I couldn't leave you guys hanging that long, so I decided to update a little earlier. Some of you may have picked up on a few of the little clues I used throughout the story as to who this mystery man might be. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint!

A big thanks to all of the excellent feedback I got on the last chapter. Honestly every single review makes me smile like there's no tomorrow.

Let me know what you think and enjoy!

There was no word that could properly describe the intensity of the seething anger Ellie had coursing through her system at that very moment. Her fists were clenched so tightly her knuckles were white and her nails were cutting into the palms of her hands. She felt as though she was physically shaking with rage as it took everything in her not to hurl the man in front of her off the balcony.

"Leave. Right. Now," she hissed violently through clenched teeth. He didn't heed her words, however, and took another step towards her.

He looked almost exactly the same as the last time she saw him, though his equipment was a little more updated. His expression was the same, the constant loathsome scowl painted across his face as always. His bare arms were crossed over his plate-covered chest, the distinct markings that trailed his body as evident as ever. The stark white hair that hung in his face only seemed to accentuate his deep green eyes that regarded her with unreadable emotions. Ellie could only hope the emotions in her eyes were painfully obvious to him.

"Wait, wait, wait," the voice of the dwarf echoed as he drew closer, "You two know each other?"

"Unfortunately, yes," Ellie snarled, her glare not leaving the elf in front of her.

There was a impatient groan as Hawke decided to step in, "Look, I know Fenris is probably not who you wanted to see but he does genuinely want to help."

Ellie was ready to murder someone at this point, "I don't think there's anything genuine about him."

"I thought you, of all people, would understand why I would do everything I could to stand against a Tevinter magister," Fenris countered icily.

The blonde scoffed, "Oh and you think I want help from a man who's too afraid of his own feelings so he runs away at the first opportunity? Why don't we just hand Thedas on a silver platter to Corypheus?"

Apparently her words struck a cord with Fenris because a snarl appeared on his face and his markings started to glow. He moved forward, uncrossing his arms, and opened his mouth to speak.

Ellie didn't give him the chance. "What are you going to do Fenris? Reach into my chest and rip my heart out? You've done that once already. Now go!"

At that she spun on her heel and left to make her way across the battlements and back into Skyhold. Leaving after her hate-filled words was all she could do not to actually get into a physical fight with Fenris. She didn't know what Hawke knew about their past, but if he was naïve enough to bring him knowing they had a past, she didn't want to deal with him. Not now. Not until he left.

A few moments after she stormed off, she heard footsteps rushing to catch up with her. She didn't need to look to know that it was Varric.

"Care to tell me what the hell that was all about, Sparky?" Varric asked casually, using his new nickname for her. She figured it had something to do with her glowing hand, but she didn't question it. If she knew one thing about Varric, once he got stuck on calling someone something, there was no changing it.

Ellie had slowed her pace, allowing Varric to walk beside her. As livid as she was, he clearly didn't invite Fenris intentionally, so she didn't want to take it out on him. "I knew him. Before he went to Kirkwall."

"I kind of gathered that much."

Ellie stopped then facing her dwarven friend, looking him firmly in the eye, "If I tell you, I want your word that you will not breathe a word of this to anyone here and you definitely won't use this as fodder for your novels."

Varric held up his hands in surrender, "I will not say a damned thing to anyone. I promise."

She sighed and ran her hands through her hair. This was her worst nightmare realized. Having him waltz back into her life somehow and at the worst possible time. It was a secret she had kept well hidden. As far as Ellie had known up until that point, only her and Fenris knew what transpired between them. But as she reflected on the look and tone that Hawke had when he tried to intervene, it didn't take a genius to realize that he knew something. She was also blatantly aware that if she didn't tell Varric now, he'd find out somewhere else. Still, she had a hard time parting with any of the information she had kept so well-guarded, even from herself, for so long.

"All I will say is that we were… Involved once. And when he left, it broke me," Ellie admitted softly, desperately not wanting the words to come out.

Varric let out an understanding huff, "You and Broody, hey? Well, shit. I would imagine he told Hawke."

Ellie grit her teeth at the thought, "It would appear."

Ellie so badly wanted not to be hurt. She wanted to not feel the stabbing pain of rejection from when he left. After all these years, she thought that somehow she could come to terms with it, and in some ways she did. But old feelings surfaced when she saw Fenris' face. Not feelings of wanting him back or re-kindled love. But feelings of being unwanted and abandoned.

"I'm sorry you had to witness this, Varric."

He gave her a reassuring look, "Hey, don't mention it. You and Hawke are both my friends, and I do understand why you freaked out back there. But this is about more than old flames. Hawke can help against Corypheus. Is there anyway we can all somehow look past this for now? For the sake of our own survival?"

Ellie knew he was right, but she didn't want him to be. They were all adults, she could put aside her broken heart for the greater good if she had to. But right now, what she needed was to cool down. "I can try, but right now I need some time to think. They can stay but please for the love of the Maker, keep them out of my sight for now. Especially him."

The dwarf nodded, "I can do that, Sparky. I'll keep em out of your hair. Just let me know when you're ready to talk to them."

"I appreciate it, Varric."

Varric hesitated before returning to his old friends, "One more thing. I know I promised I wouldn't say anything, but it wouldn't hurt for you to talk to someone about it. Your Commander perhaps?"

Ellie's eyes widened, "What!?"

"Oh come on, anyone can see how you two look at each other. Trust me, it's better he hears it from you than for him to find out the hard way," with his final bit of advice he turned and walked away, leaving the Inquisitor stunned.

Is it really that obvious…

She wondered to herself for a brief second when she realized that Varric was telling the truth. Ellie still had no idea what, if anything, was going on between her and Cullen. But if he found this out from a source other than her, it could ruin any chance she had. And it was only just very recently that she realized she indeed want that chance with him, despite the odds being stacked against it working. But on the other hand, she desperately wished that all of this could just be kept a secret, that all of it, Fenris especially, would just disappear.

That wouldn't be the case though. Ellie knew Fenris' bloodlust when it came to hunting down Tevinter magisters. He would not easily be cast out. And soon enough people would figure out the ugly truth, not just of their past romance but the other part of it that even Fenris didn't know about yet.

She wanted to cry in that moment, a mixture of frustration and heartbreak tormenting her soul. Instead, she decided to take her emotions out in a different way. If there was one thing that made her feel better, it was hitting something. She turned on her heel and hastily made her way to the training grounds to take out her rage on one of the sparring dummies.