Anything For You

Fenris had stopped breathing when he saw the Arishok get his head torn in half. The nobles around them may not recognize what she had done, but he was all too familiar. Blood magic. Before he could even process what she had done, she was on the floor with a loud thud, letting out one short scream before going still and silent. Aveline and Varric rushed towards Hawke and were shouting at him, but in this moment of shock he couldn't understand their words. Until Aveline rushed to him and slapped him, pulling him from his haze just enough to understand her command.

"Anders! NOW!"

He didn't respond, he simply turned and bolted towards the estate, his entire body glowing as he used every ounce of his abilities to push himself faster. He phased through the door of the estate and slid to a stop in the main room. It was empty. No sign of Sandal, Bodahn or Orana. No sign of Anders or Liz.

"ANDERS!!" He shouted with all the air from his lungs. He glanced up to see a barrier coming down from the door of Liz's nursery. Anders stepped out carefully, staff in hand.

"We heard the fighting... Why are you here?" He asked cautiously, looking at Fenris' still glowing body and feral expression.

"Marian hurt. Needs you." His use of common was broken, his first language would always be Tevene, and in his panic he could barely remember anything else.

Anders' expression hardened and he ran down the stairs to Fenris.

"Lead the way." Anders passed by him to the door, opening it and stepping out. Fenris snarled and scooped up the mage, ignoring the surprised protests of the larger man as he began his powerful run back to the Viscount's keep. There were templars there now, but he shoved through them, Anders clinging onto him for dear life. He even pushed past Meredith, who started to reprimand him, but he did not care. He dumped Anders unceremoniously next to Marian, who was now laying in a large pool of her own blood. As Anders set to healing, a few templars tried to approach, but Fenris stood guard, snarling at them and swearing in Tevene, daring them to try it.

-

Anders knew that Marian had to be hurt, but he had not expected this. Varric and Aveline had obviously pulled the greatsword out of her. He scolded himself for never teaching them proper medical protocol when it came to these things. She was losing large amounts of blood, and he set to healing her immediately, shouting at the others to pour lyrium vials into his mouth, as he could not stop healing for even a second if he wanted to save her. He felt Justice hovering near the surface, on edge at their unwanted Templar audience. If this had been any other situation, he might have hesitated to heal here, or perhaps relished in doing this great deed in front of Meredith, but this was not the time. His only thoughts were of Marian, and that she must survive. He was starting to shiver from the excessive use of lyrium, but it was the only thing keeping his magic strong. He poured everything he had into Marian, piecing her insides back together. But his efforts bore fruit as she wearily opened her eyes, groaning in pain. Anders ceased his healing and very carefully adjusted their positioning so her head could be in his lap instead of soaking in her own blood.

Varric and Aveline gave sighs of relief and started praising him, while the crowd of civilians in the hall began cheering and clapping.

"It seems-" The cool, curt voice of Meredith cut through the celebration, "That Kirkwall has a new Champion." She said these words to Marian, who weakly nodded her head once in acknowledgement. She then turned her steely gaze to Anders. Her expression of approval was plastered on, he could tell by the burn in her eyes that she was fuming that this magic had not only been tolerated, but was being celebrated.

Anders simply smiled back at her, knowing full well that this was a victory for the mages. The nobles and common folk alike would know that magic could be used for good, and with a mage as the Champion of Kirkwall, Meredith would not be able to continue her abuses unchallenged.

-

Marian was carried home by Fenris, and Aveline had to help Anders walk back to the estate. They arrived safely, as the Qunari had followed the arrangement set by the duel, and left swiftly with only their relic to show for all the trouble they had caused. Marian was laid carefully into her bathtub, which had been prepared by Orana while they were away (She was a damned smart girl, always anticipating the needs of her Mistress), while Anders simply stripped down to his smalls and laid down in the bed, covering himself up and swiftly falling asleep.

"I...shall fetch Orana to aid you." Fenris said stiffly.

"Please don't leave." Marian's response was quiet, but it was enough to still him.

"What do you wish of me?"

"If you could get me out of this robe and help me wash my hair, I'd appreciate it." She smiled softly at him.

"As you wish." He carefully eased her robe off of her, then the rest of her clothes as well, though he tried to keep his gaze respectful, given what she had just gone through, he couldn't help but linger on the sight of her. He was pulled from his admiration by her giggling.

"You know, I never thought my first time getting naked for you would be like this." She smiled and gingerly set her hand on his.

"I apologize. I just...admire you so. Your strength, your resilience, your mind..."

"And my breasts apparently." She said with a smirk.

He allowed himself a small, self-conscious chuckle. "Yes, your beauty too. I...appreciate how patient you have been with me, Marian. But after today, I don't want to go slowly anymore. We almost lost you, I... I couldn't live with myself if you had died. I love you, Marian Hawke. I should have said that long ago."

"I love you too, Fenris." She smiled and gently pulled on his arm, bringing with closer so they could kiss.

Fenris, for all his faults, for all his fears, could find no reason to restrain himself any longer, no reason to shy away from the love so freely offered. Not even her (hopefully accidental) use of blood magic could push him away. He would stand by this woman until his death. He slowly pulled back from the kiss, smiling warmly at her.

"Let's get you cleaned up, amata."