The Elven Mercenary

Author's Note: My take on DAII if there was yet another member of Hawke's faithful group of friends, an elven mercenary named Willa Surana.

Helpful background info: The Hero of Ferelden is a male Amell. Hawke is a male of the warrior class and wields a two-handed blade. Willa Surana is a warrior/rogue hybrid that wields a kusarigama and uses throwing knives (not a mage). She's also a mix of a little ranger and a little berserker (although not exactly). Surana family background does not exactly match DAO in this fic either. This fic also takes liberties with the DAII storyline, so things may not happen exactly as they normally would in the game. It also focuses on more on the in-between scenes.

An Afterthought: Got about 3,000 words in, and realized that my OC draws many similarities to Tallis. I did not intend for that to happen. Oh well...

Please R&R! Enjoy!

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Act 1

"Hawke!" Varric called to the former Ferelden as he entered the Hanged Man with Anders, Bethany, and his newest recruit – Merrill in tow.

He offered the storyteller a smile in greeting. Varric just motioned for him to follow into his rooms for the weekly meeting and card game.

As he entered, he noted that Fenris, Aveline, and Isabela were already present – but there was a shadowy figure leaning against the wall in the room's corner. Strange, he thought.

Varric gestured for the shadowy figure to step forward. A lean, tall female elf walked towards them.

Merrill muttered, "She looks scary," quietly behind Hawke.

She certainly did look intimidating. Her light chocolate brown hair was tied in an elaborate braid, one that lay flat against her skull, and extended from the top of her head to the middle of her back. Her hair waved from one side to the other as she walked. And her walk wasn't just that – she seemed to stalk. Her unnaturally periwinkle eyes were surrounded by heavy smoky black eyeshadow, which made them look as if they were glowing faintly against the black. She was clad in high waisted tight black pants over a sleeveless halter cut brown top. Her shirt left her light arms exposed, and the various scars that decorated them. She had what appeared to be a chained sickle on her right hip, and many throwing knives on her belt on the left. When she turned her head to glance at Varric, Hawke noticed that her right ear was studded with metal all the way to the tip.

"Hawke this is..." Varric began, but was rudely interrupted by the "scary" elf.

"I'm Willa Surana," her eyes met Hawke's directly, "A longtime employee of Varric's, and former mercenary."

Varric nodded, "I had her working in Orzamar as a spy in Jarvia's band of crooks."

Hawke briefly remembered Varric mentioning a Jarvia before as he continued the introductions, "She's a Ferelden. Hails from Denerim, and she'll be joining us in the Deep Roads. She's fought dark spawn before, and knows what the roads are like. She actually spent over two years in Orzamar."

She interrupted again, "Yes, I did." She scrunched her face, "It was safer there until the Blight was over. I came here as soon as I could, and I'll be staying in Kirkwall doing jobs for Varric – which includes jobs for you. If you need me, my arm is yours."

After an awkward pause, Hawke finally quit staring and extended a hand towards the mercenary, "Right. Nice to meet you Willa Surana. I look forward to working with you."

"As do I," she smirked and shook his hand firmly.

The group took their seats and set to work on finalizing preparations for the expedition, and discussing possible last minute jobs.

…...

Hawke and Bethany walked Merrill home, and were busy devouring the left overs from dinner as their mother and uncle slept in the adjacent rooms.

Bethany peered at her brother over the edge of her bowl, "You like her."

Both of his brows shot up his forehead, "What?"

"That newest elf," she clarified, "I admit, she could definitely have some sort of... appeal – but she just screams evil, brother."

He scoffed, "I do not like her, sister."

She shook her head dismissively, "That was the first time I've ever seen you at a loss for words. You always have something to say. It was embarrassing."

He leaned back in his seat, and answered at her accusations, "You don't know what you're talking about." He held up a hand to stall her when she opened her mouth, "And if we're going to talk about how I supposedly 'like' the elf, then we can talk about how you 'like' Anders."

She shut her mouth with an audible snap "What? Now you're at a loss for words?" her brother retorted.

She sat her bowl down and crossed her arms over her chest, "I do not like Anders!"

"You do. And he's a little old for you, Beth."

…...

The next morning found Hawke, Fenris, Anders and Willa out on the Wounded Coast looking for bandits. Hawke didn't necessarily like taking Fenris and Anders on jobs together, but it was the fastest way to determine who in his merry band Willa would get along the best with. That didn't mean that the fastest way was the easiest though.

"Hawke. I must insist. It is not necessary for me to go to the Deep Roads. You have my maps, and I have a clinic and patients to take care of."

"Stop your whining abomination," grumbled Fenris. Anders had been complaining for a near ten minutes straight by then.

"Abomination," repeated Willa. "Varric has told me about that. It's a suitable term to use."

Anders glared over at the two elves, "I am not an abomination!"

Hawke slowed his pace to step between Anders and Willa, "Let's try to refrain from using that, uh, term. Okay?"

Willa nodded, as did Fenris when Hawke looked over towards him. Hawke was starting to wonder if Fenris and Willa were related, they had the same scowl.

Hawke decided to change the topic. Diplomacy, his inner self sighed.

He pointed at the chained sickle, which seemed to be the elven mercenary's preferred weapon, "I've never seen a weapon like that before. What is it exactly?" He asked with a raised brow, and the other two men gazed at the weapon on her hip with curious expressions as well.

She smirked, "It's known as a kusarigama. It originates from a land very far from here. The land my mother was from."

Hawke straightened his face, "Did your mother teach you how to wield it?"

She nodded, and she seemed reluctant to comment on the topic any more.

Shortly thereafter, they came across the bandits they were looking for. A fight almost immediately broke out as they approached.

Hawke and Fenris took point swinging their large, heavy blades and slicing through the bandits with ease. As Hawke turned to cleave through another bandit, he became entranced by the fluid movements of Willa Surana. She gracefully swung her kusarigama around to slice at the necks, arms, and legs of all the nearby enemies. She used all parts of her body to direct her deadly chain and blade. Her hands tugged, swerved, and turned. She even used her booted foot to kick the blade hardat an enemy's head when he got too close.

Hawke was watching her as he continued to swing absentmindedly at his foes, one got too close and swung at his head. He had barely enough time to dodge the deadly swing. When he looked up to counterattack with his blade, the bandit was clutching at his throat, gurgling and trying futilely to stop his life blood from spilling forth and around a thin knife. Hawke turned to see who had saved him and saw a smirking Willa, who offered him a short wave before yelling, "Watch your ass, pretty boy!"

Just at that moment, an archer shot her in the shoulder. Willa spun, and eyed the archer. He was too far away for her blades. She charged while letting out a fierce growl, and when she was in range she swung her chain so that it wrapped around the archer's neck. She pulled him down and leapt on him. She stuffed the other end of her weapon in her belt, smiled broadly, and started to pound the man's face in mercilessly until her bare fists were coated in blood and gore. The arrow in her shoulder didn't faze her one bit, rather it seemed to fuel her rage and blood lust.

She laughed manically as she got up and threw a knife into a would-be assassin's eye, and then another into his throat. Hawke watched these events unfold with something of a mix of fear, shock, awe, and if he really admitted it, admiration. He was completely taken by her. Smitten for an obviously psychotic, powerful, and violent woman. He briefly wondered if he was from the moment he saw her. He hated that Bethany was right.

Scary. Evil.

Hawke could only agree on those points too, however.

A large brutish man wielding a giant hammer started barreling towards the smaller elf. Hawke started to run towards her as she swung her weapon, readying herself. He was convinced that she hardly stood a chance against that giant – she needed help. Just as Hawke drew near, he saw a flash of silver and heard an primal growl. Suddenly the brute was on the ground, his face and neck being ripped apart by a snarling grey wolf.

Once the man's flailing ceased, Willa whistled and said, "Come!"

Hawke watched with wide eyes as the wolf stopped crunching against the man's neck, stalked over and sat before the elven woman.

"Good boy," she said and patted his head. "I think you've just earned your keep."

Fenris and Anders walked over to Hawke, Willa and... the wolf.

"Wha – you have a wolf?" Hawke asked making his confusion evident. The wolf still had blood and flesh hanging from his face. Willa's hands seemed to match.

The elf merely grunted, and pulled out the arrow from her shoulder in one swift motion. Anders walked up to her and, hesitantly, applied healing magic to her wounds.

"I had rescued him from a hunter's trap on my way into the city. He seems to be mostly trained. I don't know what became of his previous master." She smiled at the wolf, "I think he's been following me."

Anders finished healing her, and she squatted down in front of the wolf, "I'm going to name you Blade. You can stay with me at the Hanged Man."

Anders snorted and muttered, "You can't be serious. It's a wild animal."

She turned around and glared at the mage, "I damn well am. He is staying with me. I don't care who Varric or I have to pay off. He just saved my hide." Hawke made a mental note to try to keep Anders and Willa apart.

…...

When they got back into the city Anders and Fenris went off to their respected places, before Hawke, Willa, and 'Blade' walked to the Hanged Man – while sticking to side streets as much as possible.

The tavern's scant patrons gawked at the bloody elf and wolf. Varric just shook his head and muttered, "shit on my ancestors," under his breath and Willa strode to pause before him.

"Meet my new partner,"she swung one bloody hand towards the wolf. "He'll be sharing my room. Pay whoever needs paid. Dock it from my salary if need be." She started to walk off, "He's staying," she added with a hard edge to her voice.

Varric handed a small coin purse to the Hanged Man's bewildered owner. And returned to the table he was sharing with Isabela, while Hawke plopped down in the adjacent seat.

After he was given a fresh mug of ale, he said to the two rogues, "His name's Blade."

Isabela interrupted anything Varric was going to say, "That's a bit odd. Don't ya think? I thought she was your employee. Couldn't you just tell her not to keep the wolf?"

Varric chuckled, "That, my dear Rivaini, would be a very stupid thing to do. Be it wolves or fights, once that elf sets her mind to something, there's no changing it."

Hawke took a drink, "Well, I guess there's no hoping that she and Anders will ever get along then." Varric chuckled into his drink, and Willa emerged from the hall. Her hands were no longer stained red, and the blood and particle splatters on her face and neck were gone too.

She headed over to the bar, and joined them at the table with a pitcher of ale and a mug.

She smiled at Varric, "Fed the pup my dinner and he passed out. He's exhausted." Her smile turned sinister, "You should have seen the way he tore this guy's face apart. It was great."

She chugged half her mug, "Isabela, right? When we head out to the Deep Roads, could you watch Blade? I'll pay ya."

Isabela laughed, "Sorry hun. I don't 'watch' pets."

Varric added, "He'd be dead by the time you came back. She can barely take care of herself."

Willa scowled, "I can't take him with me. I'm sure the Deep Roads would be too much for him."

Hawke leaned over the table a little, "Maybe Fenris could watch him? He has a big mansion. Plenty of room. And I don't think he's afraid of him."

"Sounds good. Can you take me to his place later?"

…...

'Later' happened to be ten minutes.

They walked in silence until they passed the Chantry and she turned her head to ask him, "Any ideas on how to get a message to someone in the Gallows?"

He raised a brow at her and slowed his pace, "I know a few people. I could probably pass it along."

"Good. Thanks."

He considered pressing her for information, and decided to just go ahead, "If it's alright to ask, who are you trying to contact?"

She paused, and it was long enough for him to assume she wasn't going to answer his question. Just before he knocked on Fenris' door she spoke up, "...My brother. Aaren. He's a mage in the Circle here."

He searched his mind for something to say, but nothing would come. She grew impatient and knocked on Fenris' door for him.

Hawke had just opened his mouth to speak, when Fenris interrupted them, "Hawke. What do you need?"

Willa stepped into his line of sight, "Actually, I was wondering if you could watch my wolf while I'm on the expedition? I'll pay you two sovereigns. I'll give you one before I go, and one after."

Fenris peered at her, "...That is acceptable. I will care for your wolf." He closed his door immediately after.

"That was strange," Hawke muttered at the closed door. He honestly never expected Fenris to accept so easily. He thought they were going to have to bargain, at least.

Willa turned around to leave, "He's okay and all, but I can see why Varric calls him Broody."

"What does Varric call you?" Hawke said as he caught up to her.

A predatorial grin spread across her face, "Just Willa." Her face softened slightly, "But I've caught him calling me Elfy a few times. He's never said it to my face though."

…...

Two days later they were headed to the Deep Roads.

On their third night of camp Varric sat near Willa by the fire, as Hawke devoured his rations.

"So, my dear Willa, would you care to elaborate on how you found Jarvia 'dead as dead can be?' You still haven't really explained..."

She sighed, "I did take my time getting to you, so this happened awhile ago... Jarvia was slaughtered by a pair of Grey Wardens and two others. I heard from my contact in the Diamond Quarter that one's name was Alistair, and the other was Amell."

Hawke sat ramrod straight and nearly chocked on his hard bread, "Simon Amell? The Hero of Ferelden?"

She looked over towards the warrior, "I do not know. He was a mage though."

"That's got to be him," he murmured.

"Who's Simon Amell, well besides the obvious?" Varric asked, his eyes gleaming and just waiting for a story.

"My cousin. He killed the Archdemon. Or, I wasn't exactly sure. Could've been the other warden..."

"He did," mumbled Anders from across the fire. They all looked towards him, "What?"

…...

A few days later they were trapped. Bartrand had betrayed them.

Before they knew it, they were fighting against some sort of brutish magical creature. No one had ever seen anything like it before. It was strong, and waves of its power kept battering them seemingly non-stop. Everyone was exhausted.

Willa yelled furiously when she was knocked down yet again. She firmly grabbed the wooden shaft of the bladed end of her kusarigama in one hand, and a knife in the other. She yelled again as she charged at the creature, and started slashing at it wildly. Her thrashing actually seemed to become precise and focused after a moment.

Hawke took the opportunity her attack provided, and impaled the creature in one swift blow. It crumbled as bolts and magic rained on it as well.

Willa stomped off, and punched a pillar before she slid down it and leaned her back against its cool surface.

"Blasted Deep Roads! Kiss my Maker's ass and shit on your Ancestors!" She shouted at the ceiling.

Anders actually chuckled before he offered to heal her.

"That was the strangest thing ever," Hawke muttered as Varric approached him.

He looked over towards Anders and Willa and nearly frowned. "Is she going to be... okay?"

Varric smirked, "She's just spent too much time underground. More time than an elf should anyway."

…...

The night before they reached the surface, Hawke spied Willa reading off a parchment near the dying embers of their fire. He approached her cautiously.

She look at him as he sat near her, "Your contacts pulled through, Hawke. My brother wrote me fifteen pages."

"How's he doing?"

"As well as a mage can be in a Circle." She sighed, "He's defiant. It's going to get him into trouble one day." She smirked and something like pride shone in her eyes, "He's been that way since the day the Templars dragged him off."

Hawke commented softly, "My father escaped from the Gallows when he was a young man."

That peaked her interest, "Your sister and your father are apostates?"

"My father was, yes."

She blinked, "So was my grandmother." The elf took a drink from her waterskin, and Hawke wondered if it was really water.

She's never talked this much about herself before.

"When Aaren showed signs, my parents sent him to Kirkwall to train in secret with our grandmother. The Templars discovered him when he was sixteen. It happened to be a day when my parents and I were visiting."

Her voice took on a tone of disgust, "They slaughtered grandmother. Said she was too dangerous. Then they slaughtered my parents when they tried to free Aaren. They left me in the room with their bodies. I was thirteen." She took another drink, "Then I became a mercenary. I ran around Kirkwall for awhile, met Varric and became his spy. Been taking care of myself for six years." She gestured with her hands in a waving motion, "And there's my grand life's story."

Hawke didn't know what to say. He turned his head to look into the smoldering embers. She patted his shoulder twice, and he turned his head back.

She smirked, "You're easy to talk to."

…...

When they got back, Bethany was surrounded by Templars. She was taken to the Gallows.

Hawke fell asleep in a chair by the fire that night. He awoke from a dream of Bethany and Carver when they were children, to the feeling of fingers on his throat. He reflexively grabbed the wrist of the hand that touched him, perhaps a bit too hard. He heard a soft wince that turned into a growl, and quickly opened his eyes. He was face-to-face with the elf, Willa, and briefly lost himself in her large, dark, sparkling periwinkle eyes.

"Will you let go?" And he did immediately.

"I'm sorr-" she cut him off.

"No need. I should not have intruded upon your personal space without permission." She squinted, "You looked too still. I had to check."

Check my pulse...He smirked, was she worried?

"I have used your contacts again." She leaned back and shifted her weight to one leg, "My brother will watch over your sister. You have my word. Aaren will protect her."

Bethany wouldn't be alone. He couldn't watch out for her, but he now had someone that would. He absentmindedly wondered how Willa knew.

"Thank you," was all Hawke could manage to say.

She nodded once and swiftly let herself out the front door. Funny, didn't I lock that?

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Note: This fic will be either 3 or 4 parts long. I have the second and third parts mostly completed, and they'll hopefully be finished and uploaded soon. ;)