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"What are you doing?" Cassandra questioned the woman who had appeared beside her while she went through her drills.
"I wanted to get a little practice in," Hawke answered brightly. "Keep the sword arms ready to swing, you know." She rolled her shoulders and stretched her neck side to side.
Cassandra said nothing.
The silence dragged on until Hawke said, "Varric told me you might be a little upset..."
Cassandra interrupted. "I am sure Varric has told you many things." She swung her sword, thinking about the annoying dwarf. "He has also upset many things." She slashed at the dummy in front of her.
Hawke watched Cassandra's angry blows for a moment. "Varric likes his stories. Sometimes he just forgets we aren't his characters to play with. He means well though."
Cassandra had finally stopped swinging at her target and was looking at Hawke. She realized her anger might have been misplaced, but Hawke was still an unpredictable element who needed to be watched. As Cassandra arrived at that conclusion, Hawke hefted her sword and brought it crashing down on the target's head. She let out a yell of triumph as she pulled the sword out of the cleaved head. She looked to Cassandra for approval.
Cassandra merely arched an eyebrow at the display. Definitely needs to be watched, she thought.
Breathing heavily, Hawke tried to shove the head back together, but it wouldn't stay.
Cassandra turned around and tried to focus on her own target while channeling all of her frustration at storytellers and Champions into each swing of her sword. She remained vigilant as Hawke took some halfhearted swings and wandered away.
"Have you finished with the journals, then?" Blackwall asked as Cassandra set the stack down on a workbench.
"Yes, they were quite interesting. Though the Grey Wardens always carry a sadness with them."
"Indeed," Blackwall agreed, but before he could continue Hawke jogged up to them. "Hi, Cassandra. Blackwall," she nodded at him.
"What can we do for you, Hawke?" Blackwall inquired in a far too friendly manner.
Cassandra only glared at the woman who had interrupted. Oddly enough, it seemed Hawke had to search for an answer to the simple question. Her eyes darted around the barn. As the seconds went by, Cassandra watched her closely. Her short hair flopped over one eye, her forearms were corded with muscles, and she was quite tall. Taller than expected.
Hawke finally seemed to settle on an answer, and said, "I've heard the Inquisition has acquired some impressive mounts, so I came to have a look." Hawke made eye contact with Cassandra while she said this.
Blackwell began to discuss the Inquisition's mounts, but Cassandra couldn't focus on what was being said because Hawke kept glancing at her in a rather suspicious manner.
Finally, the two of them stopped talking when the horse master walked by leading the Inquisitor's mount. Hawke thanked Blackwall, and she started to back away.
"Maybe we could go for a ride sometime, Cassandra? We could..."
Whatever she was going to say was lost and there was no time to respond to the question anyway because Hawke backed directly into an empty barrel and made it tip over. This initiated a chain reaction that startled the Inquisitor's mount, made the stable boy trip over his own feet, and the saddle he was carrying fly into the well.
Hawke smiled at everyone who was staring at the scene she had caused. "That could have gone better," she laughed and swept her hair back before she leaned over to peer into the well.
"Maker preserve us," Cassandra muttered. She sighed and returned her attention back to Blackwall who was looking at her with an annoyingly knowing expression. "What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"No reason at all, Lady Cassandra." He smirked.
Cassandra huffed.
The Herald's Rest was alive with noise and bustle. Whenever the Inquisitor made an appearance everyone's spirits lifted. It was good to see the Inquisitor's closest companions enjoying themselves too, and Cassandra took a healthy swig of her drink.
Varric appeared by her side at the bar with his own mug. "Nice of you to join us, Lady Seeker."
Loud cheers erupted from one of the tables. The people were playing a drinking game and in the center of it was Hawke. Tall, loud, captivating Hawke.
More cheers startled her out of her reverie, and she watched Hawke climb onto the table and perform a ridiculous dance.
"What was that?" Cassandra was bewildered and, despite herself, intrigued.
"Hawke is like a puppy. She needs to get all of her energy out," Varric said fondly.
Cassandra snorted. "Yes, a little mabari wreaking havoc all over the house."
"Listen, Seeker. Why don't you just ask Hawke to have a drink with you? Then you can stop all your pining and learn everything you want to know straight from the horse's mouth." He motioned for Hawke to come over before she could slap his hand down or argue over his use of the word, "pining."
Cassandra mumbled something about a horse's ass into her mug and watched the smiling woman wind her way over. Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the general lightness of mood in the tavern, but she decided to approach the coming interaction with an open mind.
"Hawke, the Seeker here would like to speak with you. Upstairs, where you can hear better."
As Hawke's strong arm guided her towards the stairs, Cassandra realized Varric was not coming with them and she fought the panic she felt rising. She could do this. She could talk to the Champion. Alone. She gulped.
The din lessened as they climbed the stairs and found a table by a window to sit at. Cassandra appreciated the night breeze that blew across her warm face as she struggled to think of something to say.
"Let me guess, Varric is meddling," Hawke said.
"It seems to be what he does best," Cassandra replied, thankful Hawke had spoken first.
"You have no... Well, you have the idea."
Cassandra arched an eyebrow. "I cannot believe he lied this entire time about you."
"It's because he's so cute that he gets away with being such a pain in the ass."
Cassandra surprised herself by laughing at Hawke's words. Hawke seemed to take the laughter as a good sign and began to tell a story about Varric. As she watched the other woman's lively gestures, she realized how compelling Hawke was. So many people defended Hawke and loved her. Cassandra could understand why.
Then she realized with alcohol-dulled panic that she was one of those people enraptured by Hawke.
Cassandra looked at her reflection in the mirror. "I can't believe Josephine has done this," she said morosely. The dress was too wide and too ornate. If this was required to please potential allies, the Inquisition could manage just fine on its own. She fussed with the silly collar that stuck up like a flower. The only consolation was Josephine had done this to everyone.
She heaved a sigh and made for the great hall.
Varric was in his usual corner. His ruffled collar made Cassandra smile.
"Let's not talk about it," he said by way of greeting.
"Agreed," she responded, and they turned to watch all of the people milling about.
Hawke entered the hall and Cassandra felt her heartbeat quicken. She wore the collar well, it gracefully framed her angular jaw, and Cassandra appreciated how it made her look even more dashing.
"You look lovely, Lady Cassandra," Hawke said as she joined them.
Cassandra felt her cheeks begin to warm from the compliment.
Varric cleared his throat.
"You too, Varric," Hawke said with a quick glance his way.
Music began to play and people paired up to dance.
Hawke bowed before Cassandra and held out a hand, "Would you honor me with a dance, my lady?"
Cassandra froze at the question until she heard Varric begin to laugh. "Do. Not. Say. A. Word. Varric," she said from the corner of her mouth.
The dwarf chuckled and raised his hands. He ambled away to speak with the others.
"I would love to dance," she forced the words out and placed her hand in Hawke's.
Hawke graced her with a beaming smile, and Cassandra felt herself melt.
They spun around the room, and Cassandra couldn't remember the last time she had felt so light and free. They stopped after a couple of dances to catch their breath, and Hawke retrieved drinks for them.
Cassandra followed her every move through the crowd. She admired the ease with which the other woman navigated through the people. She fidgeted with her dress as Hawke made it back.
"These are some interesting outfits, aren't they?" Hawke asked as she passed a drink to Cassandra.
"They are dreadful. I look ridiculous," Cassandra said with a little embarrassment.
"I think you look amazing," Hawke gave a lopsided grin.
"Do you really think so?" Cassandra asked tentatively.
"Oh, yes," Hawke said and cupped Cassandra's reddened cheek with one hand. "I like everything you wear and everything you do. You're a hell of a woman, Lady Cassandra."
Cassandra didn't think she could blush any more, but her face proved her wrong. Hawke's earnest words left her speechless, but she forgot to worry about that when Hawke placed both hands on her hips, and it felt so right to be in the embrace of Hawke's arms.
"Is this all right?" Hawke asked quietly.
She felt a touch lightheaded and moved closer so their bodies brushed together. "Quite."
Hawke gave another one of her dazzling smiles and leaned down to press a kiss against Cassandra's lips.
Cassandra floated through the rest of the evening. She and Hawke danced the night away with eyes only for each other.
It had been a long day of writing tiresome reports, and Cassandra was ready to be done with them. She stretched her back and noticed a messenger was walking toward her.
She opened the letter that the messenger handed her.
Meet me at the tower, it read. It was signed by Hawke.
Cassandra walked to the tower wondering what Hawke could want. She found her waiting at the stairs. "I received your message," she said. "What did you need?"
"I needed your presence for a very important matter," Hawke said, grinning. "Follow me," she said and started up the stairs.
"Should I be worried?" Cassandra asked once they reached the top.
"Always." Hawke circled behind her. "Now, close your eyes," Hawke whispered in her ear and Cassandra shivered.
Cassandra closed them, and Hawke gently guided her along the wall by the arms. Finally they stopped. "Open your eyes," Hawke said.
Cassandra gave a small gasp when she saw what Hawke had prepared. A table and two chairs had been set up on the wall. Candles flickered in the wind and flowers decorated the table and castle walls. It was a lovely sight.
"What is this for?" she asked.
"It's for you," Hawke replied. She pulled one chair out for Cassandra to sit in and helped her move it closer to the table.
"But what is the occasion," she asked as Hawke took her seat.
"The occasion is how special you are."
Cassandra scoffed but accepted the answer as she surveyed the food before them.
Hawke reached down to grab something and placed it on the table. It was Cassandra's slightly worn copy of The Tale of the Champion.
"Open it," Hawke urged.
Cassandra opened the cover. "You signed it?"
"Varric told me you like the book and suggested I sign it for you."
"Of course he did," Cassandra said. She read the note Hawke had written along with her name.
The story isn't finished. Hawke still has dragons to slay and a lady's hand to win.
Cassandra closed the cover. "I suppose I will have to thank Varric."
Hawke laughed, "I don't think you made it sound as painful as possible. Try again."
Cassandra smiled. "You are wrong about one thing though."
"What's that?"
"Hawke has already won the lady's hand."
Cassandra loved Hawke's smile.
After they finished their dinner, they leaned against the tower and looked up at the stars. Cassandra tipped her head back to rest against Hawke's chest as Hawke's arms encircled her. It was perfect.
"And so, the Seeker who was sought finally got her woman," a familiar voice broke the quiet from somewhere below.
"We can hear you, Varric," Cassandra shouted at him.
Hawke laughed and Cassandra turned around in her arms. She pulled Hawke toward her and pressed their lips together in a firm but sweet kiss. Hawke's lips parted and the gentle brush of tongue made her toes curl. She caught Hawke's lip with her teeth and slowly pulled away, a promise of what was to come.
Hawke looked dazed as Cassandra turned around to settle against her again. Hawke's arm squeezed tightly around her and made her shiver. Cassandra let her head fall back into place on Hawke's chest, and she slowly exhaled while the stars shone above.
She was quite happy with how this story was going.