WARNING
I do not own the characters of Dragon Age. Some dialogue, words, and phrases are created by Bioware and belongs to them. This fic was written with the purpose of providing a fun time for everyone.
ALL THAT REMAINS:
CARVER
by
Airshadow
"This is not happening..."
The service, being held in Kirkwall's chantry, for the eternal rest of Leandra's soul was about to end. Grand Cleric Elthina was leading the ceremony, and even she was visibly touched by this tragedy. Nobody could accept that something so terrible had happened in the City of Chains, especially not Carver Hawke. The young Templar wanted believe that he was in a nightmare, that he would wake up on the morning in the barracks and his mother would be alive and well in the state.
"This is not happening..." thought Carver, still in disbelief, but it wasn't only the smell of the incense, the light of lit candles, or the murmurs of the mourners that confirmed the painful truth to him... In front of the main altar, on a catafalque and wrapped in a white shroud was all that remained of his mother, Leandra Amell. The Revered Mothers and the mourners were singing stanzas from the Chant of Transfigurations while Carver remembered how mere hours ago his world was shattered.
"I'll leave the two of you alone so you can talk."
The Knight Commander had left her study while a storm raged outside. In front of him was Sebastian Vael, the exiled Prince of Starkhaven. A very important matter must have occurred, because no one would dare be outside, without refuge, in weather like this. Less than a second passed before the thought that something terrible had happened to Dionne came into his mind.
Sebastian looked at Carver for what seemed like an eternity; finally he spoke. "Carver... The Maker knows this is the hardest thing that I've ever had to say, but... your mother is gone; she is resting now by the Maker's side..."
The young Templar felt as if he had taken a kick to his stomach and felt that much worse once he learned the circumstances.
NO! NO! NO! NOT HIS MOTHER! He suddenly remembered the unpleasant way he'd said goodbye when he joined the Templars. Even though she had visited him very often, he knew that her life wasn't easy; having to remain in sight of Kirkwall, due to Dionne, but she didn't like leaving him either. Besides, after all the things that he had seen in the Circle, he was afraid what could happen if they discovered his sister's... abilities. Taking into account her annoyingly selfless attitude and total lack of common sense, it just was matter of time. But he would discuss that with her later.
His mind came back to the present. The young Hawke couldn't help but notice the diversity of people attending the service. From the highest members of Kirkwall nobility, to every last citizen from the Alienage, and many members of his Order. A short distance from him was his sister, who was flanked by Aveline and Varric.
Dionne displayed the signs of mourning; she was wearing a black dress without any kind of jewelry. The Guard Captain was comforting her friend, while the usually talkative dwarf was mute. Carver looked around and saw Merril and Isabella were in one corner; in another one, far away of the Templars, was the Ex-Warden.
"At least he has some common sense," thought Carver. He really disliked Anders and disapproved of his views on the Chantry and Templars. It took a little while to find his sister's elf pet. Oddly, instead of being in his usual place right behind his sister, he was far away from her. Fenris didn't paid no attention to the people around him that were unsettled by his presence; He looked at his sister with the eyes of an ex-slave, as if he couldn't decide what to do.
When the service had finished, he and his sister took their positions behind their mother's remains. Carver glanced towards Dionne. She looked like a sleepwalker, barely conscious of her surroundings. The Brothers in Faith took the catafalque and the procession started walking towards the courtyard where Leandra Amell would be cremated.
The place, properly named The Garden of Tears, was an open terrace. The patio tiles were made of limestone, and in every corner of the place, huge bronze statues representing mourners held censers, which were lit for the night services. The few awnings and seats were reserved for the family of the deceased and for the High Society of the City of Chains. The member of the lower classes had to be content with standing, and not everyone could be there to pay their respects. In the center, a pyre was erected and soon it would receive his mother's remains.
"So... she's that Hawke who found fortune in the Deep Roads..."
"I heard many things about her... Like she has a elf for a lover..."
"Many belive that she's an apostate..."
"That couldn't be true, her brother is a Templar and the Knight Commander speaks highly of him..."
"I hope that her brother convinces her settle down and get married... A good husband is what she needs..."
The siblings walked towards their sunshade; Dionne's mind was still elsewhere and it seemed that she didn't hear those viper's comments. Knight Captain Cullen offered his arm to her and helped her to sit down. After exchanging some comforting words with her, he retired and Grand Cleric Elthina started to recite the final prayers. The Brothers in Faith dismantled the catafalque, revealing a stretcher. This was placed on top of the pyre. Considering the emotional state of his sister, Carver decided to be the one who lit it.
The flames began to consume the body, while the air was filled with sobs and chanting. The young Templar turned his body and he was able to see some familiar faces in the crowd, including Knight Commander Meredith, Thrask, Keran, and his sister Macha. All of them were sharing words of comfort for his distressed sister.
"Messere Hawke..." said a voice, addressing him. He moved towards the feminine voice and saw an elven woman with tattoos on her face.
"You may not remember me... I'm Arianni - Feynriel's mother," added Arianni. "I wanted to tell you that I'm grateful to you and your sister, for saving my son from the slavers... I want you know that my prayers are with you... May the gods give you peace."
Arianni walked towards her sister and comforted her too. Watching closely, most of her friends were there, with the exception of Anders and Fenris. Meredith raised her eyebrows when she spotted Merril, but she, as usual, didn't notice anything. The Dalish elf started to sing, and her voice was heard loud and clear.
Hahren na melana sahlin
Emma ir abelas
Souver'inan isala hamin
Yhenan him dor'felas
In uthenera na revas
Vir sulahn'nehn
Vir dirthera
Vir samahl la numin
Vir lath sa'vunin
The sweetness of the song soothed the sobs of the crowd, and even softened the stern look of the Knight Commander. Dionne looked at her and thanked her for the gesture after the elf finished; once Merril she explained its meaning: it was a tribute for the departed. The Grand Cleric blessed his sister and hugged her before she left. A few minutes later, Dionne did the same, escorted by her friends. When Leandra's remains were turned into ashes, there would be a final service before the Chantry gave them back to her children.
Carver Hawke had started to walk away when he stumbled into Sebastian. "I think that you should go with her... She needs you."
"She can find consolation with her pet," replied Carver aggressively. "And I'm not talking about Fang."
"Fenris hasn't visited her in months..." answered Sebastian. "So as far I know, she is alone now."
"Cursed Tevinter, son of a..." thought Carver adding the most insulting expressions that existed in his vocabulary.
"She needs you more than ever," insisted the exiled prince. "If you want, the Grand Cleric can mediate and get you permission from the Knight Commander to stay with her some days."
Certainly, the idea wasn't too bad. He had to exchange some words with his sister anyway.
- o0o -
It didn't take long to convince the Knight Commander to grant permission; she couldn't deny anything to the Grand Cleric. Carver only packed few things; he wouldn't be absent from the barracks for very long. He left the Gallows and would reach Hawke's estate before the sun set. Sebastian had promised to tell his sister that he would arrive soon.
His trip was plagued gloomy with thoughts. It was almost a relief that nobody paid him much attention. He almost wished he were wearing civilian clothes, as the Templar's armor was very... conspicuous. His was not a big group and his bag said a lot. Carver arrived at Hawke's estate, his expression becoming even more bitter. He would always be under his sister's big fat shadow. He knocked the door, noticing the black ribbon in the doorway as he waited.
Bodahn opened the door and greeted him. "It's good to see you again, Messere," said the dwarf as he took his belongings and lead him towards the hall. "Your presence here will be very welcome for Messere Hawke..."
"I know, Bodahn," replied the younger Hawke. "Do you know where my sister is?"
"She's in the study... She has been there since Messeres Merril and Sebastian left."
He nodded and walked towards the room. Dionne sat in a big armchair, watching the fireplace. He walked to one of her sides. The sound of his armor echoing through the place would have shaken any other apostate, but she looked so... distant.
"Sister?"
She slowly turned her head towards him, still wearing her black dress. Her eyes were swollen from crying and her sarcastic smile was gone. Her lips trembled and she whispered, "I tried to save her... I really tried..."
All his pride and resentment vanished when he saw his usually perky sister acting that way, and could only say ,"I know Sister, I know."
- o0o -
"What are YOU doing here?" spoke a voice muffled by the walls.
"That's the same question that I wanted to ask you, abomination," replied another one with ire.
Carver frowned. He knew who those voices belonged to and didn't like that they were present right now. He looked at her sister, who had fallen in a deep sleep in the armchair, and was now sobbing in her dreams. She really didn't need to endure something like this right now! He stood up, trying to not make noise and walked towards the room's door.
"Haven't you done enough damage? She needs someone kind and open minded in her life." It was the Apostate's voice, thought the young Templar, so the other must be the elf.
"Open minded as you, mage, that you don't care to consort with the denizens of the Fade? You didn't waste time coming to attempt to take my place, by the way..."
"CAN'T YOU JUST SHUT UP?!"
Both men turn their head towards him while he advanced and angrily added "MY sister and I are grieving our loss and you come to HER house to engage in your ridiculous bickering? If you want to kill each other, just do it... But NOT HERE!"
"My apologies, I hadn't intentions to disturb you or her. I wanted to be sure that Hawke was alright," responded Fenris politely, and then added a malicious remark. "The last thing that she needs is more abominations in her life".
Anders trembled with ire but he didn't say anything.
"You'd better stop hurting her or your former master will be the last of your concerns," he replied angrily at the elf and then looked at the Ex-warden, adding, "And you... be thankful that I don't want to expose my sister to more danger or I would personally drag you to the Circle! Now you both... GET OUT!"
Both men retreated and he closed the house's door furiously.
- o0o -
Fenris walked a few steps outside the estate and looked towards a window on the second floor. Was it a mirage or a reality? The delicate outline of a woman could be seen in the window.