I knew a girl, made a promise. Bianca's story is the only one I can never tell.

Varric stepped into the dim lighted bedroom, his nose crinkling. The smell of elfroot and various other herbs filled the house, but in this room it was practically unbearable. He sighed and put on a smile for the woman on the bed. "Come on, why be in here all day when there are things to kill?" Silence was his response, and he went to the side of the bed, looking down. His eyes adjusted to the lighting, he saw the woman's head on the pillow, blankets covering up to her neck. She was pale, far too pale. He sighed. "Well, this isn't how I thought the story would end. The Champion laying in bed with the wasting? Who would have guessed?"

Something of a small laugh met his remark. "You know me, unpredictable as always."

"It's getting old, Hawke. And so am I. We're too old to be unpredictable." He pulled a stool from the corner and sat down, unsure if he regretted his promise to see her after he returned from Seeker Cassandra's interrogation.

"What did you tell the Seeker?"

"Ah so you did know what it was all about. Coulda told me." He sighed, shaking his head. "The truth, mostly. Left out the part about you leaving Kirkwall. Oh, and a lot of erhm, details, about several years."

Hawke smiled weakly and nodded as best she could. "Thank-you."

"Don't mention it." Several minutes passed where neither said anything, and Varric stood to leave. Hawke reached out her hand and took his arm, the action clearly tiring her. Varric looked down at her and gently took her hand, laying it on the bed and readjusting the covers. "Fine, I'll stay."

"Tell me a story. Please?"

Varric felt a pang as he heard the weak, pitiful voice coming from his friend's lips. "Okay, Hawke. What story would you like?"

"Will you tell me...how Bianca got her name?"

"Now Hawke, you know I can't tell that story." Varric regretted denying her wish, but just couldn't bring himself to do it.

"I won't tell anyone, I swear by Andraste's fire."

Varric sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright Hawke. For you, I'll tell you Bianca's story."