Once again, Hawke entered yet another darkened room. Maker, how she was tired of all this damned darkness! The few lanterns that hung from the rafters barely lit the room. Their constant swaying to the ships movement kept casting eerie shadows upon the walls. Shadows that danced all around Hawke, as if they were toying with her. If only the blasted sun would hurry and rise…

The sounds of clinking chains caught her attention, glancing over her shoulder, Hawke was not ready to behold the sight before her.

Fenris…his wrists were cuffed and chained to separate walls, his arms were spread and raised high above his head. His feet however were not bound, for they danged just a few inches from the floor. Wearing only his black pants, he hung there slumped over, oblivious to Hawke's presence.

"Fenris!" Hawke ran over to him. Instead of dropping her weapons carelessly aside, in one fluid motion she secured the blades into the floor at her sides. Gently taking his face in her trembling hands, she lightly brushed the mangled hair behind his ears. He was hurt, badly. A stream of blood had ran down his chest from a gash on his lower lip. His eyes were still closed while Hawke checked for other injuries. As she gently touched his sides, he instantly winced in pain, indicating a few of his ribs were probably broken. Fenris's skin was cool and clammy. His breathing was slow and labored. Though he was alive…barely.

A soft sob escaped Hawke's lips, a sob that soon turned into a low angry growl. From the shape Fenris was in, it was obvious that Danarius had been busy torturing him none stop since they left Kirkwall. The blood mage that Hawke killed had told the truth. She wouldn't put it past Danarius to have had his runaway slave beaten, then healed, so that he wouldn't die from his wounds, to only be beaten again. She closed her eyes and gently pressed her brow against his. Fenris would be alright, Anders would be here soon to heal his wounds and all will be well. Unable to stand to see him chained any longer, Hawke glanced around her, trying to see if there was something that she could use to pick the locks.

"Marian…?" Fenris spoke, his voice but a whisper…weak.

She froze. He had called her by her first name…not her last. Never before had Fenris allowed his lips to speak her first name, as if it was too personal for him to say it. Even though Hawke longed to hear him say her name, this wasn't how she wanted it to happen.

"I'm here…" Hawke whispered softly, taking his face within her hands once more, their lips only a breathe away. Gently, she wiped the blood from his chin with her thumb. "You're safe now."

Ever so slowly, Fenris tried to open his eyes. Peering down at her, a mix of expressions masked his bruised face. Looks of confusion, disbelief, and then slowly, realization. All shown within his forest green eyes as he peered down at her.

"I'm so sorry, Fenris…" Hawke whispered sadly, meeting his gaze. "What happened at the tavern… I would never… ever betray you." She hoped he understood what she was trying to say and that he would believe her. "Danarius used blood magic on me…on all of us. I couldn't stop what he was doing, I tried…" He leaned his head against the palm of her hand and she placed a soft kiss upon his brow. "We're all here…even Anders. We're going to get you out of here. No matter what."

A relieved sigh escaped his lips, then he tried to clear his dried throat. Though as Fenris opened his mouth to speak, his gaze turned from Hawke. She watched his eyes slowly widen, no longer focused upon her, but something behind her.

While keeping her left hand against the side of Fenris's face, Hawke slowly lowered her right hand to the knife that was sheathed within a strap below her left shoulder. Then in one fluid motion, she turned and flung the dagger straight for Danarius.

Instantly the blood mage raised his staff and blocked her attack, the blade went spinning through the air before impaling a wall. "Ah…my little wolf chose his mistress well!" Danarius smiled, his cold eyes gleaming wickedly.

Hawke quickly plucked her blades from the floor and rushed towards Danarius, eager and ready to sink them into his damned flesh. Just when she swung her blades forward, he vanished. She skidded to a stop, though before she could turn around, he slammed his staff hard across her back. Hawke growled in pain as she stumbled forward. Regaining her balance, she then turned to face him again, knowing she had to take him down fast.

Again, Hawke lounged forward, swinging her swords. Using his staff, Danarius blocked each and every blow she swung at him. For an older man, he could move surprisingly well. Even though he cheated by constantly teleporting himself around the damn room to avoid her fatal blows.

Just when Hawke thought she had him, Danarius sent her blades flying through the air with the blast of energy from his mind. Reacting quickly, Hawke grabbed his left arm and hurled her body forward. Swinging her full form completely around his back to then pin his arm painfully behind his neck in a firm hold. Though before she could make another move, he evaporated into thin air. Suddenly appearing behind her, he lashed out with the dagger she had thrown at him moments ago and slashed it across her arm. Curse the day that mages learned how to teleport!

Cursing, she regained her balance once more and sprinted over to her fallen blades, picking them up once again. Hawke then dipped a finger into the blood that seeped from the wound upon her arm and slowly spread it across the bridge of her nose while glaring at Danarius. Now she was even more pissed off…

At first she didn't understand why he wasn't using any major spells against her, figuring his little tricks he used on deck had worn him out. However, when Danarius began to laugh at her failed attacks, she realized he was merely toying with her. He appeared on the other side of the room, watching her closely. "You are quiet skilled…" Danarius said with a smirk, "Perhaps I should make you one of my body guards."

"Dare to dream…" Hawke replied sarcastically, glaring at him while trying to steady her heavy breathing.

She followed his gaze as he turned to look at Fenris, who was struggling to get free. He managed to get his right hand freed as he painfully pulled it through the cuff leaving his hand scraped and bloodied.

For a mere moment, Hawke watched as a look of surprise, as well as fear, crossed over Danarius' haggard face, "As much as I would love to continue to play with such a lovely mouse like yourself…" His voice suddenly serious, "This game must end."

"Hawke!" Fenris tried to warn, but Danarius soon silenced him with a bolt of lightning. Fenris screamed as his body was racked with pain. The lyrium carvings within his flesh began to glow.

For only an instant, Hawke turned to look at Fenris, then looking back she gasped as Danarius was suddenly in front of her. She tried to raise her swords to attack, though her arms refused to move. 'No…not again…' Hawke prayed silently to herself. Though the pleased look on the blood mage's face shattered any remaining hope she had at winning this battle.

Danarius had won…

Once again, Hawke's body and mind were under the blood mage's full control. He grabbed her throat, then leaned forward and grinned in her face, "Did you really think you could save him? That you could defeat me?" One of her blades fell to the floor, while the other was offered to Danarius. Taking the blade from her, he then pressed the tip of the sword to her stomach. "You did good my dear. But now it is time for you to die..." He whispered against her ear, before thrusting the sword forward.

Hawke gasped as she felt her own sword being driven through her body. She could feel the blade slice its way through muscle, grinding against bone as it made it's way to appear out of her back. Fenris's rage filled scream echoed in her ears as Danarius removed the blade and tossed it to the side. He then tightened his grip around Hawke's neck as he lifted her off the ground. Then, with another blast of energy from his mind, he sent her sprawling backwards. Hawke hit the floor hard and rolled to a stop.

It had all happened so fast…

Hawke felt confused at first, not understanding what had just happened, nor why she suddenly felt such unbelievable pain. Pain that she had never felt to this extent before. No longer under the blood mage's control, Hawke placed her hand against the wound. Blood began seeping through her fingers, she could taste blood at the back of her throat as well. The pain that racked her entire body was so damned overwhelming it made her eyes tear up. Had she really lost? It couldn't be over. Not yet…

Hawke lay there upon her back, her gaze turning from the blood on her hand to Danarius who stood smiling over at her. Damn, how she wanted to carve that smile from his face!

Movement from behind the blood mage caught her attention. Just when Danarius turned around, a glowing fist appeared through his chest. Hawke winced when she saw the blood mage's heart being held just inches from outside his back. The lyrium markings that covered Fenris's body glowed brightly, even his eyes were lit. Fenris's entire being illuminated the room. Never had she seen him appear so…demonic.

Fenris withdrew his hand from within Danarius' chest. Even without his gauntlet, the elf had managed to rip the blood mages heart out with his bare hand. Holding onto his former master's throat, he held up the still beating heart in front Danarius' eyes. "I have your heart Danarius…" He grinned coldly, "Funny…I didn't think you had one." Fenris closed his fist tightly, crushing the heart, blood splattered across Danarius' face.

"Fenris…!" Danarius gasped, "You…"

"Am no longer your slave!" He growled, interrupting him. As if ripping the bastard's heart out wasn't enough, Fenris crushed Danarius' windpipe before ripping it out as well.

Danarius crumbled to the floor, now dead after all these long years. Fenris stood there in silence, towering over his former master's body. His glowing lyrium markings slowly dimming as he held his hands out before him. His gaze shifted between Danarius' heart to his windpipe that he still held.

"Wow, a double…whammy…I'm…so proud…!" Hawke managed to say through gasps of pain.

Fenris's cold eyes turned to Hawke, for a moment he had completely forgotten about her. With his gaze quickly softening he cast the organs aside then leapt over Danarius' body and ran over to her. Kneeling down, he gently took her into his arms. His gaze fell to the wound in her stomach, the expression that crossed his handsome face was of pure panic.

"That bad, huh?" Hawke asked playfully, already knowing the wound was fatal.

"You can't leave me Hawke…" Fenris replied shaking his head slightly, his eyes pleading. "Not now…" Gently, he placed his hand against her face. Danarius' blood smeared across her skin, he'd forgotten about that…

"You could of washed your hands first you know…" She teased.

Fenris glared down at her, "How can you be so damned humorous at a time like this?"

She shrugged, "I'm weird." Another wave of pain brought a gasp to her lips.

"Where's that damned mage!" Fenris shouted, he began to climb to his feet to search for Anders, but Hawke grabbed his arm, her grip weak.

Her vision was already starting to grow dark, she knew that it was already too late, her wound was beyond Anders's healing. Raising a trembling hand, she placed it against his face, "It'll be alright…" And it would be, for Fenris was finally free. Though he might not have a future with her, he would still have one of his own.

Fenris shook his head, his hold on her tightening. "Anders!" He screamed, hoping the mage would hear his frantic voice.

"I'm coming!" Finally came a reply. Anders burst through the door, his gaze turning to them.

"Hurry!" Ordered Fenris.

Anders rushed to their side, he cursed in alarm when he saw how bad of a state Hawke was in. Soaked and laying in a large pool of blood, she was badly bleeding out. "Hold on Hawke." He hoped it wasn't too late. "Quick, help me remove the armor. I can't heal through the damn leather." Together, the two began to strip Hawke of her armor. Working frantically, knowing every second was crucial.

Hawke's vision grew even darker, she could no longer tell if her eyes were open or closed. Just trying to breath had became an excruciating task as blood began to fill her lungs, causing her to cough and choke. She could hear Fenris curse at Anders to move faster, but their voices slowly began to fade just like the room. Then suddenly, the pain went away as the darkness surrounded her.

They say that your life flashes before your eyes before you die…yet it didn't happen for Hawke. Instead, she found herself standing in a grassy meadow in the middle of no where. Trees surrounded her, flowers slowly swayed to the gentle breeze. Above the blue sky towered over head, thick white lazy clouds took their time floating by. She could even feel the sun's warmth as her long hair flowed freely around her shoulders.

She glanced around, taking in the beautiful sight before her. A sense of peace filled her being, for some reason Hawke knew that there was no longer a need to fight, nothing was going to harm her ever again.

Then, Hawke felt a familiar presence that she had not felt for far too long. Turning around, her blue eyes went wide. Leandra, Bethany, and Carver stood just feet away. They smiled back at her, even Carver, who had his arms crossed over his chest, his head tilted to the side. It couldn't be…

Their gazes turned from Hawke to something behind her. Slowly, Hawke glanced over her left shoulder to see what they were looking at. When she saw the man standing there, she felt her heart fall. There was her father, his vibrant eyes looking deep into hers, a knowing smile upon his face.

She was home…

Or at least that was what Hawke had hoped. No one spoke, but she suddenly knew there was more she had to do. Even though Hawke knew in her heart she would see them again…she still didn't want to leave. 'No…' She thought sadly, 'I want to stay…' It wasn't fair, she was so tired of fighting… She wanted to stay with her family, where it was peaceful. But already Hawke could feel herself slowly start to slip away from them. Their smiling faces began to fade away as voices from a far screamed her name. Reaching out her hand, Hawke tried to grasp a hold of her father, but it grabbed nothing but air…and then he was gone.

They were gone.

"Hawke!" Shouted Anders, "Come on, open your eyes…"

Gasping for breath, Hawke sat up so suddenly Anders fell back onto his elbows. "Maker, stop doing that!" He snapped, though sounding very relieved.

Fenris instantly wrapped her in his arms, holding onto her so tight that it hurt, but she didn't care. Compared to being stabbed in the gut, being held tightly by the one she loved really didn't bother her. Closing her eyes, she leaned against his bare chest. Had she dreamed of her family? Or had she truly been there with them? A tear slowly fell down the side of her face, she knew she would see them again, but not yet. Exhaustion taking over, Hawke nuzzled against Fenris's chest, within minutes she was asleep in his protective embrace.

Hours later, Fenris sat hunched over in a chair while Anders healed him. His chin rested upon his hands as he watched Hawke sleep in the bed before him. They were still on the ship, the three companions alone in the Captain's private quarters. The others were somewhere on board, either celebrating or doing whatever they wanted while they awaited Hawke to awaken.

It had been Sebastien who carried Hawke from the hold, since Fenris was in such a bad shape and Anders was completely drained from healing her. It had taken everything the mage had to heal Hawke's fatal wound, they nearly lost her. For a moment, Fenris thought she had died right there in his arms. He remembered feeling the warmth slowly leave her body, the memory terrified him.

Yet she had survived and was resting peacefully before him. The others made sure that he knew just what exactly happened back at the Hanged Man. Why Anders and Merrill hadn't been there during the meeting with Varania. Then they explained just how Hawke had panicked, worried sick for his own safety. How she rushed towards the docks and that she fought with such fierce fury just trying to reach him in time.

While they left the hold and entered the deck, the nauseated Merrill made sure to point out every gory mess that Hawke had made during the battle.

"That one is hers, " Merrill pointed at a headless corpse on the floor. "Oh and that one, see? The arm over there? That was hers too. Oh and that uh…head with the beard, she did that too."

"Actually my dear, that one was me." Zevran pointed out, grinning at her.

"Oh, it was? I'm sorry…my mistake." She apologized quickly, then suddenly appearing rather ill she added, "Sorry…excuse me. I need to go sit down for awhile…"

Varric chuckled as he helped Merrill take a seat at the front of the ship, as far away from the gory mess as possible, "So much for wanting to be part of a raid, huh Daisy?"

It was too much to take in all at once, everyone's constant bickering was starting to make Fenris's head hurt. As if they were blaming him for ever believing Hawke would betray him, let alone the rest of them. Of course they also all told him just how relieved they were to see him alive. Well, all besides Anders…The elf wouldn't put it past the mage to betray him. For Anders had made it clear that he was only here because of Hawke.

After Aveline was done cleaning the blood off of Hawke while she slept and had left the room, Anders stayed behind. The mage had offered to heal him, but Fenris declined.

"Fenris…if you don't let me heal you, Hawke is going to wake up and blame me. Then I'll have to tell her how much of a stubborn ass you were and she'll start yelling at both of us. Might as well just grin and bare it." Anders snapped angrily.

"Fine." Fenris grumbled, "Be quick about it then."

The two foes remained silent while Anders healed, neither making eye contact. When the mage was finished, he began to leave the room. "You do realize she's head over heels in love with you…" Anders pointed out, his hand on the doorknob.

Fenris narrowed his eyes, "I do not wish to discuss this with you…mage." His voice cold.

Anders glared back at him, "I don't really give a shit if you want to discus this or not. That woman almost died trying to save your life!"

Fenris shot Anders a warning glance, "You think I'm not aware of that?"

"You tell me." He shot back, "You have a lousy way of showing gratitude, Fenris." Letting out a tired sigh, Anders continued, "Look, I don't like you, in fact I practically despise you...and its obvious you feel the same way about me. But we are both in love with the same woman. I can't imagine what Hawke sees in you… Apparently its something worthy of her love. But if you dare break her heart again…I swear to you, I'll turn you into a toad." Before the elf could lash out his own reply, Anders slammed the door firmly behind him.

Cursing under his breath he grabbed the white shirt Aveline had found for him from a drawer in the captain's room. After putting the shirt back on he rose to his feet. The damn mage just knew what to say to really piss him off. Not only that, but he always had to have the last word. Storming over to the large window across the room, Fenris opened it and peered outside.

The warmth of the sun's rays that shined down upon him gave little comfort. For his mind raged on like a storm, ever troubled and unsettling. The past twenty four hours had been exhausting, both mentally and physically, far too much had happened.

Back at the Hanged Man, he had been such a fool, a complete and utter fool to even think for a second that Hawke would betray him like that…

But he had believed it, something inside of him broke apart and his whole world came crashing down. Once again, his master had returned and his fantasy life was over. Yet, Fenris was thankful that Danarius hadn't ordered him to kill Hawke and the others like he had done with the Fog Warriors. He wouldn't of been able too…even if she wanted him gone.

An hour after leaving the tavern, Danarius had him chained and beaten. When Fenris's body had taken enough damage, his master would have him healed, to only be beaten again. At first Fenris didn't mind the beatings, for they numbed the pain that he felt in his heart. Pain that was caused by the one and only woman who set his mind and body aflame.

Hearing from the others on how much Hawke had cared about him, made him feel restless and uneasy. It felt so strange to learn that someone cared, nay, loved him that much to risk their own life for him. It didn't occur to him that he could be anything else until he had a taste of it. Now that he was free…and that Hawke was alive, he would not make such a foolish mistake again.

A soft groan sounded behind him, glancing over his shoulder he watched as Hawke slowly began to stir in the bed. How would he be able to explain how he truly felt about her? The situation was alien to him. Yet…as he stood there watching her, it was as though suddenly his eyes had opened and for the first time, his vision had came into focus.

"Fenris…?" Came Hawke's worried voice.

"I am here." Fenris replied softly, turning to look at her. "You shouldn't move. Your body is still weak…" Before he could finish, Hawke had sprung from the bed and ran over to him. Her arms were instantly around his neck, hugging him to her.

His green eyes went wide in surprise. Then slowly, he wrapped his arms around her waist. Closing his eyes, he took in the feel of her warmth against his body. Her long hair was loose and hung over his arms as he held her against him. Ever since their night together, Fenris would lay awake every night and remember her touch as if it was only yesterday. This woman haunted his dreams, making him ache to hold her once again. Yet this time it wasn't a dream at all, it was real. For a few moments, they just stood there in their embrace, neither talking, just holding on to one another for dear life. The sun shown down on them, casting them in a soft warm glow.

After a few moments, Hawke spoke softly. "Fenris…what happened at the-"

"I know." He replied gently, interrupting her. Leaning away, he looked into her eyes. "You don't have to explain Hawke, the others already did."

"Did they now?" She arched a brow at him.

Fenris gave a small smile, "Indeed, quiet a bit actually…"

"So you know why Anders and Merrill weren't there?" Hawke asked.

"Yes, I know." Reluctantly, Fenris released her and took a few steps back. He turned to look out the window, "Anders made sure that was clear."

"Hmm, I thought I heard yelling." Hawke replied, "And here I had hoped that was in the dream I was having."

Fenris turned to look at her, "You…heard what was said?"

She shook her head, "Not really…I heard your voices, but I couldn't make out what you were saying. I was in twilight still. You know, that phase when your body is half asleep, half awake and everything is blurry?"

Fenris just looked at her, if she was bluffing he couldn't tell. Part of him hoped Hawke hadn't heard what was said. "I see…" He turned his gaze away and peered out the window.

Hawke took a step towards him "Fenris…are you alright?"

He closed his eyes and lowered his head. Why was it so damned hard to tell her what he was feeling? How she made him feel on the inside, let alone thank her for everything she had done for him this night. As well as the thought of almost loosing her had terrified him, it was too much…

Taking a deep breath, Fenris turned away from the window to face her. "Hawke, I…" He stopped as she reached up to brush a few loose strands of hair from his eyes. Gently, she tucked the hair behind his ear and smiled at him. It was a simple gesture, but it helped ease the tension in his muscles. Well for a few seconds anyway...

The door to the room suddenly swung open, causing them both to jump in place. Isabela popped her head inside and peered around the corner at them, "Hey! Bloody bout time you woke up!"

Fenris narrowed his eyes at the woman. There had once been a time when Isabela asked if the others ever wanted to slap her, just once. Well, at that moment he wanted nothing more than to slap her for interrupting. Not that Fenris approved of hitting women, just…damn she had the worst timing.

"Hello Isabela…" Hawke said with a sigh.

Isabela frowned at them, "Well, pardon me for wanting to inform you that the little backstabbing wench is awake."

"What are you talking about?" Fenris asked, he started to walk over to her.

"Uh hello…who else would I be talking about?" Isabela's gaze shifted from Fenris to Hawke, whom stood behind the elf waving her hands strangely in the air. "Hawke…what are you doing?"

Fenris glanced over is shoulder at Hawke, who instantly stopped moving. "Nothing…" She sighed, her eyes rolling upward.

Turning his gaze back on Isabela he demanded, "Stop playing games and just tell me who you're talking about."

Rolling her eyes, she answered, "The one that Hawke knocked the shit out of. Your sister of course! You know the one that was willing to sell you out to the guy who's heart and throat you crushed." Isabela replied, "She's awake. What do you want us to do with her?"

Instantly Fenris's anger flared up, he'd almost forgotten about Varania. He turned his gaze to Hawke, "Why didn't you tell me she was alive?"

Hawke's jaw dropped, then raising a hand she gently smacked herself on the forehead, "Wow…why didn't I think of that while I was being stabbed in the gut and fell unconscious due to major blood loss?" Her voice sarcastic.

Fenris turned away from her, knowing he shouldn't be angry with her. But he couldn't help it, this hatred was a sickness, one that no matter how hard he tried he just couldn't get rid of it. Without another word, he stormed past Isabela. Ignoring Hawke's demands to stop, he rushed towards the room where they were keeping his traitorous sister. He needed to know why she was so damned willing to betray him, let alone stand by while they tortured him throughout the bloody night. Somehow he doubted Varania had been under Danarius' mind control like Hawke and the others were. Whatever the reason was for her betrayal, he was moments from finding out...

Hehehe...got ya! XD

Hope you are all enjoyng this story. I really appreciate that you're taking the time to read it!

Also again I apologize for any errors I may have missed. Oh and this fanfic will have 7 parts to it. So two more to come^.^