Chapter 36 Mage Hating
Anders and Merrill's turn.
Leaving the clinic a little after hours after hearing from Varric. Appearently Hawke got jailed a few days ago for assaulting a templar. Anders could hardly believe Varric. Though Varric said quite passionately "I shit you not, Blondie!" So off Anders went to the Viscount's Keep. He just had to know what caused Hawke to attack a templar. Anders couldn't help but laugh. Which ever templar it was. Must have had their ass handed down to them. He made his way trough the door of the Keep and straight to Aveline. He knocked on the door to her office. He casted a glance behind him and shifted a bit. He wasn't exactly friends with Aveline. She was more of Fenris's friend. He gave Aveline a bright smile when she opened the door. "What do you want, Anders?" She asked. Not entirely thrilled to see him. "Heard Hawke busted a templar's face in. Any chance I can visit him?" Anders said with a bit of giddiness. She rolled her eyes at him and gave a sigh. "Fine. Follow me, Anders." She said walking past him. He followed after her towards the holding cells. She gestured through the door. "Last one on the right. Try not to piss him or Fenris off. Scratch that. The moment Fenris sees you. He'll get pissed." She droned walking back to her office looking at some sort of report. Anders gave a frown. Of course Fenris would be there. He seemed overly driven to be near Hawke. Ander, himself, couldn't really stand being around Hawke. Something just wasn't right. Though that didn't stop him. Every chance he got. He preached about mages to Hawke. From a good ten feet away. The man was dangerous to stand by. Even if he was on the same side. Anders assumed that it was okay considering him and Hawke never really got in a fight. Anders gave a chilled shudder as he recalled what happened in the Deep Roads. Rubbing his shoulder as he walked further down the corridor. Looking around into the other cells. Noticing there was not realy any people in jail. Was Hawke the only one? And if so. Why so far down? Anders slowed his pace as he heard someone talking. It clearly wasn't Hawke. It had to be Fenris. After all he was there too, Aveline said. Anders stopped a shot way away before getting they could see him. He could hear Fenris loud and clear. But he couldn't even tell what Hawke was saying.
"Come now, Hawke. Surely you could do some form of community service. You would be able to get out faster." The elf said.
All Anders could hear from Hawke was a low murmur. He inched his way closer to hear the larger man.
"It has only be four days, Hawke. Are you truly dead set on doing the whole two weeks?" Fenris asked.
Anders was close enough to hear what Hawke said next.
"Might as well. You are taking care of Mother, right?" Hawke growled.
"Of course. Your Mother is fine. Though it is a bit strange having to sleep at your house..." Fenris trailed off.
"Let me guess. Mother is doting on you?" Hawke asked.
"Yes... Unnessecarily so." Fenris sighed.
The two of them soon remained silent. Anders figured he might as well walk in further. He felt a chill run through him as Hawke stared at him. The large man had bandages wrapping the right side of his face. His armor was also gone. Seemed the spiked armor was dangerous. He was in a dark plum shirt. It was torn down the middle showing off his chest. Looks like Varric has competition. He noticed Fenris held Hawke's eyepatch. Anders walks forward more after shaking off the feeling of Hawke's glare. "Mage." Both warriors say at once. Wonderful they were on the same wavelength. Anders walks over and remembers why he originally came. He smiled at Hawke and the larger man scowled. "So I heard you busted a templar's face in. Was it fun?" Anders asked. Hawke scoofed while Fenris rolled his eyes. "I enjoy busting anyone's face in." Hawke deadpanned. "Yeah. Well this was a templar! Do you know how fast I came over just to see if I can try to bail you out!" Anders said excitedly. Hawke rolled his eye and leaned forward on the against the bars. The cell contained nothing but a simply pillow and cover. "I don't need your charity." Hawke growled.
Fenris soon spoke after him. "How pray tell do you intend to get Hawke out when you are a refugee? Also you can barely do for yourself with out help."
Anders glared at Fenris. "You are just as poor as I am. Well, actually. You're worst off than me. So with that. Shut your mouth, mutt." Anders shot back at the elf. Fenris immediatey snapped back.
"Watch your mouth, Mage. I don't have a problem with going to jail for assaulting you." Fenris growled.
"You going to jail would be funny as hell! Please do!" Anders said taking a step towards Fenris. Fenris took a step as well. The step put Anders close enough to the jail cell. Hawke shot his arms out through the cell bars. Latching on to both Fenris and Anders. Pulling them into the bars harshly. Fenris's marking sprung to life as Anders became dizzy. "Why don't both of you shut the fuck up... Your bitching is pissing me off." Hawke growled dangerously. Anders heard Fenris give a pained hiss. Then a responce. "Alright... Just release me already!" Fenris growled as he stumbled from the bars. As soon as Hawke let him go. His markings flickered down. Anders trying to squirm free of Hawke's vice like grip. "Keep your damn mouth shut, Mage. Before I break you through these bars." Hawke warned. Anders could only nod. Hawke shoved him to the floor rather harshly. Anders stood up shakily and dusted himself off. "Forgot. We aren't even remotely friends..." Anders droned with a hurt expression. "Just thought maybe..." He stopped and walked further from the cell. "There was something we could agree on..." Anders said with a frown making its way onto his face. Hawke turned his head and didn't even look at him. Fenris remained silent. "Right. Never mind then. See you when you get out. Bastard..." With that said Anders stormed his way out of the jail area. Missing the pleased look on Fenris's face.
A short time after Anders left. Merrill wandered her way in. She walked straight past Fenris and right up to Hawke. She appeared to be holding a small basket. Hawke gave a growl as he stared at her. She tilted her head to the side. "Are you okay?" She asked. Hawke merely hummed lowly. "Is that a yes? Well, anyway. I came to bring you something!" She suddenly chirped. Her highly pitched voice alone made his cringe. Fenris stared at her cautiously. Merrill hopped up closer to the bars of the cell. "Aveline said I could give you this!" She smiled happily as she presented the basket. "I hope you enjoy meat loaf." She said as she looked around the cell bars. "Now where is the hatch to hand it to you?" She puzzled aloud. Hawke sighed and pointed to the center. "Oh! Right. Here you go!" She said happily handing the smal basket through the bars. Hawke took it and gave it a once over before setting the basket down on the floor. "I hope you get out soon, Hawke. It gets a bit boring with Isabela gone... And you in jail. I am sure who ever it was probably deserved it. After all. You wouldn't attack just anyone, right?" Merrill stared. Getting Fenris and Hawke to look at each other. Both of them just shrugged. Merrill sat down on a chair nearby and went on with her rambling. At one point getting real annoying to both the warrior men. To such a point. That Fenris said farewell to Hawke and the mage grl. Quickly leaving. Merrill scooted closer to the cell. Staring brightly at Hawke. "Why are you wearing bandages? Are you not allow to wear your armor? You look really different without all the spikes." She asked tilting her head. Hawke stared pointely at her. She sat perched on the chair cutely with her hands on her knees. Completely oblivious of the fact he truly didn't like her. She just kept smiling warmly at him. "Why are you here, Girl?" Hawke growled. "Oh. I heard you got really mad at a templar. You got in a fight and had to sit here for two weeks. Must be lonely. So I figured to come by and keep you company. Saw Fenris was here. I didn't mean to intrude. I didn't men to make him leave either. Should I go get him?" She asked. Hawke shook his head no. Thus the elvhen woman continued to go on talking. Making Hawke groan. He couldn't even leave from her. She continued her rambling and didn't even notice when Hawke started to bash his head into the wall. Merrill noticed this action and tilted her head. "Did the wall offend you?" She asked. Hawke stopped momentarily and simply hide his face beneath his somber hair. "I'de much rather bash my brains in than listen to another word from your mouth, Girl..." He growled clawing at the wall. She pouted a bit. "Then is it alright if I hum?" She said. Soon starting to hum. Hawke gave a groan. Such a shame she was mere inches outside his range. The elvhen girl closed her eyes and hummed sweetly. Hawke reaching out towards her through the bars. Trying his best to stretch his hand far enough to snatch her hair or scarf. Giving a low growl Hawke slid his way down to the floor and stared harshly at Merrill. Why couldn't that girl understand to leave? Hawke began gnawing on the steel bars. Hawke partly wished that his cell had more than just a simple cloth and pillow on the floor. Though Aveline knew him well. She knew such things could be utilized to assault someone. To his dismay. Merrill continued to keep him company.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Hawke was able to put up with the jail sentence. Ater that a few months passed by without much trouble regarding him and the law. Though sadly. Due to what had happened. He was temperarily banned from the Gallows for his out burst. Making him unable to see his sister.
-o-o-o-o-o-
It is near the late hour in Kirkwall. Anders sat silently in his clinic. Watching the last of patients walk out. It was very dark out. Down in DarkTown, true to its name, was nearly pitch black. Despite the light of the tourches down there. Anders went to his small room in the back. Sitting down on his bed and laying back. The events of the day playing through his head. Again he had tried to be helpful and useful to Hawke. Yet the man was hardly caring of the attempt. Sure Anders didn't exactly help in the matter with those thugs. But the thought is what counts, right? Appearently not with Hawke. Sighing as he laid down. Wondering why he was even trying to help Hawke in the first place. He did try his best, honestly. Even Aveline looked at him along with Hawke and that Elf. Anders groaned as he held his head. Remembering what happened.
He had ended up swinging his staff right at one man running towards him. Daggers closing in on him. Anders swung hard to detter the assalint. Not aware that Hawke was right behind him. The blade of the staff cut right across Hawke's face. Effectively slicing open the warrior's mouth and nose. Nearly missing his only good eye. Aveline along with Fenris were in shock by what had happened. Blood poured from Hawke's face. Hawke, himself, was rightly stunned. So much so. That he turned towards Anders and glared. Holding onto one of the midday thugs. Forgetting about the other two. Who took that time to flee. Hawke bit down into the one he held. The blood reversing back under his skin as the wound appears on the hapless thug in his hand. Dropping the delinquent. The next thing Anders knew. Was Hawke pulling back his left hand and punching him straight across the face.
Anders cringed from the memory and held the right side of his face. A faded scar from where Hawke busted Ander's mouth open. It was much worse considering the gauntlets Hawke wore. Anders recalled Fenris laughing at his perdicament. Aveline had questioned if it was really wise. Turned out. Before that. One of the thugs had nearly took Anders out. Hawke had went to defend him. Anders shuddered. The man had tried to protect him. Anders had forgot his surroundings for a second. Hitting Hawke. He wondered if Hawke had identified the mistake as a direct rebuff of his help. Either way. Hawke was pissed none the less. He should appologize to Hawke. Though. After the resulting action on Hawke's part. Anders didn't feel like he should admit for forgiveness. Anders turned slowly on his bed. His head pounding with rampant thoughts. Mostly concerning Hawke. For the most part anyway. He threw his hand up in the air and let a shower of healing magic flutter down around the ache in his body. Running the hand over his face. Giving another burst of magic. Giving a groan. He slowly fell asleep.
The next day's morning sun filtered through into Darktown. Anders sat up and winced. Giving a sigh. He forced himself out of bed. Making his way straight to the doors and leaving out the clinic. Making his way slowly towards Lowtown. He needed to talk to someone. He wished he could drink. Maker knows it would help him. In the back of his mind however. A warning blared. Drinking is bad! The voice shouted. Anders groaned as he trudged his way up the stairs. Taking quite a few minutes to reach the Hanged Man. He looked around cautiously before making his way to Varric's suite. Attempting to sneak his way in through the door. Before collapsing into a pile of pillows in Varric's bedroom on the floor. The dwarf rolled over in the nearly floored bed. "Figured you be in here early. Set you up a nice place." He said with a smile. Anders spoke into the pillows. His voice muffled. Varric chuckled a bit. "Can't hear you, Blondie. Take your face out of the pillows." He said sitting up. Anders shifted enough. "I feel horrible..." The blonde mage said slowly.
"Probably from that crushing blow Hawke dealt you. And yes. I know everything that goes on in this city." Varric said rolling onto his stomach and crossing his arms.
"Damn bastard hits hard. What is he? Left handed? Agh... What did I do to deserve this..." Anders whined.
"Well... You did slash Hawke's face open. Still suprised you hit him. He must of been too focused on the enemies."
"Don't rememind me... Hakwe dislocated my jaw and nearly busted out some of my teeth."
"That's because he was holding back I think." Hummed Varric.
"Gee. I should really thank him for not ripping my face off." Anders snarked.
"The whole thing happened because you BOTH forgot to look both ways."
"I am still stunned from the other day. I actually hit him. Like I drew blood from him! When our enemies can barely hit him at all!" Anders said astonished as realization dawned on him.
"That is because Hawke kept one of those idiots from stabbing a blade in your back."
"Like Hawke wouldn't do the same?"
"He wouldn't. Hawke is too straight forward for that. He would tell you. Then stab you in the face. After all. He did wait for you to turn towards him fully before he hit you."
"That... Means nothing..." Anders huffed. Stuffing his face back into the pillow. Varric merely shrugged as he patted Anders on the head.
"It'll be alright, Blondie."
-o-o-o-o-o-
It was midday as the sun disappeared behind a blanket of clouds. Hawke was making his way down town. Carrying a large bag. The result of nearly all of the money from the Deep Roads procceds arriving. In a few more weeks. More like a month. Hawke would finally be able to get an audience with the Viscount. Though he much rather barge right in there and demand the old Amell estate. Varric and Aveline said that Kirkwall doesn't run that way. He was truly starting to hate the way Kirkwall was being runned. It made him more eager to fix it. And by fixing it. Hawke means to throw out or kill every dumb fuck in the entire city state. Especially the pompous shits up in Hightown. The idea of charging those assholes more than the poor was appealing to Hawke. He could even pocket some of the money. He gave a small smile as he thought about it. Soon growling a frustrated sigh. In order for him to run this city. He is going to need much more than just money. Hawke slowly made his way into Lowtown. Trying to see what kinds of food he should get Mother. When his attention was brought away by someone calling him. He gave a groan and turned to look. Lady Elegant waved to him. He slowly made his way over to her. "What is it, Lady?" He said curtly. The blonde woman frowned for a moment. "Well. At least you called me Lady. Could of thrown in my name while you were at it. Anyway. Heard you made some big money in the Deep Roads. Well. Care to send some of it my way. I got something real special for you." She said with a smile gesturing to a box. "Depends on what is in the box. Lady Elegant..." Hawke droned with a low sigh. "Oh. Your mother would love it. Heard you trying to buy back an estate. Well. Maybe this can help her fit in." Lady said opening the box. Inside was a long lavender and pink noble dress like gown. Hawke stared silently at it. Tilting his head to the side before removing a gauntlet and running his fingers against it. "Silk satin fabric with coral and lilac coloring. With velvet trim..." He spoke lowly removing his hand and reequipping the gauntlet. Lady looked at him suprised. "I didn't know you had an eye for fashion. Pun not intended." She said looking up to him. "Right...I'll take it." He said. Shortly after paying. He went straight home.
Opening the door to the horrid little shack of Gamlen's. He stopped dead. His eye twitched slightly. Standing there talking to his mother was Merrill. His mother looked a bit happy talking to her. Though in all honesty Hawke couldn't stand Merrill. If she learned to shut up when told. Maybe he could tolerate her. But no. The elf girl was just too dense to understand when she was bothering someone. How can such a person be so foolishly innocent? It drove Hawke mad just thinking about it. "Oh, Jake. You're home. One of your little friends came by." Leandra said smiling at her son. Hawke resisted the urge to growl. "She is just so sweet. Isn't she a little doll?" Leandra said as Merrill wanders to look around. Leandra walked over to her son and went to reach for his eye patch. He pulled back reluctently as he eyed Merrill. "Are you shy around her?" Leandra asked her son. Hawke stared wide eyed at his mother. "I rather she not be here..." He said slowly. His mother smiled at him. "You didn't answer my question, Jake." Leandra insisted. Hawke shook his head. "Why would I be? I don't like her." He said lowly. Knowing his mother would scold him for saying such a thing allowed behind the girl's back. Leandra frowned. "I know you know you like her. She had spent so much time with you when you were away. And she even walked with you every time you went to Hightown. You shouldn't be afriad of your feelings dear." Leandra said gently to her son. Getting him to blush a slightly purple color. It as soon replaced with anger. "Mother... I. Don't. Like. Her. At. All." He stressed. Leandra gave a sigh. "Oh I wish you would find a nice girl to settle down with. It is not like your sister can do it now that she is in the circle." Leandra said witha slight pouting look in her eyes. Hawke sighed as he set the bag he was carrying on his back down. Moving his hair once again to the back. "When is the girl going to leave? Or did you invite her to dinner..." Hawke asked his mother. "I already invited her to dinner." Leandra said. Hawke rolled his eye and huffed. "Wonderful..." He walked past his mother and went straight to his room. Not even once allowing his mother to remove the head gear. He much rather Merrill wasn't there. Sitting down on his bed heavily. Running his hand through his hair as he taps against the metal eye patch. Feeling the subtle vibrations as he began to increase the tapping. Till he was thumping it with an odd rythme.
He pauses hearing the door open. "Your Mother said I could visit you. She also invited me to dinner." Merrill said sheepishly by the door. She fidgeted a little as she walked over to him. She stood a short distance away from Hawke. Merrill couldn't believe she was even with his face now that he was sitting down. It felt so weird to her. She ended up kneeling down just to get the normal feeling of being around him again. She inches her way closer till she is right in front of him. "Your mother said you always let her take that off of you." She said as she point to the twitsted metal that snaked through Hawke's hair. "Is it stuck? If so. How did it get stuck?" She questioned. Hawke clenthed his teeth together. He didn't want Merrill here. He didn't like listening to her. His hand twitched visably. "Are you okay? Are you hurt? Did you hit your head coming in?" Merrill prodded. Hawke's other hand dug into the bed as he stared at the mage girl. "Go." He murmured. She tilted her head. "Huh? Did You say samething?" She asked. "Go. Just leave..." He snarled at her lowly. She pouted a bit but stood up. "I know when I'm not wanted. But I really wish we can hang out more, Hawke. I miss seeing you." She said as her smile returned. She turned around and left his room. Talking to his mother before leaving.
A little while later. Leandra walks into Hawke's room. "Merrill had to leave. Said she wanted to talk to Varric." She said slowly. Looking at her son sadly. She really wanted him to be more open towards people. "I saw that lovely dress in the bag. Some girl must be real lucky." She said with a smile as she walked over to him. Moving his hand from his head and undoing the strap. Pulling the patch off slowly as she moved his hair back. "The dress... Is for you Mother... I wanted you to have something nice..." He said slowly. Leandra smiled at her son while she tended to him. "Thank you love. It means a lot that you care about me like that. I couldn't ask for a better son." She smiled. Though she saw the look in his eye. It made her fearful that he was going to have another episode. It was gone shortly. So there was nothing to worry about. Yet. Worry she did. She knew her son had difficulty with his feelings. Everytime it concerned him. He would get so displacive. It made her heart ache for him. Knowing there was nothing for her to do for her baby. All she could do was pray to the Maker.
A/N Sorry for the late post. Family matters came up and I had writers block warped into it as well.
Decided to merge Anders and Merrill's Y.B. (Years Between) Mainly because those two are not mains. Yet...
Anyway enjoy the chapter and in other news. I have decided to end this Y.B. at chapter forty.
Next chapter will also focus on Fenris and Hawke. Hopefully They don't go to jail for it.