It has been some time since I've updated this story. Let's hope it makes sense and that I didn't screw the plot completely up. It would have been sooner had I not been ill three times over. Bleh. Excuses, excuses… I know!

Thank you to everyone who encouraged me to continue writing it. I really appreciate your kind words. I'll try to make Grace less annoying but I promise nothing ;)

Day 3, morning...


Fenris had awoken… happy. It terrified him. That was an emotion he reserved for killing slavers and thoughts of Danarius lying dead on the ground in a puddle of his own blood. Marian, he realized, has made me happy? A ridiculous infatuation with a woman has upturned my lips into an unnatural position. I smiled. What is wrong with me?

Humored by his own thoughts, Fenris watched Marian sleep. During the night he had felt her shiver until her body succumbed to its own exhaustion. The cold did not chill him as it did Marian. Perhaps it was the markings or his own Elven resistance that made it bearable; whatever the reason he wished Marian was more immune to the elements. He had offered his blanket before bed but she refused stating that she could not sleep knowing he was cold. The solution to her problem was obvious. If they were to share body heat under the blankets it would keep Marian warm, perhaps even toasty enough to turn her cheeks pink. He loved it when she blushed, and yet, he could not find the courage to suggest they lie together for fear of being touched.

Fenris opened the packs and emptied the contents. After last night he was determined to find Marian's flint so they could light the lantern in the evening. What he found was disheartening; Marian had been hoarding her rations. There was a note tucked in to the food. Fenris looked over his shoulder to make certain she still slept before he opened it. He could recognize only one word: Fenris. It was enough to explain why she was not eating. But why was she saving the food for him?

There was enough food for two more days by his reckoning, perhaps more since Marian had not been eating her full share of rations. Water consumption had dropped because of inactivity, but even so, it amounted to little more than three days at best. Fenris wrapped the food tightly and placed it in his pack. He continued to rummage through her belongings and at the bottom he found the flint.

An idea came to Fenris, the kind that he believed would please Marian and occupy his mind in a positive way. He grabbed his drawing stick and walked to the far end of the cave. There he began to outline a picture. After his sketch was complete, Fenris began to collect rock the size of his hand. He formed small piles based on shape, color and luster. This picture would be his gift to Marian before they died. It would give him pleasure to see her face light up as it so often did when she was surprised. If he was lucky, she would make an awkward comment, blush, ineptly flirt and snort through her laughter. He had to admit that Marian's idiosyncrasies were adorable, at times annoying, but it was those simple reactions that set her apart from other people. Her flaws made her real and fun and nothing like the women he had known in the Imperium. It no longer surprised him that he was attracted to her, any man would have to be blind not to see that she was a wonderful woman.

Marian awoke feeling more tired than she had the previous night. Every day spent in the 'hole', as she had come to call it, leached a small portion of life from her body and brought her a step closer to death.

I wake to such cheery thoughts these days, Marian mused. Tomorrow, I will probably practice digging my grave or writing my will in the dirt. And if I am feeling really plucky maybe I'll decide a cairn is more fashionable and start picking out my favorite rocks. Limestone with moss or without? Decisions, decisions, decisions...

"How did you sleep?" Fenris asked. "You... were restless last night."

Oh Maker! I forgot about last night and the confessions. Marian smiled. Technically we slept together, albeit a stones throw apart, but I actually had a man in my bed. She squealed happily in her head. I can't imagine why I might be restless.

I wonder if she is ill. Fenris thought. What if she regrets admitting her feelings to me? I should have said nothing. I am such a fool. "Marian?" Fenris asked. He sounded concerned. "Are you well?"

Marian cleared her throat. Small flecks of dust often fell from above and landed on her face during the night. For the rest of the day it would cause her to cough. Yet, another great perk of living in the hole, Marian thought. It still smells better than Gamlen's hovel.

"I'm fine Fenris," she said. "How are you?"

Fenris wiped the stone dust from his hands and grabbed his pack from the ground. In three great strides he was standing over Marian. "Why have you been hoarding food?"

"You went through my pack?" Marian asked. The sound of anger and betrayal in her voice caused Fenris to flinch. "Why?"

"I was searching for your flint," Fenris said. He took a seat near where she lay but remained at a safe distance. "Answer the question."

Marian rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. Fenris wanted to smile at her childish stance, but he knew better than to anger her further. "Didn't you read the note?"

"No," Fenris whispered. There was a hint of shame in his words and he knew Marian had heard it. "I... cannot read."

"Oh," Marian said and the shape of 'o' lingered on her lips long after she had spoken. "Well... I decided that it would make sense if one of us was allowed to live longer than the other and since you have only begun to experience a free man's life it seemed fair that it be you."

"Your logic frightens me," Fenris said. He smirked at her annoyed expression. "Did you not think that I would prefer to be dead instead of alone in this hole? Did you consider the guilt I would feel to know you starved so that I may live?"

Under normal circumstances I would find that sweet, Marian thought. Maker, he has a point. I wouldn't want to survive after watching him slowly die. I wonder which one of us would die first? Since I am flabbier than him I suppose it will be Fenris. Wonderful... Why do I think of these things?

"I think I want to punish myself, Fenris," Marian admitted. "It is my fault you will never experience the good things in life. I had a whole list of activities planned for you."

Fenris perked up. "Activities?" he sounded amused. "Do tell."

Fuck... Now he wants to know what "activities" I had in mind and I am sure he knows that said activities involve my horny imagination otherwise he would not be blushing and staring at his feet. Why is it I hear my mother telling me off every time I think the word 'fuck'? Maker, my mother's nagging voice is probably going to follow me to the grave. She will be there scolding me for using my potty mouth and then demand I sit up straight. 'You can't sit at the Maker's side if you do not sit up straight, Marian,' I can hear her say… I miss mother.

"I..." Marian blushed. Think of something! My awkward silence is awkward. "Activities like buying things in the market, seeing the inside of the Chantry, visiting the armory because I know you like sharp pointy things." He's not convinced.

"I am not convinced that..." Fenris started to say to her horror.

Marian decided to come clean and admit to her obvious lies. "I don't lie very well do I?" She continued to ramble ignoring the fact that Fenris was trying to speak."I can't help it. Yes, the activities I imagined were not of a purely pure nature. I'm a woman and you're a very attractive man and..."

Fenris coughed. "I was going to say that I am not convinced those particular activities would appeal to me."

I want to die, Marian thought. Right now. Die, die, die. Lightning bolt? Sudden flood? Sneezing? Hiccups? Oh come on! Please holy Maker, smite me.

Marian and Fenris sat ,both silently debating what they should say. If she escaped from the cave, Marian vowed to never show her face in public again, but Fenris... the budding determination to have sex with her took him by surprise. He wanted to experience one night with a woman as a free man. They were going to die. It was obvious. So why not let go of inhibitions and fulfill their desires? But he also realized it was selfish.

"Marian," Fenris said in a soft voice. "I have had intimate thoughts of you too."

A bright blush colored Marian's cheeks. Never had a man said those words to her openly and the risqué talk brought forth a pleasurable sensation inside and it warmed her body. She noticed that her nipples had hardened. Great... now my breasts are conspiring against me. If he notices you two are more pokey out than usual I swear I will never wear silk against you again.

"You have thought of us together wearing no clothes?" Marian asked. Did I really just ask that? Desperation does bring out the best in me. "That is what you meant right?"

Fenris hesitated and then when he thought of their inevitable deaths in the coming weeks he continued to speak his mind. "Yes," he said in a deep voice. "You are a beautiful woman. Why would I not?"

She giggled and the sweet sound lightened Fenris's mood. Marian tucked a lock of wayward hair behind her ear. "I never thought you would feel the same. Men tend to ignore me. I was very plain compared to Bethany. She was the sort of woman men would stop and stare at, unless Carver or father was nearby."

"Then they were fools," Fenris said and he meant it. "You are a rarity among women and like any rare item it takes a keen eye to recognize it for its true value."

If my nipples weren't already hard, I'd question why at this point. Any sane woman would kiss him now. They would run over to him preferably with their bosom heaving and their hair flowing and fall into his arms. He would bring them softly to the bed and crush his chest against their unruly breasts, because they do have a mind of their own, and have his wicked way. But I can't... Even now I worry about consequences.

"I apologize if I made you uncomfortable," Fenris said. "It was not my intention. Perhaps we should speak of something else."

Marian's eyes narrowed. There was an internal struggle raging between duty and desire. She was the eldest, the one her father tasked with the continued survival of the family right before his death. She could not be frivolous and do as she pleased any day of the year. There was always work and it was hard back breaking labor that began at sunrise and ended with the bitching of her mother and siblings. No matter what she sacrificed it was never enough. But now that she knew how her life would probably end, Marian decided the Maker had given her one chance to be selfish and she grabbed hold of it.

Marian rose from the makeshift bed and moved to Fenris. He looked up at her, uncertainty written on his face and the question began to form on his lips. But before he could speak, Marian leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you," she said.

Their eyes locked and their lips nearly touched. Marian waited. She wanted Fenris to be the first to initiate the kiss. He stared at her, his half-lidded eyes full of lust, but his fear would not allow him to act.

"You must be hungry," Fenris said and he moved quickly away from Marian. "I will prepare breakfast."

Fenris grabbed his pack and divided the food into two portions. The largest portion he gave to Marian. Breakfast consisted of salted pork, carrots and a spoonful of honey. Some would find the food insubstantial but Fenris even under their dire circumstances was pleased to have three meals a day. The freedom to sleep, eat and express an opinion when he desired had been worth the effort to escape his former master. He may die in a cave but he would die free and that thought comforted Fenris.

"Please eat or I will be forced to take drastic measures," Fenris said.

"Are you threatening me?" she teased. "And all this time I thought you were misunderstood, that you were really a sweet, loveable man that ripped people's hearts out of their chests by accident."

To Marian's surprise, Fenris sat down next to her on the makeshift bed. It made her feel giddy. He is close enough for me to touch. I wonder if he would let me? Maybe he will touch me? Could I fake a convulsion and fall into his arms? I wonder if we will look at each other and then he will fall into the depths of my eyes, see my passion and lay me down and deflower me?

"Those whose hearts I have ripped from their chests deserved it," Fenris said. "I would not do so otherwise."

Marian's eyebrow rose. "I was being silly. Please don't glow."

"It is too early to glow," Fenris said with a smile. "Perhaps it would be more appropriate in the dark. Tonight."

I wonder if he has any idea how much I'd love to see that, Marian thought. Maybe I just invented a new fetish.

"This is awkward now that we know there is a mutual attraction, is it not?" Marian said. "Maybe it is just me that feels that way. I have little experience to call upon when it comes to men. Actually… I have none."

She is a virgin? Fenris thought. That would explain much... but by her own admission she has imagined coupling with me. Why? Surely, there have been men in her life that were more suitable? I have to admit that those men may not live in Kirkwall but she could return to Ferelden to find a suitor. Why me?

Fenris shifted uneasily on the bed. The conversation was awkward, more so than he had anticipated. "I have never allowed anyone too close," he explained. "After I escaped Danarius I realized there was no one I could trust."

"You can trust me," Marian said and she smiled.

"Can I?" Fenris asked.

"What?" Marian's eyes widened and her temper flared. "I helped you kill a band of slavers and volunteered to aid in your fight against Danarius and you wonder if you can trust me? That may seem like a trifle to you but I don't risk my life or my friends' lives for just anyone."

Fenris laid his plate down. "I apologize," he said. "Please understand that you are the only person who has helped me without expecting a great sum of money in return. I am still uncertain why you did so, but do not think me ungrateful."

The tempestuous crunch of a carrot showed that Marian was still annoyed. She pointed the orange root vegetable at his chest. "I helped you because I hate slavers and because I saw the same fear in your eyes as I had seen in Bethany's on many occasions. My little sister used to cry every night even when she was older because she was convinced the templars would come to take her and father away the next day. No one should have to constantly watch over their shoulder. No one."

It made sense now. Marian had helped because she understood what it meant to live on the run. From what he had gathered, her family had lived a nomadic life in order to avoid the threat of the templars. Fenris could not remember his childhood but he could imagine the fear a child would experience when woken in the middle of the night and whisked away from their bed yet again.

"Do you resent the life you had to lead?" Fenris asked. "It could not have been easy."

"It was difficult, but we were determined to stay together," Marian said. "It would have killed me to lose my little sister and father." She sighed. "I did in the end, but at least they died free. So you see, I do understand and if we get out of this cave I promise you this: I won't let Danarius have you."

Fenris bowed his head. There were no words to convey the feelings she had awoken in him. They were unlike any he could recall and he struggled to find a word that encompassed them. It came to him as he sat thinking. 'I won't let Danarius have you." He realized that he had found the one person in all of Thedas that honestly cared for him.

Fenris reached over and clasped her hand. "Thank you," he whispered. "I owe you a great deal."

Marian smiled when she realized his hand was resting in her own. "You owe me nothing."