*please read! in case y'all don't want to read this long author's note, i do want you guys to know that i've went through and sorta re-wrote this whole fic! the events are essentially the same, i just retyped it to update the writing style and canon details (such as from the blue wraith comics) and fix mistakes previously missed. there are also a couple of scenes i expanded on, which is why the word count jumped like, 15k before adding this ch. so up to you guys if u want to reread the whole thing, i just wanted to let u all kno!*

now for the rest of the note lmao

*laughs nervously* so uh, how's everybody doing? lmao, sorry it took like, five years, but! here's the epilogue! finally, right?

tbh it took. a lot longer than i thought it would to get the sequel up and running. and tbh, i haven't got a lot to show for it. i was thinking, i'll start posting once i've gotten five chapters written and ready to be posted. that never happened;; i've got 45k of it written so far, but in bits and pieces that i've yet to connect together to make an actual, coherent story lol

idk, it's been a rough last few years, the last one in particular i'm sure it's been rough for all of u guys as well.

but through it all, i've kept thinking about this fic, and the sequel. and the sequel's sequel lmfao. yeah, it might be a pipe dream, but i actually have some stuff written for dai. i just couldn't shake the idea of kagome getting tangled with the events leading into the inquisition! but anyways to the fic! hope you all enjoy~

Part X

Kagome woke the following day to find it already nearing midday.

She rose with a mumbled, quiet groan, rubbing the sleep from her eyes with the back of her hand. Rolling her aching shoulders with careful movements to work out the kinks, her face twisted into an uncomfortable grimace at the twinges of pain shooting up along her neck.

The room was quiet, she soon realized moments later once she'd gotten through the worst of it, and let her hand fall away from her face to take in her surroundings.

Empty.

Kagome's heart tripped a bit, she couldn't deny, when the utter silence of the estate finally registered. Panic spiked inside her chest, constricting her throat — the feeling wasn't so much as fleeting as she instead forcibly pushed it away to calm herself and think.

A glance towards the corner of the room revealed Fenris's bed already made and his things, both armor and blade, missing. She could hear nothing but the noise of the bustling crowd outside rising through the window, and figured, reasoned, that he must have decided to let her sleep in.

A gesture Kagome appreciated, once taking a moment to think — especially after the long day she had yesterday. She was only surprised that she hadn't slept longer, what with how tired she yet still felt.

Gingerly, Kagome climbed to her feet, mindful of her injuries as she rose — especially the ones at her waist and thigh. The salves she had used to relieve the pain and hasten their healing had worn out overnight, and she was definitely feeling them now.

Padding over to the window, Kagome leaned heavily against the frame and looked, taking a moment to watch as people milled about through the city square below as she breathed through the pain.

Kagome soon found herself smiling down at the sight — a few who were passing through did so with arms laden with what must be their morning shopping. She watched as one young man stopped to assist an older woman carrying her load. To the side, a young couple took shelter in the shade of a neighboring estate, a woman leaning down to thread the stem of a bright, yellow flower through her lover's long, flowing dark curls and taking a moment to press a lingering kiss to her temple. Three small children, two girls and a boy, weaving through the heavy crowd to chase one another in a game unknown to her.

She could hear their laughter floating up to where she stood.

But despite the peaceful sight below, her smile did not linger long, fading once she turned back to gaze at Fenris's empty bed.

She couldn't expect him to wait around all day until she finally woke up, of course. No doubt he already had plans for the day — she'd only just arrived yesterday unannounced, after all. And it wasn't as if he could leave her a note; as far as she knew, he still could not read, nevermind write.

Still, Kagome was a little disappointed that she wouldn't get to talk to him yet, to see him, until he returned — whenever that may be.

Sighing, she turned and contemplated going back to sleep for a little longer, her gaze lingering on her own makeshift bed.

The growl that rumbled in her belly the following second was loud and long and heavy, throwing that idea right out the window.

Now she knew why she woke up in the first place…

Another sigh passing between her lips, Kagome decided that she might as well head out instead. Perhaps while she fetched something to eat, she could walk around and familiarize herself with Kirkwall a little.

After all, she was planning to stick around for a while.

It was only on her way out after tending to her wounds, changing her bandages, and getting dressed that she noticed it: on the bench facing the fireplace sat a pale, red apple, shiny and smooth, placed on top of a neatly folded handkerchief.

When Kagome finally stepped outside the estate, hood pulled over her head and the dark olive piece of cloth tucked carefully into her utility belt, Kagome bit into the juicy fruit with a small smile playing on her lips.

Kagome only spent a few hours exploring before her injuries began to bid her to return to Fenris's estate. She'd used the time to roam Kirkwall's streets, Hightown and Lowtown both, to make note of the vendors — and to check out the guards that patrolled the streets.

Not all were from the city's own force. More than a few wore the emboldened insignia of Andraste's glory across their chest plate, proving Caralina's concerns to be correct. It gave Kagome the urge to tug down on her hood even more to further hide her face, just in case any of the pirate's crew were wandering nearby.

Instead, Kagome clutched her bucket of cleaning supplies tighter to her chest and hastened her steps back to Hightown and the safety of Fenris's estate.

She had picked up the supplies while she was out, figuring she'd take a look at the room Fenris intended to set up for her and see what needed fixing up; considering what she saw of the estate so far, it was as good of an indication as any that he himself didn't keep any on hand.

The crowd milling through the town was larger now than when she had first set out, Kagome noticed as she stepped into the Chantry plaza and rounded the corner to the section where the estate was located. She found herself having to squeeze through the thick throng of people, bumping shoulders more than once on her way to the estate's side entrance.

Kagome had almost made it when her elbow clipped another passerby. She winced as she both heard the sounds of someone hitting the ground — a small crash, coupled with the thump of a body falling to the stone and a gasp — and stumbled herself, straining her injuries.

The crowd finally parted ways to give some room, if only barely, but continued to flow unperturbed aside from that.

Kagome wasted no time to help the man she'd bowled over once she regained her own balance. "I am so sorry," she hastened to say, crouching slowly before setting her bucket aside to help collect the man's scattered possessions. "Here, let me help you!"

The man looked to be older but nicely kept with grey hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and dressed in clothes just shy of finery. A quick scan told her he'd been carrying a small collection of books and parchment. A scribe, she assumed, until she inspected closer and realized his books weren't just simple texts.

They were tomes, Kagome noticed as she began stacking them. Old ones too at that, but the faded titles of those that she could make out were written in a language other than Common. Tevene, she recognized, her brows furrowing — Ancient Tevene.

Another book appeared on top of her pile, cutting her staring short, its cover just as worn but blank.

Kagome lifted her gaze to meet another's stare, one sharp and wary. She made no comment about what she saw, instead trying for a friendly smile. "I hope you're not hurt," she said, sincerity in her tone, before rising to her feet.

The man blinked as Kagome held her hand out for him to take. There was a noticeable pause before he cautiously accepted it and pulled himself up.

As he dusted himself off, Kagome took the opportunity to hook her arm through her bucket's handle, as well as pick up the tomes from the ground. She straightened, holding out the stack for the man to take once he had finished.

She caught him staring as she held out his things — studying her, really, it felt like. His eyes lingered on her own for the longest moment, too wide and intense in a way that had Kagome resisting the instinct to fidget underneath the scrutiny. Instead, she tilted her head, waiting patiently and passing it off as him ensuring she wasn't playing some trick.

The mages she met outside of Tevinter and the Circles were often a suspicious, paranoid bunch, and for good reason. The ones in Kirkwall had an even better one to act as such, honestly, if the rumors coming out of the place held any truth.

Soon enough, the man's pale green gaze dropped down to the books still in her hands, as if only realizing what she'd been holding. "Oh!" Swiftly, he took the books from her with careful hands and a gracious murmur of, "Why thank you, you're so very kind." Then he flashed her a smile full of charm.

"Think nothing of it," Kagome replied with a shake of her head. She then realized her hood had fallen down, no doubt from the collision. Her fingers twitched to yank it back over her head — it was only the fact that doing so would cause suspicion which stayed her hand. Clearing her throat, Kagome ducked her head a little, adding, "I was the one to knock you down, after all. Again, I'm very sorry about that."

"It's quite alright, my dear. That's the risk one takes when shopping this time of day in Hightown," the man replied, waving off her apology.

Just then, a man carrying a large sack over one shoulder strode by and came dangerously close to knocking his other with Kagome, grumbling at the pair for standing there and blocking traffic.

Across from her, the man she'd bumped into gave her a sardonic smile, his point succinctly proven.

Kagome snorted, and as he smiled wider, the man tipped his head to the side, a gesture to walk with him so that they would no longer be standing in the way.

"Pardon my rudeness," the man said as they made their way to the side, coincidentally where Kagome was heading to in the first place — near the side entrance of Fenris's estate. "But you aren't from around her, are you?"

Bemused, Kagome shook her head.

"Ah, I thought as such," he mused, and at Kagome's curious look, he added with a small grin, "I have an ear for accents. Yours, however, is one I can't rightly place… Rivain, perhaps?"

"Estwatch, actually," she fibbed. Technically, it was where she had come from. Besides, she'd spent long enough on the island and around the village proper that it wouldn't come as a surprise to have picked up a faint accent.

"That must be it!" If the man had a free hand, Kagome had little doubt he would've snapped his fingers, "I've never met anyone from there before," he added then, eyes glittering with intrigue, "Are you passing through?"

Kagome smiled, ducking her head as Fenris flashed in her mind. "Thinking about staying, in fact."

"Oh, how nice," he murmured, sounding thoroughly pleased. "Kirkwall could do with more kind people such as yourself, dear. Ah, but I've kept you long enough and should be on my way. Perhaps we'll meet again — oh," he broke off, face morphing into a look of contrite, "I'm terribly sorry. I never did catch your name!"

"Kagome," she introduced herself, before adding, "And perhaps we will." She waved farewell to the man — Kalem, he introduced himself as in return before taking his leave. As she watched him disappear into the crowd, a wry smile playing on her lips, she couldn't help but think how nice it was for a change to bump into someone not actually trying to mug her.

A thought which incidentally had Kagome patting down for her coin purse just in case because in this city? She wouldn't be surprised.

Just as Kagome was about to relax upon confirmation that her coin purse was still where she had left it and held money inside, she nearly jumped out of her skin at the dry chuckle that announced itself mere inches behind from where she stood.

"Did you truly think he might've made away with your coin, even after lingering to make small talk?"

"Gods!" Kagome nearly shrieked, whirling around to glare at the now smirking elf standing before her. She wondered when Fenris had gotten there. She also wondered how long he'd been there. "You know how much I hate it when you do that!"

The way Fenris's smirk widened told her that, yes, he certainly remembered, and had no intentions to stop anytime soon. "Perhaps if you paid more attention to your surroundings," he reminded, warm and teasing.

"A little difficult in a crowd like this," Kagome deadpanned, jerking her head at the many people still rushing past them through their tiny corner of the neighborhood square.

Fenris only chuckled, shaking his head. "You are awake," he said after a moment, his voice strikingly gentle.

Kagome found herself drawing closer to him in turn. "Finally, right?" she murmured, lips curling. "Thank you. For letting me get some rest."

But Fenris frowned, a shadow coming across his face. "I apologize for not being able to greet you," he demurred, "I had a previous job lined up for today that I couldn't put off."

Kagome shook her head, quickly waving it off. "I got your note," she assured him, meaning the apple, and the sight of his face lighting up at the mention of it sent her heart fluttering in a way that left her biting her lip. His frown had faded, a faint curve to his mouth left in its place. Softer, she added, "I figured it was something like that."

Lifting her arm, she then showed him her load. "And I got to pick up some things while I was out looking around. Thought I could tackle that room so I'm not sleeping on the floor."

Fenris hummed and stepped away towards the door. "I've already opened up the windows to air out the room and cleared it out a bit," he informed her as he opened the door. He held it for her, gesturing for her to go first. "I was bringing out the trash when I heard you down here, making friends."

Kagome raised an eyebrow at his amused tone as she strode by, not missing a beat, "Speaking of friends, you didn't happen to pick up any of yours on the way out, hmm?"

Fenris's answering silence was telling enough that she couldn't help but laugh. She spun around to face him, walking backwards into the estate now. "At least tell me you cleared them out of the room I'm staying in!"

"It was the first thing I did," Fenris was quick to assure, and Kagome laughed a little more.

Where are you now, Kagome wondered later that evening, as she and Fenris shared a meal in front of the fireplace of her new, freshly cleaned room under the dilapidated roof of his appropriated estate. Her fingertips prodded at the band of metal surrounding her right ring finger.

A pause, and then another, before she finally felt a tingle and a pulse of warmth in reply.

Ferelden, came — not so much a whisper, but a feeling. All right? came another.

Her fingers curled tighter around the ring. Yes, she willed forward, basking in the surge of pure happiness inside her chest, hoping that it would carry. Found him. She paused a moment, then added, Kirkwall. Staying.

Minutes passed before she received any reply, in which she busied herself by finishing up the rest of her meal: a rich, hearty stew from one of Hightown's inns. And a favorite of Fenris's — his treat to welcome her to the city.

From the ring she felt a jolt of worry, of reprimand. Dangerous, it came, soon followed by something cooler, calmer, more wry. Morrigan. Be careful. Be safe.

Kagome felt herself smile, turned her head ever so slightly, just enough to catch the glint of white that was Fenris's hair under the warm light produced by the fire.

As if feeling her stare, Fenris turned, his gaze warm and dark in the low light, and his mouth curled into a shy smile to match her own. The sight of it had warmth spreading out from her chest to fill her limbs, and she ducked her head, twisting her ring once more as her own smile stretched even wider.

I will.

so we're officially at the end! so weird to finally call this fic complete lol, but i'm putting up the sequel p soon so keep an eye out for that! (it's already actually been up for a like a week now on ao3 lol i've just been putting it off bc replacing chapters and formatting on here is such a chore)

now! it's been a while, and since then there's been art! and also some other some stuff like extra scenes and bits, so if u wanna check out the fic's tag (zefyre. tumblr tagged / ttlg) on my tumblr, go for it!

but for the art! since last update: masquerabe (previously daoxlor beautiful-phantom on tumblr), lovekagome (previously kagomes-lover on tumblr) and miniroonie have all created some incredible art since posting the last chapter - all of which can be found through their blogs (i'm sure a search for fenkag would have it pop up) or again, in the fic's tag on my tumblr! check em out, reblog if u can!

okay! think that's it, hopefully i didn't miss anything;; lolol but! thank you! thank you everyone for reading and following and reviewing this fic! and thank you again, janelle, ana, fear, belle, robin, fen, ren, for all the support and encouragement you all gave and are still giving me throughout writing this fic and now the sequel! (esp u babe ) love y'all to pieces

see y'all in the next one~

rainlily