Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Dragon Age. Now lawyers leave me be before I set my imaginary army of throat-ripping rabbits as the nice white men in white drag me away in a very snug coat.

"So Bethany?"

"What now Isabela?"

The sultry pirate captain swaggered over to the young mage and slung an arm over her. Bethany grimaced at the smell of whiskey wafting from the temptress as she leaned over to whisper in her ear.

"So, what's the story between you and Harry over there?"

"What do you mean?" Bethany stammered.

Isabela laughed loudly. "I see the way you and him look at each other. You can't hide it."

"There's nothing between Harry and I," Bethany said stubbornly. Isabela shook her head.

"If you're going to lie, lie better," Isabela admonished. "Why don't I ask Varric?"

"Isabela! No!"

"Oi! Varric!"

"What is it Rivaini?" the bard asked.

"Do you know what's the deal between our precious little girl here and our tall, dark, stranger with the dashing smile?" Isabela said.

"Hahaha! It's as big a mystery to me as well," Varric said. "I honestly have no idea. I've just been writing stories about them."

"Really?" Isabela replied, intrigued. "Let me see them."

To Bethany's mortification, the dwarf tossed over a small book to the pirate. The pirate guffawed in glee as she read aloud.

"And under a moonlit sky, the two mages kissed. Worlds apart they were; one a small town innocent mage eager to learn the mysteries of magic while her lover, a mysterious rogue happily imparting his knowledge of the outside world to a delighted pupil. Through their relation of master and apprentice, the forbidden love soon blossomed magically. Said apprentice's heart was aching, threatening to burst from excitement and lust through her bosom, barely restrained by a simple knot while her master's fingers danced across her body, eliciting sparks of electricity beneath his pupil's skin."

"ISABELA!"

"Ohoho, Varric. This is rich!" Isabela chortled. Before Bethany could snatch it, she put it securely in between her breasts.

"It's not as if I needed much help," Varric said. "Have you seen those two at the Hanged Man? They act like a married couple."

"Don't I know it," Isabela replied. "I find it cute how possessive your enigmatic crush is over you."

"Stop it Isabela," Bethany pleaded, completely mortified. "And how could you write that Varric?"

Varric chuckled. "It's not all me. Hawke wrote some pieces as well."

"MY OWN BROTHER?"

"I think we should stop teasing Sunshine over here Rivaini," Varric said. "She's so red that I'm scared it would burst."

"Fine, fine," Isabela relented. "Still she ought to snatch up that delicious piece of meat before I'm tempted to. Hmm, I wonder if I can persuade him to join Hawke and I during our nightly escapades."

Thump.

Varric and Isabela turned to see Bethany had fainted with a small trail of blood coming from her nose.

"Well shit," Varric muttered.

"Now what?"

"I'm finally back with the-," a voice called out. "Hey! What's wrong with Bethany?"

Varric and Isabela looked up to see Harry holding folded clothes. Isabela giggled.

"She caught wiff of one of Varric's smoke bombs and fainted," Isabela lied. "Why don't you bring her back to the Hanged Man while Varric and I walk around a bit?"

Harry's eyes narrowed suspiciously but he relented. He placed the clothes in his pack and scooped Bethany in his arms, making sure that she was secure in his arms before walking off. When he left, Isabela cackled in wicked glee while Varric merely shook his head.

"You're an evil woman Rivaini."

"And don't I know. Now, let's see if Bianca would enjoy a woman's touch."

"Never!"

"So you made our Aveline's the guard captain?" Harry asked.

Hawke nodded as he drained his mug. "That's right. Apparently the job of cleaning out the raiders at the coast revealed that the previous guard-captain was dealing with thieves. She was appointed Captain of the City Guards as a reward."

"Great. As if I need more reason to tread carefully around her," Harry muttered.

Hawke chuckled. "I can see that."

Harry refilled his mug before draining it.

"So, you know how stories get along right?" Harry asked, casually.

"Aye."

"Lately I've heard one that piqued my interest."

Hawke chuckled. "Let me guess, one's of Varric's tall tales?"

"Actually no. More like someone had a lovely night escapade in this bar," Harry said.

Hawke cleared his throat nervously. "What do you mean?"

"Well let me see if I can recall this correctly."

Flashback

"So..what were we toasting to again?" Hawke slurred.

"I..hic..hic..remember!" Harry said. "Something about breasts!"

"Like those?" Hawke asked, leering openly at Isabela.

Isabela smirked and fluttered her eyes at Hawke. "Oh how sweet. Would you like a closer look my brave, strong warrior?"

"Who..hic..hic..wouldn't my lovely dusky goddess?" Hawke said, giving the temptress a smile.

"Well then big boy," Isabela whispered. "Have a look."

Before either could react, Isabela untied her blouse, revealing her (ahem) talents. Harry stared for one second before fainting while Hawke reached out and began to squeeze. Isabela giggled and pulled Hawke closer to her face.

"Up here for now. There's plenty of time for you to explore my lower places," Isabela said softly.

Hawke roughly grabbed Isabela and pulled her on the bar top, laying her on the stained wooden board. Hawke climbed on top of Isabela and kissed her roughly. Isabela giggled in lewd delight as she tore Hawke's clothes off. The rest of the night was spent on top of the bar, howls and shrieks of pleasure sounding through the empty tavern.

End Flashback

"Erm, yes. Well, about that," Hawke said bashfully.

"You are so lucky that Varric woke our drunk asses up," Harry said. "Else your own mother would have seen the heir of her family naked with an ebony skinned seductress draped over him."

"I was drunk!" Hawke protested.

"That's not an excuse," Harry pointed out. "If I can't use that when I kissed Bethany in Lothering, you can't use it as an excuse for defiling my bar!"

"Shut up!"

"Ha! I win," Harry said smugly.

"Harry!"

Harry and Hawke turned to see Bethany coming down the stairs. She strode over behind the bar and poured herself a mug of butterbeer.

"What happened? I remember talking with Isabela and Varric then blacking out," Bethany asked. "Are they alright?"

"They're fine," Harry said. "You fainted for some reason. Do you remember what it was?"

Bethany blushed red and shook her head. "Of course not!"

"You do!" Harry protested. "What happened?"

"Nothing!" Bethany screamed.

Harry chuckled. "So Hawke, are we finally going up to Sundermount?"

"In fact we are."

The trip up to Sundermount was a rather easy hike. However during the whole trip, Harry was on edge, glancing nervously at the dark trees that lined the pathways up to the mountain. Carver kept smirking at Harry's uneasiness while Bethany and Hawke were worried. Harry could laugh and shrug off troubles that would make soldiers shriek in fright. What were hidden in those trees that made Harry uneasy?

"Spiders!"

Hawke and Bethany turned to see Carver charging forward towards a large group of spiders nearly the size of a mabari. Hawke cursed at his brother's foolishness and raced off after him. Bethany began to send bolts of magic towards the spiders, careful not to hit either of her brothers as they used their blades to hack and slash at the arachnids. A large fireball flew and smote several spiders, nearly scorching Carver. Carver looked up angrily to see Harry on a ridge casting bolt after bolt upon the spiders. He growled in annoyance, taking his aggression out on a nearby spider. Several feet away, Hawke gasped as a black poisonous spider pounced on him. He grunted as he used the length of his sword to keep the drooling fangs from stabbing into him. He mustered his strength and with an almighty heave, pushed the spider off of him. Before the spider could recover, he whipped out his dagger and stabbed it in the head. The spider made a piteous squeal but was silenced quickly. Hawke turned around to see another spider sneaking upon his brother. He pulled his dagger from the spider's corpse and flicked it at the sneaking spider. Carver yelped in surprise as a knife nearly missed him and turned to see his brother with his arm outstretched.

"What was that for?" Carver roared.

Hawke merely pointed behind Carver. Carver turned and saw a spider thrashing on the ground with a knife imbedded deeply within its head. Carver glared back at his brother, annoyed. He slammed his blade into the spider's head, impaling it on the ground.

Between the four of them, the spiders were quickly slaughtered. Harry approached the poisonous spider's body and began to extract the spider's glands. He carefully sliced open the spider's mandibles and was delicately removing the poisonous glands when a kick to the side interrupted him. The spider's fang punctured his hand allowing the spider's venom to spill into his hand. Harry hastily sliced open his hand allowing the blood to pool out. He began to suck at the wound rapidly, hoping to remove the venom from his hand. As he did, he saw Carver smirking at him.

"Watch your blade, Harry," Carver said, snidely.

In response, Harry spat the poisonous blood into Carver's face. Carver roared in pain as the diluted venom blinded his eyes. Harry swigged strong ale in his mouth to sterilize his mouth while Bethany hurried over to her brother.

"#$#!#$%^%$#!" Carver shouted as he rubbed his eyes, inadvertently hurting himself more.

"Stay still Carver!" Bethany admonished. "I need you to open your eyes so I can wash off the venom."

As Bethany treated Carver, Hawke strode over to where Harry was extracting venom.

"Was that really necessary?" Hawke asked. Harry shrugged.

"Little annoyance almost cost us 50 silvers," Harry muttered. "Coterie pays well for this stuff."

Hawke raised an eyebrow. "You deal with the Coterie?"

"More like we have a mutual agreement. They leave the Hanged Man alone and I won't report their hideout to the Templars-Commander Meredith on the day lyrium shipments come in," Harry replied.

"Still, spitting venom in Carver's eye?"

"He had it coming. Besides, he's making a big deal over it. He'll be fine with some water," Harry said.

Hawke turned to see Carver making a beeline towards Harry and quickly stepped in front of his brother.

"Easy there Carver."

"How can you say that when he spat poison in my eyes?" Carver demanded.

"Oh stop being such a drama queen," Harry called out. "It wasn't nearly enough concentrated to burn your eyeballs out. Just enough to cause tears, you little pussy."

"Get out of my way brother," Carver growled. "I'll teach that little shite a lesson he'll never forget!"

"ENOUGH CARVER!" Hawke roared.

Carver stopped and glared angrily at his brother, outraged at him.

"You're defending him? Whatever happened to blood being thicker than water?" Carver asked.

"It's not about me betraying you. It's about you trying to kill the same person who's helped us ever since we escaped Lothering. He saved your life if you remember it. He saved Bethany's life as well. Now stop this madness before I make you."

Carver raised his arm, reaching for his blade. However, he faltered when his eyes met his brother's glare.

"Don't be foolish brother. I'm still the stronger one in this family," Hawke whispered.

Carver froze for a moment but after a long, tense moment, he lowered his arm.

"Lead on then, brother."

They soon reached the Dalish camp which was situated at the middle of Sundermount. Two Dalish hunters were standing guard and raised their bows at them wat the sight of the four travellers.

"Hold shem, we don't take kindly to your kind here," one of the hunters said.

"We're here because we have business with your Keeper," Hawke said.

"Hm. So you are the ones the Keeper spoke of?" the other hunter said. "I thought you'd be dalish as well."

"Enter then but be about your business quick," the first hunter said.

Hawke nodded and led the group into the camp. The camp was nothing more than a clearing with the borders marked out by a ring of carts. Inside the camp Dalish ran about freely though there were stares of suspicion and fear when the spotted a human in their camp. Some of the Dalish gave outwardly hostile glares at the company. Harry and Hawke ignored the stares and glares but Bethany was nervous. She hurried over to Harry's side and leaned over to him.

"Why do they hate us?" Bethany whispered. "I understand city elves but why do these Dalish hate us?"

"Long ago the Dalish used to have a huge kingdom that dominated Thedas. When humans came to this land though, humans quickly overtook the kingdom. They tore down the Dalish castles, burned their culture away, and enslaved the people for so long that many of the Dalish forget who they are. These elves are not violent by nature unlike humans or resistant like the dwarfs," Harry explained. "To these Dalish that managed to retain a sliver of their culture and identity, we are only a reminder of how cruel our race can be, even to this very day."

"That's so sad," Bethany said. "Do they really see all humans like that?"

"Not all elves are like that but a great many do," Harry whispered back. "It's one of the greatest sins of humanity."

Hawke stepped towards an elderly elf who was waiting for them by a campfire. Though she had seen many years, her eyes were still as bright as a maiden in her youth but tempered by the harshness of the world.

"Keeper Marethari?"

"That is what they call me human," Marethari. "How can I help you?"

"We were sent here to deliver you this," Hawke said. He held out an amulet towards the Keeper. Marethari looked at the amulet in surprise before pushing it back.

"You will need to go up to the top of Sundermount. I shall send my First to guide you there," Marethari said. "However when you go back, I ask that you take her with you."

"That's odd?" Carver piped up. "Why would you send your daughter with us back to Kirkwall? Surely she would be safer here amongst the Dalish."

"The First is not my daughter but my apprentice," Marethari said. "And she has requested this despite my efforts."

Hawke nodded and tipped his head in thanks. "Thank you Keeper."

They strode up the path the Keeper had pointed out. It wasn't long until they saw an elf crouched down with wisps of magic coming from her hands. They stood watching her, curious as to what the elf was doing. However Carver coughed, alerting her of their presence. She leaped to her feet and pointed her staff at them in alarm before relaxing.

"Oh hello. Or is it greetings. I'm not sure which it is seeing that I haven't had much contact with your people. Not that it's bad or anything but I want to apologize if I do anything rude. And I'm rambling again, aren't I," the elf said. "I'm Merrill."

Hawke gave her a reassuring smile and held out his hand.

"It's nice to meet you Merrill. I'm Hawke and when greeting people, humans usually shake hands."

Merrill smiled widely and happily shook Hawke's hand.

"Oh I'm so happy to meet you as well, Hawke," Merrill said excitedly. "Who are the other people?"

"Behind me are my sister, Bethany, my brother, Carver, and my friend Harry," Hawke said, not looking back.

Merrill peered behind Hawke before looking back at him in confusion.

"I'm confused. I only see two people."

Hawke turned to see Carver and Bethany. Hawke groaned and palmed his face.

"Oh no, did I say something wrong?" Merrill asked.

"No Merrill," Bethany replied. "It's just that our friend Harry is..."

"Absolutely crazy?" Carver interjected.

"NO!" Bethany responded. "Just unique."

"Get away you beasts! Help! They're after me lucky charms!"

Everyone turned to see Harry rushing down the mountains with what appeared to be a mass of white deer gracefully chasing after Harry. Harry conveniently tripped in front of the group. The deer began searching through Harry's pockets and appeared to be happily eating several golden cubes to Harry's despair. Merrill squealed in delight as she threw her arms over one of the deer's neck.

"Our halla! I was sure we would lose them when the spiders attacked our camp!" Merrill said delightedly. "What a stroke of luck!"

Harry sprang to his feet and pointed angrily at the deer.

"Evil beasts! Devouring the sacred lucky charms! I shall have your head!" Harry roared. "Prepare to die."

Before Harry could say anymore, Bethany yanked his ear eliciting yelps of pain from the unfortunate wizard. She dragged him away from a thoroughly confused Merrill who continued to pet the pale deer.

"Who was that?" Merrill asked.

"That was Harry," Hawke said. He shot a look at his brother, warning him to keep silent. "He's unique."

Merrill smiled and nodded. "He seems very lively. I hope I don't insult him."

"You won't," Carver said dryly.

"Merrill, I have a question."

"What is it? I hope I can answer it."

"Why is it that whenever magic is involved, why must they have guardians such as statues, darkspawn, or corpses? Why can't magic use guardians like butterflies and rabbits?"

"Ooooh, good question. I have no idea. Probably because no one's ever thought of it."

"I remember one back in my homeland. The Rabbit of Caerbannog. Deadliest guardian I've ever laid eyes on. More terrifying than me own nanny's undergarments and as ferocious as-"

"WILL YOU SHUT UP AND SHOOT A FIREBALL FOR MAKER'S SAKE!"

Harry blew a raspberry at Hawke before firing a bolt of lightning to a nearby corpse. The corpse exploded and jumped to electrocute another corpse. Harry winked at Merrill and let fly an impressive amount of spells that rained down upon the horde of corpses and shades they were facing. At the forefront of the horde, Hawke's eyes widened when his blade snapped. He ducked a shade's grasp and picked up a nearby battleaxe. Without missing a beat, he smashed the haft of the axe in a shade's eye before spinning around, splitting everything around him in half. He ducked an abomination's claw and raised his axe high, sending it crashing down upon the monster's skull. Carver stumbled as Hawke's mighty blow shook the ground. He managed to recover his footing in time to block a corpse's blade. He kicked the rotted skeleton to the ground, grinding its skull into dust with his boot. He then ripped off the corpse's arm and used it to swat a shade, stunning it long enough for Carver to impale it on his sword.

"HELP!"

Everyone turned to see Bethany surrounded by shades and one of them holding onto her staff, preventing her from casting spells.

"BETHANY!"

An armored green tank smashed into the shades, knocking them away from Bethany. On closer inspection, it was Harry covered in thick slabs of rock, held aloft by Harry's magic. Harry viciously stabbed one shade in the face with his staff's blade and punching another one in the face. Merrill quickly sent a powerful bolt of energy the froze the shade before causing it to explode violently and taking two other shades near it.

Carver rushed over to his sister helping her to her feet.

"Are you alright sister?"

"I'm fine Carver. Thank you," Bethany said.

"Are you sure?" Carver asked.

Hawke chuckled at Bethany's annoyed expression. "She can knock a grown Templar off his feet, armored of not. She'll be fine Carver."

Carver nodded reluctantly. He turned around to see Harry holding a shade up by the throat. To everyone's shock, the shade began to shriek as veins of green magic began to crisscross the cursed spirit.

"NO! Leave it alone!"

Hawke turned to see Merrill sprint towards Harry and tug at his arm, trying to stop him. Harry ignored her and continued to torture the shade. To Merrill's horror the shade gave a piercing shriek before bursting into ashes.

"How could you? A shade it may be but it never deserved to be tortured!" Merrill screamed at Harry. She flinched when Harry turned to her, his eyes glowing bright green and smoke wafting from his body.

"I will not stand by and have another person taken away from me! Not while I have the power to do so!"

Hawke stepped towards Harry trying to placate his friend.

"Calm down Harry. Bethany is fine," Hawke said softly. "We're all fine."

Harry did not respond but the greenish aura about him faded. The slabs of rock protecting him fell to the ground as he reverted back into the mortal world. He shuddered as the magic wore off, leaving a cold chill running down his back.

"It's alright Harry," Hawke whispered. "Bethany's fine."

Harry nodded and gave his friend a weak smile.

"Thanks Hawke," Harry replied. "Sorry about that."

Hawke laid a hand on Harry's shoulder and looked his friend in the eye.

"We were all scared. Thanks for saving Bethany, you drunken abomination."

Harry grinned and gave Hawke a light punch to the shoulder.

"Don't get all wishy-washy on me now Hawke. You know I hate that."

Hawke chuckled and turned to Merrill who was staring at Harry with confused and fascinated eyes.

"You alright there Merrill?" Hawke asked.

"What are you?" Merrill asked.

Harry smirked and gave the young elven apprentice a wink.

"I'm one of a kind."

"Well this is a problem."

"That's an understatement," Carver muttered.

Hawke nodded in agreement. In front of them was a blue barrier that blocked the pathway up to the Sundermount peak. Normally Carver would have just pushed through it but a thrown stone by Bethany showed that the barrier would cause even rocks to burst into flames, much to Carver's surprise and relief.

"Can you do something about this Harry?" Hawke asked.

Harry shrugged. "I have some. However I think our elven Keeper soon-to-be may have a way. Right?"

Merrill didn't respond but instead walked up to the barrier. To Bethany's surprise and horror, Merrill slit her palm and allowed several drops of blood to spill out at the barrier. The barrier glowed brightly before fading away, much like a mist.

"That was blood magic," Bethany said. "You summoned a being from the Fade. Are you mad?"

Carver and Hawke stiffened in shock and suspicion. Merrill nodded but waved her hands, hoping to explain.

"Yes it was and it summoned a spirit that got rid of the barrier for us," Merrill said. "It helped us."

"While it did help us," Hawke said cautiously. "Demons don't continue helping out."

Harry shrugged. "I dunno. I find dealing with demons easier than dealing with spirits."

Merrill smiled at the unexpected support she found in Harry. However, Bethany looked at Harry ins shock and fear.

"Are you mad Harry?" Bethany exclaimed. "Dealing with demons is never a good thing!"

Harry chuckled. "Demons do offer bargains at a price. However if you can outwit them at their own game, their honor as a demon will force them to concede."

Harry then turned to Merrill, completely somber.

"However you should not practice blood magic or deal with demons," Harry said.

Merrill frowned. "Why not? Apparently you do so many times!"

"First of all, you do not have the tongue of a Marauder," Harry explained. "You are much too innocent and trusting to be dealing with demons. And lastly, you do not understand the magic involved with blood magic."

"And you expect me to believe you know more?" Merrill challenged.

Harry chuckled darkly. "I know much more than I ever wished to know."

Before anyone could speak up, Harry turned to Hawke and made a grandiose bow in his direction.

"I believe the way is clear oh great leader," Harry muttered. "Lead the way, Hawke."

Hawke nodded but eyed Harry.

"Someday, you will need to tell me the entire truth."

Hawke's eyes met Harry's as the merry look vanished, replaced by a harsh and piercing glare. Hawke continued to meet his stare for several moments until Harry gave a slight tilt of his head.

"When I feel that you're ready."

Hawke walked through the gateway to a large clearing. The clearing was located on top of an rocky outcropping overlooking the mountain. At the end of the rock was a small alter that was still lit. Strange considering the strong winds and rains a mountain receives. However he shook his head and ignored such thoughts as he followed Merrill towards the alter. Merrill laid the amulet Flemeth had given him and placed on the alter. She then muttered several words as she channeled magic into the amulet. The amulet glowed and shook briefly before settling back down onto the alter.

From the amulet, purple mist appeared and swirled about the alter. The mist coalesced into a solid form revealing the smiling form of Flemeth, smirking as she surveyed the area around her. Her smile only grew wider as she laid eyes on Hawke and Harry, the latter giving the elderly witch a mocking smile.

"Well, well, well. I half expected my amulet to be sold to some merchant," Flemeth said.

"We wanted to but the merchant we sold it to burst into flames," Harry piped up. "Not exactly good for business."

Hawke hid his chuckle. "I made a promise and I kept it. However, why didn't you tell me I was to be transporting you?"

"And what would you do if I had?" Flemeth asked. "Would you still have denied me if I refused safe passage to you and your family?"

Hawke glared at the witch but shook his head, much to Flemeth's satisfaction. Harry sighed and shook his head.

"You see, this is why I do the negotiations," Harry said jokingly. "You're too honest. Not that is bad or anything but you need a sharp tongue when dealing with these conniving and scheming folks. Especially the plotting ones. Got to look out for the plotting people."

Flemeth let out an amused laugh. "The Elixir of the Eclipse Fox would be a rare potion I would make, should I be able to cut off your tongue."

"Try it and as soon as you drink it, you'll be speaking dirty limericks non-stop," Harry replied.

"I shall concede to your wit, this time young rogue," Flemeth said smoothly. "We have other guests."

She turned to Merrill who was still bowing to the witch.

"Now who are you, little one? The Keeper's first I assume?" Flemeth asked.

"Yes, I am," Merrill said. "It's an honor to meet to, asha bellenar."

"Tell me child," Flemeth asked. "How much do you know of me?"

"Not much to be honest," Merrill admitted.

Flemeth sighed. "Then why do you bow so easily? Stand straight."

Flemeth then turned to Hawke and smiled at him.

"So young warrior, what do you intend to do?"

Hawke shrugged. "To be honest, I hope to take care of my family."

Flemeth chuckled. "Such an innocent yet noble goal. Ye that may not be possible."

She turned around and looked at the vast expanse that she was facing.

"You and the young mage are at the peak of a mountain where every action you take will cause ripples. Beware of what you walk young ones, for your actions will effect many."

"So what would you do?" Hawke asked.

Flemeth laughed. "Why do as I do. Change into a dragon!"

"Personally I prefer an owl," Harry muttered under his breath.

"Well farewell Flemeth and fortunes keep you," Hawke said.

"Don't fall in a lake!" Harry said cheerfully.

Flemeth smiled. "And to you as well young warrior for you will need them."

She then turned to Harry, grinning evilly at the mage. "As for you, keep well for I will use your tongue one day."

The wind began to pick up drastically, causing dust and debris to start flying. Everyone shielded their eyes to protect from the dust and the dirt. When the wind calmed, they looked about, only to see that they were back at the foots of Sundermount. Only the harsh laughter of Flemeth was heard in the winds that swirled about them before it vanished.

"The city is so busy and there are so many people," Merrill said completely amazed. "However-."

She turned a sad eye at the place commonly referred to as the Alienage. In this small shabby area, the elves were forced to live here in order to escape the discrimination of the humans and dwarfs around the city. Hawke understood the pain that Merrill felt. Being the apprentice of a Keeper of a free elf tribe, she knew how far her people fell. Now to see these elves in the Alienage and how bad they were forced to live, it amazed Hawke that she had not broken down crying. Still she gave Hawke and the others a worried look as she gave them a brave smile.

"I know this is where we part ways but someday, not now I mean. But someday, will you visit me?" Merrill asked.

Bethany gave Merrill a wide smile and hugged her, much to the surprise of the elf. "Of course we will, Merrill. Isn't that right Harry?"

"Only because you used that you-kicked-my-puppy tone of voice with me," Harry replied. He winced as Bethany stomped on his toe, glaring at him. "What?"

Hawke chuckled and turned to Merrill. "I promise I'll visit you."

Merrill smiled and blinked a tear of happiness away.

"Thank you all."

A week after the Sundermount trip, Harry and Bethany were serving up drinks while Varric was teaching Merrill about the city, much to Isabela's amusement when she wasn't flirting with Hawke. Carver and Anders were singing drunken songs with a group of Fereldens, much to the amusement of many and the ire of Aveline.

To Harry's surprise, Bethany kissed Harry on the cheek.

"What was that for?" Harry asked.

Bethany just gave him a wink and a smile.

"I'm just in a good mood today," Bethany said.

Harry surveyed the bar again, seeing his friends enjoying their time at the Hanged Man.

"I can see why."

The mood suddenly shifted as Isabela tackled Hawke over the bar. Clothes and daggers began to fly out from behind the bar, much to Aveline's and Bethany's horror.

"Hawke! Isabela! Don't do that right here!" Bethany called out.

"You pirate whore!" Aveline roared. "Get out from there!"

From the other side of the bar, Merrill craned over to see what the ruckus was about.

"I'm curious bout what's happening over there Varric? Is that some sort of human greeting?"

"In a way Daisy," Varric said patiently. "That is called a bar fight!"

"GARRETT!"

"Isabela, give me my pants!"

"Oh come now Hawke, you know you love it!"

"Have some decency!"

"Turn around prude."

"Slattern!"

"Language!"

"Whore!"

"My pants!"

"No not the mead!"

"Ooh I-de-di-de-di-de-di-dee-di-dee-di!"

"Maker have mercy!"

"Oh my Hawke, you've been holding out on me!"

"No, not there Isabela!"

"That's it, get out there right now!"

"No, wait! Aveline!"

From his bar stool, Harry sighed as he watched the Hanged Man fly into chaos. Aveline trying to kill a half-naked Isabela. Bethany blindly searching for shelter. Her brother running about, desperately using a barrel lid as he chased Isabela for his pants. Merrill watching intently at the scene with Varric doing his best trying to explain in the gentlest words possible. All of this while Anders and Carvers were belting out filthy tunes at the top of their lungs.

"And I was supposed to be the crazy one here!"

Wow. Such a long time since I've updated. Between the trip to Hawaii, my keyboard breaking down, and being incredibly burnt, I'm surprised I was able to finish this chapter. Soo long! But as always-

PLEASE REVIEW!

Peace! Oso1991