It's such a strange feeling being watched all of the time, being "protected", though it's not like I'm not used to it. But this is different. Things have changed since Haven. The Mages and Templars are somewhat getting along. A common goal has gotten them talking each other and sharing stories, though neither side completely trusts each other, yet. Can't say I can't blame them. Templars are fed stories to make them either fear mages or hate them or both. Growing up outside the circle and then forced in at an older age because of my own stupidity, has given me a chance to see why each hate either and a larger respect for both sides. I always understood why the Templars did what they did. They have to be cold. If they become comfortable and chummy with their charges, feelings grow and they can't do their jobs properly. Though I'm not saying that they're right in what they do. Both have their faults. None the less, I'm happy that the Breach has done some good.

I breathed a deep sigh and looked away from the massive war table. I liked the little war table better at Haven. It just had something about it. Now it's a pile of ash… Damn dragon-archdemon thing. Maybe we were getting too comfortable in Haven. We have stepped up our game since being in Skyhold. Almost needed to have what happened. Just to get knocked off of our pedestal that we placed ourselves on.

As I looked up I noticed Cullen being more twitchy than usual. What is it with Templars and being twitchy? Even my older twin brothers are twitchy. They joined so they could protect me from the crazy Templars and they became crazy Templars themselves. Thankfully they quit being Templars after Kirkwall and after the circles fell. Still twitchy, but they were kind of twitchy before. You go stir-crazy being a noble child and not allowed to do anything fun. Can't disgrace the family, I did that big time. It was so worth it.

I watched Cullen for a moment; he was reading something that one of the scouts gave him. Hand always on his sword. What is he expecting to happen? That I'll become an abomination? Or better yet, every mage here in Skyhold will become an abomination. That would be a sight to see. Okay I really need to stop thinking like that. My circle was amazing. My brothers were there. I was allowed to leave anytime I wanted. Though I bet my father's money helped with that. Need to stay positive about the Templars. Wow, even I was brain washed while I was in the circle.

Cullen ran his fingers through his hair and then rubbed the back of his neck. The man is pretty. I have to give him that. As I watched him read, he became more uncomfortable. Either he realized I was watching him or there was something in that report that made him uneasy. His uneasiness disappeared as fast as it came and he became twitchy again. Though this twitchiness seemed different than the other Templars, I think it's more the need to protect. But it's not the same as it would be if he had a charge to "protect". He was very upset about Haven. I mean who wasn't? Though I keep thinking back to the first time we spoke at Skyhold. He was doing what he always does, keeping everyone and everything in line. I swear if we didn't have him around, there would be mass chaos. We'd probably still have Templars and Mages fighting if he didn't put his foot down every once in a while. He kept everything running.

That day he looked exhausted. He clearly hadn't slept in a fortnight. Probably hadn't eaten either. Though he seemed more relaxed when I walked over; his eyes soften every flirty joke I said to him. It is fun watching him get all uncomfortable with me. The thought of losing him at Haven, made my stomach flip. He's a good friend and an excellent commander. It would be a tragedy if we lost him. The words he said to me that day still stick. "I will not allow the events at Haven happen again. You have my word." One could read so much into that. Though I know better, Templars and Mages don't mix well.

I flushed from my thoughts and turned my attentions to my other advisors. Leliana and Josephine were reading something as well; I kind of felt awkward without my own piece of paper to read. Both Leliana and Josephine were grinning from ear to ear. They must be reading the same report. Something that would make the girls grin would obviously make Cullen twitch, I needed to know.

I glanced back down at the war table. Markers placed all over Thedas, people needing our help. The simplest things as collecting herds to the most difficult; some grand ball in Orlais came to mind. I hated balls and parties. My family loved them. Well my distant family. My immediate family couldn't have cared less.

As I looked across the map, I noticed a marker being placed in the exact area where my family held land. I looked up to see Leliana with a grin across her face.

"Tis where your family is, is it not?" Her mischievous grin changed to a sweet smile. I can easily see why she was so good at "The Game".

I nodded. "That's about where my father's land is." I chewed my inner cheek. "I can't see why he'd ask for our help. My family is tied closely to the Chantry and the Inquisition is not."

I looked at my three advisors. Each waiting for me to say something. Anything at all. I'm dumb founded. I shrugged my shoulders hoping that would release so tension off of me. Those three can be so stubborn. Always waiting on me for me to make a decision, my job can be so stressful sometimes.

Leliana watched me closely as I squirmed under their prying eyes. "You don't know why your father sent a request in? Your brother's haven't said anything to you at all?"

I stared at Leliana. "Did I not tell you to stop reading my mail?"

"You did." She responded.

"And?" I crossed my arm. Trying to protect any dignity I had, which I usually had none to speak of. I know that she reads everything that comes and goes out of Skyhold. That's what we all agreed upon. We need to protect the Inquisition. Though the letters I sent were personal and not all of the letters were to my brothers that I sent back home. The letters usually sent home were to my best friend, River who became a sister-in-law when she married my brother, Vincent. Elf mage too boot. That was quite the wedding and the sandal it caused. Probably the best party I've been too. The letters I sent to her were extremely private and Leliana knew this. Well she learnt this after I had a melt down on her about reading them. I do recall knives being thrown. Some fireballs, maybe. That was fun. The most action Leliana has seen in a while. Leliana understood after that. There were things that were written on those parchments that really shouldn't have reached paper. Damn you brain.

"I did not read your mail… This time. A letter was sent to each of us. Apparently you'd just throw yours away and wouldn't say anything to us about it." Leliana handed me an envelope with my family seal holding it all together.

I took the envelope from her slowly. I looked at the three of them. "Maybe I should read this prior to the request that has been placed on the table. From each of your reactions, I might want to be prepared."

Josephine, still grinning nodded in agreement. "I think it would be the best for you to learn what needs to be done before we discuss this further."

Cullen shakes his head. "No. We do not need to be discussing this any further. There is no need for any discussion at all."

"Awe, what is wrong Commander? Is there something you don't like about the situation that has arisen from these letters?" Leliana waved her letter around in front of his face.

Cullen's cheeks turned a new shade of rosy red as Leliana teased him. "I, uh," No words could come out of the man's mouth. We were so lucky we were behind closed doors. If the men could see him now, how easy it is to make our commander turn to mush by three attractive women. The Chantry doesn't do well at teaching their men to be smooth with the opposite sex. And I'm not being sexist. Every female Templar I've met, including my sister-in-law, Alice had no problems with men. They were either really strong and didn't care much for being hit on or they knew they were sexy and went with it. Chantry boys are just naive.

I grinned. Cullen was so easy to fluster. It was so cute to watch him twitch like this. I looked down at the letter. There must be something in these letters that make him so uncomfortable. Does it have something to do with me? My eldest brother still needs to be married. Maybe that's what my father wants. Though I don't think it's as simple as that. Something's up.

I looked back up from my letter and smiled. "Leliana, I think our Commander has had enough teasing for one day. Let him leave with some dignity. I think we can break for the day and go back to our other duties." I placed my letter in my inner jacket pocket. "Same time tomorrow everyone, unless later works for everyone?"

"Later would work best for me." Leliana announced as she cleaned her papers up.

"I have to meet with Lady Mistborn tomorrow around noon. Later would work." Josephine stated as she looked down at her papers.

Cullen shrugged. "I guess later it is." His cheeks still flushed as he looked at me. "Until tomorrow."

We all exited the war room in silence. No one could say we didn't look professional. We never continued War Room conversations out in the open. We don't need someone to leak important information.

Leliana and Josephine stayed in Josephine's study to go over a couple things that needed to be done prior to traveling to the Winter Palace. Leliana said something about teaching Cullen and I to dance. I didn't even want to think about what's going to happen that night. I shivered at the thought.

"Are you alright?" Cullen asked as we walked to Throne Room. Glancing down at me with his golden brown eyes, I could get lost in those eyes… Dammit! I really need to keep my thoughts in check.

I nodded. "I'm alright. I was just thinking about the Winter Palace."

"Makes you shiver at the thought as well?" He said softy as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't like the thought of it. Makes me uncomfortable, well any party does."

"No partying for the Templars, eh? The Chantry sounds a little dull. Though that's not always a bad thing, you do less dumb things that people can see. It's a lot better than torching your brother at your Great Aunt's party with a candle. Though it as funny as it was." Why did I just tell him that? Oh I'm going to regret that later.

Cullen chuckled. "You lit you brother on fire at a party? You might want to sit the Winter Palace out then."

I nodded. "Sadly I must be there. Though I think Josephine would prefer if I wasn't." I waved at Varric. He was sitting in his usual spot in front of the fireplace. I walked with Cullen a little longer until we got to the fireplace. "See you later Commander."

"Inquisitor." One word and off he went. I watched him go. I didn't even try to hide it.

Varric leaned around his chair to look at what I was watching. "I don't understand women some times. They always go for the blondes. Hawke's the same. Anders has her so wrapped around her finger."

I looked at Varric. "What are you going on about? You know you really shouldn't say their names around here. Cassandra might over hear."

Varric shook his head. "Nah, she knows that I sent letters to them."

"Now she does" I insisted. Varric had hid some important information from Cassandra prior to the creation of the Inquisition. Varric's best friend, Hawke was the Champion of Kirkwall and supported the Mage rebellion. Cassandra needed her help to run the Inquisition. She wanted to stop the Mage Templar war. I guess I should be thankful that Varric had kept Hawke hidden from Cassandra otherwise I probably wouldn't be where I was.

Varric frowned and then nodded. We sat in silence for a few moments watching the fire. Varric looked at where I had found myself a spot to sit. "How was the meeting?" Varric's way of making small talk, he didn't do well with silence.

I glanced over at him. "It was alright. Thankfully didn't last long."

"What's wrong, Rowen? Don't like being in Curley's company?" The dwarf knew how to make me flush.

I sighed and looked back at the fire. I was close enough to the fire that it could be considered the cause of my bright red cheeks. Don't play his game, Rowen. You know better. "Of course I like being in the Commander's company. He's a dear friend."

"I bet he is." A thick Tevinter accent came from my left.

I looked over to see Dorian leaning on the door frame. How long has he been here? Knowing Dorian, the entire time. I sighed and ignored him. "Anyways, we cut it short due to the fact that everyone in the War Room had been given letters from my father."

"Oh father troubles, eh? I can relate." Dorian took two strides and perched himself on my chair's arm rest with grace and ease.

"I know you can, my friend. I don't really have troubles with my father. I'm confused that he sent all of my advisors letters and myself asking for help, saying that I would just throw the letter away. Does that really sound like me?" I looked from Dorian to Varric. Both shook their heads.

"Exact opposite of you, my dear though you have peaked my interest in the matter. What did the letter say?" Dorian leaned back on the chair's head rest, completely taking over my personal space. I moved over so he could join me on the chair. Dorian slid right in and propped me onto his lap like a small child. There I sat on his lap. People here must think there's something going on between us. The flirting going on between us could start rumors. A shit load of scandal, though I think everyone in Skyhold knows that Dorian and I are just very, very close friends. Can't get any closer to him without being in a relationship, not sure I'd want to be in a relationship with him. He's kind of needy some days. That and he prefers men over women. Completely okay with that, wouldn't have it any other way. Who else would people watch with me and talk about boys. That's something we have and no one can take from us.

I sighed. "I don't know. I haven't read it yet." I reached into the inner pocket of my jacket and pulled the letter out. "I think I might wait until the evening to read it or tomorrow morning. It's probably not all that important."

Varric arched an eyebrow. "Seems pretty important to me if your father sent a copy to all three of your advisors. Maybe you should read it sooner."

I nodded in agreement. "I guess you're right, though I was going to suggest a game of Wicked Grace." I smiled at both Dorian and Varric. I started to stand. "I doubt anyone really wants to play anyways. I think everyone is getting sick of it." I hide my mischievous grin from Varric full well knowing that he could never turn down a game of Wicked Grace.

Don't ever tell me that Dwarves aren't fast. Varric was up and at the entrance the Throne Room before I was standing. "Let me go round up a couple more people and I'll meet you two at Herald's Rest." And off he went to find more people to play.

Dorian and I looked at one another and laughed. Too see such childishness among strong and professional adults trying to save the world was refreshing. We smiled at one another. I helped the pretty boy out of the chair and we made our way to the tavern.