Hi all! I hope you are all doing well :)
Just want to say THANK YOU for alerting/favourite-ing/reviewing this story. It seriously makes my day every time a little note shows up in my email letting me know of a new reader. You are all too kind, and I am very lucky.
This chapter and the one after is dedicated to Wynterkiss, who is my first FF buddy and such a wonderfully kind person. She has reviewed my work and gives me such thoughtful tips/advice/compliments on my work. Thank you :) She has her own fiction starring Hawke and Anders, and it's really lovely. Check it out :3
ALSO, exciting news. I have received the commission of Fenris and Ophelia from the talented Jakface on tumblr! If you search my tumblr (of the same name as mine here in FF) and check out the archives, it will be a few posts in :) (I would post the link, but FF no likey!)
Or you can private message me and I will forward you the link!
And just so you know, I will never give up on this story. It WILL be finished. I physically could not stop telling Ophelia's story. There may be some pauses, but never a sudden loss. I owe that to my readers.
I hope you enjoy this chapter :)
After that night, Hawke made the firm decision to take charge and forget about Fenris. When she just happened to see him in the Chantry when she was visiting Sebastian, she smiled politely and excused herself until they were finished. She MAY have kicked over a few melting candles while she waited, making the Sisters gasp and block her from the ones remaining, but otherwise she was doing fine. She was doing just fine. It was all just dandy.
The days passed. The normal Friday night card games continued, although Hawke and Fenris were conveniently skipping a week due to 'business' so neither of them turned up on the same night. The others were at first uncomfortable with the obvious empty chair, but it soon became somewhat normal for one to leave when the other appeared. In fact, a game was created where they would bet on the number of seconds it would take before Hawke and Fenris saw each other and which would flee the fastest. Merrill was unusually brilliant at guessing, making a small fortune for herself over the course of a few weeks ("I like to think it's a connection I have with people," She would chirp, while the others raised their eyebrows, clearly not sure that was the case),
Hawke kept busy. Sebastian needed some evil basement cleaned out, and Hawke had never seen so many skulls in her life. It completely baffled her ("Did they just start hacking the heads off anyone they saw? 'Oh hello Frank, how's your—AUUGGRRHH'"). Merrill needed some tooly thing for some evil mirror, and SURPRISE, they had to kill a giant monster first. Varric had found his evil brother and they cleaned out his evil house; the lyrium idol disappeared for what Hawke hoped for good.
Hawke was now leaning listlessly against the cold stone wall of the barracks outside Avelines office. She had just experienced the mess that was 'Aveline Tries to Flirt While I Kill Stuff' and had been hauled back to her office for some reprimanding. Then Donnic had entered and Hawke was waiting for whatever punishment awaited her when Donnic left his complaint and Aveline would be left furious. The minutes passed and City Guards walked past her with a raised eyebrow. "Just waiting to be beaten to a pulp by the Guard Captain. You know how it is," she said, and unsurprisingly they all nodded with knowing.
A giggle came from inside the closed office, followed by a low murmur and the scraping of chairs on stone.
Hawkes eyes widened and she looked at the door, astounded. "Oh you have seriously got to be kidding me. I'm just out here, you perverts!" She hissed through a crack in the door before storming off.
Typical. Even Aveline was getting some.
The warrior muttered darkly as she walked aimlessly towards the general direction of Lowtown. Halfway there she finally decided to go visit Anders and doubled back towards home to take the Hawke estate cellar passage to the clinic. As she walked into the entrance room she almost walked straight into Leandra who was leaving.
"Woah! Sorry, didn't see you there," Hawke dodged to the left, narrowly missing her shoulder armour to Leandras face.
"Oh, Ophelia dear. How did the thing with Aveline go?" Leandra held Hawkes hands gently in hers.
"Alright, I assume. I mean, it was a mess obviously. But Aveline is currently 'getting some' so mission accomplished."
"Far too much information, thank you," Leandra huffed. "I'm off to see your uncle, what are your plans?"
"I'm off to annoy Anders."
"I don't see him around much anymore; he used to use your study to write. I hope the clinic isn't too busy for him."
"You're too nice Mum. He's fine I'm sure, just doing his heroic job, you know how he is."
"Indeed I do. He's a nice boy. Reminds me of your father somewhat."
"Just because he's a mage doesn't mean he's fathers long lost twin, Mum."
"You should ask him for tea tonight."
"I should ask you to bugger off."
Leandra clucked. "That mouth of yours. I'll pretend that was said with love, shall I?"
"Pretend all you wish, darling Mother." Hawke kissed her on the cheek and bid her goodbye.
"I love you, my dear!" Leandra called as she walked away through Hightown. Hawke was almost about to yell a reply, but a City Guard who was passing by stopped and stared at her with a wide mischievous grin. She narrowed her eyes, pointing to the large sword on her back and he promptly moved onward.
The lamp was not lit outside Anders' Clinic. This was slightly unusual, as it was the afternoon and not evening. More unusual however was the hissing and murmurs that Hawke heard when she pressed her ear against the wooden door. As she turned to leave, her sword clonked against the door and she cursed her lack of sneaking skills. The noises went immediately silent. She could either try to continue to sneak off and be caught, or stand purposefully by the door as if she intended the interruption. The latter seemed more Hawke's 'style'.
Suddenly a burst of blue light threw the door open and she staggered backwards into a corner hidden from the main Darktown passage. A glowing figure marched towards her, staff pointed menacingly.
"WHO DARES TO THREATEN THE SANCTITY OF THIS CLINIC!" A deep eerie voice boomed at her. She realised who it was at once.
"Justice. What a surprise. I think you've used that line before."
"Do not play coy with me, traitor! You will pay for your injustices!"
"Can I talk to Anders? You're a real asshole with little to no communication skills."
"I am Anders, just as he is me. We speak as one, and we shall protect those who need our protection, no matter who it is that threatens them!"
"I don't even know what you're going on about! I did nothing, you psycho ghost! Back off before I take matters into my own hands."
A bright light began to swirl around Anders, pulsing in energy. Hawke knew well enough of mages that she needed to do something fast. She drew her sword and in one quick motion thrust it against Anders' throat. The energy balked slightly and Hawke knew she had him.
"You would not bring any harm to Anders. Kill me and you kill him."
"A two for one special? Oh goodie! Two headaches gone for the price of one. I think I might take it."
"I don't believe you are capable of such a thing."
Hawke pushed the sword slightly harder against Anders' throat and a thin red line of blood appeared. "See, now that would be where you are wrong. I have this thing. I call it spontaneity, some call it impulsive, but most call it bat shit crazy. I'm sure you've seen me be spontaneous in the past. I dare you to try me."
Justice drew a breath and seemed to hesitate. But before Hawke knew what was happening, a huge force threw her off her feet and smashed her into the wall behind. Her sight blurred for a second before she saw the blue Anders step away and the glowing begin to dissipate.
"I'll see you in the fade, you demonic bastard!" She spat, blood dribbling from her lips and down her chin. Her tongue began to swell in her mouth; she had bitten it deeply in the confusion of the force push. There was almost a smirk on Justice/Anders' face before the light left, and the normal, slightly pale face of normal Anders replaced it. He looked close to collapsing before standing straight and taking a breath. His eyes found hers and he looked panicked.
"Hawke! Are you okay?"
She spat a glob of blood onto the floor and pushed her hair back. "Just dandy, thanks. Get out of my way." Her hands pushed him roughly aside and she stalked away from the clinic. Unfortunately he followed her, dodging into her path and blocking her way. Her fist tightened in anger.
"Funnily enough, I've had enough of your shit today Anders. Or whoever you are. Move."
"It was Justice wasn't it? I apologise Hawke, I'm so sorry. He was threatened and he thought you were a templar."
"And then he realised I wasn't and still thought it necessary to accuse me a traitor. What in the Void was going on in there?"
"Please, just come inside; let me check your wounds." He reached for her arm and she brushed him away, but walked back towards the clinic anyway.
When she entered, there was no one inside to explain the voices she had heard. It was completely empty. Anders closed the clinic door behind him and signalled to her to sit on a bed nearby. Grudgingly she followed and sat, crossing her arms and pouting. As pissed as she was, her tongue really fucking hurt. He reached out to hold his hands upon her head, to find the extent of the wounds but she shifted her head away.
"Tell me what was going on in here first."
"Ophelia, you're bleeding, just let me do this."
"TELL me."
"AFTER I have healed you. I refuse to explain myself to someone possibly suffering from a concussion. Please, this is my fault. Just let me heal you." His eyes were upset as he pleaded with her. Hawke grinded her teeth and moved her head over.
"Do any of that weird healing shit again, and I'll make sure I truly slit your neck this time." Anders smirked and then looked puzzled, before reaching to his neck and feeling the line of light blood that had gathered there.
"Wow. I didn't even feel that. Odd." He ignored it and placed his hands on Hawkes head and she felt a slight shudder of warmth pass down her body before the aching in her mouth stopped. She spat a final blob of blood out and stood up.
"Right. Explain yourself. Who was in here?"
Anders looked determinedly at her. "They were mages."
"Ah, explains the disappearing act. And the templar shit. Carry on."
"We were... discussing some plans."
"Do you have your own merry band of mage misfits that I don't know of?"
Anders tensed, "This isn't a joke, Hawke. People's lives are in danger as we speak. They are helping me save mages from the brutality of the Gallows and its Templars." Hawke rolled her eyes at his dramatic tone, which seemed to anger Anders even further.
"Why do you not understand!" He began pacing. "I thought you of all people, with your father and Bethany, that YOU would want to help the plight of the mages in this city! Why are you so indifferent to their suffering?"
Hawke hadn't seen the blonde mage so angry before, and hints of blue began to light up across his body.
"Woah, woah Anders, let's just calm down. You're getting all glowy again."
"I will NOT calm down, when a twisted man like Ser Alrik is making innocent mages tranquil!"
"He's what?"
"He calls it the Tranquil Solution, and he plans to make all mages tranquil to remove their 'danger'. I will not let him get away with this. He will die for such injustices." The final words grew into the timbre of Justice's voice, but the glow faded and Anders returned to normal. Thank the Maker, Hawke thought.
"Okay, deep breath. Let's discuss this calmly. These mages you had in here, they were to help you kill Ser Alrik?"
"We know of a passage leading to the Gallows. I plan on finding evidence of the Tranquil Solution and showing Gland Cleric Elthina so she will be forced to take a side."
"You were going to take a group of mages... To the Gallows? Which are full of templars?
"Yes. But the risk is worth the outcome if it means I can save mages from a fate worse than death!"
Hawke sighed. "I don't mean to go all 'warrior' on you, but that's the most stupid idea I've ever heard." Anders looked incredulously at her but she continued. "Mages and a bunch of templars; templars who can affect your magic? You'd be setting yourself up for slaughter, or to join the ranks of this solution. I can't believe you didn't think to ask me."
"As I said Hawke, you seem indifferent to such purposes."
"I loathe getting involved Anders. Being noticed means putting everyone I know and love in danger. The more I get involved, the more I am a threat," She paused, looking directly into Anders eyes. "But I will always support my friends. Not matter what they ask of me. I thought you would know that by now. I would walk to the edge of Thedas for you or anyone that I cared for."
Anders seemed slightly ashamed. "Well then, so you would help stop Ser Alrick and his Tranquil Solution?"
"Say Tranquil Solution one more time, and not only will I leave, but I will throw you out the window beforehand."
He smiled, "Thank you Ophelia."
"I'll collect my merry band of misfits by blowing that horn so perfectly placed outside your clinic, shall I?"
As she walked away, a pang of worry hit her. Anders was unusually unbalanced today. His usual good-humoured attitude had slipped away twice beneath the possession of Justice. If he lost control of that part of himself again, what should Hawke do? Would it only get worse? He had seemed more and more occupied as of late; even Varric noted that he hadn't seen Anders half as much as he normally would.
She pushed those thoughts away and summoned Aveline and Varric. Perhaps a bit of templar slaughter could ease her mind.