Pair of Hawkes: Warden Reunion

One week later, and plans for the wedding AND overthrowing Meredith were in full swing. Carver had almost fully recovered from his withdrawal, and life was getting back to “Hawke normal”. That afternoon there was a knock on the door, and when Bodahn answered it, he called out: “Mistress Adia, the guests have arrived!” Adia came skipping out of her room, eager to meet new people. However, she was not quite expecting the rather large group that was now gathered in the foyer: A redhead in Chantry robes with a Mabari at her side, a tattooed Elf who seemed foreign, four Dwarves, including one woman holding a little boy, a man in full plate armor, and another woman in lighter armor. There was a female Dalish Elf who seemed to be a mage, a woman who resembled Nathaniel with a little boy gingerly holding a box with holes on the top, and a blonde woman. Adia grinned at the Queen as she stepped out from the library.

“You said you wanted to invite people. I didn't realize there would be so many. Welcome, everyone!” The other Mabari took this as a sign to practically tackle Elissa, who laughed and allowed him to lick her for a few moments.

“Down, Jack!” At her command, the Hound sat with his tongue hanging out. Diego came bounding out of Adia’s room, hearing all the commotion. The two Mabari looked at one another, ears perking up, before beginning to playfully wrestle in the hall. “Well, now that he's distracted... Champion Adia Hawke, meet my Warden unit: Oghren, Velanna, and Sigrun. The other Dwarves are Oghren's wife Felsi and their son Endrin. The one in Chantry-wear is "Sister" Lelianna, left hand of Divine Justinia IV, and the other Elf is Zevran, formerly an Antivan Crow. The women are Nathaniel's sister Delilah with her son Thomas. And last but not least is-”

“Aura?” Justice’s voice floated over from the stairs, where the Spirit was leaning against the second floor railing. Aura looked up and smiled politely.

“Spirit, it is... Nice to see you again.” Her Orlesian accent brought Adia back to their adventure with Tallis for a moment, and she bowed to the group.

“It is nice to meet all of you.” Zevran stepped forward, eyes twinkling as he took the archer’s hand and kissed it lightly.

“Ah your Highness, you did not say the Champion would be so... Vivacious. Zevran Aranai, assassin extraordinaire, at your service, my dear.” At that moment, Fenris came up from the basement, and the scene made him raise an eyebrow.

“Hands off my wife.” The Antivan looked up and smirked.

“Ah, not the sharing type? Even if it was at the same time?” The warrior turned a fierce shade of red, walking up behind Adia and quickly pulling her back.

“OFF,” he repeated. Adia blushed a bit at all the attention, and then offered her husband a confused look.

“...Share? What are we sharing? Why are you turning red, Fenris?” Isabella sauntered in from the library, hips swaying. Alistair and Nathaniel were following.

“Zevran is quite a little flirt, Adia. He's very much like me, actually.” Zevran glanced up at her comment, a broad grin coming to his face as he walked over and kissed both her cheeks.

“Isabella! You certainly do find yourself with interesting people, don't you?”

“Frequently,” she teased, winking at Alistair, who blushed. Adia was looking back and forth between the three of them, when an idea came to her.

“...Isabella!” The pirate looked at her, seemingly amused.

“What? I told you that I knew the Hero of Ferelden, right? I slept with her and Alistair. Zevran might have joined, but Alistair doesn't like men.”

“Not in that sense, anyway,” the King added with a shrug. The conversation she’d had last week with Isabella came roaring back, and Adia’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. It took her a few moments to regain her ability to speak.

“SO! It's nice to meet everyone!” At that moment, Justice came into the room, seemingly not caring about the gasps and stares from the others. Aura seemed to do a double-take as she put her hand out for a moment.

“Wait, that body…”

“Yes. Anders and I merged.”

“But he is... Still alive?” There was fear in her voice, and the Spirit nodded.

“Yes. It is difficult to explain...” Amber appeared on the stairs, trying to figure out who Justice was talking to.

“Justice? Who-” Then she saw everyone. “Oh! Hello.” Adia turned to her twin.

“We have guests! It seems little Anders was a popular guy and he neglected to tell us!” The healer resumed control, looking a bit overwhelmed.

“...I... Never thought this many people cared.”

“Of course we care, Sparkle-Fingers!” Oghren called out, a grin on his face.

“...Sparkle-Fingers?” Adia asked.

“Yeah! He's a mage. One o' them man-skirt wearing freaks.”

“Oghren!” Felsi shouted, smacking his arm. The warrior recoiled slightly, and both Hawkes stared at the Queen, who sighed heavily.

“You get used to them.”

“...Somewhat,” Anders admitted.

“Well, welcome to our home,” the archer said again, arms extending to the rest of the house. “Please, come in and make yourselves comfortable and...” She eyed the box with holes. “You don't have to keep your pet confined.” Thomas stepped to Anders, handing him the box.

“Oh yes! A wedding gift.” The mage smiled and took the box, pulling off the top.

“Thank y-” His eyes went wide.

“Mrow?” Amber peered around him, getting excited.

“Kitty?” Her fiancé picked a chubby, orange cat out of the box, tears in his eyes.

“Ser Pounce-a-Lot...”

“Your cat from the Wardens?” Adia wondered. The healer just nodded as Pounce rubbed his face against his master, purring all the while. After a few minutes, there was a soft “mew” as Shadowfade poked her head around the corner, and Pounce looked up. The cats locked eyes, and then the orange cat leapt from Anders’ arms and went over to her. There was some sniffing for a moment, then they both glanced at their owners and trotted off down the hall.

“Well now...” Amber said, clearly surprised.

“I remember the last time Shadow saw another cat she chased the poor creature out of the barn hissing and growling at it,” Adia added.

“Well, seems like master like cat,” Anders said, putting an arm around Amber. Carver walked in from the hall, looking perplexed.

“When did you get another- Oh... People.”

“These are Anders' friends from the Wardens, Carver,” the younger twin introduced. The redhead in Chantry robes held up a hand and spoke. Again, there was the musical accent of Orlais.

“To be fair, Zevran and myself are friends of Queen Elissa. We are here more to deal with Knight Commander Meredith. Though I have also come with the offer of performing the marriage ceremony, seeing as your relationship with Grand Cleric Elthina is... Strained.”

“That's putting it mildly,” the former Templar shot back.

“Yes, well, Elthina had her chance to deal with Meredith and decided only to get involved once that loon tried to turn my twin Tranquil. Not to mention allowing her Templars to run amuck around the city and turning innocent mages into little more than puppets for her own amusement.” Adia folded her arms over her chest, still obviously harboring a large amount of contempt towards the Chantry and anyone associated with it.

“And that is going to change,” Lelianna promised. “I come with the authority of Divine Justinia to remove Knight Commander Meredith if there is no other alternative. So far, I do not believe there is one.”

“Oh, there is,” the younger redhead countered. “You let me put an arrow in her skull. That's always an option, and the safest one. You can remove the crazed woman from power, but there's nothing dictating that she won't come back.” Lelianna frowned a bit at the forwardness the younger woman was showing.

“She will be sent to Aeonar.” Anders and Carver pulled back, eyes wide.

“The mages’ prison?” the healer asked.

“Yes.”

“...Maker have mercy,” Carver whispered. Adia shot Carver a confused look.

“She doesn't deserve mercy.” Then she glanced at Anders. “What is Aeonar?”

“It's a prison tower that's on a piece of land where the Veil has been torn severely. The Templars hold it, and highly dangerous mages are brought there to be-”

“Killed,” Lelianna interrupted. “Interrogated and then killed. It is a horrible place.” The younger twin started pacing, talking through their plan.

“So let me get this straight: You’re sending Meredith, the crazy Knight Commander of Kirkwall, to a Mage prison manned by Templars where normally people are interrogated and then killed.” Her voice was getting louder, and her stares made it clear she thought they were all nuts. “Why not just kill her now and get it over with? She's not going to go quietly and she's not going to be locked up. Am I the only one seeing this!?” Lelianna tried to explain:

“Champion, we cannot kill her outright. I cannot even imagine what you and your sister went through, but I must do things publicly. Meredith will answer for her crimes; she will be taken and interrogated at Aeonar, and then locked up in Orlais under heavy guard. She will never trouble anyone again.”

“Adia...” Amber spoke up, voice soft. “I can't live in fear forever of this woman. Let Lelianna do what she needs to.” Anders hugged his lover tightly.

“I don't wish the fate she's got coming to her on anyone.” Adia wasn’t convinced.

“She's getting a better fate than she deserves Anders, and you know it. She's getting off easy.”

“I don't think so... Aenor has been a bogeyman for mages for years.”

“Even Templars don't want to go there, Adia,” Carver added.

“Let her try and stop this. If she wants to go down fighting, then we will take her down.” Fenris promised.

“I'm reserving the right, here and now, to loudly proclaim "I told you so" when she comes back,” Adia said with a sigh and shake of her head. Her husband shrugged and nodded.

“Fair enough.”

“She better not come back,” Amber stated, shivering.

“She won't live long if she does.” Justice’s voice joined with Anders’, fists clenching for a moment. Elissa sighed heavily and folded her arms.

“Well, this turned depressive rather quickly.”

“Well, then where's the alcohol?” Oghren demanded. “I'm here, so let's get this party started!”

“Oghren, we need to have the wedding first,” Felsi reminded him. The Dwarf turned to Lelianna, waving his hands in a gesture of “get going”.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Pray to your burning woman and get 'em married!” Everyone gave Oghren odd looks, and the Wardens and Felsi all sighed.

“...I like him!” Adia piped up. He winked at her.

“And I like you, little missy.”

“She's not that type of girl,” Anders warned him with a slight shake of his head.

“What type is that?”

“Available,” Fenris stated, arm once more encircling Adia. She held his arm tight.

“I... I'm married.”

“So am I.” Felsi turned and smacked his arm, and Oghren recoiled slightly.

“And your wife is right here!”

“Ow! Women...” The Queen fixed a stern gaze on him.

“Oghren, don't make me get involved.”

“...Yes Commander.”

“Right then... To the wedding preparations then? Before this gets any more stranger?” Amber nodded at her sister’s suggestion.

“Agreed.” Elissa clapped her hands together and chuckled.

“Ladies, with me to start decorating! Men... Get out!”

“I'd do as she says before she starts spanking with that sword of hers again.” Adia’s statement was met with confusion and amusement as the men all left the estate. Nathaniel took Thomas’ hand, and Endrin tagged along behind his father. However, Carver paused for a moment, looking at the twins.

“Um... May I talk to you and Amber in private, sister?” Both of them shrugged and followed him.

“What's on your mind?” Carver licked his lips and looked at Adia before shifting his gaze to the mage.

“...I was wondering if I could suggest some guests that I know. And that you wouldn't kill me over.” Amber remained silent, so Adia spoke for her:

“It depends on what guests they are.”

“Captain Thrask, my friends Hugh and Keran, and Keran's sister Macha.”

“If it were mine, I'd say no and tell you to kindly go smack your head into a brick wall. But since this is Amber's...” The twin’s eyes met. “What do you think?”

“They're good people. But I have one rule: They leave their armor and their alliance to the Chantry at the Gallows. I like them; not what they represent.” Carver pursed his lips, a small smile coming to his face.

“I'll let them know. Thank you.” Adia pulled Amber after the other women as Carver went to join the men outside.

“Well, now that that's out of the way, let's get this house straightened up and ready for a wedding.”
* * *

It was later that night, and most everyone in the estate was asleep. Justice was enjoying the quiet and taking advantage of it to get some more writing done on the manifesto. Though this one wouldn’t be handed out in Darktown again, it would eventually be delivered, and it needed to be perfect. “Anders, what- Oh, Spirit!” He turned, hearing the accent he’d tried so long to get out of his mind.

“Aura? It is late. You should be asleep.” She stood in a robe and dressing gown, a candle-holder in one hand to guide her through the dark mansion.

“I confess that sleep is not finding me tonight, and was hoping to find a book to pass the time. But I did not mean to disturb you.”

“You are not. This is the library, and it is for everyone. Feel free to peruse the shelves for something you might enjoy.” She gave him a small smile, and as Justice went back to writing, she began walking around, glancing at titles and sections. After a few minutes, she’d seemingly found something and sat down on one of the couches. But he could still sense her eyes on him, and finally turned around again. “Is there something wrong?” She looked sad, and put the book down.

“Why did you and Anders… Merge?”

“There were a few reasons. Chief among them was our desire to change the fate of mages in this world.”

“But you are a Spirit, and he is mortal. This thing you have done… I fear it will make matters worse.”

“It did,” he revealed, and her head tilted a bit. “We first joined the night after we gave Kristoff back to you.”

“How did you manage to stay in our world with no body?”

“I had a ring made of lyrium that the Commander had given me. I was able to use that, along with a spell of Anders’, to briefly exist with no form.”

“And everything has gone smoothly?” Justice grimaced, and Aura noticed even in the dim light. “No, it hasn’t, I see.”

“Things are better now. Amber brought us both back.”

“She seems like a good woman.”

“She is quite a bit like you, actually.”

“Me?” Aura could not hide the surprise in her voice. “How is that-”

“You followed Kristoff to a foreign land, knowing that he could be taken from you at any point. Amber threw herself into our crusade with no regard for her own safety. You wanted answers when you saw your husband’s corpse walking and talking. She wanted to know how to help the both of us fight past this soul-crushing hatred. You loved Kristoff enough to allow me to exact vengeance in his name with his body. Amber loves us enough to…” Justice realized that he was having a difficult time getting the next group of words out. His throat felt thick, and his eyes felt hot. What was wrong with him? Aura stood and walked over, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“Love allows us all to do things we didn’t know we had the strength to. I had to let go of Kristoff with the knowledge that the man I loved was gone and never coming back. That no matter how many times I saw his face, it wasn’t him. But then you and Anders gave me the closure of burying him. I just wish you would have told someone of your plan to… To be like this. Queen Elissa would have helped you, and Nathaniel was a dear friend to both of you.”

“We did not think they would understand. It is hard to conceive that anyone would understand.”

“I confess, I do not understand what you did, but I accept it. You both wanted to change the world, and that is a noble goal.” She bent and kissed the top of his head, and Justice sighed and closed his eyes.

“I am glad you came, Aura. Seeing you has brought back good memories.”

“I would not have missed the chance to see the both of you happy. And you are very different from the Spirit I remember. You are more… Human.”

“That has taken some getting used to. And there are still things I do not understand or know about. And now with the child-” He stopped himself, eyes widening as Aura took a step back. He hadn’t meant to mention that…

“She is with child? Justice, that is wonderful!” Aura tried to keep her voice down, but it was difficult.

“You cannot tell anyone. Not yet. Even her sister does not know.”

“Are you afraid of the Knight Commander?” The lines of lyrium pulsed, and the Spirit’s eyes narrowed.

“She will be dead before I allow her to harm Amber or the child. I do not fear her, but I know Amber does. Once she no longer holds sway over this city, I will breathe easier. But that will come after… After the wedding.” He stood, one hand settling on Aura’s shoulder for a moment. “I will leave you to your reading. Good night, Aura.”

“Good night, Justice.” He headed back up to Amber’s room, being as quiet as he could in opening the door. Lying down beside her, he wrapped one arm around her waist, and she snuggled back into him. A smile flitted across his face.

“Good night, Amber. I love you.”