The Years In Between 11

Thank you all so much. I know I say this every chapter; but you all have no idea the joy I get when I read them. .

BioWare owns everything :P


Aveline took up her sword as she was officially appointed the Captain of The Kirkwall Guard. The Viscount nodded to her with a small smile before she excused herself from his office. She smiled when she saw Hawke standing by the door to the Barracks across the Keep, with the rest of their companions. Hawke was smiling and laughing with Fenris and Aveline rolled her eyes at the sight.

They seriously just needed to sleep with each other and get it over with.

Aveline walked over and the group caught sight of her and cheered softly.

"Guard Captain Aveline;" Hawke bowed mockingly to the newly appointed captain who smiled.

"At ease guardsman." Aveline laughed and Hawke hugged her quickly before she pulled away, "What are you all doing here?"

"Well, we needed to congratulate our friend; but we would also need to see if we could convince her into a celebratory drink or seven," Varric grinned widely and Isabela nodded.

"Yeah man hands. Or Captain Man Hands; I arranged for a present for you."

"You got me a present?" Aveline raised a sceptical brow and Isabela cackled.

"Of course,"

"What is it?"

"It's a surprise." The pirate grinned wickedly before she gestured for Aveline to go to her office.

"I'm not going anywhere until I have someone's word that it will not be dangerous. Fenris," She turned to the elf who smirked much to the groups surprise before he shrugged.

"I would tell you if I could Aveline. But Hawke, Isabela and the dwarf handled this present, I know not what it is." He said and Aveline sighed.

"I hope it's something nice like a kitten. Or maybe it's like a cake or something, if Hawke baked it, it should be nice. She's a good baker," Merrill mumbled and Hawke smiled.

"You're just a sweetheart Merrill. But Aveline come on its good," Hawke pulled the Captain along with a laughing pirate beside her and the group followed. Aveline watched the closed door to the Captain's quarters with suspicion and saw a few giggling guards by the common rooms. Aveline pushed open the door and her jaw hit the floor in shock as her friends all laughed and chuckled behind her. Shock turned to fury as she turned to the laughing rogues.

"You got me a whore?" Aveline yelled before Hawke laughed.

"Not a whore; a stripper,"

"A stripper?" Aveline repeated with fury as Isabela nodded.

"It's a new trend in Antiva and Rivain. The man or woman will strip and dance for you; but you don't get to sleep with them. You have to charm them just like anyone else."

"Get out." Aveline pointed to the door as the man shrugged before he waltzed out and Isabela winked at him. "You guys too,"

"Oh Aveline; you know we're leaving for Antiva tomorrow. You're not even going to humour us?" Hawke smiled and Aveline sighed.

"Fine; one drink at the Hanged Man then we're done. But no more strippers."

"Deal," Hawke laughed.


A few hours later everyone was laughing and joking about what the future holds before Varric suddenly grinned.

"Hey Hawke;" The dwarf grinned.

"Yeah Varric?" Hawke looked up from her cards,

"Do you know that I heard your mother was already looking for suitors for you in Hightown," The dwarf smiled, "So what sort of man should we expect to be joining us?"

"If I have my way; none. If mother has her way; a proper, devout Andrasteian whose bloodline hasn't seen magic in generations." Hawke sighed "Mother says I need a 'proper gentleman' and I keep reminding her that our father was an apostate who she ran away with. So she really shouldn't choose for me,"

"You tell her that?" Aveline smiled and Hawke shrugged.

"Maker no; I don't have a death wish. I just smile, nod and say 'yes mother, of course mother,'" Hawke laughed and Isabela smirked.

"So you're not going to marry for money then?"

"I have enough for now 'Bela. And I still have the money coming in from the Bone Pit; so I'll definitely be fine for a while. Even if mother wants to redecorate everything." Hawke smiled with a laugh.

"Well I can't go with you, we still have a few items to be sold. So then who is then?" Varric asked and Hawke smiled.

"Anders, Isabela and Fenris,"

A quick look passed around the table and Hawke raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Nothing" Chorused round the table and Hawke glanced over at Fenris who shrugged with confusion. She heard Varric snigger and sighed as she stood.

"Alright; what is the deal with you all? All you do is sit and giggle," Hawke glared around the table before Isabela smiled.

"Oh nothing Kitten;"

"Well I have an appointment to keep, so if you all will excuse me," Hawke sighed as she picked up her daggers.

"An appointment?" Anders asked and Hawke nodded. "With who?"

"Since none of you tell me anything; I won't tell you anything either." Hawke smiled before she looked at Fenris "I'll talk with you later; be ready to leave tomorrow," Hawke turned and left with a small smile on her face as she felt Fenris' eyes on her hips.

"Fenris if you don't tap that when we are in Anitva I certainly will," Isabela smiled as Fenris glared at her with a slight blush.

"I have no idea what you're on about wench," Fenris grumbled and Varric rolled his eyes.

"Look elf; I don't quite know what is going on with you two, but whatever it is hurry up and do it! If you don't do it before you get back from Antiva I lose." Varric smiled as the elf glared at him.

"Probably Hawke will see what a brute you are and will ignore you before she loses all her common sense," Anders said and Fenris' angry green eyes met his frustrated amber ones.

"Mind your own business Abomination," Fenris growled before he stood. "I'm leaving; if I must deal with you for the length of our trip, then I shall be rid of you for now,"

"See you soon Broody. Remember; before you leave Antiva!" Varric's voice drifted down through the tavern as Fenris closed the door behind him. Fenris was suddenly pulled to the side and his marking began to glow before Hawke planted a chaste kiss on his lips.

"What? Did I scare you?" Hawke laughed as the brightness faded and Fenris sighed.

"Hawke, what are you doing, I thought you said you have an appointment?" The warrior asked and Hawke grinned.

"I do, with you and the Templars," Hawke pulled his hand gently towards the Gallows with a grin.

"Why the Templars?" Fenris raised a black eyebrow at the grinning rogue.

"Because, Cullen has a crush on me and I know he should be free now. But I'm going to see Bethany. I have a rare visiting opportunity and I want to talk to you afterwards." Hawke smiled as they walked down the passageways to the docks. Hawke held Fenris' hand and he felt strangely at ease by her soothing touch, even with her armoured gloves it was still a comforting gesture.

"Are you excited to be going to Antiva?" Fenris asked and Hawke shrugged softly as they made their way to the docks.

"It's an adventure; and if I know my mother this will be one of the last one's she'll happily send me off on. But still all the way to Antiva City for some fabric! I mean Maker; I saw something similar to the style of fabric mother described a few days ago in the market. But apparently 'that looks nothing like it!'," Hawke copied her mother's voice and Fenris gave her his usual half smirk.

"Have you been practicing your impersonations again?"

"Oh yes. I am rather amazing at them, I can even do you," Hawke smiled as he raised an eyebrow.

"Really?" He teased and Hawke cleared her throat with a grin.

"I hate magic. Anders is evil. I brood while I dance. Hawke sways her hips and it's distracting. Brood, brood, brood." Hawke grinned and he was about to speak before she interrupted him, "And I don't brood,"

"That sounds nothing like me. And you're not going to let me live the whole 'swaying hips' down are you?"

"Yes it does and no I'm not," Hawke chuckled softly and Fenris rolled his eyes.

They got on the boat to the Gallows as they chatted calmly with the captain and Fenris smiled to himself as he watched Hawke. He knew she was still a little upset about not being able to see her sister each day; but she accepted that Bethany needed the Circle. Hawke said that the Templar's did their duty and it was to be respected; but the mages needed to be understood as well. She had not yet taken a side in this argument, but they all knew she would have to choose one day.

Hawke met his eyes and he winked at her playfully. Hawke raised an eyebrow before she subtly blew him a kiss. They saw and watched each other with a spark in their eyes before they felt the boat dock in the Gallows. Hawke smiled as she stepped off the boat and he followed her with a smile. They reached the courtyard and Hawke grinned widely as she saw Bethany standing with several mages, watched carefully by the Templars.

"Bethany!" Hawke sang as she approached her sister. Bethany looked up and smiled when she saw Hawke and went to hug her. The sister's hugged for a few moments before Hawke pulled away and looked at her sister. "You look well, how are you."

"I'm as good as I'll ever be," Bethany sighed and Hawke chuckled softly. "I passed my Harrowing"

"That's wonderful Bethany. The Templars haven't hurt you, have they?" Hawke glanced at the numerous Templar guards around the courtyard.

"No, they have been reasonable I guess," Bethany shrugged and Fenris saw the sad look across her face. The young mage looked over at him and gave a small smile, "Fenris, it's good to see you,"

"Likewise Bethany," He nodded quietly and Hawke smiled at him.

"Bethany, I'm going to Antiva City tomorrow," Hawke smiled as a curious jealousy passed over her sister's face.

"What? Why?" Bethany sighed and Hawke remembered she always wanted to see Antiva.

"Well I have the estate back and mother decided she wanted a specific fabric to decorate it," Hawke smiled softly, "Do you want me to see if I can get you anything?"

"You know we aren't allowed anything in here," Bethany sighed as she saw a few Templars getting ready to end their conversation.

"I could see if Cullen would let me. Hopefully he would understand,"

"I doubt it," Bethany sighed before she hugged her sister.

"Thank you for coming, Sister. Maker watch over you on your travels," Bethany said as the Templar's signalled it was time for the mages to return to the Gallows. Hawke said her goodbye and watched as her sister was taken back to the Circle tower. Hawke heard Fenris move to stand beside her and she turned to face him.

"Are you alright Hawke?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Come on then we better make sure we've got enough potions and food for the trip,"


"A cart?" Isabela groaned and Hawke rubbed her temples.

"For the last time Isabela. Yes, we're taking a cart." Hawke sighed as the pirate moaned.

"Why not the boat? It's fast and the sea is better!"

"Isabela! I am the leader here and I shall tell you one again why we are taking the cart. Firstly; there are no boats to Anitva that arrive or leave the city for another few weeks. Secondly; I spoke to the driver and he will drive quickly and finally; I am the boss so shut it and get in the cart," Hawke growled at the grumpy pirate.

"Remind me not to get on your bad side," Anders chuckled as he sat in the cart. Fenris tossed a bag to the mage, who wasn't exactly paying attention as it hit him in the stomach. "Maker; watch where you're throwing those,"

"I was simply putting the bags in the cart. You just got in my way." Fenris smirked to himself and Hawke nudged him.

"Fenris; behave."

"Of course," He smiled to her as he jumped onto the car and sat across from the Abomination. Hawke turned and hugged her mother and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"I'll send word of when we get to Antiva City. But it will take about a month or so." Hawke sighed, secretly hoping her mother had changed her mind.

"Thank you again darling. I really appreciate this. And the estate will be in better shape by the time you return," Leandra smiled softly. "Maker turn his gaze on you." Hawke kissed her mother's cheek before she turned to the cart. Fenris extended his hand and helped her up, before she sat next to him with a smile. The cart moved off with a stir as the horses began to move. Hawke blew a kiss to her mother who smiled and waved at her.

"So now we're on the move; what exactly is the plan?" Anders asked as Isabela took out a knife, rolling between her skilled fingers.

"Yeah; Captain Man Hands didn't like her stripper but I heard the whores in Antiva have adopted new techniques. So that's where I'm heading," The pirate laughed and Hawke smiled.

"Of course; but the fabric is apparently available in a small stop at the back of the main market. But even when I place the order; it will take a little while for it to be ready," Hawke shrugged softly and turned to Fenris and Anders.

"Anything either of you want to see while we're there?"

"I would like to see if I can get any rare herbs in Antiva. The climate should allow for herbs I can't usually get in the Free Marches," Anders shrugged softly.

"Varric was talking about a few items to be sold to Ferelden nobility. You could ask Varric to see if he can get some Ferelden herbs sent over." Hawke smiled

"That would be nice; I can't get some of the potions I need," Anders shrugged.

"Fen' what about you?" Hawke smiled as Isbela laughed.

"Aww he has a nickname! How sweet, Fenny!" Isabela laughed and Fenris glared at them.

"My name is not Fen or Fenny. It is Fenris," He growled at them and Hawke laughed.

"Oh hush; now what would you like to see in Antiva? The architecture? The food? The leather armour?" Hawke asked with wonder.

"Or the slave's? Perhaps we can finally get rid of you," Anders said as Fenris' eyes narrowed.

"Anders!" Hawke glared at the mage, "I thought I said to be nice,"

"You did, obviously the Abomination cannot control himself. I am happy to remove him from your presence," Fenris sneered and Hawke glared at both of them.

"Look; I don't care if you two hate each other and want to kill each other. I am ending this argument before this begins." Hawke glared before she snatched the spinning dagger from the pirate's fingers. "The next one who starts an argument loses an external organ. Take a guess which it is."

The men were then silence for the rest of the journey of that day. The driver was reluctant to go on past nightfall, claiming the demons could lure them astray; and so camp was being set up by a silent elf and a smiling Hawke. She met his eyes and gave him a wink and he automatically relaxed with a smile. Hawke turned her gaze around to see Anders and Isabela lighting the fire and preparing that night's dinner.

"Fenris," Hawke whispered as he looked up.

"Yes Hawke?" He raised an eyebrow as she glanced back at the Abomination and the pirate; who didn't notice them. Hawke turned back and gave him a searing kiss on his lips. Fenris felt her hand entwine itself in his hair and he bit her lips in response. He felt her muffle a moan before he slipped his tongue in her mouth. Fenris tried to pull her deeper into the kiss but she pulled back suddenly with a grin on her face.

"They're too near and they'll hear us," Hawke smiled

"You will be the death of me," Fenris growled as Hawke laughed.

"I know," Hawke gave him a quick kiss before she pulled away and walked over to join Anders and Isabela by the fire, leaving Fenris with a grin on his face.

"What a woman…"


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