Update 2/26/15

When Marian Hawke wanted to disappear, she was able to. All she had to do was observe the people around her and use her knowledge of them to stay under their notice. When she wished to hide she was hidden. Sometimes she stayed in plain sight while others looked for her, amused at their inability to pin her location down.

It didn't work with everyone. Anders, for example, seemed to always spot her. All it took was a simple wink and he knew to be quiet about her whereabouts. Mari was sure he enjoyed observing the confusion as much as she did. And, recently, Nate was on the list as well. Much of the time at least.

It became a game to see if she could avoid him. Between reuniting him with his sister, aiding her other companions, and unraveling the mysteries around the goings-on around the Arling, both she and Nathan could use the distraction. And it was fun. For him as well, from what she observed.

Sometimes it was not just about sport. Tonight, for example, Marian was simply tired. It was the twins' birthday and she was a sea away. Her heart ached. She desperately wanted to be there for them, but Kirkwall was ages away. She told nobody what was happening, why she was on edge; she simply waited until the day's paltry work was done and escaped. She skipped dinner, choosing to simply...disappear. She had found a spot atop the highest tower, unused from what she could see, that suited her needs. She went there, turning north, missing her family and determined for one night not to simply let the sensation of loss go.

- 000 Later... 000 -

The entire castle had gone crazy looking for Commander Hawke, but Nathaniel had gotten used to the idea that when she wanted to remain hidden she was not going to be found. He calmly went about the evening and kept an ear open in case she started stalking him. Again. Since he had confirmed her training in the the Orlesian arts, he found himself a guinea pig for some of her 'advanced training.'

That is to say, Hawke was trying to perfect sneaking up on a fellow rogue. She was also doing very well at it. On one hand he was a bit disconcerted she could just appear near him without his knowledge; on the other, it had lead to some amusing moments. And embarrassing. He still wasn't quite determined what to do about his feelings for her. Their comraderie had grown in spades, and she was relaxed around him, but that meant little.

Needing to get his thoughts together, Nathaniel headed to the highest tower. As a boy he'd found a spot there nobody else knew, and Lille nobody had patched it fully since then. After heading up the stairs, he turned to the sharpest corner of the top room and reached to climb in the rafters. His hand searched, almost immediately finding the loose bit that would allow him access onto the roof. Pulling up, he stepped sure-footed onto the wood of the tower roofing...

To see Marian's red hair near at the edge, and hear her voice. The song was sad, but her voice was beautiful- even more than he expected.

"Lay by my side and we'll sail away, off to the shores of another day. All set to go once I hear you say good night my friend, until the morning...

"Up we will float as we close our eyes-stars all around us like fireflies. Just me and you drifting through the skies. Good night my friend..."

Nathaniel knew the song. It was a lullabye from the Free Marches he had heard a couple times, but in her mouth it was more than that. She seemed lonely, and he could see see the young girl who'd learned the song. He knew she had family, and siblings she had left when she was conscripted. How long ago must it have been? Nearly a year since she had seen her kin? He slowly sat beside her. Marian halted, turning to look at him.

"I didn't know anyone could find me up here," Marian admit red.

"I used to escape up here as a boy. I had no idea you had found it."

"It's escape then," Marian giggled. "And here I thought you were fitting in so well."

"I am. Thanks to you." He inched closer. "Fade spirits, intelligent darkspawn, all the works. I probably should be clawing for a way out as soon as possible, but not with you here." He paused, lifting an arm to snake around the woman beside him. "You showed me that this could be possible. The way you interact, how you treat all of us...even Justice...I didn't know someone like you could exist."

Marian shifted a bit in his grasp but didn't try to remove the arm that had closed at her waist while they sat. "I appreciate that you think of me as...a friend, Nate."

"That's not what I meant." Nathaniel caught his breath, gathering his courage. "I..Marian, can I ask that you think about me a moment?"

Marian smiled, facing him. "Ferelden nobles must have the biggest egos outside of Orlais."

"It's not that." Nathaniel immediately back-tracked, stumbling over what he wanted to say. "I'm asking out of a sense of fairness, since I find myself preoccupied with thoughts of you."

"Nathaniel, I..."

Before she could protest, Nathaniel leaned in and closed the gap between them. Marian fumbled with a beginner's uncertainty under the kiss for the first seconds, but on getting used to it let it deepen. As she relaxed, the Howe pulled her closer, until he was laying on the roof and she was on top, straddling him. Only then did they break for need for air cause them to part.

"That was unexpected," Marian noted breathlessly.

"Was it now?" He couldn't help noticing she made no indication of moving, which suited him fine for the moment. "I know I was confused, but I honestly thought I had been broadcasting my interest fairly loudly."

Marian seemed to consider that comment before simply shrugging. "I suppose I'd be the last to notice even so." With that, she leaned down and set her head against his chest, nestling in as his arms wrapped protectively.

"I know you miss your family," Nathaniel whispered, hugging her to him tightly. "Your real family. If you ever want to talk about it I am here."

Marian seemed to consider the offer a minute. "I've never really talked about how all- this- happened, have I? It's not the most pleasant story either way."

"Marian Hawke, it does not nee to be pleasant. Let's start easy. Tell me about your parents. After all, you know all about mine."

Marian rolled off Nate's chest, but ensured he kept hold of her. Settled in his shoulder, arm wrapped around her, she reached for his hand and answered his question fully. "Mom was a noble from Kirkwall. Dad was an apostate," she started, glad not to feel tension at the admission. It gave her hope. They stayed like that for hours, watching the full moon crest overhead an still unwilling to stop. She told him about her siblings, about the blight. About how she was conscripted. And he only asked questions, kindly void of judgement.

It wasn't until she got to talking about Denerim she stopped.

"How long before they actually send a search party looking for me?" she mumbled into him, eyes closed as she took in the moment

"At this point I'd be surprised if they didn't wait until morning."

Marian let a smile break on her lips. "Good. Because you're exceedingly comfortable."

With a chuckle, Nathaniel gazed between the starlight and Marian. "You know, Mari, you are ridiculously beautiful. And... well I wish I'd known half of these things before I stormed back into Ferelden intent on killing you." When she just chuckled, Nate took a moment and lowered his voice. "Don't stop there. Tell me... about Denerim."

"Nate, I..."

"I want to know."

The memories slipped out. Marian couldn't help herself explaining everything. The truth, the exact words his father had used- the archdemon. Only when she explained that did he seem to truly tense, until she further explained Morrigan's gify.

The sun was already slowly rising in the east when Nathaniel Howe pulled Marian Hawke from the roof and the two returned to normal. It has been a sleepless, but fruitful night. And before they exited to prying eyes, he simply couldn't resist kissing her again.