The last pre-written chapter, guys, but I'm not steping away from my keyboard. :)

I like this part, 'cause I've managed to 'implant' some parts of my Grey Warden history into the fic. Do you know where does the quotation come from?

There's also a bit of fluffy Varric/Merrill - the pairing that definitely deservs more love - and implied Hawke/Arishok :D (fun, fun, fun!)

Of course, the world and its habitants don't belong to me. :)

Enjoy!

They don't talk about none of it again and everything slowly returns to the previous state. Since the comeback from expedition and reclaiming Hawke's nobility status, their little group gets some recognition. The coin's better, work not so dirty (not any less dangerous, though) and there's much more free time to spend. So every other free evening they meet at the Hanged Man to drink, play cards and simply appreciate the slow pace of life in the Lowtown. As 'brooding' as Fenris might be (according to Varric) he likes those nights filled with laugh, Isabella's dirty jokes, which make Merril blush and choke on her drinks, the never-ending gossips on every possible topic and lots of alcohol.

That's one of the evenings, when he leaves his mansion and takes a slow walk to the Hanged Man. The weather's perfect, warm with a perfectly clear sky and round moon shining brightly upon it. A big sword speaks louder than any words, so he can enjoy that without worrying about local thugs. But as he is about to set a foot in the tavern, someone's firm hands grab him from behind, shutting his mouth and drag him away to the dark corner. He feels a warm breath on his neck smelling sweet and spicy... and he recognizes it.

'What the hell got into you, woman?!' He yells as Isabella frees him.

'Shh...!' She puts hand on his mouth again and looks around in panic. 'I've sent a message to everybody - didn't you get yours?'

'I've got it but have you ever seen any tevinter slave reading?'

'Oh, boy... I knew I forgot something. Nevertheless, we have to go. Now.' She takes his arm and drags him to an alley behind them.

'Will you stop touching me, already?!' He whispers furiously. 'And what's going on actually?'

'Okay, okay, I'll tell you everything in a minute, just move, please, and don't start glowing or whatever it is that you do...'

'So?' He asks after a while. 'What did you steal this time?'

'Is it that obvious? Really?' She sounds a bit disappointed. 'Well... Let's just say there was a guy who... dropped something couple of years ago. I found his... thing but sold it right away. He arrived in Kirkwall this morning and will be leaving soon, so if I play it smart he'll never know I'm here.'

'But what did you-... Wait.' He shakes his head. 'Forget I was asking. I don't want to know.'

'Good boy. You're learning fast.' She winks. 'So tell me - how's the life in a posh mansion?'

'Better than I expected, actually. Except for some tax collectors frequently knocking on my door. I presume I'll have to do something about that soon.'

'Tax collectors, you say? Hmmm... Maybe I might be able to help.' She catches his attention.

'What do you want for it?'

'Want?' She asks with a fake astonishment. 'You wound me, Fenris.'

'Really.' He says and Isabella laughs.

'I might or might not ask you for a favour in the future.' She smiles meaningfully. 'But I'll wait for the right time and occasion.'

Fenris starts regretting, that he ever asked about it when they suddenly stop.

'Oh, here we are, at last. I hope, the rest is already waiting.' Isabella starts walking towards the door that look strangely familiar.

He looks around and can't believe his eyes. They're in the Red Lights district, outside the Blooming Rose. Fenris doubts anyone of the group would show up in a spot like that, but as he arrives in the brothel's main room, he has to admit he underestimated his companions. They're all there, sitting at a big table, laughing and drinking. Even guard-captain Aveline stands nearby talking to some rather gaudily dressed gentleman, giggling and blushing like a little girl.

'Look who's here!' Varric shouts and everybody turns their heads into his direction. 'Isn't that my favourite broo-'

'Shut it, Varric.' He says with a smile. 'Is beer any good?'

'You bet, elf. Those Hightown bastards know what they're doing.' Dwarf raises his glass and drains the remaining half of its contents in a single swig. 'Make it two.' He waves at a scantily clad maid.

The night spent at the brothel, though full of fun, makes him aware how lonely they all are underneath armours, without swords and spells. Every single one of them lost something that was irreplaceable, whether it was a hometown, a clan, a ship, a brother, a husband...

'She reminds me a great deal of my friend, you know?' Anders' voice interrupts his thinking. Fenris supposes the mage is just drunk, but the look on his face is strangely sober.

'Who does?' He asks being quite sober himself.

'Hawke. Look at her.' He smiles. Fenris notices his companion standing nearby with Isabella and some elven woman, having rather...flirty conversation by the looks of it.

'Did you really travelled with a Ferelden Hero?' He never believed it any more than one of the Varric's stories, but something tells him there's more to it than a simple lie.

'Not before the end of the Blight. Those times I only know from her stories. But as a commander she saved my life and made me one of the Grey Wardens.' Anders sighs heavily. They're not considered best friends on a daily basis but this time Fenris decides to stay quiet and listen to the mage's story. 'She was an elven mage from the Circle, you know? Sure you know. Everybody in Thedas heard it. Heroic Grey Warden - righteous, brave and vigilant in the times of treason and despair. Let me tell you one thing, though, she certainly knew how to have fun.' Anders pauses and Fenris catches a glimpse of Hawke disappearing in some private room with two other women.

'Rumor has it she even conquered king Allistair's bedroom.' He adds.

'I asked her that one evening. There was no Justice to hold me back at the time, or should I say, he wasn't sitting in my head.' Anders replies thoughtfully as if he is trying to remember it in every possible detail. 'She suddenly stopped smiling, you know? And said that one wise person told her once that... Wait a minute, so I don't make a mistake...' He stops for a seconds to think. 'A Grey Warden cannot afford to be selfish. You may be forced to make a choice between saving your love and saving everyone else, and then what would you do?'

It's just a story and stupid quote but it gets Fenris thinking as if the question was meant for himself. He's no Warden and there's nothing left in this world he could love, but if there was - what would be his answer?

'She said at the time there was no thinking of anything but surviving and ending the Blight. If there was something that made life more bearable, she took it, knowing there could be no tomorrow for regrets or second thoughts. But eventually the time came and-... I just think she really loved him, you know?' Anders looks at him and Fenris notices something strange in his eyes.

'Wait a minute... you weren't hitting on the Hero of Ferelden, were you?' He just can't believe it.

'Well, not exactly, I-ah... Yes.' Anders blushes and Fenris bursts into laughter. 'I told you, there was no Justice to stop me. I was sure I'd never see Karl again and she was quite a-... Oh, forget it. I think I blew all my chances that night and never tried again.' He joins Fenris in laugh like their usual quarrels never happened.

'Then what about the noble lady Hawke here?' Fenris asks ironically.

'I've got my Justice friend to keep company and give me some more important tasks than chasing skirts and pants.' Anders sighs and Fenris almost pities him at the moment. 'Besides, I think she gets enough attention...form both sides.' Mage smiles again.

'Is that so?' He never noticed that before.

'The look on Arishok's face as we came to the qunari camp?' Anders makes it sound like a perfectly obvious thing.

'What about it?'

'Boy, he was looking her up like he left all the rules of the Qun code buried deep in Par Vollen. And she did not disapprove. Haven't you seen?' Anders giggles about his own joke.

'Some people are actually paying attention to the work they were commissioned, Blondie.'

'Speaking of which, I see someone needing medical attendance.' Across the table there's Merill, who's face colour is rapidly turning from green to blue, supported by Varric. 'I think she's had enough, hasn't she?' Looks like the four of them are the only companions left at the main hall. There's no sign of Aveline and Fenris notices that the private room's door remain closed.

'Let's get her outside, shall we?

Whatever's in Merril's stomach doesn't stay there long but after she's finished she looks a bit healthier.

'Okay, it's time to go home then, Merril. Come.' Anders takes her arm but Varric opposes.

'Nah, I'll handle it. You did enough already, Blondie.' He lets Merril lean on his arm. 'Besides, it's the same part of the city for me.'

'Okay, then. Just give her a bit of hot water mixed with these.' Anders pulls a small pouch from his robes and hands it to the dwarf. 'Ensure she drinks it all and goes to bed. Tomorrow she should be fine.' As the two of them move away they can hear Merril's weak voice interrupted by hiccups.

'You're a -hic!- good man, Varric, -hic!- you know that?'

'I know, girl, I know.' They disappear around the corner.

'Some magical mushroom powder there, eh?' Fenris smirks as they part their ways.

'Are you in need of escort and herbs too, my friend?' Anders ripostes scathingly.

'Nope. I'm good.'

Thanks for reading! Revievs and comments highly appreciated! :)