Amell leaned against the railing, staring out at the sea as she was brought closer to where she'd be spending the rest of her days. Three years had passed since the nightmare at the Ferelden circle. Three years since Cullen had left. Three years as she helped rebuild the broken circle. And now she was on a boat, traveling to Kirkwall, to a new adventure. Under the guise of a transfer, she was going there to prevent what happened in Ferelden from happening here.

Alistair accompanied her. While they were no longer lovers, hadn't been since the terrible tragedy at the circle, they were very close. She still loved him, enough to let him go. She couldn't give him all of her and that's what he deserved. So they had settled into a deep friendship.

"Have I mentioned how bad of an idea this is?" Alistair said, his back to her, staring out at the sea.

"Someone's got to do it," she replied.

"But that someone doesn't have to be you."

"It's a little late now."

They both knew the real reason she had volunteered. Cullen was in Kirkwall.

"I don't know if I can protect you here. You know the stories they tell. The beatings, the rapes, making Harrowed mages tranquil… the list goes on and on."

"Rumors."

"That doesn't mean it isn't true."

She sighed. They had been over this before. He would point out all the reasons this was a bad plan and she'd stubbornly ignore him. She knew it was a bad plan. She knew that she risked not just her sanity but her life. But she had to try. Kirkwall wasn't going to save itself. So with the backing of the First Enchanter and the Knight Commander, they arranged to have her and Alistair transferred.

She would infiltrate and liberate the circle here. She would not allow the madness of blood mages corrupt her new home. She would do whatever it took to protect the innocents. And if along the way that meant she'd see him, be near him again, then it was worth the potential pain. Alistair couldn't see that though. He simply remembered the broken man that had broken her heart.

She didn't know what she expected to happen when she arrived. All she knew was that there was no going back.

"I'll be fine Alistair. I can handle it. Plus I have you for back up. You're good back up."

He didn't take the compliment. "I've seen you handle yourself. You tend not to leave anything behind."

She remembered with a bit of a sick stomach how she had lost control at the tower when Uldred had taken over. She had been so scared and she'd used her fear to fuel her spells, causing mass amounts of devastation. She knew she couldn't lose control like that again. It was too dangerous. She would have to use her wits and charm to navigate the potential problems of this circle. She only prayed she wouldn't be alone.

# # # # #

Cullen woke covered in sweat, his breathing heavy and his arm reaching for his sword. Another nightmare. Three years had passed but sleep still proved a struggle. He would be back in the tower, fighting for his life, watching his friends be slaughtered or worse, watching them give in to their captors. Every night was a gamble. Would the nightmares come? Usually they did.

He downed his drought of lyrium, feeling its magic snake through his system, dulling his senses. He had come to rely on the drug to get through his day. Today he was to oversee a transfer from Ferelden. He wasn't looking forward to it. What if he recognized the mage? What if they recognized him? He didn't want to deal with it. But it was his job and he served the Chantry and the Maker in everything that he did so he didn't question his superior's orders.

The nightmares made him moody. As he dressed and left his quarters, his bad mood seemed to follow him like a dark cloud. The other templars noticed and kept their distance. He had made few friends here and he was glad of it. He took his duty seriously. No need to befriend the men under his command. His duty was to ensure they did theirs. Unlike Ferelden, there was no leniency with the mages. They had a much shorter leash. The better to control them, to keep them from rebelling like Uldred had. If they tried anything, Cullen and his knights would be ready for them.

He made his way to the docks, ignoring the people around him. He waited for the boat to dock. When it arrived, he saw Alistair first. His stomach dropped. Then she walked off the boat, his nightmare made flesh. Alistair helped her but when she saw him she froze. They stood there staring at each other, neither of them able to speak. Why her? Was this some kind of cruel joke? Why was she here of all places? He watched her compose herself. Her usual carefree smile was gone, in its place she wore a frown. It didn't suit her.

"This is enchanter Amell, transferring from Ferelden's circle. I am Alistair."

His words had to be for someone else because of course he knew who they were.

"What are you doing here?" he growled at her, not even making eye contact with Alistair.

"Transferring," she replied, not meeting his eyes. "It's all here in the papers."

There was something else going on, he was sure about it, but now wasn't the time or place for a conversation so instead he told them to follow him and led them to Kirkwall's circle.

"Welcome to your new home," he said gravely.

# # # # #

Cullen introduced them to the first enchanter and soon Amell was deep in conversation with the elf and Alistair felt dismissed. He was not happy to be here. If it hadn't been Amell who insisted on being sent to this place, he would be back home where it was safe and comfortable. He glared at Cullen's back. This was his fault of course.

Cullen turned towards him once Amell left with the first enchanter. "It's been awhile," Alistair offered as a peace offering.

"You're staying as well?" Cullen asked.

"That's what the papers say." He studied the man standing in front of him. He looked better than he had after the circle fell but not by much. There were dark circles under his eyes and he looked like he hadn't slept well in weeks, maybe months. Not that Alistair slept all that well either. He and Amell still had nightmares about their ordeal. Cullen looked grumpy as hell though.

"Walk with me Templar."

Alistair obliged. "Guess you are my new boss, Knight Captain."

Cullen didn't respond. They walked the Gallows until they were out of ear shot of the other templars. "Why are you here? And don't give me bullshit about a transfer. There is no reason they would transfer Amell here."

"Well we aren't here because of you," he spat out.

"What in the void is that supposed to mean?"

"It's none of your business."

"How can I protect her if I don't know what's going on?"

"It's not your job to protect her."

Cullen smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm a templar, she's a mage. Of course it's my duty."

"I thought our duty was to protect them from her."

Cullen sighed. "It's both but not the point."

"Look Cullen." Cullen gave him an unfriendly look. "I mean Knight Captain. If Amell wants you to know, she'll tell you. I however don't trust you. I remember what you said, what you did to her. I'll be watching you."

Cullen let out a mirthless laugh. "Trying to intimidate me?"

"Hurt her again and I will end you." Alistair tuned and walked off without being dismissed. The was definitely a bad plan.