Ch. 2
Fenris found himself walking Kirkwall a lot at night. He was unsure why, but he did. He was well aware of the dangers. There were many factions of bandits and mercenaries running the streets. Fenris did not find them a true danger though. The shades of darkness convinced the normal citizens who graced the streets during the day to take shelter. It was calmer that way. No bustle of people rushing to the shops to buy the wares of busy merchants. No kids running and screaming chasing one another. Only blissful silence. Occasionally a group of bandits would attack him, but it was nothing he couldn't handle.
He did not tell Hawke, however, she would worry, and scold him for his carelessness. He did not know if she didn't realize that her companions could hold their own, or if she was just being too overly concerned.
Sometimes he caught himself standing outside her mansion. He'd lean against the wall and listen closely to the noises inside. He would not admit it, not even to himself, but he shared her worry. However, he worried only about her. She had made a lot of enemies, and he knew that not one of them would hesitate to end her life. Being that he lived closest to her out of the entire group he felt the need to make sure she was alright.
After he managed to determine that Hawke was certainly alright he would move on through Hightown, walking until he ended up at either the Hanged Man in Lowtown or the steps of the Chantry.
That night was different though. As Fenris rounded the corner towards Hawke's mansion he saw a figure standing in the door way. The lamp light was no help in allowing him to identify the figure. He reached up grabbing the hilt of his great sword as he moved slowly towards the shadow. It sat on the steps and made a motion. He squinted as he walked slowly and quietly. As he moved closer he noticed that it was Hawke, and she didn't seem too happy. He released his grip on his sword.
"Hawke?" he asked stopping in front of her.
"Fenris?" she asked looking up. She was holding a bottle of wine in her hand. "What are you doing out so late at night?"
He shrugged.
"I take late walks a lot."
She waved him to sit. He obeyed.
"What are you doing out here?" he asked her as she handed him the bottle of wine. He took a drink.
"I'm just getting some fresh air. No crime in that is there?!" she practically snapped. It was clear she had been drinking more than just this freshly opened bottle.
"You're drunk," Fenris stated the obvious. He frowned.
She sighed.
"I know. I'm sorry." She looked down.
Fenris was unsure as to what to do in that situation.
"Are… you alright?" he asked.
She smiled to herself.
"I'm fine. I was just at the Hanged Man all night…"
He raised his eyebrows.
"Hawke, come on, perhaps we should get you to bed." He stood and took her arm, pulling her to her feet.
"But I don't want to go to bed," she objected frowning.
"Come on." He tugged her towards the door as he opened it. "Let's get you to bed." He pulled her inside, and shut the door. "Where's the Dwarf?" he asked.
She giggled.
"In bed."
"And why is that funny?" Fenris asked as he looked down at her without amusement.
"Because he's so short." She laughed.
Fenris shook his head.
"Isn't escorting you to your bedroom Anders's job?" he snarked.
"What is that supposed to mean?" she asked frowning.
"It means nothing. Now come." He pulled her causing her to lose her balance. She fell into his chest. He grasped her close to keep her upright. She smiled up at him. Her breath smelt of alcohol. He grasped her waist and moved her away from him. He wrapped his hand around her wrist and led her upstairs. He opened her bedroom door. It was dark inside. "Go to bed."
She shook her head and smiled almost teasingly.
"Walk me to it?" she teased.
"No." he said sternly with a frown.
"Pleeeease."
"No." he repeated.
Hawke grabbed his hand, and stared up at him with wide blue eyes.
"Please Fenris," she begged with a gentle yet slurred voice.
Something about her sky gaze softened him. He sighed.
"Fine," he agreed taking her arm and leading her to the bed. He sat her down.
"Now go to bed."
"Aw," she wined. He pushed her down gently and handed her the cover.
"Goodnight Hawke," he said. He spun quickly and escaped the room.
"Fenris!" she called after him, but he didn't turn back. He left the house as quickly as he could.
Anders sat alone in the Hanged Man. It was early morning, not necessarily a time for the normal patrons. Hawke had asked him to meet her there so that they could go meet with the Viscount. It was well past when they were to meet, but neither she, nor had the moody Elf and Chantry brother had arrived yet. Was he the only one ever on time for anything?
He sighed and leaned back in his chair.
"Still good, buddy?" the barman asked from behind the counter.
"Yes, thank you," the Mage answered with a sigh.
The creek of the front door brought him relief, but annoyance burned him when he saw it was only Sebastian Vael. Well, it could be worse. It could have been Fenris.
Sebastian looked around. Anders was unsure if the holy man had ever been in a bar before. His aqua eyes found the Apostate. He moved cautiously across the wooden floor.
"Blessed Andraste," he said sitting carefully across from Anders, "this place is so incredibly unsavory.
'Remind me again why Hawke invited you to come along,' the Mage thought shaking his head.
"Careful you don't want to get that fancy armor dirty," he said instead.
"Eh it's sticky."
"It's always sticky," Fenris said from behind Anders, startling him just a bit. Curses, that Elf was silent… probably because he didn't wear shoes. The Warrior sat in the chair on the other side of the table.
"And the group hangs out here all the time?" Sebastian questioned.
"Most commonly," Fenris answered.
"Why?"
The Elf shrugged.
"I am…unsure. Isabela and Varric are fond of this place."
"Does it really matter?" Anders asked shaking his head.
"Does anything really matter to you?" Fenris asked narrowing his green eyes. "Besides your 'plight of Mages.' I mean."
"Of course!" He tried to control his anger. "Ugh where is Hawke?"
"Why would I know?"
"You live in Hightown."
"I don't see how that makes me her keeper."
"Men, please," Sebastian butted in. "You two should really consider the words of the Maker…"
"Don't start with your religious babble," Anders snapped.
Sebastian stood. The man was peaceful, and even in the face of conflict he turned the other cheek.
"I'll be outside praying for the both of you," he said spinning around and walking out the door.
Anders didn't usually let Fenris get to him… at least not for small things like that.
The two men sat there, glaring down one another.
"So why don't we talk about the fact that you let a spirit possess you?" Fenris started with a smug look on his face.
"Shut up, Fenris," Anders warned.
"Did you know that that makes you an Abomination?"
"So help me."
"Ok, what did I miss?" Hawke asked appearing in the doorway. Sebastian was behind her. He had obviously told her all about the argument.
"Hawke finally," Anders said standing.
"About time," Fenris grumbled getting up from his seat.
Hawke looked exhausted. Her normally perfect auburn hair was pulled into a loose, low pony tail. Her make-up looked like it hadn't been freshened that morning. Her blue eyes were dull and highlighted with dark puffy circles.
"Come on I'm sure the Viscount has lost his patients," their leader said. She waved her hand and left the bar.
Hawke hated talking to Seneschal Bran. He was so moody and seemed unhappy with everything. Even Fenris was lovely compared to the Seneschal. Unfortunately for her a lot of the dealings when working with the Viscount involved him.
This time a Qunari delegate and his entourage had come to visit the Viscount, and after a nice talk vanished on their trek back to the compound. Who else to go to to resolve this but Hawke?
"You have information about the Qunari?" Hawke asked the Seneschal.
"I am to help you, yes. Viscount Dumar would appreciate discretion in this matter. I'd prefer if you were not involved at all, but that is neither here nor there."
"You have your suspicions then?"
"It would seem that the City Guard would have known about this, and a number of them have not reported in. I believe that perhaps they are involved. You should start with one of them. Although I do not know where you'd find a swordsman so eager to sell his honor."
Everyone paused.
Anders shrugged.
"The Hanged Man," he said.
"The Hanged Man," Fenris agreed.
"Even I knew that," Sebastian added.
"Then you know where to look."
Hawke turned eagerly and rushed away from the Seneschal. She could not get away from him fast enough. His cold demeanor gave her chills.
"If this so heavily involves the Guard should we maybe involve Aveline?" Sebastian asked from behind the Mage.
"Perhaps that would be the best idea. Go tell her to meet me there tonight would you?" Hawke asked the archer.
He nodded.
"Of course."
The remaining three exited the Viscount's Keep and headed through Hightown.
Anders moved to the front, keeping pace with their leader.
"Hawke, are you alright?" he asked with a concerned look.
"I'm fine, Anders," she said. "I did not have a good night last night."
"Do you even remember it?" Fenris asked from behind.
"Nooot really," she said.
"Is there something I should know?" the Apostate asked.
"Hawke had too much to drink last night," Fenris answered.
"How do you know?"
"I found her on her front steps with wine." Hawke turned to him slightly. He couldn't stifle his gentle smile, but as quickly as it came he wiped it away. "She made me help her to bed." There was a tinge of something in his voice, but Hawke didn't know what.
She blushed. Anders outwardly ignored it, but inside he felt turmoil.
"Do you have a hangover, sweetheart?" he asked turning to her and halting his pace. Hawke stopped and turned to him.
"Just a small one," she admitted.
Fenris stood facing them both with his arms crossed.
"Oh well I can help with that."
He put a hand to her forehead and a blue glow emanated for a few seconds. He dropped his arm to Hawke's shoulder and smiled.
"Better?" he asked.
"Much." Hawke's grin was large.
"Perhaps a public display of magic is not wise," Fenris said scowling. "I would love to see Anders get dragged away by Templars kicking and screaming, but I don't want to see Hawke get in trouble for harboring an Apostate." He smiled at the female Mage.
"Oh, Fenris, how very kind of you to concern yourself with my problems," Anders said sarcastically.
"Come on you two lets go find something to do while we wait for night. If the Guardsman is going to be at the Hanged Man it will probably be at then," Hawke said. She spun and headed off. The men shared a hazel glare before following her.