Katherine sighed wistfully as she stared longingly out of her bedroom window. He should have arrived by now, and it was almost sunset. Was he attacked by bandits? Has his horse become injured? What if he was captured by apostates? The young Cousland's mind began to get filled with worrying images and thoughts about her beloved being harmed.

"Are you waiting for your teddy bear to return from his trip with the chevalier? I heard they attended the Grand Tourney in the Free Marches," Fergus teased his little sister, smirking at her as she pouted at him and stuck her tongue out at him.

"Always the lady, my dear sister."

Rolling her eyes, Katherine got down from perching on the window sill and hurried over to the mirror to double check (for the twentieth time that day) if her appearance was perfect. Hair neatly plaited and tied up in buns? Check. Just the right amount of make-up on that it still looked natural? Check. Blouse, corset, trousers and boots still perfect? No. One of her trouser legs had become untucked from her pacing earlier. She quickly sorted it out before checking her appearance once more.

"I'm sure Howe doesn't care for your appearance, Kitty."

"As mother always said; 'A lady must always look flawless for her fiance'," Katherine snapped in response, watching her brother sit in the chair beside her bookcase.

Their parents and the servants never understood how close the bond between the two Cousland children were, and Fergus' wife Oriana was always extremely jealous of their bond, but that didn't bother the siblings one bit.

Fergus trained Katherine in secret in the art of swordplay, knowing that their parents would strongly disapprove of Katherine learning how to fight. Of course, it wasn't their father they were worried about finding out. It was their mother.

Bryce Cousland had in fact encouraged his children to learn how to fight. Of course Fergus had to, being the heir of Highever, but he knew Katherine would hate to be left out too. Bryce was surprised when he found out that she took to dual-wielding swords instead of daggers; she was clearly more stronger than any of them had realised.

"Maybe you should try letting your hair down?" Fergus suggested as he flicked through one of the books Katherine had in the bookcase.

Katherine thought for a moment; he had always loved it when her hair was down, and constantly played with it as they spent time together. She smirked to herself.

"Screw looking flawless," Katherine hastily unpinned her braids and began to untie the plaits, turning her hair into a flow of ebony curls going just past her shoulder blades. She smiled to herself as she raked her fingers through her hair.

"You always look beautiful, sister. Now don't let that get to your head, I know what you're like!" Fergus teased as he placed the book back in it's bookshelf and stood behind his sister, placing his hands gently on her shoulders.

"Me? Letting compliments get to my head? How dare you think of me to be so fickle!" Katherine giggled as her brother towered over her. She may be the height of most of the men here at the castle, her brother always had that height advantage compared to her.

Fergus kissed the top of her head affectionately, "Look Kitty…"

Suddenly, shouts from the guards outside and the chorus of trumpets signalling someone's arrival instantly caught Katherine's attention, and she darted to the window, already half hanging out of it. She peered around, trying to pick out his face from the cavalry arriving.

Katherine beamed when she spotted his chestnut steed out of the other horses and instantly burst the door open with one clean sweep. She dashed down the stairs at full speed, almost knocking over a few servants as she made her way past, desperate to see him.

Once she was in the courtyard, completely ignoring her parents who were about to greet their visitors in their usual noble way; all in a line with the same curtseys and bows, or firm handshakes and 'friendly' hugs if they're friends. She called out his name:

"Naaaaaate!"

Nathaniel Howe smiled widely when he saw her, and swiftly dismounted his steed before sprinting towards her, sweeping her off her feet in a tight embrace as he spun her around. Katherine wrapped her legs around his waist and held onto him, laughing and giggling in sheer happiness. She missed his strong arms around her.

The archer allowed Katherine to regain her footing, both still grinning at one another as Nathaniel delicately held her hands and brushed his lips against her fingers, rubbing the engagement ring with his thumb.

"Katy...I missed you so much."

A sharp cough from behind them brought the young lovers back to reality. The stern looks from both Katherine's mother and Ser Rodolphe instantly reminded them o where they were, and they straightened themselves up, blushing profusely.

Bryce chuckled, "You cannot get in the way of young love, it seems."

The couple timidly walked towards Katherine's parents and the chevalier, and did the 'proper' greetings to them.

"Katherine, how many times have I told you about manners?" Eleanor Cousland scolded, causing her daughter to simply 'hmph' at her and cross her arms.

"And Nathaniel, that is no way to greet your fiance! Or behave in a such a brutish manner in front of nobility," Ser Rodolphe snapped, his hands held behind his back in his usual pompous stance. Katherine could understand why Nate didn't like his master very well.

"Leave them be," Bryce smiled warmly and bowed slightly towards Nathaniel, "I assume that you two will now go off and catch up by yourselves? If so, please make sure you're both in time for dinner. You know well enough I do not tolerate lateness."

"Of course, my teyrn. I profusely apologise for my previous behaviour. I know-"

"Nathaniel, your father and I have been friends for years and you're my daughter's fiance! Please, call me Bryce."

Nathaniel nodded before offering his arm to Katherine, saying goodbye to Eleanor, Bryce and Rodolphe before departing with Katherine, who was now holding his arm and resting her head on his shoulder.

"I missed you so much, Nate."

The early morning sunrise pierced through the gap in the curtains, causing Nathaniel to groan as he rolled over to bury his face in the pillow, wishing the sun would be banished to the depths of the Deep Roads. He didn't want to wake up, not yet. He knew that the minute he woke up properly, his night with Katherine...His Katherine...Would be over, and they would need to continue their day-to-day without ever acknowledging that last night ever happened.

That night re-ignited the fiery passion that both he and Katherine shared when they were betrothed, and it was if nothing had changed between them. They were back in Highever, before the Fifth Blight, and escaping from Katherine's parents and all responsibilities of being a noble by just running away and spending time together, far away from the castle.

Nathaniel smiled sleepily to himself; she hadn't changed one bit. Sure, Katherine's body had matured with battle and a few scars littered her tanned skin, but she still smelt of that cinnamon and oranges and tasted that completely unique taste that was just...Her.

She also was extremely submissive whilst they spent the night together, allowing Nathaniel to take his time with her, to savour every precious moment he could. Katherine used to be the dominating one when they would...Spend time together...But after being in charge of over a hundred men and women, and having to be so strong in front of everyone all the time, Katherine needed the rest, and needed to be treated like the queen she is.

But when Nathaniel turned to face where Katherine was lying, he only met an empty space. Only a note being left in her place. Howe managed to get himself sitting upright, feeling a dull pain across his back. He smirked as he realised those were the scratch marks Katherine had dug into his back last night.

Nathaniel reached out for the note and began to read:

Nate,

By the time you read this note, I will be long gone. I would have left last night without saying goodbye to anyone but I couldn't leave you without giving you a reason why. I have already done that before, and I guess I owe it to you this time.

The Blight, this sickness and darkness that courses through our veins and slowly kills us. I think I'm onto finding a cure for it. I know it's farfetched, and probably sounding like a fairytale to you, but I know I'm onto something here! And it could change everything! Just please trust me on this, and do notfollow me or try to find me. I need to do this on my own, and I need you to stay and keep everything calm at Vigil's Keep. I know you're good at that.

I want to make sure that no other Grey Warden has to go through hearing the voices like we all do before we go to our Calling, walking the Long Walk to our deaths. Ever since Merrill joined the Wardens, and seeing how happy she makes Carver, it just made me want to preserve such happiness like that. All the small victories add up, right?

It's too late for myself and Alistair. I cannot save us, but I can possibly save you, Carver, Merrill...Those small victories are all I live for now, and I know my Calling is close.

Nate I know you are now extremely angry at me, or giving me that usual broody glare you give me, but this is for the best. I care for you deeply and you damn well know that I always will, but with everything that has happened, I have to stick with the hole I have dug for myself.

Please stay safe, and tell Varel and Oghren that I'm sorry. I love you,

Katy

Nathaniel's hands began to shake as he reread the note, making sure he had left no details out. There was a cure for the Blight? Katherine loved him? So many feelings pummeled him at once as he was literally thrown back by them, his head slamming down on the pillow.

He was angry at her for not telling him her plans and not inviting him to come with her. He was overjoyed that Katherine still cared deeply for him despite being married to Alistair. He was deeply saddened that Katherine had left him without saying a proper goodbye. He was also extremely worried that Katherine was going to get herself hurt out there, and no one would be able to help her.

He should be out there with her, making sure she was alright. But Howe knew that Katherine Cousland was built of fire, steel and passion. She'd be able to make it out there alone, but what about Alistair? Would she tell him of her plans to leave everything behind on a wild goose chase?

Howe sighed as he rubbed his temples before getting out of the bed and got himself dressed in the clothes he wore the previous day, debating on which path to take now.

He could show Varel and Oghren the letter and tell them that she's gone on an important mission that would change the fate of the Grey Wardens. That decision was instantly out of the question, since her love confession would be included.

There was also the choice of protecting Katherine's mission and lying to all of the wardens so they don't send out a search party for her and demanding Nathaniel to show them proof of where she went.

After debating what to do for a few more moments, Nathaniel straightened his appearance and concealed any evidence that he had spent the night in Katherine's room. He now knew exactly what to do.

He needed to find Merrill.