The last three years in Kirkwall had brought about a lot of change in many respects. After winning the battle against the Qunari, there was a certain positive energy surging up from the most unlikely corners of the city: the slums in Darktown and Lowtown. The idea that a Ferelden immigrant had defeated the Arishok in single combat had given the poor something to hope for in themselves and aspire towards instead of succumbing to a life of petty crime and murder. The biased views of the nobles towards them were beginning to distort and reform. Suddenly they didn't seem so worthless anymore. The city still hadn't appointed a new Viscount after Dumar's beheading and instead the control of the city fell into the hands of the Templars, much to the fury of the mages...and one in particular.
"You're driving me crazy again with that shit, Anders," Hawke groaned. "You need to calm down before you end up in the Gallows along with Bethany."
They were sitting in Anders' clinic in Darktown, catching up on recent events that had been transpiring throughout Kirkwall. Lana's relationship with the mage and started to repair after whole Qunari extravaganza, much to the delight of Aveline who wouldn't have to worry about throwing her in prison again. She still feared that one day Hawke would lash out and silence Anders for good after what had happened all those years ago with Bethany. Lana still couldn't forgive him for going behind her back and recruiting her little sister to aid the mages, resulting in her being found by the Templars and imprisoned in the Gallows. However, it was clear to her now that Anders deeply regretted his actions (or he just didn't want another beating...one of the two). He had tried desperately to fix things between them the last few years and Lana found it hard to ignore the lengths he went to to help her out. She'd had a difficult few years (no change there then).
"I'm sorry," Anders replied, running a hand through his long blond hair where he stood. "I know you don't want to hear about what conditions are like inside the Circle of Magi right now, but I have no one else to talk to about this who will understand."
"Any word of Bethany?" Lana asked worriedly. The last time she had seen or heard anything from her little sister was the day of the Arishok battle, three years ago.
"Nothing," Anders said, re seating himself beside her on the chair in front of the fire. "I asked around but none of my contacts had any information on her. I think Knight-Commander Meredith is keeping a close eye on her, given her connection to you. No one wants to get too close to her at the minute for fear of Templar backlash."
Hawke sighed, fearful for her sister's life. She stared into the dying embers of the flames in the grate, lost in thought about the day she had went to see Bethany a few days after her battle with the Arishok...
Lana woke up to the smell of breakfast wafting up from a tray on her bedside table. Bodhan, she thought, smiling to herself. He's such a caring fellow. Gingerly, she used her arms to straighten up in bed and reached out, grabbing the tray of steaming hot food and placed it on her lap. Her entire body was still in pain after the duel with the Arishok a few days before, but nothing ached more so than her heart. Watching Isabela walk away from her after declaring her love hurt more than when she had betrayed her and stolen the Tome of Koslun. Lana had never believed in a million years that the hedonistic pirate would fall in love with her, even if it was what she had wanted. Now it seemed that, even though she had gotten her wish, whatever she and the Rivaini had possessed before that was lost. No one had seen her since after the battle when she had kissed Lana then walked away. Hawke was dreading coming face to face with her again, wondering where in all of Thedas they could go from here.
After finishing her breakfast, Lana had dressed and left the Estate. As she made her way towards the Gallows her thoughts fell on Bethany. She was so excited to see her again. Finally they would get a chance to talk, Maker knows they needed it. A lot needed to be said and Lana was determined to rekindle her relationship with her long-lost sister. It was so long since she had been surrounded by family (excluding Gamlen who came round occasionally to borrow money for whores). Sometimes at night when she found it hard to sleep, her mind would flash back to happier times in Lothering when all five of the Hawke's were together again. It was hard to believe that there were only two of them left now. They couldn't be angry with each other forever.
Lana smiled at the Templars guarding the doors to the Gallows as she approached. First time I've ever done that, she joked to herself. She paused before them.
"I'm...here to see my sister," she said. When the guards exchanged a confused look she added, "Bethany Hawke?"
Suddenly a look of recognition overcame them.
"Ah yes," the Templar on the right answered, nodding, "You must be the Champion, Serah. My apologies...I had assumed you were a man."
"Excuse me?" Lana replied, frowning. "My breasts speak for themselves, don't you think?" The young Templar spluttered and stuttered as he tried unsuccessfully not to stare at the top of Lana's shirt where a decent amount of cleavage was showing. He realised how his words had sounded.
"No, Serah...I –I mean yes, Serah...They're very nice breasts...That's to say...Sorry, Serah...I simply meant...I-I had no idea the Champion of Kirkwall would be a woman...The stories, My Lady. They say you defeated the Arishok in single combat, cutting off his horned head with a broken dagger!"
Lana held in her laugh at the two blushing Templar recruits. She rather enjoyed making men flustered. She remembered Isabela used to do it all the time and it always looked like fun. Of course the pirate would, more often than not, bed them afterwards. That wasn't Lana's style though (not with men anyway). She pretended to think for a minute, then nodded, "Hmm...Yeah that sounds about right. Tough big bastard he was," she joked. The other Templar looked at her in awe.
"And is it true," he asked, "that you once arm wrestled with a Darkspawn ogre during the Blight and then rode the Arch Demon into the Battle of Denerim with the Hero of Ferelden, before helping her kill it?"
Lana's eyebrows narrowed, and a curious smile appeared on her face, "Umm...sure," she replied, rather liking that one. Someone had clearly put a lot of thought into it.
The Templars looked at each other in disbelief. The one on the right continued, his eyes almost popping out of his head in awe.
"And is it also true," he asked eagerly, "that you danced the Rim of Gold naked on the top of the Frostback Mountains after downing a full barrel of ale and seducing a ship full of pirates, stealing their treasure?!"
Lana's frown deepened. "Eh...that one I don't remember," she said, beginning to curse the rumours.
Since saving Kirkwall from the Qunari she had become something of a celebrity in Kirkwall, even though many didn't even know who she was (and clearly that she was in fact a 'she'). The nobles had taken notice and were constantly inviting her to social events and calling for her to be Viscount, while Lowtown men and woman insisted on buying her drinks in The Hanged Man. The drinks always sounded more appealing. Rumours had been spreading throughout the city about her 'accomplishments' and many people came to her for confirmation. Their eyes lit up with reverence as they asked about a certain battle, or seductive as they asked her of a certain sexual encounter, or in general people just wanted to hear her speak to them so as they could run and tell their friends they were friends with the Champion of Kirkwall. Lana played along for the most part, rather enjoying some of the stories. Others though, were just downright disturbing.
"Well, gentlemen, I can't say it hasn't been fun," she said, addressing the Templars once more, "But I have a meeting with my little sister which I have been waiting for for four years."
"Yes, Serah, my apologies," the Templar on the right said, "Knight Commander Meredith's office is just up the set of stairs to your left inside."
"Thank you," Hawke replied happily, walking through the door the other Templar held open for her.
As she made her way to the Knight-Commander's office she smiled to herself. Varric had been very busy telling stories it seemed. At least his were something she could feel proud of. I must remember to buy him a drink in The Hanged Man later...and also ask him who invented the Rim of Gold story. Lana reached out and opened the door to the Knight-Commander's office. She had expected Bethany to be sitting waiting for her, having given word days in advance that she would be coming today at this time. What greeted her though, was a rather unpleasant looking Knight-Commander Meredith.
"Champion," she greeted her, looking up from where she sat at her desk, "Please sit down."
The smile slid from Lana's face. She stayed on her feet.
"Where's Bethany?" she asked, feeling uneasy all of a sudden. The Knight-Commander got to her feet and stared out of the barred window of her office. A few moments of silence passed between them.
"Your sister decided she does not want to see you," Meredith said, her back to Hawke. "I am sorry."
"What?!" Lana blurted out, "What are you talking about?"
Meredith turned back to Lana then. "I offered her the opportunity to receive a visitor but she refused. She asked me to pass on a message instead."
"Which is?" Lana demanded, feeling angry all of a sudden. Meredith's jaw tightened. She stared into Hawke's troubled eyes.
"'I never want to see you again,'" she said, "'I can't forgive you for mother's death and my life is better off in the Gallows away from all the pain you have caused.'"
Hawke's mouth fell open. She slowly dropped onto the nearest chair, feeling the wind knocked out of her. Bethany said that? How could she?
"I am sorry, Serah," Meredith said in her cold voice. She didn't seem sorry at all. Lana looked up at her in confusion.
"I don't understand," she said, "Bethany...she wanted to talk. She told me so herself."
"Did she though?" Meredith countered. Hawke hesitated then. Her head dropped. She though back to after her duel with the Arishok a few days previous. She had opened her mouth to speak to Bethany, to work things out between them...But Bethany had silenced her. 'Not here Sister', she said. Had Lana misread her words? She had taken 'not here' to mean that they were indeed going to talk, only later when they were alone instead of in front of half the nobles in Kirkwall. Technically, the Knight-Commander was right. Bethany hadn't exactly said she wanted to talk. Lana had just assumed.
"Why would she do this to me?" Lana asked, looking back up at the Knight-Commander. "It doesn't make any sense..."
"I think her words were clear, Champion. She blames you for Leandra Hawke's death," Meredith answered harshly, "I offered you this visit as a privilege for protecting this city from the Qunari. Your sister has refused."
Hawke shook her head, still trying to come to terms with this. Bethany was never one to just shut her out completely. Even when they were little she could never stay angry for long. Sooner of later Lana would do something to make her laugh or hug her in apology and she would forgive her for what ever had happened between them. This was just so unlike her to not give her the chance to ask for forgiveness. Something fishy was going on.
Hawke stared into Meredith's eyes, considering her for a second. Something wasn't right here. "I hope for your sake, Knight-Commander," she said suspiciously, " that nothing has happened to my sister."
"Are you threatening me, Champion?" Meredith replied, amused. Lana knew then that her instincts had been right.
"Yes," she replied intimidating, "I am."
Knight-Commander Meredith leaned back on her giant, throne-like chair and laughed evilly.
"Do you know who I am?" she threatened back, unfazed by the fearless killer before her.
Lana got to her feet and leaned over the giant table that separated her and the Knight-Commander. "Someone very stupid if you think you can mess with my family," she said dangerously, her eyes narrowing. "If there is so much as a hair out-of-place on my sister's head, you are the first one I will be coming for."
The smile slid off the Knight-Commander's face then. She got to her feet as well, leaning over the table until their faces were only inches apart.
"I'd be careful about what you say, Champion," she replied through gritted teeth. "Or your sister may find a little poison tipped into her morning porridge. Wouldn't that be fun?"
Lana growled in fury and raised her hand, grabbing the Knight-Commander by the throat. Suddenly she felt the point of a blade pressed up against her bad ribs. Her hand on the Knight's Commander's neck didn't tighten, but she didn't let go either.
"I'm warning you, Commander," she snarled, "Leave my sister alone or poison will be the least of your worries. A dagger in the side will not be enough to keep me from you."
"And I'm warning you, Champion," Meredith replied roughly, "Your sister's life depends entirely on your actions right now. If you want her safe then you will do exactly as I say. I'm in charge here."
Lana stared at her for several seconds before reluctantly releasing her hand from around Meredith's neck. The Knight-Commander sat back down then, gesturing for Hawke to do the same.
"So what was the point of this charade?" Lana asked, "Make me think my sister had abandoned me and then you swoop in and be the hero?"
"Pah!" Meredith spat, "Don't be stupid, Hawke. I had originally intended to let you see her. That was before I realised that it would be a mistake on my part, considering the company you keep. In this present climate I cannot allow anyone with affiliation to mages pass information into the Circle to incite rebellions within."
"That's what you think I wanted to see her for?" Lana asked in disbelief. "I couldn't give a damn about your dispute with the mages! I just wanted to see my damn sister!"
"Seen your friend Anders recently?" she asked. Hawke said nothing, realising what she was getting at then. Anders had been responsible for Bethany being in the Gallows in the first place. He also helped heal Hawke in front of everyone after her fight with the Arishok. In the heat of the moment he had a complete disregard for his own safety and exposed his magic to help save Lana's life. Suddenly it struck Lana. Meredith had known about him all along. She was just waiting for the right time to play her hand. Hawke didn't realise up until that point that Anders had really cared about making up for his mistake with Bethany. So much so that he preformed illegal magic in front of Templars and half the population of Kirkwall just to try to make things right between them.
"Exactly," Knight-Commander Meredith replied, knowing she had Hawke exactly where she wanted her. "If you want your friend to continue the life of an apostate and for your sister to see tomorrow...you are going to do something for me."
"Hmm, sorry but you're not really my type," Lana said sarcastically, "I prefer women with...backbone."
Meredith laughed, "Then I wouldn't suggest the Blooming Rose either. As tempting an offer as that is, that's not what I meant."
Hawke got to her feet and walked towards the door. "Good," she replied, "Then there are no other services I am offering. I won't be blackmailed by some wench who thinks she runs the city."
Meredith wasn't fooled. She got to her feet as well. "You'd really turn your back on you little sister like that?" she mocked.
Lana turned back, "She turned her back on me remember?" she joked, referring to Meredith's attempted lie. Hawke turned on her heel and left.
"I'll be in touch," Meredith called after her, knowing she had won. The Champion of Kirkwall was now firmly in her pocket.
As soon as Lana stormed out of the Gallows she headed towards The Hanged Man in a fury. That bitch is going to pay for this! She had been so excited to see her sister and work things out and now because of some stupid Mage-Templar dispute that chance had been stolen for her. Then there was Anders. The mage had put himself in danger for her out of guilt and now she was not only responsible for Bethany's fate but his. Maker knows what the Knight-Commander wanted her for. The Templar leader was in the strongest position in Kirkwall right now. What could the Champion do that she or her Templars could not? Lana had a feeling it had something to do with mages. The thought made her feel uneasy. Where mages were involved, there was always trouble.
Finally reaching The Hanged Man, Lana pushed open the door forcefully and walked straight to the bar.
"Good day, Serah Hawke," Corff greeted her, "What can I get you?"
"The Knight-Commander's head?" she replied bitterly. Corff laughed.
"Didn't think she was your type, Hawke," Varric's voice interrupted. He climbed onto a nearby stool and smirked up at Lana.
"Not that kind of 'head', Varric," she replied, sniggering, "Though would you believe that I did consider sleeping with her today in exchange for my sister and Anders' lives?"
"WHAT?" Both Corff and Varric blurted out in disbelief. Hawke turned to the bartender.
"Umm...little privacy here, Corff?" she asked.
"Sorry," he replied. Lana watched him pour her a large whiskey and leave the rest of the bottle on the counter before walking off to serve another customer.
"So what's this about?" Varric asked, confused. Lana held up a hand stopping him. She then knocked back the jigger of whiskey in one and slammed the mug back down onto the counter.
"Ok, now I'm ready..."
Varric laughed. "That bad, huh?"
"Worse," Lana replied, "The bitch wouldn't let me see Bethany. She tried to feed me some crackpot old story about her not forgiving me about mother's death blah blah blah...Then I realised she was full of shit, grabbed her by the throat and she held a dagger to me...Anyway, basically I'm now in the pocket of the power-hungry, Knight-Commander who is willing to kill Bethany and stick Anders in the Gallows if I don't do as she asks."
Shaking her head, Lana poured herself another whiskey and knocked it back as Varric sat trying to process her rushed story.
"Maker's Breath, Hawke," he said with a small laugh, seeing how on edge she was, "You never do get a fair end of a deal."
"Tell me about it," she replied, exhaling.
"And your story telling is horrendous," the dwarf joked, "You went about as quick as a woman running from Gamlen."
Lana snorted into her drink and began to laugh. "Sorry," she said, "I just couldn't be bothered going into detail. I'm still ready to go back and throttle her."
Varric chuckled. He helped himself to a mug of Lana's whiskey and turned to see Lana's face fall as she began to calm down.
"Sorry about Bethany," he said, "I know you were looking forward to seeing her again."
Hawke nodded bitterly, "Well...I've wait four years to talk to her...Guess I can wait a bit longer. That is if she doesn't die in the process."
"Just do as the Knight-Commander asks," Varric said, "Even if she only wants you for sexual favours."
"Already offered. She wasn't interested," Lana joked. Varric laughed.
"How dare she?" he teased, "A fine-looking woman such as yourself."
Lana turned to him with a smirk, "Well, well," she began, "So it's finally out in the open? I always knew you had a thing for me Varric."
The dwarf chuckled, "I may have...noticed your dashing good looks and pretty brown eyes...but you're no Bianca. There's only one woman in my life, Hawke, and that's her."
Hawke laughed, "How romantic," she replied, "You never did tell me the story of how Bianca got her name."
"And I never will," he replied, "Bianca is the only story I'll never tell."
"Ooo, now I want to know even more," she joked. The dwarf gave her a cheeky grin and a wink.
"Exactly."
Both of them laughed and knocked back another shot of whiskey.
"Speaking of stories," Lana began, "I must thank you for the Arch Demon and Ogre arm wrestling one. I rather enjoyed it."
Varric laughed. "Don't mention it. It started off simple then just started to snowball. I may add more to it later. It's one of my favourites too."
"However," Hawke said, holding up a finger of warning, "The dancing naked one on the Frostback Mountains to the Rim of Gold? Please tell me that wasn't you..."
The dwarf gave her a guilty look.
"VARRIC!"
He began to laugh. "Sorry Hawke. I was drunk. Anyway, it's not like I could make you the perfect soldier in all of them. People will start to believe I'm just making it all up!"
Lana laughed, "Oh Varric," she chuckled, shaking her head, "Don't ever change."
"Right back at you," the dwarf said, raising his mug. Hawke raised hers and toasted with him. They both knocked back the whiskey and Lana refilled their mugs.
"So...Heard anything?" she asked. Varric didn't need to ask about what. Lana had asked him the same question every day since the Qunari had left Kirkwall.
"You're not going to like this," he said. Hawke turned to him, glad he had some news but knowing it wouldn't be good. The dwarf hesitated before continuing. "Her rooms been emptied. Corff told me she checked out that very same night. She's gone Hawke...I'm sorry."
...Anders' voice brought Lana back from her memories. He handed her a mug of whiskey and seated himself on the chair beside hers. Lana's face fell, still absorbed in her thoughts. She stared down into the honey coloured liquid in her mug and swirled it around miserably. So Isabela had meant what she said. The pirate had left without even a goodbye all those years ago. Lana hoped wherever she went she was at least happy. She couldn't deal with the idea that she would never see her again but didn't want to be the reason why Isabela was emotionally unavailable, not when the pirate realised that she could indeed love someone again. If the Rivaini thought that time apart from Lana would do her good then Hawke had to let her go. This wasn't what Isabela wanted, and Lana felt guilty for making her fall in love with her, as stupid as that sounded. It seemed like a lifetime ago that they were just flirting back and forth and playing games with each other when they had just met. What Lana wouldn't give to go back to those days where everything was so uncomplicated between them. She missed their jokes, the pranks they played on Aveline, the endless drunken nights in The Hanged Man with Bethany and Varric, playing cards and gambling, getting into brawls...Maker, those were the days. Now, three years on, Lana realised that she didn't just love Isabela like a lover, she loved having her as a friend as well. Without her, nothing was the same, and it never would be again.