Empty. The bed, the familiar feel of the taint within, empty. He didn't bother to stretch an arm beside him to see if Nathaniel was still there. The Wardens had left, and Nathaniel went with them. The constant hum that flowed through his veins when near his former brothers was gone, leaving his body numb after so many days of the close contact.

Anders rubbed his eyes and opened them slightly, allowing for the adjustment of the bright morning sun through the windows. A knock at the door forced him to sit up, the blanket drifting with the movement and exposing his bare chest. "Go away," he grumbled, running his hand through his tousled hair.

His morning visitor ignored him and opened the door. "You can't be tellin' me to go away," Madam Lusine replied. "Unless you're wantin' to pay me for the day, clear out so I can prepare for the lunch crowd." She inhaled deeply, and then gave him a sly glance. "Someone had a good night," she said.

"And a quiet morning is too much to ask I suppose," Anders replied, pulling the blanket into his lap.

"Not gonna find that here I'm afraid," Lusine said as she opened one of the windows. "Your friends cleared out of here this morning," she informed him. "But your guest left you this," she said, retrieving a letter from her skirt pocket. She tossed it on the bed. "Read it on your own time, or pay me for mine."

Anders sighed. "Fine, some privacy then to get dressed?"

Lusine gathered three empty wine bottles from the table. "You think I haven't seen male bits before? Five minutes and your ass is downstairs, or I'll send up a few guys to motivate you." The bottles clinked as she moved them under one arm to close the door with the other.

As he dragged his exhausted body out of bed, Anders winced at the old familiar pain he felt from spending the night with man. He considered healing the ache to make movement easier, but found that it was a feeling he had missed too much to dismiss so quickly. He got dressed, wet his hair in the washroom and pulled it back into its usual style, and then made his way downstairs.

"Didn't expect to see you here," a familiar voice sounded from the bar. Anders groaned inwardly as he spotted Gamlen. "That niece of mine throw you out or somethin'?"

"Or something," Anders muttered as he joined him. He tossed a coin to the barkeeper and ordered a drink, hoping to erase the stale wine on his breath. "A bit early for you, isn't it?"

"Early or late, depending on how you look at it," Gamlen said. "If you don't tell her I was here, I won't tell her you was here. Deal?"

Anders nodded in agreement. There was no need to divulge to Gamlen that Hawke already knew he was at the brothel, and probably was also well aware of her uncle's frequent visits to the establishment. He only wished for the man to remain quiet long enough for Anders to finish his drink and return home. Thankfully Gamlen was a man easily distracted, and an elf passing by caught his attention. He winked at Anders, and then got up to pester the poor woman who was busy cleaning tables.

Finding himself now alone at the bar, Anders took the opportunity to read Nathaniel's letter. He was painfully aware of what it most likely contained; a final goodbye considering the man had left with the Wardens.

Anders,

However cold your morning may have felt, it is nothing compared to the years I have spent enduring the same. One night can not erase the torment within, no matter how great it was. I nearly left you to wonder, considered disappearing without a word as you had done, but I am not like you. I could never be.

No, now it is my choice to abandon you. To leave you in your days of need. I can not be as grandiose in my departure with a corpse that is not mine, but you know the life of a Warden. My death is already written, it's just a matter of time. My loyalty lies with the Wardens. I took an oath, vowed to stand beside them in the battle against the darkspawn. No matter my troubles or desires, I will never leave them, not even for you.

Do not mistake my tenderness last night as forgiveness, for that is something I can not give at this time. Our actions were a mere glimpse into a past long buried, where you must remain if I am to continue on without you.

For years you have been dead to me and the Wardens, and dead you shall be again. I will speak with Stroud, and convince him you were never seen in Kirkwall. That is all I am willing to do for you, and for Justice.

Perhaps we'll meet again, when our fate finds us both.

Nathaniel

.✣✦✣✦✣✦✣✦✣✦✣✦✣.

Anders entered the Hawke estate filled with anxiety. Though she gave her permission for the events of last night, he couldn't help but wonder if his actions would have consequences. He rested his staff along the wall near the front door and moved through the foyer into the living room.

Bodahn and Sandal greeted him with energetic warmth. It helped put him slightly at ease; if Hawke had been in a foul mood, they would not be as welcoming. Anders instinctively took a step back when Hawke's mabari came running into the room and leapt up, bathing his unclean face with her tongue.

"Happy to see you too Tess," Anders said, fighting against the weight of the hound.

"Oh good, you're back," Hawke said as she descended the stairs from their bedroom. A large traveling bag was hanging on her shoulder, which she removed and tossed to the floor. "We're leaving for Chateau Haine this afternoon, that is if you are up for the trip."

"Duke Prosper's place?" Anders asked. "Why in the Maker's name would we go there?"

Hawke laughed. "Pompous Orlesian, I know. Not necessarily my choice, but I can explain on the way. That is, assuming, your business has been concluded?"

Anders shifted uncomfortably. "It's finished," he confirmed for her. "Do you not want to talk about it?"

"'Finished' is all I needed to hear," Hawke stated. "Grab some clothes and let's be off. I can't wait to introduce you to our new friend."

Six months later, in a small tavern outside Starkhaven...

"I never got the chance to thank you," Hawke said. "For your assistance in the fight. I still have no idea what you were doing there, but taking down Meredith would've been a lot harder without your timely assistance."

Nathaniel took a sip of his ale. "Picking up correspondence for the Wardens," he said casually. "I was just outside the gates when I saw the explosion."

"Yes," Hawke sighed. "The handiwork of an angry mage and a righteous spirit. I still can't believe they took it so far, killing hundreds of innocents in the process. After all the good he did, all the lives he saved, why Anders chose that path I will never understand."

"Justice chose for him," Nathaniel stated. "Anders alone never would have done such a thing."

"And now they're both dead," Hawke said, knocking back the rest of her drink.

"Remember," Nathaniel said, "I once thought him dead too. I'd put money on this being another one of Anders' grandiose schemes to flee, and in a few years you'll see him again."

"I almost wish that were true, just so I could kick his ass for his stupidity," Hawke said. "But you were there Nathaniel. You saw me plunge the blade into his spine."

"It is true. I'm sure of it, regardless of what I saw," he said. "And when that day comes, when he comes waltzing back into your life as if nothing has happened, come find me. We'll share a drink to us both being played by that fool."

"Or toast to a dear friend lost."

"Yes," Nathaniel smiled weakly. "That too."

Hawke stood and kissed him on the cheek. "Take care of yourself Nathaniel. It was good seeing you again."

"And you as well," he said, and watched as she exited the tavern.

Seconds later, a hooded figure came up to Nathaniel from behind. "She looks better than I thought," the man said. "Though I had a feeling she'd make it out of Kirkwall unscathed."

"Yes, she is the Champion after all," Nathaniel said, turning to the man in dark robes. "Now let us leave before the Wardens arrive. I do not wish for them to find us here."

"After you," the man gestured with a hand extended toward the door.

Nathaniel shook his head. "I don't think so. You stay in front where I can see you."

"Still afraid I'm going to leave you again?" the man asked.

A small frown turned Nathaniel's lips, but there was a slight twinkle in his eye. "No Anders, I just like the view from back here." He gave him a playful tap on his rear, and the two men left together, disappearing into the night.

✣✦~The End~✦✣