I have to admit, I am an absolute sucker for the HawkexFenris stories (almost to an unhealthy degree) so when a friend suggested that I write Hawke and Fenris's story from where the game left off, I couldn't resist. Several weeks later and many a twist added in, this story was born.

While the story is mine, the idea is written in honor for my friend who couldn't produce a creative or structural sentence to save her life—but heavens do I love your devious mind.

Also, mad props to the creators of Dragon Age 2. As short as the game was, you gave birth to characters that I—along with your vast fandom—can't get enough of. As well as an ending left so deliciously open, us writers can't resist the chance to create a story of our own.

As a side note to the readers, this fanfic uses the standard f!Hawke design and look, but her name is of my character from when I played the game (though it will almost never be said, so 'Hawke' will still be the predominant use of her name, as it was in the game.)

With that, enjoy.

.-.-.

Chapter One.

The fire went out with a sizzle and a crack as Hawke poured water over it. A kick of dirt over top, and their small source of warmth disappeared as if it were never there. Fenris paused in the gathering of his things to look up at Hawke, as did the Mabari, Brutus, who was sitting patiently by his side. She smiled down at them, her eyes tired from a crooked sleep schedule and worn from travel.

Fenris, quite obviously, was more accustomed to traveling at night, but after months of doing so, even he was starting to look the same. "Eager to be off, Hawke?" He raised an eyebrow at her in question.

"Heh, not at all," Hawke said reaching for the largest pack of the three they carried. "Just eager to get to Starkhaven." Fenris laid a gauntleted hand over top the pack instead. This time Hawke cocked an eyebrow in response but Fenris just shook his head.

"There isn't much further left; I'll carry it for the final stretch." Hawke simply shrugged and layered the two smaller packs over her back before raising her hood. Fenris mirrored her actions but stayed low to the ground as he pulled a faded and roughly used map from his belt. He unfolded it as he had many times before and spread it out for the two of them to see. Hawke bent low over his shoulder as he pointed at a spot just above the blue squiggly line labeled Minanter River. "We are here," he started, "just five leagues from Starkhaven,"—Fenris moved his finger across the map to the correct point—"given the time we've been making as of late, and assuming we don't come across any more trouble," he paused to look at Hawke who just rolled her eyes mumbling "you'll never let that go" before continuing, "we should be there by mid-night. Possibly later if the currents of the river aren't too bad."

"And we have a route across the river right?"

"Correct," Fenris pointed a particularly mean looking bend in the river's snake-like form on the map. "There is a bridge here that stretches between two mountainous cliffs. This is an old bridge, but it should still be as sturdy as it was the last I used it."

"'The last you used it?'" Hawke quoted, "So you're going on a hunch that that bridge is still there from when you were on the run from Denarius?"

Fenris just shrugged, for this hadn't been the first time Hawke had questioned his methods of travel, "It hasn't been that long since I arrived at Kirkwall. I doubt much has happened to this part of the Free Marches since we left."

"It's been nine years since you arrived at Kirkwall, Fenris. And only two of those years were spent with me while on the run."

"All the same. It isn't a well-known bridge. I doubt anyone has used it in quite some time."

Hawke just looked at him. He should know better then to assume the Templars hadn't torn apart every bush looking for them in the Free Marches. Not that that had helped the Templars much.

After the events at Kirkwall, Hawke and her friends had known better than to try escaping through the Free Marches. In stead they had taken a route Isabela knew of along the coast towards Ostwick. Though that had also been the last place Hawke had traveled to with the pirate. A bittersweet taste came with that memory; Hawke quickly buried it away, back to the recess of her mind. She hadn't wanted to touch those sad months of parting between her and her former companions for the longest time. Not before—

"Hawke?"

Fenris drew Hawke back into reality with a gasp of breath. He touched her hand lightly but she just smiled, slipping him a quick kiss before standing and stretching her limbs in preparation for the walk ahead of them. "Well, that distance isn't going to shorten by just standing here will it? Let's be off while we still have a little daylight left."

He gave her a strange look, but Fenris didn't argue. Just stood and whistled Brutus along, taking the lead at the front of their small troop as it traveled down the hillside.

Hawke tried desperately to keep a quiet conversation going on between them, to keep his interest on the sound of her voice. But Fenris had never been one for small talk during travel, so Hawke tried a different method to keeping her thoughts at bay. She tried listening to the crunch of leaves under their feet, the occasional squirrel rushing up a tree, Brutus's panting. Anything to keep those sad memories from coming back into light, but the closer they got to Starkhaven, the more often she found herself recalling everything over the past two years. Perhaps it was because of Fenris's idea to seek their friends out in aid, or perhaps she was just getting nervous the deeper they travelled into the Free Marches. Or maybe it was just the situation they were in that caused this journey to find their friends in the first place. It had been so long since she had seen Sebastian, or any of her former companions for that matter. If the loyalty of any of their friends had faltered over this past year—

Hawke sighed. She and Fenris had agreed some time ago that Sebastian would be the first person they would seek out, though, he hadn't been their first choice. But since he was the only one to boast about where he was going, it was a good place to start as any.

During their last nights together, Sebastian had offered refuge in his city to everyone in the group—except Anders—but no one had really been willing to take it. Being the unannounced second home of the Chantry as well as the closest neighbor to Kirkwall, Hawke had pointed out to him just how suicidal it would be for any of them to go there.

"The place will be crawling with Templars before we even arrived," Hawke had said. "If I had wanted to be captured, I would've just stayed at Kirkwall."

No one could disagree with that. All the same, Sebastian left the offer open before he left for his home the next morning.

The group had stayed together until Isabela's parting at Ostwick (she seemingly "obtained ownership" of a ship in port there, it broke poor Merril's heart when she left) after that their numbers started shrinking quickly. Anders left one night without a word to anyone—that hadn't been too terrible a loss for Hawke, who had grown to detest the blond mage; Fenris had practically thrown a party in celebration—and Merril followed suit just a month later. Though, Merril's leaving hadn't been so much of a sudden thing, the blood mage had been talking of redeeming her sin of the forbidden magic for months before the final battle in Kirkwall had even began. One day, she found her calling in a small village seeking a healer. She left that same afternoon. Varric stuck around for a month or so before they received word that things had settled down in Kirkwall finally. He left with—much to Hawke's dismay—the promise of continuing his tales of her adventures.

"I'll add in a heroic death for ya if you like, Hawke," the dwarf had offered, half-joking. But Hawke, still in a good-humored mood at that point in time, had instead suggested he make up some fanciful epilogue. Now, though, she wishes she had taken his offer. Hawke would never get the chance to tell him that though, since Varric's return to Kirkwall, he's been out of her reach both in writing and visitation. Kirkwall was never to be a place she could return too.

After just two months of goodbyes, only Bethany, Aveline, Donnic, and Fenris were left at her side. Aveline and Donnic stayed with them the longest, though more than once Hawke had over heard them talking about Sebastian's offer in Starkhaven.

Bethany, unfortunately, was called off on duty as a warden when they reached the city of Seleny in Antiva. She would send letters to Hawke every week though, making them appear out of thin air wherever they were. This continued for a while until suddenly the letters stop coming. Fearing the worst, Hawke broke down in a heap of sadness that was still not fully cured. That had been when Hawke's spell of melancholy started: taking away her joking and light-hearted nature and replacing it with a quieter, less hopeful Hawke that shut everyone out. Well, everyone except for Fenris. He had stuck with her through thick and thin and seemed to be the only one to pull her back out of her quiet darkness. The hurt had only continued for Hawke though, because it wasn't long after that that Aveline and Donnic decided to part ways as well.

It was a tearful goodbye, and though it had broken Hawke's heart all over again, she was at least grateful they didn't just vanish as Bethany had. Since they had never said where they were going, Hawke suspected that Aveline and Donnic had eventually given into Sebastian's offer of refuge and gone to Starkhaven. But after events in recent months' past, she had all but given hope that their luck would change in favor of that being the case.

Hawke let out a long deep exhale as she remembered it all. It was just as she felt before: bittersweet laced with a multitude of nameless emotions. Her and Fenris's lives had changed so much over the past year, and so many more memories had been made that she had locked everything away in hopes that her melancholy would be buried with it. But now that she thought on it, burying away those memories did nothing but add cold winds to the winter in her heart. It hadn't been until after Fenris had given her his piece of him had the snow and ice started to melt away.

Now, as she trailed behind him, Hawke saw Fenris in a whole new light. She could finally understand the attachment Fenris always had to her; finally know what he was feeling when he looked at her as his personal savior. So long ago, Hawke had saved Fenris in both body and mind from Denarius and the abuse that had lingered from him. And now, Fenris had paid her back two-fold by saving Hawke from herself.

Of course, she had always loved Fenris; ever since their first night together Hawke had loved the lyrium-tattooed elf. But now—words couldn't describe what she felt for him. He had saved her life and given her a new one to look forward. She smiled as she thought back to how she'd told him he wasn't alone after the issue with his sister—that he had her by his side and always would. How ironic, now, that he could just turn around and say the exact same thing to her. Well, somewhat the same anyways.

Hawke, still in a bittersweet mood, decided to give small talk a shot again. "Do you think Sebastian took the throne?" She tried.

"Probably," came her short-answered reward for her efforts. Hawke's face fell but after a moment Fenris continued, "He certainly talked enough about it."

Hawke perked up. "I wonder how he went about claiming the throne," she mused, "Maybe he marched into the city as a one-man army; bow blazing as he claimed the city in the glorious name of Andraste."

Hawke saw the edge of Fenris's cheek raise in a smile, "Perhaps he's even tore down his castle and built an enormous Chantry in its place."

She chuckled, "And he's written to the Divine to seek her approval on his Holy Rule of the city,"—Hawke did a dance of victory in her mind as Fenris chuckled at that—"A fitting outcome for our saintly-friend."

"Very," Fenris said. His responses went back to their one-word-ways as Hawke continued to jest at the expense of their old ally. Eventually though, the conversation lead to other topics, but it just made the journey that much more bearable for Hawke.

For hours they walked on, resting only if they absolutely needed too, and even then only if they felt the way might not be clear ahead. Often Fenris would hold up a hand to quiet the conversation, just for a moment to listen to his surroundings, before lowering it and allowing Hawke to babble on again.

They kept to the higher part of the trails, taking advantage of the height to watch the roads below for anything and anyone who may be traveling below them. Recent events had made the pair rather paranoid, which only made having the Mabari all that more useful.

They had found the abandoned war-hound while traveling through the drylands—they had eventually decided to travel out to Rivain in hopes of finding Isabela there, but to no avail—and after imprinting on Fenris, Brutus had proven his worth by taking down a couple bandits they hadn't notice were following them. Though, that still hadn't been able to ease their minds as of late.

Another hour of travel and Fenris stopped suddenly, making Hawke almost run into his pack.

"Fenris?"

"Look," was all he said as he pointed a finger ahead of him to a clearing through the trees. Evidently there was something beyond only his elf eyes could see. Hawke pushed past the thick brush and came to an open ledge. Just before her was the bridge Fenris had spoken of.

It crossed the canyon with a downward slope; something Hawke knew was going to make things difficult for Fenris when he made to cross it. They would have to cross one at a time—which only made Hawke even more nervous. Fenris come up behind her.

"Well," she started sarcastically, "This'll be fun."

Fenris, though, just chuckled. "You don't see it do you?" he asked, coming about to her side.

Hawke gave him a curious glance, "See what?" Her mind immediately gave her responses in his voice; responses she dreaded to hear.

Fenris said nothing, however, and instead just wrapped an arm around her shoulder as he made his head level with hers, pointing off into the distance once more. Hawke followed his finger to a point far beyond the edges of the small mountain they stood upon. The river continued its cut into the earth off into the distance, gleaming as it reflected the bright full moon above them. And there, gleaming just as brightly—though still a small gleam—was Starkhaven.

Hawke's heart dropped to the pit of her stomach before fluttering back up towards her chest. Just beyond this bridge was their destination, and their hope. Hawke breathed in sharply as possibilities both good and bad flooded her thoughts, drowning her attention in a sea of what if's and maybe's. So much so that she jumped slightly as Fenris laced his fingers with hers, which only made him chuckle. He kissed her cheek and turned her face towards his with his other hand.

"It'll be fine Hawke. Whatever's waiting for us in that city, I'll be there," her hearted melted at his words of comfort, solidified, and then melted again as he kissed her softly shortly after. Hawke just smiled in response, giving his hand a squeeze.

Too quickly, though, he let go, and started ahead of her again. Taking the first steps across the old bridge himself first. Hawke looked on after him, partially watching in protection, and partially in awe of his being.

The moon reflected off the silver armor on his arms, the only break in that being the red favor that he wore around his wrist in honor of Hawke. She smiled at it, stifling a giggle as she thought about how she used to want something of his to have as a favor for him. Something that she could have that would always remind her of him, no matter where they were or if they were ever apart from each other.

Funny how things work out, she thought as he made it across, safe and sound.

.-.-.-.-.

The last leg to the city was farther than either of them had anticipated, and being such, drained them of the energy they had been saving in case there was a battle ahead. But they prepared their weapons all the same as they approached the outer gate.

Starkhaven, it seemed, was surrounded by a none-too-intimidating, semi-circular wall that broke only where the river was. The Minanter River ran strait through the city, splitting off only at one side, which, Hawke assumed, fed the farming fields outside the city. (The city itself was so enormous, though, that sight of these alleged farms were impossible.) Small ships could be seen, tied along docks from where they crouched in the brush. And the houses! Hawke was in utter awe of the towering buildings that only grew in size the further she peered in.

Starkhaven makes Kirkwall look like a small port town, Hawke thought as she took it all in. It would take them weeks to find Sebastian in all of this, even if he was the Prince.

To the left from where they crouched in the brush was the road from before, leading up to the only pedestrian entrance on this side. It was a large iron gate with slits only large enough to fit parcels through. Two guards stood at either side of the gate.

Hawke turned to Fenris who was eyeing the guards, "How are we going to go about this?"

No response.

"Fenris?"

"Shh."

Hawke's brows furrowed, but she complied. Fine, put together your plans then.

They sat there for a few moments longer before Fenris finally sighed. "It's no good." He murmured.

Hawke blinked, "What isn't?"

"I've been trying to think of a way we can just sneak in when the guard changes, but the longer I look at that gate, the more I notice the shadows moving just beyond it," Hawke looked back at the gate, trying to see the shadows he spoke of, but couldn't. "From what I've seen, there should be no reason to change guard until dawn here."

"So what does that mean? We have to just jump the wall?"

Fenris shook his head, "It would be too risky. I can't see them, but I sense the guards are lined on patrol all along the inner walls. That's why I keep seeing shadows just beyond."

Hawke's brow furrowed further in thought as she considered their nearly silent exchange of words. Jumping the wall was out, so was passing through during the changing of the guard (assuming there ever would be one). Going via waterway had been ruled out the moment they got there since even those openings had iron gates over them; keeping any ships from entering the city during the cover of night, she guessed. Something must have this city scared of the dark, Hawke thought with a snort as she put it all together.

She looked over at Fenris who still hadn't taken his eyes away from the guards.

"Should we just wait till dawn then?" she whispered under her breath. Again, Fenris hesitated on his answer.

"No," was all he said.

Hawke's face fell. No? So if they couldn't wait till dawn, and they couldn't sneak in, what was there left to do besides just walking up to the gate and requesting entrance? She repeated her confusion out loud, but again Fenris said nothing, just grunted in response.

After a moment though, Fenris carefully took off his pack and set it down at Hawke's side. "Put your hood up," Fenris demanded as he did the same and started to stand. Hawke, bewildered, quickly grabbed his cloak to stop him.

"Wait," she whispered, "what're you doing?"

"I'm gaining us passage into the city," was his simple reply.

"What—by just walking up to them!? Are you crazy!?" she hissed. Brutus whimpered at her side as her anger flared. "Andraste's ass, Fenris, I thought you would've seen how stupid that is, not actually consider it!"

Fenris shook himself out of her grip and grabbed his massive long sword, slinging it around his back. "I'll be fine," he said, "The second guard's asleep anyways."

Hawke's head snapped back at the gate and sure enough there was a subtle and steady lull to the left guards head as he leaned against the wall, something Hawke had easily over-looked before. Seems that had been what Fenris had been watching and waiting for: for the guard to fall asleep. With one guard asleep, that would make things an even one-on-one for Fenris in case he—

"No," Hawke shot up just before he left the safety of their hiding place. The reality had finally settled in on his plan. "I'm not going to allow you cut those poor men down just to get into the city."

But Fenris just shook his head, laying a hand on her shoulder as he gently sat her back down on the ground. "I'm not planning on fighting my way into the city, Hawke. I'm doing just as I said, asking for passage." Hawke's eyes narrowed, not believing a word. Calm and diplomatic had never been Fenris's strong suite in handling things.

"How do I know you won't start a fight?" she challenged, her eyes still narrow, her voice still hissing in a sharp whisper. His eyes flashed between her and their largest pack. Oh, Hawke thought. That one made sense. Hawke plopped onto the ground, grumbling.

"Why do you have to be the one to go though," she tried one last time.

"Because better I be seen here than you," Fenris retorted, a little coldly.

Hawke just huffed. He had her on that one too.

Just then a loud whine broke the silent tension between them. Hawke and Fenris froze, now glued to where they were in the brush as two coughs also came from their tiny hiding place. The guard that had been snoozing jumped back to life, taking a defensive stance along side the other guard, who had also heard the noise. Figures he would hear that and not all of the arguing that just occurred, Hawke thought.

"Who goes!" said the sleepy guard to the left.

Panicked, blue eyes met livid green ones before both sets turned to the pack between them. Brutus was already there, whimpering and nosing the top of it. Hawke looked back up at Fenris, "Go," she mouthed. He nodded and did so, heading out of the brush and into the open. Better they handle this quickly.

Hawke looked back to the pack, her heart racing in her chest. More than once this had blown their cover. And though Fenris had intended to show him and eventually her as well, Hawke now feared that there might be another brought into the equation if they didn't hurry. One they very much didn't want known, especially not here, not now.

"Just a humble traveler," Fenris's voice drew Hawke's attention back in his direction. He had halted in the center of the road, hands up to show he meant no harm. (Not that the long-sword on his back did much for his case.)

The guard to the right seemed to lower their weapon a bit, relaxing a little. But the sleepy guard kept his stance. "What business have you traveling the high road this late at night?"

"I seek shelter for the night," Fenris kept his voice strong but cool, keeping the guard form suspecting that he meant them any harm. "For me and my kin."

The sleepy guard didn't falter in his stance, but the guard to the left dropped their weapon fully. Hawke immediately went for the throwing knives at her belt, just in case.

"How many are you?"

Fenris hesitated in his answer, and for a moment Hawke wondered in silent horror if Fenris was really going to say the number she was thinking. He'd only do it to save us from a fight, a small voice in the back of her mind tried to reason. But ice ran cold through her veins all the same. She drew in a breath when he opened his mouth to speak and then released it in a sigh of relief as he replied, "Three."

"There's no entrance to the city at night," came the solid reply of the guard. There was an edge to be found in his tired voice.

"Very well," Fenris said, bowing slightly in respect, "Then I shall wait till morning." He made to turn.

Hawke turned away and started to quickly gather their things as another small whimper came form Brutus. She could hear Fenris start to approach the shadows again when—

"Fenris?"

Hawke stopped. Another female voice had said his name, something Hawke hadn't expected. She turned back to see the sleepy guard looking to his right at the other guard who was removing their helmet. Short brown hair trailed out from under the helmet as it was lifted away to reveal a heart-shaped face beneath. Hawke and Fenris looked on in disbelief.

"Brennan?"