AUTHOR'S NOTE: I was dissapointed I didn't any interviews last chapter. But then again you guys are probably busy a lot of the time. Now that I've been taking online classes I finally find that I have a lot of free time despite homeschooling my younger brother. Soon, I'm going to be doing volunteer work so that will be fun

I also did not notice how much of Howl I had put into this story. O.o But do not worry! I have a special announcement for you all next chapter I think you will greatly enjoy. XD

DA ORIGINS

Wolf dragged Howl away from the hustle and bustle of the docks. He hurried him through a confusing maze of backstreets and alleyways until Howl couldn't even tell which direction the dock had originally been. He did attempt to try to remember the directions, but he failed miserably. With each step his kidnapper took he could feel himself drawing further and further away from Zevran. Panic gripped Howl sharp and tight closing his throat preventing him from screaming. He doubted anyone would care if he had.

Finally, Wolf came out into what appeared to be a horse stable. At the moment there appeared to be no animals in sight as far as Howl's poor vision could tell him. In front of him he could see a trough filled with water set under a water pump. Scattered around them was fresh hay the scent reaching Howl's nostrils. He inhaled the scent as if it were the finest of perfumes praying to the Maker he wasn't about to be murdered. If Loghain had decided to send out a second assassin to finish the job of the first now was a good a time as any.

"So tell me mage, is it true?" Wolf said his deep voice cutting the silence. Howl jumped startled out of imagining his gruesome death at the hands of this dark elf. Wolf had released his grip on his robes but now leered at him as if he happened to be a piece of horse shit he happened to step in. Then it struck him.

"You can speak the Common Tongue? I thought you only knew Qun!" Howl said in complete shock. Wolf scowled at this realization glaring at him as if he wished nothing more than to throttle his neck.

"I asked you a question."

"Can you be more specific? I can't tell what you mean when you 'is it true'. Is what true? Me being a mage? I pretend to be a woman in my spare time?" Howl snapped sarcastically. He knew better than to enrage his captor but he didn't see much point. At the very least Wolf wanted answers from him so he probably wouldn't kill him just yet.

"Do you follow the Qunari way? You spoke Qun, but you're lips haven't been sewn shut. You also mentioned 'Sten'." Wolf snarled in response. In the moonlight his white hair glowed a stark comparison to his dark skin. Sten was the only person Howl had ever known to have skin almost as black as obsidian. To see it on this elf was surreal and strangely beautiful. Under different circumstances he would have asked Wolf where his homeland lay.

"No, I don't follow the Qunari way. Why would my lips be sewn shut?" Howl asked his voice quivering as he formed the words. Unconsciously his hands reached up to brush his lips as if checking they remained unbound. He shivered at the thought imagining never being able to speak again. Wolf actually smirked in response to his question a certain glee in his tone as he answered the question.

"Mages among the Qunari are known as Saarebas. It is both their name and their station. They're kept on a leash from their birth until death. Precautions I believe the Templars here should take. It would prevent mages from ever turning into apostates or resorting to blood magic." Wolf said.

Howl stared at him his blood going cold. He touched his throat imagining a collar around it, being forced to follow another around for the rest of his life. Condemned soon as his mage gift was discovered. To be beyond seeking a life for himself, a purpose to live simply for being born the way he was. To think, he had trusted Sten up until now. He had known the Qunari to always call him that name, but he had thought nothing of it. Assumed it was a nickname Sten had bestowed upon him for the sake of friendship.

"Precautions? That's monstrous! What have I ever done to deserve such a fate? What has any mage ever done to deserve something like that? Not only would you have us be made Tranquil for being to weak, but in order to escape nearly have us killed in our Harrowing to prevent any mages from ever seeing the light of day!" Howl yelled his voice rising with each word as he said it. He had never been one of those mages who fought for the right to be free from the Circle. He had always meekly obeyed the rules keeping his head down to avoid trouble. Why was he even saying 'us'? The only other person in the Circle whom he had been friends with was Jowan, and he had tuned out be a blood mage.

"Mages are a danger waiting to happen! What do you say to all the victims, all murdered the souls who suffered at the hands of your kind? Do you apologize that they turned into an abomination and happened to escape?" Wolf growled right back his forest green eyes sparking in the night. Fear cast aside Howl felt his blood boil as he rounded on the other elf spittle flying from his lips as he screamed at him.

"Danger? Danger? A person doesn't have to be a mage to turn into an abomination! Abominations are everywhere! On the street, waiting in alleyways, strolling down the road, hiding in houses! Don't become all high and mighty and start condemning those more sensitive to the Fade than you. You should be concerned about the true monsters lurking around you. They're hidden among people, from the noble houses all the way down to the beggar in the street!"

Howl's entire body was shaking as he screamed this into Wolf's face. He was shocked at what he was saying. Few times in his life had he let his emotions control his actions. Even now Howl began to regret what he had said. The look on Wolf's face easily translated what he had in mind for the mage. Raising his metal sheathed hand Wolf's markings suddenly began to glow. Their eerie blue light casting his face in shadow and making the metal appear like claws.

"I will not stand and argue with you, mage. Now, talk."

Bodahn opened the door at the sound of the warrior's voice. Fenris stood there in plain view seeming smaller without his usual armor on. As a matter of fact, Bodahn thought this was the first time he ever saw the elf wearing a different outfit. Always the warrior traveled everywhere completely prepared for battle.

"Is it an emergency, Master Fenris? I'm afraid the master told me to not accept guests today. Anders is in Darktown if it concerns Zevran." Bodahn said helpfully wondering if that would account for the unarmed elf. Fenris scowled pushing the door all the way open and stepping past the dwarf into the mansion.

"In a manner of speaking, yes. Zevran is in perfect health and has no need for a healer. The emergency is more of a…personal matter." Fenris answered to the flustered dwarf. He secretly felt sorry for barging into the estate. He usually respected Hawke's privacy but the mage had been given a day. Completely ignoring Bodahn who began to politely protest his forced entry Fenris made a beeline for Hawke's study. He knew the layout of the house well since his friend constantly invited him over for dinner or offered to let him borrow another book from his growing library as a small thank you. Even now Fenris distractedly wondered if the mage had added anything new as he came into the study.

Hawke was seated in front of the fireplace staring into the flames his back to the door. Fenris narrowed his eyes noticing the hunched shoulders of his friend. When he stepped closer he noticed bags under the mage's eyes from lack of sleep. Hawke looked as if he hadn't slept ever since they had returned the night before.

"Sir, I'm so sorry! He just came right in, and I know he's your friend but I-" Bodahn began to say hastily before Hawke cut him off.

"It's alright, Bodahn. I told Fenris he could come over no matter what the time of day. It's my mistake I should have told you. Go to bed, I think I can manage to not burn the house down while left unsupervised." Hawke said tiredly but the teasing tone in his voice was still there. It made the knot in Fenris's belly loosen a bit. He had thought he might come upon a completely depressed Hawke whom he would then have to cheer up. Bodahn glanced at his master clearly not wishing to leave him alone but he nodded all the same.

"If you say so, sir. No worries, I'll remember next time. If you need anything simply holler and I'll be awake faster than a nug being cooked. Good night, sir. Master Fenris." Bodahn said with a bow to them both. Fenris nodded his assent feeling awkward at being referred to as 'master' by the dwarf. He had tried to convince him otherwise a title wasn't necessary for him. The dwarf had been steadfast, however, declaring such a request was an insult since Hawke held him in such high regard. Finally, Fenris had to give up with a grudging growl to his friend to have a talk with his manservant. Hawke still hadn't done it.

"What's up, Fenris? You finally come to admit your undying love for me?" Hawke asked turning to look at his friend. Fenris scowled at the mage who only smiled in return. Hawke hadn't even risen from his chair to greet him but these were unnecessary courtesies. They knew each other to well to bother with such things. Stepping closer Fenris glanced up at the statue Hawke had hanging over the fireplace. It unnerved him to see it as if staring at it to long would summon an evil spirit.

"No, Hawke. I've come to demand you get rid of that thing. It's hideous and doesn't match the rest of the décor." Fenris said. Hawke blinked turning to look up at the statue. He studied it for a few seconds then shrugged his shoulders turning his gaze to the elf.

"You know, I have no idea where I got that? I've been pondering it all day and I still haven't remembered. I think it came with the estate when I bought it. You're welcome to climb up there and take it down. I'm too lazy to do it." Hawke replied with raised eyebrows. Fenris rolled his eyes going to sit down in the other armchair unsure of how to approach the subject. He had no clue as to whether he wished to discuss his current problem or to advise Hawke in the best way of getting over Anders. He was unversed in either and both problems involved relationships with people.

"Varric visited me today." Good, that would clear the air. Fenris figured he may as well start off at the point where all the problems had begun. Hawke's gaze flickered at the mention of the dwarf whether with anger or remorse he didn't know. Fenris leaned forward his elbows resting on his knees as he considered the mage. Hawke rose from his seat turning his back to the elf to hide his face.

"Do you want a drink? I found this well-aged Antivan brandy yesterday I think you might like. You mentioned you wanted to try different type of alcohol other than wine." Hawke said conversationally going over to a small desk. A dusty bottle of a Tevinter wine Fenris had given Hawke a while back still lay there, unopened. Beside it were several other bottles of expensive vintages Hawke had begun to acquire. He watched as the mage pulled out two goblets uncorking the brandy and pouring a large amount in both.

Hawke came back a moment later, handing him one of the goblets. Fenris studied it, a simple enough one. No fancy markings on it but it was fine silver. He drank a few swallows to be polite noting how Hawke seemed to down his entire goblet in one swallow. Pouring himself another drink and leaving the bottle on the small table between them, choosing to stand now and continue gazing into the fire.

"Hawke." Fenris said hoping to break the mage out of his reverie. His friend made no move to show he had heard him. Fenris growled to himself at being ignored standing up as well sipping at the brandy to help him think. What could he say that would break the silence between them? Say everything that needed to be said with a few simple words? Hmm, perhaps he could take Hawke's route of being witty?

"I cheated on you with Zevran." Fenris said bluntly. Hawke's reaction was amusing and spontaneous. Hawke began to choke on his drink gagging and coughing as he tried to reply. Finally, having managed to clear his air passage his friend of nine years stared at him in shock.

"You what? Andraste's flaming ass, Fenris, that's not funny! I actually thought you were serious for a minute." Hawke said taking a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe at his chin and mouth where he had spat out the brandy. Fenris watched him stifling a sudden urge to start chuckling at the reaction. It was rare Hawke could be beaten at his own game of witty retorts.

"I'm not lying, Hawke. I woke up this afternoon, had sex with Zevran, fell back asleep, and then woke up again only a couple of minutes ago to find him sleeping beside me. I came over here before he could wake up." Fenris said. There, he had said it. Declared it the world itself for the mistake he had made. Hawke was staring at him as if he were mad speechless his friend had done something so irrational. After a few tense moments of silence Hawke sighed staring down into his goblet as if he expected an answer to come to him by gazing into its depths.

"I doubt it happened just like that. There must have been some…foreplay involved. Romance, secret looks, maybe a love letter or two? Come on, two people just don't…wait, never mind. They do just have sex when they barely know each other's name." Hawke said thinking aloud. Fenris winced at the last part having no argument for that.

"Talking was involved but I assure there was no building up to the act itself. It happened before either of us knew what was going on." Fenris replied thinking back to what he had said to Zevran. Was what he said true? Zevran had denied considering him an enemy even hinted at thinking of him as a friend. What was their relation to each other? Clearly not comrades as he did with Hawke but closer than what he had with Isabela or the others. What room was there in his life for these confusing problems?

"Oh, well then. I guess I should say I'm happy for you. I was wondering when you two were going to hook up." Hawke said awkwardly. This time it was Fenris's turn to stare at his friend as if he had gone clinically insane.

"Happy? Hawke I don't…why would you be happy for me? I don't even know if sleeping with Zevran has any meaning beyond the act itself! You know how he is, always flirting or batting his eyelashes at anything that moves. He probably did it to get closer to you in order to kill you for trying to turn him in to Nuncio." Fenris snapped suddenly angry. His emotions were beginning to contradict each other as he thought of the consequences to his actions. Zevran could be very well sharpening a blade as they speak trying to decide which part of the throat he wished to slice on his victims. Hawke seemed to think for a moment swirling the brandy in his goblet around as he met his friend's gaze. They had always been close, almost in the way Anders was close to Hawke now. The thought of a partner made Fenris's body ache as if he had just fought a high dragon.

He remembered Zevran's touch clearly as if he were beside him right now. The way Zevran's body had slid against his slick with sweat. Thrusting against each other in a silent battle to dominate the other. To reach that moment when one was completely weightless above the world dreaming of the Fade before they came crashing down their bodies deliciously aching. His stomach stained with the essence of his lover who lay beside him kissing his neck. Whispering sweet nothings into his ear he didn't understand.

Fenris dimly remembered saying to the Antivan, almost drunkenly, he loved his accent. He could listen to him talk for the rest of his life. Zevran had laughed at this, telling him he was a fool. Told him he secretly enjoyed hearing him talk in Qun.

"Your voice reminds me of dark chocolate and smoke, my Lord Fenris. Oh, what you could do with such a voice sends a shiver down my spine." Zevran had told him in a husky whisper. So Fenris began speaking Qun telling the tanned beauty beside him his plans for their next romp in the sheets. There had been a sort of blasphemy in what he was doing. Using this language spoken by those who followed a strict code all their lives made him rise and mount the smaller elf again.

"Didn't I tell you not to call me 'Lord Fenris' anymore, 'Zevy'?" Fenris rumbled digging his nails into Zevran's thighs. Thrusting into the other's slick heat wet from his orgasm earlier. It made his passage easier, he even joked to Zevran why waste it? His only answer were moans and the hands clasping at his back, Zevran arching his back with a low groan as he hit the other's sweet spot.

"Fenris? Fen, what are you going to do?" Hawke asked lingering near the elf clearly worried. Fenris blinked momentarily lost in memory as he gave his friend a blank look trying to gather his thoughts. Hawke raised an eyebrow trying not to grin because he already had an idea what the dark warrior was thinking.

"Ignore you for the rest of the evening." Fenris said suddenly glad his skin was almost black. It did a fine job of hiding the blush on his cheeks as he drank the brandy feeling shy being near his friend.

"May I remind you you're the one who came to visit me? I know why Varric talked to you. Thing is I just don't know if I want to talk about it." Hawke said with a shrug. Fenris watched as the mage downed the rest of the drink pouring himself a third helping. Hawke drank but rarely enough to get drunk and certainly not in the quantities Fenris tended to take his drink.

"To be honest with you, Hawke, I'm only here since Zevran woke up. You're with Anders, you're wiser than me in these sorts of situations. I don't even really know if I'll allow myself to approach him after this." Fenris said gazing into his drink. He remembered what Isabela had told him about the assassin. A broken man, a sad man, a person he shouldn't be with. Zevran had had a mage at some point, a person he obviously cared about. Loved, most likely. Did he want love? Was he searching for it? Or the passion he had shown to Zevran in a moment of weakness relevant? He and Isabela had sex occasionally when the nights were cold, both of them were desperate to forget the world around them. Knowing they were alone in the world except for a foolish man who fancied himself a Champion. Who gave them a purpose and left awake at night fearing the future. A vast unknown for them both in which they sought each other to ground them in a singular memory to preserve for the next time they felt alone.

"Flowers. Give him flowers, everyone loves flowers.

"He gave me flowers, Hawke. Now, about you and Anders…" Fenris snapped trailing off as he tried to think of an argument. The mage sighed, shaking his head as he put down the goblet on the table.

"Fine, fine we won't discuss your personal sex life. But damn, Zevran? I mean, good job man, good job. Well, the problem is that Anders is under the impression I'm cheating on him." Hawke answered with a sigh. He looked so exhausted Fenris wondered if he shouldn't just tell him to go to bed and say they would discuss this another day.

"If you don't mind me asking, whom? Unless you've taken on those offers from the Blooming Rose." Fenris said thinking of what Anders had said. The mage was always being offered a position to be one of the entertainers there. A fact that brought a smile to his face every time no matter what his mood. Hawke had often told his partner he wouldn't mind having to pay ten sovereigns to spend time with Anders. Why ten sovereigns, Anders had asked. Hawke had raised his eyebrows and said they were of course going to be a while so why not spend the money for the quality? Which made the rest of the group pretend to not hear them or begin talking about the price of feathers in the market.

Hawke didn't answer right away. He actually seemed embarrassed as he glanced at his close friend. Fenris began to wonder if maybe the mage had developed a crush on Varric. An awkward situation to be sure but hardly one to call for a breakup.

"Anders accused me of cheating on him with you."