This started as a question posted on Twitter: "If you were stranded on a desert island with two DA characters, which would be the best and the worst to be stuck with?" The characters of Anders and Fenris are from Dragon Age 2 but they will be different for this story. Mage Hawke has abilities that are not from the game as you've noticed so far. I'm trying to see how this goes and decided to post a few chapters anyways. My partner in crime for this is KrisJFern. All comments are welcome.

I was lucky enough to have artwork done on my Hawke by Kakumei but unfortunately, it's posted on my Tumblr and not on Deviant Art. Perhaps if and when I transfer everything to AO3 I can add the pic that she did for me. There is art that inspired this chapter but I will need to add it later.

Stranded

Chapter 38

Nightmare

This isn't real.

Dear Maker, please let this be another dream!

I repeat this as I struggle to focus and make out everything all at once. There's no mistaking the sounds of conflict all around me. The clash of steel against armor; cries of pain but from whom I could not say. Smoke and sand make it hard for me to see anything clearly. I feel the blast of heat from a fire attack that somehow narrowly misses me. I can sense the brush of magic all around: fire, earth, ice, force…and yes, even blood. The smell of it overpowers me, so strong that it makes me choke. As hard as I try, everything I see is blurry but one thing stands out amongst the chaos.

My sword.

It's then I realize that I am unarmed as the battle rages on around me. I struggle to reach out, only to discover that my sword arm is useless. The blood I smell is from a wound on my shoulder that would make lifting the weapon nearly impossible. Even the dagger at my waist would be of no use if I could not raise my arm properly to wield it. And worse, there is the feeling of being bound to where I stand. I desperately look down at my body but cannot see that which holds me! Through the haze, I can see a figure approach me slowly. Even from so far away, I can hear its laughter and that alone makes me struggle harder against my bonds.

If I could just move!

"What would you do, little mage?" I could hear the voice so clearly. "The bonds that hold you are of your own making."

Hearing this makes my breath catch and my skin grow cold. Even from a distance, there is no mistaking the lilting, songlike quality of its voice. Demon! My mind screams out to me and I struggle even harder. Even though my muscles are straining from all the effort of trying to break free, I begin to realize that the more I struggle, the tighter I am bound. As terrified as I am, I stop moving and will myself to calm down. I take a shuddering breath as I close my eyes to block out the approaching menacing figure.

"Fight all you want, little mage," the voice said, closer this time and I desperately try not to open my eyes. "No one can save you."

My breath hitches when I realize that I can slowly move my arm up slightly. I clench my jaw as the slow movement is torture and causes the wound on my arm to once again and bleed freely. Even if I could break free, I still would be unable to lift a weapon to defend myself against whatever was rapidly approaching me. I hiss in pain as I concentrate to force my arm to rise even higher.

"Where is your healer now, little mage? Where is your warrior? Who holds your shield or your bow?" the voice taunts me. "Whose blood will find you when the darkness takes you? Will the sea collect your bones or will the earth claim what remains?"

Their images flash before my eyes as the pain intensifies in my efforts.

Anders…

Fenris…

Aveline…

Varric…

Carver…

Isabela…

Merrill…

As hard as I try not to, I open my eyes to see everything that was hidden from my sight revealed, making my heart clench. Flashes of the bodies that litter the battlefield: of mages, Templars, along with armor clad forms belonging to the city guard and even those of the Dalish. Just as quickly, the bodies are hidden but not before I notice that none of the bodies belong to those dearest to me.

"Who will save you?"

I will save myself!

I can still feel the brush of magic that surrounds me and feel the pull of lyrium, just out of my reach. I can feel the call of the Fade but somehow cannot...

"Where is your Champion?"

I am the Champion!

The bonds that hold you are of your own making, it had said these words to me, I thought. Of my own making…have I bound myself?

I raise my arm higher, not for the dagger but for chain I wear and I'm finally able to move the moment I tear it from my throat. I let it fall as the figure reaches out to me…

"Breathe, Inara, breathe," a voice soothes me as I thrash about. "Breathe and be calm. You're safe."

Arms tighten around me, pulling me close, making me feel safe once more as sleep claims me.

~o~o~o~

The next time I open my eyes, I am reluctant to move but this time it's from a warm embrace. I move only ever so slightly to breathe in the scent of his skin, that which is undeniably Fenris, as I feel his fingers trace patterns down my back. I look up to see that slight smile I that I love, one that was meant just for me. I return the smile shyly as he brushes hair off my face before leaning in to kiss me softly.

"Were you finally able to rest?" he asks as he moves back and I lay my head on his shoulder. "I was worried," he admits as he reaches and places his hand gently at my waist. I had already repeated everything Anders had explained to me about our child, though small, we were both healthy. And once I assured him that I would be fine…

I laugh gently as I recall the night before, of rediscovering the feel of skin that no longer sang of lyrium on my own. "I think I have more than proven that I'm not made of glass, Fenris," I reassure him as I smile up at him. "Thank you for waking me," I said, feeling more than a little guilty for thrashing about in my sleep.

"It was for both our well beings," he laughed as he rubbed at his chest. I drew myself up onto my elbow, about to ask when he replied. "You have very sharp elbows, Inara."

My eyes widened and I opened my mouth to argue when he pulled me down for another kiss. I could feel his laugh from deep in his throat as I tried to push him away, finally giving up and kissing him in return. Fenris wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer to him but I groaned and moved away only when I realized that I heard the unmistakable sound of armor.

"No, I don't know if they're awake yet, Aveline," Carver's voice echoed up from the main hall, presumably as he was trying to catch up to her. As I lay back for a moment onto my pillow, I smiled as I could just imagine him doing his best to block her path but there was very little anyone could do to could stop Aveline once her mind is set. "Anders said that she should be resting…"

"Anders also said that once the sleeping draught worked its way out of her system, she would be fine as long as she did not over exert herself." Aveline's voice rang out, exasperation clear in her voice. "Now let me pass!"

"Then why not give her time…"

"I've given her all the time that I possibly can, Carver," Aveline argued. "But there are things that only she can do as Champion...the people are worried that her return was merely a rumor. I'm not asking that she defend the city against an invasion, just that when she is able she simply make an public appearance at the Keep."

Well that explains it. Seems the Seneschal had a hand in Aveline's visit, I thought and groaned as I very reluctantly pulled the warm bedclothes off my body, stretching as best as I could before slightly struggling to stand.

"Well, I'm not about to waltz into my sister's bedchamber at such an early hour!" he argued.

Thank the Maker, I laugh quietly as I pad to the armoire in search of smallclothes and something that would cover as much as possible before Aveline forced her way in. Hearing the urgency in her voice, I wouldn't put it past her. I couldn't help but glare at Fenris as he quickly slipped on his clothes as I dismissed many of the uncomfortable outfits that would require Orana's help putting on, many of which no longer fit due to my expanding belly. Thankfully Bodahn has located a seamstress for me! I thought.

Seeing no other option, I grabbed a flowing nightgown, along with a house coat, similar to the other one Mother commissioned for me once we regained the Amell estate, one that I should have given to Carver long ago. When he joined the Templars, I placed it in the back of my armoire in hopes of one day giving it to him but at least now I had something that would at least close properly without too much effort.

"I'm not planning on merely waltzing in," Aveline said loudly. I knew she was letting it be known she was now standing right outside the door. "I'm going to give her a respectable amount of time for her to get out of bed and get dressed while I wait for her downstairs." After a few moments, she muttered, "Maker knows that I've seen more than enough of Fenris' backside than I care to."

I paused and turned to Fenris as he looked sheepishly away from me. After a few moments passed, he turned his head back to me.

"I can explain…"

"Please," I asked, grinning as I continued to tie my house coat slowly. "Tell me she somehow means you were forced to play strip Wicked Grace with Isabela and lost?"

"Would you have preferred that I was nearly naked for any other reason?" he asked back, returning my grin as I walked towards him. "In all honesty, we were all celebrating the clearing of Aveline's name."

I remembered hearing about it, and being frustrated that I could do nothing to help my longtime friend. "Carver mentioned something about that night but somehow he must have decided to keep that part out," I said as I crossed my arms across my chest as best as I could.

"By then your brother was nowhere to be found," Fenris said as I stopped in front of him. "Both he and Merrill have be known to go off on their own."

"Hmm, still," I said softly as I reached for him. "I don't know if I like that the others have seen so much of you. But at least now maybe Isabela will stop asking me what color your smallclothes are."

He placed his hands gently on my waist as I leaned in to kiss him.

"Aveline…"

"Can wait a little longer," I joked as I kissed him again.

I was glad that Aveline's patience held out as long as it did. As I made my way slowly downstairs, with Fenris not far behind me, I watched the animated yet hushed conversation between Carver and Aveline in the far corner.

"Rather early for an official visit, wouldn't you say, Aveline? At least, if that's what I am led to believe," I commented when they abruptly stopped and moved apart, noting the scowl that Carver tried to hide by focusing it on Aveline. "You must excuse my state of dress…"

"It's not a problem. And if it means anything, I am sorry for the early hour, Hawke," Aveline said as she pushed her way past Carver. "But I felt there are things that needed to be brought to your attention."

"Things must surely be slow at the Keep for the Seneschal to request that you personally come to see me, Aveline," I joked as I made my way down the remaining steps, thanking Orana as I accepted a small glass of juice that she held out for me.

"There's always something that needs to be done, especially with the Templars thinking they run things," was her only response.

From the tight lines around her eyes, I could tell that she didn't like feeling like a messenger.

"Alright then, I'll bite," I said as I sat down on the nearest chair. Fenris stood against the wall behind me. "Please sit and tell me what I've missed?"

Aveline ignored Carver as she stepped closer to me. "The Seneschal…"

I stiffened and huffed in annoyance at the mention of his name, resisting the urge to turn and look at Fenris, not knowing exactly how much he knew about my turning down the title of Viscount.

"If this is what I think it's about then I believe he can afford to be patient a little bit longer, wouldn't you agree?" I asked as gestured at my swollen belly and waited for her to sit. "It wouldn't do to have the Champion parading around Hightown in her nightclothes!" I joked.

"This is serious, Hawke," Aveline said as she sat down across from me. "You can't keep avoiding what's going on here in Kirkwall…"

"I'm not avoiding anything," I replied. "I thought I had made myself very clear on the matter when it comes to what the Seneschal really wants."

"I'm not here to change your mind, Inara. All I ask is that you merely speak with him. Refuse him again, if you will, but in person…and gently," she added as she leaned forward. "I hate to ask this but you must do something."

"I will deal with the Seneschal, Aveline, don't you worry," I assured her.

"When, if I might ask?"

I sat back and thought about it before answering. "This afternoon, if he's available to meet with me, here at my estate," I replied with a small smile on my face. "It's not like I can go anywhere at the moment. I'm sure I can squeeze him in some time after my fittings."

"Hawke."

"And I promise to be civil," I added as I tried to look convincing but from the soft snort that came from behind me, I knew that my tone was unconvincing. "Now, what else has brought you here on this fine day?"

Aveline paused before answering, looking up briefly at Carver who stood close by.

"There have been reports of mages sited around Kirkwall," Aveline answered slowly.

I could feel the smile drop from my face as I cleared my throat and leaned towards her. "Are you even certain that they were mages, Aveline? With Meredith sending out more and more patrols, I thought the underground was completely at a standstill…" I pause as I shake my head, knowing that I shouldn't doubt that Aveline wouldn't have mentioned it without gathering as much information as she could. "Have you spoken to Anders about this?" I asked, although I was fairly certain that she would have gone to him before bringing the matter to my attention.

"Anders says that too many of his supporters have been captured or killed trying to help mages that not many are willing to continue trying," she answered. "Only there's something about the reports we're getting which makes me believe that this isn't about the mages he's been trying to help but something different."

"If Anders hasn't heard anything he's willing or able to share, then what makes this different?" I asked and watched as she turned slightly to Carver, acknowledging him finally but he refused to do anything other than stare stonily at her.

Finally, she gave a heavy sigh as she turned back to me.

"There was a missive sent to the Keep…"

"Aveline, don't," Carver started to say when I got abruptly to my feet, wincing only slightly and made my way quickly to the unusually tidy desk, searching until I found a stack of opened letters that I had yet to read. I flipped through the pages, noting that many of them were from the Gallows.

"The First Enchanter has been requesting an audience with me," I read out loud, looking up at Carver, who turned away from me. "Seems odd that this should come so close to reports of mages running around Kirkwall, wouldn't you agree, brother?" I asked as I held the pages out for Aveline to read. "Is this what you two were being so secretive about?"

Aveline remained quiet as I stared at Carver. I could see the emotions flash upon his face before he finally spoke.

"I had heard a rumor from Samson…"

"Wait, not the ex-Templar, Samson?" I asked, cutting him off as I walked towards him. "Carver, you of all people should know better than to believe a word that he says! He'll say anything for coin or lyrium!"

Carver shook his head as he looked down at me and secretly, I hated the fact that he was taller than me. "I didn't believe him at first but others have been talking about secret meetings taking place in and around Kirkwall."

I gritted my teeth as I took in what he said. "So you've been doing what? Trying to get as much information before…"

"I knew that the rumors were true as soon as the letter from the First Enchanter arrived," was all he said as I glared up at him.

"Then why keep it from me?" I asked.

I could see something in Carver break down, like a wall that he had built, one he had built long ago, was finally shattering

"Because he was afraid," Fenris simply said. I paused and turned briefly to look at him before looking back up at Carver.

"Yes," he admitted and my anger at him vanished. "I am afraid. I know I've always acted like a spoiled child but you're all I have left, Inara. I thought if you didn't know, then you would stay away and leave this for someone else for a change."

"Fat chance in that," Aveline muttered and I couldn't help but give a soft chuckle.

"Meredith will only see this as an excuse to force you into the Gallows," Carver said softly as I turned back to him. "Please, sister, I need you in my life. For once, let someone else handle this."

This time I looked up at him fondly, reaching out and touched his cheek as I smiled. "Was that so hard to admit?" I joked as I took in the fine lines of his face. "When did you take over the role as protector of this family?" I asked him softly.

Aveline cleared her throat and I turned back to her, finally returning to my seat.

"How do you want to proceed with this?" she asked.

"Please, sister, I don't think it's wise…" Carver started to say but I cut him off by smiling up at him.

"Since Carver seems determined to keep me away, I think he should be the one to go speak with Orsino," I said as I took back the stack of letters that she held in her hands. "And I'd rather Meredith not get the impression that he's rejoining. As I suspect you'll be busy keeping Bran in line, would it be too much to ask if you had a few off-duty guards that you can spare to go with him? I will gladly pay for their time."

"I'm sure I know a few that wouldn't mind getting a few free drinks at The Hanged Man later as payment," Aveline offered and I smiled at that.

"That can definitely be arranged," I assured her.

Thanks to everyone who has been following this crazy story. If you have any questions about this, please be sure to have your PM's enabled so I can answer back!

Sorry for the delay. Real life has been crazy.

See what happens when I take too long to upload? My writing changes again!

The parts where the inner dialogue was meant to be on the right side of the page but for some reason the site will not recognize it that way.