Chapter THIRTY-SIX

They both woke to someone pounding on Fenris's front door. He jumped out of bed first, pulling his underarmour on as he went, greatsword in hand. Aria hurriedly donned her own underarmour, then quickly slapped the rest of her armour on. She trotted down the steps to the foyer, sheathing her daggers as she jogged.

"Ah, there she is! Serah Hawke!" Seneschal Brann's voice called out with false cheer. His eyes regarded her as though she were vermin to be squashed. Aria glared at him.

"What is the meaning of this? Coming here, unannounced-" Aria launched into what was going to be a colorful diatribe, but Aveline stood in the doorway with three other guardsmen. "Aveline?"

"I'm sorry Hawke, but it's urgent. You need to come to the Keep. Now. Good to see you had the sense to keep your armour handy," Aveline replied. "Fenris is welcome to join you."

At this Seneschal Brann heaved a weary sigh of contempt. Aria rounded on him again, mouth open to deliver a barrage but Aveline barked at her.

"Move!"

Aria decided she would do exactly that and jogged to the front of their little entourage. Aveline was forced to remain with the Seneschal. Fenris however, ran right beside Aria, a good few paces ahead of the guardsmen. They went straight through the keep and up to the Viscount's office, since Aria was fairly certain that's who ordered her dragged out of bed.

"Serah Hawke," the Viscount greeted her from his desk. He motioned her to close the doors behind her, though she did so only once Fenris was also in the room. "It is not enough that the Qunari define my political life, they must also infect what I hold personal. It is my son, Seamus. The life you saved he would now squander by converting to the Qun. He has left for the Qunari compound."

He stood and paced in front of the windows behind his desk for a moment, his movements vexed. His face was much gaunter than the last time she had seen him. Dumar's bright blue eyes seemed even brighter, lit with desperation. He looked haggard, despite his finery, and Aria did not covet his position or responsibilities in the slightest.

"Please… Serah Hawke. Convince Seamus to come home."

"The Arishok says nothing good about Kirkwall; yet he accepts conversions?" Aria dubiously asked.

"I cannot understand it!" Viscount Dumar exclaimed, rubbing at his temples with his fingertips as though he had a harsh ache behind his eyes. "Maker knows I've tried! But he landed with what, a few hundred men? Add up the deaths and defections, and the Arishok must need to bolster his ranks. I'm sure my son is quite the symbolic prize," he bitterly stated at the end.

"Was he seen leaving for the compound?" Aria asked, wondering how well she'd have to conceal the boy if and when she brought him back.

"He made no secret of it," Dumar lamented. "I suppose he intended it as another one of his 'statements' about closer relations. Your example inspired him. I might agree, but now is not the time. These matters are…delicate."

"He's politically dangerous, you mean," Aria said then.

"The Office must remain strong, Serah Hawke."

"He is of age. The decision seems…rightly his," Aria played devil's advocate, not solely because her own views of freedom of choice wouldn't allow her any other course, but because she simply didn't want to ever have to go back to the Qunari compound again. It was no secret that the Arishok terrified her to no end.

"I want…to let him find his way. But in my position… He's taken a great deal of inspiration from you. I want to allow his idealism, but not blindly. At best, my opponents will now claim that my office is in Qunari hands. At worst… I lose my son."

Aria sighed. He wasn't going to be dissuaded and she was going to have to go appeal to the bloody oxmen. Fanfuckingtastic. As if shit hadn't hit the fan quite hard enough the past few days.

"Just…try to make the Arishok see this only inflames the situation," Dumar continued when she was silent too long.

"He hasn't exactly been quick to see reason," Aria snarkily stated.

"It is a hope," the Viscount said with a weak smile. "I'm entitled to that, at least."

Aria nodded and turned to take her leave but the Viscount's voice stopped her once more.

"Serah Hawke, I don't want to appear…ungrateful or cruel. I am truly sorry to hear about what happened to your mother, and I wanted you to know, I ordered that Bethany be released into your care for a week's time. I'm terribly sorry to be putting you on the spot like this, but there is no one else I can trust with such grave matters."

Aria nodded over her shoulder at him and took her leave. At this point, she didn't bloody care what the Viscount thought or felt. She was trying to steel her nerves for dealing with the Arishok.

"I'll come with you. Serve as a buffer," Fenris offered as they tromped out of the Viscount's office. His knowledge of the Qun and the Qunari language were a priceless asset, one she was glad to have in her bag of tricks.

Seneschal Brann was just walking into his own office next to Dumar's when they emerged. He glared first at Aria, then at Fenris. "You could have a title and a seat in office, you know."

"I don't care for either of those things," Aria quipped.

"Of course not. You're too busy slumming it with the knife ears," Brann muttered under his breath. Aria stopped cold and stalked silently up to his desk. He was oblivious to her, shuffling through the paperwork stacks that adorned the shining mahogany surface.

"Care to say that a little louder?" Aria softly stated, her words dripping cold fury.

"Pardon?" Brann innocently asked.

Quick as a cat pouncing on a mouse, Aria grabbed him by the throat and lifted him over his desk until his feet dangled. "I'm tired of you privileged little pieces of shit looking down on me while I keep these frivolous things you hold so dear safe. Mind what you say. The next assassination plot I hear concerning your head…well I might just have to ignore it." She tossed him so that his back thudded into the wall and he slid down it, staring wide-eyed and terrified at her. "Go ahead, call your guards."

He shook his head.

"I didn't think so," Aria snarled, turning on her heel and walking out the door.

"I was only going to step in when it was clear you were going to kill him," Fenris rasped as they made their way toward the barracks.

"He needed to be put on his ass. Reminds him of how relatively useless he is in the grand scheme of things," Aria responded.

"A little humility is good for some people," Fenris wryly chuckled.

"Indeed. And Aveline is about to get her dose of it," Aria darkly stated, stalking faster.

"Hawke!" Varric's voice called then, and they waited for him to catch up. "I heard they busted into Fenris's estate after you."

"Aveline assured me she'd buy me a new door," Fenris jested.

"Did she now? That's…something," Varric dubiously stated.

"Well she hasn't yet. But I was hoping the thrashing Hawke is going to give her would include some sort of deal for repairs to damaged property," Fenris smoothly announced, looking over at Aria.

"Did they do that much damage to the door?" Aria asked, aghast. She hadn't exactly checked, herself. She'd been too angry at the lot of them when she stormed through it.

"It was off the hinges and in about six pieces," Fenris darkly replied.

"No doubt at Seneschal Brann's request," Aria griped. "I wouldn't be sad if I ever saw his head on a pike somewhere. Not going to lie."

"He isn't a very affable person, is he?" Varric laughed. "I hear he has a…special elf friend himself."

"Is that why he hates Fenris so much?" Aria queried, genuinely interested.

"I don't think he hates Fenris. I think he hates the fact that you have him," Varric clarified.

"Oh! I guess Brann does seem the type," Aria laughed, winking at Fenris.

"Ha-ha," Fenris deliberately laughed, his eyes squinted slightly with mock malice as he glared at Hawke.

"It's a compliment, you oaf," Aria giggled, her anger and fear dissipating greatly. "On second thought… Fuck Aveline. Thinks she can order me around like one of her patrols… I don't bloody think so. Let's go get this business with the Arishok over with. Varric, can you go get Anders and have him meet us at the docks?"

"Sure thing, Hawke," Varric said, bowing to both of them before immediately taking his leave.

Aria led Fenris to a furniture shop in Hightown not too far from his own house. She had him pick out a new set of front doors, then paid to have them installed right away. She kept the receipt of sale—she was going to issue it to Aveline and insist on going with her when she presented the accounts to Seneschal Brann. Just to rub the insult in. Barge in on her… Fenris's was supposed to be a place she went and no one followed. It was an unspoken agreement between their little fellowship. Aveline had broken it just so Aria could go play the Viscount's Bitch. Aria wasn't about to let that slide.

They met up with Varric and Anders at the docks an hour later. It was just past noon and Aria was hungry, on top of being a basket case. She hated dealing with the damn Arishok. But at least this time, she was a little less scared than she was last time. She'd been through much worse, it seemed.

"Serah Hawke," the Arishok said as she approached, the other Qunari looking at her with much less disdain than they had in the past. It put Aria slightly more at ease. "What do you want?"

"Greetings Arishok," Aria brightly said, "I'm here about the Viscount's son."

"Are you?" the great, beast-like man with enormous bull-like horns on his huge grey and maroon head asked in amusement. "We've been here several years and I have made no threat. Yet, fanatics have lined up to hate us, simply because we exist. But despite lies and fear, bas still beg me to let them come to the Qun. They hunger for purpose. The son has made a choice. You will not deny him that."

Aria sighed and nodded her agreement. "He does make quite the prize doesn't he?"

"He is no prisoner," the Arishok purred in that deep, resounding baritone. He was wise to the trick and he wasn't playing. "He is not even here."

"Then where might I find him? Just to talk of course," Aria hedged, her hands up, anxiety building.

"He went to talk to his father. Ask the Viscount why he would send a letter and you both," the Arishok replied.

Aria had had this happen before. She hung her head, her chin banging her chest as she exasperatedly huffed. "Ungh. Where did the letter tell him to go, dare I ask?"

"They're meeting in the Chantry; a last, pointless appeal I assume," the Arishok said dismissively.

"The Viscount would involve the Chantry?" Anders asked then, incredulous.

"No, he wouldn't," Fenris stated, his insight coming from their brief last meeting with the Viscount earlier that morning.

"No, but we certainly know who would," Aria growled.

"Mother Petrice," Varric snarled under his breath.

"A suspect in many things," the Arishok agreed. "If she has threatened someone under my command again, there is only one response."

"Yes well, not if I get to her first," Aria vowed.

"Justice, Hawke. That's all I ask," The Arishok answered. "Viddathari, those who were not born of but sought the Qun, are under my protection. This offense will demand an answer. I will be watching, Hawke."

"I respect your position, Arishok. I will see that justice is meted out," Aria said as he dismissed them with a wave.

"Where to first?" Varric asked as they hastily left the compound.

"The Viscount. He'll need to know the Mother has involved the Chantry," Aria crossly stated.

They jogged up through Lowtown and back into Hightown. It was good to have something to focus on, but worry nagged at Aria. Bethany wouldn't know where she was or what happened, and Aria hated to be away when she had so little time.

They walked past Seneschal Brann as they entered the Viscount's office. The man had the decency not to look up or acknowledge them.

"Your Excellency," Hawke started as soon as the door was closed. The Viscount stood where she last left him.

"Your tone does not fill me with hope, Serah Hawke," he replied, the corners of his mouth downturned in dismay. "Where is my son?"

"He received a letter at the compound, a letter supposedly from you," Aria informed him.

"I sent no such letter!" Dumar exclaimed. "I would have no need. Not with your assistance."

"I suspected as much," Aria gently stated. "It called him to the Chantry."

"Seamus is missing and the Chantry is involved?" the Viscount said, his hope further fading. "What am I supposed to do now? I can't be seen to move against them."

"Well you can't sit here while your son may be at risk," Aria countered, wishing for the thousandth time this man would just grow a pair already.

"You do not understand the fury it would cause if I sent armed guards to a house of worship. As much as the Chantry influences this office, I cannot be seen to do the reverse! Even…even at this cost. Please, Hawke, find him. You're the only option I have."

"Your Excellency, I cannot guarantee his safety. Mother Petrice has shown she will go to great lengths to provoke war with the Qunari," Aria warned him.

"Do what you must, Hawke," he resignedly stated. "Find him."

Aria bowed and the four of them ran to the Chantry. There were no services, and still flowers adorned the great halls in the wake of Leandra's funeral yesterday. The place seemed abandoned and it felt wrong to Aria. She unsheathed her daggers in anticipation. Seeing no one in the lower pews, Aria went up towards the pulpit and saw the form of a man kneeling. As she approached, she saw that it was Seamus. She reached out to touch him, softly calling his name, but his body fell over and she saw his throat had been cut.

Cursing, she stood and started looking around for the culprits, who undoubtedly were watching. She didn't have to wait long. Petrice emerged, looking up at her with smug indifference.

"Serah Hawke, look at what you have done!" the slippery charlatan announced, several guards behind her. "To pounce upon the Viscount's son, a repentant convert in the Chantry itself! A crime with no excuse. Your Qunari masters will finally answer."

"Oh please," Aria interjected then, rolling her eyes. "This reeks of set-up and the Viscount already knows you're behind it. This is low, even for you, Petrice."

"He deliberately denied the Maker," Mother Petrice shot back. "How many would follow if he went unpunished? And yet, even this sympathiser will inspire vengeance when his brutal murder is exposed."

"Do you understand what you have just done, you fucking moron?" Aria roared at her. "This isn't going to get the Qunari out of Kirkwall! You've just started a war, a war where innocent people will die! The slaughter is on your hands, Petrice. Not mine."

"To die untested would be the real crime," Mother Petrice fired back. "People need the opportunity to defend faith! Starting with you. Faithful! The Maker calls on you now! Earn your reward in this life and the next! These heretics must die!" Mother Petrice howled then.

"Riiiight, no rest for the wicked," Aria balefully stated.

"That went well," Varric glibly added, nocking a triplet of bolts onto Bianca and taking out two of the peasants Mother Petrice sent to do her dirty work.

They launched into battle, which wasn't all that much of a challenge. Petrice sent peasants and green-horn guards at seasoned, battle-tested warriors. It was a slaughter Aria was reluctant to join. For the most part, she did her best to simply disarm and render those who attacked her unconscious, not dead.

They cornered Petrice on the landing and stopped when Grand Cleric Elthina made an appearance.

"Do you see, Your Grace?" Petrice shrilly cried, pointing at Aria and her companions. "Traitors attacking the very core of the Chantry. They defile with every step!"

Aria rolled her eyes and Varric spat on the ground next to her. Behind her, Fenris sighed angrily and Anders just glared at the wayward Mother.

"There is death in every corner, young Mother. It is as you predicted, all too well," Grand Cleric Elthina said as she stepped towards Hawke, her eyes benevolent.

Aria bowed slightly, then looked over at Petrice. "She suspects you, Petrice. Quick, lie harder."

"Don't you spout your Qunari filth!" Mother Petrice snapped at Aria. "This is a hand of the Divine!"

"I have ears, Mother Petrice," Elthina coldly interjected, her grey eyes icy as they regarded the younger matron. "The Maker would have me use them."

"Viscount Dumar's son is dead, killed here in your name," Aria informed Elthina.

"I'm sure my name won't like that. Petrice?" Elthina said then, turning back to the errant member of her flock.

"Seamus Dumar was a Qunari convert. He came here to repent and was murdered!" Mother Petrice spoke half the truth.

"It's a ruse, Your Grace. Seamus was killed to set the people against the Qunari," Aria interjected.

"This is no longer a matter of heathens squatting in the dark!" Petrice exclaimed, her voice hinting at desperation. "People are leaving us to join them!"

"And we must pray for them, like any other," Grand Cleric Elthina gently rebuffed.

"They deny the Maker!" Petrice said with genuine conviction, a zealot's blinkered, myopic view of the world.

"And you diminish him, even as you claim his side!" Elthina rounded on Petrice. "Andraste did not volunteer for the flame," she added, then turned to Aria. "Serah Hawke, you stand with the Captain of the Guard?"

Aria nodded. "I can send for her."

Grand Elthina also nodded. "The young Mother has erred in her judgment. The court will decide her fate. The Chantry respects the law, and so must she," Elthina addressed this last bit to Petrice, then silently started back up the stairs.

"Grand Cleric?" Petrice heartbrokenly entreated. "Grand Cleric?!"

Elthina did not turn back as she continued her ascent up the steps. Petrice turned to glare at Hawke, but a split second later, an arrow of Qunari branding buried itself clean through her sternum with a dull, satisfying "thunk". Aria turned to see one of the Qunari soldiers standing in the shadows. He drew another arrow and sent this one between Petrice's eyes as she fell to her knees.

"We protect those of the Qun," the soldier said as he faced Hawke. She nodded in response, and he continued, "We do not abandon our own."

They all watched the Qunari soldier leave the Chantry. No one followed, for he had done what none of them could. He'd rendered justice, and not a one of them were going to fault him for it.

"Please," Grand Cleric's voice sounded again from the landing, and Aria turned to face her. "Send for Viscount Dumar."

Aria bowed and looked over at Varric and Anders. "Anders, you need to go. This might get ugly, now that the Chantry and by extension, the templars, are involved. Varric, get Aveline and have her bring the Viscount."

Anders and Varric hastily made their exit while Fenris and Aria went back up to the altar next to which Seamus's body rested. Aria sighed and repositioned him so that he looked at peace, his hands over his chest, his eyes closed.

Viscount Dumar ran in a mere ten minutes later, with Varric and Aveline right behind him. His eyes landed on the body of his son and he collapsed next to the young man, cradling his head in his lap.

"My son… Murdered in the heart of the Chantry by those who held a sacred trust," Dumar bitterly wept. "What hope for this city, when we fail our own so completely?"

"The Arishok is still here, Excellency," Aria said as gently as she could. "Kirkwall needs you ready to face him."

"I cannot!" Dumar sobbed, cradling his son closer. "I have already failed where it mattered most." He lost his voice in the wake of his grief. Aria felt his pain as her own. She knew what that kind of failure felt like. It took all the joy out of life. It made everything else one did seem…futile and unimportant. "Please," Dumar sobbed again when Aria was silent. "Leave me."

Aria bowed and sadly strode out of the Chantry, her heart heavy and her mind whirling. It made her sick to her stomach. There would no doubt be war with the Qunari after this. Her mind turned to Bethany then, and seeing how fragile life was yet again, it spurred Aria into a run. She wasn't going to miss out on a second more. Her sister was all that mattered today.

"Hawke!" Aveline's voice sounded behind her.

Fenris chuckled. "Shall I be the mediator?" he said low so only Aria could hear.

"No. I'll handle it," Aria replied, kissing him on the cheek before she rounded on Aveline. "Guard-Captain, I'm not in the mood to talk right now. This is your only warning."

Aveline stopped a few paces from her, reading the fury that radiated from Aria's eyes. "They ordered you brought in."

"I wasn't aware that I was on retainer. I wasn't aware that I answered to the Guard, or even to the Viscount. I wasn't aware that Kirkwall is detaining whoever the hell they want at the Viscount's behest now. I'm not a puppet to do everyone's bidding," Aria shot down her excuse. "And by the way," she said, fishing into her pocket for the bill of sale. "I need to be reimbursed for that little stunt." She tossed the paper at Aveline, not even bothering to see if she picked it up.

Fenris looked back at Aveline for a moment as Aria stalked away. The Guard-Captain sighed and picked up the bill of sale.

"I'm sorry, Fenris. Seneschal Brann—"

"Is a twit. Next time, if I don't answer, just assume I'm not home. And also assume that Aria isn't there as well. If he makes one more snide comment about how our involvement is hindering her advancement in Kirkwall political and social circles, he may have a sudden massive heart attack."

Aveline grunted in exasperation and trudged back up the steps to the Keep. Fenris jogged to catch up to Aria.

When they reached the Hawke estate, most of the lamps had been lit. It was early evening and the sun was just beginning to set on the western horizon. A few people on evening strolls waved greetings to them, a surprise to both Fenris and Aria.

Bodahn opened the door as soon as he heard the scuff of their boots on the steps. "Mistress Hawke! So glad to see you've returned! Mistress Bethany has been so worried," Bodahn cheerily greeted them, taking their cloaks and weapons.

Bethany and Gamlen both rushed to greet Aria. Gamlen even shook Fenris's hand in greeting. Bethany hugged him. Aria almost laughed at the obvious discomfort this all caused him, but he handled it gracefully.

"We've had so many visitors today," Bethany said as Aria sat down and started unlacing her boots.

"I don't doubt it; many things happened today," Aria grunted in reply.

"Supper's just about ready," Orana said then as she popped her head in from the dining room. "Welcome home, Mistress, Ser," she greeted them both before disappearing again.

"Fantastic! I'm famished," Aria gratefully exclaimed, kicking off the boot she'd just finished unlacing and started in on the other.

"So? What news?" Gamlen asked.

"Well, I'm not going to lie, it's bad," Aria replied. "A Mother in the Chantry lured the Viscount's boy into the Chantry and murdered him. Tried to frame me in the process, but she was a poor conspirator. Oh, and…this nice little turn of events will probably lead to all-out war with the Qunari. The Viscount has officially checked out of reality and now exists wallowing in his own failures, so… No one's really in charge at this point."

"Sweet Andraste!" Gamlen cried. "Are you sure?"

"Well no. But from the signs I'm reading, and I've been up close and personal with them, that's what it's all pointing to," Aria said, kicking the other boot off.

"It is indeed," Fenris added for Gamlen and Bethany's benefit. "The Arishok grows restless and he's like to replenish his waning ranks with whatever people he can find."

"Why doesn't he just leave already?!" Bethany groused, picking up Aria's boots and setting them next to the hearth. She wrinkled her nose.

"Shut up. I've been busy," Aria spoke to her expression.

"That is the million-sovereign question," Fenris said, a slight, cocky smile turning up the corners of his lips on one side of his terribly delicious mouth.

"Blight take them all," Gamlen growled.

"Serah Hawke?" one of the templar jailors that shadowed Bethany asked then. Aria recognized him immediately as Ser Kerran, a former templar recruit who Aria had saved from becoming an abomination her first year in Kirkwall.

"Kerran! I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you at first," Aria chirped and walked over to him. They gripped forearms in greeting.

"It is a pleasure to see you again. If I may," Kerran said, looking between them all. "I would like to relay this information to the Knight-Commander. If the situation is as dangerous as you say, it would behoove you and improve our chances at survival to have the templars ready for battle."

"I don't know if it's quite going to come to that," Aria back pedaled slightly, "But if you think it would help, by all means, go."

"Right away, messere," Kerran said, bowing slightly. He looked over at his slightly wide-eyed companion. "The Hawkes are good folk. No harm will come to you. I'll return as quickly as possible."

"What's your name, lad?" Aria asked the other guard once Kerran had made his exit.

"Gerrault," the young man said with the slight hint of an Orlesian accent. Aria fought the shudder that went up her spine. She hated Orlesians. That reminded her…tomorrow she'd need to track down Hubert.

"Well, Ser Gerrault, would you like to join us for supper?" Aria asked him as she made for the stairs.

"That's very kind of you, messere. Indeed I would," the young man replied in earnest. He was very tall, wiry of build, and he had vivid blue eyes under a dark mop of coal-black hair. His skin was dark from many days spent training in the sun.

"Well alright then," Aria grinned, her gaze meeting Bethany's, who was beaming. "Go ahead and get yourselves seated; I'm going to freshen up."

It occurred to Aria as she entered her room that she'd left Fenris alone with her family. It also occurred to her that he was having supper with them, something he hadn't done before. Despite the overwhelming sadness she'd justifiably felt the past couple of days following Mother's gruesome death, her spirit was high. Her house felt like a home tonight, something that had never really occurred to her in the few years she'd lived here.

Aria changed into a night gown suitable for being around family and donned her fine robe over it. She noted that the kettles were full of water and waiting next to the hearth. Smiling, Aria put them on the hooks above the coals before she went down and joined everyone.

As she walked into the dining room, laughter and conversation greeted her ears. The sight before her was even better. A beautiful roasted turkey sat at the center of the great table, flanked all around by platters of freshly baked bread, some baked beans with Orana's signature sauce, blankets of greens, and a cheese tray laden with a Thedas taste tour. Three different wines occupied the flagons around the table. A few casserole dishes were present as well, no doubt left by the nicer nobles.

Aria sat at the head of the table, Fenris to her right, Bethany to her left, and she tucked in to the meal heartily. Kerran returned just as Gamlen started to carve the turkey and was delighted when Aria demanded he join them.

They ate, chattering about common Kirkwall gossip. They speculated about the fate of the city, but Aria noticed one thing: They all had hope. It made her smile to herself. As she looked around the table, it occurred to her that right here, right now, templars broke bread with mages, elves and dwarves sat as equals, and most precious of all, she had her family around her. This was what she wanted. This was how the world was supposed to be. Her grin widened, her mirth genuine, her heart full of hope.

When Orana brought the decadent chocolate cake out for dessert, Aria had to excuse herself. She was full and tired, and that bath water upstairs was probably boiling. Bethany followed her, along with her now not-so-silent guards, chatting away about people in the circle.

"Let me get that, Hawke," Kerran said as Aria went to the hearth.

"A templar preparing my bath? It is a strangely wonderful day indeed," Aria laughed as she allowed him to lug the heavy kettles over to the tub.

"We'll step outside. Let us know when you are finished," Gerrault said when Kerran put the empty kettles next to the hearth once more.

"Actually, I think tonight I'm going to…sleep in Mother's room," Bethany said. "You've had a long day, sister, and I don't want to keep you from your creature comforts."

"Are you sure, Bethany?" Aria asked, unnerved by the thought of entering her mother's room. It just felt…wrong to her. But then, Bethany hadn't seen what she'd seen. She wasn't about to destroy what good memories Bethany had left, and if she was comforted by staying there, Aria wouldn't protest.

"Yes. I like Mother's room. It's…peaceful and comforting," Bethany sweetly replied. "Good night, sister."

Aria strode over and hugged her. "Good night, sister."

Bethany went across the hall and into Mother's room. Her templar escort followed. She closed the door and Aria decided the water in her bath needed to cool. She went back downstairs and found Bodahn, Fenris, and Gamlen playing Wicked Grace in the study.

Aria took a bottle of wine from the wine rack next to the book case and settled herself on the dais by the fire. She watched them play, joining in on their conversations about women, battles, and drinking where appropriate until Bodahn took his leave. Gamlen went to his guest bedroom shortly after that, leaving Aria and Fenris alone together.

"That was a…surprisingly pleasant evening," Fenris said as he sat next to her on the dais. He took the bottle as she offered it and drank deeply before passing it back.

"Indeed it was," Aria happily sighed. "What a crazy day."

"Your bath is probably getting cold," Fenris said then.

"You could always do your brand thing and warm it back up for me," Aria teased, finishing the bottle of the wine.

"I could…" Fenris replied. "But others might talk."

"Sod them all. They broke into your mansion to drag me out of your bed this morning. I think it's no longer a secret," Aria laughed.

"Oh the scandal," Fenris mockingly stated.

Aria lightly kicked him and he pinned her to the dais, the empty bottle falling to the floor with a resounding clatter. She laughed again and he rolled so that they lay facing each other on their sides. He tucked a flyaway behind her ear.

"It was nice to get out of the dark, hopelessness that plagues me for a while," she said after a moment.

"But it's returned?" Fenris softly rasped, his fingers tracing lazy patterns up the outside of her thigh under her robe.

"Not yet, but I know that…when I wake in the morning, we could very well be at war with the Qunari."

"They are few in number. Yes, the destruction will probably be devastating, since we know they have Gaatlok… But ultimately, Kirkwall will win."

"That's rare," she giggled then, playfully nipping the tip of his nose.

"What?" he indignantly chuckled.

"You being an optimist."

Fenris grunted at this. "I'm a realist. And realistically, we'll still win. They're powerful, but this city has you, that cantankerous Guard-Captain, a Circle of Magi, a psychotic Knight-Commander, and a crazy elven blood mage. The Qunari won't win."

"You forgot the broody Tevinter elf with a penchant for wielding a greatsword and a heartbreakingly handsome face."

He chuckled at this. "I'll never understand what you see in me, but I'm grateful for it all the same."

"Bathe with me, and I'll show you what I see," she saucily whispered.

"An offer I cannot in good conscience refuse," he rasped, kissing her hotly on the mouth.