*I will preface this chapter with the notation that in my day job I am a historian and write boring (to anyone other than a historian) reports and have never even attempted to write fiction. But like so many of you, I love Dragon Age! I kept day dreaming about my favorite characters during my archival research so I decided I needed a creative outlet so this is my attempt.

Thank you so much for the kind reviews. I am my own worst critic, so your support encouraged me to try a second chapter. I'm already looking forward to the third!

Hawke Estate

"Come on Daisy, grab your twine, I'll walk you home"

Merrill regarded her dwarven friend from her perched position in the library overlooking the fireplace.

"Varric, how many times have I told you that I am not a flower? - Flowers are pretty though. And they make people happy." She sat on the ledge dangling her legs over the railing watching Varric trying to adjust the gold chain around his neck without ripping out the ever-present blonde chest hair.

Realizing a brilliant idea, Merrill swung her feet off of the banister and started skipping down the steps. "We should get flowers. Varric we have to get flowers for Hawke. Maybe we can go to the coast-"

Varric held his hands up to halt the excited elf, "Slow down Daisy. We're not going anywhere tonight but home."

"Hawke has been through so much Varric. First her brother with that ogre – Aveline told us, it sounded awful. And then her poor mother. Emma vhenan, it still breaks for her…"

The dwarf adjusted Bianca to his left side and put his arm around Merrill's waist and leaned his head into her hip. "My heart hurts too."

"We should do something for her Varric."

"Kid, the angsty elf couldn't get away from her fast enough. After she went out of her way to help him fight his past. Again."

"But-"

"No buts. Hawke is tougher and harder than Bartrand's head, and he's an idiot. She can handle a little unrequited romance. At least now Anders can make his move and stop pining like a sad puppy."

"Varric, I was there. You didn't see the…"

Varric cringed. He had seen the lyrium in Fenris' skin flash bright blue only once before and then saw the intense rage that followed leaving a guard without a heart.

"Well right after, you know, he was still glowing a bit. Hawke tried to talk to him, to calm him down. He was walking back and forth, and yelling. She went to comfort him, but he wouldn't let her touch him. Fenris left." Merrill was staring into the fire, "I don't understand him."

"No one does Daisy. We know he was a slave but my guess is there is more to this story."

Bodahn entered the library and coughed lightly to announce his presence, "Ahem. Good evening messere's, will you be spending the night here? I can set you up in the spare room if you'd like."

Merrill looked to Varric with a pleading smile.

"No, but thank you Bodahn. We were just leaving."

"A shame then. Having her companions around help during this difficult time. My boy Sandal and I are so very sad about this business with the Lady Leandra. A fine woman she was. Treated us very well."

"A finer woman there never was. Hawke is upstairs in bed, General is up there keeping her company. She will be fine Merrill, go say goodbye to Orana and let's go."

Bodahn moved aside to let Merrill pass through the doorway. "Ah, so the hound is with his mistress. My boy was looking for him earlier. He's simple you know, but he loves that dog."

Varric mumbled a response to his fellow dwarf and walked into the main hall joining Merrill who was talking with Orana animatedly.

"Goodnight Orana, and thank you for the feast, Bianca and I loved it."

"Which shem was that Merrill? Was it the one with no shirt covering her bosom?"

Merrill giggled and whispered, "Oh no that was Isabela. Bianca is what he named is crossbow."

Orana's face turned to confusion as Merrill and Varric walked away.

Bodahn was waiting for them to approach and opened the door. Varric looked up to see Fenris' brooding face staring back at him from the doorway. They regarded each other with passive expressions.

"You're late elf."

"I am aware of this dwarf." Fenris grumbled in response.

Merrill stood there silently with her hands clasped near her mouth.

Bodahn recognizing a new guest jumped in, "Please come in ser! Might you take a seat on the bench in the main hall while I fetch Lady Hawke."

"Come on Daisy. We're leaving."