It had taken Leigh and her friends at least a few weeks to get back to Kirkwall. The treasure they had found would help buy back her family's estate and she hoped it would also protect her sister. She failed to keep Carver safe, but she would be damned if she was going to lose Bethany. The closer they got to home the faster she wanted to get there. After battling darkspawn, demons, and Maker knows what else down in the Deep Roads, Leigh desperately wanted a nice hot bath and a good meal.
"Hey Hawke, can we slow down, I have short legs remember." She turned and saw Varric panting, as he strained to keep up with his longer legged friends.
"Sorry, I just want to get home. We will stop for a bit and take a break."
"Thanks, my poor bunions have bunions. Here take a look at this." Leigh crouched down next to Varric as he pulled a small trinket from his belt pouch. "Do you think Sunshine will like it?" Leigh smirked at hearing the pet name the dwarf had affectionately gave her little sister. The trinket was silver, encrusted with small precious stones. It sparkled in the sunlight, casting of a prism of light onto Varric's face.
"I think she will love it. You know us Hawke's we love shiny things. We are like dwarves that way."
"Oh, is that why you have a thing for sparkle fingers over there, because he glows?" Leigh's face went from amused to embarrassed in seconds flat. Even under the dirt and blood she knew he could see her blush profusely. "Ah, my dear Hawke you give to much away and you call yourself a rogue." The hearty sound of his laughter made both Anders and Fenris look from their resting places. The crimson flush grew deeper on her cheeks and she attempted to hide her face behind her hair.
"Shut up, Varric." This spurred the dwarf to laugh louder. "I swear by all that is holy if you don't stop I will..." She stopped when the shadows of both of their companions passed over them. Leigh quickly jumped to her feet and stomped away from the others.
"What did you say to her Varric?"
"Nothing much Blondie, I guess our dear Lady Hawke can't take a joke. We should get moving again, it should not be too much further to Kirkwall." The rest of the journey home was made in silence. Once the gates of Kirkwall were in view Leigh gave a sigh of relief. It took all her will not to break into a run to get home faster. After a brief conversation they all parted ways to clean up and rest. The plan was to meet at the Hanged Man later that night a celebrate. Leigh felt like she could have walked on air as she headed for her uncle's house.
"Mama, Bethany I'm home. You will never believe what happened to us." When no one came to greet her she went into the room she and her sister shared. "Mama?" A pitiful sob met her as she walked through the door. Her mother was sitting on the edge of Bethany's bed holding the staff her father had made. "Mama, what's wrong? Where is Beth?" All her mother could do was sob louder.
"The Templars came and took her away just this morning." Her uncle's voice made Leigh jump. "Where the hell were you?"
"I...we ran into some complications down there." Leigh's mind swam with visions of her sister being forcefully ripped from her mother's arms and a surge of rage began to crawl up from her gut. "Who took her?"
"It doesn't matter. He said we were lucky the Viscount owes you or we all would be facing the hangman's noose." Before her uncle could blink Leigh's hands were on his shirt and her teeth were bared.
"Who took her? I want a name, now!"
"Kni...Knight Captain Cullen. He took her to the Gallows." She released Gamlen and headed for the door with murder on her mind. "Where are you going? You can't help her now, it is too late." She did not hear him or her mother's cries for her to come back. All she could see was red and a past she thought she had long buried.
"Cullen? Maker, help me. Scratch that Maker help him." "Hawke!" Leigh did not hear Aveline. "Hawke wait!" Leigh turned to face the Guard Captain. Her eyes narrowed and her knuckles were pure white from clenching her fists into tight balls.
"You knew didn't you? Why didn't you warn her?" The rage in her was nearly at the boiling point. "I asked you to watch over my sister and you couldn't even do that." Aveline stepped back like she had been hit. "Get out of my way Aveline or I will make you."
"Hawke there was nothing I could do. They did not inform me til after she was taken. I would have protected her if I could have. They knew we are friends so I was left out of the loop. I am so sorry." The look on the guard's face told Leigh she was telling the truth. Of course she was, Aveline had never lied to her.
"It is not your fault, but I am not letting this slide, they will know they have made a enemy."
"Think before you do this. You have two other friends who the Templars would love to get their hands on. What do you think they will do to Merill or Anders? You start a war with the Templars it won't end well for any of us."
"I...your right, but I still have to confront Cullen. He owes me for saving his sorry ass and I aim to collect."
"How the hell do you plan on doing that? He can't get her out of there for you."
"He can make sure she is safe. A life for a life. Please let me pass." Aveline searched her friends eyes. She let out a sigh and moved to let her friend pass. "Thank you," Leigh started off in the direction she had been heading before turning back to Aveline, "Aveline, I would have done something stupid if you hadn't stopped me. I still might, but again thank you. Please can you try to comfort my mother, my uncle sorely lacks the skill."
"Of course, please behave I don't have enough pull to get your ass out of the fire if you decide to commit murder." The rouge nodded to her friend and disappeared into the crowd in Lowtown. Flashes of her old life played in her head, a life she had tried so hard to forget. The life she had when she was at her happiest. Her father was still alive, her family was in tact and well established in Lothering. Leigh had found a man she thought she could learn to love after losing the man who captured her heart and soul. She had given Cullen everything, her heart, her body, even her confidence, then he betrayed her by hunting her family. Leigh had hoped that when he had been sent to the Tower on Lake Calenhad she would never see him again, he would disappear from her memory. Fate had other ideas. When trying to help a young woman find her wayward Templar brother Leigh ran into her old flame again, even saved his life before realizing who it was. She was thankful that she had a hood covering her face so he would not know it was her.
"Cullen." His name come out of her mouth like bitter root. She had not even noticed that she had made it to the Gallows, til she heard the monotone voice's of the Tranquil that wandered the square. Leigh knew where Templar Hall was after Anders pointed it out to her one morning while buying potions for the clinic. A resurgence of fury woke in her. Part of her wanted to storm in there and take as many of them as she could before they could drop her. The sane part of her knew if she did that her sister would be in danger or worse killed because of her actions. After taking a few deep breaths she walked up to the gate of the Hall. "Excuse me Ser, could I have a moment of your time?"
"Can I help you serah?" The Templar in front of her was hardly old enough to be considered a man, let alone wield a sword. Leigh by most standards was considered a extreme beauty. Her black hair, porcelain skin, and her haunting gray eyes which looked like they could pierce into your soul. She never really ever tried to use it to her advantage, always preferring stealth and skill to help her obtain what she needed. Leigh gave the Templar a bewitching smile as she began to play with the front of his breast plate. A rolling shiver went right through the poor man and he became putty in her hands.
"I was told to talk to Knight Captain Cullen, but I am not sure where he is. Is there anyway you could point me to him or ask him to come out here and meet me?"
"He is in the Hall processing a new mage. I would let you pass, but the Knight Commander would have my head, serah. I could ask him to come out and meet you once he is done. May I ask who is waiting for him?"
"I would prefer not to give my name right now, but give him this, he will know who it is from." She handed the Templar an earring. A questioning look passed over the his face, but he took the earring from her hand.
"It might be a bit before he comes out."
"It is fine I can wait. Thank you, Ser for your help." She watched him go through the door knowing it would only be a matter of time before her ex-lover would come to see her. Leigh stuffed her rage down, a angry rogue normally ended up being a dead rogue. She had to be smart about this, for her sister's sake. It did not take long for twilight to settle on Kirkwall and still Cullen had not come out. Leigh stayed in the shadows watching the doors for any sign of movement. Her patience paid off long after the square emptied and night had fallen. Cullen was not in his armor as he looked for her.
"Leigh?" The sound of her name coming from his lips made her body shiver against her will. He walked deeper into the shadows giving her every opportunity to take his life if she had wanted to. "Leigh, it's Cullen, please come out you have nothing to fear from me."
"No I don't, do I? Only poor defenseless mages do." A small feeling of satisfaction came when he jumped at her voice. "It has been a long time Cullen."
"I did not know what to think when Simon handed me the earring I gave you all those years ago. When we parted last you told me you never wanted to see me again, how long have you been in Kirkwall?"
"Over a year. My family and I came here after the Blight took Lothering." She kept her voice neutral, it took all of her will to do so, but so far she was not going to let her anger get the better of her.
"I prayed to the Maker you were safe when I heard about Lothering. I...I have missed you Leigh." A bitter laugh sounded form her and echoed off the stone walls.
"Is it me you missed or was it the fact I was the only person who let you touch them?"
"No...why would you think that?" Confusion and pain crossed his face as he reached for her. Leigh flinched and backed away.
"Why! You have the balls to ask me that. You and your Templar friends came to my home and tried to take my father away from me. It did not matter to you that he was on his death bed and could not fight back. It was painful enough to watch him waste away, then I had to hear your leader say he would put him out of his misery. Like my father was a lame horse and not a person. Now I come home from risking my neck in the Deep Roads to try to make a better life for my family and I find my sister had been taken just this morning by low and behold you. And you have the gall to ask me why. You sodding bastard!"
"Bethany is your sister? Leigh I had no idea, I swear I did not know."
"Bullshit! I came here with ever intention to kill you Cullen. If it wasn't for the fact you owe me for saving your sorry ass a few months ago I would."
"What do you mean you saved me? When...how?"
"Remember Wilmod? The one you went after by yourself like a fool." Cullen nodded numbly. "The hooded woman who came to you rescue, well that would be me. My sister and I both saved you from becoming a snack for those demons. You owe me and Bethany for your life, now what I want is for you to make sure my sister remains safe in that hell hole. If you will do that I will call us even and spare your life."
"Leigh...you have my word. No harm will come to her as long as I draw breath."
"That is all I ask, but know this if I hear that she is hurt or worse I swear I will tear Kirkwall apart and take every Templar with me." She finally stepped out of the shadow she had been standing in. Letting Cullen get an eye full of her.
"You have changed since I saw you last. If it is possible you could rival Andraste in beauty. I never wanted to hurt you Leigh, I loved you. I still love you, whether you believe it or not. Your sister will be safe, the First Enchanter has already taken a liking to her. He is rather impressed she know as much as she does."
"My father taught her and he was a good man, a good mage, not the monster the Chantry tries to make free mages out to be."
"Mages can be dangerous, I have seen it with my own eyes."
"Well if you did not treat them like they were less than dirt, you might not have the crazed ones who turn to blood magic just to be free. I guess your lyrium addled mind can't grasp that." The look of hurt that played on his face made her regret saying it. Deep down she could still remember what it was like sitting up with him when he went through withdrawal. Pangs of longing hit her, but she shook them off. She needed to get away from him, from the feelings he was waking in her. "I need to get back to my family, what is left of it. Goodbye Cullen, remember if anything happens to me sister you will be the first I will find." Leigh backed into the shadows again, disappearing into the night leaving a very shaken up Cullen alone. After she made sure she was far enough away she let herself break down and cry. She wandered Kirkwall alone because she could not face her mother. She did not care where she ended up or if she lived to see the dawn.
The word of Bethany's capture had spread to almost all the rest of Hawke's companions. Anders and Merill were nowhere to be found. Knowing full well they must have heard about the raids on mages and were in hiding, Varric paced the floor in the Hanged Man. He made a mental note to add this to one more thing his brother's treachery had cost them. The trinket he was going to give Bethany was clutched firmly in his hand, to the point it bit into his skin.
"There has to be some way to get her out of there, right? If we could get her out I can get her on a ship til things blow over."
"If we try to help her Isabela we will get her killed. The Templars will not show mercy." Aveline sighed, knowing the pirate's intentions were in the right place.
"I know, it's just...well it ain't bloody fair. I never got to take her shopping or show her how to land a man, then steal him blind. She had such potential." Before Aveline could chew her out Isabela jumped up to greet the man that walked through the door. "Anders bout time you got here."
"I was swamped at the clinic. I didn't even get through my door before I was bombarded by patients." He looked around at their faces and at once he knew something was wrong. "Why does it looked like someone died?" It dawned on him he had not seen their fearless leader, a cold feeling ran up his spine. He asked the question he wasn't sure he wanted answered. "Where's Leigh?"
"We don't know. The Templars took Bethany this morning, right before all of you got back." Isabela slung back her drink and shook her head sadly.
"What!" He could feel the slow burn of anger make it's way through him. Justice squirmed, but he held him back.
"I saw Hawke right after she found out. I have never seen her like that ever in the time I have known her. She looked haunted and murderous at the same time. I talked her down as much as I could, but...I should never have let her go off on her own."
"I doubt even you could have stopped her Red, she is not one to be talked out of anything once she set her mind to it."
"I know, but if something happens I will be the one who has to try to bring her in. I don't want to do that Varric."
"I know Red, I know. Now that your here Blondie, we best go looking for her before she does something rash and we lose her too." Varric had not even finished his sentence and Anders was already at the door. Panic was setting in and he did not completely know why. He cared about her sure, all of them did. She was a capable woman whose compassion knows no bounds, but it was deeper than that. This feeling was new, strange, almost painful at least now fearing losing her. This feeling made it hard to keep Justice at bay. "Blondie wait, you can't just go running around out there all willy nilly or you will end up in the Gallows too. We need to go together, safety in numbers."
"Sorry , I am just..." The look on the others faces told him they felt the same. "We need to find her."
"Let's go. Knowing Hawke she probably headed for the Gallows to give the Templars a piece of her mind."
Let's hope that is all she did." They left the Hanged Man heading toward the Gallows. As they rounded the corner Aveline who was in the lead slammed into Merill. "Merill! Are you alright?"
"Yes, but Hawke isn't." The guard hauled Merill to her feet. "I followed her after I saw the two of you talk in the marketplace. She went to the Gallows and waited to see the Templar who took Bethany. I stayed hidden. The Templar came out, they talked, she yelled at him and then she left. She wandered a while then she went into the Chantry."
"Is she still there?"
"She is, but she started to tear the place apart. I tried to stop her, but she ignored me. Sebastian stopped her and asked me to come get her mother. I have never seen her like that. Poor Hawke, she looked so lost."
"Aveline go get Leandra. The rest of us will go ahead and see to Hawke. Hopefully we can calm her down. I am taking bets on if she gave Chantry boy a black eye, any takers?" Varric was trying to be funny, but even his voice sounded thick with worry. It did not take the group long to get to the Chantry and the sight that greeted them made even Isabela gasp. Sticking out of the large ornate wooden doors were Hawke's daggers buried to their hilts.
"Maker's breath!" Leandra breathed. Aveline put her hand on the older woman's shoulder and guided her into the chapel. The scene in front of them would have broken the heart of a cold hearted man. Leigh was on the floor in front of the statue of Andraste with her arms wrapped around her knees. Sebastian heard their footsteps as they got closer and got up to meet them.
"She has calmed down a bit, but I fear she would hurt herself if I let her try to go home. I thought it best to send for her friends to help her. The Grand Cleric was with her only a few moments ago."
"Thank you for staying with her til we arrived." Leandra went to her daughter's side and wrapped her arms around her. Anders shifted back and forth on his feet, he was uneasy being here. Images of his friend Karl played in his head. Leigh had been so kind to him after that, now it was his turn to help her. He watched her mother try to coax her to come home, but Hawke would not move or talk for that matter. Even Aveline could not get her to move. After a deep breath Anders went and knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his. Leigh looked up at him and her expression broke his heart.
"Leigh we need to get you out of here. Your mother needs you, we need you." She nodded slowly and moved to get off the floor. He pulled her up and let her wrap her arms around him to steady herself. "It is not your fault, it is theirs. Never forget that." He whispered in her ear. She pushed back from him to look him in the eye.
"They will have to get through me to get to you or Merill. I will not let them do this again." Her voice was shaky, but her eyes started to show the strength he had come to know. "Sebastian, please forgive my destructive outburst. I will pay for whatever damage I have done."
"You have nothing to apologize for Hawke. I am here if you even need to talk. You helped me with finding the people who murdered my family I owe you a great deal."
"Thank you Sebastian." She gave the exiled prince a small smile. He bowed and left them to go clean up the mess she had made. A small twinge of jealously ran through Anders til she rested her head against his neck. He tightened his embrace around her waist and led her out of the Chantry. He wanted nothing more than to take her pain away. He had not meant to, but he cared for her more than just a friend. After getting her home safe Anders headed back to his clinic. He tried to quiet his mind and Justice. He kept thinking back to her visit after Karl died. The image of her fighting the Templars was burned into his and Justice's memory, but the conversation they had after here in the clinic was even clearer.
He was pacing the floor waiting for the Templars to come. He knew after what Hawke's little group just saw they would turn him in. Even after her hushed words telling him to honor Karl's request to end his life Anders did not trust Hawke enough to put it passed her bringing the Templars down here. A soft knock on the clinic door made him pause. Freedom's Call was leveled at the door as it opened slowly.
"Anders?" Leigh poked her head in, he could still see stains from the Templars' blood on her face. It looked like she had tried to wipe them off, but failed. "Anders, are you here?" He stayed in the darkness that encompassed the back part of the clinic afraid to move. Leigh set her dagger belt down on one of the crates and slowly walked toward where he was hiding. "Maker where is he? I hope the Templars haven't found him." From his position he could see the look of worry on her face, but not fear as he would have expected if she was bait to trap him with. She searched the other side of the place and stopped when she came to his desk.
"Shit! She is going to see the manifesto." Leigh sat on the edge of the makeshift desk and started to read. Her head gave involuntary nods as she read the first few paragraphs.
"This sounds like something my father would have written." Anders could not take it anymore and came out of the shadows.
"Is it now?" Leigh jumped a bit and put the pages down. "Why would your father right about freeing mages?"
"Because he was one. He was an apostate."
"He was?"
"Yes, he fled with my mother to Ferelden so they could have a life together. I hate the very idea of any mage being locked up or...I'm so sorry about your friend Anders. He deserved better than that."
"You mean that don't you?"
"Yes I do. If that happened to my sister, Maker I would bath this city in blood for revenge. It is barbaric." The passion of her words set him more at ease. Anders sighed and sat down next to her. "I do have to ask though, what was the turning all blue and glowy in the Chantry?"
"Ah that, well I..." He took a deep breath trying to think of the words to explain his fuse with Justice. A warm hand took his and gave it a gently squeeze. He looked up into Leigh's ghostly gray eyes. He saw no fear in her eyes and the words started pouring out of his mouth. Leigh to her credit sat and listened keeping her face neutral. Once he had finished talking she said something that caught him completely off guard.
"So that explains the whole sexy tortured look."
"I guess I should look in a looking glass more often. I had not thought I would ever find a woman that would see pass what I just said."
"You will find Anders not much phases me. When you grow up on the run and watch your sister set your brother's bed on fire, not much gets to you."
"You are unlike anyone I have ever met Hawke."
"What is it with everyone calling me Hawke? I do have a first name you know, there are times I would like to hear it."
"And that name would be?"
"Leigh."
"Alright Leigh I will try very hard to use your first name from now on. My maps are your and so am I if you have need of me."
"Thank you Anders and don't worry your secret is safe with me." Leigh stood up giving his hand on more squeeze. "Also if you ever need any help let me know. I am no healer, but I can bandage like a pro."
"Be careful I might take you up on that." He watched her head for the door and he found he did not want her to leave. "Leigh..."
"Yes?"
"Thank you, for your help with Karl. He was a true friend and you were right he deserved peace."
"Your very welcome. I will come by and see you tomorrow, unless you want to meet the rest of us at the Hanged Man tonight. We normally play Wicked Grace and drink, but we have a good time."
"I don't think they would want me around."
"Why because you glow? I will keep them off your back and it will give me a chance to properly thank you for the maps."
"I...I will be there then. Til tonight Haw...Leigh."
"See you tonight Anders." A small smile crept up on his face thinking of that day and everyday since. Seeing her like that on the Chantry floor tonight hurt. The way she clung to him made her seem so fragile. He hated leaving her in that hovel of her uncle's, but bringing her here would have been worse. Justice began nagging him about the thoughts he was having about Leigh, but again he ignored his passenger. Anders spent the entire night staring at the ceiling aching for a woman he knew he could never have.