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Description
Red sunlights final fingers graced the tops of the tallest buildings. Some of the evening light could be seen amongst the cobble stones, the rest shrouded in the shade of the taller buildings.
Hawke knocked on the door of what should have been an abandoned estate. The door years later still marred with axe marks.
She knew it would be unlocked, it always was, she knew he wouldn't hear her knock, he never did. The entrance hall was still littered with, broken objects the main hall still dark, unlit and unwelcoming. She quietly padded up the stairs to the only room that appeared lived in.
She heard the quiet airy pluck of strings faintly over the sound of crackling fire. The song was haunting a bitter sweet tune, the ebbed and flowed through the house. She could hear him humming, trying to help the song along. As she finished her climb she could see him. Bent over the Lute, the only light in the room the fire crackling in the large health. His hair fell across his face dark brows crossed in concentration. She allowed her self one small quick moment to watch, to enjoy the quiet of the house, Before she knocked against the door frame.
"Hawke?" He exclaimed "I didn't see you there."
She smiled and entered the room "You were fairly focused on that Lute."
He looked at the instrument in his lap, and ran his fingers over the strings. It sung a peculiar mash of notes. "I don't remember learning, but I do remember a few songs. Do you play?"
She laughed "Ha! Musical talent is not something I was blessed with. Bethany got all that. I'm told I'm not a bad dancer though."
A smirk pulled at his lips "You'll have to show me some time."
That slightest smile pulled at her, turning her stomach to knots. Quickly she averted her gaze, chewing her lip ever so slightly.
"I was wondering if you'd have a free moment." She asked.
"For you, always."
She smiled, the last three years had been its own peculiar brand of torture. Not knowing where she stood, but standing there any way. Waiting watching. Once Isabella had made a pass at him as they wandered through the Lowtown market, her blood had turned to ice and venom in her veins as a combination of jealousy and fear dripped through her. She had always considered Isabella a beautiful woman, far more in touch with her femininity than Hawke was herself. She would have been lying if she hadn't entertained the thought at least once of taking Isabella up on one of her many offers herself. Fenris however fended her of with his extraordinary dry wit, and the group was left to laugh like it was all a big joke. Laughing with them Hawke said nothing despite in the moment wishing Isabella would take a long walk of a short bridge.
The tables were turned when they met Zevran who seemed to instantly take a shine to Hawke, an affection she now understood, Fenris however wasn't as quiet. The irritation in Zevran's blatant advances was met with a snarled threat on the assassins life.
Here they were, years down the track and she was about to use all the trust she had accumulated. "Aveline just wanted a little help on the Docks patrol tonight I was wondering if you would accompany me."
He lay the lute to one side. "Of course."

***
"So I hear Anders owes you a tidy sum of money?" She mused breaking the silence as the descended the steps to the Docks.
"He's a decidedly terrible card player."
"And I hear your not?"
He smiled at her while catching her with a slide side glance as they walked side by side through the night. "No I'm not." He stated.
"We shall have to have a game sometime."
"We have a small list of things we have to do." Though he didn't smile she could hear it in his voice. "I think perhaps we should take some time to..." He paused and smirked "catch up."
She was about to agree, When she heard a clatter of Hunters.
She loosed her hammer, and Fenris stood his axe free back to hers.
"Out numbered." He growled
"Wouldn't be the first time." She replied.

Together the countered the waves of hunters, using their numbers against them keeping them falling over each other. Every wave they defeated another wave rose to fight them. Until they were bruised and weary.
Lightning ripped through the air, an unnatural lightning that danced off the cobble stones and hungered towards them. Hawke felt it, bouncing inside her plate mail. Causing her muscles to tense. She saw it dance across Fenris skin. Only causing the Lyrium in his veins to glow brighter. He turned for the Mage hatred glowing in his already enraged eyes. As a fire ball erupted from the mages staff. Using what was left of her stamina Hawke leaped forward, the fire lapping at her armour and skin the physical force behind the spell pushing her forward and into him. Her skin remained untouched by the magic. The hunters were on them swords at their throat. Surrounded, and out numbered, they had to surrender.
"Fenris!" Cackled the Mage "I know just the man who will love to see you again."
They said nothing, Hawke keeping a tally of how many hunters were marching them to their holding pen while also keeping an eye on Fenris. He may have been bait, but there was no way she was going to let anything happen to him.
The room the were pushed into was dark, a sliver of light trickled through the bars on the window, they were locked behind a large heavy steel bared door.
Hawke ran her hands up and down each bar and then slowly stepped around their cell.
Fenris was fury trapped in an elf, he paced Cursed under his breath. She lent against the bars and watched him.
Finally he looked up. "You're awfully calm about all of this." He snapped
She crossed her arms and looked at him with a mixed expression of sorrow and guilt. "Because I know what has to be done." Her words hung in the air, as Fenris expression melted from anger into fear.
"You can't." He whispered his eyes darting about her face as if he was looking for a tell that she was lying. Waiting for the cheeky comment that told him he had misunderstood her meaning.
She knocked on the bars, her sad eyes never leaving his face "Guard. I have an offer for you."
He stepped forward "please," he begged "don't do this," the heavy door scrapped over the stone floor and the guard unlocked their cell and pulled Hawke roughly out. "Faith!" He shouted after her "please. I need you!" The guard pushed her a head and she was swallowed by the closing door.

"Your offer girl." The Mage from earlier demanded as she stood before him. Candles lined the stone and wood room, making the area glow a bizarre red.
"Faith Hawke." She said calmly "pleasure I'm sure."
"Hurry up girl. What's your offer." The mages manor was rougher than his guards. She had to show she wasn't going to be messed with.
"My offer is simple." She locked his gaze in her own. Her face pleasant her eyes cold. "Let Fenris go, and you can have me."
He laughed, the guards laughed. Her smile didn't slip she waited patently for their cackling to die down.
The Mage spoke up. "What makes you think I can't keep you both, or even that we want you." He crossed his arms and walked up to her invading her space and attempting to intimidate the unarmed woman. "That Elf is Danarius' prize pet. He always gives good rewards for who ever can bring him back."
Hawke remained silent drawing her focus onto the guard by the door, calling to the dark part of her, the part that saved her from the dragon years ago. She reached out a hand, and summoned the blood in the guards own veins, beckoning it to leave him and join her. The glow started at her finger tips spreading across her hand and up her arm. The guard began to gasp, she heard the thump as he fell to his knees.
"Let him go, I will stay willingly. I won't fight. Deceive me, and you will all be begging for death before I release you."
She lowered her hand releasing the man before she had a chance rip his life force from him. She could hear a relived gasp come from his armour though he didn't rise up straight away.
"You're a Reaver." The Mage muttered "Well well, Danerius wanted a strong one to play with." He nodded to the still standing guard, "put her in irons, and release the Elf."
The Mage stood by her ear as the guard clapped the final shackles about her ankles.
"It's only a matter of time before we find him again, you can't protect him for ever."
She looked up into the bearded face of the Mage and smiled "just you watch me."

The door slid open, Fenris didn't stand. He couldn't.
The only person he thought cared about him in the world turned on him just as quickly as every one else. At least she looked guilty when she did it.
"Get up." Barked the guard gruffly.
He looked up at his captor ready to disobey, ready to begin the cycle of misbehaviour and punishment until eventually he gave back into obedience. He heard the chains, he saw a bowed head of red hair. He jumped to his feet and ran to the bars. Had she been betrayed, had they not taken the deal. The guard put his keys in the lock that belonged to Fenris' cage. With a creak the door opened, he was free.
Hawke was pushed passed him and locked back up, he stood on the wrong side of the bars looking at her with disbelief.
"You were going to make a deal, you we going to give me to them." He shook his head "what did you do?"
Hawke smiled taking one of his hands in her shackled ones. "I took your place. You didn't think I'd leave you here to have all the fun."
Terrified Fenris could barely speak, he felt a piece of paper being slipped sneakily between his fingers. "Take this to Arianne." She whispered. "I'll be fine. " she reassured him with a smile.
He shook his head, "you were going to betray me,"
Her fingers brushed his cheek, the bars and the chain stopping her from reaching far enough to cup his face like she did so often. "Never. Now go, before they loose patience with you."
Still stunned he walked back, the guard handed him his axe, he paused mulling over the validity of fighting back.
"Fenris." Hawke warned him, "take it and leave." He gave her one last look, bound hands feet and throat in the cage. Pulled into a stoop by the shortened chains, but far from subservient in her manor. Silently he did as she bid him, escaping the hold and racing toward Arianne.

He burst through the doors and into the main hall of the Hawke manor. Morfudd barked announcing his arrival.
"Arianna." He bellowed into the house, "Arianne?"
A brunette head popped out of the study "Good evening to you too Fenris." She quipped coming out into the hall. She caught the look of distress on his face and more importantly the lack of Hawke. "What's happened?" She asked.
He pushed the crumpled note into her hand and looked at her expectantly.
"Did you read it?" She asked
"It was for you."
Carefully Arianne unfolded the note, a little piece of paper like they use to give each other when they were young. Hawkes hand writing had never changed the rounded letters and heavy slant still there from their childhood.
"My dearest Arianne.
Should this note make its way to you, know that I have been captured by the slavers.
Do not fret, I ask you to bide your time, give me a week at least before you act.
The difficult task will be Fenris, worry will turn to anger quickly. Keep him out of trouble until the moment for my escape shows its face.
As always I bless your tolerance,
Thank you my friend
Faith"
Letting out a heavy sigh she folded up the note.
"Well?" The elf demanded "what did she say? did she have a plan?"
"Yes." She said slowly "but I'm afraid you aren't going to like it."

Description
Red sunlights final fingers graced the tops of the tallest buildings. Some of the evening light could be seen amongst the cobble stones, the rest shrouded in the shade of the taller buildings.
Hawke knocked on the door of what should have been an abandoned estate. The door years later still marred with axe marks.
She knew it would be unlocked, it always was, she knew he wouldn't hear her knock, he never did. The entrance hall was still littered with, broken objects the main hall still dark, unlit and unwelcoming. She quietly padded up the stairs to the only room that appeared lived in.
She heard the quiet airy pluck of strings faintly over the sound of crackling fire. The song was haunting a bitter sweet tune, the ebbed and flowed through the house. She could hear him humming, trying to help the song along. As she finished her climb she could see him. Bent over the Lute, the only light in the room the fire crackling in the large health. His hair fell across his face dark brows crossed in concentration. She allowed her self one small quick moment to watch, to enjoy the quiet of the house, Before she knocked against the door frame.
"Hawke?" He exclaimed "I didn't see you there."
She smiled and entered the room "You were fairly focused on that Lute."
He looked at the instrument in his lap, and ran his fingers over the strings. It sung a peculiar mash of notes. "I don't remember learning, but I do remember a few songs. Do you play?"
She laughed "Ha! Musical talent is not something I was blessed with. Bethany got all that. I'm told I'm not a bad dancer though."
A smirk pulled at his lips "You'll have to show me some time."
That slightest smile pulled at her, turning her stomach to knots. Quickly she averted her gaze, chewing her lip ever so slightly.
"I was wondering if you'd have a free moment." She asked.
"For you, always."
She smiled, the last three years had been its own peculiar brand of torture. Not knowing where she stood, but standing there any way. Waiting watching. Once Isabella had made a pass at him as they wandered through the Lowtown market, her blood had turned to ice and venom in her veins as a combination of jealousy and fear dripped through her. She had always considered Isabella a beautiful woman, far more in touch with her femininity than Hawke was herself. She would have been lying if she hadn't entertained the thought at least once of taking Isabella up on one of her many offers herself. Fenris however fended her of with his extraordinary dry wit, and the group was left to laugh like it was all a big joke. Laughing with them Hawke said nothing despite in the moment wishing Isabella would take a long walk of a short bridge.
The tables were turned when they met Zevran who seemed to instantly take a shine to Hawke, an affection she now understood, Fenris however wasn't as quiet. The irritation in Zevran's blatant advances was met with a snarled threat on the assassins life.
Here they were, years down the track and she was about to use all the trust she had accumulated. "Aveline just wanted a little help on the Docks patrol tonight I was wondering if you would accompany me."
He lay the lute to one side. "Of course."

***
"So I hear Anders owes you a tidy sum of money?" She mused breaking the silence as the descended the steps to the Docks.
"He's a decidedly terrible card player."
"And I hear your not?"
He smiled at her while catching her with a slide side glance as they walked side by side through the night. "No I'm not." He stated.
"We shall have to have a game sometime."
"We have a small list of things we have to do." Though he didn't smile she could hear it in his voice. "I think perhaps we should take some time to..." He paused and smirked "catch up."
She was about to agree, When she heard a clatter of Hunters.
She loosed her hammer, and Fenris stood his axe free back to hers.
"Out numbered." He growled
"Wouldn't be the first time." She replied.

Together the countered the waves of hunters, using their numbers against them keeping them falling over each other. Every wave they defeated another wave rose to fight them. Until they were bruised and weary.
Lightning ripped through the air, an unnatural lightning that danced off the cobble stones and hungered towards them. Hawke felt it, bouncing inside her plate mail. Causing her muscles to tense. She saw it dance across Fenris skin. Only causing the Lyrium in his veins to glow brighter. He turned for the Mage hatred glowing in his already enraged eyes. As a fire ball erupted from the mages staff. Using what was left of her stamina Hawke leaped forward, the fire lapping at her armour and skin the physical force behind the spell pushing her forward and into him. Her skin remained untouched by the magic. The hunters were on them swords at their throat. Surrounded, and out numbered, they had to surrender.
"Fenris!" Cackled the Mage "I know just the man who will love to see you again."
They said nothing, Hawke keeping a tally of how many hunters were marching them to their holding pen while also keeping an eye on Fenris. He may have been bait, but there was no way she was going to let anything happen to him.
The room the were pushed into was dark, a sliver of light trickled through the bars on the window, they were locked behind a large heavy steel bared door.
Hawke ran her hands up and down each bar and then slowly stepped around their cell.
Fenris was fury trapped in an elf, he paced Cursed under his breath. She lent against the bars and watched him.
Finally he looked up. "You're awfully calm about all of this." He snapped
She crossed her arms and looked at him with a mixed expression of sorrow and guilt. "Because I know what has to be done." Her words hung in the air, as Fenris expression melted from anger into fear.
"You can't." He whispered his eyes darting about her face as if he was looking for a tell that she was lying. Waiting for the cheeky comment that told him he had misunderstood her meaning.
She knocked on the bars, her sad eyes never leaving his face "Guard. I have an offer for you."
He stepped forward "please," he begged "don't do this," the heavy door scrapped over the stone floor and the guard unlocked their cell and pulled Hawke roughly out. "Faith!" He shouted after her "please. I need you!" The guard pushed her a head and she was swallowed by the closing door.

"Your offer girl." The Mage from earlier demanded as she stood before him. Candles lined the stone and wood room, making the area glow a bizarre red.
"Faith Hawke." She said calmly "pleasure I'm sure."
"Hurry up girl. What's your offer." The mages manor was rougher than his guards. She had to show she wasn't going to be messed with.
"My offer is simple." She locked his gaze in her own. Her face pleasant her eyes cold. "Let Fenris go, and you can have me."
He laughed, the guards laughed. Her smile didn't slip she waited patently for their cackling to die down.
The Mage spoke up. "What makes you think I can't keep you both, or even that we want you." He crossed his arms and walked up to her invading her space and attempting to intimidate the unarmed woman. "That Elf is Danarius' prize pet. He always gives good rewards for who ever can bring him back."
Hawke remained silent drawing her focus onto the guard by the door, calling to the dark part of her, the part that saved her from the dragon years ago. She reached out a hand, and summoned the blood in the guards own veins, beckoning it to leave him and join her. The glow started at her finger tips spreading across her hand and up her arm. The guard began to gasp, she heard the thump as he fell to his knees.
"Let him go, I will stay willingly. I won't fight. Deceive me, and you will all be begging for death before I release you."
She lowered her hand releasing the man before she had a chance rip his life force from him. She could hear a relived gasp come from his armour though he didn't rise up straight away.
"You're a Reaver." The Mage muttered "Well well, Danerius wanted a strong one to play with." He nodded to the still standing guard, "put her in irons, and release the Elf."
The Mage stood by her ear as the guard clapped the final shackles about her ankles.
"It's only a matter of time before we find him again, you can't protect him for ever."
She looked up into the bearded face of the Mage and smiled "just you watch me."

The door slid open, Fenris didn't stand. He couldn't.
The only person he thought cared about him in the world turned on him just as quickly as every one else. At least she looked guilty when she did it.
"Get up." Barked the guard gruffly.
He looked up at his captor ready to disobey, ready to begin the cycle of misbehaviour and punishment until eventually he gave back into obedience. He heard the chains, he saw a bowed head of red hair. He jumped to his feet and ran to the bars. Had she been betrayed, had they not taken the deal. The guard put his keys in the lock that belonged to Fenris' cage. With a creak the door opened, he was free.
Hawke was pushed passed him and locked back up, he stood on the wrong side of the bars looking at her with disbelief.
"You were going to make a deal, you we going to give me to them." He shook his head "what did you do?"
Hawke smiled taking one of his hands in her shackled ones. "I took your place. You didn't think I'd leave you here to have all the fun."
Terrified Fenris could barely speak, he felt a piece of paper being slipped sneakily between his fingers. "Take this to Arianne." She whispered. "I'll be fine. " she reassured him with a smile.
He shook his head, "you were going to betray me,"
Her fingers brushed his cheek, the bars and the chain stopping her from reaching far enough to cup his face like she did so often. "Never. Now go, before they loose patience with you."
Still stunned he walked back, the guard handed him his axe, he paused mulling over the validity of fighting back.
"Fenris." Hawke warned him, "take it and leave." He gave her one last look, bound hands feet and throat in the cage. Pulled into a stoop by the shortened chains, but far from subservient in her manor. Silently he did as she bid him, escaping the hold and racing toward Arianne.

He burst through the doors and into the main hall of the Hawke manor. Morfudd barked announcing his arrival.
"Arianna." He bellowed into the house, "Arianne?"
A brunette head popped out of the study "Good evening to you too Fenris." She quipped coming out into the hall. She caught the look of distress on his face and more importantly the lack of Hawke. "What's happened?" She asked.
He pushed the crumpled note into her hand and looked at her expectantly.
"Did you read it?" She asked
"It was for you."
Carefully Arianne unfolded the note, a little piece of paper like they use to give each other when they were young. Hawkes hand writing had never changed the rounded letters and heavy slant still there from their childhood.
"My dearest Arianne.
Should this note make its way to you, know that I have been captured by the slavers.
Do not fret, I ask you to bide your time, give me a week at least before you act.
The difficult task will be Fenris, worry will turn to anger quickly. Keep him out of trouble until the moment for my escape shows its face.
As always I bless your tolerance,
Thank you my friend
Faith"
Letting out a heavy sigh she folded up the note.
"Well?" The elf demanded "what did she say? did she have a plan?"
"Yes." She said slowly "but I'm afraid you aren't going to like it."