A/N:
I wrote this story to get a little more insight on the relationship between Hawke and Leliana, and Fenris's reaction to it. It's kind of smutty, but it's only a filler- next story will be MotA part 3. Enjoy!
I had this friend once in Lothering... Well, she was in several of my previous stories, so you know who she is, at least. Anyway, I had the good fortune of running into her again just before everything fell to the dogs. Unfortunately, I don't know where she is now, although Varric says he's seen her. Looking for me. With the Seekers. Some friend now, eh?
At any rate, this story is the result of my nostalgia. Here it is!
-Hawke
"Why are we here again?" Fenris scowled. At that moment, Hawke and her merry little band of misfits were hesitating warily on the threshold of the Chantry. Hawke herself wasn't extremely religious; she tried to avoid the Chantry as much as possible (without seeming to do so, out of respect for Sebastian) because of her track record, so even she was a little furtive.
"I'm not sure," she answered airily to disguise her discomfort, an action that was immediately negated by her next statement. "Hopefully this won't be something that couldn't have been solved by a quick meeting at the Hanged Man," she added with disgruntlement, allowing annoyance to seep through her tone. She led them up the steps to the little balcony in the middle of the room, where Sebastian stood with his arms crossed belligerently, evidently arguing with Grand Cleric Elthina.
"Do you never intend to give a public answer, Your Grace?" he was demanding as they stepped into earshot. Hawke had just enough time to reflect on her good fortune to always arrive at places in the middle of somewhat sensitive conversations before Elthina replied to Sebastian's accusation.
"What have I been asked?" the Grand Cleric croaked, old age slowing her speech slightly. As if she didn't already know the answer; certainly, Hawke already knew what topic Sebastian was about to preach.
"About the mages! You could calm this fire if you stepped forward!" Sebastian insisted, eyes narrowing slightly.
"The Chantry's teachings are clear. Those who turn against them would not listen more to me than to Andraste."
"Mage this, templar that. Is there anywhere in Kirkwall people don't talk about this?" Hawke remarked, stopping in between them and crossing her arms as well. Her comment was facetious, but the complaint was honest, and it showed in her eyes as she stared the both of them down.
"No, and I've looked, believe me. Even the rats in Darktown are following in this mess." Varric rolled his eyes. Hawke broke her aggressive posture then as she lifted a hand to her mouth to disguise a snort as a hacking cough.
"The last time mages rebelled against the Chantry, they ended up ruling Tevinter. Should we just ignore them?" Sebastian growled, unwilling to back down.
"I knew I liked you," Fenris commented. Hawke looked over her shoulder and exchanged an amused glance with him, hiding another chuckle behind her hand.
"I did not expect things to deteriorate so fast," stated the Grand Cleric, and Hawke almost guiltily reverted her attention back to the matter at hand. "I thought, after the Qunari, no one would wish for more violence." The Grand Cleric sighed. Well, you thought wrong, Hawke thought wryly. "It has drawn more attention than I would like. Sebastian, if I can ask-"
"Anything, Your Grace," Sebastian answered, his blue eyes flashing with relief that she finally decided to do something.
"And the Champion, too, if you will?" she added, turning to look appraisingly at Hawke. Eh, what the hell. Rather this than whatever the mages or templars or whoever wants of me now. It's not as if I never accept requests without hearing what they are first.
"I can't imagine any way this will go wrong," Hawke answered aloud, barely refraining from rolling her eyes. Sebastian shot her a warning glance, and she blinked guiltily.
"What would you have of us?" the Starkhaven prince asked after a moment.
"The Divine is concerned about the situation here. She doesn't want to see the Free Marches become another Imperium. She's sent an agent to... assess the situation." The Grand Cleric paused for a quick moment before continuing. "Meet with her, please. Tell her drastic measures won't be required."
"I don't want to see the Divine's armies marching on Kirkwall," Hawke agreed with grim amusement.
"Can we keep the 'exalted marching' to a minimum, please? I keep all my stuff in Kirkwall." Varric sighed theatrically.
"Surely the Divine wouldn't treat the whole city as enemies," Sebastian said, his eyes a little wider than usual. With those big blue eyes, he looked almost as innocent as Merrill. This thought gave Hawke another fake coughing fit. Fenris arched an eyebrow at her; her eyes twinkled in his direction.
"She is concerned. It is never wise to draw the attention of the powerful," Elthina answered with another sigh once Hawke's hacking had abated.
Well, at least we agree on something.
"She is the voice of Andraste. She cannot turn the might of the Chantry against the innocent due to... proximity," Sebastian insisted, looking appalled.
"Were no innocents harmed in the Exalted Marches?" the Grand Cleric pointed out, her already flinty eyes narrowing. "She will do her best, Sebastian, but she must act first to protect the faith." Hawke bit her lip, imagining Kirkwall in flames with Seekers marching all over the city. After all she'd done for this Makerforsaken place, the least she could do would be to convince the Divine to focus her attention elsewhere. On second thought, maybe that wouldn't be as easy as Elthina made it sound.
"What can you tell me about this servant of the Divine?" Hawke asked slowly, lifting an eyebrow, finally growing serious.
"I wasn't told her real name, only to call her Sister Nightingale. She is said to be called the Divine's left hand, sent to do work that might blacken the Divine's name," Elthina replied with an air of foreboding. Hawke nodded, intrigued.
"What shall we tell her?" she wanted to know.
"The Divine has heard my protests already; I must trust your own powers of persuasion now," the Grand Cleric answered regretfully. Hawke ran a hand through her hair and exchanged another loaded glance with Fenris; How does she expect me to succeed where she herself has failed? The elf just grimaced and shrugged.
"We'll go right away," Hawke said at last. Elthina looked utterly relieved.
"Thank you, Hawke," she said. "Sister Nightingale will be waiting in the viscount's office room tonight- she wishes to remain... unseen. It's been guarded after the Qunari attack, so it may be difficult to get in without attracting attention," she added warningly. Hawke just nodded.
"Let's go," she ordered the others, a teasing gleam in her eyes so they wouldn't get offended by her command. Sebastian joined her flock and she shepherded them out of the Chantry.
"Thank you for doing this, Hawke," Sebastian said to her ardently as they started up the stairs to the viscount's vacated office. "We cannot allow this... ridiculous mage rebellion to turn into holy war."
"You're right," Hawke agreed fervently. "It's stupid, the Divine doesn't need to involve herself in this." She noticed him give her a surprised glance from her periphery, and she shrugged. She could be serious sometimes, too.
She paused outside the door to the viscount's office, frowning at it.
"The viscount's office has been sealed since his death," Sebastian observed, as if reading her mind. "Strange place for a holy sister to be."
Hawke lifted an eyebrow as a trickle of recognition prickled down her spine, although she couldn't understand it right away. "Strange indeed," she agreed with a frown. She pushed the door open, only to find it locked; Isabela stepped forward and unlocked it for her without being asked. Her gaze twinkling maliciously, the pirate queen stepped back again, and Hawke went on through the door, glancing around warily as she did so.
Naturally, they were attacked as soon as they passed the threshold.
Some mage wailed about the Divine being afraid- the Divine? Afraid? Ha! What a dumbass- before shooting a ball of spirit energy at Hawke, who promptly rolled out of the way. Idiots. It appeared to be several apostates- at least one of them a blood mage- and a few assorted demons. Typical. They were quickly dispatched, as by now the team was used to picking off demons and blood mages.
Hawke heard more footsteps running into the room. She turned to see two more scared-looking mages crowding together as they glanced nervously around, realizing quickly that they were outnumbered.
A new set of footsteps approached from the shadows, these ones slow and confident. Hawke again felt that strange sense of familiarity before she turned to see a red-headed woman striding toward the mages. A gasp of shock died in her throat and she stared, dumbfounded, as the woman dropped what appeared to be a smoke bomb. When the smoke cleared, the mages lay dead at the woman's feet, and she was re-sheathing her daggers, her back to Hawke and co.
"Holy shit," Hawke murmured under her breath, gazing flabbergasted at the woman's back. No one heard but Fenris, who shot her a concerned glance.
"The Resolutionists," spat the woman. "I might have known they would be part of this." She turned then to face Hawke and her flock. Surprise flitted across her beautiful sapphire blue eyes, and Hawke's heart thudded strangely; she thought she'd never see those eyes again. She hadn't seen or heard from her friend in a long while; she'd almost reached the conclusion that she had died in the Blight.
"Leliana," she breathed, stepping closer so as to better observe the Sister. She was definitely still the same Leliana, if a little older and her hair a little redder, but if anything, she looked even better than she had when Hawke had last seen her. Leliana's perfect mouth dropped into a slight 'o' of surprise, and they gazed at each other wonderingly. Hawke suddenly realized she was staring and she quickly composed herself, tossing an elated, somewhat sheepish grin at her old friend. "You've been doing well for yourself, I see! It appears your skill with daggers has improved, no less!"
"Thanks, in no small part, to you," Sister Nightingale answered, grinning in response, her gem-like eyes dancing. "I haven't forgotten the tricks you taught me." Isabela whistled, and Hawke felt her cheeks warm as she realized that she and Leliana had been ignoring the others. She stepped back, glancing sideways at Fenris with an almost apologetic expression. He was watching Leliana, though, with slight suspicion in his eyes.
"Hawke, you know Sister Nightingale?" Sebastian asked, arching an eyebrow as he eyed the pair skeptically. Leliana tore her gaze away somewhat guiltily.
"Yes. Leli and I were... old friends, back in Lothering," Hawke answered, unable to stop grinning giddily.
"Leliana... as in the one who traveled with the Warden?" Sebastian's gaze was now more curious than skeptical. Fenris looked unsurprised, Hawke observed; she now remembered mentioning Leliana to him before, albeit in passing. In Kirkwall, they had more pressing concerns than Hawke's friends in Lothering.
"Yes, but that was many years ago," Leliana asserted. (She was much more confident now, too, it appeared.) She paused hesitantly. "The Warden is an excellent queen for King Alistair, but now I'm working for the Divine, in Orlais. I hadn't thought to come to this part of Thedas..." She glanced around somewhat quizzically.
"Well, I'm glad you did," Hawke answered warmly. Isabela coughed pointedly, and Hawke shot an annoyed glance at her.
"Isabela, is that you?" Leliana asked, amused, lifting an eyebrow at the pirate queen, who leered at her.
"It's nice to see you again, Leliana," Isabela purred, her eyes flickering appreciatively. "Although last time I saw you, you were..."
"You said something about Resolutionists," Hawke interrupted quickly, glowering at Isabela, who just shrugged. "Who are they?"
"An offshoot of a fraternity within the Circle," Leliana answered, but was cut off by Fenris.
"Supported by the Tevinter magisters," he snarled, moving forward to stand beside Hawke with a slight motion of his hand. Hawke shot a pointed sideways glance at him and his gaze flickered slightly in response, but he didn't back down.
"There's no proof of that," Leliana answered mildly.
"I bet a lot of mages think they'd enjoy Tevinter's freedoms... and completely forget that few ever achieve the power to enjoy them." Fenris snorted.
"There have always been factions that support freedom from the Chantry and the abolition of the Circle. We have... tolerated them. But the Resolutionists have become violent, and are likely behind the unrest here." Leliana frowned thoughtfully, glancing curiously at Fenris and then back at Hawke.
"This is Fenris," Hawke quickly inserted. "He was... a slave to one of the magisters, so he would know what he's talking about." She laid her hand on his arm comfortingly. She was instantly aware of his taut, coiled muscles.
"I see." Leliana's expression fell with sympathy. She turned to Fenris; in the corner of her eye, Hawke observed his slightly mortified expression, but he knew that she didn't bandy that information around lightly. "I honor your courage, my friend," she said sorrowfully. Surprise shot across his own passive expression, and he only nodded to accept her words. Hawke's hand tightened reassuringly on his arm. "Back to the matter at hand," Leliana continued, turning back to Hawke, "the Divine has long suspected that this tension was spurred by an outside group. This attack-" she gestured around at the apostates' corpses- "proves she is right."
"Did you know they would attack?" Hawke wanted to know, getting down to the nitty gritty.
"I let word slip that an 'agent of the Divine' was coming to investigate the situation. It's how they choose to react which condemns them," Leliana replied with a bitter half-smirk. Hawke grimaced as well. Real smooth, Leli. That was a dangerous move. But it wasn't her place to rebuke her, so she let it be.
"Will the Divine send soldiers?" Hawke asked after a moment, concerned.
"Divine Justinia takes the situation here very seriously," Leliana stated firmly. "She believes it is the worst threat to Thedas since the Qunari invaded."
"A handful of apostates?" Sebastian snorted skeptically. "How can that possibly...?" His voice drifted off as disbelief twisted his expression.
"The whole world is watching Kirkwall. If it falls to magic, none of us are safe," Leliana warned. A grisly image flashed across Hawke's mind, then, of Kirkwall burned to ashes with mages standing triumphantly over the ruins, littered with bodies, and a bloodred sky. She shuddered inwardly. "Tell Elthina to leave. There is refuge for her at the Grand Cathedral in Orlais." Remorse twisted Leliana's expression. "She will not be safe here."
"I must go tell the Grand Cleric right away," Sebastian decided, looking somewhat horrified. Obviously a similar vision had occured to him.
"I'll come visit you tomorrow, Sebastian, in case you need help convincing her," Hawke answered, and he nodded gratefully before he strode off purposefully.
"If that's all, then..." Varric lifted an eyebrow, and Hawke nodded. He grinned gratefully. "See you tomorrow Hawke, Broody." He exchanged a glance with Fenris before following Sebastian.
Hawke turned back to Leliana, who was watching curiously.
It was accepted then, without speaking, that their business discussion was over, and a more casual air fell over the group. All three of them- Hawke, Fenris, and Leliana- relaxed noticeably, though Fenris less so than the girls. Hawke watched him out of the corner of her eye; he always appeared somewhat uncomfortable in public, and rarely did she ever see him relax completely. She drew her attention back to Leliana, who was looking somewhat uncomfortable.
"Leli, are you spending the night in town?" Hawke asked conversationally.
"I was going to leave in the morning," Leliana confirmed, tilting her head in curiosity. "Why do you ask?"
"I have a really nice guest bedroom at my mansion," Hawke informed her with a mysterious gleam in her eyes. "Much better than some of those extremely questionable inns. You're welcome to it tonight, if you like."
"That would be lovely," Leliana answered with a radiant smile. Hawke wasn't unaware of the subtle, curious glances she kept shooting in Fenris's direction.
"Shall I walk you home, before more mages jump out and attack us?" he suggested then, his tone slightly acidic. Hawke shot him a glance out of the corner of her eye, slightly confused.
"Excellent idea," she agreed after a moment with a quickly suppressed grimace as her gaze flitted over to the shadowy corners of the room. Then her face fell slightly; she realized that he wasn't planning to spend the night at her mansion, as he'd been doing more often lately. "Luckily, my mansion is nearby, so we won't have to walk too far," she added, her tone somewhat heavier, to Leliana, who only nodded.
"Lead on," the Orlesian invited, gesturing her friend forward. Hawke summoned up a grin and started walking back to her mansion, Fenris striding along almost protectively at her side.
"This is a beautiful mansion," Leliana complimented when they arrived at Hawke's house.
"It is," Hawke agreed proudly, with a trace of sadness in her tone. She glanced sideways at Fenris, who was glancing around as if trying to figure out how to excuse himself politely. "Go on inside, Leli, Bodahn will help you get situated. I'll be there in a sec," she added. Leliana chuckled under her breath and nodded acquiescence before she went inside. Hawke left the door open a crack, warm light spilling out, as she turned to face Fenris and took his hands in hers.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay?" she asked softly, her expression gentling as all trace of sarcasm and cynicism fell from it, her mouth dropping into a disappointed frown. He hesitated, leafy green eyes staring into sapphire blue, before he shook his head.
"You ought to catch up with your friend," he answered with a slight, somewhat regretful smile. She opened her mouth to protest, and he reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Hawke fell silent, feeling her heart pound raggedly at even such a simple gesture. The sadness in his gaze confused her.
"Fenris, I... you don't have to walk me home like you're my bodyguard or something," she said, her gaze hardening a little at the mention of his past life. "You're welcome to stay, Leliana or no Leliana, you know that. We don't have to hide from what we... are, together." She brought their entwined hands to her lips and kissed his, proving her point.
"I know," he answered, lowering his gaze, as if ashamed.
"Well... what's the problem, then?" she asked, her brow furrowed.
"You and your friend are... very close, no?"
Hawke, flabbergasted, stared at him for a full fifteen seconds before she threw her head back and roared with laughter. He stared back at her, his own eyebrow arched in uncertain confusion.
"Oh, dear... Fenris... me and Leli... not like that," she managed to gasp out in between snickers. She sobered somewhat at his stricken expression. "We're just really good friends. We go a long way back," she explained, still attempting to stifle fits of hilarity.
"I saw the way you looked at her..." he began, still confused, but she shook her head violently, the last traces of amusement fading at his expression.
"I promise you, Fenris, it's nothing like that," she assured him quickly. "It's just been a really long time since I last saw her." She shook her head again to dispel memories, wrapping her arms around him despite his cold armor and hugging him tightly. She felt his arms tighten around her. "You needn't worry, dear heart. My heart belongs only to you," she murmured in his ear, and she felt him relax, practically radiating relief.
"I'm sorry," he muttered, sounding aghast that he could have accused her of such a thing.
"No, I'm sorry for confusing you," Hawke answered, her tone genuinely chagrined. "I don't think I've ever told you about her before. But whatever she and I might have had is now a thing of the past." She paused, her expression lifting with hope as she leaned back to look him in the eye. "So are you going to stay?" He considered before he shook his head again, and as before her expression fell, and she bit her lip uncertainly.
"But-" she began disappointedly, and he chuckled, waving her off mid-sentence.
"No, Hawke. I'll leave this evening to you and Leliana so you two can exchange stories." He stated this with more confidence, now, and despite her disappointment Hawke felt a flash of relief that he trusted her. Not that she would have done anything anyway, but it always gave her a warm glow when he got that trusting glimmer in his eyes. "You can tell me all about it... later," he added with more open amusement in his grin. She giggled at his playful expression.
"I look forward to it," she answered, grinning in response, and she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him passionately. "I love you," she added in a whisper before she turned and darted into the mansion, feeling like a schoolgirl who'd just been walked home by her biggest crush.
"What kind of wine is this?" Leliana asked, staring at her glass appreciatively. Hawke burst into a fit of giggles, probably brought on by the rich wine, setting her own glass of wine down on the table so as to not knock it over in one of her spasms of laughter.
"Agreggio Pavali," she managed to gasp out. Leliana, confused, lifted an eyebrow, waiting patiently for her to elaborate. Hawke continued to snicker uncontrollably.
"What's so funny about Agreggio?" Leliana asked finally. "I mean, they say it's supposedly so expensive that only Tevinter magisters can buy it..." She lifted an eyebrow. "You didn't steal it, did you?"
"No," snickered Hawke. "Well, not exactly..."
"Rathina," Leliana chastised teasingly, her blue eyes glittering with amusement.
"I snatched a few bottles from Fenris's mansion a while back," she explained, still grinning hugely. "So he wouldn't shatter them all on the wall." She paused. "Rhyme unintended."
Leliana arched an eyebrow. "And... he hasn't noticed?"
"Oh, I'm sure he noticed, but I don't think he really cares," Hawke replied, shrugging. "He knows I'll put them to better use than he does." Leliana chuckled reluctantly and rolled her eyes.
"And if he asks for them back?"
"I'll give them to him," Hawke answered simply, pain flickering for a moment across her expression. Leliana examined her thoughtfully.
"So, you and Fenris are...?"
"Yup," Hawke confirmed, grinning in that stupid schoolgirl way again. Leli considered this for several moments before she changed subjects.
"I've heard some of your exploits since you came to Kirkwall, but I can tell most of these are false," she stated at length, arching an eyebrow as she waited for Hawke's answer.
"You want me to tell you everything that's happened since I arrived in this hellhole?" Hawke asked, amused. "Sure, if you promise to make a really good song out of it once I'm finished." Leliana laughed.
"Whatever you ask, Rathina."
Hawke spent the next hour and a half detailing her exploits in Kirkwall. Leliana- always the avid listener- gasped, laughed, cried, etc. at all the right parts. Leliana was silent for several moments once she had finished.
"Wow," the Orlesian breathed finally. "Rathina, I heard tell of some of your adventures, but... I didn't realize..."
"How hard it's all been?" Hawke finished wryly. "Yes, well... Varric likes to spread highly romanticized versions of the actual tale. I'd pay ten sovereigns to hear him speak honestly about me." Leliana finally cracked a smile, if a small one. Hawke's expression darkened as she gestured around them heavily and went on, "Well, now you know why I'm all alone here in this giant mansion."
"I'm sorry," Leliana answered with quiet sympathy. There was a beat of silence before Hawke conjured up another of her smiles, forcing herself to think positive again.
"I still have Fenris, though," she answered. She gave a dry chuckle and added with dark humor, "Sometimes, I feel as though he's the only bright spot in the haze of darkness that is my life..."
"Very poetic," Leliana complimented, her eyes shining with a mixture of amusement and pity. "I rather think you should have been a bard."
"I'd've made a pretty damn good one, too," Hawke retorted, grinning. She leaned back, stretching her arms over her head with a massive yawn. "Though I can't imagine that it would have been any more thrilling than life in Kirkwall. Being a Champion is hard, you know." Leliana laughed. Hawke sighed inwardly with relief; she'd finally managed to steer the conversation away from all the dreary stuff.
"So, I've been wondering- why do all your friends call you Hawke instead of by your first name?" the redhead asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Ah, that." Hawke grinned. "It's an old habit from the army, I think, asking them to call me by my last name. Plus, it sounds more fear-inducing and professional than 'Rathina'. And I think Varric likes the nickname." She paused. "I don't mind," she added hastily at Leli's skeptical expression. "I'm honoring my father by carrying on his name."
"Fair enough," Leli conceded, yawning as well.
"You should probably get off to bed," Hawke remarked after another comfortable moment of silence. "What with all the traveling you're going to have to be doing. Don't want you sleepwalking off your boat." Her eyes glittered with amusement.
"Yes, I'm sure that will happen if I don't go to sleep right this instant," Leliana chuckled, rising to her feet. "Thanks for the hospitality, Rathina."
"My pleasure," Hawke answered with a wry grin. "It was nice to see you again, Leli."
Later that night, Hawke was awakened by movement in her dark room. She heard a slight click as the door was closed and then the sound of muffled footsteps on soft carpet. She obediently shifted over in her large bed, and a warm figure slid under the covers beside her. She smiled blearily.
"You came."
"Sorry for waking you."
"No, you're not."
The bed shook as they both chuckled quietly, careful not to wake the sleeping guest. Hawke felt fingers brush against her forehead followed by a soft pair of lips. She sighed contentedly.
"I see you've finished off another bottle of my Agreggio."
A startled peal of laughter burst from her, and she buried her face in his muscular shoulder to keep from laughing out loud.
Once she could speak again, she assured him laughingly, "It was very tasty."