Hawke X Merrill Shorts

Chapter 25

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Summary: Leandra discovers her son courting an elven apostate, how does she react?

Leandra has always respected her son's privacy ever since they had come to Kirkwall, from his time with the mercenaries from day one to his many escapades during night and day for the coin to gain a spot with Bartrand's expedition.

On occasion she would met the people he'd work with such as the dwarf known as Varric, the apostate Anders and the scantly clothed pirate Isabela. Part of her had greatly hoped now that they've managed to finally move into their estate he'd settle down and give up on those silly ventures.

Maybe it was the nobility in her veins that ruled her mind but she had tired numerous times to get him to go with other noble's daughters in the hopes of finding himself a safe and respectable wife. Let it never be said Garrett Hawke was an easy man to work with as many noble girls had stated he was either too nice for his own good yet he was no push over nor a naïve simpleton. Many dates ended quite badly for him as he showed no interest in these events and even getting him in a noble garb was a feat in itself.

She often wondered if he ever thought of getting a woman for himself, something Bethany had dreamt of years ago as a child, to find her dashing prince and have children of her own. Granted back then the latter scared the ever living lights out of her husband but Leandra thought it adorable. Garrett was no stranger to intimacy she knew nor was he shy around women, yet she found it surprising of him that he never showed any interest in finding a wife or even a lover.

That…changed.

One day when she was up early for a meeting with an old friend, she spotted her son in the foyer by the entrance, hugging the elven girl Leandra knew as Merrill. Now she knew she should give them privacy but the motherly concern of hers won over logic as she skilfully managed to get close enough without the two noticing her. She saw the elf's cheeks were red like roses as her son gentle caressed her cheek in such a loving and gentle manner that even she never knew he possessed.

'Are you certain you can't stay? Bed's big enough', Hawke said in that husky voice that reminded Leandra of her late husband Malcom. So his sense of humour wasn't the only thing the warrior inherited…

'Oh tempting, but I promised Isabela I'd help her with cleaning out her new ship and I'm worried she may…punish me if I don't help', Merrill said with clear confliction in her voice. Hawke held her closer as the small elf looked up at him with such loving eyes. 'You sure? A nice soft silky bed, all the morning to sleep in, no need to early rise', Hawke promised. Leandra could see the elf's will wavier and she looked almost ready to leap up on him and just let him carry her to bed.

'Don't tempt me Garrett…otherwise I may end up risking Isabela's wrath', she said. 'Plus, she knows where I sleep and live'. Hawke chuckled at this. Gently he pressed his lips upon her forehead. 'Alright, I'd rather not risk her harming you, but can I see you tomorrow?', he asked. The elf gently cupped his cheeks and pulled him in for a deep and loving kiss. Leandra concealed a gasp in her mouth by clasping her hand over it, eyes widened in surprise by this.

Now she saw why Hawke never brought it up, he was courting an elf!

'Of course, by the fountain tomorrow at noon?', she asked lovingly. 'Never miss a date', he promised. Breaking the embrace the elf nodded with a blush and smile as she turned for the door, leaving him. The warrior let out a deep sigh as he pushed himself off the door frame and headed back to his room. 'Maker's breath that woman drives me mad', he sighed in joy as he disappeared into his room.

Left alone in her estate, the head of the Hawke stared at the door to her son's room, conflicting emotions swirled and clashed within her heart.

Elves would never be considered equal among humans, especially nobles. The family would never hear the end of it, worse yet they could be the laughing stock of the noble community for the rest of their days. Perhaps her son and the elf were having those "friends with benefits" or this romance was just a infatuation no more.

Then the logic part of her lashed. She knew her son better than some whore son that would just leap into one bed after another woman, and these sensitive matters of the heart were not taken lightly by him.

Leaning against the wall, Leandra thought back to that look of pure joy upon her son's face, never seeing him so happy since Lothering. He always looked so bleak and tired, worse when he thought he was alone as the death of his brother still weighed on him even after the four years that had passed. Yet that elf managed to bring back that light in his eyes, the smiles that were thought to have died with Carver and for the first time in a long while.

He looked happy.

'Maker's mercy…', she whispered. She looked at his room one last time, and then proceeded into the kitchen with a proud smile on her face.

At least way things are going, she may have grandchildren sooner than she had hoped for~

A/N: This was a request by a guest who wanted a reaction from Leandra about Hawke's relationship with Merrill.

I hope it's to their liken and I hope it managed to deliver what they wished. If anyone else has a request for this series by all means let me and hopefully I'll try to get them done! Thanks for reading this chapter and have a great day!