A/N: This chapter wrote itself in a couple of hours today! I'd been struggling with the letter Y, not a lot of words start with Y, but I kept thinking about how Hawke's memories of her youth are her rock, and how Fenris basically has no life before the ritual. It's a bit of fluff to sweeten the end of my labors. Enjoy!

~Penguin Regina

Youth

"Salt water taffy!" Hawke squeals and breaks ranks from us. She scuttles over to the vendor by the docks. Isabela claps her hands and joins her, buying a small sack of it for herself. The women rejoin Sebastian and I.

"I love this candy! It makes me feel like a kid again. Father would always bring some for us whenever he was away from home. It was cheap and he could buy enough for the three of us." Hawke explains as she offers some to us. I shake my head, but Sebastian takes a piece.

"I used to buy it whenever I had extra money as a girl." Isabela chimes in as she swallows her first piece. "It was the cheapest candy available, but I loved it all the same."

Sebastian chewed his piece thoughtfully. "I never had this before, it's good. There is a pastry called a bannock, traditional in Starkhaven, that I cannot resist. My gran would always have them for tea. She was the sweetest lady. Elthina sometimes reminds me of her."

I keep quiet, hoping they'll forget I'm there. What can I contribute to this conversation? But of course, Hawke never forgets anyone.

"What about you, Fenris? What's your favorite treat?" She tactfully refrains from adding any mention to childhood.

"I don't know. I've only recently been getting food based on taste rather than price. Before that, it was whatever the other slaves were having." I walk ahead, hoping they'll leave it at that.

Isabela, always the hedonist, has to investigate. "Surely, there's something you'd like...?" Which, of course, sounds dirty enough for Sebastian to choke a bit on the other piece of candy Hawke gave him.

"Never mind her" Hawke says. Isabela sticks out her tongue. "I know you like sweets, which one do you like best?" She says determinedly.

"I don't know Hawke. I never thought about it much. I don't have pleasant memories to associate with anything. Whatever happened in my youth is gone. Can we drop the subject?" I'm starting to get irritated.

"Apples" Sebastian chimes in suddenly. "You said you liked apples, that time we were helping Tallis." His turquoise eyes are squinting happily as he smiles.

"True...I do like them. So there you go." Foolishly, I imagine the subject is done.

A week later I hear a knock on my door. Curious, (since most of my friends simply barge in) I open the door to find Bodahn at my doorstep. Even more curious, he bows at the waist and announces "Serah Fenris, you are cordially invited to supper at the Amell estate this evening. Shall I tell lady Hawke you are coming?" He is all formality, waiting for my answer.

I look back into the gloom of the mansion and think of my likely supper here, some cold cuts and bread. I know that Hawke is up to something, but I'm up to nothing, so I answer; "yes, I shall be honored to attend. At what time am I expected?" Tit for tat, Bodahn.

"In an hour, ser." He replies curtly.

"Very well. Then I shall get ready" I reply. I shine my breastplate and get my gear on.

At the estate, the table is lavishly set for two. I raise my eyebrows as Hawke comes in. She is wearing a blue dress which I've never seen before. Her hair is done up and she's even wearing jewelry (for looks, not for magic protection!). She looks stunning. "Glad you could make it Fenris. Please, have a seat."

Having attended many formal dinners as Danarius' bodyguard, I kick into formal mode. Before she can get to her seat, I pull out Hawke's chair for her. She smiles at me. "Thank you ser, but you are the guest, please make yourself comfortable."

I sit down and soon the first course is served. Hawke gives me lively conversation and pours out wines for each course. As the meal progresses I get more comfortable and open up a bit more. We tell jokes and funny anecdotes. The food and wine keep flowing well into the night. Finally, Hawke gives Orana a signal and the elf maid bobs and heads to the kitchen. A trundling noise makes me lose the thread of conversation.

Orana is pushing a many tiered cart into the dining room. The cart is covered in different desserts and treats. There aren't two of the same thing on it.

"I can't get your youth back for you, Fenris. However, I can certainly help create pleasant memories. I also believe everyone should have a favorite treat. Soooo...I have here every pastry, candy, dessert and treat I could find in Kirkwall for you to try. Let's see if we can find you a favorite thing, shall we?" Hawke's eyes are wide and earnest.

I'm stunned by her generosity. "I don't know what to say. This is more than I deserve..." I start to speak. however, Hawke waves her hand dismissively. She stands up and goes to the cart.

"Oh, stop it. Here; try this one first. It has candied apples and I thought it was divine." She says placing a sugary confection in front of me. "Not another word of self derision. Today we find you a favorite food or we die trying!" She exclaims melodramatically. She sits down with a plate of her own. "I'll only eat half, so you can try this too. It's Antivan custard. I love it!"

And so we spent the rest of the night picking at the food on the cart. I decided that the apple crumble was the best, and Hawke complained that I didn't let her eat any of it. That night is now a treasured memory and another reason why I can never repay my debt to Hawke. How could I, when all she does is give and refuses to take anything in return? Thank you for the new memories Hawke.