Blood from Stone [AU]

[NPCs]

Wynnee gives him a withering look. "Of course not. We're not entirely sure what caused the episode in the main." She admits that last in much less scathing tone than the refutation. "She woke up two days ago, nearly raving. She had overslept but given prior good behavior, her attendant allowed it. He was in there cleaning when she woke and... She bolted from the bed, shrieking. When she saw the door was closed, she attacked him to get his keys."

[Carver Amell]

His scowl only deepens. "So she had a nightmare? She's an elderly woman, and she's frail. I am certain I pay you enough to handle that. I know some lads if you can't find any strong enough for her."

[NPCs]

"She broke his nose and then clawed his arms badly enough to need magical healing," Wynne says dryly. "She hasn't attacked anyone since but..." She sighs tiredly, running a hand through her hair. "She's mostly catatonic. Sometimes she'll mutter about needing to help her babies or apologize obsessively. Hence our repeated attempts to contact you."

[Carver Amell]

"What?!" Carver snarls. "How could you let this happen? What happened to her? No, you know what, nevermind. I am bringing in my own healers to examine her. If you knew you'd have said. Dammit! You waited three days hoping I would come home?! Next time go to Dad, he doesn't like her but he'll do right by her at least. Dammit!!"

[NPCs]

"We tried. We sent a dozen messagers out, most to you but some to Varric and Gamlen. No response from your father but we couldn't contact him directly. Gamlen came yesterday but wasn't able to get an explanation. Comforted her thankfully, at least some but... She won't sleep without magical aid- nightmares, terrible ones we think."  I can't blame him for being upset but it does gall to be berated by this boy as if he had any real idea how this works. "Are you willing to speak with her now? I have hope she will be willing to speak with you."

[Carver Amell]

"Of course. Why couldn't-- nevermind, I will scold him myself. Dammit. Alright. I'll see her."

[NPCs]

"Very good then. Be very careful with her. I know you are normally very gentle with her already but..." Wynne shrugs a little. "I will be with you, ready to use a Calming spell if needed. Or a sleep spell if she becomes violent. Do you wish to have any protective magics put on you first?"

[Carver Amell]

He gives her almost a dirty look. "I'm sturdier than your orderlies. I'll manage." 

[NPCs]

"I rather suspect you are, given you're an adventurer, but we are required to offer,"Wynne says evenly. "But let us get to her." With no more discussion than that, she leads Carver back to the room and unlocks it. Inside, Carver is shown a very bare, sterile room. Plain white walls of oak, a heavy metal bed bolted to the floor, soft carpeting, and limited furniture. The room has clearly not be set up for long-term use or personalized in any way. 

On the bed, Leandra slumbers deeply in her heavy flannel nightclothes- and leather restraints peeking out of the light sheet. "Do you need a moment before I wake her?" Carver nods shortly, and fetches the sole chair in the room- after Wynne gives him a key to undo the bolts keeping it in place. Taking a seat, he tries to calm down a bit before giving Wynne the go ahead.

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

As soon as Wynne undoes the enchanted slumber, Leandra bolts upright with a gasp of terror. She doesn't seem to notice the restraints, which appear to be on her wrists and legs, though there's a fair bit of slack to let her shift. "Marian!" she cries out, eyes wild. She looks around desperately and spots her son. "C-Carver? You're- is that- are you my son?" Her voice is quavery and hopeful but she trembles with fear.

[Carver Amell]

"Yes, mother," he says gently, moving to her side. "I'm here. What's happened?"

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

She jerks, half towards, half away from him. "I- tell me- prove you're my son. Please. Please be my boy, pleasepleaseplease." She starts to rock, tears streaming down her face. 

[Carver Amell]

"It's me, mother. I'm your son. Father took me to Raplin's Oak when I was small and bought me a toy soldier to remember the trip." 

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

Hope grows in her eyes but she still looks so afraid. "What- when you were- when you turned ten, what cake did you insist on having for your birthday?"

[Carver Amell]

"I... ten? I..." He frowns, thinking. "I wanted pie. Pumpkin pie. Because it sounded manlier than cake. I said I was a man now because I had double digits."