Wow...
So I literally haven't updated this in years. If there is still anyone waiting for this story to continue I am SO SORRY!
Studying kicked it up a gear this year and I barely had time to do anything other than class work. We have a little holiday now so I can get back to my writing for a bit. I really want to wrap up this fic before Inquisition comes out (Holy crap I can't wait) so if you're still with me please enjoy.
This chapter is a bit 'off' so be warned.
A groan escaped his mouth as Anders tried to push himself up off the ground. A armored boot hit him square in the chest as he did so, sending him rolling back to the floor wheezing for breath.
"Lets make this quick," one of the mercenaries murmured.
Anders rolled over to look at where Aveline and Fenris lay, neither of them moving. His mind raced. How where they getting out of this one?
The Man looming over him raised a wicked looking axe high over his head, clearly aiming to relieve Anders of the burden of his own. Anders shut his eyes trying to picture James. He clung desperately to the image of James happy in his arms, shutting out everything else. Even the series of thuds and a strange gurgling noise from somewhere above him didn't get him to open his eyes. The sudden splattering of something hot on his face did however.
A bolt was sticking out from within the mercenary's wide-open mouth. The gurgling sound was coming from the man's throat as he choked on his own blood, spraying even more of it onto Anders.
"You ok there, Blondie?" came the familiar voice of Varric.
Anders almost wept with joy as the merchant stepped up next to him, holding out a hand to pull him up. As Anders grasped it the mercenary finally collapsed to the floor, blood pooling around his body, adding to the already substantial amount that covered the ground. Anders turned to see Merrill and Isabela tending to Fenris and Aveline. The other two mercenaries lay nearby, their throats slit. Probably Isabela's handiwork Anders guessed.
"Varric, how did you-" Anders began but Varric interrupted.
"Aveline sent word a while earlier. She told me there might be trouble at the Hanged Man and that I should go fetch the girls while she went to get you and Hawke. Looks like we got here just in time."
"You're too late actually. They've taken James." Anders said in a hoarse whisper, making to push past Varric and head for the door.
"Whoa whoa whoa, where do you think you're going?" Varric asked, pulling Anders back to face him.
"I can't let them take him away from me, Varric. Not again." The mage said in a tone that made a shiver run down Varric's spine.
"And what do you plan on doing about it in your condition? You can barely stand, Blondie."
"I can't- I can't let them get away." Anders persisted and turned back to the door.
He didn't make two steps before there was a sudden jolt of pain on the back of his head. Everything went black.
Varric sighed and frowned at Isabela.
"Did you have to hit him? He's been through enough don't you think?"
Isabela shrugged.
"So I should have let him wander after them like that?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No, of course not. Just could have been a bit tactful about it."
"You do something next time then." Isabela sniffed, turning back to Merrill who was helping Aveline sit up. Fenris knelt next to them.
"It was a trap set by Danarius." The elf whispered. "He used my sister to get to me and now they have Hawke."
"We'll get him back, don't worry." Merrill said soothingly, putting a hand on his shoulder.
Fenris glanced guiltily at Anders.
"I didn't mean for this to happen."
"Well it has happened and sitting there feeling sorry for yourself won't help James get back at all." Isabela said, walking over and pulling the elf up.
"First we need to get everyone fixed up before we can even attempt to go after them." Varric said, motioning towards Anders.
"There should be poultices and such back at the Manor." Aveline said, speaking for the first time. "Bodahn should be able to help."
"It's settled then. We can plan further from there."
"Can you stand?" Merrill asked Aveline.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Been through worse." The guard-captain said before standing up with some effort.
"I'll need help with him." Isabela said, pointing at the downed mage. Varric and Fenris both walked over to assist. Slowly the party made their way out of the Tavern and started the trek to Hawke Manor with Varric in front brandishing Biance, Anders supported between Fenris and Isabela, Aveline and Merrill trailing behind. It was dark by the time they reached the front door.
Anders could feel his heart racing as he approached the door that stood ajar before him. There was a light shining from within, blinding him with its sharpness and yet he continued to inch forward. Reaching out he grasped the handle; it was cool to the touch. Slowly, ever so slowly he pulled the door open wide and let out a strangled cry as his eyes fell on the scene before him.
James lay naked, his wrists and ankles tied to iron rings set into the corner of the table upon which he lay. His chest was ripped open, exposing his vitals to the cool night air. The look of horror frozen on his face made Anders cry out again, louder this time. Danarius, who had been working on something with his back towards the door, turned to smile at Anders.
"Ah, there you are. I'm so glad you could make it in time to witness my little experiment." He said in a cheerful voice, motioning for Anders to step forward into the room.
"What have you done to him?" Anders whispered hoarsely, his hands trembling as he reached out to touch James's arm. His skin was like ice.
"Oh I'll tell you in a moment, I just need to finish up with this little piece right here." The monster said, turning back to what he had been busy with.
Anders stood thunderstruck, unable to do anything. He could not even feel rage. All he felt was emptiness, dark and unending, as he gazed down at the green eyes he had loved so much. He looked up as Danarius turned to him once more.
"Now you shall see what I have planned." He whispered with a glee, holding something red out for Anders to see.
It was a heart, James's heart, and at the same time it wasn't. It shone with an eerie red light that strangely reminded Anders of Lyrium. With a cackle Danarius plunged the heart into James's chest. There was a flash and a sizzling noise followed by a steady thumping. Anders looked down in horror at the heart that was now beating again. After a few moments of silence broken only by the steady heartbeat there was a loud crack as one of the chains holding James's hand to the table snapped, his arm moving at lightning speed and grabbing Danarius by the throat. The Magister laughed maniacally as James slowly crushed his windpipe. There came a choked sound as he tried to continue laughing but that was silenced by a sudden brutal clench of James's fingers. Danarius crumpled to the floor, a sadistic smile frozen on his face.
Anders tried to back away but James's other arm broke free as well, grabbing his hand and holding him firmly. James slowly turned his head to look up at the horrified Anders.
"What's the matter, Anders? Don't you love me anymore?" James asked in a hollow voice.
Anders worked his jaw, trying to speak but no words came out. There was another loud crack as the chains holding James's feet fell away too, allowing him to sit up, his legs dangling over the edge of the table. A sickening sound echoed through the room as some of his internal organs shifted, spilling out slightly from the large gash. Anders tried to pull back but the grip on his arm tightened painfully.
"Why do you want to leave me, Anders?" the hollow voice asked again.
Anders cried out as the grip tightened so much that he felt his bones break. The thing that looked like James stood slowly and moved closer, pressing its body up against him. He could feel the cold wetness of the wound through his robes.
"Why did you let them take me again, Anders?"
Anders groaned, his lip trembling slightly.
"I- I didn't. I tried to come after you but-"
"You didn't try hard enough. But it's ok. We can be together now." It whispered, leaning in to kiss him.
Anders tried to turn his head, but James's other hand came up and grasped his chin.
"It's all right now." It said soothingly in that terrible voice, lips parting.
Anders closed his eyes in terror as the cold, dead mouth closed over his. In that cold, dark moment he did the only thing he could. Scream.
Anders bolted upright, the scream echoing through the room. Merrill and Varric rushed forward, both startled by the sudden outburst. The door burst open as Isabela and Fenris came in moments later. Anders panted, tears streaming down his face. He shook so violently that Isabela had to jump onto the bed and pull him tightly to her. All stayed silent for a while as the mage slowly calmed down enough to speak.
"Dead." He whispered.
"What?" Varric asked.
"He was dead." Anders whispered again between rattling breaths.
"James? Anders you were only dreaming."
"It- it felt so real." Anders moaned. "He was so terrible, so cold. And that voice-"
Isabela held him closer, resting her chin on his head and stroking his back.
"It's ok now, Anders. It was just a dream."
"He's still alive, Blondie. I pulled some strings with my contacts in Lowtown and Aveline got her people together as well. We have a lead on where Danarius took James and the last report said he was still alive."
"He is?" Anders said, pushing away from Isabela, "Then why haven't you gone after him yet?!" he demanded, sorrow forgotten.
"Calm down, Blondie. We just heard about 10 minutes ago. We were just waiting for Aveline to return with her guards." Varric said, placing a reassuring hand on the mages shoulder. "We'll have him back in no time."
Anders closed his eyes briefly and sighed I relief. Then he suddenly pushed off the bed. He stumbled slightly, only realizing now that they were in James's bedroom.
"Where's my staff?" he asked sharply.
"Um, it's over here." Merrill said in a small voice, holding the weapon in her hand.
Anders made to take it from her but Fenris stepped in his way.
"Wait. You still need some rest and Aveline isn't back yet." The elf said, meeting Anders's eyes.
"You are the last person who I want to see right now, Fenris. This is all your fault! It's because of you that I've lost the man I love once again! Now get out of my way before I show you why mages are feared!" Anders yelled, glaring daggers at the elf.
"Don't you think I realize that it's my fault?" Fenris said in a low voice. "Don't you think I hate myself for putting James in harms way because I was careless?"
Anders hesitated at the emotion in the elfs voice. He hadn't expected this reaction.
"I would give anything to get him back, even my own life." The elf continued, his voice fierce as he glared up at Anders. "But rushing off now when we aren't ready yet will be a waste. We will lose our lives and Danarius will still have James. Is that what you want?"
"I- no of course not but-" Anders began, his own anger starting to return but Fenris cut him off.
"Then sit the fuck down on that bed and wait." The elf said coldly.
Anders stared at him for a long while, the fire burning behind those large green eyes startling him.
"You love him, don't you?" Anders whispered suddenly as he realized what that fire was.
Merrill gasped while Isabela spun around to look at the elf. Fenris's eyes went wide for a brief moment but it was too late, Anders had seen it.
All eyes were focused on the elf now, waiting for his response. Just as he opened his mouth to protest the door swung open once more to reveal Aveline, Donnic hovering behind her.
"We're ready." She said.
There was a moments silence as Anders and Fenris continued to stare at one another before Varric cleared his throat.
"Let's go." Anders said coldly, grabbing his staff as he passed Merrill and stalked towards the door. Varric and Isabela followed swiftly, glancing back at Fenris before exiting. Merrill reached out and put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm so sorry, Fenris." She whispered, giving him a small squeeze before following the others.
Fenris stood staring at the floor, listening to the others moving down the stairs. A deep feeling of loneliness crept over him, making him sink to the floor. Even when he heard the front door slam he did not get up.
Some revelations happening there at the end...
Next chapter we'll be back with James.
Also, just want to thank the people who have dropped the random review here and there even though there has been no activity from my side since forever. I felt so happy that people were still reading and at the same time so bad that I haven't updated yet. Thanx again!