"Hey, hey," Rhotkar hit his brother's arm to gather his attention. "Look."
"Her, Rhah?"
"Yeah," Rhotkar grinned, slapping his little brother's shoulder. "Go get her, Juda. She's the one."
"Rhah, she's Marian's sist- "
"Hey," Rhotkar cut off. "No backing out now, Juda. I let you come to the bar with me, didn't I? Now it's your turn to play wing. Go."
"But- "
"Go." Rhotkar ordered, commanding no objection. Juda trembled.
"Okayy... " The twelve year old bit his lip. "It won't hurt her, will it?"
"No, you twit. It's just a joke. Now go already, before scary Marian comes in and stabs you."
Juda meeped, scurrying at the prospect of being impaled by the mighty Marian. He hurried across the room, then slowed, pulling up behind the girl carefully. Juda swallowed. "B-Bethany?"
The fifteen-year-old broke from her casual conversation with Bella to smile over at the younger boy. "Hello Juda."
"H-Hey," Juda stuttered nervously.
Bethany's features softened in light of the boy's nerves. Though Bethany rarely ventured outside of her family to play, she knew Juda to be a nice boy. Carver even said he thought the boy had a crush on Bethany, a statement that flattered her, but Bethany didn't hold an interest back romantically. He was very young. Still, there was no harm in being nice. "Would you like to sit with me?" Bethany offered, gesturing to the chair beside her.
"Thanks." Juda swallowed, twitching, and took the offered seat. He glanced back at Rhotkar helplessly, only to see his brother cross a finger over his throat threateningly.
"Here with your brother?" Bethany asked, not missing the exchange.
"Y-Yeah," Juda forced himself to focus on the glass Bethany had before her. He had to distract her somehow. Juda spotted Marian and Bella to the right corner of the room. Sidled against each other, Marian leaned in to kiss her. Bella pressed her flat back to the wall in response, devouring her companion. "Y-You too, huh?"
Bethany followed his gaze and shook her head, eyes rolling. Juda pulled the vial from his clothes and popped the cork without notice, but Bethany turned back before he could spill the chopped contents into her cup. "Oh, just ignore Marian. She's happy here, and sometimes doesn't know what's better left in private."
Juda offered a meek smile.
"Did you want something to eat, Juda?" Bethany asked kindly. "I can make you something just as well if you're hungry."
"Really?" Juda blurted before he could help it. His stomach growled. Bethany chuckled, standing from her stool.
"Sure, Juda. What do you like?"
"Oh, umm... I-I don't have any coin. I-It's okay."
"We'll just put it on your brother's tab." Bethany winked. "Want some stew? I can make you some rabbit stew if you like."
"O-okay."
"Bella, I'm making a customer soup." Bethany alerted, receiving only a half-moan in response. "I'll be right back," Bethany told Juda. "Soup'll be ready in ten." Bethany crossed behind the bar to the kitchen in the back.
Rhotkar appeared beside his brother a few moments later, having failed to attract his attention. "What're you waiting for?" Rhotkar demanded.
"I- I don't want to. Rhah, she's so nice. I don't wanna play a trick on her."
Rhotkar growled, taking the vial from his inadequate brother. "Gimme that, you ponce. Last time I'm ever bringing you here." Taking the opened vial, Rhotkar dumped the contents in Bethany's drink and mixed it with her spoon. He gave Juda a violent look. "Don't say anything, you twit."
"It's set to- Rhotkar," Bethany pulled up short behind the counter.
"Bethany," Rhotkar smiled, patting his brother's shoulder. "Nice to see you taking such good care of my brother. You're looking fine as ever."
"Thanks, Rhotkar..." Bethany glanced uneasily her sister's way.
"That offer under the stars still stands."
Bethany coughed uncomfortably. "No, I'd rather not."
Rhotkar's eyes narrowed. "Your loss, Beth." He stood from his stool and returned to his far table, nursing a mug and watching her. Bethany breathed a sigh of relief and took her water to gulp down her nerves. Juda opened his mouth to object, then cowered.
"Hey," Marian appeared behind her, lifting an arm to Bethany's. "I saw Rhotkar was just here. Is he still harassing you?"
"It's okay," Bethany assured her, her extremities tingling in fright. "He was just..." Bethany's eyes started to sting. Her stomach flipped and she lost her train of thought, feeling nauseous. "Just..."
"Bethany?" Bethany leaned against her heavily. A very familiar warm rush spread through Bethany. She tried to push it down, but the flood was overwhelming.
"No," Bethany trembled, oblivious to Marian's hand grasping hers to still it. "Marian..."
When Bethany turned to her, Marian's eyes bulged. "Bethany!" Lifting a hand to cover her sister's glowing eyes, Marian whispered desperately. "Keep your eyes shu- " Before she could finish, an invisible blast ricocheted out from Bethany and shoved her back, hard. Hawke's back hit the side wall thirty feet away with a wicked snap as other groans around the room joined hers, alerting her that she wasn't the only one to take the hit. Marian winced and struggled to sit up.
Bethany lay on the floor, half hidden behind the bar. Curled and clutching herself, Marian saw her trembling, likely trying to hold back more magic within her. "Bethany!" If her sister heard her, she didn't answer. A gasp came from her left, and Marian broke her eyes from Bethany to look at her girlfriend, who was clutching her chest, wide-eyed in horror. "Bella- " something touched her hand and Marian's attention was wrenched away.
All around her, springing out from Bethany herself, leafy vines and roots stretched across the floor, some growing from between the floor panels themselves. A thick, gnarled root started curling over Marian's leg while vines stretched to encompass her wrists.
Forcing herself to worry over Bella after, Marian deftly unsheathed her blade, ripping the vines from her wrist in the process and cut at the root over her legs in one firm, steady slice. She scrambled up, ignoring the pain in her side and back as more wildlife groped at her. Marian started for Bethany before tall grasses sprung up like wildfire around her sister. A root grabbed at her ankle, but Marian was quick. Leaping away, she dashed towards her sister as the moss-coated walls and ceiling lunged at her. A wicked vine snapped across her back like a whip before twining around her abdomen.
Marian jumped, vines snapping as gravity brought her freefalling to the tall grasses hiding her sister. Marian collided into Bethany and rolled, wrapping her arms around her sister to take her along, too. Bethany gasped, landing flat on her back with Marian on top. Marian pulled back to look at her, finding Bethany's eyes blazing with power, hands glowing green with the earth's elemental.
"I can't stop!" Bethany sobbed, tears lost in the glow of her abilities. "Marian, please!" she shuddered. Large, ropelike roots sprang up out of the ground behind her sister, growing up with the clear intent. Vines twisted around her ankles. "Stop me." Bethany whimpered, horrified by the threat she was causing behind Marian. "Helpme."
The roots behind her nosedived. Marian sat frozen in indecision, yelped when the roots wrapped around her wrists and lifted her a few feet off the ground. "Bethany!" Bethany curled on the floor as Marian kicked free of the thorny vines leeching into her legs. The roots around her wrists tightened like a vice, then spread to pull in either direction down her arms. Marian grimaced as they stretched her taut, then continued pulling even more. "Bethany, look at me!"
Bethany obeyed, lifting her face to Marian in timid terror as the earth fought to rip Marian apart.
With all the strength she could muster in such a dangling position, Marian lashed out, kicking Bethany full force to the side of the head. A disturbing crack echoed as Bethany's head hit the wall beside her. She fell limp in a heap. The vice grip pulling Marian in either direction sagged, but the greenarie didn't disappear. Marian hung suspended from the ceiling and fought to slip out of the hold.
A rustle to her left drew Marian's attention as Bella pulled free of the thorny vines that'd constricted her. "Marian?" Bella looked around, a little dizzy before she spotted her lover hanging amidst the foliage. She started over, accidentally stepping on Marian's sword on her way. Bella stooped to pick it up, then paused when her eyes found Bethany slumped against the wall. She again observed the destruction all around them; it was like a jungle had been made in her bar. Every surface covered with thorny vines, leafy plants, and thick roots that had sprouted between the floorboards, some Bella was sure were still dangerous. The bar had been completely destroyed.
"She's a mage," Bella said, eyes trained on the helpless girl.
"Bella," Marian struggled to free herself. Marian loved her girlfriend, but this was a shock for everyone. Outside the chantry, Bethany was an apostate, and there was no telling what Bella might do after experiencing such a threat. "It's not her fault. She didn't mean-" Bella took a step closer with Marian's giant sword. "Bella!"
-And another, this one towards Marian and the bar. She stepped up onto the mossy counter where a long, thick root the size of a tree trunk had overgrown. She hauled Marian's blade with all her strength, cutting at her bonds. It took a few blows and Marian almost lost a few fingers on more than one close call, but soon, her bonds snapped altogether, bringing Marian to her feet.
She rubbed her wrists as Bella hopped down and presented her sword back. "Thanks," Marian mumbled, sheathing the mighty weapon. "Bella..."
"We'll talk." Bella nodded. "I hope, anyway. But Bethany needs you more than I do right now." Bella nodded to the girl collapsed on the floor. Marian rushed to Bethany's side and collected up her unconscious sister into her arms.
"I've gotta get to my dad. Bethany's still bleeding."
"I'll keep them all here." Bella promised. "I don't trust Rhotkar."
Marian was already halfway out the door. "I'll be back." she promised.
XXX
"Marian? Is that you?" Bella went to investigate just in case and breathed a sigh of relief upon finding her girlfriend. Bella rushed to her woman and hugged her, supporting her younger girlfriend around the middle.
"Hey..." the single word dripped remorse, but Bella was too happy at seeing her girlfriend again to catch it.
"I found out what happened," Bella jumped into explaining. "Rhotkar poisoned Bethany with Spellweed. The filthy bastard planned to rape her! But instead of just making her woozy, I'm guessing it's what caused Bethany's magic to freak out."
"That makes sense," Marian mumbled half-heartedly. "Spellweed's not supposed to be taken raw by mages."
"She'll be okay," Bella tried to assure. "The effects are only temporary. Judging by the crack to the head she took, she'll be better before she even wakes up." Marian winced. Bella rubbed her back, cradling the younger girl to her chest. "It's gonna be okay, Marian."
Marian sniffled.
Bella pulled away only far enough to see small tears gathered in her eyes. Some had even fallen.
In the two and a half years she'd known Marian, Bella had never once seen her cry.
"Marian?" Bella lifted a hand to her lover's cheek, wiping away a tear with a gentle brush of her thumb. "What's wrong, Marian?"
Marian lowered her eyes to the ground. "My family's packing." she swallowed thickly. "Bethany can't be discovered. It's why... why we've moved so much before Redcliffe."
Bella was at a loss for words. It made sense; the Hawke's would have little other choice but to flee now that their secret was out, but despite it all, she hadn't figured it, hadn't thought about it. Hadn't expected this, losing her girl... "When?" Bella was hardly aware of the question being spoken. Her heart slowed in dreadful expectation.
Marian bit her lip then and Bella could tell she was holding back more tears. "Tonight."
Bella gripped Marian tighter, throat closing up in a second flat. They stayed together, frozen in the doorway for an immeasurable space of time. Bella kissed her, and Marian's heart broke in her arms.
XXX
Long hours later, Marian pressed tightly to Bella, exhausted, but determined not to sleep. Not even a wink of it. She'd long ago memorized this woman's every curve and crevasse, but long ago hadn't had an ending in sight. Marian wanted it burned into her mind so she wouldn't forget an inch, not a centimeter of her lover's perfect body, nor the warm flush of her body. Marian would never forget any of it.
Bella's strong, worker's arms wrapped around her bare back. She bent her head to kiss Marian's, then rested there with her girl. Nothing needed to be said.
XXX
Hours later, Marian watched the speck the distant the town of Redcliffe had become, silent tears sliding down her cheeks in the encroaching night. Even Carver had the respect to leave her to herself, instead tending to the still-unconscious Bethany. Marian fondled the ring she would never remove, the only part of Bella she'd been able to take with her.
Strong, coarse hands wrapped around her in her pain. Marian leaned against her dad as his fuzzy arms encircled her, one of the only people she'd let touch her in this tender moment. In the quiet, rhythmic thump of the bunk of the caravan, Marian wept.
XXX
Bethany first came to, vaguely aware of a sense of movement. Her stomach pitched with a bump in the steady motion, but her head was what hurt the most. Throbbing like she'd been struck with a battering ram, Bethany groaned. She gingerly raised a hand to her head where, although not bleeding, a knot the size of a small melon lingered.
"She's waking!" Leandra's anxious voice broke through her haze. Something warm touched her cheek. "Bethany?"
Bethany tried to open her eyes. It took a few tries, and her eyes stung, even in the dimmed lighting, but Bethany could make out a familiar, carved wooden interior before Leandra filled her view. "Bethany!" Bethany felt Leandra's arms wrap around her, followed by a head resting on her shoulder. "I feared you'd never wake with how hard your sister struck you."
Dizzying memories arose of being in Bella's bar, leaning against Marian, her familiar, warm magic rising up before her sister had gone flying, then… nothing. Bethany pressed for the memory, causing the headache to spread, but it simply wasn't there.
"What happened?" Bethany croaked, throat dry and cracky. Leandra released her to fetch her girl a water skin from her side. She helped prop Bethany up enough to sip from it, holding the skin to her lips.
"Your magic exploded." Carver supplied nastily. "Again. Marian had to knock you out, but 'cuz she wasn't quick enough to do so, we're moving. Again."
Bethany sputtered, choking on the water.
"Shut up, Carver! It wasn't like that." Marian snapped, coming beside Bethany to tap her back. She received a nasty glare from Leandra for her efforts. Ignoring it, she rubbed Bethany's shoulder as the coughing fit subsided. "You were poisoned." Marian filled in. "With Spellweed. Taken raw, it causes uncontrollable magic fits in mages. What happened wasn't your fault."
Bethany wasn't comforted in the least. "But we're moving?" she glanced around the caravan desperately, hard truth sinking through her stomach.
Marian bit her tongue. "We weren't the only ones in the bar. Some others… saw."
Bethany seemed ready to cry. "But- it's Redcliffe! We've been there years; it's supposed to be our permanent home! Mother's baking sisters are here, Father's workers, Carver's friends and… " Bethany looked to Marian searchingly. Her stomach dropped. "Bella! Is she here? Where is she?" Bethany searched the caravan desperately. "Is she- "
Marian interrupted gently. "She couldn't come. She… still owes Lloyd labor. He wouldn't let us pay her debt."
Bethany's heart sunk. "But she's your… your… " the tears welling in Bethany's eyes shed as she broke down. Marian gripped her in a hug, but it only made her feel worse. Carver was right; they were moving from their home because of her. Marian had left the love of her life to stay with the family and continue hiding her. "I'm sorry," Bethany cried, words broken between her sobs. "Marian, I-"
"Shhh," Marian hushed, rubbing Bethany's back. "It wasn't your fault, Beth. It's okay." Marian ducked her head down to kiss the top of Bethany's. "Shhh."
XXX
Lothering
Leandra checked the mutton she had roasting over the fire. Satisfied to let it stew in its juices, she pulled away from the warm fire and dusted off her apron with a few light pats.
The front door banged open and Malcolm waltzed in with a big basket full of vegetables.
"I have arrived with sustenance!" he announced, beaming. "What will you have me do with it, my wife?"
Leandra gave him a bemused smile and gestured him towards the kitchen table. "Just lay it out there," she said, "I'll sort through what we'll have with dinner and rebundle the rest for the cellar."
"Yes, dear," Malcolm agreed amiably, carrying his treasure to the indicated table.
"The kids aren't with you?" Leandra called over, leaving the fire to come up next to her husband.
"Carver stayed in the marketplace, and Marian's helping Bethany with her new garden," Malcolm explained, holding up an odd-shaped, white and purple vegetable. "Turnip?" he asked with a frown.
Leandra smiled and took it from him. "Rutabaga," she corrected, "and not for tonight. That's better in a stew or as a mash. "We want some kind of green bean and potatoes, maybe broccoli or carrot if not."
"Yes ma'am," Malcolm agreed, deftly beginning to sort through the vegetables whilst looking only at her. "Might I comment to how… fine you look, m'lady? Mmmhmm!"
In a dirty apron and a simple house dress, Leandra blushed warmly. "Oh, Malcolm, stop," she smiled, passing him a knife. "Start cutting those into cubes so I can mash them."
"Mmm," Malcolm said again, beginning to hum a little as he started in on the potatoes for her. Leandra collected up the carrots and began to wash them in the bucket she had already drawn.
Glancing at her husband, she asked, "how are they doing, love? The kids."
"Ehh, you know them," Malcolm said, scratching the back of his neck idly.
"Not like you, I don't."
Malcolm glanced up at that and gave her a sympathetic look. "Leandra- "
"No," she shook her head, "none of that. You have your way with them that I don't. Please, tell me, Malcolm."
Malcolm sighed, and then relented.
"Carver's fine. He's always a little more grumpy than usual after a move, but he's got the easiest coping to deal with this one. I even saw him frolicking with a blonde the other day. He hasn't said much yet, but I can tell he's taken with her."
Leandra's eyes softened, filling with hope.
"Can you tell me anything about her?"
"Not yet," Malcolm tempered her excitement. "Don't press him yet; he's rather shy about her."
"Not like our Marian," Leandra murmured, and Malcolm sighed once more, this one sad. "She acts normal around me," Leandra offered, "making her usual despicable jokes, but…"
"She's hurting," Malcolm confirmed heavily. "Bethany is, too. Marian tries to hide it from her, but you know those two. Bethany can tell, and she feels all the worse for it. Marian's written Bella every day."
"She really loved her," Leandra murmured, and Malcolm raised a hand around his wife's slender shoulders and rubbed down her arm a few times.
"Marian's strong. She will get through this, if for nothing else, then for Bethany. But our baby… I'm worried about her, Leandra. She holds more guilt than any child has a right to. I wish I could ease it for her."
Leandra leaned her head against Malcolm's shoulder, abandoning the effort with dinner for the trade of comfort. "I worry too, Malcolm. Bethany… she doesn't easily make friends, and after that-that awful boy… I haven't seen her with any of the new neighborhood kids, girls or boys. I worry she won't even try anymore. She only ever talks to Marian these days."
"We just have to make sure she knows how loved she is," Malcolm murmured, kissing the top of Leandra's soft brown hair. "Especially so in her case."
"We'll make it through, Malcolm," Leandra whispered, closing her eyes. "Somehow. We'll make it through."
XXX
Malcolm pushed through the door holding his arm, which was bleeding freely. "Malcolm!" Leandra rushed to her husband from where she'd been pacing at the hearth. "You're bleeding." Leandra slowed, a mix of fear and confusion in her voice. She gently touched his arm where the giant gash still marred Malcolm's arm. "What happened? Malcolm, I don't understand, why haven't you healed it?"
Malcolm winced, though whether it was from pain or otherwise, she couldn't tell. "Are the kids home?"
Leandra shook her head, guiding Malcolm to the couch. She seated her husband, but went to fetch a towel from the kitchen with a poultice. Perhaps Malcolm was too exhausted to heal? Her husband was pale and sweating from the brow. "Malcolm, what happened? Did you find the templars?"
Malcolm took the towel, but not the poultice. "Templar. There was only one, and he was hunting Bethany." Leandra gasped, but Malcolm soothed her quickly. "He didn't know who she was, and he was working alone. A rogue." Malcolm grimaced.
"Why haven't you healed?" Leandra asked again, more frantically as Malcolm pressed the cloth to wipe away blood from the edges of his wound.
"The templar," Malcolm cleaned up the sides, then dropped the cloth. His hand hovered over the wound. "He was a renegade; he laced his blade with raw lyrium." Malcolm winced, closing his eyes as he directed a specific, telekinetic pull at the small shard that'd been embedded. The tiny piece moved through his cut until Malcolm could feel it protruding out. He gripped it between his fingers and wrenched it out the rest of the way, cringing.
Leandra gaped, trying to process that. "R-raw? But…"
"I had to stop him, Leandra." Malcolm countered weakly. "He couldn't arrive to tell the other templars."
"Malcolm…" Leandra whispered, mortified.
Malcolm dropped the shard into the cloth and hugged his wife.
XXX
"Marian," Malcolm was so weak, he could barely sit up on his own anymore. Seeing his effort, Marian went to his side and helped her father into the position. In his degenerative condition, Malcolm physically looked older, way past his years. His hair had started to thin only two days after he'd told them about the lyrium, how he'd cut himself on a raw patch of it in a cave in the Wilds. Raw lyrium was an extremely rare source, and he'd been searching for some mushrooms when he saw the glistening mineral. Too unwary, he'd approached, touched it, and slit a gash into his skin, which had caused the onset of illness that would eventually lead to death. It was, after all, fatal to mages.
Marian didn't buy it, but she hadn't questioned her father's story yet.
"Father?" Marian rubbed his back soothingly. "You should be resting, Father."
"My girl," Malcolm croaked, fighting past the dryness that constantly plagued his throat. His chuckle was a rough, hoarse wheeze, nothing like the wonderful mirth Marian was used to. "I've spent too much time sleeping these past couple of days. Your mother is a difficult woman to evade when I've lost the use of legs." Marian gave a small smile despite herself. "And she poisons my food," Malcolm added. "I've skipped three meals to keep awake like this."
"Father!"
"You know your mother. Extremes are necessary!"
Marian bit her lip to keep from grinning outright, simply hugged her dad instead. "I'll make you some soup if you'd like. Unseasoned with sleepweed."
"I would appreciate that, my girl." Malcolm smiled, weakly lifting a hand to ruffle her hair. "The last thing a dying man needs is more sleep, after all."
"Father…"
"But save that for a moment." Malcolm stroked a few strands of her short hair affectionately. "I've been meaning to find you alone." Malcolm squeezed her meekly at his side. "It's about the family, Marian." Marian swallowed hard. "You're the eldest, and you've always had a solid grasp on how our family works. I need you to keep them when I'm gone."
"It works because of you, Dad." Marian's voice came out unusually soft. "Mother loves you, and Carver strives to prove himself to you. Even with Bethany, when she loses control… I'm always running to you." Marian swallowed another lump. "I'm… not you, Dad."
"No," Malcolm allowed, and then said. "You're stronger than me." Marian gave her father an incredulous look. "Truly, Marian. It wasn't I who ran Bethany across half the city to safety or who'd cleared a road full of slavers on the whim of helping a stranger. Even Carver, you handle admirably; he looks up to you more than you know. Tries to be like you, you know?" Malcolm gave her a small smile. "And if Leandra loves me, Marian, you must know she loves you as well. You're a reflection of me in spirit, and Leandra will come to lean on that when I am gone."
Marian already knew what her father asked. "What if I can't? What if Carver runs away, or Mother disowns me, or Bethany's magic goes awry in public and I don't have you to stop her? Or all three? I'm not ready, Dad."
Malcolm chuckled, wheezing. "Then you should kick them in the head, collect them up, and run away."
"Dad…"
"What? It worked well last time." Malcolm was smiling, but Marian's heart was too troubled to enjoy his humor now. Malcolm reached up and brushed aside a few strands of her short hair. "Marian, you're the only one ready to lead this family when I'm gone. You even left love to hold us together, which is more than I could ever do. More than I did." Marian's eyes burned. "I know you'll make me proud. You always have."
At the door, Carver balled his fists.
"I don't want this, Dad."
Malcolm cradled his daughter to him. "Life's not fair, Marian, elsewise your sister wouldn't have to run, your brother would be an undefeated warrior, and your mother, a noblewoman." He kissed the top of her head gently. "And you, with Bella. But we must make the best of what we're dealt, and I've lived a life without regret. I've been blessed with all of you."
Marian bowed her head under his chin.
"Take care of your mother," Malcolm urged. "And… watch out for Bethany. The templars are still out there; it'd break my heart to see her taken."
Marian's eyes welled. She was quiet, held by her father. Eventually, she worked her throat enough to ask. "Dad? How'd you really get poisoned with the lyrium?"
"It was an accident, Marian."
"With the templars?" Marian prodded. "Templars from Redcliffe?"
Malcolm was quiet for a moment too long, then finally spoke. "It's not fit to be angry, Marian. We all have our roles in this world. He was merely filling his."
A trickle of a tear rolled down Marian's cheek.
Carver had heard enough. Gritting his teeth, he stalked off, cursing the days his siblings had been born.
XXX
Marian sat quietly, the sheath of parchment rolled out before her. Heartbreaking words of recent news scribbled out before her, but Marian shielded herself from the emotion of it, even penning in a couple untimely jokes to keep her spirit from sinking into the depths of her grief.
Behind her, the soft scrape of bare feet on a wooden floor was her first hint to another's presence, followed by the creak of a door opening behind her. "Marian?" Little Bethany swallowed, pale in the dim light. She clutched a stuffed wolf tightly against her chest: an old present father had given her. "I didn't think you'd still be awake."
"Can't sleep." Marian admitted. "You? I thought you'd finally got some shut eye, sleeping next to Mom."
"I had a nightmare."
Marian didn't have to ask about only one of them that seemed to be getting any sleep lately was Carver, and even he became especially moody upon waking.
"Well, come here." Marian urged. Bethany hastened to enter, sitting beside Marian on the indicated bench. Marian wrapped an arm around her, and Bethany situated the wolf in her lap. "I'm writing to Bella." Marian explained, rubbing Bethany's arm.
"How is she?" Bethany asked, just as anxious for distraction.
"Good," Marian soothed. "She's paying Lloyd her tips, trying to buy her way out. Has been devoting most of her time there, not many breaks, but she met a new friend…."
Bethany snuggled against her sister, content to listen to Marian's comforting voice as she relayed news of a living lover she cared about.
It almost dried her tears.
XXX
"Maker, have mercy," Bethany intoned, reciting along with the rest of the visitors and brothers and sisters of the church. Kneeling in front of the furthest pew from the altar, tears tickling the corners of her eyes, Bethany prayed. "Bless my family," she whispered, not loud enough to be heard. "My mother, brother and sister," she sniffed, throat feeling tight. "My father, too, wherever he is now. Please… watch over us. Over them. My family's hurting… we need something… something good to happen for a change," she quietly begged, her eyes growing even more moist. "For Marian especially. Maybe… maybe bring her back Bella. Please. We need a miracle."
The words echoed in through her head and Bethany gripped her hands tightly together, feeling small.
"Maker, they've suffered enough on my behalf," she whimpered inaudibly. "Please stop their pain. Let Mom smile again. Please."
At the head of the altar, the prayers continued and everyone else rose. Bethany barely noticed, but finished her personal prayers and stood to wobbly legs.
"Fancy seeing you here again," a voice nearby said in a hushed tone, and Bethany startled so badly, she almost toppled over. She would have, had not the stranger grabbed her about the waist so quickly, Bethany didn't even see it happen before she felt the warm flush of a body against her own. "I'm sorry," the woman whispered, stepping back and righting her again, giving her a little breathing space.
Bethany blinked, coming aware of a few turning heads in her direction and the appearance of a slender redheaded woman who still had her by the shoulders.
"Didn't mean to startle you," she continued saying, "I just noticed you had come in again."
Bethany breathed out slowly and shook herself, turning her attention onto the pretty redhead before her. In a plain chantry robe, the woman squinted at her, giving her a curious look.
"Hello?" Bethany managed, and the woman let go of her shoulders.
"Hi," she said softly, offering a meek smile. She nodded her head to the space beside Bethany in the pew. "Do you mind if I pray with you?"
"Oh, no," Bethany said back in a hushed voice, moving aside a little to allow the woman more space. "Please."
In front of them, others in the church began to sit, and the woman seated herself beside Bethany, who sat as well. Prayers resumed at the front, and the woman beside her glanced over.
"Leliana," she introduced.
Bethany gave her a little smile back, not used to having a pew partner. "Bethany," she replied, eyes returning to her lap.
"Now I know who to pray for."
Bethany's brow furrowed, but a moment later, Leliana's warm hand slid into her own. Initially shocked by the contact, Bethany glanced up and noticed the rest of the church had taken each other's hands as well. She glanced at Leliana again, and the woman's warm blue eyes reminded her of Marian's, though they were softer. "I think we're going to be good friends, Bethany."
xxx
AN:
Thank you again for reading, as always :) Please check out my tumblr for shitposts blog/view/ao3raspberrylimes andor join my discord to talk with me about my stories, shitposts, or future planned femslash /gsqTd5ec