Luna finds herself in a troubling situation...
I wake to find myself on a cold floor bound by my hands and feet. My head hurts, my vision is fuzzy but I can hear shuffling and low distant voices.
"Not too much fight for the fearless champion of Kirkwall." A man's voice; course as gravel and from his accent I would guess he's from Kirkwall. "I guess that drink worked." He laughs.
"Was there any doubt?" There's a different voice, smooth with a haughty undertone; Antivan maybe. There's a small pause followed by more shuffling.
"How's Gerald?" the Antivan finally asks.
I hear a distant rustle of someone walking into the room. "His face is cut up a bit but it's nothing compared to his temper." Another Kirkwall voice but younger than the first.
I try to shake myself out of the fog I'm in but it seems like it's only making it worse. I let out a groan of pure nausea which puts no halt in their conversation.
"I bet someone would pay good money for her." the Antivan smugly states.
"Maybe." the old Kirkwaller ponders. "Put her on the table. Who says we can't have some fun before we turn her in?"
I hear laughing and feel hands grabbing at me. I flail against them but the motions only further my sickened state. It doesn't take long before the room is spinning again and then darkness.
My cheek is stinging when I wake. I'm on a table now. It feels like cold stone, almost like the ones certain healers use, or maybe a sacrificial alter. I hate to think on the second option. I move my legs but realize my knees are dangling from the edge. There's a shadow of a hand drawing back, but it stops short of its target; namely my face.
"Ah you're awake. Good, I no longer have to risk bruising my hand." This one must be Gerald, and from his tone, obviously Orlesian. I try to narrow in on the man but can barely make him out. My head starts nodding again until another sharp slap brings me back. I gasp at the strike but then scowl and struggle against my restraints. Apparently this amuses the men as they laugh at my resistance.
"Now don't try anything that would be unhealthy for your predicament." Gerald says with a foul smile prominent in his voice. "Your mage tricks won't work." His hand fastens to my jaw and turns me to face the shadowy figure at my side. Anger wants me to snap, fear and resolution tell me to wait. "See my friend over there's a Templar so try not to give him reason to put you down." He brings me back to him squeezing harder on my jaw. "Me, I don't care either way; I just want you to suffer." I feel the cold steel of a dagger graze my cheek and hot breath in my ear.
"They say you're one of the reasons why the Grand Cleric is dead, and why all those damned abominations think they do whatever they want." he inches in closer, I feel him pressing into me. My knee desires to drive up, but I'm good as dead if I let it happen. How long can I sit through this bullshit?
"And now you've damaged my face. Some crimes just can't go unpunished." The dagger makes its way to my cloths carelessly slicing away the fabric. My body tenses up as I feel cold air on bare skin. I thrash about trying to somehow escape from it, but it only makes it worse as the dagger creates shallow cuts in my skin. I sense myself screaming but I hear nothing. In desperation I try to cast anything but my mana is depleted. It hurts to even think about it. I try to look beyond him but then all I see and feel is the horrible twisted being behind him. Rage; taunting, teasing. I can't take it. Something in me wants to give in; to let go. Just so I can show these greasy bastards what real fear is. They will see what it is to be the victim, and they will know suffering. They will burn in my hatred. I smile inside thinking on the torment I can inflict upon them.
No! I cannot give in. Dammit, I can't slip.
I shut my eyes until the vision is gone, but I feel thick fingers grasping at my thighs. I try to fight, to scream but I'm too weak; my strength is gone. Then out of nowhere I hear screaming that is not my own. I look over and see what appears to see a Mabari leaping onto one of the men, giant paws shredding his skin.
Have I blacked out again? Am I already dead? Or perhaps I'm in the Fade.
There is a moment there is relief for I would rather be dreaming then to see the horror that's on top of me. I slowly open my eyes. I see I'm not dreaming and the screaming has stopped. I can only see a slender shadow walking over to the table reaching out to me. I feel lighter, like I'm being drifted away. My eyes are so heavy. Maker, just take me home.
There are hands caressing my face along with a cold wet cloth gently attempting to wash away the recent agony. It seems someone is trying to wake me.
No! No more, not again!
I try to fight again. I lash out and kick. It is all I think I can do. But then I feel metal gauntlets on my face and the pinch of their sharp fingers in the back of my head.
"Oh!" My eyes snap open. I'm no longer exposed on a cold table but clothed, wrapped in soft blankets, back our room. The hazy vision before me turns into a familiar face. Green eyes filled with love are replaced with sadness as he looks upon me. For a moment I want a mirror, but the thought is quickly gone. A wave a relief and security rushes over me and I start to cry. Fenris cradles me in his arms until my emotion is spent.
"Fenris." my voice cracks. "Those men are they all..."
"Dead." He flatly says. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. "Good." I whisper.
He starts to gently run his fingers through my hair. "From the lowest peasant to the highest monarch, I will kill anyone who dare try and harm you." he gently whispers as he tilts my head up to him. "Always, I am yours."
I faintly smile at his words realizing the truth behind the gentle eyes staring back at me.
"Thank you." I express through a shaky whisper.
He kisses my forehead, and rocks me until I go to sleep.
It's only a short amount of time before I slowly wake to a knock at the door. Fenris still has me in his arms and pays no mind to it until the knocks return a third time.
"Venhedis, it's open!" he shouts through the empty space in the room. It turns out to be Anders, either over his apprehension or simply willing to only travel at night.
"Isabela wanted me to tell you-" his voice cuts off when he sees my face and my eyes grow wide as I realize what he's looking at.
"Wait Anders -" It's too late my words don't reach him.
"You monstrous bastard!" Anders is quick to blame but Fenris makes no effort to face him.
"Cheap words coming from an abomination." he looks meditative even in this aggressive state. I can feel the energy flowing through him as his anger grows. I then look to see the power collecting in Anders's hand directed at Fenris.
"Somehow I knew you would be her downfall." he scowls advancing toward us.
Fenris releases his hold on me and stands from the bed.
"I would think that letting you live would be her only mistake." he takes up his sword and slowly makes his way toward Anders.
There's no time to think so I create a barrier around Anders and quickly scramble in between them. "Look, this is just one big misunderstanding." Sleep has softened my nausea, but not enough as I stumble between them.
Anders looks at me dumbfounded. "Hawke, your face." he reaches out but I shake my still dizzy head.
"I know, but he didn't do it."
He's still unconvinced. "How am I supposed to believe that?"
I glare at him and the constant annoyance this rivalry has produced. "Anders, I have never had a reason to lie to you before why would I do it now?"
"Because it's him," his accusing eyes still fixated on Fenris, "a dangerous animal needed to be caged and still you would do anything for him, Maker knows why."
"I love him Anders." the words fall so fast, there's hardly time for anyone to register them. "Please believe me when I say he had nothing to do with this." I take hold of his arm trying to pacify this conflict
Fenris however, is merely waiting for a time to strike.
"Let him go. If he's so eager to walk into his own death, so be it."
"Fenris." I begin to plead. He looks at me then back to Anders and shakes his head. In time, he puts down his sword. His glow is gone but the hostility remains.
"You have too much sympathy him Hawke, ever since..." he stops himself but I know what he's referring to. I just can't believe he would consider it.
"You are not going to bring that up now?" I ask hurt at his incriminating words. He looks away from me. There is regret in his face but it's mixed with a defiance I know so well.
"I can't imagine you actually still believe..." I'm so puzzled by this I can't even think straight. "After everything we've been through you still think I might have some feelings for Anders?" Still nothing and now both men are looking to me for an answer. But I hardly feel the need to satisfy their curiosity.
"Fine!" I quickly grab my cloak as the barrier falls. "Have at it. Kill each other for all I care; that way no one wins!" I storm out of the room before either of them have the chance to stop me. Not even Xander has an opportunity to follow but I doubt he would want to. I walk out into the cold night fuming. I realize there's only one place that I can go.
I knock on the door a few times; hopeful someone's here. I sigh in relief it finally opens, and a sleepy eyed Isabela answers the door.
"Do you have any idea what time it-Shit, Luna what happened?" Even with the dim light cast from a lantern exposes my bruises. She reaches out with worry filled eyes but I sheepishly push her hand away. I try to explain but my words only come out in incoherent sobs. Isabela looks at me confused trying desperately to figure out what I'm saying. Eventually she gives up and figures the remedy.
"Oh Lu, do you need a drink?" her voice full of comfort.
I nod, and she stretches out her arms, welcoming me to her warm cabin and chilled wine.
After a couple hours of crying, explaining, drinking and re-explaining, I stumble from Isabela's cabin. "Are you sure you want to go back?" her concern for my safety is endearing but the combination of my stubborn nature and wine get the better of me. I tell her I'll be fine and she shouldn't worry. Isabela is persistent but in the end she relents and lets me go as I'm more adamant with my protests. I revel in my victory as I cautiously make my way off deck.
"Imma big girl, I can take care of myshelff." I slur a declaration while walking back to the inn. However I find out how wrong I am as a group of men emerge from an ally I pass. It doesn't take long for them to catch up to my faltering progress, or for their comments.
"Well where are you going little one?" one loudly asks.
"Somewhere you aren't for a start." my comment gives them a laugh. I guess they think they're being charming because the advances continue.
"Oh what's wrong wit' us? A pretty thing like you needs some company." the obvious leader of the pack blocks my way a dirty grin forms on his face. My buzz is lost and frustration sets in.
"Find another; I'm not in the mood." I try to wave him away, but he persists.
"Really? Well you better get in the mood." he pushes me back into a wall while the others circle.
Again? This is really not my day.
I roll my eyes before grabbing the man by the collar of his shirt. He looks at me triumphant; I look at him in disgust.
"You really don't wanna do this." I warn as he steps closer to me. The smell of smoke and horrible hygiene makes me want to vomit.
"Really and why's that love?" he asks. My grip gets tighter as I glare him down.
"First thing, don't call me love." With a smirk I light the shirt on fire. Nothing big, just a little something for him to think about; he doesn't. He strikes me hard and I fall to the ground. I push myself away from the earth as the rest circle around me again. I taste blood in my mouth. I glare up at them, magic focused in my hands while my attacker puts out the remaining embers on his tunic.
"You just made your last mistake girl." The leader scowls and advances again.
"No, I believe you did."
Anders. His clear voice followed by familiar shadows appears from the darkness. At that point everything else happens in a blur. A wave of ice erupts from the ground freezing the men around me then a bright flash swiftly passes, shattering them all before I can blink. After the fray I'm still on the ground, propping my body up with my arms.
"Wow, twice I'm being rescued? Epic fail on my part." I chuckle and try to get up but my body has other plans. Both men reach to pick me up as I fumble.
"I've got you." Anders says softly but Fenris harshly nudges him out the way.
"No, 'I've' got her mage." like clockwork, the glaring begins again. My head rolls back and I put my arms up.
"Sodding Void! Will someone get me?" I slur. Fenris eventually takes me up in his arms. I smile in thanks but he's too annoyed to acknowledge it. I frown at his demeanor but then try to lighten the mood.
"I don't really know what all the fuss is about to be honest; I love you all." I say with a shrug and a faint smile. Both men give me a funny look but Anders is the one to speak up.
"How so?" he asks, obviously trying to humor my drunken state; which I play into perfectly.
"Well Anders, you're determined and selfless. Minus the royal shit you took in Kirkwall, your heart is actually in a good place and you love the furrier things in life"
"You mean finer?" Fenris corrects. I frown again shaking my head.
"No furry, he likes cats" I say in a very direct voice. Anders chuckles, Fenris scowls. My words are followed by another moment of silence.
"And me?" Fenris now wants in on the discussion.
"Oh you," I beam. "You take work."
He is taken back by my comment but I giggle and continue to explain.
"I'm constantly finding new things about you while patching up others. You give me headaches, but know how to take them away. Yet in the end, here we are and all that work and waiting is worth it." I place my head on his shoulder nuzzling my nose in his neck.
"You're worth it." I whisper. I finally get a smile from him. Meanwhile I can tell Anders wasn't too happy with my response, but I'm too drunk to care at the moment.
"Just promise me you won't kill each other, I would be severely put out" Yet another prolonged quiet leaves me annoyed. "Promise me." I say again sternly.
"I promise." they finally both mumble under clenched jaws looking away. I'm unsure if they mean it, or if they were just saying it to shut me up. However it's hardly important because in a matter of minutes we're back in our room. Fenris gently lays me on the bed and covers me in the soft blankets. Instinctively I curl up in them, a wide grin on my face. Before I completely pass out I see Anders approach the bed. Fenris is fast to try and stop him but Anders just ignores him. He kneels down next to me and places a hand on my cheek, healing the small cuts I recently acquired. I sigh in dreamy content as I start to drift away. I close my eyes but I can hear Anders's robes shuffle as he stands up and makes his way towards the door.
"This changes nothing mage." Fenris growls.
"Not between you and me it doesn't." There's a smile in Anders's voice almost hopeful. It's the last thing I hear from him tonight.
Nevertheless, Fenris is grumbling and cursing under his breath as he joins me in bed. I turn over and face him, my eyes barely peeking out of the covers. He looks at me angry at first but then he softens once he realizes which mage is in front of him.
"What?" he asks at a loss. I bring the rest of my head out of the covers and kiss him, slowly opening my eyes as we part.
"I love you." I smile and like a kitten longing for company, I nuzzle my head in his chest before he can respond. Silence takes over as he accepts me into his arms. A hand makes its way to my hair gently scratching until I find myself falling asleep. The last thing I hear before my eyes truly close is his gentle chuckle and a soft whisper.
"And I you."