GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER?
Anders and Fenris had created a new game. It was very challenging and very little fun.
The goal: to get as far from each other as possible, for as long as possible. It was terrifying. On the park-like grounds, they were at relative ease even at far shouting-distance. Eyesight seemed to be the determining factor. The moment one rounded a corner, or closed a door between them, it was a different story. Talking to one another in those cases helped, but sooner, rather than later, one broke into a sweat and found the other.
In spite of the discomfort they felt, they practiced this multiple times daily. Fenris wasn't as invested in the idea as Anders. He felt they were stronger together, and he had no desire to be away from the mage. He would be the last to admit it, but the elf suffered the anxiety of separation more acutely than Anders. Despite his initial failing with Nevus Wallus, Fenris wanted Anders where he could protect him. Ever since the Spiritu Dispus potion, the elf felt heart-stopping terror at the barest thought of anything taking the mage from him. His worst nightmares revolved around that experience. Still, the elf was willing to go through the separation exercises. Neither could deny that the anxiety could become inconvenient. Right now, their life was simple, and it was easy to move in tandem through the world. Later, they didn't know what might come.
They stood in the open-doored entry of the House, preparing for their next trial. Fenris cocked his head, suddenly, listening. Anders waited, and also heard it. A distant sound of voices carried through the warm air.
"... a tavern with loose cards and looser skirts!"
They looked at each other, perplexed. Anders spoke. "What in Andraste's knickers is that?" A sudden thudding of footsteps tore down the stairs, and Dorian skidded to a stop as he rounded the corner and saw them there. He grinned from ear-to-ear.
"Our guests have arrived." He grabbed both their shoulders, and marched them onto the wide veranda. Far down the road, a large, enclosed carriage could be seen. A half-dozen figures were visible, riding on the roof of the carriage, laughing and singing. In the driver's seat, feet on the footboard, huge hands holding the reigns, was an immense Qunari. Dorian spoke proudly, "That's The Iron Bull."
Watching as the carriage approached, Fenris was fascinated by Bull. He'd seen many qunari, both in Seheron and in Kirkwall. Iron Bull was unlike any of them. True, he was Tal-Vashoth, but he was also unique. Even for a qunari, he was big. His horns went straight out the sides, then curved up, and spanned his shoulder-width. As they drew closer, Fenris saw a patch over one eye. He also wore a huge leather collar around his neck. Obviously, he was in the country under the guise of a slave.
When the passengers caught sight of the trio on the veranda, they broke into cheers and catcalls, calling to Dorian, and teasing Bull. Anders and Fenris looked at Dorian. He bounced on his toes, expression eager.
The carriage pulled in front of them, and Bull jumped off the driver's seat; rather, he took a long step. Fenris thought he must top seven feet.
"Kadan!" He bellowed, and swept Dorian into an embrace that lifted him clean off the ground. Dorian grinned, hands gripping the great horns.
"Amatus... you took your sweet time getting here," he muttered, happily.
"I'll make the wait worth your while, big guy," Bull promised, and then consumed Dorian in a very passionate kiss.
Fenris felt his jaw drop. He saw Anders' had, as well. The crew on the carriage, whom Fenris decided must be the Chargers, burst into more whistles and catcalls. When Bull finally lowered Dorian to the ground, the mage was flushed and ecstatic. He turned to Fenris and Anders with a wink.
Fenris watched the Chargers leaping, climbing and falling from their high perch. Then, his view was blocked by a chest. His head tilted up, and met the single eye of The Iron Bull. He felt himself scrutinized by the Tal-Vashoth, then the mountain of a man spoke.
"Boss told me about you two. You've got to be Fenris. Lyrium's a dead give-away."
"It has that disadvantage," he replied.
Bull's gaze turned to Anders. The mage's eyes grew wide, and he shifted further behind Fenris.
"That makes you Anders. Only mage in the country with the sense to keep his mouth shut. Chargers!"
The crew shouted "Horns Up!" They were pulling luggage from the roof and tailgate of the carriage.
"Give the quiet Vint his space."
"Aye, Chief," came the reply. The one who replied pounded on the carriage door, then opened it. Anders lost his timidity when Eve stepped out. He sprinted to lift her off of the step, and spun her away in a tight embrace.
Eve laughed, returning his hug. "Anders! You're hugging me! Dorian's told how well you're both doing. I missed all of you." Anders set her down, and took her left arm in his hands.
"I'm so sorry, Eve. Do you have pain?" He ran his hand down to the stump below her elbow.
"No, it's fine. I'll tell you more about it, later." She looked him appraisingly. "You look so good. Healthy, strong, happy."
She was then taken into Fenris' arms for a hug. As Anders smiled at them, a familiar face approached from behind her. Anders hadn't seen Cullen in nearly five years. Looking at him with a healer's eye, he saw the signs of lyrium withdrawal. Fatigue, chronic discomfort, slight furrow of the brow denoting a headache. Cullen looked on while Eve spoke with Fenris. His eyes shone with adoration and a smile played at the edges of his lips. Anders felt relief at that.
"Fenris, I believe you've already met Cullen." Cullen offered his hand, and Fenris took it in greeting.
"It's been awhile," the elf replied.
"Yes. It has." Cullen's eyes moved from Fenris to Anders. "Anders. I'm pleased to see you." Anders ducked his head, and reached for Fenris' hand.
Servants had come out to show the guests to their rooms and help carry luggage.
Bull had Dorian's neck grasped in his great hand, and didn't seem inclined to let it go. Dorian called to them, and they moved away from Eve and Cullen.
"Would you mind escorting Eve and her new mate to her suite? They both look a bit peaked. The Chargers are going in the far guest wing, staff will show them. Do you feel you can manage dinner with everyone in the main dining hall, or would you rather stay in your room?" They exchanged a glance.
"We'll try it and see," Fenris replied.
Dorian was grinning hugely. "Excellent. Everyone's going to rest a bit before supper." Bull laughed, and shook Dorian lightly by the scruff.
"You won't be resting, Kadan."
"Quit shaking me, you big lummox. You'll give me whiplash." Despite his words, Dorian's eyes couldn't possibly have glowed more brightly.
Eve chuckled as they walked with her up the stairs. "I know the way to my rooms. I hardly need an escort." Cullen walked beside her with an arm about her shoulders. He looked about the estate with interest.
"I think it was for me," Anders replied. "There's a lot going on."
Cullen chuckled. "Yes. The Chargers always seem to have a lot going on. Loudly."
"I kept a silencing spell on the carriage, most of the way. I've always admired their energy, but it can induce quite a headache."
"I've never been so grateful for magic," Cullen admitted. Anders' neck nearly snapped as his head turned to stare at him. Cullen caught the look, and smirked. "Even a Templar can change its spots, Anders. You know I've left the order?" Anders ducked his head, again, and moved back a step. Fenris took his hand.
Leaving Eve and Cullen at their suite, Fenris and Anders made for theirs, and fell against each other.
"My ears hurt," Anders whined.
Fenris chuckled, but nodded. "They're an energetic bunch, as Eve said. Really, are they any worse than our Wicked Grace nights at the Hanged Man?"
Anders tried to remember. "I'm not sure. Does that seem as long ago for you, as it does for me?"
Fenris stroked the golden hair. "I don't think so. There's some things you don't remember as well as I, my mage. As if the Spiritu potion burned tiny, random holes throughout your memory."
Anders looked at him with admiration. "You described it perfectly. That's just how it feels. I remember Cullen, though. From Kirkwall, more than the Circle. The Circle was so long ago."
They relaxed for a bit. Anders wondered when and how to discuss the lyrium addiction potion with Eve. He couldn't bring it up with Cullen, himself, after all. His thoughts were interrupted by loud thumping coming through the wall, and muted voices raised in passion. Both he and Fenris turned toward their bedroom. A shared wall, indeed. Apparently, Bull and Dorian were having a very enthusiastic reunion.
"We can always sleep in a hammock in the inner courtyard," Fenris suggested.
Anders smirked. "We could start a competition. Bet they can't beat four times."
Fenris tilted his head. "I've heard about Qunari tamassrans. Bull might be able to."
Dinner was less boisterous than the arrival of their guests had been. Eve and Fenris assured Anders sat between them. The Chargers were introduced around. There were actually nearly fifty members in Bull's mercenary company, but his closest unit were these six.
Cremisius Aclassi, Krem, was Bull's second-in-command. The others, who were quickly introduced, were: Skinner, Stitches, Grim, Dalish and Rocky. Anders bit back a chuckle when Dalish identified herself as a 'backup archer'. He could feel her magic energy from across the table. Fenris was sure a less conventional dinner party had never been seen in this dining hall.
There was a plate at every setting, so Anders and Fenris simply ate off of both plates, indiscriminately. Making his way through a pile of green peas, Anders chatted with Eve, expressing his pleasure at her forwarding of Varric's letter. Cullen's voice spoke his name.
"You used to hate green peas," he observed. Anders' brows went up. He looked at the tiny, round vegetables. Had he? How in the world would Cullen know that?
Cullen quirked a grin. "You concocted a song about peas, and how they were a blighted curse on Thedas. Sang it around the Circle for weeks."
Anders gazed at Cullen, perplexed. He started to hear a repetitive song in his head. He found a memory of himself, barely a young man. Just before his last flight from Kinloch Hold. Each spring, the Hold served green peas for lunch and supper, every day, for months. He couldn't stand the things. He had crafted a ridiculous song about the evils of green peas, and belted it loudly as often as he could get away with. He grinned.
Cullen smirked. "It was stuck in my head for a very long time, up until- well, it was a very bad song."
Fenris chuckled. "How did it go?" he asked Anders.
Anders shook his head. "You don't want to hear it. It truly was a very bad song."
Bull's voice rang out. "Bad song? Oh, we can beat any bad song, any day. How about it, Chargers?" The Chargers launched into a very bad, very raunchy song about a man from Orlais. Dorian moaned.
"Oh, you would get them started, wouldn't you?"
The three couples turned-in early. The Chargers were inviting House staff to join their festivities by the time Fenris and Anders made it out of the dining hall.
Fenris was very happy. Anders had been at relative ease with the noise and new people. He hadn't needed to leave, nor find comfort any greater than holding Fenris' hand. He'd even looked Cullen in the face as the ex-Templar teased a memory from the mage.
The elf herded Anders into their bed chamber, and crowded him onto the bed. The mage smiled up at him, burying his hands in the silky, white hair. Fenris kissed him deeply.
"So, mage, shall we start that contest with Dorian and Bull?"
tbc...