I do not own anything Dragon Age. Rights belong to BioWare.
"Ready yourself Hawke." He warned me with a grin as he pulled his sword from his back. The blade was immense, almost as long as he was tall. It looked heavy but he swung it in front of him with ease. His reach is doubled with that sword. I am going to have my work cut out for me to get close. I thought to myself as I drew my own blades.
"I am ready whenever you are, friend." I smiled back at him. He ran at me blade held low and he swung it high as he neared forcing me to tumble backward. He is fast. I thought as a huge grin spread across my face. I kicked out at his feet while his arms were in the air and he stumbled a bit.
It continued a while with him charging forward with a wide swing and me dancing around trying to get close. It's like sparing with Carver. He's so intense. This was the first time since coming to Minrathous that I felt like I had a real opponent. Excitement buzzed throughout my body. "Are you going to continue to run away?" he taunted as he swung again. I ducked and stepped closer to him bringing an elbow into his ribs. He grunted in surprise and turned bringing his blade back down. I had nowhere to go so I tensed my legs and crossed my blades over my head.
The strength in his blow reverberated down through my arms and made my teeth rattle. I pulled my arms apart with as much strength as I could muster gripping his blade with the hooks at the end of mine as I kicked him backward. He lost his grip on his blade and fell down. I took the opportunity and held him down, stepping on his chest and pointing a blade at his throat.
"I think I won this one, don't you?" I was panting with exhaustion. He stared up at me with another look I couldn't quite decipher as he nodded. I reached a hand down to help him back to his feet. I excitedly patted him on the shoulder as I said "That was fun. Thank you."
I put my blades back in their scabbards and walked over to where I tossed his sword. I was right about how heavy it was as I picked it up to return it to him.
"Did you mean that?" his voice rumbled barley above a whisper. "Of course I did. I haven't had a decent spar since leaving Kirkwall. It was one hell of a workout." He shook his head at me. "No, you called me friend. I've never heard anyone say that about me. Ever." The sadness in his gaze made my heart flutter.
"That is a bit of a two-edged sword." I began. "You're funny, smart, honorable but, at the end of the day you still are Denarius' man. I don't know if I can trust you. I definitely do not trust him." His posture deflated making me feel guilty.
"That is wise. I understand what you mean." He took his sword from me and walked away without another word.
Fenris and I joined everyone for breakfast. "That was an amazing match you too." Isabella praised. "I wasn't aware anyone was watching." I retorted as my face turned red.
"With all the clashing of steel how could we not?" Zevran purred as he offered me a bowl filled with fluffy yellow eggs. "It was magnificent. You two are evenly matched." He winked at Fenris. Fenris stiffened in his chair and scowled at him.
"It was so magnificent that her hands are bleeding again." Dorian's voice sounded annoyed. "That was from yesterday." I told him. "I didn't see you or anyone else capable of healing me up so I just kept everything clean and bandaged." Dorian rolled his eyes as he unbound my knuckles. He took a deep breath of shock at the state of them. "What the hell is this?" he demanded annoyance turning into anger. "Did you let a Mabari chew on your fists?"
"She beat up a training dummy that looked at her funny." Varric told him as everyone laughed. Everyone but Fenris. He sat quietly eating. I couldn't help but stare at him as Dorian's magic tingled across my hands.
"What is on your agenda today, Hawke?" Isabella asked winking at me. "Nothing at all. I am just waiting for tomorrow to be over." I sighed and sat back in my chair. "You already know what you're going to wear?" she pushed. "Yes. Tilly made me a few outfits and they were all delivered the other day. Looks like another day of the waiting game for me."
"What can we expect from Denarius at this dinner party tomorrow?" Dorian asked Fenris. "I am not sure. Denarius hardly ever invites people to the estate. I'm sure it will be grand since he wants to impress Hawke. Its not like he shares his thoughts with his slave." That last sentence was venomous.
"Last night you said he is mildly obsessed with her." Varric cut in. "Care to clarify?" "I thought the word obsessed was pretty clear." Fenris retorted the scowl deepening on his face.
FENRIS
Everyone at the table looked at me as silence filled the air. "Denarius has spoke of little else since the party. He says he has some kind of grand gesture planned for her tomorrow evening. That's all I know." I folded my arms across my chest and looked toward my lap.
I had felt Hawke's eyes on me throughout the meal. I didn't dare look at her to see what her gaze held. I was a fool to think she would ever consider me a friend. I let out a small sigh. She is right though. Tomorrow evening, I will go back to being nothing more than Denarius' plaything. I wouldn't trust me either if I were in her place. I snuck a look at her and saw her still staring at me. I couldn't quite understand the expression I saw there. In that moment I would have given anything to go back a little bit of time to see her grinning down at me again.
What is wrong with me? What type of magic has this crazy woman cast on me? The thought disturbed me and I stood and walked from the table. I couldn't be in this room any longer. The air felt thick and it was hard to draw a breath. The dwarf began shouting after me that he had more questions but I heard Hawke tell him to leave me alone.
I didn't mean to slam the door behind me as I made my escape.
Not long after Fenris left the dining room Isabella grabbed me by the arm and dragged me up to my bedroom. "You've got to explain to me how he's got it that bad after just a day with you." she exclaimed as she closed the door behind us.
"What on earth are you talking about?" confusion swam across my mind. "Come off it Hawke, that tall, dark and handsome elf was practically drooling over you. Even Zevran can see it."
"You and Zevran sure know how to fanaticize about the oddest things." I teased her. "Did either of you ever stop to think that maybe he is having a hard time knowing he has to go back to Maker knows what horrors in Denarius house tomorrow? He's had a little room to breathe as his own person here and has to give that up in less than 24 hours. It has nothing to do with me."
Isabella twirled a bit of her hair around a finger lost in thought. "No, I think he's growing feelings for you." She shrugged and threw her hands up in the air.
"Even if he does, I need to worry more about what tomorrow is going to bring. He said Denarius has some grand gesture planned for me… what could that be? What could it mean?" I felt a bit of panic rising in my chest as I wondered aloud.
"Those are very good questions." She admitted. "I'll be right back with Dorian. He should have some kind of answers. Maybe it's a cultural thing. Stay here."
I pulled my hair out of its beat-up braid and sat on my bed to brush it out as I waited. It's absolutely ridiculous to think Fenris is growing feelings for me. He barley knows me. Besides I'm damaged goods. My soul is too damaged and my body has been abused in the vilest way. I felt disgusted with myself as I had a flash back of the pain of that monster between my legs. Maybe it is for the best. I am much better helping others than worrying about myself.
My thoughts were interrupted as my door opened. "I'm telling you he's been making puppy eyes at her when he thinks no one is looking." Isabella was saying to Dorian as they entered the room. I couldn't help roll my eyes and roll my head back in exasperation. "I hope the man does not make that mistake in front of his master tomorrow evening." Dorian shook his head.
"I'm glad I am going to be able to speak with you a bit today, Hawke." Dorian began as he sat on the edge of my bed. "After talking it over with father I believe that Denarius will make his intentions known to formally court you tomorrow. The elf's comment about a grand gesture makes that feel more real than anything else so far."
"What do you mean?" I asked. I was starting to get a buzz of dread running through my body. "Marriage here in Tevinter is more of a business arrangement than a love story. He sent you the invitation originally, then the next day he made sure that your oldest male relative knew of the invitation. It's something that father planned for since he is acting as your uncle and not a more distant relative."
"So, he made it where she really couldn't say no without snubbing him and making your father look bad then?" Isabella asked him. He nodded. "Don't be surprised if my father tries to ask you if you've ever bedded any one sometime between now and tomorrow." I felt my face turn red as Isabella giggled. "Does Hawke's virginity change anything?"
"Bella!" I exclaimed covering my face with one hand and hitting her shoulder with the other. "I am not a virgin. I've told you that before."
It was her turn to roll her eyes. "Barley one time over a decade ago… might as well be a virgin." She chirped at me, a smug smile crossing her face. Dorian coughed a couple times and began to act like the back of the door was the most interesting thing he had ever seen before.
"It actually does," he started. "And it's a good thing for you that you are." He glossed over my denial and continued "It will mean that you can accept the proposal and make the engagement last at least a year, maybe two with your status. It will give you the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of his estate, how he prefers it run, everything that would be expected of you as his wife. A trial run if it were."
"Next you will be telling me that he can demand "x" number of children from me." I laughed.
"He can. It is all a negotiation. And it will be between Denarius and father. I might actually be involved too since I am training to replace my father someday." His voice got quiet. I shivered. "I trust Halward to negotiate well for me. It would be helpful to be able to learn how to run his household." I paused, "I won't have to sleep with him, will I?"
Dorian shook his head. "If the engagement lasts over a year, then it is normally customary for the consummation not to happen until after the exchange of vows."
"But what does this grand gesture mean for her tomorrow?" Isabella asked. "He will give her a gift of some kind. Something rare. Something expensive. Often these types of gestures are jewelry or property, something flashy."
"Let me just sell my soul for something shiny." I rolled my eyes again.
I spent the rest of the afternoon with Isabella and Dorian. I tried on a few of my new outfits so they could pick what they liked best. I felt like a child's doll with as many times as I found myself changing clothes.
We lunched in my room before Dorian took his leave. I knew he was going to speak to Halward for me so I didn't have to explain my sexual status to him. I still felt like a liar but Isabella was firm that my one dalliance did not count and Dorian agreed with her.
Fenris did not join us for dinner. During the meal Sues reported that he had been in his room since leaving the table at breakfast. I was a bit disappointed that he hid away on his last day here. I enjoyed his company the day before. I wasn't really sure why it bothered me so much but it did.
After dinner Isabella and I retired to my balcony to watch the sunset and play a bit of Wicked Grace. I was losing this round terribly and I knew it. "Did I tell you that I got a letter in my forwarded mail from Anders yesterday?" I asked her as I rearranged the cards in my hand.
"What did that slime ball want?" she asked rolling her eyes and laying a card down. "You know, "I don't blame you. I wouldn't have done what I did if Meredith hadn't forced my hand. You're always on my mind. I thought what we had was real. Blah blah blah…" I shook my head. "I wonder what it was that he thought we had. He spent months lying to me and we only shared a single kiss. A kiss that broke my sister's heart. I'm glad she never had to see what he became."
Bethany had feelings for Anders. Everyone but him knew it. When he kissed me, she felt like I betrayed her even though I tried my best to let him down easy. She didn't speak to me for weeks and we didn't make up until the trip down the Deep Roads.
"I would let you read it but I ripped it into shreds." "Good." Was all she replied as she lay her winning hand down grinning. "I'm going to take this win as a sign it's time for me to retire. I think I need a hot bath and a massage before I go to sleep tonight. Big day ahead of us tomorrow." She stood and kissed my forehead before she walked away. "Will you lock my door behind you?" I called after her. I wasn't ready to start getting ready for bed and continued my vigil long after the kaleidoscope of colors turned black and gave way to the stars.
FENRIS
I couldn't help listen at my window to their conversation. I heard everything the boy had told her in preparation of tomorrow earlier in the afternoon.
Does Denarius really intend to court Hawke? He's never shown interest in marriage before. The thought of her with him made my stomach feel sour. Her soft grace stood in stark contrast to the horrors I knew he was capable of.
Is she preparing herself because she is interested in this proposal? It didn't matter. Even if she refused, I knew Denarius would get what he wanted one way or another. I had seen so many of his opponents in the Game loose to him. A sigh escaped me. I couldn't let him harm her. I had turned a blind eye to so many of his abuses of others in the past. I absolutely refused to think of what could happen to her at his hands.
What can I do to gain her trust? I thought to myself as I continued to watch her through the curtains. I went over imaginary scenarios over and over in my mind for Maker knows how long before I noticed her head slump to the side.
She's fallen asleep. I told myself as a smile crossed my lips. I finally dared creep out of the window joining her on the balcony. She began to toss like she was in the throws of a night mare. "Stop please. It hurts." She spoke aloud. Her voice was so small and scared it made me shiver.
She is having a night mare. What do I do? A bit of panic started to rise in my chest as I did the only thing that I could think of. I reached a hand down and started running my fingers through her hair.
This is ridiculous. I scolded myself. Petting her like this. I shouldn't even be touching her. Her hair is so soft. My touch seemed to calm her as she quieted down. I brushed her hair away from her face so I could take my time looking at her. She was beautiful in a way I had never seen before and I knew I was captivated. I can't let Denarius have her.
My resolve to sabotage whatever he had planned firmed in my heart as I scooped the sleeping woman into my arms and took her inside her room. I laid her into her bed and pulled the blankets over her. Just before I made my way back out I heard her thank me and wish me sweet dreams.