Let me start off by apologizing profusely for not updating sooner. My health and a bad case of writer's block prevented me from doing so. Also, I want to thank my lovely reviewers: Trilobiter, Apollo Wings, CouslandSpitFire and anesor for their lovely reviews and to all of you who have now included this fic in their favorites and are now following it.

A few things about this chapter: First of all, as this is mainly AU (or totally AU), I won't be following the events of the game regarding Anders and Hawke's romance. It's completely different in fact, as you may notice while you read this chapter. Secondly, I think the Deep Roads part at the beginning where they set off to find another route, was much longer than they make it to be in the game, so I'm including stops for them to eat and rest in this chapter and the next one as well. (Well, at least ONE stop). Also, Bartrand is an evil bastard in this fic, too. Just wanted to point that out, haha!

I hope you enjoy reading this! I hate the Deep Roads…and the only thing I hate more than the Deep Roads in the game is writing about it! :P

Sorry if there are any typos or spelling mistakes in this chapter! My lovely betas are very busy at the moment, so this is all me! :D

Also, please don't hesitate to PM me or write a review if you want to! I love feedback! :D

My disclaimer as usual: Bioware owns everything! I swear! :D

Chapter 7

Anders wasn't surprised to see both Varric and Isabela in his clinic a few days later. He knew that Hawke wouldn't go to the Deep Roads without him, even though they had fought and had both been angry at each other. He couldn't stay angry at her for long, however. Maker help him, he was actually hoping to see her soon in fact.

He was in the middle of healing an old woman whose granddaughter had brought over to the clinic. The granddaughter was a lovely redhead with freckles and a rack that made Isabela stare jealously and flirt with her as well.

Both Varric and Isabela stood very close to Anders watching his glowing hands go over the old lady, his brow furrowed and forehead covered in a light sheen of sweat.

"Do you mind?" Anders said through clenched teeth. "I need some space to work here!"

"Not on your life, Blondie," Varric whispered. "We were told not to be far from you. Frankly speaking I wouldn't have told her that you've escaped the circle seven times, she wants us to make sure that you aren't going anywhere."

"He didn't tell her that, I did!" Isabela said, now winking at the redhead with pouty lips.

"I saw her first!" Anders hissed at Isabela. "And thanks a lot, Isabela. I'll make it a point to not tell you anything about my life ever again."

Anders squeezed his eyes shut, reaching into the Veil again and focusing completely on the old lady. He successfully managed to block everything else out, including Isabela's catty reply to him. The grandmother soon opened her eyes and smiled feebly at Anders who helped her up gently.

"Remember, keep her in bed. I'll be over tonight to see how she is doing, although I know she'll be just fine," Anders told the attractive redhead with a wink. The girl dissolved into giggles, thanking him profusely.

"I'll be expecting you, then and will thank you properly when you arrive," the redhead promised as she left the clinic, holding her grandmother's arm tightly and leading the way. Anders watched her swaying hips with a smile.

"You lucky dog," Isabela whispered darkly beside him. "How you always get them to fall for you is a real mystery to me."

"I'm charming," Anders grinned.

"I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you won't be paying her a house call at all. We're leaving for the Deep Roads in two hours, and Hawke told us to bring you even if we had to tie you up," Varric sighed.

"What! I can't refuse to go there? Who does she think she is?" Anders demanded, heading towards his tiny room at the back to pack some potions and salves for the journey.

"She won't take 'no' for an answer," Isabela smiled, her eyes twinkling as she watched him pack extra smalls, soap and a towel.

"This is an outrage to freedom as we know it!" Anders proclaimed as he finished putting in some more things and closed his backpack with a grin.

Varric shook his head with a chuckle. "You know, both you and Hawke are meant for each other. You're both totally insane."

"Lead the way," Anders announced with a lopsided grin, swinging his backpack over his right shoulder and sheathing his staff. "I'm ready."

…

There were a couple of wooden wagons outside the Merchant's Guild that were being filled up with food and supplies. Anders followed Varric and Isabela inside and past a dwarf at a desk who was scribbling something away and did not even look up at them. They made their way down a corridor, past doors leading to other rooms and passages until they reached the end of the corridor. Varric then took a right and stopped in front of a set of huge double doors.

"Now don't say or do anything to interrupt what is going on, Blondie," Varric hurried to say. "Hawke and Bartrand are just going over details and studying the map you gave us."

"I'd never interrupt," Anders protested with an innocent expression on his face.

Varric rolled his eyes and opened one of the doors, stepping inside a lavishly-furnished room. There was a fire burning in the huge fireplace against the left wall and a heavy wooden table with chairs right next to it. Anders followed Varric into the room, his heart somersaulting when he saw Hawke sitting at the table with a blond dwarf who sported a long braided beard. Isabela said goodbye, saying she had an appointment to keep and disappeared the way they had come.

Hawke did not look up, but a smile tugged on the corners of her mouth when she heard them entering the room. She then nodded to something Bartrand was saying. Sitting beside her, Anders noticed Bethany, who was looking up at him adoringly. He winked at the younger sister and she blushed, turning her head to the right.

Both Hawke and Bartrand continued talking about something in hushed tones. After a few moments, they shook hands and Hawke stood up, looking directly at Anders with a smile on her face. She walked slowly to where Varric and Anders were standing with Bethany close behind.

"I thought you were halfway to Tevinter by now," Hawke grinned at him happily, her eyes shining like twin stars.

"I don't like the mages there much," Anders quipped. "But the people here in Kirkwall are both extremely attractive and interesting to say the least."

Hawke burst out laughing. She was standing so close to Anders that he had to muster every ounce of willpower to keep himself from kissing her. She did not look away, but held his smoldering gaze.

"I'm glad you think so," she replied in a sultry tone.

"Is it suddenly hot in here or is it just me?" Varric interrupted. Hawke turned to the dwarf with a smile and winked.

"We're leaving shortly," Bartrand said as he walked towards the door. "You should pack up your things along with the rest of the stuff we're taking."

At that moment, Leandra Hawke entered the room. She looked totally flustered and blushed as she asked to speak to both Rhianna and Bethany. Bartrand agreed and walked out of the room, grumbling to himself.

Anders stepped away to give them privacy, but in a couple of minutes both of them couldn't help but hear the entire conversation as Leandra ended up crying stormily, begging Rhianna to leave her sister behind.

Bethany refused and Rhianna argued that she needed Bethany. Leandra had no other option but to leave after embracing her youngest daughter and giving Rhianna an accusatory glance. Rhianna looked away, her eyes falling on Anders, who was watching her closely. She shrugged and led them all outside, where they met with the rest.

"Personal drama over with?" Bartrand asked the sisters. Rhianna nodded, looking straight ahead, an uneasy feeling coming over her. "Good. Let's be on our way."

…

Anders hated the Deep Roads. Not only did it remind him of his fear of being in dark places, but also gave him a feeling of foreboding and despair. Being a naturally optimistic person, he had to struggle to overcome the fear and despair, which made it difficult for him to focus on happy thoughts. It was all a circle of unending unpleasantness to him.

"Are you all right?" Hawke asked, interrupting his thoughts. "You're sweating and you look a lot paler than usual."

He managed a weak smile and nodded. "Just my fear of dark, underground places. Nothing to worry about," he gave her a wooden smile. "I hate the Deep Roads."

The concern in Hawke's eyes was good to see. "Let me know if you need anything," she said. "I'm right here."

Anders gave her a genuine smile this time. "Beauty and compassion in the same package? I must be dreaming!"

"You must be…better," Hawke smiled. "You're joking again!"

One of the dwarves ran up to Bartrand to tell him the way into the deeper part of the Deep Roads was full of rocks and rubble. Apparently there had been a collapse that was blocking the way. Bartrand had a fit right then and there and ended up punching the unfortunate messenger.

"We'll check out the side passages for you and find another way through," Hawke offered. Anders groaned at these words and fidgeted nervously.

Of course she would say that. Why wouldn't she? She loves killing stuff after all…

Bodahn, the merchant who was traveling with them came up to them wringing his hands nervously, a sad expression on his face. He then informed them that his son Sandal was lost. Apparently, Sandal had disappeared into one of the side passages. Hawke promised to find Sandal and bring him back. She turned and glanced at Anders who was looking properly horrified. She stepped up closer to him and without thinking, took his hand.

"You look really scared. Is there anything I should know?"

Anders looked down dumbly at her small hand now intertwined with his. Her touch was firm and soft at the same time.

Am I dreaming?

"Anders?" Hawke's voice cut through his thoughts again.

"Oh! Um…I might as well tell you the whole story. You know I escaped the Circle of Magi seven times," Anders began, looking deeply into her eyes. "Well, the sixth time I escaped, when I was captured I was put into solitary confinement for a year in a dark dungeon. No human contact whatsoever," he shuddered and Hawke gave his hand a gentle squeeze. He smiled and carried on. "I did have company, though. The circle mouser, Mr. Wiggums. Poor Mr. Wiggums. He turned into a rage demon and was killed by one of the templars…"

"We need to get going if we want to find a way through," Varric interrupted. Hawke dropped Anders's hand and nodded, leading the way.

"Gee, thanks Varric," Anders whispered to the dwarf. "Don't you want to win the bet?"

"Shit! I had forgotten all about that, Blondie! Although with you two, it's hard to say who will cave in first…interruptions or no!"

…

They were ambushed by several groups of darkspawn along the way. Anders was mildly happy this happened, as he was able to focus on the fighting which helped him overcome his claustrophobia and desperation. After having dispatched a rather large group of darkspawn, Hawke announced they would be setting up camp to rest for a few hours and get something to eat.

Even though the ground was actually a stone floor, they managed to find coal in abundance and Anders lit the braziers that were still standing in that particular area. Hawke also managed to arrange some pieces of left-over wood she had found in the rubble along with some coal and they soon were all sitting around a fire of sorts.

Bethany got a pot out and reached into the Veil to bend the air and elemental forces around her and great chunks of ice appeared inside the pot. She smiled as she focused on some fire next and the ice melted and turned to water. Both Varric and Bethany then busied themselves cooking a vegetable soup with the vegetables they had brought along for the journey, while Anders left heading towards an underground spring that snaked around their makeshift camp.

Hawke watched Anders go, her violet eyes glinting eerily in the half-light. Varric smiled to himself and sat beside her as the soup bubbled in the pot over the hot coals and the fire.

"He looks better than he did when we first entered the Deep Roads," Varric commented.

Hawke started, lowering her gaze immediately. "He certainly does."

For a while, no one spoke. Bethany stirred the contents in the pot and both Varric and Hawke seemed to be lost in thought.

"Well, I'm actually relieved that you two have apparently gotten over your differences. Especially since he seems to adore the ground you walk on…" Varric finally said.

Hawke seemed taken aback and could only blink at him repeatedly. She quickly recovered however.

"I don't – understand what you mean…"

"Oh, come now, Hawke. I'm not Anders. You don't have to pretend with me," Varric chuckled.

Hawke shook her head a little more violently than was necessary. "You of all people know better than to tell me these things, Varric." She looked sad and Varric frowned, glancing down into the fire for a few seconds.

"I don't see where anything could possibly go wrong – "

"You know he'll only end up getting hurt or worse, so drop it," Rhianna interrupted, getting up and stretching. "I think I'll set up the tents."

Anders arrived from his bath, smiling and looking relaxed. "Need any help with that?" he asked Hawke with a grin.

"I can manage, though you're more than welcome to help," Rhianna smiled.

Varric could only smile as he watched them from the fire. The bond that was quickly forming between them both was certainly interesting to watch. It was becoming really difficult to see who would jump who at this point.

They were both falling head over heels in love with each other even if they both denied it.

And Andraste's tits, did they ever deny it!

…

They encountered giant spiders that made Anders want to run away screaming in terror. When a monstrous spider fell from the ceiling and attacked Rhianna, he forgot about being scared and fought with everything he got. He was gulping down the lyrium potions like water for that fight, if only to heal Hawke over and over.

They also found Sandal and were pleasantly surprised to see he was surrounded by dozens upon dozens of darkspawn corpses. The boy was a bit simple, but Anders could feel something different about him, something he couldn't quite put his finger on…almost as if there was hidden magic working inside him. The point of the matter was that Anders was quite intrigued by him and made a mental note to get to Hightown more often to study the boy closely.

There were more rooms with locked chests and stupid loot inside. Anders blinked back at Hawke with a grin when she discovered 'torn trousers number ten' inside one of them.

"I'm guessing you can sew them all together to make a new tent?" he offered hopefully.

Hawke rolled her eyes and chuckled throwing the offending trousers to the side, like she had done with the other nine pairs. They advanced into the ruins, and soon came upon a vast chamber. They all stood at the entrance, completely dumbfounded.

The ceiling was nowhere to be seen. Literally. Anders tilted his head back as he peered up into total darkness. He then turned his head down to glare at Varric.

"You guys are dwarves. D – W – A – R – V – E – S. Why did you want to build everything so tall and high in the first place?" he complained.

"Shit, don't look at me, Blondie! I wasn't even born in Orzammar! Personally, I think all my ancestors were insane," Varric retorted.

"Shhh!" Hawke said. "Quiet everyone! I thought I heard something!"

"I heard it, too," Bethany whispered, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "Sounded like…flapping…"

"Flapping?" Anders asked with a sinking feeling. "Like wings?"

They heard a roar that echoed across the vast room and a huge dragon dropped down from wherever the damn ceiling was to face them, breathing fire. The stone ground actually shook a bit when it landed.

"What in blazes is a DRAGON doing here of all places?" Hawke complained, whisking out her daggers.

"Oh, champion! I always wanted to be roasted alive!" Anders shouted already dipping into the Veil for ice in huge quantities.

A lithe figure dressed in robes yelled at the dragon from the far end of the room. Anders frowned as he hurled his first strong spell of ice at the dragon and Hawke leaped forward, slashing at its frozen form.

"You shall not win, you foul creature!" the figure – all cracked and glowing blue – now bellowed in a strange booming voice. Anders's eyes widened with surprise when he saw that it was an elven woman with blond hair and a staff in her hand.

Things could not get any better: a dragon and Velanna were in the same room.

We're all going to die!

…