Chapter Text
"Are you my master now?" she said.
"No!" Exclaimed the elf.
"If you go to Kirkwall, I can help you..."
Those were the words that gave her a new lease on life that fateful day. And here she was now in the messere's estate, cold, wet, dirty and barefoot.
'Oh dear, I'm ruining the floor', she thought.
Her eyes widened at the sheer size and extravagance of the generous man's dwelling, she had to turn a full circle to take it all in. The red's and the bronze of the walls and the simple fur carpets were beaconing for one to rub their cheeks on it. Her former master, the Magister lady, had a bigger home then this one.
But it had not felt as warm and welcoming. Had not felt as safe.
But a voice disrupted her thoughts. "Um, I don't mean to be a bother but, who are you?" Said an oddly cheery voice.
She gasped, and turned around to see two dwarves looking on curiously, one had a brown beard and the other was hiding and peeking from behind his shoulder, blue eyes wide with curiosity. Oh? Were they other slaves like her?
"I-I was sent here by my new Master! I'm to be his new slave" she said.
The dwarf reeled back in disbelief "W-what? Slave? Uh, I think you may have gotten the wrong...house."
Orana's heart raced, she couldn't possible have gotten the wrong house! Everyone she had asked pointed to this place...Or maybe she was in the wrong house, she had gotten things wrong before. "This has to be the right house! I asked around and everyone said this was the place, please don't caste me out! I can cook, I can clean!"
He raised his hands, "Alright, alright miss, calm down." He looked the girl in the eye and said, "No ones getting thrown out of here, its raining pretty badly outside anyways."
The dwarf led her to the fireplace and pulled out a chair, placing it close to the fires warmth. "Take a seat dear, its freezing outside and you best not be catching any cold on my watch."
Orana eyed the chair for a moment, her thought caste over to the kitchen, laundry and wet floor that no doubt need tending to. The Master did not keep her to be sitting around complacent unless she wished to end up like her...papa.
She backed away, "I should get started on my masters dinner, and tidy up, he may be home soon and-"
"That boy will learn to clean up after himself without much trouble." said a woman's firm voice from the atop the great staircase. As if on cue a Mabari dog trotted in upon hearing the lady, the little blonde dwarf with blue eyes quickly occupied himself with the hound.
Orana turned to face the woman. She was of an older age with short cropped grey hair that held the face of soft brilliant blue eyes and delicate age lines. She was wearing a fine comfortable looking gown that echoed the colour scheme of the house, nothing overly decorated, but no doubt tailored from expensive fabrics.
"Good evening My Lady." the little elf bowed.
The lady of the house descended the stairs and studied her, she said, "Now if I heard correctly, my son sent you here, as a slave?"
Orana hesitated for a moment. There was a certain aggressive tone in her voice that scarred her when the lady said 'slave'. But from what she understood, she was in fact sent as a slave "Yes my lady," her eyes lowered.
She repeated, "My son, Hawke, hired and sent you here for slave work...correct?"
Orana swallowed her anxiety and slowly nodded. That's what happened back at the cave right?
"Don't fret young girl, sit down and warm yourself, you're trembling."
Orana immediately sat down and kept her eyes on the flickering flames amongst the hearth. The Lady is a little bit scary. Behind her the dwarf and the lady conversed, "We ought to wait until the man himself gets home, I'm sure this is a misunderstanding."
"This had better be an misunderstanding Bodahn, otherwise Hawke is going to be in a world of trouble." and with that she left them alone.
A coat stand suddenly topple to the floor, "Sandal no, leave the mabari alone!" The dwarf scampered off after the tumbling pair as they disappeared.
And once again, Orana was alone. What was all the fuss about? She was just a normal slave - or maybe it was the Lady who had a final say on who stays in the house. She sighed and brushed the loose dirt off her sleeves, oh well, all she had to do was obey.
Her cold toes and fingers slowly thawed, and her memories took her back to the events earlier that evening. Papa...I'm sorry I couldn't do anything, but you don't have to worry about me any more, she thought. Orana's heart clenched and felt the familiar prick of tears in her eyes. She shook her head, trying to banish the bad thoughts plaguing her. Her new duty was to fix the house, and the Master wont regret hiring her.
Orana quickly stood up and dragged the chair back to its place, it seemed to be for a writing table that was swamped with letters and half finished responses. So his name is Hawke, Garrett Hawke. Then the lady must be his mother, the connection was suddenly clear. The Sir and Madam had the same magnificent eye colour.
A priceless quill sat on a blank scroll, its spilled ink long since dried. She placed it back in its holder and disposed of the stained scroll, her master it seemed, was very popular. After sorting the desk out Orana began hunting around for a broom. She walked into the library and found nothing, walked up the stairs and found nothing. Perhaps in the kitchen? It didn't take long to find the warm clean room, and a pot already on the stove and sizzling away with some sort of stew. She smiled as two dwarves chasing after the family pet with a shoe in its mouth raced past the door. And double checking the stew was not burning, and adding a pinch of salt and a little sage to it, she finally spotted the broom and cleaning implements behind the pantry.
Time to get started.
A few hours later and it was midnight by the time Orana finished the cooking, sweeping and washing. During that time the dwarf introduced himself as Bodahn, and his special son as Sandal, both had been trying to convince her to take it easy until the Hawke returned. But that was not her style, as far as Orana was concerned she still needed to dust and wash the floor. With a bandanna neatly wrapped around her head, she grabbed the feather duster and made her way to the foyer.
She suddenly paused, shocked to see someone already there. He paced back and forth anxiously, leaving a trail of water droplets and footprints wherever he moved. It's a wonder he didn't trip over.
How did the other elf get in the house? Orana was certain the door was locked, she had made sure of it herself.
"H-hello sir, can I help you?"
He jolted out of whatever reverie he was buried in, startled, "Oh! No, no, I'm just waiting..." a deep frown returned to his brow and continued pacing.
Both paused, taking a moment to recognise the other, "I remember you! You were with my new Master, have you seen him? It is quite late and his Mother worries. I think she's angry." The fellow elf had been in the company of her new Master when they first met. It was hard to forget the image of a glowing elf wielding a giant sword, and a mage with the body of a warrior and casting armageddon itself.
The corner of his lip twitched downwards, and he scowled "He is not your 'Master' let's make that clear. And no I, uh...left without him. I thought he would have returned by now..."
Something about him made her feel uneasy, or maybe it was the sheer frustration that he radiated. "Oh I see, well I best be getting back to my duties. I guess you can...wait here." Orana had a sneaky suspicion that the elf was staying in the foyer, regardless of whether he was wanted or not.
"Uh, as you were" He said warily.
Orana quickly returned to dusting, trying to shake off the worry of where Master Hawke could be – it's just so late. And the visitor wasn't making it easy either.
Not a few minutes later, the elf, whose name eludes her spoke again, "Shouldn't you already be resting?" that same angry undertone was there.
She flinched, "not unless I am dismissed by my Mast- by Mr Hawke" Orana fidgeted under his steely stare. It was not pleasant.
He spat, "you can sleep whenever you please, Hawke is not always a vigilant type. It's a miracle that he remembers to feed the Mabari."
He has trouble remembering to feed the dog? The size of the animal said the exact opposite. Maybe he doesn't understand the Mast- erhm, Sir, very well.
"But the dog is very big and strong..."
The elf shot her an odd look, his voice lowered an octave and he looked ashamed, "Oh, I guess it is – isn't it..." those green eyes trailed off to a point long past wherever she was, deep in thought. Orana couldn't help but wonder, what he was thinking about.
A strong concern for the Mabari or Master Hawke? The warrior elf was a strange fellow indeed.
The sombre atmosphere disappeared when the door swang open, a tall well built young man shuffled in, wet and shivering in his fine armour. He tossed the great magic staff carelessly and slammed the door closed. Hawke was completely oblivious to his new company as he muttered about the wet fur lining his armour smelling funny.
"It's as if the Maker left the tap running just to get on my everyone's nerves!" He shook his head in the manner of a wet dog, not realising the water flew all over the floor as well Orana and the visitor. Hawke sighed deeply and ran a gloved hand through his slick spiky locks. He paused.
"Fenris...?"
Orana opened her mouth to speak, but quickly stopped herself, it's better not to interrupt the Master.
"I was – uh..." The elf named Fenris threw his eyes back and forth between Hawke and her, unsure whether or not to continue.
"Oh!" The Master gave a big sigh of relief when he spotted Orana smiling, she gave a brief bow as he continued. It was already feeling a little warmer in the room.
"I am so sorry I didn't see you there! Look, about before, I should've given you a more accurate address. I spent most of the night running up and down looking for you, good Maker I thought you got lost, or worse! It won't happen again, I swear it." He said, placing a hand dramatically on his heart.
"As long as you are well sir." The longer she stood there, the more she felt she should leave. The look the other elf was giving her Master was a far cry to the frustration and urgency he had before, it was troubling. He probably had something really important to tell him.
"Wait, its midnight why are you still up cleaning? Go to bed you look exhausted." he tapped his foot like a mother scolding her children. Or rather, his own mother.
"Actually Mast- sir, it's nearly dawn."
"What!?"
She said, "Shall I take my leave sir?"
"Uh?" Hawke cocked his head.
Fenris added, "Bed, Hawke, to the bed."
"Oh, of course, go go!"
With a nod she rushed off, and breathed out in relief. Well, that was odd. She thought Hawke was a rather nice fellow, except that both him and Fenris had dirtied the floor. A mental note was made to fix that in the morning before he woke up. Just as Orana was about to rest – something occurred to her.
By the Maker, she forgot the DUSTER! Just lying there and out of place! There was no way she was going to leave it there, and like a mouse she tip toed back to the waiting room.
She heard voices, Hawke and Fenris were still talking. She peaked from behind the wall cautiously. 'Oh my!' Her face instantly flushed red. They were in very close proximity.
"I...don't think I even know what that is." said Fenris, tortured eyes gazing into Hawke's. A myriad of emotions were banished with a blink of an eye, and Fenris quickly left with the soft click of the closing door behind him.
Hawke stood there for a very long moment, unmoving, silent and still.
"Um...Master, I mean, Hawke."
"You're still up?" His voice was low and disconnected, as if not caring who heard him.
He was sad, "A-Are you alright?"
"We should rest."
She took the chance to grab the duster she left behind, "Just one other thing...where exactly do I sleep? Nobody really said anything."
Hawke's palm slapped his face, he really didn't think this whole, hiring help, through.
"Was there a mosquito on your face sir? I'll make sure to take care of any infestation tomorrow."