Chapter 60: The Long Road pt2

Wounded Coast

Deep into the afternoon after rounds was finished at the barracks, Aveline called Donnic in to join her for a patrol of the Wounded Coast. Donnic was none the wisest of the guard captains true motives and left the Keep for their patrol. As they walked out of the city, Aveline could feel her heart beating faster but kept her composure. Not too far away, Ericks and the gang dealt with the bandits and was keeping tabs on Aveline. They extinguished the signal and watched Aveline and Donnic. "So this route's pretty quiet" Donnic said.

"Yes, and it's…real nice night for an evening"

"Uh, as you say, Captain"

Aveline chuckled awkwardly. "Heh, yes, as I say" They continued their patrol.

Ericks shook his head. "Maker, she's bad at this" The gang went on their way and spotted a large camp of marauders. Apparently they were celebrating a successful raid and were digging into their ill-gotten goods. It would be bad news if Aveline and Donnic stumbled upon the camp. Merrill cast a storm of lightning on the raiders while Varric fired a barrage of arrows. Ericks threw a smoke bomb into the confusion as he and Isabela jumped into the fray, slaughtering the confused raiders one by one. When the battle was over another signal fire was down. On the other end of the Coast, they could hear Aveline's awkward attempt at conversation.

"If it isn't done right, the blade can be too soft. Quenching the steel is a vital step that can make or break a sword"

"Andraste's flaming tits….is she wooing the man or giving him tips on blacksmithing?" Varric asked.

"Well look at this way, he'll certainly have a better sword by the end of this fiasco" Isabela said dryly. Donnic just stood there looking bored but smiled out of respect for his captain. It was almost too painful to watch Aveline flailing like this.

"Right…"

"A blade for every purpose. What do you think? About blades?"

"I'm sorry, Captain. I drifted off a bit"

"Right. Of course" They continued on their patrol and the gang continued on as well. The raiders were on to the gang soon enough and prepared an ambush for them. They were surrounded until Merrill pushed them back with a force of magic. The others picked off the stragglers however one of the raiders escaped and called for backup. Ericks tossed an acid flask on the ground and then lit it on fire to create a barrier of fire. Merrill hit the back up with stonefist and Varric eliminated the back ranks with an explosive arrow. Once it was all done the last signal fire was down. The bandits were all dead but Aveline wasn't any closer to telling Donnic how she felt and the gang's impatience was going. So they decided to give the guard captain the kick in the ass that she needed.

"Well, Guardsman, good patrol. I think we're done, and I…" Aveline then paled as she saw the gang in front of them. Donnic looked confused, the guard captain tries to play this off smoothly. "Hawke? What a surprise. What are you doing here?" Aveline gave a smile while she was staring daggers into the rogue.

Ericks smirked. "Oh nothing much, just here for a friend in need of a good kick in the ass"

"Ericks. Don't"

"We don't have all night, you know"

Donnic looked at Aveline. "Would someone please tell me what's going on?"

"You're a daft couple of…Take a hint and bend her over a basin, will you?" Isabela said while Merrill is giggling in the back.

"Captain?" Aveline just gave awkward and defeated sounding laugh. "I…should get back to the barracks" Donnic walked back to Kirkwall and Aveline gave the gang a heated glare.

"I thought we were friends"

"Friends sometimes push and Maker, you needed it"

"I…I have to fix this. He'll file a complaint…ask for a transfer" Aveline said. She then pointed at Ericks. "And you! You're coming to the barracks to explain why you put him on the spot!"

"Double time, Ericks, or so help me…"

"Fine, fine..." The gang headed back for Kirkwall.


Viscount's Keep

Back at the guard quarters, Aveline was pacing around…they haven't seen Donnic since getting back to Kirkwall. "Maker, where is Donnic? I have to…head this off before it goes to the viscount" she said nervously. "Maybe a formal apology. Something that shows the guards they can still trust me"

"Try the copper marigolds again. In hindsight, they weren't the worst option" Ericks said dryly.

"It's not funny!"

"I beg to differ"

"You'll beg for more than that if you keep this up!" Donnic cleared his throat to get their attention.

"My apologies, Serah Hawke, but I need a moment with the captain"

"Guardsman Donnic?"

"Please" Ericks looked at Aveline and she nodded. Ericks walked away as Aveline and Donnic went into the office to talk. Ericks waited by Aveline's office for what seemed like hours, throughout that whole time there was nothing but silence. There was no yelling that was always good but still it kind of unnerved the rogue to not hear anything. Next thing Ericks hear was giggling…Aveline's giggling like a young girl that was new to him. He's never heard Aveline laugh much less giggle before. Then he heard a chuckle from Donnic and Ericks started to smirks, looks like was going to be alright after all. Later on Ericks checked back with Aveline, she looked happy…really happy.

"So, Avi…"

"Guardsman Donnic…did not file a complaint" Aveline said. "This was all incredibly stupid and somehow you made it wonderful"

"You've finally mastered the obvious; I'll take your word on the second part"

"You'll get the chance. I was mute and now I want to sing"

Ericks cringed. "Please don't"

"I just …there's no way I can ever repay you" she said. "Perhaps it's simple. Thank you" Aveline was quiet for a while and then spoke up. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Shoot"

"Was there a moment when you thought I was beyond help?"

"Don't ruin the moment, Avi. It was hard enough getting here"

Aveline chuckled. "Alright, fair enough" she said. "Shout when you need me, Ericks…just knock when you do" Ericks smirked and headed out of the Keep, not without getting a thank you from an extremely happy Donnic.

"They don't call me the problem solver for nothing…"


Hawke Estate

Ericks was enjoying time at home alone, Orana, Bodahn and Sandal was with his mother at a play in Hightown. The play was based on the Adventures of the Black Fox, a famous story about an Orleasian noble who later became a dashing thief and rogue. His adventures - which are usually exaggerated - inspire the common folk who revere him as a hero. While enjoying a book that Fenris let him lend, he heard a knock at the door. He opened it and Merrill came in. "Oh thank goodness you're here!" she said. "I thought you went to the Hanged Man, and I almost went there first but then I thought you might have visited your uncle"

"And I'm rambling…"

"Yes, but it's very cute" Ericks said. "So what did…?" Romulus came into the room, yawning from his nap. Merrill went to the mabari.

"Romulus looks well, a lot better than when we found him" she said. "You know what the Dalish say to their dogs? 'Take the Dread Wolf by the ear if he comes"

"I could tell you a story of the Dread Wolf, if you like"

"Er, okay…"

"Long ago, a clan lived on the Silent Plains. It was a terrible lonely place where the sun was forbidden to shine" she said. "There Keeper had a coursing hound, they had run down deer and hares and wolves together when they were young"

"But they had grown old together; Keeper and hound, and now only dozed before the campfire, dreaming of hunts" Merrill said. "But then the Dread Wolf came, for the Keeper was wise and kinf-things Fen'Harel hates above all else"

"At night, he tried to steal into the Keeper's dreams, to twist his mind and turn him against the People" she said. "But even in dreams, the courser guarded his master. He caught the Dread Wold's scent and gave chase across the Fade" Romulus gave a happy bark. "Oh, you like that part? Shall I keep going?"

Ericks chuckled. "I don't think you have a choice"

"Fen'harrel tried to shake his pursuer, but his hound ran as coursers can only run in their dreams" she said. "Even the wind couldn't have fled that hound. He ran the Dread Wolf down and grabbed him by the tail"

"Fen'harrel howled, so loud that the Veil shook and even the stars scattered in fear. But the hound wouldn't let go" Merrill said. "Neither hound nor Wolf gave in. Finally, Fen'harrel bit off his own tail to escape, and away he fled"

"Ever since, the Dread Wolf thinks twice about playing his tricks when dogs are on guard" Romulus barked. "I'm pleased you liked it. So few animals are interested in Dalish history" The hound walked away with his chest puffed out. "He's a sweet dog, Ericks"

Ericks chuckled. "That he is…I've got the drool on my clothes to prove it" he said. "So what did you want to talk about?" Merrill was silent for a while.

"I couldn't stop thinking about Pol, the mirror and everything that's happened" she said. "I wonder if…if I made a mistake leaving the Dalish"

"Who could pass up life in Kirkwall? The city of sunshine and butterflies"

Merrill smiled. "I suppose if I hadn't left my people, I wouldn't have met you" she said. "If you were Dalish, my people would have a kingdom by now and half of Thedas would be attacking us so maybe things worked out for the best"

"Does it bother you…that I'm human?" Ericks asked.

"No! I'm not saying I'd change you for…I'm making things worse, aren't I?" she said. "I just…I'm one of the elvhen. I'm supposed to preserve who we are, and if I…"

"There are reasons that it's bad to…is it warm in here? Elgar'nan, I'll stop talking now"

Ericks smirked. "I guess I'll postpone making myself more elfy"

"Oh, I don't know, you'd look handsome with pointy ears. Not that you don't now" she said. "The Keeper, my whole clan will object if we if we…not that they can possibly hate me anymore, I suppose"

"I'll apologize to them later. I'll even pretend to be sorry" Ericks grabbed the elf by the waist and their lips locked together as their passion took hold of them. Merrill separated and led the rogue to his room and they made love. Much later they were laying on the bed, underneath the sheets, Merrill's head was on Ericks' chest and her arms around him. Ericks caresses her arms and kissed it.

"What happens now?" she asked. "Are we…what does this mean?"

"You know, we might have to try that a few more times to really get the meaning…" Merrill kissed his lips.

"I love you; I probably shouldn't have said that, should I? I always say the stupidest things…"

Ericks smirked. "I was thinking about scandalizing the neighbors by having my Dalish lover move in. What do you think?" Merrill got up and looked at him.

"Here? In Hightown? The rich, fancy part of the city with no rats in it? And you…with an elf?" She looked into Ericks' eyes, he was serious. "Ma'vhenan…you really are crazy, aren't you?"

"If you're not afraid, then…neither am I" Ericks got up and wrapped his arms around the elf. He kissed her forehead.

"Welcome home, Merrill" Home…that was a word she hadn't felt for a long time, but now it felt right. Merrill teared up as she buried her head in his chest.

"It's…good to be home"

Next Time...Tragedy strikes! Review and Comment!