Griffins and Chantry Mice

by *asheraa

Title: Improbable Romance
Series: Of Dragons, Griffins and Chantry Mice
Rating: T

Teagan sat on the bench in the lavish garden rubbing his temples. The tinkle of the fountain helped to soothe his ravaged nerves. His mind drifted to the thought that he might just have to go drown himself in that fountain if the woman next to him did not shut up soon.

From the corner of his eye saw a flash of platinum blonde hair and looked up, his breath hitching in his throat. Amell? No, not Amell, Hawk he reminded himself. The resemblance really was uncanny.  Same moontouched hair, same pale gray eyes, Maker help him they even had the same incredible pouty lips. 

He gave her a tight smile as she approached him with her elven friend. Hawk smiled her incredible smile, so like her cousin's, and greeted him warmly. He stood and started to ask her weather she was here for the hunt or if some other task brought the Champion to this far flung locale, when Isolde started to mutter to him and pull on his sleeve. Dulcie? What? He couldn't concentrate on anything Hawk and her companion were saying. He turned to Isolde for a moment and when he turned back the two women had gone. 

He sat back down on the bench with a resigned sigh. The woman next to him continued to prattle about something or other he just HAD to tell to someone or other. 

His eyes wandered over the crowd as his mind drifted back to Redcliffe almost a decade earlier. Another silver haired mage. A harder time, a harsher place. A woman who in the midst of the Void on earth managed to bring a little spark of hope, a little smolder of passion to his beleaguered heart. If only he'd had the courage to ignore what was expected of him and persue...

"Teaaaaagaaaaan..."

The man in question cringed and asked himself for the hundredth time why in the name of the Maker's sweet fluffy pink bedsocks he agreed to bring this shrieking harpy of a woman with him.  On second thoughts, sticking his head into the cage of that Wyvern over there...

"Yes Isolde, I till tell him. In due time."

He sighed again. Why was he always expected to be the responsible one, the one who fixed the problems, righted the wrongs, sacrificed his own desires for the greater good. Just once he wanted to do something purely for himself. Would that truly be so wrong?

His eyes drifted back over to the Champion, talking animatedly with the Elf woman, and... were they stealing coins from the guests? He barely stifled a laugh. Maker, she and her cousin really were alike!

He wondered what it might be like to have a proper conversation with Hawk, weather she would have the dry wit of Amell, or would she have a more bubbly feminine personality. He knew that either way she laughed readily. She had worn a permanent cocky grin on both occasions that he had the pleasure of speaking with her. 

He would bet a generous sum that despite the fine clothing she wore, her hands would be strong and calloused. She walked with the grace of a seasoned warrior who was capable of using that staff she carried to defend herself as competently as she used her magic.

He wondered what her accent would sound like when she spoke Arcarnum while casting her spells. He wondered how many people here even guessed that an apostate walked among them. She exuded such captivating personality that one completely overlooked what she really was. 

Watching her long hair stir and flutter in the breeze as she tossed the stolen coins into the fountain, he wondered what that it would feel like for those spun silver strands to slide through his fingers...

"TEEEaagaaaan!!"

"What? Where? Huh?" He stammered shaking his head to clear his thoughts. 

"When are you going to tell hiiiim? Oh and you simply MUST tell him about the skeletons Teaaagaaaan!!" Isolde started crying prettily yet noisily as only the very spoiled and the very rich can.

Teagan's eyes stopped in their tracks mid roll. Did Amell just wink at him? He stared at her blankly, as the ache in his head pounded even harder. Maker take it, now Isolde was sniffing at him. He reached into his pocket to find a handkerchief. As his hand closed around the fabric, he felt a small piece of folded parchment. Absently handing the square of fabric to the crying woman, he took out the paper and unfolded it. 

    "My dear sweet man, should you find that your poor nerves simply cannot tolerate present company any longer, I will be more than happy to rescue you. Yours in sympathy, H."  

How in Andraste's name did Hawk get that into his pocket? He looked at the mage, who was now giggling with the elf and looking at him from under her lashes. Oh maker, she was biting her lip. Teagan suddenly felt a little dizzy.

"TEEEEEAAAGAAAAAN"

Teagan blinked. The world stopped as Isoldes indignant shriek echoed across the courtyard. Slowly he turned to the woman beside him and his mouth split into a serene smile.

"Isolde, you inconsiderate, exasperating, annoying, nug humping, void spewing, shrill little... HARRIDAN!! For the love of the Golden City, will you please SHUT UP!"

Nodding curtly to his sister in law he stood, and with a spring in his step he walked up to Hawk, spun her around and swept her into a kiss that would have made even Senechal Bran's 'date' blush. 

Teagan was vaguely aware in the back of his mind that both he and Hawk were making soft undignified little noises and he felt himself flush like a teenager. They must be making quite the spectacle of themselves.

When their lips finally parted Teagan couldn't help but grin like a fool. He leaned in to murmur against Hawks ear. 

"My dear Champion, I am in your debt." His voice wavered slightly as he whispered "I would greatly enjoy the opportunity to get to know you better. My ship is at your disposal for your return trip should you desire company... or safe passage on your way home."

Hawk smiled up at him, cheeks a charming shade of red. She shook her head as if to object.

"I have a hunch" Teagan smiled, brushing a thumb along Hawk's cheek "If you and your companions are anything like your cousin and her friends, you could use a fast ship back to Kirkwall, yes? And besides, if there is any trouble we can throw my dear sister at them as a diversion!" He waggled his eyebrows making Hawk quash a moderately unladylike snort.

Throwing a devilish wink to Hawk, he turned and sauntered over to the cheese platter, happier than he had felt in over ten years.