Author Notes: I had hoped to try and get a chapter up a night, but work has been exhausting this week.

Chapter Five: The Wounded Coast Fiasco

It had been a few of weeks since Fenris had done his little night-visit to the clinic, but Anders had decided not to inform Hawke about it. For one, the elf was highly intoxicated and was not thinking clearly. The other reason would be there was a tiny bit of respect he had for the elf's perseverance to his friend, no matter how ill directed it may have been. A part of Anders wondered if it wasn't the former-slave's conditioning to protect his 'master'. He certainly followed close to Hawke, like his shadow, whenever he was asked to tag along on whatever quest the warrior had found.

Being dragged around all the Free Marches reminded the mage of his time in the Wardens. It was not an entirely disagreeable experience for Anders, but the he had certainly thought that part of his life was over when he and Justice had merged. It was counter-productive to the mages' cause. Even now the fade spirit was mumbling complaints from the back of his mind that they could be doing something better with their time. Anders did his best to satisfy Justice's complaints as they walked along a winding path across the Wounded Coast for a mission given to them by the future guard captain, Aveline.

It was to eradicate a number of bandits or raiders from the area. Hawke had been eager for the chance of making some decent coin. They had their maps thanks to him, but still needed the necessary capital to help subsidize their expedition.

Thus far it had been a rather boring pursuit, with not a single bandit or raider in sight. Anders sighed loudly as he followed the group from behind. Hawke was in the lead, with his shadow close behind him. And there was a woman by the name of Isabella, who looked oddly familiar to him.

"You know, Isabella, do I know you from somewhere?" Anders asked suddenly as he walked beside the woman, finding the silence among the group to be unbearable. Well, besides Justice's annoyed murmurs in the back of his mind of course. Anything would do to drown that noise out.

The self pro-claimed pirate queen glanced over her tanned shoulder towards the mage with a familiar mischievous smirk gracing her lips. "Oh my, are you flirting with me Anders?" Isabella purred out with a soft chuckle as she fell into step beside him. She seemed to take a moment to ponder of the question a little more seriously, if Isabella ever could be. "Well, you're Ferelden right? Ever spent time in the Pearl?"

It was then that the enigma had been resolved and realization dawned upon the healer as he faltered in his steps. "That's it! You used to really like the girl with the gryphon tattoos." Anders chuckled at the memory of his time in the Pearl. Well, he had been working at Pearl at the time. It was during one of the many times he had escaped from the Circle. A little bit of prostitution wasn't something Anders had been ashamed of back in his youth, anything to earn enough money to keep away from the templars.

"Wait a tick, were you that runaway mage who could do that electricity thing? ….That was nice." Isabella purred out as she suddenly leaned in closer to Anders with a sultry, come-hither look she had so easily mastered eons ago. Anders laughed a genuine laugh and playfully pushed the female rogue away from him, cheeks burning lightly. In the corner of his eye though he could see both Hawke and Fenris watching them banter back and forth. Hawke seemed more amused than anything else and Fenris looked angry. But that was how the elf always looked, whenever he looked at him at least.

"Electricity thing?" Hawke inquired with a small tilt of his face and a raised brow. "Now that is something I want to experience." The leader flirted blatantly with the mage. Anders really was flattered as his cheeks flushed all the more from the sudden attention on himself.

"Oh yes, and you can't forget my special Anders' Spicy Shimmy." Anders continued with a small quip as he eased back into the old routine of friendly joking and flirtation. It earned more chuckles from the group, except for the sour-puss who was ever vigilant on the path as the tanned elf moved forward ahead of them. Couldn't the elf just lighten up, even once? All that brooding, as Varric so eloquently put it, was rather annoying.

The group was quick to continue their way along the winding path, with Fenris far ahead of them for once. It was strange not to see him close to Hawke. "He's lanky for an elf, I like lanky." Isabella cooed into Anders' ear. Her warm breath grazed against his ear and caused him jump slightly with a soft yelp of surprise. The healer clutched onto his bladed-staff as he glanced over to the rogue with a quirk of his brow. What was she going on about now? "Oh yes, and the whole magic-fist in the chest would be so worth it?" He snorted in return.

"I could think of a thing or two he could do with that."

'What does the woman mean?' He could hear Justice ask from the back of his mind, distracting him greatly for a moment. He told the fade spirit that it was nothing more than additional sexual innuendo from the rogue.

"Trap ahead!" Isabella suddenly shouted from his right and caused Anders to snap from his inward conversation and look ahead of them. Fenris had been too far ahead of the group and set the trap off with a small explosion of barrels which had been filled with some kind of explosive. The elf disappeared in the detonation of smoke and Anders' heart almost stopped in that moment.

After the explosion had been set off the raiders swarmed from the brush on all sides. It was a lure, most likely meant for travelling merchants. But he supposed they thought picking off some exceptional equipment from their bodies would be just as good.

Anders concentration went into healer mode as he quickly began to fling buff spells in the direction of Hawk and Isabella. The rogue and warrior sprung into formation at flanking raiders and making quick work of them as Anders rushed over to the explosion site where Fenris had disappeared. But the elf was nowhere to be seen. Mild panic washed over Anders as he scrambled around to find any sign of the man, until Justice ushered him to concentrate on the fight at hand instead. The panic was quelled for the moment as he turned his attention back onto Hawke and Isabella, charging healing spells in their direction and the occasional blast of ice from the end of his staff.

It wasn't long after that the enemy had been dispatched and mild exhaustion washed over Anders. It had taken a bit from his mana reserves without the second warrior helping in the fray. "Where's Fenris?" Hawke asked as he trampled over to the explosion site, his body and armor caked with blood and other things that Anders did not really want to take the time to decipher. Isabella was not far along, looking just as drained and covered in blood. "Yes, where is Mr. Smolder? We could have used his help back there." The Rivani replied with a quick glance around the area.

"I don't know—there isn't a trace of him." Anders snapped worriedly as the group began to look around the ambush site. A small groan echoed from the nearby brush, which alerted the group and quickly scrambled over to find the broken elf. Maker, he was just covered in blood. And unlike Hawke and Isabella it was all his own! His breath hitched in his throat at the sight of the badly injured elf and Anders was quick to react as he lowered his staff and knelt down beside the elf.

Nimble fingers worked over the dark chest piece of the elf's armor, which earned another pained groan from Fenris. "Fenris, can you open your eyes?" Anders asked as his fingers worked over the leather straps and managed to remove the piece of armor and found his body was littered with lacerations and bits of shrapnel from the explosion. Among these slashes were the lyrium brands continuation and old scars were visable. "Maker's breath…" He mumbled as the healer pulled his satchel over to him and begun to desperately go through it.

"Is he going to be all right?" Anders heard Hawke ask from behind, a tremble of worry coming through the usually cocky warrior.

"I'm not sure. Just let me work!" Anders stated as he pulled out some of his own medical supplies from the pack. From behind him he could hear Isabella mumble some comforting words to their leader as she led Hawke away to give the healer and patient a bit of room to work.

The blonde's fingers moved to remove the shrapnel from the tanned chest, noting the moments of grimace from the elf. Good, that meant he was conscious. "Just stay with me, Elf." Anders would say with other comforting words he'd chant to his patient. Once the last bit of shrapnel was taken out the mage pulled out a bright-blue bottle of a lyrium potion and down the contents, the sharp taste burned the back of his throat.

Summoning the blue-green glow of the healing magic to his finger tips, Anders began to run them along the man's tanned chest to first heal the deep gashes. The lyrium brands reacted to his magic and a flash of pain shot across the elf's facial features. He always hated when Anders used his magic on him and now the healer wondered if it hurt him every time he had previous casted magic upon him. If it had, the elf hadn't mentioned it.

Most of the serious wounds had been dealt with and yet Fenris had yet to awaken. It could have been due to shock from the blood loss. Anders wiped the elf's blood from his hand onto his tevinter-styled robes before he ran his hand against Fenris' cheek. It was abnormally warm and clammy, indicating that he was quite feverish. A frown graced the mage's lips as former-slave cringed lightly. Fingers amerced themselves into the silver-white locks of, surprisingly, soft hair and Fenris surprisingly calmed down at the touch.

"How's his condition?" A masculine voice called out from behind and caused Anders to nearly jump and move his hand from the elf's hair as if he'd just been caught doing something naughty. "Ah—he's far from being fine. But I think he'll make it." Anders found his voice as he glanced back to find Hawke with that same worried expression on his face. He really did care about the safety of the elf. "We should get him back to my clinic to make sure…"

"No way, it's already getting dark and you looked exhausted. We'll make camp here tonight and get back to Kirkwall in the morning." Hawke stated as he moved closer to the healer and patient, effectively picking the elf up in a careful bridal style. "Come on, Isabella found those raiders' camp and I very much doubt they'd care if we used it." The larger warrior joked lightly as he moved with the bundle in his arms as if the elf were weightless.

Anders could only sigh wearily as he picked up the spent medical supplies before strapping the satchel and staff to his back. The mage stood with the piece of armor and unbelievably heavy two-handed sword before he followed after their leader towards the encampment that their pirate-queen had found.

The camp was as fairly simple as they came, a few tents with bedrolls and a dead fire pit lay in the center of the encampment. Isabella was working on rekindling life to the fire as Hawke laid the injured elf onto a nearby bedroll. Anders had followed suit and sat down beside Fenris and began to remove the rest of his armor until he was left in those leggings of his and a ripped, faded tunic.

Anders began to bundle the shivering Fenris in tattered blankets to protect him from the cold of both the weather and shock. He doubted that he'd be getting much rest, not with that elf making such pained expressions in his restless sleep.

Why did Hawke insist on bringing the abomination on such missions, he would never know. The elf had been more than annoyed when the human warrior showed up in the crumbling mansion of Danarius' with that mage in tow. He almost preferred having Merril along instead. Scratch that, they were both equally displeasing. But the so-called healer was the worst. Always the mage was with his excessive chattering, and usually about the stupidest of things. Like mage rights. Or it was about the 'injustices' of the Circle of Magi and Chantry. If it wasn't for Hawke, he would have just crushed the man's still-beating heart and been done with him.

But today had been unbearably annoying day for the mage.

Along the way to the Wounded Coast the mage insisted on pointing out the ironic names of the surrounding landmarks and areas of Kirkwall. Which, Fenris really hadn't thought about until. Surely the names were originally called by another name, but he did not voice this opinion and had instead opted for telling the mage to shut up. Which led to another small spat between the two of them, until Hawke and Isabella interjected and was quickly followed by a bout of blissful silence.

It unfortunately had been ended by the increased chattering of the mage. It had caused Hawke stopped in his tracks, which almost caused Fenris to collide behind the larger warrior. He gave a small huff in resignation as he too glanced over towards the duo behind them. An intense green gaze landed upon the mage in particular. It was almost strange not to hear something other than mage injustice spurt from his mouth.

He gave the slightest tilt as the 'electricity' thing was mentioned. He wasn't sure what it was, but it involved Isabella so it was probably something lewd. To think magic could be used for something other than pain, just did not seem possible. Fenris allowed his gaze to linger a moment until he caught a glimpse of amber look in his direction. The elf scowled angrily as he looked away from the small group and decided to trek on ahead.

'Blasted abomination.'

As the warrior continued to march on ahead of the giggling group behind him, his disposition seemed to sour even further. Isabella flirting with the mage was one thing, but Hawke was at it too. That man could almost be as naïve as that blood mage, Merril. Could he not see the potential danger of having that abomination around? He would just have to remain ever vigilant of the threat known simply as Anders.

It was then that something snagged against the elf's ankle and his entire body tensed at the familiar sensation of a trip-wire. Moments later he could hear the familiar voice of the rogue shout about the trap ahead of them, but it was far too late. Fenris shouted a curse as he braced himself for the explosion that soon followed. All he could feel was immediate sharp pain and then numbness as he made impact with the sandy ground, small branches, and even more dirt.

The pain began to subside as the numbness took over most of his body. In the distance he could hear the cries of fighting going on nearby. He opened his eyes slightly too only be met with a blurry existence and a sharp hiss of pain to escape him. The last fleeting images he could see before darkness overtook him were familiar molted feathers.

"Time to wake, my little wolf."

That voice, it was Danarius. But how was that possible? Emerald green eyes obeyed the voice as he realized he was in a large plush canopy bed. Dark brows scrunched together lightly as he lifted himself from the bed and scrutinized his surroundings. He was in the master-bedroom of the magister's home. At a glance of his form he could see he was quite nude. It wasn't uncommon for Danarius to bed him for a night, but to allow him to actually sleep beside him was an altogether strange occurrence.

"Danarius—?" Fenris muttered lightly as he glanced around curiously, but did not see the magister in the room. The elf crawled out of the bed and let his feet stand on the cool black-marble flooring that covered the majority of the manor. He sought out the remnants of his clothing but could find none upon the floor and frowned. Was this some sort of new twisted punishment from the older man? Had he displeased him in some way again?

Fenris took a few steps through the room and edged towards the hallway, but found not a single person there. Usually there were a few elf slaves doing the menial tasks of house-keeping. His footsteps faltered as he heard subtle whispering around him. The elf frowned as he looked around and yet saw not a sign of life in the manor. "…is this the fade?" Fenris questioned out loud before there was sudden pressure around his neck, the lyrium brands reacting as he cried out.

"My little wolf—in such a state. How shameful." Danarius purred out into Fenris' ear as the man continued to struggle against his master. The tevinter slave leaned back against Danarius as the hands that grasped his neck and slipped down his chest instead, activating the various blood-writing that covered the entirety of his body. The pain had been so intense that he couldn't even vocalize his anguish as he clenched his teeth tightly.

"Let us go to bed…." The same cruel and twisted voice called out to the almost limp Fenris in his arms. The white-haired man shook his head lightly but felt his feet move at the willing of Danarius' guidance. Soon he was toppled back upon the large bed and felt those lewd hands on his body, violating him over and over. Touching places he did not wish to be touched.

Before he would not have cared what Danarius did to him. But now it was different. He knew he did not want this.

"Stop…" Fenris whimpered out as more whispers could be heard around him. Who was talking?

Danarius countered with a harsh growl and a sharp bite the elf's neck, causing a pained yelp to escape the slave.

'Fenris, just stay with me.'

"I said STOP!" Fenris shouted as he shoved the older magister from his body and jerked upright, only to feel more hands upon him. But it was different. This touch was gentle compared to the grabbing and pulling from Danarius.

"Fenris, you're okay. Just a nightmare." The voice called out softly and beckoned him to fully open his eyes to find that he was not in Tevinter and Danarius was nowhere around him. Fenris jerked at the touch and found a familiar sight of strawberry-blonde hair and stubble. The abomination.

"Calm down, you're in shock." The voice called out to him and gentle hands stroked his hair lightly. What was this abomination doing? Perhaps it was some kind of ploy to lure him into a false sense of security. Words failed him as he attempted to tell the man to stop, just coming out in grumbled murmurs before he gave up in a long sigh and closed eyes.

Moments later the warm and gentle hands left him and soon he felt a sharp-tasting liquid hit his lips, causing him to cringe and groan in complaint. It was a health poultice. "Shush, drink it slowly." The mage's voice mumbled to him and he complied with small sips. Warmth spread through his body as his eyes opened once more and brilliant emerald found shining amber.

"Hands off, mage." Fenris managed to spat out harshly.

He watched an unfamiliar emotion flit across the mage's features as he was released from his grasp and sat up on his own accord and glanced around the camp. Nearby Fenris could see Hawke dozing off by the fire and Isabella carelessly slumped on top of a bedroll.

"You're welcome." A voice grumbled sourly beside him and a pang of guilt washed over Fenris as he noted the fresh bandages wrapped around his chest and the faint scent of healing salves that the mage often concocted in his clinic. But he was sure not to show the guilt with a well conveyed scoff from between his lips.

The nightmare was fresh in his mind, but he could still remember the constant whispering in his mind. It was the mage, Anders, he knew. And that just irritated him all the more.

"Rest. I'll take over watch." Fenris suddenly spoke as he glanced over to the mage and noted just how exhausted he looked. The mage looked as if he were about to object but Fenris picked himself off the bedroll and took a testing step to find that he was sore, but well enough for light guard-duty. "It's fine, I'll wake Hawke if anything is amiss." He snapped towards the mage, more than he had intended but ignored the nagging from the back of his mind as he moved closer to the fire to where Hawke was slumped and sat beside the fellow warrior instead.

By the time he dared to give the mage another glance he found he had occupied the bedroll and slept with his back-turned to him. Fenris frowned lightly as his fingers grazed over the bandages on his chest. The mage had healed him and helped him. No doubt Hawke would be thrilled with this.

It had been only an hour or two by the time morning had come around and both Hawke and Isabella were surprised to find a mostly healed Fenris watching over them with a passed out mage in the nearby bedroll.

Despite the entire ordeal, the mage and slave were no closer to being called friendly.