Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age II, "All The Same" by Sick Puppies, '1000 Words' Square Enix, or 'Lilium' Yukio Kondo. (The last two are only mentioned, but I want to cover my bases. lol. Hope you enjoy the last installment!
"Orana! Are you ready to go?" Hawke called out.
"Yes Mistress! Let me grab my cloak and lute!"
"Hawke, you never bring Orana with you to The Hanged Man. What are you up to?" Varric asked her. He began to check her over, seeing as he had helped her get ready for this event. First time he had ever had to escort somebody to The Hanged Man, and after looking at her he understood why.
Hawke had taken great pains to get ready. Her long tresses done in loose curls hang down to her mid back. Her full figure somehow got into a dress that should have been worn to a theater, not a tavern. Midnight black with a slight shimmer to it, no sleeves just one long slit that showed off a beautiful tan leg. Her feet were covered in a strappy heel than gave her quite a bit height. He had helped her with her face paint. She didn't need much, but he helped to give an even more exotic look to her eyes. He handed her a cloak to put on to keep off the evening chill. She moved over to the fireplace, swaying her hips in a hypnotic dance.
"Varric it has been three years since… I lost my child. I've grown tired of waiting on Fenris. This is my last attempt. I'm gonna sing the song you have been trying to get out of me for months. Orana has come up with a wonderful tune, so that is why she is coming."
"If Broody doesn't come?"
"So be it. I will pull together what pieces of my life I can and try to be as happy as possible."
"You have all of us Siren. Course we could go kick his ass till he sees the light."
"No, I want him to come to me of his own free will. What good would it do to chain him to me when he is fighting the chains of his former master? Orana are you ready?"
"Yes mistress. Although I wish you would let me put you hair up and frame your face."
"Sorry my dear, but it is down for a reason."
Varric stared at her for a moment, "he likes your hair down doesn't he?" He saw a small blush creep onto her face. "Oh you are a calculating little rouge! You have spent the past three years figuring out everything he likes about you. Are you sure nothing more happened at your reading sessions?"
"Maybe there was a small kiss or two, a few drinks and lots of talking. But yes that is what I have been doing. Caught red handed, now let's see if it was worth the effort." She parted her hair on either side of her neck, pulled her hood up and they all walked out the door.
Lunia had told Corff tonight would be a special performance, but she hadn't expected all of Kirkwall to be in attendance. The crowd was all in the street and it seemed they wanted an outdoor show because a makeshift stage was in front of The Hanged Man.
"Varric?" Lunia asked as they made their way to the entrance.
"Hey don't look at me! I've been with you since this morning. Holy nug shit there are nobles here! Don't they know where they are? They better keep their coin purses close."
"Mistress is there always a crowd like this?" Orana squeaked.
"No Orana it isn't. Seems SOMEBODY wanted to make it seem bigger than what it was. Don't worry though, you can sit at the back of the stage behind me. I don't think anybody will notice you then."
"Thank you mistress, I don't do very well with crowds," she sighed in relief as they entered The Hanged Man and made their way to the bar.
"Corff what in Andraste's flaming knickers have you done?" she yelled at him. The barkeep looked confused.
"I just told a few people you were having a special performance tonight."
"So you let them build a stage in the street?"
"Helps with business," was his only reply before going back to work.
She turned to find her friends had gathered around. They all offered words of encouragement and jests. Teasing their normally leather clan leader about her choice in dress. Varric took her cape and then the cat calls began. She only half listened as she stared into Fenris' eyes. So many emotions swam in their depths. She saw lust, possession, longing, and something else that she couldn't describe. Finally he walked up to her.
"You look so beautiful," he murmured as he uncharacteristicly picked up her hand and touched his lips to her knuckles. She gave him a wamr smile and looked deep into his eyes.
"Listen to the words tonight Fenris. Close your eyes and listen with your heart to them," and with that she went out to get ready. Fenris was left staring at the sway of her hips that he loved to watch, her long hair swaying. After a few moments he heard her voice waft in like a cool breeze on a hot day.
"Broody, pick your jaw up off the floor. You have no clue what has been on it."
"What did she mean by close my eye and listen with my heart?"
"It means to hear the words till you understand them, not just listen. You know, feel the song."
"Which song though?" Fenris asked as they headed out the door, the words to one of his favorites that she sung, '1000 Words' coming to his ears.
"Could be any song that she sings, though I think it would be the one where Orana plays with her. I myself am excited to hear that one. I've been trying to get the lyrics out of her for months. She told me herself it is the first song that she has even written."
She sang quite a few songs, even some in other languages. She was surprised how well they were received by these people of Kirkwall, who mostly thought of only themselves. As she finished singing "Lilium" she caught her breath and took a drink of water from the jug Corff had placed at her feet, she decided it was time to close the show. Her vocal cords could only take one more song. Maybe 'Lilium' had been a bad call on her part. Yet the crowd took a few seconds to start clapping because they were in awe. Lunia nodded to Orana who gathered her lute into her lap. Lunia informed the crowd it would be the last song. As the chords came from the lute she began to sing.
I don't mind where you come from
As long as you come to me
And I don't like illusions I can't see them clearly
I don't care no I wouldn't dare to fix the twist in you.
You've shown be eventually what you'll do.
I don't mind
I don't care
As long as you're here.
Go ahead and tell me you'll leave again
You'll just come back running
Holding your scarred heart in hand
It's all the same
And I'll take you for who you are
If you take me for everything
And do it all over again
It's all the same
Hours slide and days go by till you decide to come
However long you stay is all that I have
I don't mind
I don't care
As long as you're here
Go ahead and tell me you'll leave again
You'll just come back running
Holding your scarred heart in hand
It's all the same
And I'll take you for who you are
If you take me for everything
And do it all over again
It's all the same
Go ahead and say it you're leaving
You'll just come back running
Holding your scarred heart in hand
It's all the same
And I'll take you for who you are
If you take me for everything
And do it all over again
It's all the same
Lunia bowed and walked off the stage. Her friends were waiting for her excepted for Fenris, who was nowhere to be seen. She covered up the hurt with a smile. They all went to Varric's room and began talking about the performance. She laughed and cut up with them for an hour or so then gathered her cloak and Orana up to go home.
"Want me to walk you ladies home?" Varric said.
"If you wish Varric," she murmured to him.
"He listened to every word Siren, just so you know," Varric said as they made their way out the door.
"I know, I just hate he left," she sighed. "How did you like it?"
"Love it! You and Orana were wonderful together!" his praise making the elven maiden blush. "Though that second to last song made Choir boy want you to come sing The Chant of Light so look out. You know you sang that one in The Deep Roads but you never told me the name."
"'Lilum' is an old elvish song. I don't know if even Merrill knows it. I was taught the song as a little girl by a group of elves that father traded with."
"Still the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. But your last one, dang if that don't fit you and Broody!"
"It should I wrote it, but I guess it was for nothing…" her face downcast
"You never know Siren." Varric said as he got them to Amell Manor. "Here we are ladies! Sleep well and remember Hawke, you got to meet the Grand Cleric in the morning."
Lunia walked inside and Orana helped her with her cloak. "I'm sorry mistress; I know how much this night meant to you."
"It is not your fault Orana, but thank you. Sleep well, I'm going to bed." She took of her shoes, wigged her toes in the carpet and made her way up to her room. She opened the door to find Fenris standing by her window.
"Fenris what are you –" she was cut off by him coming up to her quickly and kissing her like mad.
"You bewitch me! Everything about you haunts me! Your hair, your face, your body, you kindness you voice!" He spoke into her ear, making her shiver with desire. She had to stay focused, although it was very hard at the moment.
"Fenris what is this about?" she breathed out, trying to find some form of control.
"I want you. I want to peel you out of that dress and take you to that bed," he said with his sultry voice in her hair.
"What's stopping you?" she said closing her eyes, giving up on control and laying her head back exposing her throat to him.
"I must be free first, then I will have all of myself to give to you" he said against the neck that was his for the taking.
Fenris please, how much longer must I wait? Tonight was your last chance, please…" she hooked a leg around his side and he picked her up with a growl. Burying his face into her chest and taking her to the bed. He lavished her chest with kisses as she dug her fingers into his hair. Finally he came up and began kissing her lips again. It left her breathless and dying for more, as if he was the only body of water in a vast desert. He placed his forehead and hers and closed his eyes.
"Tomorrow, after you meeting, come to my house. Aveline is checking on something for me. Then I will have more answers."
"Alright Fenris, one more day… but please, stay for the night. I ask for nothing, I just… need you near."
"I can do that," he said as he began kissing her again.