Cat walked into the Hanged Man, excited to see everyone together again. Her excitement didn't last long when she found she had beaten everyone there. Looking around, she didn't even see Varric, so she went and knocked on his door.

"Little Dove," he nodded to her as he opened the door. "Eager are we?" he asked with a wink.

"That's one way to put it," she said with a smile, as they made their way back to the common room. "You have no idea how much I've missed everyone! And I haven't seen Fenris or even Issy yet!"

He looked startled for a moment, and turned to return to his room. She turned and stood at the foot of the stairs, looking back in confusion, unsure if she should follow him or not. He returned quickly, holding out a few papers for her.

"I almost forgot," he said as she took them. He guided her to a large table in front of the fireplace in order to ward off the chill in the air. Kirkwall didn't get as cold as other areas of Thedas, but in comparison to the summer months, Wintermarch could be fairly chilly.

Looking at the first paper, Cat saw that it was a note from Isabela, explaining that she wasn't coming back to Kirkwall just yet.

"What happened?" Cat asked Varric, looking up from the note.

"When, in the Deep Roads?" he asked.

"To Issy," she clarified.

"Oh, well, none of us were sure, but she started acting strangely after we came back to the surface. Then, the next day, she gave me that note for you, and headed off on her own, saying she'd catch up with us sooner or later."

"That's it?" Cat asked.

"Yeah, sorry."

"No problem," Cat said.

"And yet, you seem worried," he commented, making her look up from the paper. He sat at the head of the table, and she took the seat to his left, wanting to be near the fire.

"I'm hoping nothing spooked her," Cat said, finally answering him. "She seems more desperate about finding a clue to the relic than she was before."

"No one likes having something hanging over their head," he said with a shrug. "She most likely wants to do something about it, now that we have a lull in jobs."

"Do we?" she asked curiously. "When Hawke stopped by to tell me about the meeting, he made it sound like we'd be discovering his new schedule for our lives," she smirked.

He replied in kind. "Well, you know Hawke. Idle hands and all that…"

She put Isabela's note down, and opened the other paper. And then squealed with delight, causing Varric to grin at her.

"It's from Duran!" she whispered excitedly.

Varric leaned in, hoping she'd share more. "And?" he asked quietly.

"It's very short, but he says he'll write again. He didn't want the messenger to have to wait too long, and his other senior wardens are gone on a mission, so he's got a lot filling his time at the moment. But he says we have a lot to catch up on, and he has plenty of questions for me… and basically he's just really happy that I'm okay." She sighed, holding the letter to her chest. "It's so good to hear from him. I knew I missed him, well, all of them really… but I didn't know how much until right now."

He reached out and covered his other hand with his own, giving it a squeeze. "It's nice to know there are other good dwarves out there," he said with a smile.

"And to think," she said with a smirk. "the poor dwarves in Orzammar are stuck with his… nug-humping brother."

He chuckled at her attempt at cursing, then something clicked in his mind. "Ah, now it makes sense, back on the docks that day."

"Yeah," she answered, remembering her rant about Bhelen. "Duran doesn't talk of it much, but he didn't really want to be the king anyway. In fact, he helped put Bhelen on the throne. He has the ability to let go of the smaller things and look at the big picture, which can be down right annoying." She paused as Varric chuckled again. "But… it also makes him a great leader. The Wardens are lucky to have him."

She got lost in her own thoughts for a moment, then leaned forward a bit. She knew she could always talk about the others with Fenris, or Anders, or even Isabela, but she wanted to talk more about the person who basically saved her life.

"There was one time…" she started, and Varric's eyes lit with curiosity even as he grinned.

Cat walked quickly to Hightown, looking all around her as she went. She thought perhaps she would run into Fenris on his way to Lowtown, but didn't. Varric told her not to worry, that more than likely something had come up with Hawke, and he hadn't had a chance to tell the others, but she needed to make sure her friends were all right.

She pushed open the door in her haste, and called out, "Fenris?! FENRIS!?"

She breathed a sigh of relief as he came out of his room onto the balcony, his eyes wide. She tried to calm her racing heart, closing her eyes and focusing on slowing her breath. When she opened them again, he was in front of her, grabbing her shoulders, and looking at her in concern.

"Cat?" he asked. "Are you all right?"

She smiled, and moved in for a hug. "I am now," she replied, relieved. She pushed back suddenly, and demanded, "Where have you been?! I was so worried!"

"Uh… what?" he asked, confused. "I wasn't aware of having plans, in fact I tried to find you yesterday to let you know we were home, but I must have missed you."

"Hawke didn't tell you to meet at the Hanged Man today?" she asked, and he shook his head.

"I haven't seen Hawke since we returned."

"Oh… uh, sorry then." She felt embarrassed for not listening to Varric, and letting herself get all worked up. "Hawke stopped by this morning to say we were meeting, and no one showed, not even Hawke. It had me worried."

He chuckled then, and ruffled her hair. "It's good to see you too."

She pushed his hand away. "Don't do that! Now I have to re-braid it." She pulled the piece of leather free from the bottom, and combed her hair out with her fingers, and started to braid it again.

"I missed you."

She stopped, looking up at him. "I'm so glad you're okay," she responded. "You all were gone much longer than I thought."

"How much of that could you have prevented?" he asked her, causing her to look away, focusing on finishing her hair, wrapping the leather tie around the end. "Cat?" he asked.

"Probably most of it," she answered.

"But you felt it was necessary for it to happen?" he asked in disbelief.

"There's something… big. Years from now. At the time, things happen almost by accident, and… I don't know."

"No, please… tell me."

Cat looked up at Fenris again, wondering what she should do. "I don't know if the Maker had a hand in things or not."

"What?" he asked, surprised.

"There are a lot of factors that come together, and at one point, there is a single person that is the only hope of saving all of Thedas."

His eyebrow winged up, but he remained silent.

"I'm worried, that if I stop some of those factors now, that I will prevent that hope as well, leaving Thedas in ruins. I don't know if there really is a Maker… if there is someone that will ensure that that hope still remains, so I feel like I must."

"I… see. This burden is even larger than you originally implied," he said, and she nodded miserably. "Won't you share it with me?" he asked, and she looked at him in surprise, before shaking her head slowly.

"Not today," she answered. "Perhaps at some point, but if anything were to happen to me, then things would progress as they should. I am the extra factor, the thing that is changing the story from what it would be."

"Don't say that like it's a bad thing," he said. "You think I can't read between the lines?" he asked, and she looked at him in question. He gave her a look, and explained. "You continuously glaze over what you knew of me before," he said, and she was taken aback. "Obviously it was not complimentary."

"No, that's not…" she trailed off, and he chuckled. "I am quick to judge and slow to trust," he said with a no apology, and a shrug. "I can only imagine what my life would be like without you in it."

"Oh… but I haven't done anything…" she protested, worrying about this new thought.

"If anything, I don't know that I would even be able to work with Hawke, let alone working with the healer,"he commented dryly. "I would definitely call him something else," he added, which had her laughing.

"It seems I cannot help but change things," she said disparagingly.

"And again, it is not a bad thing," he emphasized. "Things could always change for the better, could they not?"

"You know… I think you've changed me too," she said with a smile.

"Oh?" he asked in surprise.

"Yeah, I never really liked wine before I met you," she said with a smirk, and he laughed.

"See?" he said, leading her to the kitchen. "We've both been changed for the better. Though, if you wanted to clean my house, you didn't have to wait until I left town."

"Well, I wasn't sure if you were going to agree. Better to ask forgiveness, than permission after all."

"So you want my forgiveness then?" he asked.

"No way, this place looks a thousand times better," she grinned at him. "So much more welcoming."

"Ah, so that's it. You think I should welcome others more."

"No, actually. I just wanted to feel more welcome when I'm here."

He laughed aloud at that. "So really, you did this for yourself then?" he laughed again, as he realized he should have known. After all, his room hadn't been touched.

"And what's wrong with that?" she asked disdainfully, feeling insulted.

"Absolutely nothing," he answered. "So, would you like some wine?"

Drakonis 9:32, Dragon

Lady Catarina,

Please feel free to take your time with a response, my letter carrier will be in town for several days. I am sorry to have missed you, when we were so close to Kirkwall, however I am eternally grateful that you were not among your friends in the Deep Roads. I wish we could explain the dangers of broodmothers to all people, but fear that it would not help.

I was surprised to return home and find that you had written. Duran let me read your letter, and as he, I was very glad to hear that you have been safe, and well taken care of. I have missed all our former companions, but from what our newest Warden has told me, you seem like an entirely new person. Hopefully, I will have the opportunity to see you again.

We have heard much about your new companions, though I sense that this Garrett fellow must have his hands full, if I am to take young Carver's words at face value. Some of his stories reminded me of our time traveling Ferelden against the blight. I know I shouldn't miss those times, and I don't miss the blight, I promise! But I do miss the companionship.

Will you tell us of how you are faring? We hear strange things from the Marches, and of course we Wardens cannot get involved, but it is always good to be informed as well. And of course, anything you learn… or hear… that we should know, please pass along as well. Duran has been interested in learning more about the Wardens, we know so very little after all, and now we are basically on our own.

We have kept in contact with the others mainly due to Leliana. I haven't the space to write it all, but know that they are doing well, and find themselves on personal quests of sorts.

I look forward to your response!

Your friend, Alistair

p.s. Enclosed is a letter for Anders from Nathaniel. Are you sure you want to meet him?

Anders-

Duran asked that I let you know that your friend survived, and is now a junior member of the Grey Wardens. He knows next to nothing, and acts like a spoiled, pampered princess. And yet, is still a better Warden than you are. Consider your favor done, and now you owe me one.

- Nathaniel

p.s. Anders, please help take care of Cat for me, though I am sure you are. She's basically family, and missed, just as you are. - Duran

Cloudreach 9:32

Mother-

I'm sorry, there isn't much time to write. But the Warden Commander heard that I was presumed dead, so he insisted that I write and let you know that is not the case. I'm sorry that I can't be there to look after you, but Garrett was always better at that anyway.

While this isn't the life I went looking for, there is something that makes me proud, serving all of Thedas as a Warden, without thought of recognition. I will make you proud someday, I'll be the best Warden there is.

Even though I cannot keep in touch, I'm glad you still have Garrett. Father and Bethany would be happy about that too I think, they wouldn't want you alone. One day, Maker only knows when, we'll all be together, and we'll see each other again. Until then, take care, and think of me.

- Carver

Solace 9:42

My friends-

I wish I had known you would have met with my crew here, I would have been sorely tempted to have gone on the expedition. No, that is a lie, but I would have written a letter at least. To be honest, I was expecting Warden Stroud, but that is not important now.

Kirkwall is strangely quiet now, but it seems as if it is the calm before the storm. There are a group of Qunari that crashed their ship on our shore, and are waiting for another sent from Par Vollen. The people of the city grow tired of having them, and the Qunari grow tired of being here, and tensions are rising. How long does a ship take to arrive?

I am faring well, the city has been rather kind to Isabela and I, for the most part. We arrived here after being caught in a storm, and her ship… was lost, along with most of the crew. She has fulfilled her promise and then some, becoming not only a protector, but a cherished friend as well.

Anders has been an exceptional friend as well, and while he wouldn't appreciate my saying this, he is sorry that he has disappointed Nathaniel. I think he enjoyed the time he spent with you, commander, but there is much that he wishes to accomplish, now especially. that it is not only his own desires he seeks to attain.

He runs clinic here in the city, helping others with no thought of payment, almost as if he were seeking to do good to outweigh the bad. I don't always understand his reasons, but I help where I can.

I should probably mention, there have been a few encounters now with Flemeth. First, she helped Hawke's family escape Lothering before it was destroyed. In return, she had Hawke deliver an amulet to a mountain here in the Marches. When we brought the amulet to the correct location, Flemeth appeared, having been smuggled out without him even knowing he was carrying her.

I realize that this may or may not cause you alarm, as I am not certain what your choice for her fate had been. But let me add, that I was severely wounded, and she healed me, asking nothing in return. It was strange, and I still am uncertain why, but I feel that she will not only NOT cause problems, but will not be able to be found, even if you went looking.

At some point, you may find a way to find Morrigan, and I ask that you not tell her about Flemeth. Trust me on this.

The rest of the crew are people that Hawke has helped, and in return, helped him with his expedition. Now however, we are all friends, and I don't think they would leave him, unless they had to.

- Cat

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Obviously, I'm asking for your opinion," Alistair sighed, rolling his eyes at Nathaniel.

"I… don't know. There are too many things that don't make sense. Yes, you've told me the stories," he said quickly, before Alistair could interrupt. "But it isn't the same as going through it."

"True, but you can't deny…"

"No, I cannot."

"I'm sorry if this is becoming a burden Nathaniel," Duran said, finally speaking.

"It's… not a burden commander, more, trying to make my mind think a different way than it is used to." He shook his head, as if that would help. "It can be exhausting, but eventually, it will become easier. I am still trying to wrap my head around how she knows Stroud."

Duran smirked, enjoying the contrast between his two friends. Alistair, so trusting, and always smiling or joking. And Nathaniel, usually frowning, sometimes doubting and always serious. But for all their differences they were remarkably similar.

"What's that look for?" Alistair asked, and Duran was brought out of his thoughts.

"Just thinking how much you two are alike," Duran said, knowing the reaction he would receive. He smirked as they looked at each other, then him in disbelief. "Following your duty no matter the cost, extremely loyal and trustworthy friends, and exceptional leaders. I don't know how I would do this without either of you."

He laughed as they both flushed slightly at his praise, noticing that they avoided his eyes, as they searched for words.

"This letter has helped me some," he said, putting them at ease by getting back to their previous conversation. "First, Cat is not one to exaggerate, so things in Kirkwall, while escalating, are not at a crucial point yet. We still have time to investigate."

They nodded and he continued. "Secondly, it is nice to have confirmation of what we already suspected. She didn't know that we let Flemeth go, but it sounds like she wouldn't have been gone, even if we were successful in killing her. This also tells us, that while Flemeth is smart, and powerful, she cannot see the future, otherwise, why have this contingency plan?"

"Oh, that's true…" Alistair mumbled.

"And third, Cat once again, knows more than she is telling."

They looked up at him in question.

"I had yet to inform you of my decision, but I'm leaving for a time."

"What?" they asked in unison.

"I got a lead on Morrigan's whereabouts, and I'm going to follow up on it. And, if I'm able, I'm going to see my child."