A/N A bit later than I hoped but here it is. We're into Act II now folks! I hope you guys enjoy!
Merrill walked into the Hanged Man, taking note of its usual customers. Despite the many changes that had happened in the past three years, the infamous bar had remained Hawke and the others meeting place. It was here where they began their numerous misadventures, more than one of them being possible 'leads' that Isabela had found regarding her search for the relic. Merrill smiled, recalling the latest mishap.
After clearing the area of enemies, Merrill allowed herself to relax as Isabela began to search the area. Hawke and Varric began to scope out the area as well as Merrill looked on.
Suddenly Hawke shouted loud enough for everyone to hear that he had found a promising looking chest. Isabela hurried over, examining the chest. Hawke, crouched by the chest, was examining a padlock that kept the loot secure. Looking at Isabela he said," Think you can open it?"
Laughing, Isabela said, "Please Hawke, don't insult me," motioning for Hawke to step aside. Within moments, she had deftly picked the lock and had thrown the hefty lock aside. Looking at Hawke she said, "Well since you found it I'll let you have the honors," motioning for Hawke to open the chest.
Merrill felt anticipation build as Hawke approached the chest. Pausing dramatically, he knelt down, placing his hands on the lid. Opening it suddenly, he shouted out as a giant spider that had been there for Maker knows how long, leapt out of the chest and latched onto Hawke's face. "Varric get this damn thing off me!" Staying still enough to give him a clear shot, Merrill watched as Varric took careful aim. Firing a well placed bolt, the creature was removed and subsequently killed.
After recovering for a few moments Hawke managed, "Damn my face hurts," removing his hand from his face for a moment, and Merrill and Isabela let out a small gasps. There was clearly bite marks and the area around them was beginning to swell.
"I don't see what the big deal is," Varric said. "Hell, might even be an improvement."
Returning to Kirkwall quickly, they promptly acquired healing herbs and sent Hawke back to his new Hightown mansion. As they were exiting, Isabela noticed Merrill's expression and said, "Don't worry kitten I'm sure it'll be fine in a couple of weeks," With a cheeky grin she added, "Then again, I'm sure he wouldn't turn you away if you offered to kiss it better."
Merrill reddened, saying, "Don't be silly Isabella, Hawke wouldn't want me of all people doing that."
"Really? Why not?" Isabella asked with a curious expression.
"Well, he's human, and I'm an elf…" Merrill started.
"I wouldn't count yourself out just yet kitten. The man can keep an eye level conversation with me for Maker's sake! And yet, I've seen him giving you sideways glances every now and again when you walk off. Then again he could be admiring this," Isabella said as she lightly slapped Merrill's bum.
"Isabela!" Merrill squeaked in surprise. Sighing she said, "It doesn't matter, it wouldn't work out…"
"You sound very disappointed kitten," As if struck by an epiphany, her eyes widened as realization dawned upon her. A devilish grin appeared on her face as she said, "You fancy Hawke!"
Realizing that she had been found out and that denying it would be pointless, Merrill remained silent.
"So…" Isabela asked, "When are you going to sleep with him?"
"WHAT!" Merrill shrieked, becoming more embarrassed by the second.
"You know rut wildly like a pair of mabari in the heat?" Isabella said as if it were the most mundane thing in the world.
"I never said anything about-"Merrill began to protest.
"But you've thought of it," Isabella said knowingly. Wrapping her arm around the embarrassed elf she continued, "One of these days your going to go to him and give him the night of his life,"
"But-"
Pressing a finger to Merrill's lips Isabella silenced her, saying, "Nope, no backing out now kitten. Later, we are going to have some lady talk."
Blushing at the mere memory Merrill continued forward to Varric's suite, where Varric and a masked person wearing crimson robes. The masked man looked in her direction and a familiar voice greeted her. Following Hawke's meteoric rise in society, it had become increasingly difficult for him to maintain anonymity. The refugee turned nobleman was recognized nearly everywhere. For anyone else this would be fine. But more public scrutiny for an apostate might as well be a death sentence. This led Hawke to take up his father's robes and mask to continue adventuring as he had in the past.
Isabela joined the group, giving Merrill a sly wink while subtly nodding towards Hawke. Merrill averted her eyes, instead paying attention to Hawke.
"Do any of you remember Feynriel the elven apostate we helped years ago?"
"The one we sent to practice magic amongst the Dalish?" Merrill asked, remembering.
"That's right. His mother sent me a letter recently, said he's been having nightmares lately, and now he's been sleeping for several days. They suspect the demons are the cause."
"Marethari," Merrill winced slightly at the name, "the keeper has a plan and asks that we meet them both at Feynriel's original home back in the alienage. From what I've gathered, we'll be entering the Fade." Hawke took a moment to judge his friends reactions. "Everyone in?"
"I must admit, I'm more than a little curious," Varric said, nodding that he would go.
"Fighting demons in dreamland? Count me in." Isabella agreed.
"I would like to go as well," Merrill answered.
"Its settled then," Hawke said, rising. "Off to the Alienage."
They arrived in Arianni's small Alienage home soon after. The said elf was currently discussing something with Marethari, when they both noticed the group's presence. Hawke removed his mask so the two would recognize him.
"I knew they would come," Arianni said, her voice filling with hope that had obviously been absent recently.
Marethari stepped forward and greeting them as well. "It is good to see you again da'len." Looking towards Hawke she continued. "And you as well."
Merrill could have sworn she heard an undertone in her former keeper's greeting, yet the woman's features betrayed nothing. Taking Hawke aside Marethari spoke to him in private, most likely about what they were about to do. From Hawke's facial expression, he had first not liked what the Keeper had told him, but appeared to consent. Reentering the group, Marethari looked among Hawke's companions.
"This is who you are bringing with you I presume?" She asked. Seeing Hawke's nod, she continued, "Then let us begin."
Merrill opened her eyes to see they had successfully entered the Fade. Isabella and Varric looked around curiously, for they had never been self aware when they came here. Hawke and Merrill being mages however were somewhat familiar with the Fade.
"Let's go, the sooner we end this the better," Hawke said, beginning to move forward. Following him, Merrill examined the temple like area that served as a representation of Feynriel's mind. As they neared the center of the room, a strange voice greeted them.
A demon materialized out of the ground, examining them. Though it's words held no malice, even those not gifted with magic could feel the evil emanating from the creature. Trying and failing to convince Hawke to hand over Feynriel in exchange for power the demon attacked. However it stood no chance against two mages, an expert marksman, and a seasoned pirate. Noticing two pathways, Merrill informed Hawke, "We probably need to confront more demons in these halls."
Choosing one, they continued forward, when suddenly a flash of light blinded them momentarily. When Merrill's vision cleared, it appeared that they were in a dream that Feynriel was having. Stranger yet, where Hawke was previously standing stood Arianni, Feynriel's mother. A younger version of Feynriel was speaking to his father. Arianni walked toward him, and managed to convince Feynriel that this was a ruse, and that he was being tricked by demons. Feynriel fled ending the dream.
A desire demon replaced Feynriel's father, and Hawke replaced Arianni.
"You!" The desire demon said, pointing an accusatory finger at Hawke. "You ruined my plans!"
"Just trying to help, honest," Hawke said sarcastically, remaining glib despite the situation.
The desire eyed the rest of them hungrily. Smiling wickedly the demon said, "Perhaps I can take one of your friends instead!" Floating towards Isabella the demon spoke, "I could give you anything," Reading into Isabela's desire's the demon continued, "The best crew in Thedas," Seeing its words and influence were beginning to affect the pirate the demon continued. "The largest and finest ship, ready and in dock in the Kirkwall harbor," Advancing toward Isabella sultrily it spoke, "I'll be waiting in the captains quarters!"
"Well other than the fact that this is a demon lying to manipulate you that sounds great." Hawke quipped.
Unfortunately though, the demons words already had a firm grip on Isabella. Turning towards them Isabella said, "I like big boats, I cannot lie." Pulling out her daggers she charged towards them. Hawke, reacting quickly, summoned an ice blast, immobilizing her. Varric, readying Bianca, took careful aim and finished the job.
Sighing as he put away his crossbow Varric muttered, "Damn it Rivaini."
"According to the keeper she should just wake up, she'll be fine," Hawke informed. They then headed towards the opposite hallway were there no doubt was another demon awaiting them.
As they opened the door, they became immersed in another of Feynriel's dreams, Hawke this time assuming the form of the First Enchanter. In this case, it appeared that Marethari was attempting to convince Feynriel to take advantage of his newfound powers. Once again convincing Feynriel that he was being manipulated by demons, the dream faded away. In Marethari's place stood a towering pride demon, the most powerful of the demons.
"Fool, you will pay for intervening!" The demon growled. "I will take one of your companions instead; see how loyal they really are!" The creature stepped toward Merrill, and a wave of fear washed over her.
"She did not turn down the offer from my kin, who's to stop her now!" The demon said ominously. "Scion of the Dalish, savior of your people," The demon said now addressing Merrill.
"Could you do that?" Merrill asked, sorely tempted. "All these years I've wasted my people shunned me. But I could show them, save them and they might for once listen," Merrill thought. Her thoughts became muddled as the demon exerted its influence. Her vision became hazed, and saw Hawke saying something, but she couldn't hear. She felt her mouth form words that were not her own and from there, darkness.
Merrill woke up, gasping. Cursing herself for being so foolish, she spotted Isabela next to her. Seeing that she was awake, the pirate asked, "What happened kitten?"
Burying her face into her palms she said, "I was tricked by that Pride demon. Oh creators I am such a fool!" Merrill said in despair.
"It happens to the best of us kitten, it wasn't your fault," Isabela said in an attempt to console her.
"The worst part is part of me knew it was too good to be true," Merrill said dejectedly. Even worse, she was now almost certain that if she had a chance with Hawke before now it was likely gone. Now all she could do was wait and hope that Hawke and Varric would be successful.
Several minutes later Hawke and Varric woke up, apparently succeeding in liberating Feynriel from the grasp of the demons. Merrill had tried to think of words to explain herself, but found that none of them seemed to be sufficient. She had betrayed one of her closest friend's trust. As Hawke informed Arianni that Feynriel was going to the Tevinter Imperium to master his powers, Merrill quietly slipped out and retreated back to her home.
Closing the door behind her Merrill quickly entered. Taking a seat, she began to contemplate just what she had done. A knock on the door startled her, and she promptly rose to answer it. She opened the door and wasn't surprised to see Hawke, his face full of concern.
"May I come in?" He asked politely, as always.
"Of course," Merrill managed, her voice shaky. Leading inside she turned away from him, taking a deep breath.
"Hawke, I'm so sorry, I wasn't…. I couldn't…" Merrill stammered, obviously on the verge of breaking down.
"Merrill," Hawke said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. She turned, facing him, and without hesitation, he pulled her into a hug. She reciprocated feeling comforted by his embrace. "I'm just glad your okay," He said softly in her ear. Merrill had never felt so unworthy of such a good friend. The sensation of his arms around her sent warm shivers up her spine as they stood there in silence. Once she had calmed down sufficiently he released her, his amber eyes meeting her emerald ones their faces inches apart. Merrill saw a flash of emotion in his eyes, but it vanished so quickly she almost thought she didn't see it.
He backed away slowly, his eyes not leaving hers.
"Thank you Hawke," Merrill managed.
Hawke shrugged and then gave her one of those smiles that made her heart beat just a little bit faster.
Seeming to notice the time that had elapsed Hawke said, "I'd probably better be getting back to Hightown, wouldn't want mother to get too worried," He said, and Merrill was surprised. Hawke seemed almost, awkward. "I'll see you later Merrill," He said with one last look back.
As the door closed Merrill slowly sat down smiling, Perhaps Isabela was right, there might be hope for her yet. .
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