Author's Notes: So, after finally completing Pair of Hawkes, now it's on to the further adventures with the Inquistion. Enjoy!

Inquisition: Song and Fire

She stood reading the note sent by Varric, wondering if she should tell her sister before she left. But there would probably be an argument about it. An insistence to go with her. And that just wasn't possible this time. Fenris caught her looking over, and met her eyes. "I have to go."

"I know," he softly replied. "I'll keep her safe."

"I know you will." She was out the door a moment later, leaving the letter on the table. It read:

Dear Birdie,

Look, I know this is probably a bad time, but this Inquisition could really use your help. And probably your sister as well. That Corypheus guy is back. Fire-Eyes told you about him, right? Well, he wants to rule the world, or destroy it, or both, and I can't let that happen. I've marked the included map to show where we are right now. Please hurry. I'm out of my depth here. We need the Champion of Kirkwall.

Varric.

The storyteller stood watching the crowd trek across the bridge and into Skyhold, keen eyes trying to pick out his friend. The very short reply he'd received had indicated that Adia was arriving within the next day or so. But he saw no bows, and no tattooed Elves among this group. Just a whole bunch of staffs and families with children. Suddenly, two small shapes ran up to him, pulling their hoods down as they practically tackled him. "Uncle Varric!" the dark-haired of the boys shouted excitedly. The Dwarf was momentarily taken aback as he saw a tall form also break from the crowd, pulling his own hood back.

"Wait, what are you two doing here?" Malcolm and Karl giggled like only children with a secret can, and glanced up at their father. He still wore his coat from Kirkwall, and his eyes still held both sadness and snark, but the beard was new. "Blondie?"

"Shh, not so loud," the healer gently admonished. "I'm Gunther, remember?"

"But if you're here, then where's Birdie?"

"Recovering from a difficult childbirth," another voice explained. The woman it belonged to stepped over to them as the rest of the crowd passed into the fortress. "So sorry to disappoint, but you get me instead." Her hood came down, and red eyes met Varric's and a shy smile graced her face.

"Fire Eyes, while I'm glad to see you, are you sure about this?"

"Adia wasn't there to see Corypheus; I was. And her daughter was only a day old when your letter arrived. There was no way I was even going to show it to her."

"Oh... Well, I guess I'll need to send congratulations to her and Fenris."

"Besides, part of this is our fault, regardless of what you wrote," Anders continued. "We decided to try and help however we can."

"So the letter about being interrogated by the Seekers didn't give you pause? I sure would have rethought things."

"I'm hoping this Seeker Pentaghast will see reason and be more open to my help if I don't antagonize her," Amber offered. Varric started chuckling. "What's so funny?"

"Cassandra seeing reason. C'mon, I'll get you settled, and then introduce you to the Inquisitor."

Amber felt very odd sneaking around the fortress, but Varric had insisted it was more for Anders' protection than her own. He seemed fearful of this Seeker, but spoke nothing but praise for the Inquisitor: Lady Melody Trevelyan, a mage. She'd been the sole survivor of the conclave explosion, been branded by some magick that marked her hand, and this let her do "freaky shit" as Varric called it. She'd also managed to free the rest of the mages of Thedas from a plot by Tevinter, and had somehow convinced some of the rogue Templars to join her as well. Now though, Corypheus had shown himself, and the village of Haven had suffered for it. That left the Inquisition to seek out their new home in Skyhold, an old Elven fortress. "And now you're here," the Dwarf finished up.

"Still very unsure of what I need to do, by the way."

"Well that's easy! We just need to figure out how to kill Corypheus."

"Varric, I thought he was dead, remember? I wouldn't have left that place if I thought otherwise." He patted her hand, giving her a sympathetic look.

"I know, Fire Eyes. But maybe you and the Inquisitor can brainstorm something. I mean, you're both mages, and she's been through a lot too."

"I'm surprised you haven't come up with a nickname for her yet."

"Well, not much can top "The Herald of Andraste". Besides, using her title gets her used to it. She's a lot like you in that regard."

"What, a reluctant hero just trying to do what's right?"

"Pretty much. Oh, here she comes!" Varric had insisted they'd meet on the top of the fortress "away from prying eyes", but Amber was betting he just meant "away from the Seeker". The woman who was coming towards them was dressed in a light green shirt that matched her eyes, and light-brown pants and vest that matched her hair. The staff she carried was simple wood wrapped around a stone at the top, and she seemed rather unremarkable until Amber's gaze drifted to her hand. There was a nimbus of light around it, glowing a vibrant, shimmering green. Steadying herself on the low wall, Amber tore her gaze from the mark. Varric put a comforting hand on her arm. "Sorry about that. I forget how sensitive you are to powerful magick."

"That is indeed very powerful magick," she agreed, regaining her balance. Then Varric addressed the other woman. "Inquisitor, meet Hawke: Also known as the Champion of Kirkwall." The wry smile on Amber's lips was unmistakable.

"Though I don't use that title much anymore," she countered. The Dwarf held up his hands and walked a little ways away. "I'm Amber Heidenreich, formally. Hawke was my maiden name."

"I'm Meldody Trevelyan, of the Ostwick Circle. And forgive me for saying this, but I thought the Champion of Kirkwall was a red-headed archer?"

"She is. That's my twin sister Adia. Varric's official version left me out."

"But... Why?"

"Because at the time that the Mage Rebellion started, I'd just had my sons. Varric was kind enough to take out any reference that might lead someone to them."

"Then why are you here now?"

"Because you've come across an enemy I thought I'd killed, and want to help make sure he's permanently dead."

"Corypheus." Melody's voice hitched a bit as she said the name.

"Yes. So, I'm here to pledge my aid to the Inquisition as long as you'll have me."

"What can you tell me about this... Man?"

"Well, he seems pretty sure that he was one of the magisters that corrupted the Golden City, for starters. The same ones that then became the first darkspawn."

"So those stories are true?!"

"Possibly. At least if you believe what Corypheus does. He'd been locked away by the Wardens since the Ancient Age. Still thought Dumat was around when we first freed him."

"Well, now he wants to set himself up as a god. He claimed that the Maker's throne was empty." Melody shivered as she remembered that conversation: Hoisted up by one arm, staring into the dark, evil eyes of a creature that wanted her dead for something she couldn't even remember. Amber placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"You won't have to face him alone ever again. I promise." Green eyes met red ones, and the women shared a smile.

"Can I ask you some things? So I can learn about the real you?"

"Sure. Ask me anything."

"You and your sister were both Champions? So whatever Varric wrote about happening to her, also happened to you?"

"More or less. I wasn't present during the final battle with Meredith, though."

"Was she really as unhinged as the story says?"

"Yes." Now it was Amber's turn to shiver a bit. "She'd taken the red lyrium idol we'd found and had it made into a sword. It drove her even more mad, and eventually killed her."

"Did Anders really blow up the chantry?" Amber paused, biting her lip as she looked at the sky.

"Yes. He was angry. So was Justice. They unleashed that anger into a last-ditch spell they'd come up with months before that. The explosion killed a lot of people, including Grand Cleric Elthina."

"Wait, are Justice and Anders different people?" Now the red-eyed mage smiled.

"Very much so. How Varric writes them was how they were when we first met. But they are both very different. I'll introduce you to them."

"They're here?!" Melody couldn't keep the shock off her face. What would Cassandra do if she found out about this?

"Yes, though Anders goes by "Gunther" now when we're in public. Justice does his best to not be seen by strangers. They protect our sons very fiercely."

"So your sons are... Theirs as well?"

"Yes. I know it seems complicated, but we're just used to it."

"This whole thing seems complicated. How did you ever deal with all this?" Melody turned and rested her arms on the low wall, hanging her head for a moment. "I'm not a hero. I never wanted this."

"Neither did I." Again, their eyes met. "All I wanted was to keep my family safe. Soon that meant our friends as well. Life just kept throwing things at us. If it wasn't for Adia, I don't think I would've made it as far."

"I have family helping me as well," Melody revealed. "My older brothers came to help as soon as they heard what had happened. But I'm still the one everyone looks to; the one making the hard choices. And I don't know if they're the right ones."

"Do you try and weigh the outcomes as best you can?"

"Of course I do! I'm not going to just pick something on a whim."

"Like allowing the mages to be allies of the Inquisition?"

"That was thanks to Dorian asking me if the Inquisition was better than Tevinter. And I suppose, if it was better than the Circle they were running from. I hadn't really though about it, to be honest. My experience at the Ostwick Circle was a good one." Amber's eyes narrowed at that statement.

"A good one? They took you from your family!"

"But I could visit," the Inquisitor countered. "Or they could come visit me. I understand that Kirkwall was horrible, and Ferelden had so many problems, but... I couldn't relate."

"But you did, because you didn't let them be prisoners. You accepted them as allies."

"To the disappointment of quite a few people."

"Did they make you take it back?" Now Melody looked a bit perplexed. For all Cassandra and Cullen's anger at what she'd done, they'd never contradicted her. In fact, they'd tried their best to help get everyone settled and working together.

"No, they didn't."

"Because they weren't there, and the choice wasn't theirs to make. That's why they named you Inquisitor: Because you will make the choices they won't or can't."

"Speaking of choices, we should probably go tell everyone you're joining us." Amber sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"You're right, I'm just not looking forward to that. I want it clear that my husband is off limits to that Seeker of yours."

"I'll tell Cassandra that he's an ally, and to treat him with respect. Maybe he'll get along with the other mages in our group."

"You have any flippant, flirty, or sarcastic ones?" Melody blinked and giggled.

"Dorian. I'm sure they'll get along great. Come on, let's go find Cassandra first." The women headed to where the Seeker normally stayed, to hear shouting coming from the floor above. Racing up the stairs, they saw Varric running in circles around a table, being chased by a very angry Cassandra.

"You knew where Hawke was all along!" she accused

"You're damned right I did!" he shot back, glaring at her.

"You conniving little shit!" She caught up momentarily and took a swing at him, which he ducked under.

"You kidnapped me! You interrogated me! What did you expect?!"

"Andraste's tits, what is going on here?!" Amber shouted, coming over to Varric. Melody stood between her two companions, hands held up to both of them.

"Hey! That's enough!" The Seeker looked angry, pointing at Varric.

"You're taking his side?"

"I said enough!" Melody focused her attention on Cassandra, grinding her teeth in annoyance. The warrior took a breath, and then looked at the Inquisitor.

"We needed someone to lead this Inquisition. Hawke was our only hope. She was the Champion of Kirkwall. The mages respected her. And you kept her from us." The last bit was said with another glare at Varric. The Dwarf shook his head and gestured to Melody.

"The Inquisition has a leader."

"Hawke would have been at the Conclave. If anyone could have saved Most Holy-"

"It wouldn't have been either of us," Amber finally spoke up. Cassandra stared at her. "The Hawke Varric told you about is my twin sister. She hates the Chantry even more than I do. Adia would've told you to jump off a cliff. I would've told you to leave me alone. I'm here to help the Inquisitor, not take her job or title. I've had enough of both."

"You can't change the past, Cassandra," Melody gently explained.

"So I must accept, what? That the Maker wanted all this to happen? That he... That he..." The emotion building in her eyes was snuffed out a moment later as she narrowed them once more at the storyteller, turning to Melody. "Varric is a liar, Inquisitor. A snake. Even after the conclave, when we needed Hawke most, Varric kept her secret. Both of them, it seems."

"Fire Eyes is here now. We're on the same side."

"We all know whose side you're on, Varric," Cassandra shot back. "It will never be the Inquisition's." Amber's staff hit the floor, redirecting attention to her, where her hand was wreathed in flame. Varric took an involuntary step back, seeing the look of hate on her face.

"Continue this tirade, and I won't be on their side either, Seeker. I won't stand here while you insult my friend."

"What reason could he have had to keep you from us?!" she demanded. Suddenly, there was a shout from outside:

"Help, I'm being attacked! Send for reinforcements, Krem!"

"Fairly certain you're a goner, Chief!" The argument halted for a moment, the group raced outside to see what was going on. When Melody saw the scene, she tried not to laugh. Bull was standing near the tavern, swinging his massive horns, from which hung two small boys. The children were shrieking in delight, though hanging on tightly. Krem sat a few feet away, amused by the situation. "Ah, here's the Inquisitor to lend a hand." Bull turned, a smile on his face.

"Sorry boss, didn't mean to disturb you. But these little assassins just came outta nowhere!" Amber looked at Melody, her eyes wide.

"Boss?"

"Yes, that's The Iron Bull. He pledged his company of mercenaries to our cause."

"He's a Qunari."

"He's a pretty good guy once you get past the horns, Fire Eyes," Varric explained.

"Still. Malcolm and Karl! You get off that man this instant!" The boys immediately stopped laughing, and looked at their mother. The Qunari knelt down, and they let go of his horns and stood in front of her. "Did you ask him to play, or did you just jump on him?"

"We wanted to be like you and Aunt Adia!" Malcolm explained. "When you killed the Arishok." Melody saw Bull's eyebrow go up, but she mouthed "later" to him.

"Well, he's not the Arishok; he's part of the Inquisition. So apologize right now." The boys turned, heads bowed a bit."

"Sorry," they chorused. He placed his large hands on their heads, smiling.

"Hey, it's all right. Tell you what: If your mother says it's okay, we can play later." They looked up, and Amber knew she couldn't tell them no.

"That's fine. But get back to your father, and no running off this time." They laughed and went running back towards the camps, where Anders met them coming up the path. He looked uncertain, but she made a shooing motion, and he nodded and headed off with the boys. "So, you must be Hawke." Bull continued, looking her up and down. "I thought you were a redhead?"

"No, I got the red eyes, not the red hair. If you'll excuse me, Inquisitor, I'd like to talk to my sons about not wandering around here. I'll see you later."

"Of course," Melody agreed, watching the other mage head off to follow her family. Varric turned to Cassandra, who seemed still confused about what she'd just seen.

"Know what I think? If Fire Eyes had been at the Temple, she'd be dead too. You people have done enough to her." Then he walked off after her, and Cassandra turned to Melody.

"I didn't know she had a family. Why didn't he write about that? Or tell me?"

"Because I think he was afraid you'd go after her anyway," the mage answered.

"And you would have," Bull spoke up. "The Chantry would've demanded it."

"I... Yes, they would have. And apparently both of them would've turned down our offer." Then she sighed heavily. "But Varric is right: We do have an Inquisitor. Once who has brought us much hope. And now with Hawke-"

"Amber. Please call her Amber."

"With Amber here, maybe we can figure out how to beat Corypheus."

"Maker willing, that's exactly what we'll do," Melody vowed.