Fenris

It was growing dark when I awoke. I hurried out of bed. Someone should have woken me sooner. Oddly the hall was empty. It wasn't late enough for Bohdan, Sandal, and Orana to be in bed yet. I moved to Lila's door, the sense of unease growing. Her door was closed, but I could hear voices coming from the room. One thickly accented. I didn't bother knocking, just shoved the door open. Lila looked up at me startled.

"Fenris? Is everything alright?" She asked looking oddly relieved as I stalked into the room. Sebastian was sitting on the bed cradling Lea in his arms. He frowned when he saw me.

"What are you doing here? Why didn't someone tell me he was here?" I demanded.

"I came to see Lea." Sebastian said quietly.

"The others are gone or resting. Bohdan and Sandal took Bandit for a walk. Orana went down to the cellars to bring out that wine for everyone. We're going to have a celebratory dinner tomorrow night after we've gotten a bit of rest." Lila said frowning at me.

"They left you alone with him?" I snarled. Sebastian handed Lea back to Lila and stood up.

"And why shouldn't they?" He demanded.

"Sebastian came after the others had left. Fenris, why are you acting like this?" Lila asked as she watched us worriedly.

"Yes, Fenris. Why are you acting like this? Why can I not be alone with Hawke and Lea?"

"Don't play innocent, Sebastian. Have you been watching the place? Waiting for your chance?" I said trying to keep my voice quiet as Lea made a protesting noise.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He said looking at me smugly as his back was to Lila now. "You're acting as if I would hurt her. I would never hurt them. They are mine to protect."

"Like you weren't hurting her before?" I snapped before I realized my mistake. Sebastian's eyes widened for a moment.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Lila asked.

"Just his bullying you, sweetheart. How about you two take this out of the room? The stress isn't good for Lea or Hawke." Anders said appearing in the door.

"It is late. I should let you get some rest. Think on what I said." Sebastian said moving to kiss first Lea on the head, his eyes softening as he looked at his daughter; then kissing Hawke. She turned her head to the side and he was forced to kiss her cheek.

"Thank you for stopping by." She said never even looking at him. Her eyes shifted nervously to mine. "Don't go far, please." She said quietly.

"Never." I promised. "I'll just see Sebastian out."

"There is no need for that, Fenris. I know the way. I'll see you soon, Hawke." He said and it sounded like a threat. I watched Lila as he left. She shuddered for a moment and then smiled down at her daughter.

"Well, little one, now you've met all of them. It's been a busy first day, huh?" She cooed to the baby.

"Did you get any rest?" I asked moving closer.

"Some. Do you want to hold her?" She offered.

"I…shouldn't." I said though I was itching to hold her.

"I'll hold her." Anders said and climbed into bed beside Lila. She placed Lea in his arms and leaned back against her pillows. She smiled at me and patted the bed.

"Join us? Orana will be back in a bit and we can all eat here. Anders said I can't get out of bed for a few days, so looks like I'll be entertaining here."

"That will please Isabela." I said forcing myself to smile at her as she rolled her eyes. I was worried about Sebastian. How long had he been alone with her? What things had he asked her to think on? I eased into the bed on the opposite side of Anders. She laid her head against my shoulder and sighed as she looked at the baby.

"I have a child." She said and shook her head.

"Are you just now realizing this?" I teased her with her words to me from when she was pregnant.

"It's just…surreal. I mean, what do I know about keeping things alive? I 'take out' things, not nurture them." She said glancing at the baby.

"You nurture all of us just fine." Anders answered.

"And you have kept not only us, but Bandit alive all this time." I pointed out.

"Yeah, well Bandit is pretty self sufficient as are all of you. Lea's not. What am I going to do? I have enemies. Lots of them. I can't do this. I can't be a mother. I…" She said working herself into a panic.

"Breath, honey." Anders insisted and glanced at me. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders.

"I swear the next one of you to tell me to breath is going to lose a piece of themselves." She said frowning at Anders.

"You aren't alone in this, Lila. We're all right here with you. We might not be the most traditional family, but…" I trailed off as she looked up at me. Anders placed Lea back in her arms and rubbed Lila's arm.

"We are one. You're going to be just fine, Hawke. She's going to be just fine. Uncle Anders and Uncle Fenris will make sure of it." Anders said looking at me.

I nodded sharply. We were going to have to keep up the watch on them. Sebastian had seen an opening and took it. We couldn't let him have another opportunity like that. Anders patted her leg.

"I think I'd like some tea. How about you?" He asked as he stood up.

"That sounds nice." She nodded to him not looking up from Lea.

"I'll be right back." He assured us and disappeared out the door.

"So, you want to tell me why you nearly got in a fight with Sebastian?" She asked.

"You know why." I said and looked away from her.

"Fenris, that wasn't just because of him pressuring me. Why do you think he would hurt us?"

"Lila, I just…I feel like I need to protect you. You can't right now. And he's…he's got some strange ideas and plans for you both. I just want to keep you safe." I said trying to figure out what to say.

"Like the whole we are his to protect?" She asked cutting her eyes to me. I looked at her and drew in a breath. "He was saying some strange things like that to me as well. I think Sebastian is a bit…" She trailed off and looked away.

"Crazy?" I supplied.

"I was going to try and find a nicer word, but yes. A little. I mean I've always admired his faith and all, but he kinda scared me tonight. And he seemed completely thrown that Lea was a girl. He was adamant that she was going to be a boy. He even said nothing has happen as it had been told. What does that mean?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but he did mention that the Maker had given you to him when we told him to leave you alone." I said and watched her as she paled.

"He said that…I…" She looked confused for a moment and then shook her head.

"Lila?" I asked worried.

She gave me a small smile and placed Lea in my arms. "I'm fine. Just tired. She's all ready to be laid down unless you want to hold her for a while."

I looked down at the tiny baby in my arms. "I think I'll hold her for a while. Why don't you drink your tea and then rest?" I suggested as Anders returned.

"Hmm. You read my mind. Do you mind putting her in the crib when you're ready to put her down?" She made a face as she drank the tea. "Anders, I don't know what this is you're putting in it now, but this isn't as good as the ginger tea."

"It will help you get to feeling better. I'll make you some more ginger in the morning." He assured her. "Just rest. We'll handle Lea for a bit." He shooed me out of the room.

"Just a quick nap. You're the best. Have I told you that?" She asked as she watched us leaving with the baby.

"Just name the next child after us and we're even." Anders smiled at her and reached for the door.

"Let me recover from Lea first. Not so sure I want another one. And if so, I do hope it's a boy. A little girl named Fenders or Andris wouldn't work. Well, Andris isn't so bad. Maybe Fenan or…"

"Get some rest." He laughed and shut the door.

"I think we're going to have to do something. Sebastian was spouting his craziness to her." I whispered as we moved downstairs.

"One thing is for sure, we can't leave her alone. That was too close. I'll get some more of that tea tomorrow just in case. Seems he didn't give her a potion though. Maybe he's going to give up on that."

"If he has, we should be more worried."

"What do you mean?" Anders asked puzzled.

"If he's willing to try something without the potion to control her or erase her memory of it, then…" I trailed off as he looked grim.

"Then he's getting desperate."

"Desperation drives people to do stupid things."

"We need to tell the others. I'll take Bandit with me once they get back. Will you be alright alone with them for a bit?" He asked.

"I can handle anything he throws at us." I nodded to him. "Though I don't think he'll try anything tonight."

"You never know with crazy people." He said and sighed.

"You would know, huh?" I smirked at him.

"Good one, Fenris. Maybe we'll become friends after all." He laughed.

"Allies don't have to be friends." I said though I was having a growing lack of disgust for the abomination. He was selflessly dedicating himself to Lila and Lea right now. That said something for him. Not that I trusted him by any means. He harbored a spirit in him after all. But for now we were allies and that had to count for something.