Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Dragon Age 2." Naffing.
Author's notes: Getting into Inquisition time. Well, technically that had been starting across the land. And yes, my first Inquisitor was a dwarven woman. I liked that dwarf.
CharlieBarrow: thanks for all the words about this little one's birth. Another hatching for the roost.
QueenTyzula: I hope you stay on here with us :P
Hawke420: I hope you decide to give a further read. There's more coming.
"Catching the Wind"
Chapter thirty-five "Little Sparrow"
Hawke's heart was in her eyes as she held Isabela's hand. Her water broke early that morning and she was in the middle of her labor pains. The sailors had rushed about, taking care of things and fetching whatever they needed. Merrill was on her other side, saying soothing things to the sweating pirate. She was naked from the waist down, legs spread wide for the midwife.
Between labored breaths, the pirate cursed her mate. But there was a flash of fierce love in her eyes to belie her words. "Fuck….ah! This is….the last time!" she swore.
Hawke wiped her brow. "I know, love. Push….."
"Are….the pups… okay?" Isabela wondered. Merrill nodded. She gripped Isabela's other hand.
"Of course! Mel's with Magpie and the twins are guarding her," she soothed. Isabela gave her a sweet look and began moaning with pain again.
Hawke grinned when the midwife pulled a tiny infant at last from between Isabela's thighs, checking each tiny limb as the red-faced infant squalled in protest. Her heart turned over at the naked appeal from the infant's cries.
"You did great, Bela," she swore. Isabela lay back in a sheen of sweat, eyes barely slit open to look at the infant the midwife's assistant was helping clean off as the afterbirth was seen to.
"And all to tear up my fun bits," Isabela lamented. She cupped Hawke's jaw suddenly, stroking her cheek. Hawke blinked, her gaze drawn from the crying baby. "First time…. Oh, sweet thing…"
"What do you mean?" Hawke murmured. She leaned to kiss Isabela's lips sweetly. They had four pups. Her words didn't make sense.
"First time….birthing with you," Isabela explained. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes and she scrubbed them away. Hawke leaned to kiss her mate's cheek softly. Isabela turned and caught her lips.
"Bela…" Hawke murmured. Then the midwife was laying the new bundle into her arms and Hawke's attention was brought to the dark-toned infant. She wasn't as dark as her brothers, but somewhere in between. Her little eyes slit open and stared at Hawke, her rosebud lips opening and closing as she snuffled with confusion. Hawke grinned and leaned to kiss her sweet brow. The girl was a bit on the small side, very much the smallest baby they'd had. She was so small her hiccupping cries seemed far too large for her. "H-hello…."
The baby gave a soft wail, as if unsure, and burrowed in her blanket, trying to lean into her sire's warmth.
"Well, she's attached," Isabela said weakly. Hawke kissed the baby's brow again, inhaling her sweet scent as she reluctantly handed her over to her mother. Isabela gazed tiredly into the pup's face. "All little toes and fingers here…."
"Oh, she's so small," Merrill breathed. She stroked the baby's pudgy fist. The baby squawked and latched onto her finger. Merrill looked to Hawke with tears in her eyes. Hawke smiled so widely her face felt like it would crack. But she couldn't stop.
"What do you think?"
"She's so small…..like a little sparrow hatchling," Merrill wondered. The baby kicked her tiny feet against Isabela's chest, giving a small wail. "But so loud!"
Hawke knew they were all thinking of their four-year-old mage, who was nervous and confused by the commotion today. Their Magpie was such a quiet baby and barely cried. It seemed the new babe was trying to make up for her size.
Isabela smiled, closing her eyes in exhaustion. "Sparrow? It seems apt."
"She'll be Sparrow," Hawke agreed. She laid her hand over the baby's back as Isabela held onto her. She began sniffling and crying and Isabela didn't argue when Hawke bundled her back into her arms. The infant curved into her warmth naturally and Hawke felt the instant connection wrap hold of her heart warmly. She rocked the baby, grinning.
"I'll tell the pups, and the others," Merrill offered. She leaned to kiss Sparrow's scrunched brow. "I'll be right back my tiny da'len."
Sparrow stared at her mamae and cried out again. Craven was perched on guard outside the captain's house. The sun was high overhead, arching toward sunset in a few short hours. He gave the short elf a craggy smile. "Is the cap'n okay?"
"Isabela's fine," Merrill purred. "Oh, the baby's so cute, it's a girl!"
"Congratulations," Craven rubbed the back of his neck with a large fist. Merrill patted his arm and found Mel down the beach, entertaining Magpie with a story. The twins were idly playing next to them, picking out shells in the sand. The boys looked pensive and nervous and perked up when Merrill approached.
"Mama's okay?" Lark asked. Falcon bit his lip.
Merrill nodded. She knelt to hug both boys firmly. "She's fine, just tired! Come, you'll want to see the new baby."
"Boy or girl?" Mel asked. She bounced Magpie who stared at Merrill with wide green eyes.
"It's a girl!" Merrill plucked the toddler from Mel and kissed her round cheek. "Just like you, my little mage."
Magpie gave a nervous smile and clung to her neck. The twins were bouncing and raced ahead back to the house. They clattered onto the wooden deck over the sand and burst into the front room. The midwife's assistants were fetching something, and they pushed past them into the master bedroom.
"Come in!" Hawke called. The infant was still curled protectively in her arms. She grinned at the pensive twins poking in the doorway almost nervously. "Come meet your sister."
"Sparrow," Isabela said from the bed. She looked like the queen she was, laying against several pillows, cleaned and dressed in a fresh nightgown. Hawke gazed at her lovingly.
"She's smaller than Mags was!" Falcon exclaimed. He peered over his sire's arm into the infant's face. The baby sniffed and wailed again. The boys noted she was louder than Magpie had been as an infant as well.
When Merrill came in with Magpie, Hawke saw how distraught her first daughter was. She clung to Merrill's neck and Hawke murmured to her to switch kids. Magpie pouted as she was set down, but only so Merrill could accept the newborn. She crooned to the staring infant and settled next to Isabela, the twins drawing close. When Hawke knelt down to her height, Magpie stared at her papa. Papa looked so tired but happy.
But her feelings were sorted to calm when Hawke picked her up and straightened. Magpie clutched her papa around the neck, giving a shy smile to her. Hawke kissed her cheek, bouncing her. "You're the first sister, and Sparrow's gonna need your help. She's so little. Will you help her when you can?" she asked gently. Magpie got it and nodded, giving a shy grin.
"Papa," she said. Hawke's heart burst all over again and she bounced Magpie to one shoulder. Isabela patted the bed beside her as Hawke approached and Magpie scampered down to hug her mama carefully.
"My little Magpie. We love you so much," Isabela said, playing with a lock of her child's hair. Magpie blushed happily. She turned her gaze to the infant who was crying out again. Merrill rocked her, murmuring in elvish.
Isabela had to stop touching her to take the new loud infant to breastfeed and the boys got uncomfortable, choosing to leave the room. Once the infant was fed and burped, Hawke gladly took her, smiling widely. The infant quieted for her instantly.
The newest addition to the Hawke family was welcomed right in.
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
Skyhold truly was a cradle of security.
Its name alone told of safety, held far away from any malingering forces of the world. Nestled high in mountain range and accessible only by one long stone bridge, it was a good find and truly needed for the Inquisition. Varric recalled the march there after the fall of Haven. The Inquisitor had scouted ahead, followed closely by only the elf mage Solus. Whether it was his finding or hers, was still up for conjecture.
The fortress had been abandoned. By who, Varric knew not. But it was theirs. Claimed for the Inquisition and their forces.
The dwarf strolled through the grass in the courtyard, chewing on the end of a pipe. It wasn't lit and he was in search of a match, but once outside the main hall of the castle, the bright sun and commotion of the Inquisition moving around him caught his attention. The dwarf leaned against a low stone wall near the building allocated as the tavern and watched the soldiers, scouts, castle workers, cleaners and all move about their tasks. He moved down the stone steps to the lower level toward the merchant stalls and barn.
Orders were called out, horses were led by the horse master named Dennet, his fine steeds walked out along the grass outside the barn across the way for exercise.
A tall black-bearded human helped the horse master and Varric raised an eyebrow to himself. Grey Warden Blackwall seemed a good enough man, secretive as he was. From the hints Varric had gathered, the man was besotted with the Inquisitor, a dwarf woman from the clan Cadash. Her past involvement with her criminal family could have been a black smear on her reputation but Varric knew her personal ambassador worked day and night to make the Inquisition's reputation sterling and heroic. Lady Montilyet must have magic in her blood for the vast majority of Thedas's nobility, their biggest movers and shakers, held a firm relationship with the Inquisitor. Even Empress Celene of Orlais, saved by an assassination attempt by their friend Cadash, was on friendly terms with her.
Varric shook his head at the tall Warden who went about his chores with Dennet.
"Good luck, Blackwall, she's all after the Bull." Iron Bull, a Qunari mercenary and leader of the band The Bull's Chargers, was boisterous were Blackwall was stoic, flirtatious where he was shy. And he had a wicked sense of humor. Varric chuckled over the Inquisitor's choice in men as he strolled along, hopping over a puddle in the grass. "Maybe it's the horns, I dunno…."
"Hey Varric, you gonna write more of your next chapter?" One of the castle workers called. Varric winked at the girl and inclined his head.
"Perhaps. If I find the inspiration," he drawled. The girl blushed, clutching her basket.
"But I finished chapter fifteen of 'Hard in Hightown!' I have to know what happens next," she pleaded.
"Our guardsman friend will receive his due. Believe me," Varric assured her. She flashed a smile and went on her way to the kitchen. He 'borrowed' a match from a soldier, and lighting his pipe, made his way back to the main hall. Climbing the stone stairs took a bit longer, but once inside the high double doors, Varric made his way to the right of the entry way toward a side fireplace. A table and a few comfortable chairs had been set there out of the way and Varric found his notes and papers and settled in. Puffing a few smoke rings, he watched the usual cacophony of noise.
Inquisitor Cadash was holding court, answering petitions from her elaborately carved throne at the end of the hall. The nobles took note to her answers and Varric laughed to himself.
"Better you than me," he murmured, wishing his friend well. He dipped a quill in a pot of ink and set the tip of the pen to a fresh sheaf of parchment. Suddenly, Varric's thoughts went back a few weeks. How he had sat like this, scrawling a letter that he had had to hide and save in secret. The darkspawn calling himself Corypheus had attacked Haven. Varric remembered, he had gone with Hawke down to the bowels of the Grey Warden fortress. THAT had been a harrowing battle. Hawke had been truly heroic, leading the attack against the tall darkspawn with Fenris and Isabela on her heels, while he had hung back with Merrill to fire from a safe distance.
Isabela, Merrill….. Varric could only hope they were doing well with Hawke, no matter where they were. He had left his letter behind with a merchant he'd bumped into at an Antivan port city that had claimed to have seen the ex-Champion pass through. Maybe he would see Hawke and be able to pass on his words….
'I wouldn't ask for your help if I didn't think it was needed, but Corypheus has returned….'
Considering Corypheus's prison had been sealed by Hawke's family blood, she may have a hand in helping stop the threat. Varric could only hope the letter found its way to her hand. He didn't even have any idea where Isabela had landed them. He could only hope it was safe for the sake of their family.
"What are you writing now?" a stiff voice sniffed beside him. Varric grinned up at the scowling face of Cassandra. Her scarred face was pinched with a touch of consternation. But she tended to look at everyone that way.
"Why, my dear Seeker Pentaghast! Just a few notes for an old serial. Why, interested?"
Cassandra blushed and moved past quickly. She mumbled something under her breath about needing to speak to the Inquisitor. Varric chuckled and leaned back in his chair, smoking. He hoped the merchant met Hawke again. He hoped his letter was read. He wondered what she would do if she did read it. Would she come?
Varric could only hope.
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
Sparrow was a few months old when the family sailed with Isabela's crew back to the Antivan coast. Falcon and Lark took their turns carrying the baby carefully, slings tied around their necks. Isabela was glad she had such caring sons. She was glad she'd had them in every glance. Falcon was growing as muscled as Hawke was. Lark, her lean shadow. It was strange, always strange, to feel such pride. But she felt it.
"I got her!" Falcon insisted. He held the baby in the crook of one arm, the sling carefully tied around him. Lark nudged his shoulder but when to pick up Magpie. She had turned five, but everyone still liked carrying her if they could. Lately she had been getting independent and flaring out her magic to stay on the ground.
She flared it now and a few startled merchants stared at her.
"Da'len!" Merrill called out with a touch of alarm.
A few local templars were walking across the courtyard and Hawke rushed to her mage daughter. Kneeling down, she checked on Lark, who quickly insisted he was fine. The boys had been alerted to guarding Magpie's status when they left the island and he cast a worried look at the templars too. Hawke nodded and knelt down, stooping to peer into Magpie's face. Recently she had a short staff carved for a child's size and hand and they'd left it on the ship. Magpie looked like she wanted to clutch it, her chubby fingers flexing nervously.
"Mags," Hawke said patiently. Magpie lifted her eyes, lip trembling. Hawke chucked her chin with one finger, giving a soft smile. "No magic on your brothers, remember? You could hurt them."
Magpie's lip trembled but Lark hurriedly assured her he was fine. "I'm strong, remember," he declared. Hawke gave her son a nod. She took Magpie's hand, leading her toward her mothers.
"If it's not at home, always take a look around first before magic. Can you do that for me?" Hawke asked. Magpie nodded, tilting her head to look up at her sire.
"Yes," she said simply. Hawke beamed down at her. Keeping her cool had certainly helped. It reigned in any spurts of magic and kept her status a secret.
"Good girl," Hawke said. Magpie swung her hand high and low as they walked. Merrill and Isabela met her eyes, but a silent query passed between them. They would discuss their concerns in private.
The family walked along the pathway to the marketplace, looking over wares. Mel and Craven bypassed them, waving as they went.
"Figs! Fruit and figs!"
"Need a blade sharpened? Come on back…"
Hawke passed Magpie's hand to Isabela who smiled at her small daughter. She was a few steps aside from her family, casting a sharp gaze and counting her children. Sparrow was asleep in her sling, Falcon had a firm hold of her, Lark was looking at something with Merrill and their mage was watched over by Isabela. A middle-aged man coughed in front of her and Hawke gave her attention to him.
"Yes, messere?" she asked. The man squinted at her scar and went through a stack of parchment and envelopes. He tugged one envelope free and held it out to her.
"I didn't order a message," Hawke said, refusing it. She turned to go but the merchant coughed.
"Serah Hawke. I know who you are. A short fellow by the name of Tethras wanted me to hold onto this for you. And you're here. Please take it," he urged. Hawke's eyebrow raised high and the intrigue of what Varric would want made her extend her hand. She shoved the envelope into her tunic front and hid it on reflex as she stepped back.
Varric must have paid off the message's fee for the merchant ignored her after she took it and didn't ask for a payment. Hawke's mind whirled with thoughts, not all of them good as she continued on with her family. Somehow, she had a bad feeling about the words inside the sealed letter.
Hawke spent the rest of the evening doting on her children. Magpie needed hugs, and when she was sent off with Mamae for magic lessons, she took her fourth child from her eldest. Falcon grinned at her as Hawke took sparrow and sat in the sand, cradling her on her legs. Her baby's large eyes took her in, and a toothless smile stretched her lips.
Hawke gave her a thumb to nibble and chew on and her thoughts spun over and onto themselves as the sun began to set. She'd finally found a moment alone earlier to break the seal on the envelope and read Varric's message. It wasn't good. She was surprised to read he had given his aide to the Inquisition they'd heard about. Apparently, he was using his spy networks to aide the Inquisitor.
But what's more, the name Corypheus was put in the letter. Corypheus, an ancient Tevinter evil that had boasted of entering the Golden City and finding it empty of the Maker. Corypheus, who she had slain.
The gossip she'd heard from Inquisition soldiers before seemed to make the contents of the letter true. Had he come back? How? The how wasn't as important as the danger he brought. Hawke swallowed as her baby cried out and clutched her fingers tightly. Her heart pained.
Could she go? Should she? Hawke knew Isabela or Merrill going with was not an option. She wanted to protect her family. And Isabela would have something to say about THAT…..Hawke bit her lip and stroked Sparrow's round cheek.
She'd have to keep this a secret. Until she decided. Until she knew what to do. Hawke hated keeping anything from her mates and the subterfuge could make her sick if she dwelled on it.
"Hey! Wait up!" Lark called across the sand. Hawke's attention went from her burbling baby to her other children. Her tall sons were sparring and laughing, rushing each other across the beach. Some of the sailors called encouragement. Isabela was laughing and teasing Mel. Craven bent to pick up her other daughter, Magpie smiling up at the large sailor. Merrill chirped up at him also.
They were here. They were safe. And Hawke didn't want to take that away from them.
But their happiness? Hawke felt terrible and cradled Sparrow to her chest. Her baby curved into her warmth, large green eyes open and trusting. No, she couldn't decide. Not right now. She needed to be with her family.
End for now
End notes: Like it, drop a review.
Pen 6/23/2019