Her head pounding, Claire winced as she tried to open her eyes. She wondered if it was like what a hangover felt like, since, having never been drunk, she had no personal experience, but it was at least able to be dulled with magic. She felt Anders sleeping beside her and slowly moved so she could snuggle him, not wanting to think about the previous night. She would enjoy the calm and quiet before unpacking those emotions.
Anders wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer as he smiled. "Good morning, love." He murmured.
"Good morning." She kissed him on the nose. "I feel like a herd of cattle ran me over. Did you have to carry me all the way back?"
"If it was anyone else, I'd have left them with Hawke." He laughed. "But for you, I'd carry you to the ends of Thedas if I had to."
"Feeling a bit sentimental?" She asked.
"I watched you almost kill yourself in order to help a man try to rescue his mother from a complete madman. You put yourself through so much just to help others. How can I not be head over heels in love with you?"
"You've been in love with me for how many years now?" She asked. "And you still can act like it's new. I know... I feel the same. I look at you, and I wonder how the Maker ever blessed me so much to let you love me as much as I love you. We could die tomorrow, and I will have no regrets."
"I'm glad to hear you say it." Anders said. "I wish we could just lie here all day, and not do anything..."
"But the people of Darktown need help."
"The way things are going, it won't be much longer, will it?" He put his hand on her face, making her scars tingle, and she nodded.
"We have time yet, though, I'm sure." She said. She'd hold off on telling him about the Qunari for a bit, but she still wasn't sure what she was going to do about it. She would probably just have to let it run its course so she could be certain Hawke would be made Champion, but what would happen with Isabela? She was fun to hang out with at the Hanged Man, playing cards, but Hawke didn't seem to be super close to her, would he convince her to give up the tome and stay? Would he fight for her?
"You're thinking quite loudly, love." Anders said, looking concerned. "Is something wrong?"
"I was just thinking about everything that's happened, and what's going to happen..." She said quietly. "Hawke has already been through so much, what else is in his future?"
"You know something of it, don't you?"
"Just a little." She shrugged. "Another battle, with the Qunari, involving the whole city. We'll all be affected by it, not just Hawke. It needs to happen, though, the Arishok must die by Hawke's hand. Just... all those people..." She suddenly started crying, feeling her emotions bubbling to the surface again. She couldn't stop it and she knew she had to deal with it.
"It's all right, love, I'm here." Anders said, hugging her tight. "We'll save as many as we can."
"It... it's not j-just that!" She cried. "Everything... H-Hawke's mother, the other m-mages caught by the T-Templars, the Wardens..." She started crying harder, so hard it was difficult to breathe or think, all she could do was sob while Anders held her.
When she started calming down, she said, "I'm sorry, I wish I was stronger..."
"Hush, you're too hard on yourself." Anders said. "You have every right to be upset, and you're stronger than you think. How else could you have made it as far as you have? I will be right here beside you until the end, don't just rely only on yourself."
"Thank you." She buried her face into the nape of his neck and tried to relax. "I keep shoving my emotions to the back, ignoring them, but I can't anymore or I'll never heal properly and I'll lose it at the worst possible moment. I don't know what I would do without you."
"Same..."
"Can we just lie here all day?"
"You can, and I would recommend it, but I'm sure there are patients I need to help."
She sighed. "One of these days, I'm going to steal you away to a place you can't escape from and force you to have a vacation, whether Justice wants to or not. I know he's impatient, but he should trust me, that things will work out the way they need to, and let you have your free time."
"You know time works differently for spirits in the Fade."
"Yes, I was trapped in the Fade for three days!" She laughed. "One of these days, I will figure out how to separate you two... then Justice can be back where he belongs, happy and free."
"You're a miracle." Anders looked in her eyes, then kissed her again.
"Only for you." She smiled.
It had been two weeks since Leandra had been murdered and Hawke was barely living. He spent most of his time at the Hanged Man, and Claire felt horrible for him. All he had left was his uncle Gamlen, and Gamlen's daughter that neither of them knew about yet, so Claire started visiting more often. With how Fenris acted around Hawke, perhaps she could convince him to do something more than wait three years to complete a romance with the poor man.
Then one day, Hawke came down to the clinic, looking slightly more energetic than before, and Claire wondered what had happened.
"Are you two busy?" Hawke asked when Anders walked over to him.
"No more than usual." Anders said. "Did something happen?"
"Do you remember Feynriel?"
"Oh! That elf-blooded boy!" Claire exclaimed. Both Anders and Hawke turned to look at her, confused.
"Did Anders tell you?" Hawke asked.
"I um, yes, I may have mentioned him before." Anders said, covering for Claire. She felt her cheeks get hot as she nodded.
"Did something happen to him?" Claire asked.
"He's in the Circle, I thought it would be the best place for him, but..." Hawke shrugged. "The Circle has failed him. Arianni says he fell into a nightmare two days ago, and that the Keeper says he's a throwback to ancient magic, that he can shape the Fade, and I thought..."
"Because of my abilities?" Claire asked.
"Come with me into the Fade to help him, please." Hawke said.
"Of course, but you do realize, if he truly is a somniari, a Dreamer, then he cannot stay in the Circle and I will take him far away from here, yes?" Claire didn't know what she was going to do with Feynriel, since she was probably his best bet outside of going to Tevinter. Who better to learn from than another somniari, if that's what she even was?
"I understand." Hawke said. "Let's go now, then. The Keeper is waiting."
Anders kept glancing at Claire, wondering what she would do in the Fade. He'd not been in the Fade with her in years, not since Justice... he wished he'd gotten time to ask her what she knew about Feynriel, and if something was going to happen. They were almost to the Alienage, where Hawke said the Keeper would meet them, so he didn't have much time left. Arianni was waiting outside, but the Keeper hadn't made it yet.
"The Keeper will be here soon." Arianni said when Hawke approached her. "Thank you again for coming."
"You remember Anders?" Hawke asked and Arianni nodded, so Hawke continued. "I'd like you to meet his wife, Claire. She has... experience in this area that I think will be useful." Arianni looked at Claire awkwardly and nodded. They stood around in awkward silence for a moment before Keeper Marethari came walking down the steps to the Alienage. Anders noticed Claire regarding with a strange expression and again he wished he could ask her about it. Arianni motioned for them to go inside.
"I came quickly, Arianni." The Keeper said. "I did not wish to tell you by letter how grave your son's situation is. The magic he possesses makes him what the Tevinters called "somniari," a dreamer. Dreamers have the power to control the Beyond, what humans call "the Fade." Feynriel is the first in two ages to survive." Claire stifled a giggle, making the Keeper glance sharply at her.
"This is not a laughing matter." The Keep said.
"There are others, Keeper." Claire said. "Feynriel is not the first, he is the fourth, at least." The Keeper's eyes widened.
"How would a shem know of such things?" Arianni asked.
"Because that is what I am." Claire said. "But I would appreciate it if you told no one. I am trying to help people, and when they realize the extent of my abilities, they become afraid, which helps no one."
"Yes, of course, your secret is safe with us." Marethari said. "And so you know what must be done."
"Yes." Claire said. "He is being plagued by demons, and he must realize it himself. Hawke will be there to guide him through it, as the one he trusts, and I will be there to safeguard them all." Hawke gave her a smile, and the Keeper nodded.
"Then let us prepare."
Once they were in the Fade, Anders lost control to Justice, but unlike in the physical world, he wasn't unconscious for it, just watching, like a puppet in his own body.
"Hello, Justice." Claire said. "We haven't really talked since Amaranthine." She laughed. "But, one of these days, you will return to the Fade."
"It is good to feel the breath of the Fade again, not the empty air of your world." Justice said. "It would please me to return, once our work is complete."
"Not much longer." She said.
"I cannot blame Anders for feeling as he does for you." Justice continued. "Your aid has helped us greatly." Anders sighed internally, since there was so much more to how he felt about Claire than just her help. Even if she did nothing, he would still love her.
"Come on, let's go before Hawke gets impatient." Claire said. Hawke rolled his eyes. They walked through the Gallows, to the courtyard in the Templar quarters, where Torpor was waiting for them.
"Torpor!" Claire said, grinning as she greeted the demon. "Fancy meeting you here."
"Why have you come?" Torpor asked. "Do you think you can free the boy? There are others here, more powerful than I am."
"Oh come on, you know me better than that, surely." Claire said. "Do you really think they're any match for me? I defeated my first Pride demon decades ago. I've even defeated a Despair demon. If you want to continue to exist, leave now, or I will kill you as well. I will let nothing touch Feynriel."
"Do not let it leave!" Justice yelled. "It is a demon, and must be destroyed."
"I agree." Hawke said, pulling out his sword. Claire shrugged apologetically as Torpor fought back against the spirit and the rogue. Anders never knew she spoke to demons as well, and found himself slightly disturbed by it. Yet another thing to talk to her about.
"I apologize." Claire said, once Torpor was gone. "I know I have a strange relationship between spirits and demons."
"How is it you speak to demons?" Hawke asked.
"They have no power over me, and I find them interesting to talk to." Claire shrugged. "I have killed my fair share, they're not all afraid of me, but still, if you know how to deal with them, they're not too bad. But come, Feynriel doesn't have much time left. You need to get him to realize what's going on. If you just blurt it out, it'll be a shock to him, so tread carefully." Hawke nodded and they moved on to the next room, where Hawke became Arianni and was faced with Feynriel speaking with his father.
Hawke was able to get Feynriel to realize what was going on, and the Desire demon snapped its tail as it stared at the intruders.
"You may have cost me a Dreamer, but I will still have a death!" It yelled, and then Claire struck it down with a green Fade spike through the head.
"Yes, you will still have death." Claire said with a sigh. "Two more demons." She turned and walked away. Anders had never seen someone defeat a demon so easily, and wondered how needed he and Hawke even were.
"You mean to tell me you can just kill demons that easily?" Hawke was in disbelief as he followed after Claire. "Why don't you just kill all the demons then?"
"I will, but only after you have helped Feynriel realize it's a demon." Claire said. "His mind needs to be strengthened, and killing a demon while it has a hold on him will weaken him and prevent him from defeating demons on his own."
"I... suppose." Hawke frowned.
"A Rage demon, after the Dreamer." Justice growled as they got back into the courtyard, but even as the Rage demon appeared, Claire had already killed it and was moving quickly to the next room. Hawke gave Anders a look, but Justice was unimpressed.
"What, do you have a problem with her?" Hawke asked.
"She has not disclosed everything to Anders." Justice said. "There is much she hides, and it is obvious the more we are in the Fade with her."
"I'm sure there's a reason for it."
"She has not even told you she sees the future." Justice growled. "She knows what lies on the horizon." Hawke doesn't need to know! Anders yelled. Justice looked up and saw Claire glaring at him, and Anders knew she'd heard.
"We're here for Feynriel." She said. "We can talk later."
"You are a goddess." Hawke said. "And yet you walk with us mortals..."
"I am not a goddess!" She snapped. "Come on, focus, please. Feynriel needs you." Hawke nodded slowly and entered the door where the Keeper was talking to the Dalish, calling Feynriel their savior. Like before, Hawke was able to get Feynriel to see that it wasn't the Keeper, and the Pride demon turned on the group. This one, Claire trapped in a green cage before shooting spikes into it until it died.
"Feynriel is waiting for us in the courtyard." Claire said, sounding tired. Anders wondered if it was just because she didn't want to deal with Hawke knowing her secrets, but he couldn't do anything to comfort her and Justice didn't see any reason for it. He didn't think she should be hiding as much as she was, despite how much he appreciated her efforts.
"Thank you." Hawke said. They walked to the courtyard and saw Feynriel looking around the Fade, like he'd finally gotten it.
"I'm not sure if this is real." The boy said. "If so, it is the second time I owe you my life. The Fade feels different now. I see the stitches, the seams holding it together. I feel I could wake at any moment." Claire smiled.
"You're a dreamer, Feynriel, and so you have the power to shape the Fade, the same as me." Claire said. "You must master your powers, and you have a couple options. Come with me, or got to Tevinter."
"What do you mean, you're a Dreamer too?" Feynriel asked.
"I am, yes." Claire said. "I have a castle hidden away that I've been trying to make as a commune for mages. There are perhaps twenty mages there now, most of them formerly tranquil. I can take you there, if you like, and help you gain better understanding of your magic."
"That would be fantastic!" Feynriel grinned. "Thank you, and thank you, Hawke, for everything."
"I'm just glad we could help." Hawke said.
"I'll come get you as soon as I can, so be ready." Claire said. Feynriel nodded.
"Please, could you give my mother my farewell?" The boy asked, and Hawke nodded. Feynriel turned and looked around. "I can do this." He then walked forward and disappeared, allowing Claire and the others to wake as well.
Arianni was happy to hear her boy would be fine, though sad to hear he'd be leaving, and Anders was glad to have use of his body back instead of being a passenger in his own skin. As they left the Alienage, Claire turned to him.
"I need to go get Feynriel now." She said.
"Please, let me go with you?" Hawke asked. "I want to see this castle for myself."
"I... suppose I could, but after I get Feynriel." Claire said "I will meet you at the clinic, and we'll all go together."
"Take care, and watch the Templars." Anders said.
"No fear, love, I know what to do." She smiled, looked around to make sure no one was watching, and disappeared.
"I doubt I'll ever get used to that." Hawke said. "So... tell me, she knows the future?"
"It would be better if you talk to her about that yourself." Anders said. "I don't like going behind her back, telling all her secrets."
"Justice had no problem with it." Hawke chuckled. "Very well, then, I'll wait. Maker, how did you manage to con her into marrying you?"
Anders bristled at that. "I told you before, we met as teenagers, before she knew what the extent of her powers were. I don't know why she loves me, but I'm not going to question it, nor will I take her for granted."
"I'm sorry, I meant it as a joke." Hawke sighed. "I admit I'm a bit envious, that you managed to find someone to love you unconditionally, and here I am, painfully still single. I can't even get someone to go past a one night stand, apparently."
"What about Fenris?" Anders asked. "I thought for sure he was going to make a move, the way he's been hanging off you."
Laughing, Hawke shook his head. "He has made no indication to me that he wants to progress past friendship."
"I'm sorry." They continued walking in silence until Hawke spoke up.
"How did you two meet? You've only mentioned that you met as teenagers when you escaped the tower, but you've never really told me the story." It was something to fill the air, at least, and it might even help Hawke see his side of things better.
"I stumbled over her in the dark when she was on her way to Tevinter." Anders said. "She looked like a little kid, but she was fourteen, so I thought two going to Tevinter would be better, but... the Templars found me when we got close to Denerim and they found her to be a mage as well. On the way to the tower, one of the Templars told her to run, or he'd stab me. She ran... he chased her down like an animal, and stabbed her, leaving her to die." Anders felt the rage building up in him again and tried to calm down, but it was difficult.
"But she didn't die." Hawke spoke softly.
"No, she survived, and found me in the Fade that night to assure me the Templar had failed." Anders pinched the bridge of his nose. "Surely you can understand why we must do what we do."
"My mother was killed by a mage." Hawke growled. "While yes, I can understand your hatred of Templars, they are still needed! We cannot just get rid of the Circle and allow mages to run free, there must be some control!"
"You cannot judge us all based on the actions of a few!" Anders cried.
"We can still take precautions. You would rather we sit back and do nothing!" Instead of replying, Anders stormed on ahead, furious.