Fenris walked away, though Jennifer did not blame him. Hawke moved to intervene, confront Fenris again for walking away. Jennifer stopped him with a hand on his arm and a smile. "This is my fault. When I can-" If I can. She watched as the leather clad warrior shook out the agitated lyrium that lined his body. "I will talk to him."
Hawke looked down at her, looking for the sadness that came before and when he found non, he nodded slightly and spoke with Isabela and Tallis, who had just slit the throat of the Tal-Vashoth leader. "We need to find Salit. The exchange is going to happen any moment at the ruins."
"If that's the case we're headed the wrong direction." Jennifer hugged as she looked down at her soiled dress. "I need my armor." She grumbled before turning and walking with the others. They hurried through the hunting grounds and came upon the ruins. Tallis looked around and whispered to Hawke before clamoring along the dilapidated walls, the stone crumbling from time.
They watched as Salit, a brusque Qunari with decorated horns and facial hair, handed Duke Prosper a scroll, the nobleman gazed upon the scroll and glared at the Tal-Vashoth. "Names? What need do I have of names?" He asked angrily.
"You asked for a weapon. A weapon is what you have been given." Salit ansered. The Duke handed the scroll to a green leather clad chevalier and began negotiations, till Hawke, Fenris, Isabela and Jennifer walked up to the Duke.
The battle waged on. Chevalier and Tal Vashoth alike falling prey to weapon and poison. Everyone was tired. Jennifer who had grabbed weapons from the dead around her had fought long and hard, dodging the little 'tricks' the Duke Prosper had taught his pet, Leopold. Her body sagged, barely keeping the ax and dagger aloft. As Fenris swiped at the wyvern, the Duke aimed his wrist crossbow and smirked wickedly at Jennifer firing a bold and splattering Jennifer with the green ichor substance Leopold loved so well.
Jennifer stood at the edge of the cliff, watching her footing as she watched Leopold as well. The wyvern pawed at the ground, hissing deep in his throat as Duke Prosper urged it to charge. The creature opened its giant maw, poisoned spittle dripping from his mandibles. Duke Prosper laughed at Leopold lunged, with teeth knashing, tail whipping about furiously, he neared closer and closer, Fenris was saying something, in the distance, she knew he was, she just couldn't hear what, the sound of blood rushing in her ears.
Jennifer saw a flash and Leopold made his final lunge. Jennifer dove away as he reached her, taking him and the Duke Prosper over the edge of the cliff, she moved to deftly on her side, but Leopold's tail curled in fright as he toppled over the cliff, catching Jennifer by the ankle and sending her over the edge with them.
-ooo-
Fenris screamed, a horror filled sound ripped from his chest as everything slowed. His steps, his cries, his heart, time itself seemed to stand still as if to reserve this moment in time, just for this one – heart rending moment. Shock streaked across his features as he fell to the ground, on his hands and knees.
"Hey! A little help?" Jennifer cried out waving her hand just over the plateau of the cliff. Quicker than light, Fenris darted to the edge of the precipice. He caught Jennifer's fingers in his own, heat blossomed within the veins of lyrium causing them to ignite in a white light. Shocked and startled, Jennifer went to cover her eyes and let go with her other hand. Fenris held fast, his other hand coming to grip her under the arm as he hoisted her to the safety of the plateau.
The others ran to them, slowing at the scene playing out before them. Fenris held onto Jennifer tightly. His clawed gauntlets digging into the thick leather corset. Jennifer chuckled nervously, thought her hands still slithered up his leather clad, well muscled back. She rested her head onto Fenris' shoulder, savoring the flex of his back, the one- two thud of his strong heart and the scent of cloves, sinnamon and lyrium.
Hawke, the turd, cleared his throat, ruining the moment and causing Fenris to walk away, the tips of his ears bright red.
Jennifer glared at Hawke before a slow smile bloomed across her lips, pulling one from the steel clad warrior.
Tallis explained that the scroll was a list of names of qunari converts, a dangerous thing indeed. They said their goodbyes, and Hawke winked at Tallis as she turned to leave. It was a long trek back to Cumberland. The mountain top cooling quickly despite the summer season. Bartering for a ship to Kirkwall was made only slightly easier by Isabela's knowledge. Jennifer bought spare garb at a merchant's shop, swearing to the Maker that she was not leaving the bath for a month.
-ooo-
They loaded the ship to Kirkwall. Isabela grinned at the fresh open ocean air. Fenris stalked up the plank and onto the deck to his cabin. Jennifer smiled at Hawke, giving him a peck on the cheek before following the hyper sensitive elf off the deck. His cabin was shared with Hawke, Jennifer kicked even though the door was already ajar. "Come in." Came Fenris' gruff reply. Jennifer huffed out a fortifying breath before opening the planked door and stepping inside.
"H-Hi." She greeted nervously, slightly closing the door, but leaving it open, knowing Fenris would want an escape. He nodded in kind, removing his blade and placing it against the wall while leaning on the worn nail down desk.
They stood there. Jennifer thought frantically of what to say, unknownst to her, she paced and mumbled quietly to herself. When Fenris gripped her shoulder tightly, she winced but turned to face him. "Stop muttering and speak plainly." He growled.
"I don't mutter." Jennifer groused but sighed, bowing her head. Her reddish brown bangs falling in her face. "I know that what I did was horrible. I'm sorry if it caused you pain, and I know you're angry." Fenris began to speak, but Jennifer held up her hand with a smile. "But –I'm not sorry for doing it. I never will be. To have you die-" Her voice faltered. "You were so close." She whispered, her voice breaking and she blinked quickly. "Your skin was so pale and I couldn't- I didn't have the power, the knowledge." She wiped at her eyes before smiling once again. "I'm just so thankful you're here, and able to yell at me. Right now, it's the loveliest sound in the-" Fenris cut her off once again with a kiss. He pulled her tightly against him, splaying his fingers along her spin. When he pulled back,, their breaths puffed between the two of them. And for the first time in what seemed like forever, Fenris smiled. "You talk too much."
Jennifer answered with a smile. "I agree- talking is far overrated." She brought her lips back to his and her tongue pressed against his lips asking- pleading – for entry. Fenris growled low and deep, a heady rumble within his chest as he ushered Jennifer towards the bunk beds in the cabin. Jennifer paused, pulling her fingers back from his platinum locks. She held his face gently in her hands as he looked at her questioningly. Her thumb brushed against his ear and he leaned into the touch. "I want you to wait. I want you, dear Maker, I do. But I can wait for you, I want you to be sure, I want you to choose. Tus sum ego."
Fenris inhaled quickly, leaning his head against hers. "Anima mea." He whispered as he stepped back. "I will not keep you waiting." He sighed heavily.
Jennifer smiled brightly before stepping back. 'See that you don't! I'm not a patient girl." She winked and stepped out of the cabin and into the cool ocean breeze.
AN: So FenxJen is going to be placed on the back burner, but don't worry they'll be back, you can find more fun with AndersxJen in Which Witchling. Later my lovelies.