Hawe and His Princess Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Picnic in Highever

The next morning Hawke and Elayne walked down to the dinning room, with James sword in his hand. Fergus and Bryce were there and Fergus grinned at Hawke as he tossed the sword on the table. "Thank you for helping me to my room. So what exactly happened last night anyway. I see you really did keep his sword."

"Anyway of having it mounted and placed somewhere to remind him of what happens to idiots who think they can play with me?"

Both Fergus and Bryce laughed. "Consider it done Hawke, now explain to me what happened after you left the pub. I've been informed that James spent the night in lockup with your blessing."

Hawke explained everything, the disturbance he felt, seeing a disruption in the shadows, calling James out. He explained how James finally came out of his hiding place with his blade raised after Hawke called him out. He told him how he blocked the blade and knocked the blade out of James hand. Hawke had made sure no blood was spilled. He told Bryce exactly what he said to James. He also explained why James was put in lock up. Maybe his night in the cell would make him wake up and quit harassing Hawke and Elayne. He apologized to Bryce if he overstepped on having James thrown into lock up.

"You know what young man, you have more patience than I do. Anyone that pulled a blade on me skulking in the shadows would probably be dead. You handled yourself well. I will make sure that I finish up his business today and have him sent on his way as soon as possible. And I will make sure his father knows the embarrassment his son caused. Not only to you but also to me." Then Bryce grinned, "I wish I could have been there when James realized you had been sitting there the whole time he was running his mouth."

Hawke felt Elayne rummaging around in his memories of that and she laughed. "I don't think James will be showing his face until he leaves. Once everyone finds out what he did, no one will ever listen to his bullshit again. That was hilarious, brother."

Both Bryce and Fergus looked at her in puzzlement, she blushed and Hawke explained how through their bond she was able to access his memory.

After breakfast Bryce excused himself for the morning while Hawke and Elayne went to check on the girls. When they walked into the girls room Hawke saw an older woman talking to the girls as they ate breakfast.

Elayne squealed, and ran over to Nana giving her a hug. "Nana, I miss you. I'm glad it's you with the girls, you were so good to me." She turned to Hawke, a big grin on her face, "Hawke this is my nana when I was the girls age. Nana, this is my husband Arik, the girls guardian."

"So you're the famous Arik Hawke that I'm hearing so much about. Just call me Nana, everyone else does. So young man we need to talk. I need to know everything about these beautiful girls." She turned to the girls, "Miss Rose and Miss Mary, when you ladies are done with breakfast please get dressed and play quietly until I'm done with your papa Arik?" The last part she asked questionably to Hawke.

Hawke bent down and gave the girls a hug. "You girls be good and listen to Nana, I'll check in with you again later. I love you munchkins."

They hugged him back, "I love you too papa Arik," both girls said.

Hawke took Nana into the sitting room with Elayne following. He offered her old nanny something to drink, she declined, wanting to get on with business.

He sat down, in a chair in front of her. "What would you like to know ma'am. I'm not sure what you've heard or been told?"

"Well lets start from the beginning, how did the girls end up with you."

Hawke disclosed all the details to her: the discovery of the girls and the tragic loss of their entire family. He revealed his decision and shared Rose's recurring nightmares. Hawke also mentioned giving the girls a special tea before bedtime to ensure a peaceful sleep. He recounted the conversation with Rose about what she had witnessed, leaving out the part about magic. By the end, Nana was wiping her tears with her handkerchief.

"Those poor girls, bless you Arik for taking them in and giving them the love and comfort they so need. My hearts breaking for Rose, no one should have to see what she saw. Both those girls are so precious." She looked over at Hawke and Elayne. "I know this has been hard for both of you. Let me help with some of that burden. Elayne can vouch for me, I was her nanny for over ten years. Yes I was strict, but I was also fair." She looked Hawke in the eyes, "let me ask you a serious question. What are your intentions with the girls and their future? Are you going to raise them as your own or find them a good home?"

Hawke looked at her, not sure what to say because he honestly didn't know.

"Ma'am, at this moment, I'm uncertain. I have grown to care for those girls as if they were my own daughters. I am aware that they still have a lot of healing to do, and I want to ensure that they are emotionally stable before making any decisions about letting them go. However, I also realize that the longer I postpone the decision, the more difficult it will become. So currently, I cannot give a definite answer to your question, but in the meantime, they will remain under my care. I am also aware that I am not being fair to Elayne; she desires to start a family of her own, and my doubts about the girls are causing hesitation." Hawke was having a hard time with his emotions, Elayne sat down beside him giving her support, rubbing his back.

Nana sat back watching him. "You're right Arik, after everything they have been through it will take time. Have you talked to Rose anymore on what happened?"

"No, I've been waiting for her, she's been doing so good and I don't want those blood-curdling screams haunting her."

"I understand Arik, I'm here to help if you need me. Now, if you will excuse me, I've got two girls that need my attention. It was nice meeting you young man, keep up the good work. Congratulations on your marriage. Elayne come find me when you have time, you know where I am."

When she left, Hawke looked at Elayne, "she seemed nice. It's up to the girls how they respond to her, but I hope it's going to work."

"It will work, she was my nanny for years, just give it time, Hawke" She looked over at him, "you still want to explore today?"

He nodded, "Yes, I need some breathing room. I'll go get your horse ready, while you get ready." He pulled her to him, " I love you Elayne," he gave her a quick kiss before heading out.

Hawke went down to the stables and a stable hand came out and Hawke told him he needed Lady Elayne's horse, Snowball saddled. After relaying the message he called over Midnight, "you want to get out of here for a little while buddy?" Midnight nudged him eagerly, "yea me to bud, me too." Hawke put his arms around his horse. "Come on then, we got to wait for Elayne." No sooner did he say that, and she came out with a basket in her hands. Hawke secured it behind Snowball's saddle and as he turned around, he saw his two guards horses already saddled, and they stood there waiting. "I'm never going to have any privacy, am I," they just shrugged as he grinned at them.

He sighed, "come on then, Elayne's the tour guide today."

They spent the day in each others' company just enjoying the alone time together, well somewhat alone, Hawke thought. They went down by the coast, Elayne spread out a blanket, and he carried over the basket. She looked over at the soldiers and invited them to join her and Hawke. After the meal, Elayne dragged him to the shore with her. She picked up a shell and had him put it up to his ear.

He grinned at her, "that's cool. I've never been this close to the seas before. Listening to the waves is relaxing." He sat down on the beach, closing his eyes. He reached out with his senses, taking in everything around him. The smells of the sea, the sounds the feel of the sand underneath his hands. It had a majestic feeling to it.

Elayne came and sat down beside him, "serene isn't it, so peaceful, but right now the seas are quit. You should hear it when there's a storm. It's like its alive, that's when you really have to be careful. You can get washed out to sea with the force of the waves coming in." She held out her hand to him, "come I want to show you something."

Hawke followed her a ways to a small cave, "I've only explored it a little ways, but I've always been curious about it. Maybe some time we can explore it together. Can't do it today because of the time of day, tides will be coming in soon but maybe another time."

He extended his awareness into the depths of the cave, which seemed to stretch far and then suddenly drop off. Attempting to go deeper, he recoiled in alarm. The atmosphere inside the cave was heavy and threatening, filling him with a sense of dread. There was an unsettling feeling emanating from deep within, something sinister and repulsive that chilled him to the core. It seemed unearthly, as if it were attempting to overpower his senses.

Without hesitation, he retreated while bringing Elayne along with him. "Elayne, we must leave this place at once. I have a bad feeling about it and it should be destroyed. Please promise me you won't ever enter there again. I need to speak with your father. Something is wrong here."

He felt a chill down his spine and knew he had to close this off immediately to avoid anyone stumbling upon it by accident. "Lead the soldiers back to the horses, I will follow shortly. Please don't ask any questions for now, I will explain everything to you and your father later." He waited for her to agree and then watched as she gathered the soldiers and took them away from him.

After they moved farther down the beach and out of view, he placed his hands on the opening of the cave. Using a small amount of magic, he attempted to seal off the entrance. Although a few rocks crumbled, it was not sufficient. He summoned more of his power and applied force to the entrance, but it barely budged. Drawing upon even more magic, he finally succeeded in collapsing the cave with a great tremor in the ground and draining his mana significantly. Upon reaching out again, he saw that not only was the cave collapsed, but the hill above it had also crumbled onto it. He thoroughly searched the area to ensure that the entrance was secure and there were no other means of entry or exit. After confirming this, he stood up but found himself unsteady on his feet and feeling dizzy. He drew mana from one of his swords to replenish some of his magic. And took a few minutes to regain his composure before approaching Elayne and his companions.

He looked over at her, "how many more caves are around here?"

She shook her head, "none that I'm aware of. Hawke what's going on."

He looked at her in worry, as he combed his fingers through his hair, "I can't quite put my finger on it, but there was a strange energy emanating from that cave. It seemed corrupted the deeper inside I dwelved, there was a presence of evil. Let's go speak with your father now. Hopefully, he has finished his tasks for the day."

By the time they got back to the castle he was feeling a little better. He saw Bryce heading inside, and called out to him and Bryce stopped. "Sir we need to talk, I need to put Midnight in the pasture, but I'll be along shortly. Where can we meet up?"

Bryce noticed an urgency in Hawke, and he told him to meet him in his study, Elayne would show him the way after he got something to eat.

Hawke released Midnight, and Elayne let a stable hand take Snowball. They headed inside the Castle and Elayne took him to her dad's study. Bryce asked them to sit, offering them a drink. Hawke took one and drained it, Bryce poured him another and Hawke set the glass down.

"Sir, you know Elayne and I went exploring today and she took me down by the shores. We came across a cave that she was familiar with. When I reached out with my power inside the cave it went far back then dropped suddenly. What I felt down there was vile. There's an evil somewhere in those caves, a taint. I'm not exactly sure what but what I felt was wrong on so many levels. I collapsed the cave, what I want to know from you is, how many other caves are you aware of. I want to check them out for myself with your permission."

Bryce stared at Hawke, his fingers clasped in front of him. "Are you sure of what you felt, I'm not doubting you, but I need to be sure."

Hawke stared at Bryce, watching him. Hawke nodded, "yes sir, I'm sure. I would not risk exposing myself for a mere feeling. I know what I felt down there, there's something stirring deep down beneath the earth. Whatever it is, it's not good. I can't tell you anything more except what I know and felt."

Hawke watched Bryce again, sensing that he knew something, but he wasn't ready to tell him yet. He looked over at Elayne, "can you go check on the girls, I need to talk to your father alone and Elayne, I'm closing my mind off to you temporarily. This is a conversation between your dad and me only. Please don't fight me on this and do as I ask. I promise I'll join you shortly." She stood up, looking at him with concern then looked to her father, who nodded to her and she looked back to Hawke. She leaned down and kissed him then with one last look at them, shut the door behind her. He used his senses and made sure no one was around, and put up the walls on his mind before turning back to Bryce.

"I'm sorry to be so forward sir but there's something more going on, and you know what it is. If I'm wrong then I apologize but something deep inside me tells me I'm not."

Bryce sat there watching Hawke. The young man was very perceptive and right, but how much should he be told. As it was now Bryce didn't even know much but the fact he had a young mage sitting in front of him telling him what he did, confirmed some rumors from the Deep Roads.

Bryce sighed, "your right Arik, I'll tell you what I know, but it's not very much. But this stays with us only, not even my daughter can know this."

Hawke nodded, "you have my word sir."

"There have been reports from the Dwarves of increased darkspawn activity in the Deep Roads. The significance of this is uncertain and it is also unclear how long it has been happening. With the Dwarves being notoriously secretive, it makes it difficult to discern any concrete information. However, based on what I heard from you today, I am beginning to believe that these rumors may hold some truth."

"I know that cave, I used to explore it when I was younger, it used to be a smugglers cave but no one has ever sensed anything from that cave." He looked Hawke in the eyes, "your sure about this?"

"Sir, I'd like to do something if you don't mind. It involves me using my power. I want to show you what I felt, what I sensed and experienced. If you allow me, I'd like to show you, it won't harm you. All I'm going to do is open my mind to you, I won't even touch yours. You're just going into mine. Will you allow this, sir?"

Bryce thought for a minute. For Hawke to offer this meant something important. Finally, Bryce nodded and Hawke went over to him. "I need you to trust me, I'm allowing you into my mind but in order for that to happen I need your cooperation here and let me guide you." Again Bryce nodded, Hawke put his hands on Bryce's head and using his power he slowly opened his mind to Bryce. He let him see, feel and experience what Hawke had. After allowing him a few minutes to digest it, he closed his mind off and removed his hands and went to sit back down. He grabbed his glass and downed his drink while watching Bryce.

Bryce finally opened his eyes, and turned his hard gaze to Hawke. "I'm glad you closed that cave off. There's two more along the coast that I can tell you about. Their easy to find if you know where to look."

Hawke nodded, "you know I have to do this on my own, and you know she's going to want to come. I can't allow anyone to know, that includes her. I hate keeping this, anything from her but this is the way it has got to be. How far away are these caves, can I get to them both in one night?"

"Hawke, are you sure about this, I can send some of my most loyal soldiers with you during the day. All I have to say is that I'm closing off some caves to keep smugglers from using them. And you don't have to keep anything from Elayne."

"And how are you going to explain why I'm there?" Hawke asked.

"That's not difficult, Hawke. Being my son-in-law, you are gaining valuable experience in leading men. This responsibility now falls on you. Don't worry about my soldiers, the ones going with you are intrigued by your presence. Your arrival has caused quite a stir among them." He noticed Hawke's unease. "I understand that this may be uncomfortable for you, but as a member of our military family, it is necessary for you to learn our fundamental principles. My soldiers are aware of your training, having witnessed your sparring the other day. The soldiers who accompanied me on my journey have spoken highly of you. You can no longer avoid this, Hawke. It was inevitable that news of your accomplishments in Lothering would reach us here. Rumors of your deeds have already spread through conversations among the travelers coming to Highever."

Hawke got up pacing, his hand brushing back his hair, he cursed himself, he should have anticipated the consequences of his actions. As much as he fought with Bryce on keeping himself an unknown, of leading a quiet life with Elayne, that all changed when he was forced to defend his farm against those bandits and stumbled upon his little girls in Lothering. Was this simply fate once more directing him towards an unknown destiny?

Bryce watched Hawke, watching the war he was having with himself before he finally spoke. "Fine sir, we'll do it your way with the caves. I'd like to get it done tomorrow. Show me the locations, I'll want to leave early."

Bryce suppressed his joy at Hawke's words, he couldn't help the small part of him feeling guilty though. He had been trying to push Hawke into this before going to Redcliffe and Hawke being adamant about not being involved with anything that would put him in this situation. Seems fate had once again stepped in.

After he got a map with the location of the caves, Hawke opened his mind back up but buried the part of the darkspawn and dwarves, deep. He exited to the courtyard and rested his back against the wall, arms folded as he observed the soldiers in training. However, his mind was preoccupied with thoughts as he recalled his conversation with Bryce about not wanting to be involved with anything to do with the military. He wanted to be left alone, live on his farm for the rest of his life with Elayne. But seems that wasn't meant for him. The one thing he was certain of was that he must keep both his and Bethany's secret concealed, no matter what.

But how was he supposed to keep his power a secret if he was with the soldiers tomorrow? How did he explain the caves all of a sudden collapsing? Now that he had the locations maybe he should go with his original plan and do it tonight. His thoughts were brought to an end when a couple of men in uniform came up to him.

Some of the soldiers that had seen him sparing the other day noticed him watching. They wondered if they would see any other action from him. They were curious about this stranger who showed up with Lord Bryce and his family and the Teyrn announcing that this stranger is Lady Elayne's husband. Word spread in the courtyard about Lord Arik watching, and a couple of the Captains went over to him and whatever was said the young man nodded.

Andy witnessed Lord Hawke's two guards, Larry and Mark, smiling. He recognized them from their past training sessions together. Upon learning that they now served under Lord Hawke, Andy's curiosity about this leader was piqued. Andy soon discovered the reason for their allegiance when he watched as the sparring ring was cleared and Lord Arik entered with two practice swords. One of the Captains who had spoken to Lord Arik joined him in the ring, and they began to spar. Lord Arik displayed his skill by swiftly blocking and countering with either blade. The Captains' blades never touched him, but the sound of Arik's strikes could be heard. In an attempt to surprise Arik, the Captain aimed a thrust at his head and then attempted to sweep his legs out from under him. However, Arik easily blocked both attacks and even managed to hold his blade at the Captain's neck in one fluid motion.