Secret Companion: Well I'm glad to see that someone is still reading this! Hope you enjoy this installment.

Chapter 17

Injuries and pain made the logical decision for them and they slid into the bed, both physically and mentally worn from the week they had had. The walls between them seemed to be fading, and it was awkward. They were both worried of doing something wrong, but longed for more. Amelie was the first to fall asleep, her head falling heavily onto Fenris' outstretched arm, her hair tucked under and around to her front. Fenris rested his head on the pillow next to her, breathing in the smell of her curls, feeling himself relax until he finally drifted into the fade. They would have slept for many hours if it weren't for the loud intrusion from downstairs. Fenris jolted upright yanking his arm out from Amelie at the first loud bang, causing a yelp and a curse from the mage. 'Owch,' she muttered afterwards, still half asleep, 'what was that for?' She asked rubbing her eyes.

'Sshhh,' Fenris said placing his finger against his lips. 'We are not alone,' he whispered, he wouldn't go in sword drawn, not while he was injured, he risked making a stupid mistake. Amelie sat up as straight as she could and scowled, whoever had broken in wasn't being quiet about it. They were making their way up the stairs, Fenris slid out of bed and silently walked towards the door, as it would open he'd be hidden in the shadows behind. Amelie bit her lip, this was a risky game. As the voices got closer she had to force herself to stay in the bed and pretend to not want to get out and confront whoever it was. The bedroom door slammed open and Amelie saw instantly who the perpetrator was.

'Amelie!'

'Fenris, DON'T!' Amelie shouted quickly, as she saw the flash of his tattoos, the intruder was Garrett. He wore his hood up as it was clearly raining outside. Hawke spun around and jumped seeing the elf who was moments before ready to incapacitate him.

'Maker almighty!'Garrett swore stepping away. 'But I... You... How the fucking hell are you here?' He asked looking him over. 'Wait... That's not right,' he said grabbing Fenris by the arm and dragging him into the dying firelight. 'You're looking rough, and Amelie... Well I thought she would know what was going on,' he said not making sense.

'I am wondering as well' Fenris says yanking his arm from Hawke's grip. 'Why did you feel it necessary to break into the house? You could have just knocked,' he points out. 'Also you have a key,' he adds a little reproachfully. He was tired and stiff, he didn't appreciate the wake up call.

'Well to be honest I was in a bit of a panic, y'see. I mean, I've just seen you get arrested,' Garrett reveals simply. 'So I ran here to find out if Amelie was okay and if she knew what was going on,' he shrugs. 'I must be hallucinating. I mean, I'm pretty sure it was Aveline who did it though.' He crossed the room to the wine bottles on the table and picked up the heaviest looking one. Amelie slid out of bed and took it out of his hands, despite his protests.

'What in Andraste's name do you mean; Fenris just got arrested?' She demands looking over at the elf. Garrett shrugs a shoulder.

'Look all I know is that I saw Fenris yelling and shouting, attacking anyone who came close. Not lethally mind you, he was off his rocker, calling for me. Kept shouting, Hawke! Hawke! And when I turned up, he went nuts,' he sighed. 'So Aveline had him tackled and cuffed, then knocked out for good measure, and I ran back here,' he explained. 'I didn't mean to break the door, but I left my keys at the mansion and I was concerned as to your safety.' The mage gasped and dropped the bottle, luckily it just bounced and fell over, slopping wine over her bare feet. Hawke cursed as the red splashed over his boots, it was such a waste. Amelie looked Fenris dead in the eyes.

'He's here,' she whispered before moving fast, running to the nearest bedroom with a wardrobe and pulling out robes until she found one vaguely her size. Fenris and Hawke followed her into the room before quickly turning around and waiting in the hallway. Amelie had stripped and was yanking on various items of clothing with a healthy amount of obscenities. 'I don't believe it,' she was talking to herself.

'What do you mean he's here?' Hawke asked as she stepped out the room, slipper shoe in hand. Amelie huffed, blowing hair out her face as she shoved her shoe on.

'He's here! Fenris!' She clarified. 'Not this Fenris! The other one... my Fenris,' she said hating that she had to say it in order to truly make it clear what she meant. She looked over at the elf who wore a face of unexplainable emotion, he merely nodded and went back to the bedroom to get dressed himself. Fucking great, just another complication that I didn't need, Amelie mentally cursed. 'Come on Garrett, you've got to take me to him, he's going to be so confused and I don't want him getting in any more trouble than he already is,' she pleaded. Garrett rubbed his eyes and nodded, knowing that the elf would follow in time.

'Here,' Garrett says taking off his cloak, 'it's cold and wet out there and I don't want you catching a cold. Catherine would kill me,' he says making her smile. 'Speaking of her, she was up earlier for a bit. I know it's only been a few hours, but she's doing well. Asked about you of course, I promised to come check on your progress later on tomorrow, didn't think I'd be here already,' he conversed as he lead her out the mansion. Fenris wasn't long in catching up and it seemed that he had gone to great effort to put on all his armour. They walked pretty fast, though hindered by Amelie's still healing injuries, explaining why they wanted to get into the Keep at this early hour was easier said than done, but eventually Hawke managed to worm his way with Aveline's dropped name. They were a little confused to see someone who they already thought they had locked up but didn't mention it. 'Come on, cells are this way,' Garrett directed as they walked down the corridors. Amelie went to drop her hood down but Fenris stopped her.

'Wait, you might want to see what he does before he knows you are here,' he said flatly. He didn't want to believe that there was an alternate version of him here. It angered him greatly to hear Amelie say what she did earlier, especially in the way she did. The mage was a little confused but did as he suggested, wondering why he had suggested it, but saw no real problem with keeping her hood up a while longer.

'Right, he's at the end. I'm going to get Aveline, do not. I repeat. Do not hurt him in any way. Amelie you're only to enter if needed, Fenris... Don't do anything stupid,' he sighs, hoping that his friend takes him seriously.

Amelie waited for Garrett to leave before looking at Fenris. 'Look, this is going to get strange, just please... don't forget your promise to me,' she said quietly to the elf. Fenris raised a brow and blinked slowly. 'Remember Fenris, before we went to bed?' She said, hoping for some sign of intimacy or emotion. 'This doesn't change anything,' she reassured.

'Does it not?' Fenris said bluntly, almost cruelly. 'Are you sure it is me you want and not him? Or is it me, simply because I may reciprocate your feelings?' He said simply. He was taking his anger and confusion out on her. She was the easiest target and the source of conflict for his current emotional state. Amelie felt the blow but decided not to let him hurt her in such a way. Not feeling proud of her next action, she stood tall and ignored her pains as she harshly slapped him across the face.

'Then leave,' she snapped simply, turning on her foot and walking down the corridor towards the cell. Fenris grit his teeth together, feeling the stinging heat of her hand still on his cheek. He wouldn't leave, he couldn't. He had to see what was going to happen, no matter how much he didn't like it. She was right to literally knock some sense into him, he was being childish and insecure. Though his fear was very real, he shouldn't have taken it out on her. She had paused just before the cell, unsure on how this was going to go, what she was going to say and if he'd even believe her. Before she could walk forward and confront this reality she felt someone grab her arm. She turned to see Fenris staring at her intently. 'What?' She demanded in a whisper, worried that the captive might hear her.

'You are my Amelie,' he says in a weak voice, letting go of her arm slowly. Her features softened as she took his hand gently weaving her fingers in between his. With a gentle squeeze she smiled and tilted her head as she turned away from him ready to face her true reality.