Pair of Hawkes: All That Remains

The twins had just returned to the estate, along with Anders and Varric. All of them were exhausted after the harrowing fight with the Shades and Demon that had killed Emeric. Seeing as how they had killed Gascard DuPuis, the Templar had been both right and wrong as to his involvement in the disappearances over the years. However, they weren’t going to get any peace and quiet yet, and Gamlen’s voice could be heard in the main room. “No, Leandra. Le-An-Dra.”

“Enchantment?” Sandal was asking, a grin on his face.

“Why do I even bother?!” the older man exclaimed, throwing his hands up in frustration. Adia smirked at the argument as she walked over.

“What's the matter, Uncle?”

“Your mother, is she feeling well? She is here, isn't she?” he wondered, turning to the girls.

“How would we know?” Amber asked. “We just got in ourselves.”

“We haven't seen her all day, Gamlen,” Bodahn added.

“Mother is her own person, Uncle,” the redhead reminded him. “She can come and go as she pleases. Were you supposed to meet her somewhere?”

“She didn't show up for our weekly lunch. Where could she be?” Bodahn shrugged and offered up:

“With her suitor, perhaps?” Amber raised an eyebrow and looked back at Anders, who shrugged. Adia blinked for a moment to clear her confusion.

“Suitor? What suitor? Mother never mentioned a man before...” The older Dwarf pointed to a vase on one of the table.

“Well, those flowers arrived for her this morning, so I merely assumed...”

“Are those.... White lilies...” Amber’s breath hitched in her throat as her eyes widened. The twin locked eyes.

“I think we need to go find Mother. Now,” the rogue stated. Gamlen seemed nervous about their reactions.

“Why, what's going on?”

“No time to talk!” Anders exclaimed.

“I hate scenes like this. They never end well,” Varric muttered, following the healer towards the door.

“Uncle, just go back home,” Adia instructed. “Maybe Mother is there waiting for you and you just missed her. Amber, I'll meet you in Lowtown. I'm going to see if Fenris is home. I have a feeling we're going to need all the help we can get.”

“All right. Yes! Yes, that must be it! Maybe I just missed her.”

“The boy and I will stay here in case she returns,” Bodahn told the girls.

“Okay!” Amber called back as everyone split up outside. Adia ran, making it across Hightown in record time, not even bothering to stop and knock at Fenris' door. She burst in, leaving it wide open and raced up the stairs, skipping a few as she went. She paused only to catch her breath in the doorway of his room.

“Fenris?” He sat up in a chair, a book falling to the floor as he saw her.

“Adia? What... What are you doing here?” She crossed the room and stood in front of him.

“I need your help. I think... I think something has happened to Mother. Gamlen came over and said she didn't show up for their weekly visit and then Bodahn showed us these white lilies that came for her and- Please, I just need your help.” She seemed almost panic-stricken, pacing back and forth while she talked.

“Wait, you think that this is connected to that blood mage you killed a while ago? And why my help?”

“All the other victims were sent white lilies, what else am I supposed to think!” The archer stopped pacing and looked at the floor for a moment. “I...I don't know. I just need you...” The Elf nodded and grabbed his sword as he stood.

“Do you have any leads on her whereabouts?”

“Gamlen said Mother should have gone to his place for their visit. I told Amber we'd meet her in Lowtown.” The warrior grimaced at the mention of the mage’s name.

“Very well. Let us hurry.”

“Thank you.” She gave him a very quick hug before bolting out of the mansion like a Demon was at her heels. The two of them raced through Kirkwall, arriving in Lowtown in record time. Adia saw Amber talking to a street urchin, and he pointed at something down the street. She skidded to a stop next to her twin, resting her hands on her knees to catch her breath. “What'd we miss?”

“Apparently your mother stopped to help a man covered in blood. He left a bit of a trail,” Anders filled them in.

“We have to hurry!” Amber added, already running down the street. As the group followed the mage, they saw splashes of blood on the streets every so often.

“So much blood... Maker that better not be Mother's...” Adia prayed.

“We'll find her, Birdie, I promise,” Varric assured her, eyes darting everywhere. The trail eventually led to a dark foundry, which seemed oddly familiar.

“Weren't we here before?” Fenris wondered, looking around.

“...I don't like this place. It just wreaks of death,” the redhead whispered, pulling her bow from her back and wrapping her hands tightly around it until her knuckles were white. Amber and Anders unhooked their staffs, and Varric brought Bianca to bear. They continued following the blood trail until they spied a trapdoor that no one recognized.

“Was this here before?” the Dwarf asked, looking at the others. By the confused expressions on their faces, he figured that was a no.

“Mother must be down there...” Amber realized, seeing some blood on it. Adia quickly yanked the door open, dropping down and nocking an arrow back as she took a cautious look around. There was nothing to see, but the stench of rot and decay hit her almost immediately. Before she could warn the group, they’d all dropped next to her.

“Maker's breath!” Anders whined, holding a sleeve over his face as he gagged.

“This is bad,” Fenris stated, trying to breath through his mouth. It didn’t help.

“I'm going to be sick...” Amber predicted, hand over her mouth.

“I don't think the Maker's breath smells quite this bad, Anders...” Adia quipped as she moved her shirt over her nose to stop her own gagging.

“We have to keep moving,” Varric told them, shaking his head to clear the smell from his sinuses. They moved further into the room, but didn’t get far as Shades and Rage Demon rose to confront them.

“Well... Looks like we're in the right spot!” the redhead sarcastically called out. She found a corner and loaded a handful of arrows into her bow, nocking it back and letting them fly at the monsters before firing rapidly at them. Everyone joined the battle, making short work of the creatures. From the light of one of Amber's fireballs, Adia saw a body lying on a cot. It looked familiar, but wasn't their mother. She rushed over to the woman grabbing her shoulder and turning her over, letting out a small yelp when she realized the woman was dead. “Alessa!” Her sister came over, but her eyes nearly bugged out when she saw a detail Adia had missed.

“Andraste's tits... Adia... Her feet are missing...” The mage turned away, fighting the urge to be sick.

“Holy Flaming Andraste...” The archer grabbed Amber's arm and started dragging her down the hallway. “We need to find Mother. Now.”

“Agreed,” her twin said softly. They made it into the next room, and there was no overwhelming stench here. In fact, were they not obviously in the sewers, this might be a bedroom. There was a writing desk, a bed, bookshelves, chests, and a framed portrait illuminated by torches. However, corpses pulled themselves from the ground as soon as the group stepped in, followed again by Shades and two Rage Demons.

“More of them? Bianca, let's go!” Varric yelled.

“Damn blood magick!” Fenris swore, markings flaring to life.

“For the love of... Really?!” Adia called out, rolling her eyes. “We don't have time for this!” Again, they made short work of the creatures, and Varric walked over to the portrait, eyes wide as he stared at it.

“You two might want to look at this,” he said, motioning the twins over. Adia flipped off the steps and walked over, breath catching in her throat as she saw it.

“Holy... Maker... Shit... Is that Mother?”

“It does look like her, doesn't it?” Amber agreed.

“A shrine dedicated to a wife? A sister, perhaps?” Anders offered.

“All the more reason to find Leandra,” Fenris added.

“This is just... Wrong. Something is very, very wrong here. I don't like this at all,” Adia grumbled.

“Me neither... Come on,” her sister concurred, tugging on her arm. The twins walked together, holding tight to each other’s hands as they looked over every shadowed corner and stretch of hallway they passed. As they crossed a pile of garbage, a glint of gold caught the rogue’s eye, and she immediately stopped. Dropping to her knees, she unearthed the piece and held it up, fear and hope intermixed.

“This is Mother's locket... She has to be here.”

“Mother! We're coming!” Amber called, running down the corridor ahead of the others. Adia took off after her, leaving the men rather far back. The mage suddenly skidded to a stop, and the redhead nearly rammed into her before she stopped as well. There was a man standing at the end of the room they were in, a figure seated in front of him, its back to the girls. The figure appeared to be a woman in a wedding dress. The man looked up at them and smirked.

“I've been expecting you. Leandra was so sure you'd come for her.”

“Where's. Our. Mother? Give her back!” Adia growled, eyes narrowed.

“She is here,” the man told them, looking back at the seated woman for a moment. “But now she is a part of something... Greater.”

“What have you done with her?!” Amber demanded as the rest of the group caught up to them. The man walked around the figure, caressing it every so often.

“Do you know what the strongest force in the universe is? It's love. I pieced her together from memory. I found her skin, her delicate fingers, and finally... This face. Oh, this beautiful face. I have done what no other mage has: I have touched the face of the Maker, and lived!”

“You're definitely touched, but in the head,” Anders retorted.

“I don't care if you touched Andraste's flaming tits!” the redhead shouted. “Where is our mother?! Why did you take her?” But the man continued his rant.

“I have once again found my beloved." The figure stood and shuffled to him, looking very... Unnatural. “And no force in this world can part us again!” The figure turned to face them, and the twins saw their mother's face. However, they also saw that her head appeared to be stitched on her body, and her limbs seemed to be from various women. Amber stood there, eyes wide and forgetting to breathe for a moment. Adia paled and also went wide-eyed, mouth hanging open.

“You... What did you do to her?!” Even as she spoke, Shades, corpses, and a Desire Demon were summoned to attack the group by the unknown man.

“Girls, defend yourselves!” Fenris shouted, sword out and ready.

“You two get him. We’ll handle these other things!” Varric added. Justice quickly manifested and pointed Anders’ staff at their enemy.

“You will pay for this!”

“Snap out of it, Amber...” Adia called, shaking her for a moment before pulling a knife from her belt and charging the man, stabbing and slashing at everything in her path. She gutted a Shade, vaulted off a Rage Demon's head, and made a flying tackle for the necromancer. Her sister cleared the path with a barrage of spells, using her staff to slice into a few corpses.

“Adia, wait!” She tried to warn the archer, but it was too late. Adia bounced off the barrier the man had placed around himself and Leandra. She flew into a wall, quickly standing, though a little wobbly.

“Come out of that bubble, you bastard! I'll tear your head from your shoulders!” Corpses shambled towards them as Amber reached her sister’s side. Her head was on fire from the constant swell of blood magick, but she was not going to let anything else happen to their mother.

“Give me a moment. I'll get him out.” She started chanting something, pointing the staff directly at the barrier and focusing quite a bit of power into it. A bolt fired from the staff, and Adia saw the man stagger back, the barrier completely shattered. Not even a moment later, he was zapped by lightning from Amber's hand. “Kill him!” Adia charged the man with a scream that could shatter glass, tackling him to the ground. She stabbed him repeatedly all about his body; chest, stomach, neck, arms, face... Wherever her knife landed; ignoring the bloody spray going everywhere.

“You sick bastard! You sick bastard!” After a minute, she felt someone grab her arms and haul her back.

“Adia, he's dead...” Fenris whispered, grip tightening for a moment. She briefly fought with him before going limp and allowing herself to be pulled back, dropping the knife to the ground.

“....Not dead enough...” She turned her head to see Leandra’s body drop into Amber’s arms, and the mage went to her knees, cradling her. Anders came up behind his lover, a look of horror and sadness on his face.

“His magick was what was keeping her... Alive... It's fading now. I'm sorry....” Adia dropped next to Amber, looking up at the healer.

“Isn't there something you can do? Isn't healing your kind of magic?”

“Adia...” He looked away, seeing the grief and anger so plainly in her eyes. “That body isn't even completely hers. She was dead, and he... Brought her back.”

“Don't fret, darling,” Leandra whispered, smiling slightly. “That man would've kept me trapped in here. But now I'm free. I get to see your Father again.”

“Mother...” The rogue bit down on her lip, shaking her head, hands balling into fists in the dirt.

“My little girls have grown so strong.”

“I'm sorry... We should have been there for you,” Amber told her.

“You were. And you're here now.”

“We should have gotten here sooner... We should have stopped him before this.”

“It's all right, Adia.” Leandra’s smile faded for a moment. “Take care of each other. And Carver. I know you'll make me proud. You always... Did....” Her head fell to one side, breath sighing out. The redhead bit back a sob and shook her head, punching at the dirt a few times before looking at Amber.

“Let's... Let's get out of here.” Her twin nodded, gently placing the body on the ground. She stood, pulling her sister into an embrace for a moment.

“Go,” she told her. “I'll take care of... All this.”

“Let's go home... I'm sure Gamlen is waiting...” Adia added. The group walked out of the room, and then Amber turned, flames outlining her form for a moment as she conjured a firestorm of such intensity that it dried Adia’s tears before they even left her eyes. Everything burned, and she didn't stop until even the walls and floor were charred black and cracked.

“Amber, are you-” Anders began, before she spun on her heel and started walking. For the first time, she felt lucky that her eyes were normally red.

“I'm fine. Let's go.” Adia turned to Fenris before also walking away from the burnt room.

“Thank you... For coming,” she said softly.

“You are... Welcome,” he hesitantly replied. The trek back to the estate was done in silence. They got to the door of the estate, where Varric pulled the girls into a hug.

“We’ll talk when you’re ready. And drinks are on me next time, all right?” They both nodded, and then the Dwarf looked at Anders and Fenris. “Take care of them.” The men nodded as the Dwarf headed off. Heading into the estate, the group saw Gamlen in the sitting room.

“Can you give us a moment, please?” Amber asked the boys.

“Of course,” Anders said, heading to the library; Fenris following him. Adia gave her sister’s hand a squeeze before going into the sitting room with her, taking a deep breath, knowing whatever they told him, Gamlen was sure to pop. He looked up at them, arms folded over his chest.

“Did you find her?”

“We did. But, she's gone, Uncle...” Adia said with a sad shake of her head. His shoulders shook for a moment as he dropped his head.

“You were right about the flowers, and... Everything. That Guard Captain girl told me about it when she saw me on the streets. Why her? Why Leandra?”

“Would it make a difference?” Amber wanted to know. “She's still gone.”

“Amber's right...” Adia agreed. “Knowing isn't going to change anything. She's with Father now.”

“Just answer me one thing: Did you get the bastard that did this?” Gamlen’s eyes darkened as one hand clenched tightly.

“Adia did,” the mage assured him.

“Then Amber set him on fire,” the rogue added. “He's gone.” Their Uncle nodded, seemingly satisfied.

“I'll go to the Gallows and let Carver know. You two have had a hard enough night already.” He headed for the door, but paused. “Take care, my dears.” Adia waited until they were alone before turning to her sister.

“Amber... This is a stupid question, but I have to ask it... Are you okay? Do you want to talk or call it a night and just... Deal with this in the morning?”

“What's there to talk about?” Amber wondered, shaking her head. “We're orphans, thanks to an insane man who felt he could defy the Maker and the natural order of things.... I just... I'm so tired of all the death.”

“At least we still have each other,” Adia reminded her with a small smile. “And I promise not to die without your permission.” The red-eyed girl hugged her twin tight.

“You better not.... Hey, do you still have mother's locket?” The archer dug the necklace out of her pocket.

“I do. Do you want it?” But her sister took it from her and put it around Adia’s neck, tucking it into her shirt.

“I have Father's staff. It's only right that you keep this. And I guess we'll... Talk to Carver at some point about all this...”

“Thanks...” She frowned at the mention of Carver. “I'm sure he'll find some way to turn this into being one or both of our faults. At least Gamlen is telling him... I don't think I could take his attitude right now.”

“Me neither...” Amber agreed with a sigh. “We should try and sleep... I guess...” Diego came up to them and licked Adia’s hand as the rogue playfully nudged her sister.

“At least Anders is here for you,” she reminded her. She knelt down next to Diego and scratched his ears. “And I have my faithful war dog to cuddle with.”

“Goodnight Adia.” Amber headed upstairs, her steps slow.

“Goodnight, Amber.” She headed off to her room, patting her leg for Diego to follow, leaning down slightly to pat his head when he did.
* * *

Fenris sat in the library, clicking his gauntlets and just staring at the floor. He felt frustrated and useless at the moment, considering what was occurring in the next room: Adia and her sister were talking to their uncle, trying to explain what had happened. But what had happened? He shuddered at the memory of what he had seen in that dank, squalid pit. Leandra Hawke had not deserved that end, and Adia had not deserved to see the atrocities committed on her mother. And a mage, a thrice-damned mage had done that to Leandra, all to try and reclaim his lost love. “Pathetic,” he mumbled softly, standing up and beginning to pace the room.

“What is?” He’d almost forgotten that Anders was there as well, wanting to give his own lover the privacy she’d asked for when talking to Gamlen.

“You are. All mages are,” Fenris hissed as he abruptly stopped his movement. “That one of your own could think that what he was doing was a good thing. You should all be struck down for your hubris before you hurt innocents!” The mage stood, anger and blue light flashing across his face for a moment.

“It’s not like I agreed with that madman!” he shot back, taking a step towards the Elf. “What, you think I liked having to watch Amber try not to fall apart? You think I took some sort of joy in seeing what had become of Leandra? I was just as disgusted as you were, Fenris.”

“You mean to tell me you weren’t interested in what he had do-”

“NO!” The glowing cracks appeared on Anders, and Fenris took an involuntary step back. His markings always ached whenever the Spirit manifested. “If I could have prolonged his suffering, I would have! He deserved to die a thousand times more for all the pain he caused not only Leandra, but Amber and Adia. Just because he happened to be a mage, all that meant was that he did that evil himself.”

“So you do admit that mages can be evil?”

“We have just as much tendency for it as anyone else, Fenris.” The healer took a deep breath, struggling with Justice to back down before they made the night worse. Leaning on one of the bookcases, he closed his eyes and also fought down the image of Leandra’s… Body. “Evil has many forms, and some aren’t easily noticed. Magick is only a tool, like a sword or a bow. It’s the wielder that determines how it’s used.”

“Magick allows for far more abuse than my sword ever could.”

“Keep telling yourself that. One day you might actually realize I’m right.” The door clicked open, and Bodahn walked in, wringing his hands and dabbing at his eyes every so often. After a moment, he looked at them both.

“Gamlen has gone home, and the Mistresses are…” He looked away for a second. “They have retired to their rooms. But I beg you gentlemen, please talk to them. Mistress Amell meant the world to them, and with Master Carver not here… They need you. Both of you.” Anders nodded, but Fenris swallowed nervously. He and Adia hadn’t really spoken since that night he’d bedded her and left, so what sort of comfort would he be able to give her? The Dwarf left the room, and Anders started for the door, but paused, looking back at him.

“Are you going to stand there all night, or go to her?”

“Mind your own business, abomination.” The mage sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as the anger rose up again. Maker, the Elf could be so infuriating at times.

“Right now, those two are my business. And I think there’s a certain redhead who would appreciate you being there for her. Even if you don’t say anything.”

“You cannot possibly know what she wants.” Anders shook his head, crossing over to the warrior in two strides and grabbing the collar of his jerkin. He brought the Elf’s face within inches of his, not bothering to hide his barely-contained rage.

“No, you’re right, I don’t know what Adia wants. What I do know is that she’s in pain, and needs someone there for her. So unless you want me to send for Isabella-”

“You wouldn’t dare! That isn’t what Adia needs!” The tattoos were lit up now, and Anders smirked and released his hold.

“No, it isn’t. And despite my own feelings about you, that girl cares for you. Wouldn’t it be nice if you showed her you feel the same?” The Elf glared at him, but didn’t say a word. Anders sighed again and headed once more for the door. As he opened it, however, he felt Fenris come up beside him.

“You make a valid point, mage,” he said softly. The two men walked out of the room, but Fenris spun suddenly and jabbed a finger into Anders’ chest. “But if you ever think of mentioning this to the others, I will hurt you.”

“Oh yes, perish the thought of Fenris actually having a heart,” the mage quipped. He rolled his eyes and headed up the stairs to Amber’s room. Fenris walked slowly to Adia’s door, swallowing a lump of nerves and fear before knocking on it and walking in.
* * *

Adia was sat on the side of her bed, hands clasped in her lap, head down and eyes staring at the floor. She didn’t even move when she heard the knock. Was it a knock? She wasn’t even sure anymore. Nothing seemed real. Amber was a mess, Bodahn wasn’t much better off. Gamlen… Well, while she didn’t much care for her uncle, she knew he was hurting as well. Thankfully he was going to take care of telling Carver. What else could possibly go wrong this year? Carver joined the Templars, she foolishly gave herself to a man she thought she could tame, her mother murdered by a mad man… What next? The familiar clinking of armor caused her head to tilt slightly. Tired blue eyes settled on the Elf standing at the foot of her bed.

“I don’t know what to say… But I am here.” He was struggling for words. Adia looked up and the sight almost broke the Elf’s heart. This wasn’t the Adia he knew. His Adia was full of life and always smiling, not this broken and tired thing before him. When she spoke, it took all his reserve not to embrace her.

“Just… Say something. Anything.” Her voice was barely a whisper and held a thousand different emotions. She was in so much pain and he had no clue as to how to comfort her.

“They say death is just a journey. Does that help?” Smooth, Fenris. Real smooth. Of course that’s not going to help. His inner voice mocked his choice of words. She chuckled and shook her head. At least he was trying.

“I suppose they say you go back to the Maker when you die.” Fenris moved and sat next to her. Adia stiffened slightly at his closeness, but turned her head to look at him.

“I’ve heard that too.” He paused for a moment before returning her gaze. “To be honest… I don’t think there is much point in filling these moments with empty talk.” Adia turned her head and looked back to the floor. Even in the silence, she found his presence comforting. It was a long time before either spoke.

“A long time ago I had a family of five. The Templars murdered my father. Then there were four. The Blight hit and we did everything we could to make it here as a family. Then Carver left. He abandoned us to join those blighted Templars; the very order that took our Father away from us. Then there were three. A crazed lunatic kidnaps and murders our Mother to make some kind of freakish copy of his dead wife. Now… It’s only Amber and I.” Adia sat up straight and turned her body, sliding a leg up onto the bed. Tears were forming in her eyes and the Elf balled his hands into fists, resisting the temptation to wipe them away. “Did my family do something to the Maker? Did someone long ago in our line maybe light the pyre that Andraste was set to be burnt on? Why are we being punished?” Fenris cocked an eyebrow. He was not expecting this. “What’s going to happen next? Is he going to take Amber away too? I couldn’t save my own Mother from a crazed madman… How could I even save my sister if something…” The tears spilled and she hung her head, wrapping her arms around herself. Fenris fought his urges, but lost. Grabbing her arms, he pulled the distraught woman into his lap and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin atop her head. He held her until the sobs died down and she was little more than a limp doll.

“Adia?” He looked down, brushing the hair from her face and sighing. Shifting, he pulled back the covers and laid her down. He covered her up and turned to leave. His markings flared when her skin touched his. Adia wrapped her hand around his wrist and looked up at him.

“Please, Fenris… I know we’re having our differences but… Please don’t leave me. Not tonight. You can go in the morning, and I’ll never ask you for anything again.” His heart was breaking as he listened to her. He owed her at least one night. Another sigh and he pulled his wrist from her grasp and began removing his armor. Moving to the other side of the bed, he cocked an eyebrow at the large Mabari glaring at him.
“I do believe your Mistress has requested my presence in her bed, Diego. I’m not saying you have to leave the bed, but you should probably move.” Diego growled, but a swat from Adia had him whimpering in seconds like she had smacked him with the flat side of a sword.

“Big baby.” She teased as the dog moved to the end of the bed. Adia sat up and scratched his ears, thanking him for being a good boy. He barked happily and watched as Fenris once again pulled the woman to him. Adia nestled herself against him, sighing softly when she felt his arms wrap around her. It wasn’t long before sleep took her. She welcomed the feelings around her and drifted into her own happy place. She’d deal with the inevitable in the morning.
* * *

Amber sat on her bed, Shadowfade on her lap. The cat was purring and rubbing her face against her arm, trying to cheer the girl up as best she could. She heard footsteps outside the door, and turned to look. Anders walked in, concern in his eyes. “I know nothing I say will change it,” he began. “I’m just… I’m sorry.” He stood in front of her, but she dropped her head back down, looking either at the cat or the floor. “You were lucky to have her as long as you did,” he continued, though a bit hesitantly. “When the pain fades, that’s what will matter.”

“It doesn’t matter how long she was with us. It’ll still never make any sense.” He sat next to her, and Shadowfade leapt onto his shoulder, purring still.

“Of course it won’t. He was a madman. They never make sense.”

“We should have gotten there faster. If only I had been stronger-” He grabbed her shoulders, and her head flew up, grief and fear on her face. Shadowfade dropped onto the bed, pacing back and forth between them.

“You are Amber Hawke, Leandra’s daughter. You can never be anything less than that. She wouldn’t want you blaming yourself.”

“But I promised Father that I would take care of everyone!” The tears formed in her eyes, and she bit back a sob as he pulled her closer.

“Sweetheart, I’m sure he’d understand.” Amber tried to pull away, but his arms only tightened around her. “You’re doing the best you can. None of us thought that he’d go after your mother. But he’s dead now, and no one else will lose loved ones to him.”

“She said she was proud of us…” Anders kissed the top of her head, gently rubbing her back in small circles.

“She should be. You and Adia have done a lot for Kirkwall. You’re both very kind, and even the Viscount and the Qunari had to take notice of you.”

“I’d give it all up just to know she was safe.”

“I know,” he replied, feeling Justice stir.

‘We should have done something.’

‘Like what? The man responsible is dead, Justice. There’s nothing more to be done.’ But the Spirit felt restless and… Bothered by something.

‘We cannot take away her pain? I do not like seeing her like this.’

‘Neither do I. But this is grief over a loved one. This is something that all people go through at one time or another. She will be fine… Eventually.’

‘When did you accept that your mother was gone?’ The question was innocent enough, but Anders shook his head, fighting back the images of a woman he barely remembered. Justice sensed his fear, and retreated slightly, knowing he had done something to upset the mage. Amber sniffed, realizing that Anders was trembling even as he held her. She looked up and saw that his eyes were closed, his jaw clenched, and his face was pale. Tears slipped out the corners of his eyes though, and she brushed her hand along his cheek.

“Anders?” she asked softly. He shook his head, but didn’t open his eyes. Her fingers slid into his hair, combing gently through the blonde strands. His grip loosened a little, and Amber pulled him towards her, resting his head against her shoulder. “What’s wrong?” He still didn’t answer. “You can tell me. It’s all right.”

“I’m supposed to be comforting you,” he reminded her, voice thick with emotion.

“We can comfort each other. Now what’s wrong?”

“Nothing I want to get into right now, love.” He gently pulled away, running his hand lightly down her cheek as he dried his own with the sleeve of his coat. “I’m here for you, whatever you need.” She nodded, wrapping her arms around his waist and nuzzling into his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

“Thank you,” she whispered, feeling exhaustion settle over her. The next thing she knew, the fire was only embers, and she was lying in bed. Justice was holding her, worry clear on his face. “Is Anders asleep?”

“Yes. I told him I would watch over you while he rested. Amber… I wish there was a way I could help you.”

“You are helping me, Justice. You’re here with me. I don’t want to be alone.”

“Then I will stay with you. For however long you need me.” She latched onto him, nuzzling his neck.

“How about forever?” she asked, voice cracking slightly. She felt him smile, and he kissed her forehead.

“Then forever it is.” Amber once more fell asleep, the Spirit keeping a vigil until exhaustion claimed Anders’ body as well.