Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, sadly, they belong to bioware.

Chapter 2:

I woke up screaming. I was sweating and my breath came out in short breathes. I felt like a Qunari stomped on my chest and kicked me in the stomach. I thought this nightmare had gone away, apparently not.

Danarius burst into my room in a panic to see me clutching my knees to my chest as I focused on my breathing. In. Out. In. Out.

"What happened? Why were you screaming? Was it a nightmare?"

He placed a hand on my shoulder in an attempt to comfort me. I flinched away, his hand felt like it burnt my skin.

"It was a nightmare, don't worry about it. Go back to bed."

I was trying my hardest to make sure the fear didn't show in my voice. He kept on pushing and pushing though. I kept responding the same thing, it was annoying. I finally look up at him, desperation clear in my eyes and voice.

"Please, just leave me alone right now."

After that he left without saying a word. I plopped back down on my mattress, soothed by the rocking of the ship. I thought about my nightmare, more like a vivid memory that haunted my dreams.

*Flashback*

"Push me higher sis! Higher!"

She giggles as I push her higher on the swing. Mother was inside cooking dinner and father was getting ready for a lesson.

"Roxy! Come pick up a sword, you're the one who wanted to learn."

"Yes daddy!"

Bethany pulls on the sleeve of my tunic. "Do you have to?" She pouts at me.

"I have to, Beth, I need to be able to protect myself. Plus, I'll be back. It is your birthday."

I walk over to my father and Craver and grab a sword. My father ran us through vigorous training, by the end we were sweating. We always came away wiser and lithe.

"So why are you practicing with a sword? Shouldn't you be throwing fireballs in glass houses? What, can't handle all the temptation that comes with your special connection to the-"

I punched him in the face and began to feel the power flow through my veins.

"So, your going to cheat with magic?" he sneers at me.

"No." I grab a sword and throw him one. We strike and strafe and strike, exchanging blows. My father was surprisingly quiet, usually he hated it when we fought. We were both getting tired, but it was still evenly matched.

He slipped up and I knocked him back with my sword at his neck. I had won. Then, I realized that my father had wanted us to work out our anger. He was quiet because he knew we needed someone to win this battle of dominance.

Her scream rippled through the air and I bolted around the house to see a demon ripping off the heads of bandits. I searched the yard and didn't see Bethany, she must of ran inside with mother. I watched in horror as the demon burnt another bandit to a crisp and it charged toward me. Father was fighting the other bandits. I raised my sword as it swung at me, just barely avoiding certain death. The demon flung my sword into the yard and I stumbled back. It was walking, nearer and nearer. The power flowed into my veins and I put my hands up to protect me as it attacked me. I shut my eyes tight and waited for the pain to come, but it never did.

I heard a gasp and then a gargling noise. I looked up to see Bethany clutching her stomach and staring at me.

"Beth?! DADDY! Beth, daddy's coming, he's going to heal you. He's going to make you better!" Tears welled in my eyes.

"It's ok sis, you were just protecting yourself. Please don't blame yourself for this. I couldn't control it, the demon, it just took over."

"No, Beth, I'm sorry. Don't leave me Beth, don't leave me."

The life drained from her eyes as she smiled up at me, reassuring me that it wasn't my fault. The tears clouded my vision as I shouted her name. I shouted until my voice was gone.

She was dressed in all white, the picture of an angel. The ceremony was beautiful, her body was surrounded by rose petals. We stayed until the sun started to set, then gave her body to the sea. Mother gave me looks of pity and Carver gave me looks of anger, but only dad didn't pretend to understand. He let me cry on his shoulder for hours until there was nothing left but a broken girl and a promise. A promise to never use magic again.

*End Flashback*

I walked to the table and blew out the candle.

"Happy Birthday Beth."

Author's note: I honestly didn't think that anyone would comment, especially not so soon. It really made my day to find out that people were really interested. I thank you falloutkitten because I really don't want to rush this story and would appreciate if you guys would let me know if you think it is rushed. I gave you guys a long chapter since I posted such a short first chapter. Also, sorry for any errors, I don't have anything fancy like an editor. Another chapter about Hawke's past, BUT I promise to get back to the present in the next chapter. I really enjoyed writing this chapter and how emotional it made me. (Bethany's death) So, what I want to know is if I should do 3rd person sometimes. I don't want to do 1st person for other characters like Fenris. So, tell me what you think! I LOVE hearing what you guys think so I can improve, it also makes my day and motivates me to write the next chapter faster. Sorry for the long note. Forgive me? :)

Love, Melissa