AUTHOR'S NOTE: I think I may have forgotten to update a second time last week. Yes, I'm certain I did. A family emergency came up but thankfully it was a false alarm. Sorry this one is late in coming, but I've had a lot on my mind lately.
"Thank you, Fenris." Hawke said once they were out of earshot from his estate. Fenris glanced at his friend in surprise wondering where this sudden surge of gratitude had come from.
"What do you want, Hawke?" Fenris asked automatically. Hawke smiled because he already knew what the warrior was thinking. He was about to have him do some incredibly difficult task all the while telling Fenris how strong and brilliant he thought he was. Flattery didn't work on Fenris, of course, but Hawke considered it his personal quest to compliment the lyrium elf.
"Nothing, actually. I'm just glad you're letting me borrow your assassin so Anders has someone else to play with." Hawke said casually as if they were discussing the weather. Fenris came up short when he heard the word play and spun around on the mage. Grabbed Hawke by the collar of his robe and yanking him towards him.
"Hawke." Fenris growled the name sounding like a curse. Hawke grimaced raising his empty palms in surrender.
"Not like that, you pervert! I mean to talk to! You know the others don't like Anders, especially you. I just thought it was nice he had someone else to hang out with other than me." Hawke choked because the collar on his robe was slowly being twisted by Fenris considering whether he should strangle the mage. Considering the consequences, Fenris let Hawke go shoving him back so he stumbled coughing as he tried to catch his breath.
"One of these days, Hawke, I'm just going to crush your heart from sheer impatience. You're just one of those mages asking for it." Fenris snapped annoyed. Hawke smiled rubbing at his throat being sure to keep a good distance between him and the warrior this time. Fenris snorted tossing back a lock of his hair.
"Do you think it's wise to allow Anders to talk to Zevran? I wonder what kind of mischief those two can get up to alone." Fenris said amused at the thought. Despite his good humor Hawke's face turned serious as he replied.
"Anders hasn't been happy these last couple of months with me. We argue, he constantly accuses me of not loving him or supporting him…I'm worried he might leave me. He always wants to be alone to work on those manifestos of his for mage freedom. I'm scared, Fenris. What if I'm not good enough for Anders anymore?" Hawke asked glancing at the elf. Fenris gave his comrade a blank look completely taken off guard. He coughed buying time to think of a good answer.
"I'm not exactly the person to be asking for relationship advice. Anders is being selfish, Hawke. If anything he's not good enough for you. He should be grateful for everything you've done for him and thank you for it." Fenris answered awkwardly adjusting his gauntlets to keep from looking his friend in the eye. Hawke sighed shaking his head as they walked passed through the entrance into Hightown towards the Hanged Man.
"I love him, though. I just…well, I thought maybe if he could make a friend it might help. I can't always be with him and I'm scared to take him along with me. I'm scared he'll get hurt." Hawke admitted much to the elf's shock. This wasn't what he had pictured when he had left with the mage.
"Things happen for a reason, Hawke. We can only keep those we care about close and protect them best we can." Fenris said the words sounding strange on his tongue. He heart fluttered as he thought of his sister coming to visit him. She would be staying at the Hanged Man when she visited, but what if she wished to come down to the mansion? He would have to clean, cook, and entertain her. Not to mention to find a place for Zevran to stay though he doubted the roof was an option.
"Do you like Zevran? You're pretty sweet on him from what I've seen." Hawke asked slyly after a while of walking. They were right outside of Lowtown by now and Fenris narrowed his eyes at the question.
"Why do you and everyone else call him 'my assassin'? He's not mine! We're simply fulfilling a deal we made with each other." Fenris snapped but he caught the lecherous grin on the mage's face. He growled bristling with sudden anger at being teased.
"You don't deny it. No offense, but it's obvious you like him. You're always looking out for him, fetching him things, asking him if he needs anything. I'm happy for you, Fenris. I don't know Zevran that well but he seems to like you too. He's relaxed when you're around. Whenever we hang out he always makes a point of sitting right next to you and no one else. Even Aveline said something about it to Donnic and he thinks it's cute." Hawke replied and by his tone this was old news. Fenris felt his blood turn to ice as he stopped in the middle of the street, turning to the confused mage.
"Come here, Hawke. Shake my hand." Fenris threatened his tattoos beginning to glow as he stretched out his hand.
…Zevran was impressed by the splendor the Champion of Kirkwall lived in. He ran his fingers over the velvet curtains admiring the finesse of it before letting them slide through his fingers. It was late, and Anders had informed him the servants had already gone to bed. Right now they were up in Hawke's bedroom, Zevran casually admiring the richness of the mansion compared to Fenris's home. Anders lingered a few yards away watching him with open fascination as the elf slowly wandered around the room.
"So….Antiva." Anders said hesitantly unsure of how to start a conversation. Zevran smirked to himself turning around to face the mage adopting an innocent expression as he gazed at him.
"Full of Antivans?" Zevran said right back. Anders scowled unsure of what else to say. He often checked on his patients and kept an open friendship with them. However, Zevran's situation was a unique case.
"Um, well…I've heard it. Do you like mages?" Anders decided to ask after a moment's consideration. Better to be blunt and see if that beast Fenris had got him to hate mages with a passion. Zevran crossed his arms tapping his chin in thought gazing at the ceiling as if the Maker would descend upon them any minute.
"Do I like mages? Depends on the mage, my dear Anders." Zevran answered vaguely examining the bed. The sheets were fresh, he could smell the soap from them. Along with a hint of lavender that had been sprinkled in to improve the scent. He had heard of Hawke and this mage, and he wondered to what misadventures the two got to in that bed.
"Can you elaborate? What do you mean 'it depends on the mage'? Either you like them or you don't." Anders pointed out his cheeks beginning to flush. He knew Hawke was avoiding him, they had had a nasty quarrel only two hours earlier about him continuing to work with the former slave. Anders was beginning to suspect there might be something else going on between the two but he wasn't sure. He had wanted to come along and watch them carefully for any signs of a love affair going on.
"It's not a matter of like or dislike, my friend. Simply it depends on the individual mage themselves. I have met a few mages whom I liked, they were pleasant people. Others who thought to steal my blood for magic? Well, they ended up with a knife in their back." Zevran answered with a shrug. Anders blinked staring at the elf in complete disbelief. Zevran sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"To answer your question, I do not care if a person is a mage or not. What difference does it make to me if an individual is more sensitive to the Fade then I? I have met many people in my travels who are displeased with the Circle. Should mages be free? Yes, I believe they do. Should they take extra caution and be taught the dangers of demons and abomination? Of course, it is a true fact mages are susceptible to such things. That does not excuse, however, them being locked up and torn from the arms of their mothers." Zevran stated remembering a certain blue eyed elven mage. Howl had confided in him he had been displeased in being in the Circle, the feeling of being locked in a cage. Yet, Howl had told him it really hadn't been all bad. Him and Jowan had gotten up to all sorts of mischief while in the Circle.
"You really don't care if a person is a mage or not?" Anders asked a bit of awe in his voice. He had never met anyone who stated bluntly they didn't care. Zevran glanced at him and shrugged in reply.
"I am not indifferent. I wish for the Tevinter
Imperium to be torn down and the slave's released. However, hating a person for the way they are born is just as much as an injustice as if you were to declare me inferior to you simply because of I am an elf." Zevran said motioning to his pointed ears. Anders nodded his head excited and yet hesitant to continue the conversation. He stood up beginning to pace to help him think as he continued.
"Right, right! I like that. 'An individual only more sensitive to the Fade than I.' Would you mind if I used that in my latest manifesto? It's quite good, I think it might help for others to see mages in a new light." Anders asked excitedly already planning the argument in his head. Zevran smirked at the mage's happy demeanor shrugging his shoulders in answer.
"Do with it as you wish. I only said it, after all." Zevran said but Anders had already gone over to his desk. Hawke had set him up for him when he had first moved in so he could have his own space. Grabbing a quill and a spare piece of parchment he began to feverishly record his thoughts as they came to him. Completely forgetting for a few minutes he was in the same room with a former Antivan Crow.
As the mage wrote Zevran went to peer out the window. It was dark, and he spotted no one in the street. It was a clear night with a full moon in the sky. He had watched Fenris leave with Hawke over an hour ago. Much as he appreciated being able to lounge around in such finery he found he was already missing the rotting estate. From he was he could just barely make out the roof of the mansion. Zevran sighed pushing away from the window to peer over Anders's shoulder. The mage had filled out a full page by now setting the piece aside as he continued to scribble. Having a sudden inspiration to gain his revenge on Hawke Zevran tugged on the corner of the mage's robe.
"You know if you really want to make a point, why not mention how the Chantry uses blood magic?" Zevran asked as if this were a well-known fact. As he had predicted Anders paused in his musings slowly raising his head from his parchment to gaze at the golden haired elf. Zevran grinned back at him knowing he had just crossed a line. Dear Maker, it felt good to be getting back at Hawke.
"The Chantry uses blood magic? How?" Anders asked slightly breathless as he straightened up from his writing. He hadn't even bothered to pull a chair up to sit down in as he conducted his next manifesto.
"When a mage enters into the Circle, the Chantry takes a vile of their blood called a phylactery, yes? Blood Mages do the exact same thing to track down their enemies." Zevran said offhandedly as if this were a well-known fact. Actually, as he thought about it was. Anders on the other hand seem to be in euphoria as he fell heavily into his chair staring at the elf as if he wished to worship him.
"Where do you come with these ideas? I never even thought about it that way! You're right, the Chantry does use forbidden magic. You wouldn't happen to be a mage, would you?" Anders asked excitedly holding his breath. Zevran shook his head in the negative his eyes flickering back to the window. He secretly wished he could have followed them to wherever Fenris and Hawke had been headed.
"I am no mage, Anders. A mage I did know happened to be quite vigilant when it came to such things. He never shared his thoughts with anyone when it came to such things. One day he pointed out this fact to me and I felt quite foolish for never noticing it before. He always did have a knack for small details." Zevran said wistfully glancing at the mage again. Anders swallowed his mouth suddenly dry as he considered these ideas presented before him. Already in his mind he could see the controversy these ideas would bring if they found their way onto the desks of certain political individuals.
"Thank you, Zevran. You have no idea how much this helps the mage freedom cause." Anders said a happy smile crossing his face. Once he was done he would practice presenting these ideas to Hawke to find the best angle.
Zevran nodded sedately his mind sinking back into his own thoughts. Anders continued to work though his writings weren't as feverish as before. Now he proceeded calmly in the labyrinth of his mind working out how best to say the argument. As he worked his eyes kept trailing back to the elf seated on the divan gazing out the window. He had not told Hawke, had not mentioned it to the others. Anders knew Isabela must know even though she did not think to share this knowledge with the group. Varric to seemed hesitant stealing glances at the elf as if measuring the reaction if it became known.
Anders had recognized the name, but couldn't recall where. On a whim he had gone to one of his many books and looked up a name. He had frozen when he suddenly remembered his face pale as he silently closed the book. They quite literally had a legend walking among them and Hawke had tried to kill him. He'd had to sit down to catch his breath mentally berating himself to not say a single damn word. Not to mention it to Fenris who may just crush the heart of the other elf.
Howl Arainai, Hero of Ferelden
Grey Warden and Friend
Loving partner to Zevran Arainai
May he find his moving castle.
The inscription had been printed in the book recounting the tails of the great feats by Grey Wardens. During his time with Zevran he had been told the elven mage had adopted the last name as his own. Howl didn't have a last name to speak of, nowhere to place him or set in his roots. So, he had taken on the name of the person he loved the most. Forever binding them to each other even if they had not yet been married. There had often been jokes if the Chantry would allow such a marriage, but Anders liked to think they would have. Howl had defeated the Archdemon and would have been given everything he wanted and desired. The last part of the inscription, Anders knew, was a secret shared between him and his old companions. People had asked and inquired about what it could mean but none had come forward. There had been a few outrageous claims but after such a long time King Alistair had finally given them a hint.
"It's really simple, actually. Think of it like a riddle. When you know the answer you smack your forehead and say 'duh!' Why didn't I see that before?" King Alistair had said with a hint of amusement in his voice. He said if anyone could figure it out he would grant them five hundred sovereigns along with an estate. So, of course, treasure hunters were delving deep into ancient documents looking over inscriptions. Rearranging the words comparing them with each other as if they were a code. Anders knew somewhere in Ferelden the king sat on his throne laughing at all of them trying to figure it out.
A few hours passed with him working and Zevran getting up now and again to walk around the room. At one point the assassin went downstairs to pour himself a goblet of wine. Finally, the mage set his quill down massaging his hand with a wince. He was turning into an old man his back felt cramped from hunching over his desk. Anders cracked his neck letting out a small moan of relief as the tension melted away. He managed to stand up stomping his feet to wake them up. He had completely forgotten they had fallen asleep as he gripped the arm of his chair in order not to lose his balance. Zevran stared at him as if he were crazy raising an eyebrow as the mage continued stomping.
"I take you're practicing a dance? Or is this some new ritual I'm not aware of?" Zevran asked receiving glare from the mage.
"Get on the bed." Anders snapped letting go of the chair. He felt the tingling sensation as his feet came back to life stretching out his arms in front of him. He heard a few satisfying cracks as he flexed them mentally berating himself for forcing his body beyond its limits again.
"Already? But I'm not even drunk yet!" Zevran protested even as he moved onto the huge piece of furniture. Anders blushed glaring at the elf who had a wicked grin on his face.
"I don't mean it like that! What is it with you and sex? I swear you and Hawke are exactly alike. Don't you guys ever think of anything else?" Anders complained going over to the elf. He made Zevran lay flat on his back as he bent over him to put his cheek against the elf's head. Zevran smirked though he refrained from teasing the mage as Anders took his temperature.
"You're not warm anymore, so that's good. Has Fenris been giving you the food I prescribed? You're still to pale by far." Anders said resting two fingers against the pulse of Zevran's neck.
"He does. Fenris leaves early each morning to purchase it fresh from the vendors. Preparation is another matter, but I get by." Zevran answered obediently as Anders removed his hand. He turned around and went back to his desk, writing something down before returning.
"Take off your shirt." Anders said. This time Zevran raised an inquisitive brow as he obliged removing the offending piece of cloth tossing it to the side. Anders saw the pale scar along the elf's side as Zevran sat on the edge of the bed grinning at him.
"Force me onto the bed and now you make me undress? You are an odd man, my magical friend. Why not remove your own clothes and join me?" Zevran teased as Anders got onto the bed with him. He had an odd instrument in his hand which he placed against the elf's chest. The other end of the instrument had been inserted into his ears.
"Shut up. Take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds. Good, now again…..again." Anders said moving a flat disc over Zevran's stomach, chest, and back. Now Zevran remembered it was a stethoscope. A wondrous device which allowed one to hear the workings of the inner body. After a few minutes of breathing deeply Anders retrieved the shirt handing it back to the elf as he took of the stethoscope. Carefully curling it up and placing it back on the desk.
"Your heart appears to be recovering just fine. It's a lot stronger than it was when you first came to me. How do you feel most days? Is your strength coming back?" Anders asked as Zevran pulled the shirt back on. His patient glanced at him his eyes traveling up and down the mage's body smirking before he turned his head away.
"I tire easily, like you said I would for a while. I am…a bit stronger, yes. But I can't do as much as I used too. I know I should be able to do something and yet I am unable to." Zevran answered shrugging his shoulders. Anders nodded comparing notes in his head as he memorized everything the elf said. He wrote down everything for his patients just in case but usually he never referred back to them.
"You've lost a bit of weight, too. I'm going to start having Orana send over pastries for you to eat. We don't need you turning into a skeleton under my care." Anders said as he tried to think of other ways to improve the elf's health. Downstairs he heard the door open and close voices rising up the quiet stairwell. Hawke and Fenris were back and seemed to be discussing their latest conquest.
"I thank you, my friend. I look forward to the day I have to roll in order to get to my destination." Zevran said with a slight bow to the healing spell caster. Anders looked as if he wanted to say something more but Hawke appeared right then at the top stairs. He raised an eyebrow at his partner nodding to the shirtless elf on the bed.
"If you're going to cheat, don't you think it should be in a place less obvious? Say, I don't know, my study? Scattering quills and ink everywhere as you-" Hawke was abruptly cut off by the iron grip on his shoulder. Fenris glared at the mage giving his friend's shoulder another painful squeeze before moving past him towards Zevran. The blond haired elf had already retrieved his shirt and was pulling it on over his head.
"I take it you two had fun while we were gone?" Fenris asked suspicious as Zevran retrieved his cloak. His prisoner gave him a knowing smirk stepping closer so that their noses were almost touching.
"Not as much fun if you had been here, I assure you. Alas, I must return to my confinement Anders. I hope to someday see you as a free man if my keeper allows it."
"Just walk out the damn door."
"Fine, fine, be heartless my dear Fenris. See if I don't pay you back for this later." Zevran teased as the two elves descended the stairs and left. Anders heard the lock click behind the pair of elves as they left. Silence descended upon Hawke and Anders like a thick cloud. The Champion sighed, placing his staff against the wall before he began to remove his robes. Anders sat on the edge of the bed watching Hawke with disinterest. Matters had been tense between them ever since Zevran had been rescued.
"So, where did you two go this time?" Anders asked once his partner had slipped on his Orlesian silk robe and was in the process of going to bed. Hawke glanced at him in surprise raising an eyebrow in response.
"Anders, there's nothing going between me and Fenris. I swear on my mother's grave there isn't! Why don't you believe me?" Hawke replied but he was too tired for his answer to have any real heat behind it. They had been back and forth over the matter for quite some time.
"You left me here and while you two went to Andraste knows where. Be honest with me, Hawke. I've seen the way you two look at each other." Anders threatened. This time Hawke's eyes narrowed as he stood up turning to face his partner.
"We're just friends, Anders. Varric and Aveline we're with us as well in case you want to know. I'm going to bed. Good night." Hawke snapped ripping back the covers. Anders glared wanting to reach out and shake his lover's shoulder.
After a moment Anders made up his mind. Grabbing his robes and beginning to pull them on. Hawke kept his back turned to him as he dressed hurriedly searching for the key to the cellar. He didn't want murderers sneaking into the mansion.
"I'm going to spend the night in Darktown. If Zevran needs me tell him to just to send a messenger." Anders said before he left.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Problems in paradise for our Champion! I bet you're all wondering how this is supposed to play out for Zevran in Fenris. Well, I shall never tell! MUHAHHAHAHAHAHHA! Well, at least not for a couple chapters, anyway.