Authors notes: back to fluffier bits and smut in this chapter...finally. Sorry If I've been depressing you all!
I clutched the letter in my hands, my blood pulsating through my veins at a rigorous pace. Isabela betrayed me, betrayed us. She was the reason the Qunari were in Kirkwall all that time. She stole the Tome of Koslun from them, and they refused to leave without it. It became so clear to me now, all the times she refused to go to the Qunari compound with us. She avoided them like the plague, and here I was, with a handwritten letter from her.
"Dear Hawke,
I have the relic, and am gone. I'm sorry it has to be this way. You've been a loyal ally, but this is best for us both. You promised me the relic, and I know you'll fight Castillon for me, but I don't want this. I've dragged you too far into this mess already.
You don't have to forgive me, but I hope you understand.
Isabela"
Shit. I thought she was my friend, my best friend.
"Once a thief, always a thief." Fenris growled from beside me. He was right, I shouldn't be surprised, I scolded myself. I really should have went with Aveline. She needed my help with the Arishok, who was sheltering two fugitives who converted to the Qun.
"Let's get out of here." I said and brushed my way past Fenris, Varric, and Anders. When we reached the compound, the Qunari only let myself, Aveline and a couple of her guards in to speak with their leader. For months, the tension had been building with the Qunari. The Arishok now knew about the relic, and Isabela. His voice was demanding, as it always was but this time, his gaze was all the more intense.
"Your society is the disease." his voice boomed, and his eyes shifted between Aveline and I.
"I cannot leave without the relic, and I cannot stay and remain blind to this dysfunction. There is only one solution." My stomach dropped, and Aveline began to plead with him. We knew what was about to come - what the Viscount had been dreading for months.
"Arishok, there is no need for -" Aveline started to beg, but he cut her off. He nodded at his men above the rooftops and gave out an order which to our ears, we could not understand but his intentions were clear. Qunari from above started to throw spears at us. Two of Aveline's men became impaled and fell to the ground, instantly dead. I could not pull my gaze away from the Arishok, and he stared coldly at me.
"Hawke!" Aveline yelled, and I ran after her, to get away from the havok. We were able to catch up with the others. As soon as Anders saw me he ran up and embraced me.
"You're safe. Thank the Maker. I thought they'd got you. Darktown is flooded with people trying to get away from all this."
"The Qunari are assaulting the city and fast." Aveline said. Obviously they had been planning this for some time. Aveline wanted to head to the Keep to rally her guardsmen.
In a short time, the Qunari invaded the entire city. Running through Hightown, there were bodies everywhere. We saw several Qunari dragging people and herding them into the Keep. We ran into First Enchanter Orsino, as well as Knight Commander Meredith, who I was constantly hearing stories about. Carver was at her side. We came up with a plan to distract the Qunari that were guarding the keep so that Aveline, Anders, Fenris, and I could sneak in. Orsino shot off a bunch of fireballs, and the Qunari took the bait. Soon we were inside.
The Arishok and his followers brought a bunch of the nobles into one room. He murdered the Viscount throwing his dismembered head at the group of people who screamed and several women fainted. He was keen on ruling the city under his thumb - forcing all to submit to the way of the Qun. My friends and I walked into the room, and all heads turned towards us.
"I expected you." his voice resonated as he walked down the steps towards us. "Tell me, Hawke. You know I am denied Par Vollen until the Tome of Koslun is found. How would you see this conflict resolved?"
I was about to speak, but heard from a distance, the clashing of daggers. I whipped around, and there was Isabela, the tome in her hands. She had a sudden guilty conscience and came back, wanting to make amends for her wrongdoings. She passed the Arishok the tome, and we hoped all would be solved. But no, he wanted to take Isabela with him, wanted to make her submit to the Qun. She would be a slave. I couldn't let that happen, whether she betrayed us or not. She was still one of us, and I would be damned if I was going to let harm come her way.
"You leave me no choice. I challenge you Hawke. You and I will battle to the death, with her as the prize." I looked at Isabela, who protested that it should be her fighting, but the Arishok denied her, saying she was unworthy. My pulse quickened. I knew there was only one way to resolve this without there being even more bloodshed.
"I accept your challenge."
"No love, you can't do this! I won't let you!" Anders pleaded with me.
"I'm sorry, Anders. I have no choice." Suddenly, Qunari separated my friends from me, taking them to the upper level of the room.
"You damned fool! I swear if she dies..." I could hear Anders yelling at Isabela.
I looked up, and Fenris was staring from the balcony. He nodded at me and said "Do your worst, Hawke. I know you can do this." I nodded back, and then turned my attentions to the Arishok.
The Arishok relied on his brute force. Many times he came charging at me, head on. My agility allowed me to roll out of the way just in time to freeze him in place and shoot a variety of spells. One time I shot him with lightning, another time I set him on fire. Despite my efforts, he still attacked. At one point he slashed his sword right through my side and hoisted me over his head with it. The sharp pain coursed through my body and I screamed out.
"Marian, no!" I heard Anders call out to me, with such a fear in his voice. I fell to the ground and quickly drank a health potion, and soon I was on my feet again.
On and on the battle went like this, and half an hour later, the Arishok lay dead at my feet. Cheers could be heard from all around the room. People embraced each other and clapped. Anders came running to me and spun me around in his arms, tears falling from his face.
"You crazy, brave, foolish girl. Don't ever scare me like that again." He sobbed as he kissed my lips.
"The city has been saved!" one noble yelled. Knight Commander Meredith slowly walked over to me, her expression serious.
"Well done. It appears Kirkwall has a new Champion."
One week after the attack, a celebration was held in my name throughout the streets of Hightown. There would be a grand feast, drinks, and music all night. It was to start at dusk, and I spent the better half of the day with butterflies in my stomach. Ever since the Qunari confrontation, I received dozens of thank you letters, people from all over Kirkwall were sending me their praises for saving their husband, their child, their lover. "Champion this," and "Champion that". I appreciated the gratitude but I already knew that with this new title, a huge weight of responsibility was sure to fall into my lap. As if I didn't have enough as it was!
Shortly before the festivities were scheduled to start, I stopped by the Hanged Man. I wanted to meet up with my friends so we could all go together. Varric was having a few drinks with Aveline, Donnic, and Fenris. I poked my head in the corner and Varric raised his mug in the air as soon as he saw me.
"Well if it isn't the Champion of Kirkwall herself!"
"Please don't start calling me that, Varric."
"Come on, it will only make my stories all the better. You're a Champion now, Hawke, take some pride in it. These titles aren't handed out to just anyone, you know."
"Oh, alright, if you must."
At that moment, Isabela came by the suite, her bags packed.
"Rivaini, what's all the luggage for?"
"I'm leaving." she said, emotionless.
"Isabela, why?" I asked, confused and worried at once.
"Look, I get you have a sense of loyalty to me because that's the kind of person you are. But me, I can't stay here any longer. I will always be that traitorous bitch who nearly had the whole damn city destroyed. If Castillon doesn't kill me, someone else will."
"That's not going to happen, not on my watch."
"I'm sorry, Hawke. I just can't. You've been a great friend, but I haven't, and it's best I be on my way." A sense of emptiness came over me. Isabela was someone I confided from the day I met her. She was so dear to my heart, and I couldn't imagine not having her around anymore.
"You'll write, won't you?" I asked, hopeful.
"Of course." she said, and came over and embraced me in a hug. She pulled away from me, and turned her attention towards Fenris. Not once had he looked up since she came in the room.
"Fenris? Have you thought on my proposal?" Fenris still avoiding her glance, just shook his head, and downed the rest of his drink.
"Suit yourself then. It's been a pleasure, Hawke. Take care of that man of yours." And with that, she was gone. As she left, I began to ponder what she was going on about.
"What did she mean by that, Fenris?"
"She offered to take me with her."
"When was this?"
"That night after the battle. She said she was leaving Kirkwall, and that I was free to come with her."
"And since when have you two been so close?"
He shrugged, still not looking up. "We're not. She knows of what I have been going through, and suggested I leave with her."
"But you're staying?"
"For now, yes."
Something inside told me that there was more to what Fenris was saying, but I didn't reflect any more on it. I was just relieved he wasn't leaving. We all left The Hanged Man together and went on our way to Hightown.
The sun was setting in the sky when we arrived. Beautiful pinks and oranges danced across the horizon and a warm breeze swept through my hair. Long tables were set up throughout the street and the bards, chefs, and servers were setting up their stations. Many of the Hightown residents had already gathered, and an eruption of clapping went around as I made my way through the wave of people. Varric nudged my side.
"See? This Champion thing isn't so bad." I laughed and shook my head at the sentiment. Anders was already sitting at table and we joined him. Someone played a lute softly as we ate and drank throughout the night. Several toasts were made, including one from a very inebriated and chatty Varric. I hung my head in embarrassment as he went on to tell of adventures he had been on with me, some of which he embellished the details.
"And then Hawke took her staff... and...and rammed it so far down the darkspawns throat it came out the other end!" Varric exclaimed, hiccuping and slurring all the while. Several gasps and moans could be heard throughout the crowd.
"Did you really do that Hawke?" Merrill exclaimed beside me, completely intrigued by Varric's rambling. I shook my head at the adorable elf. "Oh, he's just making things up again isn't he?" Anders and I both laughed, Aveline rolled her eyes, and Fenris shook his head, finishing off his eighth glass of wine of the night. He had still been drinking quite a bit, but usually just in the privacy of his own house.
As the night went on, a singer took her place beside a new lute player and began to sing beautiful ballads. Couples were sprawled across the street, holding on to one another and dancing. Anders stood and reached for my hand.
"Would I be so lucky as to attain the honour of a dance with the Champion?" I blushed as he pulled me away from the table and close to where the other couples were dancing. He placed one of my hands on his shoulder and held on to the other one. His free arm wrapped around my waist and he pulled me close.
"My my, are we suddenly a little shy?" I looked up and he was gazing down at me, a smile plastered all over his face.
"I...I don't know how to."
"What, dance? It's easy, let me show you." He began to move slowly, and I followed his lead. I stared down, trying to match his footwork, but I had never been graceful and stepped on him a few times.
"Ow," he jokingly complained.
"I'm sorry! I knew I wouldn't be any good at this." He laughed and kissed my neck, still guiding me. "But you on the other hand...nice moves."
"Well, I had to find a way to impress the pretty girls somehow."
"And just who taught you, serrah?"
"A gentleman never kisses and tells." I smacked him playfully in the shoulder and he pulled me in for a kiss.
"Mmm gentleman indeed. Not very gentlemanly of you to paw at me in public."
"Oh, just wait til you see what I have in store for you in private." I turned my face away from him as he said it. We still hadn't been intimate and it was difficult for me to think of what it would be like now. "Oh Marian... I'm sorry. No...I didn't mean...we can wait." I turned up to him to see that worried look creasing his brow again, his honey eyes fretful.
"No, no more waiting. Tonight we end this drought."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm positive."
It was past midnight when we were finally able to pull ourselves away from the festivities. It seemed as if every person there had something they needed to say to me, and while it was charming at first, I desperately wanted it to be over and done with. Every chance Anders got, he would whisper dirty secrets into my ear. He even grabbed at my backside once, as I was engaged in some dull conversation with a noble whom I had no interest in conversing with.
As soon as my bedroom door was shut, we were all hands and kisses, groping every inch of each other. Anders scooped me up and plopped me onto the bed. We were both hazy with wine, and all the more anxious to get naked. He pulled off my boots and tossed them over his shoulders. One of them crashed into my desk, knocking things over. We both laughed out loud and I covered my hand over his mouth.
"Shh! You'll wake the others."
"My sweet, sweet Hawke, if anything's going to wake them, it will be you screaming my name." I moaned as he leaned forward, nipping at my neck. I quickly pulled my dress over my head and undid my breast band. By the time I pulled down my small clothes, Anders was completely naked in front of me. He climbed onto the bed and began kissing down my neck. I reached down and gripped his shaft and he hissed through his teeth. "Wait," he said, reaching over into my nightstand. In his hand he held a contraception potion.
"Here, take this. Unless..." he paused a brief moment, looking me deeply in the eyes. "Did you want to try again?" I quickly shook my head. I was nowhere near ready to consider such things, and after dueling the Arishok, it was clear to me that there would always be danger nearby. I was not willing to take those chances so soon. I took the potion and downed it fast.
"Alright, love. I have a bunch of those in the drawer. Take one every night before bed. Let me know when you start to run out, and I'll craft you some more." He resumed kissing me, trying to bring me back to the moment, and it was working. My entire body ached for him, longed to feel the release I had been denying for so long. I hadn't even taken my hand to myself in these months, and I felt as if I was about to explode. I felt Anders hands find my sex, and he gently parted my folds. His fingers circled over my pearl, and I gasped at his touch.
"Did you miss this?" I responded by moaning even louder. He chuckled and slipped a finger inside, curling it at the right spot.
"Oh Anders."
"Yes, love?"
"I need you inside me. Now!"
"If that is what you wish."
In one deep thrust, he entered me completely. We both moaned in unison. I felt so full, the feeling of him stretching me out had me whimpering. He pulled his hips back and quickly plunged back into me. Every thrust was met with a cry of pleasure. He began to work in a frantic pace. I scratched my nails down his back which set off a groan from him and he leaned forward and caught my lips with his.
"Maker, Anders!"
"That's it. Cum for me, sweetheart," He whispered into my ear, and at that very moment I saw fireworks. I called out his name as my insides began gripping him tightly, waves of ecstasy possessing every muscle in my neglected body. He began to curse and shortly after I felt him pump his own orgasm into me, joining me in the unbelievable pleasure that we had been denying ourselves of for what felt like an eternity.
Anders rolled off of me and fell onto his back, and as soon as he withdrew from me I felt empty. I curled up beside him, placing my head over his moist chest as he was still catching his breath. I planted a few kisses throughout his blonde chest hair. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." I praised him.
"Was it that good?" He mused.
"It was just what I needed." I purred into his ear, and began suckling on his earlobe.
"Maker, Hawke. Ready to go again already?"
"Oh come on, you're always going on about that Grey Warden stamina. How about you put it to good use." I climbed into his lap, winking at him.
"Anything for you, love." he gently pulled me onto him, kissing me passionately as his erect member slid back into me with ease. We made love throughout the night until the sun began to rise again. Anders spent the entire next day in bed with me. We had lost time to make up for, and neither of us wanted to waste a moment of it.