The Years in Between 50
WOOO! 50 CHAPTERS! Thank you all so much for the amazing reviews and all the support I have had for this story. I seriously can't believe this story has gotten so far and had such a great response.
So enjoy and please review! Xxx
Soft music played across the entrance to the Viscounts Keep as the musicians played the music set by the Knight Commander for them. The main hall of the Keep had been decorated with flowery bouquets and fine silk drapes around the stairs and windows. The Viscount's Throne room and his office had been closed off after the Qunari attack, and had not been opened since.
Hawke sighed heavily as her eyes glassed over the numerous nobles, Templars, guards and servants around the crowded room. She had returned from Nevarra last week, and had come just in time for the Champion's Ball.
Which she was obviously thrilled about.
Meredith had to throw an official ball to present Hawke with the Champions Medal. It was a solid gold medal with just the symbol of the Champion on it. Hawke stroked it lightly with her thumb before she looked down at herself and sighed heavily. As this was a formal ball, she had to dress formally. Isabela had attacked her and strapped her in a long dark blue dress with two felt straps that hung on her shoulders. She had people coming up to her the whole evening saying how much like a beautiful lady she looked and her mother would have been proud.
But if one more stuffy noble said it, she would tear their head off.
Even now some pompous Orlesian was practically chewing her ear off with an obvious flattery attempt that was, frankly, falling flat.
"Anyway Champion, you simply must come to Chateau Haine for one of our hunting trips in the spring. It is lovely that time of year, however you are much lovelier and that looks a common occurrence." The Duke spoke with a purr in his voice that made Hawke want to be as far from him as possible.
"Oh… yes it sounds lovely." Hawke mumbled as she took a goblet of wine from a passing servant.
This looked like the beginning of a long night.
Hawke glanced around before she grinned as she caught a pair of green eyes from across the room. She smiled before she turned back to the Duke.
"I am sorry Duke, but I just realised I have to speak with the Knight Commander. I hope we can talk another time." Hawke handed the half empty goblet to the obviously confused Duke and made her way over to Fenris, who was talking with Aveline and Sebastian. Hawke politely moved through the crowd before she reached her friends. "I swear to the Maker if one more noble doesn't learn to keep his hands to himself, I am going to kill someone." Hawke groaned and Aveline laughed.
"Not enjoying the noble lifestyle, Hawke?" Aveline smirked, and Hawke growled at her.
"Don't start on me, Guard Captain. I'm still pissed that you get to wear armour and I don't." Hawke grumbled, and Sebastian laughed.
"It could be worse. You could be getting yelled at by the Knight Commander." The Brother smiled, and Hawke laughed.
"The only reason that hasn't happened is because I have been hiding every time she gets close. One of the many advantages of being a rogue." Hawke shrugged softly and Aveline laughed.
"Well, don't look now, but there she is." Aveline pointed out Meredith in the background, and Hawke groaned.
"Ok, someone help me look busy." Hawke begged them. Sebastian shrugged and Aveline laughed softly. Fenris smiled, before he took her hand and they disappeared among the dancing nobles. "Thanks." Hawke sighed as he began leading her in a dance.
"No worries." Fenris smiled as they danced the surprisingly simple dance. "Do you remember the last time we danced together?" Fenris smirked as Hawke thought about it for a moment.
"I remember. It was after the Deep Roads expedition and Varric had found our first buyer. Antivan fellow, I remember." Hawke smiled as he nodded gently.
"Precisely. Feels like only yesterday we met." Fenris smiled and she smirked.
"Oh yes. A case of stolen property turned into an incredibly handsome elf. I love it when that happens." Hawke laughed as he rolled his eyes at her.
"Well, oh mighty Champion, I am happy I can help you as such." He smirked softly as he glanced over her shoulder. "And it looks like I can no longer hide you from the Knight Commander." Fenris kissed her hand before he spun her around to face Meredith, who was obviously not amused.
"Champion."
"Knight Commander," Hawke pushed some hair back from her face and smiled. "May I have this dance?" Hawke vaguely heard some nobles giggle at her, but Meredith just looked at her.
"No. I understand you met the Hero of Ferelden in Nevarra. I thought she died with the Arch demon?" Meredith glared at Hawke who shrugged softly.
"So did I. But she looked pretty alive to me." Hawke said seriously as Meredith narrowed her cold blue eyes at the rogue. The Templar glanced around before she gestured for Hawke to follow her. Hawke lifted her long dress to avoid tripping and followed Meredith as she led the way through the crowd. Several nobles stopped to try and address either one of them, but Meredith pushed forward while Hawke just shrugged at them all.
Meredith walked out of the Keep, and Hawke followed feeling a gust of cool air hit her. Maybe she should have brought a shawl or something, but that would have involved more time shopping. The Templar stopped halfway down the stairs, and Hawke stopped so she was a few steps higher than the Knight Commander, who turned to face her with a strange look in her eyes.
"Champion, I will try and keep this blunt. While you were away, my Templars intercepted a meeting of an underground mage group, and it did not go well. We captured one mage who told us about several attacks that had been planned against the order. Were you aware of this?" Meredith failed to keep the accusing tone from her voice, and Hawke sighed.
"I will admit, Knight Commander that I knew about the mage underground. But I did not know about the raids." Hawke said sincerely and Meredith gave a soft grunt.
"Well… let me be clear, Champion. I will not allow this city to be terrorised by mages any longer. Blood magic corrupts this city and its leaders, so I will not stand for any intolerance. Will you stand with me, or will your sister pay the price?"
"Knight Commander! I support the protection of Kirkwall and I will do anything and everything I can to protect it, regardless of whether my sister is in the Circle. So do not threaten me." Hawke glared at the Templar.
"Very well. I will expect you to be at the Gallows sometime tomorrow. I advise you do not keep me waiting." Meredith glanced past Hawke before she walked away.
"Hawke?" Fenris asked as he descended the steps to stand beside her. "Is everything alright?"
"As alright as it can be with Meredith." Hawke grumbled before she shivered.
"Would you like to skip the final part of the evening? I take it you have had enough of the nobles of Kirkwall and the surrounding areas?"
"Maker, yes! Want to grab a pint?" Hawke laughed as he smiled.
"Well, considering the dwarf and Isabela are still in there, no one will be seeing you in that dress."
"You like it?" Hawke jokingly twirled in front of him before she walked down the stairs.
"It is beautiful… but it would look better on my floor."
"So, when is the wedding?" Hawke asked as she sat herself across from Aveline in Varric's suite in the Hanged Man.
"We were thinking maybe a year from now. Perhaps longer." Aveline shrugged softly, with a small smile.
"Why the wait? Why not do it now?" Isabela shrugged as Aveline raised an eyebrow.
"Well, we both have a lot of responsibilities of our own. And with Meredith beginning to crack down on the mages, the guard will be busier than normal." Aveline rubbed her temples before she glared at Anders. "And someone has not been helping."
"Don't be surprised that I won't bow down to the Templars." Anders scowled, and Aveline groaned.
"I'm not saying you have to bow down, just stop being such an obvious ass! I have had three reports this week about a Ferelden mage who might be hiding in Darktown." Aveline gasped as Anders slammed his hands down on the table and stood.
"You think I care what opinion your bigoted mind has created about me? I will fight for the freedom of mages, or I will die trying. And you," Anders turned to glare at Hawke, who was watching him with caution. "Your sister's a mage! Yes, I understand that Meredith will be watching her, but we have to do something or Meredith will kill us all!"
"Calm yourself, Anders." Sebastian said soothingly from beside Varric, making the mage turn to face him. "Hawke cannot control the Knight Commander. She can't stop her from this mission she has begun."
"This execution you mean." Anders growled, and Hawke rolled her eyes.
"Yes, yes. We all know Meredith is getting a little more extreme than she used to be. But come on Anders, she'll soon see that there is no immediate danger to Kirkwall, and will stop this search. She'll probably be done by the end of the month." Hawke shrugged, and Fenris smiled.
"I would say the end of the year."
"Usual bet?"
"Of course." Fenris smiled as he shook her hand, and Anders growled at them.
"This is serious! If Meredith continues her nightmarish behaviour, then I won't be responsible for my actions." Anders glared, and Hawke saw a spark of Justice appearing behind his eyes.
"Look, I understand how you feel-"
"How can you understand? How? You had your family! You were never dragged away from them! You were never tortured until you were broken and hated every moment that you drew a breath! So do not tell me you understand." Anders shouted as he stormed out of the palatial suite. Hawke just sat there with a raised eyebrow before she shrugged.
"What's got his bloomers in a twist?"
"Champion, I am glad you came." Meredith looked up from her seat in her office, to see Hawke coming in. She was alone, which was a rare occurrence for the Champion, as she was always surrounded by her companions.
"I always keep my word, Knight Commander. So how may I be of assistance?" Hawke smiled at the Templar who signalled for her to close the door.
"There has been a rumour of a mage in Darktown, he also happens to be a Grey Warden, and one of your companions." Meredith narrowed her eyes at Hawke. "I hope you have a good explanation, Champion."
"I do. He is a healer, who helped me to defeat the Arishock. Without him healing us as he did, I would have been long dead." Hawke stood proud before the Templar as she spoke. "And he is my friend, whom I will protect with my life."
"I see… well, I wish to avoid an incident of throwing you in the Gallows again, but I will not allow an apostate to be free in Kirkwall. The dangers of Blood magic are too sever to dismiss."
"Well, you can be assured that he is of no threat to Kirkwall. I am keeping him under surveillance, so if there is any danger you'll be the first to know." Hawke said calmly.
"Champion, you might be endangering this city. And if I have to kill you to protect it then I will." Meredith stood, so she was eyelevel with Hawke. "Do not doubt my resolve."
"I do not, Knight Commander. But I ask you to remember one thing: I didn't defeat the Arishock by words, I will protect my friends no matter what."
"It appears we have reached an impasse, Champion. Unfortunate. And your sister was doing so well." Meredith glared and a knock came at the door. Cullen and Orsino stood at the door.
"Knight Commander Meredith, I'm sorry to interrupt, but we need to speak to you." Cullen said, and Hawke nodded to Meredith.
"Well, I'll take my leave. Knight Commander," Hawke glared at the Templar before she left the office. The rogue walked down the stairs and watched as the Templar guard raised the iron gates. She glanced out at the courtyard before she scoffed. Fenris was standing with Sebastian and Anders who were lounging around by the edge of the stairs. "Gentlemen." Hawke smiled as they looked up to her.
"Hawke, so what did the Knight Commander want?" Fenris looked up, and Hawke sighed as she pointed to Anders.
"Someone has been causing trouble. And I am now basically going to babysit him." Hawke groaned and Anders looked at her weirdly.
"Meredith is coming for me?"
"No, she isn't, because I have a plan." Hawke smiled and Fenris rolled his eyes.
"And what plan could that be?"
"Not to worry my dear elf. Anders will be safe from the mean Templars." Hawke walked ahead, and Anders sighed.
"Well, what am I going to do now?"
"Simple, you're going to live with me."
"WHAT?"
Oooh! What's gonna happen? Stay tuned to find out more. . xx
