Chapter 23 - Timing Is Everything
A/N Sorry about the too long gap between the last chapter and this one, among other things I really wasn't sure where I wanted to go with this, but I hope I've done it justice. Hope you like, and thank you again for reading. I'm as always, in awe of you all.
Please note that there's a bit of violence towards pregnant Natalia in this chapter (sorry but can't help the angst...) but nothing too graphic, so please be warned.
Drumming her fingers on the less than clean table, sighing heavily and then starting to trace her fingers over the scarred wood, Natalia looks again towards her brother whose lap was currently full of his new found love.
Trying to wipe that particular image from her mind, she thinks back to the last two weeks and lets out a rather large smile, which dims slightly when the thought pops in that there was only one solitary day left until he, along with Alexia, had to travel the long journey back to the Warden headquarters.
Sitting at their regular table in The Hanged Man, ignoring the shouts and boisterous laughter of the other patrons, she stops tapping the table for fear of splinters, then rests her chin on her hand and huffs out a breath, concentrating on the bead of water running down her full mug of ginger ale, trying to take her mind off the inevitable loss she'll feel once they're gone.
Yes, he'd only been back for a short while, but it had instantly felt like home was more of a home to her, like the cramped old days back in Lothering, well, obviously not so cramped, but the constant noise and laughter comforted her no end.
It hadn't all been sunshine and happy days back then, as there had been bad times, but the overriding feeling that remained from her life back in Ferelden was happiness, filled with a mother and fathers unconditional love and the closeness she'd felt particularly with her Father, especially when her magic had been discovered aged eight.
Her life had irrevocably changed one freezing night during Firstfall.
Her mother has asked her to get some water from the tiny well in their garden, but it had frozen over and without thinking, had touched the ice with her hands and melted the thick layer of ice a heartbeat.
Filled with fear, she'd dropped the water bucket and had ran to her father in floods of tears, where he'd hushed her crying and after getting her to explain, had sighed heavily, sadness shadowing his eyes, but he'd hugged her tightly and told her everything would be okay.
When she'd been older he had told her he wouldn't have wished it on any of his children, but was so glad that he could teach her all he knew, and that he'd been proud of her for being so strong and that as long as she wielded her magic with a kind heart she'd be okay.
After sharing this with Fenris, he had done much to ease the heartache knowing how emotional she'd be - from surprise foot rubs that escalated into full blown lovemaking, to ginger sweets - she'd loved it all thoroughly.
It had actually been Fenris who had suggested that she go out for a few drinks that afternoon(non alcoholic for her or course) to spend what little time she had together with her baby brother, so that's how the three of them found themselves in the dingy inn.
He was up to something though, as he was positively smirking when they'd said goodbye at their front door.
"Hmm..." she thinks. "Wonder if its anything from the now thoroughly used book?" A small shiver makes its way down her back at that thought. As soon as he'd known he wouldn't hurt her or their children, they'd not been able to keep their hands, mouths and everything else off of each other. Things were finally back to normal, no more Mr Broody, thank the Maker.
However her current mood was tinged with slight nausea, having had to sit through nearly an hour of giggles and whispering between the two lovebirds opposite her, she looked at the mug in front of her and fleetingly wondered how much of the ginger ale would cool them both down.
Shifting in the hard wooden seat, feeling every knot in the wood digging into her back, she suddenly sits up and stands slowly, with a quiet cough she informs them "Hey, I'm off to the privy, try not to miss me too much!"
Alexia looks up at her and turns bright red, as if she'd just realised they were out in public. "Shit sorry Natalia...need company?"
"Ah, no thank you. I think I can make it to the loo without fail, you two go back to whatever it is you were doing." Smirking as soon as she turns away from them, as now Carver had turned a rather lovely shade of brick red too.
It was so easy to embarrass them at this point in their relationship, besides its a bit of payback for making even the children resting in her belly feel indigestion at their blatant display the past hour or so.
"Want another drink then?" Alexia gracefully steps up off of Carver's lap and makes her way to the bar after Natalia's slight nod.
Her brother sits up and takes a long drink of his ale and also offers an apology for not taking much notice of his own sister until now. "Um...sorry 'Talia, promise we'll speak more when you get back to the table, but this thing with Lex, its just...I've never felt like this before, I 'spose I now know how you feel about Fenris. I'm happy for you...finding someone, I mean, and I'm glad - that you're not alone in all this."
Its such a sweet thing for her normally less than eloquent sibling to come out with that tears form in her eyes and she halts her steps, turns round and envelops him in a quick hug, whispering into his ear "I know, and I'm glad too that you've finally found someone who makes you happy. Yep, we'll talk a little more as I really need to get to the privy."
He squeezes her arm as she releases him and leaves and makes her way upstairs. Out of the corner of his vision, spies Alexia walking slowly towards him, being careful not to spill their drinks.
"Here you are...hey is everything okay?" As she can't help but notice his slightly glassy eyes. Smiling softly he pulls the chair next to him closer and pats it and as she sits down next to him. "Yeah I'm good, just realising what we both have I guess."
"I'm sure 'Talia needs to go be sick from the both of us, I know its not fair on her as I get to keep you and we've only one more night left, so we'll have to cool it for a bit...but I can't seem to keep my hands off you."
Running her hand down his leg she smiles widely, not saying a word but grasps her drink with her other hand and leans back in her chair, still resting her hand on his thigh, takes a sip.
Meeting his gaze, they sit in comfortable silence.
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Skirting round the ominous dark patches shadowing the floor just outside the loo, after relieving the pressure on her bladder and washing, she starts to make her way back to the table, noticing but thinking nothing, of two well built men loitering outside in the narrow dark hall.
Its not until she's virtually passed the both of them, that one of them moves fast and grabs hold of her, pressing a jagged, rusty knife to her neck, with his other meaty had wrapped round her arm, he pushes until her back is against the wall.
The other man, who was obviously acting as a lookout, whispers harshly in the relative quiet of the corridor "Would ya make it quick Will!"
The shock of the attack renders her speechless for a moment, one of her hands comes up automatically to shield her stomach. The only thing running through her mind is how she has to get away for her babies sake. Pulling on her mana she waits for an opportunity so as not to goad her attacker into using the knife.
He's someone she's never seen before, but Kirkwall is large with new folk arriving off and on.
After the Qunari invasion, the city guard had tightened security at the main entrances, but there were no guarantees to prevent the odd stray getting into the city.
During the last few years, Natalia and her group had made the streets if not entirely safe, that little bit better, but there were always the dregs of society trying to bring their own brand of filth into a city, especially when there were new criminals willing to fill the gaps.
He was very close to her and she noticed, faintly registering the strong stench of aged sweat, that he had a rather plain, forgettable face. In any other circumstance, she probably wouldn't have remembered him if it wasn't for the large, angry and deep scar running over one side of his face, which was something she'd never forget.
That thought alone sent a shocking deep cold fear running down her spine, and at once she knew that this was a situation she would have no choice but to fight to get out of, because if she knew he was easily recognised, then so did he.
Judging by how he was currently acting, he'd probably spent his life becoming used to getting all he wanted, no matter who got in the way. "Well this is one he won't win." she thought to herself...if only she could get out of this without getting hurt.
Her damn staff was in its usual place lying resting against the table in the entrance hall at home, they'd joked that with two wardens by her side she'd be okay.
Her eyes close in despair and she stifles a sob, as her thoughts run to Fenris, but she opens them mere seconds after, steeling her resolve at what she had - no needed - to do.
When she'd first learnt of her pregnancy, she wanted to stop using her magic to hurt or kill, not wanting to take a life when she was carrying her children, as if the death she'd cause would somehow taint them, but if it came to it, she would fight.
Jumping from his sudden gruff voice as he barked out "Look what we've got 'ere then, if it ain't the bloody knife ear lover - the champion herself!" Still keeping his hands on her he pushes harder against her, as if making sure she can't run, the knife dragging on her skin, turns to his accomplice and snarls "She's no champion of mine though, can't get rid of all the elf shite in this city, she seems to have a soft spot for them, plus she's one of those bloody mages, more than likely used a demon to better 'erself, like they all do!"
His friend chuckles at that comment and keeps his vigil further down the corridor.
He faces her again, leaning ever closer, the stench of his alcohol fuelled breath making the bile rise in her throat, his teeth have all but rotted away but she can't move back despite the revulsion she feels.
Leering closer again, he starts to lower his head as if to kiss her, a small whimper leaving her mouth in protest, but before she can turn her head away they both hear muffled shouts and a soft thud shortly after. The sultry voice that follows is a welcome relief indeed.
"Afternoon all! Here I am bursting for the privy and what do I find - Talia, introduce me to your friend...pretty please?"
Her "friend" stops what he's' doing and snarls again, whirls round to find Isabela standing by the now dead bandit, the pirates face betraying nothing of the immense rage burning inside her. She was twirling a huge, shiny, very pointy looking knife in her hand that she'd love to throw at the bastard, but she had to wait until the perfect moment.
Growling in his own cloud of anger at the intrusion, not really giving a fig about the dead man, he was only a paid lackey after all, he reaches for Hawke and grabbing her, faces the newcomer.
"Better watch yourself bitch, was just getting acquainted with the elf-whore." Putting his hand round her neck he moves behind her, using her as a shield and presses his fingers deep into her throat as a warning, to which Isabela's eyes harden but she doesn't move or speak and continues to balance the knife between her fingers, the silver glint of it shining in the candlelight.
"Now, that is no way to treat a lady, is it Char?" Izzie steps back and lets another woman past.
Hawkes eyes widen in surprise, but the hand at her throat prevents her from speaking.
Before "Will" can utter another word, Charade throws out her hand and a second later the bulky man drops heavily, as he falls to the floor, his hold on Natalia loosens and she's able to wrench herself away from him.
A small black dart is imbedded in his own neck, the virulent poison taking seconds to work its way through his system, as he lies there breathing his last, a small bubble of spittle dribbling from his open mouth.
Both rogues rush towards her before she stumbles and take her gently by the arms, trying to put some distance between them and the would-be murderer.
Her cousin enfolds her in a warm hug as the fear and anger catch up with her and she lets out huge shuddering breaths, small sobs slipping out between each breath. It doesn't help that the mana she'd pulled to fill her body with magic energy, dissipates too fast, leaving her feeling exhausted and shaking.
After a moment they both pull back and 'Talia breaks into a wobbly smile, after wiping her less than dry eyes on her sleeve, recovers her composure long enough to ask "How in the fade are you - when did you get here? I really can't thank you enough, seriously I - I don't know what I would have done - " Her speech is cut off again as she and Charade are caught up in another tight hug, this time by Izzie.
"As much as I'd love to stay and chat, for one we need to get Aveline in here to do something with those arseholes, and two - we need to get you a drink. You need to sit down before you fall down, those poor little ones have probably had a scare too, I know I would with that stench near me." Wrinkling her nose in disgust, she makes to walk back to the main hall, comfortable in the knowledge that her best friend would be looked after.
There's a small shocked gasp and they both look towards Charade who sputters out "Wait - you're pregnant with twins? Dad told me about you being pregnant and all, but obviously forgot to tell me about that - didn't mention it in any of his letters! I'm actually surprised that he didn't - ah well I guess I get more family!" She smiles widely and carefully steers Hawke to make sure she doesn't fall.
The joy that's shown by her cousin, in a large way helps with the very emotional state she finds herself in after all that happened in the last twenty minutes, her throats dry and sore, and she just knows that there'll be bruises in the morning.
Oh blast it - she needs to tell Fenris what happened and her face falls, he was becoming more relaxed and at ease and she fervently hopes and wishes that this doesn't undo all these weeks of bliss. Hopefully she'll have a little moment of two to think about how she's going to approach her beloved - if sometimes over-protective - elf.
As they walk across the main floor back to the table, Carvers face drops as he notices the tear stains and very pale sister, jumps up to meet them. Alexia also stands and moves closer, she knows Izzie well enough and mouths past them "Everything okay?" Looking relieved when she gets a nod in response, but she still looks worriedly towards Natalia.
"Maker, what happened?" He puts his arm around her shoulders and helps her to the chair he'd just vacated. He tips a small measure of his whiskey into an empty mug, only enough for a mouthful and presses it into her shaking hands. "Here, its not much but should help."
He looks up at the two women standing by them and Charade holds out her hand in greeting "Hey cus, I'm Charade, or Char to you, just dropped in for a visit, wasn't expecting this though." Her hand drops as Carver realises whose speaking to him and she trails off at the look on his face, which was actually displaying anger.
Grimacing, his jaw tenses and he opens his mouth to give her an earful, but as usual Natalia knows what he's thinking. "Car - it wasn't her fault, these two guys were just there, I couldn't do anything, she actually helped - if it weren't for her..." Shuddering she finally takes a sip of the alcohol and coughs at its fiery taste.
"Right...ah sorry...we need to get you home - ah shite! Makers balls, what are we going to tell Fenris, he was already adamant that nothing was to happen to you, and he made us promise to look after you." His face actually pales at this thought, but he coughs and straightens as if mentally preparing him for the guaranteed explosion when they finally get to the Hawke estate.
"Well, we'll hang round here til Mrs Man Hands shows up" Crouching down meeting Natalia's gaze, Isabela softly murmurs "You gave me a scare there, just glad that nothing worse happened, please be careful, wouldn't know what I'd do without you." With that she gives her a quick peck on her cheek and moves to stand by Charade.
Natalia is overcome at the sincerity that had shone from the pirates eyes, it was a first for her, that there were no snarky comments, or veiled innuendo. Glancing back up at her she also didn't fail to notice that Izzies fingers had gently grazed her cousins hand, as if in comfort.
Sighing, pretty sure she'll get all the newest gossip later, whether she wanted all the gory details or not, and with a raspy voice, lets everyone know she's ready to go "Well, lets get this over with."