.xxii.

Donnic watches Aveline worry.

It's easy to miss; his lovely wife never makes a show of any of her feelings, keeps them bottled up and close to heart. She sits in the barracks, in front of the fireplace, twisting the gold bands on her gauntlets, staring intently into the flames as if the answers to whatever question she's pondering is are in there.

"Copper for your thoughts?"

She startles nearly imperceptibly at the sound of his voice, another subtle thing only someone who knew her well could pinpoint.

"You know better than to sneak up on me like that," she smiles, a little of the worry bunching her brow beginning to ebb away.

"Sorry love," he apologizes, taking a seat next to her on the bench and leaning in toward the warmth. "How did that meeting with the slavers go? Did you find anything?"

She nods. "They're definitely the ones who took Hawke. On a bounty, apparently. They still had the reward they had claimed. We didn't find out who issued the bounty, or if they're the ones who collected her afterward, but we know that it's a Tevinter Magister, probably one from Minrathous."

"How did you find that out?"

"The reward money. Tevene currency."

Aveline stands and pokes at the fire. Another habit of hers: focusing on a mundane task when trying to figure something out. "I still don't understand who would do this. Who would put this much effort into kidnapping Hawke? Someone not even from Kirkwall."

"Maybe they weren't really after Hawke." She turns and cocks her head at him. "Fenris' former master is a Tevinter Magister, isn't he? And last he told me, the man still had yet to make an appearance. Maybe he found out," he's not entirely sure how to classify the strange romantic dynamic between Hawke and Fenris, "found out about them, and is trying to use her to lure him out."

"But the trail-" she stops, considering what he has said. "Donnic, you may be right. But the letter- a diversionary tactic? False red herring?"

"Whether it was planned or not, now you have somewhere to begin looking. What is Varric planning?"

"You know him too well. He and Isabela are arranging for the Siren's Call II to be made ready for it's maiden voyage to Minrathous."

He laughs, and stands with an exaggerated stretch. "As I suspected. How long until you depart?"

"Depart? I can't leave Kirkwall. Not now, not with Meredith acting the way she is, not with the tension in the city."

"Aveline," chides Donnic, drawing her close and running his hands through her hair in the way she loves. "You're going. We both know that. Hawke is one of your best friends. You would regret it if you didn't."

"But Kirkwall-" she looks conflicted.

"Can wait. I promise I will not allow it to implode while you're gone. But you are going."

It takes a moment's hesitation, but she relaxes into his arms with a sigh. "You always know what to say."

"That's why you married me, isn't it?" She brushes aside a lock of his brown hair, smiling cryptically.

"Among other things. The good looks didn't hurt, either."

"But of course. So," he gives her a knowing grin, "when do you leave?"

"Just a few days. The journey will be shorter than average, Isabela promises. She says her new ship is superior to all others."

"Posturing?"

"She doesn't brag without cause. But that still puts us behind Hawke by several weeks, a month at least." That worry is seeping into her voice, and he kisses her until the crinkles at the edges of her eyes go away.

"Thank you for talking some sense into me."

"You would have gone even if I hadn't said anything."

"Well, you saved me the trouble of running alongside the ship as it pulled out of port." They both chuckle at the image.

"What a sight! Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut then."

"Hush, you,' she commands, nuzzling her face into his neck.

He wonders how he managed to get so lucky, with a wife like her.

Author's Note: Chapter 22 and I'm still going strong! you guys should know that the projected length of this piece is about 50 some chapters. It is a labor of love:)

Nanasawayuri: Twice! Oh my goodness! I'm glad you liked it! This chapter is for you then:D

Avatarfan44: Good! You would not believe how many times I've cursed his name while writing this. I wasn't sure if my characterization of him was correct since we saw so little of him (good thing, too), but if you hate him then I must be doing something right!

Soon to come: The merryband casts off! Bets are taken on who will get seasick first! Anders reveals something important to Fenris! I cry about these full grown men and women! Stay tuned!

Edit 3/3: I'm sorry you guys! I uploaded the chapter but forgot to submit it! I'm a wreck. Can hardly see through my Fenhawke tears, I guess. Anyway, here it is now!