5: Discovery.

Ethan Hawke stared out into the horizon on the beach of the Wounded Coast. He watched as the sun began to rise and he began to reflect in his mind of the events in Kirkwall that happened four months back. How he had to kill the Arishok in a one-on-one duel, where the Arishock nearly killed him. Or the pity he felt towards First Enchanter Orsino who gave into Blood Magic, a powerful yet deadly form of power and magic, and had to be killed. He also thought about Knight-Commander Meredith, a stubborn yet strong woman who wanted to imprison all Mages within The Circle and, if necessary, kill them. She too, had to be killed.

These deaths, and the deaths of those who fell in the destruction of the Chantry, began to spark up a rebellion within all Circles of the Free Marches and beyond. Every where he and his group went, he heard about Mages and Templars battling it out and the countless of innocents caught in between one of the most bloodiest battles they have ever known or seen. Many people died on both sides, woman and children were no exception. Their bodies would rot in the abandoned streets of empty cities as the war raged on. And it all started with him.

Hawke and his group have been on the run ever since they rescued Varric from the Seekers. After learning about them from the Dwarf, who told the story of Hawkes beginnings to the fall of Kirkwall, he set off to continue being on the run. He would help those who needed it but with the Seekers pursuing him, the Templars wanting him dead, and the Mages looking for him for guidance, he had no choice but to run and think. Yet, he knew the more he thought about what he should do, the more lives are lost each day.

"Hawke?"

He smiled as he felt skinny arms wrap around his waist in a warm embrace. He felt her head lean on the middle of his upper back. He knew she sensed he was lost in thought and she wanted to be his anchor and bring him back to the real world. To her.

"I couldn't sleep." He told her, still looking over the horizon.

"I know." Merrill replied. "I wanted to give you your space."

Hawke turned around in her arms and stared into her big green eyes. She was no longer the innocent, mumbling, clumsy elf she was when they met. Recent events made her stronger as she learned to understand the world and the people within it. Part of him missed how she used to be. So easy to laugh. All the deaths she has witnessed from Mages and Elves alike made her see the world in a different way. She could no longer find the joy or curiosity she once felt. The only happiness and solace she finds is when she is with Hawke. He gives her hope for a better world.

He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, under his chin. No words needed to be spoken. Everything they needed to say was spoken through their embrace, which they both hoped would last forever. When they held each other they felt as if they could escape the world and all of its cruelty. They feel the peace they both yearned for. Despite her change, he still loved her. And he longs for the day where she could laugh again.

A thunderous BOOM echoed through the skies, similar to the sound of the Chantry being destroyed by Anders secret plan. Hawke and Merrill released each other and the others woke up and stared up towards the skies. A strange large, metallic, fiery bird fell from the sky. The force of the morning winds from up above ripped the bird in half.

"Isabela's tits!" Varric exclaimed.

"One time! I show you one time and you can't let it go." Isabela commented.

"Who could ever forget such beauties?"

"Look!" Bethany pointed.

While one half the bird flew passed them and landed deep towards the West, the other half disappeared behind a mountain, everyone followed where Bethany pointed. The body of a man was free falling and landed into the ocean in one big splash. Spinging into action at once, Hawke wasted no time as he ran into the water and began to swim towards the man who fell. He could hear the shouts of his name and their voices calling him back, but he ignored them. He has seen too much death and he would not let this fallen stranger die.

The floating body had finally begun to sink, due to the weight of the armor, but Hawke arrived just in time. The stranger was heavy, too heavy to heave back to shore. After fumbling with the strange armor, Hawke finally got it off and swam back with the unconscious man under his arm. He was careful and made sure the mans head stayed above the water.

As he came closer to short, Bethany and Anders ran into the water to help Hawke carry the body. Once they were out of the water, they placed the unconscious man on the sand far from the water.

"Let me take a look at him." Anders said, gently pushing Hawke and Bethany out of the way.

Though Hawke still has not forgiven Anders for what he has done, having a hand in beginning this war, he still kept Anders with him. Anders strived for forgiveness and did everything that was asked of him. Though he feels no remorse for what he did, he could not bear the thought of losing Hawkes friendship. He knew that Hawke had Fenris watch him both day and night. He knew that the elf was just inching for Anders to mess up, to give him a reason.

Anders closed his eyes and had his hand hover over the mans body. His hand stopped towards his chest and his hand lifted just a bit, so did the unconscious man's chest. Anders's hand hovered back towards the strangers mouth and took out whatever water was in his system, using magic. The man coughed, but remained unconscious. Anders stopped his hand on the mans forehead.

"He will be fine." Anders told them, without looking at anyone in particular. "He has a bit of a concussion, and he may drift in and out of consciousness, but he should be awake in a matter of hours."

"He sure is a handsome man." Isabela said in a voice that Hawke knew too well.

"You will not sleep with this stranger, Bela." Hawke said.

"Oh, you're no fun." Isabela replied before walking off the beach and back to camp.

"I should be notified right away when he wakes up, there might be some lingering affects from the fall. I can learn much more once he is awake." Anders informed Hawke, ignoring his side conversation with Isabela.

Anders stood up and looked at Hawke who did not look back. The lack of acknowledgement hurt Anders, but he shrugged it off and walked away, Fenris following close behind. Hawke kneeled down in front of the stranger. Merrill, Varric, and Bethany joined him.

"Where did he come from?" Bethany asked.

"He fell from the skies. . . From a metal bird." Varric answered, astonished.

"This sure sounds like the beginning to one of your stories." Hawke said in a small smile.

"Not even I am clever enough to think of a metal bird."

"Whoever he is, he should be watched. He could be dangerous." Merrill suggested.

Hawke nodded. "Bethany, watch him. If he wakes up, you must let me know right away."

Bethany nodded towards her brother. Hawke, Merrill, and Varric all got up and walked away from Bethany and the stranger.

"What will we do when he wakes up?" Merrill asked.

"We will all decide what must be done when Aveline returns. Until then, we will focus on more important matters. For one, Merrill, go with Varric pass the mountains and examine one part of the metal bird. I will send Anders and Fenris to look at the other part. If there are anymore of his kind, do not engage and report back to me immediately." Hawke commanded.

"Right away, Hawke." Varric obeyed. "Let's go, Daisy."

Merrill kissed Hawke on the cheek and then followed Varric. Hawke turned back towards the horizon as the sun was nearly up. He knew that somehow this new event would change everything. He wasn't sure what would change or how much this will affect the war, or even the world for that matter, and he wasn't sure if he wanted to find out. But, like everything that has happened, he had no choice but to watch everything unfold . . .