Sparkler and the Wolf

36. Confronting the Mage

A crick in his neck jerked Fenris awake, blinking in confusion as to why he was sitting alone in the deserted main hall of the keep. A crinkling sound reminded him of the package he'd received and he sprang to his feet, wide awake. Cursing his stupidity, he stormed from the room to the tavern, determined to track Dorian down even if he had to search the entire grounds to find him.

----xxx----

Dorian had just put down the book he'd been reading and was drinking from his mug of cocoa when a husky, male voice cut through the silence of the library.

Startled, he jerked his hands, nearly dumping the last of the beverage all over himself. He set it aside and looked up to see Fenris staring at him. The elf's eyes were hard and unreadable, his mouth set in a firm line. It was so unexpected a sight that Dorian was on his feet in an instant,  stepping behind his chair as though he might use it to shield himself.

"Mage."

Dorian gulped, heart racing as Fenris stared at him. "Fenris."

"What is the meaning of this?" He demanded, holding up a stack of papers and waving it at him.

"I... I don't know. What is it?"

"Papers. From Tevinter. They have the Archon's seal upon them."

Dorian frowned, then his eyes went wide in understanding. He'd forgotten about that, had set that process in motion weeks ago and hadn't expected to hear back for several more.

"They're official documents." Dorian stammered, finding his voice.

"I'm aware. Why is my name on them Dorian?"

"I... I wrote a letter some time ago and I meant to tell you about it but I never had time and I honestly didn't expect to hear back this soon."

Fenris scowled, closing the distance between them and dropping the papers to Dorian's chair. He stepped closer, grabbing hold of Dorian's coat and dragging him forward.

"What did you do Dorian?" He demanded, his voice unsteady.

"I... requested your release from slavery. I had your freedom made official. It... it means no one can ever claim you as lost or stolen property and... well, I haven't seen the papers but, it should also have given you status as a Laetan in the Imperium." Dorian finished, his voice faltering.

Fenris blinked, then he was pulling Dorian to him in a crushing kiss of lips and tongue, claiming his mouth with a air of possession. For a moment Dorian was too stunned to do anything but stand there.

Fenris growled, his hands going to the mage's hips and lower back to pull him closer. Dorian whimpered and then he was kissing him back, his arms slipping around the elf's waist, his grip that of a man drowning. Fenris paused to stare into Dorian's smokey grey eyes, his cheeks wet from the tears which fell from him.

"Mage, mage, mage." Fenris whispered brokenly, placing gentle kisses to Dorian's lips.

"I'm sorry." Dorian cried. "I'm so sorry Fenris."

"For what this time?"

"The letter I wrote, I don't know why I did it. I was so frightened after what happened... and the way you looked at me... I won't blame you if you can't forgive me. Maker knows I don't deserve it."

Fenris sighed and put his hand to his lover's cheek, his own eyes damp with unshed tears. "Dorian you gave me my freedom. I may have taken it by force years ago, but I never dreamed it would ever be made official. And what happened in Halamshiral.... mage, you saved me. You saved me from that filth who had me cornered. You have no idea how grateful I am for that."