Chapter FORTY-TWO

They loaded up the coach themselves, drawing several curious gazes from onlookers. Aria's new armour drew most of the attention. The chest plate was black, emblazoned with her newly adopted family crest, two scarlet hawks facing each other, talons intertwined and wings outstretched. The shoulder armour protruded with small scarlet spikes that were designed to deflect blows. The gauntlets were light but made of a superbly strong, enchanted metal, and the fingertips were imbued with lyrium for protection against magical attacks. The boots and shin guards were made of the same superior metal and had been enchanted as well, along with lyrium.

"Pardon me, I know you're busy with your travels, but are you the Champion of Kirkwall?" a wealthy-looking middle-aged man asked her as they prepared to enter the carriage.

Fenris moved beside her protectively and the man nodded at him, his smile courteous. He seemed unperturbed by the elf's presence.

"Who is asking?" Aria suspiciously queried.

"I am Teyrn Bryce Cousland, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," the man said, extending his hand. He had light brown hair, kind eyes, and the lines around his mouth told of his easiness to smile. Aria had heard many good things about the man, including the sentiment that many held about his better ability to rule than King Cailan. "I understand you've visited the castle. I wish I had known—I'd have loved to have hosted you."

Aria took his proffered hand with an apologetic smile. "Teyrn Cousland. The pleasure is all mine. Aria Hawke, at your service. And this is my significant other, Fenris."

Cousland extended a hand to Fenris without hesitation and they shook. "I've heard of you as well, messere. It is an honour," he said to the elf.

"Likewise," Fenris gruffly replied, his eyes still cautious.

"Word traveled quickly across the sea that you defeated a Qunari leader in single combat. Is that story true?" Cousland asked Aria.

"It is. It was a battle for the ages," Fenris answered for her, his arm sliding through hers. Aria smiled at him and brought her other hand up to rest on his forearm.

"I wish I had seen it," Cousland chuckled. "I would like to extend an invitation; you both will always be welcome at Castle Cousland. When it suits you, send me word, as my wife and I would be delighted to host you in our estate. It would seem Ferelden has birthed many heroes as of late."

"I will bear that in mind. Thank you, m'lord," Aria politely said, inclining her head.

"Safe travels," Cousland replied, bowing slightly.

"Teyrn Cousland?" Fenris rasped once they'd entered the coach and were underway. "He's practically a king."

"He's a good man, if the stories all have it right," Aria amiably replied. "I've heard naught said badly of him."

"He seems a genuinely good man, at first meeting," Fenris agreed.

They sat closely together as the coach rumbled through the countryside. Aria couldn't help the thrill she felt at the familiarity of the fields and villages. She was back in Ferelden. Her home. Every pauper they passed, every farmer, every smith, every washer woman, every child at play, every beggar, and every seamstress—they were her kinsmen.

"So…" Fenris said after nearly two hours of comfortable silence. "Significant other?"

Aria laughed. "Well, I didn't quite know what to say, but I wanted to convey your import."

"I'm…quite satisfied with that, actually," he stated, smoothing her hair.

Aria sighed and rested her head on his chest, mindful of the spikes on his shoulder armour. She inspected several deep gouges. "We need to find an armourer and get this repaired."

"Aria," he said, somewhat sharply, lifting her chin so he could look in her eyes. "We're on holiday."

At this, Aria burst into laughter, the song-bird type that Fenris loved most. "Indeed we are."

"Why do I have the feeling we're both just going to get bored and find some cause to rally to?" he growled after another few moments.

"I don't think either of us knows how to enjoy ourselves without fighting," Aria sadly stated. "What does that say about us?"

"Agh. What does it matter? You're the Champion of Kirkwall. You can do what you wish."

"And you're the reason the Champion of Kirkwall exists," she whispered in response, her eyes following the countryside as they rolled past.

"You give me far too much credit," Fenris murmured, also watching out the coach's windows.

Aria turned to look at him. "You take far too little of it."

He sighed and bumped her shoulder with his. She thumped him on the chest once, then kissed him lightly on the lips.

"Careful—there's not much room to maneuver in here," he huskily whispered when she pulled away.

"I've gotten out of tighter spaces," she giggled.

"I'm sure you have," he rasped, drawing her to him to indulge in a lengthier kiss.

Aria loved this new side of him that only she knew. To everyone else in the world, he was a cold, calculating, gruff, snide, sour character. To her, he was warm, loving, challenging, and beautiful. She smiled at him when he pulled away and she gently touched his face.

"You're the first person to touch me without sending my skin crawling and setting my teeth on edge," Fenris said then, an uncharacteristically open admission. His hand covered hers for a moment, then she placed it back in her lap.

"Hmm?" Aria murmured, puzzled.

"Even casual, unintentional contact from anyone else—it almost—hurts. And I will admit that first night we…made love, it was so. Now…" he snatched her hand again and held the back of it to his cheek, his expression an odd mix of both pleasure and pain, "it's quite pleasant."

"I'm happy for that," Aria softly stated, smiling sweetly at him.

"What is there to do in Denerim? Is it as boring as Kirkwall?" he suddenly asked, keeping her hand but twining their fingers. He rested them on his thigh.

"I've never actually been—at least, not in enough capacity to know what's what. I did go there when I was very, very young, but not old enough to remember," Aria confided.

"Yay adventure," he deadpanned, and Aria laughed again.

Aria sat forward then and dug through one of her satchels. The movement brought a sharp pain to her back, but she ignored it as having sat too long. She produced two books, one a history of The Anderfels, the other a fictitious saga of war, love, and treachery. She handed them to Fenris and predictably, he chose the nonfiction. Aria took up the other, and they both lost themselves to their reading. Occasionally Fenris sought her help in defining words he'd never heard of, but that was a rare occurrence. He literally spent most of his free time with his nose in a book anymore.

Night fell and they stopped in a small village on the Hafter River, just south of the city of Amaranthine. The coach driver told them they could leave the bulk of their luggage in the coach, as it was going to be under heavy guard in the livery all night. The town boasted two inns, and Fenris suggested they choose the less popular one, just to avoid any more unnecessary attention. They unloaded only what they needed for the night from the coach and took their light satchels up to their room. Once done, they supped, and Aria politely asked for water for a bath. Thankfully, it appeared that no one here had heard of her yet. She was grateful of this.

As Aria sat in the bath, relaxing, Fenris laid on the bed on his belly, reading the book she'd given him earlier. She reflected on their relationship, how they were just as comfortable in silence as they were conversing. It was such a stark change of pace. Here they were, simply being together, going somewhere for the hell of it, not because they were ordered to or had to, to survive. She didn't quite know what to make of it or how to feel. Instinctively, her hand moved over her belly as she contemplated these things.

"What is it?" Fenris's voice broke her from her thoughts.

"Hmm?" Aria drowsily asked.

"You've been staring at me but not seeing me for the past ten minutes," he warmly growled, closing the book. He set it on the nightstand and dimmed the lamp's flame. "You're pruny."

Aria sighed and stood, reaching for the bath sheet she'd laid out. She quickly dried off, drained the tub, and pulled on her robe. Then she wiggled under the blankets, and he mimicked her after dousing the lamp. He curled up next to her, his head on her chest. She ran her fingers through his hair and closed her eyes.

"This is what peace feels like," he whispered after a moment.

"I could get used to this," she replied in kind.

He chuckled softly and nuzzled her neck. "I hope we can."

"It's…strange, isn't it?" she said a few minutes later.

"It is. But not…unpleasantly so."

"No, not all."

"Sleep, Aria. We've another boring day tomorrow," Fenris laughed quietly.

"I like boring days," Aria murmured, her eyes closed, her body beautifully relaxed.

ooooooo

They were both awake before sunup the next morning, as was the coach driver, thankfully. They were gone before most of the town had woken up for the day. The driver hoped to be in Denerim by nightfall. Aria paid for two mounts to take, as she was sick of riding in a carriage all day. Fenris was all too happy to agree. It also made it easier on the horses pulling the coach; less weight meant a faster time, and of that the driver was most grateful.

True to estimation, they arrived in Denerim as the sun was setting. Much to Aria's surprise, and dismay, word of her return to Ferelden had already reached Denerim. When had it become so hard to remain anonymous? This was a terrible drawback she had not foreseen nor wanted. Everywhere she went, people waited. This destroyed all of her tactics, and she'd have to adapt. It was maddening.

When they reached the Northwest gate on the Drakon River, a royal escort awaited them. Fenris cocked one eyebrow and smirked sarcastically at Aria as the entourage greeted them. She just shook her head. The King's envoy, Bann Teagan, waited at the front, astride an enormous grey charger. It nearly dwarfed the bay mare she rode up to him. She dismounted and so did Fenris. Bann Teagan came down and bowed to them each in turn.

"Serah Hawke, Champion of Kirkwall, and her noble consort, Fenris, it is my perspicuous pleasure to welcome you to Denerim. King Alistair extends his hospitality, and entreats you to stay at the palace whilst you honour us with your presence in our wonderful city," Bann Teagan announced, more to the crowd that had gathered rather than actually to Aria and Fenris.

Still, Aria was pleased that he acknowledged Fenris. And, she'd be saving coin on lodging. Double win, she thought with a smirk as she grasped Bann Teagan's forearm in greeting. "Thank you, messere. It is good to be home."

Bann Teagan smiled widely at this, and offered his hand in greeting to Fenris. "Word of your skill precedes you, messere."

Fenris inclined his head and gripped the Bann's arm. "It is an honour to be here."

Bann Teagan grinned again and clapped Fenris on the back. He turned to the entourage of guards and noble-looking men and women. "Mount up and onward!"

Aria and Fenris returned to their mounts and rode with her between Fenris and Bann Teagan. The common folk that gathered at the roadside cheered as they rode past, calling both their names. Someone yelled "Birdie!" in the distance behind them and Aria turned in her saddle, wide-eyed, searching almost frantically for a familiar face in the crowd.

Her eyes met with Fenris's and he cocked his head slightly, his expression puzzled. Aria shrugged. If he hadn't heard it, she certainly wouldn't have.

"I must apologize; we aren't as well-prepared as we could be," Bann Teagan was saying.

"Oh, it's no bother. I was trying to stay anonymous in my travels. I guess perhaps I grossly underestimated the celerity with which word spreads," Aria graciously stated, though she was still somewhat ill at ease.

"Indeed! I heard the Arishok was as big as the Archdemon itself!" Bann Teagan hooted.

Aria chuckled at this and Fenris scoffed. "Not even close," Fenris said.

"He was bigger?" Bann Teagan almost squeaked.

"Oh no," Aria cut in. "He was about three or four times my size, no more."

"Still, you engaged him in single combat! I heard the battle was brutal, and extremely long. Some said it lasted more than 8 hours!"

Aria nodded tersely. "That would be accurate."

"King Alistair would love to hear about it," Bann Teagan said in earnest.

"He'll have to tell me about his own battle with the Archdemon first," Aria chuckled.

They reached the fortress that served as the Denerim castle about half an hour later. Aria and Fenris oversaw the unloading of the coach, then went back to their rooms. Yes, rooms. King Alistair had given them a suite that was comprised of two bed chambers, a dining room, a sitting parlor, a small library, and had its own private lawn, complete with a garden and fountain. Fenris took a shower—yes, a shower—and freshened up while Aria went to the enormous gardens the castle boasted.

Several Lords and Ladies greeted her, along with soldiers and merchants. The variety of flowers here made her nearly swoon with the strength of their sweet scents. Bethany would have loved it here. Aria longed to send back some cuttings of the beautiful fauna, but they would not keep long enough for them to be of any use to Bethany. Perhaps she could arrange for some of them to be shipped whole, not just cuttings. She was just making her way back towards their suite, musing about how to do this, when a voice stopped her dead in her tracks.

"Birdie," the voice softly said from several feet away.

Aria spun to face the sound and her hand flew to her mouth as her brows shot up. "Devon!"