Guest: No inquisition I'm afraid, I've only got three chapters left :3
Ebony Sapphire: Don't worry, I have a plan for their future.
XxxTerraxXx: Took me forever to think of their names.
Creative Lunatic: Thank you for reading :) I hope you like this chapter.
Sorry about the update times. I have no internet and personal life is hell at the moment. A lot has been going on.
Chapter 97 – The future beckons.
Makatza was lying on what seemed to be a pile of linen. It was actually a spare sail that was covering some rope and other nautical things. She stretched out and clicked her wrists in a rotating action with her eyes closed. The boat swayed from side to side as the waves crashed across the bow, the spray covering most of the deck. The evening had been hectic to say the least. They had managed to find Orana, Bohdan, and Sandal, and discussed what was going to happen. Orana wished to stay at the Hawke estate, which Garrett allowed without hesitation. He was going to stay in Kirkwall for a while and make sure everything got settled. Makatza had contacted Varania and told her what was going to happen, and that the Orphanage was going to be left in her care. Makatza was sure that the young woman would rise to the occasion, the last few months had made it clear that she loved working with the children. Fenris had left Makatza at the Hawke Estate; While he made his way back to the Keep and collected their belongings that had accumulated over the time she was Viscountess. Makatza on the other hand made arrangements for certain personal items to be sent to the docks, she went up to her old room and searched out her Bergen, smiling softly as she found old clothing and the memories that they brought. She was determined to go to Ferelden and out this political rut. She was going to live her life properly. No gangs, no Carta, no Templars, fingers crossed on that one. She would be protected by the King and Queen of Ferelden, and of course by her Elven lover, soon to be husband. Things were sorted quickly and efficiently, this day was long coming. With a blessing from Garrett, Makatza and Fenris followed Isabela, and Merrill down to the docks where her ship waited.
Elgon snuffed the planks around the linen before climbing up and lying in front of Makatza. She didn't even flinch as the large beast laid down next to her, instead she wrapped an arm over the wolf's large back and buried her head in his fur. It was getting cold and the day was taking it's heavy toll on the young woman. She found herself winding her fingers through Elgon's fur as she tried not to let everything overwhelm her. The calming scent of the salt helped settle her nerves, it reminded her of home. Her old home, which she missed deeply, but wouldn't let it hold her back. She could hear Merrill bouncing around in the rigging, ''oohing'' and ''aahing'' at the birds and the way the waves rolled below her. It was a comforting sound, no more blades clashing, and the pained shriek of metal scratching down stone or armour. She had grown accustomed to these sounds, but she hated them. Her mind grew more relaxed, she was doing the right thing. A new chapter in her book. With the people she cared about most, this thought made her smile softly, as she ignored her hair falling over her face with the wind.
Fenris looked over at Makatza, he was standing near the prow of the ship about twenty metres away from his Fiancée, he was tired and his body still ached. He felt that he had been used as a pummel bag by a high dragon. Worse than the time he had his arm dislocated by a high dragon. Varric wanders up to him and tilts his head, looking between the two.
'Are you alright Broody?' He asks simply as he leaned on the railing watching the sea.
'I am content,' he replies simply, tearing his eyes from Makatza and looking to the horizon. It would take a while to get to Ferelden, and he wasn't looking forward to the journey. His last memory about a boat was to do with Danarius, and it brings a bitter taste to his tongue.
'Uh huh, I can tell something is bothering you. I know you that well at least,' Varric chuckles. 'I mean. I admit it, Kirkwall isn't going to be the same without you two. Especially her, she made a real impact when she was in power,' he says conversationally. He could see that Fenris was fighting himself. He wanted to talk but he was holding himself back. Eventually, the elf sighed and rubbed his eyes, turning his back to the railing and sitting on the planks. Leaning against the side of the ship.
'I just. It has been ten years,' he says quietly. 'I did not ever think that this city would be such a major part of my life. It was just supposed to be a place to lie low for a month or two, especially once I found out that Danarius had already left the city.' Fenris looked at his hands as he spoke. Perhaps he wasn't even aware he was really speaking out loud.
'I thought you were going to 'turn and face the tiger,'' Varric replies, taking out his pipe and lighting it expertly. He tapped the tobacco in a bit further as he avoided looking at the elf.
'That was the idea, but years went on and Danarius did not seem to be bothered with my presence there. But, then she came along,' he said looking at where Makatza slept. Everything seemed to fall together after that. Next thing I know, ten years have passed and my life is headed in a direction that I did not even allow myself to dream about.'
'Aye, she brought wonderful things with her, didn't she?' Varric chuckles. 'Well, try not to dwell on the past, or worry about the future, Broody. Otherwise you'll miss what's happening in the present. That would be a shame, would it not?' Varric teases lightly taking a puff on his pipe. 'Besides, you'll be a married man soon. Wouldn't it be nice to have a few little feet running around?' He adds with a smile. Varric liked children, they were innocent and he hadn't met one that didn't love a story.
Fenris' brow furrowed. 'Little feet?' He repeats genuinely confused.
Varric laughs deeply and puffs his pipe before replying, waiting for the elf to look at him before he spoke. Which after a moment of two, he did. 'I mean, little replicas of you and Katza, bundles of joy, or any other way you want to describe them,' he grins.
'Y-You mean children?' Fenris says with a slight stutter. He looks back at his hands. 'I have... I have thought about it. I have even discussed it with Makatza. I just... I do not think I would make a good father,' he says quietly.
'You love Katza, no?' Varric says simply.
'Yes,' came his simple and blunt reply.
'Well, what makes you think that you'd not do anything for your children? You'll love them and protect them. You'll make sure they're healthy and happy, just like you do for her. Trust me, you may be a sour, old git,' he laughs, smiling more. 'But, you'll be fine. Katza wouldn't be with you if she didn't think you'd be fine,' he adds. Fenris looks at the dwarf, wondering if he was just teasing but he seemed deadly serious. He nodded and sighed. He was wary of the future and what it held. It was going to be so very different. The dangers unknown. It was a thought he didn't like at all.
'They'll be here soon!' Kiana squeaked happily. She bounced Duncan on her hip and wrapped the blanket around him a little tighter. The twins were a month or so old, still gummy and bright eyed. Alistair laughed lightly and adjusted Eleanor who he held close to his chest, tweaking her hat around her ears. There was a chill in the air, and they didn't want the little ones to fall ill. They tried to keep the arrival party to a minimum, but being the King and Queen, not to mention the prince and princess, their entourage was as small as possible. So a mere forty people. Servants and guards, even a couple of Wardens that were in the city.
'Aye, they'll be here soon. It's been a few months, actually even maybe a year or so since we saw them,' Alistair smiles as he kisses Eleanor on the forehead softly. Kiana squealed happily as a large ship moved around the cliff and into view. Duncan laughed at his mother's happiness, pulling a ringlet that had fallen free from her braid. She cooed and rubbed her nose against his and giggled.
'Aye my baby, they'll be here soon!' She laughed lightly. Alistair motioned with his head to a maid to take Eleanor from him, he handed her over gently and began to undo his cloak. He draped it over Kiana's shoulders, clipping it around her throat. The wind had picked up a little more and she was only wearing a gown, long sleeved though it was. He took Eleanor back from the maid, thanking her as he did so. The ship came closer, and the closer it came, the more excited Kiana became. It took an unbearably long time for the ship to dock and Kiana could see a young, dark haired elf swinging from the rigging. The elf waved happily at the entourage, shouting her greetings.
'Here's hoping everyone weathered the journey well,' Alistair said to Kiana as he moved to her side, tilting his head. Kiana smiled and nodded, watching the men jump onto the dock in front of them and begin to tie the ship up as it dropped anchor. The plank was placed onto the wharf and sailors began to walk down, carrying various items. Kiana's smile got wider as she saw a large dog wander down the plank. He sniffed happily and waited on the dock, head turned back to the ship as he waited.
'That's a large, dog?' Alistair said, 'uh, wolf? I don't recognise the breed,' he added.
'It's Elgon, you silly nug,' she replied elbowing him in the ribs, and sticking her tongue out at Eleanor. 'Your daddy's so silly, yes he is. Yes he is,' she giggled in a baby voice.
'Oh. He's gotten a lot bigger,' he laughs. He's cut off as Kiana nearly exploded in happiness as she saw Fenris walk onto the plank and look around. She can't help but laugh at his expression. It was just as she remembered it. He looked so stern and protective. But after a moment or two he looked as if he visibly relaxed and he glanced over his shoulder. Kiana smiled as she saw the recognisable young woman that she had waited to arrive. Makatza ran up to Fenris and literally jumped on his back making him carry her down the plank. She was acting like a small child as she bounced a little.
'MAKATZA!' Kiana screamed loudly. Alistair winced and grabbed Duncan as the lad's face began to crinkle in tears at the volume. He handed both the twins to the handmaidens, luckily, just in time as his wife grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the dock.
'Ki-Ki!' Makatza smiled broadly as she wriggled out of Fenris' grip. Elgon loped over, tongue hanging out. Alistair's own Mabari, Champion, bounded over to the wolf, barking happily. Fenris wouldn't let her just fall onto the ground and held her tightly until he was sure that she had a steady footing, before he let her go. Makatza ran from Fenris with a brief backwards glance, before she was almost tackled by the Queen. Fenris shared a look with Alistair, the human knew the pain of having an impulsive woman for a partner. Fenris had to grab Elgon by the scruff as he bounded past, he was happily bonding with the Mabari but risked knocking a few people over while doing so. With small children near, Fenris was slightly concerned. Elgon whined and bounced a little as Champion raced past. Fenris looked the wolf straight in the eyes.
'Not near people,' he said simply before letting him go. Elgon huffed, rolling his eyes before running off, following Champion to a small field nearby. Ferelden seemed to be mostly green, until it reached water. There wasn't a heavy over pressured feeling that came with looming buildings and tight streets. It was very open and the buildings looked cared for and to purpose. While he was making this observation, Makatza had moved from the squeaking Kiana and hugged Alistair tightly, before being given a twin to hold. She cooed and burbled to the small one a smile threatening to split her head in half.
'Oh Kiana, she's so beautiful,' Makatza said honestly. Sometimes you were faced with a child with the features of a troll and then had to lie through your teeth. But, Eleanor was, for the lack of a better word, perfect. Delicate and fragile. 'She's going to be wonderful when she grows up,' she adds smiling even more brightly. She looked over at Fenris who had returned back down to earth and wandered over. 'Fenris, look at her, isn't she just perfect?' Fenris looked at the little girl and gave the King and Queen one of his half smiles.
'You must be proud,' he says softly. Alistair chuckles and wraps his arm around Kiana, looking at the handmaiden who held Duncan. The young woman passed the little one to Fenris who looked like he was being given a bomb to hold. 'I do not thi-' he protested as he tried to refuse the handmaiden.
'Don't be silly. Hold him,' Kiana said firmly. She was screaming with delight inside, remembering the first time she met the elf and refused to pander to his wishes. Fenris grimaced and grudgingly took hold of the child, refusing to look Kiana in the eye. Makatza smiled as she swayed from side to side to keep Eleanor happy, looking at Fenris with pride.
'My Katza-' Fenris began as he saw Duncan's face crinkle up with tears, for the numerous time that morning. He wore a face of fear and soon realised that he wasn't going to get any help from the child's parents. He was holding the baby at arms length and winced as the boy breathed in with a snotty bawl. 'I do not think the child likes me,' he says over the volume. Makatza laughs and shakes her head.
'He probably doesn't like being held like that. Hold him properly, you dunce,' she giggles sharing a look with Kiana.
'Ali was exactly the same,' she whispered to Makatza with a laugh. They watched as Fenris exhaled heavily through his nose and changed the position that he held Duncan. He didn't stop crying right away, but the tears lessened dramatically. Makatza could see Fenris muttering slightly, and thanks to her hearing could make out the heavy swearing in Arcanum. She could scold him, but it was funnier not to. He was clearly a fish out of water and it was strange to see. Duncan opened his eyes through his tears and looked at Fenris, who stared at him back. They were both fascinated by each other and it seemed neither were going to move, until Duncan reached up and pulled on a strand of Fenris' white hair, rather sharply. Fenris' reaction was better than Makatza could have hoped for. His markings flashed briefly in his pain and he restrained himself from swearing out loud. Duncan's eyes had widened, in pure wonder and he squealed loudly in laughter as he continued to pull on the strand of hair that he held in his chubby fingers.
'Please, someone. Take the child,' Fenris said trying to free his hair and not drop the baby. He spoke through gritted teeth and wore a pained expression. Kiana laughed and moved over to relieve him from his baby sitting duties. Makatza handed Eleanor to Alistair at the same time and bounced over to Fenris once he was child free.
'Aww, I haven't heard Duncan laugh like that in a while, he's a grumpy baby,' Kiana coos. 'You'll make a lovely father Fenris,' she says smiling at the elf, who pales. 'When are you going to have children?' She asks.
'I- We, it uh, I do not know?' He replied, worried that it wasn't going to be an accepted answer. He just wanted to be away from all these people and somewhere he could actually relax. Away from small children with grabby hands.
'It's a future thing,' Makatza says softly smiling at Kiana who nods and smiles.
'Ah well, you're going to need a home to start this future in, no? And Alistair and I have found a wee place, out of the way and I think you're going to love it,' she smiles. 'Come on, let's get you settled in home.'