Chapter FIFTY-SEVEN

The short trek to the alienage was blessedly uneventful. Most people in the city knew better than to pick any sort of fight with Aria or any of her usual companions by now. Aria realized that she couldn't find any worry within her about leaving Tristan in Isabela's care. Everyone had been so up tight about it, but they had obviously missed what Aria had seen. Didn't they see how she fawned over him? Didn't they realize that Isabela was every bit as dangerous to would-be threats as Hawke was herself? Didn't they pay attention to her stories, or see the wistfulness that stole into her eyes every time they landed on Tristan? Aria did, and there was only one or two others with whom she'd entrust the care of her son.

"You know, I'm supposed to be the broody one," Fenris remarked as they alighted the steps into the alienage.

"I'm not brooding," Aria chirped with false cheer.

"The furrows in your brow say otherwise," he chuckled.

"Why is everyone so hard on Isabela?"

"Oh, I don't know. Could be the fact that she runs from responsibility at every opportunity. Maybe it's because she's a thief and a criminal. Or, it could be the fact that her morals are looser than a Hanged Man tavern wench."

"And people think you don't have a sense of humor," Aria giggled as they approached the tall, beautiful tree at the heart of the alienage.

"What exactly are we looking for?" Fenris dubiously queried, circling the tree.

Aria studied the bright red paint that adorned the bottom of the tree. "It's too pretty to have been made into a silly wallop mallet," she said at length, more to herself than anyone else.

A nearby elven man strode purposefully up to her then, wringing his hands slightly. "Wallop mallet? You must be the one I'm supposed to give this note to."

Fenris quickly joined Aria and eyed the man warily. "Another note?" he dubiously asked.

Aria took the note proffered to her. "It's like being in grade school all over again," she quipped, nodding her thanks to the man as she took it. "Did someone ask you to give this to me?"

The elf was well-dressed, his clothes of fine material and his hair and nails markedly well-kept. He definitely wasn't a tenant in the alienage. He had brown eyes and hair, and was several inches shorter than Fenris. He appeared to be many years their senior.

"I was given a few coins to give this note to whoever came around asking about wallop mallets," he replied, matter-of-factly. He continued apologetically, "Unfortunately, the person was hooded and it was dark. I didn't get a good look. Obviously human, though. No mistaking that. Even hooded, you all look alike."

Aria and Fenris watched the other elf go before turning back to the note Aria held in her hand. She opened it and handed it to Fenris when she was done reading. He scanned it quickly, then looked up at her, concern on his handsome features.

"Another warehouse? Because that's not obvious," he groused, handing the note back to her.

Aria stuffed it in her pocket. She had an aversion to warehouses. Especially since...Mother. She shivered despite the relative warmth of the evening and together, they started back for Hightown. The streets were eerily empty in the deepening dark and the merchants had gone home for the evening. Just as they started to ascend the steps towards home, a familiar voice called out.

"Hawke! Fenris!"

Aria and Fenris turned to see Donnic jogging to catch up. They waited for him and he joined them on their trek up the steps to the bridge.

"Real nice night, for an evening," Donnic said as they made their way across the bridge together.

Aria chortled, "What do you think? About blades?"

"Ah, but I do love her," Donnic laughed, clapping Aria on the back.

"I suppose you know where she is right now?" Aria questioned.

"Well, she left the barracks in a tizzy after one of the other guards made mention that you were letting Isabela watch Tristan while you went on some errand in Darktown. I assume she's still there?"

"We're on our way back now," Fenris glowered. "Care to make a wager?"

"Nah—I'll let you keep your money for Wicked Grace next week."

At this, Aria burst into a fit of laughter. "So you are still playing!"

Fenris gave her the side-eye. "He owes me ten silvers."

"And you owe Varric a sovereign," Donnic gleefully stated.

"He knows I'm good for it," Fenris haughtily stated.

"You mean he knows Hawke's good for it," Donnic playfully stated, bumping shoulders with Fenris. Fenris grinned wolfishly in response.

"So how are you two?" Aria interjected, remembering the conversation with Anders earlier. She hated to delve into personal matters. Oh wait, no she didn't. On account of the fact that no one let hers be. She wasn't too much in denial about gleefully digging for dirt on Aveline. Maker knew the ginger had earned it.

At this, the playful light left Donnic's eyes and he sighed ruefully. "You know Hawke, I don't have a clue. Not that you didn't pick up on it already or anything, but she's terribly jealous."

It was Aria's turn to sigh. "If she would talk to me like a normal human being instead of treating me like one of her guardsmen, no offense, maybe I could help. I mean, she doesn't talk to me anymore, she just barks at me. And Maker help anyone who ever dares tell her she's wrong."

"It's because she feels like a complete failure. You lot were already pregnant by the time wedding bells were ringing," Donnic replied. "Honestly, I've half wondered if it isn't me. Or maybe it's both of us. Or maybe we're doing something wrong."

Aria giggled inappropriately at this and snarkily stated, "I mean, you just put the-"

"Hawke, I know where it goes," Donnic chuckled in good humor. "Maybe we're trying too hard."

"Maybe," Aria mused. "If you don't mind my asking, how often do you..." She trailed off, twirling her finger in the air to insinuate that he knew where she was headed with this.

"Every night. Maybe twice a day," Donnic candidly stated.

Aria and Fenris looked at each other, aghast. Not even they, who were rumoured to be rigorous, did the dirty that often.

"Really?" Fenris choked in surprise.

Donnic nodded, his dark eyes sad. "I've tried to suggest that we take a break, but of course then she says I don't love her or I am not as committed to having a family, or that I think she's ugly... Honestly, anymore, I hate sex."

Aria mimed being shot in the heart with an arrow and fell into Fenris, who looked down at her with mock agitation. "I never thought I'd see the day where a man admitted that," she scoffed as she righted herself. She swiftly and lightly kissed Fenris's cheek for his part in her play and they continued towards the bridge.

Once in the middle, they all stopped, each lost to their own thoughts for a few moments. They could hear a scuffle going on at the Blooming Rose. The wind was light and warm and bore the musty, salty scent of the sea. Overhead, a seagull cried out and lazily swung for the harbour. The sky was overcast and looked as though it meant to storm. Aria looked out towards where the harbour lay and caught a glimpse of lightning in the distance.

"I could try to talk to her for you," Aria finally broke the silence.

"I wouldn't ever ask that of you, Hawke. She'd likely try to chop off your head," Donnic said, his demeanor deflating.

"Well, she's like to do that anyway—after leaving her to deal with the arduous task of babysitting Isabela," Fenris stated, and they all nodded in agreement.

"Hey, she chose to do that. Not my problem," Aria defended, kicking at a loose pebble. She watched it skitter over the edge of the bridge and fall into the night.

"What would you even say to her?" Donnic asked, serious.

"I don't know. Probably lead the conversation with the fact that, you know, I've lost one child already. I know what it's like to feel like...a failure in that regard," Aria candidly replied. She cast a glance toward Fenris, and a flash of hurt lit both of their eyes at the memory.

"That's... Actually a good idea," Donnic conceded.

"I occasionally have those," Aria said, nodding. Both Fenris and Donnic chuckled in response.

They continued towards the Amell-Hawke estate. Several nobles and well-to-dos were out on evening strolls. They all greeted the group of friends amiably. Maker, they were a hard bunch with which to fit in, Aria thought. She supposed her proclivity for making fun of them rather than attempting to be more like them had something to do with it. And then, she remembered that she didn't care, and balance was restored.

When they reached the estate, Bodahn was sitting on the front steps with Sandal. The front door was open and there was a duet of loud feminine singing coming from within. Aria could hear Tristan's adorable little voice chiming in with half-formed vowels. She smiled and turned to Fenris, who also smiled.

"Not what I expected," Donnic laughed as they made it to the steps.

"I wonder if they've been drinking," Aria half-seriously mused aloud.

"Venhedis," Fenris swore under his breath, his pace quickening.

In the great room, Isabela sat at one end of the room and Aveline sat at the other. Both of them were on the floor, and Tristan was toddling the length of the room between each of them as they sang to him. Tristan had just made it to Aveline when he turned and saw Aria and Fenris. He shrieked with joy and clamored for Aveline to release him. He awkwardly stepped toward them and Fenris rushed to scoop him up.

"Donnic! What a pleasant surprise!" Isabela called as they all convened in the great room around Fenris and Tristan.

Aveline's smile went sour as Donnic came in. Aria went up and kissed both Tristan and Fenris on the cheek, then hooked her arm into Aveline's.

"Hey big girl, walk with me," Aria said, doing her best swashbuckling, Isabela impersonation. Isabela winked at them as they departed.

Aveline surprisingly didn't put up a fuss and walked with Aria out to the garden. Aria released her arm so that they could move more freely and they went to the back of the garden where the beautiful blue roses were in bloom. A slight mist had begun to fall, lending the garden an eery sense of calm.

"You were right," Aveline finally scoffed, breaking the silence.

"Don't hurt yourself," Aria laughed, knowing how much pride Aveline had to swallow to make such a statement. Still, she couldn't resist. "About what this time?"

"Isabela is great with children," Aveline sullenly admitted. "Far better than I had ever dared imagine."

"She's not anywhere near as morally bankrupt as she'd have you believe," Aria kindly stated. "She's actually a good person."

"That little boy... He's a miracle. I hope you realize that," she replied, settling herself onto one of the low stone benches. She stretched out her long legs and rubbed at the back of her neck.

Aria sat next to her and put a hand on her knee. The stoic woman regarded her with an almost comical mix of fear, wonder, and disbelief.

"How have things been going with Donnic? Really?" Aria ventured, figuring that she'd just cut to the chase.

Aveline threw up her hands in exasperation. "I feel like... Like his heart isn't in it anymore. Like he doesn't want to be with me."

"Like you've failed him?" Aria queried, giving Aveline a knowing look.

"Sweet Andraste, yes. Exactly like that," Aveline gushed, as though she'd been keeping it a secret. Aveline was the absolute worst person at keeping secrets. Especially personal ones.

"Look, I'm not good at these kinds of conversations, but I think it's worth having. I know it's not exactly the same, but I do have a little experience in that territory," Aria candidly said, her expression earnest.

"Hawke, what happened? How did you...cope? How did you repair the damage done?"

"Well, I didn't do it alone," Aria said, the statement holding far more weight than the mere spoken words. "I had a partner who loves me. Someone who bound themselves to me for eternity. Someone who has seen me at my worst and still stays. And you know what? You've got that, too," Aria replied with all the candor she possessed.

"It's not a question of if Donnic loves me. It's why. And I fear he's losing his reasons."

"So, I'm going to just jump right in and ask, because it's important. How hard are you trying? I mean, to get this whole family business started," Aria said then.

Aveline regarded her with stark horror. "That's... Well that's none of your Maker-damned business, Hawke."

"If it helps, I already know. And I think you're trying too hard," Aria glibly stated.

"I'm not as young or as fertile as you, Hawke. That isn't a fair comparison," Aveline defended.

"Oh, I didn't mean me. You're not that much older, and if I dare say, I've got a lot more battle mileage on me than you have. I meant that perhaps you should give him a break. Honestly, twice a day?"

Aveline was completely mortified now and sat in stunned silence, her lips working to find words but no coherent sounds coming out. Her face, ears, and neck flushed crimson, contrasting not becomingly with her fiery orange hair. Aria tried not to laugh, but she was never very good at stemming such emotions.

"Aveline, it isn't a competition. It isn't a race. Why don't you two go on holiday? That seemed to kind of work for Fenris and I. No work. No agenda. Just... Go back to Denerim. I know this King and this Teyrn who would happily host you at their courts. Guests of Honour, even. VIP treatment. You'd be wined and dined, treated like royalty, and it could honestly do you both some good."

"I can't leave Kirkwall, Hawke. Not now."

"I can handle Meredith."

"Can you? Because she's been all but taking over lately. Templars walking around the Maker-damned Keep like they own the place, thinking they can alter my patrols or tell my guardsmen what to do..." Aveline almost bellowed, bringing her knees back up and straightening her posture.

"I fought the Arishok in single combat. I've taken on a High Dragon. I've braved the Deep Roads and fought the darkspawn horde. The mages here love me, the guard backs me, I have some pull with a few templars, Grand Cleric Elthina listens to me, and I even have some pull with the nobles," Aria replied, ticking the points off on her fingers. "I promise to keep the real battle at bay until you return," Aria said, not knowing how prophetic her words would turn out to be.

"You should be Viscount," Aveline snorted.

"Pah!" Aria chortled. "That'd be the day!"

"You really think that would help... Just, taking a break from everything?"

"Helped Fenris and me," Aria earnestly replied. "Let the poor man rest and rejuvenate. Go eat, drink, and be merry. None of this doom and gloom shit over your heads."

"At the palace? In Denerim?"

"And Highever. I'll send a letter to Alistair and Izzy, as well as Bryce. They'd love to have you!"

"Do that, Hawke," Aveline said, standing. She offered Aria her hand and hauled her to her feet.

"I'll draft it tonight and have Varric send it on tomorrow," Aria beamed.

"It's a deal then. I'll start making preparations. Duty rosters, patrols-"

"Andraste's tits, stop!" Aria keened.

Aveline laughed as Aria theatrically covered her ears and shook her head. "Hawke, you're the damnedest person I've ever met."

"Thanks, I think," Aria snarkily replied, walking towards the house once more. "Pack a lot of rain gear. Oh, and if you take a horse, definitely splurge on a good saddle. Your backside will thank you."

"I grew up in Ferelden, you know," Aveline laughed.

"Yeah... I miss the mud. And the dogs."

"Maybe I'll bring you back a Mabari puppy. Help watch over that little one."

"A black one. I like the black ones," Aria agreed, holding the door as they went inside.

Donnic and Fenris were seated in the study and Tristan was laying in his pram near them, swatting absently at the mobile overhead. It played a soft lullaby and the little tyke's eyelids were obviously heavy. Both men had rock glasses with deep amber liquid in them. Aria smiled at them and went to the table where a tray and the whiskey sat. She grabbed two more rock glasses and poured one for herself, then one for Aveline. Aveline took the proffered glass and nodded her thanks. They took seats near their respective husbands.

"So, Donnic, how are your sea legs?" Aria chirped once she'd sat down.

Donnic regarded her quizzically and looked to Aveline for an explanation.

"We're going on holiday. To Highever and Denerim, courtesy of Hawke, Teyrn Cousland, and King Alistair," Aveline answered the look.

"Are you sure that's wise, given everything that's going on?" Donnic said, looking between Aveline and Hawke.

"Hawke convinced me. She's going to be acting Guard-Captain while we're away."

Fenris looked at Aria in shock. "You're...what?"

"Oh, c'mon. I'll just sit at the desk and deal with whiny nobles' complaints. The guards will be doing the real work," Aria placated the elf. "Wanna help?"

"I don't think...the guard will take kindly to an elf in their midst," Fenris wryly stated.

"They will if I tell them to," Aveline darkly replied, her tone particularly authoritative.

Fenris shrugged and sipped his whiskey. They all mimicked him, then sat in companionable silence around the cold hearth. Donnic and Aveline shared an excited look. It made Aria smile. Across from them, Tristan yawned and Aria watched as his eyes drifted completely closed. He brought his fist to his mouth and began to suck his thumb. Aria wondered for the thousandth time at the child's beauty. His silvery-white hair was thick and straight, like his father's. His eyes were a deep hunter green, with gold flecks around the irises. His tiny hands were strong and perfect, and what she loved most were the small pointed tips of his perfect little ears. He definitely took heartily after his father.

"A warehouse? Oh no, not alone you don't," Aveline was saying, drawing Aria back into the conversation.

"It'll be fine," she absently stated.

"Hawke, your family doesn't exactly have the best history with warehouses," Aveline snorted.

Aria sighed. "So you'll come then? Great!"

"You know I can't. Dock patrols need bolstering and-"

"We'll be fine. I'll probably have Varric and Anders, and obviously Fenris. Isabela can watch Tristan again. She does dote on him so," Aria cajoled.

"Stop by the barracks on your way home. Let me know that Varric got the message on its way, then," Aveline conceded.

"Of course," Aria genially replied.

With that, Donnic and Aveline finished their drinks and departed. Fenris gently picked up Tristan and together, they went upstairs. Aria checked to make sure he was dry, then finished putting the baby to bed. She helped Fenris off with his armour, and he with hers. Orana came in to put the kettles on for bath water and was bade good night. Aria and Fenris lay in each other's embraces, dressed only in their skivvies on the bed above the plush coverlet as the water warmed on the hearth.

"That went...surprisingly well," Fenris chuckled at length.

"She was vulnerable and I went for the jugular," Aria softly replied.

"I hope they'll be better at being idle than we were."

Aria laughed at this. "I think they will be, once Aveline remembers that there's more to life than patrols and duty and bossing other people around."

"You think she's capable?"

"She admitted that Isabela is a good babysitter, so...anything's possible," Aria replied.

They were quiet once more, Aria tenderly kneading Fenris's shoulders while he ran his fingers through her hair. Outside, a distant rumble of thunder sounded, and rain began to spatter against the windows. Aria turned to look at the window and saw lightning flash.

"Storm's almost here," she murmured.

"Mmmhmm," Fenris sleepily agreed.

"Think that water's ready yet?"

"If not, I can see to it that it is quickly."

They bathed together, then went to sleep. For the first time in a very long time, it seemed, Aria looked forward to the adventure that tomorrow would bring. She wondered what the deal was about this gem of Keroshek, and how it had been Gamlen's eventual undoing. Why was it only surfacing now?

As sleep crept inexorably in, Aria thought, "It's good to be back."