Sun and Moon chapter 5

The boat swayed, moving her body as she sat on the floor peeling her apple. LeeLani watched Solissa with careful eyes. The woman had lied to her. Deceived her. Tricked her. Even now she could sense no magic within her. Not even the tiniest hint of lyrium coursed through her veins and she found herself wondering how knowledgeable the eldest Hawke was in the Magical arts. She had not expected the shield that had helped her save the young girl's life. Feeling it pressed against her back as she fought to keep the ogre in place had been shocking to say the least. And even though she found herself mad at the woman for not telling her what they shared, she remembered she too hadn't told them the whole truth of what she was capable of and nor did she plan to. It was quite possible she would fine herself stuck in Kirkwall beside them for some time, but she would not burden any further then she needed to. She would make herself the life that she wanted. And with the creators grace no one would find her. it was something she could only hope for.
She finished peeling the apple and set it down on the ground so that she may cut it. As she brought the knife down, she sensed their approach. She didn't look up as their shadows fell over her, swaying along with the ship as it made its journey. she popped an apple slice into her mouth before looking up to acknowledge them.

"Enansal, Hawkes. And to what do I owe this pleasure." She spoke in kinder words then she had before, feeling that it was the least she could do after what they had all been through.

"I wish to offer my thanks." Bethany spoke to her, looking down as she continued to eat her apple. "You save my life," she continued her words. "I want you to know my gratitude."

LeeLani felt herself smile. She had trained an elf in her clan that reminded her very much of this young girl in front of her. The elf had sought her out after being called weak and incompetent. She had known LeeLani and of her. She still remembered how much that young girl had begged her. she still remembered her cold icy stare when she realized what LeeLani had done…

She shook the thoughts from her head. "It does not require thanks, child."

"But still," it was Carver who spoke this time. "You didn't just help her." his eyes were set and she could feel the meaning behind his words. "You helped us all. We would not be here if not for your extra hand in battle and for that we thank you."

LeeLani stared into his eyes. They echoed emotions she had long forgotten about. Emotions she thought she would never see again in the eyes of someone who looked upon her. She nodded. "Then I believe all I may say is your welcome." She paused a moment, stopping herself from taking another slice. Placing her blade back into its case, she rose to the floor and moved closer to the twins. "Trust is something I have never believed worth earning." She diverted her eyes not wanting to divulge her past. "I see in your eyes that it is slowly building."

"Well, yes. You tend to trust those who almost die to save you." Bethany nodded shyly.

LeeLani let out a soft chuckle. "Yes as it seems. It is just not something I am used to getting." She turned to leave but stopped before she could exit through the door. "Be careful of who you trust." She felt her eyes flash briefly as she turned around and she felt her heart quicken as she scolded herself for letting something as small as that be shown.

But as much as she didn't want to admit it, she felt she would be tied with the Hawkes for quiet sometime.

Lissa watched as the elf left the cabin and her two siblings came back. She turned away from them and absently stroked her mother's sleeping head. The blight had taken such a toll on the older woman. She had almost lost one of her children. She would have if it wasn't for Lissa and the elf. As much as she hated to admit it, her shield would have never held the creature at bay for very long. If the elf hadn't casted her own as well… one of them would have been lost and it wouldn't have been Bethany.

She didn't turn as Bethany sat down beside her and carver in front of her. she didn't want to hear what had gone on between them and that elf. She knew she was hiding something. She could sense it. Something was off about her. but she would never bring the fear to anyone in her family. Her mother would quickly dismiss the claims as would Carver just because she had saved them. Bethany's sensing skills were nowhere near what she was capable so she couldn't trust or rely on her either. Perhaps maybe Aveline?

She glanced at the warrior, her eyes lingering. She had very well seen what she had done to save her sister. She would eventually have to ask her to keep her magic a secret. She was never one to flaunt and practice her powers so openly. She despised magic, but for the sheer sake of not becoming an abomination, she was forced to practice less noticeable spells. She was a mage, yes but to the outside world, she was a rogue nothing more.

But she couldn't go by on ignoring this feeling. She would have to confide in someone.

"Aveline? May I have a word?" The warrior nodded her head and rose.

"Come here, Beth, take mother." The warrior helped her removed her mother from her lap and onto her sister's. "I'll be right back." She placed a soft kiss on her sister's head before moving to side with Aveline.

"I need to ask something of you." Lissa didn't bead around the bush. She got straight to the point much to the woman's liking. Crossing her armors over her leathers she nodded. "And what might that be?" she asked with the tiniest hint of curiosity threaded into her voice.

"What I did to that ogre… what I am capable of, you mustn't tell anyone."

Aveline narrowed her eyes. "You wish to hide that you are a mage?" the warrior whispered softly. "And what of your sister and the elf? Do they not need the protection as well?"

Lissa shook her head. "I look out for my own. They only people who have seen my power outside of my family is you and that elf and I would like to keep it as such."

She watched as Aveline think over her request. She didn't have to ask anything of her, it was true. If she had ever told she would just deny claims and leave the city with her family. But she needed to know how much trust she was able to give and receive before she spoke about LeeLani.

"I will not deny it if the matter comes to me, nor will I tell anyone who doesn't know." Aveline spoke her words carefully, not wanting Lissa to misunderstand what she was saying.

"That is all I can ask." She said in response to her companions words.

"And what of the elf?" Aveline asked, her voice dropping to make sure others did not over hear.

Lissa felt her face turn up in a scowl. "She is on her own. I will not be responsible if her recklessness gets her in trouble with the Templars."

Aveline eyes her suspiciously. "You do not trust her, then?"

Lissa paused a moment and thought back to when they had found her. Running through the woods with Slavers close on her tail. The look she had given before they shot at her. "No. I do not."

They landed in Kirkwall shortly after Bethany and her brother had thanked the elf. It has been three days since then. They all had been in for a surprise when they had realized they were letting no others into the city. They had been forced to sit here in the gallows waiting for her uncle. But the place made Bethany uneasy. Templar roamed around watching those of them who entered and left through the gates, but she never saw any mages in the courtyard aside from those with shops. And the way the Templars regarded her, with narrowed eyes and suspicious looks, she hoped she would not have to stay here too much longer.

"I can't take this." Carver rose from his spot in the shade beside his mother and grabbed his sword from where it stood. Bethany watched as he slung it over his shoulder and marched down the stairs.

"Where are you going?" Lissa called from behind her, anger and frustration clear in her tone.

"I'm not going to sit here, waiting. Bloody knows how long that would take. I'm going for a walk." LeeLani raised her head as carver passed her seat on the bottom of the staircase. She watched his movements as he disappeared among the other refugees.

Bethany stayed looking at her. Such a strong person, but so withdrawn, she thought quietly to herself. Since they got off the boat, the young elf seem to disappear within herself more as if she was trying to distance herself from them.

She sparred a glance at Lissa, deep in conversation with Aveline and her mother.

And who would do as much with the way she looked at her and treated her. Her sister was not a friend of the woman and nor did she want to be. And Bethany knew why.

Rising from her seat, she moved down the stairs to the elf, fully aware of her sister's eyes on her.

"You aren't very chatty are you?" she said to her as she brushed her skirt underneath her to sit.

LeeLani gave her a lazy smile. "I may as well not be, with how your sister watches." She scratched her blade on the floor. "She is not fond of my use of magic." It was not a question. But regardless Bethany nodded.

"She's not fond of any kind of magic." Bethany stated as she looked up in to the bright sky.

A laugh escaped LeeLani's mouth causing Bethany to turn sharply. "And yet she is a mage." She shook her head. "Forgive me. It is none of my business." They sat there quietly for a few moments; LeeLani scratching her blade and Bethany staring at the sky. It seemed oddly relaxing considering the state of things.

"Where did you learn to fight?" Bethany asked not taking her eyes off the clouds above her head, but through her peripheral she saw her freeze from the unexpectedness of the question. "It was when I was among my clan." She said distantly.

Bethany nodded. "I have never seen such a thing before meeting you."

A small sad smile crossed her face. "We are all unique in our own way."

Suddenly a thought crossed her mind. "Would you be able to teach me?"

LeeLani turned to her not bothering to hide the shock on her face. "You would want to learn from me? How to fight with spirit?"

Bethany slumped beside her, resting her head on her knees as she began processing her thoughts. "I have always been seen as the weaker sibling. My father passed before he could teach me anything of use. He always said my gifts were for healing." Bethany felt tears threaten to leave her eyes as she mentioned her father. He had been taken far too soon and this had been the result of it. Not Them running. That had been the Blight. But just the fact that they all seemed so distant now. She remembered the times she, Carver and Lissa had played together with their father in the forest.

"I want to be useful. I want to carry my own." She turned to the elf and smiled. "I can't be the little sister all the time."

LeeLani froze when Bethany had smiled at her. It reminded her so much of her sister when they were younger. Running through the camp, chasing after the halla. Creators, the had caused so much trouble. But she was gone. And LeeLani had to remember why that was. She could never let herself forget.

Now here, she was. Another young girl, latching on to her to find her own way. What if this ended asa it did last time? What if she was just risking another's life as she had done before?

"I will teach basic offensive spells, nothing more." LeeLani rose. "If you wish to learn to fight with a weapon I will show you. But I will not teach you anything using spirit." I will not allow it to happen again.

Bethany's face lit up. "Really? I don't wish to be a burden."

"It is no burden, believe me." LeeLani smiled. "Perhaps this will be good. For the both of us." Her mind wandered to Azel and what she could remember of her younger sister. Yes this would be good for both of us.

"Leandra? Is that you?"

Both she and Bethany turned as a man descended the stairs; his gray hair slicked back and his clothes raggedy and moth ridden. Gamlen had arrived.

A/N ok so this is where we find out why Solissa's sudden change in her approach to leelani. I have some very nice ideas for this story and most of it will have to do with the parts in between missions as well as the major missions so i hope you all continue to read and comment! Thanx for the love! 3