Last chapter, guys. It's a really long one but I didn't want to split it into two. I'll save my real authors note for the end. Enjoy!
"Wait here until your name is called," Alistair told them all firmly, wiping a layer of sweat from his forehead and glancing towards the door to the Great Hall nervously, where the entire Landsmeet awaited their arrival. "You will be presented before myself and Queen Anora and formally welcomed to the ball."
"The ball?" Isabela repeated, turning up her nose, "Ugh...I thought this was bloody dinner."
"It is dinner, Bela," Lana interrupted mockingly, "Nobles just like to make a big song and dance before eating...Ha! See what I did there?"
The others chuckled, all besides Alistair. He looked positively terrified at the idea of inviting these delinquents to dinner in the Royal Palace with every noble in Ferelden in attendance. Bethany was very polite and sweet, and Varric could be charming when he wanted to be, however Isabela he was sure, was going to go out of her way to make this difficult for him and he was afraid of what Hawke might say while under the influence of alcohol. She was a very flirty drunk and Isabela's presence didn't help in the slightest (or her attire for that matter). They really were the two biggest troublemakers he'd ever come across.
"Please, I'm begging you all, behave yourselves...Lana and Isabela, I'm talking to you two in particular," Alistair said sternly.
"What did we do?" Isabela asked, offended. "I've barely even opened my mouth...yet."
"And don't call me by my first name!" Hawke added, "It's...weird...That's reserved for family only from this point on."
"Sorry, I—"
"I never call you that," Isabela interrupted interestedly, talking over the King and turning to her love. "Am I allowed to? It'll make a nice change from shouting 'Oh Hawke!' when we're having sex. It's so dull now!"
"You can call me whatever you want...Beby," Lana joked, throwing her a wink. Isabela rolled her eyes. Touché. She hated that nickname. Varric wheezed with laughter at the pair of them.
"FOCUS!" Alistair exclaimed, dragging their attention back once more. They were clearly not grasping how serious this situation was. Inviting pirates to a formal dinner? What was he thinking? Isabela sniggered.
"Alright! Alright! Maker, Anora's going to have a hard job untwisting your knickers tonight!"
Hawke laughed. "He might have an equally hard job trying to get into hers."
Alistair turned bright red as everyone broken into giggles. It was no secret he and Anora hadn't had sex in a very long time, a fact that Hawke and Isabela liked to bring up to get a rise in him. The two women had had their fair share of dry spells in recent months during their relationship troubles, so they felt it only right to repay the favour for all of the untimely interruptions from everyone.
"What will we be eating?" Bethany asked kindly, trying to rescue Alistair from his embarrassment.
"The first course will be vegetable broth," Alistair informed them all. Isabela made a retching sound and covered her mouth.
"Broth?" she repeated disgustedly, "Eugh, I hate that word. Why can't you just say soup like a normal person?"
"Because it's broth, Bela, it says so on the menu, ok?" Alistair snapped."Maker's Breath!"
Hawke put up her hand. "Um...I'm allergic to onions."
"Since when?" Alistair asked sceptically, sounding close to tears now.
"Since always!" Hawke replied defensively, "Also salmon, prawns, mushrooms and—"
"Men," Isabela interjected.
As his friends broke into giggles once more, Alistair exhaled and dropped his head. This dinner was going to be a disaster, he could tell.
"FINE!" he said loudly then, holding up his hands to silence them once more before the conversation ran away with itself again, "Hawke, no soup for you...And also no main course because surprise, surprise...It's salmon!"
Hawke groaned.
"Aw, why do I have to be allergic to fish?" she lamented, "Hey, how ironic is that? Ha!"
Isabela and Varric burst into fits of laughter. Alistair and Bethany both looked at each other and shook their heads. It was hopeless.
"When you're quite finished," the King droned, "I'll have some grapes or something sat beside you until your meal is cooked, Hawke."
"So I guess I'm having grapes for dinner then," she said sadly. "You're hardly going to be able to cook a chicken in that space of time, are you?"
Isabela gave her a look.
"How do you work that one out, Sweetness? Surely you're not just going to eat grapes."
"Well, mostly grapes," Hawke continued, "Ok, all grapes. Fermented grapes...I'm having wine for dinner, Bela! Happy?"
"You bet!" the pirate answered with a grin. "I might join you actually. Now that I think about it, I shouldn't eat salmon myself. Kissing you afterwards might spark an allergic reaction...Maker, look at me being all selfless! What have you done to me, Sweetness?"
"So that's settled!" Hawke said happily, "Isabela and I will get a head start on the wine, while the rest of you chow down the disgusting food."
"No!" Alistair said firmly. There was no way he was going to let Lana Hawke drink on an empty stomach at a formal dinner, and even less so Isabela. "I'm sorry. Look, I'll have something else arranged for the both of you...and your plate will be devoid of any essence of men, Hawke, I assure you," the King continued, getting fresh laughter from the group once more. "I wish you'd told me before hand."
"About the salmon or the men?" Isabela asked wickedly. Alistair's face flushed red once more
"Ok, pep talk!" he said seriously, placing one hand on Isabela's shoulder and one on Hawke's. Both of them stared at him, trying not to smirk. He looked deep into to both sets of eyes like a parent warning a child to be on their best behaviour. "Try to control the crudeness, please. Topics of conversation off limits. Number 1: Sex—"
"But—"
"No buts, Isabela!" he interrupted.
"Is that number two?" she joked.
"As a matter of fact, yes!" Alistair continued, "No talking about butts, feeling butts, looking at butts or referring to any butt characteristics, got it?"
Isabela and Hawke looked at each other, both trying desperately to find a loop hole. Unfortunately they could not.
"Fine," the pirate relented.
"And number three," the King continued, "No inappropriate stories, questions or—"
"Are we allowed to talk at all at this dinner?" Hawke interrupted, "Only I think it would reflect poorly on my legend if the nobles walk out tonight thinking the Champion of Kirkwall is a mute. I'll go down as the most boring hero in history."
"Of course you can talk," Alistair said, "Just...behave...Please, for me?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Lana replied, giving him a mock salute. "And may I say you are looking extra dashing this evening? Are those real pearls around your collar?"
"Oh get off!" the King snapped, swatting her hand away.
Isabela sniggered. "Pearl..."
She and Hawke chuckled, remembering the whore house down by Denerim's slums. The last time they were there was almost a year ago. They still owed coin for that slattern they had found in their bed, not to mention the numerous bottles of ale they stole on their way out of the window to escape.
"Oh Maker!" Alistair groaned, throwing up his hands, giving up. "Just...wait here until you're called. Andraste's..."
They heard him muttering to himself over and over as he walked away. Isabela and Hawke giggled mischievously and winked at each other. Mission accomplished. Winding Alistair up was going to be the best part of this evening it seemed.
"May I say that you two in fact scrub up rather nicely as well?" Varric said, eyeing the outfits of both his friends. Hawke's was a floor-length Orlesian red dress with a split up the side but Isabela's was still hidden under her coat. He could only imagine what was underneath. "However Sunshine wins in my book."
"No complaints here," Hawke said, smiling and scanning her little sister's get-up. She had never seen her look so refined. Bethany blushed in her royal blue dress. She had pulled her dark brown hair into a high bun, with ringlets coming loose here and there. Her make-up was impeccable and she looked as though all the stress of the past decade had been washed away. "You look beautiful, Sister."
"Hey! What about me?" Isabela joked, pretending to be jealous. Lana chuckled and turned to her pirate Queen then. She had never seen Isabela look so formal, but she still had that swashbuckler style she was so infamous for. Earlier Anora had offered to lend the Rivaini an appropriate dress for the evening, however Isabela point-blank refused and went out to do her own shopping alone. In that moment she finally took off her new blue Captain's overcoat (much like her previous one that was now at the bottom of the ocean after the Qunari raid) and revealed a full length, tight, silk, black Antivan dress. Gone were the golden daggers, as weapons were not allowed at social gatherings unless they were ceremonial. Instead Hawke had bought her a small gold encrusted knife to strap to her thigh, hidden from view to anyone but her and held there by a garter. She still wore her gold earrings and lip piercing but had taken off the heavy gold necklace, raised her magnificent breasts a little higher so that they were almost spilling out over the top of her corset. Her unbound, long black hair that usually rested behind a bandana was flowing down over her shoulders magnificently. The dress clung to her figure perfectly, accentuating her every arc and curve, enhancing every inch of her voluptuous hour-glass figure.
Lana's jaw dropped. Her heart back-flipped in her chest and she quivered.
Varric wolf-whistled, almost equally as shocked as his friend. "Shit, Rivaini, you look more like a whore than ever! But a very classy one at that!"
Isabela chuckled. "That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me, Varric."
As Lana stood, still speechless, a bell rang somewhere in the distance.
"That's us two," Varric said, taking Bethany's arm and leading her past the other two. "See you in there. Don't forget to courtesy the Queen, Rivaini...If you can manage to do so without a nip-slip."
Isabela watched the two of them snigger, walking through the huge double doors to the Great Hall, held open for them by the Royal guards. There was huge applause inside then the doors closed once more, leaving Hawke and Isabela alone in the Entrance Hall. The Rivaini turned back to Lana, who was still staring, drooling at her cleavage. She was entranced.
"Like it?" Isabela teased, giving her a twirl and looking down at her dress.
Hawke bit her lip, smiling at the woman before her, shaking her head in disbelief. Finding no words to suffice, she closed the distance between them and stuck her tongue down Isabela's throat. She heard Isabela snigger between their kiss and held the woman's face in her hands, more turned on by her in that moment than ever before. Oh, why did they have to jump through hoops for nobles right now? The fact that Hawke would have to keep her hands off her through an entire evening was unbearably torturous. It now seemed impossible.
"Oh, Maker...I'm going to be so distracted when we get in here," Hawke muttered, giving Isabela another quick peck on the lips and then trying to be content with just standing in her embrace. She smelled so good, clean but still with a hint of wildness that drove Hawke insane every time she was close to her. There was still a hint of sea breeze in her dark hair. Lana buried her face in it, feeling like her heart was about to jump out of her chest. Isabela grinned wickedly and ran her fingers along the nape of Lana's neck, almost feeling the excitement radiate off her. Her amber eyes pierced Hawke's then.
"I might get a little bored myself," she whispered seductively.
"Mmm, just make sure and sit beside me and not facing me," Hawke pleaded, leaning in to whisper in her ear. "Otherwise I'm not going to be able to concentrate on anything but down there."
Isabela chuckled, glancing down at her own cleavage. Lana's eyes followed hers and both of them giggled. "Fine by me...You might regret it later though."
Not knowing what she meant, and rather afraid of finding out (not to mention excited), Hawke took Isabela's hand in hers and both of them made their way into the Great Hall at the sound of the bell signalling their arrival. As they walked through the double doors and down the massive isle, some nobles gave them disapproving looks and reluctant applause. They also drew a few stares from many young noblemen in the balconies above, clapping louder than others and throwing a few whistles and cheers in here and there.
"Eugh," Hawke cringed, a small crease appearing between her eyebrows showing her annoyance. Isabela smiled at her and pulled her closer, understanding.
"I know this gets to you, Sweetness," she muttered as they walked towards Anora and Alistair.
"I just hate them thinking I'm doing this for their benefit. Am I not allowed to be with the woman I love without men thinking that it's just to please them or get a reaction? I thought we'd left that behind in The Hanged Man."
"Hey, listen. They might think this is for their benefit," the pirate said, resting her arm on Lana's lower back, comforting her and not giving a damn who was watching, "But I'm the one that gets to go home with you at the end of the night. Just remember that. Let them look if they want...You belong to me no matter what."
Hawke considered this. "I guess you're right," she said quietly. "I don't particularly care what they think...it's just the staring that gets to me sometimes."
The two of them stopped in front of Queen Anora and King Alistair.
"The Champion of Kirkwall, Serah Lana Hawke, once of Ferelden and now of the Eastern Seas!" the crier announced loudly, reading off his scroll, "And on her arm tonight, Admiral Isabela of Rivain, Queen of the Eastern Seas and the Sharpest Blade in Llomerynn."
"Admiral?" Hawke asked, amused, as the crowd of nobles cheered them once more. Isabela shrugged.
"I figured I deserved a promotion after that last quest," she replied. "My crew agreed." Hawke chuckled. She definitely did.
"I have to say, it feels good not representing a nation any longer," Lana muttered. Isabela smiled.
"I told you being a pirate has its benefits. You're now 'of the Eastern Seas' like me," she said proudly.
"Well since I'm sleeping with the Queen then shouldn't I also be Queen technically?" Hawke joked.
Isabela snorted. "Over my dead body, Sweetness."
They both ascended the steps on the left side of the Royal's balcony and took their places at the long table filled with nobles, some familiar and some unfamiliar. Each face wore the same look of eagerness though, whether to be sitting in front of two incredibly sexual women or to be sitting in close proximity to two infamous females. The Champion of Kirkwall was something of an interest to Fereldens, especially so since Lana had been rather obscure and hidden herself well since the disaster at Kirkwall. Nothing but her reputation preceded her. Isabela's legend had also spread as fast, although the older nobles still looked rather disapproving of her presence. It was very possible that she had stolen from them at one point or another, especially the Orlesians of the group. The Orlesian port was a gold-mine for raiders.
The newly-promoted Admiral did as she was told and took the free seat beside Hawke, the latter taking her coat and pulling out said chair for her. A coats-man ran past and scooped the jacket in the blink of an eye. Isabela smiled at Lana as the woman eased past her to sit down on her right side between her and Alistair. Hawke's eyes wandered down Isabela's unbelievable cleavage once more as she hovered over her before sitting. Isabela laughed to herself, placing her hand on Lana's thigh when she finally lowered her bottom onto the elegant dining chair. She almost felt guilty for teasing her like this.
Hawke took Isabela's hand in hers and raised it to her lips, grazing her knuckle with a kiss, giving her a smouldering stare which actually brought a faint blush to the Rivaini's cheeks. Maker's Breath, she's pulling out all the moves tonight! Isabela thought, feeling her face burn for the first time in years. Alistair cleared his throat pointedly from Lana's other side, warning them to behave once more. A few of the nobles were still watching them attentively. Isabela rolled her eyes and reluctantly let Hawke's hand go under the table. So we're not allowed to even act like we're in love in front of them? Oh, why did I agree to this?
Feeling slightly irritated now, Isabela took a deep breath, feeling Lana move away from her so as to avoid temptation. The two of them sat with their arms folded, facing opposite directions and soon found themselves sucked into introductions with the rest of the guests. Another bell rang signalling the start of dinner and the awkward conversations began at last.
"Lady...Isabela, isn't it?" asked a nobleman facing the pirate as he chewed down the last of his salmon.
Isabela grinned, her fork resting in her hand. They were half-way through the second course. "Queen Isabela actually...my young Lord. Or Admiral, which ever you prefer. Why do you ask?"
The young nobleman blushed, faltering under her intense stare. He seemed pleased to have gotten her attention at last. He hadn't spoken a word in the last hour or so, stunned into silence by the sheer boldness of the worldly woman before him. "I never compliment a lady without knowing her name first," he said smoothly, his eyes dropping to Hawke's little strip of paradise between Isabela's breasts as though he was permitted.
"My eyes are up here, Sweet Thing," Isabela replied in her most sultry voice. "You were saying?"
"Forgive me. Your...dress is delightful, Isabela. Antivan is it?"
Isabela chuckled. "Good eye," she said, throwing him a wink. "Is it the dress that interests you or what's underneath?"
Queen Anora choked on her food and immediately covered her mouth with a silk napkin. The young nobleman reached out and passed her a goblet of wine to wash it down.
"Oh, thank you, Ser Gilbert," she gasped, "Excuse my manners."
Isabela lowered her head and smiled, cutting the last of her chicken and finishing it before turning to her right and listening in on Lana's conversation instead. She can't be fairing any better than me. We've insulted too many nobles in our time to be able to socialize with them seriously.
"...telling you, Serah, you would look exquisite alongside my nephew, Charles. He's twenty-five this winter, the perfect age for you."
Hawke chuckled politely at the old noblewoman's insistence. "I think I look younger than I actually am, Your Ladyship."
"Oh nonsense!" the woman blustered, "You'd be a great catch for my Charles...Or how about this handsome man to my left? Do say hello Fergus, dear."
"Greetings, Champion, I am Teryn Fergus Cousland of Highever," the bearded man said, nodding politely. He seemed as bored of this party as Hawke did. Lana smiled at him as he rolled his eyes over the old woman's fussing, silently apologising for her behaviour. Clearly this was a regular occurrence.
"How about I organise a night for you two young things then?" Her Ladyship Lantana pressed on. Fergus sighed, embarrassed on her behalf. She clearly hadn't caught on Isabela and Hawke were an item.
"I do believe, Serah Hawke is... taken, Your Ladyship," he said courteously, giving Lana a kind smile. Some of the nobles had chosen to ignore Isabela's presence entirely it seemed. At least not all were so ignorant.
"Happily," Lana nodded, relieved. She felt Isabela's warm hand on her thigh then, knowing the pirate was listening in. Hawke glanced at her and threw her a fleeting smile before turning back to her conversation.
"I daresay!" Lady Lantana boomed, oblivious to their exchange, "She's a hero! Legend of the Free Marches and descendent of the Amells! Where is the lucky young nobleman who has claimed you then? I wish to congratulate him on such a catch."
At that precise moment, Hawke's breath caught. She froze, inhaling sharply. Isabela's hand on her thigh had just become more adventurous and slipped under the side-split in her dress, finding its way up between her legs. Oblivious to what was going on under the table, Fergus and Lady Lantana's brows furrowed.
"Are... you alright, Lady Hawke?" Fergus asked, concerned.
"I..." Hawke glanced up at the ceiling, trying to control herself as Isabela's fingers secretly began massaging her private parts, driving her wild with arousal. At the dinner table? Is she insane? Oh dear Maker and His Blushing Bride, I'm in trouble! Oh that feels so good!
"Serah?" Lady Lantana pressed, "Would you...like me to get you some more wine?"
"Y-yes!" Hawke gasped, closing her eyes and biting her lip, trying to ignore the skilled hand of her lover rubbing her sensitive regions. Isabela cleared her throat beside her, holding her own goblet in her free hand and staring straight ahead, looking entirely innocent. Old Lady Lantana handed a tense-looking Lana another goblet of red wine which she brought to her lips with a shaky hand and instantly started to drink. To her dismay however(and intense pleasure) Isabela chose this moment to slip a finger inside her, pressing against the ever so illusive spot that drove many a women wild and manipulating it to her will.
Hawke snorted loudly into her wine and drenched herself and the table as her abdomen tensed in excitement. She began to cough. The nobles around her blanched and recoiled as Alistair, Bethany, and Varric stared at her questioningly. The table went silent.
"S-sorry," Lana whined, wiping her mouth, "A...Allergies...Oh...Blood of Andraste!"
She leaned on her elbows, her head bowed, sounding like she was having breathing difficulties. Beside her Isabela looked almost in tears holding back her laughter now. Alistair looked over the top of Lana's head at the pirate suspiciously. Something was going on. He purposefully dropped his fork and excused himself, bending down beneath the table to get it. As his view level came even with Hawke's lap, his eyes widened in surprise, seeing Isabela's hand busying itself up her dress. Alistair banged his head off the table painfully, making the cutlery jump loudly.
"Ow!" He straightened up, red-faced, rubbing his skull, "Y-yes...Uh, allergies," he repeated, grasping at Lana's lie and hoping it would sedate the suspicious nobles, all of whom were staring at Hawke, seeing her squirm in her seat as she was about to orgasm thanks to Isabela. "The Champion is... allergic to certain types of... food. That is the reason we had another dish made especially for her. Isn't that right...Isabela?"
Isabela looked around, seeing Alistair shake his head in warning, his jaw tight. He looked ready to murder her. "Right you are, Your Majesty," she replied, smirking widely. "Sometimes when Hawke comes into contact with...something...she has trouble breathing. It's quite over whelming at times, isn't that right, Sweetness?"
"Oh... yes!" Hawke moaned, her eyes rolling into the back of her head momentarily. Isabela giggled.
This seemed to pacify the nobles thankfully, having not understood the double meaning. They 'ooed' and 'aahed' and turned back to their conversations, all apart from Hawke's companions (who looked confused) and Lady Lantana and Fergus.
"Maker, how terrible. Is there anything we can do for you, Serah Hawke?" the Teryn of Highever asked caringly. "I'd gladly offer my hand."
"N-no," Hawke breathed, feeling a thin layer of sweat on her forehead right now. Her body heaved. "Oh, shi-!"
Alistair punched her under the table as the 'situation' became a little too intense for her once more. Isabela laughed loudly at one of the other noble's jokes, enraging Alistair further. He knew she was laughing at Hawke's reactions to her touch instead, and at the Teryn's offer of a 'hand'.
"She'll...be alright in a few minutes, Lord Cousland," the King informed Fergus. Beside him, Lana's fist slammed onto the table and she doubled over again, a soft moan escaping her lips. Alistair dug her under the table a second time, trying to get her to compose herself. Isabela's sexual prowess was just too good to be ignored however.
"So, how about an evening with the Teryn, then?" Her Ladyship Lantana continued, reverting back to her original request, oblivious to Lana's 'plight'. "I'm organising a ball at my Estate in The Hinterlands. Are you coming?"
"Oh Maker, I'm coming!" Hawke cried loudly, clutching the end of the table, her face contorted.
"Oh...I...Well, that settles it then," Lady Lantana replied, looking rather taken aback at her enthusiasm.
King Alistair got to his feet then, looking mutinous. He excused himself, walked behind Isabela and leaned in between her and Hawke.
"I need a word, Isabela," he sang quietly in her ear.
"About what, Your Majesty?" Isabela replied innocently, still caressing Hawke's lady parts, trying to get her to climax at the table.
"You know what!" Alistair hissed through gritted teeth. "Now!"
Isabela sighed. "Fine," she relented, sliding her hand out from under Hawke's dress. Lana exhaled with relief (and regret) beside her, having been almost there. Isabela grabbed her napkin from the table, wiped her hand dry and got to her feet. As Alistair gestured for her to walk, she grazed Lana's shoulder playfully with her hand and threw her a grin before exiting the hall, the King of Ferelden in tow.
Ten minutes later, Lana had finally re-composed herself. She accepted another goblet of wine from Lady Lantana and listened to her and another noble (though a rather more unpleasant one) banter about the exploits of the Hero of Ferelden. Clearly this was a popular topic. They knew not of the woman's demise it seemed however. The Grey Wardens must have wanted to keep it quiet until Leliana had found out, and Hawke was sure the Bard had asked them to keep it to themselves even afterwards. Still the news hadn't yet reached Ferelden. For that, Lana was happy. Anything that would make Leliana's grieving more bearable was good in her eyes. The last thing she needed was nobles gossiping about her and the Hero of Ferelden's relationship.
Isabela and Alistair finally returned to the Great Hall then, the pirate looking rather like a child having been told off for misbehaving, and Alistair wearing a smile of satisfaction at having made his point. He threw Isabela one last glare, then both of them seated themselves at the table once more. Hawke looked up and smirked at her love, receiving a wink in return. She leaned in and placed a kiss on Isabela's cheek, the whispered in her ear.
"You're dead," she teased. Isabela grinned.
"Looking forward to it," she replied.
They both turned back to their respective conversations, Lana finding it harder and harder to concentrate now as she remember back the dying embers of her arousal before Alistair's untimely interruption. Isabela always knew exactly where to press to make her sing.
"So, Serah Hawke, tell me of your exploits back in Kirkwall," Lady Denethor said politely.
She was a rather snooty woman on Lady Lantana's other side. Hawke received a painful nudge in her ribs from Alistair to wake her up as she had drifted off into a daydream.
"Hmm? Oh, er..." Maker, where do I start? Her sister Bethany gave her a worried look from across the table then. Alistair had said no inappropriate stories. Little did he know that possibly every story from Kirkwall was too much for noble ears to handle. "Well," Hawke began awkwardly, straightening in her seat, "My family and I moved there to escape the Blight ten years ago."
"Ah, of course, we'll start at the beginning shall we?" Lady Denethor replied, rather too invested in this line of questioning for Lana's liking. Clearly she already knew everything already and just wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth. Even Bethany looked a little uncomfortable, wary about where this was leading. "Your poor brother was killed by an ogre, was he not? And that was before you left Ferelden?"
Hawke exhaled in surprise, taken aback by the woman's boldness. "I...yes, he was...Just outside of Lothering."
"I understand you and he never got along," the noblewoman continued harshly.
"I...Pardon me?" Lana replied, her eyebrows raising in surprise. Every noble at the table was looking at her now. Isabela had broken from her own conversation to listen. "M-my brother and I got along just fine, my Lady Denethor."
"Oh, of course, silly me...It was your mother who you had a troubled relationship with was it not? I'm sorry, legends sometimes are mistaken."
Isabela gave the woman a cold stare and reached for Lana's hand under the table, squeezing it. Hawke's palms were sweaty for a different reason now. She was clearly uncomfortable.
"That...That's in the legend?" Lana asked, sounding rather sad. This whole time she had thought Varric's over-exaggerated tales of battles and Arishoks had dominated the grapevine. She now felt rather stupid. Of course the story of my family problems would be of more interest in noble circles. Every noble in Kirkwall witnessed me being scorned publically by my dear mother.
"Why, yes!" Lady Denethor thundered on, clearly devoid of any kind of tact, "We've heard the other stories of course, the Arishok duel, the Deep Roads Expedition, blah, blah...They were just all so far-fetched! One does like a good dramatic tale, but the family situation was just so raw and real. Is it true your mother was killed by a necromancer? I have a friend who works for the Kirkwall City Guard and he told me all they ever found of her was pieces."
"Denethor!" Fergus and Lantana said loudly, ashamed. A few of the others gasped at her rudeness.
Hawke suddenly grabbed her chest, her breathing having constricted painfully. She jumped to her feet, feeling like she had been winded.
"I...I'm sorry, I...Excuse me, I need some air," she replied, flustered.
The entire hall watched her dash from the table, avoiding everyone's eyes, and then immediately erupted in loud whisperings. Isabela slammed her goblet of wine on to the table and made to get to her feet but before she could, Bethany stood up.
"I'll go," she told the pirate, sounding rather angry herself. Isabela gave her a nod, a look of fury etched across her face. The nobles watched the youngest Hawke follow after her sister, and then the gossip began again.
"I am so sorry about this," Alistair whispered, leaning in to talk to Isabela. "I had no idea they'd be so forward! I—"
"You stupid bastard, Alistair!" Isabela hissed angrily, "This was the real reason the nobles wanted her here! You better get me away from that woman or I will strangle her on Hawke's behalf. What kind of a question is that? Maybe you should have yelled at her instead of me!"
"Stay calm!" Alistair pleaded, panicking now, "I think she's just had a bit too much to drink. I'll personally escort her out. Remain seated, Bela, please. You'll only make this worse."
Alistair got to his feet and clicked his fingers, attracting the attention of his guards. They took Lady Denethor by the arms and helped her stagger to the door, with King Alistair in tow. Isabela caught Varric's eye and both of them shared a haunted look, remembering back to the day the Hawke's mother had died. One thing was for sure, neither Lana nor Bethany had expected or deserved that to be sprung on them tonight. This event had not gone at all like they'd planned.
"How are you?" Isabela asked a few hours later, as Bethany returned to the Great Hall alone.
"I'm fine... I wasn't there that day though," Bethany said sadly.
"And Hawke?"
"She's in your bedroom. She wouldn't let me in. I think she was crying."
Isabela cursed under her breath and ran a hand through her hair. "Balls, I'm going to see her," she said finally, unable to wait any longer. Bethany grabbed her arm.
"Bela, don't!" she pleaded, "I think she just wants to be alone."
The pirate gave her a small smile then shook her head. "She doesn't," she said with an air of certainty, "We made a deal. Trust me, Sweet Thing."
Worried for her sister, Bethany nodded reluctantly, knowing Isabela was probably able to help more right now than she was. Both the pirate and her older sister had changed so much since she had known them. It warmed her heart to witness how close they had become, even after everything the world had thrown at them. Varric appeared at Bethany's side then.
"Fancy a dance, Sunshine?" he asked kindly, trying to distract her.
"No thanks," she replied sadly, too concerned for her sister.
"Come on," Varric pressed, "They're going to be a while, you know...You wouldn't leave this handsome looking dwarf to dance alone would you?"
Bethany laughed at her friend then and finally accepted his hand, following after Varric as he led her out onto the packed ballroom floor.
Isabela picked the lock on the door to her and Hawke's shared bedroom and pushed it open. At first she thought it was empty, then spotted Lana's red dress on the floor and realised the woman was lying in bed, the covers pulled up around her. The pirate sighed and slipped inside, closing the door quietly behind her, sliding off her boots and crossing the cold, stone floor. She climbed over her side of the bed and pressed herself up against Lana from behind, putting her arm around her and burying her face in the woman's hair. Hawke felt Isabela's hand rest along her chest and closed her fingers around it, grateful. Isabela kissed her bare shoulder softly.
"Are you alright?" she whispered.
"I am now that you're here," Hawke replied honestly. She turned over, facing her. Isabela smiled and caressed Lana's cheek, seeing red rings around her eyes.
"It's a shame we didn't get to dance tonight," the pirate sighed gently, tracing the woman's full lips with her finger then placing a light kiss on them. "I was rather looking forward to it."
"I'm sorry," Hawke whispered, "I was too...But I don't feel much like dancing now...Not after that."
Isabela gave her a sympathetic stare. "Maker, I could kill that woman," she said, a cold harshness to her voice as she spoke.
A fresh tear leaked out of the corner of Lana's eye as she relived the horror of her mother's death once more. "Don't worry about it," she breathed, breaking from Isabela's gaze, ashamed. The pirate reached out and scooped up the escaping tear with her finger, re-claiming Lana's attention. She smiled down at her.
"Is there anything I can do, Sweetness? Anything at all?"
Hawke took a deep breath, then nodded. "You can help me forget," she whispered, staring up into Isabela's swimming amber eyes, silently begging for release. They both knew that was a tall order. The events of that day still haunted all who were present.
Isabela had an idea then. "I know one thing that might work," she said seriously, "Do you trust me?"
Hawke swallowed hard and nodded.
"Then close your eyes," Isabela whispered. Lana did as she was told. She felt Isabela's warmth pull away from her then and lay still, hearing rustling nearby and flinching every so often as her mind flashed back to her darkest day in Kirkwall. After a minute or so, Lana felt a chill as the blankets were pulled back. A few seconds later, Isabela's naked body pressed down on top of her own and the pirate's lips found hers before she blindly pulled the covers back over them both.
The kiss they shared was slow, sensual, and breathtaking beyond belief. Isabela seemed to be trying to be more careful than usual, tossing the roughness aside for once and deliberately being unhurried, worshiping every inch of Lana's body like she never had before. It was several minutes before Hawke suddenly felt something hard between her legs. She opened her eyes, knowing what it was.
"Bells..."
She looked scared. Isabela gave her a reassuring smile.
"Trust me...Lana..."
Hawke's heart fluttered. Her first name sounded so foreign when uttered by Isabela, yet it seemed to warm her insides all the same. She swallowed then, and finally nodded, knowing this was probably the only thing in the world that could take her mind off the horrors of her past. Isabela leaned down and continued to kiss her, taking her time once more, reassuring Hawke with every touch, every brush of her lips, every hint of her tongue. Once she was sure Hawke had lost herself in a trance once more, the pirate reached down and directed the sexual artefact strapped to her legs inside her love, slowly and carefully. As soon as she gave that first gentle thrust her hips, Hawke opened her eyes and gasped loudly.
"Ssshh," Isabela soothed, pausing instantly, brushing her nose against Lana's. She could feel the woman's heart beat wildly against her chest. After several seconds, Isabela relaxed then thrust her hips once more, pushing the sex toy in further. Hearing no further moans of discomfort, she continued routinely, reclaiming Hawke's lips with her own and grinding up against her over and over, keeping the pace to something Lana, inexperienced as she was, would be able to handle.
Neither woman had been with each other this way ever before. It was more intimate, more intense, more passionate than either of them could have imagined in their wildest dreams. Hawke broke from their kiss to catch her breath as Isabela took control, sucking eagerly along the woman's collarbone, rocking back and forth with the gentle motion of her hips and pinning Hawke's hands on either side of her pillow with her own. The wooden bed began to squeak beneath them as the pirate's pace quickened. Hawke cried out erotically beneath her, louder than usual. It was a different kind of pleasure than she was used to.
"I've got you," Isabela whispered breathlessly, reassuring her once more. "I've got you, Sweetness."
A little distant, Lana opened her eyes and saw the outline of Isabela in the semi-darkness above her. She reached up and caressed the woman's sweat-covered face, tracing Isabela's bottom lip with her thumb, then directed the pirate's mouth to hers once more, needing a little more reassurance. Isabela continued penetrating the woman deeply, feeling Lana's hands travel along her spine and rest of her ass, clutching at the full, round cheeks.
"Harder..." Hawke gasped, feeling them relax and contract, over and over.
Needing no further encouragement, Isabela did as she was told. Soon the bedroom was filled with the light banging of their headboard on the wall behind, and simultaneous cries of ecstasy from both women as they lost themselves in the moment, a moment that was so much more than anything they had ever experienced together before. Their relationship had turned a corner without either of them knowing it. The future would always be an unknown for them. Eventually it would take them their separate ways, down different paths and towards new dangers...but in that moment they knew that nothing the world threw at them would ever be enough to tear them apart.
Epilogue
The hot, evening Rivaini sun was beating down upon the habitants of Llomerynn, scorching indiscriminately and sending the bustling town into a state of relaxation. Two women strolled through the market square together, wearing hoods that covered their faces, arm in arm, dressed in their best clothes, looking for a specific restaurant to eat at.
"What about here?" the darker of the two asked the other.
"Hmm, alright. The menu looks good...No fish!"
The two women strolled through the outside tables and chairs and called for a waiter. After several seconds, a young man came bustling towards them and bowed courteously.
"Hello, my ladies. Would you like a table?"
"Oh no, not at all," came a sarcastic reply from the brown eyed woman, "We came here to eat on the floor. Carpet for 2 please?"
The other woman started to laugh and the waiter bowed his head in embarrassment. "Sorry. Right this way," he said stiffly, leading them inside the restaurant and out of the sun. Inside was dark, lit only by the candlelight burning at every table. The man led them to a rather private table in the corner at their request, away from prying eyes from other customers and perfect for two women who wanted to see but not be seen.
"I'll get you our finest dish," the waiter said then, "And to drink?"
"Red wine," the brown eyed lady replied, "Two bottles...I think we'll be here for a while."
"Right away, my lady."
As soon as the man had returned with their food and drink and they were finally alone, Isabela and Hawke pulled down their hoods and exhaled.
"We really shouldn't be doing this," Lana said, tucking in immediately. She was starving after the long boat trip from Ferelden. "Not while the Chantry have stepped up their efforts in their search for me. Varric wrote to me month ago and told me all about the Inquisition he's travelling with. I don't think I will be able to avoid stepping in much longer, especially not with the Wardens involved. Baby Lana Hendyr appeared on Bethany's doorstep in Lothering with a note from Aveline saying that she and Donnic had to leave and asking her to take care of her. If something's happening then I've got to know what, but Varric won't tell me anything until the time comes when he needs me. Maybe he thinks I'll refuse."
"Ugh, straight to business?" Isabela lamented, "How boring...I haven't seen you in three months, Hawke. Stop worrying for just a second will you and enjoy yourself? I've missed you."
Hawke smiled at her. "Sorry, love. You're right. You didn't ask me here just to bend your ear about my problems."
"Our problems," Isabela corrected. "Whatever bothers you, bothers me, Sweetness, you know this...But I did have a reason for inviting you to Rivain besides showing you the remnants of my past so just...shut up, will you?"
Lana chuckled. "Yes, ma'am. What did you want to talk about?"
"Well," Isabela began, opening the first wine bottle and pouring them out a generous helping. "This is not going to be easy...for either of us, believe me...But I was thinking about what you said in your last letter and, well...I didn't really understand what you meant at first."
"Oh?" Hawke asked, her eyebrows rising. "Which part?"
Isabela cringed. "...The marriage part."
Hawke frowned. "Err...where are you going with this?" she asked warily.
Isabela swallowed hard. "Well..." She reached out and dropped something shiny and heavy onto the table beside Lana's goblet of wine. Hawke reached out with a shaking hand and picked it up, realising it was a gold ring encrusted with black stones. Her heart stopped.
"Isabela..." she gasped, looking at her, wide-eyed. "What the—"
"Do you like it?" the pirate asked, looking rather unsure. "I...found it in a treasure chest just off the free marches. I think it belonged to a First Enchanter of some sort."
Hawke stared down at the ring, breathless. "Isabela..." she said once more, shaking her head.
Isabela grimaced. "Is there... something wrong?" she asked warily. "I mean, you wrote to me about commitment and how two people who love each other should be able to marry no matter how dangerous it was but-"
"Blood of Andraste! This is not what I meant, Bela!" Hawke replied, shaking at the thought. "Oh love, I was talking about Varric and Bianca, not us!"
The dwarf had finally revealed his crossbows namesake and opened up a little about the story. They were bound to find out eventually and better it be from him than a stranger. Isabela's mouth fell open then.
"What!?" she exclaimed loudly, "So you...Oh, thank The bastard Maker!" She leaned back in her chair, looking thoroughly taken aback. Hawke began to laugh and watched the pirate get to her feet then throw her arms around her, exhaling. Hawke smiled, bewildered, feeling the pirate almost collapse with relief in her arms. "Balls, that scared me shitless, Sweetness! I'm so glad you said no!"
"Well...technically I didn't," Lana replied. Isabela pulled back and stared at her, open-mouthed.
"Now hold on a minute," she said, backtracking immediately, "Technically I haven't ask you anything yet!"
"But I want to get married," Hawke teased jokingly, "And I want to have babies and settle down in a little cottage on the outskirts of town and grow old with you."
Isabela immediately released her and glanced towards the door, as though thinking about fleeing.
"Hawke—"
Suddenly Lana burst out laughing. "Oh Maker!" she exclaimed, holding her ribs, "You should see your face! I'm winding you up, you lunatic. You almost gave me a bloody heart attack! Can you imagine us, married!? Perish the thought!"
She got up and crossed the table this time and kissed Isabela's cheek, giving her a warm hug and feeling bad for keeping her going for a second. The two of them chuckled in each other's arms then. Isabela pulled back and looked into Lana's eyes. She stroked her cheek with a shaking hand, feeling the world roll off her shoulders.
"I feel like such a tit," she whispered, still shuddering at the thought of settling down. Lana smiled at her, seeing her drop her gaze, embarrassed. She brushed the pirate's hair behind her ear and curled her fingers under Isabela's chin, tilting her head up to look into her eyes once more.
"I can't believe you did that for me," she said, impressed, "The ring is beautiful by the way. I'm totally keeping it...But I also can't believe you thought that's what I meant! I never dreamed that we would get married, not in a million years, Bela...It's so...cliché. Definitely not us!"
The pirate snorted, "I know!" she admitted, "I'm so sorry for springing that on you. I don't know what I was thinking. Can you imagine me in a white dress down to my ankles standing in the Chantry in front of all our friends, ready to declare my never-ending devotion?"
Hawke laughed loudly, "You'd burst into flames, love...and I wouldn't be far behind you."
"We'd make a pretty smear of ashes though," the pirate said, grinning at her. They both chuckled and leaned in, kissing each other deeply before Hawke returned to her seat.
"Maker, that's the craziest idea you've ever had, Isabela," she said, chuckling once more. She slid the ring on her finger, knowing it would have weighed a thousand times heavier if it had represented an engagement. Isabela laughed.
"Marriage is a 3-ring circus: engagement-ring, wedding-ring, and suffer-ring...and I think we've suffered enough, Sweetness, don't you?"
The two women raised their goblets and toasted, taking a sip of wine then leaning over the table and sealing their unlikely happiness with a slow, tender, unbridled kiss.
Aww, It's over! :-( Hope you all enjoyed the final chapter. I had a blast writing this and while I hit some backlash midway through which made things a little difficult, I'm equally as proud of this story as A Pirate's Charm and would like to thank you all for reading and reviewing and for all the amazing PM's of support I received throughout. Another sequel is very possible, slightly AU and based on Inquisition, however nothing is set in stone. There are quite a few stories of mine that have been on the back burner for a while and I intend to work on them first before throwing myself into another few hundred thousand words dedicated to Lana and Isabela's journey together. Thank you once again for reading. Muchas gracias a todos ;)