Mariann Hawke leisurely stretched across her large four poster bed. Her hand instinctively searched the left side but found only a small bundle of bed sheets, haphazardly tossed into the middle.

With a little groan the Champion of Kirkwall slowly cracked one of her eyes open and the bright morning daylight, filtered through thin, white curtains reminded her with the stabbing pain that she had overslept.

But where was Merrill?

Hawke slowly dragged herself out of the bed and shivered when her feet came to contact with cold, white marble floor. She hastily tip toed towards a scattered bunch of her own clothing. Her trousers and shirt were there but with a resigned sigh she turned to search for her smallclothes and other accessories which happened to be scattered around the whole bedroom. After a few minutes of tired grumping and huffing Mariann was more or less presentable and with a small prayer to the Maker asking if she could avoid all the servants she exited the room into a long and rather dark corridor.

It took Hawke less than a half an hour to find Merrill sitting in the shade of a large oak tree. The elf woman was wrapped in a green and burgundy coloured blanket which perfectly complimented the autumn scenery of the garden. Merrill seemed oblivious to the outside world, her eyes were intently glued to the thin volume which she kept resting against her knees and Hawke noticed the familiar little line which had always appeared on Merrill's forehead when she concentrated too much on something. A sly idea was suddenly born in Mariann's mind and she silently retreated back, only to take the road to her left and sneakily circled her lover, who remained deaf and blind to the whole world.

"Got you!" Hawke let out a laugh when Merrill sprung up in a jump, her book and blanket tossed aside when Hawke's hands covered the elf's eyes.

"Hawke!"

"I know, I know. But it was too hard to resist." Mariann grinned before she leaned over and picked the blanket from the ground and gently wrapped it back around Merrill's shoulders. "Was that book really so interesting?" She asked and tilted her head slightly to the side in an attempt to read the title.

"Well actually it was the letter which was delivered early today. From Varric." Merrill's face turned unusually serious again and Hawke suddenly had a feeling that the impending doom was upon them.

"Well what does Varric want? Never mind, let me guess." And Mariann cleared her throat as she tried to imitate Varric's voice and accent. "Daisy, I find myself in much more trouble than I had thought. Please tell Broody that I could use his help too. And by the way, I ran out of my favourite brand of beer, could you stop by at the Hangman and secure a keg or two? Oh I almost forgot. You can take Hawke along as well."

"Well not exactly. Although he did ask for help. With Corypheus." Merrill reached down to the ground to pick up the letter and handed it over to Hawke who stood rather petrified at the mention of the man who had cost her so much to defeat.

"He left us a map with coordinates how to get to the place where he currently resides with the Inquisition. It is called Skyhold." The elf turned to look at Hawke who stood silently and still behind her.

"Are you alright?"

"I am. Just a bit surprised that is all." Mariann let out a small sigh as she took the letter from Merrill's outstretched hand and quickly read the contents. "Skyhold huh? Well I don't know about you but I could really use some exercise."

"Indeed. I will handle the packing. I suppose you wish to visit Aveline and Fenris and let them know?" Merrill smiled fondly at her companion and gently placed one of her hands over Hawke's with the letter.

"I suppose I should. Aveline would bug me about it otherwise and Fenris would never forgive me if I did not invite him for a new opportunity to fight someone. Besides. The more the merrier." Hawke grinned, leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Merrill's lips. "Pack some winter clothes, that Skyhold seems to be in the mountains."

"Do not worry vhenan." Merrill smiled and gently nudged Hawke forward. They both knew that should they stayed put their resolve with the letter would sooner than later fade into side track and made space towards some more playful time in the garden.

True to her plan, Hawke almost sprinted back to her bedroom and donned herself in a bit more presentable clothing. After all, daring the streets of Kirkwall could turn into a serious business any time of the day and at any place. Soon enough the Champion of Kirkwall found herself striding across the grey and cobblestoned streets of the City she had learned to call home after so many years. The promising blue skies of the early morning turned into steel grey and by the time she arrived to the door at the estate which Fenris still lived illegally, she could feel the first few drops of rain land on her hair and cheeks. They better leave soon. Judging by the cold air and the rain, the autumn storms will soon roll over the Waking sea, and that would make their journey to Ferelden almost impossible.

As per usual when she knocked on the door there was no reply. But since Hawke had known Fenris for years the ominous silence did nothing else than produce a small sigh from her lips as she took hold of the door knob and invited herself in. The hall of the abandoned mansion still had that same ancient odor of old books, dust and dampness of the stones. Often had Hawke wondered if she would ever see a day come when her elven friend would clean his home, but as the years sped by and the mansion still presented itself in this rather sad and deteriorated state, she came to a conclusion that this was the intended design and no more words were spoken about the subject.

"So is this a social visit Hawke? I do have some spare wine bottles lying around." A deep and rich voice of her friend greeted her and Mariann smiled faintly as Fenris appeared on the top of the stairs which led up from the hallway.

"I am afraid we might have to pass on that. I have received message from Varric. Apparently there are some troubles brewing in the south and he could use our help. Care to join in?"

"Did he give you any details?"

"Yes. Apparently this has something to do with Corypheus. You remember him? We fought him a few years ago."

"Ah, yes. The Darkspawn. Well if that is what is troubling Ferelden then I would be more than pleased to accompany you Hawke. It will be just like old times." Fenris offered a polite smile and a brief nod of his head. "When do we leave?"

"I am on my way to talk with Aveline. Once you pack your things, just go over to my place and meet up with Merrill. I will arrange for the ship on my way there."

"Certainly. Oh and Hawke?"

Mariann stopped in the middle of the hallway and looked back at her friend. "Yes?"

"It is good to be in action once more." Fenris smirked before he left for his private quarters.

Yeah, that it is.Hawke thought fondly as she departed the old mansion and made her way towards the Guard barracks. At this hour, there was no doubt in her mind that Aveline would be there, drilling her people for the upcoming patrols.

It took Hawke several hours to arrange for the ship which would get them to The Storm Coast but thanks to her own connections as well as a few favors called in by Aveline they had their spots secured on a boat called Sundawn's Bounty which sailed under Captain Greninger. Apparently according to Aveline's assurance the ship should be safe and the crew dependable. Hawke had certainly hoped so, she was in no mood to get bothered by unruly sailors. The whole thing with Corypheus weighed heavily on her mind. She kept wondering just what in the Maker's breath could have happened that would include this particular monster. And what had made her even more baffled was the fact that Corypheus was dead, she had defeated him herself, alongside with Varric and others. Well Varric better should have some good explanation.There was no point in dwelling on it now. The Champion of Kirkwall shrugged and entered the Hangman through the tavern's front door. Even though nothing about it had been written in the letter, Hawked assumed right that a keg or two of Varric's favorite ale would make for a good gift for her friend.

Just as Sundawn's Bounty left the docks of Kirkwall the heavy storm clouds finally rolled in and pounded the City of Chains with relentless strings of rain and gusts of wind which joyfully proceeded to rock the ships from side to side like little toys scattered in the harbour. Hawke, Merrill and Fenris all retreated under the deck with their hope for peaceful journey disappearing quickly with each windy assault which threw their ship back and forth.

The crew under the lead of seasoned Captain Greninger made a good time and despite the worsening weather the ship soon made port at the Storm Coast. The little village which served them as a temporal port proved to be little more than dozen of small, wooden houses huddled together around one muddy street. The place looked rather sad and desolate, with all the houses turned grey by relentless winds and storms which came from the sea.

Luckily Hawke's contact kept his part of the bargain and three horses with rest of their travel supplies were stabled under the shoddy roof of what appeared to be nothing more than a pig pen.

"Very well, lets all mount up and head out, we have good several hours of daylight ahead of us so lets put some distance towards Skyhold." Hawke motioned for her two companions and walked over to the horses. She picked the brown mare which looked the most sturdy out of the little herd. She could only hope that the animal would be able to carry her weight along with her plated armor, weapons and bags.

"I...I am not really sure about this vhenan. Are you sure the horses are supposed to be this big?" Merrill slowly approached a grey and brown horse before her, her large green eyes reflected nothing more than worry.

"We are little a short on Halla, dear. But I am sure you will be alright. The horse looks old and reasonable, it will just follow my lead and you make sure to focus on holding in the saddle. It is not a big deal." Hawke smiled at Merrill lightly and tried to keep the tone of her voice playful.

"I'll keep an eye on her." Fenris remarked as he finished strapping his belonging to the saddle of the last horse.

"Alright, lets get moving. I really don't want to explain to Varric that we are late because Daisy here was afraid of her horse." Mariann winked at Merrill who had apparently came to terms with her impending journey on horseback and with a little resignation and a snort climbed up into the saddle.

"You can be really mean sometimes, Hawke." The dark haired elf commented, her green eyes flashed one stern look towards her lover.

"Ouch. I am sorry Merrill but we really need to get going. I will make it up to you. I promise." Hawke smiled sweetly.

"I do hope so."

"Alright, if you two intent to turn this into a lovers quarrel and a make up session I will ride ahead." Fenris grumpily clicked his tongue at his horse and set out from the village.

"Alright, alright. We are right behind you."

The two women lightly chuckled uni son and nudged their mounts forward to face the long and tiresome treck towards Skyhold. And as Hawked had hoped, towards some answers.

Updated: 27.3.2016