Chapter 4:

Green grasses

It felt good to Áine Hawke to be able to leave the cold walls of the Viscount's Keep. She longed to feel the sun kissing her skin, the wind caressing her hair... but there was so much work to do. Luckily enough, today was one of those days that she was about to cheek the progress of the Alienage and thus she did find the time to stretch her legs at least a bit.

"Fenris," Hawke said to the elf walking two steps behind her and two steps before the other two elves that were accompanying her.

"Yes, Hawke," Fenris asked.

"Walk beside me, not behind me," she frowned.

"I'm your," he paused for a second then said with muttered chuckle: "bodyguard... and the common practice is that as such, I walk behind you." The rest of the sentence was spoken in complete seriousness.

"Have we fallen so much apart that is all you find yourself to be, Fenris," Áine said with a scowl. "You are first-most my trusted and dear friend and as such, your position is beside me, not behind."

She heard him utter a curse in Arcanum but he did moved to her side regardless of it.

"Now see... isn't that better," Hawke teased.

"It's not safer," Fenris replied.

"Perhaps not, but I'm sure that between me and you we can take anybody who would dare to attack, and not to mention the men yourself trained," she smiled.

"That is... true," Fenris had to admit. They were definitely capable and him walking behind or with her didn't change much. "I still don't understand how you made those elves's in the Aliange to agree that Orana would be their hahren...," Fenris voiced the thought he was having for quite some time now.

"Oh, I just told them that they will either allow it or I will sell them all to the Magisters," Hawke chuckled.

Fenris scowled: "How could...," but was cut before he could finish.

"That was a joke, Fenris," Hawke sighted.

"Your sense of humour is seriously messed up, Marian. That was far from funny," Fenris frowned.

"Everything is messed up... the sense of humour the least," Marian replied with hint of sadness. "Besides, if you could see the face you made when I said it, you would definitely find it... at least a bit amusing," she added nudging him slightly with her elbow.

"As said, your sense of humour is way off... and besides, you still didn't reply to my question," Fenris said dryly.

"Well, basically their previous hahren will have to become a part of the Circle, just as any other mage in Kirkwall," she said seriously.

"Except you," Fenris added with lifted eyebrow.

"I have you to watch over me, not to mention Cullen and Carver. Between you three, I'm sure that if I suddenly start dealing with demons one of you will do me a favour and end me," Áine sighted. "And as a Viscountess, I do need some freedoms, wouldn't you think? Besides, if I managed to stay demon-free thus far, will all that happened, I believe I can stay as such for a while longer."

"That's true... I would do it... if I would have to... but I don't know if I could...," Fenris started to say. He wanted to tell her he could not live without her in the world, he wanted to say he would kill himself as much as her if it would come to it... but he didn't.

Áine smiled sadly at him then turned the topic towards answering his question. That was easier to talk about for both: "So anyhow, as such, their ex-hahren would not have much time to work for the betterment of their lives anyhow. Besides, I believe that a hahren in the Alienage should be someone who isn't a mage. A hahren has to understand the people who follows him or her and considering that those other elves are not mages, a hahren who isn't that either will better understand their needs."

She could see Fenris is slightly confused with what just said, since she is a mage and she is a Viscountess taking care for magic and non-magic folks of all people in Kirkwall so she addressed that before he would ask her for it: "I know it seems like dual ideology and I admit that it party is. But you need to understand that while I have my advisers, mages and non-mages, elves, human and what-nots who I can turn onto for advice, hahren has nothing of like. They do as they do without need of consulting with others and that my dearest friend, is all the difference."

Fenris simply nodded at that. It did make sense to him and besides, Marian Hawke was unique as far as he was considered. "But why Orana, Hawke? Why did you thought she would be a good hahren," Fenris asked.

Orana was a slave that Hawke and Fenris liberated from the grasp of Hadriana. She was completely lost, unable to live on her own, but Hawke offered her a job as a servant and as such took her in. The woman was timid and scared at the time, but the longer she stayed with Hawke, more assertive she became. Hawke even thought her how to read, much like she taught Fenris himself, and do calculus. Fenris was somewhat jealous at the elf woman for she adapted to the new life with much more ease than he did. He had no doubt, that Marian was what influenced the woman the most.

"I wasn't so sure at first, I will admit, but more than I thought about it, more sense it made. Orana was living in far worse conditions that these elves ever knew possible and as such, her view on freedom is slightly different from theirs. She knows what truly means to be a slave and she also knows what means to be free. Besides, she is a marvellous person now. I am utterly proud to see her progress," Hawke smiled warmly at the thought. She found Orana somewhat creepy at first and it was hard to work with her at the beginning, but patience and gentle approach did wonders. "Besides... the elves in general fear me. I'm human and as such... well... they weren't treated good by my kind in past and thus resentment stays..."

"But you did nothing that could foster that resentment. You already made their life better by large margin," Fenris said.

"I'm still only a human in their eyes Fenris. Remember how you held resentments towards me after you learned I'm a mage? It's not much different," Hawke explained and again, he could do nothing but nod. As he did, she continued: "As such... any hahren would probably be afraid of me, afraid to speak openly about what the elves in the Alienage need. I need them to speak openly to me, however, if I want to make things better and the only elf, beside you of course, who dares to do that is Orana. She knows me enough to know that she can be forward with me, without fear of some punishment for it. Combining all that, Orana is a perfect choice and the other elves realized that also."

"It seems that you thought about everything," Fenris smiled.

"Probably not, but at least I try to," she chuckled.

They continued on their path in companionable silence. Áine Hawke was pleased to see that the rebuilding of the town was going on as planned. It was far from complete and there was much to do, but at least it started and that gave have some semblance of hope. Hawke however didn't planned to simply rebuild things, she wanted to make it better and prettier all around.

Where once stood the Chantry remained an empty space still. The only thing that she bothered to do was to get the rubble removed. She didn't yet decide what to build there, nor if she would try rebuilding the Chantry at all. It was a lot to think about and she felt that the lives of common folks were at this time far more important than the religion and thus she let it alone for now.

There was no doubt that she would have to address it at some time and she was somewhat inclined to build the Chantry anew, from the ground up... she however, would not let it to just be built if she would, the change of the order was needed also.

Considering the politics, Hawke found Orlai to be a bit to influential around Thedas and much of that influence came from the fact that the White Divine was stationed there. As such, Orlai had a hand in every country, except Trelvinter. It was unexceptionable in her opinion . When she spoke with King Alistair about the matter, she discovered he has similar view on it, even if he was raised by the said institution. That gave her few ideas... but she kept them for herself for the time being.

Hawke hoped that she would be able to speak with Sebastian about it. He, as former chantry-brother, was in unique position to present her with another view at the situation... however, Sebastian was no-where to be found.

He didn't exactly vanished from the face of Thedas, but she was in no position of seeking him out. After Meredith has died and the Templars put her forward as a Viscountess, he was lingering around, but obviously avoiding her. He did came forward and added his voice to the matter of her becoming the Viscountess, completely supporting her. Sebastian was still exiled Prince of Starkhaven at the time and had no real power, but his word had some weight anyhow, as had his word as someone with whom Grand Cleric Elthina was regular seen to converse with. His support didn't really changed the outcome, but it did made things a little easier nevertheless.

Considering the fact that current ruler of Starkhaven, Sebastian's cousin Goran, sent emissary to her court, trying to establish some sort of relationship between the two city-states, she had no doubt that Sebastian still didn't managed to take back the throne that was by blood rightfully his, even if Fenris told her, that he left shortly after the battle claiming he is going to try to gather the support he needed.

She would gladly offer any support that the man would need, but Hawke knew that Kirkwall at this time wasnt in the position to do so. The battles of previous and current year took a toll on it and thus lacked in military and financial strength. She did secretly hoped, however, that at some point Sebastian would return and ask for it anyhow, and hopefully when that would happen she would be able to lend him an army and if he wouldn't... Well, perhaps she would march to Kirkwall on her own then and simply remove the pathetic creäture sitting on the throne and then offer it to Sebastian on golden platter. It wasn't what she really planned at all, but the thought did make her laugh a bit as she imagined how his face would look if she would do something like that...

In any case, Sebastian wasn't in Kirkwall, he left without even saying goodbye and he didn't write. .. perhaps... A thought occurred to her that perhaps the killers of Vael's family had won and they killed him and then... then there would definitely be war with Starkhaven... she would not let that one go unpunished...

"He is fine, Áine. You worry too much," Fenris's voice pulled her from her thoughts.

"How did you," she wanted to say -How did you know who I was thinking about-, but he cut her off before she could finish.

"Because you are always making that face when you think about him," Fenris shook his head.

"I do not," she said with indignation.

"You do. There is no use in denying. I know you too much," Fenris chuckled. "But seriously, he is fine," he added.

"And how do you know that," Áine asked.

"Well," Fenris looked at the floor.

He had received few letter from Sebastian, but there was no gentle way to tell her that and he knew it would upset her.

"No! No... he... to you... but not... me," Hawke was furious as she connected one and one into two.

"Áine," he stopped her holding her hand. "You know how he is, always over-thinking things... just... give him time," he squeezed her hand trying to reassure her. He knew that the way he left and his silence hurt her.

Hawke sighted: "I guess... So... can you tell me anything or you are not allowed to," she asked.

"They are not long letters. Basically he is just informing me that he is alive and trying to gather the support... quite unsuccessfully I should add. He mainly just inquires about how Kirkwall is doing and how you are coping."

"And of course you didn't told him to ask me instead," Áine frowned.

"Actually I did. I told him that the city is rebuilding and that you have a firm grip on it... and that you are coping as good as it is to expect. I told him he is a fool to keep away," Fenris said seriously.

"All right then," Hawke sighted. "You could mention all this a little sooner, you know."

"Probably I should... I felt it better to not to though, considering all that he said when," Fenris went silent, not willing to finish what he said.

Hawke simply nodded her understanding and urged them to continue towards the Alienage. She understood Fenris's reasons for not telling her sooner and thus decided to let the matters rest. At least she knew now that Sebastian is still alive.

There were changes already to be seen in the Alienage. The place seemed far brighter and cleaner than before. The green flags were washed and without holes in them as they almost proudly swayed in the air.

Áine noticed that Orana has listened to her suggestion and the elves removed the majority of cobblestone on the grounds, letting only enough of them to form neat curvy and swirling paths from door to door, around the majestic tree in the middle of the yard and a widening leading to the stairs that lead towards Lowtown. The spaces where once the cobblestones were, were filled with dirt and seeded with grass and flowers. Few of the seeds already begun to grow.

There was work on the buildings themselves being done also. The iron bares in the windows were already removed. Hawke ordered the Kirkwall's crafter's guild to produce beautiful stained-glass windows portraying flowers, trees and such that would be put in the opening's instead.

The dwarves in Ozamar agreed to sent a contagiment of their best stonemasons to Kirkwall, no doubt Varric made it happened, and were already on their way. They would make sure that the buildings are save to live in and they would even engrave the stones of them.

Hawke wanted the Kirkwal's Alienage be a place of beauty, something the town would be proud to have instead a hidden shame, she wanted it to reflect the people leaving there, allow them to be proud of their homes also. She already made sure that the elves in the city were paid as much as humans were, allowed and encouraged them to seek what-ever job they would wish. The nobility and majority of human's in Kirkwall were paid at the decision but of course Áine made them understand and accept her point. Of course some still seethed in the darkens of their homes, but nobody dared to oppose her in public since there were far greater number of those who agreed.

Hawke was not naïve and she knew that those people will work against her in the shadows, probably even try to remove her from the position one way or another. The support of the Templars in the city, the loyalty of the City Guard, support of many nobles and growing affection from the elves and poorer people from Darktown and Lowtown whose lives she was striving to make better, were definitely something that fortified her position and prevented those shady people of using the open ways.

She was sure that she was in dire need of the Royal Guard that Fenris lead, but that only served her as a protection. Other steps would have to be taken also, she just wasn't completely sure what kind. Hawke knew she will have to address this matter rather sooner than later, before it would blow into proportions that would render her incapable to do anything else than see her plans fail... or well... even not see anything since they would probably poison her or something similar.

As Hawke walked around the Alienage examining progress, sharing a word or two with elves living there, she noticed that some still looked at her in fear, few with open admiration. She wanted their trust, but she knew that she is battling with hundreds of years long resentments and would not be so easy. It would take time. She just hopped that she had enough of it before she ends breathing.

Hawke was glad to see that even Fenris's face brightened up a little as he seen progress. She remembered his resentment when they had to come here in past and that was almost all gone now. Seeing him like that made all the trouble of making this happen even more worthy.

When Orana noticed Hawke, she greeted her most warmly but still maintained a respectful distance that was expected. Orana was well spoken and it seemed she took a page out of Hawke's book on how to act around nobles. That was something that would be quite useful for her at times when she would be required to attend ceremonies, parties and formal actions on Hawke's court.

It was essential that the nobles see the elves in another light, it was also essential that the elves elder makes frequent appearance there as one of Hawke's advisors, presenting the voice of these beautiful people who had much more to give to Kirkwall than anybody before thought.

All in all, Hawke was extremely proud to see Orana as she was now. She quickly adapted to her new role and even quicker integrated into the culture of the city elves, adopting her way as her own. Her live of a slave was left in the past.

Orana surprised Hawke as she politely requested that she joined the elves community at their meal. Orana explained to her that they founded a day when they would celebrate the rebuilding the Alienage and it was to be on this day. Hawke was glad to accept the offer and asked if one of the elves would be kind enough to sent a message to the keep she would be returning later than it was planned. Since the boy who was sent on that particular errant returned extremely quickly, Hawke offered him a nicely paying job of becoming her personal errand boy and he more than gladly excepted it.

The tables were brought on the yard in record time. Hawke of course wanted to help them and even if the elves were at first reluctant to accept her offer of help, they soon relaxed as she started to pop jokes around, keeping her lips smiling the whole time.

Orana made a nice, yet simple speech about the occasion, officially thanking Hawke for all that she did and is doing for them, then few other respected elves had their say. While they ate, the stories had been told, of elves lives, of changes, of all sorts of things and Hawke listened to them eagerly, absorbing them and learning of their culture. After the meal there was music to be had and dancing in a circle around the tree. Hawke was honoured where she was asked to attend that part also. She knew that this is something that the elves found almost if not completely sacred.

When there was time for Hawke to return to the keep, she suggested that perhaps Orana should put up a formal request of making this day a celebration day for whole Kirkwall. The elves would of course have to organize everything, decorate the city according to their culture and lead it, but the founds for it would come out of Kirkwall's coffers.

Hawke came to great lengths to explain to them that such act would help connecting humans and elves together and help in understanding each-others way. She assured them, that they don't have to decide about it on the spot and gave Orana enough time to consult with them individually before deciding anything, if she would wish to do so. Áine told them that she quite understands their reluctance of sharing something so beautiful with the rest of the town and that if they would rather keep this only for themselves, she would not hold it against them.

A week later, Orana appeared before Hawke and filled official request of making their celebration a whole-city wide one. Hawke of course had to give the nobles who were present in the room an opportunity to voice their opinion on the matter and was glad to see, that majority of them was eager to see and be part of this "elves day" also.

Some of course objected.

What surprised Hawke the most was a little fact that she was not forced to try to change their minds, other nobles promptly did so before she could actually utter one single word and thus Orana's suggestion was accepted and the day for the celebration was set in stone.

For once it seemed that the country is running itself... but there was more to do. This was just one victory, just one baby step... it didn't looked all that much important on first sight, but it was more important than most thought it would be.