Names and Titles
Merrill ran the arulin'holm over the very lines she'd used to fuse the mirror's pieces together, slipping it through the surface of the Eluvian by pumping mana through it. She pulled back and touched the line with her free hand, feeling the warmth emanating from the ancient magic she'd used - but no connection to the Fade, or to anything else. Nothing.
Just as she was contemplating tossing the blasted knife and going to see Hawke instead, her house rocked. A muffled boom came from somewhere beyond her walls, and the shockwave sent her face-first into the mirror. She rebounded and landed on her bottom, grateful only that she'd managed to avoid shattering the thing.
As she struggled to her feet, her door slammed open, and from the other room she heard Hawke calling her name. Merrill had just enough time to take her staff from the wall beside the mirror before Hawke burst in, bow in hand.
"Thank the Maker you're safe," Hawke sighed, kissing her forehead. "Come on. The qunari are attacking the city."
"They're what? That's what all the commotion is?" Merrill asked as Hawke hurried her out the door.
"Let's just say the meeting with our esteemed guard-captain went poorly, all right? It probably wasn't my fault." As Hawke emerged into the Alienage, she pointed to the vhenadal, where Aveline and Anders stood side-by-side, backs to the tree, weapons aimed at the stairs from Lowtown.
"Have they come through here yet?" Merrill asked as they joined up.
"They don't want the elves," Aveline stated. "They want the nobles. They think they'll have a lot of elven converts once this is over, I'll bet."
"And a whole lot of mages to collar," Anders piped in. "I haven't seen any Templars helping out. They must be defending the Gallows."
"Good to know they're always on the city's side," Hawke commented. "The Arishok was headed for the Viscount's Keep. If we want to stop this, we'll have to stop him."
"I'm with you," Merrill said, stabbing her staff into the ground to make her point.
"Then let's move."
The party made their way up the stairs from the alienage and turned right, only to find two qunari dragging a cannon past Gamlen's house. The one on the left turned and dropped the cannon, calling to his companion and preparing his spear, but he had no chance to throw it. An arrow thudded straight into his throat, and his companion received a thrown dagger to the eye before Merrill knew what was happening.
A figure in blue and grey leapt down from the railing above, directly onto the qunari corpse, which ejected the dagger from his eye and straight into their hand. "No need to be so dramatic," an Orlesian man's voice called from the rails, and the figure twirled around to respond.
"Just getting my..." Liali said, her voice trailing off as she saw Merrill. "My...dagger back."
"Mahariel," Merrill said coldly.
"Spying on her?" Hawke asked.
"What? Why would she be watching her? I'm the one she interrogated about your bloody Deep Roads expedition," Anders objected.
"Who in the blazes is that?" Aveline asked, annoyance in her voice. "And shouldn't we be getting a move on?"
"I'm your Hero of Ferelden," Liali informed her, sheathing her dagger. "And we were just leaving," she added as a mustachioed man walked down the stairs behind her.
"Leaving? Are you serious? In the middle of a qunari invasion, you're just going to waltz out of Kirkwall?" Hawke asked, her eyes narrowing. "People say the Wardens are cold, didn't realize they were idiots."
"Quiet," Liali snapped. "Wardens don't get involved in political matters."
"Oh, then what was that whole business in Ferelden about? I suppose executing the regent doesn't count as a 'political affair' these days. Hard to keep track, you know," Hawke retaliated, a hostile smirk on her face.
"I-You know what-"
"Please, Mahariel," Merrill begged, "If we don't reach the keep, a lot of innocent people are going to die. You wouldn't let that happen, would you? You're a hero."
Liali turned to Merrill, and seemed entranced by her eyes for a brief second. She looked at the ground. "Fine."
"What? Warden-Commander, I must object!" the other Warden blurted out as he walked up behind her. "This is not the way of the Wardens. This city has nothing to do with the Blight or Darkspawn. It is not our place, and we don't want to make enemies of the Qunari."
"Stroud, get out of here if you have a problem with it. Pretend I got lost in the crowd or swept up in the fighting if you want. But I am a hero, right? I won't let this city burn," Liali argued.
Stroud looked concerned for a moment, but finally nodded. "Very well, Warden-Commander. May the Maker watch over you."
"Let's move, then!" Aveline ordered, stepping in front of the group as Stroud made his way back towards the docks. "That's enough delay!"
The four of them followed her lead as she called every qunari in their way to face her, arrows and magic flying through the streets of Kirkwall as they advanced past the Hanged Man and started up the steps to Hightown.
As they climbed the seemingly innumerable steps towards their goal, there was a moment of peace; no cannons firing, no shouting, no crossing of blades that could be heard. Merrill took the moment to breathe, and realized that both hunters were walking on either side of her like an entourage. She looked from Hawke to Liali, and saw them both staring doggedly ahead, very intentionally avoiding looking at each other. Still, Merrill knew Hawke wouldn't keep her mouth shut - it was one of her best features - and was proven right a second later.
"So where's my sister?" Hawke asked.
"Safe," Liali said.
"Safe as in 'locked away in a tower' or safe as in 'just outside the city having tea and crumpets'?"
"More the second one. She's at our camp on the Wounded Coast. We didn't want to bring any mages into Kirkwall, not if we wanted to keep our goodwill."
"Just what are you here for, anyway?"
"Old legends, and blighted lyrium."
"Very spooky. And I suppose you aren't still watching Merrill's house? No Warden-paid spies in the alienage anymore?"
"I know about you two. The reports did stop coming, though. I suppose your dwarf had something to do with that."
"Word of advice, Hero: never try to outbid Varric."
Aveline grunted as she reached the Hightown Market landing, and from there it was a whirl of magic, spears and arrows as she charged ahead to get a party of qunari off of a noblewoman. As Merrill projected a stone into the head of the last ashaad, she saw a flash out of the corner of her eye. She turned to face a collared qunari mage, his hands glowing with power. Anders threw up a barrier around her, shielding her from the coming blast - and then the light went out of the qunari's hands, and a sword jutted through his chest. With a hearty kick, his attacker freed her sword from his body, and stood triumphant at the top of the market stairs.
"Knight-Commander," Liali said, stringing her bow across her back and folding her arms.
"Warden-Commander. What an unexpected visit. I thought I barred your kind from the city," Meredith sneered. "After all that your escaped member has done here...and speaking of which, hello, apostates."
"If you want to throw them in the Circle right now, you're welcome to give it your best shot," Hawke said, stepping in front of Liali. "However, I think you'd prefer to see them turning qunari into toads, wouldn't you?"
"Sirrah Hawke. Desperate times create strange alliances." Meredith looked them over. "We don't have time, you're right. We must reach the Keep before the Arishok decides to execute the nobility."
"It's the first sensible thing she's ever said! Alert the town criers!" Anders called, but Meredith was already heading away. As Aveline led the rest of the rapidly-expanding party towards the Keep, Anders turned to Liali.
"Glad to hear that you hate her as much as I do," he said. "I thought you might've changed your mind about mages over the years, the way you interrogated me."
"I didn't force you back into the Wardens, did I?" Liali asked. "The Knight-Commander and I actually have even more bad blood than that, but let's not get into it now."
They found the First Enchanter at the start of the Viscount's Causeway, and he threw fireballs at the qunari guarding the Keep's entrance to draw them away - the last thing Merrill saw as she ran into the Keep was the Knight-Commander and First Enchanter back-to-back, staring down a whole squad of horned giants.
They burst into the keep to find it almost entirely empty, save for two guards standing at the door to the throne room. In the same instant, Hawke and Liali drew back their bows and sent arrows into their heads, then looked sheepishly at one another.
"Nice," Hawke said.
"Thanks."
Aveline threw the doors open just as Viscount Dumar's head flew from the Arishok's fingers. It rolled through the crowd gathered below him as he snarled "Here is your Viscount."
"How unsanitary," Hawke commented as the crowd parted before her.
"Shanedan, Hawke. Meraas toh ebra-shok. You alone are-" The Arishok stopped in his tracks, focusing his dark gaze on Liali. "Perhaps not. There are two basalit-an who join us here today. Shanedan, Warden-Commander. My sten spoke highly of you, and we have watched your progress."
"Why are you doing this, Arishok?" Liali demanded. "What possible reason could the qunari have for taking Kirkwall?"
"Hawke knows. I am surprised she did not tell you, but it seems you joined in the fighting with little enough cause." The Arishok looked to Hawke. "I am denied Par Vollen until the Tome of Koslun is returned. How would you see this conflict resolved without it?"
"I-" Hawke began.
"I believe I can answer that," a woman called from the door, stepping over a qunari guard in the process. The heavy necklace she wore jangled with each step as she strutted up the red carpet, a massive book under one arm. Hawke looked vaguely irritated that she hadn't been able to speak yet. "I'm sure you'll find it mostly undamaged," Isabela added, passing the book into the Arishok's hands.
"Heroic acts of sacrifice? What will people say?" Hawke jabbed, playfully punching Isabela in the arm.
"This is your damned influence, Hawke. Oh, hey there, Liali. Nice to see you again," Isabela said with a little wave.
"That's what this is all about?" Liali said as the Arishok handed the book to one of his soldiers. "Your pirate friend stole that from them?"
"Yes," the Arishok growled. "She is the cause of all of this. And now, I am free to return to Par Vollen - with the thief."
Merrill gasped "No!" but was drowned out by Aveline's "Oh, no no no. If anyone kicks her ass, it's me."
"You're not taking her," Hawke stated. "You have your relic. She stays with me."
"Then you leave me no choice." The Arishok took his massive swords from his back. "I challenge you, Hawke. You and I will battle to the death, with her as the prize."
"No! If you're going to duel anyone-" Isabela began, but Liali stepped up.
"Duel me," Liali ordered.
"What?" Merrill asked. "Why-"
"You don't even know her!" Hawke objected. "I'm defending my girl. I'm not letting you come in and hero it all up."
"Parshaara!" the Arishok shouted. "Basalit-an, your act of sacrifice is commendable, but it is Hawke I challenge."
"You wouldn't relish a chance to fight the Hero of Ferelden?" Liali asked, stepping up to him and looking him square in the eye.
"I would not. You have served us all in your defeat of the Blight. Hawke, as mighty and wise as she is, serves only herself and her people," the Arishok said. "Now. Clear the battlefield."
As Hawke lifted her bow from her shoulders and dropped it to the ground, Merrill approached her with shaking steps. "Are you sure about this, Hawke?" she asked, taking Hawke's chin in her hand.
"Come on, Merrill, I've killed bigger things than him," Hawke laughed, and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Go up to the balcony. I want to see you there. Moral support, all right?"
Merrill followed the crowd up into the higher section of the throne room, hemmed in by the qunari honor guard. She and Liali ended up side-by-side at the railing, staring down as Hawke unsheathed her twin daggers. Merrill felt a hand slip into her own and squeeze, and looked over to see the lines on Liali's scarred face blushing an angry red. "She'll make it," she promised, looking down at the coming battle, avoiding Merrill's eyes. "For your sake, she has to."
Hawke dropped into a fighting stance, daggers held akimbo, and the Arishok charged. Hawke flowed around him, slipping slashes in as she slid behind his back, slitting dark lines into the gray flesh of his back. He roared and swung around, but she kept pace with him, stabbing a dagger into his left armpit as he raised his sword against her, the point glittering as it emerged from the other side. She left it there as he grunted, dropping one blade, and was rearing around behind him when he turned and shoved her aside with a thrown arm. She fell back against the steps, her dagger clattering to the floor.
The Arishok reached over and dug the dagger from his arm and threw it at Hawke's prone body. She rolled over to dodge it, snatching up her other dagger in the process, and rose to her feet with her weapon held behind her. She smirked.
"Come on, qunari," she called. "Bleed me."
His left arm useless, the Arishok came at her, swinging one sword in a wide arc. Hawke ducked the blow and slid her dagger across his bare stomach, spilling blood onto the floor. He doubled over, and while he was distracted Hawke ran over to the steps and retrieved her second dagger.
"You are slippery, Hawke," the Arishok said with a wet cough. "I see how you have made your fortune."
"Can't you get in at least one good hit? I thought this was going to be a challenge," Hawke taunted, twirling her weapons.
The Arishok chuffed, adjusting his footing. "We shall see." He stood his ground this time, sword to his side, waiting for her to come to him. Merrill found comfort in Liali's hand, her pulse racing as Hawke circled the massive creature, feinting charges but never actually rushing in.
"It'll be all right. She has him," Liali whispered.
Hawke finally ran at him, and as he sidestepped and tried to bring his blade across her chest, she fell to her knees and slid under his counter, head held back. She laughed as the blade sliced through her bangs. Laughed. Merrill's heart skipped a beat.
Hawke scrambled around, dodging swing after swing on all fours as she fought to get back to her feet, but she found herself unable to rise without getting cleaved in two. Instead, she suddenly shot between the Arishok's legs, leaving him confused just long enough for her to pivot and drive both daggers into his back.
He screamed in pain, reaching around desperately to try and stop her, even with his bad arm - but as she climbed up his back like a mountainside, she twisted her knives with every jab, sending spasms through his body. Finally, she reached his shoulders and leaned forward, forcing him to the ground. She drew her knife across his throat and jumped off.
With labored, moist breath, the Arishok panted and turned over on his back, blood pouring down his neck and chest, mixing with his warpaint. "One day," he choked, "we shall return." He laid his head back on the floor. His eyes stared up into the ceiling.
There was a moment of silence in the throne room as Hawke wiped her brow. And then, there was an explosion of cheering as someone shouted "The city has been saved!" Liali grabbed Merrill and embraced her, the smell of sweat and the forest mingling together in Merrill's senses, the warmth of her body, the desire in those clenching fingers on her back.
"Liali..." she murmured. "Why..."
"Hey! Where are my girls?" Hawke shouted, holding her arms out to her sides. "I think I deserve something for that!"
"You certainly do," Meredith said as she walked into the throne room. "It appears Kirkwall has a new Champion."
Liali pulled away from Merrill, a tear staining her cheek. "Go to her," she said quietly, looking away. "She deserves you."
Merrill wanted to say something, to ask her something, but Isabela's arm was suddenly around her waist and leading her away from Liali. She looked over her shoulder as they started down the stairs, and saw the Hero of Ferelden standing alone, hands balled up into fists, staring at the ground.
Isabela led her to Hawke's side, and with a woman on either arm, the new Champion made her way back to her home, and her bedroom, and Merrill thought no more of the Warden she'd left behind.
Merrill woke to see Isabela slipping out Hawke's bedroom door, and for a while was content merely to wrap her arm around Hawke and listen to her breathe. She didn't want to think about where Isabela was going, or about what the Knight-Commander might do to Hawke once the fame wore off and her associations with elven blood mages couldn't be ignored. And she didn't think of those things, just of the warmth of Hawke's body, the soft sound of her breath, the hard muscle on her stomach. She rested her head on Hawke's bare chest and felt, for the first time in a long time, free from worry. Like she'd passed a threshold at long last.
"Good morning," Hawke murmured, interrupting her thoughts. "'Bela's gone, then?"
"Mhm," Merrill affirmed, stroking Hawke's abs.
"How long do you think it will take her to show back up?"
"She'll be back. Why worry?" Merrill asked.
"'Why worry?' Merrill, are you all right? You always worry."
"Not after last night."
Hawke chuckled and sat up straighter, letting Merrill's head fall into her lap. She ran her fingers through her hair and hummed. "You know," Hawke said after a time, "I can't believe she showed up."
"She's always been a better person than she pretends," Merrill said.
"Not Isabela. Liali. I mean...Maybe not that she showed up, but that she fought with us, tried to duel the Arishok for us. I don't know. I thought she hated you."
Merrill grew quiet, her heart sinking as she remembered the embrace in the Viscount's chambers, the faraway look in Liali's eye. "Hawke," she said finally, intending to say something important, but Hawke interrupted her.
"Lien."
"What?"
"My first name. You can start using it any time," Hawke reminded her, tickling one of her ears.
"Oh! Oh, sorry, do you not like-"
"No, I like everyone else calling me Hawke. You get to call me Lien. Because you're living here now."
Merrill sat up, looking at Hawke with wide eyes. "You-you mean, you, with an elf, up here in Hightown?"
"Mhmm." Hawke pulled her in for a kiss. "I want this. Every morning," she added as they pulled apart.
"I-I think I'd like that," Merrill admitted. "But-oh, Ha-Lien, I need to go to my house, I need to gather up my things-"
"Bring the mirror here too, if you want. I can help with that. Later, though," Hawke said gently. "I am actually pretty sore. From...all aspects of last night," she said with a laugh.
"I-I'll go right now. And I need to find Liali, and...and thank her. I think I owe her that much, at least."
"She's probably already moved on," Hawke said as Merrill swung her legs over the side of the bed. "You know. 'Warden business.' Spooky stuff."
Merrill didn't say anything, but she knew that on this point, at least, Hawke was definitely wrong.
She found Liali standing in front of the mirror, staring into its blank depths. As Merrill approached, Liali's breathing hitched.
"I'm glad there's no reflection," she said, stopping Merrill in her tracks. "It can't show just how ugly I've become."
"Mahariel," Merrill gasped. "No, don't say that, you're-"
"I know what I am, Merrill. As a Warden, you have to know yourself. Especially - especially for this mission." Liali sucked in her breath. "I should destroy this, shouldn't I? It's a potential source of the Blight. It's my duty."
Merrill's stomach clenched as she looked at the back of Liali's matted, dirty hair. "Don't you-"
"I won't. I want you to destroy it. I want you to see how much this mirror has cost me. And you." Liali sniffed. "And I know that you'd hate me if I did it, and I-I can't..." She turned around, her eye shimmering with tears. "You don't hate me, do you?"
"Oh," Merrill sighed, stepping closer, "Oh, ma vhenan, I don't, I don't."
She let Liali cry on her shoulder for a while, holding her, stroking her back through the scarred and pitted armor she wore, listening to her struggle out through snot and tears, "I-I wanted to duel him, I wanted to save your love, I wanted to deserve you, I j-just want you to be happy but I want you back and I want...I want..." Liali swallowed her tears and gripped Merrill tighter, trying to get her breathing under control. "Please," she whispered, wavering in Merrill's arms, "Please destroy it. Please. Don't let it kill you like it killed me. I don't care if you stay with her, I don't care if you never go back to the clan, just please, please..."
"You said that before," Merrill said, pulling back. "That it killed you. But you're right here."
"Being a Warden is a death sentence, Merrill," Liali said, wiping her face. "It's...it's an early grave, twenty or thirty years at best, and then the archdemons start calling for you. And they send you down to the Deep Roads to die in...in pointless battle. And becoming a Warden's the only cure for what the mirror gave me."
"Ma vhenan," Merrill said, reaching for her, but she turned away.
"Don't call me that." She ran a hand through her hair and tossed it back. "Not while you're sharing someone else's bed. Not while you still have...this." Liali threw a hateful glance at the mirror.
"Then Liali...I...it won't break. Not for a thousand years. The spirit, he told me-"
"Enough." Liali's face grew stern, and she moved past Merrill. "I'm not having this argument again, I-I-I don't have time. I shouldn't have come here. I shouldn't have...I'm...I need to meet up with Stroud. I need to make sure the rest of my life means something."
"Liali, wait," Merrill called as Liali pulled open the door, but she slipped through, and was gone. Merrill thought of running after her, finding her, and saying...what? What would she say? She was just as ignorant and scared as the rest of the clan, no matter what else she was.
Instead, Merrill turned back to the mirror and ran her fingers across its smooth surface. You won't die in pointless battle, she thought. You'll die of old age. I'll make sure of it.