To track a legend...

This kiss was soft rather than teasing and it nearly distracted Katrina, “A thief you are indeed, though I think it’s cheating that you can turn invisible.”

Her voice had gone low and if her heart still beat it would be going about a hundred miles a minute but Varric didn’t need to know that. Slowly she raised her eyes from his lips to his gaze.

“Why didn’t you ever say anything? You could have. Why not?” Her brow crinkled uncharacteristically as her brain turned over this information.

"You call it cheating, I call it an advantage." said Varric with a soft smile. It seems he had just fried his friend's brains. She asked why he never brought it up sooner. His smile turned into a frown at that question.

"Being stuffed in a box kinda puts a damper on those plans. Hell I even bought a ring for you but I lost it when running from the castle. I had planned to go back and collect the ring but... well you know what happened next." said Varric. "The took you the morning I as going to ask."

Katrina swallowed hard, “Understandable… but you did have a year between then and when they took me. “

Suddenly it seemed like she and Varric were in the woods behind her home, her in that stupid itchy dress and long dark brown hair and Varric with the hood over his head, that stupid yet infuriating grin on his face.

“What are you going to do about it now?” Her voice was still quite, like the mouse like girl he had first met all those years ago. The sixteen year old girl, trembling, with a bloody nose and a split lip who fought like a hell cat, glaring up at Varric with a knife in her hand.

“Try and take me! Just try!” She had challenged, anger flashing in her eyes.

"Like I said, I bought the ring, I didn't steal it. I didn't steal any money to buy it either. I worked at the blacksmith's shop to get it. I didn't get payed exactly. I chose the ring I wanted to get for you but before I could have it I had to work off the price. It took a lot of convincing to get the blacksmith to agree for that. It took a long time, not to mention I had to make sure you didn't figure it out." said Varric. "I would like to ask you again, if you would do me the honor. I mean, yes I am unaccustomed to the world now. But I can't imagine anyone better to spend it with." The smile crossed his face again. His mind for some reason went back to when he first met Kat, looking back at the first meeting you would never expect the two to click so well.

---

It was a beautify night and the breeze was cool, perfectly matching the warm night. The stars danced around the full moon which hung high over a clear, cloudless sky.Yes, it was a perfect night of an ambush. It was him and 5 others. He didn't really know any of there names, they were from a different section of the cult, the one dealing with all the rituals. Personally he didn't like them, the gave him the creeps but for whatever reasons the priestess wanted Varric to tag along with them. When ever he tried to ask why he was needed they would avoid him or dodge the question. Varric began to lay back in the tree he was in, they had been here for hours, so might as well get comfortable. But just as soon as he did, the signal was up and the ambushed began. Varric leaped from the tree, the shadow from the hood hiding everything that was above the bridge of his nose. He was about to attack but then he stopped himself. The person they where ambushing was a girl... a lone girl, one who look barely older then we did. He reacted before he thought, instead of attack the girl he tackled one of the cultist.

"Hey! What is with you man!" said the firs cultist. At this time the girl was being held by two of the other cultist. By now the group was fighting with each other, Varric versus the other 4 in a very heated argument. Varric couldn't remember why he did it, but he threw  a pair of knives clean into the head of the two cultist holding the girl, The other 3 attacked him but it was a short battle. These men weren't fighters.

Now it was Varric and the girl, who was holding a knife to him. He assume she had gotten it from one the the corpses, considering her dress was so tattered from fighting the cultist before being caught then freed again. She challenged him, but her form was less then intimidating, and her stance was weak. Varric simply walked over and took the knife from her and attempted to push her over with a simple nudge. We would catch her before she landed on the ground, his smile was unquestionably one of amusement. With his open hand he lower his hood as a sign that he had no intention of harming her. "Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you." said Varric, helping the girl back on her feet, handing the knife back to her.

It took several moments for Katrina to process the idea that Varric had just proposed and her eyes widened slightly.

“If your absolutely sure I’m the person for you, I don’t see why not,” She mused, resting her hands on either side of his clean shaven face. She wasn’t quite sure where the Inn was from this area of the forest but it wouldn’t have been the first time she had gotten lost.

**

“Don’t touch me!” Katrina snarled, backing up a few steps keeping the knife between him. A stick cracking beneath her booted feet. She had a scrape along her cheekbone from dashing through the forest trying to stay away from them. He blue eyes glared at him, chips of ice in her face.

Katrina wanted to get away, far away from the bodies that littered the trail home. Why her of all people? Was it because of her inability to travel comfortably during the day or was it something different? Katrina didn’t know. But what she did know is that this knife in this man’s head or ribs would kill him and if he tried anything funny she would do just about anything to get away.

"Well then it's settled then." said Varric, kissing Kat softly on the lips. "I do owe you a ring though, that might take a while but I feel like there is a lot of money to be made here." Varric looked around, they probably should find there way back to the Inn, it was getting dark and Varric's stomach growled loudly. Making a weak laugh Varric lead Kat on a hunt to find the path that would lead them back to the Inn.

---

Varric let out a sigh, this girl was on edge. Although he didn't blame her, with all the stuff she had seen in the past few minutes it would rattle anyone.

"Your stance is horrible, you got lucky with the other guys, they aren't trained to fight. But I am." said Varric, a smirk on his face. "But like I said I'm not going to hurt you. You barely look my age." Varric took out his sword and dropped it on the ground, as a sign of peace. He began to walk slowly towards the girl, making sure to watch her movements carefully.

"What's your name?" said Varric. "If I tell you mine will you tell me yours? I am Varric."

A smile crept across her lips as she heard Varric’s stomach rumble, “Let’s get back and find you something to eat. I know how you get when hungry.”
She let him lead her back to the inn and made sure he got food. Katrina watched him as he ate, offering him a small smile. Katrina did eat… just not much. Her body didn’t run the same way anymore. Different sleeping patterns, different cellular structure, lots of different.
“Eat your fill,” Katrina smiled and ruffled his hair heading back to their room.
**
She glowered, a crinkle forming across her brow.

“Why?” She demanded, “Why save me?”
Katrina was trying to make it clear she did not trust him one bit, but she did lower the knife and slid it into the side of the boot. Blue eyes narrowing at him once more, after hearing his response she chewed on her cheek before saying, “Katrina.”
A strand of brown hair fell into her face and she impatiently dusted it away.

One Varric found the path it did not take them long to get back to the Inn. The pair made their way to the dining room and order food. Well mainly Varric, and it was a lot of it. He didn't waste anytime making up for the 2000 plus years with out food. Although he didn't noticed Kat wasn't eating much anymore. "Aren't you going to eat anything?" asked Varric through a full mouth of turkey and mashed potatoes. In the back of his mind he knew she probably din;t eat much if at all. She was metal now, there wasn't much use for food at that point. Kat had head back to their room early. However Varric stayed a bit longer, he wanted just a bit more to eat. After a knew more courses, he got up and walked back to the room.

----

Varric set the warmest smile he could on his face, this girl was confused why he chose to save her. "Hmm... I don't know, something isn't right about attack someone who has no chance to stand up for themselves. Also you're kinda cute, in a weird mousy way." said Varric. Trying to get this girl to trust him wasn't easy, but he didn't expect it to be. Varric at that point turned around and began to walk into the forest.

"Well Kat, I'm going to set up a camp a few miles off road, If they find me here I would be in as much trouble as you would me. You are welcome to come with me if you want and I can escort you home in the morning, up to you. But who knows if they have more ambushes set up. I know that more then one will happen in a night." said Varric. He walked in the forest, making sure to walk slow enough where Kat could follow him. However he didn't talk to her or anything, if she wanted to come it would be from her own choosing. Varric found a clearing and set up a fire. He had a bit of rabbit jerky with him but not much.

“Hmn?” Katrina asked, glancing over at Varric. “Oh, no. Not hungry.”

Then she vanished into her room, curling up on the bed and playing with the key around her neck, the key to Varric’s box. It was finally over, those years of trying to find him and he was in the other room. Katrina pulled it over her head and laid it on the bedside table, picking up the towel and making her way over to the shower. The best thing about this time was the indoor plumbing and she relished in the feeling of heat as the water rushed over her, warming her skin to a normal human temperature. Getting out of the shower she proceeded to change into pajamas, her hair still warm and damp on her neck. Katrina’s hair seemed to turn into a dark blonde instead of turning transparent when wet.
**
She stiffened when she was called…. Cute. Then she downright glared, how dare he address her so! Even though she was mad, a blush spread across her cheekbones. It had always been very easy for just about anybody to get Katrina to blush.

The farmer’s daughter refused to say anything, clenching her jaw, but she trailed after him. Not quite sure on how much trust she should give this ruffian. Katrina allowed a curtain of brown hair to fall into her face, blocking her from view.

After a while she found herself sitting in front of the fire, the light flickering across her face and accentuating her cheekbones while her eyes stared into the coals.

Varric had returned to the room. He saw Kat sitting down in one of the beds. Her hair was wet so she probably just took a shower but it looked more blonde then white now. She was wearing lighter looking clothes then before. But with out saying anything Varric simply walked over to her and sat down right next to her. He wrapped one of his arms around her and pulled her in, kissing her lightly. "Hey are ya ok? I mean, a lot has happened today, for the both of us." He played with her hair slightly, twirling it around a bit. "I can't help wonder i you are bit sad, I know you used to talk my ear off about a small family wedding when you thought it was a joke."

---

A small smile appeared on Varric as Kat sat opposite him around the fire. At least she wasn't stupid. Varric reached into his pocket and pulled out two small leather bags. The both contained jerky. One was suppose to be his breakfast but it couldn't be helped. He tossed one of the bags to Kat. "Eat up, it's dried Beef. It may not be the home cooked meals you are used to but it will get you through the night."

Katrina jumped slightly as Varric reeled her in, her mind had been in a thinking state and he had jerked her back to reality. He didn’t comment on the heat of her skin or the fact she was wearing shorts and a tank top, bare foot.

“Oh, I’m just thinking. I do that more than I should. It seems like I have been hurtling to this point for – I don’t know how long and now suddenly you’re here and I don’t know what to do next.”
She felt like she was flailing in the dark and her fingers closing on nothing, she still had so many questions. “Do you age Varric? Now that you’re out of the box? I mean, it kept you in limbo but now you’re out…” Katrina trailed off as her hair began to turn white once more as it dried.

**

“Not hungry,” Katrina shook her head, drawing her knees tighter against her chest. Her cheeks looked hollow due to the effects of the fire, fingers trembling slightly in shock as she tried to digest what had just happened. Katrina’s fingers dug into the fabric in a attempt to quell the shaking. Tossing it back to him she, pulled the knife out of her boot and played with it, her dark eyes glittering in the fire light.

Kat's body was still a bit wet but it was drying off. Her skin did feel warm, Varric stored the information in the back of his mind. Most likely Kat used warm water so her body absorbed the heat for a bit. It did feel nice though, it reminded him of the past. Then the question which was on Kat's mind came out. Although she probably had more.

"Hmm... that I don't a hundred percent yet. But it's safe to assume that I will age. The box is what kept me alive in the first place. So I am pretty sure that I will age, and eventually I will die. But the part that has me more worried is how long I have. I would be happy to live a long life and I expect people will longer now. But for all I know I might age fast now then usual. So would it make scene for us to spend time together?"

---

"Fine by me." said Varric. "Keep it in case you get hungry. I don't you complaining later." He stroked the fire a bit to keep it going. He noticed Kat had started to play with the knife she took from his now dead co-worker. She had really taken a like to it. But it was just a useless, possibly dangerous, piece of metal if she couldn't use it right. "So Kat tell me about yourself. I doubt you are on your own. I lived on the streets long enough to tell when someone has. And do you even know how to use that?" Varric made a motion to the knife she was playing with.

A sigh escaped her lungs as she turned her head up to look at him properly, “If so, I will miss you terribly when your gone.”

Katrina didn’t age, it was slightly odd. She had stayed the same for the last hundred years and he would age and fade away, but she wouldn’t. Unless someone tried to kill her or she sought to take away her own life. Wrapping her arms around the middle she snuggled down, and rested her chin on
his shoulder.

**

“Tell you about me? Not much to say, typical farmer’s daughter who was nearly kidnapped,” Katrina stated in a rare color of humor. At his inquiring Katrina looked at the blade and threw it, hitting her target about twenty feet away. “My father taught me.”

"Hey, don't worry you aren't going to get rid of me that easy yet, I just got here." said Varric, squeezing Kat lightly. "Why are you thinking of this anyway? Is something on your mind? You know you can tell me anything right?" Varric ran his hands though Kats hair. He wondered what was on her mind to make her so distracted. In the back of his head he wondered if there were anyways past his mortality. If it bothered Kat so much it would be worth it.

---

"A farmers daughter huh." said Varric, looking at the knife enbedded in the tree. Varric took out his own knife and threw it in the air. He caught it then threw it at the tree. The knife hit the tree a bit over Kat's knife. "It's surprising, usually you don't see women who know how to use a knife."

She groaned and tilted her head forward, allowing her hair to spill into Varric’s hands. One of her many weaknesses was her hair being played with, like finding the right spot on a dog’s belly and making their foot twitch.

“When your mind has been as active as mine and has seen the world change and witnessed those changes first hand… you automatically think of the end and not wanting to be lonely, again.”  Her jaw worked viciously, before she sighed tiredly, leaning into him.

**

She watched Varric’s blue eyes go to the knife in the tree before he threw his own knife. It stuck fast into the trunk of the tree. “My father was originally a knight, he grew tired of war and left. Figured his only daughter couldn’t walk around defenseless. What do you think happened to the first ambush? Don’t stereotype women.”

Katrina stood, running a hand through her long brown hair. Her booted feet crunching across leaves as she retrieved the weapons, sliding one of the knives into her boot and offering him the second knife.

"Well then, lets see what I can do to make you forget about that." said Varric as Kat leaned into him. He nibbled lightly on ear. "It is getting late, how about we do one last thing before we call it a night." teased Varric.

---

Kat had gotten up and pulled the knives out of the tree. He took his knife back from her and waited for her to sit down. "Why would a low ranking noble give up his knighthood to work on a farm." said Varric, it personally made no sense to him. To be a knight you needed to be some form of noble. Why give all of that up. No to mention could he even do that? Wouldn't it huge taboo. He just sighed. "Stereotypes are there for a reason. If there wasn't some sliver of truth to it, it wouldn't be a stereotype. Beside have you been in town recently. I surprised you haven't been forced into some arrange marriage." Although he did let out a smile when she mentioned the first ambush, because he was part of the first ambush. "Whoever this first ambush was it wasn't us. I was told it was a knew target."