Isabella had finally slipped past the guards. Finally there had been a guard interested in some of her many abilities and he had even been cute. After flirting with him he had let her sneak out. Now she was well on her way to Drea's quarters. They had seen Drea leave with Sebastian about an hour ago for some gathering Sebastian had been forced to attend. Lea was now back in the rooms with Varric and Fenris. Lea was getting more and more confused by the day, because of Sebastian and Varric's different accounts of her father. Isabela felt terrible. Despite Anders' ranting she had always really liked him and she knew that he had loved Marian more than anything. Never mind what the rest of the world thought of him, she believed he deserved his daughter and knew that he would love her more than anyone else could. They needed to get her away from Sebastian if she was ever to have a chance at living a happy life with her real father. Isabela was sneaking around the shadows in the grand keep without anyone noticing her. Ever since Hawke went missing she always thought of her when she did this. They used to make bets in Kirkwall who could go the furthest without being noticed. Once when they were drunk they had made a bet were they snuck into the chantry and into Sebastian's quarters and "robbed" him of all his underwear and afterwards placing it around the statue of Andraste. The next morning Hawke had been mortified and swore that she would never drink with Isabela again. She was finally at Drea's rooms and picked the lock open. She hurried to the desk to find maps of the keep. They were hoping this would show them an escape route. "Aha! Found it!" she thought as she turned around she looked into the fire place and saw a partially burned letter. Ever the scheming rogue she picked up the letter.
"To Aveline Vallen, Captain of the Kirkwall city Guard.
Your friends Fenris, Isabela and Varric Thethras is currently being held hostage by Prince Sebastian Vael. He is also in possession of the terrorist Anders and Marian Hawke's daughter, Leandra Hawke. If our terms are not met she will be killed.
To have you friends returned safely and unharmed to you, I request that you inform Anders"
The rest of the letter was burned.
"Bitch!" Isabela sneered.
She took the map and letter and went back towards their quarters. She went into the room and quickly checked if Lea was asleep. When Varric confirmed it Isabela handed him the note. Varric growled in annoyance and handed it to Fenris. When Fenris looked up from the note he asked.
"So what do we do now? Do we wait for the mage to get here or do we try and escape before hand?"
-OOO-
Of all the things Anders had been through, nothing terrified him more than the thought that his daughter might be in danger. He couldn't eat and barely slept all he could focus on was that little innocent creature he had held in his arms four years ago. His heart ached for her, desperate to know that she was safe. He was worried about Varric and the others, but nothing even compared to the anxiety he felt when thinking of Lea. He had insisted that he should sent word to Stark Haven that he would be arriving to insure that no harm would come to Lea, but Marian had refused. Instead they were now on their way to Stark Haven with a group of Ferelden royal guards and handful wardens. Anders was afraid. So many people he cared for were at risk because of an act he did years ago. He remembered Sebastian's rage and his promise to get justice... vengeance for what he had done. Anders could hardly blame him. Sebastian had a right to justice and Anders knew the desire for that all too well. But this was his daughter. His innocent little girl. Though Anders had also taken innocent lives in the name of justice. He had killed someone almost as dear to Sebastian as Lea was to him. Anders reluctantly had to admit that he didn't regret the action he had taken against the chantry all those years ago. He did regret it was necessary. He did regret the deaths of innocents. He did regret if his daughter was forced to pay the price for something he had done before she was even born. He did regret everything Marian had gone through these last many years. As they walked through Stark Haven Anders walked up next to Marian and took her hand.
"You shouldn't have come, love. It is too dangerous."
"She is my daughter too, Anders. I would not let either of you face this alone. I love you too much." She tried to smile, but her eyes were serious. Anders kissed the crown of her head and sighed.
"I love you too."
-OOO-
Fenris was pacing in the room. Being a prisoner didn't suite him one bit and he was getting more and more restless by the day.
"Maker elf! Would you stop that brooding? You are making me nervous just looking at you!" Varric grumbled.
"What would you suggest instead, Varric? We have been trapped in here for ages. I did not regain me freedom just to lose it like this."
"Would you two shut up? I need a drink." Isabela hissed as she went to the table in the middle of the room and emptied the bottle of whisky. She then looked at it and threw it across the room where it shattered.
"Damn now even the booze is gone!"
"Isabela... honestly... Lea could get hurt on those shards." Varric worried out loud.
"Would you get over yourself? She is not even here. I wonder what that toad is doing with her."
They heard noise coming from the hallway and could clearly make out Lea's angry little voice. They looked at each other and got ready for a fight. Fenris grinded his teeth. If they had laid as much as a finger on her he would rip them to pieces. The door opened and Drea came inside holding Lea a little too forcefully. Fenris' and Varric's face filled with anger, but before they could interfere Lea kicked Drea's leg and then let a spike of electricity flew from her fingers and onto Drea's hand leaving a burn mark.
"Get your hands of me you whore!" Lea yelled and then ran to Isabela who picked her up, leaving Drea with a shocked expression on her face.
"That's my girl!" Isabela applauded Lea. Growing up in The Hanged Man had its advantages as well.
"The girl is a mage? Filthy little freak! This will interest his grace I'm sure." Drea spat with anger almost pouring out of her eyes like venom. As she walked out the door however she felt it was a small victory. There was no way Sebastian would continue to love the girl now, with her father's foul magic running through her veins.
Fenris went over to Isabela and carefully looked at Lea's arm.
"Did she hurt you?" He asked concerned.
"It hurt a little, but I'm though."
"That you are Shadow." Varric laughed.
They heard some noise coming from the court yard and they went to the window. Isabela gave a gasp as they looked at the gates. About twenty people in total were standing at the gates. Some were wearing warden uniforms and some looked like guards from another city. In front were a blond man and a dark-haired woman.
"Can it really be her?" Fenris mused almost in shock.
"Who?" Lea asked.
"It has to be them. It is them!" Varric laughed hardly able to believe his own eyes.
"Who are you talking about?" Lea said as she raised her voice in annoyance.
"Kitten, can you see the blonde man with the feathers on his shoulders and the woman next to him? That is your parents."
Lea's eyes grew wide and she waved both her arms in the air hoping they would see her. All her life Varric had told her stories about the great champion of Kirkwall and the kind-hearted healer from the undercity. People who had given everything for the sake of others. They were her heroes and though she had never met them Varric's stories made it seem as if they had always been there. Always the protectors and bringer of hope. She had heard of their courage, love and devotion. To her young mind they were what she had always hoped to be and they could do no wrong. That was after all what Varric had told her.
-OOO-
Drea ran through the corridors and towards the throne room. She entered quickly and saw Sebastian giving orders to his one of his soldiers.
"They are here your Grace."
"Yes thank you Drea. That is quite an achievement since I didn't inform Anders that I was in possession of his daughter."
"With all due respect my lord, they have been gone from Kirkwall for weeks. Someone might have taken notice that they were missing and that nothing had been heard from them. Fenris did after all know of your plans when he returned to Kirkwall. There is also the possibility that one of the guards were bribed."
"There is nothing to do about it now. Unfortunately there are still those who are loyal to him. The King of Ferelden has sent his royal consort and some of his guards. Apparently this has also taken the interest of the wardens. How that abomination inspires such loyalty I will never know. Well at least I have Lea, though I am not sure that will matter to him."
"Surely he would not sacrifice his own daughter's life?"
"If Anders has proven anything it is that he is willing to risk everything. But I will not let that happen. Lea is a pure child of the Maker and I will protect her. He is not worthy of her."
"Your grace... Lea is a mage."
"You are lying!" Sebastain growled at the top of his voice.
"I am sorry, but I saw her casting a lightning spell on me in hostility. It is only a matter of time before she become as dangerous as her father."
Sebastian's eyes were tearing.
"Blessed are they who stand before the corrupt and the wicked and do not falter. Blessed are the peacekeepers, the champions of the just." He whispered.
The door opened and in came Anders with twenty other people. Anders' blood was boiling with rage and it was written all over his face. It would only be a matter of time before the true demon showed itself. This was what Sebastian had hoped for. If that demon inside him showed itself in from of Lea she would surely be too terrified of her father and she would finally recognize, what monsters mages truly were. As for what to do with Lea herself he hadn't decided yet. Now all he wanted was for Anders to suffer, Sebastian wanted justice, revenge… his vengeance.
"Release my daughter Sebastian!" Anders growled and was almost about to charge at him, but was stopped by Alyssa's gentle hold on his arm.
"You are in no position to make demands, Anders! I want justice for what you did to all those people and I will get justice by any means necessary."
Anders' face turned grim as he heard the venom those words. How often had he spoken like that? No wonder people had thought him insane if he had the same deranged look that had taken hold in Sebastian's face. Alyssa stepped forward.
"I am Alyssa Amell, a consort of the Ferelden Royal Court and am here to act on King Alistair Therin's behalf. It is a pleasure to meet you even under these unsettling circumstances."
"I am surprised that the King would take such a personal interest in this matter. This is a personal affair and does not concern the king." Sebastain said with his voice full of sarcasm as his eyes still flared with hatred as he looked at Anders.
"You are mistaken your highness. You have captured a Ferelden citizen for over two months. That citizen happens to be under the personal protection of the royal court."
"She was not born in Ferelden and has not lived there. I fail to see how she could be considered as a ferelden."
"Both her parents are ferelden and therefore, so is she. Please let us resolve this peacefully and return the girl to her father. If you do we can put this unfortunate incident behind us and it will not be any damage done between our countries relations." Alyssa still held a firm, but caring hold on Anders' arm. She dared not let him go, his temper had always made him unpredictable in these situations.
"Perhaps... Turn Anders over to me and you may have the girl."
"So be it." Anders said and was about to step forward.
"No, he is a ferelden citizen and has been given amnesty. The crimes he committed were committed against Kirkwall and as such only the Viscount Gilgan of Kirkwall can ask for his arrest. The Viscount has exiled him from Kirkwall as have other parts of the Freemarches." Alyssa explained in a firm, but diplomatic tone.
"No! No I will not allow this murderer to walk free again. I want his head!"
Unfortunately for Sebastian, the guards escorting Lea to the room chose this moment to enter. Lea was holding a firm grip on Fenris' hand. Varric had instructed her to stay close to him since he was the one who could protect her best without any weapons. Sebastian looked mortified at her scared face as he realized he had just achieved the exact opposite of what he had hoped for. Anders looked at his daughter for the first time in over three years. She had grown so much and she was just as beautiful as her mother. It took all of his self control not to leap forward and crush her in his arms. Instead tears started to form in his eyes. Anders then looked at Fenris who nodded at the unsaid understanding that he would keep her safe. Varric and Isabela smiled at him, but then turned their furious gazes at Sebastian. Sebastian looked at Lea, but his love for her didn't matter anymore. He wanted what was rightfully his.
"I want this murderer executed! I want justice!"
"Death is never justice, Sebastian." A female voice said and Sebastian turned his gaze at the all too familiar words.
Marian had kept her hood up and kept in the background to keep the fact that she was alive hidden. Sebastian's inability to reason however forced her to take action. He stared at her and took it all in. Her lovely face, the long dark waves of hair and those beautiful green eyes. He almost wept as he saw her. All those nights of nightmares, where he had seen her. The woman he loved who had once again been manipulated by Anders' evil. Sebastian ran forward and hugged her tightly while kissing her hair. He took in her vanilla scent and felt as if he was drowning in some unreal dream. Anders grinded his teeth as jealousy touch his heart, but when he saw Marian's surprised look he calmed himself.
"Hawke… I can't believe it… I thought you were dead."
"I'm sorry, Sebastian. You left me no choice. I know I have no right to ask favours of you, but please release Lea and our friends. They are innocent in all of this."
Sebastian pulled away and gave her a stern look.
"So was Elthina, but you let her murderer walk free."
"I know, but killing Anders would not have brought her back. By allowing Anders to live he saved more lives than he took. Nothing can ever bring Elthina justice. One persons death and not be righted with the death of another's."
"How can you be so pragmatic about this? He killed a good woman of faith for his ridiculous cause!"
"I tried to end the abusive that the chantry enforced for centuries! And that "ridiculous" cause has changed much of Thedas already!" Anders growled.
"Please love, let me handle this." Marian gave him a gentle and loving look.
"Hawke, are you truly so blinded by love that you cannot see him for what he is?"
"I see all of him. He is a terrorist, a murderer, a healer, a freedom-fighter and a father. I see the things he has done wrong and the things he has done right. For all his faults he has one redeeming virtue, all that he has done he did in order to help. He is a good man."
"He is an abomination!"
"Justice is gone, Sebastian. He was removed by the templars. I have a book here as proof of it."
"I will not entertain the idea of this lie. You can keep your book and give me justice!"
"The Maker blessed us with minds and a consciousness. He does not approve when we fail to use them."
"How dare you speak her words to me? She was your friend! She trusted you and you rewarded her kindness with her death."
"I know that I can never compare my grief with yours, but I do mourn her loss. By remembering her teachings I keep her alive and she lives on in that legacy. I know you loved her like a mother, so please remember everything she tried to teach you… for her sake and your own."
Sebastian stared at her with tears in his eyes. He started to recall the words of Grand Cleric Elthina in his head. All his rage started to get replaced by doubt. Did he lose all that he was in this quest for justice? Everything she ever tried to teach him had been lost in all those years. He saw nothing, but his desire for revenge. "This is your life child! Don't spend it be blown about like a weather vane." Her words echoing in his mind. He had spend the past five years hunting Anders not realizing how much he was becoming just like him. He had been so focused on anger that he forgot love. Forgot the love and teaching of Elthina. Been consumed by desire and love for Hawke, that he had torn himself from the Maker. He loved a woman who would always love another man. He looked at Lea who was starring around the room. Sebastian was afraid his heart would break, but he had to know.
"Lea, come over here please."
Fenris unwillingly let go of Lea's hand and the whole room tensed. He knelt on one knee and gathered her in his arms.
"Lea, this is your mother and that man is your father."
She looked at him and gave a bright smile then wiggled out of his arms and went to her parents very carefully. Anders got down on both knees and held her close kissing her hair. When Marian kneeled down beside them hugged them both, the tears in Anders' eyes finally fell. Marian started sobbing as she kissed Lea's hair. Lea was tense at first, but then relaxed. This was she had always dreamed of, meeting her parents. Sebastian got up and realized his defeat. He turned his back to them and leaned against the table.
"Take her and go. They are all free to go, but if any of you ever set your feet in Stark Haven again, Maker forgive me, I will not hesitate to kill you."
"Come sweetheart. We are going home." Anders whispered softly to Lea. They stood up and Lea took both her parents hands. Halfway through the room she let go however and ran towards Sebastian and hugged him.
"I will miss you." She said as she hugged him. He gathered her up in his arms and hugged her.
"I will miss you too. Now remember your things before you go… and your kitten."
Lea then ran back to her parents. They all left Stark Haven within an hour and never returned.