Cara and Solas return to find one of their companions missing. Cara feels responsible and is determined to see them returned safe.

Fenris sat at the fire. The Inquisitor and her companions retired to their tents an hour before. Attempting to sleep was futile; thoughts filled his mind. The last few days gave him much to think about. Tonight he contemplated the stack of papers in his lap.

Most were letters Varric sent him. Letters answering his questions regarding the Inquisition and specifically, Carina. He pulled them out to burn them, but couldn't find it in himself to cast even one of them into the flames. Instead he read them again, searching the pages for the things Varric wrote of Cara. Looking for the woman he had grown to love long before he set eyes on her.

Even still, when she was out of his reach, he felt the same. No, he felt more. Cara was more. She was real. She was strong, and kind. She was vulnerable, and fierce. She saw things through fresh eyes, as if the world around her was wondrous and new, and yet she held a deep wisdom, one born of experience and trial. And she was a mage. The thought didn't make his skin crawl any longer.

He dug through the pages, seeking the half started attempts of correspondence he wrote. Not those he wrote to Varric, but those he wrote to someone he'd yet to meet. Someone very much alive and real from the words written about her. Varric encouraged him to write to her. Many letters mentioned how she enjoyed hearing tales of him. Though she was careful to never ask outright, she encouraged additional details of Fenris more so than the others.

He bit his cheek reading the vain attempts at voicing how he felt, they were inadequate then, even more so now, and far too late. Would things have been different if he had sent that first note months ago?

"You're brooding again, Elf."

Fenris startled at Varric sitting beside him. He sighed as the dwarf took the letters.

"I'm sorry, I feel like I should have paid more attention. When we left for Denerim nearly three months ago she and Solas hadn't spoken much in nearly 6 weeks. Something happened after Haven, and he just quit talking to her. She seemed resigned to it being over."

"No need to apologize. I should have sent one of these. Or come sooner. I suppose I will leave when Hawke returns."

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened the other morning? You were looking daggers at them both for days."

"No more than my own distrust of mages. The more I believe she is not what she appears, the more confused I grow when she is exactly what she shows herself to be." Fenris shook his head. She was still mysterious. Maybe that was all there was. Once he learned her secret, for he wouldn't reveal what he knew until he could prove anything, once he did he might be satisfied, and this infatuation would end. Or he would only find himself more enamored of her.

No, if he stayed he would regret it. He tucked the papers into his pack. He would return to Skyhold, resign his position formally. He would still aid them in their fight against Corypheus, but he would do so at Hawke's side.

"I shouldn't have stayed. The Inquisitor has more companions than she needs. In the morning I will return to Skyhold, inform Cullen of my decision, then leave to join Hawke in the west." It seemed foolish to travel the distance, but honor demanded he handle his resignation in person.

Varric squeezed his shoulder. "Wait until morning. You may feel different."

Fenris nodded. "I will sleep on it."

Varric left him to his brooding. Only the watch was awake. He should try to sleep. Fenris packed his meager belongings and retired to the tent he shared with Varric.

The dwarf was already asleep. Fenris lay awake listening to the sounds of the camp. Soft snores and the steady breathing of Varric should have been hypnotic. But the pounding of his own heart thumped loudly in his ears. The walls of the tent seemed to close in around him.

With a silent curse on his lips he rose. He welcomed the cool night air, the feel of the dirt under his feet. The vast sky above him. The moon was high, but the half moon gave off little light. Thousands of twinkling stars glittered above.

He took a few calming breaths to push the panic away. Even now he feared to sleep. In dream, he relived memories which left him shaken and confused with the dawn. The details lost to him as he awakened. Only the vice like grip of fear in his chest spoke of the unpleasantness.

That same vice gripped his heart now. He would find no sleep this night. With pinched lips he dug out the journal he kept and tore a page from it. On the top half he scribbled a note to the Inquisitor, on the bottom to Varric.

He gathered his things, tied his bedroll to Shem'nan and tightened his saddle. The dracolisk nudged him for a treat, and he offered him an apple.

"Ser Fenris?" The scout on watch stood behind him.

"Give this to the Inquisitor when she wakes." He handed the scout the folded page. "I was going to wait until morning, but cannot sleep. I return to Skyhold."

A questioning glint flashed in the scout's eyes before he nodded and crossed an arm over his chest in salute. "Maker be with you, ser."

"And with you."

Cara woke to find Solas watching her sleep. His hand splayed possessively around her waist. The other cupped his jaw as he leaned on his elbow.

"Good morning." She stretched lazily, smiling at the stiffness from their night together. The moon was high into the night sky before they returned to camp. Only the night watch was awake. She wanted to sink deeper into the blankets, but she'd made plans to pick berries with Shariel after they broke their fast.

"I can't imagine a better way to start my day." His hand caressed up to cup her breast, brushed a thumb over it before leaning in to kiss her neck.

"Mmmm, me neither." She kissed his collarbone, and tugged on his arm. She wanted him over her, to revel in the weight of him, his body pressed along hers. There wasn't a place on her he hadn't touched or kissed. Just thinking of the spells he'd teased her with made her stomach flip with anticipation.

He nipped her collarbone and shook his head. "The Dalish stir even now."

Voices rose through camp as the Dalish came awake.

With a sigh she sat up. "I suppose it would be rude to sleep in. I've plans with Shariel this morning."

He kissed between her shoulders. "It would be terribly rude, indeed."

She trembled under the caress of his hands, and lips. "Yet you tempt me to do just that." She groaned at the ache of need his touch created. "Are you sure there isn't time?"

He chuckled. "As regrettable as the answer is, I'm afraid not." He gave her hip a playful pinch and rolled to his knees with his pile of clothes.

Cara watched him dress, her smirk increased when he tried to tie his breeches. He couldn't deny he wanted her as much as she wanted him.

Cara returned with Shariel at midday. Their baskets heavy with berries and herbs. Tucked in her pack were a few bottles of the stashed wine from the season before. Shariel stashed them wherever she happened to stop to make her wine. The Dalish had limited space, and to carry all of it with them was impractical.

Solas was tying her things to Hanin's back. She bit back her anger at his apparent rudeness until she saw the Inquisition scout. She quickened her pace, handing her basket to the outstretched hands of another elf just inside camp.

"What's wrong? Is Mia alright?"

Solas shook his head. "The Inquisitor is fine, but she requests we join her immediately."

Cara looked to the scout. The young man barely in his 20's fidgeted on his feet. "What happened?"

"I'm not allowed to say, my Lady. Her Worship wishes to tell you in person."

Cara bit the inside of her cheek and gave him a nod. She couldn't be angry with him for following orders.

She turned to Shariel. "I'm sorry, I guess I won't be helping you make wine after all."

The older woman hugged her. "Someday, when all this is over, find us. We'll make wine together."

Cara kissed her cheek. "Thank you, for your hospitality, and your kindness."

The woman flushed. "It's been my pleasure."

Tahon came forward, a bottle of wine in his hand. "For the road." He held it out to Solas.

"Oh, we couldn't," Cara began. Shariel had already gifted her three bottles.

"Take it," Shariel said. "It's rare he gives it away to anyone." She gave Cara a wink.

"Thank you," Solas said, holding his hand out to grip Tahon's arm. "You have given me much to think about."

Tahon grinned. "Take care of her," he thumbed at Cara. "Not many like her in this world."

Solas smiled tenderly at her. "No, she is truly a rare and wondrous person. Unique in all of Thedas."

Cara felt her cheeks warm.

Ghilia ran forward with something gripped in her hands. She held it up to Cara. She knelt down to take the carving gently from her grasp. A halla carved and stained yellow.

"Thank you, da'len." She kissed the child's cheek. "With this, I will always find my way."

Ghillia giggled and ran to Shariel, and took the woman's hand.

"Dareth shiral," Shariel said. "Mythal's blessing be on you, always."

"And to you, lethallan," Cara said.

They found Mia waiting at camp. All but one of her companions sat around the campfire. She slid off Hanin and handed the reins to an outstretched hand. Shem'nan called with a garbled cry. A shiver went down her spine. There was something eerie to the sound.

"Good, you got here quickly. There is no time to waste," Varric said.

"What's going on? Why the secrecy and why the rush?"

Mia stood and handed her a note.

"Inquisitor,

I am returning to Skyhold to formally resign my position. I feel I can be of better use in the Western Approach with Hawke.

Fenris"

"That's it, that's all he wrote?" Cara looked from Mia to Varric. Their expressions mirror the others.

"Not quite, he left Varric a note."

Varric shook his head. "It's my fault, I should have tried to talk him into staying."

"Why did he leave?" Cara asked.

Varric looked at the ground. "It's complicated."

"He left because of me, didn't he?" she asked.

"You can't feel responsible, I'm the one who wrote him, told him to come here. I'm the one who built this fantasy. I'm the one to blame, not you," Varric said.

"Ok, but there is something I'm not seeing. Why call us back for this? Why didn't he take Shem'nan?"

"He did," Mia began, waving a hand toward Shem'nan, "a scout found him. His reins tangled in the brush."

Cara felt her chest tighten. Fenris wouldn't abandon his mount, certainly not saddled.

She found her legs weak, and collapsed to a stump near the fire.

"He's in trouble." The sting of tears welled in her eyes. "We have to find him."

Mia nodded. "Pick who you want to go with you. I can't leave the Dirth until the undead are taken care of."

"I would like to go," Varric said.

"Of course, yes, absolutely." She looked at each one of them. Dorian watched her, a sad expression on his face. "Do we have any clues as to what happened?"

"I believe I can shed some light on the subject," Dorian said. "Whoever overtook him used magic. There is a residual energy of a spell clinging to his mount. I recognize the ward. One often used to subdue runaway slaves."

"Vints," spat Iron Bull. "This was no accident then, they must have been tracking him for some time. Waiting until they found him alone."

"Dorian, do you think this has anything to do with Danarius?"

"I'm almost certain of it. I hadn't given it any thought before, a single name can be anyone. But you found a note in Crestwood, one of the Venatori called themself Prycis. It is possible he is Danarius' son."

"Well, shit," Varric said. "All these years and that bastard is still haunting his steps."

"But this is Orlais, keeping slaves is illegal, surely he can't think to claim him?" Cara asked.

"He is a Tevinter fugitive, if Prycis has proof Fenris belongs to him, not even Empress Celene could deny him without risking open war."

"Fuck." Cara surged up and paced the camp. Her mind raced, she drew on her memories of Hawke's campaign. Recalled the codex entries on slavery. "So how do we free him? I mean legally. Even if we bust him out, someone could try this again."

"I can draw up a document. If you can force Prycis to sign it no one could claim him. Once processed in Minrathous, Fenris would be a free man."

Cara nodded. "How long will it take?"

Dorian twisted the end of his moustache. "I believe I need only half an hour." He dipped at the waist and returned to his tent.

"And what if it isn't this Prycis who has him?" Varric asked.

"Then we don't need the document and we rescue our friend. Connected to Danarius or not, I don't believe this was a random act. Fenris is too well known throughout Tevinter. Hell, even Orlesians know who he is." Cara cheeks burned when Solas came into view. She took a deep breath and stopped in front of him. "I'm sorry."

He brushed a tendril of hair back from her cheek. "You have nothing to be sorry for, vhenan."

She knew the flush of color covered her neck and cheeks. "I must try to save him, he's in trouble because of me."

The shuffle of feet retreating reached her as their companions gave them space. He cupped her cheek, his thumb caressing along her cheekbone. She leaned into his touch, a tremor of pleasure tickled along her skin. "You cannot blame yourself. You did not create the feelings he has for you."

"No, and I'm unsure of the way I feel about him. I care for you both." She lowered her gaze. She couldn't bear to see the pain she knew her statement would cause him.

Solas kissed her cheek. "I know, and it changes nothing between us. I know what we have is real. It remains to be seen if there is more than just interest between you and Fenris."

Her head snapped up, studying his face. She expected to find a furrowed brow, some show of disappointment. Instead, his expression softened, and she didn't think she imagined the amused twinkle in his eyes.

"We wouldn't be the first elves to enter such a relationship," he said.

Cara's thoughts seemed to vanish with her voice. She swallowed to wet her dry throat. She'd not considered there was an alternative. "I don't think Fenris would agree to such a thing. He would have to be told-everything." She pursed her lips. "I won't hide the truth from him, and I don't see him calmly going with the flow."

Solas nodded. "It is too early for me to form an opinion. So far, he is hot headed and reckless."

"Were you so different in your youth?"

Solas chuckled. "No, oft times I goaded others into anger for sport. Tested the limits of their patients as well as my own."

"He is young, but wise beyond his years. I know you don't know him well, but he isn't as unreasonable as he seems. He has reasons to be cautious." Cara took his hand. "Will you help?"

Solas gave her hand a squeeze. "Unless you wish to also show Varric the truth, you will need my help."

Cara looked at the ground, she hadn't thought beyond saving Fenris. She might have done something far beyond the norm of modern magic in order to see him free. "It will still be close. Three of us won't have much of an advantage if there are more than a handful of them." She wouldn't ask for Dorian, Mia would need his barriers and spells against the undead.

"So, this may be a dumb question." Varric called from across the camp, "but how do we find him? The scouts said the trail vanished."

Cara pinched her lips together. "I suppose I can ask some friends of mine. Though, at this point I'm going to start owing them favors."