Hawe and His Princess: Chapter 27

Last day in Denerim

Hawke woke up before her and lay there watching her sleep. Sometime in the night, she had rolled over on top of him, sprawled across his body. When he slid out from under her, she moaned, her hand reaching for him. He put his hand in hers and kissed her forehead, "sleep my beautiful angel," he whispered by her ear. Once she settled back down, he threw on some pants and a shirt and headed downstairs. He was surprised to see Bryce and Eleanor sitting at the table eating. He walked over, sat down with them, and ordered a juice when the waitress came over.

"You look rough Hawke, was it a long night?" Eleanor asked with a smirk.

He ignored her, "I thought you two would be gone by now. Are you going to stay another day?"

"Yes, my wife talked me into it. She figured she could help Elayne some more. She knows how much men get uncomfortable with wedding stuff."

"I can help ease some of her worries, I've already been through this," Eleanor scoffed at Bryce. "I'm also enjoying my time bonding with my daughter."

"She'll be pleased, and I'm glad you're here. I have no clue when it comes to something like this."

He felt her stirring in his head, "morning princess, how are you feeling, my love?"

"Sore, where are you at?"

"I'm down here with your folks. Your mom wanted to stay and help you some more."

She yawned and stretched, "tell my mom thank you for me please, you coming back up? I could really use your healing hands in certain areas, my love," her voice became sensual as she put her hands on the areas she was sore. "Please, Hawke, and bring me some juice, baby."

He cleared his throat, "sorry folks, my lady is requesting some juice. She just woke up, and she says thank you for staying and helping, she'll be down in a bit."

He ordered another juice and took it upstairs with him. He walked in and saw her laying on her side, her knee raised, completely naked. She crooked her finger at him, and he walked over to her with a grin. "Yes, my love, you said you had some aches. You mind pointing them out for me again. Maybe I can help with some kisses."

Her eyes widened, and she grinned wickedly at him, "well in that case, my love." She pointed to her mouth, and he claimed her lips, then her nipples and his tongue and mouth trailed down to each one, putting each in his mouth, making sure to pay extra attention to them. She looked up at him, hunger in her eyes as she slid her hand between her legs. He grinned at her, "as my lady wishes," he growled in pleasure and put his mouth over her, licking and kissing, devouring her.

Later, Hawke and Elayne headed down to where her folks were still sitting, drinking coffee. He put his arms around her, "you feeling better, baby," he whispered in her ear.

"Mmm, very much so my love, thank you."

They got their breakfast and sat down. Hawke spent half the day with Elayne while her mom had an errand to do. They would all meet back at the Inn for lunch.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Eleanor was waiting in Anora's waiting room, when she came out. After they greeted, Eleanor got down to business. "What exactly is your interest in Arik, my son-in-law? I know you sent him a request to see you, and I know he came here. I also know that after seeing you, he was upset. What is your interest in him?"

Anora looked at her with feigned surprise. "Whatever do you mean, Eleanor? He intrigues me, I was simply finding out more about him. Lord Arik had an audience with my husband yesterday, and I was wondering what kind of man he was to get an audience with the King, and I found out. He's so much more than a simple farmer, even you guys know that. Elayne is a very lucky woman. He really is devoted to her, I even tried flirting with him, and he didn't even blink. He was even gentle in removing my hands from him. He's a true gentleman. I don't know why that handsome young man intrigues me, but I will find out.

Eleanor was furious, "you will keep away from him, Anora. Arik and my daughter have something that you will never experience. What's between them is pure and special, and they have a bond between them that no one will break, not even a Queen," she sneered at Anora before composing herself. "I thank you for seeing me, you have a nice day." She stood up and walked to the door, "Anora, whatever game you're playing, you will never get what you want. As you said, he's a true gentleman, and he loves my daughter with a love that is literally unbreakable."

As she walked back to the Inn, she realized they had nothing to worry about. When she walked in, she saw that the kids hadn't made it back yet as she walked over to Bryce. He raised an eyebrow as he looked up at her. "How did it go?"

"You know what's funny, I went over there to threaten her to back off, and I realized something, Hawke will never allow her to play her games, Elayne has nothing to fear. Anora did have her hands on him, though. She admitted that. That's probably why he stormed off." They cut the conversation off as the kids came in.

After the ladies left for the afternoon, Hawke tried to wait at the Inn with Bryce, but he couldn't sit still. He went out to Midnight and checked on him, "we'll be leaving tomorrow, buddy. I know you hate being cooped up." Then he started walking around looking at various shops and booths. One of the shops he went into was a jewelry store. Looking through the cases, he spotted a beautiful pearl necklace and earring set. He asked the clerk to look at it, and as he examined it, he wondered how Elayne would look in it.

As he was purchasing it, he heard a familiar voice behind him, and he stiffened, his walls and guard up instantly. "Is that for Elayne? It's stunning, Lord Arik Hawke." She put her hand on his arm and leaned into him, "I told you I'd see you again. By the way, did you know Eleanor came by to see me today about you," she whispered by his ear.

He thanked the cashier as everyone in the shop bowed to the Queen. "It is for my wife," he said with emphasis. "Now, if you'll excuse me, my Lady, I will be leaving. Have a nice day."

Not even bothering to look at her, he walked out and ran into a group of soldiers. They had to have been the Queen's personal guards by the uniforms they were wearing.

Not allowing her to be a distraction, he continued on with his browsing. He picked up a couple of things for his family and the girls. Once he was done, he went back to the Inn and was pleased to see the women were back. He leaned down, giving Elayne a kiss before seating himself beside her.

Later, in the private dining room, while they were eating supper, Elayne brought up a subject that made everyone pause. "I heard a rumor that the Queen was down doing some shopping today. I find that surprising considering she can have servants doing her shopping. Did you see her Hawke while you were out shopping?" Elayne said curiously.

He looked over at her, "Yes, I saw her, and she's nothing special."

"Nothing special," she exclaimed. "Hawke, are you nuts. She's the Queen of Ferelden, and she's beautiful."

"Is she, I didn't even notice," he said, unable to keep the disdain from his voice, "as far as being Queen, you're more of a Queen than she is."

Elayne looked at him curiously, this was the Queen they were talking about. If she didn't know any better, the way he talked about her was in disgust and anger. She went to ask him why he was talking about the Queen that way, but before she could get any words out, he took her head in his hands, looking her straight in the eyes. "Do me a favor, Elayne. Please, leave it alone for now. I will explain later after we're out of here and back home, I promise."

She looked at him in confusion, then looked over at her parents. Her mom was looking at her with sympathy and her dad. His face was blank, and he was avoiding looking at her. Something was going on, and she didn't know what. She searched Hawke's mind, he was blank, she looked back at her parents again, their faces didn't tell her anything except they were hiding something. She crossed her arms, staring at each of them, her anger rising. Once again, before she could say anything, Hawke jumped in.

He sighed, the look on his face was of sorrow, "You're not going to leave this alone for now, are you, baby?"

"Will someone tell me what's going on now, please," she said, close to tears.

Hawke pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her, his eyes looking straight into hers. "I love you Elayne, you are my everything, my heart and soul, and no matter what, no one will ever come between us. Our bond, our love, is too strong for that." He put his mouth to hers, "I need you to stay calm right now, Elayne," he said in her head. He felt her relax, melting in his arms as he poured his heart and soul into her.

He pulled his mouth from hers, "Bryce, would you please start from the beginning," he said as he kept his eyes on hers.

Bryce started off by explaining their meeting with Cailan, and when Anora walked in, she showed an immediate interest in Hawke. He told how after Hawke had left the meeting, Anora tried to get information out of Bryce as Bryce was leaving. He told Elayne what he had told her. Bryce continued on with the messenger, delivering the summons for Hawke to see her as soon as possible.

Hawke took it from there, "I honestly don't know why I would interest her, I didn't want to go, but I was worried that she would try and hurt you by sabotaging the wedding if I didn't go. Once I got there, she started talking to me. When I refused to sit down beside her, she started stalking me. A couple of times, she put her hands on me, and I immediately removed them. I told her you were my heart and soul, my everything. The bond we have, nothing or anyone, will ever come between you and me. Let me show you."

He reached back into his mind and removed the barrier that held the confrontation with Anora. He showed her from the moment he left the Inn to everything in between him storming out of the castle. He even showed her the exchange at the store today. He watched as she went through each detail, felt her anger rise each time Anora laid her hands on him, the anger rising more when she saw Anora's lips on him. Hawke rubbed her back, soothing her, pouring his love to her.

Elayne continued. She went through the memory a few more times, and finally, she pulled away, looking at him, with tears in her eyes. She snuggled up to him, "Thank you, Arik, for being honest and showing me that. I'm not mad at you. Funny and weird thing is I'm not mad at all, not even with her because I know you, Arik. I know I never have to worry. You're right. Nothing nor anyone will ever come between our love. We're bound in every way possible." She brought his head to hers, the world around them forgotten.

When they finally separated, he gave her the box that had the necklace and earrings, "this was supposed to be a surprise, but since you've already seen it, I'll give it to you now."

"Hawke," she gasped, "these are beautiful." She pulled out the necklace and handed it to him.

He unhooked the clasp and put the necklace around her neck, "not as beautiful as you, though, my angel."

She threw her arms around him, "thank you, baby, I love you, Hawke." She looked at him, "I would love it if you built me a garden like that."

He chuckled, "consider it done then."

Elayne looked over at her mother, "why did you go see Anora, mom?"

Eleanor looked shocked at Hawke, "wait, you were taken to the Queens personal chambers?"

Hawke looked at her confused, "was that where I was? Is there significance with that?"

"No one goes into the Queens personal chambers. That's where her bed chambers are. If the wrong person had walked in, you could have been taken into custody. She was so sure you wouldn't refuse, it never dawned on her that you would."

"You mean she had intentions from the beginning of seducing him and getting him into bed?" Elayne yelled as she tried to stand up. "That conniving bitch."

Hawke pulled her back down, pulling her close to him, putting his head to hers, "Elayne, calm down, it didn't happen, it will never happen no matter what she tries to do." He put his mouth to her ear, "I'm yours, always will be yours." He whispered. Once she was calmed down they continued talking.

"How did you know I went to see her today?" Eleanor asked them.

"Because she happened to come into a store when I was buying the jewelry for Elayne, and she told me you came to see her." Hawke told her.

Eleanor looked at both of them, "I went to warn her away from you, but then it dawned on me, there was no reason to warn her. Your love for each other is too strong, nothing can come between it."

Elayne looked at her mom with frustration and hurt in her eyes, "why is she doing this? She says he intrigues her, all she wanted to do was find out who he was but she took it further by putting her hand and mouth on him. She was hitting on him, literally and according to you, she was going to take him to bed with her. She's got a city full of available men, why does she have to show interest in Arik, my husband?"

Eleanor looked at her daughter sadly, "I wish I knew Elayne. I think she's looking at him as a challenge, and the more he denies her the more persistent she's going to be. But she'll never win, he's already proven that by being honest and telling you, showing you everything." She looked at him curiously, "I wish I knew how you do that, I know it has to do with the bond, but I'm still confused. Anyway, Anora can't bother him if he's not around." She looked at both of them, "you're still going to do the wedding here?"

Hawke felt Elayne hesitate, "yes we will. This is what Elayne wants and she'll get it. A deal was made with Cailan, and he will honor it." Hawke looked at Bryce, "especially since Bryce is going to be making an announcement. He'll let Cailan know he's making the announcement just to be polite, but Bryce will make it. It will be announcing that Lady Elayne Cousland Hawke and Lord Arik Hawke will be having a wedding ceremony, and the King and Queen will be hosting it in their Chapel in the Castle. He has no choice but to honor the deal or risk the people of Ferelden calling him a liar. The Couslands are a powerful family. He won't risk backing out of the deal no matter what Anora tries to do."

Bryce looked at Hawke with pride. "That my boy is exactly what I will do. Whether you want it or not, you and Elayne will be a powerhouse when you rule together. You know what needs to be done. You just proved it in so many ways. For someone who's never been around nobility, you just showed me you were born to be a true leader. I couldn't be more proud of you, Lord Arik Hawke."

Hawke looked at him in irritation, "I am not a lord, I said what anyone with a brain would say."

Elayne looked at him, "Hawke, he's right. You understand the mechanics of how running a Teyrn works. You've backed the King and Queen in a corner literally, and you understand that. No matter what happens, they have to honor the deal. By the way, what is the deal?"

Bryce jumped in so Hawke didn't have to reveal anything, but knowing his daughter she'd get it out of him now that she knew something had occurred. "Hawke, what Elayne has said is truth, you know how ruling works. Everything you say and do carries a positive effect to others. You give people a chance, some more than others. There's so much I can tell you about yourself that points to a fair and righteous leader. Just by yourself, you're a force to be reckoned with."

Hawke looked at Bryce irritated, "damn you Bryce, you're not going to let this go are you, you will hound me until I relent, or I take Elayne and walk away." He sat there watching him, saw the resolve, the determination in his eyes. He sighed, looked Elayne in the eyes, "do you believe as your father does? Is this what you want? I value your dads words, but your opinion is the only thing that matters to me, Elayne."

She looked back at him, "Hawke, you've already made the decision with how you worded the announcement, not even being aware of it. You've been fighting being called a Lord, but think about the words you used." She looked at him with determination. "I believe as my father does, I believe you are the leader that my father knows you are, even your full name screams leader, Arik Hawke."

She watched his eyes, felt him ponder everything that was said, but most of all what she said. "I love you, Arik Hawke." He closed his eyes. She already knew the answer before he completely accepted it himself. He opened his eyes back up, determined, confident, and she couldn't have been more proud of him than she was at this moment.

"You both win. Even though I don't want this, I won't fight it anymore, or at least I'll try, but only for you, Elayne." Keeping his eyes on hers, "there's something else I have to tell you. The deal I made with Cailan, to make sure you get what you want, there's nothing I won't do to make you happy, to see you happy, to see this dream of yours come true. In order to do that I have to win the competition. Your father is absolutely sure I will win, and considering he's seen many more fighters than I have, I have to trust him. I have no choice."

"I don't understand. Why was a deal made, Cailan either said yes or no."

Hawke looked at Bryce, "you're the one that got me into this, you can be the one to explain it." He looked back at Elayne, "you already know there's nothing I won't do for you."

Bryce explained what Cailan had said, "but like Hawke there's nothing he wouldn't do to make you happy, well there's nothing I wouldn't do to make my wife, and you happy so Cailan and I came up with the deal. It wasn't definite until Cailan met Hawke and talked to him."

"But, I didn't have to have the wedding at the Castle, I would have been just as happy at the Cousland Castle." As she started thinking, if it hadn't been for her, Hawke's voice startled her.

"Elayne Hawke, you will not think that. None of this is your fault. I saw and felt how ecstatic you were when you found out about the wedding being done here. How could I say no to that. And remember Elayne, I was going to enter the competition anyway. I also didn't want to be part of the Kings army. Not only does this ensure that I win, it also ensures that I don't have to be part of the Kings army, well to a certain extent anyways. And it ensures that you get what you want. Everyone wins. As far as Anora, that's not your fault either. She seems to have a problem with rejection, who in their right mind would refuse the affections of a Queen, or even refuse a Queen period? She found one who did refuse her, because I belong to you and only you. Do you remember the vows I said to you, do you remember the words 'I promise to be faithful.' I meant every word I said. I love you Elayne."

She looked up at him, tears in her eyes, "I love you too Hawke, thank you, baby." She looked at her dad and thanked him. "I'm going to go lay down, It's been a long day."

Hawke looked at her, "It's okay hun, I'll be up there in a minute, I just want to finish with your father."

As soon as Elayne left with her mom Bryce looked at him. "Why did you decide to tell her about the deal?"

"Because it didn't feel right, I was honest about Anora. I don't want any secrets between us. Only reason I didn't reveal about Anora sooner was because I wanted to wait until we were gone from here. I didn't know how her reaction would be, Elayne can be a little spitfire when she feels someone putting their hands were they shouldn't be. She's already done it," he said as he remembered the time her claws had come out, which he found out turned him on, but hell what didn't turn him on when it came to her. He heard her giggling in his head, "hush little one, I'll be up there soon, baby."