A/N: Hello everyone! So, big news to share! DragonReckoning and I are doing a kinda collab thing. I'm writing the part of Mina, of course, and Dragon will be doing a spin off of a character connected. Soooo, if you wanna keep up both adventures that would be funtastic! Not telling how the character is connected. Spoilers~! Anyway, let's get to the chapter, shall we?
Merril shrieked when Mina hit the hardwood floor. It wasn't supposed to be like this! The mirror was supposed to show something wonderful. The little Elf struggled to get her silver-haired friend onto the modest bed that took up not even a quarter of the space in her room. It was obvious that Mina was in great pain from the look on her face and the sweat starting to bead on her brow. But what to do? Hawke would surely be furious...
"There's no one else that can help! Oh, no. Nononononono..." Merril panicked outwardly, "How am I supposed to get him?!"
An idea popped into her head. Everyone knew who the Champion of Kirkwall was. She could just send one of the older boys to go get him and then everything would be ok! He would fix it, like he always did and Mina would be all better. She just hoped he wouldn't scold her again. He always scolded her for being careless. Even if he was just worried she hated it. The Keeper did it enough.
Merril ran outside and grabbed the first boy she could find, "Please, please can you go find the Champion for me? Tell him... tell him it's Merril. Oh, and it's an emergency! I'll, er... I'll give you a silver for it." The boy smiled and ran off to find Hawke. Now... what to do until he got there. She was no healer. That wasn't exactly her strongest point in magic.
Hawke stood in the main hall of his estate talking to Fenris about some slavers they had caught wind of. Nothing too big, but every person was worth saving. Fenris was leaning against the wall next to where Sandal stood playing with a weirdly smooth rock. The boy was always clean and kept but had a far away look in his eyes. Hawke knew he understood more than he could communicate. That boy... he was different. That was for sure. Garrett sighed and looked up at the high wooden ceiling. Every time anything came up about slaves, Fenris was all over it. He couldn't blame the Elf, given his past, but it seemed that everyone in the bloody city needed something. And it always happened at once. Like with Aveline and Isabela. Though, that ended up being pretty much the same thing.
"Hawke. Are you even listening?" Fenris asked in his monotone voice. Garrett grinned apologetically, earning an eyeroll from the Elf. IT was just a habit of his to tune Fenris and Anders out if they got to talking about what he and Varric called their 'favorite' subjects. Which reminded him... he had to remember to burn the latest stack of Anders's manifesto that he'd found scattered around the house. It made good kindling.
"-But if we're going to get to their base on the Wounded Coast, we need to be ready. They have more than just mages with them this time," Fenris finished talking again. Hawke was ready for him this time and nodded in agreement.
"Well, if they're Tevinter mages, that won't be pleasant, but we can take whatever mercenaries they've got. Or 'trained' soldiers. I'll be sure to let Aveline know. She'll want to go with us." They always took Aveline with them on Slaver runs. She was good at distracting them. Probably something to do with her late husband being a Templar.
Bohdan interrupted their conversation, "Excuse me, messeres, but there's a messenger from Merril at the door. Says it's an emergency."
Hawke jogged over to the door, worry already clouding his mind. He knew Mina was supposed to go see the little Elf woman that day. The boy had on dirty clothes, ripped in several places. He wore no shoes and had dirt every place. He looked a bit timid too. His dark eyes darted to and fro, brown hair a mop on top of his head.
"Hey, kid. What's this I hear about an emergency?" he asked with a kind smile. The best way to get an accurate message was to be nice about it.
"Ser Champion, um... this lady said you was s'posed to come to the alienage an' help 'er wif sommin. She said it was really important. Said 'er name was Merril or... sorry sir, I don't remember. She was scared she was," the boy reported truthfully. Hawke sighed and gave the boy a gold piece. He was going to give him one more message.
"Thanks, boy. This is for your good work. I need you to deliver one more message for me. You up for it?" the boy nodded, "Alright. I need you to go to the Hanged Man and find the storyteller. His name is Varric. Tell him Hawke needs him to get to the alienage." With another nod, the boy was off.
"Bohdan, I need you to get Anders. use the secret tunnel beneath the house. No need to get Isabela, she'll be at the Hanged Man drinking. Aveline doesn't need to be bothered just yet." He gave his orders firmly and quickly. There was no knowing just what Merril had gotten herself into this time. Or if she'd gotten Mina caught up in it as well. He and Fenris rushed off to save the day. Again.
Mina tried to steady her breathing. Everything was dark; no that was an understatement. She couldn't see anything at all. It was a sheet of pure black everywhere she looked. The trees had vanished, her sleeping self had vanished, and her wolf had vanished too. It had frightened her a bit, but right as the burning sensation filled her body, she felt a calm swoop over her. It had come from the enormous wolf-creature.
The big problem was that she didn't know where she was or what was going on. Had she gone into that blighted mirror? Was she blind? Either way, she blamed Merril's magic gone awry. That's always how it ended up. The first time she'd had a blue patch on her back for a week that itched like crazy! The second time Isabela had ended up as a bird for an hour.
"Hello?" she whispered, hoping nothing malicious could hear her, "Is anyone there?" Her heart pounded in her ears. She was sure that if something was out there, it wouldn't have to hear her talking. Her heavy breathing or pounding heart was sure to give her away. A light shone in the distance, no bigger than the tip of her pinky finger. It illuminated a pond and a shape that looked like another person. Well, she hoped it was a person at least. Warily she crept closer to it. She was about seven feet away when it turned it's head to look at her. It was an Elf man. She couldn't really tell what he looked like for the light made it just as hard to see as the darkness did. But, beside him sat the wolf. It tilted it's head and looked at her. it's fur was as black as the darkness around them, but it stood out somehow. It's eyes were a strange shade of green that seemed to glow iridescently. The man reached a hand out to her, but... an echoing voice called to her.
"Mina! Mina, you have to wake up for me, cutie. You need to open your eyes. Wake up, Mina." It was Garrett. So... she was asleep? It had to be. She had looked up for a mere second, but when she looked back, the man and the wolf were gone. Only the little light remained. It looked like a ball no bigger than a lightbulb. Such a strange thing. She felt herself get heavier and the stinging she hadn't realized left came back. The burning worsened...
"Mina, wake up!" Hawke help her upper half in his arms, wiping her forehead off with a cool damp cloth Merril had given him. He'd taken over for her when he and Fenris arrived. The latter was pacing Merril's front room angrily. He hated magic of course, but seeing Merril, a Blood Mage, hurt someone he cared about set his lyrium markings glowing.
Merril stood in front of her stupid mirror watching Hawke and Mina with frightened eyes. "I didn't mean to!" she'd explained. Hawke shooed her away. He didn't want to hear it. She never meant to cause harm or have the magic malfunction.
Mina's eyes fluttered open accompanied by a groan. "Maker... It's so hot in here. Wh-what happened?" she asked weakly. She felt so heavy now. It was like someone dumped a pile of boulders on her. The first thing she saw was Hawke's worried face hovering above her. His eyebrows were knit together and his gorgeous blue eyes full of anger and anxiety. She reached up and rubbed the side of his woolly beard. It had grown out quite a bit. He did his half smile that made her stomach flip. It was uber sexy even upside down.
"Welcome back, cutie. You had me worried there for a while. I know you feel awful, but I told you that leg of yours was trouble."
She could've punched him, but he was right. As much as she hated to admit it. Something in the mirror seemed to amplify whatever was wrong with her leg. She looked down at it and groaned again.
It wasn't wrapped up anymore, and much to her dismay, it was discolored. It had various hues of blues and purples along with the angry red from the burn. Something else had to be mixed in with that fire. Anders burst into the room, disheveled, hair almost falling out of his usual ponytail.
"Merril, out! Hawke, you can stay. I need to start healing her leg now or she'll lose it," he snapped. Within seconds, he'd assessed the situation and knew what needed to be done. He was an amazing healer for sure. Mina smiled up and him. He returned her smile, but much more shaky.
"You know me: can't stay out of trouble!" she joked wincing when he pulled her pant leg up more. He just shook his head and patted her thigh tenderly.
"Hawke, I need you to try to keep her body temperature stable. No more wet rag. She's going to have to sweat this fever out. If she gets hot too quickly, she'll start to shiver and it might throw her body into shock. We can't let that happen."
Mina braced herself for a fight. She'd been sick before, but nothing ever too bad. She knew this would be much different. The looks on Anders and Hawke's faces told her it was worse than she'd originally thought. There was a cooling sensation as Anders started to use his magic. Blue light came from his hands. She'd seen it a million times, but it had never been used on her. Somehow she expected it to feel different. Maybe more painful?
She thought a second too soon. The pain shot up her leg into the whole left side of her body. Immediately she could feel her body get hot.
"They used poison. Looks like deathroot extract of some kind. I can get most of it out and counteract the rest with a potion," Anders said triumphantly.
"Great! Now make it stop fucking hurting!" Mina yelled at him. Hawke pulled her overshirt off and fanned her with paper he'd found on Merril's dresser. She was sweating bullets. Her whole body felt clammy and drenched. Hawke's hands rested on the back of her head, coated in ice provided by Anders. Mina fought desperately to keep her eyes open, but they were so heavy. She was so very tired. Her body was so hot.
Anders voice woke her up. He sounded like he was trying to quietly argue with someone. she heard snatches of their conversation. It was about her. She looked around groggily, to find herself in a room that was closed off by drawn curtains on three different ropes. Behind her the wall was stone. To her left she saw a nightstand with a fat white candle. It looked like it had been burning for a while. The room was too light for ti to be night... She had a sudden realization that she knew where she was. Someone had brought her back to Anders' clinic! She was in his room. Or... sleeping space as it were. She'd been in there once before when she was comforting him about a past nightmare. One of his friends had been made Tranquil. It had happened long before she'd shown up, but all the same, she felt awful about it.
She slid out of his bed and ducked out from behind one of the heavy curtains. A few people were standing around waiting, a couple others were in beds, having been treated. The healer himself was a few feet from Mina arguing with Garrett. She limped over, aware she was wearing her pants and boots, but a man's white cotton shirt. She kept pushing the sleeve up. It was the least of her discomforts though. Her leg was ominously stiff. She hoped that didn't mean what she thought it meant.
"I know you're a healer, but shouldn't she be in her own bed? It'd be more quiet there!" Hawke argued.
"In the Hanged Man? Are you serious? She'd be lucky not to catch an infection!" Anders replied hotly.
Hawke growled at his friend, "If it's that you're worried about, she could stay in the guest room at my place! Either way, she should be somewhere where she can feel comfortable!"
Mina rolled her eyes. They were both being stupid, "Oi, boys! Shut it will ya? People around here are ill. Your yelling won't help them." They both looked startled to see her out of bed. Anders pulled her into an embrace and kissed her head. Hawke looked mildly annoyed, and diverted his gaze. Ignoring Hawke's obvious discomfort, Anders gave Mina a peck on the lips.
"I'm so glad you're awake. You've been out for days. Five to be exact. you really shouldn't be out of bed," he fussed. Mina giggled and pushed his face away playfully.
"I'd rather be helping others. I'm fine, really. The only thing is, my leg is really stiff. Did I...?" she trailed off leaving the question open. He knew exactly what she was asking. He laughed and shook his head.
"Your leg is fine. It's probably the bandages need changed or they're too tight. I'll fix it later, love."
Hawke made a gagging noise, "Seriously, will you stop. It's obnoxious enough watching you fuss over her while she's sleeping. It's another to see it when she's awake."
Mina swallowed hard. Isabela or Varric told everyone apparently. She was dreading this moment, but Garrett seemed ok. She wasn't even sure why she was worried what he'd say. She didn't need his permission. Especially when he was being such an ass about it. His attitude towards their slight display of affection bugged her. He groped women all the time in front of tons of people. He'd openly made out with Izzy before her and Merril were a thing. With a glare sent Hawke's way, she pulled Anders in for another kiss. This time it lasted much longer.
"How was that, Hawke? You feeling nauseous now?" she snickered at his expression of disbelief, "Like I said, I'm staying here, ok? I can help Anders and he can keep an eye on me."
Hawke's expression instantly changed to stormy. He turned on his heel and started to walk away and muttered a 'whatever.' Mina frowned. He was acting really odd. He'd never gotten mad at her like that. She wondered what was getting him so upset. Then again, he did have a lot on his plate, being the Champion and all. She decided to ignore it for now and try to talk with the patients that seemed lucid enough to talk with. She told stories, caught up with a few familiar faces, and stitched a few minor injuries.
Hours later, she decided to take a break. She was tired already; a feeling she really wasn't used to. That wound was really taking a toll on her. Her mage followed her to the back of the clinic, concern written across his handsome features. She loved how his smile went up to his eyes; how straight his nose was; how his stubble tickled her hand when she put it on his face. He set her heart tingling like his magic did her skin.
"Hey, I've got a question for you!" she said cheerfully, trying to hide her nagging worry.
Anders tilted his head a bit to listen to her.
"Well, uh... Hawke seemed a bit... tense. Did something happen while I was out?" she asked.
Anders started to say something then paused. He was thinking about how to say whatever it was that had shaken their friend.
"He received a letter from Orsino the same night your leg got worse. Something happened with some of the Circle mages and... they took Bethany hostage. The girl we helped escape ended up getting caught. It was her that took Bethany. Hawke had to kill Grace. She killed Ser Thrask and turned into an abomination. It was... terrible. Bethany is fine at least."
Mina hugged Anders from behind. He was just as distraught over this as Hawke was. She was grateful that Bethany wasn't harmed, but there were so many senseless deaths in the feud between mages and Templars. She saw both sides and thought mages should've been allowed to have normal lives, but be required to take lessons at a Circle. In return, the Templars would still be able to keep a close eye on Mages. Phylacteries were something she still remained undecided on. They were useful, but the thought of someone always knowing where she was sent a shiver down her spine.
"Why didn't Hawke ever tell me about her? I mean about her being in the Circle?" she asked meekly.
"Because he's mad at himself for letting her be imprisoned like that. He tried to protect her, but it wasn't quite enough..." They drifted into a cold silence.
Anders shook himself from thoughts Mina could only guess at and returned to his smiling self. They were done for the day, so they could finally spend time together.
That's how Mina's days went for three weeks. Her leg had finally healed up, but things between her and Hawke had grown even worse. Hawke had become distant from everyone. He'd been out trying to solve a murder when the clues pointed him towards his dear mother as the next victim. From what Mina had heard from Isabela, Fenris and Aveline, it was gruesome indeed. At the time she'd gone out on a small mission for Varric. It was a regular thing, checking up on other contacts, but when she got back, a cloud seemed to hang over everyone. They'd gathered at the Hanged Man in Varric's suite like usual. Except, Hawke was missing. Varric updated her on what had happened and how a deranged Blood Mage had taken Leandra. Hawke had gone into an angry stupor since and hadn't left his estate save to visit Bethany.
Bethany had been terribly upset as well, however her response was much less aggressive. She cried much, and went to the Chantry in the Circle. Mina tried to visit her friend as much as possible, but she had no idea how to comfort someone grieving. She hugged a lot and murmured a few comforting words when she could. It seemed to help a bit. But, Mina couldn't figure out a way to help Hawke. He seemed untouchable at the moment. When anyone went to see him, save Varric, he got pissed off and started yelling. He even threw a table at Fenris. Fenris phased through it, but it didn't end well. Hawke ended up with a bloodied nose and a bruise on the right side of his jaw. That was Fenris going easy on him.
Mina resigned herself to let her moody friend mope alone for a while. there was nothing she could do,nor words she could say to help get him through his grieving. Not that she wanted him to just get over it, but maybe calm down. Cry a bit and keep Leandra's memory in a good way. There had to be something... She'd ask Fenris and Varric. They seemed to be the only two that could stay in the Hawke estate for more than twenty minutes anymore.