Nightmares Should Really Stay in the Fade Re-Write
Chapter 3
A/N: Sorry for such a long wait, my lovely readers!
A few hours after Aveline, Varric and Isabela left hawke's mansion, Anders came to check up on Fenris' injuries as Hawke had requested. "You should be thanking Hawke and Aveline for getting you to my clinic when they did, Fenris." Anders told his patient as he re-wrapped the bandages onto Fenris' torso.
The elf nodded in response. "I am in their debt, it seems." he said. He hesitated, but then he added, "And yours."
Anders raised an eyebrow curiously, his amber eyes glistening in the early afternoon sunlight that shone through the red curtains. "That is unexpected."
"I mean, you did save my life, did you not?" Fenris asked the blond mage. Anders nodded and he handed the elf's loose tunic to Annabelle, who gently helped put it back on.
She couldn't help but stare a bit at the elf's slender, yet muscular build, and the veins of Lyrium infusions that danced across his torso. They glistened a little, especially if it was dark. She patted the elven warrior's shoulder once his shirt was back on and gently guided him down so his head was back on the pillow.
"I'm impressed with his progress, Hawke. Make sure you let me know if there are any setbacks you can see. I will be back tomorrow, alright?" Anders said.
"Yes. Thank you again Anders." Hawke said with a warm smile to her apostate friend. Then she saw him out.
Fenris' progressive healing was going well for the two days. One day, about a week after Fenris unexpectedly thanked Anders for his help, the elf asked Annabelle a question that surprised her quite a bit.
"Hawke, do you think we can go out for a walk on the Wounded Coast?" Hawke looked at him strangely from across the dinner table. Leandra had gone to help Bodahn and Sandal with the dishes and Annabelle and Fenris were just about done with their drinks.
"You want some fresh air, don't you?" Hawke smiled. He nodded, and she added, "I'll need to bring my swords in case we run into trouble, you know."
"Of course." he said, solemnly. "And with that I should probably put on my armor, and carry at least a dagger. I will not let you fight in my place if I can prevent you from getting hurt."
His request was doable and practical, as Aveline had taken his armor to the smithy to be repaired after the fight with the dragon, but Hawke sighed. "Maker, I hate being a woman. Everyone always wants to protect me."
"It's only right that if we're attacked, you're not defending me because I'm unarmed. I…do not wish to use my markings. They're a last resort." he looked pained and a little ashamed at the last statement.
"I suppose you can bring a shortsword, something not too heavy." she pondered. "You're so chivalrous."
"Am I now?" He chuckled, and they went into the small armory where Hawke kept her weapons. She put on her light leather armor, gauntlets and boots, then she helped Fenris put on his breastplate. He had to help her find one of the buckles though. Then she gave him one of her longer daggers, one she'd used before she came to Kirkwall.
Then they strapped their blades to their bags and walked out of the estate, holding hands. Leandra called after them. "Don't be too long, you two! Be back in time for tea!"
"Yes mother!" Belle replied. "I love you!" she looked back at Leandra, smiling. Little did Hawke know that was the last time she'd ever see her mother alive.
As they passed through the garden they walked faster, both eager to see the sunset on the Wounded Coast.
They exited the city gates, and then they walked along the beach, but it was only moments before Fenris spoke up.
"Something doesn't feel right, Hawke. " He said nervously, looking behind him. Annabelle looked back too, but all they could see or hear was a flock of scavenging seabirds picking at an unrecognizable carcass. Turning back to Fenris she tried to sound sure of herself.
"Nobody's here, Fenris." she didn't sound very convincing, even to herself.
"Why do I feel like somebody's watching us, then?" he asked. Annabelle looked all around where they were standing but all was quiet and still.
"It's quiet. Too quiet." She said, her blue eyes narrowing. The wind picked up and her low ponytail came untied, releasing her golden blonde hair into her face. Tying it back again, she saw out of the corner of her eye, that the scavenging birds were taking flight, cawing, as if raising an alarm.
Then an arrow whizzed by, flying right in between Annabelle and Fenris. Hawke gasped and drew her swords, and Fenris' markings lit up as he unsheathed his dagger.
Slavers surrounded them now, weapons drawn. "Take the elf," commanded a large warrior who appeared to be in charge.
"What about the girl?" asked another man, wearing a helmet and carrying a shield with a crest on it. Fenris growled when he saw it.
"Vishante kaffas!" he snarled bitterly.
"Bring her before the Master. He shall decide the fate of the one who stole his pet." said the head warrior, putting his helm down over his face and flexing his massive arms, one of which held a huge mace, and the other, a massive shield.
A/N: Longer than I thought, will update again soon!