By the time Loghain returned to the cave, the first signs of morning were already showing over the horizon, leaving an odd blue-black hint to the night sky. His hands tightened around the reins, leading the grumpy mare back towards his own horse, feeling her still tug a little on her bindings. She had been wandering along the path when he found her and it had taken much coaxing and soothing to finally persuade her to follow him back. He couldn't blame the poor animal, her first days with her new rider hadn't been the most pleasant and, there was a time during the night when Loghain had been half tempted to leave as well. His anger had subsided somewhat, but his pride was still bruised and that would take a little while to get over. He had tried to justify the reasons, with everything that had happened over the last few weeks, but he still couldn't shake the feeling that now lingered. He was angry at himself for having let his guard drop so quickly and, whilst he had already vowed to help carry her burden, he was determined to make sure he did it whilst maintaining a distance from the troublesome young warden.

'There you go girl, Safer here than out there with monsters roaming around.' Loghain patted the mare's neck gently, rubbing her ears whilst he tethered her to the tree. Both horses munched away quietly at the grass, flicking their tails idly.

Trying to stifle a yawn, he went back over to the cave, only to find Catheryn fast asleep, her cheeks were still red and tear stained and she shivered slightly in the cool of the cave, the fire having long since died out. He sighed deeply, walking over to the young warden and placing his cloak over her. He told himself it was simply to stop her catching a chill, all the while, he was trying to ignore the stains on her cheeks and the ghosts of the sobs that had followed him ever since he left the cave. They had been the very last thing he had wanted to hear and whilst he had wanted to go back and console her, he decided to get as much distance as he could between the two, giving them both time to calm down.

A sigh escaped his lips as he lowered himself to the floor, leaning against the saddle, his eyes feeling heavy and yet, sleep seemed like a far off dream. His mind was racing, thoughts chasing each other like a dog chasing a rabbit. Memories of Rowan confused themselves with images of Catheryn and at times, it was as though they merged completely. Both had taken him completely by surprise. He prickled at the thoughts, annoyed at himself for letting a woman have this affect on him once again. He knew it was a foolish thing, he had only been in Catheryn's presence for such a short time, there was no way she should have this affect on him, not so quickly. He tried to tell himself that it was because of her similarities to Rowan, but he knew this wasn't true. With every moment that Catheryn occupied his thoughts, the images of Rowan became more disjointed. He had hardened his heart since Rowan's death and had promised himself that, other than his wife, there would never be another. He found himself thinking back to when he had first seen Catheryn, long before they met at Ostagar. He knew he had seen her before, but couldn't place where it was and, it was only when he faced her at the Landsmeet that he recalled the memory.

There had been a tourney held at Highever to celebrate the coming of age of the Cousland's youngest child. It was a grand affair and, the castle of Highever was alive with excitement and, Loghain found himself taken by how happy the Castle hands were to serve their masters. The Cousland's were a good family, with a good reputation. They were strong, experienced in battle, independent but fair. They were one of the oldest families on Ferelden and they earned a lot of respect from their supporting Banner Men, as well as the loyalty of those who served them day to day. There were few who were quite as noble and good as the Cousland's, so it was no wonder that so many people had come out in support of this special occasion.

Loghain, himself, hadn't wanted to come to the tourney. He had far better things to attend to back at home, however, Anora had nagged him until he relented, knowing that he wouldn't get a moment's peace unless he gave into her request. She was a determined young thing, who knew exactly how to manipulate him into doing whatever is was she wanted. However, he mostly didn't care, she was his only child and, as with any parent, he would have given her the whole of Thedas and more if it meant keeping her happy.

'Ah, Loghain, you did make it in the end, I am glad.'

'I am sure it will be a fine day my Lady, it appears half the bannorn have also descended on Highever to join in the festivities.' Loghain bowed respectfully, though a little stiffly, to the woman before him.

'Please, there is no need for such formality on a day, like today. Call me Eleanor. Anyone would think we were complete strangers.'

'As you wish, Eleanor.'

'There, that's better and ah, here is th-' Eleanor Cousland turned her attention from Loghain and his eyes followed, falling to the young woman, dressed from shoulder to toe in chainmail, her long brown hair flowing down her back and her pretty brown eyes dancing in the sun. Her face was the picture of happiness, her smile as big as it could possibly get, adding to the beautiful features of her face. Loghain found himself having to close his eyes for a moment to banish the thoughts in his head, well aware that the young woman before him was younger than his own daughter.

'Catheryn!'

Loghain watched, a trace of amusement on his lips as the young woman froze and stood up as straight as she possibly could. She was short in stature, especially for a Cousland, so the sudden change didn't really make that much difference, but he knew the look on her face all too well, for it was a look Anora would give him when she knew she was in trouble.

'My dearest, sweetest, most wonderful moth-'

'Don't you give me that! Where is the dress I bought you?'

'Upstairs, on the stand, like it was this morning.'

'Would it hurt you to wear something a little more...womanly...for one day?'

Catheryn frowned and then, her eyes fell to Loghain. He watched as her eyes widened for a moment and then a very deep red hue came to her cheeks. 'Mother, we have gues-

'I am pretty sure that our guest knows exactly what it is like to have a daughter who drives them to the point of insanity. How am I ever meant to find a good husband for you if you will insist on hiding yourself in chainmail?'

The flush on the young woman's cheeks grew deeper and Loghain couldn't help but feel a slight trace of sympathy for her. It was quite clear to him, at least, that finding a man was the furthest thing from her mind. But he also understood what it was like to be a parent and to worry about the wellbeing of your children. He knew that Eleanor only wanted the best for her daughter and, for her to be happy, something that Catheryn would appreciate herself once she was a mother.

'I'll go and change after the tourn-'

'Please don't tell me you think you are entering that tournament?'

'Why is it so wrong for me want to do such things when father tells me stories about how you were quite the warrior in your younger days?'

'Because, you are eighteen now and you should be thinking about other things. You have to accept some responsibilities now.'

Loghain watched as the young woman became slowly more defiant. He excused himself so as not to add to the issue, his eyes lingering on Catheryn and the startling resemblance that she had to another warrior maiden that he had known many years ago. For whatever reason, as he looked at her, he had a feeling deep down that it wouldn't be the last time he saw her and that, in some shape or form, their paths would cross once again. It was a feeling that he had in his gut and, he had learned a long time ago that his gut was very rarely wrong.

Loghain rubbed his temples to banish the memories of that day and of the feisty young woman who had entered the tourney despite her mother's protests and, had proceeded to beat every man in the melee, much to the shock and horror of said men when they realised that it was a woman who had bested them so easily in the ring. He found himself staring at Catheryn as she slept, watching as her back rose and fell with her breaths, realising, as he had known, that his gut had been right. Their paths had crossed once again and now, he had a feeling that she was about to turn his life even more upside down than she already had.

When Catheryn awoke, she felt as though her head had been split in two by an axe, such was the pain in her forehead and in her nose. She pinched the bridge, trying to ease the sensation somewhat, for it had been a very long time since she had had a headache quite like this. She knew what had brought it on, it was the headache that followed a great deal of upset and, over the last few months, she was surprised that she hadn't experienced more, for she had had enough to cry about, but, very rarely did she ever give in to such a need.

As she pushed herself up, she noticed the cloak falling from around her chest and fingered it lightly, furrowing her brow for a moment in confusion before the reality dawned on her. She looked over at Loghain who was asleep against the saddle, another wave of guilt and regret washing over her as the memories of the night before came flooding back to her. She held the cloak to her face, taking in the scent of this confusing and frustrating man, using it as a blanket of warmth deep inside her, one that she feared would be the only way she would ever get to be close to him again. She hated herself for being so weak and so proud all at the same time. She felt as though she was being torn into a million pieces and no one would tell her what to do, no one would guide her in the direction she was supposed to go in. She didn't know how to handle these situations, she was great with a sword, but, right now, she would rather be up against the Archdemon itself than have to try and make sense of all the emotions and thoughts that were running through her at the moment.

Leaving the cave, Catheryn wandered absent mindedly until she found a nearby stream. She looked at her reflection for a very long time, holding the cloak tightly around her. Kneeling down on the bank, she cupped the water and brought it to her face, gasping from the cold of the water against her flushed cheeks. Pausing for a moment, she watched the stream once more, thinking back to what Alistair had said when she spared Loghain. Were her feelings just because of some stupid childhood crush? Was she so disillusioned with the world that she could overlook the wrongs of recent times and still look at this man as though he was her knight in shining armour? This was the man who had made it his goal to have her hunted down and killed. This was the man that she would watch every time she attended a banquet or a dance or any other gathering that her parents had forced her along too. She wished that he would notice her, wish that she would be worthy of his attention and, she had certainly received her wish, only, it was unwanted attention. She hadn't done anything wrong, and yet he had hired people to chase her to the farthest reaches of the Country in order to be rid of her. How could she still find a place in her heart that still wanted to be the centre of his attention more than anything? It wasn't even a small part of her that could be banished to the deepest depths, it was such a huge part of her that it was impossible to ignore, but everything that had happened, Catheryn may be young and she may be naive, but she wasn't foolish enough to believe that all could be forgiven in an instance.

Once back at the cave, Catheryn found Loghain was already awake and tending to the horses. He gave her a long look, but she couldn't tell his thoughts, for his face was like a stone. She returned the gaze for a second before busying herself with her chest armour, wincing slightly as the wound on her arm pinched. Pulling the straps tight, Catheryn took comfort in the sudden sensation of her armour around her once more, as though it had become a barrier to the outside world. It constricted her breathing ever so slightly and, in doing so, gave her a complete sense of safety. She folded the cloak carefully and let her fingers dance over it once more before moving to hand it back to him.

'Keep it.' His tone was probably a little more cold than he intended, judging by the startled look on her face. He let out another sigh and returned to tightening the saddle around his horses middle, gaining a grunt of disapproval from the stallion. Both he and the horse had a stare off before the horse looked forward once more, kicking the ground as a way of showing his feelings towards his rider.

Catheryn remained silent, wrapping the cloak around her once more, silently thankful to be allowed to keep it. Her own horse was even less cooperative with her and it took her a good while to win the mare's trust. Finally, after much nipping, biting, kicking and stamping...mainly from the horse, Catheryn was able to mount, with Maric right by her side, the stump of a tail wagging so fast that it made his whole back end shake from side to side. With a look to Loghain, he gave a simple nod and set off, with her following not far behind, the air thick with tension as they did so, neither one uttering a single word as they made their way back across the Countryside to the group they had left behind.

As the wind rushed through Catheryn's hair, giving her some much needed relief from the headache she had been sporting, it helped her clear her mind. Whilst she was on horseback, she found that she always thought more clearly and that her emotions didn't play such a big part in the the decisions that she made. Everything made so much sense, just as it did when she was in the midst of battle, when the only thing she could think about was defeating her current enemy before another one had a chance to gain on her. She found that she still thought about Loghain, and the night before, however, the thoughts were much less confusing now. Hadn't he already proven that he could be trusted? Hadn't he taken part on the joining without protest, knowing it could kill him? Hadn't he been the only one out of all her companions to come after her and make sure she was safe? If he hadn't followed her yesterday, she would have been dead by now and, before long, she would be simply have been remembered as the warden who fled her duties. Instead, he had given her a chance to redeem herself, to make amends for the stupid error in Judgement. Wasn't this enough to make up for everything that had happened in the last few weeks? It was a start at least and it was a start that Catheryn was willing to take because, no matter how much she tried to deny it, she was incapable of hating this man and still, in spite of everything that had happened, he was still the hero that had a taken hold of her heart the moment he had looked into her eyes, all those years ago.