Let's see how much I can build up this particular story arc, shall we? Thank you to everyone who has been supporting this fic. 3 to you all.

Anders locked up the clinic for the day. He intended on visiting Hawke earlier, but with the recent rebellions against Meredith and her Templars, there was a drastic increase in wounded citizens. Even people from Lowtown were coming to his clinic and it unnerved him. If he were in any other city, free of the prejudice against mages, he would gladly accept patients from any part of Kirkwall. But there was a reason why he chose Darktown. No one knew who you were. If Lowtown residents were coming to find him, it was only a matter of time before the families of Hightown would seek him out.

He double-checked to make sure that the potion he made for Hawke was still in his pack. The tiny flask was no bigger than his finger, but it was very potent. The ingredients were very hard to come by as well. He had to leave Kirkwall altogether to find them. He remembered when Hawke inquired about his disappearance. It was the day that he couldn't bury his feelings anymore. He was in love with her.

He couldn't remember anyone who cared for him as much as Hawke did. That's just who she was. She had such a positive energy about her that she made him forget all the horrors around him. She made him believe that the world could change, that mages wouldn't be feared or hunted. She gave him hope.

However, her innocence and her strength were being wasted on Fenris, and he couldn't understand why. The elf was a savage beast that was bent on revenge, and Anders knew sooner or later, Fenris would break her heart. And he did. Yet Hawke waited for him. Anders spent endless hours pondering her actions. Why was it that she couldn't choose him? More than his denial for his feelings for her, Anders refused to accept the answer he already knew.

He now stared at the Amell estate entrance and sighed. He was hopeless. But Hawke needed him now more than ever, and he had every intention on helping her. If their paths were to separate from one another after Kirkwall, he would find solace knowing that he helped her. Before he could even knock, the door was swung open and he found himself face to face with Hawke.

"Anders!" she almost yelped. She placed her hand over her heart and let out a nervous laugh. "Maker, you scared me. What are you doing here?"

"I came to drop off the potion you asked for," he explained. He wasn't too happy to see that she was dressed in her leather armor. "May I ask where you are going?"

Behind her, he could see Aveline and Isabella. An odd pair to be visiting her, but it was apparent that they were not happy with one another. Isabella's expression lit up when she saw him. "Oh perfect! We could use you!"

Hawke sighed and placed her hand over her eyes, completely embarrassed. "Isabella…"

Aveline stepped up. Anders wondered if the captain was capable of not wearing any armor. "Fine, bring him. The faster we get rid of this… problem, the better. I don't know why we're even wasting the time for this harlot when there are clearly more pressing matters."

Isabella waved her off with a scoff. "Clearly, Hawke understands loyalty to friends. The city can wait. Kirkwall has dealt with the Qunari for well over a year. What's one more night? Besides, those little elves aren't going anywhere."

Aveline glared at the pirate, unafraid of showing her disapproval. "One more night can be detrimental to the security of this city. The Qunari are on the verge of war with Kirkwall. They cannot do as they please. Those elves must abide by our laws."

Anders had heard enough. "Hawke is not going," he stated. He was tired of seeing Hawke being pulled into all these random adventures, it was a wonder that she never passed out from exhaustion. And considering what she had gone through recently, she just needed some time to herself, away from all these potentially dangerous distractions.

"Pardon?" Isabella questioned. "She already said she was going to help me, didn't you, Hawke?"

Hawke sheepishly looked at Anders. She had a bad, albeit cute, habit where she would pout her lips when she was looking for a way out of a bad situation. "It's just one little errand, Anders. Isabella-"

"I'm going to die if she doesn't help me!" Isabella exclaimed.

"Hawke…" Anders said in warning.

Isabella pushed passed Hawke and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Well, if you're that worried about her, then come with us. She's not going to be in any danger. This won't take long at all."

"Why don't I believe you," Anders sighed. The pirate was right. Hawke was extremely loyal to her friends, and when she set her mind to helping them, there was no stopping her. "Well, there's no way I'm letting you go without me. I'll have you know the fact that you're wearing armor sets me on edge," he said to Hawke.

"I know… and thank you, Anders," Hawke said gratefully. "Really, it's just a precaution in case we run into any more gangs. Isabella just needs help finding something and then I was going to escort Aveline to the Qunari compound. My involvement is going to be minimal at best. I anticipate being home by dinner."

"Well, we can only hope considering your current company," Anders said. He had a horrible feeling about the whole ordeal, and Justice agreed with him.

XXXXXX

No matter how many times he practiced greeting Hawke in his mind, he knew he was going to stumble over his words. Fenris threw up his hands in frustration, walking away from the broken mirror that he had been talking to for the last half hour. He had been avoiding a confrontation with Hawke for the last two days, trying to gather his thoughts. He wanted to be completely free of feelings he had regarding his sister and Danariu, but the memories were still fresh in his mind. For years he had wondered about any living family he had. Varania was all he had left in the world, and he almost killed her.

He toyed with the red cloth that was wrapped around his wrist. Hawke was his savior, his pillar of strength, his hope. She was capable of seeing the good in him when he could not see it himself. He could apologize to her a thousand times and it wouldn't be enough. When he saw her at the Hanged Man, he wanted to gather her up in his arms and never let go. In a single afternoon, he had somewhat reunited with the woman that held his heart, severed all ties with his only living sister, and killed his former master. If he was going to talk to Hawke openly, he had to come to terms with his new life.

But he was still confused. All he knew was to run away from Danarius and fight for survival. He never considered becoming domesticated because he was never in a position to be as such. He once told Hawke that he could see himself living in Kirkwall for the right reasons. As far as he was concerned, she would be his only reason to stay. But what if she rejected him?

He paced around the mansion, kicking at broken bottles and random debris. He was getting nowhere. If he was going to talk to Hawke, he had to do it now; otherwise, he'd drive himself crazy with all his self-deprecating questions.

In one fluid motion, he jumped from the second floor balcony and landed on the street. He was careful not to be seen, but he hurriedly made his way to the Amell estate. He had taken on countless warriors and mages alike, killed hundreds of shades, demons and spirits without a shred of weakness or fear. But now his heart was beating madly, hoping that the women he cherished more than his own life would accept him again.

He passed several estates, noting to himself that the streets were much quieter than normal. The air felt different, and it carried a stench that made him slow his pace and check all the corners around him. Something was very wrong.

"Fenris!" cried a female voice.

He saw an older woman running to him. Her gray hair was flailing wildly as she sprinted toward him. The closer she came to him, the clearer it was that she was frantic and filled with terror. He recognized her as Leandra Amell. When she reached him, she placed her hands on his shoulders, trying to catch her breath. "Please, tell me what's going on!" she begged. Her eyes searched his, the expression she wore was one only a mother could have when they feared for their child.

His mind wandered to dark assumptions. He envisioned Hawke lying on her side, bloodied and beaten, unable to protect herself. But unlike Hawke's mother, he was able to think logically to find an answer. "Calm yourself," he said. "I know no more than you. Did something happen to Hawke?"

Leandra looked around in fear. "No, well… I don't know! She came home a short time ago and said she was going to Viscount's Keep. She told me to stay in Darktown because the nobles were in danger. But I can't leave my baby girl! Please, she's all I have left."

Fenris felt fear grip his heart, but he forced himself to move quickly. Grabbing Leandra's hand, he guided her across the courtyard and down to the main plaza. He didn't tell Leandra, but his ears picked up the faintest sound of terrified screams and cries. The more frequent they came, the faster he ran. He needed to ensure Leandra's safety before he could find Hawke.

They raced across the merchant's plaza. It was empty, but Fenris wasn't sure if it was because the merchant's had left for the day or if they were forced to flee. "Hurry," Fenris said to Leandra.

Leandra kept up with him as best as she could, trying very hard not to stumble on the hem of her dress. "Fenris, what's happening? Where is everyone?"

Her question died in her throat when they saw a Qunari warrior dragging a defenseless woman by her leg. "Help me!" she screamed. The woman clawed at the ground, doing anything she could to stop the muscular warrior from taking her.

Fenris let go of Leandra's hand. "Hide," he commanded. "Wherever you go, don't go to the Keep."

Leandra backed away in horror, looking from Fenris to the girl, then back to Fenris. She didn't say anything, but she listened to him. She fled, moving away from the direction of Viscount's Keep.

Fenris turned his attention back to the Qunari and the woman. Something must have happened for the warrior to act so brazen. And if he was openly attacking the citizens, then there was no doubt that the Arishok and his warriors had finally decided to unleash their wrath upon Kirkwall. He could smell blood on the warrior and that sent his nerves on end. Hawke was undoubtedly in the middle of this, and he had to find her quickly.

"Stop!" Fenris shouted. He drew his sword when the Qunari let go of the woman and turned his eyes on him.

"You are one of her companions," the warrior said in a low deadly voice. "The Arishok must have her by now."

He knew the warrior spoke of Hawke, and it only heightened his desire to find her. "Leave this place," Fenris demanded. He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. Both of them understood the ways of the Qun. He knew the Qunari, and he knew that only one of them would be leaving the plaza alive.