A/N And here is the third chapter. By the way, I decided to finish this story no matter what. Therefore, I am giving you permission to harass me. If I take a break too long, send me fireballs.

Again, special thanks to Kyla Baines for her wonderful beta help.

Fenris

When he arrived to High Town, Fenris was on the third round of his curse list which he created for the dire circumstances. Bethany is going to stay with you, while I'm gone. He thought Hawke was jesting. He even chuckled a bit. Then he realized that the smile Hawke carried was not sarcastic but a sadistic one.

He remembered how he tried to reason with him.

"Hawke, do you think it is wise to trust her with me?"

"I think you underestimate yourself. You are a very capable warrior." He was pretending to not understand. Fenris was losing patience.

"It is not that I couldn't protect her," he took a breath to continue, but Hawke was too fast:

"Then, there is no problem."

"She is a mage," Fenris finally managed to say.

"You don't say," Hawke smirked."That did not stop you before."

That damned drunkard. He just had to hit on her with his dirty mouth. This should not have bothered him. Her brother was present and could handle the problem, yet when he saw that excuse of man pressing himself to her, his vision turned red. He was beside them before his brain had finished processing his actions.

Hawke was looking at him. He was now carrying a serious expression:

"Nearly half of Kirkwall has seen her casting spells. They are holding their tongues for fear of my wrath, yet I cannot use this fear while I am gone on the expedition. She will be exposed to the danger. Templars might find her, and I know she will not resist them when they do."

Fenris urged to say, Bethany belonged in the circle, yet the lump in his throat prevented him from uttering these words.

"I know you think magic corrupts everything," Hawke said as he neared him, "but I also know Bethany is an exception, and she deserves to be happy more than any of us. I am asking you to give her this chance."

Fenris was baffled by Hawke's sincere words. He waited a minute for a final hope of opposing. Unfortunately, his mind must have already made the decision.

"Fine," he heard himself saying.

Hawke let out a breath, "I knew I could trust you."

He was turning to leave when he heard Hawke spoke again, "One last thing," Hawke put his hand on Fenris' shoulder, "hurt her, and I'll make Danarius the least of your concerns."

Fenris finally arrived to the mansion as he finished the third round of the list. He opened the door and familiar scenery welcomed him. There was dirt in everywhere. Webs became a second ceiling while rats milled about like they were the real owners of the mansion.

She will go to Circle willingly after seeing this.

What was he supposed to do? He couldn't host her, as he was not the host. He activated his markings, and the rats were gone in a second. It always fascinated him how his lyrium affected them. Then, he went to second floor of the mansion with the hope that other rooms he didn't use might come in handy. He scanned them rapidly. Too dark. Too dirty. Too haunted. He was losing hope when he came to the last room. This room was locked when he first came to the mansion, but there was no sign of movement. So, he did not bother himself with opening it, but now it seemed necessary. He forced the door, yet it did not affect the heavy barrier. He used his great sword then. After his second strike, the lock was destroyed. Fenris knew this room would be hers when he entered it. The moonlight was blessing the room with its glorious silver light, leaving this isolated place with a significantly more peaceful feeling than much of the mansion. Based on the fine furniture, it must have been the magister's who owned the mansion before. He opened the window and took a deep breath.

Fenris was changing the sheets when he realized what he was doing. He, who happened to be a slave of a mage before, was willingly changing the sheets for another mage to make her comfortable. He left the room immediately as he started the round four of his curse list.

He needed to drink. It was early in the morning when he dozed off thanks to the effects of wine.

They were laughing. That lovely dimple appeared on her cheek again when he looked at her. She said his name with her bell-like voice…Fenris…He actually liked the sound of his name coming from her…Fenris…he felt like he was being pulled to somewhere.

"Fenris," her voice was sharp.

He opened his eyes. Bethany Hawke was standing beside him, a disapproving look on her face. How lovely. He would not let her boss him from the first day, would he?

"Second floor, fourth room from the left. Suit yourself," he said while trying to seem disturbed by her presence.

She scowled and left him alone. He did not see her again that day.

On the second day, he heard her footsteps hurrying to the exit, but she should have known he would not let that happen that easily.

"Where do you think you are going?"

She looked like a cat caught in the act.

"To the Hanged Man," she faltered, "to see Isabela."

Fenris could not blame her. She must be bored. On her second day. Not that it was his job to entertain her.

He took his great sword and pointed to the door, "Lead on."

She seemed surprised, "You are coming?"

"Apparently."

Isabela seemed more than pleased to see them. She ordered them drinks, but before they had taken one sip, she blurted out her wish. She needed their help to steal something which would help her end her debt to someone who could be extremely dangerous if not dealt with. They did not need to know what they would be stealing and whom from . "Ignorance is bliss," she said to justify herself.

He did not like this, yet Bethany seemed eager to help. That bored?

Bethany looked at him for approval, a silent plea in her gaze. He swore under his breath and nodded.

"We will help," Bethany finally said.

Isabela's excitement was apparent, "Go on then, this ale isn't worth your time anyway."

Then the whole day was spent killing Carta smugglers, waiting for Isabela to steal the papers she needed, and surprisingly delivering these papers to the Senechal called Bran. The senechal met them in a secret room in Viscount's Keep. As he checked the papers, he let out a breath and smiled approvingly. Fenris noticed the senechal's eyes stayed a bit longer on Bethany. He pressed five sovereigns to Isabela's hand while whispering something to her ear. Isabela was smiling:

"In your dreams, messere."

When they left the keep, Bethany spoke:

"Where do you know him from, Isabela?"

"'Where' would not be the question I would ask."

"Blooming Rose," Fenris said.

"Way to go, elf," Isabela smirked, "but how well do I know him? Hmm, that's a whole other story."

Then, Bethany asked the inevitable question, "I guess you've been with a lot of men."

"Men. Women. Elves. A dwarf in drag once, but I don't recommend that."

Bethany's only answer was a single "Oh."

"Aw... you're blushing! Why? How many lovers have you had?"

How does Hawke avoid these banters? It must be a talent. He noted to ask Hawke to teach him.

"I-I never—"

You are not interested. Don't seem interested.

"You're a virgin? That brother of yours was holding out on you, wasn't he! Don't worry, Sweetness. We'll get you a night at the Blooming Rose. On me!"

Fenris did not need to look at Bethany to understand her state. She must be the same color as her scarf by now.

"That's, um, very generous."

"I'm a giver."

And now, he had to protect her from Isabela, too. He silently started the fifth round of the list.

On the third day, she came to him. "I want to go to the Chantry," she said, "to pray for my brother and my friends."

Chantry. It sounded innocent enough at first. Fenris did not question her further. They went to Chantry while sun was still rising. Bethany walked straight to the chapel and knelt as she started praying. Not knowing what to do, he leaned against one of the columns and waited her.

"Fenris, my friend, it is always a pleasure seeing you," Sebastian approached.

"Likewise," he said. Sebastian was one of the little group he did not mind spending time with.

"So, have you decided to turn to the way of Andraste?"

"No," he pointed Bethany, "but she sure did."

Fenris saw Sebastian's eyes sparkle at the sight of her.

"She should be in the Circle," he said.

"Yes, she should." Fenris could not argue with that.

"Yet, you are hiding her," Sebastian was looking at him intently. Like he was trying to understand what he was thinking.

"Yes, I am."

Sebastian chuckled, "Have faith in Maker, Fenris. He is surely wiser than any of us."

Bethany was standing. She must be finished with her praying. When she turned to them, she saw Sebastian and smiled instantly. Her smile was brighter than the sun, and he could not look somewhere else.

Fenris felt Sebastian tens like he was trying to restrain himself.

"It's pleasure a seeing you Lady Hawke," he heard Sebastian saying. Lady Hawke?

Bethany's cheeks turned to red in a blink of eye. Just what was he missing?

"You are still hanging on to 'lady' I suppose," she said, smiling.

"You deserve no less, my lady."

At that moment, Fenris realized that the chantry brother presented more of a danger than both the templars and Isabela. Which round he left his list, again?

On the fourth day, Fenris was determined to not go out. He needed rest from all of this nonsense. He was lying on the divan with the intention of sleeping. Then, he heard her scream. He was in her room within a second. He found her shaking with fear, yet he could not see anyone other than her in the room. He closed the distance between them and finally saw the reason of her fear.

There was an enormous ice cube in the middle of the room. Inside of this cube he could spot a mouse no bigger than the palm of his hand. She must fear rats. She could fight fearlessly against ten Qunari warriors, but she feared a single mouse. He chuckled at the thought.

"It's not funny," she said angrily.

"If you say so," he smirked.

"Just get rid of it," she said under her breath.

He checked the thick ice with the tip of his sword, "No need. I don't think he will bother us again until next summer."

She came to stand beside him then. Her anger was apparent. It was amusing to see her in this state. Will she threaten him now? With what, he wondered.

Her voice was deadly when she spoke, "I'm going to clean this place. Don't you dare try to stop me."

Fenris stood rooted to the spot, completely dumbfounded as Bethany whirled into action.