Chapter Text
The trip back to Kirkwall had been silent, everyone in various states of mind ranging from trying not to panic to wondering when Elia was going to skin Fenris. By the time they reached Anders, it was well past midnight and the mage only had a moment of grumpiness before noticing the unconscious bird and launching into his spiel of questions like what happened, when did it happen, how much blood has she lost, is she unconscious because of the injury or because Elia had to knock her out to drag her there again. By the time Elia managed to explain the situation, Anders mood had gone from bad to worse and he gave Fenris the dirtiest look, like the elf had just asked him to kick a kitten.
“I sincerely hope she guts you later.” He spat at the elf before ushering the Hawke twins inside his clinic, telling Elia where to set Eve down and then promptly kicking her out again with the excuse that he couldn’t work with the redhead staring over his shoulder.
Within an hour, Elia had shooed away Isabela and Merrill with a thank you, a kiss and a promise to make it up to them later. She had tried to tell Fenris to make himself scarce but he was adamant about staying until they knew Eve was okay. And so they spent the time in silence, periodically glancing into the clinic to try and get a glimpse of what was going on. Light was starting to filter into Darktown when Anders finally walked out of the clinic, a worrying hesitation in his movements.
“So how is she?” Elia was in front of him, trying to get into the clinic in seconds but Anders was actually making a conscious effort to keep her out.
“Physically she’s fine.” He sighed, hands on either side of the doorframe to keep Elia and Fenris out. The poor mage had to look away under weight of the glares from his friends.
“You say that like there’s something wrong.” Elia was almost ready to knock him out of the way when Anders glanced over his shoulder.
“There is something wrong.” Anders cast his gaze on Fenris now, the concern taking a backseat to his fierce glare, “But first he needs to leave.” Naturally the glare off began as Fenris stepped up behind Elia, trying to keep a lid on his emotions but failing miserably.
“I am not going anywhere, mage, until I know Evangeline is well.” He stressed, making a conscious effort not to squish Elia between them.
“As much as I would love to rub in your face that Evangeline asked you to leave herself,” Anders ground out, fingers digging into the wood of the doorframe, “it’s actually for her wellbeing. When she walks out this door, you had better be gone.” An elbow to the ribs from an angry redhead made his mind up for him and with a frustrated growl, Fenris stalked away and out of sight.
“Geez, Anders, I know you like my sister but wasn’t that a bit much?” Elia teased, sniggering when the mage set her with an unimpressed look.
“I was being serious.” He sighed, stepping back into his clinic with her hot on his heels, “I’m not exactly sure what Danarius did to her but Evangeline doesn’t seem to remember me or, from what I can tell, Kirkwall.” Anders explained, “I’m not sure what seeing other people she’s supposed to know will do so I’d rather not risk him throwing a tantrum and hurting someone.”
“Okay, you’re starting to scare me. How can she not remember Kirkwall?” She was met with a frustrated sigh as Anders carded a hand through his hair. There was a multitude of theories running through his head but, for all his knowledge of healing, not a single one of them had a feasible solution.
“Just try to stay calm.” He instructed as they finally stopped in front of Evangeline. Just like Anders had said, she seemed physically fine but there was a strange distance in her eyes that Elia just couldn’t place. Evangeline smiled at the pair when she noticed them, unintentionally setting Elia’s mind at ease.
“Oh, you’re back Anders. Who’s this?” It was amazing how two words could shatter a heart. Elia could feel the sting of tears beginning to form behind her eyes as she glanced between her sister and Anders.
“Evie don’t you recognise me?” A part of Elia was just hoping this was Evangeline’s horrible sense of humour but a bigger part of her was loudly shouting ‘what sense of humour?’
A guilty look passed over Evangeline’s face as she shook her head, “I’m sorry. Am I supposed to?” Elia almost jumped when Anders hand landed lightly on her shoulder in comfort.
“Evangeline this is Elia Hawke, she’s your twin sister.” The looked of guilt intensified as Evangeline observed the woman who was supposed to be her sister. Somewhere in the back of Elia’s mind, she laughed at the fact Eve’s overly guilty personality hadn’t changed.
“I’m really sorry.” Eve muttered, lacing her fingers together behind her, something she hadn’t done since they were children being scolded. Elia couldn’t stop herself from dragging her twin into a bone crushing hug as she shook her head.
“It’s not your fault, Evie. You don’t need to be sorry.”
“If anyone’s to blame it’s that elf.” Anders huffed quietly, crossing his arms over his chest and ignoring the quick glare Elia sent him.
“Anders, now isn’t really the time!” She hissed, much to her sister’s confusion as the redhead finally released her and turned to face him, “Anyway, is there anything you can do?”
Anders sighed for what felt like the millionth time in ten minutes, “Considering I have no idea what type of spell that bastard used.” He huffed, rubbing his cheek in thought, “The only thing we can do is treat this like regular amnesia. Take her home, sometimes being in familiar surroundings can trigger the memory.”
After a brief instruction on what might happen and how to deal with it, Hawke twins 1.0 made their way home. Elia had decided to use the cellar door near Anders’ clinic seeing as rule one on the list was do not overwhelm Evangeline. The redhead allowed herself a small smile when they made it back to their estate and her sister gawked at the silent foyer alone, just like the first time.
“We live here?” Eve asked, turning her wide blue eyes to Elia who simply nodded. “But this place is huge! It’s way too much space for two people!” The elder twin quickly shushed her, glancing to a side door before sighing in relief.
“Well we’re not the only two people here. Bodhan, Sandal and Orana live here too. I’d say they’re currently asleep.” Elia grinned, already steering her sister towards the kitchen with the hope that introducing her to her prized handwritten cookbooks might trigger something. Unfortunately, a knock on the door stopped the pair short. Of course someone would knock early in the morning when Bodhan was still in bed. How rude.
“Isn’t it a bit early for visitors?” Eve asked curiously as she trailed after Elia all the way to the door.
“Yeah but we tend to get people knocking at all hours. Comes with title Champion of Kirkwall.”
“Can I safely assume that’s you?” It seemed that the only way Eve could communicate at present was with questions.
“Us, actually.” Elia’s proud grin was wiped clear off her face when she opened the door and saw the man on the other side, “It is way too early Cullen.” She groaned, pointedly ignoring his glare at the lack of respect in her voice.
“I wouldn’t be coming to you two if I had a choice.” He grit his teeth as he glanced between the twins and swallowed his pride, “We’ve had another lot of break outs and, since you two seem good at tracking down mages, the Knight-Commander would like your assistance.”
Elia flashed him a toothy smirk, “You guys aren’t very good at your job are you?” She chuckled as the Templar immediately started seething, “Sadly we’ve only just gotten home from the Wounded Coast so you’re gonna have to ask later.” And the door was promptly shut in the flabbergasted man’s face.
“Twat waffle.” Immediately Elia whipped around to face her sister, not entirely sure she heard the quiet curse.
“I’m sorry can you repeat that?”
“I called him a twat waffle. He is one after all, ‘mages aren’t people like you and I’ and all that. Bleh.” Eve shrugged carelessly despite her sister’s confusion (and later on delight), “Oh, I’ve never said that before. Well I’ve certainly thought it.”
“Wait a second, Evie do you remember Cullen?” Elia asked, giving her sister a cautious stare as they headed back for the kitchen. Evangeline’s face lit up with her joy as she clapped her hands happily.
“I remember Cullen!” Those words did not taste right in her mouth and she groaned in despair the moment she finished speaking them “Oh sweet Maker, I remember Cullen. Why him? Of all people.” Despite the fact the first person Evangeline remembered being an asshole, Elia couldn’t help being happy. If she can remember one person then there was hope she would remember everything, they would just have to take it one step at a time.