This was proving to be more difficult than Clea had imagined. Upon arriving at her uncle's home she had shared the news with her mother, expecting her to be excited. Gamlin was out of the house, doing goodness knows what, and Bethany and Clea were putting away their weapons and taking off their armor. "But what if something happens to both of you while you are down there?" her mother had asked, brows creased in concern.

"It's either the Templars or the darkspawn, and at least I could fight the darkspawn," Bethany said sternly and leaned her staff on wall by the fire place.

Her mother had sighed in exasperation and moved toward the door. With her hand on the door she had said in Hawke's direction, "I hope you know what you are doing."

Hawke still hadn't decided. She was currently sitting on her bedroll, back leaning against the wall, trying to decide, weighing both tactics and personality traits. Thinking of taking both Fenris and Anders made her audibly exhale. She continued to sharpen her large blade as she thought. Though the two were mildly entertaining together, she knew that putting them in such a close proximity for so long had the potential for some sort of explosion. Anders has his clinic to tend to, she thought, and Fenris is… holed up in Hightown doing… whatever he does. Clea turned her blade over. Avaline certainly can't go now that she is in charge of the Guard, and seems to have a thing for her fellow guard member… Merril is sweet but her tendency to get lost could slow us down. Isabella is a great rogue, but I am sure that she is hiding something. I want to trust everyone with me. This left Clea with one last option. Bethany. I want to keep you safe, but your magic is irreplaceable… Bethany had made her wishes clear, telling Clea and her mother that she wanted to go.

Slowly the spots began to fill in. Varric, of course, Bethany, and I could use the extra blade Fenris would provide. She sighed and set her blade down feeling accomplished. As Hawke picked up the apple beside her and took a bite, Bethany walked in the room.

"Almost ready, sister? It is about time we get to the Hanged Man."

Hawke swallowed and stood, gesturing toward the doorway with her hand holding the apple. "After you." She noticed that Bethany was wearing her finest robe, the bright colors contrasting with her short black hair. "Trying to look extra nice for someone special?"

Bethany smiled and blushed, picking up her staff from beside the fireplace. "It is a celebration, isn't it?"

Hawke smirked. "I suppose." She laced up her boots, wearing less armor than she normally would, but still not fully casual.

"Decided not to wear anything special tonight?"

"Hey, at least they are clean!" Hawke had in fact washed the brown pants and green shirt in lavender water, hoping to at least appeal to the nose if she couldn't to the eyes. She picked up her armor pads to put over her shirt, but Bethany rested a hand on them, stopping her.

"You will be wearing these for an unknown amount of time. How about you give them a rest tonight."

Hawke looked Bethany in the eyes and set them back down. They then both looked at their mother who had fallen asleep in the chair by the fireplace. "We can say goodbye tomorrow. Let's go."

Dark had fallen and it had become much cooler. They turned a final corner and pushed open the door to the Hanged Man. Hawke felt naked without her large blade and the weight of her armor. She put her hand on her belt to feel the small blade of steel to reassure herself. The tavern was full of life with laughter, talking, and the occasional song that sounded as if it was voiced by those who had drunk too much. Hawke spotted Varric at a table in the back. Their eyes met and he waved her and Bethany over.

"Have a seat, Hawke! We were just talking about you!"

Hawke's eyes swiftly swept the table, taking inventory of who was present. Merril and Isabella sat on either side of Varric, Anders across from Varric, and Aveline a seat down from Anders. Bethany filled the spot between Aveline and Anders, so Clea sat next to Anders, guessing that if Fenris showed he would rather take his chances sitting next to Isabella than Anders. There was a moment of silence, but Isabella was quick to break it. "So, sweet-thing, who are the lucky three?" She took a sip and placed her glass back on the table, pushing the rest of the contents toward Hawke. Hawke saw Anders' funny look out of the corner of her eye as she took a drink. He's probably thinking about what diseases I might be contracting. Clea chuckled a little as she swallowed and put the glass down.

Hawke crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't think it is fair to announce when all aren't yet present."

"I don't know if Broody is coming. Sounds to me like he and Blondie had a spat earlier."

Hawke turned to her left. "What happened?"

"He and I just got into a little argument earlier that's all. But you know how he holds grudges. I doubt he will want to be in the same room as me for a while." His cheeks were tinged pink.

Hawke decided it was best she didn't know details. Best not to become a third party in their ever-present hostilities. "Alright, we will proceed without him." She could feel all eyes on her, and made an effort to connect hers with all of the other sets. "Varric of course is coming, but he knew that."

"Someone has to keep that Bartrand in line…" he said and took a sip of his ale.

Hawke continued. "It took a lot of weighing the positives and negatives, and I might be making a mistake, but… Bethany." All heads turned toward Bethany, and Hawke could feel the breath run out of Anders like a popped balloon. He must be glad he doesn't have to enter those blasted Deep Roads. Or was that disappointment? The group gave their congratulations. "And, the final member of the four person group isn't here…"

The table got quiet.

"Hawke, are you sure?" This time it was Aveline who spoke up. "He is a fine warrior but, are you sure you can trust him?"

"He hasn't shown me otherwise, and I need the extra blade." Hawke was beginning to feel uncomfortable. "I'll just tell him later. Let's enjoy the night, shall we?" Hawke raised her glass and smiles spread across all faces at the table. "Here's to opportunity." The sound of clinking glass joined with laughter and hope.

"I'll see you soon sister." Hawke grabbed her blade from her bedside and turned from Bethany who was just crawling into bed. Clea had left after only a few drinks, wanting to make sure she was capable of the long trip the next day. Aveline and, surprisingly, Varric had followed suit. The other four had remained in the tavern, and Hawke could only imagine what had taken place in her absence with. She had chuckled a little thinking of the possibilities. Merril drunk was quite a sight.

Hawke stepped out into the late-night darkness, which had gotten considerably colder. She needed to let Fenris know that they were leaving that day and he was coming. If he happened to refuse, she had in mind to ask Anders. His healing abilities would be a close second in valuability. The weight of her weapon on her back was comforting as she headed to the Hightown mansion, keeping her senses alert. Hawke had to admit a few things to herself. First, she was scared; scared that the mission would be for nothing, scared that something would happen to Bethany or to her mother while they were gone. And second, if she was being honest with herself, Fenris' warrior abilities were not the only reason she wanted him along…

Once at the mansion door, she gave a few knocks, but he did not answer. She let herself in, as she often did, and walked into the main room, heading up the stairs and toward the room he typically occupied. The door was shut. She debating leaving, not wanting to know what would happen if she woke him up, but knew she had to speak to him. She put a hand on her weapon's hilt, and knocked sturdily with the other. She heard a voice, but it was faint. She leaned toward the door to hear the voice better, and the door opened a little. She heard his voice clearly through the gap.

"Hawke… I… need you." Clea froze. He mumbled her name again among other indistinguishable words. When she heard low moaning she decided to knock harder, this time on the door frame. His voice and noises stopped. She heard shuffling and backed a few steps away from the door, unsure of how he would react. The door slowly creaked opened. "Hawke?" He appeared genuinely surprised. Clea wasn't sure if this was due to her being there so late, or early, or the fact that she was wearing barely any armor. His tousled white hair hung in his eyes and he was slightly hunched over, bracing one hand on the door and the other on something just beyond the door frame. It was odd seeing him in just his leggings and a loose shirt with no weapon. His great sword was leaned against the door frame just inside his room. Was his left hand on resting on the hilt?

"I, uh, came to talk to you. If you don't mind." Her stomach twisted. Am I nervous? Why am I nervous? It's just Fenris.

He paused for a moment, staring at her, until he pushed the door all the way open and walked over to a chair in front of the fireplace. He gestured for Hawke to sit in the chair opposite him. "What is it, then?" he mumbled in his graveled voice, chin resting in his hands, elbows on his knees, eyes toward the fire.

"We leave for the Deep Roads Expedition tomorrow, err… tonight." Hawke paused, wondering if he would understand. Their eyes locked. He knew.

"When?"

"We are meeting here in High Town at dusk."

His face twisted. "What of the mage?"

"Anders isn't coming." Hawke didn't completely trust mages, especially ones who had another… occupant, but growing up with Bethany had enhanced her understanding. Anders was still human and she hoped Fenris would come to this realization at some point. The constant tension between him and Anders was tiring. "Bethany is though. And Varric."

He looked to the fire again and sat back, arms crossing over his chest. "I will be there."

"Thank you, Fenris. Your extra sword and skill is much appreciated."

He did not move, eyes still on the fire. And to Hawke's surprise, he didn't ask her to leave with his words or body language. She sat back, enjoying the silence that had fallen between them and his presence. She wondered what he was thinking about. Maybe he was wondering if she had heard him while he had been sleeping…

His voice was quiet. "Thank you, Hawke. I haven't given you much reason to trust me, but you do. This is… unexpected, but appreciated."

Hawke gave the comment some space before speaking up. "I wanted a skilled team of people I also wouldn't mind the companionship of. We will be gone for an unknown amount of time." Hawke noticed Fenris stiffen. The fire was casting shadows against his face and hair, creating interesting colors and shapes. Did I say too much?

Silence once again took over. He was difficult to figure out, to know when one had said the right or wrong thing. Maybe it was too soon to say something so sincere, or he was having a difficult time believing it. But it was true, Clea had grown quite fond of the handsome, broody elf. "I apologize for waking you."

Was that a blush? "Not necessary." He reached for a bottle of wine on the table between them and offered it to her.

"I shouldn't have any more before tomorrow, but thank you." Any other time she would have jumped at the chance to accept, but she needed to be clear-headed to prep for the journey. Clea began to notice the amount of empty bottles scattered around the room and began to wonder if he too should take a break.

"Don't worry about me, Hawke. I can hold my liquor."

Clea's eyes moved to the floor and she eased her back into the chair. "We missed you at the Hanged Man."

Fenris snorted into his bottle and swallowed before answering. "By we do you mean everyone except the abomination?"

"It was mentioned you two had a 'spat'." Clea looked up at him from the floor, but his eyes remained fixed on the fire. He gave no indication of a comment. "But I think he would have understood your presence. We don't know what this expedition will hold and when, or if, we will return."

Fenris again remained silent. Clea wondered if Fenris felt any attachment to anyone. She knew his life had been difficult, but hoped the potential for trust in others was still in him somewhere. Her thoughts momentarily flitted back to hearing a sleeping Fenris mumble her name. She wanted to allow herself to think he cared for her, but that seemed dangerous. The awake Fenris was much more guarded and difficult to read. The silence remained, and Clea began to feel uncomfortable. She sat forward in her seat, preparing to leave when Fenris finally looked her direction and spoke. "Hawke, I… appreciate the opportunity." Clea nodded in response, making eye contact. Fenris continued, "Do you require any assistance for the preparation?"

Those eyes… "Umm… I could use some help choosing weapons to take with us. Varric already has Bianca and I think Anders said he was going to help Bethany choose a staff. You can come with me to the market later today to look at swords." It was his turn to nod. "We can only take one bag, but bring as much as you can fit. No telling what, or who, we will run into." Hawke fully rose from her seat and left the room. Before closing the door behind her, she felt his eyes burning the back of her neck.