A/N:

Thank you all for reading! I know it's been awhile! I got some very good constructive criticism about a previous chapter regarding how Cat was caught by Velasco, as well as how it seemed her friends in the Rose didn't tell Hawke about it. Having gone back to re-read these, I realized I actually do this more then I mean to- meaning that something is in my head, but doesn't make it to the words on the page.

So, part of why this took so long is that I went back and fixed that. There aren't any big plot changes or anything, so don't feel like you have to go back and re-read it. Just some tweaks to make it make better sense with who the characters are.

Sorry about this, but again, thanks for sticking with me! I promise I will not give up on this story until it is done!

Hope you enjoy this new chapter!

"Not very talkative, are they?" Cat asked.

Merrill looked over to Cat with a smile, then turned back to the three wardens across from her. Their leader, Duran, had finished eating, but the two human men were still eating- though they had devoured three plates each to her one.

"No, not really," Merrill replied happily. "I tend to think that all humans are like Hawke, and all dwarves like Varric. Well, the nice ones anyway," she added. "But every time I meet new people I find they are just as different from each other as the elves are."

Cat grinned, seeing the looks her friends were giving the elf. She sat down next to Merrill, giving the three of them a smirk. "I like to think there is no other dwarf like Varric," she said to her friend. "And Hawke is unique as well, though he reminds me of these two fairly often," she said gesturing to the men. She grinned at the sounds of protest from Alistair and Nathaniel at her words.

"Really?" Merrill asked, turning slightly to face her. "I've never seen Hawke eat quite so… um… eagerly."

"That's true," Cat said, smiling sweetly at the men. "That's just a Grey Warden trait actually. You get used to it eventually, though if you travel with them, you might have to fight to have enough to eat."

Merrill's eyes went round as she looked back to the men as if they were going to attack her. She eased slightly as they narrowed their stares at Cat and Duran started chuckling.

"You're giving Merrill the wrong idea of us, Cat," he admonished. He looked to Merrill with a slight nod. "Have no fear my dear, we just never know when our next meal will be, so we eat as much as we can when we can."

"Oh, well that… makes sense actually," Merrill replied, her cheeks pinking at his words. "Especially since Anders never... um… any way…" she stopped, wanting to ask while Duran was there, but feeling as if now was not the right time.

Duran smiled encouragingly, and Cat was swamped with memories of her early days with his group, the same look being given to her multiple times back then. "Yes?" he asked Merrill. "Feel free to speak your mind."

"Well…" she stumbled, still unsure. "Cat mentioned some time ago that you used to… I mean, back when we were… that is, my clan was in Ferelden…"

"Merrill has an eluvian," Cat supplied for her friend, and Merrill looked stunned but then nodded.

Duran's eyebrows went up. "Truly?" he asked Cat, then turned to Merrill, impressed. "I heard that there were many at one time, though they are difficult to locate now."

"Yes, well, some members of my clan found this one deep in a cave, years back in Ferelden," Merrill answered, feeling timid.

"And you brought it here to Kirkwall?" he asked, knowing full well from Cat the story of the tainted mirror, but not wanting to say so, and feeling Merrill would be better off if she was able to get it out.

Merrill nodded, keeping her voice low. "One of my clan, my friend Tamlen… was lost because of the mirror. I've restored it, in the hopes of finding him again… but…"

There was silence from the five of them, except for the sounds of eating from the two men. Cat was going to help her find words again, but a look from Duran kept her quiet.

"But?" he asked softly.

Merrill met his eyes, her own showing her anguish. "But it doesn't work!" Her voice was quiet, but he could hear the firmness in the words. "I've tried everything, gone against the keeper's wishes, but it won't… I can't just give up on him! Not after Mahariel…"

Cat marveled at Duran's ability to convey so many emotions with a single look. He didn't agree with what Merrill had done, but he empathized with her sorrow, and her determination to do everything she could to help a friend.

"I'm sorry," he told her, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand, and then released it. "Cat told me about Mahariel. I am sorry that Duncan came to Orzammar instead of to the Dalish back then."

Merrill reared back in shock. "N-no, that… I didn't mean…" she stammered, horrified that she had implied that she wished Duran has died instead of her friend.

"It's all right," he said gently. "I simply meant that I wish there had been time to save your friend as well. Cat told me that he was stricken with the taint?" he asked.

Merrill nodded. "That's what the keeper said. We were forbidden from entering the cave again, for fear that we would spread the sickness."

Duran appraised her again. "And yet, you returned? For the mirror?"

She nodded glumly. "At first, I merely wanted to look for Tamlen. Mahariel had no idea what had happened, nor how he escaped from the cave. He had said that there was a bright light when Tamlen touched the mirror, and he didn't remember anything after that."

She looked up again, meeting his eyes. "There were a few others that went with me, we wanted Tamlen back. But all we found was a broken mirror. We gathered the pieces and took it to the keeper, thinking that if she could use her magic to restore it, we could find Tamlen, or least discover what had happened to him."

"I see," Duran nodded, understanding. "And what did the keeper say?" he asked.

"She refused," Merrill frowned now, still not able to discern the reason behind the keeper's decision. "She said that Tamlen was gone, and such things are part of the past, and should remain there."

Merrill's eyes blazed with righteous indignation as she spoke. "How could she just dismiss it like that?!" she fumed. "Even if… if Tamlen were gone… why ignore this piece of our history? It is the fundamental purpose of a keeper to protect and pass on our history so no more will be lost!"

Cat's eyes were wide now, not realizing how strongly Merrill felt about this. She had always assumed that she was being hardheaded, wanting to simply finish what she started so much that she became obsessed with it. Now she could see that Merrill had truly wanted to be a keeper, she felt the need to protect her people's history deeply in her soul.

"Merrill…" Cat murmured, putting a hand on her arm in support. Merrill's hand came up to cover hers in gratitude.

"I cannot say what the keeper's motives were," Duran spoke hesitantly, choosing his words with care. "But I can share my own thoughts, if you would like."

Merrill seemed guarded, as if she knew what was coming, but she nodded all the same.

"This isn't the place to speak of things that we would keep secret," he said, glancing around the common room. "And Cat can give you more information into the people and the instance that I am mentioning if you'd like at another time."

"All right…" Merrill replied, as Cat nodded with a smile.

"I had the opportunity to travel through an eluvian," he spoke in hushed tones, knowing that Merrill could hear him easily, though the humans around him would strain themselves to understand. "The eluvian are connected, but not directly to each other unless magic is used to give a… direction, for lack of a better word. Otherwise there is a communal place, a… between."

"So that is where Tamlen-?" Merrill asked excitedly under her breath, and Duran cut her off.

"Yes," he answered solemnly. "There were many eluvians there, one for each that existed in Thedas. Most were dark- inoperable… and there were some that were tainted."

"How could you…" she started, stopping herself as she realized the answer herself. Duran gave her a sad smile.

"Yes, I am certain traveling with Anders has been enlightening," he replied. "I destroyed all that were tainted before I left," he continued. "What should have been a majestic sight, was also tainted for me, when I saw the remains of those that had undoubtedly found themselves there accidentally."

Merrill was silent, and Cat gaped at Duran. That was something new to her. He hadn't exactly shared with her his experience going through the eluvian, he had had her tell what she knew and then he confirmed it. He waited another moment in silence, but when Merrill stayed quiet he continued. "I went through the eluvian a little over a year after the blight ended," he said softly.

Merrill, now understanding, looked up in trepidation. "Did you…?" she asked, unable to complete the question.

Duran's eyes cast down in sorrow before he returned his gaze to hers. "I know this isn't easy Merrill," he spoke softly. "But I destroyed the other side of the eluvian that you have, because it was tainted. That is why it does not work… and why it will not work for you, no matter what another source may tell you."

Merrill knew he was being kind, but all the voices around her were just a buzzing sound in her ears now. Her mind was swimming as her heart sank. Tamlen… I have failed you… was all she could think, as she closed her eyes at the pain.

Regardless, she knew her manners, and she stood slowly, giving a small bow to the dwarf in front of her. "I… thank you for letting me know," she said. She stepped over the bench, desperate to be alone.

"Merrill, can I help?" Cat asked quietly, suddenly at her side. "I could see you home?"

Merrill turned giving a slight smile. How like Cat to be concerned instead of saying I told you so…she thought. "No, but thank you," she replied woodenly. "You wanted to speak to Hawke, remember? I do not want to prevent that."

"We will make sure not to leave until she can speak with Hawke," Duran said as he too stood.

"We are very sorry for your loss," Alistair spoke up, and Merrill noticed that he and Nathaniel were standing as well.

"We will add your friend Tamlen to the names of those lost to the taint among the Wardens," Nathaniel added, bowing his head. "And Mahariel as well."

Merrill had to push her lips together to keep them from trembling, she was so moved. "I… I would appreciate the company then, I am feeling a bit… scattered," she told Cat. "If you could help me get home, I would be grateful," she added.

"All right," Cat said, giving her arm a rub of comfort. "I'm here… for anything else you need."

Cat walked Merrill along in silence, knowing that the company was the comfort she could give now. The dainty elf would speak when she chose, and not before.

They strolled easily, the walk from the Hanged Man to the alienage wasn't a long one, but as Cat wasn't focused on any one thing, her mind and eyes were able to wander. She began to think of the people that had once been a large part of her life that she hadn't seen in some time.

"What are thinking about so loudly?"

Cat turned to look at Merrill, the question coming as a surprise.

"I was just thinking that I haven't been a very good friend over the years to those that are not part of Hawke's inner circle," she replied finally. "It's not something I am proud of."

"You should learn to be nicer to yourself," Merrill said with a frown, surprising Cat yet again. "If you were speaking of anyone else, you would also say something about how busy they are, and all the other good things they do, or even how Hawke keeps them working day and night."

"I am that predictable?" Cat asked, wrinkling her nose in distaste.

"It is part of who you are," Merrill replied. "You see the good in everyone except for you."

"There are plenty of people that I don't see any good in, Merrill," Cat replied dryly.

"That's true," Merrill answered, looking out at the sky, seeming distracted. "But if you had done what I had, you'd be much more angry than you are."

"I think I followed that," Cat smiled, putting her arm inside Merrill's and walking side by side with her. "You think I wouldn't be as understanding about why you've made the decisions you have, if it were me?"

Merrill nodded, and Cat gave a pfft sound. "I may be hardest on myself, but that's normal, I think. Besides, I think your decisions have been perfectly reasonable. You continued to move forward with the information that you had, using the sources that were available. I don't blame you for that.

"Now… if you continue with your plan and disregard what Duran told you… then we might have a different conversation in the future…" Cat added, keeping her tone playful, though steely underneath.

"I don't know what I will do, but I can not continue as I was," Merrill replied softly.

Cat waited until they entered the alienage, knowing she was stealing the words from the game, but using them nonetheless. "You lost one of your people, so take whatever time you need," she said, guiding Merrill to her door. "But if you're looking for elves to save… I'd say you don't need to look very far from your own home."

Merrill looked at her a moment, before glancing around the alienage with a frown. Cat knew it wasn't something to push on, so she let it go.

"Should I come back after meeting with Hawke?" she asked her friend. "Maybe I could fix you dinner?"

Merrill gave a small smile. "I don't know how I would have gotten by without you all," she said quietly. Giving herself a nod, she looked up to Cat. "I'll come to your house, for dinner," she declared. "It'll give me some time alone to accept this all."

"If you need more time, just say so-" Cat started but Merrill shook her head.

"Thank you, but I will be fine," Merrill replied. "I think I already knew, but wasn't willing to acknowledge it. I want to properly mourn the loss, but do not want to dwell too long."

"All right, if you are sure," Cat responded, staying outside as Merrill walked into her home.

"Of this, yes, I am," Merrill replied. "Thank you Cat. You are a good friend."

"She didn't say what she wanted?" Hawke asked, confused. It had been awhile since I've even seen Cat, let alone spoken to her, and now she was insistent that we speak before I leave? It wasn't as if I were going off to fight a blight or something. He rolled his eyes at the thought.

"No idea, but I told her we wouldn't leave until she could, since she was seeing Merrill home," Duran replied.

"Speaking of... Merrill didn't want to see us off?" Hawke said with a smile.

"Not that she said," Nathaniel quipped. "But we had to give some bad news about an old friend of hers from Ferelden," he added vaguely. "She looked like she needed to be alone."

Hawke nodded, knowing Merrill would bounce back eventually. Besides that, Isabela or Cat could tell her that he asked after her, and Merrill would be happy that he did.

"Well, it looks as if we are still waiting on a few others in any case," Hawke replied as he looked around, then took a seat. "May as well have a drink. Who knows how long it will take Isabela and Zevran to get here."

"Cat!"

Cat grinned at the pleasantly surprised look on Nyssa's face. "Hello my friend," Cat said. "I'm sorry I haven't seen you for awhile."

"Fen and Zev told me a little of what happened," she said softly, her smile showing her sympathy. "They promised to tell me when you were up for visitors!" she pouted slightly.

"I'm sure they meant to, too," Cat shook her head, her insecurity at losing a friend easing. She had wondered what had kept Nyssa from visiting previously, and was grateful she had stopped to see her. "I have been a little better the past couple of days, but then yesterday some of the Wardens from Ferelden showed up, and now they are all leaving for a job."

Nyssa's mouth formed an O as she looked to Cat in shock. "Everyone?" she asked. "Are they leaving you behind?!" she demanded indignantly.

Cat laughed fully now, so glad that she had this small and fiery elf for a friend. "No, actually, Isabela decided all the boys should go, and us ladies should stay here for this job."

"What?" she whispered, stunned. "And of course they didn't even tell me!" She looked put out as she grabbed Cat's shoulder. "Did they leave already?" she pressed.

"No, not yet," Cat said, amused and a little concerned. "Nyssa, what is going on?" she asked.

Nyssa stopped suddenly, practically freezing in place. "Zev… didn't tell you?" she asked quietly.

"Tell me what?" Cat asked, curious. "If this is about the two of you, that's not exactly a secret."

"No, it is just…" she paused, looking lost for a moment before a steely determination came to her features. "Are you going to see them off?" she asked, and Cat nodded. "Would you mind if I accompanied you?"

Cat's eyebrows rose, but then she smiled. "I would love it," she replied honestly. "Do you want to come for dinner afterward?" she asked. "I am thinking we ladies should have a girls night."

Cat and Nyssa's nerves grew as they approached the Hanged Man, but each failed to notice the worry the other carried. They had fallen into silence as they moved through the door, each looking around the room quickly, zeroing in on who they had come for, and moving away from each other without a word.

Cat stopped short of approaching the table where Hawke sat with the wardens, feeling practically overwhelmed as Hawke let out a belly laugh. The sound practically bowled her over- she knew she had missed him, without realizing exactly how much his absence had affected her.

As if a part of him sensed her, he turned, and they stared, not noticing the smirks or whispered comments from those around them. Being so late in the morning, there was hardly anyone besides their friends in the room, which explained why Corff suddenly looked around in confusion at the quiet.

"Cat, it's good to see you again," Carver said, standing up from his place- breaking the spell that seemed to be over them all.

"Yeah, me too," Cat replied without looking away, and her friends had to smother their chuckles at her response and Carver's frown.

Hawke shook his head, trying to clear it. "Duran said you needed to speak to me?" he asked with a smile.

Cat gestured towards the stairs with her head and he nodded, finishing his drink in a gulp and clapping his brother on the shoulder, speaking quietly to him before stepping over the bench.

Cat paused, catching Varric's eye, and giving him a questioning look then looking up to his room. He gave a good-natured eye roll, but nodded before turning back to the papers in front of him. He made a mental note to get the information from Hawke later, as his curiosity was peaked.

She followed Hawke up the stairs and into Varric's room, looking around in confusion momentarily at the sparse look of his normally cluttered room. She quickly realized that he was probably letting Isabela stay there while he was gone, so had hidden anything of import somewhere else. Isabela was a known snoop.

Cat looked up at the sound of the door closing and turned, seeing Hawke looking at her in silence, waiting. She brought her hands together without realizing it, her fingers clenching and flexing subconsciously as she thought of how to begin.

Hawke spied the movement, and it eased him somewhat to see it. He didn't want to startle her, so he stayed where he was, but spoke softly. "You only do that when you are nervous."

Cat's eyes came back to him, noticing that he was looking at her hands, and she quickly put them back to her sides. "I suppose I am nervous," she answered, stealing glances at him while trying to appear nonchalant.

Hawke frowned. "Of being alone with me?" he asked.

"Yes," came automatically. "Well, no," she amended.

"Oh, very clear," he mumbled, leaning back against the wall.

"You must admit we left things in a very… awkward place," she replied, making a face which showed her displeasure, and he felt the small seed of hope sprout instantly. "So, nervous about starting in that place, yes. Being alone with you? No."

"Ah," he replied with a nod of understanding. "That is good then."

"I hope you can forgive me, Garrett," she said, finally meeting his eyes. "I just wanted everything to be as it was, and I didn't think about how deeply the… my time away… affected me."

"I think that caught us both by surprise," he replied mournfully.

"And as it is apparent that we can't go back to that, I've been trying to decide what to do going forward- and how we can move forward."

The dread froze him in place, but he had to ask. "And what did you decide?"

"I had a few realizations," she replied, needing to move to get rid of her nervous energy. Her happiness- everything- depended on him understanding. She paced in front of him as she spoke. "But I don't think it was until the morning that I understood what to do."

"You… aren't really making sense," he said lamely, unsure if he would survive much longer being alone with her. Was she trying to tell me we will never be together again? he wondered. Could I survive being so near, and yet never close enough?

"I am sorry," she said, giving an uneasy smile. "It isn't easy to put the feelings into words."

"Try," he suggested, unwilling to settle for less. "What happened last night?"

"All right," she answered. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Last night I was talking with Al and Nate," she explained. "The others had gone to bed, and it had been a difficult day."

She didn't want to go into what had happened with Zevran, so she skipped over that part. "I felt… really alone, even though they were right there. And from somewhere deep down, I just wanted to be held. Even knowing I might freak…uh, be upset, once it happened- when Al asked me what he could do for me, I just held out my arms to him."

Hawke felt himself sink. Her eyes were still closed, but he could see the way the nerves were leaving her and her lips turning up as she spoke of being held by the warrior warden. He could understand how she would feel safe and secure, but still he cursed to himself.

"And that's when I knew," she concluded, opening her eyes and looking at him with a loving smile.

It confused him enough that it showed on his face. "Knew what?" he asked, going back over her words, wondering if he missed something.

Her smile widened. Perhaps in this case, showing would be better than trying to explain, she thought.

"I think I can explain it better another way," she said, as she stepped slowly closer to where he was.

She held up her hand, keeping him from moving as she came to where he had been leaning back against the door. Her face became grave and she looked up into his face. "Will you do something for me?" she asked.

"Anything," he replied, surprised at how close they were.

"I need you to put your hands behind your back, and not move them," she said quietly as they stood face to face. "Can you do that?" she asked.

"Yes?" he answered, asking what it all meant.

She closed her eyes again, looking relieved as she sighed. He thought he understood then, that she needed his help to take a small step- being so close to someone, yet being able to trust that she wouldn't be suddenly touched. It hurt, but he knew he would do it regardless.

And then she leaned forward, and pressed her lips to his.

He pulled back in shock rapping his head on the door, even as his mind screamed at him for ruining his chance. "Cat?" he asked, worried, searching her face without thought to the pain on his skull.

"Garrett?" she asked in response, smiling, then losing it at the look of pure confusion on his face. "What's wrong?" she asked, when he didn't reply.

"What… I … don't understand," he stuttered, feeling as if he were unsteady.

"Oh," she said, frowning now as she realized she had sent mixed signals. "Um…" she wondered how she could reword it all, and decided on the spot to simply be open and honest.

"I need you in my life," she said raising her head to look directly into his face. "Even as Al held me last night, I was wishing it was you. And I thought… we couldn't go back to how things had been before, but perhaps we could… try something different?"

His eyes widened as understanding dawned. "You still want me?" he asked in astonishment.

"Yes?" she asked, wondering why he sounded so surprised. "It isn't ideal to have you unable to use your hands, and I don't know where the line would be…"

She stopped as Hawke's mouth curved into a wide grin, and she found herself smiling back.

"I am willing to experiment," he gave his eyebrows a wiggle, causing her to giggle. "If you are," he said softly. "Whatever you need."

He stayed still, even when he wanted to move closer. She could feel the restraint, and she sighed, leaning forward and putting her forehead to his chest.

"I love you, Garrett," she breathed.

His bleeding heart soared with new found healing, and his own eyes closed in gratitude at hearing the words.

"And I you," he replied softly.

She moved up, bringing their lips together, and she was amazed at how it felt. Comfortable, as they knew each other intimately, and yet as new as the first time. She could feel the familiar pull low in her belly as her body awoke to him as it did to no other. It was hardly the place, and she knew the others were waiting to leave on their journey, but she couldn't make herself pull away.

The other marvel was Hawke. She was struggling to not press him against the door, and the appreciative noises she made couldn't be helping with his own control. She felt her hands on his chest, and pulled them away as if they burned, not wanting to be cruel.

"Maker please," he groaned out, "touch me…"

She hesitated, but her mind was swimming as he took her mouth again, and she let herself obey him, reaching up again. Her hands went up his chest, stopping to press in, responding to the hungry noises he made.

She had meant to simply show him what she thought could be a way for them to be together, but his own needs were swarming her, and she was no longer able to think clearly.

She broke the kiss, and pulled the bottom of his shirt up, getting her hands underneath the fabric so she could feel his skin. His moan of approval pushed her onward, and though she knew she should stop… she didn't want to now.

She looked down, trying to focus on what she was doing, reveling in the moans and panting in her ear. She could tell that he was holding up his head, so as not to cause her to jolt, and her love for him swamped her, even as she trembled.

She wanted him, she knew, even without her body screaming it, and yet she pulled back. The wanting was not the problem.

"I'm sorry," she panted.

"My treasure," he whispered in her ear. "There is nothing to be sorry for."

He lifted his head away, giving her space. Hearing her catching her breath helped his ego, but he knew better than to press his advantage. "I will remember this farewell as the best of all," he teased her, pleased when she chuckled, and looked up to him with a smile in her eyes.

"I'll be waiting eagerly for you to return," she told him.

She stepped back from him to give space, and he held out a hand for hers, happy when she gave it to him. "The thought of you will push me to finish this even faster," he replied, moving their joined hands to give hers a kiss. "We had better go now, or I don't know that I will at all," he said, turning to open the door, still holding her hand.

After farewells that seemed never to end, and mostly because she didn't want them to go, the men took their leave.

Well, most of them… Cat thought as she turned to Fenris where he stood next to Nyssa. She tilted her head, giving the pair of them a curious look, intrigued that Nyssa looked to be avoiding her eyes.

"So…" Cat drawled, "what was that all about, Fen?" she asked the elf.

He turned his head to look at her, his eyebrow raised, and not for the first time she cursed his incredible poker face.

"Exactly as I said," he replied easily. "I will catch up to them soon. Once the pirates show up, that is."

"Pirates?" she asked, surprised. "As in more than one?" Her face split into a happy grin. "Oh I see…" she pronounced, pleased beyond measure.

"Do not read so much into it," he cautioned her. "I believe Charade has decided she needed a change of scenery and took to sailing with Isabela to help out until the captain can get a new crew."

She gave him a look, but just changed the subject. "And you thought Nyssa and I couldn't handle ourselves?" she asked smugly, but stopped when she noticed their expressions. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"Have you seen Zev since last night?" Nyssa asked quietly.

Now it was Fenris' turn to notice the poker face that Cat gave them. His eyes narrowed on her face, knowing now that something had happened that he had not been aware of.

"What happened?" he asked Cat, and she turned to him, trying to look innocent.

"Nothing."

"Wow, that was so obviously a lie," Nyssa said with a little smile to ease the sting.

"Look," Cat began, even as she turned to find a seat, her morning had been exhausting. "We all knew he wouldn't stay forever. In fact, he stayed longer than I thought he would."

"Yes," Nyssa nodded sadly. "But I wanted to have a chance to thank him… and say goodbye." Her head hung, while Cat and Fenris exchanged a look.

"I suppose I would have expected him to at least give a farewell…" she mused. "But that doesn't mean that something is wrong either."

"It's hard not to worry," Nyssa argued.

Cat shuffled in her seat, giving a sigh. "It's probably my fault. We may have had… some harsh words last night…" she muttered, but the pair of elves heard her easily.

"You did?" Nyssa asked, shocked. "You fought? With Zev?"

Cat rolled her eyes. "Even the best of friends can have angry words sometimes," she pointed out, but Nyssa could see the wounded look in her eyes.

"I would have sworn that Zev would never say something to hurt you though, Cat…" Nyssa looked worried as she turned her head to meet Fenris' eyes. "Something is wrong then."

"I do not think so," Fenris said slowly, and they both looked to him. "He knew he was leaving…" he mused, and Cat picked up on the thought.

"Ah…" she agreed, nodding. "So he did what he could to make it easier?"

He nodded back. "That is what I… want to believe."

"Then we will," Nyssa said firmly after a moment of silence, giving him a smile.

Cat looked from one to the other, scrutinizing them. "All right you two… spill it."

The pair startled, looking at her with wide eyes, though Fenris composed himself more quickly. "You want us to pour out these drinks?" he asked, gesturing to the mugs that were left on the table from earlier.

Cat glared, yet he didn't budge. Then she gave an evil sort of grin. "Fine, don't tell me. I'll just hear it from Nyssa after you leave. I can tell something is going on."

He turned to look at Nyssa, and she gave him a helpless shrug. He rolled his own eyes, and nodded. "Perhaps that will be better," he replied, not wanting to keep secrets any longer, but not knowing exactly what to say.

Cat looked around the room, noting that the place was starting to get busier. "Perhaps now isn't the best time anyway," she agreed. "So let's just go find Issy…" she started as she put her hands on the table to push upward, when she suddenly froze.

"Cat?" Fenris asked, wondering what had put that look on her face.

"Fen."

The two elves didn't move, hearing the warning in Cat's voice. "What is it?" he asked softly, his body tense as he glanced around.

"I think… I think it might be your sister. Don't look!" she hissed, as Nyssa started to turn her head. "If she is here… then someone else may be here too," she whispered, not wanting to alert anyone.

"They can't have gotten far," Nyssa said, panicking. "I can run after them- bring them back."

"BALLS!" Cat cursed under her breath. "On my signal, get up and run behind the bar, Nyssa," she said softly.

"What?!" the petite elf paled.

"Do it," Fenris agreed, putting his trust in his friend, guessing as to what, or who, was coming. "Now! Move!"

Just as Nyssa ran for cover, Cat and Fenris stood, moving fast to stand side by side as they pulled weapons out, guarding what was behind them. They stood and watched an older man that was making his way to them with a leering smile and excitement in his eyes.

In between the man and them, a pretty, red haired elf lifted her head, showing despair. "It really is you… Leto."

Cat pushed back her fatigue, her only thought to protect. Both Nyssa from harm, and Fenris from anguish.

Fenris' eyes went wide, as a single memory unlocked in his mind. Of playing with a much younger version of this woman, as their mother worked in her garden. His eyes tracked from her to the man and back again. "So… you sold me out," he accepted sadly as he turned to look at the man that haunted him.

"Now now, don't blame your sister," Danarius said easily, nodding to each side to gesture his men forward. "She is simply being a good Imperial citizen." Cat looked each way, noting that men and women stood from tables and the bar. Thankfully, Nyssa was crowded behind it with Corff, and seemed safe enough.

Though, she cursed their luck that all these people that had seemed familiar earlier were actually with Danarius. At least it seems there won't be collateral damage, she thought, as she noted the regulars were nowhere to be seen.

"My little Fenris. It is so good to see you again," Danarius said, looking Fenris up and down. "It has taken time, and considerable trouble to find you."

"You may want these markings Danarius, but I won't let you kill me to get them back," Fenris said to the mage, who chuckled in response.

"So predictable, my pet, and yet how little you actually know," Danarius replied with a smug grin. He noted how the slave angled himself in front of the woman, and he smiled. "And this is your new mistress then?" His gaze turned thoughtful as he took her measure.

"Leave her alone," Fenris growled.

"Fenris is free," Cat stated heatedly, stepping forward. "He doesn't belong to me. He doesn't belong to anyone!"

Danarius merely tilted his head. "Do I detect a note of jealousy? It is not surprising. The lad makes for rather fascinating company, don't you agree?" he asked with a leer that had Cat's skin crawling. She now knew with a certainty of some of the abuse that Fenris had been through, and it boiled her blood.

Fenris sneered, but before he could retort, Cat cried, "SHUT YOUR FILTHY MOUTH!"

The mage no longer looked amused, though his tone stayed level. "You are hardly in a position to order me, nor deny me what is mine," her told her, his steely eyes glaring into hers. "Even if he were not my property, you are outnumbered and outmatched. I suggest you yield before you get hurt."

Fenris' markings roared to life, the glow casting eerie shadows in the darker areas of the room. "You will not touch her, Danarius," he stated lowly, raising his sword.

Danarius gave a sigh. "It seems you have forgotten your training," he said as his tone and expression turned harsh. "You will call me, Master."

Cat flung her dagger before the mage had stopped speaking, hoping to avoid fighting them all. She thought taking out Danarius would be like cutting the head off of the snake. She and Fenris weren't the only ones that were surprised when one of his men pushed him out of the way, taking the dagger to his chest for his trouble.

"Stop him, but don't kill him!" Danaruis screamed as he put up a magical barrier. It was stronger than the defensive ones that Cat was used to seeing from Hawke and Anders, or even back when she travelled with Wynne.

Cat growled, the adrenaline pumping through her giving her energy that she didn't have before. It was ten against two, and she couldn't leave it all up to Fenris. Danarius was sure to summon otherworldly minions as well.

She knew she needed to get to the mage, or this would never stop. She ran away from Fenris, drawing some men away from him, and giving him room to use his wide, sweeping attacks without worry of hurting her as well.

Cat used everything available, not caring if it was a fair fight or not- not when it meant her life. She jumped on a table, sliding over it as if it were the hood of a car and landing on her feet. She kicked the table into two of the men that followed her, so they had the breath knocked out of them and doubled over.

A third man pushed them out of the way, slamming a hand down on the table to prevent her from doing the same to him. She pounced- slamming her second dagger down into his hand, pinning him to the table as he screamed- and she grinned as she reached behind her to grab her hidden pair of weapons.

She was regretting that she hadn't geared up fully, as her sickle-like blades would have been ideal in this, but it wasn't as if she had thought there would be a fight. She made a split second decision to expect a fight from now on, just as the man yanked the dagger out of his hand and turned it on her with a feral scowl.

"Let's not be hasty," she said, feigning being scared, as she backed up.

"The boss just wants the elf," one of the other men said to the bloody one as they rejoined him to face her. "We can do anything with this one."

"AH!" the third man yelped, as a large mug hurtled from behind the bar and pegged him in the face. "By dose!" he yelled as blood started pouring from his newly broken nose.

"Take that you scum!" Cat heard Nyssa declare loudly, and she grinned. She tilted her head and smiled at the men in front of her.

"Slavers deserve far worse than that," she pronounced, and grabbed the edge of the table as she moved for it. The men braced their hands against it to prevent a kick, just as Cat slid under it. She kicked up at the second man, catching him in his family jewels and downing him.

She kicked out at the man with a bloody hand, but he avoided it, and put his hands under the table's edge and flipped it over to expose her. She rolled as he stabbed down with her dagger, catching the dirt floor rather than her. Cat rolled up and into a crouch facing the man again.

He tracked her movements, and she feigned each way, trying to see if he could keep up with her. He was prepared for another distraction, and she knew she'd have to kill them- incapacitating wouldn't be enough.

Rather than do what he expected, she came at him, crossing her daggers to catch the one he held as he swung it at her. He pushed forward, hoping to stab her, and she thrust upward with both hands, so that the dagger went over her shoulder.

She moved into him rather than stepping back, using her opposite shoulder to tackle him while he was trying to turn the blade to stab in her back. As he lost his own momentum and landed on his back, she dropped her blades, and thrust her thumbs into his eyes.

She ignored the screams, and she used the reprieve to roll away, grabbing her daggers once again, and taking stock of where the other two were. The man with the broken nose was moving in towards the bar, seeking revenge, and the man with the sore balls had made it to his feet, though he looked like he would be sick.

"Quit playing with them Cat!" Corff shouted at her as he flung glasses, bottles, anything he could grab at the man that was coming towards them.

Wanting to argue that she wasn't playing, but she decided to simply finish them off so she could help Fenris. She stabbed down once again at the man next to her, turning the blade, and his screams stopping abruptly.

As she stood, the man in front of her stood on trembling legs, though from pain, not fear. She thought perhaps she would have liked to give them fear… as they did to people they took as slaves… people that they took and held against their will…

Anger spiked, boiling until she couldn't contain it and it spewed forth. She gave a cry as she hurtled forward, swiping with her dagger as she sidestepped the man, tearing his stomach open as she passed.

She didn't see him fall, she was already moving to the next, who still had his back to her. She jumped and kicked out, landing a kick at the back of his legs and causing him to pitch forward. She grabbed his head, cracking it once, then twice and finally a third time against the edge of the bar. She released him, having caved in his skull, and wiped the blood from her hands on her pants, then turned back to grab her daggers.

Nyssa and Corff were staring, open mouthed, but wisely said nothing. Everyone that was even remotely connected to the Champion knew that she had recently been caught and tortured by his enemies.

Honestly, Corff thought as he looked around his tavern. Taking out some anger on a slaver is probably just what she's been needing.

Cat tried to move stealthily towards Danarius as he watched Fenris finish his men, but he caught sight of her and emerged from his protective spell just long enough to summon several shades. She eyed him with malice as he retreated back inside his barrier.

That's when she heard the roar.

Cat turned at the sound, seeing the demon made of flame climbing from the ground as if it were coming out of a trap door in the earth.

"Maker's balls!" she spit, and looked to Fenris.

She could see the shades had all gone after him, so the demon was hers. At least it isn't a desire demon, she thought, steeling herself. She just had a couple pairs of small daggers, and couldn't see how she would escape this fight without some serious burns- if she were lucky.