Chapter One

As Skyhold builds and grows, I watched inventively from my tower quarters. The suns ray shone down on the courtyard, illuminating all that we were trying to rebuild. My father once told me that a building, places, castle walls are not as still as they seem. They gather and absorb what people do in their everyday life.

There arguments, like the one Cassandra and Varric had in the armoury when she discovered that Varric had hidden Hawkes location after they searched for her. The helping hand of Cole as he appeared and disappeared throughout Skyhold. The pranks of Sera, Bull with his endless flirting and possible antics, which I will not mention. I giggled at the thought, but then my gaze fell upon the one person I hold most dear. Cullen. The commander of my forces, and the one who commands my heart.

I smiled as I watched him hurrying around the courtyard, barking orders and pointing out what needed to be done. The poor man has been on edge since this all began, and I suppose I haven't helped him. Cullen made his way to Blackwall, who was in the sparing ring, helping to train new recruits with Cassandra. My smile wouldn't drop from my face as I watched him. His armour glistening in the sun. His golden curly hair sat neatly upon his head, with not one strand out of place. As the wind blew, the red fur that surrounds his neck moved gently, swaying in the breeze. He was the one. The one that I wanted and the one who was my light in these days of darkness. He must have known I was watching, as he slowly turned and our eyes locked. He was smiling as he bowed his head. I chuckled a little and bowed my head back. Blackwall and Cassandra noticed and looked up and bowed their heads.

As I bowed to them, my head began to hurt, and I felt dizzy. The pain was returning slowly. I smiled weakly at them and turned to head back into my room. I needed to lie down. I thought I felt better. Why is the room spinning? Pain grew slowly on my left side. I tried to reach the bed, but fell to the floor hard and blacked out…


"Do you know how she is holding up Commander?" I heard Cassandra's voice, but I was too concerned at what I had just seen. She replied herself again and I finally met her gaze. They all knew about our leader and me. We had been flirting for ages. Well mainly her, I wasn't much good at it. I sighed as I shook my head "Honestly Cassandra, I don't know. She seems to have good and bad days, but I dare not disturb her. She needs her rest and not people bothering her" I answered sternly, though I knew Cassandra could see right through me. Throwing down her shield, she gripped my upper arm. Even threw my armour, I could feel how tight she held me. By the maker, she was stronger than she looked.

"Bothering her with reports…yes…bothering her with their endless problems, I can agree, but for someone who cares for her and loves her, no…that is what she will need. You are what she needs first, her friends come after"

I was shocked and taken back by Cassandra. Varric had told me of Cassandra's secret for his romance novals, but I didn't really take him seriously. Blackwall agreed with Cassandra, adding "Love these days is hard to find, especially in a woman, who has gone through so much and done a lot for others. She will need you"

With that, Cassandra loosened her grip and took the report from my hands and points towards the stairs. I couldn't help but smile as I turned on my heels and quickly marched up those stairs. I could hear them chuckling away as I was on a mission. I wanted to be by her side. To hold her and caress her face. To help her get back to woman I knew she was. Varric tried to speak to me, but I waved him off and said another time. I could even hear him chuckling, knowing that I was on my way to her room.

I pushed the door open with more force than I usually would and began to ascend the stairs. I tried to get up there as quickly as I could, taking two steps at a time. My heart raced as I thought of holding her. As I reached the top and was about to push open the door, a feeling caused me to pause. Something wasn't right. I may not be a mage, but I just knew. I burst in through the door and ran up the small flight of stairs.

As I searched the room, my eyes quickly fell upon her body. My heart stopped. I could feel my eyes filling with tears, as I though the inevitable. I though she was gone. Slowly I moved towards her. My breathing deep as I could feel the tears slowly falling down my cheeks. Our leader and savour was…

"Someone help!" I screamed