Denial chapter 35
Necarrii froze as she saw her mother fling toward her. She could feel the fear in her heart pumping as the effects of adrenaline kicked in. and yet all she could do is close her eyes. She closed her eyes and waited. Waited to see what would happen, what she would feel. Waited to see if she was finally going to see her father again. But when nothing happened she opened her eyes and gasped. She was back in Kirkwall, standing in the hall by the fire. Everything had looked the same as they had left it and she felt joy rise within her as she realized she could come back home.
"Mama?" she called out as she moved away from the hot flames. Surely her mother had to be here. She wouldn't just leave her alone.
"Mama?" she called out again as she turned to go up the stairs.
She had just risen one foot when his voice stopped her. "She's not here." She turned around and she couldn't help the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes.
"Papa?" she lowered her foot and took a hesitant step toward the man who looked so much like her father.
He smiled and held out his hands, squatting down to catch her. She ran to him with open arms, clasping tightly to his neck as the tears fell. "He said you were dead." She spoke in to his chest. "The man said you weren't coming back."
Anders released his daughter from his embrace; he took her hand and ran his fingers over it. "I am always with you. You may not see me, but I'm always there."
"Do I get to stay with you, Daddy?" Necarrii asked whipping the tears from her face.
Anders gave her a small sad smile. "I'm afraid not."
"But-" Anders held up a finger to her lips halting her words; a sob escaped her mouth instead.
"No buts. You have to stay with your mum."
"But I miss you."
Anders caressed his daughter's hair and brought her head down to his lips. "I miss you too, sweetie. But you can't stay here." She stayed looking down at the floor. Her tears fell in front of her, staining the ground. "Hey," He reached under her chin and brought her face up to his. "I need you to do me a favor." He poked her side and was rewarded by a small smile. She nodded happily. "Fenris, The man who is looking for you…" He paused in his words uncertain of how s=to say what he wanted. "I will always be your father, remember that, ok?"
She nodded on his hand and he leaned in to give her another kiss. "You have to wake up now, ok sweetie?"
His touch began to fade as she closed her eyes under the feeling of his kiss. "Will I see you again, papa?"
She felt the remnants of the magic fade; she could hear the commotion and turmoil set around her. The sounds had almost been overwhelming, but she could still make out the whisper as it left his lips. "Always."
The memorial service seemed right. With everything that had happened in the last month, it only seemed right that the city have such a thing. But still the thought stood uneasy in Ava's mind. Buildings still stood crumbled, bodies still laid off to the side unclaimed or unrecognizable. So many were still lost. But time was of the essence and the city needed to heal and move on. Whether pronounced dead or MIA, their lost would be honored tonight.
She and Sebastian had spent most of the day helping Cullen and what was left of the order set up in Small untouched section of the merchant's guild. Aside from a few fallen stone and some foundation crack, the spot had been surprisingly together considering its proximity to the chantry. The original plan was to have the ceremony in the chantry's court yard but they had been unable to clear enough debris.
So chairs and candles stood in the area as well as a small podium for those who wish to speak. Ava felt her heart clench as she realized she would be one of those people. As there was no Viscount present political responsibility seems to have fallen to her shoulders. She feared what the news of her new power would have on the rest of Thedas. A mage ruling a city that had fallen to her kind? She felt as if conflict was just waiting to arise. But she dealt with it just as she would anything else. Slowly and with caution.
"I believe we are all set." Sebastian came up to her as she lit the last candle. She gave him a smile. "Shall we go and collect the others?"
With a sigh she shrugged. "Now is a good a time as any I suppose." She placed the matches on the podium and turned to exit with Sebastian.
"We'll be right back, Knight-commander." Cullen gave a nervous smile as the two walked by him and headed up toward the estate. Ava remembered how reluctant he was to accept the title but she had naturally coerced him in to it. She couldn't think of any Templar better suited for the job and to have an outsider take control made her feel paranoid.
"Sebastian, what do you suppose will happen?" she looked up into the sky and stared at the stars. Each one glowed bright and the color reminded her of the tattoos both Fenris and Necarrii shared.
"What do you mean?" the archer cocked a confused eyebrow her way.
"Sure you know this is only the beginning." She turned his gaze on him, her eyes set and serious. "There is going to be war." She spoke her words softly realizing the truth that ran through them
Sebastian's face hardened. No doubt his friend was right. This would be only the beginning. "You may be right." He said walking in pace with her. "But you are not alone."
The memorial ran on through the night as the last person rose to stand before the podium. Ava felt her body shaking as she took the stand, all eyes focused on her.
Taking a deep breathe she began to speak. "We have all suffered a great lost. Brothers and sisters. Children and Parents. None of us have gone untouched." She paused and gazed out to the crowed. "But we cannot let it break us." She turned to her friends and family sitting in the front row. Menrin and Necarrii sitting closely between Carver and Fenris. "If not for ourselves, then for those who come after us. For those who hear of us. Let them not speak that Kirkwall was the first to fall. Let them say Kirkwall was the first to stand!"
She heard a few cheers from the crowd. "We are not siding with the mages and nor are we with Templars, we are siding with what is right and what needs to be done!" more people cheered.
"Andraste would not have us wallow, while those we mourn are by The Maker's side. So remember who we lost on that day, remember who they were and what they wanted to be. And by doing that you live for them and show the rest of Thedas how strong we can be!" Ava finished her speech just as the first person rose and began to clap. Soon after everyone else followed, clapping and cheering for her words.
"My, my" the cheer died as the sound of armor turned the corner. "Very powerful words for a very powerful person. The man was dressed in dark reddish armor, a bright sun deeply engraved on his breast plate.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Sebastian rose from his seat and turned to face the visitors. "Can you not see we are in the process of mourning?"
"Champion. Ava Hawke. By the right of the Divine, Justina, I hereby place you under arrest. Please come with us." Ava felt her eyes widen slightly. The others had risen already, weapons out.
"Mama!" Necarrii broke off from Merril and ran to Ava, latching herself on to her robes.
"On what charges?" Carver asked squeezing the grip of his sword.
"The circle has fallen and the city is now ruled by an apostate."
"You've known all along what she was!" Aveline screamed.
"Come with us now or meet our blades." The seeker removed his sword.
"enough!" Ava shouted from her stand. Bending she took Necarrii into her arms. "DO you remember the game we used to play?"
Necarrii nodded into her shoulder. "I need you to go home and play ok? I'll be right behind you."
Necarrii looked up at her with sad eyes. "Are you leaving like papa?" she asked her voice as soft as a whisper.
Ava choked back a sob as the tears began to fall. "No sweetie. I promise." She held up her pinky and Necarrii latched on smiling. Giving her daughter on more kiss, she sent her off to Merrill. She gave her sister a quick nod, before the elf moved away with both children.
"If you want me, you can have me," Ava walked up slowly, the crowd parting as she did so. Wide eyes followed her steps as she made her way to the seekers. The one who led them grinned. "That was easier then I –"he didn't notice the tilt of Ava's head as the arrow launched itself into his skin. He dropped to the floor as the blood began to squirt out. Everyone moved quickly, Ava casted a stunning blast knocking the other seekers off their feet as civilians ran by to get away from the battle. She backed up into her friends, all of them falling in a tight group as more soldiers flocked into the area.
"Any plans, Hawke?" Varric asked as he loaded a bolt into Bianca. Ava's eyes darted to the enemies around her. They were severely out numbered.
"Ummmm…" Plans escaped her. There was no way they would all make it out of this alive. She had to leave. She couldn't risk their lives just so she could live another day to run. They had already done so much for her.
"Whatever happens guys," Ava removed her stave and let her magic fill her veins. Closing her eyes she imagined what she had been like the days she had almost lost it. That one day so many years ago. Fenris had helped her that day. She remembered it so clearly now. "Thank you." she opened her eyes and felt the fire that burned within them summoning her fireball; she raised the energy sending it hurtling toward the closest of the soldiers. They fell to the ground, toasted, the smell of burnt metal reaching her nose. She turned quickly bringing her blade tip up as she sent another freeze spell toward the seeker on her left. She sidestepped as the one brought down by her blade fell beside her. Turning she saw Fenris running toward her. She ducked as his blade slashed where her head had been moments ago, cutting into the arm of another soldier. His sword fell as he did clutching his wound.
"What are you doing?!" Fenris growled as she regained her stance and began firing spells once again.
Turing quickly she grabbed his collar and brought his lips down upon hers. The battle seemed to stop when she gave him this kiss and the only thing that seemed to have brought her back was Carver's screams.
"OI!" her brother shouted as he blocked a parry from his foe. Bella came quickly behind the soldier, stabbing into the weak part of his armor.
Ava spared them a glance before turning back to Fenris. "Goodbye."
"NECARRII!" Ava slammed the door open, gasping for breath as she ran to the staircase and bolted up.
The girl opened the room door with her satchel toed tightly to her back.
"Are we going to play now, mama?" she asked a certain look of disappointment on her face.
"Yes dear, let me just get my stuff." She moved past Necarrii and yanked open her wardrobe. She grabbed the sack that stood on its bottom and turned back around quickly, ready to leave. She froze when she saw Merrill standing in the door way.
"Where are you going?" her friend spoke with worry and curiosity, two things which Ava had always been a sucker for in the past but not this time.
"I am sorry, sister, I can't tell you." she moved forward and grabbed Necarrii by the hand.
"Oh dear, But-"
"Merrill!" Ava turned on her with urgency. "You saw them! I am not the only one in danger and I will not have you all harmed just to see to my protection!"
"Hawke, you don't have to-"
"Stop!" Ava felt her eyes glow as Merrill shrank back in fear.
"I'm sorry…" she let her head hang low as tears threatened her eyes. "I just can't." she looked back up to her, her face full of fear.
"Fine then." Ava smiled and moved to the door. "Are you ready?" she asked Necarrii. The child nodded.
Ava reached for the door, but jumped back when the door pounded. "Champion!" the seekers pounded into the door. Ava backed up scared. She was trapped. Trapped in her own house doomed to fall to these men.
"Get to the basement." Merrill grabbed her and dragged her across the room. "Go, you haven't the time." The elf grabbed her stave as a sword breaking through the wood became audible.
Ava yanked open the door and pushed Necarrii in. quickly she leaned in a planted a kiss on Merrill's cheek.
"Take care of them, sister." Ava shut the door behind her as Merrill turned and faced the group that had just entered the house. The tiny elf let a sadistic smile spread across her face as the first man walked into view. "With pleasure."
A/N ok so I had a lot of trouble with this chapter and I think it came out better than what I had original thought which I can't even remember now XD anyway, I like the way the speech came out I guess idk I know I definitely like the Idea of Merrill being a bad ass lol I'm sorry I just think she's to clueless not to be anyway please let me know what you guys think and the last chapter with come next week. Thank you all for reading! If you want to read more of my stories I have another dragon age one called sun and moon and also a mass effect one called the night before so please check them out! Thanks for the love!