AN: Holy cow the reception of this story has gone way beyond what I imagined. And I'm feeling pretty damn proud. In March alone I've reached a grand total of 988 hits for all of my stories. Although, once this has been posted, maybe the number shall jump up a bit and hit a lovely, round thousand. Seriously, if I could make a thousand hits in a month, well, it would make my day. There's only a few hours left, so please help out.
As for this, well, it has more action and less, just lounging 'round an talking. I promise, soon the pace shall pick up. I'm just not a very action-y person. Perhaps if you guys just leave a little review the next chapter will be out sooner. I'll have a bit of motivation.
He didn't want to wake up or hear those piercing bird chirps or feel the sunlight filtering through his curtains. No, Fenris wished to forever stay in his little cocoon of toasty blankets and slumber into eternity. No, that would be cowardice, a trait that is not at all deserving of admiration. He had to eventually face the music and brave the day, just not yet; his bed was so warm and his mind ever so fuzzy. How could he ever face the horrors and terrors of the world when right now, his little bubble of peace was so perfect.. Still, his thoughts would not allow him much time before his mind was invaded by the memories of the previous day.
A frustrated sigh left his lips and Fenris rolled from his front, not meaning to fall from the bed to the floor. His body already ached from the fight and the collision with the floor. "You know," The sarcastic tone of Isabella rang from across the room "people primarily sleep on a bed if it's there and belongs to them, opposed to choosing the floor." Propping himself up with his elbows, Fenris shot a glare across the room where Isabella was framed in the doorway, looking at him with a smirk on her face.
Standing up and dusting himself off he shot an angry "It's not funny." Her way before turning to his armoire, filled with a multitude of black that he commonly wore. "What're you doing here anyway?" Fenris shot, already knowing just how her answer would go.
"Your door wasn't locked."
"That's not a reason." He didn't miss a beat with his reply.
"Do I need a reason to come see you?" Those words had elicited something close to a growl from the fair haired man.
"Well, you do."
It was then that she had chosen to confidently strut forward and settle herself on his couch, crossing one leg over the other. "Fine," The sigh was one that was close to mockery "Just tell me, when you are planning to go after Hawke?" He blinked in something close to surprise. The fact that Isabella could be at all perceptive still seemed to surprise Fenris. Was it really that obvious that….? No, he didn't think of Hawke in that way; they just owed each-other a lot. She always helped him without question and knew not to invade his privacy. He would definitely miss her with her gone, but there was absolutely no reason for him to fight for her other than simple friendship.
"You know," The foreigner going by the name of Isabella spoke in a smug, almost arrogant tone. Somehow she had gone from the tattered couch to less than a foot away from Fenris in less than a second; stupid skills of the rogues. "It really isn't like you to space out in such a way. Are you sure you're okay? Not having any secondary feelings for our little leader?" Fenris' muscles tensed and the slightest need to defend his honour and integrity reared its own head. The smirk that took over her lips was one of pure bemusement and it irritated him to no end to see her mocking him in such a way. One that could easily be declined and known as being supportive as opposed the patronisation that she was giving him.
"Okay, go get changed." She demanded of him, plucking some clothes from the armoire and shoving them at his chest, forcing him to grab them and storm from the room while she settled herself down. It was then that she chose to truly survey her surroundings. It wasn't often she came here anyway, let alone by herself and without reason other than true concern. Still she wasn't about to admit such a thing anytime soon. It was strange actually, to be alone in his home and not speaking to anyone. The quiet she heard was almost, what one would call, disturbing. Still, there was a certain air to it that others would call peaceful. It was only moments later that the ringing of a door being slammed could be heard throughout the home.
Isabella wasn't going to come along with him, that much was definite, and for that to happen, well, he would have to sneak out and get a head start. Fenris had to run his way through the town and weave down the war intended streets of Kirkwall. Fenris had to run until his muscles burned and his lungs threatened to burst from lack of air. He had left the city within minutes and was pounding down the dirt road that he and the others had dragged their way across the night before. It wasn't until he reached the very spot where it happened that his energy, the very fire that burned inside of him chose to falter and die. Fenris collapsed out of tiredness and found himself wanting to get lost in the world of sleep again. His desire and energy had failed him in the very same spots; when it actually mattered.
Fenris truly hadn't though this through. He had no clue where he was headed or how to even follow the guys he was tracing. He almost always had help and it never seemed to matter as much as it did now, at this moment. Rolling onto his back Fenris lay there for a moment, shielding his eyes from the sun and simply thinking; mulling over the very limited number of options he had at the moment. There had to be someone he knew that understood how a trail worked and just what to look for to find someone. The moment it dawned on him, Fenris' face grew horrified.; or rather, as close as it would ever get for someone so guarded and careful about his emotions.
There was no way he could be trusted, what it was the he would do the moment the search was over. Would the already known traitor hand Fenris over too? It was definitely plausible. Alas, thoughts of such things would get him nowhere. Surely Fenris could simply worry about that when they reached their destination? Standing himself up with a definitive poise Fenris immediately turned back and began to head to the, now, ever so familiar camp of the Dales that had become a sort of home for him. It was certainly more comfortable to him and those that lived in the carefree manner amongst nature were much more accepting of him and his peculiar talents
Upon reaching what he would consider the edge of their camp, there was some definite hesitation from the fair haired elf that was truly, at this point, desperate. Why was beyond him. Still there was very little harm in attempting his most logical option. Considering money would not be an issue between these two and it was likely the one he was about to employ would have another motive, Fenris powered on into the camp and found himself immediately heading towards Master Ilen, the one he always did find much easier to speak to and surprisingly knowledgeable about what was going on in, around and nowhere near the camp.
"Ahh, Fenris, you're here alone today? Where is Serah Hawke?" He swallowed, finding it almost hard to deliver the news.
"Actually, her whereabouts are the reason for my visit." Fenris somehow, despite the emotional pain he was currently immersed in, managed to maintain his rather cool, suave tone. The Dalish weapon-smith responded with and obvious curiosity in his face.
"I'm afraid she hasn't been here."
"I know. She was taken by slavers. I need to know where the ex-Crow member is staying right now." He spoke as though he presumed that the location of Zevran would be common knowledge around this camp.
Genuine concern did line Ilen's face as he replied. "He's actually in camp right now, speaking to Merrill about some sort of business proposal." He pointed in the general direction of Merrill's tent, knowing that Fenris could easily find his way. "Thanks" Was thrown out before Fenris had darted off to find what he knew would be one of the biggest regrets of his life and make an offer that couldn't be refused.