was right, he was getting too close. He suspected a man named Gascard DuPuis. Did he do this?"
Hawke stood, and pulled a piece of cloth free from her belt. "I'm not sure. I didn't think he was the killer, but it's possible that he tricked me," she replied dourly.
"Then we need to find him. Do you know where he is?"
"He said he was going to Darktown," Hawke answered, as she wiped off the blade of her staff.
"Darktown's a big place, but we'll find him. He's an apostate, and Meredith will want him hunted down. I will speak to the city guard about this. Gascard DuPuis will not escape," Ser Moire declared. "I... will also have a some men come back for Ser Emeric," she added sadly, and then took her leave.
Hawke shook her head, and began walking back in the direction from which they came. "I knew we should have killed him when we had the chance," she muttered quietly. "Let's go."
"Hawke, this isn't your fault," Fenris stated as he and Orsino caught up to her.
"Perhaps not," she replied with a bitter laugh, "but if I had done things differently, Gascard would be dead. I wouldn't be angry with Aveline. Merrill wouldn't be upset with me, and you and I would not be having this discussion... Still," she added more calmly, "I appreciate your attempt to make me feel better, Fenris. And no, technically this is not my fault, but Emeric might would still be alive if I had been more careful with the choices I made during this whole thing.
Fenris nodded in acknowledgment, and the three walked on in silence. Orsino's hand reached for hers, and she squeezed his fingers lightly in return. His touch eased her despair, and she was very grateful for his presence.
When they arrived in the Gallows, Moire had already informed Cullen of what had transpired, and a contingent of templars had been dispatched to Darktown to look for Gascard. Hawke managed to maintain her well practiced air of calm throughout the conversation, all the while fighting to ignore the worry threatening to overwhelm her.
"Thank you, First Enchanter, for your assistance, and thank you for allowing him to come with us, Knight-Captain," Hawke said, as soon as she found the opportunity to excuse herself.
"I hope the templars find Gascard soon, and if you need my assistance with anything, you can send word to my estate. Now if you will excuse me, I have one other matter to attend to, before I can retire for the night. Have a nice evening gentlemen," she said with bow of her head, and turned quickly on her heel to head back to the boat.
"Did you need my help with something else tonight, or was that just an excuse to get out of there," Fenris asked as they climbed the stairs to Lowtown.
"I need to do a couple of things before I return to Orsino for the evening, but I will be fine on my own." Hawke replied simply.
"Hawke, we've had this discussion..."
"Fenris, you don't want to go where I am heading," she interrupted. "Besides, I recall you making plans with Varric tonight, and we are almost to the Hanged Man."
When they reached the tavern, Fenris stopped, and stared at Hawke for a moment.
"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you, Hawke? And don't tell me no just because I don't get along all of the company you keep." he finally said. He hated her wandering the city alone, especially after dark. She was the only person he could remember that he actually wanted to protect, and he would go out of his way to ensure her safety, even if she didn't think she needed it.
Hawke gave him a sweet smile, and nodded, "I'll be fine, Fenris. I'm going to teleport home, gather a few things, deliver a quick message, and then teleport back to the Gallows. I will only have to travel a few steps away from my estate to deliver the message. I should be perfectly safe, unless some brave bandits are camping on my doorstep."
Fenris hesitated only a moment longer, before he nodded his head, and turned to open the door. He knew where she was going, and though he despised the abomination, he knew she should be safe enough getting to his clinic from her estate.
"Fenris."
He halted, and looked back at her over his shoulder. "Thank you," she said sincerely.
He didn't have to ask why this time. Just as the previous day, and several times before, she was simply reminding him that remaining at her side is his choice, and that she appreciates him being there. A small smile spread on his face, one that he reserved only for her, and then he disappeared through the door.
Hawke threw her pack over her shoulder, grabbed her staff, and rushed out of the kitchen. She quickly made her way through the dining room, and nearly ran into her mother as she rounded the corner into the sitting room. Leandra jumped, and placed a hand on her chest to calm her heavily beating heart, before placing her other hand on Hawke's arm. "Where are you going in such a hurry, dear? Is something wrong?"
"I'm sorry, Mama. I didn't mean to startle you, but I don't have time to explain right now. We'll talk in the morning." Hawke stepped around her mother, and opened the door to the cellar.
"Mama," she called, and stopped on the stairwell.
Leandra stepped into the doorway, and gave her a worried look. "If you see... one of my friends in the house, don't panic. He has my permission." She continued down a few more steps before she paused again, "And if anyone comes looking for one of my friends... you've never met them," she added.
Leandra smiled with understanding, and nodded her head. Hawke smiled in return, and continued her swift descent into the cellar. When she reached the back door, she opened it slowly, and searched with eyes and ears for any signs of trouble. Not noticing anything that appeared to be a threat, she locked, and closed the door behind her, and ran across the small landing to her destination. Both of the doors were locked, and she wasn't real sure if that was a good sign, or a bad one.
She knocked on the door, quietly at first, but when no answer came, she knocked a little louder. Still no answer came, and panic began to set in. "It's Hawke, if you're in there, please let me in," she called out as she frantically knocked again. As soon as the words left her mouth, she heard the lock click. The door opened a small crack, before quickly swinging open. A single hand reached out to grasp her arm, and yanked her inside, before the door slammed shut behind her.
When she turned to face the man at the door, she was unsettled by the distress showing in his features. "Anders, what's wrong? What happened?"
Anders shook his head, and walked around her to stand his staff up against the wall, and then preceded to pace back and forth across the room. "There were templars here just a few minutes ago. I heard them talking to that elf merchant friend of yours, and I locked the doors. They came here a few minutes later, and beat on the door several times. I thought for sure that they would bust the door down, and if they had... Maker, I don't even want to think about it. What are you doing here? You shouldn't be walking through Darktown at night by yourself," he said as he stopped pacing, and looked at her.
Hawke frowned, and walked over to Anders. "I came here to warn you that the templars were searching Darktown for someone, but they beat me here it seems."
"How did you know they were going to be here," he asked worriedly.
"It's a long story, but they are looking for a man named Gascard DuPuis. He's a blood mage, so if he comes here looking for shelter..."
"He'll find death," Anders interrupted. "And so will those templars if they come back here. It took all of my strength to keep Justice from..."
"Anders," Hawke placed her hand on his chest, "you are strong enough to control Justice. You can't kill templars just for knocking on your door. You'll draw the attention of the Knight-Commander, and they'll never stop hunting you."
Anders' eyes softened, and he placed a hand on top of Hawke's, "I know, Hawke. Thank you. You always have a way of restoring my faith in myself, and reminding me that things could be worse than they are."
Hawke smiled, and pulled her hand away to dig into a pocket on her robe. "Here," she said as she reached her hand out to him. Anders extended his hand, and he eyed the metal object in his palm, before looking back at her. "A key," he asked with a confused look.
Hawke nodded, and closed his fingers around it. "It unlocks the door to my cellar, just outside of your clinic... So that you have somewhere safe to flee, if you need to escape in a hurry."
Anders' eyes went wide, and he shook his head, "Hawke, no. That will put you in too much danger. I can't..."
"You can, and you will," she said sternly. "You are my friend, and I will give you what protection I can. Even if the templars followed you, my mother would play ignorant of your identity, as well as how you got a key. She is well practiced in such things, I assure you. As for me, I am rarely home these days, so it wouldn't do them much good to look for me there."
Anders frowned, but slipped the key into his coat pocket. He stared at her silently for a few moments, then turned his back to her, and walked over to a chair to sit down. Hawke shifted her weight from foot to foot, slightly uneasy by the tension that seemed to suddenly rise between them.
"It's the elf, isn't it," he asked in a barely audible tone.
"The elf? What are you talking about," she asked, clearly confused by his question.
"Fenris. I should have seen it sooner. You two have always been very close," he answered sadly.
Hawke shifted her pack on her shoulder, and frowned. "Fenris and I are close, yes. We have become very good friends over the last two years, as have you and I. I know you two don't get along, but I don't see how my friendship with him has anything to do with what we were just talking about."
"So you're just friends? You aren't... together?"
"Toge..." Hawke paused as she finally realized what had started this line of questioning, and she shook her head. "No Anders. Fenris and I are not together. I have been seeing someone, however, and I have spent the last several nights with him, but it is not anyone from our usual group."
Anders seemed to relax slightly, but he still seemed unhappy, and she fought not to frown at him.
"The way you worded that... not anyone from our usual group. Does that mean that I know this person?"
The frown she was trying to hide, crept onto her face. Of course he would have caught on to that... and this was not why she had come here tonight. "Anders," she sighed, "You know of him... but don't know him personally."
Anders shifted in his chair, "I have never seen you become this uncomfortable about a single question, Hawke. Is there a reason you don't want me to know who it is?"
Hawke pinched the bridge of her nose, and closed her eyes. "Yes Anders, there is a reason. If I tell you who it is, it will start an inevitable argument, that I truly just don't feel like having tonight."
Anders stood from his chair, and walked back to stand in front of her. "Fine," he said calmly, "then just answer me this... Is he good to you? Are you happy?"
Hawke looked up at him, and her lips turned up slightly as she thought about Orsino. "He is a good man, he is very good to me, and yes I am happy. Happier than I have been since... well, in many, many years."
"Good," he said softly. "I just want you to be happy, Hawke."
Deciding that he couldn't sit around there any longer, Anders stepped around Hawke, and grabbed his staff once again. "I think I will go to the Hanged Man for awhile. Maybe the bloody templars will have found their target, and gone back to the Gallows by the time I return. Would you like an escort anywhere," he asked as he slid his staff onto his back.
"No, I'll be fine. Are you sure you'll be okay walking to Lowtown by yourself," she asked, and readjusted her pack again.
Anders gestured to the door, and Hawke followed him towards it. "You're concern is appreciated, sweetheart, but not needed. I can take care of myself."
Hawke nodded silently as she exited the clinic, and Anders followed, locking the door behind him. She couldn't help but to worry about the mage, not so much for his physical safety, but for his mental stability. Over the two years she's known Anders, she has watched the slow, subtle changes in his personality. She could still see the true Anders on occasion, cheerful, mischievous, and flirtatious; but she sees less and less of that part of Anders, and she worries that one day it will be gone completely.
"Are you sure you're okay Hawke, you look like something is bothering you." Hawke blinked to clear her thoughts, and returned her attention to Anders to see the worry in his face. "I'm sorry, Anders. I've just had a lot on my mind the last couple of days, nothing a day of quiet introspection can't cure," she said with a forced smile. "Go on and enjoy your evening. I'll come by in a couple of days, and you can let me help you out around the clinic a bit."
Anders nodded, and gave her another small smile, "I'd like that."
"I will see you in a couple of days then. Have a pleasant night Anders... and be careful."
"Good night, Hawke," he replied, and began his trek through the darkened streets.
Hawke frowned as she watched Anders walk away. His shoulders were hunched more than usual, and his farewell had sounded a touch dismal. She wasn't sure what had upset him, but she figured she could try to pull it out of him during her next visit.
"Zalandra?"
"Yes, love?"
"Are you... all right?"
Hawke suddenly felt a heavy wave of anxiety wash over her, and her frown deepened. Without responding to his question, she summoned her magic, and found herself in Orsino's chambers a moment later, staring into the depths of his worried green eyes.
"I'm fine, Orsino," she assured him, and placed her hand on his cheek. "Why so troubled?"
Orsino shook his head, and pulled her closer to him. "It is not easy to explain. I was struck with an inexplicable sense of sorrow, and then all I could think of was you. I didn't want to disturb you, but I had to make sure you were okay. "
Hawke's brow furrowed as she considered his words, and after a moment she realized that her previous sensation of anxiety made sense. "The bond," she stated, as she pulled away to prop her staff against the wall, and set her pack on the floor. When she turned back to Orsino, he reached for her again, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. "You were sensing my emotions, and I sensed yours as well."
Orsino pressed a kiss to her forehead, and held her tightly in his arms. They each knew that feeling the other's emotions was a possibility with the bond, but it was supposed to be a rare effect, and even if it did occur, he had not expected it this soon."Will you tell me what upset you then," he asked quietly.
Hawke lowered her head, and rested it against his shoulder. "I... can't."
"You can't... or you won't," he asked calmly, and began pulling the pins from her hair.
Hawke closed her eyes, and once Orsino pulled her hair free of it's bun, she raised her head to look up at him. "Won't, would be the more accurate word, I suppose. If I told you, you would be forced to choose between your duty as First Enchanter, and your feelings for me. I refuse to do that to you intentionally, just as I would never intentionally force my brother to choose between his oath as a templar, and his relationship to me."
Orsino frowned, and shook his head, "It is impossible for you to put me in such a position, because there is no choice between the two. I will always do what I can to protect the mages under my care, but as far as my other duties as First Enchanter are concerned, they will never come before my love and loyalty to you."
A pained expression formed on her face, and Hawke released a soft sigh. "That is not the only reason I won't tell you," she admitted quietly. "As much as I would love to share with you all of the things that make me happy, or angry, or sad... I would feel as though I was betraying a friend if I told you what was bothering me. I am deeply... concerned about this friend. He is fighting a very difficult battle, against something that I am powerless to protect him from, and I'm afraid that he will eventually lose to it."
Seeing the tears she was trying fight back, Orsino pulled her against his chest, and rested his cheek against the top of her head. "I'm sorry, emm'asha," he whispered, while brushing his fingers through her hair. "I understand if you can't tell me everything, but as long as my body draws breath, I will be here for you... in whatever capacity that you need me."
Orsino's words touched such a deep part of her, that Hawke could no longer hold back the tears that began running down her cheeks. She wondered how something so simple as assuring her that he was here, could bring such an overwhelming emotion. She then decided that Orsino simply had that effect on her. He was always able to slip through her guarded walls, and reach her most hidden, vulnerable depths, with nothing more than a tender gaze, a softly spoken word, or the gentlest touch. "And that, is why you fell in love with him," she thought to herself.
Hawke leaned back to look at him again, this time with a pleasant smile playing on her lips. Orsino gently wiped her tears away with his thumb, and kissed her forehead again.
"I brought us some dinner, if you're hungry," Hawke said after a moment. Orsino smiled, and nodded, "I could stand to eat. Our excursion this afternoon was a bit more straining than what I am used to."
Hawke chuckled, and pulled free from his grasp to retrieve her pack. "Did you enjoy the opportunity to leave the mundane tasks of your position to roast the vile fiends tramping through the cities' streets, First Enchanter," she asked lightly, and began placing the food on the dining table.
Orsino laughed quietly as he set clean dishes, and a bottle of wine on the table. "It was a nice change of pace, I must admit. Though I was more invigorated watching you and Fenris fighting, than by the battle itself. The two of you move in such graceful harmony with each other... it was truly a sight to behold. I was also quite impressed by your proficiency with a staff. I have never seen a mage in my lifetime look so at ease, while they were being surrounded by enemies."
Hawke nodded in appreciation, and returned her pack to the floor. Orsino pulled out a chair for her, and she kissed his cheek before sitting down. "My father began teaching Carver the basics of fighting as soon as he was big enough to lift a sword. I enjoyed watching their training sessions, and after a few weeks I started following along with my staff. Daddy was delighted in my eagerness to learn, and he happily allowed me to join in their sessions. As we got older, Carver and I started sparring with each other, and I used those duels to learn how to defend myself without the use of magic."
Orsino poured them both a glass of wine, and waited patiently as Hawke went about distributing food onto their plates. "Do you spar with Fenris, or one of your other companions now that Carver is a templar," he asked curiously.
"No," she replied with a shake of her head. "I'm sure Fenris or Aveline would if I asked, but it just wouldn't be the same. Carver and I knew each other's weaknesses, and we played on those weaknesses in order to help the other improve. I suppose I just didn't want to have to start over from scratch with a new partner. Although I think I'd enjoy training someone that didn't already have an established fighting style."
The two began eating, and Orsino considered her last comment. Being able to fight when magic was not an option could prove very useful. He even idly wondered if he could convince the Knight-Commander (or more likely, the Knight-Captain) to allow the apprentices to be taught such skills. He knew that wasn't likely to happen, but it might be worth asking at least. "Would you be willing to train me," he asked after a few minutes.
Hawke's eyes widened in surprise, "I... well of course I'd be willing, but... are you sure you want me to? I've been told that I'm not exactly the nicest person when I am trying to teach someone something."
Orsino laughed, and took a drink of his wine. "I can't imagine you not being nice, my dear, but even so, I think it will be an enjoyable experience. And if you torment me too much, I'll just have to teach you a lesson of my own," he replied teasingly.
Hawke smiled, and nodded. "Very well. I'll pick up a couple of training staves tomorrow for us to start with."
They continued eating in companionable silence for several minutes, before Hawke broke it again. "I never did actually thank you for your help today; so thank you."
"You and Fenris did most of the work. I was too caught up in watching the two of you, hence you having to save my hide from my own lack of attention to my surroundings."
Hawke shook her head, and sipped at her wine. "You helped more than you realize. But I was more thankful for your presence, than your impeccable ability to incinerate things... We were," a light flush colored her cheeks, "distracted last night, before I told you what happened at the DuPuis estate. Having you there with me today just made things much easier for me to deal with."
Orsino grabbed her empty hand, and brought it up to his lips. "I'm glad I could be there then. What exactly did happen last night? I gathered this Gascard Dupis fellow was mage, and a blood mage if I understood your comments correctly. You said you were angry at Aveline, and Merrill was upset with you, why?"
Hawke finished the last bite of her food, took another sip of her wine, and sighed. "Short version is... He is indeed a blood mage, he claimed he turned to blood magic because this murderer we've been hunting killed his sister years ago, and he wanted revenge. I didn't believe his story, but I didn't think he was the killer either. None of that really mattered to me though. You know how I feel about blood magic..."
"I do," Orsino said with a nod.
"Yes. Well, Aveline let him go, because she thought he might be able to help us find the killer. After the bastard was gone, I yelled at Aveline, and upset Merrill in the process. I stopped myself short when I saw Merrill's hurt expression, and didn't even wait for a response. I stormed out into the hall, told them not to look for me, and teleported straight here." Hawke got to her feet to clear off the table, and Orsino stood to help her.
He knew that she hated blood mages, but he'd only seen Hawke lose her temper once, and that was with her brother. He was slightly shocked to hear that she had yelled at Aveline, of all people, but it revealed to him that her revulsion of blood magic is much stronger than he initially realized.
"You have never said it directly, but I've had suspicions for awhile... is Merrill a blood mage," Orsino asked as he set the dishes in the basin, and summoned his magic to fill it with water.
Hawke frowned, but nodded. "She is. I was sort of tricked into bringing her to Kirkwall, and though I have managed to remain sociable with her, I do not agree with the choices she has made, and I don't ever see myself calling her a friend. She has a kind soul, but she's very naive. I know she would never intentionally harm anyone, but she refuses to heed the warnings that she's been given. I don't think she truly understands the difference between spirits and demons, or how much danger she is to herself, and those around her."
Orsino nodded, and continued washing the dishes in silence. He wondered why a young Dalish mage would turn to blood magic. From what he knew of the Dalish, they were a very simple, and unified people. They didn't yearn for power, or riches. They didn't strive for war, and humans left them alone for the most part, as long as the clans didn't tarry in one place for too long. He shrugged mentally, a conversation for another day.
He handed Hawke the last dish for her to dry, and put up. A quick flash of magic dried and warmed his hands, and he wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'm going to go prepare a bath, would you like to go first, or shall I?" Hawke leaned back against his chest, and looked up into his eyes, a playful smile on her lips. "I don't see why it would be necessary to take turns," she said softly. "The bathtub is plenty big enough for the both of us."
Orsino smiled and pressed his lips to hers, before trailing them across her jaw, and down her neck. "Then I will prepare a bath, and await you to join me"
Hawke rested her head on Orsino's chest, and stared into the hearth across the room. "Orsino?"
"Yes dear," he asked as he idly ran his fingers through her wet hair.
"Are you originally from Kirkwall, or were you sent here," she asked softly.
"I was born in Tantervale, and I was sent to the Circle in Starkhaven as a young child. I don't really recall much of my life before that. I was a Senior Enchanter when I was sent here, a little over ten years ago, and I offered to take on the position of First Enchanter not long after that. My predecessor was declining with old age, and no one else wanted the position. I'm sure Meredith was the cause of that."
Hawke nodded, and trailed her fingers gently across his chest. "Do you not remember your family at all?"
Orsino's hand stilled in her hair, and Hawke tilted her head up to look at him. "I'm sorry, love, I didn't mean to..."
Orsino shook his head, and smiled, "You're quite alright, my dear. I'm just not used to anyone caring enough to ask such questions. I don't recall anything more than a few memories of faces, or voices, except for my older brother. He began sending me letters shortly after I arrived in Starkhaven, and we have continued to keep in touch ever since."
Hawke smiled, and lifted herself up on her elbow to kiss his lips. "Do you think you could get out of your office a little early tomorrow? I decided earlier that I need a quiet day, after yesterday and today. I have a couple of things to do in the morning, but then I can come back here, and wait for you."
A devious smile spread on his face, and Orsino gently bit her bottom lip. "I could probably be persuaded to try."
Hawke hummed in approval. "And what... would I have to do... to persuade you..." she asked between kisses.
Orsino chuckled, and rolled them both over, propping his weight up on his elbows as he smiled down at her. "I'm sure I can think of something," he replied.
Hawke giggled softly, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you," she whispered softly. "And I love you," he replied, before claiming her lips in a slow passionate kiss.
A/N: Forgot to mention before, that Orsino's past is purely based off of my imagination. The only thing we know for sure about him is that he is not from Kirkwall, so I took it upon myself to make up a back-story. :)