A/N: Really short one here, but thank you for welcoming me back. I've miss you.

Act 1

Chapter 19

The Choice

Burying everything, pushing all of his emotions aside, Fenris dressed and prepared for the day. It was difficult, but he managed to harden his heart, knowing that his chance for happiness was lost. Hawke would soon be a distant memory. Their life together would become a fantasy that he would hold on to when the loneliness of the night drew him.

Stoically, he stood behind Danarius at the breakfast table. All of the household was in attendance. All except Hawke and Leland. He was sure that deal had already been made. Perhaps she was in one of the upper room with servants around her, readying her for a new life as the wife of one most powerful men in Tevinter. Well, most powerful once Crucius stepped down.

He couldn't let himself dwell on it. The pain would be too much. Instead he held on to the knowledge that even if this brought her happiness, she'd wanted him more. She'd come to him the night before, giving herself to him for the last time.

Despite his busy thoughts, it was hard not to notice Talla's cold stare and icy demeanor. She'd barely look at Danarius and whenever she did, there was malice behind her eyes.

"Talla," Danarius said with a condescending tone. "End this nonsense. We are leaving in a few hours and returning to my home."

"What does it matter? The deal is done," she responded with a angry flick of her wrist. "Whether we are here or there, it makes no difference."

"Calm yourself," her father said. "This is for the best."

Talla sent a glare to Crucius before throwing her napkin onto her table. "I've lost my appetite," she said and stormed off.

Fenris held a small amount of satisfaction knowing that this was bothering her so much. At least now she wouldn't be able to torment Hawke. In fact, she would have to treat her with respect. A small, pleased smile passed over his mouth.

When breakfast was finished, he followed Danarius up to his private chambers and began packing all of his belongings. In a private sitting room, separated from the bedchamber by a door, he could hear Talla and his master arguing. Over what, he wasn't sure. The words were muffled through the heavy oak, but her high pitched shrill was hard to ignore.

Once all of the cases and trunks were collected he placed them by the door, and waited patiently for their argument to end. After what seemed like an hour, they emerged. Danarius tried to place a comforting hand against his lover's back, but she pulled away, tossing a murderous scowl at him.

Danarius sighed. "My patience is wearing thin," he told her. "I will not allow this to continue for much longer."

"I should let you go without me," she threatened, but Fenris knew Danarius didn't care whether she came with him or not. "Your Fereldan whore can keep you company."

"Nonsense," Danarius waved her off. "Utter nonsense." He looked over at Fenris. "See that my belongings make it to the carriage. I will hear no more of this." With that, Danarius left, leaving a pouting Talla behind.

Realization that her supposed power move didn't work, she stormed up to Fenris and grabbed his chin. On reflex he wanted to pull away from her touch, but she was a mage. Fear that she would try to punish him kept him from offering any insolence. Jerking, she moved his face from side to side as if to study him. A sneer passed over her lips. "Danarius cares too much for his precious slaves," she spat, leaving Fenris confused. With a final shove, she pushed him away and left as well.

Danarius cares too much for his precious slaves. Was she simply angry that Hawke was a free woman or was this about something else? With a sense of urgency, he grabbed two of Danarius trunks and ordered another slave to help with the remaining. He had no business giving the command, but he looked threatening enough to make the meek slave do as he bid.

Quickly, he maneuvered around the estate, heading towards the stables. The luggage in his arms made it hard for him to see anything in front of him, and he used buildings to his left or right to tell him that he was going in the right direction. Once he heard a horse whinny, he briskly walked towards the sound. The other slave approached.

"Should I leave them here, sir?" he asked.

"Yes," he answered, not bothering to correct the way he was addressed. As he dropped the luggage he looked towards the carriage and saw her.

Her back was to him, but she was brushing the horses, whispering sweet words to them. "Hawke," he choked out.

She turned to him and smiled. "Fenris," she said.

"What are you-"

"Are the horses ready?" Danarius said, cutting his question short.

"Yes, Master," she replied and came to stand in front of him.

Fenris felt his legs grow weak. Master? What was happening? She was supposed to be with Leland.

Talla approached as well, huffing while a few household slaves carried her luggage. "It's ridiculous that you refuse to part with her," she said. "Do you realize how this looks? What people will think? You no longer even require her."

"No one need know that I refused to give her to Leland," Danarius said, looking bored. Fenris couldn't believe this. All of his emotions were dancing together. Should he be happy? Disappointed? Angry? "His plan to wed her was only privy to the few of us," his master continued. "As long as you keep your mouth shut, no one will know. And whether or not I desire two bodyguards is none of your business."

Talla scoffed. "Keep your slut," she said through clenched teeth. "But don't expect me to play nice with her."

Danarius waved her off again. "Please. Do you honestly think that I would lay with a slave? And I care not what you do to her, as long as she is able to perform her duties."

Talla smirked and sauntered over to Hawke. "We are going to have so much fun," she whispered menacingly. If the threat bothered Hawke, she didn't let on. She only stood before Danarius, wearing no expression at all. "Put my luggage on the carriage," Talla ordered.

Without missing a beat, Hawke started the task, carrying the boxes and securing them. When Danarius and Talla stepped inside the stage, he couldn't wait any longer and went to her.

Pretending to help, he whispered, "What's happened? I thought this was all settled."

"I have much to tell you," she said. Why was she grinning? She'd had her chance at a better life and lost it.

"Fenris and Hawke," Danarius called from the carriage. "You're to ride on the back." Her grinned widened as she stepped up to the small bench. Fenris secured the last case and joined her. With a jerk, they began moving.

It was nearly an hour before Fenris felt comfortable enough to ask her about what happened. No one was around to see them conversing, and a roaring river to their left would slightly drown out their voices. "Tell me," he said.

"Are you not happy about this?" she asked, looking sad. "I don't have to marry him."

"I am happy that you're with me...it's just…Hawke, you were going to get out. He was giving you something that I never could."

"That's not true," she said quietly. "He was just taking me from one form of slavery to another."

Fenris didn't see it that way, and shook his head. "Why didn't Danarius let him have you? He seemed to be fine with it when I last saw him."

"Well...Leland is...nice. Very nice. The best nobleman I've met in Tevinter, but when Danarius sent me to him I realized what he wanted. He told me that as soon as everything was settled I was to give him a child, and then as many more as he needed. I could see it in his eyes, he didn't really want me. I was just a means to upsetting his father and sister's plans. He'd get his father's legacy, taking it from Talla. He'd still be able disrupt his father's expectations of him by marrying a slave. I was a pawn in his game."

She paused, studying her hands. "It was freedom, yes, but not the kind I wanted. I'd rather stay with you." A jolt of guilt hit in the chest. She'd turned down his offer because of her love for him. Words escaped him. "After I left you last night, I went back to Leland and told him that I would never love him. He didn't care. He told me that he would either buy my freedom so I could wed him or I could remain Danarius' slave. When I told him what I wanted, he seemed shocked. As if it couldn't be possible. Maybe it is crazy, but I just couldn't. I knew I'd regret it."

She sighed, lacing her arm through his. "I only want you, Fenris," she said. "No one else. I don't care if it doesn't come with freedom."

"That was stupid, Hawke," he said softly, but not holding back his annoyance. "Do you think I want this for you? Beatings? Torture? It will never get better for us, but it could have been better for you." With a gruff sigh, he sat back, pulling away from her.

"I'm sorry," she said meekly. "He didn't want to let me stay with Danarius. He wasn't going to."

"What changed his mind?" he asked, still agitated and unable to process his inner emotions.

"He assumed I'd go into this arrangement willingly. Despite everything else, he didn't want this to be forced, but he didn't want to lose face with his father either. If Crucius knew that I'd refused his offer he said he'd never hear the end of it. Late last night, the two of us went to Danarius and told him of our predicament. He was reluctant though. Crucius was prepared to pay him a great deal for me and Danarius would expect nothing less for his silence. Leland paid him from his own coin purse."

Hawke leaned forward on her knees, eying the horizon. "He was furious with me. Cruel even. When we were alone again, he told me to enjoy my life of imprisonment with my knife-ear lover. And I told him that I would. I know you think it was foolish, but I couldn't do it. It felt so wrong. Don't be angry with me."

As selfish as it was, Fenris was relieved. But he also knew that they couldn't continue down this path. It was too painful. "You told me once," he said, grabbing her hand, "'One day you and I will be free.' Do you still believe it?"

"Yes. It's all I believe."

From the depth of his soul, he tried his hardest to believe it as well.