Beau sat on the sandy shore of the Wounded Coast, her toes dipped in the cool water. She listened to the waves hit the shore while she looked out into the distance, hoping to see even a small glimpse of her homeland. It had been four years since her family fled Ferelden and the blight. Four of them had left and now only two of them remained. It had been three years to the day since Carver had died defending Beau in the Deep Roads. Every year on this day Beau and her mother would go to the Chantry and pray for Carver and Bethany, or at least her Mother did. Beau hadn't had a strong faith to begin with and since coming to Kirkwall her faith was all but gone. Beau of course had not told her Mother that.
It had taken Beau's mother almost a year to recover from Carver's death. Beau took time off from mercenary work and focused on helping her mother with her grief and working on getting the family estate back. Beau became a familiar face at the Viscount's Keep as she petitioned for the estate. She barely used magic during that year out of fear of being taken away from her mother. She knew that her mother would not survive the shock of her remaining child being taken away from her. It took Beau almost the entire year, and most of the money she had found in the Deep Roads, to get the estate back in her mother's name. Beau found the whole process exhausting but it was worth to see a smile on her mother's face when she stepped through the door of the estate. After they got the estate back her mother's mood began to improve, giving Beau back some of her free time to go back to her mercenary work and her friends. Spending so much time at the Viscount Keep had gotten Beau noticed, even though she was trying to be careful, but it actually lead to some lucrative business and jobs for her.
The last two years had been pretty uneventful. Beau had fallen into the routine of work, friends and family. Bohdan and Sandel had moved into the house which caused more problems and explosions than Hawke would have liked, but having them in the house meant her mother would not be alone when Beau was out of the house. It also meant that Beau didn't have to help with decorating the enormous house. The only thing Beau maintained was a small garden on the side of the house. She used it to meditate and communicate with Fen'Harel. Merrill also liked the garden and Beau shared it with her happily after Merrill was caught in the Viscount's private garden. After Carver's death, Beau had taken Merrill under her wing. Merrill had taken Carver's death almost as hard as Beau's mother did. Beau had not realized how close her brother and the young elf had gotten. Beau made sure that Merrill was taken care of, knowing her brother would have wanted it.
"Hawke?"
Beau snapped out of her reminiscing to see who was calling her. Fenris was walking along the shore coming towards her. He had not changed in the last three years, except for the fact that he seemed happier and much healthier. He had gained some weight and muscle after the Deep Roads due to the fact that he came over to the estate every evening for a well balance meal. Fenris had become a staple in Hawke's life and in her home. Beau's mother had welcomed him into the home and treated him as an adopted son. Leandra knew that Fenris protected her daughter and knew how he felt about Beau even if Beau couldn't see it. Beau had also started helping him with this reading and writing after acquiring the estate and a library. He stayed at the Hawke estate more than he did at his own.
"You have been gone for a while now. I was getting worried." He commented.
Beau shrugged. "Just needed to get away from the city for a bit, especially after that Chantry service."
"I thought it was enjoyable." Fenris replied as he sat down beside Beau. He refrained from putting his feet in the water but did take his sword off so that he could relax.
"I didn't know you were going to the service today. You should have come and sat with me and my mother."
"It was a day for your family."
Beau nodded sadly.
"Besides if I were to sit next to you I wouldn't be able to look at you in a dress." Fenris teased.
Beau looked down to the dress she was wearing. It was simple enough, all black that was fitted until it flared out at her waist slightly. The top of the dress had a square neckline. The sleeves were fitted until her elbow and then flared out like the rest of the dress. It was solid black since it was a day of mourning, though Beau did add a gold elvish belt that was adored with wolves that she had gotten from the Dalish, to break up the black.
Beau sn orted. "This isn't even a pretty dress Fenris."
"Well, you still look beautiful."
Beau blushed. Fenris and her relationship was still undefined. They weren't officially courting but people knew better than to get between them. They were always together whether it be at the Hanged Man for a Wicked Grace night or working a job, even though they had not moved anywhere in the romantic aspect. There was some kissing and sometimes they would share a bed but nothing more happened. They were comfortable where they were in the relationship and they were in no hurry to take it any further. They sat together not needing to say anything, comfortable in the silence until the sun started to set.
"We should probably start to head back. Mother will be wondering where we are." Beau sighed taking her feet out of the water.
Fenris nodded in agreement slinging his sword across his back. "Will you have time to help me pick out a new book? I finished the last one you gave me."
Beau smiled. "Of course. Perhaps it is time to give you something a little harder. Children's books might be getting too easy for you."
"I enjoyed The Seer's Yarn. I was able to learn about folklore from all across Thedas and feel like a child while doing so."
Beau was glad that Fenris was enjoying the books she had picked out. "Well perhaps I will give you the book I have on Ferelden folklore. It is a little harder than the Seer's Yarn but I think you will be able to handle it."
"I would enjoy that Hawke. I would like to know more about Ferelden."
Beau laughed. "What is it about Ferelden that has peaked your interest?"
"It's where you and your family are from. It also seems quite untamed compared to Tevinter and the Free Marches."
Beau nodded. "It's true, most people think we are barbarians. It is nice to see some people appreciate our culture."
Beau and Fenris continued talking while they walked back to the city. Fenris asked questions about Ferelden and Beau answered to the best of her ability. She was not quite up to date with what was happening in Ferelden right now, which made her a little sad. Fenris seemed to know more then she did about how Ferelden was recovering from the Blight. They became quiet again once they started approaching the gates to the city. Fenris knew that Beau hated going back in the city. He offered her his hand which she took happily. They weaved through the streets of Kirkwall taking the backstreets as to avoid the strange gazes that came along with a tattooed elf and human holding hands. The looks did not bother Fenris or Beau, but they liked the quiet of the backstreets. Sometimes they would meet some thugs that would just be asking for a beating, which Beau and Fenris took as a win win. Fenris heard footsteps approaching long before Beau heard anything. He let go of her hand and went for his sword, taking a defensive position in front of Beau knowing she did not have a staff. As the footsteps came closer they saw the shadows of a dwarf and human walking together. Fenris relaxed knowing that it was probably Varric and Anders heading down to the Hanged Man.
"Hawke you are wearing a dress." Varric commented when they saw each other. "That is not something you see everyday."
Beau pouted. "It was my mother's idea. Apparently if you are a woman you cannot wear pants in the Chantry when going to a service. It offends the Maker somehow."
Varric chuckled. "You should ask Choir Boy if that is true or not. I think your Mother just played that card to get her tomboy daughter in a dress."
Beau sighed. "Perhaps you're right, but if it made her happy today then I shall suffer through it."
"My condolences Hawke, I forgot that it was the anniversary of Carver's passing." Anders remarked tiredly. It looked like he had a long day at the clinic.
"Ah shit, I forgot too. I am sorry Hawke. I am not much of a friend am?" Varric pouted.
Beau kneeled down and gave Varric a hug. She knew that Varric still felt responsible for Carver's death, even though Beau reassured him that it was not his fault. Varric had thrown himself into trying to find his brother Bartrand who had mysteriously disappeared after they had found their way out of the Deep Roads. Varric wanted answers about why he betrayed them and if Bartrand knew Carver was going to be on the expedition without Varric or Beau's knowledge.
"You are one of my best friends Varric. Please don't put yourself down like that." Beau said comforting him. "And thank you Anders."
Beau got back on her feet and dusted her dress off. "I assume you two are off to the Hanged Man."
Varric nodded. "Blondie hasn't been out of his clinic for a couple of days so I dragged him out of Dark Town for some Wicked Grace. Will you be joining us later Elf? "
Fenris looked at Beau almost like he was asking permission. Beau smirked. "You are a big boy Fenris. If you wanna go play with the boys go right ahead. You don't need my permission."
"I shall come by after supper. Maybe I can persuade Hawke to join us." Fenris commented.
"I can probably sneak out after my mother goes to sleep, as long as Sandal and Bodan are there. I hate leaving her in that big house all alone."
"She won't be alone, you have a mabari." Anders commented. "No one in the Free Marches would be brave enough to rob a house with a mabari in it."
"It's true. Remember when Choir Boy first met Rohan? He almost shit his over-white breeches." Varric chuckled.
Beau gave out a little scoff. "You Free Marchers are pansies if anyone should be afraid of my dog it's Fenris - he is from Tevinter."
"I find it admirable that mabaris chose the barbarians over their magister masters. We are kindred spirits in a way."
"Does that make Hawke the barbarian?" Varric asked.
"I meant it in the nicest way possible." Fenris calmly stated.
"And with that let us part ways. I am sure we are late for supper now." Beau stated.
"Very well, Hawke. I shall meet up with you later at the Hanged Man." Fenris confirmed.
"Hopefully Isabella doesn't win all our money before then." Varric commented.
They waved goodbye to each other and went their separate ways. Beau smiled to herself as the came to the Hawke Manor Door.
"May I ask what you are smiling about?" Fenris asked.
"Well, I am glad you and Anders didn't try to kill each other."
Fenris grunted. "There are worse things in the world than the Abomination."
Beau chuckled. "But mostly the smile is for the fact that I am content. I don't think I would change anything in my life right now."
"Nor I Hawke." Fenris gave her a rare smile and then kissed her cheek.
Beau blushed. Fenris opened the door to the estate leaving Beau still at the doorstep. Fenris offered her his hand again. She smiled and took it. She was happy the last three years had been pretty kind to her and her loved ones. Little did she know though that this year was going to one of the worst year of her life.