Two weeks later

A hurried, "Come in," met Tallis when she knocked on the door to Merrill's apartment. When she stepped inside the cluttered main room, she found Merrill pacing back and forth with her arms folded stubbornly over her chest.

Tallis stopped short. "Is this a bad time?"

"No, no," Merrill sighed. "I'm just… thinking too much. And worrying too much. And… well, doing a lot of too much."

She took a seat at her table and gestured for Tallis to do the same. As the Qunari took the seat opposite her, she cradled her head in her hands and moaned, "How can I look Hawke in the eye after what I've done?"

"What, after you saved her from a homicidal Grey Warden?"

Merrill glared at her. "No, after I managed to screw up her life again. This is starting to become common practice, you know."

She shook her head and stared down at the table again. "It seems like every time I try and do the right thing, I only end up making things worse and ruining other people's lives. First with my Clan, now with her…"

Her shoulders slumped. "Hawke was better off before she ever met me."

Tallis rubbed her chin. "So what do you plan to do? Just run away and never see her again?"

A deep blush colored Merrill's tattooed cheeks. "The thought has crossed my mind. More than once."

Tallis fixed the other woman with a stern stare. "Merrill, we both know that would hurt Hawke far worse than anything you could do physically. Remember our conversation in the markets?"

Merrill stared down at her lap and mumbled, "Yes."

"Remember what you said to me?"

"Yes."

"You said you loved her. And I can tell that she loves you." Tallis sat back in her chair with an exasperated sigh. "Just what is holding you back?"

"I… I guess… I guess I'm afraid that Hawke won't love me as much as the others. Like Isabela or Kylee or… or you."

Tallis snorted. "I'm flattered, Merrill. But what Hawke and I had was a far cry from love."

"But you know what I mean! I'm not beautiful or mysterious or dangerous like any of you. I'm just… just me. Awkward, gangly, messy me. Hawke would have to be out of her mind to choose me when she has people like you."

"That's exactly what love does to you, Merrill," Tallis said with a small smile. "It drives you out of your mind. You don't get to choose who you fall for. It just happens."

"But—"

The redhead leaned forward and rested her forearms on the tabletop. "Let me ask you a serious question. When you were younger, did you dream of falling in love with a human from Ferelden?"

"Of course not! I had… other plans. Other people. I was very different back then."

"And then you met Hawke. And everything changed."

"Well yes, but…"

"Do you think it's impossible for Hawke to have gone through a similar change? To have other plans, only to have them shift when she met you?"

"I don't…"

"And you said before that she was open to you two being together. You kissed, apparently."

"Several times," Merrill murmured with a blush. "But that was so long ago."

"It wasn't long enough for you to forget about it," Tallis said with a knowing smile. "And I bet it wasn't long enough for her to forget about it either."

Merrill sat in silence for a few moments, letting the information sink in. Eventually, she glanced up at Tallis with those deep green eyes and stammered, "D-do you really think I have a chance?"

"I think," Tallis said with an encouraging smile, "that you know Hawke better than almost anyone. And that fact that you're still thinking about her means you think you still have a chance."

"But what about Kylee?"

"Have you seen Hawke these past few days? I don't think the two were together long enough to build any kind of meaningful relationship. She's already joking about the whole story with Varric down at the tavern."

Merrill narrowed her eyes. "How do you know that? I thought you've been busy with your own business!"

Tallis shrugged and nonchalantly inspected her fingernails. "I like to keep tabs on my friends. At least as long as I stay in Kirkwall. Wouldn't want any other crazed Wardens to come running after you."

Merrill chewed at her lip, obviously thinking hard. Her hands were clasped so tightly on the tabletop that her fingernails were turning white. After several very long minutes of silence, she quickly stood from her chair and walked over to her dresser. She snatched up the bottle of brandy Isabela had left her before and uncorked the bottle with a grunt.

"What are you doing?" Tallis inquired.

Merrill brought the bottle to her lips and tipped her head back, taking an admirable swig of the strong liquor. She quickly broke down into a coughing fit and sprayed most of it across the floor, but the desired effect was achieved. A little color had returned to the skinny elf's cheeks and she looked stronger and more determined than Tallis had ever seen her.

"I'm going to do something I should have done a long time ago," she said. She set the brandy back down and strode resolutely toward the door. At the threshold, she paused and turned back. A little of her composure slipped as she met Tallis' gaze.

"Will I see you again?"

Ben-Hassrath were masters of deception, but Tallis was no liar – at least not when she could help it. She had lied to Merrill enough already, and the girl deserved to hear the truth from her lips at least once.

So she shook her head. "Probably not, no."

Merrill nodded, obviously saddened by the news. "Then I want to thank you for everything you've done."

"Thank me?" This earned a scoff from Tallis. "I thought you were still mad at me."

"Oh, I definitely still am. But I'm grateful, too. You're a good woman, lethalan. A bit inconsistent, maybe. But still good."

She inclined her head. "Dareth shiral, Tallis. May the Dread Wolf never catch your scent."

Tallis smiled back. "I'll try not to let him. Now go get your girl, bas. I'll be rooting for you."

Merrill nodded, then disappeared through the door.

Hawke's Estate

Merrill's heart was already racing when she slipped through the door to Hawke's extravagant mansion. Part of her almost wished that Hawke wouldn't be here, that she would be off on some daring adventure. It would give Merrill time to go back home and rethink this crazy idea of hers before it was too late.

But of course Hawke came striding from around the corner at the sound of the door slamming shut. She was dressed in her usual at-home attire; a dapper black velvet doublet with matching pants and expensive-looking leather boots. The entire outfit probably cost more than all of Merrill's possessions combined.

And that's counting the Eluvian! she found herself thinking. She quickly chided herself for being so easily distracted. Focus, Merrill. You're here to tell her how you feel, not to admire her clothes.

She does look beautiful, though…

As soon as she saw Merrill, a happy smile stretched across the human's lips. She walked forward – the confident swagger back in her step – and said, "Merrill! What a pleasant surprise. Can I get you with anything?"

"No thank you," Merrill said. She was already blushing. Creators, why was she already blushing? "I'm actually glad I found you. I was worried you had gone to the Hanged Man. Then I thought maybe you'd gone to see your uncle, but I remembered you don't get along with him and he always tries to steal your jewelry…"

She rubbed her forehead. "And I'm rambling again. Sorry."

Hawke smiled, her soft chuckle warming Merrill's blood. "It's all right. You're adorable when you're flustered. So what was so important that you needed to see me? Not more bloodthirsty ex-girlfriends, I hope."

Merrill giggled. "I don't think so. Not that I've seen anyway."

Her laughter died as the gravity of her situation fell onto her shoulders once more. This was hardly the time for jokes. Her face fell into a solemn frown as she murmured, "I've just… I've been thinking a lot lately… about everything that's happened. And I find myself wondering if I've made a mistake. About leaving the Dalish."

Hawke frowned and folded her arms. "What do you mean?"

"I mean…" Merrill began pacing back and forth. "All of this is so foreign to me. Grey Wardens and Templars, dwarves and big cities… I'm just not sure I'm cut out for this sort of thing."

"You're just feeling homesick. Don't second-guess yourself."

"It's not homesickness," Merrill assured her. "At least, not really. Deep down, I really am glad I left, because if I'd never left the Dalish, then…"

She stopped and met Hawke's gaze. "Then I never would have met you."

Hawke cocked her head, her smile still warm and encouraging. Nothing could be further from what Merrill was feeling. Suddenly, all the desperation and sadness of the past few months welled up inside her. Every doubt, every misgiving she'd had seemed to come roaring back all at once.

"But…" she slowly continued, "but I keep finding myself thinking that I'm not supposed to be here. That I'm not meant for all the adventures and the excitement. That you were wrong about me all along."

Her shoulders sagged, her voice wavering as tears threatened to spill over. "I'm… I'm not like you, Marian. And I wish that I were."

Concern blossomed in Hawke's eyes, and she took a step closer. "Merrill…"

"You're beautiful," Merrill continued, "and clever and strong and you never make any mistakes… but I seem to make them far too often for the both of us."

Hawke laughed a little at that. "I don't know about that. Let's not forget who brought the crazy Grey Warden home to mummy in the first place."

A comforting hand fell on her shoulder and Merrill closed her eyes, focusing all her attention on the simple gesture. The warmth from Hawke's hand, the way it soothed her nerves and quelled her trembling. It reminded her that here, with Hawke, she was safe from all her troubles; from her Clan, from the Eluvian, even from herself.

"You give yourself too little credit," Hawke murmured. "You're stronger than you think. I know. I've seen it for myself."

"You're so nice to me," Merrill said. "I don't deserve you."

"I'm not as perfect as you think, Merrill," Hawke pressed. "I make more than my fair share of mistakes. I'm not some sort of goddess."

"I wouldn't be too sure of that," Merrill said with a weak smile. "Some people tend to worship you from afar, you know."

"Oh? Is that what you call it?"

"Maybe. It makes it sound less creepy when you say it like that. I think." Merrill shook her head, a rosy blush coloring her face. "I… I'm sorry for my behavior earlier. At the markets. It wasn't right for me to spy on you."

Hawke took another step closer, that same comforting smile still gracing her lips. She was close enough now that Merrill could smell her heady perfume, could feel the heat from the taller woman's body. "It all worked out in the end. Perhaps you should spy on me more often?"

Merrill's knees weakened. Was she really hearing this right? Hawke was forgiving her? She had seemed so angry before. So hurt. Could this really all work out, after everything that had happened?

But the hope blossoming in the pit of her stomach quickly died away, along with her resolve. Tallis' earlier words of comfort suddenly seemed hollow, and the happy warmth of Hawke's hand quickly transformed into a stifling prison.

She couldn't do this. She needed to think of someone other than herself. She wasn't meant to be with other people. She'd proven that already, first with her Clan, then with Validation. This latest debacle with Kylee had only made things clearer: as long as Merrill was there, Hawke would always be put in danger.

It's my nature; I ruin things, she thought, the tears threatening to overtake her again. I'll only drag her down with me. I can't – I won't – let that happen.

She deserves better. Better than someone like me.

She turned away, shrinking from Hawke's warmth and moving toward the door. This had been a terrible idea. She had been too excited, too drunk on hope and Isabela's brandy – what little had been left – to think straight. She just hoped she could extricate herself from this mess before it got worse.

She moved further away, but the hand on her shoulder suddenly moved. It drifted upward and caught her cheek, turning her face back towards Hawke. She expected to see concern or sadness or Hawke's seemingly unstoppable humor in those steel-grey eyes. But Merrill saw something different this time.

Her gaze was warm and longing, intense enough to send a flush through Merrill's cheeks at the mere sight of it. She had only seen a look in her eyes like that once before, when they had kissed in Anders' clinic after she was freed from Validation. Merrill's heart seemed to explode back to life, racing in her chest at the mage's close proximity.

She's not going to… she can't…

Marian was so close now, so close that Merrill could feel the first touches of the human's hair tickle her forehead. She felt strength leeching from her limbs, as if she would topple to the ground at the slightest provocation.

Still, she tried one last time. "You're making a mistake."

"Merrill," Hawke breathed, "it's all right. I wouldn't want you any other way."

Those simple words shattered the last of her resolve. The last of Merrill's misgivings and self-doubts scattered to the wind and her body reacted without her permission. She threw herself forward and captured Hawke's warm lips with her own. Her arms wrapped around Hawke's strong shoulders, while Hawke's fell to her tiny waist. Merrill's head was a chaotic blur of feelings and thoughts, with the human woman's words echoing over and over again.

It's all right, she thought. It's all right…

Hawke tasted just like she remembered, her lips carrying the sweet flavors of fine wine and citrus. Merrill drank in as much as she could, clinging tightly to her mage until the need for air forced them apart.

Her head was still spinning and, as usual, her mouth took over before her brain could stop her.

"A-are you sure you want this?" she stammered, fumbling the words out faster than even she had thought possible. "I mean, Kylee was much prettier, even if she was trying to kill you. A-and it's kind of my fault that you two aren't together any more, and Isabela—"

Hawke cut her off with another, shorter kiss. When she pulled back from a now-speechless Merrill, she grinned and said, "I'll take you over Kylee any day. I do prefer brunettes, you know."

Merrill let out a breathy laugh, blushing so deeply she was sure she looked like a ripe tomato. Hawke reached down and clasped her hand tightly, leading her further into the mansion.

Merrill had dreamed about this moment for so long. She was so overwhelmed that for a moment, her legs failed her. She stumbled only a little, then eagerly followed.

The Bloody Blade, Darktown

As far as taverns went, the Bloody Blade was far from the best. Their ale was barely palatable, with only the toughest of dwarven mercenaries able to slug down the dirty brew. As such, the hooded man politely declined any refreshments, preferring to keep to his secluded table at the back of the room. He was passing a circular object over and over in his hands, staring at it with a deep frown and quickly pulling it out of sight whenever someone passed too close.

"You shouldn't be out in the open with that," someone said. The man looked up sharply and reached for his blade. But the speaker, also hooded and cloaked, motioned for him to calm down as she slid into the seat across from him.

Tallis glanced over her shoulder before hunching over the table and lowering her voice. "Any luck?"

Stroud shook his head. "I have not personally been able to activate this device. It is a worthless hunk of carved stone to me. But I have contacts that may succeed where I have failed."

"Oh? Care to enlighten me?"

"I will pass this talisman to the Nightingale, an old ally of the Wardens. If anyone can discover its true potential, it is her."

Tallis was all too familiar with Lady Nightingale and her knack for ferreting out forbidden information. In another life, she would have made a good Ben-Hassrath agent herself. "And what makes you think Leliana knows what this thing is? If what you say is true and it belongs to Corypheus, then it's unlike anything we've seen before."

"You would rather it go to the Qunari?"

Tallis grimaced. "For once, I have to say no. They'll probably just destroy it, and treat my warnings like a maraas imekari. No thanks."

She glanced over her shoulder again. "So what about this Corypheus fellow? Just how dangerous is he?"

Stroud's expression darkened. "If the legends are true, he may be far more dangerous than the greatest of Archdemons. He must be stopped at any cost."

His words were far from unbelievable. Ever since spying on Kylee and her master in the markets, she'd had the sinking suspicion that this was only the beginning. This Corypheus character wasn't done yet. Not by a long shot.

"Well," she sighed, feigning disinterest, "I can't speak for the entirety of the Qun, but if he ever shows up again and you need some extra blades, you can count on my support."

"You have my thanks." Stroud nodded and the circular talisman disappeared once more into his robes. He folded his hands on the table in front of him, as if nothing had happened. "So what lies ahead for you, my friend?"

"I still have business in Kirkwall," Tallis replied. "I'll stay as long as necessary. Then I'll move somewhere else. It's the nature of my duties."

Stroud smiled. "It does not sound so different from a Grey Warden."

Tallis didn't like that comparison at all. "Yeah, well, at least I won't be preaching about Blights and Archdemons while I'm doing it. You might want to re-think your recruitment speeches, you know. Ranting on about doom and destruction with all the other crazies doesn't really net you points with us normal folk."

Stroud tipped his head back and laughed, a strong, booming sound that was surprisingly friendly for such a grizzled warrior. "The thought is not foreign to me, I assure you."

He tipped his head to her. "Maker watch over you, Tallis. It was an honor to fight at your side."

"Likewise. We should do it again sometime."

"If your friend Hawke is half the woman I believe her to be," Stroud said, "then there will be ample opportunities in the near future."

She snorted. "You have no idea, Warden."

Stroud finally stood from the table, gathering his cloak up around him to hide his silverite armor from view. He bowed to her and murmured, "In peace, vigilance, my friend. We have only seen the start of this conflict; it will grow worse before long. Be ready for that day when it comes."

Tallis nodded. "That's kind of my job, you know."

With that, Stroud turned and strode away. He disappeared out the door, into the street. After waiting a few moments Tallis stood and followed suit. She adjusted her cloak around her shoulders as she stepped out onto the street, then headed off toward the docks with her cowl pulled tightly over her head.

After a few moments she ducked down a side-alley and was gone.

Somewhere in the Vimmark Mountains

Kylee knelt in the darkness, fingers trembling as her lord towered over her. He was a monolith of power and rage, and the mere sight of him turned her blood to ice.

"You have disappointed me."

She didn't bother denying it. She had failed, plain and simple. "I know, my lord. But while Hawke lives, her blood still flows. If we require more—"

Pulsing scarlet lighting burst to life around her body, making her writhe and scream in agony. She fell forward onto the ground, curling up into a tight ball as fire seemed to wash over every nerve in her body.

When the pain finally ebbed, she was left gasping on the cold stone, tears streaming from her eyes. The Elder One remained still, staring dispassionately down at her.

"Our plans have now been revealed," he boomed. "And my presence has alerted the Grey Wardens. We must accelerate our plans before they can move to stop us."

A single spidery hand reached for her. "Give it to me."

With shaky fingers, Kylee reached down to her belt and unsheathed her dagger. As she held it up to her master, the ambient light caught along the blade and illuminated the tiniest sliver of red; drops of blood from where it had been pressed tightly to Hawke's throat.

She could feel the satisfaction radiate from her lord as he snatched the dagger away. A deep rumble built on the air as he raised the dagger and swirled his hand over it. A scarlet light sprang to life between his palms, enveloping the knife. It grew and grew, until Kylee was forced to cover her head to shield her eyes.

Moments later, a detonation of blood red light lit up the cavern. Tendrils of lightning raced through the room and a deafening thunderclap drowned out all other sounds. And through the maelstrom, she could hear the Elder One laughing.

When the storm finally died away, Kylee looked up to see her master still standing. His arms were spread wide, but the dagger was nowhere to be seen. It had no doubt been vaporized by the powerful magic that had enveloped it.

Her voice wavered. "Is… is it done? Did it work?"

Corypheus flicked his hand. Kylee didn't have time to so much as breathe before the lightning returned, stronger and faster than ever. It wrapped around her in a cage of sparking, flailing magic. She didn't even have time to scream; within moments the lightning popped and her body crumbled to ash at the Elder One's feet.

He strode dispassionately past the pile of ash, stepping into the light cast by the cavern entrance. His eyes pulsed a malevolent red as he emerged into the cool night air and surveyed the Free Marches stretched out far below him.

"At long last," he boomed, "I am free."

Author's Note: I have to say, I'm happy this one is over. It was a surprisingly difficult challenge to write compared to my previous Dragon Age stories. But I hope everyone still enjoyed it, and I'm eager to move on to the next one. :D

Also, just so I don't get in trouble for plagiarism or something, I have to say that I very intentionally used lines from the game when writing Hawke and Merrill's romance scene. I wanted the scene to feel familiar and show how my story intertwines with that of the normal game.

And with that, I leave you! See you next time.