Chapter 3: A Girl from Nevarra

Fear.

It was an old companion for the Grey Warden Arika, daughter of Arik and Elosia. Fear was something that every warrior needed to learn to live with, and for a reaver it was something more. Reavers learned to embrace fear, just as they had learned to embrace pain, fear was a powerful ally. Once you had mastered your fear, you could turn it into strength. Arika had learned how to do that, she had learned to turn not only her fear, but the fear she brought out in others into power.

Fear, death, and pain were her oldest allies, she drew on them in her battles, and she emerged stronger because of them.

Of course now…fear came to her in a different form, one not so easily converted, and this…this disturbed her…

This actually scared her.

She feared neither death nor pain. She did not fear mortal enemies that stood in her way from time to time, and she certainly did not fear the darkspawn, those tainted creatures that she had sworn an oath to kill.

No…this fear came in the form of something new, something…unexpected.

And its name was Leandra Hawke.

Carver had spoken of his mother. A noble woman from Kirkwall, who had eloped with a Ferelden apostate, she had returned to her old home to escape the Blight. Now, thanks to the actions of her eldest son, she had reclaimed the status that she had lost.

Arika was nervous about meeting her, even with Carver at her side. This…this was not something she could fight, not something that she could just knock down and move on.

One thought kept repeating through her head, it surfaced there again and again.

What if she does not like me?

She knew that Carver loved her, and that he had chosen to share his bed with her, but his Mother and brother…

What if they did not approve of her, what if…what if they convinced her man to reject her?

Carver seemed to sense her fear; she had told him of her concerns before they had left Ansburg.

He had simply smiled and wrapped her in his arms.

"They are going to love you," he promised.

"How can you be so sure?" She had asked.

"Because I love you, and they will see that soon enough."

His words had touched her; she tried to keep them in mind."

What if she doesn't like me?

Arika growled; she hated feeling this way.

She knew that these thoughts were irrelevant now. The threat of the carta had changed the whole premise of their visit here; they were needed to protect Carver's family.

She was not simply just Carver's woman now; she was a warden that had come to aid him in his family's defense.

Being a warrior is something she did better than anyone!

Here was an enemy she could face, an enemy she could plunge her blade into.

If she could face darkspawn in combat, she could face this.

She would show Carver's family that she was worthy of him.

She would make…a good impression.

IOI

It was shortly before sunset that the wardens arrived in Kirkwall. The three of them were hooded and cloaked, the city guard would not care for their presence, but the Templars most certainly would.

It was necessary to keep a low profile.

Carver led the way. Hightown had not changed much, the same sneering nobles, the same overblown old Tevinter architecture. It was all about past glory, the nobles wanting to remind the city of how great they were.

Carver preferred to blaze his own path.

The merchants' quarter was mostly closed by the time they had arrived, the stalls covered and the various owners gone. The wardens made for Viscount's Way, the Amell estate was there, and with luck Carver's mother and brother.

The young warden would be lying if he said he was not at least a bit curious about what the estate looked like now. The last time he had set foot there, it had been overrun by slavers who had been squatting there, using it to move people out through the undercity.

Carver and Garrett had cleaned the place out, and at the same time recovered their grandfather's will, which proved that the house belonged to mother.

That had been the start of them regaining their family name, and even though he was not a part of this world anymore he was glad that Garrett had gotten mother out of lowtown, and back where she belonged.

They arrived to find the Viscount's way packed with people, dozens of gawkers were staring at the estate, while guardsmen held them back. Four bodies were being removed as the wardens watched.

Carver had felt a surge of panic until he saw that all four were wearing Carta armor.

It seemed that his dear brother had been busy.

He tried to force his way through but the crowd would not part. Carver glared at them, considering pushing them all back by drawing his sword.

Lin had a better idea however.

"MAKE WAY FOR THE GREY WARDENS!" the elven archer barked loudly, "ALL OF YOU MAKE A HOLE!"

Carver sighed, so much for keeping a low profile.

The crowd parted, excited murmurs sprang up as the wardens passed by.

Carver pulled down his hood; he hoped that some of Aveline's guard would recognize him. It would make this easier.

Aveline strode out of the estate; Lin's rather loud statement had obviously got her attention.

She smiled as she recognized him.

"Carver," she said with a respectful nod, "Welcome home."

"Hello Aveline," he replied, "Is my family all right?"

The guard captain chuckled.

"Same old Carver I see, no time for the niceties."

"Aveline," he frowned.

"Your family is fine," she reassured him, "They're in the study, follow me, I will take you to them."

"Thank you," he said with a nod.

Lin glanced around at the assembled gawkers, lot of people in this crowd, good hiding place for assassins.

The elf's eyes narrowed.

"I will wait out here," Lin offered, "Make sure the carta doesn't take advantage of this crowd."

Carver nodded his thanks to his friend.

"I shall join you," Arika offered.

The fact that she did not want to follow him inside surprised Carver; he wanted her to meet his family. That is why they had come after all.

He understood that she was nervous, but this…this was his family.

"Actually," Carver said shyly, "I would like if you came with me."

The reaver shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

"Carver, I…we…I should…"

"Please Arika;" he said warmly, "I would like you at my side."

The reaver sighed, so much for avoiding this any longer.

She nodded, and fell in next to him.

He smiled.

"I can do this," she murmured under her breath.

He hated to admit it, but it was cute that she was insecure about this.

He wanted Mother to see both the woman and the warrior in her.

He wanted her to see the woman that he loved.

IOI

"Praise the Maker you are all right!"

Leandra threw her arms around Garrett's neck, she had been beside herself with worry since she had first heard of the attack.

The apostate was doing his best to reassure her.

"I'm fine Mother," he said quietly, "Isabela and I dealt with those dwarf's before they could do any harm to anyone."

Leandra turned to the pirate queen who was leaning against the hearth in the study.

"Bless you dear," she said, "Garrett is truly lucky to have you in his life."

Isabela shifted uncomfortably under the noble woman's gaze, she…she was not used to praise.

"I'm sure your son would have been fine, even without me being here," she said dismissively.

"Never the less I'm in your debt dear," Leandra replied.

The pirate was fighting the urge to blush. She was no hero, she…she did not deserve this.

Aveline entered the study.

"My guards have finished clearing out the bodies Milady," she said to Leandra, "Though you might want to stay somewhere else tonight, my guards weren't able to capture the one that got away."

"Thanks for trying anyway Aveline," Garrett nodded.

"No problem Hawke," the guard replied, "Oh one more thing Leandra, there is someone here to see you, I have cleared them, and it is safe."

"We're not really in any shape to receive visitors Aveline," Hawke reminded her.

"Sorry Hawke, but family is kind of hard to turn away.

Leandra Hawke's eyes lit up at the mention of family.

"Carver," she exclaimed heading out into the hall. Garrett followed after her.

Aveline stayed behind, she wanted to speak with Isabela privately.

The Guard Captain's eyes narrowed.

"I don't suppose I need to ask what you two were doing in Hawke's bedroom."

Isabela laughed lightly.

"Come on big girl," she chortled, "I find it hard to believe that you and that man of yours do not occasionally engage in a little noon time tumble."

"That would be difficult;" Aveline said coldly, "Considering the rest of the guard are working right outside my door."

Isabela smirked.

"You could always let them watch," she offered, "Your Donnic might find that kind of thing very… kinky."

Aveline ground her teeth.

"Shut up whore," she growled.

"Love you to big girl," the pirate responded.

IOI

Leandra practically threw herself at her youngest son, pulling him into a tight embrace.

Carver blushed, bright red.

"My baby," Leandra Hawke cooed, "My sweet little boy!"

"Mother please," Carver pleaded trying to free himself, "I'm fine, no need to get all mushy."

"I'm your Mother, it is my Maker given right to be as mushy as I want to be," she said defensively.

Carver's blush darkened.

Arika watched the scene with an amused smile. She found herself thinking back to when she had completed her final test to become a full reaver. Her own Mother Elosia had wrapped her in a similar hug, not wanting to let her child go.

"My baby is a woman, now a warrior for the clan," her mother had sobbed, "I'm so proud of you."

Her brothers had teased her mercilessly for weeks.

Arika sighed; she supposed that mothers were the same everywhere, whether in the mountains of Nevarra or in the lowlands.

She treasured that memory; it was one of the last times her mother had held her.

The reaver's eyes turned cold.

The memory was a good one, but it was also bitter sweet, a few months later Arika had held Elosia as she had died in her arms. She had been slain when the dragon hunters of the Pentaghast clan had destroyed their village.

Her Mother had died and she had not been able to prevent it.

The reaver felt a surge of guilt and regret.

She was grateful that Carver did not have to endure such pain.

Carver glanced her way.

"Arika could you come here please," he said.

The reaver felt her heart lurch uncomfortably.

Here we go, she thought.

She held her head high and tried to remain calm.

A tall bearded man that she assumed to be Carver's brother emerged from the other room along with the Guard Captain, and a dark skinned woman in just a bodice and leather corset. The dark skinned woman moved to the brother's side.

Ah, this must be the elder Hawke's woman, she thought.

"Who is this dear," Leandra asked noticing Arika for the first time.

The reaver tried to smile.

"Mother, Garrett," Carver said taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, "This…this is Arika."

"Greetings dear," Leandra said with a nod.

"Warden," Hawke said shaking her hand.

"Arika is my…my…" Carver struggled to find the right words.

Fortunately Arika helped him.

"I am Carver's," she said giving him a warm smile, "We are together."

Garrett's eyebrows went up, did the girl mean what he thought she meant?

Leandra's eyes widened.

"Dear," she asked her youngest son, "Are you courting this girl?"

Carver shifted his feet nervously before answering.

"Yes Mother," he said shyly, he would not call what he and Arika did courting exactly, but it was a close enough term.

Arika felt a chill go through, her.

What if she does not like me?!

Leandra smiled, she took Arika's hands in hers.

Tears filled to the noble woman's eyes.

"I am so pleased to meet you dear. I'm happy to hear that my little boy is no longer alone.

Both Carver and Arika blushed at her statement.

"He had to find a woman who would put up with him sooner or later," Garrett said dryly.

Carver shot him a dirty look.

"Boys not now, please," Leandra said her eyes not leaving Arika's. It was as if she wanted to burn the reaver's face into her mind.

"Let us all get out of here for the evening," Leandra suggested, "dinner perhaps, it has been too long since I had my boys together."

"I could eat," Garrett said smiling.

"Of course Mother," Carver responded, "Where ever you would like."

"Excellent," the noble woman said clasping her hands, "You must join us as well my dear," she informed Arika, "I have so many questions."

"Of course Milady," Arika responded.

"Pleased dear, call me Leandra," she insisted.

"As you wish," Arika said with a nod.

Carver shot her an 'I told you so' look as they began to leave.

The reaver simply glared, she may love him, but that did not mean he had to be a prick about it.

"Would you like to join us as well Isabela," Leandra offered, "You would be welcome of course."

The pirate kept her face impassive, but inside she was hearing alarm bells.

Bad idea…bad idea!

"Actually I have to get back to lowtown," she said backing away slowly, "I have business tonight."

Hawke gave her a look; he was used to reading her expressions.

Did he know that she was scared? She hoped not.

"Very well dear, have a good night," Leandra smiled.

"Goodnight Isabela," Hawke said warmly, "see you tomorrow?"

The pirate nodded, she really, had to get out of here.

"Good night Isabela," Carver said,

"And to you as well," Isabela replied as she headed for the servants entrance. She was trying very hard to keep from running.

Why had Leandra done that? Why had she asked her to join her family like that?

No…she…she did not want to think about that!

She needed to get out of here…NOW!

IOI

Lin kept watch as the crowd dispersed, the elf's cool gaze watching for any sign of trouble.

She saw no sign of any Carta dwarves, but that did not mean that they did not have spies among the crowd.

Hopefully, they would be able to discover why these dwarves had decided to declare war on Carver's family, and then they could get some payback.

"May I ask what you are doing here?" a cold voice said behind her.

She turned; she had expected a guard, someone who was not used to seeing a knife-ear so armed. She intended to educate him on how wrong it was to think that way.

She froze mid turn.

Froze…and fell head over heels in love!

OH MY!

The speaker was fellow elf, but unlike any elf she had ever seen before. He was silver haired with emerald green eyes, dressed in a set of spikey Tevinter armor, with a great sword strapped to his back. His muscular arms and throat were adorned with beautiful swirling tattoos.

Lin was dumbstruck.

Come here you handsome hunk of elf.

She had told Carver more than once that she preferred the company of elven men.

Well…here…HERE was an elven man.

"I…uh…um….I" she stammered trying to remember how to speak.

"That armor," he said pointing to her blue and silver gambeson, "You are a grey warden, yes?"

She nodded; at least she thought she did.

Snap out of it fool, she cursed herself.

"I…I am a warden," she replied, trying to remember how to breathe, "I came with Carver. I…I mean we are here to help, my name is Lin, but you can call me Lindariel."

Shit! I said it backward!

The handsome elf smiled, it was a slight thing, but it was there.

Her body warmed warmth that started in her belly and spread lower.

Oh Maker!

"I am pleased to meet you Lindariel," he responded his voice was deep and husky; it made her weak in the knees.

"I am called Fenris."

Fenris. What a wonderful name, she thought, the name of a hunter to be sure.

She found that she really, really wanted to be the prey.

She smiled; this one could catch her anytime he wanted…

Anytime.