wardennolonger | (no subject)

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Two months was a long time; for Anders, it had been spent scrounging coin, calling in favors, and taking ship. Though he had often wondered if he'd ever cross the seas to Tevinter, he'd never anticipated it would be to rescue a resold slave. Thinking of Fenris was difficult for the mage; he didn't imagine the months had been any easier on him. In fact, he dreaded to think what his former companion had endured.

He still hadn't quite gotten over his disbelief; certainly the snarly elf was no bucket of sunshine, and it was true that Hawke's sensibilities were similar more to Anders'. But to think the man would sell Fenris back to the keep of his former master was... well, Anders had never seen a side of Hawke so cold. The man was usually so kind, so patient. When confronted on the matter, he'd so little to say.

IT didn't matter. Anders may have had issue with the surly elf, but he wasn't about to abandon him to a life of slavery. It had taken him so much time to gather himself for the trip, to convince himself that it was indeed the right thing to do.

And as he slipped into the servant's quarters of the expansive mansion, so far from home and help, Anders was still not without doubt. He'd payed off one of the servants to let him in, but he still needed to remain unnoticed. The Tevinter robes he'd swapped for his usual clothes granted him good camouflage in town, but he did not blend as a servant here. He needed to find Fenris quickly.

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The days and weeks that had gone by was the same day in and day out. He recalled nothing more from when his Master had aquired him and it has always been so. He had always been Danarius' even if whenever he looked at the man, his stomach twisted with sudden rage held carefully in place by a mask of neutrality. He did not speak of the dreams he had, of an old decrepit mansion, the smell of ale and the musty smell of a tavern.

His instincts told him to keep it secret, for though Danarius was his Master, he could never be trusted.

His day was no different, Danarius paraded him around as his prize, the lyrium markings exposed for all to see. He followed him around on his errands, like the silent obedient wolf as his Master so enjoyed calling him. Now, was the only moments he spent alone, his room was a small little thing, a tiny cot shoved in a cover, his sword resting by the door. He was in the middle of his meditations, his long thin body sitting upright on his cot legs crossed.

Bloody gigantic mansion. Anders found himself running the halls, ducking into shadows at the slightest sound of movement. His heart kicked hard against his ribs as he hid, praying to be overlooked. Thus far, the servants and guards had passed him. He searched the rooms as he passed them, taking little time to absorb his surroundings as he searched. This had to be the craziest thing he'd ever done. Part of him (the glowy, angry part he'd wager) reviled taking such a risk, and donating so much time and energy for one who hated him so. Anders shelved the doubts; Fenris may have been misguided, but he didn't deserve this.

Hasty, he turned a corner sharp and crashed gracelessly into a guard.

"Oi, you're not supposed to be here," growled muscular mass of a man. Anders back-stepped, his mind scrambling for an excuse.

"I've dealings with the Magister," he bluffed, straightening his posture.

"Yeah? Then why you sneaking around like a rat in the night?" the huge man drew his sword, eying Anders like he was a scrap of meat. "How about I take you too him after I soften you up a bit?"

"Blast," Anders cursed. What were his options? He could fight, but he still needed to locate Fenris. Turning on his heels he bolted, taking corner after corner in attempt to evade the man chasing him. There was little chance being stealthy with the brute on his back.

"Fenris!" he called, ripping open a door and peering inside. "Fenris!"

Fenris was by now used to every creak and groan within the mansion. At this hour one could only hear the footsteps of a night servant cleaning for the next morning. This night was no different it seemed. He was always aware of his surroundings, it was desired by his Master as he was his bodyguard as well as his slave.

So when he heard his name being bellowed in the halls of the mansion it was enough to draw him out of his meditations.

He was on his feet within moments, his fingers already wrapping around the hilt of his greatsword as he opened his door. He looked down into the hallway only catching a glimpse of the intruder. Another mage? Probably here to steal from his Master, namely himself...he was told it hadnt been the first time it had happened.

He moved quickly his guard up as he approached the man, fingers curled into the mage's robes pulling the man back as he flung him against a wall. He pinned him there with his forearm ready to strike when needed.

Green met Amber, and a flash of anger and familiarity took him so quickly that he let go as though burned.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" he questioned trying to quell the twisting in his stomach, the nagging feeling in the back of his head.

The mage gave an unceremonious yelp as he was suddenly pulled back; his head spun slightly from the strike against the wall, blurring his vision for a few precious moments.

The guard who'd been in pursuit trotted towards the pair of them, eying Fenris and the strange intruder.

"Right, well, I see you got this, so I, I'll just..." the man had been jumpy around Fenris ever since seeing the rip out the heart of an intruder and crushing it in his fist. Wasn't right for a simple slave to wield so much power.

"Oh Maker, you've got to be kidding me," Anders groaned, pinning Fenris with a look that could only be described as severely annoyed. "Let me go you blighted elf, I'm here to help you. Don't tell me you can't remember me? Think hard." He knew it was probably useless; if Denarius blocked his memories there might be no way back to them. That... did not bode well.

Anders swallowed, struggling to shuck the elf's powerful grip. He looked Fenris hard in the eyes. "Come on Fenris, you know me."

The look the mage have him was so familiar it was almost enough for the elf to let go. However his grip tightened, green eye narrowed and he merely looked at the man.

He knew that within time the guard was going to alert the others and soon his Master would be roused as well. He needed to deal with this quickly, especially if this...mage knew him as he claimed his did.

His curiosity alone was the only reason he let go.

"I do not remember you" he said simply, "But if you have risked coming into my Master's home to seek me out...then I am inclined to believe you" he said simply sheathing his sword. He turned looking down the hallway to where the guard had disappeared and then turned his gaze back to the mage.

"We must leave. Now."

"No complaints here," Anders rubbed his throat in the spot he'd been pinned. He was... surprised that Fenris was so quick to believe him. Perhaps he found something in Anders familiar? If that was the case, all hope of restoring his memory may not yet be lost.

"I... had not anticipated that Denarius would erase your memory," Anders admitted, letting out a long huff of frustration. "It doesn't matter right now; you're right, we need to leave. You... will come with me? Just like that?"

Fenris resisted the urge to snort, it wasn't as though he had much a choice in the matter now. Time was short and despite that he could merely hand the man over to his Master; the mage claimed that he knew him.

"Memory or not I still do not enjoy being a slave" he said simply as they moved quickly through the halls. "How did you get in?" he knew every entrance and exit in the building.and for the mage to have gotten in so easily and undetected was enough to illicit some form of...respect for the man.

Anders kept pace at Fenris' side, keeping an ever wary eye out for other servants or guards. He wasn't sure how much time they had, or if the guard that had been after him would mention the incident to his master, or how soon. He quickened his pace.

"Fair enough," he commented, slightly breathless. He had to wonder if there was some subconscious influence to blame for the elf trusting him with ease. "It's not a fantastic story; I paid off one of the servants to let me in. Denarius doesn't inspire much loyalty in his charges." He cast a sideways glance to Fenris, a pensive look crossing his face. "How is it your trust me so easily? Are you not concerned I may only be attempting to steal you for myself?"

Because really, Fenris trusting him felt strange all on it's own.

"Or perhaps I'm merely using you for my own escape, and will kill you once I'm safe" Fenris responded smoothly his gaze not once flickering towards the mage.

"You claim to know me." The elf said finding the servant's exit easily guiding the man through the doorway and into the night. His voice lowered "That is enough...for now"

Fenris' humor was always difficult to read; Anders barked a brief nervois laugh. Really, that would be a terrible end to his rescue attempt. The night air was brisk and thin, the stars glittering bright against the black of the sky. Anders felt almost no relief; he knew they were not even close to safety.

"Well assuming you're in a gracious mood and have decided not to kill me, I'd like to take you back to Kirkwall. I've a clinic there, and you were squatting in a lovely corpse filled mansion."

Still keeping with the hurried pace, Anders gestured for Fenris to follow him. "We've got to take ship before someone comes looking. I don't doubt The Magister will be displeased that he's again lost his favorite pet. I'd... really rather not trifle with him."

"I would rather not as well" Fenris agreed following the mage with ease. The information piqued his interest, Kirkwall was in the freemarches and if what the mage claimed was true then he would like to return to the life he had before this haze.

"All things considered trusting you are the least of my worries" Fenris said his breath fogging in the brisk air.

"To the docks, then," Anders said. The crowd thickened in the streets above them; Anders would blend thanks to his robes, but Fenris on the other hand.

"Great," Anders muttered under his breath. "It's alright, nothing to see here, just another Magister out for a stroll with his lithe pretty little pet," his eyes cut over his shoulders to Fenris, and he whispered, "try to look like you belong to me."

With that they fell into earshot of the crowd, so Anders went quiet. He pulled up his hood.

That Fenris could do with ease, his body already moving closer to the mage as they joined the crowd his eyes falling downcast as he did so. His hands remained at his sides fingers in sight of everyone. His shoulders straightened, though his gaze was lowered he still managed to look menacing.

If no one took a second glance at them they could get away with the ruse. If no one recognized him they would be safe. He merely just had to hope that that was the case.

His fell into an easy step with the mage as though they had been travelling together for far longer than the hour they had spent together. It was strange how easy he let the mage into his personal space, as though it had been common between them.

He wrinkled his nose at the smell of the docks but otherwise kept his face neutral as they walked. "Please tell me you have a ship ready" he said quietly enough for the mage to hear.

It was sort of eerie Fenris fell into a slave's posture, and still look bloody terrifying. Anders felt a flash of ice-blue anger towards the people who had taught his companion to stand like he was less than a man. He knew it was necessary for them to pass through the crowd, so he said nothing.

"The first thing I bloody did when I got here was start looking for you; this is the first I've been back to the docks. Now point me to who I need to be speaking to and be blighted quiet about it. I can't afford to look like I've no idea what I'm doing. We've got to blend."

A truly seamless escape demanded it.

He paused before several clusters of people, his eyes darting between them. He wasn't sure who could be trusted to herd them safely; Anders didn't to accidentally step onto a Slaver's ship, or end up dealing with someone who would take their coin and dump them in the harbor.

He leaned back, invading Fenris's space and speaking with his mouth close to his knife-shaped ear.

"Tell me who to talk to," he whispered, "and be subtle about it."

The elf stiffened at the invasion of space, having not expected the man to lean in so close. He nodded slightly bringing his gaze upwards following the command with ease.

This man had to be insane, how could he have not have an exit plan? He quickly found sight of some of the some workers loading cargo into a ship and discreetly nodding his head towards them.

The workers could be paid off to allow them on the ship, and enough would probably acquire a room as well if done properly.

"And here I was expecting you to have a colorful dossier for all the Tevinter street scum. No Tal Vashock merchant with a heart of gold, no slender elven smuggling queen...how dull," he was just gripping for the sake of it. He didn't give a damn who they took shift with, as long as they escaped.

"Evening men," Anders greeted, letting a shining sovereign dance across his fingers. The men perked at the shimmer of gold.

"Looking to take ship, and I might consider paying for some space on your quiant little ship."

The biggest man pulled himself up, lighting up a thick stinking cigar as he looked between the 'Magister' and his 'slave'.

"You need a private room, Magister?" he took a deep inhale and exhaled the thick oily smoke in Anders' face. "What you think boys; this skirt look like an elf-lover to you, boys?"

The others workers chuckled lewdly.

Fenris didn't react outwardly but there was an odd twist in his stomach of the implications. Something about the thought of sharing a bed with another person.

It left him raw with some unknown anger placed at something he couldn't grasp. Instead he leaned closer to Anders, better they think of them as lovers than Master and slave.

"A private room would be best Master" he said eyeing the workers daring them to speak once more.

That... couldn't have been easy for Fenris. For whatever reason, Anders wasn't sure he was comfortable with letting his charge take that kind of blow to his pride.

"It's alright Fenris, this man has offended me. You may crush his heart," Anders peeked over his shoulder, giving Fenris a subtle wink.

"What?" ash dropped from the tip of the man's cigar. "You're no serious; no twiggy little elf could take me on. What, you got a deathwish sweet heart?"

The smirk that curved Fenris' lips came naturally as he let the lyrium come to life on his skin. He stepped forward and shoved his hand into the man's chest just enough to frighten him before pulling it out harmlessly.

He watched with feral pleasure as the men straightened at attention fearful of the men infront of them.

He waited until the man caught his breath before stepping back behind Anders with practiced ease awaiting the worker's words.

"You could have actually killed him, you know," he added for extra effect. "Looks like your lucky day, Messer. My pet doesn't often favor mercy. Might you show your gratitude by allowing us board for a reduced sum?" Anders tossed the golden coin, and no more. The sailor stooped and rescued his cigar from where it had dropped on the ground.

"... Yeah, sure, we can give ya a room," he muttered, uneasy. "Come on, I'll show ya, just..." he turned to look at both Anders and Fenris, looking frank and honestly quite... uncomfortable. "Can I just ask you somethin'? Every other elf-lover I ever had aboard made such a ruckuss every damn night. If you do what... you're gunna do, can you just gag his mouth or somethin'? My men do have to sleep at some point."

Anders stared.

"I... uhm, yes, that... I will keep that in mind," Anders mumbled, inwardly mortified. Well, only one thing to do at this point. "Well, you heard him love; this way," he mumbled, following after the man with the cigar.

There were no words to describe the utter annoyance the elf felt. He kept his back straight trying to keep any sort of reaction on his face as he walked with Anders his fingers twitching to merely kill the worker with ease.

When the entered the small cramped room, he was relieved. The doors shut and locked behind them he relaxed glaring at the mage.

"Love?" he dryly crossing his arms against his chest. He hated ships, especially the lower docks that smelt of rotten fish and vomit.

"At least we wont be disturbed" he said simply finding a old worn chair to sit on wincing as it creaked underneath his weight.

"Hey, what makes you think I was joking? You say you don't remember everything; how do you know what you sound like in the throes of ecstasy?" he had no idea why he was being so bloody merciless. Perhaps he was was getting back at Fenris for all the coin and time he had spent just to get him back.

Yeah, that had to be it.

Anders ripped off his hood and yanked a crate in front of the door, blocking it from being opened. He sat with a huff, toeing off his boots (quite the ordeal with his knee-high laces) and stretching his toes.

"That... actually went smoother than I thought it would," he admitted, cautiously optimistic.

Fenris gave Anders a flat look his gaze unamused as he leaned back in his seat. His sword was perched beside him his arms crossed against his chest. A brow rose in question and something akin to amusement fluttered across his face.

"And I am to assume that you do?" he said simply nodding his head as the other continued.

"It has...let us hope our good luck with last"

"I could," Anders' felt suddenly very devious. There were few who really brought this side out in him, but something about Fenris powerfully compelled Anders get under his skin.

"In fact, I doubt I could describe the lyrium patterning that lines the interior of your thighs unless we were quite familiar with each other," he mentioned, off handed, getting right comfortable in his seat.

"And I could, if the point really needs proving," he added, grinning dangerously. Maker, Anders felt young again when he taunted the elf.

Fenris felt his face flush at that, the man was being serious. He shifted in his seat merely looking at the mage for a long moment as if trying to determine if the other was lying or not.

"Well then" he said simply his voice dry as he continued "I suppose that just means I have terrible taste with bed partners then" he said simply his voice filled with unamusement.

Oh, now he was flushed. Anders took that as a prize; Fenris hardly ever blushed, even when they visited the Rose and that man in drag always talked about the things he wanted to do with the rouge's fun man-bits.

Hm, maybe Anders was being a little hard on him... He was about to cease his jests when the elf saw fit to insult him, and it was the end of any thoughts of mercy he'd been entertaining.

"You're blushing, love. Are you perhaps recalling the last time I had my hands upon you?" the actually time to which Anders was referring was a quick vital heal mid-battle, his hands dashing up Fenris' broken ribs (and he'd no idea why he remembered so specifically, for that matter) with a wash of healing energy.

But Fenris didn't need to know that. Anders was intent on being the winner of this pointless (but really viscerally satisfying) squabble.

Fenris fought back the blush green eyes narrowed with annoyance as he looked over at the man.

"It is obvious that it was nothing very special considering my difficulty remembering such events" he said dryly. He was fairly confident that the man was merely trying to get under his skin.

Though why would the man had gone through the trouble to find him? And they were familiar with each other...he didn't stiffen whenever the man came close indicating that his body still remembered even if his mind did not.

"Or are you keen on trying to get me to remember?"

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" the corners of his lips curled slightly, his grin turning feline. Oh the torment he could rein on the elf if he had him admitting to such things, memory-less. Anders wasn't blind to the way Fenris' pale face lit and warmed.

"Admit it," he dared, letting his teeth sink into the pale flesh of his bottom lip. If he could actually goad the elf into such a thing-- Oh Maker, he'd never let Fenris live it down.

Fenris turned his gaze away from the man. He didn't want to get caught into something he wasn't certain of.

Even if the plump flesh of the mage's lower lip was inviting.

"I admit to nothing" he said simply crossing his arms tighter against his chest not wanting to let the other know that he was actually getting to him.

He was interested... even in his disjointed memories, he couldn't quite grasp anything intimate, nothing to warm his body during the nights when he wishes for some release.

So close! Oh well, Anders wasn't too disappointed.

"Fine," he gave away nothing with his tone. Stretching out a little, Anders rested his weight to the door and propped his feet up on a close by box, his long limber legs cutting through the narrow space between them.

"You may want to get comfortable, this is a long trip. Oh, and at one point you'll need to fetch us food; in order to keep up appearances, you understand." His feet were almost touching Fenris' hip, close enough for him to feel the warmth of it. The space was truly cramped.

"And you may begin to thank me for saving your life and any time."

Fenris gave Anders a sideways glance before closing his eyes and sighed heavily before strightening. He turned towards the man causing his feet to press against his hip.

"I am sorry if I seem ungrateful, thank you" he said simply, his voice completely honest. If not for Anders arrival he would have continued to work for Danarius without any want to find out about his past.

The blonde made him curious, made him wish to know who he was before this. He let his hand rest on the mage's ankle, surely a touch such of this was normal if they were lovers.

The gentle squeeze was genuine, expression his truest thanks as he looked at the man.

Well, now he felt like the world's biggest prick. Sometimes Anders missed being self-centered.

"You're welcome," he conceded, perhaps a touch apologetic. Damn it Fenris, damn those horrible beautiful green eyes of yours! Anders cleared his throat and shifted about superficially; he made no obvious response to the hand on his ankle.

"I... still don't understand what made you trust me so quickly," he murmured, mostly for his own benefit. "You... really recall nothing of who I am?"

In truth Fenris wasn't sure why he trusted the man so easily either but if he was going by actions alone he had more reason to trust him than anyone else so far.

"I don't...really remember anything. Flashes of feelings...emotion." Fenris said slimply his hand curling into a fist against his chest. "When I...look at you. I get very strong feelings. Sometimes anger...sometimes..." he shook his head turning his gaze away.

"If nothing else, some part of me trusts you. So I will follow my feelings for now"

Anger and... what? Anders couldn't help his sudden ravenous curiosity, but he didn't have to indulge it. Why should he care what Fenris really thought of him? It didn't matter to him at all.

"Well, then I am... glad, that will certainly make this easier." Anders sighed, allowing his eyes to rest closed. There were dark circles etched there, his skin pale over the sharp cut of his cheek.

"I... am sorry I could not come sooner. I had little of my own coin, and my efforts were... somewhat solitary," he took no pleasure in relaying the grim news. "I wish I could have stopped Hawke from letting that bastard take you."

The name Hawke made the elf's entire body go ridgid with anger. Burning vicious hatred pooled in his gut and his eyes narrowed with anger.

His hand were balled so tightly into a fist that the metal of his guantlets cut into the flesh and even that didn' bring him out of his anger.

"Hawke...does he still reside in Kirkwall?" he said after a moment his voice filled with rage.

"When last I was there, he was," Anders wasn't unaware he was potentially going to cause some big problems bringing Fenris back. "I'm not saying what he did was right, but you may want to consider what would happen to an elven slave from Tevinter who killed The Champion of Kirkwal." He hated to be the voice of reason, but he didn't want to drag Fenris all the way back just to get him killed within twenty minutes of entering the city.

"I know you want to make him pay but I hope you understand that his death would mean yours, as well. The best thing I think we can do is sit down and have a nice civil talk." The mage's amber eyes darkened, his voice softening slightly.

"He never told me why he did it. I know that no excuse will be good enough. But I think you should at least hear it."

The elf's rage quieted somewhat at that, letting himself relax. He was not certain what he wanted to do with Hawke. For the man was part of his past, one in which that was still a mystery to him.

"When we arrive, I will decide what I wish to do" he said simply looking at Anders.

For now he had time with this person, who knew his past and was willing to share it.

"Tell me about myself...please"

"Well I hope you don't do anything to get yourself killed; that would be a waste of a rescue,"he muttered. He cracked an eye at the strange request, giving Fenris a long stare.

"I'm really not the person you want to be asking that," he said, the corners of his mouth hinting at a humorless smile. "My new is a little... skewed. Can't you try and remember on your own?"

"Your assistance would be helpful, considering all that you've said. I assume that you would know me best" Fenris said watching the man closely.

He turned his gaze from him simply "However I have no problem in trying to figure out my own memories myself. " he added the rocking of the boat making him uneasy. He stood then looking around the small room finding an old worn cot tucked against a wall.

"Do you wish to lay down, you look exhausted"

"I suppose I have spent a lot of time with you," he conceeded, sitting up a little in a show of concentration. Okay, let's see, how could he describe Fenris...

"You really don't get along with mages. If anyone talks about freeing mages from The Circle or Framing Templars or anything else to that effect, you get really scowly and lock yourself in your big dak mansion all day. Varric says your corriograph in there, though I am disenclined to believe him."

This wasn't so difficult; okay, what else could he think of?

"You somehow manage being both an obvious alcoholic and kind of a stuck up bigot. Most people can't manage both, the drink bring down their tempers and such," he shook his head, "Regardless. Let's see, what else..." he strummed his fingers along the sharp line of his jaw.

"You are truly terrifying on the battlefield; just ruthless. Brutal. Like a wild animal," he wasn't sure if he was complementing or insulting Fenris anymore, so he stopped. "Is that a fair description?"

Fenris merely stared at the mage for a long moment. He could see himself not favouring mages, him being a Tevinter slave and all, the marking branded into his skin that still sometimes ached. The name Varric brought warmth in his chest and a soft smirk found it's way onto his lips.

"I sound...charming" he said dryly noting how easily Anders pointed out his less than friendly qualities. Though the compliment did caught his off guard it was enough to bring a bit of warmth to his cheeks.

"It will...suffice for now" he said simply perching himself on the cot since the man did not go and take it.

"Well that's why I love you darling; your sparkling personality," he muttered dryly as the shot the elf a lewd smirk.

"I hate to say it, but won't it look strange if we're barged in on and the slave has the bed?" it began as a jest, but real concern went into Anders' voice. "Actually, from what we've already demonstrated, we should actually sleep... together, on the bed."

He hadn't really considered it until that very moment. It was a small, small cot.

Fenris merely snorted at that setting his sword down by the cot. He glanced up at the mage before rolling his eyes.

"If I press against the wall you should be able to to fit in front of me" the elf offered simply. Even during the colder nights he would share his cot with some of the younger slaves keeping them safe and warm.

"If you are my lover I doubt you'll have trouble do that"

"Oh, I actually got you to believe that did I?" Anders rose and stretched his arms above his head; for a human, he was long and lean. Smirking the a proud feline he strode towards the bed and shrugged out of the robe's more flamboyant outer layer. Shucking the extravagant thing aside, he was left in nothing but rich red silken under-robes.

He waited to see if Fenris would still climb into bed before him.

Fenris allowed himself to move his gaze along the length of the man's body. Even he could appreciate the lean muscle hidden beneath the red silk though he kept his face neutral all the same.

He moved with ease then climbing into the small cot and stretched out shifting his hips back to allow the other to lay in front of him.

"Well if you weren't my lover, why would you come all this way just to save me. It is obvious that if that weren't the case we wouldn't even be friends"

"Hm," Anders dropped himself onto the bed, toying with what to say next. He hadn't directly lied to Fenris yet; the elf had made his own assumptions. He wondered how long Fenris would keep believing it for.

"Our relationship is complicated," he said, carefully placing each word. It was truth, no doubt. "We often share... heated interactions.We're not friends, but we fight together."

That had to be a fair explanation; there wasn't a direct lie in it. "You may sleep first, if you like. I'll keep watch."

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