The fire burned and flickered, the sound of crackling flames filled the air. Kathrine blinked and starred into the embers.
"I'm sorry," she said aloud, to nobody in particular. "I'm sorry for dragging you guys out here."
"Kat, we're fine," Fenris told her. They had ended up setting up camp on the Wounded Coast, along with Isabela and Merrill.
"No, I drag you all out here to investigate slavers, and we end up like this late at night. I...I shouldn't have. We should all be in Kirkwall."
"Don't blame yourself, the others wouldn't want you to either." he said.
"Maybe, but we should be in my estate, the others where ever they need. Not stuck here on the Wounded Coast." she sighed, letting her head fall into her hands.
"Kathrine, I don't care where I am, just as long as your there. It doesn't matter."
"Fenris, I..." the rogue trailed off and lifted her head, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you, that makes me feel better." she managed, feeling him put one of his hands under her chin to lift her face. She blinked as he used the other hand to wipe the tears off her face.
Kathrine felt his lips on hers and she relaxed instantly.
"Come on Kitten, bring the wood. We'll need...need...okay, Kitten, let's go find some more." Isabela's voice rang out. Merrill stumbled forward and dropped the wood she was carrying.
"Why?" the Dalish elf asked. "My arms hurt!" Isabela tilted her head to indicate the couple near the fire.
"Oh...oh!" Merrill squeaked.
"Let's go, Kitten, and leave the happy couple alone." Isabela whispered and walked off, Merrill trailing after her.
Kathrine leaned her face away and looked at him, swimming in the depths of his moss-green eyes.
She managed to get to her feet, smiling at him. A smile of warmth and passion. Her eyes glinted with emotion in the fire light.
"Let's not scare Merrill, how about my tent for tonight?" she suggested, voice only a whisper. Fenris stood after a moment.
"Yes," he agreed and they made their way in the direction of her tent.
-x-x-x-
Kathrine rolled over and moaned. She felt a body pressed close to her own and opened her eyes. The twisted lyrium markings across the elf's chest made her smile.
"Morning, Kat." his voice rang. Kathrine nearly jumped.
"Don't scare me like that!" she gasped. "Were you watching me sleep?"
"Your very beautiful when you sleeping," he explained.
"I see that you've been practicing your flattery." she teased him, moving to kiss his lips. "Your getting better."
"Hawke, you and that broody elf of yours better get your asses out here!" Isabela's shouted from outside. Kathrine fumbled to sit up and held an arm over her breasts as she tried to gather her things.
"Maker," she muttered, beginning to get dress in the small space, with Fenris trying to as well.
By the time they stumbled out, the two noticed they were surrounded by slavers.
"Maker's breath, you two had a fun night, hm?" Isabela arched a brow and clutched her daggers. "I don't care how tired you are, we don't have the time!"
Kathrine glared at the surrounding slavers and somersaulted to grab her daggers and toss Fenris his broadsword.
"Alright then, time to kill these bastards." she hissed and the fight began.
Blood flew through the air and there were screams. Hawke swung her daggers and cut of the slavers' limbs. Merrill's body had magic swirling around it and the blood mixed with her spells, while Isabela was flipping and kicking and stabbing the slavers. Fenris easily cut through rows of slavers with the sword.
Kathrine felt something hit her in between the shoulder blades and she coughed, blood coming from her mouth. The daggers fell from her hands and she was on her knees, trying to keep herself up.
"F...Fenris..." she coughed. The elf turned, hearing his name.
"No!" he growled. "I won't allow it!" Kathrine tried to stay on her hands and knees but fell face first into the dirt and her world went black.