A/N: so you guys know this happens after the the breach has been closed and after the Inquisition. if you would like to know more please go check out my recent fics.

Chapter 1

"Why would he say something like that?" "I can't believe him!"

she angrily kicked at a pile of leaves on the path. Of course she was armor-clad. The woods in the Hinterlands are still dangerous. Fade rifts or no. She decided that she would go on her usual path in the woods just in case something went awry. She sighed heavily.

"I'm sure he didn't mean it..."

She thought back to the last thing he said to her before she stormed out the door slamming it forcefully.

"Fine! Leave! I hope you get attacked and never come back!"

Opening her eyes she realized there were tearing lightly streaming down her cheeks. He would never say anything to her like that. Leaves rustled behind her as she went on down the path. She assumed it was the wind until she heard voices.

"Aye, look at the pretty lady!"

she turned around as her eyes greeted her with nothing but rocks and trees. When she turned back to her front she saw three mercenaries the tallest of the three leaned down to her.

I said...look at the pretty lady.."

beyond caring she landed a punch in his jaw. The man, who she assumed was the leader, reached up to his jaw and rubbed it.

Looking at her he said, "Shut this bitch up."

Prepared, she drew her daggers as the two men charged for her she realized they were no ordinary mercenaries. These ones seemed injected with Red Lyrium. She could tell by the faint red tint in their eyes and the veins of red on their necks. Before one of them could bring down their blade she quickly reacted by throwing a knockout bomb at them and dived between the two men. While they were in their stupor she ran each of her daggers through their backs. The leader, shocked, screamed for reinforcements. Jumping out of what seemed like nowhere the abominations of men charged at her with force as a Red Lyrium Mercenary Horror trailed behind them. Quickly she was overwhelmed and was tiring very quickly. Suddenly the Red Mercenary Horror came at her with full force bringing one of his large lyrium infected hands across her side leaving a tear in her armor and a gash in her side.

After writhing in agony she screamed at them "You soul-less bastards!"

as she ran from the fight towards a cave she and Cullen discovered one day while going for a walk. Rushing as fast as she could she made it to the cave collapsing within. Mustering every ounce of strength she propped herself up against the rocky wall of the cave. Inspecting the wound on her side she slowly removed her chestpiece and began removing the shards of Red Lyrium left from the almost fatal blow before it could do any further damage to her. Closing her eyes. She passed out.

"Can you hear me?"

All she could gear was that lone voice in the darkness...

"Can you hear me?" This time the voice was more urging.

"Please Amalia..Please"

This time she knew that the voice was Cullen's. She wondered if she was dreaming. She opened her eyes. There he was kneeling over her with a look of concern on his face.

"Thank the Maker, you're alive."

"Yes...uhm...where am I exactly..?"

She shifted slightly and her hand immediately met her side. This time she felt cloth. It was a bandage.

"you're in this cave here...you don't remember?" he questioned.

"No" she said. "I don't." "I only remember blacking out then...hearing you.." She looked up into his eyes.

There was sympathy there and regret. This she knew.

"Yes...you were out for quite a time." "I'd say..oh twenty-four hours at least.

She looked around looking for some sign of food that he might have brought. There was none in sight.

"How did you last?"

"Well.." He sighed running a hand through his blonde hair.

"I didn't really...I wanted to stay here and protect you while you recovered."

"Well I'm still upset with you about..." she trailed off.

"Yes, I am terribly sorry..." he looked down to her bandages." "If I knew...If only.." There was a hint of frustration in his voice.

"Cullen..." She said. "Don't...It's alright I forgive you..."

"Thank you love" "If I were to have lost you I would have never forgiven myself." he stood up and turned to her.

"Here let me help you up" He extended a gloved hand to her.

"No lets stay."

"If you wish" he said as he settled in beside her.

She put her head on his shoulder as there was silence between them.

"I have many regrets and this is one" he whispered as he gestured to her bandages.

"What would it take to mend your broken heart?" he looked into her eyes searching her gaze.

"Stay" she said. "With me."

A soft smile crossed his face. "I would be glad to"

For the rest of the day it was there in the cave that they stayed mending their broken hearts.