"So, tell me, Gale, why did you join the Inquisition?"

"To save the family bakery. That shop means the world to my father and it's all we really have left in memory of my mother. This job pays well enough for me to send money to Da, to help him pay off his debts."

"That's rather admirable of you."

"I do what I can, even if Da is a bit prideful. When Mum died, Da was all I had. He raised me on his own, did the best he could to provide for us, so this is my way of paying him back."

"I'm sure he's very proud of you."

"I hope so. Everything I've ever done was to make Da proud of me, to let him know he did right by me."

"He must be a remarkable man to have raised such a bright woman like you."

"That he is."

Gale stood upon the battlements just above the stables of Skyhold, looking out over the landscape as the moon hung high in the night sky and shined down on the glistening snow below. She thought back on Elias' question earlier that day, as well as everything else that had happened since she joined the Inquisition.

She had just turned eighteen before she had left home for the first time. She was a beautiful young woman with long flowing hair as gray as stone and eyes of soft beige like sand, skin like ivory, standing a head shorter than the average adult human male. She had lost her mother, Kalysta, at a young age so it was just her and her father, Varrian. She was practical, valued tradition, security, and peaceful living, and tried her best to be organized. She was a bit of a spitfire when angry, but otherwise, she was a well mannered person. Having had enough problems with thieves and thugs, she had learned how to protect herself, her father, and their friends, and always carried a simple sword with her at all times. She wasn't interested in theories or abstractions unless she could see the practical applications. She had clear visions of the way things should be, was loyal and hard-working, didn't mind being in charge but was willing to let others lead and step in when she was needed. She helped out around her father's bakery and ran errands for him while he minded the shop. Life was good, nice and simple, easygoing, but that all changed when they started having troubles with money and Gale had to leave home.

Varrian had accrued a large amount of debt trying to keep the bakery open, business having gotten really slow, and he was a bit prideful about it all- not too keen on the idea of Gale trying to solve his problems for him. Gale had already exhausted all other viable options that she had in an attempt to help pay off her father's debts and save their bakery, but it was to no avail and the debt just seemed to be getting bigger and bigger. So when word reached Denerim that the Inquisition was recruiting, Gale told her father that she would get a job as a cook. Of course, Varrian was against it- worried for her safety and all as a father should be- but in the end he gave in and wished her safe travels when she made her way to Haven.

Gale was able to secure a decent paying job within the kitchen staff of the Inquisition almost immediately upon her arrival to Haven. She kept to herself most of the time, just busying herself with work and trying to adjust to being away from home. She would often be put in charge of taking food to the soldiers and the Inquisition heads, always commenting on how they were too busy most days and nights to remember to eat, but there were nights at the Singing Maiden where Flissa needed her to help with serving. And that's how she met Samuel Trevelyan and his younger brother, Elias.

Gale smiled fondly as she recalled her first impressions of the the young Inquisitor and his older brother.

Elias was a quiet, serious, sensitive and kind twenty-three year old young man who stood half a head taller than Gale with short, kempt black hair and hazel eyes that clearly did not like conflict. He often avoided things that could generate conflict, which caused issues when it came to dealing with the Templars and mages, but he was loyal and incredibly faithful- especially to the Chantry- and had an aesthetic appreciation for beauty. He wasn't really interested in leading or controlling others, but he took the position as Inquisitor because he needed to and he was the only one who could close the rifts. He always said Samuel would make a much better Inquisitor, but Gale had to disagree- Samuel was too detached from people to make an effective leader. She would often tell him that he was best suited for the job because of how flexible and open-minded he was, how well he adjusted to being in charge, and how he enjoyed the present moment.

His brother, Samuel, on the other hand, was twenty-seven and had slightly longer and much more messy black hair and amber eyes. He had a few scars from previous battles, having chosen to take on mercenary type work instead of Chantry work like the rest of his family, a bit of stubble like Commander Cullen, and he had a crimson red tattoo around his right eye. He was the quiet and reserved type most of the time- only speaking to those closest to him- yet even so he was always interested in how and why things worked, preferred to work with his hands and doing physical work like working with the blacksmiths or making repairs to the keep as just as few examples. He was a risk-taker who lived for the moment, usually interested in and talented in hand to hand combat as well as weapons combat- where he was usually found sparring with the soldiers when he wasn't working. He was uncomplicated in his desires and knew exactly what he wanted- and who for that matter- and he was loyal to his peers and to his internal value systems, but not overly concerned with respecting laws and rules if they got in the way of getting something done, and was a bit detached and analytical.

When Gale met them for the first time, they were sitting with their relatives in the Singing Maiden, the local tavern of Haven run by Flissa. They had all been wearing Chantry attire, save Samuel who wore a simple nobleman's tunic, trousers, and boots. They were chatting about the Conclave, Samuel sitting at the edge- quiet- as if he were ready to flee at a moment's notice. Gale was bringing their order to their table, but when Samuel shifted his position she tripped on his foot and nearly spilled everything all over everyone.

"What the hell? Are you trying to injure someone?" Gale asked, irritated, as she looked at the man who tripped her. "You do realize all of this is piping hot, right?"

"Watch what you say, girl," one of the men sneered as he looked her up and down with disdain, "that is no way for a commoner to speak to a noble."

Gale scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You think I care if you lot are nobles?" She angrily set their order down onto their table, glancing at the youngest amongst them as he started to try and quell the others' anger and disdain. "Just because you're from some rich ass family doesn't give you the right to treat others like shit."

"You would do well to remember your place, wretch!"

Gale had to laugh at that. "And you would do well to remember who makes all of the food you eat here in Haven! You think I won't add a little something extra as punishment for pissing me off?"

One of the patrons leaned in and said, "She won't poison you, but you really shouldn't piss her off. Geoffrey over here made that mistake last week and she put some weird spices in his stew. Poor lad had the runny shits for days!"

The youngest noble went white as a sheet and looked at Gale, putting his hands to together as if to pray and bowing his head. "Please, do forgive my relatives for their rudeness and my brother's carelessness! No offense was meant!"

Gale looked him over and scoffed. "I don't care what your station is, so long as you are within this establishment you will show respect to those around you or you can get the hell out."

The nobles watched as she turned and stormed off, tossing the empty tray against the wall and ripping her apron free before heading out the back door.

Needless to say after that, Gale and Samuel butted heads from then on. And it seemed that Samuel enjoyed pissing Gale off, at least to her. There was just something about him that really made her blood boil at the mere sight of him. So she made it a point to avoid him as much as possible and ignore him any time she did see him. And that's how things continued up until the day that Haven fell.

When Haven had fallen, just after Elias and the Templars had closed the Breach, Flissa had been trapped inside the burning tavern. Gale had tried to push her way in and pull her out, but by the time she reached her it was too late. Gale had to leave her friend behind, having grown close to Flissa after she had hired her, and ran towards the Chantry with the others. All hell was breaking loose outside, corrupted mages attacking from every direction. Elias and some of his companions had gone off to try and load the last remaining trebuchet and aim it towards the mountains behind Haven. Gale and the others fled as fast as they could, taking an old pilgrimage path leading above the tree line to get safely out of the path of the avalanche Elias and the others were going to cause in a last ditch effort to defeat their enemy. When everyone was cleared, a signal was shot into the air and just a few moments later a chunk of stone came hurtling towards the mountain. Gale and the others steadied themselves as it struck the mountain, shaking the ground beneath their feet as the snow cascaded in heavy rushes towards the village- quickly burying it.

Gale hoped that Elias and the others had made it out safely, finding cover until the avalanche had settled, but all they could do was press on forward and find shelter where they could treat their wounded. Gale had looked at Samuel, seeing the worry in his eyes- something that she had never seen before. Not sure how else to offer comfort, especially since they pretty much hated each other, she reached forward and squeezed his hand. Samuel had just looked at her, confusion mixed with surprise taking their place with worry in his eyes. Gale couldn't find any words to offer him, so she just held his hand and pulled him along as they press onward.

When they had found a safe enough place to make camp, Gale did what she could to help the wounded and Samuel went with the others forming a search party to look for Elias and his companions. It was hours before any news had come, but when it did, Elias came with it. His companions had returned before him and were treated for their wounds. When the search party returned with Elias, he too was treated for his wounds and Samuel never once left his side. When Gale finished helping with what she could with the wounded, she went about making something hot to eat for everyone. As she and the other cooks distributed the food, Gale offered a bowl of the stew she had made to Samuel and asked how Elias was doing.

"The healers say he will be fine, that he will wake on his own time..." Samuel said, taking the bowl from Gale. "Thank you."

Gale was surprised that he even spoke to her, having never actually gotten a word out of him herself- only ever scoffs and grunts. It was a bit deeper than she was expecting. "He saved us... as many as he could..." She looked from Elias to Samuel. "You should be proud of him."

Samuel managed a meager smile at that- also a first for Gale. "I'm always proud of him. He's grown so much since the Conclave, I barely recognize him anymore." He sighed. "Mother and Father are going to be so worried when news of Haven reaches them..."

"Then write to them, both of you, when we're safe again." Gale said, then looked around their camp. "We have no idea if the enemy will come after us or not, but we won't be able to stay here for much longer."

"You're right about that." Samuel sighed again, taking a spoonful of stew to his mouth.

Gale sensed there was nothing more to be said between them, so she left him to eat as he watched over his little brother. But as she turned away, Samuel stopped her.

"Gale, wait."

Surprised, Gale turned to look at him and saw that he had stood and held out his bowl. She looked up at him, standing nearly a full head shorter.

"Your stew, it's good. May I have more?" He asked, looking down at her.

Gale nodded, and took his bowl to fill it. When she handed it back to him, his fingers grazed hers and she felt a strange sensation shoot through her body.

"Thank you." Samuel said, offering her a smile before he bowed his head slightly to her and turned away to retake his seat.

Gale returned his smile with a nod and left to continue her rounds. But as she walked through the camp, her heart would not stop racing.

Gale sighed and looked down at her hand. 'What was that feeling that night?' she wondered. She looked over when she heard a door open and close, seeing Samuel leaving Cullen's office. 'He must have had another late night helping the Commander...' She watched him as he made his way back towards the living quarters for a moment, then returned her attention to the landscape. 'I hope Da is doing alright.'