"Hawke!" Anders called to Hawke as she fled down the stairs in the direction Fenris had done. He turned to observe Arielle laying on the floor, asleep and unaware thanks to his spell. He was torn; Arielle would need him should she wake, but Hawke was after a man that could be completely unstable. If Fenris were to harm Hawke in any way because Anders didn't plan properly for this outcome...

"Go," Sebastian nudged Anders' decision, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I will watch over her."

That was all he needed to hear. Anders headed towards Darktown from the Hawke estate vault. The exit led out to the front of his clinic; doors still securely locked. He ran through the corridors of the poor and up the stairs to where he heard Hawke questioning Tomwise, the elven poison maker.

"He didn't come through this way at all?" Hawke asked with a fearful tone in her voice.

Tomwise shook his head. "He's kinda hard to miss, your friend. I think I'd know if he came tear-assin' through these parts as you say."

Hawke turned to run back down the stairs and ran straight into Anders. "Get out of my way," she said pushing past him.

"Wait," Anders called after her. "Let me help you!"

Hawke turned on her heels and confronted him. "You were supposed to prevent this," she said poking his chest with her finger. "You said he'd be fine. You assured us nothing would go wrong." Her voice began to waiver, her true feelings of panic and helplessness flooding to the surface. "He swore he wouldn't run again! He promised..."

Anders pulled her into an embrace; her struggling subsiding into sobs in an instant. "I'm sorry Hawke," he whispered to her. "I'm so sorry. We'll find him."

All the apprehension and fear of the day was released into the softness of Anders' coat. Hawke's mind began racing with thoughts of never seeing Fenris again. Or maybe something went wrong with the ritual and they actually removed his memories again, causing him to run. Could it be that his feelings for Arielle flooded to the surface and he had to run from her? Was he in pain?

Anders continued to stroke her hair and kissed the top of her head. "You have to be strong for him," he reminded her. "Don't let your imagination consume you."

Hawke nodded in his chest, using her sleeve to wipe her tears as she pulled away from him. "He has to be here somewhere," she said, trying to figure out where Fenris would've gone.

Anders assisted in wiping the tears that had fallen upon her cheeks. "If he went to the sewers or the undercity, he could be anywhere by now. We should go back to the estate; it's there he will return to when he's ready."

"I'm sorry," Hawke said to him. "I didn't mean to blame you, or fall apart on you."

Anders shrugged. "So you owe me a few feathers for my coat, it's alright," he smiled, trying to get her to relax. "He's stronger for having you in his life Hawke. He has come a long way with your help. He will be fine, I know it."

She managed a weak smile. "Not long ago you'd be telling me what a monster he is. You two have come a long way as well."

Anders laughed. "Yes well, I may still think he's a monster; I just don't say it as often."

"Thank you," Hawke said sincerely. "For today, for everything."

"Come on," he said grabbing her hand and moving back towards the vault entrance. "He may have already returned and I don't need my heart ripped out for keeping you from him."

~*~ ._.~`~._.*~*~*._.~`~._. ~*~

He ran, though he was uncertain for how long. Through the sewers as fast as possible, ghosting through groups of homeless and thugs. Stirred sand and dust trailed his path as he continued to move, ignoring the shouts and curses as he did so.

The air and sun was refreshing as he exited the undercity on to the cliffs outside Kirkwall. Out of breath he panted, leaning against a large boulder, and finally his body caught up with him. Without warning his stomach rejected his early morning breakfast, finding its way into the nearby brush. The sudden weakness of his muscles forced him to ground; the stench of his own vomit lingering in the air.

He leaned his head back and rested it on a tree, closing his eyes as the warming rays eased some lingering tension. Though his headache had been banished, his head still swam with new information that caused waves of dizziness and nausea. Worse than any hangover he had ever experienced, the ground never stopped moving even though he was perfectly still.

The stories his sister had told him now played out in his mind with images to match. He thought about his father and the picture of him was clear. He could recall the smell of his mother, the laughter of his sister. The sound of their voices, the feel of their touch, the feeling of love and belonging consumed all he knew of that time. They were a family, he was a part of that, and he remembered it as if it were yesterday.

He could play the lute; he knew this now. Instantly he recalled how to read; more than what Hawke had taught him, and in more than one language. He heard his own voice; younger, higher, before the change all boys went through. And he had a clear picture of what his body had looked like at that time; a bit heavier, less muscle, and free of the white lines it was scarred with now.

Events that stood out in his past were easily accessible; the birth of his sister, his jealousy at her arrival and Mothers attentions. The news of his fathers death; cradling his mother as she sobbed uncontrollably for what seemed like days. Mundane tasks of their daily life while serving Caladrius. This was his life, these were his memories to draw from at will.

He gathered his strength to stand and moved towards the cliff's edge. The sun shining brightly off the water danced before him, provoking another part of his history he dared to recall. Another cliff, another time, another body of water. He stood as the breeze of the Nocen Sea gently tossed his then black hair. Soft hands drifted towards his stomach as he felt her breasts press against his back. He caressed her arms that wrapped around him, closing his eyes to remember this moment forever. Their first time together, and the first time for both Leto and Vasilia.

Though he knew what would happen, Fenris could not stop himself from exploring the rest of their relationship. Their first kiss was clearer now; the sound of Danarius' voice in the market as they embraced in the shadows. What happened after their kiss, the clear memory of it causing his cheeks to flush with embarrassment all over again. The time she spent with his mother and sister, his time training for the tournament, and then the inevitable employ as Danarius' body guard. The many various and creative ways they found to see each other and be with each other...as well as their last time together.

The preparation for the ritual that would brand him for life; being chained to a wall, stripped completely naked and then thoroughly cleaned by servants. Blades swept across his skin as they carefully shaved every part of his body that would be marked. He nearly broke his wrists as he pulled away from them when they attempted to shave his most private area, but a quick spell from Hadriana froze him in place. He never knew she was there; and was even less aware that she had taken the shaving blade from the servant and completed that area herself. What surprised him even more was her gentle touch; she seemed to have some care for him once.

Fenris closed his eyes and forced himself to stop the path he was on. He thought about anything he could to get away from it; went back to a time he and Varania played in the courtyard with his mother looking on, smiling at the both of them as they played their silly games. Focusing on the positive he was able to avoid the ritual itself. There would be a time he would face it, but he didn't want to do it alone. He wanted Hawke to be there with him.

Guilt washed over him in that moment as he realized what he had done. The thought of Hawke reminded him that he had left her yet again. Overwhelmed by images and emotions, and then seeing Hawke within that circle had terrified him with the very memory he was trying to avoid. He struggled once more not to dwell on the thought and instead recalled memories of Hawke. Holding on to their special moments together, he made his way back to Kirkwall to find her, and assure her that he was alright.

~*~ ._.~`~._.*~*~*._.~`~._. ~*~

The door to the vault was kicked open without warning, causing Bodahn to run down the hall in fear. "I'm sorry!" Sebastian called out to him while carrying Arielle in his arms. She was still sleeping peacefully and Sebastian wanted to lay her down in one of the rooms so she was more comfortable.

The sound of Bodahn scampering down the hall brought Isabela and Varric to their feet as they moved towards the vault. Nearly colliding with Bodahn, Isabela pressed herself against the wall. Varric wasn't as dexterous however, and the two dwarves met each other head on. Both brought a hand to their foreheads in an attempt to sooth the pain as Sebastian nimbly moved between the three.

"What happened to her?" Isabela asked as she followed Sebastian, leaving the dwarves to lick their wounds.

"She will be fine," Sebastian replied to her. "Where can I place her to rest?"

Isabela shrugged. "How should I know? I don't live here."

Sebastian sighed and decided the couch was the best he was going to do, the weight of Arielle causing strain on his upper arms. Merrill gasped when she saw the two of them, having remained in the living room during the commotion. "Oh dear!" she exclaimed.

"It's alright Merrill," Sebastian assured her. "I don't know how long she'll be out for; some spell of Anders'."

He placed her gently on the couch as Isabela grabbed a blanket and covered her. "That doesn't sound good," Isabela stated. "Where 's Hawke?"

Sebastian sighed. "Maker willing, she's with Fenris calming him down."

Varric joined them a minute later, a small lump forming on his forehead. "I take it things didn't go as planned?" Varric asked, gesturing for them to move into the library so they didn't wake Arielle.

Sebastian filled the group in on what happened after Merrill and the Keeper left. The concern for their friend was clear on their faces. "Should we go help find him?" Merrill asked the others. "Though I suppose he could be anywhere by now, he does know his way around the city better than I do."

"We're not going to look," Hawke informed them as she stood in the entranceway of the library, Anders behind her. The others turned to look at her as she entered the room, settling down at the table in her usual seat. "He knows where to find us should he need us."

Varric observed the two and their disheveled appearance. "Are you sure Hawke? I can put word out if you want..."

Hawke waved off his offer with her hand. "I can't keep chasing him," she explained quietly. "I don't know what he's dealing with right now, but whatever it is he needs to face it on his own." She looked at Anders for confirmation of her thoughts and he nodded, agreeing with her. "Wait, why are you both here?" she asked Varric and Isabela. "Weren't we supposed to meet at the Hanged Man later?"

Varric nodded. "There's something we thought you should know Hawke," he began to explain what they had learned earlier that morning. "Sol wanted to see you, and with the broody elf situation we figured we'd take care of it for you."

"Thank you," Hawke said sincerely, the mention of Fenris hitting the fear that still taunted her stomach. "What did he want?"

"Those merchants that visited the Gallows returned this morning," Varric continued. "They were trying to sell him some sally petree."

"Sela Petrae," Anders corrected him.

"Yeah that stuff," Varric confirmed. "Sol said it's potentially lethal when combined with what they were carrying yesterday."

"Which was?" Hawke asked.

"You're gonna love this," Varric smiled. "Drakestone."

Both Anders and Merrill clearly understood the consequences of the combination, as they both gasped at Varric. Hawke gave them a curious glance. "What is it? What's so special about drakestone?"

"The combination of the two," Anders told her. "I had done some research on Sela Petrae not too long ago," he admitted. "You do not want to be around when those two ingredients are combined."

"Sol said those merchants brought enough to take out the Chantry if they wanted to," Isabela added. "Though personally I can think of much better locations. Who cares about the Chantry?"

Hawke thought for a moment. "Those merchants we ran into at the Bone Pit...probably a good guess that they were there to gather the drakestone then, and are the same ones from the Gallows."

"And cared enough to take out some Wardens while they were there," Anders reminded her. "Though if the Wardens were gathering the drakestone as well..."

Hawke sighed as she leaned back in her chair. "What have we stepped into," she wondered out loud. "Hopefully we'll get some answers. I have a meeting soon with someone I think may be able to shed some light on that." She stood. "But until then, life in Kirkwall goes on right? Anders, if you want to stay here with Arielle and skip tonight I'll understand."

"I can go in his place," Sebastian offered.

Anders nodded. "Thank you. We'll remain here in case Fenris returns, if that's alright."

Hawke smiled softly. "Please do. We should let Aveline know what's going on."

"Right behind ya Hawke," Varric said as he stood as well. "You coming too Daisy?"

Merrill shook her head. "I think I'll stay too. Walking around the city a lot makes me dizzy with all the big buildings."

Hawke excused herself to her bedroom to gather her weapons and armor. She took a moment to allow herself a few deep breaths, thoughts of Fenris still knotting her insides. Wherever he was, she hoped he was safe and would return to her when he was ready.

~*~ ._.~`~._.*~*~*._.~`~._. ~*~

Aveline was less than thrilled to hear the news about a potential bomb being created somewhere within Kirkwall. Varric and Isabela assured the guard captain that they had people looking into the matter further, but that didn't do much to calm her anger and fear. Hawke had to agree with her friends concern; with everything else happening within the city between the mages and the templars, this new threat could bring another war that Kirkwall couldn't handle.

The rest of the afternoon was spent searching different areas of Kirkwall for Fenris. Hawke had changed her mind about searching for him on the way to see Aveline. Nothing had turned up though, not even a hint that he had been in any particular area. No one had seen him all day, which led Hawke to believe that he had fled the city underground as Anders suspected. She didn't have the time to go outside the city, so the search would have to wait.

The large statue at the docks reminded Hawke of what they had already overcome. The struggles with the Qunari caused the deaths of hundreds, including the now much needed viscount. Apparently there were some that learned nothing from that experience as they secretly planned more destruction. Hawke had hopes that this meeting in the warehouse between the mages and templars would enlighten her to who the key players were, and if she could talk any sense into them.

They walked quietly through the streets towards the western warehouse district. They followed the notes instructions to the correct location and entered as muffled voices drifted from below. Hawke and her companions approached from behind as a mage and templar were in some sort of heated discussion. When the mage looked up and saw Hawke approach, he panicked. "I told you she was after us!"

The templar turned and locked eyes with Hawke. "Keran?"

Keran turned away from her and spoke to the mage in a frantic tone. "No, not her, I can't do this!" He backed away from the mage and took off running behind Hawke.

The mage whistled for the others in alarm. "To arms!" he yelled, removing his staff from his back and beginning to cast a spell of protection around himself.

"For Makers sake will you people let me talk instead of attacking me?" Hawke asked in frustration.

No one stopped at her words however, and the attack began. Isabela threw down her smoke flask to allow her and Hawke's disappearance, and they immediately resurfaced behind the mage and a conspiring templar. Daggers tore into flesh as arrows from Varric and Sebastian flew past them and into more attackers approaching from a distance. The skillful dance of the women and their blades combined with the ranged perfection of the men ended the fight before any of them broke a sweat.

When the battle was over, Keran came out of hiding from whatever shadow he had run to. "I told them not to do it," he told Hawke. "I swear. If I knew you were the one they were talking about, I'd have warned you! I did not approve of kidnapping, not after what I have gone through..."

"Keran," Hawke approached him. "Slow down and tell me what happened."

He took a deep breath before filling her in. "They said someone was spying and that we needed leverage, someone they cared about as a hostage." Keran paused, shame and fear in his expression. "We just got word they kidnapped some elf from Tevinter near your home. Took out four men before they subdued him."

Hawke felt her legs go weak; Sebastian's strong hand at her back her only means of support. Her voice was quiet and full of disbelief. "You would go to such lengths as to kidnap Fenris? Why Keran? After what we did for you? Why?"

"We aren't going to hurt him," Keran told her. "They just wanted to make sure you left us alone, ended this pursuit into what we were doing. Thrask says Meredith will cause open war with the mages if she stays in charge. We have to take her down!"

Hawke shook her head, unable to process what she was hearing. "Thrask is in on this as well? Is this how you templars repay those that have helped you? By kidnapping? Threatening someone I hold dear?" She stepped away from Sebastian's support and closed the distance between her and Keran. "You are no better than the woman you claim to have issue with. Her actions may be questionable, but at least she hasn't resorted to this."

Keran took a step back, the anger in Hawke's voice overwhelming him with fear. "Your friend should be fine," he told her, trying to convince her to spare his life. "They were going to our base on the Wounded Coast, the ruins there. I'm sorry Hawke; they saw no other way. If there's anything I can do to make it up to you..."

"There is," she said to him in a whisper, controlling her anger as best as she could. "You will go to Cullen, now, and tell him everything. Bring him to the Wounded Coast. I'm tired of no one bothering to listen to me, and you will all do so once I'm certain Fenris is safe."

Keran nodded. "Of course. Anything..."

"Now, Keran," she said firmly. Keran said nothing further, immediately running up the stairs and out of the warehouse. Hawke turned to her friends. "We head out now. Objections?"

No one dared.

~*~ ._.~`~._.*~*~*._.~`~._. ~*~

Anders allowed his mind to wander as he watched Arielle sleeping peacefully in his lap. The ritual had gone as planned, right up until Fenris had run away from them. He had thought of every precaution, every possible outcome, and yet things still didn't end the way he had hoped. Hawke was upset with him, rightfully so, as he was upset with himself. His friends had trusted him, and he felt like he let them down.

He gently ran his hand through Arielle's hair, now wondering if she would change her mind about doing the ritual for herself. What memories would she unlock, and would it change anything for them? The way she made him feel, the confidence she somehow brought to him astounded him. He could hardly remember a time without her in his life, and yet she had only been with him a short while.

Anders considered where his life was headed before he met her. Engrossed in writing his manifesto, Justice urging him to help the brewing war between mages and templars. It was recent in fact that he had researched the combination of the two ingredients Sol had spoken of; a plan that had come to him by way of Justice. To really shed light on what mages had suffered at the hands of the templars, something had to be done for even the Divine herself to take notice, and Anders had that plan.

Yet the woman he couldn't take his eyes off of had changed all that. It wasn't that he no longer cared about his fellow mages; he continued to assist them as best as he could. But the passion for vengeance was no longer there; Arielle now claimed all of his passion for herself, and he was more than willing to give it to her.

She began to stir under his touch, and he gently kissed her forehead. "I'm here love," he assured her.

Slowly Arielle opened her eyes and looked up at him. She smiled as she turned on her side, curling up even closer to him "Did it work?" she asked, closing her eyes again as she struggled with the lingering effects of his spell.

"I don't know," he said honestly, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Are you alright?"

She nodded in his lap and settled back into her dreams. Anders couldn't help but smile at the cute expression she had as she fell back asleep. This was what he wanted, he knew that deep in his heart. Arielle had changed everything for him, and he wanted to spend the rest of his life thanking her for it. For whatever reason Justice remained quiet in her presence, he was grateful. It allowed him the opportunity to love again, and not fear that love when it was returned. Let the mages and templars fight their battles without him. All he ever needed was right here.

~*~ ._.~`~._.*~*~*._.~`~._. ~*~

The Wounded Coast was a bit eerie this time of night. With the full moon above them there was no need for torches; the white light reflecting off the sand made their travels quite safe. Hawke spent the long walk gathering her thoughts in preparation for the confrontation that was about to take place. Knowing they held Fenris didn't make things easier, but she couldn't dwell on that for long. Each step closer to the ruins created more knots in her stomach that she had to unwind before their arrival.

"Sebastian?"

"Yes Hawke?"

"Please ask the Maker for his support," she said to him. "I think we need all the help we can get."

Sebastian smiled at her. "Already done Hawke."

They walked down the path towards the ruins. Firelight from campfires created shadows through the trees, and conversations could be heard as they drew near. Hawke paused for a moment as she looked upon her companions. "Do not draw your weapons unless absolutely necessary," she whispered to them.

"Are you crazy?" Isabela asked, though she secured her daggers behind her. "I hope you know what you're doing."

Hawke couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her lips. "I haven't a clue," she said as she began walking again.

"I suppose it was too much to hope that you wouldn't have come here," Thrask said to Hawke as they entered the camp.

She took a quick look around at the assembled crew within the old ruins. A few of the templars and mages she recognized; others seemed so young and lost she wondered what they were doing there. Behind Thrask stood Grace, one of the Starkhaven mages Hawke had brought in years ago. She wasn't too surprised to see her there. In the distance she caught sight of Fenris; his unmoving form laying on the ground.

Thrask's words invaded her thoughts as he continued. "I can't understand why you would side with Meredith. You showed me we can stand up to her," he reminded her. "Please Champion, I have nothing but respect for you. It's Meredith we must see gone."

Hawke sighed at his plea. "Secret night time meetings and grandiose conspiracies aren't going to win this," she told him. "Neither is kidnapping my friends. And please tell me when exactly did I decide to side with Meredith? You're right, without her Kirkwall can be at peace again. But this is not the way."

"I can not release him without your word that you will either side with us or not interfere," Thrask told her.

Grace interrupted any reply Hawke had to say. "She'll never keep her word," the mage insisted. "I say we kill the hostage and then the Champion!"

Thrask seemed like he was about to argue with Grace, but Hawke did so for him. "I have killed dozens of your fellow conspirators to get here," she warned the mage. "All because they wouldn't take a minute to listen to me. Do not make the same mistake."

Grace took a step back, Hawke's threat seeming to drive some sense into her. "You did save my life once. I suppose I owe you the courtesy of hearing you out."

Hawke rolled her eyes. "Thanks for the consideration." She turned her attention back towards Thrask. "You have managed to bring together templars and mages for a common purpose," Hawke began. "Am I correct in assuming that your main goal is to be rid of Meredith?"

Thrask nodded. "She is out of control, and her reign must end."

Hawke walked towards Fenris, needing to be closer to him even if she couldn't yet touch him. "And when that is done?" she asked turning back around to face the others. "Do you all plan to go back to the way it was? Templars in charge of mages?"

"Under a better ruler, yes," Thrask stated.

Apparently Grace had other plans. "No, no we can't do that. This was to fight for our freedom, the freedom of all mages!"

"That is not a fight that you will win," Hawke said calmly. "You should take a closer look at what you have created here. Templars will always be responsible for overseeing mages and their training, but you could change the way it is done." Hawke dared to glance at Sebastian, who nodded his head for her to continue. "If you can work together as you are now, there is no reason why you can't work together within the Gallows to make it a better environment for everyone."

"Even if that were possible," Thrask countered, "we can not do so with Meredith in charge. She has become a tyrant, coming down on the mages harsher than she ever has before."

Hawke crossed her arms. "Do your templars have no free will to disobey her orders? You do not need the mages to assist you in overthrowing Meredith. You need the support of your fellow templars."

"Which you might have had if you came to me first," Cullen said as he approached the ruins, Keran following behind. Hawke dared a sigh of relief at seeing the knight captain.

"Your loyalty to her is clear," Grace argued with Cullen. "You do whatever she says, that's why Thrask didn't turn to you."

"On the contrary," Cullen informed her. "I asked the Champion to look into what was going on so I could offer my assistance. I agree Meredith may need to be removed from her position, but as Hawke stated it will require all of us to do so."

"You can only benefit from communicating with each other," Hawke told them. "I will assist in any way I can, you have my word. But I will not tolerate you harming anyone else like this again."

Thrask nodded to Grace, who moved towards Hawke and Fenris. "My apologies Champion; you do not know what it is like living with Meredith's threats on a daily basis. It is only a matter of time before she calls for all of us to be made tranquil, and I would rather die than allow that to happen."

Hawke placed her hand on Grace's shoulder. "That's not going to happen Grace," she said as she looked towards Cullen for confirmation. He nodded quietly.

Grace knelt down in front of Fenris. "He's held by blood magic," Grace informed them. "It is the only way to release him."

Cullen gave a disappointed glance towards Thrask but allowed the action. "Do it," he told her.

Hawke watched as the mage brought the blade to her arm and slit her wrist. A negative energy surrounded them briefly as she cast a spell towards Fenris. Instantly he began to stir and Hawke knelt beside him. "Fenris?"

He opened his eyes and looked at her. "Hawke?"

She smiled, refusing to allow the other to see her tears and how close they nearly came to getting anything they wanted from her for his release. "I'll explain later," she told him. "Can you stand?"

He nodded, and with Hawke's assistance Fenris stood. It took him a moment to realize his surroundings, and his grasp of Hawke's hand tightened. She squeezed back gently. "It's been a long day for all of us I'm sure," Hawke spoke to the others. "Perhaps it's best if you head back to the city before Meredith realizes you are all gone."

Cullen agreed. "If you have the time Hawke, please find me in the Gallows tomorrow and we can discuss future plans."

"Of course," she told him. "Thank you."

Cullen nodded as he gathered the other templars and mages to head back to Kirkwall. Hawke then addressed her companions. "Please make sure they all get back to the city in one piece. I need to fill Fenris in on what happened."

Varric eyed the couple suspiciously but said nothing as he followed the mages and templars a short distance away. Isabela and Sebastian followed in silence, realizing Hawke was trying to get rid of them to be alone with Fenris.

Once they were out of earshot, Varric spoke. "So, any ideas how Hawke is planning to take down Meredith?"

Isabela laughed. "Is that what she said she was doing? I was too busy dreaming about the knight captain not wearing any armor. I've always wanted a templar...do you think he's available?"

"Somehow Rivaini, I think if you wanted him bad enough you'd get him," Varric told her. "Though it's not a question of availability. I think the templars do as much of that as choir boy here."

Sebastian chuckled at Varric's comment. "I have done more than my share of that before becoming a brother."

"Why couldn't I have known you then?" Isabela sighed as they continued back to the city.

~*~ ._.~`~._.*~*~*._.~`~._. ~*~

Hawke released Fenris' hand and walked towards one of the large stones that stood tall in the cove. Fenris couldn't help but smile as she knelt down and began digging into the sand, a sight that had become very familiar to him. "Here?"

She turned to briefly smile at him before returning to her task, moments later retrieving a box of provisions she had hidden there years ago. Fenris moved to help her pull the box from the ground, their combined strength withdrawing it with ease. "Not too much in this one I'm afraid," she informed him. "A few blankets in case I ever got stuck here; it's a bit far from my other one that has the good stuff."

Fenris said nothing as she opened the box, and he assisted her as she laid out one of the blankets near the fire. Though Hawke tried to make it seem as normal as possible, the uneasiness between them weighed heavily on him. "I'm sorry," Fenris finally said to her before they sat down. "I was on my way back when they grabbed me; I was unable to stop them."

"You were?" Hawke asked for confirmation, finding herself surprised at the admission.

"Yes," he said as he sat down and waited for her to do the same.

Hawke settled on the blanket next to him, removing her boots and weapons for comfort. "Can you tell me what happened? What you remember?"

Fenris looked into the fire. "I remember everything," he informed her.

She planned her words carefully before asking. "Was it like before?"

He turned to look at her. "You mean the night we were together?" Hawke nodded. "No, it was not like that. That night the images came and went so fast I could not hold on to them. Now? My memories are there as if they always were. I suppose it is difficult to explain."

"No, you're doing fine, that makes sense," Hawke said to him. "I thought maybe it was the same because you ran," she said honestly.

Fenris looked away from her again, not wishing to burden her with more of his pain. "I promised you I would not run again, and when I realized I had, I returned. At least I tried to."

"It's okay," Hawke assured him. "You're here now; that's all that matters to me."

"To me as well," Fenris said as he brought his hand to her face. He closed his eyes as his thumb moved across her cheek. "I have wished for this moment for a long time," he told her. "You have no idea what this feels like."

"What do you mean?" Hawke whispered, clearly missing the intent behind his words as she got lost in the gentleness of his touch.

He stared into her eyes with passion and desire, enough so that she felt her face flush. "To touch you as a whole man," he responded, taking his other hand and intertwining his fingers in hers. "The thought of being with you without fear; having you without consequence..."

Hawke didn't allow him to continue his thought as she moved into him, pressing her mouth to his. He greedily accepted the warmth of her tongue on his, the feel of her longing and need flowing through them. For so long he hesitated to do this again with her; the one time he did, forgotten memories surfaced once more.

This time it would be different. Now they would come together in ways he had only dreamed of, being able to focus on everything she needed from him and more. He would enjoy the softness of her skin, the scent of her desire for him, the taste of her wanting. The blissful sound of her voice calling his name as he devoured her.

And after he took his time rediscovering every inch of her, their bodies would become one, and nothing would break that connection. He would look into her eyes the entire time; showing her exactly what she meant to him through his fast and slow pace of love and need. They would hold hands as he pushed into her, giving her everything he had.

The tears she would shed briefly in the pure bliss of the moment he would kiss away, knowing how much this time together meant to her as much as him. His passion and need for her was felt in every touch, every kiss, every thrust. When they reached their climax together, and he held her in his arms, she whispered the words she had been so frightened to say until now. "I love you Fenris," she whispered. "I love you so much it hurts."

Her brave warrior would kiss her softly, her tears falling onto their lips as they once again tasted each other. "And I you," he told her as they briefly parted before coming together again, and several more times after that before the sun rose.