Blood and Thunder: Interview II

V: And so we meet again Girly...

M: *rolls eyes* Way to be dramatic Varric.

V: It's what I do, now are you ready for more questions?

M: *rubs belly* I'm just enjoying being warm for once, this inn is nice!

V: The Minstrel's Dance, a friend of mine owns it, we should be safe here.

A: *enters room and sits next to Maeve* I don't like this...

M: Damn it Anders, I've been running through snow for the last week, at least let my toes defrost before going all paranoid father-to-be on me...

A: *wraps arms around Maeve* I'm sorry...I'll keep my fears to myself for now alright?

M: *kisses Anders* Good.

V: So can I start the interview yet?

M: If I'm going to be sitting through another interview there better be some cinnamon bread.

V: As a matter of fact, Orana sent me some for that very reason!

M: Gimme gimme gimme!!! *snatches the food*

V: *grins* Alright, may I start?"

M: *says something along the lines of yes around a mouthful of food*

A: Chew your food please love.

M: *gives Anders the finger*

. . .

V: Alright, first I have questions concerning the rest of our merry band of misfits.

M: I will answer to the best of my abilities, but the last letters I got where months ago.

V: Well the first is asking after me so I'll go ahead and answer it myself. I'm still in Kirkwall, keeping Hawke's story alive and well fed.

M: Varric...

V: Nothing specific about your whereabouts, I'm merely letting people know you're still around out there.

M: That better be all your doing, after the fiasco with that Chantry Stalker whatsername...

V: Cassandra?

M: *holds stomach protectively* Yes...

V: She knows nothing about the baby Maeve I promise.

M: I believe you, because if you don't keep your mouth shut Justice will eat you alive.

A: *eyes flash blue threateningly*

V: Okay, moving on, next question!

. . .

V: So where is Daisy?

M: Last I heard she was with Isabela on her ship, but she plans on seeking out another Dalish clan once they reach Ferelden.

A: Will they accept her? Any Keeper will be able to sense the blood magic in her...

M: I honestly don't know my love, I'm hoping for the best. If she isn't accepted then she'll stay with Isabela.

. . .

V: Aveline and Donnic?

M: Still in Kirkwall, Aveline's still guard captain...though she's taking some time off to take care of the baby.

A: I didn't know she had a child! Why didn't you tell me?!

M: *leans into Anders's side* I was planning on surprising you when we reached Kirkwall, Donnic wanted to be the one to tell you seeing as you two were so close.

A: Boy or girl?

V: It's a boy, healthy and happy...they spoil him rotten.

A: And his name?

M: *smiles softly* Wesley

. . .

V: Okay, Blondie? Please keep Justice calm...

M: What's the question Varric?

V: Choir Boy...

J: The mortal should be bloody pulp under my boots!

M: *hugs Justice* He hunted us for awhile, cornered us at Vigil's Keep...he barely escaped with his life once I was done with him. As far as I know he's in Starkhaven, happily seated on his throne.

J: And he better remain there...

M: Shhhh...calm down.

. . .

V: What have Rivaini and Broody gotten up to? Did she ever rope him into becoming a pirate?

M: Oh she's roped him into more than that...

A: *smirks*

V: What?!

M: Oh you don't know? Fenris finally caved...

V: Almost ten years of shameless flirtations and she finally won?

M: No, she almost died in a storm and Fenris had one powerful reality check.

V: Damn...

A: *chuckles* That was our reaction.

. . .

V: It appears we have some marriage questions!

M: *covers belly nervously* Oh Maker...

V: Hey now, last time wasn't bad!

M: *looks doubtful* Alright...continue...

V: So who first posed the marriage idea?

M: *smiles softly* Anders...he made me a Maibaum for my birthday a couple years back.

V: I remember that...that funny looking tree that you kept in the main room?

M: Hey! It was a beautiful tree, and in the Anderfels it is a sign of love from the man telling the woman that he wishes to marry her...*turns to Anders* Did I get that right?

A: For the most part love *kisses her forehead*

M: *frowns* I'm just sorry we had to leave it behind.

A: Don't be, I can make you another one.

M: *leans into his side* That would be lovely, but we're on the run darling, we can't carry a tree on top of everything else...

A: Good point...

. . .

V: Where was the honeymoon?

M: *smiles* Tevinter...in the mountains. We wanted to stay as far from civilization as possible, no chance of templars interfering.

V: And how was it?

M: *exchanges knowing smiles with Anders* None of your business...

V: *shrugs* I'm just going to make stuff up...

M: Don't you always?

V: *smirks*

. . .

V: Best present given?

M: Do you mean for the wedding or overall?

V: Overall...

M: *smiles at Anders* Sonya's wedding present.

V: What was it?

A: *smiles* My phylactery.

V: You mean...

M: His main one, yes...she tracked it down.

V: How?

A: The templars were going to hunt me after what I did. Sonya anticipated them ordering my phylactery to be brought to Kirkwall and simply waited...when it arrived she stole it out from under their nose. She gave it to me right after the wedding and I smashed it under my boot with Maeve in my arms.

V: So you truly are free now...

A: I wouldn't say that, they may have another one...

V: How many do they need?

A: You forget Varric, my blood was smeared from one end of the Gallows courtyard to the other...it is possible they have some of my blood.

M: *shudders* I don't want to think about it, can we change the subject?

. . .

V: Well this is random...

M: What's the question?

V: Feathered pauldrons or chest hair?

A: *laughs*

M: *curls into Anders's side* Feathers...

A: *smirks*

M: But...*bites lip seductively* The chest hair is so...fuzzy...

. . .

V: Ah...this is an awkward question.

M: Just tell us Varric.

V: Your relationship has been up and down with Anders as we all know. So after everything, after all he's done, where do you stand with him? Do you still love him like you did before, or is there something holding you back a little?

M: My feelings, though put under great strain, have not changed. I knew from day one what I was signing up for. Anders warned me over and over...

A: Maeve I-

M: Shut it Anders, we've talked about this enough. I love you and no matter what that isn't going to change. *glares at him* Deal with it mage.

A: *kisses her*

V: Hey, hey! We have other questions! You two can have your way with each other once we're done here.

M: *pouts*

. . .

V: At last...now we move on to the baby questions.

M: Aw yay!

A: *caresses Maeve's belly*

V: So what's the name?

M: Anders says it's a girl, and we decided on Mira, Miracle is too strange so I shortened it.

A: *gazes adoringly at Maeve* It's a nice name...

M: *grins*

. . .

V: Who will be the baby's guardian? Ah, I already know this one...that will be me.

M: *tears up* Thank you Varric...

V: Anytime Girly

. . .

V: Will the child posses magical abilities?

A: Yes.

V: You don't sound happy about that...

A: I'm not.

M: *grabs his hand*

. . .

V: Where will the child be raised? I know that one as well, the child will live with me.

M: *nods sorrowfully*

A: I'm sorry love...

M: It's alright...like I told you before, I knew from day one that loving you wouldn't be easy. I gave up all hopes of ever having children...*places her hands on her stomach* but just knowing she's out there, knowing she exists and is with someone who will love her and take care of her...*smiles sadly* that will be enough.

A: I love you...

M: And I you.

. . .

V: Will the baby be safe from templars, the Chantry, and Sebastian?

M: *holds her stomach* Maker, I hope so...

A: That is why we are leaving her with you in Kirkwall, Varric, the templars would never think to look for her there.

. . .

V: Does this baby like chocolate chip pancakes?

M: *smirks* I don't know...she hasn't been born yet.

. . .

V: While we are on the subject of food, any weird cravings or food you can't stand now that you're pregnant?

M: No weird cravings that I can think of...*glares at Anders* but I can't stand elfroot potions...

A: *smirks* What this potion right here? *lifts vial*

M: Damn it, put it away!!

A: Aww, come on, they're good for you!

M: Don't make me puke on you...

A: Just one sip...

M: I will aim for the feathers!!!

A: *laughs*

. . .

V: How is Marley handling the news?

M: *laughs* We visited Bethany a while back and he kept sniffing my stomach.

A: Maeve explained it to him, he refused to leave her side after...

M: Sweet little thing stood guard by me the whole time we were there. *sighs* I miss him...but Bethany needs his protection more than I do.

. . .

V: Speaking of Sunshine, what was her reaction to the news?

M: She's excited, she promises to teach Mira when her magic starts to show...she'll make an excellent teacher too, being First Enchanter of the Circle and all.

A: *frowns*

V: Oh now Blondie, we aren't going to send Mira to the Circle and you know it.

A: I know Varric, and I trust you...it's Bethany I don't trust.

M: That is my sister, Anders, and I trust her with my life.

A: *sighs* I know...I'm sorry.

M: *kisses Anders*

. . .

V: Now how is Anders handling you being pregnant?

M: *groans*

A: I am not that bad!

M: Yes you are...Maker's breath I simply breathe and he's in my face asking if he can check on the baby and making me choke down health potions...

A: Okay now you're just exaggerating.

M: *eyes widen* Only a little, that's the worst part!

A: *rolls eyes*

. . .

V: Now Anders, how are you handling being a father?

M: Not well...

A: I've failed before she's even been born.

M: Anders you have not...

A: We can't even raise her ourselves Maeve!

M: Next question Varric.

. . .

V: Alright, what is the one thing you're looking forward to about this baby/ one thing you're scared of?

M: I'm looking forward to seeing her...

A: As am I.

M: *holds belly* I'm scared of what's going to happen to her once she's born...

V: I promise you Girly, I'll make sure the templars never find her.

M: I know, but I'm still scared.

V: I guess that's your fear too Blondie?

A: No.

V: No? What is it then?

A: Maeve...giving birth.

M: Anders, I'm going to be fine...

A: I've delivered hundreds of babies Maeve, you haven't seen what can go wrong!

M: Anders...

A: I can't lose you...

M: *pulls Anders to her* Varric?

V: Okay, next question...

. . .

V: So has anyone thrown you a baby shower?

M: *shakes head and smiles* Izzy did...

A: On her ship, which in hindsight was a bad move...

M: Yes, morning sickness plus sea sickness equals one miserable Champion of Kirkwall...

. . .

V: Now this question is for Anders, do you worry about the templar/mage war will affect your child?

A: All the time...Mira was not someone I thought of when I started this war, I thought because of the darkspawn taint that Maeve and I had no hopes of having children...but I was wrong. This is the main reason Mira will live with you Varric, because I want her as far away from the carnage as possible.

V: How is the war progressing?

A: We have support from the Ferelden and Tevinter Circles, we're off to Antiva next...whispers are trickling in from Orlais of the Divine orchestrating an Exalted March but so far that has simply remained a tiny rumor...Sonya's secretly keeping an ear out for Leliana though she's supposed to remain neutral.

M: So far so good Varric.

V: I hope it stays that way Maeve...

M: *holds stomach* Me too.

. . .

V: Are you still able to fight or have you been benched?

M: *moves to respond*

A: She's been benched.

M: But Ande-!

A: NO!

M: *pouts* Damn you.

A: I love you Maeve...

M: Damn you twice.

. . .

V: Okay, million gold question here...does Justice approve?

J: Approve of what?

V: The marriage, the baby, this whole situation...take your pick spirit.

J: *looks at Maeve* While I wish Maeve wasn't in this situation, as long as she is safe and happy I am at peace.

M: Thank you Justice.

J: *kisses Maeve's forehead*

. . .

V: Well, that's all the questions...

M: *looks at Anders pleadingly* Please love, please just one night in a nice, warm bed?

A: But Maeve, what about the-

V: I told you Blondie, I know the owners, this is a safe place. You have my word...

A: *sighs* Alright...but we leave early in the morning.

M: *smiles* Thank you Anders...*tries to stand* Ugh, damn it!

A: *laughs* Problems?

M: Just shut up and help me get out of this chair!

A: *helps Maeve stand*

V: I have to say Girly, you've defiitely grown quite round...

M: Shut it dwarf...

V: Sorry Maeve, you've been benched so I can pick on you all I want...*laughs*

M: *grabs Varric's collar* I may be benched Tethras but I can still punch you in the face...

V: Point...taken...

M: *lets go* love you Varric!

V: *smiles* You better Girly. Oh, and I have a belated wedding present for you two...

M: Aw Varric, you didn't have to do that...

V: Oh yes I did, see, I went into the mansion before the Seneschal got ahold of the keys...

M: Varric...

V: *smiles* The Maibaum is safe and sound with Sonya at Vigil's Keep, she's holding it until you two find a secure place to live.

M: *tears up* Oh Varric...*jerks him into a hug*

A: Thank you old friend, that is a lovely gift.

V: *voice muffled against Maeve's shoulder* Well it's no phylactery, but I thought you'd want it back...

M: I love you Varric.

V: I love you too Girly.