Hawke inspected the small ship from top to bottom, happy to see that her staff had commissioned a solid vessel. The captain and crew were reputable merchants, and the only other passengers were horses occupying stalls in the hold. Hawke knew the perpetually suspicious Fenris would approve of that. There was ample room in the crew's quarters for the guardsmen that would be escorting her and small cabins for Fenris and herself. Traveling to Denerim entirely by water would be much faster than traveling over land, but it was still a long enough journey to warrant reasonable comfort.

"Acceptable?" Hawke asked Fenris as they studied the cabins.

Fenris frowned. "The ship seems sound. It's the weather I worry about. The Waking Sea is unpredictable this time of year."

"We have to cross the Waking Sea regardless. I'm not marching all the way to Orlais and back to go around," Hawke explained. "Also, that same weather could also make a journey across the hills in the Coastlands just as dangerous."

"Good to know you'd rather be drowned than carried away by a mudslide," Fenris retorted.

Hawke couldn't help but smile. It was good to see that Fenris hadn't lost his sense of humor. The situation, being on a ship, thinking of her companions joking and bantering, it led her mind to a certain pirate. It was true that Isabela had taken her treasures and left, but Hawke understood. She didn't blame her, and sometimes even missed the pirate's saucy humor.

"I'm sure Isabela would have some joke about this ship being too small," Hawke mused.

Fenris gave a mere snort in reply. That's right… he and Isabela…

"Do you miss her?" Hawke asked softly.

The elf's smirk faded into a look of confusion. "Not particularly. Why would I?"

"I…" Hawke was suddenly embarrassed. Perhaps that wasn't something she should have asked. "Sorry, I thought you two…"

Fenris's eyes widened with realization and he sighed. "Not the way you're thinking. I suppose the way she ran her mouth, it was easy to assume. In truth, I bedded her, nothing more. I still blame the wine for the first time. The second time I lost a bet, though I'm sure she cheated. The third... I found myself looking for an outlet for my anger that didn't involve breaking something. Despite how often she propositioned me, that's where things ended."

He crossed is arms and looked at Hawke pointedly. "I bear her no ill will, but I've never pined for her either. I assume she is the same. She was a woman of varied tastes, and I was merely a particular flavor that suited her on occasion."

Hawke nodded. Of course, that sounded just like Isabela. Still, Hawke could never see herself holding that sort of attitude towards romance. She supposed that was the point, it wasn't romance for Isabela, was it? A new question tugged at her thoughts. Was Fenris the same?

The elf must have read her mind. "I suppose it was worthwhile to try that sort of relationship, but I wouldn't seek it out again. I've come to learn, in my years of freedom, that after survival, one should seek happiness. Such a frivolous relationship had its benefits, but it did not make me… happy."

"I understand," Hawke replied. She wondered, silently, what would make her happy.

...

Fenris stared at the dark ceiling of his cabin and listened to the wind howl. After a day of calm seas, he had heard the crewmen muttering about the look of the eastern clouds. Sure enough, they now found themselves sailing through a storm. Between the wind and the wild rocking of the ship, Fenris found it impossible to sleep.

He was no stranger to sleepless nights. There had been times he needed to be vigilant, to keep watch for his pursuers, or keep watch over Hawke and his companions. There had also been times he just couldn't face his dreams, not even drunk. This was neither. He would be no help to the ship's crew, merely a liability. He also wanted to sleep, regardless of dreams, to rest for the journey ahead. Too bad he didn't have any wine…

The ship swayed again, and there was a sudden thud in the room beside his. Hawke's room.

Fenris was on his feet before he could even think, grabbing his sword as he rushed into the hall. Hawke's door was locked, so Fenris pounded his fist against it. "Hawke!"

The door opened quickly, revealing Hawke herself. She was surprised, but… completely fine. "What is it, Fenris?"

The elf knew he must have looked a sight, standing in the hallway in just the linen tunic and leggings he wore under his armor, holding his sword. "I… There was a noise. Are you alright?" Fenris asked, trying to sound calm.

"I'm fine," Hawke assured him. "My trunk slid clear across the room, though."

"Oh…" Fenris sighed, as much in embarrassment as relief. He turned to go back to his room. "Sorry if I woke you."

Hawke laughed. "Do you think I could sleep through this? I'm up reading. If you can't sleep either, you're welcome to join me."

Fenris merely nodded, following her into her room. She sat cross-legged on the bed, patting the empty spot beside her before picking up her book. Fenris defied her, sitting down on a small bench instead. The offending trunk sat open at his feet, so he grabbed the first book he saw. History of the Free Marches… Dry, but it would do. As he opened the book, he noticed the way Hawke's eyes flickered over to him and the corner of her mouth turned up in the tiniest of smiles.

Maker, he was glad they were getting along again.

As he read, Fenris reminisced how it was Hawke who had taught him to read in the first place. He never would have believed it at the time, but that simple act meant more to him than all the slavers Hawke had helped him kill, even helping him kill Danarius himself. Yes, Hawke had saved him in more ways than one.

Fenris finished the first chapter and stole a glance at Hawke. She was still dressed in her leather armor, a sight that filled him with nostalgia after months of seeing her dressed formally as the Viscount. Her dark hair fell about her shoulders. Her blue eyes scanned the pages before her while her lips occasionally murmured silent commentary. Beautiful. Hawke was beautiful.

Fenris had always found her beautiful. It was more than her appearance. It was the way she carried herself, confident from the moment he'd met her. It was the way she smiled when she teased him. It was the warmth in her voice.

They had flirted almost from the moment they'd met, before Fenris lost his nerve, before he pushed her away into that mage's arms. There wasn't a day that he didn't regret his lack of confidence all those years ago.

Still, it wasn't too late.

Hawke was right in front of him, he had only to open his mouth and tell her how he felt…

"Hawke…" he began tentatively.

She looked up at him.

Fenris opened his mouth to speak…

A deafening crack filled the air and the ship lurched wildly. Books flew and the lamp went out.

"Hawke!" Fenris shouted, picking himself off the floor.

"What was that?" she called in the darkness.

Good question. Pirates? Shipwreck? Nothing Fenris could come up with was good. He lit the lyrium in his skin, using the light to find his sword. "Grab your daggers, Hawke. We'll go see what's going on." In the eerie blue glow, he could see her nod.

They stepped out into the hall to see a guardsman running towards them. "We've run aground," he shouted. "The captain has ordered us to abandon ship."

Fenris considered his armor for half a second, but no, he had to get Hawke to safety. The armor was just as likely to drown him as protect him in a situation like this. Instead he grabbed Hawke's hand and rushed after the guardsman.

On the deck, rain lashed them and wind raged, drowning out all other sound. The only light they had were the flashes from the sky. There! He could see crew and the other guardsmen climbing into a small boat. However, when they reached the boat, it was clearly full.

"We can't fit both of you!" the captain shouted. "There's another boat on the other side of the ship that should have room."

Hawke tugged at his hand. "Fenris, let's go…"

Fenris didn't hesitate. He picked Hawke up and threw her into the boat. A pair of guardsmen caught her, looking at him in shock. "You better keep her safe," Fenris growled at them, quickly turning to make his way across the ship. If she called after him, he couldn't hear it over the storm.

It wasn't easy going. The ship was listing badly, and waves smashed onto the deck. Fenris was almost across when he heard something… Screams from below… Inhuman screams. Fenris remembered they were sailing with a hold full of horses. He tried to ignore the noise. He could do nothing for them. They were just animals.

Try as he may, Fenris couldn't forget… he had been just a slave. How many times had he been locked in a room, shackled, bound? How many times had he been helpless to even save himself if something like a shipwreck had occurred?

Maker, save him from himself.

Fenris slid down the nearest hatch, landing in knee-deep water. When the lighting flashed, he could see through the gash in the ship's side, partially blocked by rocks. He wasted no time, slogging through the rising water, breaking every latch, cutting every rope. The horses burst from their stalls, pacing around the hold.

Maybe they would die anyway. He had no way to let them out of the hold. Maybe all he had done was prolonged their suffering. Still, he eyed the gap in the ship's side. Maybe, if the water rose enough, at least the horses would have the chance to save themselves.

When Fenris reached the other side of the deck, he found the other boat was gone. Freeing the horses had cost him too much time. He was undaunted, however. Grabbing a length of rope and lashing his sword to his back, Fenris climbed over the ship's railing. He waited for the lighting to illuminate his surroundings and pointed himself towards the nearby shore. Then, with a deep breath, he leapt into the waves.