A/N: Thank you for the reviews! This is the conclusion of this fluffmonster.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy it!

~Penguin Regina

Chapter Five

Hawke had no real plans to dance. She liked dancing, but she was sure these would be the most current and complicated dances right out of the Empress' court. Kirkwall nobles never did anything by halves. Hawke had trouble enough remembering how to do the Remigold, let alone learning all sorts of new dances. That was just a bit too Orlesian for her rough, Fereldan taste.

Fenris and Hawke sat on one of the couches surrounding the dance floor. They would occasionally be visited by an admirer or a sycophant, but were mostly left to themselves. A few intrepid bachelors made their way towards Hawke under their mothers' instructions, but generally a glare from Fenris would scare them away.

One young man was watching Hawke closely. She had caught him staring once during dinner and not thought much of it. Now it was close to three times she had seen him staring. It was a little bit ego-boosting, but actually more creepy that flattering.

One of the older men had joined them and was recounting some stories about her Amell grandparents. Hawke was engrossed in the story, one she had never heard from her mother, when the young man stood expectantly in front of them. It wasn't so much that she saw him, but suddenly Fenris straightened up and stared intensely away from the conversation. 'Uh oh, he's got that mabari-about-to attack look. Something's not right.' Hawke thought to herself.

She excused herself from the older gentleman's conversation and turned towards the young man standing there. He was tall, red headed and seemed to be either in his late teens or very early twenties. She didn't know him, even though he looked a bit familiar. 'But honestly with the amount of people I see, I could have saved this kid ten times from who-knows-what already and not recall. Ah well, such is small city life.'

"Yes, can I help you?" she said as a few awkward moments passed in silence. The young man seemed to snap to attention and gave Hawke a head-nod.

"Oh, yes, Champion. Let me introduce myself; I am Alic Bran, the Seneschal's son. I have been hoping to meet you in person for years now. My father often speaks of you." He crossed his arms over his chest and bowed in the Fereldan fashion.

Hawke felt like a bucket of ice water had poured down her back. 'My mother had planned to betroth me to this child? Had she been insane! I am easily a decade older than this boy!' It had certainly seemed odd that Seneschal Bran would have a son her age, as her mother had claimed. He seemed barely older than her. Now she knew. Leandra had apparently lost her marbles upon moving into the Amell mansion. 'I hope the insanity isn't hereditary.'

"Ah, Alic, of course! I had heard of you too. How fares your father? It's a heavy load he bears by himself now." Hawke spoke as diplomatically as possible. There was no love lost between the Seneschal and her.

"Father is as well as can be expected. I shall take him your warm regards. Often he bemoans that a more formal arrangement couldn't have been made between us." Alic continued.

Hawke felt her eyebrows climbing up her forehead. The kid had chutzpah; you had to give him that. She glanced at Fenris and felt momentarily sad that the boy wouldn't live much longer, as Fenris had already put two and two together and was glowering at him with such heat that Hawke was surprised Alic didn't burst into flames. She put a restraining hand on the elf's wrist, breaking his concentration for a moment. Flashing green eyes bore into her with enough power to make her gasp.

Alic rambled on, oblivious to (or marvelously ignoring) the peril he was currently under. "I was wondering if you would care to dance? I imagine that someone as beautiful and athletic as you must be divine on the dance floor." He said extending an arm towards her.

Really, the boy was too much. He should be made ambassador somewhere, being that slick. Hawke was completely taken aback. The older gentleman they had been talking to had fallen asleep. She turned to Fenris, eyes wide. Fenris' was scowling. Hawke was unsure of how to proceed.

"Go with the boy. Take him away from here, please." Fenris growled in her ear. She could almost feel the heat coming off his anger. 'Why so jealous of this kid?'

Hawke stood up and allowed the younger Bran to escort her to the dance floor. The music was spirited and the dance and lively one. She kept her eye on one the De Launcet girls as a guide and imitated what she saw.

She had forgotten that dancing was fun. She jumped and twirled and spun in Alic's arms and a smile came naturally to her face. It had been close to a decade since she had danced like this. A few months before the Blight was her best guess. After that it was the army, the fruitless battles and eventually the escape to Kirkwall. Not a lot of time for balls or dancing at any of those times. Kirkwall certainly kept her busy. The realization made her feel justified in staying for another song. She liked feeling her body move for something other than battle.

Alic seemed delighted by the turn of events. Several people had made note of the curious couple and more than a few were convinced that Hawke had no idea how to carry on in society. First, bringing an elf as her escort, and now dancing exclusively with a boy young enough to…well, it wasn't proper. In the months ahead, Varric would wipe away tears of laughter as the stories about Hawke at the Anniversary Ball reached him.

The second song ended. A new bard took his turn and began singing a melancholy air. Couples moved closer together. Alic put his hand on Hawke's waist and held her in position for the dance. He smiled at her and led her on the floor.

Hawke's earlier enthusiasm began to evaporate. She felt uncomfortable with this youth holding her this close. There was really only one man she wanted this close. She couldn't see Fenris from where she was and started to feel guilty for leaving him alone so long.

She was just about to excuse herself from the dance when a deep voice interrupted her thoughts. "I believe this is my dance." Fenris glared at Alic as he cut in.

Hawke was very confused. Alic bowed and handed Hawke over to the elf. Fenris sinuously wrapped an arm around her waist and grasped her hand possessively. He pulled her close, leading her away from Alic.

"I had no idea you danced." Was all Hawke was able to get out. She was breathless. All the butterflies had taken flight again in her stomach. His touch felt electric against her skin. She felt her body melding into his. It felt right.

He put his lips right to her ear, making her shudder. He whispered "I can do many things. One thing I can't do is see you in another man's arms, apparently. I hate that that boy has more to offer you than me. If you want me to let go, I can leave, but don't make me watch you in someone else's arms."

Oh Maker! What's girl to do? The fey mood that had taken her days ago egged her on once more. She had no words to respond. In her experience, actions meant more than words anyhow. Even as the song was ending, Hawke tenderly placed a kiss on Fenris smooth cheek and whispered to him. "These are the arms I wanted around me in the first place." She felt the hitch in his breath and how his posture subtly changed.

The ballad ended and couples changed on the dance floor. The next song was a curious air that Hawke had never heard before. The melody was something sensual that put her in mind of sweat and spices.

"This is an Antivan dance. Do you know it?" Fenris asked. Hawke shook her head. He gave her a smirk. "Follow my lead." He said as he pulled her closer still. She was now intimately close to him. He struck a posture that made her assume a very straight position. There were only two other couples on the dance floor, neither holding each other as closely as Fenris was holding her.

When the dance started it became apparent to Hawke why so few of Kirkwall's stodgy nobles were participating. This was passion set to music. Each step oozed desire. Their bodies moved together. Her steps responded to his. The song was about love lost and despair. 'Broody music for a broody elf' she thought. He twirled her away from him and back, each time clasping her close to him. It was glorious. She lost herself in the movements, delighting in the feel of his taut body against hers. When the song reached its inevitable end, she did the only thing she could and set her burning lips on his. Honestly, she didn't even try to stop herself. Fenris responded in kind, clutching her like a drowning man would a raft. Everything disappeared and it was just them finding each other again.

It was probably the quiet that made them break apart. The ballroom had gone silent. The Champion and her elf dancing had been quite a spectacle, but the finale would be burned into the collective memory of the Kirkwall nobles. When Hawke loosened her grip on Fenris they became aware that they were, in fact, the center of attention.

Hawke put her hand to her mouth to smother a laugh. Fenris looked like a cat that got caught eating the canary, guilty and fierce. She took his hand and headed towards the exit. Guillaume De Launcet happened to be by the door. Hawke made a bee line towards her host, Fenris in tow. She giggled as she said "It has been delightful. Thank you so much Comte. I really must be going. We really should do this again. Good night!" She gave a quick curtsy and dashed away before anyone could say anything else. As they left, they heard the bards striking up another song.

Once outside the mansion Hawke let her laughter peal. The looks they had given her had been priceless. All her nervous energy was being released at once and she felt euphoric.

Fenris pulled her towards him, a smile threatening to become a grin on his lips. "We may have destroyed your political career." He said.

"Oh well. That's how it goes." She said, still riding her high spirits. Suddenly a thought struck her. "Saaaayyy, who taught you that dance?" She said narrowing her eyes at him.

Fenris grinned and blushed. "What if I say I don't remember?" he teased.

Hawke raised an eyebrow. "Then I may have to devise some fiendish way to get the information from you. It might take all night." She twined her fingers with his. 'Oh Maker, I hope it does take all night!'

"Ah! Well in that case, I have absolutely no recollection. Do your worst." He leaned in capturing her lips in another kiss. Hawke returned the kiss with interest.

He never did say, but by then Hawke had completely forgotten the question.

Hawke was never again troubled by unwanted marriage proposals, the matrons of Hightown being completely put out with her. The number of invitations to formal events dwindled quickly after the Anniversary Ball. Hawke couldn't have cared less. Her dance card was full and it only had one name on it.

* I couldn't find a name for Seneschal Bran's son, so I based it on his voice actor's first name.

*In case you were wondering, I was thinking of a tango for the last dance. It just destroys my Fengirl mind to imagine him doing a tango. Ah! So glad I got all that fluff out!

~Penguin Regina