Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Note: I'm back guys. In this chapter we will have more drama of course and we finally see something happen with Fenris and Hawke. As well as her friends.

The room was silent for a moment longer until Marian and Leto spoke at the same time.

"Father..."

"Fenris."

He paused at the top of the stairs before giving Marian and Leto a soft smile which made Marian calm instantly. Turning he said nothing to anyone else and the room was silent long after the door signaled his exit. Her friends had tried to get her to speak for a few moments but fell silent each caught up in their own thoughts. Leto had remained silent staring at the door solomnly and only Marian realized why although it was obvious. Leaning down she took his hand and whispered into his ear so only he could hear.

"Your father will come back."

Pulling away from her he whispered.

"You promise?"

She nodded before saying with perfect surety.

"He will always come back to us."

Nodding he turned his head back to the door before asking softly.

"When?"

She opened her mouth to answer when she heard her door slam. Turning to the sound she raised an eyebrow when she saw Fenris carrying his sword in one hand and her uncle over his shoulder with a gag over his mouth. Looking at him questioningly she smiled when he responded to her unasked question.

"He wouldn't shut up, it was annoying me."

Grinning widely, especially after she heard Leto laughing behind her, she helped set Gamlen into a chair and removed his gag. Gamlen instantly began yelling until Marian clamped a hand over his mouth and hissed at him to be quiet. Glaring at her he finally fell silent and she removed her hand. Standing up to his full height he didn't intimidate anyone especially not Marian but she could see by his demeanor he thought he made a statement. Adopting his stance and smiling when she realized she was at least a head taller and he flinched, she spoke calmly.

"Meredith wants my life and we've just learned that in addition to this she is willing to leave any member of my family destitute or kill them if she cannot. You let my family stay with you when we had no where else to go. I love you and would like you to stay here until this is over. You'll be safer here than anywhere else."

He stared her down for a long moment, before asking what she knew he would.

"She's always wanted you dead. Your a mage whose risen through the ranks of the city and now if you wanted you could be as powerful as she is. Why now? Why the urgency to kill you now?"

His frankness obviously bothered her friends as Aveline and Varric had stepped forward and Sebastian blanched. Marian simply took a breath to calm her nerves and finally held her hand out to Leto. She knew her uncle missed important things at the best of times and also knew he would have missed seeing Leto because he was pissed that Fenris gagged him. Leto looked at his mother for a moment before placing his hand in hers and frowned when he saw Gamlen's eyes widen and his mouth fall open. Marian stared back at her uncle calmly waiting for him to speak and when he didn't she rolled her eyes. They knew she had been seeing Fenris. All of them did. Was it so unbelievable that they would have conceived life together? It was Leto who eventually broke the silence. Like his mother and father he didn't like being stared at for long periods of time and he made it clear when he spoke.

"Staring is a nasty habit...uncle."

"Leto."

His mother said in gentle admonishment before giving him a smile to let him know she wasn't angry with him. Her uncle shook his head silently before speaking.

"I knew you and the elf were...but a child. Marian..."

Silently glaring at him Marian finally spoke.

"I don't care if you approve or not. I have no regrets and I will not have you say anything against any of us. Will you stay here or not?"

He had the grace to look offended and when he spoke Marian felt a twinge of shame run through her at his words.

"I didn't say I didn't approve and I wasn't going to say anything against him. I was going to say, I'd rather stay here than offer my head on a golden platter and I appreciate your wanting to help me. As for the child I may be a corrupt man but not so that I would harm my flesh and blood. Your secret is safe."

It was Leto who spoke this time.

"She never said you'd harm me. She knows you better than that. Mother loves you and knows your a good man That's why she wanted you to come here."

The room was silent once more until Gamlen finally nodded and agreed to stay which made Marian sigh in relief. She had been relieved that Gamlen had not said more she was upset enough already and didn't want to fight with him as well. Seeing that everything was calm she directed her friends to be on their guard just in case anything else was going to happen and they'd readily agreed before going into the kitchen with Orana and Bodhan for breakfast with Sandal and Fang trailing behind them. Fenris hadn't moved but was silently watchful as always and Leto hadn't left his mother's side once. Looking up at Fenris she noticed that his gaze was on her and felt the familiar rise in her heartbeat.

"Thank you for going after him Fenris."

She said softly. He remained silent for a long time and Leto looked between them trying to decipher if they were fighting. Finally Fenris nodded and said just as softly.

"Your welcome...Marian."

Feeling her cheeks flush at his words she offered him a smile and was pleased when he returned it. They said nothing else walking back into the group and she watched him as he ate breakfast and conversed with their friends. The moment in the hallway had been perfect and for a second she allowed herself to believe that everything would be alright. Leto had tried to engage his father but given up when he hadn't responded right away but he hadn't gotten upset. He like Marian believed it was just his way and everything would be alright in the end. Marian however noticed that after the first few bits of conversation Fenris had been pulling back and her heart sank when he stood up from the table and wouldn't meet her gaze. She knew what was coming. She could feel it. Following him out into the hall she stopped him reaching out and holding his wrist. The same one that still held her faded red cloth. Meeting his gaze and trying to fight tears she said quietly.

"Your leaving."

He nodded silently. She shook her head in denial and opened her mouth to speak but was cut off.

"She won't be here this time if you come back."

They didn't even bother to turn because the three of them spoke at the same time. Mother father and son.

"Yes she will."

and that's all for now. I know you guys are going to be mad that he's leaving again. But Trust me! there is a method to the madness. Promise :) so stick around because there is a ton of drama in the next chapter and it will be up before next weekend if i can get it :)