Chapter Twenty Five

Just Like A Prayer

Me? I'm just picky. - Anders

Darktown

Anders' Clinic

Anders was even now still shocked at how much of an influence Bethany had on the Darktown community since she helped make a better clinic. There were better beds now and an abundance of food for the homeless and starving. Bethany was a source of joy for the people here and it helped that she truly wanted to make their lives better. Anders finished up with a patient while Bethany tended to a baby with a cold.

It was hard to believe that three years had passed by already but Anders knew in his gut that the trouble with the Qunari was going to start up very soon. After Garrett left this morning Anders had already started thinking about what would happen to Seamus because of that twisted bitch Patrice. Seamus didn't deserve to die like that, a sacrificial lamb for a war with a species who only wished to find what belonged to them.

While he was happy and more than content with his life Anders wasn't about to just stay quietly in the background. He had tried for months to locate the book that Isabela had stolen from the Qunari but he always hit a dead end.

He knew that approaching the pirate wouldn't work and he didn't want her running at the first sign of trouble. The other threat Anders was seeking out was that evil monster Quentus. The man was in Kirkwall without a doubt and Anders was determined to catch him before he could harm anymore innocent women. But the growing tension with the Qunari was making him nervous.

The last time this happened Hawke ended up duelling the Arishok and was almost killed in the process. Garrett could take care of himself but these three years allowed Anders to experience a relationship were he wasn't consumed with his need for justice against the templars and the Chantry. Two months after their first date both mages couldn't take the tension anymore and Garrett spent the night fucking one very enthusiastic Anders to a standstill.

The healer was always worried about Justice and how far his influence with Garrett extended but so far they seemed to have a peaceful co-existence. Garrett was always playing the peacekeeper and seeking ways to end conflict without bloodshed but he knew when words would fail and fighting was the only option left.

To be honest he was a far better host for Justice than Anders ever would be. Speaking of hosts the mage wondered if he should check up on Theron. Since the elf admitted that he was being attacked by something in his own mind Anders had taken to keeping an eye on his former Commander. Theron's entire existence here in Kirkwall had thrown Anders off balance but the elf had proven to be a more than skilled fighter against the templars, demons and the other problems Hawke faced each day. But the mage hadn't stopped looking for a way to help Theron and he thought that he finally made some progress. Fenris had been incredibly stubborn about it but he told Garrett about the Tevinter mages and the various spells that used for a possession ritual. It wasn't much information but it was a start.

His only other source of information would be from First Enchanter Orsino. Because of his position among the Circle he was granted access to books an spells the other mages were not privy to. Meredith was becoming more paranoid about the mages but she wasn't doing anything to anger the Viscount. It seemed without the influence of that blighted idol Meredith's lunacy had not been fully tapped into but that didn't mean she wasn't going to cause problems.

For now Anders wouldn't think about her and instead quickly went to see the First Enchanter. He had met Orsino properly some months ago and Anders could only think about the horrific monster the elf had become during the final battle. For all his conviction about the evils of blood magic Orsino hadn't stopped using it when he was backed into a corner.

Orsino had been a good man once, trying everything he could to protect his mages but his pleas meant nothing in the end. Maybe Fenris had been right all along about the mages and their use of evil magic as a last resort. Anders couldn't find it in himself to hate the elf mage for what he did. Meredith was hell bent on murdering every mage in Kirkwall. She invoked the Right of Annulment because of the Grand Cleric's murder. Anders hoped to never see Orsino descend into his own madness again but the tension and rage he felt towards the Knight-Commander was even now harsh and unrelenting.

"Bethany, I need to visit the First Enchanter. Will you be fine here until I get back?" Anders asked.

"It's no problem." the younger mage smiled. "It's a slow day today thank the Maker."

Anders smiled as he left the clinic. He reached the Gallows without any trouble and he was met with two templar guards at the gates into the Templar Headquarters. He was escorted up into the hallway where Orsino's office was located.

The First Enchanter wasn't there but Meredith's office was directly across from his own and Anders could hear them screaming at one another. The mage winced as the volume continued to grow. He tried to ignore the yelling as he took a seat and waited for Orsino to arrive. Eventually the elf stormed into his office, his face red and his hands clenched.

"I take it she didn't listen again?" Anders broke the silence.

"That has to be the most pig ignorant, bull headed, overzealous woman I have ever met!" Orsino spat out. "I would like nothing more than to put her head on a spike!"

"I understand that feeling..." Anders muttered while Orsino finally calmed down.

"Yelling will not do me any good." Orsino rubbed his face tiredly. "So what did you want to discuss with me?"

"It's about your books of possession and exorcism." Anders got to the point.

"We've had this discussion before Anders." Orsino frowned as he took his seat. "I can't allow you to have access to those books. They are under lock and key for a reason."

"And I understand that." the healer replied. "But I'm running out of options."

"Anders..." the First Enchanter leaned forward. "I appreciate all the things you and the Hawker family have done for the mages. You seem like a good man but you're asking me to hand over spells First Enchanters are weary of."

"Theron's nightmares are becoming frequent again." Anders said hastily. "What if I can't help him with my healing spells when he has another attack?"

Orsino didn't say anything but Anders could see the worry in his large eyes. Three years ago Orsino had to be brought to Theron when the former Warden Commander couldn't wake up no matter what Anders did. Orsino ended up having to use lyrium so he could enter Theron's mind and pull him back. Hawke, Anders and Bethany had helped cast the spell and it had taken the mages four hours to help Theron escape the nightmare he had been trapped in.

Orsino had admitted that he did not encounter a spirit but he found Theron screaming and clawing his way out of a wooden coffin left in the ground. The elf had been incoherent when Orsino used his magic to pull him out of the sealed box and it had taken all of his strength to bring Theron back to the real world.

"Has he had a bad attack lately?" the Enchanter asked. Ever since he helped Theron the Enchanter had kept an eye on the red headed elf.

"No but I'm worried about him." Anders replied. "He's become withdrawn lately."

"I can't say I understand Theron completely but he is a private person." Orsino leaned back in his chair.

"Theron doesn't like talking to people but he hasn't been this withdrawn in years." Anders shifted in his seat. "And we never found the spirit that attacked him."

"But we still do not know what kind of spirit we're dealing with." Orsino sighed heavily. "I can't allow those books out of my possession unless I know exactly what I'm dealing with."

"Is there anything you can say that'll help me?" Anders pleaded with the elf.

"I know you're worried about him." Orsino laced his fingers together. "But he hasn't been possessed and the nightmares have stopped. Unless you wish me to involve the Circle I can't give you the books."

"Alright..." Anders knew he wasn't going to get anywhere. "Listen, be careful around Meredith. It's a miracle she hasn't heard about Theron yet. Having her after him is the last thing he needs."

"That I can understand." Orsino chuckled. "So how is Hawke these days?"

"The Viscount keeps him busy mostly." Anders replied. "But you're asking about his...guest aren't you?"

"He is in a very delicate situation." Orsino answered. "Although Theron has told me about his companion Wynne and her own experience with a Fade Spirit. Hawke hasn't caused problems and Meredith is staying away from the family."

"Garrett is stronger than you think." Anders said firmly.

"I have an appointment with the mages." Orsino stood up once the silence settled over them again. "But if Theron has another attack...you'll know where to find me."

Anders nodded then he left the office. He knew that it would've been a long shot to get the books he required but Theron did seem to be fine lately. Granted he was silent and more withdrawn than usual but that could be because of Sebastian's absence.

The Starkhaven prince had to return to his homeland some months ago and Theron had been depressed because of it. Anders was well aware of the Warden talking to the Chantry priest frequently. Anders wasn't sure if Sebastian knew about Theron's state but he highly doubted it. Sebastian was blindly devoted to the Maker and His ways and if Theron admitted that he had a spirit within his soul Anders had no doubt that Sebastian would turn against him.

The archer was unflinching in his faith and this made him a pain in the ass. Anders groaned, Varric was rubbing off on him. The mage didn't want Theron to lose a close friend because of something he had no control over. Maker knew Theron had gone through enough pain and heartache in his life. Losing Tamlen and the feelings he buried for Alistair had left a scar on his heart.

Theron was an intelligent man and Anders could never figure out why he always managed to fall for men he could never have. Anders decided to check up on the elf, just to see how he was doing. Sebastian was due back soon. The healer entered Hightown and made his way to the Chantry.

"What are you doing here mage?" a voice growled nearby.

"I've known you for three years Fenris, try using my name." Anders glared at the ex-slave.

"Not likely." Fenris crossed his arms. "Are you looking for Theron?"

"Can't I check up on a friend?" Anders asked defensively. "Why are you always so suspicious of me?"

"You're a mage, that's reason enough." Fenris walked past him.

"And yet you always talk to Garrett." The healer glared. "He is a mage but you never get this caustic when he talks to you."

"Hawke is a man unlike any other." Fenris answered, his green eyes avoiding Anders. "I've never met a selfless mage before him."

"He is that." Anders agreed. He had long ago given up arguing with Fenris about mages. The elf would never change his mind about him or Merrill but for Hawke he would always give him the benefit of the doubt.

"What are you looking at?" Fenris snapped when Anders started staring at him.

"Sorry..." the mage walked up the steps leaving Fenris behind.

Green eyes narrowed as the blond mage continued into the Chantry but Fenris didn't both stopping him from entering the building. Hawke would be angry if his precious lover ended up in his own clinic because of an ex-slave. Fenris hadn't lied when he said that Hawke was different. The mage was always selfless and protecting others without a second thought. He was patient with Fenris even when the elf would snap and yell at him.

The white haired warrior had been rendered speechless when Hawke had found a book and gave it to him as a gift. Fenris had been embarrassed to admit that he couldn't read but Hawke simply smiled softly and suggested he teach Fenris how to read. He had a lot of confidence in the elf because of his ability to speak different languages and twice a week Hawke would spend time teaching Fenris how to read.

The warrior enjoyed the time he spent with the blue eyed human but his animosity towards Anders only grew. The healer had even moved into the manor when Garrett asked him and Merrill was living there now because of Carver. Fenris had never met a mage he could trust but Hawke was always the exception to the rule. Now he was living with a blood mage who believed demons could be nice friends to people.

What little time Hawke had to spare he was always in the company of his lover but he never once cancelled his weekly visits to see Fenris. The elf had stayed here for three years because of Hawke. He knew logically that he should move on before the hunters found him but every time he got close to the gates he always turned back.

Theron was one of the reasons he stayed. He liked having a friend and Theron proved to be just as caustic and harsh as Fenris but he could be fun to be around especially when drunk. And then there were the problems of the spirits. Fenris should cut them both down before they lost control. He had seen the horror a possessed mage could unleash.

He didn't want to imagine the kind of destruction a possessed Grey Warden could work. Being around Hawke and Theron was distorting any image he had of the mages and magic in general. Fenris had only ever seen pain and death in the Imperium. There was no such thing as a good mage or a kind spirit there.

The elf grimaced when he felt a headache coming on. Thinking about Hawke wouldn't do him any good now. Instead he thought about going to the Hanged Man for a game of Wicked Grace with Varric.

At least with the game he would be distracted from these thoughts.

I'm back and in full swing.

Ok, so my teeth have finally stopped hurting but I pulled my back out and spent three days in bed unable to move. Going to the bathroom was nothing short of an adventure and I had to motivation to write anything.

But I'm back to normal now and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I actually liked Orsino and wanted to give him a bigger role here concerning Theron and his problems.

Also I like to think that Fenris would have an immense crisis because of the friendship Hawke forged with him. Fenris hates mages but one day he meets a mage that throws all his single minded hatred out the window. And I have to admit it but I completely love M!Hawke/Fenris as much as I love M!Hawke/Anders. I tried playing as a female but I couldn't get beyond Act 1. I've been spolied thanks to Nicolas Boultan's gorgeous voice :)

And I will be writing a chapter from Theron's point of view to better understand what happened to him.

Ok, enough rambling from me. Catch you guys soon and lots of love from me!