Part Two

Hawke already felt uncomfortable as her body began to change. The engagement was proceeding quickly, but not quickly enough to cover up for her growing bump. She covered the best she could in the early summer morning, avoiding glances as she made her way into the Knight Commander's office.

Meredith glanced up at her with an affectionate smile, "Serah Hawke. You look practically radiant this morning. Thank you for coming all this way to see me."

"It is a pleasure, Excellency," she said with a practiced smile, "Your messenger was not clear as to what I owe the attention of such an important person."

"I wanted to discuss your upcoming wedding," Meredith smiled, "Knight Captain Cullen is an important member of my command. His continued duty is important to me. Please, sit, Serah. I am sure you're tired already carrying such a precious load."

Hawke's heart flipped as she sat and Meredith chuckled, "It is alright, Hawke. Young people in love sometimes have indiscretions, yes? It is not for us to judge. You are having a child. It is good to start a family, even in such dire times as these. The Knight Captain has been overjoyed, I must tell you. I think it has only motivated him further to protect this city. He will be an excellent father."

Hawke smiled, guilt cutting into her heart, "I believe so, Excellency."

"Not so formal," Meredith quipped, "You will be the wife of one of my most important soldiers. I would like for us to be friends. Perhaps the little one you carry will even join the Templar ranks one day."

"Perhaps," Hawke choked.

"Now, the wedding is only a few days away. Grand Cleric Elthina assures me it will be a most beautiful ceremony. Half the nobility will be there. It will be good for the city to see the heads of Kirkwall support the Templars so well. This city needs leaders, Hawke. I see your influence only growing. I think your wedding will be important for us both. As a gesture of good faith on behalf of myself and the Templars, I have informed Cullen that he will have two weeks leave for a proper honeymoon. As well, I have granted your sister a brief time from the Circle. She will attend the wedding and perhaps the reception afterwards."

Hawke replied, "Thank you. That is more than generous."

Meredith stood and said, "I have had my doubts about your sincerity in the past, Hawke. I understand why you kept your sister secret. We do what we can for our family. But now you are marrying into mine. I hope you and I can build a relationship of trust and honesty. I hope you feel the same."

Hawke spoke automatically as she stood, bowing, "Of course. Thank you again."

Meredith called out to her as she attempted to leave, "I know you allow...certain discretions for your sister. About the apostate who comes to visit her."

Hawke's heart stopped as she turned and said, "I'm not sure what you mean."

"The mage," Meredith said, closing the door and standing before it, "We have been searching for him for some time now. It seems that there has been difficulty in locating him. The people are fond of him, I can understand. He is quite charming, I am told. I could understand even why someone so loyal to the Templars might turn a blind eye to him, particularly if their sister was so fond of them."

"Bethany has told me nothing of him," Hawke lied, meeting her gaze, "My duty is to the Chantry and the city of Kirkwall. I was wrong to hide my sister. I would not hide another apostate, not even a friend of hers."

"If she speaks to you of him or if you know any information, you would tell me?" Meredith tested.

Hawke nodded and said quietly, "I am afraid I have things to do today to prepare for the wedding. If you would excuse me, your Excellency."

Meredith nodded, opening the door for her.

Hawke walked out as calmly as she could, smiling as she passed some of the younger recruits. She kept the same stance, the same pace, until she was out of sight.

oOoOoOo

Hawke couldn't sleep the night before the wedding, tossing and turning as she tried not to think about what was about to happen. There was no going back, no changing her mind. This was her last chance to run and she found herself paralyzed. He was not a bad man, she told herself, he had been kind and gentle, even assuming she had been a virgin their first night together. He thought himself in love with this ideal woman she had been pretending to be.

It was hard to know what was real, she had been pretending for so long. Perhaps she could convince herself too. Perhaps she could be happy.

No. Happy would be Anders with her, their child growing strong and free, regardless of the magic in their blood. Bethany would be safe. Happy would be her little family together with no Templars to keep them apart ever again.

But this was survival. It would keep the two people she had left safe. That would have to be enough.

She realized it was morning when Bodahn knocked on the door quietly, calling, "Mistress, there's someone here to see you."

She wrapped herself in her robe, yawning as she made her way down the stairs. She stopped, grinning as she saw her sister standing in the doorway. She ran, hugging her close.

"Maker, you're here!" Hawke whispered, kissing her cheeks.

"Knight Captain Cullen promised them I would be alright being unsupervised for a few hours," she said, "Though there are like five Templars outside the house. I'd like to think he's just being protective of his bride."

"How are you, Beth?" Hawke asked, stroking her sister's hair, "You would tell me if they're mistreating you?"

She laughed, "I'm fine, sister. No one would ever touch me, being Serah Hawke's sister and now the Knight Captain's sister in law. I mean, some of the mages hate me, but I'm sure that's just my personality."

Hawke scoffed, "You're a delight. They're just being mean spirited. Have you eaten yet? I'll get Bodahn to make us breakfast."

Bethany followed her into the dining room, glancing over her sister's body.

"Is it true then?" Bethany asked, "Are you expecting?"

Hawke closed her robe a bit more tightly, "Am I showing already? Maker, if Mother could see me be a pregnant whale on my wedding day."

"No, you hardly look it. You just have a lovely glow and perhaps a slightly firmer belly. You look nice. You even have breasts now."

Hawke rolled her eyes, pouring a glass of juice for herself.

"Sister...are you happy?" Bethany asked.

Hawke sat, sipping her juice, "Of course, dear. I'm getting married today, I'm going to be a mother soon. Everything is going...just swimmingly."

"You know you don't have to marry him just because he got you pregnant."

Hawke laughed, "It would have happened either way, it just sped things up a little."

"Do you love him?" She asked.

Hawke smiled wearily, "Of course. I wouldn't marry for any reason other than love."

"Don't lie to me," Bethany said, sitting beside her, "For once, just be honest. I'm your sister. I love you more than anyone in this world. For once, just tell me how you're feeling, not what I want to hear, what you actually feel."

Hawke felt a tear come down her face and she wiped it away, "Forgive me, I didn't sleep well last night. I'm just too excited. I'm so happy you're here. You don't have to worry about me, Beth. Things are just wonderful."

Bethany started to protest but Bodahn cut her off as he entered with their breakfast.

"Come on now," Hawke said, "Let's get a good meal in us and we'll start getting ready. I think I have a dress upstairs that will fit you perfectly for a bridesmaid's gown."

oOoOoOo

"Cullen, you're not supposed to be here. It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding day."

"I know, I just want to make sure she's safe. She's okay?"

Bethany laughed, "She's perfectly fine. What's all this about?"

Hawke stood at the bedroom door, listening. She could see Cullen dressed in his finest uniform, his rank embroidered on his sleeve. Bethany was dressed in soft blue, a flower in her hair, smiling as she talked to the man.

"We had a raid on some apostates in Darktown. One of them matches the description of a man we've seen lurking around this place at night. I just...I just worry about her. One of these fiends might seek revenge some day, I have to keep her safe."

"You're a good future husband," Bethany said, and said quieter, "And a good father. She's fine. She's just upstairs getting ready. Now go. Before she sees you."

Hawke retreated into the bedroom, catching her breath as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. A long white gown, modest, her veil long, delicate. She looked exactly as her mother envisioned, exactly what a good noble woman should look like on her wedding day.

She fell to her knees, holding onto the mirror as she tried to breathe deeply. There was no way of knowing. Anders might be safe, he might have gotten away. She had been having difficulty getting payment to the bands of gangs running through Darktown. Perhaps the Templars paid them more.

Or Meredith knew.

She started hyperventilating, her chest going red as she tried to regain control of herself. She didn't hear Bethany come in or notice her until she had her hand on her shoulder. Hawke jumped, startled and Bethany helped her to her feet.

"Are you okay?" Bethany asked, "It's okay, he didn't see you. He was just checking in. He's so nervous, it's almost sweet. Oh dear, you must be so anxious. Let's get you some water."

Hawke nodded, walking with her sister down the stairs. She froze, sudden terror growing in her heart.

She turned to Bethany, "I need to get into the Gallows."

"Right now?" Bethany asked.

"I think Meredith has Anders," Hawke said in a rush, "I think she had him days ago. I'm such an idiot. She was testing me, she was seeing if I knew she had him. Bethany, I need to know he's safe."

Bethany's face fell and she whispered, "You love him."

"Stay here," Hawke demanded, "I'll meet you at the Chantry. I need to get changed. Take this monstrosity of a dress with you. Say I had a last minute errand to run. I forgot to pick up Gamlen or something, I don't care."

"Wait, you're still going through with this?" Bethany asked, chasing her up the stairs, "You love him and you're marrying someone else?"

"Nothing's changed," Hawke said quietly, "I need to go through with this...but if Meredith knows, I need to talk to her, I need to fix this before it falls apart. Just meet me there. I won't be long."

"Be careful," Bethany said, hugging her briefly.

oOoOoOo

"Serah Hawke?" Meredith asked, rising from her desk, "I would have thought you had other errands to run than visit me. You should be at the Chantry by now. Come, we'll leave together in my carriage and you'll still be there early enough to get dressed properly."

"Where is he?" Hawke demanded.

Meredith smiled cruelly, "So you didn't know. I would have expected you to keep better tabs on your lover. Come now. Did it really take you four days to realize where he was? Did one of your little birds come and tell you or did you think about it long and hard?"

"How long have you known?" Hawke said fearfully.

"A while now," Meredith replied, circling her, "I am not a fool, Hawke. Someone has been paying for mages to leave town. Someone killed Ser Alrik. Someone with a blade. Yet I couldn't find this person, try as I could. All pointed to someone untouchable, someone with a great deal of power. One of my men saw the apostate, the one not even the lowlifes of Darktown would give up, the one who every little simpleton seemed to love. One of the last members of the Mage Underground. They saw him enter your house. I thought it was a fluke at first, but my sources saw him a few times. It started to fall together for me. A rich woman, one with the people's respect, one who seemed flawless in the eyes of the Templars, but one with a hidden connection to the mages. Perhaps one who was in love with one of them, one who might do absolutely anything to keep him safe."

"What do you want from me?" Hawke whispered in defeat.

"I want this marriage to go through, Hawke," Meredith said firmly, "Revealing this charade will undermine trust in the Templars and in the nobility. It is best for everyone in this city if this continues. However, we are playing this game with my rules from now on. Is that clear?"

"What rules are those?" Hawked asked.

"You will marry the Knight-Captain today and have this child you claim to be his. Perhaps it is. But I think it likely to be the apostate's. If the child is a mage, they will be taken to be raised in the circle, perhaps by your sister. You will have another child, one of his, and as many more as it takes until I am convinced you are being a satisfactory wife to him. You will continue your support of the Templars and work with us to reveal any other apostates you know of in the city. Then you shall devote yourself to being a proper noble woman."

"And Anders?"

"If you do all that I ask, I will allow him to live," she replied, "In the Circle, under the guard of your husband. If he resists, I will have him executed. If you do not do as I ask, I will make him Tranquil."

"You bastard," Hawke hissed.

"We could have been allies, Hawke," Meredith said, "You could have worked with me from the start. I do not enjoy blackmailing such a capable woman. But I need your presence now. I will not have a martyr. Do you understand?"

"Let me see him," Hawke said, "I need to know that he's alive first."

Meredith chuckled, "Seems bad luck to see the father of your bastard on your wedding day, but we have time for a quick visit. Then, we must leave. It would not be good to keep your guests waiting for long."

Hawke stood as Meredith called for an escort, pulling her by the arm until they entered the bottom of the Gallows, the mages laughing at her as she passed.

"Look, it's the whore of Kirkwall!" One jeered, "I bet she doesn't even know which one is the father and they pulled straws!"

Hawke kept looking forward, Meredith hitting the bars of any who spoke. They reached the end of the block and Meredith gestured to the dirty, scrawny figure in the back.

Anders looked up blearily. Hawke tried to step towards him, but Meredith held her back.

"You don't want to get too filthy before we make it to the Chantry," Meredith mocked, "You can see him just fine from here."

Hawke held back her tears as Anders stood weakly, resting on the bars of the cell to look at her.

"I'm okay," he promised, "You need to get out of here."

"How wise," Meredith sneered, "Come now. He's alive. The bargain is still on."

"Wait," Hawke pleaded as the Templar started to drag her away, "Please. Anders! Anders!"

oOoOoOo

Hawke waited in the antechamber, trying to catch her breath as she finished adjusting her veil. Just a few more minutes. Just a few more minutes and she could rest easy. It would be over soon. Everything would be secure.

She heard a knock on the door and she turned, expecting for Bethany to lead her out. Her eyes widened as she saw Cullen standing there. She moved to speak and he covered her mouth, closing the door behind him.

"Tell me one thing," he whispered, "Truthfully. Please. Is the child mine?"

Hawke looked into his eyes and in shame shook her head.

"Do you love me?"

Tears ran down her face as she shook her head.

He let go of her mouth and he bowed his head.

"Listen to me carefully," he said gently, "I will go along with this if you want to. But...I do not want to marry an unwilling woman. Bethany...she's told me everything. I could throw her back into the Gallows, but I won't. I'm going to help you because I am a fool, a hopeless, hopeless fool...and I believe in love. And I know you must love him. So tell me know. Are you willing to step away from all of this? Are you willing to give it up for him?"

"But Bethany-"

"Will be safe," he assured, "I will not let them touch her as long as I am Knight-Captain. She chose this. She chose you over safety. Honor that choice, Hawke, and make yours."

"Why are you doing this?" She asked.

"Because once I loved a mage," he said quietly, "And they took her from me. So let me help you. Just once, let love win."

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Stay here. You'll know when to run. Just go, don't look back."

He left the room, shutting the door behind him. She heard the sounds of the Chant and she trembled, her hand waiting on the door.

oOoOoOoOo

Bethany arrived thirty minutes later, the music rising. She smiled, handing over a bouquet.

"Are you ready?"

"What's going on?" Hawke whispered.

"Trust me," Bethany said, "Just...I love you, sister."

"I love you too," Hawke replied, "I'm sorry, I haven't-"

"I'm taking care of you," Bethany laughed, "It seems only fair."

The sisters walked out, the congregation rising to meet them. She looked up, seeing Cullen standing at the end, smiling nervously. She took a deep breath, holding onto her sister's arm.

When they reached the altar, Bethany kissed Hawke on the cheek, standing over by her Templar guards.

She took Cullen's hands before Elthina, looking out into the crowd of strange faces. She tried to smile, looking into his eyes.

"Beloved children of the Maker," Elthina announced happily, "We are gathered here today to celebrate the love of these two young people. In these dark times, we see the Light of the Maker shining through their love. I am so very happy to join these two in holy matrimony."

A hush went through the crowd as they heard the skirmish outside the door. Meredith stood, nodding to three Templars standing at the back of the chapel. They went out as Elthina tried to continue.

"Beloved, I sanctify this union in the name of the Maker and his blessed bride Andraste. Human love on earth reflects the love the Maker has for Andraste, the most sacred of love."

A shout outside caused a disturbance in the crowd, causing a few to stand to see what was happening outside. Hawke looked anxiously, trying to guess the expression on Cullen's face.

The doors slammed open and gasps went through the crowd as a bloodied, dirty Anders stepped forth. He walked with his head up, proud, as he made his way to her. Meredith ordered the Templars to stand down, letting him pass.

He reached her side and she leapt into his arms, kissing him as deeply as she could. The nobles gasped in shock as she took his hand, fleeing out the door. Meredith met her glance, an ire rising in her eyes. Hawke knew this wasn't over, but today, she had won.

They raced out into the Courtyard, Meredith following, screaming at the Templars to stand down. As they snuck down into Lowtown, Anders stopped her, kissing her once again. She melted into his touch, holding him.

"I'm with you," she murmured, "From here on out. Always."

He said softly, "And I with you."

They grasped hands and ran.

Part Three

Anders heard his son crying and he stopped reorganizing his notes. He climbed up the ladder into the loft, seeing a tired Hawke reach sleepily towards his cradle.

"Stay still, love," Anders said, kissing her forehead, "I've got him."

He picked up the boy, coaxing him into his arms. He smiled, kissing his little cheeks. It had only been a few weeks, but Anders was already madly in love with his son. He sat on the edge of the loft, holding him as he looked out into the warehouse. It was not exactly the most ideal place to bring a child into the world, but it had been the most stable place since Hawke had fled with him. The regulars from Darktown now made their way to the Docks, knowing they would be safe here. Gamlen had been trying secretly to buy them a house in Lowtown with Hawke's money, but there was still too much attention on them. For a few more weeks at least, they would live here by the sea.

Hawke had stayed mainly in seclusion, but most nobility could not recognize the filthy man who had stolen away the young Serah Hawke. The story told around the city mainly damned Hawke for being a hypocrite, but among the common folk, it was a call to rise. Meredith had been terrified of making Hawke a martyr, but in her indecision, she had made her a hero.

The baby cried slightly and Anders hummed to him, holding him close to his chest.

Hawke stirred sleepily, sitting down beside him, dressed only in his old worn shirt.

She took the child, holding him to her breast. As he latched on, Anders put his arm around them both, holding his little family to him. She rested her head on his shoulder and for a few moments, he was truly, truly happy.

The End.