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Chapter Text

"Lady Cassandra! You managed to close the rift. Well done." A strong voice called across the rubble as the distortion of the rift dispersed. Efa turned her head, the familiarity in the voice turning her blood cold. He was almost exactly like she remembered him, a ghost from her long hidden past, and the last person she had expected to see amidst the chaos she had found herself in.

"Cullen…" She gasped softly, mercifully too quiet for him to hear. She was grateful as well for the hood and scarf that covered her face. To her right, the dwarf Varric, looked at her. His head cocked quizzically.
"Do not congratulate me, Commander." Cassandra replied, drawing her attention back to the situation. "This is the prisoner's doing."

Her heart stopped as he looked at her. She tugged at her scarf nervously.
"Is it?" He took a few steps toward her. "I hope they're right about you."
She looked up at him carefully. He looked tired, a far cry from the youthful Templar she had once known. She noted too the scar above his lip, something he had not had before. She wanted to reach out and touch it, to seek out and kill the one who had given him it, but she suppressed the urge with a gulp.
"We've lost a lot of people getting–" He paused, his eyes locked on her. She felt impossibly frozen. Had he recognised her from just her eyes alone? Impossible, she had earned her vallaslin during her time with the tribe. There was no way, no way- the scar. Could he see it? Too faint now, it was not normally seen beneath her blood marks, but yet there was a noticeable quiver at the end of his sentence as he finished "–You here."

She lowered her gaze and nodded. If she spoke now. Surely he would know. Thankfully, he turned back to Cassandra.
"The way to the Temple should be clear. Leliana will meet you there."
"Then we best move quickly," she motioned towards the group. Varric tugged on Efa's arm, urging her forward. "Give us time, Commander."

Efa risked looking back as Varric continued to push her forward. His eyes were fixed on her again.
"Maker, watch over you for all our sake."

She turned away, fighting the urge to be sick. Cassandra and Solas followed behind them as they continued through the empty valley.
"Old friend of yours?" Varric asked quietly.
"What?" She pulled her arm from his grip.
"I heard you say his name." Varric raised his eyebrow at her. "Old boyfriend, perhaps?"
"A mage and a Templar would never-"
"Templar, hmm?" He grinned at her, and she realised her mistake.
"I don't know what you mean." She deflected. The dwarf chuckled.
"Of course not, sweetheart."

She slowed her pace, allowing Cassandra to pass her and falling into step instead with Solas. The rest of the journey was uneventful until they reached the smouldering remains.of the Temple.

"The Temple of Sacred Ashes." Solas confirmed as if reading her thoughts.
"What's left of it…" Varric looked back at them.
"That is where you walked out of the Fade, and our soldiers found you." Cassandra pointed into the centre of the carnage. "They say a woman was in the Rift behind you. No one knows who she was."
She looked at Efa expectantly as if she would be able to answer the mystery. When she did not answer, she continued on sadly.

Efa didn't meet her gaze as they entered the Temple directly, now below the Breach. It was unnerving, she felt her skin prickle as she tried to recall what had actually happened. But no matter how hard she tried, there was nothing. As if the memory had been completely removed from her head.
"The Breach is a long way up." Varric stared in awe, Efa followed his gaze.
"You're here!" Leliana came up behind them flanked by a squad of soldiers. "Thank the Maker!"

Cassandra greeted her and motioned around them.
"Leliana, have your men take up positions around the temple." The spymaster nodded and began moving into position. Cassandra turned to Efa once more. "This is your chance to end this. Are you ready?"
"I'll try," Efa could still feel the absence of energy the smaller rifts had taken from her on her way here as she looked at the bruised sky. "But I don't know if I can reach that thing, much less close it."
"No," Solas shook his head and gestured with his staff. "This Rift was the first. It may be the key. Seal it and perhaps we seal the Breach."
"Then let's find a way down." Cassandra began to move, sword clasped firmly in her hand. "And be careful."

They moved swiftly around the crater looking for a way down, as they grew closer to the frozen Rift, they all paused as a strange voice overwhelmed them.
'Now is the hour of our victory. Bring forth the sacrifice.'
"What are we hearing?" Cassandra raised her sword looking around for the source.
"At a guess," Solas looked towards the Rift itself. "The person who created the Breach."
Cautiously they continued, Efa's skin prickled now, she could feel the connection sinking down inside her, waking up long dormant magic she had not touched in ten years. There was a crackle in the air as they descended towards an opening, the stone perforated with deep red crystals.
"You know this stuff is red lyrium Seeker?" There was an air of anger in the dwarfs' voice.
"I see it Varric."
"But what's it doing here?"
"Magic could have drawn on the lyrium beneath the temple." Solas mused, studying it at a distance as they passed. "Corrupted it."
"It's evil." Varric warned him. "Whatever you do, don't touch it."

Efa nodded at his warning. She had never seen or heard of lyrium like it in all her studies. She felt a painful pang in her hand, the Rift was closer now. She could feel the connection opening up to the Fade, how long had it been since she last touched it knowingly? Was it a coincidence? Did the Gods have some twisted plan for her?

She shook her thoughts as she jumped down to the centre, following Cassandra.
'Keep the sacrifice still.'
The voice loomed above them, louder now.
'Someone help me!'
Cassandra gasped beside her, recognising the woman's voice that echoed in response.
'What's going on here?'
Efa froze. There was no mistaking her own voice. The others stared at her for a moment as the Rift began to crack.
"That was your voice!" Cassandra barked at her. "Her Most Holy called out to you!"

Before she could answer in her defence, the air cracked again. The vision of a woman appeared before them dressed in Chantry robe: Divine Justinia.
'What's going on here?'
The scene unfolded before them. She watched herself in the distorted fade vision approaching the Divine. Divine Justinia turned to her, concern and surprise on her face.
'Run while you can! Warn them!'
'We have an intruder. Kill her now.'
The scene faded as quickly as it came. Whoever held the Divine they couldn't see only Efa…

"You were there!" Cassandra advanced on her. "Who attacked? And the Divine is she.."
She grabbed the front of Efa's coat, knocking her hood from her head.
"Was this vision true?" She shook her roughly. "What are we seeing?"
"I don't remember!" Efa spat back, frustration rising. She grabbed Cassandra's hand and pulled her off, sending a rogue shock of lightning into the Seeker.
"Echoes of what happened here." Solas stepped between the two glaring women. "The Fade bleeds into this place. This Rift is not sealed, but it is closed. Albeit temporarily."
Efa looked at the Rift, following behind Solas as Cassandra continued to stare at her disapprovingly.
"I believe with the mark, the Rift can be opened and then sealed properly and safely."
Efa stopped, her sense alert. He nodded at her understanding and voiced her concerns to the others around them.
"However, opening the Rift will likely attract attention from the other side."
As if forgetting her anger with the Dalish mage, Cassandra turned to the soldiers surrounding the crater.
"That means demons." She bellowed. "Stand ready!"

Solas moved aside for her and she stepped up. Around her, she could hear the shuffling of bodies readying themselves. She pulled down the mask from her face, the fabric suddenly stifling against her rapidly beating heart as she tried to calm her breathing.
"Ready on your mark sweetheart."

She nodded towards Varric, hesitating only a moment before she held her hand to the frozen rift. She felt the familiar thrum of the Fade. Even without the mark on her hand guiding her, she was able to tear at just the right spot to bring the Rift to life once more. Solas watched her curiously as she worked, noting that she did not use her staff to channel her power.

Energy thundered around them, spilling from its centre, twisting and forming into a new shape.
"NOW!"
Cassandra's order rose to meet the creature's roar. Arrows flew, but the creature, a Pride Demon, deflected them like they were nothing. Cassandra surged past her, engaging it full on. With staff in hand Efa fell in line with Solas hurling bolt after bolt of magic, like herself he seemed skilled in an array of primal magics. Infuriatingly, the creature seemed undisturbed by the assault, batting away at Cassandra, who drew its attention with her sword.

Once more, she felt the prickle of the Fade beneath her skin. She broke from her attack, ignoring Solas who shouted after her. She clambered onto a piece of rubble giving herself an advantage of height. But so too did it make her visible, the Pride Demon swung in an arch sending the Seeker backwards its eyes finding Efa's silhouette against the marred sky. Cassandra thankfully was caught by the strong hands of a comrade wrapped in heavy cloaks, but Efa's eyes were on the Demon as she yelled at it drawing it to her.

The mark on her hand ached, whatever it was, but she felt a strong connection through it. She wedged her stave into a crack between rubble and slammed her hands together as the Demon raised its hand to her.
CRACK.
Its arm snapped back. It roared as it tried to continue its trajectory but it was held firmly frozen in her grip. Efa stood hand outstretched. It was strong, and it fought against her, but she held tight. She raised her second arm as the angry creature swung the other to strike her.
CRACK.
This time, the other arm bent back and it screamed louder, immobilised by her magic.

"What kind of magic is that?!" Cassandra gasped as she was helped to her feet.
"No magic I have ever seen performed in a long time." Solas bent beside her checking for injuries.
"I have…" Commander Cullen released his grip on the Seeker having entered the fray unbeknown to them. "But it can't be her... "
"Commander?" Cassandra looked behind her. Cullen didn't look at her. He was fixed on Efa as she weaved her hands. Each movement left a painful rip in their ears as she reduced the demon to nothing. Cullen stared, moving forward towards her as she moved, each wave of her arms familiar. Sudden memories of the Circle flooded his mind. The first time he saw wielding her Fade powers in battle. Throwing back Abomination after Abomination to protect him as he stood transfixed in the centre of the Circle library. Her usual gentle demeanour was replaced with a practised ferocity and skill.
"Efa…"

There was a moment of silence as her name carried across the crater. Her head turned to him, her expression a mix of shame and terror as their eyes met.
"Commander? Do you know this wom–"

The rift erupted again. There was a skittering of activity as each soldier ran forward again to meet the new threat. Efa grabbed her staff sliding down the rock, she swallowed the lump in her chest and refocused. She could not falter now. Twirling the staff with skilled ease, she sent a jolt of lightning around, incapacitating almost each of the smaller demons that had come out of the Breach now. One by one they were dispatched by her companions, she looked around for any stragglers as Cullen continued defensively towards her, sword raised. His expression was unreadable, and he didn't slow as he reached her. She moved at the last moment as she felt a claw against her cheek. She rolled to the side staff raised but the demon was dead. She hissed at the pain, her hand brushing a droplet of blood from the cut the demon had left her as she stood in front of the Commander.

"CLOSE IT!"
Efa barely heard the command shouted at them. She could feel the tears in her eyes as she watched the pain of her presence sink in. He knew, and once more she felt the bitterness of their departure and the lie she had held all these years.
"NOW!"
The voice was louder, jolting her out of her past as she turned back to the Rift. It was bigger than the other two she had closed on her way here. She hoped that she had the strength left to close it. She concentrated the mark on her hand to the rift and threw all her will into it.

It hurt. More than she could imagine. Using her Fade magic as she had after ten years of neglect had taken its toll, combined with the fatigue of battle she was fighting against the Rift hard. She wasn't aware she was screaming. Not until her throat felt hoarse from her cry. Her knee buckled with the strain, but she did not fall. Strong hands surrounded her waist and kept her upright. Cullen. The feeling of him overwhelmed her and she almost broke focus. No. Just a little more. One final push and the shrinking Rift sealed.

She gasped as her legs shook and she dropped. Cullen kept his grip as best he could but he too was dragged down by the dead weight of her body collapsing all at once.
"Efa…" She could hear his choked whisper as he turned her in his arms to look at her once more. "Tell me it's not possible…"
With her last remaining strength she reached up to touch his face, her fingers brushing against the scar on his lip. Her vision was swimming and she felt nauseous again.
"Ir abelas."
Her eyes fluttered shut as darkness finally took her. She fell limp in his arms.

"Efa!" Cullen called to her. "No, no, no. Stay with me." He held her tightly. "Don't leave me again…"

Chapter Text

Efa's head pounded as she opened her eyes. She blinked several times, taking in her surroundings. She was in a small room, some fresh clothes lay on the chair next to the bed. By the angle of the chair, someone had been sitting near her for an extended time. For a brief moment, she thought of Cullen, but she dismissed it. The way he looked at her, the way she had left him in the dark all these years, there was no way he would sit at her sickbed.

There was a rustle at the door, and she sat up quickly, groaning as black spots threatened her eyes. There was a crash and a small gasp as the person entered the room.
"Oh, I didn't know you were awake, I swear!" A panicked voice called over to her.
She rubbed her eyes and refocused on the small elvhen woman and the small wooden box she had dropped at her feet.
"Don't worry about it," She began sitting fully upright. "I only–"
"I beg your forgiveness and your blessing!" To Efa's surprise, she dropped to the ground and bowed her head to the floorboards. "I am a humble servant."
"What are you doing?" Efa looked at her quizzically. "And where am I?"
"You are back in Haven, my Lady," the woman looked up at her. "They say you saved us! The breech stopped growing just like the mark on your hand."
Efa looked down at her hand. She could feel the prickle of magic below the skin, and as she tugged on it, a faint green line of light bloomed softly.

"It's all anyone has talked about for the last three days." The woman shuffled nervously, her eyes averted as if she was scared to look directly at her.
"Three days?" Efa repeated, the woman nodded. "Then the danger is over?"
"The Breach is still in the sky, but that's what they say."
Suddenly, she gasped, remembering something important. She immediately began to back up to the door. "They'll want to know you're awake."
Efa tried to speak but she was cut off as she tore open the door.
"They said 'at once.'"

And she was gone. Efa sighed, recalling all of the events that had happened since she had woken in chains. Her mind instantly returned to Cullen. How could they not? He had seen her, called out her name, and defended her. She would need to speak to him to explain. What would she say? She shivered slightly and looked at the warm clothes laid out for her. She swiftly pulled them on, glad to see her own comfortable boots had been left. As she braided her hair back, she ran through all she might say. Would he be angry? She wouldn't blame him if he was. Did he blame himself? For what he did to her? There were so many questions, and she had no idea how to start.
Knock knock.

Efa pulled the last of her clothes on and fastened the clasps of her jacket.
"It's open," she called, her fingers struggling on the last clasp.
"Efa…"

She stopped dead. The clasp forgot, she turned slowly, taking a deep breath as she came face to face with the Commander.
"Is it really you?" There was an uncertainty to his voice, as if he didn't dare let himself believe it.
"…Yes."
His fist met the door frame sharply, and it creaked under the strain. She flinched at the sudden movement.
"Ten years." He growled, not looking at her. "I washed your blood off my hands. I–I saw you–I felt you–I–"
Again, his fist lashed out, taking a chunk of wood and splintering it.
"Cullen-"
She stopped when he suddenly looked up at her. Tears threatened her eyes, and she could feel a lump forming in her throat.
"Why?"
"Bri," she swallowed hard. "The First Enchanter covered for me, he wanted to thank her for saving them, saving us from the Blood Mages."
He looked at her hard.

"It was the only way. They knew I would be branded an apostate and hunted." Her mouth was dry, her fingers nervously fiddled with the loose clasp. "At the Harrowing, when I got hurt-"
"Hurt?!" Cullen baulked at her. "I–I thought I had killed you!"
He took a step towards her. Stopping when she took a step back in response, fear evident in her eyes. He stopped and took several calming breaths.
"Cullen," she began again, her heart beating rapidly now. "I never blamed you. Not once. Not after I woke, and they told me what happened. You were not yourself. The demon–"
"How can you say that?" He shook his head. "I almost killed you."
"I know you would not consciously hurt me." She defended. "But I hurt you. I wasn't strong enough to banish the demon." She took a step forward this time, the distance closing between them. "I couldn't protect you. And then they wouldn't say where they sent you. I couldn't come find you. They sent me back to the clan and told me to stay there…"

She trailed off, her hand coming up to wipe the tears that escaped her.
"I wanted to find you." She sniffed. "But when Bri found out she had a child on the way and that her companion just left her, I had to help."

She fell silent, the room now stifling so too.
"The report said you were dead instantly." Cullen spoke through clenched teeth. "Greagoir told me himself you had not lived."
"He didn't know." Efa could feel his anguish. "It was the First Enchanter who orchestrated it all."
"Ten years." Cullen rubbed his chin. "I lived with guilt for ten years. I told myself it was my fault. Because I had allowed myself to get close, to break the rules…"
"Cullen…"
"I gave myself to the Templar's. I followed orders. I swore to protect the people." He paced the small space by the door, his irritation written all over him. "I was so angry at myself, at the mages. I let them blind me and I–"

He stopped. She could see him clench his fist tightly, a visible shake as he swallowed down whatever else he was going to say. He reached for the door handle.
"Cassandra and Sister Leliana are waiting for you in the Chantry."
"Cullen…" she stepped towards him again, reaching for his arm. He shook her off and pulled the door open.
"I need to be alone."

She watched him leave. Her heart sank as she did to the floor. Any tears she had held back spilled freely now. It killed her inside to see the way he looked at her before the door closed. How could he ever forgive her? Everything was a mess, she dried her eyes and closed the last clasp on her coat before braving the oncoming storm waiting for her in the Chantry.

"So." A voice startled her from her thoughts. "What's the deal with you and Curly?"
Efa looked up from her perch to see Varric standing behind her.
"Curly?"
"Commander Rutherford."
She sighed, after returning from Val Royeaux, tensions were high once more. Aside from around the war table she had barely spoken to Cullen. He never spoke more than he had too and had been avoiding her completely. At least until an angry mob of mages and Templars fought outside the Chantry doors. To her surprise, he stood defensively in front of the mages, telling the Templars to back down. It was the first she heard of him leaving the Templar order all together. He had not spoken to her further, his attention focused wholly on the angry Chancellor who was making it his mission to oppose them at every turn.

Varric sat down beside her. She got the distinct feeling he was not going to leave her until she told him something.
"Come on sweetheart," Varric nudged her, "What's the deal? Old boyfriend? Bad break up?"
"Break up implies we were ever together." She gripped the cup in her hand she had been drinking from. "When the reality was nothing more than a Circle Mage and her Keeper."
"Circle Mage?" Varric raised his eyebrow. "And here I thought you were Dalish?"
She chuckled dryly.
"Half," She took a drink. "My mother's Clan roamed the Free Marshes, she met my father as he travelled, from what she told me he was a powerful mage."
"You never knew him?"
"Just his name, and where he was going home too." Efa sighed. "When our powers began to show, mamae was scared. We took a boat from Kirkwall and made the journey to Fereldan."
"Kirkwall eh?" Varric smiled.
"Obviously before the rebellion began."
"Naturally," Varric nodded.
"You were there were you not?" Efa looked at him. "You fought with the Champion?"
"I did. She was, is , my friend." Varric corrected himself. "That's also where I met Curly."
"In Kirkwall?" Efa turned sharply to him.
"Aye." Varric smirked. "You didn't know?"
She shook her head. She looked across the settlement to where he was standing, observing soldiers as they practised their drills. She had heard of the chaos, and the tyranny of the Templars. Her blood ran cold. Had Cullen been part of it? Had he opposed the Champion? If so, how was he here, now? She had so many questions.
"He–He was there when the rebellion started?"
"Tell me your story and I'll tell you mine."

Efa sighed again, defeated. She could tell Varric meant no harm. But she wanted to know what had happened to him. Draining her cup, she turned to face Varric better.
"We came to the Circle after our mother tried to take us to our father. We were attacked, we defended and some patrolling Templars saw us use magic. They killed her trying to defend us, and we were taken to the Circle."
"Rough start to life." Varric mused. "You never got to meet your father then?"
"No." She replied. "When Bri joined the Wardens she passed through Lothering. She made enquiries but turns out he was long dead, and he had a new family."
She paused for a moment. She had gone off track and waved off Varric asking anymore questions about her father.
"Bri and I were strong. I had to be assigned a Templar watcher at all times. I hated it, and they didn't like me much either. After I had had harmless incidents with the first few, I was assigned a fresh, newly ordained, eager to please recruit."
"Curly." Varric surmised.

"He was different, but he wouldn't speak a word to me. Not even a 'hello' or 'good morning'." She smiled, remembering. "He was determined to do his duty as instructed. And no matter how much I annoyed him or tried to shake him, he never relented."
"A stickler for the rules through and through." Varric chimed in.
"Almost." She chuckled. "It wasn't until I dropped a large tome in the Library and cut my face on the metal corners, did he ever say anything."
She pointed to the faint scar on her cheek.
"Deep down he cared a lot for people, regardless of where they came from or what race. After he carried me to the infirmary, he went back to the library, gathered all my books and had them stacked in my room waiting for me."
She sighed, her smile waning slightly.
"After that, it started slowly. Greetings, pleasantries, and then discovering we had a shared fondness for chess after he commented on a victory I had over the First Enchanter."
"You became friends." Varric nodded again.
"We did," she agreed. "When Bri left and the news of Ostagar reached us, he held me as I cried. The Wardens were reported dead. They were branded enemies. I had no one left, just him."

"And you're still telling me it was nothing more than 'friendship'?" The dwarf raised his eyebrow at her, easily reading the expression on her face.
"Nothing happened." She said firmly. "The Circle was attacked from within, they killed half of the Templars who couldn't escape." Her expression soured. "Cullen and a few others were captured, he was trying to protect me. They wanted my gift to open the Fade and help them bring more demons under their control, so they could fight back against their oppressors. I refused, they tortured us, they–"
She stopped. Her eyes began to well up.
"You don't have to keep going sweetheart…" Varric handed her a clean handkerchief from his pocket. "I shouldn't have pried so hard."
"We've made it this far." She wiped her eyes.
"Only if you're sure."

"My sister, as you probably know, lived." She continued after composing herself. "And she had come back to the Circle to have Irving honour the Warden Treaties. She fought, and she freed us all. I was so happy to see her, and the First Enchanter pledged our support to the Blight. It was the first time I had left the Circle, I fought by her side at the end."
"And Curly?"
Efa shook her head.
"He wasn't the same, after it happened. He remained behind. After the battle over Denerim we began to rebuild. But he could hardly look at me, or speak to me."
She took another calming breath.
"Bri had asked that I be set free. To send me back to the clan."
"I can't see the Templar's just allowing you to go free ."
"Nor I." She chuckled dryly. "But an opportunity, regrettably, struck. One the First Enchanter grasped."
Varric watched her, the tremble noticeable in her body now.
"We were still exhausted from battle, but the Knight-Commander insisted that our remaining apprentices be Harrowed."

Efa bowed her head, her hands gripping at the fabric of her coat.
"He wasn’t ready, he was scared I refused and they threatened me with Tranquility." Her knuckles were white with the force of her grip. "The Demon got loose. It was attacking him. I didn't think–I couldn't watch him get hurt again because of me."
She cried again. Not bothering to wipe her tears now as she fumbled over her words.
"I remember pain, blood. And the look of horror on his face when he realised what he–What I–That was the last time I saw him, screaming my name as I bled in his arms." She paused then to wipe her eyes. When she continued, her voice was quiet. "When I woke, I was with my sister. I was 'dead' as far as the Templars knew. When I asked where Cullen was and he knew, she said he had been reassigned. I never knew where. She told me I was going back to the clan and to stay away from civilisation. He couldn't know. I had to be hidden…"

Varric patted her shoulder softly.

"That's–Not what I was expecting." Varric rubbed his chin with his other hand. "But it makes sense of what I knew of him."
She turned her head to him.
"Was he there?" She asked carefully, Varric could see she was afraid of the answer. "Was he there when the rebellion began?"
"He'd been there sometime, I met him on and off a few times." Varric shuffled to make himself more comfortable now that he had taken over the story. "He always had that tortured look about him. Always following the rules, hated abominations. But on occasion we worked with him. And despite him knowing we had apostates among our band, he never once turned them in."
She was surprised at that. As a Templar it should have been the first thing he did. She remembered how eager he had been to prove himself when several mages had escaped before the Blight.
"After Blondie blew the Chantry, we had a choice. To fight for, or against the mages. Of course the Champion chose to defend those she loved. Her lost sister and well.. Blondie himself."
"She was in love with him?" Efa was surprised, that fact had never been mentioned before. "You're not the only one with a tragic love life, sweetheart."
"We're not–!"
"Do you want to hear the end?" Varric chuckled as she became defensive.

Efa calmed and swallowed her retort.
"Please go on."
"War had ravaged the city, we had taken to the Gallows to make our last stand against the Templars. Orsino, the First Enchanter couldn't take it, he became the monster he had tried to stop. And we regrettably had to end him."
Efa watched him intently.
"Outside, Knight-Commander Meredith waited. Over the years, Curly had worked his way up to Knight-Captain, and he stood by her side. And let's be clear, Meredith was unhinged, there was something not right about the way she feared mages. We wouldn't realise how bad until it was too late. I thought Curly would follow her, but when she ordered him to kill the Champion, he haltered."

"'That's not what was agreed' he opposed her. Turns out Curly had more of a backbone than we'd seen before. He refused her orders, and she wasn't pleased. He'll bear that mark for the rest of his days."
Efa looked at him confused, Varric tapped his lip and her eyes grew wide in realisation.
"She struck him?" Efa looked over to Cullen, still running through drills. Next to him, she could see Casandra taking her sword to a training dummy.
"She left a hell of a mark." Varric followed her gaze, smirking as she blushed. "Very dashing, wouldn't you agree?"
Efa didn't rise to his bait, when she spoke again there was nervousness in her voice.
"What happened next?"
"He fought with us."
"For the mages?" Her eyes never left him. Across the way, Cullen caught her eye, too far to hear the conversation but close enough to see she was looking at him.
"For the mages." Varric watched her, reading her expression as she softened into relief, followed by what Varric could only describe as love. She could deny it all she wanted. But it was there plain as day.

"He helped for a short while, to put Kirkwall back in order. Before Cassandra recruited him to the cause."
Efa tore her eyes away and back to Varric, her cheeks flushed a faint pink. They sat in silence now, as she processed what Varric had told her. She could feel a tightness in her chest as she weighed what he had been through. To defy the order, to defy his Knight-Commander was huge. She wanted to speak to him, but she didn't know how.

"You know, there were survivors from Lothering in Kirkwall." Varric said suddenly. "I could inquire about your fathers family, see if they're alive."
"I hardly dare to hope–"

Across the settlement, there was a crash, followed by some angry shouting.
"What's going on..?" Efa rose scanning for the commotion.
"Better check it out." Varric nodded as she started to leave. "Humour me sweetheart, what's his name?"
"My father?" She looked back at Varric briefly, her attention still on the commotion near the gate. "Hawke. Malcolm Hawke."

Varric blinked several times as she walked away to investigate.

"Well shit."

"What's all the commotion?" Efa approached the back of the crowd, coming up behind Seeker Cassandra.
"I am not sure." She replied looking back at Efa, "Some disruption with the latest supply cart to come back in."
Efa frowned and began to push through the crowd. As people saw her, they began to part, bowing in respect as their Herald slipped among them.

"What do you mean a child?!" She heard Cullen in the centre having rushed over at the first sound of alarm.
"I don't know where she came from Commander!" A startled soldier panicked under his gaze. Efa scanned the clearing, a second guard sat surrounded by a healer bandaging a wound on his arm.
"What's happened?" Efa asked again loudly.
Every head turned to her. Cullen squared his shoulders and turned.

"A child has been found hiding among the supplies Herald." He spoke without meeting her gaze. "When they tried to remove her she started yelling in what they believed was Dalish and lashed out with a dagger."
"Where is the child now?" Efa looked.
"Still in the wagon, Herald." The guard looked at it warily.
"Perhaps you can try Herald?" Cassandra had followed behind her as she had cut through the crowd. Efa nodded and slowly approached the wagon
"Andaran atish’an Da'len," Efa spoke clearly.
There was a rustle of movement. Whoever was in the wagon had shuffled presumably to see her or prepare another attack.
"I mean you no harm little one." She slipped easily into her first tongue. "Come out from the wagon. You must be cold and hungry. My name is Efa Lavel-"
There was a sudden movement and a body collided with her sending her tumbling to the ground. Efa cried out in alarm.

"Efa!" Cullen instinctively leapt to her aid pulling the child by the scruff of her neck up and off of her. The child thrashed in his grasp, her foot connecting squarely in his face.

"Get off me human!" The child dropped to the ground. Cullen recoiled, clutching his nose, blood pouring from beneath his hand.
"Cullen!" Efa sat up, and watched him hold his nose, eyes watering. Her eyes dropped down to the elvhan girl who had assaulted them. She was already diving back into Efa's arms. Her strawberry blonde hair and lightly tanned skin, familiar as she barrelled into her again with an 'oof'.
"I found you!" She cried out. "Keeper said you weren't coming back and I didn't want to be there alone without you or mama so I followed."
"Da'len!" Efa grabbed her shoulders and held her at arms length. "What on earth were you thinking?!"
"You know this thing?" Cullen growled angrily, his nose showing no signs of stopping.
"Cullen!" She cried out, pushing the child off her and scrambling up. "Stand there and do not move."
She stepped towards Cullen, one hand reaching for his shoulder and the other raised, weaving a small healing spell towards the Commander. He flinched at the sudden touch, relaxing after a moment when he realised her intent. Their eyes locked, this was the closest proximity they had shared since she had woken. She could see the tension ebb away as the pain subsided.
"Ir abelas." She whispered softly.

Efa rose, conscious of the crowd gathered.
"Apologies all," Efa addressed them. "She means no harm."
Murmurs circulated through the crowd.

"She is of my clan," she turned back to Cullen, currently wiping blood from his face.
"Apologise."
"Ir ab-" the child began.
"So he can understand you." Efa said firmly.
"Sorry." She pouted.
"Hmmp."

"Go back to your work." Cassandra spoke to the crowd. "There is no need to linger."
The crowd dispersed slowly as Efa turned back.
"Isolde." She stared down at the girl. "You cannot be here. It is dangerous. How did you even get this far."
"I missed you." She continued in common. "I needed you and you weren't there."
"Herald?" Cullen and Cassandra still stood with her. Thankfully the Commander had been handed a wet cloth and had begun making work of the mess on his face.
"She is my niece." Efa answered the lingering question. "Briallen's daughter."
"Oh."
"The Warden?" Cassandra looked down at her.
"Yes." Efa nodded. "You must go back Da'len."
"No!" Isolde shook off her aunt's grip as she reached for her shoulder. "Don't make me. I'll just come back."
"This is no place for a child!" Cassandra scowled at Efa.
"I am aware, Seeker." Efa bit back. "Do we have anyone going back in that direction?"
"You would be best asking Sister Leliana-" Cullen began.
"No!"

There was a flash of red. Flames sprouted from Isolde's hands as she cried out. All three of the adults leapt back from the child. Thankfully, the fire had only hit the ground, a smouldering crater formed either side of her.
"You have magic…" Efa dropped to her knees in front of her.
"I'm scared."
"Shhh." Efa stroked her cheek. "Come, let's find you something to eat and some warm clothes."

She looked back at Cullen as she led Isolde away. His expression sour as he continued to clean himself up. Cassandra looked just as annoyed. Another issue to complicated matters. She thought. She couldn't send her away, not now. Isolde was her responsibility, and she would not abandon her again.

Chapter Text

It had taken some heavy coaxing, and a lot of smoothing over and assurance that Isolde was not going to cause any issues. She would be allowed to stay, if only because Efa had promised them that she would likely run away again the moment she could. Like her mother, she was stubborn. The young girl found sanctuary inside the Tavern of all places once she had realised she was not leaving. She helped in there to cook meals, clean tables and on occasion she even sang. The people of Haven seemed to love her, but Efa knew she would need help if she was to train her magic. Efa worried as the more she was required out in the field, the harder it came for her to return as quickly as she would like, neglecting the issue for too long would result in more than a few scorch marks in the snow. Bringing the matter up at the war table once more reignited the most common argument the advisers were struggling with at the present time.

"We have the opening we need to approach the Templars and the mages." Josephine sighed as the topic once again soured all of their moods.
"Do we?" Cassandra looked at her, memories still fresh from Val Royeaux. "Lord Seeker Lucius is not the man I remember."
"True. He has taken the Order somewhere, but to do what? My reports have been–very odd." Leliana tried to offer a sympathetic insight.
"We must look into it." Cullen couldn't help the irritation bleed into his voice once again. "I’m certain not everyone in the Order will support the Lord Seeker."
"Or the Herald could simply go to meet the mages in Redcliffe, instead." Josephine crossed her arms across her chest.
"You think the mage rebellion is more united?" Cullen shook his head at her. For all Efa had seen him stand up for the few mages in Haven, he was still wary it seemed. "It could be ten times worse?"
"I could at least find out what the mages want." Efa looked towards Cassandra.
"No doubt what they’ve always wanted: support for their cause." She replied.
"We shouldn’t discount Redcliffe." Josephine pushed again. "The mages may be worth the risk."
"They are powerful, Ambassador, but more desperate than you realise."

"After the Divine’s death, they’re probably scrambling for allies." Efa huffed, she had grown weary of the argument before it had even begun.
"If some among the rebel mages are responsible for what happened at the Conclave…" Cassandra began again. Efa could feel a headache forming.
"The same could be said about the Templars." Josephine rebutted.
The argument continued on. Both Cullen and Cassandra lent towards attempting to approach the order of Templars. Efa listened to the points they made, but she knew deep down it would be difficult for her to consider it. She had lived with Templars. She had seen the way they had treated her kind. She had witnessed death, Tranquillity… No. Her mind was already set. The pounding in her head increased, and the conversation was going nowhere once more, she let out a deep sigh as she rose to leave, her eyes locking with Commander Rutherford for the briefest moment. In that single look she felt a looming pressure, like he knew exactly what she was thinking. It was suffocating, she had to leave before it threatened to swallow her entirely.

She turned and left the table rubbing her forehead. She needed fresh air. Outside she relished in the cold air as it hit her face. She took several deep breaths, centering herself and emotions away from the tension of the war room.
"Herald?"
A voice pulled her from her focus. She was both surprised and not to see Cullen standing behind her.
"Commander Rutherford?"
"I know you will not go to the Templars." She raised her eyebrows at him, her assumption earlier correct it seemed. "But I would beg of you not to trust the mages."
"Why?"
"Why? Efa-" he ran his hand over the back of his neck. "These rebel mages are no better than the ones who-"
"Because they are rebels that automatically makes them blood mages?"
"Yes–No!" He corrected himself, but it was too late.
"Is that how you see us?" She felt the prickle of irritation at her fingertips. "Do you believe I would resort to blood magic? I am an apostate after all?!"
"No! Of course not! I–" He stepped towards her, pausing as she held up her hand. He could see the sparks at her fingertips.

"I don't understand you." She stared at him, her expression hardening. "I saw you stand up for the mages just the other day, and Varric told me what happened in Kirkwall–"
"He did?"
"–And yet you stand here now dragging mages back through the dirt as if we were abominations."
"No I didn't mean that–" Anger rose in his voice.
"Then what did you mean?"

Silence fell across them. They both stood staring at each other, when he did not reply she shook her head.
"I never thought you were a cruel man." She swallowed hard. "I told myself it was foolish to hope you would feel even a fraction of what you did for me back then–"
"Efa please…"
"You don't have to like me any more. All I ask is your trust–"

She took several steps backwards, shaking her head again.
"But I can see now deep down you could never trust a mage."

His call of her name fell on deaf ears as she walked away.

Everything was wrong. Her body ached in an unfamiliar way as she made her way through the castle with her Tevinter companion.

A year.
They had lost an entire year.

Efa couldn't stop to think of the implications of what Varric and Cassandra had told her had occurred. Where was Isolde? Was she even alive? Then there was assassination of Empress Celene, the Demon Army, The Elder One. All of it made her mind rage painfully.

Dorian had explained to her as calmly as he could that he could attempt to reverse the magic, that he was involved in the creation of it, at least in theory. She had no choice but to trust him as they made their way back through Redcliffe Castle. The current goal was to look for other survivors, Cassandra and Varric weren't sure who lived, but they knew several had come to Redcliffe in search of answers. But after a year, the chances of finding anyone left alive was minimal. Worse, was the condition in which they had found both Varric and Cassandra, corrupted and almost consumed by red lyrium in the dungeons. Even if they made it out of here at this moment, her companions would not survive long.

As they continued silently down the corridor, a voice drifted from one of the rooms. She nodded to Dorian who took position on one side, Varric raised Bianca as Efa placed her hand on the handle. As they pushed open the door Efa cried out in horror. Her hand covered her mouth to hide the noise.
"Oh shit…" Varric breathed out quietly behind her.
"Friends of yours?" Dorian asked, peeking around the frame as Efa slowly entered the room.
"Inquisition soldiers." Cassandra confirmed entering behind her. "Templars who joined the cause…"

Cassandra and Efa fanned out across the room taking in the sight before them. Similar to the state they had found Varric and Cassandra, these soldiers had been overtaken and encased within red lyrium.
"Are they alive?"
"Not here." Cassandra shook her head.
"Nor here." Efa lowered her head solemnly.
"There must be someone," Dorian peered over. "There was a voice?"
"Wait–"

Efa turned her head as Cassandra reached the back corner. She moved towards her but the Seeker turned quickly obscuring her path.
"Herald no!" Cassandra held out her arms. "Do not–"
"H–Herald?" a hoarse voice croaked behind her. "Efa..?"
"No…" Efa pushed past Cassandra and dropped onto her knees. She let out an anguished cry as she looked at the soldier entombed before her.
"Oh sweetheart…" Varric came up behind her.
Efa raised her hand carefully to the gaunt face, too weary to raise his head to look at her. Her thumb traced along the scar on his lip.
"Efa…" Her name again, weaker this time. "Is it..?"
"I'm here." She carefully raised his head so he could see her but his eyes were red and vacant. No longer the honey colour she remembered.
"Efa..?"

Her hands shook and her lip trembled as she looked at what had become of him, she realized with a choked sob as she looked at his eyes unmoving, that he could not see her.
"Cullen," She whispered his name. "What did they do to you?"
"You were dead." He coughed out. "They said you were dead. H–how could you leave me again..?"
"I'm not dead Cullen," She choked out. "We travelled through time."
"Time?" He coughed again. "Impossible…"
"It's true, please believe me." She rested her head against him. "How did you end up here?"
"I didn't want to believe you were gone." His voice was growing weaker. "I brought all I could–but we were too late."
"Isolde..?" Efa could barely bring herself to ask.
"I don't know…" His face scrunched in pain. Efa could see he was fading. "Josi–I told them to run–If we didn't come back…"

Efa held on to what she could. She closed her eyes, picturing him how she remembered. She thought about how it was for him, how they had argued and then she was gone again, she could feel her heart breaking once more.
"I'm going to fix this." She promised him. "We're going to fix it. Like none of this ever happened."
"It's too late for me." he gasped. "It looks like it's my turn to leave…"
"No, no, no!"

The room was silent as she cried, Dorian observed silently as Cassandra placed a hand on her shoulder. Varric looked away, giving another look around the room, but they knew it was for nought. He could hear the change in her cries as the last of the life drained from the Commander's face.
"Sweetheart," Varric called softly.
"I–I just need a moment…"

Varric turned to Dorian, the Tevinter mage watching the exchange quietly. The dwarf was glad it seemed he had the sense to remain quiet.
"You had better hope you fix this." He said to him, turning back to see Efa place a soft chaste kiss to Cullen's unmoving lips. "For both their sake you had better fix this mage."

"It is not a matter for debate. There will be abominations among the mages, and we must be prepared."
"If we rescind the offer of an alliance, it makes the Inquisition appear incompetent at best, and tyrannical at worst."
She could hear the voices arguing before she entered the Chantry. She had hoped he would be calmer, that she could talk to him, try and make amends after what she saw. But almost as soon as the door was opened Commander Cullen turned to her.
"What were you thinking!?" he threw his hands up, exasperated. "Turning mages loose with no oversight?"
"We’re not monsters." She answered wearily. "We can control ourselves without any outside help."
"This is not an issue of self-control!" In his annoyance he failed to see the hollow look in her eyes as she looked at him. "Even the strongest mages can be overcome by demons in conditions like these!"

Josephine and Leliana both looked at her concernedly while the Commander continued, his attention now turned to Cassandra who had entered behind her.
"You were there, Seeker! Why didn’t you intervene?"
"While I may not completely agree with the decision, I support it." She spoke plainly, Efa barely registered the fact that it was the first time Cassandra had openly agreed with her.
"We need them to close the Breach." Efa cast her eyes down to the floor. "It’s not going to work if we make enemies of them."
She looked up at Cullen now, hiding her shaking hands in the folds of her coat.
"You've seen what happens when magic is exhausted, do you really want to go there again…"

"I–I know we need them for the breach," Cullen faltered for a moment, noticing the way her shoulders sagged. "But they could do as much damage as the demons themselves…"
"The sole point of the Herald’s mission was to gain the mages’ aid, and that was accomplished." Cassandra drew the room's attention back to her.
"The voice of pragmatism speaks!" Dorian appeared in the door frame suddenly. "And here I was just starting to enjoy the circular arguments."
"Closing the Breach is all that matters." Cassandra glared at him.

"I got a taste of the consequences if we fail." Efa looked away, unable to meet anyone's eyes. "Let’s make sure we don’t."
"We will not fail." Cassandra gripped her shoulder comfortingly.
"We should look into the things you saw in this 'dark future.'" Leliana nodded. "The assassination of Empress Celene? A demon army?"
"Sounds like something a Tevinter cult might do." Dorian chipped in. "Orlais falls, the Imperium rises. Chaos for everyone!"
"One battle at a time." Cullen shot him a scathing expression. "It’s going to take time to organise our troops and the mage recruits."

There was no mistaking the irritation in his voice at the prospect of the mages now in residence among his troops. Dorian tilted his head curiously at the Commander and then to Efa. Cullen felt a shiver down his spine as the Tevinter mage observed him, his scrutiny only caused his annoyance to deepen.
"Let’s take this to the war room." Cullen turned to Efa, who still kept her focus anywhere but him. "Join us. None of this means anything without your mark, after all."
"Of course." She nodded in acknowledgement.
"Meet us there when you’re ready." Josephine patted her arm sympathetically as she passed.

"I’ll skip the war council," Dorian yawned theatrically, "Your boyfriend is a bit frosty isn't he?"
"He's not my boyfriend." Efa shuffled uncomfortably. "I don't even think we would be considered 'friends' anymore at this point."
"How intriguing," Dorian rubbed his chin. "Now you have me all curious. The way he spoke to you was as if you were fierce lovers. Did he break your heart? Was that regret for leaving you or you leaving him?"
"It's complicated." she snapped at him.
"Men are always complicated." Dorian folded his arms, eyebrow raised quizzically. "It will be interesting to see how things unfurl. But first, I would like to see this Breach up close, if you don’t mind."
"Then you’re staying" Efa was taken back.
"Oh, didn’t I mention?" Dorian shrugged, his voice light and playful still despite her bite. "The South is so charming and rustic. I adore it to little pieces."
"I must admit, I’m surprised." Efa smiled weakly at his jests.
"We both saw what could happen, what this “Elder One” and his cult are trying to do." He looked at her suddenly serious. "Not everyone from Tevinter is terrible. Some of us have fought for aeons against this sort of madness. It’s my duty to stand with you. That future will not come to pass."
"There’s no one I’d rather be stranded in time with, future or present." She felt an odd comfort at the thought of him sticking around.
"Excellent choice!" He clapped his hands together gleefully. "But let’s not get ‘stranded’ again anytime soon, yes?"
"Agreed." She began to make her way towards the war room.

"One last thing." He called back to her. "If you need to speak about–What happened…"
He gestured with his hands in front of him, knowing she understood his meaning.
"I'd be happy to listen," He smiled. "Perhaps over some wine or a spot of brandy."
"Thank you Dorian." She smiled more warmly. "I'll bear that in mind."

"You are not accompanying the Herald to the Breach?" Josephine lent on the door frame to the war room.
Inside, Cullen stood leaning over the table. He sighed and straightened up his hand returning to its familiar position on his pommel.
"I think I am the last person she would want following her around." Cullen shook his head. "Our last conversation outside the war room ended in disagreement."
"Hmm." Josephine pushed off the frame and entered the room. "Then perhaps you would like to go through these reports."
She took several sheets from her board and placed them on the counter.
"There is a report from Master Pavus of his take of events in Redcliffe," She slid them in front of him. "I know you are not fond of the Tevinter Mage but his insights may offer a fresh perspective."
Cullen grunted in response, Josephine shook her head and closed the door behind her, leaving the Commander to his brooding. He scowled as his eyes automatically began to scan the document in front of him. A habit he was cursing now. He had expected it to be flowery the way the mage himself spoke but he found the document oddly professional.

The document matched the events identically to the Heralds, not that he had doubted the information they had returned with. As incredulous as it sounded, one simply didn't fabricate a tale like that. It wasn't in Efa's character to do so. His eyes continued downward, stopping suddenly when he saw a name he had not seen in the Herald’s report.
'Upon the next room we investigated a lone voice. The room contained more of what we had seen, this time in the form of Inquisition soldiers taken over by the red lyrium. Upon inspection all but one of the soldiers had perished to the substance growing and encasing them. With his discovery, Seeker Cassandra attempted to keep the Herald from seeing the condition of Commander Rutherford but the Herald would not relent.
The Herald engaged in a personal conversation with the Commander and remained by his side until his unfortunate passing. With renewed determination we continued onward towards the next disturbance…'

He had read enough. He felt sick, Efa had spoken of Cassandra and Varric, and even Leliana's presence in the 'dark future' but not him. Why had he been there? He thought about it, if she had been reported dead at Redcliffe what was the first thing he would have done? March there with as many soldiers he could to demand answers. Suddenly the look on her face made sense to him. He had simply thought her steel demeanour to him had been born of their argument. But if what he had read was true? But she had not put it in her own report. Why? '…engaged in a personal conversation…'
"Maker's breath…"

Slamming open the door he ran from the Chantry not even stopping to apologise to Mother Giselle as he brushed past her almost sending her flying. His eyes turned skyward as he got outside, just as the sky blazed in a flash of green. Those around him gasped, all eyes centred on the Breach as the light blasted out. Even below in Haven the whoosh of air and magic that followed was felt. Cullen covered his face as it hit but it was gone as quickly as it came. He looked up and gasped.

Cheers erupted around him as they all looked to the sky, the Breach was gone. The sky was not entirely as it had been but the visible stain that had circulated above them since the conclave was gone.
"She did it…" Cullen let out the breath he was holding. "Efa…"

Chapter Text

The people celebrated.
Cullen lent against a tent pole watching but not participating in the festivities below. Its not that he was thankful, he was incredibly grateful when he saw Efa walk back through the gates unharmed, on her own too feet looking no worse than she left. But his thoughts still dwelt on the the Tevene's report, and the horrors she had seen in the 'dark future'.

He watched her, as she moved through people, uncomfortably pulled from group to group, thanked over and over again for what she had done. Every so often her head turned in his direction, at first he tried to mask his gaze but it became clearer as she moved that she was making her way towards him.
His heart hammered in his chest. There was so much he wanted to say, but where to begin. From the moment she had waltzed back into his life, he had hardly shared a kind word with her. He knew he was an idiot, this was not what he wanted. He wanted too see her smile the was she used to smile only for him. Now she wore it for the dwarf and that goddamn cocky mage. He felt a prickle of jealousy followed sharply by the cold realisation of what that implied.

He hadn't dared admit it, not even to himself. Not while the danger loomed above them threatening to tear apart anything they had left. He had to remain strong, to fight, but in this moment of quiet he allowed himself to be weak. Ten years, he had mourned for her and allowed his rage to fester. Stripping that away, watching her as she came and went by on her business, he knew. Deep down, he knew that he still cared for her deeply.

But that rage had not subsided fully. He had directed it foolishly at her. She had bore the brunt of it and yet still she continued towards him, stopped once more by admirers vying for her attention. He could see her glance his way again, worry building in her face as she did. Worry for him, perhaps? That he might leave without speaking to her. The frown returned to her face momentarily as someone tugged on her arm, attempting to lead her off. He was moving before he realised, crossing the remaining distance in a few strides before his hand softly took her other elbow.

"Herald, forgive me." He addressed the surrounding group. "There is something that needs your attention."
There was a murmur through the surrounding people of disappointment, and a comment about him never stopping work. Efa looked at him relieved before smiled politely to the crowd and turned to Cullen.
"Lead on Commander,"
They walked towards the Chantry away from the crowds in silence, the easy atmosphere of the people below gone, replaced instead by an almost suffocating weight. When he could take it no longer, he turned.
"There was some-"
"I am sorry to-"

They both stopped, turning in towards the other.
"You said there was something that needed my attention?" Efa tried again when he didn't speak.
"Ah- I- I confess you looked a little uncomfortable." His hand, met the back of his neck trying to hide his discomfort.
"I did not expect you of all people to readily come to my aid."
"You didn't?" he looked disappointed. "Not after I supposedly rode to Redcliffe to avenge you in this 'dark future'?
She froze, the colour draining from her face.
"How-?"
"The Tevene 'friend' of yours submitted a report on the events," he mumbled sheepishly. "His record included a part you omitted."
"Cullen- I didn't mean to hide-" She felt her voice catch in her throat. "After we left, the way we had spoken- "
He could see the pain in her face, the expression he had failed to notice right away from the previous day. She looked away from him, he saw her lift her hand to her eye to wipe away tears that had formed.
"Forgive me Herald. I should not have brought up such a distressing event."
He cursed himself for his tact, or lack thereof entirely in broaching the subject with her. They were silent for a moment, before she continued uneasily, pain evident in her quivering tone.

"You asked me there: 'How could I leave you again?'" She swallowed the lump in her throat. "We parted in anger. You were unsupportive of my decisions and needs. Yet you spoke as if-"
"As if every time you have left that gate," Cullen stepped closer his hand reaching up to touch her arm. "That I feared it would be the last time I ever see you again…"

She looked up at him, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe. For the first time since she had come here, he looked just like the Cullen she once knew. Her Cullen. The one who protected her, who fought beside her, who laughed and talked with her. Her heart ached for those times again.
"And I continue to watch you go." He continued, his hold more firm just above her elbow. "And I will pray to Andraste each time that you will return here unharmed."

Her words failed her, everything she had been planning to say to him had been undone, unravelled in his honest words. He stared at her with his honey eyes, full of searing warmth amidst the cold breeze circling them. She felt a spark of hope, so small and so low she was scared to grab on to it. Was there a chance, even a tiny one, for them still?

"There is still so much that could happen…" she failed to keep her voice steady.
"We have already altered the course of this 'dark future'." He shook his head. "It will not come to pass."
"You are so sure we can change what I saw?" she asked.
"You already have." He smiled softly. "For we would not be stood here together if you had not come back."
"Together…" She repeated the word. He did not miss the hitch in her breath as he slid his hand further up her arm.

"Efa…" he spoke her name so softly. "Can we start again? I know it would be hard to pretend like none of this happened. To go on like we once were… But it is my hope that we could- perhaps we can be friends again?"
"Friends…" she weighed the word carefully. She did well to mask the joy the thought brought to her. She knew "friends' was better than the way they had been at each others throats these past few weeks. "I'd like that."
"We can save the arguing to the war room perhaps?" He winced at his attempt at humour.
She chuckled. It was small, but it was the first genuine laugh and smile he had seen in her. Cullen felt his heart skip a beat. Lost in the moment as he looked at her smiling back at him, unaware of the approaching footsteps.
"Commander Rutherford!"

She felt a chill as he moved away to the approaching soldier, the ghost of his touch on her arm lingering even as he let go.

"I must go." He turned back to her.
"Anything to worry about?" She looked at him concerned.
"If there is you will be the first to know."

He gave her a slight smile as he followed the soldier away. She wrapped he arms around herself and sighed. It wasn't how she had imagined the conversation going but the outcome was as she had hoped.

It was a start. She'd take all she could if it meant he would smile like that at her again.

Efa ran as fast as she could the moment the alarm bell had sounded.
She skidded to a halt next to Cassandra as she neared the gates, The other advisers had gathered beside them waiting as the Commander barked orders.
"Cullen?" Cassandra asked when his attention turned to them.
"One watch guard reporting." He looked at them in turn. "It’s a massive force, the bulk over the mountain."
"Under what banner?" Josephine gasped.
"None." He looked at her, the hint of trepidation in his tone.
"None?" Her eyes went wide. Efa circled around them all staring at the closed gate, she could see fire dancing behind it and the sound of the approaching forces. And something else…
She felt it prickle at the back of her neck as she drew closer to gate.
She flinched. Someone banged on the gate. Hard.
"I can’t come in unless you open!" A voice called from the other side, banging again as he spoke.
Efa nodded to the guard, staff in hand defensively stepping forward, she could feel Cullen fall into step behind her sword gripped tightly in his hand protectively. As the gate pushed open a single soldier stood. Not one of theirs, she could see from the armour he wore. There was something familiar about it she couldn't place right away as the man fell to his knees, his death rattle echoing in his helmet as he fell revealing the owner of the voice.
"I’m Cole, I came to warn you." He was a young man, dressed in simple clothes and holding a dagger in his hand. "To help. People are coming to hurt you. You probably already know."
Efa approached warily, there was something off about the man. She could feel an air of the Fade around him as she eyed him suspiciously.
"What is this?" she stepped back as he reached a hand out to her. "What’s going on?"
"The Templars come to kill you."

Efa froze, her blood running cold. At her side she could see Cullen do the same, his eyes blown wide as he looked down at the dead soldier. The armour, Efa realised, she had seen something similar before. It wasn't identical but the staple style was still the same, she had seen it worn by the man who stood beside her ten years ago.
"Templars?" She could hear the panic underlying in his voice as he looked first at Cole and then her. "Is this the Order’s response to our talks with the mages? Attacking blindly?"
She reached out to grab Cullen's arm, she could see his temper rising. When he looked at her worried expression he calmed slightly, but the jittery movements of their new acquaintance kept them both on edge.
"The Red Templars went to the Elder One." His gestures were quick, jerking between her and Cullen, his words tumbling out quickly without pause. "You know him? He knows you. You took his mages. There!"
Cole pointed out to the approaching army. On hill just visible in the firelight stood two figures, watching the procession. One a dark twisted form almost like a darkspawn, and a Knight, clad in the Templar armour twisted and glowing faintly red in colour.

"I know that man…" Cullen stared at the figures, "but this Elder One…"
"He’s very angry that you took his mages."
"Cullen! Give me a plan!" Efa looked at the Commander pleadingly. "Anything!"
"Haven is no fortress." He said gravely. "If we are to withstand this monster, we must control the battle."
He looked from side to side, assessing the situation ahead.

"Get out there and hit that force." He gestured with his sword at the trebuchet further down the line. "Use everything you can!"
She began to move, hesitating after a moment. "Isolde…" Panic flooded her as the reality of their situation settled in.
"We'll find her," Cullen tried to give her an assuring look. "I'll send her to the Chantry."
She nodded reluctantly. They had a duty to all of the people here not just Isolde, but she was a vulnerable child and Efa's responsibility. Cullen gripped her shoulder as comfortingly as he could. His gaze lingered on him for a moment before she nodded and took off down the line.
"Mages!" She heard his yell behind her. "You—you have sanction to engage them! That is Samson. He will not make it easy!"

"Inquisition! With the Herald! For your lives! For all of us!"
Their battle cry was drowned as the first wave of Red Templars came into range.

It had almost seemed like the could win, or at least survive to make their escape. The last shot of the trebuchet she had angled had caused a landslide from the mountain blanketing the valley floor in front of Haven and burying the approaching forces beneath the heavy snow. A victory short lived, as a great screech tore through the air. She heard the all to familiar hiss of flames as a jet of flames came hurtling towards her. She had barely enough time to dive from the trebuchet before it exploded into flames. Calling the retreat, she ran with all she could until they reached the gate once more.

"Come on, through here! Everyone inside!" Cullen was helping as many people as he could, pulling them through the gate and tugging on the door to close it. "Pull back now! Move it. Move it!"
Another soldier managed to pull the other gate, closing with a thud as Efa hunched over and took a moment to breathe.
"We need everyone back to the Chantry!" His authoritative voice rang out over the It’s the only building that might hold against… that beast!"
Cullen urged soldiers on as she recovered her breathing, she straightened up to stand again.
"At this point… Just make them work for it!"
With the final order he turned to her, relief evident on his face.
"Did you find Isolde?" She looked at him hopefully.
"No…" his face dropped. "There's been no sign-"
A high pitched scream cut through the air behind them, Cullen and Efa could see more Templars beginning to come over the fence surrounding Haven. The both set off at a run cutting down anyone in their path as they ran towards the noise. At the end they could see a group of Templars surrounding the young elvhen girl.
"ISOLDE!"

There was another scream and a flash of red. Instinctively Cullen dragged Efa backwards shielding her from the flames that exploded. At first she thought it had been the dragon, circling above but as the smoke cleared the real cause of the fore became apparent.
"It hurts!"
Efa leapt passed Cullen grabbing the first piece of fabric she could. She covered Isolde in a desperate attempt to put out the flames. Cullen caught her as the fabric was lifted of her. The young girl whimpered. Efa cried out in alarm, already channelling what healing magic she had into her body. As she did Cullen surveyed the assailants. Dead, six of them. He felt a twinge of unease at the thought of a nine year old child killing six grown Templars.
"Are they d-dead?" she cried.
"Yes da'len," Efa smoothed hair from the side of her face, "You did well da'vhenan."
She took a shuddering breath as Cullen lifted her. She needed more help than Efa could give, if they survived. Cullen could read the look on her face.
"I'll take her straight to the Chantry." He promised, around them, more Templars had breached the walls. "Help anyone else you can find!"

He set off at a run cradling the burnt child in his arms, Efa swung around raising her staff to defend herself. She did what she could bringing as many as she found alive up the stairs until the Chantry door was in view. As the final few approached, the doors opened. Efa quickly scanned behind her but saw no more signs of people alive or trapped.
"Move! Keep going!" Chancellor Roderick called behind her. "The Chantry is your shelter!"
She turned back to run through the open door right as the Chancellor fell, caught in the arms of their mysterious guest. The doors were closed behind, Efa felt a wave of exhaustion fall over her as Cole lead the Chancellor to a chair.
"He tried to stop a Templar." He turned and answered the question she was about to ask. "The blade went deep."
She raised her hand to attempt a healing spell but Cole shook his head.
"He’s going to die."
She had never seen eye to eye with the Chancellor, but she felt the pang of pity at his condition.
"What a charming boy." The Chancellor coughed.

"Efa!" She turned to see Cullen running towards her. "Our position is not good. That dragon stole back any time you might have earned us."
"How is Isolde?" She grimaced when his face furrowed in sadness.
"Shes stable, for all the good it will do, with that- thing-"
"I’ve seen an Archdemon." Cole spoke suddenly between them. "I was in the Fade, but it looked like that."
"I don’t care what it looks like." Cullen snapped back irritably. "It has cut a path for that army. They’ll kill everyone in Haven!"
"The Elder One doesn’t care about the village." Cole looked at Efa directly. "He only wants the Herald."
"If you know why he wants me, just say it." Efa could feel her own annoyance building with each moment.
"I don’t. He’s too loud." Cole shook his head. His speaking turning erratic again once more. "It hurts to hear him. He wants to kill you. No one else matters, but he’ll crush them, kill them anyway. I don’t like him."
"You don’t like…?" Cullen started but quickly stopped. Whatever Cole meant it was not important at that moment.

"Efa, there are no tactics to make this survivable." He turned his attention back to her, "The only thing that slowed them was the avalanche."
Efa looked around to the people she could see in the Chantry. towards the back she could see Solas, tending over a small bundle that she could see was Isolde from the hair visible at the top. Beside her was Dorian holding the girls hand and rubbing it softly and whispering to her comfortingly. She looked at Varric stood with Cassandra and Blackwall the warden, and the other companions the Qunari and his chargers doing their best to aid anyone they could. The strange elvhen trickster girl, bickered with the Orlesian Enchanter while Josephine and Leliana did their best to calm everyone down.

All had joined her, all of the would die because of her.

"We could turn the remaining trebuchets," She turned her attention back to Cullen as he spoke again. "Cause one last slide."
"We’re overrun." Efa met his gaze. "To hit the enemy, we’d bury Haven."
"We’re dying, but we can decide how this time." he reached gently for her hand. "Many don’t get that choice."
She felt his grip tighten around her hand. Not an hour ago she had reclaimed a small part of him, the promise of a future together. She had allowed herself to revel in the fact they were both alive and fighting together once more. How foolish to believe it would last. Time seemed to slow around her, how desperately she wanted to cling on to this moment, to reach up and kiss him, to tell him all the things she had wanted to say but couldn't.

"Yes, that." Cole's voice broke the moment. "Chancellor Roderick can help. He wants to say it before he dies."
Cullen released her hand as they turned back to the wheezing Chancellor.
"There is a path. You wouldn’t know it unless you’d made the summer pilgrimage. As I have." His voice was hoarse as he spoke.
"What are you on about, Roderick?" Efa knelt in front of him.
"It was whim that I walked the path. I did not meant to start—it was overgrown." He coughed and continued. "Now, with so many in the Conclave dead, to be the only one who remembers…"
She looked at Cole who smiled weakly at her, could this be a way out for them all, could she save Isolde from dying here? Again Cole nodded at her as if he had read her thoughts. She was about to ask when the Chancellor began again.
"I don’t know, Herald. If this simple memory can save us," his words became more haggard as he spoke. "This could be more than mere accident. You could be more."

She stood up and turned back to the Commander.
"What about it, Cullen?" she asked. "Will it work?"
"Possibly…" She could see him recalculating their position. "If he shows us the path."
She nodded and picked up her staff moving towards the door. It took him a moment to realise what she was doing. He reached out and grabbed her arm halting her as she reached for the door.
"But what of your escape?"
"If that thing is here for me, I’ll make him fight for it." She stared at the wood. She couldn't look at him. She did not want to see the look of anguish on his face.
"And when the mountain falls?" Cullen tugged again hoping she'd turn. "Efa…"
"Promise you will take Isolde." There was a unmistakable tremor in her voice. "And keep her safe."
"Efa please!" His other fist slammed into the door when she tugged on the handle. "Please come back to me again."

She turned around, foolishly, and met his gaze. He looked at her, heartbroken, his grip on her arm tightened as she surged forward and pressed her lips to his. It was not how she had imagined kissing him for the first time. It was raw, messy and he froze shocked before her. His grip on her arm loosened and she backed away, her heart plummeting when he did not react.
"Ir abelas." she whispered softly.

Using his confusion she slipped from the door, running as fast as she could down the streets of Haven, she did not hear when he called after her. The only sound she could was the furious pounding of her heart. She thought she would regret never have kissing him, but seeing his face then? Her regret had morphed into something new. He did not feel the same as she did, how could he? After all she had put him through.

This was the last thing she could do for him. To save him.

All she could feel was cold. From the moment she had woken in cold dark cavern she had felt the cold seeping through her skin. She had lost her staff, somewhere in the final avalanche, it had flown away. Knowing she could not sit still else she would freeze, Efa had rose grabbing on to the splintered wood to pull her self to her feet. She sighed wearily as she reached the end of the tunnel, coming out into the heavy snow storm, and she shielded her eyes. Not that it helped. She was stumbling blind through the night. She heard a howl in the distant, a wolf, its cry recognisable easily. She should be scared, but her bones were too weak as she continued to stumble forward. If it came for her she would be lucky if she could cast even a simple spell.

The storm continued to rage, she shivered, desperately putting one foot in front of the other. she was so focused on moving that she didn't notice the small campfire half buried in fresh snow until she fell into it. She cried out, her hands scraping against several of its stones.
It’s cold. She thought, and glimmer of hope she had that it could be fresh left her as quickly as it came. She looked up again, praying to the Creator's that she might find something to give her hope.

But there was no answer, just the sound of the wind and emptiness. Nothing.
She struggled back to her feet, shivering as she willed herself forward. How much further she walked for she didn't know, but she felt herself slowing as it became harder to lift her feet. Efa stopped. Another howl tore through the air. This one closer, much closer now.

She could see it. The shape forming in the snow flurries in front of her. She watched as it padded towards her, stopping before it came withing reach. It appeared to look at her, head tilting questioningly. The storm calmed around them, but her vision stayed mostly unfocused, ice had formed on her eye lashes and it was to painful to brush it away.
The wolf howled softly at her, padding the ground and turned, for a moment she thought she saw its eyes glow. More eyes than a normal wolf would have. She blamed her obscure vision. But she couldn't shake the feeling she was meant to follow, curious too, if she had seen it she continued forward. Was it actually there? As she reached where it had stood she saw paw tracks. It's real? Or at least she was convinced in that moment it was. She had few options left as she shivered again, adjusting her arms around herself again to no avail she began to trudge again.

Again she did not know how long it had been. Minutes? Hours? It was all a blur of white, more white and-
Embers? She faltered again, stopping before she fell into another makeshift fire. Her limbs screamed at her as she reached out feeling the lingering warmth of the fire that had not long extinguished itself.
Recent?
She looked up, her already clouded vision darkening at the edges. Was it a light she saw? She tried again to move her feet unsure if they actually moved anymore.
"There!" Was that a voice? "It’s her!"

Black shapes crossed her eye line, unrecognisable at first until one spoke.
"Thank the Maker!" Cassandra?
She felt her knees weaken as she fell into the snow but was caught in strong arms before she sank into the cold. She felt something warm and heavy thrown over her and a familiar aura surround her.
"Your alive!" Cullen.
She swallowed hard, struggling to find her voice. When she did it was barely more than a whisper.
"We need to stop meeting like this."
"You came back again." She could hear the relief in his voice and the arms around her tighten.
"I-Isolde-?" She began to ask but her voice cracked s she trembled again.
"She's waiting for you." She felt an arm hook beneath her legs and lift her from the snow.
"Thank-" She didn't finish her words as the darkness took her. She fell limp in his arms and immediately Cullen began to hurry towards the camp.
"Efa stay with me.." He begged desperately. "Stay with me please…"

"Cullen..?" She whispered nervously.
"Why do I have to feel like this?" He groaned, his forehead, coming down to rest against hers.
"I- I don't know."
"You're a mage. I'm a Templar. It's forbidden."
"And the fact that I am elvhen didn't cross your mind first?"
"I- No," he turned his head away, blushing. "I never thought of that."
"Cullen…" She reached up her hand to his cheek, turning his head back to her. "I care about you, but I understand if- if you would rather forget about this."
"Forget? I think of you awake and asleep. I can't stop. I need- I want- Stop me."
He lent closer. His free hand reaching to cup her face in return, she lent into his touch, exhaling softly.
"I can't…"

Efa jerked awake. She was buried in a heap of blankets and something furry. Cullen's cloak. She inhaled softly. The faint smell of ash and blood filled her nose and beneath it something else, something she had not smelt in ten years. Leather and oakmoss. She had been dreaming of the last time she had smelt it. The day Uldred had taken the Ferelden Circle. When he had almost kissed her against the book shelf. The moment ruined along with their lives as the demons descended. She let out a pained cry as she remembered what she had done. The look of confusion on his face as she left the Chantry. how could she face him again now?

"What would you have me tell them?" His voice cut into her thoughts. "This isn’t what we asked them to do!"
"We cannot simply ignore this!" Cassandra bit back at him "We must find a way!"
"And who put you in charge? We need a consensus, or we have nothing!"
They all sounded exhausted. And she could not blame them, she felt like all her limbs were weighed down. She struggled to move.
"Please," Josephine pleaded with them. "We must use reason! Without the infrastructure of the Inquisition, we’re hobbled!"
"That can’t come from nowhere!" She couldn't see him but she could picture him throwing his hands up in the air as he spoke.
"She didn’t say it could!" Leliana hissed at him.
Efa groaned and tried to move again.
"Enough!" Cassandra shouted louder, a note of finality in her voice. "This is getting us nowhere!"
"Well," His voice sounded closer now. "We’re agreed on that much!"
Something else shuffled beside her and before she could yelp in alarm a small voice whispered up to her.
"They've been at it for hours."
"Shh child." another voice cooed right beside them, "You need rest."
"Isolde." She managed to adjust them so she could curl her tighter against her. Isolde hissed in pain and Efa released her, looking down she could see the red mark still across her face. As she had feared, the burns she had suffered would leave a permanent mark on her.

"You're hurt." Efa gently stroked her unmarked cheek.
"So were you." Isolde cuddled tighter.
"I'm fine now." She smiled down at her niece. "No need to worry for me da'len."
"He was the most worried." Isolde peered over the edge of his cloak. "He would not take his cloak back even when he shivered."
Efa frowned. Why would he do that? Guilt?
"Are you warm enough now?" She asked. Isolde nodded.
Slowly Efa managed to sit up, without Isolde's weight on her she found her limbs more willing to move. She held her hand up to Mother Giselle who began to protest her getting up as she lifted the fur cape from the makeshift bed. He legs wobbled for a moment as she moved over to Cullen, He looked exhausted, and she could see the shiver run through him as a gust of wind travelled through the camp.
Gently she placed the cape across his shoulders.
"Thank you." His reply came automatically. Too lost in his own thoughts to realise it was his own cloak that had been offered to him.
She turned back to the bed, fatigue already gnawing at her again.

Across the clearing Cullen pulled the cloak closer, his frozen fingers meeting the fur mantle he had become accustomed to wearing. His head whipped around, seeing her as she sat back down on the bed and allowed Isolde to pull the blanket across them again.
"Efa!" He jumped up, rushing towards her. "You're awake!"
"For the moment." She let Isolde rest herself against her chest. "Do not freeze on our account Commander."
"Efa…" He protested sinking to his knees beside them. She was already asleep again before her name fell from his lips. He sighed, gripping the edge of his cloak around him and fastening it to his shoulders.
"Thank the Maker…"

It was almost light when she had woken, and instead of Mother Giselle at her side she found Solas sitting with her. Seeing her awake they had talked, away from the camp allowing her the chance to stretch her legs properly. They spoke of many things, of the Orb, Corypheus, and its ties to their people. But most importantly, their way forward from here.
The journey through the mountains had been hard. With Solas' gentle guidance they made their way, Cullen not far behind, Isolde clinging to his back when her feet failed her. He had lifted her from the snow the moment she had faltered, and never complained at the extra weight he carried through the worst of it.

Finally they arrived. The view had been breathtaking as they crested the ridge. It was run down but the structure was mostly sound. As they approached the gates and raised the creaking gears they all felt an ease. This was where they were meant to be.

Efa found the stone structure comforting. Unlike the Circle that felt constricting, she felt oddly akin to the old castle. Solas had said it was Elvhen in its origin. She attributed the feeling to that. It had been a few weeks now since they had came here but there was no time to rest. Each day had been devoted to clearing rubble, strengthening foundations and making the place habitable.
She had barely seen Cullen, or Leliana. All of the had been busy coordinating renovations and supplies. On the first night when she had tried to approach him the air had been so tense between them neither could speak. Dorian had come to her rescue and engaged them in polite conversation until the Commander slipped away.

She knew he would be unhappy with her again. For being reckless and putting her life in danger. She wanted to apologise again but he never seemed to stay still long enough for her to do so. She had ruined it all. He had wanted to be her friend again, nothing more, her impulsive actions had set them right back to where they had begun again in Haven.

She stepped out of the door to the courtyard, having just settled Isolde into the care of Fiona, the First Enchanter of the Ferelden Circle before the war. She had found a tower on the western wall that would serve as a good place for the mages to come together and feel safe. Under Josephine's careful diplomacy, two former Templars has been assigned there as a precaution. Efa had relented, only as Josephine had assured that the knights and mages were managed as equals. Both reporting to the Commander on their own terms. For the peace and mind of all, Fiona too had agreed.

Efa blinked in the sunlight, it was a nice day, the warm sun mixing with the chilly breeze. She tugged her scarf tighter around her neck and stepped into the courtyard fully. As she surveyed people bustling about her eyes fell on Cullen, she had become good at picking him out in the crowd. Perhaps she could speak to him now. She began to make her way over when a group of soldiers moved revealing the rest of the people he was speaking too.

Efa halted, observing the Commander deep in conversation with Cassandra, Leliana and Josephine. His back was to her but the spymaster noticed as she hovered awkwardly, unsure if she should join them. Words were exchanged and the adviser's looked towards her, Cullen caught her eye, his expression stoic, before he took his leave. Leliana and Josephine dispersed soon after leaving Cassandra who motioned for her to join her. She hesitated for a moment, her eyes lingering on Cullen's retreating head as he began rounding up his men. She walked over slowly, wondering what all of the secrecy had been about.

"They arrive daily from every settlement in the region." Cassandra motioned at the people around them as they began to walk under the arch that lead to the main hall. "Skyhold is becoming a pilgrimage."
The rounded the wall and began to ascend up the main staircase, Cassandra continued to talk.
"If word has reached these people, it will have reached the Elder One. We have the walls and numbers to put up a fight here, but this threat is far beyond the war we anticipated." She looked at Efa as they continued. "But we now know what allowed you to stand against Corypheus, what drew him to you."
"He came for this," Efa felt the thrum of magic in her hand igniting the anchor that lay within her. "And now it’s useless to him, so he wants me dead. That’s it."
"The Anchor has power, but it’s not why you’re still standing here."
Above, Efa could see they were approaching Leliana, standing where the path levelled out before the final flight of steps to the castle.
"Your decisions let us heal the sky. Your determination brought us out of Haven. You are that creature’s rival because of what you did. And we know it." They arrived in front of Leliana. "All of us."
Standing before her now, Efa could see Leliana holding on to an ornate sword. Efa looked between the two women, wondering where they were leading her.
"The Inquisition requires a leader: the one who has already been leading it."

Efa looked at Cassandra surprised, they couldn't possibly be wanting her to lead them? Who would answer to her? She could hear people murmuring below and she turned and looked down. She felt a shiver run through her and her chest tightened anxiously. she could see Josephine and Cullen standing at the front of the pack. They were planning this all along?
"You." Cassandra confirmed once the realisation sank in.
"You’re offering this to an elvhen, and a mage?" She stared at them both incredulously. "Are you quite sure you know what you’re doing?"
"I would be terrified handing this power to anyone," Cassandra answered honestly. "But I believe it is the only way. They’ll follow you."
Efa looked down at all the faces looking up at her again. Every eye was on her. She looked to the other side, Varric and the others watched amongst the crowd. She caught Dorian's eyes and he smiled gesturing encouragingly.
"To them, being an elf and a mage, shows how far you’ve risen, how it must have been by Andraste’s hand." Cassandra tried to be reassuring but Efa was not convinced. "What it means to you, how you lead us: that is for you alone to determine."

Once more she looked down to the crowd, to Cullen who was watching her. She tried to read his expression but she couldn't. Would he follow her lead? After everything she had put him through? She took a deep breath, she felt the limited choices about her. She wanted to help, truly, but was she really capable of leading them all?
"This isn’t about a greater message." Efa looked at Cassandra "We have an enemy and we have to stand together."
She couldn't refuse. She knew she couldn't after seeing the faces of the people looking at her expectantly. Cassandra was right, she had recruited the mages, she had saved them from Haven and lived. Mark or no Mark she had brought the people and given them hope.
"We’ll do what is right." She mustered her might to address them all. "The Inquisition will fight for all of us."
"Wherever you lead us." Cassandra approached the ledge shouting down to the people below. "Have our people been told?"
"They have." Josephine heralding back. "And soon the world."
"Commander," Cassandra turned to Cullen "Will they follow?
"Inquisition!" He turned to the crowd. "Will you follow?"
He drew his sword and raised it high, rallying in front of the gathered soldiers.
"Will you fight? Will we triumph?"

He turned and looked up at her now, his expression softened as he looked at her with determination.
"Your leader! Your Herald!" He placed his sword hand on his chest across his heart as he looked at her. "Your Inquisitor!"
She felt her own heart swell in response as she took the sword Leliana offered. She raised it high as the crowd cheered. Looking at Cullen once more she could see the faintest trace of a smile lingering as the people celebrated around him.

Chapter Text

Efa wandered through the courtyard. It was early morning, and the sun had not yet fully risen above the walls of Skyhold. Despite the early hour, there was already activity below the stairs. Shouldering her pack, she continued towards the noise, her destination towards the stables.
"Ser!"
"The order was sent?"
"Yes, Commander."
"Send men to scout the area." Cullen hunched over his makeshift desk. "We need to know what’s out there."
"Yes, ser!"
The two guards turned and left, not seeing her as she approached. Already, another guard was waiting to speak to him.
"Commander. Soldiers have been assigned temporary quarters."
"Very good." Cullen didn't look in his direction. "I’ll need an update on the armoury as well."
The messenger stood idly, having noticed the Inquisitor approaching.
"Now!" He barked, jolting the poor man to life.

"You need a better office than this."
"Yes, yes, I'm taking the one above the gate–" he began irritably before standing and seeing her. "Inquisitor!"
"You don't have to call me that." She shuffled awkwardly as he bowed his head. "I wasn't looking for another title."
"With respect it was well earned." He rubbed the back of his neck. A habit she noticed he did when he was nervous.
"You think that?" She smiled weakly. "Even after all I've put us through?"
"We set up as best we could at Haven, but we could never prepare for an Archdemon–or whatever it was." He straightened himself up and squared his shoulders, an attempt to reclaim some professionalism. "With some warning, we might have…"
"We were all shaken by what happened." She stepped closer towards him, testing the waters. It was the first time they had been alone since they arrived here. She did not want to make him scarper when they were finally able to hold a conversation.

"If Corypheus strikes again, we may not be able to withdraw…" he sighed nervously, some of his bravado slipping. "And I wouldn’t want to. We must be ready."
"We will be." She stepped closer again.
"Work on Skyhold is underway, guard rotations established." He pointed to the papers on his desk. "We should have everything on course by the time you return."
He paused covering his eyes as the first rays peaked over the battlements obscuring his eyes.
"We will not run from here, Inquisitor."
She frowned at the use of her title again.
"How many were lost?" She wanted to reach out to place her hand on his forearm.
"Most of our people made it to Skyhold. It could have been worse." He shuffled the papers on his desk, setting a stone weight on top of them. "Morale was low, but has improved greatly since you accepted the role of Inquisitor."

Inquisitor. She was still not used to the idea of being their leader. Being his leader.
"You report to me now?" She lowered her face as the sun reached her. "Will that be a problem?"
"I was brought on to oversee the Inquisition’s forces and offer military advice." He adjusted his position, his frame blocking the rising sun from her face. "That hasn’t changed."

He looked down at her, opening his mouth a few times and closing it. He was struggling to find the words he wanted to say.
"We needed a leader," he finally managed. "You have proven yourself."
"Thank you, Commander." she nodded.
It was her turn to pause, she did not want to leave the unspoken tension between them any longer, not with her departure from Skyhold imminent.
"Our escape from Haven…" She felt him tense. "It was close."
She braced for the possibility of him scolding her. For his dismissal of her feelings for him.
"I am relieved that you-" she swallowed the all too familiar lump in her throat that threatened every time she spoke to him. "That so many made it out."
"As am I."
"And what you did for Isolde, I can't thank you enough."
"I did what I could." He nodded.

There was another pause, tension thickened over them again. Behind she could hear people approaching, the loud booming laughter of Iron Bull among them. Her time was at its end. She would need to continue on to prepare for their journey.
"You stayed behind." He said suddenly. His eyes darted up presumably to her approaching companions. "You could have–"
"It was the only option." She cut him off quickly. She didn't want to leave fighting with him. "I didn't want to hurt you again."
"I know." He took a deep breath as if thinking the same." I know it was not an easy decision. If I could have–No. I cannot think like that." He shook his head and stepped back. "Not when I know you will have to continue to put your life on the line to stop the greater threat."
"With you watching my back I know we will be better prepared next time." She raised her hand to shield her eyes once more, adjusting the weight of her pack biting into her shoulder.
"I will not allow the events at Haven to happen again." He stepped towards his desk again. "You have my word."

"Efa darling!" Dorian called to her as they approached. "Ready for adventure?"
"I hear Crestwood is glorious this time of year." Varric stood beside him, Bianca slung across his back.
"Yes if you like to swim with the dead." Bull laughed again.
"Ready if you all are." She smiled weakly. "Commander."
"Inquisitor." He nodded farewell, his scowl returned to his face. "Stay safe out there."
"I promise."

She set off with the others towards the stables. Once they were out of earshot Dorian tapped her shoulder playfully.
"You both looked rather frosty?" He wiggled his eyebrow. If anyone had seen her kiss him in the Chantry they did not say. She had hoped in the low light her mistake had gone unwitnessed.
"I don't think he has forgiven me yet." She sighed, entering the stable she moved straight for the end stall. Most of the steeds in residence were horses brought in from Redcliffe. She didn't mind horses but not long after they arrived at Skyhold she had been delighted when a group of Lavellan hunters had arrived with her faithful hart, Revas. Her Keeper had known she would miss her companion, and she was right. Having Revas waiting for her was a big comfort.They hadn’t lingered, not wanting to be in a castle full of Shems. Efa was glad to receive her gifts as well as a collection of her and Isolde’s belongings, sending word back to the Keeper that they were safe and well.
"I'm sure he's not angry at you, your worship." Varric loaded his own mount. "Maybe a peace offering?"
"A peace offering?"
"Perhaps a nice wine?" Dorian suggested.
"Or a blade." Bull grinned at Dorian. "All men love to receive a good sword, no?"
"Ergh." Dorian rolled his eyes.

Efa chuckled weakly. She had chosen her current party on skill alone, she had hoped travelling together would help the usually warring qunari and Vint find a common ground. Although she suspected that Dorian's indifference was more for show. She had seen the subtle glances he had given Bull when he thought no one was looking. She would tease him later perhaps, payback for all that he had done to her in the past weeks.
"There must be something he likes?" Varric rolled his eyes at the others. "You never gave him a gift before when you knew him?"
"We were in the Circle," She led Revas from the stall. The hart puffed in her face playfully, happy to be going out. "Not exactly easy to gift something when you're living as a prisoner."
"Nothing at all?" Dorian asked. "Barbaric."
"Well there was this one thing-"
"Oh?" Varric mounted up behind her.

She swung her leg over Revas and settled into the saddle, the leather comfortable and familiar beneath her fingers.
"I'll tell you on the way.'
Together they rode out, she was sad to see Cullen no longer standing by his makeshift desk. As they reached the end of the bridge she slowed, the others passing as she turned, compelled to  look back at the hold. She could see him, on the wall watching as she left, her heart skipped a beat.
Every time you have left that gate, I feared it would be the last time I ever see you again…And I continue to watch you go and I will pray to Andraste each time that you will return here unharmed.
His words rang clear in her mind as she had remembered the look in his eyes when she had said them. Her confusion rose higher, how could he be so distant and yet…
She coaxed Revas back into motion here eyes fixed to the road beginning to take form as people continued to come and go from Skyhold.

"Josephine please…" Efa begged as the Antivan tugged at her scarf. "I can undress myself!"
"Well then do so!" The ambassador tapped her foot impatiently. "And where is he? I told him to be here promptly after sun down too, if he is…"
Josephine's voice receded as she stomped out the door. Efa sighed, she placed her scarf on Josephine's desk, turning to examine the coats hanging up against the bookcase. Seven identical jackets hung, one for her and the six councillors that would be coming with her to Halamshiral later that month. Josephine had insisted on them matching. A united front to show the people that they meant business. She lifted the labels attached to the jackets: Cassandra, Varric, Josephine, Efa, Leliana, Dorian, Cullen.
Her heart jumped. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to imagine what he would look like in the red tailor coat. She had never seen him outside his armour. Not once in all the time she had known him. She could imagine the lean lines of his torso and shoulders. Warmth blossomed in her cheeks, she banished the thought, she could not allow herself to think of him like that anymore.

"Fuck." Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching behind her. Efa hurriedly pulled her jacket up and over her head without loosening the clasps, an attempt to make up for the time she had spent daydreaming before Josephine berated her. She had been trying to get her to fit her jacket since she returned back from Crestwood. But something, or someone had interrupted every time Josephine called on her. Finally the ambassador cornered her in the courtyard and dragged her into her office. And she wasn't the only victim, whoever she had stormed off to find was likely in more trouble than her.
"OW!" She hissed. "Oh no…"

She tugged on her jacket and grimaced in pain again. Fabric covered her eyes, she couldn't see anything through the leather. Her arms were sandwiched at an odd angle and she couldn't move them without pain ripping into her hair again. Something was caught. One of the metal clasps no doubt.
"Josie!" She called out as the footsteps reached the door. She could hear a muffled curse, and someone approaching her. She wiggled again in an attempt to free herself to no avail. Hands met her head and began to unravel the layers of fabric, looking for the source.
"Ahh!" She hissed again as her hair was gently teased, the fingers were as gentle as they could be in removing the tangle. She sighed with relief as the clasp came free and her jacket began to lift. The fabric tugged at her shirt beneath, having twisted around in her struggle it had caught, lifting the soft linen undershirt with it.

She felt the chill around her midriff and the hands helping her stopped. She froze as she felt a feather light touch on her stomach. She felt a shiver run through her body, not from the cold, Josephine's office was warm with its healthy fire in the heart. She shivered because the fingers traced a line down, down the scar that marked her stomach, the one Cullen had given her ten years ago.
The fingers trembled. She gasped softly, realising with cold dread it was not Josephine who had returned.
Footsteps receded, and she could hear the creak of the wood. She scrambled once more with the jacket finally breaking free, she tugged down her undershirt and ran to the door but it was too late. She could see his back as he pushed through the outer door, startling Josephine who shouted after him. She looked through the hallway to where Efa stood, her face flushed and panicked.

"What in the Maker happened now!?" She sighed coming back through to her office. "What did you say?"
"I didn't say anything…" Efa trembled. Her hand resting across her stomach where he had touched her. "Nothing at all…"

"Enter."
Efa straightened out her tunic with her empty hand, in the other she balanced a small plate. Steeling her nerves she pushed open the door. It was the first time she had set foot in his new office. It was simple, just as she would expect. A desk, some bookcases and a training dummy decorated by knives clearly embedded with some force. He was in the corner leaning down at the bookcase, haphazardly piling books onto the shelves.
"This is a good space."
"Inquisitor!" He jumped up, startled, as she looked around her eyes drifting up to the broken roof and loft above.
"Might have to patch that roof though."
"What are you–I mean." He straightened himself up and cleared his throat. "How can I help?"

"I er–" she held out the plate to him. "I brought you something."
"For me?" He took the plate off her. "Tarts?"
"I wanted to say sorry." she clasped her hands behind her back.
"Sorry?" He looked at her blankly. "What for?"
"For Haven?" She anxiously looked up at him. "For making you worry again?"
"You have nothing to be sorry for." He sighed, placing the plate down on the desk. There was a look of uncertainty on his face.
"I feel I do." She clasped her now empty hands together anxiously. "My actions were foolish and impulsive and I can see now they were unwanted. I should never have…"
She trailed off shame forcing her eyes to the floor. She refused to cry, breathing deeply to calm her nerves but she looked again.
"Efa…"

It was the first time since coming to Skyhold he had called her name other than 'Herald' or 'Inquisitor'.
"I–" He began, words catching. "I don't know how to feel about–I grieved for you, and then you returned from the dead only to run into danger once more. It hurts, I thought I was past it but…"
"I understand." she swallowed hard. "I am sorry to make you feel this way."
"Efa..."
"Perhaps it's best we say no more on the topic."

Silence descended across the room. Fearing that any more words would just cause more issues she turned to leave. Cullen watched her, lost in a sea of emotions, he didn't want her to leave, not like this. He felt angry, angry that she had run the way she had. But still, that tightness in his chest, the one he got when he looked at her, when she caught his eye or the soft sound as she laughed with the others. The feel of her lips against him. How he wished he had held onto her more tightly, ran after her and fought with her. Would the people have survived? Would he abandon his duty again for her?

Yes…

"I–" He grimaced, pain shooting through his body as he doubled over slightly, turning away from her. Not now! She could see his hand shaking as he lent over the desk, the sharp taste of bile rising in his throat.
"Cullen?" She hurried towards him anxiously. "What's wrong?"
He had hoped to delay this conversation, especially at that moment where he already felt like his wounds were being picked at. She deserved the truth as his superior, as his… Friend?
"As leader of the Inquisition, you…" He sighed and straightened up again, shaking himself and turning to her. "There’s something I must tell you."
"Whatever it is," she reached for him automatically. "I’m listening."
"Right." He shied away from her touch, bumping his leg against the desk as he took a step backwards.
"You know lyrium grants Templars our abilities, but it controls us as well."
He saw her flinch at the sudden change in conversation, her hand withdrawing completely. He didn't blame her. He had seen how wary she had been around the Templars currently. He had been surprised when he had heard how she had allowed several to work with the mages. It had mercifully saved him from a tirade of complaints.
"Those cut off suffer–some go mad, others die." He rubbed his neck. "We have secured a reliable source of lyrium for the Templars here. But I–No longer take it."

"You stopped?" She gasped, when he looked at her, her eyes were wide with fear.
"When I joined the Inquisition." He looked away. "It’s been months now."
"Cullen," her voice trembled. "If this can kill you…"
"It hasn’t yet." He tried to sound reassuring, she didn't look convinced. "After what happened in Kirkwall, I couldn’t–I will not be bound to the Order–or that life–any longer."
His hand reached out and touched the edge of the plate idly, before turning back to her.
"Whatever the suffering, I accept it." He stood to attention in front of her. "But I would not put the Inquisition at risk. I have asked Cassandra to–watch me. If my ability to lead is compromised, I will be relieved from duty."
"Are you in pain?" Concern was written all over her face, concern he knew was coming from her as a person, a friend, not from the leader of the Inquisition.
"I can endure it."

She took a moment to let it all sink in. He could tell there was more she wanted to say but she swallowed her words.
"Thank you for telling me." She nodded stoically. " I respect what you’re doing."
"Thank you, Inquisitor." he let out a deep breath. "The Inquisition’s army must always take priority. Should anything happen–I will defer to Cassandra’s judgement."
There was a knock at the door, causing both of them to jump.
"I shall leave you to your work." She made for the door. "I hope you enjoy the pastries."
"Efa..?"
She paused with her hand on the door. "Yes?"
"Thank you for listening." He smiled weakly. "And for the gift."
She nodded and opened the door, stepping past the waiting soldier and back out towards the tavern.

Cullen exhaled softly, rising from his kneeling position in front of the statue of Andraste. He had taken to coming here mid morning, when people were away or busy with their work. It was quiet, and allowed him a few moments to clear his thoughts and prepare for any meetings in the afternoon with soldiers or the war council.

He brushed dust from his knees and bowed his head whispering a final 'Thank you' to the Maker for Efa's latest return from The Fallow Mire. Satisfied, he exited out to the courtyard.
He cut across the garden, smiling at the collection of plant pots stacked against the outer edge. His memory flickered for a moment, a small collection on the window ledge of Efa's Circle room. Small things he had managed to sneak in for her. Something to ease her attachment and longing for the forest she had once called home. She had loved and cared for every one of them until-
He shook away the darkening thought, attempting to keep his thoughts unburdened and peaceful. He wondered instead, if she had any plants in her room here. Perhaps he could ask one of the Scouts, Harding, to find something for her. He wanted to thank her for the tarts, it had been a long time since he had something so sweet. Again his thoughts lingered back to the Circle, and how often he and Efa had hidden themselves in the library to eat pastries in secret, much to Dara’s dismay. The other Templar who had rotated with him had always scowled at their involvement.
Cullen often thought back to those times, when they had almost taken the next step, how much they had both wanted it. He still wanted it now, he had come to realise it. Not a day went by where he had not thought of her kissing him in Haven but he could feel doubt gnawing at him at every juncture. She was the Inquisitor now, their leader, and true to her word she had not brought up the topic again. She was civil, painfully so, it was clear to him now that he had missed his chance. He shouldn't even be thinking of anything more, but that didn't stop him from wanting it, wanting her. All those touches, lingering looks; he craved more, if only it wasn't for-

"What a lovesick smile you have, Commander." A voice drew him from his thoughts. "Thinking of anyone in particular?"
"Master Pavus."
In an instant his mood shattered. He had never liked the mage. Every time he saw him with Efa he felt a sharp pain in his chest. It was clear she was fond of him, for what end he did not know. But she did, and every instinct in his body wanted to remove him forcibly from Skyhold. Had she moved on? Was this his divine punishment for not admitting the truth of his feelings?
Seeing them together squashed every hope that he could rekindle his feelings with her. The final blow landed when they had returned from Fallow Mire. The way the mage helped her down from her hart. His hands on her waist, the prolonged touch just too long to be merely 'friendly' and the way she smiled for him. He bit back his growing anger, trying to keep the cool level head that was expected of him. So focused in doing so that he missed Dorian's question.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"Do you play Commander?" Dorian asked again, smiling devilishly. "I am so desperately looking for someone to play with."
It was then he noticed the table and chairs under the gazebo. And on the table, a chess set, pieces laid out ready and waiting to be played.
"Efa told me you were good at the game won't you go a round?"
"I haven't played in years," Cullen shook his head. "And besides I have work to attend to."
"Surely you can spare half an hour to indulge me?" Dorian wiggled his eyebrow at him. "No? I'll ask Efa darling, perhaps she will play with me again."

Cullen could feel the prickle of irritation under his skin. He hated to admit the thought of beating Dorian in a game of chess would be satisfying. What did he have on that afternoon? Nothing that relied on him meeting people that he was certain couldn't be rearranged.
"She's such a lovely girl," Dorian drawled on. "Such a skilled mage wouldn't you agree? One you would love to take home to meet the family."
"She is special." Cullen swallowed the bitterness in his voice, so annoyed he missed the subtle tease, mishearing as Dorian's own intentions. The thought of them together made his blood boil. "In more ways than one."
"And she speaks highly of you, you know." He continued as if Cullen had not replied. "'Commander Cullen this.' 'Commander Cullen that.' I am almost jealous!"
"You? Jealous?" He scowled. "When she is hardly ever far from your company mage."
"That is true." Dorian pulled out the chair and sat, adjusting the row of pawns on his side of the board. "She has become a very good friend to me. I hope we become closer in the weeks to come."
Cullen felt the primal urge rise in him again. His hand reached out and gripped the back of the other chair. Dorian grinned smugly.
"Are you sure you wont play with me?"
"One game." He spoke through gritted teeth as he pulled out the chair and sat. "We shall see who the victor is."
"Very well Commander."

Thankfully, he had not forgotten how to play. All of the practice he had as a child with his siblings as well as the games he played with Efa and Dara resurfaced as they began. What's more is he could read the mages moves easily. They continued to talk, Cullen was surprised at how easily they fell into idle chit chat; about Tevinter, Ferelden, and Dorian even offered some sound insights into ways to face the Venatori soldiers. He almost didn't realise he was enjoying himself. His frown had long gone, replaced with a gentle smirk of his own when he watched Dorian move a piece right into a trap he had laid out.
"Gloat all you like." Cullen lent back in the chair. "I have this one."
"Are you sassing me, Commander?" Dorian laughed, "I didn’t know you had it in you."
"Why do I even-" He shook his head, looking away, his eyes catching sight of Efa, observing them quietly. "Inquisitor!"
She stood with her arms folded head to the side with a smile on her face. Cullen began to rise from his seat, a small wave of guilt washing over him as he realised he should have been working.
"Leaving, are you?" Dorian twirled one of Cullen's captured pieces in his hand. "Does this mean I win?"
Cullen sat back down, baited once more as he moved his next piece, he watched Efa walk up to them, her eyes flicking between the two men and the board. He watched her eyes scan over his knight and rook, poised to spring. She recognised the move, her mouth twitching in amusement before she opened it to speak.
"Are you two playing nice?"
"I’m always nice." Dorian stared directly at the Commander as he spoke, earning a scoff of disbelief. "You need to come to terms with my inevitable victory. You’ll feel much better."
Dorian moved his next piece.
"Really?" He caught Efa's eyes as he moved his carefully hidden mage into the fray. "Because I just won. And I feel fine."
Dorian looked down at the board, his cocky grin becoming surprised as he realised what Cullen had done.
"Don’t get smug." He rose huffing slightly. "There will be no living with you."

"What are you doing?" Efa hissed at him quietly as he passed.
"Warming him up for you." Dorian smirked, patting her on the shoulder as he left. She made a note to scold him later. He was the one who had asked her to meet him and now he skulked off leaving her with Cullen. Had he planned this or was it a happy coincidence he had come across? She would beat the truth from him later.

"I should return to my duties as well…" Cullen began to rise again, a sudden thought striking him. "Unless you would care for a game?"
She knew this was a rare chance, and she could see he wanted her to stay. She exhaled softly, cursing Dorian in her head as she moved to his vacant chair.
"Prepare the board, Commander."
"It's been a long time since we played," Cullen retrieved his captured pieces and reset the board. "Did you ever play after?"
"Chess sadly isn't something the Dalish are fond of." She watched as he turned the board, lining the white pieces to her. He had always played this way, letting her make the first move. "Too many pieces could go missing with all the moving we go through."
She pulled off her gloves and laid them on the side of the table, flexing her fingers in the chilly air.
"You were the last person I ever played with."
"I was?" He sat back and gestured for her to begin. "Master Pavus said that you played together recently?"
"With Dorian? No?" She shook her head and moved her first piece. "I–I only mentioned playing a few days ago when we came across a board in the Fallow Mire."
"I am sure you would rather play with him over me." Cullen matched her move. "You are becoming close?"
"He is a good friend." Efa watched Cullen's reaction closely, not missing the disdain in his last statement. "I never expected to get along with the son of a Tevinter Magister."
"He talked about taking you home to meet his father." She lifted her next piece, her hand suspended as she stared at him as he spoke. "I can't say I approve of such a–"
"Perish the thought!" She laughed suddenly, surprising him. "His father disowned him when he found out he liked–"

She placed the piece down on the board. What had Dorian been saying to him!?
"Did you think I was pursuing him?" The joyful look she had just worn fell away to sadness. Did he think she was so fickle she would pursue another man so soon after he rejected her?
"You don't like him in that way?" There was an air of fear in his voice as he asked the question.
"Dorian!?" She shook her head as they continued to play. "Cullen, I am hardly his type. You're the only one–"
He looked at her quizzically. His chest pounding hard as she blushed and spluttered her next words hastily.
"He prefers the company of men."
"Oh…" Cullen didn't know if he was relieved or angry at the Vint. "I see. I didn't know he was–That way inclined…"
Efa rubbed her head in disbelief. She was going to murder Dorian for this. She looked at Cullen and the emotions circulating quickly through his face and knew just what Dorian had done. A trap, not unlike the one Cullen had laid out for him on the board. He looked up at her watching him with a coy smile on her face, he couldn't help but smile back.
"I am…" Sorry? Happy? 'The only one'? He didn't know what to say, instead he looked back at the board suddenly lost. "Is it my turn?"
"It is," She nodded, "Carry on Commander."

The game continued, both of them quiet for a time as they calculated and made attempts to control the board. He managed to subtly enquire about the garden and the flowers she was growing. He made another mental note not to forget to speak to the Scout before she left.
"This may be the longest we’ve gone without discussing the Inquisition–or related matters." He sighed contentedly. "To be honest, I appreciate the distraction."
It had been a long time since he had felt at ease, particularly in her presence. He could see the sun overhead, past the highest point. He should have gone back to work, but he didn't want to. Not yet.
"I think I’ve needed it too," She smiled warmly. She had missed the near constant time they had spent together in the Circle. "I've missed this. I would like to play again with you sometime."
"You would like that?" His heart jumped again, not an hour ago he had almost given up all hope, but now… "I mean–I would like that."
"Me, too." her smile was soft as she skilfully captured his rook.
"Just like old times."
“Except without Dara.” she frowned slightly. “I never knew what became of him after Denerim.”
“Nor I.” Cullen wondered. “I might send out an enquiry, but with the Order so scattered there is no telling if he’s even still alive.”
“One can hope.” She looked at him. “I can hear the scolding he would give us both now.”

He watched her as she held the rook, his most coveted arsenal outside of his queen. She didn't place it with the other pieces she had wrangled from him. She kept the piece in her hand, flaunting it playfully as she waited for his next move.
"We should–finish our game." He felt heat rising to his cheeks under her gaze. "Right. My turn?"

With the capture of his rook it didn't take long. She cornered his king and he sighed in defeat.
"I believe this one is yours." He sank back in the chair deflated. "You haven't lost your touch."
He sat back up again and began to arrange the pieces back into the box Dorian had left.
"I look forward to next time." Her fingers brushed against him lightly as she placed her own pieces in the box.
"It may have to wait until after the Ball." He felt his chest tighten anxiously, thoughts turning to their upcoming adventure to the Orlesian Court at the end of the week. "I presume you received the same summons from Josephine on the importance of court etiquette?"
"I did." She began to pull on her gloves. "Best we attend when she asks this time, she was ready to flay me alive for not having my jacket fitted sooner."
"It was worse for me after I–" They both froze. Neither of them had mentioned the incident in Josephine's office. Cullen sat up straight unable to meet her eyes. He felt a sickening heaviness in his stomach as he recalled the moment. Knowing he had stabbed her was one thing. Seeing it was a different matter entirely. All of the hope he had felt drained from him, replaced with the dread that he would hurt her again.
"She is possibly more terrifying than Leliana." Efa attempted humour to break the silence.
"I agree." Cullen swallowed hard. "I shall see you tonight."
"Don't be late." She tried a smile, but he did not look back as he rose to leave.
"Inquisitor."
"Commander."

Almost. She had almost broken through. She put her head in her hands and rested her elbows on the table. She sat a little longer, mulling over everything that had happened. How she felt, how he looked and spoke to her. She wondered if she should give up, if she was making a fool of herself by still yearning for him. Not that it would change anything. Ten years hadn't lessened her feelings, and now he was within her sight every day at Skyhold. She needed to know, once and for all, if he could ever care for her again.

Josephine's lessons had lasted all week, and no-one had been allowed to miss them, not even Cullen. On the last day before leaving, she had sprung on the worst news to them of all.
"No." Cullen shook his head. "Absolutely not!"
"It will be expected, Commander." Josephine tapped her foot. "If we are to gain approval you must dance!"
Even Efa shared the Commander's trepidation. His argument however only lasted another three minutes before they were lined up in pairs with Leliana strumming her harp. Dorian, ever the meddler, had manipulated it so that Efa had been paired with Cullen.
Neither of them looked happy about it. The tension between them as they stood together threatened to explode at any moment.

For the entire week he had once more taken to ignoring her, or at least only speaking when spoken to her in a professional manner. It was driving her crazy, Varric had been watching them both intently and had pulled him aside the night before.
"Talk to her. Be direct otherwise you're just gonna keep running around in circles until it's too late."
He was right, he knew, but when? He had next to no time between drills and supply manifests and Josephine's damn lessons. He doubted there would be a chance when they left for their several days stay at the Winter Palace.

"Commander." Josephine's voice snapped them to attention.
Cullen looked at her, and reluctantly to Efa who held out her hands. He realised then they were waiting for him to take hold of her. They were all looking at him. He felt his cheeks flame. His hands shook slightly as he took a hold of her hand, winding the other around her waist and drawing her closer. He kept her just shy of their chests touching. As if terrified she would burn him if they touched.
Efa slid her other arm into position on his shoulder, feeling him tense instantly at the contact. She felt her mouth go dry as she concentrated on Josephine's words.
"A basic waltz is all you need, simple foot work and the ability to hold a conversation politely."

It was not simple, not for Cullen. It was clumsy, the way they moved. Each step had her heart racing faster and faster as they attempted to follow Josephine's instructions. She trusted her feet but Cullen was struggling to maintain the footwork and effectively lead her as they circled the room.
"Commander, please," Josephine sighed. "You need to look at your partner. It will make the steps easier."
Cullen grimaced. Efa felt pity as he looked up from the floor at her, he was as uncomfortable as she was, more so in fact. It was easier, when he looked at her. Somehow he suddenly trusted her to follow his movements. He had been gripping her hand tightly, a little too much but as their movements became more fluid his hold lessened into a more comfortable level.

"You seem to be getting the hang of this now Commander." Simple conversation, she thought.
"I would still rather fight my battles with a sword." He groaned, stumbling slightly as his focus wavered.
"You'll get your chance," Efa helped him to right himself again. "Corypheus will no doubt retaliate against our efforts if the Empire does not fall."
"Not sure if that is a welcome–Maker's Breath!"
In his attempt to guide her through a turn and talk at the same time, he had stepped the wrong direction. He collided with Dorian and Cassandra and tripped. Efa yelped in panic as she tumbled backwards. Cullen, acting on instinct, used the hand around her waist to pull her flush against him. His other hand released hers to use Josephine's desk to halt their fall.

She hung suspended in the air, held up by his hold alone. The sudden press of her body against him caused her to gasp softly. Their noses were inches from each other, so close she could count his eyelashes and see the flecks of gold in his honey eyes. She forgot to breathe. He was so close to her now. Her own hands gripped each of his arms tightly. Time stood still, as she stared into his eyes. She could feel the shallow exhales of his breath against her face, ghosting across her lips and sending shivers down her spine. It pooled in her stomach as she inhaled the faintest traces of oakmoss, the same smell as she had when she awoke after escaping Haven. Her hands moved up his arms to try and pull him impossibly closer, the memory of their kiss at the front of her mind. His grip on her tightened again as he righted them, pushing his hand off the desk and bringing it around to join the other, encasing her entirely. His face remained inches from her, cheeks glowing red as he looked at her.
"I think that might be enough for today…"
Cullen's eyes grew wide and he let go of her pulling her hands off of him. She swayed at the sudden movement and by the time she had centred herself the office door was slamming shut behind him.

Everyone looked at her as she caught her breath. She was dizzy, his scent lingered around her and he found it hard to swallow. She didn't wait for any of them to leave, brushing passed Dorian before he could make a comment. they had been relentless when out of Skyhold, teasing and making comments. She had had enough, her feet tracing the familiar route through the rotunda to Cullen's office. She knocked on the door, hoping this is where he had gone.

"Enter."
She gripped the handle of the door, pushing it open and stepping into the dark room.
"Inquisitor?" He looked at her as if she was the last person he wished to see.
"Can we talk?" She remained by the door, not daring to get any closer.
"Talk?" He repeated back.
"I know I hurt you," she began. "I was ready to give up. To put my heart aside for the mission but I can't."
Cullen's breath stopped, the report he had picked up before she had entered dropped to the edge of his desk.

"Cullen, you must know I still care for you, and–" Her voice caught in her throat, she swallowed back the lump and struggled on. "I can't stop thinking about you. Since that game, I have dared to hope…"
She tried to blink back the tears that formed in her eyes.
"I have to know." She took another agonising breath. "Should I give up? Or could you ever care for me that way again?"

The question hung in the air, raw and heavy. His expression remained stoic, unmoving, the silence becoming deafening between them. She prepared herself, feeling the splinters in her heart ready to break. The longer the silence became, the bigger the cracks grew. And then-
"I could."
She gasped as the wall around him came thundering down. His eyes cast down as his hand flew up to his neck, rubbing it gently. She could see the pain in his eyes as he shuffled anxiously, moving away from the desk and closer to her.
"I mean," She could hear the distress in his voice, and the difficulty he found in speaking the words. "I do- think of you like that."
He dropped his hand and met her gaze. One look and she was drowning in the intensity of his gaze.

"I've thought of you every day since you came back into my life." He let out the breath he had been holding, relief flooding him as the words he had kept locked inside finally broke free. "It's been painful, watching you come and go. Remembering your kiss, wanting to pull you into my arms and…"
"What’s stopping you?" She slowly stepped closer to him, reaching out with her hand to touch his arm. Her heart skipped when he didn't flinch.
"Seeing the scar I left on you." He reached out to the spot on her stomach, fingers hesitating and withdrawing before they touched her. "Then there was–Seeing you with that bloody mage before I knew–well you know…"
She let out a dry laugh, remembering the look on his face when they had played chess earlier that week.
"And you’re now the Inquisitor." His shoulders sagged slightly as he reached his final attempt at excuses. He tried again to reach out to her, his hand tentatively resting on her hip. "We’re at war, and with our history–I–I didn’t think it was possible…" He bowed his head again, shame washing over him.

"And yet I’m still here."
"So you are…" his grip on her side tightened and she found herself backed against the door. Cullen looked down at her his, eyes hooded as he leaned in closer. She could feel his breath again, hotter now as his other hand slid up to her neck to angle her face towards him.
"It seems too much to ask." His voice was low, hardly more than a whisper against her lips. She closed her eyes in anticipation as he closed in, "But I want to–Need to…"
"Commander?"

Her eyes shot open. She felt cold as Cullen jumped away from her, turning angrily towards the open door on the other side of the room. She turned to look at the guard approaching, looking down at the report in his hand before searching the room for the Commander.
"You wanted a copy of Sister Leliana’s report." The guard gestured at the sheet of paper in his hand.
"What?!" Cullen barked at the soldier, who flinched at the anger in his voice, unaware of the moment he had just ruined.
"Sister Leliana’s report for tomorrow?" He tried again nervously. "You wanted it delivered 'without delay'."
The soldier looked at Cullen, and then caught sight of Efa as she shuffled awkwardly behind him. She caught his eye briefly and narrowed them in warning. He seemed to understand, his eyes growing wide with fear.
"Um–" The guard backed away quickly, panic flooding through him as Cullen continued to glare at him threateningly. "Right- I was never here!"
Cullen followed after him slamming the door shut and resting both hands against the wood. Efa sagged against the other door, eyes cast to the stone floor. She didn't hear him cross the room again.
"If you need to–"

Her words were silenced as a hand came up to her face turning her head back to him. She felt her breath sucked from her as his mouth collided with hers desperately. The only sound she could make was a surprised gasp as Cullen held her face. When she recovered from the initial shock she wrapped her arms around him. Everything disappeared around them, Skyhold, the War, Corypheus. The only thing she cared about was making this moment last forever, to savour the taste of him as he worked her mouth open, teeth grazing her bottom lip hungrily.
"That…" He pulled back, gasping for breath. He looked just as shocked as Efa did. "Should have been our first kiss."

Efa reached up and grabbed the front of his cloak pulling her down again. The next kiss was like molten fire. Her arms snaked this time around his neck as he held on to her, sliding his arms around her waist and hips to bring her full body against him. She could feel all of the tension in her body disappearing, all of the hurt and worry of the past months evaporating into the air.
He couldn't get enough of her. She slotted against him so perfectly and the sounds she was making? He wanted more. He thought about how she would look in his bed above them-
A strange scraping sound behind them startled them both. Cullen turned seeing the report the soldier had brought lying on the floor where it had been slid beneath the door. He sighed, leaning his head on her shoulder.

"I should…" He stopped again, his breathing short and haggard, eyes darting back to the report and remembering the work he still needed to do.
"See to that report?" She chuckled understanding. "We have a busy day tomorrow."
"Yes…"
He cupped her face again, bringing her in gently. This kiss was slower, softer but no less passionate. Efa could feel herself melting in his arms.
"We should- talk about this again," Cullen released her reluctantly. "Once we've-"
"Thwarted an assassination attempt in the heart of the Orlesian court?" She raised her eyebrows in amusement.
"Yes…" He smiled, thumb brushing against her swollen lips. "That…"

Cullen didn't want to let go. Not now that the air between them was clear. He wanted to stay here and kiss her more. To keep hearing those small noises she made as he held her against him. It was addictive. A relief. A victory.
She still wanted him. Just as much as he wanted her.
This time, he wouldn't let her go.

Chapter Text

It was no good.No matter how hard she tried, sleep evaded her. She pushed back the covers and sat up. It was close to dawn, she stood and stretched looking out the windows of her room. No point trying now. Every time she closed her eyes she saw him, felt him pressing against her and kissing her. Perhaps she did dream at some point, dreaming of him kissing and touching her naked body until she-
Efa splashed her face with cold water, banishing the thoughts from her mind. They had only just kissed for the first time. She should not be thinking about-
But she was, she was thinking about everything she wanted with Cullen. She wanted him to kiss her more, touch her skin and lie with her. For the last ten years she had repressed every feeling and urge she had felt, denying herself any kind of relief. If it couldn't be with him, Efa didn't want it.
But now that he had kissed her, it was like the floodgates had opened. All of that need had come rushing to the surface one she had carefully buried all those years. And with it came a nervousness. Would he want to touch her that way? And if he did would he mind her lack of experience? She wasn't uneducated, she had seen enough in the Clan, and heard enough talks. Especially from several of her new companions who had little filter for delicate topics. She did enjoy watching Solas' embarrassment blossom as Sera and Iron Bull had discussed Qunari women at length while they were investigating an Elvhen artefact in the Hinterlands.

She shook herself again and pulled on her clothes, she might as well begin the day. She was intending to rise at dawn to attend Revas and make sure he was ready for the journey to Orlais, she hoped he wouldn't object to being woken earlier. She stopped by the kitchens on the way out grabbing some bread and cheese from one of the attendants. They were used to her coming down to feed herself or cook with them when she wanted something particular. Likely because she was an elf she thought, as she grabbed a few carrots to bribe Revas with if he was unhappy.

Leaving through the kitchen door she stepped out into lower courtyard. Aside from the odd guard on the battlement, the place was deserted. She stretched again, feeling her limbs ease into the cool morning before she made her way into the stables. On her approach she could see Revas' horns bobbing in the stall.
"Hey there," She called out to him as she approached, happy to see he was already awake. "There's my god boy."
"Inquisitor?!" A voice startled her to the stall on the right. She hadn't seen the open gate or the man partially hidden inside.

Her breath quickened. Cullen stood up from where he was crouched in the stall, brush in hand. Efa felt her mouth go dry as she looked at him, for the first time, without his armour. His shirt was half tucked into his pants and the laces at the top loose giving her a slight peak of his chest, she could see a dusting of hair barely visible beneath the fabric. Every calm thought she had mustered disappeared in an instant. Heat flared in her cheeks as she looked him up and down.
"C-commander?" She managed to splutter out. "I didn't see you there."
"Oh?" He blushed. "Who were you-? Oh!"
Cullen's eyes darted to the other stable where her hart had popped his head out, hearing his mistresses voice.
"Your were talking to your…"
"To Revas." she nodded, blushing herself. "Yes."

The both stood awkwardly in the tension forming around them. She anxiously tugged at her scarf, not looking at him while he fidgeted with the brush in his hand.
"I was just-"
"I was going to-"

The both stopped again looking at each other finally. There was a small smile on his face as he felt his embarrassment ease, and she couldn't help but chuckle herself.
"It seems we had the same idea." She looked at the horse he was tending too.
"Indeed." He stepped out of the stall and closed the gate behind him securely. "Josephine was clear on the importance of appearances."
"Indeed." She couldn't help looking him over again. He caught her gaze, and she looked away hurriedly opening the gate to Revas' stall to hide the shame she felt. "You're up very early."
"So are you." he lent against the frame of the stall as she ran her hand along Revas' coat.
"Couldn't sleep." She looked in his direction. "Or you it seems?"
"I had- things on my mind."

Something about the way he said that made her chest ache, she dared to glance at him now and found him staring at her with the same intensity he had just the day before.
"Me too."
Revas' nudged her hand searching for the carrot he could smell. Efa chuckled and revealed the treat. snapping it in half to make it easier for him to eat. His mouth tickled her hand, Efa patted his neck as he consumed both pieces off the carrot.
As he finished, Efa felt a hand at her waist. Distracted by Revas, she had not heard him approach.
"I can't stop thinking about you." She felt his breath against the shell of her ear. "About that kiss."
"Why do you think I couldn't sleep?" She felt his hand tighten his grip on her.
"Andraste preserve me." Cullen cursed. "You have no idea how much I want to kiss you right now."
"Why don't you?" He didn't miss the playful lilt to her voice.
"What if someone sees?" He released his hold on her and stepped back.
"Is that a bad thing?" She turned to look at him, tilting her head to the side.
"No- I just…" He rubbed his neck pausing slightly. "I want to keep you to myself a little. It feels like everyone is already staring at us. Waiting for something to happen."
He dropped his hand and looked back at her eyes wide with worry.
"I wouldn't be surprised if they were placing bets on us." He smirked at her comment before his smile dropped nervously.
"You- haven't told anyone about- what happened?"
"No I haven't." She patted his arm reassuringly. "I won't if that is your wish? Although Varric will surely ask questions after I came after you yesterday…"
She grimaced, knowing that he would hound her for information.
"He's always in peoples business…" Cullen scowled.
"I'll think of something." She placed her hand on his cheek gently.

Her thumb brushed against the scar on his lip. He sighed softly and lent into the touch, turning and kissing the palm of his hand.
"No one is around right now." She whispered softly. "This might be out last chance before we leave to be alone."
"I think you might be right." He smiled, leaning down.

He captured her lips in his own, pulling her close to him with both hands. Her hand on his face snaked behind his neck, and he moaned lightly when he felt her nails scrape against his scalp. This time, when he pulled her against him, she could feel heat radiating from his body. He turned her away from Revas, the hart forgotten and grazing happily as he pressed her against the wall. The feeling of his weight alongside her was something Efa would be happy to get used to. This kiss deepened for a moment before he surprised her by moving his lips away from her mouth. She felt a shiver as his mouth worked across her jaw to her neck. He pulled back and huffing irritably, she gasped as he tore her scarf away to expose her neck. Not wasting a moment he was kissing the newly exposed flesh he could reach.

He loved the sounds she made, but it wasn't enough, he wanted more. Cullen slid his knee between her legs pinning her completely, returning to her mouth to taste her again. Efa responded on instinct her teeth biting at his lip earning herself a satisfied moan from the Commander. Efa felt a tug on her shirt, the fabric teased from her trousers and the feather light touch of his fingers on her skin.
"Cullen!" She gasped as his hand slid beneath the fabric. He continued up his fingers hitting the raised flesh of her scar. He froze immediately withdrawing his hand and his body from her.

"Cullen…" She spoke softly. "It's okay…"
Efa could see the fear in his eyes. She didn't want him to pull away from her again, not after they had made it this far.
"Efa…" He sounded strained.
"Give me your hand." She reached out to take it. After a deep breath he let her guide his hand slowly back to the untucked section of her shirt. "Look at me."
He did, he looked deep into her eyes, the faint green smouldering in her irises as she looked up at him.
"I'm still here." She said bringing his hand to rest over the scar and holding it there. He sucked in a breath, fighting back the memory of that day.

"Kiss me Cullen." It wasn't a question, it was a soft command that he was quick to obey. Sealing his mouth over hers they kissed again. She took it steady, letting him return his body to her when he was ready. Cullen knew it was foolish to dwell, but the doubts gnawed in his mind still. But the more he kissed her again, the more he felt it ebbing away as she held his hand to her skin. He felt a deep need to protect her, to hide her away from all the things that were trying to hurt her now. A strange notion giving how strong he knew she was, and knowing that time and time again she kept coming back to him against all odds.

They stayed like that a little longer until Revas butted his hand, forcing him to release her and turn annoyedly to the hart.
"Hey now-" He stopped, there was a creaking noise overhead.
"Blackwall." Efa whispered softly. Cullen nodded in understanding, petting Revas gratefully. They had been wrapped up in the moment that had the hart not interrupted, they would have surely been caught by the Warden. He gave her a final chaste kiss before he back out of the stall running his hand through his tousled hair.
"I'll go see to the guard." he smiled a final time at her. "And get myself ready."
"Pity," she smiled. "I like seeing you like this."
"Mmm." He smirked and left tucking something into his pocket as he left. She put a hand to her neck and realised with a smile it was her scarf. Still smiling she began to brush Revas, rewarding him with another carrot.

"You really are my good boy."

"The political situation in Halamshiral hangs by a thread." Josephine paced back and forth in front of the Council. "The Empress fears our presence could sever it."
Efa stood in the middle, Cassandra and Leliana to her side. They were all dressed in their finery. Their red jackets tailored to perfection, blue sashed cutting across their figures. She had to suppress the urge to look at Cullen. If she had thought he looked good in his undershirt, this jacket defined everything. Varric had eyed her suspiciously the entire day. She had deflect his questioning by telling him they were discussing things when they returned. A half truth, but she hoped it would be enough. It was going to be difficult to concentrate when every time she looked at Cullen her heart fluttered.
"The Grand Duke is only too happy to have us at the ball as his guests, so our invitation comes from him." Josephine continued as the began making their way to the palace gates. "Whether we act as his allies, or upset the balance of power, he gains an opportunity- if not a clear advantage."

Efa did her best to smile as she was introduced to the Grand Duke. She could already feel eyes boring into her and here the whispers about her race. It was nothing she hadn't heard before. They made their way towards the main door, Josephine offering some final advice before the descended into the lion's den.
"I must warn you before you go inside: how you speak to the court is a matter of life and death." She spoke loud enough for only them to hear. "It is no simple matter of etiquette and protocol. Every word, every gesture is measured and evaluated for weakness."
"Don’t they sound delightful." Efa smirked at Dorian. "I’m shocked we haven’t invited the court to dinner at Skyhold."
Josephine shot her a scathing look. Behind her she could see Cullen attempting to hid a laugh behind a cough. Josephine turned her glare to him instead, unfooled.
"The Game is like Wicked Grace played to the death. You must never reveal your cards." She turned back to Efa. "When you meet the Empress, the eyes of the entire court will be upon you."
They arrived at the doors and Josephine nodded to the guard to let them in.
"You were safer staring down Corypheus." She whispered under her breath as they passed.
"You are just full of joy and light this evening." Efa raised her eyebrows at her following closely behind.
"Everything will be fine."

"The sooner we can in, the sooner we can get this over with." Cassandra sighed, she seemed to be uncomfortable. "This dress uniform is preposterous. Formal armor would have been better."
Efa chuckled, not admitting out loud her disagreement as he eyes flicked towards Cullen once more.
"Shit." Varric turned hiding himself amongst the group. "I just saw two dwarves from the Merchant’s guild go inside. If anyone asks, I’m not here."
"Andraste watch over us all." Josephine sighed.
"It will take some time to get our men into the palace." Cullen came up to stand beside her., he leant down to speak quietly to her. "I’ll alert you when we’re ready."
"Very good Commander." She tried not to shiver at the proximity.
"Inquisitor." He motioned for them to continue towards the ballroom.

Efa did not know how she had ended up like this. Josephine had said there would be dancing, but to be leading the Grand-Duchess Florianne to the floor had not been what she had hoped for. She had caught Josepines eyes when the request was made. Her ambassadors subtle encouragement led her to take the arm of the Grand Duchess and lead her to the floor.

Cullen, like many of the others hovered over the balcony watching the display. His chest tightened as he caught the uncomfortable look on her face as she stepped into position. He stood next to Dorian, he was smiling down at her as the music swelled and they moved about the floor.
"Doesn't she look ravishing Commander?"
"Do not start with me mage I have not forgiven your last interference." Cullen hissed at him.
"Whatever do you mean?" Dorian faked shock.
"I think you know." Cullen didn't take his eyes off Efa.

If Dorian said anything else he didn't hear. Efa seemed to be holding her own, he could see her mouth moving as she conversed with Florianne. There was a round of applause as Efa turned the Grand Duchess. Even he was impressed with the manoeuvre, certain it had not been one Josephine had taught her. Cullen felt a pang of jealousy. Surprising, considering how much had had hated every moment trying to dance the other day. He had felt out of his comfort zone, but holding her in his arms had meant everything to him. If there was time, perhaps he would ask her to dance again. She had been kind enough when they arrived to tell him he did not have to dance if he didn't want to. Something in her eyes had seemed possessive? Like she didn't want him to dance with anyone else.

He wanted to feel her body against his again. Already he was finding the distance from her excruciating, akin to the withdrawal of lyrium, and he wanted to be the one holding her so intimately. When she dipped the grand Duchess for the last time there was another round of polite applause around the room. Cullen and Dorian clapped along with them, the mage smirking in his direction again. He ignored it, as Efa bowed and left the dance floor. He did not miss the looks given to Varric and Dorian, the mage nodding subtly towards the Inquisitor. She looked at him for a brief moment, her expression unreadable.
"Take care." He warned Dorian.
"Concern for me, Commander?" Dorian raised an eyebrow.
"For her."

"Thank the Maker you’re back!" Cullen sighed with relief as Efa approached. "The Empress will begin her speech soon. What should we do?"
His eyes travelled down, watching the small movement she made to tug down her sleeve. He could see the faint trace of a burn on the cuff. His blood ran cold when he realised she had been fighting.
"The Grand Duchess is the assassin." She looked at him sternly. "Don’t let her anywhere near the Empress."
"The Duchess?" He repeated, she nodded in confirmation. "At once, Inquisitor!"
He moved passed her quickly motioning at Cassandra who came over. Efa moved along the balcony making her way swiftly through the crowd.

"Let all gathered attend!" The herald's voice rang out. "Her Imperial Majesty will now address the court!"
"Lord and ladies, as a nation we mourn our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and lovers claimed by war." The Empress stood proudly overlooking the ballroom. "The sky is torn open, our Divine is dead, and many fear the end of all things comes upon us. Orlais must stand as a bastion, a bulwark behind which all Thedas may take shelter. So has it stood for a thousand years! So shall it ever stand."
Efa had her eyes on Florianne as she walked along the opposite balcony. Florianne had not seen her re enter. Not that she would have looked for her after the ambush in the garden. She had thought to take her unaware and unarmed. Efa did not need a staff to close the rift splintering in the garden or deal with the demons. If Florianne tried anything now she would defend the Empress as needed.

"This would not have been possible without the efforts of many." The Empress continued, unaware of the imminent threat. "Dear cousin, please step forward."
Florianne reached the end first, given her head start. Behind her, however, she could see the first soldiers moving into position.
"Grand Duchess," She spoke loudly pushing passed the last nobles in her path. "Stand down!"
Florianne's head whipped around as she heard the Inquisitor. Anger breaking the delicate facade on her face. Movement behind her caught her eyes, she swung around extracting a dagger from the folds of her dress and plunging it in to the nearest soldier.
"Now!" The Grand Duchess yelled. Across the floor several of the 'guests' pulled out blades of their own. Efa trusted Cullen at her back, she could hear the tell tale signs of a fight as her men moved to engage the hostiles.
"For Corypheus!" Florianne yelled. "Kill them all!"
Surrounded almost, the Grand Duchess made for the open balcony, Efa broke into a run lightning springing to her finger tips as an assassin lunged for her. The assailant crumpled against the wall taking the full force of her blast point blank. She didn't need to check to know he was dead. Josephine would probably kill her later, but in their defence, they attacked first.
"Commander!" She saw him skid top a halt in front of the Empress blade in hand. "Protect the people!"
"Yes, Inquisitor!"
Cullen watched as Efa vaulted over the balcony and into the gardens. Cursing under his breath as he saw her go alone. Everyone else was engaged, but he had to trust her, to trust that she knew what she was doing.

Once the final assassin was dead or apprehended, Cullen flew out into the garden followed by Cassandra. The did not have to go far to find Efa catching her breath, sat next to the body of the Grand Duchess.
"The Grand Duchess is dead?" He exhaled in relief.
"She is," Efa stood and turned to them. "I gave her an opportunity but she would not hear it."
"Makers breath!" Cullen dashed towards her, his hand cupping her cheek and wiping the blood that stained her cheek. "Are you alright?"
"Just a scratch." She reached up to touch the gash, her fingers brushing against his briefly. "It will heal."
"We need to secure the area."
Cullen flinched, forgetting they were not alone. His hand dropped from her face and he looked away momentarily. When he looked back at her he had done his serious face.
"What now Inquisitor?" He asked the air of professionalism radiating off him.
"I will speak to the Empress, and put the last of this to rest." She let out a breath. "You have everything in hand here?"
"Of course." He nodded.
"Carry on Commander." She began to leave back towards the palace.
"Inquisitor."

Efa was restless. This time it was not the thought of Cullen that kept her awake. Everything that had happened in the Winter Palace weighed on her mind. They had lost men, in the ballroom, perhaps if she had acted quicker. But she had been reminded they were at war. Casualties happened. She couldn't save everyone no matter how hard they tried.
She got up from the bed, pushing the covers aside as she rose and crossed the room. She shook out her hair, the curls free from their usual braids and spilling down her back. Pouring a glass of water from the carafe on the side and opened the glass door to the balcony. The place they were staying was close enough to the palace to hear the music that still played. Despite the late hour, people were still deep in their festivities. She took a drink and set it down on the balcony wall. It was a warm evening, much warmer than she was used to in Skyhold. She lent her elbows down onto the ledge and looked out to lights and people below, watching silently.

There was a creak to her side, she turned, hand moving automatically to prepare a spell. But it was only the door to the adjacent room and from it, she was relieved to find the Commander exiting on to the adjoining balcony. He was back in his loose shirt and pants, a welcome view to distract her. She tilted her head to the side, appraising him unashamedly. His eyes caught her movement instantly, and like her, Cullen took a defensive stance briefly before he registered her face.
"Cant sleep?" His shoulders softened as he made his way to the edge closest to Efa.
"No." She sighed, picking up her glass and doing the same.
"Are you all right?" His brow furrowed with worry. There was a small gap between the two walls, just far enough that he could not reach out and touch her comfortingly.
"Things went according to plan for once." She placed her hand on the stone. "Mostly."
"This whole operation had me on edge." Cullen rubbed his neck. "I’m glad it’s over."
"This isn’t over yet." She shook her head. "Corypheus will strike back at us for this loss."
"I know. I’ll put our troops on alert." She could see Cullen had already been thinking of the backlash like she had. He was her military council after all. "When he strikes, we’ll be ready."

There was a pause as the music continued softly across to them, they both listened to the soft melodies and the sounds of the people drinking and laughing.
"I know it’s foolish," Cullen turned back to her again. "But I was worried for you tonight."
"You're always worried for me Cullen." She smiled playfully. He raised his eyebrows back at her in response.
"You didn't look happy dancing with the Grand Duchess." He turned his head away, Efa could see the faint blush on his cheek in the night lights.
"It was easier to fight her by myself." Efa chuckled, finding his concern endearing. "If I am honest, I would have rather danced with you."
She was attempting to jest, remembering that their last attempt to dance together had wound up with him storming out of Josephine's office. But the Commander did not smile, his expression remained stoic as he responded.
"I didn't like seeing you with her."
"No less than I did seeing you with your admirers."

There was silence.
"Cullen?" She felt a pang of worry sink through her as he looked at her again. A series of different emotions ran through his face; anger, concern and suddenly something possessive. As if that last thought settled something in his mind, he put both of his hands on the ledge to his balcony and hoisted himself up. She gasped and stepped back as he leapt across to the other side, jumping down and landing in front of her with a soft thud.
"I may never have another chance like this." He said softly, walking around the other side of her towards the centre of the balcony.
"Cullen what are you-"
"I must ask…" He bowed slightly one arm tucked behind his back, the other reaching for her invitingly. "May I have this dance, my lady?"
Efa forgot to breathe. She tugged at the linen night shirt she was wearing, conscious suddenly of how under dressed she was.
"Cullen..?" She stepped forward slowly. "I thought you didn't like to dance?"
"For you," his cheeks flushed again. "I’ll try again."

How could she refuse such a sweet offer. She slipped her hand into his and let him pull her in. This time he had no trouble looking deep into her eyes as the took their first steps together. They was slow and languid in their movements, helped along by the continuing music below. His feet did not falter this time, they turned and swayed together slowing down as the music lulled. He released her hand and brought it gently to her face, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. His fingers continued through her curls, earning him a contented sigh as she closed her eyes to enjoy the touch.
Smiling he lent down and placed a chaste kiss to thin red line on her face, the wound closed and healing after the Grand Duchess had shot her.
"You are so beautiful, Efa." He whispered softly. "I am finding it harder and harder to let you go now."
"And if I don't want you to go?" She looked up at him, biting her bottom lip ever so slightly. "What if I asked you to stay with me tonight?"
"Efa…" He sighed. "I want to. I-I do. But I…"
"What is it?" she rubbed the top of his arm soothingly.
"I have never-" he swallowed hard. "With anyone."
Oh. She felt her chest tighten. All this time and he had never been with anyone else? The thought made her sad and happy. Had he mourned her so terribly that he had never moved on? A silly thought considering she had done exactly the same. No matter how many had approached her with offers, she had refused each one. She had only wanted him. Always, just him.

"Neither have I."
"You haven't?" Efa could see Cullen's mind racing. She wondered if he thought the same as she had. It was not the time to ask, not when she had him here like this with her body screaming at her for something she didn't quite know what.
"Is that so hard to believe?" She asked carefully.
"No." He answered instantly making her smile slightly. "I- I don't want to hurt you…"
She sighed again and slid her hand up to cup his cheek, bringing him down to kiss softly.
"You wont." She assured him. "You don't have to do anything that doesn't feel natural."
She could feel he was nervous. But so was she, everything was happening so fast. But at the same time she thought not fast enough. She didn't want to push him, if he was not willing yet to jump.
"We can just try to sleep," She kissed him again. "If that's what you want?"

"I- I want to touch you."
If his hand wasn't securely around her waist she was sure she would have fallen. Her legs felt weak beneath her. The way he had said that, his voice dripping with need, she felt it pooling low inside her. Her thighs clenched instinctively, she could feel an ache that would not subside. Something she had read about in one of the books Dorian had lent to her. She tired to breathe.
"Maybe we should get in the bed?" Efa managed to say.
"I- I'd like that."

She took his hand and lead him back into the room. Before she reached the bed he tugged on her gently, turning her back to him. With a nervous smile he kissed her more firmly than before. Kissing was comfortable, Cullen knew he capable of that. He was anxious about anything else. It was not that he didn't know what he was doing. He had heard enough bawdy talk and had seen a few unfortunate things at the Blooming Rose in Kirkwall to know how it worked. But he had denied himself for so long now he doubted that he could make Efa feel even a fraction of what he wanted for her.

His doubts were punctured by her hands scrunching up the bottom of his shirt, she broke the kiss and looked at him her eyes questioning whether she could continue. With a smile he reached for the fabric and tore it over his head. She gasped looking down at his chest and stomach her fingers reaching to touch, hesitating again and withdrawing.
"You can touch- I mean if you want to." He spluttered. "You don't have to- That is-"
She silenced him with a kiss, hungrily parting his lips as her hands flattened against the expanse of his chest. He moaned deeply again as her fingers brushed through the hair on his chest, her nails dragging along the skin and sending all the blood straight down to his crotch. He tilted her head, to deepen the kiss further as she continued to explore with her fingers ghosting over his battle scars.
She broke away, breathing heavily. Cullen looked at her as she began to gather the folds of her night dress. "Do you..?" Her voice trembled.
Cullen swallowed, not trusting his voice her nodded, and as the fabric began to rise, his hands joined her to remove the garment.

Efa stood, her arms instinctively trying to hide herself as she became exposed. Cullen looked at her with eyes wide, drinking up the sight of her before him. She had never felt so vulnerable in her life, terrified that she would not be much to look at. But she had needn't worry, hands found her again and at the first press of his body against her, all her fears melted away. She could feel his excitement against her thigh, experimentally she pushed her leg against it, rewarded with a primal growl that scorched her to the core. He responded in full, kissing her harder, his teeth biting at her bottom lip like she had done to him in the stables and making her moan wantonly in response. Cullen slid his arms around her again, cupping her head and surrounding her waist as he walked her carefully back to the bed. When her knees caught, he lowered her gently, guiding Efa backwards as he kissed her. She settled in the pillows, pushing the tangled blankets further to the side as he lay on top of her, settling his weight on her, careful not to crush her.

Efa could feel the ache between her legs growing, She felt impossibly warm with him this close to her, the feeling of his skin against her own sending shivers down her spine and to her core. Cullen found her mouth again, settling his hand on her waist and sliding it up slowly. She gasped and broke the kiss as his hand brushed over her bare breast. Bereft of her mouth, Cullen took to her neck instead of beginning to move down her body as he squeezed the soft flesh he had found.
"Is this- okay?" He asked between kisses.
"Yes!" She moaned deeply as he kissed the space in the centre of her chest. His kisses lowered, trailing to her scar. He lifted up and used his hand to trace the mark again. Her chest heaved as she tried to calm her breathing, looking down to where his hands met her skin.
"It's just a mark." She propped herself up on her elbows. "I'm still here."
"I thank the Maker each day."

Surprising her once again he placed a kiss on the mark and made his way back up her body. Efa arched off the bed as his mouth grazed over her nipple, the sensation sending sparks to her fingertips.
"Efa…" He settled on his side beside her. "I want to touch you."
"Isn't that what you are doing?"
Cullen sighed and buried his head in her neck, he inhaled her scent, recognising the smell of the flower Harding had found for him.
"Here…"
Her breath hitched as his hand teased at her smalls. She tried to speak but all that came out was a soft whine, she nodded instead and he chuckled, leaning down to kiss her softly.
She gasped into his mouth as his fingers slipped beneath the fabric, using the kiss as a distraction. His own breathing became laboured as his chest tightened, he was nervous but he had made it this far. His length pressed against her leg, hot and hard against her thigh, the ache within her grew deeper. She needed to feel him, she shuddered as his fingers push down passed the damp cloth of her smalls and over her clit. The first touch made her cry out, Cullen froze above her, his hand stilling but not withdrawing.
"Are you okay? " He sounded worried. she nodded quickly.
"Keep going…" She begged. "Please…"

He pressed down again fingers finding that spot again. He gave it an experimental rub and she keened again. He continued tentatively, feeling himself slip between her delicate folds. His fingers coated in the slick he found.
"Is that- normal?" He felt unsure again.
"Y-yes." She blushed red.
"Is that what happens when-"
"Yes…"
Emboldened he moved his fingers, exploring how she felt. He watched her reactions, letting her gasps guide his fingers. His finger caught at her entrance and he pushed in gently, the sound she uttered made his cock throb inside his pants. It was positively sinful, how inviting she felt around him. He began to work his finger in her, adding a second when she spread herself wider to give him room.
"Maker's breath…"
"There..!" She gasped again as he wet fingers rubbed back over her clit. She could feel the pressure in her core building more powerfully than any time she had done it alone.
"Like that?"
"Yes!"
She was close, dangerously so, she could feel herself slipping closer to the edge. It felt strange, like she was caught in the heat of battle. Energy thrummed through her, sparking at her finger tips. She cried out as she peaked, her vision blurring as she raised from the bed once more. Cullen did not stop his ministrations, continuing to rub the sensitive nub. It was too much.
"Cullen!" She cried out. "Stop!"
Her hand grabbed his suddenly as she felt another spike of energy through her. She couldn't contain her voice as she screamed in a mix of pain and pleasure. He hand shot down grabbing Cullen's with a cry, she needed him to stop, it was too much.

Cullen yelped as her hand grabbed him. Shock coursed through him causing him to fall backwards away from her. He ducked down as jolts of energy thundered around the room and could hear the sound of glass smashing. He reached out instinctively to her, his fingers casting without question. He felt a wave of sickness wash over him, and a different pain course through his body. The silence stuttered, ineffective, his mind hazed as he fought the bile in his throat.
"EFA!?"
There was a banging on the door, Efa couldn't move, when there was no answer there was another bang as the door was blasted from the hinges.
"Oh well this is something…"
"Oh my!"
Hearing the voices, she cried out and grabbed the blanket to cover herself, he body responding finally. She looked in horror around the room. Glass littered the floor from every window and the door to the balcony. And against the dresser, the smouldering remains of the door. Varric stood looking anywhere but at her lowering Bianca in his arms. Dorian, on the other hand, looked at her with a raised eyebrow. She followed his gaze as it shifted, turning to Cullen, who looked pale.
"What is it? What's- Commander?" Cassandra entered the room eyes wide in shock. She took in the scene before her. "What is- Oh, OH!"
"Looks like someone had a little fun with the Commander, eh my dear?" Dorian couldn't help himself. Amusement written all over his face.

"I-" Shock sank through Cullen and the realisation of what they saw. He looked at Efa dishevelled and embarrassed. He felt sick. He needed to leave, as much as he didn't want to leave her like this, he couldn't stay. He jumped up grabbing his shirt, he knew the feeling, the withdrawal that ran in his blood.
"Commander?" He brushed passed Leliana and Josephine in the hallway. "What is?"
"Oh dear." Leliana peaked into the room having followed to investigate the disturbance. "This is going to be hard to explain."
Josephine looked around the room making a squeak of horror.
"What did you-" She looked at Efa ready to scold her until Leliana whispered in her ear. "Oh, oh r-right."
She took a moment to realise how undressed Efa was behind the blanket. The Inquisitor buried her face unable to look at any of her council.
"We better check up on Curly." Varric said, grabbing Cassandra and leaving the room.
"Are you alright?" Dorian picked up Efa's night dress and brought it to the bed, his eyebrow still raised at her bemused. She took the garment and turned away, Dorian motioned for the others to turn away to give her a moment of privacy.
"I don't know how I-" She began. "I didn't mean to-"
"Oh don't you worry!" Dorian laughed. "You think you are the first mage to have an accident while indulging oneself?"
"You-?"
"Let's just say at least it wasn't fire, my darling Inquisitor."

Efa pulled on the night dress, her body felt cold. She recalled the look on Cullen's face before he left. Something wasn't right.
"Cullen?" She asked, turning around.
"Our Lady Seeker and Varric have gone looking for him. Fear not I am sure he will return to your bed soon enough!"
"Actually it would be best if you came with one of us" Leliana nudged a piece of glass with her foot. "The safety of this room is compromised."
"Come with me I want all the details!" Dorian clapped his hands happily.
I think we've had enough excitement for one night." Josephine shoved him lightly from the bed and shooed him away. "Let's get you out of here and you can talk to the Commander in the morning."
She looked at Josephine like she wanted to argue, but one look from the Antivan had her following meekly from the room.

Chapter Text

Efa was on the move before the sun was up. After returning to her still ruined room to quickly bathe and dress she went looking for Cullen. The room he was sharing with Varric was empty, even the dwarf was not in residence. She was not surprised Cullen was not abed, as he had often commented on how difficult he found it to sleep.
She looked around the other rooms and outside, wondering if he may have taken to the stables like she had found him last time.

"You're wasting your time sweetheart."
Efa startled, she had walked straight past Varric sitting on the veranda to their temporary residence.
"Varric?" She halted turning to him.
"He figured you'd be awake early." The dwarf sat with Bianca on his lap carefully oiling the delicate machine. "I said I'd wake to great you."
"Where is he?" Efa felt herself grow cold. Fear building low in her stomach.
"Curly and our Lady Seeker have already left for Skyhold."
"He left..?"
"I'm sorry sweetheart."

She sank into the chair beside him.
"Why?"
"Cant say." He shrugged, stifling a yawn. "Curly and Cassandra exchanged some hushed words. They got angry, he looked like he was going to throw up and they agreed to go back there and then."
"I've messed this up again." She sighed putting her head in her hand.
"I doubt that." Varric shook his head. "Everyone in Skyhold knows how crazy he is for you."
"I hurt him." She scrunched her eyes to stop the tears forming. "Again."
"I know." Varric patted her leg. "He'll forgive you. He was more worried about leaving you, so I'm sure he wont hold your activities against you."
"Varric…" She looked at him apologetically.
"Don't give me that look." He rolled his eyes. "Your personal business is your own. Although I'd be lying if Insaid I wasn't interested in the whole tale as it were."
He smirked at her. She knew he meant well, she would tell him later but first she wanted to. No, NEEDED, to see Cullen.

"Revas is saddled ready." Varric returned to Bianca's maintenance. "What are you waiting for? I'll wait for the others to wake."
She was gone before he finished speaking. He chuckled as he watched her run, emerging from the stable minutes later, urging the hart into a gallop.
"Oh to be that young and in love again." He patted the crossbow. "Ey Bianca?"

She rode hard, Revas sensed her urgency and pushed on at the lightest command. She knew he was up to the challenge she had ridden him hard before when the clan had been under attack many years ago.
She rode for at least an hour before the sun began to rise in the sky. Her early start meant she could reach Skyhold by the time the sun peaked if she was lucky.

It wasn't long after noon that she began her final ascent through the mountain. When Skyhold came into view, she urged Revas on that last little bit until she was coming across the bridge. She could hear shouting, heralding her return and scrambling to raise the portcullis in time for her to skid through. Revas came to a heavy halt, jolting her in the saddle. Blackwall came running up grabbing the reins to steady the hart as she caught her breath.
"Inquisitor we were not expecting you back for hours?" The Warden looked around for the rest of the group. "Where are the others?"
Efa straightened up as her chest calmed somewhat. Gasping for air, she slid from the hart looking around.
"Cullen?" She gasped out.
"Ahh," Blackwall nodded. "Last I saw he and the Seeker were in the smith-"
She was gone again across the yard not caring about the people she startled. As she approached the open door of the smithy she could hear voices.
"You asked for my opinion, and I’ve given it." Cassandra barked. "Why would you expect it to change?"
"I expect you to keep your word." Cullen sounded strained. "It’s relentless, I can’t-"
"You give yourself too little credit."
Efa's lungs ached as she pushed open the door, she could see them both but neither had seen her come in. Cullen looked grey, it pained her to see him this way. His hands were shaking, Efa remembered the way it had when he had told her about the lyrium. Oh.
"If I’m unable to fulfil what vows I kept, then nothing good has come of this." Cullen began to pace. "Would you rather save fact than admit-"

Cullen turned catching her in the doorway. She stepped in, still struggling to catch her breath.
"You're back?" He looked at her panicked "I- Forgive me."
He bolted, keeping his distance as he left out the open door before she could say anything. Her legs wobbled as her energy waned. Cassandra with a surprisingly gentle hand guided her to a chair.
"And people say I’m stubborn." She grabbed a pitcher of water and passed it to Efa, she drank straight from the jug, too desperate to be proper. "This is ridiculous. Cullen told you that he’s no longer taking lyrium?"
"Yes," She finally managed. "And I respect his decision."
"As do I. Not that he’s willing to listen." She took the pitcher back once Efa had her fill. "It seems your exploits sparked a response in him."
Efa looked at her confused. Cassandra sighed.
"To call upon his Templar abilities to suppress magic the magic when you..." There was a faint blush to her cheeks and she could not meet the Inquisitors eyes, "But without lyrium…"
"He couldn't do it…" Efa's hand came to her mouth anxiously as she realised. That feeling. Suffocating. Drowning. Silence. "That's why he looked so…"
"Precisely, Cullen has asked that I recommend a replacement for him." Efa shot her head up to argue. "I refused. It’s not necessary. Besides, it would destroy him. He’s come so far."

Efa calmed, thankful that Cassandra was against Cullen's request. Replacing him was the last thing she wanted. Personal feelings aside he was a good adviser and one she was reliant on in her council.
"Why didn’t he come to me?" Efa asked. "Why run?"
"We had an agreement long before you joined us." Cassandra patted her shoulder. "As a Seeker, I could evaluate the dangers. And he didn’t want to- risk your disappointment."
"Is there anything we can do to change his mind?" Efa stood determination on her face.
"If anyone could, it’s you." Cassandra smiled at her. "Mages have made their suffering known, but Templars never have."
Efa grimaced. It was true that the mages voices were louder, although she knew the reasons for that were severe. Years of subjugation did that to people. Not that she didn't feel for the Templars, she had seen it first hand in the Circle what happened to Templars who served for years.
"They are bound to the Order, mind and soul, with someone always holding their lyrium leash." Cassandra continued. "Cullen has a chance to break that leash, to prove to himself- and anyone who would follow suit. That it’s possible."
Efa nodded her understand and collected herself turning back to the door.
"He can do this, I knew that when we met in Kirkwall." Cassandra called after him. "Talk to him. Decide if now is the time."

With a deep breath, she made for the stairs to the battlements. Hoping he would have made for his office. She pulled on the door grateful it was unlocked and stepped in.
Crash.
Glass shattered right next to her head, her hand lit up in automatic response but she squashed the feeling quickly. More rogue magic was the last thing Cullen needed right now.
"Maker’s breath!" He looked at her from his hunched over position behind his desk. "I didn’t hear you enter, I- Forgive me."
"So long as you weren’t aiming at me." She tried her hand at a joke as he closed the door behind her. "I’m sure the box had it coming."
"I swear I didn’t know you were-" He groaned in pain as he began to move towards her, his hand gripped the edge of the desk to support himself. He threw up his hand to halt her as she dashed forward to help him. "I never meant for this to interfere."
"I believe you." She stopped several paces in front of him.
"For whatever good it does. Promises mean nothing if I cannot keep them." He shook himself and took a step away from her, there was pain in his eyes when she met her gaze. She stood still not wanting to cause him further distress in her presence. Cullen swallowed hard and retreated to the window letting the cool air wash over him.
"You were there when Ferelden’s Circle was taken over by abominations. The Templars- my friends- were slaughtered." She was surprised to hear him bring up their time in the Circle, unprompted. "And you- they took you from me before you were even mine to lose."
"I was always yours to lose Cullen, even if we never made that step." She kept her distance but moved further into the room standing on the opposite side of the desk. "Why speak of this now? You've never been able to bring it up before?"
"You know I was tortured. They tried to break my mind, that thing, it used your face. Your face and I- how can you be the same person after that?"
She listened, if it would help him to speak of it now she would listen. She had always wanted to know what changed in him. To understand what lead to the accident. She waited, letting him speak in his own time.

"Well you know what happened. On that last day I was with you- when I- It was like I saw that demon again and in that moment I couldn't tell what was real and what wasn't." He continued. "Then there was blood, so much blood and I thought I had lost you forever."
He looked at his hands, visions of the day flashing through his mind. Seeing Efa lying before him, gasping for breath.
"But still, despite everything, I wanted to serve. They sent me to Kirkwall." His hands balled into fists. "I trusted my Knight-Commander, and for what?! Her fear of mages ended in madness. Kirkwall’s Circle fell. Innocent people died in the streets. Can’t you see why I want nothing to do with that life?!"
"Of course I can. I-"
"Don’t!" He bit at her. "You should be questioning what I’ve done!"
He began to pace again, the pent up anger in his body fighting for release, he would not come any closer than he was, too afraid to lash out and hurt her with his misdirected rage.
"I thought this would be better- that I would regain some control over my life. But these thoughts won’t leave me! How many lives depend on our success?" She could hear the anguish in him now, festering deeply inside him. "I swore myself to this cause- and then I swore myself to you. I will not give less to you or the Inquisition than I did the Chantry."

"I should be taking it!" His fist flung out hitting the bookcase, the wood groaned from the assault and several precariously placed books tumbled to the floor. This time she did not flinch, she steeled herself and told herself this was not him. "I should be taking it…"
"This doesn’t have to be about the Inquisition." She walked slowly towards him now, giving him time to register her approach. "Is this what you want?"
Cullen turned his head and looked at her. He searched her eyes in fear, for rejection or hurt? He wasn't sure. Instead what he saw was a fierce determination, and the reassurance he was capable to make the right choice. It wasn't enough however to complete thaw the trepidation he felt in his abilities.
"No. But- These memories have always haunted me," He took a deep breath. "If they become worse, if I cannot endure this…"
"You can." Efa raised her hand to his chest, not breaking his eye contact. She felt warm against his clammy skin. It was oddly comforting. He wanted to be free of it, to be his own person. He had begun to hope of a future after the war was won, and for a brief moment the night before, he had seen it. Then he had fallen back into the dark pit of his mind when he had tried to call on the powers he could no longer wield, his body drawing on reserves he could not muster and resurfacing the aching need he had been trying so hard to suppress.
"All right." He exhaled softly. He needed to do this, for both of them. He had come so far, he did not want to loose her again. "I think I need some time…"
Her eyebrow furrowed slightly as her hand lowered. He could see she did not want to leave him like this.
"Please…"

She nodded stepping back. "Take all the time you need."
She wanted to kiss him, to tell him it would be alright but he was at the end of his limit she could see. To speak of what happened… Well now she knew. She could finally understand why things had ended as they did. She returned to the door she enter from and to his surprised gathered the shattered remains of the lyrium kit and tucked it under her arm before leaving the room. With a sigh, Cullen sank into his chair.

How could she look at him with such resolve? Would she still want him after all this? He did not deserve her, he knew that was the withdrawal talking but he could not shake the thought from his mind as the door closed with a soft click.

"Boss?"
Efa walked in a daze, the broken lyrium kit still tucked under her arm.
"Boss?" Bull called to her again. This time she turned her head to him.
"Bull…"
"You look in desperate need of a drink."
She was unable to protest as the Qunari lead her into the tavern. It was full of its usual busy, with the council and Inquisitor out of residence there were less duties to attend to, a small break for the hard working members of their forces.
"You weren't due back till tonight." Bull slapped down a mug in front of her. She drained the mug in one.
"Like that is it?" Bull rose. "I'll get you another-"

To her other side, a bottle was placed on the table.
"This might be better." Blackwood slid into the seat beside her. "Whisky."
Efa nodded gratefully and picked up the bottle taking a long swig from it. She could feel the burn down her throat and closed her eyes letting it sink into her stomach.
"Revas is with Dennet." The Warden said, taking a swig at his own drink. "Do you want to talk about what brought you back so- urgently?"
"Guilt. I needed to see him. Can't lose him. Not now. Not after he held me so-"
"Cole." Blackwall shot a look at the wayward spirit suddenly sat across from them.
"He's right," Efa sighed. "Best you hear it from me before you hear the exaggerated version from Dorian or Varric."
"That bad?" Bull lent on the table.
"You tell me..."

Efa spilled the story, how they had kissed before leaving and with blushing ears, how they had shared an intimate moment with each other after the ball. When she reached the part with magic, Bull spat out his drink.
"You are shitting me?" The Qunari looked at her.
"Nope. Chain lighting. Hit every glass surface in the room and him." She buried her face in her hand. "I felt like a child just coming into my powers again, out of control and- I hurt him."
"That's not what I was expecting." Blackwall rubbed his beard.
"Feeling so good. Then it hurt. It was too much. He didn't stop-"
"COLE." Two voices rang out.
"Why did it hurt?" Cole tilted his head puzzled.
"Over stimulation." Bull answered knowingly, "It can be enjoyable, but not for everyone. It can leave you feeling overwhelmed when you are new to the feeling. But you have done things before have you?"
Efa hang her head not looking at anyone. she could feel the shame and heat radiating off the tips of her ears.
"Only him. Never wanted anyone else. Never tried. Just him, just him-"
"Cole," Blackwall chided as Efa buried herself in her arms. "Why don't you go see if Sera wants any help with her cookies?"
"I like cookies," Cole hummed. "She doesn't think they're any good though."
"All the more-" Blackwall shook his head at the empty chair. "Never mind."

"It's okay boss," Bull patted her back soothingly. "We all start somewhere."
"It's nothing to be ashamed of either." Blackwall pushed the whisky towards her again.
Efa raised her head up and gingerly reached for the bottle, taking a big gulp. She took a calming breath.
"I doubt he'll touch me again after that." She fidgeted with the bottle. "My magical accident has caused his lyrium withdrawal to spike. If he can't even touch me with a single hand how can I expect more? Why would he want to touch me again if he's at risk of relapsing every time. I don't want to hurt him. I'm scared if it happens again it could be worse! He could-"
"Come now lass." Blackwall pulled her into a one armed hug as she spluttered her words, tears forming and spilling freely from her eyes. "We all know that man is head over heels for you."
"You do?" She rubbed her eyes.
"Boss…" Bull sighed and shook his head. "I thought I was going to have to knock him down and stop him from running straight back to Haven when the last snow fell."
"Aye, he was like a man possessed." Blackwall confirmed. "They had to fight to get you out of his arms when he found you. If that's not love I don't know what is."

Had he really been like that? Or were they just trying to make her feel better? She had no reason to distrust either of them.
"I care about him a lot." She admitted softly.
"Just give him some time to work through this." Blackwall released his hold. "Then talk to him. Let him know what the problem is and take it slow should you try again."
"You can always try a 'safe word'." Bull drained his drink.
"'Safe word'? Efa turned to look at him.
"Before you try anything again, you can set a word to say if things get out of your comfort zone." Bull explained. "If it becomes too much and you need to stop, say the word and he knows he needs to stop. Then you can agree to pause and continue, or stop completely."
"I don't think she's going to be tying him up anytime soon," Blackwall laughed at him.
"Hey! It's not just for the rough stuff," Bull smirked back. "It's good for the soft stuff too, it can be just as earth shattering when done right."
"That- Is a good idea." Efa thought it over. "Thanks Bull."
"Any time boss." He grinned. "Communication is a powerful tool in the bedroom."

The others returned later in the afternoon. Efa by then had retreated to her room with a light buzz in her blood. She was exhausted after the ride, and from all of the emotions she had felt that afternoon. She fell asleep and didn't wake until dawn the next day. She lay in bed, contemplating the day ahead. With a sigh she got up. She was starving, realising she hadn't eaten since Halamshiral.
She opened the door to the kitchen to find the staff hard at work, several greeted her like normal, she smiled in return.
"Lady Inquisitor, welcome back." The cook smiled at her. "What shall it be today? We've got some more of those strawberries? I can rustle you up some more tarts if you want? Although I doubt they'll be half as fancy as the ones serves by the Empress! What was it like?"
"Honestly, all the food was tiny!" Efa held her finger and thumb out mockingly, "You'd have to eat ten of their cakes just to make the equivalent of slice of yours Donatien. Hardly worth it."
"Well I never!" The cook looked aghast. "Thank the Maker we're not Orleasian."
There was a round of laughter, Efa couldn't help but laugh too. The door to the courtyard opened and Scout Harding entered. She smiled and greeted Efa happily before dumping a pile of leaves onto the table.

"Oh Harding!" Donatien clapped their hands joyfully. "Look at all that!"
"As much as I could find." The dwarf looked pleased.
"What is it?" Efa looked up curiously taking a fresh baked roll from the tray Donatien held out to her.
"Lemon verbena," Harding smiled. "It's for tea."
"Aye, A great one for when you're not feeling your best," Donatien nodded scooping up the plants to inspect. "We should be able to make a good batch now. We're almost out."
Efa reached over and took one of the plants still healthy and with a good root.
"Inquisitor?"
"Allow me to take this and I can have it grown here." Efa smiled. "What else is needed? Is it easy to come by?"
"Fairly so, Lady Inquisitor." Harding nodded at her. "Growing our ow verbena would be a blessing however."
"Leave it with me." Efa cradled the roots. "If there is any of that tea currently, could I ask a pot be sent to Commander Rutherford?"
"Of course my lady."
"And perhaps some of those strawberry tarts?"
There were some giggles from some of the kitchen maids. The head cook shot them a silencing look. Efa felt her face flush as she said her goodbyes and left towards the garden. Seems Bull and Blackwood were right. She thought.

Once in the garden she checked over the plants already growing. Most of the beds were filled with medicinal herbs to help keep up stocks. Adding the tea to the collection seemed logical, especially if it might help Cullen and others. She sighed deeply, her shoulders sagging while she thought of him. She didn't want to pressure him, but she felt a deep ache inside that made her want to run straight to his office. Pushing those thoughts aside she continued to split the roots into several pots in the hopes it would grow into a decent supply.
"No swirling storm cloud?!" A voice disturbed the peace.
"Varric." She said in way of a greeting.
"Curly still not talking to you?" He lent against the stone archway.
"I spoke to him." She sighed. "He needs some time to gather himself."
"I see…"

"Is there something you needed Varric?" She stood up and dusted dirt from her hands.
"I came to see how you were." Varric smiled at her. "And to tell you I heard back from my friend. The one I mentioned when we arrived here."
"Oh…" She had been expecting him to question her further. She had all but forgotten Varric's offer when he had first learnt Corypheus' name.
"You might want to be sitting down for this one." Varric motioned towards the stone bench near them.
"That sounds ominous." The two of them sat down, Efa turning to look at the dwarf warily.
"So you know I'm friends with the Champion of Kirkwall?"
"Yes…" She raised her eyebrow at him.
"Have I ever mentioned her name?"
Efa didn't like where this was going. "No."
"It's 'Hawke'."

"'Hawke'…" She repeated, trying to keep her voice even.
"Yep." Varric observed her reaction carefully, waiting for the inevitable irritation she would likely have.
"No." She shook her head.
"'Fraid so sweet heart." He patted her arm gently. "You see-"
"Varric, please do not say what you're going to say." He could hear the anger rising in her voice.
"Her father was Malcolm Hawke..."
"I told you about my father back in Haven, and its just now that you're telling me!?" She stood, shaking his hand off her and turning to face him fully. "It's been months Varric."
"I know." He balled a fist into his other hands.
"MONTHS."
"I had to be sure." He sighed apologetically. He could see her agitation, poor timing he knew but better to get it over and done with, especially with how long he had kept his suspicions to himself. "You do look alike- well aside from the ears…"
"So now what?" She ignored his last comment, folding her arms across her chest.
"She wants to meet you." He could see her biting back words, weighing the personal conflict versus the needs of the Inquisition. "To share what she knows about Corypheus."

"Fine." She sighed, conceding. "Arrange it."

Her anger at Varric's secrecy did not abate before the war council meeting. Not until she walked into the war council room to find Josephine and Cullen already discussing the recent events. He had still looked pale but she saw with a small measure of joy that he was drinking tea that smelt faintly of the leaves she had planted earlier that day. He had smiled weakly, keeping everything professional and too the point as Leliana joined them. He had been first to leave, leaving her with Josephine and Leliana. They politely enquired about her early departure from Orlais. She told them enough to pacify, despite the fact she was sure that all her companions and adviser's, had done nothing but gossip since returning home.

With no other pressing matters, she climbed up to the Mage Tower to see Isolde. She was surprised however to see Cullen standing on the battlements before the steps leading up to the tower door.
"Cullen…" She called his name softly.
"Efa," He looked at her shyly. "I was just waiting- wanting to-"
"You were waiting for me?" She felt her heart skip at the thought.
"I wanted to thank you…" He began. "When you came to see me- If there’s anything…"
He exhaled deeply, his hand coming up to rubs the back of his neck like usual. She couldn't help the soft smile on her face.
"This sounded much better in my head."
He turned away from her and looked out at the surrounding mountains, collecting himself.

"I trust you’re feeling better?" She stepped up beside him.
"I… yes." He lowered his hand and looked to her. "Thank you for the tea."
"Is it always that bad?" She tilted her head slightly as she looked at him.
"The pain comes and goes. Sometimes I feel as if I’m back there…" He placed his hand on the wall between them. "I should not have pushed myself so hard that day."
"I think I am the one to blame. It was my magic after all." She fidgeted with the buttons on her waistcoat. "I should have better control but-"
"I don't blame you." He shook his head. "I had already been feeling the strain through the day. I should have a better handle on it than I did. But I knew I was needed- That you needed me-"
"The Inquisition or I won’t fall apart if you take an hour for yourself now and then." She reached out and placed her hand on top of his.
"I’ll keep that in mind." He sighed welcoming her touch.

They were quiet for a moment, comfortably this time in comparison to the War Room not a quarter of an hour earlier.
"I’m glad you’re all right." She said softly, breaking the silence
"I am." he smiled slightly. "I’ve never told anyone what truly happened to us at Ferelden’s Circle. I was… not myself after that."
She could see the same pain in his eyes again as he spoke, but like the day before she was happy for him to let it all out. She was glad that he felt capable of saying these things to her after keeping them locked away for ten years.
"I was angry, at myself at the mages. For years, that anger blinded me. I’m not proud of the man that made me." She brought her other hand to the wall, turning his hand over and lacing her fingers through his delicately. "The way I saw mages- I’m not sure I would have been able to still care about you if I had known you were alive, and the thought of that sickens me."
She squeezed his hand and he gripped hers back tightly.
"Now I can put some distance between myself and everything that happened. It’s a start."

"For what it’s worth," She looked up at him. "I like who you are now."
"Even after…?"
"Vhenan, I care about you." She lifted his hand to her mouth and placed a soft kiss on his knuckles. "You’ve done nothing to change that."
"I don't deserve you." He whispered, removing his hand from her hold so he could cup her face. Her hands now free, she wove them into the fur surrounding his shoulders and pulled him down. Their mouths met slowly, cautiously. A reassurance that nothing had changed between them. He pulled back, thumb still tracing along the vallaslin and scars beneath her eye.

"What about you?" His face suddenly became wrought with concern. "You have troubles of your own, you seemed put out in the meeting? How are you holding up?"
"Honestly, I’m terrified." She lent into his hand enjoying the feel of him. "So many people depend on us. On me. Corypheus is still out there."
"We’ve made great strides. Do not doubt yourself- or the Inquisition- just yet." His smile seemed brighter suddenly, like a weight had been lifted from his chest. "If there’s anything I can do, you have only to ask."
"I know," She closed her eyes for a moment. "I'm not alone."
Her smile lingered on her face for a moment before it faded, her eyes turning down as she began to frown.
"What is it?"
"Varric is going to introduce me to a friend- well its more complicated than that." She pursed her lips. "Seems they've encountered Corypheus before…"

"You never mentioned at the meeting?" His brow furrowed. "Is this what was bothering you? Who is it?"
"Hawke…"
"Oh… Is she coming here?" Cullen looked surprised. "Cassandra might kill Varric if she does."
"'Hawke' was the name of my human father…"
"I often forget you're only half elf- Wait…" Her word's suddenly registered. "Maker's breath! Don't tell me you're related!?"
"He thinks she might be my sister…" Suddenly her mood seemed to make sense. The sudden knowledge of a sister she didn't know she had on top of what had happened at the Winter Palace? He didn't fault her sour mood.
"I…" Cullen looked at her, images of the Champion flashing in his mind. "You do share some similarities- Your hair, and eyes…"
"Varric said the same thing..." She shuffled uncomfortably. "I forgot you knew her didn't you?"
"Ahh- Yes- Well-" He stumbled on his words. "She was a rather compelling turning point in my abandonment from the Order. I fought by her side- In the end."
"So I should thank her for knocking some sense into you?" Efa smiled mockingly.
"You could say that." Cullen tilted her head up and rested his head against hers. "And how grateful I am that she did…"
He placed another delicate kiss on her lips.

"For I would not be here to kiss you if she hadn't."

Chapter Text

Days passed, and work continued to pull Efa away from Skyhold. She had barely been able to steal more than a few kisses from Cullen before something or someone pulled them in opposite directions. The topic of what had happened between them at the winter palace continued to loom over them both, neither sure how to bring the events into conversation. Of course that required them having more than five minutes alone with each other, a luxury they were not afforded. She had taken to sitting by the fire in Josephines' office, thumbing through missives from the Ambassador, while Cullen was otherwise engaged. There was nothing sadly that needed her immediate attention that Josephine would have been dealing with already. She sighed heavily, her mind wandering back to the Commander and the ache she felt when she thought of him. Her nights were plagued with the memory of his fingers on her, inside her. She had been unable to replicate the feeling, and it was beginning to frustrate her.

"How long have they been down there Josie?" She dumped the stack of papers on the table, she hoped the flush in her cheeks could be attributed to the heat of the room.
"Long enough," Josephine pursed her lips, dropping her quill into the inkwell on her desk. "If they haven't talked by now they will be dead."
As if on cue, the office door opened, and Cullen stepped through looking weary. Efa jumped up from her seat, groaning at the crack in her back from sitting too long. She was glad to see him, although she noted he looked tired, her face furrowed with concern.
"The smugglers gave up the red Templars’ main source of red lyrium, Inquisitor." He bowed his head at her in greeting. "It’s located in the Dales, near a town called Sahrnia. Destroying the mine there will cripple Samson’s operations."

"He’s caused us enough grief." She patted his arm sympathetically. relishing the opportunity to touch him. "I’m happy to return the favour."
"Destroying the Red Templars’ source of lyrium will be a loss Samson won’t soon forget."
"We should get on it right away." Josephine rose from the desk, shuffling her papers. "Before he catches wind of our coming."
"I can leave right away." Efa agreed.
"Please be careful." Cullen grasped her elbow before she could leave, he looked at her pleadingly, she could see the hint of longing hidden in his honey eyes.
"Aren't I always?" She said playfully.
"Efa, please." He sighed. "You know I worry…"
"Too much sometimes." Josephine chuckled. "It's a wonder you don't explode."
"Mock me if you will," he shot a scathing look at Josephine. "It would put my mind at ease if you took Cassandra and Blackwall with you."
"Gladly," she placed her hand gently on his cheek. "If it will make you rest easier while I am gone."
"It would." He smiled, kissing the palm of her hand.

Since their talk on the battlements, Cullen had slowly begun to show more affection to her behind closed doors. Josephine and Leliana had not let him rest for two days after they walked in on them kissing in the war room before a meeting. They knew Skyhold was abuzz with gossip, Efa neither denied or confirmed any direct remarks, which she found only drove the inhabitants wild with wonder. With each day the Commander grew bolder, the kiss on her hand warming her heart as Josephine squeaked delightedly.
She could hear her congratulating him again as she left to gather her team to depart. It was small steps, she wondered if he thought about that night the way she did. Perhaps these braver movements were his way of telling her he wanted more like she did. A question for another time.

Within the hour she was seated in Revas' saddle; Cassandra, Blackwall and Varric, similarly mounted beside her. Her three adviser's stood together to see them off, as well as several of the others all milling around in the courtyard. Dorian had feigned heartbreak on being left behind, but when Cassandra had mentioned the cold he sharp changed his song amusing Efa. It would be good to have some peace from them, as wonderful as their company was at times.

"Ride swiftly Inquisitor." Culled came forward to hand her the reigns for her hart, an unnecessary move but one she understood. "And take care."
"We will be back before you know." Efa watched him hesitate before he stepped backwards. Giving her space to kick Revas into a trot. The portcullis raised and her companions road out in front of her. She could see uncertainty in the Commander's eyes as Revas began to follow the others. She hated the look on his face each time she left. She knew if he could be spared he would be by her side always.

Making a spontaneous decision she pulled on Revas' reigns forcing the hart to turn back.
"Inquisitor?" Cullen stepped forward concerned as she trotted back to him. "Was there something you-"
Leaning down from the saddle she grabbed his cloak crushing her mouth against him. She didn't care they were in the middle of the courtyard, she could hear his startled gasp as she kissed him firmly. She felt a hand on her leg as he reciprocated, his fingers balling the fabric of her trousers into a fist like he didn't want to let go. She had to tear herself away, lest she would never leave.
"Ar lath ma, vhenan." She whispered against his lips before she straightened up in the saddle.
Before he could respond, she tugged Reva's back to the gate and set off at a gallop, his hooves echoing around the silent courtyard. Silent for all but Dorian's barely contained snickers.

Cullen could feel the heat radiating off his cheeks as he watched her go. She had taken him by surprised, but he had wanted to kiss her goodbye so badly that he found he didn't care. As the gate dropped, he turned back around to everyone's eyes on him, it felt like a bucket of water over his head as he blushed an even deeper shade.
"To work!"
Guards and scouts sprang to life suddenly, returning to their duties with haste. Cullen turned back just able to make out Efa's back as it dipped below the hill. He smiled to himself and returned to his duties.

Efa took a moment to breath. The red lyrium mines were stifling with raw magic and she had to admit it had been horrible to witness the lengths these people had gone. She took solace in the lives they had managed to save, people from the nearby villages no longer chained and caged to be fed to the madness.
"We should head back," She breathed in the cold air. "I need to inform Cullen that we’ve taken care of Samson’s red lyrium hoard."
"He will be pleased." Casandra wiped blood from her sword before sheathing it. "More so when you return."
"If we leave now we should make it in the morning." Blackwall clapped her shoulder as they wandered back toward the closest Inquisition camp.

Cullen was waiting for them when they crossed the bridge to Skyhold the next day. His smile was warm and bright as he helped her down from Revas. He wasted no time in bringing her into a quick kiss.
"Welcome back." His blushed, hands lingered on her waist. He had missed her, there was no mistaken that.
"It's good to be back." She smiled her own hands tucked into his cape.
"You have good news?" He looked at her with hope.
"I do," She smiled brightly, "The mines are cleared. There won't be anymore lyrium forged there."
"Excellent!" He sighed with relief. "Anything else?!"
"Yes, but you'll have to let me go to show you."

She removed the letters from her pack, signalling to the waiting scout to take Revas' back the stables. She handed the letters to Cullen as the began to walk towards the war room. With a practised eye he scan the letters quickly for information.
"Samson is making red lyrium from people?" He looked at her outraged.
"Not anymore." she shook her head. "Not in that mine."
"I knew Samson had fallen, but this? It’s monstrous." Cullen opened the door to the main hall for her. "We have to put an end to him. Look at these orders from the encampment. That armour must give Samson extraordinary power. We may not be able to stop him."
"That’s what he wants us to think." She stepped inside. "But no one’s invulnerable."
"Then we must destroy the armour." Culled nodded in agreement. "I couldn’t say how. Templars are trained not to destroy expensive magical equipment."
"There must be something..?"
"Perhaps Dagna has some ideas?" Cullen pointed to the door to the Undercroft. "She crafts the impossible every day."

Dagna was more than enthusiastic in helping, she studied the samples of lyrium kept in careful containers and at a distance. Cullen meanwhile had sent riders out in every directions looking for any scrap of a trail they could use. More men had scoured the mines over, picking clean anything else deemed useful and ensuring the operation was shut down for good. At Efa's request Josephine had arranged some relief packages be sent to the villagers who had suffered. She had taken a rare moment to relax, a moment that somehow ended up with her on a roof with Sera eating terrible cookies. From their perch she was able to catch sight of Cullen emerging from the great hall. She tracked his movements, he was looking for something, or more likely someone.

"Hey its Cullen-Wullen!" Sera shouting as he got closer still searching. He looked up his face scrunched in annoyance until he saw Efa sat next to her. Immediately he calmed, turning instead to relief. Ah. She was the one he was looking for.
"Never call me that again." He folded his arms across his chest.
"Aww you're no fun!" She threw a bit of her cookie at him, He didn't flinch as the baked projectile smacked off his chest plate. "Isn't that right?"
"I happen to think he's a lot of fun." Efa smiled devilishly, winking at him playfully. She saw the twitch of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
"You're just biased since hes your Cully-Wully!" Cullen scowled at her again.

"I need to speak to you." He decided to ignore Sera entirely. "About Sampson."
"Have you found something?" She rose and patted the muck of her trousers. He waited as she climbed down the trellis, landing with a soft thump. He blushed slightly, averting his eyes when he realised he had been staring at backside as she climbed.
"We have him, Efa. We’ve found Samson’s lair." He was filled with a nervous excitement. "My duties usually keep me here, but for Samson? I’ll make an exception."
"Samson still has that red lyrium armour." She looked at him concerned overriding her joy that he would be coming with her.
"All the more reason for me to go." He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I would- Sleep better, if I knew I would be at your side."
"Blergh!" They both chuckled as Sera climbed down beside them.
"I’m looking forward to fighting by your side, Commander." She smirked up at him.
"Likewise, Inquisitor."
"Lets fuck some baddies up!" Sera whooped beside them.
"Do we have to bring her?" Cullen sighed.
"I don't think you can stop her now." Efa chuckled, warmth spreading through her chest as he stroked along her ear.
"We’ll depart at your leave." Cullen bowed his head, leaving her to prepare.

Things were never simple. Somehow their approach had not gone unnoticed. They could see smoke as they approached, dismounting and tethering the horses and Revas out of the way. There was still resistance, Red Templars rushed to meet them at the gates. They cut a path up to the temple, Cullen and Iron Bull leading the charge, Sera and Varric flanking her either side as they cleared out the stragglers.
Inside was a mess. The smoke filled the hallway as they braced themselves. Looking around Efa could see the formations of red lyrium everywhere.
"This place is already half destroyed." She coughed.
"Samson must have ordered his Templars to sack his headquarters so we couldn’t." She could see Cullens anger flaring.
"Oh, pissy one." Sera cursed. "Wrecked his toys and left."
"I think you’re right." He agreed with her. "Still, we’ve dealt Samson a blow."

They continued past the lingering enemies, finishing each one as quickly as possible. As they reached the final chamber a lone man, unaltered by the foul substance sat as if waiting for them.
"Hello, Inquisitor." His tone was flat as he looked up at them approaching. She could see the tell tale sign of Tranquility on his head.
"You know me?" She tilted her head.
"It’s Maddox. Samson’s Tranquil." He knelt down in front of the man. "Something’s wrong. I’ll send for the healers-"
"That would be a waste, Knight-Captain Cullen." His head turned from Efa to Cullen as he spoke. "I drank my entire supply of blightcap essence. It won’t be long now."
"We only wanted to ask you questions, Maddox." Efa's brow furrowed in pity.
"Yes." He looked at her again, slowly. "That is what I could not allow."

"I destroyed the camp with fire." He continued. "We all agreed it was best. Our deaths ensured Samson had time to escape."
"You threw your lives away?" Cullen growled. "For Samson? Why?"
"Samson saved me even before he needed me." His breathing became shorter. "He gave me purpose again. I- wanted to help…"
His voice trailed away, lost with his final breath. She placed her hand on Cullen's shoulder.
"We should check the camp." Cullen looked around. "Maddox may have missed something."

They fanned out to search quickly, the flames continuing to burn around them. Dorian returning with a pack of tools in his hand.
"These are lyrium-forging implements. Of remarkable design." He handed them to Cullen. "Intact, they’d be worth a fortune."
"Tranquil often design their own tools. Dagna should be able to make sense of them." Cullen looked at the tools and then to Efa, "If Maddox used these to make Samson’s armour, she could use them to unmake it. We have him."

"There's this as well." Efa handed him some untouched papers, intentionally left safe from the flames by design.
"Samson left a message. For me." Cullen looked through the message quickly. “Drink enough lyrium, and its song reveals the truth. The Chantry used us. You’re fighting the wrong battle. Corypheus chose me as his general, and his vessel of power.”

"Does he think I’ll understand?"
She shrugged and coughed again the air becoming thicker with smoke as they spoke. Cullen looked at her concerned, he noticed now a tear in her coat and the faint stain of red against her shoulder. His brow furrowed, if they hadn't found anything else by now they never would. His worry for her more important than Samson. He took her hand and began to lead her out.
"Let's get out of here."

Cullen's mind would not settle, thankfully Efa had barely been scratched. But he wondered if there was something more suited she should be wearing given how deadly her work was. And he cursed inwardly knowing they were at another roadblock with Sampson and his armour. As they made their way back to Skyhold he found himself wanting less and less to return the the fortress and more wanting to seek out a familiar comfort. At the base of the mountain he had told the others to go on without him. Unsurprisingly, Efa hadn't hesitated to accompany him when he asked. Where he wanted to go was only a few hours ride. He had hoped it would be how he remembered, but with her by his side he was sure it would not matter.

"Where are we?" Efa patted Revas as he and Cullen's horse grazed in the long grass.
"You walk into danger every day." Cullen waited for her to join him. "I wanted to take you away from that."
"This place has special meaning to you?" She stepped out of the grass to the shore beside him.
"I grew up not far from here." Cullen took her hand again and lead her towards the lake. "This place was always quiet."
"Did you come here often?" She squeezed his hand lightly as they reached the end of the pier. The sun was just setting in the sky, a faint orange hue bouncing off the lake. Cullen likened it to the colour of Efa's hair, warm and inviting.
"Beautiful." He whispered softly.
"Hmm?" She looked at him with her soft eyes, a faint smile ghosting along her lips.
"Er- I loved my siblings, but they were very loud." Cullen blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I would come here to clear my head."

Already his mind felt quieter. The anger he had felt earlier had subsided and replaced with a tight feeling in his chest, one he encountered whenever she was near.
"Of course, they always found me eventually."
"You were happy here?" She curled their fingers together gently.
"I was." He smiled down at her. "I still am."
"Don't you miss your parade of messengers and war reports?" she chuckled. "Its been a few days since you've been at Skyhold. You must be itching to-"
"I've survived this long." He smirked. "Besides, I'm sure Leliana would find a way to send word if-"
"Cullen." She chided as he turned to look at the sky, a serious look on his face. "You. Me. Alone. Pretty lake."
"Right. Of course."
He turned back to her fully, taking her other hand and kissing her gently. There were so may things he wanted to speak of, but there was not enough time for it all.

"How long since you we're last here?" She asked when he withdrew.
"It was the day I left for Templar training." He released on of her hands and reached into the inner pocket of his cloak. "My brother gave me this."
She watched as he pulled out an ordinary coin from the folds of the fabric. Her head tilted questioningly as he held it up for her to see in the dying light.
"It just happened to be in his pocket, but he said it was for luck." Cullen shrugged lightly as he spoke. "Templars are not supposed to carry such things. Our faith should see us through."
"You broke the Order’s rules?" She feigned surprise. "I’m shocked."
"You weren't the first rule I ever broke," he said matter of factly before his expression darkened. "But after what happened I made it sure it was the last. Until a year ago that is, when your sister knocked some sense into me."
"Glad one of them did."

He looked at the coin, taking a breath trying to banish the memories of Kirkwall away. He didn't want to dwell on that, not now with her here with him.
"This was the only thing I took from Ferelden that the Templars didn’t give me."
"A little luck can’t hurt, every now and then." She reached up to cup his cheek, her fingers rubbing over his over grown stubble.
"I suppose not." he nodded. "I should have died during the Blight. Or at Kirkwall, or Haven. Take your pick."
She frowned at him, she didn't like hearing him speak so downheartedly at his past.
"And yet I made it back here." He flicked the coin up, and caught it in his hand, something she could tell he did often. "Humour me…"

She was surprised to see him hold the coin to her.
"We don’t know what you’ll face before the end." He looked at her earnestly. "This can’t hurt."
"What about you?" She said softly, her own voice full of concern for him. "I don’t want your luck to run out."
"Nor do I." He agreed. "Not when I finally have some."
He still held the coin to her. She knew it meant something to him, something important. She could picture his younger self cradling the small trinket with joy. She couldn't refuse him, not when he looked at her just so with those eyes. The golden light shining in them briefly before the sun disappeared behind the trees.
"I know it’s foolish…" He said as she took the coin in her hand. She could see the tension release from his shoulders with a deep sigh.
"I’ll keep it safe." She promised.
"Good." He pulled her closer. "I’m glad."

He kissed her gently, both of his hand cupping her cheeks. He had hoped to relay all his feelings to her in that moment. Even now, months later he struggled to believe she was his after all that time. She might not believe herself to be the Herald of Andraste as people called her, but to him: she was his miracle. He wanted to worship her with every fibre of his being, if only they had the chance. When they returned to Skyhold he would find a way to spend time with her.

The had made it back to Skyhold late, both of them weary as they stabled their tired steads. He bid her goodnight and returned to his office. The ride had helped but he was unable to sleep, tossing and turning until he gave up. Dropping back down to his office he began sifting through all the missives he had received and formulating plans to send people to the Temple of Dumas to see if anything had been missed. He looked over the letter Sampson had left pondering its words again before he tucked it into his own report for Josephine and Leliana.

When Dagna received the tools she was confident they would be put to use. She shut herself in the Undercroft for several days while she worked. Cullen could do nothing but return to normal. Drills, reports, and when he had a spare moment: Efa. He had barely seen her since they returned, with no pressing concerns across the nation she had been in resident at Skyhold but she had been thrust in front of visiting dignitaries from all over the land. After their latest meeting, which had unfortunate lasted the entire afternoon, arguing over judgement of the Orleasian Grand Duchess and the reports from Sahrnia. She had surprised him by walking with him, hand in hand, back across the centre walk way to his office. He tried to contain overwhelming feeling that rose in him as they walked, focusing on the report in front of him to keep himself calm.

"The red lyrium deposits are being destroyed, and we’ve cut the Red Templars down to the core." He read the report for the fifth time that day, hoping something new would present itself. "It’s a pity Maddox thought his sacrifice was the only answer."
"It's not over yet," she reminded him. "Dagna will have something soon I am sure."
"You're right, we've left Samson with a severely curtailed army, and enchanted armour he can’t maintain." He tried to focus on the positives. "You did it."
"We both fought to make this happen." She said as he opened the door to his office to her. "Don’t sell yourself short."
"Well, I-thank you." He smile gratefully. Closing the door behind them.
"I'm proud of you."

There was something in the air around them. Both of them simultaneously coming to the same conclusion: there was no more work for them, no dinners to be attended and no new reports to read. They were alone. She lent against his desk and grabbed the papers from his hand tossing them onto the desk.
"You've looked at those enough." She chided. "Perhaps you should look at something more important instead?"
"What- Oh."
He felt a thrill rise in him as she smirked at him. He stepped closer and curled his arms around her waist to kiss her. The kiss grew heated fast, Cullen could feel all of the pent up desire for her threatening to unleash itself. Finally, he felt he could allow himself to do that. He had just begun to tug on her collar, to continue down her neck, when the door burst open and a slightly smoking but excitable dwarf barrelled in.

"I finished it! Oh Inquisitor! You're here as well!" Dagna rambled excitedly when she noticed Efa poking her head around the side of the Commander, lips swollen and face flushed. "Are you kiss- I mean talking? Were you talking? I can come back?"
"Its okay," Efa slid out from Cullen who huffed irritably. "You have something for us?"
"Sorry!" She thrust the object in her hand at Efa. "Here this, you need it."
"You came all this way for a rune?" Culled folded his arms across his chest.
"It’s not just any rune. I made it with red lyrium and what’s left of poor Maddox’s tools." Efa and Cullen looked at the rune warily at arms length "It's safe! The rune acts on the median fissures of lyrium to- it’ll destroy Samson’s armour. He’ll be powerless!"
She finished with a pleased look on her face, looking between them as they turned over the rune to inspect it further.
"We’ll cut Corypheus off from his most powerful officer." Efa looked up at Cullen with a smile.
"Maddox covered Samson’s track thoroughly. But wherever Samson’s retreated, we’ll find him." Cullen took the rune from her to inspect it. "Your army stands ready, Inquisitor. For Samson, for Corypheus, for whatever you command."
There was an underlying passion to his voice with his final words. Efa felt heat flare up in her cheeks again as he handed her back the ruin.
"That's- my cue to er- leave…" Dagna backed out of the room closing the door.

Cullen crossed the room after her and flicked the lock, sighing in annoyance and relief. Efa smirked and followed, pushing him up against the door. The wood creaked as she pushed herself against him and kissed him hard. One of his hands circled her hips to grab her rear, the other slowly made its way up her back until it was in her hair. His fingers worked loose the twists of her braids until her hair fell down to her shoulders. She pulled back, gasping softly for breath, her cheeks flushed. Cullen had never thought she looked more beautiful, with her hair wild and the collar of her shirt still pulled aside where he had attempted to gain access earlier.
"It's getting late…" She bit her lip nervously. "There's nothing urgent needed in the morning…"
"Right…" He could feel his heartbeat quicken.
"I could stay…" She almost whispered, the implications of the words lingered in the air. "If you wanted that?"
"I do- want you to stay." Cullen felt anxiety rise in his chest. "Its just- I still worry from last time…"

Ice drowned them both. The both knew they needed to talk about this.
"I understand. I'm sorry." She looked timid suddenly as she tugged her shirt back into place. "I didn't mean we had to do anything like that- but we should talk about- how I hurt you-"
"No you didn't-! Well yes technically…" He stepped towards her to pull her into his arms again. "But I should have stopped! I didn't realise I was hurting you too- you were just so- mesmerising…"
Cullen lifted her chin to look at her his fingers ghosting along the line of her jaw and tucking her messy strands behind her ears. He placed a gentle kiss at the base of her ear, delighting in the way she shuddered in his arms.

"I enjoyed myself up to that point." She blushed.
"As did I." He smiled. "Although it was not how I envisioned people finding out about us."
"You didn't want to be found half naked in my bed after you gave me a glass shattering orgasm?" She raised her eyebrows at him and laughed.
"You are impossible." He couldn't help but snort. "Will that- happen every time?"
"Dorian says it can happen in the beginning until we get used to the feeling." Her laughter subsided as she returned to being serious. "Bull suggested a 'safe word'."
"'Safe word'?" He looked at her questioningly.
"A word we can use to mean we need to stop," She explained. "Or even just slow down if things get too much."
"What kind of word?"
"Bull suggested something Qunari," She felt foolish suddenly at the suggesting, hoping it would not put him off. "But it should be something easy for both of us."
"That- sounds very sensible." He was still nervous, but he had not been able to keep the sight of her flushed in pleasure far from his mind in the weeks since they were at Halamshiral.

"We can give it a try."
"Not if you're not ready." She looked at him reading his worried expression. "I don't want to cause you to- again…"
"I'll be ready this time." he smiled softly, reassuringly.
He kissed her again gently, more at ease now with the issue laid open. He did not want to hurt her again. He had caused her enough hurt for a life time. He thought back on everything he had been through and wished a silent prayer to the Maker for giving him this second chance. It didn't take long for desire to return, heating up between both of them as he continued to kiss her. She groaned softly beneath him, he could hear a hint of impatience in her voice. He smiled and withdrew.
"'Circle'" He said to her.
"What?" She looked confused.
"The word." He eased her back to the edge of the desk. "'Circle'"
"Right- Yes-" She chuckled at the choice. "'Circle' it is."

Her laughter died as he kissed her more firmly. His hand came up to angle her head so that he could reach deeper. She braced her hands on the desk to stop herself falling back and opened up to his lead. He parted her legs, sliding his knee between them making her keen softly in response.
"Is this okay?" He asked breaking away from her mouth.
"Yes…" Her voice was husky, "Do you not want to go up?"
Cullen felt warmth down his spine when he looked at the lust in her eyes.
"No." His fingers teased the hem of her trousers, skating along until they reached the laces that held them shut. "I don't think I can wait any longer."
She whined softly as his fingers met her skin. He took care, tugging the laces loose, kissing along her jaw as he did.

"Tell me if it's too much." He whispered against her ear as his hand began to slide beneath the fabric, his leg easing off to give him room.
She took a breath as his hand reached down further. His gaze remained fixed on her, watching her for any signs of discomfort. Seeing none, he continued, his fingers now beneath the cloth of her smalls and the soft dusting of hair before he reached-
"Ahh!" She gasped out. Cullen carefully surrounded the sensitive bundle of nerves and pressed between her folds, feeling his fingers coated with her slick. He remembered the feeling from last time enjoying the molten heat at her entrance.
"I like knowing you get excited for me like this." He kissed her lips softly. "Can you feel what you do to me?"
"Y-yes!" she whined, feeling his erection brush against her leg. He used her leg to grind against gently, taking the small relief as he focused his efforts to her.

He pressed a finger into her, slowly, agonisingly so for her but she knew better than to try and rush. She didn't want shock him again. She resolved to keep her hands firmly on the desk just in case, as much as she wanted to grab onto him now as he began to work his finger inside her. She settled instead to bury her face into the fur on his shoulder, inhaling his intoxicating scent.
"More?" Cullen asked. His free hand stroking her loosened hair.
"Please!" She whined needily.
She could feel the prickle at her fingertips when his second finger entered her, the palm of his hand brushed against her clit unintentionally sending a jolt through her. She focused on breathing, on keeping calm as he pressure built in her. She could feel it coiling, her palms beginning to vibrate. A spark cracking unmistakably between the sounds of her moans.
"Cullen!" She gasped. "Cir-circle!"

His hand stilled instantly, he had heard it too. She lent backwards away from him and took several deep breaths.
"Are you alright?" He looked at her worriedly.
"Static." She blushed, feeling the prickle in her palms.
"Do you want to stop?" He slid his fingers from her, resting them gently over her without pulling out entirely. He already missed the the warm feeling of her enveloping his fingers, and the fluttering of her body against them.
"No," She panted. "I just need a moment…"
"Alright."
"Kiss me," she smiled at him. "Please?"

He tilted her head to the side and pressed his lips to her, the kiss was slow and steady, until she pressed harder. He gladly deepened the kiss. Feeling bold, he ran his tongue across her bottom lip. She gasped and he took advantage, tasting her in a way he had never experienced before. When they parted her eyes were glazed over. Her chest heaved as she tried to catch what little breath she could muster.
"Keep going…" She rasped, canting her hips towards him.
"You're sure?"
"I need-" She keened as his fingers delved back into her. "Cullen!"
The calm she had achieved didn't last long. His fingers returned more insistent, his pace quickening and slowing in response to her moans. She felt the growing tension burning in her again, and Cullen grew more adventurous in his touches. His thumb brushed against her clit, intentionally this time, she realised as it began to circle the sensitive nerve.

Her fingers began to spark again. She gripped the edge of the table tightly as Cullen's lips found her neck, each kiss adding too bubble threatening to burst at any moment. She couldn't hide her voice, her pleas becoming broken and more desperate with each flick of his fingers.
"Efa?" Cullen looked at her carefully as she cried out.
"Don't stop!" She moaned. "Don't you dare fucking stop."
"Are you close?" His breath was hot against her neck.
"Yes."
"Good." He smiled against her skin. "Still in control?"
"I think so-" She keened "I-"

Her cries were buried in the sound of splintering wood. Cullen could feel her walls clench around him, he stilled his fingers his eyes grown wide when he smelt the faint trace of burning wood. She shook in his hold, carefully he lifted his hand from her, trying to avoid causing her any more stimulation. She could feel the waves of after shock coursing through her. Unlike the first time they were pleasant, she felt the warmth spread through her body as her breathing returned to normal. Her hands were hot. Oh. Oh no.
"Are you alright?" He cupped her cheek and stroked her face soothingly.
"What did I do?" She trembled, suddenly fearful. "Did I hurt you?"
"No you er-" Cullen looked behind her and down to where her hands were still clutching his desk. "You may have-burnt the desk."
Cullen stepped back as Efa finally let go of the table, grabbing a cloth from the side to wipe his hand as she inspected the damage. Now that her hands had released his desk he could see the blackened shape of her hand prints, visible clearly to anyone who came in the main door. From each print, lines splintered from outward over lapping, cracks of lightning that had seared the wood almost covering the entire topography of his desk.

"Well it's better than the glass…" She said admiring her work. "Although- people are going to see…."
"Let them." He curled his arms around her from behind. "How do you feel?"
"Good," She lent back into his embrace. "That was really good."
"I'm glad." He lightly kissed along her neck.
"What about you?" She could feel him against her.
"Ah-" She didn't have to see his face to know he was blushing. "You don't have to-"
"I want too." She chuckled. "It's only fair, you've had two turns now."
"I don't want to overwhelm you."

Efa turned in his hold and put her arms around his neck to kiss him. She kissed him roughly, trailing her hand down his chest and between them over the noticeable bulge in his trousers. He hissed at the touch and she felt him twitch under her hand.
"Are you sure?" The was a devilish smirk on her face.
"Maker's breath." He groaned as she rubbed over him.
"Perhaps we should head to your bed?" She smiled. "I think your desk has suffered enough."
"I think you might be right." He smirked. "Go on ahead, I'll be right up."
"Alright," She removed herself from him and wandered over to the ladder to his loft. Behind her Cullen removed his cloak and outer armour, placing it atop the stand beside his desk quickly. When he turned she was most of the way up the ladder. He chuckled at himself as he looked up at the back of her before reaching for the ladder.
"What are you smirking about." She looked down as she reached the top.
"Enjoying the view." He said unashamedly. "I have a new appreciation for this ladder."
"Oh really." She began to kick off her boots. "You should hurry up and join me."
"As you command my Lady Inquisitor."
He laughed louder as her boot sailed passed his head. She huffed unamused at the use of her title. He hurried up the ladder behind her, finding she had already shucked her outer clothing. Her jacket and other boot lay in a crumpled pile by his bed.
"Well Commander?" She tilted her head playfully, holding out her hand to him. "Shall we to bed?"

They came together again in a flurry of kisses and flying clothing, and for the first time Cullen was bare against her. Efa couldn't stop her hands as she pushed him to the bed, giving no less attention to him than he had done to her previously. His erection that had abated slightly, stirred again as her hand reached down between them, taking him in her grasp.
"Efa…" He moaned as she stroked his length. He would drown in her gaze, her desire for him holding him transfixed as she fanned the flames of his arousal. He would not last long like this, her hand feeling completely different to his own, her touch electrifying all his nerves. He didn't know if that was just how it was or if it was her magic, either way all that mattered was it was her. Efa didn't need much guidance, her thumb pressed over the head of his cock causing to let out a guttural moan.
"Efa-" His voice cracked as she squeezed down the shaft, "I'm-!"
He spilt over her hand taking he by surprise. His body shuddered violently beneath her as he finished.
"Are you alright?" She lay against him, propping herself on his chest, inspecting her hand and the mess he had made. He pulled her into a kiss, his hand cupping her rear to bring her closer.
"More than so." He whispered against her lips. "You are wonderful."
"I'm glad that went- better." She chuckled.
"I agree."

Cullen released her long enough to find something to clean them both with. She curled back against him the moment she could as he pulled the covers across them both. His body was warm and inviting as she hooked her leg over his. She sighed contentedly listing to the sound of Cullen's breathing as he fell asleep, his heart beat lulling her into a deep and fitful dream.
When the first hint of dawn peaked through the rafters she opened her eyes. With a yawn she sat up, the covers falling from her. She felt a shiver in the morning air, she looked back at Cullen, still sleeping soundly. His hair was unkempt and his brow furrowed slightly as if he was dreaming. Moving slow she slid out of the bed, looking for her discarded clothing.

She looked for her boots, annoyed when she could only fine one of them.
"Where..?" Oh. She chuckled quietly remembering how she had thrown it down at Cullen the night before.
"No…"
Efa froze at the sudden sound of Cullen's voice behind her. She turned but Cullen was still asleep, his face suddenly pained.
"Leave me…" He muttered. "Leave me."
She perched back on bed, reaching her hand out to place it on his chest soothingly. He jerked awake the moment her hand connected, looking at her startled, as if he was unsure where he was. For a moment his expression reminded her of their last day in the Circle. The last look she had seen on his face, she tensed for a moment before it soften. As he relaxed, so to did she, placing her hand flat on his skin.
"Bad dream?" She asked softly, sliding closer to him.
"They always are." He placed his hand over hers, dwarfing it entirely and he enclosed his fingers around hers. "Without lyrium, they’re worse."
He released her hand and reached up to her face stroking her cheek softly. She lent into his hand, a notion that was becoming a natural response for them. She shut her eyes for a moment and enjoyed the feeling.
"I didn’t mean to worry you." He looked embarrassed.
"You can let me worry about you a little." She raised her eyebrows at him, "Creators know you do enough on your own."
"All right." He chuckled.
"Despite the dream," She trailed her hand up his chest to his neck. "Is it still a good morning?"
He pulled her down and kissed her softly.

"It’s perfect."

Chapter Text

Efa followed Varric along the battlements. The dwarf had cornered her, moments after she had left the war room asking her for a word. Cullen had watched them slink off suspiciously into the garden. Unfortunately he lost sight of them as he was handed yet another report. The pair had slipped up the stairs at the far end beside the makeshift Chantry, Efa felt almost disturbed by Varric's uncharacteristic silence.

"What is this about Varric?" She eyed him as he opened the door to one of the few remaining derelict towers.
"Inside." He insisted.
Efa stepped inside letting her eyes adjust to the sudden darkness. There was movement in front that set her on alert.
Instinctively her hand lit up in defence.
"Now now Inquisitor. No need for dramatics." Varric patted her arm firm enough to lower it. "Meet Hawke: the Champion of Kirkwall."

Efa looked over the woman, distinguishable now that her eyes had focused. She was taller than Efa. Her short hair looked almost the exact shade of red as her own. However, her jaw was not as angular, her face just that bit fuller than Efa's. She could see the resemblance without a doubt.
"Though I don’t use that title much anymore."
"Hawke, the Inquisitor." Varric pushed her further into the room.
"Cassandra is going to kill you." Efa hissed back at him. "You know that?"
"Why do you think I waited for her to leave? "
The dwarf grinned, Efa sighed. Cassandra had left earlier that day with Blackwall and Sera, errands that they deemed beneath Efa's priorities. She was more than happy to let them. It had meant she could have a few days where she could be with Cullen. At least until Varric had dropped this on her.

"I wasn't sure I believed Varric's claims about our relations," Hawke looked her up and down. "But it feels like I'm looking in an elfy mirror."
"Not offended I hope that I'm an elf?"
"I happen to know several excellent elves actually." She smirked. "As long as you're not a crazy blood mage, that's all that matters."
"I agree," Efa liked how she spoke.
"So Varric said you knew your- our- fathers name." Hawke folded her arms across her chest. "You never tried to seek us out?"
"I knew he had a new family," Efa perched against one of the fallen beams. "But I wasn't aware you had survived Lothering until Varric told me."
"Survived is a relative term…"

The air grew cold between them. Varric sensing the mood drop tried to bring them back on topic.
"I figured you might have some friendly advice about Corypheus. You and I did fight him, after all."
Hawke lent back against the opposite wall propping her foot against the stone.
"From what I was told you’ve already dropped half a mountain on the bastard." She nodded approvingly. "I’m sure anything I can tell you pales in comparison."
"Oh, I don’t know." Efa shrug. "You did save a city from a horde of rampaging Qunari."
"I don’t see how that really applies…" Hawke raised her brow at Efa. "Or is there a horde of rampaging Qunari I don’t know about?"
She feigned looking around despite the fact they were inside.
"There’s a Qunari. He almost qualifies as a horde all by himself." Efa pondered sarcastically. "Fortunately, he’s on our side. Don't let him buy you a drink you will regret it."
"Sounds like fun." She grinned. "So, then, what can I tell you?"

"Varric said that you fought Corypheus before." Efa dropped the playful banter.
"Fought and killed." Hawke growled. "The Grey Wardens were holding him, and he somehow used his connection to the darkspawn to influence them."
"Corypheus got into their heads." Varric explained. "Messed with their minds. Turned them against each other."
"If the Wardens have disappeared, they could have fallen under his control again."
"So Corypheus has the Venatori, the Red Templars, and now possibly the Wardens as well?" She felt sick, Was this why Leliana had been unable to find Briallen. Did Corypheus have her too? "Wonderful. No wonder I haven't heard anything from Briallen."
"Briallen? Like the 'Hero of Ferelden' Briallen?" Hawke asked. "You know her?"

"Varric." Efa's head turned sharply to the dwarf who was trying to hide his glee as Hawke looked between them both. Efa looked at him sternly and tutted.
"Hey! I didn't get to see the look on her face when I told her she had one more sister." Varric shrugged turning to watch Hawke. "Now I can see it when she finds out there's two!"
"Varric don't fuck with me." Hawke warned, standing up slightly with her fist clenched threateningly.
"Hes not." Efa sighed as she stepped forward between them just in case. "My twin- Our sister is the warden who stopped the fifth blight."
Hawke blinked at her. Stunned into silence. Varric chuckled beneath his breath and Efa was sure she heard him mutter 'Worth it' before Hawke recovered.

"What the fuck is wrong with our family?" She looked at Efa and both of them burst into laughter.
"'Hero of Ferelden', 'Champion of Kirkwall', 'Herald of Andraste'" Efa couldn't help her cackles. "It sounds like something from one of Varric's stories."
"You know I could make it work!" Varric shook his head at them, amused and grateful to how well they were getting on already. "I wonder what the kid might get up to."
"The kid?" Hawke asked. The look on her face as if to say 'more?'.
"Bri's daughter, Isolde." Efa explained, she felt sorry for Hawke. It was a lot of information to receive all at once. "She's nine."
"Nine and has six kills already." Varric chuckled. "She's a hero of her own making."
"That's- Impressive." Hawke looked bemused. "If not a little scary."
"Hey Hawke I found you a family!" Varric slapped her arm playfully. "A cursed one but its no worse than the company you keep."
"Varric, I might still kill you yet." Hawke glared at him.
"Who me? Never." the dwarf scoffed. "You'd be lost without me."
"Perhaps we should return to the issue at hand."

"Right," Hawke turned away from Varric back to Efa. "I didn’t come this far just to give you bad news."
"That wasn't the good news?" Hawke rolled her eyes at Efa.
"I’ve got my own friend in the Wardens." She continued. "He was investigating something unrelated for me. His name is Stroud. The last time we spoke, he was worried about corruption in the Warden ranks. Since then, nothing."
"Corypheus would certainly qualify as corruption in the ranks." The dwarf pondered. "Did your friend disappear with them?
"No." Hawke crossed her arms. "He told me he’d be hiding in an old smuggler’s cave near Crestwood."
"If you didn’t know about Corypheus, what were you doing with the Wardens?" Efa suddenly wondered.
"The Templars in Kirkwall were using a strange form of lyrium. It was red." Hawke explained. "I’d hoped the Wardens could tell me more about it."

Efa felt a sickening feeling, had Cullen been exposed to the red lyrium before this? No. She knew he wouldn't have. Cullen was of sound mind, at least of what she'd seen. If he had, she knew he would have suffered the same fate as the Red Templars.
"Corypheus had Templars with him at Haven." Efa said, her voice betraying her concern. "They looked like they’d been exposed to the lyrium you describe."
"Hopefully my friend in the Wardens will know more."
"I’ll take any lead I can get at the moment." she smiled at her sister gratefully.
"Good. I’ll do whatever I can to help. Corypheus is my responsibility. I thought I’d killed him before. This time, I’ll make sure of it."

"We should head out quickly." Efa moved towards the door opening it as she spoke. "I should let Commander- Oof!"
Efa fell through the door that opened from the other side, falling straight into the metal plat of Cullen's armour.
"There you are," Cullen steadied her. "I had wondered where you both had skulked- Hawke?!"
"Knight-Captain?!" Hawke scowled. "What in Andraste's ass are you doing here?"
"I- er" Cullen stuttered.
"Commander Rutherford leads the Inquisition forces now." Efa supplied helpfully.
"What? Given up devotion to the Chantry?" she quipped.

Cullen bristled defensively. Despite his actions at the end, it seemed Hawke harboured negative feelings for him still.
"I have separated myself from that life." Efa watched him puff out his chest as he spoke. "I no longer answer to the Chantry or the Order. "
"Cullen has proven himself." Efa said. "He is an indispensable member of the council, and I am fully aware of his history with the Templars."
The last bit was added as Hawke opened her mouth. Efa kept her gaze firm as she looked at the Champion.
"We have complete transparency," She continued. "I trust him with my life."
"Hmmp." she lent against the door frame.

"I was just coming to find you." She looked away from Hawke and Varric in the doorway. "We're leaving."
"What-? Now? I thought we were-" He looked disappointed.
"It's important." Efa tried to reassure him. "We have a lead."
She motioned back at Hawke, Cullen nodded in understanding. He was disappointed, she could see that.
"When?"
"Soon as, Curly." Hawke brushed passed him. Varric shrugged apologetically as they passed. "Get ready sis I'll meet you at the gate."

They slowly walked back along to his office.
"You didn't have to defend me." Cullen spoke softly. "She has every right to be angry at me."
"Of course I would defend you you're my-" She paused. Lover? Boyfriend? Partner? "Commander…"
"We haven't really established that have we?" Cullen opened the door to his office.
"Ahh, no." She blushed, turning to the wardrobe in the corner. She opened it to reveal her battle coat. She quickly placed the her jacket and scarf on the shelf and pulled out her armoured boots. They had found it easier to keep her armour here, closer to the stables and gate, they had both agreed. In reality she had spent more nights here than not when she was in residence. Both of them sleeping easier in the same bed they had found.

Culled helped her with her gauntlets, ensuring they were secured properly. With a smile she grabbed her staff.
"Do be careful." Cullen warned as they descended to the courtyard. "Hawke can be, prickly."
"I'm sure we'll be okay," Efa smiled. "She doesn't seem to hate me."
Cullen gave her a look, she laughed softly. At the gate, Hawke was waiting, alongside her hart and a horse.
"I don't know how long we will be." She frowned. "I'll send word through any passing camps."
"Thank you."
She lifted herself into the saddle, Hawke followed, saying her good byes to Varric. Efa, acting on instinct, lent down to kiss Cullen goodbye. It had become their routine. Always as she left, and each she returned.
"Travel safe," He smiled at her.
"I always do vhenan." She straightened up, both of them freezing as they realised Hawke was staring at them alarmed. Efa cleared her throat and nudged Revas forward. Her sister followed, throwing a final scathing look towards Cullen as she rode out.

"Curly? Really?" Hawke called to her as they crossed the bridge.
"Blondie?" Efa quipped back.
"That fucking dwarf can't help himself can he?"
"Nope…" Efa urged Revas into a gallop. "But what are friends for if not to meddle in our love lives?"
"I'll give you that." She laughed, flicking the reigns of her horse to match the inquisitors pace.

The Ride to Crestwood was quick. Unlike her companions, namely Dorian, Hawke was willing to ride longer and camp only when needed. They reached the location Hawke had mentioned later that afternoon, the rain soaking them both into glum silence as they rode carefully along the boggy paths.

"My contact with the Wardens should be at the back of the cave." Hawke broke the silence.
"He’s not the only Warden around here." Efa responded warily. "It’s a good thing his friends didn’t find him in Crestwood."
"They’ve been told he’s a traitor and ordered to capture or kill him." She sighed dismounting. "How much blood is shed by good men following bad orders?"
"Too much…" Efa squelched into the mud.
"Let’s go."
Carefully, they approached the cave mouth inside, Efa pulled out her staff tapping it lightly on the ground, igniting the top with a small sphere of fire, just enough to illuminate in front of them. The walked quietly along the tunnel until the came to a wooden barricade, marked with the bandit crest Efa recalled from her first trip to these rain cursed lands. It was smart to take up residence in a cleared den, whoever Hawke's friend was they were hood at covering their tracks.

She held up her hand, signalling for Hawke to stop as she pushed the door open. There was no other light, but Efa could smell the faint smell of smoke. A candle extinguished in haste. Whoever was here, they were poised for an ambush.
"We mean no harm," Efa stepped into the cavern. "I am-"
She felt it before she saw the blade. She ducked, flames sailed above her head, the tingle of the flames blissfully familiar. Efa twisted down, dropping her staff, the light dying as her concentration shifted. She instead conjured a bolt of lightning from her fingers hitting her assailant in the chest.
"Andraste's ass!" A familiar voice swore at her.
"Resorting to the Human's curses now are we sister?"

Efa rose from her crouched position, feeling steel at her neck. She had not heard the other approach. The woman flicked her hand, fire flying across the room towards the candle, illuminating the scene properly.
To Efa's right stood a man, clad in the familiar blue armour of the Grey Warden's and brandishing a sword at her throat. Efa paid him no mind, instead looking to the woman. Her uniform was the same shade, her chest plated lightly but her robes flowing signalling her as a mage. She held what looked like the hilt of a sword in her hand, but Efa new it was expandable, she had watched her design the staff herself.
"Aneth ara, lethallan."
"You know this woman?" the man spoke. Neither had noticed Hawke leaning on the door frame watching the exchange.
"She's my sister." Briallen holstered the hilt to her hip. "What on earth are you doing here?"
"Looking for your friend." She turned her head towards the man as he lowered his blade. On seeing her face his eyebrows raised. "Are you just going to stand there Hawke?"

Both the Warden's tensed as the Champion entered the lightened part of the room. The warrior, a black haired and moustached human, raised his sword again.
"It’s just me Stroud." she waved her hand to pacify him. "I brought the Inquisitor."
"Inquisitor?" Briallen snapped her attention back to Efa
"Its been an interesting few months." Efa shrugged.
"My name is Stroud," he holstered his sword. "I am at your service, Inquisitor."
"What are you doing here?!" Briallen rushed forward to hug Efa, now that the tension had dissipated. "What of Isolde?"
"Shes fine. Mostly. Shes at Skyhold. It's a long and annoyingly complicated story." Efa sighed. "Let's just say I was in the wrong place, debatably at the right time,and now I can do this."
Efa raised her hand with the anchor, igniting the mark and allowing the green spark to sit for a moment before she released it. Using it without reason always caused irritation she preferred to avoid.
"Now I am the proclaimed 'Herald of Andraste' and being hunted by an evil Tevinter darkspawn who want's me dead."
"Just the regular week in the life of a Hawke it seems."

"And you are?" Briallen turned to the woman, she had to do a double looking at her properly.
"Marian Hawke," She folded her arms. "Otherwise known as the 'Champion of Kirkwall.'"
"Hawke?" Briallen turned to Efa.
"One and the same." Efa nodded.
"Care to explain?" Stroud looked at the three of them.
"It's recently come to light that we share a father." Efa smiled apologetically at Stroud. "We are sisters."
"That- is a lot to process." Briallen lit a few more candles in the cave. "And you mentioned the darkspawn hunting you?"
"An ancient magister." Efa took the chair offered. "Perhaps you've heard of him."
"Corypheus." Briallen muttered through gritted teeth.
"That's why I'm here. We had tried to reach out to you but seems Leliana's messengers could find no trace of you. I feared the worst."
"Leliana?" Briallen hadn't hear the name in a while. "She's working for the Inquisition?"
"My spymaster," Efa confirmed. "It was she who put me on the trail of the missing wardens."

"I need to know why the Wardens disappeared." Efa continued on looking between the Warden's. "Could it have anything to do with Corypheus?"
"I fear it is so." Stroud grimaced. "When Hawke slew Corypheus, Weisshaupt was happy to put the matter to rest."
"But an Archdemon can survive wounds that seem fatal, and I feared Corypheus might possess the same power." Briallen perched next to Efa "Our investigation uncovered clues, but no proof."
"Then, not long after, every Warden in Orlais began to hear the Calling."
"I recall that being a bad thing." Hawke quipped. "But I don’t recall you telling me about all this."
"It was a Grey Warden matter." Briallen huffed back, "We're bound by an oath of secrecy."
"You think Corypheus is using the 'Calling' to control the Grey Wardens?" Efa felt horrified.
"Not precisely, Your Worship." Stroud shook his head "The Calling warns a Grey Warden that his time in this world grows short."
"And every Grey Warden in Orlais is hearing that right now? They think they’re dying?" Hawke baulked at them.
"Yes, likely because of Corypheus." Briallen scowled. "If the Wardens fall, who will stand against the next Blight? It is our greatest fear."
"And then they do something desperate. Which is of course what Corypheus wants."
"Is the Calling they’re hearing real," Efa turned to Briallen concerned. "Or is Corypheus mimicking it somehow?"
"I know not. Even as senior Wardens, we've heard only the vaguest whispers of Corypheus." Briallen shook her head. "The Wardens believe that this Calling is real, and they will act accordingly. That is all we know for certain."
"You said all the Wardens are hearing the Calling." She swallowed hard as she asked the question. "Does that include you?"
"Sadly, yes. It lurks like a wolf in the shadows around a campfire." It was Stroud who answered. "The creature that makes this music has never known the love of the Maker but… at times, I almost understand it."
"Since the blight my song has been muted somewhat," Briallen patted Efa's should reassuringly. "Like I am trying to listen underwater. No Warden has lived through an Archdemon like I did, I don't think I am the same anymore."
"Another mystery for another time," Stroud sighed. "We must uncover what Corypheus has done and end it. This cannot stand."

Efa thought over it all, Corypheus had his clutches everywhere. She had only a glimpsed at half his plan in the 'dark future'. This was getting more complicated than they had anticipated.
"So the Wardens are making some last, desperate attack on the darkspawn?"
"We are the only ones who can slay Archdemons." Briallen nodded. "Without us, the next Blight will consume the world."
"Warden-Commander Clarel spoke of a blood magic ritual to prevent future Blights before we all perished." Stroud spat. "When I protested the plan as madness, my own comrades turned on me."
"Knowing I had dealings with Archdemons, Stroud enlisted my help before I got to Weisshaupt." Briallen rose from her perch over to the table near Stroud beckoning for the others to follow.
"Grey Wardens are gathering here," Stroud jabbed at the map. "In the Western Approach."
"It is an ancient Tevinter ritual tower." Briallen said an air of hopefulness in her voice. "There we will find answers."
"Hopefully, though I fear what those answers will be." Hawke growled. !I’ve seen too much blood magic to ever trust where it leads."
"That's at least a few days ride from here." Efa mulled over the map. "There should be an Inquisition camp here- We can stop to resupply and send word back to Skyhold."
"Sound's like a plan."

"Just the Scout I was looking for."
"Inquisitor!" Scout Harding looked up from the acquisition table. She gasped at the sight as Efa jumped down from her hart, her boots thick with mud, and her clothes dishevelled. Behind her a second identical woman dropped down beside her.
"Should I be worried you're multiplying or have I been out here too long."
"Harding this is Warden Briallen, my sister." She motioned back to the Warden. "Bri, this is Lace Harding, one of the best Inquisition scouts."
"You flatter me your Worship." Harding nodded to Briallen.
"Pleasure to meet you."
"And your other companions?" Harding looked around Revas to the other horses just outside the camp perimeter.
"Hawke, my er- other sister and Warden Stroud." Efa answered. "We're on our way west. I need to send work back to Skyhold."
"I'm due back in the morning." Harding smiled eye up her companions. "I will deliver anything you need."
"Dependable as always."

Hawke and Stroud entered the camp having dismounted and looked around, taking in the collection of soldiers and the few tents circled around a fire pit.
"And here I was hoping for a bath." Hawke sighed.
"Can't help you there." Harding sympathised. "Most we can offer is a dip in the river to the east."
"Delightful." Hawke rolled her eyes.
"Thank you Harding, We should only be here long enough to resupply." Efa patted the dwarfs shoulders. "We don't want to disrupt the agents here."
"Nonsense, there's a storm rolling in tonight. You'll be foolish to ride into it." Harding shook her head. "Besides, the Commander would have my head if he knew I'd let you ride into danger."
Efa looked down at Harding, the dwarf smirking knowingly.
"Fine." Efa sighed. "We'll leave at first light."

They took the remainder of the evening to clean themselves up as best they could, returning to camp from the river they found an additional tent set up for them, Stroud muttered about taking a roll out of the way and left the three woman to the tent. Not one to be idle, Briallen set to work helping to prepare some warm food for them all. Efa took the writing tools from Harding and began to pen her letters. The first to Leliana, updating her on their whereabouts and destination and the lead on the Grey Wardens. She relayed as much of the information as she could that Stroud and Briallen had told them. Trusting that Harding would not fail to deliver the letters, she made it as detailed as possible. Satisfied with her hasty report she sealed it and began the next.

She paused. She had never written to Cullen directly, outside of hastily left reports from her expeditions. How should she start it. She dipped the quill and began to write, it was hardly eloquent, but she knew he would appreciate even a scrap of what she wrote if it was for him. She smiled at the thought of him, already missing the warmth of his bed after several days hard riding. Efa was so lost in her thought she missed the sound of her name being called. The rough tap of a ladle on her head brought her back to her senses.
"W-what?" she looked up at Briallen started.
"Food." Her sister held a bowl of stew to her. She lowered the clipboard she had been writing on and took the offered food. Briallen sat down beside her, cupping her own as she began to eat. Out of curiosity her eyes lingered to the letter visible on the ground between them.

"'Vhenan'?" Briallen raised her eyebrow at the words.
Efa gasped and scrambled to hide the letter.
"That's private." She hissed in elvhen.
"I'm glad sister." she chuckled. "I thought you'd never get over that stupid Templar."
Efa said nothing. Looking intently into the bowl in front of her. Briallen noted her red cheeks and silence. She pursed her lips observing her sister as she ate and finished up the letter hastily, handing them both to Harding who tucked them into her inner pocket securely. Hawke watched them both, finishing her meal and heading to the tent after Efa, kicking off her boots at the door. Bidding Stroud goodnight, Briallen followed.

"You're cute when you talk all elfy." Hawke sat on her roll pulling off her jacket. "What were you talking about?"
"Just teasing." Briallen stripped down to her sleeping clothes. "Efa seems to have a boyfriend I didn't know about. She used to be hung up on this Templar boy while we were in the Circle before the bastard shem stabbed her."
Efa wanted to die. She could see the shit eating grin blossoming on Hawke's face. The woman began to laugh.
"I'm sorry." Hawke continued laughing. "But he tried to kill you and you're still fucking him?"
"Hawke!" Efa pleaded but it was too late. Briallen hand rounded on her, face scrunched in anger.
"Fucking?" Briallen turned to Efa. "Please tell me she's joking. Tell me you are not that stupid to have gone looking for that shem!"
"I didn't!" Efa defended. "We're not- Fucking. We haven't- I didn't know he was going to be there!"
"Where?"
"Knight-Captain Curly is the leader of her pretty little army." Hawke sprawled on her bed roll unhelpfully.
"Ar tu na'din." Briallen looked at her thunderously. Efa could feel the prickle of irritation at them both.
"I take it that's not good." Hawke propped herself up on her elbow. "I probably agree. He may have made one good decision at the end, but that doesn't change the fact he was a sanctimonious prick in Kirkwall."
"Kirkwall?" Briallen looked at Hawke, her anger rising. "Efa! what-"

"Shut up, both of you!" Efa said loudly. She was fairly certain everyone in camp could hear them now, but she didn't care. "Yes, Cullen is back in my life. And yes, we are together…"
Hawke and Briallen stared at her through her outburst.
"But neither of you have any leg to stand on when it comes to taste in men." Efa continued. "You dumped the King of Ferelden and had a baby with an assassin hired to kill you."
She pointed at Briallen violently. Hawke snickered.
"And you!" She rounded on Hawke. "BLEW. UP. THE. CHANTRY. I think an Ex-Templar who accidentally stabbed me, is tame by comparison…"

Hawke and Briallen blinked at her several times. And just like that all three of them burst into laughter.
"That sounds so ridiculous when you say it like that." Hawke wheezed.
"Creators we have the worst taste in men."
"The King of Ferelden?" Hawke looked at Briallen mischievously.
"Anders?" She threw back.
"Maker's breath," Hawke covered her face. "It never occurred to me you knew him too."
"Not just in the Circle." Briallen sighed. "I recruited him to the Grey Wardens. To save him from the Templars. I'd seen him every time he'd been dragged back. It was killing him."
"Not like he liked the Warden's any better he ran the first chance he got." Hawke shook her head.
"I let him." Briallen lay back on her roll. "I'd just found out I was pregnant, and then there was the debacle with Efa nearly dying."

Efa grimaced. She had been enjoying the reprieve from all the bashing. "It was a demon. How many times do I have to say it?"
"Hmmp."
They spent the next hour filling in the details, and finding out how much of their lives overlapped. Cullen, Alistair, Anders, even Zevran. Learning that Hawke had seen her disappearing lover not two years prior made Briallen angrier than she had been at Efa. Hawke sympathised, telling them of Fenris and surprising them both to tell them that she had two lovers not just one. And finally, Efa told the whole story, Cullen, her missing memories and how she became the Inquisitor.
"Well I admit you paint a pretty picture of him." Hawke lay on her back between the others. "I cant say I like him any better, but to give up lyrium- that's…"
"Dangerous." Briallen finished. "Templars go mad without lyrium…"
"He's doing great." Efa looked up at the ceiling of the tent. "It's been seven-? Eight months since we formed the Inquisition, so its been longer than that. There's been ups and downs but hes better now. Much better- I couldn't do this without him. Even when we were fighting.
"Erggh you sound so lovesick Efa." Briallen pulled her cover over her.
"Disgusting." Hawke agree.
"Yeah…" Efa turned in her roll. She wouldn't deny it.

Sensing the conversation had drawn to a close Briallen doused the candle. The tent descended into quiet as each of them fell asleep.

"Wait. You let the inquisitor leave by herself?"
Cassandra was staring at Varric and Cullen. Both one of them had mentally prepared for the Seekers wrath on her return.
"She's not alone she'd with-" Cullen barked, stopping himself before he revealed the secret Varric was sitting on.
"With. Who?" Cassandra squared up to Cullen. Despite her being shorter than the Commander she was no less imposing. Cullen took a slight step back as she rounded on him her face fierce with anger.
"She's with Hawke." Varric sighed.
It was going to come to light eventually. Best to get it over with now before Hawke turned back up on the doorstep to Skyhold.

Cassandra turned slowly to the dwarf. Cullen gripped the pommel of his sword warily. As expected, the Seeker exploded.
"You knew where Hawke was all along!" She dived at Varric, Cullen instinctively reached out to restrain her.
"You’re damned right I did!" Varric backed away.
"You conniving little shit!" She wriggled and arm out of Cullen's grasp, lashing out towards Varric. The Commander tightened his grip as Varric sidestepped further.
"You kidnapped me!" Varric shouted exasperated. "You interrogated me! What did you expect?"
"Enough!" Cullen struggled to hold on, trying to grab Cassandra's other arm.
"You’re taking his side?" The Seeker spat at him.
"I said enough!" He roughly tossed her the opposite way puffing up his chest and standing between them.
"We needed someone to lead this Inquisition."Cassandra growled at Varric. "First, Leliana and I searched for the Hero of Ferelden, but she had vanished. Then we looked for Hawke, but she gone, too. We thought it all connected, but no. It was just you. You kept her from us."
"The Inquisition has a leader." Varric folded his arms. "And she's out there doing damn fine work if you ask me!"
"Hawke would have been at the Conclave!" she advanced again but Cullen held out his hand to stop her. "If anyone could have saved Most Holy…"
"You can’t change the past, Cassandra."
"So I must accept- what?" Cullen could see the anguish in Cassandra's eyes "That the Maker wanted all this to happen? That He, that He…"
"I was protecting my friend…"
"You are a snake." She spat. "Even after the Conclave, when we needed Hawke most, you kept her secret."
"She's with us now." Varric said annoyed. "We’re on the same side!"
"We all know who’s side you’re on, Varric." She advanced again Cullen remained in step insuring he was between her and the dwarf. "It will never be the-"
"Er- Excuse me Commander?" All three turned to see Scout Harding hovering awkwardly, trying to look unassuming. Cullen could see the fatigue of travel soaked into the hem of her clothes. "I've an urgent missive from the Inquisitor."

Cullen lowered his hands, forgetting about the fight instantly. He took three large strides to the scout and tore the letter from her outstretched hand.

Vhenan,

I miss you. A lot. And I'm sorry I won't be returning to Skyhold anytime soon. We make for the Western Approach as soon as dawn breaks.
I wont bore you with the details in my report. I know you'll pour over every detail several times over when you should be sleeping.
Hawke's contact came with an unexpected addition, Briallen. Although I fear when she finds out about our relationship she may try to kill you. It is a joy to see her but I know I will incur her ire once she hears the truth. Please tell Isolde that Bri intends to come see her as soon as we are able.
I hope you managed to find sleep ma Vhenan.
My roll is cold without you here to keep me warm.

Yours affectionately
Efa

The edge of the letter crumpled in his hand. Briallen. Fuck. As much as he was happy she had back up, he remembered how much anger the Warden had held for him after she had rescued them.
"What is it?" Cassandra asked. All the anger dissipating instantly.
"They've gone west." He answered looking from the letter to the scout. "There was a missive for Leliana?"
"Yes sir," She patted her coat and the letter hidden beneath. "I am about to deliver it now."
"I'll take it." Cullen held out his hand. She hesitated for a moment, before pulling out the larger letter and handing it to him. "We're done here."
Harding nodded and gratefully ran off towards the barracks. Cullen turned on the other two sternly.
"We're done here."

Without hearing another word he made for the main hall, taking the stairs too at a time not caring who he scared out of the way as he stomped through the hall.

Skyhold had never looked so beautiful.
It had been several weeks since they set out. Revas was strong but even he could not run forever. The journey back seemed tortuously long, with Briallen clinging to her back, stopping only when needed. Neither had spoken more than a few words to each other, having left Hawke and Stroud to track the left over wardens and magister they had found in the old Tevinter ruin.
It was mid afternoon when the slope began to incline and they could see the top of the stone fortress come into view.
"This is Skyhold?" Briallen gasped, looking up.
"She's beautiful isn't she?" Efa smiled, her grip painful on the reigns, every bone in her body ached. "she's not perfect. But she's the first place that's ever felt like home."

They slowed across the bridge, letting Revas fall into a trot as the gate lifted. Efa looked around, several people rushed forward to greet them, but not the one she had hoped for. she felt disappointment, Cullen had never missed her return.
"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes Inquisitor." A friendly voice caught her reigns when they fell for her hands.
"Krem," She greeted the Charger.
"Have you been at some weird magic you Worship?" he chuckled. "There's two of you now."
With a painful groan Briallen had slid down from the saddle. The Warden swayed slightly on unsteady legs.
"I told you about my sister." She grimaced as she followed. Agony shot through her legs from hours locked in the saddle. "Where is the Commander?"
"Sorry you Worship haven't seen him, we haven't long got back ourselves." He pointed to several of the other Chargers paused in their tracks at their arrival. She nodded glumly, taking Revas and leading him to the waiting stable hand.
"Not a worry," she smiled. "I'm sure he'll be along in a-"
"Mamae!"

It all happened so fast. The high pitched shriek of glee, echoed over the courtyard. Efa and Briallen's heads snapped up to the upper level seeing a blurred outline of a child running towards the stairs. Instead of taking the stairs normally, there was a bright flash, followed by several screams as Isolde slid down the now iced staircase. The stone steps now formed into a slide. Without missing a beat she continued running from the bottom of the stairs until she pummelled against the Warden with and oomf. Briallen braced for impact upon realisation that it was her daughter that barrelled down on her.
"Da'len" She hugged the girl tightly.

Efa shook her head, watching Fiona at the top of the stairs tapping her staff to melt the ice before descending.
"Honestly, child." she tutted. "As stubborn headed as your mother."
"Enchanter Fiona?" Briallen looked up. "What a pleasant surprise."
"I could say the same to you Warden." She smiled warmly. "It has been some time."
"Lady Fiona has been teaching me magic!" Isolde bounced happily.
"When you listen." Fiona chided.
"You should list- oh da'len…" Briallen looked down at Isolde, her face no longer obscured in Briallen's robes, seeing for the first time the burns that covered her face. "What did you do?"
"I killed six bad men!" Isolde looked proud.
"Six-" Briallen turned on Efa. "You said she was okay!"
"I said mostly."

Efa hadn't seen the crowd that formed, or the approach of her advisers, the Commander included.
"Don't blame her." Isolde grabbed on to her armour. "I wanted to help."
"Cullen took her as soon as we got to her-"
"She could have died!" Briallen snapped at her reverting in anger to their native tongue.
"We were all dying!" Efa growled back. "She defended herself! And I am proud of her!"
"She shouldn't have even been here! She should be with the clan."
"You tell her that!" Efa could feel her irritation charging into her fingers. "Would you rather I sent her back alone!"
"No.."
"Inquisitor?"

She hadn't seen him approach. "Commander…" Her hands felt numb as the power drained from them.
"You!" Briallen turned to him, anger still riled in her.
Cullen raised his hands non threateningly as she released Isolde, but he was unprepared for the blow she struck.
"Lethallan!" Efa grabbed Briallen by the shoulder and threw her backwards, putting herself between them, as Cullen landed to the floor clutching his face. "Enough."
Briallen could see several people with hands on weapons, all of them ready to defend the ex-Templar. She huffed folding her arms and scowled deeply.
"Isolde," Efa spoke, her voice level and professional. "Take your mother upstairs and show her where she can clean and change."
"Yes Auntie Efa." Isolde trembled slightly, taking her mothers hand and leading her upstairs.

"Back to work." Efa dismissed the remaining watchers. As they dispersed quickly she knelt down to Cullen. "Are you alright?"
"I'll live." He grumbled. "Although it would be nice if every member of your family didn't try to break my nose."
"Here," she moved his hand to inspect the damage, his nose was pouring of blood, instinctively she summoned healing to her hand to soothe, but when Cullen flinched she pulled back. "Sorry! I didn't- It's a reaction-"
"It's okay," Cullen groaned in pain. He grabbed her hand with his least bloodied one and lifted it to his face. "Go ahead."
"Are you sure?" She hesitated.
"Yes."

Softly she brushed her thumb across his upper lip, wiping the blood and trickling some healing into Cullen's face. He scrunched his eyes uncomfortably, but as the pain subsided he sighed in relief.
"There…" she smiled softly, "Still my handsome Commander under all that."
"As are you, beautiful I mean-" He allowed her to help him to his feet. "Beautiful under all that mud."
"Flatterer."
"For you? Always." He kissed her gently, conscious of making her any filthier that she already was. "Welcome home."

Clean and in comfortable clothing, Efa had take Briallen to Leliana, her spymaster pleased to see her former companion. As they caught up and ate their first full meal in weeks Briallen met the colourful host of companions and advisers Efa had acquired. Cullen remained conspicuously absent, even as the night wore on and work was finished. Choosing not to join them in the tavern as they drank and hounded the Hero of Ferelden for tales of her exploits. Efa used the distraction to slip out unseen. The moon was high and she could see the candle flickering in the loft of Cullen's tower. She nodded to the guards on patrol all looking in the other direction as she entered the side door to Cullen's office, turning the key in the lock behind her.
"Vhenan?" She called out. But there was no answer. Swiftly she clambered up the ladder to the loft. Her face blossoming into a warm smile as she took in the sight before her. Cullen lay in the bed shirtless, the covers only just covering his lower half. He was asleep, or at least trying. his head jerked every so often as if dreaming. Quickly she stripped, focusing in on his muttering as it got louder. Her smile wavered as she realised his dream was not pleasant.

She slowly slipped under the cover, Cullen shuffled slightly as she did, but he did not wake. She carefully edged herself up against him, worming her way under his arm to lay on his chest. She couldn't resist running her hand through the hair there, listening to his heartbeat as it slowed. His arm surrounded her instinctively and pulled her close. She relaxed into him with a sigh, using her hand she doused the candle and she cuddled into him. He remained asleep, but she could tell he knew she was there. His breathing slowed, his movements calmed and within moments she was fast asleep against him.

When she woke, it was to delicate kisses on her forehead. She sighed and tilted her head upward, this kisses soon finding her mouth and kissing her there.
"Efa…" she heard her name whispered between kisses.
"Vhenan."
"I missed you." His hands found her face to pull her closer. She obliged, rolling and stretching so she was laid directly on top of his chest, pressing herself to him skin to skin. His hands roamed her back stroking gently as her reminded himself how she tasted.
"I missed you more." She hummed between kisses.
"Impossible."

She didn't argue, enjoying the moment and the feeling of him on her skin. At some point she lost the scant clothing she was wearing. His touches light and loving over every part of her body he could touch. She sighed contentedly, gasping a little louder when his tongue found somewhere sensitive. He drifted no lower than her stomach with his mouth, a quiet uncertainty still on his shoulders, not that she minded. She was happy with any touch he offered. His fingers, more confident in making her simmer, worked through her folds and rubbed delicious circles on her sensitive clit. Cullen watched as she peaked, skin flushed chest heaving slightly, a look of pure bliss.
"My favourite start to the day." He reached back up to kiss her lips.
"Mine too." She stroked his cheek. "We missed you last night."
"I didn't fancy being punched again." Cullen chuckled. "Beside, It was only you that missed me."
"You're more liked than you think Cullen." Efa smiled up at him. "You should come enjoy a drink and chat with us one night."
"Hmm."

She chuckled, leaning up on her elbows as he got up from the bed. she watched as her cleaned his face and lifted a shirt on, enjoying the ripple of his muscles as he raised his arms. She felt warm again as she got up herself pulling her clothes towards her.
"I dread to see the piles of paperwork on my desk." Efa sighed.
"Oh I have no doubt." Cullen turned. "She's had her hands full, what with the Orlesian court liaison finally arriving."
"I had forgotten all about her." Efa groaned, she closed her eyes suddenly wishing she was on the road again. Without looking she picked up the shirt from the pile of clothes, not realising until it was over her head that it was not her shirt. She could smell Cullen as soon as the cotton passed her face. Oakmoss, leather, and a trace of elfroot.
"Efa…" She could hear Cullen's amusement.
"Mine now."

The shirt was far bigger than her own, wider, longer, but she didn't care. Being able to smell him this close was soothing to her.
"You can't steal my shirt." He chuckled.
"I'll give it back when you return my scarves."
She couldn't help her grin knowing Cullen now possessed four of her scarves. She carefully folded and tucked his shirt into her trousers as he tutted at her. Coming up behind her to kiss her neck.
"They smell like you." He confessed. "And I happen to like this spot. Here."
He punctuated his point with a kiss at the nape of her neck. she moaned softly feeling the thrill running straight down her spine.
"Tease."
"Mmm." Cullen kissed her neck again.

Cullen finally released her and they clambered down the ladder. He finished pulling on his armour as she lounged on the edge of his desk, idly tracing the scorch lines still blazoned in the wood.
"I have something to show you." He said once he was presentable.
"Oh?" she tilted her head at him.
"It's not here." He held out his hand to her. "It's why I didn't hear you return yesterday."
"I had wondered."
Hand in hand the returned back to the main keep, it was still early, but late enough that already most of the fortress was alive with activity. Cullen lead her through the main hall, nodding in greeting to those they passed as they made their way to the heavy door leading downwards to the Undercroft.

"Inquisitor! Commander!" Harrit greeted them. "Come to try out the new armour?"
"Armour?" Efa looked at Cullen.
"Inquisitor!" Dagna jumped out at them from behind one of the workstations. "Come in please! I can't wait to see you in it!"
"What is it?" Efa looked at them all confused.
"Your battle-coat has more repairs on it than Skyhold." Cullen chuckled. "So Dagna and Harrit have worked together to make something more befitting for the Inquisitor to wear."
"Oh!. That's-" Efa looked at them all again. "Thank you."
"This way!"

Dagna lead her towards the back, stopping in front of an armour stand. the armour that rested upon it was beautiful. Efa looked closer, the bottom layer was, tightly woven chain-mail that hat a faint glow to it. Not metal, scales, dragon scales if she was not mistaken. Lighter than metal, to keep her movements unhindered but no less strong, just like the pauldrons and bracers. The Chest was wrapped in a strong leather and belt the design so familiar she felt tears prickle at her eyes. The Skirt emblazoned with the Inquisition insignia finished the look and the boots beside looked comfortable and strong.
"This is-" She wiped her eyes.
"It was Commander Rutherford's idea on the design." Dagna patted her arm.
"I remember how much you hated the Circle robes, how you longed for home." Cullen was behind her. "To be thrust away from your clan again I thought it would be nice for you to carry it with you."
"Josephine might have something to say about appearances."
"Perhaps."

Efa reached out to touch the armour. It was truly beautiful. Turning she jumped into Cullen's arms and kissed him passionately, not caring for their audience. Harrit and Dagna looked away pointedly giving them a moment.
"Its wonderful" She grinned releasing him. "Thank you! Thank you all of you!"
"I'll relax a bit more knowing you have more protection out there."
"We all will you Worship." Harrit nodded.
"Come on! Try it on!"

Chapter Text

Efa stretched. Her arms moved effortlessly, and she couldn't feel any restriction to her movements. The armour fit perfectly, the dragon-mail like a second skin. It felt good to be out of her office after three days of paperwork that had built up over her desk. Josephine had whittled out the most important things, at least, that made work easier. Briallen watched her, silently amused as she met with visitors and sat in judgement for petty crimes.
But today, she was free, at least for the afternoon. As far as she was aware, there were no new visitors, no new letters, and no one awaiting judgement. Briallen was restless, waiting for word from Stroud, so Efa had asked if she wanted to help her test her new armour. Her sister leapt at the chance. It had been years since they had sparred, and back then, it had been survival training. Keeper Deshanna had insisted they both learn with the clan, even if Briallen was fated to leave again for the Wardens. Back then, using magic wasn't possible, so as not to attract unwanted attention. They had only fought hand to hand, now they could practise their skills in the open.

Briallen stood opposite her. Her staff extended fully, dressed in her full battle armour, cleaned, repaired, and reinforced by Dagna. They both felt the thrum of energy through them. Efa twisted her staff in hand, flexing her wrists, enjoying the way her armour moved with her.
"Ready, lethallan?" She took up stance.
"Let's see what you've learned your Worship." Briallen smirked back. "Give me your best-"
Efa struck before he could finish sending a bolt of lightning straight to her chest.
"First thing I've learned." Efa stepped forward as Briallen dived and rolled to avoid the shot. "When to stop talking."
"Noted."

Briallen shot flames to her, Efa raised her staff to erect a barrier, diving forward to press her attack. Energy crackled around them as they began properly. Finally, they were able to let loose all of the tension they shared.

"Forgive us, Your Majesty," Josephine chuckled nervously. "I do not know where the Inquisitor appears to be, Commander?"
The ambassador looked at Cullen expectantly.
"Alas, I have not seen the Inquisitor since this mornings meeting." Cullen looked around the courtyard.
For the first time since they arrived, Skyhold seemed empty. The three advisers stood with their royal guest at the top of the stairs.
"Where is everyone?" Josephine looked around.

As if answering the question, an explosion sounded to the left. Smoke could be seen rising to the sky, followed by a hail of cheers.
"Perhaps that is where the Inquisitor is." Leliana chuckled lightly.
"That's the training grounds." Cullen tensed hand on the pommel of his sword.
"Well, lead the way, my good friend." The king clasped him on the shoulder. "Seems like we're missing out on a show!"
Below them, they could see a few scouts running towards the training pen excitedly. Cullen had a sinking feeling in his stomach as they began to move that way. Soon, they found where everyone had gone, all of them clamouring to get a view on the spectacle in the sparring ring.

Cullen could see ice half blown up the keep wall and a figure perched on an iced ledge protruding from it, clad in green and red armour. She was hurtling an array of element spells, which, as they pushed through the crowd, could be seen being deflected by a shimmering shield. The caster, another woman clad in blue armour, endured the onslaught. She waited for her opening, unleashing a cone of flames hot enough to melt the ice and bring the Inquisitor back to the ground.
Cullen tensed as Efa dropped, landing on her back. She could hear laughter as Briallen drew her arcane blade, her staff morphing to meet her needs.
"Yield?" She held the blade towards Efa's chest.
"No." The Inquisitors eyes glinted mischievously.

The mark on her hand glowed gently, and she slammed it to the ground. Suddenly, Briallen was dragged backwards.
"Ar tu na'lin emma mi" Briallen cursed. She had been brought to knee. Her staff dropped by the force of Efa's magic. Efa could see she would not relent. She stabbed the blade of her own staff into the dirt.
"Ready to end this?!"
"One element." Briallen rose and stared her down. Fire came to her fingers as she ran forward, fist clenched as she met Efa's open palm. The gathered crowd whooped as they delved into hand to hand. Cullen felt hot around the collar as he watched the two sisters battle it out. He had never seen her like this before, and by the startled looks of her companions around the fence, neither had they. It seemed like they were evenly matched, even as Efa sent chain lightning spells from palm to palm putting Briallen on the back foot. But the Warden was skilled with her own flames, wielding it like a whip she grabbed the Inquisitor at the ankle and brought her down diving on top.

Efa gasped, the wind knocked out of her. She felt a ripple of magic through her, the dragon-mail warm to her skin and humming as if it were alive.
"Yield!" Briallen pinned her.
She couldn't move. Her breath was tight. But she wasn't ready to give up. Not yet. She could feel the built-up magic balling up under her desire. Briallen looked down, her eyes growing wide. There wasn't time to move, it was too late by the time she realised what was about to happen.

There was a huge blast. The crowd around having to cover their faces as fire, ice, and lightning leapt out from the centre of the training arena. When the smoke cleared, Efa was left still lying on the ground, alone. Cullen was through the crowd and over the fence faster than he had ever moved in his life.
"Efa!" He cried out, skidding to the ground beside her.
"I'm okay." She said, slightly disorientated. "Bri?"
Cullen looked around. Against the wall, the Warden was slumped. Cullen wasn't the only one who had rushed into the pit. Solas surprisingly had come forward with Leliana, and the King hovered awkwardly in the back.
"She's being seen too," Cullen helped her sit. "I can't see the damage from here."
"Fuck."

With his hand to steady her on her feet, Efa stumbled towards Briallen. Her sister sat still, but she was swearing profusely as Solas attempted to sit her forward to see her back.
"The damage is not as bad as it could have been." Solas told her. "Whatever magic you invoked at the end there helped you evade most of the damage."
"Most but not all." she spat blood. Her vision was blurred from the impact, slowly it cleared as Solas healed her.
"If I am not mistaken you enacted an old technique used by Dirth'ena enasalin?" Solas looked at her curiously. "Moving between here and the Fade to shield oneself from a fatal blow."
"You can tell that huh?" She coughed again. "How?"
"I am somewhat of an expert on the Fade." Solas released his spell. "I could feel the shift in magic. Where did you learn to do that?"
"Would you believe I met a spirit in an old elvhen temple?"
"I would yes." Solas smiled. "Fascinating."
"Creepy." The king spoke behind them. "It was very strange watching you commune with that thing."
"A-Alistair?" Briallen blinked away the blur in her eyes, her head finally clearing. The King smiled down at her boyishly.

"Your majesty?" Efa had reached the group. "I wasn't aware you we're visiting. Had I know I wouldn't have blown up half the training area."
"A fine spectacle to be seen, I assure you." Alistair laughed. "Forgive my sudden appearance Inquisitor, I have little excuse for being on your door step."
"I wonder how long Bri had been in Skyhold before a letter was on its way." Efa directed her playful words to Leliana as she helped Briallen to her feet.
"I do not know what you mean. Your worship." Leliana deflect innocently. Efa wasn't surprised.
"Really Alistair?" Briallen rested against the wall on shaky legs. "You didn't come all this way to see me?"
"Ten years is an awfully long time to disappear for Bri." Alistair folded his arms. "Of course I leapt on my horse and rode as fast as I could."

Efa couldn't hide her smirk. Briallen caught her eye.
"Don't you dare say a word." She hissed.
"Wasn't going too." Efa grinned. "Well your Majesty, how about we take this inside somewhere more comfortable?"
"An excellent suggestion."

Alistair took Briallen by the arm and began to follow Josephine back to the hall. Cullen barked at the surrounding crowd to go back to work. They all went, excitedly chattering about what they saw. It would be weeks before they talked about anything else.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Cullen asked Efa as they followed at the back of the group towards the receiving room set up for visits.
"I'm fine." She smiled. "Although, warning that this absorbed magical damage would have been nice. Came as quite a shock for us both when it went off."
"I wasn't aware myself." Cullen rubbed his neck. "I wager that was Dagna's input."
"Without a doubt."
"So…" Cullen said after a moment. "Your sister and the King? He's not Isolde's-I thought-"
"No! No, no, no." Efa laughed. "Nothing ever happened like that. Apparently there were feelings, but when it became apparent Alistair would take the throne, she ended it."
"Why?" Cullen looked confused.
"Why? Cullen…" Efa shook her head. "She's an elf, a dalish elf. She couldn't sit on the throne by his side even if they both wanted it."
"You're right." He realised his mistake, rolling his eyes.. "Appearance is everything to a noble."

They joined the rest, Alistair continued to apologise for his appearance and as well the the way he had spoken to Efa in Redcliff, what now seemed an age ago. Josephine had cobbled together something 'suitable for a king' on short notice for their meal which was spent in good spirits. Leliana wasted no time embarrassing her old companions with tales from their time together that even Efa hadn't heard. He was kind to Isolde, the young girl wary at him at first but soon found his goofier side amusing as he played with her. It was a nice distraction, and Efa could see Briallen was happier for it. He stayed with them for three days, spend almost all of it with his old companions, even Morrigan and her son once he learnt she was in residence.

Efa found Briallen, sitting on the balcony of her room, gloom resting over her shoulders not an hour after King Alistair had left. She looked around the room, the bed was made and everything was folded neatly on the sofa that had been borrowed. The armour stand in the corner which once held her armour now supported Briallen's Warden armour. Her new set sat in Cullen's office now where she had spent the entire week sleeping. She lent on the door frame watching the sun lowering in the sky.

"It must have been nice seeing Alistair again after all that time?"
"It was. I have missed him." Briallen didn't look up from where she sat head on her arms. "You don't go through the world nearly ending without forming a bond."
She sighed and sat up, her hands still resting on the journal she had been hugging to the stone.
"And before you say anything. He didn't try to kill me, it's not the same."
Efa bristled. She had been ready to call her out on the anger she had unleashed in the Exalted Plains camp. But seeing the sullen look on her sister's face she squashed the feeling.
"Of course it isn't. But it still hurts." She came and perched on the wall, hopping up onto the stone to sit. "Wanting someone you know you cant have. Knowing he wants you too…"
Efa let the cool breeze wash over her, but it couldn't take away all the bitterness she felt.
"At least he knew you were alive. "

"Efa please." Briallen stood turning away from her, annoyed. "Don't drag this up again. We did it to protect you!"
"At what cost? Kirkwall nearly destroyed him!" Efa bit back. "You didn't see the way he looked at me once he knew. You didn't see the anger or the anguish- You didn't see the heartbreak I saw…"
"Well it all turned out okay in the end didn't it?"
"Do you think its been easy?" Efa scowled. "I was forced to live a lie. You just ran from your problem and now you have a chance and you're still running."
Efa had seen them. Seen the way Alistair had looked at Briallen. Seen them disappear when taking a 'walk through the gardens' they never made it to.
"Nothings changed." She turned back to Efa, slumping against the wall, hands trembling around the journal. "I can't be his queen. I can't bear his children. Its unheard of for two Wardens to sire a child…"
"But you want too."

Briallen looked at Efa, the Inquisitors expression softened from anger to empathy. For the first time in ten years Efa saw her sister cry. Great heaving sobs as as she sank down the wall. Efa jumped down from the wall, sitting down beside her. Briallen instantly lent into her, continuing to cry as Efa took her hand the journal slipping slightly in her hold. She didn't need to answer the question, Efa knew the answer. They sat there, as the sun continued to sink lower, until Briallen's tears dried up.
"I used to be jealous." Briallen said suddenly. "Of the little gifts Cullen used to bring you. No-one had ever given me a gift before I became a Warden. Aside from you."
She opened the journal in her lap, pulling out a perfectly pressed rose. She held it up carefully.
"Alistair was the first." she looked at the rose wistfully. "He said ‘How could something so beautiful exist in a place with so much despair and ugliness?’"
"Its lovely." Efa patted her leg soothingly.
"He picked it in Lothering, before the darkspawn destroyed it. He said I reminded him of it. A rare and wonderful thing amidst the darkness."

She replaced the flower into the book and closed it gently.
"I'm sorry I gave you a hard time over Cullen." She exhaled deeply. "Seeing him this last week, they way he looks at you. The respect his men have for him speaks volume for the man he is now. I'm glad you found your happiness lethallan. Truly…"
"If only you would let yourself do the same."

"Inquisitor?" A voice called out behind them. Efa's head whipped round the door to see Leliana at the top of the stairs. "I knocked but there was no answer."
"Leliana," Efa gave Briallen a comforting squeeze on her shoulder as she rose, giving her sister a moment to compose herself.
"Forgive my disturbance." Leliana bowed her head. "But an urgent missive had arrived. From Hawke. They have found the Wardens."
"Summon the council."
"At once."

Efa lent on the war table. Looking over the map. Briallen paced behind her while her advisers stood as normal, on the opposite side. Hawke's letter had confirmed the location of the Warden's. Now all they had to do was decide how to proceed.

"Adamant Fortress has stood against the darkspawn since the time of the Second Blight." Leliana read over Hawke's letter again, after Efa had handed it over, scanning for anything missed.
"Fortunately for us," Cullen smiled. "That means it was built before the age of modern siege equipment. A good trebuchet will do major damage to those ancient walls. And thanks to our Lady Ambassador…"
"Lady Seryl of Jader has pledged to lend the Inquisition her sappers." Josephine beamed. "She's sent word to have trebuchets delivered post haste!"
"How long?"
"Three days from her estate." Josephine nodded. "They should arrive just in time for you and our forces to make the journey."
"That is the good news." Leliana pursed her lips.
"And the bad news?" Briallen looked at her old friend
"Erimond called the ritual at the Western Approach a test." Leliana continued. "He may already be raising his army of demons in the fortress."

"The Inquisition forces can breach the gate," Cullen moved several pieces across the board. "But if the Wardens already have their demons…"
"I found records of Adamant’s construction. Recovered from a Warden cache by Blackwall and Cassandra while you were in the Western Approach." Leliana brandished the plans in front of Cullen who took to them immediately. "There are choke points we can use to limit the field of battle."
"That’s good." He followed the places she marked nodding approvingly. "We may not be able to defeat them outright- But if we cut off reinforcements, we can carve you a path to Warden-Commander Clarel."
He jabbed at the blueprints to punctuate his point, looking up at Efa with a furrowed brow.
"Taking this fortress is going to get a lot of good soldiers killed." Efa understood his worry.
"Our soldiers know the risks, Inquisitor." Josephine nodded. "And they know what they’re fighting for."

"It’ll be hard-fought, no way around it." Cullen straightened up and gripped the pommel of his sword. "But we’ll get that gate open."
"It’s also possible that some Wardens may be sympathetic to our cause." Josephine pondered.
"The warriors may be willing to listen to reason," Briallen folded her arms. "Though I doubt they will turn against Clarel directly."
"The mages, however, are slaves to Corypheus." Leliana looked at Briallen concerned. "You put yourself at risk being there Bri."
"I know." Briallen sighed. "But they might listen to me. Being the 'Hero of Ferelden' comes with some clout."
Efa couldn't help but feel worried, Leliana voicing the fear she had. She knew there was no way she could dissuade Briallen from joining them, She bowed her head in acceptance and looked over the plans again.
"Give the word Inquisitor," Cullen straightened up. "And we march on Adamant."

Efa stood tall, looking at her three advisers before settling back on Cullen.
"We ride at first light."

The ride west felt like it took an age. Instead of tearing across the terrain as they had first done, Efa marched with the troops. It was startling at first to see the full force of the army they had gathered, and that was just those stationed at Skyhold itself. It did not include reinforcements from Ferelden and Orlais.
They marched for five days, finally reaching the remaining forces joining them outside of Griffon Wing keep. Amongst them she could see the red haired head of Hawke.
"Hawke!" She called out pulling Revas to a halt.
"You finally made it!" Hawke grinned at her. "Your war machines arrived ahead of you, Knight-Captain Rylen has moved them up and began setting up the forward camp."
"Excellent." Efa looked around. The troops continued passed her, Cullen at the head as they continued north. "Want a ride?"
She motioned to the back of Revas, but Hawke waved her on.
"Don't worry about me," she grinned. "I wouldn't want to leave those two behind."

She motioned behind her. Efa looked up to see two figures standing, holding the reigns of three horses. She didn't recognise the first, a dark skinned elf with white hair. She could see the blue lines of lyrium on his neck and chin as he looked over. She presumed it to be Fenris, from what Hawke had previously told her, which meant the other man-
"Anders…"
"Is it going to be a problem?" Hawke frowned. Efa sighed.
"I'm not sure how many would know him by sight alone." Efa thought it over. "Best not to use his name in wider company."
"Understood." Hawke then hastily added. "Thank you."
"Meet us at the camp." Efa said gripping Revas reigns. "We'll go over the plan there."
"By your leave inquisitor!" She swooped into a bow.
Efa rolled her eyes and kicked Revas into gallop to catch up before she fell behind.

Withing a few hours they were crowded into her tent. Her advisers, companions, sisters and their friends.
"Is this wise inquisitor?" Cassandra was looking sternly at the blonde mage in the back. "He is responsible for everything that has happened- He should be judged-"
Efa could see Hawke puff up defensively towards Cassandra.
"Anders has been judged." Efa looked at Cassandra sternly. "In Kirkwall. And I stand by that judgement. To fight and help put things right."
There was an uncomfortable silence around the tent. She understood the reactions, Cullen had also not been happy when he had seen the mage enter the tent, staying silent until Cole unintentionally revealed his identity to those who didn't know him. Hawke, Fenris and Varric had all taken up a protective stance around him. Cassandra naturally had been the one to voice everyone's worries.
"As far as anyone is concerned, his name does not leave this tent." Efa looked at them all. "We do not have time to argue, we are on the brink of battle and one extra pair of hands could be the difference between success and failure. Are we clear?"

There was a chorus of agreement. Efa knew she'd probably not hear the end of it for some time, particularly from Cullen and Cassandra but she couldn't dwell on that now.
"There will be two teams. The gate, and the wall." Efa spread the plans of Adamant in front. Cullen helped her pin the curling edges and pointed silently to the places she needed. She smiled at him in thanks.
"Cassandra, Sera, Cole. The wall to the right." Efa looked at them in turn, waiting for their sign of understanding. "Blackwall, Hawke, Fenris, the left."
"The ladders will launch after the first assault." Cullen took over at her signal. "Be swift, the enemy will likely try to dislodge. If that happens get back as far as you can and to the ground safely."
"While that's happening, Cullen's men with ram the gate." Efa moved the next pieces. "Dorian, Vivienne, you will cover those men ensure nothing slows them."

Efa took another steadying breath. She bit back her nerves, they were all relying on her, on her decisions. Cullen nudged the next pieces forward, guiding her gently.
"Solas, Anders, support. Stay in the back line, fight if you must but your primary objective is healing and protection." Almost there. "That leaves the gate. Bri, Stroud, Varric and Bull. You're with me. This is the route."
The others gathered closer watching as she traced the route through Adamant.
"Keep moving, don't let them stop you, if the way is blocked our men will be right behind you." Cullen gripped her elbow tightly. "Get to Clarel and Erimond as fast as possible. Stop and the rest will follow."
"Get ready everyone." Efa nodded. "The time is now."

One by one they filed out until only Cullen remained. Efa took a breath and turned to him.
"I know you don't approve of him being here given what happened at Kirkwall," she began. "Can we save the lecture for afterwards?"
"I won't deny I'm not happy." His hand still held her arm. "But I respect your decision, besides my only concern right now is making it through this with you alive."
"Cullen…" she tilted her head, worry still written on her face.
"You did well." Cullen brought his other hand to cup her cheek.
"I have new found respect for you job." She signed resting her head on his chest. "I couldn't have done it without you."

"Efa…" he lifted her chin slightly. "Don't take risks. Please. Come back to me."
"I promise."
He kissed her, softly at first but it swiftly became heated. They both knew what was at stake. Neither would admit this could be their last kiss, nor would they let themselves believe it.

"Inquisitor," A voice came from outside the tent breaking the spell. "It's time."
Regrettably she pulled away, he let go of her as they made their way outside. The air of battle sinking over as they made their way to the line.

"Pull back! They’re through!"
Wood splintered as the battering ram breached the gate. Efa stood, staff in hand surrounded by her team. Each one full of nervous energy. They had watched as the first teams took the wall, but already it seemed like they were overrun.
"All right, Inquisitor. You have your way in. Best make use of it." His sword was drawn as Iron Bull and Stroud took up the front position. "We’ll keep the main host of demons occupied for as long as we can."
"I’ll be fine. Just keep the men safe." She gave him a final longing look.
"We’ll do what we have to, Inquisitor." He grasped her hand firmly before she followed over the ram. "Good luck."

It was a nightmare from start to finish. They were overrun. The old fortress crumbled easier than they expected, which was more hindrance than a blessing. Cullen's carefully planned route was blocked almost as soon as they started, forcing them up and onto the battlements. The sky above them grew darker, clouds turning purple and raining down on them bolts of lightning as they ran. They passed both teams, helping where they could and sliding down the rubble until they found themselves back on track.
As predicted Briallen's presence was able to calm some of the Wardens to surrender. Efa promised if they laid down their weapons to her forces they would be spared. A mercy that helped sway Warden-Commander Clarel when they finally reached the centre.

It had been a bloodbath. Thunder roared above them as they watched the Warden mages sacrifice themselves to bind themselves to demons. Their misdeeds forced open a Rift in the centre of the courtyard. Hawke found them there, as they combined their voices to talk the Wardens down from their madness. But not before the bound mages began to channel the Rift, forcing it wider. Beyond the Fade, Efa could see something move. Something that felt both familiar and not. The anchor in her hand ached sending a jolt of pain through her. Lightning struck down again, hitting one of the mages, a fatal shock but the mage rose again and continued like nothing had happened. It was too late for them, they were bound to Corypheus. But the others, their hesitation faulted they could feel the looming nightmare beyond the Rift. Erimond could feel them slipping from him. His anger turning to Efa.

"My master thought you might come here, Inquisitor!" He growled down at her. "He sent me this to welcome you!"
A great screech erupted above them. The Archdemon. Efa rushed forward, attempting to reach the Rift. She had to close it. whatever was on the other side, it could not be free. The bound mages began to summon, using the rift to pull through demon after demon. There was shouting as the Wardens dove for cover, Efa hurtled to the side to avoid the fire looking up to see Clarel launch an assault to the Magister.
"Clarel, wait…"
"Help the Inquisitor!"

Efa couldn't enjoy the small victory as the Wardens fell into battle. The beast raged over head, Stroud shouted at them to follow climbing higher into the battlements once more. As they reached the top, she could see her troupes reaching the courtyard. She picked out Cullen, easily distinguishable with his fur mantle. She could see him barking orders, seeing that the Wardens were on their side. She reached up to take Hawke's hand as they climbed higher, reaching the highest peak above the courtyard. untouched by the trebuchets but Efa could see the stone was eroded and weathered. One wrong move and it would come tumbling down.

"You!" A shout up ahead drew their attention. "You’ve destroyed the Grey Wardens!"
Clarel advanced on Erimond, desperately trying to ward her attacks, but it was no use. She had him back along a broken bridge, hovering dangerously close to the ledge.
"You did that to yourself, you stupid bitch." He spat at her as she circled around him. "All I did was dangle a little power before your eyes. And you couldn’t wait to get your hands bloody!"
The Warden-Commander lashed out again, the force of her blast sending him back towards the archway Efa was running towards.
"You could have served a new god." He gasped painfully, curling in on himself to shield her next blow.
"I will never serve the Blight-"
With a sickening crunch the Archdemon landed on the crumbling stone, several of bricks fell away under its back claws as it took off again. Erimond's laughter echoed, as the dragon reared its head landing on the structure to the side and throwing her back onto the stone.

The party scattered. Efa was forced to the bridges edge alongside Stroud and her sisters. She could see Varric and Bull picking themselves up as the Archdemon advanced slowly towards them.
"In war, victory…" Clarel spluttered, her breathing haggard. "In peace, vigilance…"
Efa could see the magic in her hand.
"No…"
The dragon lunged and lightning struck. The combined blast from the heavens and Clarel as she was crushed beneath the beasts claws sent it skidding to the stone. Efa and the others barrelled to the ground trying to avoid the beast. Efa could hear Hawke cry out as the Archdemon scrambled to gain purchase in the stone.
The brick beneath Efa jolted as she rose to her feet, beginning to dislodge from its mortar. "RUN!" she screamed grabbing Stroud by the collar to hoist him up as the bridge began to crumble.

They tried. But the force of the dragon was too great. Efa screamed as she felt the ground beneath her disappear. The anchor in her hand flaring causing her to cry out in pain and fear as she hurtled to the ground. Pain blinded her, her thoughts turning to Cullen below. Her fears, her regrets, bubbled to the surface as she continued to fall. She had promised not to take risks. To come back to him. She had failed.
This was the end.

Ir abelas, Vhenan.

Chapter Text

Efa came to a sudden halt, suspended in the air, fighting down the bile that rose in her throat. She could see the ground below, or was it above? Somehow she couldn't tell. She couldn't find the air to scream as she hurtled face first towards the surface, but as she landed she felt the ground at her back. Her eyes shot open and she sat up, head spinning as she re-orientated herself.
Every hair on her body felt like it stood on end. One of her carefully twisted braids had come loose, her hair falling around her shoulder. She looked around, sighing an air of relief when she saw she was not alone.
"Where are we?" Stroud picked himself up looking down at Efa as he stood upside down on a rock above her. Efa reached out her hands and he grabbed them jumping down, Up?, to the ground beside her. They both swayed on impact as he righted himself.
"We- we were falling." Briallen jumped down from her own landing spot. Falling forward to her knees as gravity shifted beneath her.
"If this is the afterlife, the Chantry owes me an apology." Hawke walked sideways along a rock towards them. "This looks nothing like the Maker’s bosom."
"No." Stroud shook his head as he caught Hawke. "The Inquisitor used the mark to open another Rift."
"I did?" Efa looked at her hand. It throbbed painfully now that she looked at it. The feeling she had, the prickle of her skin, it all made sense to her now. She tried to calm her breathing as the others moved around her.

"We fell through." Briallen came towards her, looking concerned.
"I believe we are in the Fade…" Stroud looked at them all.
"Yeah…" Efa tucked the loose braid over her shoulder.
"The Fade looked much different the last time I was here." Hawke walked a little ahead surveying the rocks and water. The air around them was shrouded in a green haze.
"Perhaps it’s because we’re here physically," Briallen joined her. "Instead of just dreaming."
"The stories say you walked out of the Fade at Haven." They both turned to look at her. "Was it like this?"
"I- I don’t know." Efa began to walk forward, Stroud falling into step beside her. "I still can’t remember what happened the last time I did this."
"Well, whatever happened at Haven," Briallen shook her head. "We can’t assume we’re safe now."
"That huge demon was right on the other side of that rift Erimond was using," Hawke agreed. "And there could be others."
"In our world, the Rift the demons came through was nearby." Stroud unsheathed his sword. "In the main courtyard. Can we escape the same way?"
"It beats waiting around for demons to find us, right?" Efa pointed in the distance. "There. Let’s go."

"Shit shit shit" Varric and Bull clambered down through the rubble. They had watched in horror as the others had fallen from the crumbling bridge. The flash of green blasted out from below and in an instant the storm above them stilled. The Rift in the courtyard was still open, as they made it to the bottom trying to push their way through the fighting to reach the base of the bridge.

"Varric!" A voice called out to them. "Why aren't you with the Inquisitor?"
Cullen came up to them cutting down the demon between them. There was blood on his face, the pair could not tell if it was his own or others.
"Bull?" Cullen looked at the qunari when Varric didn't answer. "Where's Efa?"
Varric raised Bianca and fired passed Cullen, right into the face of another demon.
"It's complicated. Curly" Varric reloaded and grabbed Cullen by the arm dragging him away from the fray.

"She fell."
"What-"
"From up there." Varric pointed above them to the destroyed bridge.
Cullen felt his entire body grow cold. He placed a hand against the stone to steady himself. Was Varric saying she was- dead? No. She couldn't be gone. Not his Efa. He would not accept it. Varric reached out to help him stand again.
"Curly, stay with me." Varric shook him gently. "I said it was complicated."
"Varric!" Solas ran up to them firing an ice spell towards the demons approaching. "The Inquisitor? She did something?"
"There was a green flash." Varric continued, trying to keep Cullen focused. "By the time we made it to the edge all of them were gone..."
"Then where…" Cullen turned back the way the came.
"The Inquisitor opened a Rift…" Solas looked out in the direction they had fallen. "There was a disturbance, before the Archdemon left."
"You're sure!?" Cullen grabbed Solas' coat. Desperation written all over his face. "How can you be positive?"
"Commander please." Solas tried to back away but Cullen held him firmly. "This is no time to forget out place."

Cullen let go. The battle still raged around them, more and more demons continued to pour out of the Rift in the centre of the courtyard.
"If she created a Rift where did she go?" Cullen growled at the mage, lunging at a demon that made its way to the group slicing it down with more force than needed.
"To the Fade…" Solas pointed to the remaining Rift. "If she cannot open a Rift herself to return herself. There is only one option Commander."
Cullen looked at the Rift, his hand gripping his sword tightly. He had to believe she was still out there. That she would come back. He could feel the silk of her scarf hidden beneath the neck of his armour.
He offered a silent prayer to the Maker, thrusting himself back into the fray.
He could not falter now. They had a job to do.

"Hold the line!"

"When you entered the Fade at Haven, the demon took a part of you. Before you do anything else, you must recover it. These are your memories, Inquisitor."

Efa felt she was suffocating, She could feel the water around her knees soaking her through. It was cold chilling her to the bone as the memories burned through her mind.
"Now is the hour of our victory."
"Why are you doing this?" The Divine Justinia looked to the Wardens holding her immobile. "You of all people?"
"Keep the sacrifice still." Corypheus approached her holding the orb.
"Someone help me!" The Divine cried out helplessly.

Efa felt like she was walking along that corridor again. Hearing the sudden cries of help she had kicked open the door, her small dagger in hand.
"What’s going on here?" She stared at horror at the scene before her. The uniform of the captors striking familiarity in her. The Divine mustered her remaining strength to knock the orb from the Magister's hand. Efa watched it roll towards her instinctively chasing after it to pick it up.

Efa screamed, in the Fade and in the vision, as she watched the anchor take hold. Reduced to her knees as she was now. She could feel the pain, as Corypheus tore the orb from her, the release of power exploding in a flash of green.

Efa felt arms around her as she cried out, her screams falling silent as the memory finally subsided.
"Breathe Efa…" She felt Briallen stroking her hair. "Just breathe."
"So your mark did not come from Andraste." Stroud spoke plainly, clearly disturbed by the vision they all had bore witness too. "It came from the orb Corypheus used in his ritual."
"Corypheus intended to rip open the Veil, use the Anchor to enter the Fade, and throw open the doors of the Black City." The spirit of Divine Justinia spoke solemnly as Efa tried to stand again, her weight leaning heavily on Briallen as she did. "Not for the Old Gods but for himself. When you disrupted his plan, the orb bestowed the Anchor upon you instead."
"That’s it?" Efa croaked. That was the source of the anchor. Not a divine power but just a mistake.
"Yes."

"That tells me nothing!" Her hands balled into fists as she supported herself away from Efa, looking at the spirit floating ahead of them. "Not about Corypheus or a weakness for the demon- or even a way out of here!"
"All it tells me is that you should break his damned orb next time it starts glowing!" Briallen snarled behind her, just as riled as she was.
"Yet even that information may one day help you." The Divine continued. "You cannot escape the lair of the Nightmare until you regain all that it took from you. You have recovered some of yourself, but now it knows you are here. You must make haste. I will prepare the way ahead."
With that she disappeared again leaving them alone. Efa tried to take a deep breath to calm herself, but she couldn't. It was like her lungs wouldn't work. Her hand found the coin in her pouch, her fingers closing around the metal tightly. She thought of Cullen, waiting for her. She reminded herself of his smile, his honey eyes and his soft curls. Slowly, she found the ability to breathe again.

"Something troubles you, Hawke?" Stroud looked at Hawke who paced irritably, kicking at the water.
"I wondered if you might be concerned about the Grey Wardens holding the Divine in that vision." She looked between the two Wardens. "Their actions led to her death."
"I assumed he had taken their minds," Stroud sighed. "As you have seen him do before. Come. We can argue after we escape this dark place."
"Oh, I intend to."

The demons had swarmed them, the Divine had been right, The Nightmare had become all too aware of their presence. It sent its minions to feast, but their combined might tore a path deeper into the Fade and towards the Rift back to their world.

Ah, we have a visitor.
The voice loomed above them, Efa felt the chill of terror down her spine, as if she could see its eyes looking directly at her. Seeing deeply into her soul.
Some silly little girl comes to steal the fear I kindly lifted from her shoulders. You should have thanked me and left your fear where it lay, forgotten.
Efa snarled in the direction of the demon. "They were not yours to take! Give them back!"
You think that pain will make you stronger? What fool filled your mind with such drivel? The only one who grows stronger from your fears is me. But you are a guest here in my home, so by all means, let me return what you have forgotten.

They kept moving, another wave of Fear demons washing over them.
Did you think you mattered, Hawke? Did you think anything you ever did mattered? You couldn’t even save your city. How could you expect to strike down a god?
Hawke tensed. Freezing the the water at her feet and the demons ahead of her.
The men you love are going to die, just like your family, and everyone you ever cared about. Even the family you're afraid to admit you have gained.
"Well, that’s going to grow tiresome quickly." she scowled shattering the frozen demons in front of her.

You will never see your sweet Isolde again. So many mistakes so much lost time you will never reclaim.
"I have already faced my fears demon." Briallen, shouted. "You cannot turn them against me now."
You are on borrowed time. You should be dead already. You forced the man you love to lie with another to save your own skin. Then abandoned him to the life he never wanted alone.
"We both made our choices!" She bit back the tremble in her lip.

It was praying on them, one by one as the continued to trudge through.
Warden Stroud. How must it feel to devote your whole life to the Wardens, only to watch them fall? Or, worse, to know that you are responsible for their destruction? When the next Blight comes, will they curse your name?
"With the Maker’s blessing, we will end this wretched beast." Stroud cursed into the abyss.

Efa was ready this time, as the memory overwhelmed her. She could feel pain in her chest, climbing desperately with no breathe. Desperate to make it up the ragged staircase towards the woman who stood at the top.
"This is the Breach back in Haven." She gasped. "That’s how we- how I escaped."
"The demons!" Divine Justinia reached for her hand, helping to pull her up the final stretch of stairs as the fear demons skittered behind them closing in.
"Keep running!" Efa scrambled to her feet, hurtling towards the Rift. As she made it to the tear, there was a scream. Turning she could see the Divine caught in their grasp. She dived for her hand, but the pull was too strong. She could feel her fingers slipping from her grasp.
"Go!".
There was a scream as the Divine was taken. The remaining demons turned back to Efa as she dived through the rift.

"It was you. They thought it was Andraste sending me from the Fade," Efa rested against a rock as she shook the feeling of the memory, looking at the Divine's spirit again. "But it was the Divine behind me. And then you- she died."
"Yes." The spirit confirmed.
"So this creature is simply a spirit?" Stroud looked forlorn.
"You don’t say." Hawke rolled her eyes.
"I am sorry if I disappoint you…"
"The Nightmare watched Corypheus and grew powerful off the fear. Were you like that for the Divine?" Efa ignore them both. "A spirit watching her from the Fade, inspired by her faith?"
"If that is the story you wish to tell, it is not a bad one."

Briallen lent next to Efa, she could feel her sister's eyes on her. They had all taken a moment to digest what they had seen. Efa most of all as she felt the physical and emotional backlash of her restored memories. She felt sick to her core. How would people see her if they knew the truth now. Her extra powers were just a mistake, she didn't serve their god. She was just an elf. Nothing.
"Where does this leave us now." Briallen sighed. "What do we do know that can actually help?"
"Well, what we do know is that the mortal Divine perished at the temple, thanks to the Grey Wardens." Hawke looked bitterly towards Briallen and Stroud.
"As I said, the Grey Wardens responsible for that crime were under the control of Corypheus." Stroud looked at Hawke, Efa could see Stroud was having a hard time accepting what his fellow Warden's had done. "We can discuss this further once we return to Adamant."
"Assuming that the Wardens and their demon army didn’t destroy the Inquisition while we were gone." Hawke rolled her eyes, the unmistakable layer of anger in her voice. Efa felt the dread well up inside at the thought. The image of Cullen lying lifeless on the floor flashed into her mind. She had seen him die once, she couldn't bare to see it again.

"How dare you judge us!" Briallen snarled, moving away from the rock towards Hawke defensively. "You tore Kirkwall apart and started the mage rebellion!"
"To protect innocent mages, not madmen drunk on blood magic!" Hawke squared up to her in response.
"Hawke, be fair." Stroud put himself between the two women. "It's not-"
"But of course you’d ignore that!" Hawke jabbed at Stroud. "Because you can’t imagine a world without the Wardens- Even if that’s what we need!"
"Merciful Creators, could all of you please shut up?" Efa pushed shroud from the middle and stood between them all. "This is the Fear talking, do not let it consume you. We can argue once we’ve escaped from the giant Nightmare. If you all still feel the need."
"Inquisitor…" Stroud pointed behind her.

It was relentless. Drawn to the argument that festered between them, no matter how many they cut down, two more seemed to appear.
"The Nightmare has found us." The spirit lingered around them still.
"We need to get out of here." Efa drew her staff. "Before we're over run."
"Form up!" Stroud raised his sword
"I’m with you!" Hawke gripped her staff tightly fanning out along the line.
"Let's finish this once and for all." Briallen drew her arcane blade. "There are people waiting for us."

They ran. And they fought. Demon blood soaked through their armour. They pushed through the last demon seemingly gone for the moment, but they did not stop. Efa could sense the Rift growing closer. She urged them on. The spirit following close behind. She said a silent prayer for Cullen, hoping he was outlasting the fiends that trickled through. She would stop them. Everything would be alright.

Do you think you can fight me? I am your every fear come to life!
The voice taunted them once more. She pushed away the thoughts. Her fears gnawed at her, but if she dwelt on them she would surely fail.
I am the Veiled hand of Corypheus himself! The demon army you fear? I command it. They are bound all through me!
"Ah, so if we banish you, we banish the demons?" Divine Justinia spoke as she followed. "Thank you, 'every fear come to life'."
There was a colossal roar. The Demon in the distance, Efa could sense its presence along side the Rift, to reach it they would have to fight through.
"You must get through the rift, Inquisitor." The spirit continued. "Get through and then slam it closed with all your strength. That will banish the army of demons and exile this cursed creature to the farthest reaches of the Fade! If you would, please tell Leliana, 'I am sorry. I failed you, too.'"

"Of course." Efa agreed, determination fuelling her forward. The Rift felt ever closer, as they approached a dark tunnel. "Through here!"
They all continued to run. All of them of them until a light illuminated the way out. She could see it. The tear, the breach that would take them back to their world. To Cullen.
"The Rift!" Hawke spotted it behind her. "We’re almost there!"
"What is-" Briallen gasped in horror, the group skidding to a halt.
"The Nightmare…" Efa felt a chill through her.

It was far worse that she had ever imagined. Its long legs reaching down, each one wider and taller than any of them. Its eyes, hundreds of them fixated on them, a malicious glint gleaming down. Without even thinking four weapons we raised. Lunging forward Efa threw every spell she could, but the main body was too far above, nothing would penetrate. A leg swept across catching Efa's and Briallen and slamming them into the nearest rock. She cried out in shock hearing a definite crunch below, but there was no pain. Either she was too numb to feel it or the creature had pulled its punch. Briallen looked just as confused, holding her sword in its hand. The creature laughed. Turning towards the Rift.

"Its heading for the Rift!" Briallen shouted, grabbing Efa to pick her up. Something didn't look right, but Efa was looking through clouded vision, whatever it was she could not fathom it.
"We need to clear a path!" Stroud yelled as they ran up the stone stairway dodging beneath the Nightmares legs as they tried to out run it.
"Go." Hawke skidded to a halt a spell readying in her hands. "I’ll cover you."
"No. You were right." Stroud stopped her. "The Grey Wardens caused this. A Warden must-"
"A Warden must help them rebuild!" Hawke tried to push him away. "That’s your job! Corypheus is mine!"
The ground beneath them shook, as the Nightmare reached the Rift. They were close now. If they could get through, close it. They could end it.

"You have a Warden." Stroud stood defiantly. "Briallen, you can serve them better than I ever could."
"Stroud! No!" Briallen paused reaching the Rift first, turning to see her fellow Warden taking his stand.
"Were out of time!" Hawke pointed up. "Its going for the Rift!"

The first leg pieced through. Briallen stabbed at it with her arcane sword, it reared and roared but she did not let go. The Nightmare thrashed and thrust forward through the breach sending Briallen hurtling through with it. Hawke ran, as the next leg pierced through. Working with the other to widen the hole, it needed to be bigger if the Nightmare was going to pass through. Hawke dived out, disappearing in a shout, leaving Efa and Stroud to make it up the final steps.
The Rift crackled, her hand jerking as the breach slowly widened. She reached out with both hands throwing every ounce of power she had into holding the Demon back. It roared above, the sound covering the skittering of its minions threatening to overwhelm them. She screamed with the effort, but she could not pull them back. It was too powerful.

"Inquisitor," Stroud stood behind her, "It has been an honour."
"What-"
Before she could turn, a large force struck her back sending her flying. The magic faltered and she fell forwards, feeling the Rift as it enveloped her. She attempted to look back, but she could barely make out the Warden, surrounded by demons and shouting his last battle cry.

"For the Wardens!"

It seemed hopeless. Wave after wave of demons poured from the Rift. Cullen could feel the strain of battle, as he continued to swing his sword. He held his shield firm, parrying and dodging. His strength would not hold forever, around him their ranks were beginning to thin, but so too were the demons. There was a lull at the Rift. nothing new had come through. Cullen felt a spark of of hope, praying that it meant Efa was fighting on the other side.

Their reprieve was short. Cullen watched in horror as something far greater began to come through the Rift. A long leg piercing into the stone sending dust flying. Almost as soon as it landed it reared, a roar of pain reverberating through the veil, it disappeared momentarily. Cullen began to fight towards the Rift, he wasn't the only one who had noted the intrusion.
The leg crashed through again, shaking violently, trying to shake the body which clung to its side. With a heavy thud the leg embedded into the stone firmly dropping its assailant to the ground.
Briallen! She broke her fall, dropping into a roll before spinning and leaping back at the leg, her arcane blade hacking relentlessly at the demonic leg.

The spark blossomed in his chest as another shadow approached the rift. The figure that dived through yelled as she turned back ice blossoming from her hands to hold the next leg that breached.
Hawke. Cullen's heart beat painfully. The second leg began to scrape at the edge of the rift, the sound of it tearing cracking through the night louder than any thunder.
"Dorian!" Cullen yelled at the mage fighting nearby, his head turned looking at the legs. They strained against the Rift, assaulted with a faint green glow. The magic looked comfortingly familiar, Cullen knew belonged to only one person.
Please Efa, come back!

The ice broke, Hawke cried out as the leg regained control crashing against the Rift on the other side. Opposite, the other leg began to mirror, ripping the Rift wider. In the centre, Cullen could hear the faint echoes of a cry as another body fell through the tear, lying on the ground unmoving.
"Efa!" He cried rushing towards her. Before he could climb up onto the platform, she rose, using her staff to help. Hawke and Briallen, stood either side of her, blasting each leg once more with ice. Efa threw both of her hands out, tethers of rift magic pulling on the legs, holding them to let the ice set. Sparks of lightning crackled around her, the sky swirling once more with the dark clouds that had disappeared earlier.

"Mages!" Cullen barked. "Help the Inquisitor!" They needed more power, just like the rift at Haven. Cullen could see the strain in each of them, draining them of their little remaining energy.
Dorian darted passed him followed by Vivienne, Solas and Anders. More power was thrown down, the hairs on Cullen's neck standing on edge as he felt the magic permeating through the air. He pushed through, ignoring the sickening feeling, watching as the mages wove their magic together. There was zap of lightning down onto each leg, too precise to be coincidence. For a moment Cullen thought the creature was breaking free as cracks splintered through the ice.
"Cassandra! Bull!" Cullen yelled pointing to the point where the lightning had struck.
"On it boss!" The qunari leapt up. Cullen ran, finally making it to where Efa stood. He skidding down beside her and raising his shield, bracing as Cassandra jumped. He used the last of he strength to push, giving the Seeker as much height as he could. Cassandra curved through the air, her sword arcing down on the weakness the mages had given them. At the same time Bull swung upwards, each warrior breaking through the brittle limbs severing them completely.

The sound was ear-splitting. The demon shrieked, it's broken legs recoiling back through the Rift. the force knocked Efa forward, still connected with her magic. Cullen grabbed her around the waist, steadying her as she released her spell. He held on to her tightly as she raised her hands back to the Rift sealing it. The force blasted them all backwards.
He landed with Efa on his chest, she wheezed, seemingly exhausted.
"It's okay." Cullen held on to her. "I've-"
Something was wrong. His hand on her side felt odd. Movement caught his eye as Hawke dropped to her knees clutching her stomach. Her hands suddenly red with blood, Anders rushed to her side, crying out alarmed. Briallen slumped against Iron Bull, the qunari catching her as she cried out in pain.

"Solas!" Cullen shouted. The elf dropped to his side looking at Efa as her breathing became more laboured.
"Something isn't right." His grip remained on her, frightened to move.
"Lethallan, look at me." Solas inspected her quickly. "Commander?"
Cullen lifted his hand carefully, letting Solas take over. He pulled on his spirit magic, letting it soak into her body.
"Her ribs are broken." He spoke to the Commander. "Something has been protecting them, something from the other side. A spirit of some kind?"
"A spirit?"
"When the breach closed the connection severed." Solas continued, Cullen could feel her breathing stabilise. "What ever injuries they had sustained were being suppressed, until now. There. Can you sit."

Solas took her hand helping her to slide off of Cullen and sit up. Cullen sat up beside her his hand on her face brushing blood from cuts the trickled down her face.
"Efa?" He spoke gently.
"Cullen…" He voice sounded distant. She looked around slowly. She looked to Briallen, Blackwall and Cassandra held her arm as they pushed her dislocated shoulder back into place. She cradled her wrist, her hand trembling as she waited for a healer. She looked to Hawke, Her other sister lying against Fenris as Anders patched her up, her eyes were open and she looked at Efa with the same expression as Briallen. Defeat.

"Efa?" Her attention turned back to Cullen. He looked at her worriedly.
The fighting had finished. With the closing of the Rift, the remaining demons had not lasted. What was left of her soldiers and the Wardens gathered around to see their Inquisitor. Witnessing for themselves the Herald of Andraste coming out of the Rift. How could she tell them what they believed was a lie. That she was no more than just an elvhen apostate who walked in on something she shouldn't have.
"Where is Stroud?" Cullen had not missed the absence of the Warden. "Varric said you all fell through the Rift?"
Efa stood, doing all she could to remain steady. Everyone looked at her. Her sisters, her companions, her soldiers. All these people who had followed her to what could have been their deaths. For some it had been. Suddenly Efa felt like she couldn't breathe again, more painfully than the broken ribs she had been sporting, the pain hitting her as quickly as it had when the rift had closed. They were all waiting for her to speak. The Wardens, panicked, fearful for their lives. Cullen could feel her hand on his shoulder, her grip tight in the fur of his cape. He could feel her tremble, he placed his hand over hers, squeezing it. He was here for her, whatever she needed to ground herself.

"Warden Stroud is dead, thanks to all of you." Her words were cold. "He stood against Clarel’s madness. If not for him, you’d be dead—or slaves to a servant of the Blight."
Cullen looked up at her, still holding her hand tight. She did not look life his Efa, her words were bitter and empty. Her eyes listless and without the passion he had seen when she had bolstered the troops before the siege. What had happened in the Fade?
"You repaid that by branding him a traitor."
"Inquisitor," A lone Warden stepped bravely forward. "We have no one left of any significant rank. What do we do now?"
"Stroud died for the ideals of the Wardens." She looked at him, he expression unchanging. "In war, victory. And we are still at war."
She turned to Briallen.
"Stroud elected you his successor." The Warden . "Do you believe the Wardens can still help?"
"I do, Your Worship."
"You’re all still vulnerable to Corypheus, and possibly his Venatori." She addressed the Wardens again. "But there are plenty of demons that need killing. Commander."
"It will be done." Cullen rose, bowing his head as he released her hand. "Inquisitor."

Cullen looked at her, her gaze meeting his own. There was so much he wanted to say, but right now was not the time. He had his duty, and the task she had discharged. With a heavy heart he left her still standing as her sisters slowly approached her.
"Efa." Briallen took her hand. "Will you be okay?"
"I have to be." Shes answered her tone the same. "I am the Inquisitor."
Her eyes followed him, as he looked back at her. He understood. First and foremost, she was their leader, and he was her Commander. That was what she needed right now. That is what he would do for her.

"I will need to go to Weisshaupt." Briallen looked at the Wardens following as Cullen began to order their retreat. Looking for the still living and aiding them as best they could. "They won't be happy but I'll have to try."
"Alone?" Efa asked.
"No, she won't be." Hawke shook her head.
"Mari you are hurt." Anders hissed at her. "You should not be making a journey like that without proper care."
"You say that like you won't be the first to follow her Mage." Fenris growled at him. "Where you go we follow. Always."
Anders didn't argue. He huffed and folded his arms nodding indignantly.
"That's settled then."
"Once that's done we'll be right back." Briallen squeezed her arm gently. "You won't be alone in this fight."
"Will you be okay, with everything that-" Hawke waved her hand back towards where the Rift had been.
"I have to be." She repeated. "The Inquisition needs its leader. No matter the circumstances."
"So it does." Hawke frowned. "But do not bear your burdens alone sister."
"I won't."

Chapter Text

For three days, she remained silent, other than commands given to solely to Cullen to delegate. She nodded gratefully as Varric handed her soup, eating barely a few mouthfuls before disappearing into her tent. On the first night they had camped, Cullen had ensured she was settled. When he turned to leave, she grabbed his hand, pleading without words for him to stay. He held her tightly, listening to her cry until she slept. And then hearing her screams as she woke from whatever nightmares plagued her.
On the third night, he had dozed, waking to realise he was alone. Panicked, he rose, pulling on his boots and his shirt to look for her. He found her sitting alone on a rock at the edge of camp, overlooking the barren fields, shivering slightly in the cool night air.
"Efa..?" He called softly.
"Cullen." She turned her head.
"You'll catch your cold." He came closer. "Do you want me to fetch you a blanket?"
"Can you wake Leliana and Cassandra?" She turned back to look out, ignoring his question. "I need to speak with you all."
"Now?" He frowned, concerned.
"It cannot wait."

He hesitated. He worried about leaving her alone, but it was the first she had spoken so many words since they had left Adamant.
"At once." He nodded and turned. He did as he was bade, waking Leliana and Cassandra, the latter who threatened him before hearing the reason. Each of them dressed swiftly following him as they made their way back to the Inquisitor. In response to her threat, Cullen had taken the blanket from Cassandra's bed. He placed the blanket around Efa's shoulders, sighing in relief when she accepted and balled her hands into the fabric to pull it close.

"I remember." She said as they stood around her.
"Remember?" Cullen looked confused.

"I remember everything." There was an unsteadiness in her voice. "Haven. The Fade. Justinia. All of it."
"Did something happen in the Fade?" Leliana ask, her careful mask hiding her real feelings. "To trigger your memory.
"Yes. I saw her." Efa looked up at the sky, Cassandra gasped lightly behind her. "Divine Justinia. Or at least… something that looked like her."
"You saw her?" The Seeker's voice filled with sudden grief.

She told them everything. The words coming slowly at first, but then like her tears they fell from her freely. When her tears began Cullen moved to her front, kneeling down to offer his support. She took his hand, holding onto it tightly, as is her life depended on it. Leliana and Cassandra listened. Their faces stoic as Efa recited the events.

"I'm not special. I don't know why she chose to save me." Efa shook. Her voice beginning to crack. "I am a nobody, bearing a death sentence that is ticking down on my head."
"You are not a nobody, Efa." He raised his other hand to cup her cheek, wiping away her tears with his thumb. "You are one of the strongest people I have ever known."
"You chose me as your leader because you all thought I had been chosen by your Maker." She shook her head. "I am nothing but a fake."
"We chose you because you stood out against the odds." Cassandra knelt to her right. "Time and time again, you did the impossible."
"We chose you because you possess a rare power all of your own, and not your magic." Leliana knelt to the left. "You have a deeper appreciation of the world and its suffering. You care where others do not."
"We chose you because you are brave." Cullen remained in front, his eyes fixed on her fiercely. "You have always put the people first, even when they were against you."

They all sounded so resolute. Efa could almost believe their words. But doubt, fear, still gnawed at her.
"How can you still have faith?"
"Justinia believed you were worth something." Leliana patted her leg. "She always had a talent for seeing things in us we could not."
"Was it really her?" Cassandra asked softly.
"I don't know. It could have been, or it could have been something watching her," Efa sighed using the blanket to dry her face. "The way the Nightmare watched Corypheus. Either way. You all know what happened. I owed you both that much."
Efa was surprised as Cassandra put her arms around her, Leliana did the same after a moment, both women hugged her tightly. In that moment they were not the Inquisitor and her council. They were just normal people, sharing in their grief. Not her subordinates, her friends.
"Thank you." Cassandra released her.
"It means a lot to know." Leliana smiled at her.

Efa felt the weight from her chest lifting. Not gone, but lessened. With each inhale she felt her resolve returning. And with her ease, came the exhaustion she had been fighting.
"I'm sorry." She barely stifled her yawn. "You should get your rest. It was selfish of me to-"
"Nonsense." Leliana stood, brushing dust off her trousers. "Besides it was worth it to hear the colourful insults Cassandra called your lovely Commander.
"Hmmp." Cassandra huffed, rising alongside her. "I said I was sorry! There was no reason to steal my blanket either!"
"Efa was cold," Cullen rose to meet her arms folded defiantly. "And you threatened to remove a part of my body I am particularly attached too."

Efa laughed, the sound unexpected by her companions. They laughed with her, enjoying the moment until Efa handed back the blanket, Cassandra and Leliana walked back to their shared tent leaving them alone once more.
"It's good to hear you laugh again." Cullen held out his hand to her.
"I'm sorry I made you worry." Her expression fell as she took his hand and stood.
"You needed time." He placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "After hearing what you saw, I do not blame you at all. Shall we?"

The walked back to their tent, hand in hand. Efa looked at Cullen as he helped her back into bed before curling behind her. She felt safe, she always did in his arms. Even at the bottom of her despair he was the one who kept her floating.
"Thank you," he whispered into her shoulder, his overgrown stubble tickling her skin. "For coming back to me."
She twisted in his hold, turning her head to him. His mouth found her warm and inviting. He kissed her, holding her firmly against his chest, savouring the moment. She stayed in his arms as sleep took her, resting better and free from the Nightmare that plagued her, at least for the one night.

In the morning she rose to the sound of camp breaking. Dressed and her hair pulled into a simple braid she stepped out into the early morning sun.
She stepped around the corner, seeing Varric, Dorian and Bull eating a quick breakfast. Their shared tent already collapsed and packed.

"Inquisitor." Varric smiled cautiously, holding out a chunk of bread and cheese to her. "You didn't eat much last night."
"Thank you, Varric." She took the offered food and tore a bite.
"Well, look who's finally come back to us." Varric eyed her up.
She smiled and dropped to sit by Dorian as her companions perked up at the sudden change in her demeanour.
"You had us worried for a spell there, boss." Bull reached over to hand her a water skin.
"I knew you'd come back," Dorian curled an arm around her. "Be truthful! You missed me too much."
"Oh, without a doubt, Dorian." She chuckled.
"Good. You have looked too solemn for too long." He squeezed her again. "Poor Varric was fretting so."
"She had Curly watching her." Varric grinned. "I never doubt she'd come round."
"You're the one who had his silk panties in a twist." The qunari wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Dorian choked on his water. His cheeks flushing red.
"My underwear is none of your concern."
"That's not what you said last night."
"Fasta vass!" Dorian swore. "Subtlety is not your strong point, is it?"
"I was in the tent with you!" Varric scowled. "Please tell me you were not having sex while I was right there!"
"Of course not!" Bull smirked back. "Princess wants a bath before we get to the good stuff."

Dorian unleashed a torrent of swearing as he smacked Iron Bull on his arm. Efa and Varric laughed, enjoying the moment as they finished their meal. Cullen found her not long after. She returned to his side as they broke camp, mounting up and continuing their journey home.

They travelled for three more days. Efa's mood steadily improved, but the Nightmare still plagued her deep in the dark. As they rode, Cullen remained faithfully by her side, lending her whatever strength he could. When Skyhold came into view, there was a collective sigh through all that marched. Josephine waited impatiently as they arrived, welcoming them back with undignified squeals of joy unbefitting of the Inquisition's Ambassador. She recovered quickly, ushering them off to warm baths and the promise of a hot meal.

Cullen kissed her head, leaving with the other soldiers, promising to find her once things were settled. She felt an ache in her as soon as he was out of sight, but Josephine continued to fuss over her all the way to her rooms, taking her attention away momentarily. With Isolde's help, the antivan helped her scrub all the dirt from her hair while checking over for any more injuries in the process, as Efa soaked blissfully in the hot water.

Josephine eventually left Efa in Isolde's care, to check on the food arrangements, the young girl brushing her hair until all the tangles were gone. When she asked about her mother, Efa told her she would be back.
Once she had dressed, she came down to the hall Josephine had not disappointed. How she had managed to rouse the kitchens to prepare so much food so quickly she had no idea. She sat and ate under the watchful eyes of Dorian, who appeared to be avoiding Bull with a passion. She teased, unable to resist the small measure of revenge for all his meddling in her own love life.

"Please Efa…" He begged.
"Do you know how many people will be jealous?" Efa laughed, tucking into a plate of fruit. "All the kitchen girls practically drool over him."
"I refuse to talk about this any longer." He huffed, folding his arms and looking away.
"Fine," she took a drink. "What would you like to talk about instead."
"How about that little storm you conjured in the heat of battle?"
"What storm?"
"What storm? Efa!" Dorian looked at her. "You electrified the entire fortress!"
"That was just the weather!"
"That wasn't no normal storm." Solas slid into the seat opposite them. "It stopped the moment you fell into the Fade and reappeared when you returned."
Efa opened and closed her mouth several times.
"It's not uncommon to manipulate the weather, especially if you have an affinity to a certain element." Solas continued, "Like how your sister does not need a cloak or extra padding in the cold, her fire affinity keeps her warm."
"You noticed that." Efa raised her eyebrows at him. He smiled knowingly.
"Of course."

People continued to come and go, but one face was conspicuously absent in the hall. Efa frowned, rising and bidding Sera and Blackwall, the last people she had been sitting with farewell. As she crossed the centre walkway, she could see through the unusually open door to Cullen's office, and the crowd gathered inside. She sighed. Of course, he was still working. She made her way along the rest of the path, walking up the stairs and slipping inside the door as Cullen barked orders.

"Rylen’s men will monitor the situation." He handed over a report to the closest soldier.
"Yes, ser." The recruit took it and began to scurry away. "We’ll begin preparation at once."
"In the meantime, we’ll send soldiers to-" He looked up, catching sight of Efa perched against the wall, his words catching in his throat for a second. "…assist with the relief effort."
She raised her eyebrows at him, Cullen stiffened, straightening up. She found it strange to see him issuing orders out of uniform, likely he'd shed it after he had washed and shaved, ready to be cleaned and repaired like hers. Instead, he wore soft leather trousers and his plain shirt, probably the most under dressed his troops had ever seen him.
"That will be all." He dismissed them sharply.
"Ser!"
She watched the soldiers hurry out, several of them startling when they caught her hovering. Cullen moved behind them, grabbing the door and slamming it shut with both hands locking it firmly.

"Do you ever stop working?" She continued to stand against the wall.
"I tried," he sighed, turning to look at the mess of reports on his desk. "But there is still so much to do."
"It can wait till morning, the men are exhausted," She chided him. "They can have one night to rest, and so should you."
"You're right," He pushed off the door, exhaling deeply, and turned back towards the desk. "This war won’t last forever. When it started, I hadn’t considered much beyond our survival. But things are different now."
"What do you mean?" She followed him further into the office.
"I find myself wondering what will happen after." He turned back to her. "When this is over, I won’t want to move on- not from you."
He reached his hand up to cup her cheek, Efa closed her eyes and lent into his touch. She felt a shiver down her spine at the gentle brush of his fingers on her skin.
"I don't think I could live without you in my life again." His voice grew uncertain as he dropped his hand, looking away from her shyly. "But I don’t know what you- that is, if you, ah…"

He turned to the desk, attempting to organise some of the papers there, she could see the nerves creeping through him. She studied him for the briefest moment. The rush of all the emotions she had felt for him surfaced in an instant. The moment she had laid eyes on him, she knew she couldn't let him go again. Her heart beat faster. Ever since she left the Fade in Adamant, he had been there for her, first as her Commander and then as partner. He had held her when she cried, comforting her when she could not speak. Without him, she had nothing to live for. The future she worked for, it was for him more than it was for herself. It was his presence she sought out, his hand she wanted to hold, his kiss she wanted to taste.
"Cullen." She slid herself between him and the desk moving his hand from the papers so she could perch right where she had stood the day she burnt his desk, "Do you need to ask?"
"I suppose not." He smiled softly at her. "Some days I worry this is all a cruel joke, that you're not really here- That I did lose you forever."
"I'm really here. You somehow keep bringing me back when all hope is lost," she reached for his face this time, her thumb brushing against his scar. "You are my world, Cullen. You are my reason to keep fighting."
He sighed, leaning towards her as she dropped her hands to the desk, hoisting herself up to sit more comfortably.

"I-" Cullen lent down to kiss her, stopping as Efa's hand caught the bottle at the edge of the desk, knocking it to the ground with a crash. She gasped, both of them stared at the broken glass as the wine pooled on the floor beside them. She looked back, biting her bottom lip worried for a moment, until she caught his smirk. He grabbed her face suddenly, kissing her deeply and stealing her breath. His kiss felt like fire, heat burning through her down into her core. He broke apart, taking a breath as his thumbs traced the lines of her vallaslin beneath her eyes.
"Cullen…" His name fell from he tongue with a desperate need. He felt it too, the desire to hold her, to feel her skin against him. She shuffled again on the desk, trying to make herself more comfortable. An impossible task with all the clutter. Cullen let go, acting on impulse his hands swept across the desk, sending the documents, books, and inkwell flying.
"Cullen!" She gasped as he coaxed her back, lifting beneath both of her knees to swing her over the surface easier. She gasped again as he climbed on top, settling his weight on top of her but careful too not to crush her. His mouth found hers again, more insistent, taking her bottom lip between his teeth and causing her to moan deeply. Her hands grabbed the bottom of his shirt, bunching it in her fists. He could feel the drag of her nails up his spine, lifting the fabric with it. He withdrew to help her pull it over his head. Immediately, her hands swapped to the front, raking through his chest hair, now it was exposed.

He took the opportunity to push up her shirt without removing it fully. After her bath, she hand not put on her chest band. Cullen growled appreciatively upon seeing her bare.
"Cullen," she rasped. "I want you. I need to feel- I-"
Her voice caught as he captured her breast in his mouth. She arched off the desk as he worried her nipple between his teeth, coaxing it into a stiff peak.
"Efa…" He whispered against her skin as he nibbled lower. "I want to give you so much. So much more than I know how to give."
He slid off the desk, looking at her, her hair fanning out behind her, the pattern of the lightning burns surrounding her. She was beautiful.
"I'll take it." She sat up enough to pull her scrunched up shirt off. "Whatever you have to give, I'll take it. No matter how big or small. So long as it's what you want too."

His hands found her leg, pulling off her boot and tossing it aside. What did he want? He repeated the motion on her other leg, tossing the boot towards the other. With her feet free, his hands ran up her outer thighs, stopping at the hem of her trousers. Efa bit her lip, watching in anticipation as he pulled off her trousers and smalls together, leaving her completely naked and sprawled out on his desk. He wanted everything.

They called her Herald, a gift from Andraste. Even if he knew that wasn't the truth, he believed. He wanted to worship her as she deserved, claim the sweet blessing that she would only bestow upon him. He sank to his knees as if in prayer, careful to avoid the spilt wine. He hooked his arms beneath her knees and reached for her hips, pulling her closer to the edge. She squeaked at the sudden movement, her legs falling over his back.
"Cullen, what are you?" She propped herself up on her elbows. Looking down, her words failed. The sight before her caused her mouth to go dry as she watched Cullen kiss a line up the inside of her thigh.
If she wasn't excited already, she would be now. The warmth she had already begun to feel, when he started kissing her, rose to an inferno. His fingers gripped her hips tightly. If she could think straight, she would worry she'd have finger shaped bruises with how firm his grip was. Not that she registered much, as his breath ghosted over her folds.

Cullen took a breath, inhaling her scent, sweet and floral with something else underneath that was entirely her. He could feel her thigh muscles tremble around him as he swiped his tongue hesitantly through her folds. It was unlike anything he had tasted before, and the sounds she made were new and exciting. He repeated the motion, bolder this time, and with more purpose as he dragged through her slick. Experimentally, he closed his mouth around her clit, using his tongue to find the spot he knew she liked. She cried out in response, a hand grabbing through his hair, to hold him there as she raised her hips to meet him.
Efa tugged on his hair, it wasn't painful, he quite enjoyed the feeling of her fingers against his scalp. He was completely surrounded by her, legs clenched around his neck and her hips desperately trying to rut against him. Cullen's trousers were impossibly tight. He strained against the fabric but he could not tear himself away from her. She moaned loudly, unable to hide her voice as she tried to hold on to anything to keep herself grounded.

He slid one of his hands down her leg and under, combining his fingers with his tongue, which had not stopped tasting her. Efa wailed as he pushed two fingers straight into her core. She clenched around him, a torrent of dalish mumblings falling from her lips as she came undone. Her entire body shuddered, Cullen felt a current wash over him from head to toe. He was surprised that he felt a comfort in her magic now, the sensation pleasurable and for the first time he didn't feel a sickness rise in him. He watched Efa fall back on the desk gasping for air, her hand releasing his hair and her legs going limp. He slipped his fingers from her leaning back he watched her chest heave as he licked them clean.
"Are you alright?" He stood up, leaning over to check on her, his knees slightly sore and his cock throbbing against his breeches. She spoke again, continuing in her native tongue, incomprehensible words. "Would you like to try that again in common?"

She chuckled. "No." Before taking a few calming breaths.
"That was incredible." she finally tried again. With shaky arms she sat up, pulling Cullen into a deep kiss. She could taste herself on his tongue, it was odd at first but the more she kissed the more she didn't mind.
"What about you?" Her fingers traced down his stomach.
"I have something else in mind." His voice was low and husky. "Hold on."
"Cullen!?" She quickly threw her arm around his neck as he scooped her up, her legs gripping around his waist tightly. She squeaked, as he began to climb up the ladder with her still clinging around him. "Cullen are you mad!?"
"Quite possibly." He laughed taking the ladder faster than she'd ever seen. At the top he dropped her gently down, she scuttled back, giggling as he clambered up the last few rungs. He scooped her up again, his back muscles rippling under her hands as he brought her up to kiss once more.

"Efa," He whispered against her lips. "Do you want to continue?"
"Yes…" Cullen lowered her carefully on to the bed. He pulled the laces of his breeches, finally releasing the pressure, as he stripped them down. He crawled on top of her, pressing the length of his body against her.
"Are you sure?"
"Cullen please…" She begged. She could feel him hot and hard against her. Her hand reached down between them to stroke him. "I want this. I want you."
He kissed her again, harder, parting her legs to rest properly between them. She guided him towards her, her hand helping him catch against her entrance. This kiss broke as he pushed in, watching her carefully for signs of discomfort. He rested his head against her, her arms circling his neck to keep him close.
"Are you okay?" He gasped, feeling her clench against him. The heat of her walls felt like nothing he could describe without blaspheming.
"Y-yes…" Her voice was barely a whisper as she clung to him. "Keep going."
She had gotten used to the feeling of his fingers inside, but the heavy weight of his cock made her ache in a way that was not quite uncomfortable, but exactly what she had been missing. When he was most of the way in, he pulled back earning a disappointed whine. He chuckled rolling his hips, his head burrowing into her neck and the soft curls of her hair.

He began to move, slowly, her nails raked through his hair and down his back. He moved faster listening to her gasps, moaning himself when he felt her teeth scrape against his shoulder.
"More." Efa whined, trying to lift her hips to meet him. He moved quicker again, his thrusts becoming harder and deeper. She fluttered around him. Her heat enveloping his cock as it slid into her.
"You are…" he gasped sitting up to lift her hips to get a better angle. "I have never felt anything like this."
"I love you." She moaned her hands falling to the bed around her head. "You know that-?"
"You've been saying it for a while." He lent down and kissed her. "Did you think I hadn't realised?"
"You knew?" She blushed hard, her arm came to cover her face trying to hide her shame. Cullen chuckled, his pace not slowing as she tightened again around him.
"I had a feeling." He smirked, running a hand down to her core. He could see where their bodies joined, perfect in every way. His thumb found her sensitive nub and he rubbed circles around her. With that, she came around him, the pressure taking him by surprise. He stuttered. His hips stilled as he felt his own release come without warning. He felt the shiver of her magic again ripple through them.

Efa felt limp, collapsing in the sheets from her high. Cullen lowered her hips, sliding from her with a satisfied groan. Efa panted beneath him, a faint sheen of sweat covering her body, the inside of her thighs glistened with their combined messes.
"I love you too, Efa." He reached for something to clean her with. He carefully wiped away his spend, delighting in the small noises she made when he brushed over somewhere sensitive. "I've always loved you from the time we were in the Circle."
"I loved you then too." She opened her arms for him to come lie with her. "I never imagined that we could be anything more."
"And here we are." He tugged the covers from beneath her before lying down, his head resting on her bare breast. "Together."
"Together..." She repeated. He could hear her heartbeat fluttering wildly. "We have a future now. One I will fight for."
"What kind of future do you see?" He pulled the covers over her cooling body.

"A home. Somewhere quiet." She threaded her fingers into his hair, stroking through his messy curls. "With animals and trees."
"I can see you in a garden full of flowers." He closed his eyes to imagine it. "Leaves caught in your hair as you tend to them."
"Where would we live?" She looked down at him smiling softly. "Ferelden? Near South Reach and your family?"
"Perhaps," he opened his eyes and looked up at her. "Or we could go to the Free Marshes, near Wycome and your clan."

"I'd be happy with either." She hummed thoughtfully. He reached up and kissed her gently before returning to her chest. "And what will you be doing? If I am in the garden…"
"Playing with the children, and maybe a dog if you'd let me." He chuckled hearing her hear leap at the world 'children'. "If that's what you wanted too?"
"How many?" She cuddled him closer letting his warmth cover her.
"Children or dogs?" He yawned slightly.
"Children, you silly man." She laughed.
"Hmm..." His arms held onto her tightly as her breathing began to lull him to sleep. "Four? Maybe five?"
"Five?!" She feigned horror.
"Okay four…"
"I think you'd make a wonderful father." she continued to stroke his hair as he exhaled softly.
"Mmm…"

He nuzzled his head against her, sleep taking over him. She sighed contentedly, listening to his soft snores as they began. Shutting her eyes, Efa drifted off, blissfully happy with him safely in her arms.

She woke to soft kisses, peppering up her back and neck. At some point in the night they had shuffled, Efa lay on her side with Cullen draped over her back. She could feel him hard and pressing against her.
"We have a meeting soon." She chuckled. feeling his hands roaming over her chest.
"They will wait for us." his voice was muffled in her hair. "Can't hold a meeting without the Inquisitor."
"Cullen…"
She giggled, as Cullen continued to kiss and touch her, until a sharp knock at the door below interrupted.
"Oh sweet Maker." He cursed. "I'm busy!"
Efa giggled more as he returned to kissing her. The knocking continued, louder this time. Cullen growled, irritated as he swung out of bed grabbing the first pair of trousers he could find. Sliding down the ladder her hit the ground and stomped to the door unlocking and swinging it open. In his irritation he forgot entirely the state of the room below.

"What!?" He glared at the intruder.
"Commander?" It was Leliana "You do know you were due in the war room half an hour ago?"
"We- I was?" Cullen looked up at the height of the sun. It was a lot later than he had realised.
"Although…" Leliana continued peering around Cullen to his office. "The Inquisitor is conspicuously absent also. Have you seen her this morning?"
Cullen flinched, suddenly conscious of what had happened the night before.
"The Inquisitor?" Cullen attempted to casually close the door blocking the space and limiting her view of the room. "No."
Efa couldn't suppress her laugh, covering her mouth as she snickered. She didn't know why he bothered to hide, he would be teased relentlessly regardless.
"I see."

Cullen bristled slightly, trying to maintain an air of professionalism.
"I believe she might be in the war room in about fifteen-"
"Thirty!"
"Thirty minutes?" He corrected himself.
"Interesting," Leliana's lip curled, "I must have gotten the time wrong. Shall the Inquisitor require breakfast and tea?"
"Yes, please."
"She would appreciate that, I am sure." Cullen looked anywhere but Leliana, both of the continuing their conversation as if the could not hear Efa above.
"Very well. I shall see you and hopefully the Inquisitor in thirty minutes." Leliana had a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh and Commander?"
"What?" Cullen huffed irritated as he had tried to close the door.
"You should consider fastening your trousers a little more before you open the door." Her eyes flicked downwards to his unlaced breeches. "Everyone will see the Commander's sword-"

The door slammed shut in Leliana's face. The spymaster shook slightly as she contained her laughter, above she could hear the sound of laughter and swearing drifting out of the un-patched roof. As she made here way back towards the hall she could here a squeal, shaking her head amused. She returned up the stairs, grabbing a kitchen maid to prepare them some breakfast.
Half an hour later, they turned up as promised, Cullen dressed in a rough tunic in place of his armour and Efa in a shirt that looked too big to be her own. Her hair was in a messy braid and both of them looked flushed.
Josephine attempted to start the meeting, welcoming them all back, but Efa could see there was no fooling her Ambassador to their lateness and state of dress.

"Thanks to Hawke and her companions," Josephine coughed discreetly. "Our casualties were far less than they could have been."
"Your sister helped save many lives on the battlements." Cullen nodded picking up the first report on the table to scan.
"Fenris was certainly illuminating to behold."
"Quite so-" Leliana chuckled remembering how surprised they had been when the elf lit up with lyrium in the battle. "Ahh, Commander, that is not for you."
"What?" He scowled at her as she smacked his hand away from the cup he reached for. "Am I not allowed tea?"
"Not that one," She picked up the cup and handed it to Efa. "Not unless you are suddenly able to bear child."
"What!" Cullen spluttered, his face turning bright red. "I- we-"
"Leliana," Efa chastised her, taking a sip of the tea with a blush. "Spare him a little?"
"Never, Josie you should have seen the state of his office this morning." Leliana turned to Josephine as Cullen baulked at her. "Clothes, wine, papers everywhere."
"Scandalous!" Josephine gasped. "Please tell me not on the desk again?

Cullen made a noise like a strangled deer. All three of the ladies laughed.
"I do admit the lightning strikes make for a pretty pattern." Leliana nodded at Efa appreciatively.
"Can we talk about something else?" Cullen was bright red now, staring at them all. "Anything? Efa please?"
His last words were said directly to her, his eyes pleading with her so desperately as Josephine scoffed.
"You ruin all our fun Cullen!" She whined. "But truly we are happy you were able to-"
"Josie…" Efa chided her now.
"No lightning bolts this time?" Leliana couldn't help herself. "I was half expecting you to look frazzled Commander."
"I'm leaving." He dropped the report and made for the door.
"Cullen!" Efa grabbed his hand and pulled him back, raising her eyebrows at her other advisers threateningly.

"We just tease Cullen." Leliana tried to be apologetic, but Cullen just glared.
"What is the situation at Adamant?" Efa moved them on before Cullen did actually leave. "Have our men been recovered?"
"Rylen and his remaining men have recovered the fallen," Cullen slipped gratefully back into his role as Commander. "I expect a list of names to be sent as soon as he can."
"The Bull's Chargers are on route now to assist in demolishing the remains of the structure." Josephine hid her smile with a practised motion. "To ensure it is not used by any opposing factions."
Efa nodded, looking at the map. "Anything from Bri and Weisshaupt?"
"Nothing yet." Leliana shook her head.
"And Corypheus?" Efa felt the joys of the night before drain from her.
"While you bested Corypheus here and at Halamshiral, he himself was not present either time." Leliana's tone was sour. "We fear he is close to finding another way to enter the Fade. My Scouts are covering every route looking for his strongholds and where they are going next. As soon as we have something we need to be ready to move."
"Alright, rest up while you can." Efa looked to Cullen. "Make sure as much as can be is repaired, and that the troops are ready to go as soon as we know."
"Of course." He nodded. "At once."

"Or as soon as you've tidied your office…"

Leaving the war room, Efa made her rounds, checking on each of her travelling companions, after the long journey home. All of them were in good spirits, or as good as they could be following the battle. Dorian was sporting some interesting marks on his neck. He denied any quips she made about Iron Bull, even when she could see the qunari in the background holding up three fingers and mouthing 'three times' at her.

Her last stop was down at the stables, both to see Revas and Blackwall, but when she reached the stables the Warden was absent. He had been quiet the night before, despite being surrounded by the celebrating troops. She had thought it to be as a result of the Warden's involvement in everything that had happened so far. She moved along to Revas' stall, her hart huffing happily at her when she approached stroking his neck. On the inside of his stall something caught her eye, a dagger affixed to the stall wall holding a letter addressed to her. Whoever had left it, had known she would come here.

She entered the stall cautiously, pulling out the dagger. No, not a dagger, a whittling knife. The same one she had seen Blackwall use countless times when she had spoken to the Warden here. She had an awful feeling in her stomach as she unfurled the letter.

Inquisitor,

You’ve been a friend and an inspiration. You’ve given me the wisdom to know right from wrong and, more importantly, the courage to uphold the former.

It’s been my honour to serve you.

Chapter Text

"I have Leliana’s report on Thom Rainier."

"Give me the overview." Efa lent her hands on the Guard-Captain's desk. When she had come up from the prison, she had been relieved to find Cullen unexpectedly waiting for her. Anyone could have delivered the information he had brought. She had half expected a scout to be waiting for her, not her commander who barely stepped away from his desk. She knew why. After discovering Blackwall was gone and the missing report among his things Efa had slept poorly waking Cullen in the middle of the night screaming, not just from whatever dream she had but her the anchor on her hand flaring painfully to life. His grip on her leg as she mounted up to leave for Val Royeaux was bruising. He had not wanted to let her go. and likely leapt at the chance to follow her under any excuse he could find.
"Looks like our friend was once a respected captain in the Imperial Orlesian army." Cullen began professionally. "Before the civil war, he was turned, persuaded to assassinate one of Celene’s biggest supporters. He led a group of fiercely loyal men on this mission and told them nothing of it. His men took the fall for him. A few lucky ones, like Mornay, managed to escape."
"Let me guess." Efa growled, disgusted. "Our spymaster had this lying around somewhere, didn’t she?"
"It would have been difficult for anyone to connect Blackwall to Rainier." Cullen tried to reason with her.
"Hmmp." That being said, she was still annoyed at the ease, Leliana had uncovered the exact information they seemed to need.
"Even Leliana has something of a blind spot when it comes to Wardens." He sighed, dropping the Commander to place a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Bri always spoke fondly of her." Efa exhaled deeply. "But now is not the best time for this. Not when we are so close to- Fuck!"

Light bounced into her hand as the anchor flared up again. She tried to calm her breathing as Cullen flinched beside her, his hand gripping her shoulder tighter.
"Are you alright?" He was even more worried than he had been earlier.
"It's just annoyance." She evened her breathing out. "We need to stay focused."
"Alright." He conceded, an Orlesian jail cell was not somewhere he wanted to draw up an argument. "What do you want to do now? Black- Rainier has accepted his fate, but you don’t have to. We have resources. If he’s released to us, you may pass judgement on him yourself."
Was that what she wanted? to sit in judgement of a man she had broken bread with, who she had travelled with, fought with? Someone who she had invited into her inner circle and shared a closer companionship with?

"If it were up to you, what would happen?" She tried not to tremble, unsure if what she was feeling was sadness or rage.
"What he did to the men under his command was unacceptable." Cullen was straight to the point. "He betrayed their trust, betrayed ours. I despise him for it."
She nodded in agreement. Thankful to hear that her own sentiments were echoed.
"And yet he fought as a Warden. Joined the Inquisition." He continued bitterly. "Gave his blood for our cause. And the moment he shakes off his past, he turns around and owns up to it. Why?"
"He wanted to change." Efa shook her head. "To prove he’d really left his past behind, he had to face up to it."
"Saving Mornay the way he did took courage. I’ll give him that." Cullen moved his hand beneath her chin and raised her to look at him. "But I can’t tell you what to do."
He was right, but he had done what she needed as her adviser. He had given his opinion, wholeheartedly, and she could understand his sentiment and underlying admiration in his last chosen words. While the situation was different. Rainier was trying to make amends for mistakes he could never fix. Just like Cullen. She wouldn't allow her self to imagine what it would be like if it was Cullen in that cell.

"Have Rainier released to us."

Returning to Skyhold, for the first time, was not the usual comfort she had grown to feel. Her companions all looked horrified at the revelation of Blackwall's true identity, non so much as Sera, who stormed off shouting profanities and wasn't seen again for the rest of the day. Efa developed a headache, that no amount of tea or elfroot could cure, as Josephine and Leliana's suggestions on releasing Rainier to them, were met with debate across the table. She eventually settled on letting Josephine handle it. The last things she wanted was more secrecy inside her inner circle. If they were to be taken seriously, they would need to act accordingly.

Leliana's scouts meanwhile, had begun to provide promising returns. They waited eagerly on the report from the latest lead, down in the Arbor Wilds. Morrigan, barging in to the war council to offer her 'wisdom', had lead Efa into a shabby room and to the eluvian she had brought with her. Efa had felt strange, standing in what she had called the Crossroads, pathways between others of the same making. It was astonishing. Such a rare power created by her kind. But with power, came fear. They had become aware of Corypheus and his activities in old elvhen ruins, Morrigan had confirmed the presence of one also in the Wilds. This mirror was what he sought, she had told her. If he found one in those ruins it could spell the end for them all.

"With an eluvian," Leliana mulled over their words back in the war room. "Corypheus could cross into the Fade in the flesh?"
"Indeed." She nodded. "The Inquisitor can attest that these artefacts still work, if one knows how to use them."
"What happens when Corypheus enters the Fade?" Cullen looked concerned.
"Why, he will gain his heart’s desire, and take the power of a god." Morrigan smiled too sweetly to be sincere. "Or- and this is more likely- the lunatic will unleash forces that tear the world apart."
"In Redcliffe, I saw the future Corypheus built." Efa swallowed bitterly, trying not to recall all the details. Her eyes met Cullen's briefly, sharing the same haunted look. "We can’t let that happen."
"‘Twas always so, was it not?" The mage nodded. "The madman would bury us all."
"Pardon me, but…" Josephine was doing her best to follow. "Does this mean everything’s lost unless we get to the eluvian before him?"
"Corypheus has a head start," Cullen growled slightly. "No matter how quickly our army moves."
"We should gather our allies before we march-" Josephine began.
"Can we wait for them?" Leliana cut over her. "We should send our spies ahead to the Arbor Wilds."
"Without support from the soldiers?" Cullen bit back, tensions beginning to rise. "You’d lose half of them!"
"Then what should we do?"

"For starters, we don’t let Corypheus worry us to death." Efa said loud and sternly. "Imagine how embarrassing that would be."
They all fell quiet, turning to look at her as she spoke. She took a breath, calculating quickly what they had and what they could do.
"Josephine, have our allies send scouts to meet us in the Wilds." Her ambassador nodded, scribbling on her board. "Leliana, your fastest agents will join them. Together, we’ll have enough spies to slow down Corypheus’s army until Cullen’s soldiers arrive."
"Such confidence," Morrigan commented idly. "But the Arbor Wilds are not so kind to visitors. Old elvhen magic lingers in those woods."
"We’d be remiss not to take advantage of your knowledge, Lady Morrigan." Josephine smiled diplomatically at her. "Please, lend us your expertise."
"‘Tis why I came here," She smirked at the formality. "Although it is good to see its value recognised.

"Any further instructions, Inquisitor?" Cullen turned to Efa ignoring the witch's snipe.
"The Inquisition began as a handful of soldiers." Efa looked at all three of her faithful advisers. "Thanks to you, we’re now a force that will topple a self-proclaimed god. I could ask for no finer council, no better guidance."
"I speak for all of us when I answer: we could ask for no finer cause." He smiled at her softly.
"We’ll hound Corypheus in the Wilds before he can find the temple or this 'eluvian'." Leliana smiled confidently.
Efa nodded to them all leaving to begin her own preparations.

Skyhold was rife with activity. Efa came to the main courtyard, followed by Dorian after speaking to Isolde, having to tell her she would be leaving again so soon was heartbreaking for the girl. Especially to learn that everyone would be leaving, even Fiona, to aid in the battle. Dorian patted her on the shoulder as she sighed upon their return to the courtyard. She could see Cullen surrounded by soldiers issuing rough orders as normal. She was happy, at least that when she marched, he would be by her side. Seeing her, he dismissed the remaining officers and came over.

"How long will it take us to march?" She asked, eyeing some of the papers in his hand.
"Three days." He showed her a small map with the route, standing closer than professionally acceptable. "The scouts will be there as early as tomorrow if we are lucky and their reinforcements to follow."
"How soon can we make ready?" She looked around. Horses were currently being prepped and saddled. Carts of supplies being lifted from the stores. Everyone was busy, the smithy's were sharpening blades and testing shields.
"A few hours." He followed her inspection. "Leliana has already sent out her birds."
"No time for a game of chess then?" Dorian feigned hurt. "What a pity Commander."
"Your armour is repaired and waiting for you." Cullen ignored the mage, and pointed up to his office. Efa nodded.
"Before you do." Dorian interrupted. "While I have you both-"

"Inquisitor Commander!" A sharp voice cut over them, cutting Dorian off mid sentence.
"Leliana?" Efa looked at the approaching spymaster. "What is it?"
"I just had word from one of my scouts," She gave the report to Cullen who scanned as she spoke. "A shipment of red lyrium has been seen making its way south."
"From where?" he scowled, eyes continuing to dart back and forth. "We cut off his supply."
"It doesn't matter where now." Efa shook her head. "We need to make sure it doesn't reach them. Where?"
"Through the Graves," Leliana confirmed. "Perhaps a cache we did not find."
"Seems logical that he would have a backup just in case." Cullen cursed colourfully.

"Can we spare anyone?" Efa asked fully well, knowing it was inevitably her that would need to go.
"All other scouts are all deployed." Leliana looked at her gravely.
"And the army would be too slow." Cullen had reached the same conclusion
"Then it will have to be me." She huffed disappointingly.
"I believe that to be the only solution." Leliana looked between her and Cullen sympathetically.
"Dorian, can you be ready to go within the hour?"
"If I must." The mage huffed but didn't leave.
"Leliana alert Bull and Varric of the change of plan."
"Yes, Inquisitor." She scurried off, leaving them.

"Efa…" Cullen held her arm, struggling to find his words. "I…"
"I know…" Efa knew what he was trying to say. She didn't want to leave him. But it was her duty, and if she didn't, the repercussions would be severe. "I'll be with you as soon as possible. We can't let that lyrium get to them."
"I wish there was some way we could-"
"Actually," Dorian interjected. "I have a solution for that. Which i was trying to say before we were so rudely interrupted."
"What?" Cullen barked at him, having momentarily forgotten the Tevene hovered beside them still.
"Dorian?" Efa tilted her head questioningly.
From his pocket, he pulled out a small box, opening it before them. inside on a bed of velvet lay two crystal pendants. Efa could feel the shiver of magic between them, the crystals resonating between themselves, connected by magic. Powerful magic she had seen only once.

"Ta-da!" Dorian looked at them smugly. "You can thank me later!"
"Is this a sending stone?!" Efa picked the first pendant carefully from the box. It was set in fold and hung from a secure chain. She had seen a larger one in First Enchanter Irving's office when she had studied there. "How in the creators did you-"
"I pulled a few strings at home. These aren't your typical sending stones. They're enhanced." He waved his free hand non-nonchalantly. "After seeing how terribly put out our poor Commander had been in Adamant, I thought you might like a small comfort."
"Enhanced in what way?" Efa studied it curiously.
"You'll see." Dorian smirked.
"This is…" Cullen was at a loss for words. "Dorian, I don't know what to say…"
"Tell me 'I'm a good boy' and I'll consider us even."
Cullen looked at him blankly for a moment, and Efa wondered if he was actually considering it.
"I'm not calling you that." Efa chuckled at his typical response.
"Shame." Dorian laughed. "I accept brandy then."
"Thank you," Efa hugged him, "This is-"
"No time! Chop chop!" Dorian shooed her away."That red lyrium won't destroy itself!"

Efa put on the pendant, helping Cullen as he fiddled clumsily with the clasped. She tucked it under his breastplate and her hidden scarf. When she pressed her hand over her own, she could feel a pleasant beat, rhythmical and steady. His heartbeat. This is what Dorian had eluded at, She exhaled softly. It was one of the most wonderful gifts she had ever received. Suddenly, the separation didn't seem too bad. Cullen kissed her softly before she hurried off to change. Dorian was right. There was no time left to dawdle.

Efa was exhausted, but there was no time to rest. They had stopped the bulk of red lyrium being transported down, with the help of Leliana's scout waiting for them. Afterwards, her party had rode hard through the night, stopping for a few hours' rest. Sleep, however, eluded them as Efa's nightmares kept them all from sleeping. Her companions all felt for her. The only comfort she could find was in the soft words spoken through the sending stone. In the absence of sleep, they rode. They made it to forward camp half a day behind the main host. Most of their companions were already in the field. Unsurprisingly, Cullen was already in the thick of it. Engaged in driving back the Red Templars as best he could for her arrival. The Charger's were waiting for Iron Bull, the qunari barely blinking before he was rushing into battle himself.

She found Josephine co-coordinating with different faction leaders. Including, much to Efa's surprise, the Empress herself. After gaining an understanding of the situation, she trudged through the camp, and Varric and Dorian left her to join their respective units. Her party to the Temple was to be limited, to ensure firstly that they made it through as unnoticed as possible, and secondly, they needed as many people on the battlefield repelling the enemy. Morrigan and Solas were first to be assigned naturally, with their affinity to all things elvhan and despite the arguments between them. And Cassandra at Cullen's insistence. There were few people he trusted with her safety, and with Blackwall no longer an option, they were limited on defensive operatives.

Alongside her group, Josephine had told her Cullen had left a small troop to move alongside her. She was pleasantly surprised to see Captain Rylen waiting for her. Of course, he had left her the best he could offer after himself. She recognised his men from Griffon Wing Keep, all of them she had known to be ex-Templars. She understood his choice. These were men he had served with and trusted. When she first joined the Inquisition, what felt like aeons ago, she would have refused to have these men within miles of her. But now, she had a newfound respect for their resolve. Loyal to her commander, to her cause and to her.

"Inquisitor!" Rylen greeted her with a bow as she approached his camp.
"How goes the battle, Captain?" She nodded respectfully to the men as they rose to offer her respect.
"They've been holding, barely." He grimaced. "The Red Templars are fighting harder than ever with their master nearby."
Efa frowned as she saw the soldiers shuffling uncomfortably. Likely, she thought, impatient at waiting on the sidelines for her. She smiled apologetically at them all. Several returned the gesture. Some she noted looked just as tired as she did. Odd, considering they had not joined the fighting yet, but Efa did have time to dwell on that.
"The scouts saw Corypheus travelling toward an elven ruin to the north." Rylen continued. "We are to clear you a path through his armies. Commander's orders."
"So all you have to do is fend off Corypheus’s worst zealots until I’ve reached my destination?" Efa attempted to lighten the mood.
"We shall not flinch, Your Worship!" He jerked suddenly, stuffing his hand behind his back. "Not a one of us!"
Efa's smile dropped. The gesture all too familiar. She studied his face, seeing the exhaustion in his eyes and paleness to his skin she has seen in Cullen after their journey to Halamshiral. She could see a slight tremor in him, in the hand he was carefully concealing out of sight.

"Captain?" She swallowed hard, realisation coming to her. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine you're Worship." He tried to assure her, taking a breath and gesturing to the troop. "The Commander has been helping us all."
"All?" Suddenly it all made sense. They were already fighting, just not on the battlefield. Fighting the nightmares, the loss of power, the loss of lyrium. "You've all stopped taking lyrium?"
The soldiers all nodded, some answering with a 'Yes', others just choosing to nod.
"Did the Commander not tell you?" Rylen looked at her shocked expression. "It's been months for some, a few here are just beginning."
"With everything that's been going on there hasn't really been time for the little things." She felt a swell of pride growing in her at the work Cullen had be putting in.
"You and the Commander have been an inspiration my Lady." One of the soldiers nearest spoke, again their collective agreement swept through them.
"I did nothing," she shook her head. "Cullen is the one who put in the work."
"Aye, but to have a mage supporting him so." Rylen smiled warmly. "You don't know how much hope it's given to those who served in Kirkwall."

Efa rubbed her eyes, she hadn't expected to react in such a way to other's following Cullen's example.
"I'm proud of you. All of you." The all stood a little straighter, chests swelling as they saw her reaction. A year ago, this would never have been possible. These men were doomed to end their lives in madness. Not now, because one brave man had taken the first step. Her commander, her lover, her vhenan'ara.
"It is no easy task you embark on, but one I will throw all my support too." These men had lives to live as much as anyone now. "Do only what you must. We need enough people for a celebration when we get back to Skyhold."
"We will not fail you, my Lady." Rylen stood with confidence in his stance. "No matter what comes."
"Carry on Captain," she composed herself again. "Be ready to move once my team is assembled."
"Andraste guide you," Rylen pressed his fist to his breast plate. "Ready at your command, Inquisitor."

She turned away, looking for Solas and Cassandra, her hand coming up to the pendant around her neck. She held it gently, feeling the elevated but steady beat pulsing through. He was fighting, she knew. Calm and collected, a natural soldier to his core. She longed for him, dreaming of the day when they could hang up their weapons for good. She lost her self momentarily in her thoughts of the future, not hearing as Morrigan approached her.
"I wonder…" The witch mused. "Is it Andraste your soldiers invoke during battle, or does a more immediate name come to their lips?"
"Are you eavesdropping on my conversations now?" She tucked the pendant back beneath her mail.
"Not at all, I happened to be looking for you and witnessed such a touching display." Efa found her tone condescending. "You are truly an inspiration to them all. Maker sent and blessed by the Divine."
"Another way to let people down if I falter." She bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from saying something rude. "Thank you for the reminder."
"‘Twas not I who raised an army of faithful to storm this land, Inquisitor…"

The Wilds were unforgiving.
Even with their assisting troops, they were swarmed by Red Templars. She was grateful to Rylen and his men, Cullen had planned well, for they would not have made it half as far without them. Closing in on the temple, Efa caught sight of a familiar rogue stalking along the wall, daggers flashing wildly as she felled whatever became before her.
"Good hunting, Inquisitor!" She yelled down joyfully. " Glad you could join us! All dealt with I hope?"
"Done and done." Efa blasted back an oncoming enemy. "How goes things here?"
"We’re keeping them at bay!" She stabbed. Follow the river to the temple!"

They followed on as Leliana advised, a trail of bodies both Inquisition and Red Templars met them along the way. ahead they could hear fighting, her heart raced as they came around the corned to fins her Commander surrounded. Without even thinking, her staff twirled in her hands, The bolt leaping into the closest demon and bouncing from enemy to enemy around him. Cullen lowered his shield, looking up to see who approached at the sight of her she could see the exhaustion lifting from him.
"You're here!" He hurried towards them.
"Did you think I would miss the party?" she smirked. "Thank you for my entourage. Only you could have done better. And well…"
She looked back at the river and bodies behind them.
"My fierce lion," she smiled, twisting her hand to the side as a demon attempted to approach.
"Time to press on, Inquisitor!"

She was loathed to leave again. Before he could turn away from her, she scanned the immediate area. Seeing no threats, she pulled Cullen into a bruising kiss. It had only been a few days, not the longest she had been apart from him. But since Adamant, things had changed between them. Between the nightmares and the looming threat, he was her light in the dark, and she clung to it like a scared child.
"Stay safe." she released him. "Don't be reckless."
"The Inquisition will not yield." He stroked her cheek. "I love you."
"I love you to vhenan."

Leaving him to the new wave of enemies that approached, as well as breaking from Rylen's men, Efa slipped through the overgrown trees and out of sight. Her soldiers distracted the enemies as they continued on towards the temple. She spied the stone walls closer now. They had made it.
"That must be the Temple of Mythal." She turned to Morrigan, Solas close on her other side.
"Be ready." he warned. "Corypheus will be there."
"I hear fighting ahead." Morrigan motioned towards an archway. they moved stealthily, keeping to the shadows as they approached the lingering voices.

Approaching the top of the ledge they peered over, finally catching sight of Corypheus. It was the first time she had seen him since Haven. since he had tried to take the anchor back. Months had passed, but still, he invoked the same fear she had felt as he lifted her from the trebuchet. She bit back the bitter memory, focusing instead on what was in front of her now. He next chance to disrupt the vile creature's plans.
"Na melana sur, banallen!" A strange collection of elves stood on the bridge connecting to the Temple doors. She could see Samson clad in his red armour, approaching confidently alongside his Templars, several dead elves tossed to the side around them.
"They still think to fight us, Master." The former Templar scoffed.
"These are but remnants." Corypheus approached the sentinels. "They will not keep us from the Well of Sorrows."
"'Well of Sorrows?'" Efa turned to Morrigan. The mage shrugged, looking just as confused as she was.
"Be honoured!" the darkspawn Magister approached the start of the bridge, the statues either side began to glow with magic. "Witness death at the hands of a new god!"

As soon as he stepped on the bridge, power began to surge, firing into Corypheus with brute force. The Magister halted, struggling to make it passed the magical barrier. The elves on the bridge began to retreat in shock, but Corypheus reached out and grabbed the forward most elf. The sentinel struggled, but he too was taken by the magic. Efa watched in horror as the flesh melted from their bones. With a final burst of magic, everything exploded. Efa and the others ducked as rubble flew in every direction. When the smoke cleared, Efa jumped down. Corypheus was gone, and so was Samson. Were they dead? They approached the bridge cautiously.

Movement ahead caught her attention as Solas knelt to check the bodies.
"All dead," He confirmed as Efa squinted ahead. "This was one of the Warden's from Adamant, one that bound themselves."
Efa didn't want to look. She already saw them in her nightmares. She didn't want to look again. She stepped onto the bridge, now closer to the figures on the other side. At first she thought them the elves but a flash of red caught her eyes.
"Samson!" She growled. "He's going into the temple!"
She began to run, but there was a sickening crunch behind her, and she could hear Cassandra cry out in disgust. Efa turned her eyes, finding the Warden's body, which had begun to rise. Unlike the spectral corpses she had seen Dorian raise, this was the entire body, bones crunched and blood spew from its mouth.
"It can not be." Morrigan backed away as the body began to morph and grow. when the first arm broke free and scraped through the stone in front, Efa felt bile in her throat.
"Across the bridge." she screamed at her companions. "Now!"

Her call had come just in time. As she began to run across the bridge, away from the resurrecting body, there was a horrendous screech overhead. The Archdemon came in low, its mouth opening and flames growing deep in its maw. She dived through the open door, Morrigan behind her. She grabbed Solas' hand, pulling him through using all her weight to push against the door. Cassandra shouldered the door on the other side, flames breaching through the receding opening as the four of them forced the door to close. She could feel the fire on her mail absorbing into the dragon scales and rippling over her chest.

When the door closed fully, it shone gold. They all jumped away, watching as magic sealed the door closed. There was a loud bang as the dragon hurled into the door, but it did not move.
For the moment, they were safe.
But for how long?

"At last. Mythal’s Sanctum." Morrigan straightened herself up, continuing on as if their lives hadn't been in jeopardy moments before. "Let us proceed before Corypheus interferes."
"You said Corypheus wanted an eluvian," Cassandra hissed at her, "but he mentioned a 'Well of Sorrows.' Which is right?"
Efa could feel her annoyance grow. Briallen had warned her that Morrigan always appeared to know more than she did or had a trick up her sleeve.
"I suspected." For the first time, the witch sounded out of her depths. "I did not know."
"You’re not certain?" Efa didn't hesitate to call her out. "You said you knew what he was looking for!"
"Confidence can carry one only so far, it seems." Solas couldn't hide the smugness in his tone.
"Yes, I was wrong! Does that please you?" she rounded on Efa and Solas angrily. "Whatever the 'Well of Sorrows' might be, Corypheus seeks it, and thus, you must keep it from his grasp!"

"Fine," Efa folded her arms. "Let’s find this Well before Corypheus’s people do."
She turned away from the group and off to the side pulling out the crystal from her mail.
"Cullen?" She held it tightly in her hand.
"Efa? Are you safe?" She sighed at the almost immediate response.
"We made it to the Temple, but were not alone." She paused. "Samson is here."
There was no reply right away. She felt anxious as the others waited for her.
"Be careful. He is dangerous."
"I know, I have the rune from Dagna." She made sure to lift it into easy reach.
"What of Corypheus?"
"He…" Her voice was unsteady. "He was blown apart by the protective ward, I saw him destroyed but-"
"But?" She could hear alarm in his voice.
"He resurrected in the body of a Grey Warden."
"How is that even possible!?"
"I don't know how Corypheus returned to life." Efa turned back to the others. "We saw him die."
"And his life force passed on to a blighted creature." Morrigan snarled.
"Then Corypheus cannot die." Solas pondered on it. "Destroy his body, and he will assume another."

"There must be a way." Efa tried not to let herself panic. "But first, we need to stop Samson."
"Be careful, Efa." Cullen begged. "I know what he was capable of in Kirkwall. With the red lyrium, it will be worse. And with this unsettling news about Corypheus, it might be better to capture him rather than kill him."
"I'll do my best."
"I know you will."

Chapter Text

The fighting continued. Cullen grew weary, as they continued to drive back the remaining Red Templars and demons. Beside him Dorian had caught up, he had fell effortlessly into step with the mage. Finding the Tevene easy to work around. Dorian was happy to be out of reach, assisting where needed, incapacitating to allow Cullen the killing blow. He couldn't help but feel worried, after the revelations Efa had brought to him. If Corypheus could not be killed, how could the stop them?

Another demon fell to his blade, he turned to Dorian, ready to signal them to move on when a strange sensation washed over him. Dorian coughed, falling to his knees in the river.
"Kadan!" Iron Bull thundered across the river to reach him, seeing his distress.
Cullen swayed, his head spinning slightly, he recognised the power at work. But never before had he felt it on such scale.
"Silence." Cullen groaned, shaking off the feeling and looking around. The other mages were similarly reeling, their magic gone in an instant. "What is-"
Cullen felt dread in his stomach. If this was happening here, what of Efa in the Temple.
"Efa?!" He pulled the stone from his breast plate. It pulsed erratically in his hand. "EFA!?"
The beat quickened. She could hear him, but she could not answer. He lunged at a demon approaching, backing up around Dorian as he defended his friend. He kept his hand clasped around the crystal feeling her rhythm, praying for her answer,

The world stopped.
If he had felt dread before, he had descended into hell. The pulse from the crystal had stopped.
"No…"
"Boss?"
"She can't be…"
"BOSS!"

Iron Bull couldn't reach him in time as the demon swiped at him. Claws extended it knocked him to the ground. Cullen rolled, but he had no control. His body reacting to the attack with years of battle experience. But it was like he was watching from a far, unable to comprehend the actions he made.
His eyes were glazed, as he sunk to his knees, the demon dead before him. He could barely make out the Iron Bull and Dorian rushing to him, their mouths opening, speaking to him, but their words fell on deaf ears.
Nothing could reach him.
His world was gone.

From the moment she had stepped into the Temple, Efa had felt a strange ease. Being surrounded by ancient elvhen ruins always brought a sense of peace to her. Even with the circumstances, Samson in front and Corypheus behind, she moved through the ruins eager to learn what she could. When they found Samson, blowing a hole to descend deeper underground, she hesitated. Both Morrigan and Solas agreed on their approach, earning a raised eyebrow from her. But Efa too felt the compulsion to follow the natural order laid out by her ancestors. Cassandra, outnumbered, followed with only mild complaints.

Her judgement had paid off, gaining them passage and allies through the Temple's maze of structures. Abelas, the guardian sentinel, allowed them to pass unharmed. But as the mystery of the Well began to unfurl, Morrigan grew agitated. The Well was a wealth of generational knowledge of old elves, the source of power Corypheus sought. But Abelas would sooner it was destroyed, than fall into the hands of Corypheus, or even themselves. The witch would not allow it, transforming, she took chase abandoning them to their ancient brethren to fight through to the Wells location. And not just the elves stood in her way.

"Inquisitor." Samson looked at her as they approached. "You and those elf-things don’t know when to stop."
They had reached the Well in time, Samson had not managed to make it any further. Efa would not let him pass now.
"Not knowing when to stop, has got me this far." She gripped her staff tightly.
"You’ve hunted us half across Thedas." He laughed brandishing his sword. "I should’ve guessed you’d follow us into this hole."
"I spoke with your Tranquil, Maddox." Efa circled him, her companions fanning out and preparing. "He sacrificed himself for your cause."
"I told him not to-" He grimaced. "He died as one of us, then. One of the faithful."
"Your reserves are gone. So is the lyrium." She tried to reason with him. "Isn’t it time to stand down?"
"To enjoy the mercy you showed our brothers and sisters?" He spat at her. "No, thanks."

He was beyond hope. She could see the depths of the lyrium in him, whatever hope Cullen had for him she feared it was misplaced. His eyes, as she approached, were sunken in and red where they should have been white. Was there even a glimmer of the man Cullen had once known?
"Corypheus chose me twice." Samson disregarded her study of him. Sneering at her with an air of superiority. "First as his general, now as the Vessel for the Well of Sorrows. You know what’s inside the Well? Wisdom. The kind of wisdom that can scour a world. I give it to Corypheus, and he can walk into the Fade without your precious Anchor."
"Once Corypheus is that powerful," she quipped back. "You and your soldiers will just slow him down."
"You dare say that to my face? After you butchered my men?" His sneer became a snarl. Red lyrium crackled around him and she felt her own mark buzz in response. "You’re no match for Corypheus. Even if you drink from the Well, you’ll never master its wisdom as he could. This is the strength the Chantry tried to bind. But it’s a new world now. With a new god!"

Efa quickly checked her flanks, Cassandra stood to her left, weapons raised towards the Red Templars beginning to surround them. The only way through now was to fight, Solas prepared a barrier to their rear.
"So, Inquisitor." Samson gripped his sword, making his own subtle tells to his soldiers. "How will this go? Will you fight for the power that is rightfully mine?"
"Power’s all well and good." She began to reach for the rune. "Until it’s taken away."
"I couldn't agree more!"

Samson threw out his hand, the shock wave hit Efa and Solas, throwing them back and to the ground. They couldn't breathe. There was no magic to draw upon, Solas gasped as he attempted to get, up barely able to strike with his staff at their assailants. Cassandra cried out trying to reach them, but she was over run, stormed by Samson's Red Templars. She did her best to stop Samson, but it was too late, he was through to Efa. She already struggled, but now with physical weight upon her and his hands around her neck.
"EFA!?"
Cullen's voice came through panicked. Efa's hand scrambled at Samson's larger ones, putting what effort she could into removing him from her throat.
"Oh ho!" He laughed. "What's this? The Knight-Commander?"
He sounded almost too gleeful. She raked her nails into his hand's but his armour was too thick. If only she could grab the rune. But his thigh pressed against her, too close to the pouch, cutting of her way to reach it.

"Tell me, are you his whore?" Samson laughed. "A mage!? That wet virgin couldn't so much as enter a brothel and now hes fucking the Inquisitor!"
She growled at him, her vision beginning to darken. He grabbed the crystal from her neck, and ripped it off tossing it to the side.
NO! Not that, if Cullen felt it stop, he would think the worst. She pulled at any strength she had left, but she was fading. Her need to breathe was becoming desperate. Then suddenly she felt a ripple. Magic, but not her own. Something that seemed stronger than the Templar's silence. Dragon fire. She focused on it, igniting it, Samson's eyes grew wide as he felt the heat bloom beneath him. Releasing her neck, she gasped in air, the energy releasing and throwing him back. Concentration broken, Solas was able to recover, slamming down a barrier and skidding down beside her casting a veil of healing across her. The pain in her throat was eased, still present, but enough that could get to her feet unaided. Nodding to her Solas moved towards Cassandra, battered but still fighting. Efa could see the relief in her face as she saw them moving.

Darting forward, she fished the ruin out of her pouch closing her fist around it. Samson staggered to his feet, fire still lingering on his armour. He had barely a moment to block, as her fist came in, punching with as much force as she could. He parried the shot, striking back with one of his own. She ducked, continuing to exchange blows, forcing him backwards until his foot caught in a vine. This was her chance. Her empty fist opened, thrusting the palm of her hand into his nose. He screamed in agony, she could feel a crunch beneath her hand as the cartilage and lyrium crystals broke. With her other hand she slammed the rune into the lyrium shard in the centre of his chest. He screeched in agony, the armour disintegrating until there was nothing left.

"What did you do? What did you do?" He continued to yell at her, nursing his bloody nose. "My armour! It’s gone. The lyrium–I need it! Kill them all!"
"There is no one left but you." Cassandra came up beside her, she felt relieved, seeing the Seeker no worse for wear. Likely thanks to Solas who waved a healing hand behind her.
"You have lost Samson." Efa croaked, her voice sore.
"We need to hurry to the Well." Solas rested against his staff looking at the fallen Templar.
"Not the Well, you wretch!" He lunged at her. Efa punched him, drawing lighting to her hand. The shock forced Samson to his knees. "You can’t take it from Corypheus."
"Watch me." She growled, She grabbed him, bringing her knee into his chest with a satisfying crack. He dropped to the ground, wheezing just like she had been only moments before.
"You mustn’t…" He rasped, words dying on his tongue as his eyes rolled back into his head.

"He’s still breathing." Cassandra grabbed his shirt, pulling him up to check.
"Only by Cullen's- Cullen!" She span around running back to where Samson had pinned her, eyes roaming the ground for the sending stone. Seeing it lying on the stone floor, she fixed it around her neck, holding onto it tightly. "Cullen? CULLEN? Please vhenan!"
"Efa!?" his strangled cry came through, she sank to the floor relieved. "Thank the Maker. I thought you- I couldn't feel- I feared the worst."
"It was Samson." she cried, voice aching.
"Is he- dead?"
"No." She looked at Cassandra ripping the sleeve of his shirt to make a makeshift binding for his hands. "Unconscious and bound. We're almost there we have to keep moving."
"Keep going we will find a way in to collect him." She could hear the distress in his voice. "Efa?"
"I'm here." She could see Solas motioning at to be quick.
"I'm glad you're alright."

After they had finished speaking to Cullen, the found their way to the Well. When they arrived, the witch was in heated debate with the Sentinel over the well. Efa and Solas lent their voices, pleading with Abelas to grant them access to the Well, conscious of the time they had left before Corypheus found them. Relenting finally, Abelas left, taking what remained of his kind to forge a new life.
All that was left to do was argue of who would take the Well. Efa felt torn. The Well held the knowledge of her people. The thought of a shem taking it made her recoil, the witch being all too eager.

"You’ll note the intact eluvian." Morrigan pointed out, "I was correct on that count, at least."
"Is it still a threat?" Efa looked across the Well to it, seeing the soft shimmer on the glass. "Can Corypheus use it to travel the Fade?"
"You recall when I took you through my eluvian, I said each required a key?" Efa nodded to Morrigan. "The Well is the key. Take its power, and Mythal’s last eluvian will be no more use to Corypheus than glass."
Efa looked to Solas and the Well, the other elf looked lost in his thought, and for a moment Efa thought he looked forlorn. But before she could ask, Morrigan spoke again.
"I did not expect the Well to feel so- hungry."
"Don’t go any closer, Morrigan." Efa held her hand out to the witch, stopping her as she stepped forward.
"I am willing to pay the price the Well demands." Morrigan looked at her. "I am also the best suited to use its knowledge in your service."
"Or more likely, to your own ends." Solas shot at her sharply.
"What would you know of my “ends,” elf?" She bristled at him.
"You are a glutton drooling at the sight of a feast." Solas shook his head. "You cannot be trusted."

"Of those present, I alone have the training to make use of this." Morrigan ignored him turning back to plead with Efa. "Let me drink, Inquisitor."
“'You alone'?" Efa felt anger rise. "This is my heritage!"
"I have studied the oldest lore. I have delved into mysteries of which you could only dream!" Morrigan cried out at her exasperated. "Can you honestly tell me there is anyone better suited?"
"Thoughts?" Efa turned to her companions.
"She is right about only one thing: we should take the power which lies in that well." Solas admitted bitterly.
"If it is truly between you and her…" Cassandra looked concerned. "Then let her take the risk. Maker help us all. Cullen would skin me alive if I let you."

She was right, it was a risk. A risk Cullen would likely try to talk her out of if he was here. But her sister's words echoed in her head, the warning she had given. Do not trust Morrigan. She looked at Solas, his eyes studying her, waiting for her next move. She felt suddenly like she was prey, caught in the eyes of a wolf. She swallowed hard.
"It’s yours."

Morrigan, moved carefully to the edge. Efa stepping back beside Cassandra. She felt unease rising in her. They watched the witch step slowly into the water, the surface reacting immediately, swirling with light around her as she reached the centre. She turned, looking at Efa with a thankful smile before she sank herself down and into the water.
As soon as she was fully submerged the water rose, sending a wave towards them, Cassandra jumped in front of her, raising her shield to protect them both. When the water subsided the Well was empty. Morrigan lay still and unmoving at the centre.

"Morrigan?" Efa and Cassandra approached, shaking water from themselves. "Are you all right?"
At first she didn't move. Efa felt sickness rising, and relief. Perhaps later she would admit to Cassandra she was right. After all their initial disagreements, it was inevitable one day she would agree with her on something. Suddenly, Morrigan startled awake, Cassandra knelt down and helped her to sit up.
"Ellasin selah!" she looked around confused. "Vissan… vissanalla…"
With a hand from the Seeker, she stood, brushing herself off. Her eyes still wide and her movements jerking.
"I… I am intact." She continued to look "There is much to sift through- But now we can…"
Black smoke drifted around their feet, cold and menacing. Efa already shivered in her soaked clothes, but this was different. Her fears, confirmed, when Morrigan pointed back to the Temple entrance.

Corypheus had finally caught up to them. He looked around not seeing them at first, but as so as he did he let out a scream of rage. The Magister rose from the ground beginning to zoom through the air towards them.
"The eluvian!" Morrigan shouted, her hand reaching towards the glass, activating it. They all ran, Morrigan first diving through the mirror first.
"Through the mirror!" Efa reached it next, pausing to ensure Cassandra and Solas made it through. Just as she was about to go through herself, the Well filled with water again and a strange figure rose, staff in hand surging forward to meet the Magister head on.

Efa tumbled onward, feeling a surge of power the moment she went in. The sensation unlike when she had travelled with Morrigan before the march. She felt a crack at her back and she fell forward, landing with a yelp on a cold stone floor.
"By the Maker!" Efa looked up confused at the new voice. The light shining through the door was almost blinding, she shielded her eyes as she looked at the approaching figure. "Inquisitor?"
"Mother Giselle?!" Efa blinked, taking in the Revered Mother's appearance. "How- Where?"
"We are in Skyhold Inquisitor." Cassandra sat on the floor panting.
"Skyhold?!" Efa stood looking at Morrigan, realising what she had done. "No. Send me back now!"
"I can't." Morrigan lent against the wall. "The eluvian on the other side is broken."
That's what she had felt. The break. She cried out throwing her staff against the wall in anger, uncaring as she heard it splinter. She was miles away from Cullen again, after she had just gotten back. He would be upset to know she was gone again. She pushed passed Mother Giselle, stomping across the courtyard. Blissfully empty of visitors, thanks to Josephine, who had requested they all leave with no one in residence.

When she reached her room she slammed the door, sliding down to wood to the floor. Tears fell from her eyes and her heart ached with need. It would be days before she would see him again.

Cullen ran across the Temple floor, following the trail of bodies through the inner sanctum. Rylen, Dorian and Bull were hot on his heels, combing out to check for any survivors. It was grim, the sight of the desecrated Temple, but they continued through. Suddenly a loud roar sounded just beyond the gate they approached, Cullen shot Rylen a look. His Captain nodding and dropping to the right flank of the gate, Dorian behind him, Iron bull with Cullen on the left. Cullen carefully pushed open the gate, the entire door shook and slammed shut as the Archdemon above them roared again against the sound of an explosion.

Not stopping for stealth now Cullen kicked the gate, the door swinging open under his force. They entered the courtyard to see Corypheus, flying away with the Archdemon in tow. He scanned the area, signalling for Rylen to take the opposite staircase down. Moving down each side, Cullen looked for Efa, panic rising as he saw no signs of anyone else alive. But then a small movement caught his eye, followed by a groan.
"Rylen!"
"I see him Ser!"
They ran across the flagstones, stepping around the last of the Red Templars, until they came across the bound and broken body of Raleigh Samson.
"Knight-Commander Cullen." Samson spat blood in his direction. "The Inquisitor's lap dog."
Cullen snarled gripping his sword tightly. Samson laughed at him, anger rising in his chest. Rylen tensed beside him.
"That's Commander Rutherford to you now." The Captain bristled defensively.
"Ohhh. Commander!" Samson coughed, blood splattering his lip. "How inconsiderate of me. Not that it will matter when my master gets here-"
"Your Master has come and gone." Cullen sheathed his sword. "You are alone."
Samson looked momentarily surprised before his smirk returned, Cullen ignored him.

Dorian and Bull came up behind him, returning from their search of the surrounding area. Cullen looked at the mage expectantly but he shook his head sadly.
"She's not here," He said, watching distress was over Cullen's face.
"No sign of the other's either boss."
"She has to be here." Cullen turned away from Samson to look himself. The Red Templar laughed again.
"Looking for your whore?" he cackled. "The look on her face when she heard your name while I choked the life out of her. How did Meredith's prize mage-slayer end up fucking the thing he spent years kill-"

Cullen tried to keep his calm, but Samson knew all to easily how to get under his skin. He would not tolerate anyone speaking of any lady that way, especially not Efa. With a swift motion he turned and delivered a kick to Samson's ribs, feeling a definite crunch under his boot.
"Ser!" Rylen jumped towards him to hold him back.
"Don't you dare say another fucking word about her." He hissed bitterly, his calm demeanour gone in a flash. "You're not worth the ground she stands on."
"There's the bastard I remember." Samson gurgled painfully, his breathing laboured. "Touched a nerve Knight-Commander?"
"Don't Cullen." Rylen dragged him backwards, passed a bemused looking Dorian. The use of his first name took Cullen by surprise, shocking him back to reality. "Don't let him get to you."
"I- Maker's breath." Cullen took a second to compose himself, smiling gratefully at his friend. "Thank you Rylen."
"He's not worth it." Rylen patted his shoulder. "You're better than him."
"You're right." Cullen breathed calmly. "I need a moment."
"Yes Ser." The Captain returned to Samson and the others.

Cullen walked further away, finding the stairs up to the Well, he could see the empty pool and the shattered eluvian.
"Efa?" He felt the sending stone pulse in his hand, fluttering erratically.
"C-Cullen…" She sounded distressed.
"Maker's breath, are you safe?" he perched on a fallen statue.
"Yes." he let of a breath of relief. "We're back in Skyhold."
"Skyhold!?" Cullen exclaimed. "How?"
"Morrigan took us through the eluvian." He could hear the sniffle in her voice. "It broke, I couldn't come back."
"I know. I'm there now." He looked at the shattered pieces. "Corypheus didn't get what he came for?"
"No. But- He-"
"I'm coming back." He stood, marching back to the others. He didn't need any more motivation to hurry back, hearing the anguish in her tone, but then she spoke again.
"Hurry- I need you."
"I'll ride as fast as I can."

He took the stairs two at a time, hurrying back to the others.
"Commander?" Dorian looked at him hopefully.
"They're safe," he said through gritted teeth. "But they're not here. I have to return to Skyhold immediately."
"Skyhold?" The mage looked shocked "How-? The eluvian?"
Cullen nodded as Dorian pieced it together. Rylen began pulling Samson to his feet, the Red Templar unconscious once more. The Iron Bull picked him up from the Captain, as if he weighed nothing, slinging him over his shoulder..
"Go Boss." the qunari urged him.
"I will handle the troops." Rylen saluted, hand to chest. "I'll order the retreat."
"Release our allies, but bring the main host back, your men included."
"Yes Ser." Rylen gave him a nudge. "Now go!"

Efa slept poorly. When she was asleep, she could only dream of Grey Wardens, dead around her feet. One by one they had begun to take new form, bones cracking and black bile spewing over them until they morphed into Corypheus. Hundreds of them surrounding her, long fingers coming to her neck to suffocate her. When she saw Briallen's face among them, she woke in a cold sweat throwing back the cover's of her bed, running to the balcony to be sick. She cried, alone and scared and with none of the people she needed to comfort her near by.

Too anxious to sleep, she had pulled on her boots and coat, heading out to the battlements to attempt to clear her head. She walked along the stone wall, stopping at one of the many places where Cullen had snuck away to kiss her. Her lip trembled at the memory, wanting nothing more than to curl into his body, like she had done that day and let him take away from all her worries. Desperate to feel some measure of him, she walked along the wall. Passing a guard, who nodded solemnly at her, as she continued on to Cullen's office. Once inside, she climbed into the loft, stripping down and pulling one of his discarded shirts over her head. She grabbed the fabric to her face inhaling deeply. She could smell him, oakmoss, sandalwood, and leather. It was enough to lull her into a few hours sleep, curled in his sheets.

The day dawned and Efa found Skyhold eerily quiet in the absence of its army, Only a handful had remained behind to keep watch over the fortress should anything happen. Not that it was easy for anyone to march up a mountain to them but Cullen was always careful. In the absence of her inner circle, bar those that had come through the eluvian, Efa felt lost. Even Josephine had not returned yet, having stayed with the troops to ensure their allies were taken care of. Out of those left, Cassandra was her go to for companionship. She refused to go near Morrigan, and something about Solas in the Temple of Mythal had unnerved her.

She found Cassandra in her usual place, outside the smithy. But instead of abusing her poor training dummy into submission, Efa found her nose deep in a oddly tantalising looking book, judging by its cover.
"Good book?" Efa approached stealthily to not alert the Seeker. She could see the image on the cover clearer, and as she thought, it was definitely not the kind of book she expected to see the stoic Cassandra reading.
"Ahh!" Cassandra startled, leaping to her feet and slamming the book shut to hastily hide behind her back. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."
"Yes, because I suddenly went blind." Efa chuckled lightly.
"Oh, that? Just…" She could see her working hard to formulate an excuse. "Reports! From Commander Cullen."
"Who isn't here right now.." Efa felt a pang in her chest at his name. "Are you blushing?"
"What would I have to blush about?" Cassandra shook her head, as if trying to hide the fact she was most definitely sporting a deeper shade of pink around her cheeks.
"You tell me." Efa sat on the bench next to where Cassandra had been a moment before.

"It’s of no interest to you, I’m certain." Efa raised and eyebrow at her, Cassandra sighed and sat back down. "It’s a book."
"I can see that." Cassandra scowled at her.
"It’s- one of Varric’s tales." Cassandra looked mortified to admit it. "Swords & Shields. The latest chapter."
"'The latest chapter', meaning…" Efa suppressed her laugh. "You’ve read them all?"
"Not since this all began." Cassandra sighed. "We’ve been busy."
"Why don’t I believe you?" Efa could see her twitching.
"It’s literature! Smutty… literature." Efa openly chuckled. "Whatever you do, don’t tell Varric."
"Me? No!" she feigned sweetness. "I would never."
"They’re terrible. And magnificent." Cassandra huffed. "And this one ends in a cliffhanger. I know Varric is working on the next, he must be!"
"So you're who Dorian got it off?" Efa remembered Dorian showing her one of them when they had drank together, reciting the passages out loud over wine. "He said it had been donated by a 'anonymous benefactor'."
"Pretend you don’t know this about me." Cassandra suddenly looked threateningly at her.

Efa only smiled. It was a nice distraction from her thoughts, to speak of something she could almost consider normal. She still wore Cullen's shirt, not even bothering to hide the size of it over her petite frame. She tugged at the sleeves around her wrist as they sat. Cassandra breaking the peaceful silence and throwing her thoughts right back down into the dark.
"Have you heard from the Commander?" she asked tentatively.
"Not since yesterday." She closed her hand around the pendant feeling the elevated beat. "I think he's been riding though the night."
"That would not surprise me." Cassandra patted her arm lightly. "He is quite a changed man, your influence no doubt. I am glad you both were able to push through your past troubles. Seeing how far he has come is truly a miracle."
"I never thought I could have a future with him when we were in the Circle, a mere fancy of youth." She looked to the sky wistfully. "Now, my only wish is to make it through alive for us both."
"Of course. I hope so to." Cassandra smiled slightly. "I er- had your staff taken for repairs."
"Oh."

"Dagna says she should have it sorted before the end of the day." Cassandra smiled,
Efa had forgotten she had thrown it in her anger the day before. It had slipped her mind after Isolde had found her unexpectedly home, likely from Mother Giselle. Isolde had chatted on about everything that had happened since she had been away, which wasn't much. Except that 'the bearded man had been brought back in chains.' She would have to see to him eventually, now would be a good time before the others came back.
"Thank you." Efa returned the gesture. "You are a good friend Cassandra."
"And you." Cassandra fidgeted with the book. "Did they tell you Black- Rainier was brought in?"
"Yes." Efa groaned wondering if Cassandra was reading her thoughts. "I confess I am sat with you now delaying any trip down there to see him."
"If you need support I would glad to go with you."
"That would be a comfort." Efa rose to her feet. "Come on then, before my resolve wanes entirely."

"I didn’t think this would be easy," Efa looked at Blackwall through the bars of his cell. "But it’s harder than I thought."
"Another thing to regret." He did not raise his head to look at her. "What did you have to do to release me?"
"Josephine called in a few favours." She folded her arms to stop her hands from fidgeting with her waistcoat. "There are enough people out there who owe the Inquisition."
"And what happens to the reputation the ambassador has so carefully cultivated?" Blackwall sounded bitter. "The world will learn how you’ve used your influence. They’ll know the Inquisition is corrupt."
"Once the world is back to normal, no one will even remember this." Efa dismissed his claim.
"I’ll remember." He looked at her finally, his eyes as empty as her own. "I accepted my punishment. I was ready for all this to end. Why would you stop it? What becomes of me now?"
"You will be judged." Efa swallowed hard. "Once everyone has returned."

She looked to the door, to Cassandra standing out of his view. She gave her a reassuring smile.
"How shall I refer to you?" She turned her attention back to her former comrade. "Rainier or Blackwall?"
"I’ve gotten used to 'Blackwall'." He mulled it over. "Perhaps we could treat it as less of a name and more of a title. Almost like 'Inquisitor'. Reminds me of what I ought to be."
"Now I know why you were never worried about Corypheus’s Calling." Efa felt betrayal rise in her.
"Yes. I have none of the Wardens’ abilities, and none of the drawbacks," he exhaled. "Still, I would’ve fought through the darkest pits of the Deep Roads, like any true Warden. There’s more to it than being able to sense darkspawn. Warden Blackwall would’ve agreed."
"You have a lot of respect for the Wardens."
"They take all men and women, from the most noble to the most despicable," He nodded at her. "And make them equals. I needed to believe something like that was possible."

She opened her mouth to say something more, when a horn above sounded, heralding a new arrival. She looked at Cassandra, who shrugged. As far as they knew, no visitors should be arriving, and it had only been a day and a half since they returned to Skyhold. No one could have made it back that fast. not unless they travelled without breaking.
"We’ll continue this another time." She looked at Blackwall through the bars one last time.
"As you wish." Came his sullen reply.
"Let's go Cassandra."
"Yes Inquisitor."

Coming up from Skyhold's prison, Efa could see several guards running about. Whoever had arrived, had thrown them into a tizzy, more so than discovering the Inquisitor suddenly back in residence the day before.
"Jim?" The scout looked relieved upon seeing her. "Who has arrived?"
"Thank the Maker Inquisitor!" He rushed to her. "We were just looking for you! Commander Rutherford has returned!"
"What?" Efa felt her chest explode with joy.
"Impossible!" Cassandra gasped, looking at her.
Efa took off towards the archway, down to the lower courtyard. When she reached the top of the stairs she could see him. He looked dishevelled, his hair a mess, and he was filthy still with blood and mud. He patted along the neck of Revas, her hart huffing at him proudly.
"Cullen!"
She practically jumped down the stairs, Cullen felt relief wash over him as she came tumbling towards him. He rushed forward his arms outstretched, propriety be damned, he needed her in his arms. He pushed a leg back to steady himself as she fell into him, full body against his breast plate. Her mouth finding his in an instant. Where their usual courtyard kisses were chaste in lieu of their audience. This was not.

He kissed her with everything he had, like it was the first time, or the last. His arms locked securely around her so tightly that her feet didn't touch the ground from where she jumped.
"Thank the Maker." He gasped when he lowered her finally to the ground, the need to breathe tearing them apart.
"How did you get back so fast!?" Efa could feel tears on her face. "Did you stop at all?"
"Once…" He rubbed the back of his neck gingerly. "To check to Revas. Although he was as inpatient as I to return. He really knows how to fly."
"I'm so happy you're here." She pulled him into another lingering kiss.
"I couldn't bear the thought of you being alone again." He held her face wiping away her tears. "You sounded so-"
"Later." She shook her head. "You look exhausted. Come and lets get you cleaned up."

Despite his protests over using the communal baths, Efa lead Cullen to her rooms, filling her private bath for him. He let her strip him, guiding her fingers to remove his armour correctly. It was caked in grime, she made a note to send it out to be cleaned. Divested of his clothing and armour, Cullen sank into the water with a groan. He had to admit the water heated by her hand, was better than the cold barracks. She pulled up her dressing stool to the side, sitting along side him and grabbing a cloth. Starting with his face, she carefully cleaned the dirt and blood, working slowly down his neck and to chest.

She was thorough, stopping him every time he told her it was unnecessary, but she dismissed him. Her needy hands,continuing down to his legs. When she reached his thigh he hissed, causing her to cry out alarmed. She grabbed a clean cloth and looked over the claw marks along his flesh, beginning to work. He understood then, she needed to know he was okay, to make sure he was cared for. He wasn't the only one worried.
"What happened?" She carefully cleaned the wound crusted over with dried blood.
"I- I don't remember." Cullen had barely noticed it, in his determination to return home. But now that he had relaxed, the first touch had brought the pain searingly to the front of his mind. "I thought I'd lost you again- It was all a blur, I don't recall anything until I heard you calling."
"Samson ripped the chain off when he heard you." Efa's lip trembled. "I feared you would have thought the worst."
"I did- I-" He dipped his head against her shoulder while she continued to tend to him. "I don't want to think of you like that again."
"Did you find him?" Efa stroked his tender skin.
"Rylen is bringing him in." Cullen sighed. "But I don't know what good it will do, without the armour his clock is ticking."
"We can worry about that when he gets here." Efa inspected the wound. "Can I-?"
Efa held out her hand over the now cleaned wound, Cullen nodded hesitantly. She began slowly, running her hand across the raised flesh, a soft green light emanating from her hand as she did. The red skin soothed to a dull throb, sealed and ready to finish healing naturally.

Satisfied when she found he had no more pressing wounds, she rinsed his hair, before emptying the dirty water out and refilling to let him soak again. Leaving him to relax, she gathered his armour and took it down to the great hall, collaring a passing maid to take it down to the Undercroft. She requested food to be left by the door, something easy for the Commander after his hard ride. When she returned upstairs, she found Cullen stepping from the bath holding a towel to dry himself. She pulled off her waistcoat and tossed it with the other dirty clothes, the leather smudged with mud from their vicious embrace earlier. She had just removed her boots when she heard him approach.
"You're in my shirt." He commented, coming up behind her, his hand brushing aside her hair to kiss her neck.
"It smells like you." She sighed, a shiver of excitement drifting down her spine.
"It looks good on you." His teeth nipped at her skin. He pulled her against him and she could feel the start of his erection building.
"Cullen what are you-" Her breath hitched as he began raising his shirt so he could reach her breeches. One hand unfastening them and the other preparing to push them down.
"I need to remind myself what you taste like." His words were whispered against her ear as he continued to nip and kiss her.
"You're exhausted…" She protested weakly, as the offending clothing was pushed down her legs.
"Not any more." He turned her, as she stepped out of them. She made to lift his shirt but her growled at her hungrily. "Leave this on."

She threw both arms around his neck as Cullen grabbed and picked her up. Her legs locked around his waist, clinging on to his naked form as he carried her to the bed. She fell into the covers with him on top, his weight and scent surrounding her. For the first time in days she felt safe, focused only on him and his hands as they traced slowly up her legs to lift his shirt to her waist. He re-positioned himself between her legs barely pausing to trail kisses from her stomach to the apex of her thighs. She moaned out, as his tongue tasted her, his usually sweet caress turning frenzied as her buried himself in her. Efa could feel his desperation, his desire for her boiling as he pressed fingers into her, matching his tongue as he sucked on her sensitive spots.

Her orgasm came quickly, as was his intention. Her cries filled the room as she fell apart, only then did he slow, bringing her back down carefully. She panted, her hands scrunched into the covers. Her visible skin, flushed a deep pink in colour. She was beautiful, her hair a mess, fanned out around her. He stroked himself, taking in the sight of her before beginning to lift her leg to enter her. She moved, taking him by surprise as she pushed him into the bed towards the pillows.
"Efa?" He watched her gather his shirt holding it below her breasts as she climbed into his lap.
"Hold on to me."
He did as she asked, her hand disappearing between them to hold him steady. They moaned in unison as her tight heat enveloped him, sliding down until she was pressed flush against him. His hands balled into his shirt pulling it tight around her so he could watch her begin to ride him. Efa shook, the feeling more intense in this position than their previous coupling. Her fingers threaded into his hair, still damp from the bath, as she rose and fell. She kissed his face, his unshaven stubble tickling her cheek before finding his mouth again hot and insistent. Each movement becoming faster, harder, more focused as they gained a mutual rhythm.

He ran one of his hands to her rear, cupping it roughly and kneading the flesh he found. She groaned and clenched around him, her moans swallowed in his kiss as she continued to devour him, keeping her body as firmly against him as she could. He braced against the headboard, canting his hips to meet her.
"Cullen!" She whined as she careened towards her peak.
"That's it." He urged her on as her pace began to falter. "Let go for me…"
She did, releasing all of the tension in her body as she came around him. It took only a few more thrusts until he spilled inside of her, feeling the tremors of her body as he held on to her.
They remained together, sitting fully sheathed on him as he softened inside of her but she would not move. She kissed him purposefully, fingers combing through his messy curls. Tracing down his cheek and to his scars, from his lip to his neck and down.

She parted from him long enough to wash herself, remaining in nothing but his shirt as she retrieved the tureen of soup and bread left for them. As they ate, curled in bed together she told him what had happened, about the eluvian and the Well and the power Morrigan now held. He was grateful she had not risked the Well herself, understanding the sadness at the loss of knowledge, now in the hands of the witch she disliked. She finished with Blackwall, Cullen sighing as if he had forgotten about the man now locked in their prison below. Pushing it aside again, they collapsed into the covers, Cullen asleep and nestled against her before the sun had properly set in the sky.

Chapter Text

Exhausted, they had slept through till dawn. Efa stirred as Cullen rose, stretching his arms above his head, before he reached down to kiss her softly.
She chuckled at his stubble, or more accurately now his beard, as it tickled her chin. He rubbed a hand across it and kissed her again, promising to return once he had changed and shaved.
She dozed, waking again with the sun a little higher in the sky but still Cullen had not returned. She sighed, he had probably begun looking for work to do. Despite there being little activity to deal with. Hunger roused her, forcing her to dress and head down. She wandered to his office, ready to demand he stop whatever he was doing to eat, bit it was empty. His shaving kit lay discarded by the wardrobe that usually held their armour, used but not put away.

"Hmm." She huffed, wondering where he could be. She wandered back to the main hall and to the courtyard, looking to see if anyone had seen him. Efa made it halfway through the herb garden when she saw him, tucked away in the small Chantry they kept. She smiled, no longer annoyed, as she padded up to the door quietly.

"Though all before me is shadow, yet shall the Maker be my guide. I shall not be left to wander the drifting roads of the Beyond." He knelt it in front of the small statue of Andraste, head bowed and hands clasped together as he prayed. "For there is no darkness in the Maker’s light and nothing He has wrought shall be lost."
"A prayer for you?" She spoke softly when he fell silent.
"For those we have lost." He turned slightly to acknowledge her, if she startled him, he didn't show it. "And those I am afraid to lose."
"I don't want you to be afraid."
"I know…" He sighed, standing up and turning to her. "Corypheus possessed that Grey Warden at Mythal. What more is he capable of?"
"I'm not sure." She stepped in further to meet him. "I’m glad you haven’t lost your faith."
"I’ve certainly questioned it at times, but I have found comfort in faith when life offered little." He reached out to trace his fingers up her arm, worry gnawing at him. "Corypheus will retaliate. It’s only a matter of time. We must draw strength wherever we can."

She knew he was right, she had prayed to her own gods when she too was lost. But it was him she looked to now for her strength. She could see his fears, written on his face as he reached up to stroke her cheek, thumb grazing along the vallaslin. And that scared her more.
"When the time comes, you will be thrown into his path again." He could not mask the pain in his voice. "Andraste preserve me, I must send you to him."
"What if I can’t…" Fear ran down her spine, cold as ice. "Cullen, if I don’t…"
"Maker, no." He pulled her in tightly, her face burying into his shoulder. His fingers wound up and into her hair. He cursed inwardly, he didn't want her to doubt herself.
"Whatever happens, you will come back." He had to believe it, so she would.
"Cullen, you don’t have to-"
"Allow me this." He cut her off, releasing her from his embrace to take her face in his hands. "To believe anything else would- I can’t."
He kissed her firmly. Her hands pressed against his chest as he attempted to remind her what she had to live for. When he released her she was flushed but uncertainty still lingered in her eyes.
"You will come back."
"Is that an order, Commander?" She smiled, attempting to lighten the mood.
"No." He smirked back. "But as one of your advisers, I strongly recommend it."
"And as my ma sa'lath?" she tilted her head playfully.
"It is imperative that you return for my sanity."

He kissed her again, more passionately this time, her teeth biting at his bottom lip as her pulled her into his arms again. In the courtyard they could hear people talking, their voices raised but neither of them paid any attention. Not until the voices drew closer and they felt a burst of power coming from the other room.
"What in the-"
"Kieran!" Morrigan's voice screeched.
Efa and Cullen rushed from the room, finding Isolde looking terrified through the doorway to the room with the eluvian.
"What happened?" She rushed passed Isolde to the mirror, neither Morrigan or Kieran were in there. "Where is Morrigan?"
"Kieran was acting strange, stranger than normal!" Isolde clutched her arm. "He started mumbling and then he came to the mirror and it began to glow. His mamae tried to stop him but he went through and she followed."
"Isolde," Efa turned to her and knelt down. "I need you to stay with Cullen, can you do that?"
Isolde nodded, letting go oh her arm to grab onto Cullen instead.
"Is it wise to jump into that thing?" Cullen shook his head at her. "You have no idea where it goes. You are unarmed!"
"So is she." Efa could see Morrigan's staff leaning against the wall, she grabbed it and turned to the mirror. "I'll be careful. I promise."
"Alright." He put an arm around Isolde, watching as Efa dived into the eluvian after Morrigan. He wasn't happy, but there was little option left.

Cullen waited restlessly, Isolde sitting in the courtyard with her book, watching him pace. It had been over an hour by his reckoning, and still no one emerged. He had grabbed a runner, drawn to the disturbance to get his sword, just in case as he patrolled the door way. Thankfully, his over cautiousness was ill founded, as Morrigan, Kieran and Efa stepped out of the eluvian together.
Isolde jumped up, but Cullen stopped her rushing forward, instead he guided her gently forward.

"Are you all right, Kieran?" Morrigan knelt in down to the boy as they approached. "You are not hurt?"
"I feel lonely…" The boy replied sadly.
"Kieran?" Isolde looked at him concerned.
"What happened?" Cullen directed to Efa.
"I'll explain later." She smiled apologetically. "Can you take the children to the main hall? Please?"
He frowned, but nodded. Isolde, taking Kieran's hand, lead him away with Cullen stalking behind. Once out of earshot Efa turned her attention to Morrigan who stood looking back at the mirror.

"Start talking. Now." She hissed angrily. "What the fuck was that!? What did she take from Kieran? The soul of an Old God? How did he posses such a thing?"
Morrigan sighed, waiting for Efa to finish her tirade of questions. She mulled them over answering the important one first.
"Kieran was born in possession of the soul taken from the Archdemon at the final battle of the Fifth Blight."
"Born with it?" Efa looked confused. "How could that even happen?"
"She never told you?" Morrigan looked at her curiously.
"She- who?"
"Your sister." The witch folded her arms across her chest. "She never told you how she lives."
"No…" Efa felt her mouth go dry. "When I asked she said she didn't know."

It had always been a taboo subject between them, one that Briallen had always deflected after the battle was over. Efa had suspected there was more to it, but she never asked, all that mattered as that Briallen had survived.
"Oh she knew." Morrigan smirked. "I gave her a chance to save her self and she refused."
"Then how?" Efa's brow furrowed. "Why?"
"The ritual I offered, involved her precious lover, who she was resolved to leave behind 'for a better life'." Morrigan wave her hand dismissively, the disapproval in her voice evident, "If only he felt the same way."
"What exactly did this ritual involve?" Efa suddenly did not want to know the answer.
"Do they no teach you dalish where children come from?"
"You mean…" Efa looked horrified. Was she implying that Alistair had-
"He overheard our conversation," Morrigan continued when she didn't speak. "And when she refused to ask him, he made up his choice."
You forced the man you love to lie with another to save your own skin. The Nightmares words swam through her head. At the time she had not time dwell on it. But now she considered it.
"He chose to save her…" Efa swallowed hard. "He fathered a child to save her even after they ended it."
"That oaf was always sentimental." Morrigan scoffed. "I have no idea what she saw in him."
"Does that make Kieran his heir?" Efa ignore Morrigan's snipe. "Does he know?"
"No! I would never let that moron claim him!" Morrigan hissed. "He is my son. That was the agreement."

Efa felt nauseous. She understood now, why Briallen had warned her against Morrigan. Why she did not trust her. To have claimed from the man she loved the one thing she desired and could not have. She remembered when Briallen had woke, confused at her survival. And how she had panicked until she saw Alistair alive and well in the door way. Everything fell into place. The half elf, unable to bear his children, and unable to share his throne. Briallen thought she had nothing to offer Alistair that Fereldan would accept. It was the bitter truth she had been holding on to for years alone.

"So what happens now?" Efa glared at Morrigan as she deactivated the mirror.
"Now we must prepare to face Corypheus himself." Morrigan straighten herself up indignantly. "It seems Mother was right…"
Flemeth. Efa could hardly believe what she had head of the Witch of the Wilds as well, that she was harbouring the soul of Mythal. She touched the marks on her face, shuddering lightly. But she was glad now she was not bound to her will, it seemed a fitting punishment for Morrigan given all she had done.
"…The voices of the Well tell me I will be able to match his dragon." Morrigan smiled at her. "All that remains is for you to find him."

Efa told Cullen what happen, about Mythal, Kieran and their involvement with the Blight. He had listened, flabbergasted, as she recalled the details to him. When they spoke of the Well and its effects, Cullen had voiced his wholehearted opinion on how it would have been a terrible idea to Efa, promising to gift Cassandra a new sword when he could for talking her out of it. Efa huffed, claiming it was her decision and not Cassandra's, pouting until he had taken her up to his loft. Cullen gave her the praise she craved and then some until they fell into the sheets exhausted and satisfied. Sleep took them easily, with Efa curled against his chest, she began to enjoy a nightmare free dream.

After the moon had passed its peak, Efa woke with a start. Pain tore through her body, starting from her hand. Cullen woke as she screamed, clutching her wrist as it glowed green with power.
"Efa!" He held her tightly, pulling her against his chest. "Breathe!"
She tried to, but the pain would not subside. Below them someone began pounding on the door, hard and insistent, Cullen cursed.
"Now is not the time!" He shouted down.
"Ser!" Came a frantic yell. "It's an emergency! Outside!"
"Maker's breath!" he growled.
"Go." Efa managed to calm her breathing, the feeling becoming manageable.

Cullen hesitated, releasing her so he could dress pulling on his shirt and trousers. He dropped down the ladder leaving Efa alone. She could hear people outside shouting and running, immediately becoming alert. Pulling on Cullen's shirt, long enough to cover her legs she clambered up the vines creeping through the unmended roof. Before she was fully out she could see what was wrong. The sky beyond the valley was lit up, an eerie green like the still pulsing mark on her hand.
"The Temple…"

She jumped down, pulling on her undergarments as quickly as she could. She could hear Cullen yelling her name in alarm. By the time she hit his office floor, he was fully dressed, cleaned and repaired armour thrown into place with practised precision expected of her Commander.
"The breach is open." He grabbed her mail to help her into it.
"I saw it." Efa swallowed hard, twisting her hair back into a ponytail. "We need to get down there."
"We're out numbered." Cullen growled. "And he knows it."
"Whoever we have, whatever we've got." Efa pulled on her tunic. "Go Commander."
He nodded. The use of his title reminding him of his duty to her. He marched out his office, grabbing Jim as he plummeted down to the courtyard.
"Send the fastest bird you have to Leliana." He barked. "There's not a hope they'll make it in time but they have to know the situation."
"Right away Ser!" He ran off obediently.

Cullen took stock of what they had left. Cassandra was already geared and coming towards him. He could see Solas above, staff in hand, followed by Morrigan.
"Cullen!" Cassandra called to him. "What is the plan."
"We have none." Cullen was honest. "We have next to no one here and the army is more than half a day out by my reckoning."
"Where is the Inquisitor?" Cassandra looked around.
"Finishing gearing up." Cullen rubbed his chin , thinking fast. "Cassandra, go down to the stables and fetch Blackwall's gear."
"Blackwall?" Cassandra scowled. "Are you sure?"
"We need every body we can." he looked at her pleadingly. "And make sure the horses are saddled!"

Cullen thundered down into the prison, grabbing the keys from the office. He wasn't surprised to see the former Warden awake.
"Commander." he looked questioningly. "Quite the racket? Whats going-"
"Corypheus is opening the breach." Cullen held the key firmly in his hand. "Our army is not here. Efa has but a handful of people and soldiers to back her up."
"So you're asking me to fight." Blackwall scoffed.
"You put everything thing into the Inquisition once." Cullen looked sternly at him. "Will you really throw away all the good you did?"
"You think she'd let me fight at her side again?" Blackwall folded his arms.
"Yes." Cullen answered plainly. Behind him someone approached, likely Cassandra. He heard the clank of metal. armour and his sword. "There's no time. Suit up or stay here."

Cullen put the key in the lock and tuned it, pulling the cell door open, without waiting he turned beckoning Cassandra to follow. Back outside Efa was ready in her saddle, Revas padding impatiently as she waited for him, Cullen approached her and she lent down to kiss him.
"Go now," Cullen whispered. "We're right behind you."
"I love you." Her voice cracking slightly. "I'm glad you're here with me."
"Me too. I love you." He kissed her hand, guiding it to the reigns. "Keep her safe Revas."
The hart huffed, Efa took the reigns. When she straightened her eyes caught sight of Blackwall, belting his sword to his hip. She nodded at him and kicked Revas to a gallop, Cassandra and Solas following at her rear. Cullen turned away, checking what little soldiers there were left, barely a dozen he would comfortably send out before Skyhold was left defenceless. With final orders barked, Cullen mounted his stallion, following behind as they rode out to meet Corypheus.

Efa rode fast, trying to ignore the pain in her hand. Before they had left Solas had come to her, pleading with her to recover the orb if she could. He had stressed the importance of it and she had promised to do what she could. She still did not feel comfortable around him, ever since the Temple of Mythal he felt different to her, cold like the fresh snow that fell on them.
They were already at a disadvantage, even mounted they would take several hours to make it back to the Temple. The mark on her hand pulsed, the throb getting more intense as they continued down the mountain. The air above them seemed still, the breach opened but not widening, waiting.
Corypheus was baiting her. He wanted her there, he wanted her to see the end and he knew she would come.

When the remains of the Temple came into view Efa pulled Revas to a halt, she held up her hand to warn the others. She could hear hooves skidding to a halt behind her, Cassandra trotted up beside her.
"Demons." The Seeker spoke, looking down into the valley to see what had stopped them.
"Lots of demons." Efa's mouth was dry. "And no other way through."
Above Efa caught sight of a black shape across the green sky, Morrigan in bird form following, no doubt she had seen what waited below.
"Let us ride ahead." Cullen had caught up. "Open a path for you to get through."
"If only we had a trebuchet." Efa scoffed. Cullen rolled his eyes, not even dignifying her with a response.
"There's really no other option." Blackwall idled to her left. "With only two mages there's no way to lay ground cover."
"I know." Efa gripped Revas' reigns tightly. "We need to cut a path and make it to the Temple. Cullen?"
"Get to the middle of the pack and we will charge them, hopefully it will be enough." She felt his hand covering her. "Whatever happens do not stop."
"He's waiting for me there." She looked at him, her bravado faltering. "He wants me there."
"You're stronger now." He moved his hand to her face to reassure her. "We know his weakness."
"As long as Morrigan comes through."
"She will." Cullen released her. "And we will do everything to help."

With weapons drawn, they charged, Cullen at the head leading them into the demon filled valley. As they reached the first few, blades sang. Efa looked up to the sky feeling the prickle of energy coming not from the rift but her own. She remembered what Solas and Dorian had said about her storm. She calmed her breathing reaching out to the feeling, watching purple clouds beginning to form. The first bolt lit up the field, sending a wave of demons flying, and then another and another.
Up a head she could see Cullen, his blade swinging in an arch through the beasts in front. A terrible screech echoed through the valley, a dark shadow looming over them suddenly.
"Archdemon!" Cassandra's shout came.
There was barely a moment for them to alter course as the dragon dived towards them its maw open and fire spewing forth. Revas skidding to the side to protect her, sending Efa tumbling to the ground. Demons came upon them instantly. She raised her staff to defend, sending them pummelling into each other viciously. Revas, ever faithful, rammed into a pride demon. Throwing the demon off balance and giving enough time for Blackwall to cut at its body. With a finally jolt of lighting from her staff the creature disintegrated.

"Keep going, your Worship!" Blackwall yelled at her, giving her a boost into the saddle once more. With a nod she took off through the fire, Revas bounding over the smaller demons easily. She could not see Cullen or Cassandra anymore, offering a silent prayer that they were okay. The dragon circled once more, coming down into the dive but this time it was met full bodily by something its own size. Another dragon had materialised out of the air. It's red scales shone and Efa could see the same cold yellow eyes of Morrigan.
She didn't know what she had expected when Morrigan spoke of matching his power. But this was certainly something. With the force she now wielded, Morrigan pushed the archdemon back towards the Temple, away from her comrades and soldiers.

She was alone now, with no one else to help her through. She had to trust that they would be okay, but she felt cold dread wash over her.
"On your left!" An unfamiliar voice yelled at her, deep and rumbling. She ducked her head as a blue light leapt over her head. She turned to look, seeing a vague human shape, broadsword swinging with meaning at the rage demon coming her way.
"Fenris?!" She gasped. But the Blue Wraith was gone before she could stop. She scanned her eyes across the valley, if he was there, he was not alone. Sure enough as soon as she had blasted another horde of demons away, ice sprung from the ground shielding her. The demons on the other side hit it head on, but the ice was strong.
"Took you long enough to get here!"
"Hawke!" Efa cried gratefully. "Thank the Creators you are here. Where's Bri?"
"Up ahead." Hawke pointed along the ice wall. Efa could see the demons scrambling to climb the slippery slope, to no avail. "She went for the Temple, figured she'd find or meet you there. Tell me you have an army nearby?"
"Not close enough." Efa shook her head. "With you we don't break twenty."
"Fuck." Hawke cursed. "It's hell down here. Time for you to save the world."
"Is that all?" Efa rolled her eyes. "Stay alive long enough to celebrate."
"I'll do what I can."

Hawke raised her staff, throwing down more ice along the path, blocking anything oncoming for a way. Efa nodded gratefully, goading Revas to run alongside it, Hawke's ice protecting her flank as they dashed on back through the valley. She could hear more fighting along the other side, the brush of more familiar magic. Likely it was Anders, as Hawke and Fenris were here, it didn't have Briallen's signature feel. Her sister was hopefully ahead, as Revas began the climb up towards the Temple.
Fire erupted ahead and she heard a battle scream, urging Revas onward, she galloped towards the sound. As if she commanded it a bolt of lightning stuck the ground removing the demons currently swarming the Warden.

Briallen turned, seeing the hart hurtling towards her. She could see Efa was not slowing down, instead her sister threw out her hand. Briallen took off at a run, using a rock to gain some extra height as he flew by grabbing onto her arm and swing onto the back. Revas swayed slightly with the new weight but didn't slow. Briallen grabbed Efa's waist to steady herself.
"You have great timing!" Briallen panted out of breath. "I thought I was gonna be over run!"
"I could say the same to you!" Efa called over her shoulder. "How are you here?"
"Weisshaupt wasn't pleased with the news." Briallen answered. "If we live through this I'm sure they'll have some things to say."
"Oh goody." They continued on the Temple almost in reach.

An earsplitting roar met them as the climbed. The demons now behind them, they could see the fierce battle already taking place in the Temple. Morrigan flew in the air, chased by the Archdemon.
"So what's the plan?" Briallen slid from the saddle when Revas could go no further.
"That is." Efa pointed to the warring dragons in the sky. "The Archdemon keeps him alive. I saw him take on a new body when his was destroyed in the Arbor Wilds."
"A new body?" Briallen drew hew flaming sword. "From where?"
"From a dead Grey Warden."
"Fuck."
"Yeah. try not to die please." Efa began to navigate through the ruins, recalling the route she had taken last time with Cassandra. "At least not until we've killed that thing."
"No promises."

"Fasta vass!" Dorian groaned, his head curled into iron Bulls chest. "It's still dark. It's too early for this shite."
"Something is going on Kadan." The qunari shifted, despite the protests of his lover, rising from their share bed roll. Dorian groaned stealing all the covers around himself.
"Kadan get up." Dorian opened his eyes, the shift in Bull's tone igniting concern.
"What is it?" Dorian sat up, but Bull was already gone, the flap of their tent billowing in the wind.
He swore again as he rose pulling on his shirt and trousers on and following.

Outside soldiers were looking to the north, all in mixed states of dress having woken at the alarm. Dorian followed their gaze, walking up behind Iron Bull and Josephine.
"Is that-?"
"Haven…" Josephine couldn't hide the shake in her voice.
"That rotten bastard is opening the breach." Varric spoke a little further up the line. "How far out are we?"
"Still half a day from Skyhold." Leliana was already fully dressed. "Haven, a few hours by horse."
"Efa has so few with her." Josephine held her hands together n front of her. "If Corypheus summons demons from beyond the breech she'll be out numbered."
"Then why are we waiting around!?" Dorian exclaimed. "Amatus?"
"I'm with you." Bull began to follow him to his tent.

"Captain Rylen!" Leliana shouted towards the soldiers.
"Yes Sister?" The diligent captain emerged from the throng.
"Those who can fight get them ready to move." The Spymaster commanded. "As many as we can. The Inquisitor will need us, now more than ever."
"Can we even make it in time?" Sera was strapping on her quiver. "Were bloody miles out!"
"We have to try."

Chapter Text

"I knew you would come."

Efa stood in the crater, Corypheus in front of her. He held the orb in his hand. This was where it had started, almost a year ago. Where the Divine Justinia was sacrificed, when she walked in on the Wardens and then out of the Fade.
"That's Corypheus?" Briallen gripped her blade tightly beside her.
"What's this you have? A Warden?" Corypheus sneered at Briallen. "How foolish of you."
"You'll pay for what you did to the Wardens!" Briallen spat at him defiantly.
"It ends here, Corypheus!" Efa gripped her staff tightly beginning to advance.
"And so it shall."

Power began to grow, red and angry from Corypheus' hands. The ground beneath them shook violently. Efa felt a sickening drop in her stomach. Briallen clutched the closest rock, around them great chunks of earth and ruins began to rise. Efa didn't dare look towards the edge where the wall had crumbled, no longer supported. She steadied her feet and summoned through a wave of magic, hitting the Magister and sending him backwards. Briallen, recovered to from the change in gravity lunged forward too. Corypheus anticipated the attack evading her with ease.
"Tell me, where is you Maker now?" He shot at Briallen bringing her to her knees, holding her in place. "Call him. Call his wrath upon me!"
Efa dived forward attempting to manipulate the Fade around her but he deflected her attack with ease.
"You cannot, for he does not exist. I am Corypheus." He looked at Briallen with malice. "I shall deliver you from this lie in which you linger. Bow before your new god!"

Briallen screamed as he channelled his power into her, dropping her sword. Corypheus growled, Efa sprang upon him again this time with all her elements combined into one.
"You will serve me!" He roared as Efa continued to hurl fire and lightning. "What are you?"
"I serve no one you bastard!" Briallen fought against his hold.
With an explosion of fire that had Efa rolling for cover Briallen rose, grabbing her sword and reigniting the blade.
"You are not a Warden-"

The air around him crackled and exploded, a cloud of dust obscuring their vision. When the cloud dispersed Corypheus had gone. Efa looked around, seeing him moving up several of the floating islands to one of the larger rocks above.
"You have been most successful in foiling my plans, but let us not forget what you are." His voice boomed down to them as they re grouped. "A thief, in the wrong place at the wrong time. An interloper. A gnat. We shall prove here, once and for all, which of us is worth of godhood."
"I didn’t come here to become a god, Corypheus!" Efa yelled back reaching the stone arch that lead to the broken stairs.

Before Briallen could jump to the next platform the wall beside her exploded catching her off guard.
"Bri!" Efa looked back but could not see her, the crater now occupied with the warring dragons.
"You dare? A dragon? How clever of you." Corypheus taunted. "It will avail you nothing. You will fall as a warning to those who oppose my divine will!"
"Go Efa!" Briallen's voice shouted up. "I'll follow when I can!"
Efa halted, worry on her face as the dragons fought tooth and claw clashing against each other. The mark on her hand exploded painfully. She looked to the Breach, closer and more terrifying now. Opening wider than it had ever been.

She had to close it, or all would be lost.

Cullen looked up, fear in his eyes as the ground began to move. Somehow, in all the fighting, he had come across Hawke. The mage crushing enemies to the ground with an invisible force. He could feel her power around him, the signature surprisingly comforting, similar but not exact to Efa's own. Enough, that it didn't set his teeth on edge as the ground shook, in fact he felt firmly routed to the ground.
"Maker's tits!" He heard her curse behind him.
"Efa…" Cullen watched in horror as the Temple began to rise.
"No time to gawp, Curly!" Hawke fired off a ray of ice outward. "You got to trust them."
"I know." Cullen's eyes dropped back to the demons, three Pride Demons approached, each one twice the height of Cullen alone. Impossible odds, but wasn't it always.
"Somehow I find myself missing Meredith and her crazy statues." Hawke backed up against him.
"I don't miss who I was back then." Cullen scoffed. "But the statues would be preferable to this."
"I gotta admit it, Curly," Hawke prepared more magic as the first pride demon came into range. "You really came through in the end. Not just with Meredith and Kirkwall."
"You reminded me of her, you know." Cullen raised his shield. "Reminded me why I became a Templar in the first place. To protect the people."
"Aye." Hawke broke away as claws lunged. "That's a good thing to fight for! For all the people!"

"For all the people!" Cullen agreed charging forward.
For you Efa.

The dragons continued to fight. Scales littered the ground where they had been bitten and clawed. Briallen dodged beneath the feet, attempting to get clear but she was trapped. She threw what magic she could out towards the Archdemon but she needed a foothold. A tail lashed her way, she couldn't tell which, fade stepping into it she grabbed onto a spine using the momentum to vault and roll back into the open clearing.
She jumped to her feet just as the Archdemon clamped down on the other dragons neck. It reared, roaring in pain, but the Archdemon did not release. Morrigans's claws tried in vain to scratch at the other dragon. With a satisfied snarl, the Archdemon tossed her aside, slamming her against the remaining wall. In a flash of light the other dragon was gone, Briallen ran up to where she found a human body, one she recognised instantly.
"Morrigan?" She exclaimed, the witch lying bruised and bloody on the ground.
"Hero." She coughed weakly. "It must be killed."
"I know." Briallen, channelled a weak healing spell to where her shoulder was torn and bled out. "Can you stand."
"I think you need to forget about me right now." Morrigan said weakly.

Briallen turned, extending her staff out. The Archdemon approached, licking blood from its teeth and snout. Briallen circled around it slowly, its gaze following her, menacingly. Briallen breathed, she had done this before. Although last time she had more than just a half dead witch to help. She had Alistair, she had Efa and the Circle's battle mages among others. This time she was alone. But the Archdemon was wounded. She could see the limp in its front leg, and the crude shape of its wing, broken and unable to fly.
She raised her hand to the sky, summoning down a shower of meteors. The balls of flames blindsiding the dragon. It roared and lunged. Briallen dived to the side groaning, rolling over she brought her staff up to block the claw attempting to slam into her. Briallen let out a strained holler as the weight tried to crush her, she could feel the metal of her staff bending. Between its legs she could see Morrigan lumbering forward, hands raised. When the witch cast, Briallen moved fast, shoving as hard as she could and shrinking her staff back into the hilt.

The sudden movement, combined with the magic Morrigan cast, threw it off balance. Curling up she avoided most of the claws, crying out in agony as her back sliced open. She stood shakily, as the dragon fought against Morrigan's magic. Its eyes clouded, and its body stuttering, as if it was struggling to move. Briallen grabbed onto the broken wing, pulling herself up onto the ridges of its back.
It was smaller than the last one, and she could tell it wasn't the same. If Efa had been relying on Morrigan to slay it, or herself, it meant it wasn't tied to the blight. She gripped her hilt clambering along the neck and up to the head, still it howled in distress, shaking its head. She clung on desperately, trying not to fall. The swaying motion forced bile into her throat, she swallowed it down, keeping her grip tight.

The Archdemon slumped, exhausted to the ground, unable to fight the magic any longer. Sensing its defeat, Morrigan released the spell, the magic taking its toll on her wounded body. She slumped to the ground unmoving. Briallen's attention, however, had not left the dragon. She raised her newly formed blade, shining with every element she could muster into the spell. Weaving it down, she slammed the blade into its skull.
It reared again. Pain bursting through as Briallen released the elements through its body. Fire and ice mixing together searing and burning it from the inside out. It writhed again threatening to dismount her, she held on as best she could but her magic waned also. Dropping the blade she fell from its head, landing on the cold stone, agony coursing through her body. She struggled to prop herself up, cursing upon seeing the creature still alive. She raised her hand for a final spell, pulling at any trace she had left. But her hand only grew warm, the magic faltering with her vision.

Black spots swam around her eyes, she could feel the cold stone against her cheek, no longer able to hold herself up. As her eyes closed, she thought of Alistair and Isolde, hearing the final outcry from the Archdemon as everything went dark.

"Come on Hawke!" Cullen cried painfully, his body in agony. "Don't you die on me."
He held Hawke's limp body against his side. Her arm weakly slumped over his shoulder. The Champion was unconscious, having taken a strong blow from one of the two remaining Pride Demons. Cullen limped himself, struggling to keep them both upright. He swiped with his sword as the demon lunged at him, but his injury and the extra weight sent him to the ground, his sword lost. He felt pain in his chest, his lungs gasping to breathe. Everything hurt, he tried to will his limps to move, but it was useless.
This is it. He felt cold fear washing over him. He had survived the broken Circle, the Blight, Kirkwall and Haven, but luck had run out. Perhaps it was the coin that had kept him alive all these years. He thought of of his brother Branson, was he as tall as him? He'd never know. Was Rosalie still her cheerful and happy self? And Mia, he regretted never going back to see them. So many things he would lament, but worst of of all, was losing Efa again.
She would be devastated, if she survived. She had promised to come back to him, but he had not considered that it was him who would be the one to not come back. Would she move on from him? Never. She loved just like him, he was her one. What had she called him? Ma sa'lath. Her one love.

A clawed foot thudded into the ground before him. He lay over Hawke, if he was going to die now he hoped his last act would be protecting her. He said a silent prayer for them all. Hawke, Briallen and Efa. Tears prickled his eyes. He braced himself, resigned to meet the Maker.

He waited but nothing happened. No crushing blow, no further pain. Only the roar of the Pride Demon and the sound of arrows. He felt hands on him, soothing magic easing the pain until his limbs began to move again. He looked up in time to see the Iron Bull, charging headlong into the last Pride Demon, throwing him to the ground. He raised his axe and sunk the blade into its skull with a satisfying wet crunch.
"My head…" He could hear Hawke stirring beneath him.
"Come now Commander! Get up off your pretty arse will you?"
Cullen had never been so happy to hear Dorian's teasing tone. He grimaced to his feet, taking the mages hand to help him stand.
"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes!" Dorian grinned at him, moustache wiggling mischievously.
"I wager I still look prettier than you under all this blood." Cullen sniped back earning a laugh.
"Oh darling!" Dorian pulled Hawke to her feet as well, The Champion swaying slightly. "If you need to tell yourself that to keep going please do."

Cullen looked around. He saw Varric, reloading and firing from at top the body of the other Pride Demon, its body downed and full of arrow shafts. Soldiers charge either side. His men, here and fighting with them once more. Rylen passed nodding at the Commander as Dorian checked him over again, doing his best to patch the worst of the injuries.
"You got our message then?" Cullen looked for his sword, picking it up once he had spied it.
"Message? No." Varric shook his head. "Unless you mean the wonderfully scarred sky again."
"No, by bird." Cullen smiled gratefully. However they were here it did not matter, only that they were. "I'm glad you're all here."
"Where is Efa?" Dorian asked, satisfied neither he or Hawke was going to keel over on him.
"Where do you think?" Hawke pointed up to the floating rocks.
"Venhedis kaffan vas!" Dorian swore.

As they all looked up at the floating ruins of the temple of Sacred Ashes, lightning exploded down onto the top most part.
"It's dark, painful." Cole suddenly appeared beside them. "Is it dead? Please let me see them again. My treasure. My King."
"Cole?" Dorian looked worriedly at the Spirit. "Is that Efa?"
"She wears her face but not her heart." Cole continued to look up. "I cannot reach her. The tear is too loud."
"It's Briallen, she's up there too." Cullen began to march towards the Temple away from the battle. He trusted Rylen to co-ordinate the troops. "There must be a way up."
"Curly I don't think there is." Hawke tried to stop them. "Unless you can suddenly fly."

Cullen cursed. He reached for the sending stone. It pulsed rapidly, ever other beat skipping erratically. She was scared. But she was alive, and she was fighting. They were right, even if he got to the bottom how would he get up. If he was to help, it would be here on the ground.

Efa climbed higher. taking the stairs after Corypheus as quickly as she could. Her hand ached more, throbbing painfully each time the Breach widened. She had to stop him. She had too. Her foot slipped as she jumped across the last gap. Catching onto the rocks in front she clung on. Her staff skidded along the stone in front of her, as she stumbled to pull herself up. She was thankful of her hunting years, and the scrapes she had gotten there.Once up fully, she grabbed her staff, not bothering to dust herself off. She didn't want to know how filthy she was already, it would only get worse in the battle still ongoing.

When she made it to the top, Corypheus stood upon the highest point, reaching the orb into the sky. She could hear the dragons fighting below. She had to hold out, keep him busy, give Morrigan and Briallen the time to kill the Archdemon beneath her.
"You are persistent, rattus." He lowered the orb to look at her.
"So I've been told." Efa sniped back, raising her staff defensively in front of her. The anchor ached, but she ignored it. This close to the Breach, Efa could feel the Fade, drawing on strength to ease her tired bones.
"I will not allow you this victory!" Corypheus powered the orb again, red and dangerous looking power emanating from it. "You and all the heathen barbarians shall burn!"

He unleashed the power at her, Efa fell into a defensive stance, deflecting with her own elements, forming them into a protective shield. She returned fire, careful to not cause any serious damage. She couldn't afford to be careless. Cullen was down there waiting for her and Briallen needed more time. For every spell she blocked, repelling her backwards, he attempted to return to the breach to open it further. But she wove her own magic, attempting to cut off the flow from the orb.
"I need only moments more!" Corypheus became enraged. "Do you really think you can stop me!?"
"I think I am doing an okay job at that right now-" He words were silenced as he struck harder, the jolt piercing her makeshift shield. Her back hit the wall at the force, pain screaming through her body.
"Look at you, wearing slave markings on your face with pride." Corypheus was upon her, his hand coming around her neck. He lifted her up, raising her to his eye level."You are nothing. A race of snivelling cowards that shrank before Tevinter power!"

He threw her into the centre of the platform, she rolled along the ground, unable to stop herself. She felt ropes of his magic, fastening around her ankles and wrists, raising her back into the air.
"You will watch." Corypheus approached her, one of his long spindly fingers lifting her chin to look at him. "You will watch, as I consume the world. I will destroy the pathetic creatures who called you their Herald."
Efa struggled, unable to summon her magic. Corypheus turned away, once more raising the orb to the Breach. Efa screamed this time, the proximity to the orb and the Breach worse than it had ever been. Corypheus ignored her, continuing to tear it open further.
Efa's head fell, her throat hoarse and her body feeling like she was dying. Below there was a roar, but unlike before it trailed off, falling silent. Efa raised her head again, in time to see a strange ball of energy rising from the edge. It moved towards Corypheus, unseen by the monster as he continued to channel his power into the orb.
"Grant me power to finish this last rite!"

The Magister screamed in alarm, as the energy absorbed into him. His entire body shuddered and jerked, the orb falling from his hands. His concentration gone, Efa fell to the ground landing on her ankle at an odd angle. She hissed through the pain, stumbling forward towards the orb.
"No! How dare you!" His hand thrashed at her sending her tumbling. "I will not yet fall!"
Efa cradled the orb in her hand, feeling the power of the Fade within it. It felt familiar. Despite seeing her memories in the Fade, they did not feel real to her awake, but the power she held now did. It was mixed with her own rift magic, so similar, was that why she had no issue manipulating the breaches?
"I will not allow it!" Corypheus screamed, throwing a bolt of red crackling energy towards her. Efa was absorbed in the orb she was taken unaware, cursing, she dropped the orb and it rolled away into the rubble.

Corypheus moved after it. Scrambling through the rocks to find it. Efa pulled herself up, closer to the edge now where she had fallen. She looked down, swaying at the height but her eyes caught sight of the Archdemon lying still. She could just make out the blue of Briallen's armour lying just as unmoving alongside it.
"Bri…" She wailed, anger welling up in her chest. She span back towards Corypheus, ignoring all the pain she felt. Her hand rose to the air, lightning crackling and forming around her. With a guttural scream she pulled down, bolt after bolt, hitting the Magister in the back. He screamed, trying to form a counter. But she did not stop. Each fork landed with precision, tears streaming down her face as she gave no quarter. Her swollen ankle trembled, causing her to stumble again. She could smell burnt flesh as she breathed heavily, grabbing on to a pillar to steady herself.

Corypheus' body lay on the ground, his skin blackened and scorched, the stench hard to stomach.
"Not like this!" He screeched at her. "I have walked the halls of the Golden City, crossed the ages- Dumat! Ancient ones! I beseech you! If you exist–if you ever truly existed–aid me now!"
Efa ignore his rambling. Reaching out for the magical trace of the orb. It rose into the air, drawn to her power once more. Corypheus tried to snatch it in the air, but she with drew her hand sharply, summoning the orb to her. The orb flew through the air, not altering its course to her as it smashed into the Magister's face. He fell to his knees, as Efa caught the orb in her hand. He slumped to the floor, alive but weak, blood pooling around him.

She held the orb in both hands, her power flowing into it easily, but she could see the crack along the edges. If she closed it now, the orb would likely break. Without it, she didn't have a chance on her own. To close the tear. As powerful as she was with the Fade, her magic almost exhausted. She hoped Solas would forgive her. Tucking the orb in her arm, she clambered on to the tallest rock she could, looking directly upwards. She unfurled the orb in her arm and raised it up. The orb responded to her command, absorbing her remaining magic and thrown it sky high. She felt the connection to the air around her, raising her up as the wind around her whipped. She could hear Corypheus scream in defeat.

He made an attempt to attack, his magic unable to penetrate the storm she commanded. She looked down at him, lightning bouncing around her. As his power grew weaker and the breach shrank, his hold on the ruins began to falter. Rocks that floated along side them thudded to the ground heavily. She had to be quick, if she was to finish this. Reaching down with her other hand, anchor flaring to life she redirected some of the magic towards the dying Magister.
"You wanted into the Fade?" His bones cracked as she opened a rift beneath him. "So be it."
The charred remains of his body folded in on itself, as she threw him through the rift into the unknown. A final bolt of lightning, striking through, as the rift closed under her command. With him gone, she refocused her efforts on the breach, throwing it all into the scarred sky.

The orb shattered, magic spent. Like the rocks, Efa hit the ground again. She felt a sinking feeling, air rushing from her lungs as the ruins began to fall from the sky. If she had any voice left she would scream. but there was nothing, only pure dread as the remains of the Temple of Sacred Ashes, plummeted from the sky.

Green light soared into the sky. Cullen halted, pulling his blade from the demon he had slain. Around them the demons were recoiling, their bodies rising reluctantly into the air one by one. They screamed and writhed, thrown back into the Breach from where they came.
Cheers erupted around him. Their soldiers cheering as the demons were forced back into the Rift.
He could see her, the outline of her body high above them, as she closed the Breach above.
"Efa…" He watched in awe and fear.
"Maker's breath." Cassandra called out.
"She actually did it!" Sera whooped.

"Magic fades." Cole's voice silenced their cries of joy. "That which went up must come down again."
"Kid?"
"There." Cole pointed upwards.
The sky darkened suddenly. The magic dispersing in the air. Cullen watched in horror as the rocks began to fall, picking up speed as they hurtled to the ground.
"Cole do something!"
"I can't! It's too fast!"
"Shit shit shit shit!"
"Maker have mercy."

Their voices faded as he began to run. The ground shaking As the final piece slammed down sending a gust of air so powerful Cullen felt his feet leave the ground. His ears rang and his vision blurred, he struggled to rise again, completely disorientated by the return of the ruins.
"Efa!" He cried out. "Please… Maker please let her live…"

The world felt still.

Efa lay on the ground, her chest heaving. Her body ached from head to toe. But she was alive, at least she thought. With great strain she tried to sit up, only able to prop herself up against a nearby rock. Her eyes were heavy, she hoped someone would find her and soon. She knew Cullen would not rest until she was in his arms. If he lives. Painfully she lifted her hand, unable to reach the sending stone around her neck to check or call for him.
To her left she could hear frantic footsteps approaching.
"C-Cullen?" she choked out.
Whoever approached did not come to her, their footsteps stopped towards her right. She slowly turned her head, wincing at the pain.
"Solas?"

Her elvhen companion didn't look at her. He was knelt down, his fingers shaking as he picked up the broken pieces of the orb.
"The orb…"
"I tried-" She croaked. "I’m so sorry."
"Your magic." His hand glowed softly as he examined it. "I feel it. You did this."
"I had no choice."
"There is always a choice!" He looked at her angrily.
"I did what I could…" She coughed. "Corypheus is dead. That’s the important thing."
"Yet so much has been lost."

He dropped the pieces again coming over to look at her. His expression was plain, unreadable. She thought he was leaning down to aid her. But he didn't. He reached out and took her hand roughly. Efa cried out in pain. He studied it carefully turning it over to see the anchor still pulsing beneath her skin.
"It was not supposed to happen this way." He grasped her blackened fingers in his own. "I hope, in time, you will understand."
His hand glowed again and her hand exploded in agony. She screamed. Her vision blurred once more, tears streaming in her eyes as he released her.
"Solas..!" She cried out as he walked away, leaving her lying there.

She struggled to keep her eyes open, darkness creeping further in. She could hear the sharp sound of hooves, against the stone, a comforting weight coming to rest on her stomach. Her name was being called, but whoever it was she did not know. Her head fell against her chest and everything went black.

The beat was slow.

Cullen clutched onto his sending stone as he skidded into the ruins. It was even more of a wreck than when they had first come back, following the explosion of conclave.
"Efa!" He yelled! Listening desperately for any signs of a response.

The others fanned out behind him, searching through the rubble. He tried to remain calm, but with each passing second that they couldn't find her, the panic began to swell. Around the corner he could hear Iron Bull's shout. He ran towards the sound, skidding to a halt as the body of the Archdemon came into view buried under rubble but very much dead. The qunari was in the process of lifting a slab of stone, Cullen and Blackwall joined him, adding their strength to the raise the rock.
"It's Morrigan!"
Varric and Cassandra pulled her out. Once she was clear, they dropped the stone back into place.
"She's alive, but she's in bad shape." Anders dropped to her side, hands glowing softly. "Someone already tried to heal her. She wouldn't have made it likely."
"Efa?" Cullen wondered. There was no way to be sure.
"Over here!" Cole shouted. Disappearing and reappearing rapidly around the dragons head.

Fenris was closest, sliding down between the rocks and emerging a moment later. Blackwall climbed up on the rock to help, helping the elf to lift Briallen from the rubble. Carefully he lowered her to the ground. Dorian leaning over her ready to heal what he could. The warden stirred slightly, clearly in pain. Cullen continued to look, running his hands anxiously through his messy hair. Efa had to be close by. She had too. Rocks scattered to the other side of the dragon. Several heads turned weapons raised as a creature vaulted over the wall.
"Revas!" Cullen ran towards the hart, holding out his hand to calm the beast as it bounced frantically. "Easy now!"
Revas huffed in his face, leaning down his snout to nudge Cullen. It jumped up and down, hooves cracking against the stone loudly.
"Do you know where she is-"
A scream sounded in the distance. Revas span, agitated, taking off towards the noise. Without hesitation, Cullen followed.

He clambered over rocks, finding the broken staircase that lead upwards. Taking them two at a time he ran as fast as he could. His chest aching with exertion when he reached the top. Pushing aside the falling rubble in the archway, he climbed through towards the open space. His eyes fell on Revas lying on the ground his head bowed down. He hurried forward catching sight of familiar boots.
"EFA!" He cried out her name. Revas whined softly, his head resting gently in her lap. She lay still, her chest rising and falling softly. She looked a mess, blood on her face and bruises littering her visible skin. He dropped to her side, letting out an anguished cry at the sight of her.
"Inquisitor?" Cassandra followed behind him. "Maker, is she alive?"
"Yes." He managed to choke out. Tears threatening his eyes. "Efa please wake up…"
"Let us see her." Anders placed a hand on his shoulder. Cullen stepped back reluctantly to give him space. After a moment, Anders spoke again "She'll live."
Cassandra sighed, as she tugged on Revas' reigns away to give Anders more space to work. Hawke hovered behind, squeezing Cullen's arms reassuringly as Anders channelled healing spells into her. Cullen could feel himself breathe again, watching as her chest began to rise more firmly. Her heartbeat quickening to normal beneath his fingers, clasped around the crystal he wore.

More minutes passed. Cullen paced still nervously. Finally Anders rose and stepped back.
"She's drained completely." He turned to Cullen with a reassuring smile. "Hardly surprising, all her magic is exhausted. She needs rest."
"Let's get her home." Cullen slid his hand beneath her knees picking up he limp body whispering to her as he tucked her head into the fur of his cape. "My brave girl…"

Chapter Text

Efa swayed gently.
She ached everywhere, her eyelids almost too heavy to lift. She could feel something soft against her cheek, a contrast to the strong hold she felt herself surrounded in. She inhaled deeply, leather, fur, oakmoss. She sighed gratefully, burying her face further into what she knew was Cullen's cloak. Blearily she opened her eyes, squinting in the rising sun. The first thing she saw was Cullen's gauntlet, circling her defensively as he held onto her, sat between his legs in Revas' saddle. They were riding, she must have only been unconscious for a short time, if they were still on the move. A definite improvement from the three days she had spent asleep when she had first come to Haven. She looked down to her hand, dirt and blood smeared over it, but something seemed off. She could have sworn her hand when Solas had grabbed it had been black. It looked perfectly normal, despite the dirt. The more she looked at it however, her head swam, she groaned softly.

Immediately Revas was pulled to a stop, she jostled slightly in her sideways position.
"Efa?" A gentle hand came to her face.
"Mmm." He throat was parched, any sound she made felt like gravel in her throat. "I knew you'd find me."
"I always do vhenan." He felt her arms tighten around him.
"You said that." She chuckled, finding the effort to look up at him.
His hair was flecked with blood, as was his face. She reached up slowly her thumb tracing the line of his scar on his lip. He smiled at her, that slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"You did it." He kissed her fingers, and then her palm.
"Where's Bri?" Efa's eyes grew wide suddenly with panic. "I saw her-"
"She's alive." Cullen looked behind, signalling behind him.

"Efa?" She heard Briallen before she saw her. Like herself she was seated with someone else, to her surprise it was Iron Bull.
"Bri…" She sighed with relief. "Bull?"
"Good to see you kicking Boss." The qunari smiled.
"I don't think she'll be kicking for a while."
Efa turned her head painfully, Cullen's stallion coming into view. On top rode Hawke and Varric, patched up but exhausted.
"You're here."
"You didn't think we'd abandon you at the end Stormcloud?"

She felt tears in her eyes. Relief swimming through her. Cullen pulled her tightly into his arms.
"Shh, it's alright." Cullen cooed her. She could hear the others chattering behind. No doubt telling whoever followed she was okay. She could hear Dorian, Cole, and so many more.
"Were all here."
"Most of us." She could hear Varric mutter.
"Solas…" She said weakly. "He's gone."
"You saw him?" Cullen asked as he coaxed Revas back into a trot. "Where?"
"He left me there." Her eyes fell closed again. "He's gone…"
"Stay with me, Efa," Cullen cradled her closer. "We're almost home."
"Mmm."

She dozed in and out, listening to his voice as they rode. She couldn't recall his words, but they were soft and gentle. She startled awake again, when she heard the sound of the horn, heralding their final approach to Skyhold. She opened her eyes to see the towers rising into view as they reached the beginning of the bridge.
"Home." She smiled.
"Home." Cullen agreed.
Anxious chatter met them as they entered the courtyard. Everyone beginning to gather along the walls and the upper courtyard to catch sight of them returning. Efa remained seated in Cullen's arms until Bull dismounted, lifting her carefully down.

"Welcome home!" Josephine's nervous squeal met them. "Is it over!? Is it finally done? Is Efa-?"
Cullen took her from Iron Bull smiling at the Ambassador as he carried Efa towards the stairs.
"Corypheus is no more." Cullen looked at Josephine with a smile. "Efa just needs rest."
Cheers erupted around them, Efa couldn't help but smile weakly as Cullen made his way through the crowd with her. She had managed to lift her arms around his neck but the movement left her exhausted once more. Josephine excitedly began to busy herself, welcoming home their soldiers and coordinating resources.

They made straight for her room, followed by several healers. Despite his protests, he was shoved into the washroom while they were both tended too. By the time he was clean and released from the healer, Efa was already tucked into bed.
"She needs to rest Commander." The healer smiled at him warmly. "She's used an extraordinary amount of magic. More than any one mage should be able to harness."
"She did the impossible to save us all." Cullen brushed her hair from her face.
"You should rest too Commander." She collected her things. "Someone will come back to check on you both later."
"Thank you."

Efa shuffled slightly as he he climbed into bed behind her, sighing contentedly when his arms wrapped around her.
"Cullen?" She whispered weakly.
"I'm here." He buried his face into her hair. "You're still awake?"
"I was waiting for you." He could hear the struggle in her words.
"Sleep." He tucked her into him. "I'll be here when you wake."

Efa sat at her desk, a heavy blanket over her shoulders. She had insisted to be at her desk, fed up after two days bound to bed. Briallen had helped her walk, her energy still lacking from the battle, across the short distance.
To her annoyance even a few steps had run her dry, but she was determined if anything, to proceed with things as planned.
"Are you sure you're up for this?" Briallen hovered annoyingly near the stairs.
"Yes." Efa sighed. "The longer we wait the more awkward it will be. Send him in."
"Alright then…"

She disappeared down the stairs, Efa anxiously moved paper around on her desk, straightening things unnecessarily. Briallen returned, followed by Blackwall. The former 'Warden' walked with purpose, Efa could see the resolve in his demeanour. He stopped in front of her desk, hands clasped in front of him.

"It's good to see you up and about Your Worship." He spoke politely, nodding in greeting.
"Thank you," she smiled weakly. "And thank you for coming Rainier. I'm sure you know why you are here?"
"I do." Blackwall exhaled. "I am ready to accept your judgement."
Efa looked at him, searched his face for remorse. Much like she had seen in the cells below, this man had come prepared for the worst. She had thought about her options, while she had been confined to her bed, taking advice from all of her visiting advisers.
"First of all." Efa took a sip of the tea on her desk, holding the cup to give her hands something to focus on. "I wish to thank you. I understand you were given a choice to join us in the end."
"There was no choice. I swore myself to the cause." Blackwall puffed his chest out resolutely. "I would not abandon you in the end. You showed me kindness when I deserved none. I am only glad I could return the favour."

She held his gaze, seeing without a doubt he believed what it was he said. She felt sadness, despite the way she had felt about him in the end, she already felt the loss of Solas in Skyhold. Her decision now would only further damage the hole he had created.
"Your work in the Inquisition has not gone unnoticed." She looked down at the cup. "But your past history cannot be overlooked.
"I understand."
"Blackwall intended you join the Wardens." She looked up at him now, summoning all the strength she could into her words. "I will let them decide your fate. Now that Corypheus is dead."
"As you command." Blackwall swallowed hard.

"I’m told not all survive the Joining." She looked at Briallen who nodded grimly. "And the life of a true Warden is difficult."
"If I die, it will be no less than I deserve." Blackwall accepted his judgement honourably. "And if I live. I’ll make it count. I’m grateful for this, Inquisitor. How long will I be permitted to remain in Skyhold?"
"There are several Wardens in residence preparing to return to Weisshaupt in the coming week." Efa reached for an envelope on her desk, holding it out. "Briallen has wrote a letter of recommendation…"
"For any worth it might be." Briallen lent against the wall, arms folded. "The First Warden isn't exactly happy with me right now."
"I thank you both." Blackwall took the envelope and bowed to her. "I have my orders. With your leave, Inquisitor?"
"Of course."

Briallen showed him out, once out of sight, Efa sank into her chair.
"Don't you think you were too nice to him?"
"Hawke." Efa rolled her eyes. "How long have you been skulking?"
"Long enough." Her sister shrugged standing at the top of the stairs. Briallen shook her head as she passed. "Sending him to the Wardens? Really after what he did?"
"He'll either be dead within the month or spend the next thirty of his life waiting to go mad." Briallen huffed, walking over to Efa's desk.
"The Calling is no joke." She looked pale, taking a cup off Efa's desk to pour for herself. "It's like a song you can't get out of your head."
Efa and Hawke looked at her, her expression looking vacant, lost deep in a troubling thought. After a moment, she dropped the cup without filling it.
"Is that what will happen to you?" Hawke pursed her lips.

"I- I don't know anymore…"

Briallen walked out onto the balcony. Efa rose slowly, Hawke offering her and arm as they followed her out.
"When I first joined, I could hear the song so vividly." Briallen looked out over the mountains. "But after the Archdemon died- It- It's so quiet now…"
"You've said that before?" Efa reached "When we found you in Crestwood. And then there was what Corypheus said."
"What did he say?" Hawke looked at them both.
"He said-"

Briallen's word were cut off suddenly. Her hand flew to her mouth, the other covering her stomach. Without further warning, she threw her head over the railing and vomited.
"Bri!"
"Woah now!" Hawke jumped forward, faster than Efa could move, grabbing Briallen's hair automatically. "You okay sis?"
Briallen heaved several times, shaking slightly as Hawke rubbed her back. Wiping her mouth she straightened up. She looked pale and washed out as she turned back to them.
"I don't know what came over me…" she trembled slightly, "I haven't been sick like that since-"

Her face dropped suddenly. She swayed ever so slightly on the spot, before the sickness took her again. Hawke dutifully held her again, keeping the loose strands of her hair from her face.
"Bri…" Efa lent against the wall beside her.
"No!" She gasped. "No no no! It's not possible."
"What's wrong?" Hawke looked at them both confused.
Efa had a feeling. She had seen her sister like this once before, in the first few months following their return to the clan. When she had discovered she was pregnant with Isolde.

"Bri, did you and Alistair…"
"It's not possible." Briallen shook her head. "Two Warden's can't- Its always been that way- I can't be-"
"What are you blathering on about?" Hawke was getting frustrated.
"Last time she was like this," Efa looked at Hawke apologetically. "Was when she was- Pregnant…"
"Oh fuck."
"Yeah…" Efa petted Briallen's shoulder sympathetically. "But she's right. No two Wardens have ever conceived a child before. One Warden parent is rare enough, but two? Unheard of."
"'You are not a Warden-'" Briallen said her face scrunched up.
"You- what?" Hawke looked at Efa shrugging.
"That's what Corypheus said. 'You are not a Warden-'" Efa bit her lip. "Do you think he was right?"
"I don't know…"
"Are you sure you're pregnant?" Hawke left them for a moment to fetch Briallen some water. "When was your last course?"

Briallen sipped the water carefully, leaning against the balcony as she thought back.
"Before Stroud and I got to Crestwood."
"And to be clear, you and The King, you know The King of Fereldan…"
"Yes Hawke!" Briallen snapped angrily at the bemused expression on Hawke's face. "Yes we had sex. Is that what you want to hear?"
"We should have a healer check you over." Efa tucked her blanket closer to her body, dropping into protective sister mode. "You were in battle, there could be damage. Or complications…"
"No!" Briallen shook her head. "I cant have anyone know!"
"I can go get Anders?" Hawke suggested. "He was your friend, wasn't he? Back in the day. And he knows how to be discreet if that's what you're worried about."
Efa looked at Hawke gratefully, when Briallen nodded. She slipped off leaving them alone, they returned to the main room, sitting perched at the end of Efa's bed.

"Bri…" Efa gripped her hand. "I didn't want to say this in front of Hawke, but what Corypheus said about you being a Warden. And how the song had changed. Do you think it has something to do with how you survived? The Blight?"
"I don't know." Briallen sighed. "I still don't know-"
"You don't have to lie to me about it anymore." Efa took a deep breath. "I know about the ritual. What Alistair did for you…"
"You know?" Briallen looked at her horrified. "How?"
"I had an unpleasant encounter with Morrigan's mother. The whole story just tumbled out after." Efa squeezed her hand again. "I don't blame you for saying nothing."
Briallen lent into her, dropping her head onto her shoulder, tears filling her eyes.
"I hated her. For what she asked." She sobbed. "I wanted to hate Alistair for it too, but I never could. Just knowing that witch carried his child when I couldn't…"
"But now you could be…"
"Efa if I am…" Briallen looked up at her. "What do I do? How do I tell him? What if he wants to claim it?"

"Last month you were sitting on my balcony sobbing over the fact you couldn't have children with him…" Efa couldn't help but chuckle. "Now you might actually be able too and you're freaking out. You're worse than me!"
"I am not!" Briallen puffed up defensively.
"Bri, I say this as lovingly as possible." Efa put her arm around Briallen's shoulders. "Stop being stupid. Baby or no baby. You deserve to be happy."
"But the Court-"
"Ah ah ah!" Efa silenced her. "By order of the Inquisition, When Alistair arrives for Josie's celebration banquet you must confess your true feelings and let yourself be happy for once in your life!"
"You're pulling rank on me?!" Briallen looked at her feigning shock.
"Yes." Efa said sternly. "I will lock you both in a room until you sort your shit out if I have too."

Before Briallen could respond, there was a knock on the door followed by it opening again. Hawke came back up the stairs followed by Anders, looking a little nervous.
"Not interrupting are we?" Hawke smirked.
"Not at all." Efa rose and stepped away from the bed, joining Hawke on the love seat by the stairs. "Thanks for coming Anders."
"Sure, although Mari didn't exactly say why you need me here."
"Ahh." Efa looked at Hawke.
"You said you wanted discretion." Hawke shrugged. Briallen hid her face in her hands, groaning slightly.
"Could you please examine Bri." Efa motioned towards her twin. "We believe she might be in a delicate condition."
"Oh!" Anders blushed slightly. "Right. Yes. Of course."

Anders walked over to the bed, motioning for Briallen to lie down.
"Just try to relax." He said calmly, his focus shifting into healing mode. "How long since you last bled?"
Efa could see the faint blush on his cheeks, despite the seriousness of his tone. His hand began to glow faintly as he moved it over his stomach.
"How long since you- er-"
"Was just before we left for Adamant." Briallen answered uncomfortably. Anders nodded, his hand moved across her slowly, his eyebrows knit in frustration. He withdrew his hand, magic receding and held out a hand to help her sit up.
"What's the verdict."
"You are with child." Anders nodded, Briallen took in a shuddering breath. "But the strength of the heartbeat is not as strong as I would hope for how far along you are. Likely a result of the exertion you've endured over the last two months."

Briallen's lip trembled, Efa and Hawke rose to sit with her on the bed each taking her hand comfortingly.
"Will the baby be okay?" Efa asked, Briallen trembling in her hand.
"You will need to be careful, rest and eat well." Anders nodded grimly. "And best to have regular check ups and perhaps no more Archdemon slaying until the baby is born."
"You t-think I'll be able to carry to term?" Tears fell down Briallen's face.
"It's hard to say." Anders sighed rubbing his beard. "But if its anything like you or the rest of your family, I'm confident you will both be fine."
Briallen let out a breath.
"I should probably let you take all that in." Anders backed away from the bed. "Are you staying here Mari?
"I'll stay a little longer if that's alright?" She looked at Efa. "I'll come find you and Fenris for dinner."
"If you need anything, you can always ask." Anders smiled, kissing Hawke on the cheek gently before leaving the three of them cuddled up on the bed.

"It's cute how he calls you 'Mari'." Efa said to Hawke, brushing hair behind Briallen's ear.
"He never liked calling me 'Hawke'" She replied. "Fenris calls me it too but never when anyone can hear him."
"I like it." Briallen smiled. "'Hawke' sounds like a title sometimes."
"You're welcome to call me it if you prefer." Hawke smiled. "I don't mind. So are you going to tell Alistair then?"
"He'll be coming for the celebration at the end of the month." Efa advised.
"Yeah…" Briallen squeezed both of their hands. "And then I'll have to break it to Isolde."
"Good luck with that…"

Efa stretched her legs in her chair, it felt good to be sat downstairs in Josephine's office. It had been a week since she had sealed the Breach for good. Each day her energy had increased, she almost felt like herself again. She had been thankful to escape the confines of her room, taking to walking the gardens and playing chess with Dorian while Cullen inevitably worked. There was still a surprising amount to do. Troops to be reorganised and bereavement noticed to be written. She suspected, if they had not been together, he would have worked until he passed out each night. But thankfully, instead of crashing in his loft he had made his way back to her room each night at a sensible hour.

"The Empress will not attend herself but we must extend an invitation." Josephine scribbled frantically at her clipboard.
"She will likely send a representative." Leliana nodded in response. "One of her ladies or two…"
"The joys!" Efa rolled her eyes. "Do you think they'll wear those gaudy dress and masks?"
"No doubt." Leliana smirked. "I doubt they will fit through the doors!"
They both laughed. Josephine tutted at them but Efa could see her chuckling under her breath.
"That just leaves the King's invitation…"
"I have no doubt he will attend in person." Leliana wiggled her eyebrows at Efa.
"Josie, if you would be so kind…" Efa turned in her chair towards the desk. "Let his majesty know he can arrive ahead of the festivities if it will- make travel easier?"
"Subtle." Josie shook her head amused.
"You know me!"

They all laughed again as Josephine penned the letter. Josephine chatted about the plans she had. A banquet, music and guests invited from all their supporting allies. It was going to be the most grand affair Skyhold had ever hosted but Efa was more looking forward to the private party scheduled to take place a few days beforehand. Just her closest companions and advisers as well as her sisters and extended family. A night of merriment, drinking and card games Varric had promised. All except Blackwall, who had left for Weisshaupt the morning before and Solas, missing without known reason. He wasn't the only recent departure, to no ones surprise or objection, Morrigan and Kieran had departed in the dead of night. She had been quiet since their return and withdrawn. Efa had suspected she would leave, after what had happened with Kieran. She was mildly annoyed, since Morrigan had the knowledge of the Well but for Briallen's sake she preferred it that she was gone.

There was a sharp knock at the door, before it opened to reveal the Commander. He looked tired, having spent the entire day hunched over his desk.
"Good evening Commander," Josephine looked up from her writing.
"Josie. Leliana." He nodded in greeting. "Vhenan."
He lent down to kiss her forehead, earning a satisfied hum and a smile.
"How was your day, ma sa'lath?"
"I hope we have no more wars any time soon," He sank into the chair opposite Efa with a sigh. "Rylen did nothing but complain about his hand cramp from noon onwards."
"Oh you poor thing!" Leliana rolled her eyes.
"Yes imagine writing all day everyday," Josephine, blotted her letter. "You must be so tired!"
"I am a soldier, not an author Josie." Cullen growled annoyed.
"Aside from strenuous paperwork," Efa shot Josephine a chiding look and a smirk. "Is there anything that requires my attention?"

They had all been working hard to let her rest. Taking on tasks to coordinate, relief and keep back the torrent of letters and visitation requests. People were clamouring for miles to be invited into Skyhold to congratulate the Inquisition. But Josephine had firmly decreed no visitors until Efa was well again. No invitations were issued until the celebration, Efa deserved her rest, and some blissfully undisturbed time with Cullen. It had been just what she needed.

"There is one thing actually…" Cullen sat up resting his elbows on his knees.
"What is it?" Efa sat up a little straighter.
"Samson…" He sighed. "A decision needs to be made with him."
"Oh.." Efa slumped back into the chair running a hand through her hair. "I had almost forgotten about him."
"Some of the former Templar's are anxious for his judgement." Cullen looked at her. "They have expressed the wish to be present."
"Of course." Efa mulled it over. "Tomorrow."
"If you're sure?" Cullen sat up. "I don't want to pressure you to make a verdict if you're not up to it."
"No you're right," Efa rose. "Something needs to be done. Josie can you arrange it for the afternoon?"
"Of course, Inquisitor."
"Thank you."

Efa sat in her throne, waiting. Her fingers drummed against the arm rests as people began to file into the Hall. Josephine had helped her pick out an outfit. A new jacket trimmed in black and gold, fancier than the one she had worn at the winter palace. Unlike her previous judgements, Cullen was stood at her side. He had dressed in his full uniform too, a united front, Josephine had suggested. When the movement in the hall ceased as everyone took their place, she turned her head to Cullen and gave a slight nod. Cullen indicated to the soldier at the door, the door at the end of the hall opened and Captain Rylen marched in dragging the half limping form of Rayleigh Samson.

"Inquisitor, we present Knight-Templar Samson, general to Corypheus, traitor to the Order. The blood on his hands cannot be measured. His head is too valuable to take. Kirkwall, Orlais: many would see him suffer." Cullen stepped forward on the dais between Efa and Samson. "I can’t say I’m not one of them."
"Judging him will affect as many as his crimes." Efa looked over Samson, in the fortnight since she had faced him, he had become gaunt, the effect of the red lyrium was beginning to take its toll. "I won’t take it lightly."
Rylen brought Samson to a halt. Keeping a firm hand on the prisoner's shoulders. He bowed his head towards Efa and Cullen respectfully, awaiting any further orders.
"The red lyrium will steal your vengeance. You know what it does. Corypheus only delayed my corruption." Samson spat at her feet.
"Are you still loyal to that thing?" Cullen looked at him with disbelief. "He poisoned the Order, used them to kill thousands!"

"Templars have always been used. How many were left to rot, like I was, after the Chantry burned away their minds? Piss on it!" Samson snarled at Cullen. "I followed him so Templars could at least die at their best! Same lie as the Chantry. The Prophet just isn’t as pretty. Although you found yourself a prettier prophet didn't you? One to wet your dick in-"
Several people moved at once. Efa stood, taking a firm hold of Cullen's arm, stopping him as his chest puffed up as he began to step forward. What surprised Efa however, was that it was Rylen, who lost his nerve and lashed out.
The Captains foot flicked up catching the back of Samson's knee causing it to buckle. The Red Templar cried out in agony as his knees slammed painfully into the stone.
"You will hold your tongue or it will be cut out." Rylen hissed in his ear.
"It's okay Captain." Efa released Cullen's arm and moved towards the Captain. Rylen looked at her, shame in his expression as he released his hold slightly, looking slightly shocked at his own actions for a moment. Samson remained on his knees, hissing in pain, as Efa approached looking down at him with folded arms.

"You led those Templars to their deaths, but did a good job?" Efa continued on, ignoring the outburst. "That’s your defence?"
"I’m not offering a defence!" Samson jeered. "What I did was a mercy for Templars already lost."
"You were always weak." Anger continued to lace Cullen's voice. "And your leadership proves it."
"Every one of those Templars would have suffered until nothing was left. And then be forced to kill and die." Samson looked at Cullen murderously. "I gave them hope. Just like the Chantry. Just like you. But I’m weak, and you’re a saviour. Do what you want, I’m done talking."
He looked away from them all, picking a spot on the wall and staring at it defiantly. Efa looked at him, annoyance of her own, rising in her at his words. She stepped into his line of sight forcing him to look at her once more as she lent closer.
"You might be done talking but I am not."

He scoffed at her, doing all he could to avoid her, but the crackling of her magic in his hands set his skin on edge. He could feel the danger in her words, and for the first time she saw a slight fear in him.
"Do you see these men and women around you? Look at them." She motioned for Rylen to turn him. The Captain pulled him roughly to his feet and span him around to face the observing soldiers.
"Each and everyone of them is, or was, a Templar." She circled around so he could see her as she spoke. "You are right, Cullen is a saviour. His actions have saved each and every one of these from the lies they were fed."

Samson watched as she walked along side the gathered people, all of them nodding respectfully as she passed them.
"There was always another option. It isn't easy, it hasn't been easy for any of them." She clasped the shaking hand of one of the more recent members to quit. The young soldier bowing his head at her and clasping her hand back before she moved on. "But they are free of the lyrium leash you claimed they would die for."
She came back to stand in front of him. The ex-Templars stepping forward to frame her, Cullen included.
"They have hope, real hope." she held her hands out to each side, showing them all to Samson. "Now they can live the lives they deserved. Because they made a choice."
She stepped into his space again, a satisfied smirk on her face as he squirmed uncomfortably.
"The Templars you corrupted were stripped of that choice." Cullen beamed at Efa with pride as she stood up to him. "You are nothing but a coward."

"I’m sick of looking at you." Efa turned her back on him. "There is no hole deep enough. Samson, you will spend your remaining days rotting in a cell."
She looked at Cullen.
"Get him out of here."
"As you wish." He nodded dutifully.
"Do as you will, Inquisitor." Samson growled. "Your kind always does."

She continued to look away from him, as Cullen and Rylen marched him from the hall. Only once the doors slammed shut again did she relax. Several of the confident soldiers thanked her, shaking her hand and offering her reaffirming oaths of loyalty. She smiled at each of them, reiterating her pride in their accomplishments. She waited as they filed out of the hall, back to their respective duties.

Judging Samson had been a lot, both physically and mentally, forcing Efa to retreat to her room alone. She hoped, as she popped the buttons of her gilded jacket, that Cullen would return once the prisoner had been dealt with. She hung the coat on the hanger, still resting on the door to her wardrobe where they had dressed earlier. She had just finished shucking her boots when the door opened below. She felt a wave of relief when she saw Cullen's curly hair come into view.

"How you holding up soldier?" she smiled softly, watching his shoulders sag now that he was in the comfort of their room.
"Samson took everything from those Templars." He furiously began to rip open his buttons. "He corrupted their souls, twisted them into everything they stood against. Everything they would have hated."
Efa walked over to him, swatting his hands away to do it herself, Josephine had gone to great care for the new jackets, she did not want to invoke the antivan's wrath at having to replace the buttons so soon.
"There’s nothing we can do for them now." She carefully began to undress him. His head fell forward resting softly on hers.
"I know," he inhaled the scent of her hair, his eyes flicking up to the ever increasing row of plants along her balcony, in particular the cyclamen he could smell on her now. "I am proud of how you handled that."
"I couldn't have done that without you there."
She smiled at him, pushing the jacket from his shoulders, running her hands down his arms as she relieved him of his formal mantle. Carefully, she hung it next to her own, smoothing the creases as it rested against the wood.
"Our dungeon was too generous an option." She felt his arms entwine around her waist, his face coming down to bury in her neck. "But at least he’s out of my sight now."
"Samson got what he deserved." She turned slowly in his hold, lifting a hand to her hair to release her curls from the smart bun they had been twisted into.
"The man and women he betrayed, they deserved something better." Cullen drew he in closer, taking comfort in her proximity. "Samson deserves nothing."

They remained like that, holding on to each other like it was their only salvation. His hand tracing up her back and into her curls. She arched into him as lips found her neck, peppering the skin he found with little kisses.
"I sometimes wonder what would have happened if you had not come to the Conclave." She felt his stubble brushing against her. "If you’d never come back to me."
"I can't imagine going back to that life," she lifted his head to look at him properly. "Never knowing if you were okay, living knowing that you thought I was-"
"I don't ever want to think about you like that again." Cullen pressed her against the wardrobe. "Not now that the Maker gave you back to me."
"And now we're one step closer to that future." Efa looked up at him, a soft smile on her face as she stroked the hair on his neck. "If you still want that."
"I'll take any life…" He captured her lips in a chaste kiss. "So long as it is with you."
"Cullen, vhenan…" She whispered against his lips. "I need you now. I can't wait any longer…"
"Are you sure?" Cullen looked at her worried, he could see the fatigue creeping up in her.
"Please…"

He kissed her again, harder this time, her mouth opening to greet him enthusiastically. They had refrained from intimacy during her recovery, worried for any strain such activities would take on her. But as he kissed her now, he felt his need for her growing just as she needed him too. Her nails scraped against his scalp, attempting to pull him even closer. He moved his hands down her side, pulling her shirt from where it was tucked into her trousers. He ran the fabric up, breaking from the kiss to pull it over her head and off. There was a flurry of hands as she made to do the same, tearing at his shirt and mussing his untamed curls. Efa threw her arms around him again, biting at his bottom lip needily.
Taking the hint, Cullen scooped her legs up, bring them around his waist. Never leaving her mouth as he did. Turning her to the bed, he laid her down, his fingers pulling the fastenings of the trousers loose. She shucked them down taking her smalls with them as he stood to kick off his boots. She sat up on her knees, pulling him back to her embrace. Cullen clambered back onto the bed, tasting her skin again as she settled in his lap.

Usually Efa was happy to let him lead, when it came to their bedroom activities, but today she was all over him. Hands, mouth and teeth, claiming all that she could of him. He sat back, letting her take what she wanted, groaning deeply as she sank herself on him. Too desperate to wait and dripping with need, she seated herself on him with ease, crying out with a satisfied whine as he filled her. She rocked gently in his lap, trying to find the best purchase to gain the leverage she needed to ride him. He cupped her rear, softly guiding her until she found the rhythm she wanted, watching her rising and fall in pleasure. Heat pooled in them both, growing slowly as she continued to grind against him.
After a while however, she began to falter, letting out a frustrated noise as her building orgasm escaped her. Cullen could see legs were shaking slightly, he kept a tight hold on her as she dropped her head on her chest exhausted.

"Do you want to stop?" He stroked her hair. "We don't-"
"Please!" She pleaded lifting up to kiss him deeply. "I need you."
He ached inside her, fighting back against his own hunger in favour of her health. But when kissed along his jaw and mewled in his ear longingly, he relented. He gripped her rear firmly, angling her back as he raised his hips to thrust into her. She moaned desperately, tipping her head back as he kissed down her throat and to her chest. He rutted into her, listening to her chant his name as she begged for more. He gave in completely, unable to resist her, as she fluttered around him. He ran a hand down her leg, pulling her flush against his hips as he tried to reach deeper within her. Her breathing became erratic, she was close, he could feel it. He held off his own release, adamant to finish with her or after. He kissed her again as she peaked, swallowing her moans as she came undone. It took only a few more thrusts for him to finish, emptying himself inside her as she panted against his cheek.

"Cullen…" She keened softly as he lowered her to the bed gently. "I love you."
"I love you too." He nuzzled against her. "So much I cannot even begin to describe how with words."
She hummed playfully, running her fingers through his curls. He cuddled into her chest, falling back into the easy comforts they shared in the bedroom. After a moment he rose, looking for a cloth to clean them both. He cleaned her gently, eliciting small giggles from her as her rubbed her sensitive flesh. When he was done he tucked her exhausted body into bed pulling her against his chest to rest.

"I've been thinking." He began, wrapping his arms around her. "Of going to see my siblings…"
She propped herself up, surprised by his sudden statement. "Oh?" she tilted her head to the side.
"It's long over due." He grimaced slightly. "I've been thinking a lot of about it this week. Writing to all those families of their losses- I just- I've been ashamed these past years."
"Do they know..?" Efa's expression turned from contentment to worry. "About anything?"
"Hardly." Cullen admitted. "They knew I went to Kirkwall, but not why. And that I joined the Inquisition but- how do you put into words what we've been through?"
"You don't." She lay back down on his chest again. "Do you want me to go with you?"
"You would want that?" He looked down at her. "Truly?"

"Of course!" she chuckled. "I'd love to meet them."
"Alright. I mean- I had hoped you would." He squeezed her lightly. "I'll make the arrangements for after the celebration."
"Sounds like a plan," she closed her eyes listening to his heart beat in his chest. "If anyone deserves a holiday its you ma sa'lath."
"Hmm," He closed his eyes too, idly stroking his fingers down her spine. "I think you might be right."

Chapter Text

"Is everything ready?" Efa rubbed her cold fingers together.
"Yes Inquisitor." Josephine nodded. "Rooms have been prepared in the tower as you requested."
"Good." She smiled gratefully. "Where is Bri?"
"Ahh- She was coming down when I saw her." Josephine looked around. "Perhaps Hawke knows?"
"Hawke knows what?" The woman in question sidled up beside them as the portcullis began to lift. The first horseman baring Fereldan banners began to pass through the gate.
"Bri?" Efa kept her eyes forward, smiling at the arrivals. "Where is she?"
"Throwing up her breakfast into the nearest pot in her room." Hawke answered grimly.
"What wonderful timing." Efa grit through her teeth. "Your Majesty! Welcome back to Skyhold."

Efa stepped forward to greet Alistair as he dismounted. She could see Alistair looking around, hope in his eyes. When he realised Briallen was not there he looked back, masking his disappointment behind a cheerful smile.
"Inquisitor, how wonderful to see you again." He reached for her outstretched hands to greet her. "Congratulations on your victory."
"Thank you Your majesty-"
"Alistair if you please." He cut her off. "I am not overly fond of titles."
"That sounds, agreeable, if you would afford me the same courtesy." she smiled warmly.
"That is most agreeable." Alistair looked more at ease. "Lady Montilyet, a pleasure to see you again and-"

He paused looking at Hawke curiously.
"Haven't we met before?" He let go of Efa's hands.
"Briefly," She smiled. "In Kirkwall."
"That's right!" Alistair laughed. "You're the Champion aren't you?"
"And our dear Inquisitors sister," Hawke clapped her shoulder.
"Well I never!" Alistair looked amused. "I didn't know you had another, Bri never mentioned- Speaking of where is Briallen? I was rather hoping she'd be here to greet me? Old friends and all…"
"Ah Bri is…" She looked at Hawke again who shrugged. "Indisposed right now. I am afraid she is a little under the weather."
"Maker be merciful is it serious?" Alistair looked worried. "It isn't catching is it?"
"No, I assure you will be able to visit her at no risk to yourself."

Efa motioned for him to follow her, leaving Josephine to welcome in the king's men as planned. She led him up the stairs to the main hall and through, making idle chatter as they walked towards the Inquisitor's Tower.
"Oh? This is not where I stayed last time?" Alistair looked confused as Efa lead him towards a door on the opposite side of the hall.
"No. I thought you might be more comfortable in one of these rooms." Efa pushed open the door to show Alistair into the private wing. "This is where my advisers and companions stay, at least those who didn't prefer the space they had carved out while we were renovating."
"I am honoured." Alistair smiled. "And grateful for your extended invitation."
"We are hosting a private celebration tonight ahead of the festivities." Efa lead him through her personal meeting rooms and towards the stairs. "You are most welcome to join as my guest or as Briallen's."

"I would hate to intrude." Alistair mumbled, rubbing his hands together awkwardly.
"Nonsense Alistair," Efa paused half way up the stairs, turning to him. "You must realise why it is I extended an earlier invitation to you?"
"You did?" There was a faint tint to his cheeks as he stopped on the lower step behind her.
"Firstly, to thank you." Efa bit her lip nervously. "I have recently learned of the length you went to save my sisters life."
"Ah- what- I mean- I did nothing…" He shook his hands at her panicking slightly.
"I assure you had I been in your position I am not sure I could have said no either." Efa rested a hand on his shoulder to calm him. "Morrigan and her son are gone from Skyhold now, and they will not be returning. If I had known I would not have let her stay in the first place."
"Efa…" The King looked at a loss for words.
"What's done is done." Efa gave him a reassuring smile. "You can't erase the past, Same way Cullen and I can't change ours. But you can learn to navigate it together."
"Do you think I have a chance?" Efa felt her heart melt when she looked at Alistair's forlorn face. She could see how much he cared for her sister in that look alone.
"I do."

She guided him the rest of the way to his room, opening the door and showing him to the modest apartment.
"If there's anything you need please ask." She stepped back to let him in to freshen up from his journey. "The party starts at sundown. Oh and Alistair?"
"Yes?"
"Bri's room is the next door on your left."

"There you are!" Varric smiled joyfully at her as she entered the receiving room. "The woman of the hour! Where's Curly? Don't tell me he's still working?"
The dwarf looked around her as she entered the hall. She smoothed down her dress, a rare occasion for her to not be in her armour or travel clothes. Josephine had insisted, saying she spent all her time in trousers and Cullen's shirts that for one night she could wear something nice.
"I told him exactly when to be here." Efa settled into an empty seat around the table. "And threatened him with Mari if he didn't show up on time."
Across the table her sister grinned devilishly from her perch in Fenris' lap. The elvhen warrior only looked mildly annoyed at the display off affection but Efa could see his slight smile at the corner of his mouth when Hawke ran her fingers through his hair.
"I threatened to drag him across the battlements by his delicate parts if he was-"
"I am not late!" The man in question growled coming through the door on the other side.

"Vhenan!" She looked at him appalled. "You could have changed?"
Cullen unbuckled his sword and hung it on the hooks by the door. He strode around the table plucking the tankard out of Sera's hand as he passed, causing her to stick her tongue out at him before she swapped to the bottle in her other hand. He reached the empty chair beside Efa and slid into it, pulling off his gloves and setting them aside. Her lifted her hand from the table and placed a soft kiss to her fingers.
"Then I would have been late."
He smirked at her, lips lingering against her fingers before he lowered them. He looked at her with a smouldering gaze, one that sent butterflies right to her stomach. She bit her lip as he raised the tankard to his mouth, his eyes never leaving hers. The others bustled around them taking to their seats, bottles clinked and plates of food were dropped into the centre. But still Cullen looked at her as if she was the only person in the room, his hand coming up to brush against her lip softly, before the spell broke as Varric nudged his arm when he sat.
"We almost had to start without you." The dwarf shook his head at the Commander. "Alright Ruffles! Deal us in!"

Josephine sat opposite, a deck of cards in her hand as they all settled in, Hawke had slipped into her own seat between Fenris and Anders, Bull and Dorian occupied the far end next to Cole and Cassandra sat at the end with Varric. Leliana sat next to the fire in a comfortable chair strumming her fingers gently against the strings of her loot, Sera lying on the furred rugged chugging whatever liquid was in the bottle she had. Two seats remained unoccupied around the table, the absence of their occupants had not gone unnoticed.
"Wait- Bri isn't here?" Anders looked about. "Is she not well again?"
"She is er- with Alistair right now," Efa took the glass Dorian poured for her. "I'm not sure if they're joining us tonight."
"It would be a shame if they were to miss out." Leliana smiled at Efa, a hopeful glint in her eyes.

Efa smiled back, giving the the Spymaster a subtle wink. She looked back to the table and Josephine as she began to deal out the cards.
"I do hope I recall the rules." Josephine finished dealing the cards, placing the remaining deck face down in front of her. "It’s been ages since I’ve played a game of Wicked Grace."
"Are three drakes better than a pair of swords?" Cassandra stared at her cards, leaning slightly towards Varric as she spoke. "I can never remember."
"Seeker, remember how I said, 'Don’t show anyone your hand'?" Varric sighed and topped up her drink. "That rule includes announcing it to the table."
"There’s a crown on his head, but a sword, too." Cole lifted "His head didn’t want either. He looks for his lost Queen, with her the burden would be lighter."
"Don’t talk to the face cards, kid." Varric sighed.

"You seem to have enough people. I don't need to-" Cullen began to push away his cards without looking at them.
"Aw, man up and play, Cullen." Bull wagged his finger at him. "Your lady is watching."
"Losing money can be both relaxing and habit forming." Dorian tipped his glass towards him. "Give it a try."
"Curly, if any man in history ever needed a hobby…" Varric pushed the cars back in front of him. "It’s you."
"You should listen to the Cullen," a new voice interrupted them all, coming from the doorway to the stairs. "They have an excellent point."
Everyone turned to look at Alistair standing in the doorway, arm around Briallen's shoulder. Several people jumped to their feet, Alistair chuckled and waved them down dismissively.
"Hey you made it!" Hawke raised her tankard towards them. "Everything good?"
Briallen took his hand and lead him towards the empty chairs next to Efa.
"Yeah, I think we are." she looked at Alistair and smiled brightly. It was the happiest Efa had seen her in weeks.
"Have you both finally made up?" Leliana sat forward in her seat eyeing them both excitedly.
"Yes." Alistair raised her hand and kissed it, the flash of the golden band around her finger visible to everyone. "And Courts be damned I am not leaving here without her becoming my wife."
Gasps and squeals of delight erupted around the room. Followed by Cassandra clasping her hands together and looking at them both endearingly.
"Oh! Are you really engaged?" Efa had never seen the seeker swoon before.
"We've decided that our own happiness comes before anything else." Briallen swelled with happiness, a faint blush on her cheeks and ears.

"About fucking time!" Efa threw her arms around Briallen and hugged her tightly. Briallen laughed heartily and lent into her. Alistair moved around his chair to shake hands with Cullen and Dorian who stood up to congratulate them. Bull boisterous as ever smacked Alistair on the back nearly causing the King to go flying.
"The King has found his lost Queen." Cole tilted his head at them all thoughtfully.
"Here here!" Dorian nodded at the spirit, before he made sure Alistair and Briallen both had a drink. "Let us toast!"
"Ah ah ah!" Alistair lifted the wine from Briallen's hand. "No wine for you."
"Agreed healers orders." Anders handed her a cup of elderflower infused water.
"Stay healthy for the little prince so he grows as strong as his father."
The buzz in the room stopped as all eyes landed on Cole. Briallen trembled slightly as she placed her hand over her stomach.

"Did you say- Prince?" Briallen blinked away the tears forming in her eyes.
"You can tell that Cole?" Efa stood beside her, gripping her arm excitedly. Cole didn't respond with words, he smiled and gave his wide grin. Alistair swooped Briallen from Efa into a hug, giving her a gentle kiss.
Varric grabbed his tankard and stepped up on his chair so that everyone could see him.
"Well if were toasting before we play!" He said loudly drawing all the attention back to him. "Let's start! Too our dearest Stormcloud! For actually killing the unkillable Magister."
Everyone cheered and raised their glasses to Efa. She took a sip of her own before turning to Briallen.
"With the help of my wonderful sister." She raised her glass again. "The future Queen of Fereldan."
"I helped too!" Hawke yelled through the following cheer.
"To the impossible Hawke," Varric continued sarcastically. "Without who we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place!"
"Hey!" Hawke scowled at him as everyone laughed.
"He has a point." Anders put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her hair.
"Rich coming from you Mage." Fenris shoved him roughly, earning a glare. They all continued to laugh, drinking to the toast as it wound down.

"To the impossible daughters of Malcolm Hawke." Varric finished. "The luckiest girls on the continent."

They all drank again. Efa felt a warmth spreading throughout, a mix of the electric atmosphere and alcohol. She felt blessed, as she took her seat again, surrounded by her family. They may not have all been related by blood, but each and every one of them meant something more.
"We playing cards or what?" Bull slammed his hand down on the table picking up his cards again.
"Right!" Dorian motioned to Josephine. "To business then."
"Dealer starts. Ooh, I believe- I’ll start at- three coppers!" Josephine straightened her shoulders, the ambassador persona flaring up as she looked at her pile of coin. "Do you think that’s too daring? Maybe I’ll make it one- No! Boldness! Three it is!"
"Seriously? Who starts at three coppers?" Bull gawped at her. "Silver, or go home!"
"Bolder the better, right?" Dorian tossed his coppers on the pile. "I’m in."
"Me, too." Varric paid in, looking up the table at Briallen "Well? Are you in?"

"Just remember I’m still new to this game." Briallen took the cards Josephine dealt towards her and Alistair.
"Don’t worry, you’ll pick it up in no time." Varric grinned.
"So shiny…" Cole looked at his coins in awe.
"Just remember, if you run out of coin, you can still bet your clothing." Dorian wiggled his eyebrows
"What?" Alistair chuckled in a slight panic "Don’t tell me that. I am terrible at this game!"
"Is it my turn?" Cassandra looked at Varric for help. "Is this when I place a bet?"
"I’m in," Hawke threw some coins in. "And raising another silver."
"You haven’t even looked at your cards!" Cullen shook his head at her as she smiled menacingly at him.
"Iceheart is betting we’re bluffing." Varric laughed.
"You are bluffing Dwarf." Fenris scoffed matching the bet.

"The poor recruit ran out into the dining hall in nothing but his knickers." Cullen was rosy cheeked as he recounted his story. "And this- profound silence fell over the hall as seventy mages and thirty Templars all turned to stare at once. Then a slow round of applause began. And spread until every soul was on their feet. A standing ovation."
"What did he do?" Josephine couldn't suppress her giggle.
"Saluted." Briallen mimicked the salute. "Turned on his heel. And marched out like he was in full armour."
Laughter roared around the table. Efa and Anders shook their heads at each other as they recalled the memory.
"He did not!" Cassandra looked horrified between them, as if hoping one of them would contradict Cullen's tale.
"Good man." Dorian snickered into his wine glass.
"You’re shitting us!" Bull laughed boisterously. taking a hearty swig of his ale once he calmed.
"Honestly…" Anders chuckled. "It was something…"
"That’s how you know it’s true." Varric nodded sagely. "I could never put that in a book. Too unlikely."

Aside from Briallen, and Leliana Efa suspected, they were all feeling the buzz of the alcohol. Music and laughter filled the room as another hand of cards were dealt out once more. Josephine, as the dealer, had an alarming amount of coin stockpiled up, and already she had claimed her first payment in clothing.
"I think we need another round of drinks!" Efa picked up the empty bottle of wine in front of her.
"There's more in the the other room." Josephine pointed to the door. "I should have expected you all to drink so much!"
"I’ll get them." Cullen stood, swaying slightly. "Don’t start without me!"
As soon as the door closed behind him Hawke turned to Efa, eyes full of mischief.
"While he's not here…" She grinned. "Come on and tell us. You must have juicy stories about Cullen before the shit hit the fan?"
"Hmmm." Efa thought back. There were a couple of moments that came to mind, but before she could decide which one Anders interrupted her thought.
"What about the day you switched places on him."
"You didn't?" Hawke shrieked gleefully. "What happened?"

"Well you know Cullen was one of my keepers." She began, Hawke nodded, everyone turned to look at Efa. The promise of gossip about the usually stoic Commander too good to pass up. "I couldn't go anywhere without an escort. And since all the other Templars were scared of me, and he was one of the only ones who never ran away, I was stuck with him. It's what I ended up liking about him after the lake happened."
"Stop being sickly over him and tell us the story." Dorian tutted as Efa blushed thinking about how they had first met.
"Alright. So, before he actually started talking to me, he had been around for maybe a month, fresh off his vows. Only eighteen at the time, always clean shaven and the most ridiculously curly hair you had ever seen!" Efa recalled the memory. "He irritated the life out of me. Wouldn't say hello, wouldn't look me in the eyes but he was everywhere I went. I was sick of it. So one day when the mages were allowed to venture outside I wanted to be with my friends, but due to the nature of my powers, I wasn't allowed to go out in case I escaped-"
"What are we talking about?" Cullen came back into the room, several bottles tucked neatly in his arms.
"Shhh." Leliana shushed him as he passed.
"It was Bri's idea. It was before I had my vallaslin, so we looked no different." Efa continued, ignoring him as he sat down again. "Absolutely impossible to tell us apart."
"The only way to know was Mr Doom-and-Gloom-" Anders smirked in Cullen's direction.
"Hey!" Cullen sat up defensively, before turning to Efa with dread. "You had better not be telling the story of the lake-"
"Quiet Curly!" Briallen cut over him.

"Back then we wore our hair differently, so people could tell us apart." Efa patted his arm soothingly. "So all we had to do was swap styles for the day."
"Oh that's clever!" Josephine clapped delightedly. "How did he find out? I presume he must have?"
"I was hanging in the library reading through Efa stack of boring tomes, when First Enchanter Irving came to find her." Briallen took over. "He had an issue with a non adjusting apprentice and they were moving his harrowing up. One look an he knew I wasn't Efa, how he could tell when no one else could was besides me, but he was furious. He berated Cullen to no end for failing to notice."
"You really couldn't tell the difference." Cassandra looked at Cullen.
"No." Cullen folded his arms huffing slightly before his cheeks coloured in embarrassment. "At the time I barely looked at her. I didn't even know she was a twin."
"The horror!" Dorian feigned shock" And now you cant take your eyes off her!"
There was a rumble of laughter around the table, Cullen glared down at Dorian but the Vint scoffed dismissively.
"Shhh!" Josephine flapped her had before to silence him before Cullen bit back. "What happened next?"
"So I was outside with Anders. It was the first time I had been outside in six years since I was harrowed." Efa picked back up. "We were sitting around the lake enjoying some fruit Anders had snuck out of the kitchens when we heard orders being barked. Suddenly, I see Cullen marching towards us, followed by Knight-Commander Greagoir."

"I bet I know exactly what look he had on his face…" Dorian whispered non to quietly to Bull.
"Anyway, he grabbed me and started to drag me back. Which is when this idiot-" She pointed at Anders. "Had the bright idea to try to escape- Again!"
"Anders you didn't?" Hawke shook her head at him.
"I hated it there! I wanted to go find Karl." Anders shrugged, Efa laughed, at the time she had seen him try to escape five times before that. "No-one was looking at me. Or so I thought…"
"Greagoir saw, and shouted at Cullen to go after him." Cullen tried to hide behind his hand but not matter which way he looked, he caught someones eye looked and laughing at him while Efa spoke. "Right as Cullen was about to grab him, Anders jumped in the lake! Cullen surprised by the move slipped and went tumbling in after him."
"In full armour?" Cassandra spat out her drink.
"In full armour. Sank down into the water like a sack of rocks." She smacked the table with her hand causing more laughter. "Anders swam away, no-one could follow him. It took three mages to pull Cullen out of the water with magic. Poor man looked like a drowned rat. The way he looked at me- I honestly thought he'd refuse to watch me after we got out of solitary."
"They put you in solitary confinement?" Josephine gasped.
"For two months." Briallen grimaced.
"I got a year that time when they dragged me back." Anders shuddered, recalling the nightmare. "Kicking and screaming…"
"You tried to set me on fire!" Cullen growled across the table at him.
"You were an ass!" Anders bit back.

"This is hilarious." Hawke wiped tears of joy from her eyes. "Wait, you must have recognised him in Kirkwall? Why did you never bring him in?"
The room fell silent as Hawke's question landed on Cullen. He froze, the question unexpected amidst the happier tales being told. Cullen sighed, giving the only honest answer he could.
"Because he was her friend…"
Efa reached for his hand as Cullen stared into his glass, suddenly wishing he was somewhere else. He looked at her as she tilted her head and smiled warmly. He saw nothing but adoration in her eyes and it made his heart melt. He lent forward resting his head against hers momentarily.

"You really had it bad for her eh?" Briallen watched the interaction. "Even though you thought she was-"
"Yeah.." Cullen answered even as she trialled off.
"I know that feeling." Alistair brushed a stray lock behind Briallen's ear. She turned and looked at Alistair as he pulled her into a one armed hug.
"A family trait." Fenris surprisingly added, staring more at his cup than Hawke who grinned at him.
"Honestly I don't know which of us is the biggest fool in love." Anders exhaled softly.
Efa lifted Cullen's hand and kissed his fingers softly, mouthing the words 'I love you' to him as Varric tapped his tankard to the table, an attempt to bring the mood back up.

"Well after that highly amusing story…" Varric directed to Josephine. "Lets get back to it! Ruffles you're up!"

After the tension has dissipated, the game continued. Drinks continued to flow and the conversation became louder, bawdier and the losses started to become more desperate. At some point, coin had stopped being the currency of the game, instead everyone, Efa included had begun to offer clothing in place of their bets. As the ale had continued to pour a new surprising revelation had began to come to light.

"And the dealer takes everything!" Josephine collected her spoils smugly. "I win again."
"Deal again." Cullen glared as he pulled off his shirt, throwing it at her. "I’ve figur'd oot ya tells, Lady Ambassador."
"Commander!" She couldn't contain her giggles at the severity of Cullen's country accent. "Everyone knows a lady has no tells."
"Yar no a lady!" He scoffed, even Efa couldn't suppress the sheer joy at hearing him so unbound. "Let’s see if ya good fortune lasts one more han'."
"I’m not losing any more coin or clothing to Josephine," Efa wheezed, sitting in all but her chemise, scarf and small clothes. "But I have got to see this."
"Don' worry Cull'n, I'll aid ya!"
The second most surprising revelation of the evening, was the King too shared the same trait.
"This accent is the best thing ever." Hawke whispered not so quietly to Leliana who hovered with great interest behind Josephine. "You're never going to let him forget it are you?"
"Never." The Spymaster winked conspiratorially.

The all sat back to watch as Cullen and Alistair took their next hands from Josephine. The antivan, despite her flushed cheeks, keeping a calm and careful expression on her face. Efa watched, there were subtle things her Ambassador was doing. But after a while of simply observing, she realised it was intentional. Josephine was playing with them, a cat with a large mouse, and both The King and the Commander had fallen into the trap.

"A Royal Court gentlemen." Josephine put down her cards triumphantly.
"Naw!" Alistair shook his head.
"Andraste's tit ya gotta be kidding me?!" Cullen flicked his cards at her, defeat sinking down on him.
"The card's do not lie." Josephine collected all the cards a sweet smile on her face. "Now pay up."
Her expression darkened dangerously as she reshuffled the deck, staring across at them both with a wicked grin. Cullen and Alistair froze before looking down at themselves. Both of them had been reduced to their smalls and nothing more. To pay up now, would leave them with nothing.
"Off off off!" Hawke began chanting, Dorian and Bull joined in.
"Fuck." Cullen grimaced, heat flushing through his already hot skin, warm from the copious amounts of ale he had consumed. He looked at Efa, silently pleading for her intervention. To his dismay, Efa rested her hand on her chin, leaning her elbow on the table as she watched with an amused grin.

"Let's go Curly!" Varric smacked his back. "Wouldn't want it getting out the the Commander of the Inquisition doesn't settle his bets."
Irritation prickled on his skin, along the table a chair scraped back as Alistair stood, Cullen watched in horror as the King swiftly slid the offending item down his legs. The shrieks of glee rang out around the table once more, Hawke almost falling off her chair as she roared, if it wasn't for Fenris catching her she would have surely hit the floor. With a sigh, Cullen pushed back his chair and followed suit.
"Divin't say a word, dwarf." He glared at Varric.
"I tried to warn you, Curly." Varric ignored him, his words drowned in the wolf whistle that heralded the drop of his dignity.

"I knew we would be seeing more of you Alistair with Bri here…" Leliana laughed at Alistair as he attempted to hide behind Briallen's chair to cover himself. "but I never expected to see all of the crowned jewels."
"Well it's no how I expect'd this day to go." Alistair's blush travelled down from his face to his shoulders. Briallen hid her head in her hands laughing uncontrollably. "Bu' we Fereldan's keep our promises, right Cull'n?"
"Aye bu' we can regret 'em." Cullen did his best to cover himself with his hands, but not before Cassandra had spat out her drink upon seeing him.
"Never bet against an antivan, Commander." Josephine bit the inside of her mouth attempting to keep as straight a face as she could.
"I’m leaving." Cassandra stood suddenly, her face red. "I don’t want to witness our Commander’s walk of shame back to his room."
She swayed on the spot, the sudden rush going right to her head, she promptly sat back down hand over her mouth as she tried to calm her churning stomach.

"Well, I do!" Dorian lent on the table to get a better view. "I want to see the famous Lion of Fereldan in all his glory!"
"It comes off." Cole mused, uninterested in the naked men, instead inspected Cullen's breastplate lying on the table. "I didn’t know it came off…"
"Come now Cull'n, with dignity." Alistair puffed up his chest covering himself with one hand, he stood back, pulling Briallen's chair out slightly to give her a better view, his free hand balled into a fist against his chest.
"Andraste preserve me." Cullen realised what he was doing. If he did not have as much ale in him he would have protested, but he felt the compulsion to stand next to Alistair mimicking the motion.
"Good man." Alistair took in a deep breath. "M'lady. M'love."
With each name he saluted against his chest, bowing first to Efa and then to Briallen.
"Inquis- Inquisit-," Cullen began, the word slurring in his throat as he attempted poorly to regain some respect for himself. When that failed he fell on familiar names. "Vhenan..."
He managed to squeak out before he saluted and bowed to Efa, turning with Alistair as the both marched out of the room. The last thing they both saw was their naked backs sprinting towards the staircase as the door closed behind them.

It was too much for Efa, her chest hurt from laughing so much, Briallen wheezed beside her, struggling to taking in deep calming breaths. Everyone was laughing, even Josephine had finally lost her composure and the ever scowling Fenris had laughed at the stupidity of it all.
"You up for another game when Cullen recovers, Inquisitor?" Varric drained his tankard, looking at Efa over Cullen's empty seat as she wiped tears from her eyes.
"I wouldn’t miss it."
"Good! It’ll take me a while to talk Cullen into it." The dwarf rose and began looking for his discarded shirt. "Maybe I’ll work the 'revenge' angle..?"
"I will have to make it up to him," Efa nursed her wine glass after taking a calming drink. "Especially if Josie and Leliana intend to tease him to the end of his days."
"You know it!" Josephine chirped across the table.

"You could try evening the odds?" Bull looked at her suggestively.
"What do you have in mind?" Efa turned to the qunari, she had heard a lot of Bull's escapades that night, some which had made her squirm with curiosity. She was half dreading, have anticipating what he might suggest to her now.
"If I was you…" Bull wiggled his finger up and down at her. "I'd strip down run after him and treat him to a really good time."
"Amatus!" Dorian chided him, smacking his shoulder playfully. "Don't be so callous!"
"What?" Bull turned to him, putting his arm around Dorian and bringing his lips to the mages neck. "Wouldn't you like to have me on my knees if you lost like that?"
"Shut up-" Dorian began to shove him away, his eyes falling on Efa as she rose from her chair. "Efa!"
"You are not-" Anders turned away horrified as Efa pulled her chemise over her head, tossing it onto the empty chair.
"Give me his cloak Mari?" She looked at Hawke, her younger sister having claimed his mantle when he had first run out of coin.

"Atta girl!" She pulled it off the back of her chair and threw it over. Efa caught it and pushed her arms through the armholes, fluffing the fur up around her neck. She was overcome with the smell of him, how many times had she buried her face into the fur and his comforting scent. This time it was tinged with excitement as she planned what she was going to do.
"This is scandalous." Josephine feigned horror. "It would ruin the Inquisition if anyone found out!"
"Only if you gossip Josie." She reached under the fabric to release her breast band.
"You are impossible lethallan!" Briallen baulked at her. Efa wiggled out of her smalls and threw them in her face with a sharp laugh. If it wasn't for the several bottles of wine in her, she doubted highly she would have the courage to be so brazen.

"I can take any more of this." Cassandra made an attempt to leave again, rising slower this time. Satisfied that she wasn't going to throw up she made to get away from the table, letting out an uncharacteristic screech as her foot caught on something. The Seeker tumbled forward her knees slamming to the ground with a painful thud and her face landing in the still bare chest of Varric. The room went silent again as they all looked at Varric, a bemused expression on his face.
“Well Seeker if I had known it would have just taken a game of Wicked Grace to get you here…" He looked down at Cassandra who seemed frozen in shock. "We should have done this ages ago.”
"I-I-" Cassandra fell backwards, her face even redder than before as she scrambled backwards. stopping as she hit the same pair of legs that had tripped her in the first place.
"Whozat?" a thud sounded beneath the table as Sera roused from her stupor. "Did I win?"
"Buttercup have you been there this whole time?" Varric looked under the table but the rogue was already asleep and snoring once again. He chuckled lightly and helped the blushing Cassandra stand. "Come on Seeker, before you embarrass yourself any further."

With a wave back to the remaining group, Varric half dragged Cassandra to the door. Efa looked at Josephine and Leliana in turn, none of them sure how to process what had just happened. She hoped Cassandra would not be too mortified come the morning, at least not as much as Cullen.
"Well how do I look?" Efa pulled herself back to the moment, remembering what it was she was about to do. The fabric of Cullen's mantle framed her beautifully, she giggled as she twirled around.
"Like a furry fool." Fenris grinned at her.
"Don't listen to him." Hawke draped herself drunkenly over him, pushing a finger to his mouth to shush him. "You look fabulous darling."
"And you're drunk Mari." Anders shook his head.
"Pffft."

Efa left the last of them, Briallen close behind her to head upstairs. By the time she reached the top of the tower and the door to her room she felt slightly more sober. Her door was ajar, she chuckled, imagining Cullen running up here in embarrassment. She chuckled nervously, biting her lip as she pushed open the door and closed it softly behind her.

Cullen lay on the bed, hand covering his eyes as he screamed internally. The cold air and exertion from the run up the stairs had began to lift the haze on his brain. He could never show his face in the war room again. Not after he had bared himself completely like that, how could he have been so stupid. It was the alcohol, it had to be, no way would he have been convinced to do what he just did otherwise.
"I'm nev'r drinking again." His accent continued to flair as he wallowed in self loathing.
"Pity." A voice startled him suddenly. "I've quite enjoyed the show you've put on tonight."
"Efa!" He groaned propping himself up. "What are yer-?"

Hi mouth went dry as he looked at the vision in front of him. Bathed in only the moonlight from the window, Efa stood leaning against the top of the staircase. Cullen felt heat run down his body, pooling straight to his cock which began to stir. She smirked, running her hand down the edge of his mantle. He watched her fingers, his gaze following as they rand down her body, coming to realise with excitement that she was completely naked beneath it.
"Something wrong ma sa'lath?" She tilted her head teasingly. "You're awfully quiet all of a sudden."
She walked slowly towards the bed, his heart rate quickening as he took in the view. She stopped at the bottom of the bed, hand on her hip pulling back the burgundy fabric from her chest. She pouted her lip ever so slightly as she waited for him to react, other than to open and close his mouth repeatedly as he looked at her.

"Efa…" He repeated, propping himself up on his elbows. "Yer wearing my-"
"Do you like it?" She twirled slowly, her hands moving across her skin again to make sure he looked in all the right places.
"Yer no wearing-?" He stuttered on his words watching as she brought her knee up to rest on the bed. "Did yer- did yer come all the way like tha'?"
"I was hoping to hear more of that accent of yours." She purred softly, "And yes I did."
"Yer mad." His breath hitched as she ran her hands up his legs.
"I thought it might make you feel better." She smiled, pushing his legs apart and settling herself between them. "Can't have my poor Commander feeling like he lost the war as well as the battle."
"Efa please," Cullen groaned covering his face with his hand. "I was humiliated."
"Then allow me to make it up to you." She ran her hands up his thighs, her nails leaving light marks as she lowered herself down.
"What are yer-" He gasped suddenly as he felt the tip of her tongue against his almost fully erect cock. "Efa!"

She beamed with delight at the reaction, taking a quick breath she remembered the hushed advice the Iron Bull had whispered in her ear before they had part ways. Carefully she licked the tip again, enjoying his scattered breath as he grasped at the sheets beneath him. She reached with one of her hands around the shaft and gave him some easy strokes. Not applying too much pressure but enough to bring him swiftly to full hardness.
"Shall I stop?" She said sweetly, catching his eyes.
"Naw- Please- Efa-" He fell back into the pillows. "Do tha' again."
She smiled, and dipped her head back, but instead of licking this time she took the whole head into her mouth.
"Fuck!"
She felt a hand in her hair suddenly, and his hips bucked beneath her. She pulled back quickly before she choked on his length.
"Efa- sorry-I-" His words caught as she took him again, pressing both of his hands flat to his hips to keep him in place. He moaned loudly, fingers carding through her hair, she sucked gently and lightly bobbed her head as instructed. She let his hand guide her further down, taking as much as she felt comfortable with. She kept her movements slow and calculated to begin, adjusting to the taste of him in her mouth.

Cullen closed his eyes, feeling her tongue and mouth wet and warm around his cock. She felt like heaven, and he was going to burn in hell for how sinful she felt. Not that he wanted to exist outside of this moment, he felt the burning embarrassment wash over him. But as he looked down once more at Efa, he melted to her touch. As if sensing his gaze she lifted off slightly, tilting her up to look at him. This time when she looked down she took more of him into her mouth than she had before. She swallowed around him, feeling herself gag slightly at the strange intrusion to her throat. She pulled up, listening to him whine needily before repeating the motion. Each dip became easier, licking and sucking on him harder and faster, he throbbed in her mouth and she could taste something salty mixing in with her saliva.

"Efa- Stop!" Cullen tensed beneath her. "C-circle!"
She released him with a wet pop, the sound echoing around the room. She was surprised with the sudden use of the safe word after months of not needing it.
"Is something wrong?" She looked at him concerned.
"No-" He sounded more put together, like his normal self as he gasped for air. He pulled her up his body until she was lying on his chest, his still aching cock sandwiched between them. "You were wonderful."
He pulled her into a deep kiss, sliding his hands beneath the fabric of his mantle until he found her rear. He squeezed the flesh he found listening to her soft moans as they kissed. He broke the kiss, stroking along her jaw as she looked down at him, eyes warm and full of desire. He matched her intensity, kissing along her jaw to her ear.
"You had me close." He whispered in her ear, teeth grazing her lobe. "But I don't want to finish just yet."
"Is that so?" She felt the heat of his words gush down her spine.
"Yes…" He kissed back down her jaw. "I want you…"

She sat up, readjusting herself to straddle him, his mantle still framing her body. Cullen wasn't sure how he was ever going to wear it again without thinking of her. With a quick practised movement he almost missed, she had him at her entrance, pushing down slowly onto him.
"Very well Commander." She sat flush against him. "I am yours."

Chapter Text

The warm sun had been a pleasant reprieve from Skyhold. Not that Efa didn't love the mountain fortress she called home but some days she longed to feel grass beneath her feet. There was a freedom she found in shirking her boots and donning her Dalish wraps again, Cullen had shook his head when she had thrown her boots off mid journey. Having rarely seen her in the field other than battle, it was a side of Efa he had not seen in a long while. For the first time in almost a year she looked carefree, unburdened and always smiling. But of course the best smiles were reserved just for him, when she caught him staring, or when they were alone at night.

"How much longer?" Efa held out her arms, leaning back to soak in the morning sun, enjoying the feel of the rays on her exposed skin.
"Not much further." Cullen chuckled watching as she rode lazily alongside him. "We should be nearing the outskirts soon."
"Are you nervous?" She sat forward again, tilting her head to look at him.
"A little," Cullen confessed, his hand reaching to rub the back of his neck anxiously. "It's been so long."
"Seventeen years is a long time." Efa remembered her own journey home to her tribe. "I know they'll be glad to see you, although I still think you should have written to them first."
"And miss the look on Mia's face?" Cullen chuckled. "I hope she's not too mad at me."
"I imagine she'll be a lot more dignified than Arl Teagan was at the wedding." Efa laughed with him.
"Maker's breath," Cullen's laughter deepened. "I honestly thought the vein in his head was going to explode."
"Me too." Efa's eyes caught movement down the road. "We will need to keep an eye on him and his support to…"

Efa trailed off, her focus fully on the road ahead. Just out of normal earshot she could see a woman with her child walking idly down the road, seemingly towards the farm house in the field to the left. She pulled Revas to a halt, Cullen following as he looked for what caught her gaze.
The woman had stopped, backing up against the hedgerow as two men surrounded her on horseback. Efa felt immediately alert, a cold sensation running down her spine despite the heat in the air. It was clear something was wrong, the way they circled her and jeered in her direction. They were to far away to make out clearly, Efa was about to set off at a trot again, gripping the reigns tightly in her hand when one of the men lunged forward at the woman.

Efa kicked Revas forward as the woman screamed. Hearing the sudden thud of hooves the men turned. They shouted at one another pulling the horses around and throwing the woman to the ground. Efa skidded to a halt next to her, Cullen tore passed her, not stopping as he chased down the assailants.
"Miss are you alright?" Efa called down.
"My son!" The woman cried looking up at her. "Please they took my son!"
Efa felt rage inside of her. What in the Creators would cause men to abduct a child in broad daylight? She scanned the fields to the right, Cullen had tore after one of the assailants but Efa spied the other going into the small forest. There was an odd bundle in his lap. The child.

"Revas!" She tugged on the reigns, guiding him on the path to the forest. Revas charged after, following her lead, it didn't take long to reach the woods. The trees were spread thin, mercifully, she could see the broken branches which heralded the direction the rider had gone. Revas tore through the undergrowth easily, his hooves bouncing over falling logs. He huffed, sighting the horse and rider again, speeding up to close the distance. Magic prickled at Efa's fingers, she would have to be careful so as not to hit the child.
The bandit burst from the tree line, finding himself by a shallow stream. He looked behind, panicking as he saw Efa catching up. She could hear the boy crying, he was struggling against the saddle, his captor unable to keep a good grip on him. Acting fast she unleashed a bolt of lightning striking the ground in front of them, as she encouraged Revas to leap across the river.

The horse reared and then the rider bolted, just as she had expected.
With one hand on the reigns she pulled Revas to a halt letting him rest as her other hand wrangled the thrashing mass in her hand.
"Calm da'len!" she tried to bring him upright. "You're safe now."
"Mammy!" He cried out arms continuing to pound at her. She waited patiently, until he grew tired, the excitement of the chase draining from him. Revas' ears swivelled as she settled him in her arms, hearing something she could not.
"I'm not going to hurt you." She spoke softly. Running a soothing hand down his back.
"I want my mammy." the boy sniffled.
"I know da'len," she took up the reigns again, Revas' ears pricked up again, this time she heard the faint sound of her name. "Cullen…"
"That's my name!" The child turned to look up at her. "How did yer know?"
"Your name is Cullen?"
"Uh huh!" he looked a lot calmer now, Efa was pleased to see. "Oscar Cullen Rutherford."

"Efa!" Cullen emerged from the trees, sighing in relief when he saw her. He trotted carefully towards them over the stream. "There you are!"
The boy jumped at his sudden appearance and hid inside her jacket, evidently deeming her safe to be around now.
"It's okay Oscar," She stroked his hair, looking at him properly she could see it was the same shade of blonde as Cullen. "He's a friend of mine."
Oscar poked his head out, the more she looked at him, the more she could see the resemblance. Except for his eyes. a clear crystal blue like the sky above.
"Are you alright?" Cullen stopped beside them. "Are either of you-"
"Daddy?"

Cullen froze, his eyes blowing wide as he looked down on the boy.
"I b-beg your pardon?" He stuttered, Efa chuckled.
"Yer don' sound like daddy." The boy tilted his head curiously, his eyes roaming over Cullen's clothes and face.
"He's not your daddy, but I think he knows him, if hes anything as handsome as you are da'len." Efa held back her amusement, Cullen had begun to look rather pale, his shock however was tinged with anger. "Should we go find your mammy now? Do you think?"
"Yes!" Oscar bounced in the saddle. "Are we gonna to ride back? I don' get to ride much, Daddy says I'm not big enough yet."
"Yes Oscar." Efa turned to Cullen "Hold on tightly."
"Efa…" Cullen swallowed, she reached out a hand to him and squeezed it tightly. She could see the thoughts swimming in his head, if this was his nephew, as the name implied, then someone had openly tried to kidnap a member of his family. If they had not been here what would have happened?
Efa watched him carefully as they road back through the woods. His grip a little to tight on his reigns as he listened to his nephew talk animatedly. When he heard the names Mia and Rosalie, he relaxed somewhat, but anger still laced his brow.

They reached the edge of the woods again, pulling up the bank and onto the road she could see the woman waiting, now at the edge of the dirt track that lead to the farm house. She was surrounded by people a man and two more women which Efa assumed to be Cullen's siblings.
"Mammy! Daddy!" Oscar jumped happily in the saddle.
"Oscar!" The woman screamed, picking up he skirts as she ran forward, the man following just behind. They pulled to a halt, Cullen jumped down, handing his reigns to Efa so he could lift Oscar from the saddle. Before his feet hit the ground Oscar was running back into his parents open arms.
"Thank the Maker!" He squeezed them both tightly. "Thank yer Ser I don' know how to than-"

He looked up, seeing Cullen now properly. His eyes blew wide. Efa looked down at him, there was no doubt why Oscar had confused him for his brother. They were almost identical, Branson looked slightly shorter, but not by a lot, his beard fuller where Cullen shaved almost daily, and his frame was leaner but by no means any less muscular from manual labour.
"Branson." Cullen nodded in greeting, he stood taller, straightening his shoulders as his brother looked over them both.
"Cullen is tha' really you?" Branson released his wife and son and stepped up to him. "Maker have mercy."
"It's good to see you brother." He clasped his hand firmly.
"Cullen?!" His sisters came running up, the smaller barrelling into him causing him to stagger slightly.
"Rosie." Cullen hugged her tightly. "Mia."
"Yer really need to learn how to write a letter." His oldest sister folded her arms looking at him, her expression sour for a moment before she broke into a smile dashing forward to hug him as Rosalie released him. "But by the Maker its good that yer here."

"Oh Oscar I was so worried!" The other woman, Branson's wife fussed over her son. "Did they hurt you?"
"No mammy!" Oscar smiled. "The nice lady save me!"
Eyes all turned to Efa, she tugged nervously at her scarf around her neck. She had worried how her presence might be taken, as an elf, as the Inquisitor, would they like her?
"This is Efa," Cullen reached for her hand to help her dismount. "She's the- my-"
"Andraste's tits your her!" Branson exclaimed.
"Branson language!" His wife chided.
"Her who?" Rosalie looked confused.
"The Inquisitor!" Mia stared in awe. "It's yer to thank for keeping our brother alive."
"Well I think he'd argue he spent more effort keeping me alive than I did him." Efa smiled brightly, Cullen let out a snort in agreement. "I've heard a lot about you all. I hope our intrusion isn't at a bad time?"
"Bad time?" Branson laughed. "Maker knows what woulda happened if yer wern' here!"

"Who were those men?" Cullen turned to Branson, steel expression on his face. "Why in the Maker would they-"
"Cullen calm." Efa put a hand on his forearm, Cullen let out the breath of anger that had began to brew inside him again. "Was this random? Have their been any other reports in the area?"
"Ther local 'lawmen'" Mia answered. "They 'protect us', and if yer don pay they take from yer."
"Take a child?! Under who's authority?" Cullen demanded. "Not the Kings?"
"South Reach doesn' really have much presence from the crown." Rosalie pulled at the threads of her fraying sleeve. "Been like this fer a while now."
"This cannot be allowed to stand." Cullen growled. "Why didn't you tell me, I could have dealt with it-"
"You barely answer yer letters as it is!" Mia snapped at him. "Off saving the world or so were told. Yer having told us anything yersel just bits off what we learn when people come through."

"I- I'm sorry." Cullen hung his head ashamed. "It's been-"
He trailed off, Efa knew he had expected this. He knew he should have written more, have confided what had happened to him, but how did you write that in a letter? There was always something more important, the army, the war, the Inquisition. The longer he had waited the harder it had become.
"Things have been quite hectic lately." Efa smiled sympathetically. "But were here now, and we can have this sorted."
"There's an outpost near the remnants of Lothering, I can-"
"No." Efa said firmly.
"It needs to be addressed!" Cullen argued back attempting to take his reigns from her. "I need to-"
"It will be." She kept her tone flat. "I will ride to the outpost and send word to Leliana. You will stay here with your family."
"You're not going alone." Cullen growled at her.
"What if those people come back. Who would you rather be here to protect them?" She raised an eyebrow at him. "You are the reason we are here and you are already abandoning them again."

His siblings watched the interaction cautiously. Mia, despite her annoyance was relieved that Cullen had jumped straight to defending them. He was just like she remembered, the young boy who dreamt of becoming a Templar because her wanted to protect people. Here he stood, taller than Branson, and still with that fierce determination in his eyes. But a single look from this woman had him backing down, it was startling to see him go from raised hackles to tail between his legs.

"Alright." He conceded.
"I'll be back before sundown." Efa finally handed the reigns of his stallion back to Cullen. "Don't fret while I am gone."
"Impossible." Cullen watched her climb back on Revas.
"Apologies for the sudden departure." Efa smiled at Cullen's family. "I will return as quick as I can, I was so looking forward to meeting you all."
"I'm sure we will when yer back yer Worship." Branson smiled. "We'll wanna thank yer properly for saving Oscar after all."
"Please call me Efa." She turned to Cullen. "I'll be back as quick as I can vhenan."
She lent down and kissed him softly.

Cullen stepped back as she dug her into Revas' hide, coaxing the hart into a gallop as she disappeared down the path. Oscar shouted and waved after her. Cullen turned back to his siblings, a faint blush on his face as he saw their bemused expressions.
"Makers breath! Well ain't that a surprise?" Mia chuckled. "Not only did the prodigal brother return but he brought a girl home too…"

Cullen had followed his siblings back to the farm. All of them chatting animatedly as they went, starting to fill him in on all the things they had been doing. The farm was run by Branson, helped by his wife, Ana and Mia. Rosalie had managed to study hard and become a midwife and general healer in South Reach. He felt a strange ease around them, seeing them all grown now. But by the time they had all sat around the kitchen table, Anna tucking Oscar in for a nap, he felt nerves creep back in.

"I don't really know where to start." Cullen took the mug of tea from Mia gratefully. He rested his hand on the pendant around his neck, feeling the pulse beneath his fingers.
"Well yer got seventeen years to catch us up on." Branson folded his arms, waiting for Cullen start his story. "And yer wern' even in Ferelden fer half of tha'. Start there."
"Why did yer leave the Circle?" Rosalie looked at him. "They wouldn' tell us anything more than yer were gone to Kirkwall of all places."
"It's not a pretty story." Cullen sighed. "I can spare you the most brutal parts if you like…"
"Tell us everything."
"Well, I guess it started with a girl…"

He started with Kinloch, telling them of his first year, of his charge and how he had unintentionally fallen in love with a mage. He didn't know why but something stopped him from revealing that it was Efa at that time. When he reached that part with the blood mages he paused, warning them again that the story was about to turn ugly.
Rosalie gasped when he spoke of the demons, and being trapped and tortured, and the aftermath of his recovery. When he reached the Harrowing where he had stabbed her, Rosalie and Mia gasped horrified when he spoke of killing her.
"After that they wouldn't let me stay in Kinloch." Cullen set the empty mug in the basin, standing from the table to compose himself. He hated those memories, of visualising her blood on his hands. "So they sent me to Kirkwall."
"Cullen…" Mia stood up to give him a hug. He put an arm around her and squeezed her tightly. "I don't know what to say…"
"It gets worse before it gets better."
"How much worse can it get?" Branson face was pale. He held Anna's hand tightly, unable to imagine what it would be like to accidentally kill the woman he loved.

Stepping out into the fresh air of the porch, Cullen sat on the small steps, the others following him. He rested his head in his hands, trying his best to recount his time in Kirkwall without traumatising his family. He wasn't proud, but he wouldn't run away from what he had done. He had come to terms somewhat with his actions, although it did not stop his hands from shaking, he balled his fists tightly as he drew to the end.
"How much lyrium did they make yer take?" Rosalie sat beside him taking his hands in her own smaller ones.
"Three times the normal dose." Cullen answered. "I should have acted sooner, if I had it might have changed things, perhaps I could have saved more…"
"Yer couldn' know." Mia lent against the wooden post. "What about when the Chantry blew? We heard about it here. All anyone could talk about. Yer were there wern' yer?"
"Aye." He sat up straighter. "I wasn't near the blast. At the time we were in Lowtown, trying to quell the uprising. That did not end well."

"That was when I realised how far I had fallen." Cullen sighed. "As we reached the Gallows, as I saw all of the people screaming and crying. Those people I failed to protect. Watching Hawke standing up for the other mages, she had lost so much and still she was there doing what I should have been."
Cullen ran his hands through his hair, he let out another deep breath.
"Meredith wanted to kill her, to squash her down like the rest of them, that's when I snapped." He reached up to touch the scar on his face. "I wasn't the only one who felt it, when I opposed her, the rest of the Templars stood with me. I stood by Hawke and I dealt the final blow on her madness."

"After Hawke left with her companions, we were left in a broken city, no leaders, no Circle, just nothing." Cullen could feel the tension in his shoulders releasing. "Varric returned eventually and that's when Seeker Cassandra dropped in on us. Looking for Hawke. By then we had re-enforcement's from Starkhaven's Templars, but my faith was shattering. How could I stand by the Order after what I did?"
The world around them seemed quiet, even the air felt still.
"Cassandra saw that I was lost. She gave me purpose again and I joined the Inquisition. I left behind the Templars, and the lyrium."
"That's a lot to happen in one lifetime." Branson blinked several times, taking it all in.
"You see why it was hard to write?" Cullen looked to Mia. "Not the easiest thing to put to words."
"Oh Cullen!" Mia threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly again.
"Then yer met the Inquisitor?" Rosalie smiled at him. "Yer fell in love with her?"

"No," Cullen answered honestly. "Can't say I fell again when I had been in love with the same woman for ten years."
"I don't understand?" Rosalie looked at him curiously.
"You remember the mage from the Circle?" Cullen chuckled lightly.
"The one yer accidentally-?"
"As it turns out, her 'death' was a cover up by the First Enchanter."
"She's alive?" Rosalie's eyes grew wide with hopeful glee. "Wait- Are you saying that shes her?!"
"I got a second chance," Cullen exhaled softly. "Not just from the Templars but with Efa..."
"How was she still alive?" Mia wondered. "Yer said she died in yer arms."
"Aye, it looked like she did." Cullen nodded. "The First Enchanter hid it from my Knight-Commander. They had her pulled from the Circle, she was the sister to Hero of Ferelden you see. It was thanks for her ending the blight."
"Isn' she the new Queen?" Ana gasped.
"Yes," Cullen rubbed the back of his neck. "We we're returning from the wedding when we came here."
"Are yer gonna get married?" Mia looked at him hopefully.
"We've talked about it." Cullen nodded. "There's still work waiting for us when we get back. But I want to, I am not wasting this time with her. Not now we found each other again."
"That's disgustingly romantic." Branson scoffed.
"Not everyone can just rock into a tavern and carry out his future wife." Ana hovered in the door way, she had stayed back, listening to Cullen's story and waiting for Oscar to wake.
"I don' see yer complaining." He smirked at her. They all laughed as she swatted him.

The rest of the afternoon passed better, the weight of telling his siblings his tale lifted from his shoulders. He followed Branson, helping with the last few chores they had neglected during Cullen's arrival.
As the sun began to lower the sound of hooves approached. Cullen dropped the axe he had been chopping wood with and came round to the front of the house.
Efa dismounted, smiling when she saw Cullen coming towards her. He pulled her into a kiss. Branson made disgusted noises behind him but he didn't care. Rosalie and Mia cooed softly, as he held her tightly.
"You made contact?" He asked, releasing her.
"I've sent word to Leliana," She nodded. "And there's a scout unit nearby that's being dispatched to investigate. Any trouble here?"
"Nothing." Cullen stroked a fleck of dirt from her face.
"Did you speak to them?" She asked cautiously.
"I told them everything." Cullen smiled softly. "And now they're even more excited to meet you."
"We shouldn't keep them waiting then."

Cullen took her hand and lead her over to the group.
"Well, let me try this again." Cullen released her hand to point in turn. "Efa, these are my siblings: Mia, Rosalie, Branson and my sister in law Ana, and you know Oscar."
"Hiya!" The boy waved from his perch on his mother's hip.
"It's nice to meet you all, properly this time." Efa smiled brightly at them.
"And this is Efa." Cullen turned to her. "My first and only love."
"Come on in and get yerself settled." Mia took her hands and lead her into the house. Cullen behind them took Revas towards the stables.
"Is yer sister really the new Queen?" Rosalie bounced excitedly. "The Queen!?"
"She is!" Efa laughed at her animated hop into the house. "It took them a while to be together but I am pleased for her."
"So romantic," Rosalie swooned into a kitchen chair. "And so is your story. Finding each other after all those years thinking he had killed you?"
"It is?" Efa chuckled. "Either that or we're very unlucky."
"No it's beautiful!" Rosalie insisted.
"Wer just glad our brother is happy." Mia handed her a cup of water. "He's been through so much."
"He's doing much better." Efa smiled. "He always spoke of you all fondly. In the Circle and after. Is there somewhere for me to clean up? I have the days travel all over me."

"'Fraid you'll have to make do with the river," Mia pointed out the window to the nearby water. "Nout fancy here unlike what yer probably used too."
"Not the first time." Efa grinned. "I lived in the forest for years. And I spent weeks in the desert with barely any water at all to clean in. A river sounds wonderful by comparison."
"Yer lived in a forest?!" Oscar hung onto her arm enraptured in her words. "What was it like? Did yer hunt? Do yer sleep in one of those weird carts?!"
"Oscar be quiet." Ana chided him.
"It's called an aravel." Efa patted his head. "And yes to all your questions."
"Come on let me show yer to the best spot." Mia pointed to the door, ignoring the tirade of questions bursting from the young boy.
"Thank you." Efa followed her gratefully.

She followed Cullen's oldest sister out to the river. Cullen found them shortly after, bringing her pack so she could change. He dropped onto the bank beside her and lay out flat in the dying sun.
"So are yer people gonna take care of the bastards running town?" Mia handed her a few things to help her bathe as she stripped her outer layers.
"It'll take a few days," Efa smiled. "But I am confident that the problem will be solved."
"You needn't worry Mia." Cullen propped himself up. "Sister Nightingale is- Efficient, in her work. We will stay long enough to ensure they won't bother you again."
"There ain't much room in the house." Mia said turning away as Efa dipped into the river. "Yer can take our bed if yer like? Rosie and I can sleep in the barn."

Efa tipped her head back to wet it, lathering up with the soap Mia had given her.
"We can take the barn." Efa scrubbed her hair. "I would hate to disrupt your sleeping arrangements. I much prefer open spaces."
"Me too," Cullen nodded. "Yer can both keep yer room."
"If yer sure?" Mia looked at him concerned.
"Aye, don' worry." Efa chuckled at him as she finished washing. "Wha' are yer laughing at?"
"You've been here half a day and your accent has already devolved back."
"Maker's breath." Cullen rubbed his growing beard with his hand.
"Yer sound more like I remember now." Mia laughed. "Does he always sound that propa?"
"Unless he's drunk."
"Efa…"
"I only heard it for the first time a few weeks ago." Efa grinned devilishly. "He was really drunk. Ended up-"
"Efa do not tell that story!" Cullen pointed at her with mock threat.
"What about the lake story? Did he tell you about that?" Efa wiggled her eyebrows at Mia, finishing tucking her favourite over-sized shirt into the front of her soft trousers. "Or the library incident?"
"Efa please!" Cullen jumped up panicked.
"Tell me everythin'!"

Cullen sighed defeated as Efa took Mia's arm to walk back to the house.
"This was a bad idea…"

"How are you feeling?" Efa unfurled her roll onto the barn floor, choosing an empty stall next to where Revas and Cullen's stallion rested. They had spent in good company, Mia had prepared a small feast for them while they had hounded her for stories about Cullen. When Oscar had fallen asleep by the fire, they decided to call in for the night, heading out to the barn to be alone.
"What woulda happened to Oscar if we wern' here?" Cullen paced the stall anxiously. "What woulda happened to him, he's only five years ol'!"
"I know ma sa'lath." Efa stepped in his path, halting him. "It's impossible for us to have eyes everywhere. What matters now is what you can do going forward for them."
"Yer right." He let her lead him to their makeshift bed. "I just have so many regrets. I wanna make it right for them."
"We will." Efa smiled, sitting herself in his lap. "We will make sure they are safe, no one will hurt them again."
"Mmm." Cullen buried his face into her neck, running his hands up her legs. "You smell nice."
Efa chuckled as he began to pepper kisses along her neck, his hands roaming and squeezing her rear pulling her flush against him.
"Your sister makes nice soaps." She gasped when he nipped her flesh. "I'll have to take some home with us."
"They all seem to really like yer." Cullen tugged at the hem of her shirt pulling it up and over her head to reveal her bare chest.
"Is that-ah-so?" She gasped as a mouth found her nipple, biting at it softly until it peaked.
"Mmmhmm." Cullen hummed in response, his mouth not leaving her as he licked around the hardened peak.
"Cullen…" She whined, heat pooling quickly to her core as he worked his mouth over to the other side.
"Off." He commanded softly, pulling off her nipple with a wet pop. He tugged at her pants, indicating his desire. She stood and pushed down the fabric, leaving her standing fully nude in the barn. The cold night air nipped at her skin, but she paid it no mind as Cullen stripped his own clothes off, throwing them against the wall.

She stood over him, ready to settle back into his lap, but Cullen had other ideas.
He grabbed her by the hips and pulled her flush against his face, wasting no time in delving his tongue between her folds. She gasped loudly, swaying at the sudden pressure, unexpectedly against her folds. He lapped at her like a man starved, she couldn't help but part her legs to give him better access. Cullen's tongue delved deeper, pushing at her entrance with sharp flicks that had her knees buckling almost from the pleasure. She could feel Cullen smirk against her thigh as he continued to work his mouth and tongue along her.

Cullen gripped the flesh of her rear, squeezing the soft flesh in his hands. With a broad stroke of his tongue through her folds he worked his way up to her neglected clit, not pausing in his ministrations to suck on the sensitive nerves. Efa yelped, shocked at the sudden change, her knees crumbling completely beneath her. The weight forced Cullen flat on his back, but he did not let go of her.
"C-Cullen!" She moaned, hands slamming against the wall as he lowered her to his face again, continuing to lick and suck on her.
Her nails scraped at the wooden panels, her legs trembling as she tried not to drop on him completely, terrified she might smother him. But his face only pressed deeper, his nose nudging against her clit in a way that was almost too much. His ability to bring her to completion on his tongue alone was a skill he was proud of; she could feel his smugness as she writhed above him, her hips grinding unwillingly against his face to chase her release.

"Fuck!" She screamed, static flaring in her hands as she reached her peak. She fell forward, head resting against the wall as she orgasmed. She felt boneless as Cullen lifted her from his face, sliding out and letting her rest for a moment. He turned and leant towards her, placing soft kisses across her shoulder blade. The braids of her hair had fallen loose, Cullen swept them over her other shoulder as he continued to pepper her with small kisses and light nips.
"Hanging in there?" His mouth twitched in amusement as she swore again, this time in Dalish.
"We might have to burn down the barn." Efa managed to sit back on his lap, her hands releasing the wall from her deadly grip. "I don't think I can face explaining to your siblings the hand prints…"
Sure enough, there were blackened hand marks seared into the wood.
"Yer right," He chuckled, grinding his erection against her backside. "Been a while since yer lost control. Must have been good eh?"
"You know I enjoy how wicked your tongue is." She rolled her hips slightly, the feeling in her legs coming back to her.

He rolled her to the bedroll, lifting both of her legs to his shoulders. With ease, he positioned himself and with a swift snap of his hips he was inside her. Her walls fluttered around him tightly, still shaking with the aftershock of her first orgasm. He started slowly, giving her a chance to adjust to his weight on top of her, pushing her knees back so she was almost folded in half. Efa's eyes rolled back into her head, the angle of his thrusts hitting deep within her. She snaked her arms around his neck bringing him down to kiss her. She could taste herself on him, intoxicating her as he continued to pound into her, harder now that she kissed him passionately. Her fingers grazed along his stubble, keeping him against her as he rutted into her.

Her gasps caught in her throat, mingled with his own desperate moans. The sounds of their skin slapping against each other only furthered the frenzy of their coupling. The pressure built in Efa once more, her chest tightening, threatening to burst with how good he felt in her. Since the defeat of Corypheus their activities had only become more spirited and location had become less of a concern. She craved him, so desperately, craved the warmth that blossomed inside as he reached his peak. Cullen gave several hard thrusts, stilling himself inside her as he came undone. She finally released her mouth from his lips, letting him breath deeply as he came down from his high.

"I love you." She kissed along his jaw, keeping him close even as he adjusted her legs to let them falling into a comfortable position.
"I love you too." He returned her kisses, drifting down her body, his softening cock falling from her with a wet pop. "I am glad you were here with me."
"Of course." She smiled watching him clean his spend from her with a cloth. "Your family are just as important to me as they are to you."
"I have a lot to make up for." Cullen came to rest beside her. "I want to be there for them now."
"You will be." Efa curled into him resting her head on his chest. "We have all the time in the world now."
"Perhaps we can begin thinking of our own family soon?" Cullen pulled her closer.
"When things quiet down." Efa smiled. "I dread to imagine the amount of requests Josie is wading through right now for my attention."
"The work never ends."
"It will one day." She propped herself back up to look at him. "I don't want to do this forever. I want to have a life that is of my choosing. With you."
"Me too."

With a final gentle kiss they settled into the bedroll, pressed against each other as they fell into blissful slumber.

Chapter Text

Sleep had found them quickly, wrapped in each others warmth in the corner of the barn. It wasn't the worst place either of them had slept. Especially in the early days of the Inquisition where camps were short and supplies even shorter.
It was a little after midnight, when Efa woke to Revas' frantic huffing, his hooves scraping against the wood of the stall. Cullen stirred beside her, alert from years of Templar training. They both listened, hearing the sounds of angry shouting somewhere outside. Without needing words the both scrambled for clothes, enough to make them decent to investigate the noise. Efa grabbed her staff from were it rested against the wall, hearing the metallic sing of Cullen drawing his blade behind her. Together they moved silently out of the barn, moving towards the obvious noise at the front of the house.

Out front, several people were fighting. Efa scanned them all quickly, several bore the unmistakable uniform of Leliana's scouts. The others were unfamiliar, but Efa suspected they were part of the gang who had tried to abduct Oscar earlier that day.
"Cullen!" She called to him, he was already moving behind putting himself between the house and the fight. He nodded to her as she raised her staff. Summoning a bolt of light into the centre of the yard.
"ENOUGH."

The scouts disengaged, falling back towards Cullen, recognising the dishevelled form of their Commander. The attackers scrambled backwards, yelping at the sudden use of magic.
"On what authority do you attack defenceless people?"
"Defenceless?" A figure emerged from the shadows, he had no weapons drawn. "My men said they were attacked by a mage, and now there are assassins lurking in the shadows. Hardly defenceless."
"This family is under the protection of the Inquisition." She said firmly.
"HA!" The man scoffed again. "The Inquisition couldn' give a mabari's arse aboot people like this."
Efa could see Cullen tense, coiled and ready to strike.
"I wouldn' be so sure if I were yer." Cullen snarled.
Efa walked into the centre standing in front of the smouldering spot where her lightning had hit.
"Why don't we speak about this civilly?" Efa smiled coldly. "Who are you?"
"Yer not from around here are yer knife ear?" The man drawled, Cullen gripped his sword tighter in his hand at the insult.
"No. I am not." Efa lit her empty hand with lightning. "So you'll forgive my ignorance if I ask who you are."
"How rude of me." He sneered falling into a mock bow. "Willard Murphy of the Brass Knives."

Efa watched him cautiously as he stepped bast his men, weapons still held firmly in their hands. He walked towards Efa, his sneer visible beneath his neatly tailor muttonchops and black hair.
"And yer are?" He looked her up and down. "Rabbit?"
"You would do well to not call me that." Efa snarled, the insult was nothing she had heard before, but still it made her grind her teeth."
"Or what?" He goaded her, his grin now wide with too much teeth for Efa's liking.
Efa raised her electrified hand to strike the man, but as her fist was about to land she felt the air in her lungs evaporate. Her magic ceased, the force of her blow numbed as she stuttered.
"Efa!" She could hear Cullen's cry of alarm, distant as the pounding of her ears increased. She felt arms around her turning her so her back was against his chest, the cool sting of metal kissed her throat.
Cullen halted in his surge forward, frozen when he saw the glint of the blade. He could feel the absence of magic, confirming what he recognised as silence. One of these men was a Templar.
"Now let's all play nicely." Willard tutted at him. "Or she dies. See if yer will answer eh? Who are yer?"

"He's Cullen Rutherford." A voice came from behind. Cullen glanced to the right at another figure. Familiarity plagued Cullen. He knew this man, but from where? "Templar and Commander of the Inquisition's army now I hear."
"Delbert?" Cullen had a flash of memory. Pain and nightmares, of being held down while he screamed in the depths of Grenfell's Chantry.
"You remember me?" The man sneered. "I'm impressed. You were a blathering mess when I last saw you. Heard you went on to Kirkwall after you killed that lass, what a waste of talent you are."
Cullen bit his tongue, his sword gripped tightly still in his hand. He had to get Efa free, break his silence. Anything.
"So this is yer family?" Willard looked at Cullen. "And this knife eared mage? She yers? Templar and a mage? Disgusting."
"Call me knife-eared one more time." Efa gasped, her breath catching in her throat.
"Or yerl wha'?" Willard laughed, tightening the knife at her throat. "Yer all bark and no bite lass-"

Efa had felt the familiar suffocation of silence wash over her. After the Arbor Wilds she had begun training to combat that, she couldn't cast her own magic, but there was something else she had found could not be stopped by dampening. The bandit leaders eyes opened wide as he saw the glow of her hand, the mark flaring to life as she concentrated through the heavy silence to reach the dormant magic there. She raised her hand towards her face, the anchor blazing on her hand.
"Andraste's tits-" Willard gasped his hold loosening, "Yer her the Heral-"
His words died on his tongue, cut off as she powered through the sluggish feeling that enveloped her. She grabbed his knife hand pulling it away from his neck, the knife dropping from his hand as he tried to get away from her. She dropped to the ground, rolling not so gracefully to the side and tugged on the mark again.

The Templar, Delbert, reached out again in panic, a fresh wave of silence falling on her again. Cullen and the scouts advanced, now that she was clear, he had given the command. Pain flared in her as she knelt on the ground looking up as the Templar arched his sword down on her. Cullen's blade met him mid swing, knocking him off balance, sending Delbert off to the side. Before he could pause to check on Efa, he turned, deflecting another blow from Willard, his daggers slicing through the air. He was slow to catch the second blade and it ripped through his shirt, cutting into his arm and staining his sleeve red. Efa screamed at him. her anger festering into the mark on her hand.

The Templar and his bandit master felt their stomachs sink, the ground beneath them disappearing as they went hurtling together smashing into the other man roughly. The silence ebbed and she stood, stumbling over to where Cullen held his bleeding arm.
"Yes." Efa sucked in a breath. "I am the 'Herald of Andraste'."
She stared down at them both as they tried to orientate themselves, answering the bandit leaders earlier question.
"This is my family you threaten." She looked at them coldly as anger rose within her. "You will suffer for the pain you have inflicted."
"Wait-"

She raised her hands to the sky, lightning swirling above them once more, but as she pulled her hands down something shifted inside her, the magic normally a storm blue in colour turned green. Her hand burst in agony as she felt the anchor take over. She couldn't stop it, she clutched her wrist trying to stem the power that flowed through her. She screamed dropping once more to her knees. Cullen watched as she writhed, flinching as he heard the bone crunching noise and screams explode beside them.

He looked at the two men Efa had thrown together, only able to look for a moment as their bodies began to break. She had seen her perform similar magic on demons, mindless beasts that knew nothing but rage and hunger. Never before had she done it to humans. Their screams became garbled, Cullen dropped beside her, calling her name but she couldn't stop. He grabbed her hand and tried to pull it away but even with his strength she could not be moved. Tears streamed down her face , the pain becoming unbearable until something snapped.

The air split open. A vicious green tear growing beneath the mangled mess of bodies. Efa and Cullen watched horrified as the mass was sucked in, the rift sealing behind them with a crack throwing them both backward into the dirt. Cullen crawled to Efa, pulling her into his arms, her eyes were open but she looked vacant. Shock coursed through her body, a visible tremble in her hands as he held her close.
"Efa?" He called to her desperately. "Efa look at me? Hear me? Please?"
He shook her gently, worry growing inside him when she didn't respond.
"Commander?" A scout approached.
Cullen looked up at the startled scout, the others clustered behind. He scanned behind them seeing no more of the bandits. and the red stain where the two men had been before Efa had-
"Maker's breath." Cullen cursed. "Report."
"All dead that remained Ser," The scout in front replied. "Some have fled. Do you want us to give chase?"
"Yes, we cannot allow what was seen here to get out." Cullen nodded looking down to check Efa, she had turned her head into his chest, tears streaming down her face. "I'll send word to Sister Leliana and update her on the situation."
"Will you be alright here Ser?" The scout began to back up, motioning for the others to move out.
"Aye, I will stay on alert, but I doubt after what they saw they will be back anytime soon."
"Of course."
"Your people saw nothing here tonight." Cullen scooped Efa up as he stood. "Understood?"
"Yes Ser!"

The scout disappeared after his squad, Cullen hoped they found the remaining bandits before they could spread the news. The last thing they needed was tales of the Inquisitor performing unspeakable magic.
"Cullen!?"
The door to the farm house opened and Branson stepped out.
"Bran…" He looked at his brother wearing the same terrified expression when he looked at Efa. "Is everyone safe?"
"Yes."
"Did they see?"
"Mia and Rosie did…" Branson continued to stare. "Is she..?"
"I don' know," Cullen looked down at Efa cradled in his arms.
"Bring her in," Rosalie called from behind him. "Let me see her."

Cullen carried her into the house and set her down on Mia and Rosalie's bed. Rosalie shooed him away out of the door and back into the kitchen area.
"Efa?" Rosalie bent over her. "Can yer hear me?"
"Yes." Came the weak reply.
"Do yer feel any pain?" Rosalie continued.
"My hand."
Rosalie lifted her hand and turned it over carefully, the anchor was warm to the touch but once more it lay dormant. Efa looked at her hands, gasping as Rosalie passed over her mark.
"Does anythin' else hurt?" Rosalie ran her hands across Efa, checking for any other injuries. Efa shook her head, Rosalie stood, satisfied that she had sustained no wounds. "She's fine Cullen. I think, I'm not sure about her hand or the mark, that's out of my expertise."
"Thanks Rosie." Cullen approached the bed. "Efa?"
"Cullen." Efa turned to him. "Your hurt."
"A scratch." He tried to assure her.
"Let me see."

Cullen sighed and let his sister tend to him. He sat on the edge of the bed as Rosalie stitched him up, the would was deeper than he realised, pain setting in now that the adrenaline had worn off. Efa had fallen asleep by the time they were done. Cullen stroked her hair gently.
"That thing on her hand?" Mia asked from the doorway. "Has it always hurt her?"
"It's never been this bad." Cullen shook his head gently. "It's the first time she's used it since Corypheus was killed. Sometimes it flares randomly. But not like this. This was different."
"Is she safe?" Branson looked at him concerned. "Are we safe."
"She wouldn't hurt you." Cullen looked at him. "She'd never put her family at risk."
"I can't believe hes gone." Ana murmured from the kitchen. "No one has ev'r stood up to The Brass Knives before."
"Not how I had intended fer them to be dealt with but its done." Cullen pinched the bridge of his nose. "I need to send word to Skyhold right away."
"Can' it wait til morning?" Rosalie tugged at his good arm when he rose.
"No," Cullen shook his head sympathetically. "Can you keep an eye on her? If I go now I can be back by midday."
"Alright." Rosalie let go of him. "We'll let her know when she wakes."

Efa had woken again mid morning. Her limbs sore and heavy as she rose from the unfamiliar bed. She could hear someone in the kitchen bustling about, when she crept to the door she saw Ana stripping down a pile of nettles into a pan.
"Oh yer awake!" Ana jumped when she saw her. "Thank the Maker."
"Where's Cullen?" Efa managed to croak out, her throat was parched.
"He said he had to send a message back to yer base." She handed Efa a cup of water. "He should be back in a couple o' hours."
Efa took the cup gratefully and drained it. He hand automatically seeking the stone around her neck. She could feel the rhythmic pulse of his heart beat, elevated with exertion but steady.
"Thank you." She set the cup down on the counter.
"Are yer alright?" Ana eyes her up. "Yer look pale."
"I'll be fine."

After she had cleaned herself up and eaten a small meal, Efa looked for something to busy herself with. She took a better look at the farmhouse and the kitchen. It was smaller than she had realised. The bed she had woken in was barely big enough for one person let alone two. Is this how it had always been for them? She watched Ana preparing the soup. Throwing the weeds in to the pot to boil them over the stove. Efa new the soup well, it was something often made by the clan. A simple meal that the ingredients could be found in any forest. She frowned, looking at the lack of herbs she added. When she asked Ana had nervously told her they had run out.

Efa frowned as she left the house. Something wasn't settling right in her mind. She tensed and stretched the fingers on her hand, the light playing tricks on her mind as she looked at the colour of her skin. The anchor still ached on her palm. She looked around the yard, evidence of the brawl that had taken place still visible, in the centre, the dirt had been turned to hide the blood she had left. Efa went back to the barn to check on Revas, her ever faithful hart huffing happily when he saw her. She looked for some grain to feed him with but all the barrels were empty. She unlatched his stall, letting him wander out, the hart trotting around her happily.
"Come on boy," she patted his neck softly. "I have a need of your nose."
Revas bumped her affectionately and followed her out into the grass towards the river. There she found Mia scrubbing clothes, Oscar beside her splashing about in the river, his aunt having to stop every so often to stop him from doing something he shouldn't. When he saw Revas he jumped up excitedly and ran over to them.

"Can I ride him again!?" Oscar bounced.
"Maybe later. You'll have to ask your daddy first." Efa crouched down to Oscars level. "Right now were going to see what things we can find in the woods. Do you want to help me?"
"Can I!?" He looked at Mia.
"Are you sure?" Mia looked exhausted. "He's a handful."
"You should meet my niece." Efa chuckled lightly. "Shes just as bad. And she has magic."
"Maker's breath." Mia gasped. "If you're sure?"
"It's not a problem," Efa smiled. "We won't go far."
"Thank you!" Mia beamed. "That would be a great help."

Crossing the river, Oscar clinging securely to her back as she waded through the shallowest part, they reached the cluster of trees nearby.
"What are we doin'?" The boy asked taking her hand when she offered it.
"Looking for herbs." Efa smiled at him. "Your mammy says you've run out."
"Herbs?" Oscar looked confused. "What's that?"
"You know, small plants that add flavour to things?" They followed Revas as he began sniffing through the under growth. "Or to put in a salve if you hurt yourself."
"Oh." Oscar looked like he was thinking hard. "We nev'r have those."
"You don't?" Had Ana lied to her? Or was Oscar too young to realise what she meant? "Well we're going to get some for your mammy's soup."
"I hate that soup." Oscar scrunched his face. "I want to eat like we did last night!"

Efa opened her mouth to ask another question, he words stopped when Revas barked to tell her he'd found something. Leading Oscar over to the hart she crouched down and showed Oscar what he had found. Together they picked a fresh stack of rosemary as Revas continued, looking for more. Oscar held onto the leaves eagerly as the followed the hart once more.
"Oscar," Efa began again. "What did you mean about 'eating like we did last night'?"
"We always have that yucky soup." Oscar pouted. "Mammy says we cant afford other food. Daddy works so hard but they argue. Sometimes he doesn't eat."
Efa stopped, her heart sinking. She had seen the signs, but she hadn't wanted to believe it. Why had they not said anything? They had prepared such a lovely meal last night. What lengths had they gone through to hide the depth of their poverty? Why hadn't they told Cullen? If they were struggling, he would have done something. She would have. Money, food… Whatever they had needed.

She blinked away the tears that threatened her eyes. Oscar looked up at her as she tried to school her emotions. Patting Revas on the back as he huffed again, marking a new discovery. She smiled at Oscar, watching him dive for the new herbs. They gathered a little more before they headed back to the farm, her heart still heavy with the revelations she had come upon. Once over the river she sent Oscar off with the herbs to the kitchen and left Revas grazing along the grass bank. She approached Mia as she hung out the wet sheets on the makeshift washing line. Picking up the edge of the next one she handled she helped Mia throw it over the line.
"Thank yer Efa!" Mia wiped her brow. "It's a lot easier to get things done without Oscar making trouble."
"He's a good kid." Efa smoothed out the fabric so it would dry quickly. "He talks a lot for one so small."
"Oh pay him no mind!" Mia smiled brightly. "He talks nonsense most o' the time."
"He told me you don't eat well."

Mia froze, dropping the clean sheet into the dirt.
"He said that?" Efa could see a slight tremble at her lip.
"Has it always been like this?" Efa picked up the sheet and placed it on the side, it would need to be cleaned again.
"Since the war began." Mia confessed. "With the Bandits and all the hell breaking loose, there's barely been enough to make ends."
"Why didn't you tell Cullen?" Efa frown stepping closer to her. "He would have helped."
"He was off saving the world!" Mia tried to brush the tears from her eyes. "We didn' want to be a burden. He barely wrote back as it was an' I didn' know how to ask."
"Asking is the hardest thing." Efa reached a comforting hand out to her arm. "If he had know, he would have helped. And I wouldn't have stopped him."

Mia burst into tears, Efa pulled her quickly into a hug, letting the taller woman sob into her shoulder.
"We can' make rent. the bandits took us for everything." Mia cried. "If they had taken Oscar- If you hadn' showed up- I don' know what would've happened."
"We're here now." Efa ran a soothing hand down her back. "You don't have to remain like this. We can help. Whatever you need from us. If it's money you can have it or-"
Efa paused, she had been thinking hard while she was in the forest.

"Or you can come home with us." Efa released Mia to look at you. "All of you. You have a home in Skyhold if you wanted it. I can guarantee that's exactly what Cullen will say."

Cullen returned within the hour, just as they were settling down to eat dinner. After her breakdown Mia had spoken to her siblings, telling them what Efa knew and the offer she had made. It was heartbreaking to see them all admitting to the shared lie they had kept. But Efa reassured them it would be okay. As her guests, no, her family as well as Cullen's, they could live comfortably. If they wanted to work, she would find something for them.

They ate dinner peacefully, Cullen sinking into the chair beside Efa with a sigh. He looked exhausted, and when she smiled at him there was none of his usual emotion in his eyes. He was worried for her, about what had happened, and for if it should happen again. It had crossed her mind also. Why had the mark suddenly acted on its own? Was it because she was scared? That's how she had opened the rift in Adamant. Or was it because she was angry, angry that someone had hurt Cullen? There would be time to figure it out, if they could. It was times like this she missed Solas, as much as he had seemed distant at the end, he had still be her companion.

With dinner over, Ana took Oscar out into the yard to check on the sheets. Cullen rose to leave, hoping to speak to Efa but when she remained at the table with his siblings he paused.
"Is something wrong?" He looked between them all.
"You should sit back down Cullen." Efa said softly. "There is something we need to discuss."
"If this is about last night-?" Cullen began, taking his seat again but Mia shook her head.
"It's not about Efa." Mia took a shaky breath. "It's about us."
"We're in trouble Cullen." Branson took over as Mia's resolve faltered. "Not just the bandits."
"It's been getting harder each day since that war began." Mia managed to continue. "The harvests have been getting poorer and were behind on rent."
"If we had lost Oscar we never could have afforded to get him back." Branson clenched his fists on the table.
"Even with you taking care of the Brass Knives. We can' go on like this much longer." Rosalie fidgeted with her hands beneath the table. "My work as well is not enough."

Cullen looked at them all stunned. Colour draining from his already pale face. He rose from the table, running his hand across his growing stubble. How had he been so blind? He felt anger rising in him.
"Why didn' you tell me?" He turned back to them all. "And you knew?"
"I only pieced it together this morning after you left." Efa watched him carefully, she had expected this reaction.
"I didn' know how." Mia defended rising with his attitude. "You said it yersel, 'How do you put that in a letter'?"
"I-" Cullen turned and glared at her, his anger deflating as he did. "I should have come sooner."
"You had enough going on."
"I should have been here for you all!"
"It's not your fault."
"I should have been better!" Cullen shouted, his rage flaring once more. His fist flew into the wall, the wood groaning beneath his hand. His knuckles were red when they pulled them back.

"Vhenan." Efa rose from her chair, silent until now. She stepped around the table and in front of him. She had not flinched when his fist flew. She knew his moods by now. She carefully reached for his hand, rubbing her thumb across his scraped knuckles, a small healing spell soothing the raw flesh. "We both know we cannot dwell on the past. All the things we could or should have done. Things happen for a reason."
Cullen sighed, letting her fingers rub his sore hand.
"Yer right." He sighed.
"We should think about what we can do now." Efa raised a hand to his face, tracing the familiar length of his scar. "We took care of the bandits, now we can take care of them."

Cullen nodded pulling himself gently out of her hold, he crossed the room and pulled Mia to her feet.
"I don' want to leave yer here alone." Cullen said to her, holding both her hands. Efa smirked knowingly. "Come to Skyhold. Please, all of you. I can protect you there."
"You were right Efa." Rosalie chuckled.
"He's predictable." Efa chuckled.
"Wha-" Cullen looked around to Efa confused. "You already asked them?"
"I did."

Cullen strode back to her, taking her face in his hands and kissing her fiercely. Efa smiled and returned the kiss, holding on to the front of his jacket.
"Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me." Efa smiled. "They're as good as my family know and you know it."
"Good."

Cullen sat on the river bank, mulling the last two days in his head. Efa dropped onto the bank beside him, leaning her head against his shoulder.
"I'm sorry I wasn' here when you woke." He put his arm around her. "I had to make sure everything was under control."
"I expect nothing less of my Commander." She cuddled into him. The small measure of comfort she gained sank as she recalled what happened. She looked down at her hand, tracing the anchor on her palm. "I lost control."
"You reacted to an impossible situation." Cullen squeezed her firmly. "It's not your fault."
"I know my hands are not clean," Efa dipped her head shamefully. "but that was-"
"It wasn't you." Cullen shook his head. "It was that thing on your hand."
"I'm scared Cullen." She trembled lightly. "It's getting more painful each time. And there are still rifts to be closed. What if I lose control again or worse?"
"We will find a way," Cullen assured her. "We have the finest researchers at our disposal and we are keeping tabs on any leads to find Solas."
"I fear he is the only one who knows how to fix this."
"I hope that's not true." Cullen rested his head on hers, placing a soft kiss against her hair.

"This trip hasn't exactly gone to plan has it?" Efa chuckled dryly after a moment.
"Not even slightly." Cullen smirked in response. "I'm far more worried than I was to begin with. But at least I know they will be safe."
"I think they'll make a fine addition to Skyhold." Efa looked out to the bank, Revas sat dozing in the warm light where she had left him earlier.
"We will need to find somewhere for them."
"I was thinking perhaps we could give them some of the apartments Josie has almost finished renovating, on the top floor." Efa wondered. "We can send her a bird on the way back. Hopefully she'll have time to make preparations."
"She'll be flappin'" Cullen chuckled.
"Undoubtedly."

Three days. Three days! Josephine had be bossing around Skyhold like a mad woman. Serving girls and scouts did there best to get out of the way as she rampaged through the keep. Only Jim dared approach her, when asked how he was not afraid of her he simply replied 'I have already faced certain death at the hands of the Commander and lived to tell the tale.'
"Is everything ready?" Josephine scribbled furiously at her clipboard.
"Yes my lady." Jim replied taking the forms she handed to him. He hid a smile at the small missive addressed to him, he slid it into his pocket to read later.
"Are all the sheets clean?" Josephine continued like nothing had happened.
"Freshly made this morning." Jim responded instantly.
"The curtains?"
"Hung yesterday."
"Firewood?"
"Fully stocked and logs prepared to be lit at a moments notice."

Josephine let out a relieved sigh as Jim confirmed each item on her list. She would curse Cullen politely on his return, but at the same time she was excited to meet his family. After hearing the report from Leliana about what had happened she did not blame the Commander for wanting to secure his family. She had already begun listing any suitable positions for his brother and eldest sister should they want them, Miss Rosalie would be joining the infirmary staff as a much needed midwife. There had been a surge of expectant mothers creeping up over Skyhold following the downfall of Corypheus. She couldn't blame them, there had been much to celebrate, even she had found unexpected romance during the celebration feast.
"Thank you Jim." she smiled at the scout. "Would you inform me the moment they are sighted on the approach?"
"Of course my Lady." he gave a short bow to her before he retreated from her office.

While she waited, she began going through the days missives. Requests had been flooding in about meaningless things. People wishing to gain favour still with the Inquisition or to use its power for petty deeds and decisions. She had spent the better part of the last two months sifting through those demands which were legitimate and refuse those that were not. She sipped her tea, pausing at the last missive on the pile. The envelope immediately stood out and she exclaimed in horror that it had been place at the bottom of the pile. She opened the gold embossed envelope as quickly and carefully as she could.
"Maker's breath." She gasped, reading the contents quickly. The Commander was not going to be pleased, nor the Inquisitor. She mentally prepared herself for the inevitable argument. Placing the letter on her Top priority stack she sunk back in her chair with a sigh.

Just as she was about to relax, a knock at the door roused her from her wandering thought.
"Enter." She called.
"They're almost here my Lady." Jim announced, his cheeks flushed from running to her office no doubt.
Josephine rose, smoothing her skirt and grabbing her clipboard. She made to the door held open for her and reached up on her tip toes to place a quick peck on his lips. The scout blushed furiously, no doubt having read the letter she had slipped him early by now.
"Thank you Jim." She dipped out of the door.
"Y-you're welcome my Lady" He stammered following her out.

Walking swiftly she made it to the courtyard just in time for the portcullis to rise. The horn sounded from the top, heralding the return of the Inquisitor to Skyhold. Josephine could not suppress the smile as she saw Efa and Cullen riding back in side by side. Behind them were two more riders followed by a cart, Josephine had to do a double take at the man seated behind. The resemblance unmistakable, even the women bore a striking similarity.
"Inquisitor!" Josephine stepped forward as Efa dismounted, the Inquisitor pulling her into a firm embrace.
"Josie I've missed you!" Efa beamed delightedly.
"You have been equally missed I assure you." She turned to Cullen. "And welcome back Commander, I hope your journey was not too rough.
"Wow!" A voice cut over Cullen before he could answer. "This place is huge!"
The young boy bounced in the cart. Waiting for his father to lift him down. Efa chuckled lightly.
"It wasn't terrible." Cullen replied finally. "I am glad to be back."

The rest of the Rutherford's had dismounted, Oscar holding on to Ana's hand with wide open eyes, they all looked around amazed by the fortress.
"Josie, these are my siblings." Cullen gestured towards them. "Branson, my brother. His wife and my nephew, Ana and Oscar. And my sisters, Mia and Rosie."
He pointed to each of them in turn, each one of them nodding or waving in greeting.
"Welcome all of you to Skyhold." Josephine gave them a little curtsy. "I am Lady Josephine, Ambassador of the Inquisition. If there is anything you need please do not hesitate to ask."
"Thank yer." Branson guided Ana forward, he turned and stepped back to the cart, surprised to see all their belongings had already been unloaded. He caught sight of a soldier coming down the stairs towards them.

"Commander, you're back." The man approached Branson. "Got a few reports that require your attention."
"I-" Branson looked startled.
"Rylen!" Cullen barked at him.
Rylen blinked several times, before catching sight of Cullen behind.
"Ach." He cursed. "There's two of you now. you must be the brother and his sis-ters…"
Rylen trailed off as he looked at the others, his eyes landing on Mia causing him to stutter his last word. His mouth went dry as heat rose in his cheeks.
"Rylen!" Cullen shouted louder, more impatiently, snapping the captain out of his stupor. "My office."
"Aye Ser!" Rylen jumped uncharacteristically, turning tail and retreating back up the stairs.
"Forgive him." Cullen stepped passed Mia and Branson, "And forgive me, I must go see what he needs."
"Don' worry brother." Branson clapped his back as he passed. "We'll be fine."
"I'll show you to your rooms." Josephine offered. "This way."

"Who was that man?" Mia sidled up to Efa as they followed Josephine up the stairs.
"Hmm? Rylen?" Efa looked at Mia. "He's an ex-Templar from Starkhaven. Cullen's second-in-command. Nice fellow."
"He sounds funny." Oscar chipped in.
"He does doesn't he?" Efa smiled.
"Do you have many from Starkhaven here?" Rosalie asked curiously.
"A few." Efa nodded as the climbed the stairs. "They came with Cullen from Kirkwall when he was recruited. They had been sent to aid relief after the Chantry blew."
"He's known Cullen a while then?" Branson asked.
"A few years, Cullen and Rylen became friends while he took over as Knight-Commander." Efa replied. "He's loyal, didn't hesitate to follow him here."
"How noble." Mia smiled to herself.

Josephine lead the way up the stairs, taking control of the conversation to tell them about the renovations she had had done. It was the first time Efa had seen the fruits of Josephine's labour. When she proudly showed off the first room it was met with exclamations. Efa was impressed with the work, complimenting her on her finishing touches. Branson noted that their belongs had already been brought up, admiring the efficiency of operations. He was shocked to learn that the apartment and the several rooms including bathroom were just for him, Ana and Oscar. Josephine proudly lead his sisters out and to their own smaller, but no less comfortable rooms.

Efa left them to settle, promising to return once she had changed, seeking her own bath eagerly
"Oh Inquisitor?" Josephine rushed into the hallway after her, leaving and excited Rosalie jumping on her own bed.
"Yes Josie?"
"Ahh, I know you have just returned, but an invitation arrived today for you." Josephine fidgeted with her hands nervously.
"Who from?" Efa looked at her behaviour concerned.
"The Empress…" Josephine braced her self. "We have been invited back to Halamshiral."

"Cullen's going to love that…"

Chapter Text

"No."
"Cullen…"
"Absolutely not."
"It's in our honour."
"I am not going!"

Efa sighed.
She sat on the edge of the bed watching as Cullen shaved his overgrown beard. Her Commander turning and brandishing the small blade in his hand in her direction as he proclaimed his non attendance. It would be threatening, if his hair wasn't wet and curling viciously, and his face wasn't half covered in shaving cream.
"I'm going." Efa raised her eyebrows amused at his display. "Would you really let me go alone?"
Cullen groaned, turning back to the mirror to finish. Once done, he threw the blade into the basin and scowled hard as he wiped his face.
"No." He grit his teeth. "When?"
"Three weeks."
"What?" Cullen groaned walking over and flopping down onto the bed face first.
"I know. Josephine has already ordered a thousand dress makers to Skyhold." She stroked a hand up his spine causing him to shiver. "She insists I wear a dress this time since we are not there to-"
"Thwart an assassination attempt." They said together, Cullen's voice muffled in the sheets.

Efa chuckled, leaning down to place soft kisses along Cullen's shoulders, her hands growing firmer as she began to work at some of the tension in his muscles. He moaned appreciatively, letting her work the pent up frustration that had begun to build.
"I was thinking…" Efa began, working her thumbs in tandem down the ridge of his spine.
"Dangerous." Came the muffled response. She dug her thumbs in slightly. Cullen yelped and turned, propping himself up, before he pulled her down onto the bed beneath him. He smirked at her, leaning down to kiss her neck. "You were thinking..?"
"I was thinking…" She continued with faux irritation. "It would be cruel of us to leave your siblings behind when most of us will be at the Winter Palace-"
"No." Cullen lifted up, looming over her. "You are not suggesting I take them to Orlais?!"
"It would be good for them to see the life you lead, and its a tournament!" Efa reached her arms around his neck and batted her eyelashes dangerously at him. "They've not had an easy few years, let them experience something exciting."
Cullen groaned looking down at her, watching as she bit her bottom lip and looked up at him demurely.
"I won't win this war will I?"
"Absolutely not Commander."

With a sweet smile just a fraction away from being a gloat she pulled him down to kiss him triumphantly.

Rosalie bounced animatedly. From the moment Cullen had mentioned the Winter Palace, his sisters and sister-in-law had become excitable with the prospect of visiting the royal palace. Branson, like Cullen, thought it a terrible idea. Rosalie swatted them both and shoved them out the room as Efa and Josephine arrived to talk over clothes they would need.
"You will need two dresses each for the balls." Josephine explained. "Which will take place on the first and final night. We will have dress fitters arriving to Skyhold within the week. Then there will be a state dinner with the Empress and the Inquisition with a few select guests, such as the king and Queen of Ferelden-"
"Wer gonna to have dinner with the King and Queen?" Ana fanned herself quickly.
"She is my sister," Efa laughed. "And she was instrumental in Corypheus' defeat."
"I would have thought she would decline given her delicate condition." Josephine tapped her clipboard lightly. "And I would love to know how the Prince of Starkhaven wormed his way to the dinner as well."
"Prince Sebastian?" Efa furrowed her brow.
"Indeed." The ambassador gave Efa a telling look.

"What about Oscar?" Ana wondered after a moment.
"He and Isolde will be able to attend the dinner." Efa smiled. "There will be care for them during the balls."
"And then we have the tourney which will span over several days." Josephine picked back up again. "No need for anything fanciful but we will ensure you are outfitted to represent as the Inquisitor's family."
"And there is to be a tournament?" Mia asked.
"Several inquisition forces will be participating." Efa smiled proudly.
"Yes! Commander Cullen and Seeker Cassandra will be representing us in the sword and shield." Josephine flipped several loose pages on her clipboard looking for her list. "Sera and Scout Harding will be competing in the Archery, Captain Rylen in the mounted joust and then they will all come together with the warrior's of Bull's Chargers to make the bulk of out melee force lead by the Commander of course."
"Gonna see Cullen fight?" Mia gasped.
"It's half of the reason I was able to convince him to go." Efa laughed. "The promise he gets to wear armour and hit something."
"He doesn' like the palace?" Rosalie frowned looking at her.
"Not even a little." Efa shook her head, "Our last trip there was… eventful."

"Which reminds me," Josephine pipped up. "Some of the Orlesian courtiers are, spirited in character. We would advise you never to be alone, and to preferably stay with a male escort of some sort."
"Are they really tha' bad?" Mia looked concerned.
"Oh I'm sure Cullen will lecture you on that no doubt." Efa chuckled remembering. "Last time someone had the audacity to pinch his bottom!"
"Maker's breath!" Rosalie's hands flew to her mouth in shock. "How did he react? How did yer react?"
"At the time no-one knew we were together, and it was only a few days after we got our act together." Efa settled down in a chair by the fire. "I may have caused her to trip later that evening when the opportunity presented itself."
"That was you!" Josephine chided her. "Honestly you and Cullen better be on your best behaviour this time! No violence!"
"She attacked me!"
"You vaulted over a balcony." Josephine snapped back playfully. "And you went into battle without a weapon against an armed foe."
"And all I got was a little scar…" Efa teased tapping the thin line on her cheek.

Josephine tutted at her, which only made her laugh again. With everything settled Josephine returned to her duties leaving the rest to their leisure. As promised, the dress makers arrived to Skyhold, Josephine setting them up with their own space so they could work as long as they needed. Rosalie had swooned dramatically over the fabric, paralysed with the array of colours she had to chose from. Mia had easily chosen a pale blue colour for her dress and a simple design Josephine had suggested. Efa had chosen a pale green for her first, couples with a darker bodice and lace. When Mia tried her dress on for the first time she almost cried. Never before had she imagined herself able to wear somethings so beautiful. Efa held her hands gently as she looked at herself in the mirror.

"This is all so much." Mia's lip trembled slightly. "I don' know what to say."
"Don't worry about it. This doesn't happen all of the time." Efa smiled at her. "I'm not fond of all the fluffy nobility shit myself."
"I've never felt fabric so soft."
"Its lovely you-"
"Inquisitor!" A voice cut in, "I have your update on the tournament rost-"

Efa and Mia turned to see who had come in. Rylen stood staring, the sheet of papers in his hands forgotten as he looked at Mia and the dress she wore.
"Rylen?" Efa raised an eyebrow at him. "Report?"
"Y-yes!" The Captain snapped to attention, a faint blush on his cheeks. "The roster and a report Lady Montilyet asked me to bring."
Efa watched Mia shuffle awkwardly turning back to the mirror and away from Rylen as she scanned over the document. Rylen kept shooting glances at Mia, opening and closing his mouth as if he wanted to say something. The seamstress knelt down checking the length and looking for alterations.
"How is your training going?" Efa asked. "You have not forgotten how to joust since you came here?"
"Not at all Inquisitor." Rylen darted back to her. "I have been given leave each day by the Commander to ensure my skill is up to scratch."
"Very good." Efa nodded. "Any thoughts on the melee appointments?"
"I selected the men myself and the Commander approved them." Rylen swallowed hard. "The addition of the Chargers should make our force unstoppable."
"I should hope so." Efa grabbed a quill to sign off on the mandate, continuing her rapid fire questioning. "And what do you think to Mia's dress?"
"She looks like the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

Rylen froze. His answer coming automatically after the others. Both Mia and Rylen flushed a deep red. Cullen's sister stammering as she tried to keep from being pricked with a pin in her embarrassment.
"I- I mean-" Rylen struggled to compose himself. "It's very appropriate."
"T-Thank you." Mia managed to reply, hands fidgeting with the fabric of the skirt until the seamstress scowled at her.
"Thank you Rylen." Efa smirked. "Please remind the Commander that you both need to be fitted for dress uniforms as well."
"Right away ma'am!"
The Captain fled the room as quickly as he dared. Mia hid her face in her hands, willing herself not to scream aloud.
"Seems you have an admirer." Efa teased lightly.
"Did he really just say that?" Mia glanced through her fingers at Efa.
"He did indeed." Efa patted her arm comfortingly. "He's a good man, good profession. You could do worse."
"I- I-" Mia hid once more. "I barely know him."
"You'll have plenty of time to over this trip." Efa read the report from Josephine. "Looks like Josie has suggested he be your escort for the balls…"
"W-what!"

The three weeks passed quickly.

Cullen tugged at the collar of his jacket as he waited for Efa at the bottom of the stairs to the palace gates. Everyone else had gone on ahead, since Efa was the guest of honour, they were to enter last under herald.
"I hope I have kept you waiting ma sa'lath."
Cullen turned, his breath catching as Efa came towards him. He had not seen the dress she was wearing that evening, or for the other ball later. He felt his chest tighten as his eyes roamed over the dark green bodice, paired with a subtle layer of sage green lace that cover to her neck. The darker shade of green matched the ribbon wove into her braids, twisted at the back of her head into a neat bun. She reached out her hand, barely visible beneath the layered bells sleeves covered in the same lace. Cullen took her hand and kissed her fingers, watching as she blushed beneath the curls that framed her face.
"Not at all Vhenan?" He smiled warmly at her. "Shall we?"
She took the arm he offered and they began to walk. Her dress shimmering slightly as the light bounced off it.
"You look beautiful tonight." He placed a hand on her back as they walked up the stairs, Efa lifting her skirts to stop herself from tripping on the fabric. "Much nicer than the last time- Not that you don't look good in uniform- I mean-"
"You're adorable when you're flustered." Efa chuckled. "You look very handsome too very fitting of the Inquisitors Commander."

"Are you ready for this?" She asked when they reached the top, taking his arm again.
"Will I ever be?" he rolled his eyes. "Sooner we get in the sooner it will be over with."
"I surely hope so." She chuckled.
As they approached the door they were approached by the Herald, eagerly awaiting her.
"Inquisitor Lavellan." He bowed deeply. "Welcome. If you would follow me please."

The palace was just as it had been, grand and imposing and very gold. They followed the Herald up the stairs to where several others were waiting to be announced. The man turned and bowed again.
"Ser, if you would enter now with the others then we can begin."
"No." Efa looked at him surprised. "We are to enter together."
"I- I'm sorry my Lady I have it here you are to be-"
"You will announce us together." She looked at him sternly. "Or not at all."
"Y-yes of course." The man stuttered under her glare, panic rising in him as he scribbled onto his list. "Inquisitor and Commander! Right here."
"And he is to be announced by that title alone nothing more."
He tapped his list and hurried through the door giving them a moment alone. Cullen opened his mouth to thank her when another spoke over.

"If that was the stare I think it was…" The voice laughed softly behind them. "I wouldn't be surprised if he needs to change his breeches."
"Bri!" Efa turned to the voice, a big smile lighting up her face. "I mean- Your Majesty."
Efa made a flourishing curtsy, sweeping her dress out as she dipped. Cullen shook his head amused before bowing himself.
"Your Majesty's." He added as Alistair appeared beside her.
"Efa! Cullen!" Alistair clapped hands with Cullen as Efa pulled her sister into a warm hug. Efa was glad to see her looking so well, she glowed radiantly in a dress of deep red, perfectly matching Alistair's formal attire.
"How is our little prince?" Efa looked down at the swell of Briallen's stomach.
"Growing each day." Briallen ran her hand across the bump. "He is beginning to become quite active, more than Isolde was at this stage."
"He's a fighter." Alistair beamed with pride. "Won't be long until you have your own I wager?"
"There's still too much work lined up for us to be thinking about that." Cullen's ears tinged pink.
"We're not even married yet." Efa tittered at his blush.
"All in good time lethallin." Briallen grasped her hand tightly.

"Well well well. Knight-Captain Rutherford."
Cullen flinched. He turned his head towards the interruption. Efa kept a hand on his arm, her senses alert at his reaction. She looked around Cullen at the man approaching, brown hair, blue eyes and standing roughly the same height as Cullen. With his accent, Efa was sure this was the Prince of Starkhaven, coupled with the incorrect title he had bestowed upon Cullen.
"It's Commander now." Cullen said curtly. "I am no longer a Templar, Your Highness."
"Oh yes. Commander." He corrected himself. "And you must be the Inquisitor herself."
He looked at Briallen, who raised an eyebrow at him. "You are mistaken Your Highness."
"I am the Inquisitor," Efa stepped out into his line of sight better. The Prince startled looking between them both.
"Oh I see-" He looked taken aback. "And you my lady?"

Alistair scowled at him. Efa was amused, was he so oblivious? Did new not travel to Starkhaven from the rest of Thedas? She had thought it common knowledge now that the King of Ferelden had taken an elvhen queen.
"Oh how rude of me." Cullen couldn't help himself, holding his arm out to gesture to them as he spoke. "May I present His Majesty, King Alistair. And his lovely wife Queen Briallen, rulers of Ferelden."
It was Sebastian's turn to blanch, fumbling as he dipped into a bow.
"Forgive me your Majesty's" He said sheepishly. "I meant no offence."
"None taken Your Highness." Alistair gave him a slight nod as he backed off.
He looked at Briallen and Efa in turn, eyes going wide. He looked like he was calculating something, his eyes growing darker for a moment before he righted himself. Luckily, at that moment the Herald returned, calling forth those to be announced. Sebastian fled first through the door alone.

"He is…" Efa said quietly as they watched Briallen and Alistair go next.
"An arsehole?" Cullen offered causing her to snort a small undignified laugh.
"Something like that." Efa looped her hand around his arm as they prepared to enter. "Between your own report and those from Mari and Varric, I wasn't sure what to suspect."
"I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him."
"I agree." They began to walk towards the door. "Josephine warned that we should be on our guard from any retaliations from repelling him from Kirkwall."

"May I present, returning to the court: Herald of Andraste, Inquisitor Efa Lavellan." The Herald's voices boomed across the ball room. "Accompanied by Ser Cullen Stanton Rutherford, Commander of the Inquisition forces."
Efa could see on either side, ladies clamouring to the front to see the Commander. Her Commander. She hated this already, somehow it was worse that last time, looking at their lecherous faces. They made their way across the hall towards the Empress and Marquise.
"Inquisitor." Celene greeted her cordially. "Welcome back to Halamshiral, how wonderful it is to have you with us again."
"Your Majesty!" Efa curtsied. "The honour is all mine, We are glad to be here on happier terms."
"Hopefully you stay will not end in assassination this time." The Marquise dipped slightly in greeting.
"I agree." Celene indicated for her to follow. Efa released Cullen's arm who bowed and retreated in the direction of Josephine, happy to disappear into the crowd. Briala stepped back with another dip of her head, allowing them to pass towards the balcony.

"Congratulations on your defeat of Corypheus Inquisitor." Celene continued once they were out of immediate earshot.
"I could not have done it without the support of your armies." Efa tried to remember all of the diplomatic suggestions Josephine had given to her to say. "They were instrumental to our success in the Arbor Wilds."
"My debt to you has been repaid, however our alliance still stands strong." Celene smiled at her.
"I am glad to hear of that Your Majesty." Efa fumbled with the sleeves on her dress.
"And I must say it was bold of you to enter with your Commander as such." Celene reached out and took hold of Efa's left hand raising it slightly. She flinches at the initial contact, Celene's soft skin feeling strange against her, the nerves stinging for the briefest of moments.
"I would not think it strange to enter with the man I am involved with?" Efa looked at her confused.
"And yet you wear no ring?" Celene tutted. "In the eyes of the court you are both fair game, a prize too be won."
"You may tell your court they are barking up the wrong tree." Efa said, anger lacing her words. She pulled her hand from Celene's fingers gasping softly when she realised what she had said. "Forgive me that was-"
"Honest." Celene gave a demure smile. "Perhaps assassination is not off the tables yet."
"The night is still young."

They returned to the ballroom and festivities, Efa seeking the first comforting face she could find. As she sidled up beside Alistair and Briallen she looked at her hand. They had talked about the life they wanted outside of the Inquisition, about where they would live, and having children. But the more she thought about it, marriage had barely been mentioned. Was that in their future? She rubbed her thumb over her ring finger, wondering what it would be like to have a ring. She was lost in thought so badly that she missed the first time Alistair spoke to her.

"Efa?" He asked again.
"Oh! Sorry!" she dropped her hands and looked at him. "You asked something?"
"Would you like to dance?" Alistair smiled and held out his hand to her. "Bri has been sworn to remain off the dance floor for the duration of the visit but I do so love to dance. Might I persuade you to join me?"
"I'd be delighted."

Thankful of the distraction, she took his hand, joining the already bustling floor. Together they melded into the throng of dancing couples, Alistair guiding her easily into the movements.
"Are you well?" Alistair asked as he guided her through a turn. "You seem out of sorts when you appeared."
"It's nothing." She smiled. "Nothing out of the ordinary I assure you. Are you looking forward to the tournament?"
"Wholeheartedly." Alistair beamed. "I quite enjoy a good joust. Wasn't something I expected to find joy in when I became king."
"My spies report you are quite proficient." Efa said mischievously. "I hope my man is up to the challenge."
"Inquisition spies in my castle?" He feigns horror. "Who gave me away? I will have them punished."
"A lady never tells." Efa chuckled.

They continued to turn, Efa forgetting the unease she had felt when speaking to the Empress. She spied Cullen on the balcony above watching her with Briallen, both of them smiling lovingly at their partners dancing below. When the song ended, she made to leave the dance floor with Alistair and make her way back to him. She smiled at Rosalie in her pale pink gown curtsying to Krem, she was surprised to see the Tevinter warrior so nimble on his feet. Nearing the edge of the floor she was almost free, relief flooded her when a hand tapped her on the shoulder.
"Inquisitor?" The cold blue eyes of Sebastian Vael met her. "Might I have this dance?"
"Forgive me I was just-"
"I insist." He tugged on her hand pulling her into his arms. She bit back her frown, hiding it behind a pleasant smile as she places a hand on his shoulder.

"You must forgive my earlier blunder," He lead her back into the middle of the floor. "I had heard you were sisters but not realised you were-"
"Twins?" Efa interrupted, calming the annoyance building inside her at the situation she found herself in. "Its not common knowledge we have never been seen together in polite society."
"Because you are elvhen?" Sebastian tilted his head at her. "You are dalish correct?"
"Because we have been fighting a war." Efa raised her eyebrows at him, ignoring the comment on her heritage. "Or had you forgotten?"
"Of course not. That is why we are here." He was taken back slightly at the comment. "I was surprised to see that the King of Ferelden was invited, they did not offer you armies like Orlais?"
"No but the Queen herself was present at the final battle." Efa said proudly. "Without her there would be no victory."
"And as a reward you put her on the throne of Ferelden?" Sebastian smirked at her.
"I had nothing to do with that." Her brow furrowed. "Why would you think I had?"
"An elf now rules side by side with the Empress." Sebastian span her around unexpectedly. "And now on the Ferelden throne, I can only wonder which throne you set your sights on next."
"I do no such thing." Efa recovered from the unexpected movement.
"Oh really?" He raised an eyebrow. "I find that hard to believe."
They continued to move around the room, watched anxiously by Cullen. Efa wanted to leave, but with everyone's eyes no doubt on her in the middle of the dance floor as was likely Sebastian's intention, she was trapped.

"I uncovered several truths when I was last here." Efa spoke carefully. "What the Empress did with that information was her doing not mine. My job is to remain unbiased."
"Unbiased? And your sister?" Sebastian barked a laugh at her. "You truly expect people to believe that is not personal?"
"My sister travelled with Alistair when they were Wardens." Her smiled slipped into a scowl, her irritation resurfacing. "They saved the world together and it tore them apart. His Majesty made his own choice to pursue her."
She understood how it must look on the outside. But anyone who even looked at Alistair and Briallen could see nothing but the sheer adoration he held for his wife. Alistair could have been anyone, a farmer, a stable boy or merchant, she would have encouraged her sister exactly as she did, without hesitation.

"I merely supported my sister marrying the man she loved. The Crown is irrelevant." She said firmly. "As to your last question I do not set my sights on any other throne to further whatever agenda you believe I may have. Unlike you I care for the people, not power."
"Unlike me?" Sebastian's smug expression turned sour. "What baseless accusation would you make of me?"
"Do you forget that you extended your hand to us asking for aid to conquer a wounded city?" Efa glowered at him. "All for the sake of an apostate that no longer resided there."
"Anders must answer for his-"
"How would taking Kirkwall further that?" She cut over him as they stopped still. The other couples continuing to turn around them.
"You forget I knew him." Sebastian hissed at her. "The Champion made a mistake sparing his life I cannot forgive."
"And as I thought then, your request is personal. You say I am the one moving my for my own gain but here you are actually doing it." Her eyebrow creased, continuing before he could remark back. "And I did know that you knew him. I had several reports on your character from reliable sources. With the information I was presented I made an unbiased decision not to pursue your request."

"If you had known him, you would have changed your mind." He was growing visibly frustrated with her, attempting to use his height to intimidate her.
"I knew him." Efa remained unfaltering, challenging his threat. "Longer than you did. I grew up in a Circle. I knew the oppression he faced. But his act does not condemn a helpless city to ambitious neighbours."
"I-"
"Mind if I cut in?" Both of them turned sharply to see Cullen, both of them wrapped up in their growing argument to notice the attention they were gathering.
"By all means." Efa looked at him gratefully taking his hand without question. "We are done here."
She didn't even look at him as she walked away with Cullen, intent on leaving the floor. She was surprised when Cullen turned her into him, grabbing her waist and pulling her in.
"Cullen?" She looked at him a smile breaking out on her face as they began to move. "You're dancing?"
"Good of you to notice." He smirked at her.
"I can hear Josie squealing with delight." Efa laughed softly, her eyes lighting up as they began to twirl.
"Josie would never make an undignified noise in public." Cullen chuckled.

The glided through the floor, his movements more fluid than the last time they had tried this, Efa wondered how long he had practised to get his movements as such. She was about to ask who had helped him, when Cullen spoken instead.
"Are you alright?" He asked. "What did Vael say to you?"
"He accused me of placing elves on thrones." Efa scowled, Cullen growled lightly.
"Says the man who wanted to invade a city for no good reason."
"That's exactly what I said."
They fell silent as the song began to lull, taking the opportunity to finally leave the floor. As expected Josephine approached them praising Cullen for his dancing and then berating Efa slightly for her standoff with the Prince. Suitably admonished, she took Efa away from Cullen, leading her towards a long line of Nobles eager to speak with her. With a sigh Efa complied.

Cullen watched her go, slinking towards the refreshments table where Dorian and Bull stood. He noted a wide area around the qunari, no-one seemed interested in approaching him. Good, Cullen thought, that might keep the handsy ladies at bay. They had already begun to circle him as he stood with Briallen, watching Efa dance with Alistair. He settled next to Dorian taking the glass of brandy without complaint. From their position he could oversee most of the activity, spying his siblings amongst the crowd seemingly enjoying themselves. When Branson caught sight of him, he came for his own refuge.
"How do you stand this?" Branson sighed.
"We don't." Cullen handed him a glass. "We drink."
"At least there are no obvious assassins lurking in the shadows." Dorian plucked a small cake from the table and popped it in his mouth.
"Several." Bull corrected him.
"Several?" Branson looked at Cullen surprised.
"Not affiliated." Bull continued. "Not a threat."

"You're sure?" Cullen eyed the room carefully looking for Efa, spying her and Josephine heading this way.
"Nobles often employ protection," Bull shrugged. "Better to be prepared then dead."
"Charming…" Branson took a swig of his drink.
"Orleasians." Dorian scowled under his breath.

Efa had grabbed his arm, dragging him away from the others when she had finally shaken Josephine. He followed without question as they made their way outside into the gardens. Efa looked around, noting the amount of people and then lead Cullen further in, moving between several bushes until they reached an unoccupied area. With a sigh she sank onto a bench.
"Something bothering you?" he asked sitting down beside her.
"It's nothing." she rested her head against his arm, enjoying the calmness of the gardens, the only light coming from the lit lanterns overhead.
"Doesn't seem like it." He pressed a little. He didn't like seeing her like this.
"These nobles are more exhausting now than they were last time." She conceded, sighing as she sat up straight again. "Do you know how many people offered marriage contracts?"

She stood up puffing her dress out as she paced, Cullen felt a pang of anger and jealousy rise in his chest. Before he could open his mouth she continued talking clearly agitated.
"It was like being shown around like a prized mare." She plucked a flower from the hedgerow, pulling at the petals. "No matter how many times you say 'you're involved', it doesn't matter to them! The Empress said the same."
"What did she say?" Cullen frowned, following her movements.
"She said it was bold of us to enter together when we show no attachment." Efa stopped and looked at him.
"How do we not show..?"
Efa held up her hand, at first Cullen was confused, until she tapped the fourth finger of her left hand.
"No ring no attachment. Are Orlesian's so fickle?" She dropped back onto the bench with him, Cullen put his arm around her and pulled her back into his side again. "But then again they don't do romance do they? It's all the fucking Game to them isn't it?"
"Do you…" Cullen trailed off nervously. "Want a ring? I know I have never asked but we've spoken about it and-"

"I don't need a ring to show off how much I love you Cullen." Efa looked up at him, her eye shining in the lamplight.
"You're sure?" Cullen looked down at her, concern still knitting his brow.
"Cullen- Ma sa'lath." She reached up to stroke his cheek, turning more to him slightly. "I gave you my heart twelve years ago, if I have to I'll make sure every bastard in this place knows it before we leave."
There was such passion now in her face. Her love for him written as plainly as any book or report that had crossed his desk.
"And I gave you mine," he lent in, his breath ghosting across her lips. "Even when I thought you were gone I never wanted it back."
He capture her lips, softly at first, insisting on showing her the depths of his affection for her. He thought about what she had said, as the kiss deepened further, would a proper proposal be something she would want? He had considered buying a ring, but with everything that had happened, there had hardly been a spare moment for him to get away to look for one. Perhaps here? He recalled from their last trip here many months ago there had been merchants within the walls selling the latest fashions. He would have to take a look, when he wasn't busy with the tournament.

Efa pressed herself against him, bringing his thoughts back to her in this moment. He held her face, biting at her bottom lip just the way she knew she liked it. She moaned appreciatively. inching closer to him, running her hands into his neatly styled hair.
"I want you." she whispered breathlessly as they pulled apart.
"Now?"
"Now."
"Here?" He felt a thrill run down his spine.
"Yes."

Cullen took her hand and pulled them up to stand. Looking around he couldn't see a suitably secluded spot, they moved quickly, deeper into the garden until they found a stone archway leading further in. Perfect. The entrance to the archway was narrow enough that it was difficult to see in from the outside, he dragged Efa through. Once hidden from view he pressed her against the wall, crushing his body against her and kissing her fiercely. He wanted to claim her just as much as she did. Her hand went straight to his breeches, tugging at the buttons to release him. He kissed along her jaw and down her neck growling annoyedly at the fabric which covered her. Breaking the kiss he turned her, letting out another frustrated noise as he looked for how to remove the garment.
"How do you get out of this?" He hissed.
"Not easily." Efa chuckled, "Do you really want to take the whole thing off Vhenan?"

She began to lift up her skirts, gathering them in front of her. Cullen smirked appreciatively as her rear came into view.
"Like this?" Cullen ran a hand up her exposed thigh before he finished pulling out his half hard cock from where she had begun to unfasten him.
"Please." she whined, pushing her hips back towards him enticingly. The fabric of her dress caught between her body and the wall as Cullen pressed back against her, his length sliding between the gap of her legs. She braced her hands against the wall he head falling back against his chest as her ran his hand between them again. His hand found her smalls, lace just like her dress from the feel of them and soaked completely.

He kissed her jaw again as he moved them aside, rubbing himself teasingly against her growing wetness until she moaned impatiently. He lined up to her entrance and pushed in, sheathing himself inside her in a single thrust.
"Creators…" She gasped, fingernails scraping against the stone wall.
"No." Culled grinned grabbing her hips. "That's all me."
She keened at the combination of his words and the rapid thrust of her hips. There was nothing gentle about his movements. He moved fast, chasing their orgasms, he could already feel her clenching around him. The angle from behind was different, something they had never tried before, something to explore again at the rate she was moaning. Hi breathing grew laboured, fingers gigging into her hips. He bit into her shoulder, lace be damned and sucked hard, hoping he could still leave a mark. She twitched around him growing tighter as she hissed in pain and pleasure. When he withdrew he snapped his hips forcibly, pleased to see the blossoming red mark growing beneath the fabric.

"Are you close?" He whispered in her ear between pants.
"Y-yes!" She groaned, her legs trembling slightly.
"Together," he growled into her neck, snaking his fingers under the folds of fabric and her smalls. It only took brushing over her sensitive clit for her to fall apart, clenching around him tightly and drawing his own from him. He stilled fully inside her, letting his orgasm wash over him, feeling her walls pulse and flutter around him. She scrambled at the wall again, breathing hard. Cullen tilted her head back again, finding her mouth and kissing her as he pulled out. She whined softly in his mouth, missing the feeling of him being inside her. With a chuckle, he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his spend from her before gently placing her smalls back in place. With a hand securely around her waist he pulled her from the wall, he skirts falling back into place, noticeably creased.

Josephine would kill them. It didn't matter if they returned to the party now dishevelled like this and mussed hair, or if they disappeared entirely. He would take the blame, kissing Efa softly as she regained the function of her legs.
"We should get out of here before Josie finds us." She hummed contentedly.
"I was just thinking the same thing." Cullen chuckled thumb brush her hair from her face, tracing over the thin scar on her cheek she bore from their last visit to these gardens. "Better to disappear than cause scandalous rumours of frolicking in the gardens."
"If we're lucky." Efa smiled, the faint blush on her cheeks lingering as they exited from the archway hand in hand.

The made it further down the path, Efa trying to recall the way to the servants entrance and gate so they could slip out unnoticed. As they moved through the hedges, stopping occasionally to kiss or hide from the rare passerby's, they came across another couple partially hidden beneath an ivy draped pergola. They snuck passed, trying to remain quiet when the woman's features caught Cullen's attentions.
"Mia!?" The woman startled, jumping away from the man she had clearly been kissing. "Rylen?! Get you hands off my sister!"
"Cullen!" Mia was flushed completely.
"C-commander!" Rylen went completely pale seeing the fury in Cullen's face. "I-"
"Get out of here Rylen before I-!"
"Cullen please calm down." Efa rushed in front of him hands on his chest to halt him as Rylen scarpered leaving Mia alone, with a final lingering gaze as he disappeared back towards the palace.
"Mia what on earth were you doing?" Cullen shrugged Efa off and stepped up to his sister, the line of his jaw twitching furiously.
"We were just kissing!" Mia huffed folding her arms across her chest.

"You are neither engaged or married you shouldn't be sneaking off-"
"Neither are yer!" She jabbed the front of his chest sharply, her own anger rising to meet him. "And yet yer both clearly look like yer were doing far worse!"
"That's-" Cullen deflated slightly. "Not the same."
"How?" She arched her eyebrow and tapped her foot at him.
"Efa and I are…" He looked back at Efa, she was staring at the flowers in the hedges. He could see the sad look on her face again as she fidgeted with her hands, thumb brushing over her ring finger once more. Efa dropped her hands and glanced at him, her expression disappearing as she forced a small sympathetic smile to her face.

"See?"
He turned back to Mia, looking at her standing indignantly.
"Rylen?" Cullen looked at her bewildered. He would never have imagined his captain and sister together.
"He's a fine man and Efa has no objections." She huffed, the blush flaring in her face again. "He has asked to court me properly."
"You knew about this?" He span his head to Efa again, shocked.
"Are you so blind at the way they've been looking at each other since the day she arrived?" Efa laughed.
"What- no?" Cullen flicked between them both. "Rylen?"
"Yes Rylen." Mia rolled her eyes at his continued exasperation. "I do not need your permission Cullen. I am a grown woman."
"I know you are!" Cullen snapped back.
"You're friendly with him Cullen," Efa placed a hand comfortingly on his arm. "He'd make a fine match for your sister."
She was right. He didn't have to like it but at least he knew the kind of man Rylen was. Loyal, brave and he had been able to befriend him when he was at his worst. He could certainly handle Mia's strong spirit, Maker help him.
"I- If he hurts you…" Cullen looked at Mia. "I will kill him."
"I expect nothing less."

Chapter Text

Rylen paced the courtyard. Nerves flickering in his chest after he received his summons from the Commander. He had hoped to speak to him politely about Miss Mia and his growing affections, having Cullen stumble across them in the gardens the previous night had not been ideal. His head shot up as the door to the Villa opened, Cullen stepping down the marble staircase and walking towards him. Unarmed. Rylen noted with a sigh of relief.
"With me." Cullen didn't slow as he reached Rylen, walking straight passed him without so much as a glance in his direction. Dutifully, Rylen followed jogging to catch up and fall into step as he followed the determined stride of the Commander.

Cullen was silent, as he navigated through the outer villas back towards the palace. Rylen stewed, his hand trembling slightly, a bad time to have withdrawal when he was dreading the reprimand Cullen was likely to give him. But the Commander remained silent. If he was going to berate him, surely he would have done so by now. He had seen enough of Cullen's temper stemming all the way back to the day they had met. Something else was up, and that only worsened the sinking feeling in his stomach.

"Ahh." Cullen mumbled after a while suddenly changing direction. Rylen almost tripped over his foot trying to keep up.
"Ser?" Rylen asked cautiously, looking at where Cullen had led him. He was surprised to see they had entered a small market of sorts, buildings with fashion wares littering the windows and walls.
"We're not on duty." Cullen kept his eyes forward. "No formalities."
Shit. Rylen rubbed his hands trying to stem the shake. If they were not on business, then this was about Mia.
"Withdrawal?" Cullen stopped. Rylen's agitation had not gone unnoticed.
"Mild." Rylen dropped his hands. "Manageable."
"I hope it will not affect your performance later." Cullen placed a hand on his shoulder carefully. "I would not have you disappoint my sister."

"You're not angry with me?" Rylen looked at him startled.
"Oh furious." Cullen barked a laugh, clapping him on the shoulder. "But I fear my sisters wrath more. She can be a handful. Even when we were kids."
"You approve?" He was shocked.
"I have little say in the matter Rylen." Cullen released his shoulder when Rylen shook him off, the feeling of withdrawal abating. Satisfied he was okay, they continued onwards. "Mia, as she said 'is a grown woman'. What she does, and who she does it with is her own decision."
"I- I don't know what to say." Rylen couldn't believe what he was hearing. "I thought you were going the flay me alive with how you were last night."
"I may have overreacted." Cullen rubbed the back of his neck. "I have a tendency to do that."
"Oh I don't know!" Rylen laughed. "I've never seen you overreact to anything. You were perfectly normal and calm the day you found out Efa was alive."
"Rylen-"
"Only broke six training dummies." He continued. "That's two less than the Seeker's record-"
"I will break you if you don't shut up." Cullen growled threateningly.

"I jest." Rylen stopped laughing. "Thank you Cullen. I appreciate you accepting this. I had planned to speak to you if Mia had accepted me. I thought you deserved to hear it from me directly."
"There are worse ways for people to find out you're involved." Cullen headed towards a store, finally finding the one he was looking for.
"Ahh yes." Rylen tailed after him. "The lightning incident."
He dodged Cullen's fist, anticipating the reaction. Cullen scowled at him before turning and walking into the small building. Rylen followed, staying out of reach, he was surprised to see that they had entered what appeared to be a jewellery store.

"What are we even doing here?" Rylen looked around confused. It was still early, by Orleasian standards. Aside from the owner the only other occupant was an elvhen servant collecting a package.
"I'm looking for a ring." Cullen mumbled, his ears tinging red.
"A ring? I thought you and the Inquisitor were already..?" He waved his hand hoping Cullen would catch his meaning.
"Yes… And no."
"Care to explain?" Rylen joined him at the ring display.
"We know we want to." Cullen sighed, eyes raking over the neatly arranged bands. "But I've never- I've never asked directly."
"Why now?" Rylen shook his head at the first ring Cullen lifted.
"These nobles are circling her like shes prey." He growled. "The way she looked last night, I've never seen her like that before."
"You haven't made an official announcement." Rylen pointed to a set of bands in the top row. "I can see why they would think that. When do you plan to ask?"
"After the tournament?" Cullen picked up another ring, gold, twisted filigree and a large emerald set between two smaller ones. "I don't want her to think I am doing this because of the comments. I want her to know it comes from me."

"If you are looking for an engagement ring that is a fine one Ser." The owner walked over, having finished with his orders. "There are wedding bands that compliment nicely if you are interested."
Cullen nodded, looking at the selection, picking out the ones he wanted, the ones he thought she would like. He paid for the bands, watching the lady fit them into boxes for safe keeping. He nodded to the owner and followed Rylen out of the door.
"Thank you," Cullen said once outside, tucking the boxes into his inner pocket.
"Thank you for not killing me." Rylen laughed.
"Break my sister's heart and I might still yet." Cullen gave him a cold hard stare.
"I have no intention of." Rylen twitched out of habit.

They walked back to the villa, conversation turning to the tournament set to start later that morning. They found Efa on the front step waiting for them, seeing her long before she could hear them.
"You know, if I marry your sister, that would make you my brother." Rylen stopped. "And the Inquisitor would be-"
"Your sister." Cullen paused with him. "You might have to call her by her actual name then".
"Maker forbid…"

"I swear if one more person comes up to claim they will win in my name I might actually set something on fire."
"Don't let the Empress here you say that." Briallen chuckled, walking arm in arm with her sister as they made their way towards the Empresses pavilion.
"I am not opposed to scandalising the entire court." Efa huffed.
"Why won't they leave you alone?" Isolde trotted along side them. "Don't they know how much you love Uncle Cullen?"
"When did you start calling him that da'len?" Efa looked at her surprised.
"Aren't you getting married?" Isolde tilted her head at her.
"Yes." Efa sighed. "But since we aren't yet, these people think they have a chance."
"Then they're bloody idiots."
"Isolde!" Briallen scolded. "Watch your words."

Efa suppressed a chuckle when Isolde stuck her tongue out at her, running to the other side to take Efa's hand out of the immediate sight of her mother. She was glad to see her niece had not lost any of her spirit. She missed her presence dearly in Skyhold. Having almost single handedly raising her, she felt the loss of her presence keenly. While Oscar was wonderful, he did not replace the gap Isolde had left, even Cullen had missed her and their chess games they had been playing.

"Inquisitor. Your Majesty." Another voice interrupted them as they walked. Efa tried not to groan, recognising the sadly familiar accent of Sebastian.
"Your Highness." Briallen smiled, Isolde eyed him warily.
"Your Highness." Efa smiled through gritted teeth. "To what do we owe the pleasure? Should you not be preparing your men to compete?"
"I simply wished to offer a hand of friendship once more." Sebastian held out his hand. "I do not believe we have started on the best terms."
"And who's fault is that." Efa was glad her hands were occupied. "You were the one who began firing accusations at me on the dance floor."
"An error in judgement." Sebastian pulled his hand back and placed it on his heart. "I sincerely wish to spend more time with you, if you will afford me another chance."
"I am afraid my schedule is already fully booked for my visit," she feigned looking behind him. "And the Empress is waiting for us, presently."
"Then permit me to sit with you at dinner this evening."

Efa had to resist rolling her eyes, the thought of spending the dinner with him by her side sickened her.
"You are aware that the honour of sitting by me is reserved for the tournament winners?" Efa smiled sweetly. "And as far as I am aware your category is not until tomorrow. Now if you'll excuse us I do not wish for my sister to remain on her feet so long."
"It is terribly trying in ones condition you understand." Briallen fanned herself, the movement overly exaggerated as they began to step around him. Once more leaving him standing alone and cut off.
"I thought you were joking when you said how invasive he was." Briallen scowled once they were out of earshot. "He's a complete and utter arseho-"
"'Watch your words'!" Isolde chide back at her mother, half singing the words as she twisted on Efa's arm playfully.
Efa chuckled. They reached the pavilion finally without further interruptions. Greeting the Empress and Briala before taking their seats either side. Just to the side she could see Josephine glaring at her. She had told her everything the Prince had said to her during their dance, her Ambassador had warned her to play nice. She was trying, but it was hard, every time that man walked up to her she wanted nothing more but to punch him. She twisted her face back at Josephine, shrugging nonchalantly, it was going to be a long few days if it continued like this.

The arena lay before them several competitors were practising against their comrades. The braver or foolish ones took turns approaching the pavilion, seeking the Inquisitors favour, claiming to prove their worth by besting her forces. She smiled politely and dismissed them.
"This is ridiculous." Isolde mumbled. "Uncle Cullen needs to-"
She was silenced by another scathing look from her mother. The Empress, to Efa's relief, chuckled delicately.
"In a few years it will be your turn little Princess." She tilted her head at Isolde.
"I'm not a princess." Isolde folded her arms across her chest. "And I wont be offered up to stuffy lords as sport."
"Isolde!" Briallen hissed. "Forgive her Your Majesty, this world is new to her."
"Do not apologise." Celene turned back to the arena. "She is young, there is still time for her to change her mind."
"Not likely." Isolde huffed and slumped in her chair.

"Auntie Efa!" Oscar jumped up from the box near where they sat, waving furiously over Josephine's head. Efa rose from her chair, walking over to where the other Rutherford's were taking place with the remaining Inquisition members not taking part. She lifted Oscar into her arms and gave him a big cuddle.
"There's my special man!" she smiled brightly. "Are you looking forward to seeing your Uncle Cullen win some fights?"
"Yes!" Oscar bounced in her arms.
"Alright ye, come here!" Branson scooped him out of her arms. "Give me a squidge before I go down to yer Uncle."
"You're going to wait with Cullen?" Efa looked at Branson eagerly.
"Aye, he asked me down." He looked worried for a moment. "Should I not?"
"No it's perfectly fine!" She reassured him as he put Oscar down. "I was wondering if you mind relaying him a message for me?"
"Sure," he looked relieved. "Not a problem at all."

Efa sat back in her seat, waiting patiently as the procession of combatants began. She had warned Josephine at least this time, on what she was about to do. The antivan sighing in dismay but secretly smirking at her when she returned to her place beside the Empress. she watched as the joust competitors passed, Alistair seated proudly and waving to the crowd, ensuring he stopped before Briallen to salute his Queen. Rylen passed not long after, Efa saluted to him as he passed, the captain returning the gesture before his eyes shifted to Mia. He looked dashing out of his normal armour, Josephine had been busy ensuring he had a brand new set that would stand out and she had delivered.

Following them came the sword combatants. Efa sat up straighter watching them proceed, banners of all nations flying as they walked through. At the back coming out last she saw Cassandra and Cullen, both of them walking proudly, Cassandra carrying their banner. They both wore the same look, anticipation of doing what they knew best: hitting things. Along each fence surrounding the arena, ladies clamoured, holding out scarves and handkerchiefs, desperately trying to get the Commander's attention. The display only made Efa more pleased with what she was about to do. Cullen paused in front of the pavilion, instead of turning to follow the Seeker, he bowed his head to her. This time, she did not salute as she had to Rylen. She rose, pulling the loosened ribbon from her hair, before stepping forward and winding it around the gauntlet he offered to her over the fence.
"Was this really necessary?" He spoke softly, a blush visible on his cheeks.
"I told you." She replied so only he could hear. "I'll make sure every bastard in this place knows that you are mine."
Her eyes darkened dangerously, any normal man would feel fear under such a gaze, but not him. He felt emboldened, taking her hand before it withdrew and kissing it gently.
"Ar lath ma vhenan." He smirked, releasing her had and returning to Cassandra. Her green ribbon standing out against the silver of his armour. She returned to her seat, feeling smug with herself.

"You certainly know how to rile up a crowd dear Inquisitor." Briala chuckled observing the venomous looking ladies, staring at her..
"Plenty have asked me for a token," Efa smoothed the fabric of her dress. "I gave it to whom I deemed worthy."
"Worthy indeed." Celene commented. "And now the others know who it is they have to beat for your attention."
"They can try." Briallen laughed. "No-one has swayed her attention from him in over a decade."
"A decade?" Somehow Efa could tell despite the mask, Celene raised an eyebrow at her. "And yet you are not married?"
"It's complicated." Efa deflected.

Cullen smiled beneath his helmet, his new armour matching that of Rylen and Cassandra. He looked down at the ribbon, tied tightly in place and gripped the blunted sword in his hand. He stepped back out to the arena preparing for his first match, Branson clapping him on the back as he went, shouting encouragement at him. Cassandra passed him, having claimed her first victory to a Ferelden knight. She had knocked the poor mans helmet off and sent him face first into the dirt. They tapped shields together, she nodded pulling her helmet off as she took a breather heading back to watch his match.

Fighting was something Cullen always prided himself on. He had trained with a sword in hand every day for nearly twenty years. He looked at the Chevalier in front of him, his Orleasian mask obnoxious to Cullen's eyes. He set his stance, centring himself waiting for the flag to drop. He took a calming breath, drowning out the sound around him. All that mattered was the fight. When the flag dropped her sprang forward, the Chevalier defending against his advance. The man was skilled, but he was a follower, not a leader. Cullen was able to pick at his weaknesses and exploit them, four blows landed in rapid succession. He defended the retaliation, sword landing on his raised shield. He dropped low and came up swinging knocking the man clean off his feet, dropping his sword. Blade to throat he yielded.

The matches continued, he observed the winners checking to see if there were any real threats. Only one he spied that looked like they may be a problem. He watched them decimate their opponent, walking back off the pitch and pulling their helmet off releasing carefully braided red hair. Cullen did a double take, not because it was a woman who had won so effortlessly, but because he knew her.
"Guard-Captain Aveline?" He called to her as she drew near.
"Knight-Commander." she nodded, "Or it's just Commander now these days right?"
"You look well." He returned the gesture. "I hadn't realised anyone from Kirkwall was competing?"
"You mustn't have looked hard enough then Commander," she scowled at him. "Our banner flew just in front of yours. Or did you only have eyes on your Inquisitor."
"I-" he blushed furiously. He had forgotten how straight forward she was, but at the same time that made her easy to converse with. Like him, she liked to get things done.
"Still awkward off the battlefield?" She laughed. "But you look well, last time I saw you you looked like you were ready to meet the Maker."
"Varric said the same thing."

"Where is that annoying dwarf? Is he here?" Aveline looked around. "I have a bone to pick with him."
"He is." Cullen nodded. "I think he was talking to Cassandra."
"The Seeker who dragged him out of Kirkwall?" Aveline's eyes narrowed. "I saw her competing."
"One and the same." Cullen rubbed his chin. "Believe it or not they're friends now.
"Bullshit!" Aveline spat. "She kidnapped him!"
"I know." Cullen chuckled. "I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it for myself."
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to cross blades with her." Her eyes narrowed. "We've needed Varric this last year. Without Hawke either its been- Hard."
"Kirkwall lost a lot of good people when the war began." Cullen sighed. "But there were other places they were needed."
"Hmmp." Aveline scowled. "You absconded with half the Templars and left us high and dry."
"I couldn't stay." Cullen defended. "Not after everything."
"And so we suffered." Aveline looked at him.
Cullen looked away, eyes cast over to Efa sitting in the royal pavilion, fingers twirling the ribbon tied around his wrist. He had doubted his choice at first, when Cassandra had recruited him, he knew he left Kirkwall vulnerable. But now over a year later, seeing Efa sat there with a smile on her face, he would never regret his decision.

Branson hovered anxiously beside him, watching what was probably the fiercest battle yet in the entire competition. To the other side Varric's hands gripped the fence, his brow furrowed as he watched the two women battle it out. Aveline gave no quarter, still holding her grudge against the Seeker, and well Cassandra was Cassandra. Any insult to her would have her riled up in an instant. To the crowd it just looked like two female warriors battling for supremacy. But to Cullen and Varric? They knew it was personal. Cullen lent towards him slightly.
"You know they're fighting about you right?"
"I'm aware." The dwarf sighed. "Aveline has been bitter at my absence. She's reminded me in all her letters."
"She wants you to go back." It wasn't a question.
"Yeah…" Varric rubbed his chin. "Now that Corypheus is well and truly dealt with I'm running out of reasons to stay. I don't want to-"
"Efa will understand." Cullen could tell what he was thinking. "Kirkwall is where Mari's home is too. She'd offer anything she could to help you rebuild."
"I know that." Varric's eyes followed the fight still, wincing as Aveline landed a hard blow. "Oh that's gonna leave a bruise."
"What about Cassandra?" Cullen pried cautiously.
"What about her?" Varric's eyes continued to observe the fight.

"You. Dishevelled. Bite marks." Cullen couldn't help the sly grin on his face. "Leaving her room at daybreak?"
"Shit Curly." Varric groaned. "You saw that?"
"Oh yeah." Cullen clapped his shoulder. "Always an early riser."
"I presume that means Stormcloud knows…" Varric groaned "I guess now we're even."
"Seeing you leave a woman's room thoroughly ravished does not compare to blasting down the door and running in armed to shoot."
"I am never going to forget the look on your face..."
"You didn't answer my question." Culled nudged him gently, watching the lady in question send Aveline tumbling backwards, victory seemingly close.
"We haven't talked about it." Varric folded his arms. "I don't know what she wants from me anymore-"

The crowd gasped and erupted in cheers. Both men froze as Cassandra lay on her back sword to throat. Aveline panted above her, the final moments of the fight had gone by in a blur. Aveline had tumbled, Cassandra had pounced and the Guard-Captain had taken that to her advantage, grabbing and swinging the Seeker over her until her back met the ground.
"Damn." Varric deflated, surprised in his voice.
"She lost…" Cullen looked equally shocked. "She's going to be pissed."
"Oh yeah." Varric sighed pushing stray hairs back from his face. "Better go offer myself as a punching bag for her."
"Good luck with that." Cullen smirked as Varric retreated to where Cassandra was leaving the field. Branson, who had been watching the fight avidly turned to Cullen.
"You're going to be fight her next?"
"Indeed." Cullen grabbed his helmet from the side. "Hopefully she doesn't hold as big of a grudge against me as she does Cassandra."

Efa sat on the edge of her seat, Cassandra's defeat at the Kirkwall Guard-Captain made her worry. Not just for Cassandra's wounded pride but for the upcoming fight. Cullen stood poised and ready, blunted sword in hand and shield gripped firmly. Aveline soaked in the cheers from her last win her sword pointed to Cullen as they waited for the match to begin.

Efa watched as his visor dropped, steadying his stance as the flag rose. Aveline struck first, Cullen anticipated the move and raised his shield to block. She tried to feint, her swing changing direction but Cullen matched her easily. He had been watching her, not just in the arena but he had years of working along side her. He pushed he onto the back foot landing a blow to her chest, she growled frustratedly. She hadn't changed, but Cullen on the other hand, he had adapted. He had trained with Rylen, with Cassandra, and with Iron Bull and his Chargers. He had learned new ways to focus his skills, to break away from his Templar training, skills Aveline would not have seen.

Breaking left, he took her by surprise, attacking with his shield first and knocking her off balance. His sword arm came flying forward in a flurry of strikes, connecting with her helmet and chest plate in one after another. He could hear whooping in the crowd, the unmistakable booming voice of Iron Bull. He felt a surge of pride and continued forward, but Aveline would not back down, she met him head on swooping low to take him by surprise. He took the momentum rolling over her back and landing crouched, swinging his leg out to land on her exposed back.

From the stands Cassandra laughed, watching as Aveline went flying. A year ago he would never have pulled a move so crass, as he would say. She was glad to see him let loose, and even gladder to see the Guard-Captain face down in the dirt.
"That's our Curly." Varric smiled beside her. "I dare say you rubbed off on him Seeker."
"I dare say you are right." Cassandra kept watching, not that there was much left to watch at that point. "She was a fierce opponent, I had no doubt he would win."
"She holds a lot of rage that one." Varric sighed.
"She wants you to go back to Kirkwall."
"Curly said the same thing."
"And you intend to go?"
"Kirkwall is my home." Varric looked at Cassandra, the Seeker meeting his gaze. "I can't neglect her forever."
"Perhaps I can go with you?" A faint blush tinged her cheeks.

Varric wasn't sure he had heard her over the roar of the crowd. Cullen pulled Aveline to her feet, a show of camaraderie between them. She shook herself off and congratulated him as the Empress rose to her feet. The crowd quietened and Cullen stepped forward to the opening in the fence in front of her, pulling his helmet off as he did. Aveline, behind him, retreated back to the stands defeated.

"Well fought Commander Rutherford." The Empress held out her hand, Cullen knelt and took her hand, his eyes shifting to Efa as he placed a chaste kiss to her fingers. Efa shuffled uncomfortably. Not because she was jealous of the gestured, but the opposite, her eyes were blown wide with need. Cullen grinned as he rose to kneel before her.
"A win for you my Lady." He took her hand and kissed it. The lingering touch sent shivers up Efa's spine.
"A victory for the Inquisition." Efa smiled, maintaining her composure. "I had no doubt Commander."
Cullen rose and backed away, bowing once more to the Empress before he returned to the competitors circle to change.

"What a wonderful start to the competition." Briala commented.
"Indeed." Celene did not return to her seat. "We shall break for a brief repast before the tournament shall continue."
The Marquis rose to take the Empresses arm, leaving the pavilion towards where her tent had been set out with a grand buffet, Efa hesitated as Briallen looked at her.
"Are you joining us?" Her sister raised an eyebrow at her.
"I am.." Efa blushed faintly, "Going to check on Cassandra."
"Sure you are." Briallen winked at her before following the Empress, Isolde skipping ahead.

"Efa." Cullen hissed. "If anyone catches us…"
His words warbled into a deep moan as Efa continued to work her mouth against his length. She had found him, barely out of his armour and pounced on him immediately. He was at her mercy as her mouth found his, her hands quickly working the laces of his trousers until she hand him hard and eager in her hand. When she dropped to he knees, he almost crumbled, his reward she had said. He gripped the sides of the table that held his wash basin, desperate not to thread his fingers into her hair, there was still the joust and Efa had an image to maintain.
"Efa…" He moaned again. He tried to keep quiet, the sound of people passing by heated his skin. It should not have excited him as much as it did, but how could he not be? Looking down to see the Inquisitor servicing him in ways that would make every Chantry Sister faint. He would not last, his orgasm built quickly, his hand flying to his mouth to silence his cry as it slammed into him. He didn't have a chance to warn Efa, she spluttered slightly as his spend hit her mouth but she did not pull back until he slumped against the bench.

She let him fall from her mouth as he softened, she wiped at her mouth catching the drops that had spilt out of her mouth when she had startled.
"Fuck." Cullen finally breathed.
Efa rose chuckling, her hands carefully tucking him back into his breeches.
"I had better get back before they miss me." She reached up on her tiptoes to kiss the corner of her mouth.
"You're just going to leave?" Cullen looked at her flabbergasted. "What about you?"
"That was enough satisfaction for me Commander."

Efa ducked out of the tent laughing to herself as she made her way back to the Empress and her sister. Briallen narrowed her eyes at her as she took a large swig of wine, letting it rinse the taste of Cullen from her mouth. She smirked back, her sister rolling her eyes with a knowing smile. After they had eaten it was back to the pavilion and Briallen's turn to be on the edge of her seat as the King began to compete. Efa was impressed, Isolde had not been wrong when she had told her Alistair was skilled, but so too was Rylen. The Starkhaven Captain was tearing through the competition, Efa could see Mia gripping the fence each time he rode to participate, her cheers louder than everyone's with each lance he broke.

As the afternoon wore on it was battling down to the finals. Each sister abandoning their seats to stand against the fences. Briallen stood gripping Isolde's hand tightly as the final match began. On the other side, Efa stood her hand clasped over the divider of the pavilion to the Inquisition's box, Mia buzzing anxiously. The Herald stepped forward.
"For the final match of the mounted joust, presenting His Royal Majesty King Alistair Theirin of Ferelden. Hero of the Fifth Blight." The Herald announced to thunderous cheers. Alistair waved to them, as he walked out to mount his horse. He bowed to his queen before putting on his helmet, sliding gracefully into the saddle as he waited for his opponent.
"And facing him Ser Rylen Gracey of Starkhaven," The Herald continued. "Captain of the Inquisition forces."
More cheers followed Rylen to the field, he waved just like Alistair, taking his position at the far end. Efa could see Cullen and Cassandra behind him, no doubt shouting encouragements to him as his visor dropped. He gripped the lance in his hand, the would painted green and black like the uniform his surrounding scouts wore.

"First to three lances!"

A young squire walked out to the centre of the fence, holding the white flag steady. He looked to each rider, awaiting their confirmation as being ready. Satisfied with each lance raised he with drew the flag with a flourish, scarpering back as Alistair and Rylen urged their horses into a gallop. Mia's breath caught as Rylen came hurtling down the line, lance dropping into striking position. Wood splintered, cheers roared, Rylen reached the end of the line pulling his horse to a halt and tossing the broken lance to the side to be recovered. Efa could hear his curses as he brushed splinters from the creases of his armour. She looked to Alistair dropping his own broken lance and turning to make his way back to the start.

"A point each dammit." Mia cursed, squeezing Efa's hand.
"I think this will be close." Efa grimaced. "They're both skilled."
"The King doesn' hold back." Rosalie had joined them in the corner. "But the Cap'ain has a good hold in his saddle."
"Starkhaven pride themselves on their horsemanship." Efa agreed. "Alistair would have to hit him real hard to unseat him. I don't see that happening."

Second lance in hand, the flag came out. Rylen was poised, his hand gripping the reigns tightly in his hands. Alistair watched the flag, yelling loudly as it rose to gain the speed he needed. Efa watched as lances locked into place, angle tilted up.
"He's going for the head…" Efa gasped.
"They both are." Briallen added, her eyes fixed as the men clashed once more. Wood splintered in all directions.
"Maker's breath!" Rosalie gasped.
Rylen groaned as he approached, pulling to a stop. He pulled off his helmet, gasping to breathe.
"Rylen!" Efa shouted. "Are you alright!?"
"He hits like a trebuchet Inquisitor." Rylen smiled waving off her concern. "We have endured worse."
With a smile to Mia he replaced his helmet trotting back up the fence as Alistair passed him.

"Three lances equal." The Herald shouted. "First to score ahead."
Two more lances ground to pieces as the joust continued, the Captain and the King meeting each other blow for blow.
"This could go on forever." Briallen bit her lip nervously. "They're evenly matched, and anticipating each others moves."
Efa frowned, her own worry sinking in. On the last round she had seen the shake in Rylen's hand as he threw away his lance. The gesture one she had seen often in Cullen when the lyrium called to him.
"You can do this Rylen!" She shouted. "You're better than that stuff!"
Rylen looked at her nodding as her as he went for his next lance, determination radiating off him.
"Quite fierce defenders you both have." Celene commented, sipping her wine slowly. "I wonder which will take victory."
"Quite right." Briala agreed. "Which will tire first I wonder?"

The crowd cheered louder as the next run began, Alistair pushed through harder than he had before, Rylen pulled back that little further. When they clashed, Alistair threw all of his strength into the blow, his tip splintering against Rylen's chest plate. Rylen dropped his lance not before the tip had broken against Alistair's helmet, the Captain had lifted upwards at the last moment. A sure victory for Rylen, had the blow not caught him with more force than he had anticipated. He grabbed the reigns with both hands tugging backwards, his horse squealing and rearing up. Rylen tried to shift his balance but the blow took them both sending them towards the ground.

Mia screamed in horror as they fell, Efa gasped, eyes wide. The crowd was silent, watching as Rylen met the dirt, his horse rolling and neighing harrowingly as it tried to right its self. Gasps rang out as the mare rose on shaky legs, her rider still sat in the saddle. Two flags raised on Rylen's side, and for Alistair, one.

"Captain Rylen wins by a lance!"

Efa did not cheer. Her eyes remained fixed on Rylen as he slumped in the saddle. He had not been unhorsed, but he did not appear to be moving.
"Rylen!"
She ignored Josephine's protests as she vaulted the fence. Cursing the skirts she wore as she hiked them up, running across the arena. Alistair rode round, jumping from the saddle of his horse to grab the reigns keeping the horse steady as Efa reached up to unbuckle and pull his helmet off.

"Rylen!" She called to him. Nothing. His breath was short and laboured. She looked at Alistair, panicked and to Cullen and Cassandra as they rushed to their aide. "I need a healer!"

Chapter Text

Efa paced the hallway, certain there was going to be a groove in the marble with how long they had waited. Rylen was alive, but no amount of armour could protect him from the combined force of Alistair's hit and the weight of his horse falling on him. Rosalie, as an Inquisition healer, had joined the Empresses healers at Efa's insistence. Mia sat trembling, her brothers either side, holding her hands as they waited. Despite his victory, no one celebrated. Not while it was uncertain what his condition was. Josephine flitted about nervously, coming and going as she relayed messages of condolences from the nobles. Efa almost told her to bugger offer, her agitation rising the longer they were left to stew.

"His Highness wishes to offer his sympathies." Josephine had returned once more. This time bearing a message from Sebastian. Efa turned anger in her face ready to say something Josephine would surely berate her for when the door opened and Rosalie stepped out. All eyes turned to her, Mia and the others standing as Rosalie looked around them all.
"He's awake." A collective sigh sank through them all. "He had several broken ribs and took a large blow to the head. The mage healers have attended him as best they can, he will need rest but he is in no immediate danger."
"Thank the Maker!" Mia gasped rushing forward to hug her sister.
"Thank you Rosie." Efa smiled gratefully.
"Yer can go see him." Rosalie smiled at her. "He wer asking fer yer."

Mia nodded nervously, Efa took her hand and lead her to the door, waiting as the other healers exited with a nod. Inside the smell of elfroot permeated the air, Rylen lay in the bed, agony on his face. When he saw Mia he grimaced, attempting to sit himself up.
"Lay easy soldier." Cullen warned him, following behind. "That was some fall."
"Commander." He groaned laying back down. "Mia…"
Mia dropped into the chair at his bedside, taking his hand and kissing it gently. Cullen stepped behind Efa, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"You had me so worried!" Mia tried to wipe the tears from her eyes.
"I'll be fine." Rylen tried to laugh. "They tell me I won?"
"Aye by a lance." Cullen chuckled. "Had the King unseated you he would have taken you."
"Takes more than a stick to unhorse a Starkhavener." He grinned sheepishly.
"You're built of stern stuff Rylen." Efa perched herself on the side of the bed. "I'm just glad you're alright."
"I'd never let you down my Lady."
"Efa please." She shook her head. "This is no time for that title nonsense."
"I'll try." He tried another chuckle, hissing as pain tore through him. Mia squeezed his hand, concern over her face as she shuffled closer, her free hand reaching up to cup his cheek softly.

"We should let you rest." Efa rose again squeezing his shoulder. "Mia you will be staying?"
"If that's alright?" She looked at Cullen.
"Of course." Cullen smiled. "Between you and Rosie I am sure he will be well cared for."
"If you need anything you know where to find us." Efa gave him a final smile before she followed Cullen from the room.
"Unstoppable those Starkhavener's." Cullen rubbed his chin as Rosalie closed the door to his room.
"Speaking of…" Josephine's face jumped in front of them again. "His Highness-"
"Josie please..!" Efa cried out. "Tell Sebastian politely to fuck off!"
Josephine flinched and opened her mouth to speak but Efa continued, her irritation finally boiling over.
"Actually, don't be polite about it. Tell him to shove his poncy sympathies up his arse."
"Inquisitor please let me-"
"What?" Efa snapped, arms folded as she looked up at Josephine. Cullen reached for her arm to sooth her.
"With Ser Rylen being out of commission," Josephine pursed her lips. "He has asked as the leader of his nation to sit with you at-"

"No." Efa said firmly, her voice rising several levels. "I have already told him no. Who does he think he is! Offering condolences with one breath then trying to wriggle his way into something he does not deserve. If he cared as a leader for his subject he would be here! But he isn't!"
"I understand." Josephine took the assault admirably. "However the seat will remain empty next to you in Ser Rylen's absence if he is not well enough-"
"Josephine, you know I am not angry at you…"
"I know my lady."
"Anyone," Efa begged her. "Anyone but him."
"I will do my best." Josephine nodded.
"If you have to cause a scandal I don't care."
"I am sure it will not come to that."

Josephine dipped her skirts and left, Efa took several breaths as Cullen wrapped his arms around her. She let him comfort her, to help her calm down from her outburst. She rested her head against his chest and inhaled his scent. She was done with Sebastian's constant nagging, he had insulted her and her sister, he wanted something from her and she didn't know what. Nor did she want to find out. She would rather fight Corypheus again than stomach sitting with him at dinner. She sighed, melting into Cullen's arms, remembering that she would have him beside her regardless.
"At least tonight I'll have you by my side." She smiled. "My Champion."

Sebastian strode with purpose into the dining hall. He was determined to claim the seat at her side, something about her was strikingly familiar, but try as he might he couldn't place his finger on it. He desperately wanted to speak to her more, to set the records straight with her. Whoever she had spoken too had obviously offered a biased report. Likely the dwarf, he had always had a way with spinning the truth to his own end. He barely knew the Commander outside of the Chantry. He was devoted was he not? A Templar, an upstanding citizen, and now he had thrown it all in the sea for what? What power did she covet? Is she truly Andraste's Chosen? Is that why so many had abandoned reason and followed her?

Making his way along the table looking past the high back chairs as he approached her, the seat beside her remained empty. The Captain likely to be in bed for a few days at least. This was his chance. He cleared his throat as he approached her seat. She was smiling to the empty chair but to what exactly, Sebastian couldn't see.
"My Lady Inquisitor," he bowed deeply. Her face turned to him and she continued to smile sweetly. "Is this seat taken?"
He placed his hand on the back of the chair. Before she could answer a small face popped up, starling the Prince.
"Who are yer?!" The young boy frowned at him.
"Uh-" Sebastian stepped back.
"Oscar, please sit down." Efa said nicely, "That is Prince Sebastian."
"A Prince? Not a King?"

Efa couldn't hold her enjoyment, she could hear Cullen behind her hiding a snort in his napkin. Josephine's plan to seat Oscar at her side was perhaps the best idea she had had yet. Who could fault the curious words of a child. If he offended the Prince, there was little he could say without looking like a complete and utter ass.
"Hush now Oscar." Efa ruffled his hair affectionately as he peered around the chair at the Prince.
"Yes Auntie Efa!"
"Apologies your Highness," Efa continued to feign niceties. "Poor Oscar begged to sit with me since all of his other aunties are tending to my valiant Captain."
"Captain Rylen is so brave!" Oscar's legs banged against the underside of the chair, swinging widely in his excitement. "Auntie Efa is super nice! She let's me eat all the sweet cakes!"
"I am glad to hear he is recovering well." Sebastian swallowed his annoyance. "I will leave you to your meal."
"Perhaps tomorrow?" Efa called over the back of the chair as he began to walk away. "If you are so lucky?"
"Perhaps." He mumbled finding a seat further down the table.

Once he was gone from earshot Efa turned to Cullen, sat on her other side. "Remind me to order Josie anything she desires. Silk, coffee, wine."
"She does work wonders." Cullen laughed.
"Did you see his face?" Efa snickered watching him sit as far down the table as was possible away from her.
"Livid." Cullen agreed. "Did you talk to Sera yet?"
"Not yet," Efa grinned. "I will give her a pep talk tomorrow."
Efa looked up at Sebastian again, he was watching her talk to Cullen, she squeezed his leg under the table, before turning back to Oscar, the young boy was enjoying himself and all the food. She chatted with him, asking him all about his favourite fights, all of his praise going to to his dear uncle and the Captain. At the end of the meal he dived into her arms, full of food and sleepy. Efa was more than happy to excuse herself with him to avoid any further annoying small talk.

As she lay Oscar to bed, stroking his soft Rutherford curls she felt the pang of longing in her again. She wanted this for herself, to settle her own child. She worried she might be getting to old to have children now but oh how she desired them so. Raising Isolde had always been a wonder. She had loved her as if she was her own. And Oscar, he was just so full of joy, she was ready for her own. If only the world would let her, her thumb rubbed the same pattern over her finger. She pushed it from her mind tucking Oscar's blankets tighter around him, rising from his bed and blowing the candle out as he drifted to sleep.

"So let me get this straight?" The blond elf folded her arms. "You want me to fuck with the Prince of whatchamacallit?"
"Hes an arsehole." Efa grinned. "Isn't worth a pile of nugshite."
"And your Lady Ruffles is okay with that?"
"What Josephine doesn't know can't hurt her." Efa looked around as if expecting the antivan to appear at the mention of her name.
"And I can use any method I like?" Sera looked at her gleefully.
"Without drawing attention to yourself or the Inquisition." Efa grinned back. "Ideally."
Sera laughed rubbing her hands together, Efa could see the cogs in her head whirling rapidly as she decided what she wanted to do.
"What did he do to rub you up the wrong way?" Sera asked. "Not like I need an excuse to rub a noble shitlord up the wrong way."

"He asked the inquisition to invade Kirkwall-"
"Varric's city?" Sera scowled. "What good would that do?"
"Personal grudge, chasing Anders when he claims he is 'helping the people'." Efa shook her head annoyance riling her up again. "Kirkwall has suffered enough."
"Bet Varric loved that."
"Oh completely, and Mari." Efa grumbled. "Did you know he left her in the middle of the fall out while the Knight-Commander went on a rampage?"
"Arse."
"Then accused me of putting elves on the thrones to further my own agenda."
"Is he daft?" She rolled her eyes. "What a cock."
"Do me proud and I'll do anything you want."
"Prank Cully-Wully?" Sera looked at her with a mad glint in her eyes.
"Sure." Efa exhaled with a chuckle. "We can prank whoever you like."

Sera dashed off, no doubt running for whatever supplies she would need. Efa folded her arms watching her go. She heard footsteps behind, turning she half expected to see Cullen, but instead she was surprised to see Varric approaching.
"Varric." She smiled in greeting, lowering her arms.
"Stormcloud." he smiled back weakly. "Buttercup looked way to happy running off there. Dare I ask?"
"Promise you won't tell Josie?" Efa narrowed her eyes at him.
"I swear on my next book." Varric pressed a hand to his heart. Efa narrowed her eyes.
"I may have told Sera all of the annoying things Vael has been doing."
"Oh please tell me you're turning Buttercup loose on Choir boy?" Varric's face lit up gleefully.
"You bet Bianca I am." she couldn't help the grin that split her face in response.
They both laughed, neither knowing what to expect from the elvhen girl or the depths that Sera would go to. She was passed the point of caring for propriety.

"So," Efa recovered from her laughter. "Was there something you needed?"
"Yes actually…" Varric rubbed his chin. Efa gestured for them to walk, they set off down the path overlooking the surrounding countryside. "It's about Kirkwall."
"You want to go back." Efa smiled gently. "Cullen may have mentioned it to me last night."
"Curly tells you everything doesn't he?" Varric chuckled dryly.
"Everything." Efa smirked.
"Ergh."
"What does Cassandra think about you leaving?"
"She may have asked to come with me…"

Efa stopped.
"Are you-?" She wiggled her eyebrows.
"No? Yes?" Varric groaned. "She vexes me to no end but I want her to go with me."
"That reminds me of how Cullen and I began." Efa chuckled.
"It's hard to imagine you and Curly anything but lovey-dovey." Varric barked a laugh at her. "Even after how you started in Haven."
"Oh it's true." Efa smiled. "Sometimes love grows even from the deepest feelings of hate. When you reach an understanding between you both."

"You don't mind if we go?" Varric's expression softened.
"The Inquisition won't last forever." Efa smiled, straightening her back. "I won't say I won't miss you. Because I will. What with Rainier to the Anderfels, Vivienne back to court and well- Leliana…"
"Not to mention the little Princess." Varric patted her arm sympathetically.
"Life goes on." Efa looked at him, he could see the sadness masked behind her eyes. "That was our goal and we achieved it. Its time to rebuild, and to do that I know you have to go."
"I'll always be at the end of a pen."
"You had better Master Tethras." Efa smiled. "You know that anything you need. If I can do it I will."
"I am not going to abuse your power like Choir Boy."
"It's not abuse if it's actually benefiting the people." Efa smiled. "Have you spoke to Mari at all?"
"She want's to come back to Kirkwall," Varric fisted his hands into his pockets. "But with Anders still everyone's favourite mage she won't risk bringing him into the city, or leaving him again. Not wioth Choir boy on the prowl."

"What about Wycomb?" Efa suggested. "As my sister she would benefit from clan protection. They're used to hiding all sorts of apostate mages."
"I'll suggest it when I next speak to her."
"Good." Efa slowed her walk. "When do you plan to go?"
"Nothing is set yet." Varric sighed. "We won't leave until we're all ready."

Sera had not disappointed her.

After spending the morning putting on a brave face, the reality of her closest companions returning to the lives they lead before the Inquisition, sinking in. She now sat in her chair on the pavilion trying her best not to burst into laughter. When the Prince of Starkhaven had walked out to the firing range the crowd around had erupted into laughter. He had been called twice to no answer, just as his position would be called to forfeit, he had emerged. His pristine white armour shone brightly, but instead of the leathers he wore beneath, it was unmistakable to see that his trousers were not his own. They were not leather, or black like his shirt, but the bright shade of pink plaid she had ever seen. It was too much, Efa bit the inside of her mouth, ensuring she looked anywhere else rather than Sebastian. Or Josephine, who shot the filthiest ever look at her.

But Sera was far from done. Efa didn't know how it could get any better than this. She was glad to be proven wrong. She prayed to the Creators and even offered the Maker a few words to help her get through this. They all watched Sebastian notch his arrow to his bow, raising his arms to pull the string back. When the bow was pulled taught, Efa felt she was going to explode. The crowd facing the same way as the Empress erupted again, The Prince flinching at the sound. Isolde snorted, Alistair now sat with Briallen coughed to hide his own laughter at what appeared to be an accurately draw cock hidden out of sight on his breast plate. revealed only when he raised his arm. How she had done it, Efa didn't want to know. She could hear Iron Bull roaring with laughter, The Chargers commenting on the girth and length of the accurate detailed drawing.

The Marquis held a fan to her mouth covering her smile. Only Celene, so expertly skilled in keeping her emotions in check, seemed to be able to contain her amusement. Of course Sebastian did not know what had cause the sudden round of new hysteria. He continued to try and ignore it, to take aim and make his shot. But as the arrow loosened the arrow did not fly as intended. It almost looked like it had not been able to detach from the string of the bow. Sebastian cried out in alarm as the arrow fell short of the target, shaking the pain in his hand where his hand had snapped forward, as if it too were stuck to the bow string.

With zero points it was game over. Efa clapped politely with the crowd as they continued to holler at him. It didn't matter to her that Sera did not win. She hadn't expected the elvhen girl to want to adhere to the 'wanker noble shite'. To Efa, she was the biggest champion of them all. The Prince was not to be seen for the rest of the day. Not even the dinner that followed. It was a small relief, but yet the Prince's misfortune was all anyone could talk about, even as the grand melee to end the tournament ended. It was a chance to pit the might of the Inquisition against the finest Thedas had to offer. The Charger's gave no mercy, Efa found the way these Noble 'warriors' fled at the sight of Iron Bull coming towards them almost as laughable as Sebastian fleeing into the stands.

"You Commander has drilled his troops well." Celene nodded to her. "I only saw so much in the Arbor Wilds, but I can certainly see why you have a fondness for him."
"Commander Rutherford took but a handful of soldiers and grew an army." Efa smiled. "I cannot take credit for his appointment, he joined before I even contemplated going to Conclave."
"Still admirable that he serves so loyally." Briala added. "Templar's always are. Shame they loose themselves to lyrium."
"There are no Templar's in my forces." Efa sat proudly, her eyes roving over her men. "They have all followed Cullen's example and have been safely eliminating the need for the substance."
"A bold move against the Chantry is it not?"
"We are not bound by the Chantry," Efa kept her tone light. "My soldiers chose this path on their own. I support them wholeheartedly, and would to any wishing to free themselves from its control."
"You amuse me Inquisitor." Celene continued, rising to take their leave. "You are labelled the Herald of Andraste, the new Divine is one of your own and yet you openly disregard her faith."
"You are quite mistaken." Efa followed behind. "We all have our faiths. While I am not Andrastian, I was raised in a Circle. I respect those who follow while I worship my own Gods. Who is to say who is right?What I disagree on is enslavement of people."

"Well said Inquisitor." Celene looked back at her. "Well said indeed."

Their final day at the winter palace passed in peace. Efa glad to be in her own comfortable clothes had taken to Revas' and gone out riding with several of the others. Cullen, passing with the excuse of not adding to any more of the bruises he had from the melee, remained behind. He sat under the shade in the small garden studying the chess board in front of him. On the other side, his opponent gazed upon the pieces with fierce concentration. Isolde lifted her hand sliding the black mage several spaces before releasing the piece. Cullen raised his eyebrow at the move, smirking as she sat up straight again waiting for him to make the next move.

"So how do you like the palace?" A pawn slipped forward.
"It's boring." Isolde moved her own to block him. "I hate it."
"You hate it?" Cullen's fingers rested on the top of his queen. "Why?"
"Everyone treats me differently." She huffed, slumping down into her chair. "Not like Skyhold, everyone there was nice, let me join and help. There I can't do anything for myself."
"Are you not happy to be with your mother?" He tilted his head, moving the piece carefully across the board.
"I guess." she sat up again, figuring out her next move. "Most of the time she's with the King fussing over baby things."
"They have a lot of time to make up for." Isolde scowled at him and looked away from the board, her gaze drifting to Mia and Rylen walking slowly on the far side of the gardens. He coaxed her gently when she didn't move for a while. "Your move."

Isolde snapped her head back and sighed again. Cullen looked at her closely, she had grown over the last year, she was a few inches taller and looked healthier than the scrawny child he he ripped off Efa back in Haven over a year ago. The marks on her skin had healed, leaving the skin lightly discoloured against her features. Cullen rested his hand on the board, toying with his rook as she made her play.
"I'd rather be with you and Auntie E."
"Don't say that." His brow furrowed at her sudden statement. "Your mother is thrilled to have you with her finally. Are you keeping up with your magic?"
"Yes." She said plainly. "But they don't let me spar with real people. They say its unbecoming of a lady."
"Being a lady won't help you if you get attacked." Cullen scoffed a laugh continuing to strategically move his pieces. "You need practical skills no matter what your station."
"See you get it!" She jumped in her seat enthusiastically. "This is why that place is nugshite!"
"Don't let your mother hear you say that." He laughed as she stuck out her tongue at him. He shook his head, looking at the board and smirking. "You never watch your rooks."
"Ergh." She groaned watching as he whipped the piece from the board replacing it with his own. "You always go for them why bother?"
"You should use ever tool in your arsenal." He held the piece between his forefinger and thumb, showing it to her as if it was a piece of treasure. "Rooks are strong, dependable. They can go great distances and can carry the weight of a game alone. Like a certain young girl I know, who travelled across the Free Marches to Ferelden."
"All I did was hide in a wagon." She studied her lap intently, embarrassment heating her cheeks.
"That same young girl, fought six Templars twice her size and lived to tell the tale." He continued smiling softly.
"And now look at me." Her hand instinctively touched the burn on her face. "Another thing that makes people ignore me. I'm not pretty or noble enough for them."

Cullen frowned. Never once when they were in Skyhold had she doubted how she looked. Were the people at court really out to make a ten year old girl feel like this. Yes. Sadly he believed it, While the Ferelden court was tame compared to the Orleasian court it was still full of backstabbers and preeners. He worried about the influence this was going to have on her in the long run.
"Your Auntie Efa has scars. So does Briallen." He tried again. "There is more to beauty that 'a pretty face'. Do you think that's why I like your Auntie E?"
"Stop." She whined rolling her eyes. "You know I don't buy into that love at first sight. Its silly!"
"Good job we didn't buy into it either." Cullen lent back in his chair, gesturing to the board for her to make her move while he talked. "Efa actually hated me. And I didn't even speak to her for months after we met."
"Months?" Efa looked surprised, setting her knight down." "Then how-?"
"We grew on each other, our love built with time." Cullen continued. "It wasn't until she was gone that I realised how much I really cared for her. I carried that regret a long way until I found her again."
"Like the rook." The game continued, both of them moving and capturing along the board.

"I suppose your right." He picked up the captured rook again. "Whenever you feel bad. Remember that you are strong, and have accomplished more things in the last year than half the adults around you. You've come so far already, and I wager when you are grown, you'll go further than any of us ever dream of."
His words struck her deeply and she smiled. She had missed playing with him and the ease of which she could be herself and it was nice to see him relaxed, relaxed and lost in thought she was not taking any advantage of at all.
"Thanks Uncle Cullen." Isolde grinned at him as he looked at her again, her hand moving her final piece forward with a flourish. "Checkmate."
"Wait what?" Cullen lowered the piece staring at the board in disbelief, the offending rook that had so rudely broken his defence stood proudly as Isolde began to laugh. How clever of her to underhand him like that. "Well played da'len."
"I learnt from the best." she cackled.

"What are you to up to?" Efa found them both laughing, pulling off her riding gloves as she approached the table where they sat.
"Losing…" Cullen tipped his king in defeat.
"Beating Uncle Cullen!" Isolde stood on the chair and dived into Efa's arms causing her to stumble.
"Good!" Efa swung her around and hugged her before lowering her to the ground. "He's won too many things over the last few days glad to see him lose."
"I beg your pardon!" Cullen rose with an indignant look on his face, Isolde only laughed harder at him.
"Sorry to break up the party but your mother is looking for you." She curled a loose hair around Isolde's ear stroking her thumb against the raised skin softly.
"Fine…" She sighed defeated, turning she gave Cullen a tight hug before she ran off towards the villa.

Cullen stepped closer to Efa as they watched her go. He trailed a hand up her arm as she looked at him smiling softly.
"I heard what you said to her, you know you're really great with her right?" Efa looked up at him through her lashes. "Shes so headstrong, she never listened to anyone else in the clan. But you, she hangs on your every word like its gospel."
"She's a spirited girl." Cullen turned her into him so he could wrap his arms around her. He felt her hands drift up his back as she curled into his chest. "A Hawke family trait."
"I cant help but wonder what you would be like with your own. Efa's words were half muffled against the linen of his shirt.
"I-" He began the question taking him a little by surprise, his face softened after a moment. "I hope to find out soon…"
"You do?" Her head shot up to see the blush fanning across his cheeks.
"I do."
"Maybe once all the rifts are sealed…" She released him slightly her hands running around to the front to grab his shirt as she looked at him hopefully. "…we can start trying?"
"I'd like that." He tilted her head slightly and lowered himself down to ghost over her lips. "When the final one is closed."

He kissed her, sealing their promise with each touch to her lips. He wanted it all. Children. Marriage. To grow old with the future he never had until she came back into his life. As soon as they were home, back into the small part of the world they called home, he would ask her.

Four little words that would secure their future forever.

Chapter Text

One more night. That's all they had to suffer through. One final ball and then in the morning they would return to Skyhold and to Cullen's delight: to work. Efa would happily admit that she too was eager to return to the field, to clear the remaining rifts and work towards the promise she had made with Cullen. But with that promise was a lingering sadness. All they had between them was future plans, she chided herself for the selfish thoughts of craving something now. Something real. She knew Cullen was hers, she had no doubt about that, but still she found herself wanting.

She pushed the thoughts away. Turning to smile at the empress as they walked into the beautifully lit gardens. The final ball was being held outdoors, the courtyard decorated with candles in hanging jars and reflective objects in the bushes. There wasn't a cloud in sight, the stars blinked down at them happily, she had to admit that the Empress knew how to impress.
"I hope your time here at the Winter Palace has been to your liking?" Celene walked across the edge of the dance floor where guests had already taken to turn.
"Very much so your Majesty." Efa kept pace beside her. "I am thankful to have been here under pleasant circumstances."
"Indeed." Celene masked a chuckle. "Although you still managed to vault over a fence my dear Inquisitor."
"Old habits die hard." Efa shrugged, a smile lurking on her face.
"How is your poor Captain?" Celene reached the raised platform where her seat waited for her, sitting gracefully with her white dress fanning out around her. "I hope he is recovering well?"
"Very much so." Efa smoothed the front of her dress down, like the Empress and all of the ladies present, she wore white. The delicate lace wrapped around her bodice. the lace gathered lightly over her shoulders leaving her arms exposed. "He has been cared for most diligently by yours and my own healers. I am confident he will be able to make the journey home with us without issue tomorrow."
"I am glad to hear it." Celene nodded to her.

Efa left the Empresses side soon after, intent on looking for Cullen. She had no desire to entertain small talk with nobbles any longer. And Josephine mercifully agreed. Tonight was about enjoying herself, and she was going to do so with Cullen. He took her to the floor decked in a stunning white dress uniform that cut perfectly around his chiselled form. She lost herself as he danced with her once more, stroking his fingers through the loose hair not twisted in the bun at the back of her head. She took another spin with Alistair, listening to all of the potential names they had listed for their new child. Mostly boys, but a few girl names on the off chance Cole was wrong. She danced with Branson, with only mild protests, and Dorian who twirled her so expertly around the floor until she was dizzy afterwards.

Taking a moment to herself, as Dorian went to fetch her a drink, another body slunk next to her.
"Inquisitor if I may beg a moment of your time?"
All of Efa's hard earned contentment faded as she turned to look at Sebastian. The Prince had evidently recovered by the embarrassment cause in the tournament. She had hoped his pride would have been wounded enough to remain away. Apparently not.
"I cant imagine we have anything left to discuss." Efa kept her eyes fixed on the dancing couples.
"Please." There was genuine distress in his voice. "I wish to apologise for my behaviour."
"Fine." she sighed, if it would get him to leave her alone. "Apologise."
"If I may?" He came into her eye line, his hand poised, inviting her to the floor.
"Is that really necessary?" She kept her hands firmly clasped in front of her.
"We are at a ball are we not?"
It was a bad idea, and she knew it. After a moment she weighed up her options. If she could stop his useless attempts with a dance, it was a small price to pay for the irritation he otherwise caused. She raised her guard, taking his hand with trepidation surging beneath her skin.

"You must know it was my intention in coming her to meet with you in person." He began almost as soon as they began to glide across the floor, mingling in with the other couples.
"Why is that?" Efa was regretting this already.
"As you know I am a devout servant of the Chantry." He continued, his eyes on her despite her looking anywhere but him.
"So devout you walked away from it twice." The quip was out of her mouth faster than she could think.
"You listen to that dwarf too much." there was a hint of anger in his tone, similar to their first dance together.
"I listen to Varric the perfect amount." She looked at him now, a stern line across her mouth.
"He has twisted your perception on me."
"It was not his testimony that I took into account when rejecting your request." She said, her eyes darting back to the gardens, she spied Cullen watching her intently, his brow furrowed.
"Might I ask who?" Sebastian asked.
"No." She shook her head, more at Cullen than Sebastian. Hopefully he would know she was okay and not in need of rescuing. Yet. "You were saying? 'Devout of Chantry'..?"

"Ah y-yes." He fumbled as she turned her hard gaze back to him. "I wished to meet with thew woman claimed to be the 'Herald of Andraste'. I was surprised to learn when I arrived here you were-"
"Elvhen." It wasn't a question, once more she wondered how this man functioned knowing so little of anything outside himself.
"Yes." At least he had the decency now to look sheepish. "You will forgive my outburst when I insinuated you were-"
"Out to further Elvhen agenda?" Was that his apology? Efa could feel her irritation rising with each turn around the floor they made. "It appears you do not take kindly to my kind."
"I have had elvhen companions before." He defended sharply.
"One 'friend' does not me all of us." she cut him down. "Do you have a point? You have yet to utter any semblance of apology, only demand it from me."
Above them, the night sky darkened, a purple hue forming with the clouds that began to circle. Cullen knew that colour, he looked at Dorian and nodded, the mage moving swiftly around the crowd to warn those who mattered.

"You know an awful lot about me." She felt his grip tighten on her hand.
"And you know very little about me for a political leader."
"Allow me to rectify that."
"And how do you propose to do so?" She raised her eyebrows at him.
"I was hoping you might like to spent some time in Starkhaven." He spun her out gracefully, catching her again as she came into him. "Allow me to show you what it is I do for the people and perhaps you would like thew city enough to stay."
"I have a home." She looked at him bewildered. "I am not looking for a new one."
"You will surely not remain in the Frostback forever?" He pressed. "I offer the chance of a warm vibrant city all of which would adore you. My self included-"
"Because I am the 'Herald'."

She could not believe this is how he wanted to gain her favour. He wasn't apologising, not that she had expected much but if he was suggesting that she become a prophet for his city. A religious token to be paraded and showcased to others.
"You think of me nothing more than a holy symbol for a region not my own." The clouds above had begun to block the moonlight, an eerie purple light descending over them. People were beginning to notice, all except Sebastian and Efa as she continued to lay into him. "I am not a trophy. I am a real person with thoughts and feelings."
"Which is why I would like us to be friends!" He insisted, twitching as the first drop of rain hit his face. "I am sure in time you would enjoy my company and more-"
"More?"
Was he so stupid to even suggest that? Had she not made herself perfectly clear on her affections? She wondered if she was perhaps dreaming, there was no way a single man could be this dense and rule a city. Her rage began to boil over now, the first rumble of thunder echoed above as they stopped dancing, the raindrops becoming more insistent. People had already begun to seek shelter, but Efa stood firm dropping Sebastian's hands from her body.

"There is nothing more I would ever desire from you Sebastian Vael." Thunder growled again as she said his name. "Mari was right about you. you put on these noble graces but yet you are vain, claiming the Chantry as gospel to enhance your own image."
"Mari?" Sebastian's blood ran cold at the name.
"Even if I was not already in a committed relationship I would not give you the time or day." She continued ignoring his shock.
"You met Mari?"
"Yes." Efa said her expression turning malicious for a brief moment. "She is my sister, the one you abandoned for your own petty reasons."
The first bolt of lightning struck the lamppost at the edge of the fountain. She could hear her name being shouted, but she knew she was in no danger. She felt comfort in the storm circling above, even as the rain fell harder, her dress beginning to stick to her legs as the fabric soaked in the water.
"Shes your sister…" Suddenly he could see it. How could he not, from her hair to her eyes. The same thunderous stare she gave him now matched the exact one Hawke had given him when she refused to kill Anders.

"Irrelevant. We are done here." She glared at him, taking a step back. "Your pathetic attempt at an apology is not accepted."
The space between them lit up. Sebastian yelped as the lightning struck between them, sending him backwards, slipping on the wet floor. He landed flat on his backside as Efa stood resolute, unflinching.
"You are no enemy of the Inquisition but nor are you friend." Her voice rang out loud enough for him to hear over the thunder. "I will not suffer your self righteous presence any-"
Efa hissed in pain. The mark on her hand flaring to life without warning. She closed her eyes as she clutched it to her chest, trying to stem the magic as Sebastian scarpered to his feet. She became aware of someone suddenly in front of her, her head shot up, but it was not Sebastian that filled her vision.

"Cullen…"
"Let's go."

He took her hand, his warmth surrounding the pulse of the anchor. But he did not withdraw as the magic vibrated through him. He held on, even as he felt a sinking feeling in his stomach, weaker now than it had been the first time he had felt it in this place. He didn't stop, pulling her through the gardens until they were far away from everything. It wasn't until they reached the courtyard of the villa did he slow. By then, the storm had dissipated and her hand had calmed, his heat seeping through her cold skin where they met. She watched him, his fierce determination to get her away from people, to protect her. Her brave Commander through and through.

"Are you alright?" He kept her hand grasped within his as he turned to face her.
"I'm fine." She smiled weakly, breathing calming breaths to re-centre herself. She shivered lightly as the cool air met her exposed arms, the fabric of her dress still clinging to her legs uncomfortably. The hem inches deep in dirt after their quick departure. He sighed when her eyes cast up to him, filled with a gentle relief and gratitude. He brushed the strands of loose hair from where they stuck to her face, the make up Josephine had helped her apply had all but washed away. Releasing her hand he rubbed his thumbs across her cheeks, catching the worst of it. He continued down, lifting her ponytail from her shoulder and pushing it over so it was behind her. He stared mesmerised at her. Even dishevelled, dirty and completely wet through, she took his breath away. She shivered again, wrapping her arms around herself, shaking him from his thoughts.
"Maker's breath you're soaked." He cursed himself, stripping off his jacket, he threw it around her shoulders. "You look-"

So Beautiful…
"Marry me."

"What?" His sudden question startled her. Her eyes grew wide.
"I mean, will you…" He sighed. "I had a plan, I mean I know we've talked about it before and- And this was meant to be after we left here."
He nervously rubbed the back of his neck, pacing in front of her. She sank onto the low wall, not feeling the cold stone as his words sank in. He turned and looked at her, stopping and dropping to his knees in front of her.
"But you were- It doesn’t matter." He reached forward to the jacket around her shoulders, pulling the small box from the inside. she gasped as he opened it. "I know you said you didn't need this but I’ve thought of little else these passed few days."
"Cullen…" She looked at the beautiful ring set in the velvet box. She was at a loss for words as he took it out, the emerald glinting in the lamp light. "You didn't have too…"
The words that left her mouth didn't reflect how she felt. She was thrilled, deeply, but part of her wondered if it was only sparked by the events of the other day.
"I've seen the look on your face since we got here." He looked at her as if knowing what she was thinking, reaching for her hand softly, a small shock of static jumped from hand to hand. "But this isn't because of that. I love you so much and I- Well its the first chance I had to look for a ring- I had Rylen help me-"
"Is that what you were doing the other morning?"
"Perhaps." Cullen held the ring to the edge of her finger. "So is that a yes?"
"It's certainly a better proposal than Sebastian." She chuckled nodding at him.
"Vael." Cullen scowled. "Is that what he said to you?"

"Cullen." Efa looked at him. "You- Me- Ring- Proposal."
He banished the murderous thoughts that had entered his head, watching instead as she wiggled her fingers at him.
"R-Right." He took a hold at the base, the exact spot she had found herself rubbing the past few days. It slid down her finger and settled into place. "There. Ring. Er- what now?"
She pulled back her hand to admire it. It sparkled in the light prettily.
"Well now we go inside and strip off all these clothes." She smirked devilishly, leaning close and lowering her voice seductively, running her newly adorned hand up the front of his chest..
"Oh yes?" Cullen smiled. "And then?"
"And then we take a bath."

She laughed heartily, Cullen hung his head as he chuckled. She had him there for a moment. He stood up and held his hands out to her, pulling her to her feet. She groaned, her dress weighing a tonne as she began to walk back to the house, running her hand across his groin as she passed leaving him momentarily stunned.

"Don't worry Vhenan." She called over her shoulder as he followed her, hands scooping around her waist. "Once we've bathed we are having sex. A lot of it."
"Good." Cullen kissed her neck. "Because I very much want to do that right now."

If there was one thing Cullen liked about the Winter Palace, it was the bath. The entire marble basin was set into the floor, almost half the size of the communal baths he usually frequented in the barracks before he began using Efa's raised metal one. He set the taps to fill, turning to Efa as she attempted to reach the buttons on the back of her dress. Curling her hair around her shoulder, he reached for the first button, popping it easily and pulling open the fabric to place a kiss against her damp skin. With each button his kissing trailed behind until he reached the lowest. Straightening up he began to peel the fabric from he shoulders, prising the fabric away from her chest. She sighed gratefully, Cullen hummed in approval as her bare chest became exposed.

He slid a hand around waist, moving it down across her stomach, pushing the fabric lower until it passed the curve of her hip. The weight of the fabric took over, pooling to the floor with a squelch. They both chuckled as she stepped out of the fabric, turning in his hold wearing nothing but lace smalls. Cullen's heart skipped a beat. She was a vision, her skin glistening, in the lights of the bathing room as she lowered them slowly. She reached down to shut off the water, the bath now sufficiently filled before she looked at him with a smirk.

"Are you not joining me Vhenan?"
Her words jostled him into action, he practically tore the buttons of his shirt, hearing as one clattered to the marble floor. He took down his pants and smalls in a quick motion kicking them out of the way, he would think about folding them later even though they would be collected by the staff at some point. His neat thoughts disappeared as he watched Efa slide the lace down her thighs and step out of them, here eyes never leaving him as she did.

He was on her in less than a heartbeat, tipping her head back to kiss her deeply fingers carding into her soaked hair. Her fingers raked along his back, settling on his backside to squeeze the flesh she found earning her a soft growl. She pulled away breathless, hands moving to remove the pins in her hair and the ribbon woven through the braids that circled her head. Free of all the things that had decorated her, with the exception of the ring now settled on her finger, she lowered herself to the edge of the tub and dropped her legs into the warm water. Cullen sat down beside her, swinging his legs into the water as she reached down to place her hand in the water.
"They may be able to run warm water through a pipe but it'll never be hot enough for my liking." Efa hummed as the water began to heat from the warm glow surrounding her hand. "Briallen can do this ten times faster than I can."
"I am more than thankful that you favour lightning over fire." Cullen smiled, kissing her expose shoulder.
"Oh? And Why is that?" She teased.

"Firstly." He kissed a trail towards her neck. "If you had fire I dread to think what state both me and my desk would be in right now."
She laughed. Memories of their first experiences flooding back through her.
"A good point indeed." She removed her hand satisfied and slid into the water fully turning to wait for Cullen to follow. "And the second."
"Second." He slipped down beside her pulling her close and wrapping his arms around her rapidly heating body. "I would hate to go to war after you burned down the Winter Palace."
She buried her face in his neck chuckling again.
"Creators." She groaned. "The Empress will never invite me back after I drenched them all."
"I had Dorian warn her to move inside." Cullen raised her chin to look at him. "I'm sure Josie is spinning a fake storm story as we speak."
"She works wonder's to clean up after us."
"After you!" Cullen lent down and kissed her firmly. "I clean my own messes thank you."

Efa batted him playfully, careful not to aggravate any of the remaining bruises he still bore. He watched her expression change as she grabbed the soap and cloth from the side, lathering up the foam to begin working gently over his skin. He tucked a stray hair behind her ear, watching as she rubbed up his arm, a soft tingle beneath his skin as she fed a light healing spell into her ministrations. Cullen always refused magical healing, with a few exceptions, preferring to let his wounds close naturally. But he knew Efa, knew her magic and the feeling of it was a comfort he never refused. Something that brought them closer. A year ago the action would have set his teeth on edge, caused him to spiral out of control in the height of his withdrawal. His tolerance had improved steadily, so much now that small spells like this were easily tolerated.

She splashed as she moved behind him rubbing across his shoulders with more soap, peppering her own kisses along the expanse of his back. She continued her path down his arm, leaning up to kiss him fully when she returned to be in front of him. Her hands could not remain idle, taking the soap to his chest and combing through his chest hair, reaching up she lathered his hair, pulling the pomade loose from his wicked curls. He dipped back, scrubbing the soap from his hair, emerging with a deep sigh. He tried to grab the bar from her but she tutted at him, pushing him back so his back rested against the side. He watched as Efa gave no less attention to his legs, carefully avoiding dipping her hands anywhere delicate until he moaned annoyedly. His half erection twitching at the first touch of the cloth against him. The smile on her face as she worked him clean, using slow and deliberate movements, told him she knew exactly what it was doing to him.

"You are a menace." He growled low, grabbing her and arranging her to sit in his lap, her back to his chest.
"I am a saint." She feigned horror, wriggling down onto his erection. He growled again, taking the soap from her to lather up his hands. Unlike her he went straight for her chest, cupping her small breasts in his hand and massaging the soap into her flesh. She melted into him as his hands roamed her body, her skin heated as his hands worked her clean. When he reached the apex of her thighs she mewled against him. His length pressed against her backside and eager.
"Tell me what you want." His voice was low in her ear, the husky tone sending shivers down her spine.
"I want you." She whined back, his lips grazing the length of her ear. "On me. In me."
"As my Lady commands."

He lifted her like she was weightless, placing her on the edge of the bath, her legs remaining in the water as he spread them in front of him. With broad stroked he licked up the inside of her legs, catching the droplets of water as they ran down the curve of her legs to the marble beneath. He kept his eyes on her, the amber all but lost as he looked up at her, hungry for her. With his thumbs either side he spread her folds, looking at her glistening with desire for him. He smirked, his smoulder adding to the ache she already felt as his breath ghosted over her exposed core.
"Please…" She begged softly. Her hands gripping the edge of the bath tightly.
"Show me." Cullen looked up at her. "Show me where you want me."
Her breath hitched. "You mean…"
"Touch yourself."

Her fingers trembled as she slid her hand down her stomach, Cullen smiled as he saw the ring on her finger once more. She gasped as her fingers met her clit, the bundle of nerves already on edge under his gaze. She rubbed herself slowly, dipping her fingers to wet them, She heard Cullen groan appreciatively. Emboldened she reached down to press her fingers in. Without hesitation she felt his tongue alongside them, pushing and probing as she worked her fingers slowly. The sensation was electrifying. His tongue stroking between her fingers, tasting her as the tension boiled inside her. Pulling back she worked her clit again, her head falling back as Cullen somehow delved deeper inside her, filling the space her fingers had just occupied completely.

Her fingers sparked. She yelped, the sensation causing her to cry out in both pain and pleasure. Her legs shook, clamping around his head as the small spark of energy soaked into body. Cullen withdrew looking surprised, he had felt the jolt too, coupled with her legs around him as he tasted her. He released his hold on her and slid his hands down her thighs, watching as she hunched over, recovering from the sudden orgasm that had overtaken her.
"Did you-?" Cullen raised an eyebrow. "Use magic to make yourself come?"
"I don't know-" Efa gasped looking at her soaked fingers. "Not intentionally!"
"Did it feel good?"
"No." She blushed. "Yes…"
Cullen chuckled at her. "I must say at least it wasn't as shocking as the first time."
"Must you remind me!" She groaned, colour flaring in her cheeks. Still laughing softly Cullen took her hand, his gaze still hot and heavy as he brought her fingers to his mouth. He sucked the digits gently, cleaning them thoroughly of her slick.
"Creators…" She breathed.

Cullen rose from the bath, she swallowed hard as the water streamed down the swell of his muscles. Her mouth felt dry as he lent down to capture her mouth. The taste of her her still on his tongue, fuelling her arousal again. The ache that had momentarily subsided had returned in full force as he flipped her, pulling her back so she was bent over the edge of the bath. He squeezed her ass before crowding over her body, hands running up to her waist to bring her flush against his erection.
"Is this what you want?" He gently nipped the shell of her ear.
"Y-yes" She moaned, feeling the cool marble against her chest, her nipples already painfully hard reacting to the sudden cold sensation.
The noise she made as he entered her was sinful. Cullen held her firmly as he snapped his hips into sheathing himself in her heat in one swift movement. She cried out, and Cullen laughed again feeling her flutter around him.
"Sensitive tonight aren't we?" He smirked, unable to hide the smug expression on his face. She couldn't answer, her voice lost in the sea of sensations she was feeling. He began to move, pistoning his aching cock deep inside her, giving her no pause as her orgasm subsided.

He snaked his hands beneath her, pinching her hard nipples between his fingers. She moaned his name, over and over, her worlds melting into her natural tongue. He was only partially aware of the meaning, but he had a fair idea of what she wanted. His hands still on her chest he lent down, teeth grazing the flesh of her shoulder lightly, nipping lightly as he continued to bury himself inside of her. Everything about the way the joined was different, a far cry from their first visit here. Then, he was almost too nervous to graze his fingers along her skin and now, he wanted to devour her. He wanted to leave no part of her untouched. He wanted to leave his mark on her, deeper and more possessive than the ring on her finger.

And that's exactly what she wanted too. What she had spent the last few days showing people. That she belonged to him and only him. Her moans died on her tongue as she fell forward, cheek pressed to the marble as she spasmed once more. She was foolish to think what they had now wasn't enough. It was. The ring, the promise of children,, they were bonus. She would be happy like this with him forever. Her thoughts emptied from her mind as Cullen slid his hands back down to her waist, gripping her hips tightly as his thrusts became erratic. With a final hard thrust her emptied himself inside her, feeling her quiver with the aftershocks as his warmth spread, spilling down her thighs as he pulled out. He rested beside her, not wanting to crush her completely with his weight as he lent on the side of the bath. But his desire to remain close to her was strong as he absentmindedly stroked the damp hair sticking to her face as she regained her senses.

"I love you," He smiled leaning across to kiss her cheek.
"I love you too." She managed, her voice hoarse from her cries. He smiled at her, kissing her again as he gently cleaned the last of his spend from her legs before helping her out of the bath.

Wrapped in heavy towels he carried her through to their bedroom, his mouth never far from hers. Dried and wrapped in each other's arms they settled into the blankets, bundled up in their cosy little world. Feather light touches gave way to sleep, no more thoughts of annoying princes or sleazy nobles to disturb them.

It was just them. Just how they wanted it.

Chapter Text

To Ambassador Josephine Montilyet,

Thank you so much for your earlier correspondence. I confess it’s been difficult to get those in Orlais to take this discovery seriously in light of recent events, but I am positive that scouting the Frostback Basin will yield historic discoveries beneficial to both the academic field and the Inquisition. As a staunch supporter, I am honoured to be working in such great company on this historic occasion.

Yours, most sincerely,
Professor Bram Kenric
University of Orlais

We’ve scouted the region and set up camp. Professor Kenric has the scouts gathering anything they can find; so far, we’ve uncovered a lot of very old buckles. Hopefully this yields something more exciting.

Anyone who comes here should be ready for hostile wildlife and angry Avvar. This place is dangerous.

Scout Harding

It was cold. Not that Efa was a stranger to the cold climate living in the height of the Frostback mountains, but some how here in the Basin it seemed colder. The first camp that had been set up ahead of them was impressive. The soldiers she had sent ahead had set up a firm perimeter surrounding an abandoned Avvar cabin in which the main base had been set. Dismounting Efa handed Revas' reigns to the nearest soldier who directed her further into the camp towards Scout Harding. Upon seeing the dwarf, Efa smiled and walked over. The scout smiled brightly when she looked up from the requisition table she had been pouring over.

"Good to see you again, Inquisitor!" She clapped arms with her. "How long has it been?"
"About 5 months since the wedding." Efa patted her shoulder, familiarity between them settling in despite how long it had been.
"How is our dear Commander handling his new brother-in-law?"
"Oh their just fine, if only I could convince him to stop calling me 'Inquisitor'." Efa laughed, releasing Harding to lean against the table. "We're as good as family now."
"Still no plans to tie your own knot?" Harding perched beside her.
"There's still so much work Harding." Efa sighed. "And its trying to find a break in schedules, Dorian is stuck in Tevinter for Creators only know how long and Varric is well… Cassandra says hes buried under so much paper work even she doesn't see him. And she lives with him!"
Efa didn't hide how much she missed her comrades. They were more than that. They were her friends. She had very little friends in her life, all of them torn away by some reason or another. Each one who had left, bore a hole in her heart she could not replace.

"That's rough," Harding agreed, pulling her from her melancholy thoughts. "I still don't believe they're a thing. Although we did have a bet on if Cass was gonna kill him or sleep with him."
"Who won?" Efa raised her eyebrow.
"Jim." Harding grinned. "He seems to know everything."
"No wonder he and Josie are so good together." Efa managed a laugh. "Unstoppable gossips."
Josephine had remained, alongside Cullen of course. Leliana had left not long after their trip to the Winter Palace and after that it was like dominoes. Cassandra and Varric had left for Kirkwall, and then Dorian had been summoned to Tevinter, begrudgingly he had gone with the promise of returning. But it had been over a year now, and the letters they shared where few and far between. The Chargers still operated out of Skyhold, however their healer Stitches was beginning to wear down with fatigue. To no-ones surprise, Rosalie had joined in his place. A 'life of adventure', she had claimed and absolutely nothing to do with her growing attachment to a certain Tevene warrior. Sera similarly operated from Skyhold, spending her time causing mayhem and blowing things up with her 'Widdles'. And well Cole, he remained close by, the loss of Solas had really affected him.

Harding kept talking, idle chatter about the region so far as they walked up to the cabin.
"Ahh here we are!" Harding knocked on the open door before motioning Efa inside. The interior was a mixture of abandoned Avvar decor and the scattered books and papers of a scholar. "Allow me to introduce Professor Bram Kenric. He’s the reason we’re out here."
"A pleasure to meet you, Your Worship." The scholar rose from his seat quickly and gave her a bow.
"And you." Efa narrowed her eyes, the hint of his accent unmistakable.
"Professor Kenric teaches at the University of Orlais."
"I came on an exchange program from Starkhaven." He fidgeted nervously under her stare. "While in Val Royeaux, I found something incredible! After 800 years, we may be able to determine the final resting place of the last Inquisitor."
"That would be a fascinating discovery." Efa's wariness melted into curiosity.
"Inquisitor Ameridan stepped down shortly before the Nevarran Accord brought the Seekers of Truth into the Chantry." Kenric continued, emboldened by her sudden interest. "He hunted demons, dragons, and dangerous apostates in a time before Templars even existed."
"I’m all for history if it means tracking down the equipment of a famous demon hunter." Harding smiled at Efa mischievously.

Efa and Harding chuckled, the professor looked at them curiously. He looked a little disappointed when Efa spoke again.
"Scout Harding, you had me at 'equipment'."
"Thought you might like that." Harding beamed at her. 
"I mean," Efa noted the disappointment in Kenric's face. "If the last Inquisitor has been missing for 800 years, it’s only fitting that today’s Inquisition help find him."
"Yes," Kenric smiled weakly at her. "I had hoped you would be interested."
"Oh I am!" Efa beamed reassuringly at him. "I am eager to learn what I can, not just find interesting things for Harding to have Dagna fix up and risk my entire fortress blowing up in the process."
Harding snickered again. Remembering how Skyhold had shook when Dagna accidentally activated something she'd brought back once. Thankfully the dwarf had hurled the artifact out of the open wall in the Undercroft before it had combust, despite that, the force still was felt at the top of the Mage tower.

"I have a genuine interest in history, Professor. Especially pertaining to the former Inquisition and the time before my kind were subjugated." His smile brightened again. "So how can we help you find Inquisitor Ameridan’s resting place?"
"Your scouts have begun to gather artifacts from the area." He replied happily. "They may help us discover what Inquisitor Ameridan was doing."
"I have news as well. We’ve encountered hostile Avvar to the north." Harding turned to her, serious face back on. "They call themselves the Jaws of Hakkon. There’s also an Avvar hold to the east. Unlike the Jaws of Hakkon, they’ve been friendly so far."
"The Jaws of Hakkon?" Efa raised an eye at the name.
"They’re hostile Avvar who attack any Inquisition agents or researchers who get close." Harding looked annoyed. "We’ve sent soldiers for defence, but the Hakkonites are cunning, merciless, and know the Basin better than we do. I’m afraid our men will not be able to hold out long."
"We have Iron Bull." Efa smirked. "Let's see how they fair with a raging qunari coming there way."

"And I should also mention the rifts…"

Efa continued to listen as both Harding and Kenric spoke of the work they had already put in. They took a break, joining back with Sera, Bull and Cole who had accompanied out with her to the Basin. She let Harding explain the situation to them, as a hearty stew was passed around. Efa took up a seat on a felled log next to Kenric, the scholar startling slightly. She chuckled lightly, she got the impression this man was not used to so much company.

"You seem put out Professor." Efa tucked into her meal.
"I- I am not used to so many people." He stirred his spoon in his bowl. "I often keep to myself in the university."
"Too busy working?" Efa took a bite letting the food warm her chest.
"Mostly." He raised his own spoon and took a mouthful. "My line of work is often looked down on by others."
"Oh I know that feeling." Efa gave him a dry chuckle. "We weren't exactly everyone's favourite when we started."
"How did you manage?"
"Spite." Efa laughed. "No. It was determination more than anything. I had a few good people to support me. From that we grew and became what we needed to be. Like Harding for example. She's been around longer than me, she's invaluable to keeping things running."
"Lady Har… I mean, Scout Harding has an impressive team." Kenric agreed with a faint blush. "Her people brought back a number of artifacts."

Efa observed him, his eyes darting across to the dwarf in question. She was animatedly talking with Iron Bull, cheers of 'Mayhem!' drifted across the campfire and she did not want to know what they were cooking up next.
"If you need something tracked, Scout Harding is your woman." Efa turned back to Kenric.
"If only it were that easy." He sighed. "After 800 years, we can’t just look for tracks."
"We’ve also had bad luck with artifacts before." Efa continued to eat her food before it grew cold. "I hope none of them explode."
"What? No, no, I don’t mean magical artifacts!" He looked mortified, meat dropping from his spoon back into the bowl, splashing broth on his coat. "I meant belt buckles and old nails and the like."
Efa suppressed her laugh as he furiously wiped his front before the stain set in.

"Barring enchantment, cloth and leather will have long since rotted away. Only metal and stone remain recognisable." He continued with a sigh, the stain still present and unmoving. "Complicating this are recent pieces the Avvar left behind, and of course ancient pieces dating back to Tevinter."
"So our task is not easy."
"Fortunately, thanks to some period-specific buckling." He pulled the item out of his pocket and handed it to her. "I’ve been able to track our last Inquisitor."
"So where do we go, Professor?" She rotated the piece in her hand carefully.
"Everything so far points to the shore not far to the south." He spoke now with enthusiasm. "There was some sort of battle near the shoreline. They were in a hurry. The scouts reported an island near an Avvar fishing camp, but the Avvar won’t say much about it."

"What makes you think the last Inquisitor was fighting?" She handed the piece back to him.
"There’s a clasp here common to armour links. It’s clearly torn." He pulled a second piece out of his pocket and passed that one over, pointing to the details as he spoke. "That only happens from a heavy shearing blow, like large claws or an axe."
"Very observant." She smiled at him.
"Then there’s the dagger. Silverite, with a stylised dragon pommel and an inscription reading 'Kordillus'." He pocketed the clasp. "That dagger had to be a gift from Kordillus Drakon, first emperor of Orlais. No one would just lose such a thing."
"I agree." Efa nodded. "I couldn't imagine loosing any of the gifts I have been given over the last two years."
"Indeed." Kenric nodded. "I think the island is the place to start."
"I’ll find a way to that island and see if there’s anything useful there." Efa smiled at him confidently. "But first I want to see these rifts. I cannot leave them unchecked."
"Excellent! Of course the Rifts must take presidence." Kenric looked at her gratefully. "I’ll continue to study what’s been found. With luck, we’ll both find some answers."
"Here's hoping."

Efa felt sick.

Almost as soon as they had left the research outpost did they encounter the first rift. Harding had been great loaning her a sketched map of the area with rough approximations to each ones locations. She had warned the furthest north was close to the main Hakkonite stronghold, it would be the last one they tackled, if they made it that far. She had closed two rifts, before they had sent up a camp in one of the trees, utilising unused walkways between trees. She lay on her roll looking at the skies unable to shift the feeling in her stomach, she lifted her hand tracing the anchor, hissing at the itch beneath her skin as she did. It had started slowly, the feeling, she had first began to notice it Wildervale. Closing the rifts there had caused her to throw up violently. She had managed to wait until she was alone, not wanting to startle anyone. But of course Cole knew. She tried to keep him away from future rifts, but Cullen had insisted he join her now. From the reports Harding had sent, he wanted to make sure she was protected.

"Its hurting you."
Efa sighed. She didn't need to look to know Cole was watching her intently.
"Sometimes you see it. Sometimes you don't." He continued. "But you don't know what it is."
"Do you?" Efa said, annoyance in her tone.
"I see it." He said tilting his head. "And then I don't."
"Why do you hide it?" Cole continued. "Why do you hide it from him."
"I don't know what 'it' is?" Efa sighed. "How can you speak of something we don't know."
"You are worried." Cole frowned. "He may not understand but he will help."
"He's not here right now Cole."
"No…" His voice drifted. "He is not."

She turned her head but Cole was gone. Groaning she curled in on herself, holding the sending stone tightly to her chest. It was late, she could feel the slow steady beat of Cullen's heart, he was asleep. She wondered if he had made it to bed or crashed out at his desk exhausted. She missed him. She knew it was wrong to hide from him. But what was she hiding? She didn't know herself. When she fell asleep her dreams were filled with wolves, circling her, nipping at the anchor on her hand. The largest padded towards her, it felt familiar, with its six eyes staring at her. She held out her hand, the anchor glowing faintly. The wolf studied her. Where had she seen it before? It came closer, eyeing her hungrily but she could not move. Her hand continued to reach out, she wanted to pull it back, to run, but something was pulling on her.

The wolf looked sad.
Ir abelas.

With a snap of its jaws the wolf lunged. Efa screamed, agony tore through her hand as the wolf bit it clean off. The pain was unbearable. She writhed on the ground. She couldn't get up, her body wouldn't let her. She couldn't cry for help. She was alone. It felt almost as if-

"Boss!"

Efa's eyes snapped open. Her breathing continued to be heavy. She looked down to her hand, still clutching it the way she had in the dream. It was still there, still attached but it was glowing green and angry.
"You alright Inky?" Sera sounded concerned. She turned her head to see Sera and Iron Bull looking down at her over her roll.
"I-"
"It hurts." Cole's voice sounded behind her, she looked up to the spirit looming over her. "Let us share your pain."
"I'm fine."
"Bullshit." Sera scoffed.
"You were screaming Boss." Bull studied her. "How is that okay?"
"It was just a dream."
"Dreams don't cause real pain." Bull pointed to her hand as the glow began to subside.
"Dreams don't." Cole agreed. "But nightmares do."

Efa sat up, there was a faint hint of dawn on the horizon. No point in trying to go back to sleep, and by the looks of the others it didn't seem like they would too unless she did. Even then she could sense Iron Bull watching her closely regardless.
"I'll be fine." Efa said taking her water skin and drinking deeply. "It's just the rifts. The sooner we seal them the better. It'll stop after that."
"Sounds like your talking nugshite." Sera scoffed.
"Maybe."

"That Kenric’s island?" Sera trudged through the mud as they approached the shore.
It had been several days since the dreams, nightmares, began. Every night it was the same dream, and every morning she woke in pain. The anchor flaring to life and one of her comrades watching her. There was a visible shake in her hand now. Five days, seven rifts. She could no longer hide the truth after the fifth. She emptied what little she had in her stomach into the nearest bush. Sera had yelled at her for an hour straight as Efa pushed them on to the next one. They took turns watching her. Waking her at the first signs of the mark acting up. She let them. There was no use fighting them all the way out here.

As a result it had been a tense few days.
"We’ll need to find a way out there." Efa sighed. She looked around shielding her eyes in the low light. "Looks like a small dock over there."
"Looks good." Bull nodded, following where she pointed to. He pulled Sera out of the mud by the scruff of her neck and set her back on the path. The elvhen girl set off with mild swearing at him, Efa chuckled.

"You sure you're alright Boss?"
"Better today." She smiled weakly falling into step behind Cole, who followed Sera towards the cabins they had seen.
"You spoken to Curly about this?"
Efa tensed. She spoke to Cullen every night, keeping him up to date with their progress. But she had not mentioned the pain, or the nightmares. Bull narrowed his eyes towards her.
"That's a no."
"It's not that I don't want to." Efa kept her eyes to the ground. "I just don't know how."
"Hmm."
"And I don't want to tell him when he's not here."
"Curly has a habit of overreacting. I can understand."
"Please don't put this in your report." Efa grabbed his arm. Knowing Bulls reports were always thorough. "He should hear it from-"

Sera shushed them. Waving her hand for them to duck down. Instantly alert they squatted themselves behind some fishing traps. Creeping along towards the outer edge of the first cabin.
"What is this?" A female voice sneered. "Are the fishers of Stone-Bear Hold too rude to share a meal with friends?"
"Can the Jaws of Hakkon not catch their own fish?" Came a gruff reply. "Or are those jaws only good for flapping?"
"Mind your tongue, bog-walker." Efa peered around to see the Hakkonites gathered in front of the fisherman. "Stone-Bear Hold may not always shelter you. And you will need shelter when the cold winds come."
"Yet I feel only hot air."
Sera snickered behind her.

"When the Jaws of Hakkon rule, you will wish you had been generous." The woman growled at him. "If your weak Lady has not already picked your foolish bones clean."
The fisherman huffed defiantly, arms folded across his chest. The Hakkonites turned and began to come towards them. Before she could hide again they caught sight of her.
"The Inquisitor!"
"Let her blood bathe the blades of the Jaws of Hakkon!"
"Death to the lowlanders!"
"Glory to Hakkon!"

They were not the first Hakkonites the party had come across. At first they had simply been attacked for being outlanders. But somehow they now knew who she was. Raising her staff she fought back, watching with joy at their faces, however brief when Iron Bull went hurtling around the cabin to meet them. Efa had to give them credit, the did not back down. With only a few minor scrapes, the small band were put down. Efa nodded to Iron Bull as he began to drag the bodies away.
"You are the lowlander they call Inquisitor?"
"You know of me ser?" Efa inquired politely.
"I encountered some of your people." He eyed her warily. "I am Arvid Rolfsen."
"Efa Lavellan." She dipped her head in greeting.
"Well fought." He indicated to the pools of blood splattered across the dirt. "The fish will feed on fool’s heart-wine this night."
"They attacked." Efa said plainly. "I defended."
"I know not what brings you here, but we have no quarrel, you and I."

Efa studied him. He was the first she had seen that was not a member of the Jaws of Hakkon. His clothes were different and he held himself with less arrogance.
"I find myself in need of a boat." Efa spoke looking out tow the dock. "I need to reach that island-'
"The Lady’s Rest?" Arvid looked at her curiously.
"What?"
"That island belongs to the Lady of the Skies." He pointed to the island. "The spirits warn us to leave it be."
"Pfft. Warn the spirits right back." Sera had drifted up behind her "We’re Inquisition."
"I don’t wish to disturb your Lady," Efa's hand twitched. Sera noted the movement. "But it’s important." 
"If I give you the boat and you anger the spirits and die, other lowlanders may come for blood." Arvid made a fair point. "That is trouble for my hold and not my trouble to take."
"I understand your concerns." Efa bowed her head. "Is there anyone else we may speak too?"
"Go to Stone-Bear Hold and speak with my thane, Svarah Sun-Hair." He sighed, looking at her expression. "Get her blessing and you may sail to Korth’s rocky heart if you wish."

"Thank you ser."

They camped overnight, sending a messenger back to the professor at the outpost to update him on the situation. In the morning they trekked towards the mountain holding the Avvar tribe. As they approached, shouting could be heard, cautiously they approached. The guards at the entrance seemed undisturbed by the commotion, but it did not set Efa's mind at ease. The closer they got however the shouting became clearer.

"Almost there, Parve!"
"Move your legs, Hask!"
"Sounds like a party." Bull looked to happy at the prospect. "Or a fight."
"He climbs like a fish!"
"Shut your yap!'
The group moved into the crowd unnoticed, turning the attention towards where the people yelled towards. It appeared that they were cheering at two Avvar climbing a wall. Efa looked at Sera who shrugged. Bull eagerly wanted to look closer for a better view and Cole had disappeared entirely. Too many people, Efa thought.

"Your climbers seem tired, Thane Sun-Hair." Efa honed in on the name, looking through the crowd for the man that spoke. "Poor hunting? Is your hold-beast well?"
"We hunt as well as ever, Thane Harofsen." The replied quipped back, Efa saw the woman who responded. The thane. Efa moved slightly to see the man she was speaking too. There was no mistaken to look of this man, dressed head to toe in white hides painted black. Similar to the ones they had fought in the valley. He was a Hakkonite.
"You would be safer under the shield of the Jaws of Hakkon." The man spoke again confirming her observation.

Cheers erupted around her, Efa looked up to see one of the climbers standing triumphantly on top of the cliff face they had been scaling.
"Hask Fishersen has taken victory in sight of the Lady of the Skies." Thane Svarah shouted, Efa noted her ability to commander the masses, all heads turning to look at her. "Parve, you owe four rams to Hask, not three."
"Hah!" Hask exclaimed triumphantly.
"Tyrdda’s tits." The other cursed as he reached the top.
"Wind lift your oaths to the Lady of the Skies." Svarah shouted up to him. "And hand the rams over come sunrise."

Efa turned to Sera who was watching the entire display with fascination. Bull was hovering still taking in the atmosphere. No doubt he was picking up information she might find useful later.
"We should speak with the thane." Efa lent over to Sera so she could hear her over the rowdy banter that had picked back up.
The worked their way through the crowd. Several of the Avvar beginning to take notice of them now. The Hakkonite saw her first his horned head snapping straight to her. She could not see his expression beneath the mask and paint. But from his words as he approached her, she could only imagine it was not friendly.
"This is not my hold, lowlander. I will not shed your blood here." He growled at her threateningly. "You will face the full might of the Jaws of Hakkon soon enough."
"I have no quarrel here." Efa did not cower before him.
'Hmmp."

With that he left, his gap filled with the Stone-Bear Avvar as she strode confidently towards her.
"We’ve heard of your arrival, lowlanders." She looked Efa and Sera up and down. "Come share my fire, where we might speak."
Efa beckoned Sera, leaving Bull to fend for himself. Not that she was worried for him, she wagered no one would attempt anything to a qunari his size.
"Inquisitor! I am Svarah Sun-Hair, Thane of Stone-Bear Hold." She said once she had taken her seat, she gestured for Efa and Sera to take a seat beside the fir in the centre of the room. "You have guest-welcome here."
"Thank you Thane Svarah," Efa settled herself into the furs adorning the floor. "I am Efa Lavellan, and this is my comrade Sera of the Red Jenny's."
Svarah nodded to Sera who chose to remain by the door. Leaning against the stone.

"The lowlanders have little love for your Dalish clans. I am impressed that you came to lead their Inquisition."
"You are familiar with my kind?"
"We have traded with lowlanders and learned a little of their ways." Svarah answered. "You and your people have come far from the safety of the lowlands." 
"We have not come to cause trouble in your home, Thane."
"Then why have you come?" 
"We have learned that the last Inquisitor may have died here hundreds of years ago." Efa cut right to the chase, she could see this woman was to the point. "We seek his body."
"Giving peace to the dead is a worthy quest. Any help we can offer is yours." Efa was pleasantly surprised at the response. "Sadly, the Jaws of Hakkon will not offer so warm a welcome. You have met their thane, Gurd Harofsen. I wager you have crossed blades with the Jaws of Hakkon in the wilderness."
"On more than one occasion."
"If you would search this place for your Inquisitor’s body, they will want you to pay in blood." 

That was not news to Efa, she looked at Sera who only rolled her eyes. The rogue had pulled out a small piece of string which she began to knot to pass the time while Efa played her 'stuffy role'.
"What can you tell me about the Jaws of Hakkon?" Efa turned her attention back to the thane.
"They are not the first hold to take that name." Svarah scoffed. "All have been foolish. What would you know of them?"
"What do the Jaws of Hakkon believe that makes them so angry?"
"A wise man honours each god to its strength. Bjorn Reed-beard for fishing, Rilla of the Fireside for making babies…" The thane began to list them. "The Hakkonites care only for Hakkon Wintersbreath, god of war and winter."
"They seek war?"
"There is no evil in Hakkon. There are times to fight." Svarah Continued. "But the Jaws of Hakkon care for nothing else. They raid, they fight. Eventually they die and their stories are forgotten. It is the way of things."

Efa felt cold, despite the warmth of the fire. She couldn't pin point the feeling of why the thanes words had struck her so deeply. She wrapped her hand around the her sending stone, seeking the familiar beat to re-centre herself.
"You said that there were earlier groups known as the Jaws of Hakkon?" She moved on, trying not to dwell on things to much.
"Yes. Many ages ago. They thought of nothing but slaughter-glory." Svarah drummed her fingers on the arm of her chair. "They attacked the lowlanders. Your people fought back and destroyed them. They were fools."
"And the people now calling themselves the Jaws of Hakkon?"
"They came here a few years ago, after the Blight took their hold." Efa frowned as she spoke again. "There was land enough for both, so we were friendly. We did not see their anger."
"He was angry about the blight?"
"Gurd Harofsen lost too many in his hold to darkspawn. He thought only of battle and war." Svarah growled. "To avenge a wrong is a good thing, but only a fool lights the world on fire to do it."

She looked at Sera again, not surprised to see Bull hovering now. He nodded his head slightly, acknowledging her. She understood what the Hakkonites were, but still the reason why eluded her. She wondered if had anything to do with Ameridan, but the connection seemed too out of place. Shaking her head she returned to the now. On what she needed, a boat and hopefully help from the locals in keeping the Hakkonites at bay.
"The Hakkonites are attacking my people." Efa's expression was grim. "I would welcome any assistance you could offer."
"Bathing my blade in the blood of the Hakkonites would be cause for a feast for most in this hold." Svarah spoke with reverence. "The Hakkonites are fools and they have forgotten the old ways but we have pledged peace with them. To attack with lowlanders at our side would make us oath-breakers. This is poor weather for me to ask that of my hold."
"What would change the weather?" Efa pressed. 

Svarah studied her again. She looked at the armour she wore, and then she looked to her companions, fully appreciating how imposing Iron Bull looked dwarfing over Sera.
"Among the Avvar, a hold draws strength from its hold-beast. They are as kin to us." The thane set her gaze on Efa. "When our hold-beast is strong and happy, there is joy. When it sickens and dies, it is an ill omen. Our bear, Storvacker, has not been seen in days. The hold fears for her. I cannot ask the hold to break peace-oaths unless Storvacker returns."
"A bear?" Sera chuckled behind her. "We love a good bear hunt don't we?"
Svarah looked at Efa with a raised eyebrow. Efa sighed, shooting Sera a scathing glance before returning her attention back.
"Maybe I shouldn’t bring this up, but bears and I traditionally do not get along."
Sera snorted again. Efa shot her another look.
"You have fought bears?" She gave a hearty laugh. "You lived! Good for you! Fear will keep you respectful, should you find Storvacker. You will be fine."
"So you’re saying she’s friendly?"
Svarah gave a non committal shrug. Efa observed her this time, she could feel something was not quite right. She hoped Iron Bull might be able to confirm it once they had left.

"The way you asked us to help find Storvacker made it sound like you were willing to break your oath." Efa inquired raising herself to her feet and straighten her wraps.
"I could say that Avvar hold all oaths sacred, that no true Avvar would break them. It would be a good lie." She chuckled rising with her. "Lowlanders doubtless say the same of themselves. A cunning thane can find a hole in the tent of any promise, a place for the cold wind to sneak in. We are bone and blood. Oaths last until they are broken." 
"Alright, We will look for you hold-beast." Efa bowed to the thane. "I understand the relevance of sacred animals."
"Ask those in the hold about Storvacker." She returned the gesture wit a small grateful smile. "They may know something they have not told me."

Efa waited until they were back into the main hold before she turned to the qunari.
"There is something she isn't saying." Bull said before she could ask.
"You see it too?" Efa was relieved she was not over thinking it.
"Are we really going to find a bloody bear?" Sera asked tucking the heavily knotted string back into her pocket.
"We need to gain their trust." Efa stretched her arms, easing the small ache she had picked up when sitting. "Same way we always have done."

"But why did it have to be a bear?"

Chapter Text

They had made their enquiries, and the hunt had began. Staring fresh the next morning, or as fresh as Efa could be giving her current sleeping habits, they had set our back from Stone-Bear Hold and back into the Basin. By noon when the sun was at its highest they had come across a bog, the trees above were so thick that it was almost as if night had descended on them.

"Good place to get ambushed." Bull looked around, "Watch your back. Least it’s not too dry."
"You do know it’s not physically possible to watch your own back." Efa walked in front, cursing as her foot landed in a deceptively deep puddle. "And is there such a thing as a good place to get ambushed?"
"'Pitch-black swampy wilderness,' is at the bottom." He began to list. "Next to armouries and anyplace with hooks hanging from the ceiling."
Sera snickered before she hit a patch of mud, her foot becoming stuck for a moment before Iron Bull pulled her out.
"Everything else you rank in descending order from there." He continued. "Expensive glassware shops, wine cellars, maybe an Orlesian ball. Those would be good places."

Carefully they continued forward. The deeper they walked in the darker it became, Efa lit the way, summoning a small ball of fire to the top of her staff.
"What's that?"
The group approached an abandoned wagon, a larger metal cage loaded into the back. It was open, the door swinging on its hinge with the chilly wind that followed them.
"Clearly a fight here. Something big. Like- bear-big." Sera crouched down to investigate around the wagon, following the mix of footprints still present in the mud. "Maybe a bear. No bits, no blood, no way to cart something out. It has to be close."
"Hunting, following a scent. Something good, fresh, a treat, then trapped, nets and clubs and pain." Cole appeared beside her his eyes wide looking further north. "She’s nearby. Caged, cramped, can’t get free. We need to help her."
"Be alert."

The moved forward, Sera guiding them along the tracks she could see, pulling them deeper into the bog. After a short while a structure came into view set into the rock at the back of the swampland. As soon as they were seen, there was bloodshed. The Hakkonites were ferocious, clearly they had been chosen to guard the bear for a reason. They targeted Efa, sending her back and out of range, if it wasn't for Cole she would have been overwhelmed. She groaned, feeling a sharp ache in her ribs. One of the Hakkonites had lunged at her the tip of the dagger crashing into the dragon mail she wore. But the cured scales Dagna had woven, chipped the blade rather than allow the metal to pierce. Her wraps did not survive the onslaught however. Scowling she tossed the ripped leather over her shoulder, letting it fall behind her out of the way, she would attempt to fix it later if it could be salvaged. She was more concerned with the acute pain in her chest.
"You okay boss?" Iron Bull noticed her distress.
"I think I've broken a rib." Efa to a haggard intake of breath.
"Sharp. Sting. Cracked." Cole hovered. "Better than ha-"
"COLE!"

Efa glared at him, cutting over his words angrily. She hissed again in pain as he retreated back, the anchor sparking where it rested on her mail. Bull handed over a potion which she drank quickly. She hated the taste, but in the absence of another mage she had little choice for quick healing. Despite the tang on her tongue, the relief was instant. She could still feel the aggravation, she would need to take another when they camped but at least for now she could press on. Without another word, she stormed towards the structure, staff raised to combat anymore threats. There were no more Hakkonites inside to her relief. Just a line of cells, all empty, bar one.

"Well, there’s the bear." Iron Bull looked at the animal warily. "Now what?"
"Does it know enough to know we’re rescuing it?" Sera stayed behind him, eyeing the bear in the cage. As if knowing she was be talked about the bear huffed in her direction.
"She won’t hurt us." Cole approached the bars. "Hello! We’re here to help!"
"Step back Cole." Efa warned reaching for the release mechanism. "Let's hope the thane was right."
"Yeah, don't want to have to punch it." Sera snickered.
The door slid open and the bear padded out still watching them all.
"We mean know harm." Efa spoke clearly, hoping to sound non-threatening. "Thane Svarah bid us look for you."

The bear tilted her head to the side, and to Efa's astonishment, nodded.
"Did the bear just nod?" Sera asked. "Did you see that."
"I saw that." Iron Bull confirmed.
"She knows we are friends." Cole bounced softly not far from her.
"Comforting." Efa still gave a wide berth as she moved towards the exit. "Let's get back to the hold."
Storvacker followed them out. They all watched the bear out of the corner of their eyes, but for the time it seemed she was docile, or friendly at least. Efa wasn't sure.

"The lowlanders have freed the sacrifice!"
"Jaws of Hakkon, destroy them!"
The shouts met them before they had left the building. Iron Bull charged out to meet them but before he could swing his axe, the enemy in front of him crumbled as Storvacker lunged into him. Re-diverting at the sudden aid, Efa stumbled as the qunari flew past her, but before she could cast a spell it was over.
Sera lowered her bow, barely an arrow spent and Cole looked at the hold beast in awe.
"Well then…" Efa blinked several times. Storvacker sat patiently cleaning blood from her muzzle.
"Probably best to move quickly before they return." Bull reached out a hand to help her back to her feet.
"I agree." She winced as she stood up.

"Hey where did it go?" Sera looked around.
Efa looked behind to where Storvacker had been sat, and sure enough the bear was gone.
"Hopefully back to the Hold?" She asked optimistically. "Let's go now before any more show up."

"Goat-kissing blood-drinking Hakkonite chicken-craps!"

Efa could hear Sera approving of the colourful curses spitting out of the thane when they re-entered the Hold.
"Thank you, Inquisitor. Storvacker has returned. My hunters saw what you and she did to the Hakkonites who held her." The than raised from her seat to grip Efa's hands gratefully. "In trapping Storvacker, the Jaws of Hakkon broke their peace-oath with Stone-Bear Hold. Our blades are yours."
"Just like that?" Sera quipped behind her. Efa shushed her.
"I assume your bear is all right after- whatever they were going to do to her?" Efa turned her attention back to the thane. "She disappeared after she took down the second ambush."
"She is fine." Svarah smiled. "As for what they were going to do…"

She trailed off, releasing Efa and returning to her seat with a sigh. Once more she gestured for the party to sit. Efa grit her teeth as she did, the agony in her side blossoming further. She would need another potion soon, and a good nights rest to settle the pain.
"My hunters brought items back from where they held Storvacker. I know what they intended." Svarah's face was graven, bordering on anger. "It is not something you will like, something few Avvar would tell lowlanders. But you must hear it."
"I have seen and heard many disturbing things." Efa frowned. "Speak freely."
"The Jaws of Hakkon sought to bind their god in mortal form and bring war to the lowlands."

Whatever she had been expecting, that was not it. Sera made a disgusted noise behind her and she could hear Iron Bull swearing under his breath.
"A god-god?"
"Yes. Hakkon Wintersbreath." Svarah continued. "Bringer of the cold winds of war."
"How do you send a god to attack someone?" Efa felt a sinking feeling in her stomach.
"With much blood and many foolish rituals."
"By saving your bear, have we put an end to their plans?" Efa could hear the bitterness creeping into her voice. Gods? Blood magic? Not again!?
"Though you have given them pause, they will try again." The thane shook her head. "Ages ago, the old Jaws of Hakkon did the same. They brought their god to life to destroy the lowlands. Their foolishness lost Hakkon to all Avvar. Now they would free him and begin again."
Efa looked at Sera and Iron Bull, Cole once again nowhere to be seen. The both held the exact same expression: here we go again…

"What do you mean when you said that their foolishness lost Hakkon to all Avvar?" Efa asked, not really wanting to know the answer. But it was her duty. A threat was a threat.
"When they bound Hakkon to mortal form, he became blood of this world." she sighed, continuing her tale. "He could hear no prayers, nor speak to the augurs. All he could do was kill."
They all listened, enraptured to the strange tale woven by the thane. Even with all the places she had roamed with the clan she had never heard anything like this.
"Then he vanished instead of dying. As though rendered mute, lost for ages." There was a a hint of anguish in her tone. "If they sought to free him from mortal form, I could understand. Making him attack the lowlands is a fool’s work."

"How long ago did this happen?" Efa pieced the new information together in her head.
"I couldn't say for certain."
"You think there might be a connection to Ameridan?" Efa was glad that Bull seemed to be on the same train of thought as her.
"Could Hakkon be the reason he was here?" Efa wondered.
"We need more to go on." the qunari rubbed his chin. "Perhaps we try that island now."
"The Lady's Rest?" Svarah interrupted their pondering. "You wish to go out there?"
"I was told I needed your permission to borrow a boat from the fishermen." Efa turned to her.
"Bah, Rolfsen." She scowled. "He worries like a scared baby goat. The boat is yours. Tell him I said so."
"Thank you." Efa smiled. "If we can make it out there then we can look at taking out the Hakkonites after?" 
"The Jaws of Hakkon are held up in a fortress to the North." Svarah shook her head. "The wall of ice is impenetrable. We cannot launch an attack until that comes down."
"Do you have any ideas where to start?" Efa looked at her hopefully.
"No. It is lowlander magic and nothing to do with us. Our spirit-talkers are useless as battle-goats." Svarah spat. "The Hakkonites must have found the magic in the old fortress. Speak to your people. Perhaps they will know more."
"I'll speak to them when we return from the island."

Efa groaned as she stood, reaching out to Sera who caught her before she could fall. The thane rose, surprising Efa with the concern on her face.
"Might I suggest a visit to the Augur before you leave?" Svarah looked down on her sternly. "Before you injure yourself further."
"That might be a wise choice." Efa groaned.

The trip to the island was uneventful. Rolfsen, with the blessing of the thane, happily lent them a boat to cross the water. The island was small but as they drew nearer Efa could feel the prickle beneath her skin. The veil was weaker, the connection to the Fade more prominent and calling to her. Efa was hopeful as she stepped off onto the worn pier, the rotten wood sagging as Iron Bull followed her. Cole was jittery, he could feel it too. Sera tied the boat to the sturdiest looking post and followed them onto solid ground.

It wasn't big a big island, Efa could easily see from one end to another. Her interest was taken in by a cabin in the centre. She instantly moved towards it, she could feel something pulling her.
I can’t… not without…
Efa's head whipped around, Cole had tensed as well.
"You heard that?"
Cole said nothing, uncharacteristically of him.
"Hear what?" Sera came up behind, shivering slightly.
Sleep. I need to… I must find you…
"That." Efa turned back to the cabin, sure that it was the source. "You didn't hear it?"
Sera grumbled. She was on edge as she followed Efa closely towards the Cabin, Iron Bull too was eerily silent. The feeling of the Fade was strong, and neither of them were particularly fond of it. She couldn't blame them for being wary.
"I hate this island. Stinks of dog, and blight, and just… sad!" Sera suddenly barked. "How does it smell sad?"
"You feel sad because they do, watching, waiting." Cole answered, breaking his silence. "They want to help you hear it."
No, no, no. This blood… my blood? No, I can't…
"Make them stop." Sera drew an arrow. "It’s my head, demons. You’re not invited!"

Efa placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, they were closer to the cabin now, the voice growing louder as they approached. Efa could see the faint glimmer of the Fade surrounding. Something was here.
Vhenan… I’m… dreaming…
"Vhenan?" Efa repeated the word.
"Isn't that what you call the Commander?" Bull came up behind her.
"It's a dalish endearment." Efa nodded.
Ameridan… Ameridan, why?
"A lover?" She wondered out loud.
"They watched the dead and dying, pressing close." Cole walked towards the cabin ahead of her. "Clustered to hear, and forgot how to go back."

"AHH!" Efa's palm sparked sending a shooting pain up her arm. She blinked back tears, white-hot agony coming and going in an instant. The anchor, however, remained glowing.
"Boss?" Iron Bull was next to her in less than a moment.
"It's fine."
"You always say that." Sera thumped her other arm.
"There's a rift." Three heads turned to Cole. "But it's not right. There's something- trapped."
"This is a bad idea Boss."

Efa approached the dilapidated side of the cabin., sure enough there was a rift. Unlike the others, it did not pulse with energy, it was still.
"It looks like the one I sealed at the Temple of Sacred Ashes." Efa studied it. "The first one. Before any of you had joined the Inquisition."
"Why's it so still?" Sea kept her distant. "Is it meant to be like that?"
"It's sealed. but not properly. Held by a strong event." Efa circled it before looking down at the mark on her hand glowing faintly. "In Haven it was the imprint of the mark, the Divines death and the explosion that kept it there."
"So whatever hold's this one is an explosion?"
"No…" Cole tilted his head. "It's emotion, she feel's so strongly. Like the Divine did."
"Her who?" Sera tapped her foot irritably.
"There's only one way to find out." Efa sighed. "Last time there were demon's- So keep your weapons sharp."

Efa took a deep breath, she could still feel the slight ache in her ribs even after receiving proper healing and rest. She waited until her companions had fanned out, blades ready, arrow notched before she held up her hand to the rift. The anchor flaring brighter as it connected, without even trying, a surge of magic flowed between them. The sting returning to her arm and the sickening feeling plummeting down into her stomach. The tear began to pulse, but no demon's stepped out. The figure was distorted, but Efa could just make out the features of an elf.

"A spirit?" Efa whispered, relaxing her staff. "You are Ameridan's lover?"
"Telana slept. I slept. To find him in dreaming." The same voice drifted slowly towards her, clearer now than it had been. "But I- The blood- I’m- She’s- gone."
Efa felt and ache in her heart, not the pain of a physical wound but the emotional pain that stemmed from the spirit's words. Her words were fractured, and hard to follow, but the overwhelming feeling off loss and heartbreak was all too familiar to Efa to mistake.
"Telana wanted to reach Ameridan again, one more time, but she couldn’t. I couldn’t." The voice continued. "I died. I tried to stay but only pieces came through. You opened the sky for the rest of me."
"Cole?" Efa didn't take her eyes from the spirit or the rift. "Can you help make sense of this?"
"It hurts. She hurt." His voice was low and close behind her. "The wraiths knew only the pain, but she knew why, daring, dreaming into darkness, for Ameridan."
"Ameridan. Yes. Inquisitor. Beloved." The spirit's voice grew at the mention of his name. "I- She- Came with Ameridan to hunt the dragon."
"The dragon?" Efa asked.
"Huge- Power like none had seen. It came from the mountains with the Avvar." The words tumbled from her mouth faster now. "Towns fell, all dead. One last favour for Emperor Drakon. Slay the Avvar-dragon, save Orlais." 
"Inquisitor Ameridan died saving Orlais from a dragon?" Efa was shocked. "How could history just forget that?"
"Not forgotten. Forbidden. Darkspawn in the north, all of Orlais afraid." Her word's became frantic. "No one could know. Orlais must stand unstained, no fear to falter. 'Please, my friend. For both our peoples.'"

Both our peoples. The weight of those words settled in Efa's chest like a boulder.

"This wasn’t just a hunt." Efa wasn't sure if she was asking or making a statement. "Inquisitor Ameridan was here on orders from Emperor Drakon."
"Yes. A secret. Drawn by the dragon." The spirit drew closer to her. "Telana- I didn’t want to, but where Ameridan goes, I go."
"There are no records of a dragon." Efa recalled what she had been taught in her youth. "So he must have killed it. And died doing so."
"Yes. If he had lived, he would have found her. Me. But he didn’t. And no one ever knew."
Ameridan had died a hero, forgotten. His lover Telana had died alone, waiting. Was this the price of serving Thedas? To perform great deeds at the cost of their lives. What if it had been her who had disappeared. Would Cullen-? Yes. Efa had no doubt if Efa had disappeared he would do everything to find her. He had proven that in the dark future before they had even reconciled all those years ago. He would wait for her always.

"They fought at the shore. Spirits and magic, cold, so cold. How I found her, how she found us. They rested here, then up the river." The spirit began again, hurried words as if she was scared she would not be able to say everything she wanted. "Metal spires. A way to stop the dragon. Then Telana returned here alone to wait for him. Forever waiting. Dreaming- then dead." 
"We’ll find Ameridan." Efa reached for the spirit, feeling the fade wrap around her hand soothingly. "You don’t have to wait here anymore."
She felt warmth blossom through her, gratitude, the spirit was pleased with her words. It was a comforting feeling, however fleeting it was.
"You can let go of her now." Cole's hand reached along her outstretched hand, tugging her back gently. "You did what she wanted you to."
"Thank you." The spirit smiled softly. "It was hard. I- She- Went a long time ago. I stayed because she asked. Her things are there. She wanted them found."
With Cole's help she pulled back her hand. The spirit, finally at peace, returned to the still open rift. Efa watched her go, tears she hadn't realised she was spilling fell down her face.
"Boss?" Iron Bull called out to her, his tone sympathetic. "It's time to close it."
Efa nodded, tears still streaking her face as she held out her hand to the rift. Her hand shook, she braced for pain but the rift closed with minimal effort. She sighed in relief, turning now to where Telana's things waited.

She didn't reach the bag. All of her vision blurred. Pain tore through her body. She screamed, unable to contain the sound as she writhed on the floor of the cabin. Her hand shone brightly, the anchor glowing as it spread agony through her. Her companions tried to help her, if they touched her, she only screamed more.
"What are we meant to do!?" Sera screeched at Iron Bull. "We can't do nothing!"
"You hurt her if you touch her." Cole advised unhelpfully.
"I don't know Sera." Bull cursed in qunlat.

They waited a moment more before the qunari tried again. Her screams had begun to lessen and the glow of her hand had begun to recede.
"You all right, Boss?" He asked when she grew silent, shivering in his arms.
"Do you need to ask?" Efa's voice trembled as she tried to make light of it. the qunari glared at her sternly.
"It's getting worse." Cole spoke softly.
"You had us right scared there Inky." Sera knelt on the other side. 
"You need to rest." Bull helped her to stand. "Let's grab the stuff and go. You can check it out on the boat."
"Yes." Efa didn't have the energy to fight them. She let Sera gather the items, shouldering the bag as bull kept an arm around Efa to support her.

"There!" a harsh voice greeted them as they left the cabin. "It’s the lowlanders!"
"Can't these bastards give us a break for once?" Sera swore drawing her bow.
"Kill the Inquisitor!" Another shouted. "Death to her hold, for Hakkon’s glory!"
"Stay back Boss." Iron Bull growled at her, stepping in front. "Let us handle this."
Efa held onto the closes rock, her legs shaky beneath her. She didn't do idle well, especially in battle and where her friends were concerned. She watched as Bull and Cole charged forward, Sera supporting from behind, all of them putting themselves between herself and the Hakkonites.

"Move!" Sera shoved her down as arrows sailed over towards them. two clattered on the rock she had just been sidled against. Sera returned fire, managing to land a blow straight through the eye of one of the Hakkonites. The other archer fired again. Efa had to do something. The mark on her hand grew again, pulsing with a different unfamiliar beat. She clenched her hand again, terrified at the thought of what could go wrong. Each time the mark had acted on its own, it had done no good. Perhaps her enemies deserved it but she did not want to draw on its power like that, but as her hand closed the feeling swelled, erupting around her.
"What the-" Sera jumped back startled as the barrier surrounded them both. She began to turn to Efa but the familiar hiss of an arrow through the air drew her back. She had no time to dodge, but the arrow did not land, instead it bounced back flying straight into the neck of the man who fired it.
"Did you do that?" Sera looked at her.
"I think so?" Efa raised herself back up to lean against the rock.
"Can I shoot out?" She raised and arrow, stepping away from Efa to test it. Before Efa could protest against it she fired, the arrow sailing through the barrier and into one of the remaining Hakkonites. "Well then…"
Efa felt sick, the barrier fell but the remaining enemies were dead under Cole and Iron Bull's blades. As they approached again, Efa turned and vomited around the side of the rock.

"Come on." the qunari patted her back soothingly, waiting for her to be finished before he pulled her into his arms lifting her off the ground. They made it back to their boat, Iron Bull setting her down on the bench before he took up the ores. Sera handed her a water skin and she drank gratefully, spitting the foul taste in her mouth out into the open water. Feeling better, she reached for Telana's bag, inside were several journals, a quick flick at them all showed that they belonged to more than one person. The last one upon opening revealed a letter, stamped with the Orleasian Empire seal. With trembling fingers, she unfurled the missive.

Whosoever reads this message,

Let it be known that the bearer, Inquisitor Ameridan, Commander of the Seekers of Truth, travels to the Frostback Basin on the official request of His Divine Majesty Kordillus Drakon, Emperor of Orlais, upon business vital to the safety and security of this most holy empire, and that he and those who travel with him are to be afforded every service, rendered every assistance, and extended every courtesy in their effort to protect Orlesian lives from threats both magical and mundane.

Maker watch over him,
Kordillus Drakon I

"It's a written mandate from the Emperor." Efa said out loud. "Kenric will want to see these too."

With another potion forced into her by Sera, Efa felt more capable by the time they returned to the research outpost. Kenric was thrilled to learn they had made it to the island, listening intently as they first gave a report to Harding on the status of the Basin. When it came time to speak of the island they moved into the privacy of Kenric's cabin. She opened Telana's bag again and handed the letter first to Harding who scanned it quickly, wide eyed and passed it to Kenric.

"A spirit on the island held the memories and possessions of Ameridan’s lover, a woman named Telana." Efa began as Kenric read the letter himself, jaw opening in amazement. "It told us that Ameridan was here on orders from Emperor Drakon himself- and where he went next."
"Andraste’s dimples, I may have received tenure from that sentence alone." Kenric looked at her over the letter. "Ameridan had a lover. Telana, you said? The Inquisitor’s lady mage! There was such debate over whether she existed! This was a request from Drakon? This changes everything!"
"What does it change, knowing that Ameridan was on a mission from Emperor Drakon?" Harding asked, looking between them both.
"Everything."

Kenric crossed the room to his desk, pulling one of the many tomes on his desk into his hand. He flipped through several pages, looking for something, showing the book to Harding when he found what he was looking for.
"One current theory holds that Ameridan was selfishly throwing off his responsibilities to go hunting." He pointed to several passages in the book. "Another suggests Drakon had him removed or even killed, because Ameridan opposed the Nevarran Accord."
He snapped the book closed excitedly, turning back to Efa.
"But if this is true, then Ameridan was a loyal servant of Orlais! He was not an embarrassment!" He continued animatedly. "He was a patriot protecting Orlais while Drakon fought in the Second Blight."

"You were surprised to hear that Ameridan had a lover?"
"Yes, this Telana you mentioned. Her existence has been hotly debated." Kenric grabbed a fresh leaf of parchment and began making notes. "Some scholars took Inquisitor Ameridan’s respect for the Chantry to imply that he remained celibate."
The furious sound of his quill scratching against the parchment filled the cabin as he paused speaking.
"In ages past, there were stories about him and his lover, a mage." He looked almost wistful at the thought. "They made it out to be a star-crossed romance. The Chantry silenced the stories strenuously."
Efa shuffled uncomfortably. A warrior and a mage. An elf and a human. Were the God's collectively playing tricks? It seemed to similar to be coincidence. Would they be silenced? Would history forget that she had a lover?
"At the very least, we’ve found something to work with." Kenric and Harding were busy looking at his notes, both not hearing the flat tone she spoke in. She moved towards the door, eager to speak to Cullen before she rested. "The spirit said to follow the river to the north, and something about spires or spikes."
"Hmm?" Kenric turned back to her as if forgetting she was there. "Up the river? The scouts have had trouble with the Hakkonites up there…"
"I'll send some more enquiries out." Harding nodded. "Unless you would prefer to go yourself?"
"It'll be easier if I went up that way." Efa opened the door. "We'll set out in the morning after we've resupplied."
"I’ll continue my research." Kenric nodded.
"There's some journal's in there I didn't get a chance to look at yet." Efa indicated to the bag. "If there is anything of note please let me know.
"Of course my Lady!"

Not hungry, Efa headed straight to the tent she was occupying. She removed her armour and pulled on her sleeping clothes, a pair of thick woollen leggings and form fitting shirt, coupled with Cullen's oversized undershirt on top. she tucked into her bed roll, grimacing against the cold fabric, waiting for it to warm to her body heat. She curled her fingers around the sending stone, the pulse beneath her fingers beginning to ease the tension in her body.

"Vhenan?"

She waited patiently. It was earlier than the usual time she contacted him. The steady beat beneath her fingers indicated he was not training, she hoped she was not interrupting anything important. After a few more minutes his voice spoke softly through the crystal.
"Efa? Is everything alright?"
"I just wanted to hear your voice." She slumped against the mat. "I'm not distracting you from something important am I?"
"Not at all. I was just reading through some interesting letters."
"Oh?" She asked curiously, grateful for the distraction. "Anything I should know about?"
"'Knight-Captain'." He recited. "'I am writing in hope that you can assist with a personal matter.'"
"Knight-Captain?" Efa's brow furrowed. "A Templar?"
"'After meeting with several of you inquisition units as they moved through Kirkwall, I was astonished to learn that the Templar's formerly of this place, have removed themselves from lyrium.'" He continued. "'Even with the reformations and new Divine, I am finding it difficult to continue each day. I am not alone in this thinking. Since your departure in Kirkwall, we have been left without cause, plagued by doubts and the inability to free ourselves from the chains that bind us.'"
"That sounds like they want to come off lyrium?"
"'We have heard it is possible. That you and the Templars wise enough to follow you have been free from lyrium for almost two years. We look to you once more for guidance. To free ourselves. To reclaim the lives which were taken from us under false pretences.'"
"They want your help."
"They do." Cullen replied. "These men were so devout when I left, to hear how low spirited they've become- I want to help them."
"How would you do that?" Efa wondered. "There's not a lot of extra space at Skyhold."
"I'm not sure yet in all honesty. Something perhaps I would need to speak to Divine Victoria about."
"The Chantry may not support such an endeavour." Efa sighed. "Especially after what we have begun to uncover here."
"You've found something?"

Efa told him of the island, omitting the part where the anchor was out of control again. He listened intently, silently, until she had finished.
"That is not what I was expecting." Cullen finally spoke. "He was there on Orders? That goes against everything we were told."
"I know."
"There must be more to the story."
"We're heading up river tomorrow…"
"Please be careful." She could hear the concern in his voice. She knew he would not be happy with her hiding her pain when he found out.
"I will." She paused. "Cullen-?"
"What is it?"
"Nothing." So many things she wanted to say, but the words were lost to her. "I miss you."
"I miss you too Vhenan." She could practically hear his brow furrowing, despite not being able to see him. "Are you sure something isn't bothering you?"
"It's not important." She tried to sound optimistic. "Just wondering what else we might find."
"Whatever it is, it will shake the Chantry and the Empire."
"That's what worries me. They're already at our throats about coming back into Chantry control.
"I'm not sure how long Divine Justinia can keep them away from us."
"Me either." Efa groaned. They had received several reports from the Divine regarding unrest in Ferelden about the Inquisitions position. It did little to improve her mood regarding the revelations she was finding in the Basin. "There's only one more rift here that I know of to seal, once that's done. who knows what will happen."
"Perhaps its time we focused on ourselves?"
"Cullen Stanton Rutherford are you suggesting we stop working?" She barked a laugh."You!?"
"With both my sister happy and my brother and his family thriving now. I want that for myself." He chuckled back. "With you."

Those words should have made her happy. A year ago she would have felt a flutter of excitement, now she only felt gloom. Would the anchor calm once the rifts were closed? She had told the others it would but did she believe that? She wasn't sure. She didn't want to think what would happen if it didn't. Would she make it long enough to marry Cullen? To have his child? Would he have to watch her-
"Efa?" She had been quiet for too long. She could hear the worry creeping into his voice again.
"I want that too." She replied, fighting back the tears that threatened her eyes.
"Good." He sounded relieved. "Now get some rest. We will talk tomorrow and you can tell me what you've found."
"I love you." The first tear slid silently down her face.
"I love you too."

She was surprised when they made ready to depart the next morning that Kenric and Harding were waiting for them. After devouring one of the journals she had found Kenric was eager to put himself in the field. Naturally, Harding followed, 'for his protection'. He had begun to recite back to her what he had read, but after the fourth time he had tripped and almost planted himself in the river, Efa politely told him to be quiet and save it for camp. Sheepishly he did, they we already moving slower than she would have liked. The trip which should have taken a day spanned into two, they were forced to stop at the Eastern river bank camp rather than the camp further north at the ancient culvert.

As much as she wanted to know more about the journals and content, Efa was exhausted. Thankfully, the professors research assistant was at the camp and kept him entertained while she tried to sleep. Again the dream plagued her. The wolf. Her hand. Screaming as she was shaken awake by Sera. They waited until the others woke, determined to set out before the sun rose above the treeline. Thankfully by midday, the spires they were looking for came into view, part of a structure that did not look like anything Ferelden.

"So. River, metal." Sera pointed from one to the other. "Just like the friendly spirit said. Great."
"Yes. A place to pray and plan." Cole spoke softly. "One last night. This is it."
Efa began to move up the stairs, staff in hand. At the top they were launched into battle, a group of Hakkonites, startled by their appearance. Harding kept the professor away while the others dealt with the threat.
"We found something they don’t want found." Bull bent down to examine the camp they had while Sera and Cole swept for anymore uninvited guests.
"Good." Efa smiled at him. "That means we're on the right track."

"This is brilliant! This must be what the spirit meant." Kenric came bounding into the courtyard. "Excellent find!"
"Now now professor," Harding laughed as he skittered about gleefully. "Don't get over-excited too much."
"Yes, of course," he blushed, taking a moment to compose himself. "From what I can see, this is an ancillary station, likely a scouting post for the larger structure to the east."
"This architecture isn't familiar." Efa looked around.
"Tevinter." Iron Bull informed her casting a quick glance up.
"Now, what can it tell us about where Inquisitor Ameridan went?" Kenric began to wander further in. "Hmm…"
"Right, we got Professor Kenric here safely." Harding remained at the top of the stairs, bow in hand."The rest is up to you.
"Thank you Harding." Efa nodded before following the professor before he got lost.
"I’ll sweep the perimeter to make sure the Hakkonites don’t come back."

Efa found Kenric further in, surprisingly on his hands and knees as he raked through the over grown grass.
"Professor?"
"Ahah!" He rose triumphantly, dashing back over to where she stood. "An Orlesian buckle. Unlikely to have been dropped by ancient Tevinters, wouldn’t you say?"
"Is this useful?" Efa blinked as he dropped the item into her hand.
"Merely interesting." Kenric chuckled, already on the move again.
"That’s- good?" She turned to Iron Bull who shrugged.

"Oi Inky!" Sera's shout came from further in. "Check this out."
Efa followed the voice, climbing an overgrown staircase until they were under the bulk of the structure. The professor had beaten them in , not that Efa was surprised, but what did surprise her was a pulsing green barrier blocking the door to the inner sanctum. Kenric was busy brushing vines off a plaque to the side of the door.
"This is elven." He pondered. "I believe it’s the word for 'light'."
Efa nodded, reading the word over his shoulder as he moved to the other side.
"'Theneras'." He turned to her again expectantly. "The elven word for 'dream', I think?"
"You know some elvhen." Efa was mildly impressed. Sera snorted dismissively behind her.
"A little." He beamed proudly. "It’s some sort of clue to this barrier. I’m not sure how…"
"Let me try." Efa motioned for him to move aside. He stepped back, almost falling over Harding who had materialised from the battlements when Sera had shouted.
With a deep breath Efa clasped her hands together. This is easy magic. She told herself, bracing as she summoned the light to her hands. They glowed green. Not in the same way the anchor did, but softer, a gentle light pooling in the palm of her hand. The small flame flickered as she held it to the door. The light pulsed and jumped, rippling through the barrier as it dissipated into nothing.

She dropped her hand, flexing her fingers through the ache that persisted. She did her best to conceal thew pain but she could feel Iron Bull's eyes on her. Kenric and Harding however didn't seem to notice.
"Oh, well done." The professor clapped excitedly. "Well done, indeed." Without even waiting he darted into the doorway. Efa was beginning to worry they would not bring him back in one piece, but Harding, dutiful as ever was hot on his tail.
"That’s something you don’t see every day…"
Efa tapped her staff, igniting the tip to illuminate the room, on the far wall stood a shrine. She lit the braziers either side, shedding light over the partially visible statue.
"A pair of shrines." Kenric practically cooed as he examined it. "This one is clearly Andrastian, albeit from a very early period, likely pre-Divine."
Efa looked at the statue, the visage reminding her of the coin secured in the pouch on her belt.

"But this is elven. One of their gods. Um, what was it…?" Kenric continued talking animatedly. "'Every mother finds druffalo among sleeping juniper groves.' G-something, the one with the deer."
Efa's brows raised at his weird lyric.
"That would be Ghilan'nain," Efa's eye brows raised at his weird lyric. "Mother of the Halla."
"Yes, brilliant, thank you!" He pulled out his journal and began writing furiously. "That would have bothered me all day." 
"Two shrines for two lovers: Inquisitor Ameridan and Telana." Harding thought aloud.
"Oh, yes, that’s good! We know Telana was an elf thanks to your discovery on the island." Kenric nodded at Efa. "The Chantry expunged references to elves before the Exalted March on the Dales. They erased the Canticle of Shartan. They must have done the same to Telana."
"It’s only natural." Efa replied, trying to tone the bitterness in her voice. "History is written by the victor, after all."

"Will this be my fate?"
"Cole." Efa bristled at the rogues sudden appearance. Harding and Kenric turned to her but their expressions were glassy.
"Sorry…" He retreated back into the dark.
"Everything alright?" Harding looked at her questioningly. She could feel the faint shimmer of Cole's spirit around her, making the others forget that he had been there. She had begun to recognise the feeling the more she observed him. She sighed gratefully and nodded.
"Do you think this is where Ameridan died?" She tried to deflect, hoping they would turn back to the matters at hand.
"No, this was a site of preparation, not burial." Kenric, thankfully, continued like nothing had happened. "Ameridan and Telana put up this shrine together."
"Look at those flowers. They’re not native to the area." Harding crouched down to look at the blooms. "What if they were left at the shrine as an offering?"
Efa looked at the flowers as Harding pointed to them, despite the length of time the blossomed still bloomed even in the dark. She wondering if some kind of magic had preserved what looked to be blooms from Orlais.
"Yes, a night of prayer before battle against the dragon." Kenric scribbled more notes. "But then where, where- We’re missing something. What are we missing? Where did you go?"

Efa lifter her staff higher and looked towards the other walls. she walked along the edges feeling for anything out of the ordinary, on the walls with the door she found a device. It hummed with a familiar energy. She could faintly see a ruin carved into the front. Once more she lit a spark of veilfire, wincing at the anchor as it stung and lit the ruin.
"Professor, look at this." She called behind her. "'Shartan 10:7' and 'Transfigurations 10:1.'"
"Shartan is dissonant: 'And before them, empty, outstretched lay the land which led to the gates of Minrathous.' He recited effortlessly as she looked at the other side at a similar device. "And Transfigurations is, 'The Light shall lead her safely through the paths of this world.' Why these verses?"
Efa lit the next rune quickly, dismissing the magic in her hand before anything untoward happened.

"Why would Inquisitor Ameridan take the time to carve this before going into battle?"
"'The gates of Minrathous.'" Efa read to them, turning to Harding. "Isn’t there a Tevinter fortress in the area?"
"Yes? …Oh, of course, the ritual site!" He answered before Harding could open her mouth to speak. "To seal the dragon away, Ameridan’s elven mage must have used a spell, at a site of great power!"
"My scouts have checked the fortress." Harding looked around the professor answering Efa's question herself. "It’s sealed behind a wall of ice. It has to be magic."
"Let’s look around. Ameridan found a way through that ice, so that way should be nearby."

It didn't take long once back outside Efa could see the runes she had ignited had set off what looked like a giant cannon above the courtyard. After some more looking around she found the way to prime it.
"'The Light shall lead her safely through the paths of this world and into the next.'" Efa raid the inscription left on the device.
"Brilliant! When the Imperium abandoned this fortress, they left the wall of ice to—to…" Kenric bounced behind her struggling to find his words. "Lock the door behind them?"
"And every lock has a key." Harding patted his arm causing him to blush.
"Like these trail markers. Ameridan must have known how to use them." He checked his journal again. "If they can melt through the ice, that must be where Ameridan sealed away the dragon."

"I’ll follow the markers and see what we can find."

Chapter Text

It had taken the next day to follow the markers, stopping when night fell to make camp on the cliff side. Harding and Kenric had gone back south, heading back to the Research Outpost. When they found the final markers, they came upon the last rift. But the Hakkonites were out in full force. Sera and Cole had gone to Stone-bear Hold and the nearest camps to rally their allies. Then under the cover of dark they attacked, the Inquisition soldiers and Avvar working together to distract while Efa and her companions sealed the rift.
Once that was done and Efa had recovered from the sickness guarded closely by Cole they made work of the barriers. Watching their Avvar allies scale the wall into the fortress was a marvel, Efa was glad they had made such stout allied. She did not want to think about how they would have managed on their own.

Once inside, the Hakkonites were driven back and scattered, their soldiers carving a path forward to the the fortress centre. Beyond the walls Efa began to shiver, in the distance they could hear a voice echoing through the ice covered walls.

Sing the song of savage Hakkon, born in battle, bloody bladed.
Wintersbreath to wrack the lowlands, cold to cut and kill the hated.

Efa had felt cold before. The night she had trudged through the snow after Haven fell. But this was something else.

Meet the might of Mountain-Father, crush the creed of Korth the callow.
Leave the Lady lost and lonely, scour the skies of spirits sallow!

They moved as quickly as they dared, the ice underfoot threatening to send them to the ground if they placed a foot in the wrong place.

Gurd Harofsen, called the Cutter, wyvern-slayer, lowland-bane
Begs of Hakkon, bring his body bloody blessings, cold and pain!

They hovered next to a brazier, the Hakkonites clearly not immune to the freezing temperatures inside. Efa could feel the magic used to sustain the fires, the proximity bringing the feeling back to her fingers. Even Cole felt the chill, the spirit usually walked around Skyhold like it was a summers day. The chanting began to quiet down. They were running out of time, barely able to feel the wood of her staff, she pressed on, coming round the corner and stopping abruptly a gasp falling from her lips.

"There’s the d-dragon!" Sera's teeth chattered as she almost walked into Efa's back. "It’s frozen or s-something?"
"She’s stuck, still, a statue." Cole huddled close, gripping his daggers. "Hakkon is angry inside her."
"Long as it holds still like that, we should be all right."
Efa could see Gurd Harofsen ahead, standing before the frozen dragon. He was channelling something from the trapped creature, drawing its spirit into himself. He was surrounded by a guard of loyal Hakkonites, as they approached, the closest began to charge them. They fell into battle, Iron Bull and Cole rising to meet the challenge while Efa and Sera covered from behind. Her magic flowed within her. She could see the mark glowing as she swung her staff, if she felt pain, she was too numb to feel it in the baltic temperatures. Worse now as they closed in on the centre of the room. Efa retreated back towards one of the fires her eyes casting upwards as she prepared another spell, she wondered if she could summon her storm inside but when her eyes reached the top of the rock in the centre of the room she halted.

It looked like a figure knelt atop of the formation. Frozen too with the dragon.
"Ameridan..?" He words were more icy breath than sound.
"Oi wake up!" Sera flew in front of her swinging the reinforced edge of her bow, uppercutting the warrior who had closed in on her. Tearing her eyes away, Efa summoned a chain lightning. Casting it and stabbing the bladed edge of her staff through the chest of her stumbling assailant.

Across the room there was a blinding flash of green. Whatever Harofsen had been doing, he had finished. She could feel the raw power wash over her. It was sickeningly familiar, the air around her becoming distorted. She lowered her had from where she shielded her eyes. No longer was the Hakkonite thane standing before her. Gurd Harofsen was gone. In his place, a twisted abomination.
"Face me and die, Inquisitor!"
His voice was warped, laced with with another voice, deeper, more primal. Efa did not need to wonder who it belonged to as he spoke again.

"Your predecessor could not stand against me. You shall fall as well!" The voice of Hakkon boomed, the twisted body of Harofsen moving towards her. "I am the cold bite of winter! I am Hakkon reborn! Death to the lowlanders!"

Oh how Efa wished Briallen or Dorian was here as she dived out of the path of ice shards. She summoned a weak fire to the end of her staff and flung it back, the hiss of melting ice greeting her as Iron Bull charged through the steam. Her hand prickled, the urge to reach into the rift growing as she looked at the revenant form of Hakkon. Another blast of ice sent them all backwards, Efa tried to roll to steady herself but her landing was clumsy, unable to gain traction on the slippery floor. Slamming her staff into the stones she pulled herself up.
"Careful!" Iron Bull shouted. "Cold’s worse up close!"
"No shit Tiny!" Sera yelled at him, dipping several hours into the flaming braziers, firing them rapidly towards the revenant. Hakkon growled at her, sending more shards towards her, dousing the brazier and causing her to swear loudly as she was showered with sharp ice splinters.

Efa twirled her staff, forming a cloud above them, she almost laughed triumphantly at the storm beginning to swirl, but movement caught her eye. Small but the head of the figure had moved almost as if he was looking to her. She thought she had imagined it, until the ice surrounding the claw of the dragon crack, the claws retracting ever so slightly.
"Fuck." Efa cursed. She knew what she had to do.

Once again she jammed her staff into the crack formed by the fallen stone. She reached deep within her, letting the Fade tug at her magic. She let it reach out, searching for Hakkon as Cole and Iron Bull continued to dodge and attack from the front. There. She formed a fist with her had, grabbing on to the air. Hakkon yelled as his hand stopped mid cast, frozen in place. Cole didn't hesitate, his blade came up slicing through what flesh remained and severing the arm completely. Sera struck next, having moved to the last remaining fire, she sent three arrows burning into its skull. He writhed in pain, the sound silenced with a wet thunk of Iron Bull's axe crashing down on his head. Efa pulled the last of its body, grabbing with both hands this time as she shredded what remained.

The ground around them shook, as more ice began to crack from the body of the dragon. Above Efa could hear a groan, Inquisitor Ameridan. Her hand ached, but she ignore it and the sickness in her stomach as the anchor flared again. She had to get up to the rock, she had to see the Inquisitor. Somehow he was there, was he alive? Impossible. Or a spirit? A spirit would not look so solid. She looked around, searching for options, her eyes landing on her qunari companion.
"Bull!" She called out running towards the raised rock. "I need a boost!"
"You got it Boss!" He didn't even question why.
He met her at the rock turning his back to the stone and cupping his hands together low enough for her to step into.

"Ready Boss?" He asked as she reached for his shoulders to steady herself.
"Quickly Bull!" She commanded.

He didn't need telling twice. With as much power her flung her upwards, her hands scrambled against rock looking for purchase. Her foot found a holding and she managed to lift herself over the top.
She righted her self to a kneeling position, her eyes flicking up to the figure knelt in front of her. Her heart instantly slowed, a sick heavy feeling not caused by the anchor pooled in her stomach as she looked upon the man, no… elf, that knelt before her. He was elvhen, and further still to Efa's shock, Dalish. His face bore the vallaslin of Dirthamen, and in his hands he held firmly to a staff, a mages staff.

Everything she knew was wrong. She could feel the hurt, the betrayal at knowing history had forgotten the man sat in front of. She felt cold, not from the ice, but something was not right. She couldn't explain how empty it made her feel looking at her predecessor.
"Inquisitor." She summoned her voice back, bowing her head with respect.
"Inquisitor." He smiled at her softly, dipping his head as best he could, wincing at the strain. "Andaran atish'an da'len."
"Andaran atish'an haren." She blinked back the tears in her eyes.
"I am glad Drakon’s friendship with our people has remained strong." 
Efa's lip trembled then, the motion not unnoticed by the other Inquisitor.
"It has not." She took a shaky breath. "Drakon’s son, Kordillus the Second, destroyed the Dales."
"Drakon’s son…" 
"Inquisitor Ameridan, you disappeared in 1:20 Divine," Efa continued, "Around the time of the signing of the Nevarran Accord."
"You say it as though it was…" His eyes opened wide, understanding coming to him. "How long?"
"There has not been an Inquisitor since you disappeared…" Efa bowed her head again. "800 years ago."

The tears on her face crack softly, falling from where they had frozen on her cheeks. The dragon behind him rumbled again. She raised herself back to look at Ameridan as he spoke again.
"Drakon was my oldest friend." He sounded sad. "He would have sent someone to find me."
"He never had the chance." Efa felt the ache in her chest constricting her. "The darkspawn that rose in the Anderfels threatened all of Orlais."
"I see." He nodded grimly. "Telana escaped the battle. Did she- do the records say what became of her?"
"She returned to the island." He voice almost faltered now. "From what we can tell, she died trying to reach you through dreams."
"I asked her not to." Ameridan let out an anguished cry. "She was a good hunter and the love of my life, but she never…"
Ameridan sighed deeply, letting all of the information sink in. His grip on his staff tightened as he felt the tug of Hakkon, his magic beginning to slip away.

"I never wanted this job. Hunting demons was so much simpler than politics." Ameridan said after a moment. "But Drakon told me I was needed- As I suspect you were needed."
"I wasn’t Inquisitor by choice." Efa understood the sorrow in his words. "Whatever my life was before…"
"Take moments of happiness where you find them." He looked at her, as if he could see straight through to her worse fears. "The world will take the rest."
"It hasn’t been all bad." She tried to sound reassuring.
"I am glad to hear it." He reached a hand to her face to brush away the remaining tears. "And sorry to burden you with my unfinished business."
The dragon shook again, more ice began to crack, releasing more of Hakkon from the seal.

"The dragon carries the spirit of an Avvar god. I lacked the strength to kill it." His gaze followed Efa's as she looked up to its face. "My own magic was able to bind us all, locked in time. But when the cultists drew that spirit into another vessel, it disrupted my bindings."
As if hearing his words, the ice surrounding its snout began to crack, and angry huff rumbling deep in its throat.

"It is breaking free." Ameridan confirmed what she could see. 
"You won’t be fighting it alone this time." Efa stared transfixed as its eyes honed in on her, bearing down into her uncomfortably.
"No." Efa's eyes snapped back down to him as he pulled his hand back. "You will. The passage of years can be delayed, but not ignored. I will soon join Telana at Andraste’s side."
Efa shook her head, she was not ready to say goodbye. She had so many questions still. The shrine, Telana, The Emperor. The grumbling grew louder, time was almost up.
"Take this." With the last of his strength he rose to his feet, standing proudly before her. He reached for her hand and curled it around his staff. The small action offering a slice of comfort she so desperately needed. "It holds the last few memories of an old hunter who was neither as wise nor as strong as he thought."
He released the staff into her hands and stepped back.
"Fight well, Inquisitor." He tilted his head towards her one final time. "I am honoured to have met you."
"Dareth shiral haren." She held the staff to her chest.

She watched as the the Inquisitor's body began to fade. She hoped that the Gods, all of them, would be kind enough to reunite his with Telana. She couldn't help but to think of Cullen, as soon as they were done, she would return to Skyhold. She needed to see him, to hold him again and tell him-
A deafening roar silenced her thoughts. the remainder of the ice exploded catching her with enough force to send her toppling over the edge of the rock. Somehow, she was caught, barrelling into the heavy chest of Iron Bull with an oof.

She wasn't the only thing that fell. The ground shook violently as the God-possessed dragon finally became free. It shook its head, shaking its disorientation before snarling at them. Standing up it spread its wings, taking off and out of the newly caved in ceiling to fortress.

"She still has Hakkon inside her." Cole helped her regain her footing from Bull's grasp. "We have to stop her before she hurts people."
"We can't afford to waste any time." She nodded, Ameridan's staff gripped tightly in her hand as she began to lead them out.

Everything in front of her was a disaster. They had had to leave their soldiers as the Stone-bear Avvar cleaning up the last remaining Hakkonites as the travelled as swiftly as they could back down the basin. There had been no time for rest as they hurried through the night and into the first light of dawn. Time was precious and resources were low, they couldn't even afford to stop at the swamp side camp to restock.
No words were shared, all of them pushing through until they made it off the cliff side and down to the lakeside path. The sight that met them made Efa cry out in alarm.

The boathouse was gone. The entire land and water from the base of the mountain to The Lady's Rest was covered in ice. There was no way Rolfsen had survived if he had been there. Hakkon had claimed lives already. She could see the great dragon circling ahead.
"We need to draw its gaze." Efa said, her throat dry. "Down passed where the boat house was."
"I'm sure we can get its attention Boss." Iron Bull looked at her with a wiggle in his eyebrow. Despite being visibly exhausted, he looked eager to throw himself back into the fight.
"She's waiting for us." Cole said distantly.
"Good!" Sera scowled. "The faster we take them down the better!"
"Just be careful everyone."

The managed to make it down to the ice field, carefully making their way across. They were almost at the point they wanted when a crop of red hair caught their attention.
"Harding!" Efa called out to her.
"Inquisitor!" Harding looked relieved. "Figured I'd find you here. Thank the Ancestors you made it."
"What are you doing here?" She grasped the dwarfs hand tightly in greeting.
"When the dragon appeared, I sent the Professor back off to the Outpost with what guards remained." She explained. "I grabbed as much as I could and came out to keep an eye on it. Thought you all might need some back up."
Efa looked down to the ground where the scout pointed, eyes catching sight of the rucksack laying partially opened. Efa flipped the lip open full and sighed with relief.
"What would I do without you?" A small smile reached her face as she handed the bag of potions to Sera.
"Probably fall head first into the Fallow Mire." She grinned back wickedly.

They each drained a potion, feeling the small ease to the fatigue and remaining injuries they had carried from the fortress. The remainder was distributed between the rest of them.
"Are you fighting with us?" Efa turned to Harding holding the last two potions out to her.
"If you'll have me." She took the potions and tucked them into her belt. "Although I've never fought a dragon before."
"Stay with Sera" Efa motioned towards the other archer. "If you can light a fire, tip your arrows. And watch out for flying ice."
"One flaming barrage coming right up!" Sera grinned grabbing Harding and moving further down.
"Bull?" Efa looked to him.
"You know I got this Boss." He growled, eager to get going. "I'll bring her down."

Together with Cole they followed him down to the ice hovering back under the wreckage of the broken cabins as Bull cried out to get the dragons attention. It was a tried and tested method, Bull really had a gift in drawing the creatures to him, and this time was no exception. Hakkon landed in front of him letting out a tirade of ice breath, the qunari dodged at the last moment forwards and under its legs, slashing at the tender spots where its limbs met its body.

We will soak the ground with lowlander blood!
The dragon screeched, voice once more distorted.
Prove yourself in battle! Fight me!
Flaming arrows shot overhead, Cole was instantly on the move weaving through the ice that rained down.
You gain glory in death!
Efa rose from her position holding Ameridan's staff tightly, the grip felt right, as if it had been made for her and not the previous Inquisitor from centuries ago. When she swung it, it moved gracefully, an extension of her arm as spells fired. The anchor was blissfully inactive, allowing her to aid her comrades as the brought Hakkon down piece by piece.

I am cold! I am war!
Efa watched the dragon rear its head, turning towards where the last of the flaming arrows had come from. As it opened its maw to fire, Efa dived towards Harding and Sera.
"Please let this work." she grimaced as she slid on the ice in front of them. The stream of ice began pummelling towards them. Holding out her had she willed her magic into the mark. Hoping and praying to any Gods that could hear her for it to work.
"What the stone!?" She heard a yell behind her as the ice smashed against Efa's barrier.
"Don't question!" Sera yelled. "Keep firing!"
The arrows began again, piercing the bubble of magic and hitting Hakkon as it advanced towards them.
You fight well! A worthy battle!
Distracted, Iron Bull and Cole moved into a better position. With a great swing of his axe down onto its head, the dragon screeched in pain as Cole jumped up pushing his slender dagger into its eye.
Efa released the barrier carefully, once it was certain that the dragon was dead. She bit back the bile in her mouth as a strange glow began to rise from the creature.

Well fought, lowlanders. It was a good battle. I die… content.

The voice was no longer distorted, but a singular clear sound that dissipated into the morning sun. She could hear the yells of victory around her but her eyes began to blur. She swayed slightly dropping to her knees unable to hold back the sickness in her. She could hear her name, somewhere in the distance, but whoever it was she could not tell.

Hands caught her as she fell forward, her vision darkening further before everything went black.

Efa felt heavy.
She opened her eyes slowly to be met with the wooden ceiling of Kenric's cabin. She blinked several times, turning her head stiffly to the window. It was dark outside, and likely she had been unconscious for some time. She hoped no one had sent a report back to Skyhold, the last thing she needed was Cullen worrying unnecessarily before she returned. He probably already was in a state considering she had not spoken to him in possibly a few day.

"Hey you're awake!" Harding's joyful voice drifted across the cabin.
"How long was I out?" She groaned trying to sit.
"Few hours." Harding crossed the room to her. "Long enough for Master Bull to carry you back here."
"Did anyone send reports back to Skyhold?" Efa braced herself.
"No…" Harding answered awkwardly. "Your companions insisted that I waited for your approval to send a bird."
"Good." Efa sighed with relief. "Ill take them personally. With everything that's happened I want to deliver it myself."
"Understood your Ladyship." The dwarf bowed and made to leave.

"Harding?" Efa called out.
"Yes your worship?"
"Great shooting."
"I’ve never gotten to see you take down a dragon in person." She beamed with pride, an excited glint in her eyes. "I must say. It’s fun to see it up close."
"Perhaps this calls for a new title." Efa smiled weakly. "Dragonslayer Harding, perhaps?"
"A fancy title goes against the point of being a scout." she saluted against her chest. "Nobody should see me coming."
"Quite so."

Efa swung her legs out of bed, pulling on the boots that had been removed for her. Her eyes lingered on the staff resting against the wall by the bed. Now that she had a chance she could see the twisted designs carved into the wood. The Creators, the Maker and Andraste. There was still so much she wished she could have asked. She could feel an emptiness in her chest as her fingers ghosted over the carvings.
"Inquisitor Ameridan would have been proud that you finished what he started." Harding followed her gaze. "It’s strange. History forgot so much of who he was. They never knew he died saving everyone. Do you ever feel that way?"
Efa picked up the staff, fixing it to harness around her back. She let out a breath before she moved towards Harding near the door.
"There are things they don’t understand," Efa squeezed her shoulder. "Things no one outside the Inquisition will ever know."
"Some of the secrets are necessary, don’t get me wrong. It’s just…" She trailed of, as if unsure she could continue. "Every time you’re 'more than just a person' to someone, you’re also less than a person to them."
Harding's words hit her hard. It was fine when she thought them, but to hear her fears from someone else? She swallowed hard, unable to form any words.

"They don’t see that a real normal woman fought the Avvar and killed that dragon." Harding continued through Efa's silence. "And they certainly don’t know about your strange fixation with elfroot."
"Hey!" Efa barked a laugh. The comment taking her by surprise. "My feelings for elfroot are classified, Scout Harding."
"I’ll carry your secret to my pyre." She laughed at her reaction. "For what it’s worth, nice work, Lavellan. I'll let you get some proper rest."
"You too Harding."

Efa exited the cabin behind her, there was hardly anyone around save for the patrolling guards. Down by the fire however she found a familiar shape hunched over several open books.
"Your cabin is free again," efa said causing the man to jump. "Save your back the strain."
"Inquisitor!" He almost dropped the journal as he startled. "Are you well?"
"I am returning to my own tent to sleep the night." Efa smiled weakly. "I am sorry you were forced out of your accommodations for me."
"Not at all My Lady, I offered." She held the book to his chest. "I understand you located the final resting place of Inquisitor Ameridan?"
"I was able to speak with the Inquisitor briefly before he died."
Kenric looked at her, blinking several times as he took in what she had just said.

"I’m sorry?"
"A ritual kept Inquisitor Ameridan alive all these centuries," Efa's voice was low, Kenric was the first person she had spoken too about her conversation with Ameridan. "Binding him and the dragon."
"Oh, did his- Telana cast some sort of spell before retreating?" He asked but Efa shook her head. "Or- you- you’re not implying that Ameridan was a mage? I’m committed to the truth, but if such an important figure in Chantry history were revealed to have been a mage…"
He pulled his own journal up from its perch and dipped his quill writing down this new information.
"Not just a mage, Kenric." Efa took a breath. "An elvhen mage."

"An- oh. Oh, Andraste’s dimples. This will be- I’ll either be famous or beheaded." He stared at her in disbelief, his quill held poised in his hand dripping ink onto the paper. "This upends centuries of history, not to mention families claiming descent from him. There may be consternation. Nevertheless, what matters is the truth."
He let out a pained gasp as he noticed the blotch spreading across his notes. He furiously tried to mop it up but the page was ruined.
"If he was elvhen, then the Dalish- well, it will be- just brilliant." He continued rambling, tearing out the ruined page. "I will spread the word appropriately. Thank you again for this marvellous opportunity."
"Of course…"

Efa couldn't share in his happiness at the discovery. She knew what it would mean to the world, to the Chantry. She should probably warn Leliana, Divine Victoria, if she didn't already know. She wouldn't put it passed Harding to have snuck a message to her, loyal as always. She crawled into her tent, exhaustion catching up with her once again. She didn't have the energy to change or remove her boots, she slumped face first into the roll and fell asleep instantly.

"You're going to wear a trench into the stone if you don't stop."
"Shut it Rylen."
The Captain sighed, watching his Commander and brother in law pace anxiously across the battlements. He had been on edge for the best part of five days. First there had been silence, whenever Cullen had called there was no response. But on the third day she had finally responded mid morning. She had sounded exhausted, exhausted and distant. Usually when he spoke to her she at least felt warmth in her voice, but on that day she was nothing but cold. It immediately put him more on edge, Rylen had found him barking at soldiers more viciously and sent him away to his office to take his frustrations out on paperwork instead.

Now on the fifth day, Cullen was waiting impatiently. When she had spoken to him, it was to tell her they would be leaving back to Skyhold that day. Nothing about the expedition, or why she had not been answering, just a hollow few words that did nothing to elevate his worry. It had been a long time since they had seen Cullen fret this way, Josephine tried to assure him everything would be okay but she had been met with a cold stare and a deep scowl. Even his siblings couldn't bring him comfort. Rylen, ever faithful, followed him around and ensured he was sure he wasn't going to do something he regretted.

Cullen paused in his steps, the sound of hooves coming in across the bridge. He spun to look out, his eyes catching the familiar shape of Revas before he took off towards the stairs. Rylen sighed, pushing himself off the wall where he had been leaning and followed him down, just as the alarm heralded the Inquisitors return. Cullen approached her in an instant.
"Efa…" He sighed in relief.
"Cullen…" Her voice was emptier than he had ever heard it.
He looked at her as she released the reigns and made to dismount, she felt thinner as his hands came around her waist and paler in complexion. He noted the missing parts of her wraps, her chest covered in only the dragon mail and belted at the waist. Her eyes were dark and to his horror, she shook as he lifted her down, landing on shaky legs. If he had not had a hold of her surely she would have fallen.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm tired." She fisted her hands weakly into the fur of his mantle.
"Do you need a healer?" Cullen couldn't hide the concern in his voice.
"No." She shook her head. "Just a bath and sleep."

"Cullen let me take her up and get cleaned." Mia appeared at their side placing an hand on her arm.
"Alright." Cullen lent down and kissed her softly. "I'll come up once things are settled here."
Mia curled Efa's arm into her elbow and took her up the stairs. Cullen watched her go reluctantly.
"Bull?" Cullen called over his shoulder. "What happened?"
"Can't say I know all the details Boss." The qunari sauntered up behind him. "Something really spooked her out in that fortress. She hasn't been the same since we defeated the dragon."
"Dragon!?" Cullen's head whipped around. "You were looking for the remains of the former Inquisitor how did a dragon become involved?"
"Its a long story." Iron Bull shrugged. "You're better hearing it from her."
He indicated up to the keep, where Efa and Mia had disappeared. He sighed, taking hold of Revas' reigns. He patted down the neck of the hart who huffed at him warmly. He rubbed his greying snout against Cullen's hand before he walked him with Bull and his horse down to the stables.

He pulled Efa's pack off and reached for her staff, but it was not the same staff she had left with.
"Bull?" He called to him again. "What happened to her staff?"
"Not sure Boss. She had it until she-" He stopped himself. "I'm sure she'll tell you about it."
Cullen felt a prickle of annoyance. He knew there was something wrong, something he wasn't tell him. Iron Bull had always been reliable in his reports, it was not like him to be cagey about something.
"Cullen, I get it." Iron Bull began again, reading his change in demeanour. "I'd tell you what I know, but I know she's waiting to speak to you about it. She want's you to hear it from her. We fought without rest from dusk till the following noon. Let her rest first, for her sake, and yours."

He nodded, his fingers tracing the details on the staff, he recognised the Andrastian symbols right away, but the others, familiar but he couldn't place it. The staff looked old, but well preserved. He wondered how it had come to her possession and who it belonged too. He could feel a shiver of magic through his palm as her held it, not Efa's signature trace but someone else. With her pack and her staff he began making his way back to the keep. Rylen caught up with him at the top of the courtyard.
"No report from Iron Bull ser, but I have one from Scout Harding."
"I'll be working the remainder of the day from the Inqui- my personal quarters." Cullen corrected himself. "I trust you to oversee everything in my absence."
"Of course ser." Rylen tucked the reports into the top of Efa's bag carefully. "Mia will probably insist you eat at some point so you's better expect her later."
"Like she would listen if I told her not too." Cullen chuckled dryly.
"If anything important comes up I'll have her deliver it then."
"Very good."

By the time he reached the room Efa was just getting into bed. Mia smiled at him softly as she braided Efa's long hair down her back. He rested the staff on the stand where her old one would normally stand. and placed her bags by the dresser, removing the reports and setting them down on his desk, moved from his old office to her room when he vacated the tower he had previously occupied.

He met Mia at the top of the stairs, stopping his sister before she left them in peace.
"Did she say anything?"
"Not a word."
He nodded grimly, letting her go before he began to strip his armour placing it on the stand alongside his sword. He settled at his desk pulling open the report from Harding. As he scanned the document his brow furrowed. He had never read a sparse report. It mentioned the camps and Hakkonite Avvar's that had threatened their forces. Scant mentions of a Tevinter fortress and the ice they had broken through with the allies of Stone-Bear Hold. The Hakkonites had threatened them and a confrontation had taken place resulting in a dragon being unleashed for the fortress interior. A short line mentioned that they had achieved their goal, then the report ended saying that troops would withdraw with the Professor back to Orlais before they returned to Skyhold.

Cullen felt like he had learnt very little. He rubbed the stubble on his chin, he hadn't shaved in days. Not since Efa had stopped replying. With next to nothing in the report he could work with, he rose from the desk to the wash room, pulling out his shaving kit to deal with the unkempt beard beginning to grow. What happened down there? He had never seen Efa like this. She looked, lost. He put down his shaving blade, lifting a cloth to his face to dry it. As he lowered the towel his eyes caught one of the small carved figurines on the shelf. The small halla, delicate elvhen runes carved into its body. He remembered this one, it represented one of the gods. Ghilan'nain. He picked up the ornament and looked at the symbol again. It struck him then, the familiarity in the symbol. He replaced the ornament back on the shelf between the collection of plants and reached for the next one, sure enough the symbol carved into the knotted puzzle was the same as the staff.

"Andrastian and elvhen?" He muttered out loud, returning to the bedroom and taking another look at the strange new staff Efa had acquired. There they were, the symbols of the creators, woven in to the symbols of the Maker and Andraste. Maker's breath…

He sat back at his desk, mulling over the the possible reasons why both religions were woven together. Coming up empty he returned to his work, his eyes dragging back to scout Harding's report every so often in the hopes that the words had changed or new meanings would become apparent. He wasn't aware of how much time passed, until a soft knock came at the door. Stretching his legs he went down to find Mia as expected, holding a tray of food and a pot of hot water. Taking it, he thanked her, noting that nothing new had come from Rylen in the time he had been here. Good.

Back upstairs he rested the pot on the stand by the stove to stay warm, Mia had been thoughtful enough to not stew the tea, not knowing when Efa would wake, instead a small box of leaves rested in the centre of the tray alongside bread, cut meats, cheese and fruit. He put it down on his desk, picking at the food and reading Harding's report for the hundredth time. The light had grown darker without realising, he lit a candle on the desk so he could see better, the fire not enough for him to see the words scrawled across the parchment.

Efa shuffled in the bed across the room causing his head to snap up. She appeared to still be asleep, but he could hear a small whimper escape her. Standing from the desk he walked quietly across the room, perching himself on the bed beside her. He reached to brush one of the shorter stray locks of hair from her face, an action he had performed many times while she slept, guaranteed to sooth her when her dreams turned foul. But this time she did not calm, her breathing grew heavier and suddenly she cried out, her cries turning to screams. Cullen jumped at the sudden escalation, withdrawing his hand as she lashed out.
"Efa!" he called you her. He reached for her shoulder's trying to shake her gently. "Wake up!"

Another shake and she shot up, almost hitting him in the face if he hadn't had a firm grip on her. She blinked rapidly, eyes straining in the darker room until they found him.
"C-Cullen." she began to cry, burying her face into his tunic.
"I'm here." he stroked her hair. "It was just a dream."
"N-no." She stuttered. "It's more than that."
"What do you mean?" He moved further onto the bed pulling her into his arms fully.
"It started a few weeks ago." She clung onto him as if scared she would slip away. "A wolf with too many eyes."
"A wolf?"
"It circles and then-" She stopped her voice catching in her throat.
"And then?" He coaxed her softly.
"It takes my hand…" Her voice was so quiet he almost missed it.
"Your hand?"
"It hurts Cullen." She opened her palm, a faint green light fading back into the anchor. "It's getting worse. I don't know how much longer I can go on like this- Cullen…"

She moved away from him ever so slightly, looking up at his face properly, firelight dancing off his golden hair. She reached for his face tracing the scar she had grown fond of. Her lip trembled, fresh tears spilling from her eyes as she finally admitted the greatest fear she had been holding

"I think I might be dying…"

Efa continued to cry as she confessed, Cullen sat stunned holding her in his arms as she explained her sickness and how severe the anchor had become. He didn't know when he began crying himself. He held onto her as tightly as he could, kissing her softly when she stopped, reassuring her that she would be okay. That whatever it was it they would find a way together. He would not let her die.

"What if we can't?" She lay against his chest, his back now resting against the headboard, fingers entwined together. "What if I am forgotten?"
"I wont forget you." Cullen shook his head. "I won't let anything happen to you I promise."
"The world will forget me." She curled in closer. "They forgot Ameridan. Even after all he did."
"You were able to discover his resting place?" Cullen asked carefully. "You know what became of him?"
"I did." Efa sighed. "Everything they taught us about him is wrong."
"Tell me?"
She sat up turning to look at him. Her braid become loose now after her episode. she nodded slowly.
"I will, but I think I need something to eat first."

Cullen retrieved the tray Mia had left for them, adding the tea leaves to the strainer and pouring her a warm cup. She sighed gratefully as she inhaled the scent, sipping slowly as Cullen prepared the bread and meat for her. She set down her cup picking at the food and taking a few bites.
"Tell me what you remember of Ameridan."
Her words shocked him as he climbed back into bed with her, pulling a piece of cheese of the plate for himself.
"He was a Seeker of the Chantry, a warrior who abandoned the Orleasian Empire on a hunt of some kind."
"Human?" She eyes him as she continued to eat.
"Yes..?" Cullen watched her face fall. "He wasn't human."
"Or a warrior," she took another sip of her tea.

Cullen waited for her to continue. She took a moment, formulating the best way to reveal what she knew. The only sound in the room was the crackling of the fire until she exhaled again softly.
"Ameridan was elvhen." She began. "One of my own, and not just Dalish, but a mage as well."
"What?" Cullen looked at her in disbelief. "The staff…"
"It was his staff." Efa followed his gaze to the staff across the room. "I don't remember what happened to mine but he gave it to me."
"What do you mean he gave it too you?"
"I need to go back to the beginning, for you to understand."

She started with the island, with Telana and the trapped spirit. How she had been given the Emperor's orders, preserved by magic. And then to the first of the Tevinter fortresses they had found and the shrine inside. He nodded, recalling their conversation over the sending stone a week ago.
"You're saying they were both elves, but they made a shrine to Andraste as well?" Cullen looked at her.
"Yes. It was like the calm before the storm, flowers and carvings. Andraste herself holding halla. I've never seen anything like it."
"The staff has elvhen and Andrastian carvings as well…"
"You noticed?" She looked surprised.
"I did."
"He was devout of both, a servant of Orlais, trying to stop them falling to the Avvar god bound into a dragons flesh." She continued. "They lured Hakkon into a trap, but Telana was wounded, he sent her away. He didn't have the strength to Kill Hakkon, so he bound them both. Locked away forever in a frozen tomb until someone found the key eight hundred years later."

She took a pause, wiping away at the tears prickling at her again, she was amazed she had any left to cry as she remembered looking at Ameridan, alive and breathing, waiting for her.
"He was alive, all this time, bound in time unable to move on or finish his task. Harofsen tried to take Hakkon in to himself and we stopped him, but the damage was done, the spell began to break. I was able to speak to him, before he moved on."
"You spoke to him…" Cullen looked at her with awe.
"He thought the empire and the elves were still friends, I told him how they destroyed us and the Dales." Tears fell once more down her cheeks. "I told him about Telana, trying to reach for him, dying without knowing what became of him. He trusted me to finish his work, he gave me the staff and then he moved on."
"Efa…" Cullen wrapped his arms around her.
"All I could think about is what would happen if that was us?" She cried into him. "If I just disappeared would you do the same? Die waiting for an answer you would never get. When people look back at us centuries from now will I be a human warrior? Will they take away all the good we did? What if I die and no one cares?"

"Shh." He soothed her. "You will not be forgotten. Remember Varric is already halfway through your book."
She chuckled weakly. "Of course…"
"We can't know what happens in the future." He lifted her face to him, kissing her tear streaked cheeks one after the other. "People will remember you and all the good you did. A dalish mage who stood against all odds. My brave, beautiful Efa."
He kissed her fully, tasting the tea on her lips.

"We will do everything we can to make sure they remember who we are."

Chapter Text

Efa sat in her favourite chair in Josephine's office, it had been three weeks since her return from the Frostback Basin and she had just received the official report Kenric had made on Inquisitor Ameridan. She had barely slept, continuing to be plagued by the same dream over and over until she was woken screaming by Cullen. She ate less and less, her frame becoming frailer much to Cullen's dismay. They had all become worried for her, Mia had taken it upon herself despite her own delicate state to ensure she was taking care of herself. Even if it was fruit or bread. Any food was better than nothing.

Efa flicked through the pages of the report, skimming the parts she was already familiar with and then giving her attention to what he had discovered in the journals. Not much of the narrative had changed, but it had confirmed it all. She sighed, she knew there was a good chance that a lot of people were not going to like what they had discovered.

As if on cue there was a knock at the door and Jim walked in, handing a stack of missives to Josephine who worked quietly at her desk as she read.
"My lady," Jim turned to her and handed her an embossed envelope.
"Thank you," Efa took the envelope and turned it over, noting the Divine's seal. Carefully she broke it, unfurling the letter and beginning to read.

Dearest Inquisitor,

I pray this letter finds you in good health. I hope you are well rested after your recent excursion to the Frostback Basin.

I am afraid that the news I bear will not be the welcome kind but following Professor Kenric's discovery and the part you played I cannot hold the world at bay any longer.

You are hereby summoned to appear before the Exalted Council, to determine the continued presence of the Inquisition as a unaffiliated organisation, proceeded over by myself and delegations from both Ferelden and Orlais. You will be expected to present yourself to the Winter Palace on the final day of Bloomingtide.

It is with great sadness that I must do this, as you know I have always had the greatest faith in my role as your adviser.

Until then
Divine Victoria

Efa read it twice, her hand beginning to shake as she parsed its meaning. She had worried that the outcome of Kenric's research would spark outrage, but never had she imagined it would come to this so suddenly.
"Jim?" She called to the scout still hovering at Josephine's desk for outgoing missives.
"Yes your Worship?" He snapped to attention.
"I need you to summon Commander Cullen to the war room." Efa rose to her feet clutching the letter. "Tell him it is of the utmost importance."
"Yes Inquisitor!" He was out the door in a flash.
"Josie?" She turned to Josephine who was already gathering her things ready.

In the war room she handed the letter to Josephine who read it with a sigh. When Cullen arrived looking like he had run, she showed him the contents as well.
"Why did Divine Victoria call the Exalted Council?" Cullen growled, finishing the letter and handing it to Efa. "She’s kept Orlais from bothering us for the last two years."
"At increasing political cost, yes. She has done all she can, but the Exalted Council has become necessary." Josephine looked sad, Efa lent on the table while they bickered. "Orlais would control us. They already have a line of suitors waiting for you both should your engagement fall through."
"It will not fall through." Cullen snapped. "Those vultures need to leave us alone."
"Our real concern is Ferelden." Josephine patted his arm sympathetically. "They would see us disbanded entirely."
"Bri warned me that Teagan is on the war path. Since we are located on Ferelden soil." Efa looked at Skyhold's position on the map. "I take it the King and Queen will not be in attendance?"
"Highly unlikely." Josephine shook her head. "As your brother-in-law and sister they are too close to be impartial."
"Figures." Efa stood up, feeling slightly dizzy. "That gives us less than three weeks to prepare and leave."
"We will see to it done."