Alisa sat up in bed, Cerberus was still curled up next to her, the curtains hung closed but rays of light shone through the gaps.
She blinked and petted the mabari's head.
"Come on, boy," she whispered. "Let's go and see if Varric's up for another story,"
"Nice try, Angel. I though you may ask for another story. What would you like to hear?" Varric asked, walking into the room. Alisa swung her legs over the bed and got up, Cerberus fallowing.
"Let me get dressed, then I'll tell you." she squeaked. He gave a nod then left. Alisa stripped off her night gown and put on a clean blue dress. She ran a brush through her hair before exiting her parents room and heading to the library.
The house smelled of cooking meat, which could only mean breakfast. Alisa licked her lips then made her way over to where Varric was.
"Bianca?" she asked. He chuckled.
"I am still sorting out what details are appropriate for you, Angel." he told her. She pouted again but didn't protest.
"Another of mother and father? Or maybe Isabela?" she requested.
"Ah, Riviani, no, her tales are too...adult for you. Daisy doesn't have many. Blondie is boring. Red wouldn't want me telling you about her incident with Donnic. Chanty Boy is quite a drag. Emerald and the elf are the most exciting, so why not?" he joked. Her eyes widened and she nodded.
"Alright then, let me see, how about the time we had to camp on the Wounded Coast? Well, one of times I was there. There were a few other times." he said. She gave another nod. Varric shifted in his seat and began.
-x-x-x-
"Maker, this is just great!" Kathrine muttered sarcastically, throwing her arms up in the air in irritation. "We're lost, I...Varric, I thought you said you knew the way!"
"Katie," Fenris muttered. "This, this is why I told you not to use his information."
"Emerald, I just got a bit of the information confused, nothing that bad," the dwarf assured. Anders sighed.
"And this is the reason there are maps," the healers said under his breath.
The sky was darkening by the second and Kathrine crossed her arms.
"Well boys, looks like we have to set up camp for the night," she declared.
"Not with him," Fenris and Anders said at the same time. Kathrine muttered a few tevinter curses under her breath and turned to look at them.
"Well, what other choices do we have?" she questioned. "Oh right, we have none!" there was a moment of silence. "Come on," she managed, making her way down a path. "I saw a good spot back this away."
Each of them reluctantly fallowed her. Anders and Fenris still glaring at one another.
In moments, Kathrine stood in front of them, and open space around her. She signaled them forward.
"I am going to go get some firewood, now, set up camp, I'll be back soon." she directed, walking off.
Fenris sighed but did as his lover said. Varric set up the tents and Anders helped him.
"I still fail to see what she does in you," he commented.
"Do not repeat this mage," Fenris bit back. "I am not in the mood."
"I've said my words to her, she made up her mind. I am just saying, I do not see it." the healer paused. "Your a hypocrite. More an animal then a man."
"Blondie..." Varric said, trying to stop their continuing fight.
"You've said that before." Fenris snapped. "Mage, do not make me rip out your heart, because I will."
"Oh really? You have had many chances to, yet you have not! Why haven't you?" Anders pointed out.
"Katie wanted me to not. I did as she asked, but I do not think I can keep such a promise any longer!" he threatened, skin tinting blue as he advanced.
"You are a coward, hiding behind the power of your markings!" Anders spat. Fenris narrowed his eyes.
"I use them to my advantage, and I use them well." he hissed. "Now shut your mouth, mage, before I kill you. Because I can, quickly."
"Do you think I cannot defend myself?" Anders asked, hands sparking. The ex-slave paid no attention.
"Magic is a tool, anything it touches, it spoils. And I am quicker then you are." he responded. Leaning his face close.
"You are still a slave to your past, you let one thing ruin everything else. Not all mages are weak, or subside to blood magic." the healer snapped.
"I am not a slave!" Fenris spat, raising a hand to strike. A dagger flew past and was an inch away from their heads.
"Stop!" Hawke's voice rang out. "Fenris, do not kill him!" Fenris lowered his hand and turned to looks at her.
"And why not?" he questioned.
"Because, if you do, you are no better then our enemies," she told him. She turned to Anders. "And you, stop provoking him. Do you want to end up dead?"
"I do not, but Hawke-" he began to protest but she cut him off.
"Don't 'but Hawke' me, Anders. If you end up dead, because of Fenris, it won't be my fault. Now, I see nothing got done, let me pick up the fire wood I dropped and we can finish setting up. I still have some food Orana gave me. We can cook it, eat and sleep."
"Fine," the two men mumbled as she turned and made her way to pick up the wood.
-x-x-x-
"So father almost killed Anders?" Alisa asked, blinking.
"He did so many times. Him and Blondie...never got along. They still do not, but if Emerald hadn't stepped in...I do not think Blondie would be here today. And that would be more complications, for you even." Varric told her.
"Me?" Alisa questioned, confused.
"Blondie, is a healer. He's the one that knew that your mother was carrying a child. Delivered you too, I believe. That, however, is a story not for your little half-elven ears, Angel." he said. Alisa shrugged.
"I don't want to hear about icky stuff anyway, now, what happened next?" she simply said. Varric chuckled.
"Well..." he began.
-x-x-x-
"I am sorry," Fenris apologized. "I should not have almost killed the mage."
"Fenris, you know what I said. At some point, we'll need Anders, and the others. We all have to get along, alright?" she paused. "But I do understand. I heard the last part. You are not a slave, and Anders should not have said that." Kathrine hung her head in her hands, her head felt like busting.
"Are you alright, Katie?" he asked.
"My head hurts, burns even. Like it's on fire," she gripped it harder, but tried to keep herself up right. She felt arms around her, holding her close. A bottle touched her lips and bitter liquid rushed in her mouth and down her throat. The pain ebbed away slowly and she looked up and Fenris.
"Thank you, my wolf." she said. He let her go and tossed the empty bottle aside.
"You should go to bed, Champion," he suggested, getting up and extending a hand. She took it and stood, leaning on him.
"Yes," she agreed.
-x-x-x-
"What happened to mother?" Alisa chimed it.
"She was sick, and being out and about hadn't helped. But she's still around, so she ended up fine." Varric responded. "Now, Angel, listen..."
-x-x-x-
The sun shone brightly and Fenris sat up, propping himself up on his hands. Kathrine was asleep next to him, one hand under her pillow, the other next to her mouth. She was slightly shivering and her reached out to touch her, but she was hot.
Something was wrong, and he knew it. The elf fumbled for his clothing and out of the tent.
Varric was polishing Bianca, Anders was eating some food for breakfast.
"Is something wrong, elf?" Varric asked.
"Katie, is sick. With what, I do not know." he replied.
"Let me help," anders sighed, finishing his last piece of food and getting up. "Is she dressed?" he asked.
"No," Fenris said simply. "You will wait as I get her so," he added, ducking back into the tent. In seconds, he had managed to dress her and then came out with her in his arms, head dangling over his arm. He gently set her down and Anders got to work healing her.
A blue glow enveloped the rogue's body and the mage worked quickly.
"She will be fine, just a little cold really," he explained. "But we need to get back to Kirkall." his hands ceased to glow and her stood up. "The sooner, the better."
"I...alright." Fenris said, picking up his lover. Varric slung Bianca on his back then helped Anders clean up camp. Kathrine coughed but her eyes did not open.
-x-x-x-
"You see, Angel, the one thing that always made Blondie and the elf get along, even for a moment, was Emerald. She had this...aura. And, they both cared for her." Varric explained.
"I see," she pursed her lips. "Go on,"
"Alright..."
-x-x-x-
Her back arched and she coughed, eyes snapping open. Everything looked different.
"What the hell?" she muttered, sitting up. She was in her room, in her estate, in her bed. The sheets draped over her, all she was in were her bra and panties.
Out of the corner of her eye she noticed the curtains ruffle.
"Fenris?" she asked. The elf moved into her view.
"Hm?" he asked.
"What happened? All I remember is going to sleep next to you." she asked. He slipped and sat on the end of her bed.
"You were sick, I have to thank the mage for healing you though." he explained.
"Oh, I see." she paused. "Well, I take it you two got along then?"
"For you, yes, we did." he muttered.
"Hm..." she trailed off and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I told you could atleast get along for sometime with him."
"Do not expect this often," he told her.
"I'll take what I can get, Fenris." she purred, giving him a kiss. "Thank you," she added with a yawn.
"Still tired?" he chuckled.
"A bit," she managed, blinking slowly.
"Why don't you sleep then," he suggested, laying her back on the bed. She rolled over on her side with a groan.
"Fine, but only if you do." she whispered. She closed her eyes and felt the bed bend, then the warmth of another. "Thank you, Fenris." she murmured in his ear before sleep claimed them both.
-x-x-x-
"That's it, Angel." Varric concluded. Alisa looked at him as the sound of a door opening and closing reached their ears. A pair of two battle worn adults stumbled in.
"Ugh!" Kathrine muttered then noticed Varric. "Thanks again for watching her, Varric. Did you have fun Alisa?"
"Yes," the girl squeaked. "Varric told me all kinds of stories."
"Oh?" her mother questioned.
"Like of father killing Hadriana and Danarius, and when you got sick." she explained. Fenris groaned..
"You told her those stories, dwarf?" he asked.
"Angel requested." Varric held up his hands in defense.
"I did," she confirmed.
"Well, Varric, here's you pay and you can go. Thanks again." Kathrine said, tossing him a bag of coin. He caught it and headed out the door.
"I still can't believe he told her those stories," Fenris muttered, heading for the bedroom to change. Kathrine patted Alisa's head and handed her an amulet.
"Here, now, how would you like to go and visit auntie Bethany?" she asked.
"I'd like that," Alisa chirped, taking the jewelry.
"Let me change and then we can go, promise." Kathrine responded, heading for the bedroom as well. Alisa nodded.
"Best stories ever," she giggled. "Now, Bianca is next," she grinned and put the nexklace on then ran off to get ready to visit her aunt.