This one is a bit more violent than the other chapters. I won't say anything more than that. Enjoy.
Hawke had never seen such a display of raw strength and power. The Arishok could easily overwhelm her if she slipped up just once. She was careful not to stumble or falter in her defense. When the Arishok swung his axe, everything in its path was destroyed. He was twice her size, and she couldn't allow him close to her. She kept on the balls of her feet and when he lashed out at her, she dove out of the way.
When their blades met, sparks were ignited and Hawke could hear the startled cries of the nobles. The Qunari were silent, observing the duel intently. They were much more calm than her comrades. She pushed the Arishok away only to duck when the axe came back in full swing aiming for her neck. With all of her might, she kicked at his knee, hoping to break his foundation. She was awarded with a loud crack, and the Arishok stumbled back, slightly limping.
She took the opportunity to unleash a string of attacks attempting to slash at any part of his body that was not covered in thick armor. Hawke had to remind herself that Qunari were not gods; they were capable of dying just like any other race, but the sheer physique of the Arishok constantly cast doubt in her mind. She had never faced an opponent of such fortitude and vehemence.
The Arishok swung again, this time overhead, and she jumped to the side just as the axe crashed into the floor. The Qunari leader learned her pattern of counter attacking and followed up with a solid punch successfully connecting with Hawke's right cheek. She felt her skin break, and the next thing she knew, she was on the floor.
"Get up, Hawke!" cried Aveline.
Hawke blinked the tears away, and she could see the Arishok charging for her again in the reflection of her blade. She rolled, feeling the floor breaking around her. She wagered she had narrowly missed being cut in half. Hawke jumped to her feet and went on the offensive; she was getting nowhere by dodging and ducking. She had to make this duel turn in her favor.
She squared off with the Arishok again, and they took their time analyzing each other, anticipating the other's next move. "If you lose today, Hawke, the world will be poorer for it," the Arishok said.
She didn't respond to him. Her mind was in a frenzy. Somehow, she had to disarm him. She could feel droplets of liquid running down her face, but she didn't dare take one hand off of her weapon. He came again, filled with an energy that matched the animosity his race physically displayed. She jumped back, feeling whips of air when the axe missed her body.
Many nobles ran away from them when they came near, and Hawke saw a sliver of hope when she saw a support pillar not far from her. She conserved a little energy, halfheartedly attacking the Arishok. When she was forced to defend herself again, the Arishok's axe came seeking her blood. This time she led him to the pillar.
When the Arishok swung, she stepped behind the pillar. The axe collided with the pillar, and it was now stuck. Hawke raised her sword high above her head and cut downward, slicing cleanly through the haft of the axe. The Arishok stumbled back in shock that he was now without a weapon. Hawke knew this was her only chance. Using the Arishok's momentum against him, she cut and hacked at his body, forcing him back even more.
She tried to deliver the final blow, but he caught her hand. For a moment, he pulled her forward and locked eyes with her. She saw a wild beast in those eyes; any part of the Arishok that she had slowly come to respect over the past months was now gone. He squeezed her arm so hard, that her fingers were forced to drop her sword. She felt excruciating pain in her stomach when his fist collided into her body. The single punch broke through her armor and all she could feel was fear and guilt.
"Hawke!" Anders yelled. "Maker, no!"
When she was able to suck in a breath, the Arishok lifted her by her arm. Her feet dangled nearly two feet above the floor. With a powerful kick to her abdomen, he sent her flying across the hall, and she landed roughly on the steps connecting the first floor to the second. Her vision blurred when she rolled onto her back. All she could feel was pain coursing through her body and she let out a pained cry. She could feel her head resting on a single step. But she was not granted a moment's time to recover. The Arishok's massive hands were around her neck. "I will offer you a quick death, Serah Hawke. You will be remembered among my people, basalit an," whispered the Arishok.
"No…" Hawke choked. She put her hands over his in a futile attempt to pry him off of her. But her fingers could not even wrap around his giant wrists. "I won't give in," she gasped. The Arishok's grasp tightened around her throat, and she could not longer breathe.
She heard people shouting, but they sounded distant from her. She thought she heard her name, but she couldn't tell anymore. This was the closest to death she had ever come. There was a tingling sensation in her fingers, and she made one last attempt to push the Arishok off of her. He was a mountain of muscle that loomed over her, and his haunting eyes came into view. No, she wouldn't allow herself to die this way.
"Please… give me the strength that I need. I beg you. Please!" she thought to the Maker. The Arishok's eyes widened in surprise and he was suddenly lifted off of her. There was a bright red light that shot out from Hawke's hands and she felt a surge of energy coursing through her. The light penetrated the Arishok's body completely and he flew several feet from her.
Hawke stared at her hands in surprise. What had just happened? She rolled to her side to see the Arishok lying on the floor in a pool of his own blood. The rise and fall of chest slowed as the seconds passed. By another miracle, Hawke got on her knees. She practically crawled, making her way to the dying Qunari. There was a large hole in his chest, but he showed no signs of pain. She knelt by him and his eyes found hers again. They no longer held any hint of primal rage in them. She saw pain and… regret.
"Take my life, Hawke," his voice came gurgled and a river of blood dripped down the corner of his mouth. "For the life I have taken."
She slumped forward unable to mask her true feelings any longer. "You lie…" she sobbed desperately.
The Arishok said nothing else. She knew he was telling her the truth and she couldn't contain her fury. In one swipe, she grabbed the dagger from her boot and cut his throat. "No, no, no!" she screamed.
She felt arms around her and fatigue ran through her body. Whatever energy had entered her body earlier completely vanished. She fell back, and those arms lifted her and carried her away from the madness, away from stench of death. She caught a glimpse of silver hair and pointed ears before she passed out.
XXXXXXXXXX
It took some time to console Leandra, but Anders was able to calm the worried mother and asked that she stay in her room while he prepared to work on Hawke. He needed complete privacy, free from all distractions in order to focus on healing all the injuries Hawke sustained in the duel. Orsino and Meredith were at each other's throats once more, so there were no other mages available to assist him and he could not wait for the templar and Circle leaders to work out their differences.
Fenris and the others crowded in the study, anxiously waiting for news of Hawke's recovery. The now ex-slave paced back and forth, unable to sit still for a minute. He nearly had it out with Anders earlier, but the mage was intent on being alone with Hawke because the spell he had to prepare for had to be precise and exact. After harsh words were exchanged, logic set in, and Fenris backed off. There was never another time in his life where he was actually grateful for magic. If anyone could save Hawke, it was Anders.
Fenris had carried Hawke all the way back to the Amell estate, clutching her frail body to his chest. He never imagined that Hawke would struggle against the Arishok as she had. There a fury that grew in the pit of stomach when he saw Hawke laying on the steps of the Keep, completely helpless. When the Arishok wrapped his fingers around her throat, he almost lost his control. He wanted nothing more than to save Hawke, but something else had come to her rescue. Everyone suspected Anders, but he looked completely bewildered. "I know no such magic," he said in awe.
Fenris buried his face in one hand and continued to pace. "You're going to burn a hole in the floor, elf," Varric said. The dwarf was just as concerned for Hawke's well being, and it physically showed. He was slumped against the wall, constantly glancing toward Hawke's room.
Even Merrill showed up after she heard the news of Hawke's fight with the Arishok. The Dalish elf burst through the front door calling for Hawke. Aveline hushed her immediately and led Merrill back to the study. Her bright and strangely innocent eyes scanned the room, looking at everyone's face. "Is she…"
Aveline shook her head. "No, but she's not faring well. Anders has been with her for the last three hours."
Isabella had disappeared conveniently, but Fenris heard the pirate promise Hawke that she wouldn't leave Kirkwall as she needed time alone. As much as he disliked Isabella's actions, he heard truth in her voice, so he decided not to pursue her. Apparently, pirates were capable of feeling guilt after all.
"I shouldn't have suggested the duel," Fenris said sadly. He felt responsible for putting Hawke in that situation and it ate away at him slowly. He had so much confidence in her, and he had no idea why her technique and abilities were lacking. She moved so much differently than he remembered. It was as though she purposely kept herself on the defensive being overly cautious and guarded. Why had she changed so much in such a short amount of time?
For once, Aveline showed him a friendly display of affection. She stopped him from pacing, pulling gently at his arm. "Hawke would have wanted it that way, you know that. I was with her when Lothering fell and Fereldan was lost to the Blight. She always chose the road of the savior. Any time she could, she wanted to protect the weak. If you weren't there, she would have found a way to confront and stop the Arishok."
"She's right, elf," Varric agreed. "I may make up a lot of bullshit in my stories about her, but all the parts of her coming to save the people are true. She would do anything to save her family. What she did, she did to save her mother and sister."
"That's only mostly true," said a voice from the doorway. Everyone stood at attention when Anders entered the study. His brow was covered in sweat and he looked completely exhausted.
"How is she?" asked Merrill. "Is there anything I can do?"
Anders held up his hand to keep her from asking anything more. "She needs a lot of rest, but her body will recover… mostly."
"What do you mean mostly?" asked Fenris. He was taken back when Anders turned a hateful glare his way. "What aren't you telling us?"
"You have no idea what she's been through," Anders snapped.
Fenris kept his mouth shut. For leaving Hawke, he knew it was only a matter of time before someone said something to him. And it was no surprise that it was the mage that reprimanded him first.
"Anders, not now…" Aveline suggested, but she was silenced.
"Oh no, Aveline. I've held my tongue for far too long," Anders argued. He dangerously stepped close to Fenris, staring directly into his eyes. "You have no idea what you put her through."
"I came back to make things right," Fenris said calmly.
"And what perfect timing you have!" Anders raised his voice, seemingly not caring who heard him. "Did you know that she cried herself to sleep every day for nearly three weeks? She didn't even leave her home. You left with her nothing! How could you hurt her like that?"
"I know I don't deserve her forgiveness-"
"You don't deserve a damn thing!" Anders was now shouting.
Fenris was nearing his patience. It was one thing to express how he felt, but now Anders was becoming annoying. "I should leave. I'll be back in a few days." It was obvious that Hawke and Anders had become much closer over the last couple of months. Hawke confided in Anders in a way she never did with Fenris and it was his punishment for running away. He couldn't shake his mind of the image of Anders kissing her in his clinic.
"You're going to abandon her again? You're not leaving, you coward," Anders threatened. Fenris pushed passed him, ignoring the mage. He wasn't prepared to defend against a powerful force that knocked him into the main hall. Anders had openly attacked him, and he had done so in Hawke's home. Fenris pushed himself up from the floor.
"You dare?" Fenris snarled.
Aveline grabbed Anders, but she too was knocked back from an invisible force. "Anders, this isn't helping matters!" Aveline said.
"Blondie, what are you doing?" Varric asked.
"I'm not going to hurt him though I want to," Anders said walking slowly out of the study and approaching Fenris. "You're going to listen to what I have to say."
Fenris was ready to charge Anders but his feet were stuck to the floor. When he tried to look down he found he could not move his body entirely. He should have known that the mage was not going to fight fairly. "Say what you want," Fenris spat. "I have no need for your misplaced resentment."
"I assure you it is not misplaced," Anders countered. "Why she even waited for you is something I cannot comprehend. Why she chose you, I do not understand. You left her."
"From what I've seen, she's forgotten about me and she has moved on," Fenris said. "I saw her at your clinic days ago. You were quick to replace me."
His retort earned him a swift punch to the stomach. For a mage, he had a fairly decent swing. Fenris doubled over and coughed, trying to catch his breath. "Are you really so blind? She rejected me. She wanted and still wants to be with you!"
"And why should I believe you, mage?" Fenris said, standing upright once more. "I saw you together, and I have accepted it."
"Maker, you are such a blind fool!" Anders said in frustration. "She's always loved you. She's never stopped, even when you left her behind. And now she needs you more than ever! Why is it so difficult for you to see that? How is it that you cannot possibly know? When you're near her, you don't feel it?"
"Now you are speaking in riddles," Fenris taunted.
Anders gripped his armor and brought Fenris' face close to his. Every word he said hit Fenris harder than any physically blow to his body. "She was carrying your child."