A/N: Very graphic depictions of torture. You are warned.

Act 1

Chapter 3

"A Lesson Learned"

About a week had gone by since Hawke last visited him in his room. Ever since that night that something had nearly happened she hadn't been back. Whether it was because of his warning or because she was embarrassed Fenris couldn't tell. But he had to admit that he missed her visits. It had given him something to look forward to after the torture Hadriana would inflict on him. Now they rarely had any contact without their Master's presence. So that is why he currently was searching the estate for her. Danarius needed a nap from his tiresome day, so he had some free time before he awakened. Perhaps it would be nice to catch up with her, see how she was holding up.

He was passing the stables on his way to the slave quarters thinking that perhaps she had ventured there to talk with that little boy she was so enamored with when he heard a loud ruckus from the stables. He paused and went to the door to listen.

"No one here to protect you now, girlie," one of the guards spoke. Fenris shook his head and moved to continue to his destination. Too many times to count had he witnessed the guards abuse their power over the slaves of the household. Most were never caught. The women they abused were too scared to turn them in. Not that Danarius would do much to punish them anyway.

"What makes you think I need protection?" a voice he recognized laughed. "Need I remind you that I kicked your ass in the last training session?"

Hawke. These guards couldn't be fool enough to try this on her. She was no frail woman. He walked back to the door and listened a moment longer just to be clear.

"You don't have your precious little daggers to help you this time."

Fenris peered around the corner to see Hawke and one of the guards circling each other in the main room of the stables. They had promised that they wouldn't interfere on the other's behalf and so far neither had broken that vow. So he remained frozen.

"Daggers. I don't need daggers to knock you on your ass," she said with the utmost confidence.

"You little bitch," the guard advanced on her but she quickly moved out of his way and gripped the back of his head slamming his face into the wall.

"You're going to pay for that," he sneered and started stalking towards her as he wiped the blood from his nose.

Hawke dodged the swing from his fist, catching him by the forearm and pushing him to the ground in one swift movement. The guard let out a feral growl then stood to his feet and advanced on her once more. Hawke was standing tall in front of him, not backing down. Despite the seriousness of this situation, Fenris found himself smiling as she beckoned him to try again.

The two started dancing circles around each other once more. Though Hawke had a cocky smirk on her face the guard's sneer was blood curdling.

Every swing of his fist only met air. Every grab with his hand was just a fraction too slow. It was easy for him to just sit back and admire her, but then a pulse in his stomach jarred him back to reality. This would have to end eventually. He should step in before it's too late. At least make his presence known, maybe that would deter the guard from accosting her further.

Just when Fenris made up his mind to enter the room, the guard swung on her again, but this time finally wised up to her antics. When she dodged out of the way he caught her with his opposite hand around the neck and pushed her back against the wall.

Hawke gripped the hand, trying to loosen his grasp. "Not so fast now are you," the guard hissed into her face. She was struggling for breath, her feet dangling, fighting to reach the ground beneath her.

Before he was aware of his actions, his body began moving on its own accord. He grabbed the guard by the shoulder and spun him around, pushing him into the other wall.

He could hear Hawke gasping for breath behind him, but his eyes never left the guard's. Relishing in how the tides had quickly changed.

"You will not touch her again," he stared into the guard's eyes, refusing to break his intimidating demeanor even if on the inside the voice in his head was screaming for him to stop, knowing that it would only end in severe punishment.

"Didn't know you had a claim on her," the guard choked out, struggling to find the words as Fenris's hand tightened, but was determined to get a rise out of him.

It worked, the voice in his head receded as he squeezed his neck, loving the look as his face as he struggled for air.

"Fenris," her soft voice and light touch on his arm brought him briefly out of this trance. Her face was calm, but he could see the fear in her eyes as she tried to coax him into letting go. She too knew the repercussions of this action. "Fenris, it's ok. I'm fine. You need to let him go." He could hear her speaking, but the words were lost on him. Every insult, every beating sprang forth from memory. He looked back to the guard and tightened his hand leaning further into his face. He sensed her stepping closer to him, her touch became a little more firm. "Please, Fenris. Listen to me." Her fingers lightly ran across the length of his lower back, trying to soothe him, bring him back to reality.

He knew she was right. What good would it do to take this guards life? It would make him feel better for maybe a few hours, then Danarius would find out. He would be beaten, shackled, tormented. Or worse, Hawke would as well. He shook his head to end this madness, then released him and took a step back, bringing one arm around Hawke's body pushing her behind him in an attempt to shield her from any backlash from the guard.

"You will regret this," the guard snarled holding his neck attempting to bring his breath back. Fenris felt Hawke grip his arm and waist as the guard advanced on them. "Danarius will hear of this, you can be certain." Fenris made sure not to flinch or show any fear at the guard's words, waiting until he left them alone in the stables.

When he felt his presence leave, he let out a frustrated sigh then abruptly turned to Hawke. "What were you thinking?"

"He started it, Fenris. I was only defending myself," she countered clearly unsure why he was angry.

"You can't just go around antagonizing the guards," he snarled.

"I didn't antagonize him," her voice grew louder. "What would you have me do?" Fenris could see anger build in her face. Her cheeks became flush, frustrated tears welling in her eyes. "Would you rather I just sit back and let him take me? Is that what you want? For me to cower each time one approaches me?"

"No," he raised his defenses as her the volume of her voice increased. "But you have to be smarter, Hawke. I will not always be here."

"No one asked you to intervene. I was doing fine on my own," she threw back at him.

"I wouldn't have to intervene if you weren't so stupid and stubborn!" he yelled.

Her face fell in a look of shock and hurt. "I'm stupid? You think I'm stupid," she spoke a little lower, obviously pained by his choice of words.

Fenris wouldn't let it have an effect on him. She had to learn that acting this way could get her killed. "Yes, I do," he gritted through his teeth.

"Good to know," she choked out and flew out of the stable, pushing his shoulder back as she passed him.

He waited a few moments, listening as her feet stomped back towards the main house. A wave of shame fell over him. He shouldn't have spoken to her that way. He had to remind himself that it was a good thing that she tried to defend herself against the guards, even if it had only made her a greater target. He should go to her, apologize. Try to explain his outburst.

"Hawke," he called to her retreating form. "Hawke, wait!"

She didn't look at him, but stopped just a few feet shy of the house, waiting for him to approach.

"I didn't mean that," he spoke softly as he approached her. When she didn't respond and refused to look at him, he took a step further and reached for her arm to turn her around. She swatted him away, and he heard a muffled sob fall from her lips. "Hawke, please," he begged. "I'm sorry. Don't cry. I didn't mean it." His heart fell. Few times did she let the wall down and show the emotions that she truly felt, and it always seemed to be caused by his careless mouth. He walked in front of her just in time to see a single tear fall from her eye. She quickly wiped it away.

"It's ok, Fenris. I know that sometimes I can be stupid. I didn't mean to yell at you." She finally looked at him with a tearful but hopeful smile. "Forgive me."

"Only if I am," he said slightly joking.

"Deal," she grinned and sniffled a bit.

The moment was quickly interrupted when a servant came out of the house and informed them that Master Danarius would like to speak with them. Both inhaled sharply but didn't hesitate in going to him as quickly as possible. When they walked into the study the same guard that attacked Hawke was standing by his desk, looking at them with a victorious grin as they walked through the threshold.

"I have been informed that you have deliberately put your hands on one of my guardsmen, Fenris. Explain yourself," Danarius's voice was rich with authority making Fenris cower. He knew what would come next. No amount of explaining would get him out of this one.

"It is as he says, Master." Fenris bowed. "I deserve to be punished."

"What!" Hawke moved to stand in front of him. "No, this is my fault. I antagonized him. Fenris was only trying to stop it from going further. Punish me!"

She truly is stupid, Fenris thought. He pushed her back behind him and propped his hands on Danarius's desk. "But I was the one who made the move against him. This is my fault Master. The punishment lies with me."

Danarius looked back and forth between his two slaves, clearly puzzled by the predicament he was placed in. "Both so eager for punishment. What an odd situation this is." He grinned wickedly and Fenris instinctively moved his body in front of Hawke's to try and protect her from anything the Magister had planned. "An excellent idea has just occurred to me. Since both of you are so willing to accept the blame on behalf of the other, I will grant you your request."

Fenris exhaled loudly though his nostrils, trying to prepare himself for whatever he had planned. He looked back to Hawke and wished that he could do something to shield her from this, but knew the thought was hopeless.

Once in the dungeons it became clear what his plan was. He would punish both of them, forcing the other to watch as he did so. He decided that perhaps it would be best if Hawke went first, since usually Fenris's punishment left Danarius so drained.

Hawke was stripped of her armor and given a small white tunic to wear. The guards strapped her down to a table by the arms, shoulders, hips, calves, and feet.

Fenris could see the panic building in her eyes. Whippings she had been given before, but nothing like this. She wanted to look to him, Fenris could tell, but he was glad she had the will not to. He wouldn't have been able to take seeing the full amount of her fear.

When one of the guards emerged from a side room carrying a red hot branding iron, Fenris jerked his shackles. His action caused Hawke to look in the direction of the door. Her breaths began to quicken, her fists clenched as the guard moved closer and closer towards her. A frustrated yell escaped her lips as the realization of what was about to come dawned on her. She tried to struggle in her restraints, but soon realized it useless.

"Where we should put this?" Danarius smiled and examined her exposed flesh. "She will definitely need one on each thigh, but don't worry Hawke I will have those removed."

Fenris saw her face tighten in anger and the strong muscles of her arms flex in frustration. He tried to look away, but the guard beside him grabbed him by his long hair and forced him to watch.

"But this first one I think I shall make you keep," he continued. "We don't want it anywhere too noticeable now do we? Wouldn't want to ruin you? You are after all so lovely to look at."

Hawke banged her fists in frustration. Fenris could feel every muscle in his body twitch, the pit of his stomach dropped, saliva began to accumulate in his mouth. No, not her. Please. She hasn't done anything wrong. It was me. I am to blame. She tried to stop me. No, not her. Not her.

Danarius pushed up the short tunic she wore, revealing her stomach. "Yes," he grinned. "I think this will do nicely." He shot Fenris an evil smile before backing away to let the guard do his work.

Fenris watched in agony as the guard approached her. Her stomach began heaving up and down in a frantic rhythm, her breaths coming in quick bursts. She started to whine before it even touched her skin, her body naturally reacting and pulling away from the hot metal.

As it connected with her flesh a blood curdling scream filled the dungeon. She thrashed her head in agony, her body arching and trying to bend against her restraints to get away from the pain. Fenris could hear the singeing of her flesh, smell the burnt odor coming from her body. He thrashed again in his shackles and let out a frustrated yell as she started convulsing on the table, tears streaming down her face, her body fighting for air.

She was given only a moment of reprieve before the guard was back with another branding iron. This one intended for her thigh. "No," she begged. "No, please. I'm sorry." She started sobbing as the guard continued towards her. "No," she chanted over and over again through her tears.

No not this. I do not wish to have this memory. He tried to turn away again only to have the guard jerk him back forward.

This time when the brand hit her flesh, Fenris was sure her lungs would give out from the terrible scream. Quickly the guard removed it and pressed it down again on her other thigh. Hawke tried to yell, but a gurgling sound in the back of her throat kept her from it. Mercifully, she turned her head away from Fenris before letting the vomit escape her mouth.

He wanted to run to her, to hold her, tell her everything would be alright. Kill all these guards, kill Danarius, leave this place, never look back.

Hot tears of defeat rolled down his eyes as the sounds from Hawke ceased. He was a fool. He could never protect her from the cruelty of Tevinter. Soon she would be just as broken and empty as he was.

Danarius gave a pleased look his way, loving the reaction he had gotten. Fenris could see the wheels in his head turning. Already he was planning on using her against him. Through all the years of torment and agony he had endured never had Fenris truly broken in front of him. His Master had finally found his weakness.

Danarius looked directly in his eyes. "This one is for you, Fenris." He pointed to the brand now permanently etched into the flesh of her stomach, and then reached his hand over her thighs repairing the burnt skin that lingered there. One of the guards came in with a bucket of water and dumped it over her face. With a gasp of air she came to and immediately began whimpering and shaking against her restraints. She took a large inhale as she tried to regain her normal breathing.

Finally when her movements became less frantic and her whimpers less intense Danarius pulled her tunic down. Hawke winced when it connected with her marred skin. Her restraints were removed and she was ushered to the same corner of the room as Fenris. The two were allowed only a moment before he would be moved to the table. As the guards worked on his restraints another held Hawke upright in front of him. Her hair was drenched from sweat and water. Bits of her vomit lingered on her chin and neck. Her body was still shaking from the whole ordeal.

He stared into her eyes, tightening his facial muscles to keep from losing his emotions, seeing her like this. A trickle of warmth fell down his cheek. Upon seeing it she immediately began crying. "I'm sorry," she whispered through her tears. "I'm so sorry."

Fenris was at a loss for words. He couldn't speak. He couldn't comfort her. There was nothing he could do but wait his turn.

When his shackles were finally lose, Hawke was put in his place and he was ushered to the table. He didn't resist as the straps were placed around his body, or when the bit was placed in his mouth.

Danarius wiped away his angry tears before laughing to himself. Then Fenris felt the familiar sting creep up from his toes. Soon it was moving further up his body. He couldn't resist jerking as the lyrium in his flesh ignited with such pain he was sure he was being branded again. He tried to remain coherent, to show as little pain as possible for the sake of Hawke. But when Danarius shot more energy into his body, he arched off the table and tensed his muscles trying to fight it. He heard a muffled cry escape through the barrier in his mouth.

Even through the pounding in his ears and his labored breathing he could hear Hawke's sobs from across the room. She was begging Danarius to stop, pleading with him for mercy. All this accomplished was causing Fenris more pain. His Master shot an even more powerful burst of power through him. Fenris clenched his fists so hard he was sure blood was drawn, if not for the bit in his mouth his tongue would have been bitten in two. Danarius pulled the magic from his body granting him only a moment of relief before shooting it through him again. He continued the action repeatedly hoping for Fenris to pass out, but he was determined not to. With all his strength he held on to consciousness. Once Danarius ran out of mana he gave up trying and allowed Fenris to be removed from the table.

They were kept in the dungeon for the night. A guard stood across the room from them. A barrier of metal poles separated their two small cells. It was bad enough that Fenris had to hear her cries, but he was forced to see them as well. He forced himself to stare at a point on the floor rather than look at her.

After a few agonizing moments Fenris eyed the guard across the dungeon. They were being watched fiercely to ensure they would not try to make contact. The sounds of Hawke's soft whimpers were burning into his ears. If he could just look at her, tell her everything was going to be fine, but he couldn't bring himself to do so. Everything would not be fine. There was no use in trying to convince himself that she would beat this somehow. Like him, she would be broken, a tool to serve their master. There was no escape.

Another guard joined the other and the two began conversing, momentarily ignoring their presence.

"Fenris…" he heard her pained whisper. He knew she was crying. Seeing her like this, he couldn't let it be burned into his memory. He took a deep breath and turned further away from her.

"Fenris…please look at me."

No, he couldn't bring himself to do so. Even though he didn't want to see her in this state, having her see him would be just as bad. "I can't."

A muffled sob echoed from her cell before he heard her body moving towards the bars that separated them. "Are you okay?"

Despite all that had been done to her, she was concerned with his well-being? Even though the pain Danarius inflicted on him was monstrous she would be forever branded with this mark. Cursed to live out the remainder of her days with the constant reminder that she was nothing but a tool to be used by the Magisters. Just as his lyrium branded him.

"Caring about my well-being is what got you into this mess, Hawke. I don't want nor need your help. Leave me be." He knew it didn't mean it. Her concern for him touched him deeply. A part he thought lost had been awakened by her, but like everything else in his life, Tevinter would take her from him too. It served no purpose to allow her in.

"Fine," she spat at him. "If loneliness if what you want, then you can have it. I'm fine by the way. So glad to know you care," she finished with a soft cry.

What little of his heart was left broken at her words. It wasn't fair. He did care, far too much. Why couldn't she see that this was only making it worse for them? If he treated her like everyone else, pushed her away, did his duty, they could possibly live out their lives with as little pain as possible.

"At least now I know that it's not me you are concerned with but yourself," she continued. "I won't try to help you anymore. Obviously, my care for you is one-sided. I will not make the same mistake again."

It was better for her to build the wall up, push him out. No matter how much it pained him, distancing himself from her was the best choice. They were to work together and nothing more. He couldn't let her suffer on his behalf. "I am glad you finally see the truth," he spoke quietly preparing himself to deliver the final blow. "I will never care for you."

A single hot tear streamed down her face, but she quickly wiped it away. From the corner of her eye she saw him move across his cell to lean against the wall. Liar, she thought. It was clear in the way he looked at her and the way he spoke when in her presence that he did. He no more wanted to see her hurt then she wanted to see him. But if this was how he would choose to deal with their situation, fine. After all he had been a slave much longer than she had. Maybe this was his way of coping. She wondered if he even knew how long he had been one. How far did his memory loss go? Had the gentle, open-hearted man she knew was within him ever had a chance to love, to have a family?

Perhaps he didn't know and the wall built up around him was to censure out the death and pain that tainted this land. But still, a part of him longed for freedom, his hope had just been buried along with his other feelings. Would she not have done the same thing? Was it not easier to pretend that freedom wasn't an option? That she was doomed to this life, never to find escape?

Hawke sat against the wall parallel to him and gathered what little strength she had left. Wiping her tears and pulling back her emotions, she stood to her feet. At first she hissed as the pain of her burn carried throughout her body, but after taking a moment to compose herself she dusted herself off and walked towards his cell. She felt his eyes on her as she moved. With the guards still distracted she needed to get this out before she lost the chance.

She gripped the bars that combined their cell and finally looked to him. "Tevinter may have taken everything from you, but I still see the hope in your heart. If you wish to see nothing more than a fellow slave when you look at me, I understand, but I can't do that. You are the only friend I have Fenris." She paused to compose herself and ensure that he was hearing her words then kneeled to be at eye level with him. "I need you. Please do not abandon me."

He wiped his face in frustration and sighed loudly. "You do not know what you ask, Hawke. Danarius will always use you against me. Do you not see what he has already done? Which do you think hurt me worse, the pain he inflicted on me or the burns he put along your body? He already knows you are my weakness, and I yours. No good will come of this. It will only bring more suffering."

"I need you Fenris. I don't care how much I suffer," she pleaded.

"But I do!"

"Oi, other side of the cell, missy. Unless you want a matching burn across your back," the guard yelled from across the room.

Hawke stood to her feet and hesitated a moment before she walked to the other side and let her body slide down the wall. She would beat this. Never in her life had she given up. Somehow she would find a way to regain her freedom. Everything had a purpose. She just needed to find out what the one behind being a Tevinter slave was. Despite her predicament her father had always taught her that there was a reason behind it all. So there was a reason here somewhere. With or without Fenris she would have to keep her strength. She couldn't give in. If there was purpose to being here she would find it.