Chapter 2

Hawke was standing upon the battlements of Skyhold, watching out at the setting sun in the mountain pass. It was a beautiful sight. Back in Kirkwall there were no sights like this that weren't corrupted by the business of the city, or the statues of slaves in the Gallows. The closest thing that he could find was a small grove a few miles outside of the city, at the base of Sundermount. It was filled with flowers and bushes along with a small patch of grass. He and Merrill would sneak out of the estate every now and then, to watch the birds and the clouds, along with more… risqué activities when evening would come.

Hawke was dressed in a simple tunic and breeches, with leather boots. Clothes reminiscent of those he used to wear in Lothering. Since coming back to Skyhold, he had settled into the guest tower, one of many in the castle, and shed his champions' robes. He had been contemplating going down to the tavern to drink himself under the table, but some restraint and the need of air banished the thought.

"How are you settling in Hawke?"

Hawke turned his head to see the Inquisitor approaching behind him. "Yes Inquisitor. It is a marvelous thing you have set up here. All these people, from all over Thedas, come to join your cause. To fight for their world, knowing that if they don't succeed, Corypheus will." Hawke said as the man stood beside him.

"It isn't always great, leading the only group that is willing to fight this chaos." Trevelyan said, "I have made enemies everywhere for the choices I've made."

"Speaking of which, has the Lady Seeker already given you the shouting of a life time for sparing the Wardens."

"No, not yet. But I'm sure it will happen soon." As if on cue a loud crash sounded from the armory, where no doubt Cassandra was throwing something. "Perhaps it will be now. Come on, let's see what is going on."

…

As the duo entered the armory, the noise doubled. They rushed up the stairs to find Cassandra trying to strangle Varric. Quite a sight that would be almost humorous given Varric was using his size to help run away.

"You conniving, little shit! You knew where Hawke was all along." The Seeker screamed in rage.

"I was protecting my friend. So yes I knew where he was." Varric yelled back.

"Even after all you saw, when the Inquisition needed him most, you still lied!"

Before this could go any further, the Inquisitor stepped in. "That's enough!"

"You're taking his side!" Cassandra exclaimed.

"I said that's ENOUGH!"

Cassandra gave in, but she wasn't finished. "If Hawke had been at the Conclave, he could've… he could've…" Finally she gave up. The wind in her sails had blown away.

Hawke took this chance to step in as to prove a point. "I would've died just like everyone else. Nothing I could have done would've stopped the explosion. This is Corypheus's doing, not Varrics."

Cassandra just continued to look down and lean on the table. There was no point in continuing this. Hawke could understand why she thought him being there would've changed something, but there was nothing they could do now.

"Could you two give us a moment?" Thomas said. Hawke and Varric nodded in agreement and took off down the stairs. Once they were outside Hawke decided to ask something of his friend. Something that has been on his mind for some time.

"Varric, I know you will send out letters to our friends about Adamant, but when you send Merrill's… don't mention that I am here helping. I don't want her to abandon her people to come for me and fight."

Varric gave a nervous laugh and scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, here's the thing Hawke. I already sent hers and I may or may not have mentioned you were here."

"Ugh, Varric." Hawke groaned.

"Oh come on Hawke, you miss her to death. Daisy will follow you anywhere you know."

*sigh* "I know. It's been almost a year. I just don't want to put her in anymore danger."

"Well it'll take her a while to get here. Hopefully we can take down Corypheus before then."

The two friend walked the rest of the way towards the Great Hall in silence. Once inside the dwarf and the mage sat across from each other in Varrics usual spot.

"So Hawke, did you do something with your hair. It's less… messy than it was in Kirkwall. And a bit longer."

Hawke chuckled a bit at his friends attempt to change the subject. "Really Varric. I've been around for a few weeks now since you sent me that letter, and now you bring up my hair."

"Well we've been busy, you know. Taking down demons, kicking some Tevinter tools ass, the usual."

They both laughed at Varric sarcasm, and so Hawke decided to indulge his friend's curiosity. "Well it was about this long when we left Kirkwall, I think Merrill just got sick of it being so messy. She actually bought a brush in Denerim and forced me to start brushing my hair back. Let me tell you, she is a force of nature when she can be."

"What were you guys doing in Denerim?" Varric chocked out in-between laughs.

"We went there for quick refuge after everything that went down. Only spent about a month there, but King Alistair was nice enough to let us stay."

"Wow. Stayed with a king. Not bad, Hawke."

"Shut up Varric."

…

Back in the armory…

"I don't regret a thing Thomas. I'm sorry, my feelings caught up to me. It won't happen again." Cassandra said not meeting the Inquisitors eyes. He placed a finger under her chin and gently lifted it so that she looked into his sea blue eyes. Her hazel ones mixed perfectly with his.

"Cass, I can understand why you're angry at Varric. But it doesn't matter now. Hawkes here helping and you guys found me. Hawke being at the Conclave wouldn't have changed a thing. And just because you got a little angry doesn't mean you lost control."

"I threw a chair and almost strangled him, if he wasn't able to run away. I'd say that was losing control."

He laughed lightly at this, mainly because he knew she was right. "Okay maybe a little." He leaned in and gave her a kiss for a few seconds. He pulled away and gave her another warm smile. She gave him a smirk back, but pulled away so that they were holding each other's hands. "Okay, but I'm still mad at you for your decision to help the Wardens. Be prepared to pay later." She gave him a knowing smile as he walked away.

Thomas turned around and slowly walked backwards with his arms outstretched, "Oh I'll be prepared, my Lady Pentaghast."