Hawke and his Princess: Chapter 37

A royal dinner invitation

"Elayne, why do I have to wear this clothing? I prefer the simple items I have. I don't need all this extra fancy stuff. I already met Cailan without this," he growled, feeling ridiculous as he looked down at himself.

"Hawke, you are having dinner with the King and Queen. This requires a little more fashion than, say, having dinner with my parents. Now, quit fussing, it's only for dinner, my love. When we get back here, then you can remove it, I'll even help you," she said as she came out of the other room.

She was exquisitely breathtaking. It wasn't as revealing as most of her gowns were becoming, but it still revealed enough, and it clung to her beautifully. The waist was cinched tightly, revealing her tiny waist, pushing her full breasts up. The bottom flared out, and when she walked, it revealed her creamy soft thigh on one side.

She watched him looking at her, watching the way his eyes roamed over her body, saw him swallowing hard before his eyes came back up to hers. There was such an intense hunger in him that made her body instantly heat up, her knees weak.

"Hawke," she whispered breathlessly as his gaze bored into hers. Again, his eyes wandered over her, lingering on her breasts before going further down, the intensity in his eyes, deepening. It was starting to become hot in the room, or maybe it was her.

"Pull your dress back," his voice became a husky whisper as his gaze lingered between her legs before going back to hers.

"Hawke," she whispered breathlessly again as his gaze bored into hers.

"Pull your dress back, princess," again she hesitated. He growled again, and she quickly pulled back her dress, revealing herself to him. She heard him groan in pleasure as his eyes feasted on her between her legs. "Spread them," she just looked at him, feeling the thrill of what he was invoking in her, and he growled again. "Spread your legs and put your hand between them and open yourself up to me. I want to see you before I devour you, see how wet you are." She started to protest, but his eyes pinned her to the spot, and she whimpered as she found herself doing what he wanted. His eyes once again went back down between her legs, and he grinned fiendishly before stalking towards her, his hot gaze back up to hers.

"Arik," she tried again, but all that came out was a whimper as his hand brushed across her face, pulling her mouth to his. He kissed her hard, deep, and demanding, and she moaned as her arms went around his neck, her body melting into him. She felt his hands moving along her back before going to her breasts, and she gasped when his fingers brushed across her bare nipple. She tried to protest, to push him back a little but his grip on her tightened, his mouth left hers to go to her ear, whispering, "calm little one, I just need a tast, my love," her body instantly responded.

His mouth trailed down her neck to her breast, taking her nipple into it, her back arching into his hot mouth, while his hand went down to the exposed opening in her dress, his hand running up and down her bare thigh before touching her between her legs. She moaned loudly when his fingers brushed along her clit, her body tightening. Her arms tightened around him, her hips thrusting forward as he invaded her with his fingers.

"Hawke," she groaned when he started sliding in and out of her, clinging to him desperately when her body clenched tightly around his fingers before her juices released on his hand. She heard him breathing hard when he pulled his mouth away from her breast, bringing it up to her ear, his fingers still sliding in and out of her.

"Elayne, I need to taste you," he growled before his mouth captured hers hungrily, his fingers becoming more demanding before her body responded again to him. His mouth left hers, and went back down to her breasts again then lowered more until he pushed aside her dress and his mouth and tongue invaded her between her legs, his tongue buried deep up inside her savoring every drop of her. She pushed her hips forward, urging him deeper inside. She moaned loudly, his hand and mouth working its magic, bringing her body to the edge and her juices flowing onto his tongue. He growled as his mouth suckled and devoured her. He looked up at her, "more, give me more baby," he demanded before his mouth and tongue once again invaded her hungrily, demanding her release again and again. Finally, his head moved back up to hers, "thank you, baby," he whispered hotly while his fingers went back inside her again, coaxing more from her.

Her hands went to his shirt, needing to touch him, but he stopped her, pulling his mouth and hand away from her.

"We can't, baby, or I won't be able to stop myself," he growled before his mouth came crashing down on hers again. He pulled her close to him, and she brushed up against his hard shaft, making him growl again. He redid the clasps on the back of her dress and pulled away from her reluctantly. She saw the hunger for her in his eyes, and her body trembled at the intensity in them.

Looking at her, his hot gaze once again ran over her body slowly, and he groaned when they came back to hers. "Go, my love, freshen up so we can get going before I throw you on the bed and ravish you."

She stood there watching him for a minute, her hand going to the side of his face, before she brushed her lips along his, "I love you, Arik," she whispered against them. She heard a low growl from him, and her gaze left his lips going back to his eyes, his hand reaching out to pull her back, but she stepped out of his reach into the other room to readjust her hair and dress. She gazed at herself in the mirror, her eyes going down her body as she remembered his mouth and hands on her.

"Elayne," he growled loudly from the other room and in her head. She closed her eyes, trying to calm her mind before walking back out. With her hand on his arm after he cleaned up, they headed downstairs and outside to find a carriage waiting for them. A palace livery servant opened the door to a carriage when they came out.

"Who is this for," she heard Hawke ask from beside her.

"My Lord Hawke, it is for you and Lady Elayne, so you don't have to walk. It's complements from the Queen."

"Come Arik, there's no reason to walk if we don't have to." He closed his eyes, inhaled deeply before he opened them, and helped her into the carriage before getting in himself.

"I feel like a bloody fool parading around in this," she heard him mutter. She noticed him bent over, then his head grazing the top of the carriage as he sat down. She put her hand up to her mouth trying to hide the grin, but she couldn't stop the giggle, and he turned his irritated eyes on hers before they changed, and the naked hunger was back in them as his eyes swept across her. He pulled her close to him, his mouth coming down on hers hard. He reluctantly let her go when they pulled up to the Castle gates. She noticed he had to stoop when he got out before helping her down.

"Thank you, my extremely handsome Lord," she giggled before curtsying to him.

She heard him groan before he took her hand, "don't you bloody start with that Elayne, I'm not a bloody," she put a finger over his lips to stop him as she turned him around to look at her.

"You are what you are, Hawke, quit denying what everyone knows you to be. You already accepted it," she said, brushing her lips against his before putting her hand back on his arm as they were escorted into the Castle.

"Doesn't mean I have to hear it from you," he grumbled beside her, causing her to grin again. They were escorted to a waiting room and offered something to drink while they waited for dinner to be announced. Hawke, feeling uncomfortable, got up and started walking around, looking at the beauty in it. He felt Elayne's eyes on him as he gazed at the different paintings in the room. Some were absolutely beautiful with mountains and lakes and lush fields, but some he didn't understand their meaning or what they were supposed to represent. There was even a couple that had dragons and Griffins in them.

Elayne came up to him, putting her hand on his arm, "Hawke, you need to relax, my love," she handed him a glass as she looked up at him. She laid her hand on his chest, her other hand going to the back of his head, bringing his mouth to hers, "relax baby," she whispered before his mouth closed over hers. He wrapped her up in his arms, his mouth claiming hers, forgetting where he was. He felt her in his head, the image of her in the dress she was wearing, the hunger from his eyes as he gazed down at her earlier, and he groaned, his body responding to her, and he pulled her closer to him.

"My, what an adorable couple we have here," Hawke immediately stiffened up on hearing that voice. He removed his mouth from Elayne's, closed his eyes, and turned around, keeping his arm around her.

"My Lady Anora," he said with a hard edge in his voice he couldn't hide, nor did he want to. He kept his eyes on Anora's as he felt Elayne curtsy beside him. He refused to bow to Anora, his last encounter with her in this Castle tried to resurface, his anger rising, but he slammed a wall down on it hard. She watched him with an amused smile as her eyes roamed up and down him brazenly, stopping at the evident bulge in his pants, her eyes went back up to his with a satisfied smirk before her gaze went to Elayne, who still had her head bowed.

"So this is the Lady Elayne Cousland that I've heard about," she smirked at him before she walked over to Elayne, her hand lifting Elayne's head up. "She is absolutely stunning. I can see why she has captured your heart, Arik Hawke." She walked over to the other side of him, putting her hand on his arm, "would you mind escorting the both of us to the dining room, my Lord Arik."

He tried to keep his anger in check as he followed the servant with both women on his arms, one he despised, the other he loved with his whole heart, mind and soul, to a private dining room.

"It seems we're the first ones here," Anora said with delight, "which means more time I get to spend with the handsome couple," her hand squeezed hard around his arm as he helped her sit down. "Thank you, my Lord," she told him, her hungry eyes on his before he turned his attention to Elayne. As he helped her sit, he leaned down to her, "I love you, my beautiful wife," he whispered in her ear, his gaze firmly on hers before he sat by her. She looked at him, her hand in his, the love she had for him pouring out and into him, "I love you too, my handsome husband."

Hawke looked around the room. It seemed kind of intimate with the candles and the fireplace lit. He wondered why they were dining in here. It seemed a little too close for comfort for him, considering who was sitting on the other side of him. Just then, Cailan came in, looking at them. They started to get up, but Cailan stopped them with his hand. "Please stay seated," his eyes went to Hawke, and Cailan grinned. "Hawke, my man, I'm glad to see that you accepted the invitation. We didn't get to talk much the last time you were here, and when I heard you were back in town, I had to invite you and the beautiful Elayne Cousland, or is it Hawke since you both are already married?"

Elayne bowed her head a little, "it's Hawke, we got married in a private ceremony a few months back, my Lord, and thank you. We were honored to receive your invitation."

"Please just call me Cailan. This is the one place I don't have to worry about the pomp and ceremony." He looked over at Hawke, "to be able to live the life Hawke here has, no responsibilities, no worries, just a simple life."

"My life is far from simple, as far as responsibilities I've got my fair share, along with worries and concerns. Since my father passed away, I've had to take on the mantle. My mother, brother, and sister are now my responsibility along with the farm." He looked over at Elayne and smiled, "my family is growing, and along with it, more responsibility. But I will never regret it, I will always cherish it. I look forward to the life she and I will be journeying on together." He sat there staring at her, her hand clasped in his, his love for her shining in his eyes. She blushed but looked at him just as intently. He realized where he was and pulled his eyes away from her. He cleared his throat and looked at Cailan. "I apologize, sir."

Cailan chuckled, "Hawke, don't apologize. Everyone can see and feel what you two have. It's real and pure."

Servants came in and put plates in front of them. "Great, I'm starving," Cailan said as he looked at the couple. "Please enjoy your meals." Dinner was uncomfortable for Hawke. It seemed that Anora took every opportunity to lay her hands on him no matter how innocent it seemed, but he knew better. Especially when her hand would touch his thigh under the table.

"Have you seen the pamphlets with the competition date and rules, Hawke?" Cailan asked.

"I have. I know it's still a couple of months away, but has anyone responded back yet?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, it seems everyone is interested in this competition. We've even had a few outside Ferelden that are interested. I noticed your name's not on the register yet. You're still going to compete, aren't you?"

"Of course I am, but I won't be registering until the last minute before the competition, I prefer it that way. I don't need someone trying to harass me before then."

"That makes sense. Just remember registration ends the last week of the second month."

"We'll be having a masquerade Ball here at the end of next month. A year-end celebration. Cailan and I are extending an invitation to you both along with Lady Eleanor and Lord Bryce," Anora looked at both of them, "we hope you will be here."

"Thank you, Lady Anora, I don't know about my parents, but Hawke and I would be honored to be here." Hawke groaned inwardly. For some odd reason, he was feeling uncomfortable about this whole situation. He glanced sideways at Anora, who was looking at him with a look he didn't recognize, but it didn't bode well for him. He didn't know what to do, but he had to somehow get her to leave him alone.

He grabbed his glass and excused himself before he stepped outside away from prying eyes to the balcony since Elayne and Cailan were talking about how her family and Highever were doing. He closed his eyes trying to clear his head, but suddenly he found his mind going to Elayne, his hand and mouth roaming down her body until he got between her legs, his fingers and tongue deep up inside her, he felt his body immediately respond. "Elayne," he growled, "this isn't the place to be doing that, my little temptress."

He heard her giggle in his mind, "Come back inside, so we can leave, I love you, baby,"

"I love you too, Elayne. I'll be there in a minute, baby. I kind of have a situation here, and your tight pants will make it obvious again," he growled. I don't need Anora's lecherous eyes on me again. She already got an eye full earlier. He made sure to keep that thought to himself.

He heard her giggle again, "I'm sorry, my love, I was just trying to help you ease your mind, baby."

"It's ok, you definitely distracted my mind, now if only I could distract another part of my body," he chuckled. "Elayne, would you promise me something? No more of these ridiculously tight pants, please."

"But you look so damn good in them," she came out and put both her hands on his rear, and then to the obvious bulge in his front, "you fill them out so perfectly," she snickered. She wrapped her arms around him, "I love you, Arik, come, let's go back to the Inn. I told Cailan that we had to leave early in the morning, and with it already late, we needed to head back to the Inn. Don't worry, we're the only ones left."

He turned around, looking down at her, his eyes once again feasting on her breasts, "Thank you, love, now let's get out of here. I have a sudden desire to finish what we started in the room, thanks to someone putting a certain memory in my head." He pulled her tight against him, letting her feel his very hard arousal before his mouth came down on hers.

"Elayne, come here," he growled at her. When they had walked in the room, she had made a beeline to the other side of the room, giggling.

"Come and get me baby," she said seductively while pulling down both sleeves of her dress, exposing her breasts to him. She put both of them into her hands as her eyes stayed on his, her fingers rubbing along her nipples. He leaned against the wall, watching her, seeing how far she would go with her teasing. She twisted and pulled on her nipples, moaning, beckoning him with her seduction. She lowered her hands to her dress, slowly slipping it off her body and letting it drop to the floor. His eyes roamed down her naked flesh she was displaying to him, his eyes feasting on between her legs. She grinned mischievously at him as she got on the bed, crawling across it before laying flat on her back, her legs slowly spreading open.

"Hawke, I know you want this again, baby," she whispered as her hand went between her legs. With her eyes on his, watching him, she touched her clit with her fingers rubbing them across it, while her other hand went back to her breast, teasing and pulling her nipple. Her fingers started rubbing faster, her hips rising up, moving back and forth with her hand movements. Her moans becoming louder, she put her fingers inside, and her hips bucked up meeting her fingers thrusts going in and out of her.

"Hawke" she moaned loud, "I need your mouth on me baby, please," she whimpered, panting before her hips arched up high, and she rammed her fingers deep inside her, her eyes glazing over with her body shuddering and releasing along her fingers.

She laid back, her body twitching around her fingers still inside her, she saw him walking towards her, "again" he growled, his hot eyes on her wet fingers between her legs. Her fingers started sliding along her again, watching him as he undressed, his hard shaft in his hand as he started sliding it up and down himself watching her pleasure herself. She watched his hand pumping faster as her body released again along her fingers.

"How wet are you, baby, show me. Pull your hand from between your legs, and show me. I want to see how wet you are, princess."

He growled when she pulled her hand from between her legs, turned it, showing him her wetness on her fingers. There was so much as it trailed slowly down her fingers. She put her wet fingers and hand along his shaft, hearing him growl again as she started sliding it along him, she did that a few times until he was slick just with her juices as she pumped her hand over him. She sat up on the edge of the bed, grabbed his hips, pulled him to her as her tongue touched his shaft, and then her whole mouth went over him.

"Baby," his hand went to the back of her head as he slid himself in and out of her hot mouth, thrusting faster, deeper into her. Until he pulsed, his shaft thickening inside her mouth, he threw back his head growling and with one final thrust exploded in her, her mouth milking every drop from him.

He stood there watching her as she laid back, opening her legs up to him, spreading herself wide open again. He put his thumb along her clit rubbing her. "Hawke," she moaned, "put your mouth on me baby, I need to feel your mouth and tongue on me please."

Her hips started moving faster under his thumb rubbing along her. She gasped and exploded when his hot mouth came down hard on her, his tongue buried deep inside. He devoured her, his mouth and tongue savagely demanding more from her until she laid back on the bed, panting heavily in exhaustion.

His mouth trailed up, replenishing her exhausted body with energy, stopping as he took each of her nipples into his mouth, her hips bucking up into his fingers buried inside her. He finally positioned himself over her, her hands grasping him, his eyes penetrating hers as he lowered himself into her, his mouth coming down on hers.

Exhausted but deeply satisfied, she rolled off of him on her side. He rolled over, bringing her tight along him, his body wrapped around her. He looked down at her as she turned her head to him, "I love you baby," she whispered to him.

His head came down, "I love you too, angel," he whispered against her lips before his mouth gently took hers. Sighing contentedly, she snuggled into him, her eyes closing as she drifted off to sleep.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

The next morning found Elayne asleep in his arms as they rode down the road from Denerim. He finally relaxed muscles and nerves he hadn't even been aware of being tensed up. Caleb looked over at them and chuckled, "I take it, this isn't the first time she's been asleep in your arms? She looks so relaxed and peaceful."

"She is, and you're right. This isn't the first time, and I don't mind. This is where she belongs."

"I'm still amazed to see you two together. Not long ago, you weren't sure of what you wanted for your future. You were leery about having a future with anyone because of who you are. I'm aware that she knows about your power, a power that you tried so hard to hide for fear of the mages and Templars finding you. Why did you change your mind and reveal yourself?"

Hawke looked down at her in his arms, "she's the reason I risked everything, I had to heal her, save her, she never would have lived to be here in my arms if I hadn't."

Caleb watched Hawke as he looked down at her. He sensed a pain deep down inside Hawke. "Would you mind telling me about it?" He asked softly.

Hawke sat there for the longest time, looking down at her. When he finally looked at Caleb, he had a haunted look on his face. He saw Elayne reaching for him, comforting him in her sleep. Hawke looked back down at her, "I'm ok baby, go back to sleep, my love," he heard Hawke whispering to her.

"I had invited her and her family to come visit since my mother and hers used to be old friends. Her mother wanted to see her old friend again, and I thought it would be a good idea for my mother since she'd been depressed since father passed, and it was a way I could spend more time with Elayne. Elayne, her brother, and I left early because I needed to get the wagon back. We ran into some Templars and a mage outside Lothering. They were looking for a mage that had escaped the Tower using blood magic. After warning us, they went on their way, and I with my group headed to the farm."

"A little ways after we turned off the main road to the farm we were ambushed by a group, the blood mage was among them. Elayne took an arrow to her side. Using my power, I dispatched everyone left, including the blood mage. With her brother and Carver and Bethany's help I went into where the arrow had pierced her heart but at the time I didn't know that until the arrow was being pulled out, and she started bleeding heavily, her heart stopped briefly. After I healed the nick and got her heart to start beating again, I healed the passage the arrow made as it was pulled out."

Hawke looked back up at Caleb, the love Hawke had in his eyes, for Elayne was more powerful than anything Caleb had seen or experienced before. "I almost lost her that day, Caleb. The only reason I didn't was because of my love, determination to keep her with me. Fergus was the one who pulled the arrow out as I healed her. I know I risked everything, but I couldn't lose her, not when I just found her. Her parents were so grateful that I had saved their children that they accepted me immediately, especially when they realized they had almost lost their daughter. It was also when I realized I loved her, what she really meant to me, that she was my other half, even though we'd only known each other for a couple of days."

He looked back down at Elayne as she stirred again, her hand cupping his face, "I love you, Hawke,"

Hawke leaned into her hand as he put his hand on hers, "I love you too, angel."

Caleb rode on ahead, letting the couple have some time to themselves as he contemplated Hawke's words. What Hawke had told him didn't seem possible, Hawke's strength wasn't in healing even though he had studied and learned it, but it wasn't his strength. Hawke was a battle mage. He leaned more towards destructive magic, but Caleb had learned a while ago that Hawke was unusual and not to underestimate him and his power. Not only in his magic but he himself was unusual, he was a very rare young man. He kept proving that all the time. What he had done with the sword was a perfect example. The amount of power that was used, being able to hold it as long as he did, was remarkable. What was also just as remarkable was the way the young man had taken up the sword, the way his mind took in each lesson soaking it in, and he was able to master it before the session was over. Hawke had become a master swordsman in a matter of a few years to where anyone but Hawke might become a master many years down the road. Leandra had once said that Hawke's mind was like a sponge. He possessed an extraordinary ability to quickly analyze and reflect on what he absorbed, swiftly identifying the correct answer or the most strategic move. What set him apart, however, was the speed with which he operated; he seemed to navigate complexities and arrive at conclusions faster than most could even start to ponder the questions.

When Hawke had told him about the competition that he was going to enter, he thought Hawke had finally lost it, especially for the reason he was doing it, but Caleb had learned long ago that if Hawke was determined enough, nothing would stop him from reaching his goal. With it being for Elayne, Hawke would literally be unstoppable. Caleb was going to help him achieve that goal and to make sure he was there for the competition, not only for support but to really see the young man in action.

They were at the halfway point when they took a break to stretch their legs and to grab a bite to eat. Elayne was already awake, but she stayed with Hawke instead of getting on her own horse. Needing a few minutes by himself and letting Elayne and Caleb know what he was doing, he went in search of some fresh water to fill their canteens up. Using a little of his power, he was able to find a stream. He sat there filling them while he tried to clear his mind of his conversation with Caleb about Elayne's accident. He had thought he had done a good job of burying the pain that always came with the memory, but he found out today that he hadn't succeeded.

Without turning around, he called out to her, "Why aren't you with Caleb, Elayne. I told you what I was doing, and I'd be back after I was done."

She came up to him and put her arms around him, "I know baby, but I was worried about you. I know you told Caleb about my injury, and I know how much it hurts you talking or even thinking about it. I just wanted to help with the pain, I hate seeing and feeling you hurting. It affects me just as much as you, I feel it too Hawke"

He pulled her down to him with her sitting in his lap, "I'm sorry, my love. Hopefully, this is the last time it has to be brought up, and we can bury it forever."

"I love you, Hawke, and I'm sorry you have to feel that. Go through the memories because of me."

"Elayne, don't even think that baby, it wasn't because of you, the bastards that did it, are the ones at fault, not you, my love. Never blame yourself for that, please." He wrapped his arms around her, "I did what I had to because I couldn't lose you. I love you, Elayne, and I'd do it again if I had to."

His mouth captured hers, and the gentle comfort for each other became something else entirely. He lost himself in her arms, mouth, in their love for each other. A little while later, he found himself buried deep inside her, his seed spilling into her as she straddled him, joining him in their sweet release together.

He removed his mouth from hers, grinning, "I don't think Caleb is going to be too pleased with us, my darling wife."

Elayne laughed, "possibly, but all that matters is your calm, at peace again, that's all that matters to me, love."

She reluctantly got up off his lap, and after they cleaned up a little, they headed back. At least the canteens were full, Hawke thought with a chuckle. With his arm tightly around her, they walked back to where the horses were.

When Hawke had said he'd go and refill the canteens, Caleb knew he needed some time to himself so he could clear his mind. For a while, Elayne sat there with him talking, but she kept glancing off in the opposite direction that Hawke had left on. She looked over at him and excused herself, Caleb tried to protest, but she was gone before he could get any words out. He had a feeling he knew where she was going, even if it was in a different direction than where Hawke had originally gone. When they came back together, Caleb noticed a big difference in Hawke. He was calmer, his mood lighter. When he tossed Caleb his canteen, he noticed a light back in Hawke's eyes. Caleb chuckled as they all got on their horses, except Elayne, who was sitting with Hawke again. To be young and in love, he couldn't fault them. He was glad they had each other, especially Hawke. He deserved it. "You two finally ready," Caleb asked with a smirk before taking off, not waiting for a reply.

Elayne heard Hawke chuckle, and she looked up at him curiously. He leaned down and kissed her, "I love you, baby,"

For some odd reason, he wasn't going to tell her what he found so amusing. She decided to investigate herself by going into his mind. When she found what she was looking for, she felt herself blushing furiously, which brought another chuckle from him. Caleb looked back at them, making sure they were following, and she buried her face in Hawke's chest, hoping Caleb hadn't seen.

Caleb looked at Hawke in confusion, and Hawke shrugged, trying not to chuckle again. Once Elayne felt back to normal, she lifted her head from his chest and growled, "I've seriously got to quit going into your mind.

"Hey, I was trying to spare you baby, you're the one that got curious." He tilted her head up to look at him, "I love you Elayne, don't be embarrassed, baby. Caleb knew I was hurting. You were the only one who could help ease that pain. It might have gone a little further than I had planned, but I don't care anymore. Who cares what other people think, what we do, we're young and in love and married, it's only natural."

She looked up at him with a knowing grin, "You can't say you don't care anymore because you do." He started to protest, "I can prove it right here, right now." She adjusted herself more comfortably, grabbed his hand, and put it between her legs, readjusting her dress so no one knew. She looked back up at him, pulled his head down to hers, whispering, "pleasure me, Hawke, right here, right now, my love," she challenged him.

She watched him close his eyes, fighting the battle he was having with himself. When he started to pull his hand away, she smirked, but then that smirk changed quickly when he opened his eyes, staring directly into hers as his fingers went to work on her. And he pleasured her. He had her squirming, her body tightening, her juices flowing around his fingers. He brought her over and over again to the edge, her body exhausted, until she couldn't give anymore, and she was begging him to stop. "Hawke, no more please, you win," she panted, her face buried in his shirt, her hands clutching at him desperately.

He grinned down at her and finally removed his fingers from between her legs but not before washing her exhaustion away. He pulled her closer to him, "You were saying my love," he smirked at her before his mouth came down on hers.

'Ok, so he won this round, actually they both won,' she thought as she stretched, her body feeling absolutely satisfied.

"I'm glad you are, baby." He looked around, "looks like we're almost back to camp." She noticed a little unease when he said that.

She laid her hand on his chest, looking up at him, "Baby, hopefully, tomorrow we'll find out the other reason you were asked here, and we can leave soon. How about we go and stay at the farm for a while before heading back to Highever."

"I would love that, Elayne. I enjoyed making your sword, I know it was finished quicker than they had originally planned. Maybe that's why they had said at least a month here. But I can't help but be worried about what the other reason I'm here for is."

He actually knew a little more than he was telling her, but that was buried until he was given permission to let her know. He focused his mind away from the thought, burying it behind the wall with the other stuff.

"Whatever it is, I'm here for you, Arik. I'm glad that I'm here physically with you. You realize I had a lecture from your mom. Well, not really a lecture, she was so worried how my mind, my depression, if I had any, would affect you, so she helped me realize some things." She looked up at him, "what was the real reason you risked yourself with the caves? Was that because of me, you wanted to keep me personally safe?"

Shifting nervously, he looked down at her, "What do you mean, who told you that?"

"Is it true, Hawke?"

He closed his eyes. Why was she asking this? "Yes, I did it to protect everyone, but I did it mainly to keep you safe." He looked back down at her. "Why are you asking this, Elayne?"

"So once again you risked your life, your power being detected because of me?"

"Elayne, look, I already said I was stupid for doing what I did, the way I did it, but I had no choice. Whatever I felt in those caves didn't bode well for anyone, you most of all. I did what I did to protect you, and I will keep doing it. I will do everything in my power to make sure you're safe, your well-being, and your happiness is my first priority. I will never stop, so don't bother asking me too."

She sat there watching him, she saw and felt the determination in him, he wouldn't budge on this. And she couldn't help loving him even more for it. "I love you, Hawke. I know you won't do it, but I want you to quit putting yourself at risk for me. What if something was to happen, and I lost you because you took a risk to protect me? Keep me safe?"

"Don't you understand, for you, it would be worth it, Elayne."

"Your mom was right." He looked at her, confused. "Don't worry about it, Hawke, just something between your mother and I."

When they finally made it back to the elven camp, they were both tired, Elayne would take care of the materials she had picked up tomorrow. Tonight, she just wanted to spend it with her husband. Even after a couple of months, she still felt a thrill run through her when she thought of him as her husband. She was literally the luckiest woman alive to have him in her life, but she was also scared for them. When his mom had said that he would literally sacrifice his life for her, it really didn't register until today. His need to keep her safe at all costs, he wouldn't hesitate to put his life before hers, and it scared her. That was one of the reasons she was so determined to learn everything she could to protect herself. If she learned how to fight and protect herself, then there was no reason for him to put himself at risk for her. She hurriedly wiped the tears from her face and cleared her mind as she heard him coming towards her.

He walked up to her and pulled her close to him, lifting her head up to his, "Elayne, even though you're trying to hide it, I can feel your pain. I wish my mother hadn't told you what she did, but I will do everything I can to make sure I will be in your life for a very long time. I want us to grow old together, I want to see our kids have kids. I can't promise I won't put my life before yours, don't ask that of me, but I will make sure I do everything in my power to be with you for a very long time. Just like you don't want to lose me, I don't want to lose you. Elayne, I love you with all my heart and soul, baby. I don't plan on going anywhere for a long time, okay, my love." He wiped the fresh tears from her face with his thumb then, put his lips gently on hers.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and lost herself in him and his love for her. He couldn't promise he wouldn't put his life before hers, but what he did say was enough for her, had to be enough, and she could live with that.

He picked her up and carried her to their tent and laid down, holding her for a while, until he felt her mind and body relax. He brushed her hair out of her face, "I love you, angel," he whispered to her.

She looked up at him, "I love you too, Arik." She said softly, bringing his head down to hers, sighing when she felt his lips gently meeting hers.

He pulled her close against him, his hand gently running up and down her back. He felt her hand on his chest through his shirt, running up and down him. She tugged at the shirt, needing to touch more of him, feeling his skin on her hand. He sat up, and she slipped his shirt off before removing her own dress, feeling his eyes on her before laying back down and pulling her to him again with his mouth going back to hers. She sighed again when her hand touched his bare chest, running it along him.

He was so gentle, tender, so passionate with his hands and mouth gliding along her body, gently coaxing her bodies' response to him. When he finally lowered himself gently into her, she wanted to weep. He took her gently and tenderly, asking for her release instead of demanding it. The love and passion he had for her coming out in his lovemaking. She gave him what he was asking for, until once more she felt him stretching inside her, her body responding as it tightened around him again, and they clung to each other, soaring together in the sweet abyss of pleasure.

He gently wiped her tears away as he gazed up at her before rolling over on his side with her against him. Once again, his mouth came down gently to hers, but not before he whispered his love to her.

She woke the next morning to her head resting on his arm, his other arm draped across her. She watched him as he slept, remembering how gently he had made love to her the night before. Her finger lightly touched his lips, remembering the sweet touch of them across her body. She felt her body responding to the memories, her hand touching her breast and nipple the way he had. She felt a stirring between her legs as heat once again rushed through her body. Her other hand went down between her legs, and she closed her eyes, savoring the memory of him as she brought her body over the edge with her fingers.

She opened her eyes when she felt his mouth capturing hers, his hand joining hers between her legs as he brought her fingers in and out of her with his. His mouth left hers and went to her nipple while they brought passion through her body again. He pulled their hands away, bringing her on top of him. She straddled him, bringing him deep inside her.

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To be continued...