Full Summary:

"Hawke is missing."

The moment Varric sees those words; he knows what he has to do. His best friend hasn't been seen in months and the people who love her are worried. The only person with the wherewithal to help him is the Inquisitor, Herald of Andraste and Sealer of the Breach.

But she has problems of her own. Everything around her feels tight and restrictive. Her world, once filled with action and adventure, has been transformed into a monotonous clone of her former life as a Circle Mage. To make matters worse, the newly elected Divine has extended an offer she feels she can't refuse…and it's making the demons louder.

The Champion of Kirkwall is all but vanished and the Inquisitor is desperate for an out. And all adventure has a price.

XXXX

And I'm back, and this time with something a little bit longer (actually, a lot long-like 30ish chapters).

For those of you who have read my first fan fic, Two-Hundred Roses, welcome back, I hope you enjoy this one as much as you enjoyed Roses. If you haven't read Roses, then don't worry, this story completely stands on its own.

Anyway, thanks for clicking and checking it out. Big thanks to my beta, enco432.

Disclaimer: All assets belong to Bioware, except for original characters, and I am grateful for the chance to play in their sandbox.

Chapter I, a Prologue - Varric

Varric Tethras was not the kind of man who woke up early. He liked sleeping in and now with Corypheus finished he should have felt more inclined to stay in bed as long as he liked. It wasn't meant to be though. Despite his early morning grogginess, he climbed the tower steps to the rookery where a neat pile of notes waited for him. Leliana was nowhere to be seen, so he scooped the letters up and headed back downstairs to his favorite spot by the hearth.

It was always easier to read letters after breakfast, but it would be a few more hours before they started serving it, so he decided to skim though the notes. A bill, a missive from the guild, an update from one of his Kirkwall contacts, something from his editor…. he came to the final letter in the stack. With a careful hand, he popped the red wax seal and opened the note.

He knew the handwriting; recognized it the same way he might recognize the author. Seeing the carefully crossed T's and perfectly dotted i's filled him with a sudden, horrible dread. There was no reason—no reason at all why he would send him letter. Not unless something had happened.

Serah Varric Tethras,

I am sure my lady wife regaled you with the story of how she "escaped" Starkhaven with nothing but my bow and her daggers. You both had a good laugh at my expense. You know how I am with Skylar's jokes, she never means them to hurt, though I was rather upset when I found out she left the safety of Starkhaven for the Inquisition—and at your behest. Although I do not blame you, our Hawke is the kind of woman who needs to help where she can. And she did send me a letter when she arrived at Skyhold to put my fears to rest.

Nevertheless, several months ago, as you must recall, you sent me a bird explaining that Skylar had made for Weisshaupt Fortress in order to inform the Grey Warden's about certain disturbing indiscretions. Now with the most immediate threat to Thedas defeated, I am sure you're resting. But Varric, my friend, I have no one else to go to.

I have not heard a word from her since she entered the Anderfels. I am willing to admit that I am scared. Hawke is missing.

I would not come to you and the Inquisition if I were not so desperate. By the time this letter reaches you, I will be in Ferelden and well on my way to the Inquisition's fortress.

The note was signed Prince Sebastian Vael, Chantry Advisor to the Throne of Starkhaven.

"Oh shit," Varric let the letter fall out of his hand.